Vigil of Christmas

A blessed and joyous Christmas to you all! Our community will be praying a Christmas Novena of Thanksgiving from tonight until January 1st for all our benefactors, family members, friends and all who have asked for our prayers.

Our Christmas Schedule at Cor Jesu Oratory (Sacred Heart Church, Edson, WI)is:

December 24, 10:30 PM Matins (Divine Office) followed by first Mass of Christmas in the Extraordinary Form
December 25, 10:30 AM Third Mass of Christmas in the Extraordinary Form

January 1, 10:30 AM Mass in the Extraordinary Form

Directions to Cor Jesu may be found at our community's website: isjoseph.com.

Christmas Novena: Day 9

Image:http://www.nickifaulk.com/2008/12/23/merry-christmas-happy-solstice-and-merry-yule-yall/

Christmas Novena: Day 8

Christmas Novena: Day 7

Christmas Novena: Day 6

Image:http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/living/index.php/2009/02/07/visitation-popular-catholic-word/

Christmas Novena: Day 5

Christmas Novena: Day 4

VATICAN
Let us prepare for Christmas by looking to Saint Joseph, says Pope
During the Angelus, Benedict XVI entrusts all the pastors of the Church to the protection of Jesus’ lawful father so that they may offer the faithful and the world “Christ’s words and actions”.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Today’s Angelus was devoted completely to the figure of Saint Joseph, a “righteous man” who bore witness to Mary’s virginity, God’s selfless deed”, and took care of “the earthly life of the Messiah”. Inspired by today’s Gospel (fourth day of Advent), Benedict XVI said that Saint Joseph was the “new man, who looked to the future with confidence and courage, who disregarded his own goals, but entrusts himself completely to the infinite mercy of the One who fulfils prophecies and opens time to salvation.” To him, the universal patron of the Church, the Pope entrusted all the bishops, urging them to “quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world”. Here is the full text of the Pope’s reflection before the Angelus prayer in Saint Peter’s Square.

Dear brothers and sisters,

In this fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel of Saint Matthew tells us the story of Jesus’ birth through the eyes of Saint Joseph. He was betrothed to Mary, “but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit” (Mt,1:19), faithful to God’s law, and ready to do his will. For this reason, he becomes a party to the Mystery of the Incarnation when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt, 1:20-21). And so it came about that Joseph gave up the idea of quietly repudiating Mary, and took her in because at this moment his eyes could see in her the work of God.

In his commentary on Saint Luke, Saint Ambrose said, “in Joseph you find the friendliness of the righteous, to give greater worthiness to his standing as witness” (Exp. Ev. sec. Lucam II, 5: CCL 14, 32-33). “He,” Ambrose said, “could not contaminate the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Mother of the Lord, the womb fecundated by mystery” (ibid, II, 6: CCL 14, 33). Despite his turmoil, Joseph did “as the angel of the Lord ordered”, certain that he was doing the right thing. Even when he gave the name “Jesus” to the child who carries the universe, he joined the army of humble and faithful servants, like the angels and the prophets as well as the martyrs and the apostles, praised in ancient eastern hymns. Saint Joseph announced the marvels of the Lord and bore witness to Mary’s virginity, God’s selfless deed, whilst protecting the early life of the Messiah. Let us venerate Jesus’ lawful father (cf CCC, 532), because in him we see new man, who looked to the future with confidence and courage, who disregarded his own goals, but entrusted himself completely to the infinite mercy of the One who fulfils prophecies and opens time to salvation.

Dear friends, I wish to entrust all pastors to Saint Joseph, universal patron of the Church, urging them to “quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world,” (Letter proclaiming a Year for Priests). May our life join more and more the Person of Jesus, because the “One who is the Word takes on Himself a body, comes from God as a man and draws to himself the whole of humanity, bringing it into the word of God (Gesù di Nazaret, Milan: 2007, 383).

Let us confidently call on the Virgin Mary, full of grace, “adorned with God”, so that on this coming Christmas, our eyes might open and see Jesus, and the heart rejoice in this admirable meeting of love.

Text: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=20295

Christmas Novena: Day 3

Christmas Novena: Day Two

Christmas Novena: Day One

Consoling Words from Our Lady of Guadalupe

"Do not fear this nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I, your Mother, not here? Are you not under my protection? Do not be afflicted by the illness of your uncle; he is now cured."

Allow these beautiful words of comfort, assurance and love of our blessed Lady to fill your heart with joy. She is truly our Mother, our Protectress, and our Guide.

Our Lady of Loreto, December 10

The feast of our Lady of Loreto, the Virgin of Nazareth, has a special significance for our community. The Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto, Italy was transferred there according to legend by angels to protect it from being destroyed by the Muslims.
The statue in our Advent weathe is a replica of the statue at this shrine.
May our Lady of Nazareth, Patroness of the Unborn, help of sick and dying, refuge of sinners, and loving guide for all families, pray for all us!

Wisconsin Apparition and Shrine Officially Approved

Worthy of belief
Bishop Ricken approves Marian apparitions at Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help
GREEN BAY, Wis. (December 8, 2010) -- Bishop David Ricken announced today that he officially approves the Marian apparitions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help at Champion.

The announcement was made during a special Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help at Champion.

Declared with moral certainty

Reading from his decree, the Bishop stated, "I declare with moral certainty and in accord with the norms of the Church that the events, apparitions and locutions given to Adele Brise in October of 1859 do exhibit the substance of supernatural character, and I do hereby approve these apparitions as worthy of belief (although not obligatory) by the Christian faithful."

Today’s declaration makes Our Lady of Good Help at Champion the first and only site in the United States of an approved apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Three apparitions in 1859

In October 1859, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on three occasions to Adele Brise, a young Belgian immigrant. Brise stated that a lady dressed in dazzling white appeared to her and claimed to be the "Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners."

The Lady asked Brise to pray for sinners, as well as to gather the children and teach them what they should know for salvation. The Blessed Virgin followed the commands with these words of assurance to Adele Brise, "Go and fear nothing, I will help you."

Since 1859, countless faithful have made the pilgrimage to Champion, Wisconsin to offer prayers of thanksgiving and petition to Jesus and to ask for intercession from Our Lady of Good Help.

Fulfilling obligations

After receiving the apparitions, Adele Brise immediately began to fulfill the obligations the Blessed Virgin entrusted to her. She gathered local children and taught them how to pray, make the sign of the cross, and to give love, thanks, and praise to the Lord.

As part of her commitment to the Blessed Virgin, Brise set up a Catholic school and began a community of Third Order Franciscan women. Eventually, a school and convent were built on the grounds to further the mission entrusted to Brise.
Spared during Peshtigo fire

The 151-year history of the Shrine is rich with written and oral accounts of prayers that have been answered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. The sources document physical healings and conversions that have taken place as a result of pilgrimages to the Shrine.

In addition, as the Peshtigo fire of 1871 engulfed the surrounding area, the entire five acres of land consecrated to the Blessed Virgin remained unscathed. It is believed that the land was spared after Brise organized a prayer vigil that circled the area.

Contact
Deacon Ray DuBois
Director of Communications
Phone: (920) 272-8213 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8213
E-mail: rdubois@gbdioc.org
From: http://www.gbdioc.org/newsevents/news/857-worthy-of-belief.html

Advent at Cor Jesu Oratory, 5-12-10

Cardinal Burke's Titular Church: Sant'Agata dei Goti

Each Cardinal is assigned by the Holy Father a church in Rome when he is elevated to the Cardinalate. This is an ancient tradition and is a sign of the new Cardinal's incardination into the Diocese of Rome, as one of the chief collaborators of the Pope and one who is to the elector of the next Pope.

Saint Agatha



Two early churches were dedicated to her in Rome,[11] notably the Church of Sant'Agata dei Goti in via Mazzarino, a titular church with apse mosaics of ca. 460 and traces of a fresco cycle,[12] overpainted by Gismondo Cerrini in 1630. In the 6th century the church was adapted to Arian Christianity, hence its name "Saint Agatha of the Goths", and later reconsecrated by Gregory the Great, who confirmed her traditional sainthood.
She was given to Aphrodisia, the keeper of a brothel, and her nine daughters, but in response to their threats and entreaties to sacrifice to the idols and submit to Quintianus, she responded

My courage and my thought be so firmly founded upon the firm stone of Jesus Christ, that for no pain it may not be changed; your words be but wind, your promises be but rain, and your menaces be as rivers that pass, and how well that all these things hurtle at the foundement of my courage, yet for that it shall not move.
Among the tortures she underwent was the cutting off of her breasts. An apparition of Saint Peter cured her.

After further dramatic confrontations with Quintianus, represented in a sequence of dialogues in her passio that document her fortitude and steadfast devotion, her scorned admirer eventually sentenced her to death by being rolled naked on a bed of live coals, "and anon the ground where the holy virgin was rolled on, began to tremble like an earthquake, and a part of the wall fell down upon Silvain, counsellor of Quintianus, and upon Fastion his friend, by whose counsel she had been so tormented."[20]

Saint Agatha died in prison, according to the Legenda Aurea in "the year of our Lord two hundred and fifty-three in the time of Decius, the emperor of Rome."

text: from "Agatha of Sicily", Wikipedia
photos: St. Agatha,http//bishopalan.blogspot.com

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

After a week of recuperating and catching up (along with all the normal daily duties), I have some time to reflect upon the great Pilgrimage I was most fortunate to attend for the Consistory of Cardinals, where Cardinal Burke was elevated to the College of Cardinals. More will be forthcoming about the meaning of the role of the Cardinal, the symbolism of his sacred vestments, the homily by Pope Benedict, and my general experience and impression.

For now, I leave you with one of the best pictures I have seen of our beloved spiritual father, fearless leader and Cardinal of the Church.
He begs our prayers, especially with this most important mission entrusted to him by Pope Benedict XVI.

Image:http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/CatholicTimes/The%20Vatican%20Consistory/Burke08.jpg

Civitas sancti tui--The Holy Cities are in ruins

Although this music is associated with Lent and Passiontide, the season of Advent also has this 'ethos' of sorrow, mourning, longing for salvation-restoration-fulfillment. The "city" of the Church cries to the Lord for His redeeming Presence and Power. The days before our Lord's coming in the flesh had these desires; we, in our own day, long for Him; in our sacramental life, He comes to us; in our prayer and penance, He comes to us; in our daily lives, filled with sorrow, tension, unfulfillment and temptations to despair, He comes to us, in spite of evil and sin. He will one day come to take us in death and ultimately at the end of time.
Then, the lasting city of the New Jerusalem will be our home. And we shall be with Him and the Communion of Saints and Angles for ever.

This motet was widely sung in Elizabethan recusant circles, as the seven surviving manuscript sources show. It provided a model for Byrds famous Civitas sancti tui (Ne irascaris Domine Part II). One factor in its popularity was undoubtedly its text, a responsory from the Roman and Sarum Breviaries which was sung during the weeks before Advent. It laments the desolation of the Holy City in language derived from Jeremiah: Aspice Domine, quia facta est desolata civitas plena divitiis, sedet in tristitia domina gentium: non est qui consoletur eam, nisi tu Deus noster (2) Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrimae eius in maxillis eius. Non est qui consoletur eam, nisi tu Deus noster. (Behold, Lord, for the city once full of riches is made desolate, she who ruled the peoples sits in sadness: there is none to console her but thou, our God. (2) She wept sorely in the night, and her tears were on her cheeks: there is none to console her but thou, our God). Texts of this type (which also feature widely in Byrds penitential and political motets of the 1590s) were widely read by the Elizabethan recusant community in contemporary terms as expressions of Catholic nostalgia for the old religious order. The Non est qui consoletur canon was probably widely sung in recusant circles with the same connotations. Although this version has not survived in written form, the canon subject was simple enough to have been memorized and transmitted orally.

St. Edmund Campion, English martyr

Yesterday, December 1, was the feast of St. Edmund Campion, priest and martyr.
His heroic life of service during the bloody persecution of English Catholics demonstrates the great witness of one who loved Jesus above all and His Church, even to the shedding of blood. He is a remarkable example and intercessor for our own day; our times require great courage, fortitude, faith and especially, love: for God, for His Church, for our neighbor. St. Edmund Campion, pray for us!

Advent: Vigilate (Keep Watch!)

Vigilate is a five-part Latin motet by the renaissance English composer William Byrd (1543-1623). It was published in the Cantiones Sacrae of 1589 and takes its text from Mk. 13 : 35-7, where Christ exhorts his disciples to watch for the end of the world.

Watch ye, therefore,(for you know not when the lord of the house cometh: at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning). Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.

The Martyrs in Iraq

We Are the Christians of Iraq

Letter of an Iraqi Priest to His Wounded Country

By Father Albert Hisham Naoum


ROME, NOV. 11, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The martyrs of the Church of Our Lady of Salvation showed the world once again who we are, the Christians of Iraq, and they joined the martyrs of our Church, those who sacrificed their lives to Christ our Lord, who taught us to bear witness to the resurrection of life, for forgiveness, for hope, for love, for faith, joy.

The blood of our fallen heroes cries out to the world and all humanity, and urges the Christians of Iraq, wherever we are, to "preach" to the world about the suffering and risen Christ who lives in our wounded land.

Yes, I say "preach" because our faith is good news, as it "was and will always be." Who has ears to hear, hear us now, and know that Christ lives in the Christians of Iraq. It's a witness that lives and will continue to live. And if there is someone who does not feel the importance of witnessing in life, we would only say to him and to the whole world, that for us it is life itself. What the world calls "nothing," for us it is "everything"!

The Christians of Iraq are well aware that the risen Christ has conquered death, not because they are baptized believers, but rather because, with him, they have experienced death on the cross several times, and with him they drank the bitter cup, and have experienced the abandonment of others. And side by side with him they walked the way of his cross, and fell under the weight of their cross -- once in the attack on their churches, one with death, and yet another with the massacre of Our Lady of Salvation. Yet, they continue to stand up and live their faith as they have always done throughout history, walking along the path of suffering.

For Christians in Iraq, Oct. 31 was not the first time they have suffered, and no human being, especially those who claim to want peace, but really don't, can pretend that this will be the last time. But they do not interest us, because our hope has never been, and never will be, in them, but in the One who took up his cross and walked the path of death to ensure that life will continue and eventually win.

Joy and tragedy

Iraq's Christians have experienced deeply the meaning of life because they have experienced its joys after having tasted the bitterness of grief. They have lived in hope after experiencing the power of tragedy. They experienced laughter after having paid tears, and have experienced smiles after seeing their will broken by violence. These are really the Christians of Iraq with their good hearts, who love everyone, their country, and life, and these are those who forgive their enemies, and sow goodness wherever they are, spreading the spirit of peace. And despite their great suffering, they never forgot to live their Christian spirit in every place they went.

As an example of all this I can show you the Church of Our Lady of Salvation, which speaks on behalf of all Christians in Iraq, and which give examples written with the blood of its martyrs.

Have you heard how they died in this massacre, the two brave priests, and Wasim Sabieh and Thaier Saad Abdal? Did you know that they defended the faithful and tried to save their lives by offering their own from the first moment thecriminals set foot in church? Did you know that a father protected his son by covering him completely with his own body while they were lying on the floor, and died in a hail of bullets so that the child would survive? Have you heard that the killers murdered a four-month-old baby girl and a young woman who, on the day of her death, had received the best news, namely that she was pregnant, and so went to church to thank God for this gift?

O people of the world, these are the Christians of Iraq. Hear and evangelize to everyone!

And you Christians of Iraq, when sadness fills your soul and you cannot imagine the future, look up there, to the God of Heaven and Earth, and remember well who you are and let the world know! Christ will not leave us alone, we are his "little flock," and he wants us to remain forever with him, to live our faith and our love for all as we have always done, because as he tells us, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples" (John 13: 35).

We witness with our lives, so that the world can see what is happening to us, so that those who have plugged their ears and those who have shut their mouths will speak about who we are. We are the Christians of Iraq!

[Translation from Arabic by ZENIT]

* * *

Father Albert Hisham Naoum is an Iraqi Chaldean priest studying communications in Rome, and was a friend of Father Wasim Sabieh and Father Thaier Saad Abdal, the two priests who died in the Oct. 31 attack on Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Church.

O sweet Jesus...O Holy Loving Mary, Mother of Sorrows! How absolutely horrid this is; yet in faith, in love, in hope, we know that the witness of the faithful brings forth grace for Your Church! Help us, give us strength, make our lives conformed to the true Image of God...dear Sorrowful Savior and Sorrowful Mother, help us!

The Eponymous Flower: Iraq: New Attacks on Christians -- Three Dead, 26 Wounded

The Eponymous Flower: Iraq: New Attacks on Christians -- Three Dead, 26 Wounded

Update on the Persectution/Martydom of Iraqui Catholics/Christians

This has not been reported on the international news; not that I can see.
What a horrid and absolute abomination.
Please pray for our Catholic/Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq and in the Middle East.
Islamic fundamentalism is creating a terrible crisis here; in the West, we may be next.
Don't you ever think otherwise.

Archbishop Matokas cries for help to the international community of nations: 'If someone would like to drive us Christians out of the country, then they would succeed. We don't know any more what we should say. Families want to leave. It is horrible!'

Bagdad [kath.net/Fides] In Baghdad a new wave of attacks against Christians: On Wednesday in the early morning between 4 and 6AM explosive devices were set off at several Christian homes.

The attacks took the lives of at least three people and 26 were wounded, as reported by a representative of the Interior Ministry. Already on Tuesday evening, three Christian homes were attacked in Mansur. No one was injured in those attacks.

"What could we do, what should we say?", complained the Syro-Catholic Archbishop of Baghdad, Atanase Matti Shaba Matoka. "In our communities there is great panic. The wave of violence will become much greater. Ten days ago there was a terror attack against our Cathedral. Today our homes were targeted. Families are aggrieved and want to flee. It is horrible!"

Before his visit to stricken families the Archbishop said to Fidesdienst: "All of the forewarning and urging the government has done nothing to halt this wave of violence which has swept over us.

Police are standing in front of the churches, really it's the homes of our faithful which have become targets of attack. Among the victims there are Christians of various confessions in the district of Doura. The terror knocks on our doors. The families are horrified. This is not life any more, they say."

If one would like to drive us from the land, then it would succeed. This country is the victim of desolation and terror. The suffering of Christians will become ever greater and lead them to leave their country. We don't know any more, what we should say."


Finally, the Archbishop appealed to the international community of nations and the world Church: "We pray for a quick response of the international community of nations and hope for the assitance of the Holy Father and the world Church.

Today there is nothing else for us to hope for and to pray and to put our lives in the hands of God. Through their tears the Iraqi Christians are saying: In manus tuas, Domine".

Read original... kath.net...
Posted by Tancred at 3:48 AM Labels: Chaldeans, Iraq, Islam, Terrorism
http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2010/11/iraq-new-attacks-on-christians-three.html

Christian Martyrs

On October 31, 2010, Islamic gunmen entered a Syrian Catholic Church in Baghdad, Iraq and opened fire upon the congregation assembled for Holy Mass. Three priests were killed. Many laity were killed. This is a martyrdom in our own day.
Please pray for the families of these holy men and women, for their comfort and peace in this most distressing time; please pray for the conversion of their murderers.




Hood tip to John Sonnen at:http://orbiscatholicussecundus.blogspot.com/2010/11/christian-martyrs.html

Pilgrimage

When I was in English literature class in high school, we had to memorize this introduction of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales":
WHEN APRIL with his showers sweet with fruit
The drought of March has pierced unto the root
And bathed each vein with liquor that has power
To generate therein and sire the flower;
When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath,(5)
Quickened again, in every holt and heath,
The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun
Into the Ram one half his course has run,
And many little birds make melody
That sleep through all the night with open eye(10)
(So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)—
Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage,
And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,
To distant shrines well known in sundry lands.
And specially from every shire’s end(15)
Of England they to Canterbury wend,
The holy blessed martyr there to seek
Who helped them when they lay so ill and weak.
Befell that, in that season, on a day
In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I lay(20)
Ready to start upon my pilgrimage
To Canterbury, full of devout courage,...


Now, although I would LOVE to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury (my roots being English with an Irish flavor...mostly my tendency to weep and my temper!) I be going to Rome next Monday for the elevation of Cardinal-elect Raymond L. Burke to the College of Cardinals.

He is my spiritual father; he has been the supporter and guardian and mentor for our Association of the Faithful, the Institute of Saint Joseph. And he ordained me as a priest of Jesus Christ in 2003...just in time, before he was called to be Archbishop of St. Louis.

I take all of you with me to Rome; if you have particular intentions you would like remembered in my Masses and prayers at the holy shrines there, please let me know.
If you want to have a more private communication, my email is jmgilbert85@gmail.com.
I promise to remember you all and every intention you might want me to include.
This is not only a joyous occasion, but a historical one, as well.
I'm just in absolute awe.

Pope Benedict consecrates Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Welcome to You, O Jesus

This is a beautiful Christmas hymn, which can also be a Communion hymn, in Irish.
Welcoming Jesus, our most Holy Savior and Lord, into our hearts in holy Communion is always another "Christmas", where with the Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph, we receive and adore the Divine Infant. How wondrous a Sacrament! How privileged we are to receive Him, our God and our Savior!

He is the Bread of Life, the Hope of Eternal Life, the Guardian of our Souls! Each Holy Communion, received with love, fervor and devotion in the state of grace increases our love for Him and His Love for us unto eternal life.

We pray for the dearly departed during this month of November; we also prepare to enter into the "shadow of death" one day. Let the joy and love of these Eucharistic moments prepare us to meet Jesus, our Lord, our Love, our All!

A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Jesus, o Jesus,
A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Jesus,
A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Saviour,
A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Jesus, o Jesus...

Glory and praise to you, o Jesus, o Jesus,
Glory and praise to you, o Jesus,
Glory and praise to you, o Saviour,
Glory, praise and thanks to you, o Jesus, o Jesus...

A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Saviour,
A hundred thousand welcomes to you, o Jesus, o Jesus

All Souls Day Meditation: Lough Derg- Ag Criost An Siol

English translation adapted in metre:

Christ's is the seed, Christ's is the wheat

Into God's store may we harvested be.

Christ's is the fish, Christ's is the sea

And into God's net may we gathered be

From the dawn of the day and from sunset to dawn

May your two hands, O Christ, o'er us be drawn

From our birth to our death, when a new birth we see

In your heavenly grace, may we ever be.

Happy All Saints Day!

Cardinal Van Thuan

I had the privilege to attend seminary with Vietnamese seminarians at Holy Apostles, Cromwell, CT, some of whom, knew the Cardinal personally.
Their stories, their witness, their absolute fidelity to Jesus and His Church will forever be in my heart and in my mind. I am for ever grateful.
I have vestments made by Vietnamese Sisters given to me at my ordination by my Vietnamese friends. These "confessors of the faith" became my friends, one of whom was tortured daily by the Communist North Vietnamese; he eventually emigrated to the USA, worked in a factory, until he could attend seminary and be ordained a priest in his '50s...what a legacy of faith. He was the most kind, gentle and holy soul; what an inspiration!
My Dad was a Dr. sent to Vietnam from 1967-68. He took care of many civilians, as well as the soldier casualties. When my Vietnamese seminarian companions learned this, they adopted me as their "brother". My Dad had cared for their women, children, old men and women; I was "one of them".
So very overwhelming.

My "Spiritual Father" is now a Cardinal! Deo gratias!

Archbishop Burke issued the following statement:

I am deeply humbled and honored by the announcement that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI intends to name me to the College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church at the Consistory which he has convoked for this coming November 20th. Having received the news of the Holy Father’s intention, I express my deepest gratitude to His Holiness for the great confidence which he has placed in me, and I renew my commitment to serve Him, as Shepherd of the universal Church, in total fidelity and with all my being.

Considering the weighty responsibilities of the members of the College of Cardinals in assisting the Holy Father as his closest co-workers, even “to the shedding of blood,” I am more than ever conscious of my own weakness and of my total dependence upon the help of divine grace, in order that I may fulfill worthily and generously the responsibilities which will be mine, God willing, as a Cardinal of the Church.

I count upon the continued intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints, and the prayers of the many faithful whom I have been blessed to serve as priest and Bishop, especially in my home diocese, the Diocese of La Crosse, and in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and of those with whom I have been, in the past, and am now privileged to serve in the Roman Curia, especially my co-workers at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Only the knowledge of God’s immeasurable and unceasing outpouring of mercy and love from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus gives me the confidence to accept the great honor and burden which His Holiness intends to confer upon me.

Today’s announcement turns my thoughts with deepest affection and gratitude to my late parents and all my family, living and deceased; and to the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who have assisted me to know my vocation to the Holy Priesthood and to respond to it with an undivided heart over the more than thirty-five years of my priestly life and ministry. Today, with all my heart, I humbly thank God for the gifts of life, of the Catholic faith, and of my vocation.

At the same time, my thoughts naturally turn to the many challenges which the Church faces in our day in carrying out her divine mission for the salvation of the world. In particular, I am deeply conscious of the critical importance of the loving witness of the Church to the truth, revealed to us by God through both faith and reason, which alone is our salvation. It is a witness which Our Holy Father tirelessly gives with remarkable wisdom and courage. I pledge myself anew to assist Pope Benedict XVI in this critical witness and in the many works of his pastoral charity on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in the Church and in the world.

I ask for prayers that I may be able to assist our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the best of my ability and with every ounce of my strength. I, once again, place my whole heart, together with the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, into the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus, I am confident that I will find the purification, courage and strength which I will need to carry out the new responsibilities to be confided into my hands. I thank, in advance, all who will pray for me, and ask God to bless them abundantly.

I am SOOO proud to be a spiritual son of this holy priest of God! He ordained me to the priesthood in 2003. God love him! Mary keep him! St. Joseph protect him!

Hood tip: http://stlouiscatholic.blogspot.com/

Image:http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2010/07/audio-interview-with-archbishop-burke.html

DID ROSARY STOP HORRIFIC SERIAL KILLER?

During this Month of our Lady's Rosary, we need to reflect upon how wonderful and magnificent this gift is to us. A story about a very dramatic "rescue" is found at this link. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

DID ROSARY STOP HORRIFIC SERIAL KILLER?

For Terry...in honor of Xena-Celine, his "best friend"

Santa Teresia, Ora pro nobis!

http://www.avila.com/avila_guide/saint_teresa_of_avila

One of my favorite saints...she loved Jesus so absolutely! And her life is a testimony of the great Mercy of the Lord.
Saint Teresa, pray for us!
Pray that we all may know the mercies of the Lord...and His loving-kindness...we need to know this more than ever today!

Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, Fatima, 1917

A video of Sister Lucia, visionary of Fatima, singing the "Ave Maria" with her sisters in Carmel.
Beautiful!

Hood tip to:http://4thepriests.wordpress.com/
and http://catholicismpure.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/fatima-visionary-sings-ave-maria/#

A guide about the angels

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear

I believe in the power and action of the Guardian Angel.
This last summer I was driving home on the interstate, after doing errands.
In front of me, a truck with a trailer, all of a sudden began to veer; the trailer detached from the truck...it came right into my direction...somehow it did not hit me...if it would have, it would come in through the windshield...I could have been "pulverized"...
I am so grateful that my Guardian Angel loves me and cares for me.
So very grateful.
Tell your Guardian Angel tonight how grateful you are that you have been spared from sudden death.
Really.

Memorial of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus and the Holy Face

I absolutely love this photo of St. Therese. From what I have read, this was taken by her sister, Celine, when she was so very ill. Her penetrating gaze is so awesome...the fire of the Holy Spirit is just so present.
St. Therese has been my sister and guide all these years of my life as a Catholic. I believe she chose me; guided me; prepared me for religious life and the priesthood.
I love her so very much...she was so in love with Jesus, loved Holy Mother Church so passionately, and yet, was very human (she mimicked the chaplain...and she's a saint!)...I love her sense of humor and irony...she had no illusions about life, about faith, about what it means to live a spiritual life, about what it means to belong to Jesus, "absolutely", and her meditations upon our Holy Mother are so filled with deep, intimate knowledge of the Mother of God and Her love for each of us.
St. Therese, pray for us! Pray for bishops and priests! Pray for families! Pray for consecrated souls that they may be "a holocaust of love" that you lived in Carmel!

Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

On Sunday April 24th 1994, Pope John Paul II recommended this prayer be used by all Catholics as a prayer for the Church when he said:

"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the Letter to the Ephesians: 'Draw strength from the Lord and from His mighty power' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to St. Michael throughout the Church. Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."'

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Source:http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/prayer/michael.htm
Image:http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-3/st_michael_the_archangel-1.htm

Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society

An update on the Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society ...


Just 24 hours ago we announced the new Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society (see previous post below). I would like to personally thank everyone who has wished us well on this new apostolate and offered prayers for its success.

In terms of the response, we have already received names to be enrolled by nearly 40 people, most of whom each sent numerous names of passed loved ones.

Possibly even more remarkable is that we also have already secured three holy priests to offer weekly Traditional Latin Masses for all the souls enrolled in the Society! I will make two of the priests' names known on Friday when the first listing of souls is posted (one of the priests must remain anonymous for now). The first TLM will take place this Friday, October 1, at 11 a.m. CST for those here who would like to unite themselves spiritually to the Mass. If there are other priests who would like to do the same, please email me. Also, for our readers, please remember these good priests in your prayers as well.

I would also like to thank The Remnant, New Advent and Vatican Watcher for sharing the news of our Purgatorial Society on their fine websites and I ask all of our sister blogs to please consider sharing the original link to our announcement below with your readers. We want everyone to know that, while sadly many Catholics neither pray for the dead nor even believe in Purgatory, there is a place they can turn, free of charge, to help bring eternal rest and perpetual light to their suffering loved ones.

Our Lady Queen of Purgatory, ora pro nobis!

And please remember to follow @RorateCaeli on Twitter.

Labels: Purgatorial Society

posted by Christopher J. Paulitz at 1:08 AM 0 comments

Original post: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19978542&postID=932870706891574140

Pope on the Illustrious English Nation: "The Dowry of Mary"

Our Lady of Walsingham, the Nazareth of England

"The love and care of the Roman Pontiffs for England has been traditional from the days of Our holy predecessor Gregory the Great."

-Pope Leo XIII

Hood tip to John Paul Sonnen:http://www.orbiscatholicus.org/2010/09/pope-on-illustrious-english-nation.html

My heart's one desire

Blessed John Henry Newman on the English Martyrs

Hood tip to Patrick Madrid:http://patrickmadrid.blogspot.com/2010/09/blessed-john-henry-newman-on-english.html

A Marian Prayer of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

O Mother of Jesus, and my Mother, let me dwell with you,
cling to you and love you with ever-increasing love.
I promise the honour, love and trust of a child.
Give me a mother's protection, for I need your watchful care.
You know better than any other the thoughts and desires of the Sacred Heart.
Keep constantly before my mind the same thoughts, the same desires,
that my heart may be filled with zeal for the interests of the Sacred Heart of your Divine Son. Instill in me a love of all that is noble, that I may no longer be easily turned to selfishness. Help me, dearest Mother, to acquire the virtues that God wants of me:
to forget myself always, to work solely for him, without fear of sacrifice.
I shall always rely on your help to be what Jesus wants me to be.
I am his; I am yours, my good Mother!
Give me each day your holy and maternal blessing until my last evening on earth,
when your Immaculate Heart will present me to the heart of Jesus in heaven,
there to love and bless you and your divine Son for all eternity.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource.php?n=357

A Tribute to "Fr Ted" and "Fr Jack"....he, he. he...

I deleted these posts...outta "Irish guilt" and I'm re-postin' 'em...
Because I received some positive comments (!). I know you'll understand (!).
God luv ya! I don't know if I can repost the comments...but t'ank you!!
Nuns! Nuns! Nuns! Reverse:<)!!

Tyburn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOFS0nvY-Rc&feature=related

Pope Benedict mentioned Tyburn in his homily at the Vigil at Hyde Park.
Here is a video describing that place of execution. Many Catholics martyrs were horribly killed here, hung, drawn and quartered. May their prayers before the Lord give conversion, grace and assistance to us all!


Today a Benedictine Monastery of contemplative Nuns dedicated to Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not far from the Tyburn Tree (as it is called...the gallows)...the relics of the Martyrs are venerated there and a replica of the gallows rests over the altar of the Tyburn Martyrs.

http://www.tyburnconvent.org.uk/home/index.html

Prayer Vigil at Hyde Park with Pope Benedict

Stabat Mater

By the Cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful Mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last.

The Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

O my dearest Mother,
I can only contemplate the wounds of your Heart, the swords of Sorrow,
Mother, my dearest Mother,
"Make me feel what He has felt...make my heart and soul to melt"
in the love of Christ Divine.
Your tears, the thing that makes my heart to absolutely hurt, don't cry, Mother!
Your children, so many, so far from Jesus, the beloved of Your Heart,
Bring them back to you...
Back to Truth, Love, Beauty, Wisdom, Truth...bring them into His Kingdom.
Thank you, dearest Lady for your love for all your children,
me, in particular;
thank you, dearest Lady...my Mother...my Queen.

Dedicated to Terry

For Terry and all of you who have had a bad day.
Lord knows how many I have had and will have.
We commiserate, yeah??:<)!

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

O Jesus, Love Divine,
Your Wounded Hands, Feet, and Pierced Side
Reveal the Love that You so richly bestow on everyone
Who desires Your forgiveness, love and mercy.
Bless all those who persist in sin; give them the riches of Your Mercy;
Lord, help me, for I'm so absolutely weak and powerless;
Your Love and the Blessed Water and Blood that flow from Your Pierced Heart
are the only means of my salvation, my life, my love.
Jesus, I love you!
Draw all sinners to Your Pierced Heart!

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

We adore Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, and we bless Thee,
because by Thy Cross
Thou hast redeemed the world!

Pray a Novena for the Pope's Visit to the UK

The Holy Father will be visiting the UK soon.
Please pray a rosary, make other prayers, offer Masses, Holy Communions for his safety, the openness of the British people to his message, and the safety of all those participating.
England is the "Dowry of Our Lady".
She could very well bring about a real conversion, return to Truth, love of our Lord and of His Holy Church.
But we must pray.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/09/07/novena-for-benedict-xvis-visit-to-britain-starts/

In Honor of the First Thursday of September

O sacred Banquet, in which Christ becomes our food,
the memory of His passion is recalled, our souls filled with grace,
and our pledge of future glory is given.


We pray this after Morning Office each day in the presence of our Lord exposed in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Today is a First Thursday; a day to thank the Lord especially for the great gift of His Eucharistic Sacrifice, Presence, Communion.

"Rays of Musical Light"

source:http://romancatholicvocations.blogspot.com/2010/07/rays-of-musical-light-cloistered-nuns.html

"The Real Thing"

I was so moved by this video; these Nuns have such beautiful faith, hope and charity.
Pray God we may know this kind of complete fidelity to our Lord and to His Holy Church...to prayer, sacrifice, long-suffering, and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Just absolutely astounding and beautiful. Thank you, Jesus!


Source: http://anglocath.blogspot.com/2010/08/real-thing.html
Thank you, Miss Hillary Jane Margaret White (Orwell's Picnic).

And, in case you missed us; we were on pilgrimage, yeah!

We snuck off to the Alps...well, we followed the Mizzus POTUS and entourage..in Spain (stopping at Compestella, of course, this being the Jubilee Year of St. James...) and then had tea with Pope Benedict and Msgr. Ganswein...well, maybe not tea, but we might have HAD tea in the near vicinity!!
Just kiddin'.
Another hats off to the great Vincenzo, who for some reason, likes us, and is very creative in his computer work! (Can you tell who is who here? A rosary prayed for you for your correct guesses!).

Source: SANCTE PATER, Vincenzo.
ttp://www.sanctepater.com/2010/08/nazareth-priest-on-pilgrimage.html

Why is Nazareth Priest "Going Funky"?

Things have been rather busy here; sometimes TOO busy.
But we do take time to celebrate, relax, "go funky"...can you guess why your "blog host" is going funky here??

Source: SANCTE PATER, the wondrous Vincenzo.
http://www.sanctepater.com/2010/08/nazareth-priests-groove-thang.html

The Installation Mass of Bishop William Patrick Callahan, Tenth Bishop of La Crosse

H/T to "The Badger Catholic"...his report on the installation Mass of our new Bishop is at:
http://badgercatholic.blogspot.com/2010/08/bishop-callahan-roundup.html
Thanks, Matt, for your coverage of all that is important in our Diocese.
You do great work for the Lord and His Church!

Mighty Mouse

What three-inch being could possibly set a monastic house on "its edge"...the smell of death and the sewer everywhere?
The fear and loathing of drying clothes in the dryer that smelled like "death"...literally?
Yep.
Mighty Mouse.
He got fished outta da dryer by our most efficient and manly janitor...(we religious too scared, grossed out, or just plain stupid to take apart said dryer, for fear we couldn't put it back together again...I'm not kiddin'...unfortunately, we're about as capable as "school girls" when it comes to these things...Jesus, send us some mechanically inclined vocations...please!!?)
He's gone now.
But his remnant "odor" remains...the JR Terrier immediately went for the dryer when he got downstairs...no dummy he...but even he didn't know how to explicate said rodent...
Mighty Mouse...
Mighty odor, he.

Eastern Catholic Nuns in Rome

H/T to "The New Liturgical Movement."

Do we open our lips to praise the wonders of the Lord?

Today's Gospel in the Extraordinary Form (the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost) is the encounter between Jesus and the deaf/mute man.
The Lord heals him.
It is a sacramental encounter; in our Baptismal rite, we have the "Ephephta"..."be opened" given to the one being baptised.
Do we allow this exorcism of the Evil One, who prevents us from declaring the great works of God in our lives, to be a true reality?
Do we renew this rejection of the Evil One, by the use of holy water, prayers to the Archangel Saint Michael, to our prayers to the Holy Mother of God?
Are we doing spiritual warfare against the Evil One, all his pomps, lies, and promises of material comfort, as opposed to the promise of eternal life, made present by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord?
Use holy water; make confessions of faith, in the Apostles Creed, pray the Holy Rosary...Satan is looking for all kinds of "windows of opportunity" in the lives of those who love the Lord and His Church.
Do not give him free reign.
Renounce him and call upon the saving power of the Lord.
He not only frees the deaf and dumb from their physical limitations; He enables us to praise Him, to tell of His wonders, to make His salvation known to the world!

Another Irish ballad

This touched me very deeply; there is a mystical sense about these words.
We are in a "foreign land" here on earth...we know, instinctively, and by faith, that we belong to another "land", "another home."
The Irish, because of their particular history, know what it is to "leave", to "long" for "home"; their traditional Catholic Faith held them to the "ultimate home"...Heaven.

But now, because of the horrid cases of child abuse that have rocked the Church in Ireland, causing the resignation of bishops, poor morale among the clergy and religious, and in the Fall, a Vatican investigation to the Archdioceses and religious communities that will hopefully bring reconciliation and healing, there is much need of prayer and love for the Irish Church.

Many bishops, priests, men and women religious from Ireland came to the USA and served this mission Church of ours for over a hundred years. Many, many of them are heroic in so many ways; they sacrificed much, leaving home, family and even giving their lives to bring the message of our Lord to this country.

The Church in Ireland deserves our love, prayer and respect.
This song is in honor of the many nameless priests and religious who came here to give of themselves to the poor and destitute, to educate children, care for orphans and all the unwanted. Some of them were even in the Civil War, caring for our soldiers on both sides. They are truly heroes and heroines. May God bless Ireland.

An Irish kinda mood

I'm in an Irish kinda mood today.
Pray for the Church in Ireland; they are in such dire need of our prayers, concern and best.
The lyrics:
English Translation:

Halleluia, halleluia
Halleluia, my Savior
You are my God, I am your servant
Halleluia my heart forever

My love, my God, my guardian, my rock
My fair love, my Lord
My love, my christ, my love, my heart
My love in full, You, my glorious King

(Chorus)

My love __, holy in your court
My love, your heart and your fair appearance
My love, your flock, long is your path
My love, my light, my strength, my king

(Chorus)

You are my God, I am your servant
Halleluia my heart forever

A Place of Peace, of Rest, of God

With so much strife, enmity, tragedy and sadness...let us place ourselves in the "Heart of God"...where we can find a true source of strength, holiness and meaning.
Our prayers for all of you struggling...we feel the pain, sadness and anxiety of your lives. Trust in the Lord! He is our refuge and strength!

There is something beyond this material world; it is something we intuit by just "being"

I love this music from "The Secret Garden"...it just takes you to a "place beyond time and space"...to God.

Prayers and blessings from our little dovecot of our Lady! We love you all!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee!

Homily for the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
13 June 2010

Our texts from this Sacred Liturgy, the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, point toward a wonderful mystery: God has so loved us, has made Himself so vulnerable, so approachable, so absolutely weakened by physical, psychological and mental sufferings that no sinner could ever feel that the God who created him, loved him from all eternity, shed His very Blood for him, suffered untold agonies in the Garden of Gethsemane, was scourged without mercy at the pillar, tried before men who closed their hearts to the the Truth, was given a heavy Cross-beam, was humiliated before the crowd, affixed to the Cross in a most horrible manner, suffered for three hours, forgave His enemies and entrusted Himself to His Eternal Father before He breathed His last; this is Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Whose Sacred Heart bore all of these burdens for our sake, Who was wounded, and at His death, His Sacred Heart was pierced, from which blood and water flowed. The source of all Sacramental life; the water of Baptism; the Blood of the Holy Eucharist which came forth from the Sacred Body of the God-Man Who loved each one of us unto death, the complete spending of Himself in obedience, the complete blood=letting of His Precious Blood.

We stand before this most sublime mystery today in our celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which Holy Mother Church allows us to celebrate in an External Form on this Sunday closest to the actual Feast. The Patron of this church, of this “Oratory of Cor Jesu”, which, God willing, will soon have the daily praises of the Divine Office sung here; the daily offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; the daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; the daily reparation requested by our Lord to Saint Margaret Mary Alocoque, in her French convent, some four hundred years ago. It is no mistake that our small, humble, hidden monastic community was given this place dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Archbishop Raymond Burke entrusted us with the work of writing an icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that he blessed and then consecrated our Diocese in 1999 to the Sacred Heart. We have gone through many years of discernment and search of where our “permanent home” would one day be; the Lord knew the answer; He gave us this most historical religious site, dedicated to His Sacred Heart. The church bell that rings out the announcement of the Holy Mass each Sunday is dedicated to Saint Joseph, under the inspiration of Fr. Goldsmith, the great missionary of this area. And it was consecrated on June 11th, the birthday of our co=founder, Rev. William Felix, one hundred years before we took possession of this holy ground. The Lord, in His Providence, makes no mistakes; He knows and provides for everything. Praised be His Holy Name!

Pope Benedict, in his homily for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday of this last week, in the closing Mass for the “Year for the Priest” spoke most eloquently of the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus Who loves and cares for his sheep, His people. The past years have been filled with the news of how bishops and priests have not loved their flock as “Good Shepherds”, have, in fact, abused their authority and responsibility toward the innocent, the vulnerable, the dependant; this is a grave sin and a horrid violation of the true vocation of the “Good Shepherd”, one who is to imitate Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and
Guardian of Souls. The violation of even one of the innocent is a sin that cries to God for vengeance; it is a horrible violation of the trust that a representative of Jesus Christ, a bishop or priest,
must be always careful to observe. I want to make public reparation, apology, and ask forgiveness from any of you, here present, who have been treated in any way that is abusive or somehow outside the proper treatment that a “Good Shepherd” should treat His flock. It is a horrible crime for the innocent to be violated in any way by the very one who should be leading them to God. It is not always sexual abuse that is the case, here; many times, the abusive and atrocious behaviour of God’s representatives manifests itself in the insensitive, uncharitable, and dismissive acts and attitudes of bishops and priests, who should, above all, be very sensitive and attentive to the needs of the faithful.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a pierced Heart; it is a Heart that is full of mercy, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, compassion, love. Pierced by a lance. From which blood and water flowed. A Heart so vulnerable, so impassioned, so full “of fire”…how can we ever begin to understand the Divine Compassion?

In the revelations to Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus made a definite reference to a very important point: He was deeply offended by the lack of love of His chosen ones; He felt the deep sadness and neglect of those who should be His dearest friends. In other words, Jesus came to us, in these revelations, as a beggar. He so wants our love, our adoration, our reparation, our time, our attention…He is like a neglected friend who calls, leaves messages, tell us that He wants us to “call back”…He wants us to spend time with Him, He wants us to avail ourselves of the graces that He wants to give us…He wants to be our constant friend and companion.

For me, this is most poignant and important.
Jesus begs to be MY friend; my friend.
He is the God of all; the Second Person of the Trinity; the Lord and Beginning and End of all; and He begs to be MY friend?
How is this possible?
How is this even imaginable?

When we say the Creed, we bow or genuflect at the words “Et incarnatus est”—the Word became Flesh…He is one of us! He unites Himself to us! Always and forever more!
His Sacred Heart, beating within the womb of the Virgin Mother, knows me, He loves me, He has thought of me from time immemorial! How can I not accept His Love?

The true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based in the biblical revelation that “God so loved us, that He sent His Son”…He sent His Son! Born of the Virgin Mother; Who lived thirty years at Nazareth under the obedience of a Son to His Mother and Guardian, St. Joseph. This is most relevant to us today; the Christian family, who is under constant attack, must be rooted in the home of Nazareth: the love of the Son for His Mother and Guardian, St. Joseph. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the love for the family, both the Christian family of mother, father and children, the family of the religious community who is consecrated to the Holy Family in the Holy Trinity and makes present the “Kingdom of God” and the men and women who are consecrated to the Lord in various ways, celibate for the Kingdom of God. The reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is manifest in those who give everything to God in their particular circumstances; who live only for Him, through Him, in Him by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and their commitment to living His Law according to their particular state in life.

This is the charism of our Institute of Saint Joseph. We endeavour to promote and sustain the “universal call to holiness” that the Church has consistently taught and which is made manifest in “Lumen gentium”…the call to holiness of all the members of the Body of Christ, His Church. This is what this Oratory and future priory of monastics is all about: “to make God present to the world, and the world present to God” through the daily celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Adoration of the Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament, and the oblation of love, sacrifice and commitment to the norms of Christian life.

This place is meant to be a “Temple of the Lord”. We need your prayers, your financial help, your gifts and assistance. This is not meant to be a place only for ourselves. It is meant to be a holy place, a place “set apart” for the exclusive praise of God, for daily Sacrifice, reparation and love.

It is meant to be a place where the “Heart of Jesus” is loved above all. Where He is put first. Where He matters the most. We are most grateful for all that you do to assist us in this aim; we are in most need of your continued help. Jesus is not loved in most places; His Heart is wounded, beyond measure, in many places, especially where the innocent and vulnerable are abused or neglected. We attempt to make reparation for this and want to be a “sign of hope”. Will you assist us? Can you help us?

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.” Amen.