Category Archives: News

News, Women's Communities

Chantal Artisans

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In May, we will see the ordination of many men to the priesthood. Are you looking for a special gift to give one of these newly-ordained men? Is your Pastor having a Jubilee or Anniversary of Ordination? Would you like to remember a loved one by donating a vestment in his or her memory? Something magnificent  to consider are beautiful vestments created by the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Tyringham, Massachusetts.

The monastery belongs to the illustrious Visitation Order that was founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in France in 1610.  They were unique for their time in not practicing severe penances. Rather they are called to “interior renunciations, great simplicity and joy in the common life.” Even though they are a contemplative, cloistered Order, they welcome individual women retreatants, giving priority to those who are considering a vocation.

The sisters sing the Liturgy of the Hours five times each day and have special mission entrusted to them of prayerfully  spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Visitation Monastery in Tyringham is dedicated to the Heart of Jesus and the Heart of His Mother, Mary. Thus their monastery is called Mont Deux Coeurs or the Mount of the Two Hearts.

Sr. Gemma Maria is a master seamstress who has been practicing her craft for 40 years. She is now guiding other sisters in the design and creation of sacred vestments. Each Sister within the monastery contributes some artistic handiwork for the enjoyment of others. In order to provide for their growing community and to help to support themselves, they have brought together their creative talents to launch this endeavor.

The beauty and elegance of a well-made vestment enhances the solemnity and sacredness of the Liturgy.

We are privileged to share our artistry and our labor for the Lord with you!

For more information, visit Chantal Artisans!

News, Women's Communities

He Leads, I Follow

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The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration received wonderful news during Holy Week!

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, signed a Decree of Miracle which paves the way for the beatification of the foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Venerable Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel. The beatification will take place in Paderborn, Germany, on November 10, 2013.

A four year old boy (who is now a young adult) in Colorado Springs had a persistant severe viral illness that normally ran its course in one week but was stretching into months. The Sisters began a novena to Mother Maria Theresia and the young boy was healed without any scientific explanation.

As their name suggests, the sisters foster in a special way the continuous adoration of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament as a sign of their surrender, in thanksgiving, in atonement for sin, and in intercession for the needs of the Church, for their congregation and for the world.

They have apostolates in Germany where they were founded, in the US, Brazil and the Philippines. They cherish the  the motto of their Foundress, Ven. Mother Maria Theresia , “He Leads, I Follow.”

May our dear Savior bless us from His Cross and preserve us in His grace.

Ven. Mother Maria Theresia

News

The Coat of Arms of Pope Francis

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EXPLANATION OF THE SYMBOLS IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POPE FRANCIS: The blue shield is surmounted by symbols of papal dignity, the same as those taken by his predecessor Benedict XVI (miter placed between crossed keys of gold and silver, bound by a red cord). At the top, stands the emblem of the Pope’s order of origin, the Society of Jesus, a radiant sun and Christ’s monogram “IHS”. The letter H is surmounted by a cross, and underneath are the three nails in black. Below, are the star and the flower of nard. The star, according to the ancient heraldic tradition, symbolizes the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and of the Church, while the flower of spikenard shows St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church. In the Hispanic iconographic tradition, in fact, St. Joseph is depicted holding a branch of spikenard. By placing these images in his shield, the Pope wanted to express his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.

Liturgical Year, Men's communities, News

Holy Week With the Norbertines

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In this day and age when homogenization seems to rule the day, it is wonderful to know that there are some venerable orders like the Dominicans and the Carmelites who still retain their ancient liturgical practices. In particular, the Norbertine liturgy during Holy Week is replete with symbols which echo back to ancient practices. Saint Norbert lived around the time of the Crusades and since the Latin Catholic liturgy was the predominant from of worship in Jerusalem, the liturgical practices of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the site of our Lord’s Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection, had a profound impact on the Norbertine liturgy.

First, the Norbertines’ habit is white, like the original canons of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, symbolizing the angels who announced the Lord’s Resurrection.

At the end of the Palm Sunday procession, there is an unveilng and a threefold adoration of the Holy Cross, a 12th century practice in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Good Friday, there is a special form of the unveiling and adoration of the Cross, symbolizing the Eastern and Western Churches uniting at the foot of Calvary.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

It is the tradition in the Holy Land to celebrate the Mass of the place versus the Mass of the day. So, for example, in Bethlehem, no matter what the day of the year (with some exceptions), the Mass celebrating the Lord’s birth is the order of the day. It is also true that in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Easter Mass is usually celebrated every single day of the year. The Norbertines imitated this practice by celebrating the Mass of Easter each Sunday of Easter. At St. Michael’s Abbey in California, the Easter Antiphon of Easter Sunday is sung on each Sunday of the Easter season.

Finally, the Church calls for all the faithful to bow in reverence during the Nicene Creed when we recall the Incarnation. The Norbertines extend this reverence when the Nicene Creed is sung though the words professing faith in Jesus’ Burial and they rise from this reverence when they profess faith in His Resurrection. Once again, this practice comes from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

For more information, see the Spring 2013 issue of the St. Michael Messenger from St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, CA. If you are nearby a Norbertine Abbey, try attend a Norbertine liturgy and deepen your experience of Holy Week and the holy season of Easter. You don’t have to be a pilgrim to the Holy Land to experience a little bit of the uniqueness that comes from these ancient and deeply moving liturgical traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

News

Habemus Papam Franciscum

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“I am very happy that a Latin American has been elected. We know the hopes that it would have been someone from the continent that has the majority of Catholics [in the world],” were the first words of Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, commenting on the election of the new Pope to reporters.

“The choice of the name Francis is very meaningful,” he said. “It is a name that has never been chosen before and evokes simplicity and an evangelical witness. His first, simple appearance in public testifies to both. It is a sign of great spirituality to ask the people’s blessing for him before giving his own. It is a spirituality that recalls that of his predecessor. His pastoral sense of relationship with the Diocese of Rome should also be noted. It is the Pope’s diocese and [he chose] to pray the Church’s simplest prayers with the People of God at a moment like this.”

“Cardinal Bergoglio,” he added, “is a Jesuit. Jesuits are characterized by their service to the Church, collecting all the charisms that the Lord gives us wherever they are needed, but trying to avoid positions of power. For me this election takes on the meaning of a call to server, a strong call and not a quest for power or authority. I am absolutely convinced that we have a Pope who wants to serve. His election was the election of a rejection of power.”

Thanks to Vatican Information Service (13-3-2013)  for providing this commentary. Click here to go to the Vatican website for a collage of pictures from that historic night.

News

Bearing Witness to Truth

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In Catholic World Report (March 13, 2013), Bishop Robert Vasa of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is interviewed about his requirement that the teachers in his diocesan schools promise (with their signatures) to uphold and live out the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The addendum to their contract is called “Bearing Witness” and it calls teachers “to a life of holiness;” a call, the bishop says, that is “more compelling for me since I have been entrusted, in my vocation as a teacher/administrator in a Catholic school, with the formation of souls.” The bishop goes on to say: “I am especially cognizant of the fact that modern errors — including but not limited to matters that gravely offend human dignity and the common good such as contraception, abortion, homosexual ‘marriage’ and euthanasia — while broadly accepted in society, are not consistent with the clear teachings of the Catholic Church.”

Bishop Vasa is the President of the Institute on Religious Life and makes makes the point that parents in good faith are sending their kids to Catholic Schools where he presumes that they are looking for their children to receive proper “spiritual, dogmatic, moral formation.” He states: “And since I operate with that presumption, that imposes a responsibility upon me to make sure that the Catholic formation in that school is consistent with what the Catechism and the Holy Father proclaim to be the teachings of the Church. A failure to do that is an abdication of my responsibility.”

In every other walk of life it seems, we are expected to follow the rules for less lofty reasons than what is at stake here. I worked for a large corporation for many years. We had to agree to the Business Conduct Guidelines of the company with our signatures or our employment would be terminated. I only sold computers. In the Bishop’s case, we are taking about people’s souls and their eternal salvation. Shortchanging or darkening children’s consciences does great harm to the individual and to society. Society needs holy Catholic men and women, in our families, schools, hospitals, capitol buildings, convents, monasteries and rectories. I applaud Bishop Vasa for creating the environment where this can happen.

News

The Cardinal’s Farewell of Gratitude

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“The Cardinal Fathers, gathered at the Vatican for the General Congregations in view of the next conclave, send you their devoted greetings and express their renewed gratitude for all your illustrious Petrine ministry and for your example of generous pastoral care for the good of the Church and of the world.

With their gratitude they hope to represent the recognition of the entire Church for your tireless work in the vineyard of the Lord.

In conclusion, the members of the College of Cardinals trust in your prayers for them, as well as for the whole Church.”

A beautiful article describing the Holy Father’s last appearance in Rome, his impact on the young and the distortions that dogged him in the English press can be found in Crisis Magazine. Well worth a read.

Men's communities, News

Franciscan Brothers of Peace

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Was there anyone in the Church more vilified during the Terri Schiavo tragedy than than Brother Paul O’Donnell, f.b.p.? Brother Paul is the Guardian of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace and he was a courageous spokesman for the utterly defenseless as Terri’s life and death were laid bare for all the world to see.

I am happy to see that their community is growing!

Brother Paul asks that we please pray to God for more vocations to his community and Franciscan way of life. Visit his Facebook page or go to their website for more information.

Peter, the new postulant
Bro. Dominic, FBP, the newest Brother
Bro. Juniper, FBP, the newest novice

News, Women's Communities

Not Your Average 70’s Chapel

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One year ago, I posted a blog on the proposed renovation of the Carmelite chapel in the Infant of Prague Monastery in Traverse City, Michigan.

Here is what it looked like then.

 

Here is what it looks like now.

The renovated chapel and new altar were dedicated by Bishop Bernard Hebda of the Diocese of Gaylord on Sunday, February 3, 2013

The design and renovation work were supervised by Notre Dame architecture professor Duncan G. Stroik.

 

The Carmelite nuns decided after years of reflection to transform the modern-style chapel into a place of sacred beauty and transcendence. For the Carmelites, every experience of beauty is an experience of God – and their renovated chapel, though small, offered an opportunity for this beauty.

The nuns lead lives of simplicity, contemplation, and prayer, but wanted a beautiful sanctuary for the glory of God and to inspire the laity. The nuns’ choir is positioned to the side of the sanctuary, separated from it by a new forged steel grille in the Spanish Carmelite tradition. The Choir is positioned to the side of the sanctuary, where the nuns attend Mass and pray. There is a new altar rail, marble floor, mahogany woodwork, and new shrines to St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph, and the Infant of Prague. The nuns requested wood columns and a wooden altar rail to give the sanctuary a Spanish aesthetic – and to aid Michigan’s economy by using local labor and materials.

A new tabernacle was also installed, accompanied by a matching set of candlesticks and crucifix, first in a new line of altar appointments designed by Mr. Stroik called Rinascimento,. The tabernacle is enthroned on the Carmelite’s high altar, with views from the nave and through the cloister grille.

The inscription above the Ionic columns reads Adducam eos in montem sanctum meum et laetificabo eos in domo orationis meae (Isaiah 56) – “These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.”

Mother Mary of Jesus, Prioress of the monastery, said, “We would need a cathedral to seat everyone who has helped us. The overwhelming support of the community has demonstrated that people want churches that look like churches.” Amen!