Women's Communities

Congregation of Norbertine Sisters – New Affiliate!

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The IRL welcomes our newest Affiliate Community—the Congregation of Norbertine Sisters in Wilmington, California. They are the newest branch on the Norbertine Order which lives according to the age-old inspiration of St. Norbert (1080-1134) and the Rule of St. Augustine.

The community was founded by the General House of the Congregation of Norbertine Sisters in Slovakia.  The Congregation was originally established in 1902 in the Czech Republic by Rev. Vojtech Frejka, a Norbertine Father from the Abbey of Strahov in Prague, to renew the Norbertine way of life in the region.

In 2006, Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., from St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, California, spoke with the Norbertine Sisters’ Superior General, Mother Hermana, about establishing a new community of active Norbertine sisters in the USA.  In 2011, three sisters from Slovakia responded to that invitation and came to Wilmington, California to live in the convent belonging to SS. Peter and Paul Parish.

In 2019, the growing community of 10 (with 2 candidates) expanded to a second convent at St. John the Baptist parish in Costa Mesa. The focus is on the formation of new vocations. With God’s blessing, this “new branch” will bear fruits of love, peace and joy, and will become a home where vocations bloom!

Their life is centered on daily Mass, praying the Divine Office, and Eucharistic Holy Hour.  They strive for unity of mind and heart which overflows into a love that embraces all people.  They humbly implore the Virgin Mary to teach them to be completely devoted to God and to serve His people with total dedication.

As Norbertines, they are not bound to any specific apostolate, but in the spirit of St. Norbert, are “prepared for every good work.”  Currently, they operate the Poverty Program which provides food and clothing for over 700 families, teach religious education to children and adults, staff the parish bookstore, and work in the sacristy.  In the spirit of St. Norbert, the Congregation has sought to maintain a balance between liturgical prayer, zeal for souls, and contemplation.

For more information, visit: https://www.congregationofnorbertinesisters.org/

Email: norbertinesrscm@gmail.com

 

News

2020 Vita Consecrata Courses & Schedule

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Here is the 2020 VCI course schedule.  As was true  last year, there are electives for each session.  Complete course descriptions are below.

VCI Course Descriptions 2020 – Christendom College, Front Royal

Session I begins June 29th  (6/29-7/10)

SPIR 630 The Spiritual Life Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P.

This course covers the universal call to holiness, the stages of the spiritual life, the role of Christ and the Church in the spiritual life, the supernatural organism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, personal vocation, and the four essential means to perfection, namely, the sacraments, the life of prayer, self- denial and asceticism, and charity working through the virtues. It also treats the secondary means to Christian perfection.

CONL 621 History of the Consecrated Life  Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem.

An overview of the development of the consecrated life over the centuries showing the Apostolic origins and the growth of consecrated life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit working through founders, saints, and the Magisterium; includes examination of extra-biblical sources with special emphasis on early monastic and Patristic sources.

SPIR 803 Heart Speaks to Heart Fr. Alphonsus Hermes, O.Praem.

We know that “grace builds on nature.” So, if our spiritual life will flourish, our natural life must be made solid. This course will examine the formation of the heart according to human nature. Every consecrated person strives for the “perfection of charity.” The course will clarify what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.” We will explore the impact of family dynamics on our understanding of “love,” and how our relationships – especially in communities – can help to heal and transform our hearts. You will learn about effective tools for healing the heart and have opportunities to practice using them!

Session II begins July 13th  (7/13-7/24)

SPIR 631 Sacraments in the Spiritual Life Fr. William FitzGerald, O.Praem.

This course examines the Sacraments as essential means to Christian perfection, looking at each of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and how they insert one into the Paschal Mystery of the Lord. Also treated are the Sacrament of Penance as a means of overcoming sin and attachments and growing in virtue, and the various Christian states of life as concrete ways of living the universal call to holiness.

SPIR 802 Philosophy of Man Fr. Anselm Rodriguez, O.Praem.

This course is an introduction to the philosophy of human nature, as found in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Our systematic study will begin with a general introduction to Philosophy and end with an introduction to Christian Anthropology, but the bulk of our time will be spent answering the crucial question “What is man?”. We will dive into many important topics: e.g. man as a composite of body and soul; the unity of the human person; how man differs from angels, brute animals, and machines; the rational, sensitive, and vegetative powers of the human soul; a demonstration of the immortality of the human soul; and special emphasis on the passions. This course serves as a remedy for the intellectual formation lacking in many and is beneficial on both the natural and supernatural planes. For if grace builds upon and perfects nature, we can better understand how grace brings about our spiritual perfection if we grasp the underlying human nature. Hence my goal is not just to teach the truth about human nature, but also to communicate how a better philosophical understanding can be fruitful and helpful in our everyday lives as Christians and religious.

CONL 803 The “isms” Today, How They Affect Religious Life and Our Response To Them Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem.

This Course will describe the philosophy behind the various “isms” present in our culture today and how they affect religious life and what is our response to them as religious. We will begin with secularism and how that is contrary the Christian world view of transcendence which religious witness to in a radical way by renouncing the temporal goods of this world. Then we will launch into a study of communism vs capitalism and the Catholic teaching on economic goods and how religious witness to that in their vow of poverty in the midst of consumerism another “ism” we will look at. Then will turn our attention to hedonism and the Catholic teaching on bodily pleasure in the virtues of temperance and chastity. Individualism vs collectivism is the next “ism” and the Catholic balance between individual autonomy and communion as religious live fraternal life in community. Feminism leading to lesbianism will be looked at and the Catholic teaching on sexual identity and the importance of human formation in sexual identity in religious life. Relativism, today’s greatest enemy according to Pope Benedict, will be treated and its threat upon religious life who must be a counter witness to it. Lastly, we will look at how the Mass Media has affected religious life and what virtues we need to use it properly.

For more information, please visit: https://graduate.christendom.edu/academics/summer-program/

2020 Pricing due out shortly…..

Men's communities, News

Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn Welcomed as New Affiliate

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At the most recent Board of Directors meeting, the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn were welcomed as the IRL’s newest Affiliate Community.  In talking to two religious in the New York area, I was amazed to discover that each one of them had been educated and formed by the Brothers.  What a beautiful legacy to leave to the Church!

Formally known as the Congregation of the Religious Brothers of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, the community was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1858.  They have been actively involved in the education of young men and women, primarily on Long Island, New York, serving the Diocese of Brooklyn (and later also the Diocese of Rockville Centre) since that time.  They are the largest congregation of Religious Brothers founded in America.  Formerly a diocesan congregation, in 1989, they became an Institute of Pontifical Right.

They pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a community at the Monastery, and each morning they attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They also pray the Franciscan Crown, glorifying God through the Blessed Virgin Mary, their patroness.

For those unfamiliar, the Franciscan Crown is a rosary consisting of seven decades commemorating the Seven Joys of Mary, namely: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Finding in the Temple, the Appearance of Jesus to Mary after the Resurrection, and finally, the Assumption and Coronation of Mary.

The Brothers serve as teachers, administrators, campus ministers, coaches, spiritual directors, lawyers, college professors, and retreat masters.  Their apostolates include St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, and St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.  They also staff residences for low-income elderly, substance abuse recovery centers, parishes, and soup kitchens.

Faithful to the Third Order Rule, they profess the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  With their motto as Deus Meus et Omnia (“My God and My All”) they strive to live the Gospel, in humility and in joy, affirming Christ’s Kingdom of Peace as did their Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi.

 

 

News, Women's Communities

Lovers of the Holy Cross Celebrate 350th Anniversary

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The Lovers of the Holy Cross opened a Jubilee Year of celebration on September 14, 2019, with a Mass at Christ Cathedral in Orange, California, commemorating the 350th anniversary of their founding.  Founded in Vietnam in 1670 by Bishop Pierre Marie Lambert de la Motte, a French missionary, the congregation has faithfully endured despite experiencing a turbulent history of persecutions, wars and religious suppression.

On September 9, 1659, Pope Alexander VII signed the edict Super Cathedram establishing two apostolic dioceses in Vietnam, appointing Bishop Lambert to be Apostolic Vicar of South Vietnam.  This event marked the birth of the Vietnamese Catholic Church.   He received the vows of the first two Lovers of the Holy Cross in 1670.

In the ensuring years, the congregation went through a painful history of bloody martyrdom, where convents were destroyed, sisters dispersed and others killed for their faith. Today, they number 30 congregations in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and the U.S., with over six thousand sisters serving the people of God.

The Lovers of the Holy Cross of Los Angeles, one of the autonomous and independent congregations that are part of the family, was established in 1992. Ministering in the Los Angeles area, they have 66 professed sisters, four novices, seven postulants and seven candidates in eight communities.

The spirituality of the Lovers of the Holy Cross is embodied in their love for Jesus Christ Crucified, believing that “in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body, which is the Church.” (Col 1:24)

“Since the beginning,” said Sr. Grace Duc Le, Superior General, “our spiritual patrimony continues to inspire us to offer ourselves generously in serving the poor and homeless in shelters and on the streets, assisting the sick and lonely, and teaching the youth faith and morals.  May we passionately do everything for the sake of glorifying God and for the salvation of souls!”

For more information, please visit: www.lhcla.org

News, Women's Communities

Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus Open New Residential Home for Women

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Last Fall, the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus opened a new residence  for women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. This is a new apostolate for the sisters, who previously ran a boys home on the site that began as an orphanage back in 1916. The building can house 15 independent and ambulatory women in beautiful apartments designed to give the women their independence while building community though the common eating area, work assignments and spiritual nourishment.

As parents age, their desire to find a safe and nurturing home for a daughter or son with special needs becomes a worrying issue. They are looking for a place where their loved one will be safe, happy, busy and spiritually nourished. This home addresses that concern and then some with activities, religious education, daily Mass, beautiful accommodations, and a community spirit, all under the watchful and loving care of the sisters whose convent is located on the same grounds.

They also plan on opening a Formation and Enrichment Center in the Fall for men and women with IDD, offering a wide range of programs and activities for adults seeking to grow to their fullest potential. Many thanks to Fr. Al Veik, OFM Cap., Sr. M. Rose Therese, Carmel DCJ, and Teresa for their warm welcome.

Please visit their website for more information or email:  srrosetherese.stjo@gmail.com

The charism of their Foundress, Mother Maria Teresa of St. Joseph, was to put the CONTEMPLATIVE spirit of Carmel into the ACTIVE SERVICE of the direct apostolate, aggregated with the First Order of Discalced Carmelites…. A gift to the Church and the world and a new branch on the Ancient Tree.

 

News

Looking to become a Spiritual Director? Two New Opportunities!

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In spiritual direction, those who seek deeper intimacy with God open their hearts to a spiritual director who travels with them on their spiritual journey. But there is a definite shortage of spiritual directors and an increasing need for them in our wounded world.  Perhaps you are discerning that God is calling you to this important ministry, so more people can know the Father’s love.

Here are two new opportunities for people wishing to become spiritual directors from two very solid organizations.

  1. Franciscan University School of Spiritual Direction

In the fall of 2019, Franciscan University of Steubenville launched a School of Spiritual Direction. The school has taken as its motto:  cor ad cor loquitur—“heart speaks to heart.”

“This is a program for those who feel called by God to give what they have, which is an interior life of contemplative prayer and love for Our Lord,” said Robert Siemens, Director of the program. “While ideally applicants should be familiar with spiritual direction and have experienced the exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, they do not necessarily need advanced academic training in theology.”

The school operates under a cohort structure both during the academic year, in which students meet once a week for 24 sessions, and during the summer, in which students meet daily for two weeks.

Classroom sessions will focus on topics that lay the foundation for spiritual direction, while a practicum focused on prayer and discussion will help students discern and act as a conduit of the Holy Spirit working in their directees’ lives.

Applications are currently being accepted for the summer 2020 and fall 2020 terms. For more information on Franciscan University’s School of Spiritual Direction, including how to enroll in either the semester or summer cohort, visit their website or email inquiries to ssd@franciscan.edu.

2. Spiritual Direction Courses at the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary

Benedictine Fathers Thomas Acklin and Boniface Hicks will conduct two classes this summer on Spiritual Direction at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. Authors of the book Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love, they will conduct 2 classes this summer:

  • Spiritual Direction I: Art of Accompaniment (May 18-22, 2020)
  • Spiritual Direction II: Advanced Topics in Spiritual Direction (June 22-26, 2020)

Through reading, lectures and discussions participants will learn the foundational dynamics of spiritual direction including:

The need for spiritual direction
The interior life
Listening that reveals and heals
Psychological insights
Qualities of a spiritual director, and more

The courses consist of five hours of instruction per day for five days. There will be time for private meetings with the instructors.

For more information, visit their website or email: IMF@StVincent.edu

PS. Father Acklin and Father Boniface will once again be presenting at the 2020 IRL National Meeting in Mundelein, Illinois.  Please join us from April 17-19, 2020!!

 

Cloistered life, News, Women's Communities

Cistercian Sisters Monastery Campaign

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The Cistercian nuns of Our Lady of the Valley Monastery in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, are in the midst of a building campaign for a new monastery.  Arriving in 1957 from Germany to the newly formed Diocese of Madison, the sister currently live in what was intended to be temporary housing.  As you can see from the picture, the monastery, while quaint, it is not adequate for the 22 sisters currently residing there and has needed a lot of maintenance recently to keep it inhabitable.

As you can also see from the building plans, a monastery such as this rising up from the beautiful rolling hills of central Wisconsin will be a glorious reminder to all who pass by that there are women within who have dedicated their lives to prayer and penance for the Church and the world.

“Dwelling in the very heart of the Church, the Sisters offer their lives to God in a hidden oblation of self,” said Bishop Donald Hying of Madison. “We will never know this side of heaven the blessings and graces we have all received through the life and prayer of our beloved Cistercian nuns!”

The completed monastery complex will include a chapel for nuns and guests; quarters and parking for guests; living, working and other liturgical and ceremonial spaces for the nuns; an altar bread production building, garage and various outbuildings.

For more information, contact: Sister Bede, Valley of Our Lady, E11096 Yanke Drive, Prairie du Sac, WI, 53578 or email: nmfund@valleyofourlady.org.

 

 

News

2019 Mystical Rose Gala – Pictures from a Glorious Evening!

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The IRL’s 3rd Annual Mystical Rose Gala was held on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the beautiful Cuneo Mansion & Gardens, in Vernon Hills, Illinois.  With a glorious setting, delicious food, and so many wonderful people, how could it be anything but a great evening.

We were especially pleased to welcome the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, who were honored this year for their work in restoring the sacred within the Church and their witness as faithful religious in the heart of Chicago and beyond.  Fr. Joshua Caswell, SJC, gave a heartfelt and humble talk about the longstanding relationship between the IRL and the Canons, going all the way back to their foundation.

Many thanks to our President, Most Rev. Robert Vasa and our National Director, Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., for traveling all the way from California to be with us.  And all of the guests, sponsors and religious who so generously supported the evening with their presence, prayers and support.

Finally, we would like to congratulate Sr. Julia Ray, SSC, the winner of the pilgrimage for two to Poland. Sister said she was “overwhelmed” and it was the nicest thing ever!!

Cloistered life, Eremitic Life

Pro Orantibus Resources Now Available Online

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On November 21 (the Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple), the Church will celebrate World Day of Cloistered Life, an ecclesial event for all Catholics worldwide to commemorate the hidden lives of contemplative religious in cloisters and monasteries. On this day, the faithful are encouraged to reach out to the cloistered religious in their diocese, through prayer, encouragement, and material support.

We’ve put together some free, downloadable resources to help your community celebrate this event:

Some concrete ways to support cloistered communities are: participating in a novena and offering up Masses, writing notes of appreciation to contemplative communities, visiting them, and making a special point to teach families, religious education classes, youth groups, etc., about the tremendous value of the contemplative life.

Pope Francis has said, “It is a good opportunity to thank the Lord for the gift of so many people who, in monasteries and hermitages, dedicate themselves to God in prayer and silent work.”

News

Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University Launches New Religious Discernment Mentorship Program

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New Mentorship Program Launching to Help Those Discerning Religious Life

To assist Catholics discerning a call to religious life, Values Outreach, an initiative of the Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University of Steubenville, recently announced a new mentorship program for young men and women discerning religious life.

These discerners will receive online formation by watching workshops and completing tasks designed to help them grow in their spiritual lives. Workshops will feature talks from a variety of religious from different orders. Topics include the Theology of Religious Life, Monastic Practices, the Nature of Vocation, and the Desires of Our Hearts.

In addition, each discerner will be connected with a professed religious who will act as a mentor as they go through the formation program. Mentors will provide feedback on written tasks and will engage in long-distance, one-on-one communication throughout the program.

Cassidy Roderick, founder and team director of Values Outreach, said “This is an amazing opportunity to connect young adults with the people they need in their lives to help them discern well.”

Roderick noted that it is important for young discerners to relate directly with those in religious life. “It is extremely difficult to discern alone. Anything that can be done to connect them with someone to guide them is crucially important.”

The idea for the online formation program was spearheaded at a recent mentor-training meeting. The Catechetical Institute team was reviewing evaluations from learners taking their workshops, which indicated the workshops helped them to grow closer to God. Seeing this positive feedback, the Values Outreach Office and the Catechetical Institute decided to take the next step forward with this new program that focuses on vocational accompaniment.

The program will take place on the Catechetical Institute’s online learning management system: FranciscanAtHome.com.

This semester-long program is free and will begin in January 2020. The Values Outreach Office is currently accepting applications. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and actively discerning consecrated religious life.

Questions? Email info@valuesoutreach.org. One of their team members would be happy to speak with you!

Or fill out the application to get started with a mentor now!