Saturday 27 February 2010

Do I have a vocation? Monastery di San Benedetto...

by Alfiero Pirani

How do I know if I have a monastic Vocation? These are photos and video interviews, that start to answer that question, from young American Monks in Norcia, Italy:



american Roman Catholic Monks in Italy, following the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia.

Founded in 1998, Rome , Italy, transferred to Norcia (Nursia) in the Umbria region in 2000. Recently Celebrating regular 'Extra-Ordinary' Form of the Roman Rite.

The Inspiration for the New Monastery
  1. The restoration of man by the worship of God;
  2. The radical gift of self to Jesus Christ in the monastic way of life according to the Rule of St. Benedict: Nihil amori Christi praeponere (RB 4:21);
  3. The common life of brothers as described in the Acts of the Apostles (they were of one heart and one mind);
  4. Full monastic observance, including vigils and fasting;
  5. The integration of prayer, study and work;
  6. Liturgical life:
    • Divine Office as prescribed in the Rule
    • Mass and Office in Latin, sung in Gregorian chant;
  7. Love of the Church:
    • Cultivation of the attitude sentire cum ecclesia;
    • Drinking deeply from the streams of the living tradition;
    • Fidelity to the Magisterium, filial devotion to the Holy Father;
    • A truly "catholic", i.e. universal spirit, acquired from studying in Rome, at the heart of the Church;
  8. Apostolic work, our contribution to the new evangelization: intellectual, clerical and manual work in the service of the universal Church; pastoral care of the Basilica of San Benedetto, Norcia;
  9. Marian consent: openness to the will of God after the model of Mary's fiat.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Very Rev. Cassian Folsom, O.S.B., Prior

Address:
Monastero di San Benedetto
Via Reguardati, 22
06046 Norcia (PG)
http://osbnorcia.org

Dedication of Seminary Chapel


Wednesday 3 March: 4pm-9pm UK time: watch live the Solemn Dedication of the FSSP seminary Chapel in the U.S.A. by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, with Cardinal Levada and dozens of clergy in choir.

Please pray for the spiritual success of the Dedication of the Chapel of Sts Peter and Paul at our US seminary, on Wednesday 3rd March. Fr de Malleray, FSSP will be there, bringing the prayers of many British faithful for more holy priests.

Friday 26 February 2010

The Voice of... Pope Leo XIII (Part XIII)

On 10th July, 1895, Pope Leo XIII issued his Encyclical Letter Permoti Nos to the Bishops of Belgium regarding Social Conditions in Belgium:

"8. In the meantime, the present situation is so serious that a remedy for it should not be delayed. That remedy should begin with the calming of men's minds. Therefore, Venerable Brothers, address the Catholics in Our name and warn them to refrain completely from all controversy and argumentation on these issues, whether at meetings or in newspapers and similar publications. More especially, urge them to stop blaming each other, and not to anticipate the judgment of the lawful government. Then let them all with united brotherly minds strive with you to devote their greatest attention and effort to achieving their goal. The clergy should lead the way since it is especially characteristic of them to be wary in the face of novel opinions, to soothe and unite men's minds in the name of religion, and to recall the duties of Christian citizens."

Sunday 21 February 2010

Minor Orders and Subdiaconate Ordination in Wigratzbad

by Martin Bürger

A few weeks ago, the Bishop of Chur, Vitus Huonder, was at Wigratzbad, Germany - site of the Seminary of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter - to confer Minor Orders and the Subdiaconate on four individuals. Here are some pictures from the ceremony:

Prayers at the Foot of the Altar:

Weihen 1

The Candidates for Minor Orders:

Weihen 2

Final photo in front of the Sühnekirche:

Weihen 3

A large series of pictures is provided by the FSSP on their website.

(tr. from EXSVLTET.net)

Friday 19 February 2010

The Voice of... Pope Leo XIII (Part XII)

On 6th January, 1895, Pope Leo XIII issued his Encyclical Letter Longinqua to the Archbishops and Bishops of the United States on Catholicism in that Country:

"18. Towards these objects much may be contributed by those who have devoted themselves to writing, and in particular by those who are engaged on the daily press. We are aware that already there labor in this field many men of skill and experience, whose diligence demands words of praise rather than of encouragement. Nevertheless, since the thirst for reading and knowledge is so vehement and widespread amongst you, and since, according to circumstances, it can be productive either of good or evil, every effort should be made to increase the number of intelligent and well-disposed writers who take religion for their guide and virtue for their constant companion. And this seems all the more necessary in America, on account of the familiar intercourse and intimacy between Catholics and those who are estranged from the Catholic name, a condition of things which certainly exacts from our people great circumspection and more than ordinary firmness. It is necessary to instruct, admonish, strengthen and urge them on to the pursuit of virtue and to the faithful observance, amid so many occasions of stumbling, of their duties towards the Church. It is, of course, the proper function of the clergy to devote their care and energies to this great work; but the age and the country require that journalists should be equally zealous in this same cause and labor in it to the full extent of their powers. Let them, however, seriously reflect that their writings, if not positively prejudicial to religion, will surely be of slight service to it unless in concord of minds they all seek the same end. They who desire to be of real service to the Church, and with their pens heartily to defend the Catholic cause, should carry on the conflict with perfect unanimity, and, as it were, with serried ranks, for they rather inflict than repel war if they waste their strength by discord. In like manner their work, instead of being profitable and fruitful, becomes injurious and disastrous whenever they presume to call before their tribunal the decisions and acts of bishops, and, casting off due reverence, cavil and find fault; not perceiving how great a disturbance of order, how many evils are thereby produced. Let them, then, be mindful of their duty, and not overstep the proper limits of moderation. The bishops, placed in the lofty position of authority, are to be obeyed, and suitable honor befitting the magnitude and sanctity of their office should be paid them. Now, this reverence, "which it is lawful to no one to neglect," should of necessity be eminently conspicuous and exemplary in Catholic journalists. For journals, naturally circulating far and wide, come daily into the hands of everybody, and exert no small influence upon the opinions and morals of the multitude."

Sunday 14 February 2010

Meet the Franciscans of the Immaculate (Inspired by Saint Pio and Saint Maximilian Kolbe)

by Taylor Marshall


I've recently learned of an impressive new order of Franciscans by the name "Franciscans of the Immaculate."

A special thanks to Fr. Joseph Michael Mary, FI for explaining to me the mission and charism of the Franciscans of the Immaculate.

Their founder, Fr. Stefano Manelli was a spiritual son of Saint Padre Pio. While still in his mother's womb Saint Pio blessed him. Manelli also received his first confession and first Holy Communion from Saint Pio as a young boy. When he was twelve years old he told St. Pio that he wanted to join him in the Capuchin Franciscans. However, Saint Pio told him not to do so. Instead, he was to become a Conventual Franciscan as it was there that our Lady had his sufferings waiting for him.

During his years as a Conventual Francsican, Father Stefano learned about Saint Maximilian Kolbe and the great Marian renewal that he led within the Franciscan Order. Inspired inspired by this, Father Stefano wanted to begin a renewal based on the example of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.

Father Stefano, with the permission of Saint Pio and his Conventual superior, instituted a separate observance within the Conventuals in 1970. Around 1989 the superiors of the Conventuals no longer desired this separate observance, and asked the friars to abandon their particular pattern of piety modeled on that of Saint Maximilian Koble for the common observance of the Conventuals.

At that time, Pope John Paul II of blessed memory learned about this state of affairs and asked that the documents of the separate observance be brought to him for his consideration. After reading the document called the Traccia, which is the Marian plan of Franciscan life lived by the Franciscans of the Immaculate, the Pope said that "this way of life is too precious for the Church to loose. Since they do not want you, I will separate you." In 1990, the friars became a Diocesan Institute and then in 1998 John Paul II elevated the Franciscans of the Immaculate to a religious institute of Pontifical Rite, which means the friars are directly under the Holy See.

The main aspect of their religious life is best understood by the Marian Vow. The friars make a canonical vow called the Marian Vow by which they give themselves totally to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Her property and possession. With that, in the spirit of Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Francis of Assis, they seek to make her known and loved that she may bring souls to Jesus in the quickest way possible.

Here are some other links on the FI which you may have already seen:
I am especially grateful to Fr. Joseph Michael Mary, FI for for sharing this information with me.

(reproduced from Canterbury Tales)

Monday 8 February 2010

Invocation 2010

Invocation 2010 is a UK national festival aimed at young men and women aged 16-35, who are looking to deepen their relationship with Christ, discern God’s will for their lives and perhaps be open to the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

This year's event is taking place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 July at St Mary's College, Oscott (near Birmingham).

For more information see the website at www.invocation.org.uk

Monday 1 February 2010

Papa Stronsay Bookshop

Support the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer; buy a book from the Papa Stronsay Bookshop!

We announce the opening of the
Papa Stronsay Bookshop.

We have many doubles and seconds of good books
that we will offer to our readers
for a donation towards the monastery.
The bookshop front will be from this blog address:
www.papastronsaybookshop.blogspot.com
Papa Stronsay Bookshop
will be of interest to book buyers and browsers alike.