New Home for Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

The CRNJ have led an itinerant life almost since their foundation in the Diocese of La Crosse, WI, in 2002, moving the the now Cardinal Burke to the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 2004, and while some members moved to Rome for studies with their Norbertine confreres, to St. Michael's Norbertine Abbey in Silverado, CA. News has come of a more stable home granted to them by the Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, WV. One of the smaller Institutes founded on the charism of the 1962 Liturgical Books, the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem has a specific charism rooted in one of the most ancient forms of clerical life.

New video: To God Who Giveth Joy To My Youth

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is pleased to announce the completion of a 28 minute film entitled "To God Who Giveth Joy To My Youth".

The title, taken from the opening words of Mass in the Extraordinary Form, captures the essence of the Fraternity's total formation process and life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.

Intended for generous, young men discerning a priestly vocation, this production provides an visual description of daily life within the walls of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. Thus, this film will prove to be an informative and instrumental tool in their vocational process.

In the Church, the members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter's have the unique charism of sanctifying themselves through the celebration of Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Throughout the seminary's intensive seven year program, each of the various aspects and stages of formation has this purpose in mind, the worthy celebration of the Mass.

Explore how this seminary, drawing from the Church's rich tradition of priestly formation, seeks to form zealous priests in various areas including Thomistic philosophy and theology, spiritual direction, Gregorian Chant, manual labor and recreation. Discover how one seminary receives a man and prepares him for his transformation into an Alter Christus, "Another Christ".

Living the Liturgy: The Benedictine Monks of Clear Creek

by Shawn Tribe

We recently made mention of a video which was produced about the Benedictine Abbey of Fontgombault in France, and which aired on EWTN. Now it has come to our attention that the following video, "Living the Liturgy: Clear Creek Monastery", has also been made available through EWTN, this time about the daughter-house of Fontgombault, Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma.

While the video is 52 minutes in length, I would encourage you all to make the time to watch it at some point. The video is excellent and guides you through the monastic life and day, particularly through the lens of the sacred liturgy. (A thought strikes me as well: parishes, Catholic schools and other institutions which endeavour to have vocations related materials should try to ensure they have resources such as this video to also inform men and women about the possibilities of monastic life; an all too easily forgotten and neglected vocational consideration.)



* * *

To give you a taste, here a few screenshots showing some of the liturgical aspects within the video:













(reposted from The New Liturgical Movement)

Solemn Mass sponsored by Mater Ecclesiae

by Fr John Zuhlsdorf

I received this note from my good friend Fr. Robert Pasley, pastor of Mater Ecclesiae in Berlin, NJ where I have often been a guest. Each year Mater Ecclesiae sponsors a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form with exceptional sacred choral music for 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption.

Mater Ecclesiae, in the diocese of Camden New Jersey, has a national reputation. The community was established by the Diocese of Camden on 13 October 2000, the anniversary of the final apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. All Masses and Sacraments are celebrated according to the liturgical books of 1962.

Here are the details for this year’s Assumption Mass:

15 August at 1:00 PM
Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church
43 West Maple Avenue
Merchantville, NJ.

The Music for the Mass:

• Gregorian Propers
• The Missa brevis septorum sanctorum dolorum B.V.M. by Carl Heinrich Biber
• Alleluia Assumpta est and the Dilexisti iustitiam by Heinrich Isaac
• Offertorium de Sanctissimo Sacramento by Leopold Mozart, the father of A. Mozart
• Dulcissima Maria – Francesco Guerrero
• Sonata VII of Heinrich Isaac Biber
• Ave Maria by Johann Joseph Fux
• Sonata in D for two trumpets IV and Sonata in D for two trumpets II by Franceschini
• O Sanctissima and Hail Holy Queen arranged for Brass and Orchestra by Timothy McDonnell

For more information, please call 856-753-3408 or visit the website: www.materecclesiae.org.

(reposted from What Does the Prayer Really Say?)

Solemn Profession of Benedictines: simply beautiful

by Fr John Zühlsdorf

Our friend R.J. Sciurus of Serviam has alerted us the splendid photos of the solemn professions of the wonderful sisters of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Kansas City.

Many of their sisters have been waiting many years for this moment. On Saturday they were able to make their final, lifelong vows in the presence of His Excellency Bishop Robert Finn.

Here are a couple photos, but be sure to go to Kansas Catholic.

(reposted from What Does the Prayer Really Say?)

FSSP Priestly Ordinations 2010

On the 22nd of May in the year of Our Lord 2010 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln Nebraska. His Excellency Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln, will confer Priestly Ordinations for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. The following Deacons will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood.

Rev. Mr. Peter Bauknecht, FSSP

Rev. Mr. Simon Harkins, FSSP

Rev. Mr. Garrick Huang, FSSP

Rev. Mr. Rhone Lillard, FSSP

Rev. Mr. John Rickert, FSSP

Rev. Mr. John Shannon, FSSP

Please pray for the Deacons as they ascend to the Altar of Our Lord.

Abbatial Blessing in Clear Creek

by Martin Bürger

On 10 April 2010, the eagerly awaited Blessing of the first Abbot of Clear Creek Abbey, Dom Philip Anderson took place. This was done by Bishop Edward Slattery, the Ordinary of Tulsa, in whose diocese the Abbey is situated. Here is a picture from the ceremony, which took place in the crypt of the Abbey, as the Abbey Church has not yet actually been built:

A series of images found on the website of the Diocese of Tulsa.

(tr. from EXSVLTET.net)

Consecration of FSSP Seminary Chapel

On March 3, 2010, the new seminary chapel of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul, was consecrated. Below are some photos of the consecration. More will follow over the next few days.











(The Seminary will be posting pictures of the consecration ceremony online in the coming days.)

Further links:

• NLM: FSSP Chapel Consecration
• NLM: Preview of the new FSSP Seminary Chapel
• NLM: Consecration - Preliminary Photos
  
• FSSP North American District: Seminary Chapel Photo Gallery
• Lincoln Journal Star: Chapel consecrated in Denton Wednesday
  
• Transalpine Redemptorists at home: New Church of Sts. Peter and Paul
• Rorate Cæli: Cardinal Levada's Sermon
  
• Athanasius contra mundum: Cardinal Levada's Sermon - commentary
  
• Katholisches Magazin: Weihe der Seminarkirche in den USA (German language
• EXVLTET.net: Kirchweihe bei FSSP (German language)

Note: videos of the ceremony are also currently available on gloria.tv:

• Aspersion of the Exterior of the Church
• Aspersion of the Interior of the Church
• Anointing of the Walls
• Purification of the Altar
• Consecration of the Altar
• Deposition of the Relics, or as one video:
  
• Consecration (3 hours 13 minutes)
• Pontifical Mass (1hr 30mins)
  

(photos: Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer)

FSSP Vocation Days in Nebraska

The Confraternity of St Peter is in the early stages of planning a vocation camp for May 2010. The details will develop over the next few months, but for now we would like to hear from any family interested in participating.

The idea is that families who come for ordinations on May 22 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary might stay for a couple of extra days. Their children can then participate in activities either at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary (for boys) or the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Valparaiso (for girls). It would end on Monday evening with a talk for all given by one of the Priests.

Details have yet to be finalised, but we are looking at some places where fathers and sons and mothers and daughters might "camp" to keep expenses down. Of course you can stay at local hotels if you prefer.

If you would like to put your children on the list or receive more information as it becomes available, email Tish Gallagher at tish5 at surewest.net, or call +1-916-223-3112. This will be a really wonderful opportunity for young people to spend some time with Priests and religious and learn about life in the Seminary or Convent, and also have a lot of fun at the same time.

(reproduced from Cum Petro, the periodical of the Confraternity of St Peter, Winter 2010)

Pontifical Consecration of New Chapel of the Northern American FSSP Seminary with Cardinal Levada

by Gregor Kollmorgen

The new chapel of the Northern American Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in Denton, Nebraska, will be consecrated on 3 March 2010. The ceremony will be performed by His Excellency Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, the local ordinary, in the presence of His Eminence William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and, since last year's motu proprio Ecclesiae unitatem, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. This will be, as far as we are aware, the first public function in the usus antiquior which Cardinal Levada carries out in his new capacity. This is from a press release which the NLM was sent today by the FSSP:

DENTON, Nebraska – January 22, 2010 – The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is pleased to announce the Pontifical Consecration of its newly built chapel at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary on Wednesday, March 3rd at 10:00am (CST). Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz will celebrate the Pontifical Consecration and Mass according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The five hour ceremony will be held in the presence of a very special guest from the Vatican, William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is delighted to have the presence of one of the highest ranking officials in the Catholic Church. Cardinal Levada's presence is connected with his position as President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei established by Pope John Paul II and recently expanded by Pope Benedict XVI to facilitate the full incorporation into the life of the Church of communities and individuals attached to the Extraordinary Form.

Thanks to Thomas Gordon Smith, its architect, the seminary chapel reflects a contemporary rebirth in the rich tradition of classical Catholic architecture. Upon entering through its mahogany doors, the visitor will be immersed in the chapel's beauty and grandeur which include an elevated main altar, emphasized by a 31-foot marble canopy or “baldachino”, the chapel's seven side altars and liturgical choir stalls which seat 92 seminarians and priests. These are some of the integral qualities of this chapel which, on March 3rd, will be full of the people for which it was made.

The Pontifical Consecration and Mass is open to all of the public. Any and all the faithful are cordially invited and are most welcome to attend this joyful event and enjoy refreshments afterwards.

Due to the number of guests and limited space, rooms and television screens will be provided for those outside of the chapel who wish to participate.

The Pontifical Consecration and Mass will be televised live on the Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) at 11:00AM (EST). Watch the Pontifical Consecration and Mass Live Online!

www.ewtn.com/audiovideo

(reproduced from The New Liturgical Movement)

Cardinal Levada to Bless New Chapel of the Northern American FSSP Seminary

by Gregor Kollmorgen

The new chapel of the Northern American Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in Denton, Nebraska, will be dedicated on 3 March 2010.

The ceremony will be performed by His Eminence Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and, since last year's motu proprio Ecclesiae unitatem, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. This will be, as far as we are aware, the first public function in the usus antiquior which Cardinal Levada carries out in his new capacity.

First ordination for FSSP in new Church Year

by Martin Bürger

As I reported in November, December 19th saw Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, since May of this year Bishop of Oakland, ordain Deacon José Zepeda FSSP to the Sacred Priesthood. Zepeda is therefore the first new Priest of the Priestly Fratenirty of St Peter in this liturgical Year.

The Bishop at the Sermon:

Litany of the Saints:

The blog "Veritatem facientes in caritate" has made available five series of pictures, including videos: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(translated from EXSVLTET)

Daily Lauds with the laity in Sacramento

by Tish Gallagher, Sacramento

The Latin Mass community of Sacramento, California began more than twenty years ago. In 1997 the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) was invited into our diocese to serve what was then known as the Ecclesia Dei Community. In 2002 a property was purchased and given by our diocese for our use; this included a church and small school. At the time, Fr. John Berg, FSSP (now the superior general of that congregation) was the priest in charge of our Latin Mass community. In the approximately five years that Fr. Berg was with us, he tried to give our parish, St. Stephen, the First Martyr (not formally a parish yet) a character and tradition which he hoped we would maintain. Among these traditions were things such as Sunday Vespers, the Rorate Mass in Advent, and Tenebrae. Happily, the priests who have come after him have kept these traditions, and even added to them.

Even at this time in the early morning the priest would sing Lauds together in the sanctuary of our church. I would silently pray from a breviary with the Pius XII Psalter, which of course was not the same. Occasionally we would also have Compline, especially after big feasts and after evening adult education classes. We would print out the Latin so that everyone could sing; it was a very prayerful and joyful time!

Now, we are blessed to have many resources for the words of the Divine Office so consequently people are beginning to download the Office from the internet and bring it with them to St. Stephens. What began as community prayer among the priests is becoming more of prayer also for the laity. We very gingerly attempt to pronounce the words of the psalms along with the priests each morning at Lauds and as each day passes we learn more, and more people seem to come.

We also have an opportunity on Monday and Thursday each week for the office of Sext. After our priests teach their Latin classes they come into the church to sing this hour together. In addition to this we regularly have Thursday evening Compline which is very well attended after evening Mass.

The Divine Office is very much a part of our Catholic culture at St. Stephens. Most of our children have some opportunity for learning some of the Psalms either in choir or even at our summer camps where Compline is sung each evening.

St. Stephen is a little bit of heaven on earth. It is a place where the Church is living and growing. It is a place where in the midst of all the trials of this world you can find peace.

(reproduced from Rorate Cæli)

Cenacle of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus

News from Tulsa, OK: This week saw the clothing of the first novice of the Our Lady of the Cenacle monastery, Brother Juan Diego Maria de San José. Fr Mark Kirby, superior of the Cenacle, has been given a mandate by Bishop Slattery, the local Ordinary, to live under the Benedictine rule, in a life of adoration, thanksgiving, intercession and reparation.

The Cenacle is planning renting larger property for use as a temporary monastery. However, this depends on the generousity of others. More funds means this can be achieved, and even beginning may be made on a permanent monastery. Cheques can be sent to Fr Kirby at the address below.

~~*~~

The foundation of the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle in the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a timely response to the Year of the Priesthood. The following notes present something of the vision for this new monastery under the Rule of Saint Benedict. Please address all inquiries to Father Mark at the address given below.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LIFE IN ABUNDANCE

"I came," says Our Lord Jesus, "that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

-- A LIFE THAT IS MONASTIC

"One thing is needful." (Luke 10:42)

• under the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict and the guidance of the Father of the monastery.
• in the school of the service of the Lord.
• in obedience, the love of silence, and humility.
• in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

-- A LIFE THAT IS EUCHARISTIC AND SACERDOTAL

"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (Luke 22:15)

"And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth." (John 17:19)

• the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: the sun illuminating each day.
• daily prolonged adoration, on behalf of all priests, before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, close to His Open Heart.
• in reparation for offenses committed against the Most Blessed Sacrament, and for the indifference of those who forsake Him, Who waits for us in the tabernacles of the world.
• in thanksgiving for the mercies that ever flow from the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

-- A LIFE THAT IS OFFERED AND CONSECRATED

"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)

• for the sanctification of priests and the spiritual renewal of the clergy in the whole Church.
• in reparation for the sins that disfigure the Face of Christ the Priest.
• in the sacrificial love that is inseparable from the gift and mystery of the priesthood.

-- A LITURGICAL LIFE

"I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the presence of the angels I sing your praise." (Psalm 137:1)

"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 28:2)

"Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God." (Hebrews 13:15)

• Holy Mass and the Divine Office celebrated in Gregorian Chant.
• bringing to the traditional forms of the sacred liturgy a diligence and beauty worthy of the Holy Mysteries.

-- A LIFE WITH OUR LADY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

"When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27)

• following in the footsteps of Saint John the Apostle who, obedient to the word of Jesus crucified, took Mary into his home and into the intimacy of his priestly heart.
• communitarian and personal consecration to the Virgin Mary.
• commemoration of the Mother of God at all the liturgical Hours.
• Holy Rosary daily.

-- A LIFE THAT IS ECCLESIAL AND APOSTOLIC

"In the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations." (Ephesians 3:21)

• heeding the Supreme Pontiff, our Holy Father, the Successor of Peter.
• in filial obedience to the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• in generous service of the clergy by means of hospitality given to priests, deacons, and seminarians for days of silence and adoration, for retreats, and for spiritual direction.
• promoting Eucharistic adoration in the diocese of Tulsa.
• direction of the movement for spiritual motherhood benefiting priests.

-- A LIFE OF WORK

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one." (1 Corinthians 11:4-7)

• hospitality to priests, deacons, and seminarians.
• spiritual care and support of the clergy.
• both manual and intellectual work, according to the abilities and gifts of each one.

-- A LIFE THAT INCORPORATES DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS WITHIN A SINGLE FAMILY

"If all were a single organ, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'" (1 Corinthians 11:19-21).

• choir monks dedicated to the integral service of the liturgy and, normally, destined for the priesthood.
• monks not destined for the priesthood who, imitating Saint Joseph, dedicate themselves to the ceaseless prayer of the heart in the daily tasks entrusted to them.

• diocesan priests, Missionary Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, sacerdotal Oblates of the monastery, living its charism and sustained by the monastic community in the midst of their pastoral labors. The Missionary Adorers, while remaining incardinated in their respective dioceses, will live according to the Statutes approved by the Bishop of Tulsa.

• deacons and laymen, single and married: secular Oblates of the monastery.
• women Oblates dedicated as Spiritual Mothers for Priests, following the initiative of the letter of 7 December 2007 of His Eminence, Claudio Cardinal Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation Pro Clericis.
The monastery will provide these women with a suitable initial and ongoing spiritual formation.

-- ADORERS OF THE EUCHARISTIC FACE OF JESUS

"You have said, 'Seek my Face.' My heart says to You, 'Your Face, O Lord, do I seek.' Hide not your Face from me." (Psalm 26:8-9).

"It is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of the darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6).

• all participate daily in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the monastery, or for priest, deacon, and lay oblates, in their parishes

-- MONASTIC FORMATION

For Catholic men between the ages of 18 and 35.
Postulancy: 3-6 months
Novitiate: 2 years
Temporary Vows: 3 years
Monastic Consecration after 5 years

~~*~~

Please send your contributions toward building the Eucharistic Cenacle to:

Reverend Dom Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B.
1744 South Xanthus Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-5324
Telephone: 918-749-0995
E-mail: cenacle at sbcglobal.net

Thank you for your generosity. May Our Lord Jesus Christ make the light of His Eucharistic Face shine upon you.

Tonsure & Subdiaconate 2009 (Denton)

On October 24th, His Excellency, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln conferred Tonsure on 14 men and the Subdiaconate to one other from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Lincoln. This was truly a joyous day for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter as they also had 16 other men tonsured on the same day from their seminary in Wigratzbad Germany.

At the Una Voce Carmel website, you can find pictures taken from the Tonsure and Subdiaconate in Lincoln, as well as a picture of all 30 men that were tonsured. Please keep these men in your prayers as they continue their way to the Altar of Lord.

To view all the pictures, please click here.

A New Monastery: Our Lady of the Cenacle

The foundation of the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle in the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a timely response to the Year of the Priesthood. The following notes present something of the vision for this new monastery under the Rule of Saint Benedict. Please address all inquiries to Father Mark at the address given below.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LIFE IN ABUNDANCE

"I came," says Our Lord Jesus, "that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

-- A LIFE THAT IS MONASTIC

"One thing is needful." (Luke 10:42)

• under the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict and the guidance of the Father of the monastery.
• in the school of the service of the Lord.
• in obedience, the love of silence, and humility.
• in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

-- A LIFE THAT IS EUCHARISTIC AND SACERDOTAL

"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (Luke 22:15)
"And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth." (John 17:19)

• the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: the sun illuminating each day.
• daily prolonged adoration, on behalf of all priests, before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, close to His Open Heart.
• in reparation for offenses committed against the Most Blessed Sacrament, and for the indifference of those who forsake Him, Who waits for us in the tabernacles of the world.
• in thanksgiving for the mercies that ever flow from the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

-- A LIFE THAT IS OFFERED AND CONSECRATED

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)

• for the sanctification of priests and the spiritual renewal of the clergy in the whole Church.
• in reparation for the sins that disfigure the Face of Christ the Priest.
• in the sacrificial love that is inseparable from the gift and mystery of the priesthood.

-- A LITURGICAL LIFE

"I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the presence of the angels I sing your praise." (Psalm 137:1)
"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 28:2)
"Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God." (Hebrews 13:15)

• Holy Mass and the Divine Office celebrated in Gregorian Chant.
• bringing to the traditional forms of the sacred liturgy a diligence and beauty worthy of the Holy Mysteries.

-- A LIFE WITH OUR LADY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

"When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27)

• following in the footsteps of Saint John the Apostle who, obedient to the word of Jesus crucified, took Mary into his home and into the intimacy of his priestly heart.
• communitarian and personal consecration to the Virgin Mary.
• commemoration of the Mother of God at all the liturgical Hours.
• Holy Rosary daily.

-- A LIFE THAT IS ECCLESIAL AND APOSTOLIC

"In the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations." (Ephesians 3:21)

• heeding the Supreme Pontiff, our Holy Father, the Successor of Peter.
• in filial obedience to the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• in generous service of the clergy by means of hospitality given to priests, deacons, and seminarians for days of silence and adoration, for retreats, and for spiritual direction.
• promoting Eucharistic adoration in the diocese of Tulsa.
• direction of the movement for spiritual motherhood benefiting priests.

-- A LIFE OF WORK

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one." (1 Corinthians 11:4-7)

• hospitality to priests, deacons, and seminarians.
• spiritual care and support of the clergy.
• both manual and intellectual work, according to the abilities and gifts of each one.

-- A LIFE THAT INCORPORATES DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS WITHIN A SINGLE FAMILY

"If all were a single organ, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'" (1 Corinthians 11:19-21).

• choir monks dedicated to the integral service of the liturgy and, normally, destined for the priesthood.
• monks not destined for the priesthood who, imitating Saint Joseph, dedicate themselves to the ceaseless prayer of the heart in the daily tasks entrusted to them.

• diocesan priests, Missionary Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, sacerdotal Oblates of the monastery, living its charism and sustained by the monastic community in the midst of their pastoral labors. The Missionary Adorers, while remaining incardinated in their respective dioceses, will live according to the Statutes approved by the Bishop of Tulsa.

• deacons and laymen, single and married: secular Oblates of the monastery.
• women Oblates dedicated as Spiritual Mothers for Priests, following the initiative of the letter of 7 December 2007 of His Eminence, Claudio Cardinal Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation Pro Clericis.
The monastery will provide these women with a suitable initial and ongoing spiritual formation.

-- ADORERS OF THE EUCHARISTIC FACE OF JESUS

"You have said, 'Seek my Face.' My heart says to You, 'Your Face, O Lord, do I seek.' Hide not your Face from me." (Psalm 26:8-9).
"It is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of the darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6).

• all participate daily in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the monastery, or for priest, deacon, and lay oblates, in their parishes

-- MONASTIC FORMATION

For Catholic men between the ages of 18 and 35.
Postulancy: 3-6 months
Novitiate: 2 years
Temporary Vows: 3 years
Monastic Consecration after 5 years

CONTACT:

Reverend Father Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B.
1744 South Xanthus Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-5324

Elysburg Carmelites Enclosed

The Discalced Carmelites, were enclosed in their Elysburg convent on August 25th, 2009. This event joyfully took place on the 447th anniversary of St. Theresa of Jesus founding of her first reformed Carmelite convent. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter has been very involved with the sisters since their founding in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fr. Joseph Howard, FSSP celebrated a Solemn High Mass with many faithful present, including Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The nuns relocated due to an increase of vocations. Fr. Howard will be the chaplain for the sisters and will provide daily Mass for the convent.

A detailed article along with photos, originally published in the Catholic Witness, may be read on the Diocese of Harrisburg website.

Prayer intentions can be sent to the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at 430 Monastery Rd., Elysburg, Pa., 17824 or given via phone at 570-672-2122.

The Story of Clear Creek

Traditional Vocations - Black is 'the new Black'

The New York Times reports:

"A new study of Roman Catholic nuns and priests in the United States shows that an aging, predominantly white generation is being succeeded by a smaller group of more racially and ethnically diverse recruits who are attracted to the religious orders that practice traditional prayer rituals and wear habits..."

"...They are the generation defined by the Second Vatican Council, of the 1960s, which modernized the church and many of its religious orders. Many nuns gave up their habits, moved out of convents, earned higher educational degrees and went to work in the professions and in community service. The study confirms what has long been suspected: that these more modern religious orders are attracting the fewest new members..."

Solemn High Mass in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

from Dignare Me Laudare Te, Virgo Sacrata

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) concluded their annual pilgrimage of reparation with a Solemn High Mass in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on 6 June 2009. Father James Buckley offered the shorter form of the Pentecost Ember Saturday Mass according to the 1962 Missal, and was assisted by clerics and seminarians of the Fraternity, along with a Gregorian chant schola of local Catholics, mainly from St. Mary Mother of God parish in DC.


The Confiteor of the deacon, subdeacon, and servers.


Father Buckley is incensed as the Kyrie is chanted.


The deacon chants the Gospel.


The burning of incense during the Offertory.


The elevation of the chalice containing the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.


Ite Missa est.

~~*~~

In separate news, Fr George Byers (photo: right), the priest responsible for the usus antiquior Masses at Lourdes, will sadly be leaving shortly. He is to be replaced by Fr Benoît Paul-Joseph FSSP (photo: left) who lives at Tarbes and will travel in to celebrate the Sunday morning Mass in the Immaculate Conception Basilica.