Pray the Litany of St. Benedict

 

The Litany of St. Benedict

Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Holy Father, Saint Benedict, Pray for us.
Father most reverend, Pray for us.
Father most renowned, Pray for us.
Father most compassionate, Pray for us.
Man of great fortitude, Pray for us.
Man of venerable life, Pray for us.
Man of the most holy conversation, Pray for us.
True servant of God, Pray for us.
Light of devotion, Pray for us.
Light of prayer, Pray for us.
Light of contemplation, Pray for us.
Star of the world, Pray for us.
Best master of an austere life, Pray for us.
Leader of the holy warfare, Pray for us.
Leader and chief of monks, Pray for us.
Master of those who die to the world, Pray for us.
Protector of those who cry to thee, Pray for us.
Wonderful worker of miracles, Pray for us.
Revealer of the secrets of the human heart, Pray for us.
Master of spiritual discipline, Pray for us.
Companion of the patriarchs, Pray for us.
Equal of the prophets, Pray for us.
Follower of the Apostles, Pray for us.
Teacher of Martyrs, Pray for us.
Father of many pontiffs, Pray for us.
Gem of abbots, Pray for us.
Glory of Confessors, Pray for us.
Imitator of anchorites, Pray for us.
Associate of virgins, Pray for us.
Colleague of all the Saints, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Intercede for us, O holy father Saint Benedict,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray: O God, Who hast called us from the vanity of the world, and Who dost incite us to the reward of a heavenly vocation under the guidance of our holy patriarch and founder, Saint Benedict, inspire and purify our hearts and pour forth on us Thy grace, whereby we may persevere in Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Passing of our Holy Father St. Benedict

The same year in which he departed out of this life, he foretold the day of his most holy death to some of his disciples who conversed with him and to the others who were far off, giving strict charge to those who were present to keep in silence what they had heard and declaring to the absent by what sign they should know when his soul departed out of his body. Six days before his departure, he caused his grave to be opened, and immediately after, he fell into a fever, by the violence whereof his strength began to wax faint; and the infirmity daily increasing, the sixth day he caused his disciples to carry him into the oratory, where he armed himself for his going forth by receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord; then supporting his weak limbs by the hands of his disciples, he stood up, his hands lifted toward Heaven, and with words of prayer, at last breathed forth his soul.

 
The same day two of his brethren, the one living in the monastery and the other in a place far remote, had a revelation in one and the self-same manner. For they beheld a way, spread with garments and shining with innumerable lamps, stretching directly eastwards from his cell up to Heaven; a man of venerable aspect stood above and asked them whose way that was. But they professing they knew not, he said to them, "This is the way by which the beloved of the Lord, Benedict, ascended." Thus the disciples who were present knew of the death of the holy man, and so also those who were absent understood it by the sign foretold them. He was buried in the oratory of St. John the Baptist, which he himself had built upon the ruins of Apollo's altar. - From The Life of St. Benedict (St. Gregory the Great)
 
Click here for Archabbot Douglas' 2007 Homily on the Solemnity of the Passing of St. Benedict

Reflections from the Triduum Retreat

Dear Father Fred,
 

I Just wanted to thank you for one of the most rewarding weekends of my life. This year has been a long and challenging year for me. These difficulties have caused me to rely more on the cross and turning more to Jesus throughout my daily life. I went on this retreat because I figured it would help deepen my faith in the Lord. What the retreat actually did was completely change my faith in the lord. The retreat helped me relax and find peace in my hectic life. It has given me ideas for prayer and shown how powerful just sitting in quiet and listening to the Lord can be. Thank you again for the room and the food your monastery provided me this weekend. But most of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn more about Christ and how to rely on him.

Signed,
A Triduum Retreatant

The Divine Mercy Chaplet

1) Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2) Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3) On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4) Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Please consider offering the chaplet for vocations (both your own and for your fellow brothers discerning the call)

Great Links for more about Divine Mercy: EWTN, Divine Mercy Sunday, The Shrine

Divine Mercy Sunday

Jesus told St. Faustina that this Feast of Mercy would be a very special day when "all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened". (Diary 699) Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy, on the Sunday after Easter, which is now called Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Catholic Church.

Jesus promised that "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment."(Diary 699) He went on to say "I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy." (Diary 1109)

We want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this incredible promise and the additional Plenary Indulgence on this great Feast of Mercy "Divine Mercy Sunday". We want you to benefit fully from these promises, and we also want you to notify all of your family and friends about them too and urge them to return to the practice of their faith!

The Image of The Divine Mercy, which Our Lord requested to be solemnly blessed and venerated on this day, will be on display in our church. Pope John Paul II said that the image portrays the Risen Jesus Christ bringing Mercy to the whole world. Our Lord said "I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish". (Diary 341, 48) Please take the time to visit with this Image of The Divine Mercy and venerate Jesus.

Jesus said to St. Faustina "I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You". (Diary 327) "The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the cross. …Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him." (Diary 299)

 

About the feastday "Divine Mercy Sunday", Jesus said "…tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon the souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy". (Diary 699)

Our Lord said "When you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul…" and "Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy" (1602) Make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is… only a screen. Never analyze what sort of a priest that I am making use of; open your soul in confession to Me, and I will fill it with My light." (1725)

It is required of all Catholics to confess their serious sins at least once every year. If you haven’t yet met this obligation then take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to receive an outpouring of an ocean of graces that Jesus promises on this day. Those who have already confessed their sins should make room for others.

The Church allows for one to go to Confession for up to about 20 days, before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

Excerpts taken from the Diary of St. Faustina, copyright 1987 Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge MA., USA

Over 20 young men attend Tiduum Retreat

 
Over 20 young men attended our annual Holy Week Retreat held at St. Vincent Archabbey. The men were able to pray and relax with the monks during the holiest days of the liturgical year. I think it is safe to say that all of the guys had a wonderful and deeply prayerful time at the Abbey as together we celebrated the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Risen King!!!

The Easter Vigil

Here are some pictures from the the 2008 Easter Vigil at St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

The Blessing of the Fire

The Chanting of the Exultant

Archabbot Douglas incensing the Altar and Paschal Candle

Reverencing the Holy Altar

The Sacrament of Baptism

 
But Jesus was silent. (Matthew, Chapter 26)

Test Your Benedictine Knowledge

 

What St. Vincent Monk is responsible for today's Benedictine medal?...The answer is: Rt. Rev. Boniface Krug, O.S.B. (1838-1909). Abbot Boniface was a native of Baltimore, Maryland and originally a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey until he was chosen to become prior and latter archabbot of Montecassino. The image to the right shows Abbot Krug, on his knees at prayer. This painting can be found in the Archabbey Basilica Crypt.

The Way of the Cross

Check out these clips from the Way of the Cross performance. Click here and here

St. Vincent Monks traveling to see the Holy Father!!!

A number of the monks will be traveling to New York and Washington, D.C. to see our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as he visits America. Be sure to check the blog often for any more information regarding the brothers trip and for some pictures.

No Greater Love

One of the great blessings of Lent in the monastic life is that it calls the monk to take a good hard look at himself and ask, "Am I truly doing all that I can for Jesus Christ and His holy Church?, am I striving to lay down my life for others?, am I trying to be the best monk I can be?" As Holy Week quickly approaches I ask you to take time in your own life to ponder and pray over the questions that really matter. Ask Jesus to show you the ways He is calling you to lay down your life for others. Holy Week teaches us to focus on the Holy cross and be willing to surrender our wills to the will of the Father. Monks prostrating themselves as they give themselves totally to Jesus Christ at Solemn Profession.

Br. (soon to be Father) Michael, Fr. Fred, Fr. Shawn Matthew, and Fr. Boniface.

Something to ponder

FROM The New Interpreter's Bible

"A Jewish story tells of the good fortune of a hardworking farmer. The Lord appeared to this farmer and granted him three wishes, but with the condition that whatever the Lord did for the farmer would be given double to his neighbor. The farmer, scarcely believing his good fortune, wished for a hundred cattle. Immediately he received a hundred cattle, and his neighbor had two hundred. So he wished for a hundred acres of land, and again he was filled with joy until he saw that his neighbor had two hundred acres of land. Rather than celebrating God s goodness, the farmer could not escape feeling envious and slighted because his neighbor had received more than he. Finally, he stated his third wish: that God would strike him blind in one eye.

And God wept."

For more reflections see our Archabbey websites daily homilies by clicking here

5 Novices!!!

 
St. Vincent Novices (Br. Maximilian, Br. Jeremiah, Br. Gabriel Myriam, and Br. Michael) pose with Franciscan Friar Br. Josemaria DeJesus, CFR of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Br. Josemaria is a good friend of the brothers and just made his first vows on March 3, 2008. Please keep all these young men in your prayers.