Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, archangels

From:  www.saintvincentarchabbey.org

Rv 12:7-12; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51

"In the sight of the angels."

In this feast of the archangels, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, we join our voices in the sight of all the angels to give wholehearted thanks to the LORD. In these great messengers from the holy temple of heaven we have received the protection of Saint Michael, whose very name asks the only question worth asking, "Who is like the LORD?" From Saint Gabriel we have received the good news of our salvation in the annunciation to the Virgin Mary and in the virginal conception of her son, Jesus the Savior of all. This archangel continues to pray for all who are engaged in the ministry of communication; he is their patron and guide as they seek to communicate the good news we all need to hear. In the ministry of Saint Raphael we have been healed, and we continue to be lead on a journey of faith by this archangel. Indeed, the names of these three heavenly messengers continue to reveal the faithful response of the LORD to our every prayer. Their ministry deepens our confidence in the LORD; through his archangels the LORD builds up strength within us. Indeed, all the powerful of the earth tremble in fear when these divine messengers appear among us. Their presence and their ministry enable the powerful and powerless in this world to hear words from the mouth of the Living God. We join with them and sing endlessly of the ways of the LORD. Indeed, we cry out, "Great is the glory of the LORD." The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of the faithful heavenly warriors who take our part in the battle with the dragon and his angels. Without this glorious army, the battle would quickly be lost. The Lord's promise to Nathanael is his promise to us. We will see with eyes of faith how the angels of God travel to heaven with our urgent petitions and come down to earth with the Lord’s powerful response to our every need. At every Mass we gather with Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael, and all the heavenly hosts to proclaim the endless song of the Banquet of the Lamb, "Holy, holy, holy LORD God of hosts!"

The Book of Revelation tells the story of the ultimate war, indeed, the war to end all wars. The huge dragon, also known as Satan or the Devil, was quite successful in deceiving the whole world. Such duplicity means only one thing that he must be thrown down to earth along with all his dark angelic forces. This apocalyptic battle has been seen on screen, both film and television; it has been written about for centuries; it has captivated the imagination of generations. However, often we witness the battle, but fail to hear the loud voice in heaven crying out: "Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed." This is the truly good news for all to hear, but Satan never hears it. He continues to abuse and accuse us daily before the throne of God. He may not have a place in the heavens with the other members of the heavenly court, but he continues to strut about the earth looking for someone to devour. The Devil has convenient hearing, and he does not want to hear the good news anyway. However, he cannot deter us from heaven if only we hear the good news and wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The victory has been accomplished in the outpouring of the precious blood of the Lamb. The ultimate victory belongs to God and to the Lamb, but the last one to hear this will be Satan and his minions. It's not that they can't hear; they do not want to hear. Sometimes that's our problem too.

The Lord Jesus finds no duplicity, no guile, in Nathanael, the true child of Israel. The true child of the one who struggled with divine and human beings, but he was victorious. We, too, are victorious when we are without guile and we have no duplicity. Indeed, we share with Nathanael the vision of the angels and archangels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. We see the stairway to heaven, the cross of Christ, crowded with those who have missions to us coming down from heaven and with those who are caught-up in the search for the One who has found us under our fig trees and called us to see greater things with Nathanael and all the saints in glory. What are these greater things? Perhaps these greater things are the mysteries of earthly goods, bread and wine, becoming the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, the True Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. It is just such a vision that keeps us focused and moving through the cross into the glory.

Angels

Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him. . " They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him." They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?"

Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples. Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.

From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'" Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!" They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been. Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection. They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.


In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.

In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli. . .["May the angels lead you into Paradise. . ."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels). 

- CCC 331-335

Archabbot Lambert Reilly to celebrate St. Vincent Seminary Alumni Day Mass

Right Rev. Lambert W. Reilly, O.S.B, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Saint Vincent Seminary Annual Alumni Day Mass to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at 4 p.m. in the Saint Vincent Basilica.

Reilly is a retired Archabbot of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. He entered Saint Meinrad as a seminarian studying for his home diocese of Pittsburgh, Pa. Then, Archabbot Reilly entered the monastery and made his first profession of vows as a Benedictine in 1956 and was ordained a priest in 1959. For over 40 years he led hundreds of retreats, parish missions and days of recollection all over the United States and in several foreign countries.

As Archabbot, he oversaw the completion of the renovation of the Archabbey Church; the growth and development of programs in the Saint Meinrad School of Theology; the establishment of a new enterprise, Abbey Caskets; and the inauguration of a $40 million comprehensive campaign and the development of a master plan for the Saint Meinrad campus.

Archabbot Reilly is the author of two spiritual books, Because There is Jesus, a collection of his homilies and conferences, and Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth, spiritual reflections on some of his favorite Latin sayings and New Testament quotes.

Father Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B. will receive the Saint Vincent Seminary Lifetime Achievement Award at the Alumni Banquet. A 1940 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School, he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1945, and attended the Seminary from 1943 to 1946.

He received a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical Institute of Sant’ Anselmo, Rome. In 1999, Father Demetrius received the honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Saint Vincent Seminary. He has taught Sacred Scripture since 1952 at the Seminary, and is a former Rector of the Seminary (1963-1980), and Vice Rector (1955 to 1963).

Father Demetrius is the author of five published books: Flowers in the Desert; Cherish Christ Above All: The Bible in the Rule of Benedict; A Mystical Portrait of Jesus, New Perspectives on John’s Gospel; Praying the Scriptures; and So We Do Not Lose Heart: Biblical Wisdom for all our Days. He also co-authors a weekly column on the Sunday Homilies available on the Saint Vincent Archabbey website.

There will be a tribute to Father Paulinus J. Selle, O.S.B, during the Alumni Banquet. Father Paulinus, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Sunday, February 8, 2009, at the age of 95. He attended the Saint Vincent Preparatory School, then the College and Seminary. In 1934, Father Paulinus was professed a Benedictine monk, then went to Rome in 1936 to earn a Licentiate in Theology from Sant’ Anselmo. On July 16, 1939, he was ordained a priest at the Abbey of Montecassino, then returned to Saint Vincent in 1940 to begin his distinguished years of service to the community.

Father Paulinus taught theology in the College and, in the Seminary, he taught moral theology, patristics, dogmatic theology and fundamentals of liturgy. In 1987, Father Paulinus received the Nova et Vetera Award from the Seminary for “Outstanding and Distinguished Service to the Seminary and the Church in priestly formation and theological education.”

In 1989, he received the Saint Vincent Alumni Association Award in “recognition of his meritorious contribution to Saint Vincent College.” Outside the classroom, Father Paulinus maintained friendships with his students and acted as a counselor in times of need for his students. In addition to teaching, Father Paulinus served as a confessor for many members of the Benedictine Community, for students, and priests upon their ordinations.

The Jubilarians of the Seminary Classes of 1933, 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969, and 1984 will be honored at the Annual Alumni day.

A few pics from the 1st Pittsburgh Catholic Underground!!!

Sacred Heart Church, the site of Pittsburgh Catholic Underground

 

 

 

 

A great time was had by all and please plan on attending the next Underground of Saturday, October 24, 2009 (8 - 10:30 PM) again at Sacred Heart Church in Shadyside.  Also, please continue to pray for the success of CU and  get the word out about the Catholic Underground program (Feel free to print out the flyer below and distribute them).

Archabbot to bless new icon on back of Basilica Crucifix

This evening, September 27, 2009 (The Solemnity of our Patron St. Vincent de Paul), Archabbot Douglas will bless the recently completed icon on the choir side of the Basilica Crucifix.  The blessing will occur during Solemn Vespers at 5:00 PM in the Archabbey Basilica.  All are welcome to attend.

Kelly Pease to perform at 1st Catholic Underground

http://kellypease.com/

A few pics from Catholic Underground NY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 23 is the Feastday of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

God our Father,  You helped St. Pio to reflect the image of Christ through a life of charity and self-sacrifice. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of St. Pio of Pietrelcina and by imitating his selfless love. Amen

 

Click here for a great site on St. Pio

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

From: www.saintvincentarchabbey.org

Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13

"Their message goes out through all the earth."

Saint Matthew and all the apostolic witnesses spread the message of the Lord Jesus through all the earth. Even though all of nature declares the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork, the witness of the Gospel is so much greater. Even though day pours out the word to day and night to night imparts knowledge, the witness of the Gospel is so much more eloquent. The greatness of God's mercy is born in the flesh and blood of the Son of Man whose word and voice are still heard throughout all the earth, even to the ends of the world. In the letter to the Ephesians we hear Saint Paul's voice summoning us to the full stature of Christ, to become mature in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, we hear the voice of him who calls the tax collector, and who calls us to himself, "follow me." Our call to mercy and intimacy with Christ, Our God, changes everything, and it enables us to change the world. So that everyone will join at the table of the Lord, the place where sinners become saints, and all share the one feast of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Saint Paul is not afraid to identify himself as a prisoner, because he is in jail for the Lord Jesus. He is incarcerated because he is guilty of living in a manner worth of the call he received with all humility. When we are gentle, patient, and loving enough we, too, may be ready to bear a radical witness. Some have predicated that just being a follower of Christ will be enough to get us thrown into prison here in the United States. Building up the Body of Christ in this world is against the law in some countries. Indeed, in some nations today it is a capital crime to baptize an adult. In such places there are no human rights; certainly it is not a human right to live according to your conscience and convert to Christ when the Lord calls you to repent and believe the good news. Saint Paul, Saint Matthew, and all the apostolic witnesses lived in such a hostile environment. Indeed, little has changed except our urgency. Indeed, we are even closer to the Kingdom breaking into history than we were when first the Apostles wrote and preached the good news. Each feast of an apostle or an evangelist stirs up that faith, hope, and love that make our witness radical and open to any sacrifice necessary for the sake of the Gospel.

This encounter of the Lord Jesus and Saint Matthew is a paradigm for the entire Gospel of Saint Matthew. Again and again, the Lord Jesus summons sinners. Again and again, the boundless mercy of God is a scandal to the Pharisees. They could not get their heads around this new teacher, Jesus, who seemed to enjoy the table fellowship of tax collectors and sinners. How could this so called holy man enjoy being with those who seemed to disregard the law and its importance in the lives of the holy and faithful people? Indeed, it was into such crowds that Jesus entered to encounter genuine openness because he came for those who were sick in body or soul. He came into their midst with more than judgment and condemnation; he came with severe mercy and healing power. This Divine Teacher is also the Divine Physician who has good news and eternal health for those who know they are sick with vice and admit they are sinners. It is just such mercy that the LORD demands in response to His mercy. The Lord Jesus is more interested in repentant sinners showing mercy to other sinners than he is in all their proper and righteous sacrifices. The Lord Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. The righteous are already caught up in the mystery of God and His Kingdom; the sinners have yet to hear and respond to the truly good news of God's mercy and love. It is to just this evangelical mission that we are summoned by the Gospel of Saint Matthew. We, too, are called to witness to the great mercy of God in Christ so that all sinners may become righteous through Him with Him and in Him.

Please pray for our young monks, novices, and postulants!!!

Saint Vincent Archabbey has been blessed with 15 Vocations over the past 3 years, please pray for these young men as they continue to discern their call and seek to serve the Lord Jesus  authentically as monks under the guidance of our Holy Father St. Benedict.

 

Look for the Monks at Franciscan University, Steubenville (Friday, September 18)

STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville will host its 10th annual Religious Vocations Awareness Day on Friday, September 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse.

The event, one of the largest vocation fairs in the country, is free of charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.

 

More than 70 religious communities and dioceses from across the United States will be present. At last year’s Vocations Awareness Day, more than 1,000 attendees strolled through aisles filled with videos, posters, religious music, and vocation directors willing to answer questions about their individual communities and their charisms.Franciscan’s Pre-Theologate Program and Chapel Ministries will sponsor both the fair and the Mass at 4:45 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel for those discerning consecrated life.

This year’s fair is being held during the Year for Priests proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. Pre-Theologate Program director Father Ken Cienik, SA, says the Year for Priests will continue to be a theme for religious formation throughout the year, and expects many exhibitors to share the Year for Priests theme at the fair as well.“It will offer all students a greater perspective on religious life and ordained ministry,” Father Cienik says, adding that he encourages everyone to attend the fair, even those not directly looking into religious life. “It is good for all Catholics to meet religious… [And] many orders may also have lay affiliates.”

For more information, call 740-283-6495 or

e-mail vocationday@franciscan.edu.

Exhalation of the Holy Cross

From: http://www.catholicculture.org/

 

This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem, but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroas, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heralius in 629.

The lessons from the Breviary tell us that Emperor Heraclius carried the Cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders. He was clothed with costly garments and with ornaments of precious stones. But at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. Try as hard as he would, he could not go forward. Zacharias, the Bishop of Jerusalem, then said to the astonished monarch: "Consider, O Emperor, that with these triumphal ornaments you are far from resembling Jesus carrying His Cross." The Emperor then put on a penitential garb and continued the journey.

This day is also called the Exaltation of the Cross, Elevation of the Cross, Holy Cross Day, Holy Rood Day, or Roodmas. The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. Our Mother Church sings of the triumph of the Cross, the instrument of our redemption. To follow Christ we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death, even if it means death on the cross. We identify with Christ on the Cross and become co-redeemers, sharing in His cross.

 

We make the Sign of the Cross before prayer which helps to fix our minds and hearts to God. After prayer we make the Sign of the Cross to keep close to God. During trials and temptations our strength and protection is the Sign of the Cross. At Baptism we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Let us look to the cross frequently, and realize that when we make the Sign of the Cross we give our entire self to God — mind, soul, heart, body, will, thoughts.

O cross, you are the glorious sign O victory. Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.

Remembering September 11

O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain. We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here— the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth. Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred. God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.

- Pope Benedict XI--Prayer at Ground Zero, New York, 20 April 2008

Fr. Benedict Groeschel (50 Years a Priest of Christ)

Click on the above picture for a great article on Father Benedict's 50 years of priesthood.  Father Benedict is a great friend of St. Vincent Archabbey who has given our community retreat and has blessed our seminarians with days of recollection. Father Benedict has also sent us a number of young monks and vocation candidates.  May God grant him many more fruitful and happy years as a priest!!!