VITA CONSECRATA

POST-SYNODAL 

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION 

VITA CONSECRATA 

OF THE HOLY FATHER 

JOHN PAUL II 

TO THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY 

RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND CONGREGATIONS 

SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE 

SECULAR INSTITUTES 

AND ALL THE FAITHFUL 

ON THE CONSECRATED LIFE AND ITS MISSION 

IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD

INTRODUCTION

Pope St. John Paul II

The Consecrated Life, deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, is a gift of God the Father to his Church through the Holy Spirit. By the profession of the evangelical counsels the characteristic features of Jesus — the chaste, poor and obedient one — are made constantly "visible" in the midst of the world and the eyes of the faithful are directed towards the mystery of the Kingdom of God already at work in history, even as it awaits its full realization in heaven.

In every age there have been men and women who, obedient to the Father's call and to the prompting of the Spirit, have chosen this special way of following Christ, in order to devote themselves to him with an "undivided" heart (cf. 1 Cor 7:34). Like the Apostles, they too have left everything behind in order to be with Christ and to put themselves, as he did, at the service of God and their brothers and sisters. In this way, through the many charisms of spiritual and apostolic life bestowed on them by the Holy Spirit, they have helped to make the mystery and mission of the Church shine forth, and in doing so have contributed to the renewal of society.

To read the whole text: 

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031996_vita-consecrata_en.html

Vocation Pilgrimage to Rome!

Ever been on a Vocation Discernment Pilgrimage to Rome?  Come, Pray, and See the Foundations of Benedictine Monasticism!

Each year the St. Vincent Archabbey Vocation Office sponsors The Footsteps of St. Benedict Pilgrimage, a spiritual journey for young, single, Catholic men (age 18-35) who are exploring a Religious Vocation.  

Monte Cassino

The 2013-2014 tentative schedule:

• Fri. Dec 27: Leave from your most convenient airport for Rome
  
• Sat. Dec 28: Meals and Prayer at St. Anselmo, the international Benedictine House of Studies, and free time in Rome
  
• Sun. Dec 29: Visit Norcia, birthplace of St. Benedict and his twin sister St. Scholastica
  
• Mon. Dec. 30: Free day until Solemn Vespers with Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica
  
• Tues. Dec 31: Mass - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God with Holy Father & Tour of St. Paul's Outside the Walls
  
• Wed. Jan 1: Free day in Rome (Tour churches in Rome, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Coliseum)
  
• Thurs. Jan 2: Visit Subiaco Abbey, location of Saint Benedict’s cave and first monastery
  
• Fri. Jan 3: Visit Mt. Cassino, Benedict’s famous Abbey where he wrote his Holy Rule
  
• Sat. Jan 4: Papal Audience, Vatican Museum Tour, and free day in Rome
  
• Sun. Jan 5: Return to U.S.A.

Subiaco Abbey

More information about attending the Discernment Pilgrimage can be found on our Vocation Website:

http://www.stvincentmonks.com/Rome2010

And don't forget to ask about our Vince Sarni Family Scholarship of $700! 

Norcia Abbey Church

Another Successful Year of Steelers Training Camp at St. Vincent College

Today marks the end of this year's Steelers Pre-Season Training Camp, an event the Monks of St. Vincent have been hosting since 1966.    

While the opening of the 48th annual Pittsburgh Steelers Summer Training Camp at Saint Vincent College gets extensive media

Steelers Practice Scrimage

attention in newspapers, radio and television and attracts tens of thousands of fans to the campus, their first visit to Saint Vincent College in 1966 started quietly.

A review of the Latrobe Bulletin archives revealed that the presence of Steelers at Saint Vincent in 1966 was secondary to reports about local baseball leagues and Arnold Palmer's appearance in the 48th annual PGA tournament.

The first public mention of the Steelers coming to Latrobe appeared in a story by Sports Editor Steve Kittey on July 5, 1966: “It seems summer has just reached us, but already all the National Football

Archabbey Basilica viewed from the Practice Fields

League teams are about set to open their training camps. For our pride and joy in the NFL, Pittsburgh, the moment of truth is fast approaching for it and new coach Bill Austin. This Friday, Austin will hold an early week of workouts for 51 players, most of whom are rookies. Next week, the entire squad will gather under the auspices of Austin’s watchful eye. Site of the training camp is the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. The final two weeks of the Steelers’ training camp will be held on the campus of Saint Vincent College."

To Read the full Article: http://www.stvincent.edu/newsDetail.aspx?id=2147488149

Fr. Paul Meets with Steelers Players

Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

Mass Reading 1: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was with

child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.  Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.  She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne.  The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.  

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One."

Reflection on the Reading

From the earliest days of the Church, "The woman clothed with the Sun" has been a clear reference to Mary, the Mother of God and "Queen of Heaven". "The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians" (966 CCC).

As seen by this reading from the book of Revelation, Mary's "Queenship" has its roots in Sacred Scripture.  In addition to this passage, Mary's Queenship can also be noticed in the Annunciation, when Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever.  How could a Son be King if His Mother was not a Queen?  Overall, Mary's Queenship is a share in Christ's Kingship.


For more on Mary’s Queenship: https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1115

Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary

While Scripture reveals nothing about Mary’s death, St. John Damascene (d. 749) recorded a story reportedly shared at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD that Mary had died in the presence of the Apostles, but when the tomb was opened they found it empty, “wherefrom the Apostles concluded that they body was taken up to Heaven”.  From this testimony the Church has taught that Mary was assumed bodily and now tastes the Resurrection for which all Christians hope.    

To learn more about Marian Dogmas: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Four%20Marian%20Dogmas.htm