September 14th is The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

(We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee,
for by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world.)

Catholic Underground coming to Pittsburgh!!!

Catholic Underground was founded by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York City. It is a direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II, and is continued by Pope Benedict XVI. JPII said that because the Gospel lives in conversation with culture, we must be fearless in crossing the cultural threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place. 




Inspired by the event that began in New York City, four priests from the Pittsburgh area (from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the TOR Franciscans of Loretto, St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, and St. Paul of the Cross Monastery) began an initiative to bring Catholic Underground here. And now the inspiration has become a reality! Our first event will be held on September 26, 2009. 

The first part of the evening is Eucharistic adoration, and begins with Vespers (Evening Prayer). This is the universal prayer of the Church - prayed by Catholics throughout the world in every time zone and in every language. After Vespers, there is a time of simple praise. This provides a window for each person to personally encounter Jesus Christ. The beauty of the darkened Church illumined by candles helps us enter the mystery of our Lord's presence in the Eucharist. The holy hour ends with solemn Benediction. 

The second part of the evening is a social gathering with refreshments and a performance. Here we experience the "new evangelization". Catholic Underground showcases Catholic artists and promotes modern Catholic culture for today's generation. The event may include music, poetry, visual art, dancers, film, drama, etc. 

 

(Feel free to download the above flier to your desktop and print away, please help us get the word out)

For more information: http://www.catholicundergroundpittsburgh.org/

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother Mary!!!

Lady Mary  

(By: Fredrick M. Lynk)

 

Lady Mary, through the airy
Realm of Eden sang a flute;
Sang the power of the flower
Sprung from Jesse's noble root.

Lady Mary, the unwary
World has blessed thy motherhood,
For the Son has in love's oneness
With thee saved Eve's hapless brood.

Lady Mary, luminary,
Walkest still thy starry path,
Ever praying for the straying
To appease the Godhead's wrath.

Lady Mary, God's own fairy,
On eternity's green shore,
Let us meet thee, let us greet thee
In the kingdom evermore.

Memorial of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (September 5)

From: www.saintvincentarchabbey.org

Col 1:21-23; Ps 54:3,4,6,8; Lk 6:1-5

"Behold, God is my helper!"

On the 5th of September 1997, God called Mother Teresa of Calcutta home to himself. This tiny and universally recognized woman prayed daily to the LORD God and worked tirelessly for the poorest of the poor. She knew that God was her helper. In His name she was saved and by his might she was defended. The LORD heard her prayers and harkened to the words of her mouth. Despite her faithful life of prayer and service, this holy woman was criticized throughout her life and even during her funeral. One British commentator, who had been a long time critic of Mother Teresa, accused her of using the poor to make herself feel virtuous and look good in the public eye. This man had nothing to say when one of his fellow commentators said, "If thatƆs the way you feel then why don't you go and live the way she did, in simplicity and with the poor, for six months, then come back and tell us if you still feel the same way." Mother Teresa trusted in the LORD to whom she offered her daily sacrifice of praise. She founded religious communities of contemplative sisters, active sisters, brothers, and priests. She heard clearly the call of the LORD to reveal his goodness and mercy to the poorest of the poor in the slums. The hundreds who joined Mother Teresa continue to follow Christ into the slums to serve him. In the Mass to celebrate her beatification, Pope John Paul II called Mother Teresa, "one of the most relevant personalities of our age and an icon of the Good Samaritan." He said that her life was a bold proclamation of the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the spiritual insights that Saint Paul discovered in his prayer and ministry is that our reconciliation in the Body of Christ is something that demands a constant perseverance in virtue and contemplation. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and all her fellow servants of Christ in those who live in the slums discovered the same wisdom. To be holy, without blemish and irreproachable before the Blessed Trinity demands that we persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel we have heard. This Gospel has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which Saint Paul is a minister. This Gospel has the power to alienate us from our hostile minds and evil deeds. Indeed, his grace and mercy alone can enable us to detest all our sin and to love God above all else and our neighbor as our selves. The apostolic work of Saint Paul and Mother Teresa would have been impossible without a genuine intimacy with the Lord Jesus and the Father in the Holy Spirit. Our continuation of this Christ-like compassion demands of us a similar commitment to prayer and fasting to cast out demons and to heal the sick. Signs and wonders abound in the lives of those who pray and live a life of self-sacrifice. 

The Lord Jesus wants his disciples, great ones like Saint Paul and Mother Teresa, as well as everyday disciples, like us, to know who they are and to whom they belong. He takes on the public criticism of those who condemn his disciples. As their Lord and Master, he holds himself responsible for their behavior. Some Pharisees are scandalized that this great preacher and worker of miracles seem to be unfaithful to the Law. The Lord Jesus challenges them to remember their own Scriptures; after all, they are the readers and commentators on these holy documents. If David can get away with doing what is unlawful, eating the bread of offering, then I who am the true and faithful Son of David can let my disciples get away with picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. The Lord Jesus is more than the Son of David; he is the Son of Man and Lord of the Sabbath. In his very person the whole law and the prophets are fulfilled. His faithfulness is seen and proven upon the Cross-that establishes the Day of Rest. His Sabbath is greater than any Sabbath yet observed in Israel. Indeed, he is the Sabbath Rest, "come to me, you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest." Indeed, this Son of Man, this full human and fully divine Son of God knows the love of the Father that can alone give us our true identity. We too, are lord of the Sabbath because we know the Father's heart. Indeed we know that he wants us to eat and drink, to rest, in his Son in whom we know who we are and to whom we belong.

Prayer Request

 Born: June 8, 1919
Professed: August 2, 1939
Ordained: June 18, 1944
Died: August 30, 2009 

Please remember in your prayers Fr. Charles Mallen, C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist priest and mentor of our Br. Gabriel Myriam, OSB.  Fr. Mallen exemplified what it means to be a religious priest of Christ. He was completely dedicated to the people of God, his devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help was truly a relationship of a son and a mother and most importantly, his life was completely dedicated to the work of preaching Redemption to all, especially in the confessional.  How appropriate that our Lord has called him home during this year of the priest.  Here is a small article written about him 5 years ago:

He jets around the retreat house grounds in his own "Popemobile," a golf cart gift from a retreatant. Just don't ask Fr. Charles Mallen, C.Ss.R., Director and founder of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, FL to take it slowly!

 

A priest for 60 years, Fr. Mallen swims 30 laps a day, researches and writes all his homilies from scratch, is a major player in the Crossroads  Discernment retreat program, and hosts and preaches many events at his retreat center. He says with a laugh, "You can call me ancient, but don't call me old." Baltimore Province archivist Fr. Carl Hoegerl, C.Ss.R., seconds the thought. "He has the mind of a young person. He's so enthusiastic, wants to do as much as he can." 

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R whom Fr. Mallen had a great devotion to
 

Fr. Mallen's schedule would tire a person half his age. He supervises the 26 room retreat center which can accommodate 52 overnight guests or 150 for day-long events.

Ordained in 1944, Fr. Mallen first served in a Latino parish in Ybar City, FL and as chaplain of the Newman Club in Tampa. Over the years, he worked in a parish in Georgia and was a pastor in Florida. He spent 29 years doing what he loves most, preaching missions that required constant travel.

In the early 1980's, Fr. Mallen was asked to take on a gargantuan project-creating Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center. In his seventies at the time, he did not shy away from the request. He raised the money needed and saw the project to its successful completion.

His colleague for more than 30 years, Sr. Carmella DeCosty, Administrator of the center, calls him the "Man with the Vision." "He commends everything to prayer. He is a man of courage and deep, deep faith, a holy man close to the Lord." Adds Vocation Office Director Fr. Phil Dabney, C.Ss.R., "Fr. Mallen gives me such hope for what a priest can become…what lies ahead for those who are truly faithful to the Lord."