Thursday, September 1, 2011

Prayer for the Eucharistic Congress


O Jesus, who art really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament to be the food of our souls, deign to bless and bring to a successful issue all Eucharistic Congresses and gatherings, and especially the coming Congress of the Diocese of Charlotte. Be Thou the inspiration of our labors, resolutions and vows; accept graciously the solemn homage we will render to Thee; send Your Holy Spirit to kindle the hearts of priests, religious, and all the faithful, especially the children, so that devout participation in the Holy Mass and frequent and daily Holy Communion may be held in honor in all the countries of the world; and grant that the Kingship of Your Sacred Heart over human society may everywhere be acknowledged to the glory of God, the Father. Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, bless the Congress.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Patroness of our Diocese, pray for us.
Saint Paschal Baylon, pray for us.
Saint Patrick, pray for us.
Amen.

For more information, take a look over here.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

It's the good life...


It's hard living in a newly renovated room on the third floor of what we call Hotel Josephinum.  This terrible view doesn't help much at all.  Oh well...

Seriously, this is the beautiful view from my window.  I was very fortunate to get one of the twenty newly renovated rooms in the college division.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Fatima and surrounding areas.


 Portugal's monument to Christ the King in Lisbon


The Basilica Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima


The apparition sight at Valinhos


The representation of the Angel of Peace bringing Holy Communion to the seers





The sacristy in which St. Anthony left the Augustinians to become a Franciscan...and some lovely nuns


Beautiful architecture 


Altar of the Tree of Jesse 


Our Lady in procession
The lift and statue combined weigh 800lbs.  

These are only a few of the photos.  

Saturday, August 20, 2011

..the silence has ended?

Now that I have returned from pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal and have moved in at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio I will be attempting to blog a bit more.  I am very excited to be here at the seminary!  Facebook will rarely be used so this will be the best way to keep tract of me.  Pictures from the pilgrimage soon...I hope.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bishop's Annual Lenten Youth Pilgrimage

Here in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, the Saturday before Passion Sunday, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis holds a Lenten Pilgrimage to the Benedictine Monastery at Belmont Abbey for the youth of the diocese.  The day includes Confessions, Holy Mass, Speakers, Eucharistic Adoration and a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the campus of Belmont Abbey College (run by the monks).  All of the events were located outside in front of the abbey Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians and monastery.  Working with a youth group (that is truly phenomenal), I was able to take a few of the teens down to the pilgrimage. 

As the music began for the Mass,  I found the tune to be familiar and hummed along until the words came to mind.   Ah! Attende Domine!  Yes, lovers of tradition, the youth of the Church can sing in Latin, and quite well.  Even though the Mass was out doors, the music was appropriate (chant and hymns) with the Ordinary taken from various musical settings.   
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, after the proclamation of the Gospel, Bishop Jugis immediately sat down.  (A quick note for the non-Catholic readers: Bishops may sit when they preach.  It is a privilege that is not extended to other priests except for health reasons on rare occasion. However, sometimes Bishop Jugis likes to stand.)  While Bishop waits for his mitre, I am praying silently that he will preach the things that the youth need to hear the most.  He begins with the statement that Christ continues to be persecuted today through his Holy Church by means of secularism and relativism.  All the beliefs in the world are just someone’s opinion.  That, my friends, is a bold faced lie.  Our kind and loving bishop begins to give examples.  The first: abortion.  “‘Thou shall not kill.’ That is not an opinion.  It is the word of God.”  Second was the real kicker, same sex marriage.  Sitting, preaching to and teaching his spiritual children the Truth.  Not just parts of the truth but all of it!  Using every ounce of will power I posses I did not burst into enthusiastic applause. 

Ultimately, this event reminded me yet again that our bishop is certainly the best in the South (and definitely in the Carolinas as the other two bishops are Yankees).  Our diocese is blessed to have him.  Our diocese is blessed to have some many of the youth that care about their faith, the True Faith.  Many graces were poured out upon all present for the pilgrimage.  Through the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the pilgrimage patron, Our Lord Bishop’s day with the youth was a tremendous success.

A thousand thanks and blessing to those who lead, planned and participated!

Deo Gratias!