Within the Octave of the Ascension
Also listen to Bp. Dolan’s sermon from the Feast of the Ascension: Do One Thing
New slide-show posted May 14: Click the above photo for images from our Greater Litanies Procession in April, and from our 2010 May Crowning.
We also have a short video clip of our May Crowning available above.
Bishop’s Corner
The Head That Once was Crowned with Thorns is one of our favorite hymns here, and we often sing it at Ascensiontide, for its next words are so fitting: “is crowned with glory now.” Our Lord has gone back to the glory of His Father’s right hand, crowned with glory. His Mother, too, receives a crown at this season. In fact, thanks to our school students, all of Our Lady’s statues are crowned with flowers after the main May Crowning. This was our first outdoor May Crowning. The beautiful Lourdes Grotto, even more beautiful with its roses and decorations, seemed to beckon us, and so we went. The little ceremony went smoothly (no one fell in the pond!) and oh so touchingly in the Spring sunshine, summoned up for the crowning by last minute prayers. It was a beautiful and memorable Sunday and I thank all who helped make it so. May the little one who crowned Mary persevere until they receive their heavenly crowns.
It is a Mexican custom to crown with flowers as well a priestly jubilarian for his golden ordination anniversary. I wonder what kind of crown we could fittingly offer to Fr. Martin Stepanich, O.F.M., who this Tuesday, May 18th, celebrates his sixty ninth ordination anniversary? This wonderful priest, ever faithful to Catholic Dogma and the Catholic Mass, and having no truck with the Vatican II church impostors in Rome, gives by this fidelity alone eloquent witness to the purity of the orthodox faith. In addition, he still finds time – and energy! – to assist many Catholics with his good counsel, support, and prayers. We are the beneficiaries of his charity at St. Gertrude the Great, and owe him the gratitude of our prayers. Ad multos annos, dear Fr. Martin!
For the rest, we all prayed and processed our little hearts out last week, and have now settled down to “just” the Pentecost Novena each day, the always stirring chant of the Veni Creator. Pray for our future soldiers of Christ, and dust off your own Holy Ghost sword, helmet and shield while you’re at it!
May Our Lady guide you.
–Bishop Dolan