Christ the King
Preparing for the procession signifying the opening of our 40 Hours devotion.
The Sun Rises above our Lady and Child.
Our Lourdes Grotto
Our outdoor Fatima Shrine
Our cloister garden, with its waning blooms.
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Daily Sermons
October 24 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Raphael
October 25 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria
October 26 – Fr. McGuire – Powerful Instrument of Deliverance
October 27 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Stay as Good Branches in the Vine
October 28 – Bp. Dolan – A Picture and a Letter
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✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Our Lord reigned as King from His altar throne last weekend for Forty Hours, demanding—and receiving—our humble homage. So many came for hours of adoration, visits, Masses and Communions, as well as for the solemn ceremonies which crowned this annual display of heartfelt devotion. How beautiful was the altar, how melodious the choirs. The Rosary Confraternity, recently bolstered by its annual feast and procession, edified us by its numbers as so many members carried candles in the opening Eucharistic procession Friday night. Some made the sacrifice to return for the closing on Sunday night. The Guard of Honor was faithful to its post during the difficult night hours, and our choirs and servers throughout. The Saturday morning Solemn Mass of Our Lady was ethereal in the quiet sunfilled sanctuary. Oh, and everybody got in on some fine chili Friday evening. Some rogue potato soup sneaked in, but it was not unwelcome. Nor were our out-of-town guests, workers and worshippers both.
Today Christ returns as King to demand His rightful place in the politics and public life of our land. He is not content with gorgeous ritual or even the most sincere prayer but claims His throne in the midst, and mess, of our America. Illum oportet regnare. He must reign! Here too, do your part. Still, it starts and ends with us on our knees, doesn’t it? Thus we renew, with purpose and vigor, the Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, repeated all day long on Christ the King.
By rights, Tuesday, All Saints Day, should be a true feast day, a holiday. But Christ does not reign in our land, and even many Catholics would not think of taking the day off if they could for this holy day “of obligation.” Some will forget the Holy Day Mass entirely, and others, visitors, will remember and take their place. We have a full day of Masses (7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 5:45 PM), with closing October Devotions and Benediction, starting at 5:15 PM. In the evening we chant the Vespers of the Dead, after those of All Saints.
Remember! Remember, too, the Poor Souls on Wednesday and all November. Turn in their names for the altar. Get us to pray for your own. Get an indulgence for them yourself. Let not one soul be left out or forgotten these days of grace, when Purgatory’s gates lie open, just waiting for your prayers. These devotions prove your charity, and rekindle your faith. You need it then, this holy observance and so do they.
Caravaggio prudently decamped to the roof on Monday, prognosticating coyotes on the prowl. We always fear lest they go after the cats, but that night they contented themselves with the contents of a garbage can instead. The beasts fell to fighting over its offerings, screaming in their high pitched way, right outside my window. Rather unworthy to be squabbling over trash, I thought. But they are scavengers. It was a frightful noise. Fr. Cekada at first thought they were raccoons. But Fr. McGuire, an Ohio boy, recognized their bark. The garbage cans are now secured, and the cats have gone back to mousing. Caravaggio just now presented me a juicy one, but Puccini had most of his for breakfast. He couldn’t resist.
Bishop Sanborn’s offering this month is considerably more elevated, and I can’t resist sharing it with you again. His Excellency sums up the evil of Luther’s revolt five hundred years ago, and explains how it lands us where we are today. You may read the whole article in his newsletter, but I am serializing it as well in the bulletin. Well worth your time and thought.
Remember First Friday this week, but we have already anticipated our All Night Adoration. There will be three Masses and two Benedictions, with a brief space of adoration. Offer your Communion of Reparation for our country, and the same for First Saturday.
We’re all looking forward to next Sunday’s little saints. Come to the 9, or early for the 11:30, to get in on their charming costumes and presentations. There’s a party afterwards, of course.
God bless you, and keep you strong in your Catholic faith.
—Bishop Dolan