Sunday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart
Photos from our Corpus Christi procession:
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Summer arrived without much fanfare yesterday afternoon, with the Solstice. We always celebrate the “longest day” the Church’s way, with the blessing and lighting of the bonfire for St. John’s Eve, marking as well the shortest night of the year.
So, time to celebrate! Come, join us, put your cares away for an evening, and celebrate with us. Mass is at 5:45 PM, the parish barbeque (bring a side dish or dessert, if you’d like), informal games and visiting as we await dusk and the bonfire blessing, songs and marshmallows, with the Rosary to conclude. Don’t fear the bugs; we’re having the area sprayed in advance. A good time is scheduled for all. Just like the good old days.
Speaking of which, what a great Solemnity of the Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi, was vouchsafed to us. A full church, beautiful altars, a rousing choir, expert up and coming masters of ceremony, and the so touching scene of the little ones going to Jesus, to be fed with His Body and Blood for the first time. And how triumphant, how full of thanksgiving was the outdoor procession and Benediction.
Two processions in as many days, for on Saturday the 13th (great St. Anthony’s Day), Kirby says that up to 65 souls demonstrated only their love for Mary and the Catholic Faith in our Fatima Rosary Procession for Peace. May Heaven hear and spare.
Meanwhile, the Octave Masses of Corpus Christi, “Coram Sanctissimo,” with the privilege of daily Exposition and Benediction were well attended, the times varying each day to afford many the possibility of assisting at one. May Heaven hear and spare.
A nice contingent of St. Gertrude faithful is travelling to Florida for Fr. Luke Petrizzi’s ordination on Wednesday, Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Remember him that day. Many will be staying through the weekend as our “St. Gertrude Four” receive the next step to the priesthood, called “the last minors.” The seminarians are allowed a brief vacation, and we look forward to seeing them…briefly.
Celebrations continue all week. Fr. Guillaume Hecquard will be marking his tenth priestly anniversary on Saturday, June 27, feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Ordinarily I would try to attend such an event, but in addition to my duties here, the world is having a revolution, which makes travel difficult. Ten years ago it was not so, and I have fond memories of the French ordination trip, which went smoothly with the able assistance of Fr. McGuire. Afterwards we satisfied our piety, visiting Lisieux (St. Therese) with the new priest, and then going on the Paray-Le-Monial (the Sacred Heart).
Pray for our brethren in Argentina, who feel the lash of the One World Bergoglio Revolution still most harshly. The government is insisting each church keep a register of all who attend, that Communion be given in the hand, and even is regulating other details of public worship. Maybe our government worshippers would enjoy a visit to the Southern Hemisphere? Our priests there continue
their Catacomb Masses.
Our afflictions here are much more mild in contrast, but the increasing food prices and artificially created shortages are burdensome. Surely, though, the “Republican” named judges have imposed the greatest outrages, which most people quietly accept. But perhaps not. May American good sense win the day. It will, if Americans have the sense to pray, especially to our country’s patroness, Mary Immaculate. Pray the Rosary daily.
May she, with her so holy spouse, St. Joseph, bless and fortify our fathers on their day. Never was your role more attacked or more essential.
St. Joseph keep you close to his Son’s Heart,
–Bp. Dolan