Parish Mission at Assumption Grotto - Jan 13-16

There will be a parish mission at Assumption Grotto (flyer and schedule above).  It begins this Thursday January 13 and ends Sunday.  These talks are always well attended.  Usually, the conferences on the first two nights are held in the parish Church (but I don't know if it will work that way this time).  On the weekends, unless there is a conflict with the school lounge, the talks will be held there.

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CDF offers udpate on Opus Angelorum; secular media distortions



Friends - please read the CDF Note embedded here VERY carefully.  There are some gross media distortions out there of what is in the note, which I talk about in my edit at the bottom.  First, familiarize yourself with the CDF Note.

Fresh from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith through VIS is some much needed clarification on the status of Opus Sanctorum Angelorum, commonly referred to as Opus Angelorum, or "OA".  First, the note from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  After the brief history is given, I embolden some key points and make use of highlighting to really add emphasis.  I will provide a few notes at the bottom.

CONGREGATION FOR DOCTRINE OF FAITH ON "OPUS ANGELORUM"


VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2010 (VIS) - Given below is the complete text of the English-language version of a circular letter issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, dated 2 October and signed by Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the congregation. The letter was published today by "L'Osservatore Romano" and concerns the current doctrinal and canonical position of the association known as "Opus Angelorum".


More than thirty years ago, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith began to examine the theories and practices of the association called Opus Angelorum (Engelwerk). At the present time, the dicastery believes that it would be helpful for the bishops of [episcopal conferences] to be informed regarding the developments which have taken place in these years, so that they may exercise effective oversight in this area.


I. The initial examination was brought to a conclusion with the publication of a letter on 24 September 1982, communicating certain decisions approved by the Holy Father (AAS 76 [1984], 175-176); this letter was followed by a Decree entitled 'Litteris diei' of 6 June 1992 (AAS 84 [1992], 805-806).


In essence, these two documents stated that, in promoting devotion to the Holy Angels, the members of the Opus Angelorum were to follow the doctrine of the Church and the teaching of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In particular, the members were not to make use of the "names" of angels derived from the alleged private revelations attributed to Mrs. Gabriele Bitterlich and they were not to teach, spread or make use of the theories originating from these alleged revelations. Furthermore, they were reminded of the duty to follow strictly all liturgical laws, in particular those relating to the Holy Eucharist. The Decree of 1992 entrusted the implementation of these measures to a delegate named by the Holy See and possessing special faculties; he was also given the task of regularising the relationship between the Opus Angelorum and the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross.


In the years that followed, the delegate, Fr. Benoit Duroux O.P., successfully completed the work entrusted to him. Today, thanks to the obedience of its members, the Opus Angelorum can be considered to be living loyally and serenely in conformity with the doctrine of the Church and with canonical and liturgical law. On 13 March 2010, given the advanced age of Fr. Duroux, Fr. Daniel Ols O.P. was named delegate, with the same powers as described in the Decree of 1992.


The process of normalisation can be seen in particular in the following elements. On 31 May 2000, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith approved the formula of a consecration to the Holy Angels for the Opus Angelorum. Having received the positive opinion of this dicastery, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the "Statutes of the Opus Sanctorum Angelorum", in which, among other things, the relationship between the Opus Angelorum and the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross was defined. According to the Statutes, the Opus Angelorum is a public association of the Catholic Church with juridical personality according to the norm of canon 313 of the CIC; it is joined to the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross according to the norm of canon 677, para. 2 of the CIC and placed under the direction of the Order in conformity with canon 303 of the CIC. The Constitutions of the Sisters of the Holy Cross were approved by the bishop of Innsbruck . Finally, the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, whose central government had been named by the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on 30 October 1993, was able at the beginning of 2009 to elect its own superior general and the members of the general council.

Therefore, in its present state, the Opus Angelorum is a public association of the Church in conformity with traditional doctrine and with the directives of the Holy See. It spreads devotion to the Holy Angels among the faithful, exhorts them to pray for priests, and promotes love for Christ in His Passion and union with it. Therefore, there are no remaining obstacles of a doctrinal and disciplinary kind which would prevent local ordinaries from receiving this movement into their dioceses and promoting its development.

II. At the same time, however, the congregation wishes to draw the attention of ordinaries to the fact that, in the course of these years, a certain number of Opus Angelorum members, including some priests who either left or were expelled from the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, have not accepted the norms given by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and seek to restore what, according to them, would be the "authentic Opus Angelorum", that is, a movement which professes and practices all those things which were forbidden by the above-mentioned documents. The congregation has learned that very discrete propaganda in favour of this wayward movement, which is outside of any ecclesiastical control, is taking place, aimed at presenting it as if it were in full communion with the Catholic Church.


The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, therefore, asks ordinaries to be vigilant with regard to such activities, disruptive as they are of ecclesial communion, and to forbid them if they are present within their dioceses.


CDF/


VIS 20101104 (910)

My Testimony:

I am personally familiar with Opus Angelorum and with priests of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross (ORC), who live not far from Grotto, as well as with the sisters who reside in a convent on the grounds of Assumption Grotto.

Since I arrived at Grotto in 2005, these priests have served as my confessors, spiritual directors and advisors.  I have been on their retreats, and attend their very popular Days of Recollection.  As often as I can, I participate in the Passio Domini on Thursday nights following the 7:00pm Mass at Assumption Grotto (holy hour for sanctification of the priesthood). 

I have benefited tremendously from the richness of their talks, homilies and counsels which draw richly from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the popes, and Church documents.  In fact, they contributed to my deepening interest in the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.  With my frequent contact with many of the priests, my experiences have been devoid of those things they were not to use.  In the spiritual direction I have received, I have always been treated with dignity and my free will respected fully.

When people asked, seemingly at every meeting or retreat whether it was ok to name their guardian angel, the priests quoted the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (see # 217). 

Parallel/Splinter OA movement not loyal to Holy See acknowledged

I have been fully aware of what transpired in both decrees of 1982 and 1992, and had placed my trust in the Holy See, which decided to work with loyal members for reform. Those loyal members were docile and obedient to the delegate appointed to them by the Holy See. In the meanwhile some former members who could not accept the changes, continued on with a parallel group, causing a form of scandal for the loyal members.

What I am so glad to see in this note by the CDF is the acknowledgement that there is another group of former members, including expelled priests, who have not been cooperative, and are creating confusion.  I have had online friends write me out of concern upon seeing my links to Opus Angelorum.  I hope people will accept the what the Holy See says on this matter.  Pope Benedict XVI certainly has knowledge about the case, having headed the CDF for so many years, and during the time period in question.

If any bishop, diocese, or pastor has inquiries, they can verify with Fr. Daniel Ols O.P, the current delegate, that this Opus Angelorum website, and related link to the Order of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross is the association and community cooperating with the Holy See. 


See the Opus Angelorum page in English for information about what is happening in the US.  All other languages use opusangelorum.org.

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EDITS: BEWARE OF MEDIA DISTORTIONS

• Catholic Culture gets it right.
• The BBC has grossly distorted the note from the CDF by focusing almost entirely on what it says about the 1982 and 1992 decrees and omitting certain facts.  The title and wording within the report could easily mislead people into thinking that Opus Angelorum itself is wayward, when the above CDF note is meant to distinguish between Opus Angelorum and the splinter group. You wouldn't get this from the BBC report, which omitted the fact that those causing problems include EXPELLED PRIESTS who are working discretely to form a wayword group. I have filled out a form at the BBC, with link to the article and asked them to go back and read very carefully the note they just wrote about.   
• The Sydney Herald in Australia has done the same thing, but it is almost worse!  This was not a 50 page document, but something which probably spanned a page and a half printed.  A read of the article misleads one to believe that Opus Angelorum is sectarian and not in communion with Rome.

ZENIT gets it right with this:

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 5, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The doctrinal congregation of the Church is warning local ordinaries about wayward members of Opus Angelorum, who are spreading false teachings about the angels.


In a note sent to bishops and archbishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith noted that while Opus Angelorum (work of the angels) is currently an association in good standing as a faithful entity of the Church, several ex-members are disobeying Church directives.





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Two-Day Mission This Weekend at Grotto

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Photopost: Day of Recollection at Assumption Grotto with Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC

Benediction took place around 5:00pm following the Day of Recollection offered by Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC, who was visiting from Brazil.

This pictures does not do justice to the number of people who were present. The lounge was packed beyond capacity with a few people listening in the hallway. Father spoke on the Eucharist - an ever popular subject at Assumption Grotto.




People headed to the main church for about 45 minutes of Adoration and confessions were heard, as well. Below, I noticed as soon as I walked into the Church that the incense smoke used hours earlier at the 9:30am Mass was still lingering and accented by the sun's rays beaming through the stained glass windows.




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Day of Recollection this Sunday at Grotto with Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC

Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC, who had spent time at Assumption Grotto, will be doing a Day of Recolleciton this Sunday. Click the flyer above for details.

The last time Fr. Basil was in, the lounge was packed.

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Grotto K of C's 1st Annual Golf Outing - Raising Money for Seminarians

1st ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
ASSUMPTION GROTTO
COUNCIL 13419

SATURDAY – AUGUST 23, 2008
OAKRIDGE GOLF COURSE (THE MARSH OAKS)
35035 26 MILE ROAD NEW HAVEN, MI 48048

FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE
2 P.M. SHOTGUN START
(Please arrive at 1pm for registration)

· 18 Holes of Golf with Cart
· Banquet Following with Steak Dinner
· Prizes for Top Three Teams
· Great Door Prizes
· Closest-to-the-Pin and Longest-Drive Contests
· A Check for $10,000.00 Will Be Awarded for a Hole-in-One

$100 PER PERSON / $400 PER TEAM

OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN GOLFERS

Other info and ways to help....

Proceeds

The proceeds from the Golf Outing will be donated to the Monastery of Santa Cruz (Mosteiro da Santa Cruz), a Canons Regular of the Holy Cross monastery in Brazil. Recently, Fr. Basil Nortz, the prior of this monastery, contacted Council 13419 asking us to adopt two seminarians of his order. The Council voted to organize this Golf Outing in an effort to raise additional funds for the seminarians. I have attached a copy of the letter we received from Fr. Nortz. See letter here



Dinner

If you are not interested in golfing but would like to attend the banquet dinner following, you are more then welcome to. The cost of the dinner will be thirty dollars per person. Please fill out the registration form and write on the golfer #1 dinner only. Please make the check payable to the Knights of Columbus.


Hole Sponsorship

Those participants who are interested in making a special donation or sponsoring a hole can use the following guidelines:


Gold Patron

Patrons donating $400 will be recognized as an outing sponsor with a large sign at the entry table and on the first hole, and recognition comments from the podium after the outing.


Silver Patron

Patrons donating $250 will be recognized as a hole sponsor with a sign on the hole and recognition comments from the podium after the outing.


Bronze Patron

Patrons donating $100 will be recognized as a sponsor with a sign at various holes.



See details and form here.

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EWTN's Missa Cantata from April 6, 2008 - Multimedia

EWTN has updated their webpage dedicated to Masses celebrated in the Extraordinary Form. If you have not visited this page, it is well worth it. You can listen to audio of the sermons online or download them. Ditto with video clips.

As previously mentioned, those in the various traditional latin Mass communities in metro Detroit and Flint will have recognized the celebrant as Rev. Wolfgang Seitz, ORC. For the most part, he is seen at Assumption Grotto in Detroit, followed by St. Josaphat where he has celebrated the TLM during the Indult years.

The homily on April 6th was magnificent and powerful. It focused on vocations, the priesthood, and the need to pray for priests. I strongly encourage you to at least listen to that homily.

EWTN Archive of Televised Masses in Extraordinary Form

There is a DVD available of the April 6, 2008 Missa Cantata, but it reads that it is temporarily out of stock. I would try ordering it anyway. It's possible they will make them as they need them.

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Annual Parish Mission - Two Days Left

This is a reminder that there are two days left to the annual parish mission, which is being conducted by the Priests of Opus Angelorum who work out of our parish. Even if you can only make it for a portion of one of these two days, just do it!!!

On the first evening, Fr. Matthew spoke about silence and the need for it in our daily life. It was interesting to hear Father talk about entering the desert, with many scriptural references of how the holy Angels have appeared in the Bible at times when there is fasting.

On the second evening, Fr. Titus, who is visiting from the seminary in Brazil, spoke about Heaven, in ways that were totally awe-inspiring.

Of course, each day of the mission involves opportunities for confession. And, there is typically some kind of devotion, be it Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Litanies, etc. What finer way to end each day than with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction?

You have a chance to attend today, and tomorrow yet. Bring the family to Assumption Grotto. Click for directions

Saturday:

2:30 Confessions
3:00 Exposition
3:30 Rosary/Benediction
4:00 Holy Mass
5:15 Conference in School Lounge

Sunday:

2:00 Conference 1 (Lounge)
3:00 Conference 2 (Lounge)
4:15 Exposition/Rosary
5:15 Concluding prayers and Benediction

If you absolutely could not make it to all of the conferences, I will find out if they are making the talks available on CD.


SPECIAL ON MONDAY: LOURDES-150 YRS

Also, don't forget the special 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes and the indulgences. Grotto will be alive on Monday!!!

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Congregation for Clergy: Sanctify the Priesthood

With so little time to blog of late, I'm trying to catch up. This was released on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception this year by the Congregation for the Clergy.

It is so easy to criticize priests, yet how many of us could walk a mile in their shoes? Fr. Benedict Groeschel's Sunday Night Live this past Sunday dealt with the topic. He explained just how overextended the average priest is with his workload. He himself works 18 hours daily. Many of us at Assumption Grotto see something quite similar with our priests. I know they put in many long days, with parish activities sometimes keepin them up late, yet they are up daily before the crack of dawn, some rising at 3:00 or 4:00am to get in their prayers and adoration before their hectic day begins.

Our pastor will be conducting the orchestra at Midnight Mass this year, he will spend some time with the choir and altar boys following the Mass, and typically takes the 6:30am Mass on Christmas Day himself....following a brief 2 or 3 hour nap. I know other priests who head out in the middle of the night to provide the Sacrament of the Sick, yet they are there early, hearing confessions daily, or saying Mass.

No matter how "bad" you think your parish priest is, he deserves prayers long before he should receive criticism. A catechist once complained to Fr. Corapi about the unruly and disintersted behavior of the children in her class and wanted his help. He asked her, "have you prayed for them?" She hadn't. He sent her away and told her to pray for them first. Two weeks later, the woman reported the "miraculous change" in her children. This is the power of prayer.

This letter from the Congregation for the Clergy is so relevant for today, and the prayerful approach for vocations and sanctification of the priesthood matches all that Opus Angelorum has been promoting. Catholic Culture, which reviews Catholic websites for fidelity & resources using a red, green, and yellow system, reveals the strengths of the Opus Angelorum (OA) website.

Read through Cardinal Hummes' letter below, and related documents, and you will see how we can all help to sanctify the priesthood. Consider the Spiritual Adoption of priests through OA. They have a rich section of prayers for priests, too. You can also join the Opus Angelorum apostolate, which has a rich formation program (contact them at opusangelorum@rc.net).

Mother Angelica and her sisters recently consecrated themselves to their Guardian Angels through Opus Sanctorum Angelorum.

Here is the letter from Cardinal Hummes. My emphases are in bold, underlines, and color changes.

Your Excellency,

In today’s world a great many things are necessary for the good of the Clergy and the fruitfulness of pastoral ministry. With a firm determination to face such challenges without disregarding their difficulties and struggles, and with an awareness that action follows being and that the soul of every apostolate is Divine intimacy, it is our intention for the departure point to be a spiritual endeavor. In order to continually maintain a greater awareness of the ontological link between the Eucharist and the Priesthood, and in order to recognize the special maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for each Priest, it is our intention to bring about a connection between perpetual Eucharistic adoration for the reparation of faults and sanctification of priests and the initiation of a commitment on the part of consecrated feminine souls - following the typology of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Eternal High Priest, and Helper in his work of Redemption - who might wish to spiritually adopt priests in order to help them with their self-offering, prayer, and penance.

According to the constant content of Sacred Tradition, the mystery and reality of the Church cannot be reduced to the hierarchical structure, the liturgy, the sacraments, and juridical ordinances. In fact, the intimate nature of the Church and the origin of its sanctifying efficacy must be found first in a mystical union with Christ.

According to the doctrine and the very structure of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, such a union cannot be conceived as being separated from the Mother of the Word Incarnate - the one whom Jesus desired to be intimately united with Himself for the salvation of all humanity.

Therefore, it is no accident that on the same day in which the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church was promulgated – 21 November 1964 – Pope Paul VI also proclaimed the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Mother of the Church,” i.e., mother of the faithful and the pastors.

With reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Second Vatican Council expresses itself in these words: “She conceived, brought forth and nourished Christ. She presented Him to the Father in the temple, and was united with Him by compassion as He died on the Cross. In this singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace.” (LG 61).

Without adding or detracting from the singular mediation of Christ Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary is acknowledged and invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. She is the model of maternal love who must inspire all those who cooperate – through the apostolic mission of the Church – in the regeneration of all humanity (cfr LG 65).

In light of these teachings, which belong to the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, the faithful are called to turn their eyes to Mary - shining example of every virtue - and imitate her as the first disciple. It is she to whom every other disciple was entrusted by Christ as she stood at the foot of the cross (cfr Jn 19:25-27). By becoming her children, we learn the true meaning of life in Christ.

Thereby – and precisely because of the place occupied and the role served by the Most Blessed Virgin in salvation history – we intend in a very particular way to entrust all Priests to Mary, the Mother of the High and Eternal Priest, bringing about in the Church a movement of prayer, placing 24 hour continuous Eucharistic adoration at the center, so that a prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, praise, petition, and reparation, will be raised to God, incessantly and from every corner of the earth, with the primary intention of awakening a sufficient number of holy vocations to the priestly state and, at the same time, spiritually uniting with a certain spiritual maternity – at the level of the Mystical Body – all those who have already been called to the ministerial priesthood and are ontologically conformed to the one High and Eternal priest. This movement will offer better service to Christ and his brothers - those who are at once “inside” the Church and also “at the forefront” of the Church, standing in Christ’s stead and representing Him, as head, shepherd and spouse of the Church (cfr. Pastores Dabo Vobis 16).

We are asking, therefore, all diocesan Ordinaries who apprehend in a particular way the specificity and irreplaceability of the ordained ministry in the life of the Church, together with the urgency of a common action in support of the ministerial priesthood, to take an active role and promote – in the different portions of the People of God entrusted to them - true and proper cenacles in which clerics, religious and lay people - united among themselves in the spirit of true communion – may devote themselves to prayer, in the form of continuous Eucharistic adoration in a spirit of genuine and authentic reparation and purification. For this purpose, we enclose a leaflet that more fully explains the nature of the initiative, as well as a form to fill out and return to this Congregation if there is the intention – as we hope - to adhere to the project presented in this letter in a spirit of faith.

May Mary, Mother of the One, Eternal High Priest, bless this initiative, and may she intercede before God, pleading for an authentic renewal of priestly life, taking as a model the only possible model: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd!

I greet you cordially in the bond of ecclesial communion, with sentiments of profound collegial affection.

Cláudio Card. Hummes
Prefect

X Mauro Piacenza
Secretary

From the Vatican, 8 December 2007

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Now for some good details of how this can be carried out, see these additional links at Catholic Culture:

Explanatory note to help the increase in the dioceses of the practice of continual Eucharistic adoration to the benefit of all priests and priestly vocations

Adoration, Reparation, Spiritual Motherhood for Priests (Beautiful pamphlet produced by the Congregation for Clergy outlining the details of the "Prayer for Priests" campaign)


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Mother Angelica and Sisters: Consecrated to their Guardian Angels

OPUS ANGELORUM FACILIATES CONSECRATION

Anyone who knows anything about Mother Angelica, knows that she is close to the Holy Angels. "Our Lady of the Angels Monastery" takes it's name from her devotion to them. The beautiful chaplet of St. Michael which runs every morning on EWTN at 7:00am EST is also a clear sign of that devotion. Mother speaks about the angels in an excerpt provided by EWTN called, "Sons of Light".


For the past year, Mother and her community have been preparing for the Consecration to their Guardian Angels with the help of Opus Angelorum - an apostolate which we are blessed to have at Assumption Grotto. In fact, many in our own community have recently consecrated themselves after a year of preparation. More are preparing, including myself.

From the EWTN update page on Mother as it reads currently:

Mother has been spending most of her time in her cell, resting and living the Horarium as best she can. She is such a trooper. Life with Mother has been pretty quiet up until Sunday.

Sunday, December 2, 2007 was a very special day for Mother Angelica and her Community. After a year of preparation through the guidance of Opus Sanctorum Angelorum, a spiritual movement within the bosom of the Holy Catholic Church which aims at fostering an intimate collaboration with the holy angels for the glorification of God and for the sanctification (salvation) of souls, Mother Angelica and the Nuns consecrated themselves to their Guardian Angels. It was a simple ceremony within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which Mother whole-heartedly participated in. It was clear by her joyful attention during the Mass and ceremony that she was deeply moved and grateful to make such a consecration. Mother Angelica has always promoted a deep love for the Angels and she passes on this devotion to her Nuns by her example.

If you would like to learn more about the Work of the Holy Angels please visit their website: http://www.opusangelorum.org/

The following is a consecration prayer taken from the OA website, approved by Rome in 2000.

The Consecration to the Holy Angels

O Holy Angels of God, here, in the presence of the Triune God and in the love of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer, I, N.N., poor sinner, want to make a covenant with you, who are his servants, so that in union with you, I might work with humility and fortitude for the glory of God and the coming of his Kingdom. Therefore, I implore you to assist me, especially - in the adoration of God and of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, - in the contemplation of the word and the salvific works of God, -in the imitation of Christ and in the love of his Cross in a spirit of expiation, - in the faithful fulfillment of my mission within the Church, serving humbly after the example of Mary, my heavenly Mother, your Queen. And you, my good guardian angel, who continually behold the face of our Father in heaven, God entrusted me to you from the very beginning of my life. I thank you with all my heart for your loving care. I commit myself to you and promise you my love and fidelity. I beg you: protect me against my own weakness and against the attacks of the wicked spirits; enlighten my mind and my heart so that I may always know and accomplish the will of God; and lead me to union with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith approved this Consecration prayer on May 31, 2000 for use in Opus Angelorum.© 2000 Congregazione dei Canonici Regolari della Santa Croce - Roma

More information on Opus Angelorum:

• Opus Angelorum: More on the Consecration


• How did the "Work of the Holy Angels" come into existence?
  
• Opus Angelorum: Theological Foundations
  For a Consecration to the Holy Angel
  
• Purchase books and prayer cards from Opus Angelorum
  
• Purchase CD's from Opus Angelorum
  
• US Retreat & Mission Schedule for Opus Angelorum
  
• Homepage for Opus Angelorum

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Opus Angelorum: Imitating the Blessed Virgin Mary

A truly wonderful watering hole of deep spiritual reading can be found at the site of the apostolate, Opus Angelorum or Work of the Holy Angels.

They offer a good formation program for those considering the apostolate, but much of the spirituality they work to cultivate can be found through their website. For example, they have "Circulars for Laity".

You can explore the list there in that link but I want to call attention to one example. In their section on "Character Traits" in that link, you will find #7 is a call to imitate Mary.

One thing I like about the written work of the priests of OA, and their seminars and retreats is that they reference everything. You will see notations of scripture and other sources throughout each article they have.

Go read, Opus Angelorum on Imitating the Blessed Virgin Mary

Similar posts:

Opus Angelorum on Why Pray to Our Lady?
Opus Angelorum on the Angel of Fatima

You might also look through the Opus Angelorum online store for some excellent audios and booklets. One of my favorites is "On Holy Silence", which can be found on this page.

Opus Angelorum Homepage

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Opus Angelorum Day of Recollection - Sept 16th

I mentioned earlier that Opus Angelorum was having another Day of Recollection on September 16, 2007 at Assumption Grotto. Here are the details I promised. I hope they are clear enough to read. Click on the picture to enlarge.

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Opus Angelorum: Day of Recollection - September 16th, 2007

Reserve the afternoon on Sunday, September 16th , 2007. After the Noon Mass, with time to grab a hamburger or hotdog in the gym, the Priests of Opus Angelorum will have a Day of Recollection from 2pm to 5pm. This is an opportunity for the whole family to take part in a "retreat" for the day. More details to come.

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Reminder: Opus Angelorum Day of Recollection this Sunday!

This is just a reminder that this Sunday, following the Noon Mass and Benediction, the priests of Opus Angelorum are having a Day of Recollection at Assumption Grotto. Details are in this post. It is open to all parishioners and families, as well as non-parishioners.

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Opus Angelorum Day of Recollection at Grotto - July 29, 2007

It's July, and just as I was wondering if the priests of Opus Angelorum were going to do another Day of Recollection, I heard it advertised in the announcements Sunday and there were mini-posters at Grotto.

Folks, these afternoon retreats are a blessing. Come to Grotto for the afternoon starting with holy Mass at Noon, followed by our weekly benediction outdoors (weather permitting), grab a BBQ'd hamburger, hot dog or sausage in our gym and head over to the conferences in the school lounge. Bring the whole family! It is free, but we often pass a basket for those willing and able to give a donation to help support their work.

Here is the complete schedule which runs until around 5:00 with some time built in for adoration, and yet another benediction.

Theme: The Angels and Prayer
Location: Assumption Grotto (click for directions)
Noon: Mass
2:00 First conference
2:45 Break
3:00 Second Conference followed by Q & A
4:15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

(Opportunity for Confession)
5:00 Final Prayers and Benediction

Click the link for scenes from the July 2006 Day of Recollection (scroll down and click on the links at the bottom of that post for additional coverage of the day).

Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC during the July 2006 Day of Recollection

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Opus Angelorum Parish Mission at Assumption Grotto

Those at Grotto have heard, and seen posters, on the parish mission to be conducted by the priests of Opus Angelorum.

"Aid to the Spiritual Life"

The mission is spread out over 4 evenings, as follows:

Wed, Thurs, Fri. starting at 6:30. Holy Mass at 7:00pm - Conference to follow with benediction at 8:45.

Thursday night will also have the Passio beginning at 9:00 til 11:00.

Sat is the 4pm Mass and conference following.

If you can't make it for all of the evenings, perhaps you can make it for one or more.

Priest of Opus Angelorum heads to the Philippines - Farewell planned for Sunday following Noon Mass

From last weeks Assumption Grotto News - the bulletin of the parish:

On December 17th, after the Noon Mass come and say goodbye to Fr. Eusebius and wish him well on his new assignment to the Philippines. If you are planning on attending, please bring a Pot Luck Dish to pass. For further information or questions, call Sue Allasio at 313-881-7141.

It's my understanding he will be with us through the end of the year and leave sometime in January. But, don't wait to wish him well and thank him if you cannot make it to the post-Mass farewell.

Fr. Eusebius has appeared in many photos taken at Assumption Grotto, but typically where Our Lord is the central focus. Feel free to click on a photo, then right-click and save it to your computer for personal use. If anything, use them to remember his simple and profound homilies, his merciful counsel in the confessional, and any time you need a reminder to turn off the TV, get off the computer for a while, skip that next piece of chocolate and offer it up, spend time in adoration of Our Lord, studying the angels and saints, reflecting on God's mercy, and last but not least, a reminder to just go to confession frequently, even if it is only devotional. There is one other thing you can remember through these photos - all that he has worked to teach us about the Angels of Scripture, and our guardian angels. His talk on the angels during Mass at last week's Day of Recollection was simply awesome.

When you do view this post or look upon these photos in the future, be sure to offer a prayer for Fr. Eusebius and all whom he will come into contact with. We know already what others will learn soon enough: This priest can help the young to hear their call to the priesthood or religious life, and make others enthusiastic about just becoming better human beings. The notion of making small and simple sacrifices for the purpose of "offering up" (Col 1:24) has been absent for decades. But, Father's gentle reminders of making use of them as an offering and as a way to tame the will has been most effective.

In all of these photos involving Fr. Eusebius we see a central theme: Our Lord should be at the center of our lives. His departure leaves us with an opportunity to re-evaluate whether we are following Christ through the priest, or following the priest himself. Good priests want merely to lead us to Christ and not be viewed themselves as the objects of our faith - something only fitting for God. It is easy to become dependent on one or another priest, especially when they move us from the cement in which we have embedded ourselves. But if we trust God, we trust He will provide us with others who will feed our spiritual needs and growth, especially if we pray for them. A priest who may not be gifted in the same ways, nor have the same charisma, can be gifted in other ways - ways that God deems good for us at a particular time.

In the time I have spent at Assumption Grotto, with regular exposure to at least 5-6 priests, I have found that each has something to offer that compliments that of the others. I believe this is the reason why God sometimes mixes things up for us when we would like them to remain as they are.

A few memorable photos in which Fr. Eusebius appeared from the Te Deum archives:

Assumption Day - August 15, 2005: Fr. Perrone holds the Monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament as Fr. Eusebius holds the sleeve of the Assumption Grotto pastor out of the way

On the same day at the 9:30am Mass during Elevation of the Body of Christ in a photo I've named, "Panis Angelorum".

From a Mass during the 2005 Forty-Hours Devotion - a photo which is also seen in the header of this blog.

Benediction in the Grotto following Mass in the Church on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, 2006

His Angelic Chasuble...

And, at the monthly Holy Hour for Vocations, which he typically leads

As difficult as it is to say goodbye, we have to keep in mind that this Holy Order is one with a Missionary charism - something that is multi-faceted, but includes physical missionary work - sometimes in remote areas. In our prayers we should pray that God graces Fr. Eusebius with fortitude and deeper spiritual growth through his experience there. Consider him in your Rosaries, in your Mass intentions, in your intentions for the Liturgy of the Hours, and most especially in adoration. Pray for one priest and you help all those with whom he comes in contact.

By accepting God's will for him in this new assignment, we accept God's will for ourselves, not without a fond farewell, but also with joy in knowing that in obediently accepting this next stop in his priestly life, he is indeed following the will of God. Our Lord has lent him to us for a time and like training wheels, they must be removed to see if we have the strength to persevere with the many lessons he has taught us. In time, we may find God will bring him back to us in Detroit. There is no doubt in my mind that when he does, he will have all the more wisdom to pass along to us in his homilies, his confessional, his talks, and in his spiritual direction.

May God be with you on your new mission, Fr. Eusebius. If there are needs for the people at your Mission, you know how to reach us.

Opus Angelorum: Advent Day of Recollection - December 10, 2006

EDIT #2: I'm bumping this up today - the Day of Recollection is tomorrow. Scroll down to the next post for the Te Deum Bulletin Board which accumulates recent posts.

While we complain about how secularized "the holidays" have become, we can unwittingly contribute to this sad state of affairs when we spend much of our "holiday" time engaging in and preparing for parties - often before Christmas, or spending long hours at the mall buying gifts, or completely getting lost in the height of sports. These things become the central focus and nothing opposes spiritual development and devotion greater than being overly busy

It took 44 years for me to recognize, internally, the magnitude of the very heart of Christmas: God became man!!! This realization was prompted by a pastor and group of priests at my parish who made sure I unbusy'ed myself from secular activities by distracting me with spiritual and religious things all through Advent. I still say it was a conspiracy - and a good one at that. While other places decrease in activity so people can get their shopping done and prepare for parties, Assumption Grotto went into high gear. There simply was no time for my usual secular holiday routine. Last year I kept wondering when I would begin that routine. But Christmas came and Christmas went with fewer gifts bought, absolutely no time at "Christmas" parties before Christmas, and I actually (gasp), gave up football on a given Sunday or two - a favorite past time. I survived just fine!!!

Here is one of those terrific opportunities as Christmas approaches. Let go and spend an afternoon at Assumpion Grotto, if not for your sake, for God's sake. Give Him the gift of your time.

Day of Recollection Theme
"The Holy Angels in our daily Lives"

The Priests of Opus Angelorum are holding another Day of Recollection at Assumption Grotto. Here are the details for those interested. Details are as follows:

Advent Day of Recollection

When: Dec, 10, 2006 from

From: 2:00 to 5.00pm

Where: Assumption Grotto Parish

There will be two conferences with question and answer. At the conclusion of the conferences, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church, along with opportunities for Confession. Benediction will follow at the conclusion of Exposition.

If this interrupts a typical family meal time....not to worry: Following the 9:30 and Noon Sunday Masses, you can purchase hot dogs for $1.00 and hamburgers and sausages for $2.00 with some other items. With Noon Mass and weekly Benediction ending around 1:10, you will have plenty of time to grab something to eat in the gym, or even run out quick before the start of the first conference. The gift shop is also open following the Mass, as well so you can browse the many items available, including a section from Opus Angelorum with their many tapes, books and other items.

It is not uncommon for whole families to be present at a Day of Recollection. In July, there were about 120 people present. I would not be surprised to see these popular conferences shift to the gym in the future. More photo posts from the Day of Recollection in July can be found at the bottom of Photopost 6 from that session.

EDIT: I've just learned that Opus Angelorum is having a silent retreat the last weekend in January in Holly Michigan. Contact them at opusangelorum@rc.net or at 313-527-1739 for details.

Advent "Rorate Masses" at Assumption Grotto on Tuesdays

A Rorate Mass shown on the web at a European parish

I've been going to Assumption Grotto since May of 2005, but rarely go to the evening Masses because I try to go in the morning. Tuesday, following Catechism which ends right around 7:00, I decided to walk over to Mass since I did not make it in the AM. As I opened the door to the Church and saw candlelight cutting through total darkness, I began to wonder if Fr. Perrone had paid the electric bill. When I got far enough to see the altar, and noticed it too was aglow only with candles - I knew this was something traditional and my curiosity was getting the best of me. Typically, one of the priests of Opus Angelorum celebrate the Tuesday evening Masses. The other priests of OA were there too, as were the sisters. Before this I didn't think there was anything at Assumption Grotto I had not experienced before, but once again was treated to an unexpectedly beautiful liturgical experience. Following Mass, I caught up with some people to inquire who referred me to one of the priests. I was given this explanation from Fr. W.S.:

What is a Rorate Mass and why is it celebrated with white vestments and by candlelight?

The Rorate Mass got its proper name from the first word of the Introit (Entrance antiphon): "Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum". "Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness". We know Gaudete and Laetare Sunday which also got their names from the Introit.

Before the liturgical changes after Vatican II this Mass was celebrated very early in the morning on all Saturdays. In some areas it was celebrated on several or even all weekdays during Advent.


ORIGINS

The Rorate Mass has a long tradition in the Church, especially in German-speaking countries. It is a Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother for the season of Advent. Our Lady shows herself in a special way as our leader through Advent to Christmas. The celebration by candle light had originally a more practical reason. According to the Missal of 1570 no Mass could be said after 12.00 Noon. On the other hand, people had to go to work in the morning. Also the Rorate Masses were celebrated in a more solemn form and therefore would last longer. For these reasons the Masses had to begin relatively early in the morning when it was still dark due to winter-time.


SYMBOLISM

There is a beautiful symbolism associated with the Rorate Mass. Through the snow and cold and darkness of early morning the faithful would trudge with lanterns and candles in their hands to the then brightly lit Church (no electric light!) where the Mass was celebrated.

MARIAN DIMENSION

In Advent we live spiritually between the Annunciation and the birth of Christ. Mary teaches us the spirit of Advent and inner attitude we should have during Advent. During the nine month of pregnancy Mary lived a hidden life, in the spirit of silence and intense intimacy with Christ she carried in her womb. This spirit of intimacy with God the faithful are to cultivate during the season of Advent more intensely by listening attentively to God's message and by obedience to His word.


RORATE MASSES TODAY

Today this Mass with candlelight can either be celebrated in the morning or in the evening when it is dark, because there is no restriction any more with regard to the hours Mass can be said. In fact it is frequently celebrated in German-speaking countries because of its popularity). Popular piety attributed to these Masses a special efficacy and they were held in great esteem. People would ask these Masses to be said for their intentions far in advance.


USE OF CANDLES

What we see so often in Church history: certain things have been done first for practical reasons, but then in the course of time there was also attributed a spiritual meaning. And the use of candles during Advent belongs into this category. The symbolism of the candle matches very well with the spirit of Advent. Advent is dawn. It is still not the bright light of Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for something exceedingly joyful that will be going to happen. The Church and the soul are still struggling through the darkness toward the Light. There is a longing and expectancy of Advent. The light of our candles is a symbol for our longing for the coming of our Savior Whose light is already dawning. On Christmas Eve we will enter the Church in procession by candlelight. When the Gloria is sung all the lights will be turned on meaning that Christ is now born.

EXPERIENCE A RORATE MASS AT ASSUMPTION GROTTO

Come to Assumption Grotto to experience this unique European tradition and you'll discover the beauty of it. I can only hope to see this become a spiritual tradition in the US to help us all focus less on the secular things of Christmas and more on the mysteries God places before us in Advent and Christmas.

When you come in the side doors, you will find a box of candles on the tables on either side of the Church. You will need that candle for reading. On the altar rail will be small white booklets with Advent songs on them. We even had an organist - a rarity for the 7:00 weeknight Masses.

There is just something about Mass under candlelight that adds to the mystical experience already inherent in the liturgy. Come and experience this rare opportunity on Tuesday nights in Advent.

You can learn more clicking on the "translate this page" if you don't speak German by doing these searches and your browser has this feature. I'm using IE.

Google search on "Rorate Messe"

Google image search on "Rorate Messe"

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Opus Angelorum: The Angel of Fatima

The Priests of Opus Angelorum recently held a parish mission at Assumption Grotto. On one of those evenings Fatima was discussed and the priest pointed out how the Angel was sent out ahead of the Blessed Mother. Like many in my generation, I know little about Fatima, and much less about the Angel of Fatima.

It's time to learn!

While I do not have the conference available in written form to provide, I would like to point out three lay circulars under the section "Angels and Saints" that are available on the Opus Angelorum website in which the Angel of Fatima is discussed.

Part I: The Angel of Fatima - 80 years ago!
(Spring 1996 by Fr. William Wagner, ORC)

Part II: The Angel of Fatima - a Tutor of Love
(Fall 1996; Fr. William Wagner, ORC)

Part III: The Angel of Fatima and the Eucharist
(Lent 1997; Fr. William Wagner, ORC)