SPAIN – The French diocese of Vannes, in which St. Vincent Ferrer died in 1419 andwhere he is buried in the Cathedral, has adhered to the petition to declare the saint aDoctor of the Church. This was confirmed by the bishop Raymond Centène, who wasreceived by the Archbishop of Valencia (Spain), Carlos Osoro.
Mgr. Centène declared that he had spoken to the Archbishop about this proposal, whichis being promoted by the Dominican Order, to whom the saint from Valencia belonged,and the Chapter of the Knights of Saint Vincent Ferrer, together with several other entities,in order to «start this work together», as the Archdiocese of Valencia informed.The French bishop cited the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Valenciaand the Bishoprics of Vannes, Valencia and Perpignan, among the institutions that participatein this proposal.
This proposal wants to «indicate Saint Vincent Ferrer as an eminent master of the faithfor the faithful of all times», as was asserted by the president of the Knights of SaintVincent Ferrer, Ignacio Carrau.
Mgr. Centène recalled that each year thousands of Valencians make the pilgrimage tothe Cathedral of Vannes in order to venerate the relics of their patron saint. The temple,built during the 13th century in the gothic style, guards the tomb of the Valencian saint whodied in the French city on the 5th of April 1419.
During his four day visit to the Diocese of Valencia, the French bishop met the provincialand the community of the Dominicans and other civil authorities in the house where SaintVincent Ferrer was born.
ZENIT.org
ORIGINAL: ITALIAN
Special thanks to the Brethren at the Curia for this article.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A PETITION IS MADE TO DECLARE ST VINCENT FERRER A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
This Thursday: Pray for Deceased Priests
This Thursday, November 5th is the first Thursday of the month and that means that during this Year for Priests, we can obtain a plenary indulgence for them under the usual conditions.
Since this is also the octave of All Souls why not tomorrow pray especially for all priests have passed on to their Eternal Reward!
On All Soul’s Day and for a week afterward, a Plenary Indulgence for the Holy Souls is granted for a visit to the cemetery with devotion and prayer for the dead. All through November, you can gain partial indulgence every day you visit the cemetery and pray for the dead.
An example of the Libera. However, the Sisters are doing it on a simple tone. Maybe next year they will have this under their belts!
Here at the monastery the novitiate sisters (and any professed who might want to join them) gather at our cemetery to pray the Libera prayers for our deceased sisters. Many Catholic cemeteries have a " Priests' Plot". Tomorrow might be a good day to visit it and pray for deceased priests!
Monday, November 02, 2009
Reward With Eternal Life, O Lord!
Today's feast of the Holy Souls is a treasured day in the liturgical year as we remember all those who have gone before us into Eternal Life. Unfortunately, today, the doctrine of Purgatory is misunderstood and many a funeral mass has quasi-overtones of a canonization as though acknowledging that Uncle Joe or Grandma or your best friend of 40 years may not be quite ready to be at home before the Face of God is being uncharitable toward them.
In fact, the opposite is true! To acknowledge that those who have died most likely need a time of final purification and are in need of our prayers to more quickly come to the joys of being with our Father in Heaven is the greatest act of charity we can perform for anyone!
Most of us would admit that we aren't perfect and I suspect that most of us can more easily list our faults than our good qualities! It only follows that those who have come before the Face of God after death are very aware of how much they fall short in the light of God's infinite Love. They WANT to be in purgatory because they know that this final purification is what makes them "fit" to be at home in Heaven. The Church tells us that the Souls in Purgatory are happy there because they know they are assured of their eternal salvation but at the same time the pain they experience is because they know they are not ready to be in God's presence!
The Souls in Purgatory can't pray for themselves which is why our prayers, acts of penance and alms giving are so important for them to speed their way to heaven. But they CAN and WANT to pray for us! It's a win-win situation and a beautiful example of the Communion of Saints.
It's often been said, "It's good to be a dead Dominican," because Dominicans have always put great emphasis on suffrages for the dead. Twice daily we pray the De Profundis for our deceased sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors. In our monastery our morning consecration which begins, O Eternal Trinity, we offer you through the hands of our Blessed Mother," offers all our prayers and works through her and specifically mentions the souls in purgatory.
The Order legislates that once a week Mass is offered for the dead; nightly they are remembered at the Intercessions at Vespers and several times a year there are specific days set aside to remember our parents, our friends and benefactors, and the deceased Brothers and Sisters of the Order. Once a week either the rosary or the 7 Penitential Psalms are recited in common for them.
Here at our monastery a basket of the names of the deceased that have been sent in by friends and benefactors is placed on our altar for the entire month of November and they are remembered at each holy Mass. If you would like the names of your beloved dead placed on our altar just go to our website: www.nunsopsummit.org and click on the Contact page and fill out the form that is there.
O God, creator and redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your servants and handmaids, remission of all their sins, that through loving supplications, they may obtain the favor they have always desired. For you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
For All the Saints!
A few special saints and other holy people came by last night for a party in their honor! Below are a few pictures of our guests! Did you guess who they are?
Back: Bl. Gabriella Sagheddo, St. John Bosco, The Blue Nun, Bl Teresa of Calcutta, St. Lawrence, St. Fiacre,
Front: St. Peter of Verona, St. Cecilia, St. Clare. Peeping from behind is Sr. Maria who put a grey wig on her head and said, "I'm my grandmother Maria of Menfi. If she could live with my grandfather than she WAS a SAINT!"
Sr. Diana Marie as a young Mother Teresa!
Sr. Janlyn as St. Cecilia.
Sr. Joseph Maria as Don Bosco! Special thanks to Fr. Michael Barone for the Cassock and Biretta!
Sr. Maria Teresa as St. Clare.
Sr. Mary Catharine as Bl. Gabriella Sagheddo who offered life for Christian Unity.
Sr. Denise Marie as St. Peter of Verona, first martyr of the Order.
Sr. Judith Miryam as the Blue Nun! We stock holy water the way some people stock wine cellars and that Blue Nun bottle is great for Holy Water!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Another Kind of Shower!
We are blessed to have as part of our monastery family the ladies of the Rosary Shrine Volunteers' Guild. This guild started way back in the 70's when we no longer had extern sisters. Our volunteers are the ones who answer the phone when you call, take the Sisters to the doctors, plant the flowers in Our Lady of Fatima garden and are the backbone, movers and shakers of the annual fundraiser held in the spring.
Their yearly meeting which includes the Rosary, Holy Mass and breakfast takes place in October and this year they offered to provide everything for the breakfast since we don't have our bakery free to bake which is something we always enjoy doing as a small way to say, "thank you!"
These wonderful friends also surprised us with a HUGE cake and a kitchen shower and came laden with all sorts of canned goods and surprises for our new kitchen. Recreation was like Christmas as Sr. Mary Martin opened each gift and we ooooed and aaaaahhhhed over everything! In fact, we have to continue the fun at tomorrow's recreation!
To each and every one who made today so special and spoiled us with lovely things we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and pray that, "Lord, reward with Eternal Life all those who do good to us for the sake of Your Holy Name!"
Sr. Joseph Maria, Sr. Maureen, Sr. Mary Martin and Sr. Virgina Mary pose with the lovely cake and some of the gifts.
Our wonderful volunteers!
Sr. Maria shows off one of the gifts!
Sr. Mary Martin opens the gifts for all to see! The soap department has their eye on this great pot but they are NOT getting it!
Sr. Mary Catharine shows off some of the many mitts we were given!
Sr. Joseph Maria got playful!
Ooooh! A new cutting board!
Sr. Mary Martin and Sr. Denise Marie look over the toaster oven.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
GIft Shoppe Misbehaving...again!
Thanks to all who let us know that the Gift Shoppe on our website is misbehaving. Our tech angel is working on it. It seems to be ok and then well...
Please just keep checking back and hopefully it will stablize SOON!
God bless you for your patience!
UPDATE
7:00 PM, Saturday—Gift Shoppe seems to be working OK.
9:35 PM, Saturday—Shoppe is working OK...but it wasn't 5 minutes ago!
Sunday—Gift Shoppe really does seem to be working!
Friday, October 23, 2009
New Products from Seignadou Soaps!
The Soap Sisters have been busy in our expanded soap department. We very much enjoy haveing enough space to work without crashing into each other with buckets of hot soap!
It's hard to believe that November is almost upon us and that means that you are all beginning to think of shopping for Christmas!
We have 2 new products available from our gift shoppe. The Theme Scented Gift Collection is a selection of Seigadou Soap Products brought together in a decorated cello bag and topped with a smart bow! We are offering 6 varieties: Cloister Garden, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Fresh Linen, Ocean Rain, Sandalwood and Natale. Each Gift Collection comes with: 1 Room Spray and 1 Seignadou Soap of one of the 6 fragrances just mentioned, 1 hand creme (unscented except for the Lavender Collection), 1 lip balm and 1 hand crafted wooden soap dish.
We have been making these Gift Collections for quite awhile for friends and local soap sales and are happy to be able to now offer them to you!
We hope you will enjoy these new products from our gift shoppe. Again, we very much appreciate your business especially as we reach the final phase of our renovations!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Cloister Gift Shoppe Experiencing Difficulties!
We're not sure what is going on but it seems that currently it isn't possible to get into the Cloister Gift Shoppe!
We'll update when we figure out what the problem is!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Spirit of the Liturgy
Nearly every week for the past 2 months we have had the pleasure of having Fr. Peter Stravinskas lecture on the biblical foundations of the Mass and on the upcoming new translation, its background and implementation.
Father is not only a great teacher but an equally prolific storyteller making for a never-dull class that usually goes over its one hour limit and right up to dinner time. This necessitates all sorts of liturgical changes as Sext and Rosary are at 11:30.
We hope Father Stravinskas will be a regular visitor to the monastery and be able to lecture during a time when we aren't being invaded by workman and all the noise that goes with it!
Postulants and Novice Mistress alike are engrossed. Father's lectures were timed perfectly to serve as an introduction to the Novitiate "Theology of the Liturgy" class.
Sr. Maria, our music directress, listens intently.
That All May Be One: The Power of Prayer
Yesterday's announcement of an Apostolic Constitution providing for groups of Anglicans to come into the Church was met by us with a double excitement. We didn't think we could share with you the reason why but Fr. Brian Mulcahy, OP, socius for Fr. Dominic Izzo, OP, provincial of St. Joseph's Province posted an important announcement on the friars' website explaining why. We will simply republish it below:
On February 21, 2009, many Dominican priests, brothers, [nuns], sisters and laity received an e-mail with an urgent prayer request requested by (then) Fr Augustine Di Noia, O.P., Undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, asking all Dominicans to pray the Litany of Dominican Saints from February 22 (the Feast of the Chair of St Peter) through March 25 (the Solemnity of the Annunciation) for an at-the-time undisclosed intention. Today, we received an e-mail from Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, O.P., the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, with the following announcement:
"Today there was announced -- at press conferences in Rome and London -- the forthcoming publication of an apostolic constitution in which the Holy Father allows for the creation of personal ordinariates for groups of Anglicans in different parts of the world who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The canonical structure of the personal ordinariate will permit this corporate reunion while at the same time providing for retention of elements of Anglican liturgy and spirituality.
When I asked the friars (and other OPs - Ed.) to pray the Dominican litany from 22 February to 25 March earlier this year, the intention was that this proposal would receive the approval of the cardinal members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which was necessary if the proposal of some structure allowing for corporate reunion was to go forward. Our prayers at that time were answered, and now that the proposal has become a reality we can tell everyone what we were praying for then.
Fraternally,
+Abp. J Augustine Di Noia, OP
This momentous news has already hit both the secular and Catholic press, but Archbishop Di Noia wanted all of you to know that your prayers were very effective, and that he extends his most profound fraternal thanks.
Here is a link to the Vatican website that has the text of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's Note concerning this new, historic arrangement.
Immediately on receiving this communication in February—Fr. Mulcahy's left out the nuns(!) in this posting but we'll forgive him—Sr. Mary Martin provided a booklet of the Litany of Dominican Saints and Blesseds for each Sister and it was a regular sight to see Sisters staying after Office, especially Compline, asking the intercession of all our Heavenly Brothers and Sisters. You can find the Litany HERE. We had to update it and add a few more saints bringing the total of invocations to about 160!
We learned back in early June that in God's great mercy our prayers were being answered and that it had to do with the Anglican question but had no idea of how momentous this actually was.
As all the details are ironed out and as many of our Anglican brothers and sisters make many difficult decisions and sacrifices to avail themselves of our Holy Father's loving gesture welcoming them to their True Ecclesial Home, we support them, our Holy Father and all involved by our prayer.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bl. Agnes of Jesus of Langeac
Today our monastery is celebrating the feast of Bl. Agnes of Jesus Galand, a nun of the Monastery of Langeac, France. Her feast is supposed to be celebrated on the 19th but since here in the USA we have the obligatory memorial of the North American Martyrs we decided to celebrate our Sister today.
Agnes of Jesus Galand was born in 1602 and lived a short life, dying 1634. She entered the Monasteryof St. Catherine of Siena in Langeac which still exists today and where they actively promote the life and mission of their Sister. Mother Agnes served her community as novice mistress, prioress (getting deposed and then getting elected again!) and in other duties such as sacristan.
In 1631, Jesus and Mary interiorly invited Agnes to intercede and pray for a priest she did not know. Three years later, in the monastery parlour she met Msgr. Jean-Jacques Olier, founder of the great Seminary of S. Sulpice and she learned that he was the priest she for whom she was offering her life of prayer and sacrifice. She died a year later, leaving to her sisters her particular vocation to pray for priests.
Because St. Louis de Monfort mentions Blessed Agnes in "True Devotion to Mary" she is remembered if only by name by many who have read his work and consecrated themselves to Jesus through Mary as a slave of Mary.
Here is what he says: "Without stopping to prove this truth, I shall simply relate an incident which I read in the life of Mother Agnes of Jesus, a Dominican nun of the convent of Langeac in Auvergne, who died a holy death there in 1634. When she was only seven years old and was suffering great spiritual anguish, she heard a voice telling her that if she wished to be delivered from her anguish and protected against all her enemies, she should make herself the slave of our Lord and his Blessed Mother as soon as possible. No sooner had she returned home than she gave herself completely to Jesus and Mary as their slave, although she had never known anything about this devotion before. She found an iron chain, put it round her waist and wore it till the day she died. After this, all her sufferings and scruples disappeared and she found great peace of soul. This led her to teach this devotion to many others who made rapid progress in it - among them, Father Olier, the founder of the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice, and several other priests and students from the same seminary. One day the Blessed Virgin appeared to Mother Agnes and put a gold chain around her neck to show her how happy she was that Mother Agnes had become the slave of both her and her Son. And St. Cecilia, who accompanied our Lady, said to her, "Happy are the faithful slaves of the Queen of heaven, for they will enjoy true freedom." Tibi servire libertas.
The Servant of God, John Paul II beatified Agnes of Jesus on November 20, 1994.
Bl. Agnes of Jesus, during this year for priests, we ask you to intercede for our priests, that they may be men on fire for God, filled with a desire to serve Christ's flock.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Afternoon of Recollection for Vocation Discernment
Don't forget to register for the afternoon of recollection for vocation discerment on November 7th.
All you have to do is call Sr. Mary Catharine at 908.273.1228 or email her at vocations@comcast.net.
Click on the sidebar for more information.
We could accept a few "out of towners" who may wish to stay overnight. Our extern guest room area is extremely limited so this is on a first come basis.
We look forward to meeting you on the 7th!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Renovation Photos Updated!
Checking out the progress!
New photos are up on our website! As you can see there has been a lot of progress! Appliances arrive on Thursday!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monastery Fred
First there was The Nuns' Garden and now we introduce Monastery Fred!
Our dear friend, Helen Franks loved being greeted by our dog Fred on her visits. She was saddened as we were when we had to put him to sleep due to illness. However, already up her artistic sleeves was the beginnings of a new book, Monastery Fred, a little dog a bit bored in a monastery who manages to get out when the cloister gate is left open. What he finds makes him realize that the nuns’ life isn’t so boring after all! It is a wonderful story for children from 3-93! Perfect for storytelling time!
This summer Helen and her husband, Sid, celebrated with us in the parlor when the first copies arrived. In over 50 years of marriage this is the first time that Helen and Sid collaborated on a book! Sid wrote the story on the urgings (nagging?) of Helen who needed a story for her delightful illustrations. Sid is a lyricist who wrote the lyrics for songs for Frank Sinatra and Perry Como.
We hope you will enjoy this delightful little book as much as we do. It surely will make a great Christmas gift. We are also grateful to Sid Helen for donating 50% of the proceeds to the monastery!
Sid reads his story about Monastery Fred while Helen shows the appropriate illustration.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Some Photos from the Canonization!
We watched a little of the Canonization Ceremony today during recreation. Since most of the photos on the news sites cover St. Damien of Molokai we thought we would share some Dominican ones we were able to get off of an online replay of the Ceremony.
With the whole Church we rejoice in our new Saints!
Fr. Master and Fr. Edward Ruane, the Master's vicar, in the entrance procession.
Father Master was one of the main concelebrants.
The Dominican Sisters of the Annunciata carry up the relics of St. Francisco Coll y Guitart during the ceremony.
The relics of St. Francisco
The Postulator (whose name we forget!) greets our Holy Father and speaks a few words. (We noticed that whenever the Dominican Sisters or Fathers greeted the Holy Father they spoke quite a bit!)
JP Sonnen (Orbis Catholicus) got this great picture of three of our Dominican Brothers just for us! On the right is Fr. Benedict Croell, OP who is studying at the Angelicum! Fr. Benedict if you are reading this your promised visit is LONG overdue!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saint Francisco Coll! A New Saint of the Dominican Order for the Church!
On Sunday, October 11th, the Holy Father will canonize Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński , Rafael Arnáiz Barón (a Trappist), Marie de la Croix (Jeanne) Jugan (Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor) and St. Damien of Molokai. As we rejoice with the Church for these new saints (and a new one for America!) we Dominicans have a double cause for rejoicing because St. Francisco Coll Guitart will also be canonized with them!
ABOUT ST. FRANCIS COLL
- Man of unshakable faith. Francis Coll was anchored in truth and in God because his life was based on the Gospel. Amidst the social and political turbulence of his time, he had only one goal: to preach the Gospel and to lessen ignorance.
- Man of joyful hope. Great hope and trust in God were his beloved virtues.Thus he faced challenges and suffering with serenity. His joy was never shaken by animosity.
- Man of love. Love was his highest value and he did everything out of love.This love was expressed in his consoling attitude towards the afflicted. He was peaceful and reconciling towards everyone.
- A great Dominican preacher. Francis Coll preached theGospel when the time was ripe and when it wasn’t. At times he was a catechist and preacher, and at times a missionary and team member He unceasingly sowed the Gospel in the furrows of the world. Be it in winter or summer, in good or in bad health, no one and nothing prevented him from preaching.
- Prayerful man. Fr. Coll usually spent part of the night inprayer where he received inspiration for preaching and energy to face the challenges and threats of his time.
- Devoted to Our Lady. “Love Mary because she loves those who love her; and those who seek her will find her.” (F. Coll) His devotion to Our Lady was expressed in praying the Rosary, which he instilled in all. He was the founder of the Living Rosary at Moià (Spain). ‘The Rosary is my book per excellence and all I have.” (F. Coll)
• Creative and daring man. ThoughF. Coll was living in an anti-clerical and violent society he took the risk to become a Dominican friar. He looked for new means to cater for the needs of the society he was living in. He dared to found a feminine congregation in a society where women were marginalized and without voice.
• Poor but over-generous. F. Collwas free from everything and so fully available to preach the Gospel to everyone and everywhere. He spent his life in simplicity and poverty. He was tough with himself and over-generous with others.
• A joyful and open friar. F. Collwas a joyful Dominican who valued openness.
• Fr. Coll cherished heaven and eternal life. He was an apostle of Christian hope; he had a strong desire of divine life and in finite love. He could foretaste heavenly realities. Thus he constantly repeated:“Heaven, heaven, only heaven.”
• A Dominican Saint. Fr. Coll implemented the will of God and modelled his life in the image of Jesus. Fr. Coll is a saint today because he gave answers to people of his time, sowed hope in their hearts. He made furrows of love and service to others to befollowed by everyone. He, indeed, shared with others what he received from God.
• 19-5-1812. Baptism in Gombren
• 1-4-1816: Death of his father
• 17-8-1818: Confirmation at Ripoll
• 1822- 1830: Studied Latin and Philosophy in VIC
• 1830- Started noviciate with the Dominicans friarsat Gerona
• 1831: Made the first vows• 1831- 1835: Studied Theology in Gerona• 1833: Received Lectorate and Acolytate• 1835: Ordained deacon in Barcelona
• 7-8- 1835; Exclaustrated under Spanish civil law• 1836-: Completes theological studies in Vic
• 28- 5- 1836: Ordained priest at Solsona
• 1839: Appointed curate at Artès
• 1839- 1849: Curate at Moià• 1848: Appointed “Apostolic Missionary”
• 1850: Director of the Dominican secular ThirdOrder in Catalonia
• 1852: Published the “Hermosa Rosa” (BeautifulRose)
• 1854: Took care of those suffering from cholera inMoià.
• 15-08-1856: Founds the Dominican Sisters of the Anunciata.
• 2-4- 1875: Died in VIC
• 29-4- 1979. Beatified by John-Paul II.
• 11-10-2009.
We miss our Dominican Brother, Archbishop Augustine DiNoia so it's nice to see this photo of him with Cardinal Cañizares.
"Veil" tip to JP Sonnen of Orbis Catholicus.
