Blessings for the Lenten Journey!
I am writing this message in the hope that you and yours are doing well during these days of winter.
On February 10, we celebrated the Feast of St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, we cancelled our annual pilgrimage to be with our sisters of Immaculata Monastery in nearby Norfolk. No doubt, we remembered all Benedictine women in prayer and gave thanks to God for their witness to the monastic life and the ministries in church and society, especially education and healthcare.
February 11, World Day of the Sick, the Church honored Our Lady of Lourdes. During this time of pandemic, we asked our heavenly Mother for her intercession so that the healing touch of Jesus will restore the sick to better health and that they receive the graces to cope with health related issues.
By now, you may have received our Lenten appeal seeking financial assistance for our brothers of Christ the King Priory in Tororo, Uganda. Thank you for giving this appeal your attention and as your financial situation allows, contribute in response so that the community can continue their important ministries. God will bless and reward you!
In Chapter 49 of The Rule of St. Benedict, we read in verse 7 “…and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.” Let us trust that God grant us a time of spiritual renewal that reaches out to the people we encounter and thus bring a new springtime to Church and society.
Pope Francis dedicated this year to the special patronage of St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, and Patron of the Universal Church. I invite you to seek his intercession as part of your Lenten practices. The prayer over the gifts on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, paraphrased here and expanded, may serve as an inspiration:
O God, just as Saint Joseph served with loving care your Only Begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, may we be worthy to reach out to all brothers and sisters, near and far, with a sincere and pure heart.
Saint Joseph,
… foster-father of Jesus, watch over all families;
… protect all workers, especially those who struggle to make ends meet;
… help us to accept the stranger, especially refugees and immigrants;
… bring us closer to Jesus and obtain the grace for a peaceful hour of death.
Saint, Joseph, pray for us!
Blessings for the journey from all the monks of Christ the King Priory – Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler.
~ Bro. Tobias, O.S.B.
PS: For more details of our “current appeal”, check the website at www.missionmonks.org. Website donations are welcome and appreciated. Consider consulting your financial advisor how to make a direct donation from your personal IRA account to the Benedictine Mission House. We kindly ask that the financial institution that handles your investment give us your name and address. Do not hesitate contacting us with any questions.