Novena Appeal
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“The Peace of the Risen Christ be with you!”
With this Easter greeting, Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square and people around the globe who watched the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” by the first American born Pope as successor of Pope Francis whom God called from this life on Easter Monday morning.
Pope Leo reminds the faithful that we are a missionary church, that we need to speak the truth, and promote peace and justice. He has practiced this throughout his life, especially as Prior General of the Augustinian Order to which he belongs, as a missionary in Peru among the poor, and as diocesan bishop prior to assignments at the Vatican.
We certainly have entered a new chapter in the Church’s history! Fr. Anastasius, the Mission Procurator of Christ the King Priory, reports of a challenge we see in Tanzania. While in many countries around the globe, the number of Christians attending Sunday Eucharist is on a decline, in Tanzania churches are too small to accommodate the faithful. Many must gather outdoors despite the elements like rain or heat.
Ever since the Missionary Benedictines arrived in Tanzania, chapels and eventually churches were built, in addition to schools, hospitals, workshops, and other necessary facilities that benefit the local population, regardless of religious affiliation. We remain committed to providing healthcare for all, solid faith formation and education in our schools and the parishes we serve. Our monasteries take every step possible to bring clean water to homes, in addition to reliable energy, especially with the installation and maintaining of photo-voltaic energy systems. Our friends have reached out to us Missionary Benedictines to help the less fortunate, to assist in time of natural disasters, and to bring the needed change in the infrastructure, thus paving the path for a brighter future.
Let me come back to the situation we face with old churches in Tanzania that are too small to welcome all the faithful around the Lord’s table for the celebration of Holy Eucharist. Over the years, several churches underwent needed repair work. In tropical climates, building materials are not as long-lasting as in other regions of the world.
We have been asked for financial assistance with extensive renovation projects of churches, chapels and parish facilities served by Benedictine monks. Our local experts evaluate the condition of a building, taking all safety precautions into consideration, trying to find the best solution. Often, an existing church cannot be enlarged to accommodate the growing faith community. What is the next step?
After discussing the situation of church renovations or constructions, we decided to establish a building fund so that we can assist financially when the Conference of Mission Procurators approves an application and asks for help from our office.
Let us rejoice that the Lord calls people of every walk of life into the Church. This past Easter, young people and whole families joined the Church not only in Africa but also here in the USA. Let us welcome all as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us provide the sacred space in which the community of believers can experience the presence of God in the worshipping community, in Sacred Scripture, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacraments. Our churches are community centers, even in the anonymity of a major city, and a sacred space and place of comfort when we need to let a beloved person go from our midst: the journey to eternal Easter glory.
Our pioneer monks, arriving in Schuyler 90 years ago, made a sacred promise to celebrate each year a Novena of Nine Holy Masses for the intentions of the benefactors and friends. Throughout the years we faithfully offered the annual Novena leading up to the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. We will do so again from August 6 through 15. Please let us know your intentions. The image of Mary, with her wide-open mantel, assures us of her protection for people of every race and nation (Madonna, wood carving – Ravensburg, Germany).
May our Heavenly Mother take us under her loving protection and lead us closer to her son, Jesus. You are remembered in our prayers. I thank you in the name of Fr. Anastasius and all my confreres for joining us spiritually for this year’s Novena and for helping us financially, if possible, to provide sacred spaces for the growing family of God in Tanzania, where Mary too will be honored.
United in the love of Christ and the assurance of our prayers we remain,
Fr. Anastasius, Bro. Tobias and all the monks of Christ the King Priory
Fr. Anastasius inspects construction of new church near Peramiho and chapel in honor of the Blessed Mother