The Province Begins to Work on Goals for the Next 3 Years

June 5, 2012 (Tuesday)
Memorial of St. Boniface. Bishop and Martyr

Day 4 – Intention: For the oppressed and the persecuted
After praying the Office of Readings, Lauds, and meditation, and after eating breakfast, we began the work of chapter at 8:45am.
After the ritual prayers to the Holy Spirit, the day began with the reading of several greetings and well wishes were communicated to the Chapter, followed by the approval of the minutes from the previous day.

Fr. Eugene, Fr Tim, and Fr Richard chat inbetween meetigns.

We then continued with the final to relations:
• India, Munnar – Fr. Peter Tajish Katancherry
• India, report of the representative of the non-capitulars – Fr. Francis Davidraja

Following the reports there was a period of questions, clarifications, and discussion. We then split into groups according to country to discuss several reflection questions proposed by the president of the chapter. After returning to discuss the results of the discussion groups, we then presented the instrumentum laboris, and split into groups comprised of members of each country in order to begin the work of editing the program for the triennium.

We ended the day’s work with the ritual prayers, then gathering for Vespers and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Once again, thank you for your prayers. May God continue bless you and bless all of us through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.

Day 3 of the Provincial Chapter

Day 3 of the Provincial Chapter we continued to discuss the individual communities and how each can continue to grow in the Mercedarian Spirit of redemption. – Intention: Apostolic Works and Mission in India

Fr Tony does the translation from English to Italian and Italian to English

After praying the Office of Readings, Lauds, and meditation, and after eating breakfast, we began the work of chapter at 8:45am fifteen minutes earlier than originally planned.
After the ritual prayers, the day began with the reading of several greetings and well wishes that were communicated to the Chapter, followed by the approval of the minutes from the previous day.

The reading of the reports from the communities continued with the following, in this order:
• Roma, Santa Maria dell Mercede – Fr. Giuseppe Celano
• Roma, Studentato – Fr. Ettore Ricci
• San Cataldo – Fr. Enrico Schirru
• San Vito dei Normanni – Fr. Giovannino Fabiano
• Italy, report of the representative of the non-capitulars – Fr. Samuele Salis

After a pause for questions and clarifications, the relations continued with the United States:
• Cleveland, Saint Rocco – read by Fr. Richard Rasch
• Cleveland, Mount Carmel – Fr. Anthony Fortunato
• Le Roy (Mercygrove and 2 parishes)– Fr. Timothy Brady
o Novitiate – Fr. Eugene Costa
• Philadelphia, Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy (Student House) – Fr. Matthew Phelan
o Vocation Office and Postulancy – Fr. Joseph Eddy

After the pause for pranzo, and the afternoon break, we reconvened at 4pm.

After the reading of several greetings from provinces and lay fraternities, the reports continued:
• Philadelphia, Our Lady of Lourdes, Casa Massabielle – Fr. James Mayer
• Saint Petersburg – Fr. Kenneth Breen
• United States, report of the representative of the non-capitulars – Br. James Chia

This was followed by questions and clarifications, a short break, and a continuing of the reports from India.
• Edacochin (Student House)– Fr. Vincenzo Pennella
• Novitiate (Edacochin) – Fr. Peter Tajish Katancherry
• Elantikara and Postulancy– Fr. Jaison Valiaparambil
o Patlur – Fr. Vincenzo Pennella
o Jeevadhara – Fr. Francis Davidraja
• India, report of the representative of the non-capitulars –Fr. Francis Davidraja

This ended the day’s work as we convened with the ritual prayers and prepared for Vespers and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, may we continue to be united in the Body of Christ. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 2 of the Provinical Chapter

Day 2 of the Provinical Chapter in Nemi, Italy. The Province begins going through a discussion of each house – Intention: Superiors of the Order of the Mercedarian Family

The Americans chatting about "things and things"

We proceeded with the reports of the United States, India, and the provincial economy, followed by questions from the floor. Running ahead of schedule, we then continued with the other reports, with periodic pauses and breaks for meals and prayer. The reports given, but not necessarily in this order, were:
• Alghero – Fr. Eugenio Caramia
• Vocational promotion in Italy – Fr. Nunzio Masiello
• Calgliari – Salvatore Mura
• Carpignano – Fr. Nicola Di Rienzo
• Florence – Fr. Dino Lai
• Naples – Fr. Tonino Miliddi
• Nemi – Fr. Nicola Bocuzzo
• Orvieto – Fr. Antonio Lattarulo
• Padua – Fr. Eraclio Contu
• Palermo – Fr. Aurelio Monasso
After each four to five reports, there were opportunities to ask questions or request clarifications on the reports.
We then ended the day of work with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass followed by supper.
N.B. – If anyone wishes to send a formal message to the Chapter, please send messages to the following email address:

Again, we thank you for your prayerful support.

More to come in the following days…

The Roman Province begins it’s Provincial Chapter in Nemi, Italy

XXXI Provincial Chapter
Order of the BVM of Mercy
Roman Province
Nemi (Rome)

June 2, 2012

Day 1

We proceeded with the election of the Secretary of the Chapter, resulting in the election of Fr. Francesco Podda who accepted, asking for help from another religious to write the verbali. Immediately, Fr. Eugenio Caramia and Fr. Vincent Penella offered their assistance.

Master General Fr. Pablo Ordone

Fr. General designated Fr. Nunzio Masiello as Moderator of the Chapter due to his knowledge of the languages (Italian, English, and Spanish).

Fr. Samuele Salis and Fr. Francis Davidraja were elected as scrutinizers and accepted these duties.

Fr. Nicola Bocuzzo, Fr. Giovannino Fabiano, Fr. Antonio Pinna, and Fr. James Mayer were designated as the liturgical team.

Fr. Enrico Schirru and Fr. Matthew Phelan were asked to and accepted to be on the communications team.

The afternoon, the Jesuit Father Hugo Mesini presented a marvelous meditation on life in community and communal discernment, where God is everything and we are nothing.

After a period of reflection on the communal session, in a respectful climate of listening, we recounted our emotions and feelings of fear and hopes for this chapter.

At the end, Father Provincial Arcangelo Bonu presented his relation on the state of the province.

Father General Pablo Bernardo Ordoñe, in the homily of the opening of the chapter, said that as Mercedarians we must be experts in regards to captivity and communication. [Hopefully, this communication is a good start!]

Fr Enrico, who with Fr Matthew, is in charge of communications and photos 🙂

Good evening. Pray for us, that the Holy Spirit will illuminate our minds and that the Most Holy Trinity will grant us one heart and soul.

Also, check out this article about our house in Nemi and the work that has been done there.

 http://orderofmercy.org/2011/11/one-of-the-oldest-houses-in-the-roman-province-is-getting-a-make-over/

No App for Divine Grace

iPhones. Instant messages. YouTube uploads. It seems that there is no end to the technological marvels constantly being developed. And yet, God calls every man to holiness, through his mind and heart in a way that is far beyond the grasp of any man-made technology. The priest, today as in ages past, brings the God of the universe to man in order to redeem him from sin and death.

St. Peter Nolasco. Click to read more about him.
St. Peter Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarians. Our mission reaches way beyond technology.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches,

Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress. (No. 2293)

The Mercedarian priest is aware of this awesome responsibility. He starts with the building blocks of what it requires. The Constitutions of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy state,

Because of the special participation in the priesthood of Christ that the presbyterate confers for the building up of the Mystical Body, the religious who are about to be ordained priests must possess a great love for Christ, whom they are to represent, and an ardent desire to serve and evangelize the people to whom they are sent.

The Mercedarian man, following the charism molded by the Order’s founder, St. Peter Nolasco, is trained and prepared to redeem others from various forms of captivity.

Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar, either as a priest or a brother?

Click and read more:

>Greetings from Vocation Director Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
>Contact Fr. Joseph
>Mercedarian Formation
>St. Peter Nolasco, our Founder
>7 Quick Questions to test your religious vocation
>Information Form: tell us about you
>Mercedarian Facebook Page

Not on Your Bucket List

All Christians, in all walks of life, are called to holiness. But priests are called in a special way to this life. Pope John Paul II, quoting the Second Vatican Council, has said that all of the baptized are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity. He added that this applies,

Br. Scott Brentwood
Br. Scott Brentwood receiving diaconate ordination

in a special way to priests. They are called not only because they have been baptized, but also and specifically because they are priests, that is, under a new title and in new and different ways deriving from the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Thoughts like these course through the minds of our friars as they approach the altar to receive the laying on of hands of the bishop in the Rite of Ordination. Indeed, the calling to the priesthood is sublime – not just another feather to be tucked into one’s cap in the journey of life.

Special Identification with Christ

As stated in our Constitutions, the Mercedarian priest has a special identification with Christ (N. 178). Our priests redeem those held in chains by modern forms of captivity. The Constitutions state that in their priestly training,

Theoretical formation must be united with pastoral practice so that, by knowing men well and loving Christ, they may be able to nourish the flock of the Lord with preference for those who faith is in danger and the most needy.

Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar, either as a priest or a brother?

Click for more information:

>Greetings from Vocation Director Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
>Contact Fr. Joseph
>Mercedarian Formation
>7 Quick Questions About a Religious Vocation
>Information Form
>Mercedarian Facebook Page

New Children’s Book tells the story of St Peter Nolasco

The Friar’s at the House of Studies translated and printed a book entitled “The Great Adventure of St. Peter Nolasco”. This book has been sent to several of the houses in the US Vicariate. Here is what the 3rd Order in St. Petersburg did with their books:

Blessing of books at our meeting. Fr Oscar and President, Sue Tambasco.

On April 27, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Peter Armengol (1238-1304). Following a misspent and dissolute youth he who came to serve the Lord later in life. He gave up worldly ways to work tirelessly for the ransom of captives and atoning for his sins. Blessed Peter Armengol is a model of confidence. His life inspires everyone who, amid the crisis of the modern world, needs special graces from Our Lady to remain completely faithful. He is the patron for the conversion of youth.

President, Sue Tambasco presents book to the Cathedral of St. Jude School principle, Mrs. Wiand and Media Specialist, Mrs. Evrin.

The Tampa Bay Third Order, during the month of his feast, purchased youth books about the founder of Our Order, Saint Peter Nolasco. These books were blessed during our meeting and presented to seven elementary school libraries though out the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL. We pray that the will inspire and educate the youth in the Mercedarian Spirit.

 

Holy Week at the Order’s Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Bonaria

In this installment of “A Mercedarian Journel From Rome” Deacon Scottston tells us of his experience of spending Holy Week in the Order’s famous Shrine to Our Lady of Bonaria.

Holy Thursday

Just a quick update from the Eternal City. Today we returned to class after our Easter break… and I can honestly say I was not ready to go back, but we do what we must.

As for Holy Week, I spent it in Sardinia at our Shrine of Bonaria (which as you remember we have had since 1334). Every Mass was full – standing room only – but it was a wonderful experience spending the Triduum with our community there.

Palm Sunday had a beautiful procession, and the youth performed a Passion play that was very well orchestrated.

Holy Thursday and Good Friday were spent with Archbishop Pier Giuliano Tiddia of Oristano…as well as the Vigil. I must admit, the most moving celebration was Holy Thursday… and nothing quite compares to sitting there in layers of antiquated grandeur (gold thread is heavy btw), with the central doors of the basilica open…. overlooking a sea of faces….and watching the ships move through the harbor as they enter the Mediterranean….all while listening to ancient Latin hymns sung in a most excellent fashion by a talented choir……… definitely makes a ceremony seem like a dream……

Veneration of the Cross

Good Friday was enveloped in clouds – a fitting ambiance – and the ceremony was particularly moving given that the Cross used for the veneration was practically life sized, and the Corpus was (in that lighting) rather authentic looking. An interesting tradition here is the presentation of Our Lady of Sorrows to the Crucified Christ after the veneration by the people.

The Vigil went well as did the celebrations for Easter Sunday. After the morning Masses, there was another “meeting” of the Blessed Mother, but this time with the Risen Christ that was VERY well attended.

Before returning to Rome I accompanied the Provincial to visit our community in Alghero. I was there two days before returning to Cagliari, and the next day returned to Rome. The day after my arrival I attended the Priestly Ordination of a Jesuit classmate at the Church of the Gesu, and afterwards was taken to the rooms used by St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits) and ultimately where he died. After a day of “rest” (Sunday), we returned to classes.

The Risen Lord meets Our Lady

All of those were great experiences, even if they left me tired before returning to class. I am truly thankful for the graces of this Easter Season, and I pray you are experiencing the same.

I’ll be in touch. -Deacon Scottston-

 

Santuario Nostra Signora di Bonaria

http://www.bonaria.eu/public/index.php

Jesus Invites all to Come to His Wounded Side to Find Divine Mercy and True Freedom

The word Merced means “price paid”, Jesus paid the price for our sins by his blood. This Sunday we give thanks and glorify the Lord for his Divine Mercy.

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is based on a private revelation of Jesus to a Polish religious sister before World War II. The private revelation was accepted by the Church and the devotion has rapidly spread throughout the world. Christ appeared to Sr. Faustina over a period of several years and taught her to pray for an out-pouring of Divine Mercy on sinners throughout the world. One of the most popular aspects of the devotion is the Image of Christ with white and red rays bursting forth from his wounded side. The Doctrine of God’s Divine Mercy expressed in St Faustina’s diary is not a new teaching, but only a reminder to the world of God’s greatest attribute, His mercy.

The word Mercy, according to Webster’s Dictionary originates from the 13th Century term Merced. Merced means a price paid. The 13th Century was a difficult time for the Church in Europe. For several centuries, Islam had been creeping up into Spain and other Christian countries by force. They enforced their Suria Law on all living in those concurred lands. Christians were prevented from openly practicing their faith and were treated as second class citizens unless they would apostize or renounce the Catholic faith. Some were even held in bondage and cruel captivity for holding to their Christian Faith. A letter dating from 1311 gives us an idea of the magnitude of the crisis facing Christendom. King James II of Aragon informed Pope Clement V that there were 30,000 “wretched” Christian captives in the Moslem-held kingdom of Granada and that “500,000 renounced their Catholic faith and embraced the Mohammedan sect locally.” Seeing the so many in danger of losing their faith, St Peter Nolasco, under the inspiration of the Blessed Mother, founded the Order of the BVM of Mercy of the redemption of captives. They would raise money to buy back Christians in danger of renouncing the faith and take them to Christian lands. The Order, also known as the Mercedarians, took a 4th Vow to be willing to offer their own lives in order to pay the price of the captive’s freedom.

The Mercedarians did not come up with this idea of redemption. Jesus Christ is the authored redemption when he paid the price on the Cross for all sinners. Just after His death, John’s Gospel tells us that a soldier took a lance and thrust it into Christ’s side. At that moment, blood and water flowed out from his side as a symbol of the Sacramental life of the Church. The Precious Blood is the payment for our sins and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The water is the Sacrament of Baptism, which cleanses us of Original Sin and personal sin.

When Jesus appeared to St. Faustina he was clothed with an ankle length white robe and out of his open side were the rays of God’s Divine Mercy. The rays were red for the Precious Blood and white for the cleansing water. To His wounded side the Savior invites all people to have their sins paid for and be washed clean by Baptism. This is Divine Mercy. We deserve strict justice by our sins, but instead, for no reason but Love, Jesus offers us mercy. He welcomes us to live the life of God. Jesus offers mercy to all people. His death on the cross was offered once for all. But not all accept the Divine Mercy.

There are many reasons people do not accept God’s offer of Mercy. One is because they do not believe that they have a debt to be paid. People today do not recognize that they have sin. Sin is a lack of love and is opposed to God who is Love. The Old Testament tells us that “the just man sins 7 times a day”. For the unjust it must be much more! Another reason people do not accept the Divine Mercy is because they do not believe that the debt has really been paid. Unfortunately we, like St. Thomas, doubt that Jesus is paid the debt of our sins. How could any man take away my sins? My sins are just too great! We often cannot forgive ourselves for what we have done, let alone allow God to forgive us.

Divine Mercy is offered to all, even the worst sinner! Jesus appears to us today, as He appeared to St. Faustina. He appears in the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist. Like in the Gospel today, Christ shows us His wounds. He has risen from the dead and these wounds are no longer a source of shame to him, but trophies. The Glorified Body is beautiful beyond compare to those who look upon it. The most beautiful aspect is the wounds, which show us the entire price paid for our redemption. When we come to Confession, we come to Jesus and “touch his wounded side”.  We realize that God is truly merciful! Though we deserve to be condemned by justice, instead he forgives everything.

The Divine Mercy devotion has been given to us in these times to help us realize that Jesus will forgive us always, but we need to accept his offer. Accepting Jesus’ mercy means just coming to His Body the Church and receiving it “from his wounded side”. Then, we must sincerely try to be merciful with others. Other people hurt us deeply with their sins. We see people who live very sinful lives. Yet, we do not have the authority to condemn. Instead, we can offer our mercy to them. We can pray for those who hurt us deeply. We can let them know that the debt of our sins was paid for those who wish to receive Divine Mercy. We, like the Mercedarians, can help to free them from their captivity to sin. We do this by bringing them spiritually and literally to the wounds of Christ. From these wounds flow rays of red and white, which cleanse us all from our sins. Divine Mercy is open to all of us. Let us be ministers of God’s Divine Mercy to each other!

Third Order in Tampa Bay has Lenten Retreat

Wherever the Mercedarian Friars are in the world one is likely to find groups of dedicated lay people living “the redemptive spirit”. Among the most important of these is the Third Order. This confraternity of lay mercedarians are found in several parts of the United States including: LeRoy( NY), Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Petersburg, and Atlanta.

The Constitutions of the Order tell us that the Third Order is “an association of lay people integrated into the Mercedarian family, which participates in the redemptive spirit.” (Constitutions of the Order of the B.V.M. of Mercy, #117). Members of the Third Order know and cherish the spiritual treasure of the Order so they are able to realize the Mercedarian ideal, according to the directives of the Church and of the Order, in keeping with the circumstances of each country. Here is some local activities of our Thrid Order in St. Petersburg, Florida:

Also see: http://orderofmercy.org/collaborators/third-order/

The Latest News from Our Friar Studying in the Eternal City

Deacon Scott Brentwood, O. de M. is an American Mercedarian Friar studying Canon Law in Rome. Over the past 3 years, he has been giving our readers updates on his experiences as a religious preparing to become a Canon Lawyer. Here’s his latest ponderings from his second semester at the Gregorian:

Deacon Scottston (middle) at his Ordination.

Just a quick update to let everyone know how things are going here in the Eternal City.

I trust all is well back in the United States; here things are rather quiet.

We began our second semester at the Gregorian in mid February, and I must admit that this semester is rather challenging – Temporal Goods of the Church, Processes (inner workings of the various tribunals, but specifically tribunals for nullity cases), the Relationship between Religious Professions and the State, Penal Law, a Praxis in Penal Law, a Praxis in Rotal Matrimonial Jurisprudence, and Canonical Latin. I also have a seminar on the Apostolate of Institutes of Consecrated Life in the Local Church that requires a 20 min presentation based on a text I have to write. Most of these are interesting, but it is a rather heavy load,especially given that everything is done in Latin (primarily) and Italian. Fiat voluntas tua.

Aside from school, there is very little going on – I have 4-6 hours of class every day, and with 1.5 hrs total spent on the METRO (subway) going to and from class, there is little time to do much else. I still find myself in various places throughout the city…churches mostly… or an obscure museum… but the majority of my time (lately) is spent with books, or with translating etc. in preparation for the Chapter.

A classroom at the Gregorian where Deacon Scott studies.

I have been spending more time with our friars in the Generalate, and last week I was invited by the General for lunch. After a nice meal we spent the next few hours chatting about various things, and as he too had studied Canon Law, we discussed briefly what was going on with the revisions for the New Constitutions. From a juridical point of view, this really is an exciting time for the community… as we prepare for the eighth version of the Constitutions of the Order.

Aside from that, as I said before, all is quiet. I hope everyone is well, and I will be in touch soon.

In Our Lady of Mercy and St. Peter Nolasco,

-Deacon Scottston O. de M.-