Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Greetings,

Tonight we begin our celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the patronal feast of our monastery.  We will begin this evening with first Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours.  The celebration continues on the day of the Feast with our prayer and Eucharist being celebrated in the Bishop Marty Chapel.  The Psalms and antiphons all echoing the reminders of Christ's great love for us poured out through His Sacred Heart.

"Let us love one another with fervent love, endure one another's infirmities; patiently serve and obey one another, and prefer nothing whatever to Christ." ~ Vespers Antiphon

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." ~ 1John 4: 7

The day of prayer is accented with little joys to join in the celebration:  flavored coffee during the day, homemade strawberry pie for supper, and time to gather for laughter and recreation.  These little joys are part of our family tradition too.  Tradition runs deep in our Benedictine life.  The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (above) stands on the south lawn in front of the monastery.  He has been present to our community since it's beginning; moved from shrine to shrine, but present.  The lintel block of our name (below) was built above our early convent doorway over a hundred years ago.  When we rebuilt in 1999-2000, the lintel was preserved and still declares our presence.  Today, it is built into the retaining wall of the flowerbeds in front of the monastery.

We invite you to join us in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel for our celebration of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:
~ First Vespers ~ Thursday, June 26th at 5:15 PM
~ Lauds ~ Friday, June 27th at 7:00 AM
~ Celebration of the Eucharist following prayer at approximately 7:25 AM
~ Vespers ~ Friday at 5:15 PM

  

Community Prayer of Dedication...

God of all creation, and God of our hearts,
 on this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
we remember the love with which you first loved us. 
We remember the gift of your Son,
Jesus Christ who brings us to birth and feeds us
with the blood and water flowing from his side, pierced on the cross.  
Inspired by the Spirit of Love, we desire to give our hearts to you,
and to make the heart of Jesus our own. 
Through his most Sacred Heart
we consecrate to you our monastery, the life and work
of each member of this community, and our beloved sick. 
We ask you to receive this offering, which we make through Christ,
in the power of the Holy Spirit, one with you forever and ever.  Amen.