Posted on August 2, 2020 View all news
Laudetur Jesus Christus! Gelobt sei Jesus Christus!
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo! Praised be Jesus Christ!
I am happy to report this week that the Oratory has accepted two new postulants, Raymond Fredette and Joseph Marsala. Ray is originally from the Dayton area, and Joseph is from the Buffalo, New York area. They will be living and getting adjusted to their new life these next few weeks before they begin the novitiate. For now, you can call them Ray and Joe.
The novitiate will last three total years, but the first year will be spent entirely in the house getting to know the community, our life, and developing their spirituality. You will see them around at Mass and will hopefully have the opportunity to meet them sometime soon. Please be sure to remember them in your prayers!
Also, this is just a reminder that the State of Ohio has mandated masks while inside any public building. It is my responsibility under the law to ensure you aware of this mandate. Secondly, a reminder that the Archbishop has continued to suspend the Sunday obligation. If you are feeling ill, or nervous about this situation, please know you can stay at home.
This upcoming week we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. I am including a reflection from St. John Chyrsostom, which is included in the Roman Breviary for the Feast. Please also remember that the Feast of the Assumption is coming up on August 15. We will bless any herbs or flowers following the Masses. Have a blessed week ahead!
“Since the Lord had spoken much concerning dangers, much concerning His Own sufferings, much concerning death, and the killing of His disciples, and had laid upon them many hard and grievous things, and since all these were in this present life, and already hanging over them, whereas the good things were matter for hope and waiting as, for example, that whosoever should lose his life for His sake should find it, for that the Son of Man should come in the glory of His Father, and reward every man according to his works. Therefore, to assure them by their own eyes, and show them what the glory is wherein He will come, He manifested and unveiled it to them, as far as in this life they were able to grasp it, lest they and especially Peter should grieve over their own deaths, or the death of their Lord.
Behold what He doth, when He treateth of heaven and hell. Where He saith Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. And again He shall reward every man according to his works in these words He pointeth at heaven and hell. But although He speaketh concerning both, He giveth a glimpse of heaven only and not of hell. To see hell would have profited the brutish and stupid, but His disciples were upright and clear-sighted, and therefore for them it was enough to be strengthened by the better things. This was what suited Him the best. Yet He left not the other altogether undone. Sometimes He set the horrors of hell, as it were, before the eyes, as for instance in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and that of him who was fain to wring the hundred pence from his fellow-servant.
But mark well Matthew’s good will, in not concealing the names of those who were preferred. John also likewise often recordeth the special praises of Peter with great truthfulness and care. For in this companionship of the Apostles, there was no envy, nor did vainglory find place. It was therefore the leaders of the Apostles whom Christ took apart from the others. And wherefore did he take these only? Because there were evidently superior to the rest. And why did he not do this straightway, and not until after six days? Evidently to spare the natural feelings of the other disciples; and for the same reason Christ did not for six days announce who were to go up.” – St. John Chyrsostom