Posted on September 5, 2021 View all news
This month of September is when things begin to get back into the swing of things for the parish. In particular, this year, after the previous eighteen months, will be a particular time for things to start to get back to normal. This month is full of feast days, from the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will celebrate a Solemn Latin Mass on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at 6:30 p.m. at Old St. Mary’s, the day that I have effectively set for the start of our new ‘parish year.’ Catechism for children will start the Tuesday after, on September 21 at 7:00 p.m. Please be dutiful in ensuring you sign up in advance. This year, with the parishes’ growth and more and more people coming for Confession on Tuesday evenings, we will not have in-person adult Catechism. I am currently thinking of other options to avail ourselves of, so please watch for more details in the October newsletter.
The month of September is traditionally dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Seven Sorrows are the Prophesy of Simeon, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple, the meeting on the Via Dolorosa, the Crucifixion, Christ being taken down from the Cross, and the burial of Christ. Meditating often upon the suffering that she endured and all of the sufferings that Christ endured during His life are essential to the spiritual life. We have a God, and a mother, who understands our sorrows, who perfected suffering. It is easy to believe that we suffer terribly and without anyone to understand, but Christ and the Blessed Virgin do understand. Therefore, we can take our suffering and give it to them, having confidence that they will use it to the best and bring great good from it.
As we witness the state of society, culture, and the Church, never lose hope in the plan that God has. The Church is always the strongest when she suffers. For it was only when Christ was lifted up high upon His Cross that he was able to draw all men to Himself. The Lord has great things in store for each of us, and He can never be out done. So may we place all of our confidence in Him, trusting that Christ and the Blessed Virgin understand our suffering, and carry on in perfectly fulfilling our states in life.
May the suffering Christ strengthen us, and may the sorrowful Blessed Virgin always keep us close. Have a blessed month ahead!