at He a ee ou named. erefo, ceive he n f ith, he ea f e Hoy Ghst, a ou a aled e ouse f Gd,!
nd, f ou wi ave erved H ithfuy, a ou a rone rnay.
Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus P.O. Box 123 Gower, MO 64454
Order our Easter CD from benedictinesofmary.org or fill out the form on the enclosed envelope. Winter 2015
Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus At Ephesus Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors, It is with great joy that we extend our greetings to you once again, this time from a snowy Missouri landscape! It is difficult to know where to begin in relaying all the blessings the good God has granted since last we wrote, for these past few months have been some of the most monumental our From the rising of the sun to its setting, community has ever known! your intentions are always in our hearts! In our last newsletter we included a couple of pictures of our visit to Rome, but did not include too many details. Sister Bernadette and I were honored to be taken by Bishop Finn to the Pontifi- cal Commission Ecclesia Dei on Octo- ber 3rd (St. Therese’s feast day in the old calendar!) to speak about the possibility of canonical elevation. After drafts of our constitutions were reviewed and revised, we received news on November 25th that all had been approved. Our community was formally erected as a Religious Institute of Diocesan Right that same day. The nine perpetually professed sisters had to “solemnize” their vows under the newly-gained canonical status, under the aus- Our new calf, pices of Ecclesia Dei. I made my vows in the Bishop’s hands on affectionately named “Pozza” the 26th, and along with him, witnessed the vows of the other in honor of Sisters on December 8th. Archbishop Three days during the first week of Advent found us sing- Guido Pozzo, ing many an Alleluia for the recording of our Easter CD! The the Secretary following few weeks flowed peacefully, leading us into a most of Ecclesia Dei. joyful Christmas, as you can see by the pictures! Our candi- She was born the day of dates Sr. Katy and Sr. Mary received the postulant medals on our Canonical Christmas Day. Elevation, At the close of the Christmas season, February 2nd, our joy November 25th. knew no bounds as our three new brides, Sister Grace, Sister Marie-Bernarde and Sister Miriam Esther approached the altar to offer themselves to God through solemn vows. Please pray for these Sisters, who have persevered in this “school of the Lord’s Service” that they may run with hearts enlarged in the paths Our Holy Father St. Bene- dict has placed before them. We continue to receive a steady stream of vocation inquiries and aspirants After receiving coming to observe our life. We are expecting quite a large group of vows according postulants later this year, and the need for space has become imper- to the newly-ap- ative. The area we now use for guests must be utilized to accommo- proved Constitu- tions, Bishop Finn date these new vocations. As you can see from the following pages, smiles after hear- plans are moving ahead for construction. We are more than ever in ing a live rendi- need of your financial help to make these plans a concrete reality. tion of the new May God reward you! piece dedicated to him in our Easter recording. In His Merciful Heart, November 25: Bishop Finn receives the ANONICAL letter of ap- November 26: Bishop Finn proval from receives Mother Cecilia’s Rome. vows. LEVATION
December 8: Bishop Finn and Mother Cecilia witness the vows of the perpetu- ally professed, who “solemnized” their vows by reading ther charts of profes- sion, this time promising to observe the newly-approved Constitutions. A beaming Sister Wilhelmina brings her new chart to Mother Cecilia. Mother Cecilia and the Sisters chant the “Suscipe.”
Bishop Finn imparts a final blessing.
Special thanks to our intercessors Fr. Kenneth Walker, (who has since been dubbed “Fr. Runner!”) and St. Therese (who has since been wearing a profession crown.) Deck the halls and eaves and walls… we are so grate- ful to our neighbors who bring us holly each year to spruce up greens from our property. The proclamation of Christmas: Mother Cecilia chants the Martyrology on Christmas Eve.
Bishop Finn blesses the postulant medals of Sister Katy and Sister Mary on Christmas Day.
Bishop Finn and Mother admire a wax bambino given to us this year.
Christmas Dinner Mother Cecilia, Bishop Finn and Sr. Allegra form a brass trio for an unforgettable Christmas Concert Commemorative Naming Opportunities The construction of the guesthouse and additions presents a unique op- portunity to always be remembered in prayer. For each of the areas listed below, the donor’s name or a specified memorial will be inscribed on a plaque as a perpetual remembrance. The nuns and priest retreatants will pray especially for these generous souls for years to come.
Retreat House Addition Chapel $100,000 Chapter room $50,000 Great room $50,000 dairy $50,000 dining room $30,000 refectory $20,000 guest room $30,000 parlor $20,000 (7 rooms total) Gift Shop $20,000 Saint Joseph Model of all who labor, protect and guide our building projects!
the dairy the great room dining room a guest room the chapel
The Priests’ Retreat House a separate structure west of the Priory to welcome priests for retreat. The modest, seven bed- room structure will host priests from across the country for respite and prayer. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are quickly running out of room here at the Priory, and so must begin construction on the guest- house and additions. We will begin construction this month, and rely on your generosity to finish the projects. Your donations will prevent us from the burden of taking out another loan!
The Parlor, Refectory, and Gift Shop to allow for better hospitality and greeting of guests without disrupting the cloister. Many of you who have inquired about visiting or stopped in have seen that we do not have a proper area to meet the needs of guests.
The Chapter Room Traditionally, a separate room close to the chapel is used as a gathering space for the community for Compline readings and morning chapter meeting, where we read the intentions you have entrusted to us. The Dairy More space is needed in the kitchen to process the 7+ gallons of milk a day. We will also use this space to can and freeze the many vegetables and fruits harvested in the summer and fall.
The Statio Eventually, the statio and parlors will con- The hallway adjoining the Chapter Room will nect to our future Church, forming an en- form the statio, the procession passageway that closed courtyard. will one day lead to the Church. psi sum desponsata cui Angeli serviunt, cujus pulchritudinem sol et luna mirantur. I spoused Hi om e ngels erve, ose auty e un n n mi.
A funeral pall is spread over the prostrate sisters while a bell is tolled and the litany of the saints is chanted.
“I…vow to God forever sta- bility, the continual conversion of my life, and obedience…” the reading of the chart of profession.
The sign of obedience: “May God confirm your proposal.” “Pray for me, Mother.”
The solemnly professed show their newly bestowed ring, while chanting: “My Lord Jesus Christ hath betrothed me with His ring, and hath adorned me as a bride with a crown.” psi sum desponsata cui Angeli serviunt, cujus pulchritudinem sol et luna mirantur. I spoused Hi om e ngels erve, ose auty e un n n mi. The commissioning of the prayer of the Church, the The elevation of Divine Office. the chalice over the charts of profession, placed under the altar cloth to be sealed by the blood of the Lord.
The Solemnly professed receive Communion by intinction, after which they chant: “Honey and milk have I Having received their cucullas, choir veils, rings, crowns, and the candle they first re- taken from His ceived at their Investiture, the nuns chant: “Behold that which I have desired, I now see; mouth, and His that for which I have hoped for, I now hold fast. Placed on earth, I am made one with blood adorns Him in heaven Whom I have loved with complete devotion.” my cheeks.”
View more pictures of the profession at www.benedictinesofmary.org. (Special thanks to Will and Donna Yap.)