Serving the Catholic Community of the Diocese of La Crosse

From the July 10, 2014 issue of The Catholic Times Two new books for consecrated virgins receive Bishop Callahan’s imprimatur

BY JOSEPH O’BRIEN Staff Writer

LA CROSSE – Three down and two to go. Out of a planned fi ve books of meditations for consecrated virgins living in the world, two more have received the impri- matur by Bishop William Pat- rick Callahan. The two books, written by Barbara Swieciak, “Refl ec- tions on the Rites” and “Re- solved to Follow Christ” follow her “Meditations on Mary” published earlier this year by the diocese as part of a series which will help con- secrated virgins live out their vocation in imitation of Christ and the Holy Family. “Refl ections on the Rites” presents a series of medita- tions on the rite of consecra- tion itself while “Resolved to Follow Christ” provides medi- tations on the Stations of the Cross and the four “Suffering Servant” songs found in Isaiah (42:1-7; 49:1-9; 50: 4-9; and

52:13- 53:12). CT/Joseph O’Brien Like the fi rst book, “Resolve A consecrated virgin living in the world, Barbara Swieciak recently received an imprimatur from Bishop William Patrick Callahan for two more books out of a proposed to Follow Christ” is available fi ve-book series of meditations on the vocation to perpetual virginity – “Refl ections on the Rite” and “Resolved to Follow Christ” which have followed her “Medita- tions on Mary” published earlier this year. Designed to engage consecrated virgins and those discerning a vocation to perpetual virginity as a way of serving the Church in hardcover or spiral bound in imitation of Christ and His mother Mary, the series is being published by the Diocese of La Crosse to support this state of life, one of the oldest sacramental in the soft cover, “Refl ections on the Church, according to the Second Vatican Council. Rite” is available in hard cov- er only. Celebrating her 30th of Church fathers such as St. of virginity and in the ser- Two additional books of crated virgins. year as a consecrated virgin Methodius’s ‘Symposium on vice of God and His Church? meditations are planned to “One of the prayers for the this September, Swieciak is Chastity,’” she said, explain- Are you so resolved to follow complete the series, Swieciak fi nal blessing at the Mass organizing the series at the be- ing that the book provides the Christ in the Spirit of the Gos- said. “Uncommon Love” pro- for consecration of virgins hest of Bishop Callahan. same format of line by line re- pel that your whole life may vides meditations integrating talks about the hearts of vir- While not a sacrament, con- fl ections. “It also includes the be a faithful witness to God’s the Rite of Consecration with gins united with the heart of secrated virginity offers wom- rite of consecration in its en- love and a convincing sign of prayers found in the Liturgy Christ,” Swieciak said, quot- en a way to serve the Church tirety and the proper readings the Kingdom of Heaven? Are of the Hours, the Church’s ing the blessing, “May the as a living sacramental, imitat- for a Mass for the Consecra- you resolved to accept Solemn prayers which virgins are Lord Jesus who unites himself ing the life of Christ and of His tion of Virgins Living in the Consecration as a bride of our committed to pray; and “Sea- to the hearts of sacred virgins mother Mary, both of whom World.” Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of sons of Love” presents medi- in a nuptial covenant make lived out their virginity in the Describing “Resolved to God?” tations based on the Church’s your hearts fruitful by the world. Follow Christ” as “a surprise “‘Resolved to Follow Christ’ liturgical seasons. word that is God’s seed.” Like “Meditations on Mary,” from the Holy Spirit this past is using those three questions According to Swieciak, the Swieciak said, “Refl ections on Lent,” Swieciak said this and the examination plus re- imprimatur (Latin for “let it the Rites” began as part of her book, while not divinely in- fl ecting that Jesus learned at be printed”), signed by Bishop To order “Meditations discerning process in 1982. spired in the same way as the the school of Nazareth from Callahan and co-signed by the on Mary,” “Refl ections on “I established a notebook Bible, was initiated as part of Joseph and Mary, the Suffer- Chancellor for the Diocese of the Rite,” and “Resolved which had a sentence at the her refl ections on the Rite of ing Servant songs,” Swieciak La Crosse, Monsignor Fran- to Follow Christ,” visit the top of each page from the Rite Consecration, especially re- said. “When you pray the Sta- cis Abuah-Quansah, and the diocesan website (www. of Consecration and I would garding the three questions tions of the Cross, where did Nihil Obstat (“nothing hin- dioceseofl acrosse.com) for an meditate on the line while the bishop asks candidates Jesus learn that powerful si- ders”) are dated June 27, So- order form, or contact Bar- praying the liturgy of the hours during the Rite: “Are you re- lence but from the silence of lemnity of the Most Sacred bara Swieciak at bswieciak@ or the refl ections on the read- solved to persevere to the end Joseph, guardian of the re- Heart of Jesus, an especially dioceseofl acrosse.com or call ings for Mass, or the writings of your days in the holy state deemer.” signifi cant feast day for conse- 608-788-7700 ext. 2271.