The Year of the Priest
Pope Benedict XVI dedicated this year as the “Year of the Priest,” encouraging the faithful to pray for priests while helping to restore dignity to the title of this sublime calling after its recent denigration by the world-wide media coverage of scandals.
In Gate of Heaven Chapel at St. Elizabeth’s Convent at St. Benedict Center, five stained-glass windows were installed in the sacristy and dedicated to the memory of the beloved chaplains who served the community by saying the Latin Tridentine Mass at the Center over the past 34 years. These windows, originally in a church in Boston that has been recently closed, were re-sized to fit the new location and the names of the priests’ were fired into the glass.
The first window of Saint Therese is dedicated Father Albert Michaud. Father Michaud, of Canadian descent, faithfully celebrated Mass at Saint Benedict Center during his retirement the 70’s and early 80’s.
The second window is of Saint Aloysius and bears witness to our gratitude to our beloved Father O’ Flaherty of the Worcester Diocese, who lived with the Brothers for many years after his retirement. We will never forget his edifying sermons and love of the Blessed Mother.
A beautiful window of Saint Anne has the name of Father Cornelius Donahue, SJ, who helped while in retirement at Weston, after spending many years at his missionary post in St. Anne’s Bay, Jamaica.
The Saint Augustine window is dedicated to Father Joseph Richard, AA, who recently passed away. Father belonged to the Augustinian Assumptionists, and retired with his community in Worcester. He spoke 5 languages and served behind the Iron Curtain as chaplain to the diplomatic corps during the cold war. Father was loved by all especially, the school children.
The largest and last window of Saint Michael the Archangel was reserved for Father John L. Donovan, who presently serves the community on weekends. Retired from the Archdiocese of Boston, Father has blessed the Center for many years now with his deep spirituality, enriching attendees with sermons equal to Fulton Sheen.
But testimony to the priests we love and who served us so well is not limited to window dedications. As the sacristy continues to be completed we hope to place more memorials to other dedicated clergy, like Father Joseph Feeley, SMA, to mention one. Each of these men bears witness to the wonderful calling of the Priesthood in the unblemished sacrifice of themselves to the faithful. The example of their lives is a contradiction to the self-serving behavior of others that led to the negative impression so quickly broadcasted by the media. Through prayer, example, and the return of the Tridentine Mass may God increase the numbers of these essential agents of Grace.
Identify Yourself
Social groups identify themselves by tokens of symbolism, signaling like-minded adherents to camaraderie. Body piercing, tattoos, haircuts are all outward manifestations of a united behavior and moral structure.
Do you identify yourself with a symbol? Would anyone be able to tell that you are Catholic by some outward sign? Start wearing the Miraculous Medal today.
Not only will it identify you with Our Lady but it is a symbolic safe-guard to your soul. The devil fears Our Lady more than anything, for she is prophesied triumph over evil by crushing his head with her heel.
These medals come gift-packaged with a little booklet explaining the symbolism on the medal, its history, and novena prayers. They are available in three sizes, Small; $5.00, medium -$6.00 and large-$7.00 (shipping and handling 3.99 for all.)
