The weekday Masses over the past months have manifested several small but notable changes. Recently, the monastic Schola has moved its place in the choir to be positioned closer to the altar and to the rest of the congregation. Fr. Edward Mazuski's guidance of the group also has included a more semi-circular positioning, to enable the singers to hear and see each other more effectively. Yet more noticeable, this Mass has gained several young new altar servers and a lector, as the Zelden children have been "learning the ropes" from our Master of Ceremonies Brother Sixtus Roslevich, aided by the guidance of Brother Benedict Maria. Mr. Kale Zelden has posted a wonderful "trailer" on the monastery website, depicting early morning in the life of these servers getting ready to begin their new ministry. Their youthful enthusiasm has been a delightful addition to the Eucharistic celebration. You can find this "must-see TV" here - it is labelled "Trailer #1," leading us all to anticipate an upcoming sequel.

Watch "Sparrows" (Trailer #1) here

About twenty Confirmandi made their way to Attleboro, Massachusetts, led by Fr. Francis Hein and assisted by Fr. Edward Mazuski and several of the visiting Manquehue group, to complete an overnight retreat as part of their preparation for the sacrament in May. The group has been steadily progressing with their preparation, including periodic Monday evening sessions, luncheon sessions, and involvement with lectio divina. Father Francis has been truly impressed with the group's engagement in the whole preparation process, and their participation in the retreat: "It was a fantastic opportunity for the group to be together to share in prayer and fellowship. The weekend was a great experience." We keep the Confirmandi in prayer, and look forward to the celebration of the sacrament this May.

Sunday of the Word of God. Sunday, 26 January, marked a new observance established by the Pope in his Motu Proprio “Aperuit illis.” The third Sunday in Ordinary Time is now "devoted to the celebration, study and spreading of the Word of God." This Sunday focuses on making the Scriptures part of our everyday lives - a lesson Benedict and our Manquehue programs have emphasized through the practice of lectio divina. The pope began his homily with a reflection on the Gospel of Matthew that introduces the ministry of Jesus: “The One who is the Word of God has come to speak with us, in his own words and by his own life.” "Aperuit illis" had been released September 30, the feast of the great biblical saint, Jerome. Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, explained in a press conference on Friday, that the Pope hopes the entire Church will "concentrate on the great value that the Word of God occupies in its daily existence" (Aperuit illis 2). It further offers an opportunity to renew our commitment to understanding “the inexhaustible richness that comes from God's constant dialogue with his people.”

Read more in Vatican News

"Aperuit illis" (Motu Proprio)

Many visitors to the  Church of St. Gregory the Great note its beautiful Belluschi design, or the brilliant wire sculpture of Lippold. Of more profound significance to this sacred space, while positioned to the side, is the altar of the Blessed Sacrament. Hidden beneath cloth of varied liturgical colors, usually invisible to the eye, is the tabernacle. Visually setting off the entire area is a gentle and reflective tapestry, perfectly fitted to hang beneath the canopy above the altar where the host is reposed. We would like to pull back the veil, in a sense, on the two artists who produced these two works of art that subtly center the sacred heart of the church.  The tabernacle, designed well before the present church and used in the chapel of the early priory, was created by a renowned California impressionist painter and liturgical artist, Euphemia Charlton Fortune – who preferred the name "Effie," and was professionally known as E. Charlton Fortune. The tapestry was produced for its present location by Esther (Fehlen) Puccinelli, a less well-known figure, though with a no less intriguing story. See the article in the " Archives" section.
 

This Thursday evening, February 13, the Portsmouth Institute is hosting an evening presentation in Providence by New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, with a response by Professor James Keating of Boston College. The topic: “To Save the Church: Perspectives on Catholic Duty.”  The New York Times notes: “Douthat joined The New York Times as an Op-Ed columnist in April 2009. His column appears every Tuesday and Sunday, and he co-hosts the Times Op-Ed podcast, ‘The Argument.’ Previously, he was a senior editor at The Atlantic and a blogger on its website.” Wilkins is an Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College, teaching in the great books program (Perspectives on Western Culture) and offering graduate seminars on the person and work of Christ, the problem of development in doctrine and theology, and other topics. Registration for this event is no closed; please see the Institute’s website for updated information.