Fall 2015Priory of Our Lady

of Ephesus

Ave, ave, ave Maria! At top: The Sisters prayed the rosary by candlelight in remem-brance of the torchlight procession at the end of the Council of Ephesus on October 11th. On October 13th, they sang and prayed the rosary in procession in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and her miracle of the sun.

Our Lourdes garden received a further sprucing up when the Sisters stained the concrete of Our Priory.

Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors,

Greetings to you in our beloved Christ the King! Graces have indeed abounded here at the Priory during this season, and we are grateful for the opportunity to “recount our blessings” to you! Firstly, we include the collage promised in our last newsletter of our new nov-ices, Sr. Marie Pascale and Sr. Jacinta, who received the habit of St. Benedict on August 22nd. Sr. Marie Pascale is placed under the patronage of the Risen Lord and His Mother who triumphed through her faith in His Resur-rection. Sr. Jacinta likewise anticipates the triumph of the Immaculate Heart through her patroness, the little and great visionary of Fatima.

Both Fatima and Ephesus were remembered in Octo-ber. First we celebrated the anniversary of the proclama-tion of the Θεοτόκος “Theotokos” at Ephesus, Turkey in 431 AD, when the local Catholics gathered to escort the faithful Fathers of the Council home by torchlight. Two days later, we commemorated the miracle of the sun which took place 98 years ago with a procession around the sunny grounds of the Priory, praying the rosary as Our Lady of Fatima requested.

On October 25th, the Feast of Christ the King, three candidates became postulants just hours before Sister Assumpta, Sister Jean-Marie and Sister Philomena made their Solemn Vows. What a joy it has been to witness these beautiful young women embark upon our way of life and to vow themselves to the service of Christ the King on His great feast, promising to be faithful spouses to Him forever. We are so grateful to His Excellency Bishop Finn for coming to officiate at the cer-emony, and also to the Priestly Frater-nity of St. Peter. It is to both that we owe our existence, and so it was a double blessing to have His Excellency and the Fraternity guiding us through the final cer-emony of this year - a year which has seen our elevation under Ecclesia Dei through Bishop Finn, and the 20th anniversary of our foundation under the Fraternity of St. Peter. Very Rev. John Berg, Superior General ministered as Archpriest, seminarian Alex Stewart superbly assisted as Master of Ceremonies, while his fellow seminarians served at the al-tar. Rev. Robert Ferguson, fssp played the organ, and the seminarian schola chanted the Mass, joining forces with the Sisters for the polyphonic hymns. The Fraternity truly made it one of the most magnificent ceremonies we have ever had, and the Sisters were able to unite their prayers to the professuræ even more deeply. Heartfelt thanks to each and all!

More photos online at benedictinesofmary.org

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Sr. Marie Pascale and Sr. Jacinta exchange smiles at seeing each other in their new habits.

Above: Sr. Jacinta receives her new name while Sr. Marie Pascale beams to hear it.

Two new beautiful Brides of Christ receive the habit of our Holy Father Saint

Benedict.

“Grant we beseech Thee Almighty God, that these Thy handmaids, who today sacrifice the hair of their head for love of Thee, may likewise

lay aside empty attachments, and abide forever in Thy love.”–The hair cutting.

“Dearest Sister, receive this physical light as a sign of interior light, to drive away all

the shadows of ignorance or error, so that adorned with the light of divine wisdom, you

may be worthy to share eternally, with the burning love of the Holy Ghost, in the

company of Jesus Christ, the Spouse of the Church.” –Prayer

for the candle,which the

Sisters will receive again at Profession.

Bishop Johnston’s heraldic coat of arms is stitched onto new vimpæ - veils for the miter and crosier.

Right: Sr. Clara receives the Rule with the words, “I con-fide to you this Holy Rule, which sanctified out Fathers. By God’s grace, may it become your way of life.”

Sr. Regina receives the medal.

Thursday the cat has been teaching his new protégée “Friday” all the ins and outs of mousing around the farm.

At right, our new bull calf,“JD” displays his Angus heredity in refusing to pose for a picture!

Sr. Rosina’s feet are washed in Chapter.

Left to right: Sr. Rosina, Sr. Clara and Sr. Regina af-ter their reception on the feast of Christ the King.

May He grant them perseverance!

The rooms are painted, and trim is going up around the doors and windows

The fireplace is installed in the retreat house great room.

Workmen working on detailed trim for the outside of the retreat house chapel.

We replaced a window with a new door in the back of our chapel. This will facilitate guest access without going through our refectory and Chapter room.

A hole is cut into the sew-ing room and excavation begun for the root cellar. Above: Sisters (and a ladybug) get a perfect view of the work from the cells upstairs.

Almost done! Siding goes up around the retreat house with the remaining trim.

A balcony is installed.

WORK ON THE ADDITIONWORK ON THE RETREAT HOUSE

The addition begins!Above, the foundation is poured for

the gift shop, parlor, guest dining room, statio and Chapter Room (right)

From the ground up: The future dairy is prepared on the southwest wing of the Priory.

Above: Mother Cecilia inspects the work as framing begins!Left: the first wall of the north addition is raised.

Construction continues at a good clip, as you can see! We are so grateful to you for all you have done to make our plans “concrete,” a lasting reality so that we may more fully live the Benedictine life, silence, cloister and apostolate of hospitality. May the Lord reward you! In closing, and with deep gratitude to you for all you have done for us, I think of the words at the beginning of the second book of Maccabees, which we have just re-read at Matins: “May God be gracious to you…and give you all a heart to worship Him, and to do His will with

a great heart, and a willing mind. May He open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and send you peace. May He hear your prayers, and be rec-

onciled unto you, and never forsake you in the evil time. And now here we are pray-ing for you.” We are indeed! May God keep you,

In His Merciful Heart,

Notice to our benefactors: We do not and will not rent, sell, publish or in any way disclose any of your

contact information to any other mailing list. We thank you for your continued support!

Against a glorious Fall backdrop, the newly pro-fessed were congratulated by their families.

Above: The Solemn ConsecrationBelow: the nuns chant while holding up their new rings

Above: The bestowal of the cucullaBelow: the chanting of the first responsory.

A funeral bell tolls while the Sisters lie prostrate beneath the pall during the Litany of the Saints.

“Come, Spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for you from eternity.”

The final blessing

“And now we follow with all our hearts…we seek Thy face” (chant from profession)

Sr. Wilhelmina catches up with long time friend Fr. John Berg, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

Left to right: Sister Jean-Marie, Sister Assumpta and Sister Philomena