Titular Feast...

Today, Friday, May 30th is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the titular feast of the priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

In human language the heart is the synonym and symbol of love. To give one's heart is to give love. Jesus speaks our language when he holds out to us his heart, which of itself tells the story of his love. The primary purpose of the devotion to the Sacred Heart is to return love for love. -Blsd. Basil Moreau

Glory be to Jesus Christ
Whose Heart does graces send
To Father and the Spirit too
For ages without end.

In Good Steps...

I feel the need to add a note about these postings. 90% of them are about vacation or parties. This is not indicative of my life!! These are strange days of transition and compacted vacation, after going through a good but busy academic year and before heading into what will be a strenuous 7 weeks of intensive Italian studies. So, there. (My guilt is assuaged for at least a few moments).

Though, it seems I am following in good footsteps. Spending time in the deep woods with friends seems to be a key ingredient to a holy and good and sane life! Although, I will never be too far from indoor plumbing and hot running water.

Messa nel'italiano...

A Messale di Ogni Giorno arrived via FedEx today. I was only 75% sure what I was ordering since my Italian reading isn't the greatest. But, thankfully, it is a perfect missal with all the prayers and readings needed to celebrate the Mass.

I will now use this during the summer, since my level of Italian is at least good enough to say Mass validly!

Book Plug...

Fr. Bob Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has recently published (April 2008) a wonderful book comprised of his homilies entitled Word on Fire, the same name as his website. It's an easy read, yes, but not simplistic and I highly recommend it.

And in June of 2007 he published The Priority of Christ. Again, a very good theological work, very direct, clearly written, but (it seems to me) perhaps better appreciated by an academic population.

The Motor City

I spent a whopping 30 minutes in Detroit today after driving three hours to get there and three back. I had to apply in person for an Italian Student Visa. And fortunately all went well. I had the proper documents - all 7 of them.


So, this is the final of many steps with applications and forms, praise be God.

Blog name...

Discernment continues on a name.

Jubilee....

On Friday, May 23rd at 4:00 PM in the basilica, many religious of Holy Cross were joined by family and friends to celebrate the 25th, 50th, and 60th Anniversary Jubilees. Bro. Francis Gorch, CSC is one such 60th Jubilarian. Bro. Frank is an esteemed member of the Holy Cross and Notre Dame communities with a tremendous work ethic that continues to this very day (something I could learn from I suppose). Bro. Frank served with the NDFD for a number of years and was joined by current members of the department. Congratulations to and blessings upon Bro. Frank and all the Jubilarians!

Prayers are most appropriate....

When I was a novice, an invitation was printed for our first vows liturgy. It included, along with the date, time, place, etc., the line, "Your gift of prayer is most appropriate". Much to the chagrin of me and my fellow classmates, this line was given to curtail excited and generous family and friends from giving us gifts of money or gift cards, etc. Alas, it worked, and we newly professed religious learned a good lesson about the vow of poverty.

Today I observe my 31st birthday. Unlike my 30th which hit me hard, this one seems quite normal and everyday. And like my first profession of religious vows, I hope for the gift of prayers from my family and friends. How precious is the gift of prayer; to say "I will pray for you" and to then actually do just that!

I ushered in the birthday with a wonderful dinner at the home of former parishioners last night and I will spend the day itself packing my room, reading, hearing confessions for the weekend's Medjugorje Conference and by going out to dinner with Fr. Doug Smith CSC, also born on the 24th, and a few other friends. Here's to another year.

UPDATE: Fun dinner last night with a cigar afterwards.

The Great Outdoors - Part II

I traveled to Jackson Hole, WY to spend five days with great guys in a stunning setting. As you can see, the Grand Tetons were our constant companions during these days of conversation, beer, cigars, and prayer.

Dr. Kevin Fleming is a triple-domer and Folk Choir alum - which is how we met originally. I had the honor of preaching at Kevin's and his wife, Frannie's, wedding. Kevin is the father of three, a clinical psychologist, author, musician, and an executive coach.

Scott McDermott is a graduate of Cornell, an author, and is currently at St. Louis University working on his MA and PhD in American History.

Michael McGlinn played as an offensive lineman under Lou Holtz. He's the father of three and is a talented musician. You can learn about his work here.

Michael Novak was also in the Folk Choir and is finishing his dissertation for a PhD in systematic theology from Marquette University. Like Fleming and McGlinn, Novak is serious about his music. Novak writes much more and has better photos here.

[download]

It was certainly a blessed time for retreat!

Casa Santa Maria.....home away from home

Beginning on September 2nd, my new home will be in a 400 year old building on via dell'Umilta - an appropriate name as I'm sure I will receive a strong and large dose of humility each day from difficult classes. Actually, the full name is Santa Maria dell'Umilta so it is much more a source of comfort and strength than doom.


What would inaccurately be described as humble is the house's chapel. As you can see it is quite ornate and beautiful. Mass is celebrated thrice each morning with one large celebration at 11:00 on Sunday mornings.

Meals are prepared by a community of Polish sisters and the refectory, not unlike Corby Hall or any other good religious house, requires formal attire but slacks and collared shirt are allowed. It's large enough to comfortably accommodate the 72 or so men who live here. These photos were taken from the NAC website.

Roma...

The photo above in the header may be a bit misleading. I'm not writing from the Vatican or from the city of Rome......yet. But these are certainly days of preparation for a September 1st departure to the Eternal City.

The Congregation is giving me a tremendous opportunity to study in Rome for the Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy (SLL) and the Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy (SLD).

Here in May, I have my official Attestato letter from the school of Sant'Anselmo and a letter from my place of residence, Casa Santa Maria, that has been duly notarized by the Congregation for Education. These documents, along with my renewed passport and proof of medical insurance will go with me on a 6-hour round-trip jaunt to visit the Italian Consulate in Detroit for a Student Visa. Once I get the Visa all I will need to do is pack.......oh, and learn Italian!

The Great Outdoors...

Spent a great weekend with the McIntyre Family at their Michigan cabin, located on 600 beautiful acres. Patrick is a '99 grad of ND and Beth is a '00 grad. Their two boys are growing-up fast and a third child is due in September. We were joined by Dr. Justin LaReau '99. The presence of his medical expertise is always welcomed. During nap-time on Saturday, the men of the house went on a fishing expedition for trout. We got a few bites and the beers and cigars helped pass the time. Thankfully, we had chicken on hand for supper that night, which we enjoyed after celebrating the Vigil Mass for the Feast of Pentecost. And on Sunday itself we did what everyone does to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit, we shot guns. As you can see, I'm pretty handy with a .22 pistol. Blessings upon Justin as he begins his move from Detroit to Boston for an orthopedic fellowship and thanks to Pat and Beth for another great outdoors weekend!

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Yesterday I finished grading papers for Liturgical Celebration II, the MDiv course I taught this semester. And this morning I turned in the grades to the Registrar's Office. This was my first attempt at teaching and am, for the most part, happy with the work. Of course, I still pray daily for the students, that they may not be too scarred by the whole thing.

Goodbyes...

It is Final Exams Week here at Notre Dame. We celebrated our final dorm Mass this past Sunday, the Feast of the Ascension and last night we celebrated the final weekday Mass of the year.

I'm grateful to have lived here at Zahm Hall this year as the priest-in-residence. And it is sad to say goodbye. But the boys are trading water for wine when Fr. Jim Gallagher, CSC arrives this summer.

Some of the guys were nice enough to give a gift of "top-shelf" cigars on the occasion of my fourth anniversary of priestly ordination. And I am constantly grateful for a certain student who has access to Romeo y Julieta Cubans. Such things help to understand better the joy of the kingdom of God.

The Forgotten Sacraments

The Notre Dame Center for Liturgy is hosting its annual conference entitled, "The Forgotten Sacraments". Registration is still open. The cover art was provided by Msgr. Timothy Verdon, Canon of the Cathedral of Florence, Italy.

CSC Vocations

My religious community's Office for Vocations has launched a new website. I encourage you to visit - it's quite nice. But I also encourage you to pray for vocations to religious life and the priesthood daily!

A Meditation on Priesthood

"To live in the midst of the world without wishing its pleasures; to be a member of each family, yet belonging to none; to share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all wounds; to go from men to God and offer Him their prayers; to return from God to men to bring pardon and hope; to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity; to teach and to pardon, console and bless always. My God, what a life! And it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ." - Lacordaire

Welcome!

Welcome to my attempt at blogging. I do not begin this project with any preconceptions of what it will become or its scope. Instead, it will be an experiment in online publishing.

I am motivated to blog primarily because of my upcoming travels and distance from family and good friends. If this mode of communication helps lessen the gap that experience and mileage cause then it is worth its while.

God Bless.
Fr. Michael