From the Desk of the Superior

Transcription

1 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : C A N O N S R E G U L A R S A L U T E F R A N C I S C A R D I N A L G E O R G E, O. M. I. C O O R D I N A T I N G C O U N C I L Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. Superior General Rev. Brendan Gibson, S.J.C. Council Member Rev. James Isaacson, S.J.C. Council Member Rev. Dennis Kolinski, S.J.C. Council Member Rev. Albert Tremari, S.J.C. Council Member F O U N D I N G B I S H O P Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. B O A R D OF S P I R I T U A L D I R E C T O R S A N D A D V I S E R S H.E. Raymond Cardinal Burke Most Reverend Joseph Perry Archdiocese of Chicago Most Rev. Alberto Rojas Archdiocese of Chicago Most Rev. Basil Meeking Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, New Zealand Rev. Regis Barwig Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P. Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. Msgr. James Turro Dr. James Hitchcock C O N T A C T U S Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. 825 N. Carpenter Street Chicago, Illinois pastor@cantius.org Phone Fax A Shepherd among his flock Francis Cardinal George processes down the aisle of St. John Cantius Church. TODAY OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER and founder bishop ended his earthly pilgrimage (April 17, 2015). For me personally, the loss is something difficult to describe as Cardinal George was one who listened, directed, corrected, encouraged, and confronted but always gave hope to this community of men dedicated to the restoration of the sacred. The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius is the first men s community founded in the Archdiocese From the Desk of the Superior of Chicago. We are a living legacy of this shepherd of souls. I want you to grow. I want this to succeed. Live your constitutions. Be men of prayer, were short directives he would often repeat to me. Cardinal George will always be remembered for his annual visit with our community. The men whom he ordained will always have a special bond to him as they offer Mass, hear confessions, and make available the other sacraments to restore broken souls. Cardinal George is now placed in our daily prayers for the deceased and in our Perpetual Masses. Rest in peace my spiritual father. May the Angels lead him into Paradise. Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. M AY 2015 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N V OL. XVI I S SU E 2

2 T HE CARDINAL A THE CANONS R EGULAR T HIS FINAL MASS as Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George told the congregation packed into the cathedral that he would point to them as evidence of his work: At some point, Christ will question me: What have you done with my people? Are they holier because of your ministry? Are they more generous, more loving toward others? In short, you are my legacy. When Cardinal George responds to Christ s question, he can certainly point to the growing community of brothers and priests of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius as a part of that legacy. We are a living legacy of this shepherd of souls. REV. C. FRANK PHILLIPS, C.R. Here are the beginnings of a society, founded to make available to the people of God, the heritage and gifts of the universal Church in all their forms and all their splendor. FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE, O.M.I.

3 Discerning God s Work in a New Community Above: Cardinal George and Bishop Joseph Perry with members of the community in Right: Cardinal George presented one of the first copies of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal (2012) to the Canons Regular. F ROM THE BEGINNING it was Cardinal George who envisioned that a small community of men founded at a run-down Chicago church would become a growing community dedicated to the Restoration of the Sacred. Thus, it was fitting that the last priests he would ordain (May 27, 2014) were for the Canons Regular. Not many could have imagined what would become of the meager beginnings of this community. But Cardinal George did. The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, the first religious community of men founded in Chicago, was formally established as a Public Association of the Faithful with the approval of Cardinal George in It was upon the occasion of the ordination of the first priest of the Canons Regular 12 years ago that Cardinal George announced what he envisioned: Here are the beginnings of an order, founded to make available to the people of God, the heritage and gifts of the universal Church in all their forms and all their splendor. Not many could have imagined what would become of the meager beginnings of this community. But Cardinal George did. Fr. Dennis Kolinksi has been in the community since its founding. He was one of the first priests ordained for the Canons Regular (2005). Fr. Kolinski recalls: Although Father Phillips is our founder and the one who received the Holy Spirit s inspiration, this charism had to be discerned by the bishop. In the founding of any new religious order, it is the local bishop who must first recognize the authenticity of its charism. Cardinal George did exactly that. Cardinal George said that he saw the work of the Holy Spirit in what Fr. Phillips told him and gave approval for the formation of our community; therefore, we exist because of him, says Fr. Kolinski. Reflecting on the death of Cardinal George, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R., writes that Cardinal George was one who listened, directed, corrected, encouraged, and confronted, but always gave hope to this tiny community of men dedicated to the restoration of the sacred.

4 C A B ISHOP H IS P RIES ARDINAL GEORGE always set aside time to come to St. John Cantius to ordain the new priests for the Canons Regular. This special relationship that he formed with his priests will not be forgotten. Priests are always united in their priesthood with their bishop, says Fr. Kolinski. The priests of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius are especially united to him because he ordained all of our priests thus far. The men whom he ordained will always have a special bond to him as they offer Mass, hear confessions, and make available the other sacraments to restore broken souls, notes Fr. Phillips. Fr. Robin Kwan, who was ordained in 2013, remembers Cardinal George s fatherly care. The Cardinal would always meet with the soon-to-be priests at his residence in a lengthy personal meeting. He was always very cordial even when he was exhausted and tired. He showed to me that he was a man of charity, that no matter how he felt or the pain he was experiencing, he would always show receptivity, love, and respect for me personally. Fr. Joshua Caswell, Fr. Nathan Caswell, and Fr. Kevin Mann were the last priests he would ordain before his death. I had the sense he really knew us individually that he knew us personally, said Fr. Joshua. Above: Cardinal George c brother priests at St. John C Left: At his last ordination newly ordained Fr. Joshua looks on. Right: Cardinal George or 10 years ago in He was always when he was ex He showed to me charity, that no or the pain he w he would alway love, and respect REV. ROB

5 The men whom he ordained will always have a special bond to him as they offer Mass, hear confessions, and make available the other sacraments to restore broken souls. REV. C. FRANK PHILLIP, C.R.

6 LITURGY, SACRED MUSIC C ARDINAL GEORGE loved the Church's liturgy and its music. As a choirboy at St. Pascal Parish in Chicago, he excelled as a boy soprano. Decades later, when he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination he showed how he still had this great love for sacred music, as he selected all the music for that Mass, which included chant, the Renaissance polyphony of Palestrina, and other choral masterworks. From the time I entered the Canons Regular in 2003, Cardinal George had always expressed interest and support in all the musical endeavors going on at St. John Cantius. He was excited when he learned about our Casavant organ project, the restoration of Tina Mae. He made special accommodations in his schedule to be present to bless the organ on the Feast of St. John Cantius, October 20th, 2013, on what was a very busy day for him. On numerous occasions over the years, His Eminence discussed with me the musical intricacies of Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, and organ music. When he made a canonical visitation a few years ago, he met personally with each priest of the community. Cardinal George spoke to me about the importance of my role in the parish and in our community as it relates to the restoration of the sacred through music. He urged me to integrate music ministry in my priestly ministry and to use my musical training to help foster the restoration of the sacred through liturgical music. Indeed, in my eight years of priestly service, I have seen how God's grace inspires souls and brings them back to a life of faith. Oftentimes the finger of God touches the heart through the ear and brings it back to life through that indescribable and sweet gift of music. When Cardinal George made his annual visitation to the Canons, he always joined us for the singing of Vespers. Many times, he took me aside during these visitations to underline the importance of singing the Divine Office. He encouraged all the Canons to foster this important art of praying through the singing of the Davidic Psalter and to be faithful to this integral part of our life as Canons Regular. During the Year of Faith (2013), I composed a Mass setting entitled Missa Porta Fidei. When our choir was invited to go to Rome for a choral festival celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Vatican's Choir (Capella Giulia) during the His Eminence taught us that the sacred liturgy helps to bring our faith to its fulfillment. THE CARDINAL Year of Faith, Cardinal George sent both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI a recording of Missa Porta Fidei. When Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum in 2007, Father Phillips and I discussed what the Canons might be able to do to assist the Holy Father and the Church in restoring wide use of the 1962 Missale Romanum. Father Phillips suggested I meet Cardinal George to discuss this. I told him about our ideas and not only did he enthusiastically grant his permission to start SanctaMissa.org, our tutorial website, but he offered us the use of the facilities of Stritch Retreat House and Mundelein Seminary campus for our workshops. In in his letter published in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Directory, His Eminence said: In order to better serve Catholics who wish to worship according to the 'Forma extraordinaria', ample and ongoing catechesis in the form of the Mass must be available. This can only be achieved if, first of all, priests and seminarians are prepared to serve this need. I have therefore asked the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, whose charism is the Restoration of the Sacred, to provide training for priests and seminarians in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite according to the liturgical books of 1962, and by offering catechesis to the faithful in this form of the sacred liturgy. His Eminence gave tremendous support and encouragement in this work done for the glory of God and the good of souls. In response, the Canons have been able to train over 2,000 priests to celebrate the liturgy in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite. The Canons have been given a special legacy by Cardinal George to restore the sacred through the liturgy, because it is the liturgy that helps bring our faith to its fulfillment. The sacred rituals, the splendid ceremonies, the riches of Sacred Scripture, the inspiring prayers, and the sacred rites are all important means which the Church uses to strengthen our faith and to accompany us through our earthly pilgrimage. The liturgy is the primary carrier of the tradition that unites us to Christ (Interview of Cardinal George, ), and the beauty of the liturgy is indispensable in our ministry of helping Catholics restore in their lives the perfect image of God. REV. SCOTT HAYNES, SJC

7 Canons Regular Strive to Fulfill Cardinal s Vision I n his statement on the passing of Cardinal George, Archbishop Blase Cupich said that Cardinal George s example is a model for us all: Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving. This is the surest way to honor his life Over the past 17 years, the Canons Regular have been strengthened by the Cardinal s guidance and formation. Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving. ARCHBISHOP BLASE CUPICH Father Phillips recalls the short directives that the Cardinal would often give them: I want you to grow. I want this to succeed. Live your constitutions. Be men of prayer. May the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius heed Cardinal George s words and example and continue to be an enduring legacy of this great shepherd of souls. Above: A Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for Cardinal George on April 22, The mitre placed on the catafalque was worn by Cardinal George for liturgies he celebrated at St. John Cantius Church. Below: Canons Regular and parishioners rallied in support of Cardinal George when he was under media fire in 2006.

8 W HO A RE T H E C A N O N S R E G U L A R OF S A I N T J O H N C A N T I U S? HELP US CONTINUE CARDINAL GEORGE S VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY S P I R I T U A L L Y More than anything else, we need your prayers. Please keep us priests, seminarians, and brothers in your prayers. Know that we are also praying for your intentions, as we remember all our benefactors in our daily Rosary. T he Canons Regular of St. John Cantius is a new, growing religious community of men, established with the approval of Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., and the Congregation of the Resurrection. The Canons Regular was founded 1998 by Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. Their mission is the Restoration of the Sacred Instaurare Sacra in the context of parish ministry through solemn liturgies, devotions, sacred art and music, instruction in Church heritage, Catholic culture, and catechesis. F I N A N C I A L L Y We could not exist without the financial support of generous friends who value the importance of Restoring the Sacred. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution or even remembering us in your Estate planning. WANT TO SEE MORE? You can view more photos from our gallery and read news on our web site: V IA S A C R A OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR THE CANONS REGULAR OF ST. JOHN CANTIUS 825 N Carpenter St Chicago, IL