The Meditation The Sunday Next Before Advent A.D. 2018 November 25 th A.D. 2018 The Death of St. Joseph (1712) Painting by Giuseppe Maria Crespi (1665-1747) Late Italian Baroque painter 1
The Collect for the Sunday-Next Before Advent (The Last Sunday in Trinity) Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people: that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of thy good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God. Throughout all ages of ages. World without end. Amen. Now, and at the Hour of Our Death Our meditations for the month of November have been for the most part, focusing upon the subject of death. November is the month where we have been commemorating in our Masses and prayers, the faithful departed and those known only unto Almighty God. While these acts are being offered on behalf of others, the reality is that one day, a day known only unto God Himself...each of us will be among that group of others. It s good for us to take an occasional moment to think of and even offer some prayer about this. So, on this final Meditation for the month of November, in 2018, let s think about our own humanity and mortality from the perspective of a mother, specifically our Most Blessed Mother Mary. The Antiphons proclaim in the Breviary and sung Offices for the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary[1], O Holy Mother of God, Ever-Virgin Mary, + intercede for us, we beseech thee. How blessed is the lineage whence Christ proceeded + how glorious is the Virgin who bare the King of Heaven! Thou hast given birth to a Son and yet remained a maid. Holy Virgin Mary, graciously keep all the world in this intercession + for He whom thou bearest is the Ruler of the universe. In thee has bloomed the flower of incorruptibility. To thy most sure protection do we flee, O Mary, wherefrom oftentimes the faithful have obtained valour + and wherefore do we extol thee, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God. Thou hast carried in thine arms, the God of the whole earth. O ever-blessed Mother of God, Mary Ever-Virgin, temple of the Godhead, hallowed shrine of the Holy Spirit + Thou only, above all others, wast acceptable to our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray Him to have mercy upon our souls! 2
Contemplatives, at the beginning and the ending [2] of every Marian-feast, on behalf of ourselves, the Church, and the world, implore she who is the Mother of Life itself, to speak on our behalf while we are still on the journey of life, but above all, at that moment of death, when we may be unable to speak no more. We implore her to be at our sides and be ready to lead all who ask her, to take our hand and guide us into the kingdom of life everlasting. We see the Mother of Life in Mary. She is the Mother of our Creator. She is the Mother of God, the Theotokos (God-Bearer). Her mission was a glorious one, for she was to bear the Life of life-eternal, and as a result, she became the life of all life that is spiritual. He who created her, spared her from the stain of original sin. Her heart and soul, from the first and last minute of her earthly career, turned to her Creator without any obstruction or hinderance. She became the mother of all humanity at the same time that she, bore Him (the Christ). What son can refuse his mother? The God Whose mother she is, can refuse nothing she may ask for, and by her prayer [3] she has become a sharer in His almighty power. Blessed Mary becomes our Grand-Mere, our Great-Mother as the Christian becomes a son or daughter of Jesus Christ. She rejoices when our hearts are fervent in love for her Son, and she grieves if we become indifferent to Him. A writer once made reference to Mary as being like the dew on a dusty desert path by which Christ leads us to heaven. Her tender motherly love never fails in good days and in bad ones, when our ardor grows or fades, it s a song or a laugh that cheers us on our way. O Blessed Mother! Mother of Life, Mother of the Creator, Mother of God, pray for us! Mary so intimately united with her divine Son, makes His word hers: What things so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (St. Mark; Chap. 11, Vs. 24). That s not to imply that Mary commands her Son, or over-rides Him... not at all, but the Son of God, Who is Love-incarnate, cannot refuse the petitions of His Mother, who stands as our Advocate when we call upon her. There s probably no prayer that our Blessed Mother receives more often than: Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Provided that these words are not said as mere routine, and that she can find within them the faith that inspired them, there is no end to the wonders that she will do for us at the hour of our death. She, who stood under the Cross with her heart pierced by Simeon s sword [4], suffered with her dying Son. Has she not gained the right to stand by every death-bed, His dying words still echoing in her heart: Woman, behold thy son! (St. John; Chap. 19, Vs. 26). The mother of Life stands by us at the hour when eternal life opens to us. What love! What comfort that should be to us and our loved ones! Our ancestors in the English Medieval Church understood and accepted Mary s place in God s work much better than we do. So many churches and religious houses were dedicated to the Blessed Mother, that England became known as: Mary s Island and Mary s Dowry. They didn t place her above her Son, but they understood her to be an Advocate, most especially when they would be unable to advocate for themselves, at the moment of death. The many writings coming out of that period of time, confirm this, and explain this wonderfully. The so-called Reformers in removing the Blessed Mother from her place of devotion did so for earthly 3
reasons, not heavenly. The damage this caused to suffering souls can never be measured, but we can help them through our prayers, not just in November, but all through the year. We can be a part of this cosmic dynamic of Love that spans time. That s awesome, in every sense of the word. Jesus Christ gave all mankind life through His death on the Cross. The presence of His Mother, who suffered and died spiritually with her Son, consoled Him in His last hour. Christ gave us His own Mother, in the midst of undergoing intolerable torture, that we too may share in her consolation. Let us never forget to ask our Lord to hear her, our Advocate, now, and at the hour of our death. The Salve Regina Hail, Holy Queen! Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, the poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us, the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O Clement! O Loving! O sweet, virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God That we may me made worthy in the promises of Christ [5] Meditation Notes: [1] The Anglican Breviary: Common II of Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary Antiphons used at Vespers in our chapel offices on Marian feasts. [2] The offices of First Vespers are said or chanted at sundown (the general time of Vespers) on the eve of the Feast, which formally begins the observance of that feast, and then at Second Vespers, which takes place at sundown on the day of the feast, officially ending it. This holds true for every major feast in the general church calendar and in monastic ordo Kalenders. [3] By her prayer... we are speaking of Mary s Fiat ( translation: Let it be so. ) at the Annunciation. St. Luke; Chap. 1, Vs. 38: And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word. Mary becomes a Most Sacred Vessel in accepting the will of Almighty God to bear His Son. Her prayer, her fiat enters her into a mystical and supernatural union. 4
[4] Ref. St. Luke s Gospel: (Chapter 2, Verses 34 & 35): And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. [5] Perhaps no other prayer can illustrate for us Mary s place of advocacy on our behalf than this one, the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen). This prayer, later set to music was composed in the Middle Ages and is attributed to Hermann of Reichenau an 11 th century German Benedictine monk. It is first seen in its current form at Cluny Abbey in France in the 12 th century. This is traditionally chanted by monastics following the Benedictine Rule after Compline, the final office of the day, just before retiring for the night. The Salve Regina served as the outline in the classic on Marian spirituality; The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, a Doctor of the Church. The Salve is said or sung by custom at the end of a priest s funeral Mass, by the attending clergy or cantor. And those souls known only unto Almighty God who cry out for His mercy, absolution and love. The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary 5
Priory Kalendar For the week of: November 25 th to December 2 nd A.D. 2018 In Trinity/Advent Season(s) Sunday, November 25 th... The Sunday Next Before Advent ( Last Sunday in Trinity) Comm. St. Katherine of Alexandria; V. & Myr. - 4 th cent. Egypt. Monday, November 26 th... St. Sylvester; Abt. O.S.B. - founder of Sylvesterine Benedictines 12 th cent. Tuesday, November 27 th... St. Virgilius; Abp. O.S.B. & Missionary 8 th cent. Ireland & Germany Wednesday, November 28 th... last feria in the Trinity Season Thursday, November 29 th... Bl. Robert; Abbot of Clairvaux, O.C.O. 12 th cent. Friday, November 30 th... St. Andrew; Ap. & Myr. 1 st cent....day of Abstinence Saturday, December 1 st... Bl. Richard Whiting; Abt. O.S.B. & Myr. 16 th cent. England Comm. Bl. Nicolas Ferrar; Dn. & Conf. 17 th cent. England Sunday, December 2 nd... First Sunday in Advent 6
Guardian Angel Card of the Week Angel of God who is my guardian, Divine mercy has entrusted me to you, Enlighten me, protect me, lead me, govern me. So be it. (French) KALENDAR KEY: Abt. = Abbot, Abs. = Abbess, Abp = Archbishop, Anc. = Anchorite, Ancs. = Anchoress, Ap. = Apostle, Bl. = Blessed, Br. = Brother, Bp. = Bishop, Card. = Cardinal, C. or Conf. = Confessor, Comm. = Commemoration/Commemorate, Dcn. = Deacon, Doct. = Doctor of the Church, Ev. = Evangelist, H. = Hermit, LBr. = Lay Brother, LSr. = Lay Sister, K. = King, Mat. = Matron, M. = Monk, M.M. = Month s Mind ( Requiem for the recently departed on the 30 th day after death or burial). Myr. = Martyr, N. = Nun, Obl. = Oblate, P. = Priest, Po. = Pope, Pr. = Prior, Prs. = Prioress, R. = Recluse, RM = Requien Mortuorum, ( Mass and Offices for the departed once a month as designated on Kalendar). SDcn. = Sub Deacon, Q. = Queen, Ven. = Venerable, Vir.=Virgin, W. = Widow. FASTING KEY: A = Abstinence, F = Fast, F & A = Fast and Abstinence RELIGIOUS ORDER ABBREVIATIONS: C.O = Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians), C.P. = Congregation of the Passion (Passionists), C.S.J. = Congregation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Er. Cam. = Camaldolese Hermits, F.P. O. = Franciscans of the Primitive Observance, O. Car. = Carmelite Order, O. Cart. Carthusian Order, O.C.D. = Order of Discalced Friars (Carmelites), O.F.A. = Augustinian Order, O.F.M = Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), O.F.M. Cap = Capuchin Order, O.P. = Order of Preachers (Dominicans also called Blackfriars ), O. Praem. = Order of Cannons Regular (Norbertines), O.S.B. = Order of St. Benedict 7
(Benedictines), O.Ss. S. = Bridgettines, O.S.U = Ursulines, O.C.O. = Order of the Cistercian Observance (Trappists/Trappistines), O.C.S.O. = Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists/ Trappistines). Tert. = Tertiary (Third Order religious) About the Meditation and About Us The Meditation is an online apostolate of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, USA. We are an Anglican-Catholic Benedictine contemplative community that follows the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, the 5 th century Father of Western Monasticism. We are resident within the Diocese of the Northeast (DNE), of the Anglican Church in America (ACA), a member of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). The Meditation is a weekly online offering that is sent out free of charge to anyone who desires to receive it. Subscribers may copy and pass along The Meditation to their families and friends, or send us their e-address (with their permission) to add to our subscription list so they may receive it directly from us. Each issue is sent out as a BCC (Blank Copy) in respect to subscriber privacy and online security. To subscribe, contact us at: klamarre@maine.rr.com To read past issues of the Meditation, please go to our website at: www.ourladyofsevensorrows.org and you can find them in the section marked Meditations on the homepage. PLEASE NOTE: In respect to our contemplative vocation and the animals in our rescue and rehab center, we do not have guest or bathroom facilities and do not regularly receive visitors. Fr. Kevin is available to hear confessions and give spiritual direction by appointment only. Please contact via email to make an appointment or to make us aware of your needs, concerns and intentions for our prayerful attention. It is our privilege to pray for you. PLEASE CONSIDER REMEMBERING US IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING Contact Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. for more information via our email address Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things Our History Continued: Part VI: By Br. Chip 8
Into the New Century The passing or departure of our brethren as mentioned in last week s edition, impacted the community in many ways. It had to, for these were very unique and dedicated souls both to their monastic community and Church. It was not possible for us to continue the individual missions that each brother left behind upon his departure, but it did bring into focus the great importance of the primary mission upon which this contemplative community was founded: To seek God according to the Benedictine Holy Rule and the contemplative tradition. Fr. Kevin continued the work towards completing the chapel at the Priory, and at the same time, served the Church when possible as a diocesan supply priest for Maine and parts of New Hampshire. He also served as confessor to the clergy at Clericus meetings while at the same time holding down a secular job which provided an income for his family, the farm, and to an extent the Priory. Masses and prayer offices were being celebrated and offered at the priory chapel, but not yet with the regularity conducive to the full monastic regimen. Sr. Mary-Francis continued to develop the animal rescue and rehab program, in addition to managing the priory books and clerical work while home-schooling their two daughters and supporting their son in public school. Fr. Dean had become the rector of St. Luke s parish in New Hampshire, and still maintained a series of small missions as well. There were a few people trying out their vocations and/or loosely associating themselves with the priory. Only 1 Oblate, Oblate Sr. Therese and 2 Associates were able to go the distance and remain to this day. Br. Ignatius continued to soldier on at St. Paul s, now as an ordained Deacon (2003), he served faithfully in that capacity. He assisted at this parish well into his mid-80 s, when his health compelled him to retire from active service. Family and friends would continue to bring him to St. Paul s for Mass and services regularly, until he moved to the Veteran s Home in Scarborough, ME. It didn t take long for him to become right at home there, and endear himself to everyone by way of his friendliness and light humor. Fr. Kevin, Sr. Mary Francis and many others visited him often and said rosary devotions with him in his room. Our dear Brother passed away peacefully on March 31 st, 2017 at the age of 93. It was no longer possible to conduct Quiet Days as was done earlier, and so Fr. Kevin began to offer to hear Confessions and give spiritual direction from the Priory on appointment. This was a viable alternative, and was more in keeping with the contemplative aspect which the community had always been working towards. It was becoming evident that the community would be turning more inward towards the cloister in order to fulfill its commission and attain its true identity as a contemplative entity. Bp. Bruce S. Chamberlain, the primary force and supporter in the formation and foundation of the community, our Bishop Visitor and an Oblate of the same, passed away in January of 2003. His health had been declining, but this faithful apostle of the Holy Catholic Church, remained steadfast and feisty, right up to his passing.fr. Kevin had the honor of serving as Sub- Deacon at his funeral-mass at St. Paul s Church in Portland, Maine. Br. Robert Herrick, our first Prior passed away in August of 2008 at the age of 77. In the last two years of his life, he was cared for by a nephew and his family. 9
Today The believing Christian knows that everything takes place in God s own time, and this held true for The Servants of the Holy Family at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory. The chapel was declared completed in the summer of 2005. Everything was closed in, all the necessary appurtenances for monastic worship had been obtained or built, and heat for the whole building was provided by a wood stove located on the first floor, to be supplemented by a passive solar heating system some years later. Fr. Kevin, in 2006, left his secular job of 20 years at the Town of Frye Island (Maine) after experiencing neurological issues, having managed both the Public Works and Ferry Departments. He went to work for the Town of Raymond Public Works as a laborer/truck driver, after a brief stint at a local sawmill, until 2009 when continuing health issues necessitated his removal from work and taking full disability. Fr. Kevin was able to establish a long-desired Horarium of Mass and prayers in the Priory Chapel. Based upon the Cistercian format, the 7 daily offices of prayer were said or chanted each day in the Chapel at designated times. A balance was soon established between the work and prayer that is done in every monastic house that became uniquely our own. Fr. Kevin retired from diocesan service in 2010. Now devoting his life and vocation fully to the monastic/hermetic life at the Priory. Our animal rescue and rehab program had settled into what it is today. While all animals that the good Lord sends to us are accepted, our direction has seemed to have focused on canine, sheep and especially equine needs. It s easy to become inundated in such an endeavor, as the need is great, which can easily put a strain on both housing and feeding, which here are quite modest. Our budget always runs on the tight side, because everything goes to the maintenance and feeding of the animals in our care. We take on only those animals deemed as lost causes. We consider it an honor and a sort of challenge when we are told that we re the last stop for an animal in need. Whatever the outcome, they know that they are loved. The internet has provided an interesting forum for Sr. Mary Francis to use her talents as well. She helps people find solutions to their problems and helps in placing animals, virtually. So not every animal in need comes to live here, only those who are out of options due to old age or permanent handicap. Generally, both go hand in hand. We consider ourselves very blessed in having been able to have played a part in helping these humble and hurting creatures. We have a very small, but very dedicated group of individuals, as well as a few of the churches in our Diocese, who donate funds to help with this endeavor for the least of these. We call them our Animal Angels and they are vital to this operation and to the lives of the animals in our care. No donation is too small and is tax deductible, and we are always looking for regular benefactors so our planning is made a little easier, especially during the winter months when Sr. is not working in the world but focuses on the farm. Updates on the lives of the animals, wildlife (who also recognize this as a safe and peaceful place) and the farm can be found weekly in the Meditation. Many of our readers have gotten to know us through our on-line offering, The Meditation. Here s how this effort came to be. 10
Fr. Kevin is the first person to tell you that he is not tech-savvy. He doesn t have a cell phone, and doesn t want one, either. The workings of computers still baffle him, and he ll claim only a basic level of competency and patience with them. The Almighty has taken this least likely candidate for internet service and has put him to work on it. His mysterious workings! In 2013, the widow of a priest-friend of Fr. Kevin s, asked him if he would send her a sermon from time to time, for she was unable to attend church regularly. Fr. Kevin began by sending out a short sermon to her about every other week. This exercise in writing, soon became a weekly offering, and he began to add little extras like a calendar or liturgical information for the reader s benefit. It didn t take long before word got around about this on-line offering, and other folks within the Diocese of the Northeast asked to receive it. This was a project that began rather simply and slowly, but as projects have a way of doing, especially if they are done with regularity, they began to take on a life of its own. The Meditation format developed and changed over its first two years and eventually settled into the format you now receive. Growth in readership has been very steady and we know that the subscribers on our mailing list are only the tip of the iceberg as they forward, print and send and share with friends, family, shut-ins, seekers and so many others. The Word of God and the solid Catholic teachings (why we do what we do) and traditions can be found in this offering which, like the love of God, is free to any who seek and ask for it. Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you ( St. Matthew; Chap. 7, Vss. 7 & 8). As a result, our readership has not just been confined within the Anglican Continuum, but Roman Catholics, other Christians, and those still on their journey of faith, have become subscribers and friends. So as long as the good Lord allows, and our subscribers continue to read, the Meditation will continue...deo Gratias! Our Lord and the Blessed Mother have seen fit to guide us from the very beginning, and all the way through. As things in our lives change, He s directed us accordingly. We go forward into the future abandoning ourselves to His Love and His Will and move with full confidence in Him. That s what Monastics and Christians have been doing from the very beginning. PAX Community Necrology Please remember in your prayers the following members of our community: Br. Dismas, OSB 2001 Fr. John T. Heslin, OSB 2001 Bp. Bruce S. Chamberlain O/OSB - 2003 Br. Prior Robert Herrick, Anc/OSB - 2008 Br. Ignatius, OSB 2017 11
Feasts, Fasts, and Other Things are from The Chipmunks Nutshell Library, a frequent offering presented by our very learned brother, Br. A. Chip Munk, O.S.B. a munk of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, U.S.A. Animal News By Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. The early snow, while simply beautiful came early this year, and with a healthy dose of arctic cold weather. The horses let us know that this was on the way by the healthy growth of their winter coats early on. These coats also allow them to really enjoy playing in the snow, rolling is especially fun! Sr. tells them that they are making horse angels. Gunner s favorite game is to look at the new snow with his nose close to the ground. Eventually, Oliver, who thinks there may be a treat to be had, will come to see what is so interesting, and when he gets his face close enough, Gunner snorts into the snow, blowing it into Oliver s face! Oliver will turn and kick snow in Gunner s face and then run away...much like kids! 12
Even-tide after the first lasting snow of 2018 photo by Sr. Mary Francis, from her cell phone. We are so thankful for those of you who have sent us donations to help feed these guys this winter and beyond...they couldn t make their Horse angels in the snow without their Animal Angels support. God bless you all! PAX 13
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