April is getting serious about May

Temps are hovering around the mid-80's today.

Annual St. Jane De Chantal Plant Sale

Friday, April 30^th
12:00 ‘til 6:00 pm

Saturday, May 1
8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday, May 2
8:00 am – 6:00 pm

9701 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda

Under the yellow-and-white tent in the Plaza between the Church & School

Hanging Baskets -- Bedding Plants

Annuals/Perennials for shade and sun

Great Mother’s Day Gifts! -- Herbs and Vegetables

Native Plants -- Unique Floral arrangements

Limited selection of indoor plants -- Handpainted Mothers’ Day pots of annuals

Sponsored by the St. Jane Sodality Guild and Junior Sodality

We accept payment via cash & personal checks

Come Rain or Shine!

Benedetto XVI: Il sacerdote “continua l’opera della Redenzione sulla terra”

"In questa Giornata di speciale preghiera per le vocazioni, esorto in particolare i ministri ordinati, affinché, stimolati dall’Anno Sacerdotale, si sentano impegnati 'per una più forte ed incisiva testimonianza evangelica nel mondo di oggi' (Lettera di indizione). Ricordino che il sacerdote 'continua l’opera della Redenzione sulla terra'; sappiano sostare volentieri davanti al tabernacolo”; aderiscano 'totalmente alla propria vocazione e missione mediante un’ascesi severa”; si rendano disponibili all’ascolto e al perdono; formino cristianamente il popolo a loro affidato; coltivino con cura la “fraternità sacerdotale' (cfr ibid.). Prendano esempio da saggi e zelanti Pastori, come fece san Gregorio di Nazianzo, il quale così scriveva all’amico fraterno e Vescovo san Basilio: 'Insegnaci il tuo amore per le pecore, la tua sollecitudine e la tua capacità di comprensione, la tua sorveglianza … la severità nella dolcezza, la serenità e la mansuetudine nell’attività … i combattimenti in difesa del gregge, le vittorie … conseguite in Cristo' ” (Oratio IX, 5, PG 35, 825ab).

Benedict XVI: The priest "continues the work of Redemption on earth"

"On this day of special prayer for vocations, I exhort in particular the ordained ministers, that they, stimulated by the Year for Priests, will feel "the duty for a stronger and incisive evangelical testimony in the world of today"(Letter of proclamation). May they remember that priests "continue the work of Redemption on earth"; knwoing themselves sustained in will before the tabernacle"; they are to cultivate with care the "priestly fraternity" (cfr ibid.). Following the example of wise and zealous Pastors, as did Saint Gregory Nazianxen, who wrote of this to his friend and brother Bishop Saint Basil: 'Teach your love for the sheep, your solicitude and your capacity to understand, your vigilance ... severity in sweetness, serenity and gentleness in action ... fighting in defense of the flock, the victories ... are accomplished in Christ.' (Oratio IX, 5, PG 35, 825ab)."

La Famiglia Restaurant, Baltimore

Spring view of terrace seating. Reserve now for a Mother's Day celebration al fresco. For more about La Famiglia, take a look at this post and visit the restaurant website here.

105 West 39th Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21210

443.449.5555

NYT circulation down 8.5%

Today's Wall Street Journal reports the drop in circulation from a year ago. Who are those benighted remaining 951,063 subscribers? Let's hope not actually believing they are getting factual reporting for their money.

Another example of the failed journalism of the New York Times. Haters.

Toward a more Catholic future

Brace yourselves: there will soon be less apologizing for being Catholic if these young men have their way. No ambiguity about Catholic identity here. They understand the battle is won or lost on the battlefield of Faith: the holiness of Mass, the sacredness of worship, faithful to Catholic identity and unswerving in love for and unity with the Supreme Pontiff.

Another example of the success of Pope Benedict's papacy.

Thanks to PJ, St. Chas Borromeo Seminary, Phila.

Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC

"All of us must become saints through what we suffer."
-- Homily of His Excellency Edward J. Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa

The congregation filled the Shrine to overflowing for today's Pontifical Mass, a testimony to the blessing of the "blogosphere" for promoting the good of holy Church. This event was not officially promoted by any of the usual "official" Church organs and depended virtually entirely on the internet for its promotion.

Families, singles, young, old, lay, religious: every facet of the Body of Christ was represented at today's solemn Extraordinary Form Mass. The EF movement in the Church is self-sustaining principally through large families and promises only to grow bigger, stronger and more influential in coming years.

The schola rehearses

Clergy and servers prepare for the procession which began today's holy Mass.

The knights and ladies of Malta in formal regalia

Knights of Columbus provided the honor guard.

The MC instructs

The cappa magna: His Eminence William Cardinal Baum attended the Mass in choro

The sacred ministers enter the sanctuary

View of the apse with baldacchino, or ciborium, over the altar

The opening rites

His Excellency Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa at the chair


Bishop Slattery's homily on suffering with Christ for the sake of holiness was simple, profound, moving, timely. He spoke glowingly of the humility and effective leadership of our Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, for whom today's Mass was offered on the fifth anniversary of his elevation to the See of Peter. Click here to read the text of his homily.

The liturgical ministers after today's Mass

Bishop Slattery, Cardinal Baum and attending ministers

His Excellency Bishop Slattery

The Shrine was filled today with a standing room only crowd for the 1:00 pm Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Bishop Slattery of Tulsa was the celebrant and delivered a timely and moving homily of support for our Holy Father and suffering humanity.

Seminarians, priests and men religious were seated in the sanctuary together with acolytes. Many families, consecrated men and women and young people were present. This extraordinary form celebration of holy Mass made this an historic, extraordinary day.

The full text of Bishop Slattery's homily at the Mass is available here thanks to Matt C. Abbott.

Much thanks is due to the Paulus Institute and all who supported today's liturgy which was a resounding success for advancing the reforms of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the restoration of the sacred in the universal Church. Special thanks also to Shawn Tribe at The New Liturgical Movement for linking to this post.