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Pre-T chapels blessing
Our off-campus Pre-Theology homes were finally ready to have their individual chapels blessed. Each of the 2 homes have room designated as an adoration chapel with the Blessed Sacrament exposed (not yet … that’s Saturday morning Mass in our back yards). We have a red candle holder, holy water font, alter and tabernacle in each, so far.
Us 12 Pre-Theologian seminarians had Night Prayer together and then blessed each chapel seperately (with some book delays). — Beautiful.
Jubilee monstrance pilgrimage @ SJV
Tonight ends a 2 week pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Miami of a monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II to encourage vocations, especially in this Golden Jubilee year. Today at 8pm, here at St John Vianney College Seminary, we had a full chapel of visitor for Compline (Night Prayer) with benediction & adoration with the visiting vocation monstrance. Auxiliary Bishop Noonan had a good reflection and I was lector (a bit pro-active) for a great experience.
Notre Dame Haitian Mission
Tonight was another stop of a 2 week pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Miami of a monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II to encourage vocations, especially in this Golden Jubilee year. Today at 7:30pm, I joined a few haitian seminarians and our Vocation Director Fr Manny Alvarez at Notre Dame Haitian Mission parish for an evening of praise and worship with benediction & adoration before the visiting vocation monstrance. It was very Spirit-filled 3 hours with the vocation testimony of Fr Alvarez and anointings with sacred chrism. — an awesome night (with lots of holy water)
Divine Mercy Sunday
MASS – (Fr Rios) — homeless couselor … as seminarians, we shouldn’t get too “sophisticated” in our spiritual lives (by forgetting traditions & devotions) … Sacred Heart of Jesus … honesty in spiritual direction helps you and the Church.
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. I found some great YouTube videos that trump anything I could write about Divine Mercy & Sr Faustina (POLISH nun).
http://thedivinemercy.org/
http://www.marian.org/divinemercy/
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy
http://www.our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy
Below are some YouTube links with the prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with lot so pictures to reflect on. Same prayer, but different compilations. Lots more available … these are my favorites.
Background on Sr Faustina & Divine Mercy
Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song (version #2)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song (version #1)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song (long version)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy (part 1 of 2)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy (part 2 of 2)
Chaplet of Divine Mercy (3pm daily prayer)
Prayer for the Grace of Letting Go
At Mass today, Fr Santos reflected on a great prayer:
Loving God, I give you thanks for having called me to this great and wonderful adventure called seminary life.
While my heart is filled with joy and my spirit with great excitement, I am slowly discovering that this path I have chosen asks that I give up many things which have already become part of my life.
And let me be honest with you, I’m not finding it easy at all.
It is not always easy to let go of what I’ve gotten used to, Lord.
It’s difficult to let go of late night outings with my friends instead of studying.
It’s difficult to let go of mornings when I can stay in bed instead of going to prayer.
It’s difficult to let go of the good food I enjoy at home.
It’s difficult to let go of the freedom to go wherever and do whatever I please.
It’s difficult to let go of my friends, especially that girl whom I like so much.
It’s difficult to let go of those moments when I choose to be by myself instead of having to deal with others in community.
It’s difficult to let go of my biases, prejudices, and ideas that give me comfort and security.
It’s difficult to let go of many more things, old habits really die hard.
This new life scares me at times too.
How do I know all this letting-go will bear fruit?
How do I know that giving up all these things will result in my becoming happy with the path I have chosen?
How do I know that letting go of my former ambitions and dreams will really allow me to give my life entirely to you?
How do I know that all this sacrifice will make a good priest out of me?
How do I know that I will not fall later on and cause pain and sorrow to your church?
How do I know that this is your will for me and not something I merely imagine?
Speak, Lord, your servant listens.
Let me put my trust completely in you.
Allow me to see that though the initial stage of my journey
may be dark, difficult, and uncertain,
your presence is more that enough to calm my fears,
to lighten my burden, and to give me the strength and courage
to stick to this path that I have chosen,
in the firm conviction that you who have called me asked me
to let go of many things that have given comfort and security to my life
will give me in their stead, the greatest consolation there can be:
the knowledge that wherever I go, whatever happens, whomever I become,
you will always be there to love, guide, and protect me.
— Amen.
prayer Litany of the Blessed Sacrament
Today, at Holy Hour (before the Blessed Sacrament with benediction & adoration), I was praying the Litany of the Blessed Sacrament and meditated on some descriptions of the Blessed Sacrament that stood out (and haven’t heard much of). [full litany at catholicdoors.com]
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Corn of the elect,
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Wine whose fruits are virgins,
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Memorial of the wonders of God,
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Super-substantial Bread,
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Heavenly Antidote against the poison of sin,
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Medicine of immortality,
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Bread made flesh by the omnipotence of the Word,
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Sacrament of piety,
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Priest and Victim,
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Spiritual Sweetness tasted in its proper source,
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Pledge of future glory
Also, a petition in the litany … “That You would preserve and increase our faith, reverence, and devotion toward this admirable Sacrament” … we beseech You, hear us.
Virgin of hope
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Rector posted the following on his bulletin board. The prayer below was offered by Pope John Paul II at the conclusion of the rosary, during his final pilgrimage to Lourdes in August, 2004:
Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman,
Blessed by the Most High!
Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era,
We join in your song of praise,
to celebrate the Lord’s mercy,
to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom
and the full liberation of humanity.
Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord,
Glorious Mother of Christ!
Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word,
Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word,
and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit,
attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience
and to his manifestations in the events of history.
Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows,
Mother of the living!
Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve,
Be our guide along the paths of the world.
Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ,
to stand with you before the innumerable crosses
on which your Son is still crucified.
Hail Mary, woman of faith,
First of the disciples!
Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always
to account for the hope that is in us,
with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love.
Teach us to build up the world beginning from within:
in the depths of silence and prayer,
in the joy of fraternal love,
in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.
Holy Mary, Mother of believers,
Our Lady of Lourdes,
pray for us.
Amen.
FF5 + Replace Me (song)
While drivin’ around today in my mobile stereo, I kept replaying a song by the Christian rapcore group Family Force 5 called “Replace Me.” I kept singing/screaming the chorus that echoed what seminary formation feels like, so far … to be formed into what God wants … “crush me, tear me, break me, mold me, make me what You want me to be.” — Here’s the lyrics:
My Batteries died sometime ago (wuh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
I gotta heart-shaped box where they must go (wuh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Corrosion’s building everyday
My flesh is leading me astray that’s why I started to decay and I will slowly rot away but I can’t feel that anyway
This heart it wants to beat, These lungs they want to breathe
These eyes they want to see, Gotta mouth that wants to sing …
Desperation, Needing You, Every last breath, I scream for You
Shatter me into a million pieces … Make me new
Crush me, tear me, break me, mold me, Make me what You want me to be
I am Yours for You to use, so take and replace me with You
Needing more than just a jump start to get me through
My disconnection is now the issue…..
(rap) I miss my First Love bad and its driving me mad
Just like a mixed up crazy person out of his head
Its been a long long time I’ve been on the decline
I do an a-bout face so I can be replaced, 180
This heart it wants to beat, These lungs they want to breathe
These eyes they wants to see, Gotta mouth that wants to sing
(des, des, des) [chorus]
One for the body, Two for the soul,
Three to get ready, Now go go go
Replace me with You!!!
(replace me with You!)
Desperation, Needing You, Every last breath, I scream…
[chorus]
— I also added the song (on YouTube) above, but BE WARNED … it’s pretty hardcore for all you John Michael Talbot fans 🙂
prayer + Kendall Payne
A great song by Kendall Payne (one of my favorite Christian vocalist) that focuses on what real prayer is all about, appropriately titled “Pray” from her latest album, “Grown.” Light guitar, soft vocals, profound meaning, worth posting:
I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends,
While the road we walk is difficult indeed.
I couldn’t not ask for more than what you’ve already been,
Only that you would say these prayers for me.
May your heart break enough that compassion enters in,
May your strength all be spent upon the weak.
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head,
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet.
May you find every step to be harder than the last,
So your character grows greater each stride.
May your company be of humble insignificance,
May your weakness be your only source of pride.
What you dooo unto others,
May it all be done to you.
May you meeeet the One who made us,
And see Him smile when life is through.
May your bleeessings be many,
But not what … you hoped they’d be.
And when you looook upon the broken,
May mercy show you what you could not see.
May you never be sure of any plans you desire,
But you’d learn to trust the plan He has for you.
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire,
May you fight with all your life for what is true.
I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends,
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak.
As the way wanders on I’ll long to see you once again,
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would praaay for me.
She tell the story of a man asking Mother Teresa to pray for him. Check it out …
nominalism + Mandylion + sin catcher
ARTS & IDEAS – (Fr Vallee) — turned in my reflection paper on the Christian religious icon “Mandylion.” In class we discussed nominalism … “Can God make a square circle? or a rock too heavy for God to lift?” … Aquinas says NO (can’t contradict himself) and William of Ockham says YES (can’t limit divine freedom).
LAUNDRY — Wednesday is my new laundry day and today was my first time at the new Pre-T house. Even with a busy day [3 morning classes, worklist, holy hour & finsh a reflection paper], I fit in my laundry time. As I was doing my drying, cleaning the “lint catcher” made me reflect on venial sins offered up at Mass — it could make for a good homily illustration. I took the “sin catcher” thought to “holy hour” and, since I remembered I left the dryer on, I also prayed I don’t burn the house down.
DOTS — lint catcher — house still standing — shrimp — no volleyball — online The Unit & Cane
“the worst temptation”
Before going to be, I read and meditated on the “Catholic One Year Bible” Passage of the day, which is Proverbs 21:2 … “We can justify our every deed but God looks at our motives.”
From a sermon years ago, I remember it said, “the worst temptation in the world is to do the right thing for the wrong reasons.” I’ve always identified with it and believe it to be true, but when I share the thought, it usually fall on deaf ears with, “that doesn’t make any sense.” I’m not very good at illustrating the statement, but I think this 2-week “New Student Experience” will help us newbies focus on the real “personal” discernment journey we are beginning toward the priesthood. Aside from the fellowship, the quiet times help us to focus on the voice that calls our hearts without the distractions of the everyday.
Our true “motives” should either bring more “joy” (as Fr. Michael said, “rest in the comfort of knowing the Lord is happy you’re responding to his call”) or greater frustration, if our reasons for wanting the priesthood are selfish. — I like it here … I feel at home … as the joy grows, I don’t feel worthy (like I’ve stolen someone else’s place).
whitewater trip tomorrow
Tomorrow night I leave on a road trip with 3 friends for 2 days of whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River (from the movie “Deliverance“) in Georgia. Since I’ve only done it once (back in 2002) and I haven’t rafted in over 2 years, I’m ready for a hurtin’. Just look at the pictures from last time (I’m the one falling out, of course). I hope the seminary is wheelchair accessible. I’ll be back Monday night.
(possibly final) Note: — if things go “well” (& I see Jesus), I’ll be waiting for everyone (you know who you are) in heaven (or I’ll hold a place in line in purgatory for ya) so “I’m sorry” (if I should be) and “be holy” (so I’m not waiting for eternity for ya) … love … Catholic Kermit!
Happy is God’s Will?
Continuing the discussion on “following God & seeking His Will” from last Sunday’s readings, I recall an experience. — Last year I was at a men’s study group where everyone was asked “How do you know you are following God’s will in your life?” After we spend some time getting everyone’s opinion (I forgot what I said), the facilitator (a priest) answered simply “When you’re happy.”
WHAT?!?! I hate that answer! (In his defense, we were running out of time and I think he was moving the meeting along) Happiness is relative and can be found in anything. Even doing something bad or sinful can have temporary (or fake longterm) happiness … that’s WHY we do bad things … it fills the “God-size” void we have.
Happiness is a feeling we get … and you can’t always trust feelings. “Joy,” on the other hand, is different. We get “joy” by knowing we have salvation through an active relationship with God. You can always be joyful even though circumstances may make us miserable and very UNhappy.
If a believer is being persecuted for their faith, are they following God’s will? Even though they’re not “happy” at the moment? Do we fast to be “happy”? I hope I misunderstood the answer, because I need some clarification. — Anyone else? Kermit?
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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