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Our Lady of Lebanon Church + Maronite Rite, Miami
Today we had Mass at Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church in Miami, of the Maronite Rite. The liturgy was structured a bit differently. My favorite part is the prayer of consecration said in the original Aramaic (that Jesus spoke) and Communion is distributed under both species, the Body dipped into the Blood and given on the tongue.
After Mass, we were warmly welcomed by the parishoners in their hall with lots to eat. As visiting was a Rector of a seminary in Lebanon. Since priest of the Maronite Rite can be married, we discussed some of the pros and cons with married vs celibate priests and dating in the seminary … among other things.
nite volleyball
SPORTS — after our Rector’s Conference, there was outdoor volleyball. — Great time.
simplicity of life: quid animo satis?
RECTOR’s CONFERENCE — today’s talk was for “returning guys” on the “Simplicity of Life” in more detail than earlier introduced. This is the basic outline of the talk.
I. The Evangelical Counsels
A. Chastity
B. Obedience
C. Simplicity of Life
D. Qualities Beyond Basics (to grow deeper)
E. Posture that creates openness
II. Poverty / Simplicity
A. Pinching limitation …
B. In regards to Present possesions — a lack
C. In regards to Future possessions — insecurity
D. First of the Beatitudes (reminds us God will provide what we need … trust)
E. In Religious Life —> freeing
F. Look at Complications in our lives
G. Look at Identity
III. Poverty Flows out of Hope
A. Faith —> Certainty in Present
B. Hope —> Expanding Certainty of Faith regarding Future
C. Obstacles to Hope: Possessions of the Particular
1. The Attribution of Certainty to Particular Things we already possess.
2. Hope has to do with non-possession, and the Virtue connected to that is Poverty
IV. Deepening Levels of Understanding
A. Eternal Level
B. Next Level: Freedom
C. Deeper Yet: Gladness (= Joy)
D. Deeper Still: Lacking Nothing
V. Detachment / Indifference
A. People live without thinking about this
B. Example of Painting
C. Comparison applied to Everyone
D. Poverty belongs to dynamic of Knowledge: it is Intelligent and full of affection
VI. Lectio: Matthew 6:25-34 …
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, 19 and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. — Matthew 6:25-34
“More Priests, Less Pounds” diet: week #2
The second week of Fr Alvarez’s diet plan (called “More Priests, Less Pounds“) is in effect. This week’s exercise plan goes beyond just walking up & down stairs … there is some JOGGING … look out!
“More Priest, Less Pounds” diet plan: week #1
Since some of the guys in the house had requested the option of a diet food program, the Rector suggested Fr Alvarez (our Dean of Men) to use his coaching background to put together a diet & exercise program for the house. The result is the Fr Jose Alvarez “MORE PRIEST, LESS POUNDS” diet plan.
This is week #1 … weigh in each week … exercises get more difficult each week … this week is a series of walking up and down the halls & stairs — I guess sweating isn’t on the list of things to do this week. I hope it does well!
new semester Mass
We just got back to seminary yesterday afternoon. Today is a the first day of classes for the Spring Semester. A great Mass with most of the seminary priests.
back in seminary
This afternoon we were all back in seminary. Rector’s Conference to get us back on the same page. Holy Hour with Benediction to get us back in focus. Spring Semester classes start tomorrow morning!
Advent is here
With the busyness of writing term papers and studying for this exam week coming up, it’s easy to forget Advent is here and preparing myself for Christmas. Also being diligent in keep up with my seminary goals for this semester … prayer … study … community … service.
It’s nice to see “sacramentals” to remind us of something (and Someone) greater than the immediate here and now busyness. These Christmas lights in a brother seminarian’s room was nice to see today.
Tomorrow is my personal semester evaluation with Rector one-on-one. — I hope Ligo Orante is praying for me extra hard today 🙂 God bless & be holy!
Liga Orante
MASS — Fr Manny Alvarez, our Miami Vocations Director, celebrated Mass with a Spanish diocesen ministry called “Liga Orante,” who prays for vocations everyday. We only get to see them a couple times a year, but it’s always a joy to see our spiritual support team face to face. — Thank you and God bless!
Christmas Mass + dinner
CELEBRATION — tonight was our Christmas Mass & dinner with faculty and staff.
Great time with great people!
The ham was great, too.
And the desserts were good.
And some of the centerpieces caught fire.
And there was wine.
Did I mention the ham was great?
I sat with “Sammy Davis Jr.”
Great time with great people!
[homily started with “Picture comparison” magazine game]
graduate graces
NIGHT PRAYER — our seminary rector asked each class to have their own Night Prayer this week with group reflection on the graces that we’ve been blessed with. Tonight was the graduating class (Seniors + Pre-Theology year 2) in the McCarthy House Chapel. It wasn’t only great to express thanksgiving for graces I’ve noticed (especially in my 2nd year of formation), but to hear the graces that others have noticed helps me to recognize other graces that I’ve also received, but unable to “name” or appreciate. It was yet another grace-filled event in seminary.
Thank you, God bless you, and be holy!
DOTS — “Evangelicals” club @ World Religion class … graces of sacraments @ Pre-Theology seminary … gato y abuela @ dinner … freshly baked cookies afternoon + evening
Equadorian food night
CULTURAL FOOD NIGHT — tonight was food from Equador. Good eatin’
Syro-Malabar Qurbana Mass
MASS — in our appreciation of other Catholic Rites, today we celebrated Qurbana (Mass) in the tradition of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, which our own Fr Joseph was ordained in. The servers have more reading parts, the priest face away from the people during consecration, we stand through most of Mass, and shaking hands is different (two hands together, like prayer, with a bow). A great experience in appreciation of our diverse yet universal Catholic Church.
Qurbana practice
WORLD RELIGION — tomorrow we’re celebrating Mass in the Syro-Malabar tradition that Fr Joseph was ordained in. In order for all of us to better appreciate the rite, our World Religion class practiced with him to help the rest of the seminary house to be ready tomorrow. — It’d be different, but it’s exciting!
volleyball basketball
SPORTS NIGHT — another awesome Tuesday with volleyball & basketball. I get so excited about volleyball, that I forget to take any pictures. Maybe next time.
BLOG STATUS — this is actually my first post this month. In some extra personal effort to get more engaged in seminary life by staying diligent to my “goals,” especially a Holy Hour everyday, I haven’t had much time to even download my pictures from my cellphone. Yesterday, with the extension of 2 paper due dates, it gave me some breathing room to get some posts ready (I’ll be backdating them). — Thank you for all your prayers and support! God bless & be holy.
Colombian food night
CULTURAL FOOD NIGHT — Tonight was Colombian food night. I forgot what everything was named, but it was all good, especially the dessert of banana in sweet orange sauce. Also showed some videos about Colombia … first one is sweet … second one is funny with lots of movie clips involving Colombia … check them out.
Colombia is Passion
Colombia: Are you willing to take the risk? (funny)
Pjanoo + SJVCS music video
I found this song a couple weeks ago and every time I listen to it, I picture a music video of seminary life here at St John Vianney College Seminary. It’s like a flying video camera visiting dormlife, meals, Mass, communal prayer, sports, fellowship, studies, staff, manual labor, social trips and the beautiful grounds. It changes each time I listen, but the only thing that doesn’t change is the elevation of the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance by Fr Michael (rector) during our Wednesday Holy Hours … that happened at the 4 minute mark in the song. I just had to post it … it keeps me focused!
This is “Pjanoo” (Original Mix) by Eric Prydz. Enjoy and be holy!
Adoration + “my life prayer”
HOLY HOUR – (Fr Michael) — for my communal Holy Hour (adoration of Blessed Sacrament), I usually start personal pray with the “Litany of the Blessed Sacrament.” Afterwards, I felt drawn to find another prayer in my “St Joseph People’s Prayer Book” that was more personal. I found …
[#366] Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
My Jesus,
I thank You for having bestowed on me so many graces:
for having created me,
redeemed me by Your Blood,
made me a Christian by the Sacrament of Baptism,
and borne with me for so long
when I was under Your displeasure.
How unhappy should I be
if I had died in the state of mortal sin!
I should now be lost forever, O my God,
and I could no longer love You.
I thank You
for having pardoned me in Your mercy,
as I confidently hope.
I thank You especially
for having remained with us in the Blessed Sacrament,
for giving Yourself so often to me in Holy Communion,
becoming my food,
and for admitting me now into Your presence.
I thank You for all these favors,
and I hope one day to thank You more perfectly for them in heaven,
and to celebrate without ceasing Your ineffable mercy for all eternity.
AMEN.
I like the prayer, but like with most written prayers, I want to change some words or add my own. I think I’m going to keep revising this prayer to slowly create a unique “My Life Prayer” that can help me come before the Blessed Sacrament in my own Holy Hours. I’ll try to post as I do. God bless & be holy!
worklist makak
WORKLIST (manual labor) — Cool weather was nice. Busy day today with lots of palm branches to pick up. Also found some proud weed-pullers. I also caught my golf-cart partner Manuel swinging from a palm branch like a makak (Creole for “monkey”). — Holy labor!
tap water + faith
MASS – (Fr Vallee) — today’s homily was a dream about all of us seminarians getting Baptized in our Reflection Pond (it’s pretty cold today) … healing all our vices and imperfections. However, the Archangel Raphael (upper right side of our chapel mural) came to life to say: “with enough faith, even tap water can heal.” — Great message … inspired … Fr Vallee 🙂 … a permanent holy memory!
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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