Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa - Blog

The Re-Erection of the Cross

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Our Sisters were saddened and disturbed to find our beloved cross which stood erect on our hill vandalized and cut down last month. We have been very encouraged to receive support from many, especially the students at Cardinal Newman High School and St. Rose Catholic School. The students love to see the cross on the hill as they pass to and from classes. When they noticed the cross was no longer standing, they immediately took action to organize fundraisers to help restore it.

When the new cross was ready, members of the Cardinal Newman Football team carried it up the hill followed by Bishop Vasa, the Sisters, representatives from the schools, and donors who made this cross possible. At the top, the cross was installed and blessed by our Bishop.

During the blessing, Bishop Vasa spoke briefly about the value of this cross:

“The presence of the cross is a continuous reminder to us of the fact that we are here for only a brief period of time. The cross however endures, the love of Christ endures, and this cross is a sign not only of the Lord’s suffering but in a particular way a sign of His great love for us. And so, maintaining this cross and having a reverence for it hopefully deepens our reverence for Christ, our commitment to live a Christian Catholic life, and our commitment to be as best as possible for the whole of our lives, men and women of God."

We are grateful to see the cross standing again on our hill as a witness to the love of Christ and a sign of hope.

Click "View in Browser" to watch the video about this restoration with footage from the re-erection and blessing of the cross.

What have the Sisters been doing? Photo-post!

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

While our Sisters teaching at Cardinal Newman High School and St. John's Elementary School began in August, we had many other apostolates in September and October. Enjoy reading about them in the photo slideshow below!

Please click "Read in Browser" to view slideshow.

American Saints: Fulton Sheen

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Ven. Fulton Sheen

As a continuation of our series on American saints and in anticipation of the upcoming beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen, we would like to highlight his life as a modern American saint.

Peter Sheen was born in El Paso, IL on May 8, 1895 to Newton Sheen and Delia (Fulton) Sheen. When Peter was a baby, his family’s relatives and acquaintances took to calling him “Fulton’s boy” so often that his grandfather registered him for school as “Fulton Sheen” and the name stayed with him for the rest of his life. After receiving the sacrament of Confirmation and taking the name John, he became Fulton J. Sheen.

After completing his doctorate degree, Fr. Sheen taught philosophy courses but is most famous for his media broadcasts on radio and television. His program, The Catholic Hour , was heard by millions of listeners for more than twenty years. Shortly after his episcopal ordination, Bp. Sheen began hosting a television program called Life is Worth Living and reached even greater numbers of Americans on a weekly basis. His message was simple: Christ and the cross. Drawing on the Gospels, Bp. Sheen spoke about angels, sin, human nature, the Trinity, and other topics that drew countless Americans to conversion. Although hosting a television program meant receiving a significant amount of money, Bp. Sheen sent these funds to the world missions through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Bp. Sheen encouraged his viewers to pray the rosary for the missions and came up with the “world mission rosary” which he shared on Life is Worth Living . Each decade of the rosary is a different color and corresponds to a section of the world for which one can offer prayers. Green is for the verdant plains of Africa; Blue is for Oceania and the Pacific Islands; White is for Europe, the color the Holy Father wears; Red is for the blood of the American martyrs; Yellow is for Asia and the eastern rising sun.

In preparation for Venerable Fulton Sheen’s upcoming Beatification this month, our Sisters have been making 1,000 world mission rosaries to be distributed at the Beatification ceremony in St. Louis, MO. We joined women religious across the nation in an effort to make 75,000 rosaries for the pilgrims who will attend the beautiful event. Although none of our Sisters will be able to make the trip to the Midwest, we will be praying for the many who do. May those who attend experience deeper conversion of heart through the intercession of Blessed Fulton Sheen and Our Blessed Mother!

In case you wanted to know what a 1000 rosaries looks like!

The Marian Sodality

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

One of the defining characteristics of the spirituality of our Community, as the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, is our consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From very early on, it became apparent that Our Lord desired us to share this Marian way of life with those we serve, particularly through a Marian Sodality. It began with an invitation to meet the need of forming and guiding young ladies. Over the years, this apostolate has grown dear to our Community because it manifests our charism in a special way. It is one that continues to flourish and bear much fruit today.

The Marian Sodalities were originally begun by the Jesuits, starting with Fr. John Leunis in 1563, and spread extensively among Catholic communities through the centuries. A Sodality is formed by a group of faithful who desire to intensify their relationship with Jesus Christ through consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Sodality” (Latin: sodalis ) means “companion”, therefore the sodalists strive to be a companion and friend to Jesus, Mary, the Saints, and their other Sodalists.

In the Rules of the Sodality it states that the Sodality “aims at fostering in its members an ardent devotion, reverence, and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary, and through this devotion and the protection of so good a Mother, it seeks to make the faithful… good Catholics sincerely bent on sanctifying themselves, each in his own state of life, and zealous, as far as their condition in life permits, to save and sanctify their neighbor and to defend the Church of Jesus Christ against the attacks of the wicked”.

In light of its purpose, regular meetings are designed to be a time where Sodalists receive formation to grow spiritually, enjoy each other's friendship through crafts and games, and become equipped to be strong Catholic leaders for the future. In addition, throughout the year there are opportunities to participate in apostolic activities, social events, and retreats. The Sisters serve as moderators in the Our Lady of Grace Sodality at the Cathedral and in the Roses of Mary Sodality at St. Maximilian Catholic School. Some highlights from the past year include: the election of new officers, the first Advent retreat and ceremony at Mater Dei Convent for both Sodalities, and an apostolic excursion to San Francisco to join the Missionaries of Charity for their street ministry and a visit to the Carmelite Monastery of Cristo Rey.

We are looking forward to another year with these beautiful souls and are excited to see what graces Our Lord and Our Lady have in store for them!

St. Rose of Lima, ora pro nobis!

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Summer in Review

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Campers acting out the Fifth Glorious Mystery at Magnificat Days

During this summer, each of our Sisters was privileged to have the very tangible experience of being sent out as the Apostles were sent. We may not have been instructed about bringing a second tunic, but Our Lord truly did send us on mission to various places through the directions of our Superior. Enjoy the pictures and summaries of our apostolic adventures below!

Our summer “Magnificat Days" is a major summer undertaking and this year it was bigger than ever before! We ran this VBS-like camp in several locations: Fort Bragg, CA; Ferndale, CA; and Kansas City, MO. The week is packed with learning about our faith, games, music class, crafts, and most importantly, Mass. With this year's theme of the Rosary, the campers learned about the different mysteries of the Rosary, made rosaries (and rosary accessories), played games with the Sisters, and ended the week with a Eucharistic rosary procession.

Our Sisters were happy to be able to travel the top of our diocese and assist with the VBS camp at St. Joseph's Church in Crescent City.

Locally, our Sisters taught about St. Therese to the girls at Little Flowers Camp and led them in prayer during a Eucharistic Holy Hour. During the first Diocesan Woman's Retreat in July, our Sisters led a prayer and art session.

We were delighted to once again assist at the annual “Ignite NW" Catholic Youth Conference in Portland, OR. Our Sisters played, prayed, and spoke with the hundreds of youth present as well as led a few workshops for the participants. Our Sisters also travelled to Idaho to speak at the Idaho Family Camp.

It was a privilege to assist the Napa Institute again this year as sacristans for the private Mass chapels. We look forward each year to assisting many priests and bishops!

We love to serve wherever Our Lord sends us, but we also need to be formed! This summer, two of our Sisters had the opportunity to travel to Virginia and attend the Vita Consecrata Institute (VCI). This two-week intensive of graduate level classes for Religious was a great blessing! Our Sisters were also grateful for the opportunity to spend time with other religious sisters and brothers.

Each Sister in our community is profoundly grateful for the many blessings that we experienced this summer. We pray that our efforts to communicate God's goodness, beauty, and truth by word and example bear much fruit by His grace!

Praying for Our Priests

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Image courtesy of Amy Marie Photo and Design

“In union with Mary, Mother of the one Eternal High Priest, we exercise a true spiritual maternity to Christ’s priests, clergy, and seminarians through daily self-offering in prayer and sacrifice particularly through daily Eucharistic adoration." - MSSR Constitutions

August 4 is the feast day of St. John Vianney, a much-loved saint in the Church, a dedicated shepherd to his flock, and the patron saint of parish priests. In our community, the feast day is a reminder to renew our efforts and intention to pray for our priests, starting in our diocese, and extending to the universal Church. Each morning, we begin our holy hour with the invocation: “O Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us, obtain for us many and holy priests.” We offer adoration and reparation in a special way for priests and vocations to the priesthood. Without the priest, there is no Mass, no Eucharist, no Confession. Through the priest, Christ is present to his Church on earth. Yet, the priest is fallible, much like ourselves, and in need of prayer.

On this feast of St. John Vianney, let us pray for all our priests:

A Prayer for Priests

by Richard Cardinal Cushing

O Almighty Eternal God, look upon the face of Thy Son, and for the love of Him who is the eternal High Priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop's hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray Thee for Thy faithful and fervent priests; for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted priests; for Thy lonely priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests in purgatory.

But above all I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted, and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me, or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly N. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

Profession of Vows Photo Gallery

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

We are profoundly grateful to God for the first profession of vows of Sr. Maria Therese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs (Maldonado) and the perpetual profession of vows of Sr. Maria Consolata of Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Ghost (Hintzman).

Click "read in browser" to view photo galleries from these two blessed events.

First Profession Photo Gallery- May 31, 2026

Perpetual Profession Photo Gallery, June 6, 2026

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Giuseppe Calì

Retreats

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

“The first and foremost duty of all religious is to be the contemplation of divine things and assiduous union with God in prayer” (Can. 663 §1). Thus states the canon from the Code of Canon Law that is most well-loved by religious men and women. While each religious strives towards contemplation and union with God in prayer above all things, Can. 663 §5 further instructs: “They are to observe faithfully an annual period of sacred retreat.”
Deo gratias! sings the heart of a religious!

It is true that our first duty is prayer, and in our life as religious we gradually learn to do so without ceasing. This means we learn to pray in the midst of an active apostolate (where there are always more lessons to plan, grades to turn in, or one more email or phone call to respond to) and here at the Convent amidst our duties and projects at home (where there is always another irrigation line to be repaired, an area in need of cleaning, or inventory of supplies that facilitate our life). These are our duties too, and while we learn to pray in the midst of them they should not be first and foremost and they do bring, over time, a certain weariness.

The Church knows this, and so she instructs her religious to faithfully observe an annual period of retreat in which they can “Come away…and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). As Marian Sisters, we observe not only an annual period of retreat, but also weekly and monthly times. Every Tuesday morning for us is a “Retreat Morning” – a morning of individual prayer and deeper silence that helps restore us mid-week.

Each month we are also blessed with a Retreat Sunday, which begins with our Sisters taking hours for all-night Adoration and progresses into a day of prayer and silence. These cherished days allow more time than our daily horarium does for spiritual reading, extended meditations on Scripture, or simply being with our Eucharist Lord.

Our Sisters make their annual retreat in May or June, and when that time comes each of us is eager to receive anew the graces of prayer and rest! This year our House of Formation received an inspiring preached retreat on how they can live their Baptismal priesthood in consecrated life, and how this priesthood differs from the ministerial priesthood of Holy Orders.

All of our Sisters were able to attend the conferences for the Professed Sisters annual retreat this year, which had the theme “Arise and Come”. It was inspired by the Song of Songs and the teachings of St. John Paul II and many others on the “feminine genius”. In the conferences our retreat directress reflected upon living and healing our identities as beloved daughter, sister, bride, and mother in light of being consecrated women.

Having received so richly from our annual retreats, our Sisters are looking forward to being present at our diocese’s first Women’s Retreat this month. After all, retreats are not just for religious! At times our Lord invites each of His faithful to come and rest in Him during a time of retreat. Is he inviting you? If yes, respond with our Lady’s “Fiat!” and ponder with her in your heart all the graces our Lord has given you, is giving you, and desires to give you!

Our American Saints

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

In honor of our nation's 250th anniversary, it seems fitting to recognize several of the American heroes who spread the light of the Gospel in our country. Some of these American saints are well loved but many of our own Saints, Blesseds, and Venerables are still relatively unknown. During this special celebration of our country, it is a perfect time to invoke our own American Saints and ask them to intercede for our homeland.

We would like to highlight a few of our American saints starting with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who was the first native born American saint to be canonized. She is special to our community as she was an American teaching Sister but also because our community was formally approved and established on her feast day in 2012.

Elizabeth Bailey was born in New York City in 1774 to a prominent surgeon and his wife, Dr. Richard and Catherine Bailey. When Elizabeth was just three years old, her mother died and her father remarried.

Elizabeth had a happy marriage to the successful businessman, William Seton, and they were blessed with five children. Trials struck when William's business went bankrupt, and he became very ill. Elizabeth took him and their eldest daughter to Italy in hopes that he would recover. The trip was filled with great hardships, setbacks, and the tremendous sorrow of William's death, but Elizabeth also spent considerable time staying with family friends who were devote Catholics and she became fascinated with Catholicism, especially with the Holy Eucharist.

Our Sisters at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's shrine in Emmitsburg, Maryland

After a long delay, Elizabeth returned to America and reunited with her other children. She entered the Catholic Church in 1805. Impoverished and ostracized by her family because of her new Catholic faith, Elizabeth attempted to support her family by teaching children but several attempts ultimately failed due to strong anti-Catholic sentiments in the area.

In 1809, Elizabeth moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland and with the permission of Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore started both a school and a religious community. After laboring for many years and witnessing the death of several of her own children, she died of tuberculosis in 1821. Her life witnessed to the providential care of God in the midst of great suffering.

"God is with us - and if sufferings abound in us, His consolations also greatly abound, and exceed all utterance."
-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Processions and Professions

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Eucharistic processions and religious professions filled the beginning of this month. There were six separate events, but they all shared the same deep motive: to give a response of love to that profoundly immense love with which God first loved us. Holy Mother Church is so good in giving her children varied and diverse ways to make a return of love to the God who loved us into existence.

On May 29th we were delighted to sing for the opening Mass of the "Camino de California", a Eucharistic pilgrimage traveling to each of the California missions. After Mass, we joined Bishop Vasa and many of the faithful in a Eucharistic procession to both the St. Francis Solano Mission and the San Raphael Mission.

May 31st was the joyous occasion of Sr. Maria Therese's first profession of vows. After almost three years of preparation and discernment, Sister made a beautiful gift of self to Our Lord in vowing poverty, chastity, and obedience.

On June 4th, the traditional date for Corpus Christi, we had the delight of participating in two Eucharistic processions. In the morning we accompanied Our Lord around our convent grounds and in the evening, we sang and led Him through the streets of Santa Rosa.

June 6th was a day of immense joy for our community as Sr. Maria Consolata professed perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at the Cathedral of St. Eugene. The totality of this gift of self, symbolized by the funeral pall, was awe-inspiring and the Mass was filled with supernatural beauty.

The following day, the Sisters joined the Cathedral parish in celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi. After a beautiful Mass, we processed around the Cathedral grounds with our Eucharistic Lord and visited three specially prepared shrines.

Thanks be to God for each of these beautiful occasions to render Him praise and thanksgiving!

Sacraments: Streams of Grace

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

“Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant” (CCC 1116).

The Seven Sacraments are at the center of our lives as Catholics. These sign posts on our journey to heaven accompany us through every stage of our lives. They give us spiritual rebirth and a share in the kingdom of God at Baptism, supernatural strength in Confirmation, and food for eternal life in Holy Communion. We are forgiven in Confession and healed in body and spirit in Anointing of the Sick. Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony build and strengthen the Church and give increase to her members.

It is one of our greatest privileges as Marian Sisters to assist in preparing children for the Sacraments, particularly First Communion and Confirmation. As these precious souls receive the greatest treasures of the Church, all of us can rejoice!

Please click "read in browser" to view the photo gallery below.

Images Courtesy of Amy Marie Photo & Design

What are the Symbols of Perpetual Profession?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

We invite you to join us for Sr. Maria Consolata's Perpetual Profession of Vows this Saturday, June 6, at 1pm at the Cathedral of St. Eugene. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to join us via the livestream.

Perpetual profession is special in many ways, ways which are indicated by the symbols used and received during the beautiful ceremony, especially the candle, the ring, and the crown of thorns. Click "read in browser" to watch a video explaining the symbols of perpetual profession.

Photo-Journal: A Month for Mary

Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The month of May is devoted to Our Blessed Mother. It is our practice to honor her throughout the month by taking turns crowning one of her many statues on our convent grounds. Each Sister chooses a favorite hymn to sing and asks Our Lady's intercession with her Divine Son for a particular intention. Click "read in browser" to enjoy the photos below.

You're Invited!

Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
cordially invite you to the perpetual profession of vows of

Sr. Maria Consolata of our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Ghost

at 1pm on Saturday, June 6, 2026
at the Cathedral of St. Eugene.

A light reception will follow. Please join us!

Click Read in Browser to see invitation

Come, Holy Spirit! - Pentecost Novena

Fri, 15 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Karlskirche, Vienna

After Our Lord's Ascension, the disciples gathered around Mary in the Upper Room and “ devoted themselves with one accord to prayer" waiting for the coming of the Paraclete. This time of waiting and preparation aids in opening the heart to receive the fire of God's incomprehensible and infinite Love. As this was true two-thousand years ago, it is also true today. It is with great joy that our Community joins this expectant prayer of the Church by praying our annual Pentecost novena (attributed to the Holy Ghost Fathers).

We invite you to join in "one accord" with us as we begin this beautiful nine-day preparation. May Mary, Mother of the Church, be near us and guide our hearts to be receptive to the great gifts and graces our Loving God wishes to bestow upon us.

MEDITATION FOR THE FIRST DAY: ON THE HOLY GHOST

Only one thing is important - eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared - sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will and inflames the heart with the love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “ the Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, Who has vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from Heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Please follow the links below for subsequent days of the Novena.

Day 2 - Fear of the Lord

Day 6 - Understanding

Day 9 - The 12 Fruits

The Glorious Mysteries

Sun, 03 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (1612–1652)

The Resurrection of Our Lord

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy glorious Resurrection; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, love of God and fervor in Thy service. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Pinturicchio (1454–1513)

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body” (Luke 24:1-2).
“The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, ‘peace be with you’” (John 20:26).

When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us the greatest gift we could hope for - our salvation; the gift He had promised our first parents and fulfilled on this night over 2,000 years ago. As Our Lord's love for us is infinite, He not only gave us the gift of salvation but He also encountered and consoled His beloved disciples in His glorified body. From comforting the women on the road after they found the empty tomb to His compassionate dialogue with Thomas after his doubting, Jesus knows the value of these personal interactions to aid the disciples in opening their hearts to the truth. Our Lord continues to reach out to each of us to strengthen and encourage our faith, especially in our encounters with Him in the Holy Eucharist.

The Ascension

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy triumphant Ascension into Heaven; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, an ardent desire for Heaven, our true home. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Benvenuto Tisi (1481–1559)

“Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven"…”and sat down at the right hand of God” (Lk 24:50-51, Mk 16:19).

In His earthly ministry, Jesus loved His disciples “to the end” as we see in His passion and death on the cross. We see it also in the tender parting moment between Jesus and His disciples as He blesses them before ascending into heaven. When He entered body, blood, soul, and divinity into Heaven, He raised our own human nature to sit at the right hand of the Father. O wondrous honor! Not only did God deign to descend to earth and take on our flesh but He has given our human nature this even greater dignity and blessed us beyond measure.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of the mystery of Pentecost; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the coming of the Holy Spirit into our souls. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Antonio Palomino (1655–1726)

“And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:3-4).

The disciples gathered in the upper room to pray and wait for the Advocate whom Jesus would send. This interior posture of prayer was an openness and docility to God’s will for them and the Church; an eager anticipation of what He would ask of them and what He would give them as the means to follow His will. When the Holy Spirit came, He found their hearts ready to receive Him and their minds and bodies ready to act according to His will! This readiness is what allowed the Holy Spirit to speak in them and to bear witness to His glory.
God asks us daily to ready our hearts and minds to follow His will but we must pray for the grace to receive the Holy Spirit well and for the grace to “do whatever He tells us,” just as Our Lady and the Apostles prayed and waited for Him in the upper room.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Holy Mother’s Assumption; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through her intercession, a tender devotion for so good a Mother. Amen. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Ludwig von Löfftz (1845–1910)

“If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him… For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection” (Romans 6:8-9:5).

The Church doesn’t give a final pronouncement on what exactly happened to Mary before her Assumption body and soul into heaven. We are free to believe that she died peacefully or transitioned to eternal life without death. No matter what view we hold about her last moments, we can recognize that through her profound union with His Sacrifice, Mary died with Christ spiritually on Calvary. As prophesied by Simeon, Mary’s soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow as she watched her Son – her baby – die a horrific death. Yet, as she was intimately united with her Son in suffering, so too is she intimately united with Him in glory. Jesus refuses to allow corruption to touch His Mother’s perfect body, and she is assumed into heaven, foreshadowing the incomprehensible glory to which each of us is called: “we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Holy Mother’s coronation; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through her intercession, perseverance in grace and a crown of glory hereafter. Amen. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Coronation of the Virgin

“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1).

Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord, in her perfect surrender to the loving will of God, is now the greatest of all God’s creatures. She is clothed with the sun, stands on the moon, and is crowned with stars. How exceedingly, astonishingly, excessively does God reward those who trust in Him! We can learn from Mary to offer perfect praise to so gracious a Father: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior…The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Lk 1:46-47;49).

Months in Review

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

This is our first "Month in Review" for 2026 and there is so much to share! The best part of all these events and activities we experienced is that they always are oriented to and rotate around something and Someone much more important: prayer with Our Lord.

Back in January, two of our Sisters traveled up to Oregon to attend teacher education classes as part of the certificate program they are pursuing with the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education. Sometimes teachers need to go to school too! This program has been of valuable assistance to our Sisters, helping form them as Catholic educators and supporting them with practical tools as they carry our our charism of joyful evangelization in the classroom.

In February we were delighted to welcome a new postulant to our Convent. This was a joyous occasion for the whole Community and brought many of us back to memories of our first days in religious life. It is awe-inspiring to witness the postulant leaving her friends and family and giving everything to follow Our Lord.

Later in February, our Sisters working in the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation helped organize and run the Rite of Election for the catechumens and candidates of our diocese. It was edifying to see the large number of souls eager to follow Christ and beautiful to watch each of them meet and interact with our Bishop, who makes visible the presence of Christ as head of the Church.

In March we hosted all the freshman of Cardinal Newman High School at our Convent for a day of retreat. Mass in our chapel was the pinnacle of the day and the highlight for many of the students. The retreat also included inspirational talks, student-made artwork of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, games with the Sisters, and even hikes up to the cross on our hill! Thanks be to God for such a beautiful and fruitful day!

March also hosts two of the most important feast days for our Community: the Annunciation and the feast of St. Joseph. The importance of these feasts is visible first and foremost in the liturgy. We begin the day with a beautiful sung Mass and raise our hearts together in prayer with joy and gratitude. This feast at the Sacred Banquet overspills into our community meals where we enjoy the special food prepared and most of all the joyous company of our Sisters.

The month of April began with the great drama of Holy Week and the triumphant glory of Easter. What beautiful and rich liturgies Holy Mother Church provides for us especially during this season!

Near the end of the Easter Octave, six of our Sisters traveled to Chicago to attend and sing for the Institute on Religious Life National Conference. The few days were packed with excellent talks and delightful company. It was so good to see our friends from different religious orders and have opportunities to share time and conversation. A highlight was when one of the Mundelein seminarians graciously offered to take us out on a boat ride in the lake on campus. It was a special treat!

From Community feast days and apostolic adventures to continuing formation and growth, Our Lord has filled the beginning of 2026 with many good things. May we use all these as opportunities to grow closer to Him and bring many others to know His love and mercy.

Photo-Journal: The Journey of the Alleluia

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

As Marian Sisters devoted to living the "fullness of the Liturgical life," prayer and worship spill over from the Chapel to effect all we do and say. Click "Read in Browser" to view the photo journal of our commemoration of "Burying the Alleluia."

Holy Saturday

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Guercino (1591–1666)

Good Friday

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Rembrandt (1606–1669)

“We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
“Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.”

Today this beautiful prayer will be offered throughout the world. It will rise from the hearts of the faithful gathered to pray the Stations of the Cross: parishioners in their local parishes; religious men and women in their monasteries, friaries, and convents; families within their homes; and individuals not physically capable of being with a community but nonetheless uniting their prayer to the devotion of the Church. From dawn until the dark of evening, this prayer will resound as the events of our Lord’s Passion and Death are recalled.

May Mary, our Sorrowful Mother, obtain for each of us the grace to stand with her at the
foot of the Cross. May she show us how to give the perfect adoration of her “Fiat”, first given at the Annunciation and united so courageously with the prayer of her Son in His Passion:
“Father…not my will, but Thine be done.” (Luke 22:42) May she teach us, on this day especially, to speak well of her Son and magnify Him as she did in her Magnificat. May she prepare our hearts to receive the redemption He offers us through our baptism into his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

“Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi
“Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.”

Video clip from 2026 Lent Concert: Dubois’ Adoramus te, Christe

Click “ Read in Browser" to view the recording

Holy Thursday

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/1498–1543)

Today we remember that special meal at which Our Lord fed His apostles the "Living Bread" and instituted the Holy Eucharist. We are reminded in the beautiful poem below that this Heavenly feast which Our Lord freely offers each of us was paid for dearly and with great love.

Barnfloor and Winepress
Gerard Manley Hopkins

‘And he said, If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?
Out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?’ – 2 Kings 6: 27.

Thou that on sin’s wages starvest,
Behold we have the joy in harvest:
For us was gather’d the first-fruits
For us was lifted from the roots,
Sheaved in cruel bands, bruised sore,
Scourged upon the threshing-floor;
Where the upper mill-stone roof’d His head,
At morn we found the heavenly Bread,
And on a thousand Altars laid,
Christ our Sacrifice is made!

Those whose dry plot for moisture gapes,
We shout with them that tread the grapes:
For us the Vine was fenced with thorn,
Five ways the precious branches torn;
Terrible fruit was on the tree
In the acre of Gethsemane;
For us by Calvary’s distress
The wine was rackèd from the press;
Now in our altar-vessels stored
Is the sweet Vintage of our Lord.

In Joseph’s garden they threw by
The riv’n Vine, leafless, lifeless, dry:
On Easter morn the Tree was forth,
In forty days reach’d Heaven from earth;
Soon the whole world is overspread;
Ye weary, come into the shade.

The field where he has planted us
Shall shake her fruit as Libanus,
When He has sheaved us in His sheaf,
When he has made us bear His leaf.--
We scarcely call that banquet food,
But even our Saviour’s and our blood,
We are so grafted on His wood.

"Stabat Mater" in Song

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Rogier van der Weyden (1399/1400–1464)

On Friday of Passion week in the Extraordinary Form calendar of the Roman Rite is the feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast is very dear to our Sisters, and one of our favorite prayers from this day’s liturgy is the beautiful sequence, the Stabat Mater. It is a prayer we pray with in many devotional ways throughout Lent, especially in song.

Many of us grew up singing the melody of the Gregorian simple tone version at parish Stations of the Cross or Masses. It remains dear to all of us!

Occasionally we have the privilege of singing the full Gregorian sequence composed for the Feast. It’s melodies are more varied and solemn, maturing the sentiments of sorrow, contrition, and compassion in the Latin poem that were introduced by the simple tone.

Some of our Sisters learned the first movement of Giovanni Baptista Pergolesi’s magnificent setting of the Stabat Mater. In their entrances, the two voices imitate and develop the tensions and resolutions of the instrumental introduction. This arrangement is a poignant reminder of the pain and consolation our Lord and Lady shared at the Cross on Calvary.

The newest musical setting our Sisters learned was recommended to us by a dear friend of the Community. The melody is Polish, originating there sometime between 1400-1600 A.D. Our arrangement is closely modeled after that of the Polish musicologist, Dr. Bartosz Izbicki. This simple but lovely tune is reminiscent of the simplicity of the Gregorian simple tone chant, where for many of us our love for our Lady in her Sorrows all began.

Click "Read in Browser" to view video

Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and teach us to stand with you at the foot of the Cross of your Divine Son, Jesus Christ!

St. Joseph's Convent

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

As a new Community, we have many “firsts”. First Convent. First Perpetual Profession. First Chapel that wasn’t originally a living room. And one such “first” is the establishment of a mission Convent separate from Mater Dei, our Motherhouse.

While we have referenced our mission, St. Joseph’s Convent in Ferndale, California, we wanted to tell the story of how our Humboldt County mission began and where it is now.

Since we were founded for the spiritual benefit of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, we have always wanted to have a greater presence throughout the whole of our diocese, although the breadth of territory it spans –Petaluma to the Oregon border, over 300 miles– has made that a challenge.

Since 2015, we have been invited annually to Assumption Parish in Ferndale to visit the CCD classrooms and spend time with the faithful of the parish who dreamed of someday having the presence of Marian Sisters at their parish.

In 2023, we heard that a Convent near Assumption Parish was up for sale. Ferndale is a picturesque small town in a dairy farming community, about three and a half hours from our Motherhouse in Santa Rosa. Its proximity to cities in the northern half of our diocese such as Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna and its position as a “half-way point” to further northern communities such as Crescent City, made it the perfect launching pad for mission work.

Situated next door to Assumption Parish, St. Joseph's Convent was built for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange in 1964 but only housed the Sisters for four years before they moved south in 1968. After this, the Convent was sold and served multiple and varied functions over the years. It was a nursing home, bed & breakfast inn “The Priory”, and family home.

When we acquired it, the Convent had been empty for several years and needed extensive cleaning and updating. Gratefully, many friends, old and new, pitched in to help us. By fall of 2025, the Convent was ready and we were ready to establish a more consistent presence, so we began to go up once a month to help teach the Confirmation Class at Assumption Parish on Sundays and engage with the students at St. Bernard’s School, Assumption Parish Homeschool Co-op, and Humboldt State Newman Center.

We are blessed to serve the faithful in the northern part of our diocese and grateful for all that they have done to make our presence in Ferndale and beyond possible. Entrusting this new Convent to St. Joseph, we look forward to the Lord’s plans for us.

Please click "read in browser" to access the Ferndale slideshow below.

Ferndale Slideshow

Remember St. Joseph...

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Attila Terbócs

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Gustave Doré (1832–1883)

The Agony in the Garden

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thine Agony in the Garden of Olives; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, contrition for our sins (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39).

The night before His Passion, Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where He asked them to “watch and pray” with Him. Although their hearts were willing, their flesh was weak and they fell asleep. As Jesus considered His coming Passion and experienced the full weight of man’s sin, His suffering was so intense He began to sweat blood. Yet, through the pain, He prayed to His Father on our behalf and accepted all the circumstances of His death. This Lent, let us ask for the grace of true contrition for our sins as we consider how painful they were to Christ in His agony.

Benvenuto Tisi (1481–1559)

The Scourging at the Pillar

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy bloody Scourging; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of mortifying our senses ( St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified (Mk 15:15).

Our Lord’s great humility is shown throughout the Passion, but there is something particularly striking in His calm acceptance of His bloody scourging. Pilate had just announced to the people that he found no fault in Jesus and no cause for His arrest, but within minutes he had ordered Jesus to be scourged. Innocence was beaten and brutalized for the sins of mankind. This Lent, let us ask for the strength to mortify our senses as a means of uniting ourselves to Christ in His scourging.

The Crowning with Thorns

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy being crowned with thorns; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, a contempt for the spirit of this world (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

Hendrick ter Brugghen (1588–1629)

They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage (Mk 15:17-19).

After His scourging, Jesus was mocked and spit upon while His torturers wove a crown of thorns to press into His already wounded head. He remains at peace in following the will of the Father, which causes bitter confusion and greater vehemence for His enemies in their efforts to injure Him. It is easy for us to become entangled so deeply with work, news, politics, and even the many needs of our families, that we forget our first duty: the praise and worship of God. This Lent, let us ask for the grace to turn away from the distractions of this world and to order our hearts towards the Sacred Heart.

The Carrying of the Cross

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy carrying of the Cross; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, patience in bearing our crosses (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

Theophile Marie Francois Lybaert (1848–1927)

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus (Lk 23:26).

Having spent a sleepless night and already having shed a significant amount of His Precious Blood, Jesus was given His cross to carry to the top of Golgotha. Rather than fight or shun the instrument of His death, Jesus embraced it as the instrument of our salvation. What had only been a sign of shame and misery He would soon transform into a sign of endless love and mercy. This Lent, let us ask for the patience to bear our crosses in union with Christ as instruments of our sanctification.

The Crucifixion

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Crucifixion and ignominious death upon the Cross; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the conversion of sinners, the perseverance of the just, and the relief of the souls in Purgatory (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

Netherlandish – School

Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:37-39)

For three hours Jesus hung on the cross for love of poor sinners and, after He breathed His last, He permitted the final drops of His Precious Blood to be spilled from the depths of His Sacred Heart. This sprinkling of His Blood is what absolves us in the sacrament of Confession, it is what strengthens us in the sacrament of the Eucharist, and it is what relieves the torments of those enduring their purification in Purgatory. This Lent, let us ask God to pour innumerable graces upon us, our family, our friends, our enemies, and all those who have no one to pray for them as we unite the sacrifice of our daily lives with Christ on the cross.

Ash Wednesday

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

“Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance: lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death,
we seek space for repentance and are not able to find it."
“Attend, O Lord, and have mercy: for we have sinned against Thee."
“Help us, O God, our Savior: and for the glory of Thy name, O Lord, deliver us.”
-Responsory (Ps. 78:9) for the Blessing of the Ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the holy season of Lent has come anew. Each year we look forward to this opportunity for deeper repentance and conversion prompted by the beautiful prayers of the Church for this time. One thing that is particularly striking about the above prayer is the first exhortation, “Let us amend…Emendemus…” Yes, each one of us must choose to repent and accept the graces of conversion, but we do not have to do so alone. As religious we live in community, and as Christians we are members of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Scriptures exhort us to build each other up in living a life of charity, encouraging the good and giving fraternal correction when needed.

This prayer also reminds us that while we are made for eternal life, we have fallen because of our sins. The punishment for sin, death, will come for each of us. Lent reaffirms not only the need, but the daily opportunities for repentance and conversion so that this death will not be eternal.

“Attend, O Lord, and have mercy:
for we have sinned against Thee."

At the close of this brief but beautiful prayer, there is the tender appeal to our Lord’s mercy and glory. In His goodness He desires to save us from our sins, because He made us good and for good. While we benefit tremendously from these gifts of repentance and redemption, God’s mercy ultimately magnifies His glory.

With all of the faithful we pray, “Let us amend for the better!” May this Lent be rich in graces of conversion for you and your loved ones, that through its holy observances we may come with hearts profoundly disposed to the joys and glory of the Easter season.

“Help us, O God, our Savior:
and for the glory of Thy name, O Lord, deliver us.”

Honoring Our Lady in Procession

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Last week on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, our Sisters desired to have a procession in her honor. Inclement weather did not allow this outdoors. Instead, we had a beautiful candlelit indoor procession around the convent to all of our Marian statues and pictures. Enjoy the pictures and let us ask Our Lady's intercession as we prepare to enter the great season of Lent.

An Evening with Our Friends

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

For many it was an Evening with the Sisters but for us, it was an Evening with Our Friends! Thank you to all who were able to attend and especially to those who made such a wonderful event possible!

The evening included a lovely dinner, musical entertainment by the Sisters, a silent auction, and an energy-packed live auction featuring several Sister-made items. There were many highlights from the event, but a very special part for the Sisters was the opportunity to spend time with many of our friends both new and old. We are filled with gratitude to our loving God for the beautiful charism He has entrusted us with and a wonderful group of people to share it with.

Please enjoy a clip from our performance and a few pictures below!

Click HERE to view the pictures.

The Presentation of Our Lord

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Aleksey Yegorov

School Visits

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

As Marian Sisters, we say daily in our Charism Statement that “we strive to magnify Jesus Christ through communicating the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic faith in a spirit of joyful evangelization.” Some of the most joyful moments of evangelization take place during School Visits.

There are 13 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, and currently we serve at two of them – St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Healdsburg and Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa. However, our desire to share the presence of Christ and the witness of Religious Life takes us — sometimes a distance of an hour or more – to the other schools in our diocese.

At school visits, the Sisters speak with students of all ages in their classrooms or in group assemblies on topics such as the Universal Call to Holiness, Vocations, Living the Liturgical Year, Our Lady, and many more.

However, the most memorable part of the visits are the questions the students ask.

Everything from queries about our daily life, such as:

“What do you eat in the Convent?”

“What does it feel like to be a Sister?”

“Do you wear that (the religious habit) all the time? Even when you go to bed?”

To existential questions:

“Who made God?”

“Do we become angels when we die?”

“How can I know if God is calling me to a certain vocation?”

“What should I do when I get distracted at prayer?”

The questions students ask show their innate hunger for God. The looks on their faces when they receive the truth from us demonstrate a shared joy of learning more about the One whom we all long for: God Himself. It truly is joyful evangelization.

The Luminous Mysteries

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Józef Buchbinder

Between the Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries chronologically lie the Luminous, as between Christmas and Lent we celebrate the Our Lord's Baptism and hear of His public ministry in the Gospels at Mass. This is a beautiful time of the year to reflect upon the "Mysteries of Light" from Our Lord's life.

The Baptism in the Jordan

Daoud Corm

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Baptism in the Jordan; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of fidelity. Amen.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) .

This must of been a beautiful moment for Our Lord, to hear the voice of His Father calling Him "My beloved Son." At our baptism, we also are given that wondrous identity as a beloved son or daughter of God the Father. What an incomprehensible blessing it is to call God "Father"!

The Wedding Feast at Cana

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy self-manifestation at the wedding feast at Cana; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of obedience to the will of God. Amen.

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

“ His mother said to the servers, 'Do whatever he tells you'.” (Jn 2:5)

These last recorded words of Our Lady are a precious treasure to keep in our hearts. She is always near to help us, and we know her guidance is unfailing because she is ever pointing to her Divine Son.

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy proclamation of the Kingdom of God; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of conversion of life. Amen.

“ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Mt 5:7) .

In His proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven, Our Lord always led by example and was sustained by deep prayer, an intimate and ongoing dialogue with His Father. Let us follow in His footsteps in our work of evangelization.

Gustave Doré

The Transfiguration

Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Transfiguration on Mount Tabor; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of attentiveness to God’s Word. Amen.

“ His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light" (Mt 17:2) .

Whether He is shining in glory or His features are marred beyond recognition, whether on Tabor or Golgotha, Our Lord's love for us never changes. May we always stay close to Him!

The Institution of the Eucharist

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, a spirit of profound adoration. Amen.

“This is my body, which will be given for you” (Lk 22:19) .

What gift is as great as this? Our Lord gives us Himself, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. May we never cease to marvel at this mystery of God's love for us and His Eucharistic Presence.

Ercole de' Roberti

With Thanksgiving

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

As we give thanks to Almighty God for His many gifts in 2025, there are a few highlights from the past couple months that we would like to share.

Our Thanksgiving week was most unusual this year. While we raised our hearts in thanksgiving to God in prayer and enjoyed the blessing of community at the Thanksgiving meal, we also welcomed a special visitor from the Theology of the Body Institute. Jen Settle, a consecrated virgin working with the Institute, graciously agreed to spend her Thanksgiving week with our community and gave us the gift of

twenty-two hours of class on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body specifically designed for consecrated women. It an was an intensive week, but very enriching.

It was a blessing to begin teaching at St. John's Catholic School this past semester. Our Sisters help enrich the student's participation in and understanding of the Mass as well as prepare them to engage musically in the Liturgy. The Sisters also lead a children's choir which sings at special Masses throughout the year. The best part of this new apostolate is the opportunity to be present to so many children as a Sister, striving to be an example of Jesus and Mary's tender love for each of them.

Our students in the Cathedral's Parish School of Religion experienced a few special events recently. In October, the older students were invited to participate in the Rosary Challenge . They each received a rosary "pledge card" and were invited to pledge a certain amount of rosaries for the month. Completed pledge cards could be entered in a raffle to win a special prize! All the Confirmation students received a Miraculous Medal during a beautiful Miraculous Medal investiture

ceremony. We pray that this powerful medal which each of our Sisters wears around her neck may help bring these students closer to Our Blessed Mother.

We are excited to be increasing our presence up North in Ferndale. In December, some of our Sisters were able to join the Cal-Poly Humboldt Newman Center students in caroling for those home-bound and elderly. We also continue to help teach the Assumption parish catechism students prepare for their Confirmation.

We entered the new year with all-night adoration and then celebrated the great feast of Mary, Mother of God on January 1st. Soon afterward on January 4th, we joyfully celebrated our community's 14th anniversary with a beautiful Mass and lovely meals and games together.

Deo gratias!

Please Join Us!

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Joyful Mysteries

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Orazio Gentileschi (1563–1639)

As Mary's daughters, we spend time with her each day contemplating the life of Christ in the mysteries of the Rosary. In this season of the Incarnation, we give special emphasis to the Joyful Mysteries. We customarily introduce each mystery with the intention written by St. Louis Marie de Montfort which shine a particular light on each portion of Christ's life.

The Annunciation

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of the Annunciation and Thy Incarnation in Mary’s womb; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the her intercession, the grace of a profound humility (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!” (Lk 1:28)
The angel Gabriel greets Mary with these words, proclaiming her purity of heart and deep filial relationship with God. Mary is at first troubled by this greeting, but the angel declares that she has “found favor with God.” It is necessary for her to humbly accept this truth before she is able to receive the rest of his message. When she does, she is able to give her consent to God’s plan for her role in mankind’s redemption. Humility is having a truthful view of oneself - not overestimating or underestimating one’s abilities and worth. Mary’s ability to accept her value as God sees her, “full of grace”, is an expression of humility that opens the door for her “yes” to become the Mother of God.

The Visitation

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Mother’s Visitation to her cousin St. Elizabeth, and the sanctification of St. John the Baptist; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the grace of true charity towards our neighbors (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42)
After the Annunciation, Our Lady travelled with haste to the hill country to be with her cousin St. Elizabeth. Her ardent love for God overflowed in fruitful abundance upon her cousin who, in her old age, finally conceived a child. Mary had just become the Mother of God! It would seem natural that she might like to rest and rejoice in that wonderful mystery for a while before going out to attend to another, but Our Lady generously forgets herself in the light of her dear cousin’s needs. Mary goes to Elizabeth so that she can share in her joy but also so that she can be of service to her with the many needs of a first-time mother.

The Nativity

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Nativity in the stable of Bethlehem; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, detachment from the things of this world, contempt of riches, and love of holy poverty (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

“Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
Mary experienced a lot of hardship surrounding the birth of Jesus: difficult travel while pregnant, no accommodations in Bethlehem, and then the flight into Egypt - not to mention all the other little things that can go wrong in a day to put one’s mood out of sorts. But Our Lady didn’t waste time and energy pining for things to be better because she recognized the amazing truth of what was happening in her humble family: God had become man to fulfill His promise to save mankind from our sin. By keeping this great truth in her heart and pondering it throughout her life, she received a gift of joy and gratitude that would sustain her trust in God even when afflicted by the most piercing of sorrows.

The Presentation & Purification
“And a sword will pierce through your own soul also,
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35).

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Presentation in the Temple, and the Purification of Mary; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, purity of body and soul (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

“And a sword will pierce through your own soul also,
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35).

Joseph and Mary were obedient to the Law of Moses in bringing Jesus to the Temple and dutifully making their offering of two doves, the acceptable ransom of poor families in lieu of a lamb. They did this despite bearing in their arms the Lamb of God Who was not subject to these old laws which would soon pass away. Mary also, being perfectly immaculate from her conception, had no need of the purification rituals at the Temple but she submitted herself to them willingly in imitation of her Son’s humble act of submission.
Simeon’s prophecy, quoted above, has always been seen as a reference to Mary’s place at the foot of the Cross where she willingly sacrificed Jesus in a more perfect imitation of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac.

Our Lady’s peace endures through intense suffering because she is constantly renewing her humble and obedient “yes” to God’s Will for herself, for her Son, and for the whole world.

The Finding in the Temple

We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy Holy Mother’s Finding of Thee in the Temple; and we ask of Thee, through this mystery, and through the intercession of Thy holy Mother, the gift of true wisdom (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

“‘Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.’ And [Jesus] said to them, “How is it that you sought me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 48-51)

Mary’s sorrow at the loss of the child Jesus in the Temple is a foreshadowing of her sorrow during His three days in the tomb. The virtue tested in Mary’s heart during both events was that of Hope: her ability to trust in the divine plan even when she couldn’t see the way forward on a natural level. In this mystery Our Lady models a sentiment that many of us experience in our own lives; “Lord, why do I have to endure this hardship when I know You can protect me perfectly?” Our Lord hears their complaint and invites them to hold onto His obscured faithfulness in spite of immediate difficulties. After His death and burial, Mary will remember this lesson and be able to trust that Jesus is in His Father’s house even when all else have given up hope of His saving help.

Images by a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa

Photo-Journal: Preparing for Christmas

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:00:00 GMT

The Medal of the Immaculate Conception

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Our Sisters love this invocation and pray it throughout the day. These words are inscribed on the Medal of the Immaculate Conception which was given to St. Catherine Laboure by Our Lady in 1830. This medal has been associated with so many miracles that it is widely referred to as the Miraculous Medal.

As Marian Sisters, we wear this medal around our necks as a reminder of our consecration to Jesus through Mary. We entrust all that we have to the care of our Immaculate Mother, asking her to present everything to Jesus with her beautiful hands. Today we celebrate her Immaculate Conception, her great privilege of being preserved from all stain of sin from the moment of her conception. We turn to our Mother with great confidence in her goodness, she who never spurned God's grace through sin has nothing but love and tender concern for her beloved children.

"In her heart there is no shade of selfishness: she desires nothing for herself except God’s glory and human salvation. For her, the very privilege of being preserved from original sin is not a reason to boast, but one for total service to her Son’s redemptive mission."
- St. Pope John Paul II

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Advent with St. Joseph

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Anton Raphael Mengs

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife” Matthew 1:18-24.

During a recent Votive Mass in honor of St. Joseph, our chaplain gave the Sisters a brief but profound preparation for Advent. As we look to Joseph and ask, “What did he do?” the answer Father gave us was: “He trusted Mary, and he welcomed Jesus.” Responding to the message of the angel in Matthew’s account, this is exactly what Joseph did.

This too is what we are called to do in the season of Advent. We learn to trust and imitate Mary’s humble, joyful, and expectant example of how to live Advent – forming God Incarnate in the ordinary realities of our day to day life. In this process of letting the presence of Jesus grow in the activity of our day and in the interior of our heart, we learn with Mary and Joseph to prepare to welcome Him more profoundly as we too prepare to celebrate His Nativity in the season of Christmas.

May the intercession of Mary and Joseph be a source of many graces for each of us as we seek to grow closer to Jesus, the Word made Flesh, in this Advent season.

Week 4 - Prayers for the Faithful Departed

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death.” – St. Paul of the Cross

Twenty-Fourth Day

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, whose loving Heart was ever burdened with the sorrows of others, look down with pity on the souls of our beloved ones in Purgatory. Hear their cries, and grant that they may soon enjoy everlasting rest with Thee in heaven. Amen

Portaña (1772–1850)

Twenty-Fifth Day

One of the saddest facts of life is that the living so soon forget the dead. We forget when we live: we are forgotten when we die. St. Monica, on her deathbed, pleaded with her son, St. Augustine: “Lay my body anywhere, only this I beg of you: remember me at the Altar of God.”

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, lover of Souls. We pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, wash with Thy Blood the Souls in Purgatory. Deliver them from their pains, that they may join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Thee and interceding for us at the hour of need.

Twenty-Sixth Day

It costs us very little to help the faithful departed. We are obliged to pray – to assist at Mass, to receive the sacraments – to give alms, and too fast on the days appointed. We are in the state of grace, and offer these works for the Holy Souls, they are acceptable to God and speed their relief.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, release the Souls in Purgatory from the results of their imperfections, especially the soul suffering there through my bad example. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may join the Saints in praise of Thee and will intercede for me in my hour of need.

Twenty-Seventh Day

Let us accept without a murmur all that God sends us. Every morning let us offer God in behalf of the Souls in Purgatory all our prayers and good works and we shall help them immeasurably.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most Merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy Holy Childhood, deliver from the pains of Purgatory all the Holy Souls, particularly the soul longest in paying the debt exacted for his imperfections on earth. Take him today to Paradise that he may join the Heavenly Choir in praising Thee and will intercede for me in the hour of need.

Twenty-Eighth Day

In Purgatory, the just and loving soul loses sight of everything but the purity of God, which it loves and the necessity of making itself worthy of this purity. This suffering is so intense, because it is ignorant of the length of its exile from the sight of God.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, hear our prayers in behalf of the souls suffering in Purgatory, particularly those paying the debt exacted for pride. Release them from their pain today, that they may evermore glorify Thee in Heaven and intercede for us in the hour of need.

Twenty-Ninth Day

We must never cease to interest ourselves in the Souls in Purgatory. The honor and glory of God, and our own salvation is concerned with their release.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, by Thy Nativity and Holy Childhood, deliver from Purgatory all the Holy Souls confined there. Particularly the soul of the youngest to incur Thy displeasure because of youthful carelessness. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may evermore praise and glorify Thee and well intercede for me at the hour of need.

Enríquez (1704–1790)

Thirtieth Day

Prayer directly offered for the Soul in Purgatory is the petition of a child beseeching God to be kind and merciful. Could such a prayer, offered from the heart, fail to move God?

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor, captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of the Faithful Departed. Be not severe in Thy judgments, but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames and do Thou, O merciful Savior send Thy Angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.

De Profundis

Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities O Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relief on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night; let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

The Presentation of Mary

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Giotto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Every journey requires preparation. Every lifework requires education. Every vocation requires formation. Mary, although conceived full of grace and free from original sin, was not exempt from this law of human nature. Mary needed formation for her high calling as the Mother of God, thus tradition tells us that she took up residence in the Temple at the tender age of three years old.

She who would hold in her womb the Most High God in the Flesh, care for Him in her home at Nazareth, and daily gaze and caress His face, needed to be initiated into living in that Divine Presence. And her formation in the Temple, the dwelling of God on earth, gave her that experience. In the Temple, she learned how to pray. She became accustomed to dwelling in His house, attentive to His commands, and attuned to His “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).

By the profound gift of baptism, we too, dwell in the presence of God. Or rather, he dwells in us. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? … the temple of God, which you are, is holy” (1 Cor 3:16-17). On this feast of the Presentation of Our Mother, let us turn to her in prayer asking for her advice and assistance in living more worthily, more attentively in the presence of the Most High God.

Prayer taken from the Melkite Liturgy for the feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple: The Kontakion

The most pure temple of the Saviour, the most precious bridal chamber, the Virgin, the sacred treasury of God's glory, enters today into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit. Wherefore the angels of God sing to her: Behold the heavenly Tabernacle.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Interview with the Sisters

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Inspired by National Vocation's Awareness Week , which we celebrated earlier this month, the Sisters took a few minutes to reflect and share about the gift of their vocations.

When did you first think of becoming a Sister?

"I thought about being a Sister when I was a little kid, because I thought running away and cutting my hair off like St. Claire would be cool. But it became more serious when I went away to graduate school and on retreat I had an experience with the Lord in adoration. I felt he was asking me to make a decision now: Would I pursue Him in the vocation of religious life or not?"

"I didn’t meet any Sisters until I was in high school, so I didn’t even think about it at all until then. When I was in high school, my youth minister took a group of us to visit a monastery of Benedictine Nuns and showed us a little bit about the life of the Sisters. Later she told us that she herself was going to become a Sister."

"I first thought about it in middle school when I heard a Benedictine monk preach as a guest homilist at my parish. I was struck by his peacefulness and security. He was very sure of who he was, and I was very attracted to that."

"I thought about it right around the same time as my conversion, my coming back to the faith. It sprang from that experience of my conversion and the desire to respond with a total gift of self. But it didn’t come explicitly as, “Oh, religious life!”. My desire was to give myself totally to God in response to His love, and I was led to see that there is a way to do this in the Church, and it's called religious life."

Why did you join the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa?

"The Sister's spirituality had all the elements I was looking for: Marian, Eucharistic, Ecclesial, as well as a balance of apostolic and contemplative life."

"I joined the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, because I grew up with a community of priests brothers that offered both forms of the Mass, and that was very important to me as I was looking for religious communities. I felt like if I was missing one of those two elements in liturgy, I would really be missing out on something."

"When I visited the Sisters, I felt at home. I felt that I could be myself."

"When I first found their website, a couple months after meeting the Sisters in person, I read the Charism statement, and it really resonated with my heart. I thought: this is everything I have ever wanted to give Our Lord in my life, but it is in a religious community. This might be it."

What is the best part of being a Sister?

"There are so many best parts. I think for me, what has stood out is the great grace of living in Our Lord’s House and learning how to be His Bride. He's always there with me under the same roof. I am under His roof."

"Everything, your whole life, is aimed at the one thing necessary, which is union with Christ."

"God is really everywhere. We live in the same house as Him. He is our daily tasks. He is in my Sisters. He is there all the time in prayer, just waiting for me."

"Having so many Sisters! One of the best parts of being a Sister is community life -- getting to know these women, my Sisters, in a very deep way... (and having fun with them, too!)"

What challenges you in your life as a Sister?

"Life as a Sister presents the challenge of ongoing growth in generosity in all sorts of ways: being generous with the Lord, being generous with my Sisters, being generous with myself, being generous with the apostolate."

"Day to day facing of self; that daily battle with self."

"Remembering that all of this is sprung from God’s initiative, and that He is leading."

"Community life! It's one of the best parts and the most challenging parts. You get to know the wonderful things about your Sisters, but also the less then wonderful things about yourself. You come to realize your own faults and work on them."

What would you say to a young person considering religious life?

"Start a habit of prayer now. Or if you already have one, deepen it. Because prayer is the most fundamental element of anyone’s vocation in life and without it you won’t be able to follow Christ."

"Let yourself fall in love with the Lord."

"Be open and don’t dawdle."

"Don’t give up. From the time I started seriously discerning until I entered the Convent was about seven years, and I encountered several “no’s”. There were many times I thought I couldn’t keep going. Don’t give up. If the call is there, if the Lord keeps asking you, keep persevering."

"Don’t be afraid. Have courage. The Lord will supply."

Week 3 - Prayers for the Faithful Departed

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

"Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity"
-Pope St. John Paul II

Seventeenth Day

When we stand before God in the hour of judgment, will we not welcome the Holy Souls who will throng about His thrown to plead our cause, if we have shown ourselves merciful and compassionate toward them in their hour of need?

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O Lord Jesus Christ, relieve the sufferings of Thy departed servants, that they may not languish in Purgatory because of our neglect and thoughtlessness. Deliver them from their pains that they may praise Thee forever in Heaven and intercede for us when the hour of death draws near.

Eighteenth Day

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Mother of Mercy, thy power is so great that thy Divine Son will refuse Thee nothing. Implore Him, therefore, to release from the pains of Purgatory, our parents, friends, and benefactors, that they may join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Him and in interceding for us.

Aguilera

Nineteenth Day

We have loved them during life, let us not abandon them until we have conducted them by our prayers into the House of the Lord.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O Lord Jesus, graciously hear the pleas of the Holy Souls. By the merits of Thy Passion and Death released them from the pains of Purgatory. Particularly the soul most devoted to Your Virgin Mother, that he may evermore praise Thee in Heaven and intercede for me.

Andreas F. Borchert

Twentieth Day

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, hear our prayers in behalf of the faithful departed now awaiting Thy word in Purgatory. Grant, O Lord, to show particular mercy to the soul that did most to propagate the devotion to Thy Sacred Heart while on earth. Speed his journey to Heaven, that he may join Thy Angels in praising Thee forever.

Twenty-First Day

To find ourselves forgotten on earth by those whom we love and who have loved us is a cruel trial – but to find ourselves in Purgatory – forgotten by all whom we loved and helped on earth must be a most painful sorrow.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O my God, infinitely just, hear our prayers in reparation for the souls suffering in Purgatory
for want of charity. Release them from their pains that they may evermore praise Thee and
intercede at Thy Judgment Seat for us at the hour of our death.

Twenty-Second Day

Let us never cease our prayers for the faithful departed. St. Francis De Sales often said: “I fear the good opinion which my friends have formed of me: they well believe me in heaven and leave me to suffer.”

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. For us, Thou didst become Man and suffer to die. By the merits of Thy agony and death, release the faithful departed from their pains, that they may enjoy everlasting bliss in Heaven.

The Great Crucifixion

Twenty-Third Day

When, by our prayers, we release a soul from Purgatory, we have not only won his gratitude, but the gratitude of his Guardian Angel, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom is soul was consecrated, and of God Himself who was enabled through us to sooner shower His blessings on it.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most beloved Jesus, if I could but say: “There is a soul in Heaven at this time that owes to me its release from Purgatory, a soul that speaks to God for me, that glorifies God for me, that loves Thy Blessed Mother for me. If it were thus how happy I should be.” Release from the pains of Purgatory the soul careless and hurried in prayer. Take him to the joys of heaven, that he may evermore praise Thee and intercede for me at the hour of need.

De Profundis

Week 2: Prayers for the Faithful Departed

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030

Week Two: Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16

May They Rest in Peace

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

As the Church commemorates All Souls Day in this month of November - a month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory - we seek the privilege of joining you in prayer.

Multiple times a day we remember our beloved dead in prayer. November is no different. In addition to our regular communal prayers, the Sisters take it upon themselves to pray for the faithful departed throughout the day.

Please join us in interceding for the Holy Souls with the prayers for each day of this month linked below.

Week One: Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

October in Review

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

October is a month full of feast days and packed with activity for our Sisters. Thanks be to God for His blessings and graces which sustained all of these adventures!

In the beginning of the month, the Sisters were delighted to invite their 6th to 12th grade students from the Cathedral's Parish School of Religion to a service day at the Convent. After visiting Our Lord in the Convent chapel, the students divided into groups and spread out across our grounds with various tasks. The students worked hard all morning. Some raked and others trimmed and still others helped load yard debris into the truck. A group of the older students were able to build a shrine for our Sacred Heart statue!

During the lunch break there were games, sports, and some of students hiked up to our cross in the "Back 40" and enjoyed the view. The Sisters are very grateful for all the wonderful help the students provided and for the beautiful weather that Our Lord arranged!

The next weekend, several of the Sisters were able to once again sing for the annual Santa Rosa Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Mass and attend the luncheon afterwards. This event honors one woman from each parish who has been chosen for her notable service to the Church. Bishop Vasa presided at Mass and commended the women for their good works, while exhorting them to fidelity in prayer.

Thank you to all who attended the Pasta Feed, generously hosted by the Sonoma Knights of Columbus. The Sisters were delighted to spend time with old friends and meet many new ones! The evening was filled with good food, wonderful conversations, and some musical entertainment.

We were very blessed to be visited by Fr. Thomas Nelson, O. Praem this month. His ongoing guidance in religious life is of invaluable assistance to our community. During his stay, he began teaching our Sisters a course on the Spiritual life.

This past weekend, a couple of our Sisters traveled up to Ferndale. They only stayed a few days but had many apostolic adventures during the trip. From a 7th grade retreat and visiting Newman Center students, to teaching Confirmation class and singing at Mass, the Sisters loved witnessing to Christ in the northern part of our diocese.

The Hope of the Kingdom

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Father Isaac Jogues S.J.

Today the glory of the resurrection overshadows the memorial of eight heroic men who shed their blood for Christ in our very own land. Impelled by the love of God, St. John de Brebeuf, St. Isaac Jogues and their companions braved death and other dangers in order to bring Christ to the native people. It was a dangerous and disheartening mission, one that looked foolish and hopeless by human standards, but these holy men were motivated and sustained by a lively and deep supernatural faith. After St. Isaac Jogues escaped from a tribe that had subjected him to excruciating tortures and irreversibly mutilated his fingers, he freely decided to return to try to assist the souls of the people he loved so dearly.

All of these men died in their efforts to communicate the love of God, but their painful sacrifice, which might have seemed so dark and discouraging, became a ray of hope for the Church. The toil and ultimate sacrifice of these saints bore fruit in ways we will never fully realize but has surely brought innumerable graces to our land. They witness to a hope in the heavenly kingdom, one beyond the earthly appearance of success or failure. The collect for this memorial beautifully prays for the intercession of these great martyrs. May we be given a share in the great faith of our North American martyrs.

O God, who chose to manifest the blessed hope of your eternal Kingdom by the toil of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions and by the shedding of their blood, graciously grant that through their intercession the faith of Christians may be strengthened day by day.

Canadian Martyrs 1649

In the School of Mary

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Kids say the darndest things! And children seeing Religious Sisters in habit for the first time are no exception. We’re heard it all from, “Look at the princess!” to “Is that an angel?” and “Are those elves ?” But our favorite is when we hear the kids call out, “Hi Mary!” or “Look at all the Marys!” Because, as Marian Sisters, being Mary to the world is really what we are going for.

Our Community’s Constitutions state, “In all we say and do, we endeavor to be Mary’s image in the world – her loving heart, her face, her hands and voice— to all our brothers and sisters in Christ.” However, being Mary’s image in the world is not only for Marian Sisters. All of us who profess to be Christians are called to be like Christ in the world, for the word Christian means actually means “little Christ”. Mary was the most perfect image of Christ, so we can imitate Mary in order to be most like her Son. But how should we imitate Mary?

One of the principal and most powerful ways the Sisters imitate Mary is by praying the Rosary. In this “School of Mary”, we unite our lives with Jesus and Mary’s life. We join the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries we experience each day with their joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries. And in a real way, we let Jesus and Mary live our lives while we live theirs. We ask for the grace to live like they did in each particular mystery. St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s method of praying the Rosary, which we practice, makes the request of particular graces explicit in each mystery. We share it below to invite you to ask for these virtues to fill your lives as well.

Fruits of the Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries - prayed on Mondays and Saturdays The Annunciation. Fruit of the Mystery: Profound Humility. The Visitation. Fruit of the Mystery: Charity toward our Neighbor. The Nativity. Fruit of the Mystery: Detachment from the Things of the World, Contempt of Riches, and Love of Holy Poverty. The Presentation. Fruit of the Mystery: Purity of Body and Soul. The Finding in the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: True Wisdom.

The Luminous Mysteries - prayed on Thursdays The Baptism in the Jordan. Fruit of the Mystery: Fidelity. The Wedding at Cana. Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience to the Will of God. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Fruit of the Mystery: Conversion of Life. The Transfiguration. Fruit of the Mystery: Attentiveness to God’s Word. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Fruit of the Mystery: A Spirit of Profound Adoration.

The Sorrowful Mysteries - prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the Mystery: Contrition for our Sins. The Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the Mystery: T he Grace of Mortifying our Senses The Crowning with Thorns. Fruit of the Mystery: Contempt for the Spirit of the World. The Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the Mystery: Patience in Bearing our Crosses. The Crucifixion. Fruit of the Mystery: The Conversion of Sinners, the Perseverance of the Just, and the Relief of the Souls in Purgatory.

The Glorious Mysteries - prayed on Sundays and Wednesdays The Resurrection. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God and Fervor in Thy Service. The Ascension. Fruit of the Mystery: An Ardent Desire for Heaven, our True Home. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Fruit of the Mystery: The Coming of the Holy Spirit into our Souls. The Assumption. Fruit of the Mystery: A Tender Devotion for so Good a Mother. The Coronation. Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance in Grace and a Crown of Glory Hereafter.

Virgen del Rosario by Domingo Martínez

My Guardian Dear

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Domenichino (1581–1641)

October 2nd is the feast of our Holy Guardian Angels. God gives every person, not only the baptized, an angel to lead, guard, and guide them throughout their lives.

Many Saints had a close relationship with their guardian angel. Pope St. John XXIII often asked his guardian angel to go ahead of him to meetings, especially if he expected them to be difficult or concerning important matters. St. Gemma Galgani spoke frequently with her guardian angel and conversed with him as she would a close friend. On one occasion, her angel encouraged devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary saying, “Are you fond of Jesus’ mother? Salute her very often, for she values such attention very much, and unfailingly returns the salutations offered to her; and if you do not sense this, know that she makes a proof of your unfailing trust.” St. Padre Pio not only spoke to his angel but saw him as well. He credits his angel with teaching him languages and bringing him messages about people for whom he needed to pray. St. Josemaria Escriva even extended his devotion to others’ guardian angel by saluting them interiorly as he greeted the person in front of him.

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

The Guardian Angel prayer many of us learned as little children is an excellent daily prayer to acknowledge and thank our guardian angels for all they have done and will do for us in our lifetime. We can also invoke our angel’s help in times of trouble, share with them our joys, and trust them with our deepest cares and concerns, knowing that they will present them with the greatest love to Jesus and Mary.

Formation in the Faith

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Last weekend, teachers, catechists, and parish leaders from across the diocese came together for the annual Religious Educational Congress.

Speakers included Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland and two School Sisters of Christ the King from Nebraska. Those who attended on Friday and Saturday were encouraged by this year’s theme “Living in the Light of Christ: A Pilgrimage of Hope” to follow Christ after the example of the heroes of the faith, the saints.

Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland spoke about St. John Henry Cardinal Newman and brought a rare first class relic of the saint for all to venerate. On the feast day of St. Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, Bishop Robert Vasa preached on the martyrs of Korea, many of whom were laity and sustained the young Church in that country for 200 years before clergy were able to minister to the Christians. Sr. Mary Gabriel, CK spoke on the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity and how they enable us to live as the images of God we were created to be, while Sr. Fiat Marie, CK reflected on the virtue of Hope.

We hope that all who participated returned to their classrooms and parishes refreshed and rejuvenated by opportunity for faith formation, fellowship, and prayer. Enjoy these pictures!

Sister Teacher - Sister Student

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

August has come and gone and already we Sisters find ourselves half-way through the month of September! It has been a full several weeks with our academic year apostolates underway: Cardinal Newman High School, Parish School of Religion at the Cathedral, St. Eugene’s Home School Co-op, Sodalities for young ladies, and our new apostolate at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. We are also excited for our own classes in ongoing formation which have begun with the new season.

Our novices and several professed Sisters are thrilled to take in-convent art classes, taught by one of our own Sisters! The focus this semester is calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts. Many of our Sisters are talented artists, and we know this class will help them to cultivate new skills for communicating Jesus Christ through beautiful artwork.

The Sisters in temporary vows are taking a class on the Four Cardinal Virtues – Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance – with a Dominican priest friend as instructor. At times throughout the course, Sisters will pair up to co-teach a review class for each of the virtues. They will also be busy preparing a paper on one of the Cardinal Virtues.

Our Sisters in final vows are looking forward to classes on the spiritual life. While they each studied the spiritual life in their initial years of formation and have continuously referred to it throughout their years in Religious Life, there is ALWAYS more to learn and an in depth review with a local master teacher will be much appreciated!

We give thanks to God for the tremendous graces we will receive through these various forms of instruction, and we look forward to sharing the fruits of our studies with each other and with those we serve!

The Cross and Our Lady

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Virgin of the Seven Sorrows

Mother of God
'Mother of God, He broke thy heart
That it might wider be,
That in the vastness of its love
There might be room for me.'
-Father Faber

In the Spring, we enter the excruciating drama of passion week, but in the Fall we remember the triumph of those salvific events with the feast of the Triumph of the Cross on September 14th and of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th.

How our Blessed Lady stood by the Cross of Jesus
"Woman, behold thy son," said Christ,
And He gave her to St. John;
And, "Son, behold thy mother," said He,
And she saw the span of her life to be
When He was dead and gone.

For He gave her not to John alone,
And Mary knew His mind,
And the whole world that caused His smart
She took straight to her martyred heart,
The Mother of mankind.
-Helen Parry Eden

Gabriel Wüger (1829–1892)

Sorrowful Mother
Her face,
Still damp with tears,
As was the earth,
Was turned away
At the last breath of agony.

She saw the shadows move
And heard the sigh
As all creation
Waited for its doom.

"Come away,"
The gentle of John had begged.

But the shadow of the cross
And hers were one.
She could not leave.

Others would be coming now
To fill the place of those
Who go away.

Her shadow is
Still beneath the cross.
-Anonymous

Mother of Sorrows
"Mary, why am I called to be
Burdened by such sore misery?
What evil have I done?"
"My child, I knew no stain of sin
Yet seven swords were buried in
My bosom, one by one."

"Mary, I watch with tear-dimmed eyes,
And see but sorrow's mournful guise;
What good this suffering?"
"My child, I stood on Calvary's hill
And watched a blood-crazed rabble kill
My gentle Son, their King."

"Mary, the fires of anger burn
Within my heart, and I would spurn
The cross that bears me down."
"Child, child, have faith; this is the test,
In meekness learn God's will is best,
And thou shalt have a crown."
-Frances M. Miller

Absolon Stumme (–1510)

Ave Crux Spes Unica

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Diego Velázquez (1599–1660)

"Hail Cross our only hope"

This feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross is an opportunity to bring our petitions before the Lord invoking the love for us which He so clearly demonstrated on the cross. Below is a blessing traditionally given on this day with a relic of the true cross beseeching protection against adverse weather.

V. From lightning strikes, hail, and violent storms.
R. Deliver us, O Lord Jesus Christ.

V. Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
R. And grant us Thy salvation.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Almighty God, through the intercession of Holy Mary, the Mother of God, of the holy angels, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, widows, and of all Thy saints, that Thou show us Thy continuing protection, permit tranquil winds, and also pour out to us, Thy unworthy servants, Thy safety from heaven above against lightning strikes and violent storms, and that Thou remain always protective of the human race and crush down the aerial powers by the right hand of Thy power. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. Now and forever.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you, this place, and the fruits of the earth and remain forever. R. Amen.

Knights of Columbus Pasta Feed with the Sisters

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Buy Tickets Here

A Summer of Joyful Service

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

As the season of Fall officially begins later this month, we take this last opportunity to share our summer newsletter. If you would like to sign up to receive the printed version of our newsletters, please click here .

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Unity through Charity

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Benozzo Gozzoli (1420–1497)

August 28th marks the feast of St. Augustine. Born over 1,500 years ago in 354, this Doctor of the Church had an immense impact on the Church throughout the centuries and still does today.

St. Augustine is well known for his famous writings such as the “Confessions” and “The City of God” but there is a smaller work of his that is foundationally important to many in religious life, including Pope Leo XIV's Augustinian order and our Community. Around the year 400, St. Augustine wrote the simple but powerful Rule of St. Augustine for the community he established. This rule, one of the most ancient and venerable guides for religious life, has been adopted by many orders including the Augustinians, the Dominicans, and our Community.

Our Community's Constitutions summarize St. Augustine's rule as “…unity through charity, and pursuit of truth through learning.” This rule shows a profound understanding of the human person and emphasizes love of God through love of neighbor. Our Sisters owe a great debt of gratitude to our spiritual father, St. Augustine and the guidance he left for us in his rule.

"Before all else, dear brothers, love God
and then your neighbor, because these are the chief commandments given to us."
- Rule of St. Augustine, Chapter I

St. Augustine giving his rule.
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)

St. Rose of Lima

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Holy Rosary Catholic Church (Indianapolis, Indiana) - stained glass, St. Rose of Lima

While St. Rose of Lima, whose feast day we celebrate this August 23, isn’t our primary patron (Our Lady claims that title) or secondary patron (that’s St. Joseph), she does rank high on the list of saints we really like. Why?

St. Rose is close to our hearts and part of our name because we are a community founded for the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California. She is the patron of our diocese, which took its name from the city of its episcopal see, Santa Rosa. But how did this particular area of California receive the name St. Rose? The story goes back further to the time of Spanish missionary activity. A legend handed down by generations tells the story of a visiting Franciscan priest, Padre Juan Amorós, who baptized a young Native American girl in a local creek. It was customary at the time for priests to name rivers and creeks for Catholic saints. This baptism took place on the day of the Feast of Santa Rosa of Lima, and Padre Amorós named the young girl "Rosa" and the creek "Santa Rosa".

On the feast day of St. Rose of Lima, we remember the heroic young woman who became the first saint from the Americas to be canonized, who loved Jesus Christ fiercely, and who refused Him nothing. We ask her intercession for the Diocese of Santa Rosa that the faithful of this diocese would grow to imitate evermore the example of their patron. St. Rose of Lima, pray for us!

Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.

-St. Rose of Lima

If you would like to stay connected to the Diocese of Santa Rosa and its mission, consider signing up for the diocesan weekly e-newsletter, The Vine.

Time for Teaching

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In August, the Sisters' hearts and minds turn from their summer apostolates towards the coming school year with much preparation and expectation.

While not all formally teach in a school classroom, each of our Sisters participate in our charism of joyful evangelization in some way, be it teaching catechism classes, instructing homeschoolers, or even educating the Catholic School teachers! During this time of eager preparation, we call to mind the greatest gift we can give our students: our prayers for them. We intercede for all those we will encounter in our apostolate, knowing that while we may labor in the field, it is truly God who will touch hearts, strengthen souls, and grant increase.

In addition to looking forward to the upcoming school-year, the Sisters take a parting glance in gratitude at the many graces, gifts, and apostolic adventures we experienced during the summer. Enjoy these pictures below and join us in giving thanks to Almighty God for His abundant goodness!

Assumpta est Maria!

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Transfiguration and Consecrated Life

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Transfiguration by Raphael

During our initial years of formation in religious life, each of us Sisters reads and studies Vita Consecrata or The Consecrated Life . This apostolic exhortation of Pope St. John Paul II begins with a beautiful reflection on the mystery of the Transfiguration. It is a Feast in which the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ shine forth, leading us to meditate upon the mysteries of the Incarnation and the communion of persons that is the Most Holy Trinity.

These mysteries are profound models for consecrated men and women, and so the Feast of the Transfiguration is one which we love in a special way. For several of our Sisters it is also particularly dear since they entered the Convent on this great Feast. We pray that graces of ongoing conversion and transfiguration are granted to all souls consecrated by their Baptism on this day, and in a special way upon all men and women who have deepened this consecration by their vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.

O Jesus in Thy Transfiguration, have mercy on us!

Transfiguration of Christ

Excerpt from Vita Consecrata

“The event of the Transfiguration marks a decisive moment in the ministry of Jesus. It is a revelatory event which strengthens the faith in the disciples’ hearts, prepares them for the tragedy of the Cross and prefigures the glory of the Resurrection. This mystery is constantly relived by the Church, the people on its way to the eschatological encounter with its Lord. Like the three chosen disciples, the Church contemplates the transfigured face of Christ in order to be confirmed in faith and to avoid being dismayed at his disfigured face on the Cross. In both cases, she is the Bride before her Spouse, sharing in his mystery and surrounded by his light.

“This light shines on all the Church’s children. All are equally called to follow Christ, to discover in him the ultimate meaning of their lives, until they are able to say with the Apostle: ‘For to me to live is Christ’ ( Phil . 1:21). But those who are called to the consecrated life have a special experience of the light which shines forth from the Incarnate Word . For the profession of the evangelical counsels makes them a kind of sign and prophetic statement , for the community of the brethren and for the world; consequently they can echo in a particular way the ecstatic words spoken by Peter: ‘Lord, it is well that we are here’ ( Mt . 17:4). These words bespeak the Christocentric orientation of the whole of Christian life.

But they also eloquently express the radical nature of the vocation to the consecrated life: how good it is for us to be with you, to devote ourselves to you, to make you the one focus of our lives! Truly those who have been given the grace of this special communion of love with Christ feel as it were caught up in his splendor; he is ‘the fairest of the sons of men’ ( Ps . 45:2), the One beyond compare.” - Vita Consecrata , Ch. 1, #15. Pope St. John Paul II

For the Greater Glory of God

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Ignatius of Loyola - Project Gutenburg

On July 31, we celebrate the memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, soldier turned convert, priest, theologian, founder of the Jesuit order, and great influence in the Church and religious life.

St. Ignatius’ dreams of glory in battle took a different turn when a cannon ball fractured his leg in 1521 requiring the 30-year-old soldier to spend several months in bed. Bored, he asked for books, but instead of popular tales of knights and chivalry, he received the Life of Christ and the Lives of the Saints. Reflecting on these books led Ignatius to a profound conversion. Rising from his bed, he went on to fight in Christ’s army not against men, but against “principalities… powers… [and] evil spirits in the heavens” (Eph 6:12) and not for his own glory, but the “greater glory of God”. He spent a year in solitude and intense prayer where he composed his seminal work, the Spiritual Exercises before embarking on his new mission to found a new religious community, the Society of Jesus with six others. This community would in time number in the tens of thousands across the world. St. Ignatius died in Rome on July 31, 1556.

The Sisters have benefited from Ignatian Spirituality through studying Ignatius’ rules for discernment of spirits, the exam prayer, and his Spiritual Exercises. In these exercises, we see Ignatius’s “First Principal” or thesis which unifies all his other works. It too can be a unifying and driving factor in our lives. May St. Ignatius pray for us that we may become saints!

St Ignatius of Loyola

Spiritual Exercises: "First Principle and Foundation"

Man was created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord and in this way to save his soul.

The other things on earth were created for man's use, to help him reach the end for which he was created.

Thus, it follows, that he must use these means, insofar as they help him to reach his goal, and to refrain from using them insofar as they keep him from that goal.

We should make ourselves indifferent to all creatures inasmuch as it is left to our individual freedom and not forbidden us; in this way we do not, on our part, prefer health to sickness, wealth to poverty, honors to dishonor, a long life to a short one, and so in all other things.

We should only desire and choose those things that most lead us to the goal for which we were created.

Beauty in the North

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In June, many of our Sisters traveled up the coast and served in camps for the young people of Ft. Bragg and Crescent City.

During these trips to the northern reaches of our diocese, the wild majesty of the Redwoods and the rocky coast was stunning. One could hardly help but stand awestruck at the evidence of God's bountiful goodness and love. But there was a greater beauty the Sisters encountered. Although hidden, it had such a brilliance that nature paled in comparison. This is the pinnacle of God's creation, most precious to Him and bought with a great price: the human soul.

All the children received the Miraculous Medal on the Feast of the Sacred Heart

In Sigrid Undset's Catherine of Siena, she describes how St. Catherine was given the grace to see the brilliant splendor of a soul that she had prayed for. The Saint was overcome by its beauty which she declared was beyond description and so asked Jesus for the grace to see the beauty of the souls she lived with.

While we may not have the mystical experiences of St. Catherine, it was so encouraging to encounter God's beloved children; from the innocent delight of the four year old and the growing responsibility of the 8th grader to the selfless charity and faith of the adults.
The Sisters taught about virtues, saints, the life of Christ, as well as led music, crafts and played games with the children. But most of all, they witnessed. They witnessed to the joy that only Christ can give and the all-sufficient love that He has for each of His children.

Honoring Our Lady

We regularly offer prayers for all those in our diocese, but it was a special gift to be given a brief glimpse of the beautiful souls hidden like gems amid the wild splendor of the northern part of our diocese.

Processions for Our Lord

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Each year the joy of the Easter and Pentecost season is extended for us Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa by both the monthly devotions and the great Feasts which the Church offers us in June and July. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is honored in the month of June, and in July we honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. Within these two months are many great Feasts, but our Community especially loves Corpus Christi.

How do we specially adore and magnify our risen and ascended Lord and Spouse in this time after Pentecost? With Eucharistic Processions, of course! Our Sisters were overjoyed to participate in five separate Eucharistic processions last month.

On June 6th the whole Community attended the opening Mass and Eucharistic Procession for the first ever Camino de California! After Mass at St. Francis Solano Parish with Bishop Vasa, we processed through downtown Sonoma to Mission St. Francis Solano. This Mission is no longer in use by the Church, but for a few minutes Our Lord was welcomed back and we were graciously given some time to adore His Eucharistic Presence in the Mission Church. The Sisters are so grateful to have had this opportunity! From the Mission, the procession continued along a popular Sonoma walking path. It took us right past the Parish school’s “Last Day of School” party at a park. We were so moved when all of the children stopped their games and knelt in adoration. Jesus blessed them from His monstrance throne.

On the morning of Corpus Christi Thursday we were able to have a Missa Cantata in our Convent Chapel and a procession around the Convent grounds. The novices prepared a beautiful benediction altar along the route, including a flower petal and bark carpet to welcome our Lord!

That same evening some of the Sisters were able to attend our Diocese’s annual Eucharistic Procession between St. Rose of Lima parish and the Cathedral of St. Eugene here in Santa Rosa.

Finally, on Corpus Christi Sunday we set up another benediction altar, and after Mass with our Bishop at the Cathedral, processed around the Cathedral grounds. A little flock of First Communicants also processed with us, wearing their lovely dresses and handsome suits and ringing little bells with glee!

A few of our Sisters went further North and attended Corpus Christi at the Church of the Assumption in Ferndale. Father carried our Eucharistic Lord in a loving little procession around the Church as the congregation accompanied Him with song.

Each Procession was an opportunity to magnify Jesus in union with our Blessed Mother. So many people along each route stopped to wonder at the beauty, reverence, and love with which our Lord was accompanied by His clergy, religious, and the faithful.

O Sacrament Most Holy! O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!

America the Beautiful

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

On the 4th of July, we celebrate and give thanks to God for our beautiful country. We have the traditional BBQ, decorate our patio with red, white, and blue, have a water balloon toss, sing patriotic songs around the campfire, and -- for those willing to stay up after grand silence -- watch the local fireworks from the top of our hill. But beyond these joyous and meaningful community traditions, we spend the day in prayer for our country.

In 1987, as he was taking leave of the United States after an apostolic visit, Pope St. John Paul II addressed the American people from the Detroit airport. In words as relevant today as they were almost 40 years ago, he expressed his love for us as well as called us to follow Christ particularly through respecting the dignity of every human life.

“America the beautiful! So you sing in one of your national songs. Yes, America, you are beautiful indeed, and blessed in so many ways… But your greatest beauty and your richest blessing is found in the human person: in each man, woman and child, in every immigrant, in every native-born son and daughter … For this reason, America, your deepest identity and truest character as a nation is revealed in the position you take towards the human person. The ultimate test of your greatness in the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones.”
( Farewell [to America] Ceremony, September 19, 1987)

Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners

We are very grateful for the gifts God has granted our nation. But there is much to pray for in our land: many needs of peace, unity, truth, justice, and mercy. As we remember God's blessings on this Independence Day, we lift up our hearts to Him in prayer and petition through the intercession of Mary. In California, we celebrate the feast of our state's patroness, Mary under the title Our Lady of Refuge, on July 5th. We invoke her intercession in a particular way.

Pope John Paul II wrote a prayer for the families of our country in his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in America addressed specifically to the Church of the Americas. We entrust our needs and the needs of our nation's families to Mary, Our Lady of Refuge, Immaculate Conception, and Empress of the Americas.

Prayer to Jesus Christ for the Families of America

We thank you, Lord Jesus,
because the Gospel of the Father's love,
with which you came to save the world,
has been proclaimed far and wide in America
as a gift of the Holy Spirit that fills us with gladness.

We thank you for the gift of your Life,
which you have given us by loving us to the end:
your Life makes us children of God,
brothers and sisters to each other.
Increase, O Lord, our faith and our love for you,
present in all the tabernacles of the continent.

Grant us to be faithful witnesses to your Resurrection
for the younger generation of Americans,
so that, in knowing you, they may follow you
and find in you their peace and joy.
Only then will they know that they are brothers and sisters
of all God's children scattered throughout the world.

You who, in becoming man,
chose to belong to a human family,
teach families the virtues which filled with light
the family home of Nazareth.

May families always be united,
as you and the Father are one,
and may they be living witnesses
to love, justice and solidarity;
make them schools of respect,
forgiveness and mutual help,
so that the world may believe;
help them to be the source of vocations
to the priesthood and the consecrated life,
and all the other forms of firm Christian commitment.

Protect your Church and the Successor of Peter,
to whom you, Good Shepherd, have entrusted
the task of feeding your flock.
Grant that the Church in America may flourish
and grow richer in the fruits of holiness.

Teach us to love your Mother, Mary, as you loved her.
Give us strength to proclaim your word with courage
in the work of the new evangelization,
so that the world may know new hope.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America,
pray for us!

Sacred Heart

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Remember

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

On May 31st, feast of the Visitation of Mary, we celebrated the First Profession of Vows of Sr. Mary Michael of the Pierced Heart of Mary. At the profession Mass in the presence of the Bishop and her Sisters, Sister Mary Michael vowed to conform her life to Christ by following His example of poverty, consecrated chastity, and obedience.

Profession of vows is a joyful time in our Community as the Novices look forward to how they hope to one day give themselves to the Lord and the Professed Sisters remember their own steps in religious life.

It is important for Professed Sisters to remember the joy they experienced on the day of their own Vows. Each Sister has a great desire to serve the Lord, to give herself generously to Him in answer to His call, and to be obedient to His Will. But we are very human, and too often when opportunities of service and obedience come, these good sentiments of generosity waver. We are tempted to lose heart and to want to serve self instead of the Lord, our Divine Bridegroom. Therefore, we make our Vows to strengthen our desire by a promise . In professing Vows, Sr. Mary Michael - and each Sister - says in her heart: "I promise to God that I will serve and be obedient on easy days and difficult ones. And I know that in the complete giving of myself, I receive the deepest joy and satisfaction - the Lord’s complete gift of self in return."

The Month of the Sacred Heart

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This June is a month filled with many solemn feasts of the Church: Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and the combined solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Our Sisters love all of these joyous occasions for prayer and celebration but there is one that, in a way, we celebrate each month: the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.

L'Apparition du Sacré-Coeur

Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary in the late 16th century and shared with her twelve promises for those who would honor His Sacred Heart by attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month. He also asked for the institution of the Feast of His Sacred Heart to be added to the liturgical calendar.

St. Margaret Mary was a cloistered Visitation nun so she was able to share these devotions with her community but did not have the means to carry it out into the world. Her confessor, St. Claude de la Colombiere fulfilled that role by taking her message first to the local people of France, then as a missionary to England.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially established by Pope Pius IX in 1856 and is celebrated on the Friday after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (also known as Corpus Christi).

St. Claude on the Sacred Heart:

“The love of Our Lord’s Heart was in no way diminished by the treason of Judas, the flight of the apostles, and the persecution of His enemies. Jesus was only grieved at the harm they did themselves; His sufferings helped to assuage His grief because He saw in them a remedy for the sins committed by His enemies. The Sacred Heart was full of most tender love: there was no bitterness in it; no cruelty or injustice that He received moved it to feelings other than those of compassion and affection.

I turned to Mary and asked her to obtain for me the grace to imitate Our Lord’s Heart. I saw how perfectly her heart copied His: she loved those who put her Son to death and offered Him to God the Father for them. This enkindled a very great love of virtue in my heart.

Sagrado Coração de Jesus

O Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, truly worthy of possessing all hearts and of reigning over men and angels, you shall be my models; I will try to copy you. May my heart live always in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and may their hearts live in mine, so that I may never do anything that is not in accordance with them.”
- from St. Claude’s Retreat Notes. London, 1677

Religious Life: An Enclosed Garden

Sat, 31 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

On this day 42 years ago, the Vatican under Pope St. John Paul II published an important document, Essential Elements in the Church's Teaching on Religious Life , which clearly outlined the foundational aspects of Religious life in a time of uncertainty and confusion. The document listed nine components that identify a certain way of life as rel igious life and instructed consecrated men and women to stay faithful to this identity: "Fidelity to these basic elements ... guarantees the strength of religious life and grounds our hope for its future growth" (Essential Elements).

Our Novices recently studied this and spent time discussing each of the essential elements: consecration by public vow, communion in community, evangelical mission, prayer, asceticism, public witness, relation to the Church, formation, and government. Inspired by the study, the Novices drew a beautiful garden symbolizing religious life and represented each of the essential elements therein. This symbolic depiction and its description lies below.

Religious Life is an enclosed garden
in which three large trees stand – they are the VOWS of
POVERTY, CHASTITY, and OBEDIENCE
– and their fruits are RELIGIOUS CONSECRATION.

The birds of the air that make their home in the trees of the
garden represent COMMUNION IN COMMUNITY,
and together their song makes a chorus of PRAISE.
They carry the fecundity of the garden, that is, the seed of
the WORD OF GOD, and by the wings of CHARITY,
spread it over the whole world, beyond the garden walls.
This scattering of BEAUTY, GOODNESS, and TRUTH is
EVANGELICAL MISSION.

PRAYER is the stream of fresh, clear water running
through the entire garden, refreshing all the creatures
and watering all the plants that grow there.
It is the VITAL PRINCIPLE whose source cannot be
depleted, for it springs forth from the very life of God.

The toil and work of tending the garden is the way of
ASCETICISM, without which the weeds of
lukewarmness and the thorns of vice creep in to choke
love.

Enclosing the garden stands the tall and sturdy fence, the
CHURCH, fixing its boundaries and determining its
shape; and, like a good Mother, protecting the life within
so as to enable it to flourish.

There is a door along the fence that opens into the garden,
through which one may enter to behold its beauty,
to delight in the fragrance of the flowers,
and to take rest in the shade of its trees.
Indeed, the beholder glimpses Paradise.
Such a sight fills the soul with FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, and
JOY…and this is PUBLIC WITNESS.

FORMATION is all the things that make the garden grow
in loveliness, that is, to make it resemble the Beloved:
the sunshine of DIVINE LOVE,
the dew of the WORD OF GOD,
the gentle rain of GRACE in the SACRAMENTS,
the rich soil of LITURGICAL PRAYER, enriched by
the fertilizer of SILENCE and CONTEMPLATION,
the symbiosis of LIFE IN COMMUNITY,
and the fungicide of MAGISTERIAL TEACHING.
The plenitude of the garden is UNION WITH GOD.

Set over the care of the garden is the gardener,
who, filled with a spirit of HUMBLE SERVICE, labors for
the love of the beauty of the garden. And this
guardianship represents GOVERNMENT.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
whose pure heart never refused God
and was thus filled with every grace,
is the most perfect garden enclosed.
For by her unmatched holiness, virtues, and fiat,
she, above all creatures,
most perfectly resembles the Beloved.
She is, therefore, the Mother and Model of Religious Life,
and her beauty is the exemplar of all gardens.

Queen of the May

Fri, 23 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

"For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!" Song of Songs 2:11-13

In many places, May is a time when the earth seems to burst forth in fruitfulness after a long winter. Softened by rain and nurtured by the warmth of the sun, new life springs up visibly in the green of fresh leaves and bright variety of flowers.

It is the nature of growing things to grow and in order to grow, they must start small. A dormant rose may appear to be no more than a thorny stick but when cared for, it can burst forth and spread glorious blooms. The great oak tree that provides shade and shelter began as a little sprout poking out of the ground; it needed water, sunlight, nutrients, and time to mature and reach its potential.

We, too, are growing beings. This is true on various levels, most obviously physically but also spiritually. Who is it that assists us in this process of growing? How did God design us to receive the nurturing love and care that enables us to thrive? There may be many answers but one in particular stands out, God's gift of the mother.

When the whole earth is glorying in the fruitfulness that God bestows, it is a fitting time to honor mothers, especially the Mother whom He chose among all other women to bring forth Christ into the world. At the foot of the cross, Mary became the Mother of the Church, the Mediatrix of Grace, and our Mother. It is through her that God chooses to bestow the life-giving rain of His grace and the warmth of His love. As Our Lady loved and nurtured the Christ-child, so she longs to aid us in our journey towards God. We call Mary the "Queen of the May" as a loving tribute to the one whose gentle hidden hands assist our growth in holiness and guide us so that we may burst forth with the fruitfulness of God's grace. Throughout this month, each of the Sisters are given an opportunity to honor Mary with a crown of flowers, returning with gratitude a symbol of the fruitfulness she fosters in our souls.

A Month (or two) in Review

Thu, 15 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

It has been two months now since our last “Month in Review” – what a full and grace-filled time it has been for us Sisters! Lent and Easter brought a time of deeper prayer and conversion of heart for each of us, but also a time of fervent apostolic activity.

Once again the Sisters hosted the freshman class of Cardinal Newman High School for the annual Freshman Retreat. Local diocesan speakers addressed the students on authentic femininity for the girls and authentic masculinity for the boys. Students were also able to participate in Holy Mass here at our Convent Chapel, hike to the Cross in our “Back 40”, play games and make faith-inspired crafts – all in the company of the Sisters!

March also brought the joy of visits from several young women interested in discerning Religious Life with our Community. We shared our prayer life and apostolates with them. It is a privilege to see their openness to God’s Will and to help each discern what this might be for her.

At the end of March two of our Sisters drove down to Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA to give a vocations talk and be a religious presence on campus. Visiting with the faithful faculty, staff, and students of this Catholic college is always encouraging and inspiring. On the drive home, the Sisters were able to see two of our historic California Missions: Mission Basilica San Buenaventura and Mission Santa Barbara.

April brought big events for our two Marian Sodalities. The Our Lady of Grace Sodality in Santa Rosa had their first retreat at Mater Dei Convent. At the end of the retreat morning, several young ladies officially became candidates by receiving the Miraculous Medal.

Just a few days before this, the Roses of Mary Sodality at Kolbe-Trinity Academy in Napa saw four of their members make their Consecration to Jesus through Mary and receive their Sodality’s blessed garment. Thanks be to God for His graces at work in each of these young women through Mary’s intercession!

Holy Week is often full of intense Liturgical planning and preparation. This year was no exception, and yet the Sisters all agreed that it was very peaceful and prayerful too. We joined the Cathedral parish for Palm Sunday Mass with our Bishop. Holy Thursday and Good Friday were observed in the intimacy of our Convent Chapel, with an exquisite Altar of Repose prepared for our Lord. Between Holy Thursday evening and the Veneration of the Cross the afternoon of Good Friday, our Eucharistic Jesus was rarely alone.

The Easter Vigil brought a particular joy for one of our Sisters – one of her former students received the Sacraments of Initiation! Another highlight of Easter Week was a visit to Sacramento, the capital of our state. The entire Community had a tour of the state capital before visiting the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament just a block and a half away. Following this, we went to the parish of our good friend, Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo. He and his niece gave us a two hour class on the Eastern Churches and Byzantine chant before we participated in Divine Liturgy to honor our Risen Lord and their parish patron, St. George. What a joy to celebrate part of Bright Week with some of our Eastern brothers and sisters!
Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!

Our Lady's Son

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

As Marian Sisters, we are greatly devoted to the Blessed Mother but we also take as our patron a man who made an immense impact in spreading devotion to Our Lady, St. Louis Marie de Montfort.

Today is the feast of St. Louis de Montfort who lived in France from 1673 to 1716. He is most well known for his work True Devotion to Mary and his efforts to spread consecration to Jesus through Mary. In imitation of this great patron, each Sister consecrates herself to Jesus through Mary using his method and strives to live it out in her daily life. While we renew this consecration each day, one of our best-loved customs is the communal renewal we make together every Saturday before the evening meal.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort wrote many other works including one particularly fitting for this Paschal season, his letter to the Friends of the Cross. This letter, written to a group of laity, reveals his great love for the Cross of Christ and also masterfully portrays the indispensable link between the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection, not only for Our Lord but also for each of us who are called to follow Him.

"Indeed, is it not the Cross which has given to Jesus Christ 'the name which is above all other names, so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld should bend the knee at the name of Jesus?' The glory of one who knows how to suffer is so great that heaven, angels and men, and even God himself, gaze on him with joy as a most glorious sight. And if the saints in heaven desired anything, it would be to return to earth so as to bear some crosses" - Friends of the Cross.

On this feast of a man who had a tremendous love for our Blessed Mother and the Cross of Jesus, let us ask for a share in his great love so that we may also come to the glory of Heaven through the intercession of our Mother and Queen.

What ill or evil, Lord can harm
This joyous heart that You alone can charm?
I love You more with every breath,
So how can I fear life or death?
To love You, Father, is to live and sing
The songs the angels sing their King.
God alone in every cell of me!
God alone! For all eternity!
-St. Louis Marie de Montfort

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

The Triduum with Our Lady

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Paul Delaroche (1797–1856)

The most sacred time of our liturgical year is upon us – the Triduum! We Sisters have been preparing our hearts and our Convent throughout all of Lent for these great mysteries. Now we pray we may participate as lovingly and worthily as possible in the re-presentation of our Lord and Spouse’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

We rejoice in the gift of the Most Holy Eucharist given to us on Holy Thursday. We keep company with our Lord in His Agony at the Altar of Repose. Good Friday is spent in prayerful silence. Our voices are only heard in the Church’s prayer and devotions for this day. Holy Saturday is spent in union with our Sorrowful Mother.

St. John Leading the Virgin from the Tomb - William Dyce (1806-1864)

This is easier said than done. Naturally the day is bursting full of preparation and anticipation of the light of the Resurrection! Many in the world are already enjoying egg hunts, candy, and the company of family and friends. Yet in our preparation we strive to remember with Mary that there was a time when Jesus lay dead, sealed in the tomb, and in the grief and shock most of His disciples did not remember His promise to rise again. Mary alone kept Faith and Hope in her Son that first Holy Saturday. We Sisters want to imitate our Mother’s virtues, especially in circumstances where it is unclear how Jesus’ Resurrection will bring light to the crosses of our own lives.

Let us ask our Sorrowful Mother to intercede for us in these great days. By her prayers, may we live more perfectly the life of grace that Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection make available to us!

What's in Your Prie-Dieu for Lent?

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

We have all heard the phrase: “You are what you eat”; perhaps it could just as accurately be said: “You are what you read”!

The thoughts and images we imbibe from books and media form our minds and hearts. Because of this, daily spiritual reading is an integral part of our religious life. It fills our minds with thoughts of God and provides a storehouse from which we pull ideas to speak to Him in our meditation and throughout the day. The Sisters’ will often choose reading directed toward the themes of particular liturgical seasons. During Lent, the Sisters’ prie-dieus are full of books about Our Lord’s Passion, Our Lady’s Sorrows, the Seven Last Words, the Stations of the Cross, and personal repentance and conversion. As we reach the culmination of the Lenten season, the Sisters shared some choice quotes from their spiritual reading to inspire your Holy Week:

"After a moment, I saw the Lord, all covered with wounds; and He said to me, Look at whom you have espoused. I understood the meaning of these words and answered the Lord, "Jesus, I love You more when I see You wounded and crushed with suffering like this than if I saw You in majesty." Jesus asked, Why? I replied, "Great majesty terrifies me, little nothing that I am, and Your wounds draw me to Your Heart and tell me of Your great love for me" (St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in her Diary).

"[W]e must choose among all the devotions to the Blessed Virgin the one which will lead us more surely to...emptying ourselves of self-love, filling ourselves with God, and attaining perfection" (St. Louis Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary).

"[St. Augustine] says that God preferred to bring good out of evil rather than to prevent evil. And indeed it is worthy of divine wisdom, love, and power to be able to draw out of those dark depths some magnificent good. Jesus Christ, who came to transform all things, who elevated, sanctified, and divinized them, did not wish to suppress evil, but gave us the divine secret of getting good out of it" (Archbishop Luis Martinez, The Sanctifier).

"Sinlessness is not common to our Mother and to us. But sorrow is. It is the one thing we share, the one common thing betwixt us. We will sit with her therefore, and sorrow with her, and grow more full of love, not forgetting her grandeurs but pressing to our hearts with fondest predilection the memory of her exceeding martyrdom" (Father Faber, The Foot of the Cross).

"A final dimension of [Mary's] faith is its tenacity. Hers was a faith delicate in its beauty, intricate in its design, but steadfast in its courage and tenacity. Of Mary, to whom much was given, much was expected! ... It is important for us to remember that this faith of Mary must be the model of our own… As in Mary, so also in us, Christ must live by faith. He must inhabit us. We do not have that fullness of receptivity for God's Word that was Mary's. But God has given us in our created reality and uniquely in our Baptism that radical capacity to hear and receive his Word" (James Cardinal Hickey, Mary at the Foot of the Cross: A Retreat Given to John Paul II and the Papal Household).

Our Heavenly Father

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Henrik Olrik (1830–1890)

For the past few days, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been filled with Our Lord speaking of and in reference to His Heavenly Father. As Holy Week quickly approaches, the Liturgy gives us a glimpse of what may have filled Our Lord’s mind as He neared His excruciating passion and death. Doubt, fear, and terror would be normal human responses, but Jesus exhibits peace and calm. How can this be? It is because the eyes of His Heart were gazing in absolute and complete trust on His Heavenly Father. Our Lord was secure in the knowledge of His Father’s infinite love and power. He trusted that nothing would happen to Him save what His Father permitted. This trust was not disturbed by the mocking of the crowds, an increased threat from the Pharisees, or even His Divine knowledge of the horrendous pain that He would soon endure.

It should thrill our hearts to think that we have the same loving Heavenly Father. He is filled with loving concern and wants to provide for us, but He will only do so if only we let Him. Let us pray for a share of Our Lord’s absolute trust in our Heavenly Father and ask for the peace that comes from a deep understanding of His infinite love even in the midst of trials.

Gustave_Doré-Le_Calvaire

Our Father
Who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
on earth as it is in heaven
give us this day
our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Fiat Mihi Secundum Verbum Tuum

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Part III

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

After a hiatus, we return to our document study of Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical: Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Read parts I, and II.

Our first post reviewed the Introduction and first chapter of this document, rekindling our
amazement in the gift of the Eucharist by emphasizing the presence of the entire Paschal
Mystery of Jesus Christ in every Eucharistic consecration. Our second installment considered the Holy Father’s reflections on how the Eucharist “Builds the Church” by conforming each faithful recipient to Christ. This gift of the Eucharist is “Apostolic” in three ways: 1) it was entrusted to the apostles, 2) it is celebrated in conformity with the faith of the apostles, and 3) we would not have the Eucharist without apostolic succession. This final part will review the last three chapters and the conclusion of the encyclical.

Chapter Four is titled “The Eucharist and Ecclesial Communion.” This beautiful chapter
follows upon the progression of the previous three. It is a loving reminder that the Eucharist is “the culmination of all the sacraments”, for by it our communion with the Triune God is perfected. In the other six sacraments – Baptism, Confession, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick – we receive Sanctifying Grace for our state in life. But in receiving the Holy Eucharist, the well-disposed soul receives God Himself. Because of this intimate union with the Divine, the Holy Father reminds us that participation in this Communion means we ought also to be living in charity with our neighbor. If any of us is conscious of a grave sin against God or our neighbor, we should refrain from the sacrilege of receiving unworthily the Most Holy Eucharist.

Anointing by William Hole

The next chapter begins with a meditation on the Anointing at Bethany (cf. Mt. 26:8; Mk 14:4; Jn. 12:4). Before the Last Supper and Passion of Jesus, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints His head with a costly ointment. The response of Judas is that this is a “waste”, but our Lord commends Mary’s generosity and love. This meditation continues as the Holy Father reflects on our Lord’s directions to His disciples before the Last Supper, that they carefully prepare the Upper Room in which the Passover meal is to be celebrated according to the prescribed rites. Inspired by these Gospel passages, St. John Paul II exhorts us to observe the dignity and solemnity of the Eucharistic mystery with great fidelity. We cannot neglect the poor who are always with us, but our ministry to the least among us need not limit our ability to be generous and extravagant in our observance of the Eucharistic Liturgy the Church has preserved for us.

Comunione Della Vergine by Alonso Cano

Chapter Six is very dear to the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, for it contains the three pillars of our Spirituality: Ecclesial, Eucharistic, and Marian. In this last chapter on Mary, “Woman of the Eucharist”, St. John Paul II shows that, though she was likely nearby at the time of the Institution of the Eucharist and certainly was present at the Eucharist celebrations of the early Church, the Blessed Mother was the perfect Eucharistic disciple throughout her whole life. We see this clearly at the Annunciation, when she conceived Jesus – true God and true Man – by the power of the Holy Spirit. She must have recalled this moment in salvation history every time she received Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass! Surely she would have recalled the sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist as well, recalling the moment at the Foot of the Cross when her Son offered His Life to redeem men from their sins and made her the Mother of the Church.

In his Conclusion, St. John Paul II gives a summary of all the dimensions of the Eucharist
he has considered in this encyclical, which was to be his last. His great personal love for the
Eucharist shines forth. He exhorts us to follow the example of Mary and of the saints, who let themselves be transformed by our Lord’s True Presence in the Eucharist.

May we, like them, grow in union with the Trinity and each other by the infinite grace of
Jesus, meek and humble, truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist!

Jesus Went Into the Desert

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

“Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.”
- Pope Benedict XV

On days of we observe with greater silence like Ash Wednesday, the Sisters like to spend time in the hills behind our Convent – affectionately called the “Back 40”. It is undeveloped grassland and while one can still hear the freeway in the distance, it feels like wilderness. Jesus often went out alone into the wilderness. We hear about the Spirit driving Him into the desert for forty days in the readings of the First Sunday of Lent. But what did Jesus exactly do in the wilderness all this time?

There is an acronym that is sometimes used in 12-step programs – HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. As fallen human beings, these emotions can make us more susceptible to falling into temptation. Yet, Jesus actively chose to feel these ways when He went out into the desert with no food, no protection from the elements, no companionship, and no comfort. He went out into the desert to face everything that we try to run away from: our weakness, our need, our fears.

During Lent, we are called to follow Jesus into the desert to face our desires and needs in His presence. We are challenged to see ourselves for who we really are, rather than hiding behind facades or distractions. We are not asked to walk into this dangerous desert alone. We invited to follow the Lord into the particular desert He leads us to, with all the trials that He ordains for our good. When Jesus faced the devil, He did not speak to him except with Scripture, so we too should rely on the grace of God and prayer especially through His Word to combat the temptations that are inevitable in this life. If we follow His example, we will not be led astray!

May your 40 day journey into the wilderness be a time of great growth in grace!

“Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

A Month in Review

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

We have only completed two months of 2025, but Our Lord has already blessed us with many adventures. In January, two of our Sisters traveled to the Immaculata Conference in Texas to support this admirable event. On this grace-filled trip, they gave presentations on Our Lady and vocations and were edified by the deep love for our Our Lady and devotion to her rosary exhibited by the participants.

Four of our Sisters were thrilled to attend the Institute on Religious Life regional meeting in Los Angeles. It was an uplifting trip for the Sisters who enjoyed spending time with other Religious and listening to excellent presentations on the theme: "Forming a Eucharistic Heart".

The Sisters in the schools were very busy for Catholic Schools Week! The Bishop visited the elementary school classrooms, which always puts the students on their best behavior. A highlight was the Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral with Sister's choir of students giving praise to God through liturgical music.

We are immensely grateful for a successful and beautiful Evening with the Sisters on February 8th. It was a special joy to see and visit so many of our friends together in one place! The Evening was filled with conversation, laughter, music, good food, and excellent company. Thank you all who made this lovely event possible!

Six of our Sisters took a trip up to Ferndale and sang for the funeral of a beloved friend and long-time benefactor of the Community. She hosted us on our first visits to the northern part of our diocese ten years ago, and supported and encouraged us through the years. It was a privilege and joy to be present with her family to pray for the repose of her soul and offer thanksgiving for the gift of such a beautiful life.

Our Rosa Mystica Sodality had a number of girls make their Marian Consecration. As part of the ceremony, the young ladies receive a blessed garment. For this Sodality, it is a charming scarf which each Sodalist embroiders with the emblem of the Sodality.

In the midst of the action and excitement of the month , the Sisters were able to take some much needed rest in the Lord. The whole Community took a day of retreat and recollection on President's day and a couple of the Sisters were able to go on a week-long retreat. These days of retreat and prayer are so essential for us as religious. We can only give what we have received from the Lord and the more we receive, the more we can give. Prayer is truly the life-blood of religious, we literally couldn't and wouldn't exist without it!

The school month ended with a flourish with one of the elementary classes presenting a Saint Wax Museum. The novices delighted in visiting "the Museum" and hearing the students present on their saints.

Prayer, especially the prayer of the Church, is at the heart of our life, so we are very grateful to the Cathedral choir for welcoming Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka to give the Sisters and the choir ongoing formation in music, particularly chant. We enjoyed learning techniques which will help us to praise the Lord more freely.

O My Beloved St. Joseph...

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

O my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child.
Take charge of my salvation;
watch over me day and night;
preserve me from occasions of sin;
obtain for me purity of body.
Through thy intercession with Jesus,
grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial,
a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,
and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my Mother.
St. Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying,
and obtain for me a favorable judgment. Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Lent is Coming...

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Easter is the feast of feasts, the pinnacle of the liturgical year. We spend forty days in Lent just to prepare for it! But how do we prepare for Lent? Is there something that can help us get ready?

The idea of a pre-Lent season has been a long-standing tradition in the Church and was commonly known as Septuagesima or Shrovetide. Various cultural traditions such as the Carnival and Mardi Gras find their origins in this season. As we approach the fast of Lent, we take a special joy in the goodness of God's creation - and our Sisters' cooking! This savoring of the delights of food is also practical as it gives a household the opportunity to finish up any treats or sweets in the pantry before they enter the penitential time of Lent. But there is also a more serious aspect to this time of preparation. It is an opportunity to turn to Our Lord and arouse our desire to unite with His fasting for forty days in the desert and accompany Him on the way of the Cross. It is a good time to pray about how we want to spend our Lent and what concrete practices we will undertake. If we mentally prepare beforehand, Ash Wednesday can find us ready and excited to enter the grace-filled season of Lent.

In the Convent, one of the ways the Sisters spend this time preparing for Lent is by writing a "Prayer and Penance Program". While the we have communal obeservances of penance and prayer, each Sister takes on her own personal resolutions. Her program is in the form of a letter, directed to Jesus or Mary, describing the practices the Sister has prayerfully discerned the Lord is asking of her in order to grow in closer union with Him during the 40 days of Lent. She knows too that the greatest penance is often found in accepting the unexpected Crosses that daily arise, and she turns her will to align with whatever Lent the Lord has prepared for her.

These final days before Lent are the last chance to enjoy a bit of feasting but it is also an opportunity to turn the heart and mind with joyful expectation to the great fast of Lent and the subsequent greatest miracle of Christ's ultimate victory over death and sin.

Preparations Continue

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

The Sisters continue working on their masterpieces for our live auction at our February 8th event: An Evening with the Sisters . Previously, we shared a few pictures of the Sacred Hearts piece. It has really progressed over the last week!

Sister began by molding the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and most pure heart of St. Joseph. After they were dry and stable to handle, she surrounded the 3D Hearts with a sunset background. To finish, she plans to add flames above each of the Hearts and the characteristic cross above the Sacred Heart.

This one-of-a-kind painting will be featured at our live auction along with other original art pieces created by the Sisters. We look forward to sharing these with you and more at our Evening with the Sisters!

Are You Ready?

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

The Sisters are! We are busily preparing absolutely unique pieces of art to share with you.

This Sister is creating a one-of-a-kind image featuring the Sacred Heart flanked by the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the most chaste heart of St. Joseph. Now that she has finished molding the 3-D hearts, she will begin painting the whole canvas. This gorgeous painting will feature in our live auction at An Evening with the Sisters. Register now!

Two weeks ago...

Two days ago!

Just wait until you see it in color!

Join us at An Evening with the Sisters ! We look forward to seeing you there.

Dontate

A Month in Review

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

January always seems to spring upon us! It is far away and then suddenly we are half way through! This is in no small part because all our love, time, and attention goes to preparing to celebrate our dear Savior's birth, a celebration which is extended well into the new year. This year was no different. In fact, it was probably more so, given that our Sisters made vows on December 27, the feast of John the Beloved, in addition to the usual festivities.

December is apostolically one of our busiest seasons. The Sisters in the elementary school have the joy of preparing the students for the annual Advent program, while the Sisters in the high school have the slightly-less-obvious joy of preparing their students for finals! A special joy was the enrollment our Napa Sodalists in the Miraculous Medal.

Added to that are the absolutely necessary but unpredictable engagements: the funeral of a long-time parishioner and friend, the gift of 60 boxes of supurb Catholic books to augment our library, a quick jaunt to Ferndale to supervise the installation of the upstairs heat, with a few others thrown in for good measure and you have a full month!

Meanwhile, all the everyday duties continue. Teaching, sacristy, caring for our Convent home, and work in the Chancery offices continue without interuption.

There are also the traditional annual events: attendance at the Women of the Word Advent brunch, caroling for our favorite care center, lots of extra choir practice for the Christmas liturgies, Christmas caroling for our neighbors, and the like.

"Normal" life in the Chancery - surely much work is getting done!

Thanks be to God for retreat Sunday! Having a day set aside once a month to more intentionally foster our union with the Beloved fuels us for our apostolates, and in this case, spiritually prepared us for the great feast and season of Christmas.

"And the Word was made Flesh." After all the apostolic activities of December, it was a blessed treat to spend our Octave together pondering this mystery.

Octaves are a special time for us. We do not take on outside apostolates, and chose rather to spend time in prayer and with each other, restoring the bonds of charity, first with our Lord and then with our Sisters. It is an opportunity to have little adventures together, such as our annual outing to roller skate (courtesy of the wonderful owner of CalSkate in Rohnert Park!) or re-visiting our favorite Community hikes. Other Sisters take joy in crafting or playing games together.

The Sisters' First Profession of Vows was a beautiful and heartening beginning to our Octave, but that was shared about in these blog posts already: Are You Nervous Yet? and O Little Ring .

Renewing our Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary on Founding Day

The close of the Octave was swiftly followed by our 13th Anniversary of Founding on January 4th. We were priviledged to be able to welcome our Bishop for a talk, Mass, and brunch. The professed Sisters formally renewed their vows in the context of the Mass. It was a touching moment for many of the Sisters because, while we renew our vows daily, we have never had the opportunity to do so using the formula we used at our profession of vows.

It is only after all these wonderful things that January seems to start! No wonder it feels like such a surpising and short month. It comes as a "relief" to be back to normal schedule, about our Father's business, tending the vineyard He has entrusted to our care. And yet, that is what we have been doing all along: recreating, chanting, worshiping, or teaching we are only about doing His will and glorifying Him. May we ever be receptive of the graces He gives!

An Evening with the Sisters

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary, You are cordially invited to attend our annual Evening with the Sisters hosted at the lovely and peaceful Roche Winery on February 8, 2025 from 4-8pm. Join us for an elegant dinner, a peek into our life and work, a musical presentation by the Sisters, a live auction, fun, and fellowship. Advance registration is required. Register at: www.mariansisters.com/event .

Registration: https://www.mariansisters.com/event.html

We look forward to seeing you!

Donate Now

O Little Ring

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

O little ring, you have cost me a lot,
what happiness will you bring to soothe tears flowing hot?

I have nothing to give you, on my own I am nought,
but my Master’s good wishes I bear as I ought.

O little ring, good wishes you bear,
tell me His words, His message so fair.

I sing of His Heart, It’s every deep care,
and you, little Sister, are in It’s depths there:

I made you in love, from Love you were formed;
     to be My delight and, evil be warned,
     to be My own temple, My haven in rest;
     My spouse – with the key to My Heart in your breast.

     For this you were made and for nothing less,
     to be My beloved and with love to say “yes!”

     I hear your heart longing and see every tear.
     When will you come to Me and cast down your fears?
     Give me all that you are and all that you’re not
     for I will accept it, even though you cannot.
     Your sins do not scare Me or weakness offend Me;
     for great is My Love and infinite Mercy!

     Only the doubt which clouds your sweet heart
     can take you away from doing your part.
     Look not at your Sisters or to any other
     but give all your cares to Mary, your Mother.
     My Mother will help you to be a good bride
     trust her in all things and the devil will hide

Thus says my Great Master to you His betrothed
upon whom His blessing is forthwith bestowed.

O little ring, bright band of pure silver,
how can I thank you for the words you deliver?
The cost I had counted is not your true worth
but only the echo of temporal hurt.
Your true value is found in the truth you proclaim:
This sinner is loved by the God-Man Who came
to die and to rise, and heaven to gain,
for His bride in whose heart forever He’ll reign.

Written by one of the newly professed Sisters

Are You Nervous Yet?

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

On December 27, the feast of St. John the Beloved, Sr. Claudia Marie of Our Mother of Mercy and Sr. Mary Perpetua of Our Mother of the Incarnate Word made their First Profession of Vows. Vows are so special to the whole Community; those who are professed renew their dedication, while those who remain in the novitiate look to what lies ahead. We pray for our newly professed Sisters that "the Lord who has begun this good work in them, bring it to fulfillment."

"Are You Nervous Yet?"

Written by a Novice on the eve of her Vows in response to a question
asked by her Novice Mistress, "Are you nervous yet?"

I’m nervous like a rose about to bloom.

As my tender roots sought blindly in the earth for water to give me life
I was nervous.

As my little stem poked above the ground on a cloudy day, searching for sunlight
I was nervous.
As my leaves yellowed and bore dark spots of sickness
I was nervous.
As I was pruned at the hand of the Gardener
I was nervous.
As my first buds began to grow and the frost crept close
I was nervous.
All my little life, I’ve been nervous.

Today, I will enter into the task for which I was made.
My roots are firm, my stem strong, my leaves (continuously) healed.
Today, my pruned branches stretch with longing, and the season of frost has passed.
Today, the little buds have grown and they tremble to burst forth for the Gardener’s Good Pleasure.

What does a flower have to fear when the Gardener holds her blooms so dear?

Today, I bloom for joy, not nerves, because Love is to be my Spouse this day.

First Profession Slideshow

Our Lady, Queen of Religious Life, Ora Pro Nobis!

What's in Your Prie-Dieu for Advent?

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

The Nativity by Antoniazzo Romano

During the different liturgical seasons, the Sisters often gravitate toward seasonally-focused spiritual reading to help direct their hearts and prayers in the spirit of the season. During Advent, one sees the Sisters using various books on Our Lord's incarnation, Our Lady's role in the mysteries of redemption, the Holy Family, the Four Last Things, or other content pertaining to the coming of Christ at Christmas.

As we are now nearing the end of Advent, the Sisters are well into their Advent reading and have a few quotes they wanted to share to aid in your spiritual renewal during this season. We hope they inspire you to dive deeper into what Jesus wishes to teach you regarding His coming as our "Emmanuel", God-with-us.

"Advent is a time of being deeply shaken, so that man will wake up to himself. The prerequisite for a fulfilled Advent is a renunciation of the arrogant gestures and tempting dreams with which, and in which, man is always deceiving himself...But at the same time there is much more to Advent than this. The shaking is what sets up the secret blessedness of this season and enkindles the inner light in our hearts, so Advent will be blessed with the promises of the Lord. The shaking, the awakening: with these, life merely begins to become capable of Advent. It is precisely in the severity of this awakening, in the helplessness of coming to consciousness, in the wretchedness of experiencing our limitations that the golden threads running between Heaven and earth during this season reach us; the threads that give the world a hint of the abundance to which it is called, the abundance of which it is capable" (Fr. Alfred Delp S.J., The Advent of the Heart).

Lighting the Advent Wreath at Dinner

"Jesus wants you to accept St. Joseph as your spiritual father. This is true whether you have had a saintly or sinful biological father. Saint Joseph is the greatest, most loving, and holiest of all fathers. He is the father of Christians and the perfect model of paternal love" (Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC; Consecration to St. Joseph).

"In the expression "Blessed is she who believed," we can therefore rightly find a kind of "key" which unlocks for us the innermost reality of Mary, whom the angel hailed as "full of grace." If as "full of grace" she has been eternally present in the mystery of Christ, through faith she became a sharer in that mystery in every extension of her earthly journey. She "advanced in her pilgrimage of faith" and at the same time, in a discreet yet direct and effective way, she made present to humanity the mystery of Christ. And she still continues to do so. Through the mystery of Christ, she too is present within mankind. Thus through the mystery of the Son the mystery of the Mother is also made clear"
(St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater).

“{Mary} loves them tenderly, more tenderly than all the mothers in the world together. Take the maternal love of all the mothers of the world for their children. Pour all that love into the heart of one mother for an only child. That mother’s love would certainly be immense. Yet Mary’s love for each of her children has more tenderness than the love of that mother for her child” (St. Louis Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary).

"Let us kneel down and pray for the threefold blessing and the threefold consecration of Advent. Let us pray for the openness and willingness to hear the warning prophets of the Lord and to overcome the devastation of life through conversion of heart...let us kneel down and pray for keen eyes capable of seeing God's messengers of annunciation, for vigilant hearts wise enough to perceive the words of the promise...One more time, we want to kneel and pray for faith in life's motherly consecration, in the figure of the blessed woman from Nazareth. Already, today and for always, life is torn away from the cruel and merciless powers. Let us be patient and wait, with an Advent waiting for the hour in which it pleases the Lord to appear anew, even in this night, as fruit and mystery of this time" (Fr. Alfred Delp S.J., The Advent of the Heart).

Rorate Mass at the Convent

To sum up, Mary becomes all things for the soul that wishes to serve Jesus Christ. She enlightens his mind with her pure faith. She deepens his heart with her humility. She enlarges and inflames his heart with her charity, makes it pure with her purity, makes it noble and great through her motherly care. But why dwell on this? Experience alone will teach us the wonder wrought by Mary in the soul, wonders so great that the wise and the proud and even a great number of devout people find it hard to credit them (St. Louis Marie de Montfort, Secret of Mary).

Mary's Song in Advent

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

La Visitation

Advent is the season of Our Lady. During the first Advent, Mary carried the Christ-child next to her heart and waited in joyful expectation for His birth.

During this time, the words of the beloved prayer “Hail Mary” were spoken to her by the angel Gabriel and her cousin St. Elizabeth. Not only do we have the words spoken to Mary, but also the words Mary spoke to St. Elizabeth. Our Lady's words express the song that was constantly on her heart, the canticle of praise that she ceaselessly lifted up to God. This prayer of Mary is called the “Magnificat” or the “Canticle of Mary” and like the Hail Mary, it is a treasured prayer of the Church. It is so special that the Church prays it every day as part of Evening Prayer (Vespers).

As each decade of the Rosary is preceded by the annunciation of a mystery we ponder, so at Evening Prayer the Magnificat is preceded by an antiphon that helps direct our prayer. The Magnificat antiphons vary throughout the liturgical year, but during the seven days leading up to Christmas, they are particularly beautiful and each one begins with an “O”. These “O Antiphons” also serve as the Alleluia verse at Mass on these days. Today as we begin the O Antiphons, you are invited to pray with us, the entire Church, and Our Lady in joyful expectation for the coming of Our Lord.

Click for the O Antiphon of the Day

December 22

December 23

December Newsletter

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Open the Door of Your Heart

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

“We know that the coming of the Lord is threefold… The first coming was in flesh and weakness, the middle coming is in spirit and power, and the final coming will be in glory and majesty.” - St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Season of Advent

Jesus Christ, knocking at the door.

This weekend, our convent home will undergo a stark transition. The colorful autumn leaves decorating our refectory table will be replaced by an evergreen wreath with four candles. The relics of saints filling our household shrine will give way to a simple purple cloth and empty manger. Violet will clothe the tabernacle and priest during the liturgies in our chapel.

These external signs demonstrate an interior change of spirit: Advent is here.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus or "coming". Throughout Advent, we live in a particular way the expectation which marks our entire lives as Christians. We remember Christ’s first coming in the weakness of a little child over 2000 years ago. We anticipate His final coming in glory at the end of time. And we call to mind his daily coming in spirit especially through the Sacraments.

Advent gives us a chance to make external changes to help facilitate the interior disposition of expectation and receptivity. Christ is always standing at the door of our hearts, knocking. It is our part to open the door.

Ways to Prepare During Advent

Enter into the Advent Liturgy: Holy Mother Church gives us everything we need to prepare for Christ’s coming. Assisting at Mass on Sundays and perhaps even weekdays brings us to a personal encounter with our Emmanuel, God-with-us , in the Eucharist. Praying the Divine Office in Advent can also be fruitful. The O Antiphons are particularly beautiful.

Spend Time in Prayerful Reading : God’s Word in Sacred Scripture opens our hearts to receive the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ. During Advent, the Infancy Narratives of Luke 1 & 2 and Matthew 1 & 2, as well as Psalm 80 , Psalm 89: 47-49 , and Psalm 42 expressing longing and expectation are rich for meditation.

O Antienne Clavis

Madonna with Child and Angels
by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

Look to Our Lady: She is already waiting at the crib, desiring to teach us to make our hearts a pleasant manger for the Christ Child to dwell in. Meditating on the Joyful Mysteries can help us to imitate her joyful expectation.

See the Christ Child in Everyone We Meet: “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

Profound Gratitude

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends,

Praised be Jesus and Mary! Happy Thanksgiving! It is with profound gratitude that we thank God for each and everyone of you on this day for giving thanks.

It is a privilege to receive and respond to Our Lord's call to serve Him in adoration and through service of His people. Our Father is a good Father who provides for all our needs, spiritual and temporal. Often He does so through YOU. Thank you for your prayers and gifts of tangible support. We will carry you before the Altar of God with thanks today.

the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa

Reign in Our Hearts!

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Before entering the beginning of the liturgical year at Advent, we reach the triumphant culmination of the liturgical cycle with the feast of Christ the King. This is when we remember and celebrate the ultimate victory of Christ and His reign over all. It may seem easy and obvious to accept Christ's kingship in our heads (of course He is King!) but do we believe this in our hearts and live by it? Do we accept Christ's reign in what His Will manifests throughout the day? Do we surrender our problems to His providential care? There are so many troubles in the world, in our homes, in our very selves, all of these are opportunities to place everything under the reign of our Divine King who will always triumph over evil. Our Lord wishes us to live in peace. Indeed, we will live in peace if our trust is in Him.

"The Lord shall sit as King for ever: the Lord shall bless His people in peace."
- Psalm 28:10

Week Four of Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Day 24 | Day 25 | Day 26 | Day 27 | Day 28 | Day 29 | Day 30

Charity

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Let us Become Saints!

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Ecclesia de Eucharistia: Part II

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Let us resume our document study of Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical: Ecclesia de Eucharistia. In his Introduction the Holy Father expressed his intent of rekindling in the faithful our amazement at the gift of the Eucharist. In Chapter One was emphasized the presence of the entire Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in every Eucharistic consecration at Holy Mass. From this foundation St. John Paul II then looks to how the Eucharist “Builds the Church” and at its “Apostolicity”.

Chapter 2, “The Eucharist Builds the Church”, begins by quoting Lumen Gentium :

As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which “Christ our pasch is sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out. At the same time in the sacrament of the Eucharistic bread, the unity of the faithful, who form one body in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:17), is both expressed and brought about.

A few paragraphs later, it is noted that the faithful are incorporated into the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism. Fervent reception of the Eucharist renews our Baptismal incorporation into Christ, for in this Communion “each of us receives Christ” and “Christ receives each of us.” As each of us grow in union with our Lord through reception of the Eucharist, so too is the unity of the Church as the body of Christ strengthened.

United in Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit the Church then stands as a witness of fraternal charity and unity in a world wounded by division.

The second chapter ends with a beautiful exhortation that the faithful not only receive our Eucharistic Lord at the Sacrifice of the Mass, but that they spend time with Him in Adoration outside of Holy Mass. “It is pleasant to spend time with Him, to lie close to His breast like the Beloved Disciple (c.f. Jn. 13:25) and to feel the infinite love present in His Heart.” This is a practice, the Saint states, which continues the good work begun in our souls by reception of the Eucharist at Mass.

Chapter 3: “The Apostolicity of the Eucharist and of the Church” powerfully describes the relationship ordained by Jesus Christ between Bishops and Priests and the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church , St. John Paul II reiterates the three ways the Eucharist is said to be Apostolic. First, it has its foundation in the Apostles “because it was entrusted by Jesus to the apostles and has been handed down to us by them and by their successors.” Second, the Eucharist is celebrated “in conformity with the faith of the apostles.” Lastly, there would be no Eucharist without apostolic succession.

It is this last point which the Holy Father expounds upon for the rest of the chapter. While all of the faithful participate in Christ’s royal priesthood by virtue of their Baptism, it is only “the ordained priest who, ‘acting in the person of Christ, brings about the Eucharistic Sacrifice and offers it to God in the name of all the people.’” The phrase “in the person of Christ” is absolutely essential, and means so much more than “by the power of” or “in the name of”. A man ordained to the priesthood or episcopacy participates in a “sacramental identification” with Christ. The Eucharist is the center of a priest’s life, and without the priest there is no Eucharist.

Let us pray for holy and Eucharistic centered priests and bishops!

All Souls Day

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:00:00 GMT

What Do Sisters Do All Day?

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT

“Apostolic action will proceed from our intimate union with God… We ask Our Lady to share with us the love which enables us to offer our lives every day for Christ and to cooperate with Him in the Salvation of the World” (MSSR Constitutions).

One of the common questions we get from new acquaintances is: “But what do you do ?” And it’s a good question. What do Sisters do all day?

We do many of the same things that anyone else would do. We answer the phone, send emails, teach classes, correct exams, attend meetings, give out Band-Aids, make dinner, commute, and do laundry. But, everything we do, we do as Sisters. We are consecrated women, that is, women whom God has dedicated as particularly His own, and this dedication is not only for ourselves but for the good of the whole world. One of the documents of the Church on Religious Life states, “The choice of a person by God is for the sake of others: the consecrated person is one who is sent to do the work of God in the power of God” (Essential Elements, 23).

Like Christ, we are consecrated and sent into the world for its salvation. Our mission, therefore, is His and the works that we take on must be in keeping with our particular charism, the gift that the Holy Spirit has inspired in our Community for the Church. For us, this means our works should communicate the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic faith .

Daily, in whatever apostolic work we find ourselves, we strive to love as Christ loved and to be Mary’s hands and heart in the world.

Apostolate Slideshow

Our Lady of The Rosary

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to know Jesus as well as Our Lady knew Him? To understand and share in His life as she did?

Today, October 7th, is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and a special day to renew our devotion and love for this prayer. Our Lady participated deeply in Our Lord’s life from the Annunciation throughout His life on earth and continuing still with Him in Heaven. When Christ gave us Mary as our Mother, He invited us to share in their special relationship. Our Blessed Mother wants to share with us her own intimate knowledge and love of Christ. Towards this end, we have been given the Rosary, a beautiful contemplative prayer in which we ponder Jesus with Mary.

“Among creatures no one knows Christ better than Mary; no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of his mystery better than his Mother.” –Rosarium Virginis Mariae

As Marian Sisters, the Rosary is an important part of our daily life. It is a key means by which we come to know our beloved Spouse and His Mother. This way of walking with Jesus and Mary not only helps us unite the events of our day with those of Jesus but also brings His life into ours. Kneeling, sitting, or walking, in Chapel, in nature or in the car, the Sisters ponder Our Lord’s life bead after bead and by God’s grace there begins to be a mysterious melding of our life with His.

Every Sunday our Sisters gather for a special communal rosary in our Chapel. We begin with a prayer that one of our community’s patrons, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, composed. St. Louis' great love for the Blessed Mother flowered into a great devotion to the Rosary, as evident in his prayer below.

“I unite with all the saints in heaven, with all the just on earth, and with all the faithful here present. I unite with Thee, O my Jesus, in order to praise worthily Thy holy Mother and to praise Thee in her and through her. I renounce all distractions that I may have during this Rosary, which I wish to say with modesty, attention, and devotion, just as if it were to be the last of my life.
We offer Thee, O most Holy Trinity, this Creed in honor of all the mysteries of our Faith; this Our Father and these three Hail Marys in honor of the unity of Thy Essence and the Trinity of Thy Persons. We ask of Thee a lively faith, a firm hope and an ardent charity. Amen.”

Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Part 1

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT

It has been a long while since a Church Document study has been featured on our blog.
Throughout the Church here in America much attention has recently been redirected to Pope St. John Paul II’s last encyclical: Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Let us reflect on some of the highlights from this magnificent encyclical.

This encyclical was given to the Church on Holy Thursday of 2003, during the Year of
the Rosary. St. John Paul II points out in the Introduction that he usually pens a Holy Thursday letter to bishops and priests; but in this 25th year of his pontificate he wishes to extend his reflections to all of the faithful. The Holy Father also mentions that he writes this encyclical in the context of the Year of the Rosary. In light of the Church renewing its practice of sitting in the “school of Mary” and gazing with her eyes on our Lord’s life, St. John Paul II wants us to pause before the “Eucharistic Face” of Jesus and rekindle our amazement at this great mystery.

Pietro Perugino's depiction of Mary at the Cross, 1482.

In Chapter 1: “Mystery of Faith”, we are reminded of the importance of the sacrificial element of the Eucharist. After all, this great Sacrament was instituted “...on the night he was betrayed” (1 Cor. 11:23) and it is “indelibly marked by the event of the Lord’s passion and death, of which it is not only a reminder but the sacramental re-presentation. It is the sacrifice of the Cross perpetuated down the ages.” This is the great mystery of our Faith. In this Sacrament our Lord’s self-gift of perfect charity in His Passion and Death is proclaimed and “made present ever anew”.

Yet not only is the moment of His Passion and Death made present, but so too is His
glorious Resurrection. “It is as the living and risen One that Christ can become in the Eucharist the “bread of life” (Jn. 6:35, 48), the “living bread” (Jn. 6:51). The saving efficacy of the entire Paschal Mystery is “fully realized” when the faithful worthily receive our Lord’s Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Let us close for now with the final paragraph of the encyclical’s first chapter:
Proclaiming the death of the Lord “until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26) entails that all
who take part in the Eucharist be committed to changing their lives and making
them in a certain way completely “Eucharistic.” It is this fruit of a transfigured
existence and a commitment to transforming the world in accordance with the
Gospel which splendidly illustrates the eschatological tension inherent in the
celebration of the Eucharist and in the Christian life as a whole: “Come, Lord
Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

Mother of Sorrows

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Mater Dolorosa by Anonieme Meester

September 15th is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. This title of Our Lady highlights the presence suffering and sorrow had in her life. She who never committed a sin and upon whom God bestowed the ultimate privilege of being His Mother still shared our common human experience of pain. She is not an icy and untouchable queen, distant and unreachable, but a warm and tender mother, one whose love for each of us individually has been tried and proven.

There is nothing that assures us of someone’s love for us as when they are willing to suffer for our sake. You can see this in a mother’s sacrificial love for her child, she gives of herself without counting the cost. Mary, our Mother, has already proven her great love for each of us when she accepted without any bitterness all that God allowed to happen to Jesus because of our sins. She participated in Our Lord’s redemptive action on the cross and out those moments of sorrow sprang the fruit of her deep and abiding love for each of us. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of so good a mother and accompany her today in her sorrows.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The Prophecy of Simeon - Luke 2:34-35The Flight into Egypt - Matthew 2:13-21The Loss of the Child Jesus - Luke 2:41-50The Carrying of the Cross - John 19:17The Crucifixion of Jesus - John 19:18-30The Body of Jesus laid in His Mother's arms - John 19:39-40The Body of Jesus laid in the Tomb - John 19:39-42

“Let us bind ourselves tightly to the Sorrowful Heart of our Heavenly Mother
and reflect on its boundless grief and how precious is our soul.” - Saint Padre Pio

Most Holy Name of Mary

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT

O Mary, in thy Nativity, pray for us!

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Church Tours: Part 4

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Star of the Valley, Santa Rosa, CA

"If the Priest knew his dignity he would die of joy." - St. John Vianney -

Our novices continue their reflections on the Eucharist and the priesthood each Thursday in August in light of their recent pilgrimage to many of the churches in our diocese.

The Dignity of The Sacred Priesthood

When we pray to our blessed Lord we may often consider Him as an infant in the stable of Bethlehem, as a youth working next to St. Joseph in their carpentry workshop, or in His adult life instructing His Apostles and performing many miracles. We may pray to Jesus The Good Shepherd, contemplate His Divine Mercy in His Most Sacred Heart, but perhaps a truth we have not yet considered is that Our Lord Jesus Christ is The Eternal High Priest. Our Lord is a Priest forever, and has called many other men to join Him and to partake in His Sacred Priesthood.

Resurrection, Santa Rosa, CA

"So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek."' Hebrews 5:5-6

On our church tour we were blessed to meet and speak to priests we had not yet met in our diocese. As we went from church to church, we quickly came to realize that many of our priests have assignments that require driving long distances of an hour or more to minister to the faithful in remote areas. The priests may be assigned to various mission churches in addition to their parish. This reality made an impression on us novices, and we came to the conclusion that we must pray more fervently for our priests.

Without the priest, I am unable to pray to Our Lord Jesus Christ fully present in the Blessed Sacrament, nor can I receive Him intimately in Holy Communion. Without the priest I cannot hear the most consoling words, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). The priest was present to me as an infant in Baptism, has guided me all throughout my life, and I pray that he be there in my last hour. Our Lord makes Himself present to you and I through His priests. Our lives as Catholics cease to be without the priest.

Will you join us in praying for priests? After all, priests are human beings too. Their sacred call contains the most sublime dignity and responsibility. Our Lord wants to provide all the graces necessary, but He asks that we assist Him and His priests! Let’s cover them in prayer as they are sent as “sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mt 10:16).

Let us imitate Our Lady’s love for priests by extending our charity and hospitality to the priests in our life. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will inspire you to "spiritually adopt" certain priests by offering special prayers for them daily. Priests have sacrificed the great gift of family life; we are their family, and there are many ways we can show them our gratitude and kindness. One may consider offering a sacrifice for them on Thursdays in honor of Our Lord instituting the Sacred Priesthood on Holy Thursday. Our Sisters enjoy gifting handmade cards and homemade meals for priests, but most importantly we offer a holy hour every morning for them. Let us encourage one another to fervently support our priests and therefore to support Christ Himself!

Star of the Valley, Santa Rosa, CA

Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us!

Church Tours: Part 3

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT

St. Bernard, Eureka, CA

Our novices continue their reflections on the Eucharist and the priesthood each Thursday in August in light of their recent pilgrimage to many of the churches in our diocese.

Reflection – A Royal Priesthood

Baptismal font, Holy Spirit, Santa Rosa, CA

Let us begin with a reflection on the church as a consecrated place. What does it mean for a place to be consecrated? It is to set it apart from the common, the profane and the worldly for the exalted purpose of offering worship to Almighty God. The place has to be made holy to correspond with its holy purpose. Likewise, by reason of our baptism, we are consecrated – set apart for the worship of God. From the moment we receive the baptismal seal we are also incorporated into the Church and established as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5), by which we participate in the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. This priestly identity of the faithful – though distinct from that of the ministerial priesthood – is integral to our Christian vocation which is nothing less than to imitate Jesus so as to be transformed into Him.

If the primary function of the priest is to render worship to God to whom we owe all our love, adoration, and our very lives, how do we as a priestly people offer this worship? Certainly, we do this through our participation in Holy Mass as we unite ourselves interiorly to the Eucharistic sacrifice taking place on the altar. We worship also by offering spiritual sacrifices. This means that whatever is at our disposal – our time, talents, and gifts – is offered back to God for His greater glory and the salvation of souls. Our suffering and pains are also offered to God by uniting them to Christ’s sufferings. If done with love, our spiritual sacrifices are empowered by Christ’ power so that they sanctify us and others, make atonement for our sins, and thereby involve us in a real way in His redemptive work and mission. This is the meaning and fulfillment of our priestly identity.

Spiritual sacrifices, in order to be efficacious, need to be Christocentric. Since our sacrifices have no power or efficacy apart from Christ, they must in motive and manner reflect the example of His own sacrifice on Calvary. They must be made for Christ, like Christ, with Christ, and in Christ. Jesus shows us that to make a pleasing offering to God, the sacrifice must be “holy and blameless” (Ephesians 1:4). That is, they must proceed from a pure love of God free of selfish motives. The Eucharist – the source and summit of our faith and the heart of all our churches – teaches us that we too must make Christ the center of our lives. This requires that we begin to endeavor, at whatever cost, to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily and to follow Him (Matthew 16:24). We awaken to the realization that to die to self-centeredness, insecurity, and dependency is to rise again in Christ, our solid foundation, and to live in the freedom and joy that is ours to enjoy as children of God and co-heirs to an eternal inheritance.

Church Tours: Part 2

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Vietnamese Martyrs Mission, Santa Rosa, CA

Our novices continue their reflections on the Eucharist and the priesthood each Thursday in August in light of their recent pilgrimage to many of the churches in our diocese.

Reflection: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The Eucharist is the heart that radiates the life of our churches and animates the love within the community. Jesus in the Eucharist is the source of all life-giving grace. He draws us to the summit to which we all aspire, that is, union with Him here and in Heaven.

Every baptized soul has the grace of God dwelling in Him. He need only to look within himself in periods of silent prayer to find the power of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, residing within. This presence of God informs his whole person and makes him believe what he is by grace – a temple of the Holy Spirit, a dwelling place of God, and therefore an icon of the Church.

Each parish had its own unique grandeur yet flowing from the one same fount. For one of the novices, it was the power of God radiating out from the tabernacle and filling the silence of each church that moved her most. It brought to her mind Friday Night Week I’s psalm: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold”. It is the mighty silence of God within, dwelling in us through baptism, that upholds us, just as it does each parish community, its priests, deacons, parishioners, and visitors. The presence of God, who can shake Him? He works from within to make us the sturdy shelter He desires us to be.

Daily Mass Chapel, St. John, Healdsburg

Psalm 46 ends with these words “He puts an end to wars over all the earth; the bow he breaks; the spear he snaps; He burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth’ The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold”. As this young sister was kneeling in the silent Eucharistic presence of Jesus in our parishes, she felt not the emptiness of the space, but rather, that He filled the whole place, and by His grace, made it what it is- His dwelling place.

St. Rose Catholic Church, Santa Rosa, CA

Church Tours: Part 1

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT

With every new group of young women who enter our community, there is an opportunity given to them to better know the diocese in which they will live and serve. This program in our formation process is called our “Diocesan Church Tour Experience”. On it, novices are given the chance to visit several of our diocesan churches to learn about our local history, and to pray in a spirit of thanksgiving for all the good God has done in our parish communities, especially through our priests.

God inspired several beautiful reflections in the heart of our novices, each centered around the primacy of the Eucharist and Priesthood. We would like to share these mediations with you each Thursday in August in honor of the feast of St. John Vianney (celebrated on August 4th) and as an extension of our spiritual apostolate to pray for priests. Every morning, the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa begin our day with a Eucharistic Holy Hour for priests, remembering that “there can be no Eucharist without the priesthood.” It is our hope that these reflections will encourage you to continue to pray for our priests, especially our diocesan priests, who are instrumental in sustaining the Eucharistic Revival in every diocese throughout our nation and throughout the world.

O Sacrament Most Holy

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT

On the last day of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis about half of our
Sisters were able to watch the live stream of the Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Indianapolis. Even though we were not physically present, it was inspiring!

A crucifix and double thurifers led the procession, followed by First Communicants, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, deacons and priests, bishops and archbishops. Then came our Eucharistic Lord in a monstrance of great size and beauty, placed upon a lovingly adorned “float” and surrounded by reverent attendants. The streets were lined with thousands of kneeling adorers, both young and old. After our Lord passed by, the crowd followed behind their Good Shepherd in procession.

As the procession continued one of our Sisters asked, “Has there been any talk of what is
next?” The Sisters all understood what she meant. As we come to the close of a three-year
revival and await the next National Eucharistic Congress in 2033, how can this renewal
continue?

There is no doubt that the National Eucharistic Congress was a powerful and grace-filled event, likely to form and inspire many Catholics of this generation. Now our Lord is inviting us anew to bring the graces of these extraordinary and national events into our daily lives. Jesus’ presence in our parish Masses, closed Tabernacles, and Adoration Chapels is just as powerful and transformative as the recent national events if we let it be so!

Now is the time to seize with renewed vigor the very local and personal opportunities to spend time with our Eucharistic Lord. Every encounter with Jesus in the Eucharistic is an occasion to give thanks, to offer praise, to lay before Him our petitions, and to make reparation for offenses committed against His True Presence.

In this novena of years until the next National Eucharistic Congress, how will you let your humble and ordinary encounters with our Eucharistic Lord convert your heart ever anew unto His own image and likeness?

St. Mary Magdalene

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT

St. Mary Magdalene by Carlo Dolci

“Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Lk 8:1-2).

Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Unlike any other saint, she has been liturgically classed by Holy Mother Church in the unique category of “Penitent.” The penitent St. Mary Magdalene must have wept many times throughout her life. While there are several theories about her background, Scripture confirms that Jesus cast seven demons out from her. Seven is the biblical number for perfection and so while we do not know exactly what is meant by “seven demons”, it is safe to assume that St. Mary Magdalene was in a miserable state before Our Lord came and freed her. How often she must have wept to herself during those years. What did her tears do? Did they play a part in her conversion?

While tears of self-pity do exist, there can also be good and fruitful tears, those which are the vehicle to express and acknowledge how we are truly feeling. The very best tears are those with which we express ourselves to God, showing Him in humility our true selves and confidently begging His mercy and aid.

This is what St. Mary Magdalene poured out at Jesus’ feet: tears of love and sorrow, tears responding to His grace, tears expressing her great faith in His goodness and mercy, tears admitting her need for His help. Not often in Scripture do you see tears shed, but the moments when they come forth are some of the most powerful.

May St. Mary Magdalene be a model of pouring our true selves before Our Lord in prayer, trusting unconditionally in His love, understanding, and mercy.

Mary Magdalene by Yegorov

“Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’” (Jn 20:15)

Precious Blood of Jesus, Save us!

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Andreas Pavias (1440-1504/1512) - Public Domain

Most Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Throughout the month of July, we often end our prayers with this short invocation to Our Lord.

July is devoted to the Precious Blood because of the feast of the Precious Blood of Jesus established Bl. Pius IX in the 1800’s and celebrated in some places on July 1st. A Votive Mass of the Precious Blood can also be chosen throughout the year on ferial days. Compared to other devotions to Jesus Christ, such as the Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, and the Stations of the Cross, devotion to the Precious Blood is less familiar and when taken out of context, might even seem a bit strange. Blood separated from the body is a source of concern, caution, and even fear. Yet, at the same time, blood signals life and good health as one considers the power of blood transfusions and the good of donating blood.

By his Blood shed upon the cross, Jesus won our salvation. His Blood truly is precious as a single drop of the Blood of the infinite God-Man would have been enough to redeem the world. However, He chose to show His reckless love for us by spending every last drop to save us. “[Realize] that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb” (1 Peter 1:18-19) . The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin, but it also nourishes us. Daily we have the opportunity to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood in the Holy Eucharist. This Blood is the daily sustenance of our life. Jesus truly saves us by His Blood.

Sacred Heart from the Wellcome Collection.

“But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

Comunione degli apostoli by Fra Angelico

The House of the Lord

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT

On June 26, several of the Sisters had the great privilege and joy of attending the solemn consecration of Cardinal Newman High School’s new chapel! Bishop Robert Vasa celebrated the Mass, with several priests of the diocese concelebrating. In attendance were various families and individuals connected with the school and the building of the new chapel.

For most of them - as for several of the Sisters - this was the first consecration of a church that they had ever witnessed! The Church provides her children with a beautiful liturgy for such a sacred occasion, and the Sisters were blessed to assist by singing for Holy Mass. Some highlights of the liturgy include: the anointing of the altar and chapel walls with chrism oil, the lighting of incense on the altar, the dressing of the altar with liturgical linens, and the lighting of candles on both the altar and the walls of the chapel. Men and women, old and young, clergy, religious, and laity were all present for this sacred and beautiful liturgy, the first of many that will be held in the new chapel. It was a truly wonderful event, and we were very glad to witness to our charism of living the fullness of the Church’s liturgical life with so many of the faithful!

June: A Month in Review

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:00:00 GMT

June flew by! We are very grateful for all the blessings our Lord poured upon us in the Month of His Sacred Heart. We began the month focusing on the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood with the Ordination of two priests and the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. We were privileged to sing for both events. The Sisters always decorate one of the altars for the Corpus Christi procession and this year dressed the altar for our new priest's first Mass.

A large group of us spent a night at our Convent in Ferndale, which is coming along nicely. It still doesn't have hot water and a few other things, but it is quite charming. The occasion for the trip was the Sacred Liturgy Conference. The Sisters enjoyed hearing our dear friend, Msgr. Wadsworth, speak about the origins of the feast of the Sacred Heart and praying the Holy Mass with our Bishop.

After three years of wanting to, we finally hosted an Open House in our "new" Convent. It was an occasion of grace to share our beautiful Chapel with friends from near and far. After the Open House, the Sisters began scattering for ongoing formation and apostolic adventures. The novices particularly enjoyed participating in the Little Flowers Girls Camp. They spoke to the young ladies about the mystery of the Incarnation, prayed with them, and joined in playing their games. One of our Sisters headed for DC, while another attended the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education sessions in Nashville and was blessed to be able to join the Southern Route of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Our Community has now been on two of the four routes! The last day of June, another crew of Sisters left for the Vita Consecrata Institute in Front Royal, VA. Looking back on this month, we are amazed at all that Our Lord has done in, with, and through us. We rejoice in the outpouring of His love.

Month-in-Review Slideshow

Most Loving Heart of Jesus

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Queen of the May

Sun, 26 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

What a beautiful month is May! As the Bridegroom proclaims in the Song of Songs, “see, the winter is past,/the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth,/the time of pruning the vines has come,/and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land.” (Songs 2:12)

Truly, this is the loveliest month of the year, which makes it altogether fitting that the Church has dedicated it to Our Lady, Queen of the May. We honor Mary as our Queen because she, the Mother of the King of Heaven, has been crowned with by her Son (see Revelations 12) and entrusted by Him with all the graces needed for our salvation. As a loving mother and a wise queen, Mary gently guides each willing soul in its pilgrimage to our heavenly homeland, freely bestowing graces abundant as flowers on all those who ask for her aid.

In gratitude to our heavenly Queen and Mother, the Marian Sisters seek to express concretely their devotion to Mary, especially during the month of May. Each Sister, from the youngest postulant to our Mother Superior, has the opportunity to crown Our Lady during these thirty days. The Sister will choose one of the many statues of Mary on our convent grounds (we think there are eleven, but we can never quite keep count!) and then fashion a flower crown using greenery and blossoms from our gardens. She will then choose a Marian hymn for the Sisters to sing and, when the Community is assembled, she will offer the crowning for the intentions she wishes to commend to Our Lady.

Entrusting the needs of our Community, the Church, and the world to our Queen, the
Sisters are confident that Mother Mary will obtain for us abundant graces from her
Divine Son!

Spiritual Steps

Mon, 20 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"I ask to be permitted to live the life of a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa.
Drawn by God’s mercy, I have come here to learn your way of life.
I ask you to teach me to follow Jesus Christ Crucified
and to live generously in poverty, chastity and obedience ..."
- Request of the Postulant to be admitted as a Novice

As with many things in human life, our religious vocation progresses in a series of sequential “steps”. First, a woman visits the community, then she applies, enters, and begins postulancy. Soon, she is clothed as a novice. In time, she professes her vows for one year, renews her vows, and finally professes her vows for life. In a growing community, as in a family, all anticipate and celebrate these steps in the lives of each of the Sisters. Those just beginning the journey of religious life watch with anticipation as their “older Sisters” model the joyful commitment to which they aspire. Simultaneously, those who have already journeyed on the path look with delight on their “younger Sisters” and remember their own steps in religion. Interiorly each renews her own heartfelt promises, which reinvigorates our desire to give all to Him for the good of His Church.

On May 20, the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, we celebrated with great joy the “clothing” or investiture of two of our Sisters in the holy habit of our community and the renewal of vows of three of our Sisters in temporary profession.

The two new novices received their religious names and Marian titles according to the custom of our community. Congratulations to Sr. Maria Therese of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and Sr. Mary Grace of the Mother of Our Savior!

Our Sisters who made First Profession of Vows last year renewed these vows as a further commitment to Jesus, their Spouse. After living under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for a year, they were able to experience a more profound gift of self in their renewal.

Clothing & Vow Renewal Slideshow

"While growing in closer union with Christ, the vowed religious learns to “combine contemplation with apostolic love. By the former, she clings to God in mind and heart; by the latter she strives to associate herself with the work of redemption and to spread the kingdom of God” through evangelization."
- MSSR Constitutions

Joyful News

Sun, 19 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Dear Friends in Christ!

Praised be Jesus and Mary!

We are pleased to announce the election and installation of our new Mother Superior, Mother Caritas Marie, and our Vicaress, Sr. Mary Victoria. This milestone is the culmination of months of prayer and communal discernment under the guidance of Bishop Robert Vasa, Father Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. (an expert in Religious Life), and Mother Joan Paul, CK.

The forum of communal discernment was a new experience for our Sisters. As a young Community, up to this point the burden of governance has rested solely in the hands of our foundresses, Mother Teresa Christe and Mother Marie de Lourdes. As may be imagined, this process of assessing together our strengths, weaknesses, and vision as a Community was covered in prayer. Each meeting of the professed Sisters began in Chapel invoking the Holy Spirt and Our Lady. We are her daughters, this is her Community, and we trust in her maternal care for us. It was a blessing to see the Sisters draw more closely together through the discussions and prayer.

Following in the shoes of our beloved foundresses will be no small task. Mother Caritas Marie, our new Mother, was elected by the professed Sisters to continue the good work begun by our dear Mothers. Originally from Eastern Oregon, she has served the Community as Treasurer, and as Director of Development for the Diocese of Santa Rosa for seven years.

Bishop Vasa addressing Mother Caritas Marie
and Sr. Mary Victoria

To assist and support Mother Caritas Marie, Sr. Mary Victoria was chosen as Vicaress of the Community. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sister lived in New York City before entering the Convent. Sister served at the Cathedral of St. Eugene and has been teaching Theology at Cardinal Newman High School for five years.

Bishop Vasa presided over the installation and oath of office of Mother Caritas Marie and Sr. Mary Victoria on May 9 (traditionally Ascension Thursday). They will have the opportunity over the summer to visit other member communities of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious to gain a broader perspective of Religious Life and practical tips as they assume their new duties. As we reflect on Our Lord’s commissioning His disciples to evangelize the whole world, we consider with awe our small part in this great drama of salvation. Please join us in praying for our new Superiors as they strive to assist the Sisters to communicate the Beauty, Goodness, and Truth of Jesus Christ with Our Lady’s spirit.

Mother Caritas Marie making a profession of faith

Mother Teresa Christe continues the sabbatical she began in January for spiritual renewal and rest. It is common for Superiors to take a respite after shouldering the arduous duties inherent in their office, both for their renewal and to allow the Community time to transition to new leadership. After her duties as Novice Mistress are passed, Mother Marie de Lourdes will also take some time over the summer for a long-awaited personal retreat and rest. We look forward to being all together again after these respites draw to a close!

We look forward with great joy to the clothing of our two postulants as novices on May 20, the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. They will receive the holy habit and their religious name. It is a much anticipated moment of joy for the whole Community! Three Sisters in temporary vows will renew their vows the same day. Pray for these Sisters as they deepen their commitment to Christ in this Community.

Sharing the Kiss of Peace

We often think that once school is out, our schedule will be more relaxed. The opposite is often true! Between apostolic adventures and opportunities for ongoing formation, the Sisters will be traveling extensively this summer. The increasing number of professed Sisters has prompted a focus on intentional ongoing formation. We are committed to discerning the Sisters skills and aptitudes and providing appropriate professional development for their apostolates.

This summer, we have Sisters traveling to University of Mary and the Catholic University of America for professional development. Eight of our Sisters will be attending sessions of the Vita Consecrata Institute (VCI). The VCI is sponsored by the Institute on Religious Life founded by Fr. John Hardon to preserve authentic religious life. It provides invaluable formation in both the spiritual and religious life. This is our first opportunity to allow a sizable number of Sisters to experience this wonderful formation.

Thanks be to God we have a healthy education fund started by the Turicchi Family Foundation!

May crowning

In spite of the scholarships the Sisters have received for much of our summer adventures, we will be putting a noticeable dent in this fund and we invite you to consider contributing towards the Sisters’ education.

Apostolic adventures abound! The Sisters are wrapping up the sacramental season, thankful for God’s abundant grace poured out upon our children and their families. The Sisters prepared over 50 students for First Communion and over 30 for Confirmation. We were blessed to teach all the freshman theology classes at Cardinal Newman High School again this year. Teaching the music, religion, and sacramental preparation classes at

First Communion

St. Eugene Cathedral School allowed the Sisters to share the beauty, goodness, and truth of the faith with all the students. We look forward to our various summer apostolates and thank God for the opportunity to serve Him in many and various ways.

Commending you with love and prayers to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

The Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa

Pentecost Novena: Day 9

Sat, 18 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Basilika St. Martin und Oswald

Meditation for the Ninth Day: On the Fruits of the Holy Ghost
The Gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to Divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with true joy and consolation and are known as the fruits of the Holy Ghost. These fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, "to serve Whom is to reign."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits: Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, modesty, continence, long-suffering and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Mane Nobiscum Domine – “Stay With Us, Lord”

Sat, 18 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Ascension of Jesus Christ

“Stay with us Lord, for it is almost evening" (Luke 24:29). We are in the period of time between the Ascension and Pentecost – marveling at our Lord’s Divinity and Humanity in glory with the Father in Heaven, and awaiting the promised Advocate. As the Easter season, replete with the glorious mysteries of our Lord’s life, draws soon to its close our prayer too is for our Lord to remain with us. Of course, He is with us!

The Holy Spirit descended upon the infant Church that first Pentecost Sunday, confirming the apostles and disciples gathered in prayer with Mary in the Cenacle. Wherever one Person of the Trinity is at work, there is the Trinity – Three distinct Persons perfectly united in One God. The Acts of the Apostles also tells us that the Early Church frequently gathered for the “breaking of the bread”, the Eucharistic banquet our Lord gave His priests on Holy Thursday. From the earliest days of the Church the risen and glorified Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ has been made present in the Eucharist and received in the hearts of the faithful. Truly our Lord is with us as He was with His disciples on the way to Emmaus.

Several of our Sisters are looking forward to celebrating these great truths of our Faith in a special way this Pentecost Sunday. We will be joining other pilgrims for Mass with Archbishop Cordileone in San Francisco at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and then walking the first stage of the St. Junipero Serra western route of the National Eucharistic Procession.

Please join us in prayer for the spiritual success of the National Eucharistic Procession
and Revival!

Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium!
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Pentecost Novena: Day 8

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Twelve Apostles

Meditation for the Eighth Day: On the Gift of True Wisdom
Embodying all other gifts, as charity embraces all other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of Wisdom it is written: "...all good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the Gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies our hope, perfects charity, promotes the practice of virtues in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things Divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a Divine sweetness according to the words of Our Savior: "Take up thy cross and follow Me, for My yoke is sweet and My burden light."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above all passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them forever. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 7

Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Detail from the Coronation of Mary by the Holy Trinity - Augustin Palme

Meditation for the Seventh Day: On the Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, according to the mind of the Church, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding, to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as Religious, as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 6

Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Detail from Double Trinity with St. Augustine and St. Catherine

Meditation for the Sixth Day: On the Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Ghost, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy Religion. By faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to a newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 5

Tue, 14 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Die Heilige Dreifaltigkeit - Peter Paul Rubens

Meditation for the Fifth Day: On the Gift of Knowledge
The Gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth—in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesses it."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father: show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 4

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Santissima Trinidade

Meditation for the Fourth Day: On the Gift of Fortitude
By the Gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample underfoot human respect, and to endure without complaint, the slow martyrdom of an even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest good. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 3

Sun, 12 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Santissima Trinita

Meditation for the Third Day: On the Gift of Piety
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake, persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Blessed Spirit, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love of God that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 2

Sat, 11 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Holy Spirit Mosaic - Aachen, Germany

Meditation for the Second Day: On the Gift of Fear
The Gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of Hell, but from the sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our Heavenly Father. It is fear that is the beginning of true wisdom, detaching us from the worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Let us Pray : V. Come, O Blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever: help me to shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in Heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Pentecost Novena: Day 1

Fri, 10 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Holy Spirit at Pentecost

“All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus… (Acts 1:14).

Mary was the center of unity that held the young Church together in its
expectation of the Holy Spirit (EE 53). In company with Mary, Mother of the Church,
who presided over the gathering of the apostolic college and nurtured the infant Church from its beginnings, we annually pray the Pentecost novena.”
MSSR Constitutions

Meditation for the First Day: On the Holy Ghost

Only one thing is important--eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will and inflames the heart with the love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "the Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Let us Pray : V. Almighty and eternal God, Who has vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from Heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Sat, 04 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

The month of May is here: the month of Mother’s Day, the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and for this year of 2024 the month of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. What powerful and beautiful themes our Lord has given us in this present time!

On Mother’s Day families honor their mothers, thanking them in a particular way for allthey do for us and for all they have given us. Where would each of us be without our mother? We were given the gift of life within our mother’s womb; we were nourished and grew within the sanctuary of her body; and when the time came each of our mothers endured labor pains to birth us into the world. This was only the beginning!

Throughout our youth our mothers continued to give of themselves so that we could grow and flourish – meals, laundry, and support in academic, extracurricular, and emotional needs. By their example and prayers we have grown into our responsibilities and learned, like them, to give generously of ourselves to others. Thanks be to God for the feminine genius lived out in the vocation of motherhood!

Madone by Herman Richir

One of the greatest titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary is “Mother of God”. This is one of the profound mysteries of our Faith: that Mary is a virgin and a mother. She herself marveled at this at the Annunciation: “How can this be, since I know not man?” (Luke 2:34). Yet she believed that “with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 2:37) and because of her “yes” the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity took upon Himself our human nature and became True Man.

Mary is indeed truly His Mother. His Incarnation happened in the sanctuary of her virginal
womb. His Birth was not accompanied with the physical pain our mothers knew, but the circumstances of that night in Bethlehem were very humble. He was nourished and nurtured by Mary throughout His childhood, adolescence, and adulthood more perfectly than our mothers give of themselves to us. At the Wedding Feast of Cana, Mary invited her Son to begin the miracles of His public ministry: “They have no wine” (John 2:3). Jesus accepted the responsibility of His miracles and ministry given to Him by His Father which would lead to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Mary supported Him in all of this as His First Disciple through her example and prayers.

The three-year Eucharistic Renewal is winding to a close (and we pray it is simply the close of a great beginning!) with a nationwide Eucharistic procession starting on Pentecost, May 19th, and concluding in July. With the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the midst of this on May 30th (liturgically celebrated June 2 in our region), it is fitting to reflect also on Mary as the Mother of the Eucharist. As was just said, it is from Mary that Jesus took His human nature. He has given us this gift of His Humanity united perfectly with His Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist. In every Tabernacle and on the Altar at every Mass throughout the world, He is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This gift is given to us through Mary’s “yes” to her vocation as the Mother of God. Where would we be without Mary, the Mother of the Eucharist and the Mother of the Church?

May Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, intercede for us. May she draw us ever closer to the Eucharistic Heart of Her Son. May she obtain for us through our Holy Communions the grace to live our vocations as mothers!

Virgen del Buen Camino

St. Joseph, the Worker

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth

O my beloved St. Joseph,
adopt me as thy child.
Take charge of my salvation;
watch over me day and night;
preserve me from occasions of sin;
obtain for me purity of body.
Through thy intercession with Jesus,
grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial,
a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,
and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my Mother.
St. Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying,
and obtain for me a favorable judgment. Amen.

First Communion

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"It is not to remain in a golden ciborium that He comes down each day from Heaven, but to find another Heaven, the Heaven of our soul in which He takes delight."
- St. Therese of Lisieux

It is fitting that during Springtime, when the whole world is bursting with new life, our First Communicants receive the Author of Life Himself for the first time. Jesus already had His eyes focused with love on these precious souls as He went through His terrible Passion, Death, and glorious Resurrection in order to save them. Now in Eastertide, Our Lord longs to give Himself to the innocent little children and so He comes with His resurrected body present in the Holy Eucharist and enters the hearts of the First Communicants.

It has been a great joy for some of our Sisters to help prepare the children for this wonderful sacrament. We have around fifty First Communicants this year at the Cathedral of St. Eugene who come both from the parish school and the catechism program, the Parish School of Religion.

As beautiful as the sight of fifty children dressed in white is, how much more beautiful they must look in Our Lord's eyes since He loves each of them more than we can ever imagine.

Two Months Ago...

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Time flies! It has already been two months since we saw many of our wonderful friends at our Evening with the Sisters at Roche Winery on February 10. Enjoy the gallery of pictures by AmyBj Photo and Design!

Annunciation

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT

L'Annonciation by Phillipe Champaigne, 1644

When Easter falls in such a way that March 25th, the usual date of the Annunciation, is in Holy Week, the Easter Triduum, or the Octave of Easter, the Annunciation is moved to the Monday after the Octave of Easter.

No feast, even the Solemnity of Our Lord’s Incarnation, can override the great Liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Such it is this year, making today, April 8, the feast of Annunciation. The calendar shift places the feast of Christ’s Incarnation in the womb of His Mother in the context of the bright light of Easter Victory instead of the soft glow of Lenten anticipation. The antiphons for Lauds and Vespers add the Alleluia. Mary’s shrine in our chapel is decked with lilies. And our hearts embrace the two ‘bookend’ mysteries of our Lord’s life, uniting them in one joyful celebration. For Annunciation and Easter are the the beginning and the fulfillment of Jesus’ redemptive mission on earth. At the Annunciation, Mary made her first act of faith in Christ her Son, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). At Easter, she saw that faith fulfilled in His Resurrection and triumph over sin and death.

Annunciation is a particularly special feast day for our Sisters. We take this day as our patronal feast, the day which we celebrate our Mother’s care and protection for our community. Please pray for us and know of our prayers for you!

“May Mary's journey also be ours. May his joy also be ours. And as she, joyful for the resurrection of her Son, is the source of our joy, causa nostrae laetitiae, so let us commit ourselves to be Mary's joy, letting Christ the Redeemer mold supernatural life in us, until the eternal joy of [the] Blessed homeland. With her, Queen of Heaven.”
— St. John Paul II, 1983

“May she [Mary], who at the announcement of the angel welcomed Jesus, the ‘Gospel of life,’ into her womb and was filled with exultation at the moment of his resurrection, obtain for us to be witnesses of the Risen Christ in the world, messengers of his joy, communicators of his love.”

— St. John Paul II, Regina Caeli, Easter Monday 1995

Easter Sunday

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

“The Lord is risen, alleluia!” The Invitatory Antiphon for Easter Sunday proclaims the exultant joy of the whole Church, the triumphant Bride of Christ, as she rejoices in the victory of her Redeemer. On this first day of the week, Jesus rose from the tomb, defeating not merely physical death, but its much more sinister source: the prideful rejection of God’s love which is the temptation of every fallen human heart. Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, each soul has been subject to fear, bound by a warped understanding of God’s power and inclined to reject His providence in favor of her own plans. Yet now, “the splendor of Christ risen from the dead” (as stated in the First Antiphon for Morning Prayer) illuminates the very darkness in which the soul has shrouded herself and she, redeemed by his blood, may freely rise to greet Him.

In rising from the grave, Jesus Christ has liberated the human person. This is beautifully illustrated in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday. The ancient author describes the descent of the Lord into hell and His encounter with one of the just souls awaiting Him. “Awake, O sleeper,” Jesus commands, “and rise from the dead…I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell”. Instead, the Lord insists, this soul was fashioned in His own image and now, through His victory on the Cross, He has joined Himself inseparably to His beloved. Whatever darkness of sin and death once separated them, Christ now frees her from bondage and invites her into the light. Compelled by His confident joy, the soul arises to enter into the marriage banquet prepared by her Savior.

Having triumphed over death, Jesus has become the healer of every human heart. Perhaps no Gospel account of the Resurrection portrays this more vividly than John’s description of Jesus’ encounter with Mary Magdalene, who came early to the tomb on Easter Sunday only to find His body gone. Ever since He had delivered her from the possession of seven demons, Mary Magdalene had committed her whole being to Christ, trustingly allowing Him to reshape her wounded heart. Following His death and burial, however, her hope was shattered. Weeping before the empty tomb that Easter morning, her heart was pierced with grief and all her wounds reopened. Even when Jesus appeared and asked the reason for her tears, she was too distraught to recognize Him. It was only when He called her name that she knew her Beloved. At that moment, seeing the radiant splendor of His Face, she must have heard in her heart an echo of the Lord’s words to the soul in hell on Holy Saturday: “See on My Face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image...My side has healed the pain in yours.” Restored by His loving mercy, Mary Magdalene ran in joyful haste to tell His disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). May her joy be ours as well, as we allow Christ to heal our hearts, darkened by sin, and to embolden us to share His triumph with all whom we encounter!

Gratitude

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

On the Thursday before Holy Week the Sisters attended the annual Chrism Mass celebrated by our Bishop and over fifty of our diocesan priests. We witnessed these men renew their promises made at their ordinations, and our Bishop blessed the Sacred Oils which will be used throughout the Churches of our diocese to administer the Sacraments in the coming year. The Mass was a beautiful reminder that we need our priests and we need the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Why do we need our priests? Their priesthood is a fulfillment of the priesthood we see in the Old Testament – beginning with Adam, the priestly custodian of the Garden of Eden; continuing with Melchizedek, the priest-king who offered a sacrifice of bread and wine; and finally the priesthood of the Levites, who offered the prescribed sacrifices in reparation for their sins and the sins of God’s chosen people.

Even more importantly, our priests today share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest and fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies and types. Our priests promise to live their lives in imitation of Him Who, though God, clothed Himself in our human nature in everything except sin so that He might

make a perfect and eternal reparation for the offences of men. Our priests are for us icons of God the Father in their pastoral care for souls, of Jesus Christ the Son in their total self-gift to the Church, and of the Holy Spirit in their preaching and attentiveness to their parishioners’ needs and God’s providence for them.

Why do we need the Sacraments? They are for us the means by which our loving relationship with God is initiated, strengthened, and restored. The stain of original sin is washed away and we are anointed with Chrism as God’s beloved in Baptism. Any sins following our Baptism are forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, restoring our souls to their Baptismal purity. Our anointing is sealed in our Confirmation. The Sacrament of Marriage makes sacred the life, love, and fruitfulness God ordained for a man and a woman in their gift of self to the other. Anointing of the Sick brings strength to those in danger of death and the final temptations that assault us. Some men are called to Holy Orders, anointed in a special way to be imitators of Christ to the point of standing in persona Christi, “in the person of Christ”. Ultimately there is the Eucharist, God-with-us – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – by which, when worthily received and adored, we are conformed to Christ and divinized.

It is our priests who are the ministers and mediators of these sacraments. They stand in the person of Christ, bridging the distance between man and God, and by their priestly life bring us to God and God to us. Nowhere is this more clear than in the Sacrifice of the Mass where Jesus Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection is made present in the Eucharist and offered to all who will receive it.

This Holy Week let us renew our gratitude to God for His priests, and for His Real Presence in the Eucharist given to us by His priests!

Jesus,

Eternal High Priest,

have mercy on Thy priests!

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

"Dearest Sons and Daughters, Pray for Your Priests"

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"As for you, dearest sons and daughters, pray for your Priests,
that the Lord may pour out His gifts abundantly upon them,
and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest,
so that they may lead you to Him, who is the source of salvation."
Exhortation of the faithful during the Renewal of Priestly Promises in the Chrism Mass

The annual Chrism Mass, arguably one of the most beautiful and touching liturgies of the year, provides a compelling reminder for all of us to pray for our priests. After the priests renew their priestly promises, the Bishop exhorts the faithful present to pray for their priests. Without the priest, we cannot have the Mass! Without the Mass we cannot have the Blessed Sacrament, which would be an immeasurable loss, "For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church's entire spiritual wealth: Christ himself" ( Ecclesia de Eucharistia , 1). We thank God for our priests, and remember them each day in our prayer and sacrifices.

Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, pray for our priests!

In union with Mary, Mother of the one Eternal High Priest, we exercise a true spiritual maternity to Christ's priests, clergy, and seminarians through daily self-offering in prayer and sacrifice particularly through daily Eucharistic adoration.

MSSR Constitutions

"Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do"

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

“Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.”
Genesis 41:55

A devotion dear to the hearts of all of our Sisters is that given to St. Joseph, co-patron of our Community. While expressed differently by each Sister, a common sight to see in the evening is a Sister kneeling in front of the statue of St. Joseph in our Chapel. When in need, there is nothing like a father's steady support and St. Joseph may be quiet, but his help is unfailing. What more could we ask for? To have the same loving protection that Our Lord Jesus Christ had on earth! Although we are in Passiontide, the Sisters joyously celebrate and honor this special feast of our dear patron!

We choose St. Joseph, virginal spouse of the Mother of God, and patron of the Universal Church, as our spiritual father and co-patron...

MSSR Constitutions

"Fasting cleanses the soul..."

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"Above all the other Saints"

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"Our Spiritual Father"

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

"We choose St. Joseph, virginal spouse of the Mother of God,
and patron of the Universal Church, as our spiritual father and co-patron,
entrusting to his care the spiritual and temporal welfare of our community and of each sister. To his powerful intercession we also commend future vocations to our community."
- Constitutions of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa -

The novena to St. Joseph, our dear patron, begins today. We invite you to join us in praying to the Patron and Father of the Universal Church in preparation for his feast day, March 19.

In this novena, no specific prayers are necessary. Each day for nine days, turn to St. Joseph in spirit honoring him four times throughout the day. During each visit, consider one of the following aspects of St. Joseph, remembering to thank God for honoring St. Joseph and, through his intercession, request a similar grace: 1st Visit: St. Joseph's fidelity to grace & the Holy Spirit's action in his soul 2nd Visit: St. Joseph's fidelity to the interior life & the spirit of recollection 3rd Visit: St. Joseph's love for Our Lady 4th Visit: St. Joseph's love for the Divine Child

You may also pray the "Memorare" to St. Joseph:

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

March 19 will also be the 3rd anniversary of our first Mass in Mater Dei Convent. St. Joseph's feast was our first full day in our new Convent - it truly seemed like a confirmation of his tender protection of our little Community!

The difference in our Chapel from March 2021 to the present is striking!

"Come and Love In Me"

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Lord Jesus Christ, you give us your flesh and blood for the life of the world, and you desire that all people come to the Supper of the Sacrifice of the Lamb. Renew in your Church the truth, beauty, and goodness contained in the Most Blessed Eucharist.

Jesus living in the Eucharist,
come and live in me.

Jesus healing in the Eucharist,
come and heal me.

Jesus sacrificing yourself in the Eucharist,
come and suffer in me.

Jesus rising in the Eucharist,
come and rise to new life in me.

Jesus loving in the Eucharist,
come and love in me.

Lord Jesus Christ, through the paschal mystery of your death and resurrection made present in every Holy Mass, pour out your healing love on your Church and on our world. Grant that as we lift you up during this time of Eucharistic Revival, your Holy Spirit may draw all people to join us at this Banquet of Life. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Eucharist, Pray for us.

St. Angela, Pray for Us!

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 07:00:00 GMT

New Year, New Graces

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 07:00:00 GMT

The secular year has just begun and already it has been chock full of graces! The year came in as the Sisters quietly watched with our Lord in silent adoration, welcoming the new year under our Lady's gracious patronage.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God brought to an end a joyous octave of Community Days, days of extra fraternal time with space for correspondence and games. It is the one time of the year the Sisters have time to do a puzzle, so the professed Sisters completed a beautiful one of the interior of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. One of the Sisters completed the restoration of our St. John statue in time for his feast.

St. John before restoration (left) and as he was nearing completion (right). Before Sister took him in hand, the Sisters affectionately referred to him as the "Virgin-Martyr" because, alas!, he rather looked like a statue of such, eye-liner and all!

After twelve years of shouldering the burden - albeit a happy one - of our ever growing young Community, Mother Teresa Christe has begun a much needed Sabbatical. Mother Joan Paul, CK is settling in to assist us fill the gap without our beloved Mother.

January 4th marked our 12th anniversary. Deo gratias! God has been immeasurably good to us. We enjoyed reminiscing and going through pictures together.

Early January also saw the completion of our new frames for the Stations of the Cross. This marks the end of two years of renovations for the Sanctuary: new tile, fresh paint, impressive Altar piece, and matching side shrines.

Chapel before (2021) and after (2024)

Several of the Sisters had occasion to travel, including Sr. Mary Emmanuel's trip to Nashville for ongoing education with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education. Sister benefited greatly from the educational sessions, but may have enjoyed her stay with the Dominican Sisters (the result of the snowstorm) more!

Our apostolate have resumed and are in full swing. We have been blessed to participate in a few out of the ordinary adventures: the Holy Spirit Ladies Guild dinner, the Walk for Life, a few weddings (NB: we don't sing for weddings, but we did...for a few dear friends), and most excitingly, we spent our first night in St. Joseph's Convent (Ferndale)!

We are looking forward to:Catholic Schools Week, with the St. Eugene's children singing for the Sunday Mass,Representatives attending the regional Institute for Religious Life sessions in southern California,Our first (hopefully) annual Evening with the Sisters event at Roche Winery, andOur annual BBQ, tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2024.

As a Community, we don't "do" New Year's resolutions, but if we did, they would be that we strive to love our Lord more ardently, seek Him more intensely, serve Him more faithfully, and spread His beauty, goodness, truth, peace, love, and joy where ever we can. Pray for us as we pray for you!

Most Holy Name of Jesus, Save Us!

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 07:00:00 GMT

And The Word Was Flesh

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

The "O"s of Advent

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

As we near the end of Advent, Holy Mother Church once again gives us the beautiful and beloved "O" Antiphons. At every Vespers (Evening Prayer), an antiphon is prayed before and after the Canticle of Mary which changes throughout the year according to the season and day. In the seven days leading up to Christmas, these antiphons are particularly unique and profound. Each antiphon begins by addressing Our Lord by a different title, referencing a way that His coming fulfills both the Old Testament prophecies and our present needs. They all begin with the word "O" and then continue with the title and text of the day, such as in the first: "O Wisdom of our God Most High..."

These ancient prayers were originally in Latin and include hauntingly beautiful chants, but most are more familiar with the adapted English hymn version known as "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Each year our Sisters look forward to these days when we have the joy of uniting in the prayer of the Church at Vespers and sound with our voices the antiphons that have echoed through the centuries in hopeful expectation of our coming King.

Hungering for God

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Over Thanksgiving weekend, our Sisters had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful autumn weather in Santa Rosa. Some Sisters went on hikes while others played ultimate frisbee. On one of our hikes to the top of a nearby ridge, a Sister noted how much better food tastes on the top of a mountain. And it’s true! Hunger – whether induced by a vigorous hike, a competitive game of ultimate frisbee, or a busy day teaching grade-schoolers – is the best seasoning to the hearty meals Sister Cook provides in the convent.

There is a parallel in the spiritual life: only the spiritually hungry can be satisfied. Mary sings in her Magnificat, “The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty” (Luke 1: 53) Similarly Christ proclaims in His Beatitudes, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matt 5:6). Dr. Pius Parsch in his reflections on the liturgical cycle, puts it succinctly: “According to the fundamental law of God’s kingdom, God will not force His grace on one who is already filled to satiety”( The Church’s Year of Grace, Vol 1, pg. 19).

At Christmas, the darkness of world will be pierced anew by the light of the Word made Flesh. God wants to give us the greatest Gift, His Only Begotten Son. To prepare us for this mystery, the Church gives us Advent. This time of longing, expectation, and preparation for Christ’s coming is the perfect time to “get hungry” for God. Advent gives us the space to ask what fills us. Am I hungry for God? Or am I full, filled to satiety with a multiplicity of desires? Then we can beg the Christ Child to rid us of our interior clutter and prepare us for this greatest of all gifts: union with perfect Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Truth, that is, with God Himself.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 9

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Day Nine
O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, "our tainted nature’s solitary boast," we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 8

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Day Eight
O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 7

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Day Seven
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena... (state your intention here...) if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 6

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Day Six
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 5

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Madonna by Dolci

Day Five
O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Madone by Richir

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 4

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Assumption of the Virgin by Reni

Day Four
O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

The Immaculate Conception by Tiepolo

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 3

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Day Three
O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Immaculate Conception by Sebastiano Conca

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 2

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Inmaculada Concepcion de Aranjuez

Day 2
O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 1

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Inmaculada Concepcion

In May of 1846 the bishops of the United States proclaimed Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the whole country. In the Pastoral Letter issued by the bishops, we read: “We take this occasion to communicate to you the determination, unanimously adopted by us, to place ourselves and all entrusted to our charge throughout the United States, under the special patronage of the holy Mother of God, whose Immaculate Conception is venerated by the piety of the faithful throughout the Catholic Church. By the aid of her prayers, we entertain the confident hope that we will be strengthened to perform the arduous duties of our ministry, and that you will be enabled to practice the sublime virtues, of which her life presents the most perfect example.” As a Community, we honor Our Lady in a particular way under this title and pray together the Immaculate Conception Novena each year.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Day 1

Day One
O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Inmaculada Concepcion by Arpino

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Fourth Week

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Week Four of Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed:
Day 24 | Day 25 | Day 26 | Day 27 | Day 28 | Day 29 | Day 30

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Third Week

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Week Three of Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed:
Day 17 | Day 18 | Day 19 | Day 20 | Day 21 | Day 22 | Day 23

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Co-Workers in Redemption

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
(Gen. 2:15) In the beginning man and woman worked but it was with ease and delight for they were in right relationship with God, each other, and all of creation. After the sin of Adam man continued to work, but now it was toilsome and difficult: “…cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life…in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen. 3:17, 19). With the triumph of the Incarnation of Christ and the Redemption He has won for us man is still invited to work – to be co-workers in the redemption of souls through the mission of the Church.

In The Soul of the Apostolate, Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O. lauds the many good works the faithful have offered throughout the centuries. He notes that these works have been ordained by God for the benefit of our own souls and the salvation of others. They have, he asserts, reached an intensity in our time which is unlike that of any other in the Church’s history. Yet Dom Chautard offers a note of caution. All of these works must have Christ as their “life-principle” and be grounded in the Interior Life.

What is the “Interior Life” we rightly ask? Dom Chautard defines it as a state of the soul by which our natural inclinations are ordered rightly and we are acquiring the ability to judge and direct all things according to the example of Christ’s life revealed in the Gospel’s and Tradition. We can look at it as a twofold movement: 1) moving away from sinful inclinations of body and soul, and 2) moving towards union with God through loving conversation with Him.

As Marian Sisters, we are constantly striving to grow in this Interior Life. While all of the times of prayer adorning our daily schedule assist us in this endeavor, two are particularly helpful: our morning meditation and our daily examen. Through our meditation, we converse with our Divine Bridegroom about an aspect of His life and make a resolution to imitate the virtue He models for us. By our examen, we pause for a few minutes to reflect on our progress in Divine Charity – how have we let God’s grace prevail in our thoughts, words, and actions, and how have we failed to respond to His invitations?

These aids slowly but surely help each Sister to conquer her faults and grow in union with God by His divine grace. With these helps, we can continue our apostolic works seeking always to be co-workers in redemption by having Christ as the principle of all we do for the glory of God. These practices, though, are not only for Religious Sisters! Is there a way you can incorporate daily meditation and an examination of conscience into your life? With time and perseverance you will find that your activities also become more fruitful and your relationship with God more profound and loving.

Fiat Voluntas Tua!

Vocations Week: Saturday

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Vocations Week: Friday

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Vocations Week: Thursday

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Vocations Week: Wednesday

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Second Week

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Week Two: Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Seventh Day

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana

The Souls in Purgatory appreciate the things of God more fully than we. Enlightened by divine love, they understand the respect and obedience which God merited for them, and the ingratitude and baseness of their sins.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

La Liberazione delle anime del Purgatorio

O Lord Jesus Christ, whose adorable Heart sighs for the love and happiness of Thy banished children, we beseech Thee to remember the souls of Thy servants for whom we pray. Command them, we beg of Thee, to be received by Thy holy Angels and with them enjoy eternal happiness and glory in Heaven. Amen.

Vocations Week: Tuesday

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Sixth Day

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Retablo da Catedral de Santa María de Tui (Pontevedra)

The Souls in Purgatory are powerless to help themselves. They cannot do penance, nor offer satisfaction, nor gain indulgences, nor receive the Sacraments. They cannot pray for themselves. We, who are still on earth, can share with them the Graces which God so generously and abundantly gives us.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most beloved Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, here the pleas and released from the torments of Purgatory the faithful soul that did the most good on earth. Place it today at Thy heavenly throne that it may join in honoring Thee and guiding me to live according to its dictates.

National Vocations Week

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Daily Prayer for the Dead: Fifth Day

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Fresco of St. Martin (Gabelbach)

In consideration of our future prayers, God deigns to grant to a dying sinner good dispositions which secure him the salvation of his soul.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O my God, I offer Thee the Blood shed by Thine only begotten Son on Calvary; the sorrows of His Blessed Mother, for the remission of our sins, the deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory, for Holy Mother Church and for the forgiveness of sinners.

De Profundis

Maria Schnee - Markt Rettenbach

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Fourth Day

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Pieve di San Cassiano di Controni - Purgatorio

Death separates us; it breaks the earthly tie which binds this one to the other, but it cannot break the spiritual tie which unites one soul to another – one heart to another.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O, Lord Jesus Christ, by the merits of Thy Precious Blood, deign to succor and release the Souls in Purgatory, particularly the soul that is most abandoned. Place it today in Heaven that in union with the Angels and Thy Blessed Mother, it may praise Thee forever. Amen.

De Profundis

Madonna del Carmelo in Cantanzaro

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Third Day

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Priamo dell quercia, purgatorio 05 invidiosi

The souls of the Just do not leave us; if we desire it they still remain with us, affording us and indescribable but very effective solace. Let us recall them frequently by our prayers, by our aspirations, and by our good works which will help them and will help us to gain Heaven.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most compassionate Jesus! Thou art our salvation, our life, and our resurrection. We implore Thee, therefore, do not forsake us in our needs and afflictions, but by the agony of thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of thy Immaculate Mother, succor Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy most precious Blood.

The Day of the Dead by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Daily Prayers for the Dead: Second Day

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Purgatorio by Joseph Anton Koch

Is not the memory of the dead sweet to the heart, and is it not truly consoling to gather about us in thought the family dispersed by death?

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most compassionate Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, for whose redemption thou didst take upon myself the nature of mankind and die an ignominious death. Mercifully hear their pleadings – look with pity on the tears which they now shed before Thee and by virtue of their passion release them from the pain due unto their sins. Most pitiful Jesus, let Thy Precious Blood flow down into Purgatory and refresh and revive the captive souls suffering there. Stretch out unto them Thy strong right hand, and lead them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.

De Profundis

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Blessed Be God in His Angels and in His Saints

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Dies Irae - Liber

Coming off of the month of the Holy Angels, Mother Church closes our mediation on the deathless angelic spirits by turning our minds to our own mortal nature. November is particularly devoted to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The beautiful chants and prayers traditionally associated with the Mass for the Dead remind us forcefully of the reality of purgatory, and through them plead with the Father that the Holy Souls may soon see His Face. In the far-famed Dies Irae , we give the Church our voice in the liturgy to beg Our Lord’s mercy upon the Holy Souls in Purgatory; but perhaps even more so upon us, who are not assured of our salvation as they are.

However, being a wise teacher, Holy Church begins with the end in mind. On the very first

Annibale Carraci - Purgatorio

day of November, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints and honor all the saints of God; particularly those who, though not formally canonized and known to us, are nonetheless our powerful intercessors before the throne of God. Before she turns our hearts to our sinfulness, reminding us of our need for mercy and our duty to pray for our dearly departed, the Church shows us the end of our striving and pleading: eternal beatitude. To embolden us in our month-long vigil of praying for the Holy Souls, we are shown the good to be sought (heaven, sanctity) even before being shown the evil to be avoided (temporary purifying pain in purgatory, or eternal separation from God Our Happiness in hell). It is in understanding the divine love we are called to that we find the strength not to “aim for purgatory”, but rather to strive for heaven.

Furthermore, she reminds us again of the heavenly helpers we honored in October: in the beautiful hymn In paradisum , the Church asks the angels to bring the Holy Souls into heavenly light, that they may be welcome by the martyrs, and find in the heart of God their eternal rest. Emboldened by the consoling helps of the saints and our Angel Guardians, and especially of Our Lady, Queen of Purgatory, may we run the race of this life with fervor, find our reward in heaven, there to rejoice forever with all the Holy Souls we pray for in this blessed month.

In Paradisum

Requiem Aeternam

Dona Eis Domine,

Et Lux Perpetua Luceat Eis.

Requiescant in pace.

Amen.

Daily Prayers for the Dead: First Day

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT

First Day

During this month are foremost thought is to recall to mind our beloved dead. We shall think of you, pray with you, labor with you, and shall give to the poor for the repose of your soul, that portion of the fruits of our daily labors which was formally yours.

Our Father, three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of the faithful departed the full remission of all their sins, that through the help of pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

De Profundis

O Angel of God, My Guardian Dear

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Guardian Angel window at Sankt Laurentius am Konrad-Adenauer-Platz

My oldest friend, mine from the hour
When first I drew my breath;
My faithful friend, that shall be mine,
Unfailing, till my death;

Thou was my sponsor at the font;
And thou, each budding year,
Didst whisper elements of truth
Into my childish ear.
Oh! Who of all thy toils and cares
Can tell the tale complete,
To place me under Mary’s smile,
And Peter’s royal feet!
And thou wilt hang about my bed,
When life is ebbing low;
Of doubt, impatience, and of gloom,
The jealous sleepless foe.
Mine, when I stand before the Judge;
And mine, if spared to stay
Within the golden furnace, till
My sin is burn’d away.
And mine, O Brother of my soul,
When my release shall come;
Thy gentle arms shall lift me then,
Thy wings shall waft me home.

- St. John Cardinal Henry Newman -

Detail from Marie al sepolcro by di Nardo

Like a large family whose calendar is packed full of birthdays, October seems to brim over with feasts. Foremost featured are the Holy Rosary and the Guardian Angels. This is only fitting, as the month of October is particularly dedicated to both these great devotions.

The feast of the Guardian Angels, celebrated on October 2nd, commemorates in the liturgy the presence of our Guardian Angels; the special companions chosen for us by God before all time, and given to us as our protectors from the first moment of our existence. Our Guardian Angels help us to “do good and avoid evil” and defend us from spiritual (and even physical) harm. The feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, on October 7th, commemorates Our Lady’s powerful intervention in the salvation of Christendom at the Battle of Lepanto when the battle against the Turkish fleets was won at incredible odds. The victory was attributed to the recitation of the Holy Rosary, which the Holy Father had urged all to recite with true faith and devotion, and so the feast in Our Lady’s honor was established as a commemoration of her victory.

L'arcangelo e Tobia by Anonimo Lombardo

Song of the Angels by William Adolphe Bouguereau

In the Holy Rosary, we accompany Jesus through His earthly life. In the company of Mary we observe Him, rejoice with Him, sorrow with Him and glory in His victory. It is a devotion wound up with uniting our lives to Jesus through Mary. Our dear Angel Guardians, though with us at all times, do not “leave” heaven or cease looking on the face of God even as they accompany us in our lives here on earth. Uniting these two great devotions, we can learn to live always in the presence of the divine: in the company of Our Lord, Our Lady and the angels—especially our Guardian Angels. Let us recall often that we walk under the gaze of a Loving Father, with a trusted protector at our side. Let us ask our Angel Guardians to help us to meditate well upon the Life of Christ in the Holy Rosary and to unite our lives to His, so that we may rejoice with Him, His Holy Mother, and all the angels and saints in heaven forever.

Scenes from the Life of Christ by Mariotto di Nardo

Silence

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

As a contemplative-active community, our Sisters go into the world for ministry while still keeping a contemplative spirit at heart. An important element of this contemplative spirit is the practice of silence. In general, we spend most of our day in "simple silence" which means that the Sisters only talk for reasons of charity or duties. This doesn't mean we walk everywhere like silent zombies with solemn blank faces - anyone who knows us can attest! - but it does mean that we try to save chatter or funny stories for our times of "recreation".

This may seem severe but it becomes very natural when one understands that we limit our vocal conversations in order to make space for an interior one with Our Lord. For example, the Sisters normally keep silence during dishes; not because they are unable or don't want to talk to each other, but rather they choose it so they can spend that time with Jesus, talking to Him in their hearts. Simple silence greatly aids our spirit of recollection, in which we strive to live each moment in the presence of God and direct all of our actions out of love for Him. One of the beautiful fruits of simple silence is manifest during times of recreation when all the funny stories come pouring out and there is a tangible joy that fills the air, resounding with the harmonious tumble of excited voices and laughter.

My soul, be at rest in God alone,

from whom comes my hope.

God alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not fall.

My deliverance and honor are with God,

my strong rock;

my refuge is with God.

Trust God at all times, my people!

Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!

Psalm 62:6-9

The other type of silence we observe is called "grand silence" which usually occurs at night or during retreat. This is a time when exterior distractions are reduced so that the sisters can have an intimate space with Our Lord. You can usually feel a stillness and peace descend upon the convent at 9pm when "grand silence" begins. This silence is a source of great peace and consolation in our lives. It is the time when we can share with Our Beloved that which weighs on our hearts; give Him thanksgiving for all He has blessed us with throughout the day; and petition Him for the needs of His beloved children which were shared with us. It is in these periods of silence that our strength is restored, our focus clarified, and our hope renewed to start our labors of love anew each day, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

St. Margaret Mary

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

St. Teresa of Jesus

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"If I Become a Sister When I Grow Up..."

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

A little while ago, I showed a picture to my second graders that caught their attention. It was a drawing of a Sister in a black and white habit teaching school children. A hand goes up, “Sister, why is the Sister wearing black?”

As we, the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, are the only Sisters these little ones have seen,

they wonder why the Sister pictured isn’t wearing blue. I explain, “Some Sisters wear black, some wear blue, some wear grey or brown,” then I pause for dramatic effect, “and some Sisters wear pink.” I get the reaction I wanted with wide eyes and startled gasps. Violet, bright eyed and precocious, raises her hand, and definitively declares, “If I become a Sister when I grow up, I’m going to wear pink.” She continues, “Do you always wear that, or do you have other clothes?”

The conversation continued as I explained the habit I have of wearing a habit . Afterwards, I pondered Violet’s response. I thought better of telling her in the moment that Sisters don’t have their choice of habit colors nor does one usually discern based on the style of habit. But her earnestness was as evident as her practicality was nonexistent. She truly saw that being a Sister was one of her vocational options. Such is the power of religious witness.

Reception of the Habit

My and my Sisters’ appearance in public catches the attention of the passer-by. We are walking “question marks.” Why would a young woman in the twenty first century wear a long-sleeve, floor-length white habit? Why would she give up the possibility of a fulfilling career or loving family?

Pope Saint John Paul II, in his 1996 post-apostolic exhortation Vita Consecrata , wrote that the religious life is an “eschatological sign,” that is, a sign of the world to come and “a foreshadowing of the future Kingdom” (26). Religious life is a reminder to this work-a-day world that there is more to life than what the eye can see. Consecrated men and women live this life for the world hereafter. If heaven doesn’t exist, then the religious Sister is a fool for forgoing property, family, and autonomy. But if it does exist, she is “playing heaven” on earth by choosing the higher by forgoing the lower. Her life is evidence to an atheistic age of the reality of God.

But perhaps more importantly than questioning the assumptions of the world or even being an eschatological sign of the world to come, the Sister in habit shows little Violets, or Emilys, or Sofias that they too could possibly be Sisters. For Our Lord is still calling women to don habits… and some may even wear pink!

Our Lady of the Rosary

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Our Anchor

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"As her humble daughters we strive to magnify Our Lady's role in the Church. Mary reflected on the divine mysteries in her heart, so we seek to anchor the work of our apostolate in contemplation. Just as she modeled intercessory prayer when she told her Son, "they have no wine", we offer our intercessory prayer for the needs of the Church."
- MSSR Constitutions -

As part of our ongoing formation in religious life, each Sister reads The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O. This classic work was originally written in French around the turn of the twentieth century. Dom Chautard addresses an audience primarily of priests, but his advice is applicable to religious and laity as well. What advice does he give? Only that which he himself learned and practiced through much experience.

Statue of Notre Dame des Victoires, Paris

Following a successful career in the world, Dom Chautard discerned a religious vocation and entered a Trappist Abbey in 1877. As a Cistercian, he lived a life of deep prayer and silence, thriving in this peaceful environment. Yet after a few years his superior called him out of the silence of the Abbey to help save the home of the Cistercians, which was in danger of being lost. Dom Chautard employed all of his natural talents and knowledge energetically to this duty, but without any positive results. He resorted to prayer before a shrine of Our Lady of Victories, and upon leaving the shrine was greeted by a stranger who wanted to know what was ailing the monk and whether he might be of any assistance.

This was Dom Chautard’s first of many experiences of the inestimable value of prayer and the interior life, not only for the welfare of the soul but for God’s Will being accomplished in his apostolic endeavors as well. In The Soul of the Apostolate , the devout Cistercian teaches the priority of prayer and our relationship with God above all things. It is only from this fount of deep personal encounter that the Christian’s duties and activities, especially as they relate to promoting the Kingdom of God, become truly fruitful.

We have many apostolic endeavors – teaching, sacristy work, serving in the Chancery offices, duties at the Convent – and it is easy for a young religious to fall into the widespread motto of some Christian circles: “Let work be your prayer”. It is true we should pray always, and it is true that our work can become a part of our prayer; but it is not the source of our prayer. Rather, it is our heart-to-heart conversation with our Beloved God in the time set aside for prayer – our daily “mental prayer”, the Liturgy of the Hours, Holy Mass, spiritual reading, and frequent little visits to Him in the Blessed Sacrament – which teach us to unite our hearts to His and to then communicate Him to others in our apostolates.

Through prayer, our apostolates are enlivened and made fruitful!

Suscipe Me Domine

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Suscipe me Domine, secundum eloquim Tuum, et vivam;
et non confundas me ab expectatione mea.
“Receive me, Lord, according to Thy word, and I shall live;
and let me not be confounded in my hope”

Immediately after professing her vows for life, the Sister kneels on the steps of the sanctuary before the Altar and chants the Suscipe me , a Latin verse from Psalm 118, “Receive me, according to Thy word, and I shall live; and let me not be confounded in my hope” (118:16). These words encapsulate the gift of self she has just made to Jesus, her Divine Bridegroom and profess her trust in His gift of self to her. She has promised to live as Christ lived on this earth -- poor, chaste, and obedient -- in order to love as He loved: generously, totally, and sacrificially. He has promised her eternal life. As he said in the Gospel, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matt 19:29).

“Receive me,” she cries in the chant, “according to your word.” It is Jesus who has called her to imitate His ways of life and love; therefore, it is He who will sustain and uphold her in her consecration. “He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thess 5:24). The words of the rite reaffirm this prayer: “May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to completion in the day of the Lord.” Ultimately, her vocation is His work. Yet, day after day, she must do her part to live out this calling in faith, loving a God-man that she has never laid eyes on, speaking heart to heart to Him whose voice she has never heard, being the hands of One whose touch she has never felt. “Receive me… and I shall live…” She shall walk by faith and not sight. “And let me not be confounded in my hope.” She entrusts her whole self to Jesus, knowing that He will not be outdone in generosity.

Perpetual profession, the culmination of nearly seven years of prayer, study, formation, and service, is a sign of the unbreakable union of Christ and His Bride, the Church. In a profoundly ecclesial act, the Sister making perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience is consecrated to Christ forever. This consecration, deeply rooted in Baptism, is one of thanks, praise, and adherence to Jesus Christ, the Spouse, who taught by His whole life the perfection of chastity, the richness of poverty and the depth of obedience to the point of dying for us. These vows constitute the essence of the Sister’s religious life imparting stability and higher consecration. They lovingly compel her to live as Christ lived in areas which covers her whole life: possessions, affections, and autonomy.

It is this configuration to Christ through perpetual profession, symbolized by the small gold ring she receives bearing the inscription, To Jesus, my heart, my all, forever, that sets the perpetually professed Sister apart as one forever consecrated to Jesus, her Spouse. Thus in perpetual profession each Sister brings to perfection the full gift of herself as a sacrifice offered to God, and her whole existence becomes a continuous worship of God in love. As His Bride, the Sister spends herself seeking and loving God, Who first loved us, and strives to live a life “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

On July 1, 2023, Sr. Mary Emmanuel, MSSR made her perpetual profession of vows. Please keep Sister, her family, and our whole community in your prayers. Enjoy the pictures below!

Perpetual Profession Slideshow

Camp Kitchen

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Summer is always a time of adventures, apostolic and otherwise. In the Convent, this summer has been characterized by the absence of a normal kitchen owing to significant and much needed updates, particularly of the plumbing. As the renovation continues, the

Sisters are currently using the "camp kitchen," which consists of half of the laundry room and a couple of outside tents. In this new setting, we certainly are exposed to more fresh air and have even developed the outside washing system to be more time efficient than ever before! Our "Sister Cooks" have been extremely creative with the cooking resources available and every evening we are amazed at the warm, home-cooked meals they manage to prepare. One of our Sisters has even mastered the art of baking a cake in the crockpot! We strive to cheerfully see this adventure in a supernatural light, knowing that it is part of God's will for us right now. We confidently rest in the knowledge that God is our Loving Father and will always take care of us, regardless of where we wash the dishes.

Mother of Sorrows, Pray for Us!

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Our Mother's Birthday

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Happy Birthday, Mother

This was her birthday. Dawn came early
In her party garments pearly,
Bringing gifts all diamond-bright
For her who brought the world’s first Light.

High-hedged purple asters smiled
On this fair September child.
“In heaven, where our people are,”
They said, “we call her ‘Morning Star’.”

The birds were here. They sang all day,
Though they were packed to move away--
But not without a farewell nod
From the spotless Dove of God.

The dogwoods came. With hope to please,
They wore their April dimities;
Politely talked of oil and balm,
Though they have never seen a palm.

Assumption lilies waited, tall
And elegant beside the wall;
(They once were white, the legends say,
But blushed to see her fair as they).

Late roses came. They should, you know,
As she is Rose of Jericho.
They brought perfume—fair flasks they chose.
(Vessel of Honor, Mystic Rose!)

It rained awhile, but afternoon
Brought a belated gift of June
And said the tears reminded her
Of One Who is their comforter.

Echelons of geese went by
And dipped a wing, and cried their cry;
The voice of God o’er wood and hollow--
For them—for her!—Oh, follow, follow!

Chrysanthemums were at the gate
When evening stars came, very late,
And did for her a courtly dance
Across the river’s still expanse.

Only Daphne lingered on
After other folk were gone.
We chatted then, as well we may,
About Our Sweetness, born this day.

"Party Day” by Sr. Mary Jean Dorcy, O.P.

A not-praised-enough feast on the Church’s calendar is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: one of only three nativities honored by the liturgy (alongside Our Lord and St. John the Baptist). It is only right and just that we celebrate Our Lady’s birthday as the dawn of our Day of Salvation. The moment she was created in the womb of St. Anne, an Immaculate person now lived and the afore-applied fruits of redemption walked the earth. In Our Lady’s nativity, her blessed parents Sts. Joachim and Anne beheld both promise and fulfillment: here was both the Mother and the fruit of Redemption incarnate in the newborn that snuggled soundly in St. Anne’s arms. May we celebrate fitly Our Mother’s birthday, grateful for the wonder of her maternal protection, love and intercession, and for the unpayable gift of grace and salvation brought to us through her.

Photo credit: MSSR (top) and Sant'Anna e Maria Bambina (bottom)

Perpetual Profession of Sr. Mary Emmanuel

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

To Jesus my heart, my all, forever ... Mary my Mother, keep me faithful until death!

With profound gratitude to the Most Holy Trinity, the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa joyfully announce the Perpetual Profession of Vows of Sister Mary Emmanuel of Mary, Cause of Our Joy this Saturday, July 1, 2023, Feast of the Precious Blood.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, at the Cathedral of St. Eugene at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary Emmanuel is a native of the Diocese of Santa Rosa and attended St. Eugene's Cathedral growing up. She blessed to serve in the parish where she grew up.

We invite all to join us in prayers of thanksgiving to Almighty God for this most wonderful gift to His Holy Church and in prayers of fidelity and perseverance for our dear Sister. All are welcome to attend this beautiful occasion. If you are unable to attend, you can view the Profession Mass using this link .

If the above link does not work on the day of the Profession, please visit the Cathedral's main landing page here for a new stream link.

For You Are Lovely

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

In a conference given to her novices, Mother Mary Francis,—of happy memory—in her own masterful way, informed them that their virginal love of Christ must yet be a fruitful union by noting that in the Canticle of Canticles the Bridegroom (a type of Christ) calls His beloved a “garden enclosed”, but does not say: “…a chunk of desert is my sister, my bride…” However, in the profound paradox that Our Divine Spouse prefers, one must enter into what seems to be the Barren Beyond of the dessert in order not to become spiritually barren oneself. This is why Our Lord draws His loved ones into Dark Nights of the Soul and permits valleys of desolation; it is why fruitful apostolic ventures are often preceded by laborious toil, physically and spiritually, and why the birth of spiritual life comes at high interior cost to faithful souls—in a special way to His brides. It is why annually, in accordance with the mind of the Church, our community takes a retreat.

As our Reverend Mother puts it (and as she received it from another): “A retreat is a treat for the soul.” The period of annual retreat, held within the timeframe of one week, provides opportunity for rest from exterior apostolates and breathing space for much-needed recuperation. However, the retreat is not merely a sort of vacation from the outside world to relish the peaceful quiet of the conventual life, but is time devoted to the arduous work of getting out of God’s way in one’s own soul, clearing out whatever may impede His action and quieting all that may prohibit hearing and responding to His voice. Like the early Desert Fathers (and Mothers), the Sisters retreat from the clutter of the world to seek God alone. Within the profound silence of retreat, each Sister renews her commitment to the first and foremost duty of all Religious: “assiduous union with God, and the contemplation of divine things.” It may not be the case for all Sisters that retreat is a pleasurable dive into the sweet waters of contemplation (I would dare say this is actually the grand minority of cases); yet, however dry the desert of retreat may be, her Beloved finds her there—and finding her, seeking the face of Him who is all-beautiful, He finds her lovely.

Pray for us on our retreat dear friends, as we will carry you in our hearts to the desert with our Beloved.

Hail Mary, Immaculate Mother

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God
and pondered it in her heart.

"In order that favors in greater abundance may flow on all Christians, nay, on the whole human race, from the devotion to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let the faithful see to it that to this devotion the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God is closely joined. For, by God's Will, in carrying out the work of human Redemption the Blessed Virgin Mary was inseparably linked with Christ in such a manner that our salvation sprang from the love and the sufferings of Jesus Christ to which the love and sorrows of His Mother were intimately united. It is, then, entirely fitting that the Christian people - who received the divine life from Christ through Mary - after they have paid their debt of honor to the Sacred Heart of Jesus should also offer to the most loving Heart of their heavenly Mother the corresponding acts of piety affection, gratitude and expiation." - Haurietis Aquas : Encyclical of Pope Pius XII on Devotion to the Sacred Heart

Prayer to the Immaculate Heart
by St. John Eudes

Hail Mary! Mother of God the Son.
Hail Mary! Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary! Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Hail Mary! Pure Lily of the Effulgent Trinity.
Hail Mary! Celestial Rose of the Ineffable Love of God.
Hail Mary! Virgin pure and humble, of whom the King of heaven willed to be born and with thy milk to be nourished.
Hail Mary! Virgin of Virgins,
Hail Mary! Queen of Martyrs, whose soul a sword transfixed.
Hail Mary! Lady most blessed! unto whom all power in heaven and earth is given.
Hail Mary! My Queen and my Mother! my Life, my Sweetness and my Hope,
Hail Mary! Mother Most Amiable,
Hail Mary! Mother of Divine Love,
Hail Mary! Immaculate! Conceived Without Sin!
Hail Mary! Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee!
Blessed art thou among women! And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
Blessed be thy spouse, Saint Joseph,
Blessed be thy father, Saint Joachim,
Blessed be thy mother, Saint Anne,
Blessed be thy guardian, Saint John,
Blessed be thy holy angel, Saint Gabriel,
Glory be to God the Father, Who chose thee,
Glory be to God the Son, Who loved thee,
Glory be to God the Holy Spirit, Who espoused thee.
O Glorious Virgin Mary, may all people love and praise thee.

You Shall Draw Waters with Joy out of the Savior's Fountain

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place my trust in Thee!

"It is altogether impossible to enumerate the heavenly gifts which devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has poured out on the souls of the faithful, purifying them, offering them heavenly strength, rousing them to the attainment of all virtues. Therefore, recalling those wise words of the Apostle St. James, "Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights,"(2) We are perfectly justified in seeing in this same devotion, which flourishes with increasing fervor throughout the world, a gift without price which our divine Savior the Incarnate Word, as the one Mediator of grace and truth between the heavenly Father and the human race imparted to the Church, His mystical Spouse, in recent centuries when she had to endure such trials and surmount so many difficulties.

"The Church, rejoicing in this inestimable gift, can show forth a more ardent love of her divine Founder, and can, in a more generous and effective manner, respond to that invitation which St. John the Evangelist relates as having come from Christ Himself: "And on the last and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and let him drink that believeth in Me. As the Scripture saith: Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.'" - Haurietis Aquas : Encyclical of Pope Pius XII on Devotion to the Sacred Heart

Auctor Beati Saeculi
Hymn for Vespers: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

O Christ, the world's Creator bright,
Who didst mankind from sin redeem,
Light from the Father's glorious Light,
True God of God, in bliss supreme.

Thy love compelled Thee to assume
A mortal body, man to save;
Reversing the old Adam's doom;
Our ransom the New Adam gave.

That love which gloriously framed all,
The earth, the stars, and wondrous sea,
Took pity on our parents' fall,
Broke all our bonds and set us free.

O Savior, let Thy potent love
Flow ever from Thy bounteous Heart;
To nations that pure fount above
The grace of pardon will impart.

His Heart for this was opened wide,
And wounded by the soldier's spear,
That freely from His sacred side
Might flow the streams our souls to clear.

Glory to Father and to Son,
And to the Holy Ghost the same,
To whom all power, when time is done,
And endless rule, in endless fame.

May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment,
in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time.

With Us As We Go

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

Perhaps many of us grew up listening to a variation of the hymn whose lyrics run along these lines, “Come with us Mary along the way… Ven con nosotros a caminar, Santa Maria ven…” The sentiment is one of filial devotion: what child does not turn back suddenly if it finds its Mother too far away shouting, “Mama!” We want our Mother with us on the whole long journey of life: on the way to the park for ice cream, or on the way to the graveyard to lay flowers on a loved one’s grave.

Holy Mother Church is such an attending Mother as we desire: she is with us from the first instant of our supernatural life in Baptism to the last breath we draw after receiving Viaticum. She is also with us in all seasons of life throughout the liturgical year, in good times and in bad. She mourns with us in the Lents of our lives and rejoices with us in our Easters; she laughs as the newly baptized toddle through post-Pentecostal Springtime, as the first Christians did, and smiles in a proud maternal way as we, through cooperation with grace, bring the Mystical Christ to full stature.

But not only do we have Mother Church as our companion, but we have Our Lord’s own Mother: the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is with us at all times, as surely as Our Lord is, but we perhaps feel her presence more palpably when she is presented to us in the Liturgy, particularly in Marian feasts. In each of her feasts she is an empathetic and encouraging companion for every circumstance: Our Lady of Sorrows weeps with us and prods us to greater holiness for Her Son’s consolation; Our Lady of the Rosary emboldens us in our fears, Our Lady of Fatima encourages us to pray and do penance when our zeal wavers.

Yet and still, not only is she wonderfully put forth as the Mother with us “along the way” in her feasts, but also in her antiphons. The Marian antiphons are ancient hymns to Our Lady, sung in her honor by Religious communities after Compline (Night Prayer), the last hour of the Divine Office. We begin the liturgical year at Advent with the Alma Redemptoris Mater, a sweet hymn praising Our Mother during this time of her pregnancy, which gave such delight to the Holy Trinity. We move in Lent to the more solemn Ave Regina Coelorum, and then come in Eastertide to the jubilant Regina Coeli . Finally, after the octave of Pentecost, we come to the antiphon that is the most familiar: the Salve Regina .

As Mother Church journeys with us through the liturgical year, Our Lady is there to meet us at every step: at the foot of the cross in every Mass; in her feasts, and in her antiphons. As the seasons turn and the antiphons change with them, one gets the opportunity to reacquaint oneself with an old friend each time, as though our Mother Mary was teaching us again how to live in and love this particular liturgical season of Mother Church. At this time of year, we refamiliarize ourselves with the Salve Regina, and Our Lady reintroduces to us the lessons Mother Church has for us in the season after Pentecost. As she does, may we walk joyfully and confidently with our Mothers through this life, and let them lead us triumphantly into Heaven.

The Greatest Gifts

Sun, 28 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world, alleluia;
and that which containeth all things hath knowledge
of the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"
- Introit for Pentecost

Gift of God Most High - This title of the Holy Spirit is a title of the Spirit's nature, True Gift. He is the gift sent from God the Father to be a Consoler to the Apostles at the loss of our Lord. He is the gift of a Teacher and Advocate Who was sent to teach the young Church "all things" and remind the Apostles of everything Christ said to them. But most importantly, the Holy Spirit is a gift of God's presence, where we can know that God moves, acts, and speaks within our very selves.

On this feast of Pentecost in which we celebrate the giving of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded in our community of one of the greatest gifts we have personally received - our consecrated life - through the celebration of our Sisters who have taken the next steps in their religious lives. It is one of the most joyful weeks of the year for us!

In the clothing of novices, each Sister is brought back to that memorable day when, setting aside all earthly desires for that of a heavenly one, she was clothed in the holy habit of our Lady. No longer does the new novice appear as herself to the world, but rather she becomes the image of the Blessed Mother to all whom she will encounter. Adorned in white, she bears the constant reminder that her new life in Christ is a deeper fulfillment of the one which began at her Baptism. Veiled, she stands as an image of the Church, Bride of Christ, and Tabernacle of the Most High. As the novices are clothed piece by piece of the habit, each Sister renews in her heart what the garment means: My hair o Lord, I give anew to Thee; in this habit, O Lord, cloth me anew in Thy graces; by this veil, O Mary, may all who see me, see thee, my Queen and Mother.

The First Profession of Vows creates an atmosphere of a wedding - for indeed it is! The culmination of three years in formation, the novice professes her vows for one year in the presence of her family - both natural and religious. She comes before Almighty God offering herself and plunging herself into His mercy. The profession and living of these vows "makes visible the marvels wrought by God in the frail humanity of those who are called (VC 20), for our lives are truly transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ" (MSSR Constitutions). The echo of each word of the vow formula is heard on the lips and in the hearts of every Professed Sister, as the novice recites her vows with hands placed trustingly and firmly in those of her Superior. Newly professed, she receives the blue veil of our Lady and on her head is placed a crown of red and white roses - a reminder of purity and divine love, of martyrdom of life and heart.

After a year of living in the holy vows, the Sister is permitted to renew her vows for three years. Though simple in its ceremony, the act of renewal is grandeur in its significance - a reminder to every Sister of the gift of grace of perseverance. A sign of her deeper commitment to her life of Total Consecration to Mary, the Professed receives at her renewal the chain of holy slavery, for her life is given to Jesus through His Blessed Mother.

We invite you to join our Te Deum for God's great blessings - both of the sending of His Holy Spirit and in the manifestation of His love and mercy towards our community in the next steps of our Sisters.

Veni Creator Spiritus!

First Profession Photo Album

Clothing Photo Album

Exalted Above the Heavens

Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"Ye Men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? Alleluia.
He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!" (Acts 1:11)

"Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For just as he remained with us even after his ascension, so we too are already in heaven with him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies.

"Christ is now exalted above the heavens, but he still suffers on earth all the pain that we, the members of his body, have to bear. He showed this when he cried out from above: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? and when he said: I was hungry and you gave me food.

"Why do we on earth not strive to find rest with him in heaven even now, through the faith, hope and love that unites us to him? While in heaven he is also with us; and we while on earth are with him. He is here with us by his divinity, his power and his love. We cannot be in heaven, as he is on earth, by divinity, but in him, we can be there by love.

"He did not leave heaven when he came down to us; nor did he withdraw from us when he went up again into heaven. The fact that he was in heaven even while he was on earth is borne out by his own statement: No one has ever ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

"These words are explained by our oneness with Christ, for he is our head and we are his body. No one ascended into heaven except Christ because we also are Christ: he is the Son of Man by his union with us, and we by our union with him are the sons of God. So the Apostle says: Just as the human body, which has many members, is a unity, because all the different members make one body, so is it also with Christ. He too has many members, but one body.

"Out of compassion for us he descended from heaven, and although he ascended alone, we also ascend, because we are in him by grace. Thus, no one but Christ descended and no one but Christ ascended; not because there is no distinction between the head and the body, but because the body as a unity cannot be separated from the head."
- From a Sermon by St. Augustine

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who believe Thine onlybegotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended on this day into heaven, may also ourselves dwell in mind amid heavenly things. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Who with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God, world without end.
- Collect: The Ascension of our Lord

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

Sat, 13 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families… that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” - Sr. Lucia

Refrain: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

1. In Fatima's cove on the thirteenth of May; the Virgin Maria appeared at mid-day.

2. The Virgin Maria surrounded by light;
God's Mother is ours for she gives us this sight.

3. The world was then suffering from war, plague, and strife, and Portugal mourned for her great loss of life.

4. To three shepherd children the Virgin then spoke a message so hopeful, with peace for all folk.

5. With sweet Mother's pleading, she asked us to pray, do penance, be modest, the Rosary each day.

6. All Portugal heard what God's Mother did say, converted it sings of that Queen to this day.

7. We all must remember Our Lady's request, do all that she asks for, obey her bequests.

8. She warned of behavior from which we must turn, of thoughts, words, and actions which Christians must spurn.

9. To her sad, sweet pleading our promise is made, that God's Law in all things be strongly obeyed.

10. From nation to nation her fair name is praised, as souls from sin's bondage are contritely raised.

11. Our thanks to the Godhead, whose ways are so sure, for giving us Mary, our Mother Most Pure.

12. Our hearts, overflowing with kindness and love, thank her for God's graces bestowed from above.

13. Hail, Refuge of sinners! Hail, Star of the Sea! Hail, Queen of Creation! Our hope is in thee.

14. All hail, Virgin Mary! This Star guides our way, our country's Protectress, America's Way!

“My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge
and the way that will lead you to God.”

Queen of the May

Mon, 08 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

“…Is Mary the rose then? Mary the tree?
But the blossom, the blossom there, who can it be?
Who can her rose be? It could be but one:
Christ Jesus our Lord, her God and her son.
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
Shew me thy son, mother, mother of mine….”

-Excerpt from “Rosa Mystica” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Perhaps it is Our Lady’s title of Rosa Mystica , under which we invoke her in the Litany of Loretto, that flora such powerful connection to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary—particularly during her month of May, when flowers are abundant (especially here in Santa Rosa!). Devotions such as May Crowning, wherein Our Mother is decorated with a corona of blossoms, are endearing displays of devotion—but they are also much more when one takes into account the symbolism behind such an action:

First, by crowning the Queen of Heaven with some of the loveliest elements of creation, we proclaim her Queen of Heaven and earth, and as the Queen is always more precious than her crown, we also show that we hold her beauty in much higher esteem than even the most beautiful adornments of God’s green earth.Secondly, there is the long-standing tradition of flowers being symbolic of particular virtues (all of which Our Lady had to perfection) or pious practices. For example: lilies symbolizing purity, roses, charity; pansies thoughts of heaven, and so on.Looking at crowning the Virgin Mary during the month of May in light of the second point, particularly, one can see in the devotion the praise of her own virtues, and the desire for her to increase in the devotee the self-same virtues. Not only to increase them, but then to offer the virtue that she herself has cultivated to her Divine Son, laying the humble crown we have given her at the feet of Our Lord, as an offering of love.

As the Sisters take their turns crowning our Queen and our Mother throughout the month of May, we take to her our intentions, our hopes, our cares, and ask her to weave from the bouquet of our lives (entwined as it is with thorns and untamed brambles) into a beautiful crown for Our Spouse, Christ the King. May she also cultivate in all our souls the virtues Our Lord would like best to see growing therein, and undoing the knotted vines in our lives, bring forth the fruit of holiness: the fullness of the Life of Christ.

Mary, Queen of the May… Pray for us!

Rosa Mystica
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

The rose in a mystery, where is it found?
Is it anything true? Does it grow upon ground? --
It was made of earth's mould but it went from men's eyes
And its place is a secret and shut in the skies.

Refrain: In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
Find me a place by thee, mother of mine.

But where was it formerly? which is the spot
That was blest in it once, though now it is not?
It is Galilee's growth: it grew at God's will
And broke into bloom upon Nazareth hill.
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
I shall look on thy loveliness, mother of mine.

What was its season then? how long ago?
When was the summer that saw the bud blow?
Two thousands of years are near upon past
Since its birth and its bloom and its breathing its last.
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
I shall keep time with thee, mother of mine.

Tell me the name now, tell me its name.
The heart guesses easily: is it the same?
Mary the Virgin, well the heart knows,
She is the mystery, she is that rose.
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
I shall come home to thee, mother of mine.

Is Mary the rose then? Mary the tree?
But the blossom, the blossom there, who can it be? --
Who can her rose be? It could be but one:
Christ Jesus our Lord, her God and her son.
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
Shew me thy son, mother, mother of mine.

What was the colour of that blossom bright?
White to begin with, immaculate white.
But what a wild flush on the flakes of it stood
When the rose ran in crimsonings down the cross-wood!
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
I shall worship His wounds with thee, mother of mine.

How many leaves had it? Five they were then,
Five like the senses and members of men;
Five is their number by nature, but now
They multiply, multiply who can tell how?
In the gardens of God, in the daylight divine
Make me a leaf in thee, mother of mine.

Does it smell sweet too in that holy place?
Sweet unto God, and the sweetness is grace:
O Breath of it bathes great heaven above
In grace that is charity, grace that is love.
To thy breast, to thy rest, to thy glory divine
Draw me by charity, mother of mine.

The Model of Workmen

Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Come let us worship Christ the Lord
who was honored to be known as the son of a carpenter, alleluia.

"The Carpenter's Family"
by Rose Myra Phillips

He must have been a very busy man
Joseph of Nazareth with plane and saw
Making each meitre and each dovetail join
Into a finished work without a flaw.

But now and then he'd pause a bit and smile
(As any loving Father might have done)
At Jesus playing with sweet-ribboned wood
From smoothed boards, once tall trees on Lebanon.

I think that Mary often watched the two...
Whenever hammer-blows caused her to start
With terror, Jesus patted her pale cheek
And laid His shining head against her heart.

O God, Creator of all things, who didst lay on the human race the law of labor: graciously grant, that by following the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may carry out the work Thou dost command, and obtain the reward Thou dost promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

To Know Divine Wisdom

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT

" Can we love someone we do not even know? Can we love deeply someone we know only vaguely? Why is Jesus, the adorable, eternal and incarnate Wisdom loved so little if not because he is either too little known or not known at all? Hardly anyone studies the supreme science of Jesus, as did St. Paul (Eph. 3:19). And yet this is the most noble, the most consoling, the most useful and the most vital of all sciences and subjects in heaven and on earth.

"First, it is the most noble of all sciences because its subject is the most noble and the most sublime: Wisdom uncreated and incarnate. He possesses in himself the fullness of divinity and humanity alike and all that is great in heaven and on earth, namely, all creatures visible and invisible, spiritual and corporal. St. John Chrysostom says that our Lord is the summary of all God's works, the epitome of all the perfections to be found in God and in his creatures (cf. Col. 1:16; 2:9). "Jesus Christ is everything that you can and should wish for. Long for him, seek for him, because he is that unique and precious pearl for which you should be ready to sell everything you possess" …

othing is more consoling than to know divine Wisdom. Happy are those who listen to him; happier still are those who desire him and seek him; but happiest of all are those who keep his laws. Their hearts will be filled with that infinite consolation which is the joy and happiness of the eternal Father and the glory of the angels (cf. Prov. 2:1-9). If only we knew the joy of a soul that perceives the beauty of divine Wisdom and is nourished with the milk of divine kindness, we would cry out with the bride in the Song of Songs: "Your love is better than wine" (Song 1:3) better by far than all created delights. This is especially true when divine Wisdom says to those who contemplate him, "Taste and see" (Ps. 33:9) eat and drink, be filled with my eternal sweetness (Song 5:1), for you will discover that conversing with me is in no way distasteful, that my companionship is never tedious and in me only will you find joy and contentment (Wisd. 8:16).

"This knowledge of eternal Wisdom is not only the most noble and the most consoling of all, it is also the most useful and the most necessary since eternal life consists in knowing God and Jesus Christ, his Son (Jn. 17:3). Speaking to eternal Wisdom, the Wise man exclaims, "To know you is perfect righteousness and to know your justice and your power is the root of immortality" (Wisd. 15:3). If we really want to have eternal life let us learn all there is to know about eternal Wisdom. If we wish to have roots of immortality deeply embedded in our heart we must have in our mind knowledge of eternal Wisdom. To know Jesus Christ incarnate Wisdom, is to know all we need. To presume to know everything and not know him is to know nothing at all.

"What good will it do us to know all the other branches of knowledge necessary for salvation if we do not learn the only essential one, the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the centre towards which all the other branches of knowledge must tend? Although the great Apostle St. Paul was a man of such extensive knowledge and so well versed in human learning, still he said that he did not know anything except Jesus Christ and him nailed to a cross (1 Cor. 2:2). Let us then say with him, "I count as loss all the knowledge I have prized so highly until now when I compare it to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Savior."

- St. Louis Marie de Montfort:
excerpt from The Love of Eternal Wisdom

Desire for Holy Communion
stanzas from a poem by St. Louis Marie de Montfort

My Jesus, I long ardently
For you to come to me this day;
Without you life is misery.
Come to me soon, I pray.

Good Shepherd, bear your lost sheep home
Within your arms, whene'er I stray;
From ravening wolves that round me roam
Oh, keep me safe, I pray.

O bread of Life, for you I sigh,
Give me yourself without delay;
For otherwise my soul must die.
Give me to eat, I pray.

O fount of living waters clear,
How long and weary is the way;
Refresh my soul which thirsts for you,
Give me to drink I pray.

I am not worthy, Lord, that you
Should come into my house today
As heavenly food; say but the word
And heal my soul, I pray.

Lord, you alone are my true friend,
My treasure which can ne'er decay;
All earthly joys do you transcend.
Do visit me this day.

Pity Thou Him and He Will Pity Thee

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

“… I knew God by His pain!
And by that sight
I saw the light;
Thus did my grief
For Him beget relief…
So learn this rule from me:
Pity thou Him and He will pity thee!”

It is the agonizing privilege of every Sister Teacher and Sister Catechist, explaining to wide-eyed innocents for the first time about the dolorous passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to regard with fresh unction the painful realities of the sorrowful mysteries:

“But Sister, how could they?... Sister, did it hurt?...Poor Jesus! Poor Mary!..” These lamentations chorusing from innocent voices renew profound sentiments of contrition for the sins whose wages are death. Yet, the sorrow of Good Friday can never be without tender gratitude at seeing oneself so loved; awe of the obedience with which Our Lord suffered and a profound tenderness towards the suffering God on the cross. It is perhaps to elicit such tenderness that Our Lord suffered so; opening us to His grace by drawing from our hearts of stone tears of human sympathy, binding us by “chains of love” to the one who loved us to the point of death.

It is this tenderness which draws from the lips of our children desires to alleviate Our Lord’s suffering. It is this same tenderness which we see enacted by many characters of the Passion, amidst the violent cruelty inflicted upon Our Jesus: Claudia, who intercedes for Him, the women of Jerusalem who weep for Him; His faithful ones (most especially His Sorrowful Mother) at the foot of the Cross. All these come readily to our minds. But there are others who show Our Lord compassion in his suffering: the Good Thief, St. Dismas, who defended the innocence of Our Lord while Gesmas blasphemed and mocked Him (in whose redeemed voice the opening poem of this reflection was written). Not only St. Dismas but also, often forgotten, the nameless soldier who, when Our Lord cried out His thirst, ran to sate it by offering Him the wine of poor quality—so poor it could be called vinegar—which was his only ration.

"…A plea for help from Jesus, the Son of God!...When Jesus Christ was dying, when the Help of the helpless Himself cried out for help […] it was a flippant soldier—suddenly grown tender-hearted—a young conscript under orders to do the vile work of Caesar, who obeyed a law more fundamental than Caesar’s and offered Jesus the refreshing solace of a few drops of wine …

"The Gospel says he went running to do this work of mercy… If…this rude soldier ever came to understand the truth concerning Jesus—ah, how he must have cherished ever afterward the memory of this moment! But even if Christ did not reveal His divinity to this young pagan, surely Christ never forgot the mercy done His humanity by the young soldier who offered a share of the best he had as a courtesy which Jesus accepted as such."

So may we let ourselves be drawn by chains of tenderness to Cross and bound by chains of love to remain there. May meditating upon the human suffering of Christ draw us further to regard the awesome divinity hidden beneath the Man of Sorrows. Most importantly, let us not forget that Christ reigns, triumphant from the Cross: triumphant over the pride and disobedience which led our first parents to fall; triumphant in love of us and love of the Father over the natural human love of one’s own life. Mourn with Him awhile, but not without the candle of our share in Our Lady’s faith gleaming in our hearts, which waits with firm expectation for the Tree of Life to resurrect from this seed of Christ, which has fallen to the ground, and died.

Poem and quote both taken from Cardinal John J. Wright’s “ Words in Pain” (Catholic Institute of Pittsburgh Inc., 1986) published by Ignatius Press .

Let Us Go Together To Meet Christ

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Pueri Hebraeorum, portantes ramos olivarum,
obviaverunt Domino, clamantes et dicentes: Hosanna in excelsis.

The Hebrew children bearing olive branches, went forth to meet the Lord,
crying out, and saying, Hosanna in the highest.

Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today he returns from Bethany and proceeds of his own free will toward his holy and blessed passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation. He who came down from heaven to raise us from the depths of sin, to raise us with himself, we are told in Scripture, above every sovereignty, authority and power, and every other name that can be named, now comes of his own free will to make his journey to Jerusalem. He comes without pomp or ostentation. As the psalmist says: He will not dispute or raise his voice to make it heard in the streets. He will be meek and humble, and he will make his entry in simplicity.

Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.

In his humility Christ entered the dark regions of our fallen world and he is glad that he became so humble for our sake, glad that he came and lived among us and shared in our nature in order to raise us up again to himself. And even though we are told that he has now ascended above the highest heavens - the proof, surely, of his power and godhead - his love for man will never rest until he has raised our earthbound nature from glory to glory, and made it one with his own in heaven.

So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed in his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. We who have been baptized into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him. Now that the crimson stains of our sins have been washed away in the saving waters of baptism and we have become white as pure wool, let us present the conqueror of death, not with mere branches of palms but with the real rewards of his victory. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children's holy song: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

- Office of Readings for Palm Sunday: St. Andrew of Crete

Glória, laus, et honor, tibi sit Rex Christe Redémptor:
cui pueríle decus prompsit Hosánna pium.

All glory, praise, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet Hosannas ring.

Fiat Mihi Secudum Verbum Tuum

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

O God, Who didst will that thy Word should, by the message of an Angel,
take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant unto us,
we beseech thee, that all who do believe her to be in very deed
the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers in thy sight.
- Vespers I, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Louis Marie de Montfort: True Devotion - On the Incarnation

"God the Father gave his only Son to the world only through Mary. Whatever desires the patriarchs may have cherished, whatever entreaties the prophets and saints of the Old Law may have had for 4,000 years to obtain that treasure, it was Mary alone who merited it and found grace before God by the power of her prayers and the perfection of her virtues. "The world being unworthy," said Saint Augustine, "to receive the Son of God directly from the hands of the Father, he gave his Son to Mary for the world to receive him from her."

The Son of God became man for our salvation but only in Mary and through Mary. God the Holy Spirit formed Jesus Christ in Mary but only after having asked her consent through one of the chief ministers of his court.

God the Father imparted to Mary his fruitfulness as far as a mere creature was capable of receiving it, to enable her to bring forth his Son and all the members of his mystical body. God the Son came into her virginal womb as a new Adam into his earthly paradise, to take his delight there and produce hidden wonders of grace.

God-made-man found freedom in imprisoning himself in her womb. He displayed power in allowing himself to be borne by this young maiden. He found his glory and that of his Father in hiding his splendors from all creatures here below and revealing them only to Mary. He glorified his independence and his majesty in depending upon this lovable virgin in his conception, his birth, his presentation in the temple, and in the thirty years of his hidden life. Even at his death she had to be present so that he might be united with her in one sacrifice and be immolated with her consent to the eternal Father, just as formerly Isaac was offered in sacrifice by Abraham when he accepted the will of God. It was Mary who nursed him, fed him, cared for him, reared him, and sacrificed him for us.

The Holy Spirit could not leave such wonderful and inconceivable dependence of God unmentioned in the Gospel, though he concealed almost all the wonderful things that Wisdom Incarnate did during his hidden life in order to bring home to us its infinite value and glory. Jesus gave more glory to God his Father by submitting to his Mother for thirty years than he would have given him had he converted the whole world by working the greatest miracles. How highly then do we glorify God when to please him we submit ourselves to Mary, taking Jesus as our sole model."

Annunciation Slideshow

Zealous Defender of Christ

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

In the beautiful litany of St. Joseph, we call upon our spiritual Father under many varied titles:
Guardian of Virgins…
Head of the Holy Family…
Mirror of Patience….

Each invocation is striking in its individuality and yet seamlessly part of the whole in painting for us, by the strokes of these titles, the figure of the greatest and last of the patriarchs. Any of these is worthy to be the subject of our meditation, but one that brings itself to the forefront on this occasion is: “Christi Defensor Sedule”, Zealous Defender of Christ.

The revelation of the Church as His Mystical Body given to us by Our Lord, so beautifully set forth by St. Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians, is articulated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church in these words:

Christ and his Church thus together make up the "whole Christ" (Christus totus). The Church is one with Christ. (CCC 795)

Christ our head and we His members are joined in no soluble union, but are one flesh with Christ. It is this reality, of the union of Our Lord Jesus with His Body the Church, which is pre-eminent in our theology of the Virgin Mary as the Mother as the Mother of Our Lord as well as each of us, being the Mother of Christ—the whole Christ. It is through this vision of the Church that we see the necessity of receiving Our Lord’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist, as no member of a body can live separated from its lifeblood. It is this theology which, following the same sound logic, teaches us that St. Joseph, guardian and loving father to Christ the Head on earth, cannot cease to be the same caring spiritual parent to the totus Christus in eternity.

In this movement of Eucharistic revival in the United States Holy Mother Church reminds us, through our Bishops, to recentralize our lives around the Eucharist and the mystery of Christ’s presence amongst us (He Who Is, and who promised to be with us always…). This of course calls explicitly for a deepening and nourishing of our Eucharistic devotional life. However one may argue that what will cultivate the wondering disposition of soul that draws one to worship Christ in the Eucharist is the recognition of Christ’s presence within the souls of all the baptized and all that this entails: that the saints and angels are within and without and around us always; that the Virgin Queen of Heaven is our Mother; that St. Joseph, Foster-Father of the Redeemer is our foster-father also.

This “zealous defender of Christ” has the power given by God to protect the Church and all her members from temporal, but more especially spiritual harm. It is St. Joseph who, hastening to guard His foster-son’s Mystical Body, will defend the Church from the tepidity and skepticism which wage war against our faith in, and devotion towards, Our Lord in the sacrament of His love. It is he who, ardent in his defense of Our Lord’s Eucharistic Body, will protect Our Lord from the sacrileges, outrages and indifferences by which He is offended, and stir us to love for and defense of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. May St. Joseph, guardian and father of the Christus totus increase your faith and love, on this his feast and always.

Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis!

St. Joseph Novena

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God and Foster Father of Jesus, is our father in a special way. To him we confide our temporal wants, to him we confide our vocations, to him do we go when in need spiritually or temporally. Each year, we pray a novena leading up to his feastday, thanking him for his care of our Community and entrusting to him our petitions.

To join in our novena, no specific prayers are necessary. Each day for nine days, turn to St. Joseph in spirit honoring him four times throughout the day. During each visit, consider one of the following aspects of St. Joseph, remembering to thank God for honoring St. Joseph and, through his intercession, request a similar grace:

1st Visit: St. Joseph’s Fidelity to Grace & the Holy Ghost’s action in his soul

2nd Visit: St. Joseph’s Fidelity to the Interior Life & Spirit of Recollection

3rd Visit: St. Joseph’s Love for Our Lady

4th Visit: St. Joseph’s Love for the Divine Child

Prayer to St. Joseph

“Knowing by experience St. Joseph’s astonishing influence with God,
I would wish to persuade everyone to honor him with particular devotion.
I have always seen those who honored him in a special manner make progress in virtue,
for this heavenly protector favors in a striking manner
the spiritual advancement of souls who commend themselves to him.”
- St. Teresa of Avila

Domine, non nisi Te

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"One day in the thirteenth century a Dominican friar named Br. Dominic of Caserta, a sacristan, concealed himself in his priory chapel in Naples. While there, he stealthily observed St. Thomas Aquinas in prayer before the crucifix, in tears. No doubt, the saint’s reverence must have moved him deeply, but, nonetheless, he must have been quite surprised when, suddenly, the voice of Christ from the crucifix called out, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward will you receive from me for your labor?”

One can certainly imagine Br. Dominic waiting with bated breath for an answer from the man often regarded as the greatest theologian of the Middle Ages. A saintly man, certainly he would not ask for wealth or power for himself. Perhaps inspiration for excellent argumentation with which to confute the heretics? Favorable reception of his work within the Church (the subject of great controversy, even after his death)? How about simply an increase in virtue? Doubtless, when Jesus speaks audibly from the cross, he really means it. So what does Friar Thomas ask?

His response wasted no words: Domine, non nisi Te , that is 'Lord, nothing except you.'"
- From a Domincan Friar

The feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas is observed today in the Extraordinary Form, the anniversary of his death. The Great Doctor's words echo the words we hear from the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Lent in the Transfiguration of our Lord, "And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus."

Only Jesus. This is the obejctive of the Lenten season, of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penance: that at the end of our purification, the desire of our hearts is "only Jesus." In union with the 10th Station of the Cross where our Lord is stripped of His garments before being crucified, we unite our plea to be stripped of every vice, sin, and self-desire so that all that remains of us is Him.

May the beloved St. Thomas Aquinas obtain for us the same desire he longed for: to have nothing except Thee, O Lord.

Monthly Devotion: St. Joseph

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

“The dignity and glory of St. Joseph is such
that the Eternal Father conferred upon him with greatest liberality,
a likeness to His own supremacy over his incarnate Son.”
- St. Bernadine of Siena

O Joseph, Christ's Own Guardian

O Joseph, Christ’s own guardian thou,
As father loved I greet thee now,
Accept me too as child of thine,
O free from stain this heart of mine!
O Joseph mild, O hear thy child!

All radiant thou near God’s own throne,
O plead thou with the Father’s Son,
That I, as true as thou, may be
In faith and hope and charity.
O Joseph mild, O hear thy child!

Thou father kind, this grace obtain,
That I be free from sin and stain,
By God’s sweet will, oh, help me live,
Help me to Him all honor give.
O Joseph mild, O hear thy child!

Be my protector ever more,
Keep soul and body chaste and pure,
Come to my aid in ev’ry need,
And be my help in life and death.

“What many kings and prophets desired to see, and saw not;
desired to hear, and heard not;
he [St. Joseph] was allowed not merely to hear and see,
but also to carry, lead, embrace, kiss, nourish, and protect.”
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Memento homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

The solemn announcement, spoken of by the prophet, has been proclaimed in Sion : the solemn fast of Lent, the season of expiation, the approach of the great anniversaries of our Redemption. Let us, then, rouse ourselves, and prepare for the spiritual combat.

But in this battling of the spirit against the flesh we need good armor. Our holy mother the Church knows how much we need it; and therefore does she summon us to enter into the house of God, that she may arm us for the holy contest ...

We are entering today upon a long campaign of warfare spoken of by the apostles: forty days of battle, forty days of penance. We shall not turn cowards, if our souls can but be impressed with the conviction that the battle and the penance must be gone through. Let us listen to the eloquence of the solemn rite which opens our Lent. Let us go whither our mother leads us, that is, to the scene of the fall.

The enemies we have to fight with are of two kinds: internal and external. The first are our passions; the second are the devils. Both were brought on us by pride, and man’s pride began when he refused to obey his God. God forgave him his sin, but He punished him. The punishment was death, and this was the form of the divine sentence: Thou art dust, and into dust thou shalt return. Oh that we had remembered this! The recollection of what we are and what we are to be would have checked that haughty rebellion which has so often led us to break the law of God. And if, for the time to come, we would persevere in loyalty to Him, we must humble ourselves, accept the sentence, and look on this present life as a path to the grave. The path may be long or short; but to the tomb it must lead us.

Remembering this, we shall see all things in their true light. We shall love that God who has deigned to set His heart on us notwithstanding our being creatures of death: we shall hate, with deepest contrition, the insolence and ingratitude wherewith we have spent so many of our few days of life, that is, in sinning against our heavenly Father: and we shall be not only willing, but eager, to go through these days of penance, which He so mercifully gives us for making reparation to His offended justice.

This was the motive the Church had in enriching her liturgy with the solemn rite at which we are to assist this morning. When upwards of a thousand years ago she decreed the anticipation of the lenten fast by the last four days of Quinquagesima week, she instituted this impressive ceremony of signing the forehead of her children with ashes, while saying to them those awful words wherewith God sentenced us to death: Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and into dust thou shalt return!

But making use of ashes as a symbol of humiliation and penance is of a much earlier date than the institution we allude to. We find frequent mention of it in the Old Testament. Job, though a Gentile, sprinkled his flesh with ashes, that thus humbled, he might propitiate the divine mercy: and this was two thousand years before the coming of our Savior. The royal prophet tells us of himself, that he mingled ashes with his bread, because of the divine anger and indignation. Many such examples are to be met with in the sacred Scriptures; but so obvious is the analogy between the sinner who thus signifies his grief, and the object whereby he signifies it, that we read such instances without surprise. When fallen man would humble himself before the divine justice, which has sentenced his body to return to dust, how could he more aptly express his contrite acceptance of the sentence, than by sprinkling himself, or his food, with ashes, which is the dust of wood consumed by fire? This earnest acknowledgement of his being himself but dust and ashes is an act of humility, and humility ever gives him confidence in that God who resists the proud and pardons the humble.

Dom Prosper Gueranger on Ash Wednesday

The Tract of Ash Wednesday is a prayer which the Church repeats thrice during each week of Lent, and which She always uses in times of public calamity, in order to appease the anger of God.

Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins, which we have committed, nor punish us according to our iniquities. Remember not, O Lord, our former iniquities; let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceedingly poor. Help us, O God, our Savior, and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us and forgive us our sins for thy name’s sake.

"Tomorrow, We Die!"

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.

The holy season of Septuagesima which takes up the bulk—and sometimes the entirety—of the time between Candelmas and Ash Wednesday may yet be little known, however there is another, more common name for this period of time: “carnival”.

“In many cultures, the time between the Christmas season and Lent is known as ‘carnival’. Carnival comes from the Latin words, "carne vale," meaning ‘farewell to the flesh’.” (Mardi Gras Celebrates Christ the King, Diocese of Little Rock)

While “carnival season” is not immediately associated with religious piety—perhaps far from, unfortunately—its roots are as truly Catholic as they are practical. Due to the Lenten restrictions, once far more all-encompassing in their breadth and intense in their observation, no meat could remain in the house past the first day of Lent. Therefore, eating whatever meat (and at one time, also dairy and eggs) the family had was a necessity to avoid waste and spoilage. Furthermore, it followed the typically Catholic sensibility that a fast must be preceded (perhaps even interrupted) by a feast, and the feast must be preceded by a fast. Reference to this practice and its logic is found in the commentaries on Septuagesima by Dom Prosper Gueranger, of happy memory:

We can easily understand how the simple manners of our Catholic forefathers could keep a leave-taking of the ordinary way of living, which Lent was to interrupt, and reconcile their innocent carnival with Christian gravity; just as we can understand how their rigorous observance of the laws of the Church for Lent would inspire certain festive customs at Easter. Even in our own times, a joyous Shrovetide is not to be altogether reprobated… (Dom Prosper Gueranger, Commentaries on Quinquagesima)

We find in our pre-Lenten merry-making a foretaste of Easter before we plunge ourselves into the desert of fasting and the agony in the garden. We have bid our “Alleluia” farewell in Septuagesima, and are looking now in earnest towards the Cross as Ash Wednesday draws near, however we are made to remember by Shrovetide festivities and the hopeful, love-filled Mass of Quiquagesima, that we serve a God not of tears and death but of joy and life—and life abundant and everlasting.

We must note here that the same Dom Gueranger (and any prudent-thinking Catholic) warns against the abuse of Carnival in sinful excess, and urges the Christian towards a spirit of penance and humble piety as Lent draws near. For if we do not do penance in Lent, or indulge ourselves to the point of sin in carnival, we will find that, weighed down by guilt, the very Easter joy we grasped at in carnival evades us—just as Adam and Eve’s grasping at what may have been given as a gift was their undoing.

However, so long as it is the spirit of Love that motivates both feasting and fasting, let the Christian make merry on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), “…for tomorrow we die…”! May our Shrovetide be glad, and this Ash Wednesday be truly the one in which we die to ourselves, so as to live for Christ.

By Blood and Water Purified

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"O Mother, it is to your heart that I come to lay down the anguish of my heart;
it is there that I draw strength and courage."
- St. Bernadette

All feasts of Our Lady are celebrated with joy and affection by the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, but a few enjoy particular devotion; one such is Our Lady of Lourdes. The presence of Our Lady in this apparition to the humble St. Bernadette Soubirous is moving on many accounts: Our Lady’s maternal solicitude for poor sinners, and towards St. Bernadette herself; her encouragement of obedience towards ecclesiastical authority; and her humility in identifying herself with her first great gift of grace, her Immaculate Conception.

We can perhaps make bold to say, however, that this appearance of Our Lady in Lourdes, France is not so well known for its message as for the miraculous events that came afterwards, as confirmation of God’s benediction upon this modest village. We speak of the spring at Lourdes which well up at the place where Our Lady appeared, and is from that day to this a place of pilgrimage for countless faithful, many of them sick and dying who come to seek a remedy for their ailments in the curative Lourdes waters. It is said that at Lourdes, you will be granted one of two favors: either your ailment will be cured, or you will be given peace and courage to bear it. To use another’s words: God will lighten the Cross or toughen the shoulder.

It is in the latter, perhaps, that we see more clearly Our Lady of Lourdes as one in the same as Our Lady of Sorrows at Calvary. Falling this year, as it often does, in the season of Septuagesima, we are reminded by the absence of the Alleluia that in the midst of this joyful feast we are yet still beginning the steady march to the Upper Room, Gethsemane and Calvary. On Golgotha’s hill, Our Lady draws us, as at Lourdes to saving water—at Lourdes the mere shadow, at Calvary the true font of life. In both, she invites us to come, drink and rest, but still more to unite with her Divine Son in offering our lives to the Father for poor sinners. Let Lourdes console us, but more so let it strengthen us, and may Mary, Conceived Without Sin pray for poor sinners (ourselves included) to be drawn by her maternal love to the waters of everlasting life. A blessed feast of Our Lady of Lourdes to you all.

O Maria, sine labe originalis concepta!

Our Thoughts Begin to Turn

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Graciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people,
that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins,
may for the glory of Thy Name be mercifully delivered.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ …"
- Collect: Septuagesima Sunday

"The Season of Septuagesima comprises the three weeks immediately preceding Lent. It forms one of the principal divisions of the Liturgical Year, and is itself divided into three parts, each part corresponding to a week: the first is called Septuagesima; the second, Sexagesima; the third, Quinquagesima.

All three are named from their numerical reference to Lent, which, in the language of the Church, is called Quadragesima, — that is, Forty, — because the great Feast of Easter is prepared for by the holy exercises of Forty Days. The words Quinquagesima, Sexagesima, and Septuagesima, tell us of the same great Solemnity as looming in the distance, and as being the great object towards which the Church would have us now begin to turn all our thoughts, and desires, and devotion.

Now, the Feast of Easter must be prepared for by a forty-days’ recollectedness and penance. Those forty-days are one of the principal Seasons of the Liturgical Year, and one of the most powerful means employed by the Church for exciting in the hearts of her children the spirit of their Christian Vocation. It is of the utmost importance, that such a Season of grace should produce its work in our souls, — the renovation of the whole spiritual life. The Church, therefore, has instituted a preparation for the holy time of Lent. She gives us the three weeks of Septuagesima, during which she withdraws us, as much as may be, from the noisy distractions of the world, in order that our hearts may be the more readily impressed by the solemn warning she is to give us, at the commencement of Lent, by marking our foreheads with ashes

The grave maternal voice of the Church will soon be heard, inviting us to the Lenten penance; but she wishes us to prepare for this laborious baptism, by employing these three weeks in considering the deep wounds caused in our souls by sin.

Our Jesus is the Victim of the divine justice, and he has now attained the fulness of his age; the altar, on which he is to be slain, is ready: and since it is for us that he is to be sacrificed, we should at once set ourselves to consider, what are the debts we have contracted towards that infinite Justice, which is about to punish the Innocent One instead of us the guilty."

- Dom Prosper Gueranger on Septuagesima

Lights and Shadows

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Lights and Shadows
by a Marian Sister of Santa Rosa

Mary and Joseph went up the temple to pray,
And for the life of God’s newborn son to pay.
A ransom from death for us sinners, unrepentant,
Two turtle doves for His own life are there presented.

Simeon sings of the swords that are yet to pierce
The Heart of Our Lady—blades merciless and fierce.
Anna proclaims, “The Messiah has come at last!”
The blood shall be smeared on the doors of our souls
That the destroyer may not our lives grasp.

See the little turtle doves, innocent and sweet,
Cooing and at being sold, turning the other cheek.
Behold how their lives are twin tokens of Father’s love-
As God the Father hands over to save our souls His dearest loves:
His Son and His Jericho Rose—His purest doves.

In Ramah soon, a cry will be heard, as never heard ‘fore nor since
As Mary and Joseph make haste to protect the Blessed Sacrament.
The light of the star that three Magi led from their treasures’ to paupers’ tent,
To the Light of the Gentiles, heaven-sent
(Hush…hear the rip of fabric—the veil of the Holy of Holies is rent…)
Led too, did it not, to death of these Holy Innocents;
And see now, foreshadowed, the tragedy high
Of crucified Innocence.

Let all mortal flesh be silent and stand in wondered loss
For cast by the Light of Nations—lo! The shadow of the cross ...

This holy feast of the Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of Our Lord (affectionately called Candelaria, “Candelmas”) with its beauteous candlelit procession and whimsical chants is a favorite of many of the faithful—including many of the Sisters! This feast has an uplifting, joyous spirit, full of gratitude towards Christ for His revelation to the Gentiles and rejoicing in the possession of the promised Messiah, Light of Nations: “Lumen Gentium”

In the light of these endearing elements however, a shadow is cast: this feast is the last sweet kiss from Christ’s infant lips before we turn our faces towards Jerusalem in Septuagesima and prepare to enter with earnest into Our Lord’s redemptive suffering and death in Lent and Holy Week. Even in the mysteries here commemorated, we find thorns amid this festal rose: Our Lady’s first sorrow, and the prophecy of more; the neglect of those in the temple of the good news proclaim by Simeon and Anna; the poverty of the Holy Family, bringing as they did the offering of the poor—a pair of turtle doves.

We find that the Holy Family’s life was one in which the juxtaposition of joy and sorrow often went hand in hand. The Sorrowful Mysteries are born from the Joyful, and the Joyful foretell the Sorrowful. However, it is in these seeming contradictions that we see, in their lives, images of our own (for who does not experience joys and sorrows, as they did—often intermixed). This Light of Nations swaddled in Mary’s arms is a beacon light to guide us how to live and die for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Let us imitate Him, and His dear Mother and Foster-Father in this in this mystery by depending on Our Lady, bearing patiently the sorrows of life; offering God what little we can give and, rather than shrinking from suffering, offering this suffering in a joyful spirit of redemptive love.

A blessed Candelmas to all, and may Our Lady keep you under her mantle and present you with love to Our Lord.

"Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty,
that as Thine only begotten Son was this day presented in the temple
in substance of our flesh, so Thou wouldst cause us, too, with purified hearts
to be presented unto Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord."
- Collect for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Monthly Devotion: Holy Family

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT

"What was family life in Nazareth like? In the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph sanctified their ordinary life, without doing anything spectacular or newsworthy. They led a life that was to all appearance the same as that of their neighbors, a life that was important, not because of the material things they did, but because of the love that they put into these things, in perfect union with the Will of God the Father."
- St. Josemaria Escriva

Hymn from Vespers of the feast of the Holy Family

Blest light of all the heavenly hosts,
Sole hope of them that well on earth,
The purest love that ever graced
A home, did smile upon thy birth.

Mary, dear Mother, who but thee
Was ever yet so rich in grace?
Didst nourish Christ upon thy knee
And fold him in a sweet embrace?

And Joseph, chosen out to guard
The Virgin with thy gentle might,
The Infant Jesus smiled on thee
And called thee father as by right.

You, who to save a guilty race
Were born of David’s noble line
O hear the humble prayers of all
Today, who gather round your shrine.

The sun now wends his way to rest
And earth is veiled in shadows gray;
Yet hearts a-fire with joy and love
Still bid us linger on to pray.

O may the grace of that sweet home
Which held the earthly Trinity.
Be shed abroad upon the world
And bless the Christian family.

O Jesu, born of a Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to thee;
Praise to the Father infinite
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Amen.

Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we love Thee.
Save souls!

Ad Multos Annos

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT

How delightful it is when little children reveal their age by holding up (somewhat haphazardly) as many little fingers as they have years to their lives. If we were to have done so this year, we would need all fingers on both hands: Our Lady’s Little community turned ten years old in the 2022. We would love to recount with you, our dear friends, relatives and benefactors, the many blessings bestowed on us by God throughout the past year.

The year began with the celebration of an anniversary Mass offered by His Excellency, our beloved Bishop. On the same occasion, we were able to offer special thanks to our benefactors who have been with us from our infancy. This day of thanksgiving was a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude to Almighty God for His Providence towards us through the spiritual and material support He provides through our benefactors

The steps in Religion made by many of our members added to the year’s joy. We were blessed with the Clothing of five novices, the admittance of three Sisters to First Profession of vows, and the Perpetual Profession of Sr. Mary Victoria of Our Sorrowful Mother, MSSR. As our community grew older, so it grew larger. No sooner had Religious steps been completed than several beautiful young women entered our postulate in August of 2022. New entries never cease to excite in the hearts of Religious a fresh appreciation of the beauty and privilege of their vocations to live for God alone. Our new Sisters were a perfect anniversary gift to us from Our Lady, and from us to Our Lord

Not only did our congregation grow, but so did the apostolates in which we serve. The classical homeschool co-op based out of our Cathedral of St. Eugene (the St. Eugene’s Home School Academy/SEHA) swelled to unprecedented numbers this past school year. Our Sisters have been serving SEHA in the 2022-2023 school year as instructresses for classes in Science, Liturgical Living and—very specially—for an Apologetics course for high school students to prepare them to defend their Faith as they go out into the world post-graduation. Cardinal Newman Highschool saw their number of Sister-Teachers increase from one to three, so that every Freshman class has Theology taught by a Marian Sister. As a community devoted to communicating the Faith, our Sisters at Cardinal Newman High School well embody this element of our charism as they share truths of Christ and His Church with their nearly 200 Freshmen.

Along with our academic schools and our presence therein grow, so too was growth found in the school of Faith: our catechetical program, the Parish School of Religion, combined with the Cathedral’s ongoing and sacramental formation programs to become a singular entity under the care of our Sisters. Our Sisters in formation (who serve as our catechists with dedicated lay volunteers) have experienced all the joys of spiritual motherhood as their children, both old and young, learn to know and love the teachings of the Holy Faith.

Meanwhile, at the Motherhouse, the entrance of new members and steps made by others were not all the goings on at Mater Dei Convent: Our Lady saw fit, in her womanly way to celebrate this anniversary by beautifying the grounds of her convent with a rosary garden, which honors the Way of the Cross, her Immaculate Conception and all the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. Thoroughly and duly blessed by our canonical founder, the Most Reverend Bishop Vasa, this garden—built by the goodness of talented and generous benefactors—is truly a beautiful spot in God’s earth where Our Lady is well loved and highly honored.

When the rosary garden was completed Dear Mother Mary, always directing any glory given to her person back to Her Divine Son, arranged for the sanctuary of our chapel to be completed in the final weeks of Advent—with assembly beginning on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and ending in time for Christmas to be celebrated in a house of worship newly decorated for the honor of His Majesty. In keeping with our devotion to the Holy Liturgy, it gladdens our hearts to adorn Our Lord’s home in a way that reflects His glory and beauty.

Such are only a few of the many blessings of the past year. As we have worked at setting down roots in this first decade of our community’s life, so we hope to flourish with holy vocations and grow into the congregation that Our Lord has planned us to be from all eternity. Thank you all for your contributions and support, material and spiritual, that have supported us through this past year, and for walking with us in this marvelous journey of growth. God bless you, and may God grant you every best and perfect gift for a holy and happy 2023.

A Year in Review Gallery

Thou Art All Fair, O Mary

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 07:00:00 GMT

O Maria sine labe concepta, ora pro nobis!

" 'I will put enmities between thee and the woman.' In these words the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was announced to our first parents. It was to be the reversal of the friendship with the serpent contracted by Eve, when she listened to his voice and fell under his power. The second Eve was never to be under the power of the devil; the enmity between them was to admit of no possible exception. This involved the grace of being conceived immaculate. Mary's Immaculate Conception was the foundation of all her graces. The absence of any stain or spot of sin distinguished her from all the rest of mankind. It distinguished her from the holiest of the Saints, since they, one and all, were sinners. Her perfect sinlessness was the source of all her glory and all her majesty; it was this which opened the door to the unlimited graces that she received from God; it was this that qualified her for her divine maternity, and raised her to her throne as Queen of heaven." - Roman Missal 1962 on the Immaculate Conception

"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, didst prepare for Thy Son a worthy habitation, we beseech Thee, that as Thou didst preserve her from every stain by the foreseen death of this Thy Son, so Thou wouldst grant that we also being cleansed from guilt by her intercession, may come to Thee."

- Collect: Mass of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Let all the children of the Catholic Church, who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours. With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love, let them continue to venerate, invoke and pray to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, conceived without original sin. Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard." - Ineffabilis Deus ( Papal Encyclical on the Immaculate Conception - Pope Bl. Pius IX, 1854)

The Temple of the Lord

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Holy Mother of God, Mary ever-Virgin, you are the temple of the Lord
and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Beyond all others, you were pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Magnificat Antiphon for Vespers

Maria, Virgo Regia
Hymn for the Office of the Presentaiton of the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Mary, royal virgin pure,
Both Spouse and daughter of the King,
God's wisdom chose you for His own
Before the world and time began.

O Virgin, without smallest taint,
God's peerless tower of ivory
The Holy Spirit from above
Selected you as sanctuary.

You are the image of all good,
And seal of love most beautiful,
The dawn indeed of very light,
The ark containing manna true.

Within the house of God Most High
You overflow with His delights,
The flow'ring rod from Jesse's root,
Your soul is filled with grace untold.

O Pearl, far fairer than the rest,
O Star with luster all your own,
Make us true temples of the Lord
In whom the Spirit loves to dwell.

All glory to the Trinity,
O Virgin of all virgins blest,
Who shed on you with lavish love
Such treasury of gifts and grace. Amen.

"O God, Who didst will that this day the every blessed Virgin Mary, dwelling-place of the Holy Ghost, should be presented in the temple: grant, we beseech Thee, that through her intercession, we may be worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory." - Collect: Mass of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Let us Make Haste to our Brethren Who are Awaiting Us

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast granted to honor in one solemn Feast
the merits of all Thy Saints: we beseech Thee, that through the multitude of intercessors, Thou wouldst bestow upon us the desired abundance of Thy atonement."
- Collect: Solemnity of All Saints

Why should our praise and glorification, or even the elebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.

Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.

When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honour. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendour with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head.

Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession.

From a sermon by St. Bernard, Abbot

Daily Prayers for the Faithful Departed for the Month of November
Week 1 : Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

O Queen of the Holy Rosary

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"In me is all grace of the way and of the truth;
in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
Like a rose planted on the rivers I have borne fruit."
- Offertory: Mass of the Most Holy Rosary of the B.V.M.

Te Gestientem Gaudiis
Hymn from Second Vespers

Thee, who in joy didst bear thy Child,
Thee pierced with grief and sorrowing,
Thee, in abiding glory placed,
Thee, Virgin Mother, do we sing.

Hail, in thy joyful mysteries,
Conception, Visitation, Birth,
The Offering, Finding, of thy Son,
O Mother, blessed in thy mirth.

Hail, bearing in thy heart with grief
Thy Son's great Agony, the Blows,
The thorny Crown, the Cross itself:
Queen of all Martyrs in thy woes.

Hail, in the triumph of thy Son,
In fiery tongues of Pentecost,
In light and exaltation made
The Queen of glory, heaven's boast.

O come ye nations, gather now
And let these mysteries roses prove;
Sweet garlands weave for Heav'n's Queen.
The glorious Mother of fair love.

May we be helped, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the prayers of Thy most holy Mother, whose Rosary we celebrate; that we may draw strength from the Mysteries which we commemorate, and likewise obtain the fruit of the Sacraments which we have received.
- Postcommunion: Mass of the Most Holy Rosary of the B.V.M.

Monthly Devotion: The Holy Angels

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts:
you ministers of His who do His will."
Alleluia Verse: Mass of the Guardian Angels

"It is of faith, on the testimony of the Scriptures and of unanimous tradition, that God commits to his Angels the guardianship of men, who are called to contemplate him together with these blessed spirits in their common fatherland. Catholic theology teaches that this protection is extended to every member of the human race, without any distinction of just and sinners, infidels and baptized. To ward off dangers; to uphold man in his struggle against the demons; to awaken in him holy thoughts; to prevent him from sinning, and even, at times, to chastise him; to pray for him, and present his prayers to God; such is the office of the Guardian Angel. So special is his mission that one Angel does not undertake the guardianship of several persons simultaneously; so diligent is his care that he follows his ward from the first day to the last of his mortal existence, receiving the soul as it quits this life, and bearing it from the feet of the sovereign Judge to the place it has merited in heaven, or to its temporary sojourn in the place of expiation and purification.

"... But God, magnificent as he is towards the whole human race, honors in a special manner the princes of his people, those who are most favored by his grace, or who rule the earth in his name; the Saints testify that a super eminent perfection, or a higher mission in Church or State, ensures to the individual the assistance of a superior spirit, without the Angels, that was first deputed, being necessarily removed from his charge. Moreover, with regard to the work of salvation, the Guardian Angel has no fear of being left alone at his post; at his request, and at God’s command, the troops of his blessed companions who fill heaven and earth are ever ready to lend him their aid. These noble spirits, acting under the eye of God, whose love they desire to second by all possible means, have secret alliances between them, which sometimes induce between their clients even on earth, unions the mystery whereof will be revealed in the light of eternity."

- Dom Gueranger on the Feasts of the Guardian

All ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: sing a hymn, and exalt Him above all forever." -

Communion Verse for Mass of the Guardian Angels (October 2)

The Glorious Archangels

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Bless the Lord, all ye His angels; you that are mighty in strength,
and execute His word, harkening to the voice of His orders.
-Introit for Dedication of the St. Michael the Archangel

“Compared with ours,” says one of the most enlightened brethren of the angelic doctor, “how calm and how luminous is the knowledge of pure spirits! They are not doomed to the intricate discoursings of our reason, which runs after the truth, composes and analyzes, and laboriously draws conclusions from premises. They instantaneously apprehend the whole compass of primary truths. Their intuition is so prompt, so lively, so penetrating, that it is impossible for them to be surprised, as we are, into error. If they deceive themselves, it must be of their own will. The perfection of their will is equal to the perfection of their intellect. They know not what it is to be disturbed by the violence of appetites. Their love is without emotion; and their hatred of evil is as calm and as wisely tempered as their love.

A will so free can know no perplexity as to its aims, no inconstancy in its resolutions. Whereas with us long and anxious meditation is necessary before we make a decision, it is the property of the angels to determine by a single act the object of their choice. God proposed to them, as He does to us, infinite beatitude in the vision of His own Essence; and to fit them for so great an end, He endowed them with grace at the same time as He gave them being. In one instant they said Yes or No; in one instant they freely and deliberately decided their own fate.”

- Dom Gueranger on the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael

Angelum Pacis
Vespers Hymn for Feast of the Archangels

Lord of angels, Christ our loving Savior,
Send holy Michael down among your people,
That he may bring us peace and true assistance
On our life's journey.

Gabriel's presence, strong, unseen and gentle,
Surely protects us if you will but send him
Into this temple, ever glad to help us,
Shielding from evil.

Send holy Raphael tenderly to heal us,
Bringing salvation from our hidden blindness,
And by his counsel may he guide our actions,
Each day and always.

May all the angels constantly attend us,
That we may join them praising the one Godhead;
This we implore you, Jesus ever reigning,
Joy of the angels. Amen.

A Feast of Beginning

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God, brought joy to the whole world:
for out of thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God: who, taking off the curse,
hath bestowed blessing; and, defeating death, hath given us life everlasting.”
- Responsory: Office of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Let us, then, understand the Church when, even on this day, she proclaims thy divine maternity, and unites in her chants of praise the birth of Emmanuel and thine own. He who, being Son of God by essence, willed to be also Son of man, had, before all other designs, decreed that he would have a Mother. Such, consequently, was the primordial, absolute character of that title of mother, that in the eternal decree, it was one with the very being of the chosen creature, the motive and cause of her existence, as well as the source of all her perfections natural and supernatural. We too, then, must recognize thee as Mother, even from thy very cradle, and must celebrate thy birthday by adoring thy Son our Lord.

"Inasmuch as it embraces all the brethren of the Man-God, thy blessed maternity sheds its rays upon all time, both before and after this happy day. God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. “The midst of the earth,” says the Abbot of Clairvaux, “admirably represents Mary. Mary is the center of the universe, the ark of God, the cause of creation, the business of ages. Towards her turn the inhabitants of heaven and the dwellers in the place of expiation, the men that have gone before us, and we that are now living, those who are to follow us, our children’s children and their descendants. Those in heaven look to her to have their ranks filled up; those in purgatory look for their deliverance; the men of the first ages, that they may be found faithful prophets; those that come after, that they may obtain eternal happiness. Mother of God, Queen of heaven, Sovereign of the world, all generations shall call thee blessed, for thou hast brought forth life and glory for all. In thee the Angels ever find their joy, the just find grace, sinners pardon; in thee, and by thee, and from thee, the merciful hand of the Almighty has reformed the first creation.”

"Andrew of Crete calls this day a solemnity of entrance, a feast of beginning, whose end is the union of the Word with our flesh; a virginal feast, full of joy and confidence for all. “All ye nations, come hither,” cries St. John Damascene; “come every race and every tongue, every age and every dignity, let us joyfully celebrate the birthday of the world’s gladness.” “It is the beginning of salvation, the origin of every feast,” says St. Peter Damian, “for behold! the Mother of the Bridegroom is born. With good reason does the whole world rejoice today; and the Church, beside herself, bids her choirs sing wedding songs.” - Dom Gueranger on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"This day was the Blessed Virgin Mary born of the lineage of David. The same is she through whom the salvation of the world hath been manifested before the eyes of all believers. This is she whose glorious life hath given light to the world. "
- Responsory: Office of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Monthly Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT

“I gaze upon the children of men to see whether anyone feels compassion for me, and alas, I see but few! …Do not forget me. Consider how much I have suffered.”
- Our Lady to St. Bridget

In the 14th Century, Our Lady appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden revealing the seven promises for those who honor meditate on her Seven Sorrows:

“I will grant peace to their families.”“They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”“I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”“I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”“I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”“I will visibly help them at the moment of their death—they will see the face of their mother.”

7. “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”

"Mary was a martyr, not by the sword of the executioner,
but by bitter sorrow of heart."
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Hail Queen of the Heavens

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"Because the virgin Mary was raised to such a lofty dignity
as to be the mother of the King of kings,
it is deservedly and by every right that the Church
has honored her with the title of 'Queen.'"
- St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Rerum Supremo - Hymn from Lauds for the Queenship of Mary

Glorious majesty, pure light unfailing,
Shines as your diadem, sweet Virgin Mary,
Daughter of David's race, further exalted
Over angelic hosts, close to the Godhead.

Virginal purity stays with you always,
Honor of Motherhood adds to your glory;
You were the resting place of the Eternal;
Of the Almighty one, King of the angels.

Whom the earth venerates, humbly adoring,
To whose almighty love knees bend in worship,
May He assist us all on our life's journey
To win true happiness, casting off darkness.

Hear us tender Father, Light uncreated,
Through your beloved Son and through the Spirit,
Who ever reigns with you, guiding and ruling,
For all eternity in your bright kingdom. Amen.

"Because of the honour due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to heaven in glory. It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of heaven on overwhelming blessedness. Just as she was borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of the Lord, she was transported from earthly renown to heavenly brightness.

"So it was that she began to taste the fruits of her future reign while still in the flesh. At one moment she withdrew to God in ecstasy; at the next she would bend down to her neighbours with indescribable love. In heaven angels served her, while here on earth she was venerated by the service of men. Gabriel and the angels waited upon her in heaven. The virgin John, rejoicing that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to him at the cross, cared for her with the other apostles here below. The angels rejoiced to see their queen; the apostles rejoiced to see their lady, and both obeyed her with loving devotion."
- Office of Readings for the Queenship of Mary by St. Amadeus

"The Blessed Virgin Mary should be called Queen,
not only because of her Divine Motherhood,
but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role
in the work of our eternal salvation."
- Ad Caeli Reginam: on Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary (Pope Pius XII)

Assumpta est Maria in Caelum

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"It was fitting that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles. It was fitting that the spouse, whom the Father had taken to himself, should live in the divine mansions. It was fitting that she, who had seen her Son upon the cross and who had thereby received into her heart the sword of sorrow which she had escaped in the act of giving birth to him, should look upon him as he sits with the Father. It was fitting that God's Mother should possess what belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and as the handmaid of God." - St. John Damascene

Gaudium Mundi - Vespers I: Solemnity of the Assumption

Joy of poor sinners, fairest Star of heaven,
Sun of true justice chose you as his mother;
Save us who perish, raise the sadly fallen,
Mary, pure Virgin.

You were the ladder by which God descended,
Through you the Highest came to seek the lowest;
By your protection, help us as we journey
Onwards to heaven.

Choirs of bright angels throng with joy to meet you,
Saints of the Old Law, prophets and apostles,
Hasten to lead you to your throne of glory
Next to the Godhead.

Praise be forever Trinity most holy,
Who crowned you, Mary, Virgin pure and sinelss,
And save you to us, Queen and loving MOther,
Now and forever. Amen.

"Hence the revered Mother of God, from all eternity joined in a hidden way with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination, immaculate in her conception, a most perfect virgin in her divine motherhood, the noble associate of the divine Redeemer who has won a complete triumph over sin and its consequences, finally obtained, as the supreme culmination of her privileges, that she should be preserved free from the corruption of the tomb and that, like her own Son, having overcome death, she might be taken up body and soul to the glory of heaven where, as Queen, she sits in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages." - Munificentissimus Deus: Apostolic Constitution defining the Dogma of the Assumption by Pope Pius XII

On this blessed solemnity of our Mother, we ask you to join us in praying for our newest Sisters as they begin their postulancy. From her glorious throne in heaven, may the Blessed Virgin Mary be their Mother, Mistress, and Guide on this journey of their religious life. O Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for these - your dearest daughters - and obtain for them every grace to persevere in their holy vocation.

Almighty everlasting God, Who hast taken body and soul into heaven the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that by steadfastly keeping heaven as our goal, we may be counted worthy to join her in glory." - Collect, Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption

The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"While the face of Jesus shone as the sun, his garments became white as snow . Now these garments so snow-white, as St. Mark observes, that no fuller on earth could have bleached them so, are the just men, the royal ornament inseparable from the Man-God, the Church, the seamless robe woven by our sweet Queen for her Son out of the purest wool and most beautiful linen that the valiant woman could find. Although our Lord personally has now passed the torrent of suffering and entered forever into his glory, nevertheless the bright mystery of the Transfiguration will not be complete until the last of the elect, having passed through the laborious preparation at the hands of the Divine Fuller, and tasted death, has joined in the Resurrection of our adorable Head. O Face of our Savior that dost ravish the heavens, then will all glory, all beauty, all love shine forth from thee. Expressing God by the perfect resemblance of true Son by nature, thou wilt extend the good pleasure of the Father to that reflection of his Word, which constitutes the sons of adoption, and reaches in the Holy Ghost even to the lowest fringes of his garment which fills the temple below him."
- Dom Prosper Gueranger on the Transfiguration

Ancient Sequence for the Solemnity of the Transfiguration

The solemn light of this day shineth upon the world:
Let the world worthily celebrate today’s feast:

Whereof the Law and the Prophets spake together in song.
What be the beauty of God’s house and its glory:

What dignity the human form retains in the saints world without end:
Christ’s adorable Transfiguration today doth shew.

He brought Peter, James, and John as witnesses.
He went up into the mount, with Moses and Elias in attendance.

The form of His human Body is transfigured.
The splendour and glory of the transformed Body are seen.

Suddenly an immense light flashes all around.
His face becomes splendid as the sun.

His garments become white as snow.
Those who see this miracle are struck dumb.

A luminous cloud envelops them,
The Father’s voice thunders from heaven:

This is the Son in whom is my special love,
In whom I am well pleased, and all things are rendered pleasing to me.

Rejoice O Christian assembly who believe in God!
By suffering with him, ye shall reign with Christ for aye.

From the saints’ eyes every tear shall be wiped away.
The just shall rejoice, and shine with light everlasting.

There shall be no more mourning, nor dolour, nor vexation.
Peace shall be supreme, and joy perpetual.

They shall then reign with God in glory:
Therein to reign with Him forever

May His all-powerful grace to us vouchsafe. Amen.

“O God, who in the glorious transfiguration of thine only-begotten Son, didst confirm the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of the fathers: and who, in the voice which came from the bright cloud, didst in a wonderful manner fore-signify our adoption as sons: mercifully vouchsafe to make us fellow-heirs of that King of glory, and the sharers of his bliss.” Such

Monthly Devotion: Immaculate Heart of Mary

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT

“I want My Church to…put the devotion to this Immaculate Heart
beside the devotion to My Sacred Heart.”
- Our Lord to Sr. Lucia

"God began the work of our redemption in the Heart of Mary, given that it was through Her ‘fiat’ that the redemption began to come about. This Immaculate Heart must be for us a refuge and the way that leads to God ... We see that devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary must be established in the world by means of a true consecration, through conversion and self-giving. Christ began, with Mary, the work of our salvation. It was from Mary that Christ received the Body and Blood that are to be poured out and offered up for the salvation of the world. Hence, Mary, made one with Christ, is the co-Redemptrix of the human race.” - Sr. Lucia on devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sweet Heart of Mary

Sweet Heart of Mary, make my heart,
With love, like thine for Jesus burn.
O heart aflame with heavnly fire
To learn this love, to thee I turn.
Light in my heart this conflgration
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!

Sweet Heart of Mary, purest heart,
Not whitest lily can compare,
With spotless purity like thine,
O Mary, take me to thy care.
In every danger and temptation,
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation

Click here to listen to a recording of the Sisters singing this beautiful hymn.

"My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge
and the way that will lead you to God."
- Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia

Monthly Devotion: Precious Blood of Jesus

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT

Unlimited is the effectiveness of the God-Man’s Blood — just as unlimited as the love that impelled him to pour it out for us, first at his circumcision eight days after birth, and more profusely later on in his agony in the garden,[12] in his scourging and crowning with thorns, in his climb to Calvary and crucifixion, and finally from out that great wide wound in his side which symbolizes the divine Blood cascading down into all the Church’s sacraments. Such sur passing love suggests, nay demands, that everyone reborn in the torrents of that Blood adore it with grateful love." - Pope St. John XXIII on Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood

Festivies resonent compita vocibus
Hymn from Vespers of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

With glad and joyous strains now let each street resound,
And let the laurel wreath each Christian brow entwine;
With torches waving bright, let old and young go forth,
And swell the train in solemn line.

Whilst we with bitter tears, with sighs and grief profound,
Wail o’er the saving Blood, poured forth upon the Tree,
Oh, deeply let us muse, and count the heavy price,
Which Christ hath paid to make us free.

The primal man of old, who fell by serpent’s guile,
Brought death and many woes upon his fallen race;
But our New Adam, Christ, new life unto us gave,
And brought to all ne’er-ending grace.

To heaven’s highest height, the wailing cry went up
Of Him, who hung in pain, God’s own eternal Son;
His saving, priceless Blood, His Father’s wrath appeased,
And for His sons full pardon won.

Whoe’er in that pure Blood his guilty soul shall wash,
Shall from his stains be freed—he made as roses bright--
Shall vie with Angels pure, shall please his King and Lord,
And precious shine in His glad sight.

Oh, from the path of right ne’er let thy steps depart,
But haste thee to the goal in virtue’s peaceful ways;
Thy God who reigns on high will e’er direct thy steps,
And crown thy deeds with blissful days.

Father of all things made, to us propitious be,
For whom Thy own dear Son, His saving Blood did spill;
O Holy Spirit, grant the souls by Thee refreshed
Eternal bliss may ever fill.

"This Blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. . . This Blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. . . This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church… This thought will check in us unruly passions. How long, in truth, shall we be attached to present things? How long shall we remain asleep? How long shall we not take thought for our own salvation? Let us remember what privileges God has bestowed on us, let us give thanks, let us glorify him, not only by faith, but also by our very works." - St. John Chrysostom

Feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT

"Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth:
they shall remember Thy name, O Lord."
- Graudal (Ps. 44:17)

"The Apostles Peter and Paul are the two Princes of the Apostles, the foundations of the Church, on which She is firmly established as on a rock. This Feast is almost entirely devoted to St. Peter, Bishop of Rome, the great Apostle of the Gentiles being more specifically honoured on June 30 .. After the Descent of the Holy Ghost, St. Peter preached the Gospel in Judea and was cast into prison by Herod Agrippa. He was miracuousy delivered by an Angel and established his see first at Antioch, and then finally at Rome, where the first Pope exercised for twenty-five years the Supreme Authority vested in him by Christ Himself. Then he was arrested, and like St. Paul suffered martyrdom A.D. 65. This Feast marks the day of the translation of their relics. - The Daily Roman Missal, 1962

O God who hast made this day holy by the martyrdom of Thine Apostles Peter and Paul: grant that Thy Church may in all things follow the precepts of those through whom she received the beginnings of the Faith. - Collect from the Mass of Sts. Peter and Paul

Ancient Hymn from First Vespers of Sts. Peter and Paul

Lo! beauteous Light Eternal floods,
with sacred fires, this golden day
which crowns the Princes of Apostles
and opens out unto the guilty a free path to Heaven.

The Teacher of the whole earth, as well as the Door-keeper of Heaven,
both of them Fathers of Rome, and Judges of nations, each a victor of death, the one by the sword, the other by the cross,
—laurel-crowned, both take their seats in the Senate of Eternal Life.

O happy Rome, by noble gore of Princes
twain art thou now consecrated;
empurpled by the blood of such as these,
thou alone in beauty dost surpass all the rest of the earth.

To the Trinity in Unity that governeth all things through ages of ages, may there be eternal glory, honor, power, and jubilation.

Final Profession of Sr. Mary Victoria

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT

To Jesus my heart, my all, forever ... Mary my Mother, keep me faithful until death!

With profound gratitude to the Most Holy Trinity, the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa joyfully announce the Perpetual Profession of Vows of Sister Mary Victoria of Our Sorrowful Mother on Saturday, June 25, 2022, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, at the Cathedral of St. Eugene at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary Victoria is a native of Haiti and a daughter of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York where she attended Holy Innocents Parish.

"I am the Bride of Him Whom the Angels serve,

Who the sun and moon gaze upon with admiring wonder.

The Lord Jesus has placed His ring upon my finger.

He has clothed me in the character of His Spouse."

- words of St. Agnes used in the Mass of Perpetual Profession