2024 sure is rolling by quickly — it seems we were just hosting our March vocation retreat, and here we are sharing about our June retreat!
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Welcome, precious Fruit from Eden’s perfect Garden;
Those who taste the Tree of Life, when granted pardon,
Yea! Who eat this Bread will fear of death no longer —
God’s love is stronger.
On April 29th, our beloved Sr. Mary Veronica celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Passionist Profession —50 years as a bride of Jesus Crucified!
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For years we’ve been trying to “spruce up” the plants and rocks that were already there, but things just weren’t working out. So this spring, our friends Jean and Terry, and an army of other generous volunteers, helped to give that area an “extreme makeover!”
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Last week we celebrated the 253rd anniversary of the founding of the Passionist Nuns in Corneto (now Tarquinia), Italy. That special day also marked one year until the Second General Chapter of our Monastic Congregation.
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Enjoy some long-belated photos of the progress on our construction. It’s been hard to keep up with all the different subcontractors — as soon as we manage to get some photos, they are already out of date! That’s the kind of “problem” we like to have …
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Beginning tomorrow (April 23rd), our first group of Sisters will begin their annual 8-day retreat. As we’ve shared before, we like to refer to the nuns on retreat as “Marys,” while those who take on extra duties to allow for this are called “Marthas.” The roles will swap for the second retreat, which falls in mid-May this year.
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This year, we decided to do something a little different for our spring vocation retreat. The Advent-themed retreat in November has been a hit with discerners, so this March we debuted our Lenten vocation retreat! The talks, prayer materials, and sharing were focused on Lenten themes, which tie in beautifully with our Passionist charism.
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Alleluia! He is risen! The New Creation has begun in the Person of our Resurrected Lord, and every created thing shows forth His glory in a unique way. One of our novices caught a glimpse of this while visiting some of our spring flowers, and she was inspired to write the following hymn of praise — think Daniel chapter 3, Kentucky-style!
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A palpable air of expectancy and excitement hovers around the crowd. These Passover pilgrims, gathered near the gates of Jerusalem, are awaiting more this year than just the annual festivities. As they converse among themselves, their eyes frequently turn to the road leading up to the city. What do you think? Will He come to the feast?
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Looking for some spiritual reading for Holy Week? Check out our latest newsletter, which includes reflections on the sufferings of Christ and how YOU can learn to pray with the Passion.
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Two Gentiles, two Galilean fishermen, and one Galilean carpenter-turned-Rabbi are standing on a hilltop just outside the city, slightly away from the surging crowds. The two Jews gesture towards the Greeks, who stand with awkward yet expectant eyes fixed on the Rabbi.
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At this late hour, restless Jerusalem is finally beginning to quiet herself. One by one, the lamps shining in windows are extinguished as the inhabitants of the Holy City turn in for the night. Yet in one large, villa-like house, the glow from the upstairs window remains undimmed. Within, a most extraordinary conversation is taking place.
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The gentle Teacher has been transformed into a fiery Prophet. He strides quickly around the Temple court, shouting and using his makeshift whip to send the veritable herds of sheep, goats, and oxen running. With a particularly disgusted look, He approaches the money-changers and summarily knocks their boxes of coins to the floor.
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Some of our younger Sisters were out on a walk recently and were delighted to discover these little signs of an early spring. Perhaps nowhere in the world are crocuses so thoroughly appreciated as here at St. Joseph’s Monastery … the first yellow and purple blooms are always heralded with great excitement.
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At last, they reach the summit. The three fishermen, though strong and robust as their trade demands, are happy for a chance to throw themselves down upon the sparse grass and catch their breath. It has been a hard climb, especially at the pace set by their Leader. For His part, the fourth Man remains standing, gazing out at the horizon with an indefinable expression on His face.
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His dusty clothes, sunburnt face, and gaunt frame suggest that He has been here for some time. His eyes are closed and His brow furrowed as His mouth silently forms the words of David: O God, You are my God, for You my soul is thirsting … like a dry, weary land without water.
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“Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior? Indeed, the more secure is my place there the more He can do to help me …”
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With all the wonderful happenings of the Advent/Christmas season and the New Year, it’s been quite a while since we took time to update you on the progress of our Cherish the Flame construction. We can assure you, however, that our “silence” about the building project hasn’t been for lack of news to report!
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Fr. Jeff is a friend of Sister Maria Faustina’s and a priest from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and he gave a beautiful homily about the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother, and what this great mystery can teach us in our own walk with God. With Father’s permission, we share the text of that homily in the hope that it will lift your hearts and draw you closer to Our Lord and His Mother!
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