News Apostolates

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a devotional ceremony which has been deeply cherished by the faithful for centuries. On the Institute’s Web sites, one often comes across references to Benediction (or Salut, and Segen, in French and German, respectively), because this ceremony is often celebrated in our Motherhouse in Gricigliano and all apostolates many times throughout the year.

The dignified beauty and solemnity are further amplified when Benediction is celebrated by a prince of the Church. St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis was the setting for such a Benediction at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 31, when His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke visited the Oratory to celebrate Benediction—to praise and adore Our Blessed Lord—with the faithful.

Filled with more than 500 lay people and clergy, many of whom took time off their regular schedule in order to attend, the Oratory waited quietly for the solemn appearance of the Cardinal. With the majestic announcement of the organ, the Cardinal processed into the church, accompanied by Victoria’s "Ecce Sacredos Magnus."

Upon reaching the High Altar, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament began solemnly with "Homo Quidam," composed by Cardinal Bartolucci  (who was made a Cardinal recently) and "Alma Redemptoris Mater" by Palestrina. The rest of the Benediction ceremony unfolded with equal ceremonial beauty. Throughout, the choirs of the Oratory sang ancient hymns, in words composed by St. Thomas Aquinas among others, and set to sublime melodies which lifted each heart up in prayer.

Cardinal Burke is appreciated by the faithful at the Oratory not only as a beloved Cardinal who was once the shepherd of the people in St. Louis, but also as a fatherly figure whose vision had been the crucial impetus for the canonical erection of St. Francis de Sales Oratory. His return visit to the Oratory was a joyous and inspirational occasion for many individuals and families.

Following the Benediction ceremony in the church, the Cardinal made time to visit with the faithful at a reception in the Oratory Hall, prepared by the faithful to welcome him and to deliver their good wishes and promises of prayers.

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest expresses our gratitude to Cardinal Burke for his continued friendship fatherly care for the Institute, and in particular, for the faithful at St. Francis de Sales on this memorable occasion. With all our faithful, we offer our fervent prayers for his fruitful ministry in the Church.

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On the annual Feast of Christ the King, which occurs traditionally on the last Sunday of the month of October, the apostolates of the Institute offer solemn Masses and Eucharistic processions, as well as social celebrations in the family spirit of the Institute.

Old St. Patrick's, Kansas City

Christ our King was honored from coast to coast in the Liturgies held in the California apostolates of the Institute at Saint Margaret Mary in Oakland and at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Oratory in the Diocese of San Jose to St. Anthony of Padua Oratory in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. From St. Gianna Oratory in Tucson, Arizona, to Old Saint Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri, to St. Mary’s in Wausau, Wisconsin, the faithful prayed the consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Christ our King. At the Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago, Pontifical Mass was offered by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry.

St. Anthony of Padua, West Orange

At the Saint Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis, the Masses which honored Christ the King were followed by the second annual Seminary Society Breakfast, attended by over 350 faithful. The popular event at the Oratory brings the Institute’s St. Phillip Neri International Seminary closer to the faithful and encourages both prayer and material support for the Seminary. Throughout the hearty breakfast, the assembly of families was treated to a slide presentation of activities at the Seminary.  Many faithful took this opportunity to sign up to pray for individual seminarians for this coming year. Overall, this event raised over $3,000 for the Seminary.

Excerpts from the Encyclical Quas Primas of Pope Pius XI, 1925

St. Gianna, Tucson

22. History, in fact, tells us that in the course of ages these festivals have been instituted one after another according as the needs or the advantage of the people of Christ seemed to demand: as when they needed strength to face a common danger, when they were attacked by insidious heresies, when they needed to be urged to the pious consideration of some mystery of faith or of some divine blessing…

St. Margaret Mary, Oakland

23. The festivals that have been introduced into the liturgy in more recent years have had a similar origin, and have been attended with similar results. When reverence and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament had grown cold, the feast of Corpus Christi was instituted, so that by means of solemn processions and prayer of eight days' duration, men might be brought once more to render public homage to Christ. So, too, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was instituted at a time when men were oppressed by the sad and gloomy severity of Jansenism, which had made their hearts grow cold, and shut them out from the love of God and the hope of salvation.

St. Mary's, Wausau

26. The way has been happily and providentially prepared for the celebration of this feast ever since the end of the last century. It is well known that this cult has been the subject of learned disquisitions in many books published in every part of the world, written in many different languages. The kingship and empire of Christ have been recognized in the pious custom, practiced by many families, of dedicating themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; not only families have performed this act of dedication, but nations, too, and kingdoms. In fact, the whole of the human race was at the instance of Pope Leo XIII, in the Holy Year 1900, consecrated to the Divine Heart. It should be remarked also that much has been done for the recognition of Christ's authority over society by the frequent Eucharistic Congresses which are held in our age. These give an opportunity to the people of each diocese, district or nation, and to the whole world of coming together to venerate and adore Christ the King hidden under the Sacramental species. Thus by sermons preached at meetings and in churches, by public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed and by solemn processions, men unite in paying homage to Christ, whom God has given them for their King. It is by a divine inspiration that the people of Christ bring forth Jesus from his silent hiding-place in the church, and carry him in triumph through the streets of the city, so that he whom men refused to receive when he came unto his own, may now receive in full his kingly rights.

St. Francis de Sales, St. Louis

33. The faithful, moreover, by meditating upon these truths, will gain much strength and courage, enabling them to form their lives after the true Christian ideal. If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God. If all these truths are presented to the faithful for their consideration, they will prove a powerful incentive to perfection. It is Our fervent desire, Venerable Brethren, that those who are without the fold may seek after and accept the sweet yoke of Christ, and that we, who by the mercy of God are of the household of the faith, may bear that yoke, not as a burden but with joy, with love, with devotion; that having lived our lives in accordance with the laws of God's kingdom, we may receive full measure of good fruit, and counted by Christ good and faithful servants, we may be rendered partakers of eternal bliss and glory with him in his heavenly kingdom.

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On the Solemnity of the Kingship of Christ, Sunday, October 30, Pontifical Mass was celebrated at the Shrine of Christ the King by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Before this solemn Liturgy Bishop Perry administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to some young adults of the Shrine community.

Group picture with the confirmands

In the sermon His Excellency insightfully explained how the Kingship of Christ gives true perspective to life in our world of today. The Renaissance choral music for Liturgy was provided by members of Chicago Chorale, who sang beautifully a Mass setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria, as well as several other works of sacred polyphony. After the Pontifical Mass, His Excellency, Bishop Perry greeted the many faithful at a festive reception held in his honor.

Classical Concert Series at the Shrine

To complete the day’s festivities in honor of the Infant King, a concert of baroque music was presented by members of the Amadeus Consort. The musicians performed works of Telemann, Loeillet, Handel, and other composers from the period for violin, oboe, harpsichord and base. This fall finale concert is part of a series of classical concerts offered to the public free of charge as part of the cultural outreach of the Shrine to the local community and rapidly-developing neighborhood.

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Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, the Institute’s apostolate in St. Louis, received with great joy a pastoral visit from His Grace, the Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

Accompanied by the Rector, Canon Michael Wiener, the Archbishop processed from the rectory to the main entrance of the Saint Francis de Sales church, under a canopy carried by four members of the Oratory in formal military uniform. At the entrance of the church, the Archbishop knelt and kissed a crucifix. With the holy water presented to him by the Rector, he sprinkled himself and those around him and was then incensed. The procession continued down the length of the Oratory to the main altar as the Archbishop blessed the faithful along the way.  On arriving in the sanctuary, the Archbishop knelt at the foot of the altar, where the Rector sung a prayer. After kissing the Altar, the Archbishop chanted the prayer of Saint Francis de Sales from the missal: Orémus.  Deus, qui ad animárum salútem beátum Francíscum Confessórem tuum atque Pontíficem ómnibus ómnia factum esse voluísti: concéde propítius; ut caritátis tuæ dulcédine perfúsi, ejus dirigéntibus mónitis ac suffragántibus méritis, ætérna gáudia consequámur.  Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Thus, with the beautiful ceremony prescribed by the Church, began the pastoral visit of Archbishop Carlson. After the chanting of the Gospel of this Solemn High Mass, the Archbishop gave a sermon full of encouragement, and a fatherly exhortation to meditate on the two commandments to love God and to love our neighbor. He emphasized the harmonious relationship between these two mandates.

After the 10:00 AM Mass and pontifical blessing, the festivities continued in the Oratory hall, where the faithful formed a long receiving line to greet and thank the Archbishop.

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On Sunday, September 18, 2011, His Excellency the Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Bishop of Oakland, California, visited again the Oakland apostolate of the Institute, where, in the presence of about four hundred faithful, His Excellency celebrated a Pontifical High Mass at Saint Margaret Mary church on the occasion of his pastoral visit.

This is the third time in three years that this Institute apostolate in Oakland has been honored to welcome Bishop Cordileone as the celebrant of the Extraordinary Form. The previous occasions were: Solemn Pontifical Mass on the twentieth anniversary of the Extraordinary Form in September 2009, and a Low Mass of a Bishop when Bishop Cordileone conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation upon twenty-nine youths and adults in May, 2010.

The Pontifical Mass this year was offered on the twenty-second anniversary of the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Liturgy at Saint Margaret Mary. In keeping with this venerable tradition, the Pacific Collegium choir sang beautifully a remarkable program of sacred polyphony and Gregorian Chant.

The Pontifical Mass was followed by a splendid reception of fine food and refreshments prepared by the many good faithful in honor of His Excellency. On behalf of Monsignor Gilles Wach, Prior General and Monsignor R. Michael Schmitz, Vicar General and Provincial Superior, Canon Matthew Talarico, substitute for the Provincial, offered some words of gratitude to Bishop Cordileone for his constant support of the Institute’s apostolate in the Diocese of Oakland and presented His Excellency with a gift of appreciation.

This pastoral visit of Bishop Cordileone also coincided  with the transition in the leadership of the Institute’s apostolate. Canon Henry Fragelli has succeeded Canon Jean-Marie Moreau as the Episcopal Delegate for the Implementation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum in the Diocese of Oakland. The faithful were privileged to receive the blessing of their Bishop as they bid a fond farewell to Canon Moreau, and extended a hearty welcome to Canon Fragelli, their new spiritual father.

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"The heavenly food of the Eucharist is a spiritual food that diffuses and communicates itself to all parts of the soul and the body in such a way that we have Jesus Christ in our mind, our hearts, our breasts, our eyes, on our tongues, in our ears, hands, feet... and the sweet Savior redresses, purifies and enlivens all our being. He lives in our heart, understands in our mind, strengthens us in our breasts, helps us to see with our eyes, speaks with our tongue, and so for all the rest. In summary, He does everything in our whole being. And so it is no longer we who live, but Jesus Christ lives in us." Letters of St. Francis de Sales, 430

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On Saturday, July 9, His Excellency, the Most Reverend William P. Callahan, Bishop of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, made his first pastoral visit to St. Mary’s Oratory in Wausau and conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form on sixty-five candidates. Over one third of the candidates are faithful who attend the Institute’s apostolate at Saint Mary’s in Cashton, Wisconsin, which is also located in the Diocese of LaCrosse.

Following the Confirmations, Canon Matthew Talarico, Vice-Provincial, celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the presence of Bishop Callahan. His Excellency was assisted during the Confirmations and the Mass by Canon William Avis, provincial Master of Ceremonies for the Institute’s US province, by Canon Henrique Fragelli, Rector of Saint Mary’s in Wausau, and by Canon Glenn Gardner, Rector of the Institute’s apostolate in Cashton.

After Mass, Bishop Callahan greeted the faithful at the festive reception, during which two choirs of children sang motets in his honor. His Excellency was also presented with a gift expressing the gratitude of the Institute and the faithful of both apostolates located in his Diocese.

Saint Mary’s Oratory in Wausau recently commemorated the 9^th anniversary of its Consecration, which was celebrated according to the traditional ritual of the Extraordinary Form by the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, then Bishop of LaCrosse, on May 31, 2002 (a DVD of the consecration is available in our online store).

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On Ember Saturday in the Octave of Pentecost, June 18, His Grace, the Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form on nearly fifty candidates at St. Stanislaus Oratory.

Following the Confirmations, Canon Michael Wiener of the Institute celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the presence of Archbishop Listecki. His Grace was assisted during the Confirmations and the Mass by Canon William Avis, provincial Master of Ceremonies for the Institute’s US province, by Canon Glenn Gardner, and by Father Jean-Pierre Herman, an affiliate priest of the Institute.

After Mass, Archbishop Listecki greeted the faithful at the festive reception and received a gift showing the gratitude of the Institute and the faithful of the Oratory.  He expressed his thanks to the Institute for the ministry it provides in the Archdiocese.

Photos courtesy of ssmithphotos.com.

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Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder and Prior General of the Institute, celebrated the solemn Palm Sunday Liturgy on April 17 at the Institute parish Notre-Dame de Lourdes in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon. Monsignor Schmitz, Vicar General in the Institute, was also present.

Msgr. Wach, Archbishop Basile Mvé Engone, Msgr. Schmitz

Founded less than four years ago at the invitation of His Grace, the Most Reverend Basile Mvé Engone, S.D.B., Archbishop of Libreville (pictured at right), the parish now includes nearly one thousand families. Much progress continues to be made on the construction of the large parish church. Its unfinished shell is barely large enough to accommodate the growing numbers of faithful.

For the Palm Sunday Liturgy, over five hundred people, including many families with children, filled the church to capacity and joined in the palm procession through the streets of the city.

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On the Second Sunday of Advent, December 5, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford, celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass at St. Mary's Oratory, of which Canon Brian A.T. Bovee serves as Rector. This Liturgy was offered on the occasion of the 125^th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s church in December of the year 1885.

Hundreds of faithful attended this beautiful ceremony and the reception which followed. A delegation of religious from the Order of St. Augustine of the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who had served at St. Mary’s for more than 50 years, were also in attendance and presented greetings and remarks on behalf of the Reverend Father Provincial.

The 125 year history of St. Mary’s has been full of memorable events. The second-oldest church in the city of Rockford, St. Mary’s survived a devastating fire in the early 1960’s. Over the years countless souls have received the sacraments of the Church at St. Mary’s, while thousands of students attended the parochial school until its closure in 1974. On the first Sunday of Advent in 1997, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford, entrusted St. Mary’s to the care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

The Most Reverend Bishop erected St. Mary’s first as a Shrine and then as an Oratory of the Institute. Under the leadership of the Institute the faithful of St. Mary’s have contributed generously since 1997 to the preservation of this beautiful Marian sanctuary and to the restoration of its splendid stained glass windows. The Institute is profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Bishop Doran, for his paternal guidance and continual support of its apostolate at Saint Mary's over the past thirteen years. Deeply dedicated to the future of this historic church, the Institute is committed to serving at St. Mary’s according to its specific mission and proper identity within the Church, while striving to carry on the pastoral endeavors and spiritual work accomplished by so many exemplary clergy, religious, and lay faithful over 125 years.

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