4th Sunday of Lent (“Laetare”), March 19, 2023:
Dear faithful,
On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Holy Mother Church bids us rejoice on account of the approaching Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter. We see Our Lord working one of His most astounding miracles of all in today’s Gospel. To feed five thousand individuals, He miraculously multiplies five loaves of bread and two fishes, so much that everyone is filled and there are even leftovers. This is of course a foreshadowing of the Holy Eucharist, in which all who approach the Sacred Banquet with the right dispositions are able to receive, and none are sent away empty. In a larger sense, Our Lord’s multiplication of the loaves and fishes can be seen as a symbol of Divine Grace, multiple to infinity and ready to powerfully assist us in all our needs.
There are important first class feasts this week, starting with this Monday, March 20, which is the Feast of St. Joseph (transferred from the 19th because of the Lenten Sunday). There will be a High Mass at 6 pm to honor the heavenly patron of the Universal Church and foster father of Our Lord. St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, Pray for us!
The following day, Tuesday, March 21, is the Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, one of the principal patrons of our institute. Accordingly, a plenary indulgence is available, under the usual conditions, to all who assist at Mass at an Institute apostolate.
Saturday, March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us make every effort to honor she who accepted to become the Mother of Our Lord. Hail, full of grace!
The Institute continues to provide you with your priests of tomorrow! We have the joy to announce two recent ordinations for our community, which took place this past January 29, the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales, in the seminary chapel in Gricigliano. His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke ordained deacons João Almeida and Martin Henry to the Sacred Priesthood. Please pray for these new canons.
Summer is not so far off, and you know what that means: Summer fun! There are of course various options in the Institute for summer camps. Not just any camp, though. A camp experience rooted in the Traditional Latin Liturgy and the Faith of our fathers, which helps to prepare young men for a life of spiritual combat and continuing growth in Christian virtue. Of course, an important element of this is the perennial camp favorites of sports, activities, the great outdoors, and campfire entertainment.
As in years past, the Oakland and San Jose Apostolates will host St. Michael’s Patrol, our joint summer camp, from Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29. The location will once again be the SCCPOA Campground (24090 Deer Path Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070).
The Institute’s young
adult group, Sursum Corda, will again be hosting the
National Retreat from July 7 – 10. If you are a Catholic adult between the ages of 18 – 35, please consider joining us in Clarkston, Michigan for a weekend of beautiful Masses, conferences, sports, games, talent shows, and more. Click here for details and to register:
https://form.jotform.com/icksp/sursum-corda-annual-retreat-2023.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday,
Canon Norman
https://institute-christ-king.org/oakland-home
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile: 408-600-4218
The Institute’s recent Gregorian chant recording, Gaudeamus Omnes, contains the four seasonal Marian antiphons as part of the Office of Compline, in simple and solemn tones. These Marian anthems can be downloaded individually on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, CD Baby and more. For details and to hear clips of each track, go to:
https://instituteofchristthekingsovereignpriest.hearnow.com/
