Thanks for your service to the Archdiocese, Cardinal O’Malley, and thanks for coming into the 21st century with this blog. Hopefully the Bishops are able to use the mass media more effectively for their ministry and the Gospel.

Have a blessed Easter!

Your Eminence: BLESS US! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with all of us…your efforts are greatly appreciated. May He Who is Risen continue to bless your archpastoral ministry!

GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER:

A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
By Lactantius, 4th c.

Whoever you are who approach, and are entering the precincts of the middle of the temple, stop a little and look upon me, who, though innocent, suffered for your crime; lay me up in your mind, keep me in your breast. I am He who, pitying the bitter misfortunes of men, came hither as a messenger of offered peace, and as a full atonement for the fault of men. Here the brightest light from above is restored to the earth; here is the merciful image of safety; here I am a rest to you, the right way, the true redemption, the banner of God, and a memorable sign of fate. It was on account of you and your life that I entered the Virgin’s womb, was made man, and suffered a dreadful death; nor did I find rest anywhere in the regions of the earth, but everywhere threats, everywhere labours.

First of all a wretched dwelling in the land of Judged was a shelter for me at my birth, and for my mother with me: here first, amidst the outstretched sluggish cattle, dry grass gave me a bed in a narrow stall. I passed my earliest years in the Pharian regions, being an exile in the reign of Herod; and after my return to Judaea I spent the rest of my years, always engaged in fastings, and the extremity of poverty itself, and the lowest circumstances; always by healthful admonitions applying the minds of men to the pursuit of genial uprightness, uniting with wholesome teaching many evident miracles: on which account impious Jerusalem, harassed by the raging cares of envy and cruel hatred, and blinded by madness, dared to seek for me, though innocent, by deadly punishment, a cruel death on the dreadful Cross.

And if you yourself wish to discriminate these things more fully, and if it delights you to go through all my groans, and to experience griefs with me, put together the designs and plots, and the impious price of my innocent Blood; and the pretended kisses of a disciple, and the insults and strivings of the cruel multitude; and, moreover, the blows, and tongues prepared for accusations. Picture to your mind both the witnesses, and the accursed judgment of the blinded Pilate, and the immense Cross pressing my shoulders and wearied back, and my painful steps to a dreadful death.

Now survey me from head to foot, deserted as I am, and lifted up afar from my beloved mother. Behold and see my locks clotted with blood, and my blood-stained neck under my very hair, and my head drained with cruel thorns, and pouring down like rain from all sides a stream of blood over my divine face. Survey my compressed and sightless eyes, and my afflicted cheeks; see my parched tongue poisoned with gall, and my countenance pale with death. Behold my hands pierced with nails, and my arms drawn out, and the great wound in my side; see the blood streaming from it, and my perforated feet, and blood-stained limbs. Bend your knee, and with lamentation adore the venerable wood of the Cross, and with lowly countenance stooping to the earth, which is wet with innocent blood, sprinkle it with rising tears, and at times bear me and my admonitions in your devoted heart.

Follow the footsteps of my life, and while you look upon my torments and cruel death, remembering my innumerable pangs of body and soul, learn to endure hardships, and to watch over your own safety. These memorials, if at any time you find pleasure in thinking over them, if in your mind there is any confidence to bear anything like my sufferings, if the piety due, and gratitude worthy of my labours shall arise, will be incitements to true virtue, and they will be shields against the snares of an enemy, aroused by which you will be safe, and as a conqueror bear off the palm in every contest.

If these memorials shall turn away your senses, which are devoted to a perishable world, from the fleeting shadow of earthly beauty, the result will be, that you will not venture, enticed by empty hope, to trust the frail enjoyments of fickle fortune, and to place your hope in the fleeting years of life.

But, truly, if you thus regard this perishable world, and through your love of a better country deprive yourself of earthly riches and the enjoyment of present things, the prayers of the pious will bring you up in sacred habits, and in the hope of a happy life, amidst severe punishments, will cherish you with heavenly dew, and feed you with the sweetness of the promised good. Until the great favour of God shall recall your happy” soul to the heavenly regions, your body being left after the fates of death. Then freed from all labour, then joyfully beholding the angelic choirs, and the blessed companies of saints in perpetual bliss, it shall reign with me in the happy abode of perpetual peace.

Kissing your holy right hand,

Humbly in His great mercy,

Gregory, priestmonk, who asks for your holy prayers!

If I knew where you celebrate mass, I would go.
I have heard you share the gospel a couple times and I was honestly edified as never before especially by the joy, passion and zeal which is your gift to share with the church. Would you please consider posting a schedule on your blog or on the archdiocese website? Thank you, Christ be with you. sincerely, your little brother
Robert Francis

Our financial circumstances changed dramatically recently and we had to leave the suburbs and move to a cheaper housing market – back to an urban area. By the grace of God, there was a Dominican school in the neighborhood. This morning, my middle child bounded out of bed at 6:30am so he could go to Mass Club (Mass, then breakfast and some spiritual instruction from one of the Dominican sisters) at 7:00! I was sick and my husband had to go to work, so I let him go to Mass by himself (the church and school being two doors away).

During my prayer time today, I just thanked the Lord for the blessings he is giving us in our children’s Catholic education. We can see the fruits even at the ages of 5 and 9 that a solid Catholic education can provide.

There is much work to do in our Catholic schools, and it is my hope and prayer that we start to get serious again about Catholic education at all grade levels – not just as an entrance out of an impoverished life here on earth – but with an eye to the eternal.

God bless you, Cardinal Sean. I pray that God continues to give you the strength and the wisdom to work on all the various fronts before you.

Fr. Roberto Mena, S.T.
http://www.parishworld.net

I have been attending Holy Trinity for a year now for the Latin Mass and I would ask that you reconsider it’s closing. I believe it is a unique church in its use of the Tridentine Mass and its being situated in the heart of Boston which makes it accessible to students and the elderly and to those with only access by the T. I have been impressed with it’s orthodoxy and the people there that are soldiers of the faith. This is not always true in many churches I have visited. As someone who is very interested in Catholiism I have been stopped in my journey with what I perceive as lukewarmness and heterodoxy in some congregants and sadly some RCIA directors and some priests. But I have found in listening to you and to the priests and congregants at Holy Trinity that there is a strength for the orthodoxy of the apostolic faith. I would hope and pray that you reconsider and keep Holy Trinity open. The city needs such a place.
May in all things the Holy Spirit guide us,
God bless you thank you for your standing strong for Jesus,
William Stevenson

Your visit at the congolese community was greatly appreciated by all us. It made it a special and historic event.
Personally, I was overwelmed by your humility and kindness. I hope that you will gladly visit us again in the near future, this time, we will teach you the congolese welcome cry, I know you will enjoy it.

thanks again

Sincerely
Marie Therese

I want to express my gratitude for the Latin Mass availabe at Holy Trinity in the south End. I have been going there for the last two years, and feel very blessed in being able to participate in the beautiful prayers of the old mass. Of course I rely on the english translation to follow along, but sense a powerful link with centuries old traditional prayers. Many catholics in the diocese probably think those who attend this Mass are stick-in-the-mud throwbacks old and decrepit. Upon attendance they would be surprised to find that many parishioners are young adults and young families. thanks to an after mass coffee time I have made numerous friendships at this parish. This coffee hour has been a unique experience for me and presented me with many opportunities to grow in my faith. Much of the discussion that occurs after mass concerns catholic doctrine and church history. I would not be exaggerating to say that nowhere else in the diocese have I felt so accepted for believing in my faith. I am greatly saddened at the imminent closing of this Church.

By now, Archbishop, you can surely guess at why I write. While I can understand the pressure upon the diocese to close churches, this Church is particularly important in my humble opinion. It’s German heritage includes the introduction of the Christmas Card into the U.S., and the Christmas tree. Also the Boston Symphony Orchestra was founded by a group of german musicians from Holy Trinity. This being the only latin mass in the diocese, ought to give impetus to preserve this precious heritage. Visiting catholics could be informed about the availability of the old latin mass. Some people (like myself) aren’t attracted to youth masses and guitars preferring chant music and quiet. Yes, this mass will still be available at a new location (Mary Immaculate), but if it “ain’t broke don’t fix it”, this crowd is particularly averse to change. Some parishioners have no vehicles and will therefore not be able to attend the mass of their preference. Some parishioners have told me they will attend the “schismatic” mass. This of course ought to be avoided at all possible costs. Some of this is momentary emotion, delicacy and sensitivity can heal some of this pain. Some of us will make the move. Some of us are appealling the decision reported to us by the brave Father Connell last weekend. Many are having trouble trusting a diocese which seems especially distant from this poor group of catholics, a group which has never been a full parish; daily mass has never been available, publicly recruiting parishioners has I’m told also been prohibited. A visit by your eminence could help immeasurably. This is a group dedicated above all else to remaining true to the deposit of faith entrusted to the magesterium. I trust you are aware it will not try to rewrite the faith to suit the times we live in. We will do all we can to protect the Catholic Church.
By the way I am an artist. If Holy Trinity could in any way be kept open I am ready to donate much time refurbishing paintings and statuary, stations of the cross. I’m sure these closings have troubled you to no end cardinal, and I’m sorry to cause you more trouble but I felt compelled to say something about this imminent church closing. My prayers are with you.

I never miss reading your blog and I try to make it known. Tomorrow I will be participing in the 6th annual SEDER meal at our Cathedral. All 160 tickets are sold at only $10.00 which goes to the Canadian Bible Society. All of the meal is provided for by local merchants. Oui, vous êtes un très bon berger, Jésus vous aime et moi aussi. L’année prochaine à Jérusalem! – disons-nous à la fin du repas SEDER. Joyeuses Pâques! Sr Cécile, Moncton NB, Canada

I had the great pleasure of attending the Shabbat Dinner held in your honor at Temple Emanuel and of hearing your sermon that evening. Truly an historic moment, particularly when one considers the tragic history of our two communities. We are all blessed to have you in New England.

Joyous Easter to you,

Art

BUONA PASQUA

BONNE PAGUE HAPPY EASTER

i just wanted to post this brif comment here . . . i’ve had a book since about 1986 which was written as a “spiritual/biography” of now Blessed Jacinta Marto – written by Christopher Rengers OFM Cap.– although i’ve read the book several times (as it is that kind of book which you return to over and over again and always seem to get a new insight or notice something that had slipped your attention in previous readings) . . . as i was reading it again recently i just noticed that the author of the book extends a “special note of thanks” to YOU! . . . i just wanted to say that it was so good to take notice of your association with such an inspiring writing about “The Youngest Prophet” — Jacinta Marto . . . along with Saint Therese of Lisieux, Jacinta is a most real and significant reflection of the two hearts; of Jesus and Mary. . . and Father Christopher Rengers has gifted us with a really reflective picture of Jacinta . . . and allows us to share even a glimpse into her thoughts and spirit . . . and just like my copy of “THE STORY OF A SOUL” . . . and “IMITATION OF CHRIST” . . . “THE YOUGEST PROPHET” has become an integral companion on this spiritual pilgrimage of “life”.