December 7, 2020
PERFECT FOR PRINTING: Download this issue as a PDF
- Behind the Images: Fr. Frank Sabatté discusses his inspiration
- The “Hollywood Priest”: A legacy of evangelization
- The Hope of Advent in a Surging Pandemic: Listening for the Whisper of God
- Looking for Newsletter Input
- Renewing Promises and Updating Lists of Associates
- Paulist Associate News
- Proposed Program for December: St. Isaac Jogues
- Proposed Program for January: Blessed Immaculate Virgin Mary
- Prayer for the Intercession of Father Isaac T. Hecker
- Contacts
- Promise
Fr. Frank Sabatté, CSP, holds a BA in Studio Art from UCLA and an MA in Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America. He was the former vice-president of the Liturgical Arts Guild of Ohio and has exhibited in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Columbus, Ohio and New York City. He has worked as an illustrator for the Paulist Press since 1977. While at UCLA he studied under James Vallerio, Lee Mullican, Elliot Elgart and Oliver Andrews. A member of the Paulist Fathers Fr. Sabatté served in campus ministry for over 23 years and has extensive experience working with young adults in developing peer leadership. He is currently the Director of “Openings” an artist collective in New York City and is Senior Curator of The Gallery at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in NYC. Fr. Sabatté is Artist-In-Residence for the Paulist Fathers in New York City.
Website: www.sabatteart.com
St. Monica
33”x21” Random-stitch, free-motion embroidery 2018
St. Monica was born in Thagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria) (c 387 AD) and is believed to have been a Berber. She married a Roman pagan, Patricius, an alcoholic with a violent temper. She is known for her devotion in praying for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine, from his misspent way of life. Monica exemplified a parent’s sacrifice for her child.
As Berbers can include a range of races, I have depicted Monica as a woman of color. I have also shown her without a veil which is indicative of her intimacy with God.
St. Bernadette Soubirous
54”x32” embroidery/appliqué 2017
Bernadette is pictured sitting with the Pyrenees in the background. The work is based on a photograph taken after she had entered the convent by a photographer who wanted her dressed in the clothes she wore during the apparitions.Despite efforts by the sisters to protect her from publicity seekers she was still required to make appearances which she hated. (“You show me off like some freak.”)
Bernadette’s holiness is often linked to her experiences at the grotto at Massabielle (near Lourdes), as if holiness is given only to a few privileged people. I believe her holiness would have been apparent even if she had not had the visions. Growing up in abject poverty, suffering from ill health all her life, yet still able to place others first, able to love and be loved and attributing it all to trust in God was the source of her holiness. Even during the interrogations, Bernadette had to deal with being misunderstood. When shown a maquette (model) of the statue to be placed in the niche in the grotto, she told the sculptor “But that’s not it.” She said that the vision was of “a little young lady”, her age (14) more like a companion than a parent. And the “Aquerò” spoke in her native language (Bernadette only learned French much later. Bernadette was pressed to tell the authorities the name of the “Aquerò.” It wasn’t until one of the last apparitions that Bernadette reported that the vision said: “Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou.” (I am the Immaculate Conception).
St. Bernadette has always had a special meaning for me. My grandparents were born in the same region of France (Hautes-Pyrenees), their villages being a short distance from Lourdes. My grandparents spoke the same language as Bernadette, Occatain, were born in the same era (Bernadette b. 1844; grandparents b. 1868; 1865) and my grandmother wore the same traditional costume.
The Assumption
64” x 26” embroidery/appliqué 2017
Collection, Archdiocese of New York
The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary underscores not only Mary’s sanctity but also stands in opposition to a dualism of “body vs soul”. Catholicism holds that our physical bodies are transformed in death not “abandoned”. Mary is the exemplar of the fullness of life never separated from God in whom we have our being.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
36”x20” embroidery/appliqué 2016
Collection, St. Mary’s of the Lake
Kateri (1656-1680) was a Mohawk and was known as the “Lily of the Mohawks.” She converted to Catholicism which resulted in her being shunned by some of her tribe. She is the first Native American Catholic saint. I based this image on a photograph taken at the turn of the century of a young Seneca woman. The Seneca were part of the Iroquois Nation.
Ascared in a Boat- the artist’s father age 6, 1918
33”x28” embroidery/appliqué 2020
This image of my father was taken on a boat trip in 1918. At the top of the photo he wrote in a child’s hand “Ascared in a Boat.” 1918 was the year of the Spanish flu and I felt that this work exemplified the situation we are in this year. All of us are “ascared in a boat”.
Annunciation – Mary as Refugee
28”x18” embroidery/appliqué 2018
This work depicts Mary at the moment the messenger appears to her telling her that she will give birth to a Son. The Holy Family soon became refugees escaping with their lives.
By Frank Desiderio, CSP
The Paulist Productions TV series Insight started in a classroom.
Fr. Ellwood (Bud) Kieser taught a very successful Inquiry Class at St. Paul the Apostle in LA. Parishioners who were TV producers suggested he could reach a wider audience on TV. The CBS affiliate in LA agreed to give them 13 half hour time slots on Sunday afternoon.
The show premiered in 1960. The first episode was The Tale of Two Testaments” about the Old and New Testaments. It also contained a clear condemnation of anti-Semitism. It received a positive reaction from the local LA audience.
Some of the segments of the class were illustrated by actors reciting the lines of famous persons. These vignettes served as the basis for the series moving to a dramatic format in the second season.
The second season was taped at KNXT, the CBS station, and offered to other TV stations around the country for free. Sixty-five stations requested the films. Insight was launched as a national program produced by a Catholic priest. Some of the best working producers, directors, writers and actors in Hollywood created the shows. Fr. Kieser called it the experimental theater for Hollywood. Working with these artists he came to know their lives and struggles and became their priest no matter what their religion.
Bud Kieser became “The Hollywood Priest.”
Insight was produced from 1960 to 1983. During my time as president of Paulist Productions (2000 – 2009) UCLA Film and TV Archives sought to acquire the tapes of all the shows to put them in protective storage. The archivists thought they were a valuable artifact of a unique chapter in TV history.
The current president of Paulist Productions, Michael Sullivan, created a YouTube channel to offer these morality tales to a new generation.
Go to YouTube and search for Insight Powered by Paulist Productions. Mike Sullivan left a long career as a TV executive, writer and producer to oversee Paulist Productions. He was the executive producer of the 1980’s sitcom “Growing Pains” and served as the first president of entertainment for the United Paramount Network.
A good example of an early Insight episode is “The Cross in Crisis” from 1962 which deals with the question, “Why does God create evil?” Oscar winner Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan’s first wife, plays Edith Stein, the Jewish philosopher who become Sister Benedicta of the Cross, a Carmelite Nun in Hitler’s Germany who died at Auschwitz in 1942.
Raymond Massey plays Bishop Frank Ford. Bishop Ford was one of the first Maryknoll priests and served as a missionary in China. He was a farsighted bishop who lived simply and worked on behalf of the poor of the country. In 1950 was put arrested by the Communist government and convicted as “an enemy of the poor.” This saintly man died in prison in 1952.
Contrast this documentary style show that ends with a strong “altar call” to the comedy from 1979 “The Rebirth of Packy Rowe” staring two Emmy winners. Packy Rowe (Jack Klugman), a big time show biz agent, dies and goes to heaven where he encounters a dull man in a non-descript office (Bob Newhart) who listens to his life story, which is “one big rumple”. Packy winds up giving God marketing advice and God retells Packy his life story.
The TV series Insight ended in 1983 when the FCC stopped requiring TV stations to give free public service time to non-profit groups such as Paulist Productions. The show was popular with stations because it allowed them to put quality programming in their public service time, however, it was not so popular that they were going to give it free airtime, which they could sell to another advertiser supported show.
Fr. Kieser went on to produce feature films including “Romero” staring Raul Julia (1989), which tells the story of Oscar Romero the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador who was shot by a government death squad in 1980. St. Oscar Romero was canonized in 2018 by Pope Francis. Fr. Kieser died on September 16, 2000.
By Paulist Deacon Affiliate Drew Dickson
Deacon Dickson was ordained in 1999 in the Archdiocese of Newark. He is assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Ridgefield, NJ. He has been involved in all the ministries that one would expect of a deacon, including, preaching, RCIA, leading prayer groups, marriage preparation and Baptisms. He writes, “In all these things I try to bring the Paulist mission and spirituality to my parishioners.”
Advent is a time of expectation and hope. It is a time to consider the coming of Jesus into our lives, historically, as well as in the here and now.
Ever since I became a Catholic as a young man, it also has been a time for me to spiritually prepare myself for Christmas. While it is so difficult to separate ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the season foisted upon us by market forces that disengage us from the spirituality to which we are called, the effort to do so has become a source of preaching, practice and consternation in my life during this season.
But this year, it will be different. There will be no visiting of malls, no rush to finish shopping, no attending parties until we can’t eat another bite or have another drink of Christmas cheer and no being overwhelmed by crowds or the sound of Christmas songs wherever we go. Because, for most of us trying to be safe, we will not be going anywhere. I expect Advent will be quieter than years past as the pandemic ramps back up.
It will also be different because I expect that most of us will be a bit more urgent in expecting, seeking, and preparing for Jesus to come into our lives.
The fear of a silently spreading contagion will do that to people. Everything seems to become more urgent.
Oh, there will be opportunities to celebrate in the old ways. At least virtually, I am sure. I look forward to the Paulist Fathers sharing with all of us, at least remotely, the prayers, sounds, sights and music of the Advent Season. There will be masses and homilies, interviews and prayer opportunities in abundance.
But it occurs to me that perhaps this pandemic, as horrible and devastating as it is, presents an opportunity for us. As we shelter in place, or quarantine, of just stay away from crowds (Please tell me that each of you will keeping yourselves and your loved ones safe.), perhaps we can find a little more time to reflect on where Christ may be in our lives and in all of this mess.
Maybe it will help to remember that Jesus was born in a place and a time where it was commonplace to be in fear of those things one cannot control, like an occupying armed force, random violence … diseases with no cure.
Maybe reflection on what Joseph and Mary had to face will help us to make sense of our own lack of control. Maybe we can turn these times of fear and fatigue into times of spiritual growth by embracing the hope and expectation that the Holy Spirit, working through Advent, is yearning to give us. In other words, perhaps this is the perfect time to find Jesus by preparing for Jesus.
After all, the Gospel readings for the first three weeks emphasize exactly that: Don’t be caught asleep when Christ comes. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight the way of the Lord. When we live like that, in preparation, expectation, hope — alive and aware to the coming presence of God, then we will ready to be like Mary, and say yes to Christ when we encounter him in the darkness of disease and in the light of hope.
How do we do that? I think the first step is prayer. We must find a quiet place to listen for the whisper of God, for He is often found in the small wind and not always in the storm.
Whatever worked in the past probably works now.
Where do you find God in your life?
Let us not allow this pandemic to replace the secular world in distracting us from being who we are called to be. The season of Advent is a beautiful gift offered to each one of us. But like many valuable gifts, it needs to be cared for, honored, and embraced with love and respect.
We often find that there are many reasons it is nearly impossible to accept God’s gifts to us. There are many obstacles in life that stand between God’s love and our acceptance and this pandemic right now sits at the top of the list of obstacles for many. It seems impossible sometimes to choose faith, hope and love over fear, anxiety, and isolation.
But as we struggle to prepare the way for Jesus to come to us, we should never forget the words of the Angel Gabriel to Mary: For God, nothing is impossible.
The Newsletter is published monthly, except January and July. The January monthly Program appears in the December issue, the July Program in the June issue. Articles should be submitted at least a week before the end of the month to appear in the new mont
Material for Associates World is always welcome. We would love to hear what is going on with your local organization. If you have material for the newsletter please contact Denis Hurley <[email protected]>.
Asking again for responses:
At the end of an article I wrote for the September Issue of Associates World about my understanding of the Paulist Charism and why I have found it attractive, I asked for women Associates to provide their particular perspective on why association with an order of male priests was something they had chosen. We – the editors of Associates World – would still like to hear from women on this subject and to publish your thoughts in the November issue of the newsletter. Please think about it and consider providing some insight for all of us. Thanks.
Denis Hurley, Co-editor.
We are always happy to hear about new Associates taking promises as well as current Paulists renewing theirs. Please post notices and photos on Facebook and let us know so we can add the information in this newsletter.
When these renewals take place, it would be helpful to all if the local coordinator would send an updated list of Associates to Kathleen Lossau so she can keep our contact list current. Please email contact information for those taking first promises and those renewing promises as well as a list of those who have opted not to renewing promises to Kathleen Lossau <[email protected]>.
By Mike Kallock, CSP
Associates Coordinators Virtual Meeting
The virtual meeting of our National Board and the Coordinators of our various groups on November 10 went very well. Thirteen of our fourteen separate associate groups were represented. Only Rome was not able to attend because it was past midnight their time.
The major takeaway was a strong consensus to take advantage of our individual virtual meetings by having visitors from other groups, combining various groups, and having a national virtual gathering.
Since the meeting there has been lot of interest in having a virtual national renewal of promises around the Conversion of St Paul (Monday January 25.) The Paulist Office of Mission Advancement is already working on a Gala for the evening of the 25th.
We will be in contact in a few weeks with all the coordinators of a virtual national renewal of promises for Sunday evening January 24.
THANK YOU: Kathleen Lossau
Kathleen Lossau is taking a rest from the associates and in helping Denis Hurley in editing the Newsletter. Kathleen has been a leader in the Austin Associates from their inception as one of our first groups over 19 years ago. She helped edit the original newsletter, created our first listserv and website, and attended most of our national retreats.
Our thanks and prayers for all Kathleen has done for us and that after a quality break she will be back with us.
Monthly Patron Programs
The remaining Monthly Program of Paulist Patrons is as follows:
- February Alphonsus Liguori – Mike Kallock, CSP
- March Patrick – Rome
The January Program is included in the December issue. The Newsletter is not published in January.
Submitted by: Tucson Paulist Associates: Carol A. Wagner Williams, Input from Elizabeth Burnham and Mary Shelor
St. Isaac Jogues, SJ
1607 – 1645
Canonized June 29, 1930
US Feast Day is October 19
Canadian Feast Day is September 26
Theme: Faith, Inspiration, Giving
Opening Prayer:
Prayer to St. Isaac Jogues and Companion Martyrs
Holy Martyrs and patrons, protect this land
which you have blessed by the shedding of your blood.
Renew in these days our Catholic faith which you
helped establish in this new land. Bring all our
fellow citizens to a knowledge and love of the truth.
Make us zealous in the profession of our faith so
that we may continue and perfect the work which
you have begun with so much labor and suffering.
Pray for our homes, our schools, our missions, for vocations,
for the conversion of sinners,
the return of those who wandered from the fold,
and the perseverance of all the Faithful.
And foster a deeper and increasing unity among all Christians. Amen.
Read in advance of meeting:
Isaac Jogues was born January 10, 1607 in Orleans. At a young age his father was not in his life. He received his spiritual direction from his mother, Frances de Saint Mesmin, who he would consult prior to making decisions concerning his vocation. Isaac sought light from heaven in deciding his vocation and was moved by occasional impulses of great fervor. This was manifested in prayer and his eagerness to profit by occasions of suffering for God’s sake.
He entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Rouen in 1624 at the age of 17. During his novitiate year, he was found to be well versed in the practice and knowledge of the things of God. His aptitude, disposition, uprightness, energy, ardor, a heart capable of great sacrifices and a virtue to stand every test were qualities of a good missionary. When New France was opened to the Jesuits in 1625 for the second time, his mentor, Father Lalemant would say these prophetic words to Isaac, “Brother, you will not die anywhere but in Canada.” At this time Isaac was considering missionary work to Ethiopia, however after learning about the new world missions decided to work as a missionary the new world when he heard about French American missionary work during his three year course of philosophy in La Flèche. While studying, several of his fellow students also desired to do their religious work in the New World. At the time of his ordination in 1636, Isaac was deeply committed to his religious and missionary vocation.
Isaac was assigned to the New World where he spent six years with the Huron Native Americans and had many conversions. Violence occurred between the Hurons and Mohawks and after eight years Isaac was captured by the Mohawks and brutally tortured. He lost two fingers and spent thirteen months as a slave to the Mohawks. He was ransomed to Dutch merchants in Albany and given passage to New Amsterdam [New York] and then to France where he arrived destitute and was courted by royalty as a living martyr. All Jogues wanted was to receive canonical permission to celebrate Mass in spite of his mutilated hands.
Permission was received by Jogues to celebrate Mass by Pope Urban VIII. At the first opportunity, Jogues returned to continue the New World to work with the Mohawks and was blamed as a sorcerer and for the famine and disease that struck the Mohawks’ homes in 1646. The Mohawks invited him to visit them and crushed his skull with a tomahawk as he entered the chief’s cabin. His head and that of his companion, John de la Lande were placed on the trails from which they came.
In 1930, Isaac Jogues was canonized as one of eight North American Martyrs. Subsequent to his death and canonization, there have been a number of buildings and monuments dedicated to Jogues. In Lake George, New York in 1939, in Battlefield Park a statue was erected in honor of him.
The 1991, Bruce Beresford’s film, Blackrobe, which depicts lives of several 17th-century Jesuit martyrs that worked among the Hurons and Iroquois in the New World attempts to sum up the entire Catholic tradition of missionary work. St. Isaac Jogues is one of the saints portrayed in the film.
It is fitting that a picture of St. Isaac Jogues hangs over the fire place in the priest’s residents at Lake George because Isaac was the first European to name Lake George in 1646 calling it“Lac du Sacrament” in honor of the feast of Corpus Cristi. Isaac has been recognized as a scholar, cultured professor, martyr and a mystic.
Conversation Catalysts:
- How could we overcome our short comings so as not to spoil God’s work and become more faithful in His desires?
- As a Paulist Associate, how does your faith as a Paulist Associate inspire you become a missionary/evangelist? What things do you do in this area?
- How does Isaac Jogues inspire us to deepen our faith and be more giving?
- How does being a Paulist Associate give you more faith and information to be more God-like?
News/Announcements/Prayers for Others:
Closing Prayer:
[Composed by Paula Cuozzo and Thomas A. Kane, CSP, p 182. All Holy Men and Women.]
Prayer for North American Missionaries
Loving God, you called Isaac Jogues and his companions
to be caring and courageous missionaries
to preach the gospel in North America.
St. Isaac dedicated his life to sharing his love for you by spreading the good news of God’s love to all peoples.
May the missionary blood shed for Christ inspire us
with real zeal in our evangelization.
Remembering the spirit of Issac Jogues,
may we grow in compassion and courage
to be strong and gentle messengers of your love.
Through the intercession of Isaac Jogues,
draw your children closer to Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen.
Submitted by the Los Angeles Associates Ann Beisch and Lisa Wellik
Opening Prayer:
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful, O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen
Reading in Preparation for the Meeting:
Her name is Mary, Virgin Mary, St. Mary, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Miriam, Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady, Mother of God, Queen Mother, Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Angels, Mother of the Redeemer, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Conception and Blessed Mother.
All of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles make references and or name Mary specifically. The Gospel of Luke mentions Mary by name twelve times, while Mathew’s Gospel names her six times. The Gospel of Mark names Mary once and mentions her once. John’s Gospel refers to Mary twice but does not name Mary. She is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles while Revelation never explicitly makes any reference to Mary.
Since this is the “biographical introduction” to our Paulist session this month, allow us first to briefly give “the facts” on Marian devotion historically that so beautifully shows Mary’s enduring presence.
Wikipedia defines Mary as a first-century Galilean Jewish woman from the small town of Nazareth in Israel. She was a wife and mother. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, she conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while still a virgin and became the wife of Joseph, and the mother of Jesus, according to the canonical gospels and the Quran. She accompanied Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. But as we know Mary is so much more!
Throughout the centuries she has been revered by millions and honored by the Church in the titles bestowed on her that are a chronological history of an evolving Marian devotion and Mary’s place in Catholic doctrine.
In 325, at the First Council of Nicaea, the Church recognized the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus, establishing that Mary conceived Jesus by action of the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin. This was followed in 431 at the First Council of Ephesus, by the conveyance of the title, Mother of God to define Mary, as not only the mother of Jesus, the one who is truly human, but the Theotokos (God-bearer), or Mother of Emmanuel, God-with-Us, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the only begotten Son of God, who is truly divine. It is here that the Church affirms the mystery of Mary’s Divine Motherhood.
The Blessed Mother’s Perpetual Virginity was codified in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, 553 and in the Smalcald Articles of 1537, stating that she remained a virgin all her life, even after the act of giving birth to Jesus. In 1854, Pope Pius IX issued the Ineffabilis Deus encyclical, establishing as Church Doctrine, the Immaculate Conception. And in 1950, Pope Pius XII issued the Munificentissimus Deus encyclical, formally establishing the Assumption, where Mary was taken bodily into Heaven either at, or before, her death.
The Paulist Prayer Book states under the Monthly Patrons and Points of Reflection section (at page 391) that Mary was called to a unique role of discipleship as the mother of Jesus. Her initial response to God in conceiving Jesus was reflected in that faithfulness which made her part of Christ’s life in his death and resurrection. Mary is patroness of all the Americas as “Our Lady of Guadalupe” and patroness of the United States as the “Immaculate Conception.”
Blessed Virgin Mary and Hecker:
In a lovely video reflection titled “Go to Mary”, Fr. Stu Wilson Smith, CSP describes Servant of God Isaac Hecker’s deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He describes how Fr. Hecker prayed to the Blessed Mother for guidance and clarity at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome after being expelled from the Redemptorist Order and continued to seek her intercession as he formed the Paulist Fathers.
Fr. Paul Robichaud, CSP has also shared a beautiful reflection on the “The Hail Mary by Servant of God Isaac Hecker”. To provide context for this reflection, Fr. Robichaud states the following:
“First is the greeting of the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28) which reminds us of the importance of Mary’s “yes” in salvation history. Father Hecker parallels her “fiat” or “let it be done” to similar words spoken by God the Father in the act of creation. Here he links the creation of the world to the new creation of the Incarnation.
Second, to demonstrate that the “Hail Mary” is a living prayer of the church, the prayer continues in the greeting of Elizabeth (Luke 1:42) welcoming Mary the new ark of the covenant who is carrying within her being the Messiah who is God and man. Father Hecker cites Saint Vincent de Paul, that we continue the greeting welcoming Mary and her Son into the present and future church. In doing so, we the present church complete the prayer in our own time inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Third, Father Hecker adds that when we pray to the Blessed Mother for protection, we should accompany our petition with an effort to be more like her Son. The prayer therefore while focused on the Virgin Mary becomes a Christ centered prayer for it encourages us to be more like the Christ, the object of the Virgin Mary’s love.”
THE HAIL MARY BY SERVANT OF GOD ISAAC HECKER
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Fr. Hecker: With God’s “fiat” (“let it be done”) the world was created; but with Mary’s “fiat” God himself became man, and the lost world was saved.
Blessed are You among women. And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Fr. Hecker: An archangel visited her, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, the Almighty God descended into her womb. When it was told to her to visit her cousin, she could have used all of this as an excuse. But no, she thought only of her nothingness. She therefore hastened to visit her cousin. Indeed, she was the handmaid of the Lord.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Fr. Hecker: The mother of God becomes the refuge of sinners, the servant of all. What heart is not overpowered with joy. If we are to have the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we must become like her Son, for to gain the affection of a person, we must become like the object of their love.
Saint Vincent (de Paul) says of the Hail Mary, that an angel began it when he saluted the Blessed Virgin Mary; that Saint Elizabeth continued it when visited by her cousin; and that we the Church complete it, so that every Hail Mary is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Points and Questions to Share in Your Group
- In Fr. Hecker’s reflection on the Hail Mary, he expresses his belief that with Mary’s “fiat”, the lost world was saved. In your personal reflection, is there anything you are aware of within yourself that was saved by Mary’s “fiat”?
- Through a devotion to the Blessed Immaculate Virgin Mary, how can I grow in that gift whereby I live in integrity and in accordance with my calling?
- Fr. Hecker states: “If we are to have the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we must become like her son”. What are my challenges in becoming “like her son”?
- Finally the real question for each of us is – who is Mary and what is it about her that holds such sway and devotion?
News/Announcements/Prayers for Others
Closing Prayer:
The Canticle of Mary
My Soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones.
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers,
Abraham and to his posterity forever.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary, mother of Jesus.
Kane, Thomas A., CSP, ed. All Holy Men and Women: A Paulist Litany of Saints. New York, Paulist Press, 2014. (Pp.119-128 Pp.195-202)
Wilson Smith, S., CSP, “Go to Mary”, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNTfBahBuus)
Robichaud, P., CSP, The Hail Mary by Servant of God Isaac Hecker, www.isaachecker.org/hecker-reflections-and-blog/the-hail-mary-a-reflection-by-servant-of-god-isaac-hecker
Heavenly Father, you called your servant Isaac Thomas Hecker to preach the Gospel to the people of North America and through his teaching, to know the peace and the power of your indwelling Spirit. He walked in the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle, and like Paul spoke your Word with a zeal for souls and a burning love for all who came to him in need.
Look upon us this day, with compassion and hope. Hear our prayer. We ask that through the intercession of Father Hecker your servant, you might grant us (state the request).
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen.
When you pray this prayer, and if you believe that you have received any favors through Hecker’s intercession, please contact the Office of the Cause for Canonization of Servant of God, Isaac Hecker at [email protected]. Visit the web site: isaachecker.org to learn more about his life and the cause for his canonization.
Paulist Associates National Director
Mike Kallock, CSP
Paulist General Office
New York, NY 10023
Board Members
Carol Wagner Williams
Tuscon, AZ
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.
Katherine Murphy Mertzlufft
Columbus, OH
Joe Scott, CSP
David Rooney
Chicago, IL
Mary Sullivan
Boston, MA
I believe that I am drawn by the Holy Spirit to the spirituality and qualities of the Paulist Community. I have discerned both by prayer and study that God calls me to become associated with the Paulists. I promise that I will pray for the works of the Paulist Society, meet with others, who are also members of the Paulist Associates, for spiritual sharing and formation; and I seek to embody the apostolic qualities of the Paulists in my daily life.
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and faithful to the example of St. Paul and the charism of Father Isaac Hecker, I commit myself for one year of membership in the Paulist Associates.