We at Rorate have been honored to know the good priests of the relatively new Missionaries of Saint John the Baptist and to spend time with them. The MSJB is a small congregation of traditional Latin Mass religious priests whose spirituality stems from the spiritual legacy of the 17th Century Congregation of the Priests of Mercy in France. They also travel the country giving compelling, traditional mission talks for Catholics who request them.
Now, fully established in the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, they have purchased a protestant church and need help turning it into an oasis of tradition -- and to build a grotto for Our Lady that should prove a destination for Catholics from all over and to serve as "a cave of refreshment in dark times" (go here to see the church they've purchased and the renovations already made).
Please see below for a note by the good Fathers, written directly to you, our dear readers:
For the greater glory of Almighty
God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in honor of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, under the
title of Our Lady of Lourdes, and for the salvation of souls, we announce the opening of a chapel
where the Traditional Latin Mass and other Sacraments usus antiquior are celebrated exclusively. Due to the benevolence
of the bishop of Covington, Kentucky, His Excellency, Roger J. Foys, D.D., this
chapel was opened to the public on July 16, 2016. It will act as a Traditional
Latin Mass parish for the Covington Diocese and will provide a home for those
who have a longing for the ancient liturgy and the Faith of our Fathers. A religious
community in formation, namely, the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist (msjb.info),
made up of two priests at this moment, has ownership of this property and staffs
this new apostolate. The chapel is named after Our Lady of Lourdes and will
have one day, please God, an outdoor grotto in her honor (ourladyoflourdes.info).
Originally built as a Lutheran structure, the exterior and interior
of the chapel have a certain traditional look. With that being stated, it will
need to be refurbished and brought into “Catholic-shape.” While the church is
being worked on, the priests will be offering Masses in the undercroft which
has been made into a temporary chapel. We make an appeal to all of you to help with
your prayers and even monetary donations
if possible. We are hoping to raise $250,000 in the
months to come. Help us give honor to the highest honor of our race. Assist us in venerating her who is the glory of Jerusalem…the Lily amongst thorns…and mankind’s proudest boast.
