At this time in the life of the Church, we can all use a strong dose of good news now and again.
Last week, on November 1, the bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin, His Excellency William P. Callahan, came to Wausau to bless the new Convent of the Nativity of Our Lady, the first foundation in the New World of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus, the female branch of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The convent is located just a few blocks from St. Mary’s Oratory, the church operated by the Institute in the diocese.
Present for the occasion were the Institute’s Prior General Msgr. Gilles Wach and the Provincial Superior of the USA, Canon Matthew Talarico, as well as the two canons assigned to the Oratory: Canon Aaron Huberfeld and Canon Heitor Matheus.
On the next morning, November 1, Canon Tallarico offered the first Mass in their chapel. Later that day there was a Solemn High Mass with choir and chamber orchestra at St. Mary’s Oratory for the feast, followed by a gala reception for the sisters and parishioners.
Many beautiful photos from these events may be found at St. Mary’s Facebook page or at their website; here we share a sample. Let us give thanks to God for all the great work being done by the Institute and ask His abundant blessings on this new foundation!
UPDATE: The Sisters Adorers need to raise funds for the clothing needs of their growing order in Europe: they have 8 new postulants and are expecting 10 more to arrive later this year. I’m sure many who rejoice in the news of this new foundation in America will be happy to assist the Sisters in this regard! Donations may be made directly to the Sisters (here).
The Blessing of the Convent and Its Chapel
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| A first-class relic of St. Clare (one of four such relics in the chapel) |
The Offering of the First Mass in the Chapel
The Solemn Mass of the Day, Followed by Reception
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| This is what reverence for the Blessed Sacrament looks like |
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| The magnificent St Mary's Oratory |
