Benedictines of Mary Featured in Diocesan Paper

The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, has gone through a lot in the last couple years, with severe restrictions, segregation and suppressions of traditional Latin Masses, plus a ban on all other sacraments by diocesan priests.

But the good priests and the laity carry on, filling the gyms, attics and parish halls where the TLM is allowed, and rearranging their lives to comply with three parishes that have temporary indults for the TLM with a condition that once a month we must go elsewhere for the traditional liturgy.

One example of marching forward can be found with traditional vocations. In a front-page article of the new Arlington Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper, a feature on all of the women religious from Arlington who have entered the Benedictines of Mary can be found.

Although it would have been nice of the diocesan paper to include the words Latin Mass -- or even Latin -- at least once in the article, it is still a positive action to have a front-page article about a flourishing Latin Mass-based order of sisters.

Sister Wilhelmina, OSB: new note from Benedictines of Mary

The Benedictines of Mary are amongst the greatest women religious in the Catholic Church today. Several Rorate contributors have supported them, and they have been friends to many, many readers, communicants, families and priests. It is difficult to say enough good things about them, and we have encouraged readers to consider donations for their second monastery.

Benedictines of Mary: New Monastery

This is the time of year when so many fundraising pitches are made -- some for worthy endeavors from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter and Institute of Christ the King, for instance; and others for hobbies such as websites and videos. (One of the many things about Rorate Caeli that I appreciate is contributors are volunteers who write as an extracurricular activity; never has a solicitation been made for the blog, and never has money been accepted.)

They're back! Benedictines of Mary release new CD in honor of Christ the King

If you have been a long-time reader of Rorate you know we love and support the wonderful Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Their numerous CDs have topped the classical music charts for years, enabling them to spread the Word of God through music, and continue their mission through the proceeds.

Now, after a three-year hiatus, they have released their 10th CD -- this one in honor of Christ the King. 

All proceeds will go toward the construction of a permanent monastery for the Abbey’s growing daughter house in the Ozark mountains of southern Missouri.

For only $15 this CD will make a great stocking stuffer for Christmas or a gift for St. Nicholas's feast day. You can purchase five or more at a discounted rate. 

TO PURCHASE THE CD, CLICK HERE

TO SEE PLANS FOR THE DAUGHTER HOUSE, CLICK HERE

Last Day to Enroll in Novena of Latin Masses

 Dear readers:

As many of you know we have supported the wonderful Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles for many years. One way of supporting the Sisters, and benefiting spiritually yourselves, is to enroll in their Our Lady of Sorrows Novena of Latin Masses. 

Today (Monday) is the final day to enroll. CLICK HERE TO ENROLL NOW. 

Thank you, good and faithful servant

We received this solemn note from our friends at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles early this morning. Please pray for Sister and consider supporting the Benedictines of Mary's critical work by clicking here. 

+PAX

Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors,

Mother Abbess and the Sisters humbly request your prayers for the soul of our beloved Sister Mary Wilhelmina of the Most Holy Rosary, osb (née Mary Elizabeth Lancaster) who passed away peacefully at 8:35 PM on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 having been strengthened by the Last Sacraments and the entire community surrounding her in prayer. It seems Our Lord could not have granted a more consoling departure from the community, who loved her so dearly.

Sister became unresponsive on Saturday morning. Nevertheless, several times she joined in as best she could while the Sisters sang Marian hymns and prayed the Rosary between Sunday and Wednesday. She also briefly smiled at the Sisters gathered around her. 

First-ever traditional consecration of a Benedictine Abbess in the U.S., and the start of a novena

Those of you that have read this blog for a while know that we are very close to, and absolutely adore, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Two important things are taking place for them soon. 

First, Mother Cecilia, the Mother Prioress, will become the Mother Abbess [click here for backstory]. On September 9, at 9 a.m. Central, the new church will be consecrated. On Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. Central, the first-ever consecration of a Benedictine Abbess in the traditional rite in the United States will take place. You can watch a live stream of the ceremonies by clicking here. 

Second, the Sisters, with great help from our readers over the years, have almost hit their fundraising goal to finish their new church. To help, please consider enrolling in their Our Lady of Sorrows Novena of Latin Masses. You can enroll for only $15, but please do so soon -- enrollment is open until Sept. 15 but if you enroll before the 7th you'll get your Mass cards in a more timely manner. 

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL IN THE NOVENA OF MASSES

Buy a CD, build a church and priory!

Long-time readers know we adore the sisters of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles -- and that we personally contribute to them. We say that because we want you to know we are investing in the places we're asking you, our readers, to prayerfully consider investing. And make no mistake: Helping these great sisters is an investment in eternity!

Now, you can donate to them, help them build their new church and priory, and receive their newest CD -- music so beautiful you must hear it to believe it. Please check out the video, below. While it only costs $15 to purchase the CD, we urge you to give more on top of that, and help move this critical construction project along.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE CD! then ... CLICK HERE TO MAKE EXTRA DONATION!

Because of the generosity of the faithful, and many of our readers, the work of the new church and priory has progressed well. 

Sacred music and more from the Benedictines of Mary

Today Rorate received this note from the prioress of the Benedictines of Mary in Gower, Missouri, whom we have featured many times for their wonderful music and their growing community. Please support them if you can. The new church they are building is magnificent, and the monastery is bursting with sisters.

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we make final preparations in our homes and in our hearts for the coming of our Savior, we want to send our love and prayers to all of you. We thank you for your past support, knowing that we couldn't live our lives of prayer without your generous assistance.

If you are still in need of Christmas gifts, we have all of our CDs in stock, and are offering them right now for just $12 each! Any orders placed before 9am(CST) today [Dec. 16] will be shipped today, and orders placed by 9am Monday will be shipped on Monday.

[NB:] Amazon inexplicably stopped selling our Caroling at Ephesus CD early last week, so we unfortunately lost a tremendous number of sales. So we reach out to you now, hoping that through your kindness, we might make up for this loss, which will help us to raise the last $150,000 needed to make our final construction payment of the year. 

We would be most grateful if you could spread the word by any means, near and far! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your goodness and continued support!