Next week, we welcome three Dominican friars to St. John Vianney, Fathers Benedict Croell, O.P., Berenger de Laportaliere, O.P. and Corwin Low, O.P. The friars will be here to lead us in a parish mission on The Presence of God. This will be specially directed for families and centered on the Eucharist. The friars are associated with the Thomistic Institute at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, or as it is more commonly known, The Angelicum. The university traces its roots back to the 13th Century as a house of studies for the Order of Preachers. Among the great teachers were Sts. Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas. Over the centuries there have been many notable students. Numerous great theologians, missionaries and bishops received their theological education from the Dominicans at the Angelicum. Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen received a doctorate from the Angelicum. The most notable student in modern times was St. John Paul II. He too received his doctorate at the Angelicum when he was a young priest. Another priest who studied at the Angelicum that you may know is Fr. Joseph White! He received his Licentiate in Moral Theology only a few years ago.
The friars are members of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, founded by St. Dominic de Guzman in the 13th Century. St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers to preach the gospel during a time of great confusion and controversy in the Middle Ages. While many may consider the Middle Ages an age of faith, many people were confused and did not know the truth or the beauty of the Catholic Faith. Heresies were wildly popular and growing throughout Europe. Many fell away from God and the faith or embraced false teachings. The Dominicans were founded to preach the Good News of Jesus to women and men who were suffering from error and who hungered for the truth. Their approach to preaching the gospel was revolutionary.
As with the Dominicans throughout the centuries, the friars with us next week will be here to help us grow in our love for God and to deepen our Catholic Faith. The Dominicans’ motto is Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (Praise, Bless, Preach). They will be here at St. John Vianney to help all of us enrich our lives and our faith by their ministry of preaching, teaching, sanctifying and healing. This parish mission will be an opportunity to take some time from our busy schedules and reflect upon our lives and relationships. The mission will be a time to be strengthened in our faith and to receive the graces of healing and reconciliation in the Sacrament of Penance.
While many are able to go on a spiritual retreat, most of us cannot take three or four days or a week away from our jobs and obligations. This parish mission is a chance to be renewed by coming for just a couple of hours each day for three days. The mission talks will be offered in the morning and again in the evening. There will be Mass, confessions, Eucharistic adoration and the mission presentation. While the mission will be for everyone, I especially want to invite our young adults and high school students. The mission talks will be devoted to the Divine Presence, the Divine Indwelling and the Real Presence – an Encounter with God. Please rearrange whatever you have to come to the mission. It is open to all, so if you have friends, coworkers, and neighbors you wish to invite, please do so. Babysitting will be provided as well. This could be a marvelous opportunity for those who have been away from the Church or are struggling with questions of faith, those who are not Catholic, or maybe have no religious or church connection. All are welcome to the mission.