Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
The
s o c i e t y o f o u r l a dy o f t h e m o s t h o ly t r i n i t y
A D V E N T 2013
DISCER NINg PR IEStHOOd Deacons in Mission Dn. Al, The Philippines Dn. Juan, Mexico Dn. Michael Mary, Montana Dn. Patrick, Michigan Theology IV Br. Beau, Idaho Dn. Michael, Texas Dn. Tristan, Cayman Islands Theology III Br. Jeremy, Kansas Philosophy II Br. Richard, England Br. Timothy, Canada College II Br. Julio, Belize College I Br. Nicholas, Texas Language Studies Br. Frisquet, Haiti DISCER NINg PER MANENt BROtHER HOOd Year IV Br. Peter Mire, Ireland Year III Br. John, California Br. Kyle, Minnesota Year II Br. Ryan, Texas Year I Br. Danny, Mississippi Br. Nick, Missouri C O N tA C t SO LT SOLT House of Formation 1721 Junction St. Detroit, MI 48209 313.842.3450 Rector/Vocations Director Fr. Mark Wendling, SOLT 361.767.9567 vocations@gmail.com Gray Robes Formation Program Sr. Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, SOLT PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX 78469 361.289.9095 Ext. 312 soltdevelopment@gmail.com
Back L to R: Br. Nicholas, Br. Jeremy, Br. beau, Dn. Tristan, Dn. Michael, Br. john Front L to R: Br. Julio, Br. nick, Br. Richard, Br. timothy, Br. danny
On T H E M A r K : A PrOFI LE OF OU r n E W r Ec TOr
no longer do I call you servantsI have called you friends. Jn 15:15
Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Canada Nationally ranked tennis player in his youth Graduated magna cum laude in Biochemistry, University of Toronto Two years volunteer teacher in Belize, Central America Seminary formation at The Angelicum in Rome Ordained a priest of Jesus Christ on May 11, 2003 Ten years priestly ministry in Benque Viejo, Belize, Central America
Fr. Mark Wendling, SOLT was ordained a priest at St. Peters Basilica, Rome, by Blessed John Paul II.
I n T r O D U c I ng T H E G r AY r O b E S F O r M AT I O n P r O gr A M
SOLT has begun the Gray Robes Formation Program, a program that helps people support the formation of SOLT Brothers in the American Region. Thirteen of us discern life as priests; six of us discern a lifelong commitment as consecrated brothers. We all need assistance to fulfill our vocations. If you give to the Gray Robes Formation Program (unless you specify a particular vocational track), your generosity will serve the needs of the entire band of brothers. The vast majority of contributions address our greatest expense, seminarian tuition. In addition to sharing the burdens of bills and the joys of donations, both vocations share a common life of community and prayer. Annual promises of poverty, chastity and obedience let us share in intimacy with Jesus. After clockwise: SOLT Founder Fr. Jim five years, we may make these promises again, not for one year, but for life. Flanagan blesses Br. Michael, Br. Please pray for Brother Beau and Brother Jeremy as they discern making Tristan, Br. Patrick and Br. Al after Perpetual Promises through which they would become lifelong brothers of they make their Perpetual Promises. the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Three days later they were ordained as deacons. After Perpetual Promises, some brothers are ordained, first as deacons, then as priests. Priests nourish our Christian life by serving as ministers of the sacraments. Permanent Brothers perform specialized ministries and open their lives to others so as to communicate the fraternal friendship of God. Through partnership with you, the Gray Robes Formation Program helps men offer themselves to Christ and His Church.
Advent 2013 The Gray Robes 3
S I ng T H E S O ng OF THE POOr
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Marys life, her faith, and the fruit of her womb (Lk 1:4145). Marys response is known as the Magnificat (Lk 1:4655), and it is from this prayer that we learn much about Marys spirituality. In light of the Magnificat, it seems fitting that SOLTs Marian charism sends us to areas of deepest apostolic need. When she receives Elizabeths blessing, how quickly Marys thoughts turn outward toward both God and the poor! First, Mary acknowledges that God has given her a most special love. Second, Mary sings in adoration while gazing at God. She does not sing of a God who lives out there, distant and cold. Her womb proclaims that God draws near to save us. Third, for the majority of her song, Mary celebrates that God comes to save the poor. The proud will be brought down while those who humbly entrust their lives to God will receive salvation. Mary sings in thanksgiving. Becoming pregnant with the Savior does not distance her from those who suffer. With maternal care, Marys prayer moves with God toward the humble. She rejoices that almighty God would come down to save sinners like usthe poor, the meek, and the lowly! Why do we sing the Magnificat? We know God personally loves us. We gaze at the Trinity in adoration, and we move with joy to help humble people respond to Gods love. The Holy Spirit who fills Mary with love now gives us a mission. SOLTs charism asks us to be Gods love for people in areas of deepest apostolic need. As a Marian community, how beautiful it is to turn with God toward the poor. With Jesus, we get to make haste to serve our brothers and sisters in spiritual and material poverty. These bonds of service and friendship help all of us respond to Gods mercy. With Mary, let us sing the Lords name. Jesus is the only song that saves.
the magnificat
the charism statement of the society of O u r L ady of the M ost holy T rinity:
Disciples of Jesus through Mary living in Marian-Trinitarian communion serving on ecclesial family teams in areas of deepest apostolic need
Every evening, every Catholic priest, sister and brother throughout the world prays the Magnificat. Join us and millions of lay Christians in singing the Song of the Church.
lu k e 1: 46 55 4 The Gray Robes Advent 2013
Above: Deacon Patrick leads children in a Eucharist Procession. below: While ministering at the baptism of seven children, Deacon Tristan conducts the pre-baptismal anointing.
Or D A I n E D T O b E S E r VA n T S O F A L L
Six SOLT Brothers were ordained to the Diaconate on July 16, 2013. Thank you for supporting them so that they may serve the people of God. Please continue to pray for Deacons Al, Juan, Michael Mary and Patrick. You are invited to their ordination to the Priesthood on January 24, 2014 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Where do they serve? Deacon AlCorpus Christi, Texas Deacon JuanBenque Viejo del Carmen, Belize, Central America Deacon MichaelDetroit, Michigan Deacon Michael MarySan Luis Valley, Colorado Deacon PatrickTurtle Mountain Indian Reservation, North Dakota Deacon TristanDetroit, Michigan Through your support, Deacon Michael and Deacon Tristan plan to complete their academic formation by receiving a Masters Degrees this spring.
Top: Six SOLT Brothers lie prostrate during the Litany of the Saints. Middle: Friends and family join together in prayer as the new deacons are presented during the ordination ceremony. Bottom: Deacon Michael Mary presents himself for ordination.
SU M MEr SErV Ic E
. . .with a smile
2 3 1
1
BROtHER JUlIO & BROtHER TIMOtHY
At ONE Of OUR MISSIONS IN BElIZE, CENtR Al AMERICA, BROtHER JUlIO ANd BROtHER TIMOtHY SERvEd BY tR AININg AltAR BOYS, WORKINg IN SCHOOlS ANd MISSIONINg IN SMAll vIllAgES.
Detroit, Michigan
2
BROtHER JOHN & BROtHER JEREMY
IN MEXICANtOWN, DEtROIt, BROtHER JEREMY ANd BROtHER JOHN HElPEd gUIdE A BIBlE CAMP, dIStRIBUtEd fOOd tO tHE POOR, MINIStEREd tO tHE SICK ANd lEd A YOUtH gROUP.
Phoenix, Arizona
3
BROtHER BEAU & BROtHER RICHARd
BROtHER BEAU ANd BROtHER RICHARd R AN AN AdUlt fAItH fORMAtION PROgR AM, PROvIdEd SPIRItUAl CARE IN A HOSPItAl ANd HElPEd IN A CAtHOlIC SCHOOl. THEY AlSO ENJOYEd ARIZONAS BEAUtY WItH tHE ECClESIAl fAMIlY tEAM.
Dr . r A L P H M A r T I n
Questioning the Professor
Dr. Martin on His New Evangelization Class
How does your class equip seminarians to serve in the Church today?
This class clearly establishes what exactly the gospel message is and what Jesus and the apostles told us to communicate.
Why do you think Sacred Heart M ajor Seminary requires seminarians to take your class?
Evangelization is the central mission of the Church. So it would be pretty crazy not to require seminarians to know about evangelization and re-evangelization.
What is the greatest joy in teaching this graduate level course?
What is most enjoyable is being able to reflect on the amazing things that God has revealed for the salvation of the world, to grow in understanding of it and in the desire to communicate it to others.
WHAT DO SOLT BROTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CL ASSROOM ENVIRONMENT?
Its a joy to see the SOLT Brothers in their habits, paying careful attention to the content of the class, and joyfully witnessing to their total dedication to living for Christ and making him known.
Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Gray Robes Formation Program PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX 78469
PAID
Gray Robes
The