The youngest of our Passionist Saints was, like St. Gemma, actually not a vowed member of the Congregation. St. Maria Goretti is widely known and loved for her willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than surrender her virginity, but fewer people know that this 11-year-old girl was catechized and spiritually nurtured by the Passionist Fathers.
Read MoreObedience to God is not a matter of force, but of peaceful surrender; He wishes to form us, not to destroy us! “See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope for His kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine,” as the Responsorial Psalm asserts.
Read MoreFor many people, their first introduction to the Passionists came through the charismatic figure of St. Gemma Galgani. Though she was unable to enter religious life due to poor health, this mystic and stigmatist predicted that she would be considered part of her beloved Passionist Congregation after death — and how true that prophecy proved
Read More75 Years ago today, our five Foundresses took possession of their new monastery-to-be in Western Kentucky. Please join with us in thanking God for their fidelity and generous sacrifices that have been bearing fruit for three quarters of a century!
Read MoreIn recent weeks, we have noticed some strange behavior on the part of our novice, Sr. Miriam Esther. She seems to have suddenly developed a passion for hemming large rectangles of black material …
Read MoreIt has been quite a while since we’ve shared a community newsletter — but this latest 16-page edition is chock-full of exciting and beautiful things that have been happening over the past year! Even in the midst of the many challenges facing us today, the Lord continues to show His love and providence in marvelous ways.
Read MorePs. 54 is a song of lament, but all of a sudden we see David breaking forth into thanksgiving and praise. He is so confident in the Lord’s deliverance that he begins his thanksgiving while still undergoing trial!
Read MoreYou are all in our hearts and prayers as we celebrate two of the most important feasts in our Passionist calendar! May our Sorrowful Mother lead each one of you to a deeper appreciation and love of her Son’s saving Cross!
Read MoreAs the Jubilee Year enters its final months, this latest Communication Bulletin draws our attention back to one of those central themes: prophecy. What does it mean to be a prophet of Christ Crucified? How are we as Passionists called to live out this prophetic vocation in our world today?
Read MoreThe VISION Vocation Network recently published an online article about retreat centers run by different religious communities around the U.S. and Great Britain. Among the places featured was our own Retreat House here at St. Joseph’s Monastery!
Read MoreListen to the sermon preached to you by the flowers, the trees, the shrubs, the sky, the sun, and the whole world. Notice how they preach to you a sermon full of love, of praise, of God …
Read MoreVery often in our day, obedience to God’s law is portrayed as blind, unthinking anti-intellectualism. However, Moses here insists that the opposite is true! Secular society may paint religion as childish, but the example of saints throughout history proves that mature obedience to God and His commandments is ultimately the path of “wisdom and intelligence.”
Read MoreThis summer our community was blessed to have a week-long liturgical music workshop with Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, OP. Ever since Father came to play organ and conduct our choir for Sr. Cecilia Maria’s perpetual profession in 2019, we have wanted to bring him back to work more intensively with us to help us praise the Lord more beautifully through the gift of song.
Read MoreSeveral generous benefactors have recently gifted us with lots of produce, including multiple loads of fresh sweet corn. Enjoy some photos from a couple of our recent recreations … after all, nothing says “summer in the monastery” like a good old-fashioned corn party!
Read MoreThe Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption is always a beautiful day in our community, but this year we had the added joy of witnessing Sr. Frances Marie renew her temporary vows for another year. This renewal is particularly special because, God willing, next year will be Sister’s definitive commitment to Jesus Crucified through perpetual profession!
Read MoreLast month, our community participated in a virtual vocation event called “Behind the Veil #3” where those exploring different vocations could learn more about different forms of consecrated life.
Read MoreO Mary, “Summa Contemplatrix,” Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Read MoreThe Blessed Virgin Mary, especially under her title of Our Sorrowful Mother, has been central to Passionist life throughout our history. It was she who gave the habit to St. Paul of the Cross, and it was in her Roman basilica (St. Mary Major) that our Holy Founder first made the “Passion Vow.”
Read MoreThe last weekend of July, some girls from Steubenville, Ohio came for a “junior” vocation retreat. The “Wildflowers,” as they call themselves, are a girls’ middle/high school youth group that combines faith with outdoor adventure, and it was a joy to host them for the weekend!
Read MoreOver the past two months, our Helmings crew has been hard at work, becoming more and more efficient with each section of roof completed. With the public areas all but finished, they have turned now to the monastery roof proper. Tile saws, drills, dump trucks, and heavy boots tramping overhead have become a familiar sound in the cloister these days!
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