St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Easter Sunday features a message by Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Palm Sunday features a message by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent features a message by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.
Last month, Fr. Norbert N’Zilamba, O. Praem.—a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and community member of the Norbertine Priory of St. Moses the Black in Raymond, Mississippi, since 1996—was visiting St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere. At one point he shared how difficult it was to find balanced news about his homeland in the United States.
A few days later, Pope Francis encouraged all of us to devote one day to fasting and prayer for peace, with a particular emphasis on South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With his proclamation after the February 4 Angelus, Pope Francis put Fr. Norbert’s homeland in the international spotlight:
And now an announcement. Faced with the tragic prolonging of conflicts in various parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to join me in a Special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on 23 February, the Friday of the First week of Lent. We will offer it in particular for the populations of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of South Sudan. As on other similar occasions, I also invite our non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters to join in this initiative in the ways they believe best, but all together.
But it is not just the gravitas of Pope Francis that is providing a sudden surge in the consideration of the history and current conditions of African and African-American people. Black Panther, the first superhero movie featuring a black protagonist (with a black producer and nearly all-black cast), debuted the weekend of February 15. I was especially struck by a National Public Radio story on the film. The film smashed ticket sales for all movies introduced in any third weekend of February.
The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey invites our local community to the public praying of the rosary for peace in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere, at 3:45 p.m. in our Chapter Room on February 23, 2018.
Furthermore, why not watch Black Panther in the coming weeks and debrief your experience with your family, co-workers, friends, fellow congregants, and Africans or African-Americans in your community? These efforts of prayer, fasting, and education can go a long way toward enlightening Americans as we consider issues of multiculturalism, race, and migration in our country today.
DISCLAIMER: This blog represents Br. Herro’s own opinions and experiences. It does not represent an official position or opinion of St. Norbert Abbey or of any other Norbertine.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent features a message by Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
On the third day, you produced “…every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.” Since the beginning of time, you have gifted us with seeds, soil, water, and sunlight to help us produce food that continues to nourish our body, soul, and mind.
For these gifts, we thank you.
The feeding of the human race involves millions of people who grow, pack, transport, and prepare food that has nourished our body, soul, and mind. Our morning cereal, midday sandwich, and evening rice could not be possible without the effort of so many of our neighbors.
For these providers and their efforts, we thank you.
Your son celebrated many meals with those he loved, people often excluded by others in the community. Around such tables, he and we grew and continue to grow in relationship with family, friends, and strangers. Bless those hosts who make such relationship building around a common table possible.
For these opportunities, we thank you.
For growers and consumers who share their resources with food pantries; for men, women, and youth who volunteer at food banks; for policy advocates who lobby on food security with our lawmakers—may they be sustained in their ministries.
For these community servants, we thank you.
For every man, woman, and child, in the United States and abroad suffering from lack of food security, that their material needs may be met. For the grace to discover Christ in service to those suffering from lack of nutrition, we thank you.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
The Third Sunday of Lent features a message by Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
The Second Sunday of Lent features a message by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.
Some authors say that the word “Lent” is derived from the word “lengthen.” Seasonally, this means that the days are getting longer, that they are lengthening. We are heading toward spring.
Environmentally, in the Church year, this is the time for spring house cleaning. Getting rid of all that is not necessary. Putting out of sight those things that might distract us from the task at hand.
Some authors refer to Lent as the “desert experience.” A desert is a barren, dry, quiet place. One only hears the whisper of the wind and the shifting of sand. The days are hot by day and cold at night. Most Lenten days are cloudless with a myriad of stars at night—a cosmic fast and feast. It’s a time of deprivation and promise—a reminder of death and the promise of new life.
Lent, like all the seasons of the year—and much like life itself—is a paradox. A balancing of opposites. That’s why I say it’s time for spring cleaning. It’s time to create an atmosphere that’s conducive to solitude, contemplation, and memories.
Fr. John Buscemi, an artist and liturgical space consultant, writes that Lent is built on images of ashes, thirst, emptiness, and promise. Memories can help us unlock this power. But memories require solitude—an aloneness beyond loneliness. And solitude is necessary for creativity, reflection, and understanding.
… A cosmic fast and feast. It’s a time of deprivation and promise—a reminder of death and the promise of new life.
—Fr. Stephen Rossey, O. Praem.
Ash Wednesday
I like to think of Ash Wednesday as a memento mori—a reminder of death. Our American culture does not like reminders of death and I think that is sad. Death is the counterpart of the paradox of life. We don’t have one without the other. “Unless the grain of wheat falls to ground and dies—it cannot live.”
Reminders of our mortality are good for us. They keep us thinking straight and value orientated. That is what Ash Wednesday is all about—last year’s palms, from the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Passion Sunday becoming this year’s ashes—a reminder of the life/death cycle.
The imposition of ashes in the form of a big, bold cross on our foreheads is a reminder to all that “we are dust and to dust we shall return.” Medieval artists depicted this reality on their tomb engravings. They often pictured a skeleton speaking to the viewer: “What you are, I once was. What I am, you will become.” The acrid smell of burnt fronds reminds us of our own decomposition and of this reality.
The St. Norbert Abbey thurible offers a fragrant sacrifice of praise.
Smell
The purpose of the use of incense during Lent is to carry prayer heavenwards, and in this sense it is a symbol of the priestly office. Incense, with its sweet-smelling perfume and high-ascending smoke, is typical of the good Christian’s prayer, which, enkindled in the heart by the fire of God’s love and exhaling the odor of Christ, rises up a pleasing offering in His sight (cf. Amalarius, De eccles. officiis in P.L., CV).
Fr. James Baraniak, O. Praem.
Color
Purple is the liturgical color of the Lenten season. The color purple is often a symbol for royalty, wealth, or status. In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 15:16), Roman soldiers clothed Jesus in purple before scourging him and crucifying him. In this sense, they were mocking his supposed royalty. Although they were clearly doing this as a mockery it’s also a bit ironic since Jesus was, in fact, royalty.
Sacrament of the Sick
Sacrament of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick is frequently celebrated during the season of Lent, especially for oneself or for those who are dear to us. In the anointing ceremony myrrh is used in the blessed oil. Myrrh is the gum or viscid white liquid that flows from the acacia tree, found in Africa and Arabia. It was a custom of the Jews to give it to those who were condemned to death by crucifixion. Myrrh is commonly interpreted as symbolizing kingship, due to its use as an anointing oil, or death, due to its use as an embalming oil. Its perfume will quiet one’s anxiety and impart calmness.
Fasting, abstinence, and almsgiving are long-standing traditions, as well as the practice of the corporal and spiritual Works of Mercy, which Pope Francis so enthusiastically encourages.
St. Norbert Abbey presents “Restless Hearts Returning to God”—a series of Lenten video reflections by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., and Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
The First Sunday of Lent features a message by Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem.
