Trip to Texas et alia

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Texas! My main goal was to visit two men in discernment and to participate in the Vocation Fair at the University of Dallas. I was able to meet with Ed Ortiz in a nice authentic Mexican restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed his company and we spoke of many things regarding discernment and Barnabite life.

The fair was effective. There were about 20 orders present and I managed to speak briefly with many students and had good talks with quite a few. One surprise was the number of women who came and wanted to know about our branch of Sisters. I have learned I am going to have to get someof the material to have at least on hand. How embarrassing!

We are awaiting the arrival of John Doucette. He will begin his postulancy on Monday when he arrives in Lewiston!

On Saturday we will have a vocations booth at the Men's Conference in Clarence, NY. About 1000 men are expected to attend, a nice gorup form the Shrine will be attending!

Key Zaccarian March dates

March 4
1536 - Election of the First Prioress of the Angelic Sisters, Mother Battista da Sesto, sister of Fr. Dionigi da Sesto. Angelic Paola Antonia Negri is named the fisrt Novice Mistress.
1879 – The Angelics are refounded in Lodi. They had been suppressed by Napoleonic Law in 1810. The last Angelic, Sr. Maria Teresa Trotti Bentivoglio had died in 1846.

March 5
1740 – Death of Fr. Gennaro Maffetti who promoted in the parish church of San Carlo ai Catinari, Rome, Italy, the devotion to Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence by displaying in the Church a copy of Scipione Pulzone da Gaeta’s famous portrait patinted by Br. Pietro Valentini.

March 14
1620 – death of Ven Cosimo Dossena who fought at the 1571 Battle of Leapanto and was later Superior General of the Barnabites and Bishop of Tortona.
1621 – death of Fr. Giovanni Antonio Gabuzio, first historian of the Order.March 15
1931 – Death of Servant of God Giovanni Semeria, apologist, Chaplain to the Supreme Military Commander of Italy in World War I. Cofounder, with Fr. Giovanni Minozzi of the Opera nazionale per gli orfani del Mezzogiorno d’Italia (1919), a charitable work founded originally to take care of the war orphans, so numerous in Italy.
1961 – Death of Fr. Francesco Castelnuovo, revered spiritual director and formator.

March 19
1822 – death of Cardinal Francesco Fontana, Barnabite, who is considered the second Founder of the Order because of his tireless efforts to gather together and revive the Congregation after the devastating effects of the Napoleonic Suppression. He researched and prepared documentation necessary for the reintroduction of the Cause for Canonization of the Founder.

March 24
1990 - A new altar was dedicated in the Church of San Barnaba in Milan. This church, from which the name “Barnabite” is derived, has long been the site of the tomb of the Holy Founder. In this renovation the Fathers removed the Founder’s relics from the crypt below to enshrine them under this new main altar.

March 27
The Third Order of the Barnabites, founded by Fr. Luigi Ferrari was approved by the Cardinal of Paris.

Prayer for Lent

Lord Jesus, You have given us this Holy Season to prepare for our entry into the wonder of your Holy Resurrection. As you rose from the dead, You gave us the promise that we, too, would never die unless we chose to separate ourselves from You by sin. Help us to deepen our understanding of this wonderful mystery, Your Resurrection that is so rich in meaning that we cannot fully comprehend it. Show us Your mercy as we struggle with works of mortification. Keep us always mindful of our need for You. Let this Lenten season be for each of us a time of spiritual growth. Walk with us through this season and be our constant companion throughout our lives. Amen

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Greetings to all on this special feast in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. The 150th anniversary of the first apparition to St. Bernadette Soubirous. May Our Lady of Lourdes comfort all of the sick and distressed. May her blessings extend to sick priests and religious - especially the Barnabites and Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul!

May our Immaculate Queen always lead us to the loving embrace of her son!

Lenten Greetings

Hello Father Peter, Father Robert, Jim, etc:

May this holy season of Lent bring all us closer in our relationship to the Lord Jesus and to His Immaculate Mother, Our Lady of Divine Providence. How great it is to be able to share our faith with each other during this special time of the year. May we remember each other both in thought and in prayer.

Peace,

John Doucette