Come and See (John 1:39): Ash Wednesday

Prayer for Bishop Paprocki

O dearest Jesus, look down with love on Thy priests, especially our bishop, Thomas John. Fill him with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners, keep unstained his anointed hands which daily touch Thy immaculate Body, keep unsullied his lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood, keep pure and unearthly his heart sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood; bless his labors with abundant fruit, and may those to whom he has ministered on earth be one day his joy and consolation in heaven. Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

O Divine Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father and Mary Immaculate, grant to our youth true generosity in following Thy call and bestow upon them the grace to persevere in overcoming all obstacles to their vocation.

Give to parents, likewise, that faith, love and spirit of sacrifice which shall inspire them to offer their children to God's service and to rejoice when a child of theirs is called to the religious life.

Let Thy example and that of Thy Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph encourage both children and parents, and let Thy grace sustain them.

Amen.

F.A.Q.

As I can recall them, I will post a few of the questions that I am asked quite often...

Q: How many years do you have left in school?
A: I completed the third of four years of Theology school in May 2011. I am on the slate to receive a Master of Arts and a Master of Divinity degree in 2012, followed by Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood.

Q: How long have you been in seminary?
A: I entered the seminary in 2006. My final 2 years of undergrad were with the Cardinal Glennon College seminary program in conjunction with St. Louis University. I just completed my next-to-last semester of Theology school. In short, 5 1/2 years of seminary down, 1 semester to go.

Q: What am I supposed to call you?
A: Deacon Edgar, please.

Q: What's up with the cassock?
A: At Kenrick, seminarians wear cassock (black, tunic-like, body-length garment) and surplice (white, thigh-length, wide sleeves) with the white Roman collar for Holy Mass and Lauds and Vespers.
The cassock and surplice have a long history as the clerical dress of the church, and this continues to be the case at the seminary. The collar symbolizes obedience, the cassock is simple and rather plain and is black which symbolizes poverty. (some cassocks have 33 buttons for the 33 years of Christ's life on earth) Around the waist is worn a fascia or cincture, symbolizing chastity. "Moreover, black is a color of mourning arid death for the priest, the symbolism is dying to oneself to rise and serve the Lord as well as giving witness of the Kingdom yet to come." source

History: 110 years

[30 May 2008]
I just rediscovered my copy of a May 1898 newspaper article about the dedication of my home parish's present church. I'm a history dork, so here is an excerpt:

DEDICATED

WITH IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS DEDICATED

Noted Catholic Clergy and a Large Concourse of People Present

Sunday was an ideal day and hundreds embraced the opportunity to attend the dedicatory services of Mother of Dolors church in this city. A train load of people came from Effingham and intermediate points, and St. Louis, Greenville, Ramsey and other places were well represented.

The dedicatory services, conducted by Right Rev. James Ryan D.D., of Alton, began at 10 o'clock a.m., (before the congregation was admitted within,) by the singing of the litany while marching around the church and after entering. High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. D. R. Deucy, of Effingham, assisted by the choir, and fathers Lammert, of Effingham, Gerenhoues, of Altamont, Maroney, of Greenville, Denning, Carlyle, and the very Rev. Hougalinus Storf, O.F.M., of Teutopolis and lasted throughout the morning services. During High Mass the choir sang Rosewick's Mass in G, and at the offertory Miss Hattie Neil sang Ave Maria.

Very Rev. Father Hougalinus Storf, O.F.M. delivered the sermon and Right Rev. Ryan offered a few remarks congratulating the membership on the wonderful success of their undertaking and Father Lee for the noble work he had done.

In the afternoon vespers was celebrated and the benediction was said by Rev. Father Denning of Carlyle.

The choir consisted of Miss Hattie Neil, Mrs. Mary Laughlin, Miss Kate Laughlin, Chas. Marty and Jos. C. Burtschi, with Mrs. A. G. Myers as organist.

The old church which had served the congregations as a place of worship for over forty years was burned down on the 18th of January, 1897, and immediately steps were taken to rebuild. One the 18th day of June, 1897, just five months afterword, the corner stone of the new ediface was laid with impreasive ceremonies by Rev. Hickey, of Springfield, vicar-general of the diocese. At five o'clock a.m. last Christmas the first High Mass was celebrated within its then unfinished walls and Sunday, May 22nd 1898, of a little over eleven months after the laying of the cornestone, the completed building was dedicated. . .

Come and See (John 1:39)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday

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