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Men, happy All Saints Day!
I hope that you are able to spend some time today (and this month) reflecting on the reality of the Communion of Saints. We live with the knowledge that those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith are now living in their heavenly reward. Heaven, not the ways of this world, must be our goal–regardless of how attached we may become to the wonders of this world provided by God, it is not where we are meant to be. We are meant to be saints alongside the likes of St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Mother of God; St. Maximilian Kolbe, the great martyr of the 20th century; Sts. Peter and Paul; St. Christopher, the bearer of Christ; St. Michael the Archangel, our protection against the devil; and the many others you are named after or have chosen to be your Confirmation saint. May all these manly saints surround us today and for the rest of our lives as we ask for their intercession to help us make our way through the trials of this life. Click here for a peaceful Litany of the Saints.
I also hope you will spend some time reflecting on the message of our Study and Devotion sessions at our October gathering–The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. The Communion of Saints “intersects” with The Four Last Things, as we know that there is the Church Triumphant (all the saints in Heaven), the Church Suffering (those who are on the threshold of heaven still in Purgatory); and the Church Militant (that’s us, still fighting the devil on this side of eternity). The Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant make up the Communion of Saints–let us pray for one another! Click here for a short read on this topic, and click here for a Litany of the Saints that I use when I need a little help from some friends.
My next order of business is to remind you of our gathering, on Wednesday, November 15, at Helias Catholic High School. As I mentioned at our October gathering, we have decided to work toward a fixed yearly schedule that includes Adoration/Confession/Benediction in November and May, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in September and February. During these four months, we will not split into separate Study and Devotion groups, because there is no way to surpass the heavenly benefits of the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Penance. In all other months, at least for the time being, we intend to allow our men to attend either a pre-announced Study session for that evening, or a Devotion in the Chapel. We would like you to be able to choose what will be most beneficial to you on any given night.
Following these concurrent sessions (or the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or Adoration/Confession/Benediction), we will always meet in the Commons for fraternity and physical fortification (i.e., refreshments) just before the spiritual fortification of the Litany of St. Joseph at 7:55 p.m. The Litany at 7:55 p.m. always officially ends our evening together.
Thank You!
Thank you to Father Stephen Jones and our Chaplain, Father Paul Clark, for helping us understand and appreciate more completely The Four Last Things during our October gathering. Both of them gave us unique perspectives on this fundamental truth of our faith. I hope you men appreciated the opportunity to choose between Study or Devotion, and I hope you take time to track down our presenters and thank them for making it possible to have that choice, and for giving up their time for us.
Our Future Schedule
As implied above, our November gathering will be devoted to Adoration, Confession, and Benediction. As always, come early if you can for the praying of the Rosary which begins at 6:00 p.m.
I hope to have 4-5 priests available to hear Confessions, which will begin at 6:15 p.m. One priest will be given the Confessional in the Chapel after the Rosary is over, and the others will have offices in the Chapel corridor behind closed doors with a screen between himself and the penitent. Confessions will continue until as long as needed, but we hope to conclude by 7:10 p.m.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at 6:30 p.m., with Confession and Adoration taking place from 6:35 p.m. until 7:10 p.m. At 7:10 p.m. we will conclude in the Chapel with Benediction.
In December, January, March, and April, Coach Chris Hentges will be our presenter for the Study session, providing insight into the history of the Church. These sessions will help us better understand the development of the Church over time, provide perspective on our current circumstances, and strengthen our belief that it is the Holy Spirit who has guided us for the past 2,000 years. For those who prefer a Devotional session each evening instead, this will be a great opportunity to develop virtuous habits through meaningful spiritual exercises that we will offer in the Chapel.
A Digest of Happenings in Central Missouri…
The Cathedral is hosting a presentation entitled, “Current Moral Issues and the Church’s Stance,” next Thursday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cana Hall (under the Cathedral). The session will be led by Father Louis Nelen and Jamie Morris of the Cathedral (this was postponed from October). I know this will be a highly informative evening that will address many of our current questions–I hope to see you there.
It’s not too late to participate in the 40 Days for Life fall campaign in front of Planned Parenthood in Columbia, but you need to act fast. The campaign will conclude with a closing rally at St. Andrew Church in Holts Summit on Saturday, November 4. Have you ever thought about participating in an hour of prayer at Planned Parenthood? I hope you will consider this invitation to courageously defend America’s most vulnerable women and children.
Father Dylan Schrader of St. Joseph in Westphalia is currently using the final months of this calendar year to present “A Tour of the Creed” as homilies at Sunday Masses. By any stretch of the imagination, I am not advocating for you to not attend Mass at your parish, but check out the great topics and the dates by clicking on this link.
On the Horizon…
● Exodus 90 starts on January 1. Choose hard. Ask me for details.
● Shroud of Turin presentation on January 3, 2024 by renowned expert Father Andrew Dalton, LC, who teaches Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. Presentations will be held at the Cathedral, with sessions in both the afternoon and evening. This is a fascinating topic that can strengthen our faith in the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus, which of course was not seen by an eyewitness. For anyone seeking more substantial, scientific proof for the Resurrection, this is your ticket. I hope you are putting this on your calendar right now.
● Consecration of St. Joseph begins on February 15, 2023 (I am seeking leadership from the Men of Signum Crucis to assist other men who would like to participate in this exceptional devotion). If you are interested in this consecration, I would suggest that you buy the book soon so you are ready to go on February 15. This would make a great addition to your Lenten observance. Click here to access the website where the book is sold, or access other websites to buy it used.
● A Men’s Conference here in Jefferson City?? Wouldn’t that rock your socks?? Let me know if you are interested in attending and/or helping to make this happen… We have tentative dates of Friday evening, April 19, and the morning and afternoon on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
● Another Enrollment ceremony for the Brown Scapular? If you wanted to enroll in September but could not or did not because of any issue, we will host future enrollments. Please see me for more details if you wish to enroll.
● Bible Groups, Study Groups, Book Clubs–see me if you are able to take a leadership role in leading a group in your parish. The Men of Signum Crucis is not set up to take a leadership role in weekly meetings, but we would like to advocate for study groups and Bible studies and encourage all our men to seek more depth in their faith by leading or participating in them. Our fraternity can serve as a conduit to promote growth in these activities in our local parishes.
Eucharistic Revival
Men, I hope you are staying ever faithful to the Eucharist–we are nothing without it. Consider attending a daily Mass (or two) each week, and do your family a favor and invite them to attend also.
In Conclusion…
I hope you are able to gather with your brotherhood of Signum Crucis on November 15 at Helias Catholic. Our evening will officially begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Ask (another) son, father, brother, uncle, or friend to come with you. Each man present is needed–someone is better because you are there. Afterwards, we will enjoy fraternity and refreshments in the Commons.
Men, thank you for your fidelity to the Men of Signum Crucis. Your dedication to this growing fraternity is inspiring. I pray that you are growing in your faith each month, and that you will always invite other men to join us.
And, let us never forget: St. Joseph and St. Francis “chose hard.” Let’s choose to do the same.
St. Joseph, Foster Father of the Son of God, and patron saint of the Men of Signum Crucis, pray for us.
In hoc signo, vinces,
Mark Rehagen
P. S. In hoc signo, vinces: https://veterumsapientia.org/in-hoc-signo-vinces/
Future Gatherings:
● November 15, 2023 (Adoration, Confession, and Benediction)
● December 20, 2023 (Study on Church History)
● January 17, 2024 (Study on Church History)
● February 21, 2024 (Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)