To begin the liturgical season of Lent, priests and seminarians gathered in the seminary chapel on Ash Wednesday morning to assist at the blessing and distribution of ashes. The ashes come from the burning of the palms from the previous Palm Sunday. They are put on the heads of all present as a reminder of what God told Adam in the Book of Genesis: “Remember man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.”
Seminarians and priests gathered on the evening of Mardi Gras for food and festivities. The vocal and instrumental skill displayed in the talent show that evening were especially impressive. The celebration of Mardi Gras is a popular one at the Seminary and is always a joyful evening of talent and laughs before beginning the austerities of Lent.
To prepare for the season of Lent, the priests and seminarians celebrated the 40 Hours Devotion this weekend. Beginning at the end of Vespers on Sunday, seminarians kept vigil before the Blessed Sacrament until Tuesday morning. At the close of the devotion, the community chanted the Litany of the Saints and had a procession with the Blessed Sacrament. This was followed by a votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament.
We give thanks to God for the ordination of nine men to the Subdiaconate on Saturday, February 9, 2019. His Excellency, Robert Finn, Bishop Emeritus of the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, came to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary to ordain the men in a Solemn Pontifical Mass.
Seven men were ordained subdeacons for the Fraternity of St. Peter and two for the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, from Papa Stronsay, Scotland.
Please pray for these men as they continue in their formation for the Holy Priesthood of Our Lord and in particular as they prepare to be ordained deacons on March 30, 2019.
Every year for the Feast of Our Lady’s Purification, OLGS keeps the tradition of the blessing of candles before the Mass. The celebrant, Fr. Lillard, blessed the candles to be used throughout the year, and then distributed small candles to be held by the seminarians in a brief procession around the chapel and during certain parts of the Mass. Among other things, the lit candles are a reminder of the Canticle that Simeon proclaimed in the feast’s Gospel, saying that Our Lord is a “light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.”
