February 1983 Print

 

November—The Young Adults' Get-Together

"It was the best ever!" was the opinion voiced by young people who participated in the annual Young Adults' Get-Together at St. Mary's over the Thanksgiving Weekend.

This event provides single traditionalist Catholics from ages 18 to 30 an opportunity to meet with others of their age and convictions in an atmosphere of wholesome social activities and beneficial spiritual exercises.

Feverish preparations for the get-together began in October when Fr. Bolduc called a planning meeting of the young adults of St. Mary's: college students, parishioners, and campus workers. St. Mary's enjoys an unusual situation because of its large number of traditionalist young folks gathered here to act as hosts for the weekend.

First, Father called for suggestions and rapidly filled a page of his big yellow tablet with ideas for spiritual and social activities. Next came the hard part: work assignments were passed out and ranged from helping to bake 750 cookies to cleaning out the barn! This year the "real barn dance" took place in the loft of the big cross-shaped barn that was built long ago by the Jesuits. Getting it ready was a Saturday's job that required knocking down a long accumulation of cobwebs, and patching holes in roof, windows and floor.

Meanwhile the parish's "hospitality room" was decorated in an Old West theme with weathered barn wood, old tools, wooden barrels, feathers and pelts. Old-fashioned tablecloths and lighted pumpkins on the tables added atmosphere, while a cigar-store Indian fabricated by the art department completed the theme. This room gave the guests a place to gather during free time—to visit, play games, work jigsaw puzzles—while enjoying the hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee, cookies, and nut breads.

Sixty-three young adults were on hand to participate in the big weekend, about one-third of whom were visitors from outside the St. Mary's parish. Some came from distant parts of the country, and some were first-time visitors to St. Mary's.

Spiritual exercises during the four activity-packed days included daily Mass, Rosary each evening in the Chapel, several opportunities for confession, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross.

Father Bolduc's daily spiritual conferences covered a variety of subjects: "Prayer and Its Value," "The Blessed Virgin and Her Rosary," and "The Mass." The conference on vocations explained the religious life, single life, and the married state. In his impressive and deeply moving conference on abortion and its evils, Father brought out our obligations as Catholics to do something to stop abortion.

St. Mary's College professor, James Taylor, gave the informative conference on rock-n-roll music, which he prepared with assistance from Fr. Williamson, Vice Rector of the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Mr. Taylor's approach was open-minded and equitable, and he used documented information to prove his points. He discussed the elements of music: melody, harmony and rhythm; and explained that in normal music, rhythm is subordinate to melody and harmony, or may be absent altogether, as it is in Gregorian Chant. In rock music the normal order is turned upside down: rhythm, the least necessary element, overrides all else, and the beat used is one that speaks to the emotional and sensual part of man rather than to his intellectual and spiritual faculties.

Turning from the abnormal musical patterns of rock, Mr. Taylor then quoted from documented admissions made by rock musicians themselves, revealing the evil and pro-Satanist sympathies of various rock groups. Handouts distributed by Mr. Taylor explained the occult symbolism used by rock groups, their anti-Jesus Christ attitudes, their participation in Satanist and drug cultures. Some of the lyrics of rock music are so vile that they could not even be quoted. After hearing this lecture, any Catholic young person should think twice before listening to rock music!

Social activities at the get-together included a bar-b-que, walks in the country, and an evening sing-along at a bonfire where a 50-gallon-sized plastic bag of popcorn was passed around. There was basketball and floor hockey in the gym, roller skating, and a movie complete with cartoons.

At the final social event, the square dance, the real barn atmosphere was heightened by the decorations: life-sized cardboard cutouts of cows, sheep, and chickens realistically painted by the art department crew. But it couldn't be a barn dance at St. Mary's without some live representatives of the pride of the farm: the pigs! Two baby porkers, bottle-fed orphans, were corralled behind hay bales; but in the course of the evening they escaped onto the floor to join the square dance!

 

December—Reception of Third Order Members

December 8, 1982, was a day of double significance at St. Mary's. In honor of the Blessed Virgin's feast the statue of Our Lady of Grace in Assumption Chapel was surrounded with a mist of white net, her niche was outlined with miniature white lights, and a bouquet of red roses and white baby's breath rested at her feet.

During the High Mass on this great feast of her Immaculate Conception, another and more beautiful bouquet would be given to Our Lady in the form of the promises made when the first Americans were received into the Third Order of the Society of St. Pius X. The twenty-two men and women who had finished their year of postulancy were received into the Third Order along with eight new postulants.

These Third Order members represent a broad cross-section of Catholic laity, for they range in age from college students to senior citizens, represent both the single and married states, and comprise a variety of walks of life from housewives to teachers.

Beginning his feast-day sermon with the words of the Angel Gabriel, "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum..." Father Bolduc explained that these are the greatest words ever spoken by mouth of man or angel. He went on to say that in the feast of the Immaculate Conception we pay honor to the purest creature ever created by God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who did not become the Mother of God simply to fulfill that one function, for, "her duty was everlasting and continues to this day as our Mother, because she was given from the foot of the Cross to us. She is the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother."

Father commented on the appropriateness of this day for the reception of the Third Order members who, in remembering this day will think of Mary Immaculate, will have her as their support, and will call on her henceforth as their patroness. Mary, who has been their mother and stood beside them all these years, now takes on an even more important position as the pattern for their spiritual lives as they seek to imitate her in all of her ways.

Father brought out that Mary was constant in all things, constant in her loyalty and her love for Our Lord, for the Church, for the Apostles, and for the children she adopted from her Father. Never was it known that anyone who fled to the protection of Mary was unaided.

He explained, "The Third Order of the Society of St. Pius X was founded so that it could be a force against Modernism in this world, so it can be a positive force expressing our love for the Blessed Eucharist which is represented by our patron, St. Pius X, so it can be a force for families, and for children, and for the Church to combat the evils which are present in the Church, in the world, and in the family."

He compared the Third Order members to the star which led the wise men to the Infant Jesus, encouraging them to be as stars which lead others to holiness.

Following the sermon, and before the Offertory of the Mass, Michael Kreft, formerly of Queen of Angels Parish in Dickinson, Texas, was received as an oblate to the Brothers of the Society of St. Pius X, taking the name of Joseph. After this, the reception of the Third Order members took place.

In composing the ceremony for this reception, Archbishop Lefebvre made it beautiful, beginning with the singing of the Veni Creator. Then the celebrant, Father Bolduc, asked the Third Order candidates, who were kneeling at the communion railing, "Dear Brothers and Sisters, what do you ask?"

In their response the members asked to be admitted to the Third Order, to serve God until death, and obtain the salvation of their souls.

The crucifixes and medals given to the Third Order candidates were then blessed according to the Roman ritual. The beautifully designed sterling silver medals were specially struck for the Third Order and show, on the obverse, a highly detailed bust of St. Pius X, while on the reverse is shown his coat of arms and motto, "To restore all things in Christ," with the words "Third Order of the Society of St. Pius X." Also, a specially designed and engraved certificate was given to each member.

Next, the Blessed Virgin was invoked, asking from her the graces necessary for the candidates to accomplish their profession with saintly dispositions. This invocation was followed by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

Before the candidates pronounced their formal profession, the tabernacle door was opened, dramatically emphasizing—in the words of the profession—that it was made "in the presence of God Almighty." The candidates promised to observe the commandments of God and the statutes of the Third Order, relying on the grace of Jesus Crucified, the intercession of Mary, the merits of St. Pius X, and the prayers of the members of the Society of St. Pius X, beseeching God that through the observance of this profession, they will receive the graces of perseverance, the salvation of their souls, and the salvation of souls dear to them.

The tabernacle door was once again closed, and the members were individually to receive their crucifixes and medals. The words of presentation were pronounced aloud over each member, and by their repetition, were impressed upon the minds of all present: "Receive the Cross of Our Lord. May it impress an indelible sign upon your heart and may it be your protection by which you will be brought to the great victory in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

The new Third Order members returned to their pews and the beautiful High Mass continued. At its conclusion the Magnificat was sung.

Also, on this feast day, a group of Academy girls presented another "bouquet" to Our Lady as they made their Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin for which they had prepared according to the program of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. At evening Rosary and Benediction, the choir put forth their all to sing the Alma Redemptoris Mater and bring Our Lady's feast day to a glorious close.

 

The Archbishop's Visit to St. Mary's

His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre visited St. Mary's College in mid-December after a brief visit to New York. His arrival was preceded by a visit from Fr. Fellay, Econome General of the Society and Father Richard Williamson, Vice Rector of the Seminary in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Following his stay at St. Mary's, His Grace visited Phoenix, Arizona, and then went on to El Paso, Texas, before returning to Switzerland.

During his St. Mary's visit, the Archbishop concerned himself primarily with the Academy and College at St. Mary's. He asked that parents of students be encouraged to send their children to traditional Catholic schools, and that traditional Catholics in general, everywhere, do everything they can to support traditional Catholic education.

The Archbishop pointed out that our schools and colleges will be the source of our vocations to the religious life, and also that in our educational facilities the fathers and mothers of traditional families of the future will be formed.

Citing the great expense of operating schools, the Archbishop encouraged all the faithful to be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for the establishment and support of traditional primary and secondary schools. He made special mention of gratitude toward benefactors who have given both spiritual and material assistance.

During his visit, His Grace took time out from his busy schedule to address the first American members of the Third Order of the Society, a crowning touch to their reception into the order just a few days previously.

After opening the spiritual bouquet presented to him by the members, the Archbishop spoke to them in English, asking them to pray for the Society of St. Pius X, for all its members and works, for its seminaries, schools and priories.

We take this opportunity to give readers a better understanding of the Third Order. Archbishop Lefebvre founded the Third Order in response to the need of the laity to share in the works and graces of the Society, and to find a source of spiritual strength to live a more consecrated life in the midst of the upheavals of our time. He wanted its members to be examples of Christian life in the world, and to be defenders of the social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

He knew that its members would be people whose lives are busy: working people, parents of families. Therefore, he set out very reasonable requirements which will not overburden the laity who wish to join the Third Order, but which will assist them in perfecting their lives.

Many of the rules are those which were commonly required of Catholics prior to Vatican II, such as: fasting on Ember Days and vigils of feasts, observing abstinence on Fridays, and, of course, practicing chastity according to one's state in life. Other rules are practices which would have been recommended by any pre-Vatican II spiritual director to Catholics who desired to deepen their spiritual lives: daily prayers and Rosary, spiritual reading, frequent reception of the Sacraments when possible, daily attendance at the Tridentine Latin Mass (again, where possible; otherwise the member is to spend an additional fifteen minutes in prayer each day).

Third Order parents are urged to make the home a sanctuary consecrated to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, where daily evening prayers and Rosary are said. To protect the members, they are told to abstain from things that are harmful to souls: television and unclean reading.

Returning now to His Grace's talk at St. Mary's, he referred to television, saying that he knows it is difficult for many families to abandon the television, but that he knows of some families who have given it up in order to become members of the Third Order. Afterwards these families told him that they at last understood why he had asked them to do so; for now there was more peace, quiet, and spirituality in the family. "Television should be a good thing," His Grace concluded, "but, in reality, in fact, it is not."

He summed up the purpose of the Third Order when he went on to say that it "is a way to become more Christian, a more perfect Christian, for all members, for all families."

Archbishop Lefebvre asked God to bless the Third Order members and their families, encouraged them to endure difficulties because they are bearing the Cross of Jesus Christ, and thanked them very much for their spiritual help for the Society. He concluded by giving his blessing to all present.

—Reported by Mary E. Gentges

 

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED
SO PROMPTLY AND GENEROUSLY TO
SAINT MARY'S APPEAL FOR FINANCIAL AID!