October 3, 2023
Dear Friends,
Tonight Franciscans around the world celebrate the “Transitus”—St. Francis’s passing through “Sister Death” to eternal life with the Father. Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, we will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi (“the Seraphic Father”) at our Noon Mass. This liturgical observance takes precedence over First Wednesday’s St. Joseph devotions. After Mass, we will pray the Franciscan Crown and then a light reception will be offered to anyone attending.
Both First Friday (October 6) and First Saturday (October 7) occur this week. Saturday is also the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. As a Rosary Shrine (Our Lady of the Cape is the Queen of the Rosary), the power of the Rosary was displayed in the historic naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571 saved Christendom from a seemingly sure Muslim victory. That victory inaugurated this feast. The Rosary, an unpretentious Christ-centered devotion to Our Savior’s holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, packs a lot of power to defeat our spiritual and physical enemies. Come to “Mary’s House” at our shrine and continue this legacy of spirituality—so needed for our times—as we will pray the Rosary after Mass and meditate on its Mysteries for 15 minutes (in observance of First Saturday).
Sunday, October 15, we will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. Joseph Chapel with a Noon Mass OUTDOORS with Archbishop Vigneron. It will be followed by an outdoor Reception at 1:30 pm. Please RSVP Dawn at (586) 419-5291 or [email protected].
To communicate with me, please email me directly at [email protected] or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries