September 15, 2023
Dear Friends,
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The “Sorrowful” part of Mary’s heart was her choice to share in her Son’s Passion, while the “Immaculate” part was a gift from God. Come visit our statue of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary tomorrow, Saturday, September 16, and pray in front of it to Our Lady asking for the grace to, yes, share in Jesus’ Passion too. The Passion is the theme of our campus at St. Joseph Chapel & the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341). St. Bernard writes in the Office of Readings for today (Sept. 15): “The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual story of our Lord’s passion… Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son…. Thus the violence of sorrow has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering. Do not be surprised [then], brothers, that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit.”
Other events of note, including being open on Friday, September 29, for the Holy Archangels, are listed below. (We are open every Wednesday and Saturday.)
- (Mon. Sept. 18) Third Monday: Evening of Reparation (7:00 pm Rosary, Chaplet, Mass)
- (Thurs. Sept. 21) Third Thursday: 7:00 pm Mass & Holy Hour for Life
- (Fri. Sept. 29) Feast of Ss. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael: 12:00 pm Mass
- (Fri. Sept. 29) Last Friday: 7:00 pm Healing Service (Confessions, Holy Hour with Rosary, Prayer Teams)
To communicate with me, email me directly at [email protected] or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. In this month of the Sorrowful Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries