“I give myself with my whole heart to this community so that by the Grace of the Holy Spirit, and the help of Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, and our Holy Father Saint Francis, I may seek growth in charity in the service of God and the Church.”

Br. Michael during his final commitment

It was with great joy that, among the other commitments, we witnessed Br. Michael Mary make his final commitment as a Knight of the Holy Eucharist. Having been with the community for 8 years, Br. Michael, on this holy day that recalls Our Blessed Lord’s institution of the Holy Eucharist, embraced the life of the Knights for the duration of his whole life. At the beginning of Br. Michael’s final commitment, Br. David Mary, Brother Guardian of the community, spoke the following words: “Brother Knight, by water and the Holy Spirit you have already been consecrated to God; are you resolved to unite yourself more closely to Him by making private promises, committing yourself to God’s service in the Knights of Holy Eucharist for the whole of your life?” Br. Michael responded, “I am.” After further examination, Br. Michael, kneeling before the Most Blessed Sacrament, proceeded to make his final commitment to God. Included in this commitment were the following words, “I, Br. Michael Mary of the Most High and Adorable Sacrament, commit for the whole time of my life to serve as a Knight of the Holy Eucharist and to live according to their Customs, Spirituality and Directory.” After signing the Commitment Book upon the altar, he received the blessed crucifix with the words “Brother Knight, you have died with Christ in order to live with Him. Receive this crucifix which you will wear as a sign of your commitment to imitate Him in all things, so to inherit eternal life.”

Br. John Mary receiving his hood and scapular

On this day we also celebrated Br. John Mary, Defender of the Divine Mysteries, having completed the Knights’ Novitiate of his formation. Having completed the Novitiate, Brother received the blessed hood and scapular with the words “Brother Knight, receive this hood and scapular as a sign of your devotion to the Holy Eucharist; to Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception; and to the Holy Father, in the spirit of Saint Francis. Wear it lovingly and devotedly so that you may one day be clothed in the garment of holiness.”

At the end of the ceremony, Fr. Joseph Mary, M.F.V.A., Spiritual Assistant to the Knights, blessed all present with a relic of Holy Father St. Francis. We all wish to express thoughts and prayers of gratitude to our many family members and friends who have offered innumerable prayers for and assistance to us over the nearly 15 years of our community’s existence. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

To understand how much Deacon Bill was in love with Jesus, you did not need to look further than his relationship with the Knights of the Holy Eucharist. He was always there as a spiritual father to us, whether he was in fairly good health or in the midst of his many physical sufferings. If we ever needed any spiritual advice, he would be there with his down-to-earth way that was very reassuring. Many times out of the clear blue, he would ask, “Give me a meditation.” Just to see the way he lived his life was a meditation in and of itself!

If there was one word that described Deacon Bill, the word would be faithful. He could daily be found attending morning and evening Divine Office at the Shrine and would not shy away from teaching first-time Divine Office participants how to pray the prayer of the Church he so valiantly loved and served. He continued to assist as deacon at the altar as long as his health allowed. The many visiting priests who had the privilege of meeting him and experiencing his joy would not fail to mention this encounter to the Knights. Also, the Knights can vividly remember how he would pace the back of the Temple here at the Shrine as he prayed his daily Holy Rosary. For Deacon Bill, the Eucharist and the Rosary were indispensable parts of his spiritual life. Even in the last years of his life, if evening came and he had not made his daily Holy Hour, he would not allow the time of night to discourage him from making a Holy Hour. Deacon Bill was a man who, every minute of the day, was in continual conversation with God.

Speaking about Deacon Bill’s passing, Sr. Mary Michael, P.C.P.A., who is one of the nuns who came with Mother Angelica to Alabama and now takes care of Mother, said:

“Upon hearing of Bill’s death, Mother Angelica’s eyes welled up with tears and she began to pray silently. Bill was an extraordinarily faithful and loyal friend to Mother and our community for many years. We all felt the love he had for each one of us personally and experienced it in his many heroic sacrifices and his total self giving. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for us. We loved him dearly as our best friend and brother and will miss him terribly, but we know he entered Eternal Life with that huge smile and said “Thank you, Jesus!” And all of us thank Jesus for his most beautiful life, a true and genuine Catholic Christian. May God grant him eternal rest.”

The recent days of Deacon Bill’s vigil, funeral Mass, committal and burial were days that were quite remarkable. The many people who came to pay their respects and to show their love for the good deacon were souls who had been forever touched in some way by the life of this faithful man. We honored him and thanked Jesus for, as Sr. Michael said, “his most beautiful life, a true and genuine Catholic Christian.” Mother Angelica always said, “We are all called to be great saints. Don’t miss the opportunity.” Deacon Bill did not miss the opportunity of daily striving to become a great saint. May his soul rest in the ever-abiding peace of Christ.

Last month the Knights attended a showing of the new epic Ignatius Press film, “Restless Heart,” and we highly recommend it. Filmed in Europe, “Restless Heart” is the first full-length feature movie on St. Augustine. It uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of Augustine of Hippo, one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved and well-known saints. Its message is as timely today as it was only a few generations after Jesus walked on earth. “Restless Heart” is the story of one who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass, and the changes that occur when events lead him to see the light. It also chronicles the collapse of the Roman world and how Augustine laid the intellectual foundations of what became Europe.

For more information on having showings in your area, visit http://www.restlessheartfilm.com/.

Stephen with Mother Angelica on the day of his investiture as a Knight

On May 11, Stephen Vacek, who spent six years as a Knight, completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana. (As a Knight, he bore the name of Br. Fidelis Maria of the Sacred Host.) Now as a seminarian for the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, Stephen will begin his studies in theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. Br. Michael Mary was able to attend the graduation ceremony on behalf of the Knights. We would like to congratulate Stephen on his graduation and wish him many blessings as he journeys toward ordination as a priest of Jesus Christ, our Eucharistic King. Congratulations, Stephen!