Knights Launch New Priest Retreat Website

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament“Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest awhile” (Mk. 6:31). The Knights of the Holy Eucharist are pleased to announce the launch of their new Priest Retreat website, www.priestretreat.com, on January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Intended as a resource for priests, deacons, brothers, and seminarians seeking a time of private retreat at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, the site provides information on accommodations, travel, daily schedules, and reservations, as well as contact information.

Each year over 200 consecrated men enjoy the beautiful accommodations provided free of charge at the residence of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist. During their time at the Shrine, priests, deacons, brothers, and seminarians are able to spend time in personal prayer, walk through the rolling hills, and attend or celebrate Mass either in the Knights’ private chapel or at the Shrine.

Nestled just a short walk from the Shrine, “The Barn,” a modern building with a rustic Guestroom at the Barnlook, has twelve fully furnished guest rooms with private baths and a beautiful private chapel for prayer and Mass. These beautiful retreat accommodations are available free of charge. Hospitality is provided by the Knights, and all meals are complimentary. During their stay, our guests are allowed to join community activities.

Come see us and enjoy a restful personal retreat at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, located in the peaceful countryside of northern Alabama. For more information, visit us at www.priestretreat.com.

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Comunita Cenacolo

Last Monday, we had Comunita Cenacolo over at our residence for a talk on how the Shrine began given by Br. David, supper cooked up by Br. John Mary and Br. Michael, and finally…we cheered on our teams in the College Football National Championship game between Alabama and LSU. We all had a very enjoyable evening and thank the men of Cenacolo for joining us. To learn more about Comunita Cenacolo, you can visit their website at www.comunitacenacolo.org.

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From the Knights

Castle San Miguel after a snowfall

Castle San Miguel after a snowfall

Greetings from the Knights in this new year! We hope and pray that your new year will be filled to overflowing with graces from our loving Lord. We will be praying for you during 2012 (and always!).

Last year at this time we had snow on the ground from our big snow (well, it was big for the South, anyway!). If you missed it last year, you can read our post here.

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We Have a New Novice!

Br. John Mary is dubbed a Knight of the Holy Eucharist.

Br. John Mary is dubbed a Knight of the Holy Eucharist.

It is with great joy that the Knights of the Holy Eucharist announce the January 1st investiture of our aspirant Jess with the novice tunic as he received the name Br. John Mary, Defender of the Divine Mysteries. Fr. Shenan Boquet officiated at the ceremony and gave a moving reflection and exhortation on the life of service in which the Knights are called to lovingly and courageously persevere. Br. John Mary is one of the Shrine’s sacristans and his new title, Defender of the Divine Mysteries, alludes to this dignified role. Please pray for him as he begins this new stage of his formation.

 

 

 

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A Blessed New Year to All!

2012 has begun! Let us give thanks and praise to God for bringing us safely through 2011 and beg Him for blessings on our world, so in need of God’s mercy.

We are grateful for your prayers and support during 2011. May God reward you!

The Shrine at night

The Shrine at night

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At the End of 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, we express our gratitude to God for his manifold blessings of this year, and we look forward with hope to 2012. May God bless you abundantly and fill you with His peace during 2012!

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St. Joseph and Fatherhood

A guest post by Fr. Peter Stryker, C.P.M., Rector, Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

Creche nativity scene

Year-round nativity scene in the Creche

This coming Father’s Day, which falls on June 17, 2012, try this: Stop by any place which has a selection of Father’s Day cards and see how many present a really positive image of fathers. Not too many? Well, all the more reason for us to make a special effort to affirm fathers in their vocation!

And who would be an excellent model of fatherhood? St. Joseph, of course! Virtuous fathers are good fathers. Of all the virtues we see in the life of St. Joseph, one of the most important is humility. As one great preacher was fond of saying, “Humility is openness to the truth about ourselves. And the truth is that we are specks in the universe. Yet God loves the speck!”

Imagine becoming the earthly father of the Son of God! Through his great humility, St. Joseph was wide open to the special graces he needed in order to fulfill his special vocation.

A humble person is grateful. Thus we also see the humility of St. Joseph through his wonderful sense of gratitude to God.

Every father is called to the marvelous vocation—along with his wife—of raising up children for the kingdom of God. With St. Joseph as their model of fatherhood, modern fathers can take to heart the words of Pope Paul VI: “[St. Joseph] is the proof that in order to be a good and genuine follower of Christ, there is no need of great things—it is enough to have the common, simple and human virtues, but they need to be true and authentic” (address, March 19, 1969).

St. Joseph, father of the Holy Family, pray for us during this Christmas season!

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Back into Our Archives…

Baby Jesus figurine

Check out this beautiful Christmas Benediction homily by Fr. Dominic Mary, M.F.V.A.!

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New Additions to Our Eucharistic Resource Page!

We’ve added links to our Eucharistic resource page! Check them out!

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Merry Christmas!

“Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.”
–Anonymous

Nativity scene

Year-round Creche nativity scene

Christus natus est, alleluia!
Christ is born, alleluia!


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