September News
The Cross Stands
Dear Friends in Christ our King,
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis. The Cross stands while the world turns.
This age-old motto of Carthusian monks is written at the foot of a large stone cross in the cloister of the Benedictine monastery in France where I made my spiritual retreat in preparation for priestly ordination. As we enter the month of September, that blessed month dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross which will be celebrated on September 14, these words are more relevant than ever in times such as ours: The Cross stands while the world turns.
In this beautiful world which God created, the disobedience of man has introduced instability. As the world turns, the uncertainties of so many trials and tribulations are forced upon us. However, the love of Jesus upon the Cross restores stability to our lives, as it did for the Good Thief and for the Roman centurion St. Longinus on Good Friday.
While woes come and go, just as people are here today and gone tomorrow, God’s love never changes amid the instabilities of this life. God remains eternally stable in His perfection, but this divine stability is never aloof nor stoic. On the contrary, God’s stability is dynamic in the generous outpouring of His merciful love for us. His Providence always continues! Such has been the experience of our community at the Shrine of Christ the King following the massive fire which occurred on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, October 7, 2015. While the burning roof collapsed into the church’s interior, the 17th century wooden statue of Christ the Infant King remained standing in its place above the high altar. In the aftermath of that tragedy, Christ the Infant King has never failed to provide for our community, making good His promise to the Venerable Carmelite Father Cyril, “The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.”
Our traditional Novena in honor of the Infant King continues from the 17th to the 25th day of each month despite the suspension of public Masses at the Shrine. A record number of prayer intentions for this Novena have poured in from far and near. The Ex Voto page on the Infant King Offerings website contains over 200 messages of gratitude from people who have received graces thanks to this Novena. Gratitude for past favors inspires confidence in future blessings: The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.
Let us then continue! Let us hold fast to the Cross! Let’s keep on walking together in the bloody footsteps of Christ our crucified King, as we carry those crosses which God allows to be imposed upon us. If we accept the grace which enables us to support one another in mutual charity and patient perseverance, then the cross which is faithfully borne today will eventually be exalted tomorrow. Indeed, the day will come when the Sign of the Cross will appear in the Heavens (Mt 24:30) and the Son shall return in glory for the triumph of His truth and His love. Let us not walk with heads downcast at the steep path before us. Rather, let us elevate the eyes of our soul in joyful anticipation of that blessed Day of the Lord! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!
With sincere appreciation, I thank you for praying the daily Memorare prayer to our Blessed Mother for the special intention of the Shrine of Christ the King. United with you in the daily remembrance of your intentions at the holy altar, I am deeply grateful to you for your generous support for our US provincial headquarters, which continues as always its work for the Institute apostolates nationwide. With every best wish, I remain,
Yours faithfully in Christ our King,
Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico
U.S. Provincial Superior
A Recap of the Summer
Saint Therese Camp
From Julianne, a camp attendee:
I can truly say, being at camp is like a family reunion. All the activities strengthen the bond of charity, especially attending Holy Mass, rosary walks, and Vespers together. The Canons, Abbés, and Sisters provided beautiful spiritual talks, encouragement, and generous example to edify; hilarious songs, skits, and mealtime conversation to entertain.
Beyond joys shared, I believe we helped inch some children closer to Our Heavenly Father. It was my honor and joy to assist with such a grace-filled endeavor. We had more than 130 girls at this year’s Saint Therese camp for younger girls. It was a lot to keep track of, but to quote Mother Teresa, “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.”
From Avila, another attendee:
I went to Camp Therese for the first time this year, and it was SO MUCH FUN! I loved the Olympics—my favorite game was Tug-of-War. I made lots of new friends, some from far away and some from nearby. We made rosary pouches and camp journals with the Sisters, and we learned lots of things.
Flag Wars was super fun, even though the light side won, and I was on the dark side! Oh, and the Talent Show was amazing—I was in a skit! The best part of Camp is the campfire, where we all sit around and sing songs. I can’t wait to go again next year!
Immaculate Conception Camp
From Marcela, an attendee at this year's Immaculate Conception Camp:
The Institute camp activities encourage teamwork and spirit. My favorite parts of teen camp were playing bandana wars and the Olympics. At teen camp there were several spiritual talks from the sisters and canons that were both entertaining and healthy for the soul. I’m looking forward to camp next year!
Saint Dominic Savio Camp
From Justin, a camp attendee and helper:
l have had the privilege of attending 17 Institute summer camps (8 camps as a camper, 9 as a chaperone). This camp is a convenient place for your children to partake in fun activities, make new friends, and learn more about their faith through their teams patron saints.
First off, fun activities usually consist of relay races, obstacle courses, flag wars, football, soccer, basketball, kayaking, etc. in which every camper is tested in strength, endurance, and virtue while having a great time!
First off, fun activities usually consist of relay races, obstacle courses, flag wars, football, soccer, basketball, kayaking, etc. in which every camper is tested in strength, endurance, and virtue while having a great time!
Additionally, there is a great opportunity for the boys to make new friends as well as learn to work as a team with their fellow campers and form great friendships.
Most importantly, every day they have the privilege of attending Holy Mass and Confessions along with spiritual talks by the Canons and Seminarians who also help out with the activities.
Most importantly, every day they have the privilege of attending Holy Mass and Confessions along with spiritual talks by the Canons and Seminarians who also help out with the activities.
Therefore, If your children are interested in a camp with exciting activities and meeting other boys their age while being in a Catholic environment. This is definitely the place to go! Special thanks to all fellow volunteers for all their hard work on the field, in the kitchen or behind the scenes this camp would not be possible without you! God bless!
Saint Michael Camp
From a seminarian assisting at the camp:
It was my first time at the summer camps of the Institute of Christ the King in Wisconsin this year of Our Lord 2022, and it was a true benediction because they were simply a delight in themselves.
I sincerely hope that I am invited to join our rustic retinue next year, and I can only wish that I had participated in the camps myself as an adolescent: they were all fun, no nonsense, and all for God. Are you looking for a camp where you can have a blast and authentically grow in your faith, in which true spiritual flourishing is joined to masculine and enthusiastic competition? Look no farther! See you in 2023!
A Word from the Sister Adorers
Summer Camps
with the Sisters Worldwide
July and August are marked by the joy of summer camps in many of the Sisters' houses. The Sisters in Italy traveled north to the Italian alps to host a camp for young girls under the patronage of Saint Jacintha of Fatima. The camp featured activities such as embroidery and watercolors and culminated with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
At our newest house in Ardee, Ireland (County Louth), the girls spent the mornings with the Sisters making rosaries, learning calligraphy, and helping in the kitchen, and then they set off in the afternoons for outdoor games and competitions, long walks, and pious visits to nearby shrines.
The musical camp in Switzerland this year was focused on pieces from the French opera, Dialogues des Carmelites by Francis Poulenc, adapted from the English story, The Song at the Scaffold.
Here in the United States, the Sisters helped out at the girls' camps in Wausau, Wisconsin and in Green Lake, Wisconsin, where they led sewing and embroidery activities for over 200 girls and young ladies.
Gregorian Chant CD on Sale
Sursum Corda
Have you listened to our latest Gregorian Chant CD, "Sursum Corda", sung by the seminarians of the Institute of Christ the King? This CD features the chants from the Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The digital album is available for only $10! Have a listen and purchase here:
Good Servants. Good Stewards. Good Friends.
Bringing Our Lord to Souls
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Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
U.S. Provincial Headquarters
6415 South Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60637
773-363-7409
6415 South Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60637
773-363-7409