May News
Scars of Salvation
Dear Friends in Christ our King,
We enter this month of May with the vivid recollection of Our Lord’s Resurrection fresh in our hearts. This past Sunday, we heard how Jesus invited Thomas to touch His scars, offering undeniable proof that He had truly risen with a real, glorified body: “Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27)
Our Lord Jesus Christ kept His scars for several reasons, according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Firstly, these scars remain for the sake of the apostles and disciples as tangible evidence to strengthen their faith and to prepare them for their mission of preaching the Resurrection and embracing martyrdom.
Secondly, the scars are now an ongoing plea to the Father, since Christ in Heaven shows these wounds while interceding for us. When Jesus seated at the right hand of the divine throne makes a request to His Father on our behalf, while showing to the Father the scars of His glorified wounds, God the Father cannot then refuse any such request. Thirdly and fourthly, these scars will play a role at the Last Judgment: to console the just, showing the price of their salvation, and to rebuke the wicked, reminding them of the mercy they rejected.
Our own scars—our weaknesses, faults, and sins—can also be healed and glorified through Christ, especially through the Sacrament of Penance. Confessed and forgiven sins become lasting marks of the merciful forgiveness of the Lord and signs of His triumph over our human frailty.
During this Easter season, we are called to bring all our spiritual injuries to Jesus, so that, through the divine power of the Holy Eucharist in Holy Communion, our souls will experience the medicinal power of grace in order to heal these interior scars. By doing so, we prepare for the joy of one day seeing and touching the glorified wounds of Christ, as did St. Thomas the Apostle, provided we remain faithful.
Let us do nothing which would disqualify us from such a happy encounter, and let us do everything we can to earn such a happy eternity! Alleluia!
Yours faithfully in Christ our Infant King,
Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico
U.S. Provincial Superior
2025 Pentecost Pilgrimage
to the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians
Save the date! The Holy Name Society of St. Stanislaus Oratory in Milwaukee, is hosting the annual Pentecost Pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians at Holy Hill on Saturday, June 7, 2025. All are invited to participate.
For those interested, please register at the link below.
April Updates at
Sacred Heart Retreat Center
We welcome the arrival of the Spring season!
Soon we will close our 6th month of construction. Work continues to progress on all floors and the new remodeling layout for the second and third floors has been revealed.
Key Construction Updates Include:
1st floor 1930’s wing
- East Refectory walls and ceilings are being closed up.
- West work has started and is ready for above ceiling inspection.
1st floor 1950’s wing
- Half of all stud walls are up and the overhead rough-in for the electrical, HVAC and plumbing has begun.
- Stud walls are up and the overhead rough-in of the Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing is complete.
2nd floor 1930’s wing
- East will have the drywall ceilings installed once the 3rd floor is closed up; studs to follow.
- East is ready for in-wall inspection and should have drywall going up end of the month.
- West work has started and is ready for above ceiling inspection.
2nd floor 1950’s wing
- Berghammer has completed installing studs and roughing in, drywall is almost complete, and tape, mud and texture should be complete at the end of the month.
3rd floor 1930’s wing
- East had inspection last week and we can start to close up the walls and ceilings.
- East is finishing up tape, mud and texture. Paint should begin end of the month.
- West Dignitary Suites is roughed in and ready for in-wall inspection.
3rd floor 1950s wing
- Passed first inspection. All walls are drywalled with texture and paint to follow.
- All walls taped, mudded and textured along with primer and 1st coat of paint. MEP work above the new acoustical ceilings is ongoing. Additional finishes coming soon.
- New windows are complete less than the openings Berghammer is using for loading materials.
We look forward to updating the continued progress next month and enjoying the warmer weather!
Follow the news on restoration progress! To see all videos detailing work at Sacred Heart Retreat Center, click the link below to see the playlist.
To learn more about the Sacred Heart Retreat Center, click the link below.
Ordinations Pilgrimage to Gricigliano
June 28 - July 5, 2025
Join family and friends of the seminarians of the Institute of Christ the King in celebrating their elevation to the sacred priesthood, diaconate and subdiaconate, minor orders and tonsure, at the Institute’s Baroque church in Florence! See the many treasures of Florence and take excursions to medieval Lucca and the Seminary in the Tuscan hills!
For more information, click the link below.
2025 Summer Camps at
Sacred Heart Retreat Center
Save the dates! There will be four camps for the youth this summer taking place at Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Burlington, Wisconsin:
- Saint Therese Camp for Girls (July 7-11)
- Immaculate Conception Camp for Young Ladies (July 13-19)
- Saint Dominic Camp for Boys (July 21-25)
- Saint Michael Camp for Young Men (July 27-August 2)
For all information, including registration registration links and frequently asked questions, click the link below.
Read the testimony from the parents of one of the participants last year:
"My son was nervous about attending, but he met a boy his age, and they have since become pen pals. We encouraged them to write handwritten letters instead of emails, and they’ve been exchanging letters ever since. Their letters are filled with faith, prayers for each other, and conversations about sports, God, and family. My son loves receiving these letters. The same is true for my daughter—it has been an incredible experience for both of them."
Volunteers Needed!
Interested in helping out at summer camps in Wisconsin? We need all the helpers we can get!
Those interested who are at least 18 years old can follow the link below to apply. The deadline to apply is May 1.
May God reward you for your generosity!
2025 Sursum Corda Retreat
This year's Sursum Corda Annual Young Adult Retreat will take place from June 6 to 9 at the Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center in Michigan. Come and join young adults from all over the country in a time of prayer and fun!
For more information, including and how to register, click the link below.
A Word from the Sister Adorers
Visit of the Reverend Mother
The sisters were blessed this month with a visit from their Reverend Mother Madeleine-Marie, usually based in Italy. During this time, they had the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a beautiful church developed by Cardinal Raymond Burke while he was Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse.
In addition to the church, there are extensive grounds including paths, a rosary walk, a Way of the Cross, and an outdoor shrine of Our Lady serving as a memorial for the unborn. During these crucial days, the sisters prayed especially during this pilgrimage for Holy Mother the Church.
Good Servants. Good Stewards. Good Friends.
Reaching Out to Souls
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Donate securely online. Set up an easy recurring gift.
Contact us with any questions: 773-363-7409 x13
Contact us with any questions: 773-363-7409 x13
A special request to our many online donors: The fee that the Institute pays for electronic fund transfers is far lower than that for credit card transactions. Please consider making your online gifts from your checking or savings account. Thank you!
Please remember the "Institute of Christ the King" in your will!
Little Flower
Recurring Gift Society
All of our benefactors who make a recurring gift of any dollar amount are enrolled in the Little Flower Recurring Gift Society.
Members have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for them and are prayed for especially during the Perpetual Novena in honor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus offered at our U.S. Provincial Headquarters.
Spread the Good News!
Share Our Newsletter with Your Family & Friends
Stay connected with the Institute family! Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter and join us in the restoration of Catholic life and culture in America.
Already signed up? Update your Flocknote profile and contact information to make sure you stay connected!
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