October News
Christ is Our King
Dear Friends in Christ our King,
This year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of the encyclical Quas Primas by Pope Pius XI, instituting the feast of the Kingship of Christ, so dear to the heart of the Institute.
We recall Christ’s words before Pilate: “My Kingdom is not of this world.” Christ’s Kingdom is spiritual, and as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches, it can be understood in three ways. First, it is the Kingdom of Heaven itself: it is the eternal gathering of angels and saints. Second, it is the reign of Christ within our souls through grace, by which we already begin to share in heavenly life while still on earth. Third, it is His visible Kingdom on earth, the Catholic Church, which labors to teach, sanctify, and guide souls toward eternal salvation.
Because Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, the state exists to safeguard man’s higher calling rather than dominate it, respecting God’s law above all. Yet we live in times when society often rejects Christ’s reign. This should not lead us to discouragement, but rather to greater zeal. We must first promote His Kingdom within ourselves through prayer, the liturgy, and the sacraments, and then extend it to others by sacrifices, spiritual works of mercy, and by giving witness to Christian virtue in our daily lives.
Finally, Christ extends His reign through the priesthood. Priests are called to administer the sacraments, preach the truth, and direct souls to holiness. We must pray for priestly vocations, support seminarians, and provide generously for their formation so that Christ’s Kingdom may spread in a world so desperately in need.
Let us renew our consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Christ our King. Let us live faithfully in the grace of God, and persevere with confidence until, as citizens of Heaven, we share forever in the peace and joy of His eternal Kingdom, the life of the world to come.
Yours faithfully in Christ our Infant King,
Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico
U.S. Provincial Superior
Blessing of Sacred Heart
Retreat Center
by the Archbishop of Milwaukee
On September 23, Sacred Heart Retreat Center was honored with the first visit of His Grace, the Most Reverend Jeffrey Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee. Archbishop Grob blessed the newly renovated north wing of the retreat center and enjoyed an extensive tour of the building and grounds. The retreat center director Canon Aaron Huberfeld, General Manager Canon Andrew Todd, Guest Master Abbé Jeffery Walton, and business manager Donn Hoffmann were all there to welcome His Grace.
The Archbishop assured our community of his prayers and enthusiastic support for the retreat center. He will be sure to visit again soon as the retreat center's activities commence and the renovations progress. We are deeply grateful for his fatherly care and encouragement!
Sacred Heart Retreat Center
Now Open
Thanks be to God! Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Burlington, Wisconsin opened its doors on Saturday, September 13th with the official ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Phase One renovations of the retreat center.
Visit the new website today at shrcburlington.org and learn about the program of spiritual formation waiting for you. Registrations are open: we hope to see you soon!
Hall to Holiness Campaign in Kansas City
Rejoice with us in this historic moment for Old St. Patrick Oratory and the Institute of Christ the King! By God’s Providence, the Institute has acquired the beautifully maintained Old Public Library Building, consisting of over 60,000 square feet right next to the Oratory. This provides space so greatly needed for classes, offices, conferences, and parish life.
This $3.4 million purchase, made possible through generous benefactors and friendly loans, marks the beginning of Old St. Patrick Oratory's Hall to Holiness campaign: a five-year, $5 million effort to repay the loan, improve parking and courtyards, and transform the new building into a vibrant center for Catholic education, formation, and community.
Learn more about this project at the link below.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
April 13-24, 2026
Join Canon Heitor Matheus on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land next April!
The Sacred Scriptures will come to life as you walk in Christ’s footsteps—to re-live His birth, childhood, public ministry, Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
The pilgrimage tour follows the life of Christ and allows you to pause in prayer at the holy sites. See the cave where Christ was born in Bethlehem. Pray on Mount Calvary in Jerusalem. Be amazed when you see the empty tomb and know that He is truly risen.
For more information and to register, click the link below.
"Shrines & Steins" Pilgrimage
Embark with Canon Benoît Jayr on an unforgettable Catholic pilgrimage through Prague, Austria, and Bavaria, where faith, history, and culture meet. Pray before the miraculous Infant of Prague, celebrate Mass in magnificent cathedrals, and walk the historic streets of Europe’s great cities.
From Vienna’s imperial grandeur to Salzburg’s Alpine beauty, and from Bavaria’s cherished shrines to the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI, each day offers sacred encounters, rich traditions, hearty meals, and the joy of fellowship united in daily Mass. For more information, click the link below.
A Word from the Sister Adorers
Maria Bambina
Continuing a devotion which dates back to the Middle Ages, the Sister Adorers venerate a wax figure of Mary as a little child at their convent in Wausau, Wisconsin. Finding its origins in Milan, Italy, the devotion to the “Maria Bambina” is widespread and has been practiced by many saints. The Sisters’ convent is named in honor of Maria Bambina and on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they honor her in a special way by bringing the statue to St. Mary’s Oratory for the veneration of the faithful.
“Come close to her sacred cradle, consider what she is doing, and you will find that she practices all virtues in a most eminent way: ask the angels, cherubim, and seraphim who surround her if they can match this little child, and they will answer that she infinitely surpasses them in virtues, graces, and merits.” St. Francis de Sales, sermon for the Nativity of Our Lady
Good Servants. Good Stewards. Good Friends.
Reaching Out to Souls
Blessing of the new chapel at the Oratory of St. Joseph, the Institute's apostolate in Reno, Nevada
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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