We have a unique diocese ~ well I'm sure anyone could say that of their own respective diocese ~ but within the Diocese of Saint Cloud we find numerous monasteries, an Abbey and a Priory were consecrated women and men reside: the Poor Clares, the Vincentian Fathers, Benedictine Sisters, Little Falls Franciscan Sisters, Benedictine Monks, and the religious who call Onamia "their home" and serve our area: the Crosier Fathers and Brothers. These many Consecrated Religious bring uniqueness to our diocese that is not present in many other dioceses around the country.
This Sunday, February 5th, the Church celebrates a little known observance: World Day for Consecrated Life. This special day was instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997 ~ and is a way to highlight those religious who seek to live their Baptismal promises more intensely. Like all Christians, the foundation of our spiritual lives is our Baptism into Christ Jesus and into his Church. Our common Baptism calls each of us to live our lives as disciples of Jesus in day-to-day living and in our own special vocational way. But there are those who seek a deeper relationship to Christ by consecrating their lives by special vows: Poverty (realizing that they own nothing for themselves but share all in common), Consecrated Celibacy (giving up the joys of marriage to live for God alone), Obedience (being open to the Holy Spirit through the guidance of superiors and the common life they share with their fellow religious).
For the Crosiers, our Consecrated Life rests on three pillars: Community Life, Prayer and Ministry. Living together in our Priory (and yes, the term for our home is "Priory" not monastery!) is our first ministry to the Church. From our Common Life flows all else that we Crosiers are about. Prayer: we Crosiers pray for the Church, the world, for the special needs people have (and in keeping with the National Shrine of Saint Odilia) especially those who are sick and in need of healing. Five times a day the bells of the Priory Church peal out over the city of Onamia as a reminder that we Crosiers are gathering for prayer: 7:30 am (Morning Prayer), 8:00 am (Eucharist), 11:50 am (Noon Day Prayer), 5:00 pm (Evening Prayer), 9:00 pm (Night Prayer)…and there is a special ringing of the bells at 3:00 pm to remind us that it was (by tradition) at 3:00 pm that Jesus died on the cross for us. When you hear the bells realize that we Crosiers are joining our voices in prayer for each of you who read this bulletin article today. Next to Community Life, Prayer is our most important ministry as Crosiers. And finally, Ministry to the people of our area: to Onamia, Wahkon, Hillman, Vineland , Milaca, Foreston, Mora, Ogilvie, and others places who call upon our services. Like most religious we are diminishing in numbers but our spirit for Ministry is alive in serving you, even as we age.
As the people of the United States are caught up this Sunday in the rituals of Super Bowl XLVI, we Crosiers and other religious will continue, as always, to be caught up in the rituals of our day-to-day Consecrated Life ~ for the glory of God, for the service of the Church, and for the people we serve.
Father Jude, osc ~ Associate Pastor