“The contribution that can be made to the apostolate of the family by men and women religious and consecrated persons in general finds its primary, fundamental and original expression precisely in their consecration to God.  By reason of this consecration, “for all Christ’s faithful religious recall that wonderful marriage made by God, which will be fully manifested in the future age, and in which the Church has Christ for her only spouse,” and they are witnesses to that universal charity which, through chastity embraced for the Kingdom of Heaven, makes them ever more available to dedicate themselves generously to the service of God and to the works of the apostolate.”  ~ St. John Paul II (Familiaris Consortio, 74).

Recommended Book for the Week

The Noonday Devil:  Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times

by Jean-Charles Nault, OSB

The word acedia in English comes from the Latin, which itself comes from the Greek akèdia, meaning “lack of care”—it originally referred to failure to bury one’s dead. In the Christian context, it came to mean a kind of indifference to the spiritual life, “a lack of spiritual energy.” This last phrase comes from a new book by Jean-Charles Nault, O.S.B., The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times.

Nault, the abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Wandrille in France, is one of the world’s experts on acedia. His thesis on the subject was given the first Henri de Lubac prize in theology by then-Cardinal Ratzinger, and this new book (translated into English by Ignatius Press) is a compact version of his more extensive study.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter!  I am so grateful to be able to come back and share with you many wonderful visits and graces!  On March 20th, Dr. Peter Kreeft gave a talk, “On Joy” to those who came to support the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.  It was a delightful gathering, and the Sisters shined as they presented their wonderful ministry as educators in Catholic Schools.  Below are photos from the luncheon held at Mt. Claret:

On March 24th, I visited the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará at St. Anthony’s Parish, Phoenix. They were founded in 1988 by Fr. Carlos Miguel Buela, IVE and belong to the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word. They wish to take seriously the demands of the Gospel in going “to make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:18) as modern missionaries. They seek to fulfill our religious vocation to be Spouses of Christ by living deeply the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. They wear a distinctive blue and grey habit as a sign of our total consecration to God and as a living symbol of the mystery of the Incarnation—blue representing the divinity of Christ, and grey the humanity of Christ. Their bright blue scapulars are also a way to honor the Virgin Mary, to whom they are consecrated in a fourth vow of Marian slavery of love according to St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort.  They are Catechists, Sacristines and prayer warriors for St. Anthony’s.

Friday, March 27th, Sister Mary Dolora Keating, RSM gave a wonderful Lenten Retreat Day for all the Staff of the Chancery at Mount Claret Retreat Center on how the laity can live the Evangelical Councils of Poverty,Chastity and Obedience.  It was day of prayer, graces and spiritual renewal for all participants.

On March 28th, we took a trip to San Xavier Mission in Tuscon, affectionately known as “The White Dove of the Desert”.  It is the first Mission in Arizona which was originally established by Padre Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit Priest in 1692.  It is a stunning work of architecture and elaborate artwork with statues of Jesus, Mary, Saint Francis Xavier, S.J. and many other Saints.  It is beautiful, and it is in need of funds for the restoration of the its exterior. This pilgrimage site is one that we encourage you to visit as it is a testimony of the generosity and sacrifice of the Jesuit Priests who brought the Gospel and the teachings of the Faith to the Native peoples of Arizona.  Its beauty and richness lift the heart and enlighten the mind.

During this Easter Season, I wish all of you many blessings and much joy.  The Lord is Risen, He is truly Risen!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

God bless you.

Your Sister in Christ,

Sister Anthony Mary Diago, RSM