Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Blessed May, the month in which we honor our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, conceived without sin! Alleluia! As we honor our Mother, the Mother of God, let us rejoice and give thanks to God for Consecrated Life which is lived constantly praying for others, in service to the Church and emitting the light of Christ to all in the world.

Recommended Book for Marian Consecration

Excellent for true devotion to Mary.

Sr. Marie Day of the Schoenstatt Movement founded in Germany

On March 20th, Sally Leroy, a member of the Schoenstatt Community (Movement) here in Phoenix, came with Sister Marie Day, a Schoenstatt Sister, to visit me in my Office at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.  It was delightful to meet Sally, Sr. Marie Day and a married couple who are also members of this Secular Institute.  In the Diocese of Phoenix, there are presently no Consecrated members of the Schoenstatt Movement, however there is a large group of lay members of the Schoenstatt Movement who gather to pray together.

Sr. Marie, a married couple and Sally Leroy.

Picture of the Founder: Fr. Joseph Kentenich

In October of 1914, Father Joseph Kentenich and a small number of students gathered together in a little chapel.  There they sealed a “Covenant of Love” with Mary.  A new place of grace came into existence!  Today, people flock from all over the world to visit it.  The stream of grace has since overflowed; to date, nearly 200 replicas of this “Original Shrine” exist worldwide.  I have been to the one in Sydney, Australia.

Schoenstatt Shrine in the Archdiocese of Sydney

Schoenstatt is an international Movement in the Roman Catholic Church founded in Germany.  It is a spiritual family composed of priests, laity, families and youth in over 90 countries.  By living the covenant of love with Mary they conquer hearts for Christ and build a culture of love for a new Christian society.  The covenant of love is a mutual exchange in which Mary completely gives herself.  Whoever responds by offering his or her life entirely to Our Lady — love and suffering, prayer and work, gratitude and confidence, success and failure will experience:  I am not alone!  Mary, the Mother of Jesus is also my mother.  All members are united in the covenant of love.  This attachment to Mary awakens the desire to become more and more like her: bringing to Christ to others and assisting them to live their own baptismal covenant with God. On April 15th, I visited the Crosier Community of Fathers and Brothers in Phoenix.  Fr. Thomas Enneking, OSC is the Provincial and the Superior of the Crosier Priory.  The Crosier Community of Phoenix lives and prays together in their priory located in the Biltmore area of central Phoenix. The Crosiers serve as associate pastors and provide weekend assistance in the Diocese of Phoenix. They are involved in a number of apostolates, including campus ministry, immigration assistance, jail ministry, spiritual direction, visiting memory care patients, and other ministries that serve the Church.

Sister Sabria with Brother Emil

On the way to enter the Priory.

This tile reminds me of medieval times which was when the Crosier Community was founded.

They are Crosiers, members of the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, dedicated to the spirituality of the glorious Cross. The Crosiers minister to help people find hope in suffering and joy from struggle. Living Together for God Alone, Crosiers follow the Rule of St. Augustine. Their community life, along with our fidelity to public celebration of the liturgy of the Church and their rich contemplative prayer life form a substantial part of their ministry to the Church. Crosiers work in education, chaplain service, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, jail ministry, immigration services, and elder care. The U.S. Province is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with two Crosier priories in Onamia, Minnesota, and Phoenix. The international headquarters is in Rome, and Crosiers serve the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia. The Order was founded in 1210 by Blessed Theodore de Celles and companions. The name Crosier is derived from the French word croisés—signed with the cross. In medieval England, Crosiers were known as the Crutched (crossed) Friars. The designation refers to the cross and the spirituality of the Order. The primary feast day of the Crosiers, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, reflects a spirituality focused on the triumphant cross of Christ and our glorified Lord. A distinctive mark of the Crosiers is the red and white crusaders’ cross worn on the scapular of their religious habit.

We prayed a Holy Hour with the Crosier Fathers and Brothers.

Their Chapel is simply beautiful!

We had a delightful time during our visit.

On April 18th, I attended the 27th Annual Crozier Gala of the Diocese of Phoenix, organized by the Catholic Community Foundation at Xavier High School in Phoenix.  This elegant event was a fundraiser for Catholic Education. There I saw some of the Crosier Fathers as well as other Religious men and women.

Father Robert Rossi, OSC with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lange, Director of Catholic Cemeteries.

Sisters of Loreto from the Cathedral of Phoenix.

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and School, Phoenix.

Mallory and Gerard Smyth, FOCUS Missionaries that are newly-wed!

A choir of high school that sang like angels!

On April 23rd, I enjoyed being with the Serra Club for a fantastic Golf Tournament Fundraiser for Vocations!

Having the time of my life!

My first go ever at swinging a club! I hit the ball straight.

On May 1st, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Fr. Paul Sullivan, the Vocations Director of Phoenix, and I gave a Vocations Presentation to a group of 50 home schooled children at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.

Fr. Paul Sullivan and I gave a vocations presentation to home schooled children.

We told our testimonies and answered questions.

Let us turn to our Blessed Mother every day this month with deep love and gratitude for her “yes”, and may we gain strength and consolation from her guidance and intercession which is constant and pure.

Immaculate Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us!

Yours in Christ through Mary,

Sister Anthony Mary Diago, RSM