Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, I want to wish all of you a blessed Christmas Season and New Year, may your hearts be filled with joy, peace and love!    This time of year is one in which the light of Christ illumines brightly giving us wisdom.

St. Thomas Aquinas speaks eloquently of wisdom:

“Among all human pursuits, the pursuit of wisdom is more perfect, more noble, more useful, and more full of joy.

It is more perfect because, in so far as a person gives himself to the pursuit of wisdom, so far does he even now have some share in true beatitude.  And so a wise man has said, Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom (Sir 14:20).

It is more noble because through this pursuit man especially approaches to a likeness to God who made all things in wisdom (Ps 104:24).  And since likeness is the cause of love, the pursuit of wisdom especially joins man to God in friendship.  This why it is said of wisdom that she is an infinite treasure to people which they that use become the friends of God (Wis 7:14).

It is more useful because through wisdom we arrive at the Kingdom of immortality.  For the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom (Wis 6:21).

It is more full of joy because her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but joy and gladness (Wis 8:16).

And so, in the name of the divine mercy, I have the confidence to embark upon the work of a wise man, even though this may surpass my powers, and I have set myself the task of making known, as far as my limited powers will allow, the truth that the Catholic faith professes, and of setting aside the errors that are opposed to it.  To use the words of Hilary:  “I am aware that I owe this to God as the chief duty of life, that my every word and sense may speak of him.”

~St. Thomas Aquinas (+ 1274) was a Dominican Priest from Italy.  He remains one of the Church’s premier Doctors.

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The Gift of a Diocesan Hermit:  a Life Dedicated to Growing in Wisdom and Grace

Saturday, December 1, 2018, on the Feast of Blessed Charles de Foucauld – Fr. Eugene Florea, a Diocesan Priest of Phoenix, was Consecrated as the first Diocesan Hermit, and he made First Profession of Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, committing himself to a Carmelite Rule of life.  He received a modified Carmelite habit and a religious name:  Fr. Eugene Mary of the Trinity.

Here are some photos from his Consecration at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix.

 

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Fr. Eugene Mary of the Trinity!

Let us rejoice as we celebrate the Incarnation, God the Father’s gift to us in His Son!  Merry Christmas!    God bless you.

With prayers, I am

Your Sister in Christ,

 

Sister Anthony Mary Diago, RSM

Director of the Office of Consecrated Life

Diocese of Phoenix, AZ