Ubi Petrus

Our Diocesan magazine, Parable, has a good interview with one of the nuns in the local contemplative Order, the Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood in Manchester.  Sister Christine Marie Maier entered the Cloister in 1988 and became their Vocations Director in 2008.  In this interview she discusses her early life, her path towards the Cloister and aspects of the life she loves.  I can only hope this article is read by young children (and not-so-young children) far and wide.  The world needs contemplative nuns.

Sister Christine Marie speaks with awe of the special vocation she and her community enjoy. “Contemplative prayer is mysterious; it is the highest form of prayer. This type of prayer comes through God, and you can only make yourself available to it.” Though the vocation comes as a gift, she says, the person must respond in very concrete ways. “When we make our vows, we vow to really focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ. We seek to imitate Christ, to imitate the Blessed Mother. Everything we do in our life, we do with an intention that it is going to make us a better and more complete people, because Christ Himself did everything well.

Today we pray for Rev. Deacon T. Kelly Fitzpatrick and Rev. Deacon Edward Munz.

Deacon Fitzpatrick was ordained in 1989 and is now retired.

Deacon Munz was ordained in 2004 and serves St. Catherine of Siena’s Parish in Manchester.  Yep, he’s our deacon and he’s an all-around pretty doggone smart and spiffy guy.

May they be continually inspired by the example of St. Stephen; may their love for the Lord and His Church grow each day; and may they seek ever to find new ways to serve the People of God and draw more souls to Christ.  May Mary look over them, shelter them in her mantle and lead them to her Son.