STrib: Exorcisms make a 21st century comeback in Minnesota

Most U.S. exorcists are parish priests tapped for the work, and they shun being identified to avoid unwanted attention. That was the case with two Minnesota exorcists interviewed for this story. Every bishop must appoint someone to the task. Their preparation ranges from training in Rome to mentoring with a local exorcist.

A growing number from Minnesota are heading to the Pope Leo XIII Institute based in Illinois, founded several years ago by Midwestern Catholics to offer intensive courses on the scriptural basis for exorcisms and how to perform them. The exorcists can now use the first English-language version of the medieval Latin exorcism prayers, which became available in 2017.

full article at Star Tribune

Is Nashotah House Seminary haunted by a monk in black?

Newspaper articles dating back to 1902 detail various ghost sightings and supernatural experiences at Nashotah House Seminary [Anglican], 2777 MIssion Road.

Most of them recount the history of the "Black Monk," a priest named Daniel Pope who was murdered by his wife in 1852 to accommodate an affair she was having with another man. But his death was ruled a suicide and considered a repugnant sin, so Pope's body was not allowed to buried in the consecrated grounds of the cemetery at Our Lady of Spring Bank Cistercian, where he served.

Nashotah House was nearby, but Pope was not allowed to be buried in hallowed ground there either. His tombstone stands to this day, but is isolated from the other graves.

On her deathbed, the legend goes, Pope's wife confessed to her crime. The priests, horrified at their mistake, exhumed Pope's grave — but found his casket empty.

Now, almost 170 years later, Pope's ghost is said to appear every Halloween and wander the cemetery in search of what should have been his final resting place.

continue at JS

Live Stream: Marian Symposium at Guadalupe Shrine October 11-12

details at Guadalupe Shrine

A Zen Priest Visits the Site Where Fr Thomas Merton Died

James Ford's post today, in the Monkey Mind blog at Patheos, on a recent visit to the site of Thomas Merton's death, includes this local angle.

"On the 10th [of December, 1968] he was attending a monastic conference at the Red Cross retreat at Sawang Kaniwat in Samut Prakan, Thailand. After giving a talk in the morning, in the afternoon his body was found in his room with a fan lying across his body. The conference organizer Rembert Weakland, then abbot primate of the Benedictine order anointed the body. The body was returned to Merton’s home, Gethsemani Abbey, outside of Louisville. There was no autopsy."

The American Epoch in the Catholic Church

Evelyn Waugh looked ahead in Life magazine, September 19, 1949 (pp. 135-37, 140, 143-44, 146, 149-150, 152, 155).

"So the battle continues, one that can never be lost and may never be won until the Last Trump."

Pastoral Letter of the U.S. Bishops, September 1919

The Pastoral letter of the archbishops and bishops of the United States assembled in conference at the Catholic University of America, September, 1919, can be found in a scan of the print edition (1920) at the Internet Archive.

Fanatic Friday: High Steppin edition

Youth baseball season is officially over! Whew.  I've had a few people ask me recently "are you still blogging?"  I'm not sure I ever really was, but just maybe we will find a little space again. 

Meet the next Des Moines bishop: a philosopher, advocate and self-described 'Iowa guy'

The priest whom Pope Francis selected to replace Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates is an Iowa State Cyclone, a philosophy professor and a self-described "Iowa guy."

The Rev. William Joensen will be the 10th bishop for the capital city diocese. The Iowa State University grad, who attended medical school before being called to the priesthood, addressed Catholics Thursday morning, shortly after the Vatican announced him as bishop-elect.

Later Thursday, Joensen celebrated Mass at a downtown service and ate a meal at a Catholic Charities homeless shelter — the same gesture Pates made when he was appointed to the role 11 years ago.

Joensen said he was initially shocked to get the phone call, less than two weeks ago, that he was being named the next bishop.

continue at Des Moines Register

Wisconsin

If you can’t handle me at my worst then you don’t deserve me at my also worst. #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/2gWrLKltVL

— Katie B. White (@katbwhite) July 18, 2019

Chicago's 'Sister Strike' nominated for Best Viral Sports Moment

Chicago, Ill., Jun 26, 2019 / 05:01 pm (CNA).- Maybe it’s the signature bump of the baseball off her bicep before pitching the perfect curve ball. Maybe it’s that she does it all in a full black and white habit with a beaming smile on her face.

Whatever it is, the pitch of baseball whiz Sister Mary Jo Sobieck, OP, that captured the hearts of many over the past year inspired a baseball card, a bobble head, and now a nomination for a national sports award.

“Sister Strike,” as the Dominican sister has been called, has been nominated for an ESPY award in the category “Best Viral Sports Moment.” The ESPYs (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) are an annual sports awards ceremony honoring memorable people and moments in sports. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Tracy Morgan in Los Angeles July 10.

The moment for which Sister is nominated? It’s called “Don’t Sleep on Sister Mary Jo’s curveball”, and it’s the moment when she threw a curveball strike to Lucas Giolito at the ceremonial opening of a Chicago White Sox game in August 2018.

continue at CNA

After a three year legal battle, Abp. Fulton Sheen's body quietly transferred to Peoria, cause resumes

UPDATE, 6/27/2019: Archbishop Sheen arrived in Peoria Thursday, where he was taken to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Greeted by Bp. Daniel Jenky, flanked by clergy, religious and lay faithful, the bishop sprinkled holy water on Sheen's casket before he was brought to his permanent resting place: the side altar dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Peoria diocese has confirmed that Sheen's cause for canonization has resumed, and has noted the "divine coincidence" that this historic moment took place on the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

"Bishop Jenky has notified the Vatican indicating that civil litigation has ended and that Sheen's remains have been transferred," according to the press release by the diocese of Peoria. "The Vatican has confirmed that the Cause for Beatification has now resumed."

Visitation of Sheen's tomb is available Friday from 2–4 p.m., Saturday from 10–2 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

continue at Church Militant

HT BZ

* Sorry for my absentee posting. Four kids on for different baseball/softball teams, and that's the easy part of the summer schedule.

Bishop Hying installation to be broadcast on EWTN June 25

Solemn Vespers will be streamed live on Relevant Radio, and Facebook. The Mass of Installation will also be streamed live on EWTN.

Madison Diocese

Three Brothers Who Are Priests Show the Power of a Family Dedicated to God

Earlier this month Jerry and Bernadette Strand celebrated the priestly ordination of their son, Vincent. However, this was not the first time one of their sons became a priest. Over the past seven years, all three of their sons (Luke, Jacob and Vincent) completed seminary studies and were ordained in service to the Church.

While it may be surprising to hear about three brothers becoming priests, their story is not unique. There are countless stories of brothers responding to the same call of God to the priesthood.

continue at Aleteia

The past & future of Notre-Dame

Peter Pennoyer "On the preservation and reconstruction of the cathedral of Notre-Dame" at The New Criterion.

MKE Police gather for ‘Blue Mass’ ahead of anniversary of Officer Irvine’s death with Abp. Listecki

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police officers were honored Tuesday night, June 4 during the city's annual "Mass of Blessing for Law Enforcement" at the Basilica of St. Josaphat.

MPD suffered unimaginable heartbreak since the last blue Mass a year ago -- with three officers losing their lives in the line of duty. They were remembered, as those in attendance were uplifted.

"This is something else. It's my first time ever being here," said Officer Michael Bachmann.

"There's going to be good times and bad times in law enforcement, but we can't forget our faith and I believe in the power of prayer," said Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales.

The event brought together officers, their families and the community, standing side by side as Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki delivered prayers of unity, peace, and support.

"It is our law enforcement community that refuses to abandon hope, even for our most challenging community," said Listecki.

continue at Fox6

FSCC welcome three new sisters professing First Vows

“As Postulants, you chose the group title, Lanterns of Merciful Light. Today’s liturgy speaks of Jesus telling the Disciples that they will be witnesses of His suffering, forgiveness and merciful love. You have learned how to recognize the light of Jesus in another and you have had opportunities to experience Jesus’ mercy for yourself and extend that mercy to others. We now live in the promise Jesus made to send us the Holy Spirit to be with us. God will continue to give the graces to live the Vows throughout our life.”

https://fscc-calledtobe.org/2019/06/03/three-franciscan-sisters-profess-first-vows/

Wisconsin Cistercians attribute their growing membership to young women seeking to live radically for God

When six young aspiring sisters entered Valley of Our Lady Cistercian Monastery the year Prioress Mother Anne Marie’s own mother died in 2006, Mother Anne Marie wondered if her mom (who had six daughters) had anything to do with the new postulants’ arrival.

Whether or not a mother’s intercession played a role in the six millennials entering the community in the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, the new sisters proved to be an abundant blessing for then-novice-mistress Mother Anne Marie, 66, who was used to forming one or two postulants a year.

“I was pestering mom,” said the Mendota, Illinois, native, “‘If you’re pulling strings to get six postulants to enter all in one year, you’re going to have to help me.’”

Four of the six women went on to profess solemn vows, and more continue to enter, so much so that community leaders had to creatively allocate space to house their now 21 members and move ahead with fundraising to build a larger monastery.

continue at NCRegister

Journey of faith: Bishop Hying reflects on his time in Gary as he prepares for Madison

His time leading the faithful in the Region will be remembered fondly by Hying.

"I'll miss the warmth and friendship of the people. I've just met beautiful people here who have become friends in a short period of time," said Hying, who was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Gary on Jan. 6, 2015. "When I first came here, I worried about that because I never really lived away from my hometown, so I just wondered how that would go. But I felt completely at home here."

The fact he felt comfortable almost immediately was due to the "hospitality and kindness of the people," he said.

continue at NWItimes 

DITKA was at UW-Plattville Pioneer Catholic event

Apparently I need to get on their mailing list, this happened last Saturday.  They got DITKA and we didn't even know!

Coach Mike Ditka will be at St. Augustine's yearly Banquet. RSVP at www.pioneercatholic.org. He will be speaking as we showcase our ministry at UW-Platteville. All sponsors are invited to a special VIP pre banquet meeting at Newman Heights where coach will be signing autographs and chatting with people. Main event in Ullsvick Hall. For sponsorship information call Blaine Hechimovic at 920-296-2185.

St. Augustine University Parish - CNC

Reader looking for recommendations while passing through

From a reader, perhaps folks could chime in on the comments, she did not leave contact info.

Karen Marie Rotter

Two of us, mature female Oblates of St Benedict and members of an FSSP Parish in Tacoma, WA, and pilgrimaging from Olympia, WA throughout Wisconsin, Chicago, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma. My sister and other family members live in Cashton, WI so I have been privileged to visit the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine from the time of its Dedication. We could not find any lodging near the shrine, so it’s the only place we will have to resort to a motel; July 3-10 weekly rate $275 including tax is very reasonable, but we would rather stay at a Holy Place. This is not a vacation, and staying with my family would be too much of a distraction. I know there are residential houses just below the Shrine; do you know if any have room-rentals?

Can you tell me about the Latin Mass in Cashton’s St Mary Ridge, and about the Institute of Christ the King in LaCrosse, and other Holy Places that would be good to visit near LaCrosse. We will arrive by Amtrak and then rent a car for six weeks. We will stay a week at Resurrection Monastery while visiting the approved Apparition Site in Champion, then Holy Hill, Our Lady of LaSalette, and Marytown. We will then drop down into Chicago for a week at Holy Cross Monastery while a priest friend takes us to other Holy Places. We will visit the St Therese shrine in Darien on our way to Des Moines, Iowa, then head for Missouri for a brief stay at Conception abbey and several days with the Benedictine Sisters in Gower. We will then visit a dear Brother and friend at Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, and make a short visit with Mother Miriam in Tulsa before flying home. All of this on a tight budget. We were hoping to offset the major expense of a $1600 car rental through Costco Travel if someone in La Crosse wanted to donate a car to either Clear Creek Abbey or Mother Miriam, we could deliver the car to them via our Pilgrimage.

As to La Crosse, I don't know of any room rentals.  Eventually the Shrine may build guest housing but there is none currently available.