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Men, Happy Feast Day of St. Junipero Serra!
The Feast Day of St. Junipero Serra is especially significant this year, because the western leg of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage coming into Jefferson City this Wednesday is under the patronage of St. Junipero Serra. As you likely know, there are four national processions of the Eucharist occurring simultaneously that will conclude on July 17 in Indianapolis, and we are blessed to have the St. Junipero Serra Eucharistic Procession come through Jefferson City on July 3 through July 5.
This is epic, because this is our opportunity to show the community, teach our families, and prove to ourselves that we believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. How can we do this? By our presence.
I announced at our June gathering that we Men of Signum Crucis have been asked to be present for one hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this Thursday, July 4, at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter (formerly known as St. Peter Church) across from the Capitol. I chose the noon hour, banking that many Men of Signum Crucis would back me up and be present from noon to 1:00 p.m. to adore the Real Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. I said during the June gathering that it would be great to have 20, 30, 40 Men of Signum Crucis in adoration that hour.
That night, 14 men signed up to be present on July 4 at noon at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter. How about you? Can you be present for Jesus for an hour? If you did not speak to me during our June gathering that you plan to come, please use this survey to let me know that you plan to be there. If you sign up via the survey, I will send you a text reminder the day before to remind you of your commitment.
If you are unable to commit at this time, but later this week you realize that you are able to come, that’s great. I’ll see you there. If because the noon hour does not work for you, feel free to pop in at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to adore the Real Presence of the Eucharist.
For more information regarding other opportunities to participate in this historic event in the Diocese, click here to access the Diocesan website.
I hope you will take part in this historic event–it’s very likely we will not experience another one in our lifetime.
Moving on….
Marian Consecration Coming Soon…
Men, with appreciation to Dave Lankford (again!!), we will begin a 33-day Marian Consecration on July 20, which will end on August 22 (the Feast of the Queenship of Mary). The text we will be using is 33 Days to Morning Glory–a Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration, written by Father Michael Gaitley. Dave will supply any Man of Signum Crucis with a book to use for these 33 days. I have used this book twice at Helias with my students as we participated in the Consecration preparation. It is very well written and offers the insights of St. Louis de Montfort, St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Teresa of Calcutta. It is an easy read and is not as lengthy as the Consecration of St. Joseph we made in February/March.
I hope that you will discern that you can make time for this exceptional devotion. Dave will not only provide the book but also intermittent encouragement in the form of text messages. Thanks again, Dave, for helping us become more devoted to our faith while also learning about our faith.
It’s not too late to sign up, but your last chance to get the book from Dave is at our July gathering (July 19). The consecration ceremony will take place during our August gathering (August 21).
Our Next Gathering–July 17 with Coach Chris Hentges
Coach Chris Hentges is excited to be back with us on July 17. Coach will present on several of the events of the 16th century that led up to the Reformation, and he will discuss the Council of Trent and problems with Reformation Theology. He will conclude with the Catholic response to these events (i.e., Apologetics). Coach’s presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. This is a “must-be-there" presentation, because it is so important for us to understand the events that took place that have caused much of the division in Christianity that exists today, and this presentation will help you understand how to respond to current circumstances. If you are able to come early, the Rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. As always, fraternity and refreshments will take place in the Commons following Coach’s presentation.
Eucharistic Revival and Congress
I hope you are staying ever faithful to the Eucharist–we are nothing without it. I hope you will consider attending a daily Mass (or two) each week, and do your family a favor and invite them to attend also.
My wife and I have the wonderful opportunity to attend the first Eucharistic Revival in the United States in 83 years in Indianapolis on July 17 through July 21.
So, this means that I will not be present for the July 19 gathering of the Men of Signum Crucis. Never fear–you are in good hands. Our trusty Planning Group is aware and as always they will be present to do their parts to facilitate the gathering that evening. This is the first time I have missed a monthly gathering since our first one on September 21, 2022, and it takes a once-in-a-lifetime event such as this National Eucharistic Congress for me to miss our monthly gathering.
Why is the National Eucharistic Congress so important to me? Our complete understanding and advocacy of the doctrine of the Real Presence is needed now more than ever in our country. In my mind, it is the answer to all of our societal issues–it’s just that not enough people understand what they are missing (both within and outside the Church).
My question is: What are we without the Eucharist? (Maybe you can ask Coach Hentges that question…..)
Future Gatherings
Following our July gathering, our schedule is as follows:
● August 21, 2024–Catholicism vs. the Culture–Can We Co-exist? I will lead a discussion on the impact of culture on our faith, and more importantly the impact of our faith on the culture.
● September 18, 2024–The celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in observance of the beginning of the third year of the Men of Signum Crucis, with the Mass intention of Michael Rackers.
● October 16, 2024–In observation of October as the Month of the Rosary, Ed Galbraith will join us with a reflection on the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Thank You!
Thank you to Father Dan Merz for his exceptional presentation in June regarding the Eucharist. I heard many very positive remarks. If you see Father Merz, I hope you will let him know how much we appreciate his service as a priest, his knowledge of the Liturgy, and that he is welcome to join us on any third Wednesday of any month.
Men, we need to express our gratitude to our priests as often as possible. I encourage you to thank them after each Mass you attend. I repeat: what are we without the Eucharist?
In Conclusion…
I hope you are able to gather with your fraternity of the Men of Signum Crucis on July 17 at Helias Catholic High School. Ask (another) son, father, brother, uncle, or friend to come with you. Each man present is needed–someone is better because you are there. Afterwards, we will enjoy fraternity and refreshments in the Commons.
Thank you for your fidelity to the Men of Signum Crucis. Your dedication to this growing apostolate is inspiring. I pray that you are growing in your faith each month, and that you will always invite other men to join us.
And, let us never forget: St. Joseph “chose hard.” Let’s choose to do the same.
St. Joseph, Foster Father of the Son of God, and patron saint of the Men of Signum Crucis, pray for us.
In hoc signo, vinces,
Mark Rehagen
P. S. In hoc signo, vinces: https://veterumsapientia.org/in-hoc-signo-vinces/
Future Gatherings:
● July 17, 2024 (Coach Chris Hentges on Apologetics)
● August 21, 2024 (Mark Rehagen on Catholicism and the Culture)
● September 18, 2024 (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)
● October 16, 2024 (Ed Galbraith on the Blessed Virgin Mary)
● November 20, 2024 (Adoration and Confession)
Mark your Calendars now
2nd Annual Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference–April 25-26, 2025
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