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The Crux of the Matter - May 2026
- Mark Rehagen
- Apr 28
- 9 min read
Men, my remarks this month focus on Eastertide, dabbling, and a famous woman in the history of the Church to whom we men need to pay heed.
In reverse order, first, the amazing woman to whom Pope Gregory XI listened to end one of the most unfortunate circumstances in the history of the Catholic Church–St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast day is celebrated today.
To set the stage, in AD 1309, due to civil and religious unrest, as many of you are aware, Pope Clement V fled from Rome to Avignon, where he knew he would have the support and protection of the French King. This began the period of Church history known as the Avignon Papacy, when seven popes in succession lived in Avignon, refusing to live in Rome, separating themselves from many of the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and lived in opulence.
These abuses of the papacy and the secular lifestyle of the popes were destructive to the unity of the Church, and there was no end in sight. That is, until a passionate, forceful, learned, mystical, lay woman of the Church by the name of Catherine of Siena, at the age of 29, confronted the Avignon Pope Gregory XI and became the voice of reason and somehow convinced him to return the papacy to Rome. It was a watershed event–singlehandedly this uneducated woman changed the course of history through her devotion to Jesus Christ and the Church He founded by bringing unity to the Church. No doubt, damage had been done, and it would be some years later before reforms within the Church would take place, but St. Catherine of Siena set the ball rolling toward that reform.
Why do I make such a point of writing about St. Catherine of Siena?
Besides her being one of my favorite female saints, her life is a reminder of the importance of us men to listen to the wisdom of people around us who can guide us to unity with Christ. These people around us might be the men in our lives after whom we model our lives–but it might just also be those women who exhibit that “feminine genius” that we men lack. In humility, let us each consider the importance of the women in our lives who help us to stay grounded–may we, as did Pope Gregory XI, always remember to listen to wisdom. It is easy to get caught up in the culture, but the culture is not where we engage wisdom.
Which brings me to my second point–what do you dabble in?
It might be a confusing question, and you are likely questioning my sanity for posing the question, but bear with me.
What are those passions that motivate you, that you desire to spend more time in, that you spend time doing without need for pay? What is it that “makes you tick”?
Think for a minute about those things before you read on–what are the things that occupy your free time?
So often, our American lifestyle can provide so many enjoyable experiences. It brings happiness to us in so many ways, yet, in the end, there always seems to be something “missing” from all those things that occupy so much of our time.
That is unless, of course, one of the things that occupies our time is our relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have found that, after all these years (call me crazy, Paul Simon), the culture that we often seek–those earthly passions that “motivate” us–cause us to long for something more. Not more of the natural, but some of the supernatural. Maybe even more of the supernatural.
So maybe instead of just dabbling in the spiritual realm, maybe we should dive headfirst into it.
Moving to the third topic of my remarks, let’s continue our journey from Lent into Eastertide by striving to encounter the joy that comes from unity with Christ. I encourage you to seek to spend more time developing a deeper friendship with Jesus Christ. As we heard at Mass this past Friday: “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.”
You want life? Do you seek a closer relationship with Jesus Christ?
It is the Eucharist that brings us the joy that we should long for. I hope you will consider adding a weekday Mass or two to your routine during this Eastertide. It’s not that difficult to insert one or two of these daily Mass options into your schedule:
Monday: 7:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03 at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Tuesday: 6:30a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
12:03 at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
5:30p at Immaculate Conception
Wednesday: 8:00a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
8:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03 at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Thursday: 6:30a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
7:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03 at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Friday: 8:00a at Cathedral of St. Joseph
8:00a at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
8:00a at Immaculate Conception
12:03 at Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Saturday: 8:00a at Immaculate Conception
There are lots of opportunities to “show up” for the Holy Eucharist (and these options don’t even include the daily options at St. Martin, St. Stanislaus, St. Andrew in Holts Summit, St. Francis Xavier, or St. Joseph in Westphalia…).
Maybe it’s our turn to be like St. Catherine of Siena, who displayed a level of wisdom well beyond her years. Let us experience the joy, fulfillment, and wisdom that she experienced.
Happy Eastertide, Men.
Amen.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Dr. Marcus Peter at the Cathedral Tonight!
Men, I realize that your calendar might already be set for this evening, but do your best to clear it for a great opportunity to hear Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Dr. Marcus Peters at the Cathedral tonight at 6:00 p.m. The event is entitled, “This is the Hour.”
Deacon Harold is an internationally known speaker who hosts a program on Catholic Radio at 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. I highly endorse any event that Deacon Harold speaks at–he is a holy man with a very interesting background and an excellent speaker. I heard him at a Catholic Radio event approximately five years ago, and I am looking forward to hearing him again tonight.
As a huge bonus, Deacon Harold will be introducing Dr. Marcus Peter to the mid-Missouri area. Dr. Marcus Peter hosts a daily program on Catholic Radio (88.1 FM) at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Peter is a passionate convert to the Catholic faith and interviews many Catholic leaders to keep his listeners informed on the important Catholic issues of our day. I look forward to finally hearing him in person.
I hope you will join me tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral.
The 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference in Review
Men, the 2026 Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference is in the books, and I hope you were there and had a great time. If you were unable to attend, here’s the good news: plans are underway for the 4th Annual Men’s Conference–mark your calendars now for April 2 and 3, 2027.
Many of you told me how impressed you were with our keynote speaker, Pete Burak. Yes, he definitely delivered a hat trick–getting the chance to deliver an unexpected third presentation on that Saturday afternoon, due to Msgr. Eugene Morris not being able to arrive following a flight delay from Texas the day before. God provides: Pete heard about this on Friday evening and offered to present in Msgr. Morris’s place.
God also provided via Father Stephen Jones, who stepped in at very short notice to celebrate Mass and deliver another one of his superb homilies, before challenging us during our afternoon session to suffer and sacrifice in conformity with the priesthood that all men are called to live.
And, finally, I was in awe over the maturity of the three young men from St. John Henry Newman Parish in Columbia who delivered a Q & A session entitled, “Hope Does Not Disappoint.” Thomas McCauley, Austin Stewart, and Alex Mittendorf gave us a shot of hope in the arm, telling us about the state of young people that they encountered at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and assured us that they are equipped and energized to rally young Catholics their age. Men, the next generation has arrived–let’s prepare to hand the torch to them.
It’s not too late to let us know how we can improve next year’s Heart of a Hero’s Men’s Conference by filling out this survey. Please let us know your thoughts about the Conference so we can bring you a better product in 2027!
Midwest March for Life Tomorrow!
Men, I hope you will participate in the Midwest March for Life tomorrow at the State Capitol.
It’s easy. We just need to show up.
It is important that we show up to make it clear that men are pro-life, and that we are there for couples who are in situations where abortion is being considered. It is also important that the public and news media see a large crowd supporting the pro-life movement. Every year the media tend to report a much smaller crowd at the National March than what actually shows up, so we need to have a huge crowd here at the State Capitol tomorrow. Every person there makes a difference.
Some key events you might want to participate in tomorrow:
8:30 a.m.: Rosary on the South Capitol steps led by Father Anthony Viviano
9:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremony
10:00 a.m.: Keynote Presenters, followed by the March through downtown
1:30 p.m.: Holy Mass Celebrated by Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter
Click here to learn more about the Midwest March for Life.
St. Joseph Challenge This Weekend!
Men, do you want a physical challenge that will surely engender a deeper faith and devotion to St. Joseph, our patron saint? Register for the Joseph Challenge in St. Louis. This event will take place this weekend, on May 2 and May 3, and is a 24-mile walking pilgrimage by way of four sites that are consecrated to St. Joseph–the parish of St. Joseph in Manchester; the Carmelite Monastery in Creve Coeur; St. Joseph Church in Ladue; and the Shrine of St. Joseph in downtown St. Louis. Click on this link to learn more and register.
If you plan to participate, please contact me so we can possibly carpool there and back.
I look forward to the challenge!
Reasons for Hope (Part V)
Men, we need to invite and seek Hope into our lives. Why? Because, as St. Paul wrote, “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
I recently heard that nine men have applied in the Diocese of Jefferson City to enter the seminary this fall!
God does provide, doesn’t he?
Yet, we must continue to do our part. Let us pray and fast and encourage all young people we know to consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.
Then, yes, God will provide.
Set your calendars now for the 4th Annual “Heart of a Hero”
Men’s Conference–April 2-3, 2027
Thank You to Father Stephen Jones for Presentation in April
Thank you to Father Jones for his very thorough and passionate presentation on the Shroud of Turin at our April gathering. I hope that each of you went home stunned by the impact of the Shroud of Turin–for people who claim to be atheists or agnostics, or who simply just have their doubts, or who lack passion for the faith, the Shroud of Turin is a game-changer. So many lack faith these days because they don’t have physical proof–but the Shroud will cause them to consider the supernatural.
That said, we know that we do not need physical proof to believe in God–we walk by faith, and not by sight. But the Shroud gives us a tool to use when discussing our faith with an atheist, agnostic, or skeptic.
I also want to add that a small group in the Jefferson City area has recently formed a 501(c)(3) organization to accept donations to purchase a Shroud of Turin exhibit that would be located here in mid-Missouri but would be shared with people throughout the State of Missouri. Their efforts have just begun, with $15,000 collected so far of the $80,000 needed. Contact Norb Plassmeyer at 573-291-2614 to learn how you can be a part of this group that will make the exhibit available to people throughout the Diocese and beyond, and in our schools and beyond.
Our Next Gathering–May 20, 2026
Our next Men of Signum Crucis gathering will be on Wednesday, May 20. As we always do in May, at 6:30 p.m. we will have the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration, Confessions, and Benediction.
Feel free to come early to pray the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Refreshments in the Commons will follow the presentation.
The schedule for the evening is
6:00 p.m.: Optional Rosary begins
6:15 p.m.: Confessions begin
6:30 p.m.: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Confessions continue
7:10 p.m.: Benediction
7:20 p.m.: Fraternity and Refreshments in the Commons
7:55 p.m: Litany of St. Joseph in the Commons
8:00 p.m.: Dismissal
Please mark your calendars now to join your fraternity of men at Helias on May
In Conclusion…
I hope each of you will bring another new man or two with you to our May gathering and the Heart of a Hero Men’s Conference–young or old, old or new. They’ll be glad you asked them. We are called to be disciples, and as disciples we have a calling to spread the Gospel in whatever way we can. Bringing someone new to spiritual events is a great way to fulfill our missionary calling.
And, let us never forget: St. Joseph “chose hard.” When given the choice, 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
573-680-2520
Future Events:
● May 20, 2026 (Adoration, Benediction, and Confession in the Chapel)
● June 17, 2026 (Father Gabriel Landis, O.S.B., “Benedictine Spirituality”)
● July 15, 2026 (Topic yet to be determined)
● August 19, 2026 (Topic yet to be determined)
● September 16, 2026 (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as we begin our 5th year)
Set your calendars now for the 4th Annual “Heart of a Hero”
Men’s Conference–April 2-3, 2027