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Our own Sr. Mary of Jesus, O.P. sang the Exultet by canlelight
The dedication was performed by Archbishop Michael Corrigan, who had invited the Dominican Nuns of Newark, New Jersey to make a foundation in New York, for the purpose of praying for the seminarians and priests of the Archdiocese. There were 21 nuns in the community at the time, and their foundress and prioress was a saintly woman, Sr. Mary of Jesus, O.P., whom the sisters still affectionately call "Notre Mere" ('Our Mother').
The monastery chronicles mention that it was a long and exquisite ceremony, made even more so by the fact that Archbishop Corrigan chose to consecrate both the outside Chapel and Nun's Choir, something which is not usually done. The repeated trips in and out of the enclosure by the Archbishop and his entourage certainly added length and pomp to the awesome event!
On this, the 112th Anniversary of that wonderful day, the sisters gathered in their choir to give thanks - to God, for his unfailing goodness and mercy to this community, and to their many benefactors, living and deceased, whose generosity through the years has made their life of prayer possible.
This year, the mass was celebrated by Fr. Peter Bannan, chaplain of Corpus Christi Monastery and Pastor of St. Catharine's Church in Pelham. In his homily, Father Bannan so beautifully captured the heart of our Dominican contemplative life that we can only do it justice by presenting it in its entirety (with his permission, of course!):
Our beloved chaplain, Fr. Peter Bannan celebrated mass on the Anniversary of the Dedication of our Chapel
many who would say to you today that I'm glad you're still here. Before I get to the readings that were chosen for this mass I made a decision; I'm going to take for my text the psalm, whatever it turns out to be. Why? Because the psalms are so rich and lovely and deep and pure, which is the way life in a monastery has to be - rich, deep, lovely and pure. And also because the singing of the psalms is such an important and beautiful part of your life. And then because they nurture people and they enrich them and they also enrich and elevate those for whom we would sing those psalms.
Do you know that's not right?? Maybe I shouldn't have said that. This isn't your house - this is God's house. This is his monastery, this is his sanctuary. The psalm says "Happy are those who dwell in your house O Lord; they never cease to praise You" (Ps. 84:5). Do you love this place? You love this building. You love it in Truth. You love it because each of you is a part of this place. You are its life, its breath, its voice, its prayer. But maybe you'll deny that. Maybe you'll say, 'that's not right - it isn't us it's Christ living in us. He is the life of this place; the breath and the voice and prayer'. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of worshipping the Father in Spirit and in Truth. That's what happens here in this place when filled with His Spirit, filled with His Life and His Truth, you sing psalms and offer mass and live your life and love each other and always, with all you heart and soul and mind and spirit, you worship God in Spirit and in Truth. This should be a very happy day.
Now if any of those facts aren't right, it's not my fault. I got them out of the Popular History of the Archdiocese last night. But what matters is this chapel with you here on this day; 1889 is 117 years ago, and I'm one of
Adoramus Te Christe,
et benedicimus Tibi:
quia per sanctam crucem tuam
redemisti mundum.
We adore You Christ,
and we bless You:
Because by Your Holy Cross
You have redeemed the world.
Solemnity of Corpus Christi 2006
Our dear brother, Fr. John Kusumalayam, O.P., successfully defended his dissertation on March 29, 2006 at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Father John's thesis focused on the issue of human rights, in particular what our Catholic theological tradition can contribute to the contemporary understanding of the issue. Father states that the concept of the human person as imago Dei provides the Christian basis for the affirmation of human rights and human dignity as expressed in the U.N.'s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He argues that a return to the classical tradition of understanding the human person, and human communities, as created in the image of a triune God (imago trinitatis), more clearly reflects the reality of humans as ontologically relational. "The human person is created to be in relationship ...the trinitarian concepts that we have analyzed give us a relational anthropology, which can sustain neither pure individualism nor pure collectivism, but envision a community where both the individual persons as well as their relationality is adequately and responsibly integrated, valued and respected". Father concludes that greater use of this concept in Catholic social and moral thought can provide an integral and holistic approach to human rights and a theological basis for responsible and dignified human life and behavior. (If we misquoted you, Father, forgive us, we know not what we do!) top
Luis and his mother, Dulce Elvira, arrived in New York on April 18th, and Luis underwent corrective heart surgery on Tuesday May 2 at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center. All medical, transportation and hospitality expenses were provided by the Rotarians.
This wonderful program has not only offered life and hope to countless families throughout the world, but has also brought together community groups of various ethnic backgrounds to participate and contribute.
Monastery News
The building had been the home of Wagar High School in Côte St. Luc for forty years; it was closed in recent years due to declining enrollment. Shortly before the closing of the school, an incident involving a former student, who expressed anti-Semitic sentiments and caused a disturbance at a local Synagogue, caused much concern for Jewish and Christian residents alike. The members of the English Montreal School Board recognized that the best way to prevent such incidents is through education and cultural exchange. They therefore decided to "twin" two local high schools, Laurier MacDonald High School (which is predominantly Italian Catholic) and Bialik High School (which is predominantly Jewish). Students visited each other's schools and learned about the struggles of their ancestors who immigrated to Canada. Special attention was given to the study of the Holocaust; the School Board and the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre teamed up on a Holocaust sensitization program which brought students to the museum for visits and meetings with Holocaust survivors. This program was organized in connection with the the official renaming of the Giovanni Palatucci Educational Center, and the students played a major part in the ceremony.
It is hoped that the building will serve as a reminder, not only of the horror of the Holocaust but also the responsibility of each individual to stand up against injustice. “We all have in our life the opportunity to do good," stated Nino Colavecchio, president of the National Congress of Italian Canadians, in a talk at the ceremony, " Let Giovanni Palatucci be an inspiration to you”. top
The students have dedicated this tour to Giovanni Palatucci, and in fact, one of the students in the group is a distant relative of the Italian hero.
We offer all those involved our prayers and best wishes as they begin their pilgrimage. If you would like to follow the students on their journey, click here.
Check out our Newsletters! Winter 2006 Spring 2006
For them, it is the opportunity to thank us for our poor prayers; For us it is an opportunity to thank God for the gift of these vocations to His Church, to celebrate the grace given to these wonderful men to respond to and persevere in His call, and to pray with them that their service to the Lord and His Bride will bear abundant fruit.
After mass, each of the priests offered us their first blessing.
Five of the "rookie" priests were ordained for the New York Diocese, and have been assigned to various parishes in the area. The other three are members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (C.F.R's) and will serve in the missions of their congregation. They could be sent to another state or country, but fortunately for us, they will be serving the Order right here in the Bronx for now.
And, of course, we would have been happy to venture out of our monastery again to attend their ordinations in Canada, but alas, we didn't get permission for that!! top
This work is an extension of our brother's passion for helping vulnerable members of society — the poor and homeless, immigrants and those without health insurance. “As caregivers, we have a moral obligation to care for everyone, especially those outside of the health care system,” says Brother Perkins. top
Fr. Larry Morlan
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O God of Justice and healing, We pray for the people of Iraq.
We pray for their safety, security, the restoration of the country and of the well being of each person. We pray that peace be restored. We pray for Wisdom and Right Judgment for all the leaders who are responsible for decision making. We pray for Courage and Understanding for all the communities of Iraq, that they put aside their differences and focus on the common good. We pray for Counsel for those who are establishing and participating in the new government of Iraq, that they seek to serve the needs of all. We pray for Fortitude for those who will confront the unjust and violent activities that are taking place within Iraq. We pray for all those who are suffering from the effects of war, that they may be filled with Courage and Consolation. We pray with all our Dominican family in union with Dominic and Catherine, that the Holy Spirit lavish the people of Iraq with His gifts. Amen.
Click here for news on Dominicans working for Justice and Peace
In addition to his responsibilities as superior of the Dominican
brethren in the province and its overseas missions, Fr. Izzo is also
president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, an
association representing 210 religious communities in the United
States, and Consultant to the Committee on
Priestly Life and Ministry of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops.
Several of the sisters have known Father since his novitiate days in Ohio, and enjoy reminding him of his many visits to their monastery in Cincinnati (which unfortunately closed a few years ago). At the time, he was responsible for bringing the altar linens to the monastery to be cleaned; Father told the sisters that each week, the extern sister would not allow him to leave until he had spent some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament!
Fr. Izzo is currently serving as Priest-Consultant for the Conference of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers, which represents the Dominican monasteries in the United States. Father has always had a deep respect for, and genuine interest in, the lives of the nuns, and we are very blessed to be the beneficiaries of his wisdom and generosity. top
Fr. Dominic Izzo, O.P., surrounded by his sisters in St. Dominic in the Bronx.
Homily given on the Anniversary of the Dedication of Corpus Christ Monastery Chapel
by Rev. Peter Bannan, Chaplain
We are deeply indebted to Mr Jim Romeo, President of the Rotary Club of the Bronx, for making us aware of this wonderful program.
To learn more about the Gift of Life Program, Click here. top
Fr. Walter Wagner, O.P., Novice Master (center) and the new novitiate of the Province of St Joseph.
If you would like to visit the websites of Dominican provinces in Latin America or around the world, Click here.
The community was spiritually rejuvenated and enriched during our annual retreat with Fr. Brian.
Drawing from Scripture, spiritual writers and his own rich experience working among the poor of Central and South America, Father spoke of contemplation as the spiritual and moral act of being in the present moment, focused on and attentive to God's presence in the silence and stillness within our being. It is here that the Word is born in each of us and we are recreated in His likeness. top
To Preach Prophetically"
(l. to r.) Giovanni Palatucci with his uncle, Bishop Guiseppe Maria Palatucci, and cousin, Fr. Alphonsus Palatucci, O.F.M.
In 1943 the Swiss consul in Trieste, a close friend of Palatucci, warned him that his life was in danger and invited him to flee to Switzerland. Instead of escaping himself, Palatucci saw his Jewish fiancée to safety but remained in Fiume - which was now under the control of the SS. He was arrested by the Gestapo on September 13, 1944, and condemned to death. His sentence was later ‘commuted’ to deportation to Dachau concentration camp. He died at Dachau on February 10, 1945, just a few weeks before the camp was liberated.
Palatucci’s memory was honored when he was awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations and his name was inscribed in the Wall of Honour at Yad Vashem, the Jewish Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. In many Italian cities, squares and public promenades carry the name of Giovanni Palatucci. On October 2002, the Pope's vicar in Rome, Father Gianfranco Zuncheddu, opened the cause of Palatucci´s beatification; one miracle has already been attributed to his intercession.
Fr. Palatucci is one of many family members in Italy and the United States who hope to keep the memory of Giovanni alive by sharing his story, praying for his beatification, and most importantly, praying for his intercession for the needs of the Church and the world. His life and death bear witness to the teaching of Christ, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." top
Giovanni Palatucci was born in Montella in 1909.
After graduating in law from Turin University, he
worked in Genoa’s public security administration
before moving in 1937 to the north Italian town of
Fiume (now Rijeka, in Croatia) where he eventually
became chief of police.
In 1943, during the Nazi occupation of Fiume, the
young head of the police actively resisted
legislation ordering the deportation of Jews to
'reclusion' camps, from which they were transferred
to concentration camps. "They want to make us
believe that the heart is just a muscle, to prevent
us from doing what our hearts and religion tell us
to do", said Palatucci in reference to these laws.
He began falsifying documents and visas for
thousands of Jews to hide their religious beliefs.
As chief of police, Palatucci could issue ID cards
and ‘Certificates of Aryanism’, the only documents
certifying a person was not Jewish. He
systematically destroyed documents related to the
Jewish population in the offices of the
police. When it wasn’t possible to help them escape
abroad, Palatucci sent Jews to an internment camp in
Campagna. There his uncle, Bishop Giuseppe Maria
Palatucci (with the moral and financial support of
Pope Pius XII), received them with courtesy
and generosity, and assisted them in fleeing
to the safe zones of the south. Dozens of Jewish
refugees were hidden in Giovanni's home, the
Bishop's mansion and the friary where his cousin, a
Franciscan, lived. In all, Giovanni Palatucci is
credited with saving as many as 5,000 Jews from Nazi
concentration camps.
In 1941, he wrote to his parents modestly: "I
have the opportunity to do a little good, and those
who benefit are very grateful. All in all, I receive
much affection. About me there is nothing else
important to say."
Giovanni Palatucci
We are blessed that many priests of our Order and of the archdiocese say mass for us at the monastery. Among them is a young priest who is related to an Italian hero and saint. Rev. John Palatucci of the Church of St Helena in the Bronx, is the second cousin twice removed from Giovanni Palatucci, known as the "Italian Schindler", whose cause for beatification is currently in process.
Our Constitutions tell us that while "the friars, sisters and laity of the Order are to 'preach the name of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world', the nuns are to seek, ponder and call upon Him in solitude so that the Word proceeding from the mouth of God may not return to Him empty". Our various roles are ordered to the one "apostolate which the Dominican family exercises as a whole, and in which the fullness of the Dominican vocation is to be found" (from the letter of Fr. Anicetus Fernandez). It is one of our primary responsibilities, and one of our greatest joys, to pray not only for the friars of the Order as a whole, but for each friar of our province individually. We pray that God, who has begun this great work in our new brothers, will bring it to completion. top
This January, we had the pleasure of welcoming Fr. Walter Wagner, O.P., Novice Master, and six fine novices into our home. They come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, yet share a common desire to follow Christ in the white habit of our Holy Father St. Dominic.
To learn more about Yad Vashem and the Righteous Among Nations, Click here.
To read one of Brother Perkins' recent articles, click here.
To learn more about the National Catholic Bioethics Center, click here.
Brother Ignatius Perkins RN, OP, DNSc, MA Ed, FAAN, entered the Dominican Friars in 1959 and earned his associate degree in nursing in 1970 from Jefferson Community College in Louisville, Ky. He earned his BSN at Spalding University and has two masters degrees, one in nursing from Catholic University of America, (CUA) the other in education from Spalding University. He received his DNSc from CUA and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in primary care and clinical bioethics at Georgetown University. In 2004 he was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, and in January 2006 he was elected a Fellow of the prestigious New York Academy of Medicine. He left his position as Dean of the School of Nursing at Spalding University to take on his new role of Vicar Provincial.
While in New York, Brother Ignatius will also have the responsibility of developing a Catholic health care ministry sponsored by the Dominican Friars. Its purpose is to promote the dignity of the human person and the healing ministry of Jesus Christ among parishioners, health care professionals, patients and their families through pastoral care, education, research and ethics consultations
