FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: SAINT DOMINIC’S ROSARY GUILD

Last weekend, Sister Michelle Heyne, O.A., led a group of Saint Marians in our annual Parish Retreat, that focused this year on Benedictine Spirituality. As part of her presentation, Sister Michelle introduced the concept of the “Threefold Rule of Prayer” — (1) the Daily Office (Morning, Noonday, and Evening Prayer, and Compline), (2) regular reception of the Holy Eucharist, and (3) what she calls “personal devotion.” Father Martin Thornton describes this third element of the threefold rule as “that prayer done physically alone, according to one’s unique gifts, personality, and temperament.”

GARY RYAN INTERVIEWS FATHER JAY SMITH

Gary and Father Jay chat for a few minutes, Father Jay thanks him for making this conversation happen and then says, “This interview is going to be in The Angelus and I just want to say to the readers of the newsletter, I know that talk of my impending retirement has been going on for a rather long time now. My apologies. Many of you must surely be saying, ‘So, retire already!!’ I get it. I’m so appreciative of all the support I’m getting, I really am, but I want to reassure everybody that the end is in sight! I don’t believe it, but January 12 is almost here!”

Gary: I understand, so let’s just jump in. Where are you from? Where did you grow up?

FROM ZACHARY ROESEMANN: PRAYING WITH HOLY ICONS

In my first article about holy icons, I described the elements essential to understanding the nature of icons. They are made for only one purpose, which distinguishes them from other forms of Christian art: to help guide people to God in prayer and worship. They are deeply traditional, with roots going back to the origins of Christianity. They are an especially powerful way to illustrate the Incarnation.