Ordination to the priesthood

During the ordination of Fr. Gerold Reisinger FSO on the 25 September Bishop Philip Boyce said: “You should have the courage to say: ‘Here I am – send me!’ You should be ready to show the world a renewed and purified image of the priesthood, one that is ready to serve, one in which you daily become more intimately united with Christ the High Priest.”

Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman

On the 20th September two of our sisters had the privilege of greeting the Holy Father during the Mass of the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. In his homily the Holy Father said: “I pay tribute to all who have worked so hard over many years to promote the cause of Cardinal Newman, including the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory and the members of the Spiritual Family Das Werk.”

Mother Julia Anniversary Mass

A hundred years ago, on the 11th November 1910, Mother Julia was born in Belgium. In solemn Masses at Jerusalem, Bordeaux, Rome, New York, Erie, Budapest, Geluwe, Bregenz, and Littlemore we thanked God for the gift of her life.

Celebration of the Holy Covenant and Reception of the Choir Robe

Two of our sisters, Sr. Myriam Decock and Sr. Miriam Venner concluded the Holy Covenant in Virginal Love in the parish Church of Mother Julia’s hometown of Geluwe, West Flanders. Bishop Guy Harpigny presided over the celebration at which Bishop Philip Boyce was also present with many priests and faithful.
The Choir Robe reminds us of our baptismal gown, of the newly washed garments of the redeemed and of the heavenly marriage banquet when we will be with the Lord forever. Consecrated men and women wish to encounter Christ, to love him, to give witness to him and to invite many people to open themselves to his love.

Symposium in Rome

To mark the recent beatification of J.H. Newman our community in collaboration with the Pontifical Gregorian University organised an academic symposium in Rome from the 22nd-23rd November. We are grateful to God for the way in which our Newman work has been blessed with such abundant graces.
“If we only are patient, God works for us. He works for those who do not work for themselves.”

Consistory in Rome

It was a great joy for us that Archbishop Medardo Mazombwe of Zambia was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict during the recent Consistory in Rome on 20th November. Cardinal Mazombwe has been united with our community for many years, and is a frequent guest at Collegium Paulinum.

A Mother for All of You

As a Christian one can have many “mothers.” Everyone has their own biological mother. Christ also gives us Mary as our mother. There are also other “spiritual mothers” who have adopted a son in a spiritual sense. Mother Julia was one such “spiritual mother” for many people during her life.
I have known The Work for seven years and truly know myself to be a spiritual son of Mother Julia, despite the fact that I never had the pleasure of meeting her personally. In the year Mother Julia died in 1997 I received my First Holy Communion. Yet I have got to know what she was like through the vivid and often humorous recollections from brothers and sisters who had knew her. She also comes close to me through the writings she has left us. In her words I see how maternal, open-minded and faithful she must have been. The presence of Mother Julia’s nearness and the help she affords us is especially felt at her final resting place in the Thalbach convent at Bregenz. It was there that I was always and again able to experience, and with great security know that her words she spoke to her spiritual family were indeed true: “In heaven I will remain what I was for you on earth: a mother for all of you.”

fr. Johannes Reiber