Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus

Gower, MO 64454Benedictines of Mary, Queen of apostles

PAX Summer 2016

Sr. Maria Michaela petitions Mother and the Chapter to make vows.

Sr. Maryam-Thomas kisses her newly-blessed postulant medal on the Solemnity of the Translation of the relics of St. Benedict, July 11th.

Mother Cecilia with her niece Bridget, whom she met for the first time. It has been a joy to have many of our families

visiting this Summer.

Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors,

“Thou hast made all the borders of the earth: the summer and the spring were formed by thee.” Ps.73:17 Indeed, the borders of our little monastery have been bursting with life and God’s blessings. These have been very exciting months for us on so many levels, so much for which to be grateful!

In early June, we were privileged to receive first blessings and hear first Masses of many of our newly ordained priests. There is nothing that touches us so deeply as this holy time when we see the personified bearers of our prayers!

Fierce thunderstorms afflicted us all day on the feast of Corpus Christi, but the clouds broke for a real “miracle of the sun” just for our procession. We were mindful especially of the apparitions of the angel of Portugal at Fati-ma this year, the 100th anniversary of his visits to the three children on this feast honoring Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. He showed them by his prayers and prostrations the esteem and reverence with which we all ought to honor Our Lord in His Body and Blood.

The 240th anniversary of our nation’s founding took on a more monastic tone as we chanted the Mass “Da Pacem” in reparation for the sins of our nation, particularly the ones that cry to heaven for vengeance. After a picnic with

our chaplain, Fr. Carney and visiting Sisters from Clyde, we had a rosary procession with a banner made for the occasion. A Holy Hour of reparation followed, ending with a rousing “Christus Vincit” to Christ Our King.

Maryam-Thomas became Sr. Maryam-Thomas on the Solemnity of St. Benedict, July 11th. Adelheid, our second non-American fol-lows close at her heels since she has also been granted her visa. Now we just have one more visa to be processed for Berdine, a young woman from Holland. And it’s looking like we will receive a few more postulants to join them before the year’s end.

It will be just in time too, since the postu-late and novitiate will be happily “depleted!” Sr. Rosina and Sr. Clara become novices and Sr. Maria Michaela professes first vows on Saturday, September 10th. All are welcome to attend this two-fold ceremony at St. James Church in St. Joseph, MO at 10:30 am. Please pray for these dear Sisters as they make their final preparations for this blessed day.

Guests are never lacking in a monastery as our Holy Rule says, and this has definitely been the case this Summer! There has scarcely been a day when the retreat house is not oc-cupied by priest retreatants from across the country (and beyond!) It is as of this writing full to capacity! We thank God and you, our dear benefactors, for this sacred space of respite.

After eleven months of patient waiting, a visa was granted to Adelheid from Germany. She

helped Sr. Mary Josefa “de-eye” potatoes during her visit.

We were privileged to receive first blessings and hear first Masses of Fr. Edward Brodsky, FSSP, Fr. Joseph Kelly (Springfield-Cape Girardeau), Fr. Christo-pher Mahowald, FSSP, Fr. Joshua Houck, FSSP, and Fr. Kent Poll-man (St. Louis) and at the end of May and early June.

Fr. Carney recounted his recent travels to Europe at our picnic.

Sr. Wilhelmina energetically joined in patriotic songs that recall our Nation’s Christian roots.

The Mass of reparation “Da Pacem” was chanted, and Father read the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart during Exposition.

(Left) A banner was made in our country’s colors, depicting the Merciful Heart of Jesus for this year of Mercy and the seven stars of the Apocalypse. It was carried in procession before a red-white-and-blue bedecked bier bearing Our Lady of Fatima, while the nuns prayed the rosary.

Our field corn for the animals was planted quickly and in good order with a tape measure and a row of nuns with good knees... ...and God took care of the rest!

We put our front fields to good use in growing hay and alfalfa for the cows. The hay bales made a pretty picture until…

…Sr. Margaret Mary’s father and brothers helped us gatherthem into the barn.

Mr. Hugh Owen of the Kolbe Institute for Creation gives an expert and beautiful presentation on Genesis. Dr. Owen continues to offer us practical garden advice!

Our first mushroom crop!

Efforts to ImprovE our plot

It has been a blessing to host our dear Benedictine Sisters from Clyde, Sr. Jane, Sr. Lynn and Sr. Rebecca for a few months this Summer (including Sr. Lynn’s birthday!)

They were a tremendous help in all areas of work during their stay, and will be sorely missed by all.

“The King of Love,” a gift given by one

of our own Diocesan priests.

We are so blessed to live out our ora et labora, anticipating the life of heaven, singing God’s goodness in the liturgy, and seeing it as we bring order to our land. Manual labor reminds us of the innocence of our first parents, and our dependence upon God. Truly, without Him we could do nothing! It has been a good year, with rains in due season and a rich harvest thus far. As 2014 was the year of the tomato and 2015 that of the cucumber, 2016 will go down as the year of the blackberry!

Finally, and most importantly, we stand in great need of your help for the con-struction of the church more than ever. We humbly ask you to please continue sustaining this project for God’s glory. Every dollar you give will go directly towards our church fund. Perhaps you know of some folks who might like to help with this worthy project. How grateful we would be for you to spread the word! Through your assistance and that of St. Joseph, may we soon be able to accommodate our growing community and ever increasing number of guests in our new Church, a beautiful house of God. May He bless and reward you!

In His Merciful Heart,

We happily welcomed a “nun run” from the Fraternity parish in Minnesota, and

appreciated the young ladies’ help in the garden, sewing room and dairy.

Please help us build our church!!!

Architect Bill Heyer’s schematic plans for the monastery Church.

Cross section of the Church.The north transept next to the guest wing will be for guests, and the choir in the nave.

Floor plan, with a basement below for ceremony receptions and gatherings.

The sanctuary, with baldachin. Plans are already underway for the carving of the wood choir stalls.

The North elevation, showing the entryway and vestibule (narthex) for visitors.

Upper view from the Northwest.

Cross section of the South side

with the bell tower.

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of apostlesPriory of Our Lady of EphesusP.O. Box 303Gower, MO 64454

Friday’s kittens: Eeeny Meeny,

Miney and Moe

Notice to our benefactors: We do not and will not sell, rent, publish or in any way disclose your contact information to any

other list. We thank you for your continued support!