Mercy Weekend

Last week, the Mercedarians (Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy) offered Solemn First Vespers for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Ransom.  Founded in the 13th Century by Saint Peter Nolasco, the work of the Mercedarians was originally in ransoming impoverished captive Christian slaves held in Muslim hands.

For the Feast day, the Monastery was joined by the local Mercedarian parish, the Legion of Mary from St. Charles parish in Drexel Hill, the Third Order of Mercy, and Father Louis Kolenkiewicz, Chaplain to the Knights of Mercy and Pastor of Our Lady of Peace, Milmont Park. 

Solemn Vespers took place in the "Chapel of Our Holy Mother of Mercy," which is where the friars at the Monastery have their daily prayers and Holy Mass.  After prayers, there was a small gathering to celebrate the feast day.

Father Matthew, O. de M., following Solemn Vespers: 

 

Fr. Louis Kolenkiewicz, Chaplain to the Cavaliere della Mercede, who preached the sermon:

Chatting with the Mercedarian friars and postulants: 

Father Kolenkiewicz with Fr. James Mayer, O. de M., pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Philadelphia and Superior of the Third Order of Mercy:

Talking with Josiah (Mercedarian postulant) and Br. David.  Br. David is a good friend, and we were friends when I lived in Norfolk (his hometown).  Pray for him as his ordination approaches, God-willing:

Photos from Mater de Mercede

"Guard the Church I loved so well and sacredly"

-last words of Blessed Pope Pius IX

The Rest of the France Photos

I apologize for the delay in posting the rest of the photos from my trip to France.  Here are my mother, aunt, and father in front of the "Cachot," or jail cell where Saint Bernadette's family lived for almost three years.  Saint Bernadette was living here when she experienced the apparitions of Our Lady:

A view of Lourdes from the Lourdes castle on the mountain:

After visiting St. Bernadette's convent in Nevers, we travelled to Rheims - the traditional coronation place for most French kings.  The Cathedral is from the 13th Century:

Altar dedicated to St. Joan of Arc in Rheims:

I love this:

A duplication of the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome:

Next to the cathedral is the Archbishop's traditional residence, now a museum:

I would like to own this:

A portrait of King Louis XVI:

I want these, too:

And these:

...And this altar card:

As well as this one:

And these chasubles:

After leaving Rheims, we drove one hour to Paris.  We stayed in the Hotel du Pantheon, which is highly recommended:

It is near the "Pantheon" near Notre Dame Cathedral, but south of the river in Paris.

A view of Paris from Montmartre (Sacred Heart Basilica):

Escargot for an appetizer - one of my favorite French dishes:

The Louvre:

The Mona Lisa:

To prove I was there:

The next day, we travelled to Versailles, about 45 minutes west of Paris.  This palace was built for Louis XIV and was the home of the French royalty:

The gardens are still maintained for tourism:

The chapel where the King would attend daily Mass:

Marie Antoinette.  This painting was painted by the first French female artist.  The young son on the right is pointing to an empty crib, reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's daughter who died soon after birth:

Louis XVI:

The "room of mirrors."  Mirrors were not common in that time, so this room was well-known in Europe:

Marie Antoinette's bed chamber:

The church of Saint Genevieve, near our hotel:

Pope Pius VII celebrated Mass here during the Novena to Saint Genevieve in 1805: