Benedictines of Mary, Queen of apostlespriory of our lady of ephesusp.o. Box 123Gower, Mo 64454

at He a ee ou named. erefo, ceive he n f ith, he ea f e Hoy Ghst, a ou a aled e ouse f Gd,!

nd, f ou wi ave erved H ithfuy, a ou a rone rnay.

Order our Easter CD from benedictinesofmary.org or fill out the form on the enclosed envelope.

At EphesusPriory of Our Lady of Ephesus

Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors,

It is with great joy that we extend our greetings to you once again, this time from a snowy Missouri landscape! It is difficult to know where to begin in relaying all the blessings the good God has granted since last we wrote, for these past few months have been some of the most monumental our community has ever known! In our last newsletter we included a couple of pictures of our visit to Rome, but did not include too many details. Sister Bernadette and I were honored to be taken by Bishop Finn to the Pontifi-cal Commission Ecclesia Dei on Octo-ber 3rd (St. Therese’s feast day in the old calendar!) to speak about the possibility of canonical elevation. After drafts of our constitutions were reviewed and revised, we received news on November 25th that all had been approved. Our community was formally erected as a Religious Institute of Diocesan Right that same day. The nine perpetually professed sisters had to “solemnize” their vows under the newly-gained canonical status, under the aus-pices of Ecclesia Dei. I made my vows in the Bishop’s hands on the 26th, and along with him, witnessed the vows of the other Sisters on December 8th. Three days during the first week of Advent found us sing-ing many an Alleluia for the recording of our Easter CD! The following few weeks flowed peacefully, leading us into a most joyful Christmas, as you can see by the pictures! Our candi-dates Sr. Katy and Sr. Mary received the postulant medals on Christmas Day. At the close of the Christmas season, February 2nd, our joy knew no bounds as our three new brides, Sister Grace, Sister Marie-Bernarde and Sister Miriam Esther approached the altar

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of apostles

Winter 2015

Our new calf, affectionately named “Pozza” in honor of Archbishop Guido Pozzo, the Secretary of Ecclesia Dei.She was born the day of our Canonical Elevation, November 25th.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, your intentions are always in our hearts!

After receiving vows according to the newly-ap-proved Constitu-tions, Bishop Finn smiles after hear-ing a live rendi-tion of the new piece dedicated to him in our Easter recording.

to offer themselves to God through solemn vows. Please pray for these Sisters, who have persevered in this “school of the Lord’s Service” that they may run with hearts enlarged in the paths Our Holy Father St. Bene-dict has placed before them. We continue to receive a steady stream of vocation inquiries and aspirants

coming to observe our life. We are expecting quite a large group of postulants later this year, and the need for space has become imper-ative. The area we now use for guests must be utilized to accommo-date these new vocations. As you can see from the following pages, plans are moving ahead for construction. We are more than ever in need of your financial help to make these plans a concrete reality. May God reward you!

In His Merciful Heart,

December 8: Bishop Finn and Mother Cecilia witness the vows of the perpetu-ally professed, who “solemnized” their vows by reading ther charts of profes-

sion, this time promising to observe the newly-approved Constitutions.

ANONICAL LEVATION

Special thanks to our intercessors Fr. Kenneth Walker, (who has since been dubbed “Fr. Runner!”) and St. Therese (who has since been wearing a profession crown.)

November 26: Bishop Finn receives Mother Cecilia’s vows.

Bishop Finn imparts a final blessing.

A beaming Sister Wilhelmina brings her new chart to

Mother Cecilia.

November 25:Bishop Finn receives the letter of ap-proval from Rome.

Mother Cecilia and the Sisters chant the “Suscipe.”

The proclamation of Christmas: Mother Cecilia chants the Martyrology on Christmas Eve.

Deck the halls and eaves and

walls… we are so grate-

ful to our neighbors who bring us holly

each year to spruce up

greens from our property.

Bishop Finn and Mother admire a wax bambino given to us this year.

Bishop Finn blesses the postulant medals of Sister Katy and Sister Mary on Christmas Day.

Mother Cecilia, Bishop Finn and Sr. Allegra form a brass trio for an unforgettable Christmas Concert

Christmas Dinner

The construction of the guesthouse and additions presents a unique op-portunity to always be remembered in prayer. For each of the areas listed

below, the donor’s name or a specified memorial will be inscribed on a plaque as a perpetual remembrance. The nuns and priest retreatants will

pray especially for these generous souls for years to come.

Commemorative NamiNg opportuNities

Saint JoSephModel of all who labor,

protect and guide our

building projects!

the prieStS’ retreat houSea separate structure west of the Priory to welcome priests for retreat. The modest, seven bed-

room structure will host priests from across the country for respite and prayer.

the dairy the great room dining room a guest room the chapel

AdditionChapter room $50,000dairy $50,000refeCtory $20,000parlor $20,000gift shop $20,000

RetReAt House Chapel $100,000great room $50,000diNiNg room $30,000guest room $30,000 (7 rooms total)

We are quickly running out of room here at the Priory, and so must begin construction on the guest-house and additions. We will begin construction this month, and rely on your generosity to finish the projects. Your donations will prevent us from the burden of taking out another loan!

the parlor, refectory, and Gift Shopto allow for better hospitality and greeting of guests without disrupting the cloister. Many of you who have inquired about visiting or stopped in have seen that we do not have a proper area to meet the needs of guests.

the dairyMore space is needed in the kitchen to process the 7+ gallons of milk a day. We will also use this space to can and freeze the many vegetables and fruits harvested in the summer and fall.

the StatioThe hallway adjoining the Chapter Room will form the statio, the procession passageway that

will one day lead to the Church.

the chapter roomTraditionally, a separate room close to the

chapel is used as a gathering space for the community for Compline readings and

morning chapter meeting, where we read the intentions you have entrusted to us.

Eventually, the statio and parlors will con-nect to our future Church, forming an en-closed courtyard.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

psi sum desponsata cui Angeli serviunt, cujus pulchritudinem sol et luna mirantur.I spoused Hi om e ngels erve, ose auty e un n n mi.

“I…vow to God forever sta-bility, the continual conversion of my life, and obedience…” the reading of the chart of

profession.

The sign of obedience:“May God

confirm your proposal.”

“Pray for me, Mother.”

A funeral pall is spread over the prostrate sisters while a bell is tolled and the litany of

the saints is chanted.

The solemnly professed show their newly bestowed ring, while chanting:

“My Lord Jesus Christ hath betrothed me with His ring, and hath adorned me

as a bride with a crown.”

psi sum desponsata cui Angeli serviunt, cujus pulchritudinem sol et luna mirantur.I spoused Hi om e ngels erve, ose auty e un n n mi.

The elevation of the chalice over

the charts of profession, placed under the altar

cloth to be sealed by the blood of

the Lord.

The Solemnly professed receive

Communion by intinction, after which they chant:“Honey and milk have I

taken from His mouth, and His blood adorns my cheeks.”

The commissioning of the prayer of the Church, the

Divine Office.

Having received their cucullas, choir veils, rings, crowns, and the candle they first re-ceived at their Investiture, the nuns chant: “Behold that which I have desired, I now see; that for which I have hoped for, I now hold fast. Placed on earth, I am made one with

Him in heaven Whom I have loved with complete devotion.”

View more pictures of the profession at www.benedictinesofmary.org. (Special thanks to Will and Donna Yap.)