Feasts of Corpus Christi and St. Anthony

Blessed feast of the Body and Blood of Christ!   We are so happy that our chapel is now open so that our friends can join us for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Our Catholic faith is not only spiritual but corporeal.  As cloistered nuns, we do maintain a certain distance, not in order to avoid contamination from the world, but to be more fully present to all in God.  We still are interdependent with the faith community and it is important that we celebrate the mysteries around our altar, praying as one body in Christ.  We continue to pray for the health and well being of our country and world.

Yesterday was the feast of St. Anthony, that great 13th century son of St. Francis.  This is his 8th centenary anniversary of joining our Franciscan Order.   To celebrate in a fitting way, our novitiate Sisters created this "float" which we took in procession around our cloister, reciting his litany as we went.

Here is the Litany that we prayed:

LITANY OF THE FRANCISCANS:

The Litany of St. Anthony, Greatest  Son of St. Francis

For Private Use.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, graciously hear us.

O God the Father, of Heaven:
have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world:
O God, the Holy Ghost:
O Holy Trinity, one God:
have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary:
Pray for us.
Immaculate Virgin:
Mother and Mistress of our Order:
Pray for us.

St. Anthony of Padua:
Pray for us.
St. Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor:
St. Anthony, greatest son of St. Francis:
St. Anthony, playmate of the Holy Child Jesus:
St. Anthony, devout client of Our Lady:
St. Anthony, messenger of the Sacred Heart:
St. Anthony, holy prophet of God:
St. Anthony, doctor of divine truth:
St. Anthony, preacher of grace:
St. Anthony, keeper of the Scriptures:
St. Anthony, ark of the covenant:
St. Anthony, hammer of heretics:
St. Anthony, terror of infidels:
St. Anthony, horror of evil spirits:
St. Anthony, searcher of consciences:
St. Anthony, consoler of the sorrowful:
St. Anthony, gentlest of saints:
St. Anthony, example of obedience:
St. Anthony, gem of poverty:
St. Anthony, lily of chastity:
St. Anthony, rose of patience:
St. Anthony, violet of humility:
St. Anthony, apostle of the Savior:
St. Anthony, martyr in desire:
St. Anthony, confessor of the Faith:
St. Anthony, virgin in soul:
St. Anthony, finder of lost things:
St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke thee:
Pray for us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
spare us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
graciously hear us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Anthony. Alleluia.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

Choose one of the following Collects.

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast glorified Thy faithful confessor and doctor Anthony with the perpetual gift of working miracles, graciously grant that what we confidently seek through his merits, we may surely receive upon his intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let this devout commemoration of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, give joy to thy Church, O God: that she may always be strengthened with spiritual help; and attain to the fruition of eternal joys. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let Thy people, we beseech thee, O Lord, be assisted by the devout and continual supplication of Thy illustrious Confessor, blessed Anthony: that in the present Thy grace may make us less unworthy; and in the future may give us eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus, Who didst manifest Thyself to St. Anthony in the form of a little child: grant, by his intercession, that we may be converted and become as little children, and so obtain our petition from Thee. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen.