"Bishop Requests Novena for Seminarian Philip Johnson"

As we approach the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Burbidge has requested that the entire Diocese of Raleigh participate in a novena for my healing through the intercession of Our Lady.  I would appreciate anyone's participation in this novena as we turn to the Immaculate Conception in preparation for her Feast Day.  The novena and letter to the faithful is posted below, and can also be found on our diocesan website: http://www.dioceseofraleigh.org/news/view.aspx?id=962

The novena will begin on November 29th, ending on Our Lady's Feast Day on December 8th.  I am deeply grateful to Bishop Burbidge for his continued support as I pursue my vocation, and I thank all those who will be joining me in prayer.

Fr. Cusick visits Philadelphia

My friend Fr. Cusick of Meeting Christ in the Liturgy stopped through Philadelphia for dinner last night:

He is the pastor of Saint Francis de Sales parish in Benedict, Maryland:

Pray for him!

Novena to Blessed Pius IX

Please consider praying the following novena for my health through the intercession of Blessed Pius IX.  On November 4th, our seminary community began to pray this novena immediately following Vespers.

Novena In Honor of Blessed Pius IX

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, hear our prayers and glorify your servant Pius IX, who consecrated the Universal Church to you.

(Our Father...)

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, hear our prayer and glorify your servant Pius IX who declared you Immaculate.

(Hail Mary...)

Saint Joseph, spouse of the most pure Virgin Mary, hear our prayer and glorify your servant Pius IX who declared you the Patron of the Universal Church.

(Glory be...)

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Mary, our Hope, and Saint Joseph hear our prayers and glorify your servant Pius IX , granting to us through his merits and intercessions the graces which we ardently desire: that the glory of God be revealed through Philip's illness.

(Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory be...)

Happy Feast of All Saints!

"Act in such a way that your thoughts, words, and deeds will cause others to remark: 'This is a person steeped in one book, the Gospel, and inspired by one ideal, the life of Jesus Christ.'"

-Cardinal Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison