January 2007 The St. Michael Messenger News for Friends and Benefactors of St. Michael’s Abbey and Preparatory School Dear Friends of St. Michael’s, As we proceed in our expansion project, some have asked us, “Why are you using a French architect instead of a locally based architectural firm?”, a reasonable question. We would like to introduce you in this article to the extraordinary man chosen to design the new abbey and school, Jean-Louis Pagès. It is with a heart grateful to God and to the benefactors most involved that I am able to report the signing of the purchase agreement for the Ortega Highway property. This marks a great move forward in our expansion project plans, and a fitting culmination to a signal year. It opened with our trip to France to visit various abbeys, continued with our meeting architect Jean-Louis Pagès and Bernard Lacourte in February, their eventual visit to California in May to see the Ortega Highway site, and now, on record, the signed purchase agreement. In retrospect, 2006 has been the year for laying the vast foundation for our expansion project: we needed to locate suitable and close-by land, and we needed to attract the support of friends and benefactors who would share our vision. So much has been accomplished, for that we are grateful; so much lies ahead, for that we pray and ask for help and guidance. With a view toward New Year 2007, and with God’s grace and our cooperation, we hope for the necessary and fuller development of all that was initiated last year. The current St. Michael’s Messenger has its usual letter from Rome, written this time by frater Juan Diego, who along with 6 of our confreres continues studies for the priesthood in the Eternal City. On November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, the 7 of them were privileged to serve the Papal Mass in the Vatican Basilica at which frater Juan Diego, as the deacon, chanted the Gospel. Their participation in such a celebration continues a tradition begun during my own student days in Rome over thirty years ago. How swiftly the years pass, and how blessed we are as we continue to sing the praises of the Lord. By the time you receive this, Christmas 2006 will be but a memory. Please know that the confreres remembered you specially at the Liturgy of the Hours and the celebration of the Eucharist on Christmas and throughout its octave, and that continued prayers for God’s every blessing in 2007 are and will be yours. X Eugene J. Hayes, O.Praem. Jean-Louis became known to our abbey through his work at the Abbey of St. Madeleine at le Barroux in Provence, France. The climate and terrain at le Barroux are strikingly similar to ours in Southern California, and the style of buildings there seem especially harmonious with the setting of the Ortega Highway property. While planning for our visit to the Abbey of St. Madeleine, we were delighted to learn that the actual architect was still in the area, and was willing to show us his work and interpret it for us, and it was thus that several of us from the abbey met Jean-Louis Pagès and his associate, Bernard Lacourte, when we visited le Barroux in February 2006. At that point, we learned a lot about Jean-Louis, not only as an architect, but as a person and as a believing Catholic. In addition to having an extremely successful and wide-ranging career as an architect, with projects that run a spectrum from abbeys to public buildings and resorts, but he is a man of deep faith. In a sort of pilgrimage and over some years time, Jean-Louis has visited historic abbeys all through the Mediterranean, meditating upon, assimilating their secrets and making them his own. He has visited places as exotic as Mt. Athos in Greece (on 3 occasions making retreats there) and St. Catherine’s in the desert of Egypt, near Alexandria. During our conferences with him, he was asked late one afternoon how he would envision our future project. When he returned the next morning, with a preliminary but rather detailed drawing for our expansion project, we knew we had found our man. Jean-Louis works closely with Bernard Lacourte, who is particularly capable of translating ideas into material and concrete reality. We thank the Lord for putting such men on our team. left to right: Bernard Lacourte, Francoise Pagès and Jean-Louis Pagès Letters from Rome It was a warm October afternoon in Rome as we settled down for pranzo at Collegio San Norberto. I happened to be sitting with Father Stephen that day, and just after the pasta was served, he was told that he had a call from the Vatican. He had mentioned to me just two days before that he had just put in a request for us to serve. Upon his return, his face was red and beaming and he said, “It looks like you’re going to be deacon for the Pope.” Indeed, we were called to serve our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on All Saints Day. My path there, however, was a bit more arduous. I had first to report to the Sistine choir headquarters for a prova with Don Marco. Frater Claude accompanied me to his office as we heard the playful shouts of the Sistine choir boys coming from down below in the courtyard. The prova was a success, and I was sent home with a tape of what I was to sing, compliments of the Santa Sede and Don Marco. I spent the next week and a half practicing, with fraters Claude and Ambrose listening to me do many a prova of my own here in the house… and then the big day. Indeed, it was a great honor to proclaim the Gospel, singing out the beatitudes which our Lord Himself spoke to the crowds from the mount almost two thousand years ago, a text I have meditated upon often. Blessed Abbot Marmion calls the feast of All Saints a “celebration of the work of Christ’s grace in all the saints for whom the strife is o’er and the battle done”. Pope Benedict said in his homily that it is Jesus Who perfectly lived out the beatitudes, and from His perfect life comes the grace for us to imitate Him. Looking at the pictures of the Mass afterwards, one in particular struck me. Taken from above during the elevation of the Host, I am looking up adoring our Lord Jesus newly present in the Eucharist, elevated by His Vicar on earth. What blessings the Lord bestows upon us, and this but on earth! In Christ, frater Juan Diego Emerson, O.Praem. Life at St. Michael’s “What blessings the Lord bestows upon us, and this but on earth!” On All Saints Day, seven seminarians from St. Michael’s were honored to serve Mass for Pope Benedict XVI. fr. Juan Diego chanted the Gospel. Photos by: L’Osservatore Romano All Soul’s Day, November 2nd, is a feast in commemoration of the faithful departed in purgatory. The Norbertine Fathers visit Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest to pray for the souls of deceased benefactors, confreres and family members. Tom & Monica Parr and Paul & Nancy St. Pierre joined the Norbertine community at dinner celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. They purchased the dinner at the Vantage Point Gala 2006. Fr. Hildebrand Garceau, pastor of our parish in Costa Mesa, made his Solemn Profession on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th. The Pioneer Press News from St. Michael’s Preparatory School www.stmichaelsprep.org ■ T he 2006 football season was extremely memorable for the team members, coaches and fans. The team was small in the first place, only twenty-one players and few returnees. But we had a “secret weapon” in the form of new head coach, Aaron Meschuck and his assistant coach, Randy Howard. They crafted a brilliant offensive scheme and defensive strategy, mixed with a “give it a go” attitude that inspired the team to a stunning victory against Maricopa…a team that had “mercied” us two years in a row, 50-0. This year’s score: 48-20, St. Michael’s Prep. It was going to be a great season! The St. Michael’s 8-man football team went on to a season of 5-3, and a chance to be in the playoffs. We were ranked second in the Express League. Luis Menes ’07, was honored with the league defensive MVP, while Phillip Ghosn and Stephen Dudro ’08, were elected all-league first-team offensive players. Other players received recognition: Ed Chou ’08, and Nick Porretta ’07, were voted in as all-league offensive second-team players, and Ben Atchley ’07, got an honorable mention. This was the strongest season the team has had in its history. With this “under our helmets”, so to speak, we begin to prepare for the upcoming season. Congratulations to our Cross Country team for a successful season! They went on to the CIF Southern Section Preliminaries where they ran their best time of the year! Prep School Special Events OPEN HOUSE (3:30 – 5:00 p.m.) Come learn more about St. Michael’s Preparatory School Saturday, January 27 Sunday, March 4 Saturday, April 21 ENTRANCE EXAM* (9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) Saturday, January 27 / Saturday, May 19 * reservations required For more information on the Prep School including admissions, please call (949) 858-0222 x237 or email: [email protected] or visit our website at www.stmichaelsprep.org St. Michael’s Prep Alumni News Thomas deTar ’78 lives in Post Falls, ID where he operates St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. He and his wife, Cynthia home school six of their nine children. Scott Vu ’93 is married and has 2 children. After attending UC Irvine, Scott went to work in the IT field. Last year, he received his MBA from USC. John Collins ’80 continues to work for the California Sate Auditor. Parents to four children, John and his wife recently enjoyed taking a family trip to Europe. Son Vu ’94 left the United States to start a water filtration company in Vietnam where one of his beneficiary is the Catholic Diocese. Glenn Walker ’81 and his wife operate G.H. Walker & Company, an international internet consulting and development services firm. They have one daughter. Kelly Dignan ’96 married Maria Ochoa in September at St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa. Fr. Martin Benzoni, O.Praem. ’74 officiated. Kelly and Maria live in San Diego where Kelly works as an officer with U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Andy Valenzuela ’81 (pictured) is first officer for United Airlines, flying B767s and B757s on domestic routes. He and his wife, Amy, along with their four daughters and one son are expecting a fifth daughter in February. Andrew Wrzesinksi ’86 recently returned to the United States from Russia with his wife Natalya and their daughter Daria, who was baptized on November 1st. Andy Valenzuela visits with Fr. Szanto. Minh Truong ’93 has lived in St. Louis, MO since leaving St. Michael’s in 1990. He and his wife, Amanda are physicists and have two children. Joseph Kuhlen ’96 is attending training classes for the Boeing 747 in Miami. After training, he hopes to return to Colorado. Ivan Hernandez ’99 spent the summer traveling to India and then through the United States before his studies at Harvard Law School started this Fall. Andrew Bowdish ’01 won the Amateur Golf Championship at the Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, CA shooting 6 under par in October. He and his mother, Marie attended the Vantage Point Gala 2006. Thomas Dudro ’06 began his studies at Notre Dame, IN where he is majoring in Engineering. Alan Ng ’06 shared that St. Michael’s prepared him well by providing him with a firm foundation in English, Religion, Latin, Mathematics and History, making his transition to Christendom College easier than he expected it to be. For more alumni news, go to www.stmichaelsprep.org Do you want to stay in touch with teachers and friends from your days on the hilltop? Please send us news about and photos of yourself and your family. You can do this by sending an email to [email protected] Be sure to tell us whether you wish to make your contact information available to others, so we can respect your wishes. Thomas Aquinas Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews Thank You We are grateful to all the generous benefactors who send us monthly contributions. Your kindness enables us to continue with our work, educate our students and seminarians, and continue with the expansion project. Translated and edited by Chrysostom Baer, O.Praem. Last month, St. Augustine Press published the Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews by Thomas Aquinas, which was translated from Latin to English by Fr. Chrysostom Baer, the Assistant Dean of Students. The Epistle to the Hebrews is the culmination of St. Paul’s epistles, which are all treatises on different aspects of grace. St. Thomas’ work examines it as a treatment on Christ, the Head of the Mystical Body and high priest of the New Testament. This is the first printed version of this translation and can be purchased at St. Augustine Press (www.staugustine.net) or Amazon.com. Speech and Debate E ach year, some of St. Michael’s students join the Speech and Debate team in order to learn public speaking and rhetorical skills. The motives for joining are varied: a desire to speak well in front of a room full of people as well as a desire to compete with others and bring glory to the school. Just as athletics can exhaust the body, so public speech and debate can challenge the intellect. And there is nothing like the satisfaction of making a point well and winning an event. In past years, the Speech and Debate team of St. Michael’s Preparatory School has met the all challengers and done well, and this year promises to be a great one too. With a core of veteran members at the center of the team and a few new faces, we look forward to a successful season. One of our events took place at La Costa Canyon was over the weekend of December 1st. A two day event, students stayed overnight in the area and were graciously hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Phillipe Dardaine who opened the doors of their home to receive us for the weekend. The Dardaines are the parents of Olivier, a senior and Charles a sophomore. The season will end in mid-February, with State Qualifier Events in March, League Championship in April, and State Championship after the State competition. We hope that this year we will return to the State Championships, as we did in 2005, and to this end, we will spend many hours working to refine our techniques and hone our verbal skills. Photo by R. Belcher From the Hilltop News from St. Michael’s Abbey www.abbeynews.com ■ History of St. Michael’s Part V T he escape of the founding fathers of St. Michael’s from behind the iron curtain had all the elements of a tale of danger and suspense: preliminary reconnaissance, disguises, hiding places in friendly farmers’ barns, cutting barbed wire, dodging armed guards, lights and landmines, swimming across a river, and finding a secretly arranged waiting truck-bed to carry them to safety outside of Soviet occupied territory. Just a week before our founders’ successful attempt of July 11, 1950, some other priest-friends of theirs from the Cistercian order had made an unsuccessful attempt and ended up in prison. The fathers understood all-too-well the risk they were running. One of the founding fathers’ cousins had already been shipped off to Siberia. Another’s family farm had been confiscated, never to be returned. Another’s father had been reluctantly taken along by communist youth guards in a horse cart to the hospital with a heart attack and died along the way as his driver taunted him as an “enemy of the people” and a “fascist pig.” The diocesan bishop who had ordained some of the fathers had been shot by Soviet soldiers for defending a group of young girls from being raped. This bishop was a courageous nobleman of the old school, who faced the Soviet soldier down. He was shot dead, but they did not touch the girls: shamed by the bishop’s courage. The bishop was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II: Blessed William Apor. On their escape, more beautiful sights awaited them than searchlights, dogs, and fences: first to Innsbruck in the Tyrolean alps of Austria as the welcome guests of the Norbertine abbey of Wilten, then down to Rome to the Generalate House of the Order on the Aventine hill, and then to discern where to go: America? Australia? Canada? The Abbot General Noots and Abbot Kileen of De Pere, Wisconsin arranged that the fathers be received in America at St. Norbert’s Abbey in Green Bay and its dependent houses. Their original intention was to master English well enough to open an English language school in Hungary when—they thought in the near future–communism would fall and they could go home. The brutal suppression by the Soviets of the Hungarian uprising of 1956 ended hopes of a speedy return from exile, and so the fathers decided to make America their new home and refound the community in a new land. The rest, as they say, is history. Next time: Orange County at last. Photo by R. Belcher Photo by R. Belcher Photo by R. Belcher Photo by R. Belcher Blessed Hugh of Prémontré St. Norbert presenting Blessed Hugh to the Risen Christ as his choice to be Abbot of Prémontré. Norbertine Saints Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life that are important to us. The saints listed are either Norbertine saints or patrons of the confreres of St. Michael’s. October 4 St. Francis B lessed Hugh was born in Belgium in the town of Fosses at the end of the 1000’s. Educated from his early childhood to become a cleric, he was made secretary to Burchard the bishop of Cambrai not long after he was ordained to the priesthood. The life of the episcopal chancery made him uneasy, however, as he wanted to live the apostolic and common life of the canons regular and not the more independent life of the secular diocesan clergy who were allowed to own property. Hugh had himself acquired a substantial portion of this world’s goods, so when he encountered St. Norbert, who had been a friend of bishop Burchard, he was deeply moved and challenged to make good on his desires for a holier way of life. Norbert had been extremely wealthy as a cleric of the court of the archbishop of Cologne, but had undergone a profound conversion, and was now a preacher of the reform of the clergy, with full powers from the Pope to work for this reform anywhere he chose. Hugh became Norbert’s closest follower, and when the latter founded his first monastery at Prémontré near Laon in France, Hugh became the prior of the community, and ruled it during the founder’s frequent absences on preaching journeys. When St. Norbert was made archbishop of Magdeburg in far-off Saxony in the eastern parts of Germany, Hugh followed him there at his bidding, but then returned to Prémontré to become the first abbot of the mother abbey of the whole Order of Prémontré. It is to Blessed Hugh that the Norbertine Order owes its first Statutes and its traditional liturgical practices, as well as its amazing growth, so that at the end of his forty years of abbatial service, there were more than one hundred houses of the Order throughout Europe and in Palestine. Blessed Hugh died in 1164 on February 10th, which is kept in the Order as his feast day. He learned well his lessons from St. Norbert, which he tells in the third person in the life of St. Norbert composed by him: “He taught him how to be reconciled to God, and how he ought to approach sinners, and by what efforts, labors, and virtues a just man should attain the company of the good Spirits, of what great power are humility whereby the road to heaven is laid, simplicity whereby one penetrates therein, obedience whereby one comes to the knowledge of the hidden things of God, chastity which makes one close to God, poverty which makes one possess the kingdom of God.” May Blessed Hugh pray for the Norbertines of St. Michael’s that they learn these lessons too! Patron saint of animals, environmentalists, lacemakers and zoologists January 7 St. Raymond of Penafort Patron saint of lawyers January 14 St. Godfrey, O.Praem. Patron saint of benefactors January 14 St. Gerlac January 20 St. Sebastian Patron saint of athletes January 25 Conversion of St. Paul Patron saint of public relations personnel February 4 St. Frederick, O.Praem. February 10 Blessed Hugh of Fosses 1st Abbot of Prémontré Abbot General of Norbertines February 15 St. Claude de la Colombiere Patron saint of toy makers Question and Answer Q What is the basis of church teaching that the celibate life is superior to the married state? A This is not only the teaching but also the example of Christ. Modern people don’t like “better than” because it implies a “less than.” We must be sure of one thing: the love of God possessed by one in the state of grace is what makes one pleasing to God and in the end this love alone is the standard of judgment between people. The one who loves God more is greater than the one who loves God less. A loving husband and father is better than a mediocre monk. But it remains true that objectively some life choices or “states of life” make it easier to love God and neighbor than others. Celibacy makes loving God easier. So do voluntary poverty and obedience. This is the teaching of the New Testament (see for example Mark 10: 17-31; 1 Cor 7: 25-40; Acts 2: 37-47). But just because someone has a way of life that makes it easier to love God, doesn’t mean that that person will in fact love God more. Their chosen path is better, but they may not be better persons themselves. Everybody knows they should be better, since with the grace of a vocation to celibacy or religious life they have been given a great gift. The Church is not a cult, and so she has always left her children free to choose their path in life, whether good, better, or best. The main thing is to arrive at the goal of the journey: the love of God and the happiness of heaven. Still, if we taught our children and grandchildren the surpassing value of a life of celibacy we would have all the priests and sisters we need: think about it! February 27 St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Patron saint of seminarians and students March 17 St. Patrick Patron saint of against snake bites March 19 St. Joseph Patron saint of peaceful death, the Church, husbands & working men April 5 St. Vincent Ferrer Patron saint of builders, construction workers April 25 St. Mark Patron saint of notaries April 26 St. Ludolph, O.Praem. Want To Help St. Michael’s? Photo by R. Belcher Calendar Of Events January 1 New Year’s Day There are many ways that you can contribute. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass 11:00 a.m. ■ The Abbey and the school have year-round needs that rely upon your generosity. ■ 9:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Prep School Open House 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Many students receive scholarships and your continued generosity allows these young men to receive the best education available. ■ Many companies offer an Employer’s Matching Gift Program that you can ask about at your work. 2 Solemnity of the Presentation ■ Have you considered including a charitable bequest as part of your will? Or donating a gift of stock? ■ A simple gesture will have far-reaching effects: it will help clothe, feed, house and educate a rapidly growing number of seminarians; it will enhance the sacramental ministry of the Abbey and it will help to meet the retirement needs of our Norbertine priests. 15 Classes resume (Prep School) 27 Prep School Entrance Exam February 11:00 a.m. Mass March 19 President’s Day holiday 21 Ash Wednesday 4 Prep School Open House 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. 19 Solemnity of St. Joseph For more information on how you can donate, please call (949) 858-0222 x264. 11:00 a.m. Mass April* 1 2 6 8 16 21 Palm Sunday Chrism Mass Good Friday EASTER Prayer to St. Michael Classes resume (Prep School) Prep School Open House 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke *For more information on Lent and Easter services, please visit www.abbeynews.com him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly Mass is held each day at 7:00 a.m. and on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the For further information on calendar of Liturgies and events, please visit www.abbeynews.com For more information about the Prep School, please visit www.stmichaelsprep.org other evil spirits who go about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. An envelope has been included in this newsletterto allow you to requestthe Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be celebrated for you and your loved ones, both living and decased. St. Michael’s Abbey and Preparatory School 19292 El Toro Road Silverado, California 92676-9710 www.abbeynews.com www.stmichaelsprep.org ■ ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Moving? Please let us know before you move. Send us both your current address and the new address. That way we will save postage, and you will not miss an issue of the St. Michael Messenger. If you receive duplicates, please send us both mailing addresses, and tell us which one is correct. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID EL TORO, CA PERMIT NO. 122