Author: Paul Zalonski

Prepare the way of the Lord, the Baptist tells us

If you follow the Latin Church, today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. It is the Sunday in Advent that we hear St. John the Baptist say, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” The way of the Baptist is one of the powerful keys of the spiritual life.

“In the season of Advent we too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of the world through the Sacred Scriptures, especially when they are preached with the power of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, faith grows all the stronger the more it allows itself to be illumined by the divine word.” (From Pope Benedict XVI)

Order of Malta–CT North East meets for Advent 2025

The Advent event for the CT North East Area was held at the Holy Apostles College & Seminary, Cromwell CT on Saturday, December 6. We spent some time meeting, praying the Mass and having lunch.

Fr. Joseph MacNeill, our Deputy Chaplain, offered the opening prayer and remarks on the Order Spirituality based on the Association Chaplain’s meeting. He emphasized that the Order’s spirituality is marked by profound identification with the poor and a willingness to place ourselves in humble service to them as “our lords and masters.”  Additionally, Father Joseph focussed our attention on a recent talk at Yale’s St. Thomas More Chapel on human-centered leadership principles outlined by Sr. Raffaella on trust, community, and shared participation.

The Area Chair gave his end-of-year remarks on the Area including key ministries and current demographics. He also updated the Area on the senior members of the Area. The Treasurer presented the sound financial condition and audits of the Area. The Grants Chair reported that all the 2025 Grant allocations were completed and submitted successfully to the Association Chairman.

The incoming Area Chair reviewed the important remarks from the Association sessions at the Investiture leadership and business meetings. The members expanded on his introduction to core 2026 projects over lunch.  Further details were discussed, in particular, about ample opportunities for Spirituality activities, on the difference between the essential Diocesan Prison Ministry versus Social Justice, and the Diocesan involvement in Anti-Human Trafficking and Pro-Life.

Fr. Joseph celebrated the Mass and preached on our Advent journey noting how St. Nicholas is a good model for the Order. Father also administered the RENEWAL OF PROMISES to the members before they recited the DAILY PRAYER of the ORDER Order by the Area Chair.  The outgoing Area Chair thanked the officers for their strong support during his tenure and wished them well on the ministry and future growth of the CT North East Area. The ChD blessed the icon of St. John the Baptist as a token of the Area appreciation and thanked him for his years of Area service. The Officers presented the icon with a detailed volume on the Saints in gratitude from the members.

New members invested in the Order of Malta-American Association

Today, we received four new members for our Area of the Order of Malta in Connecticut. They were among 106 new members. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the preaching was done by Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn. Interestingly five of the professed Knights of Justice were part of the ceremony. (We rarely get that many of the professed present!)

Our little area in CT is growing incrementally. We are grateful for our new brothers and sister.

Blessed Gerard, pray for us.

Order of the Holy Sepulchre at the November meeting

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem—CT Section, met for Sunday Mass and a festive lunch at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury, CT.

It was the first annual Msgr. John J. Bevins Memorial Mass and Lunch.

CT Order of Malta prays for deceased members, family and friends

Today the Order of Malta – Connecticut North East Area gathered for the annual Liturgy for deceased members, family and friends at St. Ann Melkite Church (Waterford). The parish belongs to the Eparchy of Newtown.

The Divine Liturgy was served by Fr Dennis McCarthy and the bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, Bishop Richard F. Reidy preached. They were joined at the altar by Fr. Joseph L. MacNeill, a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, rector of St Thomas More Chapel, New Haven –the Catholic chaplaincy at Yale University and a Deputy Chaplain of the Order.

This is the second time the Order of Malta met at St Ann’s.

The Order of Malta is a 1000 year old lay religious order with more than 30K members worldwide serving the poor, the sick, and those in need of any sort. Historically, the Order has a rich history of service in Lebanon and throughout the East.

May all those prayed for today rest in peace. Eternal memory.

Enrique Shaw and Gertrude Barber

Since we had the canonization of Bartolo Longo on October 19, the first layman of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to be so recognized, I wondered who are the others. It turns out we have two other laypeople be studied for canonization: Venerable Servant of God Enrique Ernesto Shaw (Argentina) and the Servant of God Gertrude Shaw (Erie, PA, USA).

Here is what I can find on Enrique Shaw: he was a holy business man and that Pope Francis approved of his cause. Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre wrote on Shaw here. More to come on Shaw.

 

But on Barber we know:

Born September 16, 1911
Becomes a Dame of the Holy Sepulchre in 1991
Becomes a Dame Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1995
Becomes a Dame Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre in 1997.
Dies April 29 2000

Cause for canonization opened in the Erie Diocese in December 1991.

The edict opening the Cause was displayed in St. Peter Cathedral in December, 2019; approval from the Vatican, which issued a “Nihil Obstat” to indicate that no obstacles “stand in the way” of the cause proceeding; and a presentation and vote by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.  The group of more than 200 active and retired U.S. bishops approved the advancement of Dr. Barber’s cause after a presentation at their annual Fall Plenary session on Nov. 12, 2024 in Baltimore, MD.

Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Gertrude A. Barber

Merciful Father,
You guided your servant, Gertrude Barber,
in bringing hope to children and families who faced
the often overwhelming challenges of living with autism and disabilities,
while inspiring us to recognize all individuals as people of God.
We know you hear our prayers as we gather in Your name.
Through her intercession, please grant the intention
I ask in Jesus’ name (state your intention,)
if it be in accordance with Your Divine Will.
If it is in Your design that Gertrude be glorified by the Church,
so as to further her extraordinary mission, show us Your will.
Grant us the grace to hear your answer and commit ourselves to take up her
cause by the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Imprimatur:
 The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L.
, Bishop of Erie
, 11 December 2019.

Those of us in the EOHSJ ought to pray for the advancement of these causes of sanctity.

Mass of Thanksgiving for Bartolo Longo’s canonization

The Connecticut Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem gave thanks and praise for the canonization of Bartolo Longo.

Saint Bartolo Longo, a layman, husband, ex-priest of Satan, third Order Dominican and member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

The biography of Longo shows us that he dedicated himself to justice concerns, founding schools, orphanages, and charitable institutions for the children of prisoners. His life, interestingly, reminds us of the Byzantine Saint Cyprian (October 2), who was also a demonic worshipper, who sent demons to seduce the holy virgin Justa. When the demons were repulsed by her faith, he repented, renounced the magical arts and burnt his books. He became a bishop and martyr.

A relic of Saint Bartolo was available for veneration.

Saint Bartolo Longo, pray for us.

Order of the Holy Sepulchre invests new members

On Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem invested new members into the Order particularly for the Connecticut Section. We have 7 new members who accepted a new vocation to serve God, Church, and our least brothers and sisters.

Congratulations and prayers for:

William H. Atwood, Diocese of Bridgeport
Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, Archdiocese of Hartford
Jorge Chevere, Archdiocese of Hartford
Father Michael J. Dolan, Archdiocese of Hartford
Bishop Richard F. Reidy, Diocese of Norwich (transferred to CT due to his appointment as bishop)
Robert Niedbala, Diocese of Norwich
Mona Ann Niedbala, Diocese of Norwich

New Byzantine Catholic Priest offers the Divine Liturgy

Today was a glorious day for God and his church: a new Byzantine Catholic priest served his first Divine Liturgy. All done for God’s greater glory!

The newly ordained priest, Father Stephen Russo, was ordained priest by the Most Reverend Kurt Burnett last week at the Passaic Eparchy’s clergy conference in New Jersey. And today was the first Divine Liturgy served at St Nicholas Byzantine Church (Danbury, CT). As you can see from the photo the friends and family of Father Stephen.

The presence of a new priest gives great joy to God and to all the faithful.

May Father Stephen have many healthy and fruitful years.

Now is the time to re-build the Church as St Francis of Assisi set out to do!

Order of the Holy Sepulchre prays Vespers

Tonight the Connecticut Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem –Eastern Lieutenancy sung Vespers for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at St John’s Chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Meriden. With Vespers we also had Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of the relic of the Holy Cross About 20 members attended.

Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, presided and preached assisted by Deacon Confessol Rodriquez. Msgr John Bevins, Fr Peter J. Langevin, Fr John Mariano were present.

The Sisters were extraordinary in the preparation, their presence and friendship.
It was an extraordinary grace.

Photo credit: Luis Fuentes.