Homily #151005bs ( 17min) Play –  Cardinal Burke gives the homily for the opening Mass for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN. The theme of the retreat is “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity.” He relates the vocation of priesthood to the mission of Christ in His ministry of salvation. This centers around the Mass which makes present the sacrifice of Calvary. Fulfilling this high calling requires great vigilance and effort, but mostly by asking Our Lord for the grace of ardent pastoral charity which is the measure of a priest’s spiritual life.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest
Gospel Reading: Luke 22:14-20

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #151006b ( 17min) Play – Cardinal Burke gives the second Homily on the 2015 Priests Retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center. He reflects on the call of all priests to an undivided union with Christ that takes precedence over his natural family and relates this to Jesus’ relationship to Mary and Joseph in the Joyful Mystery of the Finding in the Temple. The priesthood should be a daily pursuit of a permanent state of upward movement toward Christ. Giving the Eucharist to the flock is the first element in the pastoral charity to which the priest is primarily called.  He relates this to St. Bruno, the founder of the contemplative Carthusian Order, whose feast day it is today. Confusion of today that touches even on the priestly life involves the preoccupation to outward works and forgetting the divine love that flows from the union with the Eucharistic. The Church sees the value of the Carthusians in order to receive the graces of this profound connection in order to protect the rest of the Church from the waves of secularism. Let us be united to the Eucharistic Heart of Christ and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Bruno – Opt Memorial
Readings: Luke 9:57-62

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #151007b ( 18min) Play – Cardinal Burke gives the third homily for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN, themed, “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity.” He speaks on the role of the Rosary in bringing the life of Christ into our lives with all its connection to the human family through His Mother Mary, and how this is especially so for those in the priesthood. He also explains the history of this feast for the Battle of Lepanto and how we should pray today for peace in the world and in the family which is so much threatened today.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Our Lady of the Rosary – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: act 1:12-14
Resp: luk 1:46-55
Gsp: luk 1:26-38

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #151008b ( 15min) Play – Card. Burke gives the fourth homily for the the 2015 Priests’ Retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN. The theme of the retreat is “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity.”  Here he covers the importance of the Eucharist for the priesthood. This is related in the readings with references to the manna that was given to Israel. Jesus is the true bread from heaven that alone fulfills us and this is all fulfilled in the Eucharist which is truly the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, first poured out on Calvary and made present again in an unbloody manner in the Mass. This is the bread that will lead us through the desert of this life and bring us to the eternal rest in heaven.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Eucharistic Lord
Readings:
Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Ps 35: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8, 9
Lk 9:11b-17

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #151009b ( 19min) Play – His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke gives the fifth and last homily or the 2015 Priests’ Retreat at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN. The theme of the retreat is “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity.”  He reflects on the Gospel account of the miracle of the catching of many fish and refers this to the grace of the priesthood where these fisherman would become fishers of men. He relates this to the first reading from St. Paul who says this treasure of grace is held in earthen vessels and to St. John Leonardi who’s feast day it was and who fought for reform of priesthood at the time of the Council of Trent and suffered much as a result. He exhorts all the priests attending this retreat to go forth and be one in heart with Jesus until he comes again to take us home.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. John Leonardi – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: 2co 4:1-7
Resp: psa 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 10
Gsp: luk 5:1-11

Audio (MP3)

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Conferences #291 – ( 22min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the opening reflection for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat themed “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity”. This talk is on the need for priests to make retreats, following the example of Jesus Christ. Topics covered include:

• Retreat is not self-indulgent but to proclaim that the priesthood is not my own
• Ultimate retreat was in the garden of Gethsemane
• Must take time away
• Things to do to be holy priests.
• Praying the liturgy of hours
• Yearly retreat
• Be thankful for vocation understanding
• Importance of the mission of salvation
• Recall the time you were ordained.
• Not my own will but him who sent me. Obedience
• Accompany Our Lord up to the time we go to live with him in heaven, the victory of eternal life
• Follow the example of Mary, the first disciple, and the holy priests that have gone before us.
• Pastores Dabo Vobis JPII – http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html

Audio (MP3)

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Conferences #292 – ( 30min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the second reflection for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat themed “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity”. This talk is on how priests should have Eucharist as the life and heart of the Priesthood and how it is a call to Eucharistic sacrifice. Topics covered include:

• John Paul II Gift and Mystery Eucharist needs to be central part of his priestly vocation that is more and more internalized.
  • http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gift-and-mystery-pope-john-paul-ii/1111943737
• Card. Burke’s own call to the priesthood via the Eucharist and witness of the decline of Eucharistic devotion in the Church.
• Pastoral charity of Priest is summed up in the Eucharist
• Pastores Dabo Vobis John Paul II
  • http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html
• Link between Eucharist and Confession. Cure de Ars, first adoration then Confession
• Confession linked to daily Examination of Conscience
• Priest and Victim, following Christ in a self-immolation, offering himself to Christ
  • Fulton Sheen “the Priest is not his own” first chapter especially
    • http://www.ignatius.com/Products/PNHO-P/the-priest-is-not-his-own.aspx
  • Should not separate priesthood from victim-hood
  • Christ High priest, but also victim for the salvation of the world
  • Related to divine mercy
• Cure De Ars laxity in the priesthood related to laxity in celebrating Mass
• Inattention related to preoccupation with efficiency erroneously applied to celebrating Mass
• Priesthood needed for the Eucharistic
• Thus Eucharist is throughout the retreat

Audio (MP3)

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Conferences #293 – ( 35min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the third reflection for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat themed “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity”. This talk is on how the Eucharist is the Heart and Mission. Topics covered include:

• Eucharistic Wonder and the Priesthood
  • Pope John Paul II amazement and gratitude that should fill the mind of faithful and priests
  • Jesus words “I thirst” should be echoed by priest for salvation of souls.
  • John Paul II – Ecclesia de Eucharistia Life of Church Foundation and well spring in sacred Triduum which is fully contained in the Eucharistic mystery
    • http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html
• Apostolic origin of the Priesthood
  • links Eucharist to Christ’s sacrifice Calvary
  • Enables Christ to be present to all the flock via the Mass
  • Error of saying lack of vocations rather lack of fostering vocations
  • Cannot do the Mass without priests
  • Dominicae Cenae John Paul II
    • https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1980/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19800224_dominicae-cenae.html
  • Last letter to priests
    • http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/2004/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_20040406_priests-holy-thursday.html
  • Eucharist is the center of the priesthood
• Hermeneutic of Continuity and the loss of Eucharistic adoration
  • Post Vatican II Eucharistic bread not for looking at but rather to eat it.
  • False dichotomy, should adore before eating
  • Benedict XVI Christmas 2005 Adoration outside mass augments liturgy
    • https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2005/december/documents/hf_ben_xvi_spe_20051222_roman-curia.html
  • receiving is adoring the one we receive
  • Middle ages was very consistent with its adoration
  • Social mission is spawned in the Eucharist, breaking down of barrier
  • Letter to seminarians 2010 Benedict XVI year of priests Adoration key to fostering relationship to Christ who priests need to be.
    • https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20101018_seminaristi.html
  • Prayer, scripture, Eucharist, key elements of relationship with God
  • Lords Prayer Daily bread is the Eucharistic
• Sacrementun Charitatum Benedict XVI
  • http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis.html
  • Eucharist helps in fighting secularization with realization that Jesus is real and changes life.
  • Gift and Mystery, JPII, Eucharist key to effective ministry.
  • Today we are thirsting for Christ. This comes from Priests only. Preaching gospel but also giving Christ in person in the Eucharist.
  • Priests own devotion to Eucharist safeguards his calling
• Eucharistic encyclical last of JPII
  • http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html
  • shadows, abandonment of devotions, ambiguous teaching on Eucharist
• Columba Marmion to Diocesan Priest Christ the ideal of the priest
  • https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Priest-Dom-Columba-Marmion/dp/1586170147
  • Communion is union with Christ.
  • Union requires humility love of God and man. Obstacles are self love
  • key is to regret our failings and wretchedness, repent.
  • Jesus will help us take care of the rest, give us what we lack.
  • He will also give the example.
  • He gave himself for his bride the Church.
• Things that block preparation for Mass
  • press of priestly activity
  • Preparation before hand Thanksgiving afterward
  • If busy with events after mass then do thanksgiving afterward
• Marmion love God and trust in him relying on his graces.

Audio (MP3)

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Conferences #294 – ( 36min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the fourth reflection for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat themed “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity”. This talk is on the Sacred Heart and The Preisthood. Topics covered include:

• Devotion to sacred heart flows from the Eucharist
  • Card. Burke’s own experience with devotion to the Sacred Heart
  • Draws all other devotion together for a priest
  • Pius XI 1928 Sacred Heart Miserentissimus Redemptor
    • http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_08051928_miserentissimus-redemptor.html
  • Keeps priests focused on Christ and his sacraments
  • Avoids seeing priesthood as job but rather as an identity of shepherd
• Consecration of whole self to High Priest
  • Benedict XVI letter to seminarians 2010
    • http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20101018_seminaristi.html
  • Keeps sacraments and liturgy focused on Christ
  • Post Vatican II reform lost focused on sacred heart encounter with Christ
• Holy Hour in front of Eucharist
  • Can hear words of Jesus to Martha Luke 10:41 you are anxious and troubled of many things only one is needed.
    • http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/10:41
  • Fulton Sheen a Priest is not His own
    • https://www.amazon.com/Priest-Not-His-Own/dp/1614279748
    • Holy hour is a private protracted audience
  • Mother Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche – Sacred Heart and the Priesthood
    • http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-priesthood-Louise-Margaret-Claret/dp/B0007287S8
    • Locutions Jesus calls his priests to his heart during troubled times
    • Ocean of divine love come forth from it with renewed ardor
• Helps with maintaining priestly religious discipline and duty
  • Teaching office of the priest related to sacred heart combining pastoral charity and loving truth
  • Challenge during time of many errors hard to stand up and say what is right
  • Paul, preaching is first duty
  • In the heart of Jesus find strength to do this in these difficult times
  • Courage to die for all as Jesus did
  • Despite many negative, discouraging reactions
• Sacred Heart and Celibacy
  • helps embrace celibate love according to the Sacred Heart of Christ
  • To love the flock in chastity in the footsteps of Christ
  • John Paul II Celibacy Pastoris dabo Vobis
    • http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html
      
  • Singular sharing in God’s Fatherhood
  • Eschatological Kingdom
  • Helps with patience, perseverance
  • become gentle and lowly of heart and so give rest of oneself to others
• Immaculate Heart
  • John 2:5 “Do what ever he tells you.”
    • http://www.usccb.org/bible/John/2:5
  • Divine mercy and love in Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart
  • St. Paul to Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking* in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,”
    • http://www.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1:24

Audio (MP3)

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Conferences #295 – ( 34min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Cardinal Raymond Burke gives the fifth reflection for the 2015 Priests’ Retreat themed “Holy Priesthood: Sacrament of Christ’s Pastoral Charity”. This talk is on the Sacred Heart and Celibacy which he continues from previous talk. Topics covered include:

• Mother Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche – Sacred Heart and the Priesthood
  • http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-priesthood-Louise-Margaret-Claret/dp/B0007287S8
• Vatican II Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests #16
  • http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_presbyterorum-ordinis_en.html
• Gift of celibacy comes with the vocation to the priesthood
• Relates to the married life
• A way of loving others
• gives the gift of celibacy for the building up of the church
• priest gives himself for life long love with the church as does a married couple
• JPII on Celibacy – Pastoris dabo Vobis
  • http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html
    
• Love of entire self
• Today’s culture is not open to celibacy
• Not disdain for marriage, but marriage to Church, spiritually
• Indissolubility of marriage Mat 19
  • http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19
• Celibacy is a gift
• After Vat ii considered an imposition, thus, hard to keep renewing the offering
• Sign of configuration to Church and flock
• Religious Priest unites graces of both vow and ordination
• Bl. Columba Marmion
  • Should never relax vigilance
  • Overt and subtle temptations
• To foster celibate love
  • Prayer life
  • Good readings
  • Educate people in fraternal friendship with other priests which strengthens paternal love to flock
  • Priest Crisis is almost always due to lack of friend priests
• Challenges to celibacy in feminist world
• Christ is “Our All” for the celibate

Audio (MP3)

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