From The National Director
March 19, 2016
Solemnity of St. Joseph
Dear Friends in Jesus and in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Greetings from myself, our staff in St. Francis, and my brother priests who are actively involved
in the MMP. I am pleased to share with you the enclosed annual letter from our Director General, Father Laurent Larroque.
MMP and Popes, past and present
In our Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we promise her “to be united with the Holy Father…” These are the words she gave to Fr. Gobbi for the members of the MMP throughout time. In the messages, there are numerous references in which the Blessed Mother insists upon our obedience, our support, our love and our prayers for the Holy Father.
“Return, return, my priest-sons, to love, obedience and communion with the Pope! Only in this way can you belong to my cohort, of which I am the Queen and Leader. Only in this way can you hear my orders, which I will give through the very voice of the Pope.” (#108 B-D)
“Be witnesses of unity. Above all you must be united with the Pope, whom Christ has placed as the foundation of his Church. Today only those who remain united to the Pope can be saved in the faith. Listen to him; follow him; spread his teaching with courage.” (#293gh)
There are those who have doubts about the Pope’s teachings because of what is reported by the secular and even sometimes by the Catholic media. We are not to let ourselves be influenced by what the Pope might say during an impromptu interview. The Pope is infallible only when speaking ex cathedra (with Papal authority, from the Chair of Peter). I encourage you to read and meditate upon his original texts, not relying on other sources. We must warn all those who reject Pope Francis that they are in danger of heresy and are cutting themselves off from the Catholic faith. They increase the sorrow of Our Blessed Mother.
“Those will never fall who are always with the Pope.” (#106p)
Pope Francis and Mercy
I am saddened when I hear of those who do not support the Holy Father’s efforts to reach out to all sinners. Why is it that the same ones who espouse the message of Divine Mercy, as given to St. Faustina, do not accept Jesus’ embrace to sinners as exhibited by Pope Francis? At the beginning of his Papacy, he invited everyone to be sorry for their sins and to go to confession. He knows that all humanity, like the prodigal son, must come back to the Father before it is too late.
During this Year of Mercy, the Pope has been emphasizing a frequent theme of his – that no one can be excluded from God’s mercy. During his homily at the Mass during which he announced the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, he said, “I frequently have thought about how the church can make more evident its mission to be a witness of mercy.” According to St. Paul, Mercy is the highest attribute of God. Remember that the Blessed Mother promised that her Triumph will coincide with the Triumph of Divine Mercy! We should see a correlation.
Pope Francis has always sincerely asked for prayer. We must intensify our prayers for him, to keep the church unified. The Evil One has managed to bring about confusion, even among good people. Listen well to what the Blessed Mother told us: “My Adversary…. keeps aflame the confrontation with the Pope, whom Jesus set in the Church as the center of unity and as the guardian of truth.” (#200g ) “[Satan] makes you believe that the Pope is denying the truth, and thus Satan demolishes the foundation on which the Church is built and through which the truth is kept intact throughout the ages.” (#108t)
In times of confusion, we need to cling to Holy Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church (Tradition), Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is the moment when we must devote much time to prayer and ask the Blessed Mother to help us to be faithful to the Church and to the spirit of her Marian Movement of Priests. I remind you again of the words in the Act of Consecration that she gave to Fr. Gobbi:
“We promise you to be united to the Holy Father.”
* * *
The Life of Fr. Gobbi
As Fr. Larroque mentioned in his letter, June 29, 2016 will mark the fifth anniversary of Fr. Gobbi’s passing to eternal life. I am pleased to announce that we are preparing the English translation of his biography. We hope to have it available for distribution later this year.
Returning to North America
In the fall, I will be moving back from Italy. Beginning in 2017, I will be available to accept your invitations to conduct retreats and cenacles in the United States and Canada. I wish to use the same one day format that Fr. Gobbi used for his regional cenacles in Italy: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
If interested, please call our office.
Retreats in 2016
I will be conducting retreats this year in the U.S. for both priests and laity. Please refer to the enclosed schedule.
I extend a special invitation to all priests to attend both the international and national clergy retreats. We will assist any priests who are in need of financial assistance. Those who are interested are urged to contact our office as soon as possible; an early booking guarantees lower fares.
Once again, I invite our members to consider sponsoring a priest for the 2016 retreat cenacles. Those who were helped by your generosity in past years have asked me to extend a special thank you on their behalf, and to let the sponsors know that they are being remembered in a special way in their Masses and prayers.
Area Cenacles – May 2016
I have included the list of area cenacles that will take place in different parts of the country during the month of May. We encourage you to try to attend, as a demonstration of yourlove for and unity with the Blessed Mother. Please invite your friends to participate also.
I thank all priests, deacons, organizers, and participants. In past years, we have had a great response, with special May cenacles held in all fifty states. Thank you for responding to Our Blessed Mother’s plea: “Please help me, my children.”
There are thousands of cenacles that continue to meet regularly. Some of you called and explained that you have been faithful to your cenacles for years, and yet were excluded from this list. We apologize for any confusion. These are special “area” cenacles held annually during the month of May, at which a priest or deacon is present. Please contact us if you can organize one for next May 2017, and we will be pleased to publish your information.
The Primary Purpose for Our Cenacles
The Blessed Mother herself gives us the main reasons why we come together in cenacles:
“Spread these cenacles everywhere, like rays of light which come down to lighten up the earth, in these days of great darkness.” (434 f) Multiply, in every part of the world, the cenacles of prayer which I have asked of you, like torches lit in the night, like sure points of reference, like shelters needed and sought for.” (417k)
(1) Through the Rosary and with her messages, she helps us to remain in the true light of Her Son.
(2) We give her a great power of intercession.
(3) Her Heart will become our shelter in times of trouble.
She wants us to be “the little remnant” ready to welcome Jesus when He returns. All this, as we await the second Pentecost.
Praying for priests is a secondary intention of the cenacle. Following the prayers for the Holy Father, we add one Hail Mary for the Director General and for all MMP Directors. This practice was introduced while Fr. Gobbi was still with us. At this time we also can include an intention for all priests.
Telephone Cenacles
With my encouragement and blessing, Rose Brenner is leading an international telephone cenacle every Mon/Tues/Weds at 7:00 PM and Fridays at 1:00 PM (EST). All are welcome to participate. The phone bridge can accommodate up to 1000 people calling from anywhere in the world.
Tel. (712) 775-7031 When prompted, enter the access code: 749342#
Please go to the home page of our website for more information: www.mmp-usa.org
We especially welcome priests to be present on the line and, if they so choose, to give a reflection on the message.
Let us use this means to multiply the cenacles for Our Lady. How wonderful it would be if there were a phone cenacle being held every hour of the week. We could have a continuous worldwide cenacle for Our Lady’s intention which is to save all humanity!
Masses
I continue to keep all of your personal intentions in my prayers and to celebrate a weekly Mass for all MMP members. I appreciate receiving Masses to help support priests in need. Please send your check (no money orders) payable to “MMP – Fr. Geremia” and mail to:
Fr. Francis Geremia 14 Grampian Ave. Maple, ON L6A 2A3 CANADA
Email list
We will continue sending our annual newsletters by regular mail. From time to time, however, there may be important news that I wish to share with you. Please provide your email address if you would like to be added to this list.
Spanish Cenacle Guide
Now available! Please call or write to request copies.
Book & Biography
This year, we are faced with the expense of two large printings. The reprint of the blue book is in progress, and the biography should be completed by the end of the year. Your generosity in helping us to fund these two projects would be greatly appreciated.
Statue
We are looking for an outdoor life size statue of the Blessed Mother for our National Headquarters in Saint Francis. Please contact us if you know of one that is available.
Thank You for Your Generosity
I wish to express my gratitude for your continued prayerful and financial support. Because we don’t receive funding from other sources, our only means of continuing to print more books is with your donations.
We need assistance to provide books for third world countries. With Our Lady’s guidance, we would like to designate a center on the continents of Africa and Asia for their book printing and distribution. Your donations to help provide for these needs would be most appreciated. The Blessed Mother carries this work forward through your prayers and generosity.
Bequests
I extend a very special thank you to those who have placed the Marian Movement of Priests on their last will and testament. If any of you are interested in doing the same, please call the Headquarters for further details. We are recognized by the IRS as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; therefore, your gifts are tax deductible. A bequest in your will or trust, life insurance designation, financial institution beneficiary designation, or stock donation should include the following information:
The Marian Movement of Priests P.O. Box 8 St. Francis, ME 04774 Tax ID# 01-0461075
Contact: Tammy Ouellette, National Secretary Tel. (207) 398-3375
Upon notification of the death of the person who made the bequest, Masses will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of the deceased family member.
I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for a joyous Easter season.
“The hour is drawing close when Jesus, who has risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father, will return to you on the clouds of heaven, in the splendor of his divine glory, thus bringing to perfect fulfillment the work of his redemption.” (517i)
Most sincerely in Jesus and Mary,
(signature)
Fr. Francis Geremia, c.s.