Editorial from the Prior - April 2025
Dear faithful,
What will happen with the next election?
Let us put politics aside during Holy Week so that we can focus on what really matters: the Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord Jesu Christ for the Redemption of mankind.
The events of history only have significance in their relationship to the Cross: if they participate in the Cross they will lead to triumph, if they are opposed to the Cross, they will be a failure.
We can take as an example the French Revolution which took place in 1789. It was a clear rejection of the Cross, of the divine order as represented by the king, King Louis XVI. When the king was decapitated chaos spread, great damage was done to the Church and society. The consequences of it are still visible today, with governments that stubbornly refuse to recognize God. One injustice follows another.
In face of massive opposition a region of France called the Vendée sewed the Sacred Heart surmounted by a Cross on their chests and defended the Mass, the Church, and Catholic social order. With the cry “For God and for the King” they rallied around their leaders and fought with farm tools – most of them were farmers – against trained soldiers. They were victorious for several stages of the war. The Revolutionary government deceived them, promising peace if they laid down their arms, but then crushed them shortly thereafter. Thousands of Vendéens died as martyrs.
You could say: “but they lost!” Where is the victory here? The truth is that the Revolution lost, because they lost God, they lost Faith, and grace, and eternal life. The Vendéens were victorious because they kept what was eternally valuable, their faith and their loyalty to God.
It does not matter so much what our bank account looks like, or whether we are popular in social media, or whether we control the government, but it does matter whether we believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ and stand with Him. “This is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith” (1 Joh 5,4).
So, in Holy Week let us look to our divine Master. He is the one who comes to save the world. He does not come to save it for a kind of earthly paradise, to make things comfortable for everyone, to bring social insurance. He comes to free us from sin, and to raise us up to faith and love of the infinite God.
In His wisdom he chose the Cross as the means to achieve this end. He will teach us how to carry it, if we only ask. The Liturgy of Holy Week is very rich in insights into Christ’s thoughts, into His motives, His sufferings. Do not miss the beautiful ceremonies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil, full of graces which conform us to our Divine Master.
There will be schedules in each of the chapels, Etobicoke, Warminster, and St Catharines (in Markham there will only be one ceremony in Holy Week on Easter Sunday at 4pm) to inform you of the program in these days.
Wishing you the great success of recognizing who Our Lord Jesus Christ is, of putting all your stakes on Him, and of deserving to carry your Cross after Him, in order to reign with Him.
Please be assured of my prayers and wishes for a blessed Holy Week.
- Fr. Joseph Stannus
P.S. the priory priests and brother wish all of you a happy and holy Easter 2025.
