Explanation of the icon of Christ the Great High Priest
Iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut, has graciously given the USCCB the rights to use the icon of Christ the Great High Priest during the Year for Priests. The artist allows anyone to use or reproduce the icon, as long as it is not for any commercial purpose, (i.e., it cannot be reprinted to be sold or resold, or reprinted on something that will be sold). If this is the intent, they need to contact the artist for permission to license the image, under written contract. Click the picture for a larger format.
This icon (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28” x 22”) is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a windig grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.” Incidentally, it is St. John Vianney whom Pope Benedict XVI, with the announcement of this special year, has declared the Universal Patron of Priests.
Czarnecki explains: “I wrote the icon about seven years ago [for seminarians and priests] to be able to see Christ in themselves, and themselves in Christ. We often hear that the icon is called a window; in this case, it’s also meant to be a mirror.” The Good Shepherd reminds the priest that he is to “lay down his life for his sheep.”
Bread for the Journey
In today’s Gospel we see that Jesus had been preaching and working miracles in Galilee for many months. Before leaving, he paid a visit to his hometown, Nazareth, and went into the synagogue and began to preach. On the Sabbath most of the Jews attended a service of bible reading with a sermon and prayers in the local synagogue...
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Stubenville South 2009
Last weekend, a group of 18 youth and seven chaperones made the long journey down to Alexandria, LA to attend the Steubenville South Conference. This youth rally was moving to the youth in so many ways: from Adoration to Mass, keynotes to breakouts, and praise and worship to rap. Each and every one of the us grew up and filled up with Christ inside of them (even the chaperones)!
Staying at a local high school in Alexandria, we quickly learned when we arrived that it was going to be primitive living conditions for the weekend: cold showers, not-so-cold sleeping quarters (school classrooms), and 12:30 am lights-out rule (with a 6:30 am wake up call) to boot! But a common theme echoed through our group… “Get Over It”! Offering these sacrifices up was the attitude.
In and amongst the over 4,000 attendees, the energy, respect and attention our kids had towards the messages and symbols of our faith amazed me. One of the most powerful moments at the conference, and the message that stuck with the kids was the phrase, “Adios Baby!” When one meets the temptation of sin, all you got to say is, “Adios Baby”. Some of us even got the T-Shirt with “Adios Baby” written on it!
I would like to close with a small litany of thanks to the chaperones who gave of their weekend in love and support of our youth: our leader, Phillip (and Julia) Norton, Deacon Bill Roche, Cecile Strobel, Brittney Pike, Brother Moses, and David Dubiel. I also want to thank the parish for its support. This month has been slammed packed with activities, missions, and conferences and it has been through your support that these events have been successful. Let me tell you, we have a group of youth that are fired up and are ready to make a great impact in our church. These youth are not the future of our church, they are our church!
Adios Baby!
