Dozens of friends of the Institute from the four corners of the United States came to the Shrine of Christ the King for the national retreat of the lay Society of the Sacred Heart.

Institute superiors with Society members who have received the Cross of Saint Francis de Sales

Preached by Monsignor Wach and Monsignor Schmitz, the spiritual conferences focused on the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales as well as on the history of the Society of the Sacred Heart, which has its roots in a lay group of Benedictine spirituality which was founded by the late Dr. Dietrich von Hildebrand during the time of the Nazi persecution.

Monsignor Schmitz Preaches

On Friday, June 11, Monsignor Wach offered a Solemn High Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The next day Monsignor conferred the cross of Saint Francis de Sales to friends of the Institute who had attended the general retreat of the Society at the Shrine of Christ the King last year. The canonical Hour of Compline being part of the daily prayer life of a member of the Society, this night office of the Church was chanted as well. On Sunday, June 13, the faithful assisted at Solemn High Mass and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament celebrated by Monsignor Wach for the External Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. A festive reception in honor of Monsignor then followed.

The retreat concluded with a delightful concert given by the Axiom Brass Quintet of Renaissance and early classical music pieces—thus expressing the Institute's mission to unite Faith and culture.