From August 29-September 2, members of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest began the five day, annual Chapter at the Motherhouse in Gricigliano, Italy, with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a solemn invocation of the Holy Ghost through the Chant of the Veni Creator Spiritus. Not only is this week of conferences and meetings with the Institute's Founder and Prior General, Monsignor Gilles Wach, an opportunity to discuss various affairs concerning the Institute's growing apostolic work, but it also provides an opportunity for the priests of the Institute, who work in over sixty locations throughout the world, to be able to come together in a spirit of fraternal charity which fosters a strong unity of mind and spiritual purpose.
The Chapter meeting this year was once again graced with the presence of His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, who celebrated a Pontifical votive Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest on Thursday, September 1, and preached a beautiful sermon (PDF). "I wish to express my profound joy at coming to celebrate the Solemn Pontifical Mass for you during the days of your annual chapter. It has been a great blessing for me to know the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, from the first years of my service as a diocesan bishop. I shall remain always deeply grateful for your faithful and most generous assistance to me in the care of souls, during my years as Bishop of La Crosse and as Archbishop of Saint Louis. With the affection of a spiritual father, I pray daily that your hearts may rest totally in the Royal Heart of Jesus, our High Priest, as you respond to your vocation in the Church."
The Institute was also privileged to welcome Monsignor Pozzo, Secretary for the Commission Ecclesia Dei. Monsignor gave an informative conference on the practical application of the recent Instruction of the Holy See Universae Ecclesiae.
Led by the Prior General of the Institute, Monsignor Gilles Wach, the procession which included the Co-Founder Canon Mora, and Vicar General Monsignor Schmitz, and the canons of the Institute chanting hymns in honor of the Sacred Heart, walked the two miles to the convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus. There Monsignor Wach solemnly renewed the consecration of all the Institute—priests, sisters, oblates, and lay members—to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. His Eminence, Cardinal Burke, then offered solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of the Sisters Adorers.
Through the many photographs of this year's Chapter one catches a glimpse of the family spirit of the Institute, which unites canons, seminarians, oblates and sisters with the superiors and Prior General. Under the guidance of the Immaculate Conception and the other patron saints, the Institute's members rely upon the prayers of those souls to whom they minister in order that they may be ever more closely united to the Royal Heart of Christ the King. A special thank you to all the faithful and friends of the Institute family for their prayerful support!