The week of October 16th – 23rd was a week of many feasts for the Institute of the Incarnate Word, and especially for the Religious Family in the Province of the Immaculate Conception. On the 19th the novices of the St. Isaac Jogues and Companion Martyrs novitiate house celebrated the feast of their patron saints. On October 22nd, the IVE celebrated the feast of St. John Paul II and on the following day, October 23rd, the seminarians of the Ven. Fulton Sheen House of Formation honored the memorial of their co-patrons, the Martyrs of Daimiel.
On the 19th of October, the seminarians and priests of the Ven. Fulton Sheen Semianry went to the novitiate house in Mt. Rainier, Maryland to celebrate the memorial of their patron saints, St. Isaac Jogues and Companion martyrs. Holy Mass was presided by Fr. Nathaniel Dreyer, IVE. In his homily, Fr. Nathaniel called to mind the great missionary spirit of those Jesuit martyrs, and the need to renew that same spirit within us. After mass, all went downstairs to the parish hall to enjoy breakfast which had been prepared by the novices. Afterwards there were various activities through the day, such as sports, a movie, games, etc. In the evening adoration, vespers and benediction, and a litany was sung honoring the martyrs, asking for their intercession. The day concluded with a dinner and a piñata prepared by the novices.
A few days later, on the 22nd of October, the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word gathered together at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. to have mass as a community in honor of St. John Paul II. In addition to honoring St. John Paul the Second, Fr. Alberto Barattero, IVE our Provincial Superior presided in the enthronement of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the province. Through this enthronement of the Sacred Heart, the Institute places in the hands of Christ and in His divine mercy all the works of the Institute, its government, all its missions and members. After mass everyone made their way to the seminary for a lively brunch.
The following day the IVE seminarians celebrated the feast of their co-patrons, Martyrs of Daimiel. During the mass Fr. Mariano Vicchi the seminary rector, honored the martyrs in his homily, reminding us how the courage and faith of these martyrs left a perfect example for seminarians and priests. Later In the afternoon the seminarians ran their annual “martyrs marathon”. All who ran the race finished! In the evening, the seminarians had adoration, vespers, dinner and recreation in community.