THE RESURRECTION OF RESURRECTION Behind the Scenes of the Renovation of Resurrection's Sanctuary
OPEN TO LIFE & FAITH
One Family’s Voyage of Redemptive Suffering
FALL 2024
VOL 5:2
PASTOR
FR. STEVE MATTSON
EDITOR
SEAN O'NEILL
MANAGING EDITOR
MARY GATES
ART DIRECTOR
SARAH FINK
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Located in the heart of the city of Lansing, the Church of the Resurrection exists to help everyone in our parish family live in the light and hope of the resurrection.
FIND US AT CORLANSING.ORG
FR. STEVE MATTSON IN THIS
ISSUE
RENOVATING HEARTS
OPEN TO LIFE & FAITH
JOSH & BERNADETTE MATTSON
TEN YEARS OF FAITH & FUN
MAGGIE LUM
THE RESURRECTION OF RESURRECTION
AN INTERVIEW WITH FR. STEVE & CHRIS SPALDING
11
12
WELCOMING ADULTS TO THE FLOCK
GREG INGLE
THE PRESENCE, THE POWER, THE PROMISE
SEAN O'NEILL
MASON ABBOTT 14
4 5 6 8 15 16
PRIESTLY STUDIES AT HOME & ABROAD
WAR IN HEAVEN & ON EARTH | AN ART MEDITATION
MARY GATES
ON MY FIRST DAUGHTER | A POEM
BEN JONSON
Welcome to Resurrection Magazine!
We have created this magazine to bear witness to what the Lord is doing in our midst. Our Risen Lord is blessing us richly, and we want to take this opportunity to share some of those blessings with you. Read and learn more about our parish and our rich Catholic faith! Please visit our website to read our past issues.
ON THE COVER
Master of Zafra's St. Michael the Archangel (14951500), mixed method, panel transferred to canvas.. For a meditation on the painting, see page 15.
FROM THE
EDITOR
In many ways, this is a time of new beginnings for us at the Church of the Resurrection. The pastor’s article on page 4 introduces the renovation that has been taking place within the church building, in order to beautify the space and make it more amenable to deeper worship. In true Catholic fashion the restructuring of the interior and exterior focuses on the truth that God is transcendent and our worship of Him takes us beyond the mere symbolism of the new design.
We interviewed Fr. Steve and Chris Spalding, our Facilities Director, and both of them gave a fascinating account of the progression and timing of the construction plan. You will find the interview and photos of the progress of the work on the spread beginning on page 8.
New beginnings are also a feature of Greg Ingle’s article, on page 11, which talks about the parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program. Greg, who runs the program, led the 13 adults into a new relationship with God that culminated in their sacraments of initiation at this year’s Easter Vigil. Greg speaks of the strengthening of his own faith that the RCIA program has brought about in him too.
Another exciting development was the recent formation of the Lansing Deanery. Fr. Steve is the dean and in March this year, as we explain on page 12, the deanery presented an inaugural three-evening mission, which was hosted at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing. The main speaker was Dr. Mary Healy and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully to
heal many of those who attended, especially during the healing service on the second evening.
Our three seminarians, having completed another year of priesthood studies will embark on the next stage of their vocation journey. They give us an update on their plans on page 14.
Sometimes, new beginnings can bring heartache as well as blessings. On page 5 Josh and Bernadette Mattson share their experience of being open to new life and how they have grown through the trauma of losing one of their twin babies.
New beginnings are not just about looking to the future but also building on the past. On page 6, Maggie Lum recounts the 10-year history of the “Young Families Group,” and celebrates the growth of relationships among the moms and dads as well as the children. But, as you will see from her article, their relationship with God is front and center for this group, and spiritually enriching activities like the Stations of the Cross and caroling are mixed in with outdoor pursuits.
We close this issue with yet another beautiful meditation from Mary Gates on page 15 and a poignant poem from 16th-century poet Ben Jonson on the back page.
May God bless all our new beginnings, prosper all our new enterprises, and “give success to the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90)
WFR. STEVE MATTSON
RENOVATING HEARTS
NEW BEGINNINGS FOR RESURRECTION HELP TO DRAW US INTO THE HEAVENLY LITURGY
ith deep gratitude to God, we are back in the church after the significant time, effort, investment, and sacrifice that all made possible the transformation of the sanctuary and nave of our church. Some remaining pieces are still in process, but the renewed pew array, the renovated sanctuary, complete with pillars and pilasters, new lighting, and a new and improved sound system, are all helping us worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth with reverence and beauty.
The remaining architectural aspects, including the altar, ambo, altar of repose (where the tabernacle will be), and reredos, which is the wooden surround of the tabernacle and crucifix, are still in process. We hope and pray to have them all installed before or at the latest during the Advent Season, in anticipation of the dedication of the altar by Bishop Boyea. We will use a temporary altar for now, along with our old tabernacle, while we await the marble work to be completed and installed, and the altar dedicated by the bishop.
As pastor I know well that some of you believed (and perhaps still believe) that these improvements to the church were unnecessary, and that the money could have been spent more wisely. Though I understand why some might make that claim, I am reminded of St. John Vianney’s focus on beauty in the liturgy, including vestments and vessels, despite his commitment to personal poverty. He wore tattered cassocks, but used golden vestments. Nothing is too good for the Lord, he reasoned. I agree with him, and am convinced that the changes that we have made with your generous support will help the Church of the Resurrection lead generations of believers to worship the Lord in a more beautiful church and sanctuary than ever before.
I have said more than once that I believe that the changes we have made align the interior better with the “promise” that the exterior of the church offers. The church has gothic elements that were only minimally present inside the church. The new altar, ambo, reredos, and lighting are more consistent with the exterior design. The sanctuary (altar) area now has a tripartite division, with a prominent cube-like altar surround, which points beyond itself to the heavenly liturgy, complete with dark blue ceiling with stars.
"The decisions we made focused on how to help draw us into the heavenly liturgy we celebrate every time we pray the Mass.”
The decisions we made focused on how to help draw us into the heavenly liturgy we celebrate every time we pray the Mass. Everyone, wherever he or she sits, is also now easily able (but not required, of course) to kneel to receive the Eucharist.
As we anticipate the final pieces, I am grateful to the Lord, and I rejoice that we have been given the opportunity to worship in an architectural space that is now more than ever a cherished “built form” of the good, the true, and the beautiful.
OPEN TO LIFE & FAITH
ONE FAMILY’S VOYAGE OF REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING
It turns out we are good at taking tests - pregnancy tests that is! In the past eight years of marriage, we have allowed God to work in our family and have been blessed with raising six children, who provide us with constant opportunities to live faith in action. It has been incredible to see what God has done with our openness to life.
Initially we had a romanticized understanding of what “open to life” meant. We thought that parenthood was all about a baby’s first laugh, the sounds of little rushing feet on Christmas morning, and watching our kids become best friends. While those are true, the hardships took us by surprise. Our home is engulfed in utter chaos - children are fighting, a toddler is breaking into the freezer for ice cream, while yet another is stranded on the toilet yelling that they are “DONE!”. Put simply, we consistently rely on God to carry us through, not only the joys of life, but especially the challenges and sorrows.
recognize how God, too, meets our basic needs.
Since getting married we knew we wanted a large family. We thought this would happen gradually over a span of decades. After having five children in five years, we began to practice NFP while still being open to the possibility of life. However, God had other plans, as we soon discovered we were expecting our second set of twins.
Being open to life also means being open to loss. Last summer, our family understood that reality in a new way, when we lost one of our twin boys due to a complicated pregnancy. This trial was an incredibly transformative time for us both. We were not in control. We had to trust God with our children, and our own lives in ways we never had before. In God’s answer to so many prayers, we were able to take our healthy son home, while laying his brother to rest alongside many other children.
"Being open to life and having so many blessings has allowed (sometimes forced) us to practice the corporal works of mercy on a daily basis."
Being open to life and having so many blessings has allowed (sometimes forced) us to practice the corporal works of mercy on a daily basis. This has given us a unique perspective into what living Christlike truly means. Feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty is maybe an obvious example. Turns out from the moment kids are born they never stop eating. Just like a mouse, they will need a glass of milk to go with their cookie. Providing these basic needs helps us better
Raising our six gifts from God has given us a small glimpse into what it must be like for God parenting us. Just as Christ does, we participate in the joys and hardships of our children. We are, with Christ, creating eternal souls for His glory. Openness to life is also being open to everything that comes with it, but praise God, it is also being open to everything that comes after. Being open to life has, in many ways, led us to being open to Christ.
MAGGIE LUM
TEN YEARS OF FAITH & FUN
RESURRECTION’S YOUNG FAMILIES FOSTERING A COMMUNITY OF FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP FOR THE LAST DECADE
The Young Families Group at Resurrection started nearly a decade ago. My husband and I had grown up at Resurrection with a booming community of families. We had fond memories of crowded Ox Roast Festivals, large basketball teams with all our classmates, and large family picnics during the summer with fellow Res families. By the time we entered into marriage and started having kids, a large portion of the church seemed to consist of older couples and senior citizens. While we had been growing up, our generation seemed to be moving away from the church. Having two toddlers and searching for our community, we desired that Catholic connection with other parents in the throes of diapers and sleepless nights. We especially prayed for our kids to grow up with similar memories of the Resurrection family that would draw them deeper into their faith.
After brainstorming with Fr. Steve about how to bring young people together, we decided on a picnic potluck. The very first event we hosted was at Moore’s River Park. We didn’t know what to expect, or what the turnout would be, but were thrilled to have a dozen families show up. It was very low-key; we played at the park, ate good food and visited with each other. But we left the event excited to have met new families. After that event, Fr. Steve suggested we start doing monthly events geared towards younger families.
Running monthly events meant we needed more hands on board to help. We formed a committee of eight people and began planning. We first needed a name. Some people voiced concern over the word “young”, worrying it was too exclusive. But we felt compelled to bring young couples and families together, especially those who hadn’t yet established a community within
the church. After nailing down the name of the group, we began hammering out event planning. We wanted events that were Christ-focused and we also wanted a variety, so that first year we had events like “Stations of the Cross,” as well as “Meet Up at Lake Michigan.” The events change every year but some have become fan-favorites that everyone looks forward to, such as “Family Adoration,” “Christmas Caroling in the Eastside Neighborhood,” and the “Easter Egg Hunt.”
"We didn’t know what to expect, or what the turnout would be, but were thrilled to have a dozen families show up."
It has been so beautiful to watch the group grow over the last 10 years. We have watched our kids and our friends’ kids grow tight bonds with each other, as well as growing more attached to the church. We’ve seen many dads and moms step up and help host events. We have seen the school enrollment increase, the altar servers numbers explode, and the connections between families increase. Resurrection truly feels like an extension of our family. This growing community of Young Families has been such a blessing for our church and our daily lives.
See the bulletin for more information on the Young Families Group, and please feel welcome at our upcoming events!
From Top Left (CW): Young Families Cookout; Pentecost Celebration; Young Families Adoration; Young Families Picnic.
THE RESURRECTION OF RESURRECTION
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE RENOVATION OF RESURRECTION'S SANCTUARY
In line with the tradition of the Church, Resurrection strives to embrace the good, the true, and the beautiful. In a parish known for a reverent Mass, a faithful and intentional community, and a boldness in proclaiming the truth, parishioners are now also blessed with a more beautiful worship space.
Resurrection Magazine sat down with Pastor Fr. Steve Mattson and Facilities Director Chris Spalding to talk about the history of the church building, the ups and downs of the renovation process, and future hopes for the church.
RM: What is the history of the original church structure? What was deficient in the way the church was initially designed and why was the renovation needed?
FSM: Monsignor Gabriels began the building of the church in 1922 knowing it would be a temporary space. The school was built on top of that structure in 1926, with plans to build a church with a gym in the basement in 1937. Although that plan was not followed, the footprint of that was similar to the former church. As most people know, the gym had the high school on top, which was built in 1939, and then in 1952 they built the church. They wanted the main entrance on Michigan Avenue, and the space was consistent with that time, wider than it is deep. It’s my understanding that it is shaped like that because of the alley that bounds us on the north side.The original design of the church was with the banks of pews bounded by terrazzo on the floor. There was an altar rail across the front, which also took in the Mary and St Joseph altars on the sides where we have the statues. There was a high altar in the sanctuary and there was always carpet up there. One of the things that happened when I got here in 2012 was the pulling up of the carpet, which increased the resonance of the space. We also got a proper crucifix at that time, the same one we have now. What I have long said is that
the church that was built in 1952 had an exterior that promised things that the interior didn’t deliver. I think we have now rectified that!
… the church that was built in 1952 had an exterior that promised things that the interior didn’t deliver."
RM: What was the order and process of renovation?
CS: We started right after First Communion - on the same day, May 13th - and removed the pews and furnishings. We removed the safe and the servers' vestments, and cleared the space so that, two days later, the crew could start the demolition. 75% of the pews were taken by parishioners, and the old altar was given to St. Joseph Cemetery to be used there. The relics were removed and will be placed in the new altar. Our relics include St. Andrew the apostle, Sts. Matthew and Mark, the evangelists, St. Sebastian, Sts. Agnes and Agatha, St. Januarius, and St. Blaise. Initially, we carried out lead abatement at the altar area and removed all of the asbestos. Then, all the carpet and adhesive was removed, which took seven days. In the weeks following, the crew poured the concrete for the communion rail and steps and, in May, they installed the electrical infrastructure and the multiple levels of framing for the columns. In late May, the construction crew put the backing in for the wooden structures, which was finished with plastering in June, wood and flooring in July, and then they focused on the altar area in August.
From Top Left (CW): pillarplastering underway; concrete for the altar rail; architect's rendering; pouring concrete for altar rail; framing for pillars and arches.
RM: What is the hope for renovation as far as how it might enhance worship in the church?
FSM: It is a place of greater beauty and will draw us into the heavenly liturgy more effectively. Some of the changes are practical and important: the ambo being further out in the west section, the added communion rail, the lighting. The ambo is octagonal, like the baptismal font, because we gather on the Lord’s day, every eighth day. We had saints around the church previously but now have representation of the saints in the sanctuary proper with the Blessed Mother and John the Beloved disciple in the icon and the four additional saints of the resurrection: Mary Magdalene, Thomas the Apostle, and Sts. Peter and Paul. We are caught up in the heavenly liturgy every
time we celebrate Mass, and to be reminded of that is important. For instance, the opening up to heaven as represented by the blue ceiling with stars, that reminds us of the reality of what happens when we pray the Mass.
RM: What’s next?
FSM: Although we’re able to be in the space, the ‘grand opening’ so to speak, will be when Bishop Boyea dedicates the new altar so that it can be used. It’s a beautiful process, as it will be coated with chrism oil to set it apart for the celebration of the Mass. As is the case with the whole project, the purpose is that beauty leads us to more reverent and more prayerful worship. All for the glory of God!
Left: laying tile; Right: finished pillars and arches.
GREG INGLE
WELCOMING ADULTS TO THE FLOCK
GREG INGLE DESCRIBES THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS AT RESURRECTION
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 15:15-16) These words that Jesus spoke to His disciples before ascending to the right hand of the Father, assign a task to every person. Often, we may think that this mission applies to the apostles and the ministry of their successors in the clergy today. However, the call of Jesus to utilize our own unique gifts and talents proclaiming the gospel and building up the kingdom of God is universal. It was in response to this call that I felt led to share in the process of catechizing those inquiring about the Faith.
This spring at the Easter Vigil, the Church of the Resurrection celebrated the sacraments of initiation for thirteen adults, four of whom received the sacrament of baptism. It is a tremendous gift to share in the formation of those who are not yet in full communion with the Church. In a particular way, journeying with those in RCIA strengthens my own faith, conviction, and knowledge of the Faith. I remind those seeking entrance into full communion with the Church that my instruction as a catechist is supplemental to their own study of the word, their understanding of the Catechism, and their relationship with God.
At the first meeting, almost everyone shows up without knowledge of any other person in the room. They all come from very different circumstances, backgrounds, and understandings of what the Church knows to be true. There may even be some who don’t really know why they decided to show up. Nevertheless, week after week, they faithfully continue the journey, dialoguing with Our Lord and the Church,
drawing closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For me, this is one of the greatest gifts: growing with the class in faith, understanding, community, prayer, and love of God and His Church.
Many people inquire about the faith because of someone they know or something that they see about the Church. We are the living body of Christ on earth. People outside of the Church want what the Church offers through its sacramental life and its guidance through the Holy Spirit. It is a living witness of faith that others see and are attracted to. “Until all things are subject to Him and peace and justice abide, our mission and Christ’s reign is not yet fulfilled.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 671). When we rely on the gifts that Our Lord has given us, it allows Him to elevate them in order to draw others into communion with the Church. As Jesus says, “I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely.” (John 17:13)
Members of RCIA with Bishop Boyea and Greg Ingle (far right)
SEAN O'NEILL
THE PRESENCE, THE POWER, THE PROMISE
THE FIRST EVER LANSING DEANERY
MISSION
IS A GREAT SUCCESSS
The idea for a mission came about from small beginnings. Initially, the formation team at the Church of the Resurrection had envisaged a parish mission, similar to the one we had several years ago: a multi-evening event through which the parish might experience a renewal of our openness to the Holy Spirit. Consequently, we arranged quarterly Intercessory Prayer Meetings, which focused on asking for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our parish.
However, with the new parish grouping structure in the diocese, it seemed right to include the other parishes in our Lansing North grouping. Then, when Fr. Steve was appointed Dean of the Lansing Deanery, we widened the net even further to invite all nine parishes in the deanery to participate.
The theme for the mission was “The Holy Spirit: The Presence, The Power, The Promise,” and the talk on each of the evenings followed those three themes. We were grateful that we managed to engage Dr. Mary Healy as the speaker for the event. Dr. Healy is a Professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and a bestselling author and international speaker. She is the author of numerous books, including "The Spiritual Gifts Handbook" and "Healing". She also serves on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and is one of the first three women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Despite these weighty credentials, Dr. Healy’s style of presentation was highly engaging and, at points, riveting, as she led us through each evening of the mission.
The way we pitched the advertising materials was as follows: “At Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles and changed their lives
forever. Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Spirit has empowered miracle-workers, emboldened martyrs, and imbued the saints with the grace of heroic virtue. But who is the Holy Spirit? In this three-evening mission we will not only explore the nature of the Holy Spirit, but call on Him to heal us, open us to our own Pentecost, and equip us to live lives of holiness and love.”
"the Lord […] continues to reach out a hand to heal even the most intractable wounds and problems."
We were anticipating a large number of participants and so St. Thomas parish generously allowed us to use their church building to host the mission. The event was over three nights, from Sunday to Tuesday, and we had a healing service on Monday evening. In all, over 500 people showed up for the event and many joined us on livestream as well.
It was great to see those who attended entering fully into the praise and worship time we had at the start of each of the sessions. The healing service itself was remarkable. Dr. Healy spoke about how the power of the Holy Spirit heals us in body, mind, and spirit, and then asked for "words of knowledge"
about what physical conditions the Lord wanted to heal. About a dozen people came forward to testify to how they had been healed of, among other things, joint pain, tinnitus, rotator cuff injuries, and several other painful conditions. Dr. Healy added an encouraging and hopeful word about how the Lord often continues to heal after events.
As the main part of each evening came to a close, we had set up prayer teams around the inner perimeter of the church and many people lined up for brief prayer sessions. I was privileged to be in one of the teams and it was moving to see how the Holy Spirit brought relief and healing to many who came for prayer.
A considerable amount of preparation went into staging the three-evening event and it paid off. Many thanks to Jen Brown and the staff of St. Thomas for their invaluable help with the logistics, to Christy Whiting who acted as MC, and to all the staff and volunteers from the other deanery parishes who supplied prayer ministers for the mission. By any standard, the Deanery Mission was a success. But more than that, it was a beautiful sight to see so many people being touched by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the love of Our Lord. The planning team and Fr. Steve are grateful to the Lord for demonstrating that He is still at work in people’s hearts and continues to reach out a hand to heal even the most intractable wounds and problems.
one of
the priests present pray for all who attended; praise & worship session; music group from Resurrection leads one of the worship sessions.
From Top Left (CW): Dr. Mary Healy delivering
her talks;
PRIESTLY STUDIES AT HOME & ABROAD
OUR THREE SEMINARIANS REPORT BACK ON THEIR EXPERIENCES & FORMATION PROGRESS
Finishing with his first year of major seminary at the North American College (NAC) in Rome, Thomas Crowley has had great experience so far. Although far from home, being with other seminarians from all across the United States has been very life-giving for him. The great grace of studying theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University (the “Greg”) has allowed Thomas to “receive more” of the Lord, the more he gets to know Him. There have also been plenty of great opportunities for Thomas to meet many clergymen, religious, and pilgrims who come to the Greg and that continues to broaden his experience of the Catholic world, especially “living 10 minutes from the Pope” himself! Despite these graces, and many more, Thomas does miss the parishioners, his family, and friends. He will be there until the summer of 2025, spending the summers at parishes around Rome.
Now beginning his second year of formation, Charlie Gates truly blossomed at Saint John Vianney (SJV) College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in his first year. He embraced the fraternity at SJV with open arms, taking advantage of all it has to offer. Charlie is in the initial Propaedeutic Year, so there is less of an emphasis on study and more on one’s spiritual and human formation. The Lord has taken Charlie “deeper into prayer” which has allowed him to receive “all of his strength from Him” in whatever situation he is in. But Charlie has also formed deep relationships with the other seminarians through running, playing Spikeball, and many other sports. In
short, the first year gave Charlie many opportunities “to be grounded” in daily prayer, deep brotherhood, and love of the Lord. Over the summer, Charlie lived at the St. Mary Magdalen rectory in Brighton with Fr. Paul Erickson and worked maintenance at the parish.
As I completed my first four years at SJV and prepared myself for a new beginning at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, I see that the Lord has not been outdone in generosity. The last year at SJV was one of a lot of gratitude for all the work that has been done in my own life and heart. Completing my philosophy studies, I can’t help but see them as a great blessing and very foundational for the theology to come over the coming years. The brotherhood I have developed with my senior class is very deep having formed a bond with some of the greatest men I ever met. The opportunities I was given at SJV have changed my life forever and all the thanks and praise go to the Lord for leading me there. I was in Omaha, Nebraska with the Institute of Priestly Formation (IPF) this summer, preparing myself for major seminary which began in August.
Lastly, thank you all for your prayers! We could not get through formation and have these opportunities without the many prayers, fasts, and unnoticed sacrifices made for us. I think I speak on behalf of Thomas and Charlie when I say, this is a super powerful yet gracefilled process. Know of our prayers for you and may God bless you all!
(L) Thomas having a meal with other Lansing seminarians in Rome, (R) Charlie and Mason in the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota.
MARY GATES
WAR IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
SAINT MICHAEL, PRAY FOR US!
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
The war for souls - the victory already won and yet a battle that rages. Raging, though quietly, with whispered lies. For, the seed that the serpent planted of a God who isn’t good is still rooted and still growing.
But even so: archangels, cherubim, seraphim, entire hosts and choirs of angels; guardians for each soul in the battle; protectors, messengers, guides and guardians: watching, praying, leading, warring: each one is on duty, created for mission. Each one has given their yes, resounding ‘serviams’ despite the light bearer’s betrayal, his rebellion, his echoing ‘non serviam’, ‘I will not serve’.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray
Rebuke him, Lord. Dispel the darkness, reveal the
light, shower the grace. May my heart open, my soul know the truth of the goodness of the Father, my ‘yes’ be a resounding ‘serviam’, too. May I serve you alone, Lord. With heavenly help let me today bear light, speak truth, walk humbly, fight in the battle. Let no part of me cower or doubt. For your goodness is everlasting, your will is my peace. Whom shall I fear?
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Intercede, we plead, Blessed Michael. Pray and protect and defend in this war for souls. May the battle cry of your ‘serviam’ be heard through the ages. For although the victory is won, the battle rages. And despite the enemy’s lie planted so firmly in hearts, the truth remains: God is good.
Amen.
BEN JONSON
ON MY FIRST DAUGHTER
Here lies, to each her parents’ ruth, Mary, the daughter of their youth; Yet all heaven’s gifts being heaven’s due, It makes the father less to rue. At six months’ end she parted hence With safety of her innocence; Whose soul heaven’s queen, whose name she bears, In comfort of her mother’s tears, Hath placed amongst her virgin-train: Where, while that severed doth remain, This grave partakes the fleshly birth; Which cover lightly, gentle earth!
ABOUT BEN JONSON
Ben Jonson was born in London in 1572, around eight years after William Shakespeare, and was at one time considered Shakespeare’s equal in skill. His poetry reveals a compassionate nature, particularly poems that deal with close family and friends.
Like Shakespeare’s, Ben Jonson’s journey of faith is complicated. His father had suffered as a Protestant during the reign of Queen Mary, but Jonson converted to Catholicism as an adult, while in jail for killing a man in a duel. He sustained his Catholic faith through several years and a degree of persecution, only to return to Protestantism in his later years.
One aspect of Jonson’s Catholic faith that he did not appear to lose however was his devotion to Our Lady. In more than one poem he refers to the Blessed Mother in terms which would have brought censure from many of those espousing anti-Catholic views.
The poem below is an elegy entitled “On My First Daughter” written for his little girl Mary who died at only six months old. This moving poem reveals both Jonson’s grief for his child and his firm belief that she is now with the Queen of Heaven. 1505 E MICHIGAN AVENUE LANSING, MICHIGAN . 48912 (517) 482-4749 CORLANSING.ORG
