Almighty God, we thank you that the weekend has arrived, and we are grateful for all the blessings we have received this week. Please bless this weekend so that we may find moments of peace and renewal. Grant us strength and wisdom so that we may spend this special time in love and joy. We thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us, and we ask you to guide us in the days ahead. Grant us the courage to let the worries of the week melt away and to find renewal in the weekend. Please protect our loved ones and help us to live each moment with an open heart and soul. We thank you for all Your goodness and blessings. Amen.

Brother Dermot and Brother Leo in front of the statue of Virgin Mary in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Hungary, which captures the moment of the Angelical salutation.  The sculpture is the work of Tibor Rieger, a Kossuth Prize-winning (the highest Hungarian state award for the cultivation of Hungarian culture) sculptor, who is 86 years old this year and whose sculptures can be found all over the country, such as the statue of St. George the Dragon Slayer in the main street of Győr, or the statue of St. Alexius (in Hungarian "Elek") in the monastery of the Alexian Mission in Hungary, the only outdoor statue of the saint in Hungary. 

 

Gergely Czuczor and Ányos Jedlik, former teachers, monks and inventors at the Benedictine
secondary school in Győr. Jedlik is credited with the patent for the industrial production of soda water

 

 Brother Barry in front of the St George's Well in the main street of Győr

 

Statue of Saint Alexius in the inner courtyard of the Alexian Monastery in Hungary

At the beginning of this new week, we pause with gratitude for the gift of life, for the opportunities before us, and for the strength to face each day with hope. Grant us wisdom in our decisions, patience in difficulties, and kindness in our words and actions. Help us to fulfill our responsibilities faithfully and to be a source of peace and encouragement to those around us. When challenges arise, remind us that we do not walk alone. May this week be blessed with purpose, gratitude, and trust. 

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." — Proverbs 16:3 

Amen.

A Visit to the Retreat House Dedicated to the Memory of Father Patrick Peyton

Father Patrick Peyton (1909–1992)—often referred to as “the Rosary Priest” or “the Hollywood Priest”—was an Irish-American priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross who played a pioneering role in evangelization through mass media and founded the “Father Patrick Peyton—The Rosary Priest” movement to encourage families to pray the Rosary together. 

Born in County Mayo, Ireland, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 18 and eventually entered the seminary at the University of Notre Dame along with his brother. At the age of 29, he suffered from advanced tuberculosis. Attributing his miraculous recovery to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he vowed to devote his life to promoting the family Rosary. He led more than 500 massive Rosary gatherings worldwide, attended by millions of people. He was also a pioneer in the use of the media. He made extensive use of radio, television, and film, and even enlisted famous movie stars such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Grace Kelly to help promote his movement.

Father Peyton is known worldwide for two main slogans: 

“The family that prays together stays together.”
“A praying world is a peaceful world.” 

Brother Barry and Marley.

Evening Prayer

Heavenly Father, at this hour of the evening, we give You thanks for this day, which You have given us as a gift. We thank you for the moments we have experienced, both the joys and the challenges, which all shape our lives. We ask you to bless our loved ones and protect them from all harm and illness. Grant that our love and understanding may always be strong, and help us to stand by one another despite our difficulties. Bless the world with peace and love. Help us to understand and accept one another, and to build a brighter future for everyone. Amen.