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EMarshallBuckles
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
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| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 04:08 am |
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In the thread about "snacking on the Host", we were talking about the unconsecrated host and people snacking on it. That reminded me of the Sisters of the Visitation. Here, in Hanover County, Virginia where I live, just west of Richmond, Virginia, I live on St. Peter's Church Road (named after a Methodist Church about a mile down the road, ironically) and live about five or six miles east of the Monte Maria Monastery where the Sisters of the Visitation live. One of their primary activities, in addition to prayer and contemplation, is to make altar breads for churches in the Diocese of Richmond. So, I just thought that I would share their web site with you http://www.sistersofthevisitation.org/breads.htm - the part of the web site to which this link will take you, assuming it works, will show you some Nuns prayerfully making the altar breads which will be consecrated at Mass in a number of churches.
The Sisters of the Visitation first arrived in Richmond, VA in 1866 coming from Baltimore, MD at the summons of the then Bishop of Richmond, Bishop McGill, to pray for the war torn city just after the Civil War ended.
http://www.richmondhillva.org/who/history.html
In the mid 1980s, various factors caused the Sisters of the Visitation to determine that it would be best to move to a more rural setting. They gained permission from their headquarters in Rome and arranged to build a new monastery out in Hanover County, west of Richmond, where they are now located. Interestingly, an ecumenical Christian group purchased the old monastery and have turned it into a Christian retreat center used at times by various denominations including Catholic churches and groups. I first became aware of the Sisters of the Visitation one hot August day in 1979 when my wife and I had just moved to the Richmond, VA area. One day, out going for job interviews, I took a break and went up on to Church Hill, east of the Virginia Capitol Square area to look at the famous view from the street next to the old monastery. While standing there, I raised up prayers for Richmond, VA. Suddenly, I heard a bell ringing in the monastery courtyard. Walking up the sidewalk to see what was going on, I realized that the structure I was facing was a monastery. As the bell rang, I saw the gates open and a hearse come out apparently carrying the remains of a Sister who had died before I got there. I prayed for her soul then prayed for the Sisters of the Visitation. In the years since, I have continued to remember them in prayer from time to time. As I learned more about them, I came to greatly respect their work and am glad that they still serve the Lord where they are now. I am also glad that at least a Christian group got the old monastery in downtown Richmond. I hope that, perhaps, someday another order of Catholic Monks or Nuns might eventually regain the old monastery, however, it is in good hands for the present and I am glad that the Sisters of the Visitation are out here with us in Hanover County. And, again, just thought you all might like to see the pictures of them making the altar bread.
Last edited on Wed Apr 16th, 2008 04:16 am by EMarshallBuckles
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 12:40 pm |
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EMarshallBuckles wrote: As the bell rang, I saw the gates open and a hearse come out apparently carrying the remains of a Sister who had died before I got there. I prayed for her soul then prayed for the Sisters of the Visitation.
Thank you for sharing that story with us, Marshall. There is a similar convemplative convent not far from my home that supports itself by making altar bread for the parishes in my diocese.
In all sincerety, may I ask a curiosity question? How do you resolve "praying for the dead" with your Baptist faith? At every Baptist funeral I've attended, the message has always been that Baptists don't pray for the dead, but for living family members who have become apostate by joining the Catholic Church. (Not in those words, of course, but that's always been the message.)
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EMarshallBuckles
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 669 |
| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 03:31 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: EMarshallBuckles wrote: As the bell rang, I saw the gates open and a hearse come out apparently carrying the remains of a Sister who had died before I got there. I prayed for her soul then prayed for the Sisters of the Visitation.
In all sincerety, may I ask a curiosity question? How do you resolve "praying for the dead" with your Baptist faith? At every Baptist funeral I've attended, the message has always been that Baptists don't pray for the dead, but for living family members who have become apostate by joining the Catholic Church. (Not in those words, of course, but that's always been the message.)
Good CajunRick, my brother in Christ, you may always ask any question of me and I will do my best to answer! As for my beliefs, first, as you may possibly recall, I was raised in a Christian Church (the independent variety), spent some late teens time questioning my faith (quietly, no rebellion or anything like that), came to my adult faith in Christ, was involved with some college campus Christian organizations in which there were people from many denominations including Catholic participating. At one point, I was a member of an Episcopal Church for a while then, because she has felt most comfortable remaining a Baptist, I joined my wife's Baptist church. When we moved to the Richmond area, we joined a Baptist church which is, unlike some, very "broad spectrum" (all sorts of folks runnin' around there, ha, ha). My personal belief is that I am, first and foremost, a member of the "universal church" established by Jesus Christ, my virgin born, crucified, risen, living Lord and Savior. Currently, I leave wide open the door that the Roman Catholic Church may well be the "true church", however, I also see much evidence that while the Roman Catholic Church (or simply "The Catholic Church" if you prefer) may well be the one true church, God is somehow also working through His "other sheep", so to speak, seeking and bringing people to Him through those other denominations. They may not be "perfect", however, God does not require perfection, only faith, He works on perfection as we follow Him. God may well prefer that everyone be a member of the Catholic Church, however, it has long been apparent to me that God (Jesus) is also "the Good Shepherd" who goes out to seek and save the lost, making every effort to bring them to a saving knowledge of and belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And, yes, some Baptists do regard those who are not Baptist as apostates, however, some don't. I am among those who regard those in what I call the "mainstream, non-cult churches" (such as Roman Catholic, Baptists, Methodists, Christian Churches, Presbyterians among others I could name) as being my brothers and sisters in Christ IF they have come to the above mentioned faith in Christ. As for praying for the dead, I have done that for many years now, even before I left the Christian Church in which I was raised. I have long felt that it is appropriate for people to do. For example, the fact that my earthly father has gone on to be with the Lord does not mean that he has ceased to exist, he is more alive than we are now, I still love him and look forward to being with him in heaven someday. As he died, leaving this life for the next, I fervently prayed, asking God to bless his soul and to take him into God's eternal care. Occasionally I have felt Dad's presence such as the other day when I was trying to get our "recalcitrant" other older car started (I "affectionately call that 1989 Honda, with 150,000 miles on it our "Honda Hooptie", ha, ha). I was at a loss what else to do when I prayed to God to please help me get it started. Suddenly, the image of my earthly father came strongly to mind - I could just almost see his smiling face and feel both his and our Heavenly Father's warm love - and suddenly, beyond any skill I have, beyond knowledge that I have, it suddenly came to me what I should do, I did it and the car started(Dad taught mechanics to Cadets at West Point, all during World War II, and was always very good with mechanics)! This was good because I needed to haul some stinky trash to our local county trash dump, ha, ha! All this by way of saying that I leave wide open the door that people who have gone on to be with the Lord can see us and pray for us and, especially when someone is dying, leaving this life, I think that it is totally appropriate for for us to pray for them and to remember their souls in prayer from time to time thereafter. If my Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ are not happy about that, well, I guess they can always kick me out, ha, ha, however, I will do what my understanding of the Scriptures and "that still small voice" of the Lord, speaking to my heart, tells me to do. As for denominations, I suspect that someday, all of us who are Christians will look around us, in heaven, being surprised both by some people who are there who we thought would not be there and, sadly, some people who we thought would be there who will not be there. And, someday, I expect to look around me in heaven and see many family members as well as many Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Baptists, Anglicans, Christian Church people, among many others, there. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the virgin born crucified, risen, living Son of God tells us "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." I may never see you here on earth, but I WILL see you in heaven someday! 
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True Image
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 7th, 2008 |
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| First Name: | Anne | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifelong devout cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 04:22 pm |
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Ed,
Thank you for your thoughts! I had the same question as CajunRick, since none of the Baptists I know would pray for the dead.
BTW,  have you been to the Cathedral in Richmond? I have driven past it and have seen pictures of the inside. It's gorgeous, and someday I plan on going inside.
Anne
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 07:17 pm |
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EMarshallBuckles wrote: My personal belief is that I am, first and foremost, a member of the "universal church" established by Jesus Christ, my virgin born, crucified, risen, living Lord and Savior.
You are aware, of course, that the definition of the word "catholic" is "universal" and that, unlike Baptists, we Catholics honor the Virgin who bore our Savior.
I once had a Baptist minister friend accuse me of being a "closet Baptist" because I could quote scripture. You, my friend, are the most "catholic" Baptist I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Even if you are an old coot.
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EMarshallBuckles
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 669 |
| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 08:41 pm |
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True Image wrote: Ed,
Thank you for your thoughts! I had the same question as CajunRick, since none of the Baptists I know would pray for the dead.
BTW, have you been to the Cathedral in Richmond? I have driven past it and have seen pictures of the inside. It's gorgeous, and someday I plan on going inside.
Anne
Dear Anne, actually, my name is Marshall (I have my dear late father's first and last names and I go by my middle name). I do have a cousin named "Ed", however, ha, ha! He's a nice guy (and a University of Tennessee alumnus - sorry CajunRick  ). However, I don't care what I am called as long as I am not called late to supper, ha, ha! 
And, as it happens, I have been to the Cathedral in Richmond! My twin brother Martin (I humorously call myself "Martin's evil twin, Marshall", ha, ha! I affectionately call Martin "Bear") is a Catholic. Although currently a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church, in our native Bristol, Virginia, Martin was a member fo the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond for several years. I have been inside there a few times and it is beautiful in there! Parking is kind of "iffy", in that area, however, if you ever get a chance, please do go inside there! It is worth the parking hassles to get a chance to see it! And if you ever get a chance to do so, if you have not been, please go see the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC (at Catholic University of the US). It is HUGE, AWESOME and very BEAUTIFUL!!
Last edited on Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:16 pm by EMarshallBuckles
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EMarshallBuckles
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| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
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| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:12 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: EMarshallBuckles wrote: My personal belief is that I am, first and foremost, a member of the "universal church" established by Jesus Christ, my virgin born, crucified, risen, living Lord and Savior.
You are aware, of course, that the definition of the word "catholic" is "universal" and that, unlike Baptists, we Catholics honor the Virgin who bore our Savior.
I once had a Baptist minister friend accuse me of being a "closet Baptist" because I could quote scripture. You, my friend, are the most "catholic" Baptist I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Even if you are an old coot.
Yeah, maybe I should found the First Old Coot Church, ha, ha!  And YOU would be welcome to join! Oh well, today is His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI's 81st birthday, as I understand it, so at least HE still makes US look like teenagers! 
And, yeah, this guy I know named John Dixon (the "Deacon of Dewberry", as I call him, because of the name of his farm) is involved with the Anglican missions to the United States after many Episcopalians, including John, left that denomination after the Robinson situation. John is a founder of a new St. Athanasius Anglican Parish (http://www.saintathanasius.us/index.htm) in this area and I have at times discussed their strategy with him, making suggestions which might be helpful. Anyway, one day, John said to me, "Marshall, you know, I suspect that you are a 'closet Catholic'!" I said, "SHHHHH!!! DON'T TELL MY BAPTIST CHURCH!!!!" Ha, ha!! By the way, the Anglican Priest of St. Athanasius is Father Charles Nalls, a former Naval Intelligence officer who got his seminary training at the Dominican House near Catholic University of the United States in Washington, DC. I've been after John to try to move St. Athanasius into the Anglican Use Liturgy and thereby into the Catholic Church, like Our Lady of Atonement in San Antonio, Texas (http://www.atonementonline.com/intro.php) but, so far, no sale. Father Nalls said that when he was studying at Dominican House, in DC, they used to try to sell him on becoming a Roman Catholic Priest but he wanted to remain an Anglican (being married and having a daughter like we do, he would have required whatever the special permission is required by the Catholic Church). Of course, you all could certainly pray about that (hint, hint ). So, anyway, I guess that I am a sort of "Baptolic" or Catholist", ha, ha!
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 04:11 am |
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EMarshallBuckles wrote: (being married and having a daughter like we do, he would have required whatever the special permission is required by the Catholic Church)
FWIW, there are literally hundreds of former Episcopal/Anglican priests who have been accepted as Catholic priests even though they are married and have children. I know a priest in Slidell, LA, was accepted in the 70's, long before the existence of the "Pastoral Provision".
The fact is that there have always been married priests in the Catholic Church. Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine, and the Holy Father has the power and authority to waive the rules at any time under any circumstances. I can't honestly say that permission has never been denied, but I can honestly say that I am not aware of a single case of a sincere vocation being refused. One of our forum members, Fr. Gnyssa, is a former Episcopal priest who has been accepted into the Catholic priesthood. (He doesn't log in very often, unfortunately, but you can find his postings online under the user name "Gnyssa".) Fr. Ray Ryland and other former Episcopal priests have their conversion stories on the main CHN web site. And several former Episcopal priests who are now Catholic priests have appeared on The Journey Home. Others, like Alex Jones, who are former Protestant pastors have sought and receive ordination as deacons in the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church is truly the "universal Church". And there's room for everyone.
Even Baptholics! Or Catholists! Even if they are Tennessee fans!
God forgives all sins. Even wearing orange.
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True Image
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 03:05 am |
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EMarshallBuckles wrote: True Image wrote: Ed,
Thank you for your thoughts! I had the same question as CajunRick, since none of the Baptists I know would pray for the dead.
BTW, have you been to the Cathedral in Richmond? I have driven past it and have seen pictures of the inside. It's gorgeous, and someday I plan on going inside.
Anne
Dear Anne, actually, my name is Marshall (I have my dear late father's first and last names and I go by my middle name). I do have a cousin named "Ed", however, ha, ha! He's a nice guy (and a University of Tennessee alumnus - sorry CajunRick ). However, I don't care what I am called as long as I am not called late to supper, ha, ha!
And, as it happens, I have been to the Cathedral in Richmond! My twin brother Martin (I humorously call myself "Martin's evil twin, Marshall", ha, ha! I affectionately call Martin "Bear") is a Catholic. Although currently a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church, in our native Bristol, Virginia, Martin was a member fo the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond for several years. I have been inside there a few times and it is beautiful in there! Parking is kind of "iffy", in that area, however, if you ever get a chance, please do go inside there! It is worth the parking hassles to get a chance to see it! And if you ever get a chance to do so, if you have not been, please go see the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC (at Catholic University of the US). It is HUGE, AWESOME and very BEAUTIFUL!!
Marshall,
Mea Culpa! 
I have been to the Basilica many times - including yesterday to see our Holy Father. My high school baccalaureate Mass was held there, and I went to Mass there many times as a child.
Another gorgeous treasure in DC is the Franciscan Monastery a few blocks away. Have you been there?
I have been to Mass at St Anne's in Bristol, when I was passing through on my way to/from my father's family in TN. I have a sweet story about my (then) two year old DD at St Anne's. Small world.
I will make it into the Cathedral in Richmond one day. I have driven past several times, but I want to bring my kids there. I understand it hasn't been desecrated like so many of our beautiful old churches.
Anne
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EMarshallBuckles
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| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
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| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Fri Apr 18th, 2008 06:27 am |
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Yeah, my wife went to the monastery several years ago! It was touching and interesting to see their little "tour of the Holy Land" for those who can never get there.
I envy you having gotten to see the Holy Father at the Basilica and having been there many times! It's an awesome place! What is your story about St. Anne's? I'd enjoy reading it!
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