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ANCHOR THETHETHETHE

“… to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm,…” (Heb 6:18,19)

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We rejoice on this special year of the 60We rejoice on this special year of the 60We rejoice on this special year of the 60We rejoice on this special year of the 60thththth Anniversary of Anniversary of Anniversary of Anniversary of

the foundation of the Apostolate of the Suffering, whose the foundation of the Apostolate of the Suffering, whose the foundation of the Apostolate of the Suffering, whose the foundation of the Apostolate of the Suffering, whose

founders, were guided and inspired in all aspects of the founders, were guided and inspired in all aspects of the founders, were guided and inspired in all aspects of the founders, were guided and inspired in all aspects of the

association, by the maternal inspiration of our Blessed association, by the maternal inspiration of our Blessed association, by the maternal inspiration of our Blessed association, by the maternal inspiration of our Blessed

Mother.Mother.Mother.Mother.

In 1947, Msgr. Novarese, along with Sister Elvira Myriam Psorulla,

born in Haifa, and whom he had met providentially, founded the

Apostolate of the Suffering.

The elder Sister, to this day, continues to make her home above

the church where is entombed our Founding Father the Servant of

God, Msgr. Luigi Novarese.

The 60th Anniversary celebrations recently opened with the partici-

pation of nine hundred International Members of the Apostolate of

the Suffering on the 23rd of May in Rome, with recognition by the

Holy Father and a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. Brother Bob Letasz,

our American Director, was fortunate enough to be there at the

time, as he was attending a Council Meeting of the International

Confederation.

Our 60th Anniversary Jubilee will conclude with a Pilgrimage to

Fatima in October to participate in the 90th Anniversary celebra-

tion of Our Lady of Fatima’s final apparition ‘The Miracle of the

Sun’ in the Cova da Iria.

APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING th th th th ANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARY

Msgr. Luigi Novarese

Sr. Elvira Myriam Psorulla sodc

6060

“YOU, DEAREST ONES, CAN PARTICIPATE YOU, DEAREST ONES, CAN PARTICIPATE YOU, DEAREST ONES, CAN PARTICIPATE YOU, DEAREST ONES, CAN PARTICIPATE

IN THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY, IF YOU IN THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY, IF YOU IN THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY, IF YOU IN THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY, IF YOU

UNITE YOUR PAIN,YOUR TRIALS TO THOSE OF UNITE YOUR PAIN,YOUR TRIALS TO THOSE OF UNITE YOUR PAIN,YOUR TRIALS TO THOSE OF UNITE YOUR PAIN,YOUR TRIALS TO THOSE OF

JESUS.”JESUS.”JESUS.”JESUS.” Msgr. L.. Novarese

THE LORD WORKING THROUGH USTHE LORD WORKING THROUGH USTHE LORD WORKING THROUGH USTHE LORD WORKING THROUGH US

Perhaps it can be said that heaven is on its way to us as long as we do not keep it at a

distance by our own actions. I believe it is no fantasy or delusion to think this way: that our

whole Christian life consists in having heaven continually striving to catch up with us, close

in on us. Every Christian act, belief, love sacrifice, struggle, every perseverance, and coura-

geous performance – all these things make possible the approach of him who desires only

to come forward.

But all coldness, indifference, slothfulness, weakness pride, covetousness – everything that sin is

called – forces him back, bars the road to him. And heaven fights. Heaven wants to come to us. For

heaven is only God’s love come home.

What a tremendous thought it is: heaven on the way to meet me, relentlessly advancing toward

me, and God’s eye is upon me. And to think of the mightiness of the will behind it! The monumental

strength of that desire! Monsignor Romano Guardini

Page 2 The ANCHOR

“When my time will

arrive, She herself will come to get me”.

Angiolino is a precious gift for our times. His will to live and his resigna-tion to God’s Will are an inspiration. He remains a symbol in contrast to the insidious temptations of modern soci-ety. He is a vibrant part of God’s vine-yard, totally immersed in God’s infinite love. His presence characterized by the goodness which he instills in others will never die.

For today’s youth, Angiolino is an excellent example that every season of life has that enormous potential to fulfill God’s plan and to live in His grace.

To mothers and fathers, his story is a reminder that “Nothing is impossible with God”, and that no gift is more pre-cious than that of faith.

To everyone, it teaches that each part of suffering is an appeal to God’s forgiveness as seen on the Cross. It is the person’s total abandonment to Christ.

Those who knew Angiolino cannot think of him without smiling with affec-tion and feeling moved by his sacrifice.

ANGIOLINO BONETTA ANGIOLINO BONETTA ANGIOLINO BONETTA ANGIOLINO BONETTA 1948

1963

Saving souls and redeeming sin-ners became the goals of his days. Angiolino was attracted to the “Volunteers of Suffering because he and Msgr. Novarese were both admir-ers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Angiolino had many gifts, but most of all, that of comforting people and giving them peace. “these tears are precious, why not offer them to the Blessed Virgin? She accepts every-thing” he would say.

He was gradually, literally put on the cross, After a while he reflected: “Up till now, I have asked to recover. From this moment on, I will ask for the grace to make me a saint.!”

Hearing these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit Msgr. Novarese, Sister Myriam and Fr. Remigio decided to give Angiolino a great gift– they allowed him to become a Silent Worker of the Cross, making exception to the age limit.

Angiolino passed away on January 1963.

The cause for his beatification has been given to Father Luca De Rosa of the Order of Minor Friars, who has already the nulla-osta from the Archbishop of Brescia, Msgr. Bruno Foresti.

Angiolino grew up in an agricultural family and led a simple life. He was a good student at the local Elementary School. He would serve the 6.00 a.m. Mass and was the admiration of his par-ish priest. “In reality”, said his mother, “Angiolino never dreamt of becoming a priest. Instead he always desired with his whole heart to become a Silent Worker of the Cross whom he met through Msgr. Novarese and Father Re-migio.”

Then he started having pain, subtle at first, but soon becoming more severe. Upon examination he was diagnosed with an incurable bone cancer which eventually necessitated the amputation of his right leg.

Summer ’07 Page 3

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

for obtaining the beatification

of the Servant of God

Luigi Novarese

Eternal Father, Eternal Father, Eternal Father, Eternal Father,

who so love your priests,who so love your priests,who so love your priests,who so love your priests,

dispensers of the dispensers of the dispensers of the dispensers of the

Divine Mysteries,Divine Mysteries,Divine Mysteries,Divine Mysteries,

we thank you for the giftswe thank you for the giftswe thank you for the giftswe thank you for the gifts

you have given your you have given your you have given your you have given your

faithful priestfaithful priestfaithful priestfaithful priest

Luigi Novarese, Luigi Novarese, Luigi Novarese, Luigi Novarese,

Founder of the Founder of the Founder of the Founder of the

Silent Workers of the Cross,Silent Workers of the Cross,Silent Workers of the Cross,Silent Workers of the Cross,

who understoodwho understoodwho understoodwho understood

the saving value of sufferingthe saving value of sufferingthe saving value of sufferingthe saving value of suffering

in an apostolate in an apostolate in an apostolate in an apostolate

among the sick.among the sick.among the sick.among the sick.

We ask that he be glorified We ask that he be glorified We ask that he be glorified We ask that he be glorified

here on earth,here on earth,here on earth,here on earth,

for the comfort and relieffor the comfort and relieffor the comfort and relieffor the comfort and relief

of the suffering,of the suffering,of the suffering,of the suffering,

for the love he bore for the love he bore for the love he bore for the love he bore

the Blessed Virgin Marythe Blessed Virgin Marythe Blessed Virgin Marythe Blessed Virgin Mary

and for his shining exampleand for his shining exampleand for his shining exampleand for his shining example

of love for the Cross.of love for the Cross.of love for the Cross.of love for the Cross.

Please grant us Please grant us Please grant us Please grant us

the favor we implore.the favor we implore.the favor we implore.the favor we implore.

(Insert here

your special intentions).

GLORY TO THE FATHER…GLORY TO THE FATHER…GLORY TO THE FATHER…GLORY TO THE FATHER…

Servant of God Luigi Novarese,Servant of God Luigi Novarese,Servant of God Luigi Novarese,Servant of God Luigi Novarese,

Pray for us.Pray for us.Pray for us.Pray for us.

Frascati, March 9, 1995

Imprimatur + Giuseppe Matarrese

Bishop of Frascati

Weapons for peace sent to Iraq and Saddam Hussein’s former palace The message of Our Lady of Fatima – to pray the rosary for world peace – is not lost on Sister Mary Winifred SP, (also a member of the Apostolate). In fact, one of her per-sonal ministry initiatives dovetails on her complete trust in the power of those 50 small beads. It all started when her brother, Robert, assured an ill friend he would, “…call my sister, the nun, and ask her to pray for you.”

Before long, Sister Winifred’s prayers included her brother’s friend and the safe re-turn of that friend’s son-in-law serving in the military. Providentially, the newest name on Sister Winifred’s prayer list just happened to be stationed in one of Saddam’s for-mer Iraqi palaces.

Sending as many as possible - “Our Lady of Fatima said rosaries could stop war, so that’s what I was thinking,” said Sister Winifred of her decision to send rosaries to the palace.

Soon an unspoken partnership emerged: Sister Wini-fred started her rosary mailing campaign to Iraq and her palace insider distributed them to thousands of hands eager to use them – both within and beyond the palace walls. Sister Winifred wrapped and mailed, at her own expense, package after package of prayer beads.

Today, she knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are at least 5,000 more rosaries in Iraq than would be there without her personal crusade. Sister Winifred only ceased her rosary mailings when advised: “Every Catholic in Iraq has enough rosaries!”

Editor’s note: Sister Winifred’s supply of rosaries came to her

through the generosity of St Anne Parish in the Fairview section of

Chicopee MA. ( reprinted with permission from Sisters of Providence)

Do not let your hearts be afraidDo not let your hearts be afraidDo not let your hearts be afraidDo not let your hearts be afraid Complete freedom from fear is one of those things we owe wholly to

Our Lord. To be afraid is to do him a double injury. First, it is to forget

him, to forget that he is with us, that he loves us, and is himself al-

mighty, and second it is to fail to bend to his will. If we shape our will to

his, as everything that happens is either willed or allowed by him, we

shall find joy in whatever happens, and shall never be disturbed or

afraid. So then, we should have the faith that banishes all fear. Beside

us, face to face with us, within us, we have Our Lord Jesus, our God

whose love for us is infinite, who is himself almighty, who has told us to

seek for the kingdom of God and that everything else will be given us. In

that blessed and omnipotent company, we must go straight along the

path of the greatest perfection, certain that nothing will happen to us

that we cannot use as the source of the greatest good for his glory and

the sanctification of ourselves and others, and that everything that hap-

pens is either willed or permitted by him, and that therefore, far from

lying under the shadow of fear, we have only to say, “Whatever happens

– God be praised!” praying that he will arrange everything not in accor-

dance with our ideas, but for his greater glory. We should never forget

the two axioms: “Jesus is with me” and “Whatever happens, happens by

the will of God.” Venerable Charles de Foucauld

( 1916) contemplative and mystic, lived among the Tuareg people of Algeria.

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE APOSTOLATE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE APOSTOLATE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE APOSTOLATE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE APOSTOLATE

The Apostolate of the Suffering (A.O.S.) was founded in Italy in 1947 and fully approved by the Church, as a co-association of the Silent Workers of the Cross. Today it consists of ecclesiastical Private Diocesan Associations in many Countries of the world, united in an International Confederation, approved by Decree of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Our main purpose is to allevi-ate suffering and inspire a genuine vocation in all who suffer and to help live a fruitful apostolic life.

Anyone can become a member of the Apostolate of the Suf-fering. We have all been called to assist Jesus in the salvation of souls and in the building up of his Church. You also become the beneficiary of a plenary indulgence.

To become a member or renew membership for the year 2007, fill out the form with the suggested $5 annual dues. Your card will be promptly sent to you. Mail to:

APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING P.O.BOX 535 CHICOPEE MA 01021

SUPPORT NEEDEDSUPPORT NEEDEDSUPPORT NEEDEDSUPPORT NEEDED

We especially seek the prayers of our sick members since they are so powerful before God. We also ear-nestly urge you to be as generous as possible. Your tax deductible contributions will help us to continue the production and mailing of this publication.

We thank you in advance for your generosity.

Page 4 The ANCHOR

SPRINGFIELD DIOCESE

AOS

Summer Activities:

JUNE 26: Tuesday

MARYFARM DAY OF RETREAT From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eucharistic Celebration, Guest Speaker, Lunch. Suggested donation $15.

JULY 21: SAT. COOK-OUT at MARYFARM in PALMER from Noon to 3 p.m. Fun afternoon.

AUGUST 19. SUNDAY ANNUAL DAY OF THE APOSTOLATE. Bishop T. McDonnell celebrates the special Mass at St Mary’s in Ware at 1 p.m. Open House at MaryFarm in Palmer following the Liturgy.

For Information and reservation call:

413 283-4529 or 413 536-0080 E–mail: [email protected]

AOS MASS CARDAOS MASS CARDAOS MASS CARDAOS MASS CARD

Our Mass Card for a deceased or seriously ill loved one, friend or family member is still avail-able for our members upon request. Their name (please specify ill or deceased) is promptly E-mailed to Italy, where it is included in the Daily Masses celebrated by the priests of the Silent Workers of the Cross in Rome. A card is then sent to you for presentation or keepsake.

Name ...............................................................................................

Address ............................................................................................

City/State/Zip .................................................................................

E-mail ………..…………………………………………………………………………..

I wish to be enrolled ( ) re-enrolled ( ) as a member of the Apos-

tolate of the Suffering as (check one): ( ) A Volunteer of Suffering (suffering person)

( ) A Brother/Sister of the Sick (able bodied)

Signature ................................................................................... date:

Upon receipt of this form, your name will be registered as a member of the

Apostolate and you will begin receiving its Newsletters automatically.

When you get to your wit's end, When you get to your wit's end, When you get to your wit's end, When you get to your wit's end,

you'll find God lives there.you'll find God lives there.you'll find God lives there.you'll find God lives there.

The Anchor Inevitably, human suffering is the begin-

ning of a time of crisis, a stormy sea which

affects human fragility and shakes the very

foundations of the individual. The Chris-

tian, however, even when he feels lost and shipwrecked in

that profound sea of existence, does not let himself be beaten

by the fury of the storm. He becomes strong as the anchor

through the trials and tribulations. His strength lies in hold-

ing Jesus Christ in his heart while being in communion with

Him in his daily life.

We’re on the Web!: WWW.SODCVS.ORG

or e-mail us at:: [email protected]

Or write to us at:: MARY FARM

1915 WARE ST. PALMER MA 01069