A chariot of fire appeared taking the Prophet Elias to heaven in a whirlwind. Eliseus
grabbed hold of Elias' Mantle, shouting: My father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers!
And the Mantle of Elias, torn in two, fell back on the shoulders of Eliseus. Bowing
before this mystery that prefigured the Divine Incarnation, we cry:
Rejoice, Chariot of Fire, on which the Saviour of the world came down to us!
Rejoice, Unburning Bush in Whom God the Uncontained was contained!
Rejoice, New Ark of the Covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Rejoice, for meditating on your Ascent to the Lord after your Dormition, we receive a
double share of your Protection!
Rejoice, for by it you cover our hearts against fiery darts!
Rejoice, for by it you cover us front and back and place your hand over us!
Rejoice, for your Prophet Elias foretold your coming in a cave on Mount Carmel!
Rejoice, for you fulfilled his prophecy, filling us with unspeakable joy!
Rejoice, for you are the Star of the Sea, guiding us into a Divine safe-harbor!
Rejoice, for you put on us the swaddling-clothes of Divine Grace!
Rejoice, for your Divine Son bequeaths you to us as our Most Holy Mother!
Rejoice, for you fill us with the Wine of Astonishment!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Spendour of Heaven and Fruitful Vine
richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
His Excellency, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, offering thanksgiving, intercession, and reparation for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. In this way, Father is preparing the foundation of the new Diocesan Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Father Mark is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental support in their pursuit of holiness. He is also charged with the spiritual formation of women who desire to dedicate themselves to spiritual motherhood in favour of priests.
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