Ascension Thursday 2010

As promised, here are more photos taken on Ascension Thursday, the day of Brother Thomas Mary's reception of the monastic habit. Readers of Vultus Christi will recognize His Excellency, Bishop Slattery.

1 Ant. I have a new commandment to give you, says the Lord, that you are to love one another; that your love for one another is to be like the love that I have borne you. V. Blessed are they who pass through life's journey unstained, who follow the law of the Lord. Ant.

3 Ant. The mark by which all men will know you for my disciples will be the love you bear one another. V. Jesus said to His disciples: Ant.

Thomas removes his outer clothing, while His Excellency says:
Bishop Slattery: May the Lord strip you of the old man and His deeds.

Then the Bishop clothes Him in the tunic, saying:
May Our Lord Jesus Christ so clothe you with His grace,
that you may share by patience in His sufferings,
and bear inwardly the image of His Face. R. Amen.

Then, he girds Him with the cincture, saying:
May Our Lord Jesus Christ gird you
with the cincture of a perfect chastity
in honor of His Immaculate Mother,
of Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse,
and of Saint John, His beloved virgin disciple,
that you may follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes.
R. Amen.

Then, he clothes Him in the scapular, saying:
Brother Thomas Mary,
receive the yoke of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is meek and humble of heart.
Thus will you find rest for your soul,
for His yoke is easy and His burden light. R. Amen.

In front of the monastery with our dear friend and Oblate, Dr. Tracy Loper.