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This weekend we are pleased to welcome Bishop Rob Lyons for an apostolic visitation to Saint Oscar Romero Ministries. Bishop Rob is the bishop of the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries and a personal friend. Tonight, Saturday, March 7th, he will celebrate a quinceañera, and on Sunday, March 8th, he will preside at our Sunday liturgy in the Saint Oscar Romero Chapel. Because of his visit, our Sunday liturgy will be posted online shortly after it concludes. We warmly welcome Bishop Rob and look forward to his encouragement and enthusiasm for the proclamation of God’s Word. We also continue our Lenten journey together. This past week we began posting videos of the Office of Readings from the Ordinariate Daily Office. Throughout the week we posted the Office each day to give viewers a basic introduction to how this form of prayer is practiced within the Ordinariate tradition. In the future we will likely post the Office two or three times per week. While we pray the Office daily, recording, editing, and posting each video requires time and energy. There are moments when prayer fulfills the Lord’s call to enter the quiet of the upper room, and there are moments when prayer is something we share publicly so that we may strengthen one another in faith. During Lent we also hope to post weekly devotional materials. This past Friday we shared a video of the Stations of the Cross, and in the weeks ahead we hope to offer additional devotions such as extended readings of the Passion or other traditional Lenten reflections. We are also pleased to announce the launch of the Saint Oscar Romero Ministries Facebook page, where we will share reflections, updates, and videos from our ministry. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580974298417 Of course, we will continue posting liturgies, devotions, and faith formation materials on our YouTube channel: Saint Oscar Romero Ministries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintOscarRomeroMinistries This weekend we also released a new faith formation video on the doctrine of the Atonement, an especially meaningful topic during the season of Lent. In this presentation we explore how Christians have historically understood the saving work of Jesus Christ—how his life, death, and resurrection bring reconciliation between humanity and God. The video introduces several major theological models used throughout Christian history. Among them is Recapitulation, developed by St. Irenaeus, which describes Christ as the “new Adam” who restores humanity through perfect obedience. The Christus Victor model emphasizes Christ’s victory over the powers of sin, death, and the devil. Anselm’s Satisfaction model highlights Christ’s obedience as restoring the honor of God disrupted by human sin, while the Penal Substitution model, emphasized during the Reformation, focuses on Christ bearing the consequences of sin on behalf of humanity. The presentation also includes Peter Abelard’s Moral Influence model, which sees the cross as the supreme revelation of God’s love that calls humanity to repentance. Finally, the video reflects on several biblical images of salvation, including Christ as the healing physician, the sacrificial lamb, and the scapegoat who carries away the sins of the community. Rather than competing explanations, these models are best understood as complementary perspectives that illuminate different dimensions of the human condition—our guilt, shame, fear, and broken relationships—and the many ways Christ brings healing and redemption. You can watch the full video here: Jesus Christ and Models of the Atonement – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Mysteruim_Fidei As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, let us support one another in prayer, repentance, and renewed faith. Please remember that I remain available for sacramental needs, pastoral care, or simply to receive a prayer request. May God bless and keep you during this holy season. Peace, Rev. Ben
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My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, As we enter the Second Sunday of Lent, we continue our Lenten pilgrimage together. Lent is never simply about giving something up; it is about drawing closer to Christ. It is a season of honesty, renewal, and quiet transformation. The Church invites us to slow down, to examine our hearts, and to remember that discipleship is not a single moment but a lifelong journey. Each prayer offered, each act of charity given, each small sacrifice embraced becomes part of that steady turning of our lives toward the Lord. This weekend I had hoped to be in Indianapolis joining Bishop Rob Lyons for a clergy gathering. It would have been a meaningful time of fellowship, shared prayer, and conversation about the work entrusted to us. Unfortunately, this year I have been sick far too often, and I am still recovering, and because of that I was unable to make the drive. I had also planned to conduct a couple of clergy interviews during the gathering, but those will need to be postponed until a later time. While I regret missing the opportunity, I am grateful for your prayers and patience as I continue to recover and regain strength. Looking ahead, we are very pleased to welcome Bishop Rob Lyons to our community next weekend. On Saturday evening, he will be with us to celebrate a quinceañera for one of our families—an important moment of faith, blessing, and celebration within our community. Then on Sunday morning, we will gather together with Bishop Rob to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the Saint Oscar Romero Chapel. His visit is always a gift to our ministry. I would also like to remind everyone that we continue to post weekly faith formation videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Mysteruim_Fidei In addition, our weekend liturgies are available at: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintOscarRomeroMinistries These resources are part of our ongoing effort to remain connected, to grow in faith, and to reach those who may not yet have a spiritual home. Please feel free to share these links with family, friends, or anyone who may benefit from prayer and formation. As always, we warmly welcome the opportunity to celebrate the liturgy in homes or community settings. If you or someone you know would like to host a gathering, please reach out. The Church has always flourished not only in grand cathedrals but also in living rooms, around kitchen tables, and in small communities of prayer. May this Second Sunday of Lent renew our hearts and steady our steps as we continue our journey toward Easter. Let us keep one another in prayer as we seek to grow ever closer to Christ. Peace, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, Lent begins each year by inviting us into the desert with Jesus. The Gospel reminds us that before his public ministry began, Christ entered a time of prayer, fasting, and temptation. The desert was not a place of abandonment but a place of preparation. In the same way, Lent is not meant to be merely a season of giving things up; it is a sacred opportunity to walk more intentionally with Christ. As we spiritually join Jesus in the desert, we might reflect on a few simple realities from this Sunday’s Gospel. We are often tempted, as Jesus was, to choose what is easy rather than what is true. Sometimes a convenient lie feels safer than honesty. Sometimes we seek comfort when we are tired or hungry instead of turning toward God. At other times, we are tempted to take shortcuts rather than patiently trusting in God’s timing. Lent invites us to slow down, to recognize these moments honestly, and to allow Christ’s example—and his grace—to reshape our choices. Jesus not only models faithful living; he strengthens us so that we may resist what diminishes our spiritual lives. One of the greatest gifts available to us during Lent is the nourishment of the sacraments. The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone or sustained by willpower. God meets us concretely through sacramental grace—through Eucharist, prayer, anointing, and especially reconciliation. If you feel drawn to confession or spiritual conversation but do not feel comfortable approaching your own minister or parish community, please know that I am happy to make myself available. Lent is a season of healing and return, and no one should feel excluded from God’s mercy or hesitant to seek reconciliation. As we begin this holy season, we have also released a new video introduction to Holy Week, which I encourage you to watch over the coming weeks as part of your spiritual preparation. The video explains Holy Week as the Church’s “Great Week,” the sacred journey that interprets all other weeks of the Christian year. Holy Week is not simply a remembrance of past events; it is a participatory reenactment of Christ’s saving work. From Palm Sunday’s joyful procession that quickly turns toward the Passion, through the growing tension of Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Spy Wednesday, we are drawn into the unfolding mystery of salvation. The Sacred Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday culminating in the Easter Vigil—is presented as one continuous liturgy, inviting us to move step by step with Christ from the Last Supper to the Cross, through silence and waiting, and finally into the light of the Resurrection. The heart of Lent, therefore, is preparation—not only personal preparation but communal participation. We are invited to pray more deeply, reconcile with God and one another, immerse ourselves in Scripture, and physically participate in the liturgies that shape Christian faith. Even if attending every celebration is not possible, entering intentionally into this journey allows Holy Week to become more than an observance; it becomes an encounter. May this Lent be a time when we courageously enter the desert with Christ, allow ourselves to be nourished by sacramental grace, and prepare our hearts to fully live the mystery of Holy Week and the joy of Easter. Peace, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, This weekend marks the close of Shrovetide, the traditional period of preparation that leads into Lent on Ash Wednesday. While largely absent from many modern calendars, Shrovetide played an important role in the historic Western tradition. It served as a time to take stock of one’s life before entering the more demanding disciplines of Lent. As I was reflecting on this transition, an unexpected experience gave the season a very concrete image. One of our dogs was sprayed—indirectly and seemingly mildly—by a skunk. At first, it didn’t seem like much. By morning, however, the odor had spread through the bedroom and into the sheets. What appeared insignificant had quietly permeated everything. Sin works much the same way. The dog was drawn in by curiosity, barking at what caught its attention, and ended up marked by something foul. Sin often attracts us in small, seemingly manageable ways. Yet its effects do not remain contained. It clings, stains, and spreads into places we did not intend. Lent exists because God knows this about us. The season of Lent is not about punishment or earning God’s favor. It is about restoration. Just as our dog needed to be washed so the smell would lose its power, we need renewal so that the effects of sin no longer define us. Lent calls us back to our baptism—not as a past memory, but as a living reality. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we open ourselves to transformation. These practices are not ends in themselves. They form us into people who bear lasting fruit and whose lives witness to God’s Kingdom rather than the spirit of the age. This weekend we also released a short video on the liturgical year, using the modern Roman Catholic calendar as a familiar reference point. The purpose is simple: to help us rediscover how the Church teaches us to sanctify time and allow it to shape our lives. As we prepare to enter Lent, may we honestly confront what clings to us, repent of our sins, and seek God’s Kingdom above all things. Peace, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, This weekend we observe Shrovetide II, traditionally known as Sexagesima, a season that invites us to begin turning our hearts toward Lent even before its formal arrival. Shrovetide is not yet a time of full penitential rigor, but rather a gentle and honest preparation—a moment to take stock of our lives, our habits, and our loves. Historically, this season reminded Christians that repentance is not sudden or superficial; it requires time, intention, and grace. Sexagesima calls us to begin loosening our grip on distractions and comforts so that our hearts may become receptive soil for the transforming work God desires to do in us during Lent. In this weekend’s readings, we hear St. Paul speak candidly about his struggles, weaknesses, and sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:19–12:9). Paul does not present the Christian life as a path of ease or constant victory, but as one marked by adversity, humility, and reliance on God’s grace. His famous confession--“when I am weak, then I am strong”—reminds us that the Christian journey has always involved carrying burdens, enduring trials, and trusting God precisely when our own strength fails. As we prepare our bodies, minds, and hearts for the penitential discipline of Lent, Paul’s witness reassures us that our weaknesses are not obstacles to holiness, but places where Christ’s power is made visible. We also invite you to watch our newly released video, which explores the possibility of Eucharistic communion between Roman Catholics and the Orthodox Churches from an Old Catholic perspective. The video emphasizes that true unity does not mean uniformity or absorption, but reconciled communion rooted in charity, patience, and repentance. Drawing on the shared inheritance of the first millennium—common creeds, councils, sacraments, apostolic ministry, and a serious commitment to holiness—it acknowledges both the deep common ground and the real theological and pastoral work that remains. The reflection concludes with hope: that genuine unity can only be given by the Holy Spirit, through a change of heart, shared mission, and a renewed commitment to living as the one Body of Christ in the world. Peace, Rev. Ben Dear friends in Christ, I want to begin this week’s column with a word of humble apology. Last weekend, while celebrating the liturgy, I mistakenly celebrated the wrong liturgy. The Sunday should have been the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and I regret this oversight. Thank you for your patience and grace, and for walking together as a community that understands both the beauty and the humanity of ministry. Compounding this, my wife and I have been battling the flu through part of the past two weeks. We would be grateful for your prayers that sickness may subside in our household. I also ask you to join me in praying for all who are suffering from illness and infirmity, especially those who are hospitalized or homebound and have no one to tend to their needs. May Christ the Healer draw near to them in compassion, presence, and peace. New Video Released: What Is Old Catholicism? This weekend, we released a new video offering an introduction to Old Catholicism and its claim to continuity with the ancient Christian Church. The video is structured as a five-part lecture, exploring biblical foundations, the witness of the Church Fathers, the role of canons and councils, the historical development of the Old Catholic movement, and the sacramental life of the Church along with common objections. The presentation emphasizes that the Church is a living, visible community entrusted with the deposit of faith, grounded in Sacred Scripture and expressed through apostolic ministry, conciliar governance, and sacramental life. Drawing on figures such as Irenaeus, Cyprian of Carthage, and Vincent of Lérins, the video highlights the early Church’s understanding of apostolic succession, episcopal collegiality, and catholicity defined not by juridical centralization, but by fidelity to what has been believed “everywhere, always, and by all.” The lecture also traces the Old Catholic story from the Church of Utrecht in the eighteenth century through the crisis following the First Vatican Council, culminating in the formation of the Union of Utrecht in 1889. Finally, it addresses common objections—such as accusations of Protestantism or claims that communion with the Pope is required for catholicity—by pointing back to the ancient Church’s criteria: apostolic faith, sacramental life, ordained ministry, and conciliar order. I hope this video serves both as an introduction for newcomers and a source of clarity and encouragement for those already familiar with the Old Catholic tradition. Entering a New Season: Shrovetide / Septuagesima This weekend, we enter a new liturgical season known as Shrovetide, traditionally beginning with Septuagesima Sunday. Though largely unfamiliar today, this season has deep roots in the Western Church. Septuagesima marks a pre-Lenten period of preparation, historically lasting three weeks (Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima) leading up to Ash Wednesday. During this time, the Church begins to shift in tone: the Alleluia is set aside, readings emphasize humanity’s need for grace, and the faithful are invited to begin examining their lives in anticipation of Lent’s call to repentance and renewal. Rather than plunging abruptly into penitence, Shrovetide offers a gentler threshold—a spiritual slowing down that allows us to prepare our hearts for the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It reminds us that conversion is not a moment, but a journey, and that God’s grace meets us even before we take the first deliberate step. As we enter this season, may we do so thoughtfully, honestly, and with hope—trusting that the same Christ who was transfigured in glory also walks patiently with us in our weakness and longing. With gratitude for your prayers and your companionship on the way, In Christ, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, As winter weather moves across much of the country this weekend, we hold in prayer all who are traveling, asking God to grant them safety, patience, and protection on the road. We also remember those who face these storms without stable shelter, electricity, or heat, as well as all who are impacted by power outages, dangerous conditions, and uncertainty. May God’s presence be especially close to the vulnerable, the weary, and those offering care and assistance. This weekend we also shared a new video as part of our ongoing commitment to weekly liturgies and faith-formation resources. In this reflection, I explore the challenge of reconstructing ancient Christianity, drawing on Jeff Cavins’ My Life on the Rock. Cavins’ journey reminds us that dissatisfaction with the Church is often experiential rather than doctrinal, rooted in a longing for deeper spiritual engagement. His time in independent ministry revealed how difficult it is to “build the Church from scratch” without historical continuity, ultimately leading him to a renewed appreciation for liturgy, incarnation, and the Church as a living, historical community guided by the Holy Spirit. The video also raises honest questions about reform, continuity, and historical breaks—questions that resonate deeply within Old Catholic and broader Christian conversations. Next week’s video will build on this reflection by addressing several continuity concerns raised here, and I look forward to continuing that conversation with you. As always, please know that you are welcome to reach out if you would like your intentions remembered during the liturgy. Additionally, if you or someone you know is in the Saint Charles, Saint Peters, or Weldon Spring area and would benefit from a pastoral visit or the sacraments—especially Anointing of the Sick or the Eucharist—please do not hesitate to contact me. May God bless you, watch over you, and keep you safe during this time of inclement weather. May peace dwell in your homes and may hope remain strong even amid the storm. Peace, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, In this week’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus and search for him with great anxiety, only to find him in the Temple—listening, questioning, and deeply engaged in his Father’s work. This familiar story reminds us that even faithful people can experience moments of uncertainty and confusion. Sometimes Jesus is not where we expect him to be. Yet the Gospel reassures us that God is often found in places of prayer, honest questioning, and patient searching. Growth in faith does not always come with immediate understanding, but through trust, reflection, and continued fidelity. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been encouraged by the number of people who have reached out asking about in-person worship. While our community remains small and dispersed, I would love to offer opportunities for shared prayer and liturgy. One beautiful possibility is celebrating the liturgy in people’s homes. If you know of a common room in a community center, assisted living facility, or apartment complex where a small group could gather, I would be more than happy to explore celebrating liturgy with you and others. Worship, like the Gospel itself, often begins simply—where people are willing to open their doors and hearts. Many people are also carrying a deep sense of uncertainty and fear as we continue to experience profound divisions in our country. Some live with anxiety simply because they “look illegal,” despite having legal status. As Christians, we must be clear and unwavering on one essential truth: human dignity is not negotiable. While there may be legitimate disagreement about how immigration policy is shaped or implemented, there can be no question about the inherent worth of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God. The Gospel always calls us to resist fear, reject dehumanization, and choose compassion. This week also saw the release of a new video, Renewal Pains in the Orthodox Church – Part 2, reflecting on Father Stefano’s book Renewal Pains in the Orthodox Church. The video explores the need for a living, experiential faith shaped by the active indwelling of the Holy Spirit, especially through the sacraments of initiation. It challenges a “static” understanding of faith and invites believers to expect transformation, spiritual gifts, and ongoing renewal. Drawing from the Eastern Christian tradition, the reflection emphasizes that baptism and chrismation are not magical moments but beginnings—calling us daily to live as people truly “born of God,” filled to the brim with the Spirit, and sent to let our light shine. Like Mary, who treasured these things in her heart, may we remain attentive to what God is doing in our midst—quietly, patiently, and often in unexpected places. May we continue to search, to gather, and to trust that Christ is present, even when the path ahead is not yet fully clear. Peace, Rev. Ben Epiphany: Light in a Time of Darkness This weekend, our Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany — the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. These “wise men from the East” traveled great distances in uncertainty, guided only by a star and fueled by faith. They brought their best gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — offering them in worship of the newborn King. Their journey reminds us that life is full of risk. They took risks carrying precious treasure through unfamiliar lands, uncertain of what they would find. And yet their eyes were fixed on the light that drew them onward. In our own time, we see risks and treasures of a very different sort. Across our nation and the world, events are unfolding that weigh heavily on our hearts. In recent days an ICE agent in Minneapolis fatally shot a 37-year-old mother, Renee Nicole Good. Her death has sparked outrage, protest, and deep debate over the use of force and the dignity of every human life. At the same time, international conflict involving Venezuela has dominated headlines, with U.S. military forces conducting operations that have cost lives and left both nations and families in turmoil. These developments have prompted serious questions about war, peace, sovereignty, and the stewardship of power on the global stage. It can feel like we are living in a time of fear, division, and conflicting narratives, where each side claims righteousness and each person wonders what is true and just. In the midst of this, the Feast of Epiphany calls us back to the simple, profound truth of who we follow:
Our culture often promises safety by asserting power — safety that too often undermines the dignity and rights of others. But the Lord calls us to a safer security: the security of love, mercy, and justice rooted in God Himself. Each of us will stand before God and render an account of our stewardship — how we have used the gifts entrusted to us: our lives, our voices, our influence, our compassion. The Magi brought their best to Christ; will we? Let us examine our hearts and ask:
In the face of uncertainty, let us fix our eyes on the true light that appeared in Bethlehem — the light no darkness can overcome. May we, like the wise men, offer what we have with humility and courage, guided not by fear, but by faith in Christ the Lord. Peace, Rev. Ben My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, The Christmas season is quickly passing by. In just a few short weeks, the Church carries us from Mary’s yes to God, through the conception and birth of Jesus, the visit of the magi, and then forward to his growth in wisdom and his public ministry. Both in our lives and in the Gospel story, time seems to move quickly. Over the New Year, I found myself reflecting on this while talking with my wife as I watched a video of railroad locomotives nearing retirement—engines I still remember being introduced as “new.” Moments like that remind me how swiftly time passes, and how precious each season truly is. May we use the time given to us well, living as visible signs of the Kingdom that is already among us and still coming into fullness. This week, we also released a new video reflecting on the theme of theological arrogance—a call to humility, openness, and trust in the God who is always greater than our certainties. At St. Oscar Romero Ministries, we reflect honestly on the danger of theological arrogance—the belief that any one person, church, or institution can possess the “fullness of truth.” Drawing from my own past formation within Roman Catholicism, I acknowledge that I once held this conviction myself, and I now repent of it as a deeply human attempt to claim what belongs to God alone. Only God holds the fullness of truth. While some theological expressions may be wiser, deeper, or closer to divine reality than others, no denomination can rightfully claim absolute possession of God’s truth without diminishing the mystery of the divine. Theology, at its best, is not about control or certainty, but about reverent exploration of a reality that always exceeds our language, creeds, and councils. This reflection calls Christians to humility and spiritual maturity. When we believe we already possess everything there is to know, we close ourselves off from growth and from the surprising ways God continues to act in the world. Too often, Christians limit God’s grace by denying its presence in other traditions—whether by dismissing another community’s sacraments or judging their faith as deficient. From an Old Catholic perspective, we remain wary of such absolutes, embracing open communion and trusting that all Christians draw from the same divine source. Rather than policing boundaries or passing judgment, we are called to deeper introspection, greater charity, and stronger faith in God’s ability to work through diverse people, traditions, and communities. True discipleship is not about defending our superiority, but about becoming more faithful servants of a God who is always greater than our understanding. Thank you, as always, for your prayers, encouragement, and continued support of this ministry. I pray that as more people join us weekly for our online liturgy, we may one day gather more frequently to pray together in person. Peace, Rev. Ben |
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