Sursum Corda

Br. Michael’s counsel has been invaluable to our family. His brothers have visited us for a week-long retreat each year, and every visit is a joy and blessing to our small family of six children.

When our two oldest children each reached the age of 14, he taught them how to conduct mental prayer according to the method of St. Teresa of Avila, and guided them in the continued development of that discipline. The brothers have a wonderful ability to interact with young people and teach to their understanding. At their most recent visit, Br. Regulus led the next three oldest children in meditations on Our Lord’s Passion, including our ten-year-old (and very energetic) son, who got himself up at 6:30 am every day to pray! Br. Joseph taught the children more about the mysteries of the rosary and even led our six-year-old in a remedial version of guided mental prayer.

This deepened prayer life has had an impact. Since their most recent visit, our older children have continued meditation in the early mornings and praying all the mysteries of the rosary each day. All the children take rosary walks together, praying for our non-Catholic neighbors as they walk up and down our street.

As a convert to Catholicism and coming from an evangelical background, religious vocational discernment was new territory for me. Br. Michael has guided me in leading our eldest two daughters through their vocational discernment process. Br. Michael’s wisdom, book recommendations and prayers for our family have been necessary, encouraging and highly fruitful. Our eldest daughter was recently accepted into the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus with the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. She is due to enter in October 2018.

From my years of observation, this group attracts very intelligent, deeply spiritual and devoted men. As a group, they have always stood as epitomes of prudence and temperance to my family. I have observed Br. Michael’s leadership to always exemplify courage and justice most impressively. There is no traditional Catholic leader that I have personally known, who guides traditional parishioners with more outwardly apparent ease and serenity.

We have been and continue to be blessed by their example, ministry, and prayers.

~ JOSHUA S. (Auburn, Maine)

Saint Thomas Aquinas House is an independent 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to supporting men pursuing traditional priestly and religious vocations.  We welcome your stories about how the vocations we support have impacted your lives.  Contact us to make a featured posting and testimonial.