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Opus Sanctorum Angelorum, the Work of the Holy Angels, is an international movement within the Catholic Church faithful to the Magisterium. It is ordered to promoting devotion to the holy angels and a covenant bond with them through a consecration approved by the Church, so that the holy angels may lead us more effectively to God. The Work is under the overall direction of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, under which has also been erected the Confraternity of the Holy Guardian Angels. The Sisters of the Holy Cross is aggregated to the Order and, though autonomous, forms with it one spiritual family.

The holy angels are powerful spirits present among us, "sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14). "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life" (CCC 336). Most Catholics know little about the holy angels except for the prayer, Angel of God, My Guardian Dear. Yet how much more progress we could make in our spiritual life if we looked more often to him who was given to us specifically as a "shepherd leading [us] to life"!

In an address to American pilgrims on October 3, 1958, Pope Pius XII reminded them that our lives are surrounded by the holy angels: "Each one of us, even the poorest of the poor, has angels watching over him. The angels are glorious, pure and splendid, but they have been given to us as companions along the way of life. They have the task of watching over you all, so that you do not stray away from Christ, your Lord."

At the end of the audience he admonished the faithful: "Have a familiar relationship with the angels, whose constant care is directed towards your salvation and holiness. God willing, you will spend an eternity of joy with the angels; learn to get to know them now!"

Pope John Paul II gave six catecheses on the angels at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. In his second talk he stated: "The Church believes that she renders a great service to man when she proposes sincerely the totality of the truth about God, the Creator, and also about the angels" (General Audience, August 6, 1986).

Through retreats and parish missions, the priests of the Opus Angelorum lead the faithful to a more conscious collaboration with the holy angels in daily life for their own personal sanctification, the salvation of souls and the sanctification of priests.

 

News from our Monastery

We are happy to announce the booklet on the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider of the Order of the Holy Cross was recently published in English. It is available at a special discount price in this newsletter. Cardinal Arinze said of the Italian version of this book, “I have read the whole book with delight. It is excellent.”

Father Wolfgang recently returned from the Superior’s meetings in Austria, only to find out he has been appointed Secretary for the General Chapter—so he will return again to Austria in January. We ask for your prayers for all these meetings and decisions to be made, and that our priests have the strength for both their pastoral and administrative duties.

We had a brief visit in October from Fr. Basil Nortz, ORC. Father was asked to do a few television interviews for Catholic Familyland in Ohio, and took the opportunity to give some days of recollection and raise some much needed funds for the Seminary of our Order located in Brazil. We were all happy to see Father again and to hear him preach in this too short a visit!

Fr. Wolfgang and Fr. Matthew are currently on mission in Oregon and Alaska, as we finish up the year of retreats. Fr. Titus will kindly come again in January for six weeks to help out again with a new year of retreats. We are very grateful for his continual readiness and prayerful presence as he assists in the many OA retreats and missions in the States.

The Sisters have “moved in” to a new house in Rome, which they hope will be their Generalate and a house of rest for priests in crisis—once they find the means to fund this project. It is an old convent of Sisters who fostered Perpetual Adoration and expiation (two of our main characteristics, too, especially for preists!) which they are selling for lack of vocations. We ask you to join us in invoking St. Joseph insistently for this new convent!


 
 
Our contact information:
Opus Sanctorum Angelorum
13800 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, MI 48205
Tel. (313) 527-1739
Fax (313) 527-1729
Email:
contact@opusangelorum.org