Merry Christmas!
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On this sacred day we celebrate Our Lord’s birth. For on this day “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11). We are profoundly grateful that over 2,000 years ago God came to us to dwell with us and to show us the way. Like the star followed by the shepherds the message of Our Lord must guide us. It must guide our thoughts, inspire our hearts, and inform our actions so that we can live in Him.

This is the true meaning of this feast. St. Paul of the Cross gave us a superb admonition about this day when he said: “Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.”

May you be renewed by this holy day and may we all celebrate Our Lord’s birth in our thoughts, hearts, and actions. And may God bless you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

+William

Fr. Russo has an active ministry at an assisted living ministry in Saratoga Springs, NY. He celebrates the Holy Mass every week for the spiritual benefit of the residents. Recently, members of the community donated new statues to enhance the altar.

Our Superior General met with Archbishop Douglas Lewins, SSM in Toronto on June 23, 2018 for discussions regarding the growth of the Society and how to better serve the people of God.

6/19/2018

As a Priestly Society committed to mercy, we cannot ignore the plight of immigrant families who are being separated at the border. Christians in good conscience may disagree about the methods of immigration reform, but our arguments and actions must reflect the dignity and value of every human life. Separating families denies the sanctity of life and is an unconscionable act.

As Christians, our faith compels us to show hospitality to strangers. This is a core tenet of our faith, and is especially pertinent because we worship a Savior who fled His own homeland. I urge the Administration to rescind the government’s policy of zero tolerance and offer my prayers for the families and children impacted by this policy. 

+William
Superior General

On the feast of Saint Venantius, the Priestly Society of Mercy celebrated the ordination of Father George Ontko, SSM! Family and friends came from as far as South Carolina to witness the joyful celebration in Cleveland. Also in attendance were Roman Catholic and Episcopal clergy to celebrate the special day. Following the ordination there was a festive meal. Father George's first Mass was held on Saturday. Please continue to pray for him and his ministry.

​Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Today we echo the words of the hymn that “the strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won.” We ended our Lenten observance and enter into the joys of the Pascal season. We often think of Lent as the time when we do our most difficult spiritual work. However, we know that because of the resurrection our work has just begun. Like the women in the tomb and the holy apostles we are now compelled to share the good news of salvation with others, “lest even the stones cry out” (Luke 19:40). We are all responsible now of proclaiming the message of hope, of mercy, of love, and forgiveness. We are also compelled to invite others to a full life in Christ through the reception of the Holy Sacraments, which strengthen us on the journey. This message cannot come from the clergy alone. At our baptisms we entered the faith with the expectation we would live it ourselves as well as share it with others. May God give us the strength to live out this call and the wisdom to do it well.  

On January 13, 2018 the Rev. Dr. Hyacinth, SSM was ordained for the Society. Father Hyacinth is the first Byzantine Rite priest of the Society and will serve St. Mary of Egypt Chapel in Katoomba, Australia.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“There in a manger lowly lies He who reigns above the skies. The ox and ass in neighboring stall see that Child the Lord of All.” These beautiful words from the hymn “Puer Natus in Bethlehem” remind us of the perplexing nature of our faith. We worship Our Lord who has come to us as a baby born in a manger. He who came as the most vulnerable chose His birthplace in the humblest of places. For this we rejoice, as God is willing to come to us wherever we are found. In the lowliest of places, in the lowest points of our lives, at our most desperate we are supported by Emmanuel, whose very name means that God is with us (Matt. 1:23).

This year has not been without difficulty. Our nation and our world continue to experience strife, divisions, and calamities. In spite of this, we remember the words of C.S. Lewis that “the Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." And so we rejoice that even in strife we have been claimed by a God who profoundly loves us. And who left us Himself in the most excellent way: thorough His very Body and Blood in the Eucharist. How truly unworthy are we to receive him body, soul, and divinity into ourselves, yet how fortunate we are that he came to dwell within us.

May the Christ Child dwell within you always and may you be blessed by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Merry Christmas!
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Sincerely in Christ,
+William

St. Gregory the Great Mission in Louisville has begun uploading homilies by the Superior General. They can be viewed here.