Stop, to pray the office
Friday, June 18, 2021 at 10:34AM 
I love the image of Bernard Mizeki, setting up his mission station, building a school, growing his vegetables, teaching faithfully. But what I most love is the image conveyed by these words, written of him, “he prayed the Anglican hours each day.” Something very moving about that. Every day, several times a day, he would stop, to pray the office. This is a link to an icon and rite for Bernard.
Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Africa, 18 June 1896. He was trained by the Religious of the Cowley Fathers (SSJE) and served his people in prayer, compassion, and martyrdom. Here’s his story as told by a brother of SSJE. Those who trained Bernard could not know what was in store for their friend. Though they had to know that training him in the threefold rule of prayer – Eucharist, Daily Office, Reflection – would ground him in Christ and the paths of grace. And that would serve.
We in the Order of the Ascension are bound by holy tradition and our Rule to pray the Daily Office. And if a parish priest, to do that as an act of daily public worship. Today we will pray the Daily Prayer of the Church with Blessed Bernard.
Over the last couple of months, the Order of the Ascension has had one end her novitiate by taking the Promise in life profession and another begin his novitiate and be clothed. And a third accept a new call.
Sister Liz Schellingerhoudt, OA, the Rector of St. Clare’s, Blairsville, GA, took the Promise a second time, and became life professed, on May 3 as our annual retreat began. Brother Poulson Reed, OA, is the Bishop of Oklahoma, took the Promise for the first time, and became a novice, yesterday, June 17. The Order gives thanks for the Holy Spirit’s work of bringing them to share in our life and work. 
We are also thankful for the new call of Brother Gawain to serve Holy Trinity Church, in Inwood, at the northern tip of Manhattan.
You’ll find more about Liz, Poulson and Gawain on the Members page.
In the years to come how will they serve in prayer, compassion, and suffering? What is it to be a Religious and a parish priest or a diocesan bishop in our times? Please join us in prayer for Sister Liz, Brother Poulson and Brother Gawain.
Almighty and everlasting God, who kindled the flame of your love in the heart of your holy martyr Bernard Mizeki: Grant to us, your humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in his triumph may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
rag+
Reader Comments (2)
Thanks Robert, and congratulations to Liz, Poulson, and Gawain!
When I was in my early 20's, an elderly priest who had a big influence on me remarked that he couldn't remember many mornings when he woke up and looked forward to reading Morning Prayer. Then he added, "I can't think of a single time when after the Office, I wasn't glad that I had prayed it." That made an impression on me.
I also remember someone saying that poet-priest George Herbert would ring the bell in his little church before each office, and the workers in the field would pause. "Mr. Herbert is at his prayers." A way of making time holy.