2023 National Sodality Congress
More photos added from the event - thank you everyone for your contribution
Eucharistic Procession with police escort through the streets of New Orleans
Holy Name of Jesus Church, Loyola University
Holy Name of Jesus Church, Loyola University
Holy Name of Jesus Church, Loyola University
This past weekend members of the ACU and members of the Esto Vir Group joined other Sodalities in New Orleans for the 2023 National Sodality Congress. We were commemorating the 460th anniversary of the founding of Marian Sodality by Jean Leunis, S.J. in 1563 at the Roman College in Rome. It also marks the first time that Sodalities have gathered together in the United States for nearly 60 years.
On Sunday, June 11, the participants were greeted with an inspirational message from Congregante, Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM. You can see that video message in this newsletter. The participants then heard from Fr. John Brown, SJ, president of Jesuit High School, New Orleans, and Director of the Sodality there. Fr. Brown spoke on the central importance of Mary in the life of a Sodalist, and in particular, her exemplification of the virtue of magnanimity. Sodalists should all strive to humbly and fully give our Fiat to the Lord. The Sunday session ended with small group presentations on the following topics:
Discernment
Crisis of Commitment
Digital Discipline
Ecclesial Dimension of the Sodality
Congregante, David Fernandez, led the discussion on discernment with a presentation utilizing Ignatian principles to guide both minor and major decisions in our lives.
On Monday, June 12, the participants heard a thorough and engaging presentation on the history of the Sodalities by Fr. Michael Maher, S.J. Fr. Maher's enlightening presentation highlighted how numerous Popes, through their actions and writing, gave their full support to the Sodality movement. An example of this is the Apostolic Constitution, Bis Saeculari, promulgated by Pope Pius XII, who was himself a Sodalist. Fr. Maher also stressed that the Catholic formation of lay persons was the central activity of the Sodality. It was the Sodality that placed competent, Catholic laymen and women in society to turn society to Christ.
Following this enthusiastic presentation on the history of Sodalities, the participants heard the witnesses of current Sodalists and the impact of Sodality in the present day. Congregante, William Cueto led the panelists with an energetic witness to the ACU and its resilience as a Sodality as it fulfills its mission to form men in the faith. Finally, the participants were grouped by generation to discuss the future of the Sodalities in the U.S.
In addition to the instructive presentations, the participants were immersed in prayer and adoration. Two liturgical highlights include a 40-minute eucharistic procession down St. Charles Avenue, known for its prolific and explicit Mardi-Gra parades, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. And the closing Mass was celebrated by Congregant, Fr. David Kiblinger, SJ. We look forward to continued participation and support of the resurgence of Marian Sodalities.
