visit to Clear Creek

I stumbled upon a wonderful article from the blog, Notes of a Thirsty Scribe, on the author's visit to Clear Creek monastery in Oklahoma. Apparently this one post has made his blog pretty popular! The author duly notes how interesting it is that this single post accounts for most of his traffic and gets hits from all over the world... he's not the only one thirsty...
Unfortunately, he's had to quit blogging because his ISP got a little pricey... dude, Add a Paypal Button like mine! (hint, hint)

Anyway, I wanted to share the link here. I think it may be a good Winter Break idea...

Please check out this post if you have time. He's got some great pics and a well-written account of his retreat there.

beautiful, moving poem

My brother Nick shared this poem with me and it is so beautiful and moving that I had to post it here:

The Robe of Christ
by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

At the foot of the Cross on Calvary
Three soldiers sat and diced,
And one of them was the Devil
And he won the Robe of Christ.

When the Devil comes in his proper form
To the chamber where I dwell,
I know him and make the Sign of the Cross
Which drives him back to Hell.

And when he comes like a friendly man
And puts his hand in mine,
The fervour in his voice is not
From love or joy or wine.

And when he comes like a woman,
With lovely, smiling eyes,
Black dreams float over his golden head
Like a swarm of carrion flies.

Now many a million tortured souls
In his red halls there be:
Why does he spend his subtle craft
In hunting after me?

Kings, queens and crested warriors
Whose memory rings through time,
These are his prey, and what to him
Is this poor man of rhyme,

That he, with such laborious skill,
Should change from role to role,
Should daily act so many a part
To get my little soul?

Oh, he can be the forest,
And he can be the sun,
Or a buttercup, or an hour of rest
When the weary day is done.

I saw him through a thousand veils,
And has not this sufficed?
Now, must I look on the Devil robed
In the radiant Robe of Christ?

He comes, and his face is sad and mild,
With thorns his head is crowned;
There are great bleeding wounds in his feet,
And in each hand a wound.

How can I tell, who am a fool,
If this be Christ or no?
Those bleeding hands outstretched to me!
Those eyes that love me so!

I see the Robe -- I look -- I hope --
I fear -- but there is one
Who will direct my troubled mind;
Christ's Mother knows her Son.

O Mother of Good Counsel, lend
Intelligence to me!
Encompass me with wisdom,
Thou Tower of Ivory!

"This is the Man of Lies," she says,
"Disguised with fearful art:
He has the wounded hands and feet,
But not the wounded heart."

Beside the Cross on Calvary
She watched them as they diced.
She saw the Devil join the game
And win the Robe of Christ.
- - -

Joyce Kilmer, The Robe of Christ, in Regis Martin, Garlands of Grace: An Anthology of Great Christian Poetry, (Ignatius Press: San Francisco, 2001) 90-92.

new links

Since I've updated my blog, I've added and edited some links in the sidebar.
1. I've added a link to my twin brother Nick Hardesty's blog, phatcatholic Apologetics. Nick is the Apologetics Director for Phatmass.com, a popular Catholic website and message board for youth and young adults. It gets 6 million hits and week and is currently the #31-most visited website in the "Catholicism" category at Alexa.com. He's an apologetics guru and on his blog you'll find all the tracts he's produced over the years... very informative... check it out!
2. Former and beloved seminarian brother, David Myers has an awesome blog in which he shared some of his personal and religious artwork, Art is Servant. His blog has been in the sidebar for a while but since he's recently gotten engaged (!) I've, needless to say, moved his link from "seminarian blogs" to "favorite blogs". Way to go Dave!
3. Since St. Mary's trusty network blocking software has nixed Bebo.com, seminarian brother Keith Cervine has joined the blogger nation with his new one: Just a guy from Jersey
4. I've also added Amy Moca...uh...Monaco...uh...Mocha...uh...Manocchia! I was way off! She's Nick's girlfriend and has a nicely designed blog that is self-hosted: In the Meantime. She also designed Nick's cool St. Michael the Archangel-themed blog.
5. Finally I'm ashamed and feel like such a loser to admit that I've only known about Whispers in the Loggia for like one month! haha This guy's like the most connected Catholic insider in the whole world, or something like that. Case in point: The Raleigh guys here at St. Mary's said he knew about their new bishop before Raleigh did. Anyway, I'm addicted to his blog now so if you start reading, be careful! Here's his only inside info on the Archdiocese of Louisville so far. But, yunno how these things go... it's like trying to guess who the next pope will be and at the end of the day you just have to trust the Holy Spirit.

That's it, enjoy!

acolyte and m.c.

I was honored to acolyte and m.c. ("master of ceremonies") my brother's wedding over the summer. Here are a couple pics:


A couple seminarian brothers, upon seeing this picture, graciously informed me that I was holding the crucifix wrong. My grip should have been more like this. Oh well :)

more wedding pics

Ya'll know how we do! Louisville Slugger and St. Louis Cardinals, baby!
And Ben gives a speech: "True love is hard to find. Sometimes you think you have true love and then you catch the early flight home from San Diego..." (shame on you --and me!-- if you know that movie reference!)


My dad's a stud, that's all there is too it. And Drew and Rachel dance.

this is a great mystery (eph 5:32)

Below are some pics of my younger brother Andrew's wedding over the summer, in which I was honored to serve:


Here's the family (l-r): Me, twin Nick, Dad Perry, Rachel Hardesty, Drew, Mom Jan, & Ben


Me, Nick, Dad, Drew, and Ben the youngest

back in black

Hello!

Well... if you're reading this, then you're either new to this blog or a die-hard T.S.O.M. fan! It's been forever and a day since I've updated this blog. This semester has been pretty tough and frankly every time I sit down to update this thing I feel like I should be doing something else! But, it's a good hobby to have so I'll try to keep it up.

So, by popular demand from some seminarian brothers who've been bugging me and a couple friends who've checked in to see if I'm still alive, here's an update! For now, here's some pics from the summer.

In Jesu, per Mariam,
Matt

the other

Well, I have tons to post about and a camera full of pics from the summer: my younger brother's wedding, my thoughts on my summer assignment, etc.

I'm back to seminary... which is awesome... and I'm very impressed by the new guys (wow... I'm not a new guy anymore...)

Anyway, tomorrow starts the opening retreat for the community here at St. Mary's. It's gonna be a good one, the itinerary is below. I'll be in monk-mode till Thursday. Please pray for me that this retreat bears much fruit for a holy and productive First Theology year.

ST. MARY’S SEMINARY & UNIVERSITY

THE 2006 OPENING COMMUNITY RETREAT
August 29-August 31, 2006
“Deus Caritas Est: Priestly Formation in Charity”
Given by the Rector and Faculty

Retreat Schedule
(All conferences will be in the Main Chapel)

Tuesday, August 29

11:30 a.m. Eucharistic Liturgy: Mass of the Holy Spirit
Presider and Homilist: Father Robert Leavitt, S.S.
12:15 p.m. Lunch (Refectory)
2:00 p.m. Conference 1: Father Robert Leavitt, S.S. “God is Love and Life Together”
4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer, Conference 2: Father Michael Barre, S.S. “I Have Loved You with An Everlasting Love”
5:30 p.m. Dinner (Refectory)
7:30 p.m. Meditative Rosary on the Joyful Mysteries Led by Father Hy Nguyen, S.S.
Strict Silence Begins

Wednesday, August 30

Breakfast (Refectory—In Silence)
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, Conference 3: Father Gladstone Stevens, S.S. “The Love of God and Divine Wisdom”
11:30 a.m. Eucharist Presider: Father Stevens, S.S.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until Evening Prayer
12:15 p.m. Lunch (Refectory – In Silence)
2:00 p.m. Extraordinary Confessors available for Sacrament of Reconciliation (Locations posted)
4:30 p.m. Evening Prayer, Conference 4: Father Corbin Eddy “Liturgy as the Sign of Love”
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
6:00 p.m. Dinner (Refectory—In Silence)
8:00 p.m. Taize Meditative Prayer Led by Fr. Tony Perez, S.S.
Strict Silence continues through the Night

Thursday, August 31

Breakfast in silence (Refectory)
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, Conference 5: Father Philip Keane, S.S. “Love as the Foundation of Moral Life”
11:30 a.m. Conference 6: Father David Couturier, OFM Cap. “God’s Love, Human Resistance, and Priestly Service”
Strict Silence Ends
12:15 p.m. Lunch (Refectory)
2:00 p.m. Conference 7: Father Robert Leavitt, S.S. “Love and the Paschal Mystery”
Quiet Time for Prayer and Reflection
4:00 p.m. Covenant Liturgy Presider and Homilist: Robert F. Leavitt, S.S.
5:00 p.m. Social (Laubacher Hall)
5:30 p.m. Dinner (Refectory)

Guidelines for Quiet Time for Prayer and Reflection

I. A serene and quiet atmosphere pervades the whole house during the retreat, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in each individual, and respecting the Spirit’s work in others.
II. Spiritual conversations and shared prayer with others in small groups may take place.
III. Meal times are the appropriate place for fraternal interactions.
IV. During the retreat seminarians should avoid the use of electronic or digital devices (TV, computers, phones, game systems). Soft music facilitating reflection should not disturb others.
V. During the retreat normal business activity and external communications should be kept to an absolute minimum.

Guidelines for Strict Silence

I. During strict silence, seminarians avoid all noise and distractions completely to allow for deeper prayer and reflection in silence.
II. During strict silence, seminarians avoid even spiritual conversations and shared prayer with others. Brief and urgent communication should be done discreetly.
III. During strict silence, meal times become an opportunity for reflection and deeper communion with God.
IV. During strict silence, seminarians completely avoid the use of electronic, digital, or sound devices.

Pablo's Ordination

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure and privilege of serving the Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of Pablo Hernandez for the Archdiocese of Louisville. (I served his Diaconate Ordination also)

Here is a collection of articles on the Ordination with some excerpts from each and my favorite pics.

First, the Press Release

From an article in The Record, "Deacon Hernandez’ vocation born at young age":

He was raised in a “very Catholic” family in his hometown of San Vicente, and he often went to Mass with them. But sometimes, as young as age 7, he would dress up, shine his shoes and go to church by himself. And he would always sit near the altar. It was “a sense of the sacred, the sense of being close to the altar,” he said in an interview last week in his office at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown. “I loved to see the seminarians vested and the bishop processing in and processing out of church.” (read the rest here)

Another article in the Record, "Deacon Hernandez reflects on priesthood":

“The Lamb of God ... will be my logo, the distinctiveness of my priesthood, my theme,” he said in an interview before his ordination at 11 a.m. Aug. 12 at St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Ky.
He said his “image of the priesthood” is “sometimes being the good shepherd, sometimes being the lamb, being sacrificed.”
But the image he prefers is that of the “sacrificial lamb, (to) give your life for the sake of others. In that sacrificial act, there is joy.”
He explained: “I want to do (this) because Jesus is our prototype. He is the Lamb. When he sacrificed for us, he suffered because he loved us, and (there) was joy in his action.” (read the rest here)

From an article in the Courier-Journal, "Journey of faith began in El Salvador":

Hernandez was ordained a deacon in his native San Vincente in December, a festive event attended by some representatives from the Louisville archdiocese. But shortly thereafter, he suffered serious burns on his legs in a fireworks accident, and underwent skin grafts. The injury delayed his graduation and ordination, originally scheduled in May.
"I learned suffering" from that experience, Hernandez said. "For me, suffering is a blessing, a redeeming experience," enabling him to relate both to Jesus and the sufferings of the people to whom he'll minister. (read the rest here)

Here is a link to a Photo Gallery of the Ordination from the C-J. My favorite pics:

the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

At my parish assignment this summer, with Fr. Bob Ray at St. Jerome in Fairdale and St. Mary in Hillview, I was given the opportunity to plan the liturgy for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was my first time planning a liturgy so the task was a little daunting. Plus, I wanted it to be perfect because this particular solemnity means a great deal to me. I consecrated myself to Jesus, through Mary when I first entered seminary and this solemnity is also the patronal "feast" of the Archdiocese and one of the parishes to which I was assigned. I wanted it to be solemn and reverent and expose the two congregations to the richness of traditional Catholic liturgy that they normally don't experience throughout the year. But, alas, this isn't my liturgy per se, it's not mine to do with as I please. It's the heavenly liturgy in which we participate. At the same time though, we are given the task of doing are part in the celebration to ensure that it parallels the heavenly liturgy as closely as our feeble minds can imagine it while keeping the needs and the faith of the people in mind. At least that's what I think the Mass should be... that was the task I gave myself. And Fr. Ray was very open to my suggestions... actually he indulged me quite a bit! I must admit I was in hog-heaven... excuse the bad pun.

Anyway, here's how the Mass was planned:

First I enlisted Sarah Nettleton, a professional cantor and one of the head cantors at St. Marin of Tours. This is the only parish in the Archdiocese with the indult to say the Tridentine Mass and they have a truly angelic choir. She was very instrumental (excuse another bad pun) in helping me plan the music for the Mass and construct the participation aid so that the faithful could more easily follow along.

Processional Hymn: "Immaculate Mary"
Introit (Latin Chant)
Confiteor (English, recited)
Kyrie (Greek Chant)
Gloria (English, recited)
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm (sung)
Second Reading
Gradual (Latin Chant)
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily
Nicene Creed
Prayers for the Faithful
Offertory (Latin Chant)
Preparation of the Gifts: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Sanctus (Latin Chant)
Great Amen
Memorial Acclamation (sung)
Agnus Dei (Latin Chant)
Communion Chant (Latin)
Communion Hymn: "O Thou, Who at Thy Eucharist Didst Pray"
Communion Meditation: "Ave Maria" (Gregorian Chant)
Recessional Hymn: "Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above"

I wore a cassock and surplice I had borrowed from a friend at seminary (to wear to serve my younger brother's wedding) and enlisted four children from the Philipines who were parishioners and used to traditional liturgy. We had incense at the procession, blessing of the altar and crucifix, the gospel, and the blessing of the gifts and people. And we had torch-bearers for the gospel as well. The only things we didn't have were incense and bells at the consecration (which Father and I agreed wouldn't have worked logistically). In my humble opinion, it was a beautiful liturgy and both parishes seemed to enjoy the experience. My hope is that it maybe enkindled or rekindled an appreciation for Latin, the treasury of Catholic hymnody, and solemn liturgy.

"Sursum corda"
"Habemus ad Dominum"

"Lift up your hearts"
"We have lifted them up to the Lord"

St. John Vianney, pray for us

Archbishop Kelly links

Here's some links to recent articles and features in The Courier-Journal on Archbishop Kelly. I wanted to post them here so I didn't lose them.

Reflections of an archbishop
Vatican trends might offer hints to profile of Kelly's successor
Archbishop Kelly: Audio Slideshow and interview excerpts
Archbishop Kelly, recent years
Archbishop Kelly, early years

Some of my favorite pics of him:

Heather's Baby!

Another one of my best friends, Heather, had a baby too! Deo Gratias!

07/25/2006, 12:21am, 6 lbs. 9 oz., 19.5 in.

Laura's Baby!

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting pics of Laura Di's baby, Riley Nicole! Laura's one of my best friends. Everyone say a prayer of thanks!

Riley Nicole was born on July 15, 12:04pm, 7lb. 8oz., 20.5in.

happy birthday

I would like to wish our Archbishop Thomas Kelly a belated, happy and holy 75th birthday, celebrated Friday, July 14. This is also the day when he submitted his resignation to the Vatican. He indicated he did so at the Church Teaches Forum today. I pray that the Holy Spirit will bless him richly during the remaining months of his ministry.

Here's an article from the Courier-Journal. Some excerpts:

"The appointment could come sooner and could take a bit longer, though most appointments now are occurring within this 18-month time frame," Kelly wrote last month in his column in the Record, the archdiocesan newspaper.

In The Record, Kelly wrote: "I hope you don't mind waiting. Until the arrival of the next Archbishop, I hope you can put up with me, long in the tooth but a shepherd who loves his priests and people and who will continue to do his best to serve them."

"Whenever there's change there's also apprehension," said the Rev. Tony Smith, president of the Priests' Council of the archdiocese. He said Kelly has "been a wonderful bishop, giving great guidance in pastoral care. In that sense, there's apprehension about any new bishop coming in -- will he follow in that same pastoral mode?"

"Under Paul VI there was a great effort to look for pastoral bishops, bishops who were good at working with their people and … their priests," Reese [senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center] said. He said Kelly was a carryover from that style, even though he became a bishop in the early years of Pope John Paul II. Mostly under John Paul II, "the real priority was to find bishops who were loyal to the Vatican" in the face of dissent over issues such as the church's prohibition on artificial birth control. "The result has been a much more conservative hierarchy in the United States," he said.

Read the rest...

the Church Teaches Forum

Today I went to Day Two of the Church Teaches Forum in Louisville, KY. I missed Day One on Friday because I wanted to be at my parish's Church Picnic which is a huge, humongous deal. I worked the Watermelon booth :)

This morning I met a large group of other Catholics at the abortion clinic at 7am to pray for a couple hours for an end to abortion. Then I went with a couple priests to the Forum which started at 9am. The lineup included: Cardinal Arinze (!), Archbishop Foley, Archbishop Raymond Burke, Fr. McCaffrey, and Fr. Arnsparger with brief introductions given by our own Archbishop Kelly, James Likoudis, Pat Monaghan, Leon Suprenant, et al. It was a pretty awesome day and I enjoyed getting to know newly-ordained Fr. Jeffrey Hopper a little better.

Brief Rundown:
Cardinal Arinze: The Laity: Humility and Obedience in the Apostolate - and - Sacred Music and the Liturgy as Means of Evangelization
Archbishop Foley: The Role of Believers in the Rise of Atheism - and - Social Communications and Evangelization
Archbishop Burke: Obedience to the Magesterium and the Responsibility of the Bishop Toward the Laity
Fr. McCaffrey: Deus Caritas Est: The Virgin Mary's Fiat at the Annunciation
Fr. Arnsparger: The Call of Christ to the Priesthood: Hearing It - Living It

crimson collum

Earlier this week I had an awesome little vacation with two priests from the Archdiocese: Whitewater rafting and mountain biking in West Virginia. This is an annual event and the second time I've participated.

We were supposed to spend two days rafting but our first day was a little rough. The water level was high which meant we had to let into the New River at an earlier point than ususal thus making the day longer: about 5 hours. Add to that, we had two newbies at the front of our raft which is the pace-setting position. They didn't follow our guide's commands very well at all which made the rest of the raft have to row more often and harder.

The rapids were great, with a few class V's, and it was a fun run but we were beat at the end of the day. When day 2 came around we didn't feel like rafting again so we decided to apply the funds to something else: mountain biking. I was a little intimidated by this because I've never been very athletic and haven't been on a bike in like 10 years... let alone know how to work the 24 speeds on the bikes we rented! But, we were all in pretty much the same shape and were wore out just riding to the park where we could choose our trail! We decided to pick a 1.1 mile loop for starters. I think we carried our bikes half the trail! None of us could figure out the gears. But I decided to give it one more try and this time I had a blast. When I figured out the proper gears to use and how to shift them it was a lot more worth the effort. There were some tough up-hills on the short trail but they made for some exciting down-hills as well. I was pretty proud of myself for stretching what I thought I was capable of... Next year... ATV's!

If you ever have any inkling whatsover to go whitewater rafting in West Virginia, especially on the New River or the Gauley River, don't settle for anything less than Class VI River Runners. They are THE BEST. Period. (excellent facilities, brand new cabins, EXPERT guides who value safety over hijinks [go with Eric], pull-over off the river for a complete homemade lunch, a kayaker who films your entire trip then puts together a DVD while you clean up in their excellent shower facilities, cold drinks of your choosing waiting in a cooler when you get off the river, and a nice, fun bar to relax afterwards with some beer and wings as you watch your trip video on a big screen with the rest of the rafters and guides.)

new vocation office site

The Archdiocese of Louisville's Vocations website is back up! Even though its integrated into the Archdiocese's website, and not on its own (like the one for my hometown diocese), I'm impressed with it. Check it out!

much

Ah man, I've been bad about posting and so much stuff has happened! My parish assignment is going really well. I had to put together a seminar for new and current lectors which went really well (maybe I'll post what I prepared), and I just gave my vocation story to the young adult group MOCA (Ministry of Catholic Adults) at my parish... which went really well too!

I just got back from a weekend of... uh... irreverence... ;) camping with all the guys in my family. It's a yearly thing... all the uncles, sons, dads, cousins get together and camp out at Lincoln Forest in southern Indiana. This time we celebrated my younger brother's Bachelor's Party as well so some of his friends came too. It's phenomenologically perplexing how often and easily we fall to the lowest moral common demoninator isn't it? (anyone have any comments to this point?) Thankfully I'm blessed to have family and friends who really respect what I'm doing, discerning the preisthood and all. I kept the swearing and bad jokes to a minimum this year.

Tomorrow I leave with two other priests from the Archdiocese and two other guys to go white-water rafting on the New River in West Virginia till Thursday then Friday and Saturday is my parish's summer picnic. After that, a retreat to Red River Gorge for hiking and camping with some guys in discernment. Tons of fun ahead!

Blessed Mother, pray for us.

Hello all

I'm still alive. Mid-May though mid-June I was on an extended spiritual retreat at St. Mary's and for the last week or so I've been assigned to a couple parishes in Louisville (in a rectory without my own Internet access) so I haven't been able to post in a while.

I hope to post more soon...

Louisville Ordinations

The weekend before last, it was a great joy of mine to be a part of the ordination of two Deacons to the Holy Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Louisville. It was a hectic trip tho! Flying home, I couldn't get on the plane because they oversold it (but I was compensated). I was put on standby for the next flight and, thankfully, I was able to get on. That was a miracle because it was Memorial Day weekend and every other flight that day on every other airline that flies out of BWI was booked solid.

Flying back, my plane was delayed three times. I should have arrived in Baltimore at 9:30pm but didn't arrive till 1:45am.

But anyway, it was an honor to be a part of the ordination Mass; I was the crossbearer. I also had a fun time staying with my d.b., Mike, at the Cathedral Rectory. The whole weekend made me want to be a priest, like, tomorrow.

Here's a pic of me in the Courier-Journal pretending to be a Swiss Guard before the Mass:

Matt Hardesty, right, and Christopher Rhodes, both Catholic seminarians, stand at the front of the Cathedral of the Assumption prior to the start of the ordination ceremonies. "It's a great honor to be a part of this," Hardesty said. "It definitely strengthens my discernment and my hope for the future."

For More:

A Photo Gallery, from the C-J, of the Ordination
An article from the C-J: "Fathers Find Their Second Calling"
An article from The Record on Fr. Wally Dant: "Deacon Dant lived full life before entering the seminary"
An article from The Record on Fr. Jeffrey Hopper: "Deacon Jeffrey Hopper eager to serve, celebrate Eucharist"
I love what Fr. Hopper says here:
“What I’m looking forward to the most is offering the sacrifice of the Mass and doing the pastoral duties of a priest — hearing confession, visiting the hospital, going to the school with the kids”