Keeping members and friends of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos      up-to-date on church news and current events!

Father Anthony Christopher Zacchino, ER.O.SS.T. Moves From the Life in Community to the Eremitic Life. In our times the anchoritic life as a distinct form of vocation is almost unheard of. However, an increasing number of Christian faithful feel again a vocation to live the eremitic life, whether in the remote country side or in a city in stricter separation from the world, without having passed through the coenobium first.

Bearing in mind that the meaning of the eremitic vocation is the Desert Theology of the Old Testament (i.e. the 40 years wandering in the desert that was meant to bring about a change of heart), it may be said that the desert of the urban hermit is that of the heart, purged through kenosis to be the dwelling place of God alone.

The Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos has made provisions concerning those Solemn Life Professed First Order Monks who feel called by God to move from the life in Community to the eremitic life, and have the permission of the Presiding Archbishop-Abbot.

The Presiding Archbishop-Abbot has granted Father Anthony Christopher Zacchino, ER.O.SS.T. permission to do so on the fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

An anchorite, "one who has retired from the world" (signifying "to withdraw", "to retire") is someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, or Eucharist-focused life. Whilst anchorites are frequently considered to be a type of religious hermit, unlike hermits they are required to take a vow of stability of place, opting instead for permanent enclosure in cells often attached to churches. In Father “Zack’s” case, the Abbey of Our Lady of Grace, New Port Richey, Florida.

As a Consecrated Eremitic Monk, Father Anthony technically remains a member of the Order and thus under obedience to the Presiding Archbishop-Abbot.

May almighty God bless you, + the Father, + and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

Congratulation!

Bishop-Elect Dr. Floyd Lee Covey, Sr., O.SS.T., O.C. Carm.

Rev. Dr. Floyd Lee Covey, Sr., O.SS.T. Appointed Bishop-Elect, Director of Vocations and Formantion, and Member of the Archbishop-Abbot's Advisory Council (ABAAC). The Most Rev. Dr. Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T., Presiding Archbishop-Abbot of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos has appointed Father Floyd Lee Covey, Sr., O.SS.T. to become Bishop, Director of Vocations and Formation, and member of the ABAAC. We look to elevating Bishop-Elect Floyd to the Episcopate at the next gathering of the Order. As Director of Vocations and Formation, Bishop-Elect Floyd is commissioned to help aspirants discern their vocation, as well as administer personality testing and evaluate their psychological well-being and emotional stability as deemed necessary to determine suitability for membership in this Order. The ABAAC assists the Archbishop-Abbot in overall planning and decision-making for the community, advising the Archbishop-Abbot on important matters of pastoral activity. As a consultative body to the Archbishop-Abbot, members make recommendations that would lead to the accomplishment of community goals consistent with the vision, mission, and value statements of the Order. Congratulations Father Floyd!         

Two Members Become Final (Perpetual) Solemn Life Professed. By the grace of God, Bishop-Elect Dr. Floyd Lee Covey, Sr., O.SS.T. and Father Raffaele Michael, O.SS.T. celebrated the Rite of Final (Perpetual) Solemn Life Profession on June 23, 2018, Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Blessed Virgin Mary. The Ceremony of the Solemn Profession of Vows reveals a profound, transcendent moment in the life of a Benedictine Monk in which he consecrates his whole life to God, making the vows of Obedience, Stability, and Conversion until death.  In so doing, the Monk becomes a visible reflection of Christ, who was obedient to the Father until death, death on a cross. The beautiful liturgy also opens a window to the end of time, when each faithful Christian will appear before the throne of God and the Lamb, and be counted among the flock of those Jesus has chosen to live forever in eternal happiness. Congratulations! 

Chosen and recognized by the Church as being called by God to the Sacred Office of Bishop!

   Most Rev. Dr. Russell Dean Lee, O.SS.T.

"Receive the Holy Spirit"



O.SS.T. Consecrates New Bishop. The Most Rev. Dr. Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T., Presiding Archbishop-Abbot of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos, with the assistance of the Most Rev. Dr. David D. Pascusa, O.SS.T., ordained the Most Rev. Dr. Russell Dean Lee, O.SS.T., to the Sacred Order of the Episcopate, in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church Sunday, May 6, 2018 in Twentynine Palms, California. Additionally, on May 20th, the Presiding Archbishop-Abbot appointed Bishop Russ Dean of Ave Maria Theological Seminary and Claustral Prior of O.SS.T. As Dean of Ave Maria Theological Seminary, Bishop Russ is commissioned to develop academic policies and programs, coordinate student activities, and advise students and faculty on personal matters. As the Claustral Prior of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos, Bishop Russ is commissioned to hold the first place after the Abbot and assist in the government of the Order, functioning effectively as the Superior's second-in-charge (or Auxiliary Bishop). We rejoice in the continued growth of our faith-filled family. Congratulation Bishop +Russ!

The 2018 O.SS.T. Bishop's Retreat was held on Sunday, May 6^th in Twentynine Palm’s California. The gathering focused on finalizing the development of an action plan and way ahead for the O.SS.T. Community. The bishops met in a small group setting, discussing adaptive challenges, and proposed changes and reforms to our monastic order as an Institute of Consecrated Life. They spent time together in worship and in prayer, as well as having time for both individual and peer reflection. The highlight of the retreat was the consecration of +Russell Dean Lee as our Order’s newest bishop and the opportunity to concelebrate a community Mass. All active bishops of O.SS.T. were in attendance. A report of the gathering will be published in the near future. 

 The Old Catholic Marianists have been dedicated to Our Lady from the very beginning of our Order. She is our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

 She is bride, she is Mother, she is Queen, and none of these has passed from the present into mere memory.