Join us this Lent for “Holy Week with Jesus and his Disciples in the Cenacle” (Ash Weds – Mar 5)
By Robert Fontana
The word “Cenacle” refers to the “Upper Room” where Jesus gave his disciples the Eucharist, washed their feet, and taught them of the Father’s love and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is also the place where Jesus regathered the disciples following his resurrection to “breathe” on them the Holy Spirit and send them out as missionaries.
During Lent, we will be hosting a weekly small group Scripture study and faith-sharing series called Holy Week with Jesus and His Disciples in the Cenacle. It will be held at Assumption Parish. This Lenten series begins on Wednesday, March 12 (7:00 – 8:30 pm) for in-person sessions (also offered via Zoom); and will be repeated on Thursday mornings via Zoom only, beginning March 13, 9:00 – 10:30 am.
To register, or if you have any questions, write Robert and/or Lori at roblori.fontana@gmail.com. Once you have registered I will send you a pdf of the booklet that we will be using so you can print it out yourself. If you are not able to print out your copy, let us know and we will mail you one.
Here’s the introduction to the booklet.
Introduction: The Gospel of John, more than the other Gospels, tells the unique experience of the disciples of Jesus during the days before and after his death, while they were gathered in what is called in Greek the “Cenacle,” meaning the upper room. The “Cenacle” refers not only to the upper room; it refers to the community of disciples who were privileged to be with Jesus during this time.
While in the upper room, Jesus sealed his relationship with his followers, the Cenacle, by:
1) giving them the Eucharist;
2) leaving them an example of service by washing their feet;
3) revealing to them the Father’s love and the gift of the Spirit;
4) leading them to the cross;
5) and, after his death, regathering them in the Cenacle, the upper room, to mission them by breathing on them his Spirit.
These intense moments with Jesus gave the first Cenacle the core dimensions of faithful discipleship that are essential for Christians in all generations.
Fr. Thomas Judge, a Vincentian priest (1868-1933), recognized this early in the 20th Century when he began the modern Cenacle movement in the United States. It became clear to him that if the Church was going to make a difference in the lives of people, especially the immigrant poor, who were at that time coming to the United States in great numbers from Italy and Eastern Europe, it was essential for Catholics to become the Cenacle of the New Testament. He desired that every Catholic become an apostle, and he knew that would only happen if Catholics participated wholeheartedly in a Cenacle, in which the Eucharist, service, love of the Trinity, solidarity with the cross, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit were lived realities.
Father Judge formed Cenacles in different parishes in which he preached retreats. He taught these Cenacle missionaries to be a power for good within the providence – relationships and commitments – of their everyday lives. By instructing Cenacle associates in the lived experience of the New Testament Cenacle, Fr. Judge inspired these lay apostles to “be the Church” in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. They would then come together as a Cenacle to respond to the local needs of the parish and /or civic community, especially by serving the poor.
The Cenacle Family was begun by Fr. Judge, who then recruited the assistance of Mother Boniface Keasey and Dr. Margaret Healy. This movement eventually developed into four different communities: the lay branch – the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (MCA); the women religious – the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity; the men religious – the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity; and laity under private vows – the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute.
Yet each of these branches shares the same charism and mission: to help every Catholic (and Christian from any faith tradition) to become an apostle.
Lori and I were introduced to the Cenacle through the Cenacle priests serving at the campus ministry we attended while in college. Fr. Dennis Berry, ST, recognized in us the same sort of apostolic spirit that Fr. Judge sought to instill in the laity and invited us to enter the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (MCA). We made our act of consecration in the mid 1990’s and have lived out our Catholic life as Cenacle missionaries ever since. We have been joined by friends and supporters of CLM. Together we form the Magnificat Cenacle in Seattle.
The purpose of this faith-sharing booklet is to help you reflect on the intimate and transformative experience that the original Cenacle had with Jesus during the days before and after His death. We pray that, in your own study, reflection, and prayer, you will experience similar intimacy and transformation in your life as you deepen your vocation as an apostle, also helping others to become apostles of the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Send me an email at robert@catholiclifeministries if you would like to participate.
