A highlight of the Michigan Area’s year is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the Order’s patron. This year, the Michigan Area honored our patron at Mass on Saturday, June 28, followed by the Area’s annual meeting. (See “Michigan Area ‘punching above weight class’ in rising membership, participation in Order’s works”). As in the past, the Mass was very well attended.

The venue was the Chapel of the North American Martyrs at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. Mass was celebrated by Daniel Kennedy, SJ, a faculty member at the school, who has taught virtual courses on eschatology and Ignatian spirituality to Michigan Area members.

Fr. Kennedy was assisted at Mass by server Santiago Smith, son of Andrea Smith, DM, and Michigan Area chair Andy Smith, KM. Two of the Smiths’ daughters, Sara and Lucia Smith, sang at the Mass, accompanied by Justin Umbarger, director of sacred music at St. Mary Catholic Church in Royal Oak.

The first reading at Mass was proclaimed by Marcia McBrien, DM. Kodah Maida, a new Knight of the Order, offered the Prayers of the Faithful.

Also at the Mass was Peter D. McGuire, GCMOb, regent of the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes, who led the members in the Daily Prayer of the Order. The Subpriory is a spiritual community within the Order and includes members of the American and Federal Associations. 

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