St. Simeon
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
St. Simeon “was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.” (Lk. 2:25-26) From this short description of him in Sacred Scripture we learn that in addition to being just and devout, he was a man of faith and hope. He knew well what God had promised and waited eagerly and patiently for Him to fulfill His promise. We know that the Holy Ghost was in him and more importantly, that he listened carefully to His voice and His inspirations and acted on these.
We also know that when Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus into the temple, Simeon rushed to take Jesus in his arms and sing praise to God declaring “Now let your servant go in peace, your word has been fulfilled. For my eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of every people.” (Lk. 2:29-31) In this canticle, which the Church echoes each night in her Liturgy of the Hours, Simeon gives evidence of the gifts of wisdom and understanding. Wisdom to know the purpose of his life and to order all other things towards that purpose and understanding in being able to discern the presence of God in what appeared to be an ordinary child. In moving to take the child in his arms and praising God, we see evidence of his devotion, love, awe, and reverence.
The men of St. Simeon’s House seek to cultivate: justice, devotion, patience, faith, hope, love, awe, reverence, understanding, and wisdom.
St. John the Beloved
“As a child has rest in its mother’s arms even so my soul.” (Ps. 131:2)
Sacred Scripture refers to St. John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” It is clear that John had a special place in the heart of Our Savior, who allowed him the privilege of reclining on His breast at the Last Supper and entrusted Our Blessed Mother to his care with His dying words on the Cross.
In John’s relationship with St. Peter we see evidence of his humble deference when he waits at the empty tomb for Peter to enter first and of his loving concern for others when he arranges for Peter to be let into the court of the high priest at the onset of Our Lord’s Passion. It is his Gospel account that relates to us Jesus as the Word made flesh as well as His Bread of Life discourse, revealing to us his great insight into and understanding of divine truths.
The men of St. John’s House strive to cultivate: tender devotion to Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord, humility, meekness, loving concern for others, wisdom, and understanding.
St. Anna
“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
St. Anna was a widow “who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.” (Lk. 2:37) We see here her single-hearted devotion to God which was manifested by her constant service, prayer, and sacrifice in the temple over several years, even after the great sorrow of her early widowhood. This devotion led her to recognize the Christ when He was but an infant being presented in the temple and moved her to speak of Him to all those who looked for the Redemption of Israel.
The women of St. Anna’s House strive to emulate: her courage and charity in proclaiming Jesus, purity of heart, temperance, devotion, and humble service.
St. Mary Magdalene
“Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away.” (Song of Songs 8:7)
St. Mary Magdalene is a wondrous model of the transformative power of God’s love and mercy. It is said of her “Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much.” (Lk. 7:47) Scripture frequently attests to this love in her constant loyal presence and service to Our Lord, even during His Sacred Passion when almost all others left Him alone. She was the first person recorded in Scripture to have seen the Risen Lord and was entrusted to bring the joyous news of the Resurrection to the apostles.
The women of St. Mary Magdalene House strive to emulate: her penitential spirit, loving confidence, sincere devotion, and unwavering fidelity.