HERMIT SEEKS HELP FROM OTHERS TO BUILD SHRINE

On May 13, 2000 Fr. James Joseph Genovesi made his perpetual vows as a Franciscan Hermit of Perpetual Adoration before Bishop Raymond Burke, then Bishop of the diocese of La Crosse, Wi. Some may remember reading about this in the April 5, 2001 issue of the Wanderer.Fr. Genovesi was a diocesan priest in Upper Michigan and pastor of his home parish, taking care of his father who went blind and had cancer. In caring for him at this time, Father realized that the Lord was calling him to embrace the silence of solitude, a deeper prayer life, the vow of poverty, and greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

"I could not leave my father or mother at this time and put everything into the hands of our Blessed Mother. On August 10, 1995 the Good Lord took my father out of his suffering, and in a very short time I was on my way to speak with Bishop Burke," says father. In the early months of 1996, Bishop Burke invited Fr. Genovesi to set up a hermitage in the La Crosse Diocese. Father wrote His Rule of Life and the beginning of the Franciscan Hermits of Perpetual Adoration began. Father does not have others with him due to the cost of health care, but knows God can change the situation if He so wills. The first and second hermitages were empty rectories where Father offered his assistance in saying Masses, hearing confessions, or whatever the pastor might need.

In the fall of 2000, a one year old building was offered to him as a possible hermitage. This new building was set on the 40 acres given to him by a farmer, and in this new hermitage a small chapel was built for his personal prayer life and Eucharistic adoration. This small chapel continues to invite the laity to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the week and Eucharistic adoration every Friday.

For a number of years, Father has been collecting statues, sacred pictures, a Communion railing, and religious items for a larger church and shrine he hopes to build dedicated to the “Real Presence”, Many of the statues were to be destroyed and Father was able to rescue them. The communion railing was in the basement of a church for almost 30 years. Father continues to collect and purchase items for the shrine. He says "I long to find a life size statue of St Francis at the cross as our Crucified Lord extends His hand to him and a statue of St. Clare holding the monstrance, and angels. I always need more adoring angels." The name of the new church will be Our Father of the Blessed Sacrament. Recently Father found two Gothic side altars and a High altar to match will be built.

"I don’t have the finances to build the church shrine at present but I will have the altar built, St. Joseph has to provide God’s House," says Fr. Genovesi.A shrine to St. Joseph was set on the highest hill of the 40 acres and named St. Joseph’s Hill. The new church is to be built on this hill through the intercession of good St. Joseph.

If the finances come in, outside shrines, stations of the cross, and places of meditation will be set up on this beautiful land. Father says, ”Our world has moved away from the Lord and He longs for us to adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Apart from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is one of the most important devotions we can partake in. The gift of Christ Himself in the Holy Eucharist is the greatest of gifts!”

The goal then is to build this shrine to the Lord. It is not connected in any way to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe started by Bishop Burke here in the La Crosse Diocese.

Father states, "As a Franciscan I have to be God’s beggar and ask for help and that is what I am doing. Today, as I write this, I inquired about a set of stained-glass windows and found out they cost $100,000. God asks me to take the vow of poverty and then raise the funds for His church. Like St. Francis, I will use the finds given to buy the best for Him. Another part of the call before me is to say the Holy Mass as reverently as possible and to expose Him before the people so He may be adored."

There may be a lower church on the ground level besides the upper church. For very special services like Divine Mercy, two Masses could be going on at the same time. The shrine will also be a place of evangelization on the faith, especially the Holy Eucharist. Modesty in dress will always be required before His Sacred Presence.

Bishop Burke gave permission for the building of the larger church on February 13, 2003. "He has always known my intentions and supported me along the way. I continue to pray daily for him as archbishop of St Louis along with our new Bishop Jerome Listecki", says Father.

Father continues, "I may not have any candidates but I have two wonderful dogs. Titus and Snickers. They follow me around and come into the chapel as I pray. They lie at my feet and want to be with their master. God uses them in teaching me how I should love Him. My happiness and joy as a priest is His gift to me, and I must do all I can to bring others to Him in the Blessed Sacrament."

"This joy as a priest has always been with me, but as a hermit, it is even greater. In the silence of solitude I find His whisper and pray to say, “Yes!”In tending the flowers and the garden I find the peace and joy of simplicity. This is a wonderful life and I would not trade places with anyone. I need your help to build this shrine of Eucharistic adoration".

The following comments are given by some of Father’s donors. Some send a donation monthly to help him to continue. They are people in love with the Blessed Sacrament.

"I have no regrets about helping Father financially and with my prayers. He has taught me so much by his example and I deeply respect his priesthood and piety. His love of nature, animals, and sense of humor are beautiful. May the Holy Spirit inspire you reading Fr. Genovesi’s story to help him build a beautiful church in Christ’s name for the greater glory of God Our Father."…….Mrs. Barbara M. Carco, Winchester, Mass.

"I support the Blessed Sacrament Hermitage because the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is felt very deeply. The respect, quiet, and deep reverence are extremely important for refreshing one’s soul. God Bless Fr. Genovesi for giving this opportunity"….Helen Moran, Friendship, Wi.

"I support Blessed Sacrament Hermitage because it is there you truly feel the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Not only do you feel the reverence given to Him in the hermitage itself, but on the grounds also. Thank you, Fr. Genovesi, for giving a place where we can seek Jesus and find Him"…….Patricia Murray, C.V. Friendship, Wis.

"We support the Blessed Sacrament Hermitage because of Fr. Genovesi’s love and devotion to the Holy Eucharist and perpetual adoration"…..Mr and Mrs. John Vitkowski, Hamilton, Ohio.

"My husband and I have known Fr. Genovesi for about five years, He is truly an inspiration to all with his deep love and devotion for our Lord and Blessed Mother. We have always supported Fr. Jim’s Hermitage, because he follows the churches teaching and wants reverence back in the Church"……Patricia Katulski, Memphis, Mich

"I have purchased a large Gothic monstrance as a memorial at the cost of $30,000 to be used on the high altar of the new chapel, when it is completed. May God bless Fr. Genovesi with this project."…….. Florence Super, Port Huron, Mich..

The Gothic altars, stained glass windows, confessionals, statues and pews can be memorials for you and your families. If you want to help Fr. Genovesi with this great project, send your donations to :Blessed Sacrament Hermitage, 3500 Count Rd J North, Custer, Wi 54423: phone 715-592-4954. All donors receive Father’s newsletter.

Article: Permission given by “The Wanderer” August 10, 2007.