In Principio erat Verbum

Happy Birthday U.S.M.C. SEMPER FI

2011-11-10T10:47:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps, founded this day in 1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.
U.S. Marines have been part of every military engagement in which the United States has been involved.

Happy Birthday to all Marines, especially those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for American freedom and democracy. Happy Birthday to past, present and future Marines is somewhat redundant....after all one is ALWAYS a Marine. Thank you Leathernecks, and SEMPER FI! Below is a sketch of the Tun Tavern as it appeared in he 18th century. Unfortunately, I-95 now flows over the site of the tavern. There is a historical marker on Front Street to commemorate the Tavern's importance in American history.

The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

2011-11-02T10:09:00.003-04:00

Aladar Korosfoi-Kriesch

All Souls' Day --1910 Oil on canvas, 51,5 x 72,5 cm

Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

(It is a Hungarian tradition to go to cemeteries to honor the dead)

     Today we remember the faithful souls that have not attained their final eschatological state with God. Countless, nameless souls that need our prayers and spiritual remembrances. This commemoration of All Souls reminds us of our temporality and our own mortality. At the same time it also causes us as faithful Catholic Christians to contemplate the disposition of our souls in the afterlife after human death.
     We are strengthened and reaffirmed in our hope in God's love and mercy through the Paschal Mystery.
Souls in the state of purgatory are also engaged in the eschatological progression to life with God. Outside of out comprehension of chronological temporality, we do not understand or might not even be able to comprehend the notion of kairotic time, namely God's notion of time. Because of this incomprehensible notion on the part of human beings, we need to pray for all members of the People of God, those living, those departed and those still to come. One thing for certain is that we through prayer can assist all of these souls in transition on their journey towards oneness with God's Divine Being.
Please use this day to pray for all of the faithful departed especially those in the purgatorial state as they are refined like a fine metal towards the Presence of God. Please also, pray for those countless souls that have no one living to pray on their behalf. The forgotten souls are souls indeed most in need of our prayer and supplications for God's mercy and forgiveness.
     The Rosary, of course is a most powerful tool that invokes the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God.
If you get time, pray the rosary today, or even a few decades for the intentions of all of the faithul departed, especially those forgotten, unknown and without living faithful to intercede on their behalf.

May all of the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace. Amen.

Just for fun....revisiting the NEW 7 Deadly Sins!

2011-10-24T17:20:00.001-04:00

!

William Bougereau Dante and Virgil in Hell 1850

The newly revised list of the seven deadly sins is indeed an announcement that makes everyone step back and consider our moral actions in terms of a much larger global perspective. The original deadly sins, embodied in the Divine Comedy, (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy & pride) have received a long overdue modification. This modification updates the sins with a global perspective in mind as the world becomes increasingly more globalized in our thoughts and actions. The updated deadly sins include, genetic modification, human experimentations, polluting the environment, social injustice, causing poverty, financial gluttony and taking drugs.

While the new list does not abrogate the old list of seven deadly sins, it places them in a new context that permit the modern believer an opportunity to apply Catholic moral and social teachings to understand the communal effect that sin indeed presents to humanity. Especially important are the inclusion of the sinful potentials in genetic modification and the immoral use of human beings in scientific experimentation. Modern advances in life sciences make it especially critical to note that human experimentation and genetic modification in the pursuit of a greater common good are serious immoral occasions that degrade the sacredness and dignity of human life. In addition to making note of scientific dangers presented in the new deadly sins, social injustice and causing poverty are noted as acts of immorality as well. What is interesting to note is these two sins have a deeply global and universal sense of immorality that collectively unite all of the people of the world. Most appropriately then, in listing these two actions as deadly sins, the communal nature of immorality is called to mind as well.

As the world increases in its secular and materialistic affections financial, gluttony makes the top list of the seven deadly sins. That makes a lot of sense because the inability and unwillingness to share resources between all aspects of humankind does indeed create a larger chasm that divides all of humanity. Finally, taking drugs for illicit purposes finishes the list of the seven most deadly sins. Finally, a clear and concise modern listing of the most detrimental actions to the fulfillment of human happiness and sanctity.

The new list of course does not replace the deadly sins made famous by Dante in the Purgatorial sufferings of the Divine Comedy; it just places them in a modern 21st century perspective. Sin and its effects are always issues for the modern believer to worry about. Now, in addition to the subjective nature of sinful actions, modern Catholics and indeed all people can understand more fully that deadly sins affect each person individually and collectively as a global society.

Maybe this new listing of the seven “new” and improved deadly sins is indicative of the direction, which our Catholic faith is obviously developing. That is a clearer integration of our Catholic moral and ethical principles onto a larger and universal stage of global implications and effects. Sin indeed not only provides an individual with a hiatus from grace, but also collectively produces a division between people, nations and societies.

Our new list of deadly sins clearly indicates our global relationship with each other in not only actions of personal immorality, but also the interrelated aspects of global relationships that immoral actions cause for all of God’s children.

Hugh McNichol is a Catholic author that writes on Catholic religious subjects. He wites daily @ http://catholicsacredarts.blogspot.com & http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com

Comments and feedback can be sent to hjmn4@trinetconsultantsinc.com

Our Lady of Fatima, Ora pro nobis!

2011-10-13T08:45:00.002-04:00

Today, October 13 is the 94th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the children at Fatima. Since the monumental event, the Church has celebrated Mary's providence and admonitions that direct the world to pray for peace and conversion of all peoples. Pope Pius XII, was frequently called, "the Pope of Fatima," because of his particular devotion to Her. In fulfillment of Mary's request, Pius XII consecrated the world to Mary, and in particular invoked her request for the conversion of Russia.
Pope Paul VI, renewed the consecration of the world to, "the heart of Mary," and made a pilgrimage to the site to pray and reaffirm the Church's acknowledgement of Mary's apparitions and messages for the conversion of all mankind.
Pope John-Paul II, victim of an attempted assassination after his extended period of recovery maintained it was the, "hand of Our Lady of Fatima," that diverted the bullets and subsequently spared his life. In homage to Mary and her Divine intervention, Pope John-Paul II had one of the bullets extracted from his wounded body mounted into the crown adorning the statue of Our Lady of Fatima at the site of the apparitions in Portugal. John-Paul also declared two of the children Francisco and Jacinta both Blessed, the last stage before sainthood in the Catholic Church.
The last survivor of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima was Sister Lucia who recorded all of Mary's requests and prophecies for posterity and future release according to the time frame the Virgin Mary had requested. The prophecies and visions included a vision of hell, Mary's instructions on how to save people from the flames of hell, and to pray for the world's conversion to Christ in order to enjoy world peace and harmony. The third secret was withheld until 2000 and when finally disclosed revealed a scene of conflagration and destruction which included the slaughter of , " a man dressed in white (presumed to be the Pope) and the slaughter of bishops, priests and faithful believers. When the secret was released, the Vatican maintained it referred to the attempt on John-Paul's life.
However, when visiting Fatima and celebrating the appearance of the Virgin Mary and her prophetic words, Pope Benedict XVI maintained the third revealed secret also implied " that the Church and the world are called to constant faith and conversion," and the third secret was relevant for all times.
During his last visit to Fatima, Pope Benedict XVI presented a "golden rose" to the statue of the Virgin Mary to express the great devotion and esteem the Church holds for Our Lady of Fatima and her providential guidance over the whole world as a direct intermediary to Her Son, Jesus Christ.
Perhaps the best way we can recall and celebrate this appearance of God's Divine Presence 94 years ago is in simply praying: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed are Thee among all women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen,
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for the conversion of the world to belief in Christ and pray for all of us. Amen.

In conclusion, take some time today to pray the Rosary, for all of the People of God, past, present and future, especially the souls in purgatory that have no one to pray for them.

Gaudet Mater Ecclesia...Mother Church rejoices!

2011-10-11T09:08:00.000-04:00

Forty nine years ago, the Catholic Church entered into the age of “aggiornamento”, an opening up to the evolving modern world of the 1960’s. To place the state if the world in perspective, John F.Kennedy was President of the United States and Blessed John XXIII was Pope and the Catholic world used Latin as the primary language for liturgical celebrations and global communications. Pope John XXIII convened the Council in an earnest attempt to bring the Catholic Church into the modern age of the 20th century. Since this monumental day in the history of Catholicism, things have never been quite the same; however our foundations of Catholic faith remain the unchanged traditions and beliefs that have been handed down since the Apostolic Era.

John XXIII wanted the Church to integrate itself more intimately with the roots of the ancient Church, restore clarity to the manner in which the Church prayed and develop an ecumenical movement that would attempt to end the Counter Reformation declarations and anathemas enacted by the Council of Trent, placing the Catholic Church in the forefront of global pursuits of human rights and freedoms. The opening date of the Council was not chosen in an arbitrary manner either. In the Roman Calendar that was in use at the time, the date was a Marian feast day, The Maternity of Mary, the Mother of God, which tied the II Vatican Council to the date the Council of Ephesus declared Mary, as Theotokos ,God Bearer and dedicated the Council’s deliberations and actions to Her for guidance and inspiration.

October 11, 1962 was marked with great pageantry and splendor, all of the Council Fathers wearing copes and miters processed into Saint Peter’s Basilica with hopeful expectations that would change the Church in a positive direction in relationship to a world still recovering from the effects of the carnage of the Second World War, the tragedy of the Holocaust and the daily political and military tensions between the United States in the ongoing Cold War. In an ironic twist of history, the Cuban Missile Crisis would start on October 14 and peacefully end on October 28th, while the Catholic Church’s hierarchy was sequestered in prayer and deliberations that included the topic of global peace and harmony among nations.

The initial purpose of the Council as envisioned by Pope John XXIII was one that modernized the Catholic Church’s celebration of its sacred rites and rituals and open an opportunity to meet in ecumenical dialogue with separated brethren faiths, the Orthodox Church, the various branches of Protestantism which emerged during the Reformation and a reexamination of the intimate relationship the Catholic Church shared with the Jewish people, the recipients of the first covenant with Abraham and Catholic ancestors in the history of salvation. One of these tasks would be a monumental understanding, the deliberations evolved and produced changes in not only sacramental practices, but a radical change in the Catholic Church’s perspective of how it viewed not only itself, but also how the Catholic Church viewed its relationship with the world and the emerging global identities beginning to emerge in the modern world. Later in the Council, the document, Gaudium et Spes, The Constitution on the Church in the Modern World would elaborate on that relationship.

Most Catholics remember the Second Vatican Council primarily because of the radical changes in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the transition from Latin as the Church’s language of celebration to the usage of the local vernacular language (English in the United States); however the Council in hindsight was more prophetic and insightful during deliberations and set the platform for the Catholic Church to emerge transformed and refortified in the late 20th century and now the early 21st century.

Since the end of the Council the Church has become a dynamic presence and influence in global politics. Individuals that during the council then considered periti or theological advisors have become household figures universally recognized for their expertise and direction of the Church’s theological development into the notion of the People of God. Theologians, Rahner, Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), Wojtyla (now Blessed John-Paul II) and Schillebeeckx were the architects of change and development propelling the Catholic Church into the modern world.

In the United States, hundreds of American Bishops attended the Second Vatican Council. They brought the liturgical reforms back to their respective dioceses and archdioceses and faithfully implemented the precepts of the Council in fulfillment of the axiom, “lex orandi, lex credendi,” the Church prays as the Church believes. The last forty-nine years for the Catholic Church has been a period of great loyalty and faithfulness of our American Bishops that were present for the entire Second Vatican Council. We are still blessed with Archbishop Phillip Hannan; Archbishop Emeritus of New Orleans was the last Father of the Second Vatican Council to witness the great manifestation and transformations of the Holy Spirit since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. Keep him in your constant prayers, Archbishop Hannan died on September 29, 2011 and was the last American to hold the esteemed title of Council Father in regards to the Second Vatican Council, a few weeks short of the 49th anniversary of the Council’s inception.

With the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical year on the first Sunday of Advent, the ongoing developments of the Second Vatican Council will again be apparent with a new edition of the Roman Missal, that returns to translations more consistent with the Latin texts developed by the Council Fathers. Pope Benedict XVI, a theological consultant during the Council, is now the Church’s leader. Ironically, during his papacy, permission has been universally granted to celebrate the Latin liturgy that was in place when the Second Vatican Council convened. Most commonly and erroneously called the Mass of the Council of Trent, it is now called The Mass of Blessed John XXIII and illustrates how the Church grows and develops in Her understanding of liturgy, theology and human progression towards a final eschatology with God and eternal life.

As we approach the Golden Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council in 2012, we should celebrate and reflect on the positive and transformative events of the past 49 years , identifying ourselves as a Church as a pilgrim people, ever growing and intensifying our identity of Catholic faith as future hope for a renewed and invigorated Church poised to prosper in the 21st century.

Duty, Honor, Country! Memorial Day.

2011-05-29T14:27:00.002-04:00

Rejoice Hoy Mother Church!

2011-04-23T20:33:00.002-04:00

Good Friday...makes me shiver!

2011-04-22T09:53:00.002-04:00

2011-04-22T09:09:00.002-04:00

The Chill of Good Friday!

Good Friday always make me shiver. When I think of the interior of my Catholic parish on this day, the cold realization of Jesus' suffering and death surrounds me. The Altar is stripped, the sanctuary is bare and the Eucharistic Lord's absence in evident by the open tabernacle doors. The intense sacrifice made by Jesus on the Cross is felt keenly in a Church sans Jesus in the tabernacle.

The quietness of the sacred space echoes faint, "Hosannas", and loud shouts of, "Crucify Him."Here in the parish Church ,in the shouting silence of the empty space, We Catholics begin to feel Jesus suffering and death. That is because we participate in His death through our own initiation at Baptism. Our common Baptism unites all of us and permits us to share in Jesus' Eucharistic sacrifice.

Good Friday does not mark the end for Jesus, nor for us…rather it a sign of hopeful expectation. That expectation transcends the historical and harsh reality of Jesus' crucifixion and death. The expectation is felt in Jesus' complete submission to the will of the Father, and the subsequent Father's power that raises Jesus from the dead. Most Catholics don't usually think of death as an expectant resurrection. Most Catholics separate Jesus' total dependence on the will of the Father from His suffering and death. Most Catholics forget to recall it is the Father that raises Jesus from the dead. We are too lost to think of these aspects of redemption. Too surrounded by the cold darkness of the power of evil. Too overcome with the physical death of Jesus. We don't like to think of a Church without a Eucharistic presence, without light and joy.

However as Catholics we need to focus on not just Jesus' death, but His impending resurrection. The impending resurrection is the theological extension of Jesus' faith in the Father. He suffers the Cross, because He believes in the Father's love. We too need to recognize the same in Jesus. We share in the mystery of Jesus' death because we are faithful of resurrection. The harsh reality of death undergoes a transformation in perspective when there is a belief in the resurrection.

God's love and power transforms the cross from a symbol of shame and death, into a true realization and expectation of new life. Jesus knows this. He trusts in the Father. The Father exhibits faithfulness to His Son and raises Jesus from the cold and empty tomb. It is only after I think of the cold reality of Good Friday am I able to sense the Father's incredible warmth and power. That's what makes us believers in faith. We know that we will not be abandoned in the solitude of death, but will participate in the Paschal glory of the warmth of the Resurrection.

When I remember that the Good Friday story has another lesson to communicate, is it possible to understand that my parish Church will be transformed on Easter Sunday morning. The liturgical reenactment of Jesus' passion is the beginning of the story, not the end. As believers, we have hope in God's power. We anticipate God's resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. When we realize this, shivering stops and I am acutely aware that there is life and warmth in the Resurrection, for Jesus, for us all.

2011-04-21T09:18:00.002-04:00

Pope Benedict on Ash Wednesday!

2011-03-09T14:05:00.001-05:00

O Come...closer to Christmas!

2010-12-10T09:03:00.001-05:00

Advent, the great period of anticipation and preparation is waning down as we continue towards the celebration of the Incarnation on December 25th. The Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of the Universal Church begins on December 17 with the invocation of the Great O Antiphons forming the octave before Christmas. These antiphons invoke the prophecy of Isaiah and recall a Messianic title on each day that is attributed to the coming Incarnate Word…Jesus Christ. No one is quite sure of the origins of the tradition, however in the eight century the custom was firmly rooted in the Benedictine Abbey of Fleury. The Abbot of the community intoned the titles and they were passed down in song as a gift to each member of the monastic community. Even the ancient philosopher and most likely the early Christian martyr Boethius (circa A.D. 480-525) makes mention of the Great O Antiphons in his writings as an indication of the already nascent custom of the primitive Catholic Church.
O Sapientia: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).
O Adonai: “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22).
O Radix Jesse: “O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Clavis David: “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).
O Oriens: “O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).
O Rex Gentium: “O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .
O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
(7:14). Remember “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.”
Each of the first words of the Messianic titles were compiled to form a cryptic message for Catholic believers. The Latin anagram, Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia forms the phrase in Latin, Ego Cras…Tomorrow I come!
The prayer of the Church in the Liturgy of the Hours is really a great illustration of the great anticipation and expectations of the ancient Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth. When we hear such songs as O Come, O Come Emmanuel we need to prayerfully remember the words are rooted in the historical nuances of the Roman Catholic liturgy and not just a secular carol of seasonal celebration.
Most importantly Advent indicates for all Catholic believers the importance associated with Christ’s coming in the Incarnation and as we anticipate every Sunday in the Creed, at the end of chronological time. The words, Ego Cras are indeed a joyous reminder of both Christmas joy and the realization of Christ’s eschatological glory at the end of time.

Prepare the Way of the Lord in JOY!

2010-12-04T09:25:00.001-05:00

Growing up, I was a child of both the effects of the baby boomer generation of the 1950's and the counter cultural revolution of the 1960's. Thankfully, I have learned to appreciate both trends for their positive and negative effects on my personal intellectual & spiritual growth and development. The 1950's presented for Americans cultural acceptance of the then status quo lifestyle of the Eisenhower administration, and for the most part people were content with living their lives according to the paternal guidance of Ike; especially after the tragic effects of the Second World War. However, with the end of the 1950's American spiritual and cultural norms were changing...and would change dramatically in the next decade.

I was born in 1960. Eisenhower was still in the White House, JFK was poised just off-stage for his platform of the New Frontier, which called Americans to boldly take up the challenges of modern world, with it's technological achievements and expectations. We were still a few years off from the opening of the Second Vatican Council, so even Catholics were part of the complacent Ike era, and really did not anticipate what the 1960's would bring for the Catholic Church and the modern world.

When I think of the many tasks and obligations we endure in our anticipation of the Christmas celebration, it strikes me that we need to ...prepare the way of the Lord and do so in an enjoyable manner. Secularism and its constant usurpation of the essential meaning of ,SACRED, doesn't always allow us to prepare in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Savior on Christmas. Rather, the tedious activities of Christmas preparation often overshadow the great theological anticipation and expectations of eschatological joy, we as faithful Catholics are preparing for at Christmas.

When I was considering what to write for this particular column, I recalled the great Saint Thomas Aquinas when he stated,"...there is nothing in the mind that is not first in the senses." Advent is itself a theologically sensory experience that demands and deserves our appreciation of celebration of Christ the New Dawn that comes to us in the Incarnation.

Part of the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960's included the Hippie movement and their alternative lifestyles that contradicted everything their parents frankly stood for in life. Their clothing was different, hairstyles were different, colors were bold, people expressed themselves more freely and openly than in the 1950's. As a child of the 1960's my own life experienced the complacency of life that resulted from the Ike years, but were charged with a sense of energy and change that embodied the 1960's.

Advent calls us to celebrate, prepare and anticipate the most significant event of all human history, the Word made Flesh and dwelling among us! This is why we should prepare our Christmas celebration with happiness, joy and celebration, not because we are celebrating a holiday...but because we are celebrating THE HOLY Day of God's redemption in our world.

At the beginning of this article, I posted an excerpt from the movie, GodSpell, which in its day was a controversial adaptation of the life of Jesus, derived from the Gospels. However, the song, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord, gives us a theologically choreographed example of the intensity we should have in our celebration of our faith as we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of God among us, and as we celebrate our collective conversion and transformation into a joyful people engaged in a timeless journey of faith that begins with the celebratory event of Christ's human birth.

So as you prepare, take a moment to celebrate just like the counter-cultural minstrels of GodSpell, and enjoy the path of conversion and preparations for Christmas.

The Tiarra is Back...Deo Gratias!

2010-11-29T18:58:00.002-05:00

The Advent Wreath...a History

2010-11-27T12:40:00.000-05:00

The Advent Wreath is displayed this evening to welcome the Advent Season. Another fellow Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary graduate, Father Bill Saunders has put it perfectly in the following article. Enjoy! Bill is a priest of the Arlington, Va. Diocese.

The History of the Advent Wreath

FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

A Baptist friend asked me about the Advent wreath — its history, meaning, etc.. I think I gave her a pretty good answer. Perhaps you could provide a little more information.

The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. However, the actual origins are uncertain. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during Winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth. By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath.
The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is to replace the three purple and one rose candles with four white candles, which will be lit throughout Christmas season.

By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas.

In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as follows: On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The youngest child then lights one purple candle.
During the second week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The oldest child then lights the purple candle from the first week plus one more purple candle.
During the third week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The mother then lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle.
Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The father then lights all of the candles of the wreath.
Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

Come O Lord and Set Us Free!

2010-11-27T10:14:00.002-05:00

Anticipation!

2010-11-26T10:13:00.000-05:00

Anticipation!

The New Evangelization...our Church in the 21st Century!

2010-11-22T08:55:00.003-05:00

On October 12, 2010, Pope Benedict introduced his latest motu proprio, Ubicumque et Semper as an introduction for the Church into the ‘New evangelization,” necessary to restore the prominence of the Catholic Church globally, especially where it has been faltering in recent years. The observation by Pope Benedict that the “phenomenon of abandonment of the faith” has “become progressively more evident in societies and cultures that were for centuries, impregnated with the Gospel.”

These societies and cultures are most obviously the Western world, especially Europe and the

United States

. Uniquely, in these societies, Pope Benedict raises poignant points for modern Catholics to consider in our journey of faith. The increased secularization of the world and the “loss of the sense of the sacred” contribute strongly to the demise of the Catholic faith in countries that were once strongholds of Catholicism.

Catholics seemingly have lost touch with the fundamental experiences of human existence, birth, death and family life and even the comprehension of natural law. The new evangelization movement established officially by Pope Benedict seeks to restore Christian vitality and exuberance to the areas of the Church that have been de-Christianized.

The process of new evangelization is most intimately linked with the teachings of John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Beginning of the Third Millenium 2000) which contemplated the future of the modern Catholic Church in light of the Second Vatican Council and the increasing secularism of the modern global society.

The motu proprio, Umbicumque et Semper was released by Pope Benedict XVI almost to the exact day of the start of the Second Vatican Council, 48 years ago. With the significance of this date in mind, we as faithful Catholics need to appreciate and more fully understand the intentions of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council as somewhat prophetic in their teachings. The world of 1962 is indeed quite different from our own modern world. Our Catholic Church is quite different from the 1960’s as well. It is really no wonder that the Catholic world has in part abandoned the message of the Gospel for more appealing lures of secular society.

The establishment of a curia office designed to oversea the process of new evangelization is the first step in this multi-decades implementation after Vatican II. New evangelization will encompass many other points for the 21^st century Church and the Catholic faithful.

To begin with, the new evangelization will need to reeducate, reinform and revitalize complacent Catholics on the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament in regards to our deposit of Catholic faith and tradition that has developed for two thousand years. What this means specifically is that the Church needs to minister to the Church, concentrating on those faithful members that have neglected or totally ignored the Gospel message and the Church’s teachings.

In terms of the Catholic resurgence of faith throughout the world, it is also critically important that the Catholic Church come to terms with the growing Islamic presence in the world and take the opportunity not to convert Muslims, but to embrace and culturally understand their faith and traditions. One only needs to look at the catastrophic events of the Great Crusades to see how ineffective our anti-Islamic campaigns were and continue to be. Islam, one of the great three monotheistic religions of the world indeed has a responsibility to the religions of the West to live in theistic harmony. Together with our cousins in monotheism, the Jewish people, the age of New Evangelization should concentrate its efforts towards reestablishing the importance of faith in God and religious practices as part of its agenda of global restoration of the goals of Christianity. The Catholic Church most obviously needs to appreciate the global situation that exists in the 21^st century, and not seek an opportunity towards antiquated colonialization, but rather an inclusive acceptance of many faiths, seeking truth from the same Deity, with different modes of worship.

Most importantly, besides the theological message of Christ, the Church in the efforts of New Evangelization needs to restore for all mankind an appreciation and understanding of the message of the Book of Genesis, namely that we are created in the image and likeness of God. If indeed, the message begins with our deepening understanding of our participation in the Divine life, then the points of argumentative and dehumanizing activities and beliefs will begin to fall as well. An understanding by a global Catholic Church that heralds above all things the sanctity of all human life, and a harmonious understanding of all of our brothers and sisters in faith is indeed the best sign of a new evangelization in Christ.

The message of the Council Fathers of Vatican II resounds with the motu proprio, Ubicumque at Semper. Collectively, as the People of God, we need to hear its important message for our own faithful people and our relationship with the global society of the world’s faiths.

Pius XII & the Second World War!

2010-09-23T10:53:00.000-04:00

Sixty-five years since the conclusion of the Second World War, historians are still grappling with the manner in which Pope Pius XII was involved, behind the scenes to alleviate this global tragedy. Hitler, the War, and the Pope by Ronald J. Rychlak illuminates readers of the intimate and complex diplomatic and spiritual mission Pope Pius XII directed throughout Europe through this conflict. Most importantly, in this book, Mr. Rychlak extensively indicates the true extent of the Catholic Church’s clandestine activities throughout Europe in saving the lives of persecuted Jewish victims of Hitler’s genocide. All of these activities, it should be noted were with the expressed approval and support of Pope Pius XII.
The narrative takes place and recounts the multiple interventions the then Cardinal Pacelli (Pius XII) made on behalf of the Church during the rise of National Socialism in Germany in the late 1920’s until the outbreak of war in 1939. Cardinal Pacelli as the Vatican’s Nuncio (Ambassador) to Germany was able to assist the Conference of German Bishops in their resistance to Adolph Hitler and the rise of this totalitarian government. During the period of German remilitarization, the Catholic Church in Germany suffered tremendous losses of priests and religious, all of whom were incarcerated in NAZI concentration camps because of their opposition to the NAZI political movement. Throughout the war, hundreds of Catholic priest, bishops, seminarians and female religious were summarily executed because they assisted both Catholic and Jewish people alike to escape Hitler’s Germany.
When elected Pope, Pacelli, now Pope Pius XII recognized the Catholic Church’s obligation to provide refuge to thousands of persecuted Jews throughout Europe. On his direct orders, Catholic institutions issued certificates of baptism for persecuted Jews, secretly hid them in convents, monasteries and schools and helped them escape the German Reich.
This great work by Ronald J.Rychak is a historian’s detailed expose of the suffering experienced by millions of people during the upheaval of Europe during the Second World War. Additionally, this book is a testimony to the personal and spiritual involvement of Pope Pius XII in the mission to save the People of the Covenant from German atrocities’. The book further shows the physical sufferings endured by Pius XII during this horrendous period in European history; constant threats to capture the Pope, wartime rationing in the Vatican and threats of military invasion were daily parts of Pope Pius’s life.
Most importantly, the book serves as a definitive collection of proofs that put any anti-Semitic accusations towards Pope Pius XII to complete rest. The collection of documents at the end of the book clearly indicates the role Pope Pius XII as a cardinal and later as pope worked diligently to preserve European peace and protect the Jewish people from NAZI atrocities’.
Readers of this book will finally be able to realize that the cause for the beatification of Pope Pius XII should immediately continue. The claims of his anti-Semitism were the results of erroneous understandings of the Catholic Church’s secretive activities during the Second World War and part of the Soviet backed plan to discredit the Church and Pius XII.
In light of this great book, that not only redacts history, but clarifies the events that without any doubt will be part of the testimony to make Pius XII, blessed and finally a saint of the Catholic Church.
The book is published by Our Sunday Visitor and is available at their website: www.osv.com . The cost of the book is $29.95.

Be An Amazing Catechist...

2010-09-01T11:30:00.003-04:00

Catechetical materials for educating children are often difficult to come by for parish programs geared towards younger (primary school) children. Recently, I had the opportunity to read and review a magnificent work by Lisa Mladinich, Be An Amazing Catechist, Inspire the Faith of Children. Initially, when looking at the book, I was under the misimpression that it was a magazine. However, on further examination, I realized this succinct tabloid type book is really a series of catechetical exercises intended to not only teach precepts of our Catholic faith, but also intended to inspire children into learning more about their faith through Sacred Scripture, Sacramental and Holy Eucharist.

The days of the Baltimore Catechism are long gone, and rightly so. Our Catholic youth live in a technological society that is bombarded with multiple forms of media to attract and maintain their attention. This work, by Lisa Mladinich with its colorful color, magazine format and totally contemporary photographs really excites a student to participate in reading the materials, and participation in the exercises of faith formation. Not only does the book make recommendations for catechists that help plan the instructional materials, it also suggests catechist activities, such as the usage of puppets, post-it notes and poster painting.

The book is filled with sound Catholic teachings on the Sacraments and Sacramentals. It especially provides a superlative resource guide for the catechist, citing multiple websites for additional reading information and sources. The website of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, The Vatican, Teaching Kids and Catholic Mom are all listed as additional places that will enhance the teaching experience and develop the student’s appreciation of our Catholic faith.

I had the opportunity to meet the author personally at the Catholic Book Marketing convention this year. Lisa Mladinich offers a contagious zeal and enthusiasm in her writings as an off shoot of her personality to bring Catholic faith to children, families and parish communities. This book will without a doubt be a best seller within weeks. It is available at Amazon.com http://Amazon.com & http://osv.com .

By the way the cost is $2.95, it is the best amount you could spend to further Catholic education.

"Go to the Worker" America's Labor Apostles

2010-08-23T11:17:00.000-04:00

The Catholic Worker’s Movement of the 20th century is a monumental event that deserves recognition and admiration. Without the movement scores of Catholic workers, engaged in many facets of American labor might have endured insufferable and continued disregard for their human rights and values. Recounting the courageous individuals that forged the Catholic Labor Movement in the United States is long overdue. However, the work of Mr. Kimball Baker, a historian and writing that lives in Southern, New Jersey, that oversight has been remedied in a most effective and accurate manner. His book, “Go to the Worker”, America’s Labor Apostles is the most definitive expose of the history of the Catholic Labor Movement to date. His work, details the evolution and development of the movement through the actions and efforts of individuals that are often forgotten to the realms of historical antiquity; despite the fact their actions affect every working individual, especially Catholics since the development of the social reforms instigated by the efforts of these great, unsung men. Frequently, most Catholics often hear the name of Dorothy Day associated with Catholic Workers and the development of labor rights in the United States. While her story in itself is remarkable, it is actually a small piece that contributes to the larger activities of men such as Bert Donlin, Philip Carey, Karl Hubble and Joseph Buckley that raised public awareness and consciousness in the United States about the necessity for social action on behalf of the workers of the country; and made this message their life’s work and campaign.

Kimball Baker writes of the intense and diverse mannerisms of each of these great Lions of the labor movement in a manner that makes the reader want to really get to know them better, perhaps sit and have a heated discussion with all of the great men that forged the worker’s movement and in the end go out and raise a sign that advocates the rights of the working’s class and the great moral and ethical responsibilities that rest with the barons of 20th century labor as well.

Most importantly, the book clearly illustrates for this author the great need that continues to exist in the 21st century to protect intrinsic human rights and needs in the workplace. While most contemporary observers might feel the age of the Catholic Worker Movement is over, the reality of Catholic teachings on social justice demand quite a different understanding. Consistently since the great encyclical of Leo XIII Rerum Novarum, which discussed the needs and rights of the working man to the encyclical of Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, Gaudium et Spes of the Second Vatican Council & Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) by Pope John Paul II the Church has consistently called attention to the needs of the working man. The Church is a champion of labor rights and expects Her followers to appreciate the great dignity of all workers, regardless of their occupations and obligations.

In the 21st century, with the emerging global economy, transcending political and social borders, it is especially critical that the message and admonitions of the Catholic Labor Movement are not forgotten, but closely recalled and recounted. Mr. Kimball Baker, in his superlative discourse and redaction of the men that fueled the 20th century movement of social action is a welcome work that reminds modern Catholic readers that we are indeed in need of the same Catholic social action that results in the preservation of human rights and dignity in all of the works undertaken by laborers throughout the world.

“Go to the Worker”, America’s Labor Apostles is available from Amazon.com(http://amazon.com) and Marquette University Press (http://www.marquette.edu/mu/press) . The cost is $30.00.

The book is a must for every Catholic’s readers list and gets my rating of four miters.

Recalling the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in 1976

2010-08-02T10:33:00.005-04:00

Jesus, Breaking Bread by the late Walter Erlebacher. Commissioned for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress, Philadelphia, Pa. 1976. Statue is outside the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, Philadelphia, Pa.

The focus of the entire Catholic world was directed towards Philadelphia in August of 1976. The 41^st International Eucharistic Congress took place thirty-four years ago this week in the City of Brotherly Love and the world has dramatically changed since the Congress in Philadelphia. For those that need a reference point in time, Paul VI was Pope, Gerald Ford was President of the United States, and Frank Rizzo was Mayor of Philadelphia. While for many, the events of 1976 were focused on the events of the Founding Fathers in 1776, Philadelphia Catholics celebrated their faith with the week long Eucharistic Congress, with the theme of Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Notable individuals from all over the globe attended the Eucharistic Congress. At the time, individuals like Cardinal Karol Wojtyla and Mother Teresa were not quite household names. People like Dorothy Day and Cardinal Leo Suenens were more commonly known, however the powerful power of the Holy Spirit, often preached by Cardinal Suenens was diligently changing the face of Catholicism in both Philadelphia and the world.

The weeks events included, lectures, workshops, exhibitions and of course Eucharistic liturgies. One of the most memorable events for this author was the Catholic Youth Mass, held at the Spectum with musical accompaniment provided by the priest musical group, The Damiens. Since 1976, the Damiens have disappeared into the obscurity of history. The Spectrum is destined for demolition and all of the individuals mentioned previously in this reflection have returned home to God. What has however remained is the ever persistent and deeply held belief that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Despite the adage quoted by the poet Virgil in his work, Georgics, “Tempus fugit”; but the reality of the gift of Jesus’ Eucharistic presence still remains as the central focus of the Catholic life.

Virgil more correctly wrote, tempus fugit to mean, time flees. “Sed fugit interea fugit irreparabile tempus, singular dum capti circumvectamur amor. “ [1] The great poet makes the reference to the manner in which we as human beings are sometimes consumed by unimportant details that are of no significant importance or meaning. Frequently, individuals spend their entire lives distracted by such example of details of little importance. However, for the Catholic we are indeed called to transcend the nihilistic sentiments of Virgil’s, “tempus fugit,” and place our lives and aspirations in Jesus, the Bread of Life for our temporal and spiritual subsistence.

Recently, I wrote an article that appeared in the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that highlighted the importance of the sculpture, Jesus, breaking bread that is situated outside of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul that was commissioned for the 41^st International Eucharistic Congress. The article relayed the transcendence that the Eucharistic Jesus offers to passersby in feeding all of those that request the Bread of Life from Him. In terms of a reflection on the historical events of August 1976 in Philadelphia, everything indeed besides faith in Christ and participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice are indeed fleeting moments of chronological time and space.

While the 41^st International Eucharistic Congress was a great event in the spiritual and historical treasury of events for Philadelphia Catholics, its enduring legacy is indeed the theme of the week’s celebration: Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Most often we are attracted to events because of the marketing efforts that highlight the event itself. In retrospect, the Eucharistic Congress, held during the monumental celebration of America’s Bicentennial were indeed for this author life influencing and spiritually pervasive even to this very day.

Often we speak of historical events correctly as part of the past. However, when it comes to the 41^st International Eucharistic Congress, it is more correctly an event of kairotic significance because it unties both the sacred and the secular events of 1976, with the entire Catholic community, the Body of Christ that transcends chronological space and time and continues as the People of God towards final union with our Trinitarian destination in the eternal Godhead.

The world has changed drastically since 1976, we have had quite a bit of chronological time pass since those events, however our Eucharistic faith gives us an alternative understanding to Virgil’s seemingly nihilistic appreciation of time gone bye. Our, tempus fugit directs us not towards a dismissal of the events of the past, but rather an embracing of the Christ in the Present, with the joyful anticipation of Christ in the future as we celebrate Jesus, the Bread of Life, yesterday, today & always.

Christ yesterday and today,

The Beginning and the End,

The Alpha and Omega,

His are the times and ages:

To Him be glory and dominion

Through all ages of eternity. Amen

[1] “But meanwhile it flees: time flees irretrievably, while we wander around, prisoners of our love of detail. Georgics by Virgil.

Symposium in Rome: Church Up Close.....Hugo ad Roma! Hopefully!

2010-07-06T14:09:00.003-04:00

Recently, I was accepted into a symposium in Rome in September for Catholic journalists. Our Sunday Visitor in conjunction with the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome will offer the event. It is called, The Church Up Close: Covering Pope Benedict XVI. The event runs from September 6-14. The event is also sponsored by Opus Dei as well in cooperation with the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

I am looking forward to attending the event, which will include other journalists from the United States as participants in the conference. While, I have not figured out the details of the excursion, such as airfare, hotel and other things, hopefully it will come to a successful trip once the details are settled.

While my articles have not been appearing as often in the past few months, I have none the less been working on book reviews, DVD reviews and writing a few more chapters to the perpetual book project on Catholic art and architecture that is quite frankly endless. There are so many events happening in the local Catholic Church, especially home in Philadelphia. New Bishops being appointed as auxiliary bishops to Cardinal Rigali will no doubt banner the headlines in the weeks to come.Best wishes and prayers
to both Bishops-elect and warm regards as Bishop McFadden prepares to take over the episcopal reigns of Harrisburg.

Nationally, the Catholic Church is undergoing a dynamic growth in parts of the United States. The influx of Hispanic Catholics in the Southwest is prompting the development of new parishes to accommodate the needs of this growing area of the Catholic faith. In New Mexico for example, there is a Spanish Festival that takes place in July, that highlights the local artisans that work closely with the Catholic parishes in providing original pieces of art in the Spanish traditions for adorning the local churches. The exploding presence of Hispanic Catholics throughout the world makes me realize most fully, that the Catholic Church is indeed a global and international entity that embraces peoples of all languages and ethnic groups as part of the Body of Christ. My articles on Catholic Art and Architecture will celebrate the Spanish Festival held in Santa Fe every year and highlight some of their local artists.

By habit, I also like to write extensively on events that happen in the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. While the Roman summer is just beginning, I am sure there will be some interesting points to write about from Castel Gandolpho in the next few weeks. Keep tuned.

The Catholic Standard &Times in Philadelphia is poised to publish two articles on Sacred art that I have written. The first concerns the portrait of soon to be Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, which is at the Church of Saint Francis Xavier in Philadelphia. The artist, Patrick Connors is a Philadelphia resident and a great example of the artistic heritage that exists in Philadelphia. The other article, concentrates on the statue by Walter Erlebacher, Jesus Breaking Bread, which resides outside of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. It is especially fitting, this piece runs in the August time period, perhaps in recollection of the 41 International Congress which was held in Philadelphia in 1976, thirty-four years ago! Time indeed does fly!

I have also been working on a history of the now suppressed parish of Saint Peters, in West Atlantic City , New Jersey. The more investigating I do about the parish, the more history I uncover. The archivist of the Diocese of Trenton , Sister Catherine Thidault, SSJ has been especially resourceful in helping with this task.
In the research, I have come across a book by Father Walter Leahy, The Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, published in 1908 that has been a remarkable help. Many thanks to the staff of Villanova's Salvey Library that fulfilled my request to electronically scan the book into digital form, when the Ryan Memorial Library at my Alma mater was unable to fulfill the request.
I have also been working on a project that highlights the history of the architectural renovations of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Philadelphia. Many thanks to the staff of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Historical Research Center for their help in obtaining photos of the Cathedral in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Anyhow, I just thought my readers would be interested to know what has been happening, and what projects are in transit in association with the various articles I write for different periodicals and publications. Feel free to let me know if you like the writings, or not!
I am looking forward to tackling more projects as I prepare for the trip ad Roma...

Saints Peter & Paul...a partnership for all ages!

2010-06-29T12:49:00.001-04:00

Today the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. In remembering these two seminal individuals in the life and mystery of the Church's core existence, namely faith in Jesus Christ and belief in His Sacraments. In addition to the activities of both Peter and Paul, the Church remembers these two men for their strength against adversity, their uncompromising fidelity to the Gospel Message and their ultimate willingness to give their lives for their faith in Christ Jesus.

On this day, the Successor of Saint Peter, Pope Benedict XVI formally presents and confers the pallium on newly created archbishops from all over the world. The pallium is the external symbol of a metropolitan archbishop's unity with the Bishop of Rome. The woolen band, decorated with three crosses symbolizes an archbishop's authority within his own juristiction, that authority, directly granted from Peter's Successor, the reigning Pontiff.

The message one is able to derive from today's great celebration of the lives and deaths of the great Apostles, Peter & Paul is one of uncompromising faith, total allegiance to the will of God and complete obedience to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit...even if it means martyrdom for the Lord. As a Catholic Church we celebrate the great example of fidelity and obedience that both Saints Peter & Paul exhibited as followers of Jesus. Hopefully, our own spiritual journey in faith reflects the inspirational activities of these great Apostles.

The bond of collaboration that existed between Sts. Peter & Paul is also a magnificent example of the invisible bond that unites the Pope with the Archbishops and Bishops throughout the entire world that share in the Petrine Ministry of Benedict XVI in proclaiming the Good News to the entire world. In union with the Pope, the College of Bishops exercise their episcopal ministry of High Priest in their respective dioceses and provide the nourishment of the Eucharist for the entire Church. While Catholics frequently think of the local parish priest as the celebrant of Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments; they minister exclusively through the Priesthood of the Bishop, who is the fullness of priesthood in his own diocese. Bishops exercise their priesthood in union with the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Saint Peter, as the visible manifestations of the Apostles in the modern world.

In celebrating the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, remember the great gift of priestly service entrusted to all bishops in the Catholic Church and be thankful for their roles as the High Priests of the Church, united with Peter from the events of the Last Supper.

On Guard by William Lane Craig

2010-06-03T11:18:00.001-04:00

The logical defense of faith is not always something that comes to mind when talking about one's faith. However, after reading, On Guard, Defending your faith with Reason and Precision by William Lane Craig, the topic should be on the forefront of all minds of faithful followers of Christianity and for that matter all other religions as well.

With logical precision, Dr. Craig illustrates through an understandable philosophical and logical approach the method of defending ones religious beliefs through reason and deduction. The average Catholic believer, is unfortunately no longer taught the art of Catholic Apologetics, however this book is a close match to the long lost art of deductive reasoning in response to anti-religious rhetoric.

Following a basic format, the work offers four basic arguments that support the existence of God and how one can defend these arguments with logical precision that supports Catholic faith. Additionally, the author continues to defend the physical existence of Jesus as both Man and God, elaborates on the matters of Christ's death and resurrection as a logical conclusion of Catholic faith. Finally, the author wrestles with the matter of modern relativism and why the movement is not compatible with the Christian faith.

The book is well written, and easily followed with supporting scriptural references that lend credibility to the logical defense of one's faith. It is also illustrated with diagrams and interesting cartoons that offer a sense of humor to an otherwise serious subject for discussion.

The author clearly expounds on the topic that our American society has become increasingly post-Christian and how the belief in Jesus is considered politically incorrect. With forceful philosophical discussions and applications of real life examples, Dr. Lane convincingly leads the reader to a better understanding of the forces that often act against a positive contemporary belief in religious principles. Additionally, he tackles how these anti-religious beliefs affect our social, political and cultural understandings of the value and benefits of following a faith led Christian lifestyle.

This book is exceptional in the ease of reading and the practical apologetical applications every faithful Catholic should understand and practice.
The book is distributed by the B & B Media Group. It is available at their website: http://wwwtbbmedia.com The cost is $16.99

Hugh J.McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist writing on Catholic topics and issues. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he studied both philosophy and theology. He writes frequently at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://nothing-left-unsaid.blogspot.com . Hugh writes about his Irish Catholic upbringing and educational experiences at http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com He has contributed works to Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, The Irish Catholic, Dublin, the British Broadcasting Company, London and the Philadelphia Bulletin, Catholic Exchange, Pewsitter.com, Blogger News Network & The Catholic Business Journal,CatholicMom.com. & Catholic.net Comments are always welcome at hjmn4566@gmail.com.

Men of Brave Heart

2010-06-03T10:18:00.001-04:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been inundated with activities related to book and dvd reviews. The most striking book that has been in my review pile is one by the new Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Men of Brave Heart.

Archbishop Gomez in this work traces the historical and scriptural developments of Catholic priesthood through the perspective that Catholic priesthood is a vocation that takes the priest on a variety of journeys in his ministry.

In addition to the scriptural and historical references to the priesthood, Archbishop Gomez recalls true examples of priestly experiences gleaned from many fellow priests as illustrative of the great complexity of the vocational call to priesthood and how it is essential to the life and the future of the Catholic Church.

The book is extremely personal as the Archbishop recounts experiences in ministry that have transpired over his own priestly and episcopal ministries. However the most important point of the entire book is the real concentration devoted to understanding the balance between the sacred and secular aspects that require a Catholic priest's commitment to personal and spiritual balance at all times.

Elements considered in Archbishop Gomez's book are many, especially the everyday joys and celebrations that are incumbent to the Catholic priest. Additionally, the sorrows and stressful circumstances that present themselves to our Catholic clergy are highlighted as well, the stresses of ministry, the physical and psychological effects of priestly service and the demands of priestly celibacy.

Archbishop Gomez provides a remarkable unfolding of historical facts and scriptural references that support the premise that priests need to constantly, "Be invigorated, inspired and renewed!" through their sacramental ministry. His book also very clearly shows the critical role the Catholic priest plays in transmitting those same principles to faithful Catholic believers on a daily basis through their sacred ministry, sometimes dismissed as antiquated and out of sync in modern society. If anything, this book will indicate to readers of all levels the real need in the Catholic Church to support and provide for men to rise up and celebrate the vocation towards Catholic priesthood.

The title, Men of Brave Heart, illustrates clearly the fortitude necessary to aspire to Catholic priesthood in an increasingly secular world. Most notably, the call to braveness for the Catholic priest is one that demands the total appreciation and understanding of the nature of a priestly vocation by the faithful, who are touched daily by the priest's daily obligations to sacramental and secular obligations. In this Year of the Priest, proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI, this book should be read by every Catholic to achieve a prayerful and practical appreciation of the life and ministry of their local Catholic parish priests.

With secular media attention often noting negative points regarding our Catholic clergy, this book is a refreshing recollection of the spiritual and eternal aspirations our Catholic priests attempt to share with the faithful and profaned on a regular basis as their task that builds up the Body of Christ. Discerning Catholics and non-Catholics alike should read this book to appreciate and understand the intensely difficult task the priest often encounters in their daily activities, as well as the great joy and consolations they bring to all peoples that ask for a Catholic priest's spiritual guidance in their lives.

The book is published by Our Sunday Visitor and is available at their website: http://www.osv.com
The price is $21.95

A History of Christianity, The First Three Thousand Years.

2010-04-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

Over the Easter holiday I had the opportunity to review Diarmaid MacCulloch’s, A History of Christianity, The First Three Thousand Years. Viewing the series was indeed a magnificent event. Dr. MacCulloch, a Professor of History at Oxford takes the viewer through all of the great events, and sometimes not so great events that have contributed to the modern identity of Christianity. What I found most striking in the initial narrative of that focused on the first Christians was the remarkable points of ethnic diversity the early Christians possessed as primarily a church of the Eastern Roman Empire. Only the subsequent rise of Rome transformed the religion into what we naturally perceive today as a Western Religion.

Throughout the episodes, small tidbits of history, theology and sociological norms are interwoven into the series to entice the viewer into a deeper comprehension of the small Jewish sect that ultimately became the world’s largest religion.

The collection of six DVDs utilizes exceptional photojournalism while telling the ongoing story of the spread of Christianity. The producers visit the most significant and holiest sites in Catholicism. Of particular interest, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem that shares theological heritages with both the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church.

The series continues to review all of the great intellectual and theological developments that influenced Christianity’s growth and spread throughout every political and social situation throughout the world. Additionally, the issues of Protestantism and the issues of the Reformation are equally studied with great academic clarity and theological succinctness.

Every Catholic institution of learning should have this series as a source for students in their libraries. The faithful believer should include this series in their personal media collection. It is perhaps the most refreshing attempt to show the true complexities of the development of Christianity throughout the world, while respecting the most sacred aspects of our Catholic faith.

A History of Christianity, The First Three Thousand Years is available through Ambrose Video. Their website is http://ambrosevideo.com . The price is $79.00 for the six DVD set.

Pope Benedict...Adversio et Conversio!

2010-04-22T13:12:00.000-04:00

Antagonists worldwide in their campaign against Pope Benedict XVI might be well on the way towards a conversion towards a more protagonist view of the Pope and the Catholic Church. Since the Pope’s return from his apostolic visit to Malta, there has been a strong flurry of activities related to the removal, retirement or replacement of some bishops that failed to adequately respond to the clergy sex abuse crisis. Just a few days ago, Pope Benedict XVI promised action in regards to dealing with the ongoing crisis; now the actions are taking place within episcopal conferences around the world.

The acknowledgement of the Holy Father of the extreme gravity of the crisis clearly indicates that there is indeed an acceptance and understanding of the issues that often undermine the Church through some sexually rogue clergy. The rash of episcopal resignations are the first effective sign that Benedict’s promise for appropriate response will yield more changes that are positive factors in restoring ecclesial unity throughout the world.

Some observers might think Benedict’s acceptance of these resignations is a punitive response to episcopal incompetence all around the world. His response in this manner is really the first step in paternal correction and guidance to the world’s Catholic bishops that seemingly has not always happened in the last few decades. By the removal and replacement of the world’s bishops that failed to adequately react and respond to the clergy sex abuse scandal, the stage is set towards stronger reformations of the Church’s internal policies and relationship with civil judicial authorities.

What appeared just a few weeks ago, as a conspiratorial attempt to collectively hide the incidents of sexual misconduct and abuse is now just the opposite. The Church is stating clearly and with authority that the abuse of children is never acceptable and will no longer be tolerated. The Vatican Press Office released the current norms enacted for handling accusations of sexual abuse by clergy and the worlds bishops are firmly behind the desire for total transparency.

Pope Benedict XVI deserves strong accolades for his swift actions in handling the crisis. More importantly, he needs the prayerful support of all of the world’s Catholics, while making definitive changes in the manner the Church acknowledges and repents from abuse allegations. The secular media has been very intent on listing the inadequacies of the Church’s handling of this crisis. Now, the world needs to permit Pope Benedict XVI, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to heal the wounds of the scandal and observe institutional penance for the shortcomings.

This period is perhaps one of the most painful for the life of the Catholic Church, because it has been forced by the sex abuse scandal to look into the unattractive image the mirror presents and make changes. The Church does not usually move quickly on many issues and matters. It responds in a manner that is usually slow and meditative. Benedict’s quick reaction illustrates the Church is clearly sorrowful for its behavior and now seeks forgiveness and reconciliation.

It is especially significant that the Holy Father has asked the forgiveness of the world, the crisis occurred globally. Catholicism as a global entity is moving into a state of institutional penance. Most importantly, the Church has resolved that this will never happen again. Such resolution is intrinsic to the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Catholic Church for every baptized Catholic that takes part in the Sacrament. The Church, as the Body of Christ makes the same confession of sin, acknowledgement of the grievous nature of the offenses and firmly resolves to avoid future occurrences of the same grievous sin. Now it is time for forgiveness and absolution, restitution and reconciliation.

The notion that,” the Church prays as the Church believes” also applies to the manner in which the Church operates daily. Pope Benedict XVI is reminding everyone world wide that the Church is taking the definitive course towards healing and conversion in regards to its own shortcomings.

Pray for Pope Benedict XVI, all of the victims of clerical sex abuse, both clergy and laity alike. We as members of the Mystical Body of Christ have all been hurt by the scandal. Pray now for healing.

Pope Benedict XVI...Transitional Pope, With a Mission!

2010-04-17T10:29:00.001-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 83rd birthday yesterday. Usually in life, octogenarians are settled quietly in retirement from their professional lives. However, the profession of Pope, the leader of the worlds’ Catholic Church is an exception. Monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain usually reign until their natural deaths and then the heir to the throne immediately assumes the mantle of monarchy. However, Popes once again are the exception. When Popes depart the temporal life their successor is elected from the Sacred College of Cardinals. There is no heir to the Chair of Saint Peter; however there are many potential candidates for the job in the Sacred College. Pope Benedict XVI seemingly is still extremely fit to carry on the responsibilities of the vocational office of Pope, despite the speculation of worldwide media that he should resign in light of the clergy sex abuse scandal that continues to plague the Church on a global level.

Catholics should celebrate the fact that Benedict XVI is celebrating his 83rd birthday and is still seemingly healthy and active in the daily governance of the Church. His predecessor, John-Paul II was incapacitated by illness and hindered from actively governing the Church in his later years. Perhaps the physical condition of John-Paul II in the twilight of his papacy contributed to the complexity and depth of the festering problems of sex abuse throughout the world. Most likely, the late Pope was more focused on the difficulties of progressive illnesses and the pending journey to eternal life rather than strongly handle the crisis. During the administration of the late Pontiff’s Church, then Cardinal Ratzinger was left to effectively handle the erupting crisis in the most appropriate manner possible. After all, he himself was a subordinate to John-Paul II and the final decisions rested with him.

Other points of consideration are these: Both men experiences repressive regimes during the Second World War, namely the NAZIS. John-Paul experienced the oppression of the Cold War with the rise of Soviet Communism in addition to the atrocities of the Hitler regime. Perhaps the pervasive and deeply ingrained sense of clandestine Catholic activities during the Second World War and the Iron Curtain contributed to the handling of the clergy sex scandal with the same secretive nature. The personal and professional developments of both Benedict and John-Paul are situated in a world that was distinctly clouded by fear, terror and secretive activities. It should be no surprise to Catholics and secular observers then that the ineffective handling of the crisis would also be enigmatic in nature.

Despite their ideological and theological backgrounds, both Popes tried to handle the developing crisis in their own ways. However, as the details are unfolding the papacy of John-Paul despite his global Super-Star status did not effectively deal with matters of administration and disclosure of abusive priests to secular authorities. The late Pontiff if anything perhaps erred on the side of paternal and pastoral charity in regards to the accused priests and remanded them to lifestyles of prayer and penance.

The birth of the new papacy of Pope Benedict XVI was indeed a remarkable event. The second Pope of the modern era, not to be of Italian descent was a milestone that hailed the complex international texture of the Church’s modern activities. It clearly illustrated the emergence of the Catholic Church as an international and global presence that insisted on bringing the Gospel of Christ to the international family of nations with a more traditional Catholicism. Despite this entrance into the world of Vatican geopolitics, there were internal factors that Benedict inherited from his presumed saintly predecessor namely, the problems of priestly sex abuse and the manner in which the Church should handle the problem. The new Pontificate of Benedict began to handle the unfinished work of John-Paul in the application of disciplinary actions against priest abusers, and the situation seemed to subside.

Papa Ratzinger so far has acted quickly to deal with the sex abuse scandal. The task of reversing centuries old Church behavioral responses is a somewhat massive undertaking. The modern world’s notion of full and complete disclosure is not something that the Church’s Curia has experienced in its daily operational and administrative activities in running the Catholic Church. Confidentiality and secrecy go hand in hand with the Catholic hierarchy and those two notions permeate to the clergy in the field all over the world. A similar policy of, “Don’t ask, Don’t tell!” exists within the military services of the United States regarding homosexual activities of its soldiers. It could be argued that the same adage is something that is shared among the fraternal communities of bishops, priests and deacons in the Catholic Church. Unfortunately and shamefully, that code of fraternal silence has allowed the proliferation of criminal activities that violate the most basic premises of human trust among children and young people in the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI in dealing with the existing problem has already made great strides in nurturing a solution to handling the problem. Now is the time for the total and complete disclosure of the Catholic Church regarding all immoral and illegal carnal activities with prosecution by civil authorities, with clerical removal from Holy Orders and pastoral activities? While the measure might seem Draconian in the administration of justice, it is the only way to restore confidence in Catholic clergy globally and reconcile the shreaded garment of the Church’s life.

Pope Benedict XVI is moving towards a collective restoration of trust in the Church by clearly stating that any acts of abuse should be immediately handed over to civil authorities. This is clearly a signal to the international community that this Pope means business and wants the entire situation brought to a healing conclusion.

Eighty-plus year olds that are Popes should not have to deal with problems of such gravity and nature. Quite frankly, the entire situation has caused decades of pain and suffering for all Catholics because of the insidious nature of the abuse, the institutional cover-up and the continued denial of institutional responsibility. However, it seems now that the actions of Pope Benedict are moving the Church towards a full acceptance of the problem, and full resolution of the Church to this time solves the problem with expediency and full accountability.

The pontificate of Benedict XVI at the time of his election was initially perceived as a transitional papacy, namely to set the stage for perhaps a younger successor from a Third World country. Vatican observers expected the regnum of Benedict to be uneventful and frankly…boring. However, as Pope Benedict has illustrated, one should never expect the expected in the life of the Catholic Church. His papacy continues to unfold and evolve into one that will leave a deep impression on Catholic and non-Catholics alike for many years to come. The incumbent, Benedict XVI, is setting the stage for a new Catholic Church of the 21st century and beyond. It really does indicate that one can learn a lot from our elders, even if that elder is the Pope.

Despite the previously thought notion that the papacy of Pope Benedict was merely transitional, the Catholic Church continues to evolve in its understanding of its place as a global voice for the poor and oppressed . Benedict XVI might be considered a transitional Pope, but the transitional bridge he is building is similar to the great transitions in Church history and beliefs. The Church has moved from many schools of thought, from Augustine to Thomas, from medieval to modern, from Trent to Vatican II. Pope Benedict XVI, Pope, is forging a new transition of the Catholic Church that practices and follows the theological and philosophical adages it teaches.

Happy Birthday, Pope Benedict XVI and many more to come!

Happy Birthday Holy Father!

2010-04-15T18:46:00.001-04:00

April 16th is Pope Benedict's birthday. The Church celebrates the birthday of the Vicar of Christ.
Happy Birthday Holy Father, we wish you many more birthdays guiding the Catholic Church.
Ad Multos Annos!

Divine Mercy Sunday

2010-04-10T19:17:00.003-04:00

The Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday with the start of Evening Prayer 1 in the Liturgy of the Hours. Divine Mercy Sunday was proclaimed by John-Paul II as the first Sunday after Easter. Saint Faustina, had a vision of Jesus during prayer and he revealed his promises of Divine Mercy. With all of the turmoil going on in the Catholic Church, the attacks on Benedict XVI and the unending revelations of clergy scandals, pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Pray for God's mercy on the whole world as we seek to know His Way!

Christianity, Islam & Judaism,,,Cousins in Monotheistic Faith!

2010-04-09T07:38:00.005-04:00

Church of the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, a site holy to Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Recently in one of the blogs I had written regarding the celebrations surrounding the Easter season, I mentioned that Catholics were perhaps a bit uneasy about the manner in which Islamic faithful express their faith. Uneasy is perhaps an understatement. In our Western culture, religion has taken an antiseptic approach towards religious expressionism. The Catholic liturgy does indeed have different postures of prayer such as kneeling, standing and sitting. These are routine in our religious expressionism. We also have actions such as genuflections, slight bows, solemn bows, prostration during sacramental ordinations but we do not require any specific rituals or actions as conditions to our prayers. This was not always true.

The Apostolic Church observed the ritual movements and dietary requirements until the Council of Jerusalem. Traditionally Church architecture has directed that churches be built with the altar facing east. Of course east is the direction of the rising sun, or new life or the Resurrected Jesus. There has been a lot written recently about the direction of the priest during the celebration of the Eucharist. Prior to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, priests faced away from the people when celebrating the sacrament. It was call ad orientem, or to the east. Today most of our liturgical celebrations of the Eucharist are celebrated with the priest ad populum, or towards the people. This dramatic change of posture in the priestly orations is a topic that Church experts on liturgy and theology have debated since the 1960's.

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, as Cardinal Ratzinger wrote extensively on this topic. Although he has proclaimed no definitive direction for the direction of prayer since his election, his writings clearly indicate that in the historical context of the Church's liturgy ad orientem is an ancient and preferred practice. Whatever the manner of prayer we adopt in our liturgical expression is quite honestly irrelevant to our desire to praise our Creator.
In many religious sects throughout the world, the believers have embraced manners and directions of prayer that embrace the mystery of communications with the Divine Being. In the case of our Islamic cousins, the call to prayer is very publically heard and distinguished by the ritual of facing towards Mecca for prayer. Such orientation and direction is part of our Catholic heritage as well. To face the east is an admirable practice that recalls our theological as well as cosmological orientation towards the land that signifies the Rising Sun. In our case, this Rising Sun is Christ Jesus and not a preference to Allah, or the Egyptian sun god, Ra. In addition to our heritage as a theological people, we Catholics are also well rooted and established in the appreciation of the Divine Being through His manifestations in the world around us. We as Catholics do not apply any rituals of purification to our public prayer, as our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our Islamic cousins, however, as fellow believers we need to appreciate and respect the practices of other religions towards ritual purifications. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI removed his shoes in respect for "sacred ground" when he visited a mosque in Rome last year. In the same manner, we should expect our brothers and sisters in faith to observe similar behavior when observing other religions. Collectively we are God's People, all directing our prayers towards One God.
As Catholics, we need to make a mental observation and recall liturgical actions are old and rich manifestations of man's attempt to worship God. We have our own, our priests kiss the altar in reverence, we genuflect out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, and we extend the Sign of Peace with a handshake or an embrace. Our ritual expressions, as well as the ritual expressions of our faithful brothers and sisters of other creeds are deeply felt signs and symbols of faith.
Together as the collective human family on pilgrimage towards a relationship with the Divine Being, we call God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, others call Allah or Yahweh or even Buddha, let us appreciate and look upon all of our faiths as living expressions of divine participation and not reasons to disdain or ridicule other religious expressions of faith. The search for God and a relationship with Him has many methods; our Catholic expressions of faith might seem foreign to someone that practices Islam, however together we are both seeking God, by whatever name, face and manner we freely choose to do so.

Hugh J.McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist writing on Catholic topics and issues. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he studied both philosophy and theology. He writes frequently at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://nothing-left-unsaid.blogspot.com . Hugh writes about his Irish Catholic upbringing and educational experiences at http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com . He has contributed works to Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, The Irish Catholic, Dublin, the British Broadcasting Company, London and the Philadelphia Bulletin, Catholic Exchange, Pewsitter.com, Blogger News Network & The Catholic Business Journal,CatholicMom.com. & Catholic.net Comments are always welcome at hjmn4566@gmail.com.

Pope Bendict XVI...Continuing to Beat the Bookies' Odds! Alleluia!

2010-04-06T10:41:00.002-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the most sacred liturgies of the Catholic Church during Holy Week and remained stoically quiet as the Catholic Church was attacked by the secular media throughout the world regarding allegations of a cover-up of clergy sex abuses globally. While the Vicar of Christ celebrated the solemn liturgies that proclaim the mysteries of our Catholic faith, there were demands for the Pope’s resignation over the spreading scandal in the Church. While the possibility of a papal resignation exists, the likelihood is miniscule. However that has not stopped gamblers and bookmakers from offering odds in favor of a papal resignation. The online gambling site http://Paddypower.com last week was offering the odds of a papal resignation at 12/1, this week the odds have changed to a 3/1 bet.

While the possibility of resignation seems distant, there have been resignations of the papacy in the Church’s long history. Pope Benedict IX resigned in 1045, Pope Gregory VI in 1046 and Pope Celestine V in 1294. In order to solve the Great Western Schism and the convocation of the Council of Constance in 1414, Pope Gregory XII resigned along with the Avignon Pope Benedict XIII and the Anti-Pope John XXIII.

Canon law, the juridical collection of laws that govern the Church allows for the possibility of a papal resignation. The revised Code of Canon Law of 1983, Canon 332, section 2:

§ 2. Si contingat ut Romanus Pontifex muneri suo renuntiet, ad validitatem requiritur ut renuntiatio libere fiat et rite manifestetur, non vero ut a quopiam acceptetur.

§2. If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone.

Despite the provisions made in Church Law, the last resignations made of a Pope were prior to the Council of Constance. In recent history, Popes have made contingency plans for their presumed resignations; the most recent were Pius XII during the Second World War, and John-Paul II in the later part of his papacy. Pius XII stipulated if he were captured by the Nazis, his resignation should be presumed by the College of Cardinals and they should make provisions to elect a new Pope. John-Paul II was said to have drawn up a resignation letter that was effective if he was unable to govern the Church due to physical infirmities. Despite his failing health and the affliction of Parkinson’s disease the directive was never implemented.

Despite the clamor of the global secular press for the Pope’s resignation, Pope Benedict remains quiet and continues to govern the Catholic Church. There are signs that the College of Cardinals and Archbishops and Bishops throughout the world are rallying around the Holy Father and voicing their support for Peter’s Successor. During Holy Week, influential Vatican Cardinals have publically made statements to support Benedict XVI, and the Vatican Press Office, back online after the Holy Week hiatus is coming to the Pope’s support.

The entire scandal in Benedict’s point of view is a period of purification and spiritual renewal for the Catholic Church. The Pope is optimistic that the Catholic Church will emerge stronger and holier after the scandal subsides and the Church continues to work towards a full disclosure of the details of the clergy sex scandal.

If indeed anyone were a betting person, they should stand with Peter for the best odds. While it indeed has been quite a few centuries since the last papal resignation, Benedict XVI is poised to lead the Church through the latest waves of the scandal that is spreading around the globe.

In reality, the years Pope Benedict XVI spent as the head of the Church’s doctrinal congregation, he has a keen and perceptive awareness of the difficulties plaguing the Catholic Church. Previously in other articles, this author has made reference to Benedict’s keen intellect as the best weapon against the sex scandals. Additionally, Benedict’s sweeping understanding of administrative policies and procedures within the Vatican Curia make him the most superlative individual to seek out, solve and destroy the afflictions in the Catholic Church through judicial processes and cooperation with civil authorities.

Pope Benedict XVI during his tenure at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was often called, The Panzer Cardinal & God’s Rottweiler. While these monikers were not the most complimentary to the former Cardinal Ratzinger, they conveyed a real sense of Joseph Ratzinger’s effectiveness and tenacity when solving doctrinal problems and applying solutions. Catholics throughout the world should expect the same attributes in Benedict’s handling of the clergy sex scandal in the coming days and months with the same effectiveness, with a more seasoned and paternal approach by the beleaguered Pope. Vatican observers can expect quick administrative changes to happen quickly as Pope Benedict delegates authority to the worlds Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops to effectively and pastorally settle these abuse issues once and for all.

Previously, Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholic Church in Ireland offered a clue to the direction the Church is poised to take in dealing with the clergy sex abuse problem in that nation. Global Catholics should view this pastoral letter as the key directive in formulating the Church’s response to the problem globally and examine it closely for the Church’s spiritual and administrative path.

Finally, despite the polls taken by secular news agencies, Catholics everywhere need to rally around the Pope and his divinely instituted office. The ministry of the Bishop of Rome is emerging very strongly as a global conduit that addressed the needs of the oppressed all over the world. Benedict XVI and his curial administration are indeed undertaking perhaps the greatest reformation of the Catholic Church in its interactions with secular society since the initial Protestant Reformation. We need to continue to pray for the Pope’s success in effectively dealing with the Church’s human failures and shortcomings, while it continues its divine mission of offering hope and love to the global community.

The tasks of Pope Benedict XVI are reformation and renewal. The successful implementation of these tasks will take generations to implement. However, Pope Benedict XVI is indeed the one individual that can begin the acknowledgement of the Church’s failures and facilitate the processes that will bring the Church to a new emergence of a Catholic springtime of faith.

2010-04-04T07:08:00.001-04:00

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2010-04-04T06:59:00.001-04:00

Now that we have celebrated the Sacred Triduum our lives are returning to their normal paces. Well not exactly. With the Easter celebration of the Paschal Mysteries hopefully there has been a transformation in all of our lives. This metanoia period or period of ongoing conversion should exemplify our lives as something radically transformed through Christ Jesus. Traditionally, this period is called the mystagogia, a deepening of our understandings in the mysteries of our faith. For the newly initiated into the faith, this period is the final stage for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

For we veteran believers this period provides a time for "shaking-up" and reaffirming our life in the Holy Spirit. While all of us can always benefit from a renewal of our spirituality, this period after Easter is the "high octane" celebration of an extended Easter season. The early Church understood that post Easter many of the mysteries of faith that had been entrusted to the newly initiated needed time to "sink-in" and mature.

Mystagogia is the seeping in period, in which all believers are able to take time and more deeply contemplate the Church's life and sacraments, which we so joyously celebrated in the past weeks. When I think of this period it is similar to a retreat, a time in which we can take a break and understand the events that have happened in our liturgical celebrations. It is also a great time to renew our spiritual goals that frequently take a back seat to our other domestic activities.

Perhaps the most significant activity in which to "shake up" our faith is to actively participate in daily Eucharist. Of course, that is always the first thing that people want to do to get the faith moving. However there is a strong sense of intelligence in this activity. In Eucharist, we participate in the mysteries of Jesus' Paschal Mystery.

The Eucharist allows us to share on an ontological and eschatological basis our faith experiences. The entire "communion" of the Church is on this pilgrimage towards sacramental fulfillment with Christ Jesus. It is sharing nourishment for the journey through our partaking of the Eucharist, and this period allows us, the "living stones" of the Church to settle strongly into our foundations of our beliefs. Living stones are so indicative of the interpersonal relationships that join us to each other and to Jesus in the Church.

Together, interlocking stones build up the Body of the Church and provide health and strong foundations to our brothers and sisters in faith. What a great image…living, growing stones. It not only implies our belief in new life, but also indicates the interconnectivity of all of our lives to each other and to the Church. Eucharistic participation is the "Miracle-Grow" that nourishes and feeds us on the journey. Indeed a new understanding of the Eucharistic sacrament links most closely with a developed understanding of the Word of God. In the post-Easter period, Scriptures are alive with the activities of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Apostles and the entire Church.

Listening to the inspired Word of God allows us to cultivate a dynamic appreciation of the Living Word, which speaks to all of us. Namely, The Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ presents all of us with the opportunity to deeply hear and understand our roles in the life of the Church. The powerful Word perhaps reflects our deep nourishment from the Sacraments, and provides all of us with a spirit of evangelical fervor as we share the charisms of the Holy Spirit. The mystagogia period requires us as believers to not only reflect on the Paschal Mystery, but to actively incorporate this mystery into our daily lives. What better manner than renewed appreciation of Word, Sacrament and evangelization.

Sharing of our common faith is most effective when we worship and visibly share our theological beliefs with everyone around us. Perhaps a reason we as Catholic's have an issue with Islam's external expressions of faith, is because we are uncomfortable expressing our own faith is such an open and public manner. Mystagogia is the time to let out the faith, share Jesus in our words, sacraments and deeds. It is during this time that we so uniquely identify the Church's missionary activity.

The period after Easter provide an exceptional opportunity for theological applications of our spiritual beliefs. The period of deeper understanding of the "Mysteries" allows us to confidently proclaim our convictions of faith, and share our resurrected joy, "The Lord is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!.

2010-04-03T08:36:00.001-04:00

Anticipation...Holy Saturday!

2010-04-03T08:24:00.003-04:00

Holy Saturday...anticipation!

Holy Saturday is the period of Holy Week when Catholics remember Jesus' entombment. It is a preparation day. Today is a day of quiet and prayerful reflection on the true gravity of the crucifixion and Jesus' redemptive sacrifice. Throughout the world our Churches are empty of the Blessed Sacrament and quiet in anticipation of Easter's triumph over darkness and evil, sin and death.

The quietness of the day permits us to ponder the implications of physical death and how each of us in life and death, affects others. The day before Easter also permits the Elect and the Catechumens a period of solitude and reflection as they prepare to participate in a most meaningful manner in the Sacraments of Initiation. After the frantic activities of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday & Good Friday…Holy Saturday is a pregnant pause before the realization of the resurrection is realized on Easter Sunday morning.

This period should be prayerful and quiet, as well as contemplative of the chronological and historical events that we call the Passion. This day should also provide anticipatory happiness as we prepare to celebrate the New Passover. Holy Saturday permits us to deeply saturate our parched theological spirits in images of the waters of Baptism, and symbols of restored life. This evening Mother Church will initiate a new fire and the Paschal Candle will stand in our churches providing radiant light and reminding us of Jesus' Easter triumph. We will profess our faith in the Creed, along with our newly initiated brothers and sisters. We will partake in the Eucharistic sacrifice, now the unbloody reenactment of Calvary.

In our Churches, new water will be blessed and there will be a sprinkling over all of us to recount our sacramental incorporation through the living waters of baptism, the warming power of the Holy Spirit in confirmation and the nourishment provided through our Eucharist, Jesus, the Bread of Life. It is a good and appropriate thing that this Holy Saturday period is quiet and contemplative, relaxed and subtly expectant.

The Easter Vigil and all of the subsequent liturgies of Easter will explode our sensual perceptions and provide us with a liturgical extravaganza of auditory, tactile and sensory stimulation. As we participate in the theological burst of liturgical expressions of Jesus' resurrected glory, we are able to closely relate to the Apostles, to Mary and to all the believers in Jerusalem on that first Easter morning. Sorrow turns to joy, darkness is transformed into new light and our joyous expectations of new and eternal life are renewed.

Our faith will again feel the intensity of the Paschal Mystery as the entire communion of the Church proclaims, "Alleluia! Alleluia!" We should most deeply recall the prayer from the blessing of the Paschal candle. "Christ yesterday and today, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega. All time belongs to Him and all glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The Chill of Good Friday!

2010-04-02T08:06:00.003-04:00

Good Friday...we prayerfully remember the Passion of the Lord.

2010-04-02T07:46:00.001-04:00

Pray for vocations to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ

2010-04-01T08:46:00.000-04:00

Pray for vocations to the priesthood!

Sing My Tongue the Savior's Glory!

2010-04-01T07:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Holy Thursday, birthday of Holy Orders and Holy Eucharist.

Passover forshadows Easter Glory

2010-03-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

This week our Jewish brothers and sisters in the monotheistic faith celebrate Passover. The celebration is a recollection of the events in Egypt and God's saving power when He brought the Israelites out of slavery and into a journey to the Promised Land. We too in the Catholic Church celebrate a New Passover during Holy Week. We celebrate Jesus' triumphant Passover against the power of darkness into resurrected life with the Father. While both our faiths recall critical events of salvation history in different manners, we share a common foundation. We are both called to Yahweh as the single manifestation of the divine entity in both the Old and New Testaments.

Sometimes as Catholics we forget that Jesus died on the cross as a faithful Jew. Throughout history this reality has often been obscured and at times out rightly denied. However Jesus' Jewish lineage should not be considered as something which we as Catholics should deny. Rather, we need to embrace Jesus' Hebrew faith and recognize The House of David as the precursor to our participation in the covenant with Yahweh. We share with joy the recounting of the Exodus and the journey from slavery to freedom with our faithful cousins.

We recall in this monumental event our deepest sentiments and share with the Israelites the road to freedom. We are on the journey towards ultimate participation with the Father's life, just as the Children of Israel join us on the journey. Trailblazers in faith, Israel charted the course of God's revelation in salvation history and manifested for us Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, and the logos of the Father. Our Passover is the Cross; the Jewish Passover is the Exodus from Egypt. Regardless of faiths, we both mark Passover as the significant event which leads us to the Father. For Jesus His celebration of the paschal meal provides us with a new testament to the Father's love…the Eucharist. Both of our faiths recall and reenact delivery from the constraints of sin and darkness, and the participation in a new light and life through the power of God's Sacred Word.

As we celebrate our Holy Week, Catholics and indeed all Christians should take a moment to contemplate the journey of the Jewish people out of indentured slavery into a land of freedom and promise. During this contemplation, we join with our Jewish ancestors in worshipping and thanking Yahweh for our delivery. We share the covenant and lineage of Abraham with the faithful of Israel, we share and recall the Passover from Egypt and we celebrate a New Passover in our Eucharistic lives with Jesus Christ.

As faithful peoples throughout the world are called to prayer this Holy Week, our theological union with the Jewish people calls all of us to a new relationship in faithful solidarity. Israel heard God's Word and responded in unwavering faith. We too respond in faith to God's Word in the New Covenant, which gives us salvation as a result of Jesus' Messianic fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Members of the Jewish faith will join together at sunset to remember the unleavened bread, hastily prepared in a divinely guided journey from Egypt.

We Catholics share the symbolism of the unleavened bread in our Eucharistic meal, through which Jesus delivers us from sin and slavery. Passover regardless of the manner in which God speaks to us and Easter are inextricably joined in salvation history. Both events exhibit God's power and glory. That is what it is ultimately about, praising God and taking the journey to eternal life with Him.

Pope Benedict...quiet tenacity in pursuit of truth and justice!

2010-03-30T08:53:00.001-04:00

The secular media continues to press Pope Benedict XVI regarding the extent of his knowledge in handling two cases of sexually abusive priests while he was head of the Vatican’s top doctrinal office. While the Vatican maintains the then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger had no immediate knowledge of the cases cited, the world’s secular media is relentlessly pushing the point for a statement from Pope Benedict.

Most of the secular press do not realize or just don’t want to realize that it was indeed Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger during his tenure as head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith during the papacy of John Paul II that pushed for increased disclosure by the Church regarding these scandalous issues. After his election as Pope, Benedict XVI became a strong voice for those affected by clerical sex abuse and decried any attempts to cover up any allegations made against the Church and its wayward clergy.

Most observers, even Catholics fail to appreciate the discrete and often quite manner in which Benedict XVI operates, behind the scenes working towards a resolution of this horrendous period in the history of the Catholic Church. In particular, early in his papacy, Pope Benedict ordered the Congregation for the Clergy to adopt extensive powers granted by him to facilitate the removal of priests throughout the world charged with sexual allegations of abuse. The administrative authority granted by Benedict to the Congregation permits the curial department to reduce any cleric to the lay state by administrative order, so that the civil authorities could then take control of the case in which allegations were involved. This sweeping administrative authority given by Benedict XVI is frankly unprecedented in its level of delegation to a curial body in the Catholic Church. However, it permits Church officials to open greater cooperation between secular systems of juris prudence and the canonical process of laws that guide Catholic Church procedures and administrative activities.

Benedict XVI during his pastoral visit to the United States met with survivors of clerical sex abuse and has made public apologies on the part of the Church on multiple events. Besides the substantial monetary awards that have been granted to victims in the United States and throughout the world, seminaries and religious educational facilities have increased their educational and pastoral awareness of the sensitive issue of clerical sex abuse and changes have been implemented throughout the world that takes the safeguarding of children as the primary concern for all Catholic clergy and religious.

Pope Benedict XVI is indeed the head of a monolithic church that has been around for centuries, however, we need to also appreciate the humanity of the Pope from Bavaria and accept his personal limitations in dealing with the issue of sexual abuse as well. The Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholic of Ireland is perhaps the best embodiment of the deeply felt remorse and profound sorrow the Pope himself personally feels in light of the sex abuse situation. While he acknowledges there is no real way for him to personally comprehend and understand the feelings of the individuals abused by clergy, he indeed promises change and the papal assurance that such behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances within the Catholic Church.

Secular observers continue to harass the Pope to make a very public statement and proclamation regarding the sex abuse scandal and what exactly he knew about two of the cases that were presented to him as Archbishop and then as Cardinal Prefect of the Catholic Church’s Doctrinal Congregation. Through the Vatican’s Press Office, the Holy Father has answered the world’s secular media. It is time to look to the pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland as the principle blueprint that outlines Pope Benedict’s response to this crisis in his papacy. If indeed any Vatican observer claims to understand the person of Joseph Ratzinger, then the pastoral letter should and does indeed offer clues to the quiet tenacity the Holy Father utilizes to pursue and solve problems that confront the global Catholic Church.

Continued scrutiny of the problem, namely sexual abuse inflicted upon minors by Catholic clergy is the real issue that should be considered. The personal integrity of Pope Benedict XVI should not be part of the equation towards clarity. As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict has repeatedly through his actions and words expressed personal remorse and accountability for the scandal. While a few cases seem to have arrived in the proximity of Cardinal Ratzinger for his opinion and actions, the Vatican has consistently and clearly maintained the future pope had no knowledge of his subordinates’ decisions.

If indeed the subordinates in the Ratzinger related Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith acted inappropriately, they made the errors in favor of charity towards the priests involved. While in retrospect that was not the correct direction to err, it nonetheless illustrates the desire the Catholic Church has towards healing and reconciliation as the primary objective. Pope Benedict XVI in the unfolding of his papacy has consistency maintained the need for greater pursuit of transparency in the Catholic Church when dealing with issues of sexual abuse. From all appearances and observations, the Pope’s directives towards this objective appear to be developing as the Pope himself is guiding their direction. However, the problem has been one that has had institutional silence for many years in the Catholic Church, and Pope Benedict’s responses are the first steps towards full acknowledgement and solutions to the scandal.

In the modern world, the methods of communications are virtually providing instant communications from place to place, without hesitation. The Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI is quickly learning how to respond and react to global opinions in a timely fashion through the unfortunate scandal of clergy sex abuse. However, true to its mission and ministry, forgiveness and reconciliation will always guide the responses of Pope Benedict XVI as both a man and the Successor of Saint Peter.

Pope Benedict’s paternal and quiet demeanor does not imply any lack of papal actions behind the scenes that will reveal him as the great reformer of the Catholic Church in the modern world.

HolyWeek...a Sacred Journey!

2010-03-29T11:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. It is the beginning of Holy Week and the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem to accomplish His Paschal Mystery. For the Catholic Church it is the week of ceremonies and rituals that recall the last days in the life of the Savior. Small changes occur in the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist…most clearly the color of the vestments: red becomes the norm on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. White becomes the standard at the celebration of the ancient Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, and white again is the color at the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

The change in colors represents a transitional phase for the Church in the celebration of Holy Week. During this week we are keenly reminded of the Passion in the readings, especially when the Gospel is proclaimed and the actual events of Holy Week are recalled in the narrative reading of the Passion.

Throughout the week the theme of the suffering servant becomes all the more poignant, and the deep realization of Christ's suffering and death becomes acutely apparent. The red vestments, the starkness of the stripped Church and Altar loudly speaks through the silence and emptiness that we have lost the Messiah to the sinister triumph of darkness. However the eclipse of evil is short lived. The Father will raise Jesus from the dead, and our understanding of the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament will be consummated in new life.

This is a magnificent week of remembrance and celebration. Holy Week for the Catholic Church is a mini-theological retreat, divided by days and events that herald the Paschal Mystery. During the week our ancient roots in the Jewish faith are entwined with the events of Jesus' life. We are reminded that Our Lord gathered with his Apostles to celebrate the Passover. It is precisely here in the Passover celebration Jesus provided us with a new Passover, a new Covenant, a new Church.

Palm Sunday will mark the triumphant Jesus entering into Jerusalem. Holy Thursday evening will signal the spiraling events that lead Jesus to the Cross and Holy Saturday will prepare us for the power of the Resurrection. All of these events show us clearly how we as believers profess our faith, fall into temptation, stumble and hope for forgiveness. Easter Sunday will manifest the greatest example of the Father's love…new life. Once again our liturgical celebrations reflect our beliefs and prayer.

In a reflection of the ancient practices of the Church, Holy Thursday morning will cast off the purple of Lent and white vestments will signify celebration. The Church will renew the Sacred Oils that are used in the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick.

Solemn celebration will accompany the blessing of the Sacred Chrism, the Olea Sancta and the Olea Infirmandi. These oils will supply the Church's sacraments throughout the next year and will convey the power of the Spirit through their applications. The Chrism Mass will witness the renewal of priestly promises, recall the institution of Holy Orders . The Mass of the Lord's Supper will recall the institution of the Holy Eucharist and recount the events that will lead to Calvary.

Throughout the entire week, the Church reminds its followers that there is a journey taking place. We are participating with Jesus in the Paschal Mystery. This participation not only recalls the historical events of Holy Week, it recounts the journey of Catholic sacramental and theological life. Our progression as a Church towards the Easter celebration, throughout the ages and ultimately union with the Father, is the destination of our journey. The stigma of the cross is transcended by resurrection and the power of the Father. It is precisely through the cross that the love of the Father manifests itself through the Resurrection.

We uniquely participate in our sacramental lives with Jesus in this mystery through the Sacraments of Initiation and Eucharist. We need to remember always that we are an Easter People…called from the darkness of sin into new light and life through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Holy Week permits us to appreciate the rich theological history of all of the signs and symbols of our faith. It allows us a "breathing-space" in which we might participate in our liturgical high holy days.

We recall our ancestry with the Children of Israel and our close relationship with them. We commemorate and celebrate our Sacraments, and we participate in a restored confidence in the power of the Father over all creation. What a week. What a journey. What an experience.

Catholics throughout the world should savor this time, use Holy Week as a means of retreat, restoration and renewal of personal faith, as well as a time to participate most fully in the Church's sacramental life.

After all, Holy Week is the manifestation of our destiny as believers; that is eternal life with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

American Catholic Bishops...Loudly Shout Out the Catholic Point of View!

2010-03-24T15:15:00.003-04:00

This week’s ratification of a comprehensive health care plan for Americans has created quite a bit of furor on both sides of the political aisles, and on both sides of the pews in Catholic Churches. The debate regarding the matter of Federal Government funding for abortion services will and should always be the pivotal issue for Catholics when considering the moral implications that are part of the now Health Care Law of the Land.

Clearly though some points have clearly evolved in this entire public spectacle on health care, one of which is the place of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops as the definitive voice of Catholic moral teaching in the United States? In the days that preceded the Obama Health Care legislation, the American Bishops stated they were not in favor of the proposed legislation because it did not include safeguards against funding for abortive services and lacked a conscience clause that allowed Catholic moral teachings to be the guiding principle in Catholic health care facilities.

However, during the process of due diligence the Catholic Health Association endorsed the proposed legislation despite the reservations and the lack of approval of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Additionally other groups of women religious, such as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, endorsed the legislative package and clearly endorsed its ratification.

The question needs to be asked; are these organizations accurately reflective of the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church? For the most part the use of the term, “Catholic,” in the organizations title provides a somewhat tacit seal of approval which implies adherence to authentic Catholic teachings as proclaimed by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

However, such an application of the adjective, “Catholic,” does not always hold true to the organizations purposes and objectives. The Catholic Health Association for example is an organization that offers a loosely held confederation of health facilities that were formerly initiated and managed by religious communities. While the facilities operate under a general charter that embraces the “Spirit of Catholicism”, there is nothing in their charter that makes them answerable to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops as it relates to their operating policies and procedures. In effect, the CHA is actually a trade organization that represents the interests of health care organizations that were formerly run by religious communities of priests or religious.

The president of Catholic Health Association was present for the public signing of the health care legislation into law at the White House this week. Sister Carol Keehan, DC. Sister Carol Keehan is a member of the religious group, Daughters of Charity. She has indeed lobbied for many years for the passage of a universal health care package that safeguarded all American citizens, especially the rights of the poor and challenged groups in American society. Sister Keehan for years has worked in the health care field and has even been recognized for her achievements by secular organizations and even Pope Benedict XVI in bestowing the papal honor, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) Award. However, despite her personal achievements, the implied approval of the entire legislative package, now federal law placed the Catholic Health Association in direct contradiction and de facto in opposition with the American Catholic Bishops.

Understandably no legislation is perfect and there are many imperfections in the Obama Health Care package. The fact remains there can only be one unified voice that represents the United States Catholic Church and that responsibility resides with the American Catholic Bishops. While the American Bishops have worked consistently towards the goal of a universal health plan for all Americans with concessions made for Catholic beliefs, their voice was in fact not loud or strong enough to curtail other groups such as the Catholic Health Association or The Leadership Conference of Women Religious from usurping the mantle that rightly belongs to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

What has really been part of the learning process throughout all of this is very simple; there are groups that represent themselves as authoritative sources of interpretation for Catholic moral and ethical teachings outside of the USCCB. While their intentions are well founded and perhaps their actions operate within the orthodox parameters of Catholic teachings…they do not reflect the Catholic Church when it comes to political and legislative actions that affect the entire Catholic population of the United States.

These groups are representative organizations that offer their organizations interpretations of events that have some effect on American Catholics. However, they do not speak for the authentic teaching authority of the United States Catholic Church in union with the Vicar of Christ, Benedict XVI.

Another lesson American Catholics have learned the hard way is that ProLife Democrats are not always advocates for the Catholic principles of the sanctity of human life from conception until end of life. The entire Stupak situation shows clearly that politicians can be made to accept compromises when they are offered in the form of an Executive Order, that circumvents and creatively disregards Catholic prerequisites that are essential to any authentic health care legislation that protects the interests of Catholic morality and ethics. The critical point that makes the Stupak Maneuver so incredibly naïve and deficient of credibility is the facts that it does not demand the legislation fix the intrinsic flaws that are now unfortunately United States law on health care.

Strong and decisive leadership on the part of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops will prevent future confusion over issues that overlap Catholic morality and theology with secular agendas of legislative intrigue. Groups however such as Catholic Health Associations and The Leadership Conference of Women Religious will continue to exist and present themselves as authoritative voices that authentically represent the teaching of the Catholic Church. The American Bishops need to solidly and loudly speak as a unified group so these misunderstandings about authentic endorsements and condemnations of politically and socially motivated platforms rise to confuse and mislead faithful Catholics.

Finally, all Catholics need to realize that the USCCB does not represent the political motivations of either the Republican or Democratic parties. They do not clandestinely represent the business interests of a conglomerate of health care organizations. They do not represent select members of religious communities that represent themselves as spokespersons for all female religious.

They simply present the Catholic Church with all of its moral and ethical teachings that are in union with Rome. You will know them very simply…they have the voice of Apostolic Authority…and it is indeed authentic and loud.

Catholics...Have a Tea Party!

2010-03-22T10:22:00.001-04:00

The United States House of Representatives last night confirmed the disregard they collectively hold for the intrinsic value of all human life from conception until natural death. With the vote that propelled the House Bill on Health Care towards the desk of President Obama for his signature into law illustrates the breach of trust towards all ProLife Advocates that sought for changes to the language of the controversial legislation. The fallacy of a legally binding Executive Order on the part of President Obama that promised assurances that would prevent funding for procurement of abortions is quite frankly the partisan incentive that is the equivalent of a smoke and mirrors parlor trick. From the perspective of reality, an executive order issued by a sitting President is subject to any number of modifications, including a repeal by the same President that issued the order. In a legislative perspective, it only offered an appeasement to the fence sitting Democrats in order to garner their votes and collective support. The fact of the matter is clearly this: there is no such thing as a ProLife Democrat as a result of this pending legislation. There are only Democrats that appear to be ProLife in the most remote sense of the ideal.

The developing examinations of the legislation will indeed show there are many loopholes which will permit the funding of abortive procedures through covert nuances of legislative manipulation by both the White House and the collective Congress. Catholics, that fervently believe in the absolute sanctity of all human life should now clamor from the depths of our Catholic souls for Divine guidance in having this legislation overturned and or modified in the same fervor we have sought the overturn of Roe vs. Wade.

Last week, I wrote about the disparity that exists between two separate groups of women religious in the United States regarding the interpretation of the Catholic morality of this legislation, namely the opposition of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious to this legislation; and the support of The Leadership Conference of Women Religious. The latter group supports the legislation despite the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops public opposition to the Obama Health Care Plan. While each group has a obligation to follow a well formed conscience in the support or opposition to the legislative package, there is a larger and more important issue that looms over the Catholic perspective of this legislation; What group speaks for the moral authority of the Catholic Church in the United States, is it the collective American Catholic Bishops, or is it the collective confraternity of Catholic Women Religious.

Caught in the middle of the struggle are the millions of faithful American Catholic that are hearing different messages from both seemingly Catholic groups of authority. From the perspective of the confused Catholic, the opposition of the American Bishops to the Obama legislation would imply there is some objective point contained within the legislation that is contrary to Catholic moral and ethical norms. However, the same Catholics are confused by the affirmation of the women religious in the United States in conjunction with spokespersons of Catholic Health Care and ancillary services. What group of periti should Catholics follow? Should the average Catholic take the prima facia teachings of the American Bishops? Should the average Catholic follow the leadership of Catholic Health Care providers and the endorsement of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious? Which group legitimately reflects the authentic teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church?

The Tea Party Movement that is evolving throughout the United States should perhaps now take hold in the lives of informed Catholics in the United States and indeed the world. It is not acceptable for any group of Catholic believers to continue to ignore the critically important social, political and moral issues that are swirling around our Catholic Church.

The reform of the American health care plan is indicative of the real vacuum of leadership that exists in the hierarchy of the American Catholic Church. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops needs to find its voice and loudly proclaim all of the precepts of the Gospel message, not just the ones that are politically advantageous for the American Catholic hierarchy. They need to be the moral and ethical voice of strong leadership that guides all Catholics, including clergy; religious and laity in a solidary position that calls all Catholics to a collective understanding of what is the authentic teaching of the Magisterium. This teaching voice cannot be divided by partisan groups of female religious against male bishops, ordained against laity or similar groups in opposition to each other simply because they have different Catholic agendas.

The proverbial Catholic crates of tea have been tossed over the side and are floating in the harbors of the United States Catholic communities. American Catholics need to start demanding answers and clarification from their Bishops, Religious and fellow Catholics when deciding the political waters, we as a faithful group of individuals should follow.

Collectively all of the parties that maintain their Catholic allegiance need to start communicating among each other and reconcile all of our differences so that collectively American Catholics can with moral, ethical and pastoral confidence present a ProLife platform that stands in theological opposition to all political plans that use legislative loopholes to fulfill the agendas that are contrary to our Catholic beliefs.

The Smoking Gun (or in this case, the smoking letter)!

2010-03-19T15:31:00.003-04:00

Dear Members of Congress:

We write to urge you to cast a life-affirming “yes” vote when the Senate health care bill (H.R. 3590) comes to the floor of the House for a vote as early as this week. We join the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), which represents 1,200 Catholic sponsors, systems, facilities and related organizations, in saying: the time is now for health reform AND the Senate bill is a good way forward.

As the heads of major Catholic women’s religious order in the United States, we represent 59,000 Catholic Sisters in the United States who respond to needs of people in many ways. Among our other ministries we are responsible for running many of our nation’s hospital systems as well as free clinics throughout the country.

We have witnessed firsthand the impact of our national health care crisis, particularly its impact on women, children and people who are poor. We see the toll on families who have delayed seeking care due to a lack of health insurance coverage or lack of funds with which to pay high deductibles and co-pays. We have counseled and prayed with men, women and children who have been denied health care coverage by insurance companies. We have witnessed early and avoidable deaths because of delayed medical treatment.

The health care bill that has been passed by the Senate and that will be voted on by the House will expand coverage to over 30 million uninsured Americans. While it is an imperfect measure, it is a crucial next step in realizing health care for all. It will invest in preventative care. It will bar insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. It will make crucial investments in community health centers that largely serve poor women and children. And despite false claims to the contrary, the Senate bill will not provide taxpayer funding for elective abortions. It will uphold longstanding conscience protections and it will make historic new investments – $250 million – in support of pregnant women. This is the REAL pro-life stance, and we as Catholics are all for it.

Congress must act. We are asking every member of our community to contact their congressional representatives this week. In this Lenten time, we have launched nationwide prayer vigils for health care reform. We are praying for those who currently lack health care. We are praying for the nearly 45,000 who will lose their lives this year if Congress fails to act. We are also praying for you and your fellow Members of Congress as you complete your work in the coming days. For us, this health care reform is a faith mandate for life and dignity of all of our people.

We urge you to vote “yes” for life by voting yes for health care reform in H.R. 3590.

Sincerely,

Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA

LCWR President

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Joan Chittister, OSB

Co-Chair Global Peace Initiative of Women

Erie, PA

Sr. Mary Persico, IHM

President

Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Scranton, PA

Sr. Susan Hadzima, IHM

Councilor for Missioning and Community Life

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Scranton, PA

Mary Genino (RSHM)

Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary

Western American Province.

Nancy Conway CSJ

Congregation Leadership Team

The Congregation of St. Joseph

Debra M. Sciano, SSND

Provincial Leader

Milwaukee Province, School Sisters of Notre Dame

Josephine Gaugier, OP

Adrian Dominican Sisters

Holy Rosary Mission Chapter Prioress

Adrian, MI

Kathleen Nolan, OP

Adrian Dominican Sisters

Office of the General Council

Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, President

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

La Crosse, WI

Corinne Weiss

Servants of Jesus Leadership Team

Saginaw MI

Adrian Dover OP

Prioress

Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas

Rose Mary Dowling, FSM

President

Franciscan Sisters of Mary

Leadership Team

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(from Mary Martens, BVM

Administrative Assistant)

Beatrice Haines, OLVM

President, Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters

Huntington IN

Joan Saalfeld, SNJM, Provincial

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

U.S.-Ontario Province

Jo'Ann De Quattro, SNJM

Sisters of the Holy Names

U.S.-Ontario Province Leadership Team

Sharon Simon, OP

President

Racine Dominicans

Maryann A. McMahon, O.P.

Vice President

Dominican Sisters of Racine, WI

Agnes Johnson, OP

Vice President

Racine Dominicans

Pat Mulcahey, OP

Prioress of Sinsinawa Dominicans

Pam Chiesa, PBVM

President

Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco

Patricia Anne Cloherty, PBVM

Leadership Team, Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco

Gloria Inés Loya

Leadership Team

Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco

Gloria Marie Jones, OP

Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose

Congregational Prioress and Council

Mary Litell

Provincial Councilor

Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity St. Francis Province

Theresa Sandok, OSM

Servants of Mary (Servite Sisters)

Ladysmith, Wisconsin

Sr Claire Graham SSS

General Director

Sisters of Social Service

Encino CA

Margaret Byrne CSJP - Congregation Leader

Teresa Donohue CSJP - Assistant Congregation Leader

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Sr. Carmelita Latiolais, S.E.C.

Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant

Joan Mumaw, IHM – Vice President

On behalf of the Leadership Council

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Monroe, Michigan

Sister Clare of Assisi Pierre, SSF

Sisters of the Holy Family

New Orleans, LA

Sister Marla Monahan, SND

Provincial

Sisters of Notre Dame

(St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, KY

and St. Charles Care Center in Covington, KY)

Vivien Linkhauer, SC

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, United States Province

Greensburg, PA

Dolores Maguire

Sisters of the Holy Faith

Northern California LCWR Region XIV

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, OSB

Subprioress

Mount St. Scholastica

Atchison, KS

Marianites of Holy Cross

Sr. Suellen Tennyson, MSC

Congregational Leader

Barbara Hagedorn, SC

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

Mt. St. Joseph, Ohio

Francine Schwarzenberger OP

Dominican Sisters of Peace

Denver, Colorado

Sister Maureen McCarthy

School Sisters of St. Francis

U.S. Provincial Team

Milwaukee, WI

Eileen C. Reid, RJM

Provincial Superior

Religious of Jesus and Mary

Washington DC

Sister Cecilia Dwyer, O.S.B.

Prioress

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes

Sister Joann Sambs, CSA

General Superior

Sisters of St. Francis

Tiffin, Ohio

(from Sr. Mary Kuhlman)

Sr. Helen McDonald, SHCJ

Province Leader

Society of the Holy Child Jesus

Leadership Team

Sisters of the Precious Blood

Dayton, OH

The Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis

Sister Jane Blabolil, SSJ-TOSF

Sister Michelle Wronkowski, SSJ-TOSF

Sister Dorothy Pagosa, SSJ-TOSF

Sister Linda Szocik, SSJ-TOSF

Sr. Gladys Guenther SHF

Sisters of the Holy Family

Congregational President

Fremont, CA

Sr. Dorothy Maxwell, Councilor

Sisters of St. Dominic

Blauvelt New York

Sheral Marshall, OSF

Provincial Councilor

Sisters of St Francis

Marilyn Kerber, SNDdeN

Canonical Representative, Ohio Province

Sisters of St. Louis, California Region

(from Sr. Michele Harnett, SSL)

Ruth Goodwin, OSF

Sisters of ST. Francis of Philadelphia

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Leadership Team

Sr. Joanne Buckman, OSU

Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland

Where Angels Go, Trouble Indeed Follows....

2010-03-19T14:45:00.001-04:00

I just received an phonecall from Sr. Anne Marie, the Director of Communications for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. I asked her to clarify her organizations membership numbers, Sister then told me that 90% of the 1500 religious superiors in the United States are members of the group, representing 59,000 female religious.
I did ask if 59,000 female religious were also members of the LCWR. It seems that only the religious superiors are members of the organization. My question remains unanswered...are the 59,000 other female religious active and participating members or what exactly is their status?
Sister was quite elusive regarding the organizations support of the health care bill,saying that the President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious had signed the letter in support of the proposed legislation. When asked if the organization's President had endorsed the Bill as head of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Sr. Anne Marie never really answered the question with a Yea or neigh.
Therefore, in pursuit of the correct understanding of my conversation with Sr. Anne Marie before she hung up and ended our conversaation the following might be concluded:
a. The President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious signed the endorsement letter for the proposed Health Care Bill.
b. Sister Anne Marie indicated that the President's (of their organization) was neither the position of the LCWR to endorse or disagree with the provisions of the proposed Bill.
c. When asked if the LCWR was in agreement with the position of the USCCB, Sister neither confirmed or negated their organizations affirmation of the USCCB.
d. Then....dial tone.....

So from this development, the LCWR neither confirmed or denied their position on the proposed Health Care Bill making its way through the Congressional Hopper...
The LCWR neither confirmed or denied their support of the position of the USCCB on the need to not support the proposed Health Care Bill.

There you have it....
If you want to know what the Leadership Conference of Women Religious believes about the proposed legislation pending in the U.S. Congress, give her a call at 301-588-4955, or send her an email asanders@lcwr for a clarification of her organizations position on the ratification of the proposed health care legislation. Perhaps you will have a greater success in the pursuit of answers to your questions.

Catholics Should Oppose Health Care Bill

2010-03-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

The pending vote on the health care bill in the United States Congress is an issue that has polarized all sorts of groups regarding the potential benefits and deficiencies of the proposed legislation. If one looks at the legislation from the perspective of a faithful Catholic, on the surface the proposed legislation really does not appear to present a problem for most Catholics. However, when one seriously considers components of the bill, it provides tax-payer funded resources for the procurement of an abortion.

Most people that read this really don’t care much about federally funded services for abortions. Unfortunately, even those within the Catholic Church often gloss over the issue of abortion and see it as a, “lesser evil,” in cases of rape, incest and so on. Most church going Catholics really don’t follow the issue with much concern and shrug off the issue as one that doesn’t concern them.

Tragically, the political, cultural & social disregard towards the horrendous sin of abortion is on the verge of gaining silent popular and legislative approval with the ratification of the Obama health care plan. In the press, the matter has been a weekly barrage of partisan politics, which is part of the Washington, D.C. daily events. However, the issue of the appropriateness or the inappropriateness of the legislative plan for healthcare for all Americans has provided a divisive topic for two groups of female religious in the Catholic Church.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, (http://www.lcwr.org ) has publically endorsed and supported the pending legislation on health care reform. They are based in Silver Spring, MD. This organization was formed in 1956, as a direct call from Pope Pius XII which encouraged religious communities of both men and women to provide positive input into the process of modernizing the lifestyles of religious communities. Initially the organization was called the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious; the name was changed in 1971. The group has approximately 1500 members and claims to represent 95% of the 65,000 female religious in the United States. When researching and writing this article, this author called their headquarters and asked to speak with someone that could clarify the group’s position that supported the healthcare bill that is opposed by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach anyone other than voicemail boxes. I did leave voicemails for every religious on staff and sent subsequent emails, however, there has been no response.

There is another organization in the United States that is formed under the name of, The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, (http://www.cmswr.org) that was formed in 1992 and has been approved by the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life in October 1992.

This organization of female religious has backed the position on the pending health care bill of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops( http://usccb.org ) and has publically rejected and condemned the ratification of the proposed legislation.

When developing and writing this article, I had the opportunity to speak with a representative of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (who asked to remain sub rosa). She stated quite clearly that the reason their organization was not in support of the proposed legislation because it was not in conformity with the teachings of the American Bishops and did not adhere to the Church’s teachings against abortion and its moral gravity.

Is it no wonder then, that the average Catholic in the pew has a hard time understanding the Catholic Church’s teachings on abortion and the sanctity of life when there are two groups of female religious that seem to differ in their understanding of the nuances of the issue?

Clearly, the correct teachings of the Catholic Church on the subject hold anyone that provides for an abortion, procures and abortion or assists in an abortion procedure in anathema.

What then is the motivation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in supporting the proposed legislation in defiance to the teachings of the American Conference of Catholic Bishops? Could the motivation simply be a continued effort on the part of some religious communities to undermine the authority of the American Bishops in favor of spreading the ever pervasive ideologies of political and social agendas that do not reflect authentic teachings of the Catholic Church? While, there are numerous religious both male and female those serves the Catholic Church and are obedient and loyal to the Church’s teachings and hierarchical structure there are some that seek to subvert the current structure of a male dominated clerical and administrative Catholic Church.

The struggle that has developed within the female communities of religious in the Catholic Church is a reflection of the larger tension that exists between Catholics that are drawn in both directions regarding similar beliefs and allegiances within the Catholic theocratic world. In addition to the perpetual considerations over the Church’s teachings on birth control, priestly celibacy, males only priesthood, the solutions to the sex scandal within the Church, the perceived inequality against women in the Church, this public opposition to the moral and ethical directives of the American Bishops is symptomatic of the great tensions that exist within the world of Catholicism.

The struggle of female religious seemingly is part of the investigation that is currently underway by the Vatican of communities in the United States. Seemingly, the feminist movement of the 1970’s may have influenced the manner in which female religious communities modeled themselves in the wake of Vatican II. The Vatican commission investigating the communities of religious life intends to study and make recommendations that will permit religious communities of women to rediscover their religious charisms that distinguish them as female religious. Opponents to the investigation suggest it is a Vatican attempt to further control the activities of women in the Church and continue their exclusion from Holy Orders and ministry.

While there are points that suggest both pros and cons to each camp’s considerations regarding some of these issues, the essential issue remains true, Catholics, regardless of their state in life, clergy, religious, laity cannot endorse any activities that support and promote the legalized funding of abortions.

It is time that all of us in the Catholic world begin to embrace ALL of the moral and ethical teachings of the Catholic Church and not just the points that suggest political correctness or ones that are socially inclusive. Regardless of the intention of the sources of funding for abortions through the politically and socially correct motivations of the Obama White House, Abortion is a sin.

It is time for the female religious that congregate behind the politically correct name of the Leadership Council of Women Religious get back into the moral and ethical mainstream of the Catholic Church and tow the Catholic line and principles. Support the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Sisters and retract your organizations support for legislative justification of socialized abortive services.

Religious communities of men and women in the Catholic Church should have obedience and fidelity to the Magisterium as the principle motivation of their religious lives and communities, not causes of political and social justices.

Once when dealing with an issue of discontent at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary outside of Philadelphia, John Cardinal Krol gave two options for disgruntled seminarians over the reforms of Seminary life. Appearing after Vespers in Saint Martins Chapel on the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, May 1st,1966 Cardinal Krol gave the following admonition to the seminary faculty and student body:

“ In any of you, students or faculty, entertain any ideas that the renewal must follow your directives, rather than those of ecclesiastical authorities, then you had better reconsider. If in conscience you are willing and able to accept the authorized directives of the renewal, I shall thank God. If in conscience, you feel that you cannot comply, then in conscience you should leave. You have the choice of staying and of obeying, or of leaving, non datur tertium. ex. History of Saint Charles Seminary by Msgr. James Connelly, S.T.L.,Hist.E.D. 1979

The same counsel applies to all Catholics that are opposed to the Church’s authentic teachings, stay and obey, or leave, you will not be given a third choice!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T09:08:00.002-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to everyone...the Irish, the Irish-Americans and everone else that claims Irish ancestry on this day:)

2010-02-17T07:16:00.003-05:00

Recalling the Presentation of the Lord!

2010-02-02T07:42:00.002-05:00

The portrayal of the Presentation of the Lord in this magnificent stained glass gives us an opportunity to reflect on the great gift the Holy Family of Mary and Joseph is offering to the world. Their gift of Jesus, the Lord remarkably is one that heralds not only the Jewish requirement of presentation for young males into the faith of Judaism, it is also a seminal moment for all peoples that have in the past or will in the future faithfully believe in the Father’s promise of salvation and redemption for all peoples.
This poignant scene reminds all of us that the unfolding of Jesus’ life brings many significant events that affect the life of the Holy Family. Jesus still a baby is presented to Simeon and Anna by Mary and Joseph who will frantically search for the child Jesus, presumed lost but actually discussing scriptural passages with the elders. Later, after the crucifixion the proverbial, Temple of the Lord’s Body Mary once again presents Her Son to the world through the Cross.

Our prayerful meditation as we contemplate this scene is to rejoice in the celebration of Jesus’ presentation to the entire world. For the enigmatic characters of Simeon and Anna, the Presentation of Jesus signals the end of their long perseverance through Roman persecution, false Messiahs and feigned expectations of salvation. Their dreams of spiritual fulfillment are realized and the new age of salvation history is unfolding directly before them. Simeon with his invocation, “Now , Master, your servant can go in peace for I have seen the salvation of your people- the salvation promised to our forefathers, “ ushers in a new realization of Messianic fulfillment in Jesus.

The scene gives us a renewed spirit of zeal as Jesus’ ministry is unfolding in this stained glass window. The curtain of the Old Testament symbolized by Simeon and Anna is closing and the revelation of a new theological order is presented by Mary and Joseph’s offering of the small child in the Temple that will change the course of all human life and future events. Jesus’ presentation in the temple is a magnificent representation of the great life’s journey Jesus takes towards fulfilling His Father’s plan of salvation.
The infant Jesus presents hope for the People of Israel because the promise to Moses is fulfilled in Jesus’ birth. The spiritual future of the world is embodied in the infant child, Joseph and Mary together taking up the prophetic mission of revealing the New Covenant to the world. Historical and theological continuity are intertwined with the meeting of Old Testament in Simeon and Anna. Mary and Joseph are representational figures of the New Covenant that is unfolding in the Temple of Jerusalem as Jesus, our hope for the world takes the central focus on the stage of all human history. Jesus’ presentation brings hope for the peoples of all ages, past, present and future.

Hugh J.McNichol is a freelance Catholic author that writes on uniquely Catholic topics and issues. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he studied both philosophy and theology. He writes frequently at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://nothing-left-unsaid.blogspot.com . Hugh writes about his Irish Catholic upbringing and educational experiences at http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com . He has contributed works to Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, The Irish Catholic, Dublin, the British Broadcasting Company, London and the Philadelphia Bulletin, Pewsitter.com and Blogger News Network.

Black Catholic Americans...great contributions to our faith.

2010-02-01T16:35:00.000-05:00

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is always a favorite destination for Catholics and other visitors to New York City. Most of the time, people spend their time in prayer and admiration of the various works of art that adorn the ornate Gothic Cathedral. Catholic are familiar with the tradition that deceased Bishops and Archbishops of New York are entombed in the crypt beneath the Cathedral’s great altar. However, many are shocked to know there is a deceased hairdresser of the colonial era that is also entombed with the former prelate that once led the Archdiocese of New York.
The Haitian-American hairdresser is Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853). Toussaint came to New York from Haiti in 1787 and quickly became a sought after apprentice in the hairdressing industry of the period. Pierre Toussaint was quite talented when it came to working in the often tedious and financially rewarding art of coiffure. Because hairdressing in colonial America was a complex and often lengthy process it was also financially very rewarding. Pierre Toussaint through his talents and expertise in this sought after service became quite wealthy and prominent in 18th century New York City.
Pierre Toussaint was a generous man and used his earnings to assist people of all colors and beliefs to survive in economically difficult times. Frequently, he purchased freedom for slaves and gifted many others with financial gifts so they might feed the poor, establish schools and provide for orphans. Pierre Toussaint was proud of his Haitian and African heritage and he readily assisted others not as fortunate as himself. He helped establish Catholic organizations specifically to help black people that had been freed from slavery. The Sisters of Providence was a religious order of black women that were based in Baltimore. They were established through the generous grant and assistance of Pierre Toussaint.
In addition to the religious community of women he helped found, he established the first Catholic school in New York for the education of African-Americans and the only orphanage, Saint Vincent de Paul on Canal Street. Later in his life Pierre Toussaint was perhaps the wealthiest black American of his era, yet he continued to work and assist peoples of all races with monetary assistance and spiritual directions. Pierre died in June of 1853 and was initially buried in the Old Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Cemetery.
Over the years, many African-American Catholics began to pray near his presumed grave. The exact location of his grave was discovered in 1940. From then, faithful Catholics began to seek Pierre Toussaint’s intercession for God’s Divine Intervention. In 1990, John Cardinal O’Connor had his body exhumed and reinterred beneath the altar with the bishops of New York. That same year his cause for canonization was introduced by the late Cardinal O’Connor.
Pierre Toussaint was declared Venerable by Pope John-Paul II. It is the second step towards becoming a saint in the Catholic Church. His cause continues to pick up attention and many Catholics are praying for his ultimate declaration as Blessed and finally a Saint.
In February, the United States designates the month towards a deeper understanding of black Americans that have contributed much too American society. Venerable Pierre Toussaint admirably fits this description as a great Haitian-American that contributed to his Church and American Society. It is appropriate that we learn his story and remember his personal courage during Black History Month in the United States.

Venerable Pope John-Paul II....Sainthood NOW!

2010-01-27T10:04:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the world was made aware of yet another reason that Venerable Pope John-Paul II should be advanced to the altars. Msgr. Slawomir Oder, in his book, Why A Saint? revealed spiritual aspects of the late Pope’s spiritual life previously unknown. Namely, John-Paul practiced acts of penitence and self denial in his pursuit of a deeper understanding and relationship with the suffering Jesus.

While often portrayed incorrectly in treatments by the secular media, Catholic acts of self-mortification, penance and self denials are part of the accumulated traditions of the Catholic Church‘s spiritual heritage. Traditional acts of penance and fasting are often overlooked by Catholics except during the required days of strict fasting and abstinence from meat during the penitential season of Lent. However prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, abstinence from meat was a universal practice for Catholics globally every Friday. In addition to abstinence, the Eucharistic fast before the reception of Holy Communion was not always the one hour regulation which we observe today. Part of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI initially introduced a fast before Holy Communion that was three hours before reception of the Sacrament. That replaced the previously more stringent fast that was observed from midnight prior to reception of the Holy Eucharist, where medications and even water were included as part of the abstinence before Communion. The practice of the fast before the reception of Holy Communion in our contemporary Catholic Church allows Catholics to exclude medications and water from the regulations of the Eucharistic fast.

In addition to fasting, the tradition of acts of self denial has always been part of the Church’s depository of spiritual practices. For most Catholics, such acts of self denial are usually reserved for the penitential season of Lent. For example, Catholic of the 20^th century would frequently deny themselves certain foods, such as sweets and candies during the Lenten period, so as to “make sacrifice” for their sins and offenses. The practice is still common today, and this author knows of many Catholic that, “give-up” certain dietary items for Lent such as candy, potato chips, alcoholic beverages in preparation for the great celebration of Easter. Other acts of self denial include activities such as refraining from watching television during Lent, prolonged days of fasting during the season and other small acts of denial. The revelation of Pope John-Paul’s habit of occasionally sleeping on a hard floor rather than in a comfortable bed is another example of self denial consistent with the Church’s admonitions and traditions.

Most strikingly the revelation that the late Pontiff employed the technique of auto-flagellation, namely striking oneself with a leather strap or other instrument is the most revealing point of John-Paul’s spirituality. Most Catholics are familiar with the movie, The DaVinci Code, where a monastic member of Opus Dei is shown flagellating himself with a scourge and even drawing blood. This portrayal of self-mortification as part of the Catholic spirituality is keenly exaggerated in the sensational blockbuster for Hollywood’s purposes. However, self-mortification, such as striking oneself with a whip over the back and shoulders has frequently been a part of the spiritual journey for those that want to associate themselves more closely to the sufferings of Christ on His journey to the cross. The actions of self mortification more closely highlight the physical suffering of Christ’s Passion and Death. The Catholic that engages in this activity experienced a heightened sense of awareness of the Passion and in a mystical and spiritual manner participates in Christ’s suffering.

Pope John-Paul’s spiritual activities of self -mortification, self-denial and penance were never intended for public revelation on the part of the former Pope. However, these activities have only come to public scrutiny during the process the Church has developed in declaring an individual as a Saint of the Catholic Church. Catholics need to appreciate the spiritual development and activities of individuals as they seek to participate more deeply in the mystery of Christ’s suffering. These individuals are seeking a heightened sense of spiritual awareness that unites them more closely to the Church and Jesus Himself.

Revelations of the late Pope’s spirituality that included self-denial and mortification are clearly indicative of the deeply intense spiritual relationship that was unfolding in John-Paul’s life, pontificate and teachings. While largely attributed to spiritual forefathers known for their mysticism and sanctifying activities, the individuals we call saints practices forms of self-denial and self-mortification in pursuit of perfecting their spiritual lives. The work by Msgr. Oder clearly shows the remarkable nature of John-Paul’s life that was part of his unseen persona and an integral part of his spiritual life.

Revelations of activities that promote spiritual discipline and aspirations of a deeper union with Christ in a mystical manner only highlight and accelerate the call for John-Paul’s canonization and proclamation as a Saint. Perhaps a deeper understanding and appreciation of this man’s search for personal holiness serves as an exceptional example of how we are all called to live a Catholic life deeply searching for a deeper relationship with the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ and unity with the Pascal Mystery.

John-Paul II…Sainthood NOW!

Pope Benedict XVI...Go forth and blog the Good News!

2010-01-25T11:56:00.000-05:00

Pope Benedict XVI is boldly making use of new technologies of communications to spread the Gospel message. In his discourse for World Communications Day, the Holy Father teaches that the digital use of modern technologies such as the World Wide Web, internet blogs and other electronic tools are an essential part of the priest’s resources in spreading the message of the Catholic Church. One should really not be too shocked about the Catholic Church’s use of technology as a method for evangelization. Most of the inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries that enabled mass communications were adopted by the Catholic Church in it educational and evangelical activities from their inception.
In 1886 the Vatican had ten telephones and used them to communicate inside the complex array of Vatican offices. In 1929 after the Lateran Pact, the Vatican initiated telephone service with the help of contributions from the United States inside the newly independent Vatican City State and the rest of the world.
Vatican Radio( http://www.radiovaticana.org ) was initiated in 1931. The radio station was designed and built under the direction of Guillermo Marconi, the Father of Radio.
The Vatican experimented with television broadcasting in the early 1930’s and in the 1990’s developed the Vatican Television Center.
So the inclusion of the internet as a tool for the Church really comes as no surprise. The Vatican has its own website( http://vatican.va ) already and posts just about everything from papal events, to encyclicals, daily press releases and other news. In addition to English the website is maintained in other modern languages, including Latin for the Church purist.
Pope Benedict XVI was keen to utilize the “texting” medium during his visit to the United States a few years ago. News of his arrival was spread to millions of Catholics worldwide by the use of cellular telecommunications. The Pope also has his own email address, to which Catholics can send him birthday wishes, prayers and other commentaries on his pontificate.
In the United States, many Cardinals and Bishops have taken to, “blogging!” to the faithful of their dioceses. The Cardinal Archbishop of Boston has a blog called, “Cardinal Sean’s Blog!” Archbishop Dolan of New York blogs on a regular basis through the Archdiocese of New York’s website and finally Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia has his own Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/cardinalrigali) that is updated by the Office of Communications for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cardinal Rigali also hosts a weekly radio show that is podcasted on the internet as well.
The increased call to utilize modern means of communications by Pope Benedict XVI is a welcome invitation from the Pope to spread Christ’s Word on many levels. It shows very clearly that the Church is not only aware of the world’s developments in science and technology, but actually embraces these developments in its ministry.
Perhaps in the near future our local parishes will increasingly embrace the use of digital technologies that go well beyond publishing the parish bulletin online for parishioners to read. Imagine the possibilities, those homebound due to age and infirmity might be able to watch the parish’s Sunday Mass via the Internet and once again become part of the local parish community. Homily’s and liturgical celebrations could be electronically stored and transmitted for educational and evangelization purposes. The potential is really quite unlimited and extensive. The entire manner in which we provide religious instruction and educational courses could be accomplished by video and audio conferences. The limitations often caused by distance and time constraints could be bridged by holding parish meetings online and in real time web collaborations.
The Church is indeed on the threshold of a new age of global communications. While the technologies are not intended to replace or diminish the interpersonal interactions of a parish community gathered together in the celebration of the Eucharist, they will enhance the proclamation and celebration of our sacred rituals through digital participation by those hindered from being physically present in Church.
Most importantly, the notion that people are the, “living stones, “ on which the Church is built will be reaffirmed and restored as emerging technologies of communications will permit countless numbers of people seeking to worship Jesus Christ have the opportunity to know him through 21st century methods of the proclamation of the Word of God.
Bishops, priests and faithful Catholics…blog on…it spreads our faith and builds up the Body of Christ…digitally!

African-American Catholics paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement!

2010-01-18T11:39:00.002-05:00

Today Americans in the United States commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.as an iconoclastic figure in the struggle for equality of African-Americans in the 20^th century

United States

. Catholic of African-American heritage contributed to this movement in great numbers in the 18th century as well.

It is interesting to note that the first African-American Catholic priest and Bishop in the

United States

was James Augustine Healey, born in April of 1830. The future Bishop Healey was born the first of ten children to an Irish immigrant plantation owner and his wife a former African-American slave. Michael Morris Healy was born in 1795 and emigrated from Ireland to Macon county Georgia in 1818. He acquired a substantial plantation and held 49 slaves as laborers on the plantation. One of the slaves was Mary Eliza Smith. She and Michael Morris Healy were married in 1829. While the marriage of two individuals of different races was taboo in the 19^th century, their common-law union resulted in 10 children that all but one survived to adulthood and developed colorful stories of their own.

James Augustine Healy was educated in primarily Quaker schools in Flushing, New York and then became the first African-American admitted to Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. After college studies, considered a vocation to the Jesuits novitiate in Maryland. However, Maryland was a slave state. James Augustus Healy after much consideration entered a Suplican Seminary in Montreal. He was later sent to Saint Suplice Seminary in Paris in 1852 aspiring to finish doctoral studies and become a seminary professor.

James Augustine Healy was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Boston and he was ordained a priest on June 10, 1854 in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. He became the first African-American Catholic priest on this date. (Augustus Tolton is incorrectly cited as the first African American Catholic Priest in the

United States

. This is partially due to the fact that James Augustus Healy was not at the time widely known as partially African-American. Augustus Tolton was ordained a priest at Saint Peters in Rome in 1886.)

Returning to Boston, Father Healy became the pastor of Saint James Church, one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese. He actively defended the rights of Catholic parishioners in Boston as vital members of the local community and advocated the Catholic Church as one of the primary social institutions in Massachusetts. He strongly advocated the equal recognition of Catholic organizations in Massachusetts to those of non-Catholic and secular societies.

He was so influential and successful in this campaign; Pope Pius IX recognized his achievements and named him as the second Bishop of Portland, Maine. He was consecrated a Bishop on June 2, 1875 and therefore became the first African-American to be elevated to the episcopate in the

United States

For 25 years he served as Bishop of Portland, Maine. His administration successfully developed 60 new parishes, 68 missions, 18 convents and Catholic schools. Acutely sensitive of topics of racism, Bishop Healy worked diligently to alleviate racism against African-Americans in the 19^th century. However, he preferred to spread the message of racial equality through the Catholic faith and not through politically active platforms such as the Congress for Colored Catholics and similar organizations. Bishop Healy died in 1900 as Bishop of Portland, Maine.

In remembering the legacy of Dr. King today, we should also recall the many other individuals that preceded the civil rights movement of the 20^th century and recognize the struggle is indeed one that continues even to this very day. Individuals like Most Reverend James Augustus Healy are landmark individuals for all African-American Catholics in the struggle for racial, religious and social equality with which Dr. King is remembered today. As Catholic we should remember all men and women, of all races that have helped bring the dream of racial equality to the state it currently exists in the

United States

. They were all pioneers and trailblazers in their own particular historical eras.

Haiti: An Opportunity for Catholic Social and Humanitarian Success!

2010-01-14T10:43:00.005-05:00

The nation of Haiti has experienced another insurmountable tragedy this week as a result of another natural disaster, a destructive earthquake. The history of the small impoverished nation is a litany of destructive events that started with the first voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492. In all of these events, the Catholic Church has always played an integral role in the development of the political, social and economic structures of the island. Colonialism and its subsequent rule by both the British and the French was dramatically unsuccessful and ultimately a failure. The Catholic Church throughout the struggles has identified itself as the supporter of the people, however strong relationships with the 22 successive governments since the Haitian Revolution ended in 1704, and Haiti became an independent nation from France, the Catholic Church has been present.
In the 19th century a Concordant between the Catholic Church and the Haitian Government was reached. The agreement specified the Church had special protection and endorsements from the government of Haiti. In return, Haitian Catholics could also make recommendations directly to Rome in regards to the appointment of their bishops and Church administration. Diplomatic relations have been in place with the Holy See and Haiti since 1860. It is interesting to note that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See did not occur until the Reagan administration in the 20th century.
Uniquely, even with a vast potential of exportable resources, Haiti in the 21st century is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, 80% of it’s population live under the poverty line, 54% live in abject poverty and over 60% depend on sustenance agriculture in order to survive. It seems that despite the rich resources once available, exploited and never replenished in Haiti, the Catholic Church has neglected Catholic social teachings in the implementation of the Gospel message in this small part of the Caribbean. While there indeed is a strong infrastructure for the Catholic Church on the island, the Church has provided educational, medical and social aid since the first Spanish visitors in 1505, there is still quite an evident social failure in this unfortunate society’s political, cultural and social infrastructure.
In the late 20th century, Haitian Catholic priests embraced liberation theology as the contemporary theological and moral intervention that would establish renewed Catholicism and political stability to a historically unstable government in Haiti. However, liberation theology proved just as unreliable in its message and integration with Catholic theology just as incompatible as the extreme Marxism that always followed this drastic compromise of human rights and spiritual freedom. Pope John Paul II in his subsequent teachings against liberation theology and Marxist extremism laid the groundwork intellectually, spiritually and pastorally with his 1983 visit to the island of Haiti. John-Paul stressed that, “Things must change here!” during his visit and delegated all of the Catholic Church’s resources towards developing a better society in the impoverished nation. During this time of the papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger clearly illustrated the faults of liberation theology and it’s incompatibility with Catholic moral, ethical and social teachings and the Church continued to participate in the lives of the people of Haiti.
What is significant since this intervention of John-Paul in 1983 and his pastoral visit is the lack of success the Church has experienced in its social programs in Haiti. While the religious evangelization process was flourishing (there are over 10 million Catholics in Haiti), the Church hasn’t been successful in integrating Catholic faith with political, social and economic responsibilities in Haiti.
The Catholic Church has a remarkable opportunity in Haiti to illustrate the compatible integration the Gospel of Jesus has in the practical and pragmatic development of a socially and economically responsible populace in the Republic of Haiti. In addition to the resource of humanitarian aid, spiritual and medical comfort the disaster in Haiti presents a pregnant theological moment to show Catholicism in its best light as it works towards the establishment of a stable society on this island republic in addition to spiritual counsel and triage emergency responses.
The Constitution of the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) indicates that the presence of Catholicism in the global environment transcends religious boundaries and territorial limitations. It teaches about the development and deep appreciation of the entire global community as the People of God. Haiti is a microcosmic example of how the global participation of the Catholic Church would enhance and affirm the Gospel mandate of Jesus, “…to love one another!”
In the case of Haiti, the opportunity to illustrate real, Catholic theology in action is unlimited. Providing humanitarian aid, the reestablishment of natural resources, Catholic participation in both the religious and the social practices of the Haitian culture presents a chance to implement all of the Catholic Church’s most sacred traditions, from an appreciation of the sanctity of human life, to appreciate human rights, to instruct in natural family planning and put into practice the pragmatic and genuinely compassionate nature of the Catholic lifestyle experience. Catholic faith in Catholic action is the anthem that seemingly echoes in this moment. Namely, the chance to show fellow Catholics, non-Catholics, and the global community that the Catholic Church offers a relevant lifestyle for the world of the 21st century that incorporates religious beliefs with pragmatic examples of human living.
Haiti shouts as a great example of how colonialism of the 19th century has miserably failed in establishing stable and productive forms of representational government. Haiti also is indicative of the failure of Catholic conversion without political, social and environmental responsibilities that are mutually inclusive to practicing our Catholic faith as not only good Catholics, but responsible global citizens. It is really not enough to teach about Catholicism, without implementing pragmatic examples of Catholic theology in the daily activities of the human condition.
The southern western hemisphere is currently the largest block of Catholics on the planet. As a Church we are obligated not only by faith to assist their needs. We also have the obligation from a human sense of global responsibility as Catholic to clearly show the world, that our faith is not one one of spiritual aspirations, but also one of secular obligations as we work daily in spreading the Gospel to the entire family of the world. The chance for the global Catholic Church to brightly shine as a beacon of spiritual and temporal hope to a fragile world in desperate need of Christ’s graces and peace through our tangible Catholic actions.
It has frequently been noted that evangelical Christianity is spreading in the southern western hemisphere not simply because of new Christian beliefs. It is spreading in this area of the world because in addition to spiritual guidance, evangelical Christianity also offers temporal guidance and assistance directed towards eradication of hunger, poverty, social injustices and political instabilities. The Catholic Church has offered the same tangible resources since Columbus’ first voyage to Haiti in 1492. However, the Catholic Church needs to clearly now indicate that their temporal and human services is not intended as a tool of mere evangelization, but rather the implements of a global revolution towards faith in Christ Jesus, that has the Church and it’s sacraments as the cornerstone for the evolution of a peaceful and sustainable human society.

Roe vrs Wade: Revisiting the gibbet of shame!

2010-01-11T09:18:00.000-05:00

The United States Supreme Court decision in Roe vs. Wade gave quite realistically a blanket permission for anyone seeking an abortion the ease and availability to do so. In the ensuing years since the infamous decision, the Catholic Church in the United States has mounted strong protests in Washington, D.C. to commemorate this tragic decision by the wise justices of the Supreme Court. Every year, countless groups of Prolife advocates descend on the nation’s capitol to express our most strongly held affirmation on the dignity of all human life, and its right to life from conception until natural death. Public demonstrations and peaceful protests against this momentous decision is only part of the successful campaign to successfully achieve an overturn of this decision. The other part of successful influence over this anti-life decision is the fervent development of prayer, and prayer, and even more prayer. For the most part we underestimate the power of prayer. Sometimes we equate prayer as just old fashioned, or a quaint Catholic tradition that was practices by our grandparents. However, never underestimate the beneficial results of prayer, especially the prayer offered universally by Catholics in the form of a good old rosary. Marian intervention is critical to prayer that intends to reverse the ignominy of this crime against the human person, abortion.
Most of the Catholics united in the United States cannot attend the March for Life and participate in the protests in Washington, D.C. in a physical manner. They can however attend and join our brothers and sisters in prayer. As part of our peaceful Catholic intentions to protest the injustices of Roe vs. Wade find your rosary, commit some time and pray wholeheartedly with the Universal Church for the demise of the sinful act of abortion in the United States and throughout the world. We have an essential responsibility as Catholics to defend human life and it’s sanctity on every level. That included prenatal as well as post natal development. Remember, the inutero children are helpless to help themselves or offer an argument that defends their rights to life. We as faithful and concerned Catholics are the voices for the unborn…what a better way to express our solidarity and unity in our beliefs than praying the Rosary and seeking Mary’s maternal protection and intervention with Jesus to eliminate this horror against humanity that exceeds even the most horrendous crimes during the Second World War.
Abortion is a crime and sin against all humanity. As Catholics we need to utilize all of the resources at our disposal, natural, spiritual and supernatural to bring about reconciliation and healing of this global injustice against the dignity of all human life. We have heard it very often over the past decades, but it is worth always repeating again and again, pray for an overturning of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. Catholic social activism includes prayer, sacrifice, Eucharist and most importantly actions…use the persuasive power of the Catholic ballot box, effect Catholic political influence and vote against all political and social injustices that are anti-Catholic and contrary to natural law…and most of all pray always for Divine assistance and intervention against this intrinsically immoral and unethical decision against human life.
This article is a reprint of last years article on the tragic topic of legalized abortion.
Hugh J.McNichol is a freelance author and journalist.He writes on topics that concern the enhancement of the Catholic faith and system of moral beliefs. He studied both philosophy and theology at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Frequently writing his words can be found at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com
Comments are welcome at hjmn4@comcast.net

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Bring Back the Sedia Gestatoria!

2010-01-08T09:28:00.000-05:00

Pope Pius VIII (1761-1830) being transported via the sedia gestatoria at Saint Peter's in Rome.

Incidentally, Pius VIII was Pope during the American Revolution.

Prior to the pontificate of Pope John-Paul II the Pope was carried in procession into Saint Peters and papal audiences on the sedia gestatoria. Perhaps after the mishap experienced on Christmas Eve (a woman jumping over barricades and lunging at the Pope) the return sedia should seriously be considered as part of additional security measure for Pope Benedict XVI. In addition to offering another level of increased protection for the Holy Father, it would also provide a more visible platform on which the Pope is seen while in procession.
Of course there are those that will complain of a return of the “Old Triumphalism,” which was suppressed by the curial reforms of Pope Paul VI in 1970. Others will claim that the restored use of the sedia will again highlight Pope Benedict’s return to pre-Vatican II traditions and still others will just maintain it is not appropriate for whatever reason they choose to be contrarians. The reality here is simple. It protects the Pope, provides a safer course of transportation for an octogenarian Pontiff, increases visibility and restores a traditional image of our ancient Catholic faith.
The Holy Father is approaching his mid-eighties. That in itself should indicate the need for some sort of ambulatory assistance when entering and leaving Saint Peters. The use of the sedia does not imply any sort of incapacitation on the part of the Pope, but rather a practical method that conveys the Holy Father to and from papal events. Additionally, the use of an elevated sedia allows the faithful opportunities to see the Pope, otherwise obscured by crowds and other prelates.
Finally, it is the restoration of a practice that was common to the Roman emperors and the newly elected consuls of Rome, when they were taken through the city of Rome on the sedia curulis after their assent or election to their positions. Historically, references to the sedia for papal usage have been noted since the fifth century. The discontinuation of the use of the sedia was under the papacy of John-Paul I in 1978. Pope Paul VI used the sedia as a form of transportation throughout his papacy. It should be especially noted that Paul VI did not abolish its usage in the reforms of the Roman curia of 1970.
From a practical point of view it makes sense to restore the sedia gestatoria not because it is indicative of a restoration of old practices, but because it makes pragmatic sense from a security perspective, a papal convenience perspective finally from the perspective of an inclusive tradition that is part of the Roman Church. If the usage has been documented in Rome since the Roman Empire, consistently with Popes until John-Paul I…why not indulge Catholics with a bit of pragmatic, practical and historically notable custom from Church antiquity.
We see all types of antiquated traditions everyday from military guards of honor(at White House, Buckingham Palace), ceremonies of the opening of a congressional session, the State of the Union Address, the British Opening of Parliament and so on that recall our most sacred traditions and historical memories. In the United States, every year George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River is reenacted just before the Battle of Trenton. The battle marked the turning point in the American Revolution, after which the Americans gained decisive victories.
The use of the sedia gestatoria by Pope Benedict XVI is not something that is radically going to transport him and the entire Church back into some sort of chronological and liturgical time machine that leads us to the Council of Trent. On the contrary, it offers once again an opportunity to appreciate the Catholic Church for its many centuries of customs and traditions that have at times been disregarded in favor of modern improvements that have not always been positive.
Signs and symbols of our Catholic faith are all around us in our Catholic Churches. Some symbols are unknown to generations born post Vatican II. It is time that we not only understand, but appreciate the continuity of Catholic traditions in light of historical, theological and pastorally practical usages. The garment of the Catholic Church indeed comes in many fabrics, forms and colors. Modern Catholics need to bring all of those aspects alive in our living and vibrant Church of the 21st century and appreciate the entire deposit of faith that has been passed down from ancient times.
Bring back the sedia gestatoria because it is more than a symbol of triumphalism, it’s a practical and pragmatic component of our Catholic heritage.

Come Lord Jesus, do not delay!

2009-11-28T12:36:00.005-05:00

Advent offers everyone the chance to prepare for the celebration of Christ's Birth on Christmas. It is a time of hope and anticipation that is often confused with the secular notions of the Holiday season. For us in the Catholic Church, it is a special because Advent marks the beginning of our liturgical year...essentially our New Year's celebration of our faith. Clearly the season has different signs and symbols that clearly show that Advent is a preparatory and transitional time. The Church garbs it's liturgical celebration in various hues of purple. The traditional Advent wreath is place in our sacred spaces,three purple candles and one pink candle mark the chronological journey of this quasi-penitential period in harmony with the sacred preparations to welcome the Son of God on Christmas Day.

Usually, most of us get distracted from the true reason for the season to capture a popular phrase. We forget that the secular expectations are far different from the spiritual preparations for which this season exists. Our scriptural reading reflect our spiritual preparatory anticipation for the coming of Jesus in His Incarnation.
This year, why don't we all prayerfully reflect on the need to prepare for the Holy in our lives.

One method is to start celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours. The Prayer of the Church is celebrated multiple times throughout the day, throughout the entire world for the intentions of the People of God. In addition to remembering the intentions of all Catholics, the psalms prayed in the Liturgy of the Hours inspires us to deeply immerse our entire physical and spiritual beings into a restored union with God and each other.They also offer an opportunity to appreciate the sacred time Advent offers as an chance to recharge our relationships with God, each other and the entire Church.

Advent is sacred time! Advent is, "Time outside of Time!" Advent is a spiritually enriched time to prepare for the Messiah. Take advantage of the chance to celebrate the New Year of the Catholic Church, the majesty of the Incarnation and the opportunity to revitalize every aspect of our ancient faith. Take this preparatory period to reflect on what truly is important to the human condition, cast off the shackles of secular burdens and celebrate Jesus Christ in all of our hearts,homes and communities of faith.

The ancient Catholic Church was convinced that the return of Jesus Christ was coming soon. They prayed, "Come Lord Jesus!" as an invocation for the Lord to deliver them from the world.

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus should be our prayer as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas as Jesus' birth!

Pope Benedict's ...unified theology with ritual diversity...organically!

2009-10-27T08:59:00.003-04:00

The return of some Anglicans to the Roman flock is indeed an historic event for the Catholic Church. However, there are a few points that should prove difficult for the returning Anglicans that might be difficult with which to abide. Of course the first point deals with the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the Head of the Catholic Church. Without affirmation to this critical point of Roman primacy, the former Anglicans need to seriously contemplate what this reunion means to them and their families. Papal primacy is not open to negotiation. The Pope represents our connection to Saint Peter and the Apostles.
Hand in hand with the consideration should also include the belief that the Pope as Bishop of Rome is infallible when there is a solemn proclamation regarding matters that deal with faith and morals. Part of the Anglican tradition was to relegate role of Head of the Church to the reigning British Monarch. Infallibility is a belief that is a deeply held component of the Papal Office. The reaffirmation of the union with Rome needs to unconditionally accept this Catholic teaching that is part of the deposit of faith of the Catholic Church.
An appreciation of the Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception is also a doctrine closely held by Roman Catholics and rooted in the tradition of the ancient Church. We believe with faithful fervor that Mary was conceived without original sin in order to become the vessel to receive Jesus Christ. A development and appreciation of this heartfelt doctrine is something the new integration of the former Anglican faithful should develop.
Of course the belief and consistent tradition of a male clergy is sometimes uncomfortable for sects that have already permitted female clergy as both priests and bishops. We Roman Catholics require that a man, validly baptized can become a candidate for Holy Orders. While there was a grassroots movement in the Catholic Church among all levels of clergy, religious and faithful to eliminate this prohibition, it still stands and has been reaffirmed by Popes since Paul VI. The matter was definitively concluded by John-Paul II when he proclaimed the matter as one in which the Church has no power to alter the example of Jesus in choosing only men as his Apostles. Discussion is not an option.
In conjunction with the prohibition of females for Holy Orders, the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality are very clear. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that homosexual acts are contrary to natural law and under no circumstances can they be sanctioned. The consideration of the Anglican Church of active homosexuals for the Ministries of Priest and Bishops was a factor that strongly helped the former Anglicans to return to union with Rome. The faithful members of Anglican communities returning to union need to keep this teaching in mind as well.
Finally and most importantly, we as Catholics unconditionally believe that the Eucharist is indeed the actual Body and Blood of Christ. The doctrine is called Transubstantiation. Unity of Eucharist and the belief in the Real Presence is critical to our Tradition. Exceptional care and pastoral exhortations should accompany any catechesis regarding the Real Presence as held by Roman Catholics. It is the celebration of Eucharist that unites Catholics everywhere, and there should be no dispute about the nature of the Sacrament.
Of course the emerging details of the pending reunion are works in progress. The Protestant Reformation along with the Catholic Counter Reformation divided us as a People of God for many centuries. This reunion of former Anglicans with Roman Catholics is a relationship that needs patience, prayer and nurturing. Pope Benedict’s proposed acceptance of particular aspects of the Anglican Rituals and traditions shows his real desire for a true organic healing and reintegration of One, Catholic Church with all of the ritual incidentals as part of process of healing and new developments.
Roman Catholics on the other hand should celebrate the great heritage of the traditions the Anglican Church have indeed preserved over the centuries. Great examples of Anglican architecture and design are worldwide. The cultural, social and liturgical differences indeed are all a rich part of the magnificent tapestry of the Church to which we all belong.
Welcome home to our former Anglican brothers and sisters. The Roman Church is poised to learn quite a bit from your rituals and traditions. Together, Anglican Rite and Roman Rites are a microscopic reality of the cellular development of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Benedict XVI...ending the Counter Reformation!

2009-10-23T11:17:00.004-04:00

The then Father Ratzinger with Fr.Yves Congar d.1995 during the Second Vatican Council.

Welcoming the Anglicans back to communion and permitting the retention of some of their ritual traditions should come as no surprise for Catholics that appreciate the message of Vatican II.
During the Second Vatican Council, then Father Ratzinger collaborated closely with Fr. Yves Congar(1904-1945) in revamping the Catholic view towards our Protestant brothers and sisters divided by the Reformation. Perhaps one of the most significant point of the Council to the was essentially putting an end to the Counter Reformation prompted by the Anglican Schism and understanding those Christian Churches in a new spirit of ecumenical understanding. Benedict XVI, as Pope has consistently offered a bridge to other faiths outside of Catholicism. Even within Catholicism itself, an olive branch extends to the liturgical extremists with the restoration of the Mass of Pope John XXIII.
Benedict’s pontificate offers an appreciation of the unique rituals and customs of Anglicanism, while allowing their coexistence with the Roman Church. It clearly illustrates that the openness towards Protestant Christianity advocated by Fr.Congar might indeed be coming to fruition. Remarkably, this gesture by Rome indicates very strongly that the Church indeed permits ritual pluralism when it embraces theological solidarity. The notions of the modern world and the Church are quite similar in both sectors appreciating human diversity and cultural heritages. Catholics and Anglicans should really celebrate this unprecedented papal gesture towards acceptance of former Anglicans as a living expression of the concept of, “E pluribus Unum.)
The latest expression of reunion with the former Anglicans should be considered as the hallmark of the Benedictine papacy thus far…internal and external ecumenism. Ongoing negotiations with the extremists founded by Archbishop Lefebvre are ongoing. Relationships with the Orthodox Church have developed and there is a renewed appreciation of the cultural identity and acceptance of Islam. While the pontificate of John-Paul II strongly endorsed a new understanding of our Judaic roots, the papacy of Benedict seems to favor a more global sense of inclusion of theological plural isms. The movement might well be considered as a transcendental Thomism that brings Catholic Scholasticism into a renewed global appreciation.
The increased diplomatic and ecumenical, “reach-out,” of the Catholic Church to other faiths, cultures and traditions is part of the theological foundations of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council with the monumental document, Unitas Redintegratio (Restoration of Unity) which embraced the notions of a better appreciation and understanding of the Protestant faith. The document even suggested the Catholic Church itself could learn from their theological and cultural experiences and make great contributions to the life of the Catholic Church.
We must get to know the outlook of our separated brethren. To achieve this purpose, study is of necessity required, and this must be pursued with a sense of realism and good will. Catholics, who already have a proper grounding, need to acquire a more adequate understanding of the respective doctrines of our separated brethren, their history, their spiritual and liturgical life, their religious psychology and general background. Most valuable for this purpose are meetings of the two sides-especially for discussion of theological problems-where each can treat with the other on an equal footing-provided that those who take part in them are truly competent and have the approval of the bishops. From such dialogue will emerge still more clearly what the situation of the Catholic Church really is. In this way too the outlook of our separated brethren will be better understood, and our own belief more aptly explained
Taken from Unitatis Redintegratio, chapter 2.

Appreciation of the things that unite us in our faiths extends also to the non-Christian members of the global community. Pope Benedict’s expressions of acceptance since taking office have included inter religious dialogues with Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims as part of the new understanding of the world order of the 21st century. The approach is a refreshing manner that unites theological beliefs with global human concerns. Some of the other projects undertaken by the Vatican also include involvement with scientists to solve the problem of global warming (solar panels on Paul VI Hall), providing of food and humanitarian aid to countries that lack resources and most recently papal permission to provide first aid kits to medically deficient countries. Such undertakings indeed illustrate the Catholic Church under the guidance of Benedict XVI is truly embracing its global responsibilities towards the world. What is most remarkable is the increased sense of the Church’s universal cooperation among all faiths and peoples.
Catholics really should take careful note of these renewed theological and humanitarian developments underway. The ecumenical teachings and the role of the Church in the modern world are emerging as Pope Benedict’s intention to accomplish the work he started as Father Ratzinger at Vatican II. It really seems that the hopes and intentions of aggiornamento developed by the Fathers of Vatican II are starting to sprout branches in addition to already strong historical and theological roots.

Guess who's coming to dinner!

2009-10-21T13:39:00.004-04:00

Pope Benedict and the Archbishop of Canterbury
ex. Independent News.UK

Recently Pope Benedict XVI made an offer to members of the Anglican Communion a way to return to the Catholic Church with stipulations. There is a growing chord of discontent among members of the Anglican Church that are concerned about the church’s ordination of women & stance in favor of homosexual activities within their clergy and among their faithful. The Holy Father has even made provisions to accept married Anglican clergy into full communion with the Catholic Church with the ability to remain married and minister as priests. The developments are quite remarkable and show a clear appreciation of Benedict towards Anglican reunion, whatever method it might take.
Of course the stipulations include that married priests may not be considered for the office of bishop. However, it stipulates that entire Anglican parishes are welcome to return to the Roman Church as collective groups in addition to the requirements announced for the clergy. Some secular observers suggest that the Pope is poaching believers at the expense of the disintegrating structure within the Church of England. Others indicate that all is fair in the area of religious conversion. Regardless of the point of view, this marks a great chance for the Catholic Church to foster a spirit of reconciliation between our Churches that is a positive step towards reunion and forgiveness.
The issues at stake are a clearer appreciation of certain aspects of morality that are often misconstrued by the Church of England. Issues concerning the ordination of women and the ordination of active homosexuals are of course elements that need deep consideration. Most importantly the points of moral certainty regarding the moral and ethical applications of Catholic moral teachings are critical to the reunion. The Pope clearly indicates that there are certain issues that are absolute and moral improprieties that disregard the sanctity of human life and the sexual act are crucial to consistent Catholic interpretations in regards to these issues.
The matter of married priests is something that the Roman Church has accepted from former Anglicans since the pontificate of John-Paul II. Such an arrangement for married priests offers no dogmatic or moral inaccuracy regarding the Church’s tradition and is reflective of the emerging acceptance of many levels of theological interpretation. However, the non-acceptance of women in Holy Orders is consistent of the ancient traditions of the Catholic Church and has frequently been reaffirmed by Popes in the 20th century with the current Pope.
What is really important is the Vatican initiative that allows for entire groups of Anglicans to return to communion with Rome as faithful communities of theological beliefs. The entire progress of the ecumenical spirit considered at Vatican II is at work. While there are some issues that may not easily be solved, it shows a real appreciation of openness and reconciliation of both parties toward relegating the past errors of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic response to history. The Gospel of Saint John in the priestly prayer of Jesus gives us, “That they may be one.” This expectation of Jesus might indeed be coming to fruition.
Catholics especially should be jubilant with the return of former members of the Anglican Church. It shows our faith is a living entity, which permits a variety of expressions within the confines of our union with Rome through the Eucharist and the Sacred Word. Other incidentals that are outside of these uniting factors can be resolved with prayer, dialogue and mutual understanding.
Henry VIII would be greatly disturbed by these developments of the 21st century. They are not reflective of his theological nationalization of the Catholic Church. Catholics need to consider this not as a theological victory over Protestant sects, but as a venue of understanding the mysterious nature of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. In this Body of Christ, all things indeed are possible through Him!
We welcome our formerly Anglican brothers and sisters in faith. Welcome home!

Anti-Catholic sentiments...pervasive on the web!

2009-10-15T10:27:00.003-04:00

The Catholic Church is still under a state of siege in our contemporary world. This altercation is taking place every single day on various levels such as You-Tube, the secular press with anti-Catholic messages broadcast all over the world. Recently, the comedianatrix Sarah Silverman has taken derogatory aim with her cynical brand of entertainment at the Catholic Church and its global works of charity. Most of all, her attempt at humor deliberately makes fun of the humanitarian efforts of the Church’s worldwide goal of feeding the hungry. In a recent You Tube monologue, Ms. Silverman suggested the solution to end world hunger resides with the sale of the Vatican, along with some of its assets.
For the record, the holdings of the Vatican include artistic masterpieces that the Catholic Church holds, “in trust,” for the entire global community. The Catholic Church is perhaps the largest and the oldest organized charitable institutions the world has ever known. Millions and millions of people have benefited from the Church’s charitable activities since the Last Supper. Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries are just the beginning of the social and humanitarian contributions the Church has made to the human family in the pursuit of world peace and the end to the world’s physical and spiritual hunger. This Catholic author is deeply offended by satirical hurtful and angry comedy against our Church, our Pope and our global desire for global harmony.
Of course, anti-Catholic rhetoric is commonplace in the world of comedy, pseudo-journalism and popular jokes. The commonality of the negative comments reveals an underlying anger that runs just under the superficial surface of secular society. In the 19th century, the anti-Catholic anger was obvious in the riots of the Know-Nothings, Catholics were suspected of dual alliances that would conflict with the emerging American republic. Violence, discrimination and segregation were often very prominent in our United States when Catholics were blamed for nearly all of our American maladies s from unemployment, to overpopulation and even espionage.
The comedic venue often uses satire and parody to make contemporary topics…funny. However there is nothing funny about denigration of Catholics and their beliefs through forms of social networking and global communications media. Catholics everywhere need to take notice of the blatant anti-Catholic sentiments that are all around us in our modern world. Even more importantly, as a faithful Church and the People of God, we need to boycott any group regardless of their professions that pronounce derogatory comments regarding our Catholic faith. Thankfully, established groups like The Catholic League watches for the injustices and slanderous comments made against our Church, our Clergy and our Faithful People. This author suggests in addition to lauding the works of the Catholic League and similar organizations, we need to adopt an apologetic tactic of defending the Catholic faith.
Quite frequently, we think the notions of adversarial components against our faith are relegated to the past. Untrue! Catholic adversaries are all around us and we need to be mindful that these groups are persecuting our faith and lifestyle on a daily basis. The predominant, “Culture of secularism & materialism,” is a constant bombardment on the institution of Catholic religious beliefs. The accepted norm is simply this: Catholic bashing is a fair practice!
Our Catholic publications, our pastors and all of the Catholic people need to take a stand that isolates theologically insensitive commentaries from people like Ms.Silverman. Don’t attend events that are antithetical to our sacred beliefs, our precepts and Catholic rituals. Don’t buy products manufactured by factories in countries that violate human rights and freedom of worship! Don’t pass on insensitive jokes that poke fun at out Pope, our clergy or our beliefs. Of course as always…pray for conversion of all these people that linguistically persecute our faith. The Catholic Church will continue to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty and provide solace for the suffering. Most importantly our actions as a faithful people and as an ancient institution will include prayer for all of those that persecute us because that is exactly what Jesus our Lord told us to do!
Pray for the victory of peace and charity over the influences of anti-Catholic secular condemnations of our faith, history and our sacred rituals!

Celebrate the Sacred Arts...in our Catholic architecture!

2009-10-13T14:04:00.002-04:00

Chartres Cathedral's famous Rose Window
The upcoming convocation for artist at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel next month includes architects as well as artisans. Their inclusion into the gathering is a superlative move on the part of Pope Benedict XVI. The presence of architects will allow Benedict to emphasize very strongly to the designers of new buildings that are used as sacred worship spaces; they need to design the structural aspects around the functionality of our Catholic rituals and Sacraments. Quite often, designs for Catholic Churches has been constricted by a flourishing movement of architects and designers to consider all aspects of Church designs that are based on a horizontal development of the actual building without a cognitive appreciation for the vertical dimensions of the Church’s proportions.

What this really translates as is simply this: Catholic Churches that neglect particular aspects of the Church’s ancient rituals and architectural heritages. A great example of this 21st century deficit of Catholic design is the obviously absent presence of a choir loft. Most architects design Catholic Churches with a prominently visible space in the front of the Church, close to the altar as the space intended for musicians and their accessories. Honestly, the placement of the musical components such as the organ, drums and ancillary human singers tends to provide constant distraction during the celebration of the Liturgy. The documents of the Council made no reference to eliminating the choir loft in our Catholic Churches. The Council introduced the notion that instruments other than the pipe organ may be used in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. However, it did not confine our musical expressions to exile the use of the permanent organ as part of the liturgical worship.
Increasingly, it seems our Catholic liturgies are becoming more and more similar to evangelical Christianity, which places a great emphasis on contemporary music in their celebrations, with an entertainment effect that is meant to draw the congregation into an assembly that might include a theater in the round performance. Seemingly the attention is given to the musical performer as they practice before the liturgy, take time to practice new pieces of music with the parishioners and proceed to lead the community in song in a dictatorial Eva Peron style of waving their hands. Every second of our Liturgy in the post Vatican II Church seems cluttered with the Ministry of Music, which seriously detracts from prayer and meditation of the sacred mysteries taking place.
From experience, this author can honestly say, Catholics are not singing more at Church; the musicians are getting more visible and intrusion in their performances of liturgical theater. Music is intended to enhance the sacred liturgy, not displace the actions of the Priest and his people. When Benedict XVI meets with architects, artisans and craftsmen, hopefully one of the first conversations will be simply this: Build choir lofts again!
With the restoration of the Mass of Blessed Pope John XXIII the interior of our parish structures should always be altar-centric and then the rest of the Church built around the site of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. First and foremost, we are a people that are focused on the Eucharist. The celebration of this sacrament should be the central praxis of our architectural and artistic representations. There has also developed a practice that places the baptismal font in an attention dueling position with the monster music pit and the location of the reserved Blessed Sacrament. Directly resulting confusion of signs and symbols is the result. The Sacraments of Initiation are indeed critically necessary for membership into the Catholic Church; however, the signs and symbols of the waters of Baptism should not compete for visual attention with the Eucharistic altar. Additionally, the horizontal praxis should never induce sacramental reduplication of symbols and visual competition with the musical instruments.
When parish communities contemplate the building of a new church, they need to prayerfully ponder the considerations. The process of construction of a Catholic Church is something sacred to the individual parish community and at the same time integrated with the entire prayerful gathering of Catholic throughout the world, past, present and future. The initiation of the parish church needs to make the altar the first consideration of planning, and then the rest of the project will fall into place.

With the restoration of the Mass of Blessed John XXIII the liturgical function of the parish structure should incorporate the ritual needs of both the pre-Vatican II liturgy and the Mass of Paul VI in a seamless and transparent manner. Both rites are legitimate options of celebration therefore our Catholic Churches should offer facilities to accommodate these sacred celebrations in one church, with one altar. Special considerations should be adopted that enhance the multiple methods for the reception of Holy Communion either kneeling or standing. The distribution of the two species of Holy Communion should also constitute an important point. Church aisle designs should facilitate ease of movement for the celebrant and the faithful for the celebration of the sacred rites and the reception of Holy Communion. The movement should ideally converge on the altar as the place of both sacrifice and celebration.
The development of the Roman liturgy since the Second Vatican Council has not always been considerate of the organic development of our sacred rituals from the Apostolic epoch. The liturgy has involved as an embodiment of both aspects of lex orandi, lex credendi. The liturgical celebration of the Roman liturgy incorporates the cultural, artistic and historical foundations of the Western Church. When we design a new church, all of these elements are pivotal to our understanding of both signs and symbols of our ancient Catholic faith. Pope Benedict, in his Spirit of the Liturgy clearly touches on the symbiotic relationship between the liturgy and the living expressions of what the Church believes and exhibits clearly through its sacred rituals. The Holy Father, in the restoration of the pre-Vatican II form of the Mass clearly indicates the deep historical and cultural traditions of our liturgical celebrations that mutually and ritually should coexist between pre-Vatican II and post-Vatican II liturgical revisions. It appears the Pope is calling all Catholics to a more sensitive understanding of the temporal evolution of the liturgy and the cultural appreciation of the liturgy’s transcendence of time and space. After all, our Catholic liturgy incorporates the Church Militant, the Church Suffering and the Church Triumphant into our sacrificial and sacramental celebrations. There is indeed room for the mutual coexistence and liturgical expression of both forms of the Roman Liturgy.
The upcoming conclave of artists with Pope Benedict XVI should bear great results, while the vast heritage of the Church’s artistic, cultural and spiritual dimensions are considered at the meeting. Perhaps we have come to the evolutionary point of inspiration by the Holy Spirit that allows us to selectively take the qualitative “best,” of our rituals and reconsider the mediocrity of artistic expression that has influenced us since the Council. Artists, craftsmen & architects exercise a vocational trade that transcends beyond our temporal understandings of what is sacred and holy. Their accomplishments are insights into the glory of God and His manifestation in all Creation. Artistic appreciation and development in essence provides us a bridge that connects our ritual actions with God’s presence and indeed His eternal existence.
Another factor that should be part of the understanding of our parish communities of faith is the respect that should be accorded to our highest qualitative expressions of Church art and architecture. Reintegration of materials such as stained glass and statuary from our older buildings, or even suppresses parishes deserves attention and consideration. Many works of art have graced our sacred spaces and are part of our historical and cultural Catholic heritage. With the proper design, restoration and preservation many architectural and artistic pieces can and should be preserved as qualitative examples of past generations, preserved for the future and used in our liturgical present.
The American Catholic bishops have made a remarkable attempt in, On Living Stones, to call attention to the need for quality expressions in our churches design and architecture. Perhaps the future success of our artistic expression in Church art and architecture will be delegated to vocational artists that celebrate the Catholic faith and are part of our parish communities. Secular influences in architecture and even the influential contributions of evangelical Protestantism have contributed greatly to our Catholic alienation from sacred spaces. Hopefully with prayerful consideration and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we are entering a new age of artistic expression and understanding that will rival the Renaissance and bring a new age of sacred art and architecture that integrates our Catholic beliefs, our Sacred heritage and our ritual expressions of sanctification through our Sacraments.

"Don't ask, don't tell," a slippery moral slope!

2009-10-12T10:26:00.002-04:00

Catholics should be very concerned about the continued progress that is being made by President Barack Obama towards increasing immoral secularism in our American government and military forces. Over the weekend the President announced he would end the ,”don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy that has been the norm for decades concerning homosexuals in the military.

The policy was initiated by former President Clinton as a non-resolution to the growing concerns of homosexuality within our military services. Clinton’s evasive policy of being mute on the subject not only ignores any option regarding the issue other than military silence gives consent. The issue of sexuality, any sexuality, homosexual or heterosexual deserves a cognitive understanding of our American traditions of Judeo-Christian observations in our society.

While the lifestyle of homosexuality is increasingly more visible in our culture, it’s proliferation in American life demands an objective viewpoint that once again focuses on the institution of marriage and family, that is firmly established in Christian and Judaic norms. The matter is so strongly debated that there have been attempts to include permission of homosexual marriages and unions into the American Constitution. Once again, any argument of Constitutional modification that permits anything other than a heterosexual union is a misinterpretation of our most fundamental norms of morality and ethics as taught in the Torah and the New Testament.

The real matter of concern that everyone should consider is the fundamental concept of chastity among all sexes in our society, and the procreative act of sex as essential for procreation and development of mutual love between male and female married couples. Seemingly, the disintegration of the family unit in our society is related to the incidents of extramarital sexual relationships contributing to the increased awareness of heterosexual and homosexual lifestyles. The Judeo tradition encapsulates the normative behavior of sexuality in the Ten Commandments, which simply codify the matter, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” The fact that Mosaic norms ignore and don’t even mention the coveting of members of the same sex, illustrates both the importance of familial development and the presumption that sexual activity among faithful Jews was heterosexual.

The decreasing sentiments of sexual morality of our 21st century seems to more openly provide for the mutual existence of homosexual and heterosexual unions in all aspects of society. However, the topic never seems to include a discussion of homosexuality as the antithetical activity of procreation and family values. In the Christian tradition, the sexual union is directed towards the development of mutual love between the male and female couple, and the openness to the procreation of children as the tangible result of that sexual union. Sexual activity outside of the heterosexual context of these two points creates not only a corruption of the intrinsic sanctity of the procreative act, but sets an opposition in sexual norms that is diametrically opposed to the institution of marriage.

The homosexual individuals that are engaged in our American military services should not equate the ability to live a sexual lifestyle that is incompatible with their military vocation. Rather, the lifestyle is incompatible with the foundational precepts of military organization and directly incompatible with our normative Judeo-Christian traditions as lived in our society. The topic is not a military issue of homosexual rights, but rather an issue that considers our entire heritage of sexual norms that have evolved from Judeo-Christian heritages of male & female marriages.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Father John Harvey, an American Priest that has devoted his entire priestly ministry to the needs of homosexuals. He maintains the actual physical attributes of “same-sex,” intercourse is intrinsically and physically impossible based upon the physical resistance that same sex bodies experience that contradict the biological human design. This notion of physical incompatibility further illustrates the progress of natural law and indeed the adage that form follows function when it comes to human reproduction and copulation. Fr. Harvey then elaborates that, the human couple of male and female are representative of the only species of mammal that copulates in a face-to-face position, namely for the purpose of the development of mutual love between the couple.
While Fr. Harvey’s concepts are oven ridiculed by advocates of homosexual activity, his points are well founded in anatomical and physical biological reality.

The policy of the incumbent President to eliminate the, “don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy really escalates the issue from a merely homosexual topic to a larger symptomatic misunderstanding of our society’s morality and not just the emerging permissiveness towards unregulated sexual norms and a deeper corruption of both of physical and spiritual awareness as Judeo-Christian believers.

In conjunction with the much touted Barack Obama program towards a pseudo-socialized health care plan,intrusion of government control into our free market business activities and increased government intervention into our most basic human freedoms, the ability of homosexuals to openly serve in the military marks another decline in moral and social turpitude. The next step might well include government assumption of religious organizations as Americans mover toward a new form of American Marxism and the traditions of Judeo-Christian norms fade into social antiquity.

Nobel Prize...tarnished!

2009-10-09T10:04:00.004-04:00

Throughout the world we are learning that Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Prize. Even according to news reports, the President himself was, “humbled,” by the news that he was this years recipient of the prestigious accolade.

The mission of promoting peace in the world however begins not just on a diplomatic and global scale. It begins with the basic premise that all human life is sacred and is a gift from God. The political and social agenda of Barack Obama’s public service career does not support this basic premise that is the foundational basic for the Nobel Prize.

Of course there are pundits that will maintain that the Catholic Church is once again making to much of a focus on the topic of the unborn. Well, yes indeed, the war over the womb is the the most critical place to start when it means establishing world peace. If our American society cannot unilaterally and unconditionally support the sanctity of human life; global harmony is indeed a non sequitur.

This author finds it of particular interest that the Nobel Prize Committee indicated that President Barack Obama held similar views on peaceful existence as the intelligentsia in Oslo. Of course he does, Oslo is the center of a socialized society. Similar socialization is the same path President Obama wants the American people to walk.

The American Catholic Church should not be duped by the decision of the Nobel Prize Committee. Peace on earth begins in the fundamental acceptance of the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Any social, political or humanitarian body that makes distinctions from this moral absolute truly proclaims a distortion of the sanctity of all human life.

Responsible Catholics need to remember the hair splitting nuances that the social agenda Barack Obama endorses and advocates. Such nuances are not reflective of the global pursuit of world peace and harmony, but rather an diplomatic and solipsistic understanding of human life and dignity.

The Nobel Peace Prize is tarnished and very clearly echoes the sentiments of an increasingly materialistic and atheistic world, based on human achievements rather than moral law and divine guidance.
Unless Barack Obama and indeed the global community accept “peace in the womb, “ the pursuit of world harmony is a fleeting dream.

We mourn his death & celebrate his new life in Christ Jesus!

2009-10-09T08:59:00.002-04:00

The Catholic Church of Wilmington, Delaware is mourning the death of it’s Bishop Emeritus, the Most Rev. Michael Salterelli on October 8. Bishop Saltarelli had been in declining health since his retirement last year. He had been living at Vianney House at Saint John the Beloved Parish outside of Wilmington.
During the past year, as a parishioner at Saint John’s it was very comforting to know that the Bishop Emeritus was living in our community of faith. On occasion, one would see the Bishop returning home after he was out and about for appointments and perhaps even a mid morning stroll around the parish campus.

Most significantly, Bishop Saltarelli’s retirement was marked with the onset of various medical conditions that ultimately caused his death. However, in remembering his priesthood and his episcopate is essential to the great reverence and deference all Catholics accord to their episcopal successors to the Apostles.

A few years back, I ran into Bishop Saltarelli at a local Italian bistro, Madelines, within the shadow of Saint Francis Hospital. He was accompanied by a couple of priests and was enjoying a relaxed and informal meal with his priest compatriots. If one did not know he was the Bishop of the diocese, he easily could have been mistaken as a parish priest. Perhaps , the Bishop’s greatest talent was making everyone comfortable in his company, and he enjoyed talking with just about anyone. That singular gift of conversation is one that most reminds me of Bishop Saltarelli. He loved his Church, his flock and most of all he loved his ministry.

We believe as Catholics that death is a transition to a new life with Christ Jesus. While it is completely acceptable to mourn the death of our Bishop Emeritus, we also celebrate his new life. Years ago, our catechism studies in grade school taught us that certain sacraments were character sacraments. They marked the soul with an indelible sign that would forever indicate the dignity of the priesthood and the episcopate. Bishop Saltarelli left a similar mark on the Delmarva diocese that he loved so much.

We celebrate his life, his priestly and episcopal ministry and his strong faithfulness to the Church, his diocese and the message of the Gospels. Prayerfully and respectfully we remember the Bishop that was always smiling, always shepherding and constantly guiding his flock to a new life in the Catholic Church.

Artistic Renaissance...dawning!

2009-10-08T12:15:00.004-04:00

Detail from Michelangelo's Last Judgement, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City State

November 21 of this year will mark the tenth anniversary of John-Paul II’s Letter to Artists. Since the discourse to artists and craftsmen was released to the creative artisans of the Catholic Church, a new pontificate with Benedict XVI has transpired. The Holy Father has invited artist from the entire world to join him at the Sistine Chapel in November to discuss the relationship the Church has with the artistic community and explore the relationship for deepening awareness.

There is really no doubt that the Catholic Church has always provided patronage and support to the arts. The fact that this artist’s convocation is scheduled to take place in the Sistine Chapel, in the presence of Michelangelo’s magnificent works accentuates the relationship between religion and art is deeply rooted.
Hopefully, as a supplement to John-Paul’s Letter to Artists, Pope Benedict in his meeting with representatives of the art community will further develop this symbiotic union the Church continues to have with the creative spirit of the artistic community.

The relationship with the artistic community and the Church has indeed always contained a bit of tension, one that tentatively explores the natural desire of artists unite their artistic abilities with the transcendence nature of the Church’s sacraments and liturgy. The greatest cathedrals throughout Europe are examples of man’s desire to express the great magnificence and transcendence of God. In the twentieth century the relationship of the Church with the visual arts has not always been a positive one. In some cases the secular influences of contemporary art, the influences of secular modernism and unconventional architectural notions has often found it’s way into the Church’s art and architecture. There have been of course examples of good results and some bad results in the Church’s pursuit of artistic expression. Most importantly is the fact that the Catholic Church supports the artist not only as an inspired individual, but also as a vocational part of the Church’s ministry and life.

Benedict’s meeting with artists of all faiths, from multicultural nations that span the entire world is a remarkable event that is unequalled in scope. Hopefully, in addition to meeting with these global artist’s the Pope will herald in effect a new Renaissance of artistic design and figurative representations that will permit a qualitative manifestation of our human pursuit of God’s presence in nature and indeed the cosmological world. Artists of all categories present a unique perspective of their creative vision that deserves a prominent acceptance and place in Catholic art and architecture. There have been times in our own recent history that inferior examples of art, architecture and creative expressions have infused themselves in our Catholic Churches and even our sacred liturgies. The, Pontifical Summit of the Arts...offers expectations that our institutional Church will again see the incorporation of artists and their works as one of the highest vocational services that indeed glorify God and His magnificent Creation.

With that really in mind, one needs to realize as illustrated in John-Paul’s Letter to Artist in 1999 that the Catholic Church does not endorse or support any particular style of artistic representation. The Church supports multicultural and global representations of artistic merit that are of the highest quality of the artist’s materials and expressions. In a increasingly disposable global society, the acknowledgement of the use of highest quality materials, and the need for art of most superlative forms will be a catalyst for a new era of artistic expression that transcends secular aspects of time and space.

Benedict XVI is acutely aware of the extremes representational art has often taken in the 20th century. This meeting of artists with the Pope hopefully will provide a sacred insight to all Catholics, artists and clergy of the integral relationship sacred art and artists provide in the spiritual, cultural and intellectual life of the Catholic Church. Hopefully, the Sistine Chapel meeting between the Holy Father and the community of artists will promote harmony and understanding that will translate into the architectural designs for our new Catholic Churches as deeply felt expression of the axiom of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi that always guides our most sacred rituals.

Regardless of the outcome of this papal convocation with artists, seemingly the Universal Church is experiencing a Renaissance of the Holy Spirit in terms of the relationship between art and the Catholic Church. The anticipation of qualitative expressions of the artistic hand as reflections of God’s glory will be the visible results.

The rebirth of Catholic Apologetics!

2009-10-07T11:52:00.003-04:00

Catholics frequently meet various forms of intellectual discrimination from various categories of agnostics, skeptics and atheists. Most often Catholic faithful are not prepared to dispute the arguments presented by these various opponents of our faith and lifestyle. The Baltimore Catechism is long gone and the methods of teaching precepts of Catholicism is substantially different from the apologetic methodology that developed after the Protestant Reformation. However there is hope for Catholics in the form of a new, Handbook of Catholic Apologetics by Peter J. Kreeft & Ronald K.Tacelli.

This impressive undertaking explains precisely what Catholics believe, why we believe these things and how the Catholic faith is viable as one of the world’s most ancient religions. Long ago when studying philosophy the interrogative method of Saint Thomas Aquinas was most effective as a defense against internal and external infidels. This book brings all of the philosophical and theological points that every Catholic needs to know into one volume of Catholic intellectual arguments and counterpoints.

While the apologetic method seems medieval to contemporary observers, it really illuminates critical points of Catholic didactic that are essential to the authentic lifestyle of our faith. What is quite refreshing about this work is the objective and factual progression of questions and answers that clearly illustrate correct Catholic beliefs from the Catholic Catechism, Sacred Scriptures, Ancient Church Fathers and supportive Vatican declarations.

The authors very carefully include methods of defending our Catholic faith with a great blend of faith and reason, something often lacking from our academic education of Catholics regarding their faith. The book especially combines insights into the philosophical proofs of the existence of God, as written by St.Thomas Aquinas, defense of Catholicism against Protestantism and bona fide examples from scripture and tradition that support the Church as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic faith as inherited by the Apostles.

Unfortunately for modern Catholics, the semantics of political correctness and ecumenical homogeneous terminology has invaded the Catholic Church. This book cuts through all of the clutter and presents an apologetic understanding of the facts regarding Catholicism and our beliefs. This book deserves inclusion as a valuable resource that compliments the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture and papal pronouncements of the 20th century. Four miters for this remarkable example of scholarship and apologetics.

The book is available directly from the website for Ignatius Press: http://ignatiuspress.com .

Church Fathers by Pope Benedict XVI

2009-10-07T10:41:00.002-04:00

When it comes to spiritual reading, one cannot get a better author than Benedict XVI. Over the past 2 years, the Holy Father has developed the theme of his Wednesday audiences centering on the writings of the Church Fathers from Pope Cement of Rome through Saint Augustine. Each week the Pontiff extrapolates the writings of each Church Father and makes their teachings more applicable to the lives of contemporary Catholic living.

Pope Benedict writes not only as a scholar but also as a paternal shepherd that teaches and guides the Universal Church with his discourses. In most cases many Catholics have had little opportunity to read, study or even comprehend the writings of such luminaries as Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Saint Ephrem, Origen of Alexandria and other notables. Benedict’s writings and discourses bring these Church Fathers to light along with their philosophical and theological attributes which is part of the vast depository of Church history.

As 21st century Catholics, we indeed have a great obligation to appreciate and understand the experiences of Church leaders that have deeply contributed to the Church’s living and developing academic and spiritual activities, from the past, in the present and as part of the future life of our Catholic faith. Pope Benedict’s book, Church Fathers is a remarkable synopsis of the essential points of each Church Fathers dialectic on Catholic faith and Catholic lifestyle.

Any Catholic that is curious about the manner in which the Church’s teaching has evolved and developed over the centuries needs to include Pope Benedict’s book on their spiritual enrichment and development list. The book reads very easily, more of a paternal discourse on each Church Father with a reflective tone that focuses on the most salient points of each Father’s teachings and pastoral methodology.

As usual for my rating, this book deserves four miters as a must have work from the leader of the world’s Catholic Church. The book is available directly from Ignatius Press at their website: http://ignatiuspress.com .

Aggiornamento...revisited forty-seven years later!

2009-10-06T11:10:00.002-04:00

This week we are about to celebrate the forty-seventh anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council. Pope (now Blessed) John XXIII convened the council with the anticipation that the Catholic Church of the 20th century would prayerfully and spiritually begin an introspective examination of all aspects of the Church’s life and relationship to the modern world. The opening words of the Pope’s address to the assembled Church Fathers set the tone with the phrase, “Holy Mother Church rejoices, “ and the pivotal council of the 20th century began in earnest.
When one considers the far reaching implications of the Second Vatican Council, one realizes that we are really still involved with the tasks envisioned by John XXIII in the 21st century. One usually remembers the changes in the Catholic liturgy and the introduction of the vernacular as the consummate examples of modernization brought about by the Council. However, the effects of the Council are more deeply rooted in the deepest expressions of our faith, the manners in which we celebrate the Sacred Mysteries and the developing message of Christ’s message in an ever complex and changing world.
The epoch surrounding the beginning sessions of Vatican II indeed had a post World War II society to consider, the chilling reality of the Cold War and the collapse of colonialism all over the planet. In addition to these considerations, there were events to follow that constituted chronological touchstones that would forever change the directions of global political and social expectations, namely the murders of American political figures in the sixties, the escalation of the Vietnam War and the social upheavals associated with all of these events. Catholicism quite honestly was not the same religion of our parents and grandparents and young Catholics expected the Church to be more inclusive of its social obligations to an ever shrinking global community of international faith and worldwide sensitivities.
The dawn of the Second Vatican Council produced within the Catholic Church the spirit of aggiornamento(bringing up to date), which suggested a new spirit of Catholic inclusion in its sacramental and secular mission, that embraced the technological wonders of the post war world as it tried to live the spirit of Christ’s Gospels with renewed zeal and holiness. Critical to the Second Vatican Council’s plan for success was the establishment of the Pontifical Office for Social Communications, which was entrusted with the mission of using modern methods of television, radio and satellite communications to assist in the ministry of spreading the Word of God in the most efficient and global manner with emerging technologies of the 20th century. The Catholic Church embraced the media as key components of the apostolic ministry and the Gospel truly was preached in a more global manner thanks to the introduction of the local vernacular languages and revised interactive liturgies.
At the same time the Council embraced the enhanced usage of global technologies, our appreciation of the physical representations of our sacred signs and symbols also received a much needed updating with new examples of artistic design in our liturgical spaces and Churches. Modern designs for Churches, new interpretations of hagiography, incorporation of local representational art enhanced our celebration of the Sacred Rites. In the rush to implement the changes and modernization of the Council sometimes the most critical appreciation for the deep heritage and traditions of our ancient faith were dismissed or even destroyed as the Catholic Church tried to implement the openness of the Second Vatican Council.
Now forty-seven years later the Catholic Church is at an important crossroads that demands attention and even intervention that will permit us as a growing People of God to reexamine the manner in which we celebrate our most sacred rites, express our liturgical heritage and acclaim the mysteries of our vast artistic and cultural Catholic heritage.
Since the pontificate of John XXIII, we have had four men inherit the mantle of Saint Peter. All of these men were present in some capacity at the Second Vatican Council and our current Holy Father, Benedict XVI was a theological expert present during the concilliar sessions. One of the most influential actions of his nascent papacy was Benedict’s permission to restore the Mass of Blessed John XXIII as a legitimate option for liturgical celebration in our Catholic Churches throughout the world. In effect, the Mass prior to the changes of Vatican II, was once again permitted a place in our perpetual adage of, lex orandi, lex credendi and the living Church has come full circle in it’s liturgical development. The restoration of this form of the liturgy signifies the desire that Pope Benedict exhibits towards liturgical continuity and an appreciation of the organic development that naturally has evolved in the rich heritage of the Roman Rite. The notion of growth and development in our appreciation for the “Latin liturgy,” restores the overlapping sense of liturgical continuity that does not place the Novus Ordo and the Mass of Blessed John XXIII in contention, but indeed enhances an appreciation of the liturgy from the most basic cellular integration in relationship to the entire Body of Christ’s Church. The ability of the Church to permit another form of liturgical expression allows 21st century Catholics the opportunity to experience a ritual manifestation with the Mass of Blessed John XXIII which expresses the fluidic continuity of the Church Militant, the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering in this rite of sacrifice instituted by the Council of Trent.
As a result, we need to develop a particular sensitivity to the living, developing and yet ancient and ritualistic aspects of our Roman Liturgy when we design and build our Catholic Churches. Perhaps it is the most appropriate time for us to make our Catholic Churches once again a place of prayer and sacrifice in addition to a place for the celebration of our communal reenactment of Christ’s Last Supper. The design we should embrace should include the solemnity and ritual space that is demanded by the Mass of Blessed John XXIII, and the celebratory and inclusive Mass of Paul VI with equal fervor and structural compatibility.
With the coexistence of the option of celebrating both forms of the Mass, Churches need to incorporate designs that permit both rites equal availability of celebration. Spaces should be designed that incorporate the artistic and cultural heritages of our extensive repository of faith, pre-Vatican II and post-Vatican II. Realistically, the sanctuary should be a place that is “outside of chronological time,” and allows us to worship as a faithful Church is God’s time, kairos, namely, “time, outside of time, sacred time!” The Sacred Mysteries of our Sacraments demand an organic integration in our holiest of places, our Catholic Churches that clearly identify the character of our Church as, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic in its intrinsic nature. The faithful community needs not only to be made aware of the communal nature of our sacred rites, but also the spiritual transcendence, noncorporeal nature and worship of God’s glory that are inherent to all of our liturgical celebrations.
For the most part, the design and implementation of our Catholic Churches has forsaken the notion of transcendence and appreciation of the sacred with our obviously human-centric examples of liturgical theater that sometimes distract the worshiper from prayer to a transcendent God and rely on secular modifications and inclusions of entertainment into the liturgy rather than appreciations of the Transsubstantial Mystery of the Eucharist.
The results of the Second Vatican Council clearly indicate the Catholic Church was long overdue in the adoption of methodologies of the 20th century. However, the effects on the Church continue to manifest some issues regarding the continuous loss of authentic Catholic identity. In the post-Vatican II Catholic Church there has been a significant demise of the signs and symbols that uniquely identify our faith. The line that theologically divides us from other post-Reformation Christian groups continues to erode under the guise of ecumenism and Christian inclusion. The roles of priest and laity are often in juxtaposition as the laity becomes more clericalized in their participation, and the clergy are abdicating their roles to of Celebrant and Priest to the more semantically pleasant terms of Presider and Minister.
The liturgical texts have had causalities as well in the decades since Vatican II. The basic translations of the Latin texts of the Liturgy have been cannibalized into the banality of all inclusive terms. Men are no longer men, but many; sons of God are now People of God; Mary has in some cases evolved into a conglomeration of Our Mother/Our Father and even the most basic translation of the Creed has been transformed into a collective consensus of what, “We believe, (Credimus)” rather than the rudimentary derivative of the Latin (Credo), “I believe. We have quite a bit of work ahead of us in the Catholic Church to resolve the intrusions of secular modernism into our Catholic liturgy. Thankfully, the spirit is reviving that permits the rectification of many linguistic, artistic and architectural disambiguations that have plagued us since 1962.
The papacy of Benedict XVI clearly provides an opportunity for Catholic introspection and prayerful appreciation of all of the Church’s gifts for the modern world. One method that would inspire a more complete examination of our journey since Vatican II is to study and reread all of the documents associated with the Council. The Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) is a remarkable and insightful proclamation of the Church’s role in global society. Lumen Gentium the Constitution on the Church is a monumental and most significant declaration on the Church’s essence and nature. Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation provides a wealth of teachings on the revelation of the Word of God to the world.
Vatican II chronologically came to a conclusion decades ago. However, we are still living in the transformational currents of the Council’s waves. With forty-seven years of hindsight Catholics throughout the world have the chance to more fully incorporate the teachings and admonitions of the Council’s vision. During the decades of change for the sake of change, modernization for the sake of secular modernism and iconoclastic vandalism need to come to an end. As a Catholic Church, we need to revisit the great vision of aggiornamento in all aspects of our faith and work diligently towards building a temporal Catholic Church worthy of our transcendent and eternal Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Bill Daley...clay pots and night blooming cereus!

2009-09-09T10:12:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, I attended William Daley’s exhibition, “Vesica Explorations,” at Swarthmore College. The exhibition of clay pots executed by Bill over the past 20 years is remarkable. Each piece is reflective of the artist’s fascination with the material of clay and it’s intrinsic link between temporal reality and spiritual transcendence. Bill Daley is the patriarch of the American pottery world and a revered figure in the Delaware Valley.

While walking through the exhibit of these superlative works, I fondly recalled the first meeting I had with Bill Daley’s clay pots. It was at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in the foyer of Immaculate Conception Chapel where Bill’s homage to, “Creation,” stood as a sentinel just off the entrance to the chapel. It really had no specific purpose in the foyer other than to proudly stand as a contemporary piece of 20th century American pottery, contrasting boldly with the painted white walls and the green floor.
Every once and a while I would imagine the pot with a plant making another bold statement.

When I was a student in the theology division at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, one of the positions delegated to me was assistant chapel decorator. Now remember, the position basically amounted to changing the antependiums on the altar, arranging flowers for feast days and once and a while hanging rectangular banners of liturgical colors on each side of the sanctuary. Pretty basic stuff. However the, “Creation,” pot always intrigued me and needed a different place.

During the season of Advent, the Catholic Church assumes the mantle of purple as the liturgical color of the season. Additionally, during this period, the colors of fall dominate the landscape and most plants and shrubs loose their leaves and display magnificent colors. This is especially true on the Seminary campus, so out I went with some loping sheers on a search and recovery mission to find materials to accentuate the Daley pot.

The courtyard walls behind the Seminary’s college building were covered with orange pyracantha and the shrub made a perfect vertical addition for the Daley pottery in the middle aisle of the Immaculate Conception Chapel for the Advent season. After extracting some of the pyracantha overgrowth and dragging it over the vast lawn between college and theology divisions it was time to make the arrangement. The brownish color of the Daley piece created a perfect contrast of colors with the orange of the exfoliated orange pyracantha. A purple cloth interwoven at the base of the plant and the top of the pottery blared the preparatory nature of the liturgical season. After alot of wrestling with plant and pot, I finally placed both in the center of the aisle at the break of the choir stalls in the chapel. It remained there as a poignant reminder of the demise of the seasons, the hope of the Christmas message and the new life heralded in the Incarnation. Every once and a while the procession to the altar encountered the thorns of the orange pyracantha, which was a great reminder to not only keep a fair distance, but to also observe the adage of semper preperatus as we anticipated the coming of Christ at Christmas.

The following spring, I had the chance to visit Bill and Catherine Daley at their home with my liturgy professor, Msgr. John Miller and my classmate Dan Kearns. It was then I had the rare opportunity to watch Bill in the basement studio manipulate clay into remarkable expressions of artistic clay. He explained his process, with drawings on the white wall in his studio, (which he painted over after each piece was completed), explained the transcendence of clay, the mysteries that unfolded in the manual working of such a simple ingredient such as clay and how the material has been an essential part of all human history since man first fashioned a clay vessel for domestic use. Bill cited the Book of Genesis and how God formed man with clay and clay has accompanied man as a essential element ever since. That night when leaving the Daleys, Bill gave me a plant, hylocerius undatus, or a night blooming cereus. Well, it has been in my possession since 1983. It has taken alot of years to bloom, but now potbound it blooms every year with nocturnal glory and demise at dawn. It reminds me of Bill Daley, his profound views on human existence and his works. Unfortunately for me the Daley hylocerius undatus was not in a Daley clay pot.

Bill Daley’s works are quite frankly the ultimate pinnacle in American pottery. Bill over the years has also done works for liturgical functions as well. The Catholic parish, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (formerly Our Lady of the Rosary), has a baptistry crafted by Bill. This piece to the best of my knowledge is the largest piece ever executed by Bill. It is also flanked by a George Nakashima Paschal candle stand.
Tiles of the evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with a baptism font grace a Presbyterian church in West Chester, Pa. They are also joined by drawings done by Bill as well.

While Bill Daley is not exclusively a liturgical artist, some of his pieces have been created as vessels to serve liturgical functions. In such works, the instruction of both Paul VI and John-Paul II are accomplished. The artist in providing liturgical art and accessories should utilize the finest forms and materials available as an expression of the glory of God. Bill Daley provides this ultimate expression of God’s glory with the most basic organic material the earth has to offer...clay.

The Daley exhibition at Swarthmore College is overdue . Bill’s life and works deserve not only our admiration and excitement...but also awe over the fantastic integration Bill has achieved between the humble working with clay with our human spiritual and intellectual pursuit of transcendence through the work of his hands.