Our Times

We seem to be living in a whirlwind of events, ideas and changes. The Pope is resigning. Values that we cherish: marriage, priesthood, life itself are challenged and ridiculed. St. Paul said it long ago: "These are evil times." However we, like St. Paul, are called to preach the Good News of Jesus "in season and out of season", whether our audience likes it or rejects it.
There is evil in our times. Yet Jesus promised to be with us until the end of time itself. He is Goodness itself, the essence of Good. Again looking at St. Paul's assurance, we can say too, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (See Romans 8:28 and following.) The Lord Jesus also said--when speaking of earth's "end times"--that nobody knows when that will be. The Anti-Christ will show up to deceive people then. The Devil, the Father-of-Lies, never sleeps either.
However it is not for us to say who or what is the "Anti-Christ." When atheistic communism in Europe formed repressive anti-religious governments, some said communism is or was the Anti-Christ.
Rather than using a form of name-calling, we Christians believers have the anchor of hope and the cross of faith to steady us. To those whom we think act like an anti-Christ, we direct the intentions of our prayers for their conversion of mind and heart. To those who may hold political offices whom we are convinced are weak, and irreligious, we respect their office. However we pray for their conversion and work to insure that in the next election to whatever office more qualified candidates are put in place.

St. Thomas More 1498-1535 by Hans  Holbin the Younger

St.Thomas More is quoted as saying about a certain political office that he would rather take that job than have someone else whose standards were lower and values were questionable. In the book and the film, Amazing Grace, about William Wilberforce, we see how this man discerned that he was called to do more good as a politician than as a clergyman. His untiring efforts in Parliament led to Great Britain's abolishing the slave trade in 1833.

William Wilberforce 1759 - 1833

Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, preferred that we Pauline Family members speak well of all persons, no matter how they act. Blessed Pope John XXIII reiterated the phrase, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." Of course this does not mean that we condone evil. Rather we pray and work that those who commit evil will turn and do good.

The years of  World War II, especially for those who endured the fear of invading troops and violence must have been trying times. In the midst of war's chaos, the Holy Spirit comforted and inspired Gabrielle Bossis. Each day she was open to what she recognized as the Spirit's guidance. Wisely she wrote down the conversations which we can learn from. "He and I" the book which preserves for us today the Spirit's conversations with Gabrielle has been reprinted by Pauline Books & Media of Boston. On the Pauline website you can see what it looks like and order it for yourself or for a gift.

Leading By Example

This week began with the announcement of our Holy Father Pope Benedict's decision to resign his office. the news sent shick waves around the world. Nature this week provied a shock with the landing of a meteroite in Russia. It seems to me that the Pope's decision has caused much stir in the media. For most Catholics whom I have encountered this week, the history making news did not "rock Peter's boat".

I have been graced to be a daughter of the Church under six Popes: Pius XII; John XXIII; Paul VI; John Paul I; John Paul II, and then Benedict XVI. Each one exuded holiness, wisdom; strength and peace. Each of couse in his own way. John XXIII was--in some peoples' estimation--an interim "filler" who would not last long. Instead the Holy Spirit used Pope Roncalli to usher in the Vatican II Council. Paul VI had the task of pulling together the many topics of the second Vatican Council and concluding it. He had the courage to issue the brief, clear and prophetic document On Human Life Humanae Vitae. He wrote much including a document of Joy.
Pope John Paul I had a very short time to reign as Pope. His smile and his choice of a double name had a lasting effect. When Karol Woytya was elected to replace John Paul I, it seemed like the swoosh of the Spirit's wind and fire
of its light lit the world. Now both John XXIII and John Paul II have the title "Blessed."
John Paul II built on the principles in Paul VI's Humanae Vitae and fashioned a beautiful understanding of human life in the "theology of the body."
Pope Benedict a true teacher issued his first encyclical on love: God Is Love. His summary of the work of the Synod on the Word of God, titled Verbum Domini", The Word of God is a wonderful meditation on Scripture and a call to all of us to become immersed in the Word. Today I was walking the isles of our book center and amazed at how prolific a writer is this Pope. Check our Discover Hope page to see some of the covers of his many books. Our Pauline Books & Media weekly newsletter "Strength for the Week"
 discoverhope@paulinemedia.com offers a video tribute to Pope Benedict.
This week's edition lists several of the books written by Pope Benedict.
I say my humble thank you to Pope Benedict who has always been an inspiration to me. When I spent a year in Rome (2003--2004) I often saw the then Cardinal Ratzinger at Masses in the Vatican. At times John Paul II was present, but not well enough to preside. Ratzinger was usually the celebrant whose humble and devout manner impressed me. He never seemed pompous or arrogant.
As a smiling Pope Benedict XVI he has given me plenty to study and to meditate on. May his retirement be blessed with peace and,  if God wills,  with more of his insightful writings.

Make It the Best

My wish for you and me is that we make this the best Lent ever. Who knows if this will be my  last. It seems that for my Uncle Bill this is a time of finality. He has entered into a hospice program. His health has been diminishing at a fast pace. Yet he is serene and he seems to know that eternity, a new life awaits.When his son Michael died about 17 years ago, his faith was reinforced. Michael who was 37 had a pre-death experience of heaven. He saw his mother, our grandmother, our great aunt who "still had her red hair," and other relatives who died before he was born. Pray for my Uncle Bill that his passing may be peaceful. Pray too that his two sons and his grandchildren will be strengthened and consoled as their Dad and grandpa goes to encounter the Lord face-to-face. A World War II veteran, Uncle Bill shared his vivid memories of war in the Aleutian Islands and in the jungles of the Philippines. He assured us that "war is hell." He lived a long and faithful life. We pray for him and for all whom the Lord will draw to himself in these first days of Lent.
I pray that Christ whose death and resurrection we treasure and commemorate in this season will welcome Bill into his presence. Let us live this Lent as the best ever so when God calls us we may be ready to pass from this life to eternal life.

A New Springtime

As we walked to St. Mary's Church this morning for Ash Wednesday Mass, the local bird population was chirping away. Despite an overcast sky the birds seemed to be signing God's praises. They made it sound like Spring is in the air.
When it comes to "soul" matters it is Spring. Each year when lent occurs Spring comes along with it. Lent is a time to prepare the soil of our spirits to receive the seeds or little plants of grace that God is waiting to give us. Lent retains the aspect of "giving up" bad habits, certain foods or desserts, certain TV shows, or movies. An entire litany can spin out things we can give up. Today's gospel sets a kind of criteria for giving up or taking on a good practice: Do what you do not to get approval from others, or their praise. Rather make sure you do it for the heavenly Father who "sees in secret."
The late English author Caryll Houselander suggested something practical in a quote which appears in the monthly Magnificat. She suggested that any real spiritual growth in Lent came about with a steady resolve. She had resolved to simply think of Christ when she was tempted to think about or dwell on herself. The thoughts of self were more like self pity.
For instance, if she felt insulted she would think of Jesus who was mocked and ridiculed during his Passion. She would take the focus off of herself and fix her mental gaze on the Lord Jesus.
Whatever Lenten resolve you make, do it for the Lord, to please him and grow closer to him.
Of course this resolution applies to all 24 hours of the day: to family time, and work space time, to drive time, to TV time, to Internet time, etc.
Happy Lent!

History in the Making

Monday morning I was surprised to see Pope Benedict's face appear immediately as I opened the Internet. "Pope to Resign!" Wow! That news came as a shock to me and to millions of other Catholics as well as to many non-Catholics. Yet I knew of a precedent in a Pope Gregory. I couldn't remember off hand which Gregory resigned, but it is true. He--for the good of the Church--also resigned his office.
Pope Benedict is a wise man, as well as a learned scholar, theologian and great teacher. The current Pope's schedule is demanding for anyone, let alone a senior citizen of 85. May God grant Pope Benedict true peace and an ever deepening relationship with our Lord in his retirement.
On Tuesday the chaplain who offered Mass in our chapel used the Mass for a Pope. It was so appropriate. The Holy Spirit remains with the Church. No one whom I have met seems perturbed or bent out of shape at this announcement. There is a serenity about this news which affirms our trust that God is in charge and he will see to it that Benedict's successor will be the right man for the moment.
Here are two links to our Pauline Internet site where you may see for yourself the Pope's words about his decision: http://store.pauline.org/SinglePages/PopeBenedictXVI/tabid/212/Default.aspx
and
https://store.pauline.org/SinglePages/PopeBenedictXVILegacy/tabid/213/Default.aspx
In our Pauline religious family we pray this prayer for the Pope:

"Lord, cover with your protection
our Holy Father, the Pope.
Be his light, his strength,
his consolation. Amen."

 

Grown Up?

When I entered novitiate 5 decades ago, it seemed that I was really grown up. Our Novice Mistress, Sister Concetta, seemed pretty strict and a no-nonsense person. She asked us to use our time well. Then our novitiate was only one year to prepare for a lifetime of being a consecrated religious Sister. Looking back on the work I did in novitiate in our apostolate, it seems almost medieval compared to the technical advances of our digital age. I worked at the Linotype and I helped with proof reading. There was no computer nor spell check. For the uninformed the Linotype was a way of setting type: using a wide keyboard because the capitol letters each had their own key, we typed from original manuscripts. Each line was formed with brass letters which were filled with hot molten lead. After awhile the Linotype operator caught onto the routine of typing lifting the line which was cast in lead and moving on. Spaces between words were filled by metallic space bands which we lubricated with a powdery form of graphite. On Saturdays we often melted the old lines of type, skimmed off the dross and poured the fluid lead into molds. They were ingots of lead. We used to call them pigs. Their weight came in handy for doorstops besides needed lead for our machines. The work was truly labor intensive. Once in a while a space band was not sufficient to keep the hot lead from seeping through a form. The liquid metal would squirt upwards. Once I was typing a Spanish book when I had a "squirt." At that moment I was reaching for an accented matrix letter. My veil was doused with a thin layer of lead. Providentially I was not harmed at all. We did the work as a form of evangelization, making the Word of God available in print for many readers.
Sister Concetta had worked as a Linotype operator when she first entered the Daughters of St. Paul. When she arrived in the USA, she began our editorial sector. Sister Concetta was pleased to see the coming of the digital age.
One product of our media saturated age is Internet news accompanied by video. One evening this week after the Super Bowl, part of the news I was viewing on the web struck me as odd. Three gentlemen were discussing their behavior with women. One of them wore a clerical collar. The most vocal of the three defended his extra marital activities with the expression, "After all we are grown ups."
His rationale--the people involved were older than 18. It is OK to be intimate as long as the woman felt inclined to cooperate. The man kept reiterating his reason to follow his feelings. "After all, we are both grown ups." He revealed that going to dinner, or watching a form of entertainment was too restrictive. They were after all "grown up." This fellow was long past the hormonal drives of the teens and young adulthood. He appeared to view women as objects for his pleasure alone. Never did he mention how well he admired the female intellect, talent, or even beauty. He admitted that his mind is overcome with urges, not with ideals. No matter. He and she are "grown up" so they can ignore God's law as they please.
One of the Super Bowl ads affirmed this man's attitudes. The commercial insisted that the young man in the ad had the right to unlimited information and perhaps to anything else he desired. What if another person's desire happened to collide with his desire? There is no waiting, no reining in of desire, No willingness to wait.
On our streets and highways unlimited desire in a driver can result in nasty road rage.
St. Paul would have challenged that excuse. When Paul made his Bar Mitzvah he committed to keeping the Commandments which apply to the unmarried as well as to the married. Mitzvah means commandment, Bar is "son". Although the gentleman who spoke is not Jewish, he may have some Christian affiliation.
In a very recent Washington Post article a columnist bemoaned an incident involving high school boys and female class mates who made a porn video while they were drunk. The author pointed out that the current generation has grown up getting their picture taken from the first minute they emerge onto this world. As she wrote, they are a real, ongoing "Truman Show." How did the teens acquire the alcohol? Where were parents and other adults when the criminal activity took place? Did any of the teens feel any ounce of restraint? It seems not. I pray for those young people that their whole lives will not be ruined because of promiscuous, stupid actions. After all, they are not yet "grown up" when, as the man on TV declared, they won't have to bother with all these formalities (moral and legal restraints). As grown ups they can just go ahead and do it!" Why bother practicing the least amount of self-restraint. The martyrs whose feast day we celebrate today, St. Paul Miki and his companions, were willing to practice self-restraint, mortifications, and humility. Why? Because they set their hopes on Christ and on heaven. Paul Miki and those with him were crucified in Nagasaki, Japan.They died praying and with serenity. May all those who are grown up follow their example and live with and for Christ that they may one day die a holy death.

Mother Thecla

                                         Mother Thecla at prayer.

As the month began I mentioned Mother Tecla Merlo, Co-foundress of my community, the Daughters of St. Paul. February 5th marks the 49th anniversary of her passing from this world into eternity. Known as Venerable Mother Thecla, she was born Teresa Merlo in 1894. In 1915 she met Reverend Father James Alberione. (Now  Blessed Alberione, he founded the Daughters of St. Paul.) He invited the young Teresa who was an accomplished seamstress to be one of the first members of the new feminine congregation dedicated to media evangelization. Of course in 1915 media was limited to the printed form. Radio was just beginning.
Teresa was appointed Mother General of the new religious family. The Founder gave her a new name, Thecla. St. Thecla is said to be one of St. Paul's most devoted converts.
The Sisters'  title, Daughters of St. Paul, was bestowed on them by the laypeople of the towns of Alba and of Susa in Italy's Piedmont region. Everyday the Sisters prayed through the intercession of St. Paul to help them carry out a mission of evangelization with the printed, broad casted, and filmed Word of God. The townspeople noticed this Pauline devotion and thus named them "daughters" of this saintly apostle.
Mother Thecla's life was demanding, yet she was always serene and upbeat.
When she visited the USA about a year before her death, Mother Thecla gave a rousing talk to all of us in which she encouraged us to be Sisters who prayed well and worked intensely but serenely.
There is much more to say about Mother Thecla. I was privileged to have met her when I was in the last year of high school. When she last visited the USA I was newly professed. She spent a month with us in Boston. Her frailty, her prayer life, and a terrific sense of humor left a lasting impression on me, and no doubt on all who saw her.
Here is a prayer for her intercession:

Most Holy Trinity, we thank you for the singular gifts of light, grace and virtue which you granted to Mother Thecla Merlo, and we thank you for having chosen and constituted her the wise mother and sure guide of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Through her intercession, grant that we may live of her great loves: Jesus Master in the Holy Eucharist, the Church, the Gospel and souls--souls sought and served through evangelization with the instruments of social communication to the point of total sacrifice.

O Lord, if it be in the design of your divine wisdom, carry out even on this earth, for this very devoted Daughter of St. Paul, your divine promise: "If anyone serves me, my Father will honor him."
Exalt this faithful servant to the joy of the Church and the good of many souls and grant us, through her intercession, the favor we ask of you. Amen.



Mother Thecla with her successor
M. Ignazia Balla.













Feast of the Presentation/Candlemas

Today, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus who as a baby was presented to the Lord in the Temple.
At today's morning Mass in Alexandria, Virginia we had the grace to see a baby boy presented to the Lord in holy Baptism. An infant was given the gift of faith immediately after the reading of the gospel. The little fellow was making baby sounds all the while, participating in his own way in this big step in his life. The presence of the little one made it easier to picture the gospel narration of Simeon holding the baby in his arms whole thanking God for the grace to have seen the long expected One.
Anna a woman advanced in years appears too praising God and telling others the Good News about this holy Baby. Today's Feast sheds light on saintly seniors: Simeon and Anna. How often our grandparents, and great grandparents are the "holy ones" in our families. They lead us to God by their steadfast faith, prayer and good example. I can remember my grandmother taking me to Mass with her. During her last months on this earth her blue crystal rosary beads never left her hands.
In our religious, convent life, we turn to our seniors who pray the rosary frequently. Those who are able also make rosaries. Their rosaries are available to our Pauline Book & Media patrons. Like Anna of today's gospel these Sisters praise the Lord day and night.
Today in the Catholic Church is also the World Day for Religious. As Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Father in the Temple, so we present and offer our very selves to God through our religious vows. In fact the word "religious" stems from the Latin word religare which means to bind, or to tie. Through our vows of chastity, poverty and obedience we are bound to God.
As Christ is the Light of the world, so a candle represents that light of faith and love. It is a custom in the Church to bless candles which are destined for use in the church as well as for family prayer. Thus the word Candlemas from Candle Mass.
We religious who are vowed to the Lord and live for him most especially are to be living candles. Years ago I borrowed an old prayer book. I think it was esoecially for young women. I remember the line: Rabboni when I am dying, how glad I shall be that the lamp of my life has burned out for Thee. With God's grace I want that lamp to keep burning for many more years!
Have a blessed Sunday!












Sr. Madonna Janet,fsp

















QUANTITY ON H





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1/25/2094

February

Today we begin a new month: February. Short as it is, this month holds a lot of promise! I have a brother and a sister who celebrate their birthdays this month. On Feb. 20, we celebrate the birthday of the first Mother General of the Daughters of St. Paul, Mother Thecla Merlo. This pioneer Sister was born Teresa Merlo in 1894 in the town of Castagnito among the hills of Italy's Piedmont. Teresa was named Superior General of the newly founded Daughters of St. Paul.
Mother Thecla's "birthday into heavcn" is February 5th, the date on which she died in 1964. She lived to see the small group of mainly teenage young women dedicated to media evangelization advance into a world wide religious congregation with over 2,000 members. Learn more about Mother Thecla on www.paoline.org or on www.pauline.org.
(We pronounce her name as we would the "tech" in the work technique or technical.)
Mother Thecla's cause has been introduced for canonization. As a person progresses on the way to official church recognition of his or her virtues titles are assigned to the candidate for canonization: first one is named "Servant of God" So & So. Then after official processes have finished and all is well, the person is called "Venerable." This title remains until beatification. Then one is called Blessed James or Blessed Kateri, etc. To arrive at this goal, a verified miracle obtained through the intercession of the Person in question must have occurred. Miracles are not easily verified when scrutinized by the Vatican experts. To help us speed Mother Thecla's "cause" for beatification/ canonization, you can help by:
1) Spreading the good news about Mother Thecla's life as a pioneer in the apostolate of media evangelization.
2) Pray to God through the intercession of Mother Thecla Merlo
3) If you are the recipient of any special favor or grace, please inform our Mother General at this address:
Daughters of  St. Paul
Via San Giovanni Eudes, 25
00163  Rome  Italy

February is Black History Month in the USA. Many believe that Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry his cross to Calvary was from Africa. Venerable Pierre Touissaint was a black African slave born in Haiti in 1767.  When unrest and revolution threatened the Berard family, the French slave owner and his wife left for the United States with their house slave Pierre
and his sister Rosalie. Each morning Mr. Touissaint attended Mass at St. Peter's Church in Manhattan. After her husband died, it was Pierre's skill as a hair dresser which supported Madame Berard and Rosalie. Pierre eventually became a free man. His efforts contributed to building the first St. Patrick's Church in New York City. His virtues were well known to Catholics and to many wealthy New York ladies who relied on Pierre to transform their hair into works of art. With his wife, Pierre dedicated himself to helping poor black children and many others. May Venerable Pierre pray for us and especially for all Black Americans who may have need of special graces.
 Mardi Gras comes shortly and then Ash Wednesday brings us Lent.
Best wishes for a good February.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint