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Good day to all my readers!
Yesterday I enjoyed some spiritual consolation with the Mass in celebration for my 50th Jubilee of religious vows, and Sister Maria Elizabeth's 25th Jubilee of vows as a Daughter of St. Paul.
Bishop Paul Loverde, who is celebrating 25 years of being a bishop, was the principal celebrant of the Mass. He reminded us of the call to follow Jesus every day and to "go out of ourselves" as Pope Francis said. Quoting Pope Francis the bishop recalled too that we as religious sisters are called to be spiritual mothers to the people to whom we minister. After the Mass we were treated to a nice dinner in the Marymount cafeteria. The group in attendance was made up of religious Sisters from several orders. It was a joy to renew my vows and to be in the company of so many good and dedicated Sisters and priests.

Before I write more on various topic, I want to clarify a few points: 

 Some readers want me to publish their blog entries in place of, or on the same page as mine. I am responsible for what I write. I am not free to allow anyone else to blog under my name. As a consecrated woman religious, the content of what I write needs to be in conformity to Gospel values, as well as in readable English. If you have something to publish as a blog, you are free to establish your own blog. 

If you want me to publish your comment, your link has to be squeaky clean. Someone sent what looks like a very positive comment on my blog. yet his or her blog is a front for porn.

Lately some of the comments are solely advertisements for handbags, or some other products. I will immediately reject such intrusions.

Some comments are phrased in a way which I find hard to understand. Please comment in standard American English (if possible). Or you can comment in Italian or Spanish.

Thanks for reading this blog, and -- for you who want to comment -- please keep in mind that I am a religious Sister, so please keep it clean, clear and to the point.

Blessings!

Saints South of the Border

Today the Catholic Church honors St. Christopher Magallanes and several other Mexican priests martyred for their faith in the 1920's.
If you have not seen the film "For Greater Glory" I strongly suggest that you find a copy and see it. Or, you can purchase a copy from any of the Pauline Books & Media Centers (www.pauline.org)
 in the USA or Toronto.
In the beginning of the film Peter O'Toole portrays Father Christopher Magallanas a kind pastor in Mexico. The country's president, Plutarco Elias Calles, had ordered all Catholic churches to be closed. Many churches were desecrated. It became a crime to be a believer.
Priests were denied a right to vote, the right to a trial by jury, as well as the right to wear clerical garb.   It became a crime to be caught doing priestly things, such as celebrating Mass, baptisms and processions. An atheist imbued with a hatred for Catholics, Calles was not officially a Communist.
However he allowed Mexico to be the first country to host a Soviet embassy. Priests, nuns, religious brothers, active lay Catholics and any who dared to speak out against the Calles government were arrested. It was even a crime to advise a young an to enter a monastery. When arrested some were shot immediately. Others were first tortured and then executed.

Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio

For Greater Glory reveals how Blessed Jose (Joselito) Sanchez del Rio, a teenager, witnessed the murder of Father Magallanes. Only 15 years old, Jose became part of the Cristero movement which opposed the Calles regime. Jose was captured by the Federales -- government troops -- and tortured.
His captors cut the soles of his feet and marched him barefoot to his place of execution. Like so many of the  martyrs of Mexico, Joselito cried out "Viva Cristo Re", Long live Christ the King! as he died.

Andy Garcia plays the Cristero General in For Greater Glory

St. Christopher Magallanes

Even after Calles finished his term as president, he held on to power as the Jefe Maximo, Head Chief of State, until 1934. The US ambassador to Mexico arranged a truce between the Cristeros and the government. The Cristeros were to lay down their arms and be given amnesty. Calles did not honor the treaty. Instead he had former Cristeros executed in their own homes.
One of the martyrs whose superiors first sent him to the USA to avoid arrest is Father Miguel Pro, SJ. He mastered many disguises as he ministered to the spiritual needs of his people before his arrest. Falsely accused of political insurrection, Father Pro died heroically, forgiving his executioners and proclaiming Viva Cristo Re, y Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe.Long live Christ the King and long live the Virgen of Gualadlupe.

Blessed Fr. Pro at his martyrdom

Calles died in Mexico in 1945. 90,000 people died during the years of his time in office. His political party managed to re-write text books or to eliminate the facts of Calles' anti-clerical and ferocious anti-Catholicism from Mexico's educational system. Unless they were instructed at home about the Cristero movement and the religious persecution many Mexican people were unaware of the dark days of the Calles government.Only in the 2000's did one of the Mexican presidents speak plainly of the evil perpetrated during the 1920's and early 1930's in the country which lies to the south of these United States. As we celebrate the holiness of Father Magallanes, Joselito and their fellow martyrs, we ask that God will grant religious freedom to all.

We continue to pray for those grieving the loss of life in Oklahoma, Texas and other areas suffering from floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters. May many generous people respond with help for those in need. I am sure that Catholic Charities USA will be helping along with other community relief organizations.
Have a blessed night and a good day tomorrow.

Pentecost

The Acts of the Apostles tells us the Apostles were gathered in the upper room to "wait for the fulfillment of the Father's promise...when..they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5)." They filled their time of waiting with prayer. "Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer" (Acts 1:14) The Apostles and those with them, including Mary the mother of Jesus, were together after nine days. They were "gathered in one place" when the Spirit came with a noise, a sound "like a strong driving wind." They perceived the Spirit's presence first with their hearing. Then their sight perceived: "tongues of fire..which parted and rested on each of them." Then the Apostles began to speak in languages they did not know before. The many people assembled in Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast were from a variety of nations. Yet, each of them could hear the message of the Apostles in their own language.
The Spirit burst upon them and shook them free of all fear. Immediately the disciples emerged from their upper room hiding place and started to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen. Peter filled with the Spirit boldly said: "Let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified."
The narration of the Pentecost scene reads as an attractive drama. The fact is that we too can be released from our private upper rooms. We may pray privately either in comfort or discomfort. Sooner or later at one point what we pray about--or rather who we pray to--is going to make a real difference in our lives. Peter and companions were safely behind locked doors before the arrival of the Holy Spirit. As soon as they perceived the new strength of the Spirit they did not sit still. They ran downstairs and met the crowds. The Apostles and other disciples could not keep the Good News of Jesus to themselves. Jesus had commanded it: Go into the whole world...:." May we allow ourselves to get out of our spiritual couch potato stance and begin a real inner life of prayer. May we preach the good news with our lives and then through our mission. Happy Feast of Pentecost to you all!

Let the waters of grace fall on us!

Waiting for the Spirit

Pentecost will be celebrated this Sunday. It marks 50 days since Easter, and together with Mary the Mother of Jesus and Queen of the  nine days since Ascension Thursday. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that the Apostles and some women, including "Mary the Mother of Jesus" were gathered together in prayer in one place.
The Lord had promised "You will be clothed with power from on high." We Daughters of St. Paul and other members of the Pauline Family pray the pre-Pentecost novena (nine days of prayer) together with Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Apostles. We can imagine the respect and reverence given to Jesus' mother by the Apostles and the earliest Christians. The apostle John took her under his care. As the first Christians gathered in prayer with Mary, so do we. The novena prayers in the Prayers of the Pauline Family recall the Bible passages that mention Mary and her role as mother of Jesus and then of his followers.
May we prepare ourselves well to receive a more abundant outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on this coming Sunday.

Mary, Queen of the Apostles, gives Jesus to the world.
The scroll in Baby Jesus' hands represent the gospel.

Hawaii's Father Damian

The first time I flew to Hawaii I was well impressed as our flight neared Honolulu when the flight attendant told us in brief the story of Father Damian DeVuester. He was also known as Father Damien of Molokai. His parish was the entire island  of Molokai where lepers were exiled in those days. Father Damian volunteered to go to Hawaii as a missionary when his brother also a priest took sick and could not go.

An energetic and resourceful person, Damian served the material and spiritual needs of his parishioners.
Leprosy was common and a cure was unknown. People afflicted with the disease were sent to Molokai and left there to fend for themselves. When Damian arrived, he met not only physical suffering and decaying bodies but rampant moral decay besides. He helped everyone he could whether Catholic or not.
Using bamboo Father Damian set up a system to bring fresh water from the island's high ground down to the settlement closer to the ocean.
 His prayers, sacrifices and tireless effort transformed Molokai into a place where people found hope. Lepers learned to pray and offer their sufferings in union with Christ. Because it was believed that leprosy was highly contagious, Damian could not leave the island. After several years he did become a leper himself. He worked as long as he could and died in 1889.
Very devoted to the rosary and to Our Lady, Damian set an example for those who saw him. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson defended him from detractors. Volunteers came to help, including "Brother" Joseph Dutton, a Civil War veteran who left his home in Vermont to work alongside the Belgian priest.

Mother Marianne Kope

 Franciscan Sisters from Syracuse, New York came to help Father Damian. They were led by Sister Marianne Kope who is now Saint Mary Ann.

In 2009 Pope Benedict canonized Damian. Saint Damian's feast day is today, May 10th.

Mary and the Spirit

I would like to quote Pope Francis on the relationship between Mary and the Holy Spirit and us. When Mary said "yes" to the Archangel Gabriel, she became the Spouse of the Spirit. 

Pope Francis reminds us:

The Virgin Mary teaches us what it means to live in the Holy Spirit and what it means to accept the news of God in our life. She conceived Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit, and every Christian, each one of us, is called to accept the Word of God, to accept Jesus inside of us and then to bring him to everyone. Mary invoked the Holy Spirit with the Apostles in the Upper Room: we too, every time that we come together in prayer, are sustained by the spiritual presence of the Mother of Jesus, in order to receive the gift of the Spirit and to have the strength to witness to Jesus Risen....May Mary help you to be attentive to what the Lord asks of you, and to live and walk forever with the Holy Spirit!

 If you want to take a short break in your hectic day, in addition to praying the rosary, visit the website called: ourladyimages.org

God bless you!

More on Mary

"All generations will call me blessed." Those words from the gospel of St. Luke (Luke 1:48) are proved to be true every time a Hail Mary is prayed any where in this wide world. When non-Catholic Christians question our Catholic devotion to Mary, Mother of God I always think first of that line from Luke: all generations... Intercessory prayer is part of our great Tradition. Many times in his letters St. Paul asked for prayers that he might be able to preach Christ against so many obstacles. When Jesus from the cross entrusted Mary to the Apostle John, he said: "Behold your Mother." John represents all of us men and women of all time--children of Adam and Eve. The story of Our Lady's apparitions in the 1500's to St. Juan Diego of Mexico continue the maternal role of Mary, When Juan Diego told the Virgin of his problems convincing the Bishop of the truth of his visions, Mary answered: "Am I not your Mother?" She is our mother, even more concerned about the well being of our souls and our bodies than our earthly mothers could be.
Anyone who prays through the intercession of Mary comes closer to Jesus. He chose her to come to us, and we chose her as a way to Jesus "The Way."
The Rosary is the Gospel in our Pockets. When we pray the mysteries of the rosary we bring to mind all the major events in the life of Jesus.
I am going to chapel now where I will also pray the rosary especially for you who read this blog. Thanks for your patience with me. I hope to keep up a little every day.

Month of Mary, Mothers, Communion and Confirmations

This year's tree allergies have kept me from my blog. Now that the trees here are mostly all in leaf, I can breath much better. A month ago I was in Ohio for a few days to see my sister Coletta who picked up Legionaires' Disease while in Florida. While I was home she was always on a ventilator, hooked up to all kinds of tubes and monitors. Now she remains in the hospital but improving a little each day. 

Thank you to all those who have been praying for Coletta. I am sure that the many prayers and God's kindness toward our family has helped her progress so far.

Our weekends have been very busy. Last Saturday and Sunday we held a book display at Holy Trinity in Gainesville, Virginia. It is a vibrant parish. It is definitely growing just by seeing the numbers of infants and small children. I remain impressed by the fervor of the parishioners and priests at all the Masses. Religious doomsday sayers would cheer up if they peered into the church and saw the parking lot full for the 7:00 AM Mass and for all the Masses after that! 

I want to share more on my blog about Holy Trinity parish at a later date.

As I write I see that the world turns with or without me!  A Jubilee gift from my Provincial team in the form of a globe with a solar powered battery sits in the afternoon sun on my desk..

 As soon as the sun is bright enough. the world spins round and round. When I want to locate a country I take the world into my hands to pinpoint a location. Otherwise my eyes can't keep up with the spinning globe! The globe reminds me to pray for those around the world in need of spiritual and material help: those suffering from war-like conditions; illness; extreme poverty and so many other problems.

Today my thoughts turn to Philadelphia and then to Harrisburg. Yesterday Bishop Joseph McFadden, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, died of a massive heart attack while back in his home diocese of Philadelphia. Bishop of Harrisburg since 2010, Bishop McFadden was a dynamic person fully dedicated to the Church, and intensely interested in his people. My condolences to his family, his siblings and nieces and nephews; his fellow bishops, and the clergy and people of Harrisburg. I have many good memories of Harrisburg. One of those memories is of meeting the smiling and energetic Bishop McFadden. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ the Good Shepherd. 

The month of May brings many beautiful memories to mind. One is of my mother whose blue crystal rosary beads were often in her hands. Even when I was too little to read, I was impressed by a little blue prayer book she used to help her meditate the rosary mysteries. The round brown pictures of the lives of Mary and Jesus fascinated me. Today when I prayed the rosary during the last part of my Eucharistic adoration, I used a copy of the same book my mom had. Thanks to my mom for all the prayers she must have prayed to bring up 13 of us brothers and sisters! Our Grandmother Malone had a blue crystal rosary too. I helped to care for our grandmother before she passed away. She always held and prayed with those beads. 

Grandma Malone was a cheerful person, a great baker, and often our baby sitter. There were times when one or two of us would stay at Grandma's house. The only "price" to pay was dusting. She would give us a dust cloth and ask us to polish the lower legs of the furniture. In those days that was not a problem. My brother John and I were short enough at the time. Funny how it was so easy to dust the furniture at Grandma's but oh, so difficult at home to put a nice shine on the furniture!

As we approach Mother's Day, beautiful memories flash through my mind of my Mother and Grandmother. Now I see one of my younger nieces in the role of mother.I see a lot of love being poured out over and onto her little daughter. I pray that my niece will one day also find the serenity and strength in life that my mom and grandmother modeled for me.

By the way, it is a healthy Catholic tradition to pray the rosary daily during this month of May. I recommend it to you who read this. If you need some help praying the rosary, you might even like to use a CD with the Rosary recited by the Daughters of St. Paul (2 CD's with all 20 mysteries prayed and meditated by the Sisters.) When people ask me if my voice is on any of our CD's I can answer "yes" to that one: my voice is part of a group of Sisters who recite the rosary! As for the music CD's I am an avid listener! 

All Things are Possible

     This morning the Sister who led our morning prayers read a piece of the homily of Pope Francis on the Holy Spirit. He reminded us that the Spirit is God's power driving us forward. As I mentioned yesterday, we are disciples of Christ, the Crucified and Risen Lord.
     This winter we have witnessed the power unleashed by hurricanes, tornadoes and heavy snowstorms. These are all forces of nature. I remember several years ago driving through a 300 mile stretch of Texas. Only the day before a tornado had swept down and up, down and up. It followed the same 300 mile route that we were traveling. It left a church building with its roof gone, and the pews stacked up against each other. As we drove through a small town the local grocery store was roofless and a huge highway sign was draped in corrugated metal dangling from either side.I still remember scenes of wrecked homes and insulation splattered against tree trunks. Yet this is the power of our natural universe.
The Holy Spirit--God's Power--is an unstoppable force. One of my favorite Bible verses is in St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians:

 "To him whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine--to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, world without end. Amen." (3:20)

     Paul had experienced in his very being that power he was telling us about. Christ had turned him from a ferocious persecutor of Christians to one of Christ's foremost spokesmen. We do not live in denial of the evil and negative events and actions that occur in our lives. Sins are committed, rights are denied, even human trafficking is all too common. Yet as Paul reminds us "we are more than conquerors" in the midst of all this. We do not panic and join the doomsday sayers. We are part of Christ's flocks. He does not abandon his sheep. He lays down his life for us. And he takes it up again.
     Tonight I was reminded of a daily sight I experienced on the way to our classes in Rome. Our convent or generalate as it is called, lies not far from Rome's city limits. As two car loads of us Sisters drove to class on the busy Via della Pisana we passed many apartment houses, and businesses. There is even a large Ford auto sales place. Then we would make a right turn onto a street with scattered businesses to our left followed by drab concrete housing projects. Patches of grass separated the buildings. To our right was an expansive field of emerald green grass with low slung electrical grid The toweers resemble short, stout weight lifters with arms raised supporting thick wires with electrical power for miles. The towers seemed lower to the ground than those in the USA. Amid the trucks, cars and other modern trappings we always witnessed a shepherd with his flock on that stretch of highway. Always the same man, rain or shine. He must have been a good shepherd.
He was a modern Good Shepherd: boots instead of sandals; umbrella instead of a staff; and cell phone rather than a King David model harp. On one rainy day he stood out with his black boots, huge black umbrella and his cell phone. His flock never strayed far from him.They munched away at the urban grass. The sheep were content and secure. Why if even one sheep did go astray the shepherd could have alerted the local carabinieri to help find his stray sheep. We have Jesus the Good Shepherd always with us, watching over us. Even in the midst of troubles, aggravations, pain and sorrows he is there with us. He says to us just as he said to Peter and the men with him on the rough Sea of Galilee: "It is I do not be afraid."

 

Not Easy

Someone commented about my blog post yesterday. He seemed to think my take on the Marathon Bombing and its aftermath was "too easy." A Christian/Catholic view of life is that of the Crucified and Risen Lord. Jesus' resurrection and ever present help is always available. However this help comes to pull us out of the depths of sorrow and pain that we can experience, especially when faced with the evil, destructive violence. This pain is our "cross". Putting up with it, without undue complaining, blaming and other negative comments is our living the Scripture's advice: "Bless and do not curse."
Once in Rome, after spending three hours with a friend viewing the beauty and history of the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, I experienced what that phrase meant. I was standing on a street corner near the Basilica speaking with two of our Italian senior Sisters. All of a sudden I felt my head jerk. A group of young men in their early twenties had come along and pulled off my veil, throwing it into the gutter. My first reaction was not a prayer, but something else.
Then I thought of the words, "Bless and do not curse!" That is in no way easy to do when justifiable anger rises. However it is possible with the grace of God.

Marathon Mourning

Yesterday I received two text messages about the Boston Marathon bombings. Both messages came while I was praying in our chapel. I immediately turned to the Lord Jesus and asked him to be with all those people.
Having lived in Boston several years, I am very familiar with the area of the Marathon Finish Line. Various television networks supplied on-going coverage of the blasts and the human toll. I appreciate the networks' discretion in refraining from not showing every detail of the wounded and traumatized victims of the blasts. I regretted that the thousands of runners who train for months on end were denied their rewards. Their joy was turned to sorrow.
My heart was touched when I saw so many people rush to help others. Many were trained first responders, police and firemen, others were generous bystanders. Their selfless deeds counter-acted the wickedness of the bombings. As Pope Benedict once said, "Only God can bring good out of evil." God was working through the people kneeling on the pavement staunching blood flowing from the wounded; he was present in the ambulance personnel who worked endlessly to rush the victims to various hospitals; his spirit was present in the doctors, nurses and health care persons who worked tirelessly to save many lives. I was proud of our Bostonians and of all the good people who ran to the aid of the wounded.
Where is God in the midst of all this chaos? He works through his sons and daughters who are living out the command: "Love one another as I have loved you." During my Eucharistic Adoration this morning I finished reading and praying with the final chapter of "Jesus of Nazareth" the second volume by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict). Benedict speaks of the resurrected Jesus' presence among us today. He did not go away and "leave us orphans" to face the maddening violence of terrorists and other evil minded persons. No, he is with us. May Pope Benedict's words console all of us and refresh our spirits:

After the multiplication of the loaves, the Lord makes the disciples get into the boat and go before him to Bethsaida on the opposite shore, while he himself dismisses the people. He then goes "up on the mountain" to pray. So the disciples are alone in the boat. There is a headwind and the lake is turbulent. They are threatened by the power of the waves and the storm. The Lord seems to be far away in prayer on his mountain. But because he is with the Father he sees them. And because he sees them, he comes to them across the water; he gets into the boat with them and makes it possible for them to reach their destination. 

 This is an image for the time of the Church--intended also for us. The Lord is "on the mountain" of the Father. Therefore he sees us. Therefore he can get into the boat of our life at any moment. Therefore we can always call on him; we can always be certain that he sees and hears us. In our own day, too, the boat of the Church travels against the headwinds of history through the turbulent ocean of time. Often it looks as if it is bound to sink. But the Lord is there, and he comes at the right moment. "I go away, and I will come to you"--that is the essence of Christian trust, the reason for our joy. (Jesus of Nazareth vol. II, pp. 284--285)

I pray for the physical, mental and emotional healing of all the victims of the Boston bombings. May the Risen Lord Jesus give strength to the care-givers and law enforcement personnel. May this incident never deter any of us from loving one another. I pray for our civil leaders that they may be clear headed, strong and determined. May the citizens and visitors to Boston be safe and sere as they rebuild their lives.

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Spring

In this part of our country Spring indeed has arrived. Flowers are blooming--tulips, pansies, dandelions-- and trees are sporting their blossoms. their pollen is layering on our outside sign. This year I am more bothered by Spring allergies than ever before.
However lest you think me a pessimist, I do love Spring. On those days when a light rain softens the earth, I am reminded of Monet paintings. I was in Ohio for almost a week. When I returned I found the sycamore tree outside my room already sporting green leaves.
Today's gospel passage reminds us that Jesus forgave Peter who had denied him. He also entrusted his church to Peter and the other Apostles. The affirmative response Jesus was waiting for came in Peter's words: "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus asked for Peter's love for him as Master and Lord. Jesus' love had already been proven when he died on Calvary and when he gave the Apostles his body and blood on the evening of the Last Supper. Let us pray for Pope Francis, the successor of St. Peter as he continues in his ministry as Bishop of Rome and head of the universal church.

Easter and New Life

My apologies for not blogging sooner. My family has had some trials lately. On March 1, my Uncle William J, Malone was buried. Earlier that morning, my brother-in-law Dennis died suddenly. Dennis was the husband of my youngest sister, and Dad to Steven and Megan. Dennis was well loved in the rural community where he and Kelly spent the last 25 years. A lover of the outdoors, Dennis worked for the Army Corps of Engineers guarding and sustaining the Berlin Lake area. He loved hunting and fishing, and his wife and children followed his example. Soon a man-made lake will be named after him. The lake will be stocked with fish to perpetuate his memory. Another brother-in-law, Bob, gave a moving eulogy.
On Easter one of my older sisters was rushed to the hospital with what appeared to be severe pneumonia. The doctors soon concluded that all her symptoms were those of Legionnaires Disease. She caught it while in Florida. Now she is on a ventilator to assist her breathing. She is hooked up to many tubes, and monitors in an ICU unit in Ohio.I went home to Ohio for a few days to see her. On my last visit she opened her eyes for a sustained period and I assume she understood what I said.
I ask the prayers of all of you who read this for my sister Coletta who is 5 years older than I. She is the mother of five adult children, and grandmother of many! On my last visit home in September, I stayed at her house.
On a happier note I was happy to meet my four-month-old great niece. She is a cheerful and content little girl. She seems eager to walk already. Also before I left Ohio Father Jeffry Mickler took me to see a real eagle's nest in North Lima, Ohio. The nest is atop a very tall, barren tree. I was able to see the white topped eagle peeking down at me. Father has a super strong lenses that shows much more than my eyes could see. Check out his Facebook page: Jeffry Mickler. The lines "Fly like an eagle; and I will raise you up on eagles' wings" kept replaying in my head.
Thank you and I hope to write more next week. Starting tomorrow we will have our once-a-year visitation from our Provincial Superior. So my blog time will be minimal at most. Have a blessed rest of April.
The photos are Father Mickler's. That's me staring up at the nest.

St. Joseph Day 2013

St. Joseph is the "Quiet Man." who speaks not a word in the Scriptures. Yet he is the Patron of the Universal Church, Foster Father of Jesus Christ, and Spouse of the Virgin Mary. St. Joseph too is Patron of all fathers of families, of carpenters, builders, of families and more. It is especially fitting that today in Rome Pope Francis celebrated his inaugural Mass on this day which commemorates St. Joseph. It is a day when the Gloria--usually not prayed in Lent--is recited or sung, and the Creed is recited at all Masses too.
I just finished watching the inaugural Mass on the Vatican's TV service.
There were no commentaries, just the filming of the Pope's entrance into St. Peter's riding the uncovered Pope Mobile. 
From his elevated Pope Mobile Francis noticed a young man holding up a crippled elderly man. The Pope descended his vehicle and went up to the railing to embrace the handicapped gentleman. The elder person's face broke into a huge smile. It was a touching scene.
 Having been in St. Peter's several times and also having spent hours straining to see the late John Paul II, I could almost feel myself present in the crowds greeting Pope Francis.
The Mass was celebrated in Latin; the readings were in English and Spanish; a choir boy led the assembly in Latin by singing the responsorial psalm. A deacon sang the gospel of Matthew in Greek. At Papal Masses, Greek is used to represent the eastern "lung" of the church. The other "lung" is the west which uses Latin as its main liturgical  language.
The Pope's homily centered on taking care of the poor among us, but also taking care of ourselves too. He said we should not be afraid to love tenderly. Tenderness is not a sign of weakness, he pointed out, but a sign of strength.
Before the Mass began Pope Francis received the pallium, a circle of white wool with five crosses which symbolizes his role as chief pastor of the Church. He also received a ring -- the Fisherman's Ring--symbol of his role as successor of Peter. Again at the end of his homily he asked us to pray for him. May we pray for him and listen to his words. If we practice what he is preaching, God's kingdom will grow on this earth.
Earlier today I read Pope Francis' pastoral letter to his Buenos Aires Archdiocese for Lent. It is available on line in this week's installment of our Discover Hope newsletter. (To subscribe to Pauline Books & Media's Discover Hope weekly newsletter, email: discoverhope@paulinemedia.com.)

Habemus Papam! Pope Francis

Yesterday a few of our Sisters here received text messages, and I had a text and a phone call from family: There's a new Pope!
After the Cardinal announced those famous words, "Habemus Papam", We have a Pope, it seemed so long before the newly elected Successor of St. Peter appeared on the loggia, the balcony where we all could see him. I heard the name in Latin, then the announcement came in English.
With my handy laptop computer, I was able to receive live streaming video of the history making events in St. Peter's Square. At least three of our American Sisters were squeezed into the joy-filled crowds waiting to hear the name of the new Pontiff. We in the TV/Internet audience were more fortunate because we could hear distinctly the name of the Cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who is now our Pope. When Pope Francis asked us to pray for him before he imparted his first Papal Blessings, he asked us all to pray for him. United with the faithful in St. Peter's, we three gathered in front of my laptop screen prayed for our new Pope.
This morning at breakfast our chaplain remarked: A Jesuit wearing  Dominican garb with a Franciscan name--what a combination. Or, rather, what a marvelous blend of gifts to lead our church. Today we had a steady wind rattling our old windows and shaking our tree branches. During EWTN's evening broadcast tonight a brisk wind was shaking the shrubs behind Raymond Arroyo and his panelists. Perhaps this windy weather symbolizes the wind of the Holy Spirit shaking us, moving us, and converting us to a deeper life of prayer and action as committed followers of Christ.
I look forward to the powerful witness of Pope Francis as he begins to serve in this Year of Faith. Pray this short prayer for him: "Lord, cover with thy protection our Holy Father the Pope. Be his light, his strength, his consolation.  Amen."

Historic Times

Today a woman rushed into our Alexandria, Virginia Book&Media Center saying aloud to any who would hear: "Cardinal Wuerl is going to be elected Pope, and the Conclave begins on Tuesday!"
As to Cardinal Wuerl's being elected Pope, that remains to be seen. Being Archbishop/Cardinal of the capitol of the United States of America, Cardinal Wuerl would have an unenviable position.
The Holy Spirit knows who will be the best man to guide the boat of Peter as Bishop of Rome.

                                                               

We Catholics are committed to praying for the election of the Pope, praying for the Cardinal electors and for an openness to the Holy Spirit for all of us. I subscribed to an email invitation to "Adopt a Cardinal." This program started in German and assigns each "adoptive prayer" a Cardinal to pray for. My adopted Cardinal  is Cardinal Hummes from Brazil.
The Holy Spirit is guiding the Church.
In the past week, my family buried our last Uncle from the World War II generation. In the early morning hours of the same day as our Uncle's funeral, my youngest sister's husband suffered a severe allergic reaction. Unable to breathe, Dennis died about 3:00 AM Friday.
Without warning we were faced with  sorrow once more. "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Dennis had retired from his work for the Army Corps of Engineers seven years ago. One of his part-time jobs since then was the work of mercy--burying the dead--of our mostly rural Township.May Dennis and Uncle Bill rest in peace and may our grieving extended family be given much peace.
I was in Philadelphia for about nine days. Sister Maria Elizabeth and I had several events. Folks were very appreciative of our coming to their parish and the other events. It was good to see many of our dear Philadelphia friends.We keep praying that soon we will re-open in that vast Archdiocese.
As I near the end of this night's blog entry, I ask you all to pray with the whole church for the election of our new Pope; pray for our pope Emeritus; and for all those who are not free to practice their faith. Amen!

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!