Happy Feast of All Saints

Happy Feast of All Saints and Happy Month of November--Month of the "Poor Souls!"

(These stained glass windows from Holy Martyrs Church show Saints of every stripe: men and women, adults and children, clergy and lay.) This year the Boston baseball team, the Red Socks, won the World Series. For the first time in my life, I was able to watch at least a part of each game in the play offs and in the World Series itself. When the game ended, a veritable explosion of players in red socks piled out onto the field with hugs, tears of joy, and smiles all around. Today the players were the main attraction as a parade of Duck Boats carried the players and their bosses, as well as their family members through the main streets of Boston for a crowd of at least a million.

It was a joyful event as spectators waved to their team and reveled in yet another Boston victory. A few days ago Sister Maureen reminisced about witnessing the Chicago Cubs fans hailing their team's win in the 2016 World Series after a drought of 106 years! She said, "It reminded me of what heaven's going to be like when new arrivals come. There was a sense of true happiness and contentment as the Cubs fans waited for their team to pass by in their parade." The Feast of All Saints, November 1st, reminds us that we are headed for an unending victory celebration once we pass into the halls of heaven. I may seem a bit biased, however, I was truly impressed by our hometown players who persevered even when they faced formidable opponents. In New York the roar of the Yankee's fans turned to silence when Boston's players moved ahead. It was a moment of silent awe when Boston's players, then considered the underdogs, amazed everyone with their victory. The Mass readings for these days have featured St. Paul's advice to the Ephesians about respecting and loving one another, being humble and kind to one another. When the Red Sox began winning often, their manager reminded them that pride comes before a fall. "Stay humble," he was reported to have said, and to add, "Don't be arrogant!" Each team member praised his fellow players. Many of the players remembered that their far-off goal as Little Leaguers was to one day play in the World Series. In this game of life, we are all in the Little League! However, we are meant to be in our own version of the World Series! Reading the Lives of the Saints, watching films about them and trying to imitate some of their virtues will help us to win or final victory. One day we'll grow-up to be real Saints, crowned on the home plate of heaven. It may sound corny, or trivial, yet there is so much to learn from sports, specifically baseball. When the Red Socks started practice in Florida, they had already aimed to make it to the World Series. They certainly aimed high! We are called to aim high, to take part in spiritual exercise so as to build up the muscle of our spiritual lives. As St. Paul says, "We are to put on Christ." Sometimes we round the bases, other days we slide in the mud and get messy because we fell into a rut of distraction or routine. That is a form of spiritual "auto pilot!" Every day is a gift. Every day is a challenge to be our best and to do our best for God, in union with our Mother Mary, and together with Jesus who wants to live in us. Happy Feast of All Saints, our own Patrons and our Family's Patrons. Have a Blessed Feast Day and a grace-filled Month of the Holy souls!

A Cinematic Classic

Yesterday I posted that I am making a Cinema Divina Retreat. One of the films we watched is a classic, "To Kill a Mocking Bird." The story takes place in a fictional Southern town called Maycomb. Played by the impeccable Gregory Peck, Atticus Finch is a widowed lawyer with two children, his son, nick-named Jem, and his young daughter, Scout. Scout narrates as a grown up Louise when there is no dialogue. Together with Jem, Scout is both carefree and curious about many things, especially the mentally challenged son of the next-door neighbor. From scary hear say, the children named the reclusive son Boo. Scout is the most talkative sibling whose innocent greeting of a poor farmer turns a dangerous situation into a non-event.

Produced in 1962, the story tells of the efforts of Atticus Finch to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a young woman. Her father is notorious as the town drunk whose temper becomes more violent the more he drinks. Atticus is a model of a Christian gentleman. He treats the black woman who serves as maid and full time nanny for the children with kindness and respect. He could even cheer up an elderly lady known for her cranky disposition.The film's title comes from a statement Atticus made at dinner one evening: "It is a sin to kill a Mocking Bird." When the children ask "Why," Atticus says that this bird never attacks anyone, it only sings for us, it gives us pleasure. With no medical records to prove the accusations against Mr. Robinson, Atticus hopes to win his case by showing the jury how flimsy is the case to prosecute Robinson. Viewers used to "forensic science facts" would be mystified to watch the way the trial proceeded without any real evidence. Filmed in black and white, the movie makes great use of light and dark, and facial expressions. When Atticus finally leaves the courthouse, everyone in the gallery stands up. When Scout ask why she should, the Reverend tells her, "Stand up, your father is passing by!" If you have seen this film, maybe you could view it again by seeing it through a "gospel lens." If you have never seen "To Kill a Mocking Bird," don't miss this classic which touches on events that happen even today. And, the film reminds me of Matthew, Chapter 25 verses 31 and following. Tomorrow will be the final day of my Cinema Divina Retreat. I promise my prayers for all of you who read my posts! God bless you!

A Movie Retreat

I write this towards the end of my annual 8 day retreat. Usually I make this retreat at our congregation's lovely retreat house in Billerica, Massachusetts north of Boston.I think it is a privilege as well as an annual duty to spend this time on soul work. Our retreat house is graced with lots of walking space, tall trees, shade and a relatively quiet neighborhood. I chose to make a Cinema Divina retreat this year. Each morning at 9:00 AM we gather in one of the living rooms to view a movie. A Scripture selection that reflects the movie's theme is read before the film. Afterwards the Scripture is read again. For those who wish, those who want to comment or add a reflection can do so. This year's theme is Children--"And a child shall lead them." One of the films is "The Florida Project" depicting a small group of children most of whom live with a single parent. The main character Moonie is about 9 years old. She is the leader of the kids who make mischief with little or no parental guidance. This takes place in a motel along a strip of highway leading to Disney World, a fantastic place for children. Bobby, the motel manager, is a steady father figure for the children and for some of the parents who display adolescent life choices.The experienced actor, William Dafoe, portrays Bobby a compassionate heart, and the one truly adult figure for the purple motel's children. Lack of money, danger of eviction, flaunting of rules, profanity riddled vocabularies and other less than grown up behavior show especially in Moonie's mother. She appears to have no workplace skills to help support herself and her daughter. The young mother has frequent melt downs in front of her child who seems all too used to her Mom's behavior. Moonie is adept at panhandling, showing younger children how to beg for ice cream money. Parts of the film are light-hearted, especially the children's conversations as they try to figure out life as best they can on their own. Moonie takes her friend Jancey on a "safari" in a cow pasture as part of their discovery of the world near-by. "The Florida Project" portrays just a few motel situations where children grow up in less than savory environments. In Massachusetts, homeless families are often put up in motels. Motels usually feature one large room, often only one bed, a small refrigerator, and maybe a microwave. I couldn't help but think of families cramped into motel rooms, of trying to manage caring for a baby and other children, providing meals and getting children off to school when classes are in session. The end of the movie "The Florida Project" was certainly a surprise. I do not want to give you any spoilers. I couldn't help but reflect on how many children live in such cramped quarters without playgrounds, with no space for doing homework, and little or no adult mentoring. Religion seemed absent from the neighborhood. Most of the time, right or wrong seemed relative. No one is shown going to any church, or saying any prayers. The families shown had very little comfort. Most of all, they seemed to lack the assurance that God loves them, and that they are precious in his eyes. If you see "The Florida Project" you may be inspired to help the children of the motel population to know that they matter and they can become upright, beautiful citizens. The film might also inspire job trainers to pay visits to motels which have longer term residents. Whatever the outcome, from now on, I will pray for all those, especially single parents, who must reside in motels because they lack their own homes.

A scene from The Florida Project As you read this, may your faith increase, your hope be stronger and your love be deeper. God bless you! As part of your summer, watch a good movie!

Two Pillars to Remember

I once met an enthusiastic 6th grade religion teacher who prayed regularly to St. Paul. "Sister," she declared as she bought herself a new copy of her beloved Novena to St. Paul, "I taught religion to sixth graders for all my life. With St. Paul's help I was able to succeed!" I was delighted to see someone who was not in the Pauline Family so devoted to our Patron and spiritual Father.

On the devotional popularity list, I am afraid that St. Anthony and St. Jude seem to be top scorers! One day I hope to see many more people devoted to St. Paul. Blessed Alberione, our Founder, called his religious men and women and dedicated laity "Paulines," since he wanted us to be "St. Paul living today." We Daughters of St. Paul are in the midst of praying a solemn Novena in honor of St. Paul. We often sing much of it, recalling passages from the Letters of St. Paul and some from the Acts of the Apostles. One of the refrains in the Novena goes like this: "O St. Paul, the Apostle, preacher of truth and doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God who chose you." I promise you my faithful readers that I do ask St. Paul to intercede for you too. Friday is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. We continue our Novena on Friday the 29th of June. On Saturday, we members of the

Pauline Family will celebrate the Commemoration of St. Paul. Because Paul is our Patron Saint, and our spiritual inspiration, the Church grants this privilege to us to celebrate our own day in honor of St. Paul. For many of us, including myself, our anniversary of professing our vows falls on June 30th, So please rejoice we us as we celebrate here in Boston the anniversaries of three Sisters who are "golden" jubilarians; four who are celebrating 60 years of religious profession; and one Sister, Sister Lorenzina celebrates 70 years of vowed life!The Sister in the white veil is from Youngstown, Ohio. She is home from from Kenya, Africa where she has served for about 40 years. She is one of the 60th anniversary Sisters.

However, we cannot forget Saint Peter, head of the Apostles. It was he who on Pentecost Sunday began to speak boldly about Christ, and eventually made his way to Rome, the Capital city of the Roman Empire. It was a dangerous occupation: preaching that Jesus Christ is Lord in a world where a Roman Emperor took it upon himself to be "Lord" of his domain. In prison or out of it, Paul preached about this Lord and Savior who died and rose again to win salvation for all. When you travel to Rome and other parts of Europe, you will often see statues of Peter and Paul together, or one on each side of an altar. The pair of ardent apostles appear many times in Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the (ancient) walls of the city. Pray for Pope Francis on the 29th of June especially, since he is successor of St. Peter. Have a blessed rest of this week of joy!

The Good Shepherd

In the USA I have not seen very many sheep mainly because I have not been to "sheep country." A yearly event where I come from is called the Canfield Fair which features farm animals,including lots of sheep and goats. Once when traveling from a diocesan event in San Angelo, Texas we stopped the car to take a closer look at a large flock of sheep. Something about our appearance spooked the animals. All of them began a mass movement away from us except for one curious lamb. Several months ago I was gifted with a trip to Ireland. Sheep are everywhere in the countryside. Our tour included a visit to a sheep farm with a demonstration of how a shepherd dog on his own could round up a flock and move them up a steep hill, and then back to their original corral. It was amusing to see how there was always one sheep sticking its head out of the mass of wooly neighbors to see what was going on. We ended our sheep farm tour with a sheep hearing demonstration. With a strong shepherd brandishing an electric shaver, two sheep lost their thick wool in five minutes! The sheep put up little resistance, partly due to the size of the burly fellow who sheared them. Now when the gospel of John mentions Jesus as Shepherd, I can picture a large sheepfold with several gates to keep to the sheep safe from marauders. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd, and the gate which protects his sheep. "I know my sheep and mine know me," Jesus tells us. When I was in Italy for a course of study in 2003--2004 every school day we would pass a real shepherd with real sheep. The road we took was one of the boundaries of Rome, large power lines bordered the western side of the road we traveled. Even though we were still in the city, there was plenty of grass available. The flock of about a dozen sheep gathered around their shepherd. Sometimes they would be to our right near the powerlines, or they would be on a little hillside, or grazing close to large super market. Although he was part of a profession dating back millenia, our shepherd carried a cell phone and on rainy days he sported rubber boots and toted a huge black umbrella. Even in the 21st Century shepherds still keep watch over their flocks, and their sheep know the voice of their shepherd. How do we know the voice of our Shepherd? We can "hear" his voice when we listen to his gospel proclaimed in church, or over the media. When our universal Shepherd, the Pope, speaks, we can hear the advice of Jesus being filtered for our 21st century ears. When we read the Scripture, the Shepherd is speaking.

A Whole Season

Happy Easter!

You might say to me, "Easter was on April 1st. That was almost two weeks ago!" The actual Easter Day was April 1st for us Roman Catholics. For the Orthodox, their celebration of Easter was April 8th, just a week after ours. The Latin Rite, which the majority of Catholics belong to, celebrates 7 weeks of Easter.

This season, also called the Paschal Season, the first readings at each weekday Mass are from the Acts of the Apostles. Acts recounts for us the growth of the Church after the Resurrection, and especially from Pentecost up to the Paul's going to Rome.These readings show the strength and courage of Peter, John and Paul, as well as that of their companions. Where once they had abandoned and even denied Christ, now they are eloquent, Spirit-filled Apostles, fearless in the face of threats. Today's gospel reading tells of the gifts of God. These refer to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These seven gifts which we also call virtues are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (or Right Judgement), Fortitude (Courage), Knowledge, Piety (Reverence), and Fear of the Lord (which means a Wonder and Awe in God's Presence, see Isaiah 11:1--2). We Christians believe in One God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Symbols of the Holy Spirit are fire, flames, wind, light, a descending dove. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove over Jesus' head.

Evangelization in the Modern World, reminded us that the driving force behind our evangelization efforts is the Holy Spirit. Anyone who wants to grow deeper in his or her faith will do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. Why not chose one per day of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit to meditate on and ask the grace to practice that gift?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Just as the Jews celebrate Passover for a week or 8 days, so we can say "Happy Easter" for seven weeks! The resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal truth of the Christian faith, As Saint Paul attested, "Our faith is vain, if Christ is not risen!" Since he is risen, he was seen by many after his resurrection, we have reason to hope in life everlasting. In the new movie, "Paul, Apostle of Christ", the Saint Luke character played by Jim Caviezel, gathers a group of imprisoned Christians around him to calm them as they face death by wild beasts. "You will feel pain, but it will not last." He continues, "Then you will see Christ face-to-face." He begins the Lord's Prayer with them and all accept their martyrdom peacefully. Paul who saw the Risen Jesus on his way into Damascus was so convinced that from then on, Christ, Crucified and Risen, was the Center of his life. Try to see this movie to help relate the Letters of St. Paul to our everyday life. Another good movie for the Easter Season is called Risen. It should be on Netflicks and be available at Pauline Books 7 media Centers.

In the last 12 days two Sisters of our community died. On Wednesday, March 28th, we buried our Sister Mary Philomena, who had spent 57 years in the USA evangelizing with the media. One of our Sisters who has been caring for her blood sister, laid her sister to rest last Wednesday. On the same day the brother of another Sister was laid to rest not far away, in Staten Island, NY. Today one of the Auxiliary Bishops of Boston celebrated the funeral Mass for his mother, Mrs. O'Connell. The petite Mrs. O'Connell (Delaney) died at the age of 91. She had three sons and a daughter. The youngest, Mark, became a priest and now a bishop in the Archdiocese of Boston. On Thursday, Bishop Mark O'Connell will be the main celebrant at the Mass of Christian burial for Sister Mary Augusta Biolchini who died at the age of 102. She had been the oldest Sister of our congregation which is in 52 countries! Sister Augusta came from the town of Sestola in the Modena Region of Italy. Now it is famous for its ski slopes. When Sister Augusta was just a young teen, Sestola was crowded in the summer time by vacationers who escaped the sweltering summer heat of Italian cities. Known then as Lea, she and her mother had their own cottage industry of knitting. Lea's mother scrapped up the money to purchase a knitting machine. Lea and her mother kept busy making dresses, hats, scarfs and other items of wool clothing. When Lea entered the Daughters of St. Paul, then a very new religious Congregation, she was often asked to knit new clothing for the Sisters, or to repair sweaters and wool dresses. I still have a knit sweater which I almost threw away. Sister Augusta replaced all the buttons and re-sewed the front of the sweater giving it another ten years of good use! Sister entered the Daughters of St. Paul in 1936 in Alba, Northern Italy. The new Sister loved the mission of the Daughters of St. Paul, walking house-to-house in towns and villages in the hilly region of Gorizia. (Now Gorizia borders Slovenia.) In 1958 Sister was asked to be a missionary in the USA. She went willingly. Her brothers had immigrated to Michigan and had brought their mother with them. For the last approximately 20 years Sister Mary Augusta spent her time in sewing and knitting for the Sisters of our Boston Community. May Sister Mary Augusta rest in the arms of Jesus. She had been very devoted to praying for "the poor souls." May Sister Mary Augusta's friends in who passed before her present her with joy to the Divine Master. Blessing ti all for a grace-filled Easter Season.

The Sacred Triduum--The Three High Holy Days

The Holy Week liturgies have been building a sort of momentum to the final days of Jesus' life. Today is called "Spy Wednesday", since the gospel of today tells of Judas' plan to literally "sell out" Jesus--the Master whom Judas has followed for three years. Why did Judas turn traitor? One indicator is the remark in John's gospel that Judas would steal from the common money bag. Another indicator was that he seemed to have sympathies for the Zealot Party, anarchists set on a violent overthrow of Rome's hold on Israel. Jesus had talked about a kingdom "not being of this world." Judas apparently wanted the Kingdom right here, right now! Matthew's gospel says, Judas left and it was night. Judas chose the dark side, the night to do his evil deed. He walked away from the Light which he had been delighting in for three years. How many times do we walk "into the night"?

Today we held the funeral Mass for one of our Italian born Sisters, Sister Mary Philomena Mattuzzi. Sister was in the USA for more than 50 years. She had become American with the Americans. The very thought of leaving her mission field was hard to even think about. Sister Philomena came from a very small town near Verona, which is famous for two inhabitants, Romeo and Juliet. Sister had a profound impact on all of us who lived with her, especially when she was enjoying relatively good health. She was a prayerful person, yet fun to be with, energetic and apostolic. Flowers were a passion for her. She cultivated them as long as her health permitted. She spent 13 years in Buffalo, New York when snowstorms were as frequent as could be! At that time (1970's and '80's) we never even considered hiring someone to clear the snow from our parking lot. She shoveled often and well! And, so did the Sisters who lived with her. The homilist at today's Mass had asked her at breakfast one day, "What are you planning to do today?" Sister answered immediately, "God's will" would be her agenda for the day. May God's will and the journey of Jesus to Calvary be our agenda as we begin the Sacred Triduum. I promise you my prayers.

One of the Greats

Today is Friday of the First Week of Lent. This date, February 23, the Church commemorates one of the Saints of the Early Christian Church, St. Polycarp of Smyrna (now in Turkey). Polycarp could be invoked as a Patron Saint of the Senior Citizen. He was 86 years old when a persecution against Christian broke out. Polycarp had grown up knowing the Apostle John. Because this stawart Christian leader lived in the first century of Christianity, he is considered a "Father of the Church." Clement of Alexandria, Polycarp of Smyrna, and Ignatius of Antioch are considered "Apostolic Fathers" because they either knew one of the Apostles or were influenced by those who had heard the Apostles.

Lent and Spring Training

As we continue the Lenten Season, we pray for those who lost their lives in the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida. And we entrust the grieving parents, spouses, siblings, classmates, and family members to the intercession of the loving heart of Mary, Mother of Sorrows.

We pray too for our elected officials so that they may enact laws prohibiting the sales of high powered assault rifles, and that mentally unstable and violent individuals may be helped and prevented from doing harm. Lent is a sort of Spring Training for our bodies and souls as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter and Jesus' Resurrection. Like coaches everywhere, the Church is asking us to be moderate in food, drink, entertainment and many ways to restrain our appetites. Anyone who has competed or even had a class in one of the sports, practice is a daily requirement. Practice turns a habit of doing good into a virtue. When you steer a conversation away from the brink of gossip and flip the topic to a positive outlook, you have practiced the virtues of prudence and charity. When we begin our day with the Morning Offering and tell the Lord that "all I am going to do today, cooking, driving, walking, praying, etc., as well as all that I enjoy and all that causes me discomfort I offer up to you Lord for you and your holy intentions. Like the pitchers of the baseball leagues, the batters, the catchers, and the first basemen and all the team's players need to be in top shape. I read an article that gave 15 ways to "Keep Lent" by doing something, or by avoiding certain foods or activities. One suggestion was for those who spend a lot of time in the gym. The author suggested cutting back on the treadmill and putting in more time in reading the Bible, or books on the spiritual life. Listening to CD's or podcasts on our Faith and spiritual lives are other ways to get in some spiritual life training.

Recently I was privileged to spend time with Sister Augusta who is almost 102. When she was hospitalized with the flu and pneumonia, she kept repeating many short prayers. When not impeded by various tubes and IV's, she kept her rosary in her hand. I can't tell you if I will ever live to be 100, but I do want to become a person of prayer so that when it is time for me to exit this world, I will have hit a "grand slam" and covered all the bases of faith, hope and charity well lived. I pray for all those who read this that you may continue this Lenten season growing in grace and virtue not nly day-by-day, but moment-by-moment!

The "Encounter in the Temple"

Have a Happy February! I looked up the origin of the shortest month of the year. February comes from the Latin "februum" which means "purification." Often the Lenten season begins in this short month which in our northern climate is often the least pleasant. As I write, the weather app on my phone tells me that it will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit when I get ready for Mass tomorrow morning.

There are plenty of days left to rejoice: 13 of them! February 2nd is a Feast in the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is the commemoration of the Presentation of the child Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple. In St. Luke's gospel, Chapter 2 tells us that Mary and Joseph took Baby Jesus to dedicate him to the Lord. Here is what the gospel says about this Feast of the Presentation:

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord",and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him into his arms and praised God, saying,

Now Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel."

While still holding the Divine Child in his arms Simeon prophesied as he drected his words to Jesus' Mother, Mary, "Behold this child is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted--and you yourself a sword will pierce--so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Luke continues the story of this "Encounter of the Lord" who comes to his Temple. Eastern Catholics and the Orthodox Christians call this the Feast of the Encounter of the Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. During this Encounter we are introduced to Anna, another elderly person who was waiting to see the Messiah. She who lived a life of prayer and fasting recognized the Savior presented in the Temple with Mary and Joseph. She began to spread the Good News that the Messiah had come in the disguise of a baby boy. "She spoke about the Child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel." I was impressed by the directness of two prayers for this day used in the Melkite Catholic Rite. From the "Publican's Prayer Book" published by Sophia Press of Boston, Massachusetts:

For the Encounter of the Lord O Christ God, who through Your birth have sanctified the virginal womb and have blessed the arms of Simeon, You have come today to save us. When wars prevail, keep your people in peace and strengthen our public authorities in every good deed, for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.

Here is another prayer from the Publican's Prayer Book

O Mother of our God, Hope and strength of all Christians, watch over those who place their trust in You O Most Pure. Let us, O Faithful, glorify the First-born, the Eternal Word of God, born of the Virgin All-Pure, for we have seen beyond the shadow and the letter of the Law, a sign of Christ in these words: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.

As Pope Francis pointed out in his homily given in Rome today, the Encounter in the Temple was not just a meeting with Simeon and Anna. Francis invited us to remember that when Jesus comes into the temple, into his Church, it is a meeting with others, with all the baptized. This episode highlights the totality of membership in the Church: rather than just a "personal relationship with Jesus," being a member of the Church puts me and you into relationships with others. Today in Rome (this Sunday in North America) the Church celebrates Consecrated Life. What's Consecrated Life? It happens when men and women pronounce vows of obedience, chastity and poverty, consecrating themselves for life to the service of God and of his Church. As the Scripture said about Jesus, he was designated, or dedicated, to the Lord God, so men and women who are vowed religious, and lay men and women who live their dedication to God "in the world" are doing their best to imitate Jesus. If you are reading this and you are not a "consecrated religious", not to worry! When you were baptized you were consecrated to God then. The vowed consecrated life is a calling to be a reminder and a witness to the supernatural. We do not work for wages for ourselves, we do not own personal cars or properties. We are free from certain cares to "be" for Jesus.

Now one way for you and I to "encounter the Lord and Savior" is to attend Mass and place ourselves into God's hands during the Mass. When we receive Jesus in the Sacred Host, Encounter takes place especially during those brief moments when we can talk to our Divine Guest, and if we listen, he can talk to us. Another way to encounter the Lord at Mass is in the readings from the Bible, the first readings and the gospel. If you can't hear the readings, or if you attend Mass in another language, get a St. Paul Daily Missal, or pick up one of the several monthly missalettes available. Our Pauline Book & Media Centers all stock the missals and missalettes. On February 3rd, we will experience the Blessings of the Throats on St. Blase Day. During this flu season, we need such blessings! Have a blessed continuation of the Month of February.

Under-Reported

On January 19th, thousands of people from all over the USA will convene on the Mall in Washington, DC to witness to the sanctity of all human life in the Annual "March for Life." The March, which employs hundreds of bus coaches, high schooler and even younger students,college students, Gen X'ers, Boomers, and even older folks is a statement on behalf of the unborn.January 22 marks the sad 45th anniversary of the day when the US Supreme Court handed down a decision which de-criminalized abortion.

Although I have never physically participated, I was a prayer-partner especially to our Sisters who did brave the weather to march with thousands of others. Our Daughters of St. Paul sisters from Alexandria, Virginia usually always participate. Usually a few of our Sisters from New Orleans/Metairie join in the large contingent led by the Archbishop of New Orleans.The annual March is more of a pilgrimage which witnesses to the value of every single human life from conception to natural death. Thousands of Catholics and Christians of other denominations, as well as non-Christians make the many sacrifices entailed in getting to Washington for the March. Bus loads of high schoolers camp out in local high school gyms. When I served in our Alexandria, Virginia, Pauline Books & Media Center, I was impressed by the variety of locales represented by our March for Life visitors. One lady hailed from Kansas and stopped by our Center every year. From northeastern Ohio, my sister and her young adult daughter join in a bus trip sponsored by a local church. The group comprises Catholics and Protestants--all united to stand for life.

In this era when media can be focused for days on natural disasters, or political debates, it is mystifying to witness a bias, a deliberate downplaying of the magnitude of the March, the sheer number and variety and especially the youth of those thousands who sacrifice time, money, comfort and for some loss of pay to stand up to protect the unborn, and all stages of human life. Prayer vigils precede the March so that the people marching will have the strength to persevere, that the weather will be a bit more bearable, and that our laws may soon protect the unborn and the elderly from death at the hands of abortion providers or of physicians all too ready to administer "cost effective" medications to end the lives of the elderly, the depressed and mentally ill persons and those deemed too disabled to care for. I was alarmed to note that in the state of Massachusetts where health care is some of the best in the entire world, doctors who once protested against assisted suicide are now lobbying for it. A few days ago the Boston Globe published two articles side-by-side presenting the case for each position. The person explaining why he is against assisted suicide is a disabled person. I pray that the Bay State voters when given the opportunity, will vote for life, never against it! Whether we March for life, attend prayer vigils and Masses to promote respect for life at all its stages, we are raising awareness of the innocent blood that is shed every day in this country, in Canada and around the world. For those in Ireland and other countries facing ballot questions to push for legalized abortion, please speak out for life with your vote for life. For the Irish who suffered so long a persecution for their faith, here is an opportunity to defend the lives of the future of your country. In the Old Testament God said, "Choose life!" Let our words and actions teem with life: both spiritual and physical. God bless you!

The 12 Days of Christmas Originated Where?

One of the very merry Carols of the Christmas Season is a delightful naming of the 12 Days of Christmas. What have leaping lords, French hens and geese-a-laying to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England and Ireland were not permitted to openly practice their faith. A gifted and creative catechism teacher invented the 12 Days of Christmas carol as a sort of code to remember the religious truths of their faith. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments. The three French hens are Faith, hope and love. The four calling birds are the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The five golden rings are the Torah, or the Law, the first five books of the Old Testament (also called the Pentateuch).

The six geese-a-laying are the six days of creation. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These can also represent prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy, as in the seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy. They may also represent the seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation/Confession, Holy Orders, Matrimony, the Sacrament of the Sick. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes. The nine ladies dancing are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace. patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The ten lords-a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping were the eleven faithful apostles. The twelve drummers drumming represent the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

She's a Light for Us All

Today the Church celebrates a Saint of Light in the midst of winter's darkest days: St. Lucy. Her name comes from the Latin lux which means light. One of the first women venerated in the Church since the 4th century, Lucy was a Christian young woman. The story goes that her mother had a debilitating illness. Both Lucy and her mother went to the tomb of the martyr St. Agatha also from Sicily. While there, Lucy had a dream in which St. Agatha came to tell her that her mother would be cured. Lucy, however, would witness to Christ by dying a martyr. A persecution of Christians broke out. A young man who had hoped to marry Lucy turned on her and denounced her as a Christian. Attempts to put her to death failed, until finally an executioner plunged a sword into her heart. Her name is remembered each time that the Roman Canon, or First Eucharistic Prayer, is used at Mass.

I was surprised to discover that until the Reformation, St. Lucy Day was celebrated each year with great festivities in England. In Scandinavian countries, St. Lucy is celebrated each year with young women dressed in white with red sashes which represent Lucy's virginity and martyrdom. The women wear wreathes of lighted candles on their heads as they gather and process. Lucy spread the light of the Gospel with her courage and faith. So we are called to spread the light of faith through our prayers and example. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." Today may we brush off anything that hinders others from seeking the Christ Light within us.

Many people pray to St. Lucy to be healed from ailments of the eye. Pauline Books & Media publishes a St. Lucy Novena booklet Contact or visit Pauline Books & Media to procure a St. Lucy Novena booklet for yourself or for someone praying for better eye sight. Go to www.pauline.org. Have a blessed day!

It's Already Upon Us!

The season of Advent is upon us! The first December weekend in Boston, our Daughters of St. Paul Choir performed their annual Christmas Concert. This year's title is "Love Among Us." Because the Concert would be the opening act of our Advent Season, our dining room was thoroughly decorated, Christmas tree and all! Many guests have to pass through the dining room on their way to chapel and to the book and craft fair, and lots of convent baked cookies in Cushing Hall under the chapel . Advent is just 24 days long, ending on Christmas Eve. Some folks may not even be aware of this gem of a season when in our part of the globe nights begin so early, and we long for more light. Indoor and outdoor lighted displays feature Santa and Rudolph the red nosed Reindeer. Some feature the event which is the reason for the Christmas Season, the stable of Bethlehem and the figures of Jesus, the Infant, and Mary and Joseph. The liturgical colors for Advent are purple and pink. The Third Sunday of Advent which this year falls on Sunday, December 17, is called "Gaudete Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday. The Mass vestments for Guadete Sunday may be rose (or pink) colored. This is to indicate the joy that our Savior approaches. The purple vestments used on the other Advent days indicate the time of preparation as we "make way" for the coming of the Lord. This time of getting the path of the Lord ready requires that we clear out space in our souls for his arrival. Just as when we get ready for a visit from relatives or good friends, we try to get rid of the junk that clutters our home or garage, or even our yard. So in Advent we try to be more attentive to God's advent in our lives. One practice which you might want to use--if you haven't done so yet--is the lighting of the Advent Candles. You can use a wreath with four candle holders, or use four flat candle holders arranged in a circle. You may want to arrange pine cones, evergreen, or other greenery around the wreath. If you can't find the colored purple and pink candles, you can tie purple ribbons at the base of white candles and a pink ribbon on the candle representing Gaudete Sunday. By the way, all of our Pauline Books & Media Centers in the USA and English-speaking Canada stock Advent candles. Check out our locations on our web site: www.pauline.org. The ideal is to use three purple and one pink candle to symbolize the Sundays and weeks of Advent, and the centuries during which the Jewish people awaited the coming of the Messiah. Families can use the Advent Wreath ceremony as a way to instill the idea of spiritual readiness into the minds and hearts of children. The lighting ritual give a family time to pause a bit longer to reflect on what Christmas means.

Christ the King, Christ the Homeless, the Panhandler, the Immigrant, Christ in Disguise

Today we sing Happy Feast Day to Jesus Christ, King of All People and King of the entire Universe! In the Apostles' Creed we declare that Jesus "will come again to judge the living and the dead." The Church's gospel selection for this last Sunday of the Liturgical Year is the Last Judgement from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 25 verses 31--46. Many of us Christians are aware of the scene depicted in this passage. All of humanity who ever lived is standing before Jesus, King and Judge. He says all those who "saw me hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, ill or imprisoned and helped me, and welcomed me when I was a stranger will be among the sheep". The sheep are the followers of Jesus who are welcomed into the heavenly kingdom. These men and women helped those in need wholeheartedly. They did not require an exam for the needy person to pass in order to qualify for an act of kindness from them. Those sent to the goats are those who did follow Jesus up to a certain point. Then when Jesus showed up dressed in rags that barely covered him, or asking for a sandwich or a cold or hot drink, or for a place to sleep that was too much. "That guy will only spend my dollar on alcohol," or as some say, "Let them get a job. Why should my taxes pay for such a cunning people who know how to work the system to steal our money." I just finished reading an article from the newsletter of Casa Juan Diego in Houston. The author, a member of the Catholic Worker movement founded by Servant of God Dorothy Day described some of those who hear the jibe, "Get a job." Each one of the persons he described came to the Casa for desperately needed help. Each one either had chronic illness, or was caring full-time for an invalid relative at home. Not one of them was physically capable of being hired by anyone. Yet, each of them has heard, "Get a job." Of course their job lies at home. How many of the well fed, and relatively well off accuse clients of Casa Juan Diego and other centers of catering to the lazy and those immigrants who would take unfair advantage of any kind of welfare.

If one realized that it was Jesus asking a favor, the response might be: "Let me see what I can do. Can I give away the excess clothing in my closet? Can I spare some cash today? Can I get a gift card from McDonald's or any other restaurant chain and hand it to a needy person who asks?" If I give someone a sandwich, do I slip a bottle of water or another beverage in the bag? A women near Washington, DC, once came in our book center and asked for food. I went upstairs to our convent and made a sandwich. I put that along with a bottle of water in the plastic bag with the food. She came back to thank me for the water. Anyone who has lived near D.C. in the summer can testify that the heat and humidity are grueling. Several years ago I met a secretary in Miami, Florida. She was a Christian, a Protestant. "You know," she said, "my boyfriend is Catholic. For me. my religion is like a jacket. I put it on when I am in church. When I leave church, I take it off and hang it up. My boyfriend is not like that. He's Catholic all the time! Everything he does is Catholic!" Apparently his "being Catholic" was a testimony to her, not a bother, but something she appreciated. A practicing Catholic takes the Matthew 25:31--46 to heart. After all, the real bottom line on our life, the litmus test of our behavior is this passage. Jesus the homeless, the stranger, the immigrant, the annoying panhandler is asking for help. Jesus could be in disguise at home: the parent with the memory loss; the petulant infant who can sleep hours during the day and keeps you up at night; the new cashier who makes a mistake at the grocery store; or the waiter or waitress whose English is limited...in myriad forms and in the oddest places, Jesus, our King and Shepherd is waiting for your and my allegiance, my obedience to his appeal to help him as he hides in the disguise that shows up in front of me today.

"Lord," I ask, "Help me to serve you wherever you show up and need my help or forbearance. Please give me strength and courage to behave as a real member of your holy kingdom. I trust in your mercy. Let me show mercy to all whom I meet. Amen." I like this picture of Christ, the King, still wearing his crown of thorns, because it reminds me that in the sick, the suffering the demented and the mentally ill, Christ still wears his crown of thorns. My kindness helps to alleviate the pain someone may be enduring from his or her crown of thorns.

Not to make this blog too long, but I must mention that today is the anniversary of the death of our Founder Blessed James Alberione. His last words were "Ave, Maria!" Although Father Alberione, was already unconscious, Pope Paul VI hastened to go to be with Blessed Alberione as he lay dying on November 26, 1971. I close with a quote from Blessed Pope Paul from the ceremony in 1969 when Paul bestowed a special honor on Alberione: From the address of Pope Paul VI: Here before us we see the Pious Society of St. Paul, originally from Alba in Piedmont and now with a General House here in Rome. We know well that yours is not a simple institution but a Family: the “Pauline Family,” made up of various religious Institutes, which we are pleased to welcome here today and, as it were, pass in review…. We know about your activities, all of which are characterized by an apostolic spirit and purpose. Your principal apostolate is that of the editions, but you also carry out a liturgical apostolate, a parish apostolate, a vocation apostolate, and an apostolate aimed at helping various classes of people live the Christian life more intensively. We remember well that you began your apostolate by making modern use of the stupendous instruments now used for what is called social communication and that this is one of the characteristic features of the Pauline Family…. And this blossoming of different forms of disseminating Christian thought and word goes hand in hand with the geographical spread of your work, which by now has reached every continent…. We owe the building of your monumental Institute to your Founder, our dear and venerated Fr. James Alberione, here present. In the name of Christ, we thank and bless him. Here he is, humble, silent, tireless, ever vigilant, always recollected in his thoughts, which run from prayer to work according to the traditional saying: ora et labora (pray and work), ever intent on scrutinizing the “signs of the times,” that is to say, the most inspired ways of reaching souls. Our Fr. Alberione has given the Church new ways of expressing herself, new means to invigorate and broaden her apostolate, new capacities and a new awareness of the validity and possibilities of her mission in the modern world, with modern means. Permit the Pope, dear Fr. Alberione, to rejoice in this long, faithful and tireless effort and the fruits it has produced for the glory of God and the good of the Church. Permit your children to rejoice with us and tell you today, perhaps as never before, of their affection and their promise to persevere in this work. (Cf. Paul VI, Audience of 28.06.1969)

"Lest We Forget"

In the center of one of the myriad New England towns lies a granite memorial to deceased war veterans. In large letters it reminds us: "Lest we forget" the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. A compilation of our Founder's homilies on Purgatory uses this same phrase for it's title: "Lest We Forget." November is dedicated in a special way to the memory of all the souls who have died in the grace of God. We Catholics believe that in order to see God face-to-face we need to be free from any attachment to sin. When our eyes are sore, it is painful to open our them to the sunlight. Spiritual writers tell us that the "pain" of Purgatory is the longing to be fully in the presence of our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Church teaches that we can help the Holy Souls by prayers, Masses, sacrifices and good deeds. This short prayer directed to Our Divine Lord is a sort of theme song for this Month of the Holy Souls: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Church gives the name Purgatory to [the] final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." (CCC, no. 1031) As I grow older the list of relatives and friends already passed into eternity is growing. When I was on vacation, I enjoyed meeting up with about a dozen women, all of us high school classmates. One of the ladies, Bonnie, came despite having to use an oxygen tank for her lungs. Bonnie also suffered from cancer. The friend who hosted our celebration texted me that Bonnie died in mid October. All of our group have been affected by Bonnie's death. Our faith assures us that after death the friends and family we know appreciate every prayer we offer for them. Although they cannot help themselves, they can intercede for us.

Many times I have experienced almost immediate help when I pray to the Poor Souls.

The Sister who founded the Daughters of St. Paul in the USA, Mother Paula Cordero, had great devotion to the Holy Souls as she called the Souls in Purgatory. Whenever she started one of her many flights within the USA or overseas, Mother Paula would pray 100 times the "Eternal Rest..." prayer. She used her rosary beads and prayed the Eternal Rest's in groups of 10. On the Our Father beads she would pray, "My Jesus, mercy!" "The Church assists those in Purgatory through prayer and especially the Eucharist in their final process of purification." (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, page 154) By the way, if you don't have a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or of the "United States Catechism for Adults" both published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, you can visit one of our USA Pauline Book & Media Centers, or go to our on-line store at Pauline.org. The Catechism of the Catholic Church comes in two sizes: one is a smaller more compact edition with a hard cover (The text is complete. However some of the many indexes are eliminated.) The original larger size is complete with larger print. I wish you a blessed month of November, one that will bring you closer to God, as you go deeper and deeper into the life of grace.

What color is your Autumn?

Maybe it's climate change or just a warming trend. Whatever the cause our usual brilliant Fall colors have delayed their annual colorful appearance. Yet, there are some trees that are a golden yellow which glow whenever the sun penetrates them. Since we live on a hill, as we drive down towards the more dense areas of Boston, there is one stand-alone tree which is totally red or burgundy. Often as we approach a bend in our many parkways, I feel that "wow!" expression welling up and onto my lips. One of the Sisters with a good eye for color keeps me alert when she points out certain extra colorful trees: "Look at that!" she cries. Then "Look, on the left, wow, what a bea-u-ti-ful tree!" Fall can offer its own art style of ever changing amber, red and gold curtains of foiliage. Soon enough the "leaf curtain" will blow away and low and behold, I spy a building I never realized was hiding behind a stand of trees. I even saw a reservoir not far from us which I only noticed last summer.

I view this autumn season as a metaphor for old age. In September I had a memorable birthday, one which I never dreamed of reaching so soon! In the summer, almost all the trees are green, so not many leaves stands out.

In the Fall each leaf has its chance to shine, displaying deep reds and yellow, and shades in between. My ideal would be to shine with virtue as I age. When I was younger, some of us sisters would tease one another if we caught someone complaining: "Don't grow to be a mean old nun!" As age increases so often do aches and pains and various other jolts to our systems which may challenge our serenity. Wisdom comes with age, so they say. Experience adds a dimension to our life where we hold up events of today to the light of our past. Sometimes we can say, "History repeats itself over and over." This is so true when we read headlines glaring with the misdeeds of some, or the downright evil ways of others. When I watch TV news, it can be a downer when one crime after another is dragged before our eyes. I always perk up when newscasts end on a positive note and highlight a person who has gone the extra mile to help another. No matter what, I want to be one of those trees that glimmer with color when the sunlight dances around me. Good habits become virtues. In my spiritual view of the landscape, colors represent good thoughts and good deeds, as well as good intentions. Red is always a symbol of love and sacrifice, gold is precious and it sparkles in the light. The tan or beige leaves remind me of the value of the ordinary lived well. The bright yellows represent an upbeat attitude, faith in the Providence of our Good God. As Christians and as Catholics we can display in our own serene way faith, hope and love as we live them day-by-day.

The beloved Saint Pope John XXIII always cast a serene smile despite the pains of old age and the crosses inherent in carrying the needs of the whole world as Pope. Yet, he refused to join in any pessimistic views of our times, differing from the nay-sayer prophets of doom. Rather, Pope John trusted in the goodness of God who is the One whom St. Paul said in his Letter to the Romans makes all things work to the good for those who love him. (Romans 8:28) What are your Autumn colors?

Have a multi-colored blessed day!

A Hidden Mutual Friend

Today one of our Sisters shared a few anecdotes of what people have revealed to her about their spiritual lives. One story impressed me, so I'd like to share it with you. A woman told Sister that she began to visit a Blessed Sacrament Chapel for adoration on a daily basis.

"I would pour out my heart and my complaints to Jesus. Every day I would visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and present the problems of the day. Then recently I 'heard' a word from Jesus. He said: 'Just adore.' Jesus already knows about my problems and needs. I've already told him many times. He was asking me to keep quiet and adore him." The woman noticed how the church sacristan took great care of the altar and the adoration chapel. One day she felt inspired to tell him how pleased Our Lady must be at the great care and attention he exerted. "I said: 'How she must appreciate all you do for her and her Son' The gentleman answered, 'No one has ever thanked me or told me about my work. Thank you!' We would exchange some pleasantries each day. Lately I've been asking for the gift of wisdom. The other day the sacristan said. 'Would you like a statue of the Blessed Mother? It's a bit old and nicked up but it's still good.' I was thrilled with the idea of getting a statue from a church. I answered, 'Certainly!' When I went into the sacristy to take the statue the inscription was Sedes Sapientiae, Seat of Wisdom!" Another Sister mentioned how her cousin, an entertainer in a tourist spot, makes a weekly hour of adoration on his day off. I added that when I boarded our plane to return to the USA from Ireland, the stewardess who greeted us mentioned how she frequents a Blessed Sacrament chapel in Belfast. I wasn't able to continue the conversation with the stewardess yet I was pleased to hear her greeting. All of us have this great Mutual Friend abiding in tabernacles around the world. When we go to him in adoration, we are united to him and to one another in mutual love for Jesus in the Eucharist. I hope that you too will be able to join our mutual Friend, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I guarantee you that he will give you his peace and answer your prayers. Blessings!