Et Cum Spiritu Tuo

The New Ark of the Covenant--Fourth Sunday of Advent

2011-12-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

“Unless Yahweh builds the house, in vain do its builders toil over it” (Psalm 127:1). This is an enduring warning to all who aspire to grand projects–whether presidents or peace activists! Its radical wisdom echoes through the familiar annunciation story of the fourth Sunday of Advent: God prepares to rebuild the house of David (Luke 1:32f) by taking up residence in the womb of the homeless woman Mary.

The Collects of Advent--The Journey to Bethlehem Continues

2011-12-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of the Resurrection.

Third Sunday of Advent

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.

Second Sunday of Advent

Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company.

First Sunday of Advent

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.

What You May Not Know About Vatican II

2011-12-09T15:17:00.001-08:00

John the Baptizer is a Sign of Contradiction in an Age Drunk on Self-Worship

2011-12-09T14:53:00.001-08:00

A truly wonderful and thought-provoking article by Deacon Kenneth Fournier at Catholic Online.

Zeal for Your House Consumes Me: On Hairy Knees and Bra Straps

2011-08-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

How true is this?!!!

Zeal for Your House Consumes Me: On Hairy Knees and Bra Straps: I know this is the South. I know this is summer therefore the temperatures are analagous to those in the jungle. I know we've come through...

Liturgical Renewal as Envisioned by Vatican II

2011-08-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

I want to highly recommend an article in the August-September 2011 issue of Inside the Vatican magazine. It was written by Justin Soutar and its full title is "Missale Romanum, Third Edition: Liturgical Renewal as Envisioned by Vatican II."

Mr. Soutar provides one of the best explanations that I have seen to date about the Missale Romanum that we will begin using the First Sunday of Advent this year. The entire article is well worth the read; however, here is one excerpt:

"In the last 45 years, the sweeping liturgical and other reforms of Vatican II have been generally misinterpreted as implying a radical change in the nature of the Mass and of the Church. Celebration of the liturgy in Latin, strict adherence to the prescribed rubrics, the concept of the Mass as sacrifice, and the dignity of the priesthood (in the case of the liturgy)--the Church as the Bride of Christ with infallible teaching authority, preserving and handing on the deposit of faith (in the case of the Church)--all of these have become old-fashioned, 'pre-Vatican II ideas, replaced with an 'anything goes' mentality in 'the spirit of Vatican II.' The Mass is no longer seen as the Church's worship offered to God but as a celebration of human togetherness subject to the whims of the local community. Similarly, Vatican II transformed the Church from a monarchy into a democracy, so it's now up to the individual Catholic to believe and live as he pleases, regardless of official Church doctrine and laws. This unfortunate heresy known as 'the spirit of Vatican II' has done catastrophic damage to the faith of millions of Catholics. It has even spawned an opposite myth adhered to by some traditionalist Catholics that the entire Second Vatican Council was heretical and its reforms null and void."

Elsewhere in his article, Mr. Soutar reminds us, as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy, "that we're supposed to worship God the way He wants to be worshiped, not the way we want to worship Him. This is because liturgy is not our work but our participation in God's work of redemption."

A truly wonderful article!

Justin Soutar is the Catholic author of forty-plus published articles on pro-life issues, the Pope & his message, American politics and elections, terrorism, the Middle East, and other topics in a wide variety of publications, both online and in print.

World Youth Day Is Finally Here!

2011-08-18T10:29:00.001-07:00

"What The World Needs Now Is..."

2011-08-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

In his 1931 “social” encyclical Quadragesimo anno, Pope Pius XI wrote:

“Wherefore,” to use the words of Our Predecessor, “if human society is to be healed, only a return to Christian life and institutions will heal it.” For this alone can provide effective remedy for that excessive care for passing things that is the origin of all vices; and this alone can draw away men’s eyes, fascinated by and wholly fixed on the changing things of the world, and raise them toward Heaven. Who would deny that human society is in most urgent need of this cure now?

Minds of all, it is true, are affected almost solely by temporal upheavals, disasters, and calamities. But if we examine things critically with Christian eyes, as we should, what are all these compared with the loss of souls? Yet it is not rash by any means to say that the whole scheme of social and economic life is now such as to put in the way of vast numbers of mankind most serious obstacles which prevent them from caring for the one thing necessary; namely, their eternal salvation."

Why Praise and Worship Music May Be Praise, But Not Worship

2011-06-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

While Father Christopher Smith "paints with a pretty broad brushstrokes" in his comments on The Chant Cafe blog about praise and worship music in the liturgy, his points are generally very well made and worth serious consideration.

A Universe Brimming with Fruitful Spiritual Life: Reflecting Transcendence in the Liturgy

2011-06-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Bishop James D. Conley, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver, provides an exceptional reflection on the new translation of the Roman Missal which we begin using the First Sunday of Advent this year.

In an excerpt from his address at the Midwest Theological Forum, quoting Father Roman Guardini, Bishop Conley says: "...the liturgy aims to create a new world for believers to dwell in. A sanctified world where the dividing lines between the human and the divine are erased. Guardini’s vision is beautiful: 'The liturgy creates a universe brimming with fruitful spiritual life.' The new translation of the Mass restores this sense of the liturgy as transcendent and transformative The new translation reflects the reality that our worship here joins in the worship of heaven. And also from Pope Benedict XVI: 'The essential matter of all Eucharistic liturgy is its participation in the heavenly liturgy. It is from thence that it necessarily derives its unity, its catholicity, and its universality'.”

The entire article is well worth reading! Thank you, Bishop Conley!

Greeting Christ

2011-06-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, served as chairman of the Vox Clara Committee, formed to oversee the new translation of the Roman Missal. In the June 2011 issue of Columbia (the Knights of Columbus' monthly magazine), Cardinal Pell provides an excellent and succinct explanation of the new greetings that will be used at the beginning each Mass when the use of the new translation of the Roman Missal begins in the United States the First Sunday of Advent this year.

The Holy Father's "Reform of the Reform": An Excerpt from Cardinal Burke's Homily at Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving

2010-12-02T20:10:00.000-08:00

Among other things, in his homily at the Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on the Occasion of the Ordinary Public Consistory celebrated at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Raymond Cardinal Burke had this to say about the Holy Father's "reform of the reform":

"I think also of the tireless work of our Holy Father to carry out a reform of the post-Conciliar liturgical reform[11], conforming the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy to the perennial teaching of the Church as it was presented anew at the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, so that in every liturgical action we may see more clearly the action of Christ Himself who unites heaven and earth, even now, in preparation for His Final Coming, when He will inaugurate "news heaven and a new earth," when we will all celebrate the fullness of life and love in the liturgy in the heavenly Jerusalem. The Cardinal today is called, in a special way, to assist the Successor of Saint Peter, in handing on, in an unbroken organic line, what Christ Himself has given us in the Church, His Eucharistic Sacrifice, "the font and highest expression of the whole Christian life." The right order of Sacred Worship in the Church is the condition of the possibility of the right order of her teaching and the right order of her conduct."

Read the whole text here.

Season of Advent

2010-12-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

The idea of Advent is "Prepare you for the coming of Christ." Therefore the very appeals of the Patriarchs and Prophets are put in our mouths in Advent. Prepare for the coming of Christ the Redeemer, Who comes to prepare us for His second coming as Judge.

When the oracles of the Prophets were fulfilled and the Jews awaited the Messiah, John the Baptist left the desert and came to the vicinity of the Jordan, bringing a baptism of penance to prepare souls for the coming of Christ. The world took him to be the Messiah, but he replied with the words of Isaiah: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of the Lord."

During Advent we make straight for Christ the way to our souls--and behold, our Lord will come at Christmas.

Does the Mass differ in any way from the Sacrifice of the Cross?

2010-10-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

1.) EXTERNALLY
We have seen that on the Cross, Christ expressed inner adoration toward His Father, by loving Him more than the thing most precious to Him--His own life. We find the same interior adoration in the Mass, since Christ's preferential love for His Father persists eternally.

The difference appears in the outward expression of Christ's inner sentiments. On the Cross, Christ manifests His love for His Father by His death in a bloody manner. In the Mass, Christ offers Himself to His Father in a non-bloody manner.

What sign, then, in the Mass gives outward expression to Christ's inner adoration? For the Mass, like the Sacraments, has a visible sign that signifies and actualizes the Sacrifice. This sign is the separate Consecration of the bread and wine, representing the separation of our Lord's body and blood on the Cross. The active Consecration--that is, not yet accomplished, but in process of accomplishment--effectively signifies Christ's Sacrifice; since it renders present on the altar the same Sacrifice as that of Calvary.

Note that the Real Presence of Christ in the tabernacle is not, properly speaking, a sacrifice; since the exterior sign--the Consecration--is lacking. Where the exterior element is lacking, there can be no sacrifice.

2.) BY THE MODE OF OFFERING
Two things are needed to make a sacrifice: (a) Renunciation or immolation; (b) preference, choice, oblation or offering.

Now on the Cross, as in the Mass, it is the same Victim that is immolated--our Lord. A difference exists, however, in the method or mode of oblation. In the Mass, it is still our Lord who offers Himself as He did on Calvary, but through the ministry of His priests.

Nevertheless, the priest is merely Christ's representative. There is only one priest--Jesus Christ. But our blessed Lord, in His great mercy, and in order to make us participate still more intimately in His Sacrifice, has self-imposed the condition whereby He cannot offer Himself on the altar without His priests. Thus, on the Cross, Christ offers Himself by Himself in our name. In the Mass, it is the priest who, in the name of all the people, offers Christ exteriorly. For interiorly, it is always Christ who offers.

3.) AS TO TIME AND PLACE
The Sacrifice of the Cross occurred at a given moment in a given spot on the earth. Christ offered His death in the present. In the Mass, Christ offers Himself throughout the whole universe, exactly as the prophet Malachi had prophesied, and at each moment of the day and night. He offers His death as an accomplished historical fact.

The Holy Guardian Angels

2010-10-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, October 2, is the Feast of The Holy Guardian Angels. God's love for us was not satisfied with giving us His Son, Jesus, for our Redeemer and Mary for our Advocate; He has been pleased to give us also His Angels to be our guardians: "He hath given His Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways" (Ps 90:2). These holy spirits and princes of heaven are always present with us, and assist us in all our actions. And on this account, out of regard to our guardian Angels, we ought carefully to refrain from every action which can displease them.

"O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence hast deigned to send Thy holy Angels to keep watch over us: grant to us Thy suppliant people, that we may always be defended by their protection, and may rejoice in their fellowship for ever" (Oratio, Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, October 2).

In What Does Christ's Sacrifice Consist?

2010-09-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

1.) Our Lord's Sacrifice consists in His complete self-renunciation--an immolation that began with the first instant of His earthly existence and terminated on Calvary's Cross.

2.) Our Lord's Sacrifice consists above all in the preferring of God's will to His own: a preference shown by His oblation, which persists eternally. This perfect love of Christ for His Father was stabilized by His death and will abide throughout eternity.

Death fixes us in the dispositions we have at the moment of dying. Our degree of charity at death will mark our degree of glory for eternity. The set of our hearts at death remains as the final disposition of our wills. Our Lord, at the moment of His death on the Cross, attained (so to speak) the climax of His love for His Father. And it is precisely these sublime dispositions of our Lord toward His Father at the moment of His death that are made actual in the Mass. Now do you see why the Mass is of such great value?

Is the Mass the same as Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross, or is it a different Sacrifice? It is the same Sacrifice. Christ offered Himself once for all. "...[We] are sanctified by the oblation of the Body of Jesus Christ once" (Heb 10:10).

To understand this, we have only to go back to the concept of oblation, renunciation, and choice. The renunciation is summarized by Christ's death accepted once and for all. On Calvary, this act of renunciation was made once, and it passed.

But above all, our Lord's Sacrifice consists in this constant desire for His Father's will in preference to His own; and this preference remains eternally fixed in heaven. Suffering passes--the fact of having suffered remains.

It is the same thing for us when we renounce anything. The act of self-denial is, like all acts, temporary; but the disposition of the will to deny itself for a greater good remains just so long as we do not take it back. Death fixes us forever in the dispositions in which it finds us. Christ's Sacrifice persists in heaven, because the legacy of His life made on the Cross has never been cancelled. That which He gave was given for all time....Christ's immolation is eternal. St. John, in his vision of heaven, sees Jesus as "a Lamb standing upright, yet slain (as I thought) in sacrifice" (Rev 5:6).

This is understandable. The purpose of our Lord's Sacrifice having been to glorify God, the act whereby He glorifies Him must, of necessity, be eternal.

When the priest brings Christ down upon the altar, he renders Him present such as He is in heaven; and He is in heaven with the same loving dispositions that He had on Calvary at the moment of His death.

The Mass is, therefore, not a new Sacrifice by Christ; but the same Sacrifice actualized in the present. "We know that Christ rising again from the dead, dieth no more" (Rom 6:9).

The Mass is thus the perpetual prolongation of the Sacrifice made on the Cross. Consequently, every Mass is the one immolation of Christ repeated in the Act of Oblation. By the same act of the will, Jesus offers at the Last Supper His death in the future; on Calvary His death in the present; in heaven and on the altar His death in the past.

This special presence of Christ on the altar is peculiar to the Mass and demonstrates its grandeur.

When we celebrate the other mysteries of Christ's life, we merely commemorate them. There is no real renewal of the mystery on the day devoted to it. At Christmas, the Church recalls to our minds the Savior's birth, but this birth does not really take place--is not actualized in the present. On Ascension Thursday, our Lord does not renew His ascent into heaven. It is quite otherwise for the Mass. It is no simple symbolic representation, for the same Sacrifice that Christ accomplished on the cross is made truly present in an unbloody manner on the altar.

Offering Christ to the Father

2010-09-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

We have seen that Christ is the center of religion and the universe. The creation, over which Christ reigns, is willed by God for His glory. We are beings created solely for the praise and the glory of God.

How can such a frail creature as man offer acceptable praise to the Blessed Trinity? In this way. The Word of God was incarnated, became one of us, and to each one of us gave something of Himself in such a way that we are enabled through Him, with Him, and in Him, to fulfill our religious duties toward God, duties that may be summarized in two acts, as follows:

Our continual offering of Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Our offering of ourselves with Him and like Him in complete self-surrender and self-sacrifice, so as to become one with Jesus Christ.

For Christ alone can glorify God as He deserves. Christ, equal to the Father by His Godhead, lowered Himself to our level by the Incarnation. As man, Christ is able to bow before God and render Him true adoration in humility, submission, and obedience. As God, Christ offers His Father homage of infinite worth.

It is the Incarnation that empowers us to offer God to God in the Person of Jesus Christ. Hence the grandeur and incomparable superiority of the Mass over all other acts of religion.

Why so many Masses? In order that the thought of offering Him up to God the Father may be continually present to our minds, Christ has willed to re-present the offering up of His Sacrifice.

But the Christ who thus offers Himself in the Mass is not just "Jesus, the Son of Mary," but the total Christ--Christ complete, entire. That is, all the members of the Mystical Body offer themselves with Christ, their Head. Hence, the active role we should play in the Mass.

Pope Pius XII recalled this truth in his encyclical on the Mystical Body (Mystici Corporis): "In it, the priest not only represents our Savior, but the entire Mystical Body; and each of the faithful in particular. The faithful themselves, moreover, united to the priest in a common will and prayer, offer up to the Eternal Father the Immaculate Lamb brought down on the altar by the voice of the priest. They offer Him, by the hands of the same priest, as a most pleasing Victim of propitiation and praise, for the necessities of the whole Church. And just as the Divine Redeemer, dying on the Cross, offered Himself as Head of the human race, to the Eternal Father; in the same way, in this 'clean oblation,' He not only offers Himself as Head of the Church to the Heavenly Father, but in Himself He also offers His mystical members; since all--even the most infirm and feeble--are contained in His loving heart."

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

2010-09-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Mass is the means whereby we may become the prolongation of Christ.

Through the offering of ourselves with Christ.
Through the consecration of ourselves through Christ.
Through the communion in Christ
to the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity and the sanctification of our souls. The Mass reminds us at one and the same time of God's CONdescension toward man, and of man Ascension toward God! For the Mass sums up the twin mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption, at the same time that it applies to us their fruits. Crib and Cross manifest to mankind God's love for all; whereas the Mass stresses His love for the individual.

One ought, then, to look on the Mass as the sum total of man's ascensions toward God, because it presupposes and completes them. The sinner derives from it abundant graces of conversion. The just man finds fervor in it--outstripping himself from one Consecration to another. Through the Mass man offers to God praise that is worthy of Him.

This, then, is the place that the Mass occupies in God's plan. Like Christ, it is at the center: as a sun to bring light and warmth, to transform and uplift all creation and bring it back to its Creator in a hymn of thanksgiving.

The Mass ought to occupy ALL the place in our lives. We ought to:

Offer ourselves up, like Christ on the Cross.
Consecrate ourselves, "transubstantiate" ourselves--dying to our life of sin; to live, henceforth, the life of Christ.
Unite ourselves to Someone stronger than ourselves, communicating with Christ through reception of His Sacred Body, in order to identify ourselves ever more closely with Him, so that--our bodily members belonging more to Him than to us--we may be able to accomplish divine and supernatural works.
Render--through Christ--perfect praise to the august Trinity.

Such should be the constant concern of our earthly existence, and the prelude to our heavenly life in a blessed eternity.

The Redemption

2010-09-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

It was bearing His Cross that He came--weighted down under the burden of our sins. He climbed Calvary's hill and reddened it with His blood. He was barbarously crucified on a Cross, and died between two thieves.

Let us look for a moment at our suffering Savior. Taking place before our horrified gaze is the drama that dominates the world. Christ was "made sin" for us, writes Saint Paul.

On the high hill of Calvary, overlooking the world, a terrible struggle is taking place between Love and Hate--a struggle of unheard-of force. As a result of this fearsome combat, Hate dies in the blood of his immolated Victim. The last words of Christ are a shout of triumph: "Father, it is consummated."

Love has conquered Hate.

Sin is now in full flight. A moment ago, an enormous tidal wave, make up of all the crimes of earth, had sought to engulf within its corrupt depths Him who offered Himself as the Life of the World. Now, Life descends victorious from Calvary, driving back Sin to its ultimate retrenchments. God's plan now unfolds in all its majesty--the return to the Father, to the Father's House.

How may we bring about this return? By following Christ the Way, in what is to be henceforth His sorrowful way. "If anyone wishes to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." Integrated into Christ by Baptism, I (and not somebody else) ought to die to self, an live the life of Christ. "Christ died for all; that they also who live, may not now live to themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor 5:15).

With Saint Paul we should say, "Those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, I fill up in my flesh, for His body, which is the Church" (Col 1:24).

If our good works, sacrifices, and sufferings are to count for eternity and be pleasing to God, it is necessary for us (as we have seen above) to be united to Christ. It is through Him, and with Him, and in Him that we become recipients of God's loving-kindness and mercy.

Our union with Christ, our integration into His Mystical Body, is effected by the sacraments. It is by Baptism that we are introduced into Christ's mystical family. It is through Baptism that we receive divine life; become adopted sons of God the Father; brothers of Jesus Christ; temples of the Holy Spirit, and heirs of heaven!

But how should we offer up--following our Lord's example--our adoration, thanksgiving, satisfactions, and petitions to God? How should we nourish the divine life within us?

By means of the Mass--the Sacrifice of the Mystical Body.

Statement of Youth to the UN and the World

2010-09-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

This email received recently needs immediate action:

Dear Colleague,

Radical pro-abortion youth have written a document that the UN General Assembly is considering accepting. This would be disastrous. The document was written under the careful scrutiny of the UN Population Fund and International Planned Parenthood Federation. It calls for all the usual craziness: abortion on demand, comprehensive sex education…all for kids!

A group of smart young people have drafted a counter document that we will present to the UN later this month or early next month. This document will show the UN that radical youth DO NOT TALK FOR ALL YOUTH!

In order to make the necessary big splash, we need as many signatures as we can get. We need you to please sign THIS document right now and then send this note to everyone in your address book? Will you put this email up on Facebook? Will you circulate it among all of your family and friends.

I am often asked what you can do to help our cause at the UN. Here is something you can do that will make a HUGE DIFFERENCE!

UN delegations have requested our help in countering the radical youth document. Your signature on THIS document will help good pro-life delegations fight back against the radical pro-abortionists who want to undermine the morals of our children.

Act now and sign THIS document and then send this email to everyone you know.

Time is running out. We need 50,000 names in three weeks!

Sincerely,

Austin Ruse
President/C-FAM
Editor/Friday Fax

Christ's Intervention & The Incarnation

2010-09-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

At this tragic moment in the history of humanity when the Blessed Trinity could have, conceivably, left us in our state of hopeless misery, Jesus intervened: "Father, these men are for Me the sign and expression of Thy love. They are My children. They are Mine, for it was for My sake that you gave them life and being. Never will I abandon them! Since they are incapable of knowing My joy, I am determined to share their misery."

Christ was to have come in glory like the bridegroom whose arrival on the wedding day is joyously awaited by the wedding guests. Now His coming will take place under the reign of Sin; in a body capable of being crushed by suffering, with a heart that affliction will overwhelm, He will come to destroy sin, this "wall of separation" between God and man--between man and man, He will reconcile in His blood heaven and earth. He will unite the peoples.

One day, in the long procession of men groping in the shadow of death, Christ appeared. To this poor, purblind race of ours, He revealed the Father's wondrous plan. "The Father Himself loves you.... He has not abandoned you.... I am your Savior.... I am Life."

"He Who Prays Is Never Alone"

2010-09-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy Dolan (New York) for this brief but beautiful meditation on prayer!

The Break in the Harmony of the Divine Plan

2010-09-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Alas, man is free to destroy God's harmonious plan! Everything is in equilibrium, because everything tends toward God. All things cohere, because all things are submissive to the Author of life and being. But this adhesion to God is effected in a free act of love. The freedom with which man is adorned, gives to the entire creation an incomparable majesty. God thus receives a praise that is spontaneous. This very freedom, however, exposes the one enjoying it to immense peril. Let man but once refuse to spread forth his hands in a gesture of oblation, and the whole order of things falls apart. But one day man, in a gesture of pride and egoism, rejected his priesthood. His role of mediator no longer satisfied him. Man "would be like God." Through his lips, Satan once more uttered his cry of rage, "I will not serve!"

By his refusal, man shattered the universe. For the universe rested on man as the arch on the keystone. The entire universe turned against man its betrayer. In chorus, it hurled back into the teeth of man the cry that man had dared to address to God, "I will not serve!"

First of all, man's own body revolted. Man, terror-stricken, suddenly beheld within himself the unleashing of sinful passions. Henceforth, seven fetters, which theology is later to designate by the title of "Capital Sins," will shackle his formerly free impulses--Adam and Eve "perceive themselves to be naked."

Man is deeply stricken in the very harmony of his being: "I will multiply your sorrows and your conceptions; in sorrow shall you bring forth children."

Social discord now corresponds to inner imbalance. "You shall be under your husband's power, and he shall have dominion over you."

Looming up on the horizon, in addition to these "domestic squabbles" are quarrels between families, wars between city and city, between nation and nation, world war, revolution.

The animal kingdom, over which man formerly reigned, rises up in its turn. The earth itself refuses to cooperate with man. Only at the cost of a struggle, will man be able to wrest from it miserably a few meager fruits: "Cursed is the earth in your work. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you."

Man is broken, disoriented. Suffering is to be, henceforth, his earthly portion. "In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread.... In sorrow shall you bring forth children."

Man created to be the friend of Christ, has gone astray in the disobedience of Adam. Humanity, separated from Christ, is without form or beauty. Will God remain deaf, insensible, to the cry of His distressed creature? Will He punish or pardon?

Man's Return

2010-09-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Man, having come from God, must return to God: his Final End. "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God," cried St. Augustine, "and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee!"

The creation--a work of sheer mercy, a stooping of the Creator toward the creature--returns to God, chanting a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. A feather from a bird, a ray of light, a finely modulated voice, a drop of water falling to earth, a hastening ant, a seed sprouting from the earth, the stars that whirl in the firmament with never a collision; all are directed by God to that magnificent end for which He has ordained them--man's pleasure, Christ's happiness, and finally, the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

Your Mass and Your Life

2010-09-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

In God's plan, it is not man who is the center of the universe, but Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word. God created all things for Christ. For the sake of Christ Jesus in whom the Father already had "placed all His delight" and for the sake of Mary, His Mother, "full of grace," God decided to create man and the universe.

To this Son, in whom He is well pleased, friends were to be given--and so man was created. (The race of man represents the "friends of the Bridegroom" mentioned by our Lord in the Gospel.) To this Son whom He loves, the Father will give a house and a garden--and so the universe was created. Man, created for Christ, is loved in Him. We thus form, as it were, a "wedding gift" from God the Father to Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom.

In Him, through Him, and for Him, we are pleasing to the heavenly Father. Without Him we are nothing. This is very important for an understanding of the Mass. Our sacrifices are of value only through their being united with Christ's Sacrifice. Since all have issued from the heart of God solely to give pleasure to Jesus, all then are brothers. Creation itself is our kin. The universe and I, what are we, if not a delicate thought of the Father toward His Divine Son?

The creation, launched into existence by God's loving power, will forever have something unfinished about it, until that time when it shall return to the Source of its perfection; there to receive from that same Source its final perfection and beatitude. Thus the general plan of creation appears to us as an image and prolongation of the fecundity of the Most Blessed Trinity. The chronological order of the plan is as follows: (1) Creation of the heavens; (2) Preparation of the earth; (3) Creation of minerals, vegetation, and animals; (4) Creation of man.

King though he may be of that creation predating his own existence, man, however, is not creation's final goal.

Man--simple link in a chain that must go back to God--paves the way for the coming of the blessed Virgin Mary. Mary, God's jewel case, in which reposed He Who upholds all things, Jesus Christ! Christ is the center of the universe. He is before all things: "He is before all creatures" (Col 1:17). "The firstborn of every creature" (Col 1:15). "In the beginning was the Word..." (Jn 1:1).

"In Him...through Him...unto Him...all things!" (Col 1:16,17)

Singing the Mass

2010-08-31T19:12:00.001-07:00

In light of the liturgical changes coming the first Sunday of Advent, 2011, this recent address by Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth, Executive Director of the ICEL Secretariat, at the Southeastern Liturgical Music Symposium bears some thoughtful meditation and serious thought by the clergy:

Towards the Future: Singing the Mass by Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth

Harvard Valedictorian Delivers Valedictory in Latin!

2010-08-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

Mary Anne Marks, Harvard University's most recent valedictorian, delivered her valedictory in Latin. Albeit her Latin is the Germanic pronunciation rather ecclesiastical, it's still a homerun in my book! Oh yeah...and she's off to the convent joining the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist! Ad multos annos, Mary Anne!!

Read her full interview here.

The Consequences of Contraception

2010-08-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

Michael Barber (The Sacred Page)posted the following:

"A couple of weeks ago, a local paper out of Louisiana ran an op-ed on contraception on the anniversary of the release of "the pill". I had wished to cover it back then but I was traveling all about the country and didn't have time to post on it. Anyways, here it is, "better late then never" I suppose. Come to think of it, that actually sounds like a slogan for a birth control company, doesn't it?

. . . Women have been told for this entire time that they would now be in charge of their fertility.

Many have taken the bait, finding that emotional, physical and spiritual scars follow the use of artificial hormonal chemicals for control of fertility. . .

. . . The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 65 million Americans have an incurable sexually transmitted disease, with 13 million new cases developing each year.

In 2005, the World Health Organization classified oral contraceptives as Type I carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

The following year, “Mayo Clinic Proceedings” published an analysis in which at least 21 studies showed links between oral contraceptives and breast cancer.

Many women never realize that the birth-control pill does not always prevent ovulation.

A statistically significant number of times the pill prevents implantation of fertilized embryos, causing early abortions when women aren’t even aware they are pregnant.

According to the package inserts contained in the pill packages, missing the pill for one day or taking it at a different time can allow women to ovulate, conceive and abort without ever knowing it.

The pill also has serious detrimental effects on the environment. Contrary to popular thought, the pill is not natural. Whereas the hormones women and men normally produce are rapidly processed by nature, the artificial steroidal sex hormones contained in the pill remain in the environment almost indefinitely.

Scientists have determined that the high levels of artificial estrogen and progestin in bodies of water downstream from city sewer plants are causing alterations in the sex characteristics of numerous animals and plants.

While many in the media, as well as trusted sectors of government, science and medicine, are celebrating this 50-year milestone and continue to promote the pill as safe, informed people should be aware of the long-term personal, societal and environmental consequences of using artificial hormones to control our fertility.

The story mentions the fact that scientists have now linked unhealthy levels of estrogen in drinking water with the use of contraceptives. Indeed, this is an old story. . . Strangely (or maybe not!), I don't find too many people concerned about the fact that we aren't doing anything to stem the tide of this ecological nightmare."

The Liturgical Experts' Long Tassles

2010-08-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

A wonderful article on the "reform of the reform" from a parish priest's perspective. Surely worth the few minutes it takes to read it. I couldn't have said it better myself!

"Liturgical Changes" Webinars

2009-12-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

The journey into the hi-tech world continues! Beginning Sunday evening, February 7, 2010, I will begin hosting a series of webinars (seminars on the web) examining the changes to the Order of Holy Mass recently approved by the USSCB and the Holy See, tentatively scheduled for implementation in Advent 2010 (possibly later...maybe Lent or Easter 2011). Check the parish website often for updates on times, dates, and topics. In the meantime, check the parish website ("Home Page") for computer system requirements to be able to join in the webinars.

"Twilight" Brings Anything But Light

2009-12-22T18:42:00.001-08:00

Have you wondered at all about the phenomenal success of the "Twilight" vampire books and movies? Michael O'Brien has written a fascinating article that may be a bit long but well worth reading.

An excerpt from the article:

"A number of authors have pointed out in their studies of this genre that the thirst for the life-blood of others is a metaphor of lust. It is important to note in this regard that the vampire of legend only sometimes kills his victim; just as often, he infects the victim, turning him or her into a vampire. E. Michael Jones has written that at the root of the phenomenal rise of horror culture is suppressed conscience. Tracing the pattern from Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein (first published in 1818) through to Ridley Scott’s film Alien (1979) and its sequels, Jones argues that the denial of moral law produces metaphorical monsters that arise from the subconscious of creative people and spread into society through their cultural works. The monster in the Alien

films, for example, is a ghastly abomination of the feminine, and salvation is possible only through expulsion of the offspring it implants and incubates in humans—a subconscious eruption of internal conflicts (and guilt) over abortion.

As Jones points out:

'By following our illicit desires to their logical endpoint in death, we have created a nightmare culture, a horror-movie culture, one in which we are led back again and again to the source of our mysterious fears by forces over which we have no control.'"

I highly recommend the entire article!

Deacon Joe A. Machacek's Ordination

2009-12-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday our parish and, indeed, the entire Diocese of Victoria in Texas celebrated with great joy the ordination of four men to the permanent diaconate. I offer my personal congratulations to all four of the ordinandi but especially to our parish's new deacon, Deacon Joe A. Machacek.

The program provided to all of us at the ordination liturgy had this to say: "Ordination brings an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that transforms the deacon, enabling him to minister with a distinct identity and integrity in the Church that marks him as neither a lay person or a priest, but one designated to a diakonia, namely, a service to God's people in communion with the bishop and his body of priests."

Deacon Joe, ad multos annos in your ministry of service to God's people!

Arriverderci, Roma!

2009-11-25T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been an amazing 12 weeks of sabbatical in the Eternal City...surely the opportunity of a lifetime...but, as they say, "all good things must come to an end." So, tomorrow morning I'm headed back to Shiner and truly looking forward to being home! This will most likely be my last posting from Rome...at least until the next sabbatical!

Ciao, bella Roma...and I'll see you Shinerites very soon!

A Wake-Up Call for America's Catholics

2009-11-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

I couldn't have said it better myself! Read Mr. S. E. Cupp's op-ed piece at FOXNews.com.

Ave Maria, Gratia Plena!

2009-11-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

"Hail Mary, full of grace!"

December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Under this title, declared dogma of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in 1854 (as depicted above in the Immaculate Conception Chapel of the Papal Apartments in Vatican City), the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of the United States of America. Pope Pius IX proclaimed ex cathedra: "that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

"Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen!"

St. Gianna Molla Ministry for Life and the Manhattan Declaration

2009-11-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

The parish has begun a new ministry, the St. Gianna Molla Ministry for Life. I am so happy that we have done this since, without trying to be overly-dramatic, we are truly in the fight of our lives. Our culture, seemingly daily, continues to spin out of control, headlong into the deep, dark chasm of the culture of death.

Here is what our new ministry seeks to accomplish (from its Mission Statement): In gratitude to God, the author of life, we combine our efforts to protect all of His created life made in His image and likeness from conception to natural death. We pledge to further the joyful culture of life by our positive words and example. We will educate others on the beauty of life, the horror of abortion and the shining happiness that a chaste and virtuous life will bring. In this, our mission, we humbly ask the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and guidance, and the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Gianna Molla.

I am also thrilled that 15 leading US bishops joined in signing an ecumenical "call to conscience" last week that not only decried the "impulse to redefine marriage," but likewise repented "as we have too easily embraced the culture of divorce." Released Friday at a Washington press conference, the "Manhattan Declaration" emerged from a group of 150 Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical leaders, ordained and lay alike. For its part, however, the American hierarchy was represented by a veritable A-list flank that included Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, Archbishops Donald Wuerl of Washington, Tim Dolan of New York, Charles Chaput of Denver, Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, John Myers of Newark, John Nienstedt of St Paul and Minneapolis, Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, and Bishops Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, David Zubik of Pittsburgh, and Richard Malone of Portland, who spearheaded Maine's successful repeal of a law allowing homosexual marriage. Among others, the prelates were joined by several leading lights of the Catholic right, including Ignatius Press chief Fr Joseph Fessio, First Things editor Joseph Bottum, papal biographer George Weigel and Fr Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute. Beyond its treatment of marriage, the signers pledged their energies to "to roll back the license to kill that began with the abandonment of the unborn to abortion," to "not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent" and "to embrace our obligation to speak and act in defense of these truths."

I encourage, as heartily as I can, each of our parishioners to sign the Manhattan Declaration at their website and to continue to pray and fast for a renewal of the culture of life in our country and in our world; and to wholeheartedly support the efforts of the parish's St. Gianna Molla Ministry for Life!

San Sebastiani

2009-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

The Church of Saint Sebastian is one of St. Philip Neri's seven pilgrimage churches. I have had the great honor of visiting all seven of these pilgrimage churches while here in Rome (and gaining the plenary indulgence therewith attached, thank you very much!). San Sebastiani is most noteworthy for two things: 1) it sits atop one of Rome's great catacombs, and 2) it contains Bernini's last work. Pictured above are the entrances to the Catacombs of San Sebastiani and the church itself. Also pictured above, just as you enter the Church of San Sebastiani, are Bernini's last work, the sculpture of Christ the Redeemer and the sculpture of the Death of St. Sebastian, designed by Bernini but executed after his death by one of his students. The sculpture of Christ the Redeemer is truly stunning! You may recall that Bernini is probably most famous for two other works of art: 1) the great colonnade surrounding St. Peter's Square and 2) the breath-taking baldachino above the papal altar in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Miracle at Tre Fontani

2009-11-23T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Trappist Abbey of Tre Fontani has three churches on the grounds. One church is the abbey church. Another church contains, in its crypt, the cell where Saint Paul was imprisoned prior to his beheading. And the third church, the Church of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul, is the site of Saint Paul's martyrdom where the miracle of the Tre Fontani (the "three fountains") occured. Tradition says that when Saint Paul was beheaded his head fell to the ground and "bounced" three times. At each spot where his head touched the ground, a "fountain" (really, a spring) came forth from the earth. Above are photos of the three altars in the Church of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul under which are the three "fountains" (springs). Also pictured above is the entrance of the Church of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul and a bas relief (inside the front entrance) of his beheading.

Man's Inhumanity to Man

2009-11-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

Today I visited Italy's most important and sacred World War II memorial. At this site, 335 Italian citizens were shot and, after being dumped in several caves of the Fosse Ardeatina area outside Rome, buried by the Nazis. These were "revenge executions." Hitler ordered that 10 Italians (many were priests, religious, and seminarians but others were randomly chosen from the streets) be killed for every one of the 32 Nazis killed by the Italian Resistance. That would have made 320 executions; however 15 more were added for "good measure." The Nazis responsible for carrying out the executions were eventually tried for crimes against humanity at the Nuremburg Trials upon the completion of WWII. However, their crime was not the execution of the 320 innocent Italians. Their only crime was that they exceeded their orders and killed an additional 15. Truly amazing...man's inhumanity to man. God help us! God save us!

Viva Cristo Rey!

2009-11-22T02:28:00.000-08:00

In 1927, two years after Pope Pius XI gave the Church the Solemnity of Christ the King (the feast we celebrate today), the persecution of the Church in Mexico was in full furor. A Jesuit priest, Father Miguel Agustin Pro, knelt in prayer before the firing squad that was to take his life for being a Catholic priest. As Father Pro rose from his prayers, he threw out his arms in the form of the Cross and proclaimed: "Viva Cristo Rey!"..."Long live Christ the King!" Blessed Miguel Pro, pray for us!

Mysterium Fidei...An Ineffable Wonder

2009-11-21T22:35:00.000-08:00

As we enter into the Advent Season next Sunday (November 29), perhaps the most important thing we can do is work on "recapturing" the mystery of our life with God (the one and only purpose of genuine Catholic liturgy)...the mystery of Emmanuel ("God with us")...the mystery of God's unbounded and unconditional love for us. Most things in our world conspire against us...against the sense of mystery...ineffable wonder, awe, and marvel. The kind of thing in which we can only marvel. We cannot understand it. We cannot truly "know" anything about it. We cannot explain it. We can only experience it. Yes, this Advent, let us work on "recapturing" the mystery of our faith, of our lives, of our existence..."for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." Happy Advent!

Truly A Sight to Behold

2009-11-21T22:17:00.000-08:00

Is that a beautiful sight or what? Downtown Kansas City literally "closed" for a Eucharistic Procession...courtesy of the over 22,000 Catholic youth participating in the National Catholic Youth Conference which ends today. "What's the matter with kids today?" Looks to me like they're doing just fine! Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever!!

Assisi at Its Finest

2009-11-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Beautiful...spiritual...medieval...rustic...prayerful....wonderful Assisi! This morning, to end our retreat, we celebrated Holy Mass at the tomb of Saint Francis. We also celebrated Holy Mass in the Church of San Stefano, the Cathedral of San Ruffino, the Chiesa Nuova (built upon the site of St. Francis' boyhood home), and the Basilica of Santa Chiara (in the Chapel of the Cross...the San Damiano cross that "spoke" to Francis). What a marvelous retreat and five days of unseasonably warm and sunny weather! November is definitely the time to go to Assisi...almost no one there but the locals...so peaceful, so quiet, so Franciscan!

The photo above of the church in the mist is a shot of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the location of the "Portiuncula"...St. Francis' "little portion" chapel.

A Week with Claire and Francis

2009-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Assisi, the home of Saints Francis and Claire, tomorrow morning for a week-long retreat; my last respite before returning to "work." But, I gotta say, "Shiner, Texas...you never looked so good!"

Please pray for me while I'm on retreat as I promise my prayers for you!

To the Tomb of Cyril

2009-11-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

Today, on behalf of the people of the parish, I made pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Clement, the burial place of St. Cyril. St. Cyril died in 869 A.D. and was buried in the 4th century basilica that now is the lower basilica of the present-day basilica (built in the 12th century). St. Cyril was buried in this basilica at the request of his brother, St. Methodius. Pope Paul VI placed St. Cyril's relics in the altar of a side chapel (shown above) of the upper basilica in 1969. At this altar I lit a candle for the people of SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in Shiner.

The Basilica of San Clemente is a remarkable site and should not be missed on any pilgrimage to Rome! By simply walking down a few stairs, one goes from the 21st century to the 1st century in just moments. Many excavations of the 4th century basilica and below have been done since the 1850's. Work on the excavations continues to this day.

Below the 4th century basilica is an entire 1st century Roman alleyway including several homes...complete with running water! The water continues to run to this very day 2000 years later. How's that for reliable plumbing?!!

This level also contains a Mithraic temple and school. The cult of Mithra was outlawed in the Roman Empire in 395 A.D. and it was at that time that its property was taken over by the Church for the building of the 4th century basilica. Prior to that, the Christian church was meeting in the home of someone named Clement; hence, the name of the basilica, Saint Clement.

Worth A Thought

2009-11-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

As you may have heard in both the ecclesiastical and secular press, the Vatican is conducting a visitation of women's religious orders in the United States. Women religious in the United States are represented by two organizations: 1) Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and 2) The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR). The LCWR claims that it represents 95% of women religious in the U.S. and, unfortunately, has sometimes been at loggerheads with the Vatican.

Thomas Peters, on his American Papist blog, reports receiving an email from a sister who belongs to CMSWR. The email said:

The LCWR represents approximately 80% of women religious in the USA. CMSWR represents 20% (about 10,000 women religious). We represent 80% of new vocations; LCWR 20% of new vocations.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, could the Holy Spirit be trying to say something?!

2009-11-11T22:49:00.001-08:00

Father David Berger and Father Bryan Heyer of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas will lead a pilgrimage for all young adults over the age of 18 (must be over the age of 18 by June 1, 2011) to WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011 MADRID. The pilgrimage will take place August 10-23, 2011 (dates are tentative at this time due to possible site-seeing excursions to be discussed). The deadline for sign-up is Thanksgiving 2009 with a $100 non-refundable deposit needed to secure your spot. Registration is available to the first 20 persons who send in their deposit. The approximate cost of the pilgrimage is $3500. Fund-raising opportunities will be available to help defray part of the cost of the pilgrimage. For further information and to register contact olvyouthministry@hotmail.com or call Wendy Eggert at 361-575-8132.

The Lateran Basilica

2009-11-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

Known as St. John Lateran Basilica, the pope's cathedral church, is a magnificent site containing the relics of the heads of both St. Peter and St. Paul in the most beautiful reliquary above the papal altar. The Lateran Basilica was the first "official" Christian church built in Rome (by Emperor Constantine) and for over one thousand years served as "the Vatican," the central offices of the Catholic Church until the Avignon Papacy in the 14th century, when the popes lived in and worked from Avignon, France.

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

2009-11-10T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is the sight of the relic of the True Cross on which our Lord died found in Jerusalem by St. Helena (mother of the Emperor Constantine). The church contains not only the relic of the True Cross but also soil from Calvary in Jerusalem...hence, the name of the church, The Holy Cross in Jerusalem. The feast of the Cross is celebrated every year on September 14, under the title "Exaltation of the Holy Cross." Xaltatus a terra, omnia traham ad me ipsum (John 12:32)!

Maybe I Shouldn't Come Home?

2009-11-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

First, I leave Shiner and the drought breaks...pours buckets of rain. Second, I leave Shiner and the Cardinals beat the Indians. Hmmmm...maybe I shouldn't come home!!!!

But I'm very proud of the Cardinals and wish I'd been there to see their victory. Oh well, if I help best by being out of town, so be it!!

A First!

2009-11-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

Today we had rabbit for pranzo (lunch). First time in my life...and not too bad, actually. Father Tommy may just need to keep better count of his rabbits when I get home!

Now, the only thing left on my "bucket list" is squirrel stew!! Yummy!

The Requiem Mass in Shiner

2009-11-04T10:55:00.001-08:00

The beautiful Missa pro defunctis (Requiem Mass) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Latin Rite made its return to Shiner on the Feast of All Souls, November 2. Father Tommy Chen, parochial vicar, was the celebrant. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Photos courtesy of Kathleen Leininger who owns their copyright.

A Doctor's Prescription on Prayer

2009-11-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

Canonized in 1622, St. Theresa of Avila was proclaimed a "Doctor of the Church" by Pope Paul VI in 1970. To be a "Doctor" of the Church one must be canonized, renowned for learning, and proclaimed a doctor of the Church by a pope or ecumenical council.

Here is how the Doctor of Prayer defines prayer: "Taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us." Sounds like a good prescription to me!

Click here for more information on Doctors of the Church.

To Understand Liturgical Changes, Study Meaning of Liturgy

2009-11-03T11:35:00.001-08:00

One of the topics of major interest to us here in Rome on sabbatical has been and continues to be the upcoming changes to the English translation of the Missale Romanum. We had a wonderful presentation (3 full days worth) by Msgr. James Moroney, former director of the USCCB Secretariat for Divine Worship. Monsignor has been integrally involved in the new translations.

While a date has yet to be established for the implementation and use of the new translations, they are a comin'! Bishop Robert Vasa of the Baker, Oregon diocese wrote a wonderful column recently talking about the changes. It is well worth the read and I highly recommend it!

Pray for the Souls of Priests

2009-11-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

In this Year for Priests, remember that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has granted a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who 1) attend Holy Mass; 2) receive the Sacrament of Penance on or near the specifed day; 3) pray for priests; and 4) pray for the Holy Father's intentions on the first Thursday of each month. November 5 is a first Thursday.

In this month when we remember all the faithful departed in a special way, would it not be most appropriate to pray for the souls of deceased priests; most especially those who served the faithful at Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Shiner? St. John Mary Vianney, the Cure of Ars, the patron saint of parish priests, once said: “A good shepherd, a pastor after God’s heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy.” Let us pray, especially during this month, that the "good shepherds" which have served in Shiner, may be granted eternal light, rest, and happiness. Requiescant in pace.

The Brother Saints

2009-11-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

One of my brother priests on sabbatical, Father Liborio Amaral from the Archdiocese of Toronto, was kind enough to take these photos of me standing at the plaque commemorating the signing of the edict at the St. Mary Major Basilica granting Cyril and Methodius permission to use their Slavonic liturgical texts. Please note: I was wearing my SS. Cyril and Methodius windbreaker!!!

St. Mary Major and Shiner

2009-10-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

One most likely would never consider that there is a connection between The Liberian Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Italy and Shiner, Texas but there is...of a sort!

As we all know, the two Greek brothers who came to be known as Cyril and Methodius, are called the Apostles to the Slavs because of their evangelization and catechesis of the Slavic peoples. To accomplish this great task of evangelization and catechesis, Cyril and Methodius were responsible for the development of an alphabet and the translations of things like sacred scripture, theological and philosophical texts, and even the Latin Rite's Roman liturgy into the Slavonic language. It was not licit at the time for Holy Mass to be celebrated in the Latin Rite in any language other than Latin. So, Cyril and Methodius eventually made their way to Rome to see the Holy Father and ask for permission to celebrate Holy Mass using the Slavonic language. There was much opposition to this and at times, Cyril and Methodius were confronted with accusations of heresy.

However, in 869 A.D., Cyril and Methodius received the necessary permission from Pope Adrian II, who signed the edict of permission in Cyril and Methodius' presence in the Basilica of St. Mary Major! Almost simultaneously, Pope Adrian II ordained both Cyril and Methodius as bishops. Cyril never left Rome, dying later that same year. However, Methodius returned to missionary work amongst the Slavs.

Saints Cyril and Methodius are the patron saints of our parish in Shiner and so, we in Shiner, have a connection to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome!

The photos above show a plaque in the baptistry at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome commemorating Pope Adrian II's edict (signed in the basilica) in the presence of Cyril and Methodius. By the way, Saints Cyril and Methodius are not buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, rather they are interred at San Clemente Church here in Rome.

Liturgical Music and Film

2009-10-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to First Things magazine and hope I'm not breaking any copyright laws; but I wanted to share this piece from the August/September 2009 issue:

"Jeffrey Tucker [not sure who this gentleman is?] notes that watching Angels and Demons wasn't an altogether unpleasant experience. The movie had a better sense of liturgical music than most Catholic parishes:

'Actually, the real reason I like to see any film in which the Catholic Church is featured prominently concerns the music. Let's just say that "On Eagles' Wings" is never featured at a Catholic funeral on film. And it pleases me to see confirmed that even the most secular parts of the industrial media sector understand what sacred music probably sounds like. Sure enough, this movie opens with the Introit of the Requiem Mass playing at the funeral. Indeed, whenever there is a need to call forth some sense of solemn liturgy, a modal piece comes on featuring vague outlines of Kyrie Eleison and Agnus Dei. There were several peoples' chants featured here and there--probably more than most parishes hear in the course of one liturgical year, sad to say.'

Sad to say indeed, but it all comes down to how you view the Church. If the Catholic Church is a large institution full of tradition, majesty, and mystery, the music one associates with it will reflect that. Whether or not that mystery is redolent with Illuminati conspiracy or the source of grace and truth, it nonetheless exists and will be reflected in the art associated with the deep traditions of Christianity. But if mystery and tradition are thrown away, there is no reason to have majesty in art. Gather us in on eagles' wings because the whole thing is just about us and our experiences, not anything deeper.

Of course Ron Howard knows that that's not true. But it would be nice if more Catholics did, too."

AMEN!

Madrid!

2009-10-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

A large, vibrant, exciting, eclectic, fascinating city...the capital of Spain, Madrid! We spent one whole day in the Museo Nacional del Prado...truly an amazing and outstanding collection (I'm told it's one of the best in the world!) of art ranging from the 14th to 19th centuries. Stunning collections of El Greco, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velasquez, Murrillo, Goya, and perhaps my favorite, Ribera. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed (I think they want you to buy the books in the museum store!). We also attempted a day at the Reina Sophia Museum; however, it's all very modern art and I couldn't quite stomach more than an hour or so. Although I did spend 20 minutes or so gawking at Picasso's famous Guernica??? Anyway, Madrid has much to see and do...beautiful parks, amazing architecture, delicious paellas (y otras comidas muy sabrosas!), intoxicating sangrias, and much, much more. Quite an experience...Madrid!

Las Floras de La Alhambra

2009-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Generalife gardens at the Alhambra had such beautiful gardens that I couldn't help taking a few floral shots. I'm thinking of publishing a coffee table book!

The Jewel in the Spanish Crown

2009-10-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

Surely, Toledo is my favorite Spanish city! It is like stepping back into the 13th and 14th centuries!! Every turn of a corner brings a new feast for the eyes and it only gets better as night falls. Te quiero much, Toledo!!

Tu es Petrus!

2009-10-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

"On this Rock I will build My Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

These words tumbled through my mind as we saw the 265th Vicar of Christ today in general audience. This is extremely reassuring in difficult and uncertain times (when is the world not in "difficult and uncertain times"?). Perhaps that's precisely why our Lord created the Petrine office in and for the Church. It's all part of His not leaving us like sheep without a shepherd. We have no need to fear the wolves...who or whatever they may be! His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI...ad multos annos!

Que Hermosa...Espana!!

2009-10-25T12:31:00.001-07:00

Avila...Salamanca...Sevilla...Granada...Toledo...Madrid...certainly a whirlwind tour of southern Spain but oh how marvelous a whirlwind it was of an extremely beautiful country!! I can't begin to describe how grand and wonderful Spain is...so old, yet so modern; tremendously friendly people; deliciously exotic food; so much history (both ecclesiastical and civil); a true feast for the eyes!!! I took so many pictures I hardly know where to begin posting. These are just a few of the photos I took...hopefully they will give you a feel for the wonder that is Spain! So most definitely, if the opportunity ever presents itself, be sure to include Espana on any future travel itineraries!

Arriverderci, Roma...Hola, Espana!

2009-10-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

This will be my last post for about 10 days as I leave in the morning for a "vacation" in Spain. Flying from Rome to Madrid, renting a car, and driving around southern Spain for 10 days! Looking forward to it very much since I've never been to Spain before. Might even get to use my Spanish a bit, something which doesn't happen in Shiner (or Italy, for that matter) very much! After I return to Rome from Spain, it won't be long before I come home (about 3 weeks)...something to which I am more and more looking forward. So, we'll talk again when I return from Spain...and hopefully have a lot of pictures to post!

Rainbow over the Eternal City!

2009-10-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

"When the bow is in the clouds I shall see it and call to mind the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth, that is, all living things." (Gn 9:16)

And so, after class this evening, this is the rainbow that greeted us as we returned to our rooms. It also marks a drastic change in the temperature! A front has blown through and the temperature has dropped from close to 80 down to around 50. Fall has definitely arrived in Rome! Good thing I'm headed to the south of Spain on Thursday.

"Credo in...sanctorum communionem"

2009-10-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

"I believe in the...communion of saints." Today Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints! About the "communion of saints, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself (#957).

And so, today we ask St. Zygmunt Felinski, St. Francis Coll y Guitart, St. Joseph Damien de Veuster, St. Raphael Baron, and St. Mary of the Cross (Jeanne) Jugan to better join us to Christ!

All holy men and women, pray for us!

"Mentality of Sterility"

2009-10-09T06:25:00.001-07:00

Came across this most interesting and thought-provoking article. What a prophet Pope Paul VI was in Humanae Vitae!

"When the Moon Hits Your Eye...!"

2009-10-07T11:46:00.001-07:00

Remember Dean Martin? OK...now I'm really dating myself...but on the terrace tonight I couldn't help humming to myself "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." Yes, Rome has a harvest moon, too...and what a really beautiful site tonight as we get ready for the ordination of about 25 PNAC deacons tomorrow at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, MO will be the ordaining prelate. We've been invited to concelebrate the Mass.

So, I don't know if the moon really hits your eye like a big pizza pie (when experiencing "amore") but it certainly portends a great harvest of new, young priests for our church in America. A few more workers for the vineyard of the Lord!

Catacombs of Priscilla

2009-10-02T03:18:00.000-07:00

This morning we toured the Catacombs of Priscilla and then celebrated Holy Mass (in the chapel in the above photo). It is always amazing to walk through the catacombs, the burial places of so many first century Christians. It turns out that seven popes and many cardinals and bishops were also buried here. What's truly wonderful about the catacombs of Priscilla is the first and second century artwork (we were not allowed to take pictures), so most definitely add the catacombs of Priscilla to your next Roman itinerary!

Padre Nostro

2009-10-01T02:07:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what the "Our Father" is in Italian? Well, I didn't think so! But here it is anyway:

Padre nostro, che sei nei cieli, sia santificato il tuo nome, venga il tuo regno, sia fatta la tua volonta come in cielo cosi in terra. Dacci oggi il nostro pane quotidiano, e rimetti a noi i nostri debiti come noi li rimettiamo ai nostri debitori, e non ci indurre in tentazione, ma liberaci dal male. Amen.

And how about the "Hail Mary"?

Ave, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore e con te. Tu sei benedetta fra le donne e benedetto e il frutto del tuo seno, Gesu. Santa Maria, Madre di Dio, prega per noi peccatori, adesso e nell' ora della nostra morte. Amen.

And finally:

Gloria al Padre e al Figlio e allo Spirito Santo. Come era nel principio, e ora e sempre nei secoli dei secoli. Amen.

There...your free Italian lesson for the day! Buon giorno!

Huh???

2009-10-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

I had the most interesting experience in Lourdes! No, unfortunately I experienced no physical healing; but upon reflection I am truly amazed. You see...I was with about 150 Italian pilgrims, so the entire pilgrimage was in Italian...of which I barely understand a word or two. All the directions, all the prayers, all the Masses...everything was in Italian. Yes, I was with another English-speaking priest and we did find one couple from New York on the pilgrimage with us, too, but other than that...everything was in a language I really didn't understand. To top it all off, we were in France so we were surrounded by French speakers, signs in French, etc. Again, I barely know a word or two of French! So, in effect, I spent three days hearing a lot of talking and reading a lot of signs but not able to understand a word of it. I said, more than once on the pilgrimage, "Huh?"

Well, as it turns out, it was an amazing experience. Words did not get in the way of the experience! In fact, I slowly discovered that not understanding a word of what was usually being said made me really sensitive to the actual experience of what was going on...to enter into the experiences more deeply, one might say. For example, I had the great honor of concelebrating Holy Mass at the Grotto in Lourdes. The main celebrant was an Italian bishop. The entire Mass was in Italian...the readings, the prayers, the bishop's homily...everything. Yet, right behind me was the spring of water that the Blessed Mother had caused to spring from the rocks. I could hear it flowing throughout the whole Mass. I found myself reflecting on the "life-giving" water that flowed from our Lord's most Sacred Heart as He hung upon the cross...the very same action we were "re-experiencing" in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I'm pretty certain that had I been trying to "listen" to all the words, I would never have "listened" so deeply to the experience. It was pretty amazing!

This same thing happened time and again. As we participated in the Eucharistic Procession at the Shrine...again everything was in Italian. Since I couldn't concentrate on the meaning of the words, I could better appreciate the experience. I could better "enter into" the Real Presence of our Lord and the looks on peoples' faces as they gazed upon the monstrance was worth more than a thousand words! Again, during the candlelight Rosary Procession that same evening, I understood very few of the words (the prayers were offered in what must have been 20 or 30 languages...oh how I felt at home when I heard "Zdravas Maria"!!!) but could better appreciate what we were doing.

As most of you know, I have a love for the traditional Latin Mass. How often I hear, "But, Father, we don't understand Latin." Don't get me wrong, words and their meaning are very important...BUT, I think more and more that they really tend to get in the way almost more than they help. Consider how most of our deepest and most meaningful experiences in life find no words that can adequately describe them. It's not the words that matter, it's the experience. I think of this often when I think of the Apostles and our Lord. How little they really understood of what He said (how often we don't really understand!). But, their experience of the Lord is what sent them into the world to proclaim the Good News! I certainly would never advocate that everything we do should be accompanied by words we don't understand...but there are times when our words do not work too well. More and more, I'm feeling that this is so true of Holy Mass where we stand at the foot of the Cross and "experience" our Lord's ineffable Love for us.

Lourdes was truly an amazing experience...for many reasons. But, surely a big part of it was what I "experienced," not what I understood...for ultimately, who can really understand the depth and breadth of such Love? Maybe we need to be much less concerned about the meaning of the words and much more concerned with the meaning of the WORD, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chiesa Nuova and the Pantheon

2009-09-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures from our excursion yesterday to Casa Santa Maria. The "churchy" pics are from St. Philip Neri's Chiesa Nuova; the other two are of the Pantheon (formerly a Roman temple to all the gods, now a Catholic church). Sunday I'm off to Lourdes for a 3 day "mini-pilgrimage."

This One's For You, Mom!

2009-09-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

Above is a picture of the tomb of St. Monica located in the Church of St. Augustine in Rome. As we all know, St. Monica endured many years of pain and heartache as her son, Augustine, lived a very pagan and, by most accounts, rather dissolute lifestyle, even siring an illegitimate son he named Adeodatus (meaning "given by God"). We are told that St. Monica prayed ceaselessly for almost 30 years for the conversion of her son. We know well how St. Monica was rewarded by God! Augustine didn't just convert to the Catholic faith but became one of her greatest disciples, theologians, scholars, bishops, doctors of the Church, saints. What a grand witness to faithfulness is St. Monica, especially when all seems hopeless.

While I hope I did not cause my mother quite the same pain and heartache as St. Augustine caused his mother, I knelt at St. Monica's tomb and prayed that Mom, like St. Monica, would be rewarded one day for her maternal love and care. As Mom always reminds me, "No matter how old you are, I am still your mother!" Somehow I have to imagine St. Augustine may have heard the same thing from time to time! May God reward each of our mothers for giving us life and nurturing that earthly life unto life everlasting! Thanks, Mom!

Casa Santa Maria

2009-09-23T23:50:00.001-07:00

We're off on another field trip today! We're headed to the Casa Santa Maria where American priests live while they're pursuing graduate degrees here in Rome. On the way, we're scheduled to visit the Chiesa Nuova (St. Philip Neri's church and where he is buried). We also swing by the church where St. Monica (St. Augustine's mom) is buried to pray for our mothers. We also tour the Gregorian University (run by the Jesuits and where many of the seminarians at the PNAC take courses) and the Biblicum. Looks like a full day of Roman site-seeing and adventure!

"Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church!"

2009-09-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I must admit that my brother priest, Father Matthew Huehlefeld (pastor of St. Joseph Church in Yoakum, Texas) was correct when he told me that the scavi (excavations of the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica) would be the highpoint of my visit to the Eternal City! It is almost impossible to put into words one's thoughts and feelings as one stands at the tomb of St. Peter and gaze upon the bones of The Fisherman...the man chosen by our Lord Himself to be His Vicar on earth; the Rock upon whom the Catholic Church is built; the lowly disciple whose life, teachings, and martyrdom won him the crown of the Prince of the Apostles. The man (after our Lord Himself, of course) who has brought countless generations (almost 1.3 billion Catholics in the world today...and I think most of them were in St. Peter's Square today for the Holy Father's audience!) to Christ and their salvation almost 2,000 years later through the ministry of the 264 Bishops of Rome who have followed him in an uninterrupted and unbroken (despite the many things the world has and continues to throw at it!) apostolic succession; all so that man could one day live in total and complete friendship with God!! If this does not show forth the Hand of God in human history, I don't know what will!

The photo above shows a replica of St. Peter's tomb as discovered under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica when excavations began in the 1940's.

Fr. Donald Hayden, O.SS.T.

2009-09-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

I just received word of the death of Father Donald Hayden, O.SS.T. before concelebrating Holy Mass with the PNAC community this Sunday morning. I was terribly saddened. Father Donald was my associate for a time several years ago and I always found Father Donald to be a wonderful housemate...kind, thoughtful, spirited, very positive in nature...a real joy with whom to live. It is my earnest prayer that he rest in peace until the day when Christ calls us all to Himself. Requiescant in pace.

Ora et Labora

2009-09-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

What a truly wonderful day at the abbey of Monte Cassino, the site where both St. Benedict and St. Scholastica are buried! We celebrated Holy Mass next to their tombs...more on that in another post. The photos above include 1) the decorated spot behind the main altar in the abbey basilica marking the tomb (below the altar) containing both St. Benedict and St. Scholastica; 2) the Blessed Sacrament chapel in the abbey basilica; 3) view from the entrance to the abbey basilica; 4) the steps leading to the abbey basilica; and 5) the entrance to the abbey itself (note the window above the large door...it was St. Benedict's very own cell, now a chapel).

As most of you know from history, the Monte Cassino abbey was destroyed 3 times during its history; the latest and most devastating attack by the Allied Forces during WWII. They mistakenly thought the Germans were occupying it and using it to defend the valley below. The Allied Forces bombed the abbey destroying almost everything you see in these pictures except St. Benedict's cell and a few other parts. The abbey was totally rebuilt (as faithful as possible to what had existed there before) in sixteen years upon the completion of WWII.

Castel Sant'Angelo at Night

2009-09-17T12:25:00.001-07:00

A beautiful view of Castel Sant'Angelo from a PNAC balcony at night. For a better nighttime view, click here.

Staying Busy!

2009-09-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

We have almost finished our first full week of the sabbatical. How time flies! Before leaving for Rome, I was asked by many, "Father, what will you do the whole time?" Well, by way of illustration let me tell you what we've done and what we will be doing next week.

Tomorrow morning we finish our first week-long theological presentation given by Father John Fuellenbach, SVD. His topic has been "Following the Lord," an examination of Jesus' requirements of discipleship (primarily taken from St. Mark's gospel). Saturday morning we're going to Monte Cassino for the day where we will celebrate Holy Mass at the tomb of St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism.

Next week, our theological presentations include "Eastern Christianity" by Father Bernard J. O'Connor from the Vatican Congregation for the Oriental Churches; "Vatican II Commentary" by Father Wojciech Giertych, OP, Theologian of the Papal Household; "Christian Art & Architecture" by Liz Lev of Duquesne and John Cabot Universities; and "Orientation to Catholic Rome" by Msgr. Daniel Mueggenborg, Vice Rector for Administration of the Pontifical North American College.

Next week we will also tour the SCAVI below Saint Peter's Basilica and do a tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. We will end the week with a day at Casa Santa Maria where many U.S. priests live while pursuing graduate degrees in various theological disciplines. Our day at Casa Santa Maria will include a visit to the tombs of St. Monica and St. Philip Neri (sometimes referred to as "the second Apostle of Rome") which are near the Casa Santa Maria. We will also tour both the Gregorian University and Biblicum, also near the Casa.

So, as you can see, we stay busy!

The Roman Colosseum

2009-09-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

Obviously, these are photos of the quite famous Colosseum here in Rome. It is truly amazing what human beings were able to accomplish without heavy earth-moving equipment, computers, or iPhones!! Imagine?!

Saturday's Tour of the Forum and Colosseum

2009-09-12T06:44:00.001-07:00

A few photos from our walking tour of the Forum and the Colosseum this morning. These are from the Forum itself.

Holy Mass at the Confessio

2009-09-11T11:53:00.001-07:00

Today we celebrated Holy Mass near the tomb of St. Peter and right next to the tomb of Pope John Paul II in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica (actually the first floor of the first basilica built by the Emperor Constantine who legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire). I didn't take any photos...much too unseemly in such a sacred place, I felt. But to celebrate Holy Mass so near the Prince of the Apostles (the Rock on whom Jesus built our church) and his 264th successor was quite something indeed!! No doubt the experience will always be one of the highlights of my priesthood!

Chair of Peter

2009-09-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

These are two photos of the Chair of Peter reliquary from our tour of St. Peter's Basilica today. We had a truly EXCELLENT guide, Liz Lev, who teaches Roman art & architecture to the seminarians here at the NAC. What this woman knows about Roman history...amazing! Anyway, the reliquary contains the wooden chair used by St. Peter before his martyrdom in 64 A.D. I didn't take many other photos since most people have seen photos of the outside of St. Peter's and inside the basilica was crammed with people...not much walking space as the chairs were all set up for an ordination of Italian bishops coming up this weekend.

Seminary Life

2009-09-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering what life can be like in the seminary, here are a couple of photos of my room at the NAC. And the most important part...the food is wonderful! Nothing fancy but basic Italian, for sure. Lots of pasta, veggies, and fresh fruit...oh yeah, and wine with every meal (except "colazione"...breakfast)

More NAC Photos

2009-09-10T00:21:00.000-07:00

The first photo above is the inner courtyard at the NAC. The 48 orange trees were planted to represent each of the 48 states in the Union (when they were planted there was no Hawaii or Alaska yet and, unfortunately, there is no room for two more trees!). The "Crown of Thorns" fountain in the middle of the courtyard was donated by Cardinal Cushing.

The second photo is the sculptural relief outside the Immaculate Conception chapel here at the NAC. It was donated to the college by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in memory of Cardinal Dougherty.

The third photo is the view of the dome of St. Peter's from another balcony here at the NAC.

Today we go to St. Peter's Basilica for a tour. Part of our group has already left to climb to the top of the cupola. Since I don't care to die in Rome, I'm waiting for the "on ground" portion of the tour! Tomorrow we return to St. Peter's Basilica (a 20 minute walk from the NAC) for Holy Mass in the crypt; then we pose for our group picture at the obelisk.

Photos from the NAC Balcony

2009-09-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of the photos I promised...from the view off the balcony at the NAC. In the first picture you can see the dome of St. Peter's peeking through the trees just above the roof line. In the second photo you can see the Castel Sant'Angelo (also known as Hadrian's Mausoleum).

Arrivi!!

2009-09-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I've arrived safe & sound! No problems with airlines, flight schedules or baggage. Everything arrived in Rome just as it was supposed to. It's a bit eerie being back in a seminary setting...thought those days were behind me! But I think I'm relaxing already...or maybe that's just jet-lag at this point! We've just been told that enrollment here at the North American College this fall term is at 225 seminarians...the largest enrollment here since 1946! Praise God!! Maybe all those prayers for vocations are actually paying off?! Haven't had the chance to take any pictures yet but will be posting some soon. It's wonderful to go out on the balcony and look out upon the Castel Sant' Angelo and to see Michelangelo's great dome atop St. Peter's Basilica peeking through the trees just over the roof lines! I think I'm really going to enjoy this sabbatical!

The Catholic Plan

2009-09-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with my sabbatical or Italy, but this short video bears watching as some awfully interesting things have been occurring since January.

Arreviderci!

2009-08-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well I'm off to Rome for sabbatical! I leave Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport on September 7, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. on British Airways flight #194. I arrive London Heathrow Airport at 7:30 a.m. on September 8. A brief two hour lay over and then arrival at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 12:40 p.m. on British Airways flight #548.

I will be joining 24 other English-speaking priests at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the North American College (the American bishops' seminary in Rome). Cards and letters can be sent to:

Institute for Continuing Theological Education
North Amercan College
00120 Vatican City State
EUROPE

Some people have asked me what a "sabbatical" is? From the Institute's website: The Institute seeks to assist bishops and religious superiors to provide programs for the ongoing formation of their priests. The Institute assists priests in fulfilling their own responsibility for their continuing formation. Over the years our sabbatical program has proven effective as one means of renewing priests, revitalizing them and equipping them for more effective pastoral ministry. Living in Rome close to our Holy Father gives priests a deeper appreciation for the community and unity of the Church.

May God grant that it is so!

Chiming in on Notre Shame

2009-05-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

Let me share with you a quotation recently found in the Washington Post that was emailed to me by a priest friend:

"In the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, there is a wonderful photograph of Father Ted Hesburgh -- then Notre Dame president -- linking hands with Martin Luther King Jr. at a 1964 civil-rights rally at Chicago's Soldier Field. Today, nearly four decades and 50 million abortions after Roe v. Wade, there is no photograph of similar prominence of any Notre Dame president taking a lead at any of the annual marches for life. Father Jenkins is right: That's not ambiguity. That's a statement."

What a sad state of affairs when priorities are so confused.

A Humble Beginning

2009-05-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

There are times when homilies, announcements, bulletins, etc. do not allow sufficient time/space to deal with all that our world seems to be throwing at us these days. So, today, I humbly launch this blog to be able to expand on thoughts, ideas, ruminations. These may be of little to no value to most who may read it but it seems that a pastor of souls needs to utilize all means available to evangelize and catechize. After all, today's Feast of the Ascension of our Lord reminds us of Jesus' last words to His disciples: "Go into the world, and proclaim the good news to the whole of creation." (Mark 16:15) I'm sure that even means the internet world! And, so, here we go.