2nd century apologist, martyr and Saint

St. Justin - Martyr

St. Justin - Martyr

 

Feastday: June 1

All the voices around Justin clamored that they had the truth he sought so desperately. He had listened to them all since he first came to Rome to get his education. They each shouted that they held the one and only answer but he felt no closer to the truth than when he had started his studies. He had left the Stoic master behind but the Stoics valued discipline as truth and thought discussion of God unnecessary. He had rejected the Peripatetic who seemed more interested in money than discussion. The Pythagorean had rejected him because he didn't know enough music and geometry -- the things that would lead him to truth. He had found some joy with the Platonists because the contemplation of ideas gave wings to his mind, but they had promised wisdom would let him see God and so, where was God?

There was one place that Justin always escaped to in order to get away from these shouting, confusing voices and search out the quiet inner voice that led him to truth. This place was a lonely spot, a path that seemed made for him alone in a field by the sea. So sure was he of the isolation of his retreat that he was shocked one day to find an old man following him.

The old man was not searching for truth but for some of his family. Nonetheless they began a discussion in which Justin identified himself as a philologian, a lover of reason. The old man challenged him -- why was he not a lover of truth, a lover of deeds. Justin told him that reason led to truth, and philosophy led to happiness. This was certainly an interesting thing for Justin to say since he had not found the truth in the study of reason or happiness in his quest among the philosophers! Perhaps the old man sensed this for he asked for Justin's definition of philosophy and of happiness.

In the long discussion that followed, Justin spoke eloquently to the old man's searching questions but even Justin had to admit that philosophers may talk about God but had never seen him, may discuss the soul but didn't really know it. But if the philosophers whom Justin admired and followed couldn't, then nobody could, right?

The old man told him about the ancient prophets, the Hebrew prophets, who had talked not of ideas but of what they had seen and heard, what they knew and experienced. And this was God. The old man ended the conversation by telling Justin to pray that the gates of light be opened to him.

Inflamed by this conversation, Justin sought out the Scriptures and came to love them. Christ words "possess a terrible power in themselves, and are sufficient to inspire those who turn aside from the path of rectitude with awe; while the sweetest rest is afforded those who make a diligent practice of them."

Why hadn't Justin known about Christianity before with as much as he had studied? He had heard about it, the way other pagans of second century Rome had, by the rumors and accusations that surrounded the persecution of Christians. The fearlessness of their actions made him doubt the gossip, but he had nothing else to go by. Christians at that time kept their beliefs secret. They were so afraid that outsiders would trample on their sacred faith and descrate their mysteries that they wouldn't tell anyone about their beliefs -- even to counteract outright lies. To be honest, there was good reason for their fears -- many actors for example performed obscene parodies of Christian ritual for pagan audiences, for example.

But Justin believed differently. He had been one of those outsiders -- not someone looking for trouble, but someone earnestly searching for the truth. The truth had been hidden from him by this fear of theirs. And he believed there were many others like him. He exhorted them that Christians had an obligation to speak of their faith, to witness to others about their faith and their mysteries.

So Justin took his newfound faith to the people. This layman became the first great apologist for Christianity and opened the gates of light for so many others. He explained baptism and Eucharist. He explained to the pagans why they didn't worship idols and why that didn't make them atheists. He explained to the Jews how Christians could worship the same God but not follow Jewish laws. He explained to the Greeks and the philosophers how philosophy did not take into account the dignity of humankind. He wrote long arguments known as apologies and traveled to other lands in order to debate publicly. His long education in philosophy and rhetoric gave him the skills he needed to match his oponents and the Holy Spirit gave him the rest.

It is not surprising that Justin was arrested during the persecution under Marcus Aurelius. Along with four others (Chariton, Charites, Paeon, and Liberianus) he was brought before the Roman prefect, Rusticus, to be accused under the law that required sacrificing to idols. When Rusticus demanded that they "Obey the gods at once, and submit to the kings," Justin responded, "To obey the commandments of our Saviour Jesus Christ is worthy neither of blame nor of condemnation."

When Rusticus asked what doctrines he believed, Justin told him that he had learned all the doctrines available during his quest but finally submitted to the true doctrines of the Christians, even though they didn't please others. (An understatement when he was under danger of death!)

When Rusticus asked where the Christians gathered, Justin gave a response that gives us insight into Christian community and worship of the time: "Where each one chooses and can: for do you fancy that we all meet in the very same place? Not so; because the God of the Christians is not circumscribed by place; but being invisible, fills heaven and earth, and everywhere is worshipped and glorified by the faithful."

When Rusticus asked each of them if they were a Christian, they all responded the same way: "Yes, I am a Christian." When Rusticus tried to put responsibility for this on Justin, they responded that God had made them Christians.

Just before Rusticus sentenced them he asked Justin, "If you are killed do you suppose you will go to heaven?" Justin said, "I do not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of it."

Justin and his fellow martyrs were beheaded in the year 165 and went to be with the Truth Justin had longed for all his life. He is often known as Justin Martyr and his works are still available.

June 1st begins hurricane season: fast and prayer

One of the things that June ushers in is hurricane season.  From June 1st to November 30th, all eyes are focused on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, wary of approaching storms.  2012 has seen the unusual distinction of 2 named systems already, even before the official start of hurricane season.  Hopefully, official predictions for all of 2012 point to a slightly less than normal hurricane season.

The good and faithful people of Louisiana have experienced their fair share of difficulty due to recent events, namely Katrina, Rita and Gustav.  Prayer and faith has seen many of us through both the anxiety of the approaching storms and the subsequent recovery.

For our 2012 hurricane season the Bishops of the state of Louisiana have declared tomorrow, June 1st, as a day of fasting and prayer for safety during this hurricane season.  Remember this intention in your prayer life tomorrow(and all of hurricane season) and offer your fasting for an uneventful season.

Check with your local parish as many have special prayer vigils, public recitation of the Rosary and Masses all dedicated to this important prayer intention.

May God spare us this hurricane season and we call upon the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor!

Meet the newest Priests for New Orleans

Four men to be ordained to priesthood June 2

Written by Clarion Staff | |

Archbishop Gregory Aymond will ordain four men to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans June 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Louis Cathedral.  

The four transitional deacons, from left, are Deacon Kurt R. Young, Deacon Garrett M. O’Brien, Deacon Kyle J. Sanders and Deacon Emile G. (Buddy) Noel.

>>>The ordination this Saturday welcomes 4 Priests to active Archdiocesan ministry, soon after the ordination of 5 transitional Deacons, strong seminary enrollment and a new excitement about vocations!

Pray for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and consecrated life and live your vocation, whatever state of life you are living!!

The movie for Greater Glory sheds light on the Cristero War in Mexico

The Cristero War: the Story Behind the Cover Up

Historian Gives Evaluation of Film, Explains What Happened in 1920s Mexico

By Kathleen Naab
MEXICO CITY, MAY 30, 2012 (Zenit.org).- If one asks a young Mexican about the basics of the Cristero War -- what it was and when it happened -- it's entirely possible to get a blank stare in response. Though one of the most important chapters in 20th-century Mexico, the war has been largely covered up.
The film "For Greater Glory," which opens Friday in the United States and has found great success in Mexico since it opened in April, aims to correct that injustice and bring the war and its heroes to light.
"For Greater Glory" (titled Cristiada in Spanish) is essentially historically accurate, says historian Ruben Quezada, who has written “For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada" as a companion book to the film. The companion volume is being published by Ignatius Press and will be released June 15 in English and Spanish.
ZENIT asked Quezada for an overview of the history of the Cristero War, and about some of the heroes of the conflict -- heroes both for society and for the Church.
ZENIT: Neither a film nor a ZENIT interview is sufficient to explain all the historical intricacies of such a complex epoch. Still, could you give us a brief overview of the Cristero War?
Quezada: The Cristero War is a chapter in Mexico’s history in the 1920s, when thousands of Catholics answered this crucial question [of religious freedom] at the cost of their very lives. President Plutarco Calles launched a direct attack on the Catholic Church using articles from Mexico’s Constitution, which created this uprising and counter-revolution against the Mexican government during that time. The original rebellion was set off by the persecution of Roman Catholics and a ban on their public religious practices.
There are two important dates to point out here.
The persecution began on Aug. 1, 1926, when the government re-enacted the penal code and forced the closure of all Catholic churches throughout the entire country with its new anticlerical laws. However, the first coordinated uprising for religious freedom did not occur until Jan. 1, 1927.
It was not until mid June 1929 when the truce was officially signed, bringing an end to the Cristero War.
ZENIT: Is For Greater Glory a historically accurate film?
Quezada: Apart from some “artistic license” the film is essentially accurate.
ZENIT: The movie alludes to some discrepancy between the Vatican's position regarding the religious persecution, and that of the Cristero fighters. Could you explain this?
Quezada: When the oppression was about to begin, the Vatican granted permission -- requested by the Mexican bishops -- to cease any Catholic religious services in order to avoid confrontations. Additionally, the Holy See wrote letters to the government requesting they abolish the Calles Law. The government ignored each request. As the war intensified, Rome continued to have direct communications with President Calles to ask for leniency. Not only were Vatican officials [in Mexico] dismissed, but diplomatic relations were broken off by the government. Lastly, Pope Pius XI wrote an encyclical letter to the clergy and the faithful of Mexico to give them courage and hope during this persecution. There was really not much else the Holy See could do. On Nov. 18, 1926, the Pope sent the encyclical letter Iniquis Afflictisque (On the Persecution of the Church in Mexico) to offer prayers and encouragement during this difficult time.
ZENIT: Some of the characters of the film are real-life blesseds or saints. Who are they and what is their story?
Quezada: Anacleto González Flores (played by actor Eduardo Verástegui of Bella) was born on July 13, 1888, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico.
He was greatly involved in social and religious activities and was an enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM). He taught classes in catechism, was dedicated to works of charity and wrote articles and books with a Christian spirit. In 1922 he married María Concepción Guerrero and they had two children.
By 1926, the situation in Mexico had worsened and Anacleto, who up until this time had advocated passive, non-violent resistance, joined the cause of the National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom upon learning of the murder of four members of the ACJM.In January 1927 guerrilla warfare spread throughout Jalisco; and from his many hiding places, Anacleto wrote and sent bulletins and studied major strategies. The young man was captured on the morning of April 1, 1927, in the home of the Vargas González family, along with the three Vargas brothers.
He was taken to Fort Colorado where his torture included being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any information. Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death and was shot together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same day, April 1, 1927.
It is important to note here that Anacleto González Flores along with Miguel Gómez Loza both received the “Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice” award for their incredible works of service to the Catholic Church.
Miguel Gómez Loza (played by actor Raúl Mendez) was born on Aug. 11, 1888, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. From a young age he had a strong love for God and a great devotion to the Blessed Mother.When he was 26, Miguel entered the University of Morelos where he earned a law degree, and eventually opened an office in Arandas (state of Jalisco) as an attorney.In 1915 he became a member of the ACJM, and in 1919 he established a national congress of Catholic workers to unify industry workers, commercial employees and agricultural laborers. He also worked tirelessly to defend the rights of the needy, which caused him to be arrested 59 times for organizing protests against the government.In 1922, Miguel married María Guadalupe Sánchez Barragán and they had three children. He joined the "National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom" in 1927, but believed in non-violence in order to resist the persecution.
After the death of Anacleto, he was appointed by Catholics as governor of Jalisco and strove by all the means at his disposal to defend liberty and justice.By March of 1928, Miguel was living on a ranch near Atotonilco, Jalisco. On March 21, federal forces who had been hunting for him discovered his whereabouts; he was executed by firing squad the same day.
José Sanchez del Rio (played by actor Mauricio Kuri) was a young Cristero soldier who joined the uprising to defend religious liberty. He was horrified to see the attacks on the priests and the desecration of churches in his small hometown of Sahuayo, Michoacan.When the Cristero War broke out in 1926, his brothers joined the rebel forces, but his mother would not allow him to take part [because of his young age]. The rebel general, Prudencio Mendoza, also refused his enlistment.The general finally relented and allowed José to become the flag bearer of the troop. He was known to be one of the youngest members of the Cristero movement.After his arrest we know of the gruesome events that transpired after the government's failure to break José's resolve on the evening of Feb. 10, 1928: “Consequently they cut the bottom of his feet and obliged him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. They also at times cut him with a machete until he was bleeding from several wounds. He cried and moaned with pain, but he did not give in. At times they stopped him and said, ‘If you shout ‘Death to Christ the King’ we will spare your life.’ José would only shout, "I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!" When they reached the place of execution, they stabbed him numerous times with bayonets. He only shouted louder, "Viva Cristo Rey!" The commander was so furious that he pulled out his pistol and shot Blessed José Sanchez del Rio in the head.
We do have a list of priests and laymen who have been beatified and canonized from this persecution in Mexico.
St. Agustín Caloca
St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado
St. Cristobal Magallanes
St. David Galván Bermudes
St. David Roldán Lara
St. David Uribe Velasco
St. Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo
St. Jesús Méndez Montoya
St. José Isabel Flores Varela
St. José Maria Robles Hurtado (Priest)*
St. Jóven Salvador Lara Puente
St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza
St. Justino Orona Madrigal
St. Luis Batiz Sáinz (Priest)*
St. Manuel Morales
St. Margarito Flores García
St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (Priest)*
St. Miguel De La Mora (Priest)*
St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero (Priest)*
St. Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
St. Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán (Priest)*
St. Román Adame Rosales
St. Sabas Reyes Salazar
St. Tranquilino Ubiarco
St. Toribio Romo González
Blessed Anacleto González Flores
Blessed Andrés Solá Molist (Priest)*
Blessed Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita (Priest)
Blessed Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez
Blessed Jorge Vargas González
Blessed José Sánchez del Río
Blessed José Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest) *
Blessed Leonardo Pérez Larios *
Blessed Luis Magaña Servín
Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez
Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza
Blessed Mateo Elías del Socorro Nieves (Priest)
Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro Juárez (Priest)
Blessed Ramón Vargas González
Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez
* Indicates member of Knights of Columbus
Our site http://www.vivacristorey.com/ will have documentation on the lives of each one along with the new book “For Greater Glory: The True Story of the Cristiada.” It’s the official companion book to the film published in English and Spanish by Ignatius Press. As an expert on the Cristero War, I was honored to write it. The book also includes a foreword by Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles and an introduction by Eduardo Verástegui, and there is an essay by Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
ZENIT: The Cristero War is a page mostly lost to history, even for young Mexicans, who don't learn about it in school. How is this possible?
Quezada: As recently as the 1980s it was difficult to find a single book that mentioned anything substantive about the Cristiada. If it was mentioned, it usually was no more than a single sentence in President Calles’ biography. School systems did not include the Cristiada as part of its history so that future generations would soon lose any knowledge of it.
But even today, it is important to note a crucial difference between the official state narrative and the Catholic understanding of events. The Mexican government portrays the Cristiada as a rebellion because the Cristeros “rebelled” against the enforcement of the Calles Law. But rebellion is hardly a fitting way to describe an attempt to restore customs in place for centuries before the Mexican Revolution. Catholics see the Cristiada as a response, albeit a violent one, to unjust persecution because Catholics were persecuted by unjust laws that inhibited their religious freedom.
There is more freedom of the press today, and a large volume of untold stories about the Cristiada -- testimonies and images that were illegal to print or publish for many years -- are finally emerging. There are literally thousands of testimonies coming to light that reveal an inspiring history that has been hidden for decades under a dark shadow of fear and denial.
--- --- ---
On the Net:
“For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada”: http://www.forgreaterglorybook.com/

The Pope's prayer intentions for June

 

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for June

Vatican City, 31 May (VIS).- Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for June is: "That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life".

His missionary intention is: "That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of and participate with more enthusiasm in the Gospel".

 

 

>>>Thanks to CatholicFire blogspot.

The end of yet another month; welcome to June

The passage of time is a subject that seems to interest me more and more with age.  I'm even aware that time seems to go by more quickly.  I would even go so far as to admot that even time spent relaxing goes by more quickly that I remember from bygone younger days.

So we arrive at yet the end of another month and press onward into the more summer time month of June.  For me, June ranks right up there with one of my least favorite months as, you should all know by now, I dislike summer temperatures and routines.  As a autumn-winter guy, which is no big deal here in the deep south, I truly look for these summer months to pass quickly.  Despite my desire that time march on, I will admit that every month, heck, every day, brings great joys and happiness, along with the challenges of life, that we should stop and enjoy or endure, experience and see God's plan in them.

On a personal note, June is the month of wedding anniversary; June 4th to be exact.  This year brings 35 years of marriage to my bride Wendy and yours truly.  June also brings the month of priestly ordinations, anniversaries and a far bit of other great events in the life of our very alive Church.  This Sunday, as we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, my own parish celebrates our namesake.  We celebrate with a great parish-family picnic.

This summer will be the first summer that both of my children will be working away from home.  James has been gone(N. Carolina) since 2003 so we are used to his abscence.  Elizabeth will be working at her graduate school in the neighboring state of Mississippi.  For Wendy and I, we will spend more time preparing for the birth of our 1st grandson(just 3 months to go) and working in our pleasantly surprising vegetable garden.

One last note, not to be a debbie-downer but a realist; but we in Louisiana become acutely aware that June ushers in hurricane season.  From now to November, we will cast a weary eye towards the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.  Can we all pray for a quiet, uneventful hurricane season.

For those of you who enjoy the beaches and the fun-in-the-sun thing, enjoy June with all your heart.  I'll enjoy it too, but you won't catch me at the beach.  Welcome to June; for this is the month the Lord has made!

Daughter of St Peter

St. Petronilla

St. Petronilla

 

Feastday: May 31
Patron of The dauphins of France; mountain travellers; treaties between Popes and Frankish emperors; invoked against fever

St. Petronilla is believed to have been the daughter of St. Peter. Until the XVII Century, she was called his physical daughter, and since then, she has been thought a spiritual daughter who was consecrated to his service. Legends quoted in Manichæan documents relate that Peter cured her of a palsy. Stories found in the writings of St. Marcellus (and retold in The Golden Legend) say that Peter, who thought his daughter too beautiful, asked God to afflict her with a fever, of which he refused to cure her until she began to be perfected in the love of God. She is said to have refused Count Flaccus' hand in marriage. Traditions say she died a natural death, but accounts of her martyrdom can be found. Petronilla is thought to have been Aurelia Petronilla, a scion of the gens Flavius, the family of Vespasian and Domitian. She was also related to St. Domitilla, who was exiled in I Century to Pandateria, whose property on the Via Ardentina became a catacomb cemetary. Inscriptions there describe Petronilla as a martyr. During the papacy of Siricius (384-399), a basilica was built on the site of her tomb. In the VIII Century, Gregory III established a place of public prayer in the basilica, and her relics were translated to St. Peter's, where a chapel was dedicated in her honor. Charlemagne (d. 814) and Carlomen (d. 771) were considered adopted sons of St. Peter, and they, along with the French monarchs who succeeded them, considered Petronilla their sister. Her chapel became the chapel of the kings of France. Her emblem, like that of St. Peter, is a set of keys.

Another great Marian Feast: May 31st: The Visitation

The Feast of the Visitation

By Scott P. Richert, About.com GuideMay 31, 2011

• the visitation

May 31 is the Feast of the Visitation, the day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary, having been told at the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who herself was pregnant with John the Baptist.
The scene is beautiful: As Mary greets her cousin, the baby leaps in Elizabeth's womb, and Elizabeth cries out in the words that make up the second sentence of the Hail Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!" Mary, overflowing with joy herself, responds with the Magnificat, a wondrous canticle (a biblical hymn) extolling the greatness of God and thanking Him for the favor He has shown her.
The Magnificat became part of the official evening prayer of the Catholic Church, and even if, as laymen, we do not celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, we can still incorporate it into our own evening prayers. What better way to remind ourselves on this feast--and every day--of the joy of the Blessed Virgin in bearing our Savior.

Great news for New Orleans Hornets

New Orleans Hornets win top pick in NBA Draft

The New Orleans Hornets hit the jackpot Wednesday night, winning the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.

The worst teams in the NBA went into the evening hoping for the best of luck in the lottery, which determines the order of the league's June 28 draft of college (and a few high school) players. The lottery was held at ABC's "Good Morning America" studio in New York.
The lottery is weighted, so the team with this season's worst record, the Charlotte Bobcats, had the best chance of getting the coveted No. 1 pick. But it's not a sure thing, as the Hornets' prize illustrates. The Hornets had the fourth-worst record this season but will select first; the Bobcats will choose second. Last year, the league's eighth-worst team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, won the lottery and were able to grab top-rated Duke point guard Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers were in the lottery again this year, as they failed to reach the playoffs despite having Irving.
Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis is widely expected to be the first pick in this year's draft. Other top prospects include Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson, Kentucky small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal.

More about politics and Catholic clergy

I've both posted and linked about this subject in the past and it must be time to do so again.  About 2 months back Deacon Bill Ditewig gave a splendid overview of the Permanent Deacon in politics and today we hear from Deacon Greg Kendra.  I intend to link both posts.  Deacon Greg goes on to mention the article for the magazine Deacon's Digest that Deacon Ditewig authored.  Here is the bottom line: Permanent Deacons, as ordained clergy of the Catholic Church, must not engage in partisan politics, campaign for candidates, and most certainly should never give the impression that as clergy, they speak for the Church.

Deacon Greg was quick to point out the amazing amount of partisan politics on display in the facebook, and I would assume Twitter, updates of those identified on those social media outlets as "Father so and so" or "Deacon so and so".  These clergy call out candidates by name as being the right answer, or on God's side, or whatever, while declaring the other side as this or that.  This is just not right and my two senior Deacon friends do a much better job of explaining the "why's".  I just say it makes no sense.

Before anyone thinks Catholic clergy, including the Permanent Deacon, is surrendering his "rights" I would suggest we frame the discussion in an altogether different light.  After personally discerning my own calling for years, then working my way through 5 years of formation all the way to ordination, I realized that the body of work of Holy Mother Church is neither Republican or Democrat.  Just like the Son of Man had nowhere to rest his head, we too have no political party to align ourselves with.  This clearly does not mean that the Church, and her clergy, are not to speak up, loudly and boldly, as she has courageously done with this unfair/unjust health care mandate and the resulting loss of religious liberty.

The Church continues to be one of the lone voices in the wilderness to continue to stand against matters relative to contraception, the frenzy to redefine marriage, not to mention a growing understanding of the injustice of the death penalty and issues relative to immigration.

In my Archdiocese here, our Archbishop, through our Director for Permanent Deacons has spoken loud and clear; no politicking, no yard signs, no campaigning, no partisan politics on facebook, twitter, even this here modest blog.

Read more on this in the two excellent articles by Deacon Ditewig and Deacon Kendra:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/05/clergy-and-politics/

http://pilgrimsfootsteps.blogspot.com/2012/03/permanent-deacons-and-politics.html

Maid of Orleans and patroness of New Orleans

St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc

Feastday: May 30
Patron of soldiers and France
1412 - 1431

St. Joan of Arc is the patroness of soldiers and of France. On January 6, 1412, Joan of Arc was born to pious parents of the French peasant class, at the obscure village of Domremy, near the province of Lorraine. At a very early age, she heard voices: those of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret.

At first the messages were personal and general. Then at last came the crowning order. In May, 1428, her voices "of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret" told Joan to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. For at that time the English king was after the throne of France, and the Duke of Burgundy, the chief rival of the French king, was siding with him and gobbling up evermore French territory.

After overcoming opposition from churchmen and courtiers, the seventeen year old girl was given a small army with which she raised the seige of Orleans on May 8, 1429. She then enjoyed a series of spectacular military successes, during which the King was able to enter Rheims and be crowned with her at his side.

In May 1430, as she was attempting to relieve Compiegne, she was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English when Charles and the French did nothing to save her. After months of imprisonment, she was tried at Rouen by a tribunal presided over by the infamous Peter Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, who hoped that the English would help him to become archbishop.

Through her unfamiliarity with the technicalities of theology, Joan was trapped into making a few damaging statements. When she refused to retract the assertion that it was the saints of God who had commanded her to do what she had done, she was condemned to death as a heretic, sorceress, and adulteress, and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. She was nineteen years old. Some thirty years later, she was exonerated of all guilt and she was ultimately canonized in 1920, making official what the people had known for centuries. Her feast day is May 30.

Joan was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.

Killing our kids at birthday parties; a 5 year old among the dead in Central City, New Orleans. Why are we not mad?

New Orleans Girl, 5, woman killed in Central City shooting; 3 others injured Published: Tuesday, May 29, 2012, By Leslie Williams, The Times-Picayune

A 5-year-old girl and a 33-year-old woman died from gunshot wounds Tuesday afternoon in a fusillade in Central City, New Orleans police said. A 10-year-old boy had graze wounds to the face and leg, a 20-year-old man was wounded in the wrist and a 24-year-old man was shot in the face, police said. View full sizeMichael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneAfter a 5-year-old girl was taken to a waiting ambulance, birthday balloons, pink sandals and medical supply wrappers are left at the scene of a birthday party on a porch in the 1200 block of Simon Bolivar Avenue just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday. "It was my grandson's birthday party," said a woman, referring to the 10-year-old boy. She said she was sitting on bricks across the street near the Guste High Rise when "three dudes came from that direction," the intersection of Simon Bolivar Avenue and Clio Street. Initially she thought the weapons in their hands were "play guns." She said the armed men were shooting at other people who ran to the birthday party area. Police marked about 24 casings spread in front of an area on Simon Bolivar Avenue from 1212-1214 Simon Bolivar Avenue to Clio Street. Casings littered the asphalt street as well as the neutral ground. The shooting started about 5:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Simon Bolivar Avenue, according to police. who are trying to reconstruct events leading up to the violence. The 33-year-old woman was shot while driving a green Mazda 3 on Simon Bolivar Avenue. After she was hit, she crashed the car into a utility pole at Simon Bolivar and Thalia Street. She had nothing to do with the violence; a bullet traveled about three blocks and hit her, said police, noting the information is preliminary. Blood was smeared on an airbag that deployed in the crash. A police officer was pumping her chest, said a man who had just left home to go to a barber shop on Simon Bolivar. "He was trying to save her," he said. The 5-year-old girl had gunshot wounds to the adbomen and died at a hospital, police said. New Orleans Police Chief Ronal Serpas called the shooting an act of "cowardice" ... to be overcome by the city of New Orleans. Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who also was at the scene after the shooting, called the shootings "irrational" and the act of "thugs" who did not care about the children's party. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 1.877.903.7867. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn as much as $2,500 for tips that lead to an indictment. The shooting followed a series of three shootings across the city, one of them fatal. A male was fatally shot in the head outside a body shop near the corner of Toulouse and Gayoso Streets about 3:30 p.m. He was transported to a hospital and died shortly afterward. About 40 minutes earlier, in the 7100 block of Deanne Street in eastern New Orleans, a 19-year-old man was shot in the neck, according to New Orleans police spokeswoman Remi Braden. Another shooting occurred a few minutes later in the 4300 block of South Carrollton Avenue, near Baudin Street. There, a male was shot in the stomach. Additional details, such as the ages of the victims in those three shootings, as well as possible motives or suspects, were not immediately released. Leslie Williams can be reached at lwilliams@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3358.


>>>We need to pray:

The New Battle of New Orleans: Violence, Murder, Racism

Our Family Prayer
Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our archdiocese have appreciated the prayers and love of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in times of war, disaster, epidemic and illness. We come to you, Father, with Mary our Mother, and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence,murder and racism.
We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which gives respect to the life and dignity of all people.

Bless parents that they may form their children in faith. Bless and protect our youth that they may be peacemakers of our time. Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence.

Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.

Mother Henriette Delille, pray for us that we may be a holy family.

Faith over Politics; we need a lot more of this

Democrat Commiteewoman Resigns from Party, Cites Her Catholic Faith

 

by Matthew Archbold Monday, May 28, 2012

 

Jo Ann Nardelli has been a Catholic Democrat her entire life. Her father was one before her. And she couldn't imagine a day where that wouldn't be true.

But that day was Wednesday of last week.
I read a story about Jo Ann leaving the Democratic Party and was interested because she cited her Catholic faith as the reason.
So I gave her a call. I got her machine and as I was leaving a message she picked up. She said she'd been screening her calls because so many people have been calling to say nasty things to her or just pleading with her to change her mind. But when I called, saying I was with The National Catholic Register she picked up.
She said she figured I wouldn't be too mean to her.
Nardelli has been the focus of quite the firestorm in Pennsylvania because the thing is that Jo Ann Nardelli isn't just another Democratic committeewoman. She's the president and founder of the Blair County Federation of Democratic Women, she was Vice President of the PA State Women’s Caucus, and was 1st Vice President of the PA State Federation of Democratic Women (she had been in line for the presidency of that organization in 2014). She met with Hillary Clinton,  gave a rosary to Joe Biden, and appeared on the cover of US News and World Report going to Church with then Senate candidate Bob Casey Jr.
Nardelli has always been a pro-life Democrat and felt that there was always room for that position in the party. But she said that for the past few years she's felt that the party was drifting further and further away from her. She said she never shied away from speaking about her Catholic faith or her pro-life views as a Democrat.
She said that for years she hoped that she could change the party from within, make it more in line with traditional values. "I thought I could make a difference to change our party. It didn’t work," she said. "I noticed it that it’s been going more and more to the left. This is not my father’s party. I did not leave the party, the party left me."
In a letter of resignation to the Democratic party, Nardelli cited her Catholic faith.
“I respect all of you and all that I have achieved in the past. Due to personal matters and faith beliefs at this time, it is only fair to resign,” she wrote. “I will miss you all very much as you are all a part of my family; however, it is time to move forward with my life in a direction that is more in line with my faith.”
She announced her decision at a press conference at the courthouse in Hollidaysburg and standing next to her was Monsignor Anthony Little of the local parish of Saint Patrick's in Newry.
She said it started a few weeks ago, ironically as she and her husband were getting ready for Mass and watching Meet the Press when Joe Biden, a Catholic, cited his support for gay marriage.
This shocked her. She said she'd always related to Biden. She said he reminded her of her father. But this announcement shocked her. And then, shortly after, President Obama announced that he'd "evolved" into supporting gay "marriage."
And then as a Democratic committeewoman she received her agenda from the party espousing the same position. "To stand up and agree and sign off on this I couldn’t do it," she said. "So I talked to our priest."
While she didn't say what they talked about, she said Monsignor Little warned her that she would be the focus of much criticism.
His words have proved prophetic. Nardelli said she's heard from people saying she hates gays or that she's a bigot. It got so bad that she started screening her calls. And she didn't know who was calling to say something terrible or something nice to her. She said that even when Republicans call her, she's afraid to pick up simply because she doesn't know them.
"I’ve been a Democrat for over 40 years," she laughed. "I don't know any of the Republicans."
She's been shocked at how the story about her announcement has taken off with reporters calling and her phone ringing off the hook. She said that's not why she did it but she hopes some good can come out of it.
But as unsure of her future as she is, Nardelli says she simply had no other choice. When it came to choosing between her faith and her party, she chose her faith. "God is the reason for all being," she said. "We have to follow our faith."

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/matthew-archbold/democrat-commiteewoman-resigns-from-party-cites-her-catholic-faith#ixzz1wJl19B1R

 

>>>Thanks to the Deacon's Bench

Another Saint canonized by Blessed JPII

St. Julia Maria Ledóchowska

St. Julia Maria Ledóchowska

 

Feastday: May 29
1865 - 1939

Julia Maria Ledóchowska was born in Austria in 1865, the daughter of a Polish count and a Swiss noblewoman. Her large family was a school of saints. Her uncle, Cardinal Mieczyslaw Ledóchowski, the Primate of Poland, was persecuted and imprisoned for his opposition to the policies of the Prussian Kulturkampf [“culture war”]. Her older sister, Blessed Maria Teresa Ledóchowska, founded the Missionary Sisters of S. Peter Claver and is affectionately known as the “Mother of Black Africa”.

Julia Maria moved with her family to Poland when her father became ill in 1883. He died soon after, having given his blessing to her plans to enter the Convent of the Ursuline Sisters in Krakow. Julia took the religious name of “Maria Ursula of Jesus” and devoted herself to the care and education of youth. She organized the first residence in Poland for female university students.

As prioress of the convent after the turn of the century, she received a request to found a boarding school for Polish girls in St. Petersburg, Russia, then a cosmopolitan, industrial city. The pastor of St. Catherine’s Church, Msgr. Constantine Budkiewicz (a Polish nobleman), extended the invitation, and Pope St. Pius X gave his approval. So in 1907 Mother Ursula went with another sister to Russia to found a new convent and work among the Catholic immigrants. Although the nuns wore lay clothing, they were under constant surveillance by the secret police.

At the beginning of World War I, Mother Ursula was expelled from Russia as an Austrian national. The Monsignor would be martyred by the Bolsheviks, and St. Petersburg would eventually be renamed “Leningrad”.

Mother Ursula fled to neutral Sweden. She organized relief efforts for war victims and charitable programs for Polish people living in exile, founded a monthly Catholic newspaper, and made extensive ecumenical contacts with Lutherans in Scandinavia.

In 1920 M. Ursula, her sisters, and dozens of orphans (the children of immigrants) made their way back to Poland. During the tumultuous years that they had spent abroad, the growing Ursuline community had developed a distinctive charism and apostolate. Therefore Mother Ursula founded her own Congregation, the Ursuline Sisters of the Heart of Jesus in Agony. Her brother Vladimir, who had become Superior General of the Jesuits, helped to obtain Vatican approval of the new institute, which was to be devoted to “the education and training of children and youth, and service to the poorest and the oppressed among our brethren” (from the Constitutions).

Between the two world wars, M. Ursula and her nuns taught catechism in the enormous factory town of Lodz. She organized a “Eucharistic Crusade” among the working-class children, encouraging those little “Knights of the Crusade” to write to Pope Pius XI in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. Some children wrote that they loved the Holy Father as much as their own parents. Others spoke of receiving Our Lord in their First Holy Communion, of wanting to be His apostles and missionaries. One child wrote: “How beautiful it would be if the Holy Father were to come to Poland.” Mother Ursula Ledóchowska died on May 29, 1939 at the general house of her community in Rome.

Pope John Paul II beatified her during his second pastoral visit to Poland, in 1983, the Holy Year of Redemption and the sixth centenary of Our Lady of Jasna Gora, in the city of Poznan, with schoolchildren from Lodz in attendance.

While visiting his homeland in June 1983, the Holy Father spoke the following words: “It is the Saints and the Blessed who show us the path to the victory that God achieves in human history. Every individual is called to a similar victory. Every son and daughter of Poland who follows the example of her saints and beati. Their elevation to the altars in their homeland is the sign of that strength which is more powerful than any human weakness and more powerful than any situation, even the most difficult, not excluding the arrogant use of power.”

Less than a decade later, in 1991, when Pope John Paul II returned to Poland to beatify Bishop Pelczar, Solidarity had prevailed, the Berlin Wall had fallen, and the Catholic hierarchy had been restored in most Eastern European nations.

Local girl becomes Mother Angelica right hand and now foundress of new religious order

 

Nun had special relationship with TV network founder

Mother Gabrielle Marie poses for a photo outside St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.
Buy Photo Abby Tabor/Staff

By Thad Angelloz
Staff Writer

Published: Monday, May 28, 2012

Page 1 of 3

Gabrielle Marie's mornings begin like most women as she slowly opens her eyes and prepares for the day ahead. But instead of heading to an office or sending children off to school, Marie meets up with her fellow Benedictine Daughters for breakfast before spending the better part of her afternoon praying.

Mother Marie, as she is better known, is a member of a religious order of nuns based in Italy that she founded several years ago after leaving her position as mother vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Ala.

That just so happens to be Mother Mary Angelica's order.

The Napoleonville native spent 33 years by Mother Angelica's side.

Mother Angelica founded EWTN, Eternal Word Television Network, in 1981 and began running religious programming on the station. She relinquished control of the network in 2000 and suffered a stroke in 2001.

Mother Marie is the nun many might remember who sat directly next to Mother Angelica reciting The Rosary on TV.

The story of how a girl from south Louisiana found herself sharing a TV set with such a beloved nun is an interesting one, said Ana Kearns, who served as a chaperone of sorts during Mother Marie's recent visit to south Louisiana. Kearns is president of the Thibodaux Music Club.

“When you are around her you sense the Holy Spirt and receive many blessings,” Kearns said.

Mother Marie, whose birth name is Gayle Breaux, described how she attended St. Philomena Elementary School in Labadieville as a child. It was then that she started to feel a tug toward religious life.

After attending college in New Orleans and later traveling to work at mental hospital in Indiana, Marie wanted to come home.

Entire story here:  http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20120528/articles/120529672?p=2&tc=pg

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20120528/articles/120529672?p=3&tc=pg

More good news from the inner city of New Orleans at Cafe Reconcile

23-year-old rejects a life of violence on New Orleans streets

Published: Monday, May 28, 2012

By Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune

When Ryan Dalton ran drugs on the streets of the 8th Ward, he always breathed easy, even when he knew someone with a grudge and a gun might be hunting him. But as he plans to board a plane next month to participate in a youth summit at the White House, Dalton knows better than to expect an inner calm.

Enlarge Ted Jackson, The Times-Picayune TED JACKSON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Ryan Dalton gets a hug from his Cafe Reconcile mentor, Nicole Bordley during his shift at the cafe Thursday, May 24, 2012. Shot 3 times, Dalton has now turned his life around and is working at Cafe Reconcile, and , a nonprofit restaurant that uses innovation strategies to provide life skills and job training to youth from at-risk communities in the New Orleans area. Ryan Dalton revives his life through Cafe Reconcile gallery (4 photos)

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His hands will sweat. He will break out in goose bumps. His heart will race. "Some people are scared of success," Dalton said.
The way things have been going, the 23-year-old Frederick Douglass High School graduate might try to get used to it.
More than two years after a shower of AK-47 rounds left him with a baseball-sized hole in his lower back, Dalton has moved from a cycle of chronic homelessness, street violence and narcotics-trading into a full-time job at a Central City workforce development program.
A welterweight with bright eyes and neat dreadlocks, he also is starting a nonprofit aimed at connecting the city's troubled children and teenagers with the myriad social programs already available to them, though they often don't realize it.
It's the kind of wholesale change New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu heralded last week when he introduced Dalton during his State of the City address as an example of how social services and the attention of caring adults can help a motivated, ambitious young person reject a life of crime.
Such mentorship is a key component of the mayor's new murder-reduction initiative, dubbed "NOLA for Life," which also includes major investments in community infrastructure and beefed-up prosecution of criminals intent on breaking the law.
"It was his sister who first told Ryan about a program called Cafe Reconcile, a nonprofit on O.C. Haley Boulevard that helps connect young people to skills and jobs," Landrieu told an audience of elected officials, community leaders and others at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts.
"Ryan excelled in the program and now is a Cafe Reconcile floor trainer in his own right, and is pursuing a degree in business," he said. "Ryan's life is a testament that hope -- though she may be concealed -- is always there, waiting for us to seek her out."
Not long after the speech, Cafe Reconcile announced on its website that Dalton will head to Washington D.C. to participate a community summit for disconnected youth. The chance came by virtue of Dalton's role as a national youth ambassador with the Youth Leadership Institute, a policy organization that also runs community programs.
Sitting in the restaurant's glass-enclosed front room just before the lunch rush, Dalton on Friday recalled that he always thrived on work. At 9, he swept hair from the floors of local barber shops and beauty salons. And by 13, he was plying the construction trade with skills gleaned from a neighbor.
But with 10 siblings, a mostly-absent father, a busy mom and the disruption of Hurricane Katrina, Dalton stumbled off his course toward becoming a professional photographer. When he became a father for the first time at 18 -- he has three children now -- Dalton took to the streets to supplement the inconsistent income he earned working port jobs.
"I got so knee-deep in the street life," he said, adding that he spent a stint in jail.
On his sister's advice, Dalton started Cafe Reconcile's training program in October 2009. A week later, he was shot. Despite rules about protracted absences, Dalton convinced organizers to let him return. With blood sometimes seeping from his bullet wound, he fought dizzy spells to stay on the job.

View full sizeTed Jackson, The Times-Picayune'Ryan's life is a testament that hope -- though she may be concealed -- is always there, waiting for us to seek her out,' Mayor Mitch Landrieu said of Ryan Dalton, as he asked him to stand during the mayor's state-of-the-city speech last week.

Eventually, Dalton was hired by the program as a front house manager, and now he is leading The P.U.S.H Project -- the name stands for perseverance, understanding, success and healing -- with the goal of using city-owned parks to connect residents ages 4 through 24 with recreational and job opportunities, including the multitude of programs already up and running in the city.
"So many times, the young people don't know who believes in them," said Dalton, who wears a black elastic bracelet stamped with the phrase, "Dreams Are Weapons."
"If you think you're a lost cause, why not torment everyone else?" he said.
Aiming to connect his peers with the sort of job opportunities he seized, Dalton returns often to his old 8th Ward stomping ground. "I was shot a couple of blocks from where I'm recruiting people," he said. "I'm grabbing people and I'm bringing them here."
His message echoes the sentiment Landrieu shared when he asked Dalton to stand and be recognized by the crowd that had gathered to hear his speech.
"Some are cynical and believe that we cannot change, but I believe we can," the mayor said. "I have great hope because of young people like Ryan Dalton."
Anxiety aside, Dalton said he's excited about his trip to the nation's capitol. It will include his first airplane ride, his first trip to the White House and the latest step in a personal journey that's far from finished.
"I'm dedicated to my change, and it's not over," he said. "I can't even wrap around it yet."

So many lost their lives for you and me to have a Monday off

A Monday off from work. Perhaps today means a trip to the beach or a park, bbq for lunch, a nice relaxing day off from work.  Perhaps it's just another Monday.  For today to be the national holiday it has become, many lost their lives for you and me in defense of our nation; to protect our lives, our liberties and our good fortune.

This Monday, whether you are enjoying this "first day of summer" or you still have to go to work and follow your normal Monday routine, it is a day of rememberance.  This is the national holiday set aside to remember and commemorate those who gave their last full measure in the fight to protect our freedoms.  This should be a great day of prayer; prayer for all those who lost their lives, prayers for the families who endured loss and suffering, the likes of which most of us will never know, and prayers for a day when war is not the answer.

The history of Memorial Day is rich and fascinating so I'm including the attached link:

http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history

Happy Memorial Day as we spend this day in rememberance and thanksgiving!

Tough times for the Vatican; pray for a quick end to the crisis and pray for the Pope

Vatican says trust in Church hurt by scandal

By Philip Pullella | Reuters 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican acknowledged on Monday that the worst crisis in Pope Benedict's papacy had hurt the faith of Roman Catholics in their Church, but denied any cardinal was a suspect in a deepening scandal over leaked documents.

The scandal exploded last week when, within a few days, the head of the Vatican's own bank was abruptly dismissed, the pope's butler was arrested for leaking documents and a book was published alleging conspiracies among the cardinals or "princes of the Church".

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told a news conference: "This is naturally something that can hurt the Church, and put trust in it and the Holy See to the test."
But Lombardi strongly denied Italian newspaper reports, quoting insiders who had themselves leaked documents, that a cardinal was among those being investigated over the scandal, which has been dubbed "Vatileaks".
"I categorically deny that any cardinal, Italian or otherwise, is a suspect," Lombardi said, adding that the pope was being kept fully informed of the case.
"He is aware of a delicate situation that we are living through in the Roman Curia. He continues on his path of serenity, his position of faith and morals that is above the fray."
Lombardi played down the depth of the scandal, which has caused a frenzy in the Italian press, saying talk that it was linked to an internal power struggle was "exaggerated".
The scandal concerns documents passed to Italian journalists over the last few months that accuse Vatican insiders of cronyism and corruption in contracts with Italian companies.
It has been brewing for months, but since it burst into the open it has shaken the very heart of the Roman Catholic Church.

After an investigation inside the Holy See, Pope Benedict's butler, Paolo Gabriele, 46, was formally charged on Saturday with stealing confidential papal documents. But leakers quoted by La Stampa, La Repubblica and other media said the leaking plot went much wider and higher.

BUTLER TO COOPERATE
One of Gabriele's two lawyers, Carlo Fusco, said his client, who is being held inside a Vatican police station, would cooperate fully with investigators who are trying to track down other suspects.
He said Gabriele, who attended mass on Monday morning and was visited by his wife, was "very serene and tranquil."
Italian newspapers, quoting other whistle blowers in the Vatican, said the arrested butler was merely a scapegoat doing the bidding of more powerful figures.
"There are leakers among the cardinals but the Secretariat of State could not say that, so they arrested the servant, Paolo, who was only delivering letters on behalf of others," La Repubblica quoted one leaker as saying.

The Secretariat of State is run by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the pope's powerful right-hand man, and the scandal appears to involve a power struggle between his allies and enemies, reminiscent of Renaissance conspiracies in the Vatican.

La Stampa daily quoted one of the alleged leakers as saying the goal was to help the pope root out corruption.
Aides say the pontiff is "saddened and pained" by the events. His critics say a lack of strong leadership has opened the door to infighting among his powerful aides - and potentially to the corruption alleged in the leaked documents.
Lombardi said the Vatican would not be hurried in its investigation by media pressure, "One can't say how long this will take...the questions will have to be dealt with in the time that is needed to have a clear idea of the situation."
He added: "When things like this happen, one has to confront them clearly, with much realism, not hide them and try to understand the dynamics of the events and the solutions to remedy them. There is a clear commitment on this from the pope and his aides.
"No one can deny that this is a situation of suffering, however," Lombardi said.

Many Vatican insiders believe the butler, who had access to the pope's private apartment, could not have acted alone. He is being held in a "safe room" in the Vatican police station and has been charged with aggravated theft.

Now known in Vatican statements as "the defendant" - he was until Wednesday night the quiet man who served the pope's meals, helped him dress and held his umbrella on rainy days.
WEED OUT CORRUPTION

The Vatican's announcement of the arrest of the butler came a day after the president of the Vatican bank (IOR), Italian Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, was fired by its board of external financial experts, who come from Germany, Spain, the United States and Italy.

Gotti Tedeschi's ousting was a blow to Bertone, who as secretary of state was instrumental in bringing him in from Spain's Banco Santander to run the Vatican bank in 2009.

While news of the butler's arrest has filled pages and pages of newspapers in Italy and beyond, the Vatican's own newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has ignored the story. Some say this may be because the paper itself has been an instrument in the power struggle between Bertone's allies and foes.
Documents leaked over the last few months included letters by an archbishop who was transferred to Washington by Bertone after blowing the whistle on what he saw as a web of corruption in a memo that put a number of cardinals in a bad light. Other documents alleged internal conflicts over the Vatican bank.

"I feel very sad for the pope. This whole thing is such a disservice to the Church," said Carl Anderson, head of the Knights of Columbus charity group and a member of the board of the Vatican bank who voted to fire Gotti Tedeschi.

Anderson told Reuters the bank president was sacked because of "a fundamental failure to perform his basic responsibilities". Gotti Tedeschi has said he was ousted because he wanted the bank to be more transparent, but Anderson rejected that assertion.

"Categorically, this action by the board had nothing to do with his promotion of transparency," Anderson said. "In fact, he was becoming an obstacle to greater transparency by his inability to work with senior management."

He said the Vatican was aiming to make the OECD's "white list" of states with an adequate level of financial transparency. Vatican sources have pointed to the bank head's very public ouster as an example of the drive to achieve this.

Gianlugi Nuzzi, the Italian journalist who has received many of the documents over recent months and last week published a new book called "His Holiness", on Monday criticized the Vatican for rounding up leakers.

"Surely, arresting someone and rounding up people and treating them like delinquents to stop them from passing on true information to newspapers would cause an uproar in other countries," he said. "There would be a petition to free them."

(Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Barry Moody)