Blogger Tod Worner hits nail on head about Advent; we all NEED Advent!

The Vital Necessity of Advent

December 3, 2013 by Tod Worner

“Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”

- G.K. Chesterton. 

Dear Jesus, do I need Advent. I just do. Living in the upper Midwest during the melancholic waning days of fall, begrudging the early arrival of snow flurries and enduring the bone-chill that summer had (mockingly) made me forget, I need Advent. You see, I am predisposed to what Winston Churchill once called “the black dog”. The black dog is an ill-defined woefulness that can gnaw at you at unpredictable times for indescribable reasons. Not classically a depression, it is rather a longing for something that is unfulfilled by anything here on earth. If not tilting into a fuller depression, perhaps this is a good thing. C.S. Lewis, after all, once wondered,

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

And that is why I need Advent. Advent, originating from the Latin “Adventus”, means “a coming, an approach, or an arrival”. It is a season of anticipation, of expectation and of reform in preparation for the arrival. But what is it we are anticipating, expecting, and preparing for? Nothing more than the entry of God into History, the Word Made Flesh, the Messiah, the Savior of Mankind. We are awaiting, expectantly and eagerly, the Central Event of Human History. The Incarnation. Nothing less than that. And that is why I need Advent.
To me, this anticipation, this expectation, this preparation boils down to the supernatural virtue that best repels the “black dog”: Hope. Advent is a season of inextinguishable Hope. In a concentration of four weeks, our Sunday readings release an explosion of good news: A virgin girl charged with ushering the redeeming God into the world, a prophet (Isaiah) anticipating barren land becoming lush and the infirm becoming well, an imprisoned baptist assured that the One he foretold has arrived with glorious miracles, and a man comforted by angelic dreams answers his call to guard over the Child-God about to be born. Hope, glorious hope…found forcing its way into a society of brutal occupation, poverty, disease and injustice.
Advent is also a season of hope anticipating Christ’s Second Coming. In a way, our earthly experience of Advent is a paradoxical recognition of the humble human incarnation of Christ the Child as well as the majestic divine return of Christ the King. It is a season anticipating First and Second Comings. Advent reminds us that, while entrenched in the pain, loss and suffering accompanying our earthly existence, it is vital to be nurtured by the memory of Christ’s First appearance and comforted by the hope of His Second. St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us to be hopeful in this time between Christ’s First and Second Coming,

“We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pieced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves and they are saved.”

Whether anticipating the Incarnation or Second Coming, hope is Advent’s indisputable theme. Pope Benedict XVI (as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) once reminded us of this hope saying,

“Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope…It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.”

Perhaps, most moving are the abbreviated words on the wonder of hope by Catholic writer/poet Charles Peguy in The Portal of the Mystery of Hope,

“The faith that I love the best, says God, is hope.

Faith doesn’t surprise me.
It’s not surprising.
I am so resplendent in my creation.
In the sun and the moon and in the stars…

Charity, says God, that doesn’t surprise me.
It’s not surprising.
These poor creatures are so miserable that unless they had a heart of stone, how could they not have love for each other.
How could they not love their brothers…

What surprises me, says God, is hope.
And I can’t get over it.
This little hope who seems like nothing at all.
This little girl hope.
Immortal.” 

And so in Advent – the vitally necessary Advent – as the “black dog” prowls, the days grow dark and the chill wind blows yearning to snuff out the four Advent candles, do I hope? Do I dare to hope? Yes. Yes I do. Thanks be to God.

A 20th century founder and martyr; beatified by Pope Benedict XVI

Bl. Charles de Faucauld

 

Facts

Feastday: December 1
Death: 1916

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Venerable Charles de Foucauld Little Brother Charles of Jesus Charles Eugene, (Vicomte de) Foucauld 1858 - 1916 Died Age 58 Charles was left an orphan by the age of six, and he and his sister were brought up by their grandfather. By the time he was fifteen, less than a year after his First Communion, Charles had ceased to be a Christian and was an agnostic. In 1878, his grandfather died. Love for the old man had prevented Charles from indulging in the worst excesses, but at his death, Charles began to "live." On receiving his inheritance, he set about spending it in riotous living.  For a time he lived in Paris, where he took an apartment near a cousin, Marie de Bondy. Marie, who had first entered his life when he was about eleven, was a deeply spiritual young woman. Gradually, through her example, the gay and reckless young man began to change. His religion, when he rediscovered God, was a highly personal discipleship and love of the Person of Jesus Christ. Regarding his conversion, Charles said, "The moment I realized that God existed, I knew I could not do otherwise than to live for him alone." For a time after his return to the sacraments, Charles lived as a Trappist monk. Although he is remembered as an exemplary religious, the conviction grew that this was not his vocation. After being released from his temporary vows, Charles went to the Holy Land where he became a servant for the Poor Clare nuns.  Mother Elizabeth, the Superior of these Clarist sisters, was a woman of uncommon wisdom. She helped Charles to the realization that he should become a priest in order to serve God better. Charles finished his studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1901. Later that year, he left for Algeria to take up the life of a hermit in the desert. Little Brother Charles of Jesus, as he called himself, thought up and wrote down a plan for two religious orders. The members of these orders would live a life patterned on the life of Jesus at Nazareth.  At the time of Brother Charles' death, neither his missionary contacts  nor his designs for new religious orders had borne visible fruit.  In 1916, living among the fierce Tuaregs of Tamanrasset, Charles de Foucauld was murdered in an attempt to warn two Arab soldiers of danger from a group of Senussi rebels.  The life of Charles de Foucauld was like the biblical seed which had to die before it sprouted into a healthy plant. Within twenty years after his death, there appeared three congregations which derived their inspiration, purpose, and Rules from Charles de Foucauld. These Little Brothers of Jesus, Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and Little Sisters of Jesus live in small groups all over the world, preaching by the lives they lead. Two other Orders, founded later, trace their heritage to Little Brother Charles of Jesus. Each of these groups bases its apostolate on the ideas of the Orders which the martyr of the desert had planned, but did not live to see. Knowledge of the life of Charles de Foucauld has spread throughout the Church. After preliminary investigations, all proved positive, and he was declared venerable in 1978.  In 2005 he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI.

Praying with Pope Francis in December

December Prayer intentions of the Holy Father

• Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving.

• Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

Please pray with the Pope and with these intentions all month long!

Pope Francis gives interview on flight home to Rome; offers a criticism of fundamentalist Catholics

Pope Francis criticises ‘fundamentalist’ Catholics

by Catholic News Service

posted Monday, 30 Nov 2015

Pope Francis greets a journalist aboard his flight from Bangui, Central African Republic, to Rome on Monday (CNS)

The Pope discussed a number of issues with reporters during an in-flight press conference, including condoms and the Vatican leaks trial

During an inflight press conference on the way back to Rome at the end of his three-country tour of Africa, Pope Francis criticised “fundamentalists” within the Church.
“Fundamentalism is a sickness that is in all religions,” said the Pontiff, according to the National Catholic Reporter. “We Catholics have some — and not some, many — who believe in the absolute truth and go ahead dirtying the other with calumny, with disinformation, and doing evil. They do evil. I say this because it is my Church.”
He said that “religious fundamentalism isn’t religion, it’s idolatry,” adding that ideas and false certainties take the place of faith, love of God and love of others.
“You cannot cancel a whole religion because there is a group or many groups of fundamentalists at certain moments of history,” the Pope said.
When asked about the so-called Vatileaks trial, the Pope said he “hasn’t lost any sleep” over the trial investigating leaks that revealed alleged financial mismanagement in the Church.
The leaks led to the arrest of a monsignor, his assistant, a woman who served on a former Vatican commission and the two authors who wrote books allegedly based on the material. The trial, due to resume at the Vatican today, has been adjourned until next week.
However, he said, he had hoped the trial would be over before the opening of December 8 of the Year of Mercy, but he does not think that will be possible because the defendants’ lawyers need adequate time to defend their clients properly.
Francis also said his predecessor, Benedict XVI, began the process of dealing with problems to do with the Vatican’s handling of its finances. “He was the first one to speak against corruption,” Francis said.
Given his visits to Uganda and Kenya, where new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths continue, Pope Francis was asked if he thought the Church “should change its teaching” about the use of condoms.
Pope Francis responded that an ongoing question for Catholic moral theology is whether condoms in that case are an instrument to prevent death or a contraceptive — in which case they would violate church teaching on openness to life.
But, he said, the question is too narrow. People are dying because of a lack of clean water and adequate food. Once the world takes serious steps to solve those problems, then it would be “legitimate to ask whether it is licit” to use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Pope Francis also told reporters he is well aware that God is a god of surprises, but he had not been prepared for what a surprise his first visit to Africa would be.
Obviously tired, but equally content, Pope Francis told reporters he prayed in a mosque in Bangui, Central African Republic, and rode around a Muslim neighbourhood with the imam seated with him in the popemobile. Both were spontaneous initiatives of the Pope on Monday, his last day in Africa.
Returning to Rome from Bangui later that day, the Pope spent more than 60 minutes with reporters in the back of his plane, responding to their questions.
“The crowds, the joy, the ability to celebrate even with an empty stomach” were impressions the Pope said he would take home with him after his six-day trip to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic.
After two years of civil war, the Pope told reporters, the people of the Central African Republic want “peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.”
“For years, they lived as brothers and sisters,” the Pope said, and local Catholic, Muslim and evangelical Christian leaders are doing their best to help their people return to that situation of peace, coexistence and mutual respect.
Leaders of every religion must teach values, and that is what is happening in Central African Republic, Pope Francis said.
“One of the most-rare values today is that of brotherhood,” a value essential for peace, he said.
As the Pope ended his trip, global representatives were beginning the UN climate conference in Paris to discuss the possibility of forging a binding international agreement to reduce climate change.
Pope Francis said he was not sure what would happen at the conference, “but I can say this, it’s now or never.” Too little has been done over the past 10-15 years, he said, and “every year the situation gets worse.”
“We are on the verge of suicide, to put it strongly,” he said.
Pope Francis said that at various moments of his trip, he visited the very poor, people who lack everything and have suffered tremendously. He said he knew that a small percentage of people — “maybe 17 per cent” — of the world’s population controls the vast majority of the world’s wealth — “and I think, ‘How can these people not be aware?’ It’s such suffering.”
To say the world’s economy has put profits and not people at the center and to denounce “the idolatry of the god money,” he said, “is not Communism. It’s the truth.”
As for future trips, Pope Francis was not full of surprises. He said he plans to go to Mexico and visit cities where St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI never went. The trip is expected in late February.
Pope Francis said he has to go to Mexico City, “but if it wasn’t for Our Lady I wouldn’t.” So he will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, then go to Chiapas, Morelia and, “almost for sure, on the way back to Rome, I will spend a day or part of a day in Ciudad Juarez,” on the Mexican-US border.

Pope Francis delivers this homily at Monday morning Mass in CAR

FULL TEXT: Pope's Homily at Barthélémy Boganda Stadium in Bangui

'Dear Central Africans, may you look to the future and, strengthened by the distance you have already come, resolutely determine to begin a new chapter in the Christian history of your country, to set out towards new horizons, to put out into the deep.'

    

Bangui, November 30, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Staff Reporter              

 

Below is the Vatican-provided translation of Pope Francis' homily during the Mass he celebrated this morning at the Barthélémy Boganda Stadium in Bangui:
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We might be astonished, listening to this morning’s first reading, by the enthusiasm and missionary drive of Saint Paul. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom 10:15). These words inspire us to give thanks for the gift of the faith which we have received. They also inspire us to reflect with amazement on the great missionary effort which – not long ago – first brought the joy of the Gospel to this beloved land of Central Africa. It is good, especially in times of difficulty, trials and suffering, when the future is uncertain and we feel weary and apprehensive, to come together before the Lord. To come together, as we do today, to rejoice in his presence and in the new life and the salvation which he offers us. For he invites us to cross over to another shore (cf. Lk 8:22).
This other shore is, of course, eternal life, heaven, which awaits us. Looking towards the world to come has always been a source of strength for Christians, of the poor, of the least, on their earthly pilgrimage. Eternal life is not an illusion; it is not a flight from the world. It is a powerful reality which calls out to us and challenges us to persevere in faith and love.
But the more immediate other shore, which we are trying to reach, this salvation secured by the faith of which Saint Paul speaks, is a reality which even now is transforming our lives and the world around us. “Faith in the heart leads to justification” (Rom 10:10). Those who believe receive the very life of Christ, which enables them to love God and their brothers and sisters in a new way and to bring to birth a world renewed by love.
Let us thank the Lord for his presence and for the strength which he gives us in our daily lives, at those times when we experience physical and spiritual suffering, pain, and grief. Let us thank him for the acts of solidarity and generosity which he inspires in us, for the joy and love with which he fills our families and our communities, despite the suffering and violence we sometimes experience, and our fears for the future. Let us thank him for his gift of courage, which inspires us to forge bonds of friendship, to dialogue with those who are different than ourselves, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to work to build a more just and fraternal society in which no one is abandoned. In all these things, the Risen Christ takes us by the hand and guides us. I join you in thanking the Lord in his mercy for all the beautiful, generous and courageous things he has enabled you to accomplish in your families and communities during these eventful years in the life of your country.
Yet the fact is that we have not yet reached our destination. In a certain sense we are in midstream, needing the courage to decide, with renewed missionary zeal, to pass to the other shore. All the baptized need to continually break with the remnants of the old Adam, the man of sin, ever ready to rise up again at the prompting of the devil. How often this happens in our world and in these times of conflict, hate and war! How easy it is to be led into selfishness, distrust, violence, destructiveness, vengeance, indifference to and exploitation of those who are most vulnerable…
We know that our Christian communities, called to holiness, still have a long way to go. Certainly we need to beg the Lord’s forgiveness for our all too frequent reluctance and hesitation in bearing witness to the Gospel. May the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which has just begun in your country, be an occasion to do so. Dear Central Africans, may you look to the future and, strengthened by the distance you have already come, resolutely determine to begin a new chapter in the Christian history of your country, to set out towards new horizons, to put out into the deep. The Apostle Andrew, with his brother Peter, did not hesitate to leave everything at Christ’s call: “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mt 4:20). Once again, we are amazed at the great enthusiasm of the Apostles. Christ drew them so closely to himself, that they felt able to do everything and to risk everything with him.
Each of us, in his or her heart, can ask the crucial question of where we stand with Jesus, asking what we have already accepted – or refused to accept – in responding to his call to follow him more closely. The cry of “those who bring good news” resounds all the more in our ears, precisely when times are difficult; that cry which “goes out through all the earth... to the ends of the earth” (Rom 10:18; cf. Ps 19:4). And it resounds here, today, in this land of Central Africa. It resounds in our hearts, our families, our parishes, wherever we live. It invites us to persevere in enthusiasm for mission, for that mission which needs new “bearers of good news”, ever more numerous, generous, joyful and holy. We are all called to be, each of us, these messengers whom our brothers and sisters of every ethnic group, religion and culture, await, often without knowing it. For how can our brothers and sisters believe in Christ – Saint Paul asks – if the Word is neither proclaimed nor heard?
We too, like the Apostles, need to be full of hope and enthusiasm for the future. The other shore is at hand, and Jesus is crossing the river with us. He is risen from the dead; henceforth the trials and sufferings which we experience are always opportunities opening up to a new future, provided we are willing to follow him. Christians of Central Africa, each of you is called to be, through perseverance in faith and missionary commitment, artisans of the human and spiritual renewal of your country. I repeat, artisans of the human and spiritual renewal of your country.
May the Virgin Mary, who by sharing in the Passion of her Son, now shares in his perfect joy, protect you and encourage you on this path of hope. Amen.

Pope Francis unexpectedley visits sick children

Pope Makes Unexpected Visit to Pediatric Hospital in CAR

Francis Met With Young Patients, Staff; Brought Medicine for Children from Rome's Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital

    

Bangui, November 30, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Staff Reporter              

 

Despite even more protective security than normal, given he was visiting an active war-zone, Pope Francis was not deterred from making a brief, unscheduled stop at a children's hospital in Central African Republic's capital of Bangui, reported Vatican Radio.
During the visit last night, the Pope met with some of the young patients and staff, and delivered to them several boxes of medicines for the children there, provided by Rome’s “Bambino Gesu” pediatric hospital.
Pope Francis' visit to Africa concludes today, after a busy morning of meeting with Muslims in Bangui's Central Mosque, followed by a Mass marking the feast of St. Andrew in the city’s sports stadium. The Holy Father is due to arrive back in Rome shortly before seven o’clock tonight.
The Central African Republic, which gained independence from France in 1960, is one of the poorest nations in the world. It has been plagued by ethnic and religious violence over the past two years. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee the country to neighboring nations due to this war between majority Muslim Séléka forces and the majority Christian anti-Balaka. The United Nations has warned that there was high risk of the country descending into genocide.
Pope Francis' visit to Kenya, Uganda, and Central African Republic, marks his 11th international trip and his first visit to the continent. (D.C.L.)

Monday is a Feast Day of one of the Apostle's; the first Apostle to encounter Jesus and the brother of Saint Peter

St. Andrew

 

Facts

Feastday: November 30
Patron of Fisherman

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Andrew, like his brother Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of the great St. John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, "what do you seek?" When Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Our Lord replied, "Come and see." Andrew had been only a little time with Jesus when he realized that this was truly the Messiah.
From then on, he chose to follow Jesus. Andrew was thus the first disciple of Christ. Next, Andrew brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. At first the two brothers continued to carry on their fishing trade and family affairs, but later, the Lord called them to stay with Him all the time. He promised to make them fishers of men, and this time, they left their nets for good. It is believed that after Our Lord ascended into Heaven, St. Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. He is said to have been put to death on a cross, to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle. Two countries have chosen St. Andrew as their patron - Russia and Scotland.

Attending the Mass in the Extraordinary Form upon it's arrival at St. Jane's in Abita Springs

Please know up front the following are my casual observations from participating today in the 1st Mass at St. Jane's in the Extraordinary Form as part of a new permanent schedule.  Do know that I have been to a few of these masses recently in Lacombe and have watched many of them recently on videos to "brush up".  Also know that as a Permanent Deacon I do not feel qualified to do much more than help distribute Holy Communion although I don't think I own the proper vestments??

Today an impressive congregation gathered for Mass in the Extraordinary Form; I would guess near 300.  Understand that the core of this group is made up of folks who have worshipped in the EF wherever it was offered.  Joining that core group today were quite a few parishioners from St. Jane's.  Now let me be clear here; since our Pastor has agreed to take the EF Mass on as a regularly scheduled liturgy he has asked all who were in attendance today to consider joining our parish.  After all, because of this extraordinary commitment, these folks will be coming to Mass at St. Jane's because it is the only regular EF option in these parts of the Archdiocese. 

Beside the size of those in attendance other casual observations included the number of families with young, even small children, and the overall dress code of those worshipping.  Both of these observations are impressive to me.  Our Pastor, Fr. Ken Allen, has worked hard, almost tirelessly, to be prepared to offer this liturgy.  From the casual observation of this Permanent Deacon, I'd say all his hard work paid off.  My recollections tonight include beautiful music, chant and prayers offered by the Presider always in chant.  I am still amazed how much of this Mass is said in low tones, almost silence on behalf of the Priest and servers.  I had forgotten that the Gospel of the day is also proclaimed in English and there most definitely is a homily.  Fr. Allen used part of his homily time to welcome everyone and to see in this Extraordinary Form of the Mass a help in difficult and confusing times both in the world and inside the Church.

The celebration of the offertory and canon(I think that means Eucharistic Prayer in the Ordinary Form) is so reverent, almost liturgically beautiful, maybe I could use the word mystical.  There is ample use of incense, ringing of bells, signs of the cross, genuflections.  Impressive in it's precision.
Now I do get the impression, remember these are just my own, that some, not all, never try to keep up with the missal because the action moves fast.  Latin, proclaimed properly, sounds fast, to the untrained, naked English speakers ear.

Fast forward to Holy Communion; in case you do not know this in the EF, everyone receives kneeling, on the tongue, there is no chalice and absolutely no extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.  Today they had a Deacon available to assist the Priest.  The formula for the Priest/Deacon as they distribute Holy Communion is much more complicated than Body of Christ(Corpus Christi).  I was not aware of that.  Fortunately, small cards can be used by the servers as they assist the Priest or Deacon during Communion.  When Communion is over there is silence, most worshippers never leave their knees in prayer.  The closing rites are easy to follow but as the Mass is declared over, the Priest then must go and read the final Gospel.  This is the same at every Mass in the EF from John 1:1-14.

Let me say this about function/precision, etc.  The young men who serve as altar servers are incredible.  Dare I say they know the Mass far greater than most of us in attendance.  The choir sings/chants beautifully.  The volunteers who serve as ushers, etc. know what to do and never draw attention to themselves.  And in the EF there is no parade of lay readers, gift bearers, and EM's.  That's not a criticism; this is just an observation and a compare and contrast with the OF.

After Mass, the attendees who normally worship at the EF and lost their last worship space were so genuinely thankful to St. Jane and our Pastor, Fr. Allen.  For my part, I made sure to welcome everyone I met to our parish and to "welcome home" those St. Jane parishioners who have remained parishioners but have not worshipped with us for years because of their devotion to the EF.

Let me end where I left off in last night's post.  This addition of the EF Mass and the overall change in our Mass schedule is a pastoral labor of love.  Let me explain.  We were made aware of a large group of worshippers with no home, no where to worship in the EF.  Our Pastor stepped up and now they will worship at our lovely, growing parish.  To accommodate this noon Mass, we now have an 8 am and 10 am and 6 pm on Sundays in the vernacular and a 2 pm in Spanish.  Just on Sundays that 5 masses!  And guess what?  The turnout today at all 5 masses was strong.  I've always said this and will say this again: worshipping God and living out our Catholic faith at St. Jane's in Abita is full throated; a generous response to all that God does for us!  Don't forget; we also have the two vigil Masses on Saturday too; one at St. Michael's in Bush and one at St. Jane's in Abita.

So while I did not participate today as a Deacon in the EF I was happy to be an observer/participant/worshipper.  And I support my Pastor's decision to add this Mass to our schedule and I am most happy for all my fellow Catholics who have found in St. Jane's a home.

Pope Francis talks Christian unity with evangelicals in Africa

Pope Francis meets with Evangelical leaders: Full text

Woman reaching to greet Pope Francis in his Popemobile. - AFP

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday met with representatives of the various evangelical communities in Africa, as he visited the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology. In his address to the gathering, the Pope stressed that "the lack of unity among Christians is a scandal, above all because it is contrary to God’s will. It is also a scandal, he said, "when we consider the hatred and violence which are tearing humanity apart."

Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ prepared remarks:
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
Meeting with Evangelical Communities
Bangui, Faculty of Evangelical Theology
29 November 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am happy to be able to meet you in this Faculty of Evangelical Theology. I thank the Dean of the Faculty and the President of the Evangelical Alliance of Central Africa for their kind words of welcome. With fraternal affection I greet each of you and, through you, all the members of your communities. All of us are here in the service of the risen Lord who assembles us today; and, by virtue of the common baptism we have received, we are sent to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to men and women of this beloved country of Central Africa.
For all too long, your people have experienced troubles and violence, resulting in great suffering. This makes the proclamation of the Gospel all the more necessary and urgent. For it is Christ’s own flesh which suffers in his dearest sons and daughters: the poorest of his people, the infirm, the elderly, the abandoned, children without parents or left to themselves without guidance and education. There are also those who have been scarred in soul or body by hatred and violence, those whom war has deprived of everything: work, home and loved ones.
God makes no distinctions between those who suffer. I have often called this the ecumenism of blood. All our communities suffer indiscriminately as a result of injustice and the blind hatred unleashed by the devil. Here I wish to express my closeness and solidarity to Pastor Nicholas, whose home was recently ransacked and set on fire, as was the meeting-place of his community. In these difficult circumstances, the Lord keeps asking us to demonstrate to everyone his tenderness, compassion, and mercy. This shared suffering and shared mission are a providential opportunity for us to advance together on the path of unity; they are also an indispensable spiritual aid. How could the Father refuse the grace of unity, albeit still imperfect, to his children who suffer together and, in different situations, join in serving their brothers and sisters?
Dear friends, the lack of unity among Christians is a scandal, above all because it is contrary to God’s will. It is also a scandal when we consider the hatred and violence which are tearing humanity apart, and the many forms of opposition which the Gospel of Christ encounters. I appreciate the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation existing between the Christians of your country, and I encourage you to continue on this path of common service in charity. It is a witness to Christ which builds up unity.
With increasing intensity and courage, may you add to perseverance and charity, a commitment to prayer and common reflection, as you seek to achieve greater mutual understanding, trust and friendship in view of that full communion for which we firmly hope.
I assure you of my prayerful support along the path of fraternal charity, reconciliation and mercy, a path which is long, yet full of joy and hope.
May God bless you! May he bless your communities!

Pope Francis wants to go where violence broke out today in Bangui

'Can I go' to them? Pope Francis' stunning response to alleged murders

 

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014. Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA.

Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov 29, 2015 / 02:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Reported violence near a mosque Pope Francis is slated to visit in Central African Republic caused the pontiff to reply with an immediate "can I go (be with them)?" according to a bishop who was standing close by.
After hearing of the alleged death of three youth this morning in a neighborhood of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, Pope Francis voiced his desire to go the area, though it wasn’t in the schedule.
However, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Franco Coppola, advised him against going, since it’s a dangerous area.
This is what the Bishop Juan José Aguirre of Bangassou told Spanish agency COPE during the lunch between Pope Francis and the country’s bishops.
Bishop Aguirre asked for prayers for the nation following the tragic reports that a number of people in the Fatima neighborhood of the capitol had been killed.
He explained that “this morning with all of the joy that there was in Bangui, with all of this overflowing joy... at 1.5 kilometers (from the place where Pope Francis ate with the bishops) three people were killed in the Fatima neighborhood."
“I was with the Holy Father and I told him: Holiness, this morning three people were killed in this barrio (neighborhood) where there is a parish nearby, where there are three Comboni missionaries and 500 displaced persons.”
After hearing this, “the Pope immediately asked the Nuncio: ‘can I go, can I go?’ and the Nuncio replied: ‘no, Holiness, it is very dangerous.’”
In a Nov. 29 report for Vatican Insider, Italian Vaticanista Andrea Tornielli reported that the youth had been killed with machine guns as they tried to leave Our Lady of Fatima parish in Bangui.
The church is run by the Comboni missionaries, and is located in a Muslim area where Pope Francis is scheduled to go tomorrow morning to visit the city’s most important mosque.
“They would be people hiding in the parish to avoid the Seleka militants,” Tornielli said.
In his report, Tornielli said the act occurred at 8:00a.m. local time Nov. 29. According to Notre Dame Radio of Bangui, the youth were Christians who were trying to return to their houses, which had been burned by the Seleka militants who control the area.
Details of the incident, however, are still unclear. Tornielli reported that the head of the Vatican Gendarmerie, Domenico Giani, said later that only two had died instead of three. UN sources said the event was an episode of common crime, and that “there is no relation to the papal visit.”
Additionally, sources from the Comboni missionaries themselves later said it’s possible that no one died at all.
Tornielli said the ambiguity surrounding the details of the event is “a sign of the confusion that reigns in the city and, above all, in the Muslim neighborhood, where the Fatima parish is located.”
Until now, he said, “the only thing certain is the story of the Spanish bishop (Juan José Aguirre of Bangassou) and the reaction of the Pope, who would have immediately wanted to go to where the events took place.
On Nov. 30, his last day in Africa, Pope Francis is scheduled for a meeting with CAR's Muslim community at the central Mosque of Koudoukou. Though many have advised against the decision, as of now it’s still on the Pope's slate.

Today's Homily by Pope Francis from the Central African Republic

FULL TEXT: Pope's Homily at Mass at Bangui Cathedral

"To all those who make unjust use of the weapons of this world, I make this appeal: lay down these instruments of death! Arm yourselves instead with righteousness, with love and mercy, the authentic guarantors of peace"

    

Central African Republic, November 29, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Staff Reporter              

 

Here is a Vatican translation of the homily Pope Francis gave today when he celebrated Mass for the first Sunday of Advent at the cathedral of Bangui, Central African Republic.
* * *
On this first Sunday of Advent, the liturgical season of joyful expectation of the Saviour and a symbol of Christian hope, God has brought me here among you, in this land, while the universal Church is preparing for the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. I am especially pleased that my pastoral visit coincides with the opening of this Jubilee Year in your country. From this cathedral I reach out, in mind and heart, and with great affection, to all the priests, consecrated men and women, and pastoral workers of the nation, who are spiritually united with us at this moment. Through you, I would greet all the people of the Central African Republic: the sick, the elderly, those who have experienced life’s hurts. Some of them are perhaps despairing and listless, asking only for alms, the alms of bread, the alms of justice, the alms of attention and goodness.
But like the Apostles Peter and John on their way to the Temple, who had neither gold nor silver to give to the paralytic in need, I have come to offer God’s strength and power; for these bring us healing, set us on our feet and enable us to embark on a new life, to “go across to the other side” (cf. Lk 8:22).
Jesus does not make us cross to the other side alone; instead, he asks us to make the crossing with him, as each of us responds to his or her own specific vocation. We need to realize that making this crossing can only be done with him, by freeing ourselves of divisive notions of family and blood in order to build a Church which is God’s family, open to everyone, concerned for those most in need. This presupposes closeness to our brothers and sisters; it implies a spirit of communion. It is not primarily a question of financial means; it is enough just to share in the life of God’s people, in accounting for the hope which is in us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15), in testifying to the infinite mercy of God who, as the Responsorial Psalm of this Sunday’s liturgy makes clear, is “good [and] instructs sinners in the way” (Ps 24:8). Jesus teaches us that our heavenly Father “makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good” (Mt 5:45). Having experienced forgiveness ourselves, we must forgive others in turn. This is our fundamental vocation: “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
One of the essential characteristics of this vocation to perfection is the love of our enemies, which protects us from the temptation to seek revenge and from the spiral of endless retaliation. Jesus placed special emphasis on this aspect of the Christian testimony (cf. Mt 5:46-47). Those who evangelize must therefore be first and foremost practitioners of forgiveness, specialists in reconciliation, experts in mercy. This is how we can help our brothers and sisters to “cross to the other side” – by showing them the secret of our strength, our hope, and our joy, all of which have their source in God, for they are grounded in the certainty that he is in the boat with us. As he did with the apostles at the multiplication of the loaves, so too the Lord entrusts his gifts to us, so that we can go out and distribute them everywhere, proclaiming his reassuring words: “Behold, the days are coming when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jer 33:14).
In the readings of this Sunday’s liturgy, we can see different aspects of this salvation proclaimed by God; they appear as signposts to guide us on our mission. First of all, the happiness promised by God is presented as justice. Advent is a time when we strive to open our hearts to receive the Saviour, who alone is just and the sole Judge able to give to each his or her due. Here as elsewhere, countless men and women thirst for respect, for justice, for equality, yet see no positive signs on the horizon. These are the ones to whom he comes to bring the gift of his justice (cf. Jer 33:15). He comes to enrich our personal and collective histories, our dashed hopes and our sterile yearnings. And he sends us to proclaim, especially to those oppressed by the powerful of this world or weighed down by the burden of their sins, that “Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it shall be called, ‘The Lord is our righteousness’” (Jer 33:16). Yes, God is righteousness; God is justice. This, then, is why we Christians are called in the world to work for a peace founded on justice.
The salvation of God which we await is also flavoured with love. In preparing for the mystery of Christmas, we relive the pilgrimage which prepared God’s people to receive the Son, who came to reveal that God is not only righteousness, but also and above all love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8). In every place, even and especially in those places where violence, hatred, injustice and persecution hold sway, Christians are called to give witness to this God who is love. In encouraging the priests, consecrated men and woman, and committed laity who, in this country live, at times heroically, the Christian virtues, I realize that the distance between this demanding ideal and our Christian witness is at times great. For this reason I echo the prayer of Saint Paul: “Brothers and sisters, may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men and women” (1 Th 3:12). Thus what the pagans said of the early Christians will always remain before us like a beacon: “See how they love one another, how they truly love one another” (Tertullian, Apology, 39, 7).
Finally, the salvation proclaimed by God has an invincible power which will make it ultimately prevail. After announcing to his disciples the terrible signs that will precede his coming, Jesus concludes: “When these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:28). If Saint Paul can speak of a love which “grows and overflows”, it is because Christian witness reflects that irresistible power spoken of in the Gospel. It is amid unprecedented devastation that Jesus wishes to show his great power, his incomparable glory (cf. Lk 21:27) and the power of that love which stops at nothing, even before the falling of the heavens, the conflagration of the world or the tumult of the seas. God is stronger than all else. This conviction gives to the believer serenity, courage and the strength to persevere in good amid the greatest hardships. Even when the powers of Hell are unleashed, Christians must rise to the summons, their heads held high, and be ready to brave blows in this battle over which God will have the last word. And that word will be love [and peace]!
To all those who make unjust use of the weapons of this world, I make this appeal: lay down these instruments of death! Arm yourselves instead with righteousness, with love and mercy, the authentic guarantors of peace. As followers of Christ, dear priests, religious and lay pastoral workers, here in this country, with its suggestive name, situated in the heart of Africa and called to discover the Lord as the true centre of all that is good, your vocation is to incarnate the very heart of God in the midst of your fellow citizens. May the Lord deign to “strengthen your hearts in holiness, that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Th 3:13).  [Reconciliation. Forgiveness. Love. Peace.] Amen.

Pope Francis visits refugee camp in Central African Republic

FULL TEXT: Pope's Off-the-Cuff Words at CAR Refugee Camp

"We must work and pray and do everything for peace."

    

Bangui, November 29, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Staff Reporter              

 

Below is a ZENIT translation of Pope Francis' off-the-cuff words at the St. Sauveur Refugee Camp in the Central African Republic's capital of Bangui:
***

I greet all of you here.

 

I tell you that I read what the children had written [on signs], "peace", "forgiveness", "unity" and so many things ... "love". We must work and pray and do everything for peace. But peace without love, without friendship, without tolerance, without forgiveness, is not possible. Each of us has to do something. I wish you, to you and to all Central Africans, peace, a great peace among you. May you live in peace regardless of your ethnicity, culture, religion, social status. But everyone in peace! Everyone! Because we are all brothers. I would like for us to say together: "We are all brothers." [The people repeat: "We are all brothers"] Another time! ["We are all brothers"]. And for this, because we are all brothers, we want peace.

 

And I give you the Lord's blessing. May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And pray for me! Pray for me, did you hear? ["Yes!"]

[Original Text: Italian]
[Translation by Deborah Castellano Lubov]

Pope Francis moves on the Central African Republic

Pope Francis Arrives in Central African Republic

Francis Will Open Holy Door in Bangui Before Inauguration of Jubilee of Mercy in Vatican

    

Bangui, November 29, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Deborah Castellano Lubov              

 

Pope Francis has arrived in the Central African Republic, the final leg of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa, after having visited Kenya and Uganda.
The Pontiff arrived at the M'poko International Airport in the war-torn nation's capital of Bangui around 10 a.m. local time, after a nearly three-hour flight from Uganda, and has a full agenda ahead of him. Today, he will meet with authorities and the diplomatic corps, visit the St. Sauveur refugee camp, and privately meet with the nation's bishops. Tomorrow, will meet with a Muslim community in a mosque and celebrate Mass in Barthelemy Boganda Stadium. A highlight of his visit to the country will be opening the Holy Door of the city's cathedral before the inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercy, set to begin December 8th in the Vatican.
There was speculation that this leg of the visit would be canceled due to security concerns.
The Central African Republic, which gained independence from France in 1960, is one of the poorest nations in the world. It has been plagued by ethnic and religious violence over the past two years. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee the country to neighboring nations due to this war between majority Muslim Séléka forces and the majority Christian anti-Balaka. The United Nations has warned that there was high risk of the country descending into genocide.
During the arrival ceremony, Pope Francis was welcomed by the Head of State of the transitional government of the Central African Republic, Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza, and Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Franco Coppola, along with other authorities, bishops, and faithful. After anthems, each official presented their delegations.
The Pope and Head of State met together briefly in the presidential lounge of the airport, before the Pontiff payed her a courtesy visit at the presidential palace. The transitional head of state and Francis went to her private study for a meeting, while, at the same time, the Vatican delegation met with officials of CAR's government. After the private meeting, the political leader's family was introduced to the Pope and the traditional exchange of gifts took place.

Les Miles to stay at LSU as head football coach

Breaking news: just minutes after the LSU Tigers defeated the Texas A & M Aggies, LSU AD Joe Alleva announced that Les Miles is and will continue to be the head coach at LSU.  This ends rather quickly, the week-long speculation that Les Miles is out.  If indeed Les Miles was to continue as head coach why did that decision have to wait until tonight and why did a victory over Texas A & M make a difference.

I don't think winning tonight made a difference.  In part, I'm betting that the signals coming from Florida State about their head guy Jimbo Fisher were absolutely not positive for LSU.  Couple that with an ever growing groundswell from sports analysts, broadcasters and entire sports networks that this would be like major stupid public opinion began to swing wildly.

Les Miles looked like a conquering hero tonight.  LSU fans and students, among some of his greatest critics all of a sudden were in love with Les.  He was carried off the field like a war hero with almost everyone chanting his name.  His players, 100% to a man came to his defense.  Even the Governor of Louisiana got involved and stated publicly that Les Miles should not be fired.

Do tonight we learn Les is back.  On balance I'm very happy because I did not see the feasibility of this move right now.  Why?  Let me count the ways:

1. Too darn expensive.  $ 15 million is $ 15 million even if wealthy boosters and members of the TAF were willing to bail out LSU football. 
2.  Just a month ago Les Miles was coach of the #2 team in America and ran head long into the Alabama juggernaut; the resulting 3 loss streak placed Les Miles from hero to zero. 
3.  Les Miles is the all time winning coach at LSU and was just in a national championship game 4 years back.
4.  Les Miles is a great recruiter and according to ESPN already holds the # recruitment class for 2016, provided all this foolishness does not spook these guys.
5.  There is no classier act and no better ambassador for LSU than Les Miles!

All that being said, much needs to be fixed:

1. LSU needs a fix at the QB position like tonight!
2.  Reevaluate the hire of Kevin Steele as the defensive coordinator.
3.  Reevaluate if the current offensive coordinator is the right guy.
4.  Do not let Leonard Fournette get disinterested or disgusted with all this crap.
5.  Roll the dice more and become the mad hatter over and over again.
6.  When you play the pushovers, push them over; no mercy!
7.  Beat Bama next year at home!
8.  Speak to us straight and often; tell us as fans what is and is not working and that you have a handle on it.

So Les Miles stays!  For now I am pleased.  And yes, this does not mean he can go 4-8 and not get me fired up or begin the craziness all over again.

Geaux Les; Geaux LSU; forever LSU!

Franciscan Friar canonized by Saint Pope JPII

St. Francis Fasani

Facts

Feastday: November 29
Birth: 1681
Death: 1742
Canonized By: Pope John Paul II

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Franciscan mystic, born Antony Fasani in 1681. He entered the Franciscans and was ordained in 1775. While serving as provincial and in other administrative positions, he was known for prayer and for supernatural gifts. Francis was canonized in 1986.

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More about St. Francis Fasani from Wikipedia

Francis Anthony Fasani, O.F.M. Conv. (August 6, 1681 – November 29, 1742) was an Italian friar of the Order of Conventual Friars Minor who has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
He was a friend of another Conventual friar, the Blessed Antonio Lucci.

Early life

He was born Giovanniello Fasani on August 6, 1681, in Lucera, in the Province of Foggia, then part of the Kingdom of Naples. He was the son of Giuseppe Fasani and Isabella della Monaca.^[1] He began his studies at the Conventual friary in his town and there entered the Order, taking the religious names of Saints Francis and Anthony. Fasani professed his religious vows in 1696.

Religious Life

Once having professed his vows, Fasani began theological studies in Agnone and continued them in the General Study Centre at Assisi, close to the tomb of St. Francis. It was there that Fasani was ordained to the priesthood in 1705. He stayed in Assisi and completed his theological studies there in 1707.^[1]
From 1707 until his death in 1742, Fasani spent the rest of life in residence in his hometown of Lucera and endeared himself to the faithful of that town and all of Daunia and Molise. In 1709, he received the degree of Doctor of Theology and, from that time on, Fasani became known to all as "Padre Maestro" ("Father Master"), a title which is still attributed to him today in Lucera. Fasani also fulfilled many duties in the Franciscan Order, being a respected teacher of scholastic philosophy and was entrusted with the position of Master of novices and the junior professed friars. He was later appointed to serve as the guardian of the community of friars and the pastor of the town. He came to be elected Minister Provincial of his province in the Order.^[2] As a worthy ministry of "the one who uninterruptedly exercises his priestly mission for us in the Liturgy through the Spirit" (PO, 5), Fr. Fasani dedicated himself with zeal-especially the administration of the sacrament of Penance and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. "He heard the confession of every type of person," asserted a witness, "with the greatest patience and kindness on his face". He was charitable and welcoming to all, giving as his reason the hope of being able one day to say to the Lord: "I was indulgent, I don't deny it; but it was You who taught me to be so."
Fasani was known for having a deep life of prayer and was considered to be a mystic, becoming greatly in demand as a confessor and preacher. He constantly preached popular parish missions, gave retreats and led Lenten devotions and novenas - either in his own town or wherever he was requested.^[1] It was reported by his contemporaries that he would levitate while at prayer. At the same time, he was a steadfast friend of the poor, constantly seeking out the financial support necessary for efforts to meet their needs.^[3]
Fasani died in Lucera and was buried in the parish church there. Upon the news of his death, children could be heard running through the streets shouting, "The saint is dead! The saint is dead!"^[3]

Veneration

The proceedings to open the cause for his canonization began several years after his death. Testimony to his holy given was given by many people of region. Among them was his old friend, Lucci, who by then was a bishop in the region. Progress did not take place, however, until the 20th century, when he was beatified in 1951, and subsequently canonized in 1986.^[1] His feast day is celebrated by the Franciscan Order on 27 November

Big happenings at St. Jane de Chantal Parish in Abita Springs

If you have followed me for any time on this blog you should know by now that my home parish is in the quaint community of Abita Springs named for St. Jane de Chantal.  This beautiful wife and mom went on to become a great nun and founder after the death of her husband.  She actually founded the Visitation Sisters which still is very much active today.  Being a French woman, it's so appropriate that she be a patron Saint for a parish located inside the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  St. Jane kept good company as her spiritual advisor was St. Francis de Sales and she knew St. Vincent de Paul.

Under her patronage my little home parish has exploded in families, ministries and both prayer and faith life.  When I became part of this parish around 1996 there were about 400 families and the church was served by Benedictine monks from the local Abbey.  Today the total number of families is well over 1,200 and is staffed by Archdiocesan Priests.  In fact, we have a Pastor and an Associate Pastor as well as a Priest in residence.  His main focus is ministering to the incredibly fast growing Hispanic community.  Now that I am back I am one of 4 Permanent Deacons.  Yes, we have a lot of clergy.  One deacon is over 80 years of age, one deacon functions mainly at our mission church, St. Michaels, located some 20 miles away.  This is a busy parish!  Mass is offered daily at St. Jane and there is also an evening mass on Thursday nights for the Hispanic community.  Evening mass is also offered at St. Michaels on Tuesday night.  In case you are counting that totals 8 weekday masses for this growing parish. 

Now we come to the weekend and the source of the "big happenings".  Our Sunday Mass schedule is changing starting tomorrow, November 29th coinciding with the first Sunday of Advent.  Let's back up and discuss the vigil masses first.  On Saturday afternoons there is a vigil mass at 4 PM at St. Michael's followed by the vigil mass at St. Jane's in Abita at 6 PM.  Yes, that's pretty late for a vigil mass but the vigils were spread out to accommodate the priests in case one would be on vacation.  Now we come to Sunday.  After years of having two morning masses only at 9 and 11 now the schedule shifts to 8 AM and 10 AM and a new Mass at high noon.  And here is more big news: the noon mass is the celebration in the Extraordinary Form.  Yes, St. Jane's in Abita Springs will have what is casually called the Latin Mass.  This is the approved Mass of the 1962 Missal that Pope Benedict allowed to be used more fully wherever a need exists.  Believe it or not there is quite a large group of parishioners from Abita Springs and surrounding areas who worship in the Extraordinary Form.  This will be the first time since the 1960's that a regularly scheduled Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Missal will be offered in Abita Springs.  At this point the day is far from over.  At 2 PM the Mass is celebrated in Spanish.  At 6 PM the Mass is celebrated for the youth, although many more than youth attend, with contemporary guitar music and more recent worship songs.

Have you been counting with me.  My home parish now offers 7 Masses for the weekend in addition to the 8 weekday Masses.  Of course we also have special Masses throughout the year for our CCD program, the necessary funeral Masses and weddings too.  Liturgically, what a busy parish.

St. Jane also has a very robust RCIA program, a strong RCIC program, Hispanic outreach, an incredibly well attended adult faith program/Bible study and an awesome CCD program.  Many more ministries exist including a St. Vincent de Paul program to help the poor and needy and so many other things too numerous to list.

The main point of this update is to give my readers an appreciation of home life in my parish and to alert locals to the new changes starting tomorrow. And anyone in the general area of Abita Springs who wants to witness and worship at the Extraordinary Form of the Mass please come by.

If anyone reading this is in a parish that has added a Latin Mass in the last few years I would love to hear from you and find out how it's working especially in the overall life of the parish.  And if your parish has a unique or super busy lineup on the weekends let me know about it too.

Pope Francis meets with and encourages the youth of Uganda

Pope Tells Young Ugandans Best 'Weapon' They Could Ever Possess Is Prayer

Reminds Youth of 3 Tools Which Can Transform Negative Experiences Into Good

    

Uganda, November 28, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Deborah Castellano Lubov              

 

Can negative situations be turned around and transformed into something good? Pope Francis says yes, as long as you turn to Jesus and His Mother.

 

During his meeting with Uganda's young people gathered at Kololo Air Strip in the African nation's capital of Kampala this afternoon, the Pope listened to the testimonies of a young man and woman and, putting aside his prepared script, reflected how both had had bad experiences, but assured that bad experiences can serve for something in life.

 

Winnie Nansumba, who lost both her parents by age 7, told Pope Francis about living with HIV and her work to fight AIDS, discrimination and depression. In her testimony, she told her peers, "Take charge of your life and know your (HIV) status. HIV is real." She reminded them that your body is a temple, saying to beware of STDs, and don't live in sin. Also, a young man, Emmanuel Odokonyero, shared his tragic story of being in captivity for three months as hostage of the Lord's Resistance Army when they stormed into the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, abducting 41 children, including him. He recounted how he managed to escape and spoke on his sorrow for those who died and the impact of his ordeal.

Despite what may seem to be insurmountable challenges, the Pope reminded the young people in response to the testimonies, Jesus makes it clear that that he can work great miracles, transforming walls into horizons, which open to the future. Before a negative experience, he said, acknowledging how many of those in the audience had suffered negative experiences, there is hope.

Not magic, but Jesus

When bitterness and sadness are turned into hope, Francis stressed, "This is not magic, it is a work of Jesus. Because Jesus is Lord! Jesus can do anything! Jesus suffered the most negative experience of history and was insulted, was cast out, and was assassinated. But Jesus with the power of God is risen; He can make each of us have the same outcome with every negative experience because Jesus is Lord."
Through this "death" of experiencing difficult situations, the Pope noted, there is a life, a life for everyone. "If I transform the negative into the positive, I'm a winner. But this can be done only by the grace of Jesus," he said.
"Are you sure about this? I cannot hear you!," he said in dialouge with the crowd of young people. "Are you willing to make in life all the negative things into positive things? Are you willing to turn hate into love? To transform war into peace? You should be aware that you are a people of martyrs. In your veins flows the blood of the martyrs and for that, you have faith and life."
"They say that the microphone does not work well. Sometimes we also do not function well and when we do not function well, to whom do we go for help? Don't I feel ... stronger ... in Jesus! Jesus can change your life. Jesus can break down all the walls in front of you. Jesus can make it so, that your life is service to others."
"Some of you may ask: 'So there is a magic wand?' If you want Jesus to change your life you have to ask Him for help. You must pray. You got it, right? Pray! I ask you: Do you pray? Are you sure? Pray to Jesus because He is the Savior. Never stop praying. Prayer is the most powerful weapon that a young man has. Jesus loves us. I ask you, Jesus loves some, yes, and some no? Jesus loves everyone, doesn't He? Does Jesus wants to help everyone?"

Open hearts

If you believe this is true, the Pope urged, "open the door of your heart to Jesus and let Him enter into your lives to combat the struggles."
"Are you ready to fight? Are you ready to wish the best for yourself? Are you willing to ask Jesus to help you in the fight?" he asied.
He also pointed out a third element, that we all belong to the Church, and the Church has a mother: Mary. "When a child falls, he gets hurt and starts crying, he goes looking for his mother. When we have a problem, the best thing we can do is go where our Mother is and pray to Mary, our Mother. Do you agree? You pray to the Virgin, to our Mother? And I ask you: Do you pray to Jesus and the Virgin Mary, our Mother? (Yesss ...)"
So these are the three things, he said, namely to overcome the difficulties, transforming the negative into a positive, and prayer. "Prayer to Jesus who can do anything, Jesus who enters into our hearts and changes our lives. Jesus came to save and to give His life for me," and also prayer to our Mother Mary.
The Pope concluded, thanking them for listening to him and for their interest in changing the negatives in their lives into positives, with Jesus' and Mary's help. He invited them to pray together because our Mother protects us. We agree? All together?
The Holy Father is making an Apostolic Visit to Africa, Nov. 25-30. He arrived in Uganda's capital of Kampala yesterday, after having been in Kenya's capital of Nairobi. Tomorrow, he leaves for Central African Republic's capital of Bangui, where he will visit a refugee camp and open the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year.
***
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full Translation: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/full-text-pope-s-off-the-cuff-address-to-ugandan-youth

The Blessing of an Advent Wreath

 ADVENT WREATH    

950 All make the sign of cross as the minister says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All reply:

Who made heaven and earth.

 

951 One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: 9:1-2, 5-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing,
As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice, both now and forever.

952 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

Lord God,
your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.

Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath;
may their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

953 Or:

Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Homily for 1st Sunday of Advent

Anticipation, anticipation is making me late, is keeping me waiting.  Famous lyrics from Carly Simon.  She reminds us in this song: we can never know about the days to come but we think about them anyway.  And finally she concludes that we should: just stay right here cause these are the good old days!

Let's think about it today!  Once we get past Thanksgiving all we want to do is anticipate Christmas.  Now Christmas is a good thing to anticipate, but can we stay right here, and celebrate this first day of Advent.  I mean in just the past few days we have seen the mind boggling lines, people waiting and waiting just to get into a fight to grab the big deal for Christmas 2015.  People, we are waiting for the wrong things.

As people of faith, are we waiting for Jesus, not just as the babe of Bethlehem but when He comes again?

This is the very first day of Advent 2015 and the appropriate day in the Church to say Happy New Year!  It is also the first day of the new liturgical year.  Advent for many of us seems to be a preparation for Christmas, the coming of the Christ child in the manger in Bethlehem.  Indeed it is but it is also so much more.  In our 1st reading from the prophet Jeremiah we hear language anticipating a promise kept and a new shoot coming from the branch of David.  Surely this language from a prophet is telling us of the coming of Jesus at his birth.  Is it?  Fast forward to the Gospel reading, taken today from Luke.  By the way, Luke will be our dominant Gospel in this liturgical year as we enter Cycle C.  Luke's Gospel does not sound like the beginning or the coming of a child as foretold in the Old Testament.  No, this comes from the 21st chapter of Luke and it sounds very similar to some of the recent end-time readings from the past few weeks. I mean we have language anticipating the coming of the Son of Man on a cloud and with power.  We hear anticipation of many things to take place, none too pleasant, like shaking heavens and roaring waves and men fainting with fear.  This does not sound like O Little Town of Bethlehem and the newborn King.  Why?  Because it is not!  This is a foretelling and anticipation of Jesus coming again!  Yes, Advent is both a time of great preparation for Christmas but it is also anticipation of Christ coming again.  It is anticipation for us not just to be prepared to welcome Him as a beautiful manger figure we place in our cribs but to welcome Him in our lives, in our hearts, to focus on Him with our whole being; to trust in Him completely to save us, to bring us all the way home to Heaven! 

My goodness, where today are the long lines?  If we wait in lines on black Friday, if we wait in lines to see a sporting event or a concert, if we wait in lines to see a Mardi Gras parade, where today are the lines?  For that matter, every Sunday and dare I say every day, where are the lines?  Here, in this and every other Catholic Church, appearing in the tabernacle and on the altar during Mass, or Benediction and Adoration, where are the lines because Jesus is here.  Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here today for you is Jesus Christ, fully present, body. blood, soul and divinity.  Here is Jesus Christ, yes the same babe born in Bethlehem, the same man who hung upon a Cross for you and me, the only Son of God and God in the 2nd person of the Trinity, who rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven and yes, anticipate it, will come again!  And again I ask, where are the lines? 

For our part, what are we called to do in this first week of Advent 2015.  First, we are called to anticipate with great joy that Christ will come again.  Second, we are called to anticipate He is here, every time we walk into this Church.  To that end, do we all realize that this Friday we will worship and glorify Him in a special way, it's called Adoration and Benediction.  Jesus will be here exposed on the altar from the conclusion of morning Mass until 6 PM Friday evening.  At that time, we will experience what is called Benediction, a blessing from the Eucharistic Jesus for all present.  Our call this week is to make ourselves and our families available to attend Adoration and Benediction.  We are called to make this special effort because this is the only First Friday of the year that occurs in Advent.  While our new liturgical year focuses us on anticipation, we can anticipate the grace of Jesus in the Eucharist, exposed for us this First Friday.  During Advent can we also prepare prayerfully for what Jesus coming again means to us personally?  In prayer, can we ask Jesus to reveal to us what do we need to do to be fully prepared?  Finally, in Advent, make every effort to get to confession.  What better way to be prepared, what better way to anticipate fully Jesus in our lives than with a soul made clean by the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Anticipation; it's keeping me waiting but we wait no longer for we will prepared for what's to come!  Start today, for these too are the good old days!