Tonight was another road trip north to the prison known as Rayburn where I minister as the Deacon for our Catholic faith community. I've written extensively about this ministry and anyone who knows me or reads this blog should sense my love for prison ministry. I've done much, at least I think so, to bring my family, friends, parishioners, co-workers, into the realm of my experiences as a prison minister. Yet the questions continue: why do you do it?
My primary answers have been because I was called to do it, it's part of my charism as a Deacon and I've developed a personal commitment to this ministry after serving for 6 months as a prison minister during my formation. But another answer, which has a practical dimension to it, is because one day they do get out.
And they do. Just tonight I wished one of our guys well as he will be long gone by the time I return. And another is down to just 58 days. Just this year alone we have said goodbye to several of the men as they return home. I will strongly suggest to all who read this that since an inmate often returns to the community I want them returning with a faith life. Time and time again prison related studies and surveys prove that recidivissm is much improved among those inmates that attend religious functions while incarcerated. At Rayburn I am extremely happy to be just a part of a strong effort to bring the Catholic Church to the men on the inside. Fortified by a team of 3 lay volunteers and supported by many priests of the area a strong Catholic identity makes its way to Rayburn.
In addition to communion services, Masses, opportunities for confession we also have Bible study, catechism and RCIA. The men have truly learned to form community. And I will be bold enough to predict that when each of them returns to society they stand a much better chance of remaining free, in large part, to these faith opportunities.
So avoid the temptation to dismiss prison ministry as something vital that the Catholic Church must be actively involved with. Remember, one day they do get out.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Catholic Faith of the Chilean Miners
The events of the past 24 hours have been amazing, emotional and inspirational. The well planned and flawlessly executed rescue of the 33 miners has been a source of hope and joy across the world. Many pundits have opined about the many reasons the miners survived. For the most part the comments center on things physical and possibly mental. But some have been bold enough to dare mention the faith aspect. And if you follow more closely the intimate reports of family and friends and yes, the miners themselves, there was a lot of faith involved and that faith is decidedly Catholic.
Throughout the entire ordeal, as the families, friends and co-workers of the trapped miners gathered daily there was a constant presence of the Catholic Church. Priests and even a Bishop or two would offer Mass in close proximity to the rescue efforts.
After the men were discovered to be safe and huddled in the location where they would live for 69-70 days they began to request many things be sent down. Some things were for their survival, others for comfort. But a profound request was for rosaries, a crucifix and other sacramentals which became their makeshift shrine.
One of the men, Mario Gomez, the oldest and the one considered most ill, became the spiritual leader of the group. They spent much time in prayer. They offered prayers to God and prayers asking for the intercession of Mary. When Mario emerged from the mine shaft earlier today, before he would even hug his wife, he knelt in prayer and thanksgiving. Now freed he and his wife, who for some reason never were married in the Church, are now planning the Church wedding they often talked about.
Another aspect of the Catholic influence at the scene of the rescue effort was the presence of a statue of St. Lawrence, deacon & martyr. St. Lawrence is the patron saint of miners. The faithful Catholics of Chile who work in mining pray through St. Lawrence for protection because he worked among the faithful who were hiding and worshiping in the catacombs underground in Rome to avoid persecution. The detail of the religious statue used at the mine site of St. Lawrence is remarkable as the saint is shown wearing the dalmatic; the vestment particular to the Deacon. Amazing.
The most important aspect of this whole rescue; the entire situation from the very first day of the mine collapse, has been prayer. Family and friends were first and then the prayers of an entire nation joined in as well as people of faith and goodwill across the world. And those answered prayers tonight are yielding the safe return of 33 men, entombed for over two months and the rescue team. What a marvelous story.
St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, pray for us.
To God be all the Glory!
Throughout the entire ordeal, as the families, friends and co-workers of the trapped miners gathered daily there was a constant presence of the Catholic Church. Priests and even a Bishop or two would offer Mass in close proximity to the rescue efforts.
After the men were discovered to be safe and huddled in the location where they would live for 69-70 days they began to request many things be sent down. Some things were for their survival, others for comfort. But a profound request was for rosaries, a crucifix and other sacramentals which became their makeshift shrine.
One of the men, Mario Gomez, the oldest and the one considered most ill, became the spiritual leader of the group. They spent much time in prayer. They offered prayers to God and prayers asking for the intercession of Mary. When Mario emerged from the mine shaft earlier today, before he would even hug his wife, he knelt in prayer and thanksgiving. Now freed he and his wife, who for some reason never were married in the Church, are now planning the Church wedding they often talked about.
Another aspect of the Catholic influence at the scene of the rescue effort was the presence of a statue of St. Lawrence, deacon & martyr. St. Lawrence is the patron saint of miners. The faithful Catholics of Chile who work in mining pray through St. Lawrence for protection because he worked among the faithful who were hiding and worshiping in the catacombs underground in Rome to avoid persecution. The detail of the religious statue used at the mine site of St. Lawrence is remarkable as the saint is shown wearing the dalmatic; the vestment particular to the Deacon. Amazing.
The most important aspect of this whole rescue; the entire situation from the very first day of the mine collapse, has been prayer. Family and friends were first and then the prayers of an entire nation joined in as well as people of faith and goodwill across the world. And those answered prayers tonight are yielding the safe return of 33 men, entombed for over two months and the rescue team. What a marvelous story.
St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, pray for us.
To God be all the Glory!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Blessed Pope John 23rd
Today is the feast of Blessed John XXIII, pope from 1958-1963, best known for convening the Second Vatican Council. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000. His feast is assigned to the day on which the first session of Vatican II opened in 1962. His feast is not on the General Roman Calendar, but can be celebrated locally.
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The theological controversies regarding the divinity of Christ which disturbed the Church during the fourth and fifth centuries led to a denial of the divine maternity of Mary. The heretics refused to honor Mary as Mother of God. The Council of Ephesus in 431 declared that the Blessed Virgin "brought forth according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh" and that in consequence she is the Mother of God. Thus she is rightly given the title of divine maternity. In 1931, on the fifteenth centenary of this great Council, Pius XI instituted today's feast. By this act the pope wished to emphasize not only Mary's divine maternity, but also her motherhood of all the members of Christ's Mystical Body.
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Blessed Pope John XXIII
Blessed Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli at Sotto il Monte, Italy, in the Diocese of Bergamo on 25 November 1881. He was the fourth in a family of 14. The family worked as sharecroppers. It was a patriarchal family in the sense that the families of two brothers lived together, headed by his great-uncle Zaverio, who had never married and whose wisdom guided the work and other business of the family. Zaverio was Angelo's godfather, and to him he always attributed his first and most fundamental religious education. The religious atmosphere of his family and the fervent life of the parish, under the guidance of Fr. Francesco Rebuzzini, provided him with training in the Christian life.
He entered the Bergamo seminary in 1892. Here he began the practice of making spiritual notes, which he continued in one form or another until his death, and which have been gathered together in the Journal of a Soul. Here he also began the deeply cherished practice of regular spiritual direction. In 1896 he was admitted to the Secular Franciscan Order by the spiritual director of the Bergamo seminary, Fr. Luigi Isacchi; he made a profession of its Rule of life on 23 May 1897.
From 1901 to 1905 he was a student at the Pontifical Roman Seminary. On 10 August 1904 he was ordained a priest in the church of Santa Maria in Monte Santo in Rome's Piazza del Popolo. In 1905 he was appointed secretary to the new Bishop of Bergamo, Giacomo Maria Radini Tedeschi.
When Italy went to war in 1915 he was drafted as a sergeant in the medical corps and became a chaplain to wounded soldiers. When the war ended, he opened a "Student House" for the spiritual needs of young people.
In 1919 he was made spiritual director of the seminary, but in 1921 he was called to the service of the Holy See. Benedict XV brought him to Rome to be the Italian president of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. In 1925 Pius XI named him Apostolic Visitator in Bulgaria, raising him to the episcopate with the titular Diocese of Areopolis. For his episcopal motto he chose Oboedientia et Pax, which became his guiding motto for the rest of his life.
On 19 March 1925 he was ordained Bishop and left for Bulgaria. He was granted the title Apostolic Delegate and remained in Bulgaria until 1935, visiting Catholic communities and establishing relationships of respect and esteem with the other Christian communities.
In 1935 he was named Apostolic Delegate in Turkey and Greece. His ministry among the Catholics was intense, and his respectful approach and dialogue with the worlds of Orthodoxy and Islam became a feature of his tenure. In December 1944 Pius XII appointed him Nuncio in France.
At the death of Pius XII he was elected Pope on 28 October 1958, taking the name John XXIII. His pontificate, which lasted less than five years, presented him to the entire world as an authentic image of the Good Shepherd. Meek and gentle, enterprising and courageous, simple and active, he carried out the Christian duties of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy: visiting the imprisoned and the sick, welcoming those of every nation and faith, bestowing on all his exquisite fatherly care. His social magisterium in the Encyclicals Pacem in terris and Mater et Magistra was deeply appreciated.
He convoked the Roman Synod, established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law and summoned the Second Vatican Council. The faithful saw in him a reflection of the goodness of God and called him "the good Pope." He was sustained by a profound spirit of prayer. He launched an extensive renewal of the Church, while radiating the peace of one who always trusted in the Lord. Pope John XXIII died on the evening of 3 June 1963, in a spirit of profound trust in Jesus and of longing for his embrace.
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The theological controversies regarding the divinity of Christ which disturbed the Church during the fourth and fifth centuries led to a denial of the divine maternity of Mary. The heretics refused to honor Mary as Mother of God. The Council of Ephesus in 431 declared that the Blessed Virgin "brought forth according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh" and that in consequence she is the Mother of God. Thus she is rightly given the title of divine maternity. In 1931, on the fifteenth centenary of this great Council, Pius XI instituted today's feast. By this act the pope wished to emphasize not only Mary's divine maternity, but also her motherhood of all the members of Christ's Mystical Body.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessed Pope John XXIII
Blessed Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli at Sotto il Monte, Italy, in the Diocese of Bergamo on 25 November 1881. He was the fourth in a family of 14. The family worked as sharecroppers. It was a patriarchal family in the sense that the families of two brothers lived together, headed by his great-uncle Zaverio, who had never married and whose wisdom guided the work and other business of the family. Zaverio was Angelo's godfather, and to him he always attributed his first and most fundamental religious education. The religious atmosphere of his family and the fervent life of the parish, under the guidance of Fr. Francesco Rebuzzini, provided him with training in the Christian life.
He entered the Bergamo seminary in 1892. Here he began the practice of making spiritual notes, which he continued in one form or another until his death, and which have been gathered together in the Journal of a Soul. Here he also began the deeply cherished practice of regular spiritual direction. In 1896 he was admitted to the Secular Franciscan Order by the spiritual director of the Bergamo seminary, Fr. Luigi Isacchi; he made a profession of its Rule of life on 23 May 1897.
From 1901 to 1905 he was a student at the Pontifical Roman Seminary. On 10 August 1904 he was ordained a priest in the church of Santa Maria in Monte Santo in Rome's Piazza del Popolo. In 1905 he was appointed secretary to the new Bishop of Bergamo, Giacomo Maria Radini Tedeschi.
When Italy went to war in 1915 he was drafted as a sergeant in the medical corps and became a chaplain to wounded soldiers. When the war ended, he opened a "Student House" for the spiritual needs of young people.
In 1919 he was made spiritual director of the seminary, but in 1921 he was called to the service of the Holy See. Benedict XV brought him to Rome to be the Italian president of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. In 1925 Pius XI named him Apostolic Visitator in Bulgaria, raising him to the episcopate with the titular Diocese of Areopolis. For his episcopal motto he chose Oboedientia et Pax, which became his guiding motto for the rest of his life.
On 19 March 1925 he was ordained Bishop and left for Bulgaria. He was granted the title Apostolic Delegate and remained in Bulgaria until 1935, visiting Catholic communities and establishing relationships of respect and esteem with the other Christian communities.
In 1935 he was named Apostolic Delegate in Turkey and Greece. His ministry among the Catholics was intense, and his respectful approach and dialogue with the worlds of Orthodoxy and Islam became a feature of his tenure. In December 1944 Pius XII appointed him Nuncio in France.
At the death of Pius XII he was elected Pope on 28 October 1958, taking the name John XXIII. His pontificate, which lasted less than five years, presented him to the entire world as an authentic image of the Good Shepherd. Meek and gentle, enterprising and courageous, simple and active, he carried out the Christian duties of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy: visiting the imprisoned and the sick, welcoming those of every nation and faith, bestowing on all his exquisite fatherly care. His social magisterium in the Encyclicals Pacem in terris and Mater et Magistra was deeply appreciated.
He convoked the Roman Synod, established the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law and summoned the Second Vatican Council. The faithful saw in him a reflection of the goodness of God and called him "the good Pope." He was sustained by a profound spirit of prayer. He launched an extensive renewal of the Church, while radiating the peace of one who always trusted in the Lord. Pope John XXIII died on the evening of 3 June 1963, in a spirit of profound trust in Jesus and of longing for his embrace.
What a beautiful defense of the Novus Ordo
>>>What an awesome defense and beautiful description of the Novus Ordo. This Priest, whom I have no knowledge of, is spot on in this article. Properly celebrated, the Mass in the ordinary form comes closer to the Mass of the earliest days than does the extrordinary form. I believe the good Priest agrees with me, and those critics of the Novus Ordo, that poorly celebrated the Novus Ordo lacks reverence. Same is true for the Tridentine rite. And what good is a return to the days where many prayed the rosary or read from a variety of prayer cards or religious books during Mass because they did not understand the Mass. Read on and prayerfully ponder Fr. Farfaglia's words:
The Happy Priest: Why I Love to Celebrate the Mass of Vatican II
By Fr. James Farfaglia
10/11/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - Since the close of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Catholic Mass of the Latin Rite has been the focal point of intense debate and, in some cases, conflict within the Roman Catholic Church
As a Catholic priest I have been very happy celebrating the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. Although I do not have any problem with anyone who has an affinity to the Tridentine Latin Mass (now also referred to as the "extrarodinary form"), I personally do not share in that same affinity. Based upon long experience, I firmly believe, that properly understood and correctly implemented, the Mass of the Second Vatican Council is a better liturgy and that there was a real need for the Church to reform the Tridentine Latin Mass.
Unfortunately, many Catholics have been deprived of the beauty of what the Second Vatican Council actually intended. As a priest, I have made it my mission in life to do what I can to promote a correct understanding and implementation of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. I personally disagree with those who claim that we need a reform of the reform. I believe that we simply need to implement the reform correctly.
Unfortunately, shortly after the close of Vatican II, the liturgical reforms that the Council set in motion were upset by ignorance, misinterpretation and even infidelity.
I really love celebrating the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, now called the ordinary form. I understand what was changed and why. I find these changes to be very beautiful, meaningful and exciting. The Liturgy, especially the Sunday Liturgy, fills me with intense joy and draws me into the mystery of God.
Why do I prefer the ordinary form of the Catholic Mass?
The use of the vernacular in the liturgy came from the Vatican II document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. However, it must be understood that the principles elaborated in this Vatican II document were already being widely developed in what was called the Liturgical Movement which began during the Pontificate of St. Pope Pius X and which became a very intense movement from the Pontificate of Pius XII right up to the opening of the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965). There were even isolated places where the Holy See allowed the use of the vernacular in the Latin Rite before Vatican II. We should also remember that the Eastern Catholic Church has always used the vernacular in their liturgy. So, let us keep in mind that the vernacular is not a new idea.
Personally, I think that the widespread use of the vernacular is good reform from the Second Vatican Council. This is particularly true with the Liturgy of the Word. However, it was not the mind of the Council, nor is it the intention of the Church today, that the Latin language should be considered something of the past, never to be used again in the Catholic Church. The liturgical life of a parish must be in the vernacular, but it is also very important that Latin, both in the prayers of the Mass and the liturgical music, should be present frequently throughout the liturgical year.
Nationally, there is an interesting phenomena occurring: while some older priests and laity are repelled by any use of Latin, conversely more and more young priests and laity are finding the use of Latin to be exciting, fulfilling and very spiritual. Parish choirs directed and filled with young people are singing Gregorian Chant and polyphony.
One of the most noticeable reforms of the Missal of Pius V has taken place with the Liturgy of the Word. In my opinion, this was one of the best reforms because it allows the Word of God to be proclaimed in the language of the people and it provides a greater variety of biblical texts for the enrichment of our spiritual life.
The Liturgy of the Word on Sundays and Solemnities is comprised of three selections from the Bible. Outside of the Christmas and Easter Seasons, the First Reading is always taken from the Old Testament. During the entire liturgical year, the Second Reading is always taken from the New Testament. The Gospel passage is taken from any of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Liturgy of the Word follows a three year ABC cycle which provides a rich variety of readings from the Sacred Scriptures.
Between the First Reading and the Second Reading, one of the 150 Psalms is sung or said. The Responsorial Psalm provides a prayerful meditation between the two passages from the Bible. Between ...
the Second Reading and the Gospel, the Alleluia verse is sung or said.
The other reform that I really enjoy is the variety of Eucharistic Prayers during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
For many centuries, the Mass had only one Eucharistic Prayer, which we now call Eucharistic Prayer I. Immediately after the Second Vatican Council, the Church added three more Eucharistic Prayers to the collection. Eucharistic Prayer V, Eucharistic Prayers I and II for Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Prayers of Children have followed since.
Eucharistic Prayer II is an adaptation of the Eucharistic Prayer found in the third century. Scholars believe that Saint Hipolitus composed this prayer. Eucharistic Prayer III is a new composition that while similar in some respects to the First Eucharistic Prayer, does incorporate some elements from other sources. Eucharistic Prayer IV is related to an ancient prayer used in Egypt and later adapted into what came to be known as the Anaphora of St. Basil.
Finally, Sacrosanctum Concilium gave us the words active participation. At the time of the Council of Trent, the Catholic Church was going through a very difficult time. The sacrificial nature of the Mass, the ministerial priesthood and transubstantiation were all under intense attack from the Protestant reformers. Therefore, the Church decided that the liturgy should emphasize these essential aspects of our faith.
The concept of active participation within the Catholic Mass, as understood by Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Liturgical Movement leading up to the Second Vatican Council, restores the proper participation of the laity due to their membership within the priesthood of the faithful. Thus, the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council brought about a beautiful relationship between the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful.
On the First Sunday of Advent 2011, we will be using a new translation of the English Mass. I can't wait! What a gift! In preparation for this great moment in the life of the Catholic Church I will be offering a series of articles regarding the meaning and significance of this important development.
The Happy Priest: Why I Love to Celebrate the Mass of Vatican II
By Fr. James Farfaglia
10/11/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - Since the close of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Catholic Mass of the Latin Rite has been the focal point of intense debate and, in some cases, conflict within the Roman Catholic Church
As a Catholic priest I have been very happy celebrating the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. Although I do not have any problem with anyone who has an affinity to the Tridentine Latin Mass (now also referred to as the "extrarodinary form"), I personally do not share in that same affinity. Based upon long experience, I firmly believe, that properly understood and correctly implemented, the Mass of the Second Vatican Council is a better liturgy and that there was a real need for the Church to reform the Tridentine Latin Mass.
Unfortunately, many Catholics have been deprived of the beauty of what the Second Vatican Council actually intended. As a priest, I have made it my mission in life to do what I can to promote a correct understanding and implementation of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. I personally disagree with those who claim that we need a reform of the reform. I believe that we simply need to implement the reform correctly.
Unfortunately, shortly after the close of Vatican II, the liturgical reforms that the Council set in motion were upset by ignorance, misinterpretation and even infidelity.
I really love celebrating the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, now called the ordinary form. I understand what was changed and why. I find these changes to be very beautiful, meaningful and exciting. The Liturgy, especially the Sunday Liturgy, fills me with intense joy and draws me into the mystery of God.
Why do I prefer the ordinary form of the Catholic Mass?
The use of the vernacular in the liturgy came from the Vatican II document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. However, it must be understood that the principles elaborated in this Vatican II document were already being widely developed in what was called the Liturgical Movement which began during the Pontificate of St. Pope Pius X and which became a very intense movement from the Pontificate of Pius XII right up to the opening of the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965). There were even isolated places where the Holy See allowed the use of the vernacular in the Latin Rite before Vatican II. We should also remember that the Eastern Catholic Church has always used the vernacular in their liturgy. So, let us keep in mind that the vernacular is not a new idea.
Personally, I think that the widespread use of the vernacular is good reform from the Second Vatican Council. This is particularly true with the Liturgy of the Word. However, it was not the mind of the Council, nor is it the intention of the Church today, that the Latin language should be considered something of the past, never to be used again in the Catholic Church. The liturgical life of a parish must be in the vernacular, but it is also very important that Latin, both in the prayers of the Mass and the liturgical music, should be present frequently throughout the liturgical year.
Nationally, there is an interesting phenomena occurring: while some older priests and laity are repelled by any use of Latin, conversely more and more young priests and laity are finding the use of Latin to be exciting, fulfilling and very spiritual. Parish choirs directed and filled with young people are singing Gregorian Chant and polyphony.
One of the most noticeable reforms of the Missal of Pius V has taken place with the Liturgy of the Word. In my opinion, this was one of the best reforms because it allows the Word of God to be proclaimed in the language of the people and it provides a greater variety of biblical texts for the enrichment of our spiritual life.
The Liturgy of the Word on Sundays and Solemnities is comprised of three selections from the Bible. Outside of the Christmas and Easter Seasons, the First Reading is always taken from the Old Testament. During the entire liturgical year, the Second Reading is always taken from the New Testament. The Gospel passage is taken from any of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Liturgy of the Word follows a three year ABC cycle which provides a rich variety of readings from the Sacred Scriptures.
Between the First Reading and the Second Reading, one of the 150 Psalms is sung or said. The Responsorial Psalm provides a prayerful meditation between the two passages from the Bible. Between ...
the Second Reading and the Gospel, the Alleluia verse is sung or said.
The other reform that I really enjoy is the variety of Eucharistic Prayers during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
For many centuries, the Mass had only one Eucharistic Prayer, which we now call Eucharistic Prayer I. Immediately after the Second Vatican Council, the Church added three more Eucharistic Prayers to the collection. Eucharistic Prayer V, Eucharistic Prayers I and II for Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Prayers of Children have followed since.
Eucharistic Prayer II is an adaptation of the Eucharistic Prayer found in the third century. Scholars believe that Saint Hipolitus composed this prayer. Eucharistic Prayer III is a new composition that while similar in some respects to the First Eucharistic Prayer, does incorporate some elements from other sources. Eucharistic Prayer IV is related to an ancient prayer used in Egypt and later adapted into what came to be known as the Anaphora of St. Basil.
Finally, Sacrosanctum Concilium gave us the words active participation. At the time of the Council of Trent, the Catholic Church was going through a very difficult time. The sacrificial nature of the Mass, the ministerial priesthood and transubstantiation were all under intense attack from the Protestant reformers. Therefore, the Church decided that the liturgy should emphasize these essential aspects of our faith.
The concept of active participation within the Catholic Mass, as understood by Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Liturgical Movement leading up to the Second Vatican Council, restores the proper participation of the laity due to their membership within the priesthood of the faithful. Thus, the reformed liturgy of the Second Vatican Council brought about a beautiful relationship between the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful.
On the First Sunday of Advent 2011, we will be using a new translation of the English Mass. I can't wait! What a gift! In preparation for this great moment in the life of the Catholic Church I will be offering a series of articles regarding the meaning and significance of this important development.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Catholic Mission of Christopher Columbus
>>>Just in time for Columbus Day.
The Catholic Venture of Christopher Columbus
by The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
When writing to the people of the United States in 1895, Pope Leo XIII observed: “The names newly given to so many of your towns and rivers and lakes teach and clearly witness how deeply your beginnings were marked with the footprints of the Catholic Church.” How true it is! For there are countless hundreds of cities, towns, and other landmarks bearing the names of great saints of the Church that testify to the inestimable apostolic labors of her sons and daughters in America.
Although his “footprint” was not the first, of a mission-minded Catholic on these shores, the first lasting impress made on our soil was by the much-maligned and under-appreciated Christopher Columbus. We present here a brief rundown of the Catholic venture of this noble Genoan.
Pre-Columbian Ventures
First, we confront the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the discovery of America. For the very name “America” credits Amerigo Vespucci with the discovery of the continent. This was an error, of course, as the historians later realized. (But by the queer chance of their mistake it also happens that the entire Western Hemisphere, as a result, was inadvertently given the name of the great Saint Emeric of Hungary, who was Vespucci’s patron saint.)
Later historians, eager perhaps to shadow the apostolic motives of Catholic explorers, insisted that the Vikings were the first to sail to our shores. Yet, they ignore the fact that when the pagan Norsemen discovered Iceland in the Eighth Century, there they found crosses, bells, sacred vessels, and other Catholic artifacts of Irish craftsmanship. Upon returning to Norway from their long voyages, these hardy sailors found that the idols of Scandinavia had been hurled to the dust. The king had embraced the true Faith and the whole people had renounced paganism. When the Nordics, therefore, set out again for their new-found lands, they brought Catholicism with them this time, Hence we learn that the Viking explorers Bjorn and Leif were Catholics, not pagans, and that after their discovery of the American shores, missionaries immediately offered to come here to preach the Gospel to the savage inhabitants.
But having mentioned that the Catholic Irish had preceded the Norsemen to Iceland, we must also note that likewise they were the earliest explorers of our Atlantic coast. In fact, it is recorded that Saint Brendan the Navigator, the patron saint of seamen, had sailed to the American continent in the sixth century, some two hundred years before the Vikings.
1492 and All That
Now we come to the part with which more of us are familiar. On the second of August in the year 1492 three ships, the Niña , the Pinta , and the Santa Maria (Holy Mary1 ), carrying one hundred and twenty men set sail from the shores of Spain. Their objective was twofold: to find a westerly route to the Far East, where they hoped to obtain a source of revenue to rebuild their poor country so long ravaged by Moslem invaders; and most importantly to bring the true Faith of Christ to pagans of those distant lands. The leader of this brave band, of course, was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, and the only Italian among this crew of Spaniards and Portuguese.
Columbus had begun sailing the seas as a boy of fourteen and over the years had acquired a notable skill in navigation and astronomy. He is said to have sailed as far as Guinea when he was sixteen years of age. For some time he and his brother had pondered the idea of reaching the East Indies by sailing westward, and it was the hope of executing this idea that brought Christopher to Portugal in 1471. He presented his plan to the King of Portugal, but meeting with no success he set off for Spain in 1485. Twice he petitioned King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella — Los Reyes Católicos 2 — to support his venture, but due to the influence of royal advisers who thought his plan absurd, he was politely dismissed.
Enter the Franciscans
Dejected and practically reduced to begging, Columbus accepted the hospitality of a Franciscan monastery.3 The Prior, Father Juan Perez, happened to be the Queen’s confessor and he took a strong interest in the extraordinarily zealous seafarer. (It was Father Perez who later was to celebrate the first Mass in America — on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.) This good priest had a friend at the King’s court, Louis de Santangel (who would be put in charge of all Church revenues for Columbus’ design) and the two men were able to convince the Queen of the project’s merit, particularly since the Church was prepared to help in financing the first expedition. We can clearly understand the Church’s interest in the venture when we see the compelling argument that Columbus offered to explain its purpose: “. . . To carry the Name and doctrine of Jesus Christ into regions so distant.” Permission was obtained from the Catholic Kings and preparations were soon under way.
Christopher also presented his plan to Pope Alexander VI in letter, hoping to secure missionaries accompany him on the journey. He wrote: “I trust that by God’s help, I may spread the Holy Name and Gospel of Jesus Christ as widely as possible.” The Pope granted his request on the second and other subsequent expeditions.
A Rough Voyage
Knowing that a plenary indulgence would be gained by all who received Holy Communion on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, August second, the courageous explorer-missioner chose that date for his departure. Every one of the crew approached the Communion rail that morning and, after invoking the protection of the Queen of Heaven, they set out for a historic destiny.
The men suffered considerably from the grueling experience of being many weeks at sea in the turbulence of unknown waters. Fear and uncertainty began to take hold of them. Two months passed and still there was no land to be seen. The crew grew all the more restless and insisted that their captain return back. Still confident, however, Columbus countered their fears with a proposition: If no land were sighted by the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, October twelfth, he would reverse their course. This was a persuasive appeal even to these much frightened Iberian sailors, because the Feast commemorated the day on which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint James the Greater, Apostle of Spain, and reassured him that, in spite of his apparent failure in that country, his work eventually would bring forth tremendous fruits for the Church. The men agreed to this offer, and as a reward for their faith, land was sighted — on the very day of the great Feast. Their total number of days at sea had been seventy-two — precisely the number of years that the Mother of God spent on earth.
The first act of Columbus upon setting foot on this new land was to set up the standard of the Cross and claim it in the Name of Jesus Christ. He gratefully named the first island he arrived at “San Salvador” (Holy Savior), by which it is still known today, despite the fact that the Masons succeeded for a time in having its name changed to Watling’s Island.
After a brief rest he set sail again, and on Christmas Day he disembarked on the northern coast of what is now Haiti, establishing the first European settlement in the New World, which he called La Navidad (The Nativity). Columbus, by securing the friendship of the natives, was able to learn from them that a large island lay not far away, and that beyond it was a huge body of land. And so, leaving sixty of his men there, he started out on his return course to Spain, bringing with him the news of the existence of the American continent.
The “Spreading of Catholicism”
The apostolic navigator was welcomed back to Spain with jubilation. His news was received enthusiastically by the Catholic Kings, not merely because it promised economic relief for their suffering country, but primarily because they had learned that the natives of the new land were well disposed to receive the gift of Faith. The pious queen addressed Christopher with these words: “The expenses we have incurred, and are about to incur for the Indian expeditions, have been well bestowed; for these will ensure a spreading of Catholicism.” How well Queen Isabella had described the holy explorer when she had said that he would have boldly thrust himself upon a vast ocean “to achieve a most signal thing for the sake of the Divine Glory.” Surely he was worthy of such praise, as is confirmed by his words to a friend upon his return: “Immortal thanks should be rendered to God, Who had brought His labors such prosperous issues; that Jesus Christ rejoices and triumphs on earth no less than in heaven, at the approaching salvation of nations innumerable that were before hastening to destruction.”
There were those who were unimpressed with the prospects of further voyages and who tried to dissuade the fatigued Columbus from undertaking further expeditions. Were they right, he wondered? How could he know what to do? The seafarer decided to make a spiritual retreat at the Franciscan Monastery. After imploring the help of the Blessed Mother, he emerged fortified with grace and determined to continue his apostolic explorations. And so in September of 1493, Christopher set sail again, this time in a vessel called The Gracious Mary , accompanied by thirteen ships and fifteen hundred men. And again, the Blessed Trinity was invoked for the protection of the journey, during which the Angelus faithfully was recited three times every day.
A new settlement was established on this expedition, and the first fortress in the New World was erected and named in honor of Saint Thomas the Apostle. It was also on this voyage that Columbus discovered a group of small islands south of San Salvador, which he called the Virgin Islands, in honor of the 11,010 virgins who martyred with Saint Ursula at Cologne in 383.
The venerable missionary of the seas returned to Spain in 1496, but promptly launched out again in May of that year to explore the Canary Islands and others in that area. In July he came upon a very large body of land, which he named Trinidad (Trinity), and sailing westward from thence he at last landed on the mainland of South America.
In all, Christopher Columbus led four excursions from the shores of Spain to America. It was on his fourth expedition that his great apostolic career finally ended. After suffering tempests, shipwreck, grave illness and exhaustion, as will as mutiny from his own settlers, he was put on board a ship heading back to Spain, and there in his adopted homeland he died.
This courageous explorer deserves our highest admiration and praise not only for his discovery of our American continents, but for his unquenchable zeal in bringing the Catholic Faith to distant corners of the globe, that men might know the way to salvation.
Pope Leo XIII wrote in praise of Christopher Columbus: “By his toil . . . hundreds of thousands of mortals have, from a state of blindness, been raised to the common level of the human race, reclaimed from savagery to gentleness and humanity, and, greatest of all, by the acquisition of those blessings of which Jesus Christ is the Author, they have been recalled from destruction to eternal life.”
The Catholic Venture of Christopher Columbus
by The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
When writing to the people of the United States in 1895, Pope Leo XIII observed: “The names newly given to so many of your towns and rivers and lakes teach and clearly witness how deeply your beginnings were marked with the footprints of the Catholic Church.” How true it is! For there are countless hundreds of cities, towns, and other landmarks bearing the names of great saints of the Church that testify to the inestimable apostolic labors of her sons and daughters in America.
Although his “footprint” was not the first, of a mission-minded Catholic on these shores, the first lasting impress made on our soil was by the much-maligned and under-appreciated Christopher Columbus. We present here a brief rundown of the Catholic venture of this noble Genoan.
Pre-Columbian Ventures
First, we confront the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the discovery of America. For the very name “America” credits Amerigo Vespucci with the discovery of the continent. This was an error, of course, as the historians later realized. (But by the queer chance of their mistake it also happens that the entire Western Hemisphere, as a result, was inadvertently given the name of the great Saint Emeric of Hungary, who was Vespucci’s patron saint.)
Later historians, eager perhaps to shadow the apostolic motives of Catholic explorers, insisted that the Vikings were the first to sail to our shores. Yet, they ignore the fact that when the pagan Norsemen discovered Iceland in the Eighth Century, there they found crosses, bells, sacred vessels, and other Catholic artifacts of Irish craftsmanship. Upon returning to Norway from their long voyages, these hardy sailors found that the idols of Scandinavia had been hurled to the dust. The king had embraced the true Faith and the whole people had renounced paganism. When the Nordics, therefore, set out again for their new-found lands, they brought Catholicism with them this time, Hence we learn that the Viking explorers Bjorn and Leif were Catholics, not pagans, and that after their discovery of the American shores, missionaries immediately offered to come here to preach the Gospel to the savage inhabitants.
But having mentioned that the Catholic Irish had preceded the Norsemen to Iceland, we must also note that likewise they were the earliest explorers of our Atlantic coast. In fact, it is recorded that Saint Brendan the Navigator, the patron saint of seamen, had sailed to the American continent in the sixth century, some two hundred years before the Vikings.
1492 and All That
Now we come to the part with which more of us are familiar. On the second of August in the year 1492 three ships, the Niña , the Pinta , and the Santa Maria (Holy Mary1 ), carrying one hundred and twenty men set sail from the shores of Spain. Their objective was twofold: to find a westerly route to the Far East, where they hoped to obtain a source of revenue to rebuild their poor country so long ravaged by Moslem invaders; and most importantly to bring the true Faith of Christ to pagans of those distant lands. The leader of this brave band, of course, was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, and the only Italian among this crew of Spaniards and Portuguese.
Columbus had begun sailing the seas as a boy of fourteen and over the years had acquired a notable skill in navigation and astronomy. He is said to have sailed as far as Guinea when he was sixteen years of age. For some time he and his brother had pondered the idea of reaching the East Indies by sailing westward, and it was the hope of executing this idea that brought Christopher to Portugal in 1471. He presented his plan to the King of Portugal, but meeting with no success he set off for Spain in 1485. Twice he petitioned King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella — Los Reyes Católicos 2 — to support his venture, but due to the influence of royal advisers who thought his plan absurd, he was politely dismissed.
Enter the Franciscans
Dejected and practically reduced to begging, Columbus accepted the hospitality of a Franciscan monastery.3 The Prior, Father Juan Perez, happened to be the Queen’s confessor and he took a strong interest in the extraordinarily zealous seafarer. (It was Father Perez who later was to celebrate the first Mass in America — on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.) This good priest had a friend at the King’s court, Louis de Santangel (who would be put in charge of all Church revenues for Columbus’ design) and the two men were able to convince the Queen of the project’s merit, particularly since the Church was prepared to help in financing the first expedition. We can clearly understand the Church’s interest in the venture when we see the compelling argument that Columbus offered to explain its purpose: “. . . To carry the Name and doctrine of Jesus Christ into regions so distant.” Permission was obtained from the Catholic Kings and preparations were soon under way.
Christopher also presented his plan to Pope Alexander VI in letter, hoping to secure missionaries accompany him on the journey. He wrote: “I trust that by God’s help, I may spread the Holy Name and Gospel of Jesus Christ as widely as possible.” The Pope granted his request on the second and other subsequent expeditions.
A Rough Voyage
Knowing that a plenary indulgence would be gained by all who received Holy Communion on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, August second, the courageous explorer-missioner chose that date for his departure. Every one of the crew approached the Communion rail that morning and, after invoking the protection of the Queen of Heaven, they set out for a historic destiny.
The men suffered considerably from the grueling experience of being many weeks at sea in the turbulence of unknown waters. Fear and uncertainty began to take hold of them. Two months passed and still there was no land to be seen. The crew grew all the more restless and insisted that their captain return back. Still confident, however, Columbus countered their fears with a proposition: If no land were sighted by the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, October twelfth, he would reverse their course. This was a persuasive appeal even to these much frightened Iberian sailors, because the Feast commemorated the day on which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint James the Greater, Apostle of Spain, and reassured him that, in spite of his apparent failure in that country, his work eventually would bring forth tremendous fruits for the Church. The men agreed to this offer, and as a reward for their faith, land was sighted — on the very day of the great Feast. Their total number of days at sea had been seventy-two — precisely the number of years that the Mother of God spent on earth.
The first act of Columbus upon setting foot on this new land was to set up the standard of the Cross and claim it in the Name of Jesus Christ. He gratefully named the first island he arrived at “San Salvador” (Holy Savior), by which it is still known today, despite the fact that the Masons succeeded for a time in having its name changed to Watling’s Island.
After a brief rest he set sail again, and on Christmas Day he disembarked on the northern coast of what is now Haiti, establishing the first European settlement in the New World, which he called La Navidad (The Nativity). Columbus, by securing the friendship of the natives, was able to learn from them that a large island lay not far away, and that beyond it was a huge body of land. And so, leaving sixty of his men there, he started out on his return course to Spain, bringing with him the news of the existence of the American continent.
The “Spreading of Catholicism”
The apostolic navigator was welcomed back to Spain with jubilation. His news was received enthusiastically by the Catholic Kings, not merely because it promised economic relief for their suffering country, but primarily because they had learned that the natives of the new land were well disposed to receive the gift of Faith. The pious queen addressed Christopher with these words: “The expenses we have incurred, and are about to incur for the Indian expeditions, have been well bestowed; for these will ensure a spreading of Catholicism.” How well Queen Isabella had described the holy explorer when she had said that he would have boldly thrust himself upon a vast ocean “to achieve a most signal thing for the sake of the Divine Glory.” Surely he was worthy of such praise, as is confirmed by his words to a friend upon his return: “Immortal thanks should be rendered to God, Who had brought His labors such prosperous issues; that Jesus Christ rejoices and triumphs on earth no less than in heaven, at the approaching salvation of nations innumerable that were before hastening to destruction.”
There were those who were unimpressed with the prospects of further voyages and who tried to dissuade the fatigued Columbus from undertaking further expeditions. Were they right, he wondered? How could he know what to do? The seafarer decided to make a spiritual retreat at the Franciscan Monastery. After imploring the help of the Blessed Mother, he emerged fortified with grace and determined to continue his apostolic explorations. And so in September of 1493, Christopher set sail again, this time in a vessel called The Gracious Mary , accompanied by thirteen ships and fifteen hundred men. And again, the Blessed Trinity was invoked for the protection of the journey, during which the Angelus faithfully was recited three times every day.
A new settlement was established on this expedition, and the first fortress in the New World was erected and named in honor of Saint Thomas the Apostle. It was also on this voyage that Columbus discovered a group of small islands south of San Salvador, which he called the Virgin Islands, in honor of the 11,010 virgins who martyred with Saint Ursula at Cologne in 383.
The venerable missionary of the seas returned to Spain in 1496, but promptly launched out again in May of that year to explore the Canary Islands and others in that area. In July he came upon a very large body of land, which he named Trinidad (Trinity), and sailing westward from thence he at last landed on the mainland of South America.
In all, Christopher Columbus led four excursions from the shores of Spain to America. It was on his fourth expedition that his great apostolic career finally ended. After suffering tempests, shipwreck, grave illness and exhaustion, as will as mutiny from his own settlers, he was put on board a ship heading back to Spain, and there in his adopted homeland he died.
This courageous explorer deserves our highest admiration and praise not only for his discovery of our American continents, but for his unquenchable zeal in bringing the Catholic Faith to distant corners of the globe, that men might know the way to salvation.
Pope Leo XIII wrote in praise of Christopher Columbus: “By his toil . . . hundreds of thousands of mortals have, from a state of blindness, been raised to the common level of the human race, reclaimed from savagery to gentleness and humanity, and, greatest of all, by the acquisition of those blessings of which Jesus Christ is the Author, they have been recalled from destruction to eternal life.”
The New Orleans Saints; missing in action
Put out an APB. An entire professional football franchise; a world champion franchise at that, is missing in action. The New Orleans Saints are nowhere to be found. Surely these are mere impersonators showing up to play football on NFL weekends.
Today the Saints, who have been winning most of their games with lackluster effort, got it handed to them by the Arizona Cardinals. And consider the facts; this is a Cardinal team that gave up over 40 points twice. This is a Cardinal team that is not lighting up the scoreboard on offense. So poor have the Cardinals been offensively, today they started a non-tested free agent rookie QB. Despite all these advantages, Saints lose and had 2 defensive TD's scored against them. With the exception of one miracle pass so late in the game it really did not matter, the Saints were scoreless and useless in the 2nd half.
And the haunting reminder of our kicking woes bit hard; another missed 29 yd FG, this time by Carney and kick off coverage that is sad, at best. And our punter all of a sudden can't punt.
But the real disaster is an offense that has been almost anemic. I'll acknowledge up front that missing Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas is huge. So what. The mark of the championship team was plug in your back-ups and go from there. But not this year. Of course the starters are not doing anything anyway.
Not being a sports reporter but a fan I'm just expressing my concerns but I think they are well founded. Drew Brees is playing poorly. His o-line is playing poorly. Receivers are not open downfield and have dropped more than their fair share of passes. The running game is only as good as the constant turnovers.
Defensively, not playing all that bad but can you explain making this team today, this QB today look great? I can't.
And today in the fourth quarter, when the Saints needed to make something happen, the play calling was confusing, they lacked a sense of urgency and sort of non-chalantly tip toed around the field.
Who are these guys?
I honestly beleived that it would be years after last year before I would witness such poor effort. We need to find a balanced approach to being so proud and excited about last year while not allowing last year to be a distraction. Drew Brees, Sean Payton and others are still signing autographs, hugging the Lombardi and basking in the glow of a game that is 8 months old.
And for those who want to interpret this as fair weather syndrome; feel free. You can keep drinking the kool-aid. I love the Saints, particularly what they do in and for the community, their attention as an organization to faith and for being Super Bowl Champions. But they get no pass from me, and neither should they from you, for this kind of effort. Outside the excitement of the Vikings season opener, every other game, win or lose, has been painful.
Since they got us a championship let's keep putting our faith in this staff and this team but big wins need to happen soon. And don't look now, the Saints are in 3rd place because both Atlanta and Tampa are playing lights out.
Come on Saints, all of you collectively, get your heads out of your rear ends!
Today the Saints, who have been winning most of their games with lackluster effort, got it handed to them by the Arizona Cardinals. And consider the facts; this is a Cardinal team that gave up over 40 points twice. This is a Cardinal team that is not lighting up the scoreboard on offense. So poor have the Cardinals been offensively, today they started a non-tested free agent rookie QB. Despite all these advantages, Saints lose and had 2 defensive TD's scored against them. With the exception of one miracle pass so late in the game it really did not matter, the Saints were scoreless and useless in the 2nd half.
And the haunting reminder of our kicking woes bit hard; another missed 29 yd FG, this time by Carney and kick off coverage that is sad, at best. And our punter all of a sudden can't punt.
But the real disaster is an offense that has been almost anemic. I'll acknowledge up front that missing Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas is huge. So what. The mark of the championship team was plug in your back-ups and go from there. But not this year. Of course the starters are not doing anything anyway.
Not being a sports reporter but a fan I'm just expressing my concerns but I think they are well founded. Drew Brees is playing poorly. His o-line is playing poorly. Receivers are not open downfield and have dropped more than their fair share of passes. The running game is only as good as the constant turnovers.
Defensively, not playing all that bad but can you explain making this team today, this QB today look great? I can't.
And today in the fourth quarter, when the Saints needed to make something happen, the play calling was confusing, they lacked a sense of urgency and sort of non-chalantly tip toed around the field.
Who are these guys?
I honestly beleived that it would be years after last year before I would witness such poor effort. We need to find a balanced approach to being so proud and excited about last year while not allowing last year to be a distraction. Drew Brees, Sean Payton and others are still signing autographs, hugging the Lombardi and basking in the glow of a game that is 8 months old.
And for those who want to interpret this as fair weather syndrome; feel free. You can keep drinking the kool-aid. I love the Saints, particularly what they do in and for the community, their attention as an organization to faith and for being Super Bowl Champions. But they get no pass from me, and neither should they from you, for this kind of effort. Outside the excitement of the Vikings season opener, every other game, win or lose, has been painful.
Since they got us a championship let's keep putting our faith in this staff and this team but big wins need to happen soon. And don't look now, the Saints are in 3rd place because both Atlanta and Tampa are playing lights out.
Come on Saints, all of you collectively, get your heads out of your rear ends!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
LSU Football Frantic Finishes
The final few minutes of the last two LSU games have been exciting, frustrating, exciting again and, in the final analysis, victorious. Up to tonight my mantra has been the worst 5-0 team in NCAA history. Victories against North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, West Virginia and even Tennessee last week have been non-inspiring. It has been almost as if they win despite being the sloppiest looking team on the field. Almost every major sports publication and media outlet was making fun of the poor play of LSU especially last week. Most of the criticism has been directed to head coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowten. And I for one say rightfully so.
But amazingly the Tigers entered tonights pivotal contest against Florida 5-0 and fresh with the reality that the invincble and mighty Alabama Crimson Tide lost and lost big. Alabama's loss is more than enough to make today a happy day. But I settled in to see if LSU would be inspired to respond to the #1 spot in the SEC West and play Tiger football against the Gators, who have had LSU's number these past two years.
For the most part I witnessed a better offensive effort and the typical solid LSU defense. But lo and behold, here comes the offensive penalties and the turnovers and what should be a blow out is a close game. Florida only had one killer drive, all the rest of their points are off the turnovers and our total and complete collapse on special teams. But here we go into the 4th quarter and we are running dive plays in the middle putting our fragile QB's in pressure situations. The play calling again became questionable.
Despite all of this, LSU is in a position to still win the game. As they let the clock wind way down it appears all LSU can do is kick a very long field goal to tie the game and head to the overtime. No, Les Miles calls a fake and fortunately it worked; after a lengthy review. It was quite a gamble that did pay off as the kicker made the first down and the review held up. And with just seconds on the clock a beautiful TD reception by Tolliver and LSU beats Florida in the Swamp and all of a sudden it's the Tigers 6-0 with Alabama behind them and only Auburn keeping pace.
It is indeed exciting to see LSU football at 6-0 but they continue to be a mystery. The coaching is still inconsistent at best and the QB play, while better tonight, is still not great. But here are some positives: the defense is amazing. With guys like Nevis and Shepperd and Peterson; they may have some of the top defensive stars in all of college football. And we should thank the good Lord every day for a great place kicker.
But we won tonight and won in exciting fashion. Who knows what the heck will happen in the weeks ahead. LSU should have win # 7 in the bag as they play McNeese St. from Lake Charles, a small college team that is not even good among their peers this year. We still have Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas left to play along with another small Louisiana school. Just on paper, we should now win 9 games. And who knows what may happen when we tee it up against Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas. Any wins among the three "A" schools and what has been such a frustrating start could be another special purple and gold autumn.
Even with my criticism of the coaching staff, I love my LSU college athletics. In my adult lifetime I will never forget watching two football national championships and 5 baseball national championships.
Geaux Tigers and keep winning; even with the play calling that makes us nuts!
But amazingly the Tigers entered tonights pivotal contest against Florida 5-0 and fresh with the reality that the invincble and mighty Alabama Crimson Tide lost and lost big. Alabama's loss is more than enough to make today a happy day. But I settled in to see if LSU would be inspired to respond to the #1 spot in the SEC West and play Tiger football against the Gators, who have had LSU's number these past two years.
For the most part I witnessed a better offensive effort and the typical solid LSU defense. But lo and behold, here comes the offensive penalties and the turnovers and what should be a blow out is a close game. Florida only had one killer drive, all the rest of their points are off the turnovers and our total and complete collapse on special teams. But here we go into the 4th quarter and we are running dive plays in the middle putting our fragile QB's in pressure situations. The play calling again became questionable.
Despite all of this, LSU is in a position to still win the game. As they let the clock wind way down it appears all LSU can do is kick a very long field goal to tie the game and head to the overtime. No, Les Miles calls a fake and fortunately it worked; after a lengthy review. It was quite a gamble that did pay off as the kicker made the first down and the review held up. And with just seconds on the clock a beautiful TD reception by Tolliver and LSU beats Florida in the Swamp and all of a sudden it's the Tigers 6-0 with Alabama behind them and only Auburn keeping pace.
It is indeed exciting to see LSU football at 6-0 but they continue to be a mystery. The coaching is still inconsistent at best and the QB play, while better tonight, is still not great. But here are some positives: the defense is amazing. With guys like Nevis and Shepperd and Peterson; they may have some of the top defensive stars in all of college football. And we should thank the good Lord every day for a great place kicker.
But we won tonight and won in exciting fashion. Who knows what the heck will happen in the weeks ahead. LSU should have win # 7 in the bag as they play McNeese St. from Lake Charles, a small college team that is not even good among their peers this year. We still have Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas left to play along with another small Louisiana school. Just on paper, we should now win 9 games. And who knows what may happen when we tee it up against Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas. Any wins among the three "A" schools and what has been such a frustrating start could be another special purple and gold autumn.
Even with my criticism of the coaching staff, I love my LSU college athletics. In my adult lifetime I will never forget watching two football national championships and 5 baseball national championships.
Geaux Tigers and keep winning; even with the play calling that makes us nuts!
Homily 28th Sunday O.T. October 10, 2010
Thank you for being a friend…when these lyrics came on our TV it was time for another episode of the Golden Girls. Now I must admit, I never watched the Golden Girls; until recently. Now that Betty White is being introduced to the younger generation; it’s all good to admit you watch the Golden Girls. And quite frankly the lyrics are pretty good; expressing thanks over and over again for the gift of friendship.
We all love to hear thank-you. And we love to express our thanks too. Thanksgiving is one of our all-time favorite holidays. Many families have a tradition before eating the Thanksgiving meal of going around the table and saying something they are thankful for.
As people of faith, what are we thankful for? Do we express our thanks to God in word and deed? Is our attitude of faith an attitude of gratitude?
Continuing in the 17th chapter of St. Luke we find Jesus being approached by ten lepers. Whether or not the ten had leprosy, as we understand it today, it is evident that they are suffering from a hideous disease of the skin. Because of their condition, the law prevented them from approaching or mingling with the crowds; with healthy people. By law and by social interaction, they were separated, they were outcasts. Yet the ten found the courage to approach Jesus, to stand at a distance perhaps, but approach Jesus and cry for help. Have pity on us, they cry, as they acknowledge Jesus as “master”. Despite their disease, despite their separation, the ten recognized something amazing, something special about Jesus. And even more amazing, the ten, ostracized by the masses, were united in suffering despite one among them being a Samaritan. Why is this significant? The answer is simple; Jews and Samaritans really didn’t like each other! The differences are real: cultural, religious and racial. Yet the ten learned to coexist; their infirmity was enough to unite them despite these important differences.
And Jesus indeed heals them. He further instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests. In that time and culture, to be legally cured of leprosy or diseases of the skin you needed both the cure and the declaration of a priest that you are clean. So they did what Jesus instructed them to do. But this Gospel is more than just a lesson in healing as we discover when the Samaritan alone comes back to Jesus and says thank-you. Of the ten, it is the most unlikely, by human standards, that returns and gives thanks. What is being taught here? Is it just a reminder to give thanks to God for his gifts and blessings or is it also a reminder that all, including the least among us, can receive God’s gifts? The answer is yes, all of the above!
What does this Gospel message mean for us today? How are we called to respond to this passage? We are called to respond to God with an attitude of gratitude. There are simple things we can do; give thanks every morning before we start our day or give thanks before we go to bed for the day just completed. Do we give thanks before meals? Is the age old practice of grace before meals something we have allowed to fall into disuse?
Sometimes we can give thanks to God by responding generously to the needs of His Church. Today we are having our parish ministry fair. God is inviting us today to give thanks by using our time and talent in service to others through His local Church here at home. Come to the ministry fair before returning home. The Saints are even cooperating by playing much later today.
Giving thanks is so important. Thanks for being a friend; indeed great lyrics and a great sentiment. But may we always give thanks to God; thanks for the gift of faith; the faith that saves us. The very last words we utter as the liturgy ends is “thanks be to God”. Let those four words be our prayer on our lips this week; Thanks be to God!
We all love to hear thank-you. And we love to express our thanks too. Thanksgiving is one of our all-time favorite holidays. Many families have a tradition before eating the Thanksgiving meal of going around the table and saying something they are thankful for.
As people of faith, what are we thankful for? Do we express our thanks to God in word and deed? Is our attitude of faith an attitude of gratitude?
Continuing in the 17th chapter of St. Luke we find Jesus being approached by ten lepers. Whether or not the ten had leprosy, as we understand it today, it is evident that they are suffering from a hideous disease of the skin. Because of their condition, the law prevented them from approaching or mingling with the crowds; with healthy people. By law and by social interaction, they were separated, they were outcasts. Yet the ten found the courage to approach Jesus, to stand at a distance perhaps, but approach Jesus and cry for help. Have pity on us, they cry, as they acknowledge Jesus as “master”. Despite their disease, despite their separation, the ten recognized something amazing, something special about Jesus. And even more amazing, the ten, ostracized by the masses, were united in suffering despite one among them being a Samaritan. Why is this significant? The answer is simple; Jews and Samaritans really didn’t like each other! The differences are real: cultural, religious and racial. Yet the ten learned to coexist; their infirmity was enough to unite them despite these important differences.
And Jesus indeed heals them. He further instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests. In that time and culture, to be legally cured of leprosy or diseases of the skin you needed both the cure and the declaration of a priest that you are clean. So they did what Jesus instructed them to do. But this Gospel is more than just a lesson in healing as we discover when the Samaritan alone comes back to Jesus and says thank-you. Of the ten, it is the most unlikely, by human standards, that returns and gives thanks. What is being taught here? Is it just a reminder to give thanks to God for his gifts and blessings or is it also a reminder that all, including the least among us, can receive God’s gifts? The answer is yes, all of the above!
What does this Gospel message mean for us today? How are we called to respond to this passage? We are called to respond to God with an attitude of gratitude. There are simple things we can do; give thanks every morning before we start our day or give thanks before we go to bed for the day just completed. Do we give thanks before meals? Is the age old practice of grace before meals something we have allowed to fall into disuse?
Sometimes we can give thanks to God by responding generously to the needs of His Church. Today we are having our parish ministry fair. God is inviting us today to give thanks by using our time and talent in service to others through His local Church here at home. Come to the ministry fair before returning home. The Saints are even cooperating by playing much later today.
Giving thanks is so important. Thanks for being a friend; indeed great lyrics and a great sentiment. But may we always give thanks to God; thanks for the gift of faith; the faith that saves us. The very last words we utter as the liturgy ends is “thanks be to God”. Let those four words be our prayer on our lips this week; Thanks be to God!
Another great Catholic connection & the New Orleans Saints
John & Holly Carney see return to New Orleans Saints as part of divine plan
Written by Brian Allee-Walsh, NOC Saints Beat Thursday, 07 October 2010 15:25 Brian Allee-Walsh's Blog
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METAIRIE – At face value, the return of 46-year-old kicker John Carney to the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 28 was just another of a seemingly endless stream of NFL transactions.
That day, team officials released wide receiver Adrian Arrington to make room for Carney on their 53-man roster.
Period, end of story, right?
Hardly.
Last Monday night, at a gala benefit for the Blessed Francis X. Seelos canonization cause at the Audubon Tea Room, Holly Carney provided a riveting testimony of miraculous proportion and a compelling explanation of her husband’s unexpected return to New Orleans.
‘IT WAS A MIRACLE’
The abridged story begins on April 20th (John’s 46th birthday) when Holly Carney went in for exploratory surgery at a San Diego hospital. A battery of tests conducted over an 18-month period apparently had not been able to determine the extent of her "female issues,'' according to John Carney.
“Ninety minutes after the surgery, I woke up out of the anesthesia when they were wheeling me out of the operating room,’’ Holly Carney said when contacted by NewOrleans.Com on Wednesday night at the family home in San Diego. “The doctors and nurses were shocked because I wasn’t due to wake up for 2 ½ to 3 more hours.
“But I woke up.’’
Mrs. Carney said she told a surgeon and attending nurse that a priest had been with her throughout the entire 3-hour procedure, seated in a metal chair inside the operating room.
Mrs. Carney later identified the “visitor’’ as Father Francis X. Seelos, a Redemptorist priest who chose to serve at St. Mary’s Church in New Orleans during the mid-1800s when a yellow fever epidemic was present.
He labored cheerfully and tirelessly in St. Mary’s Church, performing all the priestly duties required in a very active parish, in addition to visiting the sick and infirmed outside the parish, bringing them comfort and consolation, and some believe, obtaining for them God’s healing with his powerful prayers.
“Holly felt and swore that Blessed Seelos was in the room with her the entire surgery, speaking with her and comforting her, and that’s what he did when he was alive,’’ John Carney said. “There are numerous accounts of him appearing to sick and infirmed people, people during surgeries. He’s credited with many healing miracles.’’
“I remember everything,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I remember Blessed Seelos sitting in a metal chair in his priest’s outfit. My soul remembers. Your soul is made up of memory, intellect and will, so my soul saw it all.
“I don’t remember a thing what Blessed Seelos said but that was my experience. I was in great awe that the Lord allowed Blessed Seelos to be there and pray for me and guide the two doctors who were doing the surgery. They were astounded what they found in me.’’
Among the things that doctors removed was a benign tumor above Mrs. Carney’s left ovary and a massive band of muscle that had grown together in that area of her body causing her constant pain and discomfort.
“I absolutely am 100 percent confident it was a miracle, because I was under anesthesia and you can’t make things up, nor do you typically remember things under anesthesia,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “And I remember everything, and my doctors and nurse confirmed that.
“It was a huge miracle in that the Lord allowed this (Blessed Seelos), because he’s so fervent in praying for everyone, to be with me during this surgery. And the reason it registered with so many people is because I was under anesthesia.’’
‘I WAS THINKING DALLAS’
As spring turned to summer and training camps opened up around the NFL, John Carney remained unemployed. He continued to work out at his home in San Diego in the hope of getting a call from a team in need of a veteran kicker.
None called, but the desire to resume his stellar 22-year NFL career never waned.
Around this time, an invitation arrived in the mail for the Carneys to attend a gala benefit Oct. 4 for the Blessed Seelos canonization cause at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans.
On Sept. 24, 10 days before the event, Mrs. Carney telephoned her regrets.
“My heart told me I had to go,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I needed to be at the gala because the Lord wanted me to be there and tell what happened. But, I was resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t be able to go because John was out of work and I thought it would be inappropriate to leave my family at that time.
“So I called my friend, Joyce, at the Blessed Seelos Center.’’
Mrs. Carney explained her situation and the two of them prayed to Blessed Seelos over the phone.
“Together, we prayed for John to get work where he would be happy,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I was thinking Dallas (the site of Super Bowl XLV).’’
She almost seemed embarrassed by the sound of it. "Dallas.'' And she laughed.
PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED
Forty-eight hours after praying to Blessed Seelos, a Saints’ area scout called Carney and asked if he’d be interested in rejoining the Black and Gold. Earlier in the day on Sept. 26th, kicker Garrett Hartley had missed a potential game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Superdome.
The Falcons eventually prevailed 27-24, putting Hartley’s job in jeopardy and prompting a job inquiry from the Saints.
Carney arrived in New Orleans the night of Sept. 27th, and the next day won a kickoff against veteran kicker Kris Brown. On Sept. 29th, Carney signed on for a third stint with the Black and Gold (2001-06, 2009) as both a kicker on the 53-man roster and a mentor for Hartley.
Last Sunday, in his first game back with the Black and Gold, Carney converted field goal attempts of 32-, 32- and 25-yards, the latter coming with 3:55 remaining to provide the winning points in a 16-14 victory against the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome.
On Monday night, Holly Carney provided her testimony at the Audubon Tea Room on behalf of Blessed Seelos, the late priest whose cause is being considered before the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints in Rome.
“I wanted to share with everyone that God allowed this intercessor, this powerful prayer warrior, to be with me,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “And then the door opened for us to be there at the benefit.
“I think the Lord just wanted me to share my testimony because prayer is powerful and the spiritual realm is real and everything that has happened to my husband in the NFL is from God moving things around for him.’’
Saints beat writer Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at balleewalsh@neworleans.com
Written by Brian Allee-Walsh, NOC Saints Beat Thursday, 07 October 2010 15:25 Brian Allee-Walsh's Blog
23Share
METAIRIE – At face value, the return of 46-year-old kicker John Carney to the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 28 was just another of a seemingly endless stream of NFL transactions.
That day, team officials released wide receiver Adrian Arrington to make room for Carney on their 53-man roster.
Period, end of story, right?
Hardly.
Last Monday night, at a gala benefit for the Blessed Francis X. Seelos canonization cause at the Audubon Tea Room, Holly Carney provided a riveting testimony of miraculous proportion and a compelling explanation of her husband’s unexpected return to New Orleans.
‘IT WAS A MIRACLE’
The abridged story begins on April 20th (John’s 46th birthday) when Holly Carney went in for exploratory surgery at a San Diego hospital. A battery of tests conducted over an 18-month period apparently had not been able to determine the extent of her "female issues,'' according to John Carney.
“Ninety minutes after the surgery, I woke up out of the anesthesia when they were wheeling me out of the operating room,’’ Holly Carney said when contacted by NewOrleans.Com on Wednesday night at the family home in San Diego. “The doctors and nurses were shocked because I wasn’t due to wake up for 2 ½ to 3 more hours.
“But I woke up.’’
Mrs. Carney said she told a surgeon and attending nurse that a priest had been with her throughout the entire 3-hour procedure, seated in a metal chair inside the operating room.
Mrs. Carney later identified the “visitor’’ as Father Francis X. Seelos, a Redemptorist priest who chose to serve at St. Mary’s Church in New Orleans during the mid-1800s when a yellow fever epidemic was present.
He labored cheerfully and tirelessly in St. Mary’s Church, performing all the priestly duties required in a very active parish, in addition to visiting the sick and infirmed outside the parish, bringing them comfort and consolation, and some believe, obtaining for them God’s healing with his powerful prayers.
“Holly felt and swore that Blessed Seelos was in the room with her the entire surgery, speaking with her and comforting her, and that’s what he did when he was alive,’’ John Carney said. “There are numerous accounts of him appearing to sick and infirmed people, people during surgeries. He’s credited with many healing miracles.’’
“I remember everything,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I remember Blessed Seelos sitting in a metal chair in his priest’s outfit. My soul remembers. Your soul is made up of memory, intellect and will, so my soul saw it all.
“I don’t remember a thing what Blessed Seelos said but that was my experience. I was in great awe that the Lord allowed Blessed Seelos to be there and pray for me and guide the two doctors who were doing the surgery. They were astounded what they found in me.’’
Among the things that doctors removed was a benign tumor above Mrs. Carney’s left ovary and a massive band of muscle that had grown together in that area of her body causing her constant pain and discomfort.
“I absolutely am 100 percent confident it was a miracle, because I was under anesthesia and you can’t make things up, nor do you typically remember things under anesthesia,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “And I remember everything, and my doctors and nurse confirmed that.
“It was a huge miracle in that the Lord allowed this (Blessed Seelos), because he’s so fervent in praying for everyone, to be with me during this surgery. And the reason it registered with so many people is because I was under anesthesia.’’
‘I WAS THINKING DALLAS’
As spring turned to summer and training camps opened up around the NFL, John Carney remained unemployed. He continued to work out at his home in San Diego in the hope of getting a call from a team in need of a veteran kicker.
None called, but the desire to resume his stellar 22-year NFL career never waned.
Around this time, an invitation arrived in the mail for the Carneys to attend a gala benefit Oct. 4 for the Blessed Seelos canonization cause at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans.
On Sept. 24, 10 days before the event, Mrs. Carney telephoned her regrets.
“My heart told me I had to go,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I needed to be at the gala because the Lord wanted me to be there and tell what happened. But, I was resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t be able to go because John was out of work and I thought it would be inappropriate to leave my family at that time.
“So I called my friend, Joyce, at the Blessed Seelos Center.’’
Mrs. Carney explained her situation and the two of them prayed to Blessed Seelos over the phone.
“Together, we prayed for John to get work where he would be happy,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “I was thinking Dallas (the site of Super Bowl XLV).’’
She almost seemed embarrassed by the sound of it. "Dallas.'' And she laughed.
PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED
Forty-eight hours after praying to Blessed Seelos, a Saints’ area scout called Carney and asked if he’d be interested in rejoining the Black and Gold. Earlier in the day on Sept. 26th, kicker Garrett Hartley had missed a potential game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Superdome.
The Falcons eventually prevailed 27-24, putting Hartley’s job in jeopardy and prompting a job inquiry from the Saints.
Carney arrived in New Orleans the night of Sept. 27th, and the next day won a kickoff against veteran kicker Kris Brown. On Sept. 29th, Carney signed on for a third stint with the Black and Gold (2001-06, 2009) as both a kicker on the 53-man roster and a mentor for Hartley.
Last Sunday, in his first game back with the Black and Gold, Carney converted field goal attempts of 32-, 32- and 25-yards, the latter coming with 3:55 remaining to provide the winning points in a 16-14 victory against the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome.
On Monday night, Holly Carney provided her testimony at the Audubon Tea Room on behalf of Blessed Seelos, the late priest whose cause is being considered before the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints in Rome.
“I wanted to share with everyone that God allowed this intercessor, this powerful prayer warrior, to be with me,’’ Mrs. Carney said. “And then the door opened for us to be there at the benefit.
“I think the Lord just wanted me to share my testimony because prayer is powerful and the spiritual realm is real and everything that has happened to my husband in the NFL is from God moving things around for him.’’
Saints beat writer Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at balleewalsh@neworleans.com
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