May the Laity be Critical of it's Pastor, Bishop, Pope, Church?

Photo by Esther G.

Very excellent read. Thank you Father Trigilio!!

...On matters of faith and morals, the official teaching of the Church as elucidated by the Magisterium requires that we ACCEPT. We are to give an ASSENT of Faith to all defined dogmas. Rejecting any dogma is DISSENT and it is a serious offense and grave sin. Revelation is the disclosure of supernatural truths by God to man and which are necessary for our salvation. Unlike Science which learns empirical truth by observation and philosophy which discovers rational truth by deductive and inductive reasoning, theology on the other hand, knows religious truth by divine revelation. "From God's lips to our ears" so to speak.

Consequently, no scientist can DISSENT from the equation 2+2=4 or that water is H2O. Likewise, no theologian and no believer can deny the divinity of Christ, the Real Presence, the Virgin Birth, the Immaculate Conception, et al. It is not academic freedom for Catholic colleges to pay professors who deny Magisterial teachings...

click here to read it entirely

ACN News - Solidarity with the suffering in Iraq

ACN-USA News

5/7/2010
Solidarity with the suffering in Iraq



Wounded survivors of a bus blast that targeted Christian students in Iraq have had an emotional meeting with their bishops in which they begged for action to bring their attackers to justice.

The delegation of 300 students – many of them with wounds, especially to the face – wept as they described the explosions on Sunday (May 2nd) involving 18 buses carrying 1,300 university students from the Christian town of Qaraqosh to the city of Mosul.

Latest reports say that, in addition to the one man who died, as many as 188 were injured – 24 seriously – with several of them now fighting for their life. One is reported to be in a vegetative state.

In the meeting on Thursday, May 6th, with seven bishops, both Catholic and Orthodox, the students appealed for a public investigation into the attacks which took place between two checkpoints en route to Mosul, where they go to university.

In their discussion with the prelates, who included a Chaldean-rite bishop as well as others from the Armenian, Syrian Orthodox and Catholic Church, the students went on to plead that a college be set up in Qaraqosh.

The plan is seen as crucial to help ensure the safety of students who until now have risked the continuing violence in Mosul.

The city has become a focal point for anti-Christian killings, abductions and other terrorist activity.

In a joint statement, the bishops added their own voice to calls for the government to open a university in Qaraqosh for up to 2,000 students in the area

The bishops stress the need to act quickly to ensure the students do not miss out on training and upcoming exams, especially during the remainder of this academic year.

The statement, issued after yesterday’s bishops’ meeting in Qaraqosh, also appeals for a new government to be formed, thereby ending the political impasse following an indecisive result in the March 7th general elections.

In their statement, the bishops say that the lack of government was being exploited by extremists and other terrorists.

Speaking after the meetings which he attended, Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk said, “When we saw the students, we were very moved. They were so very shocked and felt discouraged.”

“Many were injured – with bandages on their face and some over their eyes. There was crying and a lot of sadness.”

“One student told us, it is a miracle that only one person is dead.”

The archbishop added, “They felt there was nobody able to speak up for them. It is our duty as Church leaders to be their voice, to protect them.”

“The local churches should come together and stand together and use their impact and resources to help people.”

Underlining the central message of the bishops’ statement, Archbishop Sako said, “Above all what we want to say is: stop the attacks against innocent people.”

“The people who have done this attack are not just trying to destroy the future of our Christian people but are trying to destroy the future of our whole country.”

He added, “We are urging that a new government be formed as soon as possible. A power vacuum can only bring more bad consequences for the country and its security.”

The statement goes on to call on Kurds and Arabs in Nineveh province, outside Mosul, to dialogue to find ways to work together and protect the people – especially Christians.

The bishops also go on to thank the hospital staff and authorities both in Erbil, northern Iraq, where many of the injured were treated, and also those involved in enabling the most seriously wounded to go to Turkey for more serious hospital care.

Archbishop Georges Casmoussa, the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, now based in Qaraqosh, has led calls for UN intervention to step up protection of Christians.

However, Archbishop Sako explained that the bishops involved in yesterday’s meetings have also urged the local authorities to act directly to protect the citizens rather than have foreign involvement in internal Iraqi issues.


With pictures of Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk and students injured in bus attack

Editor’s Notes:

Your browser may not support display of this image.

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org

Mary's Garden: A Poem: My Garden

My Garden

by Thomas Edward Brown

A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!

Rose plot,

Fringed pool,

Ferned grot--

The veriest school

Of peace; and yet the fool

Contends that Gos is not--

Not God! in gardens! when the eve is cool?

Nay, but I have a sign:

'Tis very sure God walks in mine.

From the Home Book of Verse for Young Folks,Holt, Rinehart and Winston, NY

Reminder: Today is First Friday

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be loved everywhere.

Sweet Heart of my Jesus, grant that I may ever love you more.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, your kingdom come!

Divine  Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, and deliver the holy souls in purgatory.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in your love for me.

Glory, love and thanksgiving be to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

O Heart of love, I put all my trust in you; for I fear all things from my weakness, but I hope for all things from your goodness.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, and on our erring brothers and sisters.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, may you be known, loved and imitated!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, strengthened in your agony by an angel, strengthen us in our agony.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, let me love you and make you loved.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant that peace, the fruit of justice and charity, may reign throughout the world.

From the New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing.

My favorite: 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may the whole world burn for love of you.

ACN News - Increasing concern about marriage breakdown in Malawi

ACN-USA News

5/6/2010
Increasing concern about marriage breakdown in Malawi



A rise in marriage breakdown in Malawi is creating huge problems in society, according to a leading priest from the African country who believes that massive economic and cultural change has come at a price.

Fr. Ignatio Bokosi said that signs of a marked increase in divorce cases and a sudden growth in the number of single mothers are contributing towards social instability, with many one-parent families struggling to support their children.

As pastoral secretary in Zomba Diocese, in north-west Malawi, he described how the Church was responding by setting up marriage counseling courses, directed by a priest who has received high-level training in the field.

Speaking in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians, Fr. Bokosi explained how marriage – until recently the central pillar of society – is in massive decline.

Fr. Bokosi, who also works as an assistant priest in Zomba’s Sacred Heart parish, said, “A lot of marriages are breaking up and many more women are remaining single – I see this particularly in my parish.”

“Not many years ago, marriage was a very important part of our tradition and culture. Marriage was respected – not anymore.”

“This problem is getting worse and we as a Church have to help them as best we can.”

The Church’s efforts to tackle marriage breakdown are potentially significant in a country where Catholics are nearly four million in a total population of 13 million.

Fr. Bokosi’s remarks come amid concerns that in the south-east African country children are the ones who suffer the most, living in unstable families and lacking appropriate male role models.

Both Fr. Bokosi and Fr. Andrzej Halemba, head of ACN projects in English-speaking Africa, linked marriage breakdown to HIV, whose prevalence is as high as 12 percent.

Reporting that HIV was the main factor in the decline of life expectancy from more than 60 years of age to barely 40, Fr. Halemba said marriages were no longer robust enough to withstand the pressures of the illness and victims were frequently abandoned to their fate.

He went on to say, “The old methods for resolving family problems do not work anymore, and as yet there is no counseling available and so marriages are breaking up at an unprecedented speed.”

Fr. Bokosi said that the opening up of Malawi’s economy – which is advancing further than many other African countries – has encouraged women to challenge traditional values and strike out on their own.

He said they are attracted by lucrative jobs and an opportunity to escape an old fashioned, male-dominated environment in which women are not as respected as in the West.

According to investigations published in Demographic Research, a Germany-based online journal on population science, up to a third of people in Malawi get divorced. The research concludes that the probability of marriage breakdown is likely to be among the highest in Africa.

Fr. Halemba added that part of the blame lay with Western humanitarian agencies which only promote women’s development rather than provide support for the whole family including wives, husbands and children.

Official figures show Malawi as a growing economy. Although more than half the population lives below the poverty line, since 2007 the country has made major strides and Malawi is now a net food exporter following a dramatic increase in output which coincides with marked improvements in healthcare and education.


With picture of Fr. Ignatio Bokosi, pastoral secretary, Zomba Diocese, Malawi with a young mother and child

Editor’s Notes:

Your browser may not support display of this image.

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org

Simply Catholic

Thanks to Father Daren for this one.

Food for Thought - How to View Our Persecutors and Enemies

According to Father Lorenzo Scupoli, author of Spiritual Combat (Sophia Press), we should try to imitate Jesus, abase ourselves below everyone else, and love our persecutors and enemies as dear friends because they are the instruments of divine goodness and work together for our mortification, perfection and salvation.

A Seminarian's Discernment Update

The following is being posted with permission. I thought you would find John's reflections and thoughts as interesting and inspiring as I did. He shares about his vocation's director Fr. Donald Calloway, the current scandal afflicting the Church. etc. Thank you John!! I would ask you to keep all seminarians in your prayers.

Dear friends and family,

Time for another update! It has now been just over seven months since I entered postulancy with the Catholic religious community of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.

I turned thirty years old today so I suppose I’m in a bit of a reflective mood as I write this. Wow, the big 3-0. Not sure if the maturity level has now come to resemble thirty but the hairline certainly has! I won’t complain too much though, I’ve learned by now the unwritten rule that you’re not allowed to complain about aging if the person you’re complaining too is older than you (I call it the “You have NO IDEA…!” objection).

At any rate, so much has happened since my last email I don’t know where to begin. So brace yourselves, it’s probably going to become another long one. This is sort of turning into a long journal kind of thing because I’m not disciplined enough to keep a daily one for myself.

In my last email I gave you quite a few details on my new routine, so I won’t bother repeating them. Having a lifestyle centered on prayer and study has exposed what I currently view as the biggest challenge of my discernment for the priesthood. This is the struggle of shifting from self-will to God’s will. I contemplate this shift in the form a simple question: who will I live for?

1. Myself 2. My family 3. My friends

1. God 2. My family 3. All others, including strangers 4. Myself

Right now, there’s a war raging inside me between myself and God for the number one spot (I’m speaking figuratively here, of course :). I think this is something that pretty much all of us Catholics contend with (and Christians in general as well as members of other faiths who believe in a monotheistic, personal God) and will contend until the end of our lives. But my time in postulancy has exposed the struggle more keenly for me. It has forced me to identify those areas in my life that inhibit this shift. It has forced me to confront the things that I’m attached to and could do without in order to serve God more fully. But it can’t be understated because the more I really contemplate that shift the more I come to see that it really does involve a near-total reversal of life priorities. And of course, a change of priorities in a person’s life ultimately impacts what he spends his time on and what kinds of behaviors he engages in.

Years ago I made the decision that this shift was the right thing for me to do. But discernment for the priesthood has brought about added importance to the shift because a Catholic priest is called, among other things, to a kind of life of sacrifice that truly models that kind of shift for others. To the extent a priest doesn’t do this he fails as a priest.

My discernment right now doesn’t feel as though it’s about whether or not I feel God is calling me to the priesthood (I now strongly feel that He is). Rather, it’s lately been about God showing me the implications of what this call entails. It will be a sacrifice and I need to get more used to that idea. I’m shown this in many different ways. One way is when, during evening prayer, we pray from what’s called the Album of Deceased. This is a compendium of memorials to all of the Marian priests who have died since the founding of the community several hundred years ago. The recounting of the lives of these men is often astounding and an occasion for reflection. An example:

“On March 5, in 1912, Father George Kolesinskis died in Chicago at the age of 76. He was a religious for 59 years (the major part of which he had to spend outside the community) and a priest for 53 years. As a chaplain to the insurgents in 1863, he was seized by the Russian soldiers, but escaped capital punishment by using the identification papers of a lay insurgent who had been killed. He was sent into exile in Siberia where he was subjected to 24 years of hard labor. Two years after his return to his native country he felt compelled to emigrate to the United States of America. He founded the first Lithuanian parish in Chicago. He is buried in the cemetery of Saint Casimir in Chicago.”

Amazing…probably thought he’d die in the gulag and yet he went on to impact who knows how many souls in our very own country. Also makes me look at the course of my own contemporary American life thus far and come to the conclusion that, in comparison, I may be a bit of a softy. Baby steps for this postulant, baby steps…

I do take comfort in the security of the sense that He’s indeed calling me to the priesthood. There’s a sense within me that the course of the rest of my life is beginning to come into view. But that’s countered by my constant struggle involved with actually living my current life in conformity to that call and also to continually seek His guidance on how to do that. Hope that makes sense. Of course the direction doesn’t come in audible words but rather in certain inspirations. Nonetheless, I frequently receive consolation from God and the assurance that He will lead me in everything and above all will never abandon me. These consolations come most often when I’m at prayer.

I’ve also received great consolation in the form of sheer inspiration through people I’ve either gotten to know or hear speak over the course of my postulancy. I’ll mention two:

Father Don Calloway is a Marian priest and my religious superior here in Steubenville. Father Don has a colorful past, to say the least. Not only did he have zero religious education growing up, he had next to no education period. He had a difficult childhood with few reliable father figures and rebelled at a very early age. At eleven he was smoking marijuana and drinking beer. At thirteen he was doing heroin, cocaine and whatever else he could get his hands on. He and his family were living on an American military base in Japan at the time (his foster father was an officer in the Navy and moved them around a bit). He dropped out of school and with his friend and went on crime sprees, stealing motorcycles and cars, nightclubbing and getting high in Tokyo. He and his buddy even caught the attention of the Japanese mafia and pulled jobs for them. The military and local police captured him in a joint sting operation and extradited him to the United States. He spent the next six years in and out of schools, drug rehab and prison. He spent more time following the Grateful Dead on tour than at school. Then, at about age 20 he had an amazing religious conversion. Father Don refers to it as his “divine two-by-four”. He converted to Catholicism and not long after discerned a call to the priesthood. He got his GED, a college degree, completed seminary and also got an advanced theology degree. 10 years of straight schooling straight after years of walking around half-baked. Today, the only activity he hangs onto from his past life is surfing. He gives talks at conferences and parishes all over the world, speaking about his conversion experience and the spiritual challenges facing Catholics today. He’s booked out three years. He’s written several books and recently released his autobiography, which peaked at #2 among Catholic books on Amazon.com. We probably see Father Don five or six days out of each month since he’s always traveling but he’s a lot of fun to be around and is very laid back. Actually a very nice, regular kind of guy. I have my best talks with him when I’m taking to or picking him up from the airport.

Immaculée Ilibagiza is a Rwandan Catholic with an amazing survival story. She was a college student when the Rwandan genocide of 1994 broke out. Her family belonged to the Tutsi tribe, one of two major ethnic groups in Rwanda. The other tribe, the Hutus, nearly exterminated the Tutsis. With the exception of a brother, all of Immaculée’s family, immediate and extended, was murdered. She survived by hiding in the tiny bathroom of a neighbor along with seven other women for 3 months. Over the course of those months, Immaculée went from 115 to 65 pounds and had to maintain absolute silence since Hutus constantly searched the house people who were hiding. She prayed her rosary over and over, imploring for God to save her, help her fight off her terror, and finally for the grace to forgive. She not only survived, but indeed forgave, in person, those who had murdered her family. She now travels the world speaking about her experience and the virtue of forgiveness, promoting devotion to the Virgin Mary and raising funds for orphans in Rwanda. I read her book Left to Tell last fall (incredible, I highly recommend it) and was blessed to listen to her speak here at Franciscan University in March.

Speaking of Franciscan University, having the opportunity to study here has been another inspiration. It is an exceptional Catholic university. Students here unabashedly live out their faith. I can go to Mass at noon on a Friday and the chapel will be packed with students. Incidentally, this school produces more vocations to the religious life (meaning priests, brothers, sisters and nuns) than any other Catholic institution in the hemisphere. I’m constantly meeting young men here who are preparing for either diocesan or religious order seminary. I’ve met some wonderful people and made some great friendships, especially with several graduate students.

As for the men I’m living with, I’ve also grown in my friendships with them and I’m sad that I won’t be around most of them when I move on to Washington DC for novitiate. Recently, one of our postulants, Chris, decided not to continue discerning with us and he will return home to Michigan after finishing out the discernment. He still feels called to the priesthood but will now turn his attention to either diocesan priesthood or another religious community. Chris has been my best friend here among the Marians so this has been a bit difficult for me to adjust too. I will miss him very much, but I’m very happy that he intends to continue discerning for the priesthood. I’m confident he will make a wonderful priest.

Abel and Joe and I will be moving on to novitiate and will likely be joined by others, so the composition of our little group is about to change yet again. Currently, nine men are applying to join our community for next year. Of those, five would be in a position to join us in novitiate because they have previous religious experience which would allow them to bypass postulancy. I’ve had the opportunity to meet all of these men and am excited to continue my discernment with them.

My philosophy classes continue to interest me though I still struggle quite a bit with discipline at my studies. My current classes are medieval philosophy, epistemology (philosophy of knowledge) and logic.

To my friends working in IT, I still don’t miss my Blackberry at all but I can’t get by without checking my email and favorite news websites and blogs at least once a day. Boy, am I going to get a wake up call in novitiate. I get to check my email once a week in novitiate. Here comes the pain!

Some of you may be wondering what my thoughts are about the news regarding the handling of abuse scandals by the Vatican. I’ve taken a great interest in scanning recent articles, op-eds, blogs and a discussion forum that have dealt with the subject. It’s been hard to deal with, particularly the evident failure on the part of bishops to effectively prevent pedophile priests from abusing again. I’m aware that two thirds of Americans think the pope has done a bad job handling the crisis and his favorability rating among American Catholics has dropped to 27% (this from a recent CBS poll). It hasn’t shaken my confidence in Pope Benedict, though. I think he has, on the whole, aggressively tackled the problem and is doing his absolute best in the position he's in. I think he is deeply wounded by the conduct of priests who betrayed their vows in such a horrific way and is sincere in his resolve. One thing that convinced me of that was a CNN interview with American abuse victims who had met privately with him when he visited the United States in 2008. It’s at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kw4L_Hl6k0 I offer it particularly for those who may have been persuaded by columnists who have accused the pope of actively engaging in a cover-up or otherwise acting with malign intent. These victims will offer you an alternative perspective that is not being currently heard in the secular media.

As I said, reading accounts of abuse and news stories of this nature has been difficult for me (bringing out feelings of embarrassment, shame and anger, among others), particularly as I grow in my knowledge of what priesthood entails when it’s lived out as it’s supposed to be. Ultimately, however, my discernment is between me and God. I must follow my conscience and what I interpret to be God’s direction in my life. So it hasn't called into question my resolution to move onto the next stage of formation.

To those of you who celebrate it, I hope you had a blessed Easter! To those who are praying for me, thank you! Please keep it up, as I will for you! Talk to you in six months or so…

All my best,

ACN News - Archbishop pleads for action to protect persecuted Christians

ACN-USA News

5/5/2010
Archbishop pleads for action to protect persecuted Christians



A leading bishop in Iraq has spoken out against the government and security services for failing to protect Christians under threat from militants bent on driving them out of the country.

Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of Mosul spoke of possible collusion between anti-Christian terrorists and fringe political parties and criticized the authorities, saying they were “too busy holding meetings” to ensure the safety of minority groups.

In his interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which supports persecuted and other suffering Christians, the Syrian Catholic prelate said that a failure of Iraq’s army, police and government to “coordinate” meant that they were “opening the door to terrorists.”

The archbishop, who has called for UN intervention to protect Christians, was speaking after going to a hospital to visit some of the 163 people – most of them young people – who were injured in a bomb blast which targeted a convoy of buses packed with Christian students.

One male student – as yet unnamed – died instantly and two female students were reported to be in a critical condition following the attack which took place on Sunday (May 2nd) on the edge of Mosul, in the north of the country.

Describing how one student had had a leg amputated and another had suffered a serious eye injury, Archbishop Casmoussa said three students were in a critical condition and that plans were underway to transfer 15 people to a hospital in Turkey.

The violence is the latest in a series of anti-Christian attacks since 2004 which are widely understood to be part of a coordinated campaign to extinguish the presence of Iraq’s ancient Church, which dates back to earliest times.

Amid reports that Sunday morning’s explosions took place between two checkpoints, Archbishop Casmoussa blamed the authorities for failing to clamp down on terrorists.

He said, “We feel angry about what happened – and we are full of sadness for those who have suffered so much.”

“We feel there is no central power here. The authorities are too busy holding meetings and not enough is being done.”

He continued, “The army is not close to the government, the government is not close with the police.”

“You have people who are responsible but they are not coordinated in their actions and this opens the door to terrorists.”

Speaking of possible collusion between some political parties and criminals, he said, “Some politicians are involved in the actions of terrorists and sometimes murders take place in the name of political parties.”

He criticized the government for failing to bring terrorists to justice saying, “We hear that people who have killed Christians are in prison but legal judgments are not being brought against them.”

He added, “We call on the central government to find those responsible, to judge them and to try them according to international law.”

“This judgment must be open and known by the people. We ask the UN – and the US, who are masters of the situation – to help the minorities, especially Christians.”

Archbishop Casmoussa was speaking after a series of demonstrations against the poor security situation held on Sunday (May 2nd) and Monday (May 3rd) in Caramles, Qaraqosh, Alqosh, Bartalla and other predominantly Christian towns and villages outside Mosul.

Archbishop Casmoussa went on to appeal to the benefactors and friends of Aid to the Church in Need, asking them for prayer and continued support for suffering Christians in Iraq.

He said, “We ask that all of you associated with ACN continue to pray for us, to be our hope and to go on supporting our projects.”

“Our projects are crucial if we are to build a future for Christians in Iraq – to continue with the same hope and the same purpose in this country of ours.”

In accordance with the priorities set for the charity by Pope Benedict XVI, Iraq is a key area of Aid to the Church in Need’s work.

ACN help includes support for refugees from Iraq in Turkey, Jordan and Syria, as well as internally displaced people, Mass stipends for persecuted priests, seminary equipment, church buildings, assistance for religious congregations and aid for Sisters who give Easter and Christmas packages to displaced Christians in the north of the country.


With picture of Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of Mosul

Editor’s Notes:

Your browser may not support display of this image.

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org

Local Event: Two Films on Saint Damien Showing This Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Your browser may not support display of this image. “The Story of Saint Damien of Moloka‘i, Sacred Hearts Priest” and “Hawai‘i’s Pilgrimage to the Canonization of St. Damien of Moloka‘i” to air on KFVE in May

(Honolulu, HI – April 13, 2010)

In celebration of Saint Damien's feast day on May 10, KFVE is proud to announce that it will air two historic programs celebrating the canonization of Saint Damien of Moloka’i. Both specials were produced by V.V. Visions, Inc. (Venny Villapando, Executive Producer) for the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

The first show, “The Story of Saint Damien of Moloka‘i, Sacred Hearts Priest” will air from 6-7pm on Saturday, May 8. This one-hour show tells the story of Father Damien de Veuster, the Roman Catholic missionary who ministered to patients with leprosy -- or Hansen’s Disease as it is called today -- on Moloka‘i in the late 1800s. The show also tells the story of the first Catholic missionaries to Hawai‘i, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, to which Father Damien belonged.**

The second show, “Hawai‘i’s Pilgrimage to the Canonization of St. Damien of Moloka‘i” will air from 7-9pm on Sunday, May 9. The travelogue/documentary includes footage from numerous locations including Hawaii, Belgium, Italy and the Vatican, culminating in Damien’s canonization on Rosary Sunday, October 11, 2009. Saint Damien, who was called “Servant of God, Servant of Humanity” in his 1995 beatification, first arrived on Moloka‘i on May 10, 1873. He had already been in Hawaii for nine years serving as a Sacred Hearts missionary on the Big Island. With interviews, raw footage, home movie-like footage and spectacular backdrops, this new special promises to be a memorable one for all viewers.

“We are pleased to be able to provide these heart-felt and historic specials in prime time to the people of Hawai‘i”, said KFVE General Manager John Fink. “Our goal at KFVE is to increase our quantity of solid local programming, and these specials are quality shows that will both educate and entertain viewers throughout the state.”


For More Information, Contact:

John L. Fink

Vice President/General Manager, KFVE

Tel: 808-847-9328

E-mail: jfink@kfve.com


About MCG Capital Corporation (KFVE owner)

MCG Capital Corporation is a solutions-focused commercial finance company providing capital and advisory services to middle-market companies throughout the United States. Our investment objective is to achieve current income and capital gains. Our capital is generally used by our portfolio companies to finance acquisitions, recapitalizations, buyouts, organic growth and working capital. For more information, please visit www.mcgcapital.com.

* My review on the first film can be found by clicking here

Also, make sure to check out Easter's recent post on these two films. She gives a little history on the canonization, background on the filmmakers and information on how to obtain the DVDs.

WAF National Pilgrim Virgin Statue Tour

WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA, USA
A Pontifical Organization
The National Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

World Apostolate of Fatima
National Pilgrim Virgin Statue Tour

Is Underway in Denver
May 1-23, 2010

Our Lady began a 23 day tour of the Archdiocese of Denver, on May 1, 2010


We're all members and/or supporters of the Family of the WAF from Alaska to Florida and California to Maine and all around the world.

We're all also members of the Mystical Body of Christ.

As loving brothers and sisters let's come to the aid of our kindred spirits in the Archdiocese of Denver as they endure difficulties, overcome obstacles and bring graces from above to many during the course of this 23 day tour.

Whatever success they are graced to achieve will benefit all.


Let us all Unite in Prayer for the success of Our Lady's tour:


Let us pray that many souls will come to see her beautiful image and find consolation, comfort, and peace of soul in her presence.

Let us pray that all who come will be touched by grace in a special way.

Let us pray that all who come will be enlightened in mind and moved in heart by the talk Mr. Bill Sockey will deliver.

Let us pray that they may embrace and begin to live the Message of Fatima they will hear, and acquire a desire to learn more about it.

Let us pray that they will recognize the importance and urgency of the Message of Fatima today and feel compelled to share it with others.

Let us pray that they will become active and supportive members of the Family of the WAF.


Please share these sentiments with your relatives, friends and neighbors to get the word out to everyone.


Thank you all for your support of our brothers and sisters in Denver!


His Blessed Mother,
Deacon Robert Ellis

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus & the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Deacon Bob Ellis

National Coordinator

World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

REllis@BlueArmy.com

920-371-1931

visit us at: www.wafusa.org
shrine@bluearmy.com

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A Pontifical Association of the Faithful

May Feelings III

Novena to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

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You can start the novena today to finish on May 12th or tomorrow, May 5th to finish on May 13th.

FIRST DAY

THE TITLE OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and our tender Mother, we invoke thee under the title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, because thou art the Mother of the Savior who lives in the Eucharist, and because it was from thee that He took the Flesh and Blood with which He there feeds us! We invoke thee under that title because, again, thou art the sovereign dispensatrix of all graces and, consequently, of those contained in the august Eucharist, also, because thou didst first fulfill the duties of the Eucharistic life, teaching us by thy example how to assist properly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how to communicate worthily, and how to visit frequently and piously the Most Blessed Sacrament.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in The Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

The entire novena can be found here

History of the Title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Feast Day, May 13

St. Peter Julian Eymard, of France, had a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and Our Lady and began his priestly life in the Society of Mary. “But his heart burned with the desire to establish perpetual adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament exposed upon a royal throne and surrounded by a large court of adorers. On February 2, 1851, at the shrine of Fourvière, the most Blessed Virgin had made him understand its necessity. ‘All the mysteries of my Son have a religious order of men to honor them. The Eucharist alone has none . . . .’ After several years of prudent reflection and interior combat, encouraged by Pope Pius IX, he founded the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Paris on May 13, 1856” (St. Peter Julian Eymard: Apostle of the Eucharist Novena, p. 20).

The title of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was first given to Mary by St. Peter Julian Eymard in May 1868, while speaking to his novices. A few years later he described what her statue should look like: "The Blessed Virgin holds the Infant in her arms; and He holds a chalice in one hand and a Host in the other." He exhorted them to invoke Mary: "Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"

Later, Pius IX enriched the invocation with indulgences. Twice, St. Pius X did the same. On December 30, 1905, he granted a 300 days indulgence to the faithful who pray: “Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.”

"This title, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, is perhaps the most meaningful of all," said St. Pius X.

In 1921 the Sacred Congregation of Rite authorized the Blessed Sacrament Congregations to celebrate each year, on the 13th of May, a "solemn commemoration of the Blessed Virgin," with the intention of honoring Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament." And of course this Feast is still celebrated today with great joy by all the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Peter Julian Eymard.

Pope Bl. John XXIII codified the title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament when he declared St. Peter Julian Eymard a saint on December 9, 1962, at the end of the last session of the Second Vatican Council.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

On May 13 we celebrate the most recent feast and title given to Our Blessed Mother, that of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament." Some believe this title to be prophetic, particularly for our times, and perhaps the greatest honor the church could bestow upon her. Let us ponder some of the reasons why this may be true.

St. Peter Julian Eymard, known as "The Priest of the Eucharist" and "The Apostle of the Eucharist" founded the "Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament" at Paris on May 13, 1856. Previous to this he served as a priest for sixteen years in the Society of Mary. He developed a very special love for the Eucharist at a very young age, which was inspired by his Mother's Eucharistic devotion. He also had a tremendous love for Our Lady. During the years of his daily prayer and adoration of our Eucharistic Lord, St. Peter Julian was given the awareness from Our Lady "All the mysteries of my Son have a religious order of men to honor them. The Eucharist alone has none..." With the encouragement of Pius XI, St. Peter Julian Eymard founded the new congregation to first, and foremost, perpetually adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament and to spread Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration throughout the world; second, to honor Mary, The Mother of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

"Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" was the title that St. Peter Julian Eymard gave Our Lady as Mother and model to his new Congregation, his new Eucharistic family. As he stated so often, the Blessed Mother was the first and most perfect adorer of Jesus, the Incarnate Word. Our Lady adored Jesus from the very first moment of conception in her womb. She continued her adoration throughout his earthly life. After Jesus ascended into heaven, according to our early church fathers and theologians, Our Blessed Lady continued to adore and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. St. John the beloved Apostle would have provided the Eucharist for Our Lady, as he cared for her and ministered to her wants. The early church historians write that Our Lady spent most of her days and nights in Adoration of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. In the times of the early church the Eucharist was generally reserved in the homes of Christians. Our Lady's daily communion and adoration united her to Jesus even more closely than during His thirty years with her at Nazareth.

St. John Damascus points out, in his 6th century writings, "the body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is the very same body born of the Virgin Mary." When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist we receive the Son of Mary. Where we find the Son we find the Mother, in adoration.

"Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" is the channel by which Jesus comes to us! She is also the channel by which we go to Jesus, heaven has ordained it thus. Our heavenly Mother is our most powerful intercessor with her Son Jesus, our most persuasive advocate. When we pray the Holy Rosary we ask her to pray for us, and pray she does. Many Mariologists have noted that devotions to Mary lead us to Jesus in the Eucharist. Wherever there are shrines dedicated to Mary her Son reigns in the Holy Eucharist where he is received, worshiped and adored. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, wrote in his Marian encyclical of 1988, "The piety of the Christian people has always rightly sensed a profound link between devotion to the Blessed Virgin and worship of the Eucharist." He later stated in a public address in Rome in June of 1994, while talking about the Eucharist, "I would also like to repeat my invitation to you to make Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament a habitual practice in all Christian communities."

Our Eucharistic Lord is the center of all other devotion within our church and the primary source of grace and mercy. Only heaven knows for sure if the Mary 13, 1856 founding of the "Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament" by St. Peter Julian Eymard and their entrustment to Our Lady under the title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" was a prophetic foreshadowing of her May 13, 1917 Fatima apparition. What is of importance is that we receive and adore Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us pray that the role and title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" be properly understood by her children so that we can honor her in the way she most desires, by giving adoration and glory to her Son in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

Thanks for Madelena for sharing.

Jesus' Face in Art

Terry shares beautiful artwork here.

Check out the other blog posts too. Terry truly has a beautiful blog!

Our Holy Father's Visit to Turin

If you missed the coverage yesterday on Pope Benedict's visit to Turin, you can read all about it over at Caput Mundi.

Flowers for a Mary's Garden

Photo by Esther G.

You are all pure, O Mary.
And there is in you no stain of sin.


A rise my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

- (Song 2:10-13)


Blessed are you, O Mary.
For the world's salvation came forth from you.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book

Today would be a good day to start a Mary's Garden. It is the first day of the month traditionally dedicated to honoring God's Blessed Mother.  It is also First Saturday.

 It is traditional to plant flowers and plants that symbolize the Blessed Mother, Jesus, St. Joseph or an event in the life of Christ.  The flowers and plants I have included are specifically ones that symbolize an aspect of our Blessed Mother.  I have selected flowers and plants that are readily available in Hawaii.  At the bottom of this post, there is a link to the source of these plants.  There you will find other plants that you may use in your own Mary's Garden.

FLOWERING PLANTS

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The rose plant should be in every Mary's Garden.  It in itself symbolizes Our blessed Mother Mary.

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- Morning Glory (Our Mary's Mantle)

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- Peony (Mary's Rose)

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- Gypsophila: Baby's Breath (Mary's Veil)

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- Begonia (Heart of Mary)

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- Camellia (Mary's Purity)

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- Canna (Rosary Beads)

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- Carnation (Mary's Love of God)

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- Clematis Virginiana (Virgin's Bower)

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- Easter Lily (Mary's Innocence and Purity)

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- Fern (Lady's Hair)

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- Geranium (Lady Beautiful)

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- Hydrangea (Ave Maria)

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- Impatiens (Our Lady's Earrings or Mother Love)

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- Jasmine: Pikake in Hawaiian (Mary)

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- Marigold (Mary's Gold)

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- Petunia (Lady's Praise)

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- Strawberry (Fruitful Virgin)

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- Water Lily (Lady of the Lake)

HERBS

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- Parsley (Our Lady's Little Vine)

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- Sage (Mary's Shawl)

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- Rosemary (Mary's Nosegay)

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- Thyme (The Virgin's Humility)

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- Marjoram (Mary's Bedstraw)

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- Spearmint (Mary's Mint)

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- Feverfew (Mary's Flower)

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- Chamomile (Lady's Flower)


Information on the plants and flowers used are from here.

For help in planting a Mary's Garden, click here or here

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

Excerpts from Fr. Paul's homily this morning.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker* was proclaimed by St. Pius XII in 1955. Father believes it was the Holy Father's way of reassuring Catholic workers on a day the communist commemorated May Day.

*He assured his audience and the working people of the world: “You have beside you a shepherd, a defender and a father” in Saint Joseph, the carpenter whom God in His providence chose to be the virginal father of Jesus and the head of the Holy Family. He is silent but has excellent hearing, and his intercession is very powerful over the Heart of the Saviour.

Work should not be viewed as a punishment. Adam and Eve worked in paradise before their disobedience and ultimate expulsion. Instead, work should be viewed as a privilege. In prisons the bad prisoners are held in their cells or in isolation. The good prisoners are permitted to work.

Dear Patron of God's Church,
you are honored by her as the Worker,
the humble carpenter of Nazareth.
According to St. Teresa of Avila,
you are universal in your intercessions.

Inspire workers of all kinds
to walk ever in your footsteps as faithful servants
coupling charity with justice
and becoming true followers of Jesus.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing