Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me…I bind to myself today.
From St. Patrick’s Breastplate
Category Archives: Catholic Spirituality
First Sunday of Lent – 2017
Since last Wednesday, “Ash Wednesday,” the Catholic Church, along with other Christian churches, began a 40 day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. This leads up to Holy Week, and the commemoration of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Today, the First Sunday of Lent, the sanctuary of our church is decorated in somber, purple; with no flowers. We process in, not with hymns, but chanting prayers, begging for God’s mercy; and for the intercession of the saints.
The scripture readings for today, first tell of how our first parents, gave into temptation, and brought sin and death into the world. Then we hear the Gospel, the “Good News,” of how Jesus resisted temptation, and began the journey that would lead to our liberation.
So how will we spend these days of Lent; will we intensify our spiritual lives? Will we “repent and believe the Good News?” Will we be lights to a world so threatened by darkness, by hate, and violence. Let us “prepare the way of the Lord, and be witnesses of the power of His Love!
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) – 2016
Yesterday, the Church honored the memory of the unnamed saints in heaven. Today, we remember all those who have died; family members, friends and acquaintances; and we pray that they are in the embrace of our Father’s loving arms.
We Catholics hope that those who die, will quickly go to heaven. However, we also believe that before many of us reach that blessed home; we need a time of purification; a cleansing of the stains of past sins. The Church believes that this purification take place in a place called “Purgatory.” Whether it is an actual place, or a state of being; it is still a place of longing for God; of preparation to finally encounter him, in all his glory.
We, who are among the living, pray for these souls, that their time of purification will be short. And we hope that, when it is our turn; our family and friends, both on earth and in heaven will pray for us; that we will all be in the indescribable joy and glory of the Presence of God.
Feast of All Saints – 2016
Blessed be God, in His angels and in His Saints
Today, the Church recognizes all those unknown individuals, unknown, except by the Father, as saints. These are those persons who strived to lead a lives of holiness; living the Gospel life. Their struggles and their successes, maybe seen by only a few; still can provide quiet inspiration for us all.
Weekend Coffee Share – 09/25/2016
Over a cup of coffee, I would apologize for not coming to the counter for a while. One could say I have been struggling with one huge case of writer’s block. It is a combination of trying to carve out a period of time to write something online; and not be able to think of anything to write.
Anyway, let me share with you that earlier this week I attended my first company cookout earlier this week. It was on a Tuesday, and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Tents were set up in the parking lot of our office building. The food was placed out buffet style. And there were round tables for us to sit at. Part of menu was BBQ pulled pork, sausages in a roll, hamburger sliders, very good macaroni and cheese, shrimp, and salads. It must be sign of my getting older; but there was a time I could hit a buffet table at least twice; that is no longer true. My wife would say that is a good thing.
One of the goodies the company was giving away, were “selfie” sticks. Here is my first try with it.
Over a cup of coffee, I would tell you that there was a big event in the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, recently; the coming of a relic, the heart of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina; also 
known as Padre Pio. Padre Pio was a Franciscan Capuchin friar, born in 1885, in Italy, and died on September 23, 1968. He was ordained a priest in 1910. In 1918, he received the stigmata, after experiencing a powerful vision of the Crucified Christ. He bore the five wounds of Christ for the rest of his life. News of this miracle got out to the world, crowds of people gathered to witness it. Padre Pio would be examined many times by physicians, with conflicting diagnosis’. The Church would investigate him many times; would forbid him to say Mass or hear confessions for a period of time. He would eventually be cleared of unorthodox thinking or practices, and returned to his priestly ministry. He would spend a good deal of his time hearing confessions, offering spiritual council, and celebrating the Eucharist. He remained at the Capuchin friary at San Giovanni Rotondo for the rest of his life. He worked at, and successfully caused a hospital to be built near the town. 34 years after his death, he was declared a saint, by Pope St. John Paul II.
We Catholics have a unique relationship with our saints; we believe that they are in heaven with God, that they are praying for us, interceding for us before the Father. Their lives continue to inspire us, encourage us to live more intensely the Gospel life. They are very real for us; so when we come before a relic of theirs, we venerate it; knowing we are giving honor to the person, not the object. And that is what has been happening with heart of Padre Pio; thousands of pilgrims have gathered in churches, in the North End of Boston, in Lowell, and in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. All to venerate the relic, to ask for his intercession, or to thank him for a prayer answered. It was a powerful demonstration of faith. It is also a demonstration of the “juice” Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston still has in Rome. It also does not hurt that he himself is also a Franciscan Capuchin!
Over a cup of coffee, I am going to start saying something that will sound like the beginning of a bad joke; “A Catholic priest, a Methodist minister, and a Yale humanist enter a room;” what you get is “The Great Bible Experiment!” Father Warren Savage, Catholic chaplain at Westfield State and Amherst College; the Rev. Anne Robertson, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bible Society; and Tom Krattenmaker, of the 
Yale Humanist Community, have been gathering in New Haven CT, Albany, NY, Providence, RI, and on September 27, 2016, in Boston, to hold a town meeting style discussions on the Bible. These locations, according to recent surveys, are the least Bible minded cities in America. The final meeting in Boston, will actually be held at Harvard University; the event will be live streamed.
Well, the cup is empty; and will try to here next week, with another cuppa.
Exultation of the Holy Cross
O
n August 14th, throughout most the Christian world, churches commemorated the finding of the True Cross. It was found under the leadership of St. Helen, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Miracles confirmed it’s authenticity; it’s wood was divided between the Churches in Jerusalem, Rome, and Constantinople.
Those Romans who had been around during the old Empire, would have shake their heads; seeing a symbol of punishment and death, become a symbol of life and hope.
We all have our own crosses, that we have to bear, that we have to live with. Jesus Christ calls on us to take up our crosses daily and follow him. When we open ourselves to his Spirit; we discover that we are not only following him, but he is walking with us. He is there, helping us bear the burden, helping us, giving us hope.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Pope Francis has asked all Catholics, indeed, all peoples, to pray for the care of Creation. He asks that we first offer praise and thanks to God the Creator for the precious gift of this earth. Then, we should pray that He sends His Spirit into our hearts, to inspire us to care for this gift He has given us. Pope Francis composed a prayer that he included in his encyclical “Laudato Si’,” that could provide a good starting point for our reflections. I am also including below, a prayer, a hymn, by St. Francis of Assisi. He is joining with all of Creation, in giving praise to God. May we all do the same this day.
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.
Feast of the Porziuncola August 2, 2016
Today, Franciscans everywhere are celebrating the Feast of the Church of St. Mary of the Angels of the Porziuncola (Little Portion). Actually, a small chapel, it is one of several chapels around Assisi, Italy, that St. Francis of Assisi repaired; shortly after his conversion. He was doing this in response to a mystical encounter with the Crucified Christ, who commanded Francis to “Repair My House!” Taking the command literally, he began to repair the chapel of San Damiano, and the other chapels. It was only later that he understood his mission was to “repair,” (ie, renew) the Catholic Church.
St. Mary of the Angels became the “mother church,” of the Franciscan Order, and indeed, the entire Franciscan movement. Francis and his first followers built huts of mud, straw and wattle around the chapel, and used them as cells. The little portion of land on which the chapel stood, belonged to the Benedictine monks of Mount Subasio, who have rented the site to the Franciscans, in return for a basket of fish. Over the years, the chapel became a pilgrimage destination, and eventually, the Franciscans and Pope ordered that the simple little chapel be enclosed in a huge grand basilica; the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels.
Today, the little chapel, located in this huge basilica, will be visited by Pope Francis. It ties into the Jubilee Year of Mercy, that the Pope declared last year. The little chapel is the site of one of the most famous indulgences granted by the Catholic Church. Although the historical fact has not been proven, legend has it that St. Francis asked the Pope to grant a plenary indulgence to anyone who came to the Porziuncola chapel, praying for forgiveness of their sins. An indulgence is granted to the soul of an individual, which remits some of the temporal “punishment”or “cleansing,” that a soul must go through in purgatory, before being admitted to the full beatific vision of God in heaven. A plenary indulgence grants a full remittance. The “Porziuncola Indulgence,” was originally granted only to those who visited the chapel, later Popes expanded it to those who visited a Franciscan church, chapel, or oratory. It was finally also granted to those who visited any church designated by the local bishop, between the afternoon of August 1, to sunset on August 2. They must at least recite the Our Father or the Creed; and must go to Confession, receive Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Pope.
Indulgences is a means by which the Church illustrates the mercy and love of God for all people. And it is why Pope Francis is making the journey to Assisi, to go into a huge, ornate, basilica; to enter a very small chapel, that has the power of God’s love.
On Retreat – Weekend Coffee Share
Campion Retreat Center
If we were having a cup of coffee, I would tell you that last weekend I was at a retreat for Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of Boston. It was held at the Campion Retreat Center in Weston, MA. The Center is managed by the Society of Jesus, better known at the Jesuits. It is also where their retirement home is located. Our retreat master was a Xaverian Brother by the name of Paul Feeney. When many of us were in formation, he taught the Old Testament class. For this retreat, he looked at the lives and spiritualities of Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton; two American Catholics, whose names were mentioned by Pope Francis during his address to the joint session of Congress. Dorothy Day, a Catholic social activist, was a co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. She practiced every day, the Corporal Works of Mercy, feeding the hungry,
Dorothy Day
comforting those in distress, clothing the naked. But there was more to it than that, she and her followers strove to change society, to make it a place where it “was easy for people to be good.” Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, who wrote a spiritual biography in the 1940’s, that continues inspire people. He was a prolific writer, and a mystic; combining the two, he produced writings that helped guide many into a deeper spiritual life. He also wrote on matters of peace and justice, that gave support and spiritual sustenance to many Catholic activists, the late Father Daniel Berrigan, SJ, being one of them.
If we were having a cup of coffee, I would tell you that I had planned on writing about this
Thomas Merton
sooner. I packed the old laptop and brought it with me. Only to find out that Center does not have WiFi available for retreatants. Just as well, the weekend was suppose to a time of quiet and reflection, a time of sacred reading and prayer. And I tried to take advantage of the opportunity handed me. And it was a spiritually refreshing weekend.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that while I was waiting at the main entrance to be picked up, a horse came galloping by, followed by a dismounted horsewoman, and some bicyclists. There was a horse show going on down the road; I guess this big fellah had other ideas. Fortunately, they caught him before he could be struck by a car, or run over a retired Jesuit, out for his morning constitutional.
If we were having a cup of coffee, I would tell that no matter how great a spiritual experience of a retreat may have been, life is waiting for you when you leave. I have a book entitled “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.” For me, it should read, “After the Ecstasy, Monday morning, the commute, the cubicle!” The challenge of any retreat experience, is to strive to make what you learn, what you experience, a part of your daily life. That is something I am still struggling with.
Well, the coffee mug is empty, maybe tomorrow I will bring another steaming mug over. We will see.
Quick Reflection on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
I am with my wife on Cape Cod visiting her parents. Attended Sunday Mass. The Gospel tells the story of Wedding Feast at Cana. The changing of water into wine was only witnessed by the servants, Jesus’ mother, and his disciples. It was his first miracle, and it was the beginning of his public ministry; his proclamation, by word and deed of the Good News!
By virtue of our Baptism, we share in Christ’s mission to proclaim the Good News. We each have a role, as the Holy Spirit gives us the grace; we need but to discern the way we are to go. Then have the courage to go forward.
Musings From St. Anthony's Walnut Tree 