I have been on Cape Cod the past view days. We are visiting with my wife’s family (all 34 of them!). Having a wonderful, fun time! Heading home today, we will see if I recovered enough to post tonight! Pax et Bonum!
From a Franciscan Perspective – Blessed Frederic Ozanam and Care for the Poor
“1) Secular Franciscans should always act as a leaven in the environment in which they live through the witness of their fraternal love and clear Christian motivations.
2) In the spirit of minority, they should opt for relationships which give preference to the poor and to those on the fringe of society, whether these be individuals or categories of persons or an entire people; they should collaborate in overcoming the exclusion of others and those forms of poverty that are the fruit of inefficiency and injustice.” (Article 19, General Constitutions, Secular Franciscan Order)
Blessed Frederic Ozanam
On August 4th, the Catholic Church remembers and celebrates the life of Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Born in France in 1813, he originally wanted to become a writer, but his father insisted that he become a lawyer. In 1831, he went to the University of Sorbonne, in Paris, to study law. While there, he noticed that the Catholic Church was being attacked by the intellectuals in Paris. A devoted Catholic, he and some friends started a debate club, where they could discuss issues of faith with agnostics and atheists. At one of these debates, Ozanam was challenged to prove his faith with actions, and not just talk. Taking up the challenge, Frederic and a friend began visiting the poor in the slums of Paris, and providing whatever assistance they could. Their approach was novel, instead of just giving money to some religious or church organizations; they went out and personally met the poor in their homes. Other laypersons were attracted to work Ozanam was doing, and together they formed the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Frederic did earn a law degree, but would eventually also earn a doctorate in literature. He married in 1841, and he and his wife had a daughter. He continued his work with the Society. Continuously suffering from poor health, he died in 1853. Some time before his death, he supposedly joined the Third Order of Saint Francis; today known as the Secular Franciscan Order. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society has grown into a worldwide organization, with local conferences based in most parishes. They continue their work of personally visiting and providing assistance to the poor in their local communities.
There have been some negative comments about Pope Francis’ focus on the poor. Some feel that he is neglecting the middle class, who are also suffering from a decrease in wages, the threat of foreclosure on their homes, and a loss of a sense of security that their parents had. As an out of work member of the middle class, with shrinking resources; I understand the feeling of anxiety, uncertainty and fear people are experiencing. I am experiencing that to. But Jesus, through his Gospel, has told us that we are called to take up our crosses daily, and follow him. And to follow Jesus means to proclaim the Good News to the poor, to heal the sick, to care for the widow and orphans, feed the hungry and to set free the imprisoned. Even with our own anxieties and sufferings, we are still called to encounter the poor among us, and offer help. We can accomplish this through God’s grace, and being open to the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Through Jesus Christ, God is with us, in good times and the difficult times. Let us be open to that Presence, and open to sharing that gift with others.
The Cure – Friday Fictioneers
The physician looks at his bottles of potions and salves. He knows they have done nothing to cure this frail man’s infected eyes. This situation calls for a drastic cure! He has read in an ancient text that cauterizing the patient temples will stop the flow of pus. He prepares the hot iron; the Poverello’s brother friars fidget. When the holy man sees the red hot iron, he addresses it as “My Brother Fire!” He prays it will be gentle to him. The physician steadies his hand, and applies the iron. The brothers flee the room! “I felt nothing!”
A Poll: Time to Hear From You!
So I have published 53 posts since I started this blog on WordPress in November, 2014. I have taken some courses through WordPress’ Blogging University. I have tried to change my writing style, and the format of this blog. It is now time to face the music and start asking for some serious feedback. So, dear reader, please favor me with taking the following poll; there are multiple questions. Thank you for your time!
Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, understanding, my entire will,
all that I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Do with it as you will.
Give me only your love and your grace;
That is enough for me.”
(Suscipe, written by St. Ignatius of Loyola)
Today, the C
atholic Church remembers and celebrates the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He was a Spanish knight from the Basque country. Wounded in battle, as he recovered in the ancestral castle, he read a book about the life of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on, meditating on those stories, he had a conversion experience. Giving up his sword, he became a pilgrim, journeying to the Holy Land. In the Spanish town of Manresa, he stayed for a period of time, living as a hermit in cave, along a river bank. It was there that he had a powerful vision; he never described what he experienced. He later, after mastering Latin, went to the University of Paris to study theology. Reflecting on his spiritual journey, he wrote the Spiritual Exercises. He used them to help guide his companions, and others, who were seeking to get closer to God. He and his companions formed the Society of Jesus, popularly known as the Jesuits. This congregation, under the guidance of Ignatius, as Superior General, would go out into world, as preachers, spiritual directors, missionaries, and educators.
I think though that among the great gifts from Ignatius to the Church is his Spiritual Exercises. Hundreds of individuals have followed the Practices, either in 30 day retreats, or over extended periods of times. They have been guided into a more intimate relationship with God, and discern what God was calling them to do with their lives. Thanks to Basque former warrior, a priest, and mystic, a new guide has opened up for those seeking the Lord.
Revisiting the Artist’s World of Cape Ann, MA
When one is unemployed, and is searching for a new job; you tend to spend a lot of time in front of a computer. And it goes without saying, you find yourself being quite sedentary. My wife noticed this last week, so she insisted that I take the car, and go somewhere…anywhere! I took her up on her suggestion, and went up north to Rockport and Gloucester.
Over thirty years ago, these two Cape Ann, MA communities are where I went on my weekends off, usually by train when I lived in Boston. It was there that I encountered art; art being produced by living artists, in the moment. I would visit the numerous galleries, some owned by the artists themselves. I would browse over the art works, wondering to myself if I had any artistic talent. I was inspired to start taking classes in watercolor and oil painting. Sadly, in recent years, I have not kept up the practice of painting, and I am afraid I have become rusty with using the paintbrush. Maybe a return visit to the source of my original inspiration would kick start my aspirations again.
So I drove north on Route 128, till I came to Rockport. I was fortunate in finding a parking space quickly. Now, my first stop was not to
an art gallery, but to a white Episcopal church called St. Mary’s. Back in the day, I would always stop there for a few moments of prayer, (one of the few churches I have found that is opened to the public during the week!) I would gaze at the beautiful interior, and for a moment, I experienced the Presence of God.
Leaving St. Mary’s, I went down Broadway to the public wharf in Rockport Harbor. There you have a wonderful view of the inner harbor, with its fishing boats, rowing skiffs, and sailboats. And of course, you get a wonderful view of the most painted scene on Cape Ann, Motif #1. Originally a fishing shack, artists, both local and from other places, have produced many images of it. The original shack was destroyed in a storm; a replacement was built on the site. Hundreds of artists and photographers continue to capture its image on canvas and film. 
I continued down the town streets, and entered an area called Bearskin Neck, a piece of land that stretches out into sea, and separates the harbor from the public beach. It is a place that is teeming with little shops, selling everything from handicrafts, to ice cream and candy, to paintings being mass produced overseas in Asia. At the end of the Neck, is a beautiful view of the ocean. The sea was such a beautiful blue! Seating on the rocks, gazing out, I did not want to leave. It took me a few minutes before I could get myself on my feet and moving on.
As I walked down Main St., I noticed that many of the galleries I had visited in the past were no longer there, and that some of the painter/owners of the remaining galleries have passed on. But one gallery is still very much in existence, the Rockport Art 
Association. Founded in 1921, it bills itself as one of the oldest and active art organizations in the country. Walking through its galleries, looking at the paintings hanging there, it brought back memories. Once, I was a supporting associate member, and the associates had an annual art show, where members could bring in a piece to hang on the gallery walls. I submitted a watercolor, and it was on the wall when my parents and some of my siblings came to see it.
I left Rockport around mid-afternoon, and drove down to Gloucester, specifically, East Gloucester, which forms one bank of the town’s Inner Harbor. Located there is a red building which houses the North Shore Arts Association. Founded in 1922, it too has supported and encouraged the artists 
of Cape Ann in their work. The association has a great deal of gallery space, especially on the second floor. The artists have a wide range of style. I found one of my favorite artists, Donald Mosher, who passed away in 2014, exhibited there. I left the building, and sat outside on their porch, and watched the comings and goings of the boats through the harbor. Unlike
Rockport, Gloucester is an industrial fishing harbor, its shores lined with boatyards and fishing docks. If, though, one looks with a painter’s eye, one can see the beauty of shapes, colors and lines, that have inspired so many to pick up a pencil, a piece of chalk, or a paintbrush.
Afternoon was drawing to a close, I got in the car and set off for home, wondering if I should break open my old paint box, and pick up the brush again.
From a Franciscan Perspective: “Preach it man!”
“Preaching, therefore, is a duty that is apostolic, angelic, Christian, divine. The word of God, is replete with manifold blessings, since it is, so to speak, a treasure of all goods. It is the source of faith, hope, charity, all virtues, all gifts of the Holy Spirit, all beatitudes of the Gospel, all good works, all the rewards of life, all the praise: Welcome the word that has taken root in you, with its power to save you.”
(From a sermon by Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, OFM CAP)
July 21st is the Feast day of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, a Franciscan Capuchin priest, born in Italy in the year 1559. A scholar, he was famous for his mastery of many languages. Because of this, he was sent into various European countries, on preaching missions. He became known as an effective and forceful preacher.
As an ordained deacon in the Catholic Church, one of my ministries is to proclaim the Gospel during the celebration of the Eucharist; and occasionally to preach on that reading from the Gospel. The above quote from Saint Lawrence strikes a chord within me; because the act of preaching can have an effect not only on the congregation hearing the homily, but also on the preacher himself. I prepare a week before I am scheduled to preach, prayerfully going over the Scripture readings for that Sunday. I try to open my mind and my heart to what the Word, Jesus Christ, wishes to reveal to me. I reflect on how the Gospel speaks not only to myself, but how it will speak to those sitting in front of me. What is that they need to hear; what words of comfort they need to experience. There have been times that I will delete a whole written page, because I have been inspired to take a different tack.
To preach is far different than any other type of public speaking. I stand behind the pulpit, with my written text; as I look over the people before me, I whisper a little prayer. Then, more often than not, the Holy Spirit takes over, guiding me, inspiring me; the words on the paper, takes on a life of their own. When I am done, I know that for me, it was a holy, sacred moment.
I have come to realize that there are many ways one can preach the Good News. It is why I am attracted to blogging; it is another way to share my experience of God’s love. And it is becoming a means of hearing about others experiences. And finally, the other means we all have to preach the Gospel, by the way each one of us strive to live in our daily lives; with our families, in our workplaces, in the stores, and on the streets.
Pace e Bene! – Friday Fictioneers
The mother is wracked with fear! Her child has a high fever. The physicians cannot cure him. In desperation, her husband seeks the holy man from Assisi. She hears a knock on the door; she flings it open! There is only a small barefoot man, dressed in a patched brown robe, with a cord around his waist. He begs for alms; she almost slams the door! But she stops, there is something about him. She gives him some bread and fruit. He touches her arm; “Pace e Bene!” he whispers and leaves. She hears her child’s voice!
The above is a response to a challenge, that I found on The WRITE Place, and from Friday Fictioneers!
Praying Before the San Damiano Cross
Most High, Glorious God,
Enlighten the darkness of my heart,
And give me true faith, certain hope,
And perfect charity, sense, and knowledge,
Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
(Prayer before the San Damiano Cross – Saint Francis of Assisi)
Once a month, I go into Boston, MA, for a meeting with my spiritual director; who is a Franciscan friar at St. Anthony Shrine on Arch St. I was crossing that street, on my way for my July session, when I ran into two of my former co-workers. We exchanged pleasantries; I learned that the company was still having a rough time of it. We said our goodbyes, and I entered the Shrine. Now this all took place on July 7th, I was entering the seventh month of unemployment. I have been sending electronic job applications, three to six of them on a weekly basis. To date, I have had two telephone interviews, each lasting, on average, about fifteen minutes. I have been to several job fairs, left resumes with prospective employers; never heard anything back. Life is getting a little “interesting.”
Usually, when I enter the first floor chapel of the Shrine, I go to the left side, where the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament. That day I went to the right side of the chapel, where in the sanctuary is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, praying before a large representation of the San Damiano cross. The original cross was in the Assisian chapel of San Damiano, where a young Francis went to pray. The origins of the cross are shrouded in mystery, but it is made in the Byzantine icon style. Praying before the cross, Francis heard the voice of Jesus speaking from the cross: “Francis, rebuild my church!” The rest, as they say, is history!
I seated myself before the large replica of the San Damiano cross, and began to pray, saying over and over the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I was focused on the face of the Crucified Jesus. I was drawn to the eyes, which are unique. I cannot describe the experience, only to say that at that moment, I was in a different space. The anxieties, the concerns, the worries, suddenly disappeared from my consciousness, if only for a moment in time. A light dispelled the darkness that was in my heart.
Many of us, perhaps most of us, when times get tough, will pray to God for some kind of miracle that will solve all of our problems. Usually we are hoping the Lord will influence the interviewer, or we will win the Lottery! And miracles can happen, will happen, and does happen! But what we can really hope; what we need to be aware of is that we are never alone. We may be carrying a burden, but we do not carry it alone. Jesus calls us to take up our crosses daily, and follow him. The One who carried his cross to Calvary, knows our suffering, knows what pains, and fears weigh us down. He is walking with us, encouraging us onward. His Spirit is within us, filling us with peace, with hope. We need only to keep our hearts; our souls open to that light. And hear Jesus assure us, that over that dark hill of Calvary, a new dawn does await us!
One of My Favorite Catholic Bloggers Interviewed
For quite some time now, I have enjoyed reading posts from Mercy Sister Camille D’Arienzo, who writes for the National Catholic Reporter website, NCRonline.org. She does interviews with various Cath
olics, delving into their faith and spiritual lives. Today, I discovered that she had interviewed one of my favorite Catholic bloggers, Deacon Greg Kandra. He is a Permanent Deacon, ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY. In 2007, he created “The Deacon’s Bench.” It currently exists on the Patheos.com website, which has blogs from many faith perspectives. In the interview, Deacon Kandra shares some of his history, especially his faith life. And how he began blogging and what being a blogger has meant for him.
I have enjoyed reading his postings, ever since I entered formation for the Diaconate. He has his finger on the pulse of the Catholic world, the Catholic blogosphere, and the Catholic Diaconate. I have his posted homilies and commentaries both thought provoking and inspiring. I really believe that reading his blog placed the seed in my head about maybe blogging myself. I would recommend “The Deacon’s Bench” to anyone, but especially to my fellow deacons.
Musings From St. Anthony's Walnut Tree 