St. Jude, patron of hopeless cases...

Just a real quick reflection before heading off to bed.

Today at lectures a brief reflection from Fr. Bruce, O.P.: I am not sure why St. Jude has become the patron of hopeless cases. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that he shares a name with the Traitor (in most languages Jude and Judas is the same name). While the Iscariot was hopeless unto death, the one who shares the name of the Traitor will be the "anti-type," and thus even in the most hopeless situations will turn toward the Lord -- and we shall not forget, "for God nothing is impossible."


Saints Simon and Jude are buried under the Saint Joseph altar at Saint Peter in the Vatican. I did not have the opportunity to visit their relics today, but perhaps on their octave day I will make it.

We of course do not know which date they died on, but this day is commemorated as their feast since it is the anniversary of the transfer of their relics to Saint Peter in the Vatican.

Saint Simon...

...pray for us.

Saint Jude...

...pray for us.

All God's Holy Men and Women...

...pray for us!

Got an email today...

I received an email today from Msgr. Rector. It seems like the ordination date for my diaconate ordiantion will be the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary (also know as the Feast of Our Lady of Lepento) on October 7, 2010 at Saint Peter's basilica. Please keep me in prayer. Here is a picture of this year's ordination.

Canonization: Five new saints for the Church.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the canonization of five new saints. Even though I have been in Rome for over two years, and been to a number of Papal Liturgies, this is the first time that I have been a canonization. In short it was beautiful. For the first time I heard the voice of Benedict XVI invoke five as saints of the Church.

I did not know who most the "new Saints" were, except for Damien of Molokia. He was also known as Damien of the Lepers. As a young priest he was sent to the "living hell" of Molokai to minister to the men, women and children dying of Hansen's disease (Leprosy). It was a living hell, since for years these people were allowed to descend into beastly state (think of Hobbes description of life before the state).

He modeled his life on the life of the "One Who Loves Him," Christ, and with no fear "descended" to them -- not because he too wanted to live a beastly state, but rather to life them up to their full dignity as human being. The world literally threw these people away, and he picked them up and took them to the home of his heart as the treasures that they truly are. He opened for them schools and churchs, and a free clinic. He taught them skills, and hobbies. All of this was fueled by the Gospel. A true evangelical zeal. It was a great co-operation with the Holy Spirit; and since it was started by the Holy Spirit -- it succeeded. The "Living Hell of Molokai" became an almost ideal Christian society.

Damien himself so completely gave himself in sacrifice to these people that he eventually contracted Leprosy himself, and died. A true "white martyrdom."

His life was rich in Christ, so rich that we continue to benefit from it. He was prophetic in realization that the greatest resource to the development of the people entrusted to his care, was the people themselves. The men, women, and children, although they were poor, did not depend on handouts, but rather found in the richness of their own souls the spiritual resource to be lifted by Christ out of the misery of the pit.

The funeral catafalgue of Fr. Damien of Molokai

Before school began...

So I arrived in Rome on September 17, and classes did not begin until October 12. So what have I been doing in the mean time? Vacation. Not really, or not like any other vacation like I have had before.

The three weeks in between arrival and the beginning of classes have really been quite busy. Much busier than it normally is, so much so that know that classes have begun, it feels like this is a bit of a break!

Can you find me? (I will give you a clue I am wearing white on top of black).
NAC ordination prayer vigil the night before diaconate ordination

There were three main occupation during the three weeks before school:

(1) Pastoral work-shops: practical courses at the college on pastoral counseling, preaching, and Hispanic ministry

(2) A week long silent retreat (perhaps more on this at a later date)

(3) and the nacho grande of it all: the Ordination to the Order of the Deacon of thirty men from the North American College.

This last may not seem that significant, after all I was not the one getting ordained -- but I was the head master of ceremonies for it. That is quite a bit of work. It was good though. Each day started early: prayer and Mass, than hours of pastoral work-shops (of course broken up by coffee breaks), and than a few hours each day of prep-work for the ordination. Each day I felt like I was on my game. While I was busy, and while I was working hard, it was a very good experience.

I like being all that busy -- each day at Mass as the altar is being prepared -- the linen (the shroud) being unfolded and on it are placed the bread and the wine. To this wine a drop of water, and there is when I join my offering to the sacrifice of the Mass -- I offer you Lord this day... with all its works, prayers, joys and sufferings. Each day, while I was working hard and going to bed so tired, each day I felt that I had something to add to that sacrifice.

I remember it vaguely... (biking in Rome)

I remember it vaguely... Fr. Ben Sember was leaving to return to the States permentently, and I think he gave me a bike, but that was almost two years ago. Well it turned out he did give me a bike, and it laid un-used for most of last year. Mark Payton, a class mate, brought it back to my attention. Wow -- I have a bike! Honestly, I never really forgot this, but was some what scared to take the bike out into Roman traffic (anyone who has experienced Roman traffic will completely understand this). Well...

Not me, biking in Rome

Well... it was time to bite the bullet. It was really busy the week before classes were beginning and I had to go to the Angelicum to actually registrar for classes. Usually this is a forty minute walk one way trip. This is also an experience of Italian bureaucracy (read: at a minimum one hour of waiting in line, just to find out where to wait in line again... well you get the idea). So I was looking at a minimum of a two hour and twenty minutes. We are all busy. I am a busy seminarian. I just don't have time for that. So time to hop onto the bike.

It was great. Not only did I make it there and back, and some how managed to registar all in under an hour, but the experience of riding in Rome is great. I have made it a point to mostly bike to classes now. Forty minute one way walk? - not any more. Now a quick and simple nine minute commute. So next time you end up in Rome, see Saint Peters and hope onto one of the rentalable red bikes.

Back to school, back to school...

The main courtyard at the Angelicum University

A week ago today it started: lectures at the Angelicum University. This is actually one of the most enjoyable parts of being a seminarian. After all when will I have the leisure to study these central mysteries of the faith that I love so much? It is my third year of theology, but my second year at the Angelicum.

The Angelicum -- what I describe as a "happy place." This will most likely be my last year here, since I finish my degree this year, and most likely will be working on my second degree at a different university. That is the usual arrangement for studying in Rome. Most students, seminarians and lay students, earn two degrees. The first is the Sacred Theology Baccalaureate, and is roughly equivalent to a Master of Arts in Theology in the United States. It takes three years to complete.

The student will than pursue a second degree to specialize. There is diversity in this area. Some will complete a proper Masters, which usually takes one additional year. Most will work on a License -- this is usually a two year degree, and sometimes three years depending upon the speciality. Other degrees, like Canon Law are their own breed.

So I will be looking ahead to a specialization next year. The question is: What will it be? Rest assured this has been discussed with the bishop, but nothing is set in stone, and I am not sure how much I am free to discuss. Anyways. I do have my own interests.

The astute reader will notice that I started lectures on Tuesday, but school began last Monday. What's going on? Did I skip the first day? Well - yes, but not exactly. I live in Italy, and I am an American. This logically means that I am an immigrant. This means that I participate in the annual routine of filing papers, visiting the offices of the Italian questera, and than praying that my papers do not get lost (I am not actually joking with that last one). Monday was spent at the immigration office. I have much sympathy for those men and women in our own land, who have to go through the same routine.

Has it settled down yet?

This is a picture of Dcn. Michael Bruno. He lives down the corridor from me. You may be asking: Why do you have a picture of Dcn. Michael Bruno on your blog post? Good question. He preached this morning. He preached very well actually. I thought I should high-light that.

It has been very busy since landing on September 17 (was it really only a month ago?!). So working back wards I hope to catch you all up.

Overall I am very happy to be back. Catching up and re-connecting.

Later.

ROME REPORTS Video News - The home of the Heralds of the Gospel in Rome

I haven't visited this church yet, but it looks like someplace I hope to drop by soon! After all I do have a strong devotion to Saint Benedict (alas -- I am not called to be a Benedictine monk!) and I also study with the Heralds of the Gospels at the Angelicum.

ROME REPORTS Video News - The home of the Heralds of the Gospel in Rome

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