Vir Tertis Millennis

The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic

2012-01-26T23:46:00.001+01:00

This is a letter from Bishop David Ricken to the Catholics of the Green Bay Diocese. Please take time and read it:

January 26, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. This blatant disregard for our religious values is difficult to reconcile with this Administration’s earlier assurance that they would provide for “robust” conscience protection for religious groups in health care reform. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visitingwww.usccb.org/conscience to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL
Bishop of Green Bay

Still doing the blog?

2011-09-11T04:48:00.003+02:00

The short answer: nope.

The long answer: it has been a number of months since I have posted. I no longer really have the time to maintain a website, but really keystone of the decision was that a number of very spiteful and childish comments were made, and this just took the joy out of it. What makes it worse is that usually these comments were made anonymously, which is just cowardly to boot.

If I decide to start a different blog, it will be posted on the bottom of my emails, just like the address to this one was posted in the same place. So if you have my email address, please keep in contact with me that way.

May almighty God bless each of you.

Moving time is fast approaching.

2011-06-02T16:12:00.002+02:00

Two weeks from today I will leave Rome. I will have been here for just shy of four years. I started to pack today. This has been my home for four years, so of course there is some sadness, but none-the-less, the joy of returning home is greater.

Please keep me in your prayers during this next few weeks.

Take care and God bless you all,

Deacon Bill Brunner

It every kid's favorite day of the year...

2011-01-10T20:20:00.003+01:00

The Feast of St. William of Bourges!

Yes, I know that I can be a little biased, but hey its not like every day is your patron saints feast.

It is actually a good reminder of the Catholic custom of observing the feast your name-sake saint.

Does anyone remember doing this?

I have heard it is still the costum amoung Hispanics. I have not witnessed it in Italy. Maybe part of it is that people in general seem to be abandoning the use of saints names for their children. This is a sad thing... it weakens both the understanding of the Communion of the Saints, but also sells the kid a little short - I mean we talk about finding good role models for our young ones, why not pick out a few saints for them to model their life on?

O Emmanuel - O God with Us

2010-12-23T12:43:00.001+01:00

English translation:
O Emmanuel (God with us), our King and our Lawgiver,
the expectation of the Gentiles and their Saviour:
Come! to save us, O Lord, our God.

O Rex Gentium - O King of the Nations

2010-12-22T12:41:00.000+01:00

English translation:
O King of the Nations, and their desire,
the keystone [with out the keystone the whole building collapses], who makes both [both peoples, Jewish and Gentile] One:
Come! and save man,
which from clay you have made.

O Oriens

2010-12-21T12:37:00.000+01:00

English translation:
O Eastern Morning Star,
splendor of eternal light and Sun of justice:
Come! and illuminate those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.

O oriens - this reflects the early Christian practice of all facing the same way to pray, even during Mass, to pray towards the East, the direction from which the Lord will come. They in joy prayed for his coming and showed this in their posture. This is why in the old days the priest who face the same way as the people during Mass (hence incidently he would have his back to them).

O Clavis - O Key

2010-12-20T12:32:00.002+01:00

English translation:
O Key of David, and scepter of the House of Israel;
who opens and no one can shut;
who shuts and no one can open:
Come! and lead the prisoners from the prison [of sin],
and thos who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Radix - O Root

2010-12-19T12:29:00.001+01:00

English translation:
O Root of Jesse, who stands as a sign among the people;
before whom the kings stand speechless,
whom the Gentiles shall seek,
Come! to liberate us, and do not delay!

O Adonai - O Lord!

2010-12-18T12:25:00.000+01:00

English translation:
O Lord, and leader of the House of Israel!
who to Moses in the fire fo the bush appeared,
and to him on Sinai gave the law:
Come and redeem us with an out-stretched arm!

O Sapientia - O Wisdom!

2010-12-17T12:21:00.001+01:00

During these last days before Christmas the Church sings and prays that the Messiah will come. We great him with these songs. At evening prayer for centuries these great "O Antiphons" were sung. Most of you are probably more familar with them than what you think - since these are the basis for the great hymn, "O Come, o come Emmanuel!" Each antiphon along with each verse of "O come, o come Emmanuel," is a specific title of Christ.

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

2010-12-17T10:55:00.003+01:00

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Rome. It is not just that classes are off for the next three weeks. Nor is it the annual tradition of the Mexican seminarians at the Gregorian filling a pinata with candy and cigarettes for the other students to break (a fine Roman Christmas custom? - perhaps not). It is that Rome is actually frozen. Yes, frozen. This is a rare thing for southern Italy, even in the winter. Here are some pictures of the fountain in the courtyard of the North American College. It even threatens to snow. Snow! With lots of people travelling please send up a prayer that everyone will be safe and delays will not be too bad.

St. Josaphat

2010-11-12T10:16:00.002+01:00

the incorrput body of St. Josaphat entombed in St. Peter's basilica,

the martyr of Christian Unity is buried in the basilica dedicated to the Apostle that Christ desired to unite Christians under,

"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church."

***

For the unity of Christians:

Let us pray:
for all our brothers and sisters
who share our faith in Jesus Christ,
that God may gather and keep together in one Church
all those who seek the truth with sincerity.

***

Almighty and eternal God,

you keep together all those you have united.

Look kindly on all who follow Jesus you Son.

We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism.

Make us one in the fullness of faith,

and keep us one in the fellowship of love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

(from the solemn petitions of Good Friday)

***

On the night before he died, Christ, himself, prayed, That they might all be one. In this prayer he desired to draw all men into one Church. Today's saint, Josaphat, responded to the Lord's desire for Christian unity. This angered those who prefer to go their own way, and Josaphat was killed by a mob.

Pray for the unity of all Christians.

St. Josaphat...

...Pray for us

St. Martin's Day

2010-11-11T22:39:00.003+01:00

Today is a double holiday for American Catholics. It is both the feast of St. Martin of Tours and Veterans Day. These two holidays are connected by more than a date. St. Martin was a Roman soldier, who converted to Christ. At the time of his conversion he laid aside his sword. He knew that he was now a soldier of Christ in the "army of peace." So he became, and still remains, a powerful symbol of the peace that we await from Christ. Since he was a powerful symbol of peace, traditionally peace treaties were signed on his feast day. This custom was maintained even at the end of World War I, which is what Veterans Day commerates.

"Let us speak frankly of those who want to kill us."

2010-11-11T16:58:00.002+01:00

I debated whether or not to re-post this editorial to my blog.

***

The violence against Christians in Iraq continues though. Christian homes are being bombed. It is a religious determined genocide.

***

After re-reading the editorial, I decided to re-post. The author refrains from stereotyping, but rather offers a frank commentary on the violence committed by Islamic-extremist against innocent Christians.

***

If the situation was reversed, where let's say innocent Muslims were slaughtered in prayer by Christian extremist, we know the media machine would be all over this. But now they are silent. Where they are not silent, they are mis-leading. Most of the innocent Christians were killed before the police entered. The survivors confirm this.

***

This type of violence is a most extreme violation of human dignity. Which god will praise these men for this? Which god is glorified by this act?

***

This type of violence should not be hidden under the dark shadow of polite "tea talk," nor should it be hidden within the coward's den of "political correctness." It must be called in plain language what is it: sense violence committed against innocents by extremists.

***

Does the author in fact seem angry? He certainly does. For this reason I was thinking of withholding this post. But we cannot forget that in the face of such horrific injustice, anger is the appropiate response. Only a man with a cold dead pathetic heart would not get angry in response to the massacre of the innocents.

***

A brief quote from the author, "Let us speak frankly about those who want to kill us. 'Allah akbar,' (God is great!). So those Catholics on Sunday heard the jihadists shout in the church. Can there be any greater sacrilege than to kill the innocent at prayer, while shouting that God is great?"

Deacon Ordination.

2010-11-07T16:30:00.000+01:00

There are two essential parts of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. If either of these parts is missing, there will be no sacrament. If either of these parts is missing the man does not become a deacon (or a priest). Thanks be to God that both parts were clearly present (they usually are). The first which is pictured above, is that the bishop will lay his hands on the head of the soon to be deacon (or priest). The second is the prayer of ordination in which we ask God, through the power of the Holy Spirit to transform the very being of the man into a deacon (or priest).
Immediately after the prayer of ordination is finished, the men, who just a moment before were not deacons, rise, and they are now new deacons. Since they are truly deacons, and will be for the rest of their lives, they can function as deacons immediately. I was one of the two fortunate new deacons, to be able to assist as a deacon for the rest of the ordination Mass. Above you will see new-Deacon James Dodson and myself assisting Bishop Hebda with the incensation of the altar.
*****
Below you see a number of my classmates, including myself, as newly vested deacons.
Immediately after the prayer of ordination is finished, the first liturgical action is the vesting of the new deacons as deacons. Just as all Christian "put on Christ" in their baptism, the deacons (and later the priest) "put on Christ" in a particular way at their ordination. This is what this part of the ordination mass symbolizes. In the prayer of ordination Christ configures the men to himself, makes their very being "look" like him in his servant-hood. This is an invisible change. By putting on the vestments of the deacon, the new deacons make the invisible change visible to others.

I have posted more pictures on Facebook if you would like to check them out.

How can one hate such a kind, gentle, and yet BRAVE man?

2010-04-22T17:03:00.003+02:00

My heart has been suffering no lack of distress over the recent media attacks on the HOLY FATHER. At this point it is please that the New York Times and SNAP no longer care so much about truth. They do not even care about the victims at this point. They only care about hate. They hate the Church, and they want us to hate also. They oppose the man who bravely proclaims, Deus Caritas Est GOD IS LOVE. So please read this article AN OPEN LETTER TO HANS KUNG. So do you chose to hate or do you chose to cooperate with the love of Christ?

Pray for the Pope.

St. Anselm: Why study theology?

2010-04-21T09:15:00.002+02:00

Today's saint is St. Anselm. I doubt that many have a strong devotion to him, but he is highly important. I write on him in relation to my studies. Why study theology? Or perhaps a better question: How is the study of God even possible?

St. Anselm saw theology as simply Faith seeking understanding. The mysteries we believe in -- the Trinity, the coming of Christ into the world (Christmas!), the Sacrifice on the Cross, the Resurrection -- are mysteries. All Christians are called to kneel before them in contemplation. But we can also inquire into them - this is not an impossible task. They remain mysteries, since they are deeper than the mind dig, but our faith seeks to be understood by us. The fact that the Ask Father Box at most parishes is full almost every week indicates this.

But is it not pride that we seek to understand these mysteries that are so far "above" us? Yes and no - if we see these mysteries as an object of scientific inquiry, than yes that is pride -- this is not a physical science. However, we are not only called to know God, but to love Him. We see the person we love the most and we seek to know Him better. You would never put your spouse through the rigors of scientific inquiry, that just doesn't make sense, but over the years of marriage you come to know him or her very deeply. This is the knowledge that our faith seeks about God. It is not pride, because God has made us to know and to love him. He made us in His image and likeness, so we are "like unto God" in a certain way of speaking, and hence can learn about him.

So why does the seminarian spend so much time studying theology? Because our callings to follow Christ as one of his priest springs from His love for us, and our response to love him in return. Just like the spouse seeks to know his beloved in love and even to contemplate her; the Christian soul on fire for the love of God seeks to know Him and to contemplate Him.

Holy Hour

2010-04-21T00:01:00.001+02:00

Today is the third in a series of Holy Hour homilies that my seminary class has been sponsoring as part of our preparation for diaconate ordination. The basic concept is that during the normal time of exposition, which on other days is reserved for silent private prayer, our class invites a priest to preach on a particular topic relating to the sacrament that we will be receiving in October. The sermons have already covered the Promise of Obedience, and another one that was supposedly on prayer. Today's sermon will be delivered by Fr. Bob Barron, of Word on Fire Ministries, and will be on celibacy.

The reason that the homilies on the life of a deacon are given in the context of a preached holy hour is simple: to highlight the importance of prayer in living the life of a deacon and later the life of a priest. In fact, prayer is important for any Christian that wishes to seriously live the Christian life. Christian claim to love Christ. Prayer is spending time with Christ. How can any serious Christian claim to love Christ, if he never spends any time with him?

Prayer is part of each day. Each day there is Mass and Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer as a seminary community, along with a prolonged time of private prayer (usually about an hour). During walks to lectures I pray the rosary, and other prayers.

I try to pray each morning, but when sleep seems to win the battle in the morning, I pray in the afternoon. What blood is to the life of the body, prayer is to the life of the soul. The body will not live long without blood, so the spiritual life of the soul will quickly be drained without the infusion of prayer. It is never to late to begin praying.

Five Years Ago Today: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum! Habemus Papam!

2010-04-19T13:50:00.002+02:00

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum! Habemus Papam! (I announce to [all of] you great joy! We have a Pope!). These are the words, that rang over the great "gathering space" of the Universal Church, St. Peter's Square five years ago today. It is a message with great joy. Like joy in our heart as the deacon announces to us the great joy of the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil.

On his recent pastoral visit to Malta, he noted the dark cloud over Europe. This was in reference to the volcanic cloud from Iceland, but could also be the dark cloud of the decaying European culture. Five years ago today, a ray of light shone through this darkness. I voice that is a great voice, not because he announces himself, but rather that he announces He in whom all things were made and have their being, Jesus Christ. The voice of moral truth in a world that prefers the darkness (cf. John 1:5 and 1:10-1).

As he testifies to the light, so that all may believe.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as sucessor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the powers of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.

And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Pater...

Ave...

Gloria...

Peter, do you love me?

2010-04-18T15:57:00.000+02:00

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus ask Peter three times, "Simon, do you love me?" Three times the Peter says, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you!" And Jesus responds, "Feed my sheep." There are two things that we can learn from this. First is the mercy of the Lord - yes the mercy of the Lord. We remember that Peter denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus gives better three opportunities to redeem those denials. Each time that we have denied Jesus with our sins, He calls us through the sacrament of confession, "Bill Brunner, do you love me?" And by confessing our sins, we say, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you!" Since we will not let our sins keep us from the love of Jesus for us - but we need to respond to that invitation to "un-do" that sin.

This Sunday is also the Sunday of the "Primacy of Peter." Since the Church looks at this Gospel as the time when Jesus gives Peter the first place among the apostles. After all, Peter, and only Peter, is the only one that Jesus told to "feed my sheep." This primacy continues to this day through the ministry of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

In the Holy Land, on the shore of the sea of Galilee, there is a little church called the "Primacy of Peter Church." Re-read the gospel again, and look at these pictures. This church was built on the spot that tradition holds that today's Gospel took place. In the upper picture you can see the inside of the church. In the center is a large rock. This is the rock on which Jesus served his disciples the breakfast of fish. It is just off this shore that Jesus directed them to the miracle of the large catch of fish. It is hear that Jesus, in his mercy, invited Peter to re-affirm his love of Jesus, and those reverse the denials. It is also here that we can enter in prayer, and respond to Jesus when he invites us to do the same.

The lower picture is one of me standing on the sea-shore just outside the church.

Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter

2010-04-18T09:00:00.000+02:00

The priest at today's Mass will pray these words over the gifts of bread and wine that we offer. Receive these gifts from your Church. May the great joy you give us come to perfection in heaven.
*
The prayers that are said over the bread and wine always contain a little "theological nugget," and if you want to understand what we as Catholics believe about the Eucharist, meditate and reflect on these little prayers.
*
Reflecting on today's prayer, we see the basic "back and forth" of each Mass. We give God something, joined to the sacrifice of Christ; and God looking down on His Son and our offering, gives us so much more back, so much more!
*
Receive these gifts... What do we give to God? We give Him our very lives. Each morning I pray: Accept O Lord, through the Immaculate Heart of your Mother, this day with all its prayers and works; joys and sufferings... We give our lives by giving God all our prayers and works -- and also all our struggles. This could be the struggle of not gossiping about a co-worker behind her back. It could be the struggle of going one day of not committing that sinful habit that we have been struggling with. It is also offering Thanksgiving to God for all the many gifts He gives us each day. So the gifts are not only bread and wine, but our very selves.
*
We give these things because God originally gave them to us. We give them because these struggles have value when joined to the sacrifice of Christ. We given them because of the great promise of God - that He wants to give us a great gift of joy here on earth and perfect and complete joy in heaven. Just a little cooperation with God, and He responds with so much more.
*
Since we are still celebrating Easter, this joy on earth is the fore-taste of the resurrection we will experience in heaven. So in the closing prayer, we pray: Lord... bring us to the glory of the resurrection...

Back from Lent and Easter!

2010-04-17T15:19:00.002+02:00

This week marks a return to the "normal daily schedule" at the North American College. Lent is over, so there the station churches have finished up for the year. Holy week was beautiful. The post-Easter travels to Fatima have lefted me refreshed, both bodily and spiritually - I am now ready for the final push to the end of the year - to finish my STB degree at the Angelicum, and return home in June.

The refectory is all set for the 2010 Rector's Dinner!

This week is also marked by the annual Rector's Dinner. This is the yearly fundraising dinner for the North American College. It also presents us, seminarians, to offer our gratitude to the generous benefactors of the college, who provide the material possibilities for us to be formed in the heart of Rome - in the heart of the Church.

Fresco painting of the Conversion of St. Paul in the Cappella Paolina in the Apostolic Palace. Painted by Michelangelo in 1545

Connected with this dinner is also the Papal Foundation's annual trip to Rome. This foundation provides the Holy Father with much of the funding for his works of social charity. We cannot forget that the Holy Father and the Vatican is the largest charitable organization in the world. These people make that possible. Part of their trip includes their daily Mass. I was very honored to be asked to serve for their Mass today in the Pauline Chapel (Cappella Paolina) in the Palace of the Pope.

Thislittle chapel is decored with two massive fresco paintings by Michelangelo, and has recently been restored. What a treat! It is just a beautiful chapel, and after Mass the servers and choir, all seminarians from the North American College were invited to join the Papal Foundation for their tour of the Sistine Chapel and part of the Pope's Palace.

On the left: Archbishop DiNoia, the celebrant of today's Mass

In additional treat of being invited to serve for this Mass was that Archbishop DiNoia was the celebrant and gave the Foundation a brief talk after the Mass. Archbishop DiNoia gave the college a great lecture on preaching to young adults last year, and he has been to the college a number of times - including celebrating the Easter Vigil for us.

The Archbishop's talk was a short word about liturgy and the new translation of the prayers for Mass. He remarked that every religious tradition has "a sacred language" for their acts of worship. The Hindi uses Sanskrit. The Muslims use Arabic. The Jews use Hebrew. And up until 1970, Catholics only used Latin as their "sacred language." So allowing Mass to be celebrated in English was (and still is) quite a "new thing." So we are still learning how we should be doing it, and we have learned much more since 1970 about theology, and translating, so that is why we need a new translation of the prayers of the Mass.

For the glory of God and the aid to his faithful here on earth...

2010-02-25T12:01:00.001+01:00

Five more saint! The Pope recently approved the canonization of five men and women, so that they can be invoked as saints of the Church. Remember that saints are our friends in heaven, the holy men and women, who with their prayers help us to join them too in heaven.

Two of particular interest:

Brother Andre Bessette - the founder of the Oratory of St. Joseph in Canada. Have you ever buried a statue of St. Joseph so that through his prayers your house may find a buyer? He started this custom.

Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen MacKillop) - foundress of the sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She is the first Australian to be invoked as a saint. May she be the first of many.

A feast to honor a chair?

2010-02-22T12:01:00.000+01:00

It seems strange - a feast of the Church to honor a chair? Today is the feast of the "Chair of Peter." Of course a physical chair is not meant, but rather the chair serves as a symbol of the teaching and caring authority of Peter and his successors. The feast today honors that commission and reminds us to pray for the Pope, who is called the sucessor of Peter and for our own bishop, who has his own chair in the cathedral - since he too shares in the teaching and caring authority of the Church.

The inside of the Church of Peter's Primacy, where the Apostle Peter received "his chair" - the great commision from Christ "to feed my sheep." The large rock that occupies most of the sanctuary is the rock on which Christ served the disciples fish cooked over a charcoal fire after his resurrection.

The goal of Christ is to get us to heaven. But as we read yesterday at Mass the road to heaven is filled with many stumbling blocks -- we call these temptations. So it makes sense that if God wants us to be happy with him in heaven, he will provide us with a guide so that we can avoid those stumbling blocks. He has done this in the Church and in a particular way in the person of Peter - and his sucessors - the Popes. This gives the Pope great authority -- but this authority is not a power trip, but rather one of care - remember what Christ says be not like the pagans who laud their authority over them - but be rather the servant.

The exterior of the Church. It is built right on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Can you recognize Brian Romportl, another seminarian fro the diocese of Green Bay, and my friend Adam Verona, from the diocese of Pittsburgh?

Christ gave this primacy to Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection when he told Peter feed my sheep (read John 21). There is a church building on that spot to commerate this event. It is because Christ entrusted his sheep - his flock - which means us and his Church - that we honor the memory of St. Peter and respect his sucessor - the Pope.

In Saint Peter's basilica the second most important altar is the "Altar of the Chair." On this day it is decorated with candles and of course Mass is celebrated there. It is a visible reminder for us to worship God and thank him for providing us with the Church and the Pope to guide on the the path of Christian life towards happiness with him in heaven. Incidently, this will also be the altar where I will be ordained on October 7, 2010.

This is also one of the few days that the famous statue of St. Peter is vested. This is a particularly beautiful devotion in the city of Rome.

To understand this better I would suggest reading the homily the Pope gave when he was installed as the Pope: Mass for the Inauguration of the Pontificate (24 April 2005).

First Sunday of Lent - in the Holy Land

2010-02-21T12:05:00.002+01:00

As the pilgrim group left Galilee we entered into the deserts of Judea. We wondered how this could be called the "Promised Land." It was in a landscape like this that Jesus would have been tempted.

Today we join Christ in the mystery of his temptations in the desert. The deserts in Judea were the first deserts that I have ever seen, and they are stark and lonely. This is were Christ entered into the struggle with and triumph over the evil one, the Father of Lies. How could Christ be tempted? After all he was God -- but he was also man, and it is in his humanity that he was tempted. He allowed himself to be tempted, so that we could see that the one who tempts us, the Devil, can be overcome. The Church proclaims this reading at the beginning of Lent to remind us of the struggle that we enter into by living the Christian calling of our baptisms. Christ has triumphed, so that we too can triumph.

Here I am swimming in the Dead Sea

What is a temptation? Imagine walking through the desert, being lost in the desert for days. The land starts to fall away, and you approach a large lake. Imagine your thrist. Imagine how much you would want to drink the water. Imagine cupping your hands in the water, lifting it to your mouth and taking a big drink. Instead of sweet fresh living water, you taste the burn of saline water -- dead with so much salt. The "lake" you have found after wondering through the desert is the "Dead Sea." It is the only water on earth that brings death and not life. The water of this sea is what you thought you wanted, but instead it brings death. This is the image that shows what a tempation is. A temptation is that which looks like what we want -- like the water in the desert, but which actually is what brings death --.

Holyland reflection for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: “Depart from me Lord…”

2010-02-07T16:25:00.001+01:00

Between Capernaum and the German retreat house that I stayed at in Galilee is a little bay called the "Bay of the Parables." Ancient devout tradition holds tihs is where Jesus taught the crowds from a boat, as we read in todays Gospel. The shore rises up around the bay to create a little natural amphitheatre, allowing the whole crowd to hear the parables.

At the bottom of this entry I have included a link to today's readings from Mass and a good homily from my former teacher at Mundelein, Fr. Bob Barron. I have been juggling the best way to share the Holy Land experience with you, my friends and family. I think the best way is to bring in the pictures and my personal experiences as we move through the "year of grace" - the liturgical year, since through the flow of the liturgical year we together enter into the mystery of Christ's life here on earth.

We even tested out the theory at the bay of parables - here are some of my friends from the North American College reading the parables. The level of the sea has dropped since Christ's days, it used to be above the dried reeds in the picture.

I spent Christmas day this past year walking along the shores of Lake Gennesaret (a.k.a. Sea of Galilee), where the story from today's Gospel takes place. At first it seems like two days Gospel is an odd link between the unrelated episodes of Jesus teaching the crowds, and the call of Peter. Why does the Church put these two episodes together in today's lectionary? The first part does not even tell us what Jesus taught the crowds, "The he sat down and taught he crowds from the boat." If we want to find out what Jesus taught we actually need to go to the Gospel of Mark (4:1-41). What the Church wants to emphasize here is not so much the what of Jesus's teachings, but rather who the teacher is.

***

Is Jesus just like "every other wise man and great teacher" or in him do we find some one unique and amazing? This is a very important question - if Jesus is simply one of many "wise men and great teachers," we can simply disregard his teachings when the become too difficult, or unfashionable. This is what many actually are trying to do: Jesus say he who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery, and if you wish to be called my disciple take up your cross and come and follow me. These teachings, among others are hard - the world wants to live in all sorts of adultery; the world does not want to pick up the cross. The world wants to ignore these teachings precisely because they are hard and unfashionable. Jesus however is not just "a wise man and a great teacher."

***

Look again at the readings. In Mark the teaching of the parables is immediately followed by Jesus calming the storm at sea. In today's reading from Luke immediately after Jesus taught the crowd he directs Peter to a miraculous catch of fish (Peter here represents the world, who resists the direction that Christ gives), forgives his sins, and calls him to now be catching men. Are these not all things that only God can do? The first two are genuine miracles that show the Jesus is Lord even over the weather and the animals (the heavens and the deep), and the forgiveness of sins and the calling of men is reserved to the power of God. By connecting the two we are supposed to see that we should strive to follow the teachings of Christ and his Church, because there in Christ we find something more than "a wise man and a great teacher," but rather we find God himself teaching us - so we follow the teaching not because it is easy or fashionable, but rather because they are the words of a Father who dearly loves us as his sons and daughters, and wants what is best for us.
So what did Jesus teach the crowds from the boat? We are those crowds that he teaches, and he teaches us the love of God the Father for us, but also he teachs us what we do not want to follow. Just as Peter did not want to listen to the direction that Christ wanted to give him, but when he did listen and responded to the word, he was richly provided, in fact he received more fish than he could even receive - so too with us - when we listen to the teaching of Christ, we too will receive abundant blessings and rich rewards.

The man in this picture is my friend Matt Libra from Portland in Oregon. This is the only waterfall on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Fishermen come here to wash out their nets, just like in the days of Christ. I even saw a fishman come in to wash his nets while praying here one day. There is a good chance that this is where Jesus found his first four disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John, since they would have come ashore here to wash their nets.

Now the last part of the story is really quite a mystery. Why does Peter follow Jesus? Why did Jesus decide to call Peter? In these two questions I see my own vocational call. Why do I follow Jesus? Why did Jesus decide to call me to be a priest? Venerable Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, even ponders over this own call to the priesthood in the book Gift and Mystery. Peter would find it to be a great gift that God has called him to be his disciple, and I am finding it to be a great gift to be called by God to be one of his priests - configured to his bleeding heart. I eagerly look forward to October when I will be ordained a deacon in Rome, and to next year when I will be ordained a priest back home.

***

Yet - I do not know why Christ has called me. Yes - with Peter there was the amazing catch of fish, but is that enough for Peter to give up his income, his family, all that he knows - in order to follow this mysterious man Jesus? Could it be that while Jesus was speaking, "...now you will be catching men," Peter's heart was tuned to the heart of Christ that was speaking literally "heart to heart" in a deep mystery of prayer and contemplation? God has arranged it so that I would met the right people to help me hear the call, learn to pray, grow more solid in my faith - yet was this enough for me to hear the call? What can I point at in myself to say, "God called me for this reason?" I do not know, but deep from within my heart, during times of prayer, I have not so much heard, as felt a pull towards the priesthood - and this was the heart of Christ breaking though my hard heart and pulling me towards him.

Today's readings from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The homily of Fr. Bob Barron, from Word on Fire Ministries

Well apparently I wasn't the only one who couldn't resist...

2010-02-01T20:47:00.003+01:00

Apparently I wasn't the only one who couldn't resist the draw of Il potere e la grazia, i patroni dell'Europa. This is the exhibit that I promise I will write more about...but now this breaking news from Catholic News Service:

Pope Sneaks Out to See Exhibit

VATICAN CITY -- Twenty-five years ago, it wasn't unusual for Pope John Paul II to sneak out of the Vatican in the winter to go skiing.

Pope Benedict XVI left the Vatican unannounced last evening to visit an art exhibit, according to reports today from Vatican Radio and L'Osservatore Romano.

Yesterday marked the end of the four-month run of the exhibit, "The Power and the Grace: The Patron Saints of Europe," at Rome's Palazzo Venezia Museum, and Pope Benedict was amoung the last of the more than 100,000 people to visit the show.

The Vatican newspaper said the pope arrived at the museum about 6:30 PM with his two private secretaries and four lay women who care for the private papal household. The women are members of the Communion and Liberation's Memores Domini Association.

While the public was held at bay for thirty-five minutes, the pope and his entourage were shown the more than one hundred works on disply by the curator of the exhibit, the Italian ambassador to Italy and an undersecretary of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government.

For the last month of the exhibit, the Louvre in Paris loaned the museum Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of Saint John the Baptist. Other works on display included Jan van Eyck's painting of Saint Francis of Assisi with the stigmate, Caravaggio's Saint John the Baptist, and El Greco's painting of Saint Louis IX of France.

It's not every day that I make it in the newspaper

2010-02-01T12:36:00.003+01:00

Biography?

Well I am pretty sure that is not what most of you were expecting, but I must admit that he has quite a good name.

Exams are going well, two down, four to go -- including a double header on Wedensday (Sacraments and Ecumenical Theology). Then it is on to Belgium for a relaxing week at the American Seminary there.

Hope all of you find a little something to bring a smile to your face today.

25 Years old and still enjoying the last day of school...

2010-01-27T16:40:00.002+01:00

Today was the last day of school for the first semester. It is quite a joy. I celebrated by attending an expostion called Il Potere e la grazia, i patroni d'Europa (The power and the glory: the patron saints of Europe -- more on this in a later post - I promise).

This also means that the exam period begins. There are advantages, such as a looser house schedule, and a more free to use my own discretion in the use of time. But there are also disadvantages, such as well -- having exams. I have a pretty solid schedule with one exam a day each day next week.

Thank you for the prayers.

Answering to a higher call.

2010-01-26T15:06:00.000+01:00

Imagine being the only minor league play of the year to get the much sought after 30-30 record? Imagine having the realistic prospect of fulfilling your childhood dream and actually playing for the pro's? It is even the team that you loved when you were a kid that is interested in you. Just waiting for the call?

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you Mr. Grant Desme. He is just the man I have been describing. What a story: Grant did receive the call to show up for spring training with the Oakland A's, but instead he answered a different (and higher) call. He will be joining the Norbertines of St. Michael Abbey in California to become a Catholic priest. Talk about dedication. Read the story for youself: A's MVP Desme Retires for Priesthood

Christian Triumph in Iraq

2010-01-25T14:47:00.003+01:00

The blood of martyrs is the seeds of the Church.

There is a new Chaldean-Catholic Bishop for the faithful in Iraq!

On Jan. 17, 2010 Emil Shimoun Nona was consecrated as the Chaldean-Catholic bishop of Mosul. He succeeds Servant of God Paulos Faraj Raho, who was martyred by Islamic extremists in 2008.

Our prayers should go out to the Chaldean-Catholics of Iraq, who so bravely remain faithful in a country so hostile to the faith.

Papal Audience

2010-01-11T11:53:00.003+01:00

(photo courtesy of L'Osservatore Romano)

This past Saturday as part of the celebrations for the 150th Anniversary of the Pontifical North American College, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, granted the entire college a private audience. This amounts to about 500 men and women in total.

Much to all of our surprises the seating was general, it was not divided among alumni, seminarians, benefactors, etc., but rather first-come-first-serve seating. Adding to this was that Papa Ratzinger moved down along the sides of the center aisle and greeted every person within his arm reach along the aisle.

Here is the text of the talk that His Holiness delivered to us:

Your Eminences,
Dear Brother Bishops and Priests,

I am pleased to welcome the alumni of the Pontifical North American College, together with the Rector, faculty and students of the seminary on the Janiculum hill, and the student priests of the Casa Santa Maria dell'Umilita'. Our meeting comes at the conclusion of the celebrations marking the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the College's establishment by my predecessor, Blessed Pius IX. On this happy occasion I willingly join you in thanking the Lord for the many ways in which the College has remained faithful to its founding vision by training generations of worthy preachers of the Gospel and ministers of the sacraments, devoted to the Successor of Peter and committed to the building up of the Church in the United States of America.

It is appropiate, in this Year for Priests, that you have returned to the College and this Eternal City in order to give thanks for the academic and spiritual formation which has nourished your priestly ministry over the years. The present reunion is an opportunity not only to remember with gratitude the time of your studies, but also to reaffirm your filial affection for the Church of Rome, to recall the apostolic labors of the countless alumni who have gone before you, and to recommit yourselves to the high ideals of holiness, fidelity and pastoral zeal which you embraced on the day of your ordination. It is likewise an occasion to renew you love for the College and your appreciation of its distinctive mission to the Church in your country.

During my Pastoral Visit to the United States, I expressed my conviction that the Church in America is called to cultivate "an intellectual 'culture' which is genuinely Catholic, confident in the profound harmony of faith and reason, and prepared to bring the richness of faith's vision to bear on the pressing issues which affect the future of American society" (Homily at Nationals Stadium, Washington, 17 April 2008). As Blessed Pius IX rightly foresaw, the Pontifical North American College in Rome is uniquely prepared to help meet this perennial challenge. In the century and a half since its foundation, the College has offered its students an exceptional experience of the universality of the Church, the breadth of her intellectual and spiritual tradition, and the urgency of her mandate to bring Christ's saving truth to men and women of every time and place. I am confident that, by emphasizing
these hallmarks of a Roman education in every aspect of its program of formation, the College will continue to produce wise and generous pastors capable of transmitting the Catholic faith in its integrity, bringing Christ's infinite mercy to the weark and the lost, enabling America's Catholics to be a leaven of the Gospel in the social, political and cultural life of their nation.

Dear brothers, I pray that in these days you will be renewed in the gifts of the Holy Spirit which you received on the day of your ordination. In the College chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady is portrayed in the company of four outstanding models and patrons of priestly life and ministry: Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Pius X, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Vincent de Paul. During this Year for Priests, may these great saints continue to watch over the students who daily pray in their midst; may they guide and sustain your own ministry, and interceded for the priests of the United States. With cordial good wishes for the spiritual fruitfulness of the coming days, and with great affection in the Lord, I impart to you my Apostolic Blessing, which I willingly extend to all the alumni and friends of the Pontifical North American College.

(c) Copyright 2010 - Liberia Editrice Vaticana

Back from the Holy Land

2010-01-05T18:58:00.002+01:00

It was a great trip, and I can not even expect to be able to re-cap it in only the short time that I have right now. I hope that all of you had a happy and holy Christmas season. More pictures from the trip will be forth coming.

Three Saints "on-deck"

2009-12-19T16:36:00.002+01:00

Today the Holy Father signed a number of decrees confirming that men and women put forward for consideration did in fact live a life of heroic virtue. This moves all one step closer to being declared saints. What is needed are confirmed miracles. Please pray for there intercession that these three holy men can be raised to the altars quickly.

Venerable Pius XII, Victor over the Fascists

The first one was a surprise to everyone. There was not even the splinter of a rumor that B-16 was about to declare Pope Pius XII to be venerable. Some have even commented that the Pope's own private secretary did not know. (Which would not surprise me). This gives me great joy, since history has maligned this Holy Man, and I have a personal devotion to him.

Venerable John Paul II, Victor over the Communists

The second was much anticipated, and expected: Pope John Paul II is now considered to be venerable. Above is his first communion picture. In conversation with George Weigel once, I asked if he thought Benedict would put Pius XII and John Paul II on parallel tracks. Dr. Weigel thought no. It is not often I am right, when Dr. Weigel and I disagree.

The last one is Fr. Jerzy (George) Popielouszko (pictured above). He was martyred by the Polish Communist in 1984. To declare him Venerable on the same day as John Paul II, who did so much to end Communism in Europe, must make both smile in heaven.

One last picture of Pius XII

Twelve days in the Holy Land

2009-12-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

Most gratefully I share with you that I will be spending the next twelve days in the Holy Land.What makes this Land Holy? It is the Land that God chose to make Holy. It is the land that He Promised to the Israelites as they wandered through the desert. It was the Land where He chose to be born, to live, to teach, to work miracles, to offer Himself up in sacrifice on the Cross, and where He rose from the dead.

I am grateful for all who have made this possible, especially the Diocese of Green Bay, who see this pilgrimage as an important part of my formation to be a priest.

I will not have Internet access during the trip, but I will make sure to post many pictures when I return to Rome on Jan. 1.

Please keep me in prayer. I will keep you, my friends and family in prayer.

Do they have Saint Nick in Italy?

2009-12-12T10:44:00.005+01:00

Dec. 6 fell on a Sunday this year, so instead of St. Nick, we celebrated a Sunday of Advent. That does not mean however that St. Nick forgot to make his visits this year... waking up to cross the hall for my (first) cup of coffee of the day, low and behold, the jolly old bishop has left me a little gift outside my door -- not a stocking or a shoe but a little read gift bag filled with all sorts of good Italian chocolates. Seeing the empty wrappers, it looks like he couldn't resist having a little taste or two.

Even though there is a church dedicated to San Nicolo (Italian for Nicolas) and he is buried in Bari in southern Italy, the tradition of St. Nicolas giving gifts is not strong in Italy (except of course at the North American College!). Rather the Italian gift giver is a witch, called a Befana, that comes not on Dec. 6, not on Christmas Eve, but rather on Jan. 6, on Epiphany, when the Three Magi came to bring gifts to the Infant Christ.

Why a witch? Good question. We have a little motion-activated Befana as part of our corridor decorations, and every time that witch-y laugh is activated by an innocent sem. passing in the hallway, I just don't think of Christmas. There are a few legends:

First: The Befana was the innkeeper who turned Joseph and Mary away from
the Inn at Bethlehem, and now as her punishment she has to travel the world on
Epiphany Eve distributing toys to good boys and girls, and coal to bad boys and
girls.

Second: The Befana helped give the Three Kings directions to find the Baby
Jesus in Bethlehem, and as her reward she was made the mother of every little
boy and girl in Italy.

Vergine Immacolate, aiutaci!

2009-12-08T20:47:00.003+01:00

Immaculate Conception, by Peter Paul Reubens

Wow - what a day! This is the 150th anniversary of the Pontifical North American College. We celebrated the two ways all good Catholics celebrate: a big beautifully executed Mass followed by a big beautifully executed banquet. Being the Master of Ceremonies for the Mass, along with a little chest cold, it got me beat.

Thinking about this big celebration, one needs to ask: Why? God is all powerful, He could have drawn forth his Son in the flesh from any mother. So why the pre-redeemed Immaculate Mother? Praying vespers with the seminary community, the splendor of this gift of God shines forth in the third antiphon: The robe you wear is white as spotless snow; your face radiant like the sun (Vestimentum tuum candidum quasi nix; et facies tua sicut sol). This recalls the transfiguration, where the glory of Jesus shines forth in his very humanity. Mary is the first called to share in that glory, but we too are called to be sons of glory. Mary in her Immaculate Conception, shows forth the splendor of the glory we are called to. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception because we hope that our robes will also be as white as spotless snow, and our faces as radiant as the sun.

Mary is the singular example for us, but also the way, for she is the way that the One, Christ, entered the world -- the highway of grace. This is a two way highway, so it is through her intercession, her cooperation with the Almighty, that we are lifted into the realm of grace.

the "other American College"....

2009-12-07T10:27:00.002+01:00

A carving of an Indian head from the exterior of the American College in Belgium.

During diaconate ordiantions and the canonization of St. Damien, the North American College was "invaded" by the "other American College." Most do not know that there are in fact two American seminaries in Europe, the one in Rome where Brian Romportl and I study, and one in Louvain (which is in fact one year older!).

It is a very small seminary, under twenty seminarians, but it is rich in its history. It some how managed to stay open during World War I, and even managed to preserve many of the treasures of Louvain while the Germans burnt the rest of the town.

It has many connections to the diocese of Green Bay. At least two of our bishops were trained as priest there, Bishop Fox and our very own Bishop Ricken.

The history continues. Currently the diocese has two seminarians studying there: Chris Thelen and Amadi Alvan. I know that they would appreciate your prayers and maybe even a card during the holiday season. There contact information can be found on the seminarian website.

Feast of Saint Andrew

2009-11-30T06:07:00.003+01:00

The martyrdom of Saint Andrew

For the Mass readings

From the Gospel according to John: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of hte two who heard John [the Baptist] and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which can be translated Anointed [in Latin Christus]). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). (chapter 1 verses 40-2)

I have a great devotion to Andrew. It is not just because there are at least three great churches dedicated to him in Rome, one of which is on my way to lectures this morning. Nor is it that his body is one of the five principle relics at Saint Peter's. It is rather that I see him as a great model for who I should be as a priest. Really who all of us should be as Christians, baptized to be apostles of the Lord.

Christ is living. He was alive, and Andrew and Peter met him in the flesh (in caro), and we can say so easily that since we do not live when Peter and Andrew lived, we cannot know him. The best we can do is know about him. How sad this would be, and we rejoice it is not true. At Easter we proclaim, Christ lives! So Christ is as alive for us here and now, as he was for Andrew and Peter.

Andrew did not try to explain to his brother, who Christ was. Rather he lead him to Jesus. Andrew wanted Peter to know Christ. As the priest, I hope that at one level I can share the who and the what of Christ, but better and greater than that, I pray for the people who will one day be in my care, that they may meet Christ.

We can, and as Christians, we ought to lead others to Christ. John the Baptist, and Andrew are our models for this.

God bless.

The one that martyrdom lacks...

2009-11-11T00:01:00.001+01:00

Saint Martin giving half of his cloak to Christ, by El Greco (Spanish, 1597)

Today the Church celebrates and remembers Saint Martin of Tours. While we rarely hear of Saint Martin anymore, it is interesting to see how many very old churches in Europe are dedicated to him, almost as many as there are dedicted to the Blessed Virgin Mary!

Saint Martin was the first non-martyr Catholic honored as a saint of the Church. This was remember in the Church with the saying: It was not Martin that lacked martyrdom, but martyrdom that lacked Martin. While this can remain only an interesting bit of trivia, we really should ask what this means in our life. Are we asked to make the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom? Probably not, but by declaring Martin of Tours a saint, we re-affirm the belief that each of us are called to be saints. It is not limited to a holy elite, but the way of happiness opened to us all.

Saint Martin of Tours...

...Pray for us!

St. Jude, patron of hopeless cases...

2009-10-28T22:06:00.003+01:00

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...

2009-10-27T18:06:00.002+01:00

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.

2009-10-23T14:48:00.001+02:00

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...

2009-10-22T11:40:00.001+02:00

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)

2009-10-21T17:42:00.000+02:00

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...

2009-10-20T16:28:00.000+02:00

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?

2009-10-19T16:14:00.002+02:00

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

2009-10-12T15:24:00.002+02:00

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

Shared via AddThis

Rome: how sweet thou art!

2009-09-12T11:13:00.003+02:00

I was going to title this entry: "So after sleeping with 400 people I did not know....,"* but decided against it since such a name may cause scandal. Anyways, after almost 15 hours of travel I have safely returned to Rome for my third year of theology studies. It is actually quite a significant year, since I will be completing my first degree in theology and above all since it is just over a year (one year and 25 days to be exact) until I am ordained a deacon in Rome.

Interior of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, my favorite church for prayer in Rome.

Arriving on Thursday I did not pack right away, but had my priorities in order and paid my first visit to Saint Peter's to pray at the tomb of John Paul II and to attend Mass. Crossing seven time zones in 15 hours leads to a bit of jet lag, and sad to say my "active and attentive participation" at Mass conisisted at attempting to remain awake as best I could. The evening was spent out at a local trattoria, to enjoy the long missed pizza. There is nothing quite like pizza in Rome.

This morning (Saturday) I took a walk to re-aquaint myself with the old friend that the city of Rome has become. It is the eternal city, and I can say that not much has changed. I enjoyed the same cream taste of a cafe macchiato at one of my favorite coffee bars, and spent a significant time in prayer at my favorite church in the city: Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

An old view of the interior of the Pantheon

On the walk back I also stopped at one of the most popular sites in the city, the Pantheon. It is almost 2,000 years old and it is quite amazing that it has survived for so long -- part of that survival has been that it was consecrated as a church to Saint Mary and all the Martyrs 1400 years ago. Some revisionists would say that the Christians "stole" the pantheon, but in reality, it was saved and glorified by its conversion into a church.

*In reference to sleeping on the plane of course! What else would you be thinking?

Triduum for Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Part III)

2009-09-05T00:01:00.000+02:00

Some nationals of India attending the beatification of Mother Teresa

Last of the triduum of reflections for Mother Teresa

On this day twelve years ago Mother Teresa enter her Master's Joy when she died and was accepted into the loving hands of God in heaven. In more crude terms she expired.

In the first reflection we looked at the word inspire, meaning breathing in - in specifically breathing in the Holy Spirit. Expire than means breathing out - in specific breathing out the the Spirit we have received. Mother spent her whole life breathing out the Spirit that she received - she literally spent her whole life ex-(s)piring. She remembered the words of the Gospel:

To those who have, more will be given; and to those who have not, even what they
have will be taken away from us.

She received the Spirit of God, and she breathed it out back into the world, so she was given it all the more. If she had not breathed it out into the world, it would have been taken from her. But God saw that He made "a good investment" in Mother, and continued to invest His Spirit - continued to breath His Spirit into her heart.

We too receive this Spirit, not for our own sake, but so that we can be the eyes, hands, feet and HEART of Jesus in the world. So let us spend our life expiring for:

Only when a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies does it bring forth new life.

Let us pray:

Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Give me your most beautiful heart,
As pure, as immaculate,
As full of love and of humility,
So that I can receive Jesus in the Bread of Life,
So that I can love Him as you have loved Him,
And so that I can serve Him as you have served Him
Under the figure of the poorest of the poor.
Amen.

Prayer composed by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Triduum for Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Part II)

2009-09-04T00:01:00.005+02:00

Two saints: Blessed Mother of Teresa meeting Venerable Servant of God John Paul II

Continuing the Triduum of reflections on Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Soon after God called Mother Teresa to the “new path” of serving Him in the poorest of the poor, Mother made a vow: Never to deny God anything.

Let us reflect just for a second how amazing this is: It is total gift. It is totally a gift of love to Him who first loved us. It is also total Freedom. This may sound odd, after all by never denying God anything, do we not give up our Freedom? This is the amazing part. God is all powerful, He has the might to force and coerce us into doing His will. He does not though. He loves us too much to do that. He allows us to share in His Freedom. So when we give ourselves totally to Him, we share totally in His Freedom.

Mother Teresa found this to be true in her own life. She was now free for God, free to serve Him in a radical way that she could not before. We are called to this same Freedom – I am not saying we are called to do the same things that Mother did, but we are called never to deny God anything. We recall the words of Saint Francis de Sales, “God asks only one thing of us, and that is to be ourselves perfectly.” So when God ask something of us, He is asking us to be more who we are. This could be to be more of a husband or wife, more of a father or mother, more of a son or daughter. This is how we are called to follow the path that Mother took, but in the way that God calls us. This is the basis of what the Church calls the Universal Call to Holiness. We are all called to be saints.

Let us pray:

Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Give me your most beautiful heart,
As pure, as immaculate,
As full of love and of humility,
So that I can receive Jesus in the Bread of Life,
So that I can love Him as you have loved Him,
And so that I can serve Him as you have served Him
Under the figure of the poorest of the poor.
Amen.

Prayer composed by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Triduum for Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Part I)

2009-09-03T00:01:00.000+02:00

Young Mother Teresa of Calcutta

In preparation for remembering Mother Teresa on her feast day I have prepared a short series of reflections on her life.

Before she founded the Missionaries of Charity, Teresa was a Sister of Loretto. She taught young Indian girls, and was quite content doing this. She was not looking to start a new religious order. She was not looking to be sent out on mission. This all changed when she was travelling to her annual retreat. On the way there she was inspired to care for God in His poorest of the poor.

We too are on a journey like Mother was. We too are quite content the way things are. Are we prepared to be lead by God into the direction that He wants to take us? This can be scary, since this direction very often be different than where we would like to go. Mother Teresa also experienced this same fear, but she was inspired. God also wants to inspire us. He loves us and wants to direct us to the deep happiness that we can only find in His heart.

When we look at the word inspire, we can see it literally means to breath into. When God inspired Mother Teresa, He literally breathed His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, into her heart. This is what gave Mother the strength to follow where God was leading her. God also breathes the Holy Spirit into our hearts.

Let us pray:

Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Give me your most beautiful heart,
As pure, as immaculate,
As full of love and of humility,
So that I can receive Jesus in the Bread of Life,
So that I can love Him as you have loved Him,
And so that I can serve Him as you have served Him
Under the figure of the poorest of the poor.
Amen.

Prayer composed by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

One thing I forgot to mention in my St. Augustine entry

2009-08-28T12:01:00.000+02:00

Solemn (?) profession of a canon at the Norbertine Abbey of Sant'Antimo in Tuscany in Italy, which is one of the few Norberite houses active in Italy (perhaps the only one besides the Abbot General's)

Saint Augustine also left us the Rule of Saint Augustine, which is older than the rule of Saint Benedict (it almost hurts me to type that), and is used by a large number of religious communities - Augustian Friars, Augustian Canons (where I stayed during my Christmas trip to Vienna this past year), Dominicans (the fathers of my beloved university - the Angelicum), and also the Norbertines.

Since the Norbertines profess to follow the rule of St. Augustine, by custom they make there professions on the feast of St. Augustine. The local De Pere Norbertines will be professing one Canon this morning at Mass. Congratulations and prayers to them.

Ever ancient; ever new: Saint Augustine

2009-08-28T00:01:00.000+02:00

The arrival of Saint Augustine to Milan

What can be said about today's saint? He is a man that seems truly larger than life. His importance cannot be under-estimated. It was to his tomb that Benedict XVI made one of his first pilgrimages after ascending to the throne of Peter. It was five general audiences that the same Pope catechized about St. Augustine(1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). John Paul II devoted a whole Apostolic letter to him: AUGUSTINUM HIPPONSENSEM.

His influence on theology cannot be underestimated -- I know this especially now, as there is hardly a course that I attend that does not go back to Saint Augustine at some point.

He not only left us with theology, but his very own reflections on his spiritual journey in the Confessions. Here his theology meets his personal experience.

In his Confessions, we can see that St. Augustine in his time (the decline of the Roman empire) and his place (northern Africa) faced many challenges that are analogous to what we as Christian of the third millenium face. As a culture we look make many of the conversions that he made on his journey to Christ.

It would me impossible to summarize even a list of the themes that are covered in this great doctor's works, so the following thoughts are necessarily incomplete:

The Saint took the words of Christ seriously - I am the way, the truth and the light - for this reason for the saint there could be no disagreement between what he knew from revelation (scripture and tradition) and what he knew from reason (Greek philosophy). For us today this means that there can be no conflict between what is taught in matters of faith and morals and what we learn from science. At a specific level - the fact that science does not consult with moral philosophers, means that science is in moral error. An example: If you find any biology or an anatomy book from before 1973 (the year of Roe vs. Wade) it will clearly teach that human life begins at conception, it is only after the moral error of Roe vs. Wade that the truth about human life becomes confused among the scientist.
There is beauty in being a Christian. So often beauty and truth come together. A reflection from G.K. Chesterton: After I had told others that I was becoming Christian they would say, "you poor thing, having to stoop low to enter those old ugly churches," but never did I ever enter something so beautiful as a Catholic church. The beauty of Catholicism is so often lost today, but interiorly it is still there. There is a beauty in Catholicism, because there is nothing more beautiful than love, and Catholics more than anyone believe in the greatest love that there is - the love of the Father, the Lover; for the Son, the Beloved; and this Love itself is the Holy Spirit. As Catholics we trust, without fail, that salvation means being incorportated into this eternal exchange of divine love. What could be more beautiful than that?
Lastly would be Augustines view on history, which to be honest I am not well versed on, but it has important political repercussions for today: History begins and ends with God. It flows from God, and will return to him. Even political system that claims to end the drama of history, will always fall short. Many will promise you everything, but only the One, that is God, can fulfill that promise, as Christ says: Come to me all you who are thirsty, and never be thirsty again.

We get ten, they get three -- good company all around

2009-08-27T23:49:00.000+02:00

For the last two weeks I have been visiting different parish to promote the collection for the seminarians of the diocese of Green Bay (Hope for the Future, Help them today). It is always great to see the different parishes in the diocese, and often think, "One day, this could be my parish." With each visit, I love the diocese and the people of the diocese more and more.

I good part of the talk centers on celebrating a simple and pronounced fact: God is answering our prayers for more priests, in fact he has called ten men to enter seminary for our diocese this fall. Adding to the twelve we already have, this means we have twenty-two seminarians. This is great news!

Today we look at another group of priest that serve in the diocese of Green Bay: the Canons Regular of Premontre, a.k.a. the Norbertines. They arrived in the diocese in 1893, with only three Canons, and they have since they built two abbeys, established a national shrine to Saint Joseph, founded my alma mater Saint Norbert College, a number of high schools, and help the diocesan clergy in parish ministry. It is great to have them as co-workers.

God is also answering their prayers for more vocations: this evening three young men will be receiving the habit of Saint Norbert, and will start formation to be Norbertines. We wish the Norbertines many congratulations, and they are assured of many prayers.

a Catholic's Mothers' Day

2009-08-27T19:30:00.002+02:00

Death of Saint Monica, surronded by her children.

I will give my own reflection on this great holy woman, but first Saint Augustine reflects on the death of his mother:

Because the day when she was to leave this life was drawing near – a day known to you, though we were ignorant of it – she and I happened to be alone, through (as I believe) the mysterious workings of your will. We stood leaning against a window which looked out on a garden within the house where we were staying, at Ostia on the Tiber; for there, far from the crowds, we were recruiting our strength after the long journey, in order to prepare ourselves for our voyage overseas. We were alone, conferring very intimately. Forgetting what lay in the past, and stretching out to what was ahead, we enquired between ourselves, in the light of present truth, into what you are and what the eternal life of the saints would be like, for Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor human heart conceived it. And yet, with the mouth of our hearts wide open we panted thirstily for the celestial streams of your fountain, the fount of life which is with you.

This was the substance of our talk, though not the exact words. Yet you know, O Lord, how on that very day, amid this talk of ours that seemed to make the world with all its charms grow cheap, she said, “For my part, my son, I no longer find pleasure in anything that this life holds. What I am doing here still, or why I am still here, I do not know, for worldly hope has withered away for me. One thing only there was for which I desired to linger in this life: to see you a Catholic Christian before I died. And my God has granted this to me more lavishly than I could have hoped, letting me see even you spurning earthly happiness to be his servant. What am I still doing here?”

What I replied I cannot clearly remember, because just about that time – five days later, or not much more – she took to her bed with fever. One day during her illness she lapsed into unconsciousness and for a short time was unaware of her surroundings. We all came running, but she quickly returned to her senses, and, gazing at me and my brother as we stood there, she asked in puzzlement, “Where was I?”

We were bewildered with grief, but she looked keenly at us and said, “You are to bury your mother here”. I was silent, holding back my tears, but my brother said something about his hope that she would not die far from home but in her own country, for that would be a happier way. On hearing this she looked anxious and her eyes rebuked him for thinking so; then she turned her gaze from him to me and said, “What silly talk!” Shortly afterwards, addressing us both, she said, “Lay this body anywhere, and take no trouble over it. One thing only do I ask of you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be”. Having made her meaning clear to us with such words as she could muster, she fell silent, and the pain of the disease grew worse.

My own reflection:

Saint Monica is the mother of Saint Augustine. Much like Mary, devotion to Monica will point us toward the life and teaching of her son Saint Augustine. Unlike Mary who is the mother of the holy one, the ancient of days, Monica had to pray for the conversion of her son. Anyone familar with his life will know that he had quite a wild youth. Her prayers were like the prayers of the persistent widow, and so they were heard, and the grace of conversion was granted to her son. For this reason she is often sought as an intercessor in converting relative. Needless to say, I pray to her often.

During my first year in Rome, I walked past the Church of Saint Augustine at the north end of Piazza Novona almost every morning on my walk to the Gregorian. I would often stop to pray there. I would pray for my mother; I would pray for the intercession of Saint Monica for my constant daily conversion; and I would pray for the conversion of a number of my relatives and family members. I continue these prayers, even though for the past year the church has been under restoration and her tomb has been inaccessible. I look forward to returning to Rome in two weeks to pray there once again.

Duruflé's Messe "Cum jubilo"

2009-08-22T17:45:00.000+02:00

One of the most interesting things I've been a part of in recent months (or really ever, for that matter) has finally come to fruition. No, I am not a priest yet. No, I have not managed to find the money to build one of the many cathedrals that fill the margins of my note book. No, I have not...

Last Spring, the choir of the Pontifical North American College recorded a full-length CD of a Mass setting by the 20th century French composer, Maurice Duruflé. The record, his Messe "Cum jubilo" is now available through JAV Recordings here. For anyone interested in classical/sacred music, it's a great buy!

Altogether, the CD is an entire Mass (sung the way it ought to be!) comprised of both Gregorian chant (Introit, Alleluia, etc.) and Duruflé's compositions, which use Gregorian chant as the foundation, of the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus/Benedictus and Agnus Dei. It even includes all the prayers, propers and readings from the Mass of the Immaculate Conception—the College's patronal feast (you can see a picture of the chapel above, with the prominent Immaculata mosiac above the main altar).

Maurice Durufle at the organ

What's more, there's a great deal of organ improvisation as well, done by one of the most influential and noted organists in the world today: Stephen Tharp. From the bells on the first track to the organ sortie on the final, this recording is something worth checking out. Even the CD booklet has some cool pictures, and some interesting (and meditative) shots of the NAC that some might enjoy. (The cover photo, above, is the mosaic in the apse of the Immaculate Conception chapel at NAC.) Plus, you'll get to hear me sing—and you'll be supporting a good cause.

So visit JAV and pick up a copy. And play it for your kids. They will like it too! [And if they don't, you can teach them!]

A quotable quote:

2009-08-21T18:54:00.001+02:00

Vigo Canon Deant of Christ Church, Oxford: "When the Church begins to proclaim the Gospel in a secular idiom she may end by proclaiming secularism in a Christian idiom."

Question to ponder: Do I as a Christian-Catholic proclaim and witness Christ to the secular world, or rather do I try to dress up a secular hero like Robespierre or Margaret Sanger to look like Christ, and witness that farce to the Christian world?

The first is what the Apostles Peter and John adomish us to do (children do not conform yourself to this world [see: 1 Peter 1:14, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 3:7, 1 John 5:21); while the second is a lie.

How about this for being "pro-active pro-life"?

2009-08-20T18:48:00.002+02:00

You can see this when walking down the Borgo Spirito in Rome: an old fashioned "turn" -- put your baby that you want put up for adoption in and turn the drum and the nuns will take care of him/her -- pro-life action 15th century style

It is being done by a protestant church in Atlanta, but I cannot help be remember the little "turn" that can still be seen on the side of the old Santo Spirito in Sasso Hospital in Rome. This is something that the Catholic Church has always offered. Remembering the admonish from the Letter to the Hebrews to "encourage each other today, while it is still today," it is good to hear that all of us are joining together in this very practical and immediate way to combate the "reign of the culture of death" here in the United States:

Good: Atlanta Church offers to adopt any baby

It also makes me think of when I used to pray outside an abortion clinic in Omaha. On a fairly regular basis a person would stop by to chat on the side-walk or even shout from their cars saying something along these lines, "Well if you don't want me to get an abortion, than take care of my kids..." Well -- we will. This is a great work of social justice.

Meeting the bishop for the first time...

2009-08-19T18:27:00.002+02:00

Another highlight of the seminarian retreat was meeting my bishop for the first time (here is a picture of him ordaining soon-to-be-Fr. Jason Blahnik to the holy priesthood). I had a short time to talk with him one on one, and look forward to his promised visit to the North American College.

I do not know him well, but I am confident that in two years I will be able to make the three priestly promises to him at my ordination: obedience, celibacy, and to pray the liturgy of the hours. How can I be so confident when I do not even know him? Well simply, it is not about his personality, but about his office as bishop. If I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, that means he is lord of history including the history of the diocese of Green Bay. I make the promises to a bishop, who ever that bishop may happen to be.

That being said, after just a short conversion and knowing what others, who I trust, have told me about him, I can say with confidence that the diocese will greatly benefit from having him here. Where we are weak as a diocese, he brings strengths.

If you get a chance to meet him ask him about the founding of Wyoming Catholic College. If similar things happen here under his pastoral care, we will be a power-house of Catholicism.

Brief comment on health care reform...

2009-08-17T22:51:00.000+02:00

A number have asked me what my thoughts are, so a figure a few brief comments...

The United States is the most prosperous nation in the world, so it is a scandal that there are so many without access to basic health care.
The cost of health care has sky-rocketed in recent decades... coincidentally this is when medical care has also first been treated as a "commodity." This is the first time that we see hospitals ran as for-profit institutions, whereas before they were most often not-for-profit institutions (very often sponsored by religious organizations -- just look at the number of Catholic hospitals). So it makes sense that part of the reform of health-care is whether or not medical care should be treated as a for-profit commodity.
After living in a country with government sponsored health care for two years, I can just say from experience we do not want to go there (i.e. health care rationing [do you want a government agency deciding when you get your chemo?] and oddly there is greatly inequality in access to health care [the government hospitals are vastly sub-standard, and the private hospitals are beyond the means of the vast majority of citizens]).
Last point -- no reform of health care can violate the rights of conscience of medical professionals and sponsoring institutions (very often religious). The right to conscience is not made up by the "right" but has long standing in our political tradition (remember conscious objection from the Vietnam war era? -- it is pretty much the same thing here). That being said any law that would require employers or insurance to cover procedures (abortions/sterilizations) or treatments (contraceptives/embryonic stem cell research) that violate the conscience of said employer or insurer is inherently unjust. It is even more unjust than the situation from point 1 -- since freedom of conscience is more basic a right than the duty of society (society is greater than the state - are there any non-government solutions being proposed? - honest question, let me know) to provide health care.

These points being stated -- health care reform is complicated business, but these guidelines seem pretty reasonable to just about anybody. While the need to provide health-care for all is real and pressing, it ought not be done at the sacrifice of a free conscience -- after all our nation was founded to protect freedom of conscience.

Seminarians retreat...

2009-08-17T17:16:00.002+02:00

Last week I was on the seminarian/Serran retreat with my diocesan brother seminarians. It was a great experience. Some of you readers might also have been on it. It was one of the largest seminarian retreats in some time since there are so many new seminarians. There were fourteen seminarians last year, with two ordained to the priesthood that leaves twelve. To these twelve are added ten new seminarians, please keep them in prayer.

Note on the picture: this cross was put up opposite the island's marina by a Catholic Youth Expeditions retreat that I was on, so now every visitor to Chambers Island is greeted by the cross.

Two summers later...

2009-08-10T23:53:00.000+02:00

Two summers later...

Today I will be leaving for the annual seminarian retreat. It has been two summers since I have attended since I was out of the country for my studies in Rome the previous two summers. I am looking forward to it greatly. There are many new seminarians that I have not met, and this year with great joy we welcome ten more seminarians, which almost doubles the number of seminarians for the diocese of Green Bay. Please keep us in prayer the next four days!

Mission Accomplished.

2009-08-10T18:40:00.002+02:00

1900 miles later; 80 youth exhausted from painting, gardening, and other service jobs in northern New Jersey; and all of Manhattan toured in about eight hours; I think I can truly say mission accomplished.

For the last week I was on a service-mission trip with the youth of Holy Cross parish in Kaukauna, where I am stationed this summer, and the youth of the neighboring parish, Holy Spirit parish in Darboy-Kimberly. With a day to recover, I can say I am still exhausted. Those coach-buses just do not provide the kind of sleep that a seminarian needs.

All told though it was a good experience, and I hope that in the few short years when I will be starting in parish ministry as a priest that I am able to bring youth on these service-mission trips.

After all -- true Christian service is one of the strongest vehicles of evangelization. We see this from the Gospel ("What ever you have done to the least of my brethren...") in the early Church (many of the governors of the provinces of the Roman empire were resistant to following the edicts commanding presecution of Christians, because of the great services they rendered to society at large), and we are even reminded of this in the first encyclical of the great pontiff, Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est.

You will never know who pops in...

2009-07-23T01:18:00.004+02:00

Kaukauna is a small town, about 16,000 people. So there is an expected sense of normality in day to day life, something that is greatly appreciated. But than again when you live at a Catholic parish you never quite know who will drop in. As I was making my way through the parished offices to the Church to pray this afternoon I was met by a slightly-older-than-middle-aged man wearing a guayabera shirt.

This is not something I would usually catch my attention. It did not actually catch my attention. What caught my attention was the Pastor, Fr. Tom Pomeroy, yelling from his office, "Hey did you meet Fr. John?"

To be honest I walked right past him. Something I do too often, walking past people. But before me stood a priest of the diocese of Green Bay, extending his hand to introduce himself as Fr. John Reuter. I am glad my attention was caught, and take it as a lesson to be more attentive to persons, for I had almost walked past one of the most interesting priest of our diocese.

Parish church in Tlaxiaco, Mexico

Fr. John has been serving outside the diocese for past forty years, almost his entire priestly life, in the area around Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a missionary. He is a priest like I will be some day, but what great variety of service he has been called to.

It is no secret one day I will be serving two, three, or even four parishes. I cannot imagine how busy that will be. Well this little anxiety of mine is put to shame by Fr. John -- he may only have one parish (which is think is pictured above) -- but it has twenty-three mission sites through out fields and jungles surronding Tlaxiaco. This is not a typo -- that is 1 parish, spread over 23 sights.

His life catches my attention. The missionary spirit must ring in the heart of a seminarian and a priest (after all what is the point of this sacrifice if it is not to spread the Gospel of Christ?), and I have found an attraction and a solidarity to his mission.

Native plowing in near Tlaxiaco, Mexico

He was more than half serious when he asked if I wanted to visit (hey got an extra $700.00 hanging around, that is about what a plane-ticket runs to get there -- cheaper than Europe?). Well, I do not think that the opporunity will come about any time soon (no really got an extra $700.00?), but I do not hope to make it there some day. Who knows, with ten new seminarians next year, perhaps one of them will be the missionary to Tlaxiaco.

Today's Saint Lawrence of Brindisi tells you "Read This!"

2009-07-21T15:32:00.003+02:00

Well a few days ago I offered encouragment to reading the Bible, well here you go with the St. of the Day...
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was the greatest linguist of his day. He could read, write, and speak Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French.

Here's my favorite story about him. He was preaching somewhere and was being heckled by a Protestant minister about a Catholic doctrine not being found in the Bible. Saint Lawrence took his Greek New Testament and threw it at the man and said, "Read this!"

His knowledge of Hebrew was so thorough that the rabbis were convinced that he had once been a Jew who had converted to Christianity.

(courtesy of: Canterbury Tales)

Holy Martyrs of Gorcum, Pray for Us!

2009-07-17T22:00:00.000+02:00

Its a few days late...

I admire the Norbertine spirituality so I share these two Norbertine martyrs with you.

As a future diocesan priest I find the Norbertine spirituality very attract for as a pastor of souls. He was entrusted with the pastoral care of an archdiocese. He started out as a "secular canon," which in someways is similar to a diocesean priest.

The spirituality he proposes centers around five "pillars":

devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament (St. Norbert is the "Apostle of the Eucharist" after all)
devotion to the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy
singing the divine office
habitual penance
and most importantly "zeal for the salvation of souls"

So you can find out some more about these two Norbertine Martyrs: Martyrs of Gorcum

Please keep Itan in prayers...

2009-07-17T21:15:00.002+02:00

Usually I am restrained in re-posting news, but since this has seemed to receive minimal and inconsistent coverage on number of major Internet news sources (CNN, MSNBC, but Fox News does have a nice story: Iranian Police Tear-Gas Protesters at Prayer Sermon), I re-post an article from the UK Times Online: Rafsanjani calls for release of jailed protesters in Iran amid clashes in Tehran.

The struggle continues in Iran. These are men and women who have yearned to be free, to prosper and to leave to their children a better world. Please in your prayers be in solidarity with them.

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The
wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! -- from the poem inscribed on the statue of Liberty

h/t to Gateway Pundit: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Killer Regime in Iran

It comes at no suprise...

2009-07-16T17:59:00.003+02:00

It is no secret that I am pro-life. I have been admonished before that clerics cannot take public political positions. Being pro-life is not a political position, because the beginning of human life is a fact that comes before politics; it comes before government policy. It is that simple. Governments do not determine who is and is not human; the human person and the family comes before government. It is that simple.

The truth of the dignity of the human person is not something that can be compromised. Once it is, everything else is on shaky ground. It stands on one of the first lines we learn,

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26, NAB).

Our own dignity, which is protected by how well we guard the dignity of the most weak (which is certainly the unborn), rest on this line – not on science.

Often though science serves to support this truth, and for this reason I share with you the following link:

Study: Unborn babies can form memories by 30 weeks.

This is something that every pregnant woman knows, but now has scientific “proof” to back it up. I have included a picture of a fetus at thirty weeks for you reflection.

Ignorance of Scripture IS ignorance of Christ

2009-07-15T17:40:00.002+02:00

" What are you doing this summer?"

That is a question that a lot of us have heard quite a bit the past couple weeks. Some of us have taken and will take vacations. Then there is the annual rotation of soccer and baseball games, cook-out, and days at the beach.

Okay - but I am asking: What are you doing this summer to grow closer to Christ?

Reading theBible? I am. Not the whole thing of course, but part of it -- parts from the Old Testament since that is what I am least familar with.

This grows out of a big disappointment from the previous two years of theology studies. I have taken classed on the Gospels, the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and the Letters of Paul, and they seem to have shared a set of common characteristics:

(1) There is a divorce between Scripture scholorship and pastoral applications. (Do you really want to hear me start an homily with: this word in Greek as many meanings, or since this story about Moses comes the the D-source)? I think you understand my point.

(2) Modern scripture scholarship seems to face the average Christian (like myself) with an insurmontalbe obstacle to reading the Bible. It all really does seem very confusing (at times) and always daunting. If the Church really expects all Catholics to be Bible Christians - does that mean all Catholics need to be experts in the geography of the near East from 600 BC, and find reading Akkadian stories to be their idea of a "good time on the Friday night?"

(3) Worse perhaps - all of the scripture courses so far have seem to not even required the reading of any scripture. Hmmm... to me that would be like studying biology without ever looking through a microscope or majoring in English without ever touching Shakespere.

All these things considered I found the following article to be very helpful and encouraging (you can click on the picture and it will link to the article):
Please consideri making the daily habit of reading scripture part of your summer -- just ten to fifteen minutes. It will change the way you pray (and is a good first step to starting to pray). You will enjoy Mass more. You will not regret it.

Fourth of July Celebrations

2009-07-15T03:14:00.002+02:00

One of my favorite places growing up was "up-nort" -- in particular the cottage home of my Uncle Peter and Aunt Mary in near Crivitz. As a child it was a place of wonders: a hand pump and "sun shower" since there was no running water, an amazing "no-flush" toilet (an outhouse), and in winter time a big Franklin stove. Summer weekends were spent at a lake-side beach swimming and fishing, and on the road sides picking the little strawberries that tasted much better than what is now sold in the supermarkets. In winter there were fewer trips, but usually something for New Years, and this was a great joy in hoping that there might be just enough snow that we would be stuck -- and of course that would mean having to miss school (darn).

Well time moves on and things change: in comes the running water and the central heat. Eventually Peter and Mary move there year round in their retirement -- meaning out with the cottage and in with the bigger house. But there is still a desire to return there -- it was a home for me in childhood.

I left for Rome on June 26, 2007. This of course meant that I missed the fireworks and festivities of two Fourth of July celebrations. Well this year -- I arrived home in time and did not start my parish assignment until after the festive weekend -- it was time to return to the "cottage" in the North woods. So I did. It was a sublime joy, and in someways a was a kid again (at age 25 none-the-less).

Answer to yesterday's quizz:

2009-07-13T20:29:00.000+02:00

Sad to say the person who sees some populations as undesirable was Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gingsburg. She was discussing using abortion to control "populations we do not want to many of," by providing Medicaid funding for abortions. Sad day.

It can also be noted that almost the exact same quote can be found in the writings of the third possible answer.

http://themcj.com/?p=5512

Pop-quiz:

2009-07-12T20:24:00.000+02:00

Who said the following?

Frankly, I thought at the time... there was a concern about population growth,
and particularly growth in populations we do not want to many of...

(a) a Supreme court justice?
(b) a early 20-th century feminists?
(c) a German leader from the 1930'2 and '40's

Well however said it, I wonder if I am part of the "we" or the "population we do not want to many of."

Summer time and...

2009-07-11T20:17:00.002+02:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting -- I guess with exams and than coming home I have lost track of the blog for a few weeks. I look forward to having the extra time this summer to catch-up with you, readers, and share some of my recollections from the last two years in Europe. Since I am not sure how much I will actually get done, I will go in reverse order (most current to furthest away time-wise).

I hope everyone is doing well. My home-coming went very well, and I have had a chance to talk with many of you. This past week I arrived at my summer parish assignment at Holy Cross Parish in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. My pastor already has given me a running start, with a funeral vigil the evening of my first full day in the parish. I will be kept busy primarily shadowing the pastor, giving a class after Wednesday daily Mass, visiting parishioners, and cathcing up with friends.

Take care,
Brunner.

Seperation of Church and State?

2009-04-24T12:12:00.000+02:00

Do you know the Preamble for your state? . .

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance….

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…

South Carolina, 1778 Preamble We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ..

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God …

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution…

*It seem that each and every state constitution is unconstitutional if there should truly be a wall of seperation between Church and State...

Safely Back from Santiago...

2009-04-23T12:23:00.001+02:00

I am back in Rome, safe and sound...

It was a great pilgrimage, and I will post some pictures and reflections this week-end. Thank you all for the prayers and support.

Pictures from Santiago de Compostela

2009-04-14T22:43:00.000+02:00

Camino Day 7: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

2009-04-13T22:35:00.000+02:00

Route: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (20 k, 12 1/2 mi.)

Description:After 2k of main road the camino follows minor roads through hamlets and fields generally between the railway and the A9 (a major express way). At 9k cross the A9 and continue along minor roads through the 'new' town of Milladoiro. On the summit of the next hill the spires of the cathedral can be seen. Just after crossing the railway track and the River Sar, the outskirts of Santiago are reached and yellow arrows lead to the cathedral.

I do not want to write much of a reflection. I am writing these a head of time, and really do not know what I will be feeling and thinking as I approach Santiago de Compostela. Thank you all for your prayerful support.

I will send an update when I get back to Rome in a few days.

Saint James of Compostela...

...Pray for us!

Camino Day 6: Caldas de Reis to Padrón

2009-04-12T22:21:00.000+02:00

Route: Caldas de Reis to Padrón, a small town of about 10,000 people famous for its papers, which are traditionally eaten fried in oil - yum (19 k, 11 3/4 miles).

Description: A rural and well wooded section until Pontesecures is reached. Cross the River Ulla and enter Padron

Tomorrow we begin the final stretch into Santiago de Compostela.

Saint James of Compostela...

...Pray for us.

Easter Vigil

2009-04-12T00:01:00.001+02:00

Easter vigil at the tomb of Christ

There is only one Church in the world that claims: Christos non est hic - Christ is not here. It not only claims it but flaunts it in big gold letters. This church is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - the place of the resurrection. When the women approached the tomb on that first Easter morning almost 2,000 years ago the angel simply proclaimed - He is not here. Let us rejoice that the tomb was found empty, and hence our death and sin has been vanquished.

Camino Day 5: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

2009-04-11T22:02:00.000+02:00

Stats: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (23 k, 14 miles)

Destionation: Caldas de Reis (no description was found of this town)

Description: Through the city of Pontevedra,crossing the 'old' Burgo bridge to continue through a long well wooded valley bordered by the railway. After 6k the camino enters an area of mixed farmland and small plots and follows a cross country route parallel with the N550 until the immediate outskirts of Caldas De Reis.

Why walk? Simple Jesus walked every where. Besides boats (and we can't expect him to walk on water [hey wait a minute we can], the only vehicle that Jesus used during his public ministry were his own two feet. There is only one exception - PALM SUNDAY - when he was entering Jerusalem as a king to mount his throne. He was the king of peace, since he rode in on a lowly mule, instead of the war horse; and his throne of glory was the cross.

While I desire to be like Christ, since a priest is an alter Christus (another Christ), I know that I am not ready to rid in on the donkey, so I will take the walking.

Saint James of Compostela...

...Pray for us.

Good Friday

2009-04-10T23:06:00.000+02:00

And the sanctuary veil was torn in two, from top to bottom.

In his death on the cross the Lord reveals to us the depth of the Fathers love. The Father has denied as nothing, for He sent His consubstantial Son into the Word, who died upon the cross.

Where as before God was limited to the temple, as the Lord breathes his last on the cross - at that very moment the veil of the sanctuary was torn into two from the top to the bottom. Only God could have done that.

Camino Day 4: Redondela to Pontevedra

2009-04-10T16:19:00.002+02:00

Stats: Rendondela to Pontevedra (19 k, 11 3/4 miles)
Start: Rendondela, a very small seaside town
Destination: Pontevedra, an ancient Spanish city famous for its equally ancient Roman bridge
Description: By minor roads, keeping to the west of the N550 to enter a forested section which joins the N550 at the entrance to Arcade. 1k to the bridge at Pontesampaio. Through the backstreets of Pontesampaio to enter and follow a sunken lane which climbs to a wooded and agricultural area. A long road section of 4k leads to the outskirts of Pontevedra.

Short reflection for this day: This pilgrimage is primarily about prayer, so I will just share a few pilgrims' prayers with you:

Lord,
you who called your servant Abraham out of the town of Ur in Chaldea and who watched over him during all his wanderings;
you who guided the Jewishpeople through the desert;
we pray for you to watch your servants, who for the love of your name, make
a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Be for us, a companion on our journey the guide on our intersections,
the strengthening during fatigue, the fortress in danger, the resource on our
itinerary, the shadow in our heat, the light in our darkness, the consolation
during dejection and the power of our intention so that we under your guidance,
safely and unhurt, may reach the end of our journey,and strengthened with
gratitude and power, secure and filled with happiness, may join our home, for
Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Holy Thursday

2009-04-09T23:02:00.002+02:00

An old view of the foot washing

A model of what it means to be a servant-ruler in the Christian sense

I give you a new commandment: to love one another as I have loved you. - Jesus Christ

Ubi caritas et amore, deus ibi est.

Our servant leader, Pope Benedict

Camino Day 3: Tui to Redondela

2009-04-09T12:01:00.003+02:00

First day in SPAIN!

Stats: Tui to Rendondela (29 K, 18 miles)

Start: Tui

Destination: Rendondela

Description: From the cathedral of Tui the camino descends to the valley of the River Louro which is followed to Porrino (a small industrial town that is famous for its pink granite); sometimes in damp stretches and eventually for 7k alongside a vast industrial estate and the outskirts of Porrino. For 3k the route follows the N550, a major express way, and then, at Mos, takes minor roads and a few tracks through well wooded countryside until the descent into Redondela by the Ria De Vigo.

Simple Question: "When you are walking around, how do you find your way?" A very practical country, Spain is a very large country, and even large since I do not speak Spanish! The answer is also very simple. Since pilgrims have been walking these routes for over a thousand years, they have passed on to us a system of "way-markers" so that those who come after them do not get lost. In the picture above we see two examples of these way-markers. The one in front is a modern way marker, with the distinctive yellow shell, and the one further back in a very old medieval example.

This simple response can actually be an analogy for Tradition. Again, the Second Vatican Council taught that the whole Church is a pilgrim Church. We are all on the heavenly pilgrimage. It can be very easy to get lost on the way - so our ancestors in the faith have handed on "way-markers" which we call Tradition. This could be the handing on of the Holy Bible itself, the example of their lives, the Truth communicated during the liturgy, their theological reflection. These are the way-markers of the Christian life that lead us toward heaven.

Saint James de Compostela...

...Pray for us!

Camino Day 2: San Pedro de Rubiaes

2009-04-08T23:38:00.000+02:00

Stats for Day one:
Start: San Pedro de Rubiaes, Portugal
Destination: Tui
Length: 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles)
Description: Cross the River Coura to the pass at St. Bento Da Porta Aberta and descend to the valley of the Minho. Cobbled lanes give way to roads leading into Valenca. Walk down to the River Minho and cross by Eiffel's Puente Internacional (where we will cross from Portugal into Spain). Continue following the yellow arrows along urban 'lanes' to the cathedral.

A simple practical question that some of may be asking: "Okay, you are walking from town to town. It doesn't matter if it is raining or if that beautiful sun is shining. But where do you sleep at night?"

Well, pilgrims have been making this journey for centuries. It has become part of the culture in this region to care for pilgrims. Many of the local parished have adopted it as a "special ministry." As a result in almost every town there are pilgrim refuges. There is a picture of one above and to the left.

What is more important than the physical shelter is the generosity that flows from a charitable heart. The people that live along these routes have become known for there generosity and hospitality, and I hope challenge me to become more generous and charitable myself. After all the current Pope reminds us in Deus Caritas Est, that God is love, so the more we love, the more we resemble God.

Please keep me in prayer.
Please pray for me.

Camino Day 1: Ponte de Lima

2009-04-07T12:01:00.002+02:00

Stats for Day one:

Start: Ponte de Lima (its famous avenue of plane trees - having greeted pilgrims for centuries - is pictured to the left)

Destination: San Pedro de Rubiaes

Length: 17 kilometers (10 1/2 miles)

Description: At times a damp track which follows streams and climbs through the forest to mountain of Portela Grande at 433 m (1300 ft.) before descending to Rubiaes.

This is the first day of pilgrimage. What is the purpose of going on pilgrimage? There is one for the pilgrim himself, and one for the Church. The Second Vatican Council teaches us that the Church is on a pilgrimage. We often forget this, and this is why the Council reminded us this teaching is actually very ancient.

If we keep in mind that all of us are on a pilgrimage - the ultimate pilgrimage to our true home in heaven. If we forget this profound truth, we will too often think that this world is heaven - and treat it as heaven. While this world is beautiful and wonderful, it is not heaven. If we try to find heaven here, we will ultimately be frustrated.

So the pilgrim becomes a fertile symbol of this reality - and reminds us of it.

Please pray for me.

Il Camino - On the Way

2009-04-06T17:15:00.000+02:00

A very old wood-cut engraving of Saint James of Compostela in his pilgrim attire

This morning I will be boarding a Ryanair plane from Rome's Ciampino Airport to Santiago di Compostela in Spain. Shortly after that we will be taking a bus to a little town across the Portuguese border called Ponte de Lima, and there the pilgrimage will begin.

Seven men from the Pontifical North American College will be heading out on eight days of prayerful walking. One of the seven is a priest of Jesus Christ, so we will have the sacraments.

I have pre-set my blog to up-date you on my progress each day, so please keep on checking in. I will make sure to send up-dates and pictures when I return to Rome on April 17.

Please keep us in prayer as we join literally millions of other Christians on these age old route leading to Santiago, where the body of Saint James the Greater has been the object of veneration for generations.

On these routes men and women, young and old, have re-found their faith. Perhaps
we will meet some, pray that through us they can be inspired.
Many are seeking cures, pray that the Spirit may heal them.
We seek a deeper relationship with Christ, pray that we may follow him.

Saint James...

...Pray for us!

First earthquake?

2009-04-06T07:48:00.002+02:00

There seems to have been a 6.5 magnitude earthquake last night at about 3:30 AM (this morning? - a horse a piece really). Its epicenter was about 53 miles north-east of Rome, so there was no damage in Rome, even though many people were awakened by the tremors, including myself.

It was much stronger of course at its epicenter, a town called L'Aquila. There are many injuries and even some deaths. Please keep these peolpe in your prayers.

Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T22:57:00.003+02:00

Palm Sunday procession at Westminister Cathedral in 1919

Remember that as Christians we do have a king - Christ the Lord. Today he prepares to mount his throne. He enters in a triumphal procession. This does not seem like a triumphal procession, for he does not ride the might war stallion, but rather the lowly mule. His throne is not the golden bench on a high pedestal, but rather the cross. It seem like defeat. We look with the eyes of Easter...

Send me on THE WAY (the Camino that is)

2009-04-03T21:52:00.002+02:00

This is the most basic symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostela, the shell. If anyone knows why, please enlighten me.

Usually I am not so bold, but I read once God rewards the bold.

On Monday, 06 April 2009, I will be boarding an airplane as the first part of a pilgriamge to Santiago di Compostela. Eight of those days I will be walking.

Pilgrims have been following these routes for centuries.This pilgrimage is often called the CAMINO, which is Spanish for "THE WAY."

All I will carry for these eight days must fit in a borrowed hiking pack, but I hope to carry something more, and those would be your prayer intentions. Please send them my way.

I personally seek to deepen my relationship with Christ, and the fraternal communion with the six other "brothers" (fellow seminarians) that I will be travelling with me. I expect that I will meet others on "THE WAY" who are also on the pilgrimage to God. I pray that I may be an instrument that draws them closer to the joy that is found in the Lord.

I ask for your prayers first of all, and please do not make these lacking for the Evil One detests pilgrimages and fraternal unity. Please also pray that we have good weather and for our health and safety. Please pray for the men and women, the young and old, we will meet on the way.

In addition though, as I make the last preparations for this pilgrimage, there are unexpected expenses that are starting to add up, so if you can find it in your generosity to provide a little extra support, I would be very grateful. Any gift no matter how little, goes a long way.

Please just send me a email note, if possible before Sunday evening if you can (or after -- but it may take me a while to respond since I will be walking come rain or shine!).

Please pray for me, and be sure of my prayers for you.
Saint James of Compostela, patron of pilgrims...

...pray for us!

Ever hear the joke about the Polish Pope...

2009-03-23T22:32:00.003+01:00

Ever here the joke about the Polish Pope, who thought he could conquer the Iron curtain with no divisions, no armoryies, just simply real CHRISTIAN HOPE?

Well folks its no joke, John Paul II really did conquer the Iron Curtain.

It looks like B-16 (da Bomber if you will) is looking to repeat the performance in Africa:
Media missing 'true story' of Pope advancing hope in Africa, local leaders say (CNA)
Just like Pope Wojtyla was not recognized when the walls literally came tumbling down in Poland and across eastern Europe in 1991-2, but has since been recognized for being decisive (as some historians say) in this process, I think the same case perhaps can be made for Africa. Just a thought...

Papa Wojtyla knew a simple truth, history is not changed by "being popular," but be attracting people to the "splendor of truth." Benedict is not popular in the mainstream media, and perhaps this is the best sign for the long term.

Stepping stone in my own vocation:

2009-03-21T00:01:00.000+01:00

I first thought about being a priest when I was in the second-grade. I did not even know it was possible until six years ago. Along the way there have been many obstacles, and even confusing moments. Times when I had to ask myself, "Why would I want to be a priest? I cannot even get married, etc." Then there were other times when I was particularly hard on myself and I would ask, "Why would God want me to be a priest?" In the end though there is that deep sense of knowing the love of God (found often in the Sacrament of Reconciliation), and being lead by the Holy Spirit to be able to say with full confidence, "YES - GOD WANTS ME TO BE A PRIEST." Even with the obstacles, hardships, struggles, and sometimes confusion -- this remains firm. A good part this is the support of friends, family and especially the fraternity of brother seminarians and priests. One of those guiding hands has been Fr. Quinn Mann, so I just wanted to share this article with you:Cheryl Anderson: Priest finds creative ways to bring God to lives of young people

Food for thought from B-XVI:

2009-03-20T12:02:00.001+01:00

At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint.

-- from the Letter to the Bishops, March 2009

So what is the group in American society "to which no tolerance may be shown?" A glance through the headlines of the last few months I think would indicate that the Pope has the right answer to that question.

In that vein, let me be untolerated.

Let us pray:

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all your faithful people, look with mercy upon your servant Benedict, who you have chosen as the shepherd to preside over your One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Grant him, we ask of you, that by his word and example, he may edify those entrusted to his pastoral care and authority, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Mother Theresa

2009-03-14T15:48:00.000+01:00

When a mother can kill her baby, what is left of civilization to be saved?

Here is my practice homily from two days ago:

2009-03-13T10:50:00.001+01:00

Please leave comments, suggestions, etc. in the comments

Reading for the third Sunday of Lent: First: Exodus 17:3-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-2.5-8, JOHN 4:5-42
A reading from Saint Augustine that I used in preparing the homily: from a Treatise on John by Saint Augustine, bishop and doctor (scroll down to the bottom)

The homily:

For a number years I worked in a men’s shelter ran by the Sisters of Mother Theresa. In every one of their chapels next to the crucifix it is always written, “I Thirst.” This comes from Mother’s first inspiration for founding the Missionaries of Charity. She had seen a dying man in a train station in India, and through that man Jesus revealed to Mother these words, “I thirst,” and his deep thirst for souls.

These are also the first words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. He sits with the woman at the well and says, “Give me a drink.” He is thirsty. “Give me a drink of water.”

This woman is an outcast. She is a Samaritan, so she is not considered to be one of the chosen people of God. Even still she is outcast from among Samaritans, since she must gather her water during the heat of the day. Yet, alone at the well she meets Jesus. He thirsts, and says, “Give me a drink.” At this moment Christ is inviting us to join this woman at the well. He is inviting us to sit with him, and listen to his words. He is asking for a drink from us, but soon he will offer us a NEW DRINK.

In these words, “give me a drink,” Christ is revealing to us the heart of the Father, a heart that seeks us to worship and love him in spirit and truth. Soon we will pray during the preface of the Mass: when he asked the woman of Samaria for water to drink Christ had already prepared her for the gift of faith. In his thirst he awakened in her heart the fire of your love. Christ is thirsting for our faith, and for our souls, so that we can return his love through worship.

Jesus is not the only thirsty one in this Gospel. Like the woman of Samaria, we are also thirsty. We have come with her to draw water. She, the outcast, is thirsty for love; and we, who at times are distant from God, thirst for his love. Like in the psalm, “Like a deer that yearns for flowing waters, so my heart yearns for You.”

As we sit with Christ at the well, he gazes at us – He knows that we are thirsty. He offers us a drink saying, “Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never be thirsty again; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jesus has asked us for a drink of water, but now he offers the most amazing drink – one that will satisfy all our thirst. At this moment the thirst of God for our faith and love meet our thirst for him.

What does he offer? He offers a “spring welling up to eternal life,” but where is this spring?
Let us remember these words, “There is no greater love than this; to lay down your life for a friend.” We meet this spring of eternal life at Calvary, where Jesus is dying on the cross. As Saint Paul teaches us in today’s second reading, “God proves his love for us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” God speaks to us and tells us, “My children, I love you so much! I come to you as a little child! I am even dying for you here on the cross! I thirst. Give me a drink of your faith. I thirst for you.” At this moment a solider pierces his side and out of his side flows “blood and water.” This is the spring welling up to eternal life, and he is living out the words of consecration, “Take this all of you, drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of a new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for the many, so that sins may be forgiven.” This is the “spring welling up to eternal life.”

Paul continues to teach us about how we respond to this love, as he writes, “[Our] hope does not disappoint because the Love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

We have been given the Holy Spirit at our baptism, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are brought again and again to the spring of eternal life.

The spring continues to well up to this day. It wells up not only in the sacrament of baptism, put also in the sacrament of the Eucharist in which we are celebrating.

This love calls for a response.

For Mother Theresa the response was a radical call to love in return; to love Christ in the poorest of the poor. During this season of Lent, we join her in her call to return the love of Christ with our own life. We are given main ways to do this: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let the love that we will receive in this Eucharist, allow a spring to well up in our own hearts and lives, so that like the woman, we can say, “We have found the Messiah, we have found the spring of eternal life, and all our thirst have been satisfied.” And so draw others to the fire of God’s love.

God bless you, and may the name of Jesus be praised.

Learning how to preach:

2009-03-13T10:47:00.000+01:00

Yesterday evening a typical thing at the North American College: the preaching practicum for second year theologians. Preaching is important in the parish life. For many Catholics this is the only opportunity in which they hear the priest speaking to them and with them. So it is taken serious here, and this is shown by starting to work on preaching a full four years before we are released on the parished of the United States and Australia. The next post will be my practice homily.

A blog entry from another seminarian:

2009-03-12T20:51:00.000+01:00

As a seminarian I like to read the blogs of other seminarians. Here is an interesting blog entry from a Catholic seminarian in England:

Until yesterday I was a Catholic Seminarian being formed for the Catholic Priesthood. Today I am no longer in that position.

As some of you will know I used to be an Anglican Clergyman, and became a Catholic about three and a half years ago. I started exploring the possibility of being ordained a Priest in the Catholic Church, and, as I was married, a request for a dispensation was sent off to Rome in order to allow me to be ordained as a married man (as a good few former Anglicans have been allowed to do previously).

In the meantime I completed an MA in Catholic Theology, and was accepted by my diocese for training. For the last year and a half I have been a part-time seminarian at the wonderful St Mary's Seminary, Oscott.

Yesterday I heard that Rome (the CDF I believe) have not granted my dispensation. I shan't go into the reasons here, but in case other people read this who are awaiting for dispensations I would counsel them not to be too worried, as my case is somewhat unusual!

What I want to focus on though is the thought process I went through on receiving this news...

Initially I was in a state of shock and disbelief... here I was, with only a few months to go at seminary, and Rome said "No!" The finality was (and is) painful. Then I briefly considered going back to the Church of England (at least I could carry on a priestly role there). Then I felt anger... (who were these celibate old men in Rome, who don't know me from Adam to make such a decision about me, to wreck my life like this?)

Then I sunk into a sense of grief, the loss of long cherished dreams and hopes. Now that may seem a lot of emotions for just over one day, and I guess that a lot of them were felt concurrently, rather than consecutively.

Then after the above feelings I stopped thinking like a protestant, and started thinking like a Catholic.

Yes the shock, and pain are still there, but how could I think of going back to the Church of England? I accept the claims of the Catholic Church, going back to the Church of England would be to lie to myself and all around me.

Then as well, one of the reasons I became a Catholic was because of the Church's sense of authority. How could I joyfully accept her authority when I agreed with her, but rail with anger against her when she made a decision I find personally difficult? No she is my mother, and God works through her. If I only submit graciously to her will when I like what she says, but kick and shout when I don't like what she says... well then I cease to be a Catholic, and instead become a Protestant!

To be a Catholic has to mean to be willing to put aside our own self will and to submit to the will of the Church, which we believe to be guided by God, or it means nothing at all.

I am not fully certain about what the future holds for me now, I have much thinking, praying and talking still to do... but what I do know is that I am a Catholic... and there is no greater honour or joy to be had in this life than to be in this Ark of Salvation, The One Holy Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ, on the rock of Peter.

Please keep him in prayer. As God has prepared a place for me in his house, let us remember the word from the 14th chapter of John, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" I am confident that God has prepared a special dwelling place for this seminarian.

Rowing in the same direction?

2009-03-11T15:49:00.001+01:00

In the interesting of reporting news about the culture war between the culture of life and the culture of death let's consider the following:

It has made news recently that President Obama has lifted the restriction on federal money going to embryonic stem cell research, despite ethical concerns and the practical limits of using embryonic stem cells for future treatments. Not really surprising since he promised he would on the campaign trail.

What made a lot less fan-fare in the news was on the same day President Obama also Rescinded Executive Order 13435 of June 20, 2007. This order explicitly directed government funds to other areas of stem cell research. This would include umbilical cord stem cells and adult stem cells. This area of stem cell research offers much promise, including a number of medical treatments that are already in place. In addition there are no major ethical concerns with this field of research.

In short: No matter which canidate you supported during the election, we all can agree on the usefullness of supporting forms of stem-cell research that do not kill human beings in the embryonic stage. This is a point in which unity is found.

So to anyone who would like to comment: What is President Obama's motive for this?