Three Saints "on-deck"

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

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?

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!

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"....

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.