Blessings Received

Today October 24 is the Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. He worked as a weaver in his youth, and was seminary student with Saint Francisco Coll Guitart. Ordained on 13 June 1835, he was a missionary in Catalonia and the Canary Islands where he directed retreats and founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). He was ordained Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba on 20 May 1850. Following his work in the Caribbean, Blessed Pope Pius IX ordered Anthony back to Spain. Confessor to Queen Isabella II, he was exiled with her. Had the gifts of prophecy and miracles. Reported to have preached 10,000 sermons, published 200 works. Spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Today we know ordinary persons that do not claim to have the gifts of prophecy and miracles. Yet they are extraordinarly close to our hearts - They include priests and lay persons. Other than the immediate family and our in-laws, I am blessed by the presence of quite a few priests such as Fr. Henri Boulad, S.J.; Fr. Daniel Callam, CSB; Msgr. Robert Nusca; as well as Melkite Catholic priests and other pastors. I am also blessed by quite a few lay persons who always ask about us and particularly a person who calls every day to ask about us. God sends us those who show us what is love, in oder that we love back... Life is a gift of God who loves all. He is "love" (1 John 4:8).

The Most Popular Contemporary Saint

Today October 22 is the Memorial of Pope Saint John Paul II; a man who served Christ in the Church since he was a young adult in Krakow, Poland. As a Bishop, he attended the Second Vatican Council...In 1978, he was elected Pope following the abrupt passing-away of Pope John Paul I. Right after being elected as Pope, he told the cardinals who elected him that he saw that his main work was to implement the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, an important centrepiece of which is a universal call to holiness. For nearly 27 years, he continued the dialogue started by his predecessors since Pope Saint John XXIII for restoring full Christian unity with non-Catholic Christians. His initiative liberated the globe from the atheism and false economic policy of the Communist regimes including Russia itself and the many countries whose peoples after World War II, following the Soviet Union, suffered under their Communist regimes. He initiated the World Youth Day; He recognized the rights of the Jewish People to celebrate their heritage in Israel, and the Patestinians for their self-determination. In 2000, John Paul II apologized for the sins of sons and daughters of the Church throughout dark centuries including the sacking of Constantinople. He also visited Egypt in 2000 and was received by the late Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church (see a clip here) and in 2001 he visited the Omayad Mosque in Damascus where he was received by Muslims in Syria and called for an end to violence.Traditional in teaching, he nevertheless showed respect for other religions. His openness to other religions manifested in the Assisi Prayer for the first time in the history of Christianity. John Paul the Great loved the Virgin Mary who protected him when he was shot by a fanatic - He visited her shrine in Fatima and in Lourdes, carried the motto "Totus Tuus" in venerating her. During his pontificate the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" was issued (here). In "The Splendor of Truth" ("Veritatis Splendor"), a papal encyclical concerning morality, he emphasised the dependence of man on God and his law ("Without the Creator, the creature disappears") and the "dependence of freedom on the truth." He said that man "giving himself over to relativism and scepticism, goes off in search of an illusory freedom apart from truth itself." His philosophical insights were characterised by explorations in phenomenology and personalism. He was influenced by Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lubac, and Yves Congar. Admirable too are his submission to the will of God in all of his actions, and his adamant support for evangelization. During his pontificate he canonized more Catholics than all his predecessors (including the Stigmatist Padre Pio with whom he shared the suffering carrying his cross like Christ). On his deathbed, the popular Pope could hardly greet the multitudes who gathered in St. Peter's Square praying for him and as he passed away, they shouted "Saint Today!"

Henri Boulad: History Today

In his homily on Sunday October 18, 2020, the Jesuit scholar Fr. Henri Boulad interpreted history as listening to the Spirit of God. In his homily (in French titled "Comment lire l’histoire aujourd’hui ?" here), he explored the Biblical narrative of the pagan emperor Cyrus the Great of Persia who, according to Isaiah, was dedicated to serve the Biblical God even though Cyrus did not know Him.Probably the most enlightening idea he uttered was "But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19) indicating how the Spirit of God inspired her to foresee the messianic actions of her son Jesus.It was in this context that Jesus said "give to caesar what is caesar's" (Luke 20:25). Boulad said that today's presidents are elected by their people to be responsible for a mission that God wants them to accomplish. Years ago Pope Benedict XVI explored the theme "give to caesar what is caesar's". This is the text retrieved from CERC. Regarding the delicate issue of the relations to be maintained with the agencies of the State, particular enlightenment can be found in the invitation of the Second Vatican Council to follow the words and modus operandi of Jesus Christ. Jesus, indeed, did not wish to be a political Messiah who would dominate by force but preferred to call himself the Son of Man who came to serve, and 'to give his life as a ransom for many' (Mk 10: 45). He showed himself as the perfect Servant of God who 'will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick' (Mt 12: 20). He recognized' civil authority and its rights when he ordered tribute to be paid to Caesar; but he gave dear warning that the greater rights of God must be respected: 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God, the things that are God's (Mt 22: 21)'. Finally, he brought his revelation to perfection when he accomplished on the cross the work of redemption by which he achieved Salvation and true freedom for human race. For he bore witness to the truth but refused to use force to impose it on those who spoke out against it. His Kingdom does not establish its claims by force, but is established by bearing witness to and listening to the truth and it grows by the love with which Christ, lifted up on the cross, draws people to himself (see Jn 12: 32)"... However, if the image of Caesar was stamped on Roman coins which for this reason were to be rendered to him the human heart bears the imprint of the Creator, the one Lord of our life. Genuine secularism does not mean, therefore, leaving the spiritual dimension out of consideration but rather recognizing that it is precisely this that radically guarantees our freedom and autonomy from earthly realities, thanks to the dictates of creative Wisdom which the human conscience is capable of accepting and actuating.

Pope Francis: We need courageous Christians like Elijah

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-francis-we-need-courageous-christians-like-elijah.html While remembering today October 7, 2020 the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary and encouraging the faithful to say the Rosary as a great prayer to the Mother of God, Pope Francis, during Wednesday’s General Audience resumed his catechesis on prayer following the cycle on the Healing the World wounded by the pandemic. This week he tells the faithful. “We need the spirit of Elijah.” Speaking to the faithful in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, Pope Francis described the prophet Elijah as “one of the most compelling characters in the whole of Sacred Scripture.” Elijah and the Bible “He goes beyond the confines of his time,” the Pope said. He also recalled how Elijah appeared at Jesus' side, together with Moses, at the moment of the Transfiguration. In the Bible, the Pope noted, “Elijah appears suddenly, in a mysterious way.” Pope Francis said the prophet Elijah is a man without “a precise origin, and above all without an end, taken up into heaven: for this reason, his return was expected before the coming of the Messiah.” The Pope emphasized, “Scripture presents Elijah as a man of crystalline faith.” “Elijah is the example of all people of faith who know temptation and suffering, but do not fail to live up to the ideal for which they were born.” Prayer life Focusing on Elijah’s prayer life, Pope Francis underlined how prayer and contemplation sustained the Prophet not only in moments of great success but also in the face of adversity and persecution. In off the cuff remarks, Pope Francis highlighted the need for the “spirit of Elijah” in today’s world. “How much we need believers, zealous Christians, who stand up in front of people with responsibility with the courage of Elijah: to say, "You cannot do this.” “Elijah is the man of God, who stands as a defender of the primacy of the Most High. And yet, he too is forced to come to terms with his own frailties.” Wisdom of Elijah Pope Francis explained to those gathered, that Elijah “shows us that there should be no dichotomy in the life of those who pray: one stands before the Lord and goes towards the brothers and sisters to whom He sends us. The proof of prayer is the real love of one’s neighbour.” Elijah teaches us, commented the Pope, that ardent prayer and union with God cannot be separated from concern for the needs of others. Digressing from his prepared text, Pope Francis noted that prayer is “a confrontation with God and letting oneself be sent to serve one's brothers and sisters.” In prayer, Pope Francis pointed out, the prophet grew in discernment of the Lord’s will and found the courage to denounce injustice, even at great personal cost. Elijah’s experience of God in prayer, he noted, culminated, when the Lord appeared to him not in wind and fire, but “in a quiet whisper.” Elijah, a story for us all “This is the story of Elijah,” the Pope concluded, “but it seems written for all of us." "In some evenings we can feel useless and lonely. It is then that prayer will come and knock on the door of our hearts.” “Even if we have done something wrong, or if we feel threatened and frightened, when we return before God in prayer, serenity and peace will return as if by miracle.”

The "Alter Christus" St. Francis of Assisi - Memorial on October 4

From the Sacro Convento (Franciscan Friary) in Assisi, the celebration of Holy Mass was presided over by Pope Francis, and the signing of the Encyclical "Fratelli tutti" on Saint Francis's tomb. It took place on October 3, the eve of the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was born to a rich merchant in Assisi in the 12th century. He was given the name Francesco (the French man) by his father in honour of his French business. In Francesco's early youth years he spent his time with rich friends and in worldly pleasure, yet he also showed generosity to beggers. This is the heart that the Crucified opened up. In 1201 Francis joined a military expedition against Perugia and was taken as a prisoner where he spent a year in captivity. When he returned to Assisi he became seriously ill and there had a conversion experience. While praying at the church of St. Damieno, he had a vision of the Crucified Christ speaking to him and asking him to "Rebuild my Church." Francis took this request literally and started rebuilding the church of stone with money from his father's business. While asking God to show him the way, he came to understand Christ's request in a new way - rebuild the Church of souls. This was a turning point in Francis' life. Francis had already spent much time in meditation and came to reject the worldly life that he had experienced in his early youth. The Roman Church was at the peak of its earthly power with Pope Innocent III. Francis requested the pope to allow him to start a beggars order. Innocent III had a vision of the future Church after which he approved Francis' request. All of this is history, but the significant lesson is the way Francis responded to the call of the Crucified. His conversion was probably gradual. However his generosity allowed him to share in the poverty of beggars' life of need and create a huge order with many followers - The Franciscans who grew up to count in thousands only in a few years. Francis was called the Alter Christus (the Other Christ); for he imitated Christ in his tender love of all creatures. Francis taught by example and talked to animals, birds, called the Sun Sister and the moon Brother and seemed at ease with wild animals. He is probably the first humanist in history; for he loved Christ and every other human he encountered. He built the first manger and added real animals to be part of the nativity scene. He insisted on the beauty of creation and was himself a poet. His mission took him to Egypt to preach to the Muslim Caliph Al-Kamel and then to Acre but without success. Francis received the first known stigmata in history and suffered with Christ in silence "to complete" in his flesh "what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for the sake of his body that is the Church" (Col 1:24). On his death bed, Francis was surrounded by his followers singing his hymn "Make me a channel of your peace." Contrary to us, he was not afraid of death; for he himself considered death "a brother." Since his mission started in the 13th century, he has been beloved by many generations; for like the prostitute whom Christ forgave, he "loved much." (Luke 7: 47). Pope Francis wrote a new encyclical "Fratelli Tutti" on fraternity and social friendship. He said "I offered it to God on the tomb of Saint Francis, who inspired me, as in the previous Laudato Si’. The signs of the times clearly show that human fraternity and care of creation form the sole way towards integral development and peace, already indicated by the Popes Saints John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II. Today, to you in the square - and also those outside the square - I have the joy of giving the new Encyclical, in a special edition of the Osservatore Romano. And with this edition, the daily printed edition of the Osservatore Romano resumes. May Saint Francis accompany the Church’s path of fraternity, among believers of every religion, and among all peoples." The full text may be read here.