The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Friday December 31, 2021

The homily today was on Mary.  She is to be an example for women, everywhere and every time.  

I find that odd.  She was born without original sin, remember she is the Immaculate Conception.  Well, no way can anyone beat that.  So for what is she a role model? 

1.  She came from humble origins and stayed content.  We don't see her trying to take advantage of her position.

2. She questions God, "How can this be?"  Don't do this at home, kiddies.  Zachariah tried and he was immediately struck dumb.  So here's another inconsistency with Mary as a role model.

3. Her fiat.  Ah, here's the rub.  I hope to do this.  I hope I remember to do this. I hope I have Mary's trust.

This is what we need to pray for, "let it be done unto me, according to Your word."

Fra Angelico's Annunciation

Deus Machina

 There's a conundrum that asks, "If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one to hear it, does it make a sound?"

A physicist would say "no" because there's no one there to prove there was a sound.
A philosopher would say "yes" because experience proves that falling trees make sounds. Besides the falling tree would make vibrations that would be heard and felt by animals and birds.

I don't know where you stand on this conundrum but it seems to me that the same situation happens when God sends a miracle.

If God gives someone a miracle and he doesn't know it, is it still a miracle?

Patriarchy

 I read "Revival Season" by Monica West with interest because I've felt the healing touch, the author describes so well.  I've seen and experienced these revivals.  Many are helped at least spiritually, if not physically. What I can't relate to is the main protagonist, Miriam's struggles with her pastor/father.

       I guess this type of religion is typical with the black community.  It is extremely focused on the pastor, not God.  Although, the pastor would say that he is "personna Christi."  So you can't question him.  Mmmm, as a Catholic, I'm not unfamiliar with this association.  But even Catholics don't (or shouldn't) confuse the minister with God.  A priest acts as "psersonna Christi" in the Sacrament of Confession but the priest as a man could be a jerk.

      But Miriam was not allowed to question her dad.  She could not preach.  She could not stand on the sanctuary.  Lastly, (the plot of the novel), she couldn't exercise her God-given "gift of healing."

      The author paints the father as brutal, close to being mentally unhinged.  Miriam gets beaten, and the pregnant mother does too, although I don't know why. 

       I know West had no sympathy for the father but I do.  It must be a terrible burden to act as a god with a family and its struggles, in addition to pastoring other people.  This is probably why Catholic priests don't marry.

       West does a good job of showcasing the church's stance on the roles of women at home and the church.  

Imprecatory Psalms

 

What does imprecatory mean?  It means to curse or damn someone.  There are actually quite a few imprecatory psalms.  Every enemy of David had imprecations thrown at him, e.i. 

• 109 Psalm 109

King James Version

109 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15 Let them be before the Lord continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.

19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.

20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, and of them that speak evil against my soul.

21 But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.

22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.

25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

26 Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy:

27 That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it.

28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

 A question should come to your mind--should Christians use imprecatory prayers?  Well, we know that Jesus taught us differently.  He said we should love our enemies, in fact, bless them.  Remember Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer, where we say "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth..."  So I am advocating that we don't damn our enemies to hell, but rather ask God to stop them, convert them and help me to deal with them better.  Amen!                                           

Courage is Continuing On

A few days ago, I blogged about an incident from the book, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.  Well I finished the book.  Here is my review.

 The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a "tissue box beside you book". It is the story of Elsa who in the first chapter is a poor soul. She is destined to be an "old maid" because she is unattractive and sickly. But by the last chapter, she is a brave warrior.

The setting is the Great Depression years in Texas and California. Elsa is kicked out by her biological family because she is pregnant. The baby's father's family takes her in because after all, she is carrying their grandchild. This family not only physically takes her in; they take her to their hearts. This is the loving family everyone needs.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression turns Texas into a dust bowl. Misfortunate is too much to bear and Elsa heads off to California only to find that they treat these desperate people running from the dust bowl worse than lepers. This is where you need to locate the box of tissues.
Conditions are so terrible that communism sounds good. At least organizing workers start making sense. Elsa becomes involved. It turns out that she really is a warrior and she learns that courage is continuing on in spite of your fear.

A World Beyond This One

 

This isn't a book review because I haven't finished the book yet.  The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is about a lady who is a brave, courageous, loyal, hardworking, faithful mother.  The setting is Depression times.  Life is unbelievably hard.  

It's Christmas time and the thirteen-year-old, Loreda, got a library card, for her only present.  And that was more than many in their camp.  When I got to that part, I just cried.  

When you think of it, a library card is the best gift ever! 

That card, that's the real gift.  It can take you anywhere, Loreda. Loreda's fingers traced the card reverently.  Elsa knew that a library card--a thing they'd taken for granted all of their lives--meant there was still a future.  A world beyond this struggle.

Libraries are invaluable.

Look Up

 

Today, the pandemic is people's worst nightmare.  I was reading about St. Vincent Ferrer.  His times not only had a pandemic but also a papal schism--there were two popes at the same time.  Think of it.  Not only were the people physically sick, but also spiritually.  What would you think?

I think the people had every right to complain to God, but they didn't because they weren't praying.  They were so consumed with their personal problems that they forgot about praying to God.  Since they forgot about God, so did their behavior.  The people were living in sin.

When this happened to Moses in the desert, Numbers 21: 4-9, God healed the people by having Moses make statues of snakes and hold them up on a pole.  When the people looked up they were healed and thanked God.

St. Vincent Ferrer had the people look up at Jesus on the cross and they were healed.

It wasn't the snake statues, nor the presence of a Dominican preacher that healed the people.  It was their belief that God could heal them.  People will die in their sins if they reject God because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin.  So look up to Jesus on the cross.  Look what He did for you.

Sticking Together

 

This is a triptych of Ruth.  Grandma uses Ruth's story to teach the importance of family.  Everyone needs to help each other and how staying together was better than each going their separate ways.  

This triptych is by Thomas Matthews Rooke, 1876

The first image is of Ruth and Naomi--Mother-in-Law.  The middle picture is Ruth and Boaz.  Finally, the last picture is the son of Ruth and Boaz, who will one day be the grandfather of King David.

Chi lee or Chi lay

 

Today my friends Chris and Joe and I were having lunch when an argument ensued.  I forget why.  The argument was about the pronunciation of the country, Chile.  We tried calling Terry, who lived in Chile, but she didn't answer.  We tried calling Jordi, who's Spanish.  He also didn't answer.  So we resorted to google.  Google said

The Mother of God

 

I was listening to my local radio station playing Christmas music.  The disc jockey would give explanations for carols and/or music.  I know the disc jockey.  He's a Protestant.  He didn't play any Catholic hymns and his descriptions of his Methodist Christmas Eve service waxed poetic.  It was a description of a candlelight service where the congregation made a circle with just their lit candles.  Then suddenly they all extinguished their candles.  They wait for the Light of the World to be born.

     But he surprised me.  He closed his radio show by talking about the Catholic Mass.  He was accurate too.  He mentioned the Church started with St. Peter, who was our first pope.  He called the Catholic Mass, a highly liturgical ceremony.  He played Ave Maria by Placido Domingo because without Mary there would be no Jesus.  

Both Sides

 There are at least two sides to everything. This is especially true in arguing.  Think of abortion.  Those that are pro-abortion are thinking of the woman.  Those that are pro-life are thinking of the baby. Those who are anti-vaccine are thinking of their personal rights.  Those who are pro-vaccine are thinking of the common good.

Shall the twain ever meet?

Beware!

 

No this isn't a statue from the book of Revelation.  It's the statue in the visitor's plaza of the United Nations Building, in New York.  It was made by Mexican artists, Jacobo and Maria Angeles and donated by the Government of Oaxaca, Mexico.  It represents the United Nations as a guardian for international peace and security. The Aztecs used similar representations in their art--the combination of a jaguar and an eagle.  

I can see the protection and security, but not international peace.  Where's the cancel culture when you need them?  Here's one statue that should be torn down.

Attitudes Toward Humor

 Humor changes over time.  This may sound horrible to you today, but in the 1950's my father would tell the story of his cat having too many kittens.  So he put the mother cat and the kittens in a potato sack with some rocks and threw it in the river.  When he got home, there was the mother cat sitting on the steps waiting for him.  Everyone laughed--then.

Today it's not funny.  That's what I think happened to me when I tried to read A Confederacy of Dunces.  It must have been funny when John Kennedy Toole wrote the novel in  1980s, but I don't find it funny at all.  The major protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly is stomach-turning gross.  I can't continue to read it.  I'm putting the book down on page 149.  

Humor changes over time.

Redemptive Suffering

  What is the Catholic teaching on suffering?  from Wekepoedia

The Catholic Church sees human suffering as a chance to follow the example of Christ and believe that it is a part of God's plan. The document aims to reconcile suffering and pain with the belief in a loving God. Those who suffer here on Earth are united in that suffering with Christ, who died on the cross.

Redemptive suffering is the Christian belief that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the Passion of Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another, or for the other physical or spiritual needs of oneself or another.

Cardinal Pell in an address he gave at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo, California said he offered up his suffering in prison.  He thought of Christ's suffering and united himself to Him.

I also just got off the phone with a friend who is in great mental and emotional anguish.  She also is offering her pain as redemptive suffering.  So the pain can be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Anyone can offer their pain up.  Don't waste your suffering.  Think of the suffering of Jesus and unite yourself to Him.

Breast Feeding

 I wish I knew there was a devotion to Our Lady of La Leche when I was a nursing mom--especially when I had a breast infection. I probably thought that pictures and statues of Mary nursing Jesus would have been gross, at that time.  But think of it--pictures of naked bodies are commonplace.

Well, I've matured.

Thank You Mr. Leco

 My friend brought me out for lunch on my birthday, today, and we were surprised with an unexpected present. When it came time for the bill, the waitress told us that the bill had already been paid for by Mr. Leco.

Who?

Mr. Leco.  Who's that?  

He was nobody we knew.

And he didn't know it was my birthday.  Maybe he does this for Christmas.

Whatever!  Thank you Mr. Leco.

My Friend, Joan.

Christmas Bazaar

Fatima Shrine
Holliston, MA

 

Saturday, December 11, 2021

10:00 AM  --  3:00 PM

 

The shrine’s lights are on display from December 9 – 28, hot chocolate available.

Ezekiel's Prophesy

 It's bizarre that I'm preparing a Lenten Reflection Booklet for my Lay Dominican Region and looking at scripture prophesizing redemption, and in real-time I'm in Advent.  Read what Gus, one of my "cloistered brothers" wrote for Ezekiel 37: 21-28 and John 11: 45-56, and see if his words aren't also describing the birth of Jesus.

Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem, after bringing Lazarus back to life.  Jesus is fulfilling Ezekiel's prophesy.  

Thus speaks the Lord God: 'I will take the Israelites from among the nations to which they have come...to bring them back to their land... My dwelling shall be with them...my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever. 

Jesus begins in Bethlehem and ends in Jerusalem.  He will dwell among His people and bring the promised land to them.  His sanctuary to us Catholics is the tabernacle.  It is set up among His people, forever.

Life is Real Drama

This novel, Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard has everything life can throw at a woman.  The setting is between 1970-1980 because the story references Princess Diana and the Challenger rocket exploding. There's death, tragic accidents, marital infidelity, gender dystopia, estrangement, divorce, poverty, success, failure, and more I'm sure.  There were chapters that kept me awake reading because I didn't want to stop in the middle of desperation.

Joyce Maynard drew her characters well.  Each person is distinct and perfectly characterized.  The setting is New Hampshire and Boston.  The farmhouse, itself, is a character.  This house was really created by Eleanor, the main character.  Her stamp is on it, even when she gives it to her "ex".  The story even ends with the farmhouse.  It sounds like a place you would have liked to grow up in. In fact, Eleanor is the mother you wish you had, or were yourself. She really was a wonderful mother and a good wife until tragedy struck the family.  Then the plot twists, taking your heart with it because it twists all the characters.  

But life goes on.  Children grow up.  Love comes and goes and comes and goes.  After all, this is real life, not a story.  Oh, wait...

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

The oldest Advent hymn we have dates from before 275 AD and was composed in Greek for the Divine Liturgy of St. James as a hymn of Eucharistic Devotion. Since the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus is a sacramental continuation of his Incarnation, this ancient Eucharistic hymn has become a Advent and Christmas carol that can be a moving meditation for believers all on its own. This three minute video below is worth every second.

Memories

Every time I hear this song, I think of George.  Thank you for the good memories, George.  
 

Communion lessons

Communion lessons: It is hard to believe that people once considered the Catholic press boring. At least when it comes to opinions, as opposed to news, it never lacks for controversy. Here is the money quote:  The necessity for such a revival underscores an ongoing failing of our Church, however, which is the lack of continuous Catholic faith formation. Most Catholics received formal education in their childhood. They may be devout or disengaged, but they are often thinking in childhood categories. As St. Paul advises, at a certain point we need to put away childish things.

Greg Erlandson hits the point squarely.  Often when talking to former Catholics they believe with their childhood's understanding and never advanced that comprehension.  No wonder they don't believe.  I don't either.  At least they read articles and hopefully listen to Bishop Barron or other Catholic apologists.  Let's pray for them.

Grandma's Skit for First Penance

First Confession            First Sacrament of Reconciliation                  First Penance

Setting:  Sitting in a church pew waiting for my turn to go see the priest.

Characters:           Child: (plays herself)
                                Big Brother: (priest)
                                Grandma :  Narrator

 

Narrator:  The first thing someone does is think what they are going to talk about to the priest.  This is called an Examination of Conscience. 

Child: I have to think.  Thinks Out Loud.

Do I pray?

Have I been obedient to my parents and others?

Am I kind to everyone?

Am I stubborn?

Am I selfish and not shared with others?

Have I made fun of any one?

Have I stolen anything?

Have I purposely destroyed someone’s property?

Do I do my chores?

Have I told lies?

Oh!  Now it’s my turn.

Narrator:  Child sits or kneels in front of the priest.

Priest:  Good Afternoon.

Child:  Good Afternoon.  While making the sign of the cross, the child says, “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.  This is my first confession.”

Narrator:  Then the child tells how she has been behaving and promises to  try to be better.  For example:

I am too shy and don’t always greet my teachers as I should.

I do not share all the time. 

I spend too much time on technical devices.

I don’t help my mother as much as I should.

Now it’s the child’s turn:

………………………………………………

…………………………………………………….

……………………………………………….

Narrator:  When we finish the priest may talk to the child to make sure they are finished and maybe they have some questions for the priest.  When the conversation is over, the priest will give the child a penance.
The penance is usually prayers.

Priest: Now say your Act of Contrition.

Child:  Prays Act of Contrition:

Oh My God, I am sorry to have offended You.  I promise never to hurt You again and to love everyone as You want me to.  Amen.

Priest:  Good.  God bless you.

Child:  Thank you, Father.

Narrator:  The child leaves and goes somewhere to say her penance before she forgets.

 

 

 

Baruch

 LECTIO:

Baruch 5: 1-9

Bar 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
    put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
    bear on your head the mitre
    that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
    you will be named by God forever
    the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
    
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
    look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
    at the word of the Holy One,
    rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
    but God will bring them back to you
    borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
    that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
    be filled to level ground,
    that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
    have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
    by the light of his glory,
    with his mercy and justice for company.

STUDIUM:

Whoever wrote these verses has been given the name, Baruch.  This book is not included in the Jewish canon or Protestant Bibles. But the message is similar to other postexilic prophets.  Baruch is addressing Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Babylonians.  Everyone is filled with "sorrow."  So Baruch concludes with words of hope.  God will lead Israel with mercy and righteousness which is what God always intends--this is the right ordering of relationships, both among human beings and countries.

MEDITATIO:

This is God's vision of peace: mercy, righteousness and ever-lasting hope in the Lord.  When people wish you God's peace, this is what they are expressing.

On an individual level, a person can be exiled from God.  But don't lose hope that God can't bring them back.

ORATIO:

Lord, again I pray for my loved ones who are in exile, like Jerusalem. I have hope that you will secure them in Your arms.

CONTEMPLATIO:

I think of all the peoples who are in exile, migrants, Palestinians, Afghanistans, Sudanese, etc.  Come Lord Jesus, come.

RESOLUTIO:

I won't give up hope that God will restore all the way He meant it to be.

Good Response

 In the early days of Christianity, there lived a man called Simon.  This was a popular name.  Peter's former name was Simon, too.  But this Simon was a very good magician.  He was so good that some thought he was the messiah, due to his wondrous tricks.  There is even a statue along the Tiber River to the "holy god," which is attributed to the magician, Simon.

When Simon saw the success of Peter, curing the sick, healing the blind, etc., he wanted to do that, too.  So Simon asked Peter to give him the ability to lay on his hands and cure the sick.  Peter answered, "May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!..." Evidently, Simon tried to buy the healing charism.  By the way, this is where the term "simony" originates.  

I'm not certain that Simon converts.  He says he believes and what he says I think is an excellent response: "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."  I plan to use the "Pray for me" part, the next time I am corrected.

Friend:  "Faith, why didn't you come, last night."

Faith: "I just forgot.  Pray for me."

Should Children Be Believed?

As a child, I vividly remember toddling along the fence that marked the woods.  I saw something glistening and bent down and touched it.  Suddenly, the ground moved. I fell back and snakes crawled all over me. I was in a snake pit.

For years I believed it.  I used to tease my sister about it because being ten years older, she was my babysitter. At first, she said she didn't remember, but after years of my asking her, she finally said, "it was familiar."  

In my middle age to senior years, I googled the snakes.  Guess what.  They aren't in this area. Also, I remember my fat little legs and dimpled knees.  I was never a fat kid.  I was skinny.  Did I dream the incident?  I think I did.  And I even convinced my sister that it happened.  If you tell a lie often enough people will believe you.

This child certainty came to mind when I read Atonement, by Ian McEwan. A preteen found a note her older sister's lover wrote and in her childish mind she was shocked!  He described something he wanted to do to her sexually.  They were lovers.

But the tween had never heard, never mind read the words in the letter before.  All she could envision was her sweet, innocent sister was in danger of being raped.  Well, someone is raped and the tween shows the adults and the police the letter.  Worse, she says she saw her sister's lover running away from the crime.

All lies.

Yet, everyone believed the child.

The wrong man was convicted and sent to prison.

Decades later, the girl realizes her mistake--her lie.  She wants to apologize to her sister and her now husband and tell her parents the truth.  

Apologizing is not atonement.  The novel is mistitled, but it is still a riveting story.  

A day of gratitude or mourning?

A day of gratitude or mourning?: Last December 16, we marked the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims' disembarking in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and this year we celebrate the quatercentenary of the first Thanksgiving feast. 

But as this article in the Pilot tells us, the Wamponoags won't be celebrating.  I think it's a shame; we need to celebrate our survival.  But the native Americans feel they can't celebrate the Pilgrims' survival.  With the arrival of the Pilgrims came the beginning of their genocide.  

But if the Pilgrims didn't come, do you think the American Indians could have lived as they were, indefinitely?  Sooner or later, someone else would have come and done worse.  

What happened to the American natives is a tragedy.  History is overburdened with tragic stories.  

“Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.”
-- Desmond Tutu

Move on.  Moving on doesn't mean you forget.  Learn from what happened.  Don't let it happen again.  Nurturing injustice just grows bitter resentment that hinders your success.  In fact, you are hurting yourself.  Focus on the future.  Make the world better than before.

What's Going On?

 Don't read The Sabbatical by Michael D. O'Brien if you want all the storylines tied up. The plot is open-ended.  The story purposely leaves the reader wondering what will happen.  I have to think that there will be a sequel.  What will happen to Ion, an important character?  What will happen to the Forschtenbergs?  Who is after them, and why?

The novel begins with the von Forschtenbergs playing outside.  Clement, the father sees a red laser dot bouncing around on his son's chest.  Disaster is averted.  This won't be the only close call.  Who is doing this?

The Forschtenbergs go into hiding on a Romanian estate of a distant relative, Count Alexandru Eszterhazy. This count has valuable connections, money, and the providential wherewithal to help the Forschtenbergs. 

The story is told through the eyes of Owen Whitfield, a history professor.  It's during his sabbatical that the story's action unfolds. Likeminded intellectuals, like Whitfield, converge on Eszterhazy's estate to present their views related to current political, economic, religious, history, and what their present situation means in God's plan.  It is a highly Catholic referenced novel.  There is much ado about Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Question # 83 on freedom and the human will.  There are daily Mass, rosary, visits to the Chapel, and private prayer.

There are hints that Ion, whom the dark forces (whoever they may be) are after, represents the future--the future of the church, the future of civilization, the future of mankind.  Everyone prays for him.

The story frightened me.  I have children who don't see the value of religion.  I have grandchildren whom I teach religion to.  (One benefit of COVID is that Grandma is taking over teaching religion.)  I'm doing my best.  Pray for me.  Pray for my grandchildren.  Pray for the future of mankind.  Pray for our church.

Pray for Sainthood for Father Lataste

 Please pray for the canonization of Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste, OP.  Here is the process he has gone through:   

On the 21st of November, the archbishopric held the canonical opening of a diocesan process on a presumed healing attributed to Blessed John Joseph Lataste. What is it about?
To obtain the beatification of a Christian, the task is very long because, after having verified that nothing in his writings deviates from the faith of the Church, it is necessary to demonstrate his heroic virtues and the existence of a reputation for holiness leading to the steps for private prayer. Once this is validated and the candidate has thus become venerable, firstly it begins with a miracle whose recognition leads to beatification. Thus, for father Lataste, the process opened in 1937 led to the recognition of his heroic virtues in 2008 and to the recognition in 2011 of a miracle allowing him to be beatified on June 3, 2012, in Besançon.

For canonization, things are simpler: it only takes a miracle…! Indeed, it is necessary to present to the Congregation for the Cause of the Saints an event that could be recognized as a miracle, and that took place after the beatification, as a form of ratification of this first stage. When such an event seems worthy of interest to the postulator in charge of the cause, then to the Roman Congregation, after consulting a Roman expert doctor, the postulator is authorized to request the local bishop where it took place the opening of a process which seeks to gather under oath the responses of the witnesses to a certain number of questions. However, the term opening of the process does not refer to an inquiry at the end of which the ecclesiastical tribunal would make a decision: it is an informative process, which is limited to gathering in the most serious way possible all the elements that could contribute to the establishment of the truth. Under the authority of the local bishop, it consists of a judge delegated by the bishop, a promoter of justice, who ensures in particular that no pressure is put on witnesses, a medical expert in the case of healing, and an ecclesiastical notary who establishes and authenticates the minutes of the hearings.
Once the opening of the diocesan process is over, the inquiry is far from over. After validation, by the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, of the way in which the diocesan inquiry was conducted, the postulator with the help of an external collaborator writes a positio super miro, a synthesis report that presents in an understandable way all the documents and testimonies collected and that highlights the inexplicable nature of healing and its spiritual dimension. As was the case in the procedure for beatification, this position is examined by a committee of seven doctors, at least five of whom must pronounce themselves favorably, and then by a committee of five theologians. Additional information may be requested at this stage. If all goes well, the Pope finally decides whether or not to recognize the miracle, thereby triggering the canonization. But the process can also stop at each stage, from the first consultations of the Congregation for the cause of the saints to the two commissions.
In the case of the opening of an inquiry for the canonization of Blessed John Joseph Lataste, since the beatification, I have received several healing stories that I thought could not be presented in Rome. However, the unexpected healing of a patient following prayers addressed to Fr. Lataste in the diocese of Besançon in 2014, was more likely to succeed. After gathering the first accounts of the witnesses, I presented the file to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in November 2017; having been authorized to proceed, medical opinion was requested from an expert doctor from this Congregation, who gave his report, which was favorable, in May 2018. Thus, the Congregation authorized us to submit to Bishop Bouilleret a file asking him to kindly open the diocesan inquiry.
To preserve the freedom of the witnesses and the tranquility of the person who has been healed, no further details will be published in this story. All participants take an oath to respect this confidentiality. That is why the postulation makes you suffer by telling you stories of procedure, but no details about the healing itself!

Msgr Bouilleret appointed father Georges Mesnier as the delegated judge for this process, brother Philippe Toxé, o.p., a judge at the Lyon Officiality as the promoter of justice, Mrs. Nicole Pillot, as notary and Dr. Hervé Ducret as the medical expert. The causes of Dominican canonization are under the responsibility of a Postulator General of the Order, fr. Gianni Festa; he entrusts the direct follow-up of each case to a vice-postulator who is usually on site. This is how I have been assuming this responsibility for father Lataste since 1992.

All the members of the ecclesiastical tribunal met on November 21 in the Archbishopric under the chairmanship of Msgr Bouilleret, in the presence of the chancellor of the diocese and the prioress general of the Dominican sisters of Bethany. This first hearing, which was purely formal, was devoted to taking the oath and reading the opening decree of the inquiry.

A new stage in the long and fraternal collaboration between the diocese and the Dominican Order around the cause of Fr. Lataste is beginning, supported by the prayer of all so that this beautiful figure of holiness may be recognized by the universal Church!

Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette, o.p.
Vice-postulator for the cause of Bl Jean-Joseph Lataste

Raccolta

 The Raccolta was a book written in 1807 that contained Catholic prayers.  In it was a prayer by Saint Michael de Santis. He was a Trinitarian priest who was known for his devotion to the Eucharist.  He died in 1625.  Here is a prayer asking St. Michael de Santis' intercession for a greater love of Jesus in the Eucharist

.  Below is my prayer, modernizing his words.

Glorious Michael de Sanctis, seraph inflamed with burning love of Jesus in the most holy Sacrament; thou who, passing days and nights in his Royal Presence, didst find there those dear delights which, inundating not thy heart alone but thy whole body with surpassing sweetness, threw thee into an ecstasy of joy, and who, rapt in thy God, didst feel thyself faint for love, being unable to support the torrent of consolations; vouchsafe, I pray thee, powerful advocate, to obtain for me lively faith, firm hope, and burning charity towards this priceless treasure, the precious pledge of everlasting glory; so that by thy intercession I may, through the whole course of my life, be numbered amongst the true worshipers of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and hereafter enjoy Him face to face, together with thee, in an eternity of bliss. Amen.

St. Michail de Santis, you burned with love of Jesus in the Eucharist, spending many days and nights in Adoration. I pray that you intercede for my petition to grow closer to Jesus. Increase my faith and love of Jesus in the Eucharist. I hope to taste the living bread and feel Jesus' love burn in my heart. I ask this thru your intercession and the merits of my savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen

Worship

 The word "worship," is bizarre.  I'm sensitive to it because as a Catholic, I have often been accused of worshiping statues. We Catholics are taken aback by this accusation.  Of course not, we worship God and how we think of the saints and Mary is not on the same level.  Catholics honor and reverence Mary and the saints, but we don't worship them.  Worship is for God alone.

It is not so simple.  Once while teaching RCIA, I was teaching worshipping God and honoring the divinities, when Francisco walked into the room.  Francisco teaches the same class in Spanish.  I asked him, "Francisco, do Catholics worship Mary?"  His answer, "Oh, Si!"  

My jaw hit the floor.

When Francisco saw the look on my face, he immediately backpedaled.   He explained that the worship is different.  God is a higher level of worship.

A discussion ensured on the word "worship."  Francisco said that "worship" in Spanish is a catch-all word for honor, reverence, and worship.  There is no differentiation.

So, that is why so many people say that Catholics worship Mary.  

Yesterday, that event was brought to mind in a TV show I was flipping channels through.  I can't tell you the name of the show because I really didn't watch it.  It was too gruesome.  But it was one of the mystery/crime shows.  A man was murdered and he was on the autopsy table. The medical examiners found that the victim had no visible signs of trauma.  He died from asphyxiation.  The deceased mouth was open and jammed full of ash.  The doctors in extracting the ashes found a gold tooth and bone fragments. Hence, they concluded that cremains were poured down the deceased throat.  That's when I turned the channel.

But while the coroners were doing their examining, they were talking.  One of them asked, "Why would anyone want to be cremated?"  The other doctor said, "That's what I want to do.  It's the fastest and cheapest."  The other doctor said, "Not me.  I think my family needs the ceremony to help them in the bereavement process.  And a headstone to visit, to worship me."

To worship him??????

So even some TV scriptwriters don't differentiate between "worship and honor the memory of someone."

No wonder some people think Catholics worship statues.

Resurrecting a Chapter

Too bad Wayne is cut out of this picture, but the people are me, Father Wayne Cavalier, op, Zephus, and Wayne.  Zephus and Wayne are former "cloistered brothers."  Now they are not behind the walls.  Maybe it's time to resurrect the Hope of Bethany Fraternity.  It was created in the first place, specifically for former "cloistered brothers."  It died because no one would step up to lead the group and the leaders were tired of being elected and doing everything.  They got burnt out.

        But once a "cloistered brother," you always miss the fraternity of the group.  Maybe now is the time.  Any thoughts?

 

Literature will Save the World

 I have this small book I've been reading.  It's Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Nobel Lecture.  He won the Nobel prize for literature in 1970.  

Solzhenitsyn posits that mankind will always have conflict.  The only saving factor to have peace is justice.  And the best place to understand justice is religion.  Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a devout Russian Orthodox.

And the only way to win against the secular world and its intrusive evil is art, in particular, literature.  He should know.  He was in trouble more than once in his own beloved Russia.

I think that world literature has the power in these frightening times to help mankind see itself accurately despite what is advocated by partisans and by parties. It has the power to transmit the condensed experience of one region to another, so the different scales of values are combined ...

Who Knew?

 Representatives from countries around the world will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the latest round of climate talks—the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties (COP26)—during the first two weeks of November.  

Some of the demonstrators blame their grandparents for destroying the climate.  Of course, that's the first question many people ask, "Who did this?  Who is responsible?"

These types of questions have always annoyed me.  The answers to those questions don't help the problem NOW.  The answers will surface later as we deal with the situation.

What can we do now?  Switch our cars to hybrids and electric.  Use solar and wind for heat and air conditioning.  Plant trees.  All of these and more will be agreed upon at COP26.  Everyone, the whole world must work together to fix the problem because everyone caused it.  We thought our resources were endless.  Fools that we were and are.