All posts by Anne Tschanz

The Christ-Centered Nature of the Church and St. Benedict’s Rule

Christ and His virtues and attributes are the central focus of the Church and the Rule of St. Benedict.

After three years of miracles, preaching, teaching, healing and feeding while “resolutely” heading for Jerusalem, Jesus comes up to the Last Supper where he longingly looked forward to initiate the Eucharist: “This is my body; “This is my blood;” and Holy Orders: “Do this in memory of me.” Mindful of His words, these sacraments commission the priests to bring Christ to the multitudes throughout the world.

During the forty days that follow the magnificent event of Christ’s Resurrection, He accomplishes the solidification of the newborn Church as He affirms the apostles and disciples. Then comes His Ascension into heaven followed by the precious gift of the Pentecost whereby the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles that they may be emboldened to preach with holy conviction. These events are at the core of the Church’s sacred heritage. The Church is constantly challenged to bring the “good news” of Christ throughout the whole world.

Thanks to the writings of the Fathers of the Church that contributed significantly to the clarification of Sacred Scripture and the spiritual growth of the Church, St. Benedict benefited greatly by this foundation. After absorbing the best of this sacred heritage, he proceeded to apply this knowledge to build up monastic life that would eventually evangelize and civilize the whole of Europe. The secret of His success was the placing of Christ at the center of all his efforts.

He taught us to “Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ” (RB 4:10). This theme would echo throughout the entire rule in many different forms. So we see that the abbot is believed to “hold the place of Christ, since he is addressed by a title of Christ…not for any claim of his own, but out of honor and love for Christ” (RB 63: 13.

And, consider this: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else” (RB 4:20). Evil thoughts are to be dealt with swiftly and decisively, such as, “As soon as wrongful thoughts come into your heart, dash them against Christ and disclose them to your spiritual father” (RB 4:50). Although we strive to find Christ in every person we meet, how shall we deal with our “enemies?” St. Benedict advises, “Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down (RB 4:72).”

Spiritual progress is slow, so after diligently practicing the virtue of humility we arrive at love. “Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue” (RB 7:68-69).

All kinds of people reside in the monastery or come for the solace of retreat or just a good word, and all represent Christ in one way or another. We are called upon to reverence them, especially those who are sick and bedridden. “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said: I was sick and you visited me (Matt 25:36), and What you did for one of these least brothers you did for me (Matt 25:40)” (RB 36:1-2).

But the wisdom of St. Benedict also has advice that goes both ways. “Let the sick on their part bear in mind that they are served out of honor for God, and let them not by their excessive demands distress their brothers who serve them (RB 36:4)”.

If we eat too much food we are advised: “For nothing is so inconsistent with the life of any Christian as overindulgence. Our Lord says: Take care that your hearts are not weighed down with overindulgence  (Luke 21:34 (RB 39:8-9). )”

No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life (RB 72:7-12).

Br. Daniel Sokol is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

www.princeofpeaceabbey.org

Prayers for the Holy New Martyrs of Nigeria

This note was received from Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo, Executive Director of the Institute of Catholic Culture (ICC), an IRL Affiliate Community. He asks for prayers for members of the ICC community who were killed in the terrorist attack at a Catholic Church in Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday 2022.


As members of the ICC family, and more importantly, as members of the Body of Christ, you and I have a special call to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in most need.

By now, I am sure you will have heard of the terrorists who broke into the Nigerian church in the middle of Pentecost Mass and shot over fifty people. Yesterday, we were further shocked and saddened to learn that some members of that parish are also members of our ICC family and students in our Bioethics course. Yesterday afternoon, we received an email from one of the parish priests asking our ICC family to gather in prayer for all those suffering from this terrible attack. He writes:

I ask for the prayers of the whole ICC community. My parish (St. Francis Catholic church, Owo, Nigeria) was attacked by terrorists yesterday during the Pentecost Sunday Mass (it’s all over social media and news channels in Nigeria). We have lost about 39 of our parishioners already and so many are still under intensive care.

Myself and the other priests are so engrossed in pastoral care for our parishioners at this emotional moment. It is devastating and saddening to see so many children and adults murdered in cold blood. The church (what is left of it) is temporarily closed as an active crime scene and the faith of the people is being tested by the horrific ramifications of the attack.


Please, take a moment right now with me and with our entire ICC family to pray together for this priest, for the people of Saint Francis parish, and for all Christians in Nigeria. Let us especially ask for the intercession of the new martyrs of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria.


In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Lord God of Hosts, God of our Salvation, God who alone workest wonders: look with mercy and goodness upon thy humble servants, and in thy love for mankind hearken unto us and have mercy on us. For, behold, our enemies have gathered themselves against us to destroy us and to bring ruin to our sanctuaries.

Help us, O God our Savior, and deliver us, for the sake of the glory of thy Name, and grant that we also may say with truth, as did Moses when he spoke to the people of Israel: ‘Behold, and stand fast; and you shall see the salvation that comes from the Lord. The Lord shall fight for you.’

Yea, O Lord God, our Savior, our Strength, our Hope, and our Protection: remember not the transgressions and unrighteousness of thy people, and turn not away from us because of thine anger; but in mercy and goodness look upon thy humble servants who bow down before thy loving-kindness. Rise up to help us, and grant us victory in thy name. Grant forgiveness of sins to those who, in the mystery of thy dispensation, will lay down their lives in battle, and on the Day of thy Judgment bestow upon them crowns of incorruption. For thou art the Protection, the Victory and the Salvation of those who put their hope in thee, and to thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Holy New Martyrs of Nigeria, pray to God for us.


Your servant in Christ,
Father Hezekias
Executive Director
Institute of Catholic Culture

 

Carmel of St. Joseph in Terre Haute Celebrates 75 Years!

On Carmel’s Height, Day & Night,
Someone prays for you

By Sr. Clare Joseph, O.C.D.

Celebration of our Foundation

Mother Agnes and Founding Sisters

On October 8, 2022, a day after our actual Foundation Day on the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, our community will mark the 75th Jubilee year since our foundation from the Carmelite monastery in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1947.  We will honor this joyful event with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Our Archbishop Charles Thompson will preside while several of our Carmelite friars will join him to concelebrate.  Pending the COVID restrictions, we hope to make it a public event where all are invited to join us in this jubilant celebration.

Our Beginnings

Before our foundation was made from the Indianapolis Carmel, the Archbishop of Indianapolis, Archbishop Joseph Ritter, dreamed of having a Carmelite community in Terre Haute praying.  The city had become infiltrated with corruption and crime and Archbishop Ritter longed to have nuns right in Terre Haute, praying that the city would once again become a wholesome place for people to live and raise their families.  And so, it was Archbishop Ritter who planted the first seed for our foundation. When we moved here on October 7, 1947, we lived in a house on the property and, with the help of friends, our monastery was gradually built, stage by stage.

Growth

Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Luke 9:33).

Fast forward 75 years, our firmly planted seeds have taken root as we have grown into the contemplative community that we are today here in Terre Haute, Indiana.  God has watered the seeds and provided the growth, blessing us in abundance.

Our current monastery stands on a hill overlooking Terre Haute, the city that we love and which we pray.  Our chapel roof is distinguished by three peaks, representative of the three tents that Peter wanted to make for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  Over the years we were able to acquire the property adjacent to our original plot of land.  This allows us to cultivate gardens and an orchard, which provide us with fruit and vegetables throughout the year.  The additional grounds also provide us opportunity to pray and encounter God in nature.

Gratitude to overflowing

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the great and loving support we have received from our families, many friends, and benefactors.  Their help has come to us in a variety of ways, from our building days to our current reality and day to day needs.  No sooner do we have a need, offer prayers to God, then we receive a phone call or knock on the door from one of our numerous friends, offering their support, eager for the opportunity to “pay us back” for praying for their needs.  Words cannot express our gratitude for all the assistance and support we have received over the years.

Significantly, our sisters from the Indianapolis Carmel – the community that we were founded from – have overwhelmed us with their ongoing support and generosity.  Although they are few in number and have relocated to Oldenburg, Indiana, to the campus of the Franciscan community, they are closer to us than ever before, in heart and in our united prayers.

“… chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:4-5) .

We are especially proud and grateful for the community that we have become and are becoming.  In addition to the unique treasure that each sister is, the cultures of our international community of sisters further enriches our common life.  We share and sincerely experience the joys of life in community with one another, making real Our Holy Mother St. Teresa’s desire that in our communities:   “… all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped” (The Way of Perfection, 4:7).  It is our “living stones” that we cherish most of all – one another!

Mostly, our gratitude is to God for God Himself; for His fidelity, His love, His peace, His sustaining and providing for us, our Church, and our whole world in every way; for loving “the world so much that He gave His only Son.” (John 3:16).  Every momentous anniversary of our monastery is an opportunity for us to recall with profound gratitude and awe the graciousness with which God has smiled upon us from our first years in Terre Haute.

Our Vision Statement reads that “we are consecrated women of the Teresian Carmel, living in sisterly communion, holding the lamp of contemplation ‘till we become a living flame of love.’”

We believe that this flame of love has a continual and tremendous spiritual influence in our world, beyond the parameters of Terre Haute, Indiana, even while it may be hidden from our eyes.  It is the Spirit of God moving all over our world that brings life and hope and this is what we have dedicated our lives to here on the mount in Terre Haute, Indiana.

“… and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Visit: heartsawake.org

Perseverance and Stability by Br. Daniel Sokol, OSB

The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of our stability and the foundation of our faith.  He it is who provides the courage, the stamina, the example, the guidance, the witness and the perseverance to follow Him safely along the path of life to His everlasting kingdom and to join Him in heaven for all eternity.

Since Jesus is our rock of safety and our heavenly goal, we call upon Him daily for His divine guidance and protection. “Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety.  You are my rock and my fortress; for your namesake you will lead me and guide me” (Ps 30:3-5; c.f. Psalm 70:3).

A lifetime of perseverance in the way of the Lord brings us an abundance of graces. Every time we receive an answer to a prayer, a link of understanding for some small trial, a signpost of peace and approval or any favor for that matter, we magnify it still more by giving thanks to God our Savior.

Every time we offer thanks even for a small or a large and difficult task, we multiply the graces significantly.  God will never be outdone in generosity!  Our life can be filled with trials and difficulties, and these if done with a willing spirit, we advance in the spiritual life. God always gives what is good for our eternal salvation provided we follow His promptings.

The gift of perseverance is a necessary virtue. For Scripture has it: “Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Matt 10:22), and again, Be brave of heart and rely on the Lord (Ps 26[27]:14).”

We will find a multitude of examples and grace-filled sources of encouragement if we prayerfully read the Scriptures, the Apostles, the Fathers of the Church (early or modern), and the Lives of the Saints, especially if we follow their example and earnestly ask for their peace, protection and encouragement.

Stability has as much as to do with the mind, the heart and the soul as it does to being stable in one place, organized, and clear of all clutter.  Our quiet time spent in prayer on a regular basis brings peace, quiet and a more willing receptiveness to the will of the Lord.

Following a regular schedule brings clarity of thought and closeness to God.  We do well to daily practice discipline and pay attention to the necessary spiritual priorities in our life.  These are just a few of the secular and spiritual “virtues” mentioned in this article.  They are, “the tools of the spiritual craft” which our holy Father St. Benedict advises (C.f. RB 4:75). There is a connection between patience, stability and perseverance.  I stand firm in doing God’s will.

Perseverance helps us keep our eyes on the ultimate reward of joining Our Lord and Savior, Mary, Joseph and all the angels and saints in everlasting glory in heaven.  We pray, “Thy Kingdom come…”, that is, in our hearts, our minds, our soul and our bodies, indeed in all of our actions.

Let us all join in with each other as we pray for perseverance in stability and safety along with the psalmist as he places his hope and trust in God and writes: “In You O Lord I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me and save me.  Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock, my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the criminal and the violent.  For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God from my youth.  On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength; constant has been my hope in you.  A portent am I to many, but you are my strong refuge!  My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day”.

Amen! (Ps. 70:1-8 C.f. Ps. 30:1-6)

Br. Daniel is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

Monica’s Tears: Restoring Wounded Humanity

Her first rescue

Visiting a rundown shop on a steamy May morning, Monica Lapuente came across a broken-down porcelain doll. The wear and tear of the years was evident in the tattered dress, split head, and discoloration. It looked, she said, like it had suffered appalling cruelty.

It was an epiphany moment for her; she saw in that doll broken humanity in need of love, mercy and restoration.  And she discovered something amazing too. Hidden in the doll was the original music box that had survived all the vicissitudes of life – heat, cold, dirt, abandonment, battering – and could still play a tune.  All it needed was loving hands to bring it make it whole.

She was inspired to make this doll and all the ensuing ones a religious sister; each showing a different face of mercy and God’s love to the world.  Or as Monica says: “Each Monastery Belle represents and celebrates the universality, diversity, cultural richness, conversion, perseverance, and beauty of the Catholic Church.”

One doll led to another and to date she has restored almost 400 (click here to see them all)! All the materials used for the hand-stitched habits are found in thrift shops and the like, remnants to be brought back to useful life. She only uses porcelain dolls because they symbolize to her, humanity so exquisite and fragile, so easily chipped and broken.  Each one has a unique name too.

One of her newest dolls (right) is a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate, an community founded in Lviv, Ukraine.  The name she was given is Sr. Mariya Sofiya Oleksandra, S.S.M.I., which means “the wisdom of Mary is the defender and protector of all mankind.”

“Each doll came to me with visible and invisible manifestations of suffering which is a metaphor for the wounded soul of humanity,” says Monica. “But what is broken, abused, rejected, and imperfect becomes whole, dignified, and beautiful in the sunlight of God’s creative and renewing love.”

For more information and to see all of the dolls, visit: monicastears.com

The Divine Liturgy by Brother Daniel Sokol, 0SB

We may be surprised to learn that our earthly worship is an anticipation of, and a participation in, the heavenly worship. In heaven, the angels and saints perpetually proclaim the glory of God. They proclaim His glory, His honor, His beneficence, His virtues, His mercy, His Justice, etc., etc.

The “Opus Dei” (Divine Liturgy) refers to “the work of and for God” because He is working within us in order to make us more worthy of being in His presence. “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.  Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.”

Christ serves forever as the Mediator, the Great High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle of God.  The more worthy we participate in the divine liturgy, the closer we become to Christ.  We are blessed to have a beautiful Church which helps us to have a more worthy focus as we sing and pray the Divine Liturgy.

Even the liturgical furnishings of the Church provide their own significance for the overall worthiness of a proper liturgy.  The ambo is the place where the scriptures and their commentaries are pronounced with great reverence.  The candles are a reflection of Christ who is “the light of the world.”  The silver and gold chalice(s) are made of the finest materials. The presider’s chair is a carryover from the Jewish people as the rabbi usually sat while giving instructions.  Holy water and incense have particular rites for blessings and reverencing persons, altars, houses vessels, medals, bibles, cars, etc.

In order to proclaim a worthy liturgy, it is necessary that a lot of preparation goes on beforehand.  The main celebrant, the readers, acolytes, musicians and singers, etc. all have their sacred part in the most sacred of sacrifices.  Even the congregation, according to Vatican Council II, are urged to take an active part in the divine worship, singing and praying their parts.  St. Augustine writes, “Whoever sings, prays twice.”  The priest needs to deliver a well-prepared homily that edifies and helps to explain the readings and often can be applied to the current state of world and Church affairs.

Even processions are important.  The entrance procession with incense (which represents the prayers of the faithful) is reminiscent of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The altar of sacrifice is reverenced and incensed because it refers to Christ and His sacrifice. The procession of bringing gifts represents ourselves, our gifts, our family, our offerings, our life, etc.  At the end of Mass, the recession out of Church challenges us with great conviction to “Go out to all the world and share the good news!”

We are not to sit by and merely watch the whole ceremony of any given liturgy; we need to participate with enthusiasm for our salvation through the God-given gift of faith.

 (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Jan. 6, 2014)

Gestures are to be done with great respect.  Entering into the Lord’s Earthly Temple, we sign ourselves with the sign of the cross using holy water, then bow to the altar and genuflect to the tabernacle.  When the gospel is announced we mark our forehead, lips and heart saying “May the Lord be in our mind, on our lips and in our heart.”  We make a profound bow of the head on the feasts of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin at the mention of their names, which represent their persons.  There is a myriad of preparations, carefully learned and practiced that go into the overall presentation of a very fine liturgy, especially in a church that radiates dignity and holiness.

Let us revise some of these faith enhancing practices so that our whole life can become a worthy gift to God for all that He has done for us.  Let us listen attentively to the prayers we pray and foster an awareness of God’s manifold gifts given in our lives through the sacraments, through each other.

Let us remember to be thankful to God for every grace or favor we receive, even the unfavorable ones.  That way we can be sure we are still advancing on the road to holiness!

Br. Daniel Sokol is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

www.princeofpeaceabbey.org

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Host Liturgy of the Hours Workshop

Called to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

On February 26, 2022, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Manitowoc, offered a workshop on the Liturgy of the Hours to discerning women interested in learning to pray or to pray with more depth this beautiful daily prayer of the Church. The Zoom conferences commenced at 10 AM, 2 and 4 PM. They offered a variety of topics, presenters, and experiences. Each session began with the following prayer and the ritual of crossing the forehead, lips, and heart:

Lord, open our + minds that we may learn and understand this great prayer of your Church.

Lord, open our + lips that we may speak your Word and pray with zeal and attention.

Lord, open our + hearts that we may not only understand and speak but may integrate this prayer into our day-to-day life. We ask you to guide every thought, word, and action of this day to your greater honor and glory.

Amen.

Sister Anne Marie Lom explained the use of imagery and anthropomorphism in the Psalms and examples were given. Then, Sister Pamela Biehl traced the origins and development of the Liturgy of the Hours from early Christian times to the more recent format used after Vatican II. Some comments from the participants were:

“It was very helpful to understand the background and development of Liturgy of the Hours and recognize how we can incorporate some earlier elements of this prayer while we pray it today (i.e. lighting a candle)” and “having more background knowledge to the Liturgy of the Hours helped to create better appreciation for it.”

For simplicity, brevity, and clarity, a website was used to show examples of Lauds, Vespers, and Night Prayer. Participants offered their favorite sites/apps for praying Liturgy of the Hours.

A YouTube video explaining step by step the use of the ribbons and sections of the book Christian Prayer was shared.

https://aleteia.org/2017/06/08/a-beginners-guide-to-the-liturgy-of-the-hours/

At 2 PM, Novice Sister Mary Jane Schwartz and Temporary Professed Sisters Maria Guadalupe Martinez, and Cecilia Joy Kugel joined the group. They responded to each of these questions:

  1. Did you pray the Liturgy of the Hours before you entered? If yes, how did that happen?
  2. What struggles did you have learning to pray the Liturgy of Hours?
  3. What do you remember from the course on the Liturgy of the Hours that we shared last year?
  4. Any advice for those beginning to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?

Judging from the comments in the evaluations, this session was very helpful. Comments included: “It was so nice and helpful to get the newest sisters’ advice and learn about their struggles with the Liturgy of the Hours” and “I liked the multiple age viewpoints all the different Sisters provided.”

Another positive feature of the day was the attendance of Postulant Kathrine Logan and future Postulant, Michelle Ozuna.

The 4 PM conference included in-depth exploration of the daily Canticles of Simeon, Zachariah, and the Magnificat. Another valuable site was shared that connects the reader to commentaries of the Psalms and Canticles for all four weeks of the Liturgy of the Hours. These commentaries were begun by Saint John Paul II and completed by Pope Benedict XVI.

http://ch.catholic.or.kr/pundang/4/psalter/jp2_b16_commentaries.htm

This session concluded with Vespers for the eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time led by Sister Pamela Biehl. Sister’s explanation of the rubrics for our prayer together, the artwork that drew our attention to the prayer and her prayerful layout of Vespers helped us to end with a true reverence for praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

All were grateful for a day full of learning and grace.

Speaker credentials:

Sister Pamela Biehl holds a MA in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame and Sister Anne Marie Lom holds a MA in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco. Visit the Community website:
fscc-calledtobe.org/

Double Jubilee Year for the Order of the Visitation

Live + Jesus!

The year 2022 is very special for the Sisters of the Order of the Visitation, as they are celebrating the 450th anniversary of the birth of their Holy Foundress, St. Jane de Chantal, as well as the 400th anniversary of the death of their Holy Founder St. Francis de Sales.

The Holy See has decreed that the Visitation Order can celebrate a Jubilee Year for their Founder, St. Francis de Sales, in their Monastery Chapels throughout the world, and that all may come to receive a plenary indulgence by coming to their Chapel with that intention. The Jubilee began on January 24th, the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, and will end on the anniversary of his death on December 28, 2022.

St. Francis de Sales has been a great light in the Church. He was born in Savoy on August 21, 1567.Before his birth, his mother prayed before the exposed Shroud of Turin for a son to be a Priest. His father had plans for him to be a lawyer with a brilliant future. Francis from early age longed to belong to the Church. He obeyed his father by studying both law and theology, and obtained a doctorate in both Canon and Civil Law, having studied in Paris and Padua.

At the age of 26, through arrangements his friends and unknown to him, he was named Provost of the Cathedral in Annecy, an eminent position. This made it possible for him to ask his father’s permission to belong to the Church, It was difficult for his father; yet he saw that God was calling his son, and he gave him his blessing, not without tears. He was ordained a Priest.

Shortly after his ordination, the Duke of Savoy asked the Bishop de Granier to send zealous Priests into the region of the Chablais, which had returned into his possession. Seventy years before, it had been forced into Calvinism by force of arms;  only 100 Catholics were remaining.

In 1594, with his cousin Louis de Sales, Francis volunteered, working tirelessly for 4 years, endeavoring to touch the hearts of the people,. His life was in constant danger, with Protestant ministers hiring assassins to kill him. The ministers had forbidden their flock from attending his sermons with threats, so Francis wrote small tracks, and had them printed on the truths of the Catholic Church, and slipped them under the doors, so that they could read them without fear. This is why he is patron of journalists. He was a zealous missionary!

Since he could not say Mass until permission came from the Duke, he would crawl on a tree trunk over a torrent to where he could celebrate it, even crawling on it covered with ice! Finally, after 4 years of arduous and discouraging efforts, he won the hearts of the people, and 70,000 Calvinists returned to the Church! To this day, the people of the Chablais are faithful to the Church and St. Francis de Sales.

He was asked by the  Pope to take on the delicate mission of visiting the successor of Calvin, Beza in Geneva, to invite him back to the Church, as there seemed to be a possibility, but it came to nothing.

It is a recorded fact that when he said Mass, his face was seen to shine, even as a young Priest, This was remarked by many, as recorded by St. Jane de Chantal in the process for his canonization, for she herself observed it several times.

When his bishop died, he was consecrated Bishop of Geneva, spending long hours on horseback or on foot, traveling for months visiting all his flock in the mountains. He cared for his Priests, and gave them instructions for preaching well, and he would not permit unworthy candidates to be ordained no matter how much money was offered to him, or families insisted.

He was a friend to the poor. He had his confessional placed at the entrance of the church, so that the poor and the crippled, and even those with repulsive sores, would not be embarrassed to come to confession. “He was most approachable, never turned anyone away; he always listened with unhurried calmness for as long as people felt they needed to talk. He was so patient and attentive that you would have thought this was all he had to do…all left him happy and satisfied” (St. Chantal’s Deposition for his canonization).

He was an eminent spiritual director, and wrote the classic Introduction to the Devout Life which even today is beloved for its simple and practical teaching. He said that devotion is for everyone, the shopkeeper as well as the Priest and Religious, and that it was wrong to keep devotion out of the Court or the marketplace. He was a man ahead of his time. Vatican II was very much according to his teaching. When the Church declared at Vatican I on Papal Infallibility, it was to those very papers of his, written in the Chablais, that were quoted to prove the doctrine (these are now called The Controversies and published by Tan.)

His good friend, St. Vincent de Paul said of him, “there is no one more like the Son of God on earth, than the Bishop of Geneva.” And this he said with tears in his eyes. Yes, St. Francis de Sales had learned from Jesus to be meek and humble of heart, like His Master. It is the constant experience of those who study his life and his virtues, that the more one knows St. Francis de Sales, the more one knows Jesus; so much was his heart like Jesus. He had great respect for the human person, no matter how poor or how despicable. All could come to him with their troubles. “His whole manner of speaking had great dignity and discretion but was at the same time humble, quiet and candid; he never posed, he was completely unaffected and lacked any stiffness” (St. Chantal).

“His incomparable kindness opened the most firmly locked hearts, and he took out what was evil and put solid resolutions and desires there instead. He was extraordinarily decisive and encouraging; he cleared up doubts and scruples on the spot, there and then inspiring perfect reassurance and peace” (St. Chantal’s Deposition).

In 1610, he founded a new Religious Congregation that would accept those of weak or frail health, as well as those who were older, even the crippled and the blind were admitted, as long as they could live the life. He said he wanted to “give God souls of prayer, souls who would adore God in spirit and truth.” He said he wanted his daughters to be “well shod, but have their hearts bare.” This was a great innovation in his day.

He wrote a Treatise on the Love of God, a masterpiece on the ways of God in the soul. He was declared a Doctor of the Church, and named “Doctor of Divine Love.” He taught about God’s goodness and Fatherly care of His children, and to trust in the Providence of God..

He had dealings with the great names of his day, King Henri IV, who admired him and called him “a rare bird.” When he was in Paris, he was a member of Madam Acarie’s Circle, whose members were the spiritual giants of the day; he was influential in bringing the Carmelites into France. He advised Cardinal Richelieu that he should devote himself to his diocese, rather that the Court of France. Had he heeded his advice, there would not have been such a scandal.

Because of his knowledge of law, and because everyone trusted him, he was often asked to bring peace between warring families, and persons of nobility. He was a great peacemaker.

He is also Patron saint of the deaf because a young man of 25 who had been deaf and dumb since childhood was left without help. St. Francis felt such compassion for him that he worked out a sign language for him, and prepared him for his 1st Holy Communion. He remained in Francis service, because of his great love for him.

St. Francis reformed or tried to reform several lax Religious Communities. In his preaching, he never accused the Protestant Reformers, he spoke of the beauty of the Faith, of the Sacraments, particularly of the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Many were converted by listening to his sermons. When Protestant ministers challenged him to a public debate, he always accepted, and was so convincing, that they hesitated to do so again, and would not appear when scheduled. He had read all their works, and knew their tactics. He was always simple and polite, and the people who listened were charmed by his gracious words of truth. How he loved the Church, and knew the heart and mind of the Church! He had a deep understanding of what the Church really teaches.

Even during his life, there were miracles, even bringing a little girl back to life. He also delivered persons who were attacked by the devil, even possessed. After his death, many miracles happened at his tomb. He is beloved by all who know him, and to read his writings, his letters and sermons give the heart the joy of confidence in God and liberty of spirit. Here was a man who truly loved God, and knew the Heart of God

God be praised!

This article was written by the Visitation Nuns in Snellville, Georgia.

Reverence, Awe and Respect in the Rule of St. Benedict by Brother Daniel Sokol, OSB

St. Benedict has a lot to say regarding our attitude of reverential awe and charitable respect shown to God and towards our fellow human beings.

For example, he begins Chapter 4, on “Good Works” with “First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength,  and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37; Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27).

Loving God is the starting point of all that we do and all whom we meet in our Christian walk.  Even strangers, the poor and pilgrims are to be “welcomed as Christ” (RB 53:1).  As the late Abbot Georg Holzherr, OSB, of our grandmother house put it: “Genuine hospitality especially towards the poor and pilgrims, is a hallmark of a truly humane culture in dealing with others, and it is certainly a theme that stands out in the Bible.”  This is especially true for monastics, and by way of extension, the Oblates: “They should each try to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10) (in RB 63:17).

Reverence at the Divine Office, the Work of God, merits an especially important place in the chapters on Prayer: “As soon as the cantor begins to sing ‘Glory be to the Father,’ let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity” (RB 9:7).

Liturgical reading is to be “done with humility, seriousness and reverence” (RB 47:4).  “After the Work of God, all should leave in complete silence and with reverence for God,  so that a brother who may wish to pray alone will not be disturbed by the insensitivity of another” (RB 52:2,3).   Even monks traveling on mission “are to perform the Work of God where they are, and kneel out of reverence for God” (RB 50:3).

Essentially, all aspects of monastic life are to be done with a spirit of cheerful humility towards each other.  “The younger monks, then, must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors” (RB 63:10).  When praying the Liturgy and addressing God, they do
so with fearful but loving awe, as when the Abbot “reads from the Gospels while all the monks stand with respect and awe.  (RB 11:9).

St. Benedict had an excellent grasp of the Holy Scriptures, and therefore he was able to craft his rule, sentence by sentence, with the goal of forming holy monks into cohesive groups of twelve monastics.  Many of his disciples were illiterate rustics who became trained by the Holy Rule until they were ready to go out to evangelize their parts of the world by founding more and more monasteries.  Eventually there were about 1,400 monasteries scattered all over Europe.

With attention to detail, the reference to pure prayer speaks to the whole person—body and soul.  “ Let us consider, then, how we ought to behave in the presence of God and his angels,  and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices” (RB 19:6-7).  With keen awareness of human behavior, he writes, “ Whenever we want to ask some favor of a powerful man, we do it humbly and respectfully, for fear of presumption.   How much more important, then, to lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion.   We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words” (RB 20:1-3).

This kind of respectful harmony flows out to our contact with holy superiors and confreres in such appealing phrases as “…the disciples’ obedience must be given gladly, for God loves a cheerful giver(2 Cor 9:7) (RB 5:16).

Respecting human frailties, he gently advises his followers with such phrases as,   “This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10), supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior” (RB 72:3-5).

Brother Daniel Sokol, OSB, is a Benedictine monk at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.

Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap., Dies after Long Illness

Fr. Regis Scanlan, OFM Cap., was a close friend of Servant of God Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ., founder of the IRL. In fact, when Mother Teresa asked Father Hardon for a priest who could give her sisters intensive Eucharistic Formation, he said that Father Regis was the obvious choice.

Below is the press release that announced Father Scanlon’s death. It really was a remarkable life!

NEWS RELEASE

from Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Communications Office, 3613 Wyandot St., Denver 80211
Fr. Blaine Burkey, O.F.M.Cap., 303-204-1924

Fr. Regis Paul Scanlon, O.F.M.Cap., 78, internationally-known defender of the Catholic faith and locally-loved defender of the poor and marginalized, died at Porter Adventist Hospice, Centennial, Colo., on Nov. 6.

Death came for Fr. Regis only after a long procession of life-threatening illnesses begun already at age 17.

Born the son of the late Jerome Francis and Dorothy Mary (Meyer) Scanlon in Pittsburgh on Feb. 17, 1943, Regis Scanlon attended Pittsburgh’s St. Athanasius Grade School and North Catholic High School before graduating from North Hills High School in 1961. He began studies at Pennsylvania state colleges in Slippery Rock and Mansfield for becoming a math teacher, but decided to study for the priesthood instead.

After taking Latin and Greek courses at Loyola University, Chicago, and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, he entered St. Fidelis College Seminary, run by the Capuchins at Herman Pa. in 1965, graduating in 1969 with a BA in philosophy. He then earned an MA in systematic theology from the Washington (D.C.) Theological Union in 1974.

Meanwhile he made a year’s novitiate as a Capuchin Franciscan at Annapolis, Md. He took first vows in the Order in 1967, and permanent vows in 1970, and was ordained to the priesthood at Herman on Aug. 26, 1972.

For the next six years, Father served as associate pastor at Capuchin parishes in Hays, Kans.; Thornton, Colo.; Dover, Ohio; Herman, Pa.; Victoria and Walker, Kan.

He took mathematics and education courses at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University, and spent the next decade at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in Hays, teaching math courses and serving as associate dean of resident students.

Father then moved to St. Louis and served for a year as associate chaplain at the Newman Chapel at Washington University; after which she served for six years as chaplain of the Catholic Campus Center at Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver. During these years he was also an instructor in the archdiocesan diaconate program and adjunct professor at St. Thomas Seminary.

He appeared several times with Mother Angelica on EWTN in the late 1980s, and became widely known as a defender of the faith, contributing frequently to Homiletics and Pastoral Review, Pastoral Life, The Priest, Soul Magazine, The Catholic Faith, New Oxford Review, Catholic Insight, Crisis Magazine, and his own blog at frregisscanlon.com  Thinking that many had gone astray by misreading the council documents, he produced a series of videos for EWTN on What Vatican II Really Taught. Many people disagreed with his strong views, but the vast majority found him to be a respectful and friendly adversary; and he was regularly the center of much good-natured fun in the community.

In 1990 Father began working with St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity, serving as chaplain at Seton House AIDs hospice and later at their Gift of Mary shelter for homeless women.  Mother Teresa personally recruited him to help in the formation of her sisters, and he spent much of the last years of the second millennium conducting retreats for her sisters gathered in South Africa, Madagascar and Tijuana. Father was also for many years the official confessor of the Carmelite nuns in Littleton and the Benedictine nuns in Boulder.

Fr. Regis served as archdiocesan director of prison ministry from 1998 till 2010. He first concentrated on obtaining and training co-workers, and eventually, assisted by six deacons and three priests, and 70 trained lay volunteers, he directed the Church’s ministry to more than 9,500 inmates of 17 prisons and jails in the Denver area. About 850 prisoners were attending Catholic services weekly. After his years as director, he continued to visit some of the jails regularly.

The crown of Fr. Regis’s life’s work was his founding of the Julia Greeley Home in Metro Denver. While working in the jails, Father learned how dangerous it is for single, unattached, homeless women to live on the streets, and he worked hard to start a program to help them rebuild their lives into the dignity of productive and independent living.  Now in its eighth year, Julia Greeley Home (juliagreeleyhome.org) has already served more than 75 women, over half of whom have gone on to rebuild their lives by finding meaningful work, independence housing, and reconciliation with their families.

Besides his religious brothers in the Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, Fr. Regis is survived by a brother Jerome Francis Scanlon (and wife Connie) of The Villages, Fla.; a nephew Jerry Michael Scanlon (and wife Jane) of Mt. Airy, Md.; a niece Jacqueline Derosiers (and husband Rene) of Mt. Pleasant, S.Car.; and grandniece Lauren Derosiers of Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral services will be at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 9405 W. Florida Ave., Lakewood, with viewing beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 14, followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, Nov. 15th at 10 a.m., followed by interment in the Friars Plot at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Wheat Ridge.

Memorials are suggested to Julia Greeley Home Inc., and the Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, Inc.