Posts from — April 2010

When my father passed away several years ago my mother took it upon herself to visit his grave as frequently as possible. It wasn’t out of a sense of duty or obligation. Having been his constant companion for over thirty years she felt a visceral desire to continue to remain as close to his side as was now possible. And so his grave was transformed to a garden. While others planted sod my mother planted tulips and marigolds. She even had a planter box custom built in the shape of a cross. When it didn’t rain she would transport gallons of water from our home in whatever water receptacle was available: pop bottles, buckets, watering cans. Invariably, more water would fall onto the floor in the back of our car than would water the flowers at Topsoil Cemetery. She spent countless hours caring for those plants. She spent many more crying and in prayer.

The loss of a loved one is a life-changing moment. Greater though are small events that bond us to them. I found myself in a cemetery this evening searching for a grave I had never visited belonging to a person I had never met. With only a rough idea of when he had passed on I knew the chances of finding his monument stone was slim. But I felt the need to search. I passed by the bodies of hundred of souls, none of whom had any connection to me. Yet as I read their names I couldn’t help but think how each person had meant the world to someone. Like the grave of my father, each of these plots had been watered by the tears of people whose lives were forever altered by the loss.

And I was filled with peace.

All who walk this earth are filled with struggle and anxiety. Lives are shattered and rebuilt, only to crash again. Tragedy assuages us and troubles are unrelenting. But there are joyous moments, too. Marriages and first born children. Friends and laughter. A quiet night by a fire or the beauty of a smile which stuns you more than the most glorious sunset ever could. How insignificant are the falls when compared to the miracle of the human experience!?

And so I searched for the grave of a person I had never met. But his life forever changed the life of someone who has brightened my life more than the sun that shone down upon me this evening. At the end all our worries and concerns will be for naught but love will endure. From ever tear that waters a grave life will spring and blossom and the world will be changed forever.

Francis de Sales was born into a noble family on August 21, 1567. Intelligent and handsome, he studied at both the Universities of Paris and Padua, earning the title of “Doctor” in both Theology and Law. Despite lucrative offers in a variety of esteemed positions, Francis chose ordination over temporal wealth. His talents served the Church well and he was eventually consecrated as the Bishop of Geneva. He died on December 28, 1622 and was canonized in 1664.

His Introduction to the Devout Life (Download for Free) is a spiritual classic and this work, in addition to many other other significant writings, compelled Blessed Pope Pius IX to declare him a Doctor of the Church.

He is the patron of writers and journalists and of this blog.

The Everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own Hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting Father, who takes care of you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations!

When I think of Pope Benedict, I don’t think of humorous cracks. But here’s his brief and well thought out analysis of the subject:

I’m not a man who constantly thinks up jokes. But I think it’s very important to be able to see the funny side of life and its joyful dimension and not to take everything too tragically. I’d also say it’s necessary for my ministry. A writer once said that angels can fly because they don’t take themselves too seriously. Maybe we could also fly a bit if we didn’t think we were so important.

And more:

God “has a great sense of humor”.

Humor is in fact an essential element in the mirth of creation. We can see how, in many matters in our lives, God wants to prod us into taking things a bit more lightly.

St. Philip Neri, known as ‘The Humorous Saint’, expressed similar sentiments:

Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.

A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.

The (Unfortunate) Source for this cartoon: http://www.gospelaccordingtohate.com/

During the past few weeks both the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict have faced unparalleled criticism from the media. The Church always known detractors, often rightfully so, but what makes this situation unique is that the intensity of the scrutiny has not been limited by geography. The Universal Church is continually facing universal opprobrium.

As members of the mystical body of Christ, Catholics everywhere are facing the repercussions of abuse perpetrated by men they’ve never met, in countries they’ve never even visited. Throughout the world there are countless persons whose faith - honest, genuine and good – is being attacked for the most tenuous of associations with priests who may have died long before many of them were even born. These men perpetrated atrocities which the faithful can scarcely fathom and Catholics everywhere are wondering how to appropriately respond when the Church they so love is facing reproach for deceptions and crimes which antithesize love.

And an appropriate response is no longer just an expectation. It is being demanded. Take for example the letter to the editor published in the Globe and Mail on April 10:

The Christian notions of grace and forgiveness are not unreasonable, even applied to pedophiles, but to ignore the suffering of the victims – who may be affected for generations – and knowingly protect the perpetrators, is unforgivable. Where is the outrage from the intelligentsia within the church? - Gorm Damborg, Vancouver

Where is the outrage? Not just from Catholic scholars and social commentators who are observed as defending the papacy and offer commentaries on all that has not gone wrong within the Church. Where is the outrage of the average Sunday church-goer?

Simple questions, really, to which no one should hesitate to respond. The first and foremost response of every Catholics within the Church of Christ must be an immediate, unequivocal and sincere apology and an expression of immense regret. Earlier this year Pope Benedict XVI offered such words to Irish victims of abuse and their families:

You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel.

The reality, as Pope Benedict acknowledged, is that for some victims and their families no apology will be able to suffice. The hurt and harm is deep and its wounds can only be healed with time and our prayers. Nothing more can or should be said.

But for many others, neither direct or indirect victims of abuse themselves, what is is being asked of members of the Church is not an apology on behalf of the Church but rather outrage against it and rejection of it. This is evident when one observes that the Globe placed Mr. Damborg’s comments just below Norman Rosencwaig’s opinion that “the Catholic Church has become the Toyota of religions.” And the concluding sentence of the day’s editorial piece? “When the church puts the protection of its reputation ahead of the protection of children, it is bound to suffer a much larger and more devastating injury, once the truth emerges.” To me it seems more the author’s wish than a prediction.

It is to these inquisitors and critics that it is imperative that not only the great minds of Catholicism but also all the faithful respond. Yes, first with an apology, but secondly with a defence of that which is always defensible: the Church founded by Christ and against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. Indeed, not even the horrendous and inestimable damage perpetrated by a small cohort of pedophiles and abusers can overcome the good done by the over one billion Catholics world wide and Christ Himself on the Cross.

So what do you do next time your faith is questioned or the Church is remonstrated because of the abuse of individual Catholics? Apologize for their sins. But if the questioning becomes a general attack on the Church or the remonstration a plea for renunciation: “Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15) Make no apology for the faith of your ancestors or for the good deeds of the millions who serve the poor, the helpless and needy, those who do so with true love and in the name of Christ and for the glory of His Church.

Stephanie Cranford, soprano, Robin Williams, piano, and Theodoric Nowak, reader, perform at St. Teresa’s Parish, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

I found out yesterday that St. Gianna Beretta Molla’s husband, Pietro, died on Holy Saturday. His wife obtained sanctity through her holy life and in particular through the heroic choices she made during the birth of their final child, Gianna Emanuela. I have friends who are probably married to future saints and I definitely have friends who will marry and become saints, but to be married to a canonized saint? I know Pietro’s dead, but it’s hard not to envy him!

Pietro Molla, husband of St Gianna Beretta Molla, who gave her life for her unborn child, has died near Milan aged 97.

“Early on Holy Saturday morning, April 3, 2010, Mr. Pietro Molla, husband of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, died in his family home in Mesero, near Milan in Italy, surrounded by his daughter Gianna Emanuela and his other children, Pierluigi and Laura,” Fr Tom Rosica wrote on ZENIT.

Mr Molla was 97 years old and had been in failing health for several years.

“I shall never forget the eve of St Gianna’s canonization at the Vatican on May 16, 2004, when Pietro called me … read more

His Grace, Archbishop Currie IS the Easter Bunny!

Oh, I couldn’t resist.

Happy Easter!