A Franciscan Blessed Advice On Prayer

"Prayer is the beginning, the middle, and the end of all good; prayer enlightens the soul, and enables it to discern between good and evil.  Every sinner ought to pray daily with fervor of heart; he should pray to God humbly to give him a perfect knowledge of his own miseries and sins, and of the benefits which he has received and still receives from the good God.  How can a person know God who does not know how to pray?"

(Golden Sayings, Blessed Brother Giles of Assisi)

What Is A Conclave? A Helpful Resource Book

For those who are interested in learning more about what will be happening in Rome concerning the Papal Election, I would recommend a book “Conclave.”  The author is John L. Allen, Jr., a reporter and columnist for the National Catholic Reporter.  He wrote the book during the last years of the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II.  In it he outlines briefly what the roles of a modern Pope are; what happens when a Pope dies (in this case Pope John Paul II), and the process of electing a successor.  He outlines what qualities the cardinals, in general, would look for in a Pope.  He addressed the issues facing the Church, at least during 2005.  Some of those issues are still relevant for our current times.  However, the book is, in parts, dated.  Allen provides biographies of those cardinals, who would have been considered at that time, frontrunners.  It is interesting that in 2002, Allen did not consider Cardinal Ratzinger as one of those frontrunners. 

Still Allen is provides a lot of interesting information, some fascinating facts, and insider information, about what the Vatican is like during the time leading up to the election of a new Successor of St. Peter.  I would highly recommend this book.

National Catholic Reporter Trying To Influence Papal Conclave?

The Italian press has been very interested in Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM CAP, Archbishop of Boston, as a viable papal candidate.  It was John Allen of National Catholic Reporter who brought this to our attention on this side of the pond.  The national networks then picked up the story and ran with it. 

Things have quieted down, now that Pope Emeritus Benedict is safely ensconced in Castel Gandolfo.  The cardinals have yet to have their first meeting as a body, to set the date for the conclave.  Now while I was browsing through NCR’s website, what caught my eye was the picture of Cardinal Sean on the homepage.  The story was about his address at the 2013 National Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, in Washington DC.  Most of the posting was about the participants at the gathering, and covering the main points of his address.  Now I find it curious that on the week Cardinal Sean is in Rome with his fellow cardinals, to plan the election of the next Pope, NCR posts a story about the Cardinal speaking about Christian discipleship, missionary work, and social justice!  Just a coincidence or an attempt by NCR to influence the conclave?  Hmmmm?

Benedict Retires, Sede Vacante

The end of a momentous day in the life of the Catholic Church; which saw the first resignation of a Pope in over 600 years.

I was up early this morning, and so was able to watch Benedict’s final meeting with the College of Cardinals, as Pontiff.  As I watched the program, I was struck by how much Benedict XVI had aged, from the picture of him in 2005.  The ministry of being Pope has definitely weighed heavy on him.

Now, Benedict is ensconced in Castel Gandolfo, those cardinals that are not in Rome yet, are probably on their way.  The Bark of St. Peter is not entering uncharted waters, and many Vatican observers are saying that all bets are off, concerning a successor to Benedict.  And there is those concerns about having both a Pope and a Pope emeritus, living in the Vatican.  Having read Father Richard O’Brien’s Lives of the Popes; when the Church has more than one Pope, even if one is retired, mischief is possible. 

Now about my feelings about Pope emeritus Benedict XVI; I have to say they have been ambivalent.  As the Church’s doctrinal “enforcer,” I have always felt that his office was somewhat heavy handed in dealing with theologians who pushed the envelope in understanding and expressing the faith.  This continued during his papacy, with I think, a lack of due process, dialogue, and transparency.  While being hard on “liberal” theologians, Pope Benedict was making a mighty effort to bring ultra traditionalists, the Society of St. Pius X, back into the fold of the Church.  The SSPX own intransigence about Vatican II, sabotage that effort.  I was very uncomfortable with the Pope emeritus attempts to bring more traditional, even Pre-Vatican II elements back into the liturgy.

All that being said, I respected his attempts to deal with the child sexual abuse by clergy scandal, getting pedophile priests out of the Church.  His meeting with survivors of clergy abuse was inspiring.  Was there more he could have done?  Quick answer, “Yes!”  But he made more of attempt to deal with the crisis, than his predecessor.  I have always enjoyed his books, found them both enlightening, and challenging. 

He was a humble man, dedicated to the Church, and to its people.  He placed concern for the well being of the Church, before all else.  I hope he has a peaceful and fulfilling retirement.     

Italian Press And Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

The Italian press remains fascinated with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM CAP, the Archbishop of Boston, MA.  Recently the Italian newspaper, LaStampa, posted this story about Cardinal Sean on their website, Vatican Insider.  Among the various reasons for this interest, could be that Cardinal Sean is unique from the other members of the College of Cardinals.  A Capuchin Franciscan, he continues to wear his habit around the office, and at public functions.  Rarely does he wear the red trimmed cassock, biretta, and cape.  Determined to settle the legal suits concerning the sexual abuse of children by Archdiocesan priests, he sold the Cardinal's Residence (actually it was a mansion!). He now lives in a rectory.

Cardinal Sean is a quiet, humble prelate, but he does know how to lead.  He is an inspiring preacher.  And he has that common touch.

For all the attention that Cardinal Sean has received from the Italian press, and subsequently, from the American national press, there is very little of him being elected as the next Pope.  Which is fine by me, there is still a lot happening in this Archdiocese that requires his steady hand.

Second Sunday of Lent Homily 2013

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-1/8

Philippians 3: 17-4.1

Luke: 28b-36

I am sure there are many here among us who could tell a story of an event that occurred to them that changed their lives forever.  We see two instances of this in today’s readings.  We first hear of Abram, a man who hears a voice calling to him to leave his homeland, a place were he felt safe and secure, with everything he owned, with everyone he held dear; and journey to some unknown land.  Once he arrives in the land, the Lord again speaks to him, promises that from Abram, a great nation will spring forth, that the land Abram is standing on will be his.  Now Abram is a practical man, he wonders how he will be able to hold such a vast land; how he, who is past his prime, will father a nation?  God confirms this promise by performing a miracle!  This is the first miracle Abram witnesses in his relationship with the Lord!  Can any of us even guess at the emotions that he experienced from this event?  The promise is confirmed, and Abram’s life is forever changed, he is no longer just a nomad, wandering the plains and hills of Palestine, he is now the father of a people.

In today’s Gospel, we see the disciples of Jesus, Peter, John and James, following him up a mountain to pray.  They have been following Jesus for sometime now.  They have heard him preach and were inspired by his words.  They have witnessed him performing many miracles; and they are in awe of him.  Earlier in this Gospel, we would have read how Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ!  Now, they may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but do they really understand what that means?  On the top of that mountain, Peter, John and James witness the transfiguration of Jesus.  They see him in all his glory, and they hear the voice of the Father confirm that Jesus is the Son of God.  The words the Evangelist Luke uses, I think, fail to adequately describe what those three disciples saw and experienced.  The three persons who came down from that mountain were men whose lives had been changed forever.

I think the common factor that Abram and the three disciples shared, was that they were already persons with open hearts.  They may not have realized it at the moment, but they were ready for God to come in and do something wonderful, that would change them forever.  During this season of Lent, the Church is encouraging us to open our hearts; hearts that may have grown hard over time.  Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we break our attachment to those things that may have become a barrier between us, God and other persons.  We have an opportunity to break ourselves open, and become totally receptive to the love and power of God.  We can hear, with open ears, the Word of God; we can see, with eyes of faith, the miracle of the Eucharist happening before us.  And when we receive Christ in Holy Communion, we open ourselves up to the power of His love.  And with each of these encounters, Jesus will, as St. Paul wrote, “change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.”  We have the opportunity to enter into a new way of life.  Now this can be somewhat frightening, scary.  We may be comfortable with the way our life may be, right now.  We may be tempted to stay in the place we are, to remain at the base of the mountain.  However, God is offering us so much more.  Now it comes with challenges, but it also comes with so much joy.  We only need to have the courage to set out on the journey, to have the courage to climb.

Local Public Radio Station Reports On Catholic Church

Boston's local public radio station, WGBH 89.7 FM, will be doing a series reports on the Catholic Church, from what is happening internationally to the local situation here in the Archdiocese of Boston.  The series of reports will be entitled: "The Changing Catholic Church."  Here is a link to WGBH's website.