Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year 2012!

Thank you, God, for these little posts for 2011.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Another Doctor of the Church? Hildegard of Bingen

The doctor-maker is in.

According RomeReports, Pope Benedict is scheduled to declare Hildegard of Bingen a Doctor of the Church in 2012.  She is known for her mystical visions.

That's simply amazing once again!

It seems that in our time when theology is heavily academic and secularized, raising someone to the honors of the 34th official doctors shows how holy doctrine doesn't depend on worldly scholarship.

This is comforting, especially for yours truly, who has sat in numerous theology classes and felt like I couldn't meet the standards of secular analysis like many of my classmates.

If true, she's also going to be the 4th woman Doctor of the Church.

I'd like to study more of her visions.

One of my favorite is Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich, after whom the movie The Passion of the Christ was based.

For now, Benedict will make history with his declaration of another doctor. 

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Life of St. Maria Goretti (in Chinese)

I was studying the life of St. Maria Goretti today. 

Normally, I wouldn't put up the story.  But this particular site had the story of her life in Chinese.  I hope that those in China will learn from her heroic life.

Here is her story in Chinese: http://www.mariagoretti.org/MariaBioAsian.htm

Here is the source in English: http://www.mariagoretti.org/mariabio.htm

St. Maria Goretti, pray for us.


Saint-To-Be Pedro Calungsod

The rumors were true.  They were actually fact.

Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI!

Deo gratias!

I am most encouraged that a young catechist will be raised to the honors of the altar.  Thank you, God!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Continued Prayers for the Society of St. Pius X & the Holy Father....in Latin


A few days ago, I blogged about praying for the Society.  It was the first time for me to blog about the Society, and lo and behold a statement comes forth.

If the press statements are reliable, it seemed that the superior of the Society recently stated that, at this point, forward movement was not possible without some clarifications from the Holy See.

I don't remember the exact phrasing, but it seems that further conversation is needed with the proposed Preamble and the proposed Personal Prelature.

Well....

...I'm NOT deterred with prayer!

That's all I'm going to say at this point.

Well...

...maybe not.

Won't you join me, dear class, in prayer?! 

Let us pray and entrust this matter to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to St. Pius X.

As I wrote this a few minutes ago, I wrote the Hail Mary first in English and then in Latin.  Since the Society is fond of Latin, I changed this and have, in honor of these efforts at reconciliation, posted the prayers of the holy Rosary in Latin.

I only know the Salve Regina in Latin.  Perhaps this is a good time for me to learn the prayers in Latin.  We'll see.

This reminds me of that scene from Saving Private Ryan (1998) where the Allies invade Normandy.  One of the soldiers, under fire, prayed the rosary in Latin.

Well, here you go.  We're under fire for sure....and are expected to perform exemplary in battle -- spiritual battle of course.

Lord Jesus, Son of David, hear our prayer!   In Your Most Precious and Holy Name!  Amen.


THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY 

Sign of the Cross:

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

Apostles' Creed:
Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad infernos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer:
PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

The Hail Mary:
AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Glory Be:
GLORIA PATRI, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Oratio Fatimae (The Fatima Prayer)
Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.

Hail, Holy Queen:
SALVE REGINA, Mater misericordiae. Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te Suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.
V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Praying for the Society of St. Pius X & the Society's Response to Pope's Invitation for a Personal Prelature

For the past few weeks, the Society of St. Pius X has been on my mind.  I have no particular agenda other than the unity that Christ willed for his Church.


I have attended the Ordinary Form of the Mass ever since I started practicing my faith many, many years ago.  I accept the Second Vatican Council, including the documents on religious liberty and non-Christian religions.  These are enough reasons for members of the Society to hold me anathema.

But when I first heard of Pope Benedict's outreach to the Society, my thoughts immediately turned to the Queen of Heaven.  We must pray for the situation.  Many Vatican II Catholics are sympathetic to the issues raised by the SSPX.

The time is ripe under this papacy for development in a way that would respect the Society's issues yet reconcile the situation.  It had to happen under Benedict, whom Fr. Z calls the Pope of Christian Unity.  If it doesn't happen now, there may be major set back.  But if there is success, then maybe the Society could bring their reform issues to the table for further discussion.

I mean, look at the Anglican Ordinariate and now the Ordinariate for the USA this Jan. 1, 2012.  Look at the progress made with the Eastern Catholic Churches.  Look at the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.  These are only some structures in place in the Catholic Church that show how these are gifts from Heaven.

Please take the offer, SSPX!

I know some of my word choices could have been better above, but I rest in the words of Our Lord who prayed for the unity of His disciples so that the world may believe.  From the point of view of this Novus Ordo Catholic, if the Society were to accept a Personal Prelature, then what good would be done to the Church!

I would definitely visit the Society and attend Holy Mass under the Society's auspices should this take place.  I'd like to learn more about the Society.

So, dear class, let us pray.

And let us ask Pope St. Pius X for his intercession in this matter, too.




Holy Mary, pray for us.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pausing to Say, "Thank you, O Lord."

For this Thanksgiving season, Mr. P. wants to say "Thank you, Lord."

Here are two prayers to make sure you learn.

GRACE BEFORE MEALS: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

THE HOLY MASS: The best way to say thank you to God is to attend Mass.  Even more, to receive Holy Communion in the state of grace. 

Also, during the month of November, remember, the Church prays for the souls of the dead.  We cannot forget the poor souls in purgatory.  Have Mass offered for them.  Pray the rosary for them.

Here's another prayer to learn:

REQUIEM:  + Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Okay, so that's actually three -- not two -- prayers to learn: Grace Before Meals, the Requiem, and the Holy Mass, especially the new translation of the Third Roman Missal.

Class dismissed.

"So It Begins"

The Church enters the new year and Advent season.  With it, in the English-speaking world, comes the new translation of the Third Roman Missal.


So it begins.

It will take a while for us to acclimate to the new changes. But acclimate we will.

May this be a period of renewal and greater love for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.


HW: Learn the new translations.

Class dismissed.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Great Mexican Jesuit Martyr: Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J. "Viva Cristo Rey!"

One of my fave Jesuit martyrs is Blessed Miguel Pro, a priest of the Society of Jesus (S.J.).

Today, we remember him and how he laid down his life for Christ in Mexico.  Here's a black and white photo of him a few minutes before his execution before a firing squad.  His crime: He was falsely accused of a political assassination attempt.  His last words: Viva Cristo Rey!



Last week, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao defeated his Mexican boxing rival.  But today, and more importantly for all eternity, we remember this great Mexican martyr who, like St. Paul who died for Jesus, fought as though he were not shadow boxing.

In the spiritual life, martyrdom shows the real character of a real fighter in the ring.  One does not shadow box.  One fights to win!  And to win for love of Jesus Christ who has already won the battle.

In this corner: Fr. Miguel Pro, weighing in with his faith in the Cross and love for the flock.  In that corner: the persecuting government of Mexico in the 1920s, weighing in with all their political power and force at their disposal.

Yes, it seems odd that a country that was overwhelmingly Catholic -- some 90%+ of the population -- was experiencing persecution.

Padre Miguel would go around in disguise, celebrating Mass, hearing Confessions, baptizing and comforting the persecuted flock.

Here's a picture of him in one of his many disguises.  Look out, Zartan!  Look out, Mission: Impossible team!


I love this one where he's disguised as a plumber.


I can just imagine Padre Pro asking one of the officers pursuing him to light his cigarette while in disguise.

I even heard one time he approached a posted security guard who was guarding a house in which some Catholics were expecting him to say Mass.

Imagine this:

Father Miguel walks up to a house that is expecting him, approaches the guard posted at the front door, and engages in conversation with the very people pursuing him.  Remember, he's a wanted man.

Fr. Pro: Senor, have you spotted that priest yet?

Guard: Not yet, Senor.

Fr. Pro: Well, let me know if you see him.

Guard: Si, Senor!

Fr. Pro walks in the house to celebrate Mass in secret.

After Mass, Fr. Pro walks out of the house and talks to the guard.

Fr. Pro: Any sight of that priest?

Guard: Not yet, Senor.

Fr. Pro: Well, be sure to keep an eye out for him.

Guard: Okay, Senor!

Fr. Pro then walks away.

I'm paraphrasing the story.

But you get the point.

Padre Miguel was bold!



Eventually, they caught him.


The government decided to take photos to scare the people.

Alas!

When will governments who try to destroy the Church ever learn?  The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.


This photo posted above is Father Miguel in prayer before his execution.   He forgives his executors.

It is really the first time someone's martyrdom is recorded in 20 centuries of the Church's history.

Viva Cristo Rey!
Holding a rosary in hand, he makes the shape of a Cross with his arms.  He yells out for the last time: Viva Cristo Rey!

Long live Christ the King!



They put a bullet in his head just to make sure he's dead.

But viva Pade Miguel!  He's alive in Christ!




Thank you, mil gracias, for your sacrifice, Padre Miguel!

I think of this passage today, and I dedicate it to this great Jesuit martyr.  It's from one of St. Paul's letter:

"Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.  
They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
Thus, I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train for it, for fear that, after having preached to others, 
I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:25-27).

Run so as to win!  And win the imperishable crown he did.

Blessed Miguel Pro, pray for us.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Rumor Circulating of 2nd Filipino Saint: A 17-Year Old Catechist-Martyr

Rumors -- or perhaps fact? -- in the Vatican and Cebu are circulating that a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Pedro Calungsod (1654-1672) is being presented to Pope Benedict XVI.


If true, this means that the 2nd Filipino saint can be canonized soon if approved by the Pope.

What's more amazing is that this 17 year old catechist is a martyr of the Gospel of Christ.  The first Filipino saint also died for his Faith.

It shows that Christian youth are not just recipients of the Gospel, but they are also heralds of the Gospel!  In other words, they don't just go to classes and sit in faith formation courses.....NO! They are also catechists and proclaimers of the Word of God, as this Filipino priest from the Archdiocese of Cebu states in this interview:


 He was martyred in what is today modern-day Guam, along with a Spanish priest whom he was defending.

More to come, I'm sure!


Blessed Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.

Class dismissed.


Monday, November 7, 2011

Jesus, I Trust in You

Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Here's a video rendition of  Jesus appearing to St. Faustina in Poland in 1929.


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Saturday, November 5, 2011

On Speaking Out & Consequentialism

I want to be a "nice" guy.  I really do.  Sincerely.

I don't like controversy.  I'm not a fan of always rockin' the boat.

But every now and then my conscience gives me the ol electric shock or two to speak.

I try to speak as pastoral and gentle and with great love for my neighbor as possible.

I really do.

Sometimes it can come out strong.

But I guess as a classroom teacher and catechist my task is to present the Church's teaching, and then it is up to the soul to make the choice.

At least I've done my job.

Bl. John Paul the Great, Veritatis Splendor (1993)


One error pointed out in Vertitatis Splendor -- I don't know the exact quotation -- is the error of "consequentialism".  This is the ideology that one makes moral choices based on the outcome of the act.  Politically, it can be viewed as "utilitarianism," the ideology of the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

The truth is in the object, not the effect.  In other words, something should be done because it's right, not b/c some good will come of it.  Choices should be made looking at the moral act itself, not the consequences of the act.

I don't wanna pick on them, but people think politicians do this all the time.  Politicians can be consequentialists when then want to win and election instead of speak the truth of the moral law.

But I cannot be a consequentialist.  I cannot worry about the effects of my speaking out.

Yes, I realize that I am a sinner.  But I am impelled to speak.

St. Paul talks about this -- I don't remember the exact quotation -- when he says something about woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.

In one of the First Readings a couple of months ago, one of the Prophets said -- again, I cannot remember the exact quotation -- that his tongue cannot remain silent.

Elsewhere, the Scriptures talk about -- and I paraphrase -- If you do not speak out and the sinner dies, I will hold you accountable for his sin.  But if you speak out and the sinner dies, I will not hold you accountable.

Thus, I feel impelled to speak.

I do penance for the times when I was silent.  Or when my teaching could have been better.

Yes, the Scriptures say that there is a time to talk and a time to be silent.  (I think this is in Ecclesiastes.)

But God has blessed me with gifts of knowledge and understanding -- I'm trying to grow in wisdom now more -- and I've been told it is a gift to share those.

Two issues, well three actually, are marriage and abortion.  The third was the desecration of Our Lady in Rome.  This third one outraged me more than the previous two.

I don't wanna worry about the consequences of my teaching.  My task is to be faithful.  "My teaching is not my own."

Yes, I pray that it may be done in the Spirit of Christ with pastoral love for the flock of God.  This is true charity.

To teach in charity and truth.  And of course to live in first and foremost as Papa Benny recently said in a papal address on the need for teachers to live the Faith they profess.

So there.

That's been on my mind.

I accept the consequences.

I cannot be a consequentialist.

I want to be a "nice" guy.

I really do.

Who wants to not be liked?

Who wants to always live their life always in exile?

Humanly speaking, of course.

But the thought of eternal life.

That puts things in perspective.

Holy Spirit, forgive me  for not speaking when You want me to speak.

Veni Sancte Spiritus! 

Class dismissed.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pop Quiz #2: Modern Saints (10 points)

DIRECTIONS: Answer each question in no more than 3 sentences.  (1 point each)

1.) What are the names of the two beatified parents of St. Therese of Liesiuex?

2.) Why was the catechist Bl. Peter To Rot martyred during World War II?

3.) How did Bl. Pedro Calungsod defend the Spanish friar from an angry village chief who thought Baptism brought evil spirits to his village?

4.) Who was St. Augustine Zhao?

5.) Who was Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati?  Name a favorite sport of his.

6.) What was the cause of death for St. Gianna Molla?

7.) What was Bl. Edith Stein's religion before her conversion to the Catholic faith?  What was her secular profession before entering religious life?

8.) Describe the life and priestly ministry of St. Damien of Molokai.  Who is Hawaii's second saint/beati? 

9.) Who was St. Josephine Bakhita?

10.)  With what apostolate was Bl. Teresa of Calcutta involved before founding the Missionaries of Charity?


EXTRA CREDIT: Name anyone who lived in the past 100 years who currently has a cause for canonization open.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Letting Cooler Heads Prevail...Not!...Unless It's Snowing

I seem to be more calm since the last post HERE on desecrating Our Lady's statue in Rome.

Not!

Especially when it comes to my Mother's honor.

I thought I'd moderate myself on this point, but I can't seem to bring myself to it right now.

I mean, I'd say to myself that not all the protesters did this....or I went too far re-blogging the Marxist point...or was I too harsh re-attaching Taylor Marshall's anti-Christ label to the post....or the Occupy Movement is trying to bring about economic good...or this or that excuse.

It took me 3-4 days to even gather my thoughts and come to this moment.

+ + +

I think I'm simply resolved today to post a picture of Our Lady here.

That's it!

Like a picture of Our Lady of Rome.  But the closest I could find right now is Our Lady of the Snows.

Also, here's a comment on who the real enemy of Mary is by former U.S. Episcopalian priest and Catholic convert Taylor Marshall, whom I cited in my last blog.  (Marshall, with a picture of his 5 kids and wife, has become a bit of a fave of mine of late, esp. w/Papa Benny's Ordinariate initiative to bring unity in the Church.)

In "Are You An Enemy of Mary?  Ask St. Maximilian Kolbe," Marshall himself cited St. Maximilian Kolbe who said that the enemy of Mary is everything that does not lead to God.

Who is her enemy? Whatever is stained, whatever does not lead to God, whatever is not love, whatever comes from the hellish serpent, he himself is her enemy; hence it includes all our defects, or all our faults. We ask her to give us strength against him. For this one purpose all devotions exist, all prayer, all sacraments; that we receive power to overcome all obstacles in our striving for God in a more and more ardent love, in assimilating ourselves to God, in uniting with God himself.
-Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Explanation of Act of Consecration, Aim Higher, p. 140.

There!

And that's why my head hasn't cooled yet.



Because wherever something -- and I point first and foremost to myself and my own sins -- doesn't lead to God, then it is the spirit of anti-Christ as St. John wrote in his letters.

I haven't cooled 'cause when souls are led -- or rather mis-led -- to perdition I can't simply sit cozy and watch.  I gotta say something, ya know what I mean?!

So let something greater come out of all this, even in Rome where Our Lady's statue was desecrated.


And maybe....

...just maybe some of that same snow that fell on Rome many centuries ago due to Our Lady can fall on my hot head today.

And let this cooler head prevail.


HW: Pray the rosary!

Special thank you to Cynthia M. Antonio of New York, & Maureen D. of California, for reacting to my last post. 
 

Class dismissed.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Rise of Anti-Christ in Rome: Mary's Statue Desecrated During "Occupy Rome" Protest

I cannot remain silent.  This is OUTRAGEOUS!!!  This video is not meant for sensitive hearts.


Forgive me for being blunt, but for us Catholics, I do not know how a Catholic -- any Catholic -- could not have watched this and not be heartbroken.

How can we remain indifferent?!

Let me be more bold: I DARE say that if you are Catholic, and if you were not stirred or moved in your inner heart and soul by seeing this on video, then there must be something in your soul that is not in the spirit of Christ.

Re-examine your Christian life.

I am not your judge.  But I do think that Catholics must be ultra-sensitive to hurting the Mother of Jesus.

We cannot allow these things to continue.  Learn your Faith!  Re-dedicate your lives to Christ.  Give your hearts to Him once again.

This happened in Rome, the center of the Catholic Church.  Rome!  The unimaginable less than a century ago has become real.

Say a prayer for those who did this.  May those who did this someday become one of the greatest saints of heaven.


What emotionally upsets me even more in this photo is how people just walked past without cleaning the statue up.  In particular, there is one person who just took a photo of this desecration.  Why isn't anyone doing anything about it?  Where are the heroes?!  Why are people just walking on?

In this blog's analysis, Taylor Marshall notes the very Marxist and anti-Christ climate of the events in the heart of Catholicism.  Click HERE for more.

Thank you, Jay Balza, for your post.


I'm just too emotional to continue blogging.  I think I'm gonna stop here and go pray now.

Dismissed.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pope Appoints Bishop Luis "Chito" Tagle, 54, as new Archbishop of Manila: A Brief Initial Analysis

With the appointment of Archbishop-Elect Tagle to the See of Manila, the appointment of the new Primate of the Philippines provides new possibilities in -- not just the Pearl of the Orient but -- the universal Church.



1.) THE THEOLOGIAN: First, American-educated Tagle is an international theologian with credentials on international and national doctrinal committees.  He worked with then-Cardinal Ratzinger and has recently worked with now-Cardinal Angelo Scola.  He served on drafting committees, too, on Vatican Synods.  The Pope must surely be familiar with Tagle's writings.

For those not in the know, Scola is considered a serious papible possibility.

2.) RELATIONS WITH PROTESTANTS: Second, Archbishop-Elect is familiar with both Anglican patrimonies and Lutheran theology.  Could the Holy Father be working on bridging even more -- especially after his visit to Germany -- with our separated brothers and sisters in the Reformation tradition?  The Pope recently told official Evangelical & Lutheran leadership that when he was asked to provide some symbol of compromise on the occasion of their meeting, the Holy Father refused saying that the Faith is not something that can be compromised.  This firm stance probably shocked Catholics more, but Protestants seem to respect this.  In fact, the President of the Evangelical bodies was present, and she said that she was "pleased" with the Holy Father's remarks.

Other commentators have been drawn to the Pope's humility in Germany.

The Holy Father can't do everything with each of the 40,000 different Protestant sects that came from Martin Luther, but he is strategic in being the Pope of Christian Unity.

He has reached out to the Anglicans (which in turns impacts Episcopalianism, esp. in the U.S.) with the Ordinariate.  He has reached out to the Orthodox.  There is greater awareness now than before of Eastern Catholic-Christianity among Latin Catholics.  He has reached out to the Society of St. Pius X, which is I dare say a schismatic group, by according to rumors offering canonical status as a Prelature.

The Pope reaches out.  Tagle's appointment signals that in a country where Catholics are reputed to hold fast to the Deposit of Faith while fitting in to their new environments especially the Filipino diaspora all over the world.  Australia, with ties to Anglicanism, geographically neighbors  the Philippines and the new Archbishop of Manila can be of assistance with Benedict's efforts in Oceania and the Far East on relations with mainline Protestantism.  Having been educated at the The Catholic University of America, Tagle knows Washington, D.C., and Protestant America and will have ties to the Filipino Catholics, the largest Catholic body after Hispanics, in the States.

3.) POLITICAL IMPACT (OR LACK OF IT): Third, the new Archbishop of Manila is more of a theologian and teacher than he is a secular politician.  The See of Manila has especially under Cardinal Sin had significant political-social-economic influence.  Tagle's appointment shows that the Holy Father is more interested in doctrine and teaching the faith than mere political ends.  The Pope wants teachers of the Faith....solid ones, of course, but Benedict is a teacher, so he'll look for teachers, not politicians.

4.) YOUTHFUL BISHOP WITH FUTURE POSSIBILITES: Fourth, Tagle is young and now provides Manila and the area with two to three decades of influence.  Two of those areas of influence not on the Manila radar pertain to China and Islam.  While I don't know Tagle's experience with Islam and China, Filipinos are natural and key players in relating to Islam and Sino-Vatican relations where bishop appointments come with aggression and strain at the moment.  His appointment seems to have more of a focus on building up the Body and focusing on making sure our own house is in order first.  His youthful energies could mean new initiatives and ideas in ways we haven't seen yet.

5.) THE POPE'S CONFIDENCE: Fifth, my thoughts turn to Tagle's work with Ratzinger or rather Ratzinger's familiarity with Tagle's international work.  Surely, Benedict knows what Tagle is capable of doing on international synods and commissions.  He knows that Tagle will not, pardon my bluntness, go off the deep end theologically and harm the faithful with any wilds ideas.  Tagle as a theologian will look to new ideas to bring the Gospel anew to the 21st Century, but he'll do it -- as he has at the international level -- in deepest communion with the Church's mind.

6.) LOVE FOR THE POOR: Sixth, there is authentic care for the poor in Tagle's intentions.  He said this explicitly in his opening remarks.  It seems that B16 knows that the new archbishop doesn't marry Marxism with care for the poor, a great temptation for modern theologians.

He'll relate to the common Filipino and to the common man.  Like most Filipinos, he has a nickname.  Americans and Westerners know that Filipinos have nicknames.  As such, the new archbishop "Chito" is one of us.

7.) HE SMILES: Lastly, the new Filipino primate smiles.

And he does so on camera.  His Excellency has a face that the public can connect with, which is so badly needed today.  In a media-savvy climate and in a land where Hollywood runs the show more so that elected officials, Tagle's primary task to preach Jesus Christ will have to connect to the new media. 

In fact, his predecessor Cardinal Rosales, when asked about his own legacy as Manila archbishop for several years said, "Forget about me."  The cardinal knew that being the Primate of the Philippines wasn't about him and also advised his successor to "preach Jesus Christ".  This, and only this, is the reason why bishops exist in the first place.


It is all for Jesus.  The new Archbishop smiles authentically when he talks about Jesus who sent him to Manila.

Lord, please guide your servant and bestow upon your chosen shepherd the gifts of the Spirit.  May he love the Church and be faithful to you.  May Mary Immaculate protect him under her mantle and bring all nations to Jesus Christ.  In his most previous and holy name.  Amen.

# # # 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

WYD #7: Pope During Storm: "If they're staying, I'm staying, too."

According to a senior press officer for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict was asked three times to leave during a heavy night storm.



On the first two occasions, the successor of St. Peter said no to his advisers who wanted him to leave.  He even wagged his finger to insist on staying with the young adults and youth during the storm.

The third time the Holy Father was advised to leave, he pointed to the 2 million who had gathered there with him and said, "If they are staying, then I am staying, too."

Wow!

This reminds me of Our Lord 2,000 years ago calming a storm.  It also reminds me of Peter's little faith as he walked on water and sank.  Today, the 80-some-year-old Successor of St. Peter braves wild weather with his young flock of Christ.

Viva il Papa!!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Movie Review: "Clare and Francis"



Mr. P.'s movie review grade: A

On this Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, after whom the City of San Francisco, California, is named, here's a great DVD to get, starring Italian actor Ettore Bassi as Francis and Italian actress Mary Petruolo as Clare, with Fabrizio Costa as director.

You can click HERE to order.

One thing many people don't know about him is that St. Francis was a stigmatist who mystically bore the wounds of the Crucified Jesus.  He was also a deacon who, according to a pious legend, did not feel himself worthy of the holy priesthood.

Also, if you were to read G.K. Chesterton's work St. Francis of Assisi (1924), you'll definitely walk away with the great sense that Francis's life was about Jesus Christ as the center.  Jesus was the center of Francis's life. 

Francis today can be portrayed -- or rather misportrayed -- as a New Age hippie-type figure. Francis was not a hippie or some environmentalist.  Christ was the center of his life.  Everything else (environment, animals, etc.) flowed from his love for God.

There's a great scene with Francis and the Muslim Sultan in the Holy Land.  Had the political figures heeded to Francis's efforts in the Middle East, we probably today would not have the turmoil that we do.  But that's for another day to talk about.

For now, check out the video teaser and enjoy!


I love how the spiritual friendship between Clare and Francis reflected not just friendship but Christian friendship.

This blog was launched on the Feast of St. Clare, so this DVD has special meaning.  Click HERE for my last blog on St. Clare, who is one of the patronesses of Mr. P.'s Classroom blog.

BTW, while the acting was great, the "A" grade above was not based on merits of acting but rather on the substance of the movie. 

Lord, make me a channel of Your peace.

HW: Live the Franciscan spirituality and the love of the Poor Clares.

Class dismissed.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Happy Feast of St. Dennis (or St. Dionysius the Areopagite)!!

No more "Dennis the Menace"!



Stand aside "Ohhhhh, Mr. Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllllllson"!!!



For those who carry the name Dennis, or Denis, or Denise, or any variations of this, today is your day 'cause of
St. Dionysius the Areopagite. He was the guy that St. Paul selected to be Bishop of Athens.  He came to Jesus b/c of Paul's preaching as recorded in Acts 17.


Read his awesome story below.  I just love St. Dionysius's encounters with Mary!!!!!!!

To promote Orthodox-Catholic relations according to the mind of Christ, this icon was chosen as a classroom decoration.

(c) 2000 St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, Inc — Florence, AZ 85232

The source of the following can be found in Professor James Michael Thompson's Facebook page if you click HERE.

St. Dionysius the Areopagite, bishop ( Byz. and R.M. #1, Oct. 3, 2011)

by James Michael Thompson on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 3:38pm

The Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of Athens St Dionysius
lived originally in the city of Athens. He was raised there and received a
classical Greek education. He then went to Egypt, where he studied astronomy at
the city of Heliopolis. It was in Heliopolis, along with his friend Apollophonos
where he witnessed the solar eclipse that occurred at the moment of the death of
the Lord Jesus Christ by Crucifixion. "Either the Creator of all the world now
suffers, or this visible world is coming to an end," Dionysius said. Upon his
return to Athens from Egypt, he was chosen to be a member of the Areopagus
Council (Athenian high court).

When the holy Apostle Paul preached at the place on the Hill of Ares (Acts 17:16-34), Dionysius accepted his salvific proclamation and became a Christian. For three years St Dionysius remained a companion of the holy Apostle Paul in preaching the Word of God. Later on, the
Apostle Paul selected him as bishop of the city of Athens. And in the year 57 St
Dionysius was present at the repose of the Most Holy Theotokos.

During the lifetime of the Mother of God, St Dionysius had journeyed from Athens to
Jerusalem to meet Her. He wrote to his teacher the Apostle Paul: "I witness by
God, that besides the very God Himself, there is nothing else filled with such
divine power and grace. No one can fully comprehend what I saw. I confess before
God: when I was with John, who shone among the Apostles like the sun in the sky,
when I was brought before the countenance of the Most Holy Virgin, I experienced
an inexpressible sensation. Before me gleamed a sort of divine radiance which
transfixed my spirit. I perceived the fragrance of indescribable aromas and was
filled with such delight that my very body became faint, and my spirit could
hardly endure these signs and marks of eternal majesty and heavenly power. The
grace from her overwhelmed my heart and shook my very spirit. If I did not have
in mind your instruction, I should have mistaken Her for the very God. It is
impossible to stand before greater blessedness than this which I beheld."


After the death of the Apostle Paul, St Dionysius wanted to continue
with his work, and therefore went off preaching in the West, accompanied by the
Presbyter Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius. They converted many to Christ at
Rome, and then in Germany, and then in Spain. In Gaul, during a persecution
against Christians by the pagan authorities, all three confessors were arrested
and thrown into prison. By night St Dionysius celebrated the Divine Liturgy with
angels of the Lord. In the morning the martyrs were beheaded. According to an
old tradition, St Dionysius took up his head, proceeded with it to the church
and fell down dead there. A pious woman named Catulla buried the relics of the
saint.

The writings of St Dionysius the Areopagite hold great significance for the Orthodox Church. Four books of his have survived to the present day:

On the Celestial Hierarchy On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy
On the Names of God On Mystical Theology 

In additional, there are ten letters to various people.

The book On the Celestial Hierarchies was written
actually in one of the countries of Western Europe, where St Dionysius was
preaching. In it he speaks of the Christian teaching about the angelic world.
The angelic (or Celestial-Heavenly) hierarchy comprises the nine angelic Ranks:


Seraphim Cherubim Thrones Dominions Powers Authorities Principalities
Archangels Angels

The account of the Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers of
Heaven is located under November 8.

The purpose of the
divinely-established Angelic Hierarchy is the ascent towards godliness through
purification, enlightenment and perfection. The highest ranks are bearers of
divine light and divine life for the lower ranks. And not only are the sentient,
bodiless angelic hosts included in the spiritual light-bearing hierarchy, but
also the human race, created anew and sanctified in the Church of Christ.


The book of St Dionysius On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchies is a
continuation of his book On the Celestial Hierarchies. The Church of Christ,
like the Angelic ranks, in its universal service is set upon the foundation of
priestly principles established by God.

In the earthly world, for the children of the Church, divine grace comes down indescribably in the holy
Mysteries of the Church, which are spiritual in nature, though perceptible to
the senses in form. Few, even among the holy ascetics, were able to behold with
their earthly eyes the fiery vision of the Holy Mysteries of God. But outside of
the Church's sacraments, outside of Baptism and the Eucharist, the light-bearing
saving grace of God is not found, neither is divine knowledge nor theosis
(deification).

The book On the Names of God expounds upon the way of
divine knowledge through a progression of the Divine Names.

St. Dionysius' book On Mystical Theology also sets forth the teaching about divine
knowledge. The theology of the Orthodox Church is totally based upon experience
of divine knowledge. In order to know God it is necessary to be in proximity to
Him, to have come near to Him in some measure, so as to attain dommunion with
God and deification (theosis). This condition is accomplished through prayer.
This is not because prayer in itself brings us close to the incomprehensible
God, but rather that the purity of heart in true prayer brings us closer to God.


The written works of St Dionysius the Areopagite are of extraordinary
significance in the theology of the Orthodox Church, and also for late Medieval
Western theology. For almost four centuries, until the beginning of the sixth
century, the works of this holy Father of the Church were preserved in an
obscure manuscript tradition, primarily by theologians of the Alexandrian
Church. The concepts in these works were known and utilized by Clement of
Alexandria, Origen, Dionysius the Great, pre-eminent figures of the catechetical
school in Alexandria, and also by St Gregory the Theologian. St Dionysius of
Alexandria wrote to St Gregory the Theologian a Commentary on the "Areopagitum."
The works of St Dionysius the Areopagite received general Church recognition
during the sixth-seventh centuries.

Particularly relevant are the Commentaries written by St Maximus the Confessor (January 21). (trans. note:
although many scholars suggest that the "Areopagitum" was actually written by an
anonymous sixth century figure who employed the common ancient device of piously
borrowing an illustrious name, this in no way diminishes the profound
theological significance of the works.)

In the Russian Orthodox Church the teachings of St Dionysius the Areopagite about the spiritual principles and deification were at first known through the writings of St John of Damascus
(December 4). The first Slavonic translation of the "Areopagitum" was done on
Mt. Athos in about the year 1371 by a monk named Isaiah. Copies of it were
widely distributed in Russia. Many of them have been preserved to the present
day in historic manuscript collections, among which is a parchment manuscript
"Works of St Dionysius the Areopagite" belonging to St Cyprian, Metropolitan of
Kiev and All Rus (September 16) in his own handwriting.

According to one tradition, he was killed at Lutetia (ancient name of Paris, France) in the year
96 during the persecution under the Roman emperor Dometian (81-96). Today most
scholars and theologians believe that St Dionysius the Areopagite did not die in
Gaul, and that St Dionysius (or Denys) of Paris is a different saint with the
same name.

St Demetrius of Rostov says that the Hieromartyr Dionysius
was beheaded in Athens, and that many miracles were worked at his grave.

Troparion - Tone 4

Having learned goodness and maintaining continence in all things,
you were arrayed with a good conscience as befits a priest.
From the chosen Vessel you drew ineffable mysteries;
you kept the faith, and finished a course equal to His.
 Bishop martyr Dionysius, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Kondakion -Tone 8

As a disciple of the apostle caught up to the third heaven,
you spiritually entered the gate of heaven, Dionysius.
You were enriched with understanding of ineffable mysteries
and enlightened those who sat in the darkness of ignorance.
Therefore we cry to you:
Rejoice, universal Father!