Author: diocesan-melbournebeach

St. JPII and Vigilance / San Juan Pablo II y la Vigilancia

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Today is the feast day of one of our great modern saints, so great that many are already calling him Pope Saint John Paul II the Great! I was blessed to grow up with him in office, blessed to participate in two World Youth Day celebrations where he was present and presided at the closing Mass. One was in Denver, Colorado, the “Mile High City.” I was only 13 years old and probably shouldn’t have been allowed to go, but went with the youth group I belonged to. I remember the long, boiling hot hike out to the desert-like “park” where we made vigil overnight. But most of all, I remember our beloved former Holy Father’s firm invitation. I can hear his voice with his Polish accent as if it were yesterday. “Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid!!” 

The second time I saw him was in Toronto, Canada, where I acted as chaperone for a group of youth. I just happened to be coming back from the restroom when he passed by in his popemobile just a few yards away from me. By this time, he was notably older and more frail, but it was an equally incredible grace to be a part of the crowd shouting “John Paul II, we love you!” and hear him shout back, “John Paul II, he loves you!” His gentle smile and the sparkle in his eyes were palpable, even from a quarter mile away in the midst of the crowd. He had a special love for the youth and went out of his way to be with them. 

The fact that he traveled so much shows that he heeded our Lord’s command to “go out to all the world and preach the good news”. His actions imitated those of the first disciples, who traveled from country to country proclaiming our Lord and Savior to the nations. And his unwavering dedication to prayer, the sacraments and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament give us a great example to follow, especially during this time the Church has set aside for Eucharistic revival. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.” Jesus comes to us in many ways: through the visits of Church leaders, a beloved family member or a close friend. He comes to us in the sacraments. He comes to us in prayer. It is our job to be vigilant, to be aware of His presence in our lives so that we can soak of as many graces as possible. And although we may not know when He is coming for us that last time, if we are vigilant and ready, He will take us to Himself for all eternity. What a beautiful thought!

Pope Saint John Paul II, thank you for your beautiful witness to us during your time on earth. Please continue to pray for us, the Church Militant, as we strive to love our Lord as we should. Intercede for us that we may “Be vigilant at all times and…have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.” (Alleluia verse)

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Hoy es el día de la fiesta de uno de nuestros grandes santos modernos, tan grande que muchos ya lo llaman el Papa San Juan Pablo II el Grande. Tuve la bendición de crecer con él como Papa, la bendición de participar en dos celebraciones de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en las que estuvo presente y presidió la Misa de clausura. Una fue en Denver, Colorado, la “Ciudad de la Milla de Altura”. Yo tenía sólo 13 años y probablemente no me deberían haber permitido ir, pero fui con el grupo de jóvenes al que pertenecía. Recuerdo la caminata larga y sofocante hasta el “parque” de aspecto desértico donde hicimos vigilia durante la noche. Pero, sobre todo, recuerdo la firme invitación de nuestro amado Santo Padre. Puedo escuchar su voz con su acento polaco como si fuera ayer. “¡No tengan miedo! ¡¡No tengan miedo!! ¡¡¡No tengan miedo!!!”

La segunda vez que lo vi fue en Toronto, Canadá, donde actué como acompañante de un grupo de jóvenes. Justo estaba volviendo del baño cuando él pasó en su papamóvil a unos pocos metros de mí. Para entonces, él era notablemente mayor y más frágil, pero fue una gracia igualmente increíble ser parte de la multitud que gritaba “¡Juan Pablo II, te amamos!” y oírlo gritar de vuelta, “¡Juan Pablo II, él te ama!”. Su dulce sonrisa y el brillo en sus ojos eran palpables, incluso a un cuarto de milla de distancia en medio de la multitud. Él tenía un amor especial por los jóvenes y se esforzaba por estar con ellos.

El hecho de que viajara tanto demuestra su obediencia al mandato de nuestro Señor de “ir por todo el mundo y predicar la buena nueva”. Sus acciones imitaban las de los primeros discípulos, que viajaban de país en país proclamando al Señor y Salvador a las naciones. Y su inquebrantable dedicación a la oración, los sacramentos y la Adoración del Santísimo Sacramento nos dan un gran ejemplo a seguir, especialmente durante este tiempo que la Iglesia ha reservado para el renacimiento eucarístico.

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: “Dichosos aquellos a quienes su señor, al llegar, encuentre en vela.” Jesús viene a nosotros de muchas formas: a través de las visitas de los líderes de la Iglesia, un familiar querido o un amigo cercano. Viene a nosotros en los sacramentos. Viene a nosotros en la oración. Es nuestro trabajo estar vigilantes, ser conscientes de Su presencia en nuestras vidas para que podamos absorber tantas gracias como sea posible. Y aunque no sepamos cuándo vendrá por nosotros esa última vez, si estamos vigilantes y listos, nos llevará a su lado por toda la eternidad. ¡Qué hermoso pensarlo!

Papa San Juan Pablo II, gracias por tu hermoso testimonio durante tu tiempo en la tierra. Por favor, sigue rezando por nosotros, la Iglesia Militante, mientras nos esforzamos por amar a nuestro Señor como debemos. Intercede por nosotros para que aprendamos a velar y orar para poder “presentar[nos] sin temor ante el Hijo del hombre.” (Aclamación antes del Evangelio)

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Feature Image Credit: Ajayjoseph Fdo, unsplash.com/photos/a-statue-of-a-man-holding-a-cross-in-front-of-a-church-HVAP7fB9vyQ

Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Pope Saint John Paul II

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Pope Saint John Paul II

Feast date: Oct 22

Saint John Paul II is perhaps one of the most well-known pontiffs in recent history, and is most remembered for his charismatic nature, his love of youth and his world travels, along with his role in the fall of communism in Europe during his 27-year papacy.

Karol Józef Wojtyla, known as John Paul II since his October 1978 election to the papacy, was born in the Polish town of Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometers from Krakow, on May 18, 1920. He was the youngest of three children born to Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 and his father, a non-commissioned army officer died in 1941. A sister, Olga, had died before he was born.

He was baptized on June 20, 1920 in the parish church of Wadowice by Fr. Franciszek Zak, made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at 18. Upon graduation from Marcin Wadowita high school in Wadowice, he enrolled in Krakow’s Jagiellonian University in 1938 and in a school for drama.

The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939 and young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory to earn his living and to avoid being deported to Germany.

In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the clandestine seminary of Krakow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Krakow. At the same time, Karol Wojtyla was one of the pioneers of the “Rhapsodic Theatre,” also clandestine.

After the Second World War, he continued his studies in the major seminary of Krakow, once it had re-opened, and in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Sapieha in Krakow on November 1, 1946.

Shortly afterwards, Cardinal Sapieha sent him to Rome where he worked under the guidance of the French Dominican, Garrigou-Lagrange. He finished his doctorate in theology in 1948 with a thesis on the subject of faith in the works of St. John of the Cross (Doctrina de fide apud Sanctum Ioannem a Cruce). At that time, during his vacations, he exercised his pastoral ministry among the Polish immigrants of France, Belgium and Holland.

In 1948 he returned to Poland and was vicar of various parishes in Krakow as well as chaplain to university students. This period lasted until 1951 when he again took up his studies in philosophy and theology. In 1953 he defended a thesis on “evaluation of the possibility of founding a Catholic ethic on the ethical system of Max Scheler” at Lublin Catholic University. Later he became professor of moral theology and social ethics in the major seminary of Krakow and in the Faculty of Theology of Lublin.

On July 4, 1958, he was appointed titular bishop of Ombi and auxiliary of Krakow by Pope Pius XII, and was consecrated September 28, 1958, in Wawel Cathedral, Krakow, by Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak.

On January 13, 1964, he was appointed archbishop of Krakow by Pope Paul VI, who made him a cardinal June 26, 1967 with the title of S. Cesareo in Palatio of the order of deacons, later elevated pro illa vice to the order of priests.

Besides taking part in Vatican Council II (1962-1965) where he made an important contribution to drafting the Constitution Gaudium et spes, Cardinal Wojtyla participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops.

The Cardinals elected him Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord’s Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.

Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city’s 333 parishes.

He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.

His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994.

John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.

Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.

With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church.

He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.

He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals.

He organized 15 Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops – six Ordinary General Assemblies (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994 and 2001), one Extraordinary General Assembly (1985) and eight Special Assemblies (1980,1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 (2) and 1999).

His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters.

He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.

As a private Doctor he also published five books of his own: “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” (October 1994), “Gift and Mystery, on the fiftieth anniversary of my ordination as priest” (November 1996), “Roman Triptych” poetic meditations (March 2003), “Arise, Let us Be Going” (May 2004) and “Memory and Identity” (February 2005).

In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April a.D. 2005, at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord’s Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church’s beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father.

From that evening until April 8, date of the funeral of the late Pontiff, more than three million pilgrims came to Rome to pay homage to the mortal remains of the Pope. Some of them queued up to 24 hours to enter St. Peter’s Basilica.

On April 28, the Holy Father Benedict XVI announced that the normal five-year waiting period before beginning the cause of beatification and canonization would be waived for John Paul II. The cause was officially opened by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, on June 28 2005, and he was beatified May 1, 2011.

On April 27 , 2014 he was canonized by Pope Francis during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square.

In an April 24 message sent to the Church in Poland, Pope Francis gave thanks for the great “gift” of the new Saint, saying of John Paul II that he is grateful, “as all the members of the people of God, for his untiring service, his spiritual guidance, and for his extraordinary testimony of holiness.”

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

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Reading 1 EPH 2:12-22

Brothers and sisters:
You were at that time without Christ,
alienated from the community of Israel
and strangers to the covenants of promise,
without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the Blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one Body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB-10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 9) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

 

 

Alleluia LK 21:36

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Discerning What We Store / Discernir lo que Guardamos

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The seasons continue to change and turn. As the fall and winter holidays begin to dominate the secular scene, Catholics take a rather different approach to their arrival. In our Gospel, Jesus challenges the crowd to consider how focused they are on material items. When they have something they value, what do they do with it?

In this parable, Jesus offers a glimpse into the mind of a wealthy man who has run out of space to store the bountiful harvest he has accumulated. An inward looking man, he tears down the barns he already has in order to build larger ones to hold his substantial wealth. But, in a sudden twist, God takes the man’s life and all the things the man planned to enjoy were swiftly taken from him. Nothing he had acquired would travel with him beyond death. 

What was the alternative option the man could have chosen? Instead of building larger barns, where else could that surplus have gone? To others, of course! The man could have assisted the poor, he could have supported other farmers who did not have as bountiful a crop, he could have sold the surplus and donated the proceeds or invested in his community, he could have simply had a large banquet to celebrate with friends and relatives the blessings they had collectively been given. He could have expanded his heart and capacity for love by building and sustaining relationships. 

Jesus is not saying wealth is bad, nor is He advocating that saving items of sentimental value is unnecessary. However, we ought to keep in mind the perspective that nothing we can hold in our hands today will come with us to heaven (even Christmas decorations).

That being said, as you begin to rummage through your storage bins and cardboard boxes to pull out various seasonal decor, perhaps this is an opportunity to consider why you have what you have. Is it time to let some of these decorations bless someone else? Again, I do not believe Jesus is advocating we purge everything. But are 12 pumpkins necessary to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving? Maybe, but maybe not. Everyone will have a different answer depending on available space, need, and level of attachment. Nevertheless, the exercise of purposefully considering why we have what we have and how these items are helping us grow closer to Christ is worthwhile for all of us.

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Las estaciones siguen cambiando y girando. A medida que las fiestas de otoño e invierno comienzan a dominar la escena secular, los católicos adoptan un enfoque bastante diferente para su llegada. En nuestro Evangelio, Jesús desafía a la multitud a considerar cuán centrados están en los bienes materiales. Cuando tienen algo que valoran, ¿qué hacen con ello?

En esta parábola, Jesús ofrece un vistazo de la mente de un hombre rico que se ha quedado sin espacio para almacenar la abundante cosecha que ha acumulado. Un hombre introspectivo, derriba los graneros que ya tiene para construir otros más grandes para guardar su riqueza sustancial. Pero, en un giro repentino, Dios le quita la vida al hombre y todas las cosas que pensaba disfrutar le fueron rápidamente arrebatadas. Nada de lo que había adquirido viajaría con él más allá de la muerte.

¿Cuál era la opción alternativa que el hombre podría haber elegido? En lugar de construir graneros más grandes, ¿a dónde más podría haber ido ese excedente? ¡A otros, por supuesto! El hombre podría haber ayudado a los pobres, podría haber apoyado a otros agricultores que no tenían una cosecha tan abundante, podría haber vendido el excedente y donar las ganancias o invertirlas en su comunidad, podría simplemente haber tenido un gran banquete para celebrar con amigos y familiares las bendiciones que habían recibido colectivamente. Podría haber expandido su corazón y su capacidad de amar construyendo y manteniendo relaciones con los demás.

Jesús no está diciendo que la riqueza sea mala, ni está proponiendo que ahorrar objetos de valor sentimental sea innecesario. Sin embargo, debemos tener en cuenta la perspectiva de que nada de lo que podamos tener en nuestras manos hoy vendrá con nosotros al cielo (ni siquiera las decoraciones navideñas).

Dicho esto, cuando comiences a buscar cosas en tus contenedores de almacenamiento y cajas de cartón para sacar varias decoraciones de la temporada, tal vez esta sea una oportunidad para considerar por qué tienes lo que tienes. ¿Es hora de dejar que algunas de estas decoraciones bendigan a alguien más? Una vez más, no creo que Jesús esté proponiendo que regalemos todo. Pero ¿son necesarias 12 calabazas para celebrar Halloween o el Día de Acción de Gracias? Tal vez, pero tal vez no. Cada uno tendrá una respuesta diferente según el espacio disponible, la necesidad y el nivel de apego. Sin embargo, el ejercicio de considerar de manera deliberada por qué tenemos lo que tenemos y cómo estos objetos nos ayudan a acercarnos más a Cristo vale la pena para todos nosotros.

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Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at DailyGraces.net.

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Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

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Reading 1 EPH 2:1-10

Brothers and sisters:
You were dead in your transgressions and sins
in which you once lived following the age of this world,
following the ruler of the power of the air,
the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient.
All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh,
following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses,
and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest.
But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 100:1B-2, 3, 4AB, 4C-5

R. (3b) The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Sing joyfully to the LORD all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
R. The Lord made us, we belong to him.
Give thanks to him; bless his name, for he is good:
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. The Lord made us, we belong to him.

 

 

Alleluia MT 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. Ursula and the Virgins of Cologne

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St. Ursula and the Virgins of Cologne

Feast date: Oct 21

In the fourth century the pagan Saxons began to invade England, intent on destroying the Catholic Faith and violating the purity of all young English virgins. It was in the midst of this that a group of remarkable English girls fled from England to the Continent. This group included Saint Ursula and ten of her friends, each having a thousand companions, making their number 11,011 in all. However, in the year 383 Saint Ursula and her 11,010 companions were all found slaughtered for their purity and their Faith.

This great martyrdom occurred in Cologne, at Germany, and a shrine has been erected to them there, containing as may of their bones as could be rescued.  A Religious Order of nuns in the Catholic Church was established by Saint Angela Merici in honor of Saint Ursula in the year 1535. They are known as the Ursulines.

The Order of Ursulines, founded in 1535 by St. Angela de Merici, which is especially devoted to the education of young girls, has also helped to spread throughout the world the name and the cult of St. Ursula.

Saint Ursula is the patroness of Catholic education (especially of girls), Cologne, Germany, educators, holy death, schoolchildren, students, and teachers. She is often represented in art and icons as a maiden shot with arrows, with a clock, and is often accompanied by a number of other companions who are being martyred in assorted, often creative ways.

Blessed Charles of Austria

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Blessed Charles of Austria

Feast date: Oct 21

Charles was born in 1887 in Lower Austria to Archduke Otto and Princess Maria Josephine of Saxony. He grew up in a Catholic family, received a solid Catholic education, and developed a strong devotion to both the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As a young man he took for his personal motto: “I strive always in all things to understand as clearly as possible and follow the will of God, and this in the most perfect way.” In 1911, at age 24, he married Princess Zita of Bourbon and Parma, and together they had eight children.

The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 triggered World War I. At this point, Charles became the presumptive heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Two years later, upon the death of his great-uncle, Emperor Francis Joseph, Charles became emperor and king of Hungary. He saw his office as a mandate from God and as a way to implement Christian charity and social reform.

He worked to end the war and was the only leader to support Pope Benedict XV’s efforts for peace. In March 1919, he was exiled to Switzerland. From there, he tried to prevent the rise of Communism in Central Europe. He also tried to return to power twice in 1921, but gave up at the risk of a civil war. He never gave up his crown, even when exiled to the island of Madeira, Portugal, where he lived in prayerful poverty until his death from pneumonia one year later.

Charles was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004.

The Problem of Evil / El Problema del Mal

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The problem of evil is a tough one. When we look around the world we see so much suffering, pain and sin, and it is natural to ask the question, “Why?” For thousands of years the problem of evil has plagued even the best of theologians. Today’s first reading starts with the words, “The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” At first glance this doesn’t make a lot of sense when we think about a God who loves us unconditionally. How could God be pleased with suffering?

I am not going to pretend to have all the answers to the problem of evil, but I think the first reading today reminds us that we cannot answer the problem of evil fully because we fail to see with the eyes of God.

The first reading goes on to say, “through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” This brings a little more sense to why God is pleased with infirmity because it is through this suffering that the guilt of many is justified. This does not make it any easier when we are faced with the loss of a loved one, a cancer diagnosis, or any of the other forms of suffering we could face, but it does help us see a glimpse of the workings of God.

We essentially know two things that should give us comfort. The first is that God does not directly cause evil. He may permit it because of free will or other factors, but he does not actively participate in evil. A loving God could not contradict his very nature in this way. The second is that He would only permit evil if a greater good could come from it. This is what makes it difficult because we do not see perfectly with the eyes of God. We cannot see all the good that He is bringing from the suffering that exists.

Let’s not forget the worst evil to ever happen. The Son of God became man and suffered and died. From the very greatest of suffering to ever exist, God brought about the salvation of the entire human race. He endured the worst of suffering for me and for you. The problem of evil is tough, especially when it becomes personal and happens in our own lives, but if God himself could suffer and die to bring about the resurrection, then we can be assured that our suffering is also effective in bringing glory to God and his Church. This may not convince us fully but it does allow us to start to see the world how God sees it. He is in charge and he will ultimately make all things new.

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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El problema del mal es difícil. Cuando miramos a nuestro alrededor vemos tanto sufrimiento, dolor y pecado que es natural preguntarnos: “¿Por qué?” Durante miles de años, el problema del mal ha confundido incluso a los mejores teólogos. La primera lectura de hoy comienza con las palabras: “El Señor quiso triturar a su siervo con el sufrimiento”. A primera vista, esto no tiene mucho sentido cuando pensamos en un Dios que nos ama incondicionalmente. ¿Cómo podría Dios estar contento con el sufrimiento?

No voy a pretender tener todas las respuestas al problema del mal, pero creo que la primera lectura de hoy nos recuerda que no podemos responder plenamente al problema del mal porque no vemos con los ojos de Dios.

La primera lectura continúa diciendo: “con sus sufrimientos justificará mi siervo a muchos, cargando con los crímenes de ellos.” Esto da un poco más sentido al por qué Dios se complace con la enfermedad, porque es a través de este sufrimiento que se justifica la culpa de muchos. Esto no hace que sea más fácil enfrentarnos a la pérdida de un ser querido, un diagnóstico de cáncer o cualquier otra forma de sufrimiento que podamos enfrentar, pero sí nos ayuda a vislumbrar la obra de Dios.

En esencia, sabemos dos cosas que deberían brindarnos consuelo. La primera es que Dios no causa el mal directamente. Puede permitirlo debido al libre albedrío u otros factores, pero no participa activamente en el mal. Un Dios amoroso no podría contradecir a su propia naturaleza de esta manera. La segunda es que solo permitiría el mal si de él pudiera surgir un bien mayor. Esto es lo que lo hace difícil, porque no vemos perfectamente con los ojos de Dios. No podemos ver todo el bien que está trayendo del sufrimiento que existe.

No olvidemos el peor mal que jamás haya sucedido. El Hijo de Dios se hizo hombre, sufrió y murió. Del mayor sufrimiento que jamás haya existido, Dios trajo la salvación de toda la raza humana. Soportó el peor sufrimiento para mí y para ti. El problema del mal es duro, especialmente cuando se vuelve personal y sucede en nuestras propias vidas, pero si Dios mismo pudo sufrir y morir para lograr la resurrección, entonces podemos estar seguros de que nuestro sufrimiento también es eficaz para traer gloria a Dios y a su Iglesia. Puede ser que esto no nos convenza del todo, pero nos permite comenzar a ver el mundo como lo ve Dios. Él está a cargo y, en última instancia, hará nuevas todas las cosas.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!

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Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”

Feature Image Credit: Martha Dominguez de Gouveia, unsplash.com/photos/hospital-bed-near-couch-KF-h9HMxRKg

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Reading I Is 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased
    to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
    he shall see his descendants in a long life,
    and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction
    he shall see the light in fullness
        of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
    and their guilt he shall bear.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R. (22)    Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
    and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
    of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
    upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
    and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
    who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
    who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Reading II Heb 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin. 
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Alleluia Mk 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” 
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. 
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 
They said to him, “We can.” 
Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

OR:

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 
But it shall not be so among you. 
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. Irene

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St. Irene

Feast date: Oct 20

St. Irene was a Portuguese nun who was martyred in defense of her chastity in the year 653. Saint Irene’s body was miraculously recovered after being thrown into the river.

She was canonized as a Catholic saint because of the great amount of miracles that occured at her tomb.

Her shrine, the “Santarem,” has played a key role for the great quality and beauty of the Catholic Faith that the Portuguese people have lived, even until today.