The memory of a good visit

     Years ago on one of my visits to California, we visited the Mission of San Juan Capistrano in southern California.  As so often happens, it was a beautiful day as we toured the Mission grounds and the church with its lovely ornate altar piece.  Later we had lunch at a restaurant across the street from the Mission entrance.  This is the same place made famous by the yearly return (migration) of swallows from a place in Mexico to this very location, the return takes place on the Feast of Saint Joseph every March 19th, and has been celebrated since the 1930's.

     This good memory comes to mind today as the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, for whom the California Mission was named.  Saint John was born in Capistrano in the Abruzzi region of Italy in 1386.  He studied law in Perugia and served as governor there.  Inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi and his followers, he entered the Order of Friars Minor.  Ordained a priest, he led a life of untiring preaching and ministry throughout all of Europe.  He sought to encourage the Christian Life and to refute heresy.  He died in Austria in 1456.

     From a writing of his entitled "Mirror of the Clergy" Saint John

said of priests:  "You are the light of the world.  Now a light does not illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon everything that comes into its view.   So it must be with the glowing lives of upright and holy clerics.  By the brightness of their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them.  They have been placed here to care for others.  Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord."

     Yesterday I joined with many people from a number of parishes from throughout the Diocese to celebrate with Father James Bump his seventy-fifth birthday and his fortieth anniversary of ordination.  Father Bump is a good friend, and is a model of what Saint John of Capistrano spoke of in the words above.  His ministry, even in retirement, is a continued bringing of the light of Christ to a waiting world.  His celebration was a great event, and we wish him well.

     Please pray for Father Bump, for your priests, and please pray for me.  

The Grace of Martyrdom

     Between the years 1642 and 1649 eight members of the Society of Jesus were killed in the missions of North America.  These deaths took place in what is now upstate New York following the terrible torture of these men of God by members of the Huron and Iroquois tribes.  Two of those men who the Church recognizes as saints are the North American Martyrs Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeuf.  Isaac died on October 18, 1647 and John on March 16, 1648. 

     I remember hearing as a youngster of the torture and suffering of Father Isaac Jogues.  His suffering was excruciating and involved among other things the mutilation of his hands.  He was lucky enough to escape his captors, and was sent home to France to recover.  He needed a special dispensation to offer Mass due to the infirmity of his hands.  After recovery, he insisted on returning to the  New World to continue his ministry, which came to an end on that October day.  And yet his ministry continued through the example of his courage and faith.

     Years ago I made a retreat at a Jesuit Retreat House, where I heard the more detailed description of the death of John de Brebeuf.  He was tortured mercilessly by his captors, and suffered every indignity and every pain with courage and a peaceful resolve.  So impressed were those that observed this persecution that they honored his bravery and courage by partaking of his heart - the heart of a warrior.  It sounds gruesome to us, but to them it spoke of their respect that they wanted to share in his courage.

     From his spiritual diaries before his death, John de Brebeuf said this: "...in truth I vow to you, Jesus my Savior, that as far as I have the strength I will never fail to accept the grace of martyrdom, if some day you in your infinite mercy should offer it to me, your most unworthy servant."  Again he says: "May I die only for you, if you grant me this grace, since you willingly died for me."

     There is a parish in the neighboring Diocese of Pittsburgh named after these North American Martyrs.  The architecture is unique, and the tabernacle is in the form of a teepee, as befits the Native Americans that were ministered to by these first saints of the New World.  The Church's prayer says:
Father,
you consecrated the first beginnings
of the faith in North America
by the preaching and martyrdom
of Saints John and Isaac and their companions. 
By the help of their prayers
may the Christian faith continue to grow
throughout the world."

Sharing the Word

     We all know of the four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  These four passed on the story of Jesus and shared his teaching, inspiring the communities to which they wrote with their witness.  Sometimes that witness was an eyewitness account, and at other times it was the inspired sharing of the testimony of others.

     Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Evangelist Luke.   Luke was born of a pagan family.  He was a convert to the Christian faith and a follower and co-worker of the Apostle Paul, who also came to believe in Jesus after his death and resurrection.  Luke travelled with Paul on a number of his journeys, and came to know of Jesus through Paul, and to know Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  He gave us the Gospel that bears his name, but he also gave us an account of the beginning of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles.  Tradition tells us that he was an educated man, probably a physician, and an artist.  He is reported to have painted ancient icons, and again tradition tells us that he may have painted the icon of Virgin and Child that is found in "The Black Madonna".

     We hear in the Acts of the Apostles that "The word of God continued to increase and spread everywhere, and all who were destined for eternal life believed in it."  This was the testimony of Paul and it was fleshed out in the life of Luke.  

     In my radio program which aired on WAOB FM this past Sunday evening, I was given two passages from Luke to reflect upon: the 16th chapter and the later half of chapter 11.  In verse 35 of chapter 11, Jesus says: "Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness."  I shared that "We have been gifted with the light of truth, and empowered to bring that light into a darkened world.  We are challenged to allow our life of faith to be seen and followed, and thus transform the world."  Luke did just that.  

     And so, on this Feast of Saint Luke we pray:

"Father,

you chose Luke the evangelist to reveal

by preaching and writing

the mystery of your love for the poor.

Unite in heart and spirit

all who glory in your name,

and let all nations come to see your salvation."

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     The priests of the Diocese had a meeting here at the Bishop Connare Center this afternoon, discussing a number of issues that touch the life of our parishes.  It was a good day of sharing information as well as our thoughts.  One unique thing that took place was a formal photo of the entire presbyterate in the Saint Joseph Chapel.  Nearly all of our priests were present.  Yours truly is in the front row on the right.

Pray for your priests ... and pray for an increase in vocations.

A new beginning

     I find it remarkable that my days go by so quickly and are so filled with activities that demand my attention, especially in retirement, but so it is.  Last week in particular saw much time spent in preparation for preaching and/or teaching.  At the Neumann House retirement residence, the priests take a week at a time celebrating the Eucharist in our small chapel, and last week was my turn.  Since retiring I have been listening rather than preaching, but it as god to get back into the swing of things.  In addition, this past Saturday and Sunday I filled in at Saint Paul Church for one of the priests who was away.  All this took much prep time, but brought to mind one of the things that I miss most about not being in active ministry - celebrating with a community, preaching and being a minister of the Lord's love.  I also had a great experience in the confessional on Saturday at Saint Paul parish and rejoiced in the merciful grace of God.  On Sunday evening I shared in my sixth live radio program of "lectio-divina" on WAOB-FM (106.7 FM) the local Catholic radio station.  I am enjoying this new aspect of ministry.

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    Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a early bishop and martyr of the Church.  He succeeded Saint Peter as bishop of Antioch and was put to death by being thrown to wild beasts during the persecution of the Emperor Trajan I the year 107.  On his journey to Rome and his death, he wrote seven letters to the various churches.

     One was to the Church at Rome itself.  He tells them that he is God's wheat and he shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals.  He said that he was ready for death, because he knew where his treasure lay.  In his letter he says: "No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way.  I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth.  He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest.  He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.  The time for my birth is close at hand."

     The conviction of people of faith and the courage of the martyrs has always given me reason to pause.  We have been so blessed, and take so much for granite, that a little adversity at times is so challenging.  And yet we have never faced death as did Ignatius and those others who were given little option: be faithful and die or deny and live.  The courage that it takes to embrace and express the words above in bold print can only be spoken in the grace of the Spirit of God. Thank God for the witness of the martyrs and the courage of Ignatius.  The prayer for the day says it all:
"All-powerful and ever-living God, you ennoble your Church with the heroic witness of all who give their lives for Christ.  Grant that the victory of Saint Ignatius of Antioch may bring us your constant help as it brought him eternal glory."

Francis of Assisi

     October 4th has always been a great day of celebration in my life, ever since I became aware of the saint of that day, Francis of Assisi.  The story of his life in the late 1100's and early 1200's is one of simple faith, poverty and humility, and transforming love that is as important today as it always has been.  In our complicated world, self-centered and commercial, absorbed in power and greatness, the message of simplicity of life and joy of  heart is refreshing.  It almost seems too ideal, too make believe to be real or practical.  If it were not lived out in the life of Francis and his early followers, it would be a fairy tale.  But it is real.

     Francis appeared at a moment in history when the Church was absorbed in itself and in need of renewal.  After Francis, in a moment of conversion, renounced all for the sake of the gospel and embraced poverty, the message of love found in the gospels and the joy of heart found in those that responded to the call of Jesus became a reality in his small portion of Italy, and spread to all corners of the earth.  Francis is honored by people of every religion and even those of none.  The Lord told him to "rebuild the Church" ... and before realizing the greater implications of that call, saw his task as being the rebuilding of a small church outside of Assisi - San Damiano.  The story is well known, and tremendously beautiful.

     This evening our small community of retired priests had a movie night, and watched Franco Zeffirelli's wonderful movie of 1972 - "Brother Sun, Sister Moon".  Zeffirelli knows how to make a beautiful film, and this one was no exception.  I saw the movie years ago, but it was good to see it once again.

   I have had the blessing of visiting Assisi on at least three occasions, and found great peace in the hillside community of Francis and Clare.  Their spirit obviously pervades the town after these 800 years.  And the spirit of Francis of Assisi is still sought after by the restless of heart and often found by those who seek the joy of life.

    On this feast of Francis of Assisi, the troubadour of the great King, may his joy of life and his respect for all of God's creation find a home in our hearts, and continue to renew the Church, under the leadership of another Francis.