Diocese Of Greensburg Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Diocese Of Greensburg  
 
Categories
Everyday Life
Travels
Formation
Coursework
Prayers
On The Web
Other Blogs
Everyday Faith
Youth Ministry
NCYC "Christ Reigns"
Links
Photos
Archive
Archive (Calendar)
 

Home
About Us
News
Calendar
Make A Gift
Contact Us
FAQ
myHALO


Home > Blog > A Day in the Life > Categories

7/20/2010

One

Like wisps of smoky incense rise
the years do pass before our eyes.
The times that were, our memories own,
the future but to God is known.
As pilgrims we are in His care,
Providence brings us safely there.

Shortly after noon today, Rome time, Daniel and I marked the end of our first full year in Europe. We are no longer "New Men" - most of the new group of New Men arrived early yesterday morning to begin their discovery of Europe, retracing the steps that we took last year of Orientation and eventually, Italian studies.

As for me, I am passing the summer days in Milan - but I’ll write more in detail on that another time. For now, I hoped to share a few Graces from my time here so far.

On numerous occasions, Dan and I have recounted our travels. In some cases, it seems as though we are "following" certain Saints around as we pass through the different churches in Rome and elsewhere and see the different relics that are there. Two come to mind in particular: St. Lawrence and St. Peter. Over the course of the year, we visited the church where St. Lawrence is, as well as the Church where the gridiron on which he was martyred is kept. St. Peter’s bones are under the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica, but also, there is a church that keeps the chains in which he was bound before his martyrdom. I also visited Santa Maria in Trastevere, a church on the site of an ancient house church in Rome’s old Jewish ghetto - a church which may very well have been visited by St. Peter.

One of the most special for me is the church of Santa Maria in Palmis, on the site on the Appian Way on the edge of the city. A pious legend recounts that St. Peter, who had been encouraged to flee the persecutions, met Christ there and asked him "Domine, quo vadis?" - "Lord, where are You going?" to which the Lord replied "I am going to Rome, to be crucified again." St. Peter understood that he was to return to Rome in order to himself be crucifed - the place that, at the end of St. John’s Gopel, Christ told him that he would be led that he did not wish to go. I have found a great deal of inspiration in this story during some of the challenges that have arose during my time in Seminary - when I too must be willing to continue on while offering up to God whatever sufferings come about.

Something must be said about the way that being able to see something makes it "more real." I'm not speaking here about believing only after seeing, as in the case of St. Thomas, but rather that seeing something reinforces that belief. During Lent, Dan and I climbed the Holy Stairs, which Christ ascended before Pontius Pilate, as well as the pillar of the Scourging and some of the other relics of the Passion as Daniel described. This helps me to visualize the events.

But these are not the most profound parts of living in Rome - much more important than this is allowing these events, as well as everything else that is going on in the seminary serve as fuel for the Interior Life of prayer and communion with God. This is done primarily through taking part in Mass and Confession, as well as through personal time in prayer. A Spiritual Director assists as a guide in the process.

The challenges that arise as part of seminary life can at times become a component of this Interior life. I had two that happened to me during the last semester. The first was that I spent a very, very long time trying to work out the logistics for a summer assignment - and time and time again, it seemed like nothing would work out. The other is that at the end of this past May, I broke my left hand while playing floor hockey with some of the other seminarians. All is well now with both situations, but both led me to a great amount of prayer and reflection and caused me to turn to Our Lord and to His Mother for help. Just as any good father, God sometimes admonishes and chastises His children in order that they might grow in virtue (see Judith 8:25-27).

And all of these things that have happened, I have been recording in a Journal - most of what I write there are personal and spiritual reflections that provide for me a memory of that internal life. However, it has been said that "God gave us memory so that we can have roses in winter"; and so I hope that someday, God willing, I can share these "roses" as a source for preaching, in addition to my own personal nourishment.

I still have a long journey to go - I’m far from perfect - but the journey so far has been helpful in battling some of my shortcomings and in bringing others to light. I have found that it truly is as Fr. Steve Schreiber, our house Confessor at St. Mark Seminary and NAC alum told me - being here forces the seminarian to trust in God.

And so it has been - This has been a constant exercise in trusting in God and His Providence.

May God be with you, and I ask for your continued prayers for me and for my brother seminarians.

- Matthew

 

Posted at 3:43 PM by Govi, Jordan | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

5/10/2010

Springtime
Spring time is here - and in the States that means baseball, barbecues and fun in the sun (okay, maybe that's a little anticipatory of summer, but you get the idea). When I call home, I hear about my little brothers' baseball season getting underway. 
 
The spring weather means pleasant walks to class through the city as flowers begin to bloom. It also means that we need to add in a little extra time on the walk to and from school, to account for the increasing numbers of tourists which are to be found all over the city.

We are sure to have our own springtime fun here at NAC on our Campo Sportivo (sportsfield) as well. One weekend was the NAC-CASA baseball game. (The Casa Santa Maria is our house of studies for graduate priests studying in Rome). The NAC pulled out on top in the softball game, but good fellowship was had. The following weekend was the annual Gregorian VS Angelicum VS Santa Croce softball series. This is essentially a tournament between NAC students at the major three Roman Universities where we go to school. Our school, the Gregorian University defeated Santa Croce but was not able to take the title back from the Angelicum University, although it was a close and very exciting game. Of course what is a good softball game without an All-American cookout, right? Hard-to-find-in-Italy hamburgers and brauts made an appearance, as well as that local favorite, Heinz Ketchup.
 
Two weeks ago, the North American College hosted the Legionaries of Christ for the annual NAC Vs Legion friendly tournaments in Softball, Basketball, (and my personal favorite) Ultimate Frisbee. Although last year the NAC did a clean sweep, winning all three sports, this year the Legion sought revenge, winning two of the three. We also meet them on the soccer field for the Clericus Cup, a sort of athletic league between all of the various national seminaries in Rome. Many of the Legionary seminarians that came for the day are themselves from the States, so its a home-coming of sorts.
All of this fellowship and sport serves not only to help keep everyone in shape but allows for authentic fraternity and a little friendly competition. It's a reminder that through our activities such as sports, we are able to give glory to God because we're using the gifts and talents that he's given to us!
 
All of the excitement of springtime also means many around the halls here at the North American College are making plans for summertime celebrations - the 4th year men (deacons) will be ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses this summer. I'd ask you to keep them in your prayers as well!
 
 
Posted at 1:39 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

5/2/2010

Italian Piety
One of the great things about being in Italy - its a 'Catholic' country. Most of the people are at least baptized Catholic. And their piety shows in little ways. Although there are sometimes many contradictions - such as the statue of Padre Pio right next to the contraceptives in the farmacia - almost every little shop has some kind of holy picture inside. There are also graced moments of piety to witness as well. There are always lots of candles burning in the churches.
 
The chapel of the crucifix is a common scene in many of the churches of Rome
 
The other morning as I was exploring a Church, I witnessed one of those special moments. Italians in general have a devotion to a handful of saints which you will find everywhere - The Madonna, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Padre Pio, and St. Anthony of Padua. St. Therese also has a good following (like everywhere in the world), and St. Francis of Assisi might finish out the list. Most churches also have a chapel of the crucifix, with a large and graphic carving/ statue of the crucified Christ. On this occasion, a young man came in, clearly from his motorino (motorcycle), because he had a helmet in hand. He walked right up to the front of the Church, to the chapel of St. Anthony, said a prayer, blessed himself, lit a candle, and then walked out.
 
 
This chapel of the Crucifix in Santa Maria in Transpontina also has an image of the Sorrowful Mother below.
 
During Holy Week, I witnessed another one of life's precious moments. It was a father teaching his young son to practice devotion for the Blessed Mother. I'm sure you all remember wanting to 'light a candle' after Mass when you were little. I know that I certainly did. In this graced moment, a young dad explained something to his three year old son, then hoisted him up as the little boy lit his candle from the ones already burning and gently placed it in the candle holder. Then they made a short prayer and the sign of the cross. It was precious!
 
 
The Statue of St. Anthony in the Basilica di San Antonio. He's one of a few favorite Saints in Italian culture.
 
This is a frequent scene - not the first time I've witnessed it and certainly not the last.
 
All you holy saints, pray for us!
 
 
 
Posted at 11:33 AM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

4/26/2010

Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Vocations

This past weekend the Church celebrated 'Good Shepherd Sunday'. In the readings we heard that Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. In his church, he has also called many to lay down their lives for his sheep, each day. What a great reminder to pray for and thank all of our parish priests who work in God's pasture!

In conjunction with Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church also celebrated the "World Day of Vocations." I was struck when I read our Holy Father's words from his Angelus address on Sunday. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us all that the vocation begins in our homes and families. In fact, parents and our parish communities have the priviliedge and the responsibility to foster vocations among their children, to encourage them to be open to God's call for their life.

Pope Benedict said: "I invite parents to pray that the heart of their children open to listening to the Good Shepherd, and "each tiny seed of a vocation ... grow into a mature tree, bearing much good fruit for the Church and for all humanity". The Holy Father continued, "How can we hear the voice of the Lord and recognize it? In the preaching of the Apostles and their successors: In it there resounds the voice of Christ, who calls us to communion with God and to the fullness of life, as we read today in St. John's Gospel: "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never be lost and no one will take them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).

I, along with all the other seminarians, am truly grateful to all who offer prayers for us, and I ask that perhaps especially this week we can all make an increased effort to pray for increased vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially in our own parishes and diocese! And maybe if you see someone in your parish who may have a vocation, don't be afraid to ask them politely if they've thought about it!

Posted at 1:57 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

4/2/2010

Holy Week
Of course now we are in the midst of the holiest days of the year, and what a priviledge for Matthew and I to be celebrating them here in Rome, near to our Holy Father and to so much of the Church's history and tradition, and so many of the saints.
 
This year, all of our liturgies for Holy Week are being celebrated in-house, that is with the seminary community (as opposed to elsewhere in Rome (with the Holy Father) or someplace else).
 
Some of the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square to Celebrate Palm Sunday with Pope Benedict.
 
Our Palm Sunday liturgy was very beautiful, including the processions with olive branches. (Here, they use olive branches instead of palms). Afterwards I headed over to St. Peter's Square to catch Pope Benedict's Angelus address with the pilgrims gathered from around the world.
 
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI addressing the crowd on Palm Sunday after Mass.
 
Since 1985, World Youth day has been celebrated each year on Palm Sunday at a diocesan level, with the bigger celebrations held every few years in different locations around the world. Still, I am told that the Vatican had a record Palm Sunday crowd which included tens of thousands of youths from all over the world. It was a tremendous and inspiring sight.
 
The Holy Father addressing the crowd after Mass on Palm Sunday
 
On Monday the Holy Father celebrated a memorial Mass in honor of Servant of God Pope John Paul II, which was attended by many and was a beautiful tribute.
 
This week also brought the end of the Lenten Station church traditions which I previously wrote about. The experience has been a tremendous blessing throughout all of Lent.  One such grace I experienced this week, which gave me a deeper appreciation for our faith, and the richness and beauty of our traditions happened at the church of Santa Praessede. (St. Praxedis and her sister St. Prudenziana, were early Roman Christians who, during thier lives, went around collecting the blood, bodies, relics, and bones of early martrys who had been tortured, cut up, burned alived, boiled, skinned, used as human torches etc in all sorts of brutal manners by the Roman Pagans. Eventually they were apprehended and martyred themselves.)
 
The Basilica of San Praessede, where the procession and litany of the saints took place.
 
After our morning Mass  (in English) and also a Mass by a group of German pilgrims, there was an Italian language Mass. I had been praying in front of a beautiful image of St. Veronica and Christ when their Mass ended and I heard that they were beginning to chant a litany. Moved to listen and participate, I went into the next chapel to discovere that a procession was beginning to take place. 
 
Solemnly and beauitfully chanting the Litany of the Saints in Latin, a group of young people made a procession around the church. We stopped briefly at some side chapels where the Pillar of the Flagellation of Christ is kept, and also in the chapel of the crucifix (a large, wooden image of a bloodied and suffering Christ) before finishing in the confessio (underneath the altar).
 
The pillar of Christ's flagellation, brought to Rome from Constantinople after the Crusades and housed in the Bailica of San Praessede.
 
It is here where Sts. Prudenziana & Prassade are buried. The relics of some 2300 martyrs that they gathered were also transferred from the catacombs to here in the 11th century. Afterward I discovered that the group was an Italian youth group, making pilgrimage to today's station church. This little incident was such a tremendous gift and a grace-filled moment! Thank you, Jesus
 
The tomb of the early martyrs Praxedis and Prudenziana who gathered the blood, bodies, and relics of early martyrs to give them proper burial
 
On the Wednesday of Holy Week following the stational Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, many of the seminarians and others from the wider English-speaking community in Rome participated in the 7-church walk, a traditional penitential and devotional practice during which pilgrims walk to Seven major churches in Rome, which are spread out quite far. The pilgrimage took all day and those who went hiked about 14 miles in total!
 
The hightime of the liturgical year began Thursday by participating in the Chrism Mass with Pope Benedict. Though we could not be home to celebrate with the priests and people of the diocese, we certainly are united in prayer. At this important Mass, the bishop of a given diocese blesses all the oils to be used for the year for annointing of the sick, baptism, confirmation, and Holy Orders. The prayers are quite beautiful to pray with and I would recommend them. I googled and found a website that has them, or you can refer to a Magnificat publication.
 
Also at this Mass, which is a celebration of the institution of the ministerial priesthood, all the priests renew their ordination promises.
 
Let us pray that in a special way that the Holy Spirit may bless and strengthen all these ministers!
Posted at 5:12 AM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

3/23/2010

The Lenten Station Churches
One of the many treasures of our Catholic tradition and a wonderful opportunity for those who live in, study in, and visit Rome is participation in the Lenten Station Churches.

Each year during Lent, seminarians from the NAC and many other English-speaking pilgrims, students, professors and people who live in Rome (including the US Ambassador to the Holy See!) take advantage of the opportunity and make the daily pilgrimage to the Roman Station Churches.
 
The morning sky and sunrise was absolutely stunning one morning as we walked on a hill overlooking the city on the way to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
 
The days begin quite early, rain or shine with a (usually) long walk to the Church. Most days we leave between 6AM & 6:25, but we have left as early as 5:45 to arrive in time for Mass, which begins at 7AM every day.
We began on Ash Wednesday at Santa Sabina, but after only a few days, I quickly felt overwhelmed by history. If you want to feel like you belong to something much bigger than yourself, you need only go to a few of these station churches!
 
Santa Sabina is the station church for Ash Wednesday, and thus the beginning of our Lenten pilgrimage.
 
On each day of Lent, our Catholic tradition, beautiful art from masters of all ages, all kinds of architectural styles and periods, and history comes alive.
 
At St. Vitale, the floor was sprinkled with Laurel leaves adorning altars with the relics of martyrs. The leaves are symoblic of victory over death (see 1Cor 9:25).
 
We've venerated the relics of literally hundreds of saints, at churches, shrines and basilicas where Christians have been coming for centuries. The place of St. Lawrence's and many others' martrydom.
 
For each day's station church, all the reliquaries of the church are usually placed on main altar, as seen here on the high altar of San Lorenzo in Panisperna.
 
Some of the churches built on the houses where Peter and Paul may have stayed when they were in Rome.
 
The chains which bound St. Peter, both in Jerusalem and in Rome are now kept under the confessio at San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains). The two were miraculously united into one link when the chains from Jerusalem were brought to Rome.
 
Many of the station churches were once one of the original 25 parishes in Rome after the legalization of Christianity.
 
At one of the churches is where they planned the Council of Nicaea in 324, and where they burned Arius' heretical writings afterward in 325. One was the place where St. Peter celebrated his first Mass in Rome. Others are thought to be some of the first places of public Christian worship in Rome, such as Santa Maria in Trastevere.
 
Santa Maria in Trastevere is perhaps the oldest place of (public) Christian worship in Rome. It was built over an oil spring, which is said to have miraculously sprung up at the birth of the savior. Here the facade depicts early saints.
 
Many of the station churches are named after and contain the relics of the many famous Roman martyrs, familiar to us all from the Roman Canon in the Eucharistic prayer (Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawarence, Crysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, Cecilia, Anastasia, etc. Others contain the relics of great saints from all periods of the Church's history, including many of the  apostles!
 
Santa Maria in Trastevere is also full of beautiful mosaics dating back centuries. It is one of the oldest Christian basilicas in Rome. On this day, Cardinal Stafford celebrated the station Mass for English-speakers in Rome.
 
In many of these churches are sculptures and paintings (not to mention the architecture) by some of the biggest names in art history - Bernini, Rene, Michelangelo, Carravaggio, Barberini, Bramante, and countless others. Simply walking into one of these Churches is a lesson in history and art. Not only do I get a lesson in history, but also in art and Christian/ liturgical architecture, and I can trace their development through the ages.
 
 
Here we can see the high altar of San Vitale, adorned for the Station Church's special day. This church has a theme of martyrdom in all the frescoes and houses the remains of many martyrs.
 
 
For example, today's church was Santa Maria in Via Lata, is a little and stunningly beautiful baroque Church off a busy street. Its likely that this church was built on the site of a house where St. Paul and St. Peter could have stayed while they were in Rome, as via Lata was a major street even in the first century. There is also a tradition (not verifiable) that St. Luke may have written the book of Acts here as well. While the excavations underneath expose part of that house where they may have stayed, underneath you could also (barely) see some frescoes which remain from the 5th or 6th century church. A new church was consecrated in 1049, and after it fell into ruin a newer one was began in 1491, which was dedicated in 1506. This church is richly decorated in baroque style (16th-17th centuries) with stunning marbles and other elements designed by Bernini himself. Crowning the high altar is the 12th century icon of the Madonna Protectress. Still, tombs from the medieval period are preserved, as well as a medieval tabernacle in one of the walls. I also caught a glimpse of Cosmatesque flooring in one part of the Church, which dates from well before the baroque period. Lastly there were several roman martyrs buried in this church, and it is typical for the church sacristans to display all the reliquaries on each church's station day. Indeed, this is just one day's church - an adventure like this awaits us just about every day!
 
Indeed we are very blessed to become a link in the chain and carry on this 1500+ year old tradition!
 
If you want to follow virtually to all of the station churches, you can do so off of the NAC's website, where there is a page dedicated to information about each of the station churches.

 
Posted at 4:23 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

3/15/2010

'Beware of the Ides of March'
The famous saying, is, of course taken from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene II. It was the warning the soothsayer issued to to Julius Caesar as he passed by. 
 
The ides of March is the name of March 15 in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October In Ancient Rome, the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. Of course, it was also the day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.
 
Being in Rome gives us a unique insight into the historical events of long ago. In fact, I can take a quick 25 minute walk and go see where it was that Caesar was stabbed, even by his closest friends, 'E tu, Brute?' (Act III, Scene I). In fact, the remains of the Theater of Pompey, on whose steps Caesar was believed to be killed, is visible in some excavations.
 
Today, the area is a busy traffic intersection in the heart of Rome, and there, amidst the modern hustle-and-bustle of busses, cars, motorini, and even street cars stand excavated Roman ruins. Not too far off is the baroque masterpiece church of the Gesu, the mother church of the Jesuit Order.

 
Roman Ruins
They can be found just about everywhere in the city. Last Saturday, I went on an interesting excursion underneath Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome's four major basilicas.
 
Underneath, one can see the ruins of an old Roman villa that is excavated. The most interesting thing down there were the old calendars. This rich family had painted big frescoes on the walls so that slaves (who couldn't read) would know what to do during each month! Scenes of harvesting, planting, reaping and sowing filled the walls. 
 
 Also, there was a roman slave 'break room' where they etched graffitti and games into the stone. It was really neat to see - imagine some person looking at your tic-tac-toe game 2000 years from now!
 
The Basilica museum also housed some important saint relics, including the chausible that St. Jerome was wearing when he was buried (the first time) and the alb that St. Thomas A-Becket was wearing when he was killed in the Cathedral of Canterbury, as well as the arms that wrote the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke.
 
These are just a sampling of the endless adventures to be had in the eternal city!
 
Posted at 1:17 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

3/2/2010

Neve at the NAC
I'm sure that most of you reading this recall with more than a little fondness the 'Snowmaggeddon' storm that blew through the US in February. Over here in Rome, I watched the weather reports with hightened interest as well - seeing what was going on back home and (partly) wishing I was there to see the most snow in Western PA of my lifetime. (Checking the weather and watching the news reports online were also a welcome break from the intensity of studying for our final exams).
 
There was certainly something strange about this winter here in Rome... there was no snow! It is extremely rare for it to snow in the city of Rome, and I was certainly missing that peaceful feeling, that happy experience of watching the snow fall gracefully from the sky and cover everything in a gentle and beautiful blanket, making for a picturesque and tranquil scene. Thats one thing I like most about winter.
 
Needless to say, we were all taken aback on Friday, February 12, when the usual winter rain of Rome began to change over into snowflakes! It was quite the scene. It was the first time that it snowed in the Eternal City since 2005 (when they had a light dusting). Before that, the last significant snowfall was 24 years ago - before I was even born!
 
St. Peter's Dome, in the midst of the snowstorm
 
Overlooking the NAC with St. Peter's in the background, covered in snow.
 
The snow couldn't have totaled more than two inches (I'm being generous here), and it melted within an hour, but it was such a delightful scene to see! The tops of the trees and yes, even the dome of St. Peter's covered in snow.
Michaelangelo's Majestic Dome with a dusting of snow on top!

Overlooking the city, you can see the Pantheon, once a Roman temple and now a Catholic Church with its famous dome covered in snow.
 
While the Romans didn't know what to make of it, the NACers certainly did.
 
One of the seminarians decided to take the opportunity to make a snow angel on the Campo Sportivo.
 
 
To be sure to take advantage of the snow, many of the seminarians rushed to the campo sportivo (our sportsfield) not for frisbee or soccer but to build snowmen.
 
NAC's newest goaltender - I think his name is Frosty.

Unfortunately for me, I missed the festivities on the NAC grounds. Not to worry, though - I had a unique experience as well. Since it was the last day of the exam period, and I had finished my exams on Thursday, I had decided to take advantage of the cultural opporutnities in Rome, and had scheduled a tour of the Vatican Gardens & Museums for Friday. At the time, I certainly didn't anticipate snow! Now I think that I can say that I'm one of a handful of people to be able to have been in the Vatican Gardens when it was
snowing!
During our tour of the Vatican Gardens, we decided to pose for a group picture in front of St. Peter's, and just as we did, it began to snow (though it's hard to see in the picture).
 

I guess the moral of the story is you don't realize how much you take things for granted (yes, even the 3 feet of snow that may still be on your front lawn) until you don't have them. And hey, at least now I can say that I threw a snowball in Rome!
 
By the time we'd worked partly through the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens began to look like a Winter Wonderland!
 
A special thanks to Brian Buettner, one of my brother seminarians for sharing some photos for the blog post.
Posted at 6:38 AM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

2/11/2010

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

152 years ago, Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, and shared a simple message encouraging us to pray, especially for the conversion of sinners, and to care for the sick and the poor. She also has interceeded for many miracles of physical and spiritual healings over the years at the Shrine that she requested be built in her honor, where each year, millions of pilgrims come. Today, around the world, Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Today was a special celebration here in Rome, as well.

For Catholics - it is the world day of the sick - a day set aside to consider, visit, and pray for those who are sick and suffering in our world, and so often forgotten and marginalized by society. Yet the Church sets aside this day to remember them, and the world the solidary of Christ and his Church with them in their suffering.

It is also a day to demonstrate our faith - which is just what Matthew and I stumbled upon this afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. We were out doing an errand when we noticed a group of people singing in St. Peter's Square, and a different setup of chairs in the piazza. Upon returning from our little trip, we noticed that something special was going on. It was then I remembered an email I had recieved which explained that there was going to be a procession of the relics of St. Bernadette down the via Conciliazione to St. Peter's Square. As we were walking by, it just so happened that it was time for the procession.

We stopped to watch and to pray with the pilgrims as the procession made its way along this famous street which had been built for processions of a different kind (Mussolini's army). First was a band, followed various banners with images of Our Lady of Lourdes and local sodalities. Next, were the relics of St. Bernadette, the child to whom Mary appeared, and a large statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. Following the statue were dozens of people who were sick and infirmed, and many who were mentally or physically handicapped. I was reminded of St. Lawrences' words some 1300 years ago that 'these are the treasures of the Church'. Groups of school children looked on from the windows above the street, and tourists next to us talked about the procession as well.

The procession was ended up by a large group of pilgrims with candles, singing and praying. They were on their way to recieve a message and a blessing from the Holy Father.

As I reflect on this little incident, I'm reminded not only of God's goodness for bringing me to witness this expression of faith, but also filled with gratitude in the great work that the Church throughout the world does to care for the sick and suffering, as well as the love that Jesus has shown by giving his mother as our mother.

It was great to see this great treasure of our faith, a procession being lived out and practiced even amidst the craziness of a modern city. It is not only an encouraging reminder of our faith, but also perhaps a challenge to see how actively we live out the faith we profess.

St. Bernadette,

Our Lady of Lourdes,

Pray for us!

Posted at 12:10 PM by Daniel Ulishney | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post

12/24/2009

God, the Father Who Keeps His Promises
In the last week approaching Christmas, the Church reflects on seven different titles of Jesus during the Liturgy of the Hours - you probably know them through the Advent Hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." I would like to pass along some reflections that were sent to the seminarians from one of our formators, Fr. Kurt Belsole, OSB, of St. Vincent Archabbey and I will intermix some thoughts of my own from these past five months here in Europe.
This is one of 4th Floor's O Antiphons that Dan mentioned a few days ago.

On December 17th, the Church’s Advent liturgy begins to focus in a particular way on the Nativity of the Lord. The prayers, readings, and preface at Mass as well as the readings, antiphons for the Gospel canticles, intercessions, and prayers at the Liturgy of the Hours concentrate more resolutely than during the preceding days of Advent on the coming feast of the Nativity of the Lord.

The great “O Antiphons” have a particular role in these days as they have been used for centuries as the antiphons for the Magnificat. Each antiphon, always sung in a very similar melody, begins with a title of Christ, usually taken from the Old Testament, and followed by the petition that he come to us (veni) and act on our behalf:

December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)

December 19: O Radix Iesse (O Root of Jesse)

December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)

December 21: O Oriens (O Daystar) [after this date, the days begin to get longer]

December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)

December 23: O Emmanuel (O God-with-Us)

It has been very humbling for me to be here these last five months. I have had the privilege to see and do things that I would never have imagined - I have seen the bones of St. Peter; visited the shrines of martyrs; attended Masses presided over by Cardinals and even by the Holy Father himself; I have walked the Catacombs of the early Christian marytrs and confessors; I have walked among the sites that St. Peter and St. Paul themselves would have seen. And deep down, I know that I am not worthy of any one of these, except by the Grace of God.

Some of these amazing experiences were more woven into the fabric of everyday life. Just a few weeks ago, we Celebrated the 150th anniversary of the College. Last week, Dan and I received our Soggiorno cards - despite my veiled complaints about the whole affar, I must admit we received them quickly - much sooner than even the NAC faculty expected. Some of these things are even very simple - like the joy of picking and eating a fresh orange from one of the orange trees in our Courtyard.

And some of these experiences have been the playing out of the challenges of formation. Ever so gradually I can see rough edges of my personality being smoothed out. In so many small events that take place throughout the day, I can see God's hand.

From the first times that I felt God calling me to seminary (a story to save for another day), I had a hope that He would bring me to it, with whatever changes in me that required. Time and time again He has reassured me, and time and time again, He has brought me through all of my challenges, and I trust that He will continue to do this.

Just as God has reassured my path time and time again, He promised Israel a Savior - under each one of these titles.

Now back to the reflection:

When taken together from the last title to the first, the first letters of each title form a wonderful Latin acrostic:

Emmanuel

Rex

Oriens

Clavis

Radix

Adonai

Sapientia

This is the Lord’s response to the Church’s ardent petition that he come (veni):

Ero cras (I will be there tomorrow)!

God - the Father who keeps His promises.

Posted at 3:51 PM by Matthew Morelli | Category: Everyday Life | Permalink | Email this Post
1 - 10 Next

© Copyright 2008 | The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg | A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap | Employment |
  Privacy Policy | 723 East Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 | (P) 724-837-0901 | (F) 724-837-0857 | Feedback   
RSS Feed