NEW TORONTO AUXILIARY BISHOP



Today it was announced in Rome that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick, P.H., currently Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Catharines as Titular Bishop of Aradi and Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto.
Congratulations, Your Excellency! 
May God grant you many happy years of episcopal ministry.
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YOUTH SUMMIT 2012


The latest embodiment of the Montée Jeunesse/Youth Summit begins this evening in Montreal and runs through Victoria Day, Monday, May 21. 
The MJ/YS began several years before the 2008 Eucharistic Congress in Quebec to engage young Catholics in the missionary dimension of the Eucharist. There was a follow-up in Quebec in 2009 and the MJ/YS moved to Ottawa in 2010.  Now it's Montreal's turn. 
Procession with the Blessed Sacrament on the Interprovincial Bridge
from Gatineau to Parliament Hill during Montee Jeunesse in May 2010
A good number of youth and young adults, accompanied by youth ministers, religious and priests from Ottawa will attend.  I will join them after the Centennial celebration at Paroisse Saint-Bernardin on Sunday morning.  I am looking forward to the presence of peace-loving and non-confrontational youth in the streets of Montreal.

For more details: http://monteejeunesse.missionjeunessemtl.org/
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Yesterday and today the two sectors (Francophone and Anglophone) gathered at the Diocesan Centre to discuss matters of interest in the Pastoral Life of the Archdiocese.

Abbe Andre-Louis Naud, liturgist from the Archdiocese of Quebec, was the featured speaker on Wednesday.  My photos from that day are on the other memory card that I left at home, so I won't be able to post them until my return from Toronto and Montreal (where I will attend the Youth Summit on Sunday and Monday).




Here are some photos of the presentation by Julie Salach-Simard from the Catholic Centre for Immigrants on the parish sponsorship program for refugees and the luncheon afterwards:

The Solemnity of the Ascension (Year “B”)—May 20, 2012[or Ascension Thursday, May 17, 2012]


THE ASCENSION AS END AND BEGINNING[Texts: Acts 1.1-11 [Psalm 47]; Ephesians 4.1-13; Mark 16.15-20]
The last twelve verses of Mark's gospel (16.9-20) are known as the Longer, "Canonical" Ending. While these verses are recognized by the Church as illuminating Christian faith and remain normative for subsequent generations, Mark almost surely did not pen them.

The Greek word ‘kanon’ means a ‘measuring rod’ and suggests a ‘rule of faith’ when used of ‘normative’ writings chosen by Church authorities for inclusion in the New Testament. What is true of the Longer Ending of Mark applies also to a two-verse Shorter Ending printed at the close of the gospel.

Manuscript traditions show the Longer and Shorter Endings of Mark attempting to overcome the abrupt ending of Mark 16.8, whether the evangelist intended to end his gospel this way or a part of the original gospel was lost.

Close inspection of the verses in the Markan Longer Ending shows that they contain a pastiche of appearances by the Risen Jesus found in other gospel traditions.

Thus, the apparition to Mary Magdalene in Mark 16.9 echoes John 20.11-17 (with a possible allusion to Luke 8.2), while Mary's role as messenger in Mark 16.10 parallels what we find in John 20.18. The disciples' unbelief—Mark 16.11, 13—perhaps derives from Luke 24.11-41, whereas the appearance “in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country” (16.12) recalls the journey to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24.13-35).

Jesus' rebuke of the Eleven's unbelief while they were at table (Mark 16.14) evokes John 20.24-29, and the evangelising commission (Mark 16.15) may reflect Matthew 28.19 or Luke 24.47. The description of the Ascension (Mark 16.19) may allude to Luke 24.50-51 or suggest the theology of Jesus' presence at God's right hand found throughout the Epistle to the Hebrews (beginning with 1.3, 13).

Those parts of the Longer Ending not accounted for (Mark 16.16-18, 20) go beyond Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension to speak of the Church's missionary preaching activity. Mark 16.16 stresses that faith and baptism guarantee salvation, likely drawing on the Lord's command to baptize found in Matthew 28.19-20.

A virtual summary of the Acts of the Apostles is found in Mark 16:20: “and they went out and proclaimed the Good News everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it”.

Mark 16.17-18 lists some ‘signs’ found in the Acts of the Apostles. An oddity is the reference to disciples surviving snake handling (possibly a reference to Paul's experience in Acts 28.3-6) and withstanding the effects of poisonous drinks as ongoing characteristics of Jesus' followers. The word for ‘snake’ is the same one found in the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) in the account of the serpent's temptation (Genesis 3.1-15). Perhaps a metaphorical meaning should be inferred, that the curse of the serpent has been overcome in the age of salvation.

Mark 16.9-20 has a notable collection of words not found in the rest of the gospel, giving the Longer Ending a second-hand flavour. Indeed it departs notably from the lively style found elsewhere in Mark 1.1-16.8. Still the canonical conclusion serves as a sequel to Mark's ending by communicating the conviction that the promises made by Jesus in Mark 14.28 and 16.7—of his ongoing relationship with the disciples in Galilee and beyond—were realized in the life of the Church.

The secondary ending stresses the call to Jesus' disciples to pass from disbelief to belief about the resurrection. The witnesses who reproach their stubbornness of heart increase in number and authority: from Mary of Magdala, to the two travellers to Jesus Himself.

A later addition to Mark 16.14 shows that the early Church struggled with issues such as sin and temptation blaming its disobedience in part on the Devil: “And [the apostles] made excuse, saying, ‘The age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan who does not permit the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things of the spirits. Therefore, reveal your righteousness, now’”.

Jesus' reply to the disciples' struggle noted that, while Satan's authority had been exhausted and other terrible things approached, his death took place so that people might “return to the truth and sin no more, that they may inherit the spiritual and imperishable glory of righteousness that is in heaven”.

While the Longer Ending of Mark appears incongruous, it recalls that the church remains a believing, confessing and worshipping community, as it was from the beginning after Jesus' Ascension.

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PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS OFCRAIG CAMERON& GERARD RYAN, SJ

This is the season for priestly ordinations and I rejoice particularly in the ordinations of two men I have gotten to know over the years. The first is Father Craig Cameron, who will be ordained Saturday by Archbishop Anthony Mancini.

Father Craig Cameron will be ordained as the first priest
of the newly-amalgamated Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
at St. Mary's Cathedral-Basilica, Halifax at 10 o'clock
on May 19, 2012

The second ordinand is a fellow Jesuit, Gerard Ryan, whom I will ordain at Toronto's Our Lady of Lourdes Church the same day. Gerard Ryan, SJ (right), a native of Tipperary, Ireland, will be ordained for the Province of the Jesuits in English Canada on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10 o'clock.
Congratulations to them and to others being ordained to the priesthood in these days; may they have long and fruitful ministry in the Lord's vineyard!
Ad multos et faustissimos annos!

St. Isidore the Farmer's feast is observed in the United States but is not in the Canadian calendar of saints. 

There are two parishes in our Archdiocese dedicated to him: a francophone parish in the east (Saint Isidore-de-Prescott) and a parish in Kanata North-South March (which has just moved into a newly-constructed church of the site of earlier churches):


When he was barely old enough to wield a hoe, Isidore entered the service of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from Madrid, and worked faithfully on his estate outside the city for the rest of his life. He married a young woman as simple and upright as himself who also became a saint-Maria de la Cabeza. They had one son, who died as a child.

Isidore had deep religious instincts. He rose early in the morning to go to church and spent many a holiday devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas. All day long, as he walked behind the plow, he communed with God. His devotion, one might say, became a problem, for his fellow workers sometimes complained that he often showed up late because of lingering in church too long.

He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of Isidore's supplying them miraculously with food. He had a great concern for the proper treatment of animals.

He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622 with Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri. Together, the group is known in Spain as "the five saints."

Patron: Farmers; farm workers; ranchers; rural communities; Madrid, Spain; death of children; for rain; livestock.

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NEW JESUIT PROVINCIAL  
The Jesuits in English Canada were recently informed that Father Peter Bisson, 54 and a native of Edmunston, NB, has been named by the Very Reverend Adolfo Nicolas, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, to succeed Father James Webb as Provincial of the Jesuits in English Canada effective May 31. 

Father Bisson has been serving as the assistant to Father Webb, who is stepping down for reasons of health. Please keep both of these fine men in your prayers.

Matthias was one of the first to follow our Saviour; and he was an eye-witness of all His divine actions up to the very day of the Ascension. He was one of the seventy-two disciples; but our Lord had not conferred upon him the dignity of an apostle. And yet, he was to have this great glory, for it was of him that David spoke, when he prophesied that another should take the bishopric left vacant by the apostasy of Judas the traitor.
In the interval between Jesus' Ascension and the descent of the Holy Ghost, the apostolic college had to complete the mystic number fixed by our Lord Himself, so that there might be the twelve on that solemn day, when the Church, filled with the Holy Ghost, was to manifest herself to the Synagogue.

The lot fell on Matthias; he shared with his brother-apostles the persecution in Jerusalem, and, when the time came for the ambassadors of Christ to separate, he set out for the countries allotted to him. Tradition tells us that these were Cappadocia and the provinces bordering on the Caspian Sea.

The virtues, labour, and sufferings of St. Matthias have not been handed down to us: this explains the lack of proper lessons on his life, such as we have for the feasts of the rest of the apostles.

Clement of Alexandria records in his writings several sayings of our holy apostle. One of these is so very appropriate to the spirit of the present season, that we consider it a duty to quote it. “It behooves us to combat the flesh, and make use of it, without pampering it by unlawful gratifications. As to the soul, we must develop her power by faith and knowledge.” How profound is the teaching contained in these few words! [– Excerpted from Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B., The Liturgical Year]

* * *O God, who assigned Saint Matthias a place in the college of Apostles, grant us, through his intercession, that, rejoicing at how your love has been allotted to us, we may merit to be numbered among the elect. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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FIVE YEARS IN OTTAWA
It was on this feast day five years ago, that I was named Archbishop of Ottawa.  It was also the occasion of my conversion from a life-long attachment to the Montreal Canadiens to an allegiance to the Ottawa Senators.  The fact that the Senators were making a run for the Stanley Cup that year helped assuage the pangs of separation and foster the new attachment, even though they lost in the finals.  Here's a memorable photo of that day.

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THE MARCH FOR LIFEOTTAWA, MAY 10, 2012:A PHOTO COLLAGE


Having returned on Saturday afternoon from a visit to the United States where I gave the Commencement Address at St. Vincent's Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, I am only now sorting through all of the photos Sarah Du Broy has made available to me from the Mass before the March for Life last Thursday, the speeches and activities on Parliament Hill, the March itself and the Rose Dinner that evening.  Here is a selection from those she made available:












The following is a new prayer for the child in the womb approved by the Bishops of the United States for us in their local churches:
God, author of all life, bless, we pray, these unborn children; give them constant protection and grant them a healthy birth that is the sign of our rebirth one day into the eternal rejoicing of heaven.
Lord, who have brought to these women the wondrous joy of motherhood, grant them comfort in all anxiety and make them determined to lead their children along the ways of salvation.

[For the fathers: Lord of the ages, who have singled out these men to know the grace and pride of fatherhood, grant them courage in this new responsibility, and make them examples of justice and truth for these children.]

[For the family: Lord, endow these families with sincere and enduring love as they prepare to welcome these children into their midst.]

Lord, you have put into the hearts of all men and women of good will a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life; fill this (parish) community with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel and new resolve to share in the spiritual formation of these children in Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.





























 

The Council of Jerusalem (today's first reading)  took place to address the issue of the Gentiles being admitted to the movement started by Jesus and continued by the Apostles without embracing circumcision and other traditions of Israel.  To explain the significance of this for the Church in every age, here is an excerpt from the wonderful blog of Msgr. Charles Pope OF Washington, DC (http://blog.adw.org/): 
Luke is a master of understatement and says “Because there arose no little dissension and debate….” (Acts 15:2) it was decided to ask the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem to gather and consider the matter. So the apostles and some presbyters (priests) with them meet and, of course, Peter is there as is James who was especially prominent in Jerusalem among the apostles and would later become bishop there.
Once again Luke rather humorously summarizes the matter by saying, “After much debate Peter arose” (Acts 15:7). In effect Peter arises to settle the matter since (it would seem) that the apostles themselves were divided. Had not Peter received this charge from the Lord? The Lord had prophesied: Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you all like wheat but I have prayed for you Peter, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers (Luke 22:31-32).
Now Peter fulfills this text as he will again and every Pope after him. Peter clearly dismisses any notion that the Gentiles should be made to take up the whole burden of Jewish customs. Paul and Barnabas rise to support this. Then James (who may have felt otherwise) rises to assent to the decision and asks that a letter be sent forth to all the Churches explaining the decision. He also asks for and obtains a few concessions.
So there it is, the First Council. And that Council like all the Church-wide Councils that would follow was a gathering of the bishops, in the presence of Peter who works to unite them. A decision is then made and a decree, binding on the whole Church, is sent out. Very Catholic actually. We have kept this Biblical model ever since. Our Protestant brethren have departed from it for they have no Pope to settle things when they dispute. They have split endlessly into tens of thousands of denominations and factions. When no one is pope every one is pope.

A final thought. Notice how the decree to the Churches is worded: It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us (Acts 15:28). In the end we trust the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in matters of faith and morals. We trust that decrees and doctrines that issue forth from Councils of the Bishops with the Pope are inspired by and authored by the Holy Spirit Himself. And there it is right in Scripture, the affirmation that when the Church speaks solemnly in this way it is not just some bishops and the Pope as men, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks with them.

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THEOLOGY IN 15 SECONDS


As today is Mother's Day, here is a lovely piece by John O'Brien, a Jesuit scholastic studying in Toronto, who wrote a testimony to his mother's influence in teaching him and his siblings how to pray and what prayer is:
When I was a young lad, my mother, good Christian woman that she was, instructed my siblings and me in a series of nighttime prayers, which she repeated each evening over the years.
I can still remember the routine. She would walk into the room, sit on the edge of my bed and we would say the lines together. It was almost always the same string of phrases, prayerful sound-bytes that contained powerful truths. Sometimes we would say them together. Other nights, when the sand in my eyes was drawing me too fast into slumber, she would say them for us both.

It’s been a good twenty-five years since the last time we prayed like this, but I can still hear her voice reciting our set-list of invocations:

Mother Mary, I belong to you. Keep me and guard me as your property and possession.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee, amen.

I have loved you with an everlasting love – you are mine, says the Lord.

There were a few others like that.

To read more of this reflection, go to: http://iboetnonredibo.blogspot.ca/2012/03/theology-in-15-seconds.html

Today is a travel day, so here are brief descriptions of the martyr saints that we can observe as optional memorials in this Easter season:

Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs


Sts. Nereus and Achilleus are associated with St. Domitilla, as may be seen from this summary, taken from an article by Dom Gueranger:

It was under the persecution of Domitian, during which John the Evangelist was condemned to be burned alive in the cauldron of boiling oil, that Flavia Domitilla was honored with banishment and death for the sake of our Redeemer, whom she had chosen for her Spouse. She was of the imperial family, being a niece of Flavius Clemens, who adorned the consular dignity by martyrdom. She was one of the Christians belonging to the court of the Emperor Domitian, who show us how rapidly the religion of the poor and humble made its way to the highest classes of Roman life.

A few years previous to this, St Paul sent to the Christians of Philippi the greetings of the Christians of Nero's palace. There is still extant, not far from Rome, on the Ardeatine Way, the magnificent subterranean cemetery which Flavia Domitilla ordered to be dug on her praedium, and in which were buried the two martyrs, Nereus and Achilleus, whom the Church honors today together with the noble virgin who owes her crown to them. Nereus and Achilleus were in Domitilla's service. Hearing them one day speaking of the merit of virginity, she there and then bade farewell to all worldly pleasures, and aspired to the honor of being the Spouse of Christ. She received the veil of consecrated virgins from the hands of Pope St Clement: Nereus and Achilleus had been baptized by St Peter himself.


The bodies of these three Saints reposed, for several centuries, in the Basilica, called the Fasciola, on the Appian Way; and we have a Homily which St Gregory the Great preached in this Church on their feast. The holy Pontiff dwelt on the vanity of the earth's goods; he encouraged his audience to despise them by the example of the three martyrs whose relics lay under the very altar around which they were that day assembled. "These Saints," said he, "before whose tomb we are now standing, trampled with contempt of soul on the world and its flowers. Life was then long, health was uninterrupted, riches were abundant, parents were blessed with many children; and yet, though the world was so flourishing in itself, it had long been a withered thing in their hearts." [— Excerpted from Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B., The Liturgical Year.]


* * *
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we who know how courageous the glorious Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus were in confessing you, may experience their loving intercession for us in your presence. Though our Lord.
* * * * * *
Saint Pancras, Martyr


Pancratius was the descendant of a noble Phrygian family. As a youth of fourteen, he came to Rome while Diocletian and Maximian were in power (about 304). He was baptized by the Pope and given instructions in the Christian religion. Arrested for his action, he steadfastly refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods and was condemned to death. With manly courage, he bared his neck for the sword and received the martyr's crown. During the night his body was removed by the pious matron Octavilla, anointed with sweet smelling balsam and interred on the Via Aurelia.
Pancratius is the patron saint of fidelity to oaths. The basilica that Pope Symmachus erected over his remains about the year 500 later became a station church (since 1798 his relics have been lost). On the first Sunday after Easter the saint exhorted the catechumens gathered at his station church to remain loyal to their baptismal vows. The saint warns us to proceed slowly and prudently before taking an oath or vow. But once our word is given we must remain true to our pledge, true unto death itself, whether it concerns baptismal vows, ordination vows, profession vows, or marriage vows. Excerpted from Pius Parsch, The Church's Year of Grace.


* * *
May your Church rejoice, O God, confident in the intercession of the Martyr Saint Pancras, and by his glorious prayers may she persevere in devotion to you and stand ever firm. Through our Lord.

This week and last have been very busy with activities in the four Catholic School Boards located within the Archdiocese (though two of them in Eastern Ontario extend into other (arch)dioceses.

Last week, Abbe Daniel Berniquez and I attended a special session in Ecole Secondaire Catholique de Casselman on strengthening the relationship of parish, home and school. Many of the francophone priests from Ottawa and Alexandria-Cornwall served by le Conseil catholique de l'Est ontarien were in attendance with school board trustees and pedagogique staff. The session included a catered supper meal afterwards.

This week, I presided at the Catholic Education Week Mass for the Catholic School Board of Eastern Ontario held at gthe recently-refurbished Holy Cross Parish Church in Kemptville (Kingston Archdiocese). A dozen priests from the three dioceses served by the school board were in attendance, as were representatives of all the elementary and secondary schools of the board. Each entity was given a lantern to symbolize walking the light of Christ. The photos which follow were taken at this Mass and the reception afterwards.

On Wednesday morning, I took part in the treasure hunt for some 400-500 students of the Conseil Catholique du Centre-Est who were guided with a folder entitled, Decouvre ta cathedrale (Discover Your Cathedral), which introduces the children to the history and artistic treasures found in Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

That evening, I took part in the blessing of the 12-classroom addition to Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, part of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. It's an extraordinary building; I'll have pictures of this sometime early next week.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Lebanese Catholic Community (joined by numerous Orthodox Christians and several Muslims) welcomed His Beatitude Mar Beschara Boutros El Rai to the National Capital Region. 

It was quite a celebration, at least the parts I was able to take part in: the Antiochene Syro-Maronite Divine Liturgy presided by Archbishop Rai at St. Charbel Church on Donald Street and a festive banquet at the Palais des Congres in Gatineau.

There were meals at the Antonine Sisters and at the Embassy of Lebanon and, in between, a chance for the Patriarch to meet Prime Minister Harper and take in a visit to the Senate. 

Here are a few photos taken with my camera:















* * * * * *Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year “B”)
SHARING THE JOY OF FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS[Acts 10.25-26, 34-35, 44-48 [Psalm 98]; 1 John 4.7-10; John 15.9-17]

The "Council of Jerusalem" guided by the Apostles,
the Friends of Jesus
Today's gospel continues Jesus' exploration of the union between himself, the Vine and his disciples, the branches. Abiding in Jesus and reflecting on his words are defined as abiding in His love. Abiding in Jesus' love is equated with obeying his commandments, just as Jesus remained in his Father's love by keeping the Father's commands.

Modelled on Jesus' obedience to the Father, the Christian's adherence to Jesus' teaching is clearly not that of a servant or slave. Rather, its motivation is the example of love given by Jesus (“abide in my love ... love one another as I have loved you”).

There is no greater expression of love than the selfless love Jesus manifested for his disciples. This love, shown in his washing their feet, would come to perfection on the Cross. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends”.

While the disciples rightly call Jesus Teacher and Lord (cf. John 13.13), Jesus suggests that even masters who love their servants do not share with them their inmost thoughts. This, however, he chooses to do, bestowing on them the title of friends: “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father”.

When disciples obey God by following the teachings and example of Jesus, the result is an interior joy (“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete”).

The joy that comes from abiding in friendship with Jesus is the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This joy—drawn from union with Jesus—is contagious and bears rich fruit in the lives of believers.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the joy and fruitfulness of intimacy with Jesus occasionally becomes manifest in unexpected ways. This may be noted over and over again in the Acts of the Apostles. Nowhere is this more strikingly so than in the case of the conversion of Cornelius.

As the extent of the early church's ministry broadened, a significant barrier had to be crossed: bringing the gospel directly to Gentiles. So important was the insight to do so—as illustrated by the story of the conversion of Cornelius and his entourage – that Luke devoted sixty-six verses to it (Acts 10.1-11.18) and dramatized the story with a set of interlocking visions shared by Peter and Cornelius.

There are several aspects of Cornelius' conversion that are emphasized in Luke's account. First, the evangelist noted that the early church resisted either directly evangelizing Gentiles or receiving them into Christian fellowship without associating them with Judaism (“the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles”).

Secondly, it was God who introduced the Gentiles into the Church and miraculously showed approval of this step (“Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’”).

Thirdly, even though Paul is heralded as the “Apostle to the Gentiles”, it was Peter who was God's instrument in opening the door to the Gentiles (“so [Peter] ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ”).

Finally, the Jerusalem church subsequently recognized that Gentile believers could accept Jesus as the Messiah without becoming Jews because God had so determined (“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”).

This initial conclusion (Acts 11.18) would later be formally ratified at what has become known as the Council of Jerusalem (15.1-29), the first of a series of church councils that stretches to the Second Vatican Council in our time (1962-65) and the Golden Jubilee of which the Church will celebrate in a 13-months Year of Faith (October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013).

The notion of God going ahead and preparing human hearts and the church to accept conversion or a new perspective has been designated as ‘prevenient grace’ in Christian theology. The First Epistle of John underlines this, observing “in this is love, not that we loved God but that he [first] loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins”.

There's lots of excitement today as Ottawa prepares for tomorrow's March for Life.  I am looking forward to welcoming my brother bishops and to visiting with friends and acquaintances from all over on this important occasion in the defence of life.

Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe will preside at a Vigil Mass this evening at 7:30PM at St. Theresa's Church (95 Somerset St. West).

Tomorrow morning, May 10 at 10 o'clock there will be concelebrated Masses at the following Catholic Churches (there are services at other houses of worship also):

Mgr Gerald Cyprien Lacroix will preside a Mass in French at Eglise Sacre-Coeur (591 Cumberland, corner of Laurier);

Bishop Nicola De Angelis will preside a Mass in English at St. Patrick's Basilica (281 Nepean Street, corner of Kent);

I will preside a bilingual Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica (Sussex and St. Patrick Streets).

We will be united in prayer with those marching for life in other capital cities across the land.

* * * * * *
The activities begin on Parliament Hill shortly after noon and the March for Life itself begins around 1:30PM. Other events take place later in the day (I will be at the Ukrainian Greek Eastern Rite Prayer Service on the Hill at 4PM, the Rose Dinner, etc) and on Friday.

The Most Reverend Martin W. Currie, Archbishop of St. John's has made known the death today of the Most Reverend William Aquin Carew, who served the Church for many years in the Vatican's diplomatic service.



Archbishop William Aquin Carew was born in St. John's October 23, 1922, only son of William J. Carew, C.B.E., K.C.S.S., and Mary Channing. There were three sisters who are all resident in St. John's. Educated at St. Bonaventure's College from 1927 to 1940, and at St. Paul's Seminary of the University of Ottawa, he was ordained to the priesthood June 15, 1947.

From 1950 to 1952 he specialised in diplomacy at the Pontificia Academia Ecclesiastica, the Vatican's diplomatic college in Rome. Returning to St. John's, Father Carew was Secretary to Archbishop P.J. Skinner during 1952-1953.

Returning to Rome, he became an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State from 1953 to 1969. He was bureau chief of the English language section from 1963 to 1969 and as such handled all Papal audiences by English-speaking heads of state and government.

Created a Supernumerary Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness in 1955, he became a Right Reverend Monsignor in 1964. Monsignor Carew accompanied His Holiness Pope Paul VI on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January 1964 and on his visit to Uganda in 1969.

He was a member of the Papal Mission to the tercentenary of the Canadian Hierarchy in Quebec in October 1959 and to the quadricentennial of the evangelisation of the Philippines in Cebu, April 1965.

On November 27, 1969 he was named titular Archbishop of Telde and Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda-Burundi in Central Africa. He was consecrated January 4, 1970 in St. Peter's Basilica by the late Cardinal lldebrando Antoniutti, whom he had served as personal secretary at the Apostolic Delegation in Ottawa from 1947 to 1950.

Archbishop Carew arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, February 28, 1970 and served as Nuncio in both republics for four and a half years. In April 1972 he was sent as extraordinary envoy of His Holiness on a special mission to Bangladesh.

On May 10, 1974 the Archbishop was named Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine (including Israel and Jordan with residence in Jerusalem), as well as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Cyprus and Apostolic Visitor to Greece. While in these posts he served as Grand Chancellor of the University of Bethlehem, Ecclesiastical Superior of the Advanced Theological Studies at Tantur, and of the House of Abraham Hospice in Jerusalem.

After nine and a half years as Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine (Jordan and Israel) and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Cyprus, he was named Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Japan on August 30, 1983. Archbishop Carew arrived in Tokyo November 18, 1983, and presented Credential Letters to Emperor Hirohito on November 30, 1983. His Holiness Pope John Paul II went to Japan February 24-26 1981, visiting Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

After retiring in 1997, Archbishop Carew returned to his native Newfoundland. Funeral details are pending.

Requiescat in pace.

MASS FOR WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESNOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL BASILICA, OTTAWAFIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR “B”)–MAY 6, 2012

“I AM THE TRUE VINE”[Texts: Acts 9.26–31 [Psalm 22]; 1 John 3.18–24; John 15.1–8]
It’s always a great joy for me to welcome wedding anniversary couples to the cathedral, along with your families and friends. It is wonderful to celebrate the renewal of your vows in this beautiful Easter season.

You have walked a long road. That reminded me of an icon of the encounter of Jesus with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Sister Mary Paul of the Benedictine monastery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem painted this icon. A unique feature of the icon is that the disciples are presented as a couple, the husband Cleopas and his wife.

Can you see yourself in their place? Imagine the three of you journeying together, Jesus instructing you in his word and revealing himself to you in the breaking of the bread.












What wellspring did you draw from…to stay in love? …To persevere against all odds? …To grow together? If you chose to celebrate your anniversary in the church, it’s probably because you have held strong, as a couple, to someone stronger than the trials and the storms. He has supported you and fed you all your life.

Today’s liturgy speaks of discipleship but also of married life. It reminds us that life is fruitful when it is shared, but a little of the self must die to make room for the larger projects of God.










The words Jesus speaks in today’s gospel evoke ancient biblical images: the vine, vine-grower and viniculture practices such as pruning, breaking off dead branches for burning, and harvesting others that produce abundant fruit (John 15.1–17).

For example, Isaiah described God crooning a love-song to Israel under vineyard imagery (5.1–7); so the vineyard and God’s people became interchangeable (“For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel”).

Jesus describes himself as “the true vine” and his Father is the vine-grower. He said that “you,” his disciples then and now, are already pruned because of the word he has spoken to you. His word may have pruned away sin or some other distraction in your life. As branches, you abide in him (“as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me”). Pruning makes way for more fruit.










My dear married couples, I know that you have experienced painful pruning. Yet here you are, still in love with Jesus, and still in love with each other, trusting that “in everything God works for good with those who love him” (Romans 8.28). You have produced—and continue to produce—much good fruit: your children, help for the needy, spreading the gospel, and more.

As the vine stock, Jesus nourishes us with sap. His blood is our life-blood. Without him, we would be dead, unproductive branches, fit only for disposal.

The First Epistle of John further develops the vision of unity of purpose with God. He argues that it is obedience to God’s words, given by Jesus, that lies at the heart of this spiritual “abiding” (“all who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them”).

For God’s commandments are two-fold: to believe in his Son’s name and to love one another. As the Christian lives out these two commands, the Holy Spirit mystically unites the Christian and the Lord (“by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us”).








Believing in the name of Jesus Christ is more demanding than it may seem. Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew, means God saves. Christos in Greek means Messiah, the chosen one sent by God. To believe in his name, I must first admit that I need a saviour and I’m not God. The pruning has begun!

Loving my neighbour is not easy either. It means to share my time, my possessions, my money; with my spouse, my children, and my neighbour. It means forgiving all their offences, without limit. Who could possibly do that? Only God, who is greater than our condemning hearts. Ask, and he will share his heart of mercy with you.

You must already know this, because you have made it this far, and you are still smiling. I am sure each of you could teach me some lessons in forgiveness!



Your example encourages us to faithfulness in a time when popular culture invites us to chase after counterfeit pleasures and infidelity. Thank you for being here today, as a public witness that, with God, all things are better and all things are possible. I pray the Holy Family’s intercession that your marriage vows continue to be life-giving and that your families be blessed with faith, joy, love, health, long life, and life eternal. Amen.

[Photos courtesy of Heribert Risebeck]

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15.5-7). From the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year “B”)

* * * * * *
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
* * * * * *
60th OTTAWA TULIP FESTIVAL 


There are lots of visitors in town for Tulip Festival. 
Welcome to Ottawa!
Enjoy your stay!

MASS ON THE OCCASION OF THE ENTOMBMENTOF FATHER ROBERT (BOB) BEDARD, CCHOPE CEMETERY—OTTAWA, ONTARIOFRIDAY OF EASTER WEEK 4—MAY 4, 2012[Texts: Acts 13.26–33; Psalm 2; 2 Timothy 4.1–8; John 14.1–6]



...Today, we come to a final commendation of Father Bob Bedard's mortal remains in a beautiful mausoleum. In a small way, this structure will keep his life present to our memory to help us cling to the ways of discipleship he shared with us. Certainly, the inspiring writings and the vibrant community of priests he has left us will do that. We become aware of this legacy: a fellowship devoted to Christ and his Church that is rooted in the Magisterium, is centred on the Eucharistic, rejoices in the charisms bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit, and lives under the sheltering protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, inspired by her “yes” to God. This urges us on in the task of the new evangelization.

The reading from Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, chosen for this occasion, speaks of the testament that will guide ministry in the church from generation to generation. The gospel of the day reminds us of the many rooms in the Father’s house to which our brother in Christ has preceded us. Both these New Testament readings bring us consolation and peace on this solemn occasion.






In today’s epistle reading, we see Paul encouraging Timothy—a timid person—to let the scriptures guide him in all the decisions he will have to take during his ministry, once his mentor has gone home to the Lord. Father Bob did this, too, by both word and example. In his own life and ministry, he knew the truth Paul declares—that scripture has a multitude of purposes, namely, “teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness”—even instruction about prayer—during the time allotted us on this earth.

We lay Father Bob’s body to rest until Christ’s return, confident that, having been nourished by the Eucharist, it will be restored in glory on the last day. St. Paul’s summary of his career as an apostle and evangelist applies also to Father Bob, “I have kept the faith.”

Like St. Paul, he had been loyal in keeping trust with the Lord who called him to his service. God will offer him the victor’s prize. Not the race-winner’s wreath of leaves given at the Olympics or Isthmian Games that wither. Rather, on the last day, God will confer the infinitely more precious “crown of righteousness.”

Timothy and Father Bob, and all of us gathered here this evening, know that, by clinging to the Scriptures and their embodiment in the sacramental life of the Church, we too can receive this crown from Jesus, “the righteous judge.”

Paul tasked Timothy, and I believe Father Bob would want to say the same to us, that we continue to evangelize: “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.”

Paul used dramatic images to symbolize the nearness of his death. His statement, “I am already being poured out like a libation,” alludes to the wine poured out upon ritual temple sacrifices.

“The time of my departure” evokes impressions of breaking camp or letting a ship loose from its moorings. Both were common euphemisms for death in antiquity. Paul also expressed a serene sense of accomplishment. This comes not from his strength alone but with Christ’s power.

Two athletic images lead into a concluding summary of Paul’s ministry: the fight and the race. All that remained for Paul was to accept God’s final gift, the culmination of a life of blessings freely bestowed, “To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”







Thomas, the disciple who is our twin, expresses our confusion in the face of the mystery of death, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Behind these questions lies the plaintive cry to Jesus, “Why must you leave us?” You may have felt similar emotions stirring when Father Bob passed away.

This appeal echoes the early Christian community’s concern about how to sustain the dynamism unleashed by Jesus, now that he would be absent from the world in which the Church lived. Jesus’ answer was a call to his disciples to believe in him as they believed in the Father: “Believe in God, believe also in me.”

Although Jesus’ “Father’s house” is a reference to heaven, it is likely that the revelation by the Johannine Jesus should be understood not spatially but relationally. Earlier, John had informed his readers that Jesus was always “in the bosom of his Father” (1.18), even when he was on earth and the Father in heaven.

And so, the many rooms or “dwelling places,” which have been prepared for and await Jesus’ disciples, refer to that intimate relationship they would one day enjoy with “my Father and your Father, my God and your God” (20.17).







Thomas misunderstood Jesus’ sayings, which allowed for clarifications, namely, that Jesus is the way that leads to God, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus reveals that he not only offers access to the Father, but that he is also the embodiment of life with God. Christ’s exclusive claim reminds us that evangelisation is the Church’s first priority....

Father Bob had a powerful encounter with Christ, our Risen Lord. He was hopeful enough about the future to plant seeds in our hearts that would flourish decades later, as they do today.

Although we say our farewell to Fr. Bob’ physical presence at this solemn ceremony, I am confident that he continues to pursue his ministry as an intercessor. Let us resolve to commit, as he did, to the new evangelization, so needed in our day, wherever God would send us.





 
 
[Photos courtesy of Heribert Riesbeck]

Although we don't hear much talk of making the nine First Fridays, there is no shortage of the need to remind ourselves of Christ's love of all humanity as expressed in the vision of Margaret Mary Alacoque and promulgated by her spiritual director Claude de la Columbière.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds of us of Christ's great love for us, and his desire that this love burn in our hearts. Taking Christ as our namesake, since we call ourselves Christians, we are called to be like Christ and share that love where it is needed most.
Although we may be tempted to despair by the enormity world's problems, we need to examine where in our lives we can be witnesses to the power of prayer and how that prayer can move us and others towards Christ's Sacred Heart. Dedicating ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus provides us with a great means and encouragement to build up the Kingdom of that same loving Savior.
The work of promoting this devotion continues to this day under the auspices of the Apostleship of Prayer. You can learn about this important work at the following link: http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/ [Fr. Michael W. Maher, SJ, The Magis Institute (http://www.magisreasonfaith.org/].* * * * * *The Holy Father's May 2012Prayer Intentions
General Intention
The Family: that initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society.

Mission Intention
Mary, Guide of Missionaries: that Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.

* * * * * *Blessed Marie-Leonie
Elodie Paradis was born in the village of L'Acadie in Quebec, Canada. It was May 12, 1840. Her parents were poor but devout Catholics. They loved their little girl. When Elodie was nine, her parents decided to send her to a boarding school. They wanted her to have an excellent education. The Sisters of Notre Dame warmly received the new student. But Elodie and her family missed each other very much.
Mr. Paradis worked hard running a mill. But times were bad, and the mill did not produce enough to support his wife and children. He heard wonderful reports of the gold rush in California. He was so desperate that he decided to go. In California, Mr. Paradis did not find the wealth he hoped for. When he returned to L'Acadie, he was shocked to find that his Elodie had joined the convent. She had entered the Holy Cross congregation on February 21, 1854.
Mr. Paradis went to the convent. He begged his daughter to return home, but she chose to remain. Finally, her father accepted it. She pronounced her vows in 1857. Blessed Marie-Leonie taught school in different cities. She prayed and lived her life joyfully. As time went on, Sister Marie-Leonie was led by Jesus to begin a new religious order in the Church. The Little Sisters of the Holy Family were begun in 1880. These loving sisters are devoted to the priesthood. They serve priests in the household care so important to their ministry. The Little Sisters of the Holy Family now have sixty-seven convents in Canada, the United States, Rome and Honduras.
Mother Marie Leonie worked for her sisters until the last few hours of her life. She was always frail and often ill. But she never stopped caring for God's people. She put the last corrections on the pages of the book of rules she had written. She had it sent to the print shop. That book would give her sisters the guidance they would need for their life. It was Friday, May 3, 1912. Mother Marie-Leonie said she felt very tired. She went to rest and died a few hours later. She was seventy-one years old.
Reflection: Sometimes we are afraid of our future. May the words of Jesus comfort and give us hope: "Do not be afraid, I am with you until the end of time."


O God, who made Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis an example of devoted and humble service to your Church's ministers, grant us, we pray, the grace to imitate her virtues, that, faithfully walking in our own vocation, we may reach the perfection you have set before us in your Son.  Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

St. Philip The Apostle Philip was one of Christ's first disciples, called soon after his Master's baptism in the Jordan. The fourth Gospel gives the following detail: "The next day Jesus was about to leave for Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him: Follow Me.

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him: We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote, Jesus the Son of Joseph of Nazareth. And Nathanael said to him: Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him: Come and see" (John 1:43ff).





St. James the Less, a brother of the Apostle Jude, was of Cana of Galilee. He is the author of one of the Catholic Epistles in the New Testament. He was favored by an appearance of the Risen Christ (I Cor. 15:7). After the dispersion of the Apostles he was made Bishop of Jerusalem. He was visited by St. Paul (Gal. 1:19). He spoke after Peter at the meeting of the Apostles (Acts 15:13).

When he refused to deny the Divinity of Christ, the Jews cast him down from the terrace of the temple and clubbed him to death. The Breviary contains a very moving description of his death. "When he was ninety-six years old and had governed the Church for thirty years in a most holy manner, the Jews sought to stone him, then took him to the pinnacle of the temple and cast him off headlong. As he lay there half dead, with legs broken by the fall, he lifted his hands toward heaven and prayed to God for the salvation of his enemies, saying: Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do!

While the apostle was still praying, a fuller struck his head a mortal blow." His relics now rest next to those of St. Philip in the church of the Holy Apostles in Rome, and their names are mentioned in the first list in the Canon of the Mass.  [Both excerpts taken from Pius Parsch, The Church's Year of Grace.]

* * *
O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James, grant us, through their prayers, a share in the Passion and Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, so that we may merit to behold you for eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

* * * * * *
Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year “B”)—May 6. 2012
“I AM THE TRUE VINE”[Texts: Acts 9.26-31 [Psalm 22]; 1 John 3.18-24; John 15.1-8]





The words Jesus speaks in today's gospel are a continuation of His farewell discourse at the Last Supper. It is part of an extended expression of Jesus' legacy to His disciples (John 13.12-17.26). Its focus evokes ancient biblical images: the vine, vine-grower and viniculture practices such as pruning, breaking off dead branches for burning, and harvesting others that produce abundant fruit (John 15.1-17).



For example, a sacred poem depicted God's planting of a vine and its flourishing growth (“You brought a vine out of Egypt ... and planted it”) as the culmination of the exodus event (cf. Psalm 80.7-11). Also, Isaiah described God crooning a love-song to Israel under vineyard imagery (5.1-7); so the vineyard and God's people became interchangeable (“For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel”). In addition, Jesus told several parables in which vineyard activities were prominent (Mark 12.1-12; Matthew 20.1-16; 21.28-32).



As he did with a number of other images (the bread of life, good shepherd, light of the world, resurrection and the life), by means of the “I am” formula Jesus personalized the vine motif (“I am the true vine”). Jesus expanded on the basic theme by commenting on the Father's role (“my Father is the vine-grower”) and, implicitly, of his disciples' part as branches abiding in him (“as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me”).



While other “I am” sayings in the gospel include invitations to “come” to Jesus and to “believe” in him (cf. John 6.35; 8.2; 10.9), the Vine-saying invites people, instead, to remain united with Jesus (“abide in me as I abide in you”). Spiritually linked with Jesus, disciples share in an ongoing and life-sustaining fellowship (“because apart from me you can do nothing”).



The First Epistle of John develops this vision further, by arguing that it is obedience to God's words, given by Jesus, which lies at the heart of this spiritual “abiding” (“all who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them”). For God's commandments are two-fold, consisting as they do in believing in his Son's name and in loving one another. As the Christian lives out these two commands, the Holy Spirit simultaneously effects and manifests a mystical union between the Christian and his or her Lord (“By this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us”).



The first reading offers an example of how great a struggle may be involved in the Christian community's recognition and acceptance of the Holy Spirit's transforming power at work in an individual such as Saul of Tarsus. For Luke, the “conversion” of Paul was so important that he narrated it three times (Acts 9.1-31; 22.6-21; 26.1-23), each telling of the story focusing on different facets of this dramatic episode in the early Church's life.



In each account, Saul persecuted members of the church and came to learn, through his Damascus Road experience, that Jesus identified with those suffering at his hands. As Saul lay groping on the ground, blinded by his encounter with the Risen Christ, he asked “Who are you, Lord?” The reply he received was, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting”. Once reoriented and converted to faith in Jesus, Saul attempted to join the Jerusalem community, but met resistance when they could not “believe that he was a disciple”.



Barnabas, a disciple renowned in the Acts for his openness to the Holy Spirit's work in various ways, became an apologist for Saul, testifying “how in Damascus Saul had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus”.



Despite his all-encompassing ministry in the Holy City (“Saul went in and out among them in Jerusalem”), he roused the ire of a prominent group of Jewish zealots, the Hellenists, so that his life became at risk. Though forced to leave for Caesarea where he could embark for his native city of Tarsus, this “set-back” would become the providential first step leading to Saul's great missionary voyages once Barnabas had introduced him to the church at Antioch.



Thus, on every page of the Acts, Paul became an eminent exemplar of Jesus' dictum, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples”.

Last week before travelling to Vancouver, I was privileged to attend a meeting with a delegation of religious leaders from Ukraine who came to Canada and would travel on to the USA in honour of Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Sheptyptsky who helped rescue many Jews in Ukraine during World War II. I met the group at the synagogue of Rabbi Bulka, a wonderfully open religious leader that everyone in Ottawa seems to know and regard highly.





Among the members of the Ukrainian delegation was Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk (pictured, the primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church who is acquainted with my friend Father David Nazar, superior of the Jesuits in Ukraine.

Other religious leaders included the Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine, Rabbi Jacob Dov Bleich, the heads of the three Orthodox churches in Ukraine, leaders from evangelical and Adventist religious communities and the Muslim Mufti of Ukraine. The delegation met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper following the passage of the motion. (Photo credit: Deborah Gyapong)

* * * * * *   ST. ATHANASIUS, BISHOP DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH  
 


St. Athanasius was a champion of orthodoxy! He did not die a martyr, but his life was martyrdom in the truest sense. Athanasius was the Church's greatest hero in the battle against Arianism (a heresy that denied Christ's divinity). Even as a young deacon at the Council of Nicea (325), he was recognized as "Arius' ablest enemy" and the foremost defender of the Church's faith. After the death of his bishop (328), "the entire Catholic congregation with one accord, as one soul and body, voiced the wish of the dying bishop Alexander that Athanasius should succeed him. Everyone esteemed him as a virtuous, holy man, an ascetic, a true bishop."
There followed fifty years of constant conflict. Under five emperors and by exile on five different occasions, he gave testimony to the truth of the Catholic position. His allegiance to the Church never wavered, his courage never weakened. As consolation in the face of horrendous calumnies and cruel persecution, Athanasius looked to the unwavering love of his Catholic people. Even time brought no mitigation in Arian hatred. For five years he hid in a deep, dry cistern to be safe from their raging wrath and their attempts to assassinate him. The place was known only to one trusted friend who secretly supplied necessary food.

That Athanasius enjoyed God's special protection should have been obvious to all. On one occasion when the emperor's assassins were pursuing him, Athanasius ordered the ship on which he was fleeing to double-back and sail upstream so that he might meet and by-pass his persecutors. Not recognizing the boat upon meeting in semi-darkness, they naively asked whether the ship carrying Athanasius was still far ahead. Calmly and truthfully Athanasius himself called back, "He is not far from here." So his persecutors kept sailing on in the same direction, allowing the saint to complete his escape.

Preserved by divine Providence through a lifetime of trial and danger, he finally died in his own quarters at Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Valens (373). Athanasius enriched Christian literature with many important works, some pointed toward piety and edification, others polemical and dogmatic in nature. He ruled the Church of Alexandria for forty-six years [Excerpted from Pius Parsch, The Church's Year of Grace.]

* * * * * *
Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son's divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP FOR THE ST. JEROME DIOCESE

Aujourd’hui Sa Sainteté le Pape Benoît XVI a nommé M. l’abbé Raymond Poisson, présentement recteur de la Basilique Sainte-Anne de Varennes au diocèse de Saint-Jean-Longueuil, à titre d’évêque titulaire de Gegi et d’évêque auxiliaire à Saint-Jérôme.




Today, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father Raymond Poisson, currently Rector of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Varennes in the Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, as Titular Bishop of Gegi and Auxiliary Bishop of Saint-Jérôme.


Ad multos et faustissimos annos!  Prayers and best wishes, Your Excellency!

* * * * * *
OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OFST. JOSEPH THE WORKER



O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Une enfant émerveillée
Marie Guyart est née à Tours en 1599. Elle a une enfance heureuse dans une famille de petits commerçants. Si elle aime les processions et les prédicateurs, c’est pour leur côté théâtral. Elle est reconnue pour ses élans de charité : elle prend du pain à la boulangerie de son père pour le distribuer aux pauvres.

Une jeune veuve

À 17 ans, son père la marie à Claude Martin, un jeune homme de 18 ans qui tient un commerce de soieries. Marie Guyart a un enfant trois ans plus tard. Mais Claude Martin meurt d’une grippe. Le commerce fait faillite.

Le point tournant

En mars 1620, elle a sa première vision mystique. Pendant qu’elle marche dans la rue, elle a une absence. Elle voit du sang partout, celui de la Rédemption. Cette vision est d’une telle intensité qu’elle en restera marquée pour le reste de ses jours.

Du talent pour les affaires

Elle refuse de se remarier et s’installe chez sa sœur, mariée à Paul Buisson, propriétaire d’une entreprise de transport. Elle est d’abord domestique, cuisinière, puis prend de plus en plus de place dans l’administration de l’entreprise. Elle a le génie du financement et de la gestion du personnel. Elle élève son fils, mais ne lui manifeste pas d’affection.

L’appel du large

En janvier 1631, Marie Guyart entre au couvent des Ursulines, abandonnant ainsi son fils à une congrégation de religieux. En 1634, elle lit les Relations des Jésuites et rêve d’aller au Canada. Elle s’embarque en 1639, avec trois ursulines, un voyage financé par Madeleine de la Peltrie.

Un poste de traite

À l’arrivée de Marie de l’Incarnation, Québec est une bourgade de quelque 300 habitants mal logés, mal nourris et déprimés. Les sœurs s’installent dans une petite cabane. Très vite, les colons et les Amérindiens amènent leurs filles pour qu’elles reçoivent une éducation.

Une témoin de son temps

Après quelques années, le premier couvent en pierres est érigé sur le site du couvent actuel. Marie de l’Incarnation ne sort jamais de son cloître, mais elle sait tout ce qui se passe dans la jeune colonie. Elle est seule à saisir que la conversion des Indiens est une illusion. Elle pose un regard réaliste dénué de préjugés.

La force intérieure

Marie de l’Incarnation entretient son réseau grâce aux multiples lettres qu’elle écrit. Elle obtient ainsi du financement pour maintenir les activités de la congrégation. Elle n’est jamais émue, du moins en apparence. Elle mène une vie active : elle enseigne, elle cuisine, elle gère et elle conseille. Elle trouve l’énergie et la sérénité dans ses contemplations. Un personnage beaucoup plus riche qu’on ne l’a imaginé. [www.radio-canada.ca]

* * *
Seigneur Dieu, tu as conduit la bienheureuse Marie de l'Incarnation jusqu'a la contemplation du mystère de la Trinite, et tu as fait d’elle un apôtre au cœur de feu. Accorde-nous, par son intercession et suivant son exemple, de vivre en témoins de ton amour, pour que soient toujours plus nombreux ceux qui parviennent à te connaître, t’aimer et te servir. Par Jésus Christ.


* * * * * *



Marie de l'Incarnation, whose real name was Marie Guyard, was born in Tours in 1599.
She was the first Mother Superior of the Ursuline convent of New France.

A widow at the age of 32 with a 13 year old son, she decided to take the veil. She entrusted her son Claude to her sister, and took the name of Marie de l'Incarnation.

"One morning in 1631, my son was resigned to come with me. Walking with me, he made no mention of his affliction, but I could see the tears in his eyes. I felt as my soul being torn out of me, that I was being rent in two. But I allowed no emotion as God was dearer to me than all of that. And, leaving him to her hands, I laughed as I bade him farewell."

For eight years, she heard God's call in her dreams:

"There were great spaces, and in these spaces, a church enveloped in mists.

From the place in which we were there, there was a road to go down; it was exceedingly dangerous because of having terrible rocks on one side and awful and unguarded precipices on the other. The afflicted place I had seen was New France. I felt a very great inward attraction in that direction and an order to go there to build a house for Jesus and Mary. I was in consequence so keenly possessed that I gave my consent to Our Lord, and promised to obey him".

Responding to this call from God, she embarked for New France in 1639 with theplan to convert young Indians, leaving her son behind. She left with other Sisters of the Ursuline and Hospitaliere orders. A wealthy patroness also accompanied them, whose name was Madame Chauvigny de la Peltrie.

The crossing took three months.

Marie de l'Incarnation wrote: "I barely slept during the entire crossing. The pangs of my aching head were so severe that, short of dying, they could not have been worse. All aboard were ill due to the constant tempests. May God be blessed for the mercies He bestowed upon me during that time!"

On August 1, 1639, they arrived in Quebec. They were the first women missionaries in North America.

For several years, she corresponded with her son. She died in Quebec in 1672, without ever returning to her homeland. Her lengthy correspondence was a mixture of mystical writings and very enlightening accounts on life during the early days of the St. Lawrence colony. [Canada: A People's History/cbc.ca]

St. Gianna Molla
A newly written icon of St. Gianna Beretta Molla,
her husband Pietro and their child (Mother, Doctor, Lover of Life)
Courtesy of Salt and Light TV

Our Saint died 50 years ago today on April28, 1962; he life and that of other medical practicioners is a great encouragement to those gathered at the Canadian Catholic Physicians Conference in Vancouver. Father John Horgan gave a wonderful overview of a large number of men and women in the healing professions who achieved holiness of life.  Here is a biography of our Saint of the Day (observed in Italy; other churches may observe the optional memorial of the martyr Saint Peter Chanel or the great articulator of Marian devotion, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort):
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Gianna Beretta was born in Magenta (Milan) October 4, 1922. Already as a youth she willingly accepted the gift of faith and the clearly Christian education that she received from her excellent parents. As a result, she experienced life as a marvellous gift from God, had a strong faith in Providenceand was convinced of the necessity and effectiveness of prayer.
She diligently dedicated herself to studies during the years of her secondary and university education, while, at the same time, applying her faith through generous apostolic service among the youth of Catholic Action and charitable work among the elderly and needy as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. After earning degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949, she opened a medical clinic in Mesero (near Magenta) in 1950. She specialized in Pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and thereafter gave special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and poor.
While working in the field of medicine-which she considered a “mission” and practiced as such-she increased her generous service to Catholic Action, especially among the “very young” and, at the same time, expressed her joie de vivre and love of creation through skiing and mountaineering. Through her prayers and those of others, she reflected upon her vocation, which she also considered a gift from God. Having chosen the vocation of marriage, she embraced it with complete enthusiasm and wholly dedicated herself “to forming a truly Christian family”.
She became engaged to Pietro Molla and was radiant with joy and happiness during the time of their engagement, for which she thanked and praised the Lord. They were married on September 24, 1955, in the Basilica of St. Martin in Magenta, and she became a happy wife. In November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi, in December 1957 of Mariolina; in July 1959 of Laura. With simplicity and equilibrium she harmonized the demands of mother, wife, doctor and her passion for life.
In September 1961 towards the end of the second month of pregnancy, she was touched by suffering and the mystery of pain; she had developed a fibroma in her uterus. Before the required surgical operation, and conscious of the risk that her continued pregnancy brought, she pleaded with the surgeon to save the life of the child she was carrying, and entrusted herself to prayer and Providence. The life was saved, for which she thanked the Lord. She spent the seven months remaining until the birth of the child in incomparable strength of spirit and unrelenting dedication to her tasks as mother and doctor. She worried that the baby in her womb might be born in pain, and she asked God to prevent that.


A few days before the child was due, although trusting as always in Providence, she was ready to give her life in order to save that of her child: “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. Save him”. On the morning of April 21, 1962, Gianna Emanuela was born. Despite all efforts and treatments to save both of them, on the morning of April 28, amid unspeakable pain and after repeated exclamations of “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you", the mother died. She was 39 years old. Her funeral was an occasion of profound grief, faith and prayer. The Servant of God lies in the cemetery of Mesero(4 km from Magenta).
“Conscious immolation", was the phrase used by Pope Paul VI to define the act of Blessed Gianna, remembering her at the Sunday Angelus of September 23, 1973, as: “A young mother from the diocese of Milan, who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation”. The Holy Father in these words clearly refers to Christ on Calvary and in the Eucharist.
Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, during the international Year of the Family. She was canonized on May 16, 2004, by Pope John Paul II. [— Vatican Website]