Top 10 Papal Writings

A very dear friend recently asked what I thought were the top ten Papal writings available in English from the web site of the Holy See.

It is a very good question, because there is presently a wealth of papal preaching and teaching available to us; it is also a difficult question, because there is presently a wealth of papal preaching and teaching available to us.

That being said, after browsing around a bit, I have selected these, in no particular order:

1. Deus caritas est (on Christian love), by Pope Benedict XVI;
2. Haurietis Aquas (on devotion to the Sacred Heart), by Pope Pius XII;
3. Fides et Ratio (on the relationship between faith and reason), by Pope John Paul II;
4. Humanae Vitae (on the regulation of birth), by Pope Pius VI;
5. Nono Millennio Ineuente (at the close of the great Jubilee of the Year 2000), by Pope John Paul II;
6. Salvifici Doloris (on human suffering), by Pope John Paul II;
7. Evangelii Nuntiandi (on evangelization), by Pope Paul VI;
8. Mystici Corporis (on the Mystical Body of Christ), by Pope Paul VI;
9. Address to the Roman Curia, by Pope Benedict XVI; and,
10. Redemptor Hominis (on the Redeemer of man), by Pope John Paul II.

To be sure, I have not read every available papal document.  If I missed one that you would have placed among the top ten, please suggest it by leaving a comment.

A Thanksgiving Day Round Up

From around the blogosphere:

• Taylor Marshall suggests 6 Interesting Catholic Thanksgiving Day Facts You Need to Know that might impress - or confound - your family and friends;
• Carson Holloway takes a look at Thanksgiving in relation to the Founding of the nation, with an eye on the First Amendment; 
•  Jean Heimann offers a few Catholic Thanksgiving Day Prayers you might use prayer with your family and friends;
• Monsignor Pope offers some thoughts to help deepen our gratitude; and,
• Sister Mary Martha has a few good suggestions for those who expect to have an unhappy Thanksgiving.

From the archives:

• I sermon I preached at an ecumenical Thanksgiving Service in Virden, Illinois.

It's cold in Rome

If you're wondering what life is like right now in Rome, this photo of Pope Francis from today's General Audience sums it up fairly well:

Source: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

A Christmas homily hint from Pope Francis

It is never too early to begin ruminating on the beginnings of a homily for important days in the life of the Church, such as the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, more commonly knows simply as Christmas.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, His Holiness Pope Francis provides a summary of the consequences of faith in the Christ Child:

True faith in the incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self-giving, from membership in the community, from service, from reconciliation with others (88).

Priests and Deacons, take this line with to prayer as you begin preparing your Christmas homilies.  This might not be a bad way to go this year.

On Black Friday, a caution from the Pope

Certainly the timing of today's release of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium is not at all connected to the great madness that will soon envelope the United States of America, either on Thanksgiving Day or the following, dubbed Black Friday, as consumers try to buy more things they weren't thankful for the day prior.

In the second paragraph of his lengthy reflection on the joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis directs our attention to what he sees as "the great danger in today's world:"

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ (Evangelii Gaudium, 2).

Before you head out with your shopping lists, be sure to take Pope Francis' words to prayer. 

Francis quotes Benedict at least 20 times

I have just printed Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), the Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope Francis and am looking forward to reading it.

When I studied history in college, we were frequently encouraged to judge the quality of an historical work both by the references cited and by the index provided.  There is no index to Evangelii Gaudium - which is not surprises - but the footnotes are impressive.  Including the table of contents and the notes, the exhortation prints out at 82 pages (using the European A4 paper), more than I expected, and contains 217 references.  It's an impressive number, to be sure.

Looking through the notes, one sees quickly that Pope Francis quotes extensively from his predecessors, most notably Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI, whom he quotes or references not fewer than 20 times.  When you remove that pages taken up by the table of contents and the references, that averages out, roughly, to one quote or reference from Benedict XVI every 3.45 pages.

I wonder how the media will spin that.

Pictures from the Papal Mass

Sometimes finding a quiet place to pray in the Basilica of Saint Peter can be a difficult endeavor, what with the seeming hoards of tourists scampering about to take a picture of a holy water font - and often blocking access to it - or moving about with their fellow tourists in one large mass like a school of fish, darting this way that.  I find myself frequently wondering if a great many of the tourists have ever been in a church before.  Such, however, is not the case in the hours preceding a Mass at which the Pope presides when the Basilica is closed to the public.

At such celebrations the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff always has need of priests to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion.  Because of security and logistical concerns, our tickets instructed us to be at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the basilica at 9:00 a.m., with the Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Without the crowds bustling by from one place to another or a great murmur of voices constantly rising or the light of hundreds of cameras continuously flashing, the vastness of the basilica is most impressive, particularly when you are free to wander about largely as you please.  We were allowed to do so for about forty-five minutes before we were corralled back in the Blessed Sacrament chapel - where they also had a vest - for our instructions and taken to our seats in the Square at about 10:00 .m., which allowed for a good opportunity to take a few pictures:

The Papal throne.

The altar.

The Madonna and Child.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

When I took my seat I found myself sitting behind two or three rows of tall priests who did not sit very still (being short in stature does have some disadvantages, though not many), which made seeing the Holy Father - despite him being straight in front of me - somewhat difficult.  Still, I did manage to get a few good shots of him (when the priests leaned just the right way):

Pope Francis sits for the first reading as Msgr. Marini gives instructions.

Pope Francis prepares to listen to the proclamation of the Gospel.

Pope Francis professes the Creed while holding the relics of Saint Peter.

All in all, my seat wasn't bad.

Homily - 24 November 2013 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today brings to a close this Year of Faith, which His Holiness Benedict XVI proclaimed as “a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world.”[1]  The Holy Father hoped that we would use this year “to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ.”[2]  He hoped this renewed conversion to the Lord and this renewed enthusiasm for the faith would “arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.”[3]

Looking back on this Year of Faith, we must ask the obvious questions: Have I used it well?  Have I come to a renewed conversion to Jesus Christ?  Have I found a renewed joy and enthusiasm for the faith?  Does a renewed conviction to profess the love of God now animate me?  If the answer to these questions is no, we are not without hope, because our King has made “peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20).

It is on the Cross that we see the immeasurable depths of the Lord’s love for each one of us; it was by his cross that he “delivered us from the power of darkness” and enlightened us with his gift of faith, as the baptismal ceremonies so poignantly demonstrate for us (Colossians 1:13).  As with every gift, this gift requires a response; we are, of course, free to reject this gift and to live apart from God, but the correct response to this gift of faith is made in faith.  What do I mean?

The Catechism of Catholic Church reminds us: “By faith, man completely submits his intellect and his will to God.  With his whole being man gives his assent to God the revealer. Sacred Scripture calls this human response to God, the author of revelation, "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5).[4]  No other gift demands such a response, but no other is so great or cost so much.  As Benedict XVI reminded us, “Faith is choosing to stand with the Lord so as to live with him.”[5]

In the first reading from the Second Book of Samuel, we heard a brief account of the consecration of David, the shepherd who slew Goliath and so defeated the army of the Philistines, as King of Israel (II Samuel 5:3).  Many kings would succeed David and sit on his throne, but at the time of our Lord’s birth the throne of David was vacant, awaiting the fulfillment of the ancient promise given through the prophet Isaiah:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and for evermore (4:6-7).

Soon we will enter the season of Advent, when we will reflect on these words in a particular way.  In the coming days, we will turn our thoughts to the One of whom the Archangel Gabriel declared: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

It is this Child, this King, whom we see today hanging on the Cross in order to save us from our sins.  It is to this King that we must give the obedience of faith.  If we hope to find the joy and enthusiasm of a renewed conversion, we must willingly submit to him in all things; we must seek to serve him, and not ourselves.

When Pope Pius XI decreed in 1924 the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, which we celebrate today, he wisely counselled, “When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.”[6]  His words are true not only for society, but for families and individuals, as well.  Do we not long for liberty, for peace, for harmony?  Then let us place ourselves of Christ the King!

Pope Pius XI explained, at some length, his motivations for ordering the observance of this solemnity.  I think you will find his motives no less true today than they were eighty-nine years ago:

…We shall minister to the need of the present day, and at the same time provide an excellent remedy for the plague which now infects society. We refer to the plague of anti-clericalism, its errors and impious activities. This evil spirit, as you are well aware, Venerable Brethren, has not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface. The empire of Christ over all nations was rejected. The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them. It was then put under the power of the state and tolerated more or less at the whim of princes and rulers. Some men went even further, and wished to set up in the place of God's religion a natural religion consisting in some instinctive affection of the heart. There were even some nations who thought they could dispense with God, and that their religion should consist in impiety and the neglect of God. The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences. We lamented these in the Encyclical Ubi arcano; we lament them today: the seeds of discord sown far and wide; those bitter enmities and rivalries between nations, which still hinder so much the cause of peace; that insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretense of public spirit and patriotism, and gives rise to so many private quarrels; a blind and immoderate selfishness, making men seek nothing but their own comfort and advantage, and measure everything by these; no peace in the home, because men have forgotten or neglect their duty; the unity and stability of the family undermined; society in a word, shaken to its foundations and on the way to ruin. We firmly hope, however, that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior. It would be the duty of Catholics to do all they can to bring about this happy result. Many of these, however, have neither the station in society nor the authority which should belong to those who bear the torch of truth. This state of things may perhaps be attributed to a certain slowness and timidity in good people, who are reluctant to engage in conflict or oppose but a weak resistance; thus the enemies of the Church become bolder in their attacks. But if the faithful were generally to understand that it behooves them ever to fight courageously under the banner of Christ their King, then, fired with apostolic zeal, they would strive to win over to their Lord those hearts that are bitter and estranged from him, and would valiantly defend his rights.[7]

What is more, Pius XI placed this Solemnity on a Sunday so that the laity “may in a spirit of holy joy give ample testimony of their obedience and subjection to Christ.”[8]

We know that the obedience we are to give to Christ is, ultimately, the same obedience that led him to the Cross.  He makes it clear that if we are to be in his service, we must take up cross each day – without exception – and follow him (cf. Luke 9:23).  Yet we also know that to those who pledge their obedience to him and take up their cross, Christ Jesus will say, “Amen, amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The conversion the Lord desires is full and complete, one that continually calls out for the Lord’s mercy, one by which we allow ourselves to entirely his and his alone.  As we look upon Christ our King suspended on the Cross, our questions again return to us: Have I used the Year of Faith well?  Have I come to a renewed conversion to Jesus Christ?  Have I found a renewed joy and enthusiasm for the faith?  Does a renewed conviction to profess the love of God now animate me?  If the answer is no, there is still time for us to glory “in obedience to the commands of Christ” and “go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” (Prayer After Communion; Psalm 122:1).

---

[1] Pope Benedict XVI, Porta Fidei, 6.

[2] Ibid., 2.

[3] Ibid., 9.

[4] Catechismof the Catholic Church, 143.

[5] Pope Benedict XVI, Porta fidei, 10.

[6] Pope Pius XI, Quas primas, 19.

[7] Ibid., 24.

[8] Ibid., 29.

The fruit of revering Christ as King

In preparation for tomorrow's great Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, I am reading Qua primas, the encyclical letter in which His Holiness Pope Pius XI established the feast in 1925.

After recalling the many ways in which the Sacred Scripture reveals the Kingship of Christ, Pius XI wrote:

If We ordain that the whole Catholic world shall revere Christ as King, We shall minister to the need of the present day, and at the same time provide an excellent remedy for the plague which now infects society. We refer to the plague of anti-clericalism, its errors and impious activities. This evil spirit, as you are well aware, Venerable Brethren, has not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface. The empire of Christ over all nations was rejected. The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them. It was then put under the power of the state and tolerated more or less at the whim of princes and rulers. Some men went even further, and wished to set up in the place of God's religion a natural religion consisting in some instinctive affection of the heart. There were even some nations who thought they could dispense with God, and that their religion should consist in impiety and the neglect of God. The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences. We lamented these in the Encyclical Ubi arcano; we lament them today: the seeds of discord sown far and wide; those bitter enmities and rivalries between nations, which still hinder so much the cause of peace; that insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretense of public spirit and patriotism, and gives rise to so many private quarrels; a blind and immoderate selfishness, making men seek nothing but their own comfort and advantage, and measure everything by these; no peace in the home, because men have forgotten or neglect their duty; the unity and stability of the family undermined; society in a word, shaken to its foundations and on the way to ruin. We firmly hope, however, that the feast of the Kingship of Christ, which in future will be yearly observed, may hasten the return of society to our loving Savior. It would be the duty of Catholics to do all they can to bring about this happy result. Many of these, however, have neither the station in society nor the authority which should belong to those who bear the torch of truth. This state of things may perhaps be attributed to a certain slowness and timidity in good people, who are reluctant to engage in conflict or oppose but a weak resistance; thus the enemies of the Church become bolder in their attacks. But if the faithful were generally to understand that it behooves them ever to fight courageously under the banner of Christ their King, then, fired with apostolic zeal, they would strive to win over to their Lord those hearts that are bitter and estranged from him, and would valiantly defend his rights (24).

Though written eighty-eight years ago, his words seem strangely appropriate for our own day, particularly in the United States of America.  Let his lament be a warning to us!

Three paragraphs earlier, he noted that "once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony" (19).  We are in desperate need of these blessings today!

On the feast of St. Cecilia: Daily frustrations and the irony of prayer

Perhaps the greatest lesson of life that each of us must strive to learn, and re-learn, and learn yet again is how to accept the frustrations and disappointments of everyday life.  There is perhaps no place on earth more well-suited to learning this lesson - over and over again - is Rome.

Today being the memorial of Saint Cecilia I decided after class to walk to the Basilica of Saint Cecilia, which tradition says is built over the site of her house, to pray at her tomb.  It seemed like a good and worthy thing to do.

When I stopped through the main entrance into the courtyard of the basilica I was delighted to see grass (within the last week I've begun to miss grass, but there's more a consequence of living in a large city than a different country).  As I approached the entrance to the basilica I grew excited seeing the main doors suitable arrayed for the basilica's titular feast day:

On entering the basilica, though, I was disappointed to find it not well light and most - if not all - of the side chapels either not lit up and/or gated shut. 

Still I pressed forward to have a look at Stefano Moderno's famed sculpture of Saint Cecilia:

When I found the entrance to the crypt where Saint Cecilia's mortal remains are interred, I was disappointed to find an entrance of 3,50 euros.

In other churches such fees - if they exist - are waived are the patronal feast day and the lights of the churches are put on and access to generally restricted areas is opened.  Not so here.

Reluctantly I paid the fee and took some time exploring the remains of the original church - which now serves largely as the foundation for the present church - and some of the artifacts contained
therein, like this detail from a sarcofagus:

I think they are ready for a luau.

The greatest disappoint of all came when I arrived at the beautiful chapel containing the tomb of the patron saint of music and found the gate shut and padlocked (I put my camera through the bars to take a few pictures for you):

 

 

Being as near to the tomb of Saint Cecilia as was possible, I took out the holy card I was given when I bought my ticket and prayed:

Our sister Cecilia,
who, at the beginning of the journey of the Christian people,
showed us how to live
with strong faith and serenity until martyrdom,
together with your husband Valerian,
sustain us pilgrims of the Third Millenium,
particularly our families,
so that our everyday struggles and burdens -
often a martyrdom for our weakness -
will be sustained by faith in Christ our only Savior
who won against evil and was resurrected for the hope of all humanity.
Amen.

The irony of the prayer was not lost on me.

What did Paprocki actually say?

In its article purporting to provide an account of the Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage, the State Journal-Register makes a rather bold - and false - claim:

Paprocki was also quick to condemn champions of same-sex marriage, including lawmakers and gay and lesbian couples.

Did he really condemn anyone?  What did Bishop Paprocki actually say?

He made a distinction stated by Saint Augustine of Hippo, though without using his exact words: "Your neighbor is the person; the vice is your neighbor's enemy.  You show that you love your friend if you hate what harms your friend...  Do not love the vices of your friends if you love your friends" (Sermon 49:5-6). 

This constant teaching of the Church was restated by Saint Bonaventure in these words: "Men and women are to be loved, but in such a way that their errors are not loved" (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, 6.67).

This is, frankly, a distinction that the paper – and many others - seems unable to make.  Here are Bishop Paprocki's own words:

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.

​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.

Where is the condemnation?  These are not words of condemnation because, as Paprocki reaffirmed early in his homily, “It is not hateful to say that an immoral action is sinful. On the contrary, the most compassionate thing we can do is help people to turn away from sin.”

Rather than taking the Bishop’s words as they are and simply accepting him to be sincere in what he says, many hear and read only what they instead wish the Bishop had said.

With Pope Francis, whom they are happy to claim for their “side” again without really paying attention to he actually said, Bishop Paprocki issued an appeal to receive mercy:

This is a key point which the secularists are missing: they think that stressing God's mercy means that sins are no longer sins. On the contrary, God's mercy is a great gift of grace precisely because sins are sins and they call for repentance and forgiveness.

not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70e.dpuf

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70e.dpuf

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70e.dpuf

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70e.dpuf

I'm not saying that anyone involved in the redefinition of marriage is possessed by the devil, which, if that were the case, would require the remedy of a "Major Exorcism," but all of us are certainly subject to the devil's evil influences and in need of protection and deliverance from evil.
​Our prayer service today and my words are not meant to demonize anyone, but are intended to call attention to the diabolical influences of the devil that have penetrated our culture, both in the state and in the Church.
- See more at: http://dio.org/blog/item/350-bishop-paprocki-s-homily-for-prayers-of-supplication-and-exorcism-in-reparation-for-the-sin-of-same-sex-marriage.html#sthash.dc59m70e.dpuf