Black Mass canceled at Harvard, but thousands gather for prayer anyway

It isn't every day that a "conservative" protest is given much attention or ends successfully, but such was the case with yesterday's planned "reenactment" of a Black Mass on the campus of Harvard University.

Although Harvard University itself allowed the Black Mass - which President Faust called "abhorrent" - the Harvard Extension School Cultural Studies Club, which sponsored the Black Mass, decided (just shy of three hours before the scheduled time) to move the Black Mass off Harvard's campus because so-called “grave misinterpretations about the nature of the event were harming perceptions about Harvard and adversely impacting the student community.” Misinterpretations, indeed!

It should be noted that Harvard University itself did not ask the Cultural Studies Club to move or ask the club to cancel the planned worship of Satan on its campus. The Dean of Students and Alumni Affairs, Robert Neugeboren, said, “The Harvard Extension School is grateful the student group has recognized the strong concerns expressed by members of the Harvard community and beyond.” It strikes me as very curious that Harvard University itself did not fully recognize the same "strong concerns expressed by members of the Harvard community and beyond."

The Cultural Studies Club then sought a new location for the Black Mass:

The club wrote in its email around 5 p.m. that they planned for the event to be held at The Middle East nightclub in Central Square at 9 p.m. But Clay S. Fernald, the general manager of The Middle East, said Monday evening that the nightclub would not host the event, and that negotiations with the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club had fallen through.

Fernald declined to comment on why negotiations had ended.

Around 7 p.m., the Cultural Studies Club sent an email saying that they had been unable to find another location and would no longer sponsor the black mass, and individuals who intended to attend decided to migrate to the Hong Kong, at which the ceremony was revived.

At this point it is difficult to say just what happened at the Hong Kong Restaurant and Lounge. The Harvard Crimson offers this brief description:

About 50 people, mostly dressed in black and some wearing face makeup, were present for the ceremony. A consecrated host, believed by Catholics to be the body of Christ, was not used in the ritual.

Four individuals in hoods and one man in a white suit, a cape, and a horned mask were active in the proceedings, as well as a woman revealed to be wearing only lingerie. The ceremony began with a narration on the history underlying Satanism and the black mass ritual.

The restaurant’s owner, Paul Lee, said in a phone interview around 11 p.m. that he was unaware of the incident.

However, The Boston Globe reports that "a lounge employee, who would only identify himself as Fred, said in a phone interview that temple members were drinking at the bar, but he did not believe they were performing any rituals."

Although the Black Mass at Harvard University was cancelled, regardless of what occurred at the Hong Kong, a Eucharistic Holy Hour at St. Paul's church on the campus rightly continued as planned, attended by some 2,000 seeking to offer prayers of reparation to the Christ the Lord:

Black mass is canceled at Harvard but Catholic event is standing room only. See photo http://t.co/AhmgJgRvij pic.twitter.com/UZcMs7ylkT
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) May 13, 2014

And now a view from the other side:

God Bless the Catholic Community at Harvard- Church overflowing with 2000+ adoring Jesus in the Eucharist pic.twitter.com/YdwFm9M1vZ
— Fr Jim Chern (@FatherJimChern) May 13, 2014

Thanks to all who contacted Harvard University and offered prayers of reparation. Let the prayers continue in the days ahead!

The worship of Satan at Harvard University

Amidst great protest from the Catholic world, the Harvard University - which is named after a Christian minister - will allow, in the name of "free speech," a Black Mass to be "reenacted" on its campus this evening at 8:00 p.m. as an "educational" experience, though the university has tried to distance itself in the manner of Pontius Pilate:

The 'black mass' had its historical origins as a means of denigrating the Catholic Church; it mocks a deeply sacred event in Catholicism, and is highly offensive to many in the Church and beyond. The decision by a student club to sponsor an enactment of this ritual is abhorrent; it represents a fundamental affront to the values of inclusion, belonging and mutual respect that must define our community. It is deeply regrettable that the organizers of this event, well aware of the offense they are causing so many others, have chosen to proceed with a form of expression that is so flagrantly disrespectful and inflammatory.

Nevertheless, consistent with the University’s commitment to free expression, including expression that may deeply offend us, the decision to proceed is and will remain theirs.

At the same time, we will vigorously protect the right of others to respond—and to address offensive expression with expression of their own.

All of this may sound nice, but let us not forget that Satan "is a liar and the father of lies" and "the deceiver of the whole world;" he is not one to be trifled with (John 8:44, Revelation 12:9).

In a letter to President Drew Fuast, Father Roger Landry, an alumnus of Harvard University, demonstrated how "silly" such a claim is:

We all know that if there were to be a seance to communicate with the soul of Adolf Hitler, Harvard would never countenance it, first because we’re clearly dealing with conjuring evil, and second because it would be terribly injurious to Jewish members of the Harvard community and the wider community.

We also all know that if an “independent student organization” were trying to host an event in which there would be reenacting the burning of a copy of the Koran, it likewise would never be permitted, because Harvard would never associate itself with the desecration of Islam’s sacred text or allow its name or property to be used in something that would obviously outrage the spiritual sensibilities of Muslims.

A ceremony invoking Satan, mocking the Catholic Mass and desecrating what Catholics believe to be the Body of Jesus Christ — or if, implausibly, an unconsecrated host will be used, something that is at least meant to symbolize the Eucharist — should be treated in the same way.

Curiously, President Faust (readers may coincidentally recall Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust), president of Harvard and a descendant of Jonathan Edwards.

At least to her partial credit, President Faust will not attend the Black Mass and will instead attend Holy Hour at St. Paul's church on the campus of Harvard University. Let us pray the Lord to touch her heart and reveal to her the gravity of what the university is allowing to take place:

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

St Michael's stunning gold & peacock featured wings. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Latin 1156B, 15thC Hours pic.twitter.com/SOHBYR3eQd
— Sarah Peverley (@Sarah_Peverley) May 12, 2014

Let us also remember the words Pope Francis preached within the first Mass he celebrated as the Bishop of Rome:

When we do not profess Jesus Christ, the saying of Léon Bloy comes to mind: "Anyone who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil." When we do not profess Jesus Christ, we profess the worldliness of the devil, a demonic worldliness.

The consequences of Cardinal Kasper's proposal

As the Catholic world continues to think through the recent suggestions made by His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kaspar concerning Catholics who have divorced and attempted a second marriage civilly - even though the sacramental bond of their first marriage remains - Sandro Magister has published a thoughtful letter by a missionary in Bangladesh.

Father Carlo Buzzi, a missionary under the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, explains in his letter that in his mission in Sirajganj and throughout Bangladesh, "we teach the catechism and to be clear we say that every sacrament has four elements: the minister, the matter, the formula, the miraculous event."

At the heart of his disagreement with the proposal of Cardinal Kaspar is precisely what such an action on the part of the Church would say. Father Buzzi summarizes it well:

But taking the route traced by Cardinal Kasper would cause serious harm:

1. It would make the Church superficial and accommodating;
2. One would have to deny the infallibility of the chair of Peter, because it would be as if all the previous popes had erred;
3. One would have to take as fools all those who gave their lives as martyrs to defend this sacrament.

His points are all true - though I do not recall seeing others put it quite so clearly - and would be well heeded.

Have we been cut to the heart?

When they heard Saint Peter proclaim the message of salvation brought about through Jesus of Nazareth - namely, that "God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death" and "has made him both Messiah and Lord" - "they were cut to the heart" (Acts 2:24, 36). At the mention of "this Jesus, whom you crucified," the crowd was cut to the heart (Acts 2:36).

Here in the city of Saint Francis, we have ever before us the brilliant life of a man who was also "cut to the heart" at the mention of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

After the Lord spoke to Francis through the Crucifix then in the church of San Damiano, "from then on," we are told, "he could never keep himself from weeping, even bewailing in a loud voice the passion of Christ which was always, as it were, before his mind" (Thomas of Celano, Second Life, 11).

What is more, Saint Francis "could never hear the love of God without a kind of transformation within himself. For immediately upon hearing the love of God, he would become excited, stirred, and inflamed, as though an inner chord of his heart had been plucked by the plectrum [a pick] of the outward voice of the speaker" (Thomas of Celano, Second Life, 196).

Saint Francis took to hear the message of Saint Peter: "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that he should follow in his footsteps" (I Peter 2:21). Saint Francis knew that, just as Jesus had been "cut to the heart" out of love for him ("...but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out" [John 19:34]), so, too, should he, Francis, be "cut to the heart" out of love for Jesus.

Because he allowed himself to be vulnerable to God's love and yielded himself to it, he "handed himself over to the one who judges justly" , to him who reigns from the Cross (I Peter 2:23). As much as Francis was aware of his own sinfulness, he was equally - and maybe more so - aware of the immensity of the mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Sinner though he was, Francis knew that through his merciful love, the Good Shepherd called him to enter into his pastures by entering into the gate of himself, by entering into the wounds by which his heart was cut, so that he might repose in verdant pastures there "to have life and have it more abundantly" (cf. John 10:9, 20:7 and Psalm 23:1; John 10:10).

In gratitude for so great and undeserved gift, Francis was profoundly moved at the mention of so great a love and shows us that we, too, should be "cut to the heart" when he hear of the salvation Christ has won for us. Too often, however, such is not the case.

When we hear someone speak of the love of God, of those words which so moved Saint Francis, what is our response? Are we moved to tears of sadness and joy, or are we instead filled with indifference and a desire to get away? If we begin to squirm uncomfortably when someone speaks of God's love, it is a clear sign that we have not yielded to his love and allowed ourselves to be cut to the heart, that we have not yet truly repented.

Too often we erect one wall or another - even a series of defenses - so as not to be cut to the heart out of love for Jesus. We do not want to be touched by his grace; we do not want to be moved by his love; we do not want to weep in gratitude for his mercy. We want to be strong, safe, and secure, but unless we lower our defenses and yield to him we will not recognize his voice and follow him (cf. John 10:4).

Today, then, let us read again the Gospel accounts of his Death and Resurrection, let us speak to one another of his love, and let us look upon a crucifix, the better to be cut to the heart. Let us pray with Saint Francis the words he spoke before the Crucifix at San Damiano:

Most high, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my mind,
and give me, Lord, a correct faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect charity, sense, and knowledge,
so that I may carry out your holy and true command.
Amen.

Four deacons to be ordained on the Memorial of Saint Damien of Moloka'i

The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois, will ordain four men - Samuel Bagyo, Jr., Adam Prichard, Martin Smith, and Jason Stone - to the Order of the Diaconate today in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for service in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. How I wish I could be with them today, especially as they are ordained on the Memorial of Saint Damien of Moloka'i in the year that celebrates the 150th anniversary of his arrival at Moloka'i!

If you are not yet familiar with the life of the Leper Priest (about whom I have written frequently), Word on Fire has published an excerpt from Brandon Vogt's forthcoming book, Saints and Social Justice: A Guide to Changing the World, he which he explores Father Damien's work at Kalaupapa that describes his personality well:

One early realization was that to show the lepers the value of their lives, he had to first demonstrate the value of their deaths. So he built a fence around the local cemetery, which pigs and dogs regularly scavenged. He also constructed coffins and dug graves, committing that each leper, even if marginalized throughout his life, would receive a decent burial upon death. This had a remarkably uplifting effect on the community.

Damien also devoted his attention to the sick. He brought the sacraments to bedridden lepers. He washed their bodies and bandaged their wounds. He tidied their rooms and did all he could to make them as comfortable as possible.

What surprised the lepers most was that Damien touched them. Other missionaries and doctors shrank from the lepers. In fact, one local doctor only changed bandages with his cane. But Damien not only touched the lepers, he also embraced them, he dined with them, he put his thumb on their forehead to anoint them, and he placed the Eucharist on their tongues. All of these actions spoke volumes to the dejected lepers. They showed that Damien didn’t want to serve them from afar; he wanted to become one of them [more].

Until the very day of his death, Father Damien strove to serve his fellow lepers with everything he had, and more, going so far as to say, "I make myself a leper with the lepers to gain all to Jesus Christ." Through his zeal and love, Father Damien brought together again those affected by, as they called it, "the separating sickness." This is certainly the work, the mission, of every priest, but it is no less so the mission of every deacon.

When Father Damien arrived at the leper settlement, he wrote to his family, saying, "I wish to give myself unconditionally to the poor lepers. The harvest appears to be ripe here. Pray, and ask others to pray both for me and for all."

The harvest in no less ripe in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois today. Please join me in praying for Samuel, Adam, Marty, and Jason, soon to be deacons, that through the intercession of Saint Damien and of Saint Francis of Assisi (at whose tomb I will soon pray for them), that they, too, will always be known for their desire to serve not from afar but from within.

Is Cardinal Kasper correct? Is the average Christian not called to heroism?

His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper has been very much in the Catholic press recently over his recent interview with Commonweal in which he said:

That’s a real problem. I’ve spoken to the pope himself about this, and he said he believes that 50 percent of marriages are not valid. Marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament presupposes faith.

Doctor Ed Peters has done an excellent job pointing out the consequences of the words attributed to Pope Francis (the Holy See has yet to respond to the claim, though Dr. Peters makes a good case as to why a response is needed).

I had not planned to weigh in on the interview until I read the interview and saw where Cardinal Kasper discusses the possibility of a man and woman in a civil - not sacramental - marriage living "as brother and sister," that, is, not engaging in sexual relations. Such a situation is, said Cardinal Kasper, "a heroic act, and heroism is not for the average Christian." Here I must strongly disagree with the Cardinal.

Through his Twitter feed this morning, Pope Francis seemed to turn his attention to the heroism needed in marriage:

Holiness means giving ourselves in sacrifice every day. And so married life is a tremendous path to sanctity!
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) May 9, 2014

Whether this tweet is a subtle response to Cardinal Kasper's words or is one that had already been on the docket, as it were, is uncertain.

When Holy Mother Church examines the life of one of her sons and daughters who has been presented for beatification and canonization, she looks first to see if there are signs that the Christian lived with heroic virtue. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council never tired of reminding us that, "Fortified by so many and such powerful means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord, each in his own way, to that perfect holiness whereby the Father Himself is perfect" (Lumen Gentium, 11, emphasis mine). Could we possibly say that holiness is not heroic? Of course not. If we are to be saints, we must strive for lives of heroic virtue!

This is something the Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI also never tired of reminding us. I think especially today, and often, of his profound words:

The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.

 (I know there words are his, but I cannot find the source; can anyone provide it?)

A feast and a saint for those enticed by Satan

Today the Church in Italy celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. This title of the Blessed Virgin Mary was especially dear to Blessed Bartolo Maria Longo, who in the words of His Holiness Benedict XVI, is the Founder of the New Pompeii and built the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii where many of the faithful today will gather to pray.

The life of Blessed Bartolo is a beautiful example of grace and the power of conversion, especially in light of the recent decision to host a "re-enactment" of a Black Mass at Harvard University. After abandoning the Catholic faith of his parents, Bartolo became a Satanic priest. After he rejected the worship of Satan, he embraced the rosary and became, in the words of Saint John Paul II, the Apostle of the Rosary.

He was admitted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, in which he attained the rank of Knight Grand Cross. His body has been enshrined in the shrine he built, where he is vested in the insignia of his rank. His cause for canonization continues.


As we today implore the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, let us also seek the intercession of Blessed Bartolo, that all those who have been deceived by the lies and subtleties of the Evil One will, through the workings of divine grace, be led to embrace instead the Prince of Peace.

In honor of the day, Father Jerabek has kindly posted the text of the Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii that is prayed today throughout Italy, but especially in Pompeii:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O august Queen of victories, Virgin who reigns in Paradise, whose mighty name causes heaven to rejoice and hell to tremble; O glorious Queen of the most holy rosary: we, your favored children, chosen by your goodness in this century to build you a temple at Pompeii, kneeling at your feet on this most solemn day to commemorate your latest triumphs over the domain of idols and demons, do pour out with tears the feelings of our hearts, and with a childlike confidence lay before you our miseries.

From that throne of mercy where you sit as Queen, O Mary, turn your merciful eyes upon us, our families, on Italy, on Europe, and upon the whole Church; look with compassion upon the afflictions that overwhelm us and the cares that embitter our lives. See, O Mother, how many dangers of soul and body surround us; how many calamities and afflictions press upon us! O Mother, hold back your indignant Son’s arm of justice, and conquer by your mercy the hearts of sinners: for they are our brethren and your children, bought with the blood of our sweet Jesus and the wounds of your most tender heart, pierced with the sword. Today, show yourself to all as you are: Queen of peace and of pardon.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy…
V/. Grant that I may praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R/. Give me strength against your enemies.
V/. Pray for us, Queen of the most holy rosary.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

It is true – it is true! – that we first of all, though your children, crucify Jesus again in our hearts, and wound anew your heart by our sins. Yes, we confess: we deserve the severest of chastisements! Yet remember how you, atop Golgotha, did receive the last drops of that divine blood and the testament of our dying Redeemer. And this testament of a God, sealed with the blood of a Man-God, appointed you as our Mother, the Mother of sinners. Thus, as our Mother, you are our Advocate and our Hope. To you, amidst sighs, do we lift up our hands, crying for mercy!

Have pity, good Mother, have pity on us: on our souls, on our families, on our relations, on our friends, on our departed brethren, and above all, on our enemies; and on so many who claim the name of Christian, yet wound the loving heart of your Son. Pity, O Mother! We implore you today for pity on erring nations, on all Europe, on the whole world: may it turn in repentance to your heart. Be merciful to all, O Mother of mercy!

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy…
V/. Grant that I may praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R/. Give me strength against your enemies.
V/. Pray for us, Queen of the most holy rosary.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

What does it cost you, O Mary, to hear us? What does it cost you to save us? Did not Jesus entrust to your hands all of the treasures of His graces and mercies? You sit as Queen at the right hand of your Son, crowned with immortal glory, above all the choirs of angels. You extend your dominion as far as the heavens expand; and to you the earth and all the creatures that inhabit it are subject. Your power reaches even to hell; and you alone, O Mary, can rescue us from Satan’s hands.

You are almighty by grace, and therefore you can save us. Even if you tell us that you will not help us because we are ungrateful children and unworthy of your protection, at least tell us to whom we can go to be released from so many evils!

But no! Your maternal heart will never bear to see the ruin of your children. Both the divine Child whom we behold on your knees and the mystical rosary that we admire in your hand inspire in us the hope that we will be heard. And full of confidence in you, we throw ourselves at your feet, we abandon ourselves as feeble children into the arms of the tenderest of mothers and today – this very day – we expect from you the graces for which we long.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy…
V/. Grant that I may praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R/. Give me strength against your enemies.
V/. Pray for us, Queen of the most holy rosary.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us ask Mary for her blessing.

We now ask of you, O Queen, a final favor, which you cannot refuse on this solemn day. Grant to all of us your constant love, and in a special manner, your maternal blessing. No, we will not leave your feet today nor cease clasping your knees until you have blessed us. Bless now, O Mary, the sovereign Pontiff; to the ancient honors of your crown and to the immortal triumphs of the rosary, in which you are called Queen of Victories, add also this one, O Mother: grant triumph to religion and peace to human society. Bless our bishop, the priests, and particularly those who zealously work for the honor of your Shrine.

Bless, finally, all those who are associated with your new Temple at Pompeii, and who practice and spread devotion to your most holy rosary.

O blessed rosary of Mary – sweet chain that unites us to God, bond of love that joins us to the angels, tower of safety against the assaults of hell, safe harbor amidst the common shipwreck – never more shall we leave you. You will be our comfort in the hour of agony; to you, the last kiss of our life. And the last sound from our lifeless lips shall be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary of the Valley of Pompeii! O Mother dear! O only refuge of sinners! O supreme comforter of the afflicted! May you everywhere be blessed, now and for ever, on earth and in heaven. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy…
V/. Grant that I may praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R/. Give me strength against your enemies.
V/. Pray for us, Queen of the most holy rosary.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The wounded beauty of His hands

"And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight" (Luke 24:31).

A few days ago a friend sent along a brief but intriguing poem by a Father O'Donnell, C.S.C., titled "The Knew Him In the Breaking of the Bread," that asks a question well worth pondering in these after we have heard the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus:

They knew Him in the breaking of the Bread.

Was’t by the accompanying word He said.

Which faith, though faltering, understands,

Or by the wounded beauty of His hands?

Selfies at graduation? What happened to living in a society?

A few days after my critique on selfies, one of our seminarians wrote to tell me he wrote a paper on "dealing with alienation in the modern world" and used my comments "to talk about alienation today." I'm grateful for the inclusion and a bit surprised by it; my blog has been referenced in papers before, but not for a topic like this.

He also sent along a link to an article at Everyday Feminism titled, "Selfies and Misogyny: The Importance of Selfies as Self-Love." The title alone clearly demonstrates my claim that "the selfie indicates, in a way perhaps more clearly than any other, the great ego-centrism of our own day."

Yesterday morning I read with interest that both the University of South Florida and Bryant University have asked their graduates not to take selfies as they shake hands and receive their diplomas (that such a request even has to be made is baffling).

One of the graduates from the University of South Florida is quoted in the article:

"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," she said as she posed on campus in her cap and gown for some early graduation pictures. "But I don't want to be disrespectful."

Give that statement some thought. The fact that didn't think taking a selfie on stage in a ceremony that is intended to be marked with some dignity shows how little respect she - and others like her - has for those around her. That her taking a selfie might inconvenience others or take away from the ceremony never occurred to her. There are, after all, official photographers and family and friends with cameras in attendance to capture a better record of the moment than a selfie could ever hope to do.

To be sure, I am not criticizing her as a person (her desire to be respectful is commendable), but rather the utter thoughtlessness with which so many in her generation - and the generation ahead of her and, regrettably, behind - live their lives. In effect, life is about me and those around me aren't all that important.

It is high time we remembered that we live in a society and that other people exist around me and matter. It is time to consider what effect our actions will have others and simply the effect they have on ourselves.

To have Christ as your guest, speak of the good

"And since they were amicable in traveling together and were speaking about the good, they became worthy to have Christ as a companion. For Matthew 18:20 states: 'Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.' And this was so, because they loved Christ. For John 14:23 reads: 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him. And we will come to him.'"

- Saint Bonaventure

A tip of the capello to the Clerk of Oxford for the image.

A Photo From Rome: Levate crucem sublime! (Lift high the cross!)

Since my arrival in Rome last September, I have taken many photographs during my wanderings through the Eternal City. Of all of these pictures, I do not know that any are as beautiful as the one I took this evening on my back to the Casa Santa Maria after successful walk to buy a few cans (19) of Dr Pepper:

It is even more beautiful when cropped:

The picture is taken on the famous Ponte Sant'Angelo (The Holy Angel Bridge), not too far from the Basilica of Saint Peter. The bridge was first built by the Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 134 to connect the mausoleum he built for himself across the Tiber River with imperial Rome. As such, the bridge was first named after him and was called the Pons Aelius.

Over time, Hadrian's mausoleum was fortified and eventually became a fortress for the Popes after Pope Saint Gregory the Great had a vision of an atop the mausoleum announcing the city of Rome would be saved from the plague. After that, naturally enough, both the fortress and the bridge leading to it were named after the angel.

Today the bridge is flanked by ten statues of angels, each one holding a different instrument of the Lord's Passion, as envisioned by the great Bernini and commissioned by Pope Paul III. Regrettably, the bridge is in great need of a thorough cleaning, as has recently been given to Bernini's colonnade in St. Peter's Square, though I do not think one is planned. Even with the many black market peddlers who block the sidewalks on the bridge selling rip off bags and sunglasses to tourists and police alike (if I were mayor of Rome, removing them would be my first act in office), the bridge is one of my favorite sites in Rome.

At any rate, as the light of the sun shone upon the angel with the cross against the backdrop of the powerful storm clouds, I could not help but think that the cross always stands as a great light in the midst of the darkness of the world. For this reason, we are always called to life it high.

At the same time, my mind thought instantly of those beautiful words preached by Saint Peter Damian for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I do not have his exact words available to me, but I do have the text of a homily I gave in which I adapted his sermon:

It was a piece of wood that put us in opposition with our Creator and so it is fitting that another piece of wood should bring us salvation. It was on a piece of wood that Moses lifted up the serpent of bronze when the Lord commanded the people to look upon it and be healed (cf. Numbers 21:4-9). In doing so, Moses gave us a sign to remember when the one true cross would come; it is a sign that the Lord has promised never to abandon us to ourselves.

You must remember, dear brothers and sisters, that on the Day of Judgment each of us must stand before the Lord to give an account of our lives. The holy cross will be carried solemnly in the arms of angels and placed before all of humanity. It will not be adorned with jewels or gold, for what could be more honorable, more precious, than the Blood of the Lamb? God himself will make this cross, this wood, shine more brightly than all of the stars of heaven.

The cross will be the new scales of justice on which we will be weighed and be found either lacking or accepted. The measure against which we will be weighed is none other than the measure of Christ’s own cross: how much have you loved (cf. John 13:34)?

You can be sure of this, that those who lovingly embraced the cross throughout their lives will receive their glory. You can be sure of this, as well, that those who refused to take up the cross will know only disgrace.

The cross is a footpath to those of us just beginning on the journey of faith, a highway for those of us fighting the good fight, and a secure resting place for those who have been good and faithful servants.

For the cross of Christ is the way. “Whoever wishes to come after must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me,” says the Lord. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35).

To the world the cross looks like hardship and pain, but to those of us who believe, it is a fortress against the night and an oasis against the heat. The cross bears momentary death only to reward us with eternal life. It robs us of earthly things only to compensate us with things from heaven itself. It instructs us in humility in order that we too might be exalted like the Lord our Savior.

A pilgrimage intention: From womb to tomb

Don't mind the random guy on the phone.

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting with an old friend from Quincy, Katie Pesha, who now serves as the Executive Director of Communications and Planning for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We met through Great River Teens Encounter Christ and formed a close-knit group of friends who gathered once a week at the home of the then coordinator of the movement and his family for food and fun.

We called ourselves the Tuesday Night Supper Club (for obvious reasons) and consisted of the husband and wife, their (at the time) six children (there are more now), and four of us youth from the TEC movement who also attended Quincy University. Twelve people - and sometimes more - gathered weekly around the dinner table for four years (and more) made for some great memories which I cherish. Even when we had to gather on a different day, we still called ourselves the TNSC (which worked out rather well if we gathered on a Thursday). Though we have not been able to gather all of us together at one time in several years, we do try to get together at least a few times a year because of our lasting friendship, though it is never frequently enough.

Katie came to Rome as part of a pilgrimage from St. Louis to take part in the celebrations surrounding of the canonization of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II and, in the midst of her various interviews, we had a great and enjoyable visit.

Yesterday I saw that she wrote of her pilgrimage intention in the St. Louis Review, the Archdiocesan newspaper. After writing movingly of the loss of two of her children, Katie described a moment of grace she received the day after the canonizations in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore:

During the singing of "Ave Maria," the closing hymn at Mass, I choked. I felt a close connection to Mary. I was surrounded by beautiful images of the blessed Mother holding her precious baby boy, our Savior. I reflected on her pain as she watched her son suffer.
I united with her suffering a few hours later at the Scala Sancta (the Holy Stairs), as I climbed each of the 28 steps on my knees. I became grateful for Jesus' sacrifice that ensures my babies are in heaven. I prayed to God for the strength to accept His will. I heard the simple message that these children, as everything in life, were gifts: His to give and His to call home.

Although certain sadness always will remain, I am grateful. I am grateful for the short time I was able to carry these two precious souls in my womb. I am grateful that God has entrusted me with two beautiful children to raise here on Earth. I am grateful for the strength of my marriage. I am grateful for the countless family and friends who have supported us through trial. I am grateful for all the blessings in my life and those to come.

We must not allow our suffering to cripple us. Rather, our faith will guide us, just as it did for me during this pilgrimage. And now we have two new saints to look to as examples.

I'm very proud of her and encourage you to read the rest of her article. Her message of faith and hope is a beautiful reminder in these days of Easter. You can also follow her on Twitter @kpesha.

Bishop-elect Kemme to be ordained and installed today as the 11th Bishop of Wichita

A native of tiny Shumway, Illinois, where I had the great pleasure of serving for several years, will be ordained and installed today as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita.

In just a few hours' time, His Excellency the Most Reverend Joseph F. Neumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, through the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, will ordain and install His Excellency Bishop-elect Carl A. Kemme, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Their Excellencies the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois and for whom the Bishop-elect most recently served as Vicar General, and the Most Reverend George Joseph Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha and who first appointed the Bishop-Elect Vicar General, will be the principal Co-Consecrators.

Under this title of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady serves as the Patroness of the Diocese of Wichita. It is a Marian title very familiar to Bishop-elect Kemme, who was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield (in which he shown above) and grew up in Annunciation Parish in the farming community outside of Effingham, Illinois.

The interior of the Church of the Annunciation, Shumway

The ordination Mass and installation will begin at 2:00 p.m. local time and will be live streamed here and shown on EWTN. Though I cannot be present to join in the celebration, I will certainly join my prayers from Rome to those of Bishop-elect Kemme and those who gather in the Cathedral of Wichita.

A member of his family shared an image of the crozier, ring, and mitre he will receive in today's Liturgy, which are now on display in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita:

For his coat of arms, Bishop-elect Kemme has chosen to impale his personal coat of arms (as you look at them, on the right) with those of the Diocese of Wichita (as you look at them, on the left):

The blazon explanation describes his personal arms as follows:

This part of the shield is in red (Gules), the colour of love, of blood, then symbol of the infinite love of the Father Who sent the Son to shed His blood for us, extreme act of love; the chevron is an heraldic device best described as an inverted "V" and is one of the most ancient figures in heraldry: frequently, in Roman Catholic Church heraldry it signifies the rafter which holds the roof of the church, having then a meaning of protection. In addition, the golden chevron appears on the Kemme family's coat of arms. The sheaf of wheat principally symbolizes the Eucharist, the presence of the Lord in the Eucharistic Bread which feeds our souls but it also wants to recall the farming character of the Midwest, the area where Bishop Kemme comes from; it is gold (Or), the most noble metal, symbol then of the first Virtue, the Faith: indeed, is for Faith that we believe in the Eucharistic mystery. The seven points star is the symbol of Our Blessed Mother: it is in silver (Argent) colour of the transparency then of the purity, the purity of the Virgin Mary to Whom Bishop Kemme entrusts his pastoral service as Bishop of Wichita.

A Bishop serves as the "overseer" of the portion of the Lord's flock entrusted to his pastoral care. As such, he always well to look to the example of Saint Joseph and to seek his constant intercession. So it is that today, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph the Worker, is a most fitting day on which Bishop-elect Kemme will be ordained.

His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated the Holy Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate on another liturgical day dedication to Saint Joseph, the Husband of Mary. In his homily that day, he reflected on Saint Joseph's role as protector of Mary and of Jesus:

How does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand. From the time of his betrothal to Mary until the finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, he is there at every moment with loving care. As the spouse of Mary, he is at her side in good times and bad, on the journey to Bethlehem for the census and in the anxious and joyful hours when she gave birth; amid the drama of the flight into Egypt and during the frantic search for their child in the Temple; and later in the day-to-day life of the home of Nazareth, in the workshop where he taught his trade to Jesus.

How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own. This is what God asked of David, as we heard in the first reading. God does not want a house built by men, but faithfulness to his word, to his plan. It is God himself who builds the house, but from living stones sealed by his Spirit. Joseph is a “protector” because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions. In him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!

In all of this, every Bishop must seek to imitate Saint Joseph.

When Bishop Paprocki was in Rome a few days ago for the canonization of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II, he thoughtfully brought along one of Bishop-elect Kemme's holy cards, on the back of which he has printed the Memorare, one of his favorite prayers. Please join me in seeking the intercession of Our Lady for him:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored they help,
or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother,
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Pope Francis' patience with Saint Joseph

With delight I read an article from Vatican Insider titled, "Those little prayers Francis slips under his St. Joseph statue," which describes a devotion to the foster father of Jesus the Holy Father has maintained for many decades.

Speaking to someone who works in the Holy See after his election to the See of Peter, Pope Francis said of his devotion to Saint Joseph:

You know, you have to be patient with these carpenters: they tell you they’ll have a piece of furniture finished in a couple of weeks and it ends up taking a month even. But they get the job done and they do it well! You just need to be patient…

 I wish that we could see more of the humor and devotion to the Saints with which Pope Francis lives

Hail, May! We welcome thee and wish thee long!

As far back as I can recall, the month of May has always been my favorite. Though my initial liking of this great month may - I'm not sure, really - have begun simply because school used to finish in this month (my classes in Rome will not be finished until mid-June), it is the weather of this month I most enjoy.

With the coming of May, April showers at long last give way to the bright sun shining in the blue sky. The breeze becomes warm, trees erupt with foliage, and flowers bloom all over. The temperature of May generally pleases everyone and happiness returns after the drear of winter, without a thought to its return (expect, perhaps, this year of bizarre weather; here in Rome, it will be another week or so before we reach the warmer temperatures of May).

May is the time for music and boating and other pleasant activities:

The lovely month of May Rouen BM ms. 3028 http://t.co/CX4GRkTVfB pic.twitter.com/NP33hJtZZQ
— bxknits (@bxknits) May 1, 2014

Poets, of course, always put these thoughts together better than I can hope to do, so I offer you these words from John Milton's, "Song on a May Morning":

Now the bright morning-star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing;
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

Papal Prayer Intentions for May

The prayer intentions of the Holy Father Pope Francis during the month of May are:

Universal: That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace.

Evangelical: That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations.

Some of us, myself included, spend a fair amount of time grumbling about the media and their misrepresentations of the Church and the truth of the Gospel, but how often do we spend praying for the media?