Nazarius and Celsius (Gallia-Rome; Rome - Milan 304)
9 years old and a faith so solidly ingrained that nothing could attack it.
Celsius
Whats the temperature of your parish kids?
giovedì 28 luglio 2011
mercoledì 27 luglio 2011
Pugnatious priests
Simeon the Stilite (Sis, Cilicia, Turkey 380 - Syria, 2nd September 459)
Certainly not the appropriate adjective to describe this hermit.
A suggestion to canonically enforce such form of penance on priests who attempt to sort out publishing on the parish boards issues via fist fighting?The reference is to a specific case in Italy which we shall leave unanmed, calling the readers to reflect on which occasions it could have been them in the news - without gracing the higher ranks ;) nor the female side, another case popping to mind.
Just an invitation to use a pinch of Solomon in such and similar events.
Certainly not the appropriate adjective to describe this hermit.
A suggestion to canonically enforce such form of penance on priests who attempt to sort out publishing on the parish boards issues via fist fighting?The reference is to a specific case in Italy which we shall leave unanmed, calling the readers to reflect on which occasions it could have been them in the news - without gracing the higher ranks ;) nor the female side, another case popping to mind.
Just an invitation to use a pinch of Solomon in such and similar events.
martedì 26 luglio 2011
lunedì 25 luglio 2011
Mary Magdalene,Bridget and Catherine from Bolsena
For the past three days.
Now back to the boys!
Saint James (Tiberiad?- Galilee 43 or44)
First evangelist...buried in Santiago de Compostela...pilgrimages...patron Saint of chemists and soldiers.
If you were to be recognised as a saint what could you be the patron saint of?
Now back to the boys!
Saint James (Tiberiad?- Galilee 43 or44)
First evangelist...buried in Santiago de Compostela...pilgrimages...patron Saint of chemists and soldiers.
If you were to be recognised as a saint what could you be the patron saint of?
giovedì 21 luglio 2011
There I was
Suspended my Lady Bracknell duties, with a red bitter in hand sitting in a lugli position to best savour the assembling of instruments (right behind the mixing desk), next to me a Tom Waitsian father&two sons and on the other side the newly purchased copy of John Paul II "The threshold of hope".
The concert? It was in aid of Terra Libera an organisation set up by don Ciotti to rescue and relaunch economically lands confiscated from the mafia. http://www.libera.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1
Lorenzo da Brindisi, Doctor of the Church (Brindisi, July,1559 - Belem, Portugal, 1619)
Military chaplain and indepth conouisser of the Bible...
The concert? It was in aid of Terra Libera an organisation set up by don Ciotti to rescue and relaunch economically lands confiscated from the mafia. http://www.libera.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1
Lorenzo da Brindisi, Doctor of the Church (Brindisi, July,1559 - Belem, Portugal, 1619)
Military chaplain and indepth conouisser of the Bible...
mercoledì 20 luglio 2011
First and latest
Apollinare, Bishop, martyr (Antiochia, I, Turkey - II century)
First Bishop of Ravenna
Who was the first Bishop of your Archidiocesis? What was the pastoral configuration of the vineyard you are working in now? how did it change over the centuries? etc etc
Of course...you can also send out a troop of Communicants to ask a few Qs to the current one and maybe then write an insert for that parish bulletin or why not a leaflet to be placed on that table close to Our Lady's altar. For some reflections and entrusting prayers.
(time you pop your nose out your parish window Fr!;))
First Bishop of Ravenna
Who was the first Bishop of your Archidiocesis? What was the pastoral configuration of the vineyard you are working in now? how did it change over the centuries? etc etc
Of course...you can also send out a troop of Communicants to ask a few Qs to the current one and maybe then write an insert for that parish bulletin or why not a leaflet to be placed on that table close to Our Lady's altar. For some reflections and entrusting prayers.
(time you pop your nose out your parish window Fr!;))
martedì 19 luglio 2011
lunedì 18 luglio 2011
Saint Rosalia - entrusting her Charlene and her marriage to the Prince of Monaco
Antiocus - entrusting him all Bishops 'martyrised' by the media
Alessio beggar - 17 years he spent living under a staircase unrecognised by his parents. How many times has your ministerial face not been recognised by your own flock? (remember that Jesus too was not recognised by his own disciples a few times).
And that Our Lady never fails to recognise her children :)
Antiocus - entrusting him all Bishops 'martyrised' by the media
Alessio beggar - 17 years he spent living under a staircase unrecognised by his parents. How many times has your ministerial face not been recognised by your own flock? (remember that Jesus too was not recognised by his own disciples a few times).
And that Our Lady never fails to recognise her children :)
venerdì 15 luglio 2011
Travelling with the Saints
Saint Rosalia martyr (Palermo, XII century - 4th September 1160)
Antiocus martyr (Anastasiopoli in Galitia, Turkey or Ancira Mesopotamia III century)
Alessio beggar (Rome or Constantinople, V century - 17th July?)
Rufillo from Forlimpopoli Bishop (Forlimpopoli, Forlì, IV-V century)
Promise! When I get back in three days time from my week end break, I shall have some reflections on each.
What else in common aside from Sainthood?
And what is Sainthood?
Last but not least and starting from the last, which do you think will be (or which one do you think is) the drake of your ministry the monster whose back you have to break? (with Our Lady's help)
Antiocus martyr (Anastasiopoli in Galitia, Turkey or Ancira Mesopotamia III century)
Alessio beggar (Rome or Constantinople, V century - 17th July?)
Rufillo from Forlimpopoli Bishop (Forlimpopoli, Forlì, IV-V century)
Promise! When I get back in three days time from my week end break, I shall have some reflections on each.
What else in common aside from Sainthood?
And what is Sainthood?
Last but not least and starting from the last, which do you think will be (or which one do you think is) the drake of your ministry the monster whose back you have to break? (with Our Lady's help)
giovedì 14 luglio 2011
mercoledì 13 luglio 2011
Saint Henry II, King (973-Bamberg, Germany, 13th July 1024)
Married to a Saint (Cunegonda), his brother in law was a Saint.
Unlikely you have such a bout of Saints concentrating in one family, but limiting the search to the ones crowning your parish area, which jewels can you cast to inspire your parishioners? (and maybe organise that parish trip next...)
Married to a Saint (Cunegonda), his brother in law was a Saint.
Unlikely you have such a bout of Saints concentrating in one family, but limiting the search to the ones crowning your parish area, which jewels can you cast to inspire your parishioners? (and maybe organise that parish trip next...)
martedì 12 luglio 2011
San Paolino
San Paolino, Bishop (Lucca, I century)
Baptised by the hermit Antonius who - the story goes - used to bury the bodies of the Christians killed in martyrdom. The latter a better candidate to be entrusted all those wishing to be hermits on the approaching of the Assisi dialogue meeting devoted to bringing together the Body of Christ.;)
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/homepage/vaticano/dettaglio-articolo/articolo/assisi-papa-dialogo-assisi-pope-dialogue-assisi-el-papa-4789/
Baptised by the hermit Antonius who - the story goes - used to bury the bodies of the Christians killed in martyrdom. The latter a better candidate to be entrusted all those wishing to be hermits on the approaching of the Assisi dialogue meeting devoted to bringing together the Body of Christ.;)
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/homepage/vaticano/dettaglio-articolo/articolo/assisi-papa-dialogo-assisi-pope-dialogue-assisi-el-papa-4789/
lunedì 11 luglio 2011
Pious charts
Saint Benedict of Norcia (Norcia, Perugia, 480 - Montecassino, Frosinone, 21st March 543/560)
Most people are familiar with this Saint's memorable words
ora et labora
(pray and work)
but I can probably claim copyright on the idea of drawing a pious pardon pie chart of the time you devote in your ministry between active involvement (breakable into different specific ministries) and prayer (breakable into group devotions and individual prayer time).
The Father's Business thats what you were called to take care of ;)
Most people are familiar with this Saint's memorable words
ora et labora
(pray and work)
but I can probably claim copyright on the idea of drawing a pious pardon pie chart of the time you devote in your ministry between active involvement (breakable into different specific ministries) and prayer (breakable into group devotions and individual prayer time).
The Father's Business thats what you were called to take care of ;)
domenica 10 luglio 2011
Santa Seconda and Santa Rufina (Rome, III-Rome, 260)
Martyrs - future spouses killed by their going to be husbands when these were refused for chastity on turning to paganism.
Today couples pre Cana preparation poses other challenges. How would you pass on a reflection on your experiences to a novel priest taking over? or, if still in the seminary, what are your fears, expectations, hopes regarding propping a vocation that you felt was not your own.
Of course, you can retire in silent prayer for a good while ;)
Martyrs - future spouses killed by their going to be husbands when these were refused for chastity on turning to paganism.
Today couples pre Cana preparation poses other challenges. How would you pass on a reflection on your experiences to a novel priest taking over? or, if still in the seminary, what are your fears, expectations, hopes regarding propping a vocation that you felt was not your own.
Of course, you can retire in silent prayer for a good while ;)
sabato 9 luglio 2011
Specialised master
Or in italian 'aureola specialistica'...
Secluded nun who had a number of mystical experiences, among which the crown of thorns and a transfixion of the heart
Veronica Giuliani, prioress (Mercatello sul Metauro, Urbino, 1660- Città di Castello, 9 Luglio, 1727)
Entrusting to her the prayer that the understanding will spread that a priest is the most indicated person to root Marriage preparation where it stems - the Bible stemming form the Church - and the sole one - via Apostolic Succession - that can give the ceremony the Sacramental Annointing seal to the vows that are valid by the mutual interchanges of the spouses, the union of which is called to mirror in fidelity the Ark of the Covenant and the relationship between the Bride and his Spouse, Christ, with all the moral guuidelnes ensuing (counselling being left in the hands of qualified professional in pshychology too).
Provided, of course, that you placed Christ at the centre.
Secluded nun who had a number of mystical experiences, among which the crown of thorns and a transfixion of the heart
Veronica Giuliani, prioress (Mercatello sul Metauro, Urbino, 1660- Città di Castello, 9 Luglio, 1727)
Entrusting to her the prayer that the understanding will spread that a priest is the most indicated person to root Marriage preparation where it stems - the Bible stemming form the Church - and the sole one - via Apostolic Succession - that can give the ceremony the Sacramental Annointing seal to the vows that are valid by the mutual interchanges of the spouses, the union of which is called to mirror in fidelity the Ark of the Covenant and the relationship between the Bride and his Spouse, Christ, with all the moral guuidelnes ensuing (counselling being left in the hands of qualified professional in pshychology too).
Provided, of course, that you placed Christ at the centre.
venerdì 8 luglio 2011
giovedì 7 luglio 2011
China
Antonino Fantosati Bishop (Trevi, Perugia 1842 - Hoang-Scia-Wan, China July 1900)
For his ministry the description like an elephant in a china shop does not apply. Instead, he integrated into the societal difficulties of the time and with great delicacy carried out his ministry.
(with daily thanks to Luisa Zerbini from whose book "Il grande libro dei santi" I daily pinch a piece of info)
For his ministry the description like an elephant in a china shop does not apply. Instead, he integrated into the societal difficulties of the time and with great delicacy carried out his ministry.
(with daily thanks to Luisa Zerbini from whose book "Il grande libro dei santi" I daily pinch a piece of info)
martedì 5 luglio 2011
Holy Orders?
Santa Maria Goretti
Powerlessness of women? Meditate then on the strength flowing from her Faith and the shakiness of the rock onto which God founded his Church: Peter. Three times he denied Jesus. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, entrusted the flock to him and the first Twelve Apostles, under the prayerful eyes of Mother Mary waiting with them in the upper room for the investing descent of the Holy Spirit on that day of Pentecost.
It is not a human institution but a divinely set one. Unclutter your eyes from a worldly vision that sees the pastoral role of the priest in purely human terms. Do this in memory of me. Eat of my Flesh and drink of my Blood to partake of that Eternal Life. The Mass is a memorial of the Death and Resurrection and offering of the Lord on the altar of Sacrifice for the redemption of our sins via the offering of his Son Jesus Christ. The priest on the altar acts in persona Christi. Via the uninterrupted annointing that sprang on and from the Twelve on that day 2000 years ago.
It is not a question of skills and talents. We are all frail and lacking, holy in our human qualities, and Holy in our divine potential. Since the old Testament till now women have played an essential role in the ministry and evangelisation. Numberless are the lives of the Saints. Weak and in need of God's guidance and strengthening no less and no more than men.
Nothing is missing in the Orders. What is failing is our willingness to look at human history with God's eyes.
http://www.usao.edu/~facshaferi/NCCB.HTML
Powerlessness of women? Meditate then on the strength flowing from her Faith and the shakiness of the rock onto which God founded his Church: Peter. Three times he denied Jesus. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, entrusted the flock to him and the first Twelve Apostles, under the prayerful eyes of Mother Mary waiting with them in the upper room for the investing descent of the Holy Spirit on that day of Pentecost.
It is not a human institution but a divinely set one. Unclutter your eyes from a worldly vision that sees the pastoral role of the priest in purely human terms. Do this in memory of me. Eat of my Flesh and drink of my Blood to partake of that Eternal Life. The Mass is a memorial of the Death and Resurrection and offering of the Lord on the altar of Sacrifice for the redemption of our sins via the offering of his Son Jesus Christ. The priest on the altar acts in persona Christi. Via the uninterrupted annointing that sprang on and from the Twelve on that day 2000 years ago.
It is not a question of skills and talents. We are all frail and lacking, holy in our human qualities, and Holy in our divine potential. Since the old Testament till now women have played an essential role in the ministry and evangelisation. Numberless are the lives of the Saints. Weak and in need of God's guidance and strengthening no less and no more than men.
Nothing is missing in the Orders. What is failing is our willingness to look at human history with God's eyes.
http://www.usao.edu/~facshaferi/NCCB.HTML
Lay down your cards
Saint Anthony Zacariah (Cremona 1502-1539)
First community of priests devoted to society. First nunnery where nuns were not bound to clausura. First community of lay married men involved in the apostolic work.
Which lay forces have you got to play in your parish array?
First community of priests devoted to society. First nunnery where nuns were not bound to clausura. First community of lay married men involved in the apostolic work.
Which lay forces have you got to play in your parish array?
lunedì 4 luglio 2011
Crowns
Elisabeth of Portugal (Saragoze, Spain, 1271 - Estremoz, Portugal, 4th July 1336)
Another crowned head
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/patron02.htm
the life of whom you can find recounted in the above web page or in one of the many others that have sprung in the latest cyber decades.
My invitation for the reflection of your day is: what crown of ministry thorns were you called to wear today? and how can you make those thorns flower tomorrow?
Do not think...place it at the feet of Our Lady and let the repose of the tired heart bring its answer in due time. God's time.
Another crowned head
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/patron02.htm
the life of whom you can find recounted in the above web page or in one of the many others that have sprung in the latest cyber decades.
My invitation for the reflection of your day is: what crown of ministry thorns were you called to wear today? and how can you make those thorns flower tomorrow?
Do not think...place it at the feet of Our Lady and let the repose of the tired heart bring its answer in due time. God's time.
domenica 3 luglio 2011
Maria
Minor girls abducted unnoticed from discoes to be raped, when not also killed, gay lobbyst pushing their agendas even at kindergarten level without parental consent, paedophiles ready to flee with their daughter to have her abort the innocent offspring of their, the adults, incestuous violence, parents denied rights to parental consent for kids as young as eight for access to contraception and abortion in the name of sexual freedom ratified at UN level (including the right to have sex with objects) and governments issuing school directives inviting school kids to have an orgasm a day.
Yet should we bring up during Catechism the real too story of Maria Goretti who aged 12 was pleading her rapist to stop otherwise HE would go to hell, we would be accused of shocking the children with age inappropriateness, when not of other accuses.
Why? Saint Thomas help us understand
Santa Maria Goretti (1890-1902)
Yet should we bring up during Catechism the real too story of Maria Goretti who aged 12 was pleading her rapist to stop otherwise HE would go to hell, we would be accused of shocking the children with age inappropriateness, when not of other accuses.
Why? Saint Thomas help us understand
Santa Maria Goretti (1890-1902)
sabato 2 luglio 2011
Ladislao King (Poland, 1040 - Transilvania Romania)
Ester Queen (first half of the V century a.C, for her life see Bible OT)
Monegonda (Chartres, France - Tours, France VI century)
A King, a Queen and a lay woman. Both the latter married...Monegonda seeked life in the shadow healing the sick. In the shadow Esther acted to ensure the Jews did not fall in Aman's trap revealing his true intentions to her husband. Ladislao ruled his country with an illumined heart.All bore Jesus' Lamp of Truth and Love wherever the Lord planted them.
Ester Queen (first half of the V century a.C, for her life see Bible OT)
Monegonda (Chartres, France - Tours, France VI century)
A King, a Queen and a lay woman. Both the latter married...Monegonda seeked life in the shadow healing the sick. In the shadow Esther acted to ensure the Jews did not fall in Aman's trap revealing his true intentions to her husband. Ladislao ruled his country with an illumined heart.All bore Jesus' Lamp of Truth and Love wherever the Lord planted them.
Iscriviti a:
Post (Atom)