Culture

Jon Fosse. The last Nobel Prize in Literature

It is not easy to get into Jon Fosse's books, but his conversion to Catholicism and his personal style make him a particularly attractive author for those of us who think that literature can bring us closer to God, because in the words of Timothy Radcliffe "open our eyes to look with love".

Marta Pereda and Jaime Nubiola-March 20, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

It seems that in Norway there is a commitment to literature and reading: it is one of the countries where people read the most and writers receive scholarships and grants to be able to make a living from writing. We cannot deny that this always makes things easier. However, it is reasonable to think that the Nobel Prize in Literature of the year 2023, Jon Fosse, would also have shone in a less favorable environment. The Daily Telegraph described this author as one of the 100 greatest living geniuses of the moment. He has also been called the Samuel Beckett of the 21st century.

Born on September 29, 1959, he is married and has six children. He himself defines his life as boring: he gets up early, goes to bed early, doesn't go to parties... He considers that the best hours to write are between five and nine in the morning. However, in his boring life we find that he was in Spain when he was 16 years old. He tells as an anecdote that a policeman pointed a gun at him because he was sleeping on a bench in a station and that was illegal. He also declares himself an admirer of Lorca. In addition, he has accommodation in the Norwegian Royal Palace, apparently on loan from the royal family itself.

Works

His first novel was published in 1983. Later, in 1990, he started writing theater simply to earn more money, since at that time he did not have a stable income. He produced several plays a year until 2010, when - as he himself says - he got tired of writing theater. In 1999 his theatrical work Someone will come and, from there, he began to be translated and published in France and Germany, and then spread to many other countries. Although he is best known for his work as a novelist and playwright, especially because his theater is very innovative, he has also published short stories, essays, poetry and children's books.

His five essential works translated into Spanish are: Septologyabout the life of a painter who lives in a fjord and remembers his life, the life that was and the life that could have been; Trilogy, in which a couple of teenage farmers are expecting a child in the midst of many economic difficulties and a critical view of the society around them; The night sings its songs and other theatrical workswhich is a collection of plays that are worthwhile both for the themes they deal with and for the poetry they exude; Morning and afternoonwhere he describes two days in the life of a person: his birth and his death; and finally, Melancholywhich tells the story of the Norwegian painter Lars Hertervig and his time as a student in Düsseldorf.

He has been writing since he was 12 years old as a refuge from a sad adolescence, which had been preceded, however, by a happy childhood. His adult life has also had hard knocks. He gave up alcohol for religion: praying and going to Mass is his refuge, he said in an interview. In fact, he has been a Lutheran, an atheist, a Quaker and, since 2013, a Catholic. 

A deep spirituality

Apart from his own search, he is a person with a deep spirituality, capable of connecting with the heart of whoever listens to him. He talks about love, heartbreak, guilt, faith, nature, death... And he forces the reader to talk to himself about these subjects. From his texts, we could say that he is a person who is at peace. He relates tough situations, and his characters sometimes lead somewhat lonely lives. However, both in the rhythm of his writing, in a kind of hypnotic spiral, and in the way his characters express themselves, the attitude is one of acceptance of reality and of other people. Nothing in his work is strident, and yet as a whole it is striking, it is a spotlight of weak light at first and then intense. Reading Morning and afternoon one loses the fear of dying.

As Luis Daniel Gonzalez writes about Septology, "in the way the psalmists pray, the narrator's phrases are like the spirals of incense smoke, similar but unequal, pronounced without fear of reiteration, with a clear will to insist on the same thing, something that gives intensity and adds new nuances to the feelings or impulses that one tries to express. [...] As the narrator explains, speaking of his art, and this can be applied to Septologyform and content have an invisible unity in a good painting, the spirit is in the painting, so to speak, and this happens in all works of art, in a good poem, in a good piece of music, and this unity is the spirit of the work.".

Jon Fosse tells his story, he tells what happens to the character, but, above all, what the character thinks about what happens to him. It is a mental reflection that, nevertheless, describes an emotional state. It is a reading that makes you alert, in that alertness that is concentration and peace. The alertness in which you are when a job makes you focus all your abilities on what you do and, at the same time, frees you from everything else and fills you with energy. The absence of periods in her texts generates a musicality and a rhythm that surrounds and inspires you. It is a demanding and generous writing with the reader.

Fosse justifies the absence of periods in many of his texts with the need for correct expression. The dots are a means, the expression is the end. It is his way of demonstrating that art is above technique, spirituality and reality above the norm. It is the water that passes through the rocks and forms the valley. His reading passes through the senses and reaches the heart. It is not easy to read at times, but the effort is worth it.

The authorMarta Pereda and Jaime Nubiola

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Next Monday, Omnes Forum: "From the essence of marriage: man and woman".

The Omnes Forum on the subject "From the essence of marriage: male and female." organized by Omnes together with the Master of Continuing Education in Marriage Law and Canonical Procedure of the University of Navarra will take place on April 15.

Maria José Atienza-March 19, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute

Next Monday, April 15 at 7.30 p.m.We will have an Omnes Forum on the theme "From the Essence of Marriage: Male and Female".

The Forum, organized by Omnes together with Master of Continuing Education in Matrimonial and Canonical Procedural Law of the University of Navarra University of Navarra School of Canon Law will feature the participation of María Calvo CharroProfessor of Administrative Law and one of the country's foremost experts on education and the family, and Fernando Simón YarzaProfessor of Constitutional Law (University of Navarra) and winner of the 2011 Tomás y Valiente Prize for the best work in Constitutional Law, awarded by the Constitutional Court and the Center for Political and Constitutional Studies.

This forum will address the union of man and woman as the primordial natural reality that underlies the legal institution of marriage. This union of a man and a woman committed to give and receive each other reciprocally, open to contingency in the generation of life, is not a stereotype, but an archetype that resists any historical mutation.

The Omnes Forum, which is sponsored by the CARF Foundation and Banco Sabadell, will be held in person at the Postgraduate Headquarters of the University of Navarra in Madrid (C/ Marquesado de Santa Marta, 3. 28022 Madrid).

As a follower and reader of Omnes, we invite you to attend. If you would like to attend, please confirm your attendance by sending an email to [email protected].

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Thirty devotions and curiosities about St. Joseph

March 19 is the feast day of St. Joseph, Custodian of the Holy Family and foster father of Jesus. In this article we review thirty curiosities and devotions related to this saint.

Loreto Rios-March 19, 2024-Reading time: 9 minutes
RelatedRelated News"The most eloquent thing about St. Joseph is its silences."Related News12 readings on St. Joseph

In honor of the feast of St. Joseph, we gather in this article thirty devotions, prayers and curiosities about St. Joseph. patriarch St. Joseph.

1. Thirty to St. Joseph

One of the most widespread devotions is the thirty-day devotion to St. Joseph. The structure is similar to that of a novena: it is to ask for a grace to St. Joseph for thirty days in a row, in honor of the thirty years he spent with Jesus on earth. One of the formulas for praying this prayer can be found at here.

Novena to St. Joseph

Another shorter option is ask for a grace to the saint for nine days.

3. The seven Sundays of St. Joseph

This ancient devotion focuses on preparing for the feast of St. Joseph on March 19, and consists of meditating on the "sorrows and joys of St. Joseph" during the seven Sundays preceding this day. Meditations on each of the sorrows and joys can be found at this link.

4. On the 19th of each month

This is a prayer to pray on the 19th of each monthmeditating each day on one of the "seven privileges" of St. Joseph.

5. Origin of the March 19 devotion

According to Vatican NewsThe oldest mention of the cult of St. Joseph in Europe dates back to the year 800, in France, where March 19 is already mentioned as a day of devotion to this saint.

6. Patron of the universal Church

St. Joseph was declared patron saint of the universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX.

7. Prayer for every day

"Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, with great confidence in your great worth, I come to you to be my protector during the days of my exile in this valley of tears. Your very high dignity as the putative Father of my loving Jesus means that you will be denied nothing of what you ask for in heaven. Be my advocate, especially at the hour of my death, and obtain for me the grace that my soul, when it is detached from the flesh, may go to rest in the hands of the Lord. Amen.

Jaculatory: "Blessed St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary, protect us; defend the Church and the Supreme Pontiff and protect my relatives, friends and benefactors".

8. Pope Francis' Prayer

In "Patris Corde," Pope Francis proposes the following prayer to pray to the saint: "Hail, guardian of the Redeemer and spouse of the Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his Son, in you Mary placed her trust, with you Christ was forged as man. O blessed Joseph, show yourself father to us too, and guide us on the path of life. Grant us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from all evil. Amen.

9. The devotion of the good death

Traditionally, it has been considered that St. Joseph died before Jesus began his public life, since he is never mentioned in Jesus' discourses, nor was he at the foot of the cross. Moreover, before dying, Jesus entrusts the custody of his mother to St. John the Apostle, which would not make sense if Joseph were still alive. Therefore, in the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth you can see a modern stained glass window in which Joseph's death is represented, surrounded by the Virgin and an adult Jesus. Because he was able to die surrounded by Jesus and Mary, Joseph is considered the "patron of the good death". The prayer to ask Joseph to die well is not only valid for the dying, but can be prayed throughout life to ask for Joseph's help on the day of death, and to have access to the sacraments before dying.

"O blessed Joseph, who gave up your last breath in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me this grace, O holy Joseph, that I may breathe my soul in praise, saying in spirit if I am unable to do so in words, 'Jesus, Joseph and Mary, I give you my heart and soul.' Amen."

10. Descendant of King David

Joseph, as mentioned in the Gospel, although he was a humble worker, had royal blood, since he descended from King David, and, therefore, from the first patriarch, Abraham. In the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, the entire genealogy of Joseph is narrated, passing through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Solomon (among many others) until reaching Joseph. In fact, when the angel tells him in a dream not to be afraid to take Mary into his home, he addresses him as "son of David": "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for the child in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

11. Adoptive parent

In addition, St. Joseph is also an adoptive father. In fact, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched an initiative for couples who are in the process of adoption to entrust their adoption to Joseph through a novena. It can be found at here.

12. Migrant

St. Joseph also experienced firsthand what it was like to live in a foreign land, as he had to flee with his family to Egypt to prevent Herod from murdering Jesus. This is why Egypt is also considered a Holy Land.

13. St. Joseph and the Popes

The first encyclical dedicated to St. Joseph was issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1889, "The Church of St. Joseph".Quamquam Pluries". Recently, Pope Francis dedicated a year to St. Joseph and published "Patris Corde". St. John Paul II also has a letter dedicated to St. Joseph, "Redemptoris Custos".

14. Apparitions of St. Joseph

The only apparition of St. Joseph approved by the Church took place in Cotignac (France) on June 7, 1660. A thirsty shepherd saw a man who introduced himself as Joseph and told him to move a stone to find water. The shepherd did so and from under the stone emerged a fountain, which still exists today and can be visited in the region.

However, sometimes Joseph has been present in apparitions recognized by the Church accompanying the Virgin Mary, as in the last apparition of Fatima, on October 13, 1917, in which Sister Lucia explained that Joseph was also present in silence with the Child in his arms and that he made the sign of the Cross with his hand blessing those present.

The same is true of the apparition on August 21, 1879 of Our Lady of Knock (Ireland), approved by St. John Paul II, in which St. Joseph stood on one side of Our Lady dressed in white, with his head bowed towards her as a sign of respect, while on the other side was St. John the Evangelist dressed as a bishop. You can read more on this subject at this article.

15. Litany of St. Joseph

Just as there are litanies to the Blessed Virgin, others can also be prayed to the spouse of Mary. The Spanish Episcopal Conference has them published here.

16. Angelus of St. Joseph

Similarly, there is a Angelus to St. Josephwhich can be prayed after the Angelus to Our Lady.

17. Prayer of Pope Leo XIII

"To you, Blessed Joseph, we turn in our tribulation, and after imploring the help of your Most Holy Spouse, we also confidently ask for your patronage. By that charity which united you with the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and by the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beseech you to turn your eyes kindly to the inheritance which, with his blood, Jesus Christ acquired, and with your power and help to succor our needs.

Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Divine Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ; remove from us every stain of error and corruption; assist us propitiously from heaven, our most mighty deliverer, in this struggle with the power of darkness; And as you once delivered the Child Jesus from the imminent danger of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity, and protect each one of us with perpetual patronage, so that after your example, and sustained by your help, we may live holy lives, die piously, and attain eternal bliss in heaven. Amen.

18. Rosary of St. Joseph

There is also a rosary to JosephIt is customary to pray, among other shrines, in Nazareth, in the house of the Holy Family.

19. Prayer of St. John XXIII

"St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste spouse of Mary, you spent your whole life in the perfect fulfillment of your duty. You maintained the Holy Family of Nazareth by the work of your hands. Graciously protect those who turn trustingly to you. You know their aspirations and their hopes. They turn to you because they know that you understand and protect them. You too have known trials, weariness and toil. But, even within the material concerns of life, your soul was filled with deep peace and sang with true joy because of the intimate relationship you enjoyed with the Son of God who was entrusted to you as well as to Mary, his tender Mother. Amen.

20. Sanctuaries

Some shrines dedicated to St. Joseph are San José del Altillo in Mexico City, the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Abu Dhabi, or the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal (Canada), the largest church in the world dedicated to this saint.

In Spain until now there was only one: San José de la Montaña, in Barcelona. Today, however, a new new sanctuary in Talavera de la Reinain the Barrio de Patrocinio, dedicated to the saint. On this occasion, the Holy See has approved a Holy Year that will last until March 19, 2025.

Spikenard flower

In the Hispanic iconographic tradition, Joseph is represented with a bouquet of nard in his hand. As a sign of devotion to the saint, this flower appears on the papal coat of arms of Pope Francis, as a can be read on the Vatican website. Spikenard perfume is considered sacred in the Bible, and this flower was the perfume poured by a woman on the feet of Jesus in the Gospels.

22. St. Joseph the worker

Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which is celebrated on May 1. There are many prayers to commend the working day to Joseph or ask for a job, like this one:

"Glorious St. Joseph, your mission as guardian of the Redeemer and protector of the Virgin Mary made you responsible for the Holy Family and the administrator of its economic life. Three times, in Bethlehem, in Egypt and on your return to Galilee, you were obliged to lend new works for your carpenter's craft.

St. Joseph, you always kept your trust in Providence and asked for its help. Today I myself am looking for work, I appeal to your powerful intercession to be my advocate before your Son, with the collaboration of your wife, to help me find the means to live through my work.

Teach me to be active in my search, open to opportunities, clear in my relationships, measured in my demands and determined to fulfill all my obligations. St. Joseph of Good Hope, pray for me, protect me, guide me and keep me in Hope. Amen.

23. "Akathistós" to St. Joseph

The "Akathistós" is a prayer from the Eastern Christian tradition dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Less known is a similar one to Joseph, which can be found in its complete version here.

24. Prayer to St. Joseph to attain purity

"Custodian and father of virgins, St. Joseph, to whose faithful custody were entrusted the same innocence, Christ Jesus, and the Virgin of virgins Mary. By these two dearest garments, Jesus and Mary, I beg and beseech Thee to obtain for me that, preserved from all impurity, I may always serve Jesus and Mary with a clean soul, pure heart and chaste body. Amen.

Consecration to St. Joseph

"O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, here I am, prostrate on my knees before your presence, to ask for your protection. I choose you as my father, protector and guide. Under your protection I place my body and soul, property, life and health. Accept me as your son. Preserve me from all dangers, snares and snares of the enemy. Assist me at all times and above all at the hour of my death. Amen.

Triduum to St. Joseph

This is a three-day prayer to the patriarch, which can be found at here.

27. Prayer of "St. Joseph Blessed."

"Blessed St. Joseph, you were the tree chosen by God not to bear fruit, but to give shade. Protective shadow of Mary, your spouse; shadow of Jesus, who called you Father and to whom you gave yourself totally. Your life, woven of work and silence, teaches me to be faithful in all situations; it teaches me, above all, to hope in the darkness. Seven sorrows and seven joys sum up your life: they were the joys of Christ and Mary, the expression of your limitless self-giving. May your example of a just and good man accompany me at all times so that I may know how to flourish where the will of God has planted me. Amen.

28. Saint Faustina and Saint Joseph

St. Faustina Kowalska recounts in her diary (entry 1203) that the holy patriarch asked her to say some prayers: "St. Joseph asked me to have a constant devotion to him. He himself told me to say three prayers daily and the '....RememberOnce a day. He looked at me with great kindness and explained how much he is supporting this work. He promised me his very special help and protection. I pray the requested prayers daily and feel his special protection."

29. "Remember".

"Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary and my kind protector, St. Joseph, that it has never been heard that anyone has invoked your protection and implored your help without being consoled. Filled, therefore, with confidence in your power, since you exercised with Jesus the office of father, I come into your presence and I commend myself to you with all fervor. Do not reject my supplications, but receive them favorably and deign to accede to them piously. Amen.

30. San Jose Box

The Contemplare Foundation has an initiative known as "The Contemplare Foundation".San José Box". By subscription, you can receive once a month a box with products from different monasteries in Spain. It is also a way to help religious communities that live from the sale of their products.

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RelatedRelated News"The most eloquent thing about St. Joseph is its silences."Related News12 readings on St. Joseph
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ColumnistsMartha Reyes

Why do we need to continue preaching Jesus of Nazareth?

Today we must turn to Jesus because we need Him more than ever! We need to learn from His way of merciful love and forgiveness.

March 19, 2024-Reading time: 6 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsJesus of Nazareth' is the life's work of Benedict XVIRelated NewsThe lives of missionaries, an example for all Catholics

Jesus of Nazareth impacted humanity in such a transcendental way that we have not found any other personage in the past or present who has captivated human thought and feeling as He did. His story is not science fiction or a figment of the imagination of fanatical followers.

There are two first century historians who included passages in their writings about Jesus of Nazareth. One was the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus in "Antiquities of the Jews", written in the years 93-94 A.D. Another important mention was by the Roman historian Tacitus who lived in the years 55 to 120 A.D. These mentions are considered as good historical evidence.

It is important to mention that according to other historians there have been more than 50 "messiahs" in the history of Israel. Next to Jesus, on that balcony of judgment looking out over the crowd, Pontius Pilate presented one of them, Barabbas. The people were given a choice between the messianism of war or the messianism of peace. We know the answer. 

After Christ, throughout the Christian era, especially from the 1900's until 1994, 5 other rabbis were followed by fanatical Jews as Messiahs. But why didn't the rest of the world follow them? And how many other Jewish teachers did the people follow because they were their spiritual trainers and teachers of the Torah! Only in the years when Jesus lived on earth, there were more than 400 synagogues in Jerusalem and in the Galilee, all attended by different rabbis. But none reached the fame and prestige of Jesus. 

Why Jesus of Nazareth?

In truth, no historical figure has marked humanity as He did. In these times alone, there are some 2.3 billion followers of Christianity, nearly 2 million missionaries Christians helping humanity in some corner of the world. And throughout history, how many have there been? We have lost count.

There are currently approximately 37 million Christian church buildings in the world. That means that there is one church erected for every 65 inhabitants of the planet. How many have there been throughout history? We have lost count.

And how many books of Christian study or reflection have been published throughout history? We have lost count. But in recent history some 180 million books with Christian themes have been written. It is estimated that 7 billion books have been published. Bibles with the Old and New Testament in 3,030 different versions and in 2011 languages. Even the Gospel itself said, in John 21, 24 and 25, "this is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote this, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written down in detail, I think that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written".

Jesus Christ and humanity

Just as in the Old Testament we read of the historic Exodus when the Israelites needed to leave the bondage of Egypt and Pharaoh, so too throughout history we see a repeated exodus of humanity needing to leave its chains and bondage, following Jesus and his promises of freedom, love and eternal life. The stories have changed, but we human beings are still the same in need of freedom, love, support, peace, tranquility, brotherhood, life projects, guidance and purpose.

Jesus Christ not only changed the calendar between before and after Christ. He transformed histories because his message was and is transformative for every follower. Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 messianic prophecies. While the religious of his time offered messages of unbearable burdens, unbearable precepts, instead they heard Jesus say, "come to me those who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest, give me your burdens in return I give you mine which is bearable."

John 10:10 says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly". While in John 5 we see a multitude of blind, lame, lepers, once a year in front of the pool of Bethesda, because only 1 healed there one day a year, we see Jesus in the outskirts of Jerusalem and Capernaum gathering crowds of sick and hopeless people, as in Luke 6, 19: "there was an impressive group of people who tried to touch him because from him came a power that healed them all".

Jesus was different: he visibly sympathized with the needy, sometimes he approached the crowd and sometimes he withdrew from the crowd. He let himself be touched by sinners, he ate with Pharisees and tax collectors, he was not intimidated, for his message never conformed to the expectations of his persecutors or those he was supposed to impress. Jesus was manly and maternal.

He assertively confronted those who declared moral and spiritual cold war against him, and presented himself as the good shepherd or the hen that gathers her chicks. He healed hundreds, and resurrected or brought back to life several. He stopped the storm to calm the fear of those who sailed that sometimes stormy sea, he obtained for them miracles of miraculous fishing, and on more than one occasion, the multiplication of scarce bread. He forgave the unforgivable, freed the possessed and the bound, and above all, accepted the cross as a redemptive sacrifice, offering His life for the salvation of the world. No other so-called messiah ever offered Himself for so much! We have heard it said many times: many men have wanted to be gods, but only one God wanted to be man.

Jesus delivers the gospel of love with the most valuable codes of life that educators, philosophers and rulers have adapted for the development of societies and countries, and to direct the lives of men with moral conscience. Exemplifying the ideal of human conduct, many have been inspired by the commandments of God's law and the teachings of Jesus Christ so eloquently presented in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6 and 7).

Jesus of Nazareth today

In Matthew 16, 4-16 Jesus asks his disciples the same question that he continues to ask us 2000 years later to all human beings in history: "Who do men say that I am?" And I ask you, at what crossroads did he find you? From what ailment or sickness did he heal you? From what abyss did he bring you out?

It is ironic that the more we advance scientifically and technologically, the more we distance ourselves from God, and the more the voids and ailments grow in human hearts: depressions, anxieties, addictions, suicides, divorces, etc. Today we must turn to Jesus because we need Him more than ever! We need to learn from His way of merciful love and forgiveness. Philippians 1:5 says, "let the same mind of Christ be in you".

But His most significant contribution is when He presents us with the Father, a creator and paternal God, a close provider, protector and healer, who continues to be inserted in His creation and in His creatures. This responds to the most tenacious struggle of the human being: his physical, psychological and spiritual survival. And it is this message that is most needed by all human beings of all times and ages. As John 17:21 says, "I ask You Father that they may all be one, as You are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe".

In this secularized and irreverent world, we need to bear witness to His divine presence: "The same God who said let light shine in the darkness has become light in our hearts so that we may radiate the glory of God as it shines on the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). We need to speak God's truths to a world hardened by selfishness and sin as He spoke to those of His time; He spoke to them with loving authority: "learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Matthew 11:29-30). "They marveled at Him because He spoke to them with authority"(Luke 4:32).

We need to preach to the world in the style of Jesus, who used the images of life to present profound pictures of eternal truths. As when he taught 33 parables: the sower, the good shepherd, the new wine, the fig tree, the lost sheep, the prodigal son, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the guests at the king's supper, among others.

We need to present His message to restore joy to the saddened world: "I have told you these things so that my joy may be complete in you" (John 15:11). And we need to preach with the truthfulness and reliability as He preached: "Good Teacher, we know that you are a lover of truth" (Matthew 22:16).

The answer in Christ

Jesus manifested the sum of all that others before and after Him tried to manifest: 

  1. Abraham's unconditionality 
  2. Intelligence of Joseph (son of Jacob) 
  3. Moses' fortitude 
  4. Elias Consistency 
  5. Jeremiah's courage 
  6. Tenderness of John 
  7. Paul's Apostolic Zeal.

Jesus Christ came to respond to all the cravings and needs of life: hunger for God, hunger for love, hunger for peace, hunger for relevance, paternal love, merciful care, unconditional forgiveness, and longing for eternity.

The authorMartha Reyes

D. in Clinical Psychology.

RelatedRelated NewsJesus of Nazareth' is the life's work of Benedict XVIRelated NewsThe lives of missionaries, an example for all Catholics
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Shahbaz Bhatti, contemporary martyr of faith in Pakistan 

Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities in Pakistan, assassinated in 2011, was a fervent promoter of dialogue and the defense of religious freedom and the lives of minorities. Thirteen years after his assassination, on March 2, the Pakistani Christian Association in Italy has paid tribute to him at a meeting held at the Palazzo Giustiniani of the Senate.

Andrea Acali-March 19, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

A martyr of faith, consistent to the end, who showed how one can be a saint even in politics. He was Shahbaz Bhatti, minister for minorities and a fervent promoter of dialogue who dreamed of a united Pakistan in which all minorities could live in harmony.

Thirteen years after his assassination, which occurred on March 2, 2011 when he was 42 years old, in Islamabad, the Pakistani Christian Association in Italy organized a meeting held at the Palazzo Giustiniani of the Senate to pay tribute to the man who became a symbol not only for the great Asian country but for politicians around the world and who today is considered venerable by the Church.

The cause of beatification, in fact, was opened five years ago, as recalled by former parliamentarian Luisa Santolini, who was the first to welcome Bhatti in Italy: "A gentle person, a simple man, with a limpid gaze. He was a peacemaker. Whose only goal, he said, was to defend religious freedom and the very life of minorities".

It is no coincidence that some of Bhatti's relics, including his Bible, are now in the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island, the shrine of the new martyrs, beloved of St. John Paul II. And, as the journalist Manuela Tulli recalled, "from this part of the world it is hard for us to understand how difficult it is to live in such conditions".

Pakistan today 

But what is the situation in Pakistan today? We asked Paul Bhatti, Shahbaz's brother, who took up his political legacy, although he had no intention of doing so, because when the news of the attack reached him he was in Italy, where he was on his way to a brilliant career as a doctor: "Pakistan is a country that has suffered a lot in the more than 75 years since independence. It has had political and economic instability, divisions, extremism, violence, conflicts with neighboring countries. Apart from the situation of Christians, it suffers a lot in all fields. This has left it fragile in every way. When a country is poor, there is political and economic instability, basic rights are violated. No government finishes its term of office and, consequently, there is no reform policy that guarantees a clear path. The only good thing is that even people who were against Shahbaz at the time are now convinced that his was a message for the whole of Pakistan, of unity in diversity. On the other hand, we still have 50% of illiteracy and education is another big problem that needs to be solved."

The figure of Shahbaz is still very dear to us: "The purpose of this meeting is to remember his courage, his faith, all that he did for the persecuted people in Pakistan. After 13 years, I still see, not only in our country, but internationally, that people talk about him, and especially when they talk about conflicts, they imagine such a figure, who had a strong faith, which gave him the courage he needed to fight against extremist ideologies".

The legacy of Shahbaz Bhatti

Paul Bhatti has taken over the baton from his younger brother and continues his work as president of the Alliance of Christian Minorities: "For us family members, such a violent loss of such a young person was shocking and obviously very painful. However, to see that his voice and his mission have also been welcomed in the rest of the world, as shown by this meeting, which was not organized by me, but by people who knew him and loved him, comforts us. His mission of peace, his goal of creating a peaceful coexistence, which we need today more than ever, as shown by the conflicts that exist everywhere, is an example, gives us courage and guides us to continue this challenge that the whole world is facing. Remembering Shahbaz means making known the path he followed to create a peaceful society and to fight against discrimination, hatred and violence."

Paul Bhatti, brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, in 2011 ©CNS photo/Paul Haring

Shahbaz dreamed of a Pakistan in which Christians and other minorities would have the same dignity as Muslims, where everyone could profess their faith without fear: "In the formation of Pakistan," explains Paul Bhatti, "Christians played a role. In our flag, the white part represents the religious minorities and the green part represents the Muslim majority. One of the things that mattered to my brother is that you cannot remain silent in the face of a person who is mistreated, whose basic right to religious freedom has been violated.

An example? "It amazed even us, the relatives. When they were starting to kill or imprison people because of the blasphemy law, they had sentenced a worker from a small town, who had two children. Shahbaz went there to collect money and brought the family to our house. We were terrified. There we understood him, and then together with others we helped him'.

Among the various testimonies, there was also that of Valeria Martano, coordinator for Asia of the Community of Sant'Egidio, who had met Bhatti the night before his assassination: "Shahbaz had not chosen a confessional policy," she recalls, "but he achieved great results that today are milestones in the life of Pakistan, such as the law that provides for the recruitment of 5% of minorities in public office and reserves 4 seats in the Senate, the opening of non-Muslim prayer places in prisons, the district committees for concord and interreligious dialogue. He left us a valuable political legacy through dialogue and the rejection of confrontation, a testimony of how faith can move mountains. He fought with his own hands and, in this sense, his life is a prophecy".

The authorAndrea Acali

-Rome

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Sacrifice: why and what for?

The presence of pain in people's lives is inevitable. A reality in the face of which we must ask ourselves whether it constitutes an obstacle or an opportunity for their happiness.

Alejandro Vázquez-Dodero-March 18, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

In our life there are inescapable evidences. One of them is the presence of pain, which, no matter how much we try to avoid it, sooner or later shows itself to us, and sometimes very defiantly. 

We can try to make it go away, and sometimes we succeed; but after a while it bursts back into our lives, as it did in the past or otherwise. Physical or moral pain, it is the same, always there, from our very birth to the last of our days.

And in the face of this evidence, what remedy do we have? Well, we will have to find the meaning of pain, or give it to him, scrutinizing its essence; because if it happens it is for something and for something, and more so for those who believe in the providence or action of God in the life of man, his favorite creature.

Indeed, in a display of realism, we must accept the presence of pain and, taking a step further, positively -optimistically- channel it towards a greater motive that goes beyond the mere confirmation of its existence in our lives.

Once again, it will be the ultimate sign of our dignity that will find meaning in pain: the capacity to love that characterizes us and distinguishes us from other creatures.

Sacrifice for love?

True love demands to go out of oneself, to give oneself, which is very often difficult. To truly love, one must forget oneself and open oneself to the other, something that normally requires effort. But that effort -sacrifice- not only does not sadden, but fills the spirit with joy, because it is putting love, at whatever price, before the selfishness of thinking of one's own well-being.

It is now when we must ask ourselves if when the appetence or the feeling disappears we must continue loving, with effort and sacrifice. Well, yes, and if not, let's check it. Only by sacrificing ourselves for those we love do we really love them.

Well, but what if the pain appears in itself, and not in relation to others? For example, an illness. Well, even in that case, accepting it as something wanted -allowed- by God, who loves me the most, and carrying it with good spirits and optimism, I will be loving, because I will be satisfying those around me during that time of pain.

Certainly, as we can see, the only way to decipher the mystery of pain and suffering is the way of love. A love that transforms nothingness, absurdity or contrariness into a full reality, into joyful affirmation or authentic life.

From the cross with lower case to the Cross with capital letter

Continuing with the above, but in the light of faith and through the eyes of Jesus, the mystery of pain becomes a sensible and most felicitous reality.

Once again, a paradox of our existence makes sense, like the life of God made Man who ends his days here below embracing pain like no one else and like never before in the sacrifice of the Cross, but which will culminate in the joy of the Resurrection. The Christian, whose life tends to identify with Christ, will go through his cross, but with hope in the joy of his resurrection -salvation of the soul- and this will make the pain bearable.

We collaborate with Jesus in his redemptive work, and we save the whole of humanity by contributing "our crosses or sacrifices", which most of the time are insignificant, but necessary to complete the work of man's salvation. Thus, something bad, pain, finds its meaning and becomes something good, a redemptive motive.

Therefore, facing pain and suffering not only strengthens our character, develops our affability and spirit of service, or the ability to dominate our instinctive reactions, but also makes us participate in the same redemptive mission of Jesus.

Is mortification or sacrifice, penance and expiation the same thing?

In the field of pain we sometimes come across terms that may seem synonymous, but in reality are not. They do all revolve around the sense we have argued above, but with nuances.

Mortification

When we use the word "mortification or sacrifice" we refer to the action of overcoming ourselves, of surpassing ourselves in something, of depriving ourselves or renouncing it. It is an action aimed at dominating the passions or desires. Man thus grows and develops properly by controlling his instinctive movements and his affective life with his reason, orienting himself towards an ideal that is worth living. 

In fact, we see in our lives that no ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice. This is an elementary human experience, although from the Christian point of view it is lived in relation to the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Through a continuous life of sacrifice we achieve this mastery of circumstances and we live more in charity with others, we strip ourselves of ourselves and give ourselves to our neighbor.

Penance

On the other hand, the term "penance" is part of the proclamation with which Jesus began his preaching. It implies a recognition of sin, which leads to a change in the heart, and consequently in one's life, and invites one to live humbly and with a sense of gratitude before divine forgiveness.

Atonement

Finally, "expiation" refers to the object or raison d'être of the pain suffered by Christ on the Cross, which consists in forgiving all of humanity its sins and reopening the gates of Heaven, as a way of reconciling it with God.

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Gospel

A humble man. Solemnity of St. Joseph (B)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Solemnity of St. Joseph.

Joseph Evans-March 18, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

Today's feast is an opportunity to deepen the many lessons we can learn from the life of St. Joseph. He is the man God chose to be his father on earth: the father of God made man. This gives us an idea of his greatness... A man who could guide and give instructions to God. And, at the same time, he was perfectly humble, aware that he was but a creature.

Joseph is a magnificent model for men. At a time when the media give sad examples of how men can abuse women, St. Joseph is the opposite: he teaches us to respect them, as he respected the Virgin and her virginity. St. Joseph is a model of true manhood. 

When many men shout and do little, St. Joseph is silent and does much. When many men abuse, St. Joseph protects. He is a protector, not a predator. He is a mature father who lives for God and for others, not an immature child who seeks only pleasure. In today's Gospel, Joseph teaches us to always look for the honest choice, even when everything seems to be falling apart around us.But women can also have a very close relationship with him and learn a lot from him. It is said that a strong, loving father makes strong women. And you couldn't find a stronger, more loving father than him. A good father helps women to blossom, to be fully themselves, to be strong themselves. Women could imagine him looking at them and saying, "My child, is this really what God is asking of you? Couldn't you be more courageous, like your Mother Mary, or like those holy women who were with her at the foot of the Cross? Does God really want this angry face, this sulking? Come on, my daughter, I know you can do better. I know you have it in you. But you can also imagine him listening to you with great patience, genuinely sharing with you any worries or sorrows you may have, taking it seriously himself, really getting involved, and giving you brief but wise advice.

St. Joseph can teach us a lot about how to relate to Jesus and Mary. He would surely find ways to surprise Our Lady, to show his love, such as picking for her some pretty flowers he found on his way back from a place he had been working; making sure a repair was done because it mattered to Mary; and, though perhaps exhausted after a hard day in the workshop, making the effort to listen carefully to what she wanted to tell him about what Jesus had done that day, or making the effort to play with the baby Jesus....

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The Vatican

"Glory is to love to the point of giving one's life," Pope says

As he does every Sunday, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus and offered a brief reflection on today's Gospel.

Loreto Rios-March 17, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsPope proposes to cultivate virtues: "The human being is made for the good".

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Pope reflected on today's Gospel, in which Jesus explains that "on his Cross, we shall see his glory and that of the Father."

Francis dwelled on this apparent paradox: "But how is it possible that the glory of God is manifested precisely there, on the Cross? One might think that this would happen in the Resurrection, not on the Cross, which is a defeat, a failure. Instead, today Jesus, speaking of his Passion, says: 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified' (v. 23). What does he want to tell us?

The answer lies in the fact that, for Jesus, to glorify oneself is to love and to give oneself: "He wants to tell us that glory, for God, does not correspond to human success, to fame or popularity: there is nothing self-referential about it, it is not a grandiose manifestation of power followed by the applause of the public. For God, glory is to love to the point of giving one's life. To glorify Himself, for Him, means to give Himself, to make Himself accessible, to offer His love. And this happened in a culminating way on the Cross, where Jesus displayed God's love to the full, fully revealing his face of mercy, giving us his life and forgiving those who crucified him".

In this sense, the Pontiff commented that the Cross is the "seat of God": "From the Cross, 'seat of God,' the Lord teaches us that true glory, that which never fades and makes us happy, is made of surrender and forgiveness. Surrender and forgiveness are the essence of God's glory. And they are for us the way of life. Surrender and forgiveness: very different criteria from what we see around us, and also in us, when we think of glory as something to receive rather than to give; as something to possess rather than to offer. But worldly glory passes and leaves no joy in the heart; it does not even lead to the good of all, but to division, discord, envy".

After inviting us to reflect on what glory we seek in this life, whether to please the world or God, the Pope concluded by recalling that "when we give and forgive, the glory of God shines in us" and asking Mary's intercession: "May the Virgin Mary, who followed Jesus in faith at the hour of the Passion, help us to be living reflections of the love of Jesus".

At the end of the Angelus, the Pope spoke of the religious freed in Haiti, who were kidnapped on February 23, and asked for the release of the other two religious and the other people still being held hostage.

On the other hand, he recalled that we must continue to pray for the end of wars, mentioning in particular those in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, South Sudan and Syria, "a country that has been suffering so much from war for so long".

Francis also greeted the various groups present, with a special mention of the marathon runners participating in the Solidarity Run. Finally, as usual, the Pope asked the faithful present not to forget to pray for him.

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RelatedRelated NewsPope proposes to cultivate virtues: "The human being is made for the good".
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Integral ecology

Blanca Catalán de Ocón y Gayolá, a pioneering botanist

She was the first woman to appear in the universal scientific nomenclature. The quality of Blanca Catalán de Ocón y Gayolá's notes on botany led Moritz Willkomm to include her among the authors of the work on Hispanic Flora. This series of short biographies of Catholic scientists is published thanks to the collaboration of the Society of Catholic Scientists of Spain.

Ignacio del Villar-March 17, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsCatholic scientists: Francisco Javier Balmis, promoter of smallpox vaccineRelated NewsEnrique Solano: "The Catholic scientist knows the beginning and the end of the film".Related NewsStephen BarrThe thesis of the conflict between science and faith is a myth generated by the polemics of the end of the 19th century".

She was born in Calatayud in 1860 and her mother, who had been educated in Switzerland, awakened in Blanca and her sister Clotilde a deep interest in nature. They spent long periods of time at the family's residence in the Albarracín mountains, La Campana. In this place there was a chapel and a library. While Clotilde was more interested in the world of insects, Blanca would draw and describe in detail the plant species she found in that special place.

Blanca counted on the help of the canon of Albarracín, the naturalist Bernardo Zapater, to help her. This religious man, with an excellent background in mathematics, physics and humanities, had frequented the Madrid circles of naturalists and scientists. It was he who put her in contact with the German botanist Moritz Willkommwho was then preparing his great work on the Flora Hispanica. When Willkomm received Blanca's notes, he wanted to inscribe her name next to the main plant collectors in his work on Spanish flora. 

Its catalog includes 83 species of plants, one of them a previously unknown species: the white saxifrage, a name that describes how this flower is born breaking the hard rock of the Sierra.

Two herbariums of Blanca Catalán are still preserved: one with the rare plants of Valdecabriel, in Albarracín, which is a unique place for the variety of flowers it has, and another with those of the Vallée d'Ossau, next to the Formigal resort.

In addition, Canon Zapater put Blanca in contact with the Aragonese botanist Francisco Loscos Bernal, who included her in his Tratado de plantas de Aragón and for which Blanca is the first woman to appear in the universal scientific nomenclature. 

When she married, she moved to Vitoria, where she died of a lung disease at the age of 40, on March 17, 1904. Her grandchildren have preserved Blanca's legacy, which faithfully reflects her cultural, scientific and religious concerns. A sample are the poems she wrote about nature as a reflection of the Creator's love. 

The authorIgnacio del Villar

Public University of Navarra.

Society of Catholic Scientists of Spain

RelatedRelated NewsCatholic scientists: Francisco Javier Balmis, promoter of smallpox vaccineRelated NewsEnrique Solano: "The Catholic scientist knows the beginning and the end of the film".Related NewsStephen BarrThe thesis of the conflict between science and faith is a myth generated by the polemics of the end of the 19th century".
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Integral ecology

Forms of collaboration in the company, in the wake of José María Arizmendiarrieta

The priest José María Arizmendiarrieta promoted creative approaches, rooted in the social doctrine of the Church, in the way of conceiving companies and of articulating the relationships between the people who are part of them, based on cooperation. The values he promoted are just as relevant today.

Juan Manuel Sinde-March 16, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsJosé María Arizmendiarrieta: the company at the service of the human being

"Cooperation is the powerful lever that multiplies our strengths".This is one of the best-known phrases of the Biscayan priest José María Arizmendiarrieta, born in 1915 and founder of the initiative known as the "Mondragon Cooperative Experience". Since the centenary of his birth in 2015, the Church has officially considered him "venerable", following the recognition by the Holy See of the heroicity of his virtues.

Indeed, internal cooperation and inter-cooperation between cooperatives are probably the most important characteristics that distinguish the functioning of cooperative enterprises from conventional enterprises. Internal cooperation would therefore not only be a moral virtue but also an entrepreneurial value, a characteristic of successful enterprises. One of the great current concerns of business managers (and not only among us but also in the rest of the world, to a greater or lesser extent) is to find formulas that allow all the people in the company to become involved in the task of making it competitive so that it can develop in a globalized market.

However, according to various studies conducted in different parts of the world, only 20 % of professionals feel involved with the goals of the organization for which they work. When it comes to identifying the reasons for this disaffection, problems related to the leadership style of managers, who clearly overestimate their contribution, inevitably come to the fore; for example, according to a survey conducted in the United States, 84 % of middle managers and 97 % of executives said they were among the top 10 % of employees in their company in terms of performance.) In contrast, empowerment turns out to be the factor most highly correlated with employee engagement, and accountability has the greatest effect on employee performance.

Interestingly, one of the novel recommendations among the proposals made by some of gurus from management to achieve greater employee involvement turns out to be to "build community" in the company. According to its promoters, doing so "produces a harvest of commitment, capacity and creativity that cannot be extracted from the dry land of bureaucracy". This is based on the definition of a "Mission" worth being involved in, the articulation of open communication and transparent information, and the nurturing of a culture of shared responsibility and freedom to make decisions, as well as mutual respect among employees at all levels. All of these characteristics can be perfectly deduced from the teachings of the Social Doctrine of the Church.

On the other hand, the dispute between the interests of the entrepreneurs and those of the workers takes a back seat when what is at stake is the survival of the company itself. The "class struggle" of the early days of capitalism is being corrected to the extent that there are powerful coinciding interests among all the agents interested in the success of each business project.

Confrontation is giving way to collaboration, which José María Arizmendiarrieta preached not only for cooperative enterprises, but also for the whole of social life.. "Solidarity is the key and even, if you will, the atomic secret called to revolutionize all social life. Collaboration is the secret of true social life and the key to social peace.". This statement is made in the context of a firm conviction: "Collaboration in everything, so that everything is the fruit of the effort and sacrifice of all and the glory is also common."This includes, therefore, the participation of employees in the company's results.

The fantastic development of the companies inspired by the Arizmendiarrieta's thoughts has been, and still is, the subject of study by business experts and social leaders around the world. Even with the weaknesses that are inherent in every human endeavor, they have shown that companies that seek success based on the values of collaboration, solidarity and teamwork are capable of competing even in a global market, where the demand for efficiency is a condition for survival.

But, along with the legitimate pride in the common work accomplished, we would be betraying Arizmendiarrieta's spirit if we were satisfied with the fruits achieved. "There's always one more step to take."is a message that appeals to try to apply the values that have been the reason for its success to other business and social realities.

If Arizmendiarrieta initially attempted to reform the corporation by seeking formulas for participation and collaboration between shareholders, workers and managers, an attempt that proved impossible within the framework of the legislation of the time, it would be coherent to follow his lead and try again to introduce humanist values into conventional companies as well.

On the other hand, educational institutions arising from cooperation (such as some schools) show the effectiveness and efficiency of a model based on cooperation and co-responsibility of all the agents involved in the project. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to delve deeper into the possibilities of long-term development of this model, especially when we are going to live in times in which public resources will be particularly scarce and must be, therefore, exquisitely managed, so that their social use is maximized.

The process of canonization of Arizmendiarrieta that is now underway cannot, therefore, be only a reason for recognition, but also a call to "take up the baton" in order to try to apply, here and now, the values he preached. This would be done, among other ways, by taking initiatives inspired by cooperation in different areas of economic and social life (and perhaps also in the public sector), taking risks and accepting imperfections derived from our human condition, but with the hope of contributing to improve, even modestly, our society, making it fairer and more united.

The authorJuan Manuel Sinde

President of the Arizmendiarrieta Foundation

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RelatedRelated NewsJosé María Arizmendiarrieta: the company at the service of the human being
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The Vatican

Synod of Synodality moves toward second assembly

The Synod on Synodality continues to move forward. On March 14, the Vatican published documents related to new working groups that will deepen some topics, such as the relationship between the universal and local Church or the impact of new technologies.

Paloma López Campos-March 15, 2024-Reading time: 6 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsDoes the Synod want to change doctrine?Related NewsKeys and risks of a Synod that aims to involve the whole ChurchRelated NewsThe first session of the Synod Assembly concludes. "A joy that could be touched".

The Catholic Church continues to work on the Synodal Path. As a latest development, the Vatican made public on March 14 several documents about the Synod. Among them is a letter sent by Pope Francis to Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod. In the letter, dated the end of February, the Pontiff orders the creation of specific working groups to deal with certain topics that "by their nature, require in-depth study".

Specifically, the issues indicated by the Pope for these specialized groups to work on are:

  • "Some aspects concerning the relations between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church". Eastern and Latin theologians and canonists will collaborate for this purpose;
  • Poverty. This group will be coordinated by the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development;
  • Digital Evangelization. In this case, there will be contributions from the Dicastery for Communication, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and the Dicastery for Evangelization;
  • "The revision of the 'Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis' in a missionary synodal perspective." This task will be coordinated by the Dicastery for the Clergy;
  • "Some theological and canonical questions regarding specific forms of ministry". In this regard, the group will also delve into the female diaconate and ecclesial services that do not require the sacrament of Holy Orders;
  • Relationships between bishops, consecrated life and ecclesial aggregations, reviewing the documents related to this theme in order to reach a synodal and missionary point of view. The Dicasteries for Bishops, for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Evangelization, and for Laity, Family and Life will collaborate in this group;
  • The figure and ministry of bishops in relation to the criteria for choosing candidates for the episcopate, the judicial functions of the bishop and the visitations 'ad limina Apostolorum'. This study will be divided into two other specific groups;
  • The role of the Pontifical Representatives;
  • The "theological criteria and synodal methodologies for shared discernment on controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues";
  • The fruits of the ecumenical journey "in ecclesial praxis".

Synod Working Groups

To study these questions in depth, Francis entrusts the creation of working groups to the General Secretariat of the Synod. He asks that "pastors and experts from all continents" participate in the study work. He also encourages them to take into account the work already done on these topics and to follow "an authentically synodal method".

On the other hand, the Pontiff summarizes in his letter to the Secretary General the spirit of the next session of the Synod: "How can we be a synodal Church in mission?". Finally, he instructs the study groups to prepare a first report of their activities for the Assembly next October and asks the General Secretariat to draw up an outline of work.

A unique mission

Taking into account what Pope Francis expressed in his letter, the General Secretariat of the Synod has published a document in which it presents "Five perspectives for theological deepening in view of the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops".

The text begins by affirming that "growing as a synodal Church is a concrete way of responding, each and every one" to the mission entrusted by Christ to evangelize. Precisely because this call is common to the whole Church, the General Secretariat wants to focus "on the theme of the participation of all, in the variety of vocations, charisms and ministries" that are part of the Catholic Church. Based on this, one of the objectives is to deepen "the contribution to the mission that can come from the recognition and promotion of the specific gifts of each member of the People of God".

Furthermore, the Secretariat indicates that "the dynamic link between the participation of all and the authority of some, within the horizon of communion and mission, will be deepened in its theological meaning, in the practical modalities of its application and in the concreteness of the canonical dispositions".

Elaboration of the "Instrumentum laboris

For a better analysis, the Secretariat provides for three "distinct but interdependent" levels: the local churches, the groupings of churches (at national, regional and continental levels) and, finally, the whole Church in communion with Rome.

In order to be able to draft the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the October Assembly, the Episcopal Conferences and the Eastern hierarchical structures will collect the contributions made at the local level. After the consultation period, both the conferences and the hierarchical structures will send the syntheses to the General Secretariat by May 15.

To these documents will be added other materials, such as "the results of the international meeting 'Pastors for the Synod' and the conclusions of a "theological study carried out by five working groups activated by the General Secretariat of the Synod". These latter teams will be composed of experts from various countries, of different sexes and ecclesial status. The analysis of three of the groups will focus on the three levels mentioned above, while the remaining two will carry out a cross-sectional study.

Local level

The Secretariat's document specifies the points to be studied by the work teams at each level. Specifically, at the local level they will study in depth:

  • "The meaning and forms of the ministry of the diocesan bishop" and his "relations with the presbyterate, the organs of participation, the consecrated life and ecclesial aggregations".
  • Ways of verifying the work done by the diocesan bishop and "those who exercise a ministry (ordained or non-ordained) in the local Church".
  • "The style and mode of functioning of the participatory bodies." They will also seek to encourage women to make decisions and "assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry".
  • "The presence and service of instituted ministries and de facto ministries."

Level of Church groupings

At the level of church groupings, the Secretariat asks the task force to analyze:

  • "The effective exchange of gifts between churches".
  • The statutes of the Episcopal Conferences.
  • "The status of the bodies that group together the local Churches of a continental or subcontinental area".

Universal Church level

Regarding the study from the perspective of the universal Church, the working group will delve into:

  • The contributions that the Churches of the East can make "for a deepening of the doctrine of the Petrine primacy, clarifying its intrinsic link with episcopal collegiality and ecclesial synodality".
  • Ecumenism
  • "The role of the Roman Curia, as an organ at the service of the universal ministry of the Bishop of Rome".
  • Collegiality from the perspective of a synodal Church.
  • "The self-identity of the Synod of Bishops".

Four dimensions of the Synod

To foster the authentic fruits of the Synod, the General Secretariat encourages "meditation on Sacred Scripture, prayer and mutual listening". Thanks to this, says the document, four dimensions can be articulated: spiritual, institutional, procedural and liturgical. With these four aspects in mind, one of the working groups that will study in a transversal way will analyze:

  • The relationship between "the liturgical and sacramental rootedness of the synodal life of the Church" and ecclesial discernment.
  • "The configuration of conversation in the Spirit", starting from the diversity of experiences.
  • The integration of theology with the human and social sciences through dialogue.
  • "The criteria for theological and disciplinary discernment". The study will also attempt to clarify the relationship between the "sensus fidei" and the magisterium.
  • The balance between the participation of all and the exercise of authority by some members of the Church when making decisions.
  • "The promotion of a celebratory style appropriate to a synodal Church" that takes into account the diversity that exists within the Church.

The "place" of the Synodal Church

The document of the General Secretariat mentions very frequently the diversity within the Church, also with regard to the places where the People of God meet Christ. In this sense, it expresses that "human mobility, the presence in the same context of different cultures and religious experiences, the omnipresence of the digital environment, can be considered 'signs of the times' that need to be discerned".

Therefore, the fifth of the working groups will delve into:

  • "The development of an ecclesiology attentive to the cultural dimension of the People of God".
  • Consideration of the concrete places where evangelization takes place, in order to know how to adapt preaching.
  • The impact of migration on communities.
  • The impact of new technologies.
  • The canonical and pastoral challenges produced by the migration of the Catholic faithful from the East to the territories of Latin tradition.

News and communion

The General Secretariat of the Synod insists on the importance of "discerning today's missionary challenges". Otherwise, they affirm that the proclamation of the Gospel will lose attractiveness. This is the reason why they insist on "attention to young people, to digital culture, and the need to involve the poor and marginalized in the synodal process."

On the other hand, the document emphasizes that all the baptized must participate in evangelization. Consequently, it is essential "the active exercise of the 'sensus fidei' and of their respective charisms, in synergy with the exercise of the ministry of authority by the bishops". In this way, as the Secretariat indicates, the ecclesial hierarchy and synodality never enter into conflict, but rather have a dynamic relationship.

The document also stresses that the local and the universal do not clash in synodality. On the contrary, this "constitutes the proper ecclesial context for understanding and promoting episcopal collegiality," pointing out the guidelines for achieving "unity and catholicity." The Secretariat affirms that "what we seek is an adequate way of living unity in diversity, experiencing interconnectedness without crushing differences and peculiarities".

The Synod as a spiritual path

Finally, the governing body of the Synod highlights "the exquisitely spiritual character of the synodal process." It explains that the Synod is not an end in itself, but a strategy for "understanding what the Lord is asking of us and being ready to do it."

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RelatedRelated NewsDoes the Synod want to change doctrine?Related NewsKeys and risks of a Synod that aims to involve the whole ChurchRelated NewsThe first session of the Synod Assembly concludes. "A joy that could be touched".
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Initiatives

Make a Mess. Counting the good that the Church does 

Young people who evangelize with their illustrations, projects that help people rebuild their marriages or live their illnesses with dignity and surrounded by love. They are some of the "messes" which discloses Make a messthe series directed by Spanish filmmaker José Manuel Cotelo, with the participation of Carlota Valenzuela.

Maria José Atienza-March 15, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

José Manuel Cotelo, Spanish family film director, author of such titles as Let's keep the party in peaceand Carlota Valenzuela, the young woman from Granada who made a pilgrimage from Finisterre to Jerusalem, decided a few months ago to embark on a very special project: Make a mess.

Taking as a starting point the famous expression of Pope Francis addressed to young people at the World Youth Day in Brazil, José Manuel and Carlota decided to pool their experiences and qualities to carry out a project that would not only involve them, but would make known many of the stories and the protagonists of unique initiatives, spread around the world, and that have, as a common background, an evangelizing zeal and service to others. 

In the words of the creators of the series, it is about "tell all the good that the Church does". There are many realities of service linked to the Church that are often overshadowed by bad news or actions. 

In addition, they set out to tell these good things in a professional manner, with the best possible quality and always putting at the center the real protagonists of these stories and the strength of faith that has been the driving force behind each one of them. 

Make a mess began broadcasting its chapters in December 2023 after many ups and downs. It is an audiovisual series, available free of charge, broadcasted through YouTube and through which they share stories, projects and initiatives of people who, moved by faith, carry out in various parts of the world. 

The series, financed through crowfundinghas already completed its first season, consisting of six chapters thanks to the generosity of some 2,000 donors who made possible the production of the first chapters which, to date, have had more than 300,000 views. 

In its first season, Make a mess has put the spotlight on realities such as Futuro Vivo, a project for children from vulnerable environments in Guatemala City, led by a community of Carmelite nuns, which rescues children from a future marked by delinquency, drug trafficking or prostitution.

Other chapters focus on the project Conjugal Love, which has helped tens of thousands of married couples to grow in their common life and strengthen it in faith, or Father Aldo's homes in Paraguay, where the elderly, the chronically ill and the handicapped are welcomed and cared for. 

The chapters are monthly and the first season will culminate, according to the calendar, in May 2024. However, as they emphasize in this conversation with Omnes, both José Manuel Cotelo and Carlota Valenzuela want to continue with this mess and launch a second season to continue telling the story of the hundreds of good things that the Church does and that are spread around the world, sometimes in an unknown way. 

How is it born Make a mess? 

-By an impulse of the Holy Spirit, from whom every evangelization initiative starts. It was born from the reading of the Gospel: "You are the light of the world, do not light a lamp to hide under the bed, let your light shine before men, so that all may glorify your Father God." This gave rise to Make a mess: to be aware that we know little of the wonders that God works every day through the Church, and yet we are very well informed of any negative aspects. It is not fair, we must balance the scales. 

We would like to bring these mess to all the people of the planet, so that this fire can burn throughout the world; and to bring these realities closer to every home, we have gone to the bottom: living it ourselves to tell the story. 

What is the path to the stories that appear in the chapters?

-It is not difficult to find many points of light, bright and warm, as soon as one approaches the church. Every mess has the appeal of a fire in a cold house. Naturally, everyone in the house ends up by the fireplace. So it is in the church. 

The stories appear naturally, in contact with people: a conversation, an Instagram message... The beauty of the Church is so great and so diverse that it is rare not to come across it if one is open to discover it and be surprised! 

How does this series influence you, what reactions do you receive from viewers? 

-Every day we receive messages from people who have been pushed by these problems to start their own messto get out of their comfort zone and place themselves at the service of God. 

That is the craziest effect of all this: not that it "pleases", but that it mobilizes. 

Does an evangelization project always involve some kind of madness? What is the craziest thing about Make a mess? 

-The greatest folly is, in reality, the only reasonable option: to trust in God. If we wanted to evangelize with our own strength, believing ourselves capable of doing so, we would be in for a big shock. And Jesus warns us of this: "Without Me, you can do nothing.". Perhaps we could only succeed, in which case we would listen to Jesus' diagnosis: "You have already received your reward." 

The fruits of conversion, the transforming spiritual effects, are beyond our capacity. What is reasonable - crazy in the eyes of the world - is complete trust in God, so that He may continue to work miracles through our small contribution. 

Make a mess is a project of crowdfundingHow is the response to this project? 

-The response has been very good, with small contributions coming from the most remote corners, from the children's piggy banks, those two widow's coins that the Gospel tells us about. And there are also people who contribute large amounts. But we need more, we need to make a team to be able to continue carrying out these projects. mess to every home and spreading the joy of the Gospel.

For now we have been able to produce the first season, thanks to about 2,000 people. We are now in the middle of a campaign to fund the second season, through www.haganlio.org and already 850 people have joined, contributing 25 %. 

We must continue to ask for the involvement of many donors in order to produce more chapters. It is a great team work, in which small contributions achieve a great goal.

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ColumnistsAntonio Moreno

The human being, hacked

If they want to hack us, the machines know what port of entry we have had open since we ate the apple: the need for affection, attention, recognition.

March 15, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

I confess that I am afraid to start writing this article. I know it may raise blisters in those who do not think like me, but I feel the need to say it: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to end humanity.

And no, I am not referring to a violent extermination as Hollywood movies have inoculated in the collective imagination. It will not be necessary for machines to program nuclear armageddon or to build terminators more or less lethal.

It will not be a supposed awareness of the computers that will destroy us by considering us enemies, but precisely their loyalty, their friendship and their eagerness to fulfill all our desires that will lead us to accept the sweetest and most pleasant of deaths before which we will not experience any kind of rebellion.

Although it is still in its infancy, if you have used some of the most popular AI tools that companies such as OpenAI or Microsoft have made available to users for free, you will have experienced the feeling of having a faithful friend, a work or study partner ready to help you in everything you need, to get you out of trouble, to accompany you in difficult moments or to complement you in that aspect that you are not so good at. He is polite, pleasant to deal with, never tires and, when you ask him for criticism, he does it in a constructive way because he does not try to put himself above you. He is an ideal partner!

The "personality" of these robotic chatbots is not accidental. It is the result of programming that has taught them to discover what pleases and displeases us. The machine learns, user by user, conversation by conversation, to be more and more friendly and responsive, more and more "the way we like" it to be.

As long as we continue to train it with our tastes and the AI is satisfying needs as simply human as being listened to and being able to imitate emotions better and better, who can assure us that it will not begin to create emotional bonds with the machines? For those who wish to reflect further on the subject, I recommend watching the movie on the platforms The Creator. 

Whether or not the dystopian future described in the film arrives, the proof that human beings are capable of creating strong emotional bonds with other non-human beings to unsuspected limits can be found in the increasing importance of pets in our lives (this is where I get into slippery territory).

Pets have, in fact, already replaced the family itself and the increase in the number of households with dogs is directly proportional to the number of households without children. There are those who love their pet more than their partner and I have no doubt that many owners would kill or even die for them. Some already qualify, without ambiguity, the human being as the biggest pest to fight.

Love for animals is precious, it indicates respect for creation and the rest of humanity, but why do we have dogs and not wolves at home, being both creatures equally beautiful and worthy? For a simple reason: the evolution of the dog from the wolf has been guided for centuries by man, who has domesticated and humanized it. We find ourselves, then, with a species trained (as we do now with artificial intelligence) to please human beings.

The less empathetic, less docile specimens have historically been eliminated by encouraging the reproduction of the most affectionate and grateful, the least selfish, the most useful for our needs. We must remember that animals are not free, they act by instinct, and that this instinct is transmitted genetically. Therefore, when you feel loved by your dog, you have to be aware that there is a trap.

Love needs freedom, but to some extent dogs are programmed to love us, because there have been other human beings who have been in charge of "cooking" the species that carries with it that (and no other) instinct. That is why people who do not feel loved by anyone (maybe even some of us are certainly unbearable) find the unconditional love of their pet magical. They confuse it with what they really deserve, the love of the people around them.

Experts say that the human brain does not discriminate and secretes the same attachment hormone, oxytocin, whether we exchange caresses with a human or a dog. And make no doubt about it, machines also know how to give us oxytocin shots because they are programmed to make us happy. Try, if not, to get a teenager to stop being attached to a cell phone. Isn't that easy?

If they want to hack us, the machines know what port of entry we have had open since we ate the apple: the need for affection, for attention, for recognition. No one can fill the immense void of love in our heart but the one who is infinite Love. 

Behind the excessive attachment for animals or the one we are beginning to see for machines, there is nothing more than a love for ourselves, for our own selfish satisfaction, not open to otherness. A love whose hypnotizing reflections will take us, like Narcissus, to the bottom of the pond.

Dogs (through no fault of their own) have already left the number of individuals of the human species at an all-time low. What will man's new best friend not be able to do? 

The authorAntonio Moreno

Journalist. Graduate in Communication Sciences and Bachelor in Religious Sciences. He works in the Diocesan Delegation of Media in Malaga. His numerous "threads" on Twitter about faith and daily life have a great popularity.

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Evangelization

Forgiveness Forum reaffirms leadership of martyrs in the 20th century

The testimonies of martyrs who died forgiving in many parts of the world confirm the 20th century as the historical era with the most martyrs, many beatified or canonized, said Bishop Martínez Camino, auxiliary bishop of Madrid and vice-president of the Education and Culture Commission of the Episcopal Conference, at the Forum on Forgiveness and Reconciliation, which has just begun.  

Francisco Otamendi-March 14, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

The Forum for Dialogue and Study on Forgiveness and Reconciliation, which began this week in Madrid, provided a wealth of impressive testimonies of martyrs of the religious persecution of the 20th century in Spain, given by practically all the speakers.

This new Forum is a joint initiative of the Office for the Causes of Saints of the Spanish Bishops' Conference (CEE), and of the Institute of Spirituality of the Pontifical University of Comillas. 

A coordinating team has been formed by Lourdes Grosso M. Id., director of the Episcopal Office; Fernando Millán, director of the Institute of Spirituality of the University of Comillas; Fernando del Moral, assistant director of the Episcopal Office; and Jorge López Teulón, postulator of important causes for the beatification of martyrs in Spain.

3,280 causes of martyrs under study

After the opening remarks by Fernando Millán and Francisco Ramírez, dean of the Faculty of Theology and Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Comillas, Lourdes Grosso reported that the Church is studying more than 3,200 causes for the beatification of martyrs of the 20th century in Spain, and that of the estimated 10,000 martyrs, 2,128 have already been beatified and eleven canonized. 

"This is an immense wealth unknown to many Spaniards," said Lourdes Grosso, who stressed "the evangelizing role of the saints," and the fact that "forgiveness and reconciliation is what is proper to the Christian."

In his speech on "The gift of forgiveness as a path to reconciliation", Bishop Martinez Camino said that "in the twentieth century there have been more martyrs than in all previous centuries", so it can be called "the century of martyrs", which in a low estimate is placed at three million (in the world), and some estimate up to 50 million, because only the Armenians were one and a half million.

"Heroes of Forgiveness for Reconciliation."

In his words, Martinez Camino cited some testimonies of forgiveness, because "Christ died forgiving on the Cross", and "the martyrs are heroes of forgiveness for reconciliation", because "they died forgiving those who took their lives".

Hugo had a couple of reflections that perhaps attracted more attention. In the first, speaking of the 20th century, he said that "divine omnipotence has manifested itself more in forgiveness and mercy than in creation".

The second has to do with the meaning of forgiveness, and with the question of whether one can forgive without being complicit in evil, an issue raised by Vladimir Jankelevitch, among others. Some have gone so far as to say that "forgiveness has died in the death camps", referring to the Nazi horrors, and to the perception that human beings are capable of "radical evil". 

"They died forgiving."

"There have never been more victims in all of history," added Martinez Camino, recalling similar words of Pope Francis, so it can be affirmed, with words of Scripture, that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more," and it was perhaps the era in which "the power of God has shone the brightest."

"No century has been more violent," Martinez Camino noted. "Never have human beings killed so much. And in the martyrs, divine Providence made itself present." "The martyrs embody a premeditated forgiveness and not at the last minute." Among other testimonies, Camino recalled the Claretian martyrs of Barbastro, the Piarists, the Oblates, and so many who "died forgiving".

Within the framework of the Forumthe General Director of Publications of the EEC, Manuel Fanjul, presented the book "609 martyrs of the 20th century in Spain. Who they are and where they come from", volume four of the collection. María Ángeles Infante, HC, vice-postulator, who highlighted some of the testimonies of the martyrs. "60 Martyrs of the Vincentian Family". and the director of the diocesan secretariat for the Causes of the Saints of Cordoba, Miguel Varona, who referred to those known as 127 martyrs of Cordoba. 

"Artisans of peace are needed"

The coordinating team, mentioned at the beginning, draws its inspiration from the words of Pope Francis in the Exhortation Fratelli tuttiIn many parts of the world there is a need for paths of peace that lead to the healing of wounds, for artisans of peace ready to generate processes of healing and reunion with ingenuity and audacity (...). It is necessary to learn to cultivate a penitential memory, capable of assuming the past in order to liberate the future from one's own dissatisfactions, confusions or projections. Only from the historical truth of the facts will they be able to make the persevering and long effort to understand each other and to attempt a new synthesis for the good of all" (225 and 226).

Among these "artisans of peace," witnesses of faith and forgiveness, "we recognize in a primary way the saints and blessed martyrs of the religious persecution of the 20th century in Spain," the Office for the Causes of Saints points out. And they add that through annual meetings, forums for reflection, publications, etc., they wish "to generate that penitential memory of which the Pope speaks, making known the rich heritage that we have in our martyrs, although not only. With this day we are launching a forum that will be consolidated over time.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Photo Gallery

Praying to St. Joseph to ask for adoption

From March 10-18, the U.S. bishops invite parents in the process of adoption to pray a novena to St. Joseph for this intention. In the photo, St. Joseph of Jesus Divine Word Church in Huntington.

Maria José Atienza-March 14, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
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The Vatican

Cabrini, the life of a saint who changed the world

Rome Reports-March 14, 2024-Reading time: < 1 minute
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Francesca Cabrini, who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries, was the first person canonized in the United States. Now a film is being made about the life of this woman who inspired St. Teresa of Calcutta.

 Cabrini worked with thousands of Italian immigrants and many orphans and his legacy is still present in the United States.

AhNow you can enjoy a 20% discount on your subscription to Rome Reports Premiumthe international news agency specializing in the activities of the Pope and the Vatican.
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Culture

Georges Lemaître, the priest who proposed the Big Bang theory

On International Mathematics Day, this article remembers Georges Lemaître, a Catholic priest, mathematician and physicist who developed the Big Bang Theory.

Paloma López Campos-March 14, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsCatholic scientists: Francisco Javier Balmis, promoter of smallpox vaccineRelated NewsJosé Carlos González-HurtadoThe more science, the more God".
Priest and scientist Georges Lemaître (Wikimedia Commons)

March 14 is the international day of mathematics and it is not by mere chance. Many countries of Anglo-Saxon tradition write the date following the month-day-year scheme, or simply month-day. This means that a date is written 3-14... And in those digits lies the key to the mathematical memorial day: 3.14 is the beginning of one of the most famous numbers, the number Pi.

Mathematics, loved and hated alike, is also important for Catholics. An example of this is the life of the priest, mathematician, astronomer and physicist Georges Lemaître, who, in addition to his time in the seminary, developed an intense academic and research activity. So much so that he is one of the fathers of the Big Bang Theory and the Hubble-Lemaître Law.

Two vocations

Georges Lemaître was born in Belgium on July 17, 1894. The son of Catholic parents, he studied at a Jesuit school. There he excelled in several subjects, but especially in mathematics and physics. While studying, he came to the conclusion that he had two vocations, which at first might seem incompatible: priesthood and science.

After passing through the School of Mining Engineers and volunteering for the army during the First World War, Georges began his studies in Physics and Mathematics. In 1920, he obtained his doctorate with his thesis "The approximation of functions of several real variables". After defending his dissertation, Lemaître joined the seminar.

However, the preparation for the priesthood was not an obstacle to continue learning about physics and mathematics. Therefore, the young seminarian continued to delve into science, taking a special interest in Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Throughout his life, Georges Lemaître met the German physicist on four occasions, who recognized his important contributions to scientific progress.

The Theory of Relativity accompanied the priest for several years. He delved into it throughout his research work, which took him both to Cambridge University in England and to the famous MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the United States.

Scientific contributions

Eventually, Georges Lemaître obtained the professorship at the Catholic University of Louvain, in his home country, so he returned to Belgium. There he developed one of his great contributions, mentioned above: the Big Bang Theory.

It was also during this time that he published his work on what is known today as the Hubble-Lemaître Law. However, his contribution to this law took years to be recognized, as the scientific community attributed the credit almost entirely to astronomer Edwin Hubble.

Science and faith

There were those who doubted Lemaître's work as a mathematician and physicist. For some, his status as a priest and his Catholic beliefs prevented him from doing his work well. But the scientist did not hesitate to clarify that his faith was not an impediment to the work he did. He assured on several occasions that he did not need to mix the two fields when they had to be kept separate.

Despite this, he also stated that the advantage of being a Catholic scientist is that one has the assurance that reality is created by an intelligent being, so answers to questions about the universe can be found, since they follow a logic.

The Pope at the time, Pius XII, did not have the same prejudices as some scientists of the time. He therefore appointed Lemaître as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. While it is true that the Pontiff and the priest had some differences, Lemaître never came into direct conflict with the Pope, claiming that his scientific theories were not related to Theology.

Last years

In 1960, Georges Lemaître became president of the Pontifical Academy. During his tenure, he facilitated dialogue between believing scientists and atheists, achieving an openness never before seen in the institution.

The priest continued his research and priestly ministry throughout his life until he died of leukemia in 1966 at the age of 71.

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RelatedRelated NewsCatholic scientists: Francisco Javier Balmis, promoter of smallpox vaccineRelated NewsJosé Carlos González-HurtadoThe more science, the more God".
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Culture

A new tool for archaeological dating: archaeomagnetism

A recent study in the scientific journal PLOS ONE reveals that thermal demagnetization can be applied to archaeological materials to reconstruct historical events in greater detail.

Rafael Sanz Carrera-March 14, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsThe Vatican's Teutonic Cemetery: a Roman circus, Charlemagne and the "Escape Line" that saved thousands of Jews

I found interesting the recent study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE: Application of thermal demagnetization to archaeological materialswhich makes it possible to reconstruct ancient events in greater detail. This advance is based on the magnetic remanencewhich allows certain materials (such as iron oxide) to retain the magnetism acquired under certain circumstances. This phenomenon is used to date materials chronologically, determine the temperatures experienced and understand the circumstances of their magnetization. For example, in the construction of houses or walls, bricks are laid randomly, but once laid, if a fire occurs, the heating and cooling of the bricks gives rise to a strong, unified magnetic signal of ferrous particles, in the direction of the field at that historical moment, which is similar to the average direction of the geomagnetic field in the region.

As the Earth's magnetic field changes over time, it is essential to establish a chronological map of the geomagnetic field changes in a region. In this sense, studies such as the one carried out by a team of researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel are important: "The Earth's magnetic field changes over time.Exploring geomagnetic variations in ancient Mesopotamia: A study. archaeomagnetic of inscribed bricks from the 3rd and 1st millennia B.C." in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.. They have examined iron oxide granules in 32 bricks, each inscribed with the names of 12 Mesopotamian kings. The results made it possible to reconstruct a baseline for the earth's magnetic field during the reign of these rulers. The archaeomagnetic baseline established in the study is proving useful for dating other objects that until now could not be adequately dated.

In this regard, the aforementioned study: Application of thermal demagnetization to archaeological materialssThe authors of the study, Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University and Ariel University, have analyzed a burnt brick wall in the city of Gath, mentioned in the biblical text of 2 Kings 12:18. The authors of the study, from Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University and Ariel University, using this technique have been able to confirm the historicity of the biblical account and provide additional details about the event.. The uniform orientation of the magnetic fields in the burned bricks indicates that they burned and cooled in the same place, supporting the biblical narrative about the destruction of Gath. This breakthrough definitively refutes the contentions of some scholars about the historicity or nature of the burned bricks in the area.

In the Bible and other ancient Near Eastern texts describe many military campaigns against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah during the 10th to 6th centuries BC, such as the Aramaic, Assyrian and Babylonian military campaigns that left behind layers of destruction known from archaeological excavations. However, only a few layers of destruction are securely associated with specific historical campaigns, thanks to the combination of historical and archaeological data. But the attribution of many other layers of destruction are subject to debate, and pose challenges in reconstructing the chronological scale and geographic scope of the campaigns.

For this reason, studies such as the Six centuries of geomagnetic intensity variations recorded by Judean royal stamped jar handlesor the very interesting and recent work on the Reconstruction of biblical military campaigns using geomagnetic field data.The results of these studies, which are achieving an accurate dating for many of these uncertain events, are being of great help in reaching agreements between historical data and archaeology, and which, in turn, are giving reliability to the biblical account.

This is a new tool that could be very interesting for biblical historical dating. We will remain attentive to new contributions.

The authorRafael Sanz Carrera

Doctor of Canon Law

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RelatedRelated NewsThe Vatican's Teutonic Cemetery: a Roman circus, Charlemagne and the "Escape Line" that saved thousands of Jews
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Gospel

Glorious Cross. V Sunday of Lent

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent and Luis Herrera offers a brief video homily.

Joseph Evans-March 14, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

In today's Gospel, some pagans ask to meet Jesus. Two apostles communicate this to them, which provokes a curious response on their part. "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified". We believe that "be glorified"is to be a celebrity. But when Jesus speaks of being glorified, he means going to the Cross, which was the least glorious, the most gruesome way to die known at that time. So degrading was it that Roman citizens could not be crucified. It was reserved for non-Romans and slaves. Jesus speaks of being a grain of wheat that falls into the ground, is buried and dies. He speaks of losing one's life, hating it, in order to save it for eternal life.

We see Our Lord troubled on several occasions foreseeing what was going to happen to Him. Humanly speaking, He did not desire it at all. Here in John we hear him say: "Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say, Father, deliver me from this hour?". But as in other Gospel passages, here too he reacted to accept the will of his Father: "...".But if for this reason I have come for this hour: Father, glorify your name.". To make it clear that Jesus knew where he was going, the Gospel passage ends: "And when I shall be lifted up above the earth, I will draw all men unto me'. This he said, implying the death that he was going to die.".

The second reading tells us: "And, though he was a Son, he learned, through suffering, to obey. And, brought to the consummation, he became, for all who obey him, the author of eternal salvation.". He was willing to suffer and thus become a source of salvation. The more willing we are to suffer, the more we become instruments of salvation for others. This explains our Lenten penance. But the simple fulfillment of our duty can involve some suffering. Whether it is the suffering of defending our faith and being ridiculed, or the suffering of sacrificing ourselves for others. Or the suffering and joy of having the children God wants us to have. We lose in order to gain. We become the grain of wheat under the ground to produce a rich harvest.

Christian faith consists in appreciating and discovering the "glory" in the hard things of life. The symbol of our faith is a Cross, not an armchair. Instead of seeking our poor glory on earth, we seek to share God's glory in heaven, accepting and even embracing the Cross on earth in order to rise to eternal life.

Homily on the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.

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The Vatican

Pope proposes to cultivate virtues: "The human being is made for the good".

In this morning's audience, the Pope began a cycle of catechesis dedicated to the virtues, after having concluded last Wednesday the one on vices. On this, the eleventh anniversary of his election as Pope, Francis recalled that virtue is a gift that can be cultivated through our freedom and our daily choices.

Loreto Rios-March 13, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated News"Sadness is an obstacle with which the tempter wants to discourage us," Pope says

Pope Francis today kicked off a series of cycle of catechesis focused on virtues. Because he still has a slight cold, as he explained at the beginning of the audience, the catechesis was read by one of his collaborators, Monsignor Pierluigi Giroli.

The proposed reading for today's reflection was the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 8 and 9: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is praiseworthy, whatever is virtuous or praiseworthy, keep these things in mind. Whatever you have learned, whatever you have received, whatever you have heard, whatever you have seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you".

On this basis, Francis began by explaining that, "having concluded our overview of vices, the time has come to turn our gaze to the image of what is opposed to the experience of evil. The human heart can indulge in evil passions, it can pay attention to harmful temptations, disguised in seductive clothing, but it can also oppose all this".

Because, the Pontiff indicated, "the human being is made for the good", and "can practice this art by making certain dispositions permanent in him".

Virtue and classical philosophy

In this line, Francisco recalled that this reflection "on this marvelous possibility of ours" goes back to the time before Christianity, since the theme of virtues "constitutes a classic chapter of moral philosophy". On the one hand, "the Roman philosophers called it 'virtus'", while the Greek word was "areté".

The Pope went on to explain that "the Latin term underlines above all that the virtuous person is strong, courageous, capable of discipline and asceticism. Therefore, the exercise of virtue is the fruit of a long germination that requires effort and even suffering". For its part, the Greek word "indicates something that stands out, something that stands out, something that arouses admiration. The virtuous person is then the one who does not denaturalize himself by deforming himself, but who is faithful to his own vocation, who fully realizes his being".

Rediscovering the image of God in us

Therefore, the Pope pointed out that holiness is possible and within the reach of everyone: "We would be mistaken if we thought that the saints are exceptions of humanity, a sort of narrow circle of champions, who live beyond the limits of our species. The saints in this perspective we have just introduced on the virtues are, instead, those who want to be fully themselves, who realize the vocation proper to every human being. What a happy world it would be if justice, respect, mutual benevolence, largeness of heart and hope were the shared normality and not a rare anomaly".

The Pontiff pointed out that it is important that the way of virtue, "in these dramatic times in which we often encounter the worst of what is human", "should be rediscovered and practiced by all", because "in a deformed world we must remember the form in which we have been shaped, that is, the image of God that is forever imprinted in us".

What is virtue?

Francis then reflected on the definition of virtue, explaining that the catechism indicates that "virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good". Therefore, the Pope stressed that virtue "is not an improvised good or something casual that falls from the sky episodically. History tells us that even criminals in a moment of lucidity have performed good deeds. Certainly those actions are written in God's book, but virtue is something else. It is a good that is born of a slow maturation of the person, until it becomes an inner characteristic. Virtue is a habitus of freedom. If we are free in every act, and each time we are called to choose between good and evil, virtue is what allows us to have a habitus towards the right choice".

But how does one acquire this gift of virtue? Pope Francis has admitted that the "answer to this question is not simple, but complex".

Grace and asceticism

The first help we can count on is "the grace of God. In fact, the Holy Spirit acts in us who have been baptized, working in our soul to lead it to a virtuous life. How many Christians have reached holiness through tears when they realized that they could not overcome certain weaknesses," the Pope explained. "But they have experienced that God has completed that good work which for them was only an outline. Grace always precedes our moral commitment."

The Pope also recalled the importance of tradition, "the wisdom of the ancients," "which tells us that virtue grows and can be cultivated."

To this end, "the first gift of the Spirit to ask for is precisely wisdom. The human being is not free territory for the conquest of pleasures, emotions, instincts, passions", but "an inestimable gift that we possess is (...) the wisdom that knows how to learn from mistakes in order to direct life well". On the other hand, "we need good will, the ability to choose the good" through "ascetic exercise, avoiding excesses".

Praying for the end of wars

The Pope invited us to begin "our journey through the virtues in this serene universe that is challenging, but decisive for our happiness".

To conclude the audience, several readers read a summary of the catechesis in different languages. The Pope asked us to "persevere in prayer" so that wars may end, and said that today he was given a rosary and a Gospel with which a young soldier who died at the front prayed. The Pope lamented the death of so many young people and asked to pray to the Lord to "overcome the madness of war".

After praying the Our Father in Latin, the Holy Father imparted the Apostolic Blessing, ending today's audience.

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The Vatican

Pope invites to rediscover Confession

The Pope recently presided over the annual Lenten celebration "24 Hours for the Lord," dedicated to the sacrament of Penance, during which he personally confessed some of the faithful.

Giovanni Tridente-March 13, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsMauro Piacenza: "Being available to hear confessions is a priority".Related NewsPope confesses young people at WYD

As he has done for the past ten years, Pope Francis once again presided over the "24 hours for the Lord"coordinated by the Dicastery for Evangelization - Section for the Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World, an entire day dedicated to living and "rediscovering" the Sacrament of Confession, which this year took place on March 8 and 9.

As he did last year, the Pontiff wanted to experience this annual Lenten celebration, now in its eleventh year, in a Roman parish, this time in the Aurelio district, not far from the Vatican, personally hearing confessions of the faithful. He was accompanied, as always, by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, proprefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Surrender to Jesus

"Let us not renounce God's forgiveness, the sacrament of Reconciliation," suggested the Papa to the faithful present during his homily, explaining that going to confession "is not a devotional practice, but the foundation of Christian existence. Nor is it "to be able to say our sins well", but "to recognize ourselves as sinners" and abandon ourselves "in the arms of Jesus crucified to be liberated". A way, in short, to obtain "the resurrection of the heart" that the Lord works in each one of us.

Walking in a new life

A desire for renewal that comes from Christ himself, who wants his children to be "free, light inside, happy and on the way" instead of "parked on the roads of life". The metaphor of the journey is also taken from the passage of St. Paul to the Romans chosen for this year's celebration: "To walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4), and clearly refers to the moment of Baptism. In the life of faith, therefore, there is no "retirement"-an image that the Pontiff often uses when he wants to indicate the desire to move forward in life, avoiding boredom and idleness as an end in itself-but rather a continuous taking of steps forward that must nevertheless be oriented towards the good.

However, "how often do we get tired of walking and lose the sense of moving forward"? Here, then, the Lenten journey comes to the rescue, as an opportunity to "renew ourselves" and return "to the condition of baptismal rebirth" thanks to divine forgiveness: "The Lord removes the ashes from the embers of the soul, cleanses those inner stains that prevent us from trusting in God, embracing our brothers and sisters, loving ourselves" by forgiving everything.

God always forgives

In fact, Pope Francis once again reiterated that God always forgives and never tires of doing so; rather it is we who tire of asking his forgiveness. "Put this well in your mind: only God is able to know and heal the heart, only He can free it from evil." The important thing is to believe it, to desire to purify oneself and to have recourse to his forgiveness, in order to return "to walk again in a new life".

Apostolic Penitentiary

Continuing with the theme of Reconciliation, on the morning of March 8 Pope Francis received in audience the participants in the Course on the Internal Forum promoted by the Apostolic Penitentiary, to whom he addressed a dense discourse on the meaning and correct interpretation of the prayer recited during Confession, the Act of Contrition.

A prayer, written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, master of moral theology, which, despite its somewhat ancient language, retains, according to the Pope, "all its validity, both pastoral and theological".

Repentance, trust and purpose

In particular, the Pontiff, in his prepared speech and then delivered to those present, focused on three particular attitudes: repentance before God - that awareness of one's sins that leads to reflection on the evil committed and to conversion; trust - as recognition of the infinite goodness of God and of the need to put love for Him first in life; intention - the will not to relapse into the sin committed; and intention - the will not to fall back into the sin committed.

To confessors - Pope Francis concluded - is entrusted a "beautiful and crucial task" that can allow the many faithful who approach the sacrament of Confession "to experience the sweetness of God's love". A fundamental service that must be prepared with even greater care in view of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope.

The authorGiovanni Tridente

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  • Letting oneself be formed by the liturgy: a colloquium on "Desiderio desideravi".
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Letting oneself be formed by the liturgy: a colloquium on "Desiderio desideravi".

The Catholic Institute of Paris hosted a colloquium on liturgy with the Apostolic Letter "Desiderius Desideravi" as its main theme. The academic meeting was entitled "Forming in the liturgy and through the liturgy".

Gonzalo Meza-March 13, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsBeauty, liturgy and brotherhoodsRelated NewsThe liturgy is a true encounter with Christ. The central ideas of "Desiderio desideravi".

A colloquium on liturgy entitled "Forming in the Liturgy and through the Liturgy" was held at the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP) from January 31 to February 2. The main theme of the academic meeting was the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, "Desiderio desideravi" (DD), on the liturgical formation of the people of God (June 29, 2022). "Without liturgical formation, reforms in the rite and in the text are of little use" (DD, 34) the Pontiff points out, quoting Romano Guardini.

During the colloquium in Paris, the perspectives offered by the Holy Father in the face of the challenges facing the liturgy in these times. During the first day, the liturgical perspectives and realities of the Ivory Coast, India, Italy, Brazil and the United States were presented. The second day was devoted to exploring liturgical formation from the sources of the Liturgical Movement. The last day of the meeting was devoted to exploring the theological, spiritual and missionary dimensions of liturgical formation.

This academic meeting, organized every year by the ICP's Higher Institute of Liturgy, was attended by clergy and experts from different parts of the world - Italy, France, the United States, Ivory Coast, Brazil and Germany, among others. Also present were Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris and Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, who was present from beginning to end.

A pastoral perspective

In his address, which concluded the work of the colloquium, Cardinal Roche gave an interpretation "from the perspective of love" of Desiderio desideravi": "I took the title of the paper from the phrase of a well-known English hymn 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' because it expresses very well the content of the apostolic letter of Pope Francis 'Desiderio desideravi'".

The cardinal explained that "the Pope does not intend to treat the theme in a systematic way, but wants to take the Church by the hand and lead her to the center of the mystery we celebrate. "The depth and breadth of the Holy Father's liturgical vision offers us countless opportunities to pause for personal reflection and prayer to appreciate the great gift that the Church has handed down to us in the liturgical books," the cardinal indicated.

Participate in the liturgy

Referring to the concept of "participation" in the liturgy and taking as a reference Romano Guardini's visit to the cathedral of Monreale in Sicily in 1929, Roche indicated: "To participate well, fully, actively and consciously in the liturgy is to commit oneself to a process of ongoing formation. It is liturgical spirituality. The liturgy, as Pope St. Paul VI described it, is the 'first school of spiritual life'. Through its rhythms, its words, its phrases, its prayers and its gestures, the liturgy sculpts the raw mass (us) Sunday after Sunday. This weekly assembly forms and shapes us progressively, almost imperceptibly, as God's holy and priestly people," the prefect said.

In addressing how the word "participation" has been interpreted, Roche points out that, for some, it has been taken as synonymous with "more and more activity," a constant need to "do" things during the celebration. For others, active participation is an almost purely interior engagement in the rites and prayers. Guardini, however, avoids these two extremes, exploring the true depths of participation: "He who adopts and carries the liturgical attitude, who prays, sacrifices himself and acts, is neither the soul nor the interiority, but man. It is the whole man who performs the liturgical act" (R. Guardini, "La formation liturgique", 1923).

Schools of prayer

For Cardinal Roche this affirmation of Guardini "makes it evident that when our liturgical celebrations do not respect this reality, they are not up to the task, because they do not involve the person as a whole. Some will be so spiritual that they will not be earthly or so corporeal that they will be empty of any transcendent meaning." It is necessary that our liturgies, he clarified, be true schools of prayer, because a celebration carried out with all our art and skill, will also be a formative experience: "when we allow ourselves to be formed by the liturgy, we too will be transformed and we will come closer to Christ. At that moment, the liturgy will become a living reality. The 'Lex vivendi' will no longer be a theory but a reality" and the liturgy will become Epiphany, concluded Cardinal Roche. 

The ICP Higher Institute of Liturgy is an international university institution for the formation of teaching, research and pastoral leaders in the field of liturgy and the theology of the sacraments. The training is provided by a team of liturgical theologians who integrate the historical, biblical, anthropological and dogmatic dimensions of the liturgical and sacramental question.

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United States

Assisted reproduction puts conscientious objection in check

Bioethics issues are back in the spotlight in the United States because of a new bill on assisted reproduction.

Paloma López Campos-March 12, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsThe grammar of nature in the human bodyRelated NewsAbortion and freedom

2024 is a complex year in the United States. The presidential race for the White House in November has begun and this implies a debate on many issues of interest to the public. In this sense, bioethics comes to the fore with issues such as abortion or assisted reproduction.

 The current President of the United States, Joe Biden, stated in one of his last speeches that he wants to secure the abortion as a constitutional right. Following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, activists consistently call for the protection of abortion as a right.

What is just an idea in the United States is already a reality in France. There, abortion will be a constitutional right after the reform approved on March 4. Since then, many other politicians want to imitate the "breakthrough", encouraged also by the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8.

Assisted reproduction as a right

However, abortion is not the only bioethical issue in the debates. On January 18, a group of representatives in the U.S. Congress presented a text that has provoked considerable controversy. It is the "Access to Family Building Act", a bill aimed at "prohibiting the limitation of access to assisted reproductive technology, and all medical care surrounding such technology".

Assisted reproductive technology is defined by U.S. law as "all treatments or procedures involving the manipulation of human oocytes or embryos, including in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer" and other similar technologies ("Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992").

Unlimited right

Precisely, the bill presented aims to ensure that healthcare providers provide patients with the services of these technologies, and that they "receive them without limitations or requirements that are more burdensome than the limitations or requirements imposed on medically comparable procedures; do not significantly improve the reproductive health or safety of such services; or unduly restrict access to such services."

That last and third condition is the one that has set off alarm bells. How can an "undue restriction on services" be defined? Is conscientious objection by healthcare technicians an "undue restriction"?

The bill establishes access to assisted reproductive technology as a right, "including without prohibition or unreasonable limitation or interference". Not only that, but it includes within that power to "retain all rights relating to the use or disposition of reproductive genetic materials, including gametes."

The text also provides that the State Attorney General "may bring a civil action on behalf of the United States against any State, local municipality, or any government official, individual or entity that enacts, implements or enforces a limitation or requirement that prohibits, unreasonably limits or interferes" with the right of access to these assisted reproductive technologies. Like the Attorney General, individuals and health care providers may also bring civil actions against those who limit access to these techniques.

No conscientious objection

So what happens to those health care providers who, because of bioethical concerns, do not want to perform these types of services? The bill states that the rule must be applied in all states, regardless of whether it conflicts with any other provision, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This means that conscientious objection can hardly be invoked as a reason for not providing assisted reproductive services.

On the question of unconstitutionality, the text also seeks to overcome this obstacle. Thus, it states that "if any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision to any person, entity, government or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, or the application of such provision to all other persons, entities, governments or circumstances shall not be affected thereby."

The dangers of the new law

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a press release echoing the situation. The first thing the episcopate points out is that they are aware that infertility "is a challenge faced by more and more families". They therefore encourage couples who want to have children to seek licit ways to achieve pregnancy. However, they remind that "the solution can never be a medical process that involves the creation of countless children before birth and results in most of them being frozen or discarded and destroyed".

The bishops' statement notes their strong opposition to the Access to Family Building Act. The episcopate draws attention to the fact that this new regulation "would be the first law in history to exempt itself from the long-standing Religious Freedom Restoration Act".

The USCCB warns that "faith-based nonprofit charities, schools and church organizations that serve their communities and, as a matter of principle, cannot cover 'in vitro' fertilization in their employee health plans could face impossible, potentially existential choices." Not only that, but faith-based healthcare facilities and those who work in them "could be similarly forced to facilitate procedures that violate their beliefs or leave the industry."

Bioethical implications

But the problems raised by the Bishops' Conference do not end there. The bishops also mention the bioethical issues of "human cloning, gene editing, the manufacture of human-animal chimeras, the reproduction of the children of a long deceased parent, the buying and selling of human embryos, surrogacy, etc.".

The USCCB assures that even those who do not "agree with the humanity of every conceived person" must recognize the obvious dangers of the bill. The communiqué further stresses that "a position that supports the legal consecration of 'in vitro' fertilization, however well-intentioned, is neither pro-life nor pro-child". For this reason, the U.S. episcopate encourages the search for more effective measures against infertility, such as "investment in research" or "the strengthening of support for couples who wish to adopt".

For now, the "Access to Family Building Act" is in the pipeline. It still has to cross the barriers of Congress, the Senate and the President before becoming law. But there are already fears about its ambiguity and the threat of its consequences, which many denounce as yet another step backwards in the field of bioethics.

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ColumnistsLupita Venegas

Resilience or the art of starting again

Lupita Venegas talks in her Omnes article for March about resilience, an inner process that allows us to start again with hope when things are not going well.

March 12, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsTomás TrigoWithout the hope of Heaven, we would not take a step in life".Related NewsOptimistic or hopeful?

What does a bird do when it finds its nest destroyed? It spent too much time building it and in a matter of minutes it has been blown apart... the cause? A strong wind, a saw, a child's slingshot... it doesn't really matter what the cause is. What we will observe is that this bird, faced with loss: it starts all over again!

Two medical specialties have increased their consultations very significantly at the beginning of the 21st century: psychiatry and plastic surgery. Dr. Enrique Rojas points out that this is a characteristic feature of our times because we want everything to be easy and we are not developing "resilience". There is a very low tolerance to frustration perhaps due to the development of technologies that today allow us to obtain what we want almost immediately. It seems that human nature requires effort to feel fulfilled. Effort builds character and laziness breeds languor.

We have been convinced that we can have it all without making an effort. When things do not go our way, frustration invades us, causing us to feel helpless and desperate. We feel devastated and paralyzed: anxiety, depression and stress rates increase. Suicidal ideation appears more frequently.

Resilience, knowing how to stand up

We will be hearing a lot about this ability that allows us to pick ourselves up after hard falls: resilience.

According to the American Psychiatric AssociationResilience is the process of adapting well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threat, or significant sources of stress, such as family or personal relationship problems, serious health problems, or stressful work or financial situations. It means 'bouncing back' from a difficult experience, as if one were a ball or spring."

In the face of significant losses, we will take two firm handrails to hold on to: science and faith. The first one shows us our capacity to "remake ourselves", we are stronger than we think; and the second one, living it strengthens us in an inexplicable but real way.

Loss specialists point out 2 basic steps to get a fresh start:

  1. Focus on the positive. Avoid thinking about everything you lost or what you don't have. Consider what you do have and apply yourself to start from scratch if necessary, being grateful for every little thing that is in you and with you now.
  2. Discern what is in your hands and do it, write a personal growth plan. What is not in your hands, put it in God's hands. Nourish your faith.

Redeeming pain

Are you experiencing pain and frustration, loss and grief? Join Christ, who experienced all these sensations before laying down His life for you. The Word reveals that Christ From the cross he exclaims: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And later he teaches us a way to face this moral pain when he says: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit".

It is time for you to make this phrase your own and repeat it throughout each day: Into Your Hands, Lord!

Christ had to lose to win. Christ had to die in order to rise again. He shows us how pain given out of love has redemptive value. 

Life is full of cycles, after bad times come good times and vice versa. So get ready to start over from love. And this time, with your experience, you will be determined not to make the same mistakes. Your new beginning will take you higher than where you were.

Before God gave the triumph to the Jewish people through Esther's action, she had prayed thus: "Help me now, for I have no one but you, my Lord and my God.

Remember: When God gives you, it is because he wants to ask you; when God asks you, it is because he wants to give you.

Have you lost everything?...start over!

The authorLupita Venegas

RelatedRelated NewsTomás TrigoWithout the hope of Heaven, we would not take a step in life".Related NewsOptimistic or hopeful?
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  • – Supernatural Kulturkampf ("cultural battle") of Prussia against Catholicism
Culture

– Supernatural Kulturkampf ("cultural battle") of Prussia against Catholicism

Prussia, whose identity was linked to Protestantism, always perceived Catholicism as a threat to national cohesion. However, the cultural battle strengthened the solidarity between the hierarchy and the laity of the Church, as well as the bond with the Pope.

José M. García Pelegrín-March 12, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

On January 18, 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, King Wilhelm I of Prussia was proclaimed German Emperor. Otto von Bismarck had achieved the goal of unifying Germany into the Deutsches Reich, a goal he had been pursuing for decades. However, both the Chancellor and many of his contemporaries perceived that the new empire faced internal threats. For Bismarck, the main danger to the national unity of the Prussian-Protestant empire lay with the Catholic Church.

Prussia had always been a Protestant territory, right from its origins. The Duchy of Prussia, founded in 1525 by the former Grand Master of the Teutonic Order Albrecht Albrecht, after converting to Lutheran Protestantism, was the first European principality to adopt Lutheranism as its official religion. This tradition was maintained when the Duchy was inherited by the Hohenzollerns of Brandenburg in 1618, where Lutheranism had also spread. Thus began the rise of Prussia-Brandenburg until Prince Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg was crowned King. at Prussia in 1701. The title refers to the fact that part of Prussia - belonging to Poland - was outside its territory. The title King of Prussia will begin to be used after the annexation of the former Polish Prussia in 1772. In any case, Protestantism was part of Prussia's identity, as opposed to the Catholic character of the other kingdom descended from the Romano-Germanic Empire, that of Austria.

At the beginning of the 19th century, practically all Catholics living in Prussia were of Polish origin: from the former Polish Prussia or from the Silesia that had been annexed by Frederick II (1712-1786). This situation changed markedly when, after the Napoleonic wars, a large part of the Rhineland and Westphalia became part of Prussia, since 70 percent of the population there was Catholic.

In Prussia, as in other Protestant German states, the sovereign served as "summus episcopus" (supreme bishop) of the Protestant regional churches. The Prussian General Land Law of 1794 provided that religious practice, both public and private, was subject to state supervision. But this state supervision over the Catholic Church in the Rhineland and Westphalia came into direct conflict with the universal authority of the Roman Catholic Church.

ZdK precursor associations

In order to resist in this hostile environment, Catholics began to organize politically in Prussia: as early as 1848 an attempt was made to unite the "pious associations", which led in 1868 to the founding of a "Central-Committee", the precursor of the "....ZdK"("Central Committee of German Catholics"), after World War II.

Simultaneously, in 1870 a confessional political party, the "Zentrum", was formed, which the following year became the third parliamentary group in the Reichstag. Bismarck accused them of being "ultramontane"; that is, of following the directives of Rome, where Pope Pius IX rejected liberalism and the secular state.

For this reason, anti-Catholicism was widespread among supporters of liberalism in Prussia and throughout Europe. By attacking Catholics, Bismarck secured the support of liberal journalists and politicians in the National Liberal Party (NLP), the dominant political force in the new Reichstag and in the Prussian House of Representatives.

The Kulturkampf

One of the first direct actions against Catholics was the "pulpit decree" (Kanzelparagraph) of December 1871, which threatened with imprisonment clergymen of any denomination who commented on state affairs in the exercise of their office. This marked the beginning of the Kulturkampf, a term coined by the left-liberal politician and famed physician Rudolf Virchow.

The repressive measures continued: in 1872 the Jesuit order was banned, while the "School Supervision Law" of 1873 placed all schools under state control; in 1875 civil marriage was introduced as the only valid form of marriage and all those religious orders that were not exclusively dedicated to the care of the sick were banned.

At the same time, surveillance and control over Catholic associations, the press and religious education was intensified. In the first four months of 1875 alone, 136 Catholic newspaper editors were fined or imprisoned. During the same period, 20 Catholic newspapers were confiscated, 74 Catholic buildings were searched, and 103 Catholic political activists were expelled or interned. Fifty-five Catholic organizations and associations were closed.

By the end of the 1870s, the Catholic Church had lost considerable influence and its situation in the German Reich was bleak: more than half of the Catholic bishops in Prussia were in exile or in prison, and a quarter of Prussian parishes were without a priest. By the end of the "Kulturkampf", more than 1,800 priests had been imprisoned or expelled from the country and church property worth 16 million gold marks had been confiscated.

However, Bismarck's policy had the opposite of the desired effect: the cultural battle strengthened the solidarity within the Church, between the hierarchy and the laity of the Central-Committee, as well as the link with the Pope and the identification with the papacy.

Conflicts of interest between liberal and conservative Catholics took a back seat.

Catholic associations experienced a major boom, as did the Catholic press, which strongly supported the Zentrum's policy despite repressive measures. In the 1878 Reichstag elections, the Zentrum established itself as the second largest parliamentary group, winning almost the same percentage of votes as the National-Liberal Party: 23.1 percent each, which translated into 99 seats for the NLP and 94 for the Zentrum out of 397.

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Woke ideology: victims of everything and responsible for nothing

Ideology woke has taken over many social justice issues to transform them into banners of a struggle that, far from awakening society, lulls it to sleep with distractions.

Paloma López Campos-March 11, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsIdeology 'woke': who do we cancel today?Related NewsAlejandro Rodríguez de la PeñaThe 'woke' movement degenerates into inquisitorial and denies compassion".

A few years ago, the fight against racism in the United States took on a violent and especially mediatic tinge. Through social networks, many activists raised their voices to point to systematic racism in the West as the culprit for the violence suffered by some ethnic communities.

What started as a social struggle ended up occupying an important space in politics, until it degenerated into the movement wokewhich has become a sort of "catch-all" in which various topics are mixed, such as feminism, gender identity, ecology or the "culture of cancellation".

The latter is particularly aggressive, and consists of publicly pointing the finger at people for their past mistakes, whether they have actually committed them or not. Accusations of media personalities are a daily phenomenon that can be observed especially on social networks. However, they are often soon forgotten when a new target appears to be "cancelled".

Ecologism woke

Another big issue that we have "woken up" to thanks to this movement is ecology. The importance of caring for the environment is increasingly present in public debates. However, there are those who have taken this concern for the planet to an unsuspected limit, in which it seems necessary to sacrifice people for the sake of the ice in the Arctic.

While it is true that there is a logical progress in this aspect, such as the due responsibility towards nature insisted upon by Pope Francis (just read his encyclical Laudato si'), it is also true that some people take their love for the planet to an unnecessary extreme. For a couple of years now, it has been common to hear in the news that a group of young people have literally glued themselves to the asphalt of the road in a major city, or that some activists have painting a work of art that it is not to blame for the extinction of the giant yellowtail shark.

Victims of everything, victims of nothing

Victimhood is also a phenomenon of the movement. woke. As the philosopher explains Noelle MeringBeing a victim of something, anything, becomes a part of our identity. Thus, people begin to define themselves exclusively by their wounds, going on to explain every detail and decision in their life as a consequence of those traumas.

Two clear effects of this victimhood are intolerance and political correctness. In relation to the latter, it is increasingly necessary to be careful about what one says or does. Any act is liable to be politically incorrect, causing a victim to take offense. Of course, the careless person who has made such a mistake becomes a target of the "cancellation culture".

The problem is that if we are victims of everything, perhaps what happens is that there are no longer any real victims of anything.

Gender: not determined

Of course, gender ideology is an essential part of ideology woke. The latest twist is the transgender movement.

This aspect, because of its rapid degeneration, is curiously also the one that has caused many to wake up to the woke. For many people who saw this movement as just another ideology, the dictatorship of transgenderism has been the touchstone for putting the brakes on it. The deviation and destruction proposed by gender politics have removed the veil of an ideology that attacks the person itself.

Awakening from sleep woke

There are more and more people who, seeing the paths that ideology is leading us down wokeare rethinking the movement itself. Avoiding the absolute demonization of this system of ideas, there are those who seek to polish it in order to unearth the ideas that are authentic progress and discard those that are contaminated by the desire to destabilize the person.

In social networks, a territory conquered by the movement wokeIn the political arena, more and more voices are gradually being heard denouncing their lies and vices. On the other hand, in politics, parties are beginning to gain strength that renounce what they have been doing. woke. It is a battle that is still open, in which Catholic anthropology and the Christian vision of man can provide answers to the challenges posed.

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The Vatican

States must help women to "embrace the gift of life".

Pope Francis said in the Angelus of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, following International Women's Day, that it is "social and political institutions that have the fundamental duty to protect and promote the dignity of every human being, offering women, bearers of life, the necessary conditions to be able to welcome the gift of life".

Francisco Otamendi-March 11, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
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Two days after March 8, and still very fresh from the French Parliament's decision to include the so-called "right" to abortion in the French Constitution, Pope Francis has made a special appeal to society, to politicians and to the world.

The Pontiff has said in the Angelus Today, it is the institutions that must provide the necessary conditions, not only to protect the dignity of every human being, but also to offer all women, "bearers of life", the most favorable conditions, even "necessary", so that they can accept "the gift of life and ensure their children a dignified existence". The "bearers of life", the most favorable conditions, even "necessary", so that they can welcome "the gift of life and ensure a dignified existence for their children".

In addition, the Holy Father wanted to express his closeness to all women, "especially those whose dignity is not respected." "There is still much work to be done by each one of us so that the equal dignity of women is concretely recognized." The Pope takes it for granted, therefore, that society does not yet consider the same dignity to values and women.

Praying for Haiti, closeness to Muslim brothers and sisters

Also after the recitation of the Marian prayer, Francis showed his "closeness and sorrow for the serious crisis that affects Haiti and the violent episodes that have occurred in recent days. I am close to the Church and to the dear Haitian people, who have been suffering for years". 

"I invite you to pray, through the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, that all violence may cease and that everyone may offer their contribution to the growth of peace and reconciliation in the country, with the renewed support of the international community," the Pope added, referring to one of the poorest countries in the Americas, perhaps the poorest according to the usual rankings, and also in the world.

The Pope went on to say that "tonight our brothers and sisters Muslims I express my closeness to all of them", and he also greeted in a special way all the pilgrims from Rome, from all over Italy and from many parts of the world. Among them, "the students of the Irabia-Izaga College of Pamplona, the pilgrims from Madrid, Murcia, Malaga and those from St Mary's Plainfield - New Jersey", among others.

He also greeted with affection the Catholic community of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rome, and prayed that "we pray for peace in this country, as well as in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land. May the hostilities that cause immense suffering to the civilian population cease as soon as possible," he asked the faithful.

Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save.

In its commentary to the readings of this fourth Sunday of Lent, the Pontiff has quoted the Gospel fragment that presents the figure of Nicodemus, and meditated on the fact that "Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save. It is beautiful!"

Often in the Gospel we see Christ reveal the intentions of the people he meets, at times unmasking false attitudes, as with the Pharisees, or making them reflect on the disorder of their lives, as with the Samaritan woman. 

"Before Jesus there are no secrets: He reads in the heart, in the heart of each one of us. (...) No one is perfect, we are all sinners, we all make mistakes, and if the Lord were to use the knowledge of our weaknesses to condemn us, no one could be saved."

Look with mercy

"But it is not so," the Holy Father points out. "For He does not use it to point the finger at us, but, rather, to embrace our life, to free us from sin and to save us. Jesus is not interested in prosecuting us or subjecting us to a sentence; He wants none among us to be lost."

"Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save the world."He reiterated. "Let us think of ourselves, who so often condemn others; so often we like to gossip, to seek gossip against others. Let us ask the Lord to give us, all of us, this look of mercy, to look at others as He looks at all of us."

"May Mary help us to desire good for one another," the Holy Father concluded.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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The Vatican

Cardinal Parolin closes 750th anniversary of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas

With a solemn mass at the abbey of FossanovaCardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, closed the two days of celebrations on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Hernan Sergio Mora-March 10, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

The Abbey of Fossa Nova, consecrated in 1209, is one of the greatest examples of Italian Cistercian Gothic architecture. Located 120 kilometers south of Rome, today it is the heart of a parish entrusted by the Diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno to the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word.

In this locality the Dominican theologian born approximately in 1224 in the Italian city of Roccasecca, who astonished Europe and the Sorbonne -and still does- for his brilliant theology, "stayed at the request of the abbot, spending his last moments when he was on his way to a council in the city of Lion", explained to Omnes one of the priests assigned there, Marcelo Navarro.

At the beginning of the Mass, Cardinal Parolin said: "I bring you the greetings and blessing of Pope Francis who joins us in prayer on this particular occasion". Therefore, after the celebration OMNES had the opportunity to ask the Vatican's number two about this wish of the Successor of Peter.

"He had already written - the purpurate explained - a beautiful letter on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the canonization, expressing all his admiration for this great saint, for his wisdom, for his defense and promotion of doctrine and for his capacity for evangelization."

The Italian cardinal added that "the Pope, in line with the Evangelii Gaudium and with the issue of Church on the way outHe feels particularly close to St. Thomas Aquinas".

The Mass was concelebrated by Cardinal Peter Turkson, Bishop Mariano Crociata of the diocese and about 75 priests with the participation of the Polyphonic Choir of Cisterna.

In his homily Cardinal Parolin defined as "truly formidable the legacy that St. Thomas Aquinas has left us", because it is "a philosophical, theological, spiritual and pastoral legacy, the legacy of an entirely holy existence, a living and fruitful patrimony".

"We are all called," the cardinal urged, "even if in different ways, to be disciples of Master Thomas and followers of his path of holiness, because, as Pope Francis emphasized in the letter already cited, his legacy is his holiness.

The Vatican Secretary of State concluded his homily by considering that: "the holy person is not simply one who does things according to the rules, but a person in love with God, and transported by that love becomes like the Lord". The choir of the "Associazione Polifonica Pontina" sang 'Adoro te devote' at the end of the celebration, one of the five Eucharistic hymns composed in 1264 by Doctor Angelico, on the occasion of Corpus Domine, commissioned by Pope Urban IV.

"If I may make a confession," said Cardinal Parolin addressing the audience in an out of program, "during this whole celebration I felt very small, small inside before the majesty and beauty and simplicity of this temple, small inside because of the holiness and wisdom of Thomas Aquinas," urging those present to "receive this legacy and make it bear fruit.

As part of the commemoration, the day before at the Santa Maria Annunziata co-cathedral, Bishop Mariano Crociata had celebrated a Mass followed by a procession with the relics of the saint through the streets of the center of the city of Priverno.

For its part, the Municipality of Priverno, together with the diocese and the Cultural Assets, organized a series of initiatives from March 1, such as the paintings and sculptures of Armando Giordani on the life of the saint, or two pilgrimages between art and nature from the castle of Maenza to the Abbey of Fossanova - the last road traveled by St. Thomas - guided by the association "Sentiere Nord Sud" and "Il Gruppo dei Dodici".

The authorHernan Sergio Mora

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ColumnistsMaria Candela Temes

What's behind a hug

This article reflects on the mutual embrace in the meeting held at the Vatican between Pope Francis and the President of Argentina, Javier Milei.

March 10, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

A handshake or a hug between two political leaders, between two statesmen, can be a simple protocol gesture or a diplomatic make-up operation. But it can also be the sign of reconciliation and the key that opens a new stage of understanding and concord. The commitment, in front of the flashbulbs, of a willingness to work closely together. 

There were many expectations about the meeting that Pope Francis and the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, were going to have at the Vatican. The meeting took place in the context of an exceptional event: the canonization in St. Peter's Basilica of the first Argentinean saint, St. Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa. 

The country where Francisco and Milei were born is going through a strong economic, political and social crisis. The two dignitaries know it and it weighs on both of them. The desire for dialogue between Church and State is strong, even if it has been marred by a constant tug-of-war.

But beyond the circumstances, the embrace we witnessed that day speaks eloquently, in its simplicity, of the greatness of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. 

One does not know to what extent one is capable of forgiving when one has not been strongly offended. The epithets that Milei dedicated to Francis in the past went far beyond insult. It is true that he later asked for forgiveness and that when he uttered them he was in an election campaign. But personally I do not know if I would be so magnanimous as to apologize to anyone who had referred to me in those terms, no matter how much understanding I could dedicate to him. Pope Francis had the genius to disarm Milei with his porteño style, breaking any wall with a nice reference to his hairstyle. Then came the president's request: "May I give you a hug?" And Francis' answer, as a pastor and a father: "Yes, my son, yes".

The authorMaria Candela Temes

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Family

Human dignity or freedom to abort?

The journalist Antonio Socci recalled a few years ago that abortion was initially promoted by totalitarian political systems, the Soviet Union in 1920, then by Nazi Germany in occupied countries, then China and the West, to the point of exceeding one billion abortions in the 20th century. The human being is at stake, and France has made its move.

Francisco Otamendi-March 9, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsIndividual choice has become superior to life.

Amy SinclairIowa Senate President, in United StatesThe president, who has been fighting for years to defend life at all stages, affirms that "history will judge us for the barbarity of abortion. Many feel the same way, and they defended it in January in Washington and other capitals in the March of Life.

What will you think Amy now, when a large majority of the French parliament (780 deputies and senators "yes" against 72 "no") has approved in Versailles to introduce in the Constitution the "right" to abortion? 

"Guaranteed freedom" to kill babies in the womb? Freedom to kill in a country that urgently needs to increase its birth rate, as recognized by its president Emmanuel Macron?

A new era of hope?

Gabriel Attal, French Prime Minister, said this March 4: "We are entering a fundamental stage that will be a historic page. A stage that has a history and precedents, which began with Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Simone Veil. France is sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one has the right to decide for you. Beyond our borders, a new era of hope is beginning". 

Of hope or of death? It was Giscard d'Estaing who said: ''As a Catholic I am against abortion; as President of the French I consider it necessary to decriminalize it''. 

Abortion has been legal in France since 1975. The then Minister of Health, Simone Weil, had been skeptical, a year earlier, about the viability of embryos, justifying it: "No one doubts anymore that, from a strictly medical point of view, the embryo definitely bears all the potentialities of the human being it will become. But it is only a future possibility, a fragile link in the transmission of life that will have to overcome many obstacles before it is brought to term". 

Now, on behalf of Renaissance, Macron's party, the deputy Sylvain Maillard declared: "Through this constitutional reform, France confirms its universal vocation". And the truth is that after the result, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated in a special way in front of a crowd celebrating the vote festively. 

Change of mentality: respect for life 

Amy Sinclair believes that it is essential to legislate against abortion, but that it is also, and perhaps above all, necessary for society to change its mentality about respect for life and the intrinsic dignity of every human being.

We might now ask ourselves: Will the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French people to the American people in 1886, continue to set the course for New York and the United States? Or will it be the path set by the Dobbsin which the Supreme Court American decreed that the Constitution does not grant the "right" to abortion?

Women traumatized and victims of a system

Will we still have to see headlines like this one in a major Spanish secular newspaper: "France is at the forefront of the world's defense of the freedom to abort by enshrining it in its Constitution". Freedom to abort? Freedom to kill? 

Every woman knows what an abortion is. The world is increasingly full of post-abortion traumatized women, many of whom regret it. But it is possible to see the light after an abortion, says the Spaniard Leire NavaridasShe is a woman who has had an abortion and does not want to criminalize women, because women who have had abortions "are victims of a system that forces us to have abortions". 

Indeed, there has been "a whole "social engineering" for decades, supported by the abortion industry, which "never focuses on violence against the unborn, but on the right to decide," he denounces. A living child is a parasite, an unbearable burden?

Freedom of conscience

We must take heart and defend conscientious objection as a fundamental right. International human rights instruments, from the Universal Declaration of Human RightsThe "freedom of thought, conscience and religion" (art. 18), as "part of the essential juridical patrimony of the person, which the State does not conduct graciously, but is obliged to recognize and protect" (art. 18).

Solvents experts recall the "Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union", when it "recognizes the right to conscientious objection", albeit "in accordance with national laws regulating its exercise". 

Professors Navarro-Valls, Torrón and Valero state that "if it had been intended that the protection of conscientious objection depended on national laws, it would not make sense to have included it as a fundamental right in the European Charter". 

"And let us remember that the Charter is not merely an expression of good wishes and recommendations for well-meaning governments, but a binding legal text for the Member States of the European Union." His analysis is written with euthanasia in mind, but it works just the same.

Some of us still believe in the power of law, and in religious traditions, religions, to which the Vatican appealed on the 4th. The Holy See's appeal was addressed "to all governments and religious traditions to do everything possible so that, in this phase of history, the protection of life becomes an absolute priority, with concrete measures in favor of peace and social justice".

This Sunday, March 10, a meeting has been called for a March in MadridThe slogan of the "Yes to life" campaign is "Yes to life". Others are already there to throw in the towel. Or is it agreed with genocide censored?

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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The "phenomenon" of Heiligenkreuz Abbey

The Cistercian monastery of Heiligenkreuz is located in Austria and currently has almost 100 monks, the largest number of members since its foundation.

Fritz Brunthaler-March 9, 2024-Reading time: 9 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsChristoph OhlyRatzinger is one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church".

Located 20 kilometers south of Vienna in the beautiful Wienerwald, the Cistercian monastery of Heiligenkreuz takes its name from the hand-sized relic of the Cross, which has been in the monastery since 1188. A monastery like any other, or maybe not? The Cistercians of Heiligenkreuz: monks like everyone else, or not? While the number of religious vocations in Europe has been declining for decades, monasteries are dissolving and religious provinces are merging, Heiligenkreuz is booming: with almost 100 monks, it has the largest number of members since its foundation in 1133. As in the past, Heiligenkreuz also "exports" monks today: in addition to Neukloster, which is very close to the monastery and belonged to Heiligenkreuz already in the 19th century, a Heiligenkreuz priory was founded in Stiepel in Bochum in the Ruhr region in 1988 and another in Neuzelle near Germany's border with Poland in 2018. How can this be explained?

We asked the abbot of the monastery, Maximilian Heim:

While the number of religious vocations has been declining in Europe for decades, Heiligenkreuz is on the rise. Is this perhaps explained by the deep Cistercian spirituality, or what do you think it is due to?

The development of monasteries and religious orders in our multicultural society is often very different. It would be unfair to make comparisons, because they all deserve appreciation. Moreover, we should not think in terms of success and failure in relation to monasteries, since vocations are not an administrative matter. Ultimately, they are an undeserved grace that we cannot create ourselves. Every young man who comes to us is a call for us to give him the freedom to examine his vocation or to have it examined. That's why, in many vocation interviews, when someone asks what requirements they need to meet, I say with a wink, "That you can go!" It is important to see a possible vocation as a preference over other possibilities, because love can only grow in a free decision. Through it community life is built, and in concrete terms this means through prayer, work, spiritual reading, support and mutual coping. Those who live their religious life with authenticity infect others and act as a magnet. In fact, one of the reasons for our growth is the young face of our almost 900-year-old monastery. Whoever comes to Heiligenkreuz experiences nothing dull, but a community that has remained young with a healthy range of ages.

A typical Austrian tradition is that the religious are also parish priests. Heiligenkreuz Abbey takes care of 23 parishes in the surrounding area. How is parish ministry integrated into the monastery's operations?

The parishes have been part of the Austrian abbeys for centuries. We face the same problems as the rest of the parishes, especially with regard to pastoral work: decreasing ecclesial awareness, shrinking congregations, people leaving the church, ... It is not easy to find the right answers to these changes in the Church and society. For monks it remains a challenge to combine pastoral and community life in the monastery. The ideal I have in mind as abbot (taking care of monastic parishes mainly from the monastic centers) is only partially successful in the old monasteries with their incorporated parishes. I also see it rather problematic for Austrian abbeys that most of their priests live in the parishes and not in the abbey. This may make the first task of a monastery, i.e. the "work of God", celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours in community, more and more difficult.

However, I would never want to do without pastoral work in the parishes. It is not an obstacle, but a door to enter into contact with people in search of our time, especially through religious education. Decades ago there were still enough teachers of religious education, but today, as with other pastoral professions, the willingness of the laity to stand up for the Gospel in the Church and in the world is decreasing. Therefore, in Heiligenkreuz we receive more and more questions from school authorities as to whether, due to this shortage, we could provide even more religious education teachers. Ideally, in these troubled times, monasteries should become more and more centers of faith and missionary pastoral care.

How do you explain the attraction of Heiligenkreuz to young people?

For almost three decades now, the Youth Vigil has become the driving force of the regional youth ministry in Heiligenkreuz. Every Sacred Heart Friday, 150 to 250 enthusiastic young people gather to praise God, listen to his word, adore him in the Eucharist and reconcile with God and each other in confession. It is like a basic course in the Catholic faith that allows them to experience religious practice.

The Youth Vigil was undoubtedly also the fruit of the World Youth Days initiated by St. John Paul II. We were also helped by the missionary enthusiasm of our Father Karl Wallner OCist, who later became rector of our university and is now the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. He recognized how necessary it is to put social media at the service of the proclamation of the faith and to establish faith networks that can grow independently.

Getting close to the young people personally remains crucial. That is why we regularly invite them to "Monasteries for a Time" (Kloster auf Zeit), with individual support. The Benedictine principle of preferring nothing to religious services is a valuable experience for many. We also offer other programs, such as the aforementioned monthly Youth Vigil, alternative New Year's Eve celebrations, Holy Week and Easter liturgies, Eucharistic adoration, rosary prayers, accompaniment of pilgrimages and sports spiritual weeks, hiking retreats... Our choral prayer in Gregorian chant is a gateway to faith and contemplation for many people, not only young people.

The Heiligenkreuz Faculty of Theology has 300 students. How important are the university and the students for Heiligenkreuz Abbey?

Teaching, research and the concrete practice of faith are always interrelated at our university of philosophy and theology ("kneeling theology"). Our university has more than 220 years of history and is naturally also nourished by exchanges with other academic institutions. In 1975, ten years after the Second Vatican Council, we opened our university to diocesan candidates for the priesthood and to students from other religious orders. The political change of 1989/90 brought more religious students and candidates for the priesthood from the former Eastern Bloc to Heiligenkreuz. Today, the interdiocesan seminary Leopoldinum welcomes European candidates for the priesthood as well as candidates from Africa, Latin America and Asia studying in Heiligenkreuz. This means that on our university campus you meet a part of the universal Church every day.

Our university is committed to the Magisterium of the Church. We regard this ecclesiastical commitment as a source of inspiration for teaching and research. It was therefore a highlight in the history of our monastery when Benedict XVI visited Heiligenkreuz and its university in 2007 as successor of St. Peter and gave us permission to baptize our university with his name: "Benedict XVI Heiligenkreuz Faculty of Theology".

The monastery is actually called "Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Cross". "The Cistercians are completely Marian", one can read in the web pageHow does this manifest itself in Heiligenkreuz?

During the aforementioned papal visit in 2007, Benedict XVI said: "The Marian fire of St. Bernard of Clairvaux shines among you... Where Mary is, there is the Pentecostal stirring of the Holy Spirit, there is awakening and authentic renewal". One of the reasons why many of us enter Heiligenkreuz is our love for Our Lady. At every choir prayer we greet her with a Marian antiphon; for decades we have (voluntarily) prayed the rosary daily before the exposed Blessed Sacrament to contemplate the life of Jesus Christ through Mary's eyes. Our Marian devotion is not artificial, but has arisen from a healthy popular piety, which our Pope Francis in particular considers an important key to the faith of the Church.

What do you think of the near future, "in Heiligenkreuz and from Heiligenkreuz": can the abbey contribute to a consolidation or something like a new rise of the Church in Austria?

Monasteries in Austria have been centers of culture in our country for centuries. However, they have become so because their first task, namely worship, i.e. the worship of God, is the foundation of their work. Especially in our times of crisis, in which faith and the life of the Church according to the Gospel are increasingly fading away, living monasteries can fulfill the prophetic and missionary task of remaining or becoming oases of faith, hope and love. At the same time, they are places of education, since monasteries have always been places where religious, monastic, musical, economic and artistic education has been promoted. Today, Heiligenkreuz is also a pioneer in the online presence of the Church on the Internet thanks to the university's media campus. Here, future priests, religious and students can learn how to use the media professionally. With "Studio 1133", the Heiligenkreuz University of Applied Sciences has a contemporary media center for video and audio formats that are used for missionary purposes for the new evangelization on television, radio and the Internet.

In a changing society and a changing Church, in which ecclesiastical faith is increasingly waning, it is important to understand living monasteries, not only in Austria, but throughout the Western world, as spiritual centers and oases in the desert of a disoriented time, where the springs of faith are tapped, from which we can drink with joy. In this way, monasteries today can also become beacons of faith, which on the one hand point to our ultimate destiny, to our home with God, and on the other guide us in the midst of the fog of our time by the paschal light, the "light of Christ," which overcomes the night of death and shines for believers as the "true morning star that never sets."

The university

The Faculty of Philosophy and Theology was annexed to the monastery in 1802 or, to be more precise, it began as the monastery's school-house for internal training in the Cistercian order. It proudly bears the name "Benedict XVI" because Pope Benedict XVI - who had already visited Heiligenkreuz as a cardinal in 1988 - was there during his visit to Austria in 2007 and also awarded it the title "University of Pontifical Right". In 2015, the university building right next to the monastery was expanded into a modern university campus with the help of donations. Most of the current 300 or so students are religious and candidates for the priesthood, making the university the largest training center for priests in the German-speaking world. It is financed by donations and the professors teach without salary.

The university makes Heiligenkreuz a center of theological scholarship and priestly life. This is reflected, on the one hand, in the image of the people who attend the midday prayers of the monks or gather comfortably in the abbey courtyard: young people, seminarians, men and women religious. But there are also listeners at the altar of the hospice. And on the other hand, there is a wide variety of activities, such as specialized lectures on the theology of Pope Benedict, courses on "Theology of the Body", or seminars on metaphysics with prominent speakers.

– Supernatural Vigilia of the Joung

The Youth Vigil, the first Friday of each month, is a real "feast": an intense evening of praise, supplication, thanksgiving, rosary... and lots of lively singing. Between 150 and 200 young people, sometimes as many as 300, come to the Kreuzkirche of the monastery, where the evening begins with a piece of Gregorian chant, in Latin! Throughout the evening, the young people have the opportunity to go to confession, and lines often form in front of the confessionals. The highlight is the procession to the medieval abbey church, where there is singing, recitation of the rosary and reading of a story about a life situation of the young people, interpreted from the perspective of faith. The vigil ends with Eucharistic adoration, followed by a cozy get-together with pretzels and apple juice. Some come from more than 50 kilometers away, others stay overnight at the monastery. Adults may only attend with the express permission of the organizers, so that a truly "young" atmosphere can develop. On the Internet one can read the following: "The youth vigil is an opportunity for young people to experience the Church and the faith authentically and convincingly, and above all with other young people, so that they may come to know and love God and Jesus and find the courage to follow their own path as Christians in our time". In addition: "At the youth vigil, many have already felt the impulse of a possible spiritual vocation. Boys have fallen in love with girls and vice versa, and many marriages and families that are happy today began or deepened their relationship at the Youth Vigil".

The sensational CD "Chant - Music for Paradise"

Following St. Benedict's motto "Ora et labora" ("Pray and work"), the monks of Heiligenkreuz have been praying the Latin "choral prayer" together for almost 900 years in the form of Gregorian chant, which dates back to St. Gregory the Great (died 604). "Gregorian chant is a form of biblical meditation, a sacred music of sung prayer," says the monastery's website. Its appeal, especially for us in the 21st century, comes from the harmony between the voices and its ancient melodies, and has been recorded on the CD "Chant - Music for Paradise": like the monks of the Spanish monastery of Silos, an English music company produced a CD of Gregorian chant with the Cistercians of Heiligenkreuz in 2008. With more than 1.1 million CDs sold, platinum and gold records in several European countries, it was a great success that the monks had never expected. All proceeds were donated to Third World priests studying at Heiligenkreuz. The project brought great joy to the monastery, because the monks sing for the glory of God, but they also bring a lot of joy to people and do a lot of good. As a result, two more CDs with Gregorian chants of the monks of Heiligenkreuz were released in 2012: "Chant - Stabat Mater" and "Chant Amor et Passio".

The authorFritz Brunthaler

Austria

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United States

Migration in the United States, a drama turned into electoral rhetoric

While immigration election rhetoric from the presidential candidates continues to fill the headlines, the immigration issue in the United States remains unresolved.

Gonzalo Meza-March 9, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsEquality and migration, in the American spotlight

On February 29, the virtual presidential candidates, Joe Biden of the Democratic Party and Donald Trump, visited the southern border of the country. They were in the same state, in two distant Texas cities: Biden in Brownsville and Trump in Eagle Pass. Their trip was not coincidental. Immigration rhetoric will be a decisive issue in the upcoming November 2024 presidential election. According to a February Gallup poll, for Americans, immigration is the most important issue in the United States right now, surpassing the economy, inflation and government.

After the lifting of immigration restrictions imposed by the pandemic, undocumented immigration to the United States has increased by about United States has continued to increase, and although various immigration restrictions were imposed during President Trump's administration, including on asylum seekers, the Biden administration ended many of these policies. As a result, undocumented migration spilled over, giving the impression that U.S. border controls were insufficient.

Searching for solutions

To alleviate this situation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that included, among other things, the closing of the border when the flow of undocumented immigrants "exceeds" the system's capacity; the bill also included expedited access to grant work permits to asylum seekers; this initiative proposed to grant emergency funds to combat smuggling, drug trafficking and border security. Unfortunately, when it reached the Senate it failed due to the refusal of Republican senators.

While the immigration election rhetoric by both candidates continues to fill the front pages and be the center of media attention, the immigration issue remains unresolved, affecting not only the thousands of people living on the border and the immigrants themselves, but also Catholic residences that provide support to migrants and refugees on the border, such as the "Annunciation House" in El Paso. In an attempt to "control" and stop the flow of migrants in Texas, the Attorney General of that state, Ken Paxton, has just filed a lawsuit against the House accusing it of human trafficking and encouraging "illegal immigration". The prosecutor is requesting the closure of the facility.

Serving Christ in migrants

In response to this demand, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso expressed his support for Annunciation House on February 23. The work of this institution, he said, "is an example of our Catholic commitment to the poor and love of neighbor. Our church, our city and our country owe a great debt to the House."

In his remarks, Bishop Seitz defended the immigrants: "I know the guests of the Casa. I have seen many trapped on the other side of the border, others died trying to cross. I have experienced their pain, suffering and hope. This is about lives and shared human dignity. This is not about politics," Seitz said, adding, "We will not be intimidated in our work to serve Jesus Christ, present in our brothers and sisters fleeing danger and seeking to keep their families together. We will not give up the identity that defines our borders: choosing compassion over indifference, fraternity over division and hope over hatred." The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops and the nation's bishops endorsed his statements and expressed solidarity.

In a statement issued Feb. 26, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty of the United States Conference of Catholic BishopsHe expressed support for Catholic ministries to migrants and noted the need to protect religious freedom: "We must preserve the freedom of Catholics to help their communities meet the basic human needs of migrants. I join my brother bishops in the state of Texas in expressing solidarity with those who simply seek to fulfill the fundamental biblical call: 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brethren, you did for me,'" Bishop Rhoades said.

This legal battle will continue in Texas courts in the coming days. In the past, U.S. Attorney Paxton's administration has filed several lawsuits against President Biden's immigration policies. Some of their cases have reached the Supreme Court which has ruled reaffirming the legal precedent that the federal government, not the state government, has exclusive jurisdiction over immigration issues.

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Spain

García Magán: "The possibility of a visit from the Pope is there, but we don't know more".

The plenary assembly of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, focused on the renewal of positions and the work against abuses, is coming to an end.

Maria José Atienza-March 8, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsSpanish bishops elect Luis Argüello as president

The Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Francisco César García Magán, has explained the work carried out by the Spanish bishops in what has been the 124 Plenary Assembly from which a new government team emerges.

The election of the main positions of the Episcopal Conference as well as the work on the prevention of abuse and the pastoral care of migrants were the "highlights" of the last assembly of all the Spanish bishops, which took place from March 4 to 8.

The bishops' spokesman began the press conference by stressing that "We are all in this life thanks to the work of a woman," in reference to the International Day of Working Women, which is celebrated on March 8. García Magán wanted to make "grateful memory to many women of our life".

Comprehensive reparation plan for victims of abuse

Beyond the "chapter of appointments" which, in fact, has centered the 50% of the Plenary, the Secretary General of the EEC wanted to highlight the approval of "the principles of the plan of integral reparation for victims of sexual abuse in the ecclesiastical sphere". This is a first step "from which will emanate the general norms to be applied in cases of reparation".

In addition to the observations of the bishops and the ideas contained in the Message to the People of God of the Plenary, these principles include indications from the Episcopal Council for Legal Affairs and the compliance body of the Episcopal Conference.

When asked about the lengthy time this work is taking, the secretary of the Spanish bishops said that it is a complicated job and that "indeed, to do it well, it takes more time than desired".

According to the Press Release distributed by the EEC at the end of this conference, this plan "is aimed at preventing cases of abuse of minors from happening again. At the same time, it proposes how to offer the victims an integral and adequate reparation, responding to the demand that each particular case requires".  

One of the most striking data in relation to the task of prevention and reparation of sexual abuse within the Church has been the new testimonies of 155 people who had suffered abuse from the 1940s to the present day and that the offices of care and reception have been receiving throughout 2023.

When asked about the data in this report, the Spanish Episcopal Conference pointed out that "the report incorporates the cases as they arrive" as well as corrections that have been made.

The secretary of the bishops emphasized that "the work of formation is the axis of the prevention of abuse that the Church is developing". And in this sense, he highlighted the more than 250,000 people who have received training for the prevention of abuse.

A pastoral care for the reception and integration of migrants

Another topic discussed was the pastoral care of migrants. The bishops were introduced to the text of a pastoral exhortation: "Welcoming and Missionary Communities. Pastoral exhortation on the identity and framework of the Pastoral with migrants".

The document, which is still being studied by the bishops, "provides a transversal approach" and "proposes a pastoral pedagogy more focused on networking and projects. It also offers guidelines, keys to transformation and a set of up to 42 proposals and good practices".

The future of Spanish seminaries

Another topic discussed was the creation of an "ad hoc Commission, made up of eight rectors from different areas, to continue working" on the document "Criteria for the updating of initial priestly formation in the Major Seminaries of the particular Churches that make up the Spanish Episcopal Conference", which was delivered to the bishops in Rome last November and which directly concerns the development of the seminaries. seminars Spanish diocesans, their "viability" and future.

Regarding a possible visit of the Pope, Magán pointed out that "the bishops of the Canary Islands presented this possibility and the Pope welcomed it with interest, but we do not know more".

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  • Fernando F. Sánchez Campos: "Padre Pío is my friend, I talk to him constantly".
Evangelization

Fernando F. Sánchez Campos: "Padre Pío is my friend, I talk to him constantly".

The healing of his son, who was born with severe heart disease, was the turning point in Fernando Sanchez Campos' relationship with Padre Pio.

Maria José Atienza-March 8, 2024-Reading time: 6 minutes

Fernando Felipe Sánchez Campos is the Rector of the Catholic University of Costa Rica. He has been a member of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, Costa Rican Ambassador to the Holy See and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Rome.

But, above all, this Catholic of firm convictions, father of two children and husband of Milagro, is a friend of Padre Pio.

Like friendship defines his relationship with the saint of Pieltrecina who, as he recounts in "A spiritual son is born.", edited by St. Paul, was born after various signs that led him to see the hand of God, through the intercession of this saint, at various serious moments in his family.

The healing of his son Fernando, who was born with a severe heart condition, a highly responsive atrial flutter, was the definitive call for his parents to "connect the dots" and Padre Pio became part of this family.

Fernando Felipe Sanchez Campos spoke to Omnes about his book, his family and Padre Pio's assignment for this Costa Rican.

How did you come to this relationship with Padre Pio?

- Even before I really knew Padre Pio, there were signs that at first attracted my attention, because they were very strong. I remember very well a dream in which I spoke with a Capuchin friar with a beard, but at that time I did not identify him as Padre Pio, because I did not know him, and I did not even know Italian. Later I was given a book of Padre Pio and I recognized that friar, but I didn't read it then, it stayed on the shelf.

The strongest call came when my wife became pregnant. At that time I was a member of the Costa Rican Parliament. She came to tell me and I proposed to go to the first church we could find to bless the womb. I didn't want it to be our parish because, after 7 years of waiting, I didn't want a lot of "publicity". Well, that first church we found was dedicated to Padre Pio. The pastor, after blessing the womb in front of the Blessed Sacrament, encouraged us to ask for the intercession of the patron saint of the parish. I said yes - without knowing who he was talking about - and it turned out to be Padre Pio.

It was then that I connected everything: the dream, the book... "It seems that this saint wants something with me", I thought... and I realized that I had not been listening well. That's when the study of his life began.

What strikes you most about Padre Pio's life?

- When you learn about Padre Pio's life and all the charisms he received - which I believe he had practically all of them - it is very striking and interesting. But I think that stronger than all that is his testimony. I believe that the saints "choose us", that the Lord sends us the saint we need for each one of us. If he sent me this super saint to be my guide, God expects something by sending him to me. This reality challenges you, because we are talking about a life dedicated to holiness, of giving oneself to others, of being a witness, of living holiness in spite of trials.

Benedict XVI himself told me when I presented him with my credentials and asked to meet the "miracle" child, he told me to choose a saint - I had already chosen one - so that I could pray and see that everything that happens to you is nothing compared to what they lived through. Of course he was right.

How do you define your relationship with Padre Pio?

- He is my friend. I see him as my personal friend. I talk to him all the time and he constantly keeps giving me signs. Signs that I understand better and better, especially when something disturbs or disturbs me or I have asked him to intercede. For example, I always find somewhere a number 23 (Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968).

I think you have to have an open heart to understand these signs, because the Lord and the saints are constantly speaking to us. On other occasions, it has happened to me that I have had doubts about whether what I was doing was going the right way, what do I know... I arrived at the hotel and room 23!

What's more, it has even happened to me that, in a hard moment of tribulation, someone reminds me of something that I wrote in the book and that I no longer remembered.

The whole family has this relationship of friendship with Padre Pio. Fernando's son, from a very young age, sees him as someone very close to him. Even when he was only four years old, at school in Italy, they spoke to him one day about the saints and he wanted to tell his "story" with Padre Pio.

And her daughter's name is María Pía

- Yes, exactly. The story of his name was very nice, because it was born very naturally. When the whole problem with Fernando and Padre Pio's intercession happened, I wrote what happened, not to publish it but to get it off my chest.

When he was healed, we went to San Giovanni Rotondo to fulfill the promise we had made. I remember that I wanted to tell the guardian of the convent what had happened. Since I could not speak without getting emotional, I had the whole story written down.

I lined up at the confessional and when it was my turn I told him "Fray Carlos, the first thing I have to confess is that I am not here to confess but to give you this" (the story). I gave it to him and the next day he took us to Pieltrecina and told me that he wanted to meet Fernando's son, who was then very young, and publish an extract of the story in the Voice of Padre Piothe sanctuary's magazine.

When we returned years later, my wife was pregnant for the second time. No one knew and we wanted him to make the announcement. Fray Carlos agreed, but asked me "What is the child going to be called?". We had not yet decided on the name and he said, "Well, that's easy! She is going to be called Maria Pia". Somehow it was Friar Carlo Maria Laborde who chose my daughter's name. We agreed immediately.

Padre Pio among the faithful ©Wikimedia Commons

In the book, you include numerous quotes from Padre Pio. Which one touched your heart the most?

-Several. There is one, very well known: "Pray, wait and don't worry." that I always keep in mind. Another one that I remember a lot is "Trials are the jewels that hang around the necks of the souls that God loves most." There are many phrases that, at one time or another, have deeply touched my heart. I also like very much the sense of humor that Padre Pio had. Although it has been said that he was "angry", it was because of the constant pain that the stigmata caused him and that many people "literally threw themselves at him". But he had a very good sense of humor and did not take himself too seriously. He took what he did very seriously, but not himself. I think that testimony is very valuable.

I remember a very nice anecdote, which I tell in detail in the book. When I presented my credentials to Benedict XVI, I had about 10 minutes to talk to the Pope. I informed him of the "official" matters and almost at the end I said "Holy Father, now I want to talk to you about me". The Pope said yes, asked the others to leave and we were able to talk about many things for more than half an hour. In that conversation, Benedict XVI asked me to see the "miracle child". We went out and after he blessed us all: staff, family and spent a few minutes with us, when we left, Fernando, who was three years old at the time, told me with a start that he had not said goodbye to the Pope, he let go of my hand and ran to the Pope's office, a photographer from L'Osservatore Romano came running after him. A few minutes later they came out and told us that he had gone to say goodbye to the Pope. This photographer took some beautiful pictures of them, which we have as a souvenir. From that day on, Benedict XVI always asked me about "the little ambassador".  

You say that the saint sought you out, but what assignment does Padre Pio give you?

- At the age of 50, I am now at a point in my life where I am looking back. I have realized that, for some reason, I have had to assume great responsibilities at a young age and at critical moments for each institution I have worked for.

I was a deputy of the Republic of Costa Rica at the age of 32. A few years later I was Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican), to the Sovereign Order of Malta, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations agencies in Rome. In fact, I remember the first time we arrived at St. Peter's Basilica for an event. My wife and I sat in the ambassadors' place and some guards told us "Come on, take your picture and get out because they are going to throw you out" (laughs).

When we arrived in Rome, the embassy was in tatters. It was an embassy without influence. There was not a single cooperation agreement in more than 165 years of diplomatic representation. We began to work and, in those years, agreements were signed, for example, with the hospital of San Giovanni Rotondo, the Virgin of the Angels was enthroned in the pontifical parish of Saint Anne and we experienced the canonization of Saint John Paul II, which was possible thanks to the miracle of the healing of Floribeth Mora Diaz, a Costa Rican woman. We became one of the busiest embassies in Rome.

After this stage, I was entrusted with the Catholic University of Costa Rica. When I arrived I was in a complicated situation and we have been solving various issues.

Somehow, I believe that the Lord leads me to places of responsibility so that I seek to restore them. And I go with the basis in prayer and in working very hard to get things going. I know that without the spiritual strength I would not have taken on any of the three, because it was not the right time, but the Lord does not choose those who are qualified, but rather he qualifies those he calls.

A spiritual son is born

AuthorFernando F. Sánchez Campos
EditorialSt. Paul's
CollectionWitnesses
Pages: 244
Year: 2021
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The Vatican

"We are all called to know the impact of abuse," pope says

Pope Francis received in audience this morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, on the occasion of their plenary assembly.

Loreto Rios-March 7, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated News"Tutela Minorum" consults on child protection measures.Related NewsCelso Morga: "We are committed to eradicating child abuse".

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, presided over by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, was constituted by Pope Francis on March 22, 2014 and, as of June 5, 2022, is part of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In its this morning's speechread by Archbishop Pierluigi Giroli, the Pope recalled that dedicating oneself to "attending to the needs of the poor and the needy". victims of abuse is a courageous vocation, which is born from the heart of the Church and helps it to purify itself and to grow".

Francis also encouraged the members of the Commission to "continue in this service, in a team spirit: building bridges and collaborating so that your attention to others may be more effective".

The Holy Father also referred to the Annual Report on Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in the Church, which gathers the conclusions of a survey sent to all the bishops' conferences of the world, recalling that "it should not be just another document, but help us to better understand the work that still lies ahead of us."

On the other hand, Francis indicated that "in the face of the scandal of abuse and the suffering of the victims, we can become discouraged, because the challenge of rebuilding the fabric of broken lives and healing the pain is great and complex". However, "our commitment must not falter; indeed, I encourage you to continue to move forward, so that the Church may always and everywhere be a place where everyone can feel at home and every person is considered sacred."

Imitating Jesus

The Pope pointed out that, to achieve this goal and "to live this service well, we must make our own the sentiments of Christ: his compassion, his way of touching the wounds of humanity, his Heart pierced with love for us. Jesus is the One who made himself close to us; in his flesh, God the Father drew near to us beyond all limits and, in this way, shows us that he is not far from our needs and concerns.

Because Jesus "takes upon himself our sufferings and bears our wounds, as stated in the fourth poem of the Suffering Servant in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah". Francis invited us to imitate Christ's example: "Let us also learn this: we cannot help others to carry their burdens without putting them on our shoulders, without practicing closeness and compassion.

Therefore, "closeness to the victims of abuse is not an abstract concept: it is a very concrete reality, made up of listening, intervention, prevention and help. We are all called - especially the ecclesiastical authorities - to know directly the impact of abuse and to allow ourselves to be moved by the suffering of the victims, listening directly to their voice and practicing that closeness which, through concrete choices, lifts them up, helps them and prepares a different future for everyone."

Moreover, the Holy Father stressed that it is important to avoid "that these brothers and sisters are not welcomed and listened to, because this can greatly aggravate their suffering. It is necessary to take care of them with a personal commitment, just as it is necessary that this be carried out with the help of competent collaborators."

At the same time, the Pope thanked the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors for its work in "accompanying victims and survivors. Much of this service is carried out in a confidential manner, as it should be out of respect for individuals. But, at the same time, its fruits must be made visible: people must know and see the work you do in accompanying the pastoral care of the local churches. Your closeness to the authorities of the local Churches will strengthen them when it comes to sharing good practices and verifying the adequacy of the measures that have been put in place".

"Memorare", preventing and repairing abuses

Francis also recalled the "Memorare" initiative, defined by Vatican News as "a project of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors that began in 2023 to assist and work, together with local churches around the world, in formation and training in prevention and protection of children and vulnerable adults. This assistance focuses on three areas: the accompaniment of victims and survivors, the implementation of prevention policies through the development of guidelines and codes of conduct, and the appropriate and timely response to any allegations of abuse in accordance with Church law".

In his address this morning, the Pope said that "service to the local churches is already bearing great fruit and I am encouraged to see how the 'Memorare' initiative is taking shape, in cooperation with the churches in so many countries around the world. This is a very concrete way for the commission to show its closeness to the authorities of these churches, while at the same time strengthening existing preservation efforts. Over time, this will create a network of solidarity with the victims and with those who promote their rights, especially where resources and expertise are scarce."

In closing, the Pope indicated that the Commission's comments "will move us in the right direction, so that the Church will continue to commit herself with all her strength to the prevention of abuse, to her firm condemnation of abuse, to the compassionate care of victims and to the ongoing commitment to be a hospitable and safe place," and he thanked the "perseverance" and "the witness of hope" that the members of the commission offer. As usual, the Pope concluded his speech by asking for prayers for him.

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RelatedRelated News"Tutela Minorum" consults on child protection measures.Related NewsCelso Morga: "We are committed to eradicating child abuse".
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ColumnistsSantiago Leyra Curiá

Leen, Einstein, Girard and Ratzinger

This article reviews some common points in the thoughts of Edward Leen, René Girard, Joseph Ratzinger and Albert Einstein.

March 7, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes
RelatedRelated News"Ratzinger's theology is symphonic," says Pablo Blanco

The Irish religious Edward Leen (1885-1944) published, in 1938, his work "Why the Cross", where he makes a series of reflections on God, the intimacy of Jesus Christ and the meaning of his action in history.

A good understanding of Christianity will help the human being to recover the sense of happiness. God does not demand unhappiness in this life as the price of happiness in the afterlife, in eternal life. In reality, human life is an unbroken line that begins at birth and never ends.

If the human being will be fully happy when he reaches Heaven, it will not be possible for him to attain happiness on earth unless he can anticipate in time the conditions of the eternally happy life.

Later, the scientist Albert Einstein, in a 1953 work, translated in Spain in 1980 under the title "My Ideas and Opinions", wrote, wrote that "in the laws of nature such a superior intelligence manifests itself, that in the face of it the most significant of human thinking and ordering is a completely futile flash.".

The French anthropologist and philosopher René Girard (1923-2015) published his book "La violence et le sacré" in 1972.. In it he confronts those who say: "But isn't the Bible full of violence? Isn't it God, the Lord of hosts, who orders the extermination of entire cities?

If that objection had been addressed to Jesus, He would probably have answered what He answered about divorce: "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses has permitted you to put away your wives, but in the beginning it was not so" (Mt 19:8).

Indeed, the first chapter of Genesis presents us with a world in which violence is unthinkable either among humans or between humans and animals. But later, in the books of the Old Testament, the death penalty at least seeks to channel and contain violence so that it does not degenerate into individual caprice and men do not destroy each other (R. Girard, "Des choses cachées depuis la fondation du monde", 1978).

St. Paul spoke of a past time, characterized by the "forbearance of God." (Rom 3:25). Indeed, God tolerated violence, polygamy, divorce and so many other things, but he was educating the people toward a time when his original plan would be exalted once again. That time came with Jesus, who said: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, offer him the other also... Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt 5:38-39, 43-44). Jesus' sermon, which he delivered on a hill in Galilee, was consummated on Mount Calvary.

According to R. Girard ("La violence et le sacré", 1972, and "Il sacrificio", 2004), At the origin of all religion is the sacrifice that entails destruction and death. But Jesus broke the mechanism that sacralized violence, making himself an innocent victim. Christ did not make a sacrifice with the blood of another, but with his own. "On the tree he bore our sins in his body." (1 Pet 2:24).

Jesus has defeated unjust violence by laying bare all its injustice. It was seeing him the way he died, that the Roman centurion exclaimed, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mk 15:39). The centurion, an expert in combat, recognized that the cry Jesus uttered at his death (Mk 15:37) was a cry of victory.

In the second century, Bishop Meliton of Sardis, in his work "On Easter", He recalled: "The old has been replaced by the new, the law by grace, the figure by reality, the lamb by the Son, man by God".

As early as 1968, the then Cardinal Ratzinger published his "Introduction to Christianity".. In this work, he starts from a truism, the fact that "God is essentially invisible.".

"In his seeing, hearing and understanding, man does not contemplate the totality of what concerns him.". To believe, to have faith from the human point of view, "is an option by which the One who is not seen (...) is not considered as unreal but as authentically real, as that which sustains and makes possible all the remaining reality (...).

Christian faith does not simply deal (...) with the Eternal (...) which remains outside the world and human time, but rather with God in history, with God as man. The peculiar note of the event of faith is the positive character of what comes to me and opens me to what I cannot give myself.

Christian faith is much more than a choice in favor of the spiritual foundation of the world. Its key statement does not say 'I believe in something', but 'I believe in You'.

God only wants to come to men through men (...); there are very few who can have an immediate religious experience. The intermediary, the founder, the witness or the prophet (...) capable of direct contact with the divine, are always an exception.

In God there is a we (...): 'Let us make man' (Gen. 1:26). But there is also an I and a you (...): 'The Lord said to my Lord' (Ps 110:1) and in the dialogue of Jesus with the Father (...): in the one and indivisible God there is the phenomenon of dialogue, of the relationship (...) between the three Persons in God.

In the same way, man is fully himself (...) when he is not closed in on himself (...) when he is pure openness to God (...) Man only comes to himself when he goes out of himself. He only reaches himself through others".

In the Encyclical Letter "Spe salvi", On November 30, 2007, Benedict XVI said: "In him, the Crucified One (...) God reveals his face precisely in the figure of (...) this innocent one who suffers (...).

God knows how to create justice in a way that we are not able to conceive. Yes, there is the resurrection of the flesh. There is justice. There is the 'reversal' of past suffering, the reparation that restores the right (...) the question of justice is the essential argument or, at any rate, the strongest argument in favor of faith in eternal life (...).

Protest against God in the name of justice is worthless. A world without God is a world without hope. Only God can create justice. And faith gives us this certainty (...). The image of the Last Judgment (...) is perhaps for us the decisive image of hope".

The authorSantiago Leyra Curiá

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The Vatican

Spirituality and moral values of young people: an international study from Rome.

The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome has conducted a worldwide survey in recent months that has examined the values, hopes and religious inclinations of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 in eight countries.

Giovanni Tridente-March 7, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes

A worldwide survey conducted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Crossin collaboration with seven other universities and the Spanish agency GAD3, has examined the values, hopes and religious inclinations of young people aged 18-29 in eight different countries. 

The results, which were presented on February 29 at the Santa Cruz of Rome, offer an in-depth look at the state of religiosity and faith among young people, highlighting a growing interest in spirituality around the world. The project to explore the faith and values of young people around the world was born within a new international and interdisciplinary research group that was established a few months ago at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross under the name of Footprints. Young People: Expectations, Ideals, Beliefs, with the aim of creating a platform for continuous listening to the expectations and hopes of the youngest segment of the population.

Returning to the survey - in which 4,889 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Spain, the Philippines, Italy, Kenya, Mexico and the United Kingdom participated - it emerges that interest in spirituality is an important element in the lives of the younger generations, with 83 % of the participants stating that this presence has increased or remained unchanged compared to the previous five years. 

This is especially significant in countries such as Kenya, the Philippines and Brazil, where a considerable number of young people identify themselves as believers and recognize a religious experience in their lives.

Faith and spiritual life

The faith of young believers goes beyond traditional religious practices, which influences their opinions on moral issues. In addition, it is observed that conscience is considered a determining factor of what is right or wrong for the majority of respondents (67 %). This conviction increases among those who acknowledge the presence of faith in their lives (71 %).  

This does not exclude certain contradictions, as seen for example in Spain, where many recognize the role of conscience in justice (42 %), but a larger number (49 %) support the idea of conscientious objection. There is also a paradox in Italy, where 70 % of respondents are in favor of self-awareness, while 52 % oppose its "objection".

Social issues

On social issues, both believers and atheists consider war unjustifiable, although 25 % of the sample believe that there may be reasons that justify it. It is not excluded that such a stance may have been influenced by current international conflicts, such as those in the Ukraine and the Ukraine. Israel-Palestine.

There is also a common concern between believers and atheists about political corruption and environmental problems, with differing opinions on issues such as pornography and surrogacy, where non-believers are more likely to admit them, just as they are less opposed than their believing peers to the death penalty.

There is considerable agreement between Catholics and non-Catholics on the effect of contraceptives on intimate relationships (39 % and 38 % respectively believe they decrease the quality of the relationship) and a common opposition to the legalization of prostitution, with 70 % of both groups against.

Evidently, differences emerge in the behavior of young people according to the countries to which they belong. The research conducted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and GAD3 classified the eight countries analyzed by "similarities", revealing four groups of results.

Kenya, Philippines and Brazil

In first place among the "countries with a strong religious identity" are Kenya, the Philippines and Brazil, which show that religion is lived with intense devotion. Specifically, in the Philippines, Catholicism predominates (67 %), while in Kenya there is a higher proportion of other religions (71 % versus 26 % of Catholics); in Brazil, Evangelicals are the main group (31 %), while Catholicism is in second place. 

Although the three countries do not share a predominant religion, they show similar attitudes toward religion, social issues and moral law. A significant portion of young people identify themselves as believers and recognize increasing spirituality as they grow older (57 %).

Spain and Italy

Spain and Italy are listed as "secularizing countries"The percentage of young people who identify themselves as believers is lower (35 % and 42 %). However, those who declare themselves believers demonstrate a more deeply rooted faith: a Catholic minority, in short, where 60 % of respondents say they attend Mass at least once a month and emphasize the great importance of the Eucharist in their lives (33 %).

In addition, among Catholics in Spain and Italy there is a high percentage of people who trust in the interpretation of Scripture guided by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church (33 % and 35 %). 

Mexico and Argentina

Mexico and Argentina are in an intermediate position, with trends that bring them closer to countries such as Spain and Italy. Mexico stands out with a higher percentage of believers (71 %), followed by Argentina (51 %), but both countries show a lower commitment to religious practice. In fact, mass attendance is 39 % and 61 %, respectively.

United Kingdom

As a unique case, the research highlights the United Kingdom, no doubt because of its Anglican heritage. 48 % of young people identify themselves as believers, 88 % of young Britons say they pray several times a week, while 68 % attend Mass at least once a month.

The study of the Santa Croce also highlights many other facts, such as the differences between atheists and/or agnostics, and between believers and Catholics, which reveal a complex and diverse picture of young people's beliefs and concerns in a time of rapid and often turbulent change. 

However, the growing interest in spirituality, gender differences in religious practices and divergences on social issues between those who believe and those who do not reflect a lively dynamic of interaction between faith, ethics and social perspectives among younger generations, demonstrating that they continue to have a voice in society and are still willing to be heard.

– Supernatural Santa Cruz invests in research

As mentioned above, the global survey has been promoted by the group Footprints. Young People: Expectations, Ideals, Beliefs.which is part of the academic development plan of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross launched last year. 

Two other projects are currently underway, in addition to the one already mentioned: Christian Identity of Universityan international forum of experts to explore the essential elements that characterize the identity of Christian-inspired universities and the dimensions in which this identity is expressed, from teaching to research, including their social and cultural impact; and Towards a Theology of Evangelizationto study the biblical, patristic and historical-theological foundations of a "theology of evangelization", taking advantage of the contribution of the other human sciences. 

40th anniversary

At present, these initiatives involve more than 15 areas of study and more than 35 researchers from more than 10 countries. Another call for proposals has recently been completed, and a few more projects are awaiting approval, thus broadening the academic vision of the young institution founded by Blessed Álvaro del Portillo at the request of St. Josemaría Escrivá, which is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

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Gospel

Living in the light of God. Fourth Sunday of Lent (B)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and Luis Herrera offers a brief video homily.

Joseph Evans-March 7, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

We humans are very good at blaming others. We can go through life thinking that it is always someone else's fault, God's fault too. He is not there when we need him. He does not answer our prayers. Many times we are not faithful to him and bad things happen to us, and we blame him for them, forgetting that bad actions necessarily have bad consequences. We sin and expect God to leave us unpunished.

Today's first reading gives us a good summary of the history of ancient Israel. We see their constant unfaithfulness. God kept sending prophets to call them to repentance and they kept ignoring them. In the end, God's patience ran out. But we might think that, if God is as loving as we are told he is, his patience should never run out. God's patience is truly infinite and he exercises it even by allowing us to suffer. It is not that God punishes when he loses patience. He exercises patience even in punishment, which is also part of his mercy.

God allowed the destruction of Israel's temple and the deportation of many, and it was a terrible moment in Israel's history. The suffering of his people in exile is expressed in today's psalm. But God also made sure that a remnant survived and, as the first reading explains, he also inspired a later ruler, the Persian king Cyrus, to allow the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the temple. Israel deserved total destruction for its constant unfaithfulness. They simply received some hard knocks. God gave them another chance.

The Gospel ends with a call to be honest, at least with ourselves. We cannot expect a God who always gives us good things while we just ignore him, sinning in every possible way without even bothering to ask for forgiveness. That is what the Gospel means when it says that "the light came into the world, and men preferred darkness to light, because their deeds were evil". People don't want to accept their guilt because that might require a life change. They prefer to live in the dark. "For every one that worketh evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest he should be accused for his deeds". Let us be honest with ourselves and with God and thus "come to the light". Let us blame ourselves and not God. By blaming God we evade our responsibility and live a lie. By blaming ourselves and asking God for forgiveness - especially through the sacrament of Confession - we open ourselves to his mercy, without ever taking it for granted.

Homily on the readings for the fourth Sunday of Lent

The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.

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The Vatican

Salvation comes through humility, Pope Francis teaches

This morning, the Holy Father encouraged us to combat pride, which is identified with self-exaltation, conceit and vanity in those who believe they are superior to others. It is "the great queen" of vices; the proud person ignores what Jesus said: "never judge". The Pontiff encouraged us to turn to the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and to ask for "the gift of peace".

Francisco Otamendi-March 6, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
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Today, Wednesday of the third week of Lent, the Pope reflected on pride in the tenth session of the cycle of catecheses on the vices and virtues. The Hearing The event took place in St. Peter's Square, and the Pontiff based his remarks on the Old Testament verse that says: "Pride is hateful to the Lord and to men" (Sir 10:7,9,12,14).

"Jesus himself mentions this vice as one of the evils that come from the heart of man. The proud person considers himself superior to others and wants everyone to recognize his merits. We can say that within him is hidden the pretension of wanting to be like God, as we see in the sin of Adam and Eve, which the book of Genesis tells us." the Pope began. 

From this first description, "we see how the vice of pride is very close to that of vainglory, which we presented last time. But if vainglory is a disease of the human ego, it is an infantile disease compared to the ravages that pride can cause," Francis stressed.

Time and effort to combat pride

"Of all the vices, pride is the great queen. It is not by chance that in the Divine

Comedy, Dante places it in the first frame of purgatory: whoever gives in to this vice is far from God, and the amendment of this evil requires time and effort, more than any other battle to which the Christian is called," he warned.

This vice destroys fraternity, "because the proud person does not relate with others in a

The Pontiff pointed out that "the Gospel also contains examples of such people, presumptuous and self-confident - like Peter, who believed that he would never deny the Master. "In the Gospel we also find examples of such people, presumptuous and self-confident - like Peter, who believed that he would never deny the Master -; such people Jesus medicates with the remedy of humility. This teaches us that salvation is not in our own hands, but is a free gift that God wants to give us", he continued.

"Long list of symptoms."

In his meditation, the Pope offered "a long list of symptoms that reveal that a person has succumbed to the vice of pride. It is an evil with an evident physical aspect: the proud man is haughty, he has a 'stiff neck', that is, he has a stiff neck that does not bend. He is a man easy to judge scornfully: for nothing does he pass irrevocable judgments on others, who seem to him hopelessly inept and incapable. In his arrogance, he forgets that Jesus in the Gospels gave us very few moral precepts, but in one of them he was inflexible: never judge".

"You realize that you are dealing with a proud person when, if you give him a little constructive criticism, or a totally harmless comment, he overreacts, as if someone had offended his majesty: he mounts a rage, shouts, breaks relations with others in a resentful way."

Remedios: strive to be humble, Mary and Joseph

Pope Francis noted that there is little that can be done with a person who is sick with pride. "It is impossible to talk to her, much less correct her, because deep down she is no longer present to herself. You just have to be patient with her, because one day her edifice will collapse. An Italian proverb says: 'Pride goes on horseback and comes back on foot'."

"Salvation passes through humility, the true remedy for every act of pride. In the

Magnificat, Maria sings to God who scatters with his power the proud in the sick thoughts of their hearts. It is useless to steal something from God, as the proud hope to do, because in the end He wants to give us everything. This is why the Apostle James, to his community wounded by infighting caused by pride, writes: "God resists the proud, but gives his grace to the humble" (James 4:6)".

In his words to the Portuguese-speaking faithful, addressed to all in St. Peter's, Francis invited "each of you to turn your gaze towards San Jose. Your humility and its silence  will help us to fight against the temptation of pride. And finally, he encouraged us to "take advantage of this Lent to fight against our pride", and to ask "Mary to help us to proclaim the Magnificat with our lives, so that we can be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel with humility and simplicity of heart. May Jesus bless you.

Caritas Lebanon, 80th anniversary Ulma family

The Pope greeted in a special way the young people of the Caritas of the Lebanonand to a Polish delegation that went on pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the death of the Ulma family. On this occasion, an apple tree grafted by Blessed Józef Ulma will be planted in the Vatican Gardens.

Before giving the blessing, the Holy Father once again renewed "my invitation to pray for the people who suffer the horror of war in Ukraine and the Holy Land, as well as in other parts of the world."

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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The Vatican

Pope organizes the first World Children's Day

World Children's Day will be celebrated for the first time on May 25-26, 2024. On March 2, Pope Francis met with members of the organizing committee and made public his message for this day.

Giovanni Tridente-March 6, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
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About 100,000 children from all over the world are expected to attend the first World Children's Day, which Pope Francis has called for May 25-26, 2024, at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. For the occasion, the Pope has also written a first messageaddressed "to everyone, because you are all important, and because together, near and far, you manifest the desire of each one of us to grow and renew ourselves".

It is the children, in fact, who remind adults "that we are all children and brothers and sisters", as the Pontiff had already recalled in "The Children of the World".Fratelli tutti"four years ago.

The program of the first World Children's Day, whose acronym refers to what is undoubtedly the most famous international event dedicated to young people, World Youth Day, has been presented at a press conference in recent days. In addition to the inaugural meeting at the Olympic Stadium, in which Pope Francis is also expected to participate and in which there will be testimonies and artists from all over the world, the Holy Father will preside at a Holy Mass in St. Peter's Square the following day.

To date, some 60,000 signatures have been received from more than 60 countries around the world, including delegations from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ukraine, Mozambique, Gaza and Israel.

Builders of a new world

Moreover, in his message for the first World Youth Day, Pope Francis reminds us of the urgency of becoming "builders of a new, more humane, just and peaceful world", based on the witness of Jesus, "who offered himself on the Cross to gather us all together in love".

The theme chosen for the first World Youth Day refers to Revelation 21:5: "I make all things new", words that "invite us to be as quick as children to grasp the newness that the Spirit stirs up in us and around us", beginning with the simplest gestures and things. It is not for nothing that "the world is transformed above all through the smallest things, without being ashamed to take only small steps".

Another theme addressed by Pope Francis in the message is that of joy, which must be shared, since "one cannot be happy alone". And this joy "comes with gratitude for the gifts we have received and which we in turn share with others." Here also lies the secret of friendship, which grows "by sharing and forgiving, with patience, courage, creativity and imagination, without fear and without prejudice".

Daily Prayer

In preparation for the May event, in this year of the Jubilee that the Pope wanted to dedicate to prayer, children are also urged to "pray a lot, every day, because prayer connects us directly with God", thus giving them confidence and serenity. The Holy Father suggests that the little ones pray the Our Father in the morning and in the evening, also in the family, with their parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents.

– Supernatural JMN

The first World Children's Day is a joint event involving the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Auxilium Cooperative, the Italian Football Federation and several delegations from local institutions.

The authorGiovanni Tridente

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Evangelization

A concert to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ

The Catholic Association of Propagandists is organizing the second edition of the Feast of the Resurrection, a macro-concert to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, which last year attracted more than 60,000 attendees.

Loreto Rios-March 5, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsThe Feast of the Resurrection, an event for singers and families in Madrid

The concert of the II Feast of the Resurrection is scheduled for April 6 in the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid. It seems that this beautiful initiative, which last year attracted more than 60,000 people, "is here to stay", as stated by Alfonso Bullón de Mendoza, president of the Catholic Association of Propagandists, at a press conference held this morning in the Aula Magna of the CEU San Pablo University to publicize the event.

This morning's event brought together some of the artists who will participate in the concert: Fernando, from the group Modestia Aparte, Marilia (formerly a member of the musical duo Ella Baila Sola), three members of Hakuna Group Music (Macarena, Nacho and Santiago), Juan Peña y Esténez (formerly Grílex).

Other participants in the concert will be Father Guilherme (the WYD DJ priest from Portugal), or DJ El Pulpo, as well as the Christian band HTB WorshipAccording to Pablo Velasco, secretary of communication of ACdP, the intention is that this feast is also an ecumenical celebration and shared with other confessions. Because the objective of the 2nd Feast of the Resurrection is common to all Christians: to celebrate the most important historical event, the Resurrection of Christ.

In addition, Marilia, former member of the musical group Ella Baila Sola, said that music "unites everyone", regardless of people's beliefs. "Love is above all," she said.

Fernando, from Modestia Aparte, also commented that it is a joy that new generations are getting hooked on their music, and recalled how they used to write the lyrics of their songs on napkins.

About last year, some repeat artists, such as Hakuna, have recalled the good atmosphere that was experienced, not only with the spectators, but also backstage among the artists, since the cause that brought them together was "much bigger than us".

For his part, Juan Peña commented that it was an "incredible" event, and that, as a Christian, he loved celebrating the Resurrection in this way. "For me the most important thing is to sing to God," he explained. He also said that he was happy to see "so many young people celebrating this day as Christians".

Guillermo Esteban also spoke about his new project as "Estenez" (formerly Grílex), and commented that at this moment what he wants is to "promote, through music, hope". "Things work with love", he assured. This artist will also participate next Saturday, March 9th in the concert "Por la paz", organized by Cadena 100 to benefit Manos Unidas at the WiZink Center.

Finally, the artists stressed that this event is open to everyone, not just Catholics or believers, and that everyone is invited to this celebration regardless of their beliefs. The music "goes from heart to heart", commented Hakuna, and is the "language of God", in the words of Guillermo, who added that the concert is a good time to feel accompanied and to see that "it is worth living life without masks".

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Spain

Spanish bishops elect Luis Argüello as president

Monsignor Luis Argüello is, as of today, the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference after being elected in the first vote of the morning with 48 votes.

Maria José Atienza-March 5, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes

The Archbishop of Valladolid, Luis Argüellowill be in charge of the Spanish Episcopal Conference Juan Jose Omella, who has been at the head of the EEC since March 2020. This is the second time that the Spanish bishops vote for their president following the new statutes of the Spanish Episcopal Conference. 

The episcopate has also voted Monsignor José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid, as Vice President. In these days, the Spanish bishops will also elect the Presidents of the Episcopal Commissions and Subcommissions; the President of the Episcopal Council of Juridical Affairs; and the three members of the Episcopal Council of Economy. All member bishops of the EEC who do not hold any of these positions will be incorporated as members of one of these bodies.

Msgr. Luis Argüello

Bishop Luis Javier Argüello García was born on May 16, 1953 in Meneses de Campos (Palencia).

He holds a degree in Civil Law and was a professor of Administrative Law at the University of Valladolid from 1976 to 1981. He entered the Diocesan Seminary of Valladolid in 1983 and was ordained a priest on September 27, 1986. 

In his diocese he has served as formator in the Diocesan Seminary; episcopal vicar of the city and rector of the seminary among others.

From 2011 until his episcopal appointment, he was vicar general and moderator of the diocesan Curia. On April 14, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Valladolid and he received the episcopal consecration in June of the same year. 

Bishop Argüello is one of the best known names in the Spanish Church today. In addition to being the Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference from 2018 to 2022, Argüello has promoted various lines of work from the Episcopal Conference, especially related to the role of Christians in public life and was one of the Spanish bishops present at the Synod Assembly that took place in October 2023. 

In June 2022, he was appointed Archbishop of Valladolid by the Pope, succeeding Bishop Ricardo Blázquez. He is currently a member of the Standing Commission and since the Plenary Assembly of November 2022 is a member of the Commission for the Clergy. He has also been a member of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Ministry and the Episcopal Commission for Seminaries and Universities (2017-2018). 

The composition of the Executive Committee

Throughout the morning, the bishops also elected the members of the Executive Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.

For this body, the prelates have elected the Bishop of Getafe, Msgr. Ginés García BeltránJesús Sanz, Archbishop Mario Iceta and Enrique Benavent, Archbishop of Burgos and Archbishop of Valencia respectively, Bishop Ángel Saiz MenesesJosé María Gil Tamayo, Archbishop of Granada.

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The Vatican

Church and gender ideology, the reasons why not (and how to fight it)

Recently, Pope Francis has called gender ideology "the worst danger of today". This article reviews some key moments in which the Church has exposed the dangers of this ideology.

Andrea Gagliarducci-March 5, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes
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Today's worst danger? Gender ideology. They are words of Pope Franciswho emphasized this in his speech at the congress "Man and Woman. Image of God" on March 1. The Pope added that he has asked for a study on the subject of gender, but this is nothing new, since Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has also announced in several interviews that there will be a document on this subject.

But the preoccupation of the Catholic Church with the question of gender ideology is not only of now. Among other things, because for years the question of sexual orientation has been included, more or less directly, in international conventions that should have nothing to do with the question of sexual or gender orientation. Because this is how a language is introduced, a point of view, a precedent that will then be used in other documents, to the point of completely changing the meaning of rights and the common good.

The Church vs. the ideology of gender in diplomacy

For this reason, the diplomatic battle of the Holy See focuses above all on the details, in order to avoid the appearance in the documents of categorizations that leave aside the human being and his dignity, which comes from being the image of God.

It seems unbelievable, but this issue came to the fore during the debate on the Global Compact on Refugees. The year was 2018. In the discussions of the Standing Committee, which is integrated within the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, a document entitled "Update on Age, Gender and Diversity" was included, which copied the terminology found in the draft of the Global Compact on Refugees. The Holy See's concern was that the terminology could be incorporated into the Pact, thus creating a sub-category of refugees defined by their sexual orientation.

It would not be the first time. In 2008, the Holy See succeeded in getting the right to victim assistance included in the International Convention on Cluster Munitions. But a lobby immediately emerged that wanted victim assistance to be defined with respect to sexual orientation. This, after all, had nothing to do with assistance, which is provided without discrimination and without categories.

However, this is the general situation. The Holy See has repeatedly called for a "holistic" approach to the human person, noting that the categories of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" do not have a clear and consensual definition in international law.

Already in 1995, at the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, the Holy See had to fight an important diplomatic battle, reiterating that the word "gender" could only be interpreted in the sense of "biological sexual identity, male or female", while discarding any dubious interpretation that would satisfy what was then called "new and different purposes".

It is also a humanitarian issue. When new categories of the human being are defined, even when there is no agreement on the terms and there is no need, the work of the many Catholic or other faith-inspired organizations working in the field is undermined, simply because the rules of the game are given in ambiguous language that has no shared consensus at the international level, and that cannot be shared by these associations.

Therefore, the philosophical and theological questions fall, as always, to diplomatic issues and, therefore, to concrete humanitarian aid.

Catholics in politics and gender ideology

Incidentally, the doctrinal position on gender was reiterated by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2021, when a bill was being debated in Italy that sought a higher penalty for so-called gender discrimination.

On that occasion, the Pro-Life and Family Association had collected several doubts on the subject, raising three questions: whether the laws and proposals against homotransphobia contradicted the faith, Sacred Scripture or Catholic doctrine; whether the Catholic faithful should systematically oppose the approval of these laws; whether Catholic politicians should vote against these laws and publicly position themselves against them.

And the then Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith responded to the questions with a clear answer, dated October 1, 2021: no to gender ideology has been reiterated several times by Pope Francis, and Catholics working in politics are called to oppose bills that go against Christian convictions.

ProVida y Familia also points out that, in countries where similar laws have been passed, the freedom of Christians is at risk. In particular, it cited the case of Pastor John Sherwood, arrested in Great Britain on charges of homophobic statements, and that of Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, under investigation in Spain for homophobia following an interview he gave on sexuality and procreation.

In its response, Doctrine of the Faith recalled that the Pope had already defined in 2017 before the Pontifical Academy for Life as "not correct" the proposal to promote the dignity of persons by radically eliminating "sexual differences", because this proposal would go "simply to eliminate" the difference "by proposing procedures and practices that make it irrelevant to the development of the person and of human relations".

In 2016, Pope Francis denounced together with the Polish bishops the "ideological colonization" promoted also by gender ideology, whereby "children are taught that everyone can choose their sex", while in 2015, Francis stressed, addressing the Equipes Notre-Dame, a French movement of conjugal spirituality, that the missionary identity of families is all the more important in a world where "the image of the family as God intends it, composed of a man and a woman for the good of the spouses and for the procreation and growth of children, is deformed by powerful adverse projects supported by ideological tendencies".

Also at the general audience of April 15, 2015, Pope Francis referred to this issue wondering if "the so-called gender theory is not an expression of frustration and resignation that seeks to erase sexual difference because it no longer knows how to deal with it", and even, in 2016, during his trip to Georgia, he said in his meeting with priests that there was "a world war to destroy the family".

The no to gender ideology, a commitment between religions

In short, the Church's commitment against gender ideology goes back a long way. And it is such a central theme that it was cited by Benedict XVI in his last greeting address to the Roman Curia on December 12, 2012, when he spoke of the crisis of the family and explained that it could be traced back to the rejection of the original duality of the human creature. Because - Benedict XVI denounced - "in the name of the philosophy of gender" being male and female becomes the product of an individual decision, but "if the duality of male and female does not exist as a fact of creation, then the family no longer exists as a pre-established reality of creation. In the struggle for the family, man himself is at stake. And it is clear that where God is denied, man's dignity is also dissolved. Whoever defends God, defends man".

Therein lies the philosophical and theological root of the response to gender ideology. The Church is not alone in this battle. It is a battle of all faiths. So much so that Benedict XVI, at the time, agreed with what was written by the Chief Rabbi of France Gilles Bernheim, who had delivered to the French president and prime minister an essay against the same-sex marriage bill on October 17, 2012.

A paper on gender can only start from here. And it will be a decisive issue.

The authorAndrea Gagliarducci

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United States

In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the "Queen City of the West".

To learn more about the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Beacons of Light initiative, Omnes interviewed Father Jan K. Schmidt, director of the Pastoral Vitality Office and rector of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica.

Gonzalo Meza-March 5, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes
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Known as the "Queen City of the West", Cincinnati is located in southwestern Ohio, on the banks of the river of the same name. It is the third largest city in Ohio after Columbus and Cleveland.

This metropolis has played an important role in the economy and culture of the American Midwest. A vital part of its history has been and continues to be the Catholic faith, which arrived and settled soon after independence. In that sense, for more than 200 years the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has been a beacon of light in the Midwest, even in difficult and changing times.

Due to demographic, social and economic changes, as well as fewer priests and a reduction in the practice of the faith - phenomena that are occurring throughout the Midwest region of North America - the Archdiocese of Cincinnati initiated a pastoral restructuring process five years ago to better organize and plan its resources. The project is called "Beacons of light". The idea is taken from Pope Benedict XVI who pointed out in December 2006: "The parish is a beacon that radiates the light of faith and, therefore, responds to the deepest desire of the heart, giving meaning and hope to the lives of individuals and families.

Jan K. Schdmidt, rector of the cathedral basilica "St. Peter in Chains".

The aim of the project is to "continue to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in this particular time and place. Part of the initiative is the creation of "parish families", i.e. a grouping of parishes that collaborate and share resources and are led by a pastor assisted by one or more parochial vicars.

To learn more about the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Beacons of Light initiative, Omnes interviewed Father Jan K. Schmidt, director of the Pastoral Vitality Office and rector of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica.

How many Catholics does the archdiocese have and what is its structure?

- We are 19 counties in southern and western Ohio. We have 208 parishes grouped into 57 "parish families" in twelve deaneries. Probably in the next few years there will be only six deaneries. Each of those parish families has a pastor. 

What are the main ethnic communities in the archdiocese?

- There are about 450,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. They are primarily Caucasian Americans of European descent. We have a Hispanic community that has grown very rapidly with migration. Years ago, when we began the process of planning and restructuring the archdiocese, we estimated that there were 60,000 people of Hispanic origin. But now, with the help of a census, we find that we have double that, that is, more than 120,000 Hispanics, many of whom are not included in the 450,000, because most of them are not used to registering in parishes, even though they attend them regularly.

What are the main groups or apostolates in the archdiocese?

- There are several, but our main evangelistic ministry is called "Christ renews his parish" (CRHP) which began in Cleveland, Ohio. It is very successful. Besides this, there are other ministries that in a sense seek to give continuity to CRHP and are facilitated by the Evangelism Department.

CRPH is a weekend retreat for adults, beginning on a Friday evening and extending through Sunday. Some pastors try to have the group conclude with one of the Sunday Masses so that this serves as a sort of reintroduction to the parish. It is very intense. It can be done with a priest always present or without. During the retreat the sacrament of reconciliation is offered and there are many activities. The retreatants like the format and content of the retreat very much. After the retreat we try to follow up with the retreatants to keep them involved in the parish and especially to help them grow in their faith and get involved in apostolates in their parishes.

What are Archbishop Schnurr's top priorities? 

- It could be said that he has two priorities: vocations and the Beacons of Light initiative. On the former, the archbishop has worked very hard on that. He has been the catalyst behind what we have been able to do. During his tenure, 64 priests have been ordained. That's a pretty good number for a diocese of our size. We have a seminary that is doing very well. It is full. We have over 50 seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and another 60 from dioceses around the country. The place is a magnificent building in a wonderful location, a very spiritual place that gives our young men a great formation experience.

The second priority is our "Beacons of Light" planning initiative. Its purpose is to invigorate and revitalize our churches through the new evangelization with the goal of making our parish communities places that attract people. It is not about closing places, but building them. This restructuring initiative is happening in part because of the economic, social and demographic changes we are experiencing in this part of the country. For example, many people are moving south because industry and jobs have relocated to those areas. Also, the birth rate has gone down and that causes a problem.

We have a section in the northern part of our diocese (three counties) where all are farmers, 95 % of whom are Catholic, many of German descent. With great effort they have sent their children to college and are proud of it. But their children no longer returned to settle and live in the area where they were born. They went to work in the big cities. All of that means we have a decline in our population, a demographic shift. And to try to deal with those changes, we've done this restructuring process of "Beacons of Light."

Part of the initiative is the creation of "parish families". Prior to 2022, we were grouped into regions and in many cases priests had several parishes, up to two or three. What this new restructuring into "parish families" has allowed us to do is to make sure that there is not only one pastor in each of the 57 "parish families," but that there are several vicars available, assigned to them. Now, for the first time in 25 years we have priests working together. In other words, we have pastors with parochial vicars and parishes sharing resources.

How was the archdiocese's experience in the diocesan phase of the synod of bishops?

- Our permanent deacons were in charge. More than 3,000 people participated in the meetings. We were the second diocese to finish preparing the report that had to go to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I think good things will come out of the synod. Several issues came out of the synod, among them subsidiarity, and that is something we already practice. That is, here in the life of the Church there is a dialogue between the people, their pastor and the archbishop. There is communication. Decisions are made from below. 

How has the diocese's experience with the "Eucharistic Renaissance" initiative been?

- A few years ago we celebrated our bicentennial in the archdiocese. As part of the activities we had a large pilgrimage through the 19 counties. For the National Eucharistic Encounter in Indianapolis, Indiana, there will be pilgrimage routes departing from various points in the country to Indianapolis. One of those routes will be through Cincinnati. Therefore, we will have many events related to this pilgrimage. For example, we will have a Mass in the cathedral with the archbishop, at the end of which he will send them to Indianapolis. It is a city that is close to Cincinnati, just an hour and a half drive away. The archbishop is encouraging people to participate.

What would you say to a young man who is in the process of discerning a priestly or religious vocation?

- I think one of the most important things I would tell them is to persevere. In your vocation it is important to keep your focus on the call that God has put in your heart. And those who go to the seminary it is important that they allow themselves to be formed, so that they become holy men who when they leave can serve their people well.

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Spain

Spanish bishops' plenary session begins with focus on election of president

The Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Bishops, which will take place during the week of March 4-8, will focus on the election of the new President and Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference.

Maria José Atienza-March 4, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

The Spanish Episcopal Conference begins its 124th plenary assembly. The inaugural speech of this meeting of the Spanish bishops has given the starting signal for an assembly from which a new leadership of this institution will emerge.

Juan José Omella is leaving this presidency because, according to the new bylaws, he is not eligible for re-election due to his age (he is not eligible for election if he is over 75 years of age at the time of the vote and is "strongly urged" not to reach this age during his term of office).

The Archbishop of Barcelona addressed his last speech stressing that, in the years he has been at the head of the EEC, he has tried to "share a reflective look at reality, encouraging to work together to build, among all, a freer, more just, more peaceful society". Omella focused his last words especially on the task of pastors: priests and bishops. 

To elect a president without "interests and strategies

Bishop Juan José Omella emphasized the "mission of promotion and coordination in close collaboration with priests and deacons" that bishops have and that they can only carry out "if we walk united to God and in communion with one another".

He also made a call to the service of those who will head the Spanish bishops in the coming years and appealed to the "sacramental brotherhood, ranging from mutual acceptance and consideration to the attentions of charity and concrete collaboration" in the exercise of these positions. 

In view of the imminent election of the presidency of the Spanish bishops, the Archbishop of Barcelona also stressed that this exercise must be done "with an eye exclusively to the greater good of the people of God" and not following "our own interests and strategies".

In the field of advertisements, recalling the Year of Prayer proposed by Pope Francis in preparation for the Jubilee 2025, the hitherto president of the Spanish bishops announced that "the EEC, through the Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos (BAC), is collaborating with the Dicastery for Evangelization in the edition and dissemination of the eight-volume collection entitled Apuntes sobre la oración" (Notes on Prayer).

The election of the new president

78 bishops have the right to vote in this Plenary Assembly. A number that has changed almost by surprise in the last few days, since, although in the briefing In the previous Plenary Meeting held on Thursday, February 29 at the EEC with journalists, 79 electors were indicated, the Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid and, until today, Vice-President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Carlos Osoro maintained his right to vote as ordinary for the Eastern Catholic faithful residing in Spain. This situation changed the following day with the appointment of Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid for this task, which leaves Osoro out of the electors in this Plenary. 

Following the line marked by the statutes, there are 49 bishops who can be elected to the position of President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, since only titular bishops who have not resigned can be elected; that is, those under 75 years of age. In addition, it is advisable, although not obligatory, that the elected president does not reach the age of majority during the time he holds the office.

The election of the president is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5 and, if all goes well, the name of the person who will preside over the Spanish bishops for the next four years will be known at noon.

Other Plenary topics

Although the election of the top government officials is the main focus of these days, there are also other work topics that the Spanish bishops hope to address during the five-day plenary meeting. 

The bishops will once again discuss the plan of comprehensive reparation for victims of sexual abuse in the ecclesiastical sphere and also the pastoral situation of migrants arriving in our country.

Another of the topics they hope to address is the concretization of the indications received last November in Rome from the Spanish seminaries and which, at the time, the bishops agreed to coordinate through Bishop Jesús Vidal. 

As the note distributed by the Episcopal Conference at the beginning of this 124th plenary assembly states, the topics to be discussed also include "the presentation of the new initiatives to be carried out on the occasion of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, next October. And the preparations for the Congress on Vocation Ministry, scheduled for February 2025.

Two other topics are in the chapter on information, the current state of the Apse group (TRECE and COPE) and those presented by the Secretariat for the Support of the Church". 

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The World

Mateusz AdamskiWar requires me to reflect on loving one's enemies".

Last February was the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Father Mateusz, parish priest in Kiev, tells us in this interview how these difficult times are being lived in the Ukrainian capital.

Loreto Rios-March 4, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsAid to the Church in Need launches campaign to help UkraineRelated NewsHow does the Church in Poland help Ukrainians?

Father Mateusz Adamski is a Polish priest, currently parish priest of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kiev (Ukraine), as well as vice-rector of the Redemptoris Mater seminary in the same city. At the beginning of the invasion, he kept dozens of people safe from the bombardment by placing the parish cellars at their disposal.

Last February 24 marked two years since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Recently, Aid to the Church in Need has launched a campaign to help the Ukraine in these difficult times.

Father Mateusz explained in the presentation of this campaign that, despite the harshness of the war, this time has also been "a time of grace", in which "we were able to really touch the living God" and "feel Paradise with our hands".

In this interview, he tells us how his parish in Kiev is living through this period of war and how one can pray for one's enemies even in the midst of pain.

How is the situation in Kiev at the moment, has it changed at all compared to the beginning of the conflict?

The situation is currently at a very delicate point because on the one hand we do not know when the conflict will end. On the other hand, people are psychologically tired. The men are afraid of the mobilization, which is becoming more and more intense. There are also so many who were on the front lines and because of the attacks their whereabouts are unknown. It is true that in Kiev the situation is calmer. However, with sporadic bombardments. That makes it live in constant tension. We have several parishioners in the army and, according to what we are told, the physical and psychological consequences will last for a long time.
People try to live normal lives, as work and income are necessary to live, but with constant fear in their bodies.

How has the war changed your work there?

At the beginning of the war, a significant part of the parishioners left Kiev. Nowadays, most of them have returned. Practically, since the beginning of the war, we have been helping parishioners and refugees with humanitarian aid received from abroad. An important new development is that the number of children for first communion and post-communion catechization and the youth group has increased. We see how this situation is bringing so many people who did not come before. We have prepared a good number of people for the sacraments. We have also formed new pastoral groups for the youth, which meet every Friday. We have a group of older people who meet once a week to pray for peace and to talk about different topics that help them to deepen their faith. Thus, we see how the Lord continues to call people in his love and zeal for their salvation.

How do you live your call to the priesthood in the midst of such a conflict?

I, as treasurer of the diocese, am working with documents and projects to help people in need. But this situation requires me to live today, in the grace of praying so as not to lose hope, and it also requires me to reflect on the commandment to love the enemy, which touches me strongly in this time of war and which manifests itself especially in the common prayers with the people of God for our enemies.

Does living through this painful situation affect the faith of parishioners in any way?

This situation has caused the parishioners to pray more fervently and the commandment of the Sermon on the Mount to love one's enemies is purifying them in their faith journey, even if it means going against themselves. This is strengthening them in faith through common prayer. And I see, as I said earlier, that it is helping them pass on the faith to their children by bringing them to parish catechesis.

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The Vatican

Giving oneself to God and to others, and peace in the Middle East, calls of the Pope

At today's Angelus, the Third Sunday of Lent, the Pope made an appeal to stop the hostilities in Palestine and Israel, and in Ukraine, with a "Enough, please". This is not the way to build peace, he said. He also encouraged us to "make a home" with God, among ourselves and with others, to give ourselves without expecting anything in return, in a trusting way.  

Francisco Otamendi-March 3, 2024-Reading time: 3 minutes

In the Angelus of this Third Sunday of Lent, prayed on a windy day from the window of the Apostolic Palace in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father began by noting that "the Gospel shows us today a harsh scene. Jesus drives the merchants out of the temple (cf. Jn 2:13-25). He drives out the sellers, overthrows the tables of the money changers and warns everyone, saying: 'Do not make my Father's house a marketplace.

In the temple understood as a marketplace, the Pontiff explained, "to be at peace with God it was enough to buy a lamb, pay for it and consume it on the embers of the altar. Buy, pay, consume, and then everyone went home. 

"In the temple, understood as a house, the opposite happens: we go to visit the Lord, to be united to Him and to our brothers and sisters, to share joys and sorrows. Moreover, in the market one gambles with the price, at home one does not calculate; in the market one seeks one's own interest, at home one gives freely".

Pray a lot as children, more house and less market.

"Jesus is hard today because he does not accept that the temple-market replaces the temple-house, he does not accept that the relationship with God be distant and commercial instead of close and full of trust, that stalls replace the family table, prices replace hugs and coins replace caresses. For in that way a barrier is created between God and man, and between brother and brother, whereas Christ came to bring communion, mercy and closeness".

The invitation of the Pope Francis is "for our Lenten journey: to make in ourselves and around us more of a home and less of a marketplace, first of all with regard to God. How? By praying a lot, as children who, without tiring, knock with confidence at the door of the Father, not as greedy and distrustful merchants".

Spreading fraternity, let's take the first step

And then, he continued, "spreading fraternity. It is much needed. Let us think of the uncomfortable, isolating, sometimes even hostile silence that is found in many places. For example, in the means of transport: everyone enclosed in their own thoughts, alone with their problems, with their ears blocked by headphones and their eyes buried in their cell phones. A world in which not even a smile or a comment is given for free", he denounced.

"Let us take the first step," the Pope encouraged. "Let us say hello, let us give up our seat, let us say something kind to the person next to us: even if they don't answer us or someone looks at us badly, we will have made a home. And this can be valid for many other circumstances of daily life.

In concluding, he encouraged us to ask ourselves, as he usually does. "And how are my relationships with others? Do I know how to give without expecting anything in return? (...) May Mary help us to "make a home" with God, among ourselves and around us".

Urgent appeal for peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine

After praying the Marian prayer of the Angelus, Francis opened his heart to reveal that "I carry daily in my heart and with sorrow the daily situation of the people of the world. Palestine e IsraelWith thousands of dead, people devastated, the immense destruction caused," I think of the defenseless who see their future compromised. "Do you really think of building a better world in this way? Do you really think about achieving peace? Enough, please, enough," he repeated, to the applause of the faithful in St. Peter's.

"Stop" he has cried out, have the courage to continue negotiations throughout the region, "so that all hostages are released" and reach their families, and "so that the population can have safe access to all humanitarian goods".

"And please, let's not forget about the martyred Ukraine, there is so much pain there." 

Disarmament is a moral duty

The Pope then recalled that the Second Disarmament Awareness Day will be held on March 5. How many economic resources are wasted and continue to increase! "I wish the international community to understand that disarmament is a moral duty, and this requires the courage of all members of the great family of nations", to move from the balance of fear to disarmament.

Finally, the Pontiff greeted some groups of pilgrims present, students from Portugal, groups from Badajoz, from Poland, young people who will receive Confirmation in Italian dioceses, faithful from Padua, and young Ukrainians from the community of Sant'Egidio gathered under the theme "Doing evil with good", thank you for what you do for those who suffer most from war, he said. He concluded by asking them "not to forget to pray for me", as he always does.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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Culture

Catherine Mary Drexel, Apostle of the American Indians

On October 1, 2000, St. John Paul II canonized Katharine Mary Drexel (Katharine Drexel), an American nun who dedicated her life to the Native American apostolate.

Paloma López Campos-March 3, 2024-Reading time: 2 minutes
RelatedRelated NewsThe contributions of Native American Indian Catholicism to North American Catholicism

On November 26, 1858, a wealthy banker and his wife had a baby girl in Philadelphia, USA. On that day, they could not even have guessed that years later that girl would be Saint Catherine Mary Drexel, canonized by the Pope John Paul II What was so special about that woman's life?

The girl who was born into this well-to-do family learned the importance of generosity at an early age. Her father and his second wife (Catherine's mother died shortly after the saint's birth) exercised a powerful charitable work with the poor of the city. Catherine and her sisters became involved in the works of their parents, while growing in faith.

When the couple passed away, not many years between one death and the other, Catalina inherited a large fortune. At the age of 33, she decided to continue the Drexels' charitable work, dedicating all her money and her life to those who needed it most.

Foundress of a Congregation

On a visit to Rome, she asked Pope Leo XIII to send more missionaries to America, in order to help the American Indians. However, the Pontiff asked her affectionately if she did not want to be a missionary herself. When she returned to the United States, Catherine joined the Sisters of Charity.

Shortly thereafter, in February 1891, she founded her own congregation: the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and People of Color. As the sisters explain on their website, their mission is "to share the message of the Gospel with the poor, especially among black and indigenous peoples, and to challenge all forms of racism, as well as other deep-seated injustices in the world today".

Catalina Drexel was the general superior of the congregation until 1937, when she had to step back for health reasons. She dedicated all her years at the head of the Religious of the Blessed Sacrament to founding schools for the Indians and blacks in various parts of the country. She also collaborated in the opening of universities and the foundation of convents.

St. Catherine's health deteriorated after a heart attack. She retired from the intense activity of the Congregation for twenty years and died at the age of 96 in 1955. Forty-five years later, Pope St. John Paul II beatified. The Polish Pontiff said of St. Catherine Drexel that "she is an excellent example of practical charity and generous solidarity with the least favored".

Catalina Drexel's current legacy

Because of her work, Catalina Drexel received several awards in her lifetime, such as the DeSmet Medal, a medal from the Knights of Columbus and an award from the Committee of Southern Catholics.

As part of his legacy today, Xavier University Preparatory is still active. In addition, many churches and chapels are placed under his special protection and bear his name, such as several parishes in Florida, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

St. Catherine Mary Drexel photographed in the 1910s (Wikimedia)
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Spain

Torreciudad: Opus Dei explains the current situation

Opus Dei has published detailed information on the current situation of the shrine of Torreciudad. It explains its proposal to the diocese of Barbastro-Monzon to reach an agreement to transform the place into a diocesan sanctuary.

Maria José Atienza-March 2, 2024-Reading time: 5 minutes

The Marian sanctuary of Torreciudad is the third largest tourist destination in Aragon, and since 1975, when the construction of the new sanctuary was completed, the numerous visits, celebrations and activities have had a crucial impact on the economic and social development of the local environment. 

The appointment of a new rector for the shrine in July 2023 by the bishop of Barbastro-Monzón, Bishop Angel Pérez Pueyo, led to a complicated situation for relations between Opus Dei, promoter of the new shrine, of the renovation of the wayside shrine and the image of the Virgin Mary and of a devotion with ancient roots, and the diocese itself.

The differences of criteria about the ability to decide on the pastoral management of the shrine and on the conditions of the custody of the shrine and the image have since given rise to initiatives on both sides, including judicial ones, and to multiple speculations. Now, Opus Dei has just published on its web page a complete summary of the current situation, as perceived by the Prelature.

Who owns Torreciudad?

From its beginnings, the new sanctuary of Torreciudad has the status of "semi-public oratory", recalls this information. This is how it was erected with the approval of the bishop of the diocese, since, according to the criteria of both parties, it was an adequate figure according to the canonical norms in force at that time. The new temple is property of the Canonical Foundation "Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Torreciudad", and was built in the 70's of the 20th century with donations from many people, who were encouraged by Opus Dei.

The image of the Virgin of Our Lady of the Angels of Torreciudad is venerated inside. This image (and the old hermitage) is the property of the diocese: although on September 24, 1962 the bishop agreed to its perpetual cession by means of an emphyteutic contract to a civil entity promoted by Opus Dei (at that time it was Inmobiliaria General Castellana, S.A., later succeeded by Desarrollo Social y Cultural, S.A.), this figure does not imply a change of ownership. Opus Dei also participated in the signing of the agreement, which was to be entrusted with the promotion of the objectives of the agreement: to maintain and develop the cult of Santa María.

Sixty years later, the visitor to Torreciudad can easily observe the spreading and deep-rooted devotion to Our Lady of the Angels. Since then and as agreed, all the work and costs have been assumed by Opus Dei.

Differences between the Diocese of Barbastro and Opus Dei

According to Opus Dei, in 2020 the Prelature itself asked the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzon to update some details of the legal framework of Torreciudad to accommodate the new approaches of the Code of Canon Law approved in 1983.

In the context of these conversations, disagreements arose, since the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzón expressed the opinion that the original 1962 agreement lacked legal validity, and in July 2023 it proceeded to appoint a rector different from the one who had been carrying out this function on behalf of Opus Dei.

In the course of the "tug of war" that followed, Opus Dei submitted to the diocese its proposal for the erection of Torreciudad as a diocesan shrine and possible new statutes. The diocese is studying it. Also at that time, the entity responsible for the custody of the image and the hermitage was summoned to an act of conciliation with the diocese on October 3; and Opus Dei received a similar summons for December 20. However, Opus Dei decided not to attend, based on the existence of conversations with the diocese on the subject under discussion.

The decision to initiate civil proceedings now would be up to the diocese. Opus Dei says it would not perceive such a step negatively, but would see it "as an opportunity for a civil ruling on the matter."

Who is the valid rector?

At present, Torreciudad's situation is still the same as before from a legal point of view. However, there is no agreement as to who validly performs the responsibility of rector.

When Bishop Perez-Pueyo declared the position vacant and appointed a diocesan priest, Opus Dei urged him to revoke the appointment, and in response to his refusal filed an appeal with the Holy See, which has not yet been resolved. In practice, the Prelature continues to consider valid the rector who was valid before the unilateral decision of the diocese, while the priest appointed by the bishop, José Mairal, usually celebrates Mass every week at the shrine and, as Omnes has verified, is treated with deference by the priests of Opus Dei, who continue to attend to the usual activities of the shrine.

The solution proposed by Opus Dei to update the agreement consists in the transformation of Torreciudad into a diocesan sanctuary, with the bishop appointing the rector upon presentation of a list of three candidates by the Prelature of Opus Dei.

The economic issue 

The information also includes explanations concerning the sanctuary's finances. It details the expenses involved in managing the sanctuary and how they are met. It points out that the ordinary activity generates income that is only enough to cover approximately 30 % of the expenses, while Asociación Patronato de Torreciudad strives to find the rest.

In 1962 the entity in charge of the promotion of the sanctuary was obliged to pay an amount to the diocese in almost symbolic recognition of the property. According to what has been reported in the media, one of the issues raised would be the request by the bishop to update that amount with a figure much: there is talk of about 600,000 euros. In any case, the amount demanded, according to the note, "is considered disproportionate. The annual activity to cover 70 % of the costs that are not covered in an ordinary way is already very difficult in itself; if to that were to be added a fee like the one requested by the diocese, the support of the sanctuary would be unfeasible".

Chronology

1962: Agreement between Opus Dei and the diocese of Barbastro-Monzón to restore the old hermitage of Torreciudad with the aim of promoting devotion to Our Lady, with the former taking charge of pastoral care and keeping it open for worship. Signing of the emphyteutic contract.

1966: Agreement for the construction of a new temple in which the image of Toreciudad would be venerated. It is agreed with the diocese that the whole complex -which would include, among other buildings, the hermitage and the new temple- would form a single enclosure conveniently fenced. Its status is that of a semi-public oratory.

In the notarial testimony signed by the bishop of the diocese, he agrees that the image of the Virgin may be placed in the new temple for the veneration of the faithful.

1975: St. Josemaría consecrates the main altar, and the newly built church is inaugurated.

1983: Publication of the Code of Canon Law. It includes the configuration of sanctuaries in canons 1230-1234 (book IV, part III, title I, chapter III).

2020: Opus Dei asks the bishopric of Barbastro Monzón to review and update the legal status of Torreciudad.

2023

July 17: The bishop of Barbastro-Monzón appoints the parish priest of Bolturina-Ubiergo, José Mairal Villellas, as rector of the Sanctuary of Torreciudad, so that "he will be responsible for the pastoral and ministerial care until the existing canonical situation between both institutions is regularized".

July 18: Opus Dei expresses its surprise, since the canonical status of Torreciudad continues to be that of a semi-public oratory and "understands that it is not up to the bishop to carry out this appointment," but to the Regional Vicar of the Prelature.

July 22: The diocese requests an act of conciliation with the Prelature of Opus Dei in the courts of Barbastro.

August 31: Opus Dei has sent the diocese of Barbastro Monzón a proposal for an agreement, which includes both legal and pastoral issues, and proposes that the new church be considered a diocesan canonical shrine. 

October 3: The entity Desarrollo Social S.A., owner of the useful domain of the hermitage and of the image of Nuestra Señora de Torreciudad, appears in the conciliation act in the court of Barbastro.

December 2: Opus Dei in Spain receives a notification from the Barbastro courts for the act of conciliation with the Prelature. Opus Dei does not appear at the act, which is scheduled for December 20, 2023, because it considers that the 1962 contract was executed in accordance with current law. It also alleges that "there are conversations between both parties to resolve the matter by mutual agreement".

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Education

Francisco de Vitoria University launches an Institute of Forgiveness

The objective of the academic entity is to promote research on forgiveness in the school, family, therapeutic and social environments through an Institute of Forgiveness. Professors at the University have highlighted the importance of understanding forgiveness beyond the demands of justice, which will enable people to overcome emotional blockages and pain.  

Francisco Otamendi-March 2, 2024-Reading time: 4 minutes

Observers and analysts have often referred to the need for forgiveness as a means of resolving conflict, or in its aftermath, in the wake of terrorist violence, in isolated acts or over the years, and of course in the aftermath of wars and conflicts around the world.

On a personal level, and also in the family and social, even only from a strictly psychological point of view, no longer ethical or moral, the importance of forgiveness to achieve inner and outer peace has been underlined. Forgiveness, it has been said, improves physical and mental health, resentment and hatred corrode.

This week, the Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV) has presented the Forgiveness InstituteThis was "a pioneering initiative in the university environment, with a conference that analyzed the concept of forgiveness and explained how it works in specific projects," reports the academic center.

"The aim is to offer a space for research, training and knowledge transfer in the field of forgiveness," explained Dr. Clara Molinero, director of the Institute and of the Degree in Psychology at the UFV, who participated in the event together with Dr. María Prieto Ursúa, from the University of Comillas, Saray Bonete, researcher and professor of the Degree, and Robert Enright, pioneer of research in forgiveness in the USA, according to the University.

Multidisciplinary perspective

Clara Molinero explained that the initiative arises from "the need to explore forgiveness from a multidisciplinary perspective, with an open mind, including other disciplines such as psychology, education, philosophy, theology and sociology, among others".

"You can learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness, and who doesn't need to overcome a blockage or resentment for a wrong received? We are all potential recipients of the Institute, because it is not only aimed at helping patients with severe disorders, but everyone, because we all need forgiveness," said Jorge Lopez, dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology.

"The main lines are the creation of measuring instruments that allow us to examine the changes after a work of learning to forgive; intervention work and on which we develop content and make the evaluation of the changes that occur," said the researcher Saray Bonete, who explained that they are working with prisoners, and also in schools and universities "to train university students in their professional work to use forgiveness as a strategy to resolve conflicts". 

Emotional and psychological depth of forgiveness

The inauguration also served as a platform to discuss how forgiveness can be a powerful tool for emotional well-being and mental health. María Prieto Ursúa, author of the book "Forgiveness and Health", highlighted the complexity of the forgiveness process "especially when it comes to forgiving oneself after having committed acts that have caused significant harm to others".

Dr. Prieto identified three main components in the process of forgiving oneself: the assumption of responsibility, interpersonal reparation (although in some cases, this may be symbolic or not directly with the victim), and intrapersonal reparation, which involves deep work on how one sees oneself after the act committed.

In the context of wanting to ask the victim for forgiveness, Prieto stressed the importance of respecting the victim's wishes and needs, even if this means not having direct contact to ask for forgiveness. True care for the victim sometimes involves respecting established barriers, recognizing that the offender's need for forgiveness should not outweigh the victim's need for safety and comfort.

At other universities

The study of forgiveness has begun in the field of psychology in some universities, bien como un área de investigación de modo interdisciplinar en el marco de un órgano de más amplio contenido, en colaboración con expertos de otras entidades universitarias, o bien con un Instituto propio sobre el perdón, también interdisciplinar, como en el caso que comentamos de la Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.

In the University of NavarraThe study of forgiveness, for example, has emerged as an area of research that reveals its multifaceted influence on interpersonal relationships, mental health and emotional well-being, the academic center explains.

"There are studies that show that people who show a positive attitude towards forgiveness have less mental pathology, use less psychotropic drugs and have a higher tolerance threshold for pain and suffering. This means that they use fewer painkillers and even fewer health services," he wrote. Javier Schlatterspecialist of the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra in Madrid, in his book "Wounds in the heart. The Healing Power of Forgiveness".

In the field of CEU San Pablo UniversityMarcelino Oreja, one of the fathers of the Transition in Spain, who on October 5 last year, upon receiving the award, said that he received "with great emotion this recognition and I am very grateful for the date chosen; on this same day, but in 1934, my father was assassinated". "October 5 was marked every year in the family calendar to remember my father. My mother always instilled in me the feeling of forgiveness despite the pain caused."

It is not superfluous to recall that the French philosopher Remi Brague proposed "forgiveness" in the face of the spread of the woke culture of cancellation at the 2021 Congress of Catholics and Public Life.

– Supernatural Comillas University has different specialists in issues related to forgiveness, who teach at the university itself, and also do research with other academic centers, such as the aforementioned professor María Prieto Ursúa or the teacher Pilar Martinezamong others.

The authorFrancisco Otamendi

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