Brother Bishops

Bishop Stephen and Bishop Gregory Parkes

Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Bishop Stephen Parkes of Savannah, Georgia, share a rare distinction: they are the 11th pair of biological brother bishops in U.S. Church history. The elder brother Gregory by 14 months, said he followed his brother Stephen into the priesthood a few years after they both graduated from college. The two grew up on Long Island, NY, in a family with three boys, and Stephen said he always believed his older brother would be the priest of the family. “When I was growing up, I wanted to be a physician,” he said. “And I realize now at this point in life, that God wanted me to be a doctor, and I am a doctor of souls.” He entered seminary one year before his older brother. After being ordained, both served as pastors at new parishes in Orlando, Florida, beginning in 2005. Father Stephen was assigned to The Most Precious Blood in Oviedo, Florida, and Father Gregory to Corpus Christi in Celebration, Florida. Now bishops of separate dioceses since Stephen was appointed by Pope Francis in 2020, the two still see each other multiple times throughout the year for retreats, meetings, and conferences.  

Gregory Parkes stands about four inches taller than his younger brother, but the two say they resemble each other in their pastoral leadership. “Our parents, when we were young, as kids, always gave us a very good example of what it means to serve God and to serve his people,” Father Gregory said. “As a family we were always very involved in ministry at our parish.” The boys served as altar servers, both parents served on the parish council, and their mother worked for the parish for a time. The family frequently hosted local priests for dinner or holiday celebrations. The two are the only surviving members of their immediate family, but they look back fondly on their home life as the first stage in their discernment. Their parents, Joan and Ron, passed away in 2000 and 2002 and their oldest brother, Christopher, died in 2017. Bishop Stephen said the memory of his parents still strengthens his vocation.  

Good Friday processions 5

This final post shows several statues taken out in processions all over Malta on Good Friday, and we visit today a few other parishes and admire a select samples that are just as impressive and devotional. The first one is from the parish of Vittoriosa and here all the statues are clothed in velvet and silk, presenting an elegant display of quaint drapery with beautifully sculpted faces and hands and feet. His first one shows the Agony in the Garden.

The second photo is the image of the dying Christ, a miraculous crucifix that is taken out in procession only on special occasions. Revered in a Franciscan church in Valletta, this crucifix was done by the Sicilian friar Innocenzo da Petralia Sottana around 1630. This image usually is taken out combined with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a week before Good Friday.

Next from Luqa parish, we have the ‘Ecce Homo’ (Behold the Man) image of Jesus with hands tied after the flogging, also holding a reed in his hands and robed in red. Then we have the close-up of Jesus the Redeemer, falling under the cross from Paola church. It is a tradition in Maltese processions that this statue is always preceded by a group of buglers, playing a solemn fanfare, most often scouts or bandsmen from the local band club. Lastly, we have a statue of Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross, from the parish of Zejtun. (click on each photo to enlarge)

Good Friday processions 4

We are today in the parish of  Zebbuġ following a long, colorful, and spectacular procession. The first statue shows Christ after the flogging, and eventually being shown by Pontius Pilate to the people with the words ‘Ecce Homo,’ (Behold the Man,) while the second statue shows Jesus meeting Veronica, leaving an imprint of his bloody face on a cloth she offered to wipe his face. The next photo shows a variety of Biblical characters parading solemnly through the streets of the local town. Then we see Roman soldiers on their horses, and even a chariot led by 2 horses. The last photo is the statue of Jesus in one of the scenes as he continues his road to Calvary embracing his cross. Tomorrow we’ll end this 5-day series by seeing some other statues from various other parishes which hold this procession on Good Friday.

 

Click on each photo to enlarge

Good Friday processions 3

We are now in Rabat with 4 photos worth describing. The first one shows 3 soldiers around Jesus as He arrives on Golgotha and is being prepared to be stripped of His garments and ready to be nailed to the cross. 

The second photo shows the contrast between gentleness and harshness. The gentle attitude is seen in the two children carrying various symbols of the passion, while the harshness is seen in the two soldiers, one of whom with a whip in his hands, after he had finished whipping Jesus when He was tied to the pillar at the flogging. The other Roman soldier is quite impressive in his proud and demanding posture. Most of these soldiers create their armor themselves and keep it at home, polishing it and ready to shown off during this annual procession. 

The 3rd photo is quite impressive as the man is carrying a huge cross in a belt, with another assistant ready to relieve him from time to time, as they alternate the weight of that huge cross, balancing it and making sure it doesn’t top over the crowd. The last photo is the crucifixion of Jesus with the three main characters next to the cross, John the apostle, Mary Magdalene and the Blessed Mother.

Good Friday processions 2

Today we visit the procession held in Naxxar parish, the same parish where I serve, highlighting two statues which appear towards the end of the Good Friday procession. The first photo shows a very elaborate crucifix with various symbols connected to the passion of Christ. As you observe this relic, see how many symbols you can recognize. 

The second photo shows the burial of Christ, a very ornate statue which in Mata is usually referred to as ‘The Monument,’ showing the body of Christ as he was laid in the tomb, awaiting his resurrection. The third photo shows Our Lady of Sorrows, which is always carried last in all Good Friday processions. This statue has also another two processions, one of which is held a week earlier, on the Friday before Good Friday, a holy day which everybody respects by fasting, prayers and confession. Another procession with Our Lady of Sorrows may be held on September 15, the liturgical feast of the Pieta’.

Good Friday processions 1

All this week I will be sharing with my blog visitors various scenes from the processions which are held on Good Friday in various parishes in Malta and Gozo. These first ones are from the Mosta procession, showing the statue of the betrayal of Judas, a group of Roman soldiers dressed in their typical armor, and an anonymous devotee with chains tied to his ankles, as he walks the length of the entire procession in bare feet with heavy chains which he will drag along as a form of penance. There are various characters taking part in the procession, most of whom related to some Biblical figure connected to the last few days of Our Lord during his Passion and Death.

The gift of water

Seeing Jesus in today’s Gospel asking a Samaritan woman for water shows his humanity, yet His divinity shines through in this beautiful conversation between the two of them. He offers her special water that needs no replenishing. Whoever drinks of His water will never thirst.  We ask today for this special water that nourishes and cleanses at the same time. Water can also be destructive as happens during a flood, but it also destroys original sin when a baby is baptized. We appreciate the gift of Holy Water that is used so often for blessings of everyday objects. The Samaritan woman could have reacted with fear. Yet she responded with courage, and brought the entire village to meet Jesus, who decided to stay with them for 2 days. So we thank you Lord today for this gift, and may we always feel nourished by Your life-giving water, and respond to your invitation with courage and gratitude. May we pray for those who face so much destruction by floods and heavy rain, mudslides and snow that melts suddenly on a warmer-than-usual March day.

Orvieto Crucifixion

There are many impressive depictions of the crucifixion of Jesus. As I was reviewing my talk about ‘Crucifixion in Art’ which I will be presenting in a week, I ended up fascinated by this bass-relief from the Cathedral Duomo of Orvieto in Italy. It dates 1301, and shows a sculpture showing 4 scenes from Christ’s last moments. You can see, starting from the bottom right hand corner, going clockwise: the betrayal of Judas, the entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday,  the flogging at the pillar and the crucifixion itself. 

4 angels surround these 4 panels. These scenes are located on the façade of the main Cathedral, on both sides of the main door. There are other scenes from the Bible, but these 4 deal specifically with the Passion of Christ. (Click on each photo to enlarge)

A lesson from the Redwoods

In Northern California, there are certain trees known as the Redwoods, which are very tall. They grow as much as 300 feet, which is 92 meters. What is strange about these massive trees is that their roots are very short, and they say close to the surface, so that they can absorb of the humidity and moisture from the surface, rain, dew, snow, etc. Now one may think that they are very vulnerable to high winds and storms that may topple them and see them collapse. But this can never happen because since there are many trees close to each other, their roots get entwined with each other, and so they strengthen one another. This is a great lesson for us Christians, as families, in our churches, in society in general, where we can support one another when we can stay close to each other, especially when we are struggling with the storms of our lives. The help we give to each other helps us to stay grounded and powerful. The fact that we are not alone, but someone is always close to us, helps us remain durable, reliable and forever strong. The photo is one I took in the summer of 2009 when I passed through the area of Northern California and meandered through a forest of redwood trees.

Prayer for Peace

O God we pray for this broken world. We pray for peace and hope to return to our troubled world. People are affected everywhere by natural disasters, conflict, wars, division, poverty and sicknesses. But this current war seems to be affecting many unfortunate countries who never expected to be involved so unexpectedly. Help us to turn to you as our source of hope and strength. Merciful Lord, we ask your Spirit to intervene and bring reconciliation, healing and peace, to all those who are affected and afflicted. Make the leaders of nations involed in this ruthless conflict to search for a civil way to agree on a much-desired truce and cessation of the use of all modern armaments, including long-range and short-range missiles as well as drones. Help us Lord, we need You close to us.

La Encarnacion

The Cathedral of La Encarnacion in Malaga, Spain is considered one of the most valuable Renaissance jewels of Andalusia. It stands within the boundaries of the now-vanished Arab wall, on the site of the original main mosque, the place where the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered the construction of a Christian temple just days after conquering the city in 1487. Its construction began in 1528 and was completed in 1782. These photos show various religious exhibits displayed during Lent and Holy Week in the cathedral, photos taken last year. Encarnacion means Incarnation. Please click on each photo to see a larger image.

  

Praying for Peace

Pope Leo XIV yesterday delivered a heart-felt message from the balcony at the Vatican. His message is for the entire world to pause and reflect on the damage being done with the terrible fighting and bombardment going on in the Middle East.  The pontiff warned that continued violence risks plunging the Middle East into an 'irreparable abyss'. He urged leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to abandon threats and arms in favour of diplomacy and dialogue. Pope Leo XIV emphasised that true stability stems from sincere negotiation, not military force. He called on the international community to assume its moral responsibility to prevent further bloodshed and promote peaceful coexistence.

Transfiguration

Raphael's depiction of 'Transfiguration.'

The Gospel reading on this second Sunday of Lent is always the story of the Transfiguration, an event that is also celebrated on August 6th every year. We see Jesus on Mount Tabor with Moses and Elijah as his clothes become dazzlingly white and this inspires St Peter to suggest that Jesus will let him build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Jesus hints that there is much work to be done, and rather than hanging out together on the mountain, they had to go back to continue the work still waiting for them. This also reflects on our attitude when we feel happy and relaxed – we hope it will stay like that forever. But we know that reality is much different, as there is always work for us to accomplish. Prayer is good and beneficial, but we also have to roll up our sleeves once in a while and work with others to bring peace and harmony. This masterpiece was painted in 1520 and is presently at the Pinacoteca Vaticana, at Vatican City. 

Forgiveness

O God, forgive us for the faults which make us difficult to live with.
If we behave as if we were the only people for whom life is difficult;
If we behave as if we were far harder worked than anyone else;
If we behave as if we were the only people who were ever disappointed, or the only people who ever got a raw deal; If we are far too self-centered and far too full of self-pity: 
Forgive us, 0 God.
If we are too impatient to finish the work we have begun; If we are too impatient to listen to someone who wants to talk to us, or to give someone a helping hand; If we think that other people are fools, and make no attempt to conceal our contempt for them: Forgive us, 0 God.
If we too often rub people the wrong way;
If we spoil a good case by trying to ram it down someone's throat;
If we do things that get on people's nerves, and go on doing them, even when we are asked not to: Forgive us, 0 God.
Help us to take the selfishness and the ugliness out of life and to do better in the days to come.

St Gregory of Narek

This new saint has been canonized and introduced to the liturgical calendar 13 years ago, but he was quoted often by Pope St John Paul II. I was curious to search for his writings, among them the Book of Lamentations (of course not the Old Testament book,) 95 chapters of beautiful, meaningful and well-constructed prayers by St Gregory of Narek, an Armenian saint born in 945 AD. He was ordained a priest in the year 977, exactly 1000 years before my own ordination in 1977. You will find these prayers all in the link at the end of this post, but I share with you just one chapter, just part of chapter 58. Reflect on it and then search for more prayers in this website indicated at the end.

Lord, you are goodness beyond telling,

wonder-filled human kindness,
astonishing forgiveness, perplexing forbearance,
unending sweetness, glorious mildness.
You, over whom compassion prevails, but do not feel restrained.
You are overwhelmed by mercy, but are not blamed.
You are constrained by human kindness, but are not disdained.
You are compelled by goodness, but are not cursed.
You act out of love, but are not ridiculed.
You seek my return to you, but do not grow weary.
You run after me in my obstinacy, but do not give up.
You call out to me though I do not listen, but do not lose patience.
You rush after me in my sloth and are not stopped.
In the face of my evil, you are good.
In the face of my total indebtedness, you are forgiving.
In the face of my sinfulness, you are indulgent.
In the face of my darkness, you are light.
In the face of my mortality, you are life.

http://armenianhouse.org/grigor-narekatsi/tenets.html

St Francis’ remains

Skeletal remains of St Francis of Assisi

The remains of Italy's patron saint, St Francis of Assisi, have gone on public display to mark 800 years since his death. Italian officials say about 400,000 people from around the world have reserved a place to see his bones in the central Italian town of Assisi. The 13th Century skeleton is being displayed from Sunday February 22 at the lower church of the famous Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. His remains have only been seen in public once before - for a single day in 1978 to a very limited group of people. Born in the Italian city of Assisi in 1181 or 1182, St Francis renounced his wealth and devoted his life to the poor, founding the order of the Franciscans. He is also the patron saint of animals, ecology and the environment. 

The Feast of St Francis is celebrated annually on 4 October to mark the day of his death in 1226. The late Pope Francis, who died last year after leading the Roman Catholic Church for more than a decade, chose his name and modelled his papacy after the radical humility of Saint Francis. St Francis of Assisi's bones will be on display until 22 March.

Some unanswered questions

Feet smell, and noses run ! ! Why ?

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why is it that your feet smell, while your nose runs?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is a boxing ring square?
Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is it that rain drops but snow falls?
Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the third hand on the watch called second hand?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance that little indestructible black box is?

Passion Flower

Known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, Passiflora is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants, the namesakes of the family Passifloraceae. They are mostly vines, with some being shrubs. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion:

The Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora Caerulea) shows most elements of the Christian symbolism
The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the lance that pierced Jesus’ side.
The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ.
The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (excluding St. Peter and Judas Iscariot)
The flower's radial filaments, which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower, represent the crown of thorns.
The chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle represents the chalice or the Holy Grail.
The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance).
The blue and white colors of many species' flowers represent Heaven and Purity.
I took the above photo in Malta, where the Passion flowers grow profusely, especially in the spring.

Klaebo and friends

The Winter Olympics are over, and Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo gave a true spectacle of sheer beauty and excellence, enhanced of course by the success of the many athletes who sparkled like snowflakes in the sun. Among the most successful athletes are Johannes Klaebo (Norway, cross-country skiing,) Franjo von Almen, Switzerland, and Frederica Brignone, Italy, (slalom and downhill skiing,) Germany (Bobsleigh,) Sweden (cross-country skiing,) Alysia Liu (USA, figure skating,) Italy and Germany (luge,) Jens Luras Oftebro (Norway, Nordic combined,) Netherlands (short speed skating,) Great Britain (skeleton,) Anna Odine Strom (Norway, ski jumping,) Jordan Stoltz (USA, speed skating) Jens van’t Wout (Netherlands, speed-skating,) Francesca Lollobrigida (Italy, speed skating). These were all multiple gold medal winners. In total, Norway won 18 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals, USA 12-12-9, Italy 10-6-14, Germany 8-10-8, Japan 5-7-12. The biggest star was Johannes Klaebo who won 6 gold medals, whom I honor with this photo as he nibbles on one of his gold medals.

Repent and Believe

On this first Sunday of Lent, we see Jesus being tempted by the devil in the desert, and then we see him in prayer, while encouraging the people to “repent and believe in the gospel.” This was the same message of John the Baptist in Advent as it was last Wednesday on Ash Wednesday. May I suggest this guideline to help you throughout your Lenten journey:

Repent - admit of your weaknesses and ask for forgiveness.
Return - come back to church where you can find comfort and consolation.
Reorient yourself - make the adjustments you need.
Resolve to change - ask God to help you make the changes you need for a better life.
Rejoice - be happy with the person that is your NEW YOU.
Remember - the blessings you received, so that you don’t start taking God for granted.

Pope Francis - last testament

These were some phrases Pope Francis had left us just days before he was gone to heaven.

Fast from hurting words, and say only kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God.

Fast from worries and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from grudges, and be reconciled.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate with others.

Fast from words and be silent, so that you can listen.

Our Journey through Lent

Every year through the season of Lent, we experience a journey of emotions.

Like Jesus, we are asked to retreat to the desert , and while there, to avoid any temptations that we come across.

Like Jesus, we may experience temporary glory as He did on Mount Tabor with Moses and Elijah.

Like Jesus, we may be offered Living Water as He did with the Samaritan woman.

Like Jesus, we may be tried and processed as He did in front of Pilate and Herod.

Like Jesus, we are asked to pray as the three apostles were asked to, even though they fell asleep.

Like Jesus, we are asked to carry our cross, knowing that He is right behind us, carrying most of its weight.

Like Jesus, we will rise again, out of our miseries and enjoy eternal life with Him in heaven.

Forgiveness

Forgive me Lord.

Because I am obnoxious, forgive me, Lord.

Because I am dishonest, forgive me Lord.

Because I am egotistical, forgive me Lord.

Because I am undisciplined, forgive me Lord.

Because I am weak, forgive me Lord.

Because I am impure, forgive me Lord.

Because I am arrogant, forgive me Lord.

Because I am self-centered, forgive me Lord.

Because I am pompous, forgive me Lord.

Because I am insincere, forgive me Lord.

Because I am unchaste, forgive me Lord.

Because I am grasping, forgive me Lord.

Because I am judgmental, forgive me Lord.

Because I am impatient, forgive me Lord.

Because I am intolerant, forgive me Lord.

Because I am inconsistent, forgive me Lord.

Because I am immoral, forgive me Lord.

Because I am ungrateful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am disobedient, forgive me Lord.

Because I am selfish, forgive me Lord.

Because I am lukewarm, forgive me Lord.

Because I am slothful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am unloving, forgive me Lord.

Because I am uncommitted, forgive me Lord.

Because I am sinful, forgive me Lord.

Because I am Loved by You, thank You Lord!

Ash Wednesday

The Lenten season starts today with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. As people gather in churches, they will hear two different phrases as they receive their ashes.

"Repent and Believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
"Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."
This is time of penance and repentance, a time to get closer to our ideals as Christians, to get closer to our God who will soon suffer and die for us. Let us utilize this special spiritual time of the year to show that we are truly remorseful of our sinfulness and are ready to change our lives.

It is interesting to note that in European countries, including Italy and Malta, the ashes are placed or dropped on top of the head, instead of marked on the forehead as is done in the USA. Instead of palms, sacristans burn olive branches, which had dried up from the previous Palm Sunday celebration, and the ashes are grey. This also shows the continuity between one year and another, from ashes to palms, and from palms to ashes. It is also a reminder of the stark fact that from dust we came, and to dust we will return, as the second phrase proclaims. Some parishes in New York used to replace the holy water fonts with ashes instead of holy water during Lent. I invite you to journey with me as I share with you during the next 40 days, reflections and meditations that will help you get closer to the crucified Jesus.
We adore you o Christ, and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

7 Servants of Mary

Can you imagine seven prominent men of Boston or New York or London banding together, leaving their homes and professions, and going into solitude for a life directly given to God? That is what happened in the cultured and prosperous city of Florence in the middle of the 13th century. The city was torn with political strife, morals were low and religion seemed meaningless. In 1240 seven noblemen of Florence mutually decided to withdraw from the city to a solitary place for prayer and direct service of God. Their initial difficulty was providing for their dependents, since two were still married and two were widowers. Their aim was to lead a life of penance and prayer, but they soon found themselves disturbed by constant visitors from Florence. In 1244, under the direction of St. Peter of Verona, O.P., this small group adopted a religious habit similar to the Dominican habit, choosing to live under the Rule of St. Augustine and adopting the name of the Servants of Mary. The new Order took a form more like that of the mendicant friars than that of the older monastic orders. Community members combined monastic life and active ministry. In the monastery, they led a life of prayer, work and silence while in the active apostolate they engaged in parochial work, teaching, preaching and other ministerial activities. They were especially devoted to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. They are also known as the Seven Holy Founders and the Servants of Mary. The church celebrates their liturgical feastday today, February 17. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is on September 15, but in Malta, a special devotion in her honor is held on the Friday before Palm Sunday, with processions in all the parishes.