Talking and Reading

There are two forms of communication that are being lost from the history of humanity: the art of talking to each other face to face, and the art of reading from books. Have you seen lately young people talking to each other, playing games sitting in a circle, or simply discussing or debating a topic as we used to do in our secondary schools? Look at any group of teenagers hanging about, tapping and clicking on their cell phones, checking their lap-tops for e-mails and the latest entries into their Facebook accounts. 

Surprisingly enough, just this morning after saying my morning Mass at the other Nursing Home, I stopped to order some octopus pasta at the local popular restaurant called Otto, and while waiting for my order, I was engulfed and transfigured into this cacophony of noise coming from a bunch of women chatting and talking and arguing (while probably waiting for their order too). The whole place was abuzz with chattering while two teenage girls were intensely checking their laptops, as I sat quietly reading an article from a religious magazine. So as much as the art of conversation is still alive and well, especially among the seniors and elderly, the art of reading is slowly disappearing from our society. I have to admit, most of my reading is done through the Internet, but I still enjoy browsing through the daily newspapers and magazines. I love to talk to people face to face, especially in a quiet environment, like hearing confessions in the sacristy or counseling a parishioner. But it is so healthy to be able to talk to people face to face, instead of having to answer text messages and cell-phones, which of course keep ringing during my Masses, which drives me crazy, to say the least. God bless verbal communication, and books and magazines, and the art of eye-contact, smiling and talking. 

The Whale

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighed down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her; a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. May you, and all those you love, be so fortunate... to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Family

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, 
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply. 
He said, "Please excuse me, too; 
I wasn't really watching for you." 
We were very polite, this stranger and I. 
We went on our way and we said good-bye. 

But at home, a different story is told. 
How we treat our loved ones, young and old. 
Later that day, as I was cooking the evening meal; 
my son stood beside me very still. 
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. 
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown. 

He walked away, his little heart broken. 
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake that night in bed, 
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, 
but the children you love, you seem to abuse. 

Go and look on the kitchen floor. 
You'll find some flowers there by the door. 
Those are the flowers he brought for you. 
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. 
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise. 
You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I was feeling very small, 
and then my tears began to fall. 
I quietly went and knelt by his bed. 
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. 
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?" 
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. 

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. 
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue." 
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; 
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."

He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. 
I love you anyway." 
I said, "Son, I love you too, 
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days? But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family…. An unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

So what is behind this story? Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER, (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU!

In Solidarity

'Tree of Life' Pittsburgh synagogue where 11 worshippers were killed.

We pray today in solidarity with our Jewish friends in Pittsburgh who were killed in their own synagogue. We pray today as a unified body of believers, Catholics, Protestants, Jewish, Muslims, Hindus, and all other religions and denominations.  May we always enjoy moments of peace and harmony in our places of worship. They are sacred places where we should all feel safe and protected. May our churches, temples, synagogues and other places of worship be considered like our second homes, where we can pray together as a unified family of believers. 

Clean church jokes

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?'' The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.'

The child thought about this for a moment, then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?'

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six-year-olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'

Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill......'

God always wins

Years ago, when the curse of swearing and cursing was overtaking all of Italy, a strange event happened in a town in Tuscany. It was Sunday and in a large Cathedral, a Solemn Mass was being celebrated. Across the street from the church, there was a bar where irreverent young men used to gather, drinking, hurling obscene gestures to passers-by and cursing foul language all day long. As the bells tolled during the elevation of the Eucharist during the Mass, one particular young man started to swear and curse against the church and priests. The owner of the bar tried to control him and reprimanded him, but the man cursed even more and went as far as saying “God never scares me, and I don’t care about churches and the celebrations they hold in there. If God is powerful, let him prevent me from drinking this glass of beer right now.” As he said this he tried to grab the glass, but his face turned black, and fell to the ground as if hit by lightning, and died on the spot.” This was one case when we know that God took up the challenge of this young man, and showed that God always wins. Never take him for granted.

A note to this blog visitors: If anyone leaves a comment on this blog, there is no way for me to find out what your e-mail address is so that I can respond. I received yesterday a question about Maltese Christmas traditions from a Joseph Camilleri, and I would be happy to respond if you write me a personal e-mail on my address dungiljan@gmail.com  This blog does not show your e-mail when you leave a comment. Thank you.

New York autumn 35 years ago

My parents had visited me in New York a few times especially in the 1980s, and they really enjoyed the fall or autumn atmosphere with the foliage color change, visiting stores preparing for Christmas, pumpkin patches, and just admiring the decorations set up for Halloween and the fall season, which quickly gives way to the festive Christmas season. They made many friends with whom they kept in touch over the years, and faithfully sent Christmas Cards to each of them, which they reciprocated. 

As we approach the month of November, we remember them and their friends as I offer Masses for them. With the many Masses I am celebrating daily, twice and three times a day, I realize now that God wants me to celebrate beautiful Masses for the people, and make them appreciate the beauty of the Catholic Mass, with a brief daily homily, some background music during Communion, a pertinent prayer as a thanksgiving reflection, and creating a spiritual spirit in every church and chapel. Christ is alive and well wherever his people meet to pray and worship.

With Mickey and Minnie and friends

Parents with my sister Josephine

Tribute to a dog

Man's best friend has always been, well, everyone's best friend. This quote was written by US Senator George Vest back in 1870:

'The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert him, he remains forever faithful. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.'

A dog has so many friends simply because he wags his tail, instead of his tongue.

Always Remember

The most satisfying work ...... Helping Others 

The most endangered species ...... Dedicated Leaders
The greatest natural resource ...... Our Youth
The greatest shot in the arm ...... Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome ...... Fear
The most effective sleeping pill ...... Peace of Mind
The most crippling failure disease ...... Excuses
The most powerful force in life ...... Love
The worlds most incredible computer ...... The Brain
The worst thing to be without ...... Hope
The most powerful relationship tool ...... The Tongue
The two most power-filled words ...... "I Can"
The most powerful communication …... Prayer
The greatest asset ...... Faith
The most worthless emotion ...... Self-pity
The most prized possession ...... Self-esteem
The most contagious spirit ...... Enthusiasm
The most beautiful attire …... SMILE

Pope St John Paul II

The Great Pope St John Paul II (1920-2005)

The liturgical feast of Pope John Paul is today, and I want to honor him with this brief biography. Certainly the Man of the 20th century, Pope Saint John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18th, 1920 in Poland and became the first non-Italian Pope in almost 400 years. Also known as John Paul the Great, he reigned from October 16th, 1978 until his death on April 2nd, 2005. He was the second longest‑serving Pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878.
As a young boy, he lost his mother at the age of 8 and his father when he was 21. He even had to work at a limestone quarry, but then started his studies at the underground seminary run by Cardinal Sapieha in Krakow. He was ordained a priest on November 1, 1946, and after further studies, he ended up teaching at the Jagiellonian University. He was made a bishop on July 4, 1958 and later became Archbishop of Krakow on June 26, 1967. He remained very staunch to his faith in Poland, even when he became a Cardinal 3 years later. His election as Pope was a big surprise as Pope John Paul I died suddenly after 33 days, and the trend was to elect Italian Popes, but the white smoke showed that a new Pope was chosen on October 16, 1978, aged 58, relatively young for a Pope. At the balcony, he waved to the thousands gathered in the Piazza and said “the Cardinals have called for a new bishop of Rome. They called him from a faraway land — far and yet always close because of our communion in faith and Christian traditions. I was afraid to accept that responsibility, yet I do so in a spirit of obedience to the Lord and total faithfulness to Mary, our most Holy Mother.”
John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings against artificial contraception and the ordination of women, supported the Church's Second Vatican Council and its reform, and in general held firm to orthodox Catholic stances.
He was one of the most traveled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonized 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. He was very much devoted to the Blessed Mother, well respected in his native Poland, especially with the famous Black Madonna, and he even chose his motto as Totus Tuus, “Totally Yours,” even with the letter M on his coat-of-arms.
John Paul II's cause for canonization commenced in 2005 one month after his death with the traditional five‑year waiting period waived. His successor Pope Benedict XVI beatified him on May 1st, 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to him, the healing of a French nun from Parkinson's disease. A second miracle, attributed to the late pope, was approved and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later. John Paul II was canonized on 27 April 2014, alongside Pope John XXIII.

World Mission Sunday

On this World Mission Sunday, I share with you some interesting statistics. The numbers are taken from the Church’s Book of Statistics, (updated to the end of 2016).
The world population at the end of 2016 was 7,352,289,000 while Catholics in the world numbered 1,299,059,000, showing an increase of 14,249,000. Only in Europe is the number of Catholics going down. But in Africa, there was an increase of more than 6 million! The world percentage of Catholics is thus 17.67 percent.
The average number of Catholics per priest is 3,130, as the number of priests in the world decreased this year to 414,969. Again, Europe is the only continent with a major decrease, though America also had fewer priests, while Africa and Asia both had more priests this year than last. There are 116,160 men in major seminary and 101,616 in minor seminary. There are 5,353 bishops. Permanent deacons number 46,312.
There was an overall decrease in the number of women religious, to 659,445, but again Africa and Asia saw growing numbers. When it comes to education, the Church has millions and millions of pupils: More than 7 million of the youngest students, and 35 million primary schoolers; some 19 million secondary schoolers; 2.5 million high schoolers and 3 million university students. The Church also continues to be a leading global healthcare provider. There are more than 5,000 Catholic hospitals, with more than 1,500 of them in the Americas and about that same number in Africa. In addition to hospitals, there is a wide range of other health institutions, from pharmacies to leprosy care homes to homes for the elderly and disabled.

‘I’ll never die!’

A Scottish bishop was hiking among the mountains, and staying up too late, it got dark and was lost. Luckily he found a small cottage, and asked for hospitality. The poor family welcomed him in, and they appeared very sad and somewhat worried. He did not see any sign that shows they were Catholic, and was not ready to introduce himself as yet, as he was dressed in his hiking outfit, and they obviously could not tell he was a bishop.
‘I can see you are very kind people, but I also notice that you seem very worried and concerned about something. If I can help you....’
The mother interrupted him ‘you are right.....we are worried about our father who lives here with us. He is near death but would not like to talk about death and his departure from us.’ The bishop asked if he could speak to him and he was led to his room, where it was obvious that was dying. He talked to him politely about his preparation to face the Lord, and be at peace before he dies.
His response came instantly ‘I’ll never die! Don’t talk to me about death.’ The bishop kindly spoke to him about old age, and that everyone in history has passed away, and so he will never be an exception. ‘No, I insist, It’s impossible for me to die!’ insisted the elderly dying man. The bishop again insisted and inquired of him why on earth he thinks he will never die. He asked the bishop if he was Catholic, and then he proceeded.
‘Let me tell you why I’ll never die. I too am a Catholic, and ever since my First Holy Communion, I prayed to the Blessed Mother that I will not die without having a priest close by. So do you think that my beloved Mother will not grant me this special grace. Impossible! No, I will never die!’
And the bishop answered him ‘my son, your Mother has granted your wish. This person who is talking to you is not only a priest, but a bishop. The Blessed Mother herself led me to your cottage, to save you on your last breath.’ At that moment the bishop opened his coat and showed him his pectoral cross, which he always carried with him. The old man rejoiced and said ‘Thank you Blessed Mother, now I believe that I will die.’ He asked the bishop to hear his confession, and died a few minutes later.

North American Martyrs

The eight North American martyrs, also known as the Canadian Martyrs, the Jesuit Martyrs of North America or the Martyrs of France, included six priests and two lay brothers. They were heroic members of the Society of Jesus who were martyred in North America in order to bring the Faith that is necessary for salvation to the Huron, the Iroquois, and the Mohawk Indians. Five of the eight North American martyrs were put to death in what is now Canada, and three of them in New York State. There is a shrine to the United States' martyrs at Auriesville in New York, and there is a shrine to the Canadian martyrs at Fort Saint Mary near Midland, Ontario. The names of the eight North American martyrs are: Saint Rene Goupil, a lay brother martyred in 1642 in New York State, Saint Isaac Jogues, a priest, Saint John de Lalande, a lay brother, martyred in 1646 in New York State, Saint Anthony Daniel, a priest, martyred in Canada in 1648, Saint John de Brebeuf, Saint Charles Garnier, Saint Noel Chabanel and Saint Gabriel Lalemant, all priests, and all martyred in Canada in 1649. Saint Isaac Jogues, after thirteen months' imprisonment by the Mohawks, had several fingers cut off of his hand. He went back to Europe, but returned again to North America and was killed by tomahawk blows at Ossernenon, now called Auriesville, in New York State. 

A symbolic photo I took at Auriesville, the place of martyrs.

Saint John de Brebeuf declared before he died, "I have a strong desire to suffer for Jesus Christ." He was tortured terribly, and a burning torch was put into his mouth, which strangled him. Saint Rene Goupil, thirty-five, was the youngest of the martyrs and cried "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!" as he died. Saint Noel Chabanel was thirty-six, and Saint Isaac Jogues and Saint Gabriel Lalemant were thirty-nine. The oldest of the eight North American martyrs, Saint John de Brebeuf, was fifty-six when the Indians killed him. They were canonized June 29 of 1930 by Pope Pius XI. Their memorial is October 19, and September 26 in Canada.

Saint Luke

Known to have been a doctor and an artist, St. Luke is best known as the author of the third gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles. A Greek himself, he addressed his writings to Gentile readers. He also accompanied St. Paul on some of his journeys and shared in his sufferings. Luke wrote excellent popular prose with an artist's skill at painting picture stories. Demonstrating an unusual commitment to accuracy, he appears to have fastidiously checked his facts. In fact, archaeologists have confirmed many details that he reported in the Acts.
Some of Luke’s main themes - prayer, the Holy Spirit, and mercy - suggest that he was a compassionate, spiritual man. He aimed his books to persuade Gentiles that the Christian story was true. So he made it more accessible to them by filling his gospel with accounts of Christ’s openness and mercy. He also made a strong emphasis on the role women played in Christ’s ministry. A few stories and parables are found only in Luke, like the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Magnificat, the Presentation, Jesus lost in the Temple, the parable of the prodigal son, the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and others.
Luke’s Christian ministry can be followed in the Acts of the Apostles. Up until the 16th chapter of Acts is written in the third person, much like a historian recording facts. The voice of the narrator then changes to first person and scholars believe this is done at a time Luke first joined Paul at Troas in the year 51 AD. Later on, the book of Acts switches back to third person and scholars believe that this reflects a period in time when Luke was not present during the events that are recorded. His detailed writing can be found in a special way in chapters 26 and 27, which details the account of the shipwreck of St Paul in Malta. Many oceanographers and navigators still study this chapter to study navigation and nautical details of 2000 years ago.
Tradition says Luke lived a long life without marrying and that he died at age eighty-four. Luke is considered a patron of painters of pictures and is often portrayed as painting the image of Mary. He is often shown with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice - the sacrifice Jesus made for all the world. Luke is the patron of physicians and surgeons, and many hospitals are named after him.

St Ignatius of Antioch

St Ignatius was a disciple of St John the Evangelist – he had converted to Christianity and became friends with most of the apostles. St Peter then nominated him as the third bishop of Antioch, where he served for 40 years. Very often he was asked to renounce his faith, but he remained strong.

He was tied with chains and was sent to Rome to be thrown in the amphitheater to be eaten by wild animals. Great festivities were being held when he arrived in Rome and as soon as he was thrown into the Colosseo, two lions attacked him and was killed instantly. Some pieces from his body were saved and were kept as relics, buried first in Antioch, then taken to Rome. He is now revered in St Clement’s church in Rome.

On his way to Rome, he had visited various communities and wrote 7 letters to them before he died, among them the Smyrnians, Filadelfians, Romans, Trajans and to Polycarp. He used for the first time the expression ‘Catholic’ which means universal. When Trajan ordered his martyrdom, he did not perceive that more Catholics will join the church than leave. His writings are well respected since he wrote from what he heard first-hand from the apostles, who knew Jesus up close and personal. He is one those saints who is revered by Catholics, Protestants as well as Orthodox Christians.

Honoring our murdered Journalists

Jan Kuciak and Daphne Caruana Galizia

Viktoria Marinova and Jamal Khashoggi

Four prominent journalists have been killed over the past year, raising the serious fear that the freedom of expression has been challenged, attacked and brutally violated. A year ago today, Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered next to her home. Last February 21, young Ján Kuciak and his girlfriend Martina Kušnírová were killed in Slovakia. Just two weeks ago a Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova was founded murdered. And a few days ago Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, and an author was reported missing and presumed killed. As the only United Nations agency with a mandate to promote freedom of the press, UNESCO works to ensure the protection, respect, and fulfillment of press freedom and the rights and safety of journalists. Its mission is to defend freedom of expression, one of the foundations upon which democracies are built, and an inalienable human right set down in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a fellow journalist (Leħen is-Sewwa since 1986,) I appeal for prayers that all journalists will be protected in their duties and that their freedom to express their views will be safeguarded and honored. Let us pray for all these innocent victims and their families. 

The other 5 Saints

The banners of all the 7 Saints canonized yesterday, during the canonization ceremony.

I wanted to share with you a little background about the other 5 Saints that were canonized yesterday along with Pope St Paul VI and St Oscar Romero. Here is a little bit about each of them, all of them beatified over the past 20 years by either Paul VI or John Paul II.

Francesco Spinelli (1853-1913) was born in Milan, Italy, a holy priest who started a community of young woman dedicated to the adoration of the Eucharist. He then started a congregation called Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament.

Vincenzo Romano (1751-1831) was a priest from Naples, whose ministry was characterized by his special attention to those most in need, and his commitment to educating children and young people. When in 1794, the town of Torre del Greco was almost completely destroyed by a violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Vincenzo Romano spearheaded both the material and spiritual rebirth of the community.

Maria Catherine Kasper (1820-1898) was born in Germany and spent her adolescence working in the fields and even breaking stones for the construction of roads. In this context, she chose to found an Institute of Sisters at the service of the humblest social classes. In 1848 she opened the House of the "Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ", where the poor of the country were welcomed. The Congregation spread rapidly, even outside Germany and Europe, reaching the Americas and, later, India.

Nazaria Ignazia of Saint Teresa of Jesus (1889-1943) was born in Madrid, Spain and her family moved to Mexico where she met the Sisters of the Abandoned Elders and entered the Institute in 1908. After making her first vows in 1911, she was sent to Bolivia. As she became aware of the increasingly problematic social situation there, Nazaria founded the Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church to serve the poor and assist women. Her life was in grave danger both in Bolivia and in Spain during the civil war from 1936 to 1939.

Nuncio Sulprizio (1817-1836) was born in Pescara, Italy. Orphaned of both parents at the age of six, he was cared for by his maternal grandmother, who taught him to seek Jesus present in the Eucharist and to invoke the Blessed Virgin. When his grandmother died Nuncio was entrusted to an uncle, with whom he worked as a blacksmith. Hard work and ill-treatment caused him to contract bone tuberculosis. He moved to Naples and was admitted to the Hospital for Incurable Diseases. He died there aged only 19. Pope Leo XIII declared him a model of young people.

Two new Saints meet

Pope Paul VI meeting Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1979

This is a historic photo of Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero meeting in the Vatican towards the end of the 1970s. Today they are both being canonized in the same ceremony at the Vatican by Pope Francis. Pope St Paul VI followed Pope St John XXIII to finish the Vatican Council II, and will always be remembered as the Peace Pope, going as far as introducing the World Day of Peace in 1968, which is still being celebrated every January 1st. He spent most of his young life as a Bishop and Cardinal in diplomacy, being secretary to Pope Pius XII and helping him during the Second World War by saving thousands of lives hiding them in Rome and Castelgandolfo. He will be the 4th Pope of the 20th century to be canonized. 

The two banners displayed today at the Vatican, honoring 2 news Saints

St Oscar Romero, after serving as a humble parish priest in various parishes, was made a bishop in 1977, and he himself defended his people in El Salvador against the military terrorizing his country, and he was murdered while saying Mass on March 24, 1980. May they both look over us as we pray through their intercession for peace in Central America and all around the world, and harmony and transparency in the Catholic church.

Photo with a saint

I go back today to 1966 when in July, August, and September I spent two months serving as an altar boy at the Vatican with 20 other altar boys from all around Malta. We stayed in the Pre-Seminary dedicated to Pope St Pius X, just above the sacristy of the Vatican, and served Mass every morning in the various side altars spread all around the basilica, sometimes as many as 5 Masses, helping priests from around the world. In the afternoon, we were usually taken on various excursions and outings, or walks around Rome. Then in mid-August, we had an audience with Pope Paul VI in Castelgandolfo, and after a group photo, we were each asked to kiss his ring, and the photographer took a few photos of altar-boys. And lo and behold I was lucky enough to have a memorable photo with the future saint. I treasured this photo all my life, and tomorrow, October 14, it will have an even more special meaning to me as he is being canonized by Pope Francis. Along with him, the murdered Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero will also be canonized. More on them tomorrow. In the photo, you can also see the then-Archbishop of Malta, Michael Gonzi, and our director Canon Joseph Delia, besides the Pope's body-guard.

Prickly Pears

One of Malta’s most loved and ubiquitous of fruits is in abundant supply and yet severely underutilized: the prickly pear – remains untapped as a commercial resource by farmers while foreign entrepreneurs have already realized its potential. Granted that thorns are a major deterrent, and so, prickly pears here in Malta are relegated to being used as windbreakers for fields and borderlines between main roads and farmland
Despite growing on the Maltese islands for 368 years, the miracle aspect is yet to be exploited. We know that the prickly pear has come all the way from Mesoamerica. That’s why Mexico has a prickly pear on its flag. The Knights brought it all the way from the Caribbean in 1650 but the first written reference to the plant in Malta is in Francesco Agius de Soldanis’s historical reports sometime around 1750.

The prickly pear grew so fiercely and abundantly in Malta since that time that for a while it featured on Malta’s coat of arms as well. Prickly pears are everywhere you look in Malta. Entrepreneurs have not yet invested in the plant and do not yet know how to market the fruit. And yet the Sicilians on the other hand, are using Malta’s very own prickly pear strains to make jams, syrups, drinks, even cosmetics, and they are making a great deal of money. A recent study led by the University of Malta even discovered that chemicals extracted from the fruit could help delay the two major diseases of aging: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. No wonder it is dubbed “miracle crop” in dry regions.
In Malta, farmers are not yet ready to invest in the prickly pear so they just plant it in dry land and not as a major crop. Abroad, there are farmlands completely committed to the plant, planted in very fertile land and irrigated regularly to bear the healthiest fruit. Malta is lucky to have nothing less than 15 varieties of prickly pear. Sicily has just five, three of which are Maltese. 

A large prickly-pear tree next to a wayside chapel

This colorful fruit grows abundantly in the dry countryside, and it has been used to produce a liqueur, which is quite popular in Malta. But there is so much more we can do with its potential. Personally, I wait every August for some friends and parishioners who bring me a bunch of them, as they do faithfully with local oranges in December, loquat in June, grapes in September and pomegranate in October.

Pope St John XXIII

Pope St John XXIII visiting a children's hospital.

Although few people had as great an impact on the 20th century as Pope St. John XXIII, he avoided the limelight as much as possible. The firstborn son of a farming family in Sotto il Monte, near Bergamo in northern Italy, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was always proud of his down‑to‑earth roots. After his ordination in 1904, Angelo returned to Rome for canon law studies. He soon worked as his bishop’s secretary, Church history teacher in the seminary, and as publisher of the diocesan paper.

His service as a stretcher‑bearer for the Italian army during World War I gave him a firsthand knowledge of war. In 1921 he was made the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. He also found time to teach patristics at a seminary in the Eternal City.
In 1925 he became a papal diplomat, serving first in Bulgaria, then in Turkey, and finally in France (1944‑53). During World War II, with the help of Germany’s ambassador to Turkey, Archbishop Roncalli helped save an estimated 24,000 Jewish people.
Named a cardinal and appointed patriarch of Venice in 1953, he was finally a residential bishop. A month short of entering his 78th year, he was elected pope, taking the name John after his father and the two patrons of Rome’s cathedral, St. John Lateran. His wit soon became proverbial, and he began meeting with political and religious leaders from around the world. In 1962 he was deeply involved in efforts to resolve the Cuban missile crisis.
His most famous encyclicals were Mother and Teacher (Mater et Magistra 1961) and Peace on Earth (Pacem in Terris 1963). Pope John XXIII enlarged the membership in the College of Cardinals and made it more international. In 1962 he convened the Second Vatican Council where all the bishops gathered in Rome to discuss many issues facing the church, and this led to great reform, especially in the way we celebrate the liturgy. "Good Pope John" died on June 3, 1963. St. John Paul II beatified him in 2000, and Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.

School excuses – from parents

Norman Rockwell - At the Principal's office.

The following is a collection of "actual excuse notes from parents (including spelling) " from the Office of Educational Assessment at the University of Washington. You have to use your imagination when reading and trying to understand some of them, but I hope that for a little change of rhythm, this post brings a smile to your face.

My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.
Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.
Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31,32, and also 33.
Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating.
Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.
John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.
Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.
Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.
Chris will not be in school because he has an acre in his side.
Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.
Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.
Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust.
Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault.
Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.
Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral.
Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.
Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.
Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a hangover.
Please excuse Steffi, she has been sick and under the doctor.
Maryann was absent December 11-16, because she had a fever, sore throat, headache, and upset stomach. Her sister was also sick, with fever and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night.

Precious gifts

I opened two gifts this morning when I woke up – 

they were my eyes.

These are some other precious gifts we can give to each other:

Listening to others without interrupting.

Letting a friend open his or her heart, being attentive to what they are saying and not thinking of how you are going to respond.

Passing a sincere compliment like ‘great job today,’ or ‘nice meal today,’ ‘you look great in that color.’ Comments like these can easily change someone’s mood.

Helping others with a smile.

Giving a little space to others, especially siblings living in the same house.

Offering to say ‘I’ll pray for you today.’

Sending an e-mail for no particular reason, just to say ‘Hello – I’m thinking of you today!’

Cathedral Dedication and Consecration

The Mdina St Paul's Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, commonly known as St. Paul's Cathedral is the Cathedral dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. The Cathedral was founded in the 12th century, and according to tradition it stands on the site of where Roman governor Publius met St. Paul following his shipwreck on Malta. Today is the anniversary of its dedication and consecration. Since the 19th century, liturgical functions have been shared between this Cathedral and St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The first Cathedral which stood on the site is said to have been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but it fell into disrepair during the Arab period (the churches in Malta were looted after the Aghlabid invasion in 870).

The Old Cathedral destroyed by the Sicilian earthquake of 1693

Following the Norman invasion in 1091, Christianity was re-established as the dominant religion in the Maltese Islands. A Cathedral dedicated to St. Paul was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Cathedral was built in the Gothic and Romanesque, and it was enlarged and modified a number of times. It was severely damaged in the 1693 Sicily earthquake, and although parts of the building were undamaged, on 11 April 1693 the decision was taken to dismantle the old Cathedral and rebuild it in the Baroque style to a design of Lorenzo Gafà. The choir and sacristy, which had survived the earthquake, were incorporated into the new cathedral. Works began in 1696, and the building was almost complete by 1702. It was consecrated by Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri on 8 October 1702. The Cathedral was fully completed on 24 October 1705, when work on the dome was finished. It is considered as Lorenzo Gafa’s masterpiece.
In the late 1720s, some medieval houses to the south of the cathedral were demolished in order to make way for a square, the Bishop's Palace and the Seminary (now the Cathedral Museum). The square in front of the Cathedral was enlarged in the early 19th century following the demolition of some medieval buildings. The Cathedral was damaged in another earthquake in 1856, when the 18th-century frescoes on the dome were destroyed. Many of the paintings around the Cathedral were done by famous artists like Mattia Preti, Giuseppe Cali, and the three Sicilian brothers Vincenzo, Antonio and Francesco Manno. The dome was damaged a few times and the present work belongs to Mario Caffaro Rore. Many artifacts from the pre-1693 Cathedral survived the earthquake and were reused to decorate the new cathedral. These include a late Gothic–early Renaissance baptismal font dating back to 1495.

Inside the Mdina Cathedral

Most importantly, let us remember that this feast is a great reminder that WE ARE THE CHURCH, the Mystical Body of Christ, and in spite of the beautiful churches we have, where we gather as parishioners to pray, we the humans and the Christians form the church, because as Jesus said once 'where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst.'

The Diocesan Rosary

On this feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which the church celebrates on October 7th each year, I like to share with you the method of saying the Diocesan Rosary, an idea which I devised and which I shared with the Malta Bishops, one of whom suggested it to his priests. Before each Hail Mary, I mention the name of one or usually two parishes in Malta and Gozo. A few of the Hail Maries are dedicated to various Diocesan organizations, like the Chancery, Cathedral, Seminaries, Hospitals, Nursing homes, Sisters, University, other religious organizations, etc. All 50 Hail Maries have a special dedication, and this connects the people gathered with a previous town or village they lived in. I am trying to promote this Diocesan Rosary as much as possible, especially since it takes just 2 to 3 extra minutes to recite, but it brings together the entire Diocese and all the parishes become closely connected. I use it on the First Friday of each month at my Hilltop Gardens chapel, and since I have also recorded it on my IPad, I use it often on my own. It can certainly be adopted for each Diocese in the world, or local communities, changing the names of parishes to other special groups they like to include. It can also be adapted to include family members, each Hail Mary dedicated to siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, and aunts, up to 50. I am also planning to do a Rosary dedicated to all the residents and members who attend my chapel, a Hail Mary for those who are present for the Rosary and Mass. Or even dedicated to their deceased loved ones. They will sign in their names, 50 in all, a day or two earlier. Pray the Rosary!

‘Here I am !’

The very devout Rogers family from Texas were always united and exemplified Christianity at its very best. The parents Christopher and Judith always encouraged their children to build an intimate relationship with Jesus. They frequently asked the children on spiritual themes to see if they are really preparing themselves appropriately for a solid youth and adulthood. One day they asked the younger child Jimmy to express himself about what heaven means to him. And Jimmy answered in this way: ‘Heaven is a special place, and when we get there an angel comes over and opens a big book, and starts calling names. And when he comes to our family, the angel says ‘Daddy Rogers!’ and dad responds ‘Here I am!’ Then the angel calls ‘Mommy Rogers!’ and mom responds ‘Here I am!’ Then he calls ‘Susie and Morris Rogers!’ and they respond ‘Here we are!’ and because I am the youngest, I have to stand on a box so that he can be sure I am there as I respond ‘Here I am!’'

It was the middle of May 2016 when the Rogers family was hit by a terrible tragedy. Little Jimmy was hit by a car when waiting for his school bus. He was in critical condition and surrounded by his family praying, he lost his life a few days later. But just before he died, Jimmy moved a little bit in his bed and tried to move his lips. Then, to the surprise of everyone, he uttered the words, very clearly heard by everyone ‘Here I am!’ By those three words, he was able to relieve some of his family’s anguish and remorse. With those 3 words, both his father and mother felt a sense of peace, and both knew exactly where little Jimmy was.

St Faustina Kowalska

St Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)

Saint Faustina was born Helena Kowalska in a small village west of Lodz, Poland on August 25, 1905. She was the third of ten children. When she was almost twenty, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, whose members devote themselves to the care and education of troubled young women. The following year she received her religious habit and was given the name Sister Maria Faustina, to which she added, "of the Most Blessed Sacrament", as was permitted by her congregation's custom. In the 1930's, Sister Faustina received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the world. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world.
Her entire life, in imitation of Christ's, was to be a sacrifice - a life lived for others. At the Divine Lord's request, she willingly offered her personal sufferings in union with Him to atone for the sins of others; in her daily life she was to become a doer of mercy, bringing joy and peace to others, and by writing about God's mercy, she was to encourage others to trust in Him and thus prepare the world for His coming again.
She wrote and suffered in secret, with only her spiritual director and some of her superiors aware that anything special was taking place in her life. After her death from tuberculosis in 1938, even her closest associates were amazed as they began to discover what great sufferings and deep mystical experiences had been given to this Sister of theirs, who had always been so cheerful and humble. The church had condemned her revelations until Pope St John Paul II was elected Pope and confirmed that her story was true. She was eventually canonized in April 2000, the same month that Pope John Paul introduced Divine Mercy Sunday on the Sunday after Easter. The message of mercy that Sister Faustina received is now being spread throughout the world; her diary, Divine Mercy in my Soul, has become the handbook for devotion to the Divine Mercy.

Prayer to St Francis of Assisi

Dear St Francis, we thank you for the immense good that was accomplished by many of your Franciscan fathers, brothers, and sisters over the past 800 years. Your love towards nature, ecology, and animals inspires us to be more appreciative towards everything that we are surrounded with, especially the beauty of nature and everything God gave us to admire, cherish and treasure. Teach us to show respect towards the environment, by keeping our air clean, avoiding littering and showing negligence towards the little countryside we have left in our small island. Let us keep our seas clean, our streets without junk, dirt and clutter, and our air without any unnecessary fumes which cause health problems and do no good to anybody.

And we know how much the Maltese people love their pets and animals, and so we pray today for our four-legged friends and more, including centipedes. From dogs to cats, from birds to fish, from cows to horses, from chicken to rabbits, from ducks to baby chicks, as well as the many exotic animals that are being brought into Malta, we pray that everyone cares for them and takes care of them. And even though we do not fancy some other animals, like mosquitoes, snakes, and rats, we hope they don’t cause any damage to us and to other animals as well as the environment.  As we say in the famous prayer you taught us, make us all instruments of your peace, and remind us to sow seeds of love while eradicating hatred, and above all spread a message of friendship towards everyone, respect towards nature, towards each other and every gift we are surrounded with. We pray also for our present Pope Francis, who took your name, and like you, have a special love for the poor, and showed a spirit of poverty in his life and in his messages. We pray all this through your intercession, dear St Francis of Assisi, patron of nature and animals. Amen.