Effective Leadership

Good leadership starts begins with:

-          Confidence in yourself, in others, in your cause, and confidence in God’s promise of assistance.

-          Optimism – a belief that the goal is not only good but that it will be reached.

-          Knowledge – an understanding of the problems you are facing, and deciding what needs to be done – and then, get it done!

-          Concern for others – a charity that reaches out to every human being.

-          Decisiveness – the ability to weigh options, make decisions and implement them.

-          Openness – a respect for the opinions of all and a desire to work with people of divergent views, backgrounds, and personalities.

-          Good example – a willingness to help with even menial tasks, to be out in front and to support the members of the group in their endeavors.

-          Patience – the willingness to let ideas ripen, to plan adequately and to await for the right time for action.

-          Courage – to withstand criticism, to sacrifice yourself, to resist pressure and to continue in the face of adversity.

-          Communication – the ability to understand what others are trying to say and to convey decisions and action plans clearly.

Federer’s generosity

Roger Federer with Mirka on the far right and 3 of their children

Most people know Roger Federer as the Swiss tennis player who has so far won 20 Grand Slam Titles. He won the Australian Open 6 times, the French Open once, the British Open at Wimbledon 8 times and the US Open 5 times. He’s married to Mirka who is frequently in the stands watching and cheering her husband while cradling one of the 4 children they have, two sets of twins, two girls, who are now 10, and 2 boys who are now 5. What many people don’t know is the generosity that Roger shows towards other children. Last year he donated $13.5 million to open 81 schools in Africa. The schools are in Malawi, and cater for all ages, from kindergarten to High School. His kindness will change the life of 150,000 children to the year 2021. There are other projects going on in Switzerland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other nations. His noble gesture encouraged other sportsmen and women to sponsor other philanthropic projects to help children in third world countries. Thank you, Roger!

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Caravaggio's masterpiece at St John's Cathedral, Valletta.

The martyrdom of St John the Baptist is commemorated today, and anyone in Malta refers to the most impressive painting of this scene in the Cathedral of St John’s in Valletta, a masterpiece by Caravaggio, housed in the Oratory adjacent to the main Cathedral. It is visited by thousands of visitors and tourists daily. Its most recent restoration began in April 1997 when it was sent to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence as the Comune di Firenze had offered to restore it. The whole project, which was a major operation, was financed by the Opificio itself. Restoration works were completed in June 1998 and the painting was exhibited at the del Carmine church, Florence. The painting returned to Malta in June 1999. It is the only painting which was signed by Caravaggio, his signature seen in the trickle of blood coming from John’s decapitated head. This is a sad day for the history of Christianity as Herod used his niece to get rid of John while satisfying his brother’s wife, who was his concubine. A young girl and ballerina would certainly ask for a bracelet, or a necklace or a pretty colorful dress, or a pair of sandals for her feet, and not the head of someone she doesn’t know or ever met. 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's 'Beheading of John the Baptist.'

Yet another painting, probably more graphic is that of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It appears to be more crowded with various characters having a part in this tragic ending of St John the Baptist.

St Augustine and St Monica

The feast of St Augustine is placed just one day after that of his mother St Monica, which is always celebrated on August 27. Spending her entire life praying for his conversion, she certainly deserved to become a Saint herself. Monica was married to Patricius, and they had 3 children, Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. None of them were baptized at birth, but Navigius and Perpetua entered a religious order. Augustine was born in the city of Tagaste, Algeria, in 354 AD. He was educated in North Africa and resisted his mother's pleas to become Christian. Living as a pagan intellectual, he took a concubine, had a child out of wedlock and became a Manichean. Later he converted to Christianity, being baptized by St Ambrose, and became a bishop of Hippo, a Latin Father and Doctor of the Church, and is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. Some of his writings are strictly autobiographical, even though very theological in thought. The Confessions, which is often called the first Western autobiography are still read around the world. 
As a young man before his conversion, he taught in North Africa, Carthage and Rome. It was only when he arrived in Milan that his life started to change. In the summer of 386, after having read an account of the life of Saint Anthony of the Desert which greatly inspired him, Augustine underwent a profound personal crisis and decided to convert to Catholic Christianity, abandon his career in rhetoric, quit his teaching position in Milan, give up any ideas of marriage, and devote himself entirely to serving God and the practices of priesthood, which included celibacy. Key to this conversion was the voice of an unseen child he heard while in his garden in Milan telling him in a sing-song voice to tolle lege ("take up and read"). He grabbed the nearest text to him, which was Paul's Epistle to the Romans and opened it at random to 13:13-14, which read: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Ambrose baptized Augustine, along with his son, Adeodatus, on Easter Vigil in 387 in Milan, and soon thereafter in 388 he returned to Africa.
In 391 he was ordained a priest and became a famous preacher, while 5 years later he was made bishop of Hippo. Augustine died on August 28, 430. Among his famous quotes are these:   

“You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless till they rest in You.” 

“To sing once is to pray twice.”

“Love, and do what you will.”

“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.”

Today is up to me

I am blessed today to turn 27 after 40 years of experience. I am blessed to be able to lead my people in celebrating beautiful Masses and enjoy my reflections in my homilies. I am blessed to have family and friends to support me as they have over the past 66 years, both in Malta, in New York and Oregon. What happens to me every day is a blessing sent from heaven above.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because I've been provided shelter for my mind and body.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.

And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me.

St Julian's procession 2019

The start of the procession, with the shooters in the background.

The St Julian's procession took place yesterday which went very well with the customary shooters' salute, other fireworks, marching bands galore, lots of people and tourists, and 2 beautiful churches decorated at their very best, and a tribute to the 126-year old statue by Carlo Darmanin. Many young enthusiasts are showing more interest in decorating, as is visible in some new banners displayed in the 3rd photo.

The Redeemer meets the redeemed.

The old parish church dressed up for the occasion.

Scenes from a procession

Today the procession with the statue of St Julian is held throughout the streets of the village, accompanied by marching bands, fireworks and lots of people and tourists mingling with each other. The village of St. Julian’s has become quite cosmopolitan and many foreigners have moved in the apartments that have erupted instead of old houses that have been demolished. I heard that 60% of the population now consists of foreigners, and the locals are moving away to other towns. But at least they all show up to celebrate the feast of their patron saint. The predominant colors are black yellow, and red, the colors of the Belgian flag since St Julian was from Belgium.

The Life of St Julian

The statue of the redeemed St Julian in his parish church, with the Redeemer in the background. 

My patron saint had an interesting life which led from an unfortunate tragedy to a redemptive project which led to sainthood. He was born in Belgium in the 9th century and was a beloved son of Lusinda and Carlo, and loved hunting, especially for deer. One day, while ready to shoot down a massive deer with his bow and arrow, the deer spoke to him: “Julian, remember that if you shoot me and kill me, one day you will kill your own parents.” Perturbed by this premonition, Julian left town with his beloved wife Margherita, and settled in another area of Belgium, breaking the heart of his parents, who knew nothing of his whereabouts. Years later they started a long search for their son, and they were able to locate the place where he was living.

Julian loved his wife dearly, but some folks were very jealous of their relationship. When his parents arrived at their home, Margherita was delighted to greet them and since they were tired, she let them rest in their own bedroom. Meanwhile, she left home to tell the good news to Julian who was on a hunting trip. When he arrived home, a jealous friend told him that his wife was sleeping with another man. Infuriated and disappointed, Julian went into his home and seeing the two people sleeping in his bed, took his sword and slashed their heads off. As he left home, he is surprised to meet his wife who delightfully told him the great news of his parents’ arrival – and then he realized what he had mistakenly done, remembering the words of the deer he had encountered years earlier.

Nothing would console Julian, but he was determined to amend of his sin and left Belgium for Italy where he opened a hospital to care for sick people. With Margherita as a faithful nurse, they cared lovingly for all patients. One day, in the middle of the night, he heard the wailing of a sick person and went out to find an old man, with failing health. Julian carried him into the hospital and nursed him as best as he could. But suddenly a glowing light shone around that man who spoke to him, ”Julian, your love has redeemed you – your sin has been forgiven.” Thereupon the ailing man disappeared. He knew that it was Jesus talking to him through that man. Julian lived until his death with his wife serving the sick in that area, becoming known as Hospitaliers.

St Rose of Lima

St. Rose of Lima is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines. She was born at Lima, Peru on April 20th, 1586. This South American Saint's real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful baby that she was called Rose, and that name remained. As she grew older, she became more and more beautiful, and one day, her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. But Rose had no desire to be admired, for her heart had been given to Jesus. So she put a long pin into that wreath and it pierced her so deeply, that she had a hard time getting the wreath off afterward. Another time she became afraid that her beauty might be a temptation to someone, since people could not take their eyes off her. Therefore, she rubbed her face with pepper until it was all red and blistered.

St. Rose worked hard to support her poor parents and she humbly obeyed them, except when they tried to get her to marry. That she would not do. Her love of Jesus was so great that when she talked about Him, her face glowed and her eyes sparkled. Rose had many temptations from the devil, and there were also many times when she had to suffer a feeling of terrible loneliness and sadness, for God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to Him. In fact, in her last long, painful sickness, this heroic young woman used to pray: "Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart." She died in Lima the 24th of August, 1617, and many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Pope Clement IX, in 1667, and canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X, the first from the American continent to be so honored. She is represented wearing a crown of roses.

Maria Regina

Altar of the Coronation of Mary at Lourdes

Mary the Queen of Heaven or the Queenship of Mary is a Catholic feast day, created by Pope Pius XII on October 11, 1954, The feast was celebrated on May 31, the last day of the Marian month but Pope Paul VI moved the feast day to August 22, one week after the feast of the Assumption. It is also known as Maria Regina.
Assumed into heaven, Mary is with Jesus Christ, her divine son. Mary should be called Queen, not only because of her Divine Motherhood of Jesus Christ, her only son but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of our eternal salvation. In a way, we can say that many feasts of Mary parallel those of Jesus. We have His Ascension and her Assumption, we have his suffering on Good Friday and her feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We have his birthday on Christmas and her birthday on September 8. We have his conception in Mary's womb on March 25, and her conception in St Anne’s womb on December 8. And as we have Christ the King, we celebrate today Mary's Queenship.
Most of the images and paintings of Mary portray her with the child Jesus and others with St Joseph. Yet there is quite a portfolio of paintings that has Mary being crowned. Accentuating the positive, it is better to see Mary being crowned with angels around her, instead of seeing her suffer under the cross of Jesus, and yet both are important to emphasize because one would not have been possible without the other. The prayer mostly associated with her role as Queen is:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
It is said that when St Bernard heard these words being sung in a church, he uttered the words: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! And his words were then added to this prayer.

Pope St Pius X

Saint Pius X was born on June 2, 1835, his name being Giuseppe Sarto, He was the first Pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. He was one of 11 children, and though poor, his parents valued education, and Giuseppe walked 3 miles to school each day. Pius X was a fervent reformer of Church practices and regulations such as the Canon Law, his most important reform, which for the first time codified Church law in a central fashion. He was a pastoral pope, encouraging personal piety and a life-style reflecting Christian values.
Pope Pius X was a Marian Pope, because for him there is no safer or more direct road than Mary. She is uniting all mankind in Christ. He was the only Pope in the 20th century with extensive pastoral experience at the Parish level and pastoral concerns permeated his papacy. The Catechism of Pope Pius X is short and direct. His teachings were considered equally down to earth and practical. He favored the use of modern language in Catechesis. Frequent communion was a lasting innovation of Pius X, because before his time, people could only receive communion once a month and, on special occasions, on Sunday. He was also instrumental in introducing the custom of First Holy Communion for young children. Like his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) Pius opposed modernism, a school of thought, which claimed that Catholic dogma itself should be modernized and blended with 19th Century philosophies.
Personally, Pius combined within himself a strong sense of compassion, benevolence, poverty, but also stubbornness, and a certain stiffness. He wanted to be a pastor and was the only Pope in the 20th century who gave Sunday sermons every week. His charity was extraordinary, filling the Vatican with refugees from the 1908 Messina quake, long before the Italian government began to act on its own. He rejected any kind of favors for his family, his brother remained a postal clerk, his favorite nephew stayed on as village priest, and his three sisters lived together close to poverty in Rome. He often referred to his own humble origins, taking up the causes of poor people. AI was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor." Considered a holy person by many, public veneration of Pope Pius X began soon after his death. He died August 20, 1914, and was canonized in 1954, after his body was exhumed and displayed under a side-altar where priests can celebrate Mass, many of which I was lucky to serve as an altar boy in 1966.

Saint Bernard

Jean Bellegambe 1590 painting of St Bernard with Blessed Mother

Born in 1090, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order. After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. The little community of reformed Benedictines at Cîteaux, which would have so profound an influence on Western monasticism grew rapidly. Three years later, in 1115, Bernard was sent with a band of 12 monks to found a new house at Clairvaux, and the names of Bernard and Clairvaux would soon become inseparable. Bernard became a popular preacher, promoting the devotion to the Virgin Mary. In the year 1128, Bernard assisted at the Council of Troyes, at which Bernard traced the outlines of the Rule of the Knights Templar who soon became the ideal of Christian nobility.
On the death of Pope Honorius II, a schism broke out in the Church. King Louis VI convened a national council of the French bishops, and Bernard was chosen to judge between the rival popes. In 1139, Bernard assisted at the Second Council of the Lateran. Having previously helped end the schism within the Church, Bernard was now called upon to combat heresy. Following the Christian defeat at the Siege of Edessa, the Pope commissioned Bernard to preach the Second Crusade. The last years of Bernard's life were saddened by the failure of the crusaders, the entire responsibility for which was thrown upon him. Bernard died at age 63 on August 20, 1153, after 40 years spent in the cloister.
He was the first Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints and was canonized by Pope Alexander III on January 18, 1174, only 21 years after his death, a pretty fast canonization in those days. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church. He became remembered as the Mellifluous Doctor, the Honey-Sweet Doctor, for his eloquence. The Cistercians honor him as only the founders of orders are honored, because of the widespread activity which he gave to the order. He was very much devoted to the Blessed Mother and he was the one who added the phrase “O Clement, o Loving, o Sweet Virgin Mary” to the Salve Regina, when he heard the monks sing the first part of this Marian hymn.

Lourdes Stations of the Resurrection

The Crucifixion of Jesus

For my last entry in the series on my pilgrimage to Lourdes, I want to present a few photos of the new Stations of the Cross erected recently on the same level as the grotto. The older stations were up on a hill, which many pilgrims were finding it hard to reach, although they are still accessible and popular. But the new Stations of the Resurrection were created so that the sick and wheel-chair bound people could have better access to them.

Jesus meets his mother

They were crafted by Maria de Faykod, a project carried out over several years with nearly 100 tons of marble used from the famous white mountains of Carrara in Italy, and financed by donations from pilgrims, with some countries sponsoring a particular station. There are actually 17 stations, with three additional, ones which include the Resurrection, the waiting of Mary and the miracle at Emmaus.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus

Masses at Lourdes

I celebrated 4 Masses at Lourdes. The first one was in a small chapel of St Gabriel for our entire group, just below the Basilica. The second one was the International Mass which is held in the massive underground church dedicated to St Pius X, led by 15 bishops and over 180 priests. The third Mass was held at our hotel and the last one was at the Grotto, at 6 AM, a Mass celebrated by myself and another Maltese priest with most of our group in attendance.

Celebrating Mass at the Lourdes Grotto

There is an intricate schedule of Masses celebrated every day at various chapels, and timing is important, as a simple delay of 5 minutes will have a recurrent effect on the rest of the day. We also prayed the Stations of the Cross on Friday, which I will share with you tomorrow, walking through 16 stations made of beautiful marble, erected recently.

Celebrating Mass at the Hotel

The majesty of the Pyrenees

I share with you three photos of the Pyrenees, a majestic range of mountains between France and Spain, which we visited a week ago. It is thanks to a tchu-tchu train ride that we were able to enjoy the spectacular vistas at a very high elevation. One can see one of the trains in the third photo as it meanders around the jaw-dropping cliffs and chasmic drops below us.

The place was called Artouste, and the ride took around 40 minutes each way. I told the people this is probably the closest you'll ever get to heaven, until you actually you get there!

Gavarnie

One of the little towns we visited while at Lourdes was Gavarnie with spectacular mountain ranges all around. A country church is like something that comes out of the 10th century, with a small cemetery adjacent to it, and two watchful donkeys pasturing in a field nearby. The main road was filled with tourists and hikers, and only service cars were allowed through the busy street. However, apparently, horses had the right of way as visitors were allowed to ride them and discover the hilly and rough terrain.

Obviously, this is a place covered in snow in the winter months, and I can only imagine how beautiful it is even more in December and January. When we think of mountain ranges we always think of the Himalayas and the Alps and maybe the Andes, but never underestimate the Pyrenees, as you will also see in a few more photos coming your way soon.

The Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary at the Rosary Chapel at Lourdes

The Church honors Mary today as we celebrate her Assumption into heaven. Sharing three more photos from my recent trip to Lourdes, one can see the altar dedicated to the 4th Glorious mystery with an intricate mosaic that is over 100 years old. Another photo shows the encounter of Mary with Elizabeth as sculpted on the base of the large crucifix at the other end of the Lourdes esplanade. And the miracles attributed to Mary keep coming, not only those 70 medically and scientifically recorded since 1858, but the many other unknown and unrecorded miracles that take place within families, in communities and homes, like the many reconciliations and renewed friendships that are healed through prayer.

Mary and Elizabeth carrying their unborn child, John and Jesus.

St Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)

Maximilian was born in January 1894 in Poland and was one of 5 sons to his devout parents. He contracted tuberculosis and, though he recovered, he remained frail all his life. In 1907 Kolbe and his elder brother Francis decided to join the Conventual Franciscans. During his time as a student, he witnessed vehement demonstrations against Popes St. Pius X and Benedict XV in Rome and was inspired to organize the Militia Immaculata, or Army of Mary, to work for the conversion of sinners and the enemies of the Catholic Church through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The Immaculata friars utilized the most modern printing and administrative techniques in publishing catechetical and devotional leaflets, a daily newspaper with a circulation of 230,000 and a monthly magazine with a circulation of over one million. After receiving a doctorate in theology, he spread the Movement through a magazine entitled "The Knight of the Immaculata" and helped form a community of 800 men, the largest in the world.
Maximilian went to Japan where he built a monastery and then on to India where he furthered the Movement. In 1936 he returned home because of ill health. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he was imprisoned and released for a time. He provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from Nazi persecution in his friary in Niepokalanów. He was also active as a radio amateur, with Polish call letters SP3RN, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports.
On February 17, 1941 he was arrested again by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison, and on May 25 was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670. In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's barracks vanished, prompting the deputy camp commander to pick 10 men from the same barracks to be starved to death in Block 13 (notorious for torture), in order to deter further escape attempts. One of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, lamenting his family, and Kolbe volunteered to take his place. The guards accepted this move, and Francizek was spared and eventually lived until the late 1990s. During the time in the cell St Maximilian led the men in songs and prayer. After three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. Finally, he was murdered with an injection of carbolic acid. Father Kolbe was beatified by Pope St. Paul VI in 1971 and was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II on October 10, 1982 in the presence of Franciszek Gajowniczek and his family.

More snapshots from Lourdes

The main Basilica interior at Lourdes

I share with you 3 more photos from the many I took while in Lourdes. The main Basilica was busy all the time with Masses going on all day. There are actually three churches, one above each other, with the Rosary chapel at the lower level. This besides the Grotto and many other smaller chapels spread around the entire complex. 

The quaint chapel at Gavarnie in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains.

A visit to the town of Gavarnie gave me some nice scenes to admire, including a solitary country church with an adjacent cemetery, below the Pyrenees. Of course, a photographer is always looking at the perfect angle to frame his shot, and patience and foresight always give you a better result, as you can see from these and other photos to follow later in the week.

A large cross at the cemetery at Gavarnie created a perfect foreground for this photo.

St Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Francis de Sales receiving St Jane and the new order of Visitation Nuns

Born to the nobility in Dijon, France in January 1572, the daughter of the president of the Parliament of Burgundy, Jane grew up in a very devout environment, a trait she shared with her husband and the 4 children God gave them. Despite the early financial worries, she and her husband shared "one heart and one soul." One way Jane shared her blessings was by giving bread and soup personally to the poor who came to her door. Her happiness was shattered when her husband Christophe was killed in a hunting accident. Before he died, her husband forgave the man who shot him, saying to the man, "Don't commit the sin of hating yourself when you have done nothing wrong." The heartbroken Jane, however, had to struggle with forgiveness for a long time. At first, she tried just greeting this man on the street. When she was able to do that, she invited him to her house. Finally, she was able to forgive the man so completely that she even became godmother to his child. These troubles opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life. She spent her free time in prayer and received a vision of the man who would become her spiritual director. In Lent, 1604, she met Saint Francis de Sales, and recognized him as the man in her vision. Her commitment to God impressed Saint Francis, the bishop who became her director and best friend and the two carried on a lengthy correspondence for years.
On Trinity Sunday, 6 June 1610 she founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady at Annecy, France. The Order was designed for widows and laywomen who did not wish the full life of the orders and oversaw the founding of 69 convents. Jane spent the rest of her days overseeing the Order, and acting as spiritual advisor to any who desired her wisdom. With Francis' support, Jane founded the Visitation order for women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. She even accepted a woman who was 83 years old. She believed that people should have a chance to live their calling regardless of their health. Still a devoted mother, she was constantly concerned about the materialistic ways of one of her daughters. Her daughter finally asked her for spiritual direction. St Jane Frances died in 1641, at sixty-nine years of age at the Visitation Convent. Her relics are in Annecy, France, a place frequently visited by St Francis himself. Visitation nuns today live a contemplative life, work for women with poor health and widows, and sometimes run schools. St Jane Frances de Chantal was canonized in 1767.

The Rosary Basilica

The 5th Sorrowful Mystery

Various churches and chapels are situated at Lourdes. The Rosary Basilica is the third of the churches to be completed, in 1899 and designed by architect Leopold Hardy. It was consecrated in 1901 and has a capacity of 1,500 worshippers. Its style is influenced by Byzantine architecture. The nave is open and circular, surmounted by a dome. The exterior of the dome is surmounted by a dramatic gilded crown and cross, which were a gift from the people of Ireland in 1924. 15 separate arches inside the church depict the 15 mysteries of the Rosay with delicate mosaic for each of the 15 mysteries. The exterior facade of the basilica was modified in 2007 to include a depiction of the Luminous Mysteries, which were added to the traditional 15 by Pope St John Paul in 2002. The photos here are only three of the mysteries, including one detail of the Nativity.

A detail of the Nativity mystery

The main door to the Rosary Basilica with the Miracle of Cana Mystery

Faith is alive at Lourdes

My favorite photo of the Lourdes Basilica, after searching for the perfect angle.

My pilgrimage to Lourdes this week could not have come at a better date. After the horrific murders in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, the turmoil going on in Hong Kong, and ongoing conflicts in several African and Middle Eastern countries, one would think that peace and harmony are far from being realized. But  once you enter that gate and start to mingle with the people, behold the magnificent basilica and see the dedicated volunteers wheeling the sick through the sacred space of Lourdes, you would instantly sense that you are probably the closest you’ll ever get to heaven.

Being the main celebrant at a Mass in Maltese yesterday morning at 6 AM at the Grotto where Mary appeared in 1858 to Bernardette Soubirous, then concelebrating with more than 150 priests and 12 bishops at the International Mass, celebrating two other intimate Masses with the group I was leading, then praying the Stations of the Cross at 3 PM on Friday, saying the Diocesan Rosary together, these and the camaraderie we all enjoyed made for an excellent trip with 35 Maltese, besides over a hundred other Maltese natives with different groups. But there must have been 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims in all.

During the procession aux flambeaux

It was a holy experience for me personally, my second visit to Lourdes, and my first day off since I returned from the USA over 3 years ago. Seeing the strong faith of the people, the energy of the youth volunteering and praying with their chaperones, mingling with many other priests, monks, and nuns, visiting and browsing through the various religious stores – all features which makes you realize how strong the faith still is. Presuming that 99% of the visitors were Catholic, it felt like we were speaking the same language, the language of devotion and love. Even during the procession aux flambeaux, hearing the Hail Mary recited in so many languages, we all responded with our own language but felt united with Mary and with each other, as we raised our candles and sang joyfully, Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Obviously, I came back with a few photos, 633 of them, which I will share with you over the next few weeks.

The Rosary chapel under the main Basilica

Today is up to me

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. 

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because I've been provided shelter for my mind and body.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is completely up to me.


Note: I will be leading a spiritual pilgrimage to Lourdes over the next 4 days, and so there will not be any posts between tomorrow and Friday. I will resume my posts on Saturday. I will also be praying for all of you to our Blessed Mother in this holy place.

Venerable Augustus Tolton

On June 12, the Vatican announced that Father Augustus Tolton, an African-American priest was proclaimed venerable and is on his way to be canonized. Augustus Tolton was born a slave in 1854 in Brush Creek, Missouri. His family fled to Quincy, Illinois where he and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Tolton began working in a tobacco factory at the age of nine and later enrolled in an all-white Catholic school, but was forced to leave after outrage from the community. At a young age, Tolton began serving at Mass and later felt a call to the priesthood. Every seminary in the United States refused to accept him due to his race, so he was sent to Rome to study and was ordained on April 24, 1886. Expecting to be assigned to serve in Africa, Tolton was surprised to be sent back to Quincy to minister to the black population. 

Tolton thrived at the start of his ministry, drawing both white and black congregants to his Masses. One priest, perturbed by Tolton’s success, implored the bishop to put a stop to his ministry. The bishop ordered Tolton to minister only to black Catholics, or else leave. So Tolton transferred to the Archdiocese of Chicago to serve the African-American community there. His work took a heavy toll on him: he was known as a priest who endlessly walked the streets and visited the poor and marginalized. In July 1897, after returning from a retreat, he collapsed in the street and later died of heatstroke. He was 43.

Augustus Tolton's tombstone

The life of Augustus Tolton was full of difficulties. By the time he was nine, both his father, who left to serve in the Union Army, and his older brother had died. The racism that he experienced throughout the entirety of his life, including racial slurs from a fellow priest, was no easy cross to bear. Yet he bore it all with patient suffering.
Tolton is the model priest the US Church should look to today. In the wake of scandals involving clergy, he stands as an example of the kind of good and holy man all priests should strive to be. His simple life and focus on ministry attest to his character as a man of great piety and charity. Tolton’s story was a fundamental and pervasive struggle to be recognized, welcomed and accepted. He rises wonderfully as a Christ-figure, never uttering a harsh word about anyone or anything while being thrown one disappointment after another.

Staying connected

Ever since December, I’ve been noticing an orange tree here close to Hilltop Gardens, and there was one particular orange that has been hanging in there for the past 7 months. If one picks an orange and leaves it in a bowl, after a few days it will become mildewed and rotten, and you just throw it away. And when one sees oranges mature and come to full growth, you pick them and eat them fresh and juicy, or share them with family and friends. However, this one particular orange stayed healthy through January and February, all through March and spring, made it through May and June and now all through the warm and humid month of July. And it’s still there hanging, as orange and spotless as any orange can be.
This comes to show that when you are connected to the original life-giving source, the product will remain healthy and rich in content. And this reminds me of our connectedness with Jesus. As long as we stay close to Him, the source of our life and rich spiritual health, we should remain spotless. Cut off from Him, we will slowly decay and wither away. So let’s stay connected to Him, who gave us life so that we can reciprocate that life to others around us.

St Peter Julian Eymard

St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

Born in France in February 1811, Peter Julian Eymard worked at his father's trade as cutler until eighteen when he went to the seminary at Grenoble. In spite of his poor health, he was ordained a priest in 1834. He served as a parish priest for several years, then in 1845, he joined the Marists where he worked as a well-respected spiritual advisor with seminarians and priests. He worked with other lay organizations promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Eucharist. He rose to the position of Provincial of the Marist Society at Lyon in 1845. In 1856, due to disputes with the Marists, Eymard left them and founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and 2 years later founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a congregation for women.

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began working with children in Paris to prepare them to receive their First Communion, even though this custom was only approved in 1909 by Pope Pius X. It also reached out to non-practicing Catholics, inviting them to repent and begin receiving Communion again. Eymard was a tireless proponent of frequent Holy Communion, another idea approved officially by Pope Pius X in 1905. 

Eymard overcame a number of difficulties to reach his goals, including poverty in his family and in his community, his father's opposition to his only son’s desire to be a priest, years of serious illness and pain, and the difficulties of getting diocesan and papal approval for his new Order. Eymard was a contemporary and a friend of other saints including Peter Chanel, John Vianney, VincentdePaul, and Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marists.
The French sculptor Auguste Rodin received counsel from Eymard when Rodin entered the Congregation as a lay brother in 1862, having given up art after the death of his sister. Eymard recognized Rodin's talent and advised him to return to his vocation. Rodin later produced a bronze bust of Eymard.
St. Peter Julian died on 1 August 1868. He was beatified in 1925 and canonized by Pope John XXIII on 9 December 1962. His Order runs a church in New York City where they have perpetual adoration of the Eucharist. I am especially devoted to this saint since my two nephews are named Julian and Peter.