St Ignatius of Loyola

The Jesuits had quite an important role in my education and spiritual formation. My spiritual director in the Seminary was a Jesuit as were many of my priest friends. My two nephews were educated in a school run by the Jesuits, and which has actually produced quite a few well-known people in Malta. Jesuits have provided many good priests, many of whom have dedicated their lives to work in the missions. We thank St Ignatius of Loyola, their founder, whose feast we celebrate today. St. Ignatius was born in the family castle in Guipúzcoa, Spain, the youngest of 13 children, and was called Iñigo. When he was old enough, he became a page, and then a soldier of Spain to fight against the French. A cannon ball shattered his leg and subsequently, a series of bad operations ended his military career in 1521. While St. Ignatius recovered, he started reading the Bible and the lives of the saints, and decided to dedicate himself to becoming a soldier of the Catholic Faith. Soon after he experienced visions, but a year later suffered a trial of fears and scruples, driving him almost to despair. Out of this experience he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises". After traveling and studying in different schools, he finished in Paris, where he received his degree at the age of 43. Many first hated St. Ignatius because of his humble lifestyle. Despite this, he attracted several followers at the university, including St. Francis Xavier, and soon started his order called The Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. He was a gifted spiritual director, and has been described by Pope Benedict XVI  as “being above all a man of God and a man of profound prayer who gave the first place of his life to God.” He was very active in fighting the Protestant Reformation and promoting the subsequent Counter-Reformation. St Ignatius died at the age of 65. He was canonized on March 12, 1622.  There are 38 members of the Society of Jesus who have been declared Saints. So many other Jesuits have become Cardinals, Bishops and great writers, and two years ago, the first Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio became the first Jesuit Pope, Francis.

The Marquee

Between 1991 and 1996, I was stationed at St. Anthony of Padua, in Rocky Point, New York. Next to the church, right on the main road, they had a Marquee which was hardly used before I got there. But during the time I spent at St. Anthony’s, it became quite an attraction as I took care of it religiously, changing the message every week. It had only 4 lines, so my messages and quotes had to be brief and covering only 4 lines with a maximum of 15 letters on each line. Besides any major announcements we had to make for upcoming events, celebrations, etc, I made sure to have a captivating quote which people, drivers and walkers could think about and reflect on as they go by the famous Marquee. Among the signs which were quite a hit were these: ‘Love your enemies, and you’ll drive them nuts!’ ‘Do your best, and God will do the rest,’ ‘A great man does small things in life – with a big heart,’ ‘3 marks of a good Christian – giving, loving and forgiving,’ and on Christmas Day, ‘It’s a Boy! And His name is Jesus.’

I made sure to keep them short and sweet, so that we won’t have any traffic accidents, as usually many drivers slow down to read the message. Since it was on the main road, and also lit up at night, thousands of people would read the message as they pass by, and frequently I used to get calls from parishioners, thanking me for a particular message, especially those who tell me ‘that quote hit home today....I was very depressed and it cheered me up....’ ‘great quote today – it was meant for me – it’s quite an eye-opener,’ ‘good message Father today....if all of us listen to them and act on them!’ It was a labor of love for me as I enjoyed coming up with interesting quotes, and since it has two sides, I always did two different sayings, one on each side. Who knows how many blessings a simple idea like that gave to parishioners, as well as drivers who may not be Catholic, but read them with a smile nonetheless.

Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

The three Bethany siblings are now together again as their feast is celebrated today. Until 2 years ago, it was only Martha that had her feast on July 29, but now we have Mary and Lazarus along with her. We all remember that domestic scene in the Gospels when Jesus visits his friends Martha and Mary, who along with their brother Lazarus, all of them close friends. We read how Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to him talk, while Martha was busy with the household chores and duties of hospitality, which were very important in Middle Eastern culture. Eventually Jesus reprimanded Martha and praised Mary for choosing the better part. I always felt bad for Martha, because she was doing her duty as a host. As if she was trying to tell Jesus: “Let’s all fix some snacks together and then we can sit down and talk....” Maybe Jesus was a little too quick to criticize her, but we know that all got along well, and both girls humbly yet eagerly appealed to Jesus when their brother Lazarus died. I have no doubt that Jesus enjoyed visiting them, sitting down, taking his sandals off, putting his feet up, and relax in the shade of a trellis in their yard covered with vines, with bunches of grapes hanging from them. Then the girls would prepare some food, some nice crusty bread, a dish filled with figs, olives, grapes, nectarines, pomegranate and other finger food that was popular those days. And as they listen to their friend talk, they would nibble of the food, while sipping some home-made wine, which surely Lazarus would have prepared for his friend. This feast reminds us also of the value of hospitality as we visit friends or relatives, as they visit us, being courteous and grateful, hospitable and welcoming and forever gracious. We celebrate today also the gift of friendship.

Bonne Maman Jams

This is not an advert on Jams, but a true story. A man was in a store when he noticed an elderly women reaching out from a shelf, trying to get some jars. He tried to help her and picked up a Strawberry jam he presumed she was looking for. But she insisted that she wanted a specific brand, the Bonne Maman Jam. When the man asked her why she wanted that particular brand, she said to him, ‘eh that’s the best jam and the most special too.’ When he asked why was it so special, she stunned him by her response. ‘Besides the sweet taste, the owners of this company saved my life. You see, during the war I was just a little girl living in Paris. The Germans were looking for all Jewish people to be taken to the concentration camps, where they were eventually killed. There were posters everywhere warning that anyone caught hiding the Jews will be arrested and shot on the spot. The owners of this jam were the family that hid my own family, who were Jews. To save my life and my parents and siblings, they risked their own lives. If caught they would be killed, as well as our own family. So, to answer your question, how can I buy a jar of jam of another brand? These jams remind me of the terror we experienced, but also of the bright light that this family brought to me and my family. Today every time I come to do some shopping, my grandchildren remind me, Grandma, don’t forget the Bonne-Maman jam’’ Let us appreciate those who helped us in the past, and also buy products from those who support good causes.

Olympics 2024

The Olympics are officially underway after a spectacular display yesterday evening over and around the Seine river. Thousands of athletes will now compete to win a medal that will be recorded for ever in history. While many medals have been won in so many professional and amateur sports, nothing beats winning an Olympic medal, even if it's made of bronze. Seeing that flag of your home country being raised in the arena or stadium is always much-treasured memory. The spirit of the Olympics is actually seen in the famous quote by Pierre Rene de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics: 'The important thing is not to win, but to participate bravely in any sport.' Let us hope to be able to see some more splendid performances in these Paris Games as we did in the past with the likes of Paavo Nurmi in the 1920s, Jesse Owens in the 1930s, Fanny Blankers-Koen in the 1940s, Emil Zatopek in the 1950s, Larissa Latinina in the 1960s, Mark Spitz in the 1970s, Carl Lewis in the 1980s, Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci in Gymnastics, Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in swimming and so many Ethiopians and Kenyan long-distance runners in track and field. And so many, many more !

Prayer for Grandparents

Today being the feast of the Blessed Mother's parents, Saint Joachim and Saint Ann, I share with you a prayer for grandparents, written by Pope Benedict XVI.

Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary,
the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Look with love on grandparents the world over.
Protect them! They are a source of enrichment
for families, for the Church and for all of society.
Support them! As they grow older,
may they continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith,
guardian of noble domestic ideals, living treasuries of sound religious traditions.
Make them teachers of wisdom and courage,
that they may pass on to future generations the fruits
of their mature human and spiritual experience.
Lord Jesus, help families and society
to value the presence and roles of grandparents.
May they never be ignored or excluded, but always encounter respect and love.
Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed
in all the years of life which you give them.
Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care,
accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers,
grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland,
where you await all humanity for the great embrace of life without end. Amen!

The Cross in Marriages

Weddings at Siroki-Brijeg parish

A small town in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 29 km (18 miles) from Medjugorje is called Siroki-Brijeg, with a population of 6,000. All of them are Catholic and they have a world record for surviving marriages. While so many marriages are falling apart, in this town, there is no divorce and marriages are as strong as ever. The reason is a simple custom they have, called the ‘Cross in our Marriage.’ During the wedding ceremony, the couple approach the altar and receive a cross from the celebrant, as he reminds them to love the cross, and carry it bravely. The cross should never be abandoned or ignored, but they should love it, cherish it and care for it. The cross is blessed and the bride places her hand on the groom who carries the cross. And before they kiss each other, they kiss the cross, the symbol of their love. And as they may face some other crosses in their lives, they know that Jesus will be there to help them carry other crosses they may encounter along the way.

Neo-Byzantine Eucharist chapel

A very unique and elaborate chapel was inaugurated recently at St George’s parish church in Rabat, Gozo, Malta. It is covered with pristine mosaic built and crafted over the last 24 years. It was a pain-staking job done with love, but the end result is truly spectacular as you can see from these 2 photos. The style is neo-Byzantine, and it is something you may see inside a Greek or Russian Orthodox church. But this church, one of two in the town of Rabat, Gozo, the other one being the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, is covered with art and paintings from different eras, mostly by Maltese artists, done over the last 200 years. The tabernacle is made of silver and is a replica of a pyx.

Paris and Harris

Over the next three weeks, all the talk around the world will be about Paris and Harris. Paris is where the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be held, and Harris referring to Kamala Harris who is probably the chosen contender for the Presidency of the United States for the Democratic Party to face the Republican Donald Trump in the November elections. All eyes will be watching the various sport events around Paris with hundreds of gold, silver and bronze medals to be awarded for excellence in sports. Then the Democratic party will be meeting to confirm the name of Kamala Harris who just replaced President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the race. If elected, she would be the first female US President and also 2nd black person to lead the USA. The logos you see in the photo above represent the last 12 cities where the Olympics were held. Before them, there was also Montreal, Munich, Mexico City, Tokyo, Rome, Melbourne, Helsinki, London at least up to World War II.

St. Mary Magdalen

St. Mary Magdalene is mentioned as one of the women who ministered to Jesus. The same passage also refers briefly to an act of exorcism performed on her, on an occasion when seven demons were cast out. These women, who earlier "had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities", later accompanied Jesus on his last journey to, and were witnesses to the Crucifixion. She was also the privileged first person to see Jesus risen from the tomb, an honor that was not given to any of the 12 apostles, but only to Mary Magdalene, probably in a way of thanking her for staying with Jesus till the end at the foot of the cross. This is the last mention in the Gospels of Mary of Magdala, who now returned to Jerusalem. She is probably included in the group of women who joined the Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem after Jesus' Ascension and may have also been with the Blessed Mother at Pentecost. Tradition as early as the third century identifies Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and with the woman sinner who anointed Jesus' feet, even though she remains unnamed. The identification of Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and "the woman who was a sinner" is reflected in an influential sermon Pope Gregory I gave in 591, when he said: "She whom Luke calls the sinful woman, whom John calls Mary of Bethany, we believe to be the Mary from whom seven devils were ejected according to Mark.” Today we celebrate her feast-day as big celebration on the same level as those of the apostles.

3000 posts

This is my 3000th post in this Blog. I thank all those who check my blog daily with more than half a million hits so far, precisely 573,673 as of today. These are the three most popular posts with the respective number of hits on each of them. The first one was a review of a friend of mine, Edward Azzopardi who uses incredible craftsmanship by using paper and creating fascinating designs by a simple surgical knife. He works mainly with paper or cardboard, but he also has done etching on glass as well as delicate and intricate work on wood or plywood. 

http://dungiljan.blogspot.com/search?q=edward+azzopardi        1500 hits

The second post is about the birth of the football superstar Ronaldo and how his mother was determined to abort him and we thank the doctor who convinced her otherwise. 

http://dungiljan.blogspot.com/search?q=ronaldo          1390 hits

The third one was about my first Thanksgiving celebration back in 1981 when I was in New Hyde Park, New York. 

http://dungiljan.blogspot.com/search?q=my+first+thanksgiving       698 hits

Don’t forget you can always check past posts by clicking on ‘Older Posts’ link at the right hand side in the bottom of the last post in this page. You can also type anything you may be looking for in the ‘Search this Blog’ window at the very top on the right hand side. My first Blog is still available to browse through at www.fatherjulian.blogspot.com with over 2,400 posts from my time in Oregon.

Caring and Loving

He helped him while eating, washing and grooming, and when he was healthy enough took him out for a walk in the hospital’s garden. Then he would take him back to his room, help him change and put him in his bed. He would not leave until he saw the old man resting in his bed. One day a nurse went into his room, and told the old man ‘what a wonderful son you have – he is so kind and respectful. He doesn’t miss a day to come to see you. You are so lucky to have a son like him.’ The man closed his eyes and whispered to the nurse ‘how I wish he was my son! He is not my son, but an orphan I met years ago when he lived next to me and my wife. The first time I met him, he was around 8, and had just lost his father, and I hugged him and gave him some sweets. Then he disappeared and I didn’t know what happened to him. Several years later when he was grown up, a handsome young man, he came to live close to us again, and used to come to see me and my wife, both elderly by now. When I got sick, I had to come to the hospital and he took my wife to live with him, until I get better. As you see he comes to see me every day. Even though I feel embarrassed by his kindness, I am thankful for him. One day I asked him ‘why do you do this to me and my wife? Why do you love us so much?’ He answered me by saying ‘the taste of those sweets you gave me are still in my mouth!’

How often we complain about young people – but how often do we appreciate the wonderful things they do, sometimes without being asked. Like this young man, who was only reciprocating a simple kind deed done to him, many years ago! Such people can make everyone and everything around them so grateful and appreciative.

Tomorrow will be my 3000 post in this blog. I will review some of the most popular posts. Don't forget my first Blog from my time in Oregon started in 2012 which has 2,400 posts and which you can review here www.fatherjulian.blogspot.com

Alexander’s 3 wishes

Alexander the Great was a powerful warrior, and conquered many countries. But when he was dying, he shared 3 wishes he wanted from those close to him. He gathered his close friends and family members around his death bed, and as they listened attentively he spoke...’I want only my doctors to carry my coffin after I die. I also want the road on which my coffin will pass be covered with all the gold and silver I earned during my life. And thirdly I would like my hands to be left hanging on each side of my coffin.’ Everyone listened with disbelief at these unusual requests and one of the elders asked him what is the significance of these 3 wishes. So Alexander spoke up for the last time....’I want the doctors to carry me so that people will know that they don’t have any power over death and any kind of sickness. I want the gold and silver on the ground so that people would realize that they cannot take with them a single flake of all the gold they earned in their life. And lastly I want the people to know that we came into this world empty handed, and we will definitely leave empty handed.’ Certainly, words worth remembering. 

Eucharistic Congress

Pilgrims cross the Big Four Bridge in Louisville, approaching Indianapolis

Through big cities and small towns, in comfortable spring conditions, sweltering 90-degree summer heat, and rain. They saw the skyscrapers of New York City, the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf Coast and the grassy plains of Kentucky. The Eucharistic pilgrims who set out from four different starting points in the United States on May 19 slept with host families, as well as in monasteries, retreat centers and convents. Accompanying the Eucharist exposed in monstrances, they walked up to 19 miles on some days on a journey that will end with the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The two biggest challenges are the heat and exhaustion. Along the way, the pilgrims participated in Eucharistic processions, holy hours, special liturgies and other religious events with local communities. They visited shrines, cathedrals and Catholic universities. They processed through rural towns and big cities, and accompanied the Eucharist on boats that traversed local rivers. "We were literally on the boat with Jesus,” some of the pilgrims said. More than 50,000 people will descend on the Circle City, Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, a five-day gathering (July 17-21) that will feature liturgies, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, processions, musical and dramatic performances, panel discussions and individual presentations on various topics related to the Eucharist and its connection to the Catholic Church's evangelizing mission. Organizers are counting on the National Eucharistic Congress to be an event that will fan the flames of spiritual revival in the U.S. church. Others are doubtful that the bishops' plan to promote a devotional form of Catholicism will win back Catholics alienated from the church for a variety of reasons. By the time the Philippines Cardinal Luis Tagle, the papal delegate to the event, celebrates the closing Mass on July 21, organizers say they will have raised and spent more than $22 million for a gathering that they hope will serve as a catalyst to energize Catholics across the United States. The Congress is a response to God's desire to renew the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been beset by polarization and scandal, not to mention the fact that scores of Catholics fell away from the church because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blessed Adrian prayer

Blessed Adrian Fortescue, a Third Order Dominican, courtier to King Henry VIII, was also first cousin of Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. Loyal to Rome, he was supportive of Pope Clement VII’s refusal to annul Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne. In 1539, Sir Adrian was arrested, convicted of high treason without trial, one of 50 persons similarly convicted, and beheaded the same year. As with St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, he had refused to take the 1534 Oath of Succession. The personal piety of Blessed Adrian was attested by his Book of Hours, which had been left to decay over many centuries but was repaired and rebound in 1903. The book was recently loaned it to the Order of Malta, and which has since returned it to Bosworth Hall, where it is exhibited with other artifacts. In it I came across a beautiful prayer written by Blessed Adrian. It’s written in old English, but I am paraphrasing it here:

Above all things, love God with your heart. Desire His honor more than the health of your own soul. Be sure to cleanse your mind with frequent confession and stay away from lustful and earthly desires. Avoid any grudges and control your tongue. Pray often. Create a peaceful atmosphere around your home. Speak to God from time to time – He listens. Be a good example of the virtues you treasure.  Be kind to the poor and help them any way you can, as this way you are pleasing God. Pray for perseverance and that the Holy Spirit will inspire you constantly. Renew daily the resolve to always do good. If you commit sin, don’t despair, because ultimately the Holy Spirit will strengthen you. Doing this, you will be in Heaven with Jesus, to give Him glory, praise and everlasting honor.

The Carmelite Scapular

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. According to a pious tradition, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St Simon Stock at Cambridge, England on Sunday June 16, 1251. In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, she appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said to him: ”Take, beloved son, this scapular of your order as a special sign of grace for all Carmelites; whoever dies with this scapular, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, a pledge of peace.” The Carmelites are a religious order founded on Mount Carmel in the 13th century, named thus in reference to the mountain range found in the Holy Land. The founder was a certain Berthold, who was either a pilgrim or a crusader. The order was founded at the site that it claimed had once been the location of Elijah’s cave, 1700 feet above sea level. By 2001, there were 2,100 religious monks in 25 provinces in the Carmelite order, besides 700 enclosed nuns in 70 monasteries. In addition, the Third Order of Lay Carmelites count 28,000 members throughout the world. Besides St Simon Stock, there are other Carmelite saints such as St Therese of the Child Jesus, St John of the Cross, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St Theresa of Avila and even Sister Lucia of Fatima.

My generous parishioner

After yesterday’s touching story, I can relate to that message as I also experienced a generous act to my parish from one of my parishioners. George Colwell was a seasoned rancher, and he owned some property in the parish of Baker City, Oregon. He also knew we had some needy families, as well as transients who used to pass by in their travels, looking for help and any kind of assistance. So every year he used to give me $10,000 to use for these needy cases. I spread the money over a whole year using around $900 a month for a variety of needs: a voucher for gasoline, an overnight stay in a motel, urgent medicine, some electrical bills, baby needs, funeral travels, etc. Of course I never gave any cash, but a voucher which would then be redeemed later on. George always wanted to remain anonymous, but after 15 years, I feel it’s about time to acknowledge his generous and extremely kind gesture.

Clement’s generosity

A farmer named Clement was very generous with his produce and would often distribute vegetables to his neighbors and poor people he meets. He also had a habit of writing anonymous cards for people’s birthdays. He was a shy person and very quiet. Even his own family didn’t know how generous he was. Every month he would give $100 to the local pharmacist so that he could use them for people who could not afford to pay for their medicine. But he insisted with the pharmacist that no one should know who paid for their prescription, which were often quite expensive. For 10 years he kept giving the money to be used as a charitable donation. When Clement got sick, he called his daughter Tania and explained what he had been doing, and asked her to give the $100 to the pharmacist every month. She was not surprised by his kindness, and did what he requested. Clement died on January 1, 2023, and during the funeral Tania could not resist keeping this story to herself and told the congregation of her father’s generosity. After the funeral, a local teacher approached Tania and explained to her that his son needed an expensive medicine every month, and they could not afford it without the help from the pharmacist, which he now knew that it came from Clement. The word spread around and within a few days all kinds of donations kept coming to the Pharmacy, to continue this charitable marathon. With values going down the drain in our society, it’s so uplifting to hear these stories of altruism, generosity and kindness. (Tomorrow I will share with you a similar experience in one of the parishes I served in.)

Life as a Gift

Our life is truly a gift. Say ‘Thank you’ and share it with others.

Before you open your mouth to criticize and condemn and hurt someone by a harsh word, remember that mute person who cannot utter one single word.

Before you complain because the food was not to your liking, remember the millions who have nothing to eat.

Before you criticize your husband or wife or someone close to you, remember how many desperate people are out there who are always alone.

Before you complain how tough your life has been, remember that person who died at a very young age.

Before you get angry because your children do not always obey, think of those couples who could never have children of their own.

Before you complain because you have so much to work and cleaning to do at home, remember all those who have not even a roof above their head.

Before you complain because there are so many cars, and so much traffic, think of so and many people who have to walk wherever they need to go.

Before you get upset because of the work you have to do,  think of so many people who are unemployed and those who are always looking for a job.

Before you accuse someone else without knowing the situation, remember that nobody is without sin, and we all have to give an account to God.

When you start seeing everything dark and ugly around you, remember to smile and thank God that you are healthy and can accomplish so many projects.

St Louis and Zelie Martin

The Martin parents with their children, including the 4 deceased

We honor today the parents of yet another saint, and so we can say that there are three saints from the same family, a rare feat, the only other exception is the Holy Family. Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin are the parents of St Therese of Lisieux. Louis was born in 1823 and wanted to become a monk, but he was poor in his studies of Latin, and became a watchmaker instead. Zelie was born in 1831 and she also wanted to become a nun, but with some breathing problems, she was refused entry into the convent. Instead she became a professional lace-maker, to such an extent that her husband left his job and helped her in the production of Alencon lace. Their love for each other continued to blossom, and they got married on July 12, 1858, at the Basilica of Notre Dame in Alencon. They wanted to live a celibate life without any sexual relations between them. But when their spiritual director heard of this strange marital arrangement, he reprimanded them, and insisted that this is not the way married couple should live their lives together. Apparently they must have listened to him, because in 13 years they had 9 children. Only 5 of them lived into adulthood and they were all girls, and all of them became nuns. Marie Louise lived 80 years, Marie Pauline lived 90 years, Mare Leonie lived 78 years, Marie Celine lived 90 years, and Marie Francoise-Therese lived only 24 years, and became the popular saint Therese of Lisieux.

The banner that was used for their canonization in 2015

Their parents, however, were not lucky enough to enjoy the company of their daughters. Their mother Zelie died of breast cancer in 1877, aged 45, and their father Louis died in 1894, aged 70.  They raised their daughters with deep spirituality and love. Louis had built a little chapel where he used to spend time in prayer. He loved nature and travelled to many holy places, like Rome, Lourdes, Constantinople. He even gave affectionate nicknames to his girls. One he called diamond, another one pearl, another one the brave, yet another Guardian Angel, and young Therese he called little queenie, reginetta. Louis and Zelie used to write beautiful letters to each other and were published in a book. Although the letters from Louis were only 16, the ones from Zelie were 216, and they show the deeply spiritual life they used to live together. They were canonized by Pope Francis in October 2015.

The Rule of St Benedict

St Benedict handing the Rule to his monks

The feast of Saint Benedict, the founder of Monasticism is a very special day in the life of the church, as all Benedictines celebrate the life of their founder today. St Benedict devised his famous Rule, 73 brief chapters, which is read by all his members, at times almost memorized. I am always fascinated by Chapter 4 of the Rule, which lists 61 tools for good works, all based on Scripture. Here they are, listed in order, which makes for a good meditation:

 In the first place, to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength. Then, one's neighbor as oneself. Then not to murder. Not to commit adultery. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honor all. And not to do to another what one would not have done to oneself. To deny oneself in order to follow Christ. To chastise the body. Not to become attached to pleasures. To love fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To become a stranger to the world's ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ. Not to give way to anger. Not to nurse a grudge. Not to entertain deceit in one's heart. Not to give a false peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, for fear of perjuring oneself. To utter truth from heart and mouth. Not to return evil for evil. To do no wrong to anyone, and to bear patiently wrongs done to oneself. To love one's enemies. Not to curse those who curse us, but rather to bless them. To bear persecution for justice's sake. Not to be proud. Not addicted to wine. Not a great eater. Not drowsy. Not lazy. Not a grumbler. Not a detractor. To put one's hope in God. To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself.  But to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, and to impute it to oneself. 

An 8th century copy of the Rule of St Benedict

To fear the Day of Judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with all the passion of the spirit. To keep death daily before one's eyes. To keep constant guard over the actions of one's life. To know for certain that God sees one everywhere. When evil thoughts come into one's heart, to dash them against Christ immediately. And to manifest them to one's spiritual guardian. To guard one's tongue against evil and depraved speech. Not to love much talking. Not to speak useless words or words that move to laughter. Not to love much or boisterous laughter. To listen willingly to holy reading. To devote oneself frequently to prayer. Daily in one's prayers, with tears and sighs, to confess one's past sins to God, and to amend them for the future. Not to fulfil the desires of the flesh; to hate one's own will. To obey in all things the commands of the Abbot or Abbess even though they (which God forbid) should act otherwise, mindful of the Lord's precept, "Do what they say, but not what they do." Not to wish to be called holy before one is holy; but first to be holy, that one may be truly so called.

Going to church

A beloved priest would often walk in his neighorhood and talk to some of the neighbors. One day he met a young man whom he recognized as a former altar-boy. It’s been almost 10 years since he last saw him, and asked him what he was doing, which university he was attending, how his family was doing and other basic questions. He asked him finally why he doesn’t come to church anymore. The young man was quick with his response, ‘well Father, I stopped coming to church because people are double-faced, they talk in church, they talk about others, they sing off-key, they use their cell-phone in church and also doze off when some priests are preaching. So why should I come to church, to get more upset?’

So the priest suggested that he would do an experiment. ‘Go to church one day, and take with you a glass filled with water to the brim. Now go around the church carrying the water in the glass without spilling one single drop.’ The man thought this was an odd proposition, but did as the priest told him. He cautiously went around the church concentrating on the glass in his hands, and didn’t even spill one drop of water, so focused was he on his job. When he finished he went to the priest and told him he had finished. And the priest asked him, ’now tell me young man....when you were walking around the church, did you hear the people chit-chat?....did you hear the off-key singing?....did you notice anyone using their cell-phone?...did you see anyone dozing off?....’ And for all these questions, the young man’s answer was ‘No, No, No, and No!’ And the priest concluded by saying, ‘that’s great, now when you go to church, stay focused on Jesus, look at the tabernacle, follow the Mass and the priest celebrating. And ignore what the other people may be doing. And remember that Jesus is also focused on you, because you are precious in His eyes.’

On Transitions

Summertime is often full of transitions. Children complete a school year and announce with pride they are now in the next grade. Others graduate from high school or college and face new adventures — moving, a new job, a new school. Transitions are filled with tension. Even good transitions bring up anxieties. Saying yes to something new and wonderful usually means saying goodbye to things, people and routines that are familiar. It can be a mixture of joy and anxiety, looking forward to new possibilities and reflecting on the things that have been. As a priest I've moved 12 times since I entered the Seminary in 1970. From home to the Seminary, then back home, then to New York, then for a sabbatical with the Cistercian monks of Spencer, Massachusetts, then to Oregon, back to Malta and finally to my present location at Naxxar in a Retirement Home, without being retired ! The physical transition of moving belongings is also a big hassle. Getting boxes to store things, and finding a way to move them from one place to another usually by car. Once I had to do it by shipment, and even by mail, close to 18 boxes filled with my belongings, mostly files, CDs, clothes and some nick-knacks. When I returned back to Malta, I said goodbye to long-time friends without knowing if I would see them again. I kept in touch with most of them through email. Some respond, other not, but I never give up, and keep trying to get any answer from them. The young children I left behind are now teenagers. And the teenagers are now out of college and possibly married already.

Jesus showed us how to live in a way that allows us to follow God without being held back by other things. He said once "foxes have dens … but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head" (Matthew 8:20,) and so we know that even Jesus experienced transitions frequently. But God works in us through transitions. Moving from one place to another gives me a chance to pause and consider how attached I am to material things and to remember what's most important to me. It's not the clothing or the books, my CDs, my flute, my watercolors and my photos, but the relationships, the love and the ability to use the generous gifts and talents God has given me for the good of the world around me. As Jesus reminds his disciples, he also reminds us that "there is no one who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive back an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come" (Luke 18 29-30.) So when we are facing major or minor transitions or just the ordinary change of seasons, may we be able to relax our anxieties and allow ourselves to rest in God's generous care.

Mappa Mundi

This world map  (Mappa Mundi in Latin) from around 1450 by the Italian monk, accountant, and cartographer Fra Mauro (d. 1464) is “considered to be the greatest memorial of medieval cartography”. With the impressive dimensions of 2.4 x 2.4 meters, it is also the largest surviving medieval European map, which is drawn on parchment and mounted in a gilded wooden frame. The circular planisphere was the most detailed and accurate depiction of the world yet created, marking the transition from biblically-based geography to more scientific methods. It is also one of the first European maps to depict Japan. As such, NASA, when comparing the map to satellite images, has described it as “stunning” in its accuracy. The map was an expensive project which took years to create on the island of Murano near Venice and two editions were made by Fra Mauro’s workshop for the great maritime powers of Venice and Portugal. (Click to enlarge map)

Marcel and the Rosary

Marcel Nguyen Tan Van was a Vietnamese Redemptorist Brother who lived between 1928 and 1959. During his life he had visions of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St Therese.  He wanted to be a priest but died at a young age, barely 31, and his cause of  beatification is ongoing.  When he was only 8 years old, he was literally persecuted by his catechist, who was very jealous of him. He used to keep him away from the sacraments and punished him relentlessly. The only thing that Marcel had left was the Rosary. He used to say ‘the Rosary is the only cause of my happiness, which I see emanating from the heart of Mary. I often climbed a hill to be closer to Mary and there I say the Rosary by myself.’ But even the rosary beads were taken away from him, and so he used 10 coffee beans to count the mysteries, passing the beans from one hand to another. But these too were taken from him, and then Marcel used a rope with 10 knots, and this too was stolen. Finally he used his fingers, and he could say the rosary without being caught. He said before he died ‘with the help of the Rosary, Mary was always at my side and as a result, the devils that always tormented me never were able to beat my determination to be close to Mary and Jesus.’

St Maria Goretti

The only known photo of St. Maria Goretti

A young girl with little schooling became one of the most popular saints in Italy by the middle of the 20th century. Born in 1890, Maria Goretti was one day by her house and a neighbor attempted to rape her, and even though she resisted him, she was killed by 14 stab wounds. She died 24 hours after being stabbed, also giving her enough time to receive Holy Communion. Her killer Alessandro Serenelli was jailed, sentenced to 30 years in prison, and was unrepentant for a while. Eventually, he changed his life, even becoming a Franciscan Capuchin lay brother after being released 27 years later. One of the first things he did after his release was visiting Maria’s mother and apologize to her. Maria was beatified in 1947, and on that occasion, her mother and siblings appeared with Pope Pius XII at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Alessandro was even present at Maria Goretti’s canonization on June 24, 1950. Over half a million people had gathered in the Vatican piazza for her canonization. St Maria Goretti is the patron of youth, chastity, and purity.

Alessandro praying by Maria's picture

A few years before he died, Alessandro wrote this note in his will: “I’m nearly 80 years old. I’m about to depart. Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself. My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried. There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life. When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. Thirty years of prison followed. If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault. Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted by the members of society. The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I’ve been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta."

Kaleidoscope

I present to you today something unusual that you can enjoy for a long time. Some of us may remember it as a toy, but when it's done with precision, it is a marvel to behold, as you can see from the image presented here.  A kaleidoscope is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces or mirrors tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more parts of objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a regular symmetrical pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated reflection. The term "kaleidoscope" was coined by its Scottish inventor David Brewster, and the first patent was granted on July 10, 1817. He experimented with glass, mirrors and other gadgets to create his finished product, which was perfected over the past 200 years. Enjoy what you see, as the image changes constantly. Make sure to put the image on Full Screen.

Mark Cavendish – Record Breaker

Mark Cavendish rejoicing on the finish line yesterday.

I follow cycling passionately and nothing can excite you more than seeing a record broken in one of the cycling races taking place throughout the year. One of the most cherished records was held by Eddy Merckx who had won 34 stages of the Tour de France. He was an all-rounder, so he sprinted, he climbed and won regularly. Many people thought that such a record can never be broken. A cyclist who wins one or more stages is considered a hero, and so when British sprinter Mark Cavendish kept winning stage after stage in sprints, his stage wins were climbing slowly into the 20s, and 30s. By the time he reached 32, many thought he would retire. But then came win number 33, and 2 years ago, came number 34 to tie Eddy Merckx’s immortal tally. Yesterday was stage 5 of this year’s Tour de France, and it was a flat stage, which means that the sprinters would have the upper hand at the finish. And sure enough Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory representing the Astana team, breaking an almost 50 year-old record. Let’s not forget that he also won 17 stages in the Giro d’Italia and 3 stages in the Vuelta of Spain over the last 15 years. Yesterday he was embraced by every other cyclist, especially his team-mates, but especially by his wife and 4 children who went on the stage when he was presented with the 5th stage medal. Mark may win again today as it’s a flat stage, but when it comes to mountain stages, he suffers a lot, and presently he is over an hour behind the present leader Tadei Pogacar of Slovenia. So, today we are honored to say to you ‘Hail Mark!’

Twilight in St Julian’s

One of the most picturesque scenes in Malta is in my hometown of St. Julian’s, officially called Spinola Bay. It used to be a fishing village with a few fishermen earning their livelihood through fishing. Nowadays it is just a tourist attraction, although the few boats you see in the bay belong to local folks, who may go out on a brief fishing trip once in while. But all in all, the entire bay is now filled and surrounded by restaurants, snack bars, souvenir shops and some hotels. Yet as twilights approaches, the place comes alive and stays alive until 5 am the next day. 

With an entertainment zone a few hundreds yards away, known as Paceville, many young people spend the evening and early morning in clubs, bars and socializing with friends. When I once asked my brother to drive me through around 8 PM to see what the place looks like, he said ‘Julian, if you don’t go after 10 PM, you won’t see anybody there!’ And he was right because the next morning I went down there to take photos of  the sunrise, and several young people were going home, exhausted, hobbling and despondent, probably drunk, or maybe even drugged. These two photos were taken an hour apart.

Iceland

My nephew and his wife went on a holiday to Iceland this past week, and they found a new world which we don’t see that often. I share with you today some of the photos they sent me, with no particular theme or order but just some scenic views that are breath-taking. Iceland has been the subject of various volcanic eruptions recently, mostly in the south-western area, and the lava that flowed out of the volcano destroyed a whole village. 

Iceland has a population bigger than Malta, at 399,189, with Malta now hovering around 500,000. Compared to our tiny Malta with 122 square miles area, Iceland has 39,817 square miles, the majority of it arid land, mountains and icy terrain.