The Pope on Artificial Intelligence

Pope Francis with all the world leaders at the G7 in Italy.

Pope Francis on June 14 issued a stark warning to world leaders that artificial intelligence has led to a "cognitive-industrial revolution" that could undermine human dignity, in an historic speech where he became the first pontiff to ever address the annual "G7" summit, held in the Puglia region in Southern Italy. He said: ‘Artificial intelligence (or "AI"), is both an exciting and fearsome tool where the benefits or harm it will bring will depend on its use. We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs. Human dignity itself depends on it, we are enthusiastic when we imagine the advances that can result from artificial intelligence, but at the same time, we are fearful when we acknowledge the dangers inherent in its use. Human freedom requires tremendous responsibility when navigating how to develop and use such technologies. When our ancestors sharpened flint stones to make knives, they used them both to cut hides for clothing and to kill each other. The same could be said of other more advanced technologies, such as the energy produced by the fusion of atoms, as occurs within the sun, which could be used to produce clean, renewable energy or to reduce our planet to a pile of ashes.’

Pope Francis and Italian PM Meloni arriving at the G7 summit.

The pope dedicated his 2024 World Day of Peace message to the theme of AI, where he called for a binding international treaty to regulate its development and warned that it could lead to a "technological dictatorship" if not properly regulated. The Pope cited a number of specific examples where he said AI programs revealed their limitations: judges using computer programs to determine prison sentences, chat bots that mimic human interactions and students who use such technologies to prepare papers. In each scenario, the Pope noted that AI offered some utility, but ultimately offered diminished or flawed outcomes. He finished his speech by saying: ’Indeed, we seem to be losing the value and profound meaning of one of the fundamental concepts of the West: that of the human person. It is up to everyone to make good use of Artificial Intelligence, but the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful.’

The best apple

A young girl was holding two apples in her hands. Her mother comes in the kitchen and asks her to give her one of the apples, while she could have the other one. The girl however did something peculiar which made her mother very disappointed. She bit one of the apples, and then bit the other one too. Her mother thought this was a selfish gesture from her daughter who was always obedient and loving. She asked why did she do such a thing. The girl tasted both apples and enjoyed their flavor, and then declared ‘Mom, this is your apple – it is sweeter and crispier than the other one.’ And her mother ate the better apple while the girl ate the inferior one. Then her mother gave her a huge hug saying to her ‘you’re so special – I love!’ So let us not judge on outside appearances only. The true value of a person is what lies in their heart. The girl wanted to give her mother the very best! Let us also give one another the very best we can offer.

Saint Anthony

Always called St Anthony of Padova, still he was actually born on August 15, 1195 near Lisbon, Portugal to a wealthy family and given the name Fernando. He was sent to the cathedral school in Lisbon, but in 1210, at the age of 15 he entered the Augustinian monastery of Sao Vicente in Lisbon, against the wishes of his family. But in their monastery near his native city he was distracted by visits from relatives and friends. After two years, Fernando asked to be transferred. He was sent to Holy Cross in Coimbra, a great center of learning and capital of Portugal at that time. He devoted the next eight years of his life to study and prayer, immersing himself in Sacred Scripture. When news of the Franciscan martyrs in Morocco reached him, he joined the Franciscan Order in 1221, when he was 26 years old. At his own request, he was sent as a missionary to Morocco with the mission of preaching among the Moors. He had to return to Europe because of ill health. After this, St Anthony was moved to Romagna (Italy) and spent 9 months as a chaplain to hermits. At an ordination ceremony, the priest who was about to give the sermon fell ill suddenly and St Anthony was called upon to give the sermon in his place. Although he refused with humility at first, he eventually had to do so because of his vow of obedience to his superior. The rest as they say, is history! 

St Anthony's Basilica in Padova, Italy

The last two years of his life he spent in Padua, preaching, hearing confessions and working to help the poor. St. Anthony died on June 13th, 1231 aged 36 at Arcella, a suburb of Padova.  Saint Anthony was canonized in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. He holds the record for the second fastest canonization in history: he was declared a saint 352 days after his death. In 1263, a basilica was built in his honor. Today he is one of the most famous saints and is often called upon by Catholics to help find lost possessions. Saint Anthony of Padua is usually sculpted or portrayed holding the child Jesus, or a lily or a book, or all three, in his arms.

Whom do you see?

I have no idea who took this photo. Most probably a boyfriend of one of these 3 girls, sharing a cup of coffee. Nothing unusual about it. But if you close your eyes, and move back about another foot or two. Then open your eyes quickly, and what do you see? Who appears in this photo? I’m sure you’ll be surprised as I was. Just say a prayer and share it with your friends, knowing that truly inspirational moments come into our lives when we least expect them.

Valencia Monstrance

The largest Monstrance in the world is carried through the streets of Valencia every year. There are 159 sculptures adorning the monstrance used in the annual Corpus Christi procession in Valencia, Spain, including biblical scenes from the Old Testament up to the Good Shepherd and the risen Christ. The apostles and doctors of the Church adorn the host and Eucharistic miracles are depicted. Saints particularly devoted to the Eucharist are part of the multitude of adorers, as is Pope Pius X, known as the “Pope of the Eucharist” since he encouraged frequent reception of the sacrament and lowered the age for first Communion. Valencia’s procession was first celebrated in 1355, and by 1372, it was an annual event: the city’s “festa grossa” (great feast). It was only in 1264 that Pope Urban IV had made the Corpus Christi feast universal for the whole Church. When the former monstrance was destroyed in the civil war, the city felt its loss at each Corpus Christi procession. But the post-war years were tumultuous times marked by economic struggles. 

Nevertheless, a Jesuit priest of the city, Father Antonio de León, proposed to Archbishop Prudencio Melo (archbishop from 1922–1945) the project of constructing a new Monstrance. While the archbishop agreed, the priest wasn’t sure how it could happen, given the economic situation. But then he received what he took as a sign, something of a “widow’s mite” in the form of five silver coins donated by a laborer of the city. León put the project in motion and the citizens of Valencia responded with enthusiasm. Both the poor of the city and the well off donated what they could. The current solemn procession consists of a large group of vested priests processing down the streets of Valencia, followed by a group of sacristans creating a cloud of incense, Jesus arrives as red flower petals rain down on the monstrance, thrown by the faithful gathered on their balconies and those lining the streets.

ABBA honored

All four members of the Swedish pop quartet ABBA were reunited last Friday to receive one of Sweden's most prestigious knighthoods from King Carl XVI Gustaf. The Order of Vasa was awarded for the first time in over 50 years. Seen here, left to right, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson became 'Commanders of the First Class' for their very outstanding efforts in Swedish and International music life. They burst onto the scene in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Waterloo.' After that, it was one classic hit after another. Congratulations to ABBA.

St. Julian’s Choir

St Julian's Choir in 1965 led by Fr Guido Calleja

Since a few days ago I showed you my choir Pueri Cantores from the early 1960s, it’s fair enough that today I show you two photos of the St. Julian’s choir that was pretty strong, popular and quite appealing for a few decades. It was started by Fr. Guido Calleja, parish priest until 1966, and continued under the direction of Fr. John Galea into the new millennium. They rehearsed regularly and performed many classic choral pieces in various places, among them St. John’s Cathedral, where the major works were performed, as well as the St Julian’s parish church itself, where they also embellished the liturgy during major service. 

St. Julian's Choir in 1979, led by Fr John  Galea

They even sang at my First Solemn Mass on August 14, 1977, when they used the Missa Secunda Pontificalis by Luigi Perosi. Among the affluent repertoire they performed, there were three major oratorios: Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ Mendelssohn’s ‘Paulus,’ and Chev. Rev. Carmelo Scerri’s ‘San Gregorio Magno.’ They also became famous and in demand for the popular Maltese oratorio ‘Pawlu ta’ Malta’ (St. Paul of Malta) with words by Oliver Friġġieri and music by Charles Camilleri. (Click on each photo to enlarge)

Immaculate Heart of Mary

                              

The day after the feast of Sacred Heart, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On this occasion I share with you one of my favorite hymns that is used in the Breviary which the priests recite daily. This is taken from the hymn of the Morning Prayer of the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a poem whose text is attributed to Dominican sisters:

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!

Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!

Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!

Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!

Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!

Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!

Mary the mother, Christ the mother’s Son;
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Sacred Heart

We are approaching an important milestone, as next year we’ll commemorate the 350th anniversary of the great apparition of Jesus to St Margaret Mary Alacoque. Pope Francis already mentioned that he is preparing a special document for this occasion, and special commemoration which starts this September and ends next year on the feast of His Sacred Heart in June. The "great apparition," which took place on June 16, 1675, during the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi, is the source of the modern Feast of the Sacred Heart. In that vision, Christ asked St. Margaret Mary to request that the Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated on the Friday after the octave (or eighth day) of the Feast of Corpus Christi, in reparation for the ingratitude of men for the sacrifice that Christ had made for them. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart but His love for all mankind.

Heart of Jesus, give us the strength to persevere in your footsteps.

Heart of Jesus, enlighten our path to stay faithful in our journey of faith.

Heart of Jesus, remind us always to love others as You loved us, always and unconditionally.

Heart of Jesus, teach us to be patient with those we don’t seem to tolerate that easily.

Heart of Jesus, help us to find time to pray, to listen to You and to act kindly towards others.

Heart of Jesus, encourage everyone to appreciate the gift of the Eucharist, and our meeting You daily at Mass.

Heart of Jesus, protect our children and our youth, and mold them into strong future leaders of our church.

Heart of Jesus, may we appreciate the simple things in life, and accept Your blessings on us and our families.

Heart of Jesus, inspire us to give that word of encouragement to those who have given up hope.

Heart of Jesus, take us to Mary Your Mother, and keep us close to her.

Heart of Jesus, shower us with your abundant love, and never let us take You for granted.

Heart of Jesus, help us to live one day at a time.

Heart of Jesus, send Your peace on our world.

Heart of Jesus, thank you for loving us so much, maybe when we didn’t even deserve it.

D-Day – 80 years ago

Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied assault on Normandy in World War II. The operation was codenamed Overlord. We honor today the estimated 6,000 Americans who were killed, wounded or missing by the end of the first day. That day about 156,000 troops were hurled against Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, the largest amphibious operation in history. On four of the five landing beaches, the Allied troops made quick work of the German defences at Omaha beach, they encountered fresh troops and the fighting was ferocious. On the night of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt addressed the nation by radio. His speech consisted mostly of a prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.

Here is Christian nationalism done right: Petitioning, inclusive, noble, heartfelt. So this year, as we reflect upon the fact that the last soldiers who fought that day will soon join their comrades who died that very day, it is good to be horrified by that violence. It is good, too, to be grateful to those who braved it in order to liberate France and all of Europe from the Nazi tyranny. It is difficult to conceive of the ordeal they faced 80 years ago and of the courage that was required, but they faced it. All peoples who value freedom and democracy owe them a debt that can never be repaid. 

Flashback from 1964

Pueri Cantores 1964 - I'm on the top row, 3rd from right

I take you back exactly 60 years ago, when I was part of a boys choir which was started by my second cousin Fr John Galea, who would eventually become the pastor at St Julian’s parish, and with whom I served for 4 years between 1977 and 1981. He brought together a group of boys, many of whom were also altar boys and rehearsed with us on a weekly basis various hymns and even parts of Masses which for us were quite difficult to memorize. Our group was called Pueri Cantores (Children Singers,) and we even had our own uniform as you can see from these two photos. We were even given a small bag to carry it in, which included a small wooden cross and a red cincture. We sang at Christmas and the feast of St. Julian as well as venturing to other parishes, singing at first Solemn Masses of newly ordained priests and various other celebrations.

Pueri Cantores 1965 - I'm on top row, 1st from right

We even appeared on local TV on February 2nd, the day of my baby brother’s baptism. During the summer all of us as well as the other altar boys went for a little 3-day holiday on the island of Gozo, along with Fr John and a few chaperones, including my father, who volunteered to be one of the cooks. When Fr John became pastor in 1966, he had to leave the Pueri Cantores, but continued with an adult choir which for a number of years became the top choir in Malta. Rehearsals for us meant also a football match in the streets close to the church, and because of it, more boys joined our choir.

The Cabbage Patch Doll

Little Maria was visiting her grandparents during the summer holidays. This was 1984, and one evening the grandparents were invited to a local event, mainly for adults, but they could not leave Maria alone at home. When they arrived, our little Maria’s eyes fell on a box with a Cabbage Patch Doll, which in 1984 were a very hot item. Of course her first sentence out of her mouth was ‘I want it, I want it!’ Grandma Sophie told her that she could not have it as it was going to be raffled off at the end of the show. Grandpa Bill decided to buy 5 tickets for the raffle, which included a few other items, a toy car, a transistor radio and some children’s books and outfits. Most of the people in the hall were elderly people, and of course the gifts were for their grandchildren. Granda Sophie told her that is she remained quiet, she may win it after all. Little Maria stayed quiet all through the performance. So at the end, the Master of Ceremonies announced the drawing of the raffle. Grandpa Bill prepared Maria for the disappointment awaiting her, as surely with hundreds of tickets in the urn, it was just impossible to get your ticket drawn out. Maria sat motionless with eyes tightly closed and her tiny hands clasped in prayer. As the MC announced the number, Grandpa Bill stood up in disbelief. Maria’s sudden burst of joy followed as she asked Grandpa ‘Who won?’ And his exuberant response brought tears to his eyes......’You won Maria! You won the dolly.’ Bill gave her the ticket and lifted her on stage to collect her treasured prize. She hugged that box and smiled, as the crowd gave her a thunderous applause. That scene reminded everyone present that when the odds are hopelessly stacked against you, a little faith and a simple prayer can make us winners. Maria went home with her Cabbage Patch Doll she treasured for the rest of her life.

The Ugandan Martyrs

We commemorate today the Ugandan martyrs, even though St Charles is the one often mentioned. One of 22 Ugandan martyrs, Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action in most of tropical Africa. He protected his fellow pages (aged 13 to 30) from the homosexual demands of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga, and encouraged and instructed them in the Catholic faith during their imprisonment for refusing the ruler’s demands. For his own unwillingness to submit to the immoral acts and his efforts to safeguard the faith of his friends, Charles was burned to death at Namugongo on June 3, 1886, by Mwanga’s order. Charles first learned of Christ’s teachings from two retainers in the court of Chief Mawulugungu. While a catechumen, he entered the royal household as assistant to Joseph Mukaso, head of the court pages. On the night of Mukaso’s martyrdom for encouraging the African youths to resist Mwanga, Charles requested and received Baptism. Imprisoned with his friends, Charles’s courage and belief in God inspired them to remain chaste and faithful. When Pope Paul VI canonized these 22 martyrs on October 18, 1964, he referred to the Anglican pages martyred for the same reason. Although the Anglicans could not be canonized, they were named "with the others, also deserving mention" for enduring "death for the name of Christ".The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs was built at the site of the executions, and serves as their shrine. Their remains are in Kampala. The order known as "The Brothers of St. Charles Lwanga" were founded in 1927 as an indigenous religious congregation of Ugandan men committed to providing education to the youth of their country.

Corpus Christi

Monstrance at St Francis in Bend, Oregon

Without any doubt, the greatest gift Jesus could have left us was Himself in the Eucharist. He also gave us His mother Mary as our Mother, just before He died on the cross, but a few hours earlier, he gave us His Body and His Blood, literally and figuratively, as our everlasting spiritual food. We are also honored to adore His presence every day. Not only in our own church, but in every church around the world, the Blessed Sacrament is present for Adoration, prayer and private time with the Lord. When people pray in His presence, miracles happen, as many people can tell you.  Today’s celebration of Corpus Christi further accentuates the respect and reverence we should all show to the Eucharist. Processions are held in various countries, a tradition started by St Juliana of Liege in the 12th century. At the same  time St. Thomas Aquinas was commissioned to write various Eucharistic hymns, such as Tantum Ergo, O Sacrum Convivium,  Lauda Sion Salvatorem and others. Processions are held world-wide with the participation of First Communion children, priests and  faithful. Streets are frequently carpeted with flowers and petals to honor the presence of Jesus walking in the Monstrance held by the presiding priest.

IHS

Adjacent to a church in Malvern, Worcestershire, England there is a small cemetery, and among the tombstones, there is one that is always decorated with plants and flowers. A young girl was buried there, who is the daughter of famous scientist Charles Darwin, a biologist, geologist and naturalist. Anne Elizabeth got sick when her mother was pregnant with her 9th child. Charles decided to take his favorite daughter and travel to Malvern where there was a natural spa, with the hope that the waters would heal the little girl. However when they were there the girl died, probably of tuberculosis, and she was buried in a cemetery close by. She was only 10 years old. Charles Darwin was a devout family man, but he was an agnostic. But he entrusted his daughter to Jesus, as her tombstone shows, with the IHS engraved above her name. IHS is the acronym for the name of Jesus in Greek.

The Visitation

Emvin Cremona - Mary visits Elizabeth (Għaxaq church, Malta)

The month of May, dedicated to the Blessed Mother ends with another feast of Mary, precisely her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. It was also the first encounter between Jesus and John the Baptist, even though they were still in their mothers’ respective wombs. As was customary, the younger woman would visit the older one and Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, helping her with chores, while chatting and praying over their upcoming blessed event. Who knows what they talked about....asking questions that any prospective mother would ask another mother....”What are you naming the baby? ......is he kicking yet?........is the crib ready?.....how many more weeks for the delivery?........”This feast also encourages us to focus on the spirit of visits. People visit each other frequently, as families vacation and go on holidays while stopping at homes and places where they know they would be welcome. How hospitable are we to guests who stop by to visit us? How gracious are we when we visit friends? Do we check to see if we are imposing on them? How about visiting elderly people, like grandparents, uncles and aunts who may be very lonely? Do we set a good example when friends visit us? Do we invite them to attend church with us on a weekend, or are we embarrassed to take them to Mass with us? You may be surprised how honored they would feel when you introduce them to the church and parish community? I can tell you that this is how most converts are made, when they visit a church and get ‘hooked’ by something special they see, a message in the homily, some music heard, or any other event that may seem insignificant for you, but not for your friends and guests.

St Joan of Arc

This young girl was quite a heroine in the 15th century, especially in a world dominated by men. Born in southern Paris in 1412 from an educated couple, she had visions at the age of 12, which were later revealed to be from St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch. They all told her to go to King Charles of France and pressure him to release France from the clutches of Great Britain. So the King, realising the pure intentions of Joan, sent her to take part in the war of Orleans. She arrived there in 1429 with her iconic banner to give a boost to the morale of the soldiers, who had just about given up a victory over the British. 9 days after her arrival, the British soldiers retreated. The French soldiers kept advancing, encouraged by Joan on their side until they arrived at Rheims. There the King was crowned with Joan of Arc next to him. The French victories raised their morale, which stayed with them during the One Hundred Years War. However Joan was arrested in Compiegne a year later and was accused of witchcraft and heresy. Her trial was the most cruel, and a classic 1928 black and white film called ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ shows with extreme close-ups the atrocity she suffered. It was a silent film but was set to music a few years ago, with a spectacular and haunting score. During her trial she was also condemned because she wore pants, trousers, something which every woman does today. Joan was burned at the stake in 1431 in Rouen, and her ashes were spread in the River Seine. The Catholic Church did another trial 25 years after her death, and her penalty was removed and was found innocent, but yet she lost her life. Her example was admired by the poor and wealthy alike, and her love of the sacraments as well as her contemplative life led her to be beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.

Pope St Paul VI

Myself as a 14 year old with Pope St Paul VI

I’ve met in person three people who were canonized. The first one was St George Preca, the Maltese saint whom I heard speak in my hometown when I was 8 or 9 years old in 1960. The second one is St Teresa of Calcutta when she came to speak to the priests on Long Island, New York in 1985. And the third one is Pope St Paul VI, whom I met in 1966 when in August I was serving Masses at the Vatican with a group of 25 altar servers. During an audience we had, a photographer took my picture kissing his ring as the Maltese Archbishop Michael Gonzi was also attending the audience. Paul VI was born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897 in Brescia, and after becoming a priest he served at various administrative positions, especially as secretary of Pope Pius XII. In 1954, he was made Archbishop of Milan, the largest diocese in the world, with 1000 parishes, 2,500 priests and 3 million people. He succeeded Pope John XXIII in 1963 as Pope and finished the Second Vatican Council in 1965. He served the church for 15 years and died in 1978. He was canonized with Archbishop Oscar Romero on October 14, 2018. Today we celebrate the liturgical feast of Pope St Paul VI, May 29 being the date in 1920 when he as ordained a priest.

Marzipan babies

Obviously the first reaction when seeing these photos was undoubtedly was ‘How cute!’ Even though they really look very real, they are actually made from Marzipan, all created with love and care. Yet the same people who would probably say ‘how cute!’ would be the same people who would line up in an abortion clinic to abort a growing baby. Let us respect life in all its forms, from conception to natural death.

 

Click on each photo to enlarge

Newspapers and magazines

This photo is probably from 1984, 40 years ago, when newspaper posters were displayed, and when newspapers were read on paper, with many people lining up to buy a copy. The number of magazines available was pretty large at that time as you can see from the display of this photo. I’m sure as you travel, you stop by those magazine stores at the airport and you can find all kinds of titles and subjects. But as we all know the age of paper news is slowly coming to an end. I don’t have exact statistics, but the one that I recently read shows that only 7% of the population presently still read the news from a paper newspaper. Which means that 93% get their news online, through the Internet. Most of the magazines are also going online, although a limited number are still published on glossy paper. I personally write every 2 weeks in a Catholic newspaper here in Malta, something I’ve been doing since 1986, and the ‘Leħen is-Sewwa’ (the Voice of Truth) is approaching its centennial in 2028, as I’ve been praying it survives at least until that year. Unfortunately this newspaper, published on weekends is not online, and the newspaper is sent by mail, and available at certain newsagents. With our lifestyle changing dramatically every day, we have no idea what life is going to be like in about 10 years, 20 years from now. But at least I am happy that you can read my blog daily by a click of a mouse, or a slide of your finger on your cell-phone or IPad.

Holy Trinity

Celebrating the feast of the Holy Trinity today, it's worth visiting an icon that represents this theme. The Rublev Icon of the Trinity is one of the most descriptive Icons ever created. It was painted by a Russian monk Andrei Rublev in 1411 and is presently seen at the Tretyakov State Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Shaped to fit into a perfect circle, the three figures who look like angels represent the Trinitarian Godhead, without beginning or end. In Genesis chapter 18, the image of three mysterious angelic visitors is described as appearing to Abraham. Rublev created this Icon, giving the angels thin staffs to symbolize authority, and each wearing blue plus other colors, sitting around a table with a chalice like bowl in the center. It is named the “Old Testament Trinity.” The one of the left is the Father….”in my Father’s house there are many mansions” – notice the tower behind him. The center angel is Christ, with two fingers blessing the offerings, and also to symbolize the human and divine natures. The tree behind him foreshadows the tree of life and the tree on which he was crucified. The third angel on the right is the Holy Spirit, dressed in green and blue, symbolic of life. A mountain is behind him, where Moses received the 10 commandments, where Jesus was transfigured, Sinai and Tabor respectively. An open space in the center is an invitation for us to join this mystery draped in the theology of color and arranged in a geometry of grace. Pope John Paul II had special devotion to this Icon, and besides the image of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, this is the only other image he had in his bedroom at the Vatican. He also dedicated the last three years of the last millennium to the Holy Trinity respectively, 1998 to Jesus, 1999 to the Holy Spirit and 2000 to God the Father.

Carlo Acutis to be canonized

Another young saint will soon be canonized, most probably in the Holy Year 2025. Blessed Carlo Acutis was born in 1991 in London and died in 2006, at the age of 15, meaning he would be the first millennial - a person born in the early 1980s to late 1990s - to be canonised. Pope Francis just approved a miracle attributed to him. It involved the healing of university student in Florence who had bleeding on the brain after suffering head trauma. Acutis was beatified in 2020, after he was attributed with his first miracle - healing a Brazilian child of a congenital disease affecting his pancreas. Carlo Acutis died in Monza, in Italy, after being diagnosed with leukaemia, having spent much of his childhood in the country. His body was moved to Assisi a year after his death and it currently resides on full display alongside other relics linked to him. As well as designing websites for his parish and school, he became known for launching a website seeking to document every reported Eucharistic miracle, which was launched days before his death. His website has now been translated into several different languages, and used as the basis for an exhibition which has travelled around the world. Carlo called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven" and he did all in his power to make this presence known. His witness inspired his own parents to return to practicing the Catholic faith and his Hindu au pair to convert and be baptized. Many of Carlo’s classmates, friends, and family members have testified how he brought them closer to God. Carlo was a very open person and was not shy to speak with his classmates and anyone he met about the things that he loved: the Mass, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and heaven. 

Carlo's mother next to his body at Assisi church

He is remembered for saying many meaningful phrases, including these 5: “People who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.” “Continuously ask your guardian angel for help. Your guardian angel has to become your best friend.”  “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies”  “Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God.”  “I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”

Another Rockwell classic

Here’s another funny poster from Norman Rockwell as it depicts a typical scene in urban America of the 1940s. The Pepies truck seems to have been stuck in a narrow alley. But besides the narrowness of the alley, there seems to be another problem as everyone was screaming to the lorry driver to stop, because a tiny dog, possibly a Pug, stood in the middle of the road, obstructing the road. People hanging from the windows, perched from balconies, yelling at the driver or his assistant to calmly bring the dog to the side, or even tease him with a piece of dog-biscuit. Norman Rockwell lived between 1894 and 1978, born in New York City and dying in Massachusetts where he spent a big chunk of his life. I remember once visiting a museum with some of his paintings and posters in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Rockwell was a prolific artist, producing more than 4,000 original works in his lifetime. Most of his surviving works are in public collections. Rockwell was also commissioned to illustrate more than 40 books, and to paint portraits of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

A Norman Rockwell classic

                                   

One of my favorite artists is Norman Rockwell, who came out of Massachusetts, painting many posters for the Saturday Evening Post and other magazines. The poster displayed today shows this sailor at a Tattoo Parlor, as the tattooist is working on the sailor’s shoulder, precisely  as the lower arm, since he ran out of room. It’s so funny to see this sailor with a smirk on his face, as he keeps changing girlfriends, and replacing them by yet another name. From Sadie to Rosietta, Ming Fu, Mimi, Olga, and now he’s dating Betty. He must have travelled quite a bit, as far as China and who knows where else.  Painted in 1944, this appeared as the cover of “The Saturday Evening Post”, and had alternative titles of ‘Only Skin Deep’ or ‘The Tattooist’. 

Click on each photo to enlarge

Rockwell’s humour shines through in this painting with the sailor getting his latest loves name tattooed on his arm.  Lucky Betty to be at the end of that long list, but it does beg a couple of questions, such as, what happened to the others? And how long poor Betty will last as the last flame?

Prayer to St Rita

Are you faced with a difficult problem? Does it seem insurmountable? The prayer to St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) shown below might help. After all, St. Rita is known as the “Saint of the Impossible,” and we honor her today, her liturgical feast day. Early in life, she had a strong desire to be a nun, but got married instead, following her parents’ wishes. By all accounts, her husband was Mr. Wrong, an abusive man with whom she bore two sons of similar temperament. Apparently she had the patience of a saint because she prayed for them all and tried to be a dutiful wife and mother! After 18 years of marriage, her husband was murdered and her sons died of natural causes the following year. After that, St. Rita finally got her wish and was admitted to the convent of Augustinian nuns at Cascia. Tradition has it that the nuns there initially refused to let St. Rita join because she was a widow. One night Saint John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholas of Tolentino opened gates that had been bolted shut and left her in the chapel of the convent. When the nuns found St. Rita there the next morning they understood God’s designs for her and accepted her unanimously. Talk about prayer opening doors! Many other miracles were attributed to St. Rita, both during her life and after her death. As an example, her devotion to Jesus in His Passion was such that a thorn from the crucifix in her room pierced her forehead one day while she was praying! The prayer to St. Rita also touches on that miracle:

Oh glorious St. Rita, who did miraculously participate in the sorrowful Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for us the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect us in all our needs. St. Rita, model wife and widow, you yourself suffered in a long illness showing patience out of love for God. Teach us to pray as you did. Many invoke you for help, full of confidence in your intercession. Come now to our aid for the relief and cure of (mention your request). To God all things are possible; may this healing give glory to the Lord. Through the prayers of St. Rita, may we learn to bear our crosses in life in the same spirit in which she bore hers. Amen.

Photographing deer

When I was in Oregon for 13 glorious years, I developed a system of photographing deer, especially as I drove to my mission churches every weekend, a stretch of 110 miles round-trip for 8 years, and many other miles as I drove to visit people and minister to them. Of course I always carried the camera with me, and as I used to say, the camera was the wife I could never have, always in my passenger seat, or hanging around my neck, or of course winking at her as I focus looking at the viewfinder to take the best shot. So my secret to shooting deer with my camera was pretty simple. I could not do this with the blue heron or bald eagles, or other birds as they would fly away at the sight of any human being. 

But deer would be grazing in a field, and as I slow down my car, trying be as inobtrusive as possible, I would prepare my camera, then roll down the car window slowly, then focus, beep the horn – at that exact second, they would all look up to me, and click, take the photo, which always comes out pretty good as you can see from these 3 samples. (click on each photo to enlarge)