Monday, February 22, 2010
You Are Called!
Fr. Corapi powerfully speaks about the call to priesthood. Hat tip to the Called by Name site!
Interview With Preacher for Papal Spiritual Exercises
The preacher for this year's spiritual retreat for the Holy Father is a Salesian! Here is a recent interview with him on a variety of topics from Zenit.com:Benedict XVI and the Roman Curia will have the chance next week to delve into their priestly vocations, seeking renewal in light of lessons from God and the Church on the call to be alter Christus.
The annual seven-day spiritual exercises for the Pope and the Curia begin Sunday.
Mindful of the Year for Priests currently under way, the meditations will be preached by Salesian Father Enrico dal Covolo, on God's lessons and the Church's lessons regarding the priesthood.
Both in education as well as in preaching, Father dal Covolo, 59, is hardly a beginner: Ordained at age 31, the Salesian now has preached more than 200 retreats. He is a professor of ancient Christian literature and a specialist in the Fathers of the Church. Since 2002, he has been a consultor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a member of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences. Within his religious congregation, he is general postulator for Saints' Causes in the Salesian family.
ZENIT asked Father dal Covolo about the theme of the exercises and why vocations to the priesthood are not as numerous as hoped.
ZENIT: What are God's lessons and the Church's lessons on the priestly vocation?
Father dal Covolo: In these days of exercises, "God's lessons," will take up the two morning meditations; and the second theme, [the "Church's lessons"], the afternoon meditation.
As we know, "God's lessons" are given through the sacra pagina, that is, through sacred Scripture, according to the ancient and venerated method of lectio divina, articulated in its fundamental stages: lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplatio.
The "Church's lessons," instead, will be exercised through the words of the popes and certain documents of the magisterium quoted occasionally; but above all through one of the most important "lessons" that the Church can give: that of priestly holiness, realized in a few famous models. We will be concerned with these models in the afternoon meditations, dedicated to some "medallions" of exemplary priests.
ZENIT: In what way and what arguments will you use to address the slow growth of vocations?
Father dal Covolo: The arguments I will address are linked to the fundamental stages described by the biblical accounts of vocation: God's call, man's response, the mission, doubt, God's confirmation.
This "canvas" is also dominant in the general intention of the different days: Monday will be the "vocational day"; Tuesday, the "missionary day"; Wednesday, the "penitential day"; Thursday, the "Christological day"; and Friday, the "Marian day."
I have also attempted to choose the "medallions" in correspondence with the topics of the different days. These are, in order: St. Augustine, the holy Cure of Ars, Bernanos' country priest; the Venerable Giuseppe Quadrio; the Venerable John Paul II.
ZENIT: How do the spiritual exercises for the Curia unfold and what are the reasons that motivate them?
Father dal Covolo: The spiritual exercises take place for the Roman Curia in the first week of Lent, from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning. Participating in them, in addition to the Holy Father and the papal household, are cardinals and superiors of the different dicasteries.
They take place in the Apostolic Palace, in the Redemptoris Mater chapel that Pope John Paul II had restored in an extremely thought-provoking way. I will make sure, during the preaching, to make reference to the chapel's decoration. Among other things, also represented on the back wall is the Venerable John Paul II with the Redemptoris Mater chapel in his hands.
As I have already pointed out, the structure of the exercises is made up of three meditations, two in the morning and one in the afternoon: there are 17 meditations in total, including the opening and closing ones.
The motive of the spiritual exercises is always the same, valid for all the faithful: "to put one's life in order," to use the words of the great master of spiritual exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola.
But above all in the cultural climate that surrounds us -- and especially at the beginning of Lent -- all priests, from the Pope on down, feel every year the need to renew the grace of their ordination, and the profound motivations for their service to the Church.
ZENIT: In your opinion, what are the causes of the crisis in vocations and what remedies are proposed?
Father dal Covolo: The reasons for this crisis are well known.
On one hand, an unbridled materialism, which tends to crush all spiritual longing. The predominant cultural bosses -- especially through the media -- seem to do everything possible to make the plan of life of the Risen Crucified One "unbelievable."
On the other hand -- though this is also seen in the vocation to marriage -- is the resistance of many young people to take on definitive commitments.
The remedy? The fundamental remedy is care of the "contemplative dimension" of life: prayer, the sacraments, meditation, lectio divina. In the second place, educational solicitude so that these young people will have "significant experiences" of gift and service. Only in this way will they realize that the promises of consumerism are deceitful, and that only the gift of self really satiates their thirst for happiness.
Finally, I allow myself to ask ZENIT's readers to pray, as a special intention, for the week that is beginning. It's not that I want to give a "good image" at all costs. What I hope for is that these days of grace might mark progress in holiness, both for the participants in the exercises as well as -- more generally -- for all the faithful and for all men of good will.
The annual seven-day spiritual exercises for the Pope and the Curia begin Sunday.
Mindful of the Year for Priests currently under way, the meditations will be preached by Salesian Father Enrico dal Covolo, on God's lessons and the Church's lessons regarding the priesthood.
Both in education as well as in preaching, Father dal Covolo, 59, is hardly a beginner: Ordained at age 31, the Salesian now has preached more than 200 retreats. He is a professor of ancient Christian literature and a specialist in the Fathers of the Church. Since 2002, he has been a consultor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and a member of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences. Within his religious congregation, he is general postulator for Saints' Causes in the Salesian family.
ZENIT asked Father dal Covolo about the theme of the exercises and why vocations to the priesthood are not as numerous as hoped.
ZENIT: What are God's lessons and the Church's lessons on the priestly vocation?
Father dal Covolo: In these days of exercises, "God's lessons," will take up the two morning meditations; and the second theme, [the "Church's lessons"], the afternoon meditation.
As we know, "God's lessons" are given through the sacra pagina, that is, through sacred Scripture, according to the ancient and venerated method of lectio divina, articulated in its fundamental stages: lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplatio.
The "Church's lessons," instead, will be exercised through the words of the popes and certain documents of the magisterium quoted occasionally; but above all through one of the most important "lessons" that the Church can give: that of priestly holiness, realized in a few famous models. We will be concerned with these models in the afternoon meditations, dedicated to some "medallions" of exemplary priests.
ZENIT: In what way and what arguments will you use to address the slow growth of vocations?
Father dal Covolo: The arguments I will address are linked to the fundamental stages described by the biblical accounts of vocation: God's call, man's response, the mission, doubt, God's confirmation.
This "canvas" is also dominant in the general intention of the different days: Monday will be the "vocational day"; Tuesday, the "missionary day"; Wednesday, the "penitential day"; Thursday, the "Christological day"; and Friday, the "Marian day."
I have also attempted to choose the "medallions" in correspondence with the topics of the different days. These are, in order: St. Augustine, the holy Cure of Ars, Bernanos' country priest; the Venerable Giuseppe Quadrio; the Venerable John Paul II.
ZENIT: How do the spiritual exercises for the Curia unfold and what are the reasons that motivate them?
Father dal Covolo: The spiritual exercises take place for the Roman Curia in the first week of Lent, from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning. Participating in them, in addition to the Holy Father and the papal household, are cardinals and superiors of the different dicasteries.
They take place in the Apostolic Palace, in the Redemptoris Mater chapel that Pope John Paul II had restored in an extremely thought-provoking way. I will make sure, during the preaching, to make reference to the chapel's decoration. Among other things, also represented on the back wall is the Venerable John Paul II with the Redemptoris Mater chapel in his hands.
As I have already pointed out, the structure of the exercises is made up of three meditations, two in the morning and one in the afternoon: there are 17 meditations in total, including the opening and closing ones.
The motive of the spiritual exercises is always the same, valid for all the faithful: "to put one's life in order," to use the words of the great master of spiritual exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola.
But above all in the cultural climate that surrounds us -- and especially at the beginning of Lent -- all priests, from the Pope on down, feel every year the need to renew the grace of their ordination, and the profound motivations for their service to the Church.
ZENIT: In your opinion, what are the causes of the crisis in vocations and what remedies are proposed?
Father dal Covolo: The reasons for this crisis are well known.
On one hand, an unbridled materialism, which tends to crush all spiritual longing. The predominant cultural bosses -- especially through the media -- seem to do everything possible to make the plan of life of the Risen Crucified One "unbelievable."
On the other hand -- though this is also seen in the vocation to marriage -- is the resistance of many young people to take on definitive commitments.
The remedy? The fundamental remedy is care of the "contemplative dimension" of life: prayer, the sacraments, meditation, lectio divina. In the second place, educational solicitude so that these young people will have "significant experiences" of gift and service. Only in this way will they realize that the promises of consumerism are deceitful, and that only the gift of self really satiates their thirst for happiness.
Finally, I allow myself to ask ZENIT's readers to pray, as a special intention, for the week that is beginning. It's not that I want to give a "good image" at all costs. What I hope for is that these days of grace might mark progress in holiness, both for the participants in the exercises as well as -- more generally -- for all the faithful and for all men of good will.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Catholic Hot Spots!
I posted something from Whispers yesterday on Hotlanta and the growing Catholic presence in the Georgia community. Here is more on the Catholic stateside "hotspots" (hat tip to Intentional Disciples):Detroit/Ann Arbor area:
While the city of Detroit is practically a third world city, southern Michigan is humming with serious, creative Catholics. The starting point here seems to have been the enormous charismatic covenant communities that began in the late 60's. Despite a well publicized break-up in the 80's, many former members of the communities still live in the area. Ave Maria radio, Renewal Ministries, Domino's Pizza, and Sacred Heart seminary are among the premier Catholic Institutions in the area. To give you an idea, one local Ann Arbor parish I visited has two houses of vocational discernment (one for men, one for women) - and it isn't the Newman center.)
Corpus Christi, Texas:
I've written about CC at glowing length here. Here the renewal began about 8 - 9 years ago with the emergence of a series of gifted evangelizers who have been given support and the freedom to be creative by their bishop. Several of the approaches that have had a huge impact are home-grown. This is a heavily Hispanic city but in a very bi-cultural way since many citizens are 3rd and 4th generation Latin immigrants so the divide between Anglos and Spanish speakers is greatly softened. Charismatically flavored evangelizing processes from Puerto Rico and Mexico are part of the mix.
Boise, Idaho:
Renewal began in Boise about 14 years ago when a particular evangelization process (called "the Evangelization Retreat") reached a couple major parishes in the city from a parish in California. Two years later, one of the parishes, Sacred Heart, came looking for help with discernment as the first question that newly awakened Catholics started to ask was "What does God want of me?" So the Called & Gifted process has played a significant role in Boise.
Denver area:
Here the catalyst was the 1993 World Youth Day. In the years since, Archbishop Chaput has invited a number of lay movements and other leaders to the city which has built upon the foundation laid 16 years previously.
(One of the things that I am just beginning to grasp is just how much of a Christian hot spot the Colorado Front Range area is. It isn't just Colorado Springs but the Denver area and the foothills and eastern side of the mountains are also brimming with fascinating Christian initiatives.
For those interested in some serious number crunching on why Catholics leave in the first place and some fascinating insights into the millions of "hidden" spiritual seekers in America, read Looking for God.
Any other areas in the US or elsewhere that you would consider to be a Catholic "hotspot"?
While the city of Detroit is practically a third world city, southern Michigan is humming with serious, creative Catholics. The starting point here seems to have been the enormous charismatic covenant communities that began in the late 60's. Despite a well publicized break-up in the 80's, many former members of the communities still live in the area. Ave Maria radio, Renewal Ministries, Domino's Pizza, and Sacred Heart seminary are among the premier Catholic Institutions in the area. To give you an idea, one local Ann Arbor parish I visited has two houses of vocational discernment (one for men, one for women) - and it isn't the Newman center.)
Corpus Christi, Texas:
I've written about CC at glowing length here. Here the renewal began about 8 - 9 years ago with the emergence of a series of gifted evangelizers who have been given support and the freedom to be creative by their bishop. Several of the approaches that have had a huge impact are home-grown. This is a heavily Hispanic city but in a very bi-cultural way since many citizens are 3rd and 4th generation Latin immigrants so the divide between Anglos and Spanish speakers is greatly softened. Charismatically flavored evangelizing processes from Puerto Rico and Mexico are part of the mix.
Boise, Idaho:
Renewal began in Boise about 14 years ago when a particular evangelization process (called "the Evangelization Retreat") reached a couple major parishes in the city from a parish in California. Two years later, one of the parishes, Sacred Heart, came looking for help with discernment as the first question that newly awakened Catholics started to ask was "What does God want of me?" So the Called & Gifted process has played a significant role in Boise.
Denver area:
Here the catalyst was the 1993 World Youth Day. In the years since, Archbishop Chaput has invited a number of lay movements and other leaders to the city which has built upon the foundation laid 16 years previously.
(One of the things that I am just beginning to grasp is just how much of a Christian hot spot the Colorado Front Range area is. It isn't just Colorado Springs but the Denver area and the foothills and eastern side of the mountains are also brimming with fascinating Christian initiatives.
For those interested in some serious number crunching on why Catholics leave in the first place and some fascinating insights into the millions of "hidden" spiritual seekers in America, read Looking for God.
Any other areas in the US or elsewhere that you would consider to be a Catholic "hotspot"?
The Martyrs Walk: Remembering St. Robert Southwell
St. Robert Southwell is remembered on October 25 with the other martyrs of England, but his particular feast is today. He is one of those rare heroes that really makes you stop and think! He was held in the tower of London for 3 years and tortured repeatedly for his faith. We need Catholics of this kind of faith today! To learn more about him you can click here.The above video is a trailer to promote new short film about the martyrs of England and Wales along the route to Tyburn with powerful original music and imagery. The Martyrs Walk combines powerful visuals shot on location in London during the Martyrs Walk which took place June 2008 organized by Miles Jesu, with beautiful historical still images and original sketches of lesser known saints such as Henry Morse which have been designed, sketched and created specifically for this production. With a powerful, moving and extremely atmospheric soundtrack composed directly for this film, The Martyrs Walk is sure to transport you instantly back into the midst of the martyrs along the Tyburn way. Listen to the voices of the martyrs and observers as they walk with the pilgrims along the route, interceding for the people in England today.
To order the video please click here.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Where is the Church Growing? Hotlanta!
This comes from the Whispers site:In a recent list of the Stateside church's "hot spots," the archdiocese of Atlanta topped the bunch -- and not just alphabetically, either.
"The diocesan staff are openly disciples," the cite read, "orthodox, wonderfully creative and not driven by fear."
Suffice it to say, the fruit is considerable -- in the heart of the Bible Belt, the North Georgia church has seen a more than fivefold increase in membership over the last two decades, exploding from 150,000 in 1990 to within striking distance of 800,000 today... and -- as if that wasn't enough -- a concurrent increase by half of the diocesan presbyterate (121 in 1990 to 181 today), with eight more priests ordained last weekend... and, what's more still, they can't build or expand the schools quickly enough.
Oh, and -- while we're at it -- over 2,700 adults were received into the local church there over the last year.
If all keeps up -- and by the looks of it, the rate of the rise just keeps accelerating -- it won't be long before a red-bird comes home to Peachtree Street. In the meantime, though, earlier this month the Southeast's second-largest local church (after Miami) hosted another edition of what's become its marquee event: the Eucharistic Congress, which (again) grew by half this year to an estimated attendance of some 30,000 and, in its 14th year, has entered the rarified realm of Stateside Catholicism's largest gatherings alongside Los Angeles' Religious Education Congress (40,000 yearly) and the 100,000-plus who throng to suburban Chicago's Maryville Shrine every 12 December for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A full state of podcasts from the weekend are up and running and, in its last edition, the local Georgia Bulletin devoted the entire shebang to the weekend-long event -- its closing Eucharist presided over by the patron saint of the press -- so get up to speed....
Meanwhile, in an even more recent development, against his protests, The Wilt has gone a-Twitter.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Salesian Rector Major: Tears for Haiti
The following comes from the Salesian News Service:
The Rector Major was very moved in recent days as he visited Port-au-Prince. A short video, “Tears for Haiti,” on ANSchannel bears witness to it.
The pictures show his visit to the Salesian center of Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers (ENAM). “Here there were two floors. Two floors reduced to nothing!” the Rector Major said in dismay in front of the ruins of one of the blocks which, thanks to a couple of minutes, did not trap another hundred youngsters who had just left it for recess.
Among the rubble that the Italian Civil Defense service is working to remove, Fr. Chavez stopped where there are still bodies buried. “This was another part of the school which had three floors. Look what it is reduced to! Here there are 150 bodies of our pupils, our students, our teachers. They have the right to be afforded dignity for their lives and also for their deaths.”
The pictures show his visit to the Salesian center of Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers (ENAM). “Here there were two floors. Two floors reduced to nothing!” the Rector Major said in dismay in front of the ruins of one of the blocks which, thanks to a couple of minutes, did not trap another hundred youngsters who had just left it for recess.
Among the rubble that the Italian Civil Defense service is working to remove, Fr. Chavez stopped where there are still bodies buried. “This was another part of the school which had three floors. Look what it is reduced to! Here there are 150 bodies of our pupils, our students, our teachers. They have the right to be afforded dignity for their lives and also for their deaths.”
The streets of Port-au-Prince show just how much damage the earthquake caused. The National Palace, residence of the President of the Republic, collapsed on itself.
Taking a seating on some of the rubble of the Catholic cathedral, Fr. Chavez said: “I pray and hope that this will be an opportunity for the rebirth of the country! Refounding too our Salesian presence and collaborating in the building of a world that can give more hope and a better future to this country. I don’t hide my emotion, I’m upset, … after seeing up close, knowing how many bodies are still under the rubble … I can only be silent!”
The video also shows the reception being provided by the Salesians at Drouillard and, above all, at Carrefour-Thorland. Here, in collaboration with the Salesian Sisters and the Mexican Civil Protection services, over 12,000 homeless people are staying.
The video “Tears for Haiti” is one of the things being done so that, as Fr. Chavez himself says, “the spotlights don’t go out on Haiti!” Shortly there will be a letter from the Rector Major to the Salesians and to the Salesian Family. In the Image Bank photographic archives high-resolution photos are available.
Accompanying the Rector Major on his journey to Haiti between February 13 and 15 were the director of ANS, Fr. Donato Lacedonio, and two of the staff from Missioni Don Bosco Media Center in Turin, Stefano Bianco, executive producer, and Bro. Antonio Saglia, SDB. This decision was based on the desire to communicate information which was more precise, complete, and effective. A DVD is already in preparation with the reports of the Salesians rescued from the ruins and the account of the Rector Major’s visit.
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