More favorite endings...

Labor Day signals the end of summer in these parts. I love good endings - and I don't always mean the happily ever after endings either. Some endings are sad. Other endings are really beginnings... although we never find out how it ends.

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From Klute:

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Bree Daniels: "I have no idea what's going to happen. (Pause.) I just can't stay in the city, you know? (Pause.) Maybe I'll come back... (Long pause.) You'll probably see me next week."

The Wrestler - Official Trailer

I love this film.

Something about the duties of bishops...

The Holy Father on St. Gregory the Great:
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"Taking up a favorite theme, he (Gregory the Great) affirms that the Bishop is, above all, the 'preacher' par excellence: As such, he must first be an example for others, so that his behavior may constitute a point of reference for everyone.
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Effective pastoral action also requires that the bishop knows who it is addressed to and adapt his interventions to every particular situation. Gregory takes time to illustrate the various categories of the faithful with acute and timely observations, which could well justify those who also see this work as a treatise on psychology. One thus understands that he truly knew his flock and that he spoke about everything with the people of his time and of his city.
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The great Pontiff, nonetheless, insists on the Pastor's duty to recognize daily his own poverty, so that pride may not render in vain, in the eyes of the Supreme Judge, the good that he has done.
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Thus, the final chapter of the Rule is dedicated to humility: "When one is pleased at having achieved many virtues, it is good to reflect on one's insufficiencies and be humble: instead of considering the good one has achieved, one must consider that which one failed to achieve." - Benedict XVI on The Pastoral Rule by Gregory the Great, Wednesday Audience 6/4/08

Are there bishops in heaven?

"Dad, are there bishops in heaven?"

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"We hope so honey, but we only know for sure that those who have been canonized are there - that is why we have to pray so hard for them."
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"Oh! Oh! Dad! Are there bishops in hell then?"

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"Hon, again, nobody knows for sure, but from the sounds of it, quite a few bishops don't think anyone is there at all."

Stepping back...

Thom of Ad Dominum blog alerted me to Bishop Morlino's take on the Kennedy funeral. The following are excerpts from what the Bishop of Madison wrote for his Bishop's Column in the Diocesan paper.
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I’m afraid that for not a few Catholics, the funeral rites for Senator Kennedy were a source of scandal — that is, quite literally, led them into sin. From not a few corners has come the question, “how on earth could Teddy Kennedy be buried from the Church?” There have also been expressions from some, that “whatever happens in Church, Senator Kennedy will now face justice, which will lead him inside the gates of Hell.”
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The death of Senator Kennedy has called forth at least an apparent rejection of mercy on the part of not a few Catholics. On the cross of Christ, God’s justice came into conflict with God’s mercy. God’s justice was fully satisfied, but mercy triumphed in the conflict, according to the teaching of Pope Benedict. Without denying any misdeeds on the part of Senator Kennedy, the Church, seeking to reflect the face of Christ, proclaimed God’s mercy for the whole world to see in a subdued but unmistakable way. It was more than appropriate.
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It is so important at this time that our Catholic homes and families re-emphasize their role as schools of mercy, not at the expense of justice, and not at the expense of Truth, but recognizing that Jesus Christ gave His body to be broken and His blood to be poured out, so that there might be mercy. This is the reason for our devotion, through the inspiration of Sister Faustina and its confirmation by Pope John Paul II, to the Divine Mercy prayers, which I hope are becoming more prominent and more frequently practiced in our homes and in our parishes. - Read the entire statement here: Bishop's Column

Perseverance

The Little Brothers of St. Francis of Boston
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Last evening I watched a YouTube video on their life which contains an excellent interview with Br. James, the founder of the community, unfortunately embedding has been disabled, so I will link to it here - watch it if you can.
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The brothers gave me shelter as I began my pilgrimage from the Trappists to Europe many years ago. At the time, the community had already been established for a few years and if I remember correctly there were 3 friars in addition to Br. James. Their religious life is virtually unchanged since then. The brothers live a contemplative life within their hermitage in Boston's Roxbury/Mission Hill district. They also minister to the poor and homeless who live on the street or in shelters in Boston. Their ministry is one of prayer and presence. They do not house the poor, they simply live amongst them and befriend them. Their focus is Eucharistic adoration. In this they resemble the followers of Blessed Charles de Foucauld.
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O Lord, my God, who will seek you with simple and pure love, and not find that you are all one can desire, for you show yourself first and go out to meet those who seek you? - John of the Cross
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Yet more expressly, the Brothers communal life is more reminiscent of the earliest companions of St. Francis, and I think this is what Br. James envisioned from the very beginning. It is so simple that the efficacy is often missed by those of us who expect great works and deeds - often in terms of social work - bettering the conditions of the poor, treating the alcoholism and drug addictions of the homeless, establishing listening houses and soup kitchens for the hungry. But there are facilities in Boston for all of that.
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Think not that pleasing God lies so much in doing a great deal as in doing it with good will, without possessiveness and human respect. - John of the Cross
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The Brothers instead go directly to the street. They just show up. Some have called it "house calls to the homeless". A guy might be sleeping under a cardboard box and look up, and in his hangover haze he sees two followers of St. Francis the fool, smiling back saying, "Good morning brother!" And they visit, they listen, they may get him some coffee, offer him a sandwich, if it is winter give him gloves, a hat, and so on. They may even pray with him. But they really are just there. In their simplicity, they acknowledge the sacred humanity before them, hidden beneath the dirt, ofttimes enveloped by a noxious alcohol-tobacco laden stench, incensed with the scent of urine and other foul body odors. They are present to one another in the Divine Presence, sharing an equal identity before the Lord. Deep calling unto deep, in the roar of the city.
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And if only for a few minutes or an hour, the poor man on the street knows what it means to have someone look at him and accept him and love him, just as he is - and the brothers feed him, nurse him with the love of God. What is more, the brothers do not abandon him there, but take him with them spiritually in prayer, placing him before Jesus in the Eucharist.
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God is more pleased by one work, however small, done secretly, without desire that it be known, than a thousand done with the desire that people know of them. Those who work for God with purest love not only care nothing about whether others see their works, but do not even seek that God himself know of them. Such persons would not cease to render God the same services, with the same joy and purity of love, even if God were never to know of these. - John of the Cross
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Br. Jim had an important position with the Boston Opera when he left everything to live the Franciscan call, which led to the establishment of this community. The Community follows the Rule for Hermitages, written by St. Francis. You can read about the community here. The life is so simple and so delightfully Franciscan, I think one must be very, very humble to live it - much like the founder - St. Francis, and of course, Br. Jim.
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O sweetest love of God, so little known, whoever has found this rich mine is at rest! - John of the Cross
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Photo credit: Maureen Cotton

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!

Secundus!

H1N1 Sweater for Dad

080 Fashion Barcelona.
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080 Barcelona Fashion first came about in July 2007. Its aim is to provide a platform to increase the visibility of independent designers and to become a point of reference for cutting-edge design and fashion on an international level. The driving forces behind 080 Barcelona Fashion are creativity and innovation, without forgetting the importance of the market and the need to provide a commercial outlet for fashion.

Prayerbook for Spouses

For Theology of the Body buffs...
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Catholic Truth Society of London has published a new prayerbook for Catholic spouses, including a prayer before making love - no blessing of the genitals however - Christopher West can supply that, I'm sure.
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The new prayer:
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Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts.
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Place within us love that truly gives, tenderness thattruly unites,
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self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive,
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forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes.
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Open our hearts to you, to each other and to the goodness of your will.
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Cover our poverty in the richness of your mercy and forgiveness.
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Clothe us in our true dignity
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and take to yourself our shared aspirations, for your glory, for ever and ever.
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Mary, our Mother, intercede for us. Amen. - Source
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An older model of spousal prayer:
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Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. 5 For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.
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6 So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them, 7 And Tobias said:
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Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.
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8 Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper.
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9 And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.
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10 Sara also said:
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Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,
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and let us grow old both together in health. - Tobit 8
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I think the biblical version contains better theology.

He warned against “harsh judgments’’ and attributing “the worst motives’’...

"Do not yoke yourselves in a mismatch with unbelievers. After all, what does righteousness and lawlessness have in common, or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What accord is there between Christ and Belial, what common lot between believer and unbeliever? Tell me what agreement there is between the temple of God and idols?" - 2 Corinthians 6: 14-16

"Cardinal, you got some 'splainin' to do..."

And he did.
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Cardinal Sean explained why he was at Kennedy's funeral.
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Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley last night issued a forceful defense of his decision to participate in the funeral of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, an appearance that has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative Catholics because of Kennedy’s ardent support for abortion rights.
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He warned against “harsh judgments’’ and attributing “the worst motives’’ to people with whom Catholics have disagreements, saying “these attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church.’’
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“If any cause is motivated by judgment, anger or vindictiveness,’’ he added, “it will be doomed to marginalization and failure.’’ And to those who argued that Kennedy did not merit a Catholic funeral because of his support for abortion rights, the cardinal wrote: “In the strongest terms I disagree with that position.’’ - Boston.com
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I knew that.
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I figured that one out myself - why the Cardinal was there and why Kennedy got a public Catholic funeral: Pastoral reasons.
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“As archbishop of Boston, I considered it appropriate to represent the church at this liturgy out of respect for the senator, his family, those who attended the Mass and all those who were praying for the senator and his family at this difficult time. We are people of faith and we believe in a loving and forgiving God from whom we seek mercy.’’ - Cardinal Sean's Blog

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I get that.
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I also see another huge pastoral problem Raymond Arroyo wisely pointed out:
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In his blog, he wrote: “The prayer intercessions at the funeral Mass, the endless eulogies, the image of the cardinal archbishop of Boston reading prayers, and finally Cardinal McCarrick interring the remains sent an uncontested message: One may defy church teaching, publicly lead others astray, deprive innocent lives of their rights, and still be seen a good Catholic, even an exemplary one.’’ - Raymond's blog
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What Raymond Arroyo is doing is pointing out exactly where the scandal lies. You know what scandal is, right? On the other hand, the Cardinal seems to be dismissive of it.
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"O'Malley insists, “We will stop the practice of abortion by changing the law, and we will be successful in changing the law if we change people’s hearts,’’ he wrote. “We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief and loss."
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“Our ability to change people’s hearts and help them to grasp the dignity of each and every life, from the first moment of conception to the last moment of natural death, is directly related to our ability to increase love and unity in the church, for our proclamation of the truth is hindered when we are divided and fighting with each other,’’ he wrote." - Boston Globe
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Hmmmmmm. As a pro-choice legislator, Kennedy worked - some say fought - tirelessly, for a woman's right to kill her baby, and endorsed, promoted, and campaigned for the most pro-abortion President in history to ensure that remains the law. Hopefully the Senator had a change of heart before he died - but we can't know that for certain - if he did, a public act of repentance would have been helpful. From the sounds of it, the Senator was so convinced of his self-righteousness he felt a need to inform the Pope on how well he did in support of Catholic social teaching. I wonder how he defended his position on abortion?
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All very nice - remember now, no "harsh judgements" or "attributing the worst motives" to our beloved leaders in the culture of death.
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Photo source.

God is faithful.

God's call is irrevocable.
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Those two thoughts have been running through my head since my last post about Don Marco's new foundation in the diocese of Tulsa. Fr. Mark refers to it as "a call within a call" which reminds me of Mother Teresa's experience on the train which led her to found the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa also explained the new direction of her vocation as a call within a call. It is an awesome thing.
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What I find so edifying and inspiring is that these people have sought God from youth, generously renouncing ordinary life to serve him and live faithfully according to his will in consecrated religious life - only to leave the security of regular religious life to erect something new and beautiful for God. According to his will, his providential call... as if predestined for this particular work to praise His glory.
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I've known several persons who have started new religious communities. The skeptic in me always tempts and says, "It won't last." But it is simply not true. I know priests who have formed hermitages 20, 30 years ago - which are now thriving monasteries. I know Franciscan brothers who began communities of strict observance which continue to this day. I know individuals who live as isolated hermits in austere circumstances - not simply for a few years, but for 20, 30 years or more.
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Their perseverance despite criticism, suspicion, difficulties, poverty, and spiritual struggle is a wonderful witness to the Gospel and the faithfulness of God, as well as the edification of the Church.
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It is an awesome thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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For information on the new foundation contact:

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Reverend Father Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B.

1744 South Xanthus Avenue

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-5324

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[Addendum: For what it is worth, I should have mentioned that of all the people who have ever set out to make a monastic foundation, I would have to say Fr. Mark is the most qualified person I have ever known to do so, based upon his experience of religious life, monastic observance, solid spirituality, theology and liturgical formation. In addition, responding to a bishop's call is always a good sign this is the Lord's doing, not man's. Give success to the work of his hands O Lord!]

Well it is public information now: Don Marco begins a new Benedictine Community

Fr. Mark comes full circle.
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Fr. Mark Daniel Kirby, no longer a Cistercian, is now a Benedictine priest incardinated in the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is the story in his own words from a comment he left on WDTPRS:
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Thank you for your interest in the new diocesan Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. As a Cistercian (O.Cist.) I professed and lived the Rule of Saint Benedict for over 25 years. I rejoice that the call to live this particular form of Benedictine life came through the Church and is confirmed and supported by the Church. The Holy See authorized my release from the Order of Cîteaux specifically in order to embrace this “call within a call.” The new monastery will not be aggregated to an existing monastic congregation within the Benedictine Confederation; it is erected by the Bishop of Tulsa as a diocesan monastery. Here is some of the background:
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Move to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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In February 2008, Bishop Slattery invited me to Tulsa to live my monastic vocation in daily Eucharistic adoration and reparation, while offering spiritual support to my brother priests. On July 16, 2008, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a rescript from the Holy See arrived, allowing me to settle in the Diocese of Tulsa for this specific work; the rescript provided for my release from the Order of Cîteaux after a suitable time, my incardination into the Diocese of Tulsa, and the renewal of my monastic profession under the Rule of Saint Benedict in the hands Bishop Slattery, specifically to undertake a Benedictine life having Eucharistic adoration and the spiritual support of the clergy as defining characteristics.
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A New Beginning.
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On April 2, 2009, the 4th anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, in the 25th year of my monastic profession, having been released from the Order of Cîteaux and incardinated into the diocese of Tulsa, I made a new profession under the Rule of Saint Benedict in preparation for the foundation of a monastery of diocesan right, dedicated to Eucharistic adoration and to the spiritual care of the clergy: the Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle.
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The rite of monastic profession on April 2, 2009, in the presence of Bishop Slattery, Abbot Raphael, O.Cist. of Rougemont, distinguished representatives of the Benedictine Order, and of the diocesan clergy, expressed the essential elements of this mission called forth by the Church, for the Church. Finish here.
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I had the good fortune to meet Fr. Mark in the mid 1970's at the monastery of the Sisters of Jesus Crucified, who at that time resided in Newport, Rhode Island. Fr. Mark was not yet ordained at the time but was living a contemplative monastic life according to the Rule of St. Benedict with another aspirant; together they hoped to form their own community. If memory serves me, I believe Fr. Mark's vision at the time was similar to the type of community/monastery the Bishop has called him to establish today in Tulsa.

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Divine Providence is awesome... and relentless.
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Prayers and best wishes for the establishment and success of this beautiful work of God.

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Photo: Fr. Mark in his new habit. (After so many years, Fr. Mark and I reconnected in 2006 when I first began blogging.)

Photo of the day

Hindu priests sit inside barrels containing water as they perform special prayers in order to appease Varun, the Hindu rain god, in a temple in Mumbai. - Telegraph.co.uk


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I KNOW!

Priests

What men need.
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Priests do not so much need spiritual mothers, as they all have the perfect Mother in Our Lady Mary, Mother of Christ, Queen of the Clergy. While a devotion consisting of spiritual motherhood for priests may be efficacious, what priests most need are strong, manly fathers and brothers; most especially they need solid, strong, supportive, manly Bishops. (And the prayers of the faithful of course.)

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Normally, one mother is more than enough for a guy - just ask St. Augustine. ;)