Don Primo Mazzolari and Don Lorenzo Milani
It seems to me the Holy Father is definitely clear when speaks about priests.
I haven't heard about these two priests before, but the fact Pope Francis singles them out seems to me consistent with what he says when he speaks to priests and seminarians on the vocation to the priesthood. Many criticize the Pope, and claim he is not supportive of priests, but his pilgrimage to the tombs of these priests suggests to me he very much loves priests and seminarians.
Don Mazzolari, the Pope said, conceived the Church going forth into world in the firm belief that that is the only way to reach out to those who do not come to Church any more.
“He was rightly described as ‘the parish priest of those who are far’ because he always loved those on the peripheries and to them dedicated his mission.
Pope Francis concluded his speech with an exhortation to all priests to “listen to the world”, to “step into the dark areas without fear because it is amongst the people that God’s mercy is incarnate.”
He urged them to live in poverty and said that the credibility of the Gospel message is in the simplicity and poverty of the Church and he reminded them always to treasure the lesson of Don Mazzolari. - VR
Recently some priests seem to have stepped into 'dark areas' and have been roundly criticized and condemned. I often think of some of the Jesuits who did so courageously throughout the history of the Society of Jesus. I think of St. Peter Claver, often criticized and the focus of suspicion, when he went to the docks and holds of ships to minister to slaves. This seems to me what is meant when the Pope calls priests to step out of their comfort zone.
Lorenzo Milani, a man he has described as “a believer, enamored of the Church” a “passionate educator” who used “original ways.”
Milani, who died in 1967, is universally acknowledged for having been an optimum interpreter of modern and contemporary pedagogy, a priest attentive to formative methods for young people, and especially alert to the needs of the poor and the rights of workers.
Milani, the Pope said, taught the importance of giving the poor the capacity to speak up for themselves, because “without the word, there’s no dignity and therefore no justice or freedom”.
A pilgrimage the Pope himself said was undertaken in the footsteps of two parish priests whose legacy he described as “scomodo” which means challenging or inconvenient, but that has left a radiant trace in their service to the Lord and to the people of God. - VR
My archdiocese is blessed with many generous, faithful priests - old and young. Priests who have sacrificed their lives for the good of the Church and salvation of souls.
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/pope-francis-speaks-to-priests/5518/
ReplyDeleteBishop Robert Barron gets it. I am so grateful he is a faithful son of the Church given to all of us thanks to Archbishop Jose Gomez who recommended him to Papa Francis.
Two very good bishops indeed!
DeleteAh yes, Bobby "Luther was a gift to the Church" Barron... a heretic in bishops clothing.
DeleteI haven't read anything much on the rehabilitation of Luther - but I will admit I don't get it. The closest I could ever get to accommodating anything Lutheran is years ago learning about M. Basilea Schlink a Lutheran nun more Catholic than many contemporary active orders of nuns today, and some Norwegian high-church Lutherans whose liturgy and vestments look decidedly Roman. Otherwise, I just don't get the Luther accolades.
DeleteWe had a priest who went to anoint someone that was dying. That person lived in a rundown part of town and our priest had to hear swearing and breathe in the stink of weed as he ministered there. Another time he tried to convince/help a young woman who was being pressured to abort her 5 month old fetus (the girl was no match intellectually for the doctor) and she decided to go ahead with the abortion. Our priest waited in the hospital for the abortion to be over and then went to baptize the baby. I could go on but that's the kind of hands-on awesome priest he is. I can't imagine certain jet setting, cigar smoking, fancy chasuble wearing priests doing that.
ReplyDeleteIt sets one's heart on fire to read about priests like this. Thanks!
DeleteI just read that part again about the girl considering an abortion. I didn't write it well and sort of made it sound like he was trying to convince her to have an abortion. NO, he was trying to convince her to keep the baby and help her. I know you understood that Terry :)
DeleteI got that - but thanks.
DeleteYou are wrong about cigar smoking, fancy chasuble wearing priests... I know many of them who do the very same things you describe. There are many canonized saints who smoked and wore fancy chasubles. Don't judge a man by what he wears at Mass.
DeleteI think Angela is referring to a particular priest who attends Acton U and writes online for a living. Otherwise, there are many good priests in lovely vestments, who smoke or smoked, and all of that.
DeleteHi Terry,
DeleteI will take Bishop Robert Barron's word any day. I have followed him for a long time and know myself how much he has helped me to understand what it means to love and embrace the faith. As far as what he has to say about Luther, I leave that to him since I too lack understanding in that area.
But I will say this, I am not proud enough to call any one priest, bishop or the pope for that matter, a heretic.
You know I like Bishop Baron very much - didn't read anything but headlines on what he had to say and didn't feel the need to investigate. I don't like Lutheranism and have no interest in the debate. I do wonder why the rehab thing is happening, but I don't let it bother me. I'm just trying to make Aloysius feel at home. I'm with you - I am not qualified nor willing to call anyone a heretic - that isn't my job. :)
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