OM: First Christian Roman Martyrs

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the "Apostle of the Gentiles" (see Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in A.D. 57-58.

There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in A.D. 49-50. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city "caused by the certain Chrestus" [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius's death in A.D. 54. Paul's letter was addressed to a church with members from Jewish and gentile backgrounds.

In July of A.D. 64, more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, a "great multitude" of Christians were put to death because of their "hatred of the human race." Peter and Paul were probably among the victims.

Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in A.D. 68 at the age of thirty-one.

Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians. [Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.]

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O God, who consecrated that abundant first fruits of the Roman Church by the blood of the Martyrs, grant, we pray, that with firm courage we may together draw strength from so great a struggle and ever rejoice at the triumph of faithful love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostle-Founders of the Church - FMJ Concile des jeunes is on Tap

Today the Church honours Saint Peter, the first pope and Saint Paul of Tarsus, who was responsible for a considerable portion of the New Testament.

Simon Peter (d. AD 67), was the son of John or of Jonah and was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee. His brother Andrew was also an Apostle.

Paul the Apostle, (c. AD 5 – c. AD 67), was one of the most influential first century Christian missionaries. His influence on Christian thinking has been extremely important due to his role as a prominent disciple of Christ during the spreading of the Gospel through early Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire.

The Trappist monks of the Tre Fontane (Three Fountains) Abbey raise the lambs whose wool is used to make the pallia for new metropolitan archbishops. Though the lamb’s wool is blessed by the Pope on the Feast of Saint Agnes (January 21), the Pope presents the pallia to the archbishops on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

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Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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DEPARTURE FOR SHERBROOKE

Yesterday, I journeyed to join Famille Marie-Jeunesse in Sherbrooke for their annual youth gathering, returning on Saturday.  It began Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday at noon. 

Mgr Luc Cyr, the new archbishop of Sherbrooke is in Rome with Archbishops Paul-Andre Durocher of Gatineau, Christian Lepine of Montreal and forty-three other metropolitan archbishops from around the world to receive the pallium from the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Here is a brief description of the rally from the FMJ website:

Tu veux partir l'été du bon pied?

Sous un immense chapiteau, au début de l'été, les chants s'élèvent en même temps que les sourires... c'est le Concile des jeunes de la Famille Marie-Jeunesse. Quatre jours durant l'été avec plus de 350 jeunes pour se dynamiser à la suite du Christ!

Se laisser enseigner par des témoins de Dieu
Découvrir le visage du Christ à travers les différents ateliers
Goûter sa miséricorde lors de la grande soirée du vendredi
Rire ensemble et s'amuser par la louange, le sport et la grande pièce de théâtre
Partager l'amitié et la joie de croire en Jésus

Le Concile des jeunes n'est rien de moins qu'une descente au niveau de cœur...Tu veux partir l'été du bon pied?

New Alexandria-Cornwall Bishop Saint Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr

Welcome to Ontario, Your Excellency!

Félicitations et meilleurs vœux, Mgr Damphousse!

Mgr Marcel Damphousse

Today it was announced in Rome that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had appointed the Reverend Marcel Damphousse, currently Rector of the Cathedral of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, as Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall.

 

Aujourd’hui on a annoncé à Rome que Sa Sainteté le Pape Benoît XVI a nommé M. l’abbé Marcel Damphousse, présentement recteur de la Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface, au Manitoba, évêque d’Alexandria-Cornwall.

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SAINT IRENAEUS OF LYONS

St. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor around the year 140.

It is not known when he came to Gaul. He was a priest of the Church of Lyons during the persecution of 177 when St. Pothinus, first bishop of the city and the first martyr of Lyons, was put to death.

Irenaeus succeeded him as bishop and twenty-five years later was martyred in his turn during a fresh persecution.

At a time when Gnostic sects threatened to undermine Christianity by a perversion of Christian thought, St. Irenaeus vigorously denounced all heresies and safeguarded unity of belief by laying down the principles of the doctrinal tradition of the Church.

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O God, who called the Bishop Saint Irenaeus to confirm true doctrine and the peace of the Church, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, being renewed in faith and charity, we may always be intent on fostering unity and concord. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Canadian Ukrainian Martyrs & St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop-Doctor Ottawa Diaconal Ordination

Today, the Church's calendar allows for two possible optional memorials: two Ukrainian bishop-martyrs, including Blessed Nykyta Budka, the first Ukrainian bishop in Canada, named 100 years ago, and Blessed Vasyl Velychowsky or St. Cyril of Alexandria (370-444), fifth century bishop and martyr.

Blessed Bishop Vasyl (Basil) Velychkovsky, C.Ss.R., Bishop and Martyr (Ukrainian) Born June 1, 1903, Died June 30, 1973; appointed as bishop of this underground church in Lviv, Ukraine. Secretly ordained as Bishop in 1963; beatified on June 27, 2001.

Blessed Bishop Nykyta Budka (Greek-Ukrainian) Born June 7, 1877 [Poland], Died October 1, 1949 Soviet concentration camp].

Ordained on October 25, 1905; first bishop for Ukrainian Catholics on July 15, 1912 in Canada. Beatified June 27, 2001 in Ukraine.

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All-powerful and ever-living God, through whom faith draws perseverance and weakness strength, grant that, as you gave your Martyrs Nykyta and Vasyl the courage to witness to the Gospel of Christ even at the cost of their lives, we may have the courage to live in faithful witness to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Saint Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt and an able theologian.  As bishop and doctor, he became the glory of the Church in Egypt. During the Council of Ephesus, he defined the oneness of person in Jesus Christ and the divine maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary against the heresy of Nestorius.

O God, who made the Bishop Saint Cyril of Alexandria an invincible champion of the divine motherhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that we, who believe she is truly the Mother of God, may be saved through the Incarnation of Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Diaconal Ordination of Matthew Keshwah

The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist - June 23, 2012

Eglise Sainte-Marie, Orleans, ON

“THE LORD CALLED ME BEFORE I WAS BORN”

[Texts: Isaiah 49.1-6 [Psalm 139]; Acts 13.22-26; Luke 1.57-66, 80]

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, mes chers frères et sœurs dans le Seigneur,

Matthew, l’un de vos proches ou de vos amis va être admis à l’ordre du diaconat. Je voudrais vous rappeler à quel degré du ministère il va accéder.

The Promise of Obedience ("to me and my successors")

Ayant reçu le don de l’Esprit Saint qui le fortifie, le diacre apportera de l’aide à l’évêque et à son presbyterium, dans le ministère de la Parole, de l’autel et de la charité, en se montrant le serviteur de tous.

Institué ministre de l’autel, il proclamera l’Évangile, il préparera le sacrifice eucharistique, il distribuera aux fidèles le Corps et le Sang du Seigneur.

Il lui reviendra en outre, selon la mission reçue de l’évêque, d’exhorter aussi bien les incroyants que les croyants, de les instruire dans la foi, de présider aux prières, d’administrer le baptême, d’assister au nom de l’Église au mariage et de le bénir, de porter le viatique aux mourants et de présider au rite des funérailles.

Consacré par l’imposition des mains transmise depuis les Apôtres, et plus étroitement uni à l’autel, il s’acquittera, au nom de son évêque ou de son curé, du ministère de la charité. En tout ceci, qu’il agisse, avec l’aide de Dieu, de telle façon que vous reconnaissiez vraiment en lui le disciple de celui qui est venu non pour être servi mais pour servir.

Now, dear son, Matthew, you are to be raised to the Order of the diaconate. The Lord has set an example that what he has done, you also should do. You should strive to fulfill the call of Jesus in the manner of the saint whose birth we commemorate this day.

Today’s solemnity shows us that John's prophetic call to serve both Israel and the nations lay hidden within the designs of God. It was issued before his birth, as he was being carried in the womb of Elizabeth. This motif is echoed by the psalmist who says, “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret”. All of us here today—but you particularly, Matthew—should grasp that our vocation begins in the mystery of God’s saving plan for each of us.

The majority of Israelite names, like ancient Semitic names in general, had readily understandable meanings. Parents consciously chose such names, which could be translated into sentences, to describe the identity of, or aspirations they had for, their child. The name “Zechariah” means, “The Lord remembers” and your name Matthew means “the gift of God”, while “John” means “God has been gracious”.

John's name was assigned him by the angel Gabriel when Zechariah was told that his wife would conceive and bear a son in her old age. Though Zechariah had been rendered mute for his momentary unbelief, Elizabeth in a wondrous manner had arrived at the divinely appointed name. She insisted on naming her son John.

John's birth is mentioned only cursorily so that attention may be given to the drama of his naming and the end of Zechariah's speechlessness. When Zechariah wrote “His name is John”, people were amazed, Zechariah's tongue was loosed and he began praising God, uttering the Benedictus (Luke 1.68-79), which the Church prays at Lauds every morning. We too should have mouths full of praise for all that God has done and wishes to do in our lives!

Le deuxième des « Chants du Serviteur » d'Isaïe faisait à l’origine référence à un chef spirituel Israélien du VIe siècle avant Jésus-Christ. Pourtant, il trouve des résonances dans le ministère de Jésus (il évoque la Passion de Jésus dans la Semaine Sainte) et dans la carrière de Jean.

Les paroles du Baptiste étaient comme une flèche aiguisée, pénétrant les cœurs des croyants de son époque. Comme pour le « serviteur souffrant », le travail de Jean doit lui avoir semblé vide et frustrant. Mais Dieu le rassura, lui promettant : « Je vous donnerai comme lumière aux nations comme mon salut pourra atteindre l’extrémité de la terre ».

Dans le passage des Actes, Pierre décrit la conclusion de la carrière de Jean comme étant altruiste, son humilité le menant à parler de Jésus : « Que croyez-vous que je suis ? Je ne suis pas Lui. Non, mais un vient après moi; je ne suis pas digne de détacher le lacet des sandales à ses pieds ».

Just as at the time of the winter solstice—December 25—when the course of the sun begins to rise in the northern hemisphere, the Church celebrates the birth of Christ, the shining sun born from on high and the true light of the world, so, at the summer solstice—June 24—when the course of the sun begins to decline, the Christian community recalls the birth of John the Baptist, who, though not himself the light, bore witness to the light (cf. John 1.6-9).

John himself testified, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3.30), a saying that the Church's liturgy has applied to the location of these feasts in the solar calendar and that stands as an invitation to all who perform ministries in the Church—to point people to Christ Jesus rather than to themselves.

"Receive the Gospel of  Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

Et donc, Matthew, quand vous serez diacre, c’est-à-dire serviteur de Jésus Christ qui s’est montré serviteur au milieu de ses disciples, accomplissez de tout cœur et dans la charité la volonté de Dieu, servant avec joie en même temps le Seigneur et les hommes. Et puisque personne ne peut servir deux maîtres, considérez l’amour de l’argent et l’impureté comme un asservissement aux idoles.

Au moment où vous accédez librement à l’ordre du diaconat, il faut, comme les disciples choisis par les Apôtres pour le ministère de la charité, que vous soyez un homme estimé de tous, rempli d’Esprit Saint et de sagesse.

Matthew, my son, you will exercise your ministry committed to the celibate state: know that celibacy is both a sign of pastoral charity and an inspiration to it, as well as a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world. Compelled by the sincere love of Christ the Lord and embracing this state with total dedication, you will cling to Christ more easily with an undivided heart. You will free yourself more completely for the service of God and man, and minister more effectively in the work of spiritual rebirth.

Firmly rooted and grounded in faith, you are to show yourself chaste and beyond reproach before God and man, as is proper for a minister of Christ and of a steward of God’s mysteries. Never allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel.

Now you are not only a hearer of this Gospel but also its minister. Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, express by your actions the word of God which your lips proclaim, so that the Christian people, brought to life by the Spirit, may be a pure offering accepted by God. Then on the last day, when you go out to meet the Lord you will be able to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”

[Photos courtesy of Christopher Choquette and Joe Goski]

Installation Anniversary #5 - Saint Josemaria Escriva Opus Dei Mass

Five years ago last evening and today, my "installation" as 10th bishop and 9th archbishop of Ottawa took place in two parts.  On Monday evening, June 25, there was a ceremony of prayer and welcome (after my oath of office in the presence of the College of Consultors and a festive supper).  On Tuesday morning, June 26, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Ventura presided at the Eucharist of my installation.

Unfortunately, I cannot put my hands on photos from the Mass, but above and below are some more photos from the evening service of prayer and welcome:

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, look favourably on your servant, whom you have set at the head of your Church of Ottawa as her shepherd; grant, we pray, that by word and example he may be of service to those over whom he presides, so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Celebration of St. Josemaria Escriva

O God, who raised up your priest Saint Josemaría in the Church to proclaim the universal call to holiness and the apostolate, grant that by his intercession and example we may, through our daily work, be formed in the likeness of Jesus your Son and serve the work of redemption with burning love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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St. Josemaria Escriva died on June 26, 1975, so that is the date of his optional memorial in some dioceses and of his solemnity in the communties of Opus Dei.  Here in Ottawa, we anticipated the feast on Saturday morning in Notre Dame Cathedral. 

Some photos, several of which were taken by Fernand Côté:

165th Anniversary of the Erection of a Diocesan Church in Ottawa

Photo courtesy of J-C. Grant

Today is the 165th Anniversary of the establishment of what is now the Archdiocese of Ottawa, first established as the Diocese of Bytown (1847), then the Diocese of Ottawa (1860) and the Archdiocese (1886).  Here are the data in the wonderful web resource Catholic-Hierarchy.org:

• Diocese of Bytown

o Latin Name: Bypolitanus
o Erected: June 25, 1847
• Diocese of Ottawa
o Latin Name: Ottaviensis
o Name Changed: June 14, 1860

ARCHDIOCESE OF OTTAWA
• Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
• Elevated: June 8, 1886
• Metropolitan See
• Rite: Latin (or Roman)
• Province: Ontario
• Country: Canada
• Square Kilometers: 5,818 (2,247 Square Miles)
• Conference Region: Ontario
• Catholic Directory Abbreviation: O
• Official Web Site: http://www.archottawa.ca
• Mailing Address: 1247 Place Kilborn, Ottawa, Ont. K1H 6K9, Canada
• Telephone: (613)738-5025
• Fax: 738-0130

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OTTAWA PRIESTS' GATHERING

 

Last Thursday, the priests of Ottawa gathered for a spiritual, educational and social gathering in a casual atmosphere at St. Paul's University under the direction of Mgr Noel Simard, Bishop of Valleyfield. 

Some photos of our interaction:

 
 

 
 

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O God, who in each pilgrim Church throughout the world make visible the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, graciously grant that your faithful may be so united to their shepherd and gathered together in the Holy Spirit through the Gospel and the Eucharist, as to worthily embody the universality of your people and become a sign and instrument in the world of the presence of Christ, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Nativity of St. John the Baptist - 160 ieme Anniversaire de l'Institut Canadien-francais d'Ottawa

Statue of St. John the Baptist in Notre Dame Cathedral

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that your family may walk in the way of salvation and, attentive to what Saint John the Precursor urged, may come safely to the One he foretold, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Celebrating with the Knights and Dames of Malta

& the 160th Anniversary

of l'Institut Canadien francais d'Ottawa

St. John the Baptist is the Patron not only of French Canadians, but also of other groups such as the Order of Malta, which was established under the patronage of St. John as a hospice for ill and needy pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem.  They came to celebrate at the Cathedral this morning; some of them posed on the steps following 10h30 Mass.

This evening, there will be festive dinner for the Institut Canadien Francais here in Ottawa where the social club was founded on this very day in 1852--one hundred sixty years ago.

Some details on their founder from their website:

Joseph-Balsora Turgeon, 1810-1897

par Jean Yves Pelletier

Né à Terrebonne, au Bas-Canada, en 1810, Joseph-B. Turgeon arrive à Bytown probablement en 1836 à l’âge de 26 ans. Il exerce le métier de forgeron, puis travaille dans l’industrie du bois et s’associe à un commerce de voitures.

En 1844, il fait partie de la fanfare appelée Les musiciens de Bytown que dirige le capitaine Paul Favreau. Succédant à Jean Bédard, Turgeon est élu conseiller municipal pour le quartier nord de la Basse-Ville de Bytown en 1848, puis réélu en 1849. Cette même année, il est nommé juge de paix. C’est en cette qualité qu’il tente d’apaiser la foule à une assemblée publique tenue au marché By le 17 septembre 1849. L’assemblée dégénère en une sanglante bagarre entre les deux factions politiques – les Tories (conservateurs) et les Reformers (libéraux) – et entre Canadiens-Français, Irlandais et Canadiens-Anglais. C’est cette triste journée que l’on a surnommé « Stoney Monday ».

En 1851 et en 1852, Turgeon est de nouveau élu conseiller municipal pour le quartier centre. En 1852 il devient commissaire d’écoles puis fonde et devient le premier président de l’Institut canadien-français. Membre d’un cabinet de lecture – le Mechanics’ Institute -- fondé par un certain monsieur Powell, Joseph-B. Turgeon proteste avec véhémence quand on propose l’exclusion des Canadiens français. En quittant la salle avec quelques-uns de ses compatriotes, il annonce qu’il fondra un cercle littéraire qui survivra longtemps après la disparition du cabinet de langue anglaise. C’est ce cercle littéraire qui deviendra plus tard l’Institut canadien-français d’Ottawa.

Élu maire de Bytown en 1853, c’est au cours de son mandat que Turgeon réussit à obtenir des fonds pour les écoles des sœurs grises dites Sœurs de la Charité d’Ottawa. Il propose aussi que Bytown obtienne le statut de ville et qu’elle prenne le nom de « Ottawa ».

Il siège de nouveau à la commission scolaire en 1855, est nommé capitaine de la milice no 2 d’Ottawa en 1856, puis élu de nouveau au conseil municipal en 1862. C’est à titre de conseiller scolaire et avec l’aide de son ami l’avocat Richard W. Scott, qu’il propose un système d’écoles séparées à Ottawa.

À partir de la fin des années 1860, Turgeon se retire progressivement de la vie publique et il se retrouve agent général de la compagnie Mosgrove, rue Rideau. En reconnaissance de ses efforts soutenus pour la cause catholique, il est fait Chevalier de l’Ordre de St-Grégoire le Grand pour sa contribution à l’établissement des écoles séparées catholiques à Ottawa.

Ami de l’Évêque de Bytown, Mgr Joseph-Eugène-Bruno Guigues, Joseph-B. Turgeon a été, de par ses fonctions officielles, l’hôte de plusieurs dignitaires venus à Bytown et Ottawa, dont Lord Elgin, Gouverneur général, Mgr Bedini, nonce apostolique et le capitaine Henry de Belvèze, représentant de Napoléon III.

Marié à Mary Ann Donohue en premières noces et en secondes noces à Marie Elizabeth Mesnard, il est le père de quatre enfants.

Il meurt à Hull le 17 juillet 1897 à l’âge de 87 ans. Son service funèbre est célébré dans la chapelle de l’Université d’Ottawa avec la participation de la chorale de la paroisse Saint-Joseph. En plus des membres de sa famille, des amis du défunt étaient présents tels Sir Richard W. Scott, Secrétaire d’État, Honoré Robillard, ancien député fédéral, Frank McDougal, ancien maire, Joseph Boyden et J.B. Jackson, hommes d’affaires.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Annual Novena Mass, St Patrick's Basilica

The celebration of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is observed in the universal church on June 27 as an optional memorial.  The devotions in Mary's honour, which have been held in Ottawa for 74 years, were celebrated within the Eucharist at St. Patrick's Basilica on Wednesday, June 20.  Here are some pictures taken at the reception (courtesty of Father Larry McCormick):

Birth of St. John the Baptist - Photos of Ottawa's Diocesan Feast

The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist

“THE LORD CALLED ME BEFORE I WAS BORN”

[Texts: Isaiah 49.1-6 [Psalm 139]; Acts 13.22-26; Luke 1.57-66, 80]

During his historic visit to Damascus, Pope John Paul II noted that Syria is dear to Christians because “here our religion has known vital moments of its growth and doctrinal development, and here are found Christian communities which have lived in peace and harmony with their Muslim neighbours for many centuries”.

The Holy Father spoke during a visit to the great Umayyad Mosque where the skull of St. John the Baptist is venerated. He observed that John is revered not only by Christians, but also by followers of Mohammed.

‘We are meeting close to what both Christians and Muslims regard as the tomb of John the Baptist, known as Yahya in the Muslim tradition. The son of Zechariah is a figure of prime importance in the history of Christianity, for he was the Precursor who prepared the way for Christ.

‘John's life, wholly dedicated to God, was crowned by martyrdom. May his witness enlighten all who venerate his memory here, so that they—and we too—may understand that life's great task is to seek God's truth and justice.’

John's prophetic call to serve both Israel and the nations lay hidden within the designs of God. It was issued before his birth, as he was being carried in the womb of Elizabeth (“The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb He named me”). This motif is echoed by the psalm (“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret”).

The majority of Israelite names, like ancient Semitic names in general, had readily understandable meanings. Parents consciously chose such names, which could be translated into sentences, to describe the identity of, or aspirations they had for, their child. The name ‘Zechariah’ means, ‘The Lord remembers’, while ‘John’ means ‘God has been gracious’.

John's name was assigned him by the angel Gabriel when Zechariah was told that his wife would conceive and bear a son in her old age. Though Zechariah had been rendered mute for his momentary unbelief, Elizabeth in a wondrous manner had arrived at the divinely appointed name. She insisted on naming her son John.

John's birth is mentioned only cursorily so that attention may be given to the drama of his naming and the end of Zechariah's speechlessness. When Zechariah wrote “His name is John”, people were amazed, Zechariah's tongue was loosed and he began praising God, uttering the Benedictus (Luke 1.68-79), which the Church prays at Lauds every morning.

The second of the “Servant Songs” of Isaiah (and the others found in 42.1-4; 50.4-9; 52.13-53:12) originally referred to an Israelite spiritual leader of the sixth century BC. Still, it finds resonances in the ministry of Jesus (it evokes the Passion of Jesus in Holy Week) and in the career of John.

The Baptist's words were like a sharpened arrow, piercing to the heart believers of his time. As with the ‘Suffering Servant’, John's labours must have seemed to him emptiness and frustration (“I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity”). But God reassured him, promising that “I will give you as light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth”.

In the passage from Acts, Peter described the closing of John's preaching career as a selfless one, his humility leading him to speak thus about Jesus: “What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on His feet”.

Just as at the time of the winter solstice—December 25—when the course of the sun begins to rise in the northern hemisphere, the Church celebrates the birth of Christ, the shining sun born from on high and the true light of the world, so, at the summer solstice—June 24—when the course of the sun begins to decline, the Christian community recalls the birth of John the Baptist, who, though not himself the light, bore witness to the light (cf. John 1.6-9).

John himself testified, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3.30), a saying that the Church's liturgy has applied to the location of these feasts in the solar calendar.

* * * * * *

RECALLING THE DIOCESAN FEAST

The Archdiocesan Feast this year was held on June 7, the actual 60th anniversary of the ordination of one of the new Monsignori, Everett McNeil [centre in photo above with Mgr Daniel Berniquez (left) and Msgr. Joseph Muldoon (right)]. 

The feast noted the 165th anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese of Bytown on June 8, 1847 and the 126th anniversary of the designation of Ottawa as an archdiocese on June 25, 1886. Everything seems to have happened in June: the diocese's name was changed from Bytown to Ottawa on June 14, 1860.

The celebration featured the conferral of the medal Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pope) on five persons who have made a significant contribution to the life of the Church: Soeur Pauline LeBrun, sco; Mr. Andrew Doyle, Dr. Andre Gauthier, Dr. Stanislaw Krazaniak, Mr. Gerald Larkin.

The focal point of the entrance procession, in which each parish had representatives bring a Bible in their language or a vigil lamp to symbolize that God's Word is a light for our path, was the celebration of the theme of the Pastoral Year 2011-2012, "The Word of God was fruitful and multiplied".

Here are some photos from the occasion courtesy of Heri Riesbeck (and, for a few, Sarah DuBroy): 

Soeur Pauline LeBrun, sco

Mr. Andrew Doyle

Dr. Andre Gauthier

Dr. Sylwester Krazaniak

Mr. Gerald Larkin