St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church - Eucharist and Marriage

Saint Anthony

Anthony is one of the most popular saints in the Church. He is the patron of lost things and numerous other causes. In Brazil, he is considered a general of the army; he is the patron of the poor and has been recognized as a wonderworker from the moment of his death.

He was born in Portugal and entered the Augustinian monastery of Sao Vicente in Lisbon when he was fifteen. When news of the Franciscan martyrs in Morocco reached him, he joined the Franciscans at Coimbra. At his own request, he was sent as a missionary to Morocco, but he became ill, and on his return journey his boat was driven off course and he landed in Sicily. He took part in St. Francis' famous Chapter of Mats in 1221 and was assigned to the Franciscan province of Romagna.

He became a preacher by accident. When a scheduled preacher did not show up for an ordination ceremony at Forli, the Franciscan superior told Anthony to go into the pulpit. His eloquence stirred everyone, and he was assigned to preach throughout northern Italy.

Because of his success in converting heretics, he was called the "Hammer of Heretics" and because of his learning, St. Francis himself appointed him a teacher of theology. St. Anthony of Padua was such a forceful preacher that shops closed when he came to town, and people stayed all night in church to be present for his sermons. He became associated with Padua because he made this city his residence and the center of his great preaching mission.

After a series of Lenten sermons in 1231, Anthony's strength gave out and he went into seclusion at Camposanpiero but soon had to be carried back to Padua. He did not reach the city but was taken to the Poor Clare convent at Arcella, where he died. He was thirty-six years old, and the whole city of Padua turned out in mourning for his passing.

He was canonized within a year of his death and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. [Excerpted from Clifford Stevens, The One Year Book of Saints]

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Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people as an outstanding preacher and an intercessor in their need, grant that, with his assistance, as we follow the teachings of the Christian life, we may know your help in every trial. 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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THE HOLY EUCHARIST

& THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

The various days have themes: yesterday it was Marriage and the Eucharist, today it is The Priesthood and the Eucharist, tomorrow, The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

This evening a 2.5 kilometer procession with the Blessed Sacrament is scheduled.  While there were threats of rain yesterday, it mostly amounted to sprinkles here and there, though bishops and priests wore plastic rain covers over albs and chasubles. The weather forecast has the same forecast for the rest of the week, so we shall see how matters evolve if there is a down-pour. 

Here are some photos giving the flavour of the Congress as organizers are cheered by growing crowds:

The Opening Days of the Dublin Eucharistic Congress

Parish representatives from Armagh and other northern dioceses

As the photos show, the opeing ceremonies at the IEC were colourful and touching. The presentations in the programme before Mass gave a striking account of the richness of Catholic life in Ireland over the centuries, especially in times of persecution and martyrdom.

The Opening Mass presided by Cardinal Ouellet on Sunday afternoon was reverent and moving. The bright sunny afternoon put everyone in a great mood and there were frequent exchanges with perfect strangers from many countries and all over Ireland.

Yesterday, the English Mass organized by the Canadians drew people from all over as it was on the RDS site and convenient: the hall, they tell me, was packed.  I had agreed, before the time-table for this Mass had been set, to preside at a Pontifical Extraordinary Form Mass in Saint Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, where between 400 and 500 faithful were in attendance.  I expect to receive photos from the Parish later in the week.

Yesterday afternoon, there was an ecumenical celebration of baptism led by Rt. Reverend Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough.

The Anglican and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Dublin 

A pictorial overview:

Mgr Louis Dicaire (St-Jean-Longueuil), Mgr Albert LeGatt (St-Bonifcace)

Ottawa Pilgrims Ready for a New Day

Priests from Ottawa

Three Irish Archbishops: Cardinal Brady (Armagh), Clifford (Cashel & Emly), Neary (Tuam)

Father Barney McGuckian, SJ and team of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Society

Promoting YouCat and Alpha for the New Evangelization

Irish Sisters and Puerto Rican pilgrims

 

Archbishop Miller (Vancouver), Bishop Boissonneau (Toronto)



Father McGuckian and a missionary sister to Ghana with Cardinal Turkson, who will speak at the Vatican II Symposium at St. Paul's University in September

The display area at IEC

 

Saint Barnabas, Apostle - Saint Barnabé, Apôtre

SAINT BARNABÉ

Apôtre (Ier siècle)

Saint Barnabé est qualifié du nom d'Apôtre, quoiqu'il ne fût pas du nombre des douze que Jésus avait choisis ; on lui a donné ce titre glorieux parce que le Saint-Esprit l'avait appelé d'une manière toute spéciale et qu'il eut une grande part, de concert avec les Apôtres, dans l'établissement du christianisme. Il était Juif, de la tribu de Lévi, et natif de l'île de Chypre ; son nom de Joseph lui fut changé par les Apôtres contre celui de Barnabé, qui signifie fils de consolation. Il avait été ami d'enfance de saint Paul et c'est lui qui, après l'étonnante conversion de cet Apôtre, le présenta à Pierre, le chef de l'Église.

La première mission de Barnabé fut d'aller diriger l'Église d'Antioche, où la foi prenait de grands accroissements ; il vit tant de bien à faire, qu'il appela Paul à son secours, et les efforts des deux Apôtres réunis opérèrent des merveilles. Sur l'inspiration de l'Esprit-Saint, le Prince des Apôtres leur donne l'onction épiscopale, et ils s'élancent, au souffle d'en haut, vers les peuples gentils, pour les convertir. Salamine, Lystre, la Lycaonie et d'autres pays encore, entendent leur parole éloquente, sont témoins de leurs miracles et, sous leurs pas, la foi se répand avec une rapidité prodigieuse. Paul et Barnabé se séparent ensuite, pour donner plus d'extension à leur ministère.

L'île de Chypre, d'où il est originaire, était particulièrement chère à Barnabé ; c'est là qu'il devait sceller de son sang la foi qu'il avait prêchée. [Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l'année, Tours, Mame, 1950.]

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O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. 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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Ottawa to Dublin (via Toronto Pearson) - First Impressions

YOW

Departure for most of us was from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) with a transfer in Toronto (YYZ) for the Air Canada flight to Dublin (DUB).  At Pearson Airport we met a number of bishops also travelling to the International Eucharistic Congress (Archbishop Bohan of Regina and Bishop Bohen of Saskatoon) and others, including Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, of Salt and Light TV.

Whisked thtough Irish customs, we were met by representatives of the ICE.  Our tour guide and bus driver took us on a tour of Dublin en route to our hotel (The Ballsbridge) which is a 15-minute walk from all the activities at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) grounds.

Arrangements has been made for us to celebrate Mass in the downtown Blessed Sacrament Chapel, then we headed to Trinity College to take in the exhibition on the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript of the four gospels.  After checking into our hotel, we walked over to the RDS to pick up our registration kits (all handled very efficiently and with the traditional Irish warm welcome).

A photo medley of the start of our pilgrimage: 

YYZ

Archbishop Albert LeGatt (Saint Boniface), Bishop Richard Gagnon (Victoria)

 

DUB



THE EUCHARIST: Communion with Christ and with One Another - Forty Years of Priesthood

The Ottawa delegation has arrived safely in Dublin for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress and we await the opeing ceremonies and Inaugural Mass this afternoon.

Lord Jesus, You were sent by the Father to gather together those who are scattered. You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, announcing the Word of salvation and giving the Bread which lasts forever.

Be our companion on life’s pilgrim way. May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enliven our hope and open our minds, so that together with our sisters and brothers in faith we may recognise you in the Scriptures and in the breaking of bread. May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of your resurrection.

In communion with Mary, whom you gave to us as our Mother at the foot of the cross, through you may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the Church, Now and forever. Amen

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Seigneur Jésus, Tu as été envoyé par le Père pour rassembler ceux qui sont dispersés. Tu es venu parmi nous, pour faire le bien et apporter la guérison, pour annoncer la parole du salut et pour nous donner le Pain qui dure toujours.

Sois notre compagnon sur notre chemin de pèlerins dans la vie. Que ton Esprit Saint enflamme nos cœurs, anime notre espérance et ouvre nos esprits, afin qu'avec nos sœurs et frères dans la foi, nous puissions te reconnaître dans les Ecritures et dans le partage du pain. Que ton Esprit Saint fasse de nous un seul corps et que par lui nous marchions humblement sur la terre, dans la justice et dans l’amour, en vrais témoins de ta résurrection.

En communion avec Marie, que tu nous a donnée comme Mère au pied de la Croix, par Toi, que toute louange, honneur et bénédiction soient rendus au Père dans le Saint-Esprit et dans l'Eglise, maintenant et toujours. Amen.

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40 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the day the late Bishop Thomas B. Fulton ordained me to the priesthood.  I don't have photos of the occasion (the photographer never delivered them!) but, to mark the occasion, here are some photos of recent priestly ordinations I have had the privilege of celebrating: Father Gerard Ryan, S.J. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Toronto on May 19 and Father Lawrence Hyginus, CC, at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa on May 26.

Please pray for priests today, as we celebrate the great gift of the Holy Eucharist, and for those being called by the Lord to this awesome ministry to God's people.  

Anointing the hands of the new priest

First priestly blessing for his parents 

Ad multos annos!

The Promise of Obedience

 

The Litany of the Saints



The Newly-Ordained



St. Ephrem, Deacon & Doctor of the Church

Saint Ephrem, Doctor of the Church (†378)

Many wonderful lessons can be derived from the life of this Saint, known in particular for his unfailing and remarkable humility. Born at Nisibe in Syria, his forebears were poor folk, and he as a child tended the herds in the fields. Saint Ephrem would be baptized only as a young adult.

One day, while still an adolescent, he pursued the only cow of a neighbour, throwing stones at the poor beast to see it run, until it fell exhausted and died. To add to his fault, he denied having seen the animal when its owner came to look for it. All his life he wept over this double prevarication, and later he related to the religious who were his followers how he was punished for it: About a month later, he was with a shepherd who drank too much one evening, and through neglect lost the sheep of the owner’s flock when wolves entered into the fold. Ephrem was taken to prison with the shepherd and confined there.

From the stories his companions there narrated, he realized that they too were detained for crimes not committed, but that they had committed others which had remained unpunished. Recognizing in these facts the effects of Divine Justice, he was warned to do penance by a severe Angel who appeared to him several times, helping him also to accept his chastisement. He was released after two months, but never forgot the lessons in humility he had received.

Never did Saint Ephrem think himself anything other than a great sinner; we can read in his various writings his self-accusations and his confessions. He had the gift of tears and for years he wept, literally without ceasing, according to the testimony of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, who wrote: “At times he was weeping over the sins of men, and again over his own. His sighs succeeded his tears, and then brought them forth again.” It was also said that the tears he shed so profusely, instead of disfiguring his face, seemed to augment its serenity and grace; all who had seen or heard Saint Ephrem were inspired to venerate his holiness.

The death of Saint James of Nisibe and of another Saint who had lived in a cell near his own solitary dwelling, decided him to make a pilgrimage to Edessa, a very Christian city, to honour the relics of the Apostle Saint Thomas, venerated there. While in Edessa he was ordained a deacon and attached permanently to the church of Edessa, then obliged under obedience to preach.

The ministry of preaching is not usually that of deacons, but his virtue and capacities were recognized at once. He had not studied and knew only his own language, but he had absorbed Holy Scripture and profited from his intelligence of it. It is he who wrote: “You do not understand all that you read there? If you were traveling and, being thirsty, came upon a spring of fresh water, would you be incensed because you could not drink all of it? No, you would be happy that, on another journey, the spring would still be there to quench your thirst.”

Saint Gregory of Nyssa remarked of the preaching of Saint Ephrem: “Although his tongue was prompt and the words flowed from his mouth like a torrent, these were too slow to express his thoughts. For this reason he prayed God: ‘Hold back, Lord, the waves of your grace!’ The sea of understanding which was seeking an outlet through his tongue bore heavily upon him, because the organs of speech did not suffice for what his mind presented to him, for the benefit of others.” In the Syrian Liturgy, Saint Ephrem still is called the Harp of the Holy Spirit.

After many years of good works, preaching and writing, for he also had great gifts of poetry and written discourse, he died a holy death in the year 378. This occurred one month after the death of Saint Basil, whom he had visited in Caesarea, wanting to profit from the renowned bishop’s conversation and sermons. They had found great consolation in one another’s company. Saint Ephrem was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XV in October of 1920. [Source: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 2]

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Pour into our hearts O Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, at whose prompting the Deacon Saint Ephrem exulted in singing of your mysteries and from whom he received the strength to serve you alone. 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.

50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin

This evening, some twenty-six Ottawa archdiocesan delegates leave in a group for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Dublin, Ireland (others, I have heard, are going on their own or with other groups.  This pilgrimage will be for our spiritual benefit but our hope is that it will also profit the host nation's Catholics.  We will also bring before the Eucharistic Lord our prayers for you; please keep us in yours.  The extent of blogging is uncertain at present, but I will try to have something each day from the IEC.

Souvenir pin of the 1908 Eucharistic Congress in Westminster (London)

Pope Benedict’s legate to the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin predicts that the event, which begins on June 10, “will be an extraordinary moment in the Church in Ireland and the starting point of a new path which will be followed also by other initiatives in the wake of this gift of God.”

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, said that Irish Catholics have an “extraordinary history, and they should be proud of this past which still has an impact on the present and is always part of the heritage that we should meditate upon and look for new energies for the renewal of the Church nowadays in Ireland.”

The former archbishop of Québec recalled that the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in Québec led to the opening of two new seminaries and increased unity within the Church.

In his interview with Vatican Radio, the prelate also discussed the development of the theology of communion since the Second Vatican Council and the development of the theology of the family under Blessed John Paul II.

“My hope is that the Church in Ireland be really strengthened in its identity as communion of God among people and through this testimony of others who are coming to visit and to share the same faith together with the people in Ireland”, says Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and Papal Legate to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland. He will be presiding at the Opening Mass in the RDS Arena this Sunday June 10th, but before his departure for Ireland spoke to Emer McCarthy about his hopes for the Congress and the Church in Ireland.

“I think this is the first hope of a Eucharistic Congress to strengthen the bond of love in the Church, faith and love”. “Since the last decade has been so difficult in terms of the tragedies, of sexual abuse, of this crisis at the level of society of the economy, there is a real need of reconciliation of forgiveness and new dialogue among all people of Ireland, among the bishops and the laity, among the priests and the religious. There is a need of a new dialogue. We must turn the page on these difficult times – not to forget them, rather to keep them in mind so as not to repeat them – and to ask God, in His loving mercy to renew us”.

“Most of the participants will be from Ireland, which is normal, but there will be a good number of people coming from the whole world. A Eucharist Congress is the Universal Church that is uniting in a local Church to turn to God and ask Him for all kinds of blessings which we need for the path of the Church. I am convinced that this will be an extraordinary moment in the Church in Ireland and the starting point of a new path which will be followed also by other initiatives in the wake of this gift of God”.