Solemnity of Pentecost...

Today is less the "birthday of the Church" and more the "manifestation of the Church". Just as Christ was born in Bethlehem, and was made manifest at his Baptism (i.e., "This is my beloved Son" and "Behold the Lamb of God") so too was the Church born from the side of Christ at Calvary and made manifest at Pentecost.

The Holy Father celebrated Mass this morning at St. Peter's Basilica and I was able to be a minister of communion. The first photo was the view from my seats directly behind the alter while the second photo partially shows the Cologne Germany Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra, along with the men and boy's choir, along with a quartet of vocal soloists, sang the Missa Solemnis B Hob XXII: 14 by Haydn on the occasion of his 200th anniversary of death. It was beautiful, especially the Gloria.

Afterwards I joined the local Holy Cross community at the Generalate for lunch and now hope to do some Latin and Greek studying since my exams quickly approach in three days.

Happy Feast of Pentecost to you all.

UPDATE: A fellow Casa priest has found a video of the Mass online.

Come Holy Spirit...

I want to share the following, written by the late John Paul II in his annual Letter to Priests, dated Holy Thursday, 1982. I find these words quite applicable to my own priestly life, one that is lived out in a way far from perfect but ever striving to cooperate more fully with God's Grace.

Freedom, true freedom, the freedom that is found when in the abiding presence of God, is quite easily misunderstood in our modern culture. We are all products of a common modern society, and so, each of us are shaped by a false or delusional sense of freedom, the fruit of which is a numb sadness, a melancholy born from our unceasing spinning and running and striving and bleeding and chasing our own tail in circles while all along true freedom is found in God and God alone.

And so, on this Vigil of Pentecost, insightful words from John Paul II:

Save us from "grieving Your Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30)

--by our lack of faith and lack of readiness to witness to Your Gospel "in deed and in truth";
-- by secularism and by wishing at all costs to conform to the mentality of this world;
-- by a lack of that love which is "patient and kind . . . ," which "is not boastful . . ." and which "does not insist on its own way . . .", which "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things . . ." and that which "rejoices in the right" and only in the right.

Save us from "grieving Your Spirit":
-- by everything that brings inward sadness and is an obstacle for the soul;
-- by whatever causes complexes and divisions;
-- by whatever makes us a fertile soil for all temptations;
-- by whatever shows itself as a desire to hide one's priesthood before men and to avoid all external signs of it;
-- by whatever can in the end bring one to the temptation to run away, under the pretext of the "right to freedom."

Save us from demeaning the fullness and richness of our freedom, which we have ennobled and realized by giving ourselves to You and accepting the gift of the priesthood.

Save us from separating our freedom from You, to whom we owe the gift of this inexpressible grace.

Save us from "grieving Your Spirit."

Enable us to love with that love with which Your Father "loved the world" when He gave "his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

"Send forth Your Spirit . . . and renew the face of the earth." Renew too the face of that priestly earth which You made fruitful by the sacrifice of Your body and blood, the sacrifice which You renew through our hands every day on the altars, in the vineyard of Your Church.

A Full Weekend...

Well last weekend was quite full. Friday afternoon a few of us priests went to the Vatican to run errands - namely, to pick up a couple of papal blessing prints and to turn in rebate receipts for church goods purchased. But once we were inside the Vatican property we decided to take a stroll, enjoying the beautiful grounds and gardens and avoiding guards walking around. Behind me, in the photo, is the large seal of His Holiness outlined in flowers.

We then made our way to the Borgo Pio street just outside the Vatican gates to pick up our Permesso di Soggiorno - the offical card or visa that allows students to live in Italy beyond three months. You might be thinking, but wait you arrived in September and it is now already May - that's eight months! Yes, well, this is Italy. And now that I have my Permesso I can look forward to the redtape of renewing it when it expires in March of 2010. Such is life here in post-World War II Italy. As you can see, the flowers are in full bloom in what is an already hot summer.

Last Saturday night the Casa held its year-end Mass and dinner as an occasion to say goodbye to 17 student priests who have completed their licentiate or doctorate requirements. His Eminence Cardinal William Levada, Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, celebrated the Mass on the vigil of the Feast of the Ascension. After Mass a large and formal dinner was served outside in the inner courtyard.

In truth, though it's not widely recognized or admitted, the cardinal's presence and the festive dinner were both in honor of my birthday. Needless to say, I was honored by this kind showing!A number of the newly minted Doctors and Masters priests have already departed to return to their home dioceses in the states to begin new assignments, most of them in chancery or seminary positions. The completion of their studies gives all of us who remain, hope that we too shall one day see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Holy Cross Jubilee

Today marks the Jubilee Celebration for a number of Holy Cross religious. Their combined years of vowed and priestly life are an inspiration for all of us who strive to serve the Lord.

As disciples of Jesus we stand side by side with all people. Like them we are burdened by the same struggles and beset by the same weaknesses; like them we are made new by the same Lord's love; like them we hope for a world where justice and love prevail. Thus, wherever through its superiors the congregation sends us we go as educators in the faith to those whose lot we share, supporting men and women of grace and goodwill everywhere in their efforts to form communities of the coming kingdom. --- Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross

60th Anniversary of Ordination
Rev. George Bernard, CSC
Rev. Harold Bride, CSC
Rev. Charles Delaney, CSC
Rev. Edwin Kadzielawski, CSC
Rev. Michael Murphy, CSC
Rev. William O'Connor, CSC
Rev. Robert Pelton, CSC
Rev. William Donahue, CSC
Rev. Richard Timm, CSC

60th Anniversary of Religious Profession
Bro. Richard Kyle, CSC

50th Anniversary of Ordination
Rev. Robert Austgen, CSC
Rev. James Blantz, CSC
Rev. John Ford, CSC
Rev. John Keefe, CSC
Rev. James McGrath, CSC
Rev. William Melody, CSC
Rev. Louis Rink, CSC
Rev. Donald Haycock, CSC
Rev. Robert Kruse, CSC
Rev. Joseph Long, CSC

25th Anniversary of Ordination
Rev. Michael Connors, CSC
Rev. Joseph Corpora, CSC
Rev. Diego Irarrazaval, CSC
Rev. James McDonald, CSC
Rev. Arthur Wheeler, CSC
Rev. James Fenstermaker, CSC
Rev. Adam Pereira, CSC
Rev. Boniface Tolentino, CSC

St. Rita

Just next door to the Casa is the church of St. Rita, whose feast day was celebrated yesterday. All through the day and night pilgrims streamed through this small corner church to pray for the intercession of St. Rita and venerate her relics.

In the sanctuary stood a priest with a relic of St. Rita which pilgrims could venerate with a touch or kiss. At a side altar pilgrims brought holy cards or flowers which were either placed at a relic of St. Rita or touched the relic to then be taken back to homes. It was wonderful to see the devotion of these many people.

Christ Has Ascended!......

...except in most U.S. dioceses and, yes my dear readers, sadly even in the Diocese of Rome.

For these locations, these manifestations of the Church, the Feast of the Ascension has been transferred to the 7th Sunday of Easter.

Though from what I can figure out, the Vatican itself today observes the Feast of the Ascension. Is it not in the Diocese of Rome? I find this whole system to be odd.

On a personal note, classes continue in full gear with dates for exams being set and are the exams certainly are now looming large in the psychi of students. I plug away each day at Latin and Greek and try to find time to read supplemental material for my Liturgy of the Hours in the East course.

In addition, Summer has arrived here in Rome where the 80 degrees and bright sunny days are a constant. Now we just have to await for the humidity to set in. Global economic downturn/recession? Not by the looks of the swarms of tourists one must fight each day in order to get to and from class!

Last Saturday the Casa held its final Room Lottery of the academic year. A great number of priests are moving out now that they have finished their degree or have chosen to write their dissertation stateside. And so a lottery is held, whereby the priest with the most seniority gets first choice of freed up rooms. Seniority is based on A) number of completed semesters at the Casa, B) date or ordination, and if you share the same date with someone else, then C) your birthday.

As a religious it is my strong opinion that "house age" should begin with entrance into the novitiate, but these diocesan priests won't hear of that. And so, I'm rather low on the list. But, I am happy to report that I did get to choose a room, which is a real "double" and faces the interior garden, unlike my current "single" room which faces a busy parking area and street. So, I'm glad and hope to move my things by mid June.

NDResponse

NDResponse has transcripts of the talks given at Sunday's demonstration.

Commencement Sunday

TALK FOR ND RESPONSE RALLY -- SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2009

Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C.
Professor of History
University of Notre Dame
____________
True friends of Notre Dame -- I thank you for your presence.

I want to thank especially our treasured students in ND Response for inviting me to be
with you. It is a great privilege and honor. As I look out on the good and decent people
gathered here, I know one thing: There is no place I would rather be.

I have been a teacher at Notre Dame for more than two decades. But today I come before
you primarily as a Holy Cross priest – a member of the Religious Order that founded
Notre Dame more than a century and half ago.

On November 26, 1842, an extraordinary French priest named Edward Sorin and a small
band of Holy Cross brothers arrived at this site – a place where French missionaries had
once ministered to the Potawatomi Indians. Fr. Sorin christened the place Notre Dame du
Lac. He and his Holy Cross confreres began the work of building a college with a small
log chapel as their point of departure. They aimed to serve Christ here. And they sought
to evangelize in His name under the patronage of the Blessed Mother.

When the young priest wrote home to his superior – Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the
Holy Cross Order – he put it this way: Here in northern Indiana, he said, he hoped to
establish “one of the most powerful means for good in this country.” Since then, the
university has prospered.

But building this university was not an easy task. The tiny school faced horrendous
tribulations during its initial years. Damaging fires, a terrible cholera outbreak, and a
series of financial crises failed to halt the onward march of the school. Whatever the
odds against them, Father Sorin and his collaborators never gave up or quit.

Those of you familiar with Notre Dame’s history would know that this tenacity had
perhaps its finest moment on April 23, 1879. That was the day that the so-called “big
fire” swept over the campus. In just three hours much of the work of the previous three
decades lay in ashes. A few days later, Father Sorin trudged through the still-smoldering
ruins of the venture to which he had devoted his life. Then he called the whole
community into the campus church – which had miraculously survived the fierce blaze.
With absolute faith and confidence, Father Sorin looked forward and told his anxious
band of followers this: “If it were ALL gone I should not give up.” The effect was
“electric.” As one observer put it, after that “there was never a shadow of a doubt as to
the future of Notre Dame.”

Under God’s providential care, our university did recover and grow. Father Sorin … his
determined band … and the generations of Holy Cross religious and their lay
collaborators who followed them built something special. Their blood and sweat and
tears are in the bricks and mortar -- and they are reflected in the lives that they touched.
They were “educators in the faith” who understood in the words of Blessed Moreau “that the
mind could not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” These folk built Notre Dame
into a distinctive place that nurtured its students’ religious and moral development, as
well as their intellectual lives. Notre Dame challenged them to serve God and neighbor.
And, as it did so, it proudly proclaimed its Catholic identity and its loyal membership in a
Church that was and is unafraid to speak of moral truths and foundational principles and
beliefs. In the process, Notre Dame came to hold a special place in the hearts of
Catholics all across America.

Now friends, jump ahead to today. The formal leadership of the University still
proclaims its fidelity to this vision.

--University leaders assert that Notre Dame is and will be different, so that it can make a
difference;

--University leaders assure the parents of incoming freshmen that Notre Dame won’t be
like those ‘other’ schools that merely associate themselves with a Catholic or Jesuit
‘tradition’. NO! – to the contrary – here at Notre Dame, their children will find an
institution unashamedly Catholic and willing to embrace all the tenets of our faith. Notre
Dame will instruct its students in the Church’s moral truths and in its foundational beliefs
and principles.

Of late, that rhetoric seems to ring rather hollow. The words have not been matched by
deeds. Instead of fostering the moral development of its students Notre Dame’s leaders
have planted the damaging seeds of moral confusion.

By honoring President Obama, the Notre Dame Administration has let the students and
their parents down. And it has betrayed the loyal and faith-filled alumni who rely on
Notre Dame to stand firm on matters of fundamental Catholic teaching – and so to affirm
the sanctity of life.

The honor extended to Barack Obama says very loudly that support for practically
unlimited access to abortion – and approval for the destruction of embryonic life to
harvest stem cells – are not major problems for those charged with leading Notre Dame.
They seem easily trumped by other issues, and by the opportunity to welcome the
president to our campus. Bishop John D’Arcy, the great bishop of this diocese who so
loves Notre Dame, said it well – Notre Dame chose “prestige over truth.” How
embarrassing for an institution dedicated to the pursuit of truth to settle for temporary
attention over eternal honor.

Friends, just ask yourselves whether anyone – regardless of their other accomplishments
– would be honored here at ND if they held racist or anti-Semitic sentiments. They
would not – and rightly so! Yet Notre Dame honors at this Commencement a politician
who readily proclaims his support for the Freedom of Choice Act, and who is clearly the
most radically pro-abortion president in this great nation’s history.

As you know well, Notre Dame undertook this sad action in the face of the 2004
instruction of the U.S. Catholic Bishops that “Catholic institutions should not honor those
who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.” In so doing, the administration
has distanced the University from the Church that is its lifeblood – the ultimate source of
its identity.

A number of my fellow Holy Cross priests and I believe that such a “distancing puts at
risk the true soul of Notre Dame.” Regrettably, this distancing also puts Notre Dame in
the service of those who seek to damage the teaching authority of our Bishops. What a
sad circumstance for an institution that should stand at the very heart of the Church.
Now, we can be sure that today the president will offer a fine address – crafted by a
talented speechwriting team to appeal to a “Catholic audience.” No doubt too, President
Obama will deliver it eloquently. There will surely be a tribute to Notre Dame’s former
president, Father Hesburgh, for his important work on civil rights. The president will
claim that he is influenced by Catholic social teaching and will appeal for folk to work
together in the areas where common ground can be found. Most of the crowd will cheer
… the photos will be taken … and soon the event will be over. The President will board
Air Force One and fly away.

But what matters for us here is less what President Obama says, but rather what the day
will mean for Notre Dame and its place in American Catholic life.

The truth is this: This painful episode has damaged the ethos and spirit of Notre Dame.
But there is another truth that we must also remember: IT IS NOT THE END OF THE
STORY!

Some among the administration of Notre Dame will want the issue to “go away” quickly.
It may even be likely that there are some among them who genuinely understand the evil
of abortion, and who are inwardly troubled by these recent events whatever their outward
bravado.

--They will have a chance to show through future deeds and in very practical ways Notre
Dame’s commitment to the prolife cause. Let us hope and pray that they take up that
opportunity.

But we cannot rely on them. As we have seen, on their own, their commitment will never
be more than tepid.

Instead, let us link ourselves with those Holy Cross religious over the generations who
never gave up – whatever the set-backs … whatever the trials … whatever the personal
cost. In some ways, the task before us today is tougher than theirs. In those early days,
the problems were clear – but so too was the mission.

Now we are engaged in a more intellectual and spiritual struggle. Will we be true to the
founding vision? Can we resist the subtle and not so subtle temptations to surrender our
distinct religious identity -- and conform to the reigning and rather barren secular
paradigm of what a university should be?

The Obama visit suggests that the University’s leadership has succumbed to this
temptation. Yet when we look back on these days, I have a sense that what will stand out
is how a group of dedicated prolife students, wonderful alumni, and ordinary Catholics
who cherish this place refused to acquiesce in the Administration’s willingness to wink at
its most fundamental values in exchange for the public relations coup that attends a
presidential visit.

The people who refuse to give up – and I speak especially of you students --- have taken
on the role of teachers here. While the administration and many of the faculty sold out
easily for the photo-ops etc, you and some of your alumni sisters and brothers showed the
benefits of your Notre Dame education. You held firm to the foundational principles of
respect for life and for the dignity of every person. You are the ones who have
understood what really matters. You refuse to just go along. You have made your voice
heard and led the way to a better future.

You represent the very best of Notre Dame. You – along with your good professors and
faithful alums – are the ones who can help Notre Dame recover from this painful and
self-inflicted wound. You will not find it easy, and you will have moments where you
will be discouraged. But you must remember there is so much that is good at Notre
Dame that you can never relent in your efforts to call this place to be its best and true self
-- proud of its Catholic identity and its loyal membership in the Church.

When I think of our courageous ND Response students my mind goes quickly to a
marvelous passage in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers. Lord of the Rings aficionados
will know the passage well. It is delivered as Frodo and Sam eat what may be their last
meal together before going down into the Nameless Land.

Sam says: ‘And we shouldn’t be here at all, if we had known more about it before we
started. But I suppose it’s often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs,
Mr. Frodo: adventures, I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the
wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because
they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport, as you might say. But that’s not
the way of it with tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem
to have been just landed in them, usually their paths were laid that way, as you put it.
But I suspect that they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t.”

Friends:
--Let us move forward together and let us never turn back.

--Let us take our instruction from the Lord, in the words that the great champion of life,
John Paul II, used at the outset of his papacy: BE NOT AFRAID.

--Let us labor in this vineyard, so that Notre Dame might regain its true soul … be
faithful in its mission as a Catholic University … and truly become the “powerful means
for good” that Father Sorin dreamed about.

Thank you for having me. May Our Lady –Our Lady of the Lake-- keep you close. And
may she ever watch over the university that bears her name.

Litany of the Holy Cross

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, our Advocate,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Cross where the Lamb of God was offered,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Hope of Christians,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Pledge of the resurrection of the dead,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Shelter of persecuted innocence,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Guide of the blind,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Way of those who have gone astray,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Staff of the lame,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Consolation of the poor,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Restraint of the powerful,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Destruction of the proud,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Refuge of sinners,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Trophy of victory over Hell,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Terror of demons,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Mistress of youth,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Succor of the distressed,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Hope of the hopeless,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Star of the mariner,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Harbor of the wrecked,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Rampart of the besieged,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Father of orphans,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Defense of widows,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Counsel of the just,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Judge of the wicked,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Rest of the afflicted,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Safeguard of childhood,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Strength of manhood,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Last hope of the aged,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Light of those who sit in darkness,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Splendor of kings,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Civilizer of the world,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Shield impenetrable,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Wisdom of the foolish,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Liberty of slaves,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Knowledge of the ignorant,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Sure rule of life,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Heralded by prophets,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Preached by apostles,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Glory of martyrs,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Study of hermits,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Chastity of virgins,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Joy of priests,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Foundation of the Church,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Salvation of the world,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Destruction of idolatry,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Stumbling block to the Jews,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Condemnation of the ungodly,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Support of the weak,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Medicine of the sick,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Health of the leprous,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Strength of the paralytic,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Bread of the hungry,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Fountain of those who thirst,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Clothing of the naked,
Save us, O Holy Cross.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. 

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

V.  We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
R.  Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

LET US PRAY:

O God, Who for the redemption of the world,
wast pleased to be born in a stable
and to die upon a cross;
O Lord Jesus Christ,
by Thy holy sufferings,
which we, Thy unworthy servants,
call to mind: by Thy Holy Cross,
and by Thy death,
deliver us from the pains of Hell,
and vouchsafe to conduct us whither
Thou didst conduct the good thief
who was crucified with Thee,
Who lives and reigns eternally in Heaven.

R. Amen.

Sweet the wood,
sweet the nails,
sweet the Burden which thou bearest,
for thou alone,
0 Holy Cross,
was worthy to bear the King
and Lord of Heaven.

R. Amen. 

The Non-Controversy Controversy...

Maybe it's just me and my limited view from Rome, but does anyone else get the sense that there isn't really a vocal protest against the new Ron Howard movie Angels and Demons?

And yet, major news outlets and news shows have built up some sort of "controversy" with leading questions. It's almost as if the media, Howard, Hanks, and their movie studio (and the banks that look closely at Box Office receipts) have to keep talking about a "controversy" lest sells go down. Scandal sells, intrigue sells, controversy sells. And yet, I don't see much of an outcry against the film as there was for The Da Vinci Code.

Fr. Bob Barron offers a critique of the movie's posturing of the typically modern argument that the Church is somehow anti-science. But, the movie doesn't touch upon Christological truths like The Da Vinci Code did and so really, some big protest or controversy isn't going to happen, it seems, much to the disappointment of Howard and his bank rollers.

If You Belonged to the World....

As in previous posts, I'd like to direct your attention to the thoughts of Fr. Bob Barron of the Archdiocese of Chicago who most recently wrote an article for CNN on priestly celibacy, coming after the news surrounding Fr. Alberto Cutie of Miami. This article was set side-by-side with an article by Fr. Donald Cozzens. Barron writes, as always, intelligently and tries to get the reader to look beyond celibacy to what it points to - a greater reality.

On a related note, in this fast-paced and ever-changing technological world, I've debated about whether I should even take the time to read the "comments" section on blogs and news sites. They are practically anonymous and have no accountability. Meaning, any claim can be made and any refutation is quickly lost in a sea of comments, links, etc. But despite those practical problems, I find the comments section to be frustrating and this even-keeled person finds himself upset quite easily - mostly due to the ignorance which lies behind many of the comments anonymously posted and the harm they do to the truth of the Gospel.

This is an issue about modern discourse, it's an issue about the internet as an instrument of either good or evil, it's an issue about modern evangelization. And the problem is not going to go away. From today's Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

On the Making of Saints...

This Sunday we were pleased to have with us Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. After celebrating the community Mass and joining us for pranzo, the archbishop remained to give a short presentation on his work in the Vatican and then entertained some questions. This office in the Vatican is entrusted with the task of receiving, investigating, authenticating, and eventually recommending that men and women of virtue be lifted up as blesseds or saints in the Church. It is the pope himself who makes the final decision and decree.

His Excellency is a humble man with a calming sense of humor. He also has more than 30 years of teaching experience in the academy and served for a period of time with then Cardinal Ratzinger at the CDF.

I was struck by his very presence. It is clear that this is a very down-to-earth and practical man who understands that he nor his office have the duty of "making saints" but merely to recognize the ways that God has worked in the lives of various Christians. He spoke, in relation to this, that it is his duty to merely follow a very clear and straightforward procedure and that he respects the process of inquiry, investigtion, medical and scientific in nature., etc for the 2,000 causes that are currently in some level of investigation.

I learned that if indeed a Catholic is killed for the faith, that is, he or she is a martyr, then a miracle is not required for beatification as it is for anyone else. Instead, a miracle is only needed for canonization.

Also interesting is the fact that he asks each bishop on their ad limina visit (which occurs every five or seven years by a bishop to the Vatican offices) to please search for and recognize models of holiness in his own diocese, especially secular lay men and women and married people. This is a duty of the bishop - to promote the local causes for sainthood. Often it is the case that the Congregation for Saints has a plethora of causes of religous founders. This lament comes from a man who himself is a Salesian! And of course, there is nothing wrong with canonizing founders of religious communities !!!! , but still, the Church needs more models of holiness of secuar lay men and women and married people.

A question was posed about whether a Christian can be canonized who had vice in his or her life, some imperfection, etc. The archbishop responded "yes", because it is often the shadow side of a human that makes his or her light even brighter. I was pleased to hear this for two reasons. First is because it helps us understand that saints are not given to us as models because they were perfect, but because they cooperated fully with the work of God in their lives. Second, because of the six Holy Cross religious whose causes for canonizations are currently in process, some had "shadows" such as the vice of anger, etc. And hey, there is hope for us too!

When asked why there are so many Italian saints, the archbishop quickly responded, "This is true. There are. And this is because as St. Paul said, 'Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.'". We all got a good chuckle out of that one.

I was able to speak ever briefly with him and he spoke quite enthusiastically about his recent visit to Notre Dame and when I handed him a holy card of Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, he knew at once who he is.

Preservation...

There are about four weeks in a year when weather in Rome borders on perfection - two in October and two right now in May. It has arrived. And with it came Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB who is participating in a conference of Mission and Monasticism, sponsored by Sant'Anselmo. Fr. Columba is a monk of the Abbey of St. John's in MN and was a professor of mine in the School of Theology two years ago.

We had a nice dinner together last night and caught up on life in general, my studies, and the important endeavors he helps to direct. Yesterday was also when the Wall Street Journal published an article on Fr. Columba's efforts to digitize ancient and precious manuscripts that are at the risk of being lost to the corrosion of time, poor environmental conditions, and the instability caused by revolt and war. Also, earlier this year, National Public Radio produced a very interesting piece on the work of digital preservation of manuscripts.

I haven't been posting all that much lately, and when I do it tends to be more about national news than personal happenings. But life here in Rome is continuing as usual. Unlike the U.S. academic calendar which is now ending with exams, the Roman system continues through May and exams are not generally given until June. This is the down-side to starting classes in mid-October. And so, my classmates and I are into the final push.

The above photo shows the April 26th Eucharistic Procession at Notre Dame. It is estimated that around 600 faithful took part. Thanks goes to Fr. Kevin Russeau, CSC of Campus Ministry for again preparing this beautiful devotion in the life of the Church.

This past weekend was a three day weekend, since Friday, May 1st was the Italian Labor Day or "May Day" if you have Communist leanings, or The Solemnity of St. Joseph the Worker if you are Christian. These past days have been filled with debates and discussion over the issue of abortion, how it relates to other social concerns and injustices, and what the appropriate Christian response should be. I've been mindful of some beautiful Christian responses made by various individuals and organizations. The Women's Care Center, with locations in Northern Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio offers women counseling and support in times of crisis pregnancy. Project Gabriel enables local parish communities to offer financial and emotional support to young mothers-to-be. A housemate here at the Casa, a Notre Dame graduate, and a priest of the Diocese of Covington, KY established the St. Gianna Home in 2003. It provides a safe and supportive environment for mothers-to-be and young mothers. Such good things.

This past weekend Vanessa Miles and my brother Phillip were wedded in a ceremony in Vanessa's hometown of McGehee, AR. I was unable to get away from these final days of classes, but my family has shared many photos and said a good time was had. Phillip and his new wife both work in Little Rock, one in asset management, the other as a graphic designer.

I am happy for their love and look forward to seeing them when I return home in August.