28 March 2011

Happy 200th!


Today is the 200th birthday of Saint John Neumann, one of the priests who served in the Pittsburgh area - including my hometown and my current parish assignment, as well as the bishop who established the Franciscan order who oversees the high school where I am chaplain.

(He has influence over a lot of my life . . .)

Happy Birthday #200, Saint John Neumann!






(A picture of the former Shrine of Saint John Neumann in the mother church [Saint Peter Parish] of my hometown, which is now closed.]

17 March 2011

Wearin' of the Green

"I am certain in my heart that all that I am, I have received from God."
- Saint Patrick




Happy Saint Patrick's Day!


It's hard to believe that, in some regards, we're already at this point of the year!  But, as in all things, I am thankful.

We all know legends and tales of the blessed Patron of Ireland, whom we celebrate today.  And no matter which tales we believe, or how we celebrate his life, we must ultimately give thanks to God for giving us a wonderful example of the Faith.  

Many of us are wearing some form or shade of green today, which is a color of hope.  How appropriate!  Saint Patrick brought many men and women of the Emerald Isle to come to know the eternal hope that comes to us through our belief in Christ Jesus.  We continue to celebrate the transcendence of that hope throughout the ages not only through the remembrance of the saints, but also through the celebration of the Sacraments, in which we continuously open ourselves to the grace of God, in which we have that eternal hope.

Saint Patrick gave us many wonderful ways to experience our faith, one of which is the wonderful prayer, "The Deer's Cry".  I post it here, now, for you to pray, so that you (and I) may once again open ourselves up to experience that eternal hope that God gives to us.

The Deer's Cry

Also known as "The Breastplate of St. Patrick" and "The Lorica"

This powerful prayer was composed by Saint Patrick in the year 433. He was aware that there was an ambush to try to kill him and his group en route to the King's court. It was during the march that they chanted the sacred Lorica or Deer's Cry - later known as St. Patrick's Breastplate. 

As the druids lay in hiding, ready to kill, they saw not Patrick and his men, but a gentle doe followed by twenty fawns.

St. Patrick and his men were saved.

******* + + + *******

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today through the strength of Christ with his Baptism, through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension, through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.

I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels, in hope of resurrection to meet with reward, in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets, in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors, in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through the strength of Heaven; light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendor of Fire, speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea, stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.

I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to secure me: against snares of devils, against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature, against everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils): against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of heathenry, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of witches, smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that endangers man's body and soul. Christ to protect me today against poisoning, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come abundance in reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us. Amen.




 Enjoy the journey . . .

11 March 2011

A Joyful Time

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.  

Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return.




Lent 2011 has begun.  And these words above call each one of us to heed the call to repentance and conversion.  It is so important for us to remember that what this season of Lent calls us to: repentance and conversion.  And while the this season is one of the most somber, subdued and introspective throughout the Church's calendar, this does not mean that it is also the most "depressing" of the liturgical year.

Rather, this season in which we sacrifice to become more like Christ is a joyful season of hope in the promise of the Resurrection which we will celebrate in some 40 days at Easter.  The Preface for Lent I reminds of this when we pray:

Each year you give us this joyful season
when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery
with mind and heart renewed.
You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, our Father,
and of willing service to our neighbor.

As we recall the great events that gave us new life in Christ,
you bring the image of your Son to perfection within us.




We enter into this Lenten journey fully aware of our sinfulness; yet we prepare with joyful hope to celebrate those central acts of our faith in which Christ has given us new life.  It is through this "joyful hope", then, that we put into action the three-fold action of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving (works of charity).  It is through the interconnectedness of prayer, fasting and almsgiving which we come to not only appreciate the sacrifices Christ endured, but also for the sacrifices which we make so to "bring the image of [Christ] to perfection within us".  



Father in heaven,
the light of your truth bestows sight
to the darkness of sinful eyes.
May this season of repentance
bring us the blessing of your forgiveness
and the gift of your light.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

(Alternative Opening Prayer for Ash Wednesday)











Enjoy the journey . . .