Catholic

Aug072015

Friday Adoration

Maturity on a grand scale tonight, an evening of piercing adoration. I returned to St Andrews Benedictine Abbey for a Friday evening weekly Eucharistic exposition. It is a must from here on out when my schedule allows. It appears I will be working first shift on Fridays so all glory goes to God. A brother invited me to the adoration when I toured the abbey as a part of the diocese’s superb concentration upon the consecrated life a month or so back. The experience was much more than anticipated. Adoration starts at seven with the entire community gathered. I missed the opening prayers, although I was summoned into the presence of the silent community, seating myself alone amongst the empty congregational chairs. I thought it would be a public service. I was alone seated. The intimacy of the moment humbled, making me feel small. Before taking my seat, I knelt before the Eucharist, head bowed, hands held forward in praise, the community and a handful of discerning younger men holding silence. A cough and unseen yet heard movement, moved me into my chair, Rosary beads wrapped around my hand, no Rosary was prayed, awed silence my offering. There is something pungently tangible amidst a religious community in silent prayer before the Eucharist–a presence to behold. St Andrew’s community is something special. The communal Holy Hour ended with an uplifting song of praise, Salve Regina sung as the religious men rose from the choir stalls standing together in harmony with words of wonder for Our Blessed Holy Mother—exactly as we ended our evening Holy Hour at the friary. Underneath everything was the awareness of a Benedictine community in North Dakota. After the community and their discerning guest dispersed, a single brother (possibly a Father) remained. I lingered, now praying a silent Rosary, sitting content with an unknown, barely visible, brother for the hour.

Driving to evening mass, I had time to kill so I decided to explore Dodd’s Camera downtown. I have been intending to buy a camera, and a recent email greatly stirred my interest. The store proved excellent in adventure. A saleswoman edified, while displaying various purchasing options, showing me the exact Nikon DSLR 3300 series my email offered. The staff at the store are friendly and fun, intelligent and approachable. As she educated me, a younger man walked by mentioning there is a pristine used one still in the box she should show me. I would leave with the camera, a 55-200 mm lens, and an amazing used bag all for just over four hundred dollars. I also left with a hunger for an amazing zoom lens, a Tamron B016, 16-300 mm. The speed of the focus while zooming in and out is stunning. It is a must, yet that lens alone cost over six hundred dollars. A tripod is also a must, although I felt Dodd’s were high in price, hovering around two hundred dollars. I am confident I can find an excellent quality tripod online in the hundred dollar range.

Photographic goals ground within the contemplative. I want my own images to become an expression of my interior life and my exploration of the world. My cellphone presents an image from St Andrew Abbey.  I admire the presence of circles, perfection symbolized amidst the holy setting.

A minimalist Benedictine house of worship, choir stalls a plenty.

A minimalist Benedictine house of worship, choir stalls a plenty.

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Aug022015

Pilgrimage Sunday

The Cleveland diocese insightfully touched upon a wonderfully enlightening approach to the Catholic faith by opening the doors of various consecrated communities throughout the Cleveland area for a day of visitation. It is invigorating to explore the many faces of the men and women making up the body of the Church, to touch the lives of those giving their lives to the Church. Carol opted to babysit her grandson, so hastily I threw together a ragtag bunch of four to join me on the excursion after a Jubilee mass at St Paul’s celebrating sixty years of service for one of their Poor Clares. The first community, the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, easily won our hearts with their joy of hosting visitors, imploring the ingestion of food and juices. We watched a video with one of the sisters narrating. The video showed young women entering the order in Uganda. The entering sister’s parents escorted them to the alter before the many gathered. The parents presented their daughter to the Church. The small simple community was supported by a large group of local women excited to assist. The loving sisterly bond easily evident. Men and children of the neighborhood were also present. The three sisters arriving only in 2014 are obviously making a strong impression upon the inner-city neighborhood they have been stationed to minster and evangelize within. A superb way to start the pilgrimage. The next stop, my third visit in three days, resided with the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The congregation publishes a scholarly and artistically striking magazine ‘Emmanuel’. A view into their world of superior publishing proved impressive. The graphics studio was an elegant, organized, and minimalist in clutter working space. Sparsely yet finely decorated a captivating painting by one of the Fathers decorated the back wall. The painting depicts St Jean Baptiste, a community church in downtown Manhattan. There was also a finely framed and matted display of many photos of St Peter Julian Eymard positioned horizontally. Black and white reality images of a saint from previous times. The highlight of the tour of the impressive, tastefully, decorated dwelling, a former seminary, was an invitation into their quaint museum of ancient monstrances, chalices, tapestries, and vestments. The final stop was another community of Poor Clares. Time running short, their display of historical photographs was not granted proper attention. Two of the cloistered sisters spoke with us through boundary gates. Their joy to speak with visitors was infectious. They truly were honored and pleased to entertain guest. Both appearing prayerful and contented. The pilgrimage ended appropriately with prayer in the Poor Clares chapel before the exposed Eucharist.

Evangelizing Sisters of Mary

Evangelizing Sisters of Mary

19th century gold gilded vestments crafted in Belgium.

19th century gold gilded vestments crafted in Belgium.

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Bust, replica, of St Eymard done by his friend the famous sculptor Rodin, a man he encouraged to pursue his gift of creativity after the artist lost hope in his work.

Bust, replica, of St Eymard done by his friend the famous sculptor Rodin, a man he encouraged to pursue his gift of creativity after the artist lost hope in his work.

Poor Clares of Colettine

Poor Clares of Colettine

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Jul312015

St Robert Southwell

New Heaven, New War

This little babe so few days old,
Is come to rifle Satan’s fold;
All hell doth at His presence quake,
Though He Himself for cold do shake;
For in this weak unarmèd wise
The gates of hell He will surprise.

With tears He fights and wins the field,
His naked breast stands for a shield,
His battering shot are babish cries,
His arrows, looks of weeping eyes,
His martial ensigns, cold and need,
And feeble flesh His warrior’s steed.

Father Robert Southwell’s biography from the website ‘Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature’.

In spite of his youth he was made prefect of studies in the English college of the Jesuits at Rome, and was ordained priest in 1584. It was in that year that an act was passed, forbidding any English-born subject of the Queen who had entered into priest’s orders in the Roman Catholic Church since her accession to remain in England longer than forty days on pain of death. Southwell at his own request was sent to England in 1586 as a Jesuit missionary… He went from one Catholic family to another, administering the rites of his Church….After six years of successful labor Southwell was arrested…He was imprisoned…where he was repeatedly put to the torture in the vain hope of extracting evidence about other priests….Transferred to the gatehouse at Westminster, he was so abominably treated that his father petitioned Elizabeth that he might either be brought to trial and put to death, if found guilty, or removed in any case from “that filthy hole.”…There is little doubt that much of his poetry, none of which was published during his lifetime, was written in prison. On the 20th of February 1595 he was tried…on the charge of treason, and was hanged at Tyburn on the following day.

Southwell,Robert(Ven)01

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Jul302015

Weekend appraisal

I am looking forward to this weekend dominated by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Sunday is the feast day of St. Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Eucharistic community. The weekend presents three incredible saints for celebration. Friday, July 31st, honors St. Ignatius of Loyola. Saturday, the opening of August, the Doctor of the Church St. Alphonsus Liguori is granted acclamation. The weekend itinerary involving the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament presents a communal Holy Hour with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament Friday evening. Saturday will be a full day of instruction, concluding with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Sunday, Jim Brown will preach during mass. The approachable, amiable gentleman made the initial impression of a mature intelligent man of faith, humble within worldly success and authoritative position. Sunday the community will also open its doors to the public as a part of the Diocese’s concentration upon the consecrated life. It is really edifying to experience the various religious communities existing throughout the Cleveland area. My friend Carol and I have developed pleasing camaraderie in pursuit of the Diocesan agenda. I will be privileged with her company this Sunday. I am also going to extend an invitation to my therapist/spiritual director. Another community opening their doors is the Poor Clares of Colettine. I have not attended their Sunday Benediction in quite a while. Since moving to the East side, I have lost touch with this blessed Sunday afternoon tradition. The Poor Clares offer a quaint, bright white, holy chapel, truly a Thin Place, a space naturally to lose one’s self within prayer. The final community to be explored is the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary at the St Adalbert Parrish of Cleveland. I must say I am really intrigued to explore the sister’s life. Originating from Uganda, the sisters in 2014 began ministering through the St Adalbert Parrish. I found a video online that absolutely melted my heart. It should be a splendid weekend.

I met with Father Roger, my favorite Tanzanian priest, yesterday. Hopefully moving forward in resolution of a complexity proving to be an obstacle in my prayer life. Every aspect of my life is focused upon greater efficacy in worship and prayer. Alone, I can accomplish the endeavor, however, in truth and reality that is proving to be impossible. Cloaking myself with maturity, consultation is embraced. A determination is made with the respected priest. I belong at St Paul’s Shrine. If the abiding religious men and women question my authenticity or my ways in any regard, I want to know. I am small before all, especially the consecrated. I know who I am. I know who others are. If I am not welcome, I will seek solace within another church. I was touched when one of the extern sisters, seeing me walk past with Father Roger, came out to thank me so earnestly for providing and assisting with the open house Sunday. How could she not know, she provided so much by allowing me to be of service. So I will continue worshipping and adoring at St Paul’s Shrine, absolutely unsure I will be able to contain my wrath.

St Alphonsus Rodriguez spiritually directs:

Another advantage which temptation brings with it is, that it makes us more attentive to our duties of obligation, hinders us from being remiss in them, and causes us to stand more upon our guard; like men who are every hour on the point of engaging.

…one day St. Gertrude, bewailing bitterly a fault she was subject to, and begging of God most earnestly to free her from it; our Lord, with great bounty, answered her thus; “Why wouldst thou, my dear daughter, deprive me of great glory, and thyself of great reward? Every time that thou art sensible of thy fault, and dost purpose to amend it for the future, it is a new merit thou acquires; and as often as one endeavors to overcome any fault for the love of me, he does me the same honor as a brave soldier does his king, in fighting courageously against his enemies, and endeavoring to conquer them”.

Video of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary now stationed at St Adalbert’s Parrish in Cleveland.

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Jul272015

Mercedarians

Mercedarians profess four vows: obedience, chastity, and poverty, plus the fourth of ransom. The willingness to give oneself as ransom for a hostage. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, the order was founded to intervene in the release of Christian prisoners held by Muslim forces. Mercedarians vowed they were willing to sacrifice their freedom in order to allow a Christian to return to their family and home.

Our Lady of Ranson

Our Lady of Ransom

Our Lady of Mercy

Our Lady of Mercy

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Jul262015

Tired and content

Long pleasant day of Cleveland consecrated life exploring. Overall message resounds of humility, simplicity, and maturity. The communities visited include: The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration and O.F.M.s at St Paul’s Shrine, Mercedarians at St Rocco, the Jesuits at the Jesuit Retreat House, and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word.  All were hospitable, generous in opening their lives to the public. Maturity just absolutely centers as my concentration. Nothing spectacular. Nothing dramatic. St Mary Thomas, the world renowned artist Poor Clare sister, embodied the concept perfectly. I met her, touring her studio, speaking with her, taking her picture. I did not include my first photo. I snapped the picture as she suddenly decided to fix her habit in order to ensure her appearance was perfect. I love the St Damiano cross in the background. In the photo of her adjusting her wardrobe, she bends over enough to show the entire cross. It is an interesting photo. I posted this one as it captures the radiance of her face. She is a religious doing marvelous things within humility, maturity and simplicity, profoundly exercising faith, hope, charity, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit. I was startled to discover she is mentally sharp, articulate, and completely in possession of her mental faculties. Behind cloistered boundaries, she appears old, frail, and physically struggling. In person, she is full of life. She conducted a half hour lecture in the church. Unfortunately, I missed her words. The Mercedarians at St Rocco, a brother community to the order I enjoy celebrating mass with at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, provided a humble explanation of their order from an engaging brother. A genuine younger man devoted to his order and vocation. A remarkable feature of the day was an authenticity in conversation, exploring Catholic faith with mature interest, The Mercedarian brother told of the history of St Rocco, an Italian Parrish. The burgeoning Italian community determined the necessity of a Catholic church. Funds were raised by a priest none were really familiar with. Questions arouse. The answer equated to the priest disappearing with all the money. Truth would be revealed the man was never a priest. The Jesuit retreat center provided a biographical video on the life of St Ignatius. However due to too much time spent at St Paul’s we were running behind schedule. We could not tour the grounds, cutting the visit off prematurely. The final tour was the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, special in regards to my companion for the day Carol’s intimacy with the community. She attended a Catholic school, St Bartholomew’s, run by the sisters, an extended childhood filled with memories and stories of deceased sisters. The attending sisters enthusiastically shared memories and reflections. Carol cares for the grounds of the community, the sisters identifying her as the Flower Woman. The day ended with the discovery of a small single standing Marian chapel upon the grounds. The posted Mary statue, the High Way Mary, stands centered in the chapel. It was quite a discovery. The chapel is open twenty-four seven, absolutely calling for a return visit and Rosary prayers. A lay associate fell into natural conversation with us, walking with us through out the tour. Sitting in the chapel, she shared her life with us. Simple honest conversation. No delusional spiritual directing. No pontificating. No attempting to convince one another of spiritual superiority, or extreme knowledge of the church. No deranged attempts at impressing one another. No name dropping. Simple mature adults exchanging faith, hope, and charity. She would continue with us outside to the grounds, resting in the Marian chapel with us, pulling out her Rosary beads with us.

Highway Mary in the Sisters of the Incarnate Word Marian chapel.

Highway Mary in the Sisters of the Incarnate Word Marian chapel.

Sister Mary Thomas

Sister Mary Thomas

A painting, oil on acrylic, from Sister Mary Thomas' studio.

A painting, oil on acrylic, from Sister Mary Thomas’ studio.

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Jul232015

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright; Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned, With the fire of life impassioned, Striving still to truth unknown, Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding, Hark, what peaceful music rings; Where the flock, in Thee confiding, Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure; Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure. Thou dost ever lead Thine own In the love of joys unknown.

This hymn sweeps me away every time it is sung.  The words poetically express personal yearnings.  Beautifully, succinctly, it praises the majesty of God beyond human understanding.  That which can be perceived in the deepest of prayer, quietness and stillness before the Eucharist.  That which is hoped for every moment reposed within the presence of God.  That which is tasted during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  That which is touched when our hearts are opened through the acquiescing of pride and free will, holding tightly to the virtues of love and humility.  That I hear within the singing of this hymn. The words are from the poet laureate Robert Bridges, centering the words upon the last movement of Bach’s “Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life”.

During meditation before the Eucharist, I felt the desire to stress my interior vision of Christ the majority of time I am quieting myself.  It is the resurrected Christ in all of his magnificence, radiant in luminescence, I visualize in prayer.  The Divine Mercy Christ, touching his heart, rays of bluish white and red pouring forth.  The infant Jesus is recognized at times, the Liturgical season and the Rosary guiding imagery.  Yesterday, I posted a video with microscopic images of sperm cells actively swimming about, life striving, passionate to become embodied.  Such a delightful mystery to observe.  The Holy Spirit within the miracle of life.  The splendor enlarges when the realization of the Holy Spirit impregnating the obedient Mary.  What a wonder.  A Polish priest I knew remarked that there it was, that was the defining moment of mankind.  Mary’s fiat, and then within her womb the conceiving of Jesus, One of Three.  The Word incarnate.  The Divine baby poor in utter simplicity, during the travels of holy common, poor working parents, Saint Joseph and the eventual Queen of Heaven.  How could she not become the Queen of Heaven after all of that?  The Infant of Prague provides blessing, a testament to my friend Janette in Toledo. Sister Patricia told me, vague on why, or sources, yet she said “James you realize Jesus, eternal in being, was always going to come. God always intended His Divine Incarnation. Before original sin, Jesus was destined for birth, the ultimate grace to mankind”. The teacher Jesus, the man Jesus, the wise, unassuming, kind, compassionate, obedient, insightful, and also passionate when it came to His Father is also an image.  The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is the third mystery of the Luminous mysteries.  The Beatitudes.  Then the most striking, the most penetrating image of Jesus within prayer is the Passion of Christ.  The crucifixion propels forward the deepest message of the life of Jesus, the piercing of the heart of Mary.  His death defines the greatest. Sister Patricia remarks “His death, His passion and crucifixion was not God’s intent. It was a consequence”. May the blood of Jesus always wash over my heart nurturing love and humility within my disposition.

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