Author: Paul Zalonski

Pope lunches with friends, speaks of struggle against evil

At Monday’s lunch with many of the cardinals –not all–Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the struggle he and they are engaged together: for good against evil. Not exactly a lite topic for discussion for a lunch celebrating one’s 85th birthday and 7th anniversary of election to the Chair of Saint Peter, but a point that is true and needs to be addressed.

In reading his text (below) you will notice the Pope’s use of the concept ecclesia militans – the Church Militant – which he admits is “old fashion” but still fitting today. When we say “the Church Militant” it means all living Christians who struggle against sin, the devil, or as the Apostle Paul says  “..the rulers of the darkness of this world” and “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

“Church Militant” has two other sisters, “Church Triumphant” and “Church Suffering” that give context to Christian life in light of the doctrine of the Communion of Saints and of what we know the Church to be.

The quick definition of the “Church Triumphant” (Ecclesia Triumphans), indicates those who live in the beatific vision, they see and are seen by God; we say these people are in heaven. The feast day for those in heaven is November 1, All Saints Day.  When we speak of the “Church Suffering” (also called the Church Penitent, Ecclesia Penitens; or Church Expectant, Ecclesia Expectans), we believe that this group of believers are the souls in purgatory. The feast day is  All Souls, November 2.

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A new CFR priest! Father John Paul

Fr John Paul CFR bestows blessing.jpg

The newly ordained (19 May 2012) Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father John Paul offers a blessing. Brother Luke Mary is assisting. Father John Paul’s ordination happened at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC). Father John Paul will serve his community as the vocation director. Saint Francis pray for us.
Photo: Fr Sweeney

A blessing of a priest

New Toronto priest blesses child May 2012.jpgThe late spring months have a few notable celebrations: the continuation of the Easter Mysteries like the Ascension and Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Mother’s and Father’s Day, and priesthood celebrations. Nothing moves the heart spiritually, that is, than witnessing the blessing of a newly ordained priest. Here a newly ordained priest of Toronto bestows God’s blessing on a little one…

Pray for Mary’s intercession for priests….

The Lord waits to be gracious

God’s providence means that wherever we have got to, whatever we have done, that is precisely where the road to heaven begins. However many clues we have missed, however many wrong turnings we have taken, however unnecessarily we may have complicated our journey, the road still beckons, and the Lord still ‘waits to be gracious’ to us.

Father Simon Tugwell, OP

Saint Pachomius


St Pachomius.jpegThe Church gives us Saint Pachomius (+346), the Egyptian monk and abbot famous for being the “founder” of community-focussed monasticism (cenobitic) thus offering an new pattern of following Christ as a monk that up until Pachomius, one did alone. 200 years later Saint Benedict brought this version of monastic life in general acceptance in the west, drawing on what this sainted abbot first done. He’s known, too,  for his writings titled “Koinonia” (in Latin, Communio).  He wrote: 


“Brothers, as long as you have breath
in your bodies, strive for your salvation. Before the hour comes in which we
shall weep for ourselves, let us practice virtue eagerly.”

The Church prays…

O God, Who didst raise
the blessed abbot Pachomius to the heights of doctrine and of virtue, grant that
we, by following his example, may seek before all else the bread of Thy Word: light
for our minds, and stillness for our hearts.

Blessing of a Child in the Womb

Virgin and Child.jpg

The US Bishops composed and received approval of a ritual that invokes God’s blessing upon the child in the womb. The idea came from Archbishop Joseph Kurtz when he was the bishop of Knoxville several years ago. What better way to observe Mother’s Day in the USA than for us to be in prayerful solidarity with expectant mothers!

As the Introduction to this rite, the Bishops write that 

“The Church welcomes with joy and compassion the mothers who, recognizing that all life is a gift from God, come to the Church seeking a blessing for their unborn child. Such a blessing sustains the parents by imparting grace and comfort in time of concern and need, unites the parish in prayer for the unborn child, and fosters respect for human life within society.”

Here’s the key prayer: 


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