Author: Paul Zalonski

Lent is not completed on our own initiative

We know by experience that we have not sufficient strength
in ourselves to bring to a successful completion our chief Lenten duty, which
is to die fully to sin in order to live fully in the risen Christ. But Christ
himself, before leaving his own, prayed to his Father to preserve them from
evil and from the evil one, from the seductions of the world and the attacks of
Satan. He taught them to ask, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil.

Obviously he did not intend that his disciples be spared every kind of
temptation and danger, for this would be impossible in this life; besides, God
himself permits it to test our virtue, but he wanted to assure them sufficient
strength to resist. The evil from which he desired to free them was sin, the
only real disaster, because it separates us from God.

Divine Intimacy

Father
Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD

Saint Turibius Alfonso de Mogrovejo

Santo Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo.jpgLord. through the apostolic work of Saint Turibius and his unwavering love of truth, You helped Your Church to grow. May Your chosen people continue to grow in faith and holiness.

A 1000 times a day I pass by a statue of a saint I really have no particular devotion to, nor do I know much about. At least not until I looked more closely at the place these holy men and women have in our daily living the other day.
At the main entrance of the seminary, there are four statues which act as sentinels of faith and Christian perseverance: Saint Rose of Lima, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Isaac Jogues and Saint Turibius de Mogrovejo. The link among these saints and blessed is their work of evangelization in the new world. They all had an experience of Christ and then set out to share that experience to others. They all worked for the salvation of humanity, even to the point of death (Jogues). Two of these saints are natives of the new world, two are immigrants from Europe, two are women and two are men and priests (one’s also a bishop), BUT all responded to Christ’s call to discipleship, to sahre in the cross and to shared the faith with others. And two lived and worked in Lima, Peru. Saint Turibio was the first to establish a seminary in the new world, following the mandates of the Council of Trent. And so, Saint Turibio has a special place in the life of seminarians in the USA and in particular to the seminarians of Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers.
Saint Turibio de Mogrovejo, pray for us!

The Seal of Confession and Canadian Law

Seal of Confession and Canadian Law.jpgThe Seal of Confession and Canadian Law by Gregory
Zubacz (Wilson & Lafleur, 2009)


This book is a study on the seal of
confession. This topic goes to the root of the relationship between
Church and State, which has challenged and troubled law makers, politicians,
judges and scholars since the Reformation of the 16th century. It traces
the development of the sacrament of confession from its beginnings in the early
Christian Church both in the East and the West. The author follows the
developments of the historical Church Councils, Pontiffs and scholars,
directing confessors to maintain absolute confidentiality, privacy and silence
concerning what is heard in confession from a penitent. Civilly, the work
explores the threads from the English speaking legal jurisdictions around the
world. This book is a compelling read for every student of the law and human
nature.


About the Author

Rev. Dr. Gregory J. Zubacz has taught several courses
on canon law at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute at Saint Paul
University in Canada. His work experience includes work for the
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and other federal branches of
government. In canon law, he had served as the Defender of the Bond for
the Marriage Tribunals of Ottawa and Winnipeg. 

From the Author

“Not only
does the secular world need to have a clear understanding of the canon law; the
Church and its clergy also need an accurate perspective on their rights and
obligations at civil law with regard to the seal of confession.”

Covering statues, images & crucifixes in Passiontide

My friend George asked me the other day about the
tradition of covering the statues, images and crucifixes (sacred images) -but
not the Stations of the Cross–before Holy Week. He told me that the nuns told
him that the Church covered sacred items because Christ went into hiding before
his arrest. Well, that’s true but incomplete. The tradition of veiling finds
its source in John 8:46-59 where the Jews attempt to stone Jesus because of his
claims of being the Son of God, but he hides from view. As point of comparison,
you will notice in Mark’s gospel our focus is on the Lord’s crucifixion because
it is there that we learn the true identity of Jesus as being man and divine.
The covering of sacred images, therefore, is to illustrate the increasing
tension we find ourselves in the Liturgy as we move toward of the Lord’s own
Paschal Mystery. The veiling actually reinforces the verifiable fact of the
Incarnation.


Continue reading Covering statues, images & crucifixes in Passiontide

Paul Marx, monk & priest RIP

Paul Marx.jpgSaturday morning the great Benedictine monk and priest and Pro-life advocate died at the age of 90. Pray for Father Paul, his monastic community and the on-going work of the Culture of Life.

O God, Who did raise Thy servant Dom Paul Benno Marx to the dignity of priest in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we beseech Thee, that he may be joined in fellowship with Thine Apostles forevermore.

Father Paul Benno Marx’s obit from Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN
A brief piece on Father Paul Benno Marx, OSB.
He was a fascinating man and priest. May God have mercy on him.
PAX

Newman beatification to happen at Coventry Airport

Britain’s Catholic Herald reports today that John Henry Newman’s beatification ceremony, conducted by the Holy Father himself, will happen at Coventry Airport, while the pope is visiting England and Scotland from 16-19 September 2010. As we all know, the Pope is dispensing himself of his own rule for beatification ceremonies. Newman’s beatification is a great grace not only for the Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians) but for England and the theological world.

To you, O blessed Joseph (Ad te, beate Ioseph)

Thumbnail image for San Jose El Greco.jpgTo you, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we seek with confidence thy patronage also. By that affection wherewith you were united to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God; by the fatherly love with which you did embrace the Child Jesus, we humbly beseech you to look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased for us by His Blood, and to help us in our need by your powerful intercession.


Defend, O you most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, O you our most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old you did rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, so that imitating thy example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who invoke Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a duly approved prayer (e.g., Ad te, beate Ioseph).

Catholic doctors oppose pending healthcare reform bill

In contrast to the various dissenting sisters’ statement in support of the 153 page HR 3590, the group representing American Catholic physicians spoke against the US Congress proposal to reform of healthcare in the United States. Read what is proposed in this bill.

The doctors who belong to the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) say that HR 3590 is “substantially flawed and [a] unacceptable piece of legislation” because it provides various ways to fund abortion, it introduces new ways to restrict the freedom of conscience clause as it is applied by healthcare workers and the bill is financially problematic, to say the least. Please don’t confuse this organization with the Catholic Health Association which holds opinions contrary to the Church.
Furthermore, the CMA also contends that the Obama administration’s healthcare reform bill will take away from healthcare providers the ability to make sound decisions on a patient’s healthcare. And insult to the American taxpayer, the HR 3590 gives healthcare to illegal immigrants without weighing the cost that would be sustainable and reasonable for the average worker. Healthcare expenses will rise!!!!
What are Catholics for? The bishops have wanted healthcare reform for decades, especially healthcare that assists the common good, that is accessible, affordable, and that has respect for life at every stage of life. Catholics want conscience protection and no funding of abortions. Catholics want the Hyde Amendment to  remain in place. In this case it’s not about the legal status of abortion –because all reasonable people would say that abortion should be reduced– but the point is to not have the taxpayer fund abortions; an abortion is not healthcare, it is killing a person. 
Catholics ought to properly form their consciences with genuine information (from informed news sources) and make voices heard. Catholics make up 20% of voting America!!!
The US Bishops’ analysis of the healthcare bill states:
1. there is an appropriation of $7 billion for community health services that can be used for  elective abortions;
2. there are federal funds to subsidize health programs that cover abortions which can expand in time;
3. the bill has the power to over-ride taxpayers’ desires not to fund abortions. 
Read Archbishop Charles Chaput’s insight/leadership in the healthcare reform debate.