Author: Paul Zalonski

Hans Urs von Balthasar: 21 anniv of death

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Just two days before he was to receive the cardinal’s red hat from Pope John Paul II (an honor he declined to accept before) the Swiss theologian Father Hans Urs von Balthasar died. He was preparing to celebrate the morning Mass when the Lord called him home.

Von Balthasar was a prolific author of articles and books. He’s widely known as the kneeling theologian, the starting point from he believed theology ought to be done. With Cardinals Henri de Lubac, Walter Kasper and Joseph Ratzinger he founded the Communio journal (which is published in a numerous languages).

O Lord, we pray Thee that the soul of Thy priest. Thy servant Hans Urs von Balthassar, which, while he abode in this world, Thou didst adorn with sacred gifts, may ever rejoice in a glorious place in heaven. Amen.

A short biography of Father von Balthasar can be read here.

Those wanting a fine  and accessible introduction into the thinking of Hans Urs von Balthasar ought to read Jesuit Father Edward T. Oakes’ book, Pattern of Redemption.

Saint Josemaría Escrivá


St Josemaria Escriva.jpgGod our Father, you chose Saint Josemaría to proclaim the universal call sanctity and apostolate in the Church. By his example and prayers grant that in faithfully carrying out our daily work in the Spirit of Christ, we may be formed in the likeness of your Son, and together with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, serve the work of redemption with an ardent love.

Ark of the Covenant to revealed

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The
head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna Pauolos, is set to unveil the Ark
of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant has been in the guardianship of the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church in a chapel in the Church of Our Lady, Mary of Zion.
But with many religious icons and relics the Ark has been claimed by a number of
people over the years, some credible and many not so believable. There is no reason I know of to doubt the authenticity of the Ark that’s with the Patriarch.

We don’t hear
much of the Ark of Covenant today except for intro Scripture classes; however,
it should be noted that the Ark is a unit of learning in the Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd (a catechetical program for little people developed around a
Montessori method). The relevance of the Ark, you will remember, is that it was
God’s command that the Ark be built to contain the tablets of the Decalogue
(the 10 Commandment), Aaron’s rod and manna. On the theological level the Ark
is emblematic of the Covenant God had with His people (Israel). Today, a
theology of Covenant continues but not in tablets or an Ark but in a
Person–Jesus Christ. Catholics honor and follow the 10 Commandments; we honor the
Ark but we worship neither. We adore, worship, and give glory to a God who
became a flesh and blood person, a man in all things like you and me except
sin; the Son of God who opened the doors of salvation for us. Catholics
believe, therefore, our salvation is not in the Commandments but from Christ
who lived, died, and resurrected. As I mentioned the Commandments are followed
and we revere the Ark so long as we recognize that they point to their fulfillment in Jesus. So learn about the Ark and pass this theology onto your
friends and family.

Caritas in Veritate (Love in Truth): the Pope’s next encyclical

It’s expected that on June 29th the Pope will
publish his latest encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Love in Truth).

Last week he said: “As you know, my encyclical on the
vast theme of economics and labor will soon be published. It will highlight
what, for us Christians, are the objectives to be pursued and the values to be
promoted and tirelessly defended, with the purpose of realising a truly free
and human coexistence in solidarity.”

Pope Benedict’s two previous encyclicals are Deus Caritas
Est (God is Love, 2005) and Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope, 2007).

It’s time to get excited because the Pope’s words are always germane.

St Dominic’s Monastery: 1st anniv in Linden, VA

Today, June 24, is the first anniversary of the dedication of Saint Dominic’s
Monastery new monastery in Linden, Virginia. 

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What an amazing year! 
This summer four young women will enter the Monastery as postulants.  As
envisioned, the Monastery is acting as a magnet attracting young women to
devote their lives to God. The life follows the traditional form of Second Order Dominican nuns with the night Office, the grill, silence, sacrifice and prayer. The nuns rarely leave the cloister and are completely focussed on Christ. They carry to Him our deepest needs through their prayer and sacrifice.

I would like to encourage everyone to send Sister Mary Paul (the
prioress) and the nuns at Saint Dominic’s Monastery an anniversary card and, if
possible, to include an anniversary gift – a check to support the formation of
their new members. 

Cards can be mailed to:

Sister Mary Paul, O.P.

Saint Dominic’s Monastery

2636 Monastery Road

Linden, VA 22642

My friends Fathers Gabriel and Jordan as well as the laywoman Julie tell me the life of the monastery is going extremely well and the need for assistance is also great. So, I think the life of these Dominican nuns is VERY worth a sacrificial gift. Don’t you?

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Elizabeth the wife of Zachary gave birth to a great man, John the Baptist,

the Precursor of the Lord.

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O
God, Who has made this day honorable to us by the birth of blessed John, pour
forth upon Thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the souls of all
Thy faithful into the way of eternal salvation.

Father Henry Tim Vakoc, US Army Major, RIP

Fr Major Henry T Vakoc.jpgThe Lord called Father H. Tim Vakoc, US Army Major, to himself on June 20th.

Father Tim was a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and some have said that he was the first US priest killed as a part of the war. He was 17 years ordained a priest, living the last 5 years of his priestly witness recovering from injuries sustained in Iraq. Those injuries were suffered on his 12th anniversary of ordination. Among Father’s awards he was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Father Tim was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 31 years.
Let us pray in thanksgiving for Father Vokac, for the his family, friends, caregivers and the US Army.

Well done good and faithful servant.

Remembered in Rome by Archbishop Dolan

alg_dolan-mta.jpgArchbishop Timothy Dolan is serious: he’s praying for ALL the people of the Archdiocese of New York (and others) when he’s in the Eternal City next week to receive the pallium from the Pope. He’s the link between us and our Roman sainted forefathers and mothers; likewise, he’s the link between the archdiocese and the Holy Father. Spiritual closeness is a cool thing in the Catholic Church.

Thank God for his remembrance of us at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul especially! I, for one, need his prayers.

FuturePriests.com: Praying & Tweeting for priestly vocations

archbishop eijk twitter.jpgA fascinating initiative was launched the other day for the Year of the Priest on Twitter by Utrecht’s Archbishop Willem Jacobus Eijk. Follow the Archbishop at FuturePriests.com.

The Archbishop’s global campaign of prayer for priests is a terrific project that draws together the power of prayer and the power of Twitter.
Tweet with the Archbishop and keep informed by following the blog! Pray for vocations! Don’t forget to retweet with your intentions and prayers!