• Italian Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, 65
• Portuguese Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 73
• Spanish Archbishop Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of Basilica of St. Mary Major, 76
• Italian Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, 73
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State, 69
• Italian Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Interpreting Legislative Texts, 73
• Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 64
• U.S. Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, 72
• Italian Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, 68
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, president of Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, 68
• Syro-Malabar Archbishop George Alencherry of India, 66Canadian Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of Toronto, 64
• Czech Archbishop Dominik Duka of Prague, 68
• Dutch Archbishop Willem J. Eijk of Utrecht, 58
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, 64
• U.S. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, 61
• German Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of Berlin, 55
• Chinese Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, 72
• Romanian Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Julia, 80
• Belgian Father Julien Ries, expert on history of religions, 91
• Maltese Augustinian Father Prosper Grech, biblical scholar, 86
• German Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, theologian, 83

Congratulations to all of the Cardinal-designates, especially Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Edwin Cardinal O’Brien.

Credit: AP

Yesterday afternoon, the Huffington Post posted an article on its website entitled “Rick Santorum Wins Over Evangelicals By Breaking With His Own Catholic Creed.” Before I go any further, I must preface this by encouraging you to read that article, not because I agree with it but because what I have written here will somewhat respond to those claims. I additionally encourage all of you to read the USCCB document “Faithful Citizenship” again–it’s always a good idea to reread that document prior to elections. This post is simply a reminder of what Faithful Citizenship is asking us to do as Catholics. I also include some of my thoughts on Rick Santorum. With that said, let’s get started, shall we?

In the upcoming presidential primaries and in the November general election, all Catholics must make an informed decision on which candidate they will throw their support behind. It is our responsibility to vote for the person who has the best interest of the nation at heart and who stands in compliance with the most important issues. In Faithful Citizenship, a document produced by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the bishops call all Catholics to “form their consciences in the light of their Catholic faith and to bring our moral principles to the debate and decisions about candidates and issues.”

Voting is the most important duty we have as Americans. Through it, we make our voices heard in the public forum, highlighting and defending our political ideologies. However, those ideologies must be informed by our faith and by our own moral compass. The Catholic Church has never told people how to vote on issues. Furthermore, the Church has never told people what political ideology to follow. Throughout her involvement in public life, the Church has only sought to prepare Catholics for making informed decisions.

There is not one Catholic individual within the United States whom supports and agrees with every position the Church takes on issues. Some Catholics believe that climate change is active and having a devastating effect on our world; others are skeptical of the scientific data being presented in the case for climate change. Some Catholics have taken a narrow view on the topic of evolution, at times even rejecting the notion; others have been more open to the scientific proof that supports some aspects of evolution theory.

The people who make up the church do not stop having an opinion when it comes to political beliefs. We are allowed to be diverse in our thoughts on most issues. If we, as Catholics, all believed the same thing, there would be no dialogue and the Church would risk being stuck holding onto an ideology that was ancient and outdated. However, there are some issues that we must not and cannot support. As Catholics we are called to “promote and protect human life and dignity, marriage and family, justice and peace in service to the common good.” Any stance that interferes with these must not be supported.

When it comes to Rick Santorum, he, like other Catholics, is allowed to hold unique positions on certain issues. While his views on climate change and evolution are not necessarily in line with the church’s position, his stance on the most important of issues—abortion, same-sex marriage and the promotion of the traditional family—remain in line with Catholic teaching.

It’s all about making an informed decision. If Catholics around the country choose to throw their support behind Senator Santorum, so be it. Others will support Romney, Gingrich, Paul and other candidates. When it comes time for the general election in November, some will even support President Obama. As long as we take our voting decision seriously, bringing it to prayer and study, we will make the right choice for our beliefs.

Credit: Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang

Over the last several years, the relationship between the Holy See and communist China has been strained to a point of seemingly no return. Throughout 2011, the situation worsened after the Chinese run church–Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA)–ordained several bishops without the consent of the Holy See. The breakdown in relations has been an ongoing dilemma for the Vatican as Chinese officials sought more control over Catholics in their country. The government is seeking to ensure the bishops throughout the country are loyal to the communist ideologies. For those Catholics objecting to state control of the church, life is far from serene.

The faithful in China have undergone such hardship and persecution at the hands of the communist regime. Priests who have shown loyalty to the Vatican and to the Pope have been arrested and murdered. Over the years, there have been countless reports of women religious being raped by Chinese soldiers. The horrors taking place in the country continue to be despicable.

Some may argue that Catholics in the country should be willing to offer some concessions to the government since they are being given the opportunity to worship the Lord publicly. While some concessions may increase dialogue between the Holy See and China, most of the concessions these individuals are being forced to make are, in fact, restricting their ability to worship freely and causing tensions to rise.

In 1951, the Chinese government officially forced Catholics in the country to cut all ties to the Vatican. At that time, government officials also restricted public worship, permitting only those in the state-run church to worship freely. Despite that order, millions of brave and faithful Catholics formed an underground church that remained loyal to the Pope.

Some have been seeking to discover a reason for the Chinese reversal of the agreement with the Vatican. In recent years, the Chinese government needed the approval and respect of many western nations in order to host a successful Olympics. That was in 2008. Now, the economic situation has shifted where those same western nations owe China a tremendous amount of debt. Therefore, the roles have been somewhat reversed; western nations are now forced to accept the actions of China.

Some also argue that the recent ‘Arab Spring’ has instilled a sense of fear and uncertainty in Chinese officials who are now seeking to gain more control over what the people of their country are able to see on the internet and on television. There may be some substance to this position. In the weeks and months following the uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, the Chinese government began an unprecedented crackdown on bloggers and activists. The crackdown on these individuals may have inspired the uptick in control over the Church in the country.

In response, the Vatican is taking a more stringent approach with the communist government. Following the ordination of the new bishop for the Diocese of Leshan, the Vatican issued a communique that called the ordination illegitimate. The statement also conveyed the Pope’s dismay and deep sadness at the situation. In July, officials at the Holy See excommunicated the newly ordained Bishop of Shantou. If Chinese officials continue to appoint and ordain bishops without the approval of the Holy See, we can expect to see this type of hard-line response.

Christians are not the only group being targeted in China, however. The human rights violations that are occurring in the communist country are appalling and we have to work to curb the injustices being committed against people of all faiths, people of all races. We need the countries of the West to join the Vatican, recognizing the abuses that are occurring in China. We need leaders from around the world to come together, to not be afraid and to bring an end to these violations.

Every human person has the right to worship and believe as he or she deems appropriate. The Chinese government MUST stop the commission of these injustices! The Chinese government MUST recognize the rights of all its citizens to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Every human being deserves dignity and respect. What China needs is another John Paul II; a person who, having lived through the oppression of freedoms, emerges as a leader for the Church; a person who encourages the people of China to respond to the hate and the evil with love. What China needs is for the nations of the world to step in and demand communist officials stop this attack on human freedom.

Let us stand united with our brothers and sisters in China and throughout the world who lack the freedoms to worship freely. Let us unite ourselves to the Cross of Christ, recognizing that freedom does not come without price. Let us pray for each other, that Christ may be made present to all of us, that Christ may break the stoney hearts of those who persecute his Church. Let us pray for the conversion of all those who cause division throughout the world.

In July 2011, in the midst of the visitation, Irish officials released the 400-page Cloyne Report, detailing the findings to the investigation into the handling of abuse cases by the Diocese of Cloyne. According to the report, the commission “examined all complaints, allegations, concerns and suspicions of child sexual abuse by relevant clerics made to the diocesan and other Catholic Church authorities and public and State authorities.” Furthermore, the commission did not seek to determine whether abuse actually occured, but to reveiw how well the Irish church investigated claims againsts priests and ministers. Among the major findings of the report was that two-thirds of the allegations made since 1996 were not reported to the police, which after the revelations of abuse throughout the world in recent years is completely unacceptable.

After the publication of the Cloyne Report, some within the Irish government began publicly criticizing the Holy See, indicating it was a dysfunctional organization that downplayed the sexual abuse crises within Ireland. Following these criticisms by Irish officials, Father Federico Lombardi, spokesman for the Vatican, speaking in a personal capacity, stated that the criticism of the Holy See was unfounded. The report, which according to Lombardi did not supply any evidence indicating a cover-up of any kind by the Vatican, provides a “new step in the long and arduous walk to find the truth.”

Many believe the sexual abuse crisis within Ireland has created tension between the country and the Vatican. Throughout this year, those tensions have been evident. While it has not been connected in any way to the revelations of the Cloyne Report, the government of Ireland recently decided to close its embassy to the Vatican. Reportedly, the move comes as a cost-saving measure for the government; however, that has not stopped the speculation about it being the most visible sign of tensions between the two nations.

In addition to these ‘tensions,’ over the next few years, the Pope will be tasked with restructuring the hierarchy within the Irish Church. At last count, four dioceses have no bishop at the healm, three bishops are serving past the age limit, and an additional two bishops will reach the retirement age in the coming year and a half. To assist in this endeavor, Pope Benedict XVI recently appointed Monsignor Charles Brown, 52, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, as the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit guide the Holy Father in this endeavor and that a new springtime may arise for the Irish church.

4. Religious Liberty Issues in the United States

Over the last few months, issues of religious liberty have been receiving more attention from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a result of the passage of gay marriage initiatives within many states and the removal of conscience protections within the health care reform law. In September, Archbishop Timothy Dolan (New York), president of the USCCB, wrote a letter to his brother bishops announcing the formation of a new ad hoc committee focused on dealing with issues associated with religious liberties. In the context of that letter, Dolan noted the recent uptick in assaults on the basic right of all individuals for religious freedom:

This basic right, in its many and varied applications for Christians and people of faith, is now increasingly and in unprecedented ways under assault in America. This is most particularly so in an increasing number of federal government programs or policies that would infringe upon the right of conscience of people of faith or otherwise harm the foundational principle of religious liberty.

Dolan also listed several threats that have emerged towards religious liberty, including: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate ordering the inclusion of contraceptive and sterilization in private health insurance plans, the HHS requirement for the U.S. bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services to provide reproductive services to victims of trafficking, the continuing denial of support for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by the executive branch, and the limited exemptions for religious institutions in newly passed laws allowing gay marriages in some states.

During the USCCB’s November meeting this year, Bishop William Lori (Bridgeport), chairman of the new Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty gave a presentation to the entire conference in which he said the government was treating the church “not as a contributor to our nation’s common morality” but as an instrument of divisiveness that should be kept out of public life. He furthermore called on all bishops to defend religious liberty in all that they do–teaching the faithful within their dioceses about the limitations being placed on religious institutions and standing up for the many injustices toward religious freedom occuring throughout the country.

3. New Translation of the Roman Missal

In parishes and diocese throughout the country, individuals, both lay people and clergy, have reported no major issues with the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. For those communities that began utilizing parts of the new missal before the First Sunday of Advent, the big day was largely insignificant. If your parish did not start using the new parts early, more power to you because you were basically thrown into the new missal with little or no preparation. Hopefully though, the parishes and the dioceses offered some kind of catechesis for the laity and ministers throughout the country so that the people in the pews did not walk into the weekend of implementation blindly.

Personally speaking, my parish began using the new music settings about two months before we were obligated to implement the new translation. At first it was a bit difficult for the people to learn the parts. But, we did not introduce all the music settings at once, we staggered them from weekend to weekend which seemed to help the congregation in the learning process. When the First Sunday of Advent finally came upon us, there was only one person in my parish who was unhappy about the changes; after the first “And with your spirit” an older gentleman in the congregation said rather loudly, “Why do they have to change things?” However, that sentiment was not seconded, at least publicly, by too many people in the parish.

Wherever you and your parish are at in terms of the new translation, we are still in this together. Hopefully we are moving right along with the creed, especially with that ‘consubstantial’ word. There are some great resources out there for those of us who are still needing a little assistance–I admit, I still need some help. More reviews will be coming in the next few days.

2. Beatification of John Paul II

On May 1st, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, a feast day implemented by Pope John Paul II, the late pontiff was beatified in St. Peter’s Square by Benedict XVI. In the most joyous celebration of 2011 for the Catholic Church, an estimated 1.5 million people came to the Eternal City to witness the beatification of our beloved John Paul.

Throughout his priesthood and, even moreso when he was elected to the papacy in October 1978 following the death of John Paul I, the 263rd successor of St. Peter relied on these personal convictions to lead the church. During the vigil of prayer prior to the beatification, Cardinal Agostino Vallini stated:

He was witness to the tragic age of big ideologies, totalitarian regimes, and from their passing John Paul II embraced the harsh suffering, marked by tension and contradictions, of the transition of the modern age toward a new phase of history, showing constant concern that the human person be its protagonist. He was a staunch and credible defender of the human person to the nations and the international institutions, which respected him and have paid him homage, recognizing him as a messenger of justice and peace.

With his gaze fixed on Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, he believed in humanity and showed his openness, trust, and closeness. He loved the human person, pushing us to develop in ourselves the potential of faith to live as free persons, cooperating in the realization of a more just and caring humanity, as workers for peace and builders of hope. Convinced that only the spiritual experience can satisfy humanity he said: the fate of every person and of all peoples is tied to Christ, the only liberator and Savior.

Pope John Paul II taught us all how to live truly Catholic Christian lives. He taught us that being a Christian is not without its challenges and struggles. Through his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, the late pontiff showed us how to embrace the crosses that present themselves throughout life and to continually give praise to God.

Blessed John Paul, we miss you dearly and know that you continue to pray for the Church that you served with all of your strength and loved with all of your heart. Pray for us, that we may come to recognize, appreciate and defend the dignity of every human person; that we may love the church and devote our lives to her; that we may follow your example of humility in all that we do. Finally, pray for those who have not come to know Christ, that they may embrace God’s love for them and come to call Jesus their Savior.

This year’s Top Catholic Stories debuts with numbers ten through six.

10. Questions of Pope’s Health

In the last few months, the secular media went into a frenzy of sorts when Pope Benedict XVI began using a mobile platform during the processions at celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica. Those within the media almost immediately started questioning whether Benedict XVI’s health was deteriorating.

The platform was first used by Benedict in October of this year. In advance of the Mass, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi issued a short statement informing the public that the platform was being utilized to reduce fatigue. For now there is nothing more to the story. However, that hasn’t stopped some from speculating about possible successors to Benedict. People need to relax, this is not that big of a deal. Popes are people and people get old–there is not much more to this story than that.

9. Vatican Use of Technology

This year, we saw the Vatican embrace new technology like it has not done in several years. From the launch of the Vatican’s news portal through the use of an iPad, the first ever tweet by a Pope, and to the revolutionary blogger meet-up, the Church is beginning to embrace the ever changing world of the internet and social media. But, is it too little, too late?

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Catholic Church has fallen behind churches of other faiths, who have been embracing new technology for decades. There is a lot of ground to make up. Hopefully the new evangelization will furthermore inspire and empower Catholics around the world—clergy and laity—to spread the Gospel message of Christ into cyberspace. However, if officials at the diocesan and parish levels refuse to venture into this world, we will lose an entire generation of people who rely on the internet and social media for news and information.

8. The Indictment of Bishop Finn

Bishop Finn | Credit: AP

On October 14th, Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was indicted by a county grand jury on the charge of failing to report the sexual abuse of a minor. The charge stems from the May arrest of a priest from the diocese, Father Shawn Ratigan, for possession of child pornography. According to several reports, diocesan officials knew Fr. Ratigan had such pictures in his possession and, rather than removing him from ministry immediately, moved him to a retreat center where he continued to have access to children. Following an independent review of its actions in regards to the Ratigan case, the diocese was found to be negligent in following its own guidelines in such cases. The review also disputed the claims made in media reports that Bishop Finn possessed any knowledge of the presence of child pornography by Father Ratigan.

Bishop Finn was able to avoid the indictment by entering into an agreement with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. According to the terms of the agreement, Finn must meet with the prosecutor every month for the next five years and provide details to what steps the diocese is taking to prevent sexual abuse of minors.

In a statement released after the agreement, Bishop Finn wrote: “I am grateful for this opportunity to resolve this matter and to further strengthen our diocesan commitment to the protection of children.” He added, “The children of our community must be our first priority. Each deserves no more and no less. I stand ready to do all within my power not only to satisfy this agreement but also to ensure the welfare and safety of all children under our care.”

7. Archbishop Chaput named head of Philadelphia Archdiocese

Credit: Charles Fox, Philly News

On July 19th, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Justin Cardinal Rigali and named Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput as the ninth archbishop of Philadelphia. The move, which had been widely speculated in the weeks prior, is being called the biggest news maker for episcopal appointments the United States has seen in years and rightfully so. In the months leading up to the appointment, the Philadelphia church had been rocked by new allegations of sexual abuse by priests and a grand jury investigation into the mishandling of abuse cases.

Dealing with difficult situations is not foreign to Archbishop Chaput. Throughout his tenure as shepherd of the Denver Archdiocese, Chaput developed the reputation of being swift, tough and no-nonsense. Based on the current situation in Philadelphia, a shepherd with this kind of reputation is what is needed. As our good friend over at Whispers in the Loggia put it, Chaput’s appointment as Philadelphia archbishop represents “nothing short of a hurricane.”

After his first few months on the job, Archbishop Chaput has already begun making quiet but substantial changes within the structure of the Archdiocese. As one person put, the place has been in bad shape for years and whatever Chaput does to change the current culture is welcome. My prayers continue for the people of Philadelphia and Archbishop Chaput.

6. World Youth Day Madrid

Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe

On August 16th, World Youth Day 2011 officially kicked off its ceremonies in Madrid, Spain with an opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela. World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Since then, the event has evolved into a week-long journey of spiritual growth and a massive celebration of global Catholicism.

This year, Pope Benedict came together with several hundred thousand youth from around the world to celebrate faith. At last count, over 2 million people participated in World Youth Day activities this year, making it the third most attended in history. Among those in attendance were 14,000 priests and 800 bishops who concelebrated the closing Mass with Pope Benedict XVI

During the event, pilgrims from around the world were given a special gift from the Holy Father–the YouCat. This particular book is a small catechism that provides young adults and youth with answers to the basic questions of our Catholic faith.

The most important realization that emerged from WYD Madrid was the vision of so many young people embracing and celebrating their faith in the public square. The youth of today are not afraid of standing up for their beliefs, displaying their faith to anyone they encounter. The youth are no longer the future of the Church…the youth ARE the Church. After seeing the images from Madrid this year, we can all be filled with tremendous hope and joy because Christ is working wonders throughout the world.

Source: Ascension Press

We are less than a week away from the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal! Hard to believe, isn’t it. To put it another way, we’re at crunch time. Priests throughout the United States and other English-speaking countries should be pretty much well-versed with their new parts (if not, may God help them next weekend). That said, WE, as lay people, should also be getting ready to welcome the changes in the Mass with an open heart and mind.

Another publisher that has produced several resources to help those of us in the pews prepare for this history-making change is Ascension Press. A few weeks ago, they sent me some review materials that some of you may find helpful in the coming weeks as we embark on this new experience.

Ascension offers lay people—and maybe some priests and deacons—the opportunity to embrace the changes in the Mass by highlighting their biblical roots. “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass” was written by Edward Sri who received a doctoral degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Sri has authored several best-selling Catholic books and is the co-founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

Within the first few pages of the book, Sri recollects a conversation he had while flying to give a presentation at a Catholic conference. One quote from that discussion struck me as describing Sri’s purpose for writing this book on the liturgy: “We’re going to explore how all the prayers, signs, and rituals of the Mass are rooted in Scripture, and I hope to show that the more we know about the biblical roots of the liturgy, the more we will understand the beauty of the Mass and give ourselves more to Christ at every Mass.”

Sri presents every aspect of the Mass—from the Introductory Rites, through the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist, to the Concluding Rites—in a way that allows each of us to fall in love with the liturgy once again. He challenges us to use this as an opportunity to grow in our appreciation of the Mass and comprehend what is happening when we go to church on Sundays.

“Examining the main parts of the Mass through a biblical lens will give us a new perspective on the liturgy that we celebrate every Sunday. It will help us better realize the profundity of what is unfolding before us and grasp the meaning of what we are saying and doing as we participate in these mysteries.”

While the book does not exclusively focus on the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, Sri grants Catholics a chance to embrace the changes being implemented on November 27th. This is a MUST have for any Catholic!

Ascension Press has also published one other resource for Catholics. “A Guide to the New Translation of the Mass” offers us a detailed explanation of each of the changes to the liturgy through a question-and-answer format. The booklet, authored by Dr. Sri, also provides a reference card for utilization at Mass—so we won’t be lost.

I would like to thank the folks at Ascension Press for sending me these review materials. “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass” has guided my prayer throughout the last few weeks, allowing me to deepen my appreciation and understanding of the mysteries of the Liturgy. It has also given me the opportunity to reflect on the great gift of Christ’s sacrifice. Dr. Sri’s book and companion guide are fantastic resources that will allow Catholics to experience the liturgy in a profoundly prayerful way.

This is the second post in a series on the variety of resources being provided by Catholic publishing companies for the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.

I wish I could be sitting on that bench.

I have really been out of the loop in terms of blogging over the last few days…well, weeks. Life has a way of interfering in the things we want to do in order to accomplish the things we need to do. Over the last couple of weeks, things have been more than a little hectic with school work, family life, and my participation in various groups within the parish.

First things first, I guess I should be thankful I am still alive after dealing with project deadlines, homework assignments, and tests for school. This semester has been the busiest of my entire life–and I am only taking three classes, one of the smallest class loads I have ever taken. For some reason, I wanted to give myself an extra challenge and decided to register for two research classes. One of them is an online course, which was the biggest mistake I have made to date. Trying to teach yourself how to conduct research is not the easiest thing in the world and I would not recommend it to anyone. On top of those two classes, I am also enrolled in an Urban Planning class that has two group project assignments and a handful of extra stuff. There is no end in sight.

Last week, we had to take the dog to the vet because of a mass that appeared on his paw in the span of about two months. The vet informed us that it was a tumor that needed to be removed sooner rather than later. We brought Chip (yes, my dog’s name is Chip) in for surgery on Friday morning and it was a little more difficult than originally expected. When Doc finally got into the affected area he realized the tumor was much more invasive, wrapping around the digits within the paw and continuing up towards the wrist. After removing what he could, he gave us a call and asked us to come in. We are waiting to see if the tumor was benign or malignant. At this stage in the game, we are assuming it was a localized malignant tumor that can be taken care of by the surgery performed last week. The theory is, if we cut the blood supply off to the tumor, the rest of it will wither away. If it is something worse, we will have to consider other options, none of which I am too thrilled about at this point. We should have the results tomorrow. St. Francis, pray for Chip.

On top of that, my 93-year-old grandmother is not doing too well these days. When she lived with us for a few years, she and I would always sit in the living room talking for hours about politics, the Church, and our family history. I always enjoyed those moments. Now that she lives with my mother’s sister, I don’t get to have as many of those chats as I would like. Any prayers for her health would be greatly appreciated.

This past weekend, the parish celebrated its annual Fall Festival. This year I was only supposed to be responsible for the entertainment portion of the the festival. I must have a problem saying no to people because I also ended up helping out with advertising–creating all the signs for the festival, designing a new logo, etc. I must admit, I had a blast doing it, but it was quite a bit of work! I always said, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Well, I find myself disagreeing with that statement because I’m exhausted!

I should get back to writing a few posts over the coming days, continuing the review of materials on the new Roman Missal from various Catholic publishing companies within the United States. I just thought I’d do something a little different this time around and provide a little insight into what my life has been like. (My sister-in-law has been telling me to do something like this for quite some time,coming out of my comfort zone and reflecting on life.) That being said, I am sure there are many of you who are experiencing much more drastic challenges in your lives. So, if you’re one of those and need a few extra prayers, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message either by email, Facebook, or Twitter.

I would like to thank all of you for allowing me this opportunity to share my experiences with you. May the Lord bless you with abundant blessings and every joy in the coming weeks.

In preparation for this historic moment for the Church, many Catholic publishing companies have begun to release materials that assist those in the pews. As we have discovered over the last few months, many of the changes may pose quite a challenge to some; others, however, may adapt fine to the new translation. No matter what your level of readiness, there is sure to be a publication that will help you make the transition to the new words and understand exactly why the Church has embarked on this unique journey.

One such publishing company, Our Sunday Visitor, has released a collection of materials to help every member of the Catholic family prepare for the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.

The company has produced several items that help children understand the new words of the Mass. In “My Mass Book,” the Mass is broken down into a language that allows children to understand what the liturgy is all about. The book also includes the people’s responses and brief explanations of the various parts of the Mass. It also grabs the children’s interest with vibrant illustrations. I would absolutely recommend this book for children in Grades 2-4 so that they are able to recognize the importance and the beauty of the liturgy.

In order to assist families in the preparation process, OSV offers an excellent activity pamphlet—“Preparing for Mass with my Family”—with suggestions for keeping children engaged at Mass, reflections on the significance of the Mass, and recommendations for “living faith at home” and beyond Sunday. The pamphlet, with an Imprimatur by Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, highlights the need for parents to teach their children the importance of gathering as a family for the celebration of Sunday Mass.

Other publications that assist parents in explaining the revised edition of the Roman Missal is a series called, “Catholic Parent Know How: About the Revised Roman Missal.” The series, which separates products by the grade level of children, offers practical pointers, scripture, and more about the new words of the Mass. Each section of the series, whether it be for children in primary grades or  intermediate grades, provides age-appropriate illustrations and explanations on what is changing, key issues about the new translation, and biblical roots for the changes. Finally, each pamphlet provides a Mass Prayer for Families.

Another challenge for the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal is the catechesis of children in Faith Formation (CCD, Religious Education) programs throughout the country. Many times, most of these children do not make it to Mass on Sundays. Therefore, Directors of Religious Education need to assist those in Faith Formation to develop an understanding of the changes coming in November. OSV has a solution with publications to assist catechists in teaching their students about the Mass.

Within the “Catechist’s Companion: About the Revised Roman Missal,” OSV provides suggestions for teaching, glossary terms and phrases, reflections, and an overview of the revisions to the translated missal. Additionally, the company’s “Call to Faith” series has undergone revisions to include the updated language of the Roman Missal.

For adults in the family, Our Sunday Visitor has several resources for you to help you prepare for the implementation of the Roman Missal. One of the most practical materials is a pew card with all of the changes to our responses. OSV has produced two, almost identical versions of the pew card; the only difference is one has a larger font for those who do not have young eyes, shall we say. [Come the First Sunday of Advent, members of the Pringle family will be utilizing these cards at Mass so that we can respond to the invitation of prayer properly and reverently.]

The last product I will review from OSV is a prayerful bible study by Stephen J. Binz entitled “The Mass in Scripture.” The text uses the ancient prayer technique of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) to guide us through each part of the Mass, focusing on the biblical roots of the liturgy. The book is an excellent resource for parishes as well, as Binz provides study sessions at the end of each section for groups to reflect on the changes in the liturgy.

On the individual level, “The Mass in Scripture” presents those who read it the opportunity to develop a deep appreciation and love for the liturgy “through a sequence of listening, understanding, reflecting, praying, [and] acting.” If you pick up this book and truly enter into it with a spirit of openness, I guarantee it will change the way you think about the liturgy and, more importantly, improve the way you pray the liturgy.

More information on the products mentioned in this review may be found at: http://www.osv.com. Our Sunday Visitor also maintains a blog highlighting the latest news on the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal…it is a must read: http://www.romanmissalchanges.com/

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Our Sunday Visitor for supplying me with these review materials. Thank you for all that you have done to prepare Catholics throughout the United States for the changes coming to the liturgy. Each of the resources mentioned in this review are fantastic and will allow each of us to develop a deep love and appreciation for the new language of the Mass. Keep up the great work!

Credit: USCCB

In a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, has renewed his commitment to defending the Defense of Marriage Act. The message, dated September 20, 2011, comes in response to recent actions taken by the Obama Administration that threaten the very existence of marriage.

Over the last several months, the United States Justice Department has shifted its attitude toward the Defense of Marriage Act from simply not defending it to challenging its constitutionality altogether. That move, in itself, is unconstitutional, some have argued, because the role of the executive branch of government is to enforce the laws, even those it does not necessarily support.

Within the letter, Archbishop Dolan reaffirms the USCCB’s support for the institution of marriage. Dolan also reiterates the “immeasurable personal dignity and equal worth of all individuals,” including the dignity of those with same-sex attraction, the main supporters of the repeal of DOMA. Furthermore, the archbishop refutes the claim that the support of DOMA is “rooted in prejudice and bias.”

The bishops are calling on the President and his administration to “push the reset button” on their approach to DOMA. “A policy disagreement over the meaning of marriage [should not] be treated by federal officials as a federal offense.” The bishops believe that the “Administration’s failure to change course on this matter will…precipitate a national conflict between Church and State of enormous proportions and to the detriment of both.”

Let’s help the bishops’ message reach President Obama. Contact the Administration and ask them to change course on their efforts to repeal DOMA. Urge President Obama to do his job, as outlined by the Constitution of the United States, and defend the laws of this country. You may contact the Obama Administration here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

The full letter from Archbishop Dolan is available below: (as found on the USCCB website)

During the three day conference, faithful Catholics from throughout the Diocese who remain involved in some form of liturgical or catechetical ministry were invited to learn about the ways in which their ministry would be affected by the approaching changes to the Mass.

One of the main presenters of OLC 2011 was Reverend Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin and St. Aloysius Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. We were very blessed and fortunate to have World Library Publications sponsor Fr. Paul for the conference this year as he gave all of us some valuable insights into the new translation. During his talks, Fr. Paul discussed various methods of catechesis for the upcoming changes to people’s Mass parts.

• Pastors should begin mentioning the forthcoming changes to the Mass during the homily so that members of the parish who are oblivious about the new translation of the Roman Missal can become informed.
• Diocesan officials should begin preparing bulletin inserts for the parishes within their regions in an effort to explain the reasoning for the changes. (To be honest, if this hasn’t been done yet, we’re in trouble.)
• Parishes should provide Catholics with valuable and insightful links to websites and other online multimedia to assist in the preparation.
• In order to be somewhat prepared by the First Sunday of Advent, parish music ministries should begin teaching the new musical settings to parishioners several weeks before. (This should have been taking place weeks ago, in my opinion.)

Throughout his sessions, Fr. Paul also made it a point to make the conference a catechetical opportunity. As many of us within the Catholic blogosphere have been learning over the last several months, the changes to the Mass parts are pretty extensive. Here are some of the examples Fr. Paul mentioned (these include scripture verses):

• “And also with you” to “And with your spirit”—Galatians 6:18 ; Philippians 4:23 ; 2 Timothy 4:22
• Introductory Rites: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”—2 Corinthians 13:13

Additions to the Third Edition of the Roman Missal include:

• Proclamations for Christmas and Epiphany
• Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life
• Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest
• Mass of Our Lady, Queen of Apostles

What has been removed from the new translation of the Missal?

• “Masses and Prayers For Various Public Needs”—heading is being removed, the Masses and prayers will still be found in Missal under a different heading.
• Blessing of Oil and Consecrating the Chrism—this will be found in a yet-to-be-published Chrism Mass supplemental book.
• Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children—these, too, will be published separately.

What is being relocated within the Missal?

• Blessing of water and Sprinkling Rite will be moved from the Order of Mass to the Appendix. (Priests, unfortunately that means y’all will have to do a little searching.)

Some of the terminology changes within the Missal include:

• “Song” becomes “Chant”—that does not mean everything must be chanted, it is just a word.
• “Opening Prayer” becomes “Collect”
• “Lector” becomes “Reader”—Lectors is now reserved for those in preparation for the priesthood and/or diaconate
• “Season” becomes “Time”
• “Prayer of the Faithful” becomes “Universal Prayer”
• “Easter Triduum” becomes “Sacred Paschal Triduum”

The key point stressed by Fr. Paul Turner within each of his sessions was the need to offer catechesis to every Catholic who attends the liturgy. If done properly and pastorally, this time of change will become an opportunity to grow in love and appreciation for the Eucharistic celebration.

The attendees of the Orlando Liturgical Conference were also blessed to receive insights from Fr. Paul Colloton, who emphasized the importance of chanting the various parts of the Mass. During “Take a Chance on the Chants of the Roman Missal,” Fr. Colloton pointed out that the new translation of the Roman Missal makes singing the Eucharistic Prayers much easier by having the notations within the body of the missal. The priest singing the parts of the Mass encourages full participation by all those present and preserves the tradition of unaccompanied singing within the liturgy.

The emphasis of Fr. Colloton was to encourage all those involved with preparing the liturgy to consider singing the new or changing parts of the Mass. Singing these parts will be beneficial to the faithful within the congregation, he points out, and will assist them in learning the changes to their spoken parts. Fr. Paul suggests that priests should chant the Sign of the Cross on the First Sunday of Advent 2011 in order to send a signal to the people that something is changing.

Another key-note speaker during this year’s OLC was Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman. (For those of you who were following me on Twitter during the conference, the tweets from her session most always included “Sr. JAZ.”) Within her General Session on Saturday morning, Sister discussed some of the pastoral challenges associated with the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal.

Sr. JAZ opened her key-note by discussing holiness in its most basic understanding which comes to us from the scriptures. We are all invited to be holy: “For I am the LORD your God . . . be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45) Based upon that invitation, we are called to imitate the Lord because “imitation is the sincerest form of worship.” Therefore, “if we hear this new translation out of who we are and we live the liturgy, our world will be very different.” We should start asking ourselves, “How did I envelope others with God’s holiness?”

One of the main challenges to understanding our own holiness is the presence and realization of sin in our lives. Often times, Sr. JAZ remarked, we believe we are unworthy to be given anything from the Father. Referring to the changes in the Confiteor of the new translation, Sister stressed the prayer is not one of condemnation for our sinfulness; rather, the Confiteor is a prayer that acknowledges our holiness. When we remind ourselves that we are made in the image of God and are thus imitators of God, we can grow in holiness and love for God.

The Eucharist should be a time of great spiritual renewal for all of us. As Sr. Joyce Ann stated: “The climax of the entire Eucharist happens in the Eucharistic Prayer when, just like the bread and wine, we are transformed.” Because of this fact, the language of the liturgy should be unique so that we may be drawn into the mystery of who we are as Catholics and as followers of Christ.

Throughout the conference, various breakout sessions were offered for those interested in learning more about the effects of the new translation on their particular ministries. Most affected by all of this will be those involved in music ministries. As mentioned previously, all of the music has to be changed in order to reflect the new language of the liturgy. As a member of the choir at my parish, I have been reviewing new mass settings for quite some time. For the last month and a half, our parish choir has been preparing for the new Mass during our weekly choir rehearsals. This upcoming weekend, we will introduce the new Holy (Mass of Renewal, OCP) and, in three weeks time, the new Glory (Mass of Renewal, OCP).

One of the most challenging aspects of the new translation will be assisting those individuals who are not Catholic who attend weddings and funerals with the changes to the liturgy. Also, what about those individuals who only attend Mass on Christmas and Easter–will these new changes draw them closer to the Church or drive them farther away? Furthermore, what about the pastoral implications for those who minister to the sick?

These are all questions that many within the Church have raised over the last several months. It is crucial that every priest, religious, lay minister, ordinary Mass-goer, and Catholic school teacher be well-versed in communicating a few of the changes to the language of the liturgy. If we all play our part, we can make the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal an opportunity for growth and renewal.

Over the next several weeks, I will be reviewing materials from a variety of Catholic publishing companies in an effort to highlight what is being offered to assist all of us with these changes in the Mass. If you have any suggestions about a product that should be reviewed, please send me an email (tom@thomaspringle.com) or leave a comment below. I will take any suggestion. Additionally, if there is anyone who has connections with Catholic publishers who would like to submit materials for review, please contact me.

As I have stated countless times over the last several months, we are all in this together. Some of the changes are a little hard to embrace; I’ll be the first to admit that. However, if we walk this journey together and approach it with an open mind and an open heart, we can grow in our love for the Eucharist and in our understanding of the faith.

Today, we, as a nation, have paused to remember the most devastating terrorist attacks on the United States. Ten years ago today, we all remember where we were when news of the attacks reached us. We will all remember those devastating pictures of airplanes being flown into the towers of the World Trade Center, the explosion at the Pentagon, as well as the extraordinary acts of heroism from ordinary citizens on United 93 and from the first responders in New York and Washington.

On September 11, 2001, I was in the second month of 8th grade. As we were sitting in Pre-Algebra class reviewing our previous night’s homework, the P.E. coach walked into the room and asked the teacher to step out into the hallway. When our teacher came back in, he immediately turned the television on and told us that two airplanes had apparently been hijacked and flown into the World Trade Centers. As we saw the WTC towers burning, ABC News went to a picture of the Pentagon and we began to try to understand what was happening.

As the morning went on and classes changed, every middle school teacher had the television on in their classrooms. During that time, we all witnessed individuals jumping from buildings, escaping a living hell. At that point, it became too much for most of us.

September 11, 2001 changed the United States and the rest of the world. No longer did we view acts of terrorism as a simple crime; we now view terrorism as an act of war. The manner in which we go about our daily lives has changed as well. No longer do we believe in the notion of invincibility in America. The U.S. is increasingly vulnerable to future terrorist attacks and we will be forever vigilant.

Many may ask, doesn’t that mean the terrorists have won in a sense? To be perfectly honest, the terrorists HAVE won a partial victory in the War on Terror because our way of life has changed drastically as a result of the events of that day. However, even though they may have won a battle, the terrorists will never win the war because the American spirit and our unending pursuit of freedom will continue forever!

As we go about this day, let us remember those innocent civilians who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania. Let us also remember the men and women who responded to the scenes, who risked their own lives to save others. We also remember the men and women who continue to spread the cause of freedom abroad.

As we remember the somber events of this day ten years ago, let us be unified in our unending defense of freedom and unshaken in our resolve to bring the love of Christ to all. After all, it will be love that brings an end to acts of hate and violence throughout the world.

Special thank you to all who nominated the blog for this year’s awards!! All of you, readers new and old, are greatly appreciated!

Diocese of Orlando

Bishop John Noonan and the Diocese of Orlando have announced the following round of appointments:

Effective August 1, 2011:

• Rev. Longin Buhake is appointed as Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy

Effective August 9, 2011:

• Father Jesus Arroyave is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Ann Catholic Church in Haines City
• Father Juan Daniel Petrino is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Orlando

Effective August 20, 2011:

• Father Eugeiusz Grytner, SDS is appointed Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Bartow

Effective September 1, 2011:

• Father Jean Aland, CICM is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Titusville
• Father Augusto Cadavid is appointed Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont and will tend to the Spanish community of Santo Toribio Romo Mission
• Father Ralph Duwell is appointed parochial administrator of Nativity Catholic Church in Longwood
• Father John Kudiyiruppil, M.S.T. is appointed Parochial Vicar of Nativity Catholic Church in Longwood

In August 2010, Pope Benedict–who is expected to be in Madrid on Thursday–sent the following message to all the faithful planning to be in attendance for (or planning to follow) this year’s WYD events:

Dear Friends,

I often think back on the World Youth Day held in Sydney in 2008. There we had an experience of a great festival of faith in which the Spirit of God was actively at work, building deep communion among the participants who had come from all over the world. That gathering, like those on previous occasions, bore rich fruit in the lives of many young people and in the life of the whole Church. Now we are looking forward to the next World Youth Day, to be held in Madrid in August 2011. Back in 1989, several months before the historic fall of the Berlin Wall, this pilgrimage of young people halted in Spain, in Santiago de Compostela. Now, at a time when Europe greatly needs to rediscover its Christian roots, our meeting will take place in Madrid with the theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). I encourage you to take part in this event, which is so important for the Church in Europe and for the universal Church. I would like all young people – those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, but also those who are wavering or uncertain, or who do not believe in him – to share this experience, which can prove decisive for their lives. It is an experience of the Lord Jesus, risen and alive, and of his love for each of us.

1. At the source of your deepest aspirations

In every period of history, including our own, many young people experience a deep desire for personal relationships marked by truth and solidarity. Many of them yearn to build authentic friendships, to know true love, to start a family that will remain united, to achieve personal fulfilment and real security, all of which are the guarantee of a serene and happy future. In thinking of my own youth, I realize that stability and security are not the questions that most occupy the minds of young people. True enough, it is important to have a job and thus to have firm ground beneath our feet, yet the years of our youth are also a time when we are seeking to get the most out of life. When I think back on that time, I remember above all that we were not willing to settle for a conventional middle-class life. We wanted something great, something new. We wanted to discover life itself, in all its grandeur and beauty. Naturally, part of that was due to the times we lived in. During the Nazi dictatorship and the war, we were, so to speak, “hemmed in” by the dominant power structure. So we wanted to break out into the open, to experience the whole range of human possibilities. I think that, to some extent, this urge to break out of the ordinary is present in every generation. Part of being young is desiring something beyond everyday life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater. Is this simply an empty dream that fades away as we become older? No! Men and women were created for something great, for infinity. Nothing else will ever be enough. Saint Augustine was right when he said “our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you”. The desire for a more meaningful life is a sign that God created us and that we bear his “imprint”. God is life, and that is why every creature reaches out towards life. Because human beings are made in the image of God, we do this in a unique and special way. We reach out for love, joy and peace. So we can see how absurd it is to think that we can truly live by removing God from the picture! God is the source of life. To set God aside is to separate ourselves from that source and, inevitably, to deprive ourselves of fulfilment and joy: “without the Creator, the creature fades into nothingness” (Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, 36). In some parts of the world, particularly in the West, today’s culture tends to exclude God, and to consider faith a purely private issue with no relevance for the life of society. Even though the set of values underpinning society comes from the Gospel – values like the sense of the dignity of the person, of solidarity, of work and of the family –, we see a certain “eclipse of God” taking place, a kind of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity.

For this reason, dear friends, I encourage you to strengthen your faith in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are the future of society and of the Church! As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Colossae, it is vital to have roots, a solid foundation! This is particularly true today. Many people have no stable points of reference on which to build their lives, and so they end up deeply insecure. There is a growing mentality of relativism, which holds that everything is equally valid, that truth and absolute points of reference do not exist. But this way of thinking does not lead to true freedom, but rather to instability, confusion and blind conformity to the fads of the moment. As young people, you are entitled to receive from previous generations solid points of reference to help you to make choices and on which to build your lives: like a young plant which needs solid support until it can sink deep roots and become a sturdy tree capable of bearing fruit.

2. Planted and built up in Jesus Christ

In order to highlight the importance of faith in the lives of believers, I would like to reflect with you on each of the three terms used by Saint Paul in the expression: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). We can distinguish three images: “planted” calls to mind a tree and the roots that feed it; “built up” refers to the construction of a house; “firm” indicates growth in physical or moral strength. These images are very eloquent. Before commenting on them, I would like to point out that grammatically all three terms in the original text are in the passive voice. This means that it is Christ himself who takes the initiative to plant, build up and confirm the faithful.

The first image is that of a tree which is firmly planted thanks to its roots, which keep it upright and give it nourishment. Without those roots, it would be blown away by the wind and would die. What are our roots? Naturally our parents, our families and the culture of our country are very important elements of our personal identity. But the Bible reveals a further element. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jer 17:7-8). For the prophet, to send out roots means to put one’s trust in God. From him we draw our life. Without him, we cannot truly live. “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 Jn 5:11). Jesus himself tells us that he is our life (cf. Jn 14:6). Consequently, Christian faith is not only a matter of believing that certain things are true, but above all a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an encounter with the Son of God that gives new energy to the whole of our existence. When we enter into a personal relationship with him, Christ reveals our true identity and, in friendship with him, our life grows towards complete fulfilment. There is a moment, when we are young, when each of us wonders: what meaning does my life have? What purpose and direction should I give to it? This is a very important moment, and it can worry us, perhaps for some time. We start wondering about the kind of work we should take up, the kind of relationships we should establish, the friendships we should cultivate… Here, once more, I think of my own youth. I was somehow aware quite early on that the Lord wanted me to be a priest. Then later, after the war, when I was in the seminary and at university on the way towards that goal, I had to recapture that certainty. I had to ask myself: is this really the path I was meant to take? Is this really God’s will for me? Will I be able to remain faithful to him and completely at his service? A decision like this demands a certain struggle. It cannot be otherwise. But then came the certainty: this is the right thing! Yes, the Lord wants me, and he will give me strength. If I listen to him and walk with him, I become truly myself. What counts is not the fulfilment of my desires, but of his will. In this way life becomes authentic.

Just as the roots of a tree keep it firmly planted in the soil, so the foundations of a house give it long-lasting stability. Through faith, we have been built up in Jesus Christ (cfr Col 2:7), even as a house is built on its foundations. Sacred history provides many examples of saints who built their lives on the word of God. The first is Abraham, our father in faith, who obeyed God when he was asked to leave his ancestral home and to set out for an unknown land. “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God” (Jas 2:23). Being built up in Jesus Christ means responding positively to God’s call, trusting in him and putting his word into practice. Jesus himself reprimanded his disciples: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I tell you?” (Lk 6:46). He went on to use the image of building a house: “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built” (Lk 6:47-48).

Dear friends, build your own house on rock, just like the person who “dug deeply”. Try each day to follow Christ’s word. Listen to him as a true friend with whom you can share your path in life. With him at your side, you will find courage and hope to face difficulties and problems, and even to overcome disappointments and set-backs. You are constantly being offered easier choices, but you yourselves know that these are ultimately deceptive and cannot bring you serenity and joy. Only the word of God can show us the authentic way, and only the faith we have received is the light which shines on our path. Gratefully accept this spiritual gift which you have received from your families; strive to respond responsibly to God’s call, and to grow in your faith. Do not believe those who tell you that you don’t need others to build up your life! Find support in the faith of those who are dear to you, in the faith of the Church, and thank the Lord that you have received it and have made it your own!

3. Firm in the faith

You are “planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). The Letter from which these words are taken was written by Saint Paul in order to respond to a specific need of the Christians in the city of Colossae. That community was threatened by the influence of certain cultural trends that were turning the faithful away from the Gospel. Our own cultural context, dear young people, is not unlike that of the ancient Colossians. Indeed, there is a strong current of secularist thought that aims to make God marginal in the lives of people and society by proposing and attempting to create a “paradise” without him. Yet experience tells us that a world without God becomes a “hell”: filled with selfishness, broken families, hatred between individuals and nations, and a great deficit of love, joy and hope. On the other hand, wherever individuals and nations accept God’s presence, worship him in truth and listen to his voice, then the civilization of love is being built, a civilization in which the dignity of all is respected, and communion increases, with all its benefits. Yet some Christians allow themselves to be seduced by secularism or attracted by religious currents that draw them away from faith in Jesus Christ. There are others who, while not yielding to these enticements, have simply allowed their faith to grow cold, with inevitable negative effects on their moral lives.

To those Christians influenced by ideas alien to the Gospel the Apostle Paul spoke of the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. This mystery is the foundation of our lives and the centre of Christian faith. All philosophies that disregard it and consider it “foolishness” (1 Cor 1:23) reveal their limitations with respect to the great questions deep in the hearts of human beings. As the Successor of the Apostle Peter, I too want to confirm you in the faith (cf. Lk 22:32). We firmly believe that Jesus Christ offered himself on the Cross in order to give us his love. In his passion, he bore our sufferings, took upon himself our sins, obtained forgiveness for us and reconciled us with God the Father, opening for us the way to eternal life. Thus we were freed from the thing that most encumbers our lives: the slavery of sin. We can love everyone, even our enemies, and we can share this love with the poorest of our brothers and sisters and all those in difficulty.

Dear friends, the Cross often frightens us because it seems to be a denial of life. In fact, the opposite is true! It is God’s “yes” to mankind, the supreme expression of his love and the source from which eternal life flows. Indeed, it is from Jesus’ heart, pierced on the Cross, that this divine life streamed forth, ever accessible to those who raise their eyes towards the Crucified One. I can only urge you, then, to embrace the Cross of Jesus, the sign of God’s love, as the source of new life. Apart from Jesus Christ risen from the dead, there can be no salvation! He alone can free the world from evil and bring about the growth of the Kingdom of justice, peace and love to which we all aspire.

4. Believing in Jesus Christ without having seen him

In the Gospel we find a description of the Apostle Thomas’s experience of faith when he accepted the mystery of the Cross and resurrection of Christ. Thomas was one of the twelve Apostles. He followed Jesus and was an eyewitness of his healings and miracles. He listened to his words, and he experienced dismay at Jesus’ death. That Easter evening when the Lord appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present. When he was told that Jesus was alive and had shown himself, Thomas stated: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25).

We too want to be able to see Jesus, to speak with him and to feel his presence even more powerfully. For many people today, it has become difficult to approach Jesus. There are so many images of Jesus in circulation which, while claiming to be scientific, detract from his greatness and the uniqueness of his person. That is why, after many years of study and reflection, I thought of sharing something of my own personal encounter with Jesus by writing a book. It was a way to help others see, hear and touch the Lord in whom God came to us in order to make himself known. Jesus himself, when he appeared again to his disciples a week later, said to Thomas: “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe” (Jn 20:27). We too can have tangible contact with Jesus and put our hand, so to speak, upon the signs of his Passion, the signs of his love. It is in the sacraments that he draws particularly near to us and gives himself to us. Dear young people, learn to “see” and to “meet” Jesus in the Eucharist, where he is present and close to us, and even becomes food for our journey. In the sacrament of Penance the Lord reveals his mercy and always grants us his forgiveness. Recognize and serve Jesus in the poor, the sick, and in our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and in need of help.

Enter into a personal dialogue with Jesus Christ and cultivate it in faith. Get to know him better by reading the Gospels and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Converse with him in prayer, and place your trust in him. He will never betray that trust! “Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God. At the same time, and inseparably, it is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 150). Thus you will acquire a mature and solid faith, one which will not be based simply on religious sentiment or on a vague memory of the catechism you studied as a child. You will come to know God and to live authentically in union with him, like the Apostle Thomas who showed his firm faith in Jesus in the words: “My Lord and my God!”.

5. Sustained by the faith of the Church, in order to be witnesses

Jesus said to Thomas: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (Jn 20:29). He was thinking of the path the Church was to follow, based on the faith of eyewitnesses: the Apostles. Thus we come to see that our personal faith in Christ, which comes into being through dialogue with him, is bound to the faith of the Church. We do not believe as isolated individuals, but rather, through Baptism, we are members of this great family; it is the faith professed by the Church which reinforces our personal faith. The Creed that we proclaim at Sunday Mass protects us from the danger of believing in a God other than the one revealed by Christ: “Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 166). Let us always thank the Lord for the gift of the Church, for the Church helps us to advance securely in the faith that gives us true life (cf. Jn 20:31).

In the history of the Church, the saints and the martyrs have always drawn from the glorious Cross of Christ the strength to be faithful to God even to the point of offering their own lives. In faith they found the strength to overcome their weaknesses and to prevail over every adversity. Indeed, as the Apostle John says, “Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 Jn 5:5). The victory born of faith is that of love. There have been, and still are, many Christians who are living witnesses of the power of faith that is expressed in charity. They have been peacemakers, promoters of justice and workers for a more humane world, a world in accordance with God’s plan. With competence and professionalism, they have been committed in different sectors of the life of society, contributing effectively to the welfare of all. The charity that comes from faith led them to offer concrete witness by their actions and words. Christ is not a treasure meant for us alone; he is the most precious treasure we have, one that is meant to be shared with others. In our age of globalization, be witnesses of Christian hope all over the world. How many people long to receive this hope! Standing before the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, as he was about to call the dead man back to life, Jesus said to Lazarus’ sister Martha: “If you believe, you will see the glory of God” (cf. Jn 11:40). In the same way, if you believe, and if you are able to live out your faith and bear witness to it every day, you will become a means of helping other young people like yourselves to find the meaning and joy of life, which is born of an encounter with Christ!

6. On the way to World Youth Day in Madrid

Dear friends, once again I invite you to attend World Youth Day in Madrid. I await each of you with great joy. Jesus Christ wishes to make you firm in faith through the Church. The decision to believe in Jesus Christ and to follow him is not an easy one. It is hindered by our personal failures and by the many voices that point us towards easier paths. Do not be discouraged. Rather, look for the support of the Christian community, the support of the Church! Throughout this year, carefully prepare for the meeting in Madrid with the bishops, priests and youth leaders in your dioceses, parish communities, associations and movements. The quality of our meeting will depend above all on our spiritual preparation, our prayer, our common hearing of the word of God and our mutual support.

Dear young people, the Church depends on you! She needs your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God. The Church in Spain is actively preparing to welcome you and to share this joyful experience of faith with you. I thank the dioceses, parishes, shrines, religious communities, ecclesial associations and movements, and all who are hard at work in preparing for this event. The Lord will not fail to grant them his blessings. May the Virgin Mary accompany you along this path of preparation. At the message of the angel, she received God’s word with faith. It was in faith that she consented to what God was accomplishing in her. By proclaiming her “fiat”, her “yes”, she received the gift of immense charity which led her to give herself entirely to God. May she intercede for each one of you so that, in the coming World Youth Day you may grow in faith and love. I assure you of a paternal remembrance in my prayers and I give you my heartfelt blessing.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

For all those who are attending this year’s events, may it be a time of great excitement and hope as you experience the global church. My prayer is that many vocations to the priesthood and religious life emerge as a result of World Youth Day Madrid.

JMJ