You are invited by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., to join him and the San Antonio community in this special pilgrimage to Mission Concepción during the Lenten Season in this Year of Faith. Bring your family, children, friends, neighbors and fellow parishioners - all are welcome!
Saturday, March 2
9:30am – 1:00pm
For details, preparation information, prayer and maps, go to http://www.pilgrimcenterofhope.org/YOF_Pilgrimage2013.php.
What is an authentic Pilgrimage?
Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox just returned from a Pilgrimage to Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo, and Rome! Join us on Catholicism Live! as they share their experience and the importance of pilgrimages for our faith. What separates a pilgrimage from a vacation…prayer, or something more?
South Texans can tune into TV (Time Warner Cable channel 15) or Radio (89.7 FM) – and anyone can listen online by clicking the LISTEN LIVE button on CatholicismLive.com from 8pm – 9pm Central Time!
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There was in the city of Rome a girl named Cecilia, who was given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth next to her skin, and fasted, and invoked the saints and angels and virgins, beseeching them to guard her virginity. And she said to her husband, “I will tell you a secret if you will swear not to reveal it to anyone.” And when he swore, she added, “There is an angel who watches me, and wards off from me any who would touch me.” He said, “Dearest, if this be true, show me the angel.” “That can only be if you will believe in one God, and be baptized.”
She sent him to Pope S. Urban (223-230), who baptized him; and when he returned, he saw Cecilia praying in her chamber, and an angel by her with flaming wings, holding two crowns of roses and lilies, which he placed on their heads, and then vanished. Shortly after, Tibertius, the brother of Valerian, entered, and wondered at the fragrance and beauty of the flowers at that season of the year.
When he heard the story of how they had obtained these crowns, he also consented to be baptized. After their baptism the two brothers devoted themselves to burying the martyrs slain daily. They were arrested and brought before the prefect, and when they refused to sacrifice to the gods were executed with the sword.
In the meantime, S. Cecilia, by preaching had converted four hundred persons, whom Pope Urban forthwith baptized. Then Cecilia was arrested, and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. She was shut in for a night and a day, and the fires were heaped up, and made to glow and roar their utmost, but Cecilia did not even break out into perspiration through the heat. When Almachius heard this he sent an executioner to cut off her head in the bath. The man struck thrice without being able to sever the head from the trunk. He left her bleeding, and she lived three days. Crowds came to her, and collected her blood with napkins and sponges, whilst she preached to them or prayed. At the end of that period she died, and was buried by Pope Urban and his deacons.
Alexander Severus, who was emperor when Urban was Pope, did notSt. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music [because of the story that she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married], and is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her hand.
The Pearl of the Week is a resource, recommended to you – so that you can more deeply understand and hold our Faith, which is great treasure
This week, we invite you to visit our Pilgrimage Page to learn more about upcoming pilgrimages, and why pilgrimages are so important for the Church.
Imagine going to the Holy Land – seeing the places where Jesus lived, walked, and taught. Now, imagine experiencing the Holy Land BLIND! What would that be like?
Tonight our guest is Fr. Patrick Martin, the third blind man to be ordained a Catholic priest in the USA! He was spiritual director for our July 2012 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and he’s thrilled to speak about his experiences with you.
About our Guest: “Father Patrick Martin is an apostle, in touch with God – on fire with the Good News – in love with people. For him the handicap of blindness is a gift of God that makes him an extraordinary person of very special vision. His faith and ministry are a source of hope and consolation to all the handicapped that he serves in the Lord’s name and welcomes as very special brothers and sisters.” – Most Rev. Daniel P. Reilly, Bishop of Norwich, Connecticut
South Texans can tune their radio to 89.7 FM – and anyone can listen online by clicking the LISTEN LIVE button on CatholicismLive.com from 8pm – 9pm Central Time!
Note: This program will NOT air on Catholic Television of San Antonio, due to their summer hiatus.
Submit questions / comments using the form on CatholicismLive.com or call during the program: (210) 734-5371
More information related to this episode of Catholicism Live!:
Saint of the Week: St. Camillus of LellisSt. Camillus de Lellis was born at Bocchianico, Italy. His mother, Camilla Compelli de Laureto, was nearly sixty when she gave birth to him. His father was an officer in both the Neapolitan and French royal armies and was seldom home. De Lellis had his father’s hot temper and, due to her age and retiring nature, his mother felt unable to control him as he grew up. His mother died when Camillus was very young. He spent his youth as a soldier, fighting for the Venetians against the Turks, and then for Naples. Reported as a large individual, perhaps as tall as 6’6″ (2 metres), and powerfully built.
A Gamble of Faith
A gambling addict, he lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins. Despite his aggressive nature and excessive gambling, the guardian of the friary saw a better side to his nature, and continually tried to bring that out in him.[1] Eventually the friar’s exhortations penetrated his heart and he had a religious conversion in 1575. He then entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars. His leg wound, however, had continued to plague him and was declared incurable by the physicians, thus he was denied admission to that Order.
The Camellians
He went to Rome, Italy for medical treatment where Saint Philip Neri became his priest and confessor. He moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable, and eventually became its administrator. Lacking education, he began to study with children when he was 32 years old. He finally received permission from St. Philip Neri to be ordained and decided, with two companions, to found his own congregation, the Ministers of the Sick (the Camellians), dedicated to the care of the sick. They ministered to the sick of Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome, enlarged their facilities in 1585, founded a new house in Naples in 1588, and attended the plague-stricken aboard ships in Rome’s harbor and in Rome. The Order expanded with houses in several countries. Camillus honored the sick as living images of Christ, and hoped that the service he gave them did penance for his wayward youth. He was reported to have the gifts of miraculous healing and prophecy.
In 1591, the Congregation was made into an order to serve the sick by Pope Gregory XIV, and in 1591 and 1605, Camillus sent members of his order to minister to wounded troops in Hungary and Croatia, the first field medical unit. Gravely ill for many years, he resigned as superior of the Order in 1607 and died in Rome on July 14, the year after he attended a General Chapter there.
He was canonized in 1746, was declared patron of the sick, with St. John of God, by Pope Leo XIII, and patron of nurses and nursing groups by Pope Pius XI.
The mere sight of the sick was enough to soften and melt his heart and make him utterly forget all the pleasures, enticements, and interests of this world. When he was taking care of his parents, he seemed to spend and exhaust himself completely, so great was his devotion and compassion. He would have loved to take upon himself all their illness, their every affliction, could he but ease their pain and relieve their weakness. In the sick he saw the person of Christ. His reverence in their presence was as a great as if he were really and truly in the presence of his Lord. To enkindle the enthusiasm of his religious brothers for this all-important virtue, he used to impress upon them the consoling words of Jesus Christ: “I was sick and you visited me.” He seemed to have these words truly graven on his heart, so often did he say them over and over again. Great and all-embracing was Camillus’ charity. Not only the sick and dying, but every other needy or suffering human being found shelter in his deep and kind concern. (from a biography of Saint Camillus by a contemporary)
St. Camillus of Lellis, pray for us, that we would have the courage to rise above our impediments to serve God & neighbor with love.
Pearl of the Week: Sacred Sites – Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (by Webster T. Patterson)The Pearl of the Week is a resource, recommended to you – so that you can more deeply understand and hold our Faith, which is great treasure.
Sacred Sites explores the history and archaeology of authentic and significant biblical locations in the context of sound scriptural and theological scholarship. Intended as much for the armchair traveler as for visitors to the Holy Land, its unique gift is to bring the scriptural passages to life.
Rather than simply referring the reader to Biblical chapter and verse, Patterson provides the full scriptural text with a matching visual. For those who have already visited the area, this book can help them relive the experience of a lifetime. For others it can serve as a vicarious pilgrimage.
Includes:
Purchase this book from Paulist Press online or call 800-218-1903. (Paperback, $18.95, 145 pages)
By Deacon Gene Townshend
Our group of 30 or so was gathering at Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox’s Pilgrim Center of Hope, near Culebra and Loop 410. It was the first of three meetings. We were looking forward to the trip of a lifetime. In her calm, spirited manner Mary Jane corrected us: “We are not going on a tour of the Holy Land. We are going on a pilgrimage,” she said.
‘What’s the difference?’ I asked myself.
Mary Jane explained that on a pilgrimage, one experiences the Holy Land sites as a pilgrim in faith. We were to prepare months in advance. We were asked to read various Gospel accounts. We were to spend time in prayer and reflection. The meetings such as we attended that day were to do more than just answer questions; we were meeting to build community – a community of faith. When we finally reached the Holy Land, we would be united in not only friendship, but also faith.
Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox head up the Pilgrim Center of Hope. This is a Catholic evangelization center. It is an apostolate of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Center evangelizes Catholics through annual conferences, evangelization outreach, Catholic TV and radio media, parish presentations, conducting days of spiritual renewal—and leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
Deacon Tom and Mary Jane began their evangelization apostolate more than 20 years ago. They knocked on doors in their neighborhood, reaching out to fallen-away Catholics, encouraging and preparing them to return to their faith.
I was struck how Deacon Tom and Mary Jane are united in purpose and vision. During our first meetings, St. Paul’s teaching about marriage came to mind. St. Paul tells us in Corinthians that we must be equally-yoked in marriage. He was referring to marriage with unbelievers.
However, the thought applies to all marriage relationships. Deacon Tom and Mary Jane are equally yoked. They speak with one voice. Their shared vision for ministry and evangelization inspired all of us preparing for this journey of faith. Over a 20 year period, the couple has led 41 pilgrimages to the Holy Land. They have established excellent contacts at the various sites. They have outstanding local guides and bus drivers on-site. They believe we should support the Christian businesses and organizations, since so many are having difficulties making a go of it. Therefore, our meals and sleeping accommodations were booked in places owned and administered by Christians.
Since we were going on a pilgrimage, not a tour, we were invited to stay in special pilgrimage centers while in the Holy Land.
Finally, the time came to depart San Antonio. Our flights took us to Atlanta, then an 11 hour from JFK to Tel Aviv, Israel. Before departure, each of us was given a pilgrimage booklet that contained all the Mass readings during our pilgrimage, extensive background information on all the sites to be visited, and a detailed itinerary interwoven among all the material.
Msgr. Kevin Ryan, pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist parish, served as spiritual director. He also presided over all the Masses. Deacon Tom said that since he had served the Masses at the Holy Land sites numerous times, I was invited to serve as Deacon at all the Masses on this pilgrimage. This was a true honor and privilege.
A question to us Catholics: What is the high point of our worship? It is the Mass. This pilgrimage arranged for our group to experience Masses at the following holy sites:
If I had to note one of these places that most affected me, it would be the Mass we had in the Holy Sepulcher. This was also my wife, Jeannie’s high point.
People living there say that the Holy Land is the 5th Gospel. We all read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We conjure up some image of the places when we read or listen to the readings. When you visit the Holy Land, the other Gospels come alive with context and meaning when read. For example, we all know about the Sermon on the Mount. As pilgrims, we lodged on the Mount of the Beatitudes. We read the scripture while standing where Christ stood, overlooking the beautiful Sea of Galilee, where He gave this amazing sermon.
We visited numerous other places and holy sites. Our group had a little more than an hour for private prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. We looked down from mid-way on the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, across to the walled gate through which Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem, as described in our Gospel accounts for Palm Sunday.
One important item not mentioned in the Gospel accounts is what happened to Jesus after he was betrayed by Judas in Gethsemane. He was held in a dungeon like place in Caiaphas’ residence, then turned over to be scourged, tried, and crucified. We visited and prayed in that dungeon.
Jeannie and I are processing all this, and I am sure we will for months, and even years to come. Our group of pilgrims, who experienced these holy sites, will never read the Gospels in the same way. Now, whenever we read them, we will have the pictures of these places forever notched in our minds.
Do I recommend visiting the Holy Land? People have asked me that. I believe the question should be, ‘Am I called to visit the Holy Land?’ We all know it is there. We all know about Fatima and Lourdes and Rome and other important places to our Catholic faith.
I believe that when we are called to go, we should answer that call. Jeannie and I were called to visit the Holy Land more than 20 years ago, but circumstances intervened, preventing us from going until recently. That is how I see the question of visiting the Holy Land. It comes down to a personal matter whether or not called, and then, when to answer that calling.
When you plan a visit to the Holy Land, I do recommend that you go on a pilgrimage, not a tour. There are important distinctions between the two. On a pilgrimage, you are prepared and immersed spiritually before and while visiting the holy places. You lodge in special places reserved for pilgrims. These and other reason mitigate, in my opinion, for going on a pilgrimage, and not a tour of the Holy Land. Deacon and Mary Jane Fox generally lead two such pilgrimages a year.
Based on my personal experience, I am most happy to recommend their pilgrimage. You can contact them at The Pilgrim Center of Hope.
Deacon Tom and Mary Jane really do it right. The 32 pilgrims who made this pilgrimage with them and their team in the Holy Land, agree. Most said it was a life-changing experience. For my wife Jeannie and me, it significantly deepened an already deep faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Because of this pilgrimage, we now know Him, rather than just know about Him.
Gene Townshend is a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, serving at St. Pius X Catholic parish in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife made their pilgrimage to the Holy Land with The Pilgrim Center of Hope in January/February of 2012. Learn more about The Pilgrim Center of Hope’s unique Ministry of Pilgrimages.
By Deacon Gene Townshend
It was an extraordinary sight.
My wife and I were on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, joined by 30 others from the San Antonio area. While in Jerusalem, our group was invited to hear two people speak. When they appeared in the conference room in the Knight’s Palace, the hotel in which we were staying, Rami Elhanan, an Israeli Jewish man, appears and embraces an attractive woman. Her head is covered in traditional Muslim fashion. Rami is a veteran of the Israeli Army, having fought bravely in the Six Day War of 1967.
'Brother and sister' - Rami and Moira
The woman’s name is Moira Jilani. Rami calls her ‘my sister’ because they are united in a common cause for peace. Moira lives within the Palestinian enclave near Bethlehem. Formerly, she lived in Texas. Moira had fallen in love with her husband, a Palestinian, while they both attended college in South Texas. After marriage, she followed her heart and husband to the Palestinian area near Bethlehem, and ultimately embraced the Muslim faith.
Pain and conflict bound both Rami and Moira into a common destiny.
Rami lost his teenage daughter, the joy of his life, to a Palestinian suicide bomber. He said the pain was beyond understanding. Rami descended into a cycle of hatred, despair, and loss of hope. Then, little by little, he realized that these poisonous thoughts were ruining his life. He searched for answers.
Moira also lost a loved one—her husband—to needless violence. He was returning one day from Jerusalem to the Palestinian side near Bethlehem. Some Israeli soldiers were tightening down security at the various check points. A scuffle broke out, and during the confusion, Moira’s husband accidentally hit the gas pedal of his car instead of remaining stopped. His car accidentally hit a few Israeli soldiers.
When he got out of the car, he was thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and in the confusion that ensued, was shot more than once. He died shortly thereafter. The details of why this happened are murky. However, Moira points out that in spite of her repeated requests, the results of the investigation were never given to her. Moira further notes that the best she can determine, the Israeli soldiers, hit by her husband’s car, were not seriously injured. She is seeking justice through the courts.
Moira was suddenly a widow. Her three daughters had no father, because he was killed by the Israeli soldiers.
Rami had lost his daughter, the light and joy of his life, to a suicide bomber. Pain and misery and providence finally brought them both into an organization called the Parents Circle Group.
(Left to right) CRS Jerusalem branch rep Hanan Nasrallah, Rami, Anna Alicia Chavez, and Moira.
It took a long time, but both Moira and Rami discovered a common bond of friendship that finally brought them both to a point of forgiveness. They even dare to hope for peace between the Jews and Palestinians. They now both visit groups on both sides of the wall that separates the West Bank from the people living in Israel. They tell their stories to anyone who will listen. They are hopeful that peace and justice will one day be the norm for the area. They hope that the wall will come down. They both believe that the hatred between the various groups in the area has existed long enough.
We met with Rami and Moira as a coordinated effort with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS states on its web site: “Catholic Relief Services has worked with local partners in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza for nearly half a century. Our projects aim to support peace with justice for all people in this troubled region, while responding to the humanitarian and sustainable development needs of Palestinians.
“The current crisis in the West Bank and Gaza is one of the worst humanitarian situations in the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It threatens not only the well-being of Palestinian civilians and the very poor, but also endangers prospects for a sustainable peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
“Four decades of occupation, expanding settlements, military operations, the Separation Wall, restrictions on the movement of people and goods, and general insecurity have devastated Palestinian society. Poverty rates are nearly 65 percent and food insecurity has risen 13 percent since 2006.”
Ana Alicia Chavez, a CRS representative from the San Antonio area, accompanied our tour, and helped coordinate meetings with CRS groups in the Holy Land.
The people living in the area have experienced war and turbulence for thousands of years. The Israelis are concerned for their safety and security, because they are surrounded by enemies on all sides. Because of Israel’s concerns for security, when visiting Bethlehem, the place of our Lord’s birth, one finds a high wall separating this area from the rest of Israel.
Americans are fairly ignorant about the Palestinian people and their situation. Moira pointed out that many people think Muslims all are terrorists, sitting around, making plans to launch suicide bombing attacks. She notes this just is not true. “People want to stereotype Muslims as all the same,” she said. Moira notes that in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank, Palestinian Muslims are not the only ones living there. Palestinian Christians also live in the area.
Palestinian Christians are subject to the same security arrangements as the Muslims. As a result of Israel’s security concerns, Palestinians traveling to Jerusalem find it difficult. Many have lost their jobs due to the difficulty of meeting all of the requirements for travel in the area. People also find it difficult to visit family members and friends on the other side of the wall.
CRS arranged two additional visits with Palestinian people and organizations. We visited a Women’s Solidarity Project site, also near Bethlehem. There, about 40 women gather and make various items for sale. Profits from these sales help them augment their income. Most of them make these items from home, allowing them to meet their other family responsibilities.
Another CRS-arranged visit included meeting with students at the Palestine Ahliya University. There, men and women students are preparing community action projects. Our group met with some of the students and shared topics of interest with them. I asked our group of three young Muslim women about their dating norms. Their heads were all appropriately covered in the Muslim tradition. The young woman who served as translator finished asking my question. The young women’s faces blushed. One woman said, “No dating. Marriage yes, but no dating.” I followed up, “How do you get to meet someone to marry?” The translator answered, saying that men and women meet at school, in the work place, and in other situations. This is the context in how men and women form their relationships—but, not by dating.
As we were planning to drive from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, we stopped by the wall separating the two sides. It is quite a sight. It reminded me of the Berlin Wall that I had seen while serving in the Air Force in Germany during the late 1980’s. The wall separating Bethlehem and Jerusalem is quite tall, and its walls are several inches thick.
I am not an activist. I don’t normally take a public stance. But, I took a black marker and wrote in an open space on the wall, “I will pray every day for peace and justice for the Palestine people.”
I also pray daily for the safety and security of the Israeli people.
Gene Townshend is a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, serving at St. Pius X Catholic parish in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife made their pilgrimage to the Holy Land with The Pilgrim Center of Hope in January/February of 2012. Learn more about The Pilgrim Center of Hope’s unique Ministry of Pilgrimages.
In a Catholic Palestinian church, a child to be baptized is presented to God. Taken during our Holy Land pilgrimage.
What is the Holy Land really like?
We answer your questions tonight by revealing more about the people who keep the Holy Land alive – who are called the “living stones.” Our guest Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Vice President of Catholic Relief Services’ U.S. Operations, will explain what the U.S. Bishops’ official relief agency is doing to bring about peace and justice in Jesus’ homeland…and how we can partake in their efforts.
Sounds interesting. How can I listen & participate in this program?
South Texans can tune into Time Warner Cable channel 15 or radio 89.7 FM – and anyone can listen online by clicking the LISTEN LIVE button on CatholicismLive.com from 8pm – 9pm Central Time!
Submit questions / comments using the form on CatholicismLive.com or call during the program: (210) 734-5371
More information related to this episode of Catholicism Live!:
Like St. Patrick, St. David’s story is fact elaborated by legend. Each year, the people of Wales celebrate St. David’s Day on March 1st. Here is what we more or less know about St. David…
He was a child of rape, born on a stormy night in Wales. As a boy, he was tutored by St. Paul Aurelian, a monk who later became a bishop. After becoming a priest, David would follow his tutor’s footsteps. He also lived as a monk, and – like St. Benedict – founded 12 monasteries of men living as manual laborers in poverty, prayer, and studying Scripture. They offered their monasteries as shelter for pilgrims and travelers, and cared for the local poor and needy. David himself ate a simple vegetarian diet and practiced penance. It’s reported that he would stand neck-high in a cold lake and recited Scripture!
While in one of his monasteries, David received a vision. He set out next day, with two monks, to Jerusalem to aid the Patriarch. While there, his preaching converted anti-Christians. Legend says that once while he was preaching, a dove descended to his shoulder to show he had the blessings of the Spirit, and that the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that he could be heard by them all. During this Holy Land pilgrimage, David was made a bishop by the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Returning to his homeland, David presided over two synods, one of which condemned Pelagianism – a heresy which denied the existence of original sin.
He died in 598. His final homily ended with these words: “Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.” ‘Do the little things’ (‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain’) is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many. He was canonized in 1120 by Pope Callistus II.
St. David, pray that we – like you – would be inspired to aid the Church in the Holy Land!
Pearl of the Week: “Blood Brothers” by Archbishop Elias Chacour (Book)As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But in 1948 and ’49 their idyllic lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million were forced into refugee camps. An exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the Jewish people and the world’s misunderstanding of his own people, the Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple, haunting words of the Man of Galilee: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” In Blood Brothers Chacour blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of modern Israel. He touches on controversial questions such as: What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East? What does Bible prophecy really have to say? Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled? In a world of tension and terror, this book offers hope and insight that can help each of us learn to live at peace.
You may purchase this book at your local bookstore, or for a $10 donation from The Pilgrim Center of Hope.
Thirty two pilgrims from San Antonio have recently returned from a 12 day journey to the Holy Land. It was a wonderful, powerful pilgrimage! Can you imagine touching the places of the Bible and kissing the places of our Lord’s birthplace, where He died on Calvary and the Tomb where He resurrected? Imagine carrying a large wooden cross on the Way of the Cross leading to Calvary? Consuming the Eucharist, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus at daily Mass? These among many, many other experiences were a part of the recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We also prayed the Rosary by Mary’s House in Nazareth and walked along the Sea of Galilee in prayer and in silence with the Lord were additional powerful experiences!
Not only did we kiss and touch the holy places pertaining to our Lord’s life; we embraced the “living stones”, the Christians of the Holy Land, they are the ones that keep the holy sites, (many of which are active parishes) alive with the Spirit of Christ! These “living stones” are also called the Mother Church, they are descendants of the early Church…the very first Christians! And many of the holy sites are active Catholic parishes. The pilgrims met the “living stones” by visiting with them, patronizing their restaurants, shops and worshiping with them on a Sunday Morning at a Mass in Arabic. This experience reminded us of the universality of our Church. We are all one in the family of Christ.
This pilgrimage was our 41st time to the Holy Land! And each visit is a ‘fresh’ one, a renewing one for us. Some ask us, “Don’t you ever get tired of going to the Holy Land?” Of course not! Because Christ is present in the Land he sanctified with His very life through His Church and by encountering Him in the Word! The Holy Land is often called the “Fifth Gospel” for this very reason…the land, the people, the history teach us, and lead us closer to the Trinity! So you can imagine how a pilgrimage can change lives!
Consider a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Pilgrim Center of Hope. June 30-July 12, 2012 is the next scheduled pilgrimage. In 2013: Spring and Fall. Pray and ask the Lord for His guidance!
What is that ‘little town of Bethlehem’ really like?
Since 1986, Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox have taken pilgrim groups to the Holy Land. This week, they share their first-hand experiences about modern-day Bethlehem. Also joining us is Sir Rateb Rabie, who has just returned from Bethlehem! He’s the CEO and Founder of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation.
What are the Christians like in Bethlehem? What are the Church communities like? What does the manger look like today? Learn all this and more! Tune in to this fantastic preparation for Christmas!
Sounds great! How can I participate in this program?
South Texans can tune into Time Warner Cable channel 15 or radio 89.7 FM – and anyone can listen online by clicking the LISTEN LIVE button on CatholicismLive.com from 8pm – 9pm Central Time!
Submit questions / comments using the form on CatholicismLive.com or call during the program: (210) 734-5371
More information related to this episode of Catholicism Live!:
Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHSFounder and President of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF); Born in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian parents
From 1981 – 1986, he was Director of Operations for Saudi Support Services, Ltd., in 1988, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he managed and owned several businesses. He is a co-founder and past National President of the Birzeit Society and a co-founder of the Institute for Health, Development, and Research in Palestine. Sir Rateb is a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a 4th Degree Knight and Co-Chair of the Holy Land Outreach Committee of the Knights of Columbus, Maryland State Council and a Board Member of the American Task Force for Palestine (ATFP). Currently, he is involved in international consulting and developments, as well as the printing and publishing business.
In 2007, The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) selected Sir Rateb Rabie to receive the Faith and Tolerance Award. This award is given to individuals working with faith based organizations to encourage cooperation and peacemaking in the region. Sir Rateb Rabie was chosen to receive this award for his strong leadership role in the work of HCEF to promote Muslim-Christian understanding, interreligious and interfaith dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews, to build bridges in support of peace and justice in the Holy Land, and to build tolerance through concrete measures to bring about peaceful coexistence in the Holy Land.
Sir Rabie is committed to improving living conditions in the Holy Land and preserving its Christian heritage, and advocates for peace and justice in Palestine and improved Muslim – Christian relations.
Saint of the Week: St. Francis of Assisi (His Feast Day: October 4)Francis of Assisi was a poor little man who astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally—not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit and without a mite of self-importance.
Serious illness brought the young Francis to see the emptiness of his frolicking life as leader of Assisi’s youth. Prayer—lengthy and difficult—led him to a self-emptying like that of Christ, climaxed by embracing a leper he met on the road. It symbolized his complete obedience to what he had heard in prayer: “Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy.”
From the cross in the neglected field-chapel of San Damiano, Christ told him, “Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down.” Francis became the totally poor and humble workman.
He must have suspected a deeper meaning to “build up my house.” But he would have been content to be for the rest of his life the poor “nothing” man actually putting brick on brick in abandoned chapels. He gave up every material thing he had, piling even his clothes before his earthly father (who was demanding restitution for Francis’ “gifts” to the poor) so that he would be totally free to say, “Our Father in heaven.” He was, for a time, considered to be a religious “nut,” begging from door to door when he could not get money for his work, bringing sadness or disgust to the hearts of his former friends, ridicule from the unthinking.
But genuineness will tell. A few people began to realize that this man was actually trying to be Christian. He really believed what Jesus said: “Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff” (see Luke 9:1-3).
Francis’ first rule for his followers was a collection of texts from the Gospels. He had no idea of founding an order, but once it began he protected it and accepted all the legal structures needed to support it. His devotion and loyalty to the Church were absolute and highly exemplary at a time when various movements of reform tended to break the Church’s unity.
He was torn between a life devoted entirely to prayer and a life of active preaching of the Good News. He decided in favor of the latter, but always returned to solitude when he could. He wanted to be a missionary in Syria or in Africa, but was prevented by shipwreck and illness in both cases. He did try to convert the sultan of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade.
In the year 1223, St. Francis, a deacon, was visiting the town of Grecio to celebrate Christmas. Grecio was a small town built on a mountainside overlooking a beautiful valley. The people had cultivated the fertile area with vineyards. St. Francis realized that the chapel of the Franciscan hermitage would be too small to hold the congregation for Midnight Mass. So he found a niche in the rock near the town square and set up the altar. However, this Midnight Mass would be very special, unlike any other Midnight Mass. St. Bonaventure describes how St. Francis created the first ‘Nativity Scene’ (creche):
It happened in the third year before his death, that in order to excite the inhabitants of Grecio to commemorate the nativity of the Infant Jesus with great devotion, [St. Francis] determined to keep it with all possible solemnity; and lest he should be accused of lightness or novelty, he asked and obtained the permission of the sovereign Pontiff. Then he prepared a manger, and brought hay, and an ox and an ass to the place appointed. The brethren were summoned, the people ran together, the forest resounded with their voices, and that venerable night was made glorious by many and brilliant lights and sonorous psalms of praise.
The man of God [St. Francis] stood before the manger, full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; the Holy Gospel was chanted by Francis, the Levite of Christ. Then he preached to the people around the nativity of the poor King; and being unable to utter His name for the tenderness of His love, He called Him the Babe of Bethlehem. A certain valiant and veracious soldier, Master John of Grecio, who, for the love of Christ, had left the warfare of this world, and become a dear friend of this holy man, affirmed that he beheld an Infant marvellously beautiful, sleeping in the manger, Whom the blessed Father Francis embraced with both his arms, as if he would awake Him from sleep. This vision of the devout soldier is credible, not only by reason of the sanctity of him that saw it, but by reason of the miracles which afterwards confirmed its truth.
For the example of Francis, if it be considered by the world, is doubtless sufficient to excite all hearts which are negligent in the faith of Christ; and the hay of that manger, being preserved by the people, miraculously cured all diseases of cattle, and many other pestilences; God thus in all things glorifying his servant, and witnessing to the great efficacy of his holy prayers by manifest prodigies and miracles.
During the last years of his relatively short life (he died at 44) he was half blind and seriously ill. Two years before his death, he received the stigmata, the real and painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side.
On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, “Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death.” He sang Psalm 141, and at the end asked his superior to have his clothes removed when the last hour came and for permission to expire lying naked on the earth, in imitation of his Lord.
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Biography adapted from AmericanCatholic.org, originally written by Franciscan priest Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Pearl of the Week: Want to know what’s going on in our ‘Mother Church’ of the Holy Land? We recommend regularly checking the website of the Latin Patriarchate (diocese) of Jerusalem. This website gives news about Bethlehem and Christmas in the Holy Land, including the Latin Patriarch’s Christmas message.
The Latin Patriarch is like the ‘archbishop’ of the Holy Land. He is in charge of all the Roman Catholics in the Holy Land.
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ROME, DEC. 20, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Has the birth of the Child Jesus truly changed the history of humanity? Is it true that the powerful understood immediately the importance of that birth? Why do we measure time based on that event in Bethlehem?
To answer these and other questions, ZENIT spoke with Father Pietro Messa, president of the Higher School of Medieval and Franciscan Studies of Rome’s Antonianum Pontifical University.
ZENIT: What is the significance in history of the figure of the Child Jesus and, specifically, of the crib made by St. Francis?
Father Messa: We know that the early Christians, all of them being of the Jewish religion, observed the Sabbath, but on the following day, that is the present Sunday, they gathered to commemorate the Resurrection. Hence, the first celebration held par excellence was Easter. Subsequently, other events of Jesus’ life began to be celebrated, such as the birth fixed on Dec. 25, namely, on the same day in which previously the Sol invictus was celebrated, that is, the celebration of not being overcome by darkness, given that the winter solstice had passed, the days began to be longer and light imposed itself on the darkness of the night. From celebration they passed to representation and from there to pilgrimages to Bethlehem, the city of David, from whose descent Jesus was born.
The pilgrimages — at once an expression and incentive of the relationship with the places of Jesus’ life — were the engine for the narration and representation of Jesus’ humanity. It is in this context that Brother Francis of Assisi’s desire is situated, expressed to the people of Greccio, Italy, in 1223, in order to see “with human eyes,” how the Child Jesus was laid to rest in a crib between the donkey and the ox. And thus, on Christmas Eve, on the crib where the two animals of tradition were, the Eucharist was celebrated in such a way that one could see “with the eyes of the body” the bread and wine consecrated and believe, thanks to the Holy Spirit, in the presence of the Body and Blood of Christ.
ZENIT: In a secularized world such as today’s, the birth of the Child Jesus is trivialized and inserted in the context of a “myth,” in which children alone can believe. According to Christians, why has this birth changed the world?
Father Messa: It could be that the worst demystification of Christmas is not that of believing that it is a myth, but its reduction to a celebration of kindness, altruism, of helping the needy. It’s not that these things are unimportant, or that they are not present in the Gospel, but what is key is that Jesus came to us because he has opted for our poverty. He gives us his hand to the end, when his arm will be stretched on the cross. As the Poor Clare Sister Chiara Tarcisia, of the St. Clare pro-monastery of Assisi, said in the last months of her life: “What is important in life is to love, but especially to allow oneself to be loved!” And Christmas is a propitious time to allow oneself to be loved. This doesn’t lead us to passivity because Jesus loves us as we are, but he doesn’t leave us as we are. His presence transforms and initiates a new humanity.
ZENIT: Why do Christians speak of Jesus as Savior?
Father Messa: Jesus of Nazareth — a village from which, according to some, nothing good could come — walked on the roads of Palestine and, as happens with other persons, they also wondered who He was. The answers to such questions were the most diverse, but one who is not enclosed in his own schemes realizes that every answer is inadequate or, better said, not very exhaustive. And thus his reality as Messiah was increasingly recognized, that is, the anointed by the Most High and, hence, the Savior. However, the person of Jesus, even when arriving at some definitive certainties in the dogmas, opens constant questions and, as the saints show us, there is always something more to astonish us; that is, something to pause to contemplate with wonder.
ZENIT: The date, the star, the Wise Men, are these the elements to remember Christmas as an event that happened in history?
Father Messa: The account of Jesus has been given within the coordinates of history, that is, in a place and time: the place is that of Palestine and the time is — as we say in the Creed — “under Pontius Pilate.” However, this isn’t enough because many saw his humanity, listened to his word, admired also the miracles he wrought, but only some believed in his divinity. As St. Francis of Assisi says in his first Admonition, the disciples saw his humanity “with human eyes,” but they believed in his divinity. Hence, in Jesus there is a real history but also something that surpasses history; that is why it is important, as Benedict XVI reminds, that there should be a reason open to the mystery and a reasoned faith. Otherwise, we will fall into rationalism or fideism.
Jesus is a rational event, but which surpasses reason and when reason wishes to understand everything, that is, when it has the pretension of understanding it all, one falls into rationalism. Likewise, when faith excludes history and the discoveries of reason, it becomes a fideism that appears deviant, even violent.
ZENIT: In addition to Christians, are there others who have given importance to the birth that occurred more than 2,000 years ago?
Father Messa: Many people, including Muslims, for whom Jesus is a great prophet. Monsignor Padovese said that, present at the Christmas Mass were also Muslims and in one of his homilies he was able to take wise advantage of this presence. He said that everyone celebrated Jesus’ birth; for some, because he was a great prophet, for Christians because he was the manifestation of mercy, more than that, being the Son of God he was the presence of God among men.
ZENIT: Why does the greater part of humanity mark time from that birth?
Father Messa: In 313 the Edict of Milan was issued which in a certain sense marked the end of the persecutions; subsequently Christianity became the official religion. Thus, the computation of time began to be marked from his birth, recognizing in it the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies and promises, as well as the beginning of a new era. Paraphrasing Blessed John Paul II: He is “the center of the cosmos and of history.”
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Our Ministry of Pilgrimages has customized a 12 day journey with Mary, our Blessed Mother. Departing San Antonio on October 31st, we will visit Fatima, Lourdes & Shrines of Paris including Lisieux. Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox, pilgrimage coordinators and group leaders, with Spiritual Director of the Pilgrimage Father Dennis Arechiga, the pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church in San Antonio.
"Angel of Peace" statue with children of Fatima
Pilgrimage offers 3 nights in Fatima, 4 nights in Paris and 2 nights in Lourdes. In Paris, we will spend time at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacred Heart Basilica, Miraculous Medal Shrine and an entire day in Lisieux! We will fly between these three cities, so we can have plenty of time at these special places. Price of $4,250.00 per person includes airfare from San Antonio, daily breakfast and dinner, daily Mass, all taxes and gratuities, a pilgrim packet and prayer book, preparation meetings and so much more!
Come to an Orientation Meeting on Sunday, August 21st at the Pilgrim Center of Hope beginning at 2:00pm! If you are interested in joining us now (remmber only a few spaces remain)…contact us at 210-521-3377 or email us (click here).
May our Lady guide you in discerning your decision!
Only 10 spaces remain on this pilgrimage.
The experience in the Holy Land was a powerful and grace-filled journey. Generally, the summer is one of the busiest times for pilgrims and tourists, but because of the unrest in the Middle East many people cancelled their reservations to travel; sad for them. Good for us. The Holy Land was very safe and we were able to visit all that was scheduled on the pilgrimage.
We had many of the holy places to ourselves so we had time for reflection and meditation; Bishop Cantu gave us some wonderful insights. Even the weather was better than usual for this time of year; not quite as hot with a nice breeze. So many memories will last a life time such as spending time in quiet prayer at many holy sites, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, sounds of Church bells ringing, attending a local Mass in Arabic, the hospitality of the people of the Holy Land and being renewed in our spiritual life.
The Holy Land pilgrims joined 63 pilgrims from San Antonio, various U.S. cities and Mexico in Rome for four nights. Rome was a beautiful experience even if it was crowded. It was a great honor to be present at the Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and to witness the pallium ceremony during which our Archbishop Gustavo Garcia- Siller received his pallium from Benedict XVI. Daily Mass at various Basilicas, prayer at the Tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul, seeing the Sistine Chapel,the local cuisine and making new friends were a part of the Rome journey.
The last evening in Rome ended with a reception and dinner honoring Archbishop Gustavo in celebration of his Pallium. Special invited guests were Msgr. Francis Kelly (Pontifical North American College), the Honorable Dr. Miguel Humberto Díaz (Ambassador of the U.S. to the Holy See), Joan Lewis( Bureau Chief for EWTN), members of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (Archbishop Gustavo’s religious community) and others. While enjoying toasts to the Archbishop and a five course delicious Italian meal; Ialian Opera singers dedicated several songs to the Archbishop. A great celebration indeed!
There are so many things to see in Rome and never enough time. A good reason to return to the eternal city!
The next morning the Holy Land pilgrims returned home, to San Antonio; while the other pilgrim group continued to Assisi for two nights. It was good to spend this timein Assisi; the beautiful town of St Francis built on a mountain side overlooking the Umbria valley. Here we had time to pray, to walk through this medieval village in the footsteps of St. Francis and to relax by enjoying the view of the surrounding valley. Bishop Cantu and Archbishop Gustavo offered Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels where Francis founded his Community. The hotel’s restaurant in the ancient city overlooked the Umbria Valley; pilgrims enjoyed sharing their stories of Rome.
In addition to being a great experience, this pilgrimage was also a spiritual good for our Archdiocese as well as for the Body of Christ in general. When the people of God step out of their ordinary routine to visit holy places and to pray good things happen, sometimes even miracles.
A video by Rome Reports that includes Archbishop Gustavo and Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles receiving their pallia from Pope Benedict XVI:
We are here to help you live your vocation to eternity!
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