A New Friend For Our Fraternity

We got back from our pilgrimage yesterday evening, tired but happy with the days spent in Italy.  As promised, you were all remembered in prayer, and I received some messages from members around the world indicating that they were with us in spirit.

I know a lot has happened in Ireland since we left, mostly concerning abortion and the vilification of a fine senator, Sen. Ronan Mullen - a gentleman who listens and respects even the most vociferous of his opponents.  I think the attack on him, unwarranted, unjust and hateful as it is, is part of the anti-life campaign to silence the argument against the introduction of abortion into Ireland.  The annihilation of a good Christian man comes easy to ideologues who want to enshrine in law the annihilation of innocent children.

They have made their plans, they have their politicians in place and I think it is a foregone conclusion that the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, will legislate for abortion.  The time has come to make our voices heard, and time for Church leaders to stand up and meet the challenge.  Time too to remind Catholic politicians that to legislate for abortion carries with it automatic excommunication from the Church.  And that includes exclusion from the Eucharist and other sacraments.  The Church will be attacked and vilified by the media, but it is time to bite the bullet.  Perhaps Church leaders should pop over to Rome and confer with CDF on how to respond should Enda Kenny, James Reilly and co legalise the killing of unborn babies.

We must pray and fast - as Jesus said, only prayer and fasting can exorcise such demons, and believe me, those who are working hard to bring abortion into Ireland are working for the demons.

Speaking of demons and the fight against their influence, we had a wonderful surprise in store for us on the last day of our pilgrimage: one of the Church's great Saints had a treat in store for us.  As we were winging our way from Loreto to Bologna airport, we had scheduled a stop at the Basilica of St Dominic, where the great man is entombed.  We had a slot booked for Mass.  However, our plans did not work out, and when we arrived at the Basilica, they were closing the doors for the siesta.  Everyone was disappointed, but despite that, there was no persuading.  One of our priests managed to slip in as the door was closing, so he got to the tomb and offered prayer for us all.

When he got out, we all began the lonely track back to the bus.  I was aware St Catherine of Bologna was somewhere in the city, but not sure where.  As we made our way through the streets, one of our pilgrims, Mary, was shouting at us from a side street: "St Catherine is in here!"  We jumped with joy and ran to the church for fear they would close it.  Our group got in, honoured the Lord and found St Catherine's body, sitting up in her chair, spied through a little window over an altar dedicated to her.

Then a gentleman in the church told us that the sisters might open up the door to the inner chapel to allow us see the Saints up close.  Our guide, Mario, rang the bell and, God bless those holy Poor Clare nuns, they opened the door and allowed us into the chapel, even though they were in siesta time.  We spent some wonderful moments venerating the Saint's incorrupt body.  She is perfect, apart from the colour.  I noticed her hands and feet, perfectly preserved, looking fresh as if blood was flowing through them.  Dainty hands, yet hands that worked hard for Christ.  One of the sisters opened the shop, so our pilgrims bought little biographies, medals, rosaries and prayer cards.  They were delighted, and the visit has left its impression on them.

Reflecting on it, I think Dominic and Catherine were in cahoots. St Dominic was a man who did not draw attention to himself - it was the Word which was important: and we heard the Word that day.  St Catherine was calling us to visit her, to be made aware of her life, her struggle with temptation (of which she is patron), and her trust in God: something we need to hear in Ireland today.  She was also an artist, musician and writer - how appropriate - I must sign her up as a member of the Fraternity!  May she intercede for us all.

So, if you happen to be in Bologna, go and visit St Catherine in the Church of Corpus Domini: it is a grace-filled place.  Today, I place Ireland and the unborn of Ireland in her hands, may she intercede that those who seek to destroy those innocent lives will be confounded.

Monday: Loreto, The Home Of Our Mother

In these days of our pilgrimage, we are welcomed by our Holy Mother to her home - to the House of Nazareth transported from the Holy Land to this hill of Loreto.

These are days of silence for us, of prayer and meditation in the Holy House of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Within those ancient walls, we meditate on the Annunciation when Mary said yes to God.  Here Mary accepted from God the role she was to play in the salvation of mankind.  So humble and loving, Mary had no thought for herself, but wanted to serve God.  For the holy Jewish people serving God is a sign of their love for him: a daughter of the Jewish people, the Daughter of Zion, Mary honours her people, and brings great glory to them as she offers herself completely to God.  May we follow her.  May we say yes to God, regardless of what he asks us to do.  May that Holy Spirit which guided and assisted Mary in her life and decisions, assist us. 

We follow her example, and so, spiritually coming into the Holy House, we make an Act of Consecration to Mary:

To you, Immaculate Heart of Mary, we consecrate ourselves – our hearts, minds, wills and lives and all those works we undertake so they may be for the glory of God, for the sake of the Gospel and the salvation of souls.   Holy Mother, our Queen and our Joy, give to our hearts the dimensions of yours and form us in the image of your beloved Son.

Let us pray:

Eternal Father, you sent your Son among us to make of us one people dedicated to your will and restored through grace to sing forever of your glorious works. As he offered his life on the Cross for our sake, laying down his life for his friends, accept the gift we make of our prayer and sacrifices, offered in union with him, for those in the theatrical and cinematic arts. Grant us the grace to fulfil our obligations to you and our neighbour, building up the Body of Christ, the Church, and trusting in the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday: Assisi, Honouring St Clare

Today at our Sunday Mass in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, we honour St Clare, companion of St Francis, and patron of television.

Television is a great invention, it allows us to see the world from our sitting rooms.  Meaning "I see far", it is a limited medium if we allow it to dominate our lives.  There is a greater vision which awaits us, and this is the vision St Clare saw - the vision of Christ himself and the place he has prepared for us.  In her love of Jesus Christ, Clare was led to deep understanding of the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.  It is in our relationship with the Eucharistic Lord that we come to the vision of God.  As an intercessor for our Fraternity and its work, may Clare, the bride of Christ, inspire us to seek him with all our hearts in the Holy Eucharist.

St Clare, intercede for us.  Your heart was so devoted to Christ, he led you to the vision of his glory.  Hear us, dear sister, watch over our Fraternity and guide us to the Heart of our Saviour - the Heart pierced for us so its wound could become the door to eternity, the window to the vision of God.

Saturday: Assisi, Honouring St Francis

On Saturday we have Mass in the Basilica of St Francis, and on Sunday in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels.  We visit various shrines, including the tomb of St Clare, patron of television.

We honour the poverello of Assisi - St Francis, who embraced poverty and littleness for the sake of Christ.  He wanted to decrease so Christ could increase.  Only as a peasant, as nothing could he hope to love Christ.  When he had nothing, then he could see that he could truly possess Christ, for now there was nothing in his way, nothing to stand between him and Christ.  Christ was then All to him.

Blessed Francis, look upon us with great tenderness and lead us along your way of poverty.  Help us die to ourselves, so we may follow Christ more closely and abandon ourselves to him.  Help us to strip ourselves naked of all possessions, all pride, all desires so to be embraced and clothed by Christ.  Amen.

Friday: Tombs of St Peter and Blessed John Paul II

This morning, coming to St Peter's Basilica, we honour St Peter, coming "ad limina" to his tomb, and for the first time since his beatification we come to the tomb of our Fraternity's co patron, Blessed John Paul II.

On this rock, Christ has built his Church - this rock is Simon Peter, the fisherman, a weak man, one who denied the Lord three times at a moment when Christ needed him most.  But for all his mistakes, Peter loved Christ, and this love made him worthy of being the rock.  In this Easter season, as we read from the Acts of the Apostles we are astonished at the transformation which has taken place in Peter.  Now, thanks to the grace the Risen Christ conferred on him, and thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, this rock is solid, determined and devoted: nothing will stop him.  Such determination for the mission and love for Christ should be desired by all Christians and especially those of us in the Fraternity.

O Blessed Peter, rock on which Christ built his Church, watch over the flock now as you did in life.  Inspire us with your love for the Saviour, and help us to overcome our weaknesses by prayer, penance and generous co-operation with the grace of God.  Amen.

In Blessed John Paul II we see a worthy successor of Peter, a Pontiff who merits the title "Great" for his work.  A mystic, he was ever practical.  Though not perfect, his love for Christ and his people urged him on to heroism in face of tyranny as priest, bishop and pope.  In his zeal for a New Evangelisation, he inspires us to push out into the deep and proclaim anew the Gospel for Christ.  May he help us in the Fraternity to fulfil his desire to bring Christ to every corner of the world.

Blessed Pope John Paul, pray for our Fraternity, and guide us in our work as we seek, through prayer and sacrifice, to assist the men and women of the theatrical and cinematic arts, and to be of service to the Church in the New Evangelisation.   United with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and the prayers of our Holy Mother Mary, pray that we may we offer ourselves more generously as a sacrifice acceptable to the Father for the sake of our brothers and sisters. Pray that they may come to know, love and proclaim Christ and his Gospel to the people of our time and, in the life to come, share eternal life with you, St Genesius and all the saints.    Amen.

Thursday: St Mary Major's

Today we make our pilgrimage to the Basilica of St Mary Major, a pilgrimage in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the primary Patron of our Fraternity.

Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart, we in the Fraternity seek to serve her and to do what we can to bring about the triumph of her Heart.  This triumph is actually the triumph of Christ, since he is the one who occupies her Maternal Heart.  Everything she does, she does for her Son.  Mary always brings people to Christ, for he is her whole life and her joy.  Learning from her, we see that Christ must be all to us.  Everything we do must be for him, and though our efforts may seem meagre, when channelled through the Heart of Our Lady, they become great heroic works.

O Holy Mother of God, to your Immaculate Heart we commend our Fraternity.  Dedicated to your service, accept our work and our prayer and bring to the Heart of your Son the men and women of the theatrical and cinematic arts who are your children.   Take them to your Immaculate Heart and there form them according to the Heart of your Son.

Loving Father, in your mercy you give us a loving Mother in Mary.  In her Immaculate Heart we find the maternal tenderness and motherly zeal which inspires us to serve your Son with greater joy and effort.  Hear the prayers we commend to this Beautiful Mother, the Ornament of Grace.  Amen.

Wednesday: Papal Audience And Tomb of St Paul

In the morning we attend the Papal Audience, and in the afternoon go on pilgrimage to the Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls to venerate the remains of St Paul the Apostle.

Our union with Peter is important.  On him is build the Church, and so we look to his successor, Benedict, as the one who unites us.  He is the Vicar of Christ on earth - the one chosen to lead the Church in these times.  As our Holy Father, he deserves our prayer and our obedience.  St Catherine of Siena gives us a profound insight into who the Pope is when she calls him "our Christ on earth".

Lord God, bless Benedict our Pope, and give him every grace so he may fulfil the office you have entrusted to him.  May he always have the guidance of your Holy Spirit and the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother.  And when you call him from this life, grant to him a place among your Saints.  Amen.

St Paul is also important for our Fraternity - he is our theologian.  As we form this family of prayer, we draw on his teaching on the Mystical Body of Christ.  Where is the Fraternity to be found in this Body?  In the heart, of course!  We are in the Heart of the Church, praying, offering our sacrifices, loving.  This is where Our Lady is, and as we dedicated to her mission for her Son, we stand beside her, obedient to her.  St Paul encourages us, then, is fulfilling our duties here.  He reassures us that the cross we carry and offer to Christ for our brothers and sisters brings the grace and power of God upon those we pray for.

St Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, hear our prayer.  Preach to us, the children of God, the Gospel of Christ, so we may be immersed in the Word and follow him each day of our lives.  Guide us into the heart of the Church where we may offer ourselves in service to God for the sake of our brothers and sisters.  As you were happy to shed your blood for love of Christ, our Redeemer, obtain from the Lord that grace which will make us as generous in our sacrifices.

Heavenly Father, bless our family of prayer.  Give to each of us the zeal with which you endowed your Apostle Paul.  As he was compelled to proclaim the love and sacrifice of Christ, may we be filled with that same zeal to make Christ known to the people of our time.  Amen.

Tuesday: Tomb of St Genesius

Solemn Mass of St Genesius in the Church of Santa Susanna, Termini, Rome, near the tomb of the martyr.  The relics of St Genesius were translated here in 1591 at the request of Princess Camilla Peretti, sister of the late Pope Sixtus V.  She was building a chapel in his memory, and though dedicated to St Laurence, the relics of the actor-martyr and Pope St Elutherius, also a martyr, were transfered here from the Church of San Giovanni della Pigna, near the Minerva.

Spiritual Exercise:

St Genesius, as we come in spirit to venerate your holy remains, we commend to you our prayers and our needs.  Give us a deep love for Jesus Christ, and a desire to change our hearts so to love him more.  Bless those who work in the theatrical and cinematic arts, intercede for their needs.  Those who far from God, touch their hearts and bring them to vision of the One who loved them into life.  O Blessed Genesius, as our brothers and sister come to your tomb to honour you, count us among them.  As we unite ourselves with the Holy Sacrifice offered in your church, come near to us and be our constant companion.  Amen.

Almighty Father, bless your children who today honour your martyr Genesius.  As he responded to grace and proclaimed your mercies for all the world to hear, bless them also with your merciful love.  Hear their prayers and grant them their needs.  Through the intercession of St Genesius, make their hearts a place where you may dwell.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Bags Packed

It has been a very busy week, occupied with preparations for the pilgrimage.  We leave tomorrow morning at 7am.  Today the painting we are giving the Pope arrived from the framer's - the artist brought it directly.  It is a lovely piece - a basic portrait of St Genesius with the cross and masks from the Fraternity seal.  I do not have a picture of yet - one has been taken, but I do not have a copy yet.  I do, however, have a copy of the rough sketch, so I am posting it here to give you an idea of what the painting looks like.

Preliminary sketch of the Papal portrait of St Genesius:

Richard Moore, watercolour

Our itinerary is up on my blog, here, so to all of you who want to do the pilgrimage with us in spirit you can do so.  I will be remembering all the Fraternity members in our Masses; the Solemn Mass at the tomb of St Genesius on Tuesday afternoon - the heart of our pilgrimage, will be offered for all our members' intentions.  It takes place at 4pm Roman Time (3pm GMT; 10am US/Canadian Eastern; 9am Central; 8am Pacific).  

The blog will not be live, but I will schedule the daily events of the pilgrimage (if the scheduling facility works - sometimes it goes on strike here on blogger). 

Come To Rome With Us!

We still have places on the pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and Loreto.  At the low price of €859 euro, its a very good deal for a trip to Italy.  We leave on the 16th April, after Divine Mercy Sunday, so why not treat yourself to a nice week in Italy visiting some of the most famous shrines in the world?  Fraternity pilgrimages tend to be great fun, so we would like you to join us. 

Contact Louise at 01 241 0816.

Assisi

The Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto

Pilgrimage

I am away tomorrow morning leading the Fraternity pilgrimage to Fatima.  I may not get the chance to blog at all - the schedule is pretty busy, so the blog may go silent for a week ("Thank God!" I hear you say!).  But be assured I will remember the intentions of all my readers during the pilgrimage, and I will light a candle at the capelinha for you.  If you have a special intention, as St Pio used to advise, send your guardian angel over to Fatima with it, so it can be included in the Masses and prayers.

For your information, our schedule includes:

Visit to the capelinha, site of the apparitions; the old village of Fatima where the visionaries lived, and the places where the angel appeared to the children in 1916.  We will be staying in a hotel beside the Sanctuary, so we will be taking part in the daily ceremonies, including the celebrations for Pentecost and the 13th day.

Pilgrimage to Coimbra, to the monastery where the visionary and Servant of God, Sr Lucia, lived most of her life.  There we will also visit the tomb of St Elizabeth of Portugal, and the church where St Anthony of Padua was received into the Franciscan Order.

Pilgrimage to Santarem to venerate the Eucharistic Miracle.

Pilgrimage to Lisbon to visit the birthplace of St Anthony of Padua, the convent where Blessed Jacinta Marto died and to sample the beauties of the capital.

If we have enough interested, we may even get up to Balasar to make a pilgrimage to the tomb and house of Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, the great saint of the Eucharist.

And of course a visit to the Dominican Sisters of Perpetual Rosary, a number of whom are Irish, and one of whom, Sr Angela, is a spiritual companion of the Fraternity (the spiritual companions were a group of holy people who accompanied us through prayer and sacrifice in the process of discernment).  I normally stay with the sisters when in Fatima, but with leading a group I will be in a hotel, so I will miss the silence, serenity (and, let's face it) the wonderful food of the nuns - ahhhhh, not even Fr Z (peace be upon him) in his most inspired culinary moments can cook like these angels of St Dominic!  And their mashed potatoes - like an angel crying on your tongue!  Ok, not very penitential, but I'll make up for it in other ways!

Adeus, queridos leitores, até
breve!