The Apostle

At the St Genesius Film Club in Dublin last night we watched a most amazing movie, perhaps one of the most moving I have ever seen. L'Apotre is a 2014 French film dealing with a young Muslim man's struggle with his gradual conversion to Christianity (Catholicism) and the consequences of that decision for himself, his family and his Muslim community. The film is directed by the young gifted director Cheyenne Carron.

As you can imagine the film is controversial. It deals with its subject matter very sensitively and is certainly not given to stereotypes, reaction in France has been hostile and its release was very limited. Following the Charlie Hebdo killings it has not been shown in France, though it is now availabel on DVD.

The film compares Islam and Christianity, in particular each religion's understanding of charity. The protagonist Akim is a devout Muslim, at the beginning of the movie he is among a group of young men, which includes his brother Youssef, preparing to become Imams. Akim and Youssef's maternal uncle Rachid is the local Imam. By and large there is a positive depiction of Islam here: Rachid is a good teacher, a good man and sensitive towards people of other faiths - we see him correct more hot-headed Muslims. He knows his Quran and explains the various teachings in the suras and verses very well. Akim is certainly taken with this.

However everything changes for Akim when he encounters a murder in the locality. A woman is killed by a neighbour's son. Her brother is the local Catholic priest and Akim hears that the priest, though distraught at his sister's death, will not leave the area because he wants his presence to be a consolation and help to the parents of the murderer (this is actually based on a real situation the director herself encountered). Akim is struck by this act of charity, and it is his reflection and investigation of this act and the faith which inspires it which leads to his comparing it with Islam and his eventual conversion.

One of the wonderful things about the movie is its emphasis on the Catholic faith. There is a beautiful baptism scene - Akim is invited to attend by a new-found Catholic friend, and this ceremony is a revelation to him, and to the viewers I'm sure as it is beautifully done. As Akim reads Scripture his pondering the words out loud remind you of the beauty of the Word of God. The director herself seems to be meditating on the Scriptures as much as her protagonist, allowing the viewer to glimpse the heart of the Christian faith. 

As he finally accepts Christianity, Akim tells his mother, she senses he has a secret and she believes that he has fallen in love - he has all the traits of it. He agrees with her, it is obvious at this stage that this is the correct language to describe what he been happening to him. He has fallen in love with Christ and with the Christian faith. For me that sums it all up. That is what being a disciple of Christ is all about: falling in love with Jesus and living that love in his Church.

I cannot recommend this movie highly enough. Apart from anything else, it is a beautiful exposition of what it means to be a Christian and what is expected of a a Christian, and on that alone, it is inspiring.

What is also interesting is that the actor playing Akim, Faycal Safi is himself a Muslim. See an brief interview with him here.

Here is a trailer, without subtitles, but it gives you an idea of what the movie is like.

Are You Ready To Die For Christ?

That question in the title of this post may not be one you have ever considered. The idea of martyrdom knocking on your door may seem as far away as the ice of the South Pole, but given the times we are now living in, it may be time for all of us to begin to think about the possibility that we may have to face death for Christ. I was reading an interesting piece by Philip Kosloski in which he considers the possibility of martyrdom for all of us and it has got me thinking.  The question is: are we ready?

Martyrdom is a gift, as Philip points out, not all are called to lay down their lives - physically, for Christ, though we are all called to lay down our lives for him by our adherence to the faith, our call to holiness and our duty to evangelise. However we cannot exclude the possibility that we may have to face the knife, and the decision we make at that moment is one which will be informed by how we lived lives of allegiance to Christ, the Gospel and the Church.

But what are the chances of martyrdom? Most of those being martyred are in the East - in Syria, Iraq, those territories under ISIS. However militant Islam has its adherents all over the world, as we have seen in the attacks in Paris and Denmark, so there is a chance that there are those in our country, perhaps in our own city, who may be intent on making a statement about their Muslim faith through the shedding of blood. In London, for example, in the last couple of years two people were beheaded in what seemed to be jihadist attacks - a soldier and a woman in her own home. These two individuals were no better and no worse than any of us, yet they found themselves victims of radical Islam. There is no reason why any of us might not find ourselves in a similar situation and faced with the decision to either recite the Shahadah or make the supreme sacrifice.

Many believe that will not happen to us here safely ensconced in Ireland or the West, after all the attacks in Paris, Denmark and London were freak attacks, surely? I have personally seen the apathy and complacency of people here in the West - Church-going Catholics, who think all this will go away, it will not effect them, one even laughed in my face when I mentioned the possibility that radical Islamists might strike here in Ireland. I hope such confidence does not prove to be foolhardy, just naive. 

Now I am not trying to frighten people or create a sense of paranoia, but I am asking the question, that given the times we are in, are we ready to die for Christ? Are our lives conformed to Christ and his Gospel to the point that we will be able to renounce this earthly life rather than renounce our faith?  Persecution and the possibility of persecution tend to sharpen our focus on our faith, what it means for our lives - and our death. The daily reports of our brothers and sisters being killed for their Christian faith might also provide us with a wake up call, get us thinking seriously about what it means to be Christian. Lent is a good time for us to take a good look at our lives in that context.

Of course, martyrdom also includes white martyrdom - a persecution, perhaps hidden, where we are gradually forced to abandon our faith or compromise it. That is already happening in the West, we see it at work in Ireland: those who remain faithful to the Christian faith who find themselves having to take a stand being punished or sued, gradually pushed to the peripheries with little or no real political representation.  If the gay marriage referendum is passed here in Ireland, for example, we Christians will undoubtedly find ourselves under an increasingly more intense spotlight and our conformity will be earnestly sought. So martyrdom - white martyrdom is already here. In reality red martyrdom can often be easier, it is the long, drawn-out martyrdom of living in the midst of hostility and persecution which can difficult to endure, so let us pray for the grace to endure.

Paris Murders

Recent events in Paris have been traumatic and dreadful. We must remember all those who died in our prayers, as we pray for their families, for the Jewish people and for the people of France.  Many are marching in Paris today to remember those who died, the press will probably give it a lot of coverage.

That said, we must remember that Charlie Hebdo was a vile publication. It abused the right to free speech to ridicule and attack those who did not agree with them, particularly men and women of faith - the Muslim faith and the Christian faith. It is no example of the right to free speech since it sought to silence those it did not agree with through deeply offensive cartoons.

I believe in the right to free speech, for all, but it must exist within the suite of all other rights, and among those rights is the right to believe in God and to have that right respected, together with the right to our good name - the right to be a believer without being demonised for it.  However, as we listen to the usual suspects speak about free speech, and Voltaire's famous quip is being bandied about: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it", I realise that many of those who are quoting it do not really believe it. If they did they would not censor conservative, pro-life, Christian, pro-natural marriage supporters. And that censorship is certainly in place. 

Again we must pray for all who were killed, some of them will probably need those prayers badly, if they made it. Violence is never the answer to being offended: prayer, forgiveness and determination to do what we can to build a more just and respectful society are the answers to that.  We must also recognise that Europe is facing serious threats, and so far she has been in denial. She needs to take a good hard look at what has happened in the last number of years. This is not merely a question of immigration, it is a question of values and of faith. 

Young people are being radicalised - why? There is a spiritual crisis and they are looking for something to believe in, something to live for, and, yes, even something to die for (as strange and extreme as that sounds). Liberal, permissive, jaded secularism is not filling the gap - the drug-induced, orgasm-fueled dream of the Sixties is not doing it for the youth of today - they've had that ideology pushed in their faces all their lives and now they are rebelling. If the bloodshed is to be stopped, and even greater bloodshed prevented, a different response is needed, and for that Europe may have to go back to discover the true nature of her soul.

Relics: A Human Thing?

Pope Benedict venerates relics "ex sanguine" of Blessed John Paul II during his beatification ceremony

Last Thursday the Fraternity in London held a Mass in honour of Blessed John Paul II, in accordance with the Indult granted by Rome.  The relic of the Blessed Pontiff was present, and I had the privilege of offering the Mass. We had a great crowd, and a beautiful choir provided the music – the Happy Day Gospel Choir.   Members of our monthly prayer group were joined by other devotees of Blessed John Paul, and people from the arts and film industry. 

As noted by my colleague, Caroline McCamley, we were covered by the Catholic Herald.  In fact I was in the airport when I got the call from the journalist: the article was quite good, so I hope it will help bring more attention to the London group who meet faithfully every month.

Some of the comments at the end of the article were interesting.  The Catholic Herald has its regular trolls who denigrate various articles and the doctrines and teaching of the Catholic faith, and it seems some of the trolls popped up over the bridge in response to our article.  This time it was the cult of relics.

I suppose for some non-Catholics and even for some in the Church the veneration of relics may seem odd and perhaps ghastly – I think one commenter (troll?) called us “ghouls” for venerating the relic of Blessed John Paul: curious.   The veneration of relics is an ancient practice and not confined to Catholicism.  Buddhism, much beloved of many critics of the Catholic faith, cherishes relics of Buddha, not only items associated with him, but also his ashes and other bodily remains which are enshrined in stupas and attract numerous pilgrims. The relic of Buddha’s tooth, saved from cremation, is venerated in Sri Lanka, for example.   The tooth is regarded as a symbolic representation of the living Buddha, and so various rituals and ceremonies have grown up around the relic. 

Buddha's tooth, venerated as a relic by Buddhists

Muslims also venerate relics of Mohammed and other holy people in their faith – Muslims could hardly be accused of idolatry by critics of the cult of relics.  Mohammed’s tomb is a place of pilgrimage, and among his relics cherished by his followers is a lock of his hair and his cloak. 

Relics of Mohammed venerated by Muslims

Indeed, while we are at it, we’ll push the boat out and remind our critics that even atheists cherish relics: the veneration shown to the bodies of Lenin and, for a time, Stalin, reveals that even those who do not believe in God, still feel the need for some form of the cult of relics, recognising by their “devotion” that there is something positive and distinctly human in this practice. 

Lenin's body venerated by his devotees

In terms of Christianity, relics have been part of the devotional life of the faithful from the beginning.  During St Paul’s lifetime, for example, people obtained relics of him – handkerchiefs which had touched him, and these were instrumental in the healing of the sick (Acts 19:11-12).  The devotional life of the Church since then has included relics, most potently those of the martyrs which were venerated in memory of the sacrifice they had made for Christ.   God has worked through this devotion to relics, working miracles, but most importantly bringing people closer to himself through his Saints. 

That said, there have been abuses, and these must not be encouraged.  The Church is quite strict when it comes to these and reminds the faithful that relics are a means to faith, not faith itself.  Relics are also the remains of human beings and so they must also be respected and cared for.  In the past, in the quest for relics, some grisly things were done to the remains of the Saints – such things must not be repeated: the bodies of the Saints must now be respected and preserved – when relics are taken it must be done with respect for the integrity of the body.  No one “owns” a relic, they are merely custodians, and relics must be protected and safely passed on for future generations.  Relics can never be sold, that is a sin.  If money changes hands it must only be to cover the costs of the preparation of the relics.

Relics are venerated rather than worshiped – they are not the object of faith, but a help to faith.  In venerating a relic we venerate the Saint or Blessed who is to bring us closer to God.  They are like keep-sakes, but more sacred since they are the blessed remains of the holy ones.  When used correctly, relics can bring great joy and assistance to the faithful.  I had one such experience of this recently. 

Fraternity Relic of Blessed John Paul II.

A few days after the Fraternity received the relic of Blessed John Paul I got a call from a friend who told me of a lady who was dying and who had a great devotion to Blessed John Paul: she asked me if I could give her a blessing with the relic.   I called into the hospital to see the woman.  She was a good woman who had dedicated her life to the sick and dying herself, and she was suffering greatly.  As soon as she received the relic her face was transformed with joy – she said that John Paul had come to visit her as she was preparing to die.  As she told people later, peace flooded her soul and all fear passed away.  She lived for another couple of weeks, but her family say that from that day she was joyful and serene and died a peaceful, holy death.  Through his relic, Blessed John Paul came to her and assured her of his presence and prayers. 

I have no doubt that God, Our Lady and Pope John Paul were already with the lady, but the Lord used the relic of the Pontiff as a tangible sign to remind her that they were there with her and she need not be afraid.   God can used relics to bring comfort and hope, and to assure the Church on earth of the prayers and loving care of the Church in heaven.  The pilgrimage of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux around the world is one such blessing: millions, many facing difficulties in their lives, have been lifted up by the visit of the relics of the Little Flower to their country.

So abuses aside, when properly understood, the veneration of relics can bring many blessings and increase our faith.

"This Is A True Saint"

Great minds think alike!  As I was pondering the Spanish martyrs to see who I would blog on next one of those I was considering was Blessed Maria Teresa Ferragud and her four daughters.  Lo and behold as I catch up on the comments I see an anonymous commenter has the same idea. 

For those that doubt that Scripture has a relevance for us today, then Blessed Maria Teresa stands as an example that it does, because in this eighty-three year old woman we see the mother of the Maccabees all over again.  Blessed Maria Teresa was martyred with her four daughters in Cruz Abierto on the 25th October 1936. 

Maria Teresa was born on the 14th January 1853 in Algemesi, south of Valencia.  A pious young woman, she married a man with a similar disposition towards faith, Vicente Silverio Masia, and had nine children.  The faith of the parents inspired their children, and of the nine six entered religious life: four daughters became nuns - three Poor Clares and a Discalced Augustinian, and two sons became priests, on a missionary priest in Latin America. 

A daily Mass goer, Maria Teresa nurtured a deep devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and the Sacred Heart, as well as profound relationship with Our Lady.  Having a zealous heart she sought to serve Christ not only in raising her family, but also in various apostolates in the Church.  A member of Catholic Action, she was also a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, serving as President in her local conference. 

When the persecution broke out, Maria Teresa hid her four daughters in the family home.   There they continued their religious life as best as they could.  However, they could not hide for long: locals knew them and among them there was supporters of the Republican militia's pogrom of priests and religious. On the 19th October 1936 the militia arrived at the Farragud home and arrested the four sisters: distraught, Maria Teresa ran after them, insisting that she be taken with them.  Given her reputation as a devout Catholic, the militia obliged.

In their prison cell in a former Cistercian monastery, Maria Teresa encouraged her daughters, preparing them  for martyrdom.  She urged them to remain faithful to Christ and their vocations.  As her daughters, Maria Teresa need not have worried, the four woman were as devout and determined as their mother: though some of the militia promised them their lives if they married them, the nuns refused to consider the "proposals".  On the 25th October 1936, at ten o'clock at night, the five were brought out to be shot.  Maria Teresa had one last request: that she be shot last so as to encourage her daughters: her requested was granted.

As each of her daughters went to their death, Maria Teresa was a rock of support: "My daughters, be faithful to your celestial husband and do not believe the flatteries of these men.  My daughters, do not be afraid.  Death is only a question of time."   Her daughters bravely embrace their martyrdom:  Sr Maria Jesus, Sr Maria Veronica and Sr Maria Felicidad, Poor Clare nuns, and Sr Josefa de la Purificacion, Discalced Augustinian nun.

When the daughters were dead, the militia men turned to Maria Teresa: "Old woman", one said to her, "are you not afraid to die?"  She responded: "All my life I wanted to do something for Jesus, and now I'm going to left behind?  Kill me for the same reason you killed my daughters.  I am a Christian."  She was shot and died instantly.  One of the militia remarked, "This is a true saint".

Maria Teresa and her daughters were beatified together among the Martyrs of Valencia by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 2001.  During the Beatification, Blessed Maria Teresa was referred to specifically by the Pope in his homily.

In other news: I see there is a new book out which examines whether the founder of Islam actually existed.  Did Muhammad Exist? An Inquiry into Islam's Obscure Origins by Robert Spencer is sure to raise a few objections. No harm asking the question, and it seems Spencer's work is well researched and argued.  In Christianity we are well used to Jesus' existence being called into question, I'm not sure how Muslims will react. 

The Baroness Impresses

Baroness Warsi, the British Conservative peer, is going down very well at the Vatican.  Having impressed Pope Benedict during his visit to Britain, she is leading a delegation from the UK marking thirty years of full diplomatic relations with the Holy See and seems to be impressing again with her thoughts on the role of religion in society.

Lady Warsi is a Muslim, yet her views and her speech to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, reveal just how close Catholicism and Islam can be when it comes to faith in the public square.  Her speech is well worth reading. 

She sees that religion has a vital role to play in public and political life - that should give the Church-state separationists a stroke.  In fact her thinking is very similar to Pope Benedict's in this area, and it has been noted that she has referred to and quoted from his writings.  There's interfaith dialogue for you.  Like Benedict she is reminding us believers that we should not hide our faith, nor conform it to secularism, but rather be confident in it.

Interestingly as a Muslim, she sees that Europe is inherently Christian and that the continent "needs to become more confident in its Christianity".   Plucking out the old apologetic for diminishing the position of Christianity in Europe, she says that is "a basic misconception: that somehow to create equality and space for minority faiths and cultures we need to erase our majority religious heritage."  If Benedict said that the liberal papers would be baying for his blood.  But the Baroness is correct.  She ends her speech with a humdinger: "Christianity is as vital to our future as it is to our past."

One quotation from the Baroness's speech is most interesting - something the Irish government should take careful note of - the embassy to the Holy See is in fact an important diplomatic mission for the benefits it brings to a country:

“The UK recognizes that, as the smallest state in the world, the Holy See has the widest global reach. It therefore seems inevitable that the UK with its global reach, historical and cultural interests should nurture, strengthen and promote our relationship.”

She also has something to say about ecumenism - something many of us have been saying for years in face of some who abandon or dilute the doctrines of their faith to get on with those of other religions:

“Interfaith dialogue works when we debate our differences, when we wear our beliefs on our sleeves. It’s not about you giving your version of God, and me giving my version of God. And us coming to some watered-down compromise. But about establishing our areas of consensus.”

I wish more Catholics could think like this Muslim lady.

UPDATE:

I note from the comments at the end of the Telegraph article on the Baroness's speech, that the secularists are furious, as one would expect.  Tolerance is not one of their strong points.

Matthew Cantirino of First Things, has an interesting article, referring to "Warsi's Wager" - that the time may be right for some sort of inter-religious coalition to counteract the growth of dictatorship by European secularism.  An interesting thought.

Feast of The Organiser

St Brocard receives the Carmelite Rule from St Albert of Jerusalem

According to the old Carmelite calendar, today is the feast of St Brocard, second prior of the hermits on Mount Carmel.   No longer appearing on our calendar, which is a shame to be honest, we can still celebrate his feast day, as I do today.

St Brocard was born in France, and came to the Holy Land at some point, ending up among the hermits of Mount Carmel who were organised under the first prior, St Berthold.  The first Carmelites were originally Crusaders who, after the many battles having won the Holy Land back for Christendom, sought a deeper life.  A group of them made their way to Mount Carmel to live a life in spirit of Elijah and St John the Baptist putting themselves under the patronage of Our Lady.  St Berthold was their leader who governed the community for about forty years.  On his death, the hermits chose Brocard as Berthold's successor, and he would govern the community until his death.

It was Brocard who went to St Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, seeking a Rule under which the community might formalise the life they had been living.  The bishop obliged and gave the hermits what is the basis of our life in Carmel - the Rule of St Albert.  Brocard, then, has an important place in the Order as the one who sought to establish the loose grouping of hermits into an Order, turning to his local bishop to guide them.

Brocard governed the community for thirty-five years, dying around the year 1231.  He was renowned for his holiness, prudence and goodness.  He was venerated by many during his lifetime including Muslims with whom Brocard nurtured an affectionate relationship.  He did a great deal to foster bonds with the Muslim community while still remaining true to his Catholic faith.

So today, in Carmel, we can celebrate the life and ingenuity of one who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, sought to organise our Order and, in a sense, prepare it for its great apostolic mission in the Church.  Without Brocard, St Albert would not have given us a Rule, and that Rule has helped form Saints and holy men and women.  We might also invoke him in these difficult times so we might foster peace with Muslims, particularly those intent on violence, and through his intercession, may the Lord Jesus bring them to see Christ as he really is: their Lord and Saviour. Indeed, may we all be renewed in that vision.

O Lord,
sanctify your servants who humbly beseech you
on the feast of Blessed Brocard,
hermit of Mount Carmel and your Confessor:
that, by his salutary patronage,
our life may be everywhere guided through adversities.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

St Brocard, dear brother in Carmel, pray for us