They Just Don't Get It 2

A few tit bits.  In conversation with a friend today, as we discussed the government's reaction to the Vatican's response, she said: "The government asked the Vatican to answer questions, and that's what the Vatican did, and now they are not happy because they do not like the answers".  That sums it up well.

Good articles.   The Irish Catholic has a good editorial on the report, reiterating that Kenny's allegations are completely unfounded.    Catholic Culture News also has a good piece on its website.  One of the few voices defending the Church in Ireland as many others are silent, David Quinn has been speaking on a number of programmes: here is his interview on Vatican Radio. 

They Just Don't Get It

How will the Taoiseach and government respond to the Vatican's report?   Well if the newspapers are any indication, there will be no attempt to pull back on the unfounded allegations thrown at the Vatican.  The Irish Times has an article exploring this.  It seems the media, finally getting over the shock has found its mantra: "the Vatican just don't get this".  The Times's editorial is trying to give the impression of being balanced in its reflection, but fails - as expected.

I think this will be the government's response at the end of the day.  They are shocked, I think, at the Holy See's refusal to take the attack lying down.  Irish politicians and the media have got used to bashing the Church and getting away with it.  Whenever they attack the Church in Ireland, for the most part, Irish Church representatives have been silent and even fearful.  When politicians and media mention child abuse, which they tend to do most of the time when dealing with Church issues, the Church here tends to draw back.  Kenny expected this to happen, but the Holy See was not going to play that game: the truth is on their side and they were going to get the truth out.  As it is becoming very obvious ,as opinions leak out from members of the government, if I may quote Jack Nicholson, they can't handle the truth.  So all we will probably get is the usual liberal mantra, wheeled out when there is no defence: "The Vatican just doesn't get this!"

How ironic, if ever there was a mantra to describe the media and political elite in this country it has to be that very phrase.   What do they not get?  Well first of all they don't get the fact that child abuse in an Irish problem and the incidences of child abuse outside the Church is far greater, as Caroline over at the St Genesius blog points out. 

Why do they not get this?  Because they know that to look at abuse in Irish society will open a can of worms and expose many people, including, no doubt they fear, many of their nearest and dearest.  There is already a cover up of child abuse and protection of abusers in Irish society: we know all too well of the media's attempts to protect certain personalities.  Ironic really, for all the talk of mandatory reporting, I wonder how many of the movers and shakers in Ireland's elite really want it?  It might just put them in a difficult position.

They also do not get that the Vatican is not to blame for child abuse in Ireland. They do not get that Enda Kenny's defamatory speech was wrong, stupid and ill-judged.  They do not get that they are isolating Ireland diplomatically not only from the Holy See, but from other countries that can see the reality of the situation. 

Personally I do not believe the government will take this report on the chin - they will not apologise, as they should.  Enda Kenny will not withdraw his remarks - he sees himself as the great hero of Ireland because he has managed to convince some people in Ireland that what he has said is the truth.  He has dug a hole for himself and he will keep digging, and his party colleagues and coalition partners will be there to lend a hand.  I am sure that many in Fine Gael, and perhaps even Labour, realise that they have gone too far, but by gum they cannot back down: can't let the Catholic Church win this one! 

Archbishop Martin has now challenged the Taoiseach to give full details of the incidents of the Vatican, we must come right in behind him and demand an explanation.  We must not allow Kenny to wriggle out of this. Speaking with many people yesterday at the day's retreat, there are many out there who are deeply ashamed of the Taoiseach. 

UPDATE: On the Pat Kenny radio show Labour's Pat Rabbitte has called the Vatican's response as "pettifogging detail". 

Patsy McGarry of The Irish Times on Pat Kenny show is rehashing old news - well done Patsy, ignore the report, just keep banging on with the old, worn out arguments which have already been answered time and time again.  He's defending Irish bishops and saying Rome stopped them from dealing with the issue effectively.  They just do not get it.  As far as I can see, it seems the Irish media are creating a fog to distract from the Vatican's devastating response.  Surprise, surprise - journalistic standards my eye! 

Oh no! Gina Menzies is on now!  She is defending the government's plan to force priests to break the seal.  She says the Seal is not inviolable because it only came into force in 1215. And this lady calls herself a theologian! 

The Response

As it is Sunday morning, this post will be brief - I have to give a day retreat in the afternoon and evening, so I may not get a chance later.  A few musings on the Vatican's response to the Irish government. 

I had a quick read of the document, and I have to say it is a fine piece of writing.  First of all I would have to disagree with Eamon Gilmore when he describes it as "legalistic and technical" - yes, it deals with legal issues, but Gilmore's comment seems to me to say that the document is difficult to read and full of technical terms - almost a bluff perhaps.  Well it is not.  It is easy to read and I would urge all of you to read it: it is the Vatican at her best.

A second observation is that this document is devastating in its clarity and argumentation.  In it the Holy See takes the Cloyne Report and the Taoiseach's accusations, examines them in full and then provides a response which reveals the Taoiseach's accusations to be completely unfounded. 

The Vatican offers a plausible context within which to interpret the letter of 1997, a context which seems to have been lost on Judge Murphy, the government and also, sadly to say, on certain victims's groups.  In looking at the question of mandatory reporting, the authors of the document have certainly done their homework and have referred to and quoted from Irish politicians - some members of the current administration, who expressed difficulties with the proposal to introduce the practice, including Michael Noonan, present Minister for Finance, then Minister for Health who defended the then government's decision not to introduce mandatory reporting. 

This is devastating for the present government: for it reveals that as they now condemn the Vatican for reservations about mandatory reporting back in 1997, at that time, when they (Fine Gael, Labour and Democatic Left  - members of whom are now in Labour) were in government from the 15th December 1994 to 26th June 1997, they had similar reservations and took the decision not to introduce it.  This is deeply embarrassing for the government, but also for the Irish state - they have been caught out and exposed us the citizens to international ridicule!  Other governments will be reading this document and they will come to their own conclusion about the ability of those who are running our country, and given that we now rely on foreign aid to prop up our economy, the situation our Taoiseach and government have put us in is very worrying.  Let's hope the paymaster general of Europe, on whom we rely most heavily - Germany, does not take offence at Kenny's careless and unfounded allegations against their Pope.

The Holy See's response also clarifies the quotation from Pope Benedict used by the Taoiseach in his attack, putting it in its proper context - politicians should be careful when they quote both Scripture and Church documents, not being theologians, they are liable to slips in understanding.

That's all I have time for.  We await the government's response.  I noted last night on the 9 o'clock news the RTE was very subdued.  In his report from Rome Paul Cunningham spoke of the possibility of a "thaw" in relations between the government and the Holy See.  There was no interview with a victim which is usually the norm - they spoke briefly to the leader of one victims's group and referred to another.  Joe Little, the religious affairs correspondent, who never misses a chance to bash the Church, was very quiet and circumspect in his commentary.  And the newscaster moved on quickly to another item, no beating the story to death.  I think we can come to certain conclusions about that.

When all this over, I hope we can eventually get back to looking after the victims and then a make a firm commitment to rooting out child abuse not only from the Church, but also from Irish society.  The government can start by setting up an inquiry to find out why 200 children have died in State care in the last ten years, and others have gone missing - gone without a trace.  This fact has been, for the most part, swept under the carpet.  If they died or gone missing in Church care we would never hear the end of it, but since these children were in state care, just silence.....

Vatican Response To "Cloyne Report"

The Vatican has released its report in response to the Cloyne Report and the accusations of Enda Kenny in the Dail.  Caroline over at the St Genesius blog has the text in full.  Or read it here on the Vatican website.  There is a good summary from the Vatican new service.  The Irish media are revving up to launch its attack.  We await a response from the Taoiseach, who will not be pleased. We also await a response from our bishops.

In summary, a quick digest of the summary:

On the Cloyne Report:

"The Holy See wishes to state at the outset its profound abhorrence for the crimes of sexual abuse which took place in that Diocese and is sorry and ashamed for the terrible sufferings which the victims of abuse and their families have had to endure within the Church of Jesus Christ, a place where this should never happen. It is very concerned at the findings of the Commission concerning grave failures in the ecclesiastical governance of the Diocese and the mishandling of allegations of abuse. It is particularly disturbing that these failures occurred despite the undertaking given by the Bishops and Religious Superiors to apply the guidelines developed by the Church in Ireland to help ensure child protection and despite the Holy See’s norms and procedures relating to cases of sexual abuse. However, the approach taken by the Church in Ireland in recent times to the problem of child sexual abuse is benefitting from ongoing experience and proving more and more effective in preventing the recurrence of these crimes and in dealing with cases as they arise."

On the infamous letter sent to the bishops:

"The Holy See’s Response addresses in detail the various charges made against it, which seem to be based primarily on the Cloyne Report’s account and assessment of the letter addressed to the Irish Bishops on 31 January 1997 by the then Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luciano Storero, concerning the response of the Congregation for the Clergy to the document Child Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response (the Framework Document). The Commission of Inquiry asserts that this response gave comfort to those who dissented from the stated official Church policy and was unsupportive especially in relation to reporting to the civil authorities.

The Holy See wishes to state the following in relation to the response of the Congregation for the Clergy:

The Congregation described the Framework Document as a “study document” on the basis of information provided by the Irish Bishops, who described the text not as an official document of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, but, rather, as a “report” of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Advisory Committee on Child Sexual Abuse by Priests and Religious, recommended “to individual dioceses and congregations as a framework for addressing the issue of child sexual abuse.”

The Irish Bishops never sought the recognitio of the Holy See for the Framework Document, which, in accordance with canon 455 of the Code of Canon Law, would have been required only if they intended it to be a general decree of the Conference binding on all its members. However, the lack of recognitio itself did not preclude the application of the document’s guidelines, since individual Bishops could adopt them without having to refer to the Holy See. This is, in fact, what generally happened in Ireland.

The Irish Bishops consulted the Congregation to resolve difficulties relating to some of the content of the Framework Document. The Congregation offered advice to the Bishops with a view to ensuring that the measures which they intended to apply would prove effective and unproblematic from a canonical perspective. For this reason, the Congregation drew attention to the requirement that these measures should be in harmony with canonical procedures in order to avoid conflicts that could give rise to successful appeals in Church tribunals. The Congregation did not reject the Framework Document. Rather, it wanted to ensure that the measures contained in the Framework Document would not undermine the Bishops’ efforts to discipline those guilty of child abuse in the Church. At the same time, it is important to bear in mind the decision of the Holy See in 1994 to grant special provisions to the Bishops of the United States to deal with child sexual abuse in the Church. These provisions were extended to the Bishops of Ireland in 1996 to assist them to overcome difficulties that they were experiencing at that time (cf. Part Six of the Response).

Meeting canonical requirements to ensure the correct administration of justice within the Church in no way precluded cooperation with the civil authorities. The Congregation for the Clergy did express reservations about mandatory reporting, but it did not forbid the Irish Bishops from reporting accusations of child sexual abuse nor did it encourage them to flout Irish law. In this regard, the then Prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, in his meeting with the Irish Bishops at Rosses Point, County Sligo (Ireland), on 12 November 1998 unequivocally stated: “I also wish to say with great clarity that the Church, especially through its Pastors (Bishops), should not in any way put an obstacle in the legitimate path of civil justice, when such is initiated by those who have such rights, while at the same time, she should move forward with her own canonical procedures, in truth, justice and charity towards all.” It should be noted that, at the time, not only the Church but also the Irish State was engaged in efforts to improve its own legislation on child sexual abuse. To this end, the Irish Government organized an extensive consultation on mandatory reporting in 1996 and, after taking into account the reservations expressed by various professional groups and individuals in civil society – views broadly in line with those expressed by the Congregation – it decided not to introduce mandatory reporting into the Irish legal system. Given that the Irish Government of the day decided not to legislate on the matter, it is difficult to see how Archbishop Storero’s letter to the Irish Bishops, which was issued subsequently, could possibly be construed as having somehow subverted Irish law or undermined the Irish State in its efforts to deal with the problem in question."

On Enda Kenny's accusations:

"While the Holy See understands and shares the depth of public anger and frustration at the findings of the Cloyne Report, which found expression in the speech made by the Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, in Dáil Éireann on 20 July 2011, it has significant reservations about some aspects of the speech. In particular, the accusation that the Holy See attempted “to frustrate an Inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic as little as three years ago, not three decades ago” is unfounded. Indeed, when asked, a Government spokesperson clarified that Mr Kenny was not referring to any specific incident.

In fact, accusations of interference by the Holy See are belied by the many Reports cited as the basis for such criticisms. Those Reports – lauded for their exhaustive investigation of sexual abuse and the way it was managed – contain no evidence that the Holy See meddled in the internal affairs of the Irish State or was involved in the day-to-day management of Irish dioceses or religious congregations with respect to sexual abuse issues. Indeed, what is impressive about these Reports, and the vast information that they rely upon, is that there is no support for these accusations.

In this regard, the Holy See wishes to make it quite clear that it in no way hampered or sought to interfere in any inquiry into cases of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne. Furthermore, at no stage did the Holy See seek to interfere with Irish civil law or impede the civil authority in the exercise of its duties."

Concluding remarks:

"The publication of the Cloyne Report marks a further stage in the long and difficult path of ascertaining the truth, of penance and purification, and of healing and renewal of the Church in Ireland. The Holy See does not consider itself extraneous to this process but shares in it in a spirit of solidarity and commitment.

In a spirit of humility, the Holy See, while rejecting unfounded accusations, welcomes all objective and helpful observations and suggestions to combat with determination the appalling crime of sexual abuse of minors. The Holy See wishes to state once again that it shares the deep concern and anxiety expressed by the Irish authorities, by Irish citizens in general and by the Bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful of Ireland with regard to the criminal and sinful acts of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy and religious. It also recognizes the understandable anger, disappointment and sense of betrayal of those affected – particularly the victims and their families – by these vile and deplorable acts and by the way in which they were sometimes handled by Church authorities, and for all of this it wishes to reiterate its sorrow for what happened. It is confident that the measures which the Church has introduced in recent years at a universal level, as well as in Ireland, will prove more effective in preventing the recurrence of these acts and contribute to the healing of those who suffered abuse and to the restoration of mutual confidence and collaboration between Church and State authorities, which is essential for the effective combating of the scourge of abuse. Naturally, the Holy See is well aware that the painful situation to which the episodes of abuse have given rise cannot be resolved swiftly or easily, and that although much progress has been made, much remains to be done.

Since the early days of the Irish State and especially since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1929, the Holy See has always respected Ireland’s sovereignty, has maintained cordial and friendly relations with the country and its authorities, has frequently expressed its admiration for the exceptional contribution of Irish men and women to the Church’s mission and to the betterment of peoples throughout the world, and has been unfailing in its support of all efforts to promote peace on the island during the recent troubled decades. Consistent with this attitude, the Holy See wishes to reaffirm its commitment to constructive dialogue and cooperation with the Irish Government, naturally on the basis of mutual respect, so that all institutions, whether public or private, religious or secular, may work together to ensure that the Church and, indeed, society in general will always be safe for children and young people."

This is what many of us expected.  I imagine the government will be furious that the Vatican should reject the accusations made by the Taoiseach and also the interpretation Judge Yvonne Murphy, the government and the media have put on the letter.  As I said before this letter was a warning to the bishops to follow the correct course of action with regard to Canon Law so abusers could not appeal to Rome and get off on a technicality.  It is also rich of the government to take offence at the Vatican's hesitation to support mandatory reporting when the government at the time shied away from it because of lack of support, while various organisations and professions, chief among them the legal and counselling professions and social workers, share the Vatican's concerns with regard to mandatory reporting, ironically for many of the same reasons. 

UPDATE:  While the Taoiseach is off studying the Vatican's reponse, we may have indication of how the government will respond thanks to the initial reactions of Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore, leader of the Labour Party.  He seems to dimiss the report by calling it "legalistic and technical".  I presume as keeping the coalition together will be foremost in his mind, perhaps the Taoiseach will take the same line.  He has already made it clear that he neither rejects nor withdraws his accusations made against the person of the Holy Father and the Vatican.

UPDATE 2:  Eamon Gilmore on RTE news has toned down his reaction.  Seems someone must have had a chat with him.  The Taoiseach looked shell shocked on the news - he won't comment.  Interestingly, he was attending a Mass at the Curragh Army Camp when the report came out.  Ironic.

UPDATE 3:  Good article and summary by Gerard O'Connell on Vatican Insider; worth reading.  Archbishop Martin's response here; he hopes the Vatican's report will help heal the diplomatic rift.  I hear from my sources and people in diplomatic circles that there is a view among many that Ireland has done herself a lot of damage diplomatically thanks to Enda Kenny's attack.  I am told that other countries seem be "very surprised", at the very least, at the lack of professionalism and diplomatic ability demonstrated in the Taoiseach's Dail outburst.  The Vatican's clear explanation of its position in this response will be carefully noted by other countries, as will the government's response. 

First Saturday

Today, being the First Saturday, we honour the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It is a good day to consecrate oneself to Jesus through Our Lady's Heart.  Given the times we are in, is it time, perhaps, for the bishops of Ireland to formally consecrate Ireland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?  A ceremony which could take place in Knock with all the bishops and as many clergy, religious and laity possible, present.   What do you think? 

We start with a person consecration.  Here is the text of the Fraternity's act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart, our Dedicated Members pray it every day.

To you, Immaculate Heart of Mary,
we consecrate ourselves –
our hearts, minds, will 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.

The Call To Arms

Gandalf leads the armies against the orcs at Helm's Deep

As I expected, David Quinn has responded to The Irish Times editorial yesterday. In his weekly column in the Irish Independent today, David argues against the proposed law and the Times's attack.  Excellent article, follow the link and read it.  

David points out that when US states tried to enact similiar laws they were defeated by a backlash of Catholic voters urged on by their bishops, and also by wiser heads in legislatures prevailing.  Well, we can only hope there is someone with common sense in the present coalition.  But we Catholics also need to get the forces ready, and time for our bishops to start rallying the troops. 

The Irish Times may not like the idea that, regardless of how we feel about our bishops and the scandals, we still want the state to respect our religious freedom and, yes, we will defend our sacred sacraments - we do have the right, under God and under the Constitution of this (once great) Republic to defend our Catholic faith.  This is something our secularist masters have forgotten - time to remind them. 

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

Here We Go.....

Just copy and paste, and spread it abroad!

I was wondering when the Irish media would start the serious assault on the Sacrament of Confession, well The Irish Times is off the starting block today. 

The paper's editorial relates the story of a priest who abused numerous young people who confessed his sin 1,500 times in confession and all he got for penance was prayer.  The paper claims he said he confessed to thirty individual priests.  Now to be honest I find it hard to believe that not one out of the thirty priests imposed a harsher penance or told him to confess to his superiors.  But if it is the case those confessors need a course in moral theology (Orthodox Catholic school, not Curran/McBrien school).  The whole scenario is disgraceful, I accept that.

The point of the editorial, as you will see, is that the Seal allows abuse to continue, and so Cardinal Sean Brady is wrong, "unfair and disproportionate" in his defence of the Seal.  Ministers Shatter and Fitzgerald, no doubt heartened by this example, are intent on following their course.  Well then, the State and the Church are on course for one hell of a battle.  It may need to be said: we priests do not condone abuse, we are following government guidelines to the letter, we abhor the crime of violating innocent children and will do all in our power to protect them.   But we will not break the Seal. 

I only hope our bishops hold their nerve on this - we must pray for them.  They must also turn to the Holy See for support, help and advice.  I hope they have the wisdom to know they will not be able to face this alone, but will need the universal Church's historical experience to get around the legislation, if the government goes through with it. 

By the way, remember what I said about the government using child protection to push aside religious freedom: well, the last paragraph of the editorial confirms my fears: 

"Freedom of religion is an important principle in a pluralist society but all should remind themselves that the most important issue here is the protection of children. Other jurisdictions deal with the issue of priest-penitent privilege in various ways. With goodwill, it ought to be possible here to negotiate through conflicting rights and freedoms in the primary interest of children."

That's the soft sell, the hard sell is on the way. 

So now, Catholic bloggers and readers, are you with us in this struggle?   Are you just reading and passing on to another website, or are you interested in helping the faithful Catholics of Ireland??  If so let us know, pray for us, display the "Protect the Seal" on your site with a word to pray for Ireland!   Come on now!!

The Way To Go

Fr Mark over at Vultus Christi blog has a lovely post on Blessed Ildefonso Schuster, former Cardinal Archbishop of Milan.  During our pilgrimage to the Exposition of the Holy Shroud of Turin last year, we visited the duomo in Milan and paid our respects at the tomb of Blessed Ildefonso.  Yesterday was the Blessed Cardinal's feast day and as a Benedictine, Fr Mark's new congregation were celebrating the man, his life and his example. 

I was struck by one of the Cardinal's sayings, one which is very appropriate for these times and for priests in parish ministry.  He speaks about the importance of holiness.  Too often those of us in parishes forget about the first item on our ministerial agenda - to form the people in holiness and prepare them for heaven.  We have so many other pressing concerns - running the parish plant, administering the sacraments, visitation, getting involved in various local activities, and we tend to run around like Marthas all day, every day.  And yet, as the Lord reminds us, "only one thing is necessary": holiness.   Here is what Blessed Ildefonso has to say (from a talk he gave to his seminarians just a few days before he died): 

"I have no memento to give you apart from an invitation to holiness. It would seem that people are no longer convinced by our preaching; but faced with holiness, they still believe, they still fall to their knees and pray. People seem to live ignorant of supernatural realities, indifferent to the problems of salvation. But when an authentic saint, living or dead passes by, all run to be there. Do not forget that the devil is not afraid of our [parish] sports fields and of our movie halls: he is afraid, on the other hand, of our holiness."

Good advice.  If there is one thing we need to do now, especially here in Ireland, and that is to put the fear of God into the devil and his minions. 

I am reminded of that joke which Fr Z posted on his blog: the one about the various religious and the parish priest during Vespers when the light went out: 

During a Eucharistic Congress, a number of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights went out.

The Benedictines continue praying from memory, without missing a beat.

The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obligation to pray Vespers.

The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God’s gift of darkness.

The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a signification of the transmission of divine knowledge.

The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady breathing.

The parish priest, who is hosting the others, walks down the stairs to the basement and replaces the fuse.

I love it, and I get the point.  But perhaps it might have been no harm for the parish priest to sit in the darkness for a while and keep praying, and then replace the fuse.

*  *  *

PS  For those of you interested in relics, Blessed Ildefonso's body was found completely incorrupt when it was exhumed as part of the beatification process.  Below is a photograph of his face as found when exhumed. 

St Teresa Margaret

The 1st September!  Autumn has come, the schools are open, the countdown to Hallowe'en and Christmas has started for the shops.  I hear the Christmas shops have already started opening.  Brown Thomas, one of Dublin's most exclusive department stores, opened its Christmas shop yesterday.  God help us all.

But today in Discalced Carmel, we celebrate the feast of one of our canonised saints, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: St Teresa Margart Redi, or in religion, St Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

St Teresa Margaret is one of lesser known Saints, and yet she has progressed to canonisation where other more popular ones like Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity still await the honours - although word in the Order is we may have a miracle for her, so expect a canonisation soon, we pray.

Teresa Margaret was born Anna Maria Redi in Arezzo in Italy in 1747 and died at the young age of 23 in 1770.  Yet, despite her youth, like St Therese, she achieved great sanctity and became an important teacher in the Carmelite tradition, bringing a Carmelite dimension to the devotion to the Sacred Heart.    Here is a short biography.

Teresa Margaret is of great interest to me because we share the same birthday - 15th July, and the same baptismal day - 16th July, feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  She came to Carmel as a result of a locution in which she heard the voice of our Holy Mother, St Teresa who said to her: "I am Teresa of Jesus, and I want you among my daughters."  Can't be any clearer than that.  So off Anna Maria went, entered Carmel in Florence at the age of seventeen.  As one would expect she did not have it easy, but suffered a great deal, but for all of it she never lost her serenity or her joy, but rather entrusted herself more and more to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

To celebrate her feast day, a few quotes to munch on:

“Lord, I shall be yours, whatever the cost, despite all repugnance.”

“Always receive with equal contentment from God’s hand either consolations or sufferings, peace or distress, health or illness. Ask nothing, refuse nothing, but always be ready to do and to suffer anything that comes from His Providence.”

“I propose to have no other purpose in all my activities, either interior or ex­terior, than the motive of love alone, by constantly asking myself: ‘Now what am I doing in this action? Do I love God?’ If I should notice any obstacle to pure love, I shall take myself in hand and recall that I must seek to return my love for His love.”

Her body is incorrupt, and lies in the Carmel in Florence.