"A Year of Prayer by Priests, With Priests and for Priests"
- Here is the text of the letter Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, wrote ahead of the Year for Priests, which will begin June 19.
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Dear Priests,
The Year for Priests, announced by our beloved Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, is drawing near. It will be inaugurated by the Holy Father on the 19th June, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. The announcement of the Year for Priests has been very warmly received, especially amongst priests themselves. Everyone wants to commit themselves with determination, sincerity and fervor so that it may be a year amply celebrated in the whole world -- in the Dioceses, parishes and in every local community -- with the warm participation of our Catholic people who undoubtedly love their priests and want to see them happy, holy and joyous in their daily apostolic labors.
It must be a year that is both positive and forward looking in which the Church says to her priests above all, but also to all the Faithful and to wider society by means of the mass media, that she is proud of her priests, loves them, honors them, admires them and that she recognizes with gratitude their pastoral work and the witness of the their life. Truthfully priests are important not only for what they do but also for who they are. Sadly, it is true that at the present time some priest have been shown to have been involved in gravely problematic and unfortunate situations. It is necessary to investigate these matters, pursue judicial processes and impose penalties accordingly. However, it is also important to keep in mind that these pertain to a very small portion of the clergy. The overwhelming majority of priests are people of great personal integrity, dedicated to the sacred ministry; men of prayer and of pastoral charity, who invest their entire existence in the fulfillment of their vocation and mission, often through great personal sacrifice, but always with an authentic love towards Jesus Christ, the Church and the people, in solidarity with the poor and the suffering. It is for this reason that the Church is proud of her priests wherever they may be found.
May this year be an occasion for a period of intense appreciation of the priestly identity, of the theology of the Catholic priesthood, and of the extraordinary meaning of the vocation and mission of priests within the Church and in society. This will require opportunities for study, days of recollection, spiritual exercises reflecting on the Priesthood, conferences and theological seminars in our ecclesiastical faculties, scientific research and respective publications.
The Holy Father, in announcing the Year in his allocution on the 16th March last to the Congregation for the Clergy during its Plenary Assembly, said that with this special year it is intended “to encourage priests in this striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends”. For this reason it must be, in a very special way, a year of prayer by priests, with priests and for priests, a year for the renewal of the spirituality of the presbyterate and of each priest. The Eucharist is, in this perspective, at the heart of priestly spirituality. Thus Eucharistic adoration for the sanctification of priests and the spiritual motherhood of religious women, consecrated and lay women towards priests, as previously proposed some time ago by the Congregation for the Clergy, could be further developed and would certainly bear the fruit of sanctification.
May it also be a year in which the concrete circumstances and the material sustenance of the clergy will be considered, since they live, at times, in situations of great poverty and hardship in many parts of the world.
May it be a year as well of religious and of public celebration which will bring the people -- the local Catholic community -- to pray, to reflect, to celebrate, and justly to give honor to their priests. In the ecclesial community a celebration is a very cordial event which expresses and nourishes Christian joy, a joy which springs from the certainty that God loves us and celebrates with us. May it therefore be an opportunity to develop the communion and friendship between priests and the communities entrusted to their care.
Many other aspects and initiatives could be mentioned that could enrich the Year for Priests, but here the faithful ingenuity of the local churches is called for. Thus, it would be good for every Dioceses and each parish and local community to establish, at the earliest opportunity, an effective program for this special year. Clearly it would be important to begin the Year with some notable event. The local Churches are invited on the 19th June next, the same day on which the Holy Father will inaugurate the Year for Priests in Rome, to participate in the opening of the Year, ideally by some particular liturgical act and festivity. Let those who are able most surely come to Rome for the inauguration, to manifest their own participation in this happy initiative of the Pope.
God will undoubtedly bless with great love this undertaking; and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Clergy, will pray for each of you, dear priests.
Cardinal Cláudio Hummes
Archbishop Emeritus of São Paulo
Prefect, Congregation for the Clergy
Showing posts with label Rome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rome. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Notes from January at the House of Formation in Rome
Witness by John Roderick for the Month of January
February 11, 2009
January proved to be a very interesting month at the House of Formation in Rome. The month began in the Lake Como area, about an hour north of Milan, where I went to spend a week of vacation after Christmas with a fellow first year novitiate candidate, Umberto Tagliaferri. We flew from Rome early on the morning of the 27th of December, it was quite a funny morning, Umberto did not tell Giuliano that we were flying from the Ciampino airport until we were in the car at five o’clock in the morning. The Ciampino airport is much further away than the one at Fiumicino, Giuliano was shocked and burst out some obscene Italian saying, probably “va fancoullo”, he has got quite a loose tongue. During the Angelus on the way to the airport, I could not keep a straight face and burst out laughing. I was a little bit shocked that Umberto had not told him. We arrived in Milano, and took a bus to the central train station, which would be our home base during the visit of the city. After putting our bags in the luggage storage at the station, we left for the Duomo Basilica, we arrived just in time for Mass, Ambrosian Liturgy, just before the first reading. The Church was incredible, very different from the many other Churches I have visited in Rome and other parts of Europe, thanks again Mom for encouraging and financing my trip around western Europe in 2003. After Mass, we toured the Church for while and prayed near the crypt of San Carlo Borromeo, unfortunately it was too early in the morning and the crypt was not yet open. The statues around the Church tell the story of the Church, there must be a couple hundred statues. After leaving the Church, we went to Vitoria Emmanuelle square for breakfast, at one of the best bars in the city, we treated ourselves to cappuccino’s and pastries. We then walked around the city for the better part of the morning, and visited the tomb of St. Ambrose. This was a remarkable site that used to be the home of a monastery, very interesting courtyards and interior. It is too bad that I am writing this witness over a month after the visit to Milan. Other highlights include accidently bumping into Luca Cavalone , Memores house in Montreal, at the cemetery where don Luigi Giussani is buried. I was very happy to see him, and get caught up with the happenings of the CL Montreal community. The grave site is beautiful, and it had to be moved from its original spot because there were too many people coming to pray and venerate this great teacher. I have a nice picture of Luca, and I that I hope I can make available. We were hosted during the day by Umberto’s friend, Niccola –who works for the AC Milan soccer team, we got to meet his parents and his brother who were absolutely sweet. I took a real liking to his dad, who shared his experience of the CL movement growing up in Milan, and his work as a high school philosophy teacher. I also met two friends from the Memores community, Andrea and Giovanni, Giovanni was instrumental in Umberto’s conversion, and encouraged him to meet with a priest who follows the CL charism, which led to him requesting to enter the Fraternity of San Carlo. It was great to meet these people, for it has helped me to better understand Umberto, and the fact that it is through others, our friends and families, that help to reveal who one truly is. I remember thinking to myself, that I had seen a whole new side of Umberto during the week in the Lake Como area. There are too many highlights from the vacation, but a couple include, 1) Playing tennis on indoor courts, 2) Going skiing at Bormio, the day after a the slopes had hosted a World Cup Ski event, 3) Going to a Spa, a series of about 10 different pools, saunas and hot rocks you get to walk on, Umberto putting ice in my bathing suit, 4) Meeting Umberto’s family, his mother and two sisters, his brother was away but I had the privilege to meet him when he came to Rome in the fall. 5) Meeting and going out to dinner with Umberto’s benefactors, 6) The common life together during those days with Max (former seminarian), Andrea, Giovanni, Niccola, Guido. We ate really well, relaxed a whole bunch, and the Lake Como area is in the mountainous area so I got to enjoy the cool crisp air, snow on the ground and in the air, walking to our apartment on New Year’s eve there was a light dusting of snow in the air. I was reminded of home in Saint John. One last thing is the chapel, it was so cute. The old ladies of the community would arrive an hour before the Mass to ring the large bells, this announces to the community that there will be a Mass in an hour’s time, they then ring the bell a half hour prior. At the scheduled time of the Mass, about 20 of us were snuggled into this little chapel and had to wait a good ten minutes for the priest to arrive. The community is built on a hillside, and the houses are very small, all stone made, cobblestone pathways between the houses. I enjoyed the ambiance very much. We would return to the house of formation on Friday January 2nd, in time for Mass during the evening.
A note from my notepad 30/12/2008
Tuesday morning at Umberto’s home at Lake Como, the second week of Christmas vacation from the FSCB seminary. I have decided to limit this entry to the Christmas vacation, concentrate on a couple main events.
Following the end of the year Christmas party, everyone or most of the seminarians packed up and left for their respective homes following the 7am Mass. Lavelli cooked up a feast with a couple of helpers, we sang some songs, skits and then broke out the songbooks, it was great. The fact that I don’t share a similar history will forever remain, but I am learning that I am part of something bigger that takes up their and my respective history. Somehow their history, culture are mine, and are taken up through my fraternal friendship. I am happy that this will only grow in time, the more I embody the other and his difference. Initially, there was a great feeling of nostalgia for not being home, with family and friends and with what is familiar, with the seminary virtually empty and me alone in my room not sure what I should do, or think about at this time. An older seminarian, Marco Basile made a great effort to encourage me to live these days with a fullness, to seek Christ’s presence in the silence and solitude, and alones. The meals during these past days were very good, smaller and much more intimate, we feasted on the remaining wine and the cooks baked Christmas goodies for us, almost daily. We were asked to run the International Welcoming House during the week, and be available to answer any questions or calls to the house. I initially thought that this time was going to be negative, but I decided to make a judgment on its positivity, being asked to remain in Italy and knowing that this was an opportunity given to me to better understand my life and vocation.
Jonah lent me O’Brien’s Sofia House which I read in a couple of days, and I finished Claudel’s L’Annonce à Marie. Both were first class pieces of literature, and recently finished Danielou’s Il Mistero de Salvazioni dei Nazioni…All are helping me to better understand what I am living and the proposal in front of me.
I spent a couple of hours working on and cleaning up my blog. This is a tool that I enjoy using to help navigate to the sites I frequently use, as well, post interesting articles, or links that catch my interest. Pictures from my life in Rome, and of my brothers in the Fraternity. Since Lopez’s lecture the theme of technology has been on my mind, questions about position and availability in front of reality, ability and availability for silence, power, love, possession, dominion, gift, and creation, original experiences, Gensis, time, suffering and the body.
During the days, Zardine, Umberto, Konrad, Azaline, Giacomo and Agapitus were present. We got to learn how Konrad and Agapitus met CL and the Fraternity. Great witnesses and stories. The time spent together helps me to better recognize their humanity, their beauty and childlikeness. A couple of us would go running together daily, in the beautiful park, almost to green to actually think that it is Christmas. However, at night we can see the Christmas lights on the surrounding houses.
On the 27th, at 4:50am, Umberto knocked on my door, I had completely forgot of the need to get up and go to the airport. I responded, Vieni Signore Gesu, I was dreaming about the passage that says God is knocking on our, the door of our hearts and waiting patiently for our response. Giuliano was surprised that we needed to go to the Ciampino airport.
Later in the day, we drove around the city trying to find an air gun for Max, and had a great lunch at the Memores House, Andrea and Giovanni. Visited Giussani’s tomb, where I met Luca, his brother and aunt. What a beautiful tomb. Mary, sign and witness of our hope.
We met Umberto’s mother Saturday evening at the house where Andrea, Giovanni, Max and Guido would be staying. After a delicious supper Umberto and I went to our little apartment, where we would be staying for the week. Walking down to the apartment, we got to share a couple of things, and pray at the nativity scene made in a real stable.
After lunch the following day at Umberto’s sister’s restaurant…Returning back to our place of rest for the week, I took some time to stack the wood and afterward go for a walk to do silence. I was picked up on the road, to go play tennis, I played against Andrea, it was a lot of fun.
We decided to go skiing the next day, we left at 7am and arrived close to 9:30am. Niccolo thought I was going to be an expert skier, Max teased me, and said that I spent more time on my ass then on my feet. The first run down the hill was brutal. I fell, and fell, and fell, and wiped out completely, maybe 15-20 times, rolled down the hill. The mountain was 3000 feet long, I really did go down half the hill on my ass. Andrea was a great help, to teach me the fundamentals, how to brake, stand up, and curve, my body is very sore today. I decided to stay on the smaller hill for the rest of the morning, 1500 m long, and after two runs with Andrea, I started to pick it up and ski without any help and difficulty. My right knee is severely sprained, but well worth it, I know from my running experience what the body is capable of. Niccolo and I went down together to close the day, it has been great getting to know him, share our lives together for a couple of days. I enjoyed telling people about CL on the chairlift, a kid crashed into me, twice on the hills. The mountains were incredible, lots of people on the slopes, was very surprised to see how good some of the young kids are at getting down the hill. Snowboards and all. Thought afterward about my uncle Paul, and godmother Janie. Hopefully, I will be able to go skiing with them in the future. Was soaked, very wet, hands like ice, but loved all of it, takes a lot of courage to keep getting back up, at times almost too difficult to get up, knowing how much it hurt, and how long and far away I was from the bottom of the hill. A World Cup ski event took place the previous day.
End of note
In general, January proved to be a challenging month, one of much personal growth, sacrifice and struggle as I continue to grow in my understanding of God’s mission in leading me to the Fraternity of San Carlo. However, I think that the struggle has only helped me to better understand the greatness of what is at stake with a vocation to the priesthood, and with the Fraternity of San Carlo. I am becoming more aware that I don’t necessary like having to struggle with my uncertainty (place within) of the community, with friendships and with my sense of belonging. I remember going through a period where I had not ever asked God to make himself present to me, in the common life and friendships I live with the guys in the house. As I look back on this experience, I am grateful that I had to endure this difficult time for it has shed light on the need to really beg the mystery to make himself present, and to give me the grace to recognize his presence in my life. As well, the bearing to light the work and effort involved in growing in a community, and vocational environment. Who would have ever thought that life was difficult, and challenging, guess that comes with following the way of the cross. I have noticed at times, that I am hesitant to fully enter into the communal life, worried that I may not be accepted or welcomed, or that I may get hurt or made fun of. This recognition has been a help, since it is only in going out of myself and fully entering the common life, taking this risk, that I will discover myself and be free. It is great to know that my freedom is not something that I can manipulate or control, but a work, a going out of myself and being with the other guys in the house. I will find my freedom to the extent that I meet Christ present in the other, the boys in the house. My freedom is a response to another who wants to make himself present in the flesh of another. I remember being very moved a couple of weeks ago, talking to my father, who mentioned that he is coming to terms with me being in Rome, and my search for freedom and personal growth. He mentioned that he has discovered his freedom, only in and through his relations with his wife and five children. The work and struggle, and many sacrifices they made together. It is the community that has been given to him where the Mystery has taken flesh and made himself present. This has been a great help for me, and often on my heart. It is a privilege that in some way God has helped my father to experience this true liberation, through me being away, or at least becoming more aware of this gift. My family experience is a dominant one by which I view and understand and judge what I live.
At the house encounter, meeting, don Massimo spoke about the importance of really taking seriously this time of formation. To not hide anything, and to live and give everything you got to the community. He made reference to the parable of the talents, that we are here to multiply what we have been given, and not hide and bury what we got in the sand. We will experience the hundredfold growth in our personality and freedom to the extent that we work on our lives and relationship with Christ. He really excited me about this search for my destiny, for the search for my freedom and personality. I kept thinking of St. Augustine and trials and tribulations he had to endure in his search for freedom and the truth of God and of himself. It is safe to say that I will not struggle and become a Manichee while in Rome, or at least I hope not. I had a lot of fun preparing for the Patristic Philosophy exam, and read the general audiences by the Holy Father on the life of Augustine, he has become a model for me, during these days in the house of formation.
The text of the school of community, the chapter on Hope, has been a great help to understand and interpret what I am living. I seem to struggle with the temptations that Giussani highlights. My prayer has been for the growth of my disponibility for the project God has for my life, and to grow in my certainty of the positivity of my relationship with the Mystery. I struggle in the area of patience, waiting and suffering as I grow in the culture and the friendships with the guys in the house. I wonder why my sense of belonging has not grown faster, or why certain friendships have been so slow to develop. However, I do trust that all of these will come together accordingly. It is great to have encountered Christ, a present reality that enables me to have the certainty of the positivity of the future, a future full of love and the generosity of a loving Father.
A couple of the highlights of the month include, 1) Meeting up with Sean and Becca Lewis (friends from Quincy Street), 2) Meeting up with Antonio Lopez, 3) The Epiphany, and rebirth, 3b) Birthday, 4) Meeting on the importance of Psychology in the formation of priests, 5) Direzione Spirituale, 6) Receiving Christmas and Birthday packages, and letters, 7) Marcello Pera’s visit to the house, 8) Festa Ammissioni agli Ordini, San Pietro 9) Italian language teacher, 10) Incontro della Casa, 11) Winter exams and studying together, 12) Reading Ratzinger’s book on priestly formation, 13) John Paul II Conference, and Parish Mission, 14) St. Theresa and Maurice, and Micheal O’ Brien’s book on the family.
1) Before leaving for Lake Como, I was blessed to be made aware that two of my friends from Washington, Sean and Becca Lewis, along with the University of Dallas Choir would be in Rome during the Christmas Holidays to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the choir’s founding. We met up for Mass at the San Prasede Basilica, a beautiful church near Santa Maria Maggiore, along via Merulana, between San Giovanni Laterano (I had toured this church back in the fall with the guys from the house, Lavelli explained many of the special characters of the icons and the column where Jesus was scourged, and the burial of a couple of martyrs here) and Santa Maria Maggiore. When I arrived the UD choir was in the back of the church preparing, I spotted Sean and Becca, and I remember being a little bit giddy. During the Christmas and winter season, I experienced a lot of nostalgia for family and friends, this was my first winter away. During the Mass, the choir was incredible, singing the parts of the Mass beautifully. I remember being in awe looking at the mosaics and other icons present in the Church. It was great to meet up afterward, Sean has a great knowledge of Rome and Church history, he explained a couple of the highlights and I added a few words here and there. They are expecting their second child, and Sean is still teaching at CUA and regularly making an appearance at the Quincy St. House. I learned that the Quincy St. band has really taken off, and are now playing back up for Stella Schindler. It was great to meet another seminarian friend from UD, who is finishing up his Licentiate here in Rome. We talked together with Sean for the better part of the morning. Afterward, the choir walked over to Santa Maria Maggiore and following the Mass entered the Church and sing a couple of hymns in the baptistery, as well, in front of the main altar, and in the small Marian chapel left of the main altar. This was a wonderful experience, to be with friends and through their choral music be brought to contemplate the mystery. I was able to stop and pray before the crib from the stable in Bethlehem, it currently is incased in gold. Afterward, we all went out to lunch together with a couple of the UD choir members, and then visited nearby church, San Pietro in Vincoli. This was a great day, I got to see the chains which Peter was locked up in prison, and the famous statue of Moses. I bought two postcards, and sent them to Guen and Raf and Mat.
2) Returning home that afternoon, I briefly saw my good friend Antonio Lopez in the park while out running. I was not aware, but he had come to the house during the day. He had been in Rome for meetings with the heads of our community. I remember briefly telling him about my day with my friends from Quincy Street, and the UD choir, and how beautiful the experience of their choral music was. As I was continuing my run, he playfully told me to have fun. These words I often came back to during the month, I remember thinking that my passion for life, joie de vivre, will not be taken away by God, that it will only further be deepened and matured as I grow in my relationship with Christ. At times, I have wondered what a vocation to the priesthood means in light of having fun, and living joyfully, it is very easy to think that God wants men that have given up having fun, and living life to the full, but this is the complete opposite. This is one of the special things that have attracted me to the Fraternity of San Carlo, their passion for life, and the fullness of humanity.
3) The Feast of the Epiphany, the visit of the three wise men to Jesus, bringing gifts. During the day I was brought more deeply into the experience of what it means to come from a far, to adore the baby Jesus. I remember being deeply moved by the homily given by Jonah, and looking around and seeing my brother seminarians from other countries, all united because of the Christ child, all of us bringing ourselves, and our many gifts and talents to lay before our King. This experience helped to ease the nostalgia of being far away from home, and recognize that I am part of the same project God initiated many years ago. I remember thinking to myself, that this event, day, was like a rebirth for me, a new scope by which to view and understand what I have met and the reasonableness of me being in Rome at the house of formation. An experience that brought light to my memory of my experiences, the key ones that enabled me to decide to ask and come to Rome, helped to clarify a couple of the things I was struggling with, and reveal God’s hand and presence in my life. A couple of days later, I was blessed to share this experience with Jonah, and complement him for sharing his inspiration.
4) I celebrated my 26th birthday on the first day back to school. The guys all wished me well, and before lunch they made an announcement to everyone in the dining hall. One of the Italian traditions, is that on your birthday you must provide the treat or specialty for the rest of the guys in the house, this was news to me. However, no one made a fit, and we had a nice lunch together. I was a little hesitant to make news of my birthday, a little unsure of the response, and desire for attention. I did enjoy very much having everyone come over to me and wish me well. It was very different from all previous birthdays, however, an experience that I will grow into pian piano. I was blessed to have the opportunity to make a few calls, I was a little frustrated that I could not touch base with everyone I wanted to, but I remember talking to my good friends Mateush and Raf, and calling Soultrain –Joe Trainor. I was also excited to receive birthday greetings from friends through email and facebook.
5) During the span of two weeks after my birthday, I was blessed to receive packages and cards from my family and a couple of friends wishing me birthday greetings. I remember being all giddy receiving the family calendar with a picture of the vice-rector on the second page, the books, Coldplay cd, and cards and drawings, a Globe and Mail. My family and friends thoughtfulness and generosity was a beautiful sign of God’s generosity and love for my life. Being away, one is able to recognize more fully the gifted character of life, of what has been given so freely to me over the years. I am a lot more grateful than before I left. I enjoyed reading through the Michael O’Brien book on the family and fatherhood, the letters between Saint Therese of Lisieux and a struggling French seminarian, and the book by Wendell Berry, The Miracle of Life was excellent, a critique of contemporary culture. I read the Globe and Mail over the course of two weekends, getting up early and reading in my room before morning Mass. I was excited to show don Massimo, and the other guys in the house, including the two vice rectors, the family calendar and pictures that were sent. I have Carol’s drawing posted on my bulletin board, and along with a couple of pictures, the one of the five kids at Disney Land, and the one of Grampy and I. It is great to be reminded of the tradition and history that I am a part of, being born into a particularly family with a particular history and culture sure explains a lot about who I am, and how I think. I received cards from the Bishop of Saint John, as well as from Aaron Knox and my friend Laura Galbraith, and a couple of others.
6) Marcello Pera came to the house for a meeting an explanation of his book on the history and fundamentals of Liberalism. I enjoyed meeting him very much, and many of the guys families were present. The next day was to be a major celebration for 7 of the guys receiving the permission to wear the roman collar, and make am initial commitment to the Fraternity. We prepared throughout the weekend, very similar to the Feast of San Carlo Borromeo in November. However, this celebration was much more personal since it was my brothers, seven men that I have known since last spring that made their commitment to the community, and now wear clerical clothing daily. To see them make their commitment to the community, their yes to the evidence God has revealed to them, and the joy of standing in front of their family and friends and the community and saying yes to the project of God. This was very special. I remember in particular my good friend Diego, from Mexico, back in November he was in my room and noticed a prayer card I had received from the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Washington, of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and he was really excited and at the same time a little down because he does not have one, as well, a little nostalgia for his homeland. He always tells me, he hopes to get a Mexican flag, to match and go along with my Canadian one. Well, the next week I wrote the Poor Clares and let them in on the situation, without telling all the details, they responded with two different prayer cards of Our Lady. The before he was to make his commitment to the community, I snuck into his room and placed a note and the prayer card under pillow. He mentioned to me the next day that it had meant a lot to him. Diego is one of the guys who I am close with, we will often get together after dinner for a drink or share the ups and downs of community life. He has been a great help. Everyone of the guys from Italy had their family, friends in town, it was a huge party and celebration. The kids from the Barca di Pietro were there, close to 50, to see Ruben, Francesco, and Messi (Diego) receive their collars. At the party, each of them had to prepare an act to prepare in front of the 250 guests, the acts were great, and before each of them performed, there was a video introduction with a couple pictures, and silly information. The frizzies were done by video, a first for me, but a regular for the movement in Italy. It was nice because it enabled a couple of people to participate who would otherwise probably not participate in being front of such a large group. They were hilarious. My main responsibility was to keep the food moving, using the elevator from the dining hall to the entertainment hall, very similar to the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Church, we all ate really well, and it was great to see my friends being honored for their lives, and gift of themselves to the community. Don Massimo was thrilled, and spoke at the end, expressing his gratitude for the men and their families.
7) In regards to my Italian language teacher, I received a text message from her saying that she would not be able to continue teaching me for personal reasons. I was very disappointed with losing such a fine teacher, I had learned a lot from her, and was a great authority for me. I have been without a teacher for almost six weeks now, and have not been making progress at the same rate, as when I was working with Caterina. She did give me the telephone number of a friend from the Neo-Catechumenal movement, a woman who is married she highlighted in the text message. I will start again, and continue working on learning this wonderful language.
8) Winter exams and studying together during the final weeks of January and into February. At the Lateran University, and at most European universities students are required to complete oral examinations. Oral examinations in front of classmates, and with classmates and brother seminarians listening in. I found it almost like a show, or theater, it is too bad I never studied Theater Arts at Saint Malachy’s. One must illustrate to the teacher, or play the card that one knows what he is talking about, regarding a series of questions the professor asks. The students get to weigh in and judge from the other students performances, where they fit in to the grading scale, and the professors tendencies, of questions asked, or material, depending on the students who precede each other. I thought this was a huge sham, and I am still not convinced that it is an adequate way to evaluate the students knowledge of the material. It is a way, and a valid way to record a mark, or a level of comprehension, but am not convinced from my personal experience that this is the best way to gauge one’s knowledge. Imagine trying to explain something in a foreign language with the professor in front of you, and not having an immediate response. Well, I will stop here. The professors were overly generous with my marks and marks in general, but I want to concentrate on what is important and that is learning the material and being able to respond to questions regarding the faith, and history of ideas when I am asked. I want to bring what I have learned with me, not just to school, but to the many interesting people I meet. Studying together proved to be an interesting experience, learning to be together with a bunch of Italians is not easy, especially when I am used to studying quietly and peacefully. However, there is genius to their madness, since they are built to speak and dialogue, their constant chatter, well conversation is a great tool to learn to express the intricate parts of argument and theory. I am more used to writing it out logically systematically, and cannot stand trying to follow a discussion when six other voices are all going at the same time. I mentioned my inability to comprehend anything when they all speak at once, and how I prefer to study in a more tranquil manner. We compromised and chose to try to work in a balanced way, this was a great help for me, and was able to make this experience a positive one. It was great to see their growth in the material, I think during the semester they all looked at me a little funny, because I would attend all classes, and not remain at home, very un-Italian. However, we have discussed how positive this experience was, and want to study together during the semester, and not merely wait until the end, when we got to prepare for exams. I am much happier to know that I will not be alone in class this semester, but will be with my guys, that we can stand together, well sit and listen to our professors.
9) Reading Ratzinger’s discourses on the priesthood was great, two of his addresses were given at St. Augustine’s seminary in Toronto. The book was recommended to me by don Massimo, after I had asked him about Ratzinger’s writings on the nature of gift, and the priesthood, how we are called to make the gift of self, and participate in the one priesthood of Christ. The book was top notch and I ate it up over the course of two weeks. Two other interesting books were the letters exchange by Therese of Lisieux and a seminarian named Maurice, and a little book my sister Marie gave on Fatherhood and the Family. Much more could easily be written, but I want to stop here.
February 11, 2009
January proved to be a very interesting month at the House of Formation in Rome. The month began in the Lake Como area, about an hour north of Milan, where I went to spend a week of vacation after Christmas with a fellow first year novitiate candidate, Umberto Tagliaferri. We flew from Rome early on the morning of the 27th of December, it was quite a funny morning, Umberto did not tell Giuliano that we were flying from the Ciampino airport until we were in the car at five o’clock in the morning. The Ciampino airport is much further away than the one at Fiumicino, Giuliano was shocked and burst out some obscene Italian saying, probably “va fancoullo”, he has got quite a loose tongue. During the Angelus on the way to the airport, I could not keep a straight face and burst out laughing. I was a little bit shocked that Umberto had not told him. We arrived in Milano, and took a bus to the central train station, which would be our home base during the visit of the city. After putting our bags in the luggage storage at the station, we left for the Duomo Basilica, we arrived just in time for Mass, Ambrosian Liturgy, just before the first reading. The Church was incredible, very different from the many other Churches I have visited in Rome and other parts of Europe, thanks again Mom for encouraging and financing my trip around western Europe in 2003. After Mass, we toured the Church for while and prayed near the crypt of San Carlo Borromeo, unfortunately it was too early in the morning and the crypt was not yet open. The statues around the Church tell the story of the Church, there must be a couple hundred statues. After leaving the Church, we went to Vitoria Emmanuelle square for breakfast, at one of the best bars in the city, we treated ourselves to cappuccino’s and pastries. We then walked around the city for the better part of the morning, and visited the tomb of St. Ambrose. This was a remarkable site that used to be the home of a monastery, very interesting courtyards and interior. It is too bad that I am writing this witness over a month after the visit to Milan. Other highlights include accidently bumping into Luca Cavalone , Memores house in Montreal, at the cemetery where don Luigi Giussani is buried. I was very happy to see him, and get caught up with the happenings of the CL Montreal community. The grave site is beautiful, and it had to be moved from its original spot because there were too many people coming to pray and venerate this great teacher. I have a nice picture of Luca, and I that I hope I can make available. We were hosted during the day by Umberto’s friend, Niccola –who works for the AC Milan soccer team, we got to meet his parents and his brother who were absolutely sweet. I took a real liking to his dad, who shared his experience of the CL movement growing up in Milan, and his work as a high school philosophy teacher. I also met two friends from the Memores community, Andrea and Giovanni, Giovanni was instrumental in Umberto’s conversion, and encouraged him to meet with a priest who follows the CL charism, which led to him requesting to enter the Fraternity of San Carlo. It was great to meet these people, for it has helped me to better understand Umberto, and the fact that it is through others, our friends and families, that help to reveal who one truly is. I remember thinking to myself, that I had seen a whole new side of Umberto during the week in the Lake Como area. There are too many highlights from the vacation, but a couple include, 1) Playing tennis on indoor courts, 2) Going skiing at Bormio, the day after a the slopes had hosted a World Cup Ski event, 3) Going to a Spa, a series of about 10 different pools, saunas and hot rocks you get to walk on, Umberto putting ice in my bathing suit, 4) Meeting Umberto’s family, his mother and two sisters, his brother was away but I had the privilege to meet him when he came to Rome in the fall. 5) Meeting and going out to dinner with Umberto’s benefactors, 6) The common life together during those days with Max (former seminarian), Andrea, Giovanni, Niccola, Guido. We ate really well, relaxed a whole bunch, and the Lake Como area is in the mountainous area so I got to enjoy the cool crisp air, snow on the ground and in the air, walking to our apartment on New Year’s eve there was a light dusting of snow in the air. I was reminded of home in Saint John. One last thing is the chapel, it was so cute. The old ladies of the community would arrive an hour before the Mass to ring the large bells, this announces to the community that there will be a Mass in an hour’s time, they then ring the bell a half hour prior. At the scheduled time of the Mass, about 20 of us were snuggled into this little chapel and had to wait a good ten minutes for the priest to arrive. The community is built on a hillside, and the houses are very small, all stone made, cobblestone pathways between the houses. I enjoyed the ambiance very much. We would return to the house of formation on Friday January 2nd, in time for Mass during the evening.
A note from my notepad 30/12/2008
Tuesday morning at Umberto’s home at Lake Como, the second week of Christmas vacation from the FSCB seminary. I have decided to limit this entry to the Christmas vacation, concentrate on a couple main events.
Following the end of the year Christmas party, everyone or most of the seminarians packed up and left for their respective homes following the 7am Mass. Lavelli cooked up a feast with a couple of helpers, we sang some songs, skits and then broke out the songbooks, it was great. The fact that I don’t share a similar history will forever remain, but I am learning that I am part of something bigger that takes up their and my respective history. Somehow their history, culture are mine, and are taken up through my fraternal friendship. I am happy that this will only grow in time, the more I embody the other and his difference. Initially, there was a great feeling of nostalgia for not being home, with family and friends and with what is familiar, with the seminary virtually empty and me alone in my room not sure what I should do, or think about at this time. An older seminarian, Marco Basile made a great effort to encourage me to live these days with a fullness, to seek Christ’s presence in the silence and solitude, and alones. The meals during these past days were very good, smaller and much more intimate, we feasted on the remaining wine and the cooks baked Christmas goodies for us, almost daily. We were asked to run the International Welcoming House during the week, and be available to answer any questions or calls to the house. I initially thought that this time was going to be negative, but I decided to make a judgment on its positivity, being asked to remain in Italy and knowing that this was an opportunity given to me to better understand my life and vocation.
Jonah lent me O’Brien’s Sofia House which I read in a couple of days, and I finished Claudel’s L’Annonce à Marie. Both were first class pieces of literature, and recently finished Danielou’s Il Mistero de Salvazioni dei Nazioni…All are helping me to better understand what I am living and the proposal in front of me.
I spent a couple of hours working on and cleaning up my blog. This is a tool that I enjoy using to help navigate to the sites I frequently use, as well, post interesting articles, or links that catch my interest. Pictures from my life in Rome, and of my brothers in the Fraternity. Since Lopez’s lecture the theme of technology has been on my mind, questions about position and availability in front of reality, ability and availability for silence, power, love, possession, dominion, gift, and creation, original experiences, Gensis, time, suffering and the body.
During the days, Zardine, Umberto, Konrad, Azaline, Giacomo and Agapitus were present. We got to learn how Konrad and Agapitus met CL and the Fraternity. Great witnesses and stories. The time spent together helps me to better recognize their humanity, their beauty and childlikeness. A couple of us would go running together daily, in the beautiful park, almost to green to actually think that it is Christmas. However, at night we can see the Christmas lights on the surrounding houses.
On the 27th, at 4:50am, Umberto knocked on my door, I had completely forgot of the need to get up and go to the airport. I responded, Vieni Signore Gesu, I was dreaming about the passage that says God is knocking on our, the door of our hearts and waiting patiently for our response. Giuliano was surprised that we needed to go to the Ciampino airport.
Later in the day, we drove around the city trying to find an air gun for Max, and had a great lunch at the Memores House, Andrea and Giovanni. Visited Giussani’s tomb, where I met Luca, his brother and aunt. What a beautiful tomb. Mary, sign and witness of our hope.
We met Umberto’s mother Saturday evening at the house where Andrea, Giovanni, Max and Guido would be staying. After a delicious supper Umberto and I went to our little apartment, where we would be staying for the week. Walking down to the apartment, we got to share a couple of things, and pray at the nativity scene made in a real stable.
After lunch the following day at Umberto’s sister’s restaurant…Returning back to our place of rest for the week, I took some time to stack the wood and afterward go for a walk to do silence. I was picked up on the road, to go play tennis, I played against Andrea, it was a lot of fun.
We decided to go skiing the next day, we left at 7am and arrived close to 9:30am. Niccolo thought I was going to be an expert skier, Max teased me, and said that I spent more time on my ass then on my feet. The first run down the hill was brutal. I fell, and fell, and fell, and wiped out completely, maybe 15-20 times, rolled down the hill. The mountain was 3000 feet long, I really did go down half the hill on my ass. Andrea was a great help, to teach me the fundamentals, how to brake, stand up, and curve, my body is very sore today. I decided to stay on the smaller hill for the rest of the morning, 1500 m long, and after two runs with Andrea, I started to pick it up and ski without any help and difficulty. My right knee is severely sprained, but well worth it, I know from my running experience what the body is capable of. Niccolo and I went down together to close the day, it has been great getting to know him, share our lives together for a couple of days. I enjoyed telling people about CL on the chairlift, a kid crashed into me, twice on the hills. The mountains were incredible, lots of people on the slopes, was very surprised to see how good some of the young kids are at getting down the hill. Snowboards and all. Thought afterward about my uncle Paul, and godmother Janie. Hopefully, I will be able to go skiing with them in the future. Was soaked, very wet, hands like ice, but loved all of it, takes a lot of courage to keep getting back up, at times almost too difficult to get up, knowing how much it hurt, and how long and far away I was from the bottom of the hill. A World Cup ski event took place the previous day.
End of note
In general, January proved to be a challenging month, one of much personal growth, sacrifice and struggle as I continue to grow in my understanding of God’s mission in leading me to the Fraternity of San Carlo. However, I think that the struggle has only helped me to better understand the greatness of what is at stake with a vocation to the priesthood, and with the Fraternity of San Carlo. I am becoming more aware that I don’t necessary like having to struggle with my uncertainty (place within) of the community, with friendships and with my sense of belonging. I remember going through a period where I had not ever asked God to make himself present to me, in the common life and friendships I live with the guys in the house. As I look back on this experience, I am grateful that I had to endure this difficult time for it has shed light on the need to really beg the mystery to make himself present, and to give me the grace to recognize his presence in my life. As well, the bearing to light the work and effort involved in growing in a community, and vocational environment. Who would have ever thought that life was difficult, and challenging, guess that comes with following the way of the cross. I have noticed at times, that I am hesitant to fully enter into the communal life, worried that I may not be accepted or welcomed, or that I may get hurt or made fun of. This recognition has been a help, since it is only in going out of myself and fully entering the common life, taking this risk, that I will discover myself and be free. It is great to know that my freedom is not something that I can manipulate or control, but a work, a going out of myself and being with the other guys in the house. I will find my freedom to the extent that I meet Christ present in the other, the boys in the house. My freedom is a response to another who wants to make himself present in the flesh of another. I remember being very moved a couple of weeks ago, talking to my father, who mentioned that he is coming to terms with me being in Rome, and my search for freedom and personal growth. He mentioned that he has discovered his freedom, only in and through his relations with his wife and five children. The work and struggle, and many sacrifices they made together. It is the community that has been given to him where the Mystery has taken flesh and made himself present. This has been a great help for me, and often on my heart. It is a privilege that in some way God has helped my father to experience this true liberation, through me being away, or at least becoming more aware of this gift. My family experience is a dominant one by which I view and understand and judge what I live.
At the house encounter, meeting, don Massimo spoke about the importance of really taking seriously this time of formation. To not hide anything, and to live and give everything you got to the community. He made reference to the parable of the talents, that we are here to multiply what we have been given, and not hide and bury what we got in the sand. We will experience the hundredfold growth in our personality and freedom to the extent that we work on our lives and relationship with Christ. He really excited me about this search for my destiny, for the search for my freedom and personality. I kept thinking of St. Augustine and trials and tribulations he had to endure in his search for freedom and the truth of God and of himself. It is safe to say that I will not struggle and become a Manichee while in Rome, or at least I hope not. I had a lot of fun preparing for the Patristic Philosophy exam, and read the general audiences by the Holy Father on the life of Augustine, he has become a model for me, during these days in the house of formation.
The text of the school of community, the chapter on Hope, has been a great help to understand and interpret what I am living. I seem to struggle with the temptations that Giussani highlights. My prayer has been for the growth of my disponibility for the project God has for my life, and to grow in my certainty of the positivity of my relationship with the Mystery. I struggle in the area of patience, waiting and suffering as I grow in the culture and the friendships with the guys in the house. I wonder why my sense of belonging has not grown faster, or why certain friendships have been so slow to develop. However, I do trust that all of these will come together accordingly. It is great to have encountered Christ, a present reality that enables me to have the certainty of the positivity of the future, a future full of love and the generosity of a loving Father.
A couple of the highlights of the month include, 1) Meeting up with Sean and Becca Lewis (friends from Quincy Street), 2) Meeting up with Antonio Lopez, 3) The Epiphany, and rebirth, 3b) Birthday, 4) Meeting on the importance of Psychology in the formation of priests, 5) Direzione Spirituale, 6) Receiving Christmas and Birthday packages, and letters, 7) Marcello Pera’s visit to the house, 8) Festa Ammissioni agli Ordini, San Pietro 9) Italian language teacher, 10) Incontro della Casa, 11) Winter exams and studying together, 12) Reading Ratzinger’s book on priestly formation, 13) John Paul II Conference, and Parish Mission, 14) St. Theresa and Maurice, and Micheal O’ Brien’s book on the family.
1) Before leaving for Lake Como, I was blessed to be made aware that two of my friends from Washington, Sean and Becca Lewis, along with the University of Dallas Choir would be in Rome during the Christmas Holidays to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the choir’s founding. We met up for Mass at the San Prasede Basilica, a beautiful church near Santa Maria Maggiore, along via Merulana, between San Giovanni Laterano (I had toured this church back in the fall with the guys from the house, Lavelli explained many of the special characters of the icons and the column where Jesus was scourged, and the burial of a couple of martyrs here) and Santa Maria Maggiore. When I arrived the UD choir was in the back of the church preparing, I spotted Sean and Becca, and I remember being a little bit giddy. During the Christmas and winter season, I experienced a lot of nostalgia for family and friends, this was my first winter away. During the Mass, the choir was incredible, singing the parts of the Mass beautifully. I remember being in awe looking at the mosaics and other icons present in the Church. It was great to meet up afterward, Sean has a great knowledge of Rome and Church history, he explained a couple of the highlights and I added a few words here and there. They are expecting their second child, and Sean is still teaching at CUA and regularly making an appearance at the Quincy St. House. I learned that the Quincy St. band has really taken off, and are now playing back up for Stella Schindler. It was great to meet another seminarian friend from UD, who is finishing up his Licentiate here in Rome. We talked together with Sean for the better part of the morning. Afterward, the choir walked over to Santa Maria Maggiore and following the Mass entered the Church and sing a couple of hymns in the baptistery, as well, in front of the main altar, and in the small Marian chapel left of the main altar. This was a wonderful experience, to be with friends and through their choral music be brought to contemplate the mystery. I was able to stop and pray before the crib from the stable in Bethlehem, it currently is incased in gold. Afterward, we all went out to lunch together with a couple of the UD choir members, and then visited nearby church, San Pietro in Vincoli. This was a great day, I got to see the chains which Peter was locked up in prison, and the famous statue of Moses. I bought two postcards, and sent them to Guen and Raf and Mat.
2) Returning home that afternoon, I briefly saw my good friend Antonio Lopez in the park while out running. I was not aware, but he had come to the house during the day. He had been in Rome for meetings with the heads of our community. I remember briefly telling him about my day with my friends from Quincy Street, and the UD choir, and how beautiful the experience of their choral music was. As I was continuing my run, he playfully told me to have fun. These words I often came back to during the month, I remember thinking that my passion for life, joie de vivre, will not be taken away by God, that it will only further be deepened and matured as I grow in my relationship with Christ. At times, I have wondered what a vocation to the priesthood means in light of having fun, and living joyfully, it is very easy to think that God wants men that have given up having fun, and living life to the full, but this is the complete opposite. This is one of the special things that have attracted me to the Fraternity of San Carlo, their passion for life, and the fullness of humanity.
3) The Feast of the Epiphany, the visit of the three wise men to Jesus, bringing gifts. During the day I was brought more deeply into the experience of what it means to come from a far, to adore the baby Jesus. I remember being deeply moved by the homily given by Jonah, and looking around and seeing my brother seminarians from other countries, all united because of the Christ child, all of us bringing ourselves, and our many gifts and talents to lay before our King. This experience helped to ease the nostalgia of being far away from home, and recognize that I am part of the same project God initiated many years ago. I remember thinking to myself, that this event, day, was like a rebirth for me, a new scope by which to view and understand what I have met and the reasonableness of me being in Rome at the house of formation. An experience that brought light to my memory of my experiences, the key ones that enabled me to decide to ask and come to Rome, helped to clarify a couple of the things I was struggling with, and reveal God’s hand and presence in my life. A couple of days later, I was blessed to share this experience with Jonah, and complement him for sharing his inspiration.
4) I celebrated my 26th birthday on the first day back to school. The guys all wished me well, and before lunch they made an announcement to everyone in the dining hall. One of the Italian traditions, is that on your birthday you must provide the treat or specialty for the rest of the guys in the house, this was news to me. However, no one made a fit, and we had a nice lunch together. I was a little hesitant to make news of my birthday, a little unsure of the response, and desire for attention. I did enjoy very much having everyone come over to me and wish me well. It was very different from all previous birthdays, however, an experience that I will grow into pian piano. I was blessed to have the opportunity to make a few calls, I was a little frustrated that I could not touch base with everyone I wanted to, but I remember talking to my good friends Mateush and Raf, and calling Soultrain –Joe Trainor. I was also excited to receive birthday greetings from friends through email and facebook.
5) During the span of two weeks after my birthday, I was blessed to receive packages and cards from my family and a couple of friends wishing me birthday greetings. I remember being all giddy receiving the family calendar with a picture of the vice-rector on the second page, the books, Coldplay cd, and cards and drawings, a Globe and Mail. My family and friends thoughtfulness and generosity was a beautiful sign of God’s generosity and love for my life. Being away, one is able to recognize more fully the gifted character of life, of what has been given so freely to me over the years. I am a lot more grateful than before I left. I enjoyed reading through the Michael O’Brien book on the family and fatherhood, the letters between Saint Therese of Lisieux and a struggling French seminarian, and the book by Wendell Berry, The Miracle of Life was excellent, a critique of contemporary culture. I read the Globe and Mail over the course of two weekends, getting up early and reading in my room before morning Mass. I was excited to show don Massimo, and the other guys in the house, including the two vice rectors, the family calendar and pictures that were sent. I have Carol’s drawing posted on my bulletin board, and along with a couple of pictures, the one of the five kids at Disney Land, and the one of Grampy and I. It is great to be reminded of the tradition and history that I am a part of, being born into a particularly family with a particular history and culture sure explains a lot about who I am, and how I think. I received cards from the Bishop of Saint John, as well as from Aaron Knox and my friend Laura Galbraith, and a couple of others.
6) Marcello Pera came to the house for a meeting an explanation of his book on the history and fundamentals of Liberalism. I enjoyed meeting him very much, and many of the guys families were present. The next day was to be a major celebration for 7 of the guys receiving the permission to wear the roman collar, and make am initial commitment to the Fraternity. We prepared throughout the weekend, very similar to the Feast of San Carlo Borromeo in November. However, this celebration was much more personal since it was my brothers, seven men that I have known since last spring that made their commitment to the community, and now wear clerical clothing daily. To see them make their commitment to the community, their yes to the evidence God has revealed to them, and the joy of standing in front of their family and friends and the community and saying yes to the project of God. This was very special. I remember in particular my good friend Diego, from Mexico, back in November he was in my room and noticed a prayer card I had received from the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Washington, of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and he was really excited and at the same time a little down because he does not have one, as well, a little nostalgia for his homeland. He always tells me, he hopes to get a Mexican flag, to match and go along with my Canadian one. Well, the next week I wrote the Poor Clares and let them in on the situation, without telling all the details, they responded with two different prayer cards of Our Lady. The before he was to make his commitment to the community, I snuck into his room and placed a note and the prayer card under pillow. He mentioned to me the next day that it had meant a lot to him. Diego is one of the guys who I am close with, we will often get together after dinner for a drink or share the ups and downs of community life. He has been a great help. Everyone of the guys from Italy had their family, friends in town, it was a huge party and celebration. The kids from the Barca di Pietro were there, close to 50, to see Ruben, Francesco, and Messi (Diego) receive their collars. At the party, each of them had to prepare an act to prepare in front of the 250 guests, the acts were great, and before each of them performed, there was a video introduction with a couple pictures, and silly information. The frizzies were done by video, a first for me, but a regular for the movement in Italy. It was nice because it enabled a couple of people to participate who would otherwise probably not participate in being front of such a large group. They were hilarious. My main responsibility was to keep the food moving, using the elevator from the dining hall to the entertainment hall, very similar to the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Church, we all ate really well, and it was great to see my friends being honored for their lives, and gift of themselves to the community. Don Massimo was thrilled, and spoke at the end, expressing his gratitude for the men and their families.
7) In regards to my Italian language teacher, I received a text message from her saying that she would not be able to continue teaching me for personal reasons. I was very disappointed with losing such a fine teacher, I had learned a lot from her, and was a great authority for me. I have been without a teacher for almost six weeks now, and have not been making progress at the same rate, as when I was working with Caterina. She did give me the telephone number of a friend from the Neo-Catechumenal movement, a woman who is married she highlighted in the text message. I will start again, and continue working on learning this wonderful language.
8) Winter exams and studying together during the final weeks of January and into February. At the Lateran University, and at most European universities students are required to complete oral examinations. Oral examinations in front of classmates, and with classmates and brother seminarians listening in. I found it almost like a show, or theater, it is too bad I never studied Theater Arts at Saint Malachy’s. One must illustrate to the teacher, or play the card that one knows what he is talking about, regarding a series of questions the professor asks. The students get to weigh in and judge from the other students performances, where they fit in to the grading scale, and the professors tendencies, of questions asked, or material, depending on the students who precede each other. I thought this was a huge sham, and I am still not convinced that it is an adequate way to evaluate the students knowledge of the material. It is a way, and a valid way to record a mark, or a level of comprehension, but am not convinced from my personal experience that this is the best way to gauge one’s knowledge. Imagine trying to explain something in a foreign language with the professor in front of you, and not having an immediate response. Well, I will stop here. The professors were overly generous with my marks and marks in general, but I want to concentrate on what is important and that is learning the material and being able to respond to questions regarding the faith, and history of ideas when I am asked. I want to bring what I have learned with me, not just to school, but to the many interesting people I meet. Studying together proved to be an interesting experience, learning to be together with a bunch of Italians is not easy, especially when I am used to studying quietly and peacefully. However, there is genius to their madness, since they are built to speak and dialogue, their constant chatter, well conversation is a great tool to learn to express the intricate parts of argument and theory. I am more used to writing it out logically systematically, and cannot stand trying to follow a discussion when six other voices are all going at the same time. I mentioned my inability to comprehend anything when they all speak at once, and how I prefer to study in a more tranquil manner. We compromised and chose to try to work in a balanced way, this was a great help for me, and was able to make this experience a positive one. It was great to see their growth in the material, I think during the semester they all looked at me a little funny, because I would attend all classes, and not remain at home, very un-Italian. However, we have discussed how positive this experience was, and want to study together during the semester, and not merely wait until the end, when we got to prepare for exams. I am much happier to know that I will not be alone in class this semester, but will be with my guys, that we can stand together, well sit and listen to our professors.
9) Reading Ratzinger’s discourses on the priesthood was great, two of his addresses were given at St. Augustine’s seminary in Toronto. The book was recommended to me by don Massimo, after I had asked him about Ratzinger’s writings on the nature of gift, and the priesthood, how we are called to make the gift of self, and participate in the one priesthood of Christ. The book was top notch and I ate it up over the course of two weeks. Two other interesting books were the letters exchange by Therese of Lisieux and a seminarian named Maurice, and a little book my sister Marie gave on Fatherhood and the Family. Much more could easily be written, but I want to stop here.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Witness for December 2008
Witness by John Roderick for the Month of December
January 18, 2009
The month of December coincides with an important time in regards to the rhythm of the liturgical year. The liturgical year concludes with the Feast of Christ the King, usually the last weekend in November, and the new year begins with the preparation for Christmas, with the four weeks of Advent. A preparation that is intended to help one become increasing aware of the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ, the coming of God to the People of Israel in the form of a baby. During the four weeks of Advent, my awareness of the meaning of the words of the Angelus was significantly heightened. What a treat it is to come together as brothers seeking the path God has chosen for each of us, and be reminded of the coming of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. As well, that we are all here in Rome at the house of formation, because of this fact, that God decided to send his Son into the world through the assent of a young girl. That we have all been struck by this fact, this fact that touches all cultures and all times, a fact that unites people for a common work and a common life.
The month began with an Advent retreat at Vitorciano, a monastery for cloistered religious sisters, which is located about an hour outside of Rome. Don Massimo gave the reflection, and then we had time for silence before eating lunch. I was blessed to have been asked by my spiritual director to drive together to the retreat. We had a nice opportunity to get caught up about what I had been living and some of the difficulties I was having. I remember distinctly that I mentioned that I had a difficulty understanding the importance and meaning of the expectations we have and place on others, for instance the expectations I have for my spiritual director, for friends and for people that are authorities for me. I was struggling a little bit, because a friend and authoritative figure for me had come to Rome and it seemed like he had little time for me. I was a little disappointed, and confused trying to understand my past relationship with him, and what does this mean for ones expectation on another. History is real, and is never lost, all is taken up with Christ and nothing is ever lost, however, I learned that often to understand particular occurrences and events, they often require much time and prayer, and an openness to ask for understanding. Don Massimo highlighted that during this time of the year, Advent, he described as being paradoxical period since usually as one tries to become more aware of the presence and meaning of the Incarnation, one at the same time recognizes how far one is away from God, and our limited ability to give adequate praise and thanks for such an incredible fact. As the weeks progressed and Christmas became nearer, I experienced this very much. I remember thinking that I do not know how I ought to express my gratitude for such an incredible event, God becoming flesh, and being face to face with my limitations and sinfulness. At times, it was very difficult to stay in front of, however, through this I believe one is able to recognize one’s dependence and neediness, the need for a Savior, and Other, through whom all things are possible. Even the ability to cross the threshold of the chasm that exists between God and man. It is great to live with so many concrete witnesses who embody this reality, our common life together is where I am often nourished and made aware of this reality.
December was an eventful month, and very different since I was asked to stay and remain in Rome and not to return to Canada. This was difficult but very important for me to begin to understand the meaning of distance and separation, and at the same time how through distance and separation, God through the working of the Holy Spirit enables us to be together, and closely united. A mystery that one only learns through experience. Some of the highlights in point form include the following: 1) Great Books meeting on Plato’s Symposium, 2) Book launch and meeting with Marcello Pera for his book, where I introduced myself to Mary Ann Glendon, 3) Antonio Lopez’s visit to the house, lecture on the nature of technology, and catching up together, 4) Planting trees with don Jonah and other seminarians, 4) Preparing the Prasepe, nativity scene, 5) First Pranzo dell’anno, 6) My expressing the feeling of a new beginning in the house of formation, 7) The visit by Marcus and Cleuza from Brazil and leaders of the Landless Workers movement, 8) Going to see the documentary on the work of Padre Marko Rubnik and his Studio with Jonah, and meeting him afterward, 9) Il Coro Gospel, preparing for the Christmas party, 10) Christmas Party, 11) Writing Christmas cards, 12) the Experience of being in Rome for Christmas, Christmas Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, 13) Week of vacation on Lake Como, and visit to Milan, the meeting of Umberto’s family and friends, 14) Reading Michael O’Brien’s Sofia House, and Paul Claudel’ L’Annonce fait a Marie, Massimo Camisasca’s Questa Casa Dove Dio Abita, and Jean Danielou’s Le Missioni ai le Nazioni. I will have to write another short witness for the Christmas Vacation, in the coming days.
Pictures 1) Trees planted in December, 2) and 3) Pictures from Christmas Party 2008
1. At the beginning of the month, we had our monthly symposium on Plato’s Symposium, one notable quote off the back, In vino Vertitas. This was a nice gathering directed by our head of studies Konrad, and vice rector Jonah Lynch. They are both very encouraging of getting into the texts of the ancient philosophers, thus far we have read Plato’s Apologia and the Fedone along with Aristotle’s De Anima are for January. We usually meet after dinner in one of the two reading rooms, and the evening begins with a series of questions that they have prepared for us, followed by our own personal commentary and questions. The latter half of our meetings usually coincides with the drinking of wine, and the tasting of some treats. This was especially nice considering the nature of the text under analysis. We all giggled a little bit at this fact. Some of the guys brought wine and another brought some nice sliced meats. I am slowly becoming more comfortable at expressing my ideas, and my judgment on the text, and integrating it with the knowledge and experience of the JPII Institute and other readings. I drew upon a series of lectures Grygiel gave for a Master’s Class week, and a paper prepared by Margaret McCarthy. I enjoy reading in Italian, it forces me to be with the text for a much longer period of time, than if I had been reading it in English. It is particularly enjoyable to work on these classic texts together with the other guys, and listen to their questions and comments. It is a great common work where I feel I can bring and add something particular.
2. Near the beginning of the month (December 4th), I saw a notice on our bulletin board about the possibility of going to hear Marcello Pera speak on his new book, Perchè Dobbiamo Dirci Christiani. After the evening discussing the Symposium, I asked Jonah whether I could attend, and he suggested that I take the responsibility for the organization of the transportation to and from the event. I was quite happy and a little nervous, it would mean that I would have to put together a signup sheet in Italian, advertising the event and determine how many people were interested. After all that, there proved to be only three of us interested or available to attend. We decided the best thing to do, was remain at the Lateran University after classes, and proceed to the city center for the mid afternoon presentation. We arrived early and had time to walk around the old cobblestone streets and go for a coffee before the start. Lavelli, 3rd year student, took us to one of the best coffee shops in the city, and directed us on how to have our coffee’s. We each had cappuccino’s which was the café’s specialty. I enjoyed being with the older seminarians, and seeing how they took me under their wing for the afternoon. The room where the book presentation took place was jam packed, Pera being the former president of the Italian Senate and friend of Benedict XVI, attracted a large and diverse crowd. I remember seeing and introducing myself to Mary Ann Glendon, the current American Ambassador to the Vatican, and mentioning Joe Flannigan’s trip to Ingleside, and my dad’s attendance at the Lonergan conferences at Boston College. I think she was quite surprised with my upfront approach.
In his book, Pera talks about the roots of Liberalism, as illustrated by John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, and Immanuel Kant, and how their formulations of this political theory all have an underlying Christian concept of man and his human dignity, and a concept of freedom that is coherent with these Christian ideas. Pera outlines the development of Liberalism, and its separation from its historical and ethical foundation, and proposes a return to the Christian concept of man and of his freedom. Pera, who once advocated for the strict removal and eclipse of Christianity, seeing it as a hindrance and an obstacle for liberalism, has had a significant change of opinion, and his now advocating a new beginning or a fresh start to a new form of liberalism that begins again by looking at the Christian vision of the dignity of man and his freedom. His book is divided into three chapters, the first outlining the history and development of liberalism from its founders, and most recent interpretations by John Rawls, and Jurgen Habermas and Benedetto Croce. The second chapter highlights the crisis of Europe’s search for an identity in a post-Christian culture, and concludes with a chapter on public ethics, emphasizing the loss of the underlying Christian concept of man and his liberty that pervaded the culture has led to a progressive deteriorating sense of man, and consequently a dictatorship of relativism. During the panel presentation, Cardinal Ruini gave a splendid summary of the book, as well Pera mentioned how this book should be seen as the fruit of his friendship with the Holy Father. Afterward on the way home, Jonah asked me to go with him back to the Lateran where his car was parked, and we proceeded with an hour of silence, and discussion. I remember mentioning a thought I had during the meditation on the Miracle of Cana, that God’s gift of grace is always an unexpected abundant gift which brings man to the cross, and to resurrection. With a little help, I translated it and placed on my wall, it says “God’s expected abundant gift of grace brings man to the cross”. I pinned this quote on a poster don Massimo gave me, and have it hanging in my room. Upon arriving home, we prayed Mass, and called it a night. A little incident happened later that evening, where some of the guys were giving me a hard time, and I had to leave the room. I felt like they were mocking me for who I was, for my history, and for something that I cannot change about myself. Umbe, helped me out later in the evening, to better understand what had happened.
3. My former professor, friend and priest of the Fraternity Antonio Lopez came to Rome to teach a class at the John Paul II Institute near the end of November, and I was able to touch base with him and get caught up. Initially, I saw him just briefly for a couple of minutes after Mass, I remember being excited to show him my improvement in Italian, and how I have been slowly beginning to feel more at home at the house of Formation. I was a little bit upset that we were only given a few brief minutes together, but I was to see him in ten days time, when he came to the house to stay for a couple of days. Antonio gave a lecture on the nature of technology which created a lot of buzz, and controversy, and I remember afterward trying to stick up for him and the work of the Institute in my broken Italian. I was a little taken aback with the negative response. However, he fielded all the questions and gave a reasonable well argued position. It is always a tough argument, the questions of nature and communication, togetherness, unity and friendship and what the logic of technology imposes on these themes. A sense of possession and control and manipulation, and the impediment of a sense of gift, wonder and generosity. Antonio had a lot of meetings with the JPII Institute faculty and important meetings with don Massimo and the other superiors of the Fraternity regarding all the priests in North America and Mexico. Antonio is the responsible for the Fraternity for North America. I remember saying to myself that I wanted a little more of his time. That would come to be on Monday, December 8th, we got to go for a walk together for about an hour in the garden. I remember mentioning some of the things I was struggling with, the meaning of being away and being reborn within a new culture, the struggle with some of the relationships with the guys in first year, how some of them been very mean at times, and how it makes me feel that I am being mocked and crucified at home, the grandeur of man’s freedom to love or put Christ to death, and my dissatisfaction with the lack of ability to get enough players to play soccer, and other sports. Many of the positives including the new the eyes and heart that I believe Christ has given me during this time of formation, the culture of silence and the seriousness in front of my destiny and the work of school of community. My enjoyment of staying with the older seminarians and learning from them, from their experience and witness of following the path of the Fraternity. I enjoyed getting caught up with the how the priests of the Fraternity are doing in Montreal, Boston and Washington, that Pietro will begin studies at the Institute, Jose and Stefano with the school in Boston. As well as getting caught up with the Institute and its move to the heart of the CUA campus, and how the faculty and staff were mourning the death of Susan. It was great to hear the positive words Antonio directed in regards to my sister and other friends who are working on the PhD program, and the new Canadian students in the Masters program.
The advice that I will most cherish, is that he encouraged me to be patient and be myself and really seek if the life of the Fraternity is a help to live my relationship with Christ. Stay in front of this fact, and that this is what is most important, does this life enable me to live more freely and deepen my understanding of myself. After our talk together, Antonio mentioned what I had said to the other superiors, and responsibles for my formation and discernment. He highlighted the fact that the key is to seek your own freedom, continually ask and judge if this life is what enables you to live more freely and fully. Accept the many crosses, and face the problems when they arise, enter the common life as best as possible, learn the language and participate in the communal life as fully as possible. It is here where freedom lies, uncover what has yet to be seen and judge it accordingly. Later in the evening, Antonio came to visit me in my room, and mentioned what I had said to the superiors, and encouraged me very much in my pursuit of freedom and the life with the Fraternity. I remember the feeling of being very free in front of him, an openness that I have with a few people, and how he showed me his passion for my destiny, my life and freedom in front of God. I thanked him in a letter, expressing my gratitude for helping me to live more freely, for teaching how to be free in front of what I was living and to help judge it accordingly. This was the start of a new beginning for me, and a greater happiness living these days together at the house of formation. Much gratitude.
4. Earlier in the day, December 8th, the first year seminarians began the construction of the Prasepe, the nativity scene. We were helped by DiPietro, a sixth year seminarian, who actually took the lead with the planning and outline. This was a very special time together, working together for the better part of a day constructing the Prasepe. Making a Prasepe is a very important Advent Tradition for the Italian culture, and it was San Francesco who was the first to build a nativity almost eight hundred years ago. We began by digging out all the old boxes, and ornaments and statues from previous years, a total of close to 15 or 20 boxes. I was very surprised with the amount of little trinkets, but the Italians take this tradition very seriously. Right off the bat, a couple of guys ran to the equivalent of Canadian Tire, to pick up some lumber and other little gadgets. We needed to build the staging that would hold up the lights in the background and the sky. Upon arriving at the house, they quickly measured the dimensions and starting cutting the wood, I realized immediately that the way they were cutting the wood and hammering nails in the beams connecting them, there was no way that it was going to be straight and level. It was kind of funny seeing it go up and be completely crooked, I encouraged them to use the lines on the floor and a measuring stick and the crookedness was quickly straightened out. Probably something I learned while growing up at Meadowbank, and the many Saturday afternoons at Ingleside. One of the funny things was the many ideas being tossed around, and the teasing and laughing at each others’ silly ideas. Overall, we made three trips to three different stores, and spent close to two hundred euro’s on the project. We had to straighten a navy blue cloth that was approximately 50 feet long, and a couple of us ran to the laundry room and were going to use the traditional irons, later another arrived and mentioned we should use the rolling iron, used to iron the altar cloths and other important cloths. We got it warmed up and ran it through a couple of times and we were set with a freshly pressed blue sky. On one of the runs to the store, the guys came back with beers and chips for all of us, this was a nice treat, and helped to unite us in the project. One of the guys created a water fountain, and others created the appearance of hills and a bridge and so much more, the details were incredible. Everyone helped out and contributed to what turned out to be a beautiful project. We all enjoyed it for the next month, and only took it down with the beginning of the first week of Ordinary time. It was great seeing the crib every morning before going to school and coming in from praying the rosary in the park during silence, always thinking and being reminded of the Angelus and the prayers and Advent songs we would sing at Mass.
5. The week following my meeting with Antonio, the rector of the seminary decided to change when we have our weekly lunch together. All the first year students have lunch with the rector and vice rector once a week together, and due to my language lessons it was decided that I would miss the weekly meetings. However, this changed and I was able to participate in my first weekly lunch meeting together with all the guys and the rectors. The rector mentioned the importance of being open to other cultures and the awareness of the other seminarians who are from away, the need for them to be welcomed. The need for us to learn to be missionaries first at home during the time of formation, to welcome the other who is different, who has a different history and culture, to see this as a richness and an opportunity to grow and learn the meaning and purpose of the Fraternity today. Near the end of the meal, I wanted to thank Atta for his words and express that at times I felt that my history and culture were an obstacle for me being accepted and welcomed by some of the guys in the house. And how at the same time, many have made me feel at home and welcomed me graciously. This week for me was a new beginning, many of the guys who were giving me a hard time have stopped and are much more aware of my sensitivities. I feel as though an obstacle has been removed from my path, and can continue to enter into the experience of the fraternity and the common life together. It was great that this became a general theme for the next ten days to two weeks, we were all focused on the centrality and meaning of welcoming and being open to the other, seeing a richness in their difference.
6. The following morning, I remember being very grateful and mentioned to the Rector of the seminary that these past days had been like a new beginning for me. I was excited to share this with him over breakfast, that there was a new sense of liberation, and freedom in front of all the guys I am living with, and the common life together. As well, how this turned out to be not a small matter, but an integral one to our formation and life together, it is here where we ought to receive the best education, in the daily struggles we live together. My friend from Brazil, Ottavio, mentioned that he was very moved to hear me give this testimony. It is from each others’ testimonies that we receive the strength to hope for a new beginning, to meet Christ again, knowing that he is indeed meeting my brother. And to see the renewal in the life of my brother.
7. During the last week, of school, Jonah and I attended a documentary launch by Padre Marko Rubnik, and artist who makes Mosaics. The documentary was played at the Casa Cinema at the Villa Borghese park, near the city center, and close to Piazza’s del Popolo and Spagna. We arrived a little bit late due to the traffic, and we ended walking quite a ways, but showed up to catch the better part of the presentation. The documentary highlighted the work of Rubnik and the Centro Aletti, his collaborators, as well as the mission of the work itself, the underlying philosophy and theology that the center hopes to incarnate. It was very special, and eye opening, he mentioned the joy of listening to the rock, and hearing it cry out to be broken, to be used in the mosaics in order to bring man to the contemplation of the Mystery. This gave us both new insights into the nature of technology as a aid, as a tool to unlock the hiddeness of nature’s desire to reveal the mystery to man and man to himself (Hopefully not too much JPII language, GS 22). Afterward, we got to meet Padre Rubnik and spent a couple of minutes together. The fraternity is interested in having him come to the house of formation and create a series of mosaics for our chapel. Jonah has been in touch with him on a couple of occasions, and Rubnik invited us to attend the opening of the display of the mosaics dedicated to Padre Pio. Afterward, before going home, and recognizing that it was late and the traffic was probably blocked up, we purchased sandwiches and beers and ate near where the car was parked. I enjoyed this time together very much, being with Jonah, and sharing a common passion for Art and the Church, it is great to spend time together outside of the traditional environment of the house, I feel as though I am enabled to reveal more of myself and interests, and learn more about him. It is great to see that a friendship is forming, and am much more free with him.
8. The Gospel choir for the Christmas party was a little bit of a gong show. Lots of laughs, frustration and a new glimpse of childlikeness in my brothers. Well, the first notice of a potential Gospel choir was in early November, and I remember expressing interest and waiting for the first practice. I remember thinking this would be a new way to participate in the common life, and better get to know my brothers through singing. I was looking forward to it very much. We had our first practice for the Gospel choir four days prior to the Christmas Party, which would be on Friday, the 19th. This was a little bit frustrating, seeing that it seemed like we were trying to throw something together last minute. I can’t stand doing things last minute, but I guess that is the ways things go. We were planning to sing a couple of songs, one in English, one in an African dialect, and another in Italian, they turned out quite nice when we were to sing in front of the house and the missionary sisters. I enjoyed very much the practices together, seeing a newness in my brothers while singing, a childlikeness that I had not previously seen. I enjoyed at times, just looking at the others I was singing with and seeing their faces, their smiles and bodily language. It was great to be a part of this unity, some frustration with the practices, people not showing up on time, not having a precise direction for the practices, and changing ideas for music only days before the Christmas party. However, in the end everything came together nicely in the end.
9. The Christmas Party took place Friday evening after Mass. We had decorated the dining room, and some of the boys had prepared a really nice dinner, with many treats. I was really happy that Fred, the other American seminarian was able to attend, it has been at times awkward not knowing whether he will be back at the house of formation next year. We had a lovely meal, and I sat near my spiritual director, we all enjoyed the nice sliced meets and different types of wine, the different types of pasta, and the desert. We had fritzies afterward, and they were a blast, some very good laughs. The Gospel choir got to sing our three pieces, and all the first year guys were asked to sing a song with the missionary sisters. Afterward, many of the boys got out some liquor, and we sang many of the traditional songs of the movement and Italian culture that CL has adapted. I enjoyed this very much, seeing everyone sing together. At times, it was a little frustrating not knowing the words, and not being able to sing along, but that is part of the package.
January 18, 2009
The month of December coincides with an important time in regards to the rhythm of the liturgical year. The liturgical year concludes with the Feast of Christ the King, usually the last weekend in November, and the new year begins with the preparation for Christmas, with the four weeks of Advent. A preparation that is intended to help one become increasing aware of the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ, the coming of God to the People of Israel in the form of a baby. During the four weeks of Advent, my awareness of the meaning of the words of the Angelus was significantly heightened. What a treat it is to come together as brothers seeking the path God has chosen for each of us, and be reminded of the coming of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. As well, that we are all here in Rome at the house of formation, because of this fact, that God decided to send his Son into the world through the assent of a young girl. That we have all been struck by this fact, this fact that touches all cultures and all times, a fact that unites people for a common work and a common life.
The month began with an Advent retreat at Vitorciano, a monastery for cloistered religious sisters, which is located about an hour outside of Rome. Don Massimo gave the reflection, and then we had time for silence before eating lunch. I was blessed to have been asked by my spiritual director to drive together to the retreat. We had a nice opportunity to get caught up about what I had been living and some of the difficulties I was having. I remember distinctly that I mentioned that I had a difficulty understanding the importance and meaning of the expectations we have and place on others, for instance the expectations I have for my spiritual director, for friends and for people that are authorities for me. I was struggling a little bit, because a friend and authoritative figure for me had come to Rome and it seemed like he had little time for me. I was a little disappointed, and confused trying to understand my past relationship with him, and what does this mean for ones expectation on another. History is real, and is never lost, all is taken up with Christ and nothing is ever lost, however, I learned that often to understand particular occurrences and events, they often require much time and prayer, and an openness to ask for understanding. Don Massimo highlighted that during this time of the year, Advent, he described as being paradoxical period since usually as one tries to become more aware of the presence and meaning of the Incarnation, one at the same time recognizes how far one is away from God, and our limited ability to give adequate praise and thanks for such an incredible fact. As the weeks progressed and Christmas became nearer, I experienced this very much. I remember thinking that I do not know how I ought to express my gratitude for such an incredible event, God becoming flesh, and being face to face with my limitations and sinfulness. At times, it was very difficult to stay in front of, however, through this I believe one is able to recognize one’s dependence and neediness, the need for a Savior, and Other, through whom all things are possible. Even the ability to cross the threshold of the chasm that exists between God and man. It is great to live with so many concrete witnesses who embody this reality, our common life together is where I am often nourished and made aware of this reality.
December was an eventful month, and very different since I was asked to stay and remain in Rome and not to return to Canada. This was difficult but very important for me to begin to understand the meaning of distance and separation, and at the same time how through distance and separation, God through the working of the Holy Spirit enables us to be together, and closely united. A mystery that one only learns through experience. Some of the highlights in point form include the following: 1) Great Books meeting on Plato’s Symposium, 2) Book launch and meeting with Marcello Pera for his book, where I introduced myself to Mary Ann Glendon, 3) Antonio Lopez’s visit to the house, lecture on the nature of technology, and catching up together, 4) Planting trees with don Jonah and other seminarians, 4) Preparing the Prasepe, nativity scene, 5) First Pranzo dell’anno, 6) My expressing the feeling of a new beginning in the house of formation, 7) The visit by Marcus and Cleuza from Brazil and leaders of the Landless Workers movement, 8) Going to see the documentary on the work of Padre Marko Rubnik and his Studio with Jonah, and meeting him afterward, 9) Il Coro Gospel, preparing for the Christmas party, 10) Christmas Party, 11) Writing Christmas cards, 12) the Experience of being in Rome for Christmas, Christmas Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, 13) Week of vacation on Lake Como, and visit to Milan, the meeting of Umberto’s family and friends, 14) Reading Michael O’Brien’s Sofia House, and Paul Claudel’ L’Annonce fait a Marie, Massimo Camisasca’s Questa Casa Dove Dio Abita, and Jean Danielou’s Le Missioni ai le Nazioni. I will have to write another short witness for the Christmas Vacation, in the coming days.
Pictures 1) Trees planted in December, 2) and 3) Pictures from Christmas Party 2008
1. At the beginning of the month, we had our monthly symposium on Plato’s Symposium, one notable quote off the back, In vino Vertitas. This was a nice gathering directed by our head of studies Konrad, and vice rector Jonah Lynch. They are both very encouraging of getting into the texts of the ancient philosophers, thus far we have read Plato’s Apologia and the Fedone along with Aristotle’s De Anima are for January. We usually meet after dinner in one of the two reading rooms, and the evening begins with a series of questions that they have prepared for us, followed by our own personal commentary and questions. The latter half of our meetings usually coincides with the drinking of wine, and the tasting of some treats. This was especially nice considering the nature of the text under analysis. We all giggled a little bit at this fact. Some of the guys brought wine and another brought some nice sliced meats. I am slowly becoming more comfortable at expressing my ideas, and my judgment on the text, and integrating it with the knowledge and experience of the JPII Institute and other readings. I drew upon a series of lectures Grygiel gave for a Master’s Class week, and a paper prepared by Margaret McCarthy. I enjoy reading in Italian, it forces me to be with the text for a much longer period of time, than if I had been reading it in English. It is particularly enjoyable to work on these classic texts together with the other guys, and listen to their questions and comments. It is a great common work where I feel I can bring and add something particular.
2. Near the beginning of the month (December 4th), I saw a notice on our bulletin board about the possibility of going to hear Marcello Pera speak on his new book, Perchè Dobbiamo Dirci Christiani. After the evening discussing the Symposium, I asked Jonah whether I could attend, and he suggested that I take the responsibility for the organization of the transportation to and from the event. I was quite happy and a little nervous, it would mean that I would have to put together a signup sheet in Italian, advertising the event and determine how many people were interested. After all that, there proved to be only three of us interested or available to attend. We decided the best thing to do, was remain at the Lateran University after classes, and proceed to the city center for the mid afternoon presentation. We arrived early and had time to walk around the old cobblestone streets and go for a coffee before the start. Lavelli, 3rd year student, took us to one of the best coffee shops in the city, and directed us on how to have our coffee’s. We each had cappuccino’s which was the café’s specialty. I enjoyed being with the older seminarians, and seeing how they took me under their wing for the afternoon. The room where the book presentation took place was jam packed, Pera being the former president of the Italian Senate and friend of Benedict XVI, attracted a large and diverse crowd. I remember seeing and introducing myself to Mary Ann Glendon, the current American Ambassador to the Vatican, and mentioning Joe Flannigan’s trip to Ingleside, and my dad’s attendance at the Lonergan conferences at Boston College. I think she was quite surprised with my upfront approach.
In his book, Pera talks about the roots of Liberalism, as illustrated by John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, and Immanuel Kant, and how their formulations of this political theory all have an underlying Christian concept of man and his human dignity, and a concept of freedom that is coherent with these Christian ideas. Pera outlines the development of Liberalism, and its separation from its historical and ethical foundation, and proposes a return to the Christian concept of man and of his freedom. Pera, who once advocated for the strict removal and eclipse of Christianity, seeing it as a hindrance and an obstacle for liberalism, has had a significant change of opinion, and his now advocating a new beginning or a fresh start to a new form of liberalism that begins again by looking at the Christian vision of the dignity of man and his freedom. His book is divided into three chapters, the first outlining the history and development of liberalism from its founders, and most recent interpretations by John Rawls, and Jurgen Habermas and Benedetto Croce. The second chapter highlights the crisis of Europe’s search for an identity in a post-Christian culture, and concludes with a chapter on public ethics, emphasizing the loss of the underlying Christian concept of man and his liberty that pervaded the culture has led to a progressive deteriorating sense of man, and consequently a dictatorship of relativism. During the panel presentation, Cardinal Ruini gave a splendid summary of the book, as well Pera mentioned how this book should be seen as the fruit of his friendship with the Holy Father. Afterward on the way home, Jonah asked me to go with him back to the Lateran where his car was parked, and we proceeded with an hour of silence, and discussion. I remember mentioning a thought I had during the meditation on the Miracle of Cana, that God’s gift of grace is always an unexpected abundant gift which brings man to the cross, and to resurrection. With a little help, I translated it and placed on my wall, it says “God’s expected abundant gift of grace brings man to the cross”. I pinned this quote on a poster don Massimo gave me, and have it hanging in my room. Upon arriving home, we prayed Mass, and called it a night. A little incident happened later that evening, where some of the guys were giving me a hard time, and I had to leave the room. I felt like they were mocking me for who I was, for my history, and for something that I cannot change about myself. Umbe, helped me out later in the evening, to better understand what had happened.
3. My former professor, friend and priest of the Fraternity Antonio Lopez came to Rome to teach a class at the John Paul II Institute near the end of November, and I was able to touch base with him and get caught up. Initially, I saw him just briefly for a couple of minutes after Mass, I remember being excited to show him my improvement in Italian, and how I have been slowly beginning to feel more at home at the house of Formation. I was a little bit upset that we were only given a few brief minutes together, but I was to see him in ten days time, when he came to the house to stay for a couple of days. Antonio gave a lecture on the nature of technology which created a lot of buzz, and controversy, and I remember afterward trying to stick up for him and the work of the Institute in my broken Italian. I was a little taken aback with the negative response. However, he fielded all the questions and gave a reasonable well argued position. It is always a tough argument, the questions of nature and communication, togetherness, unity and friendship and what the logic of technology imposes on these themes. A sense of possession and control and manipulation, and the impediment of a sense of gift, wonder and generosity. Antonio had a lot of meetings with the JPII Institute faculty and important meetings with don Massimo and the other superiors of the Fraternity regarding all the priests in North America and Mexico. Antonio is the responsible for the Fraternity for North America. I remember saying to myself that I wanted a little more of his time. That would come to be on Monday, December 8th, we got to go for a walk together for about an hour in the garden. I remember mentioning some of the things I was struggling with, the meaning of being away and being reborn within a new culture, the struggle with some of the relationships with the guys in first year, how some of them been very mean at times, and how it makes me feel that I am being mocked and crucified at home, the grandeur of man’s freedom to love or put Christ to death, and my dissatisfaction with the lack of ability to get enough players to play soccer, and other sports. Many of the positives including the new the eyes and heart that I believe Christ has given me during this time of formation, the culture of silence and the seriousness in front of my destiny and the work of school of community. My enjoyment of staying with the older seminarians and learning from them, from their experience and witness of following the path of the Fraternity. I enjoyed getting caught up with the how the priests of the Fraternity are doing in Montreal, Boston and Washington, that Pietro will begin studies at the Institute, Jose and Stefano with the school in Boston. As well as getting caught up with the Institute and its move to the heart of the CUA campus, and how the faculty and staff were mourning the death of Susan. It was great to hear the positive words Antonio directed in regards to my sister and other friends who are working on the PhD program, and the new Canadian students in the Masters program.
The advice that I will most cherish, is that he encouraged me to be patient and be myself and really seek if the life of the Fraternity is a help to live my relationship with Christ. Stay in front of this fact, and that this is what is most important, does this life enable me to live more freely and deepen my understanding of myself. After our talk together, Antonio mentioned what I had said to the other superiors, and responsibles for my formation and discernment. He highlighted the fact that the key is to seek your own freedom, continually ask and judge if this life is what enables you to live more freely and fully. Accept the many crosses, and face the problems when they arise, enter the common life as best as possible, learn the language and participate in the communal life as fully as possible. It is here where freedom lies, uncover what has yet to be seen and judge it accordingly. Later in the evening, Antonio came to visit me in my room, and mentioned what I had said to the superiors, and encouraged me very much in my pursuit of freedom and the life with the Fraternity. I remember the feeling of being very free in front of him, an openness that I have with a few people, and how he showed me his passion for my destiny, my life and freedom in front of God. I thanked him in a letter, expressing my gratitude for helping me to live more freely, for teaching how to be free in front of what I was living and to help judge it accordingly. This was the start of a new beginning for me, and a greater happiness living these days together at the house of formation. Much gratitude.
4. Earlier in the day, December 8th, the first year seminarians began the construction of the Prasepe, the nativity scene. We were helped by DiPietro, a sixth year seminarian, who actually took the lead with the planning and outline. This was a very special time together, working together for the better part of a day constructing the Prasepe. Making a Prasepe is a very important Advent Tradition for the Italian culture, and it was San Francesco who was the first to build a nativity almost eight hundred years ago. We began by digging out all the old boxes, and ornaments and statues from previous years, a total of close to 15 or 20 boxes. I was very surprised with the amount of little trinkets, but the Italians take this tradition very seriously. Right off the bat, a couple of guys ran to the equivalent of Canadian Tire, to pick up some lumber and other little gadgets. We needed to build the staging that would hold up the lights in the background and the sky. Upon arriving at the house, they quickly measured the dimensions and starting cutting the wood, I realized immediately that the way they were cutting the wood and hammering nails in the beams connecting them, there was no way that it was going to be straight and level. It was kind of funny seeing it go up and be completely crooked, I encouraged them to use the lines on the floor and a measuring stick and the crookedness was quickly straightened out. Probably something I learned while growing up at Meadowbank, and the many Saturday afternoons at Ingleside. One of the funny things was the many ideas being tossed around, and the teasing and laughing at each others’ silly ideas. Overall, we made three trips to three different stores, and spent close to two hundred euro’s on the project. We had to straighten a navy blue cloth that was approximately 50 feet long, and a couple of us ran to the laundry room and were going to use the traditional irons, later another arrived and mentioned we should use the rolling iron, used to iron the altar cloths and other important cloths. We got it warmed up and ran it through a couple of times and we were set with a freshly pressed blue sky. On one of the runs to the store, the guys came back with beers and chips for all of us, this was a nice treat, and helped to unite us in the project. One of the guys created a water fountain, and others created the appearance of hills and a bridge and so much more, the details were incredible. Everyone helped out and contributed to what turned out to be a beautiful project. We all enjoyed it for the next month, and only took it down with the beginning of the first week of Ordinary time. It was great seeing the crib every morning before going to school and coming in from praying the rosary in the park during silence, always thinking and being reminded of the Angelus and the prayers and Advent songs we would sing at Mass.
5. The week following my meeting with Antonio, the rector of the seminary decided to change when we have our weekly lunch together. All the first year students have lunch with the rector and vice rector once a week together, and due to my language lessons it was decided that I would miss the weekly meetings. However, this changed and I was able to participate in my first weekly lunch meeting together with all the guys and the rectors. The rector mentioned the importance of being open to other cultures and the awareness of the other seminarians who are from away, the need for them to be welcomed. The need for us to learn to be missionaries first at home during the time of formation, to welcome the other who is different, who has a different history and culture, to see this as a richness and an opportunity to grow and learn the meaning and purpose of the Fraternity today. Near the end of the meal, I wanted to thank Atta for his words and express that at times I felt that my history and culture were an obstacle for me being accepted and welcomed by some of the guys in the house. And how at the same time, many have made me feel at home and welcomed me graciously. This week for me was a new beginning, many of the guys who were giving me a hard time have stopped and are much more aware of my sensitivities. I feel as though an obstacle has been removed from my path, and can continue to enter into the experience of the fraternity and the common life together. It was great that this became a general theme for the next ten days to two weeks, we were all focused on the centrality and meaning of welcoming and being open to the other, seeing a richness in their difference.
6. The following morning, I remember being very grateful and mentioned to the Rector of the seminary that these past days had been like a new beginning for me. I was excited to share this with him over breakfast, that there was a new sense of liberation, and freedom in front of all the guys I am living with, and the common life together. As well, how this turned out to be not a small matter, but an integral one to our formation and life together, it is here where we ought to receive the best education, in the daily struggles we live together. My friend from Brazil, Ottavio, mentioned that he was very moved to hear me give this testimony. It is from each others’ testimonies that we receive the strength to hope for a new beginning, to meet Christ again, knowing that he is indeed meeting my brother. And to see the renewal in the life of my brother.
7. During the last week, of school, Jonah and I attended a documentary launch by Padre Marko Rubnik, and artist who makes Mosaics. The documentary was played at the Casa Cinema at the Villa Borghese park, near the city center, and close to Piazza’s del Popolo and Spagna. We arrived a little bit late due to the traffic, and we ended walking quite a ways, but showed up to catch the better part of the presentation. The documentary highlighted the work of Rubnik and the Centro Aletti, his collaborators, as well as the mission of the work itself, the underlying philosophy and theology that the center hopes to incarnate. It was very special, and eye opening, he mentioned the joy of listening to the rock, and hearing it cry out to be broken, to be used in the mosaics in order to bring man to the contemplation of the Mystery. This gave us both new insights into the nature of technology as a aid, as a tool to unlock the hiddeness of nature’s desire to reveal the mystery to man and man to himself (Hopefully not too much JPII language, GS 22). Afterward, we got to meet Padre Rubnik and spent a couple of minutes together. The fraternity is interested in having him come to the house of formation and create a series of mosaics for our chapel. Jonah has been in touch with him on a couple of occasions, and Rubnik invited us to attend the opening of the display of the mosaics dedicated to Padre Pio. Afterward, before going home, and recognizing that it was late and the traffic was probably blocked up, we purchased sandwiches and beers and ate near where the car was parked. I enjoyed this time together very much, being with Jonah, and sharing a common passion for Art and the Church, it is great to spend time together outside of the traditional environment of the house, I feel as though I am enabled to reveal more of myself and interests, and learn more about him. It is great to see that a friendship is forming, and am much more free with him.
8. The Gospel choir for the Christmas party was a little bit of a gong show. Lots of laughs, frustration and a new glimpse of childlikeness in my brothers. Well, the first notice of a potential Gospel choir was in early November, and I remember expressing interest and waiting for the first practice. I remember thinking this would be a new way to participate in the common life, and better get to know my brothers through singing. I was looking forward to it very much. We had our first practice for the Gospel choir four days prior to the Christmas Party, which would be on Friday, the 19th. This was a little bit frustrating, seeing that it seemed like we were trying to throw something together last minute. I can’t stand doing things last minute, but I guess that is the ways things go. We were planning to sing a couple of songs, one in English, one in an African dialect, and another in Italian, they turned out quite nice when we were to sing in front of the house and the missionary sisters. I enjoyed very much the practices together, seeing a newness in my brothers while singing, a childlikeness that I had not previously seen. I enjoyed at times, just looking at the others I was singing with and seeing their faces, their smiles and bodily language. It was great to be a part of this unity, some frustration with the practices, people not showing up on time, not having a precise direction for the practices, and changing ideas for music only days before the Christmas party. However, in the end everything came together nicely in the end.
9. The Christmas Party took place Friday evening after Mass. We had decorated the dining room, and some of the boys had prepared a really nice dinner, with many treats. I was really happy that Fred, the other American seminarian was able to attend, it has been at times awkward not knowing whether he will be back at the house of formation next year. We had a lovely meal, and I sat near my spiritual director, we all enjoyed the nice sliced meets and different types of wine, the different types of pasta, and the desert. We had fritzies afterward, and they were a blast, some very good laughs. The Gospel choir got to sing our three pieces, and all the first year guys were asked to sing a song with the missionary sisters. Afterward, many of the boys got out some liquor, and we sang many of the traditional songs of the movement and Italian culture that CL has adapted. I enjoyed this very much, seeing everyone sing together. At times, it was a little frustrating not knowing the words, and not being able to sing along, but that is part of the package.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Website For What to See while in Rome
I stumbled upon this website this afternoon while looking for information on a Church I would like to see in the coming weeks. I wanted to make it available for anyone who will be coming to Rome in the near future, or anyone who wanted to look back at some of the highlights of Rome from pasr trips and previous experience.
Rome City Website
http://www.romecity.it/EnglishVersion.htm
SOME OF THE LINKS ARE LISTED BELOW:
1) MOSTRE D'ARTE -ART EXHIBITIONS
2) MUSICA E SPETTACOLO - MUSIC AND SHOWS
3) SPORT -SPORTS
4) MUSEI E CULTURE -MUSEAMS AND CULTURE
5) TOURS -TOURS
6) STORIA DI ROMA -HISTORY OF ROME
7) SHOPPING -SHOPPING
8) CHIESE -CHURCHES
9) TRANSPORTATION
Rome City Website
http://www.romecity.it/EnglishVersion.htm
SOME OF THE LINKS ARE LISTED BELOW:
1) MOSTRE D'ARTE -ART EXHIBITIONS
2) MUSICA E SPETTACOLO - MUSIC AND SHOWS
3) SPORT -SPORTS
4) MUSEI E CULTURE -MUSEAMS AND CULTURE
5) TOURS -TOURS
6) STORIA DI ROMA -HISTORY OF ROME
7) SHOPPING -SHOPPING
8) CHIESE -CHURCHES
9) TRANSPORTATION
Friday, January 9, 2009
San Pietro in Vincoli -Michelangelo's Moses
Below are some pictures taken from the Basilica San Pietro in Vincoli, the home of Michelangelo's magnificent statue of Moses (below). I visited the Church for the first time this past weekend with friends from Washington, DC (former housemate of Quincy Street). Also located in this church are what are believed to be the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.
Known as the Basilica Eudoxiana, it was first built in 432-440 to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. According to legend, when the Empress Eudoxia (wife of Emperor Valentinian III) gifted the chains to Pope Leo I, while he compared them to the chains of St. Peter's final imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, the two chains miraculously fused together. The chains are kept in a reliquary under the main altar in the basilica.
The basilica underwent several restorations and rebuildings, among them a restoration by Pope Adrian I, rebuilding by Pope Sixtus IV and by Pope Julius II. There was also a renovation in 1875. The front portico, attributed to Baccio Pontelli, was added in 1475. The cloister (1493-1503) has been attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo.
Known as the Basilica Eudoxiana, it was first built in 432-440 to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. According to legend, when the Empress Eudoxia (wife of Emperor Valentinian III) gifted the chains to Pope Leo I, while he compared them to the chains of St. Peter's final imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison in Rome, the two chains miraculously fused together. The chains are kept in a reliquary under the main altar in the basilica.
The basilica underwent several restorations and rebuildings, among them a restoration by Pope Adrian I, rebuilding by Pope Sixtus IV and by Pope Julius II. There was also a renovation in 1875. The front portico, attributed to Baccio Pontelli, was added in 1475. The cloister (1493-1503) has been attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo.
Picking Lemons at the House of Formation
Last week, we harvested the first part of our lemon trees to make limoncello, a nice after dinner drink that aids with digestion.
Harvesting our Lemons to make Limoncello
Harvesting our Lemons to make Limoncello
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Papal Intention Directed to Families
Papal Intention Focuses on Families, Unity
Benedict XVI is praying for families this month, and particularly that they become founts for the transmission of the faith.
The Apostleship of Prayer announced the general intention chosen by the Pope: "That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith."
The Holy Father also chooses an apostolic intention for each month. In January, he will pray "that the various Christian confessions, aware of the need for a new evangelization in this period of profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Good News and moving toward the full unity of all Christians in order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel."
Benedict XVI is praying for families this month, and particularly that they become founts for the transmission of the faith.
The Apostleship of Prayer announced the general intention chosen by the Pope: "That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith."
The Holy Father also chooses an apostolic intention for each month. In January, he will pray "that the various Christian confessions, aware of the need for a new evangelization in this period of profound transformations, may be committed to announcing the Good News and moving toward the full unity of all Christians in order to offer a more credible testimony of the Gospel."
Friday, January 2, 2009
November Testimony from FSCB
Witness by John Roderick for the Month of November
December 10 2008
Every passing week requires a judgment of what one has lived, what one has learned, what one is struck by, the questions that daily life raises, what one sees and the answers that God chooses to make present at this time. Also the humility in knowing that everything that one wants to be made clear, will eventually unfold and be revealed at the right time and place.
During the month of November, I often reflected on the experience of the Apostles, the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and the work and mission that God had for each and every one of them. The difficulty they all had in understanding and comprehending the work and mission that God had for them, and what it must have been like for them to see it unfold before their very eyes, the questions they must have asked, the doubts, the worries, the newness of life that each of them lived following Christ, and the new things they saw and witnessed. What it must have been like to recognize their own hearts being moved, and being scandalized by the people around them, the thoughts of leaving the companionship. However, at the same time, the recognition of the reasonableness of staying with this Man, this man and this new experience that has deeply embedded itself into one’s life in an unchangeable manner, given a new heart and new eyes by which to see the world and one’s life and history. The recognition that one does not control the heart, what one sees and does not see, at the same time our necessary involvement in this new friendship, our need to stay before what we live and ask continually for help to understand, to be attentive to those who are ahead of oneself and the testimony they give, and the reasons they give for following this friendship and way of life.
The month of November was a very exciting month for the house of formation. The month of November is when everything starts moving into gear, classes at the Lateran University began the third week of October, and School of Community for the philosophy students began. Also, every November, we throw a huge celebration and party for the Feast Day of San Carlo, this year it happened to fall in the middle of the week, so we postponed it to the following Sunday November 9th. The first meeting for the Faculty of Philosophy took place, a meeting with the new President for the Compania dei Opere -Sholtz, an association of various types of workers that collaborate together. A day spent picking olives at our house in the county, Porciano, a meeting with Fr. Julian Carron with the priests from Rome and the southern part of Italy, a meeting of various superiors of religious communities dedicated to the renewal of religious life, a concert with Benedetto Cheffo e Fabrizio Scheda -the son of Claudio Chieffo, the meeting of one of the leaders of Punto Cuore –friend of Sr. Blondine, an awkward and funny experience with my Italian teacher –Caterina, growing in friendship with a vice rector –Jonah Lynch, weekly charity work, a greet books evening on Plato’s Apologia, receiving and writing a couple of letters to friends and family in Canada, a brief encounter with Antonio Lopez, friendship with Giorgio –student from Rome, direzione spiritual with Padre Spirituale, obedience and friendship as the way to true and fuller life –readings from Is it Possible to Live this Way?.
What follows is a list of some of the meaningful experiences I lived during the month of November, and what I was to learn from them, the questions they evoked and what questions still remain.
1. The month of November began with a meeting held at the House of Formation with Fr. Julian Carron and the priests and religious from Rome and southern Italy who follow the life of Communion and Liberation. Initially, I was a little hesitant about attending this meeting since it was to take place on a Monday, a school day in which I have Philosophical Anthropology and Logic. I was to miss the following Monday for Olive picking at Porciano, and did not want and cannot stand falling behind in school and reading. The previous night I had asked two of the guys who are a couple years ahead of me if they were planning on attending classes, and they agreed and we planned to leave promptly at 7am. I rose as though it were a normal day and after eating breakfast I began to wait, and then continued to wait. I ended up being the only one standing around waiting to go to school, and later learned that they decided not to attend. I was a little antsy, but I knew I was going to get to hear Fr. Carron speak. Shortly after, many cars full of priests started showing up, our parking lot was soon full, and everybody was out in the sun talking, laughing and catching up. It was awesome to see so many priests and friends of the CL movement together. A couple minutes before they started arriving, I noticed many of the guys getting into their suits and putting on ties, I got excited for the opportunity to get dressed up. When we have these types of gatherings, I have become more aware that we are inviting guests to the house, as well, guests and friends of don Massimo. It is a real treat and honor to get dressed up and welcome our superiors friends. I quickly stripped down and slapped on some stick, and put my best tie on. It is great to grow in my belonging to the house, it seems that it is constantly becoming more my own, more of a home and less of a mere place we live together. Many times, I find these events difficult since I don’t know anyone, and people are not here to meet and be friendly to new seminarians. The community and friendship that exists amongst these men is something very special, a companionship that God has given to help live one’s vocation to love Christ and the Church. The joy that was lived together that morning was something very new that I have not seen before, and a desire that I have with the guys I live with. Carron talked about his experience at the recent Synod on the Word of God, and the responsibility he has asked to undertake as the lead moderator for the Spanish language. He mentioned how through his interaction with many bishops, the support he received for the method and approach of the CL movement, to view one’s life and experience and to judge these within the framework of the Sacred Scriptures and the living Tradition of the Church. That we have and share the same experiences of all Christian people that have gone before us, we have the same questions and the same need to be reasonable in front of what we live and how we are moved. He asked us all to recommit ourselves and be more serious with the work of School of Community and the reading of Scripture.
2. This was followed by a letter Fr. Carron wrote to the CL movement sharing his experiences of the Synod and his personal judgment of what he lived during those days. This was made available through the CL website in many languages. He talked about the important events, and the need to really root ourselves and the meaning of that we live in front and within the context of the Scriptures, and the Church’s living tradition.
3. The Feast of San Carlo was on Sunday November 9th . The house of formation was a rocking from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Friends of the seminarians and priests, or other friends from the CL movement began arriving from all across Italy and a couple of nearby countries for the weekend festivities. During the meals, many of the guys would eat with their visiting friends in the Welcoming House part of the dining room, and consequently one never knew who was going to be around, and many of the friends brought cheeses and wines and other drinks for the festivities. On Friday and Saturday evenings after dinner, many would gather around the piano in the seminarians dining area for sing song, drinks and time to catch up. It was great to see everyone with their friends, when one is seen with their friends they are seen being freer, more able to be oneself. Over the songs, stories and laughter, one more fully realizes the hearts’ desire for friendship and communion, the togetherness of singing and sharing a drink. This experience with the guys I live with was new to me, many new people that I had never seen before, and seeing the guys I live with, with new eyes, a new appreciation for their passion and love of life. It is incredible what these times of celebration help one see about the other, penetrate more deeply ones love for another, the realization of one and another’s childlikeness and playfulness. There were times during the weekend, where this was a struggle, trying to understand where do I fit in amongst this, why can’t I have this experience with my friends, or lack thereof, it is difficult that I am unable to fully share what I am living with my closest friends. However, it is clear that when Giussani speaks about one’s judgment and love that is truer when it is made public and in front of others to witness, is hitting the nail directly on the head. I find that these little notes and sharing and writing letters, has helped to make what I live truer and more my own. It is incredible the work involved, but the work is what makes things truer and more beautiful. I remember distinctly being invited by a friend in first year for a drink and a treat with another guy, what an honor it was to be chosen and invited. It was great to relax and be together, to share more intimately what we were living together these past months. During the day and before Mass, many would be walking in the gardens, chatting, smoking or praying the rosary. One morning, I spotted Kristen, a friend from the USA, and we chatted, it is great to have someone who shares a common history of the Church and the movement, for it is much different than the experience in Italy, and especially living with many from Milan. I was responsible for helping to prepare the chapel and room downstairs for the meal after the Mass. We set up hundreds of chairs in the chapel, it was great working together on a common project, at times frustrating with the Italian mentality of work, and different North American understanding. However, it was all good, after the Mass, I was to be responsible for a drink station, pouring red wine, fonta orange and coke, and water. During the morning I must of opened and poured close to fifty bottles of wine. During the Mass, I was close to the door since I was responsible for quickly getting the food and drinks together following communion. I enjoyed this common work very much. It was again a little difficult for me during the festivities, seeing everyone interacting with friends and old acquaintances. I met a couple of new people who were very nice, I was quite surprised with the number of people who make the day long trip from Milan for the Mass and party. A priest from our house in Prague gave a testimony, Stefano Pasquale, the priest I stayed with the first night of the Rimini Meeting. He spoke about his experience learning to enter and love a new culture.
4. The Lateran University Philosophy Department held a meeting which I was required to attend. I had the distinct privilege to meet the Rector of the university, Rino Fisichella, along with a couple of the other philosophy professors. I had to remain at the university after classes and wait for the meeting, I was a little nervous because the weather was the pits and was not sure if it was going to be canceled or not. I checked my email a couple of times, and when no one was at the room after the scheduled time of the meeting, I thought about leaving. But there was a man, who looked like he could have been a philosophy teacher, the Ed Carty type, no description required, I would hate for it to come back to me at some point. We began the meeting, and I introduced myself as a first year student with the Fraternity of San Carlo, and that I had studied chemistry and theology at the John Paul II Institute in Washington. The meeting was pretty dry, and at two points they asked me to leave the room for extended periods of time. I was a little frustrated, since I wanted to get right involved with the Nitty Gritty ins and outs of the university. I learned that there will be greater collaboration with another private university within the city, and the possibility of adding a couple of new courses to the Licentiate program. Overall, I was not too satisfied. Returning home, I was late for the weekly Holy Hour we make together as a house, and a little wet from the rain. Thank goodness there are only a couple of meetings throughout the year. On the bright side, it was an honor to be there and to represent the Fraternity, and to begin to get to know some of the movers and shakers on a more familiar level.
5. I began the month of November with a new Italian Instructor, the last one only lasted a week. I was a little shocked when Jonah told me that he wanted to make the language a priority, I had initially interpreted that he wanted me to stop attending university and concentrate solely all day on learning the language. I would have gone crazy working on grammar exercises all day. But this was my initial understanding, safe bet that I needed to continue to improve my language skills. I got the telephone number from Jonah, of Caterina, a girl who is a friend of the CL movement and teaches Italian out of San Orsula school, a school run by a priest from the Fraternity of San Carlo, don Matteo (friend of Antonio’s). I was happy to learn that this is the school where both Dipietro and Dall’Agata go once a week to teach catechism to the middle and high school students. Dipietro and I are on the same group that work together in serving the meals and setting up the tables and clearing and cleaning of the dining room. There are six groups that rotate every week. Well, many interesting things have occurred in this relationship with the language instructor, and I hope to highlight only a couple. Firstly, Italians and I think all Europeans love using the cell phone, not that it is a negative thing, but culturally different from my own familial experience. My instructor for the first couple of weeks thought it best to get in touch with me, by way of calling the vice rector Jonah. She would call him asking him whether I was coming to school or not, or if I was late, or if I had received an email, or had completed the assigned homework. Jonah got tired of taking my calls, and being my personal secretary for my language studies and after a week asked me to purchase a cell phone. Initially I did not want to purchase one, but I am here to learn obedience, in all big and small ways. It was exciting trying to pick one out, I got a blue Nokia, 35 euro phone. Caterina is a wonderful teacher, and is serious about teaching and improving my language skills. The first day we had a test, which I bombed big time, it must have looked like I was a complete idiot, Jonah had mentioned to her that she was to be the fourth language teacher, and that none of them had had much success with me, or for some reason or another, we needed to find a new teacher. I wondered what must have gone through her head when Jonah told her that she would be the fourth instructor in as many weeks. We have classes alone together, no other students, in a middle school science classroom, I am certain my father would love the rocks that are displayed in the plastic boxes in the shelves. After a couple of solid weeks of progression and getting to know one another, there came a lesson where Caterina gave me the talk about behavior in the classroom, and her level of comfortability together with me alone in the classroom. This could taken in many ways, as though I have a crush on her, or vice versa as she has a little something, something for the young good looking Canadian seminarian who is trying to learn Italian. She even mentioned that she had thought about stopping the lessons all together. However, when I told her that I like to tease and be myself and am interested in not just learning Italian but trying to get to know someone a little bit, that I have three sisters and a mother that I tease and am playful with, she quickly saw a fuller picture and mentioned that maybe she had made this imaginary story up in her head. Women I tell you, always have to be creating and thinking of a story to put together, it is almost as if they were created this way. Trying to read a lot into one’s behavior, or piecing a puzzle together without even knowing or having all the parts. Well, this lead me to talking a close friend at the house of formation, Umberto, who after talking to the vice rector that follows him, asked him to tell me to talk to Jonah about the manner. This began quite the story, a circle of talking to the rector of the seminary, and the priest who is the head of the school where the lessons take place. Together we came to the conclusion to ask Caterina, if she was comfortable teaching and being with me, and if not to stop the lessons immediately. This was a pretty hectic event, but it helped me to be more open and up front about it with my vice rector and rector, to explain the situation as best as possible, and become more aware of how I must be around Italian women. How they are different, and how the Italian men are different, the level and nature of the conduct between men and women is different, and I must be aware that I cannot comport myself as though, she is one with a similar cultural experience. Also, the attractiveness of virginity, being in front and with someone whose first reaction and gaze is not one of possession and manipulation, but one of interest and listening. This Italian woman is almost ten years my senior, and not overly attractive, she is sweet, and very good at teaching me Italian, but there are no feelings for her in a romantic manner. I am very interested in her, she has experience with the Neo-Catemunate and Focolare, two other movements in the Church that are very popular in Italy. I have been able to share a little bit about the Communion and Liberation Movement, and for homework I had to write a short essay explaining the birth of CL.
In light of the work for School of Community, the chapters on Obedience and Liberty, these events helped me to better understanding my friendship with Umberto, as a path to true obedience. Obedience with my superiors and obedience to the reality that was in front of me. Friendship is a gift that helps to enable one live more fully the circumstances that present themselves, a guide or light towards to true liberty and satisfaction. These aspects are crucial for the common life together, and for the life of the Fraternity of San Carlo. Obedience is not some form of hierarchal power, but is an aid to live more fully and freely, a light to help us better live what is being asked of us, a light to open our heart to the fullness of comprehension and to take this seriously.
6. Around the same time as all these events were happening with the Italian Instructor, the Fraternity hosted a group of religious community superiors who are friends or follow the CL movement. There were a total of 15 superiors with us during the week, they would have meetings during the day, a private lunch and join us for supper. I volunteered to help serve the meals and prepare the dining room, and clean up afterward. One funny story was during the first night, after the main meal don Massimo was making a round to all the tables to say hello and check in with all the superiors. At the last table, he was saluting an Abbot from a monastery, as he was finishing with him, I asked if he would like an apple, the bowl of apples was overflowing and one accidently spilled onto his lap. As the apple was falling don Massimo said OHHHHH Gesuuuuuu, it made everyone at the table laugh and for the next couple of days the guys would tease me a little bit and say OHHHH Gesuuuu. They would join us for Mass in the evenings, and most evenings a different superior would give the homily and be the main celebrant. It was awesome being with and living together with the superiors of the other religious communities , you could tell that you were in the presence of the Ultimate Warriors of spiritual life, people that go into battle daily for the life and are at the heart of the Church. The first morning, it was kind of funny, because the alarm went off at five o’clock in the morning, some of the superiors were already up and beginning the hours of the day. Monastic communities will often pray an extra or two extra hours during the day, whereas the seminarians of the Fraternity are required to pray three or four of the hours, some of these communities gather seven or eight times a day for prayer, including the middle of the night. This is a beautiful education in the importance of sanctifying time, that our day revolves and is centered the awareness of the event of God taking flesh in the birth of Christ in the Angelus, or the reading of the psalms to enter into the logic of God’s presence with the People of Israel. These were exciting days, having them in the gardens praying the rosary and getting to know them a little bit during and after dinner, and at Mass. We had a meeting with one of the responsible of Punto Cuore, who have a community in Napoli. I had heard of the community first from Sr. Blondine at the John Paul II Institute, and again by don Jacques in Montreal. One thing I remember is that they follow the thought of Balthasar and had two weeks of meetings with Cardinal Marc Ouellet in Quebec City a couple of years ago.
7. A meeting with Bernard Sholtz, the President of the Compania dei Opere, a cooperative of workers who follow the CL movement. He talked a lot about trying to help the workers be more responsible and free in front of their work, he said he is only there to help them to do their work with a greater sense of liberty. Many of these workers associations work together, help support one another in selling product, or in other basic needs. What I remember best, was his analogy, that a father must teach his son, give him the tools to learn to live and be in front of life with its difficulties and struggles, and never take do too much for his son. These words I understood in light of the seminary and formation period, that our rectors and superiors are equipping us men with the tools to be in front of this time of experience and formation, learning to stay in front of God at all times, learning to seek his presence and to understand and deepen the correspondence and liberty by which we believe we were called to be here. Everything is taken up and is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of what we are living, of who we are following and who we want to bring to the world. A father is one who gives the necessary tools to the son, in such a way that he is able to fully realize himself, the talents and gifts that God has bestowed upon him for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. The necessary freedom and space as well, this all returns back to the worker and his experience and opens into many fields, if not all.
8. We had the distinct privilege of hosting a concert with Benedetto Cheffo e Fabrizio Scheda -the son of Claudio Chieffo. This was a new experience for me, since I do not know either of these musicians or their involvement with the CL movement. I learned that they were at the heart of the formation and experience of the movement, creating melodies and poems that integrate the experience of following the CL movement. It was a very special concert performed by the son of Claudio, the songs have been translated into numerous languages, and a couple were familiar from the CL songbook. That night the missionary sisters were present, and I asked to help set up and man the entrance. I had a little fun trying to get everyone inside who were out smoking, teasing them a little, that we concert starts at 9pm tempo Americano e non tempo Italiano. That evening, Kristen gave me Ellen’s phone number, since I knew that dad would be present in DC for the JPII conference. I also learned earlier and struggled a little bit with the fact that a friend of mine and staff at the Institute had gone into a coma and would probably die in the following days. It was great to hear from dad, and to know that he was meeting and catching up with friends and former classmates, and that I would get updated in the following weeks over the phone.
9. Incontro della Casa. I made my first intervention, well, it is best described as a testimony, at the monthly house meeting. I shared my experience sharing music by David Miles in the car on the way to Charity work, and how his words have helped me to better understand what I want to do with my life. Especially the new album. After revealing this to my friends in the car, I was really excited to be in front of the people at the old persons home. Staying in front of them, of their suffering and needs of community, friendship and belonging, I was made more aware of my own suffering, of my own needs of community and belonging. I mentioned that it is my desire to experience and live these needs within the community and common life of the house of formation, and that it is only possible by staying with and present to another. One discovers the scope of one’s suffering and neediness to the extent that one stays and enters into this experience, and helps to bear that suffering and neediness. A true friend is one that is present in the fullness and integral nature of the other, in all of his capacities, limitations and suffering .
December 10 2008
Every passing week requires a judgment of what one has lived, what one has learned, what one is struck by, the questions that daily life raises, what one sees and the answers that God chooses to make present at this time. Also the humility in knowing that everything that one wants to be made clear, will eventually unfold and be revealed at the right time and place.
During the month of November, I often reflected on the experience of the Apostles, the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and the work and mission that God had for each and every one of them. The difficulty they all had in understanding and comprehending the work and mission that God had for them, and what it must have been like for them to see it unfold before their very eyes, the questions they must have asked, the doubts, the worries, the newness of life that each of them lived following Christ, and the new things they saw and witnessed. What it must have been like to recognize their own hearts being moved, and being scandalized by the people around them, the thoughts of leaving the companionship. However, at the same time, the recognition of the reasonableness of staying with this Man, this man and this new experience that has deeply embedded itself into one’s life in an unchangeable manner, given a new heart and new eyes by which to see the world and one’s life and history. The recognition that one does not control the heart, what one sees and does not see, at the same time our necessary involvement in this new friendship, our need to stay before what we live and ask continually for help to understand, to be attentive to those who are ahead of oneself and the testimony they give, and the reasons they give for following this friendship and way of life.
The month of November was a very exciting month for the house of formation. The month of November is when everything starts moving into gear, classes at the Lateran University began the third week of October, and School of Community for the philosophy students began. Also, every November, we throw a huge celebration and party for the Feast Day of San Carlo, this year it happened to fall in the middle of the week, so we postponed it to the following Sunday November 9th. The first meeting for the Faculty of Philosophy took place, a meeting with the new President for the Compania dei Opere -Sholtz, an association of various types of workers that collaborate together. A day spent picking olives at our house in the county, Porciano, a meeting with Fr. Julian Carron with the priests from Rome and the southern part of Italy, a meeting of various superiors of religious communities dedicated to the renewal of religious life, a concert with Benedetto Cheffo e Fabrizio Scheda -the son of Claudio Chieffo, the meeting of one of the leaders of Punto Cuore –friend of Sr. Blondine, an awkward and funny experience with my Italian teacher –Caterina, growing in friendship with a vice rector –Jonah Lynch, weekly charity work, a greet books evening on Plato’s Apologia, receiving and writing a couple of letters to friends and family in Canada, a brief encounter with Antonio Lopez, friendship with Giorgio –student from Rome, direzione spiritual with Padre Spirituale, obedience and friendship as the way to true and fuller life –readings from Is it Possible to Live this Way?.
What follows is a list of some of the meaningful experiences I lived during the month of November, and what I was to learn from them, the questions they evoked and what questions still remain.
1. The month of November began with a meeting held at the House of Formation with Fr. Julian Carron and the priests and religious from Rome and southern Italy who follow the life of Communion and Liberation. Initially, I was a little hesitant about attending this meeting since it was to take place on a Monday, a school day in which I have Philosophical Anthropology and Logic. I was to miss the following Monday for Olive picking at Porciano, and did not want and cannot stand falling behind in school and reading. The previous night I had asked two of the guys who are a couple years ahead of me if they were planning on attending classes, and they agreed and we planned to leave promptly at 7am. I rose as though it were a normal day and after eating breakfast I began to wait, and then continued to wait. I ended up being the only one standing around waiting to go to school, and later learned that they decided not to attend. I was a little antsy, but I knew I was going to get to hear Fr. Carron speak. Shortly after, many cars full of priests started showing up, our parking lot was soon full, and everybody was out in the sun talking, laughing and catching up. It was awesome to see so many priests and friends of the CL movement together. A couple minutes before they started arriving, I noticed many of the guys getting into their suits and putting on ties, I got excited for the opportunity to get dressed up. When we have these types of gatherings, I have become more aware that we are inviting guests to the house, as well, guests and friends of don Massimo. It is a real treat and honor to get dressed up and welcome our superiors friends. I quickly stripped down and slapped on some stick, and put my best tie on. It is great to grow in my belonging to the house, it seems that it is constantly becoming more my own, more of a home and less of a mere place we live together. Many times, I find these events difficult since I don’t know anyone, and people are not here to meet and be friendly to new seminarians. The community and friendship that exists amongst these men is something very special, a companionship that God has given to help live one’s vocation to love Christ and the Church. The joy that was lived together that morning was something very new that I have not seen before, and a desire that I have with the guys I live with. Carron talked about his experience at the recent Synod on the Word of God, and the responsibility he has asked to undertake as the lead moderator for the Spanish language. He mentioned how through his interaction with many bishops, the support he received for the method and approach of the CL movement, to view one’s life and experience and to judge these within the framework of the Sacred Scriptures and the living Tradition of the Church. That we have and share the same experiences of all Christian people that have gone before us, we have the same questions and the same need to be reasonable in front of what we live and how we are moved. He asked us all to recommit ourselves and be more serious with the work of School of Community and the reading of Scripture.
2. This was followed by a letter Fr. Carron wrote to the CL movement sharing his experiences of the Synod and his personal judgment of what he lived during those days. This was made available through the CL website in many languages. He talked about the important events, and the need to really root ourselves and the meaning of that we live in front and within the context of the Scriptures, and the Church’s living tradition.
3. The Feast of San Carlo was on Sunday November 9th . The house of formation was a rocking from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Friends of the seminarians and priests, or other friends from the CL movement began arriving from all across Italy and a couple of nearby countries for the weekend festivities. During the meals, many of the guys would eat with their visiting friends in the Welcoming House part of the dining room, and consequently one never knew who was going to be around, and many of the friends brought cheeses and wines and other drinks for the festivities. On Friday and Saturday evenings after dinner, many would gather around the piano in the seminarians dining area for sing song, drinks and time to catch up. It was great to see everyone with their friends, when one is seen with their friends they are seen being freer, more able to be oneself. Over the songs, stories and laughter, one more fully realizes the hearts’ desire for friendship and communion, the togetherness of singing and sharing a drink. This experience with the guys I live with was new to me, many new people that I had never seen before, and seeing the guys I live with, with new eyes, a new appreciation for their passion and love of life. It is incredible what these times of celebration help one see about the other, penetrate more deeply ones love for another, the realization of one and another’s childlikeness and playfulness. There were times during the weekend, where this was a struggle, trying to understand where do I fit in amongst this, why can’t I have this experience with my friends, or lack thereof, it is difficult that I am unable to fully share what I am living with my closest friends. However, it is clear that when Giussani speaks about one’s judgment and love that is truer when it is made public and in front of others to witness, is hitting the nail directly on the head. I find that these little notes and sharing and writing letters, has helped to make what I live truer and more my own. It is incredible the work involved, but the work is what makes things truer and more beautiful. I remember distinctly being invited by a friend in first year for a drink and a treat with another guy, what an honor it was to be chosen and invited. It was great to relax and be together, to share more intimately what we were living together these past months. During the day and before Mass, many would be walking in the gardens, chatting, smoking or praying the rosary. One morning, I spotted Kristen, a friend from the USA, and we chatted, it is great to have someone who shares a common history of the Church and the movement, for it is much different than the experience in Italy, and especially living with many from Milan. I was responsible for helping to prepare the chapel and room downstairs for the meal after the Mass. We set up hundreds of chairs in the chapel, it was great working together on a common project, at times frustrating with the Italian mentality of work, and different North American understanding. However, it was all good, after the Mass, I was to be responsible for a drink station, pouring red wine, fonta orange and coke, and water. During the morning I must of opened and poured close to fifty bottles of wine. During the Mass, I was close to the door since I was responsible for quickly getting the food and drinks together following communion. I enjoyed this common work very much. It was again a little difficult for me during the festivities, seeing everyone interacting with friends and old acquaintances. I met a couple of new people who were very nice, I was quite surprised with the number of people who make the day long trip from Milan for the Mass and party. A priest from our house in Prague gave a testimony, Stefano Pasquale, the priest I stayed with the first night of the Rimini Meeting. He spoke about his experience learning to enter and love a new culture.
4. The Lateran University Philosophy Department held a meeting which I was required to attend. I had the distinct privilege to meet the Rector of the university, Rino Fisichella, along with a couple of the other philosophy professors. I had to remain at the university after classes and wait for the meeting, I was a little nervous because the weather was the pits and was not sure if it was going to be canceled or not. I checked my email a couple of times, and when no one was at the room after the scheduled time of the meeting, I thought about leaving. But there was a man, who looked like he could have been a philosophy teacher, the Ed Carty type, no description required, I would hate for it to come back to me at some point. We began the meeting, and I introduced myself as a first year student with the Fraternity of San Carlo, and that I had studied chemistry and theology at the John Paul II Institute in Washington. The meeting was pretty dry, and at two points they asked me to leave the room for extended periods of time. I was a little frustrated, since I wanted to get right involved with the Nitty Gritty ins and outs of the university. I learned that there will be greater collaboration with another private university within the city, and the possibility of adding a couple of new courses to the Licentiate program. Overall, I was not too satisfied. Returning home, I was late for the weekly Holy Hour we make together as a house, and a little wet from the rain. Thank goodness there are only a couple of meetings throughout the year. On the bright side, it was an honor to be there and to represent the Fraternity, and to begin to get to know some of the movers and shakers on a more familiar level.
5. I began the month of November with a new Italian Instructor, the last one only lasted a week. I was a little shocked when Jonah told me that he wanted to make the language a priority, I had initially interpreted that he wanted me to stop attending university and concentrate solely all day on learning the language. I would have gone crazy working on grammar exercises all day. But this was my initial understanding, safe bet that I needed to continue to improve my language skills. I got the telephone number from Jonah, of Caterina, a girl who is a friend of the CL movement and teaches Italian out of San Orsula school, a school run by a priest from the Fraternity of San Carlo, don Matteo (friend of Antonio’s). I was happy to learn that this is the school where both Dipietro and Dall’Agata go once a week to teach catechism to the middle and high school students. Dipietro and I are on the same group that work together in serving the meals and setting up the tables and clearing and cleaning of the dining room. There are six groups that rotate every week. Well, many interesting things have occurred in this relationship with the language instructor, and I hope to highlight only a couple. Firstly, Italians and I think all Europeans love using the cell phone, not that it is a negative thing, but culturally different from my own familial experience. My instructor for the first couple of weeks thought it best to get in touch with me, by way of calling the vice rector Jonah. She would call him asking him whether I was coming to school or not, or if I was late, or if I had received an email, or had completed the assigned homework. Jonah got tired of taking my calls, and being my personal secretary for my language studies and after a week asked me to purchase a cell phone. Initially I did not want to purchase one, but I am here to learn obedience, in all big and small ways. It was exciting trying to pick one out, I got a blue Nokia, 35 euro phone. Caterina is a wonderful teacher, and is serious about teaching and improving my language skills. The first day we had a test, which I bombed big time, it must have looked like I was a complete idiot, Jonah had mentioned to her that she was to be the fourth language teacher, and that none of them had had much success with me, or for some reason or another, we needed to find a new teacher. I wondered what must have gone through her head when Jonah told her that she would be the fourth instructor in as many weeks. We have classes alone together, no other students, in a middle school science classroom, I am certain my father would love the rocks that are displayed in the plastic boxes in the shelves. After a couple of solid weeks of progression and getting to know one another, there came a lesson where Caterina gave me the talk about behavior in the classroom, and her level of comfortability together with me alone in the classroom. This could taken in many ways, as though I have a crush on her, or vice versa as she has a little something, something for the young good looking Canadian seminarian who is trying to learn Italian. She even mentioned that she had thought about stopping the lessons all together. However, when I told her that I like to tease and be myself and am interested in not just learning Italian but trying to get to know someone a little bit, that I have three sisters and a mother that I tease and am playful with, she quickly saw a fuller picture and mentioned that maybe she had made this imaginary story up in her head. Women I tell you, always have to be creating and thinking of a story to put together, it is almost as if they were created this way. Trying to read a lot into one’s behavior, or piecing a puzzle together without even knowing or having all the parts. Well, this lead me to talking a close friend at the house of formation, Umberto, who after talking to the vice rector that follows him, asked him to tell me to talk to Jonah about the manner. This began quite the story, a circle of talking to the rector of the seminary, and the priest who is the head of the school where the lessons take place. Together we came to the conclusion to ask Caterina, if she was comfortable teaching and being with me, and if not to stop the lessons immediately. This was a pretty hectic event, but it helped me to be more open and up front about it with my vice rector and rector, to explain the situation as best as possible, and become more aware of how I must be around Italian women. How they are different, and how the Italian men are different, the level and nature of the conduct between men and women is different, and I must be aware that I cannot comport myself as though, she is one with a similar cultural experience. Also, the attractiveness of virginity, being in front and with someone whose first reaction and gaze is not one of possession and manipulation, but one of interest and listening. This Italian woman is almost ten years my senior, and not overly attractive, she is sweet, and very good at teaching me Italian, but there are no feelings for her in a romantic manner. I am very interested in her, she has experience with the Neo-Catemunate and Focolare, two other movements in the Church that are very popular in Italy. I have been able to share a little bit about the Communion and Liberation Movement, and for homework I had to write a short essay explaining the birth of CL.
In light of the work for School of Community, the chapters on Obedience and Liberty, these events helped me to better understanding my friendship with Umberto, as a path to true obedience. Obedience with my superiors and obedience to the reality that was in front of me. Friendship is a gift that helps to enable one live more fully the circumstances that present themselves, a guide or light towards to true liberty and satisfaction. These aspects are crucial for the common life together, and for the life of the Fraternity of San Carlo. Obedience is not some form of hierarchal power, but is an aid to live more fully and freely, a light to help us better live what is being asked of us, a light to open our heart to the fullness of comprehension and to take this seriously.
6. Around the same time as all these events were happening with the Italian Instructor, the Fraternity hosted a group of religious community superiors who are friends or follow the CL movement. There were a total of 15 superiors with us during the week, they would have meetings during the day, a private lunch and join us for supper. I volunteered to help serve the meals and prepare the dining room, and clean up afterward. One funny story was during the first night, after the main meal don Massimo was making a round to all the tables to say hello and check in with all the superiors. At the last table, he was saluting an Abbot from a monastery, as he was finishing with him, I asked if he would like an apple, the bowl of apples was overflowing and one accidently spilled onto his lap. As the apple was falling don Massimo said OHHHHH Gesuuuuuu, it made everyone at the table laugh and for the next couple of days the guys would tease me a little bit and say OHHHH Gesuuuu. They would join us for Mass in the evenings, and most evenings a different superior would give the homily and be the main celebrant. It was awesome being with and living together with the superiors of the other religious communities , you could tell that you were in the presence of the Ultimate Warriors of spiritual life, people that go into battle daily for the life and are at the heart of the Church. The first morning, it was kind of funny, because the alarm went off at five o’clock in the morning, some of the superiors were already up and beginning the hours of the day. Monastic communities will often pray an extra or two extra hours during the day, whereas the seminarians of the Fraternity are required to pray three or four of the hours, some of these communities gather seven or eight times a day for prayer, including the middle of the night. This is a beautiful education in the importance of sanctifying time, that our day revolves and is centered the awareness of the event of God taking flesh in the birth of Christ in the Angelus, or the reading of the psalms to enter into the logic of God’s presence with the People of Israel. These were exciting days, having them in the gardens praying the rosary and getting to know them a little bit during and after dinner, and at Mass. We had a meeting with one of the responsible of Punto Cuore, who have a community in Napoli. I had heard of the community first from Sr. Blondine at the John Paul II Institute, and again by don Jacques in Montreal. One thing I remember is that they follow the thought of Balthasar and had two weeks of meetings with Cardinal Marc Ouellet in Quebec City a couple of years ago.
7. A meeting with Bernard Sholtz, the President of the Compania dei Opere, a cooperative of workers who follow the CL movement. He talked a lot about trying to help the workers be more responsible and free in front of their work, he said he is only there to help them to do their work with a greater sense of liberty. Many of these workers associations work together, help support one another in selling product, or in other basic needs. What I remember best, was his analogy, that a father must teach his son, give him the tools to learn to live and be in front of life with its difficulties and struggles, and never take do too much for his son. These words I understood in light of the seminary and formation period, that our rectors and superiors are equipping us men with the tools to be in front of this time of experience and formation, learning to stay in front of God at all times, learning to seek his presence and to understand and deepen the correspondence and liberty by which we believe we were called to be here. Everything is taken up and is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of what we are living, of who we are following and who we want to bring to the world. A father is one who gives the necessary tools to the son, in such a way that he is able to fully realize himself, the talents and gifts that God has bestowed upon him for the betterment of the Kingdom of God. The necessary freedom and space as well, this all returns back to the worker and his experience and opens into many fields, if not all.
8. We had the distinct privilege of hosting a concert with Benedetto Cheffo e Fabrizio Scheda -the son of Claudio Chieffo. This was a new experience for me, since I do not know either of these musicians or their involvement with the CL movement. I learned that they were at the heart of the formation and experience of the movement, creating melodies and poems that integrate the experience of following the CL movement. It was a very special concert performed by the son of Claudio, the songs have been translated into numerous languages, and a couple were familiar from the CL songbook. That night the missionary sisters were present, and I asked to help set up and man the entrance. I had a little fun trying to get everyone inside who were out smoking, teasing them a little, that we concert starts at 9pm tempo Americano e non tempo Italiano. That evening, Kristen gave me Ellen’s phone number, since I knew that dad would be present in DC for the JPII conference. I also learned earlier and struggled a little bit with the fact that a friend of mine and staff at the Institute had gone into a coma and would probably die in the following days. It was great to hear from dad, and to know that he was meeting and catching up with friends and former classmates, and that I would get updated in the following weeks over the phone.
9. Incontro della Casa. I made my first intervention, well, it is best described as a testimony, at the monthly house meeting. I shared my experience sharing music by David Miles in the car on the way to Charity work, and how his words have helped me to better understand what I want to do with my life. Especially the new album. After revealing this to my friends in the car, I was really excited to be in front of the people at the old persons home. Staying in front of them, of their suffering and needs of community, friendship and belonging, I was made more aware of my own suffering, of my own needs of community and belonging. I mentioned that it is my desire to experience and live these needs within the community and common life of the house of formation, and that it is only possible by staying with and present to another. One discovers the scope of one’s suffering and neediness to the extent that one stays and enters into this experience, and helps to bear that suffering and neediness. A true friend is one that is present in the fullness and integral nature of the other, in all of his capacities, limitations and suffering .
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