Oct 20 Paul of the Cross b. 1694 d. 1775 bl. 1852 c. 1867

John and Thommy

Good morning
I love you.

I got my self to Mass yesterday: 5:15 at spx. As much as I don’t like msgr. personally, he is a top notch preacher and liturgist. Plus the rest of the people in the church include people I’ve known now for six years. It’s almost an at home type of experience.

Today I voted. The line was less than an hour. The conversation with people in front and behind was a treat. I hadn’t particularly planned on voting a month ago. Now the election in NC is close – for several state and local races plus the bonds in GSO, not to mention the presidential election. I couldn’t not vote this year.

I hope you are also finding yourself at Mass and getting yourself to the polls…. Dr. Young, a philosophy professor at UNCG, an ethicist of substance, and one of the best teachers I’ve ever been in class with, spoke at spx Sunday on the US Catholic bishops’ 2008 letter on responsible citizenship. We are taught to vote our conscience. Of course, that assumes an informed conscience. I pray that you have found a way to better, Catholically, informed your conscience. To not form your conscience correctly is a sin of omission. Then to pursue actions, based on an incorrectly formed conscience, compounds the error…. See, going to Mass and voting are connected….

I love you
Dad



October 20
Paul of the Cross b. 1694 d. 1775 bl. 1852 c. 1867

I would not have normally pulled this guy out to write about. He doesn’t fit our/my criteria – he’s not a biggie, not a Jesuit, and definitely not Irish. But, with John’s birthday on the Feast of the Cross, I thought this man and his congregation was worth alerting you to….

I also suggest the readings for his memorial mass. How the Cross is our wisdom but folly to the Greeks/Gentiles; how the Cross is our salvation but foolishness to the Jews. God so loves us, He has sent His only begotten Son, to us, to die on the cross for us….

St. Paul of the Cross, Paul Francis Daneii, was born at Ovada, Genoa, January 3, 1694. We are told that his infancy and youth were spent in great innocence and piety. Well, I would hope, each of our infancies were spent in innocence – we really can hardly help ourselves. It is the time when we are vessels for our parents’ love, the Love of God channeled to us; the love of the marriage which the infant personifies…. A youth of piety? The foundation for that is much a parental gift. And then, each of us has the outpouring of grace to which to respond ourselves. When these are mutually reinforced, a pious youth is more likely. Too bad you were passed into an about without piety support in 1994. Still, the fertile ground of your souls and the efforts of a parent and your grammar schools give you a foundation not yet fully actualized, maybe not much yet accessed. Seek and you will find…. His mother taught him from an early age that the strength to overcome any and all difficulties in life was to be found in the Passion of Jesus Christ. What source of strength have you been taught that would be more powerful?

His parents, Luke Danei and Anna Maria Massari, were exemplary Catholics. It does matter what sort of parents you have. How your parents exemplify the gifts, talents, resources, graces God gives to marriage/parenthood. Paul of the Cross used the crucifix as his book and the Crucified as his model. It does matter what we are given at the beginning and what we carry forward with us – and what we go back to later on…. The good that we are given and the evil we are shielded from are important. The good that is kept from us and the evil inserted into our lives also effect what and how we do. And then we grow up…. Shaping our lives and the lives given into our care based on the foundation we started with and the framework we added to our house of God/self….

Paul received his early education from a priest who kept a school for boys, in Cremolino, Lombardy. You got your early education from the Dominican sisters of the Congregation of St Cecelia. As well as the daily instruction at your homes which either supported the Catholic foundation or did not; which reinforced your Catholicism or not; which modeled our Catholicism or didn’t.

Paul of the Cross made great progress in study and virtue. Reflect upon your early years. Your progression not only in study but in virtue amidst the virtuous/or not around you. How are you progressing in study and virtue now?

Paul of the Cross spent much time in prayer. Bishop Curlin said Mass for us recently and gave his eloquent sermon about prayer: tying in Mother Teresa’s instructions and influences. I believe that you cannot spend too little time in prayer. Ignatian and other spiritualities teach us to convert all of our actions into prayer. But first, spend much time in prayer….

Paul of the Cross in his early years attended daily Mass. I cannot think of a better daily exercise, better daily prayer(s): personal and communal. Paul of the Cross frequently received the Sacraments. Note the plural. Frequent communion was still frowned upon by many in the 18th century church. Today I’m guessing we go too far in the other direction – receiving communion when not in communion. But, alas, what do I know about another’s soul? Not only communion but also the sacrament of Penance. Bishop Curlin said that he goes at least every two weeks. And here’s a man that legitimately can say that sometimes he goes to confession without knowing of a current sin. But he goes with the desire for the graces of forgiveness, the closeness of penance, as a opportunity to say I am sorry, again, for my many transgressions from before. Not only is this a habit for our relationship with God but also a model for each of our relations. I am sorry. I forgive you….

Paul of the Cross faithfully attended to his school duties, and gave his spare time to reading good books. Reflect again on your own studies. Be sure that you are using all of God’s gifts and achieving the A’s that are expected of you, that are your duty. And then, there is the mountains of ‘spare time.’ How you spend your spare time, including reading good books, is an important foundational activity, a daily activity, lifetime of activities….

Also in his ‘spare time’ Paul of the Cross spent visiting the churches, where he spent much time before the Blessed Sacrament, to which he had an ardent devotion. There before the blessed sacrament – a fulcrum of our faith. You know he was on his knees – a place where humility is learned. And if he were before the tabernacle, he was also before the Church’s major crucifix – the vivid reminder of who we are and how much God loves us….

Sounds like the epitome of honky dory! Well, dear sons, not the way it was. We cannot use our trials and tribulations, the hard times, the lost loves, the disadvantages we see to pile up in our youth which are apparently so beyond our control [not, I assure you, unlike the rest of your life.]. At the age of fifteen he left school and returned to his home at Castellazzo, and from this time his life was full of trials. The three online sources I read do not give us the details of these – maybe it matters and if it does, search for them yourself. Know that this saint, a child of innocence and piety, a successful and holy student also had a youth-full, a lifetime of, his own trials; not unlike if even very different from yours.

Paul of the Cross knew his vocation and chose to be loyal to it. He turned down the opportunity for an honorable marriage. He declined a good inheritance from an uncle. Paul of the Cross was inflamed with a desire for God’s glory – and saw his way to serve that was to start a religious order in honor of the Passion. Under the direction of his confessor and mentor, Paul of the Cross spent a goodly part of the seventeen twenties in a cell where he drew up the Rules of the congregation in service of the Passion – the plan for which was given to him in a vision.

It would not surprise me if God is giving you a visions about what your vocation is and how to best fulfill it. Seeing it requires a life of prayer, love, commitment. Deciphering it likely involves spiritual direction. How are you making yourself an instrument of God’s love? How are you reciprocating that?

In 1747, after almost twenty five years of trying, Paul of the Cross got the Congregation approved by the Church. Paul of the Cross was elected the Passionists’ first superior general. Although continually occupied with the cares of governing his religious society, and of founding everywhere new houses for it, yet he never left off preaching the word of God. Paul of the Cross sought every way he could to bring the Love of Jesus, with a special devotion to and understanding of the Passion, not only in the formation of his Congregation and the religious he nurtured, but also by sending this Congregation throughout the world…. Including to Greensboro NC.

Of important special note for you two, John Baptist Daneii, Paul’s younger brother, was his constant companion from childhood and shared with Paul of the Cross his labors and sufferings. They were equal in the practice of virtue – fraternal influence. World’s greatest brothers – that’s what this is also about…. Counseled by and with the good example of his brother John Baptist, Paul constantly endeavored to preserve the spirit of solitude, poverty and prayer. When John Baptist died in 1767, Paul felt he had been abandoned, left an orphan. Imagine the great loss of your brother….

How did Paul of the Cross sustain his virtue? His constant personal union with the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ was the prominent feature of St Paul’s sanctity. Try it yourself. For a day. A few hours. Fully devote yourself to the Cross, the Passion [my memories of the Jesuits’ long retreat, subsequent shorter retreats, the central role of meditations on the Cross and Jesus’ Passion.] Such focus, such concentration, such prayer, meditation, contemplation on the Cross and Passion are life changers, even when you do it for a short while…. And return to it over and over….


The Passionists are a group of Christian men, both ordained and non-ordained, who live in community and announce to the men and women of our times the Gospel of Christ.

The founder saw in the Passion of Jesus "the greatest work of divine Love" and the revelation of the power of the Resurrection to overcome the forces of evil. He bequeathed to his followers the task of announcing to their contemporaries the love of God for each and every person shown in the passion and death of Jesus who rose victorious on Easter day.

The Passionists make a special promise to promote the memory of the passion of Jesus by word and deed. They do this especially in preaching and various ministries among the poor, and the marginalized of every kind in whom they see the Crucified today.
Another characteristic of the Passionists is their life in community. Passionist fraternity means that everything is held in common. Time is given to community prayer and to the contemplative dimension of life. Passionists are active contemplatives who, in a creative way, unite contemplation and an active pastoral life.

There are more than two thousand Passionists in 52 nations in the five continents.



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Oct 18 Luke b~10 d. 84

John and Thommy

good morning
I love you

Each year on St. Luke’s feast day, I remember with greatest admiration, Sister Luke – who’s still at Overbrook by the way [and Overbrook, actually the Dominican campus, has undergone tremendous change since you last saw it – all for the better it seems.] One of the things this feast does is to nudge me into sending the sisters a contribution for the school in Sister Luke’s honor. When I do that, I return to reconsider the choice of Overbrook over St. Henry; and how I played Thommy’s application/interview to leverage our opportunity to get both of you into the school….

The first question – which Catholic School? unfortunately, after your mother’s divorce, the question changed [which school? A very different question. A very wrong message.] With all of our familial challenges with the school, it was the right choice of schools. The day to day life within the walls of the institution, in the classrooms, the ambiance in the hallways et al., it was/is definitely a Catholic School. It’s also a Dominican school – not such a bad thing, probably a very good thing – it was for y’all and maybe too for your parents.

I hope you remember to send a donation at least once a year…. Having the good sisters praying for you is worth many grace points, maybe some indulgences thrown in for good measure…. 

Sister Luke is truly the best Kindergarten teacher I have ever met, seen, or heard of! First there’s her unconditional love for the children – personal, Catholic, Dominican love! She’s a holy and gracious person. Just being around her would be a blessing – and you had that opportunity five days/week for a year and then for years after that too she was anchoring the southwest corner of the school; her presence is radiant…. [as a child psychologist, I’ve been blessed to meet, see, hear about many teachers. you got lucky with several of the best at Overbrook. Another reason for you to give an annual donation.

More than monetary donations, you should also include in your prayers the students, faculty, staff, and benefactors of Overbrook School – for their benefit and yours….

I love you
dad



October 18
St Luke b. ~10 d. 84


What we know about Luke comes as much from tradition as from scripture – and tradition [and Catholic historians] is more than oral history, it’s an authentically vetted handed down of what was and what of that is important for us to know for our faith and religion.

We’re not sure where Luke was born. We do know that Luke was a gentile – i.e., one of us : probably a Greek, though some say Antioch in Syria. Paul clearly identifies Luke as not a Jew [where you are not listed is as telling as where you are. see Col: 10-14]

Luke’s gospel gives unique emphasis to the Christianization of Gentiles, how the Gentiles also have their/our place in the kingdom of God. e.g., he gives us the parable of the good Samaritan; he reports Jesus’ praising the faith of Gentiles Zarephath and Naaman; and he tells us that the one grateful leper is a Samaritan….

Taking a gestalt approach to Luke, how do you fit in the shoes of the good Samaritan [not an oxymoron anymore, just like a good Catholic is not redundant, unfortunately….]; how would Jesus praise your faith? for your cures, your benefits, your resources, your talents, how are you grateful? - - - all ten lepers were cured. the nine that kept on their merry way, were still cleansed of their sores. what’s the big deal about the grateful leper, the Samaritan - - is it that being grateful was then [as now? for you?] not a trait of the in-crowd? how different were the nine than the one? what difference did it make not being grateful; not saying thank you to the source of the gift? ….

Luke was a physician. he is patron saint of doctors and surgeons. and, he was likely a slave at first. one trained in medicine for his owning family. starting as one with nothing, not even personhood, Luke took his talents, the resources he was given, and the gifts of education et al., and became a physician – pursuing healing, eventually making that a pursuit of healing of souls….

at the moment, it does not appear that you will become physicians. whatever. the lesson from Luke includes the blessings and effects of assimilating all that you are and all that you are given to be all that you can be, to pass it forward, to be grateful and enrich those from whom you have received by honoring them not only with thanks but with how you excel in the use of the blessings you have…. a duty….

Luke was a companion of Paul’s and probably a confidant of Mary’s [how else did he get some of the details?] It is important whose company we keep – to whom we give loyalty – how well we fulfill the duties of friendship and follower, learner and disciple. Luke not only did it, he gave us his story and the story of the early Christians, our early faith, even the events and stories that helped shape that faith…. Luke joined Paul in about 51 AD and traveled with him extensively as well as making his independent contributions to, e.g., Philippi. Goes to show you, we are called to serve with others and likely to also do good on our own – no matter what our vocation….

At the end of Paul’s life, his final imprisonment, Luke stayed with Paul. what does that say about their relationship? with whom are you so dedicated to stay with him/her in prison, no matter what!? … this bond between Paul and Luke – what does it say about the importance of disciples to the well being and success of the leader? how much of Paul’s success, his sustaining efforts, can be attributed to his sidekicks? how much of Luke’s being a physician was important to their relationship? God’s plan? Luke could not of imagined how he would bring his physician training to the success of Christianity! he wouldn’t have dared thought about it. you cannot know where God is leading you when he gives you resources, talent, opportunities. but you risk much dissing any of that. for whom are you a Tonto? or a Luke? and when you are the leader, whom do you draw to yourself to enhance your well being and your chances of success? how do you select the people around you? by what they add to your salvation and vocation?....

In Luke’s gospel, there are six miracles and eighteen parables not in any of the other gospels. Luke had, it appears, a very different mission, vision, audience, purpose…. As much as Matthew’s gospel is one for social justice and John’s for mysticism [I’m not sure what Mark’s is uniquely for], Luke’s gospel is for the poor and how we should serve them – or what to expect when we do not share, give away, our riches! e.g., Lazarus and the rich man. Luke’s beatitude is “blessed are the poor” not ‘blessed are the poor in spirit.’ try, too, the Magnificat, e.g., God has… lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.’ in what state do you want to approach the pearly gates?

In addition to the poor, Luke tells us about God’s mercy to sinners – that’d be us, yes?! here’s a theme for the spiritual physician. the Prodigal Son: or, these days, the beneficent father. the forgiven women at the marriage feast, Jesus consistently taking the side of the sinner who seeks God’s mercy…. the quality of mercy is not strained…. moreso forgiveness!

St. Luke is always represented by the calf or ox, the sacrificial animal, because his Gospel begins with the account of Zachary, the priest, the father of John the Baptist.


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