Archive
A priest begs forgiveness for withholding the Eucharist: “We abandoned you.”
P.E.A.K. for priests
In this Year for Priests, Father David Toups creates an acronym (something he beat me to) about what every Catholic can do for priests, this year especially. (P)ray for priests. (E)ncourage those interested in discerning the priesthood. (A)ffirm priests for their vocation and service. (K)nowledge — increase your knowledge of priesthood.
There’s also more videos related to the Year for Priests, including more from Father Toups.
icon of Christ the Great High Priest
As we are in the Year of the Priest, the USCCB website has some great resources as we spend this year with greater prayer and focus on Priesthood. This icon is a beautiful symbol for priesthood. More info on the iconographer and opportunity to buy an 18″ x 24″ poster here.
This icon (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28” x 22”) is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a winding grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.” Incidentally, it is St. John Vianney whom Pope Benedict XVI, with the announcement of this special year, has declared the Universal Patron of Priests.
NY ordination 2009 video
As we are in the Year for Priests, the USCCB website posted this You Tube video of the priest ordination of New York. It’s done really well … by the same people (Grassroots Films) that made the Fishers of Men video.
The USCCB website also has a listing of all the new priests that were ordained this year with pictures, backgrounds and quotes.
CCD hs: Faith + Vocations + St Teresa of Avila (day 4)
Opening prayer song reflection, (live crowd) “Amazing Grace” by Paul Oakley
[Book QUIZ] on Chapter 1 (Faith)
St Teresa of Avila – (16th century mystic Carmelite religious sister, feast Oct 15) as a teen she lost interest in her faith, instead falling in love with boys & chivalry, mother died as a teen, placed in monastery, love of God rekindled, suffered repeated serious illnesses, struggled with prayer, experienced mystical visions of Christ, raptures (joyful unions with God), taught on prayer, “doctor of the Church” (influential writings).
VOCATION = “a call” by God to holiness
”Primary” Vocation … “to be a beloved child to our heavenly Father”
“State of Life” Vocation …
- —Single, Consecrated Single
- —Married (husband/father, wife/mother)
- —Religious sister or brother
- —Priesthood (clergy)
“Service” Vocation … career, ministry, etc.
Antonio Banderas, a Jesuit priest?
Rented a movie called “The Body” (2001) that I don’t remembering hearing about. It has Antonio Banderas playing a Jesuit priest, investigating a crucified body found by an archeologist in Jerusalem. In the spirit of religious conspiracy fiction like The Da Vinci Code (2006), it explores the ramifications of finding the buried body of Jesus for Christianity and Palestinian-Israeli relations.
It could have had a better developed storyline. It ended too suddenly. But I especially like the interaction between the Jesuit priest (Banderas) and the Dominican priest. Personally, I thought the faith of the more mystical Dominican would withstand the challenge.
–– Interesting movie. Banderas was a pretty convincing Jesuit. 🙂
Christopher West & “Theology of the Body” (day 2)
Today was day #2 (see day #1 here) of the highly anticipated lecture by Christopher West, titled “Priestly Celibacy and the Redemption of Sexuality.” It was a presentation of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” directed for us seminarians in our journey toward priesthood. It was very rich in theological language, yet applied to our immediate lives, especially in the area of our personal sexuality. It was very well received.
He used a lot of song references from the 80’s to highlight points. I wrote some points for my reflection as I was trying to keep up:
- Theology cannot only be “in the head” … it must be “in the will” as well
- mysticism or neurosis
- Carl Rainer, “Christianity will be mystical or nothing at all.”
- Ephesians 5 is the summa.
- Marriage is liturgy and liturgy is marriage.
- A married man can become a priest, but not vice versa.
- First choose between marriage or a consecrated celibate … then discern priesthood.
- Sang Steve Winwood’s song “Bring Me a Higher Love“
See day #1 of lecture, with links on Theology of the Body & video of Christopher West.
Christopher West & Theology of the Body (day 1)
Today was the highly anticipated lecture by Christopher West, titled “Priestly Celibacy and the Redemption of Sexuality.” It was a presentation of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” directed for us seminarians in our journey toward priesthood. It was very rich in theological language, yet applied to our immediate lives, especially in the area of our personal sexuality. It was very well received … and this was only day #1.
He used a lot of song references from the 80’s to highlight points. I wrote some points for my reflection as I was trying to keep up:
- 80’s song “Blinded by Science” –> science has blinded us; our bodies are theological, not only biological
- U2 song “Desire“
- Peter Gabriel’s song “In Your Eyes” lyrics demonstrate a “twisted mystic” that hints at “Song of Songs”
- In seminary, we learn to “inseminate” the “bride” (Church)
- Bruce Springstein’s song “Everybody has a Hungry Heart“
- Bookends of the Bible begins with Adam & Eve and ends with the NEW Adam (Jesus) & the NEW Eve (Church). This is a great analogy of how “God wants to marry us”
- Are we eating from “fast food” or a “starvation diet”
- “Idolatry of body” verses “Iconography (window to heaven) of body”
- Devil is the “enemy” of human nature (body & soul union). He wants to separate. Horror movies show this with ghosts or corpses.
- On the Cross, the giving “flow of blood & water” is the giving of “His seminal flow” (from St Augustine)
- Eve “takes” the apple (gift) denying the trust of “receiving” the gift
- Lust “extorts the gift”
- Even my will is “grace.” “All is grace.”
Weblinks to Theology of the Body resources:
Fr Joseph Kottayil
At the end of this morning’s Mass, we recognized the celebrant, Fr Joseph Kottayil, for his priesthood and brotherhood here at St John Vianney College Seminary. He is one of our “in house” Spiritual Directors. The Student Council, this year, decided to keep, in an extra-special way, a different priest of the house in our prayers each month. Last month, September 2008, we all focused on Fr Joseph. This month, it is Fr Santos. — Thank you, Fr Joseph, for you!
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Father Joseph Kottayil was born April 1, 1959, in Kerala, the most Catholic state of India, he is the fifth of seven children. Ordained Dec. 23,
1979, he came to the United States in 1990 and worked at St. Agnes Parish in downtown Brooklyn, N.Y. The cold winter did not suit him, however, so a priest friend invited him to come to South Florida. Since 1991, he has served at St. Coleman Parish in Pompano, St. Maximilian Kolbe in Pembroke Pines, St. John Neumann in Kendall and St. Catherine of Siena in Miami. On July 1, 2002, he was named pastor of the newly-created Blessed John XXIII Parish in Miramar. Today is a permanent “in house” Spiritual Director at St John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, FL
For more info, see some personal question & answers on the Archdiocese of Miami HERE.
Sign on his desk: “Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.”
Miami Priest Convocation
Today is the last day of the Miami Archdiocesen Priest Convocation (every 2 years) held at the Hyatt Regency in Weston, FL. The theme coincided with Pope Benedict’s emphasis on the Writing of St Paul this year.
I served morning Mass & prayer with 3 brother seminarians. It was a great experience to see so many priests together in fellowship. The most powerful moment was the prayer of concecration said by the whole room as we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. I wish I could have taken a picture. — I’m blessed to have been chosen to be present and serve.
Catholic military chaplains
I finally received a packet from the Vocation’s Director of the Archdiocese for Military Services (AMS). It contained a couple brochures specific to Catholic chaplains, but mostly brochures from the Army, Air Force & Navy. I asked for the Marines, but I guess they’re considered part of the Navy. Anyways, there’s some interesting figures:
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The AMS serves 375,000 Catholic soldiers — 520,000 family members — 204,000 in Reserves & National Guard — 29,000 Catholic patients in 172 Medical Centers — & 66,000 Catholics in government service overseas (in 134 countries).
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Geographically, the AMS is the largest in the Church, trans-national without borders at 220 installations in 29 countries.
- To meet all those needs, they have fewer than 350 full-time Catholic military chaplains with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines & Coast Guard.
- They have 480 priests serving part-time with Reserve forces & National Guard.
- The priests serving full-time are on loan from 142 dioceses and 44 religious communities.
As excited I am about the military, I also realize the needs and dynamics of serving soldiers can be extremely diferent from Miami pastoral ministry. I’d like to stay open to the possibility of a summer internship (in a theology year), but I don’t currently feel drawn into any permanent call. — I need to slow down and focus on the now.
military priests
Reading and writing about military chaplains over the past couple of days awoke my passion for the military. I wrote an email to the Archdiocese of Military Services, and got a response from Auxiliary Bishop Estabrook.
The Archdiocese of Military Services doesn’t take priests directly but rather accepts priests “on loan” from individual dioceses for a period of three years and up. They don’t have a seminary or incardinate priests. All their priests must have been priests and had a pastoral assignment for at least three years before coming on active duty.Each Service has a seminary program. When accepted by that Service and with permission of your diocese, you could be commissioned a reserve officer while in theology and have a chance to serve at an installation sometime during your studies just to see what the chaplaincy is like.
Father Chandler, the Vocations Director, will be sending me materials and be in touch. — I’ll see what happens.
Exorcism outs the Devil
One of the greatest “gifts” God gave to the Church was the power of exorcism. What most people think about when you say exorcism is actually a “major exorcism” where the Church determines a demon has possessed someone’s body (but not taking their free will) and a priest (approved by the bishop) does the rite of exorcism (usually done in 5 minutes, but may take several months). I didn’t explore my ignorance about exorcism (because I thought it may invite bad stuff) until I saw a DVD available called “Interview with an Exorcist”.
Here’s a few facts that clarified my misconceptions. Although a demon may possess a body, it does not control a person’s free will. All priest are taught the rite, but the bishop must approve doing one. A priest prepares more for the the sacrament of reconciliation than the rite of exorcism. Priests have been known to successfully perform exorcisms in the state of mortal sin (it’s not a battle between the priest & a demon, it’s between GOD & the demon). Any prayer denouncing the power of Satan is a prayer of exorcism. Although a majority of possessions includes some occult practices, even a Christian believer can be possessed (although less likely).
I think I was more afraid of exorcism due to my own ignorance than I am today. I would recommend more knowledge & understanding to those who may empathize. A new book supplements the DVD just came out. More Catholic resources on exorcism are HERE. The movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose is also pretty good.
I saw an episode of Showtime’s Penn & Teller’s Bullsh*t about exorcism (season 5#5). They had some ridiculous (non-Catholic) “exorcists” that made the whole rite into a joke, concluding there is no such thing as demonic possession. They just affirm Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”
This is WHY exorcism is a “gift.” In an exorcism, Satan is manifested (revealing his existence) and the supreme power of God over evil glorifies our Lord. — but I don’t want to be the person in the middle (possessee).
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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