The Swedish TV programme doesn't suggest the Pope knew: Associated Press report today.

I haven't seen the programme so I'm not sure if the AP report is accurate. What does seem clear is that the programme gunned for Cardinal Castrillon as the prelate mentioned in my previous post. The ignominious act of accusing the Pope of lying was committed today by the Berlusconi family owned newspaper 'Il Giornale', with its headline, 'He lied'.

The best thing I have read today about this issue is an article by Dr Robert Moynihan, published as 'Letter 29 from America'. It is comprehensve in its analysis of the different aspects of the situation and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It can be found in full by clicking the link http://popebenedictxviblog.blogspot.com/ Scroll to the last but one post. I've put this blog in my sidebar list today.

Is Swedish TV about to accuse our Holy Father of lying?

Trouble brewing for Pope Benedict according to Rorate Caeli and Catholic Church Conservation.
Swedish TV apparently will claim tonight that because the Swedish Nuncio knew and because 'a certain curial Cardinal' knew about Williamson's Shoah denial, it stands to reason the Pope must also have known and therefore lied about not knowing. What rubbish! Exactly who in the Vatican did the Nuncio tell? Who in this Cardinal? Who else in the Vatican knew? I cannot believe the Holy Father did, but it's possible if not probable that he's in for even more stormy waters than last time. Please get out your Rosary and pray it for him. Pray it more intensely than ever before.

In Christo pro Papa

Clare, our new contributor, reflects on Spiritual Motherhood

Published below is the first part of Clare's article. The full article arrpears on the 'Spiritual Mothers of Priests' blog (link at top of sidebar here) I'm delighted she has chosen this particular subject for her first contribution.

Clare, a warm welcome aboard the "Oasis". Wishing you a calm sea and a prosperous voyage!
Jane

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL MOTHERHOOD?

The idea of Spiritual Motherhood is not new to the Church. The very first spiritual mother was Our Lady, whom the early Christians called ‘mother Mary’. Her care has always gone far beyond the realm of physically caring for people. Jesus’ entrustment of St John to his own mother, made from the Cross, is perhaps where the first spiritual mother began her mission. It appears that her little home in Ephesus where she lived with St John (‘the disciple Jesus loved’) was regularly visited by the followers of Jesus who regarded her as their mother in the Lord. Since then, Mary’s maternal care has reached to all Christians (indeed all people who call on her) and as a result the role of motherhood has always had an honoured place in the Church.

Any woman of any age can be a spiritual mother, it is not necessary to be married and a physical mother oneself. Women have always been immersed in prayer for souls, whether those of their own children, like St Monica, or for others, like Our Lady. St John Bosco had a remarkable mother, Mamma Margaret, who nurtured first him, and then, as he developed his ministry, the urchin children who came to him for help. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, though a lifelong celibate, had the spiritual and physical care of many thousands of people as well as her own nuns.

In our time, when women assume new responsibilities and achieve prominent positions in society, the question is often asked: why can they not enter the priesthood? Two thousand years of tradition, based on the all-male attendance at the Last Supper, the first Eucharist, is not going to be changed and for some this seems unfair. Nevertheless, Christ was male, and each priest as ‘another Christ’ must reflect this, which women cannot do. When was the last time we saw an Icon of Christ as a female?

However, motherhood is integral to the feminine genius and unique to women. To be a spiritual mother it is not necessary to have a strong natural maternal instinct or a love of domesticity. One does not have to be interested in bootees, sewing or the right way of making cup cakes – admirable though these things are. All that is needed is a deep love of God and the things of God, and a longing to bring other to him. In days gone by, people would call this a ‘thirst for souls’. The spiritual mother may personally know her spiritual child or children, or she may not. Either way, she prays and sacrifices with the same intention: the spiritual well-being and ultimate salvation of particular souls.

There is a story about an American woman who was visiting a friend one day. While they were chatting, the friend's young son came in with his friends. For some reason, the visitor noticed one of the friends, though he wasn't especially striking to look at. She found herself including him ever after in her prayers. Years later, she met up with the old friend and rather tentatively mentioned this young boy, who would be fully grown. She received the answer: "Oh him? He's a priest!" it was then that she realised that God had required her prayers for this young man. I imagine she would have continued to pray for him. Spiritual mothers are led to pray for certain people, whether it seems like a whim, or not. It might be as a result of hearing a sad story about a child or someone far from God, or it could be a spiritual 'adoption' of a prominent churchman, even the Pope! Those in leadership have especial need of such prayers.

There is no special way of praying or making sacrifice. One can recite the rosary, visit the Blessed Sacrament, light a candle, give alms, and offer up various sufferings – there are many ways of practising Spiritual Motherhood, but the focus is ‘maternal’ in that it incorporates the moral, spiritual and physical well-being of the one being prayed for. This is akin to a mother’s three-fold duty: to care for her children’s physical needs, to instil in them a sense of right and wrong, discerning wisely the things of the world and finally, to teach them about God, prayer and our faith.

Fr George Byers' great new blog: "Papist Jackass"

Have just received a link to Fr's new blog from a reader correspondent. A grateful and enthusiastic mantilla twitch to Christine for alerting me. The link is now in the sidebar at my alphabetical bloglist. Fr has posted his homily for yesterday's beautiful Feast of Our Lady's Nativity with photographs of the seminarians gathered in her praise.

As usual Cardinal Pell of Sydney 'gets it'.

See his Eminence's article 'Intolerant Tolerance'

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=9103

Vatican denies rumours of 'Reform of the Reform'

See today's Zenit for more detail.



Mmmm.........................................

The cast on the Pope's wrist has been removed. Deo gratias

Fr Z reports this fact tonight and speculates about subsequent therapy. I have already said that the Pope has been told that playing the piano would be a most helpful form of rehabilitation. I can't wait to hear the roar of joy when he appears for the Angelus on Sunday. Dear Pope Benedict I mean, not Fr Z, although thanks for the welcome news Father!

Seven things I love.

Mulier Fotis has tagged me. http://mulier-fortis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tagged-for-meme.html

I'm going to try to tag Annie of the LMS Arundel & Brighton blog

http://arundelbrightonlatinmasssociety.blogspot.com/



Annie, if this works put up 7 of your favourite things on your blog and then tag some other lesser known blogs.

Here are my 7 things:

1. The traditional liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church in Latin (includes Divine Office).
2. The traditional music that should accompany it.
3. The preaching and teaching of Pope Benedict XVI
4. My Prayer Garden
5. My Library
6. My Computer (I'd be so cut off without it. What would life be like without my blogging friends and without kto and EWTN?!)
7. "......laughter and the love of friends."(If anyone objects to this last because in fact it's two things, well substitute this line from Belloc's 'Dedicatory Ode')


I haven't included cats because they are not 'things'! Guess that's why Silvester wasn't mentioned in Mac's list .

I've been tagged for a Meme by Mulier Fortis: thanks Mac

It was very good and fortuitous of Mac to have tagged me on the post immediately preceding this one. If anyone picks it up they'll know about the Spiritual Mother blog (link in sidebar left)as well as this one.
I've thanked her and promised her liquid recompense the next time we meet, hopefully in the Autumn!. I had to confess to her that I didn't know how to tag and she immediately commented back with instructions.

I promised to try and do it and will confront the new learning curve after finishing a post in composition for the other blog.

Thanks again Mac.

My new Spiritual Motherhood of Priests blog

This has met with such a great comment and email response that it has taken over my life during the last week. (see link in sidebar)

However, I do not forget my Oasis and will return to posting on it as soon as I can.

God bless all here.

In Christo pro Papa

J

St. John Vianney's Pastoral Plan by Fr. John Cihak, S.T.L.

I recommend a reading or re-reading of this article which originally appeared in the Homiletic & Pastoral Review. (September 05 I think). Have tried to put a link in sidebar but it's not working. However, it's easily found by googling St. John Vianney's Pastoral Plan.

Litany in Honour of St. John Vianney

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.


Saint John Vianney, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, endowed with grace from your infancy, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, model of filial piety, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, spotless lily of purity, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, abyss of humility, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, seraph of prayer, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, ardent lover of holy poverty, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, true son of St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
St. John vianney, exemplary Franciscan tertiary, pray for us.

Saint John Vianney, tender friend of the poor, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, penetrated with the fear of God's judgment, pray for us.
St. John vianney, fortified by divine visions, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who was tormented by the evil spirit, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, perfect model of sacerdotal virtue, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, firm and prudent pastor, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, inflamed with zeal, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, faithful attendant on the sick, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, indefatigable catechist, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who did preach in words of fire, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, wise director of souls, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, specially gifted with the spirit of counsel, pray for us.

Saint John Vianney, enlightened by light from Heaven, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, formidable to Satan, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, compassionate with every misery, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, providence of the orphans, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, favoured with the gift of miracles, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who did reconcile so many sinners to God, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who did confirm so many of the just in the way of virtue, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who did taste the sweetness of death, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who now rejoices in the glory of Heaven, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, who gives joy to those who invoke you, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, heavenly patron of parish priests, pray for us.
St. John vianney, model and patron of directors of souls, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

v. Pray for us, Saint John Vianney,
r. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray

Almighty and merciful God, Who did bestow upon blessed John Vianney wonderful pastoral zeal and a great fervour for prayer and penance, grant, we beseech You, that by his example and intercession we may be able to gain the souls of our brethren for Christ, and with them attain to everlasting glory, through the same Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

'A Cure of Ars Prayer Book'

Thanks to a heads up from Fr Tim (Hermeneutic of Continuity) I was able to order this little prayer book from Family Publications on line. It is beautiful both in content and presentation. It will be of great use during the Year of the Priest and beyond, and certainly during the upcoming Tulsa Triduum. The sterling price is £4.50 so I suppose about $9. Worth every penny or cent whichever way you look at it.

It contains the St. John Vianney Litany but since that is in the public domain I'll post it here during the next few days.

Year of the Priesthood Triduum in Tulsa: Make a Spiritual Journey

Many times during the last year I have devoutly wished I lived in Tulsa, no less so now. The Tulsa Triduum will take place on three successive evenings (Sun. August 2-Tuesday August 4th) in Tulsa Holy Family Cathedral. There will be prayers for priests; supplication and Litany to St. John Mary Vianney and Veneration of his relic; and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. There is nothing to stop any of us from joining the Tulsa congregation spiritually. I'll be doing so and I'm hoping the Fr Mark will post his homily on Vultus Christi. I will be able to venerate my own relic of St. John. As regular readers know, I'm isolated here and will be unable to be in church physically. What about you?!.......Some brave souls among you may even feel inclined to ask your PP to do something similar, if not on the same date, then at some point during the year.

If you fear that such a suggestion would fall on deaf ears then please make that spiritual journey in my company. It would be wonderful if we could send Father a list of our names, actual or blognames. Please spread this among your internet and personal contacts and let's see what we can do.

Pope Benedict on the Year of the Priest: 'Get the word out!'

Please see the new addition at top of sidebar. This will take you to the Vatican's up to date links list of all the Holy Father's output on the Year of the Priest. There will be much more as the months progress since he has promised to concentrate on the life and teaching of St. Jean Marie Vianney in his General Audience Catechesis during the coming year.

In his post 'What Can I do For the Year of the Priest?' (Vultus Christi June 25th 09) Fr. Mark Kirby said: 'So much of what the Holy Father writes never reaches ordinary Catholics! Get the word out!' Father, you are so right, and one could add, 'so much of what Pope Benedict does and says never reaches ordinary Catholics'. It's certainly time for each one of us to do our little bit towards changing this.

Pope Benedict has fractured his wrist

h/t to Pelerin for alerting me to this. She'd heard about it on French news. The Vatican says it happened when he fell in his room last night. He went to the local hospital this morning after offering Mass and having breakfast. It is not a serious fracture, according to the report and he is expected to return to the chalet at Les Combes later today.

Cardinal Newman Beatification: Birmingham UK May 2, 2010?

From all accounts: CNS Simon Caldwell; Clerical Whispers; Fr. Blake (St. Mary Magdalene), it's looking very probable. Odd that nobody seems to connect this event with another one, the logistics of which we were told some months ago, are being discussed between the Vatican and the British Government. Yes, I'm thinking of the proposed State visit of Benedict XVI to the UK next year. I will, DV, make sure to be in Birmingham on the appointed date, not just to see Cardinal Newman beatified, but, as is my fervent prayer, to see Pope Benedict officiate at the ceremony.

Oh well, on prie et on va voir.

Pope Benedict has finished the second volume of 'Jesus of Nazareth'; Italian and German publishers in 'auction' battle

Well he has, and they are, according to the French magazine Le Point (18th June 09). Here's a translation of the relevant item.

"Saintes Ecritures (this could translate as 'Sacred Writings' or 'Holy Writ'!)


Benedict XVI is a very saleable author. His last book, 'Jesus of Nazareth' published by Rizzoli sold more than 3,000,000 copies. and the Vatican had negotiated his author's rights at an exorbitant 20% of each copy sold. (Translation warning: 'exorbitant' is the word used and it could mean exactly the same as in English, but also, either 'extraordinary' or 'outrageous'. IMHO none of these applies. The Vatican let them off lightly!)

A battle is in progress for the second volume consecrated to the the life of Christ, of which the manuscript is finished. The German publisher Herder, who had published all the books of Cardinal Ratzinger before his election as Pope is ready to outbid other publishers to get him back."

btw I haven't forgotten about St. Peter's eyes.

The look in the eyes of Saint Peter: What did Michelangelo mean it to mean?

Doctor Robert Moynihan again from the newflash quoted in an earlier post:

"Inside the Pauline chapel are two enormous frescoes which Michelangelo did just after he finished the Sistine Chapel. One depicts the crucifixion of Saint Peter. The other depicts the conversion of Saint Paul. And these two frescoes are among the most powerful works Michelangelo ever executed. (Many artists would have depicted the death of Saint Paul alongside the death of Saint Peter; or the conversion of St. Paul alongside the the calling of St. Peter; but Michelangelo chose to depict the Conversion of Paul and the Crucifixion of Peter - the beginning of faith, and its end in persecution and martyrdom).

The striking thing is that Michelangelo painted the face of Peter in such a way as to have Peter's eyes look directly towards the doorway. When a Pope comes into that chapel, he has to look into Peter's eyes. And what does he see there? Well that is the question.

The director of the Vatican Museums, Antonio Paolucci, in this morning's press conference, spoke about the look in Peter's eyes. He said the look was angry. And he said Peter's expression contained doubt about the meaningfulness of his sacrifice, his willingness to be executed for Christ.

I don't see any doubt in Peter's eyes. I do see a challenge. The challenge is to those walking into the chapel, including every Pope. The challenge is: 'Be ready to be as strong as I am, as I have to be, to die for the faith. Don't even think about holding back. Give everything, as I am doing.' "

As soon as I read these two responses to the look in St. Peter's eyes, I knew they said more about the faith of Paolucci and Moynihan than anything else, except perhaps the genius of Michelangelo, that his work stimulates such widely differing reactions. Everyone who goes into that chapel, Pope or not, has to face what his or her faith really means. Michelangelo has to have faced it himself as he painted the fresco. His work has spared no Christian from the same challenge since his brushes were dry.

I dread and long at the same time, to see a detail of St Peter's eyes from this fresco. Frankly the prospect terrifies me.
I continue to ponder it.

More about the altar later I hope.

Cardinal Newman: Great news from Rome today!

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints announced its acceptance today of a miracle attributed to the Servant of God, John Henry Newman. Deo gratias!