Archive for April, 2007
Entry for April 28, 2007
Saturday, April 28th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ!
This evening a group of former and current students of Fr. Joseph Carola, SJ, met for supper. We were all in his seminar at the Gregorian University entitled, “A Patristic Synthesis of Theology.” The seminar basically reviewed the truths of theology through the Fathers of the Church (the early teachers of the Faith). It was a monumental study in my own theological training. Sadly, this year marks the last year the seminar would be offered. After various University changes, and Fr. Carola’s own academic demands, the seminar had to come to a conclusion. I feel sorry for the future students of theology who will not have the seminar as an option.
Fr. Carola has taught the seminar for several years, and during the supper he gave various reflections and recalled certain humorous stories or memories through the years.
Fr. Carola will still be at the Gregorian but he is taking on more courses and advising more on licentiate and doctoral papers.
It was a great supper. For those who will be able to attend the priestly Ordinations this summer, you’ll have a chance to meet Fr. Carola. He’ll be heading to South Carolina for the festivities.
Be sure to say a prayer for a loved one.
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Entry for April 20, 2007
Friday, April 20th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ, truly Risen from the dead!
Last night was the Rector’s Dinner here at the American seminary in Rome. It was a grand occasion. The community really came together to make it happen. I was in charge of the table with Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, who is the nuncio (ambassador) emeritus to Italy. He is currently the Cardinal in charge of the basilica of St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls. He was a friendly person. He was one of several Cardinals in attendance. Cardinal Wiliam Levada, an emeritus of the seminary, received an award, and Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, attended the Dinner. There were several ambassadors, including the American ambassador to the Holy See. From the Italian noble families, there were members from the Borghese and Colonna families in attendance. Overall, there were about 400 guests at the seminary. It was a beautiful Dinner, and a lot of work. I’m glad I was there, but I’m glad it’s over.
This morning in my seminar on the “obedience of conscience” we discussed the issue of euthanasia. I guess it can never be studied enough. It’s very important that we are ready with clear and helpful answers to the several end-of-life issues.
In my daily Holy Hour, I am still using “I Believe in Love,” but chapter one and two. I strongly recommend this book to anyone!
Please say a prayer for your loved ones.
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Entry for April 17, 2007
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
The Lord is Risen! Alleluia!
Well, the hot weather has hit Rome! Today, the grand sweat marathon began. I have to work to re-adjust my nose to the many versions of possible body odor. It can get pretty intense.
Classes were long today, but they went well. My class on “euthanasia” is very helpful. The whole realm of end-of-life issues is one that requires clarity and appropriate compassion.
I recently completed the novel, “Razor’s Eedge” by W. Somerset Maugham. I cannot recommend the author or the book in regards to content. While the novel raises some pertinent questions, it doesn’t resolve or assist in resolving them. I will write that I enjoyed the book and can recommend it for leisure and recreation. The author is a talented story-teller.
This evening we had some training for the Rector’s Dinner, which will be on Thursday. The Dinner is a massive meal with all kinds of dignitaries, diplomats, churchmen, and benefactors. It’s one of the largest events of the seminary. Thursday will be a very long day!
All right, be sure to say a prayer.
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Entry for April 16, 2007
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ, truly Risen! For the next fifty days, the Church celebrates the Easter season. Let us rejoice that God has conquered the reign of sin and death over humanity. Alleluia!
This morning I had a promise to fulfill. Earlier when I was preparing to go to India, I promised St. Francis Xavier that I would visit him the day after I returned from the Far East. I was suppose to return yesterday. So, today, I went and visited St. Francis. His arm is in the Gesu church (his body is on Goa, India). After visiting him, I stayed and made a Holy Hour in the church. A good friend, Fr. Jeremy Leatherby, came with me. The Gesu is a magnificent Baroque church. St, Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuits, is also in this church.
For my Holy Hour, I used the “Abandonment” chapter of the book, “I Believe in Love.” It’s an incredible book that I strongly recommend.
Today is the Holy Father’s actual 80th birthday. The Holy See (Vatican) is hosting a large concert tonight.
The Pope’s book on Jesus hit the markets today in Italian. The English version won’t be out until mid-May, but you can pre-order it on Amazon.
All right, I have to go back to my studies.
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Entry for April 15, 2007
Sunday, April 15th, 2007
Happy Easter! Today we conclude the Octave of Easter, the eight days of celebration.
Today has become known as “Divine Mercy Sunday.” Pope Benedict celebrated a public Mass for today’s remembrance, as well as for his 80th Birthday (which is actually tomorrow, but is universally remembered today).
I attended Mass today at the Holy Spirit Church, which is the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy here in Rome. It was a beautiful (even if hectic) celebration. The Italians love to pray, and they love to use their elbows and non-existent personal space in their prayer. I’m sure that God laughs.
Today is a time for us to recall the Lord’s intense and unconditional mercy and compassion for and to each person. It’s mercy that’s needed the most in our world: giving it and receiving it.
Enjoy today. Truly, it is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad.
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Entry for April 12, 2007
Thursday, April 12th, 2007
Happy Easter!
I spent most of today cleaning my room, organizing some paperwork, running errands, and catching up on some reading. Of the things I’m reading right now, I’ve been doing a lot with Servais Pinckaers, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Martin Rhonheimer. The three of them are established moral theologians, who are known for their ability to think and argue points. I’m learning a lot from them.
MacIntyre’s book, “After Virtue,” is pretty well-known and a great start to entering his thought.
With these three teachers, I’ve been trying to work on my discernment of virtue, of a virtuous act, and of a virtuous life. It’s not as easy as it might seem. Experience and reflection must work and complement each other. And our reflection has to be structured and ordered – it cannot be just free thinking. Such random speculation serves no good and leaves the person even more lost or confused. The structure and order we give to experience is the beginning of authentic discernment and evaluation. It can bear much fruit for the person by way of lessons, illuminations, and even a conversion of heart.
Most of us don’t want to seriously discern and evaluate our experience of life because we realize that it would be hard work. It’s interesting that for all of our dismissal of prayer, we seem hesitant to try it (even in an initial form, such as discernment of our experience).
Please send questions or comments to: jkirby@pnac.org.
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Entry for April 11, 2007
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007
Happy Easter!
Yes, I know it might sounds weird to greet one another with “Happy Easter,” but we have to recall – contrary to our prevailing culture – that Easter is actually an eight day celebration! It’s so awesome that one day cannot contain its festivity!
So, yes, “Happy Easter!”
With the joy and peace of Easter in our minds and hearts, I’d like to return to the Apostolic Exhortation. I know, remember that? With all the celebrations lately, the exhortation has seemed to fall into the background. I’d like to retrieve it, however, and discuss some of its teachings.
We last left off (so long ago) on #7, the mystery of the Trinity as the first element of eucharistic faith. #7-8 emphasize this point. Using Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:16-17), the Pope shows that in the Father giving the Son, we see the “deepest source of God’s gift.” The gift can only be understand within the mystery of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Spirit understood as the Love between the Father and the Son). The Pope is using this teaching to make his point: “In the Eucharist Jesus does not give us a ‘thing,’ but himself; he offers his own body and pours out his own blood.” This act not only is a total outpouring of himself, but also a revelation of the ultimate origin of his love. Which is? He is the eternal Son, given to us by the Father. The source of his love is that relationship among the Divine Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. It is an outpouring of that love, and an invitation to share in it. That is why the Trinity is the first element of eucharistic faith.
The Pope begins #8 with a profound statement. It should be memorized by all disciples: “The Eucharist reveals the loving plan that guides all of salvation history.” Awesome! You have to let that truth sit on your heart for awhile. The Pope elaborates: “God’s whole life encounters us and is sacramentally shared with us.” The Pope stresses the immensity of this encounter. He concludes the section on the Trinity by writing: “The ‘mystery of faith’ is thus a mystery of trinitarian love, a mystery in which we are called by grace to participate.” With St. Augustine, the Pope exclaims: “If you see love, you see the Trinity.” That concludes the section on the Trinity (#7-8).
In summary, the Pope is reminding us that Jesus’ sacrifice which is re-presented in the Eucharist is a revelation of the nature of God, of the love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is the starting point and the first element of eucharistic faith. This is what Jesus is opening up for us, and to which he is restoring us. We’re called back to relationshiop with our loving God.
All right. Have we had enough for now? Enjoy the continuing Easter celebration!
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Entry for April 5, 2007
Thursday, April 5th, 2007
This girl knows how to celebrate the Triduum.
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Entry for April 4, 2007
Thursday, April 5th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Well, due to an unexpected flu and not wanting to risk anything more serious, my trip to India had to be cancelled. It’ll be a low-key Triduum and Holy Week for me afterall.
While I would like to write a few reflections on Holy Week, I think I’m going to stay away from the computer and just try to live and experience Holy Week.
Have a blessed Triduum and happy Easter! I’ll write more after Easter Sunday.
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Entry for April 3, 2007
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007
Our Holy Week journey continues. The Triduum fast approaches. Let us seek the Face of God.
A good friend, Nancy Mohlman, flew into Rome yesterday. She and I will be flying to India tomorrow. We’ll start a tour of the Church in India. We’re being hosted by the Jesuit Fathers, especially Fr. Lewis Philip, SJ, who once ministered in our home diocese of Charleston, SC, USA. It’ll be great to see Fr. Lewis again, and to celebrate the Triduum and Easter Week in India.
I ask for your prayers for a safe and fruitful trip.
Be assured of prayers. Please send any specific intentions to: jkirby@pnac.org. There won’t be any blog entries until April 15, when I return to Rome. I’ll be keeping a journal on the trip, and will submit entries for the appropriate days when I return.
Have a blessed Triduum and a happy Easter!
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