Archive for January, 2010
A Sunday in Rome
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
This morning the US Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Miguel Diaz (pictured above), visited the Casa Santa Maria (the priest house). He and his family attended Mass and stayed for lunch. As a theologian, Dr. Diaz is a unique diplomatic appointment. He’s been here in Rome for a few months, and there’s great hope surrounding his office.
Today in Aiken, South Carolina, the local newspaper, “The Aiken Standard,” ran a story on “Becoming Father Bob.” The book’s grand release and its first presentation and signing will happen in Aiken tomorrow evening. I hope many in the area can turn out for the event!
On Friday, I took my exam on the “Introduction to Moral Theology,” and am now studying and preparing for my next exam on Virtue Ethics. This is a major movement within moral theology and ethics right now. Of my exams, this might be the most difficult. Please keep your prayers coming! 
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A Spiritual Consolation…
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
I received the following message from an older friend in North Carolina. He has recently been allowed to experience some pretty heavy crosses. With his permission, I’d like to share his sentiments:
Father Kirby-
When I first received your book I figured I’d read it in two nights. The fact is it took over 3 weeks. Your first chapter was a refresher of Christianity that I haven’t thought about for decades, and the rest of the book was like a “book” retreat. Besides trying to visualize our past visits to St. Peter’s each paragraph was an opportunity for me to meditate and pray. Thank you so much. It was a retreat I needed.
The book on St. Peter’s proved to be a consolation to this friend, and, knowing his sufferings, I received great consolation in knowing that the book was such a great help to him.
I am amazed at what God does in our midst. Brothers and Sisters, the Lord desires to do a wonderful work through each of us. We just have to let him work!
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Books, Exams, and a lot of Stress…
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Well, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to blog the past few days. The semester classes ended last week, and we have entered the “final exam period.” Unlike the US, the final exam period lasts several weeks. A final exam normally consists of a ten minute oral conversation with the professor. He can ask any questions based on the material from the class. For this reason, studying can be very intense. In the preparation, the student has to cover and review everything! I’m laughing, I promise.
My first exam was this past Friday, which was the last day of class. Talk about jumping right in! It was the methods class, and I think it went well. Over the weekend, I was working to complete some papers for the semester, and today I was supposed to have my second exam on the Moral Act course, but the professor is sick. So, now, the focus is to complete one final paper for the semester, and to study for my exam this Friday, which will be on the Introduction to Moral Theology course. And, then, the next exam, and the next one, etc., etc. Step by step.
I’ll try to blog as time and energy let me. Please send some prayers this way!
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Monday Church Jeopardy
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Well, congratulations, to all the young people who gave great answers. Last week’s church was the Church of St. Agnes’ Agony in the Piazza Navona. And, I appreciate all the wonderful facts on this powerful young saint! Isn’t she awesome?!
Some of you might remember that I go to class near the Piazza Navona and so I try to visit the Church of St. Agnes whenever I can (and whenever it’s open). St. Agnes has become a close spiritual friend of mine. She’s a powerful patroness of young people, especially girls and young woman. She is also the patroness of young women who are looking for good husbands! We’ve got to support that!
St. Agnes was born into a Roman noble family that was Christian. She grew up as a Christian, even though it was illegal to believe and publicly profess the divinity of Jesus Christ. A nobleman found Agnes to be a virtuous girl and he wanted Agnes to marry his son. She refused. She wanted to marry a Christian. The nobleman was very insulted and so he turned in the family to the authorities. He accused them of being Christians, and they were “guilty.” Agnes was only 12 or 13 years old, but she was a very strong young woman!
The authorities wanted to embarrass Agnes and so they dragged her through the streets naked, but the young saint’s hair miraculously grew and covered her body. When some men tried to do violence to her, they were each struck blind. Then they tied Agnes to wood and tried to burn her, but the wood would not set fire. Finally, one of the guards, drew his sword and beheaded the young girl who was so brave for the Lord Jesus. She died in AD 304 as a martyr for Jesus and a strong little witness to his Lordship in our world.
After her death, many young girls went to her tomb to pray for her protection. One of these young girls was caught by the authorities, and killed. To this day, young women and Christians of every gender, age, and state in life seek out Agnes and ask for her prayers.
On the feast of St. Agnes (which was this past Thursday, January 21), the pope blesses some very special lambs. Now, “Agnes” is very close to the Latin word for lamb, “agnus,” and the word is thought to derive from the Greek word which means “pure.” So, these special lambs are brought to the pope and blessed on St. Agnes’ feast day.
These are special lambs because from their wool the pallia will be made. The pallium (pallia in the plural) is a special vestment worn by all the Metropolitan Archbishops (which means the archbishops who run archdioceses and are “in the field”). The lambs blessed on St. Agnes’ feast day are shorn on Holy Thursday, and the making of the pallia begin.
Here’s a picture of the pallium:
The pallia are made from wool to remind the archbishop that he is called to be a shepherd of the Lord’s flock. It is worn as a yoke reminding the shepherd that he carries the yoke of Christ and must lead the sheep with patience. The different crosses on the pallium remind the archbishop of the sacred wounds inflicted on Jesus’ sacred body, and that he should be willing to “lay down his life” for the sheep. Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta wears the pallium as the Metropolitan of Atlanta and the Atlanta Province (which includes the dioceses of Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah). All of the archbishops receive the pallium from the pope, after the vestment has rested on the bones of St. Peter. As the year moves along, we’ll talk more about the pallium.
Here’s a picture of Pope Benedict XVI, as Bishop of Rome and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Province, wearing the pallium:
Many people have been inspired by St. Agnes. The great English poet, John Keats, who lived in Rome and is buried here, wrote the poem, “The Eve of St. Agnes,” because he was so impressed with the saint and the devotion surrounding her. The Venerable Pope Pius XII, when he canonized St. Maria Goretti, he harkened back to St. Agnes. He preached:
“Maria Goretti resembled St. Agnes in her characteristic virtue of Fortitude. This virtue of Fortitude is at the same time the safeguard as well as the fruit of virginity. Our new saint was strong and wise and fully aware of her dignity. That is why she professed death before sin. She was not twelve years of age when she shed her blood as a martyr, nevertheless what foresight, what energy she showed when aware of danger! She was on the watch day and night to defend her chastity, making use of all the means at her disposal, persevering in prayer and entrusting the lily of her purity to the special protection of Mary, the Virgin of virgins. Let us admire the fortitude of the pure of heart. It is a mysterious strength far above the limits of human nature and even above ordinary Christian virtue.”
St. Agnes is a powerful saint for today’s Christian, and especially for today’s young people. Often, in my prayers, I ask St. Agnes to protect our young Christians, and I ask her to pray that marriages may become stronger in our world.
AND, NOW, OUR NEW JEOPARDY QUESTION:
What is this church?
I’ll give you a hint: think of our saint! Let’s see if you can identify the church, and tell me something about it.
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Feast Day
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Today, the University of the Holy Cross gave the theology students the day off! The patron saint of theological students is St. Thomas Aquinas, perhaps one of the greatest minds in human history, but his feast day (January 28) falls within the exam period, so the university moved the “external observance” to today! Talk about a tremendous act of kindness! No classes.
I wish I could say that meant no work, but there are still some papers to finish and some studying to do.
With the day’s schedule being lightened, however, I was able to go out for lunch. I had lunch with the Scout Executive for the Trans-Atlantic Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts run through local councils, most of which are in the US. Many people do not realize that each country has its own form of Scouting, so the Italians have their Scouting movement which is similar to others but uniquely its own. The Scouting movement was actually founded in England. Well, while most of the councils for the Boy Scouts of America are stateside, there are a few overseas councils. The Trans-Atlantic Council is one of them. At the lunch was also one of the local Cub Masters, and it was a great conversation full of ideas and hopes for the future.
Incidentally, I actually first joined the Boy Scouts of America through the Trans-Atlantic Council. I was almost 12 years old when I began, and my father was stationed in Mainz, then-West Germany. That’s where it started! I’m having a moment of nostalgia here!
Anyway, the Scouting movement has a lot to offer, and I’m glad to play a small part in offering this unique youth ministry to today’s young people.
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If you’re able, tune in…
Monday, January 18th, 2010
Just a reminder about the radio show, “Pathways to Rome.” I know that many people can’t catch it when it runs, but please note that the shows are archived and can be accessed at your convenience.
Also, Mediatrix Radio’s January newsletter highlights “Becoming Father Bob.” Check it out!
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This and That
Monday, January 18th, 2010
This is the last week of classes for the first semester. I know, it’s been long! The length of the semester is different here in Rome. It’s going to be nice to have this semester behind me! Classes went well: Bioethics for two hours, and then Moral Act for two hours, but these were the last lectures.
I have to mention how great it feels to have a clear desk! After I finished the First Chapter of my thesis, I put all the books back on my shelves. I have so much room!
After getting back from classes, I hosted Mr. Alan Howard at the Priest House for lunch. He runs a superb website on St. Peter’s Basilica. We met to discuss our mutual interest in the basilica, as well as his website and my book. It was a great conversation (and, hence, the picture above).
Right now, I’m working on two smaller papers that are due by the end of the semester. The rain appears to have stopped, and so my energy level is pretty low for studying. But, things are moving along…
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Classes and the Thesis…
Sunday, January 17th, 2010
I haven’t been blogging much lately because I had to put some things in high gear. In addition to classes, I’ve been really focusing and working on the First Chapter on my thesis. It’s been on, around, and all over my desk for the past several weeks. It was time to just get it done! Well, thanks be to God, the draft was finished this evening. I sent it on to my director. Let’s see what see says?
Basically, the First Chapter attempts to create a foundation or establish a starting point from which a natural law argument could be made in a pluralistic and secular society. Using theological anthropology (the way we see the human person as believers), the First Chapter tries to show that the person’s spiritual soul, his power of transcendence, of inquiry and discernment, are means by which a person can begin to discover an order within himself and beyond himself. By encountering truth, beauty, and goodness, the person grows in this recognition. And, perhaps, this recognition could be the beginning of a foundation from which the natural law can be presented and argued. Well, that’s the quick summary of the First Chapter, and a summary of my life for the past several weeks!
I’ve been praying for the people of Haiti. I can’t believe the devastation to human life and property. We all have to join in praying for that country, and to offering whatever help we can.
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Monday Church Jeopardy
Sunday, January 17th, 2010
Bravo to all the young people and readers who gave some great facts on Pope Benedict XVI for last week’s church jeopardy. Some forgot to pay attention to the condition “before he was a priest,” but all the details were still really good to read! Thank you all for sending in answers!
This week is the above church, which is located in the Piazza Navona. It’s named after one of Rome’s dearest female saints. Here’s the jeopardy. Identify the church, and give one fact about the saint! This time it’s about the saint (not the church). Have fun!
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Pope’s Address to the North American College
Sunday, January 17th, 2010
Here’s a copy of the Pope’s address to the North American College on January 9. It was a blessing to be there, and hear these words of encouragement.
Your Eminences,
Dear Brother Bishops and Priests,
I am pleased to welcome the alumni of the Pontifical North American College, together with the Rector, faculty and students of the seminary on the Janiculum hill, and the student priests of the Casa Santa Maria dell’Umiltà. Our meeting comes at the conclusion of the celebrations marking the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the College’s establishment by my predecessor, Blessed Pius IX. On this happy occasion I willingly join you in thanking the Lord for the many ways in which the College has remained faithful to its founding vision by training generations of worthy preachers of the Gospel and ministers of the sacraments, devoted to the Successor of Peter and committed to the building up of the Church in the United States of America.
It is appropriate, in this Year for Priests, that you have returned to the College and this Eternal City in order to give thanks for the academic and spiritual formation which has nourished your priestly ministry over the years. The present Reunion is an opportunity not only to remember with gratitude the time of your studies, but also to reaffirm your filial affection for the Church of Rome, to recall the apostolic labors of the countless alumni who have gone before you, and to recommit yourselves to the high ideals of holiness, fidelity and pastoral zeal which you embraced on the day of your ordination. It is likewise an occasion to renew your love for the College and your appreciation of its distinctive mission to the Church in your country.
During my Pastoral Visit to the United States, I expressed my conviction that the Church in America is called to cultivate “an intellectual ‘culture’ which is genuinely Catholic, confident in the profound harmony of faith and reason, and prepared to bring the richness of faith’s vision to bear on the pressing issues which affect the future of American society” (Homily at Nationals Stadium, Washington, 17 April 2008). As Blessed Pius IX rightly foresaw, the Pontifical North American College in Rome is uniquely prepared to help meet this perennial challenge. In the century and a half since its foundation, the College has offered its students an exceptional experience of the universality of the Church, the breadth of her intellectual and spiritual tradition, and the urgency of her mandate to bring Christ’s saving truth to the men and women of every time and place. I am confident that, by emphasizing these hallmarks of a Roman education in every aspect of its program of formation, the College will continue to produce wise and generous pastors capable of transmitting the Catholic faith in its integrity, bringing Christ’s infinite mercy to the weak and the lost, and enabling America’s Catholics to be a leaven of the Gospel in the social, political and cultural life of their nation.
Dear brothers, I pray that in these days you will be renewed in the gift of the Holy Spirit which you received on the day of your ordination. In the College chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady is portrayed in the company of four outstanding models and patrons of priestly life and ministry: Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Pius X, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Vincent de Paul. During this Year for Priests, may these great saints continue to watch over the students who daily pray in their midst; may they guide and sustain your own ministry, and intercede for the priests of the United States. With cordial good wishes for the spiritual fruitfulness of the coming days, and with great affection in the Lord, I impart to you my Apostolic Blessing, which I willingly extend to all the alumni and friends of the Pontifical North American College.
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