My Ideal - Jesus, Son of Mary

I'm just back from a few days pilgrimage (and rest) at Knock Shrine. Went browsing in the bookshop there and came across a little book (little books are best for me - more than 100 pages and it takes me an inordinate amount of time to finish a book) called My Ideal - Jesus Son of Mary. I couldn't put it down.

The book seeks (and succeeds IMHO) to instill in the reader a desire to imitate Jesus in his love for the Blessed Virgin - his Mother and ours.

It is not expensive, is published by Tan Books and can be found HERE.

Answer the Call Young Man

This VIDEO is a great call to young men. The great Fr. Corapi has words of encouragement for any young man who feels even the slightest stirrings of a call to priesthood in his heart. Thanks to Fr. Steve over at Da Mihi Animas for this. He always seems to be able to find the best Catholic videos.

Apostolic Visitation of Irish Seminaries

While the recent Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father addressed the litany of Clerical Child Abuse in Ireland, he also mentions that part of the program for renewal will be, among other things, an Apostolic Visitation of the Seminaries. Ireland has only three diocesan seminaries left: St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, St. Malachy's in Belfast (which offers formation only during the first few years of priestly formation - during philosophical studies) and the Irish College in Rome (which will presumably - and hopefully - fall under the remit of the Apostolic Visitor).

Having spent time in two of these three institutions I am delighted to hear that this visitation is taking place. Since my time in formation I have been convinced that the renewal of the Church in Ireland must begin with a renewal of our houses of formation, which in my experience were (are?) woefully inadequate. Let's just say they didn't inspire a strong sense of priestly identity and one didn't always feel that being truly Catholic in one's outlook was all that important or necessary even.

It is time that the Church in Ireland moved beyond 70's style formation programs which have proven themselves to be disastrous at so many levels. It is time that seminary training involved the encouragement of young men to become holy men of God, zealous for the Lord's flock and faithful to the teaching and direction of Holy Mother Church. I can honestly say that not one (with the exception of one spiritual director I had) ever even hinted that the priesthood had anything to do with the salvation of souls.

I know from experience, and many who shared my time in the seminary will also know, that many times we were asked to compromise here, there and everywhere on what we knew was the right thing to do. Not on any grand scale perhaps - but my philosophy has always been fidelity in small things - so the Lord can entrust me with bigger things.

Perhaps one fruit of the Visitation will be that the Seminarians in Maynooth will once again return to the traditional posture for the Consecration of the Mass - i.e. that they will get on their knees and not remain standing. It might not be a massive issue in alot of peoples minds, but I think it is symptomatic of something greater. As Pope Benedict wrote (as Cardinal Ratzinger):

“It may well be that kneeling is alien to modern culture – insofar as it is a culture, for this culture has turned away from the faith and no longer knows the One before whom kneeling is the right, indeed the intrinsically necessary gesture. The man who learns to believe learns also to kneel, and a faith or a liturgy no longer familiar with kneeling would be sick at the core.” (Spirit of the Liturgy)



End of rant!!!

Seminarians - Do not Be Afraid

Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary has this wonderful talk which she gave a few years ago to the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Miami. The Webpage of this wonderful Religious Community can be found HERE.

Who then is the Priest?

Gregory Nazianzus writes:

"We must begin by purifying ourselves before purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to illuminate, draw close to God to bring him close to others, be sanctified to sanctify, lead by the hand and counsel prudently. I know whose ministers we are, where we find ourselves and to where we strive. I know God's greatness and man's weakness, but also his potential. [Who then is the priest? He is] the defender of truth, who stands with angels, gives glory with archangels, causes sacrifices to rise to the altar on high, shares Christ's priesthood, refashions creation, restores it in God's image, recreates it for the world on high and, even greater, is divinized and divinizes". (As found in CCC #1589)

On What a Priest Leaves Behind in Death

Bishop Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island has a very beautiful reflection on the lasting legacy of a priestly life of service to the Gospel and the People of God.

Vocations to the Priesthood in Ireland

For any young man enquiring about the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood in Ireland the website of Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors might be a useful website to start with.