Index

BIRTHDAY FEATURE: A Walk Through the Life of Benedict

XVI Deborah Castellano Lubov
For 91st Birthday, Benedict XVI Has Familiar & Quiet
Celebration With Brother & Music in the Vatican Deborah Castellano Lubov
Alfie’s Team: Alder Hey Hospital Treats ‘Duty to Care’ as
‘Duty to Kill’ ZENIT Staff
FORUM: ‘Ten Years Ago, Pope Benedict Came Bearing
Witness to ‘Christ Our Hope” Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Brother Anthony Freeman’s Wake and Funeral Later This Week
in Texas Deborah Castellano Lubov
Santa Marta: Faith or Self-Interest? Jim Fair
Pope Francis Moves Eight Closer to Sainthood Jim Fair
Pope Plans Priestly Ordinations in St. Peter’s Basilica ZENIT Staff

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 16/04/2018-13:47

Deborah Castellano Lubov

BIRTHDAY FEATURE: A Walk Through

the Life of Benedict XVI
To celebrate better Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s 91st birthday, we bring to you this
special feature written by Zenit Vatican Correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, from
the Zenit Archives, from when she went to Bavaria to physically trace Benedict’s life
before becoming Pope.

***

Ever wanted to have a better idea about what teddy bears, Christmas lists, and miracles
meant to young Joseph Ratzinger? And if not before, are you curious now?

Special moments in the early life of Pope Benedict were the discoveries to find on an ‘
Inside the Vatican’-run pilgrimage that retraced the life of Benedict XVI throughout
Bavaria and Rome, guided by well-known historian Michael Hesemann, the co-author
with Georg Ratzinger of “My Brother, the Pope.”

Some of the meaningful places this intimate spiritual pilgrimage included were: the
charming little town of Marktl am Inn, where little Joseph Ratzinger was born; Tittmoning,
where he spent early years through about kindergarten; Freising, where he attended
minor seminary and was ordained a priest 65 years ago; Traunstein, where he
celebrated his first Holy Mass as priest; Munich, where he served as archbishop;
Regensburg, where he taught; and Pentling, where he had designed a home where
he believed he would eventually retire.

The group had priviledged moments they never could have expected, including a private
encounter with Pope Benedict’s brother, Georg, in his home in Regensburg, and meeting
the third priest ordained with the Ratzinger brothers, Rupert Berger, in his home in
Traunstein.

An irony, that hit those participating, was how Joseph Ratzinger, for a long time, was just
“the little brother of the famous choir leader, Georg Ratzinger.” When all three were

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 ordained, the famous one was Father Berger, since he was the mayor’s son.

Until Joseph became cardinal and was called to Rome, even as archbishop of Munich
and Freising, he still stood “in the shadow” of his world-famous brother.

Georg Ratzinger meets ZENIT’s Vatican correspondent Deborah Castellano Lubov in his
Regensburg Home -Photo by Michael Hesemann

Georg Ratzinger at his home in

Regensburg -Photo by Michael Hesemann

Georg Ratzinger at his home in Regensburg -Photo by Michael Hesemann

Miracles

Do you know where Pope Benedict’s favorite image of the Madonna is? The answer: in a
Marian shrine, known as a place of miracles in the charming-beyond-words town of

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 Altoetting where the Ratzinger family, including little Joseph, and his siblings Georg and
Maria, would visit at least once a year.

In this place in 1489, two little boys who had been killed, one in a farm accident and
another drowning, had been brought back to life after they were brought before the
beautiful image of the Virgin Mary of Altoetting.

In fact, today, this place leaves an impression due to all the trinkets (ex-voto) left on the
walls outside the shrine as signs of gratitude for miracles that occurred through Mary’s
intercession. (Lighting candles is the gesture one does for obtaining miracles, while an
ex-voto represents a sign of a miracle received.) Throughout and surrouding this shrine,
there is not actually enough space on the walls to accommodate all the tributes. The
wealthy gave items of silver to show their thanks, whereas the less well off and even very
poor people, often drew little pictures to show their gratitude. One sees pictures of
hospital beds, or even body parts to reflect recovery of the ill, as well as pictures of
babies – even photographs from a few months ago — for babies who were delivered
safely after complications or of parents who couldn’t have children, and then all of a
sudden found themselves expecting. Moreover, there are painted images of people who
were saved from torturous situations in times of war, struggle, or even recent tsunamis,
whose survival was attributed to Mary’s intercession.

Teddy Bear

Home in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria where Joseph Ratzinger

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 was born – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Home in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria where Joseph Ratzinger was born – Photo by Michael
Hesemann

The home in Marktl am Inn is where Joseph spent his earliest years — he was two years
old when he and his siblings crossed the street to look at the Christmas decorations of a
small department store just opposite their parent’s home. The apple of the little one’s
eye: a teddy bear in the window. Every day, little Joseph would watch and admire. But
then one day right before Christmas: tears. Why? The teddy bear was gone… . In
Germany, litte ones get their presents after Holy Mass on December 24th. At this
moment, little Joseph’s source of sorrow was removed, when instead he experienced
great joy as the teddy bear was under the family’s Christmas tree.

Christmas List

“I promise I’ll be good” was written in his Christmas list at the age of seven. (A promise
Joseph Ratzinger certainly kept.) In exchange for his good behavior, the three things he
requested very articulately: a vestment for when he would play Mass with his brother
Georg, the Mass missal translated into German so he could understand the Latin, and a
specific image of the Sacred Heart.

Wonderland of My Childhood

Tittmoning, a small town on the Salzach River, on the Austrian border, where the
Ratzinger family lived from 1929-1932, (until about the time that Joseph entered
kindergarten), is the place Benedict described as the ‘Wonderland of His Childhood.’
Before going to school, he would stop and pray in church. Here, he began to appreciate
the Mass more and more, especially as he observed his older brother serve and his
parents sing in the choir.

Also, in this town, where young Joseph began to fall in love with the liturgy, is a Marian
Shrine, where he, with his mother and siblings, daily used to go to pray the rosary. We
pilgrims braved the steep way up, but it was more than worth it. On the way back, we
passed the rapids of a small river running downhill through a forest, giving shade in the
summer.

We also visited Auschau am Inn, at the foot of the Alps, where the family had to relocate
in 1932, due to Mr Ratzinger’s outspoken criticism of Nazism. Benedict’s family,
especially his father, a policeman, always did everything they could to resist the Nazis
and keep the family as distant from them as possible. Even this move to Auschau was

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 done so that if soon there would be war, the family could have a home that supplied
them with natural resources and food to live on.

In this home, Joseph was often found in solitude reading, his passion, and was a regular
reader of “Der gerade Weg”, the most outspoken Catholic Anti-Nazi publication. After
Hitler rose to power, its editor, Fritz Michael Gerlach, was arrested and died in the
Dachau concentration camp as a martyr; his beatification process started in 2009. Mr
Ratzinger always said no to any Nazi offers. The only thing he allowed was his wife to be
part of a women’s group which prayed the rosary.

Young Priesthood….

The priests on the pilgrimage had a beautiful moment concelebrating Mass in the Church
in Traunstein where Benedict celebrated his first Mass, after having been ordained in
Freising.

Freising Cathedral where Joseph Ratzinger was ordained a priest 65 years ago – Photo
by Michael Hesemann

It was an interesting story how we came to have this Special Mass on Sunday. While in
Rome, during the Mass of Saints Peter and Paul, Robert Moynihan and Deborah
Tomlinson of Inside the Vatican found themselves—completely by chance–seated next
to the pastor of the parish in Traunstein. The Pastor of St. Oswald’s told them to come
instead on Sunday to Traunstein, rather than Saturday, which was the original plan, so
that after the Mass, he could show the group different sites—such as where Pope
Benedict’s parents spent their last days–and we could have a nice Bavarian lunch
together. At this restaurant, historian Michael Hesemann, who is close to the Ratzingers,

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 shared yet another personal detail he knows well, a delicious one.

The German author ordered “Kaiserschmarrn,” a sweet dish he said is Pope Benedict’s
favorite. Another gastronomic surprise was trying the white sausages, which apparently,
even now, Benedict enjoys in the Vatican, often brought by his brother or by his personal
friends from his time in Bavaria.

Another touching moment was learning about Joseph Ratzinger’s close relationship with
his sister, Maria, who was at times like an assistant to him, not to mention also
housekeeper and personal secretary. Despite being an accomplished professional, she
was happy to instead dedicate her time to performing many tasks that would have taken
away from his scholarly endeavors.

The small group participating also looked at the richness of the works and discourses of
Ratzinger and later Pope Benedict, through interactive discussions led by Robert
Moynihan, Vatican expert and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Inside the Vatican
magazine, to enrich their understanding of the Pope Emeritus.

Welcoming the unexpected

Those participating also enjoyed various other memorable Bavarian Moments, along with
time for free exploration, eating well, and time of reflection. For instance, we visited the
Weltenburg Monastery, on the beautiful Danube River, which brewed the first Bavarian
beer a thousand years ago–and still continues the operation–and which served as a
retreat for Professor Joseph Ratzinger and his doctoral students during the years when
he was a professor in Regensburg.

There was also a very moving visit to Augsburg to see Mary, Untier of Knots, who is so
important to Pope Francis that he has made sure she is in Santa Marta, as well as a fun
stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the inspiration for the castle in Disneyland.

All in all, this journey, retracing Joseph Ratzinger’s footsteps, and meeting many of those
involved in Ratzinger’s journey from the past through the present, between Rome and
Bavaria, has left—as the pilgrims all expressed—an impact for them, they will never
forget….

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 Altoetting – site of Joseph’s Favorite Madonna known for
her miracles – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Altoetting – site of Joseph’s Favorite Madonna known for her miracles – Photo by
Michael Hesemann

Where baby Joseph Ratzinger was baptized – Photo by Michael Hesemann

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 Home in Pentling where Joseph Ratzinger ‘planned’ to
retire – specifically its study – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Home in Pentling where Joseph Ratzinger ‘planned’ to retire – specifically its study –
Photo by Michael Hesemann

Home in Pentling where Joseph Ratzinger ‘planned’ to

retire – Photo by Michael Hesemann

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 Home in Pentling where Joseph Ratzinger ‘planned’ to retire – Photo by Michael
Hesemann

In front of St. Oswald’s Church in Traunstein where Joseph

celebrated first Mass- Photo by Michael Hesemann

In front of St. Oswald’s Church in Traunstein where Joseph celebrated first Mass- Photo
by Michael Hesemann

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 Candlelight Procession in Altoetting – Photo by Michael
Hesemann

Candlelight Procession in Altoetting – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Father Rupert Berger who was ordained a priest along with Joseph and Georg
Ratzinger. We met him in his home–Photo by Michael Hesemann

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 Building in which Ratzinger family lived in Tittmoning – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Inside Freising Cathedral – Photo by Michael Hesemann

Inside Freising Cathedral, where Joseph Ratzinger was ordained a priest – Photo by
Michael Hesemann

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 16/04/2018-12:56

Deborah Castellano Lubov

For 91st Birthday, Benedict XVI Has

Familiar & Quiet Celebration With Brother
& Music in the Vatican
Happy Birthday 91st Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI! On Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927,
baby Joseph Ratzinger was born in the Bavarian village of Marktl-an-Inn.

According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, Benedict XVI celebrated his 91st
birthday today with his brother Georg “in a quiet and familiar atmosphere.” In the
evening, it said, the music band of the Pontifical Swiss Guard will play some pieces at
the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in honor of Pope Emeritus.

Early this morning, the note added, Pope Francis offered Holy Mass for Benedict XVI
and later sent him his personal best wishes.

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 16/04/2018-12:13

ZENIT Staff

Alfie’s Team: Alder Hey Hospital Treats

‘Duty to Care’ as ‘Duty to Kill’
Here is an ‘authorised’ press release provided to Zenit. “Authorised” refers to originating
from within Alfie’s core team and not by external
sources. It was not reviewed by the legal team in advance nor will future press releases
necessarily be reviewed by
the legal team.

***

Alder Hey Hospital Treats ‘Duty to Care’ as ‘Duty to Kill’ (Press Release of Alfie’s
Core Team)

The family of the little boy Alfie Evans are tremendously grateful for the historic show of
support last night outside Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust in Liverpool. Alfie’s team
asks that you keep up the support until Alfie is safely released alive. We encourage your
true feelings and opinions to be clear but allow free passage through all entrances and
driveways of the hospital without hindrance.

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 Alfie is held by Alder Hey hospital against the wishes and rights of his parents. Judge
Hayden has denied that Alfie is imprisoned, rejected (but not dismissed) claims of
Habeas
Corpus (false imprisonment), and was silent in court when barrister Paul Diamond stated
that Tom and Kate had the right to walk out of the hospital with Alfie. Thus the legal
conclusions logically followed. The parents exercised their parental rights yesterday, 12
April, formally revoking the Duty of Care from Alder Hey Hospital and its doctors, and
transferred Duty of Care to an air transport specialist, a qualified intensive care doctor
from
Poland, for transport to the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome. The transfer of
Duty of Care by parents is a legally enforceable act in Britain.

Alder Hey hospital called in police to stop Alfie’s transfer, locking all doors, setting off a
fire
alarm and removing all children from the PICU. This merely proves first that Alder Hey is
acting in violation of parental rights, second that Alfie is indeed a prisoner if the police are
being used and exit prevented, and third their tactics are simply hysterical.

Astonishment followed when the police Alder Hey called warned the loving father, trying
to
stop Alfie from being murdered, that if he tried to touch his own son to move him, he
would
be charged with assault and kidnapping.

Such an outrageous claim of assault is proof that Alder Hey has lost any credibility, is
completely outside the law in their violation of rights, and has lost any sense of caring for
human beings. They are treating “duty of care” as “duty to kill”. They have proven in every
way that they have intent to murder. They have been given every opportunity for months
to
settle this calmly and quietly. Their answer is threats, manipulation, lies, tricks and broken
agreements. Wild fantastical accusations have been made by Alder Hey’s doctors,
lawyers
and even the judge. What have they got to hide and what do they gain by the death of an
innocent child? Nothing but power and terrible treatment of innocent Alfie.

A crowd of an estimated 2,000 people, proudly identifying as Alfie’s Army, surrounded the

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 hospital and blocked the roads for hours, cars honking in support, while allowing free
passage of pedestrians and ambulances. They demanded Alfie’s release and would not
allow the air ambulance team to leave for some hours, demanding that they take Alfie
with
them.

The hospital would not comply even after family lawyer Mr Pavel Stroilov arrived to
assist, and the ambulance team left. Since then several more offers from various
countries
have come in from other international air ambulance teams, happy to try to extricate Alfie.
Last night at 11:23pm it was publicly posted that our lawyer Mr Stroilov was called to
London to stand before Hayden J. this morning, to explain his formal letter to Tom Evans.
There was no deliberation on Alfie’s case. Mr Stroilov gave his reasons eloquently and
unassailably and was released.

We are outraged that in further legally indefensible steps during the night, the hospital
obtained a faxed order from Hayden J. prohibiting Alfie from being moved from Alder Hey
and threatening his parents Tom and Kate with fines and prison if they attempt to do so.
This once again is completely contrary to their parental rights. All parents are responsible
to protect their child from threats to life, and the hospital is effectively claiming that it is
more dangerous for Alfie to live in peace with love and quality care than to die by the
hands of his doctors. This is not a sign of a free country; this is intimidation and
dictatorship of the state. Hail Britannia.

Happily, thanks to the efforts of Stroilov and Diamond, a court order was also handed
down Thursday, mandating a stay of execution until Monday, when the family’s appeal for
the unanswered claim of Habeas Corpus will be heard. The abovementioned injunction
will
also be challenged.

The family wishes to immediately move Alfie by air ambulance to the Bambino Gesu
hospital in Rome, which has offered free care for the rest of Alfie’s life, including the
comfort and health-enhancing standard tracheostomy and PEG feeding tube which Alder
Hey refuses to give. The parents are delighted to accept the generous offer by the
prestigious Carlo Besta Neurological Institute in Milan, putting a staff of 300 at Alfie’s
service for directing comprehensive diagnostics. This will determine the course of Alfie’s
future care and allow the family to put the long-denied questions and concerns to rest.
After the diagnostics and resulting care plan are followed, Alfie will be able to be

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 transferred to live at home with his parents. Alfie does not need palliative care per se,
because he is not dying. He has suffered injury to his brain of an undiagnosed origin, but
he is improving as he grows and overdoses of sedating drugs are reduced. We can only
imagine what could happen when Alfie receives proper diagnostics and standard humane
care, and the parents are prepared to love and care for their son in any case. Hayden J.
was without justification when he inexplicably declared in court that Alfie had a diagnosis
of mitochondrial disease, a highly disputed idea without proof. The whole problem with
Alder Hey’s actions are rooted in their failure to ever diagnose Alfie. Mr Stroilov pointed
this out in court this morning.

Tom Evans and Kate James continue to gratefully retain the legal representation of
Christian Legal Centre in London, Ordo Iuris in Poland, and the faithful support of Giuristi
Per la Vita in Italy. It is patently false that they have sacked multiple teams of lawyers,
rather only two, who failed to protect Alfie and acted in violation of legal standards,
including interfering uninvited at the hospital last night. This is not an easy type of case to
take on in this country, and several individual lawyers have generously stepped in to help
at different points in time.

Questions may be directed to [email protected]

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 16/04/2018-15:14

Cardinal Donald Wuerl

FORUM: ‘Ten Years Ago, Pope Benedict

Came Bearing Witness to ‘Christ Our Hope”
Below is a reflection of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, entitled ‘Ten
Years Ago, Pope Benedict Came Bearing Witness to ‘Christ Our Hope’ from Cardinal
Wuerl’s blog:

***

Ten years ago this week, Pope Benedict XVI made his apostolic journey to our nation’s
capital, which was truly a time of grace for the Archdiocese of Washington and the
Church in the United States.

The visit included a welcome by President George W. Bush at the White House, and
meetings with the U.S. bishops, Catholic educators, and leaders of other faiths. But the
true focal point of the Holy Father’s visit was the Mass at the newly-opened Nationals
Park, filled with about 50,000 people from throughout the country and across this local
Church, who offered him a thunderous welcome as he arrived.

At this celebration of the Eucharist, the smiling pope looked around and saw the face of
the Church in our country, people with roots from around the world, all united in one faith,
around one altar. The music by the Papal Mass Choir, Gospel Choir, Children’s Choir
and Intercultural Choir reflected that diversity and unity. As I greeted Pope Benedict, I
noted that we looked to him for renewed inspiration to make all things new in “Christ our
Hope,” which was the theme of the papal visit.

As the Holy Father stood among us, we knew that Peter, the rock of our faith, was there.
In his homily, he said he had come to confirm us in the faith of the Apostles, a reminder
that we are part of a family of faith that traces its lineage and sacraments all the way
back to those who received it from Christ – the Apostles who heard and saw Jesus and

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 walked with him, and who witnessed his death and resurrection.

When the Eucharistic prayer began, the silence that pervaded the entire crowd was such
that the only noise you could hear was the street noise outside. For everyone there, the
sense of reverence and devotion then offered an unforgettable memory. After the Mass
when we got into the car, the pope turned to me and said, “That liturgy was a true
prayer.”

Ten years later, the concluding words of Pope Benedict’s homily continue to resonate:
“Those who have hope must live different lives. By your prayers, by the witness of your
faith, by the fruitfulness of your charity, may you point the way toward that vast horizon of
hope which God is even now opening up to his Church and indeed to all humanity: the
vision of a world reconciled and renewed in Christ Jesus, our Savior.”

Pope Benedict came as a messenger of hope in Christ. As a personal witness of Jesus’

love, we know it is a love that transforms one’s heart and can change the world.

***

On the NET:

To the original post on Cardinal Wuerl’s blog: http://cardinalsblog.adw.org/2018/04/ten-

years-ago-pope-benedict-came-bearing-witness-christ-hope/

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 16/04/2018-09:17

Deborah Castellano Lubov

Brother Anthony Freeman’s Wake and

Funeral Later This Week in Texas
Br Anthony Freeman LC Funeral Arrangements:

Visitation

Thursday, April 19th

6-8 pm

Schmidt Funeral Home

1344 W Grand Parkway South, Katy 77494

Funeral

Friday, April 20th

10:30 am

Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church

Katy TX 77494.

http://www.schmidtfuneralhome.net/Obituaries

***

Called ‘Home’ Early, Brother Anthony Freeman Being Welcomed as ‘Good,’

‘Faithful Servant’

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 I am confident the Risen Lord has welcomed him as his “good and faithful servant.”

These words were among the reflections following the death of Brother Anthony
Freeman, LC, Legionaries of Christ, a Louisiana native, who died on the night of April 1-
2, at the age of 29, at the International College of Legionaries of Christ in Rome.

Medical examinations communicated to the congregation on April 6 confirmed that the

death was due to a dilated cardiomyopathy. On April 1, Brother Anthony, after finishing
spiritual exercises, served the Easter Sunday Mass presided by Pope Francis in St.
Peter’s Square, carrying the processional cross. That afternoon, he met with some
people and in the evening, he dined with his community.

Brother Anthony was scheduled to be ordained to the transitional diaconate this July
followed by ordination to the sacred priesthood the following year. Those who knew him
say he was always positive.

Through his social media activities, he motivated thousands of people, by encouraging

people to live joyous, holy lives. After receiving much encouragement from his social
media followers, he also wrote a popular book called “One Step Closer: 40 Doses of
Motivation, Hacks, and Experiences to Share with Millennial Catholics.”

Brother Anthony’s new book One Step Closer was one of the many fruits of his holy
ambition to bring the light of Christ to as many people as possible. He had a successful
Instagram account, Catholic Life Coaching blog, and Facebook account to share the
beauty of his faith.

Two Legionary priests who knew Brother Anthony well reflect here on the fruitful life
taken so early.

Epitomized how to Make Best Use of Little Time God Gives Us — by Fr Alex Yeung

The news of Br Anthony’s passing hit me very hard. I have known him since his
philosophical studies from 2008-2010 in New York, where I was his teacher of
Philosophy of Man. When I was transferred to Rome, I also had the grace of being his
teacher for Licentiate courses in Philosophy from 2013-2015. He had to work hard in the
intellectual field, but I have seen him not only grow, but flourish, and even write produce
his first book this past spring. This generous dedication was evident in the other areas of

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 his priestly and religious formation: growing to be a true gentleman, a great sportsman
and team player, creative in organizing evangelization projects, a conscientious leader, a
loyal friend and brother.

In my work with the Sacerdos Institute for Priestly Life and Ministry, Br Anthony was our
right-hand man without whose generous and efficient help it would have been impossible
to run the International Course for Priestly Formators in Rome two summers in a row
(2016, 2017), and a session of the Spiritual Renewal for Priests in Jerusalem (2017). I
was looking very much forward to his upcoming diaconate ordination (July 2018) and
priesthood, knowing that they would further boost his love for the Lord and his
evangelical zeal.

Br Anthony was someone who had assimilated the principle inculcated in our Legionary
formation of the making the best use of little time we are given by the Lord.

Somehow in God’s merciful providence, Br Anthony was called home now, just after a
week of Spiritual Exercises, and having been the cross-bearer for the Pope’s Easter
morning Mass.

I am confident the Risen Lord has welcomed him as his “good and faithful servant”.

Thank God for Time With Him, Trust Well Prepared to Meet Risen Lord — by Father
Michael Baggot

I was thrilled to greet Br. Anthony at breakfast early on Easter Sunday morning with the
other brothers preparing to serve the Papal Mass in St. Peter’s Square. He had just
finished his Holy Week retreat and I congratulated him for a recent video interview I had
watched about his new book One Step Closer. His book was one of the many fruits of his
holy ambition to bring the light of Christ to as many people as possible. He had various
successful social media accounts and was already planning a new program to help
young couples navigate the dating scene according to Gospel principles. He and I
shared a deep passion for the Vatican and therefore often crossed paths on our
respective tours of the Vatican Museums or St. Peter’s Basilica.

While he was an active apostle outside our college, he was just as zealous in his joy
filled living of community life with his brothers. Whether we were scrubbing pots and
pans together, exchanging goofy jokes, or playing basketball, he managed to spread his
infectious joy throughout the whole community. He was also a man of prayer who spent

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 long hours conversing with his beloved Eucharistic Lord. He was even thoughtful enough
to spend those many hours in the back of our chapel so as not to obscure our views with
his imposing height.

I thank God for the four and a half years I was able to spend with Br. Anthony in Rome. A
Holy Week of spiritual exercises, an Easter Sunday Mass as Pope Francis’s acolyte, and
the Urbi et Orbi blessing formed a fitting coda to a beautiful life.

I will miss him dearly but trust that he was well prepared to meet the Risen Lord to whom
he had dedicated his entire life.

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 16/04/2018-15:39

Jim Fair

Santa Marta: Faith or Self-Interest?

Does someone follow Jesus out of faith – or because of what they think they will get from
the relationship?

That was the question Pope Francis asked the congregation in his homily April 16, 2016,
at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, reported by Vatican News.

He reflected on the gospel of the day from John 6, where the crowd wants to make
Jesus their king after he performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes. But Jesus is
having nothing to do with that, saying: “You are looking for me not because you saw
signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”

In other words, the Pope explains, they could have sought him out of faith, by how his
words touched their hearts. Unfortunately, they may have simply been excited to see
more miracles – especially when they were the beneficiaries.

The Holy Father challenged listeners to think about how we follow Jesus and recall how
he has influenced our lives:

“We will find so many great things that Jesus has freely given us because he loves each
one of us. Once I have considered the things Jesus has done for me, I can ask the
second question: ‘What should I do for Jesus?’ With these two questions, perhaps we
can purify our faith of any self-interest. When I see all that Jesus has given me, my heart
generously says: ‘Yes, Lord, I shall give all. I won’t make these mistakes and commit
these sins again. I’ll change my life in this way…’ [This is] the road to conversion by love:
‘You’ve given me so much love, so I shall give you my love’.”

The Pope concluded by encouraged Christians to ask if they are following Jesus from
faith or from self-interest: “What has Jesus done for me in my life out of love?’ And
seeing this, ‘what should I do for Jesus?”

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 16/04/2018-15:14

Jim Fair

Pope Francis Moves Eight Closer to

Sainthood
Pope Francis on April 14, 2018, authorized the decree recognizing eight new Venerable
Servants of God. The group of three priests and five nuns come from India, Spain,
Portugal, Canada, and Italy.

Perhaps best-known of the group is Father Varghese Payapilly, founder of the Sisters of
the Destitute (SD). Fr. Varghese Payapilly was a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of
Ernakulam. In order to serve the poor, the destitute and the aged often forsaken by their
dear ones or driven out into the street, he started a religious congregation in 1927, later
called as the Sisters of the Destitute. Years after his rather premature death, his memory
lives on as a priest who led an ascetic, charitable and exemplary life of apostolate,
according to the congregation.

Today the congregation runs numerous institutions serving those in need in India,
including homes for the elderly and disabled, schools, and hospitals.

The other new Venerables are:

Father Emanuele Nunes Formigão, a diocesan priest, founder of the Congregation of the
Religious Sisters of the Reparation of Our Lady of Fatima; born in Tomar (Portugal) on
January 1, 1883, and died in Fatima on January 30, 1958.

Father Ludovico Longari, a member of the Congregation of Priests of the Most Holy
Sacrament; born in Montodine (Italy) on June 20, 1889, and died in Ponteranica (Italy)
on June 17, 1963.

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 Sister Elizabeth Bruyère, Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of
Ottawa; born in L’Assomption (Canada) on March 19, 1818, and died in Ottawa on April
5, 1876.

Mother Margherita Ricci Curbastro (born: Constance), Foundress of the Congregation of

the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Agony; born in Lugo di Romagna (Italy)
on October 6, 1856, and died there on January 7, 1923.

Mother Florenza Giovanna Profilio, Foundress of the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of
the Immaculate Conception of Lipari; born in Pirrera (Italy) on December 30, 1873, and
died in Rome on February 21, 1956.

Mother Maria Dolores of Christ the King (born: Maria Di Majo), Foundress of the
Congregation of the Missionary Handmaids of Christ the King; born in Palermo (Italy) on
December 16, 1888, and died there on June 27, 1967.

Sister Justa Domínguez de Vidaurreta and Idoy, Superior of the Spanish Province of the
Society of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, born in Azpeitia (Spain) on
November 2, 1875, and died in Madrid (Spain) on December 18, 1958.

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 16/04/2018-15:53

ZENIT Staff

Pope Plans Priestly Ordinations in St. Peter’s

Basilica
April 22, 2018, Fourth Sunday of Easter, at 9.15, the Holy Father Francis will celebrate
Holy Mass in the Vatican Basilica and will confer priestly ordination to several deacons.

The following will concelebrate with the Holy Father: His Excellency Vicar General of His
Holiness for the diocese of Rome, Their Excellencies the Auxiliary Bishops, the
Superiors of the Seminaries involved and the parish priests of the Ordinands.

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