The Medal of the Immaculate Conception - November 27, 1830

In 1830 a very special series of events happened at the motherhouse chapel of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France.

Mary came to visit a simple Daughter of Charity who was still a seminary sister (Novice). Sister Catherine Labouré was a quiet and unassuming sister. In fact, the directress of the new sisters wrote on Catherine’s notes that she was “unremarkable” – nothing special. That’s how Mary reveals herself. She so often appears to the lowly, the humble, the uneducated, the simple, the unbelievable – and yet, that’s what makes them believable. We can take a moment to remember some of those “unbelievable” visionaries – Juan Diego, Bernadette, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia. They were the most unlikely, seemingly impossible people/children to be favored with such amazing visions and visits.

On July 18, 1830, Mary invited Catherine to the chapel for a time of sharing and “missioning.” Mary talked with Catherine about her Son’s love for all, the hardships that were about to fall upon France and the world. In that July visit, Mary also asked Catherine to implore her confessor to begin an association for children – “The Children of Mary.” (This was in the days long before youth ministry was a part of parish life.) We know it today as the Vincentian Marian Youth – an international organization with over 100,000 members.

On November 27, 1830 Mary came once again to visit Catherine. This time she continued to share the message of her Son’s love, our duty to pray…but she also gave the world a special gift.

During this apparition, Mary stretched out her arms and asked Catherine to have a medal made. On the front side, there was Mary with rays of light flowing from rings on her fingers, the earth and serpent at her feet, stars around her head and outlining the medal the words, “O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Us Who Have Recourse to You.”

Mary stands on the serpent – representing that moment when original sin entered the world. She reminds us of the ongoing struggle to follow her Son – always remembering that we were made to be united with him, not separated from him.

Mary claims her title as the Immaculate Conception – encouraging the Church to do the same. In fact, the medal was originally called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. It was only after so many miracles were attributed to the wearing of the medal that the people of God began calling it the Miraculous Medal. After the medal began to spread throughout Europe and the world, the Pope surveyed bishops from all over to collect feedback and thoughts about the Immaculate Conception. In 1854, over twenty years later, the Church declared Mary’s Immaculate Conception a Dogma of our Faith.

The rings on her hands have those beautiful rays of light flowing outward – graces from her Son – graces that we must ask for. She reminds us that in order for all the rays to be fully extended we need to participate in the mission of intercessory prayer. When Catherine asked Mary why some of the rays of light were shorter than others, Mary told her that those rays represented the graces that are never asked for. WE NEED TO ASK! We are not simply recipients of a fate that is assigned to us. We live and participate in the mission of her Son Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that by asking for his grace to come into our lives, the lives of those we love, the lives of those who suffer and all others…into the whole world.

On the back of the medal is the image of the Cross over and woven through the “M.” They are not just near each other. They are woven together in such a way, that if the cross were to move, the “M” would move with it. Not one in being, one in mission.

There are two hearts toward the bottom of the medal – the sorrowful hearts of Jesus (with the crown of thorns) and Mary (the sword piercing her heart). These remind us of their unending love and generosity in giving it ALL. They know the pain of that unconditional YES – responding with a whole heart for the whole world.

The twelve stars we see on the back of the medal were around Mary’s head – as a halo or crown – in the apparition. It wasn’t possible to depict them on the medal at the time. The technology didn’t exist to make such a tiny engraving. So, the stars were added to the back. They represent so many things – the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve apostles …they represent the followers of the One True God, Jesus Christ, yesterday and today – always striving to hold all that Mary and her Son have for us. Their mission is our mission.

The stars also remind us of the woman in Revelations. The Miraculous Medal is such a gift to the Church – to the whole world. We see Mary as the woman who stands on the head of the serpent – that original sin – that event recounted in Genesis, the first book in the Bible. We see Mary crowned with twelve stars – the woman revealed to us in Revelations, the last book of the Bible. Mary’s presence…bookending the scriptural telling of the Christian story. Mary’s mission IS her Son’s mission – always united. O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to You!!!

Sister Lisa Laguna, D.C.

Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

MI '92

Reformation Day

   October 31^st (or the Sunday after) is recognized by many protestant churches around the world as Reformation Day.  Reformation day is a time for Protestants around the world to remember Martin Luther’s 95 theses that he nailed to the door of a church. These were issues he had with the Papacy and it became a catalyst for the schism in the Catholic Church that started the Protestant Reformation.

            The problems that Martín Luther, an Augustinian Monk, had against the Catholic Church were written in 1517 in the form of 95 statements, or theses.   At the core of Luther’s unrest was the selling of indulgences – such as those sold by John Tetzel, a Dominican priest for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica (and the eradication of suspicious debt).  This selling of indulgences unearthed more profound difficulties with nature and grace, salvation, and sin, manifest in statements on purgatory and reconciliation.

The reformation became popular because of these same problems bred certain animosity against the Catholic Church, especially in the “lower classes” throughout Europe.  These events and subsequent, developed beliefs helped to create the reformation that thrives to the present day.
           Francis J. Beckwith, a Catholic professor who converted to Catholicism in 2007, makes the point that in our society the differences in our faith cause Christians to believe “schism as proper and unity as unnatural.”[i]  This belief  pulls the church further apart, which is clearly against the design of Christ, who prayed for its unity before his death. (John 17) The division of the Church was not likely even Luther’s intent.

A Bolivian Vine

It was time to harvest the sugar cane, which for many was the one job they had all year. The
people of Chane Rivero, Brazil worked hard, under a very hot sun, accompanied by thousands of blood sucking insects. They carried their unique stories of sadness, misery, disillusionment, and the daily fight to get enough bread to feed their often numerous children. It is difficult to explain the amount of sorrow and suffering, because these often do not have a voice - no matter how eloquently one speaks.

 When we arrived, we promptly began going house to house, family to family, meeting a bit of difficulty at first. The people were resistant to welcoming us in their little homes of the barrio. It was a "novelty".... but little by little, day by day, they opened theirs doors and hearts to sincere and friendly dialogue.

We invited everyone to trust and invoke the Madonna, so that they might have the strength in such difficulties and, above all, that she might help them begin a new life. Many, many times we encouraged this new life to begin through the sacrament of Marriage. We invited them to the Church to celebrate their union before God and the Universal Church.

On September 8, together with the people, we renewed our Total Consecration to Mary: "Little Mother, these people suffer, they need grace!"

The hour of Mass was approaching, when the marriages would be celebrated. No one was there. Then, little by little, a few presented themselves. In a short time, they were nine convinced couples ready to receive the Sacrament.

The proprietor of the area arrived. He had been promising for years to give the town an image of Our Lady, in order to have her as patroness.  He arrived with his whole family, came near to the altar, and before all the people he confessed: "For 25 years I have been living in sin, without Marriage, without Confession, without Holy Communion. This is the moment: I have traveled day and night to Cochabamba and back to give to you and the Madonna this gift. Instead, I have received something greater: peace of heart and grace in my soul."

In the end, it was a place of reunion and prayer. The ceremony was externally impoverished, in the open air, simple clothes, and dusty feet. But faces revealed radiant hearts, kissed by Grace.

After the Holy Mass we stopped awhile to give thanks and praise to Mary, for the marvelous work! At this point we spoke of the great vastness of the Lord's field, how great was His vineyard! Spontaneously, in our hearts, we prayed:

"Lord, give light and strength to the young people called to follow you, so that the place assigned to them in the vineyard may not remain empty!"

Why does the Catholic Church have "closed communion?"

About 150 AD Justin Martyr wrote in his first apology:  "And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined." 

This is what may be referred to (by some) as "closed communion." If your unbaptized relative comes to Mass, they cannot receive. If your non-practicing Catholic child comes to Mass with you, they cannot receive. If you have not confessed serious sin, you cannot receive. If you do not follow the teaching of the Church, and believe that the Holy Eucharist is "not as common bread and common drink" but "the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh," you cannot receive. 

Why? 

We have come to call the Eucharist "Holy Communion," and for good reason. As a sacrament, Holy Communion makes present the graces it signifies. When it comes to actually receiving the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is really and truly present, there is no symbol there. The symbol (at this point) is the communion that occurs between Christ and the individual and the individuals together in Christ as Church. Holy Communion signifies this, but it also makes it present. 

In other words, you cannot separate the act of receiving from the rest of the Mass. If you cannot live the Mass fully - from the Confiteor through the great Amen - you cannot honestly receive Our Lord. It is not a judgment against individuals, but a reality that we respect. 

What sense, even just logically speaking, does it make for a person to approach the King of Kings with open hands and closed heart.  They relive the recent Gospel and seek only a bread king, and never look to the Sacrifice of the Mass on Calvary. 

 It is not Catholics that have "closed communion" then, but rather individuals that are closed to communion. We, as receivers of the great Gift, must reverence the powerful presence of God in the Holy Eucharist. We do not wish that he go knocking where the door is barred shut. Instead, we prepare ourselves to receive him, praying especially to the Mother of the Eucharist. And, we strive through prayer, example, and education to help others to unlock the door of their hearts, believe, and approach the Eucharistic banquet. 

With Franciscan Zeal

In honor of the anniversary of our pontifical approval, I include an excerpt from Blessed John Paul II to the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata in June 2000:

...

1992-2013 Dear Fr. Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata! Your daily experience allows you to see with your own eyes how the people of our time are waiting once again to hear Mary Magdalen's announcement on Easter morning: "The Lord is risen!" (cf. Mk 16: 10). They need apostles today who will proclaim Christ, man's only Savior  as was done at the dawn of our faith, and will vigorously declare that his Death and Resurrection give everyone the possibility to hope and live to the full. May you also be apostles and missionaries!  With Franciscan zeal sow the truth of the Gospel in the hearts and lives of the brothers and sisters you meet in your daily ecclesial service. Your work of evangelization will have an impact on the hearts of those who hear you, if you remain firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Your apostolate must flow from ceaseless prayer and a fraternal life that is a continuous search for God and his action in the complex realities of the world. ... With these wishes, I cordially impart a special Apostolic Blessing to each of you, to the members of your spiritual Family and to everyone who receives your pastoral care." Thanks be to God! Read more about the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries on our website: kolbemission.org/en

From a Friend in Rome - An Eyewitness Account

From Fr. John Montejano, student of Canon Law for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, previous pastor at St. John's in Baldwin Park, and great friend of the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries. 

Well we have a Pope, Pope Francis (I would say the first but he isn't called the first till there is a 2nd...).  It was an amazing night.

At 6:00pm I went to the chapel to say Mass.  The Roman Missal was open to prayers "For the Election of a Pope."  So although I didn't want rush the Mass I did a little.  But in prayer I said, 'Lord if tonight is the night you select a Pope, let it be the man you want and best suited to lead your Church.

So off I went crowded in the bus and again it was drizzling.  On the bus I bumped into a Patrick a seminarian from Scotland I met this year.  As we arrived to the St.Peter's Square there were already thousands of people and it didn't seem like we'd get into the actual square.  So Patrick says to me, "Hey Father should we try to get closer and I said, 'let's do it."

No sooner had we wiggled our way to through the square to a good spot close to screen and close to see the Sistine chapel almost as soon as we got there the smoke cameo out which first look grey so the crowd sighed, "Awe!!" in disappointment but then Patrick yelled out, "wait it is white !! IT IS WHITE!! IT'S WHITE !! IT'S WHITE !!!  So like everyone else we rushed to get closer to the basilica and got an incredible spot about 60 yards from the basilica smack in the center in front of the loggia.  It was a cold night, raining slightly but St. Peter's looked amazing.  The bells were tolling and the crowd was energized.  

It took a while for the Pope to make his way out since after the vote is taken things take place before he appears.  First they have to find the white cassock that best fits him, he goes to the chapel to pray and more.  After about 25 minutes the sound of drums beat as the Swiss Guards marched out for the first time since the Pope's resignation.  That was emotional since their soul purpose is to protect the Pope and had thus been somewhat out of commission for over a week.  So to see them march out and take their position in front of St. Peter's was exhilarating for once again "we have Pope."

It was great just to be squeezed in front of the basilica and surrounded by thousands of the faithful.  When the time came and the doors of the loggia balcony opened the crowd exploded with applause.  Then the announcement "I announce to you with great joy, We have a Pope!!!" Cheers!! Applause!! Viva il Papa!!  Then the announcement of  Cardinal Jose Mario Bergoglio and everyone I mean everyone was a bit perplexed, he sounded like an Italian but he wasn't.  As soon as he came out and greeted the crowds with "My dear brothers and sisters 'Buona Sera'" the crowds errupted with joy and laughter.  For some of the Italians it was kind of cute that he was a bit informal and said simply 'Buona Sera.'  

It was very touching that he asked to first pray for Pope 'emeritus' Benedict XVI and then asked us a favor.  'Before I bless you will you please bless me.'  And the crowd fell silent as we prayed for him.  His name is Francis.  The Italians loved it as of course we all presume he took the name of St. Francis of Assisi but he was a Jesuit, so some asked did he mean St. Francis Xavier.  Which ever St. Francis it is meant to be, both were incredible saint reformers of the Church at different moments of crisis in the life to the Church.  

We have a Pope, Pope Francis.  May God grant to the Supreme Pontiff, Successor of St. Peter and Bishop of Rome, the grace, wisdom and strength he needs to lead the Church in this time in history.  May Our Lady and all the angels and saints intercede for out new Pope, Francis.

Ad Multos Annos !!

Ciao da Roma,

Fr. John 

Its Black and White.

Perusing the internet one discovers that a vast majority of the population believes that they know exactly what the Catholic Church needs. 

The Church needs someone liberal and conservative, strict and compassionate, quiet and gregarious, loving and stern, passionate and calm, and he must be African, South American, European, but not American. 

Oh, this man must be progressive in the face of modern moral dilemmas and traditional in the face of modern liturgical dilemmas. He must stand proudly Catholic, profess the one, true, faith - but let everyone else live their lives in peace - when he isn't busy guiding over a billion people. He should be young with aged wisdom, never wear red shoes, and speak at least seven languages. 

Marriage and life must be a top priority, but he should "stay out of the bedroom." Immigration reform should be another top priority, but he should stick with the rules. The horrific scandal must be a top priority, so there should be women priests. Liturgy must be a top priority, what's wrong with it anyway? Education, Mission, War, Discrimination, all must be a top priority. At the bottom of the priority list, but not too far down, he must choose a name. 

Of course, even when considering the true qualities needed to be a holy Pope, no one man can fit the profile without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Finding him among the 1.18 billion Catholics is a chore, much less 115 Cardinals. That's why we rejoice that he isn't really running the ship - just helping to steer it in the right direction. He's a vicar - in place - of Christ. The visible presence, an instrument. 

So we pray that all our Church fathers, the Cardinals in particular, are also instruments of His love and Wisdom. After all, the only thing black and white in this whole matter - is the smoke.

Guilt. Shame. Yes. Scrupulosity. No.

A gentleman called on the radio today to express his life of fear and guilt, which he attributed to his eight years of Catholic upbringing. Can you imagine the plague this man battles? He was feeling guilty for flirting with a costume designer even though he's married. The nerve of that Catholic upbringing.

There is such a thing as guilt, shame, scrupulosity, and Catholicism does not try to eradicate any but the last one. It does, however, teach prudence and temperance. Here are some brief insights:

GUILT is the condition we find ourselves in when we have done a moral wrong. 

SHAME on the other hand is the emotion attached to guilt. Shame came after the fall, because innocence had been lost. Shame  becomes exaggerated and problematic when it points to the person: "There's something wrong with ME."

SCRUPULOSITY is guilt and shame blown out of all proportion to acts committed. Often attached to nervous, anxious, and/or obsessive temperaments (St. Therese), it has also manifested itself in more choleric souls who have had their first tastes of humility (St. Teresa of Avila). Traditionally the advice of the saints has been to confide in a spiritual director and follow their guidance absolutely.

IN SHORT: Sometimes we are guilty, and feel the appropriate shame for offending the Lord. (The gentlemen felt shame for flirting with another woman, because he had incurred guilt!) However, we do not focus on our faults and failings, but ON HIS MERCY, and continue our journey (He could go to confession, be absolved, and go in peace).  We should be ashamed of our actions, but not ashamed of who we are, because we are beautiful children of God. In such a hopeful existence, there is no room for scrupulosity. 

Saint Oscar

I did it. I watched the Academy Awards.... but I got way too fidgety to stick around for the punch line. (You be the judge what that actually was.) I went upstairs to stare at my ceiling around 9pm.

I - like so many others - began to watch the Academy Awards with a little bit of disdain for the pomp and glitter. Then, I remembered in time to save the night that I was certainly not against people being rich. I love movies. I love tradition. I appreciate the fine arts.

Movies reduce us to tears, make us laugh out loud, and speed our heart beat to uncomfortable levels.
As I stared at my ceiling I thought about the immense talent and creativity in that theatre. What an amazing "Saint in Auschwitz" film they could make, what phenomenal modern allegories could they imagine, what lessons could they teach by covering their cleavage and loosening their waistline a bit?!

The other thing that struck me: so many of these great actors and actresses seemed uncomfortable. Their corsets were too tight, their shoes too tall, their night too long, and their ability to pull off a joke found wanting.

I kept thinking.... what about me? Before I lament the industry, do I put all my talents at the service of God? Do I complain about little things, that the poor can only dream about? What do I do to support faithful artists and works of art? Last night was filled with a bunch of human beings, lapsed Catholics because of gay siblings, misconceptions about the Church as the door to salvation, broken families sending them seeking for what "works" for them, etc.

Sure, I'll never talk to Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, or Ben Affleck, but what am I doing to steel my own faith? What am I doing to reach out to the less successful types I do meet daily? The hope of the communion of saints is that by perfecting myself and loving others, I might just play a part in some stars uniting with the Son.

My Rock is Shaking... Again.

Its five days before the resignation of our Holy Father. Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and Religious are muddied in scandal - both fact and fiction. The secular media takes up arms, wielding its bitter vocabularly with a pitifully weak grasp of reality. We, Catholics, wonder what is going on? What are the rules? Isn't something suppose to be done at a time like this?

As always, dear friends, we return to Scripture. Let's remember the first gathering of priests. Christ the Lord announced his swift and sorrowful departure. Peter, denied he knew the Lord. Judas sold the Christ for a few pieces of silver. Thomas doubted, a man of the enlightment centuries before his time. James and John fell asleep, when all the Lord wanted was alert companionship. Peter struck out in fearful anger, and the Lord removed the damage. Matthew, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, James the Less, Jude, Simon - the silent majority.

Mary did what she could. She remained faithful in the darkness. She prayed. She loved. She responded in the obedience of faith, trusting in her Son, the Father's promise, and the power of the Spirit.

Here we find our example of what to do when the humanity of the Church is so evident. Here we find what the Church has always done, even from the very beginning. Mary, model and mother, has shown us the way. They show us what is supposed to be done, by us, and that the shadow of instability and loss is nothing new to the Church. Bringing Christ into the world, despite this, has not changed either.

Let us pray:
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord, you are our eternal shepherd and guide.
In your mercy grant your Church
a shepherd who will walk in your ways
and whose watchful care will bring us your blessing.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.