Nettles upon the Heart

"I love you Lord...you are my Strength. My heart it longs to be with You and nothing else will ever do so at your throne is where it'll be, cause Your Flesh and Blood consumes me, and I am one with You...My stronghold, my refuge, you're righteousness will see me through. In dark of night and thorn of sin, I will stay close to You my Friend, and I am one with You."

~Matt Maher

My friend R.J. first introduced me to this beautiful hymn from Matt Maher, a phenomenal Catholic musician. Today as I walked from Mass I didn't want to leave, but I began to hear this song inside my mind, and couldn't help but sing it softly as I walked the streets of Chicago. It brought me such consolation, and I realized how each word matched perfectly the merciful mystery of who Jesus is to me!

The only reality that holds us back from Jesus is our sin. A very honest young man remarked this weekend that he truly wanted to grow in virtue, yet that he would much rather, for example, lie, than go through the difficulty of being truthful. Others confirmed that yes, sin does at times carry the mark of pleasure! How horrible, yet in a sense how true, if only because our fallen human nature has a distorted understanding of pleasure.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary provide a perfect contemplation here. We see the Sacred Heart, pierced by thorns, suffering in Love with us. The Immaculate Heart is pierced by a sword, suffering in communion with her Divine Son. In images of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, we see seven swords in her heart!

Imagine the human heart. It is covered in nettles and thorns! How dedicated must we be in fostering the interior life, in picking out each thorn and nettle: the sins that prevent the fostering of any lasting virtue!

Yet, once the Divine Mercy, through Sweet Mary's intercession, provides the grace to begin removing these thorns and nettles...left upon the heart are gaping wounds. How can the heart survive as it bleeds from the scars of sin? Through the flowers of virtue.

These wounds upon the heart bleed with remorse for sin, providing fertile ground. How blessed the soul that takes the opportunity to replace each thorn of sin with a flower of virtue! The time to act is at the moment the sin is repented for, just at that very moment, before the enemy can coax the weak heart back to sin. At that very moment of repentance, beg Sweet Mary to help plant a seed of virtue, that will surly be nourished by Divine Mercy, Jesus Himself.

I believe this is the only way we can progress towards the Banquet of Eternity. If our goal is only to avoid sin, and not to incorporate the fostering of virtue, our end will only be stagnation and lukewarmness. That is no destiny for a heart that was ransomed by the Blood of the Lamb.

Diligently, every day, beg Jesus to help you pick the thorns from your heart, and ask sweet Mary to help plant the seeds of virtue in those fresh wounds of repentance. Truly the Eucharistic Lord will nourish this spiritual garden in your heart, tended always by His Immaculate Mother.

Message for Our Time

"Tell aching mankind to come close to My merciful Heart, and

I will fill them with peace."

~ Jesus to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska

When I was a small child a nun told my mom about the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which was revealed to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska...then mom began to read the revelations of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), who was a mystic and stigmatist, writing about the Passion of Jesus (upon which Mel Gibson based The Passion). Mom developed a devotion to the Passion of Jesus, and so we all developed a devotion to the Divine Mercy.

I became very aware of the importance of the Hour of Great Mercy--3:00 p.m., as this is the hour that Jesus died upon the Cross on Good Friday. On school daysl I would often recall this as the bell rang and school ended...and I thought we should remember this time and Jesus' sacrifice for us. The little seed mom had planted grew into a desire to have my school pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday.

It took a while, but soon students would come--mostly the young children. My friends in high school were often too busy to stop and pray, but the little children were very faithful. I knew there was no better way to remember Jesus' sacrifice for us and great love and mercy than being in the Chapel at 3:00 p.m., and was always consoled by the little ones' devotion to this prayer...to this day, the Mercy Chaplet is still prayed at the school I graduated from, which is really very humbling for me.

Now, I knew a bit about St. Faustina, and we'd always pray for her intercession. Last Spring when I began to prepare for an extraordinary pilgrimage to Europe, Poland became part of the mix. Interestingly enough, this pilgrimage was conceived and realized in less than 4 months time, and curiously, less than a year after I made my Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. My friend and I had no money, but prayed and asked humbly, and the Lord provided for all we needed in order to make take the pilgrimage.

T.J. (who had also made Total Consecration) and I soon learned we'd be visiting the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow. I still encouraged friends in college to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet...T.J. and I soon began to pray the Chaplet as part of our spiritual preparation for the pilgrimage, particularly convicted that Our Lady wanted us to pray for specific intentions during each decade of the chaplet--Theology of the Body intentions:

1) End of Abortion and Healing from Abortion
2) End of Artificial Contraception and Embracing of Natural Family Planning
3) Renewal of Authentic Family Life
4) End of the sin of Sodomy and prayer for those struggling with Homosexuality
5) End of Pornography and Healing for those objectified by it

Praying for these intentions was deeply moving, and I knew Our Lady greatly desired for these to be specifically prayed for and named, immersing them in her Son's Divine Mercy.

In May 2007 when we arrived at the Sanctuary in Krakow, I was overwhelmed. I instantly knew that St. Faustina had wanted me to come there my whole life...that she had been praying for me, to prepare me for this moment. I began to cry heavily as we approached the Church where her body lies. I didn't know how to articulate what I felt, but I knew she was there with me. When one of the Sisters brought us to see the room in which she lived, I was still visibly moved and crying. Sister just looked at me and gave me the most loving embrace.

It is nearly a year later, and I think that Jesus is still working in my heart what St. Faustina was trying to reveal to me when I visited the Sanctuary in Krakow. Jesus so desires to work a great miracle in each of our lives, yet our sinfulness makes us fear the great love of Jesus!

Today at St. Stanislaus Kostka I witnessed a bit of Heaven on earth. One might not know the little miracle of love that occurs in this place if one didn't enter into the Church. As I made my own personal pilgrimage within the Church, waiting almost two hours to receive the sacrament of confession, I was filled with a deep sense of the reality of Jesus and His love for us, and the intimate role that Our Lady plays in all this.

The way that Fr. Anthony Bus celebrates the great Sacrifice of the Mass is a phenomenal blessing! He is so prayerful, and allows every word of every prayer to be articulated, so that the deep meaning of the Liturgy can begin to penetrate our weak human nature.

During his homily he spoke of Jesus' message of Divine Mercy--a message truly for our times. He recalled how St. Faustina was the "Secretary of Divine Mercy," and how the "spark that would come out of Poland" which Jesus prophesied was Pope John Paul--and how Papa John Paul's message to the world was one of Love and Mercy!

Father also helped us to understand Our Lady's role in all of this--how she asked that St. Stanislaus be consecrated to her...and how she has truly lead the parish ever since. The deep faith of this humble priest is a great example to us all, and a testimony to the Divine Mercy of Sweet Jesus!

I was still waiting for Confession as Mass ended and the Divine Mercy Chaplet began. As I entered into the mystery of Jesus' mercy, it was my turn to name my sins to the priest...and I can say it was perhaps the most sincere confession in my life. As I finished telling my sins, the entire Church was swept with the beautiful chanting of "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One...Have mercy on us, and on the whole world."

It was as if the entire Mystical Body of Christ was encouraging me to turn my back to sin and embrace totally the life of Christ!

The Lord is calling each one of us to something extraordinary--the depth of which we cannot even begin to imagine. He provides all the grace we need to accept the mission he desires to gift us with...yet many of us will never live the mission Jesus so wants us to embrace, because of fear and sin! Oh, that we can trade the shackles of sin for the chains of love--total self-surrender to Jesus through His Immaculate Mother Mary!

Then and only then will be be able to say yes to the extraordinary adventure that is destined for those who remain faithful!

"Do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My Mercy..."

~Jesus

*** Photo is of the Sister I met at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Poland...she only spoke Polish, so I don't know her name. She is standing in front of St. Maria Faustina's room...

Divine Mercy Sunday

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion, inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your Divine Will, which is love and mercy itself. Amen.

Jesus I trust in Thee!
Jesus I trust in Thee!
Jesus I trust in Thee!

***More later on the Divine Mercy Celebration at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy!

On Sanctuary

While much of the Edith Stein Conference was focused on themes from Edith Stein's academic and spiritual legacy--particularly Theology of the Body--I was most captivated by the topic of Sr. Ann Astell, a well noted theologian who now is on faculty at Purdue University.

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Abstract, Sr. Ann Astell--Seeking Sanctuary: Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" and Edith Stein's Carmel

I focus in this paper on the theme of finding one's place, of sanctuary-seeking, as highlighted in Virgina Woolf's famous monograph "A Room of One's Own" and in Edith Stein's writings about Carmel. Both women claimed the occupancy of physical place, a sanctuary, as an expression of and means for a more profound locating of themselves, not only in society but also within their very selves. For Woolf, as for Stein, the earthly enclosures proved ambiguous--a haven seemingly safe, but never completely inviolable. Woolf fled to her writer's room, only to find that she could escape there neither the external enemy nor that far more dangerous foe, which she carried within herself. Her room became increasingly a trap. Stein's sanctuary in Carmel similarly could not protect her earthy existence, but it enabled her, unlike Woolf, to find a transcendent refuge in the depths of her own soul, which had in the meantime become a mobile sanctuary for others.

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I really appreciated the juxtaposition which Sr. Ann provided. It was very clear, in her analysis of these two women, how it was truly Edith's faith which sustained her and enabled her to survive, even though no earthly sanctuary could ever suffice. For Woolf, whose life was devoid of Christianity, there was constant doubt and nothing to truly have faith in.

Stein's faith gave her something to pour herself out for--namely, the Beloved, Christ. Her development of the interior life lead to a deep understanding of empathy. Sr. Ann remarked that for Stein "Real empathy involves an ethical choice to go out from your self-centeredness and stand where the other stands. " This is what Stein did.

While even Carmel could not suffice, Carmel provided the earthly sanctuary for Stein to progress on the interior journey of her very soul. The freedom of the soul increases the more you start to feel at home in your own self. “We spend most of our lives not in the inner chamber of our own house but on the porch. (Stein)” Freedom is maximized when God leads us to the deepest center of the soul where God Himself dwells.

By fostering the life of the soul, Stein was fitting herself to be a perfected living sanctuary--not only for God Himself, but also for those whom she cared for during the last week of her life as she journeyed toward martyrdom at Auschwitz.

Woolf, on the other hand, felt constantly oppressed by a society in which women were not allowed a place in the academy. Unlike Stein, who experienced an advanced acceptance in academic circles compared to other women of her day, Woolf was ostracized. Yet, Woolf knew that women particularly needed a space, a sanctuary, in which they could allow themselves to be developed--and in her case, she particularly advocated for a space to study...to write. Yet, the absence of faith in her life lead to despair...and ultimately suicide.

The practical application of this concept of Sanctuary is key. Sr. Ann beautifully relayed how women today are particularly challenged to find a Sanctuary in which to develop. The noise and business of the world constantly barrages upon us.

In my estimation, if we turn to Stein's example, as Catholic women it is easy to identify the Sanctuary. One cannot imagine the depth the life of the soul is created for--or even how very intimately a soul can progress towards union with God this side of Heaven. It is in allowing oneself to develop a Eucharistic Devotion, in imitation of Our Lady and St. John, who lovingly stood at the foot of the Cross, which will provide modern women (and men) the Sanctuary their souls require. Those hours before the Tabernacle are not a chore--the only hurdle to overcome is making it to the chapel. Once you arrive, Jesus will captivate your heart.

Surely there are other spaces, other sanctuaries. Yet, if we allow ourselves to be educated in the school of the Eucharist, these other spaces will take on a whole new depth. Like Our Lady, we will begin to live a life of contemplation, and be intimately united with Jesus at all times and in all places, thus allowing Him to sanctify every space we encounter.

It is true that kneeling at the feet of Mary we will learn the perfect way to Jesus. I believe that Stein's understanding of empathy--of coming outside oneself and standing in communion with the other--was breed out of a deep contemplation. I cannot doubt that as she began to know Mary, and allow herself to form a spiritual relationship with the Mother of Jesus, her ability to integrate authentic empathy into her own being flourished beyond what she could have initially conceived.

As we prepare to celebrate Mercy Sunday, I cannot help but ponder how Jesus is calling all of us to Sanctuary. Just as St. Stansilaus Kostka Parish here in Chicago envisions a Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, a physical edifice to draw God's people into relationship with Jesus, who is Divine Mercy, through His Beloved Mother, so too should we share in this vision. We each are called to Sanctuary, to a space in which we can allow ourselves to truly fall in love with God, inviting Him to purge us of sin, walking with the Virgin Mary towards Mercy Itself, coming ever closer to grasping the Mystery of perfect union with Christ, which will culminate in the Marriage Feast of Eternal Life.

2 Women travel 2 Indiana

Today Hillary Clinton and I are in the same state.

Clinton came to affirm that she would continue to run for the Democratic nomination. I came to learn more about the world view of St. Edith Stein.

Surly Sen. Clinton considers herself to be everything a woman ought to be. Yet, would she considered the philosophy of womanhood from the perspective of Stein?

In a series of lectures today and tomorrow, over 100 participants will hear an intriguing exploration of topics that affect women--from eating disorders and sexual assault to motherhood and the vocation of women. The scholars present, through addressing varied issues, all come to address the core question: what does it mean to be woman, and what is the deepest desire of women?

Those in the Clinton camp would perhaps answer that fundamental question like this: women ought to be respected, to be able to do whatever they want to do. They should have absolute autonomy over their bodies, particularly reproductive freedom...Women are unique individuals who have the power to achieve any goal...

I think some of that response is acceptable, and most of it points to a misdirection of the fundamental good of being a woman. Surly, we all deserve respect, yet if that means respect for living a lifestyle of sin, something is missing. When reproductive freedom is synonymous with denying fertility and killing unborn children, there is an absolute crisis.

In response to this popularly dubbed feminist mentality is the authentic philosophy of woman offered by Edith Stein. She studied with Husserl himself, and truly had a remarkable understanding of the phenomenology that was developed in the early 20th century--the same phenomenology that would later captivate young Karol Wojtyla and inspire his own development of personalism which lead to the greatest philosophical and theological explorations of the human person ever achieved.

What did Edith say to women that so profoundly influenced Wojtyla? Precisely by writing about the dignity and vocation of women, Edith illuminated the fact that the nature of man and women is complementary, yet distinct. She understood the role of women as particular and decisive--and that all the qualities of the feminine must be respected and fostered in order to build up a sound society.

Edith wrote about the vocation of women, and how her affinity to nurture and care for the human person--her particular vocation to empathy-was not only singular but definitive to her role in the world. It is this very ability to nurture that is so adamantly denied by the world today. Women are told that what is innate in them is what leads to their oppression. What a lie!

Perhaps women are 'free' from the home...but they are enslaved to the 9-5 lifestyle, used by men socially and sexually. Even if you want to deny it, it is true. Because the the distinct qualities of the male and female gender are being denied, men no longer understand how to be men and therefore how to relate to women (the same is true regarding women in relation to men)...therefore the culture of objectification persists.

Yet, this is not meant to be negative. Today at Notre Dame I see so much hope...a room full of intelligent young women and men who are absolutely convicted that there is a problem with the culture, yet positively committed to confronting the culture fortified by knowledge and a courageous spirit of charity.

Great things start small...and all across this nation young people are meeting and talking, in the spirit of amazing thinkers like St. Edith Stein and Pope John Paul II...the revolution has already begun. With Mary as our model we there will be victory, and it will be sweet!

On Time

It occurred to me recently that I don't have enough time to get my work done. As I pondered that reality, I thought--but surely, I have enough time to do God's work...

Perhaps you've felt it too--that desire to simplify and get back to what matters most. If God is truly all merciful and loving, than I cannot beleive He would require anything of us that we could not accomplish. He would not invite us to a mission in which we could not succeed.

Of course the Virgin Mary is a perfect example of this! Her mission God fortified with every grace she would need to accomplish the task. The grace was not forced on her, but rather, she was offered it and perfectly responded to it.

As I walked to the train this morning, I asked Jesus to help me really love people, wanting to delve into the mystery of loving as God loves. Within 30 seconds I had the opportunity to greet two young men, whom I could tell were recently from Africa. One of the young men stopped me and asked if knew one another. He did look familiar, and I asked if he went to a church in the neighborhood--he pointed to St. Ignatius. "I must have seen you there" I said. He said, "My name is Bright." In exchange I extended my hand and offered my name. "God bless you," I said as we left one another's company.

It was a simple moment, but a moment in which both of us recognized the other's personhood. He wasn't just another person on the street. He is Bright, a young man who shares not only the human experience, but even more the Faith I confess to.

It is funny how God so quickly answers an honest prayer! I never seem to get my work done, but the more I surrender to the Lord, the more He reveals to me HIS work which He is inviting me to do...and thus gently revealing to me my mission in life.

I still do not fully understand, but Jesus is captivating my heart! I am so intrigued by the series of events that have happened since Holy Saturday, the conversations, ideas and gifts! Just today, after almost five years in the same neighborhood, I found out a parish less than a mile away has Adoration every evening: what a joy!

Little surprises abound...and greater ones are on the Horizon. If only we make that self surrender every moment, and say joyfully with Mary, "Be it done unto me according to thy will!"

A Sanctuary in the City

Perhaps you know of the little miracle that is happening in Chicago?

Our Lady has asked for a favor...and faithful souls are responding.

"The mission of the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy is to provide an invitation to a renewal of the spirit for a covenant people and serve as a vibrant symbol of the eternal hope of faith..."

Learn more about this Sacred Mission...

I've known that something particular was happening at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish for a while, but it was not until yesterday that I began to understand it...and truly, by understand I do not mean have knowledge of, but rather be invited into the mystery of this place.

I cannot say much, but I can say that the deep desire to follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the perfect will of Jesus through Mary is what the Sanctuary exemplifies. It will not only be a place of renewal, but a place of inspiration and activation--inviting a Covenant People to engage their faith in a new way...and thus be authentic apostles of the New Evangelization.

Our Lady of the Sign...pray for us!

"He must Increase...

...and I must decrease." The Baptist had a profound understanding of his vocation. He knew he was the messenger of Jesus, who would prepare the way of the Lord. His profound humility is a great mark that points toward who he learned that virtue from: the Virgin Mary.

Although the feast has been transfered to March 31st this year due to the Octave of Easter, March 25th we hold as the celebration of the Annunciation, when through the perfect assent of Mary's Fiat, the Word was made flesh...God Himself became Incarnate.

Consider Mary's humility. Her life was selflessly dedicated to the things of the Lord, to the mission of Jesus, to the singular vocation gifted to her by God. It makes perfect sense that it was from she that John the Baptist learned his humility.

At the time of the Visitation, when Mary greeted Elizabeth the child John within Elizabeth's womb lept for joy, knowing that his Savior had come. The child John lept for joy, and was freed from the stain of Original Sin--thus Jesus worked his first miracle of grace. Imagine John, within his mother's womb, listen as sweet Maria proclaimed the Magnificat! He was privileged not only to this Visitation, but also to an intimate initiation into his own mission, through the example of the Virgin's pristine Faith.

As we continue to celebrate Easter, I cannot help but ponder our own Baptismal Vocation: to Love the Lord with our whole being and proclaim His glory by our lives through our service to Him. This really means that we must decrease, and God must increase.

John spoke these words as they are recorded from Scripture, but he learned this lesson from Mary. He watched her from the very early stages of her mission--possibly more aware of her integral role in Salvation History than any other. He knew of her humility and surrender to the Lord, and he imitated her virtue. In reward for his own sweet surrender and service, God allowed John to remain an example for all ages of surrender to the Lord, through the very scripture passage attributed to John.

We all must decrease...and allow our entire being to shine forth the majesty of the Lord. In his humility, John would want us to look to Mary, and he would tell us we must be other Marys--in that we must become perfect, living sanctuaries of Jesus.

From a Child's Eyes

On Saturday I was invited to go to Poland with my Portuguese cab driver. He was rather charming...and he told me that "The mind is like a parachute...it only works if it is open."

It sounds reasonable, but I think without rules applied his adage is dangerous. It would be like trying to work a mathematical proof without formulas...and end up all wrong.

Such is demonstrated in a 2006 French film, "Faute a Fidel!" The story follows the impact philosophical and political upheaval have on a French family, particularly young Anna, in 1970-1971. The father, Fernando, becomes enchanted by the rise of Allande in Chile and the Socialist movement...thus altering everything the family, and particularly the young girl, knows.

What is superb about this film is how director Julie Gavras really allows the story to be told through Anna's eyes. From the onslaught, the girl is distressed by the change: leaving their large home, no longer being allowed to participate in religion class...have all sorts of people at their apartment at all hours of the day. Curiously enough, while her parents protest the social situation in Chile, their own daughter is protesting the familial chaos.

Most interesting about the film is how it addresses the abortion issue. Anna's mother Marie becomes involved in the women's movement in France, naturally a part of which is abortion and birth control legalization (Simone de Beauvoir must have been proud...ugh). What Anna sees, though, is the nuanced pain her aunt displays, in fleeting moments--and the girl suspects it is because her aunt had this thing, abortion. Marie goes on to write a book to empower women to make the choice...and little Anna watches as countless women come to and from their little Parisian apartment to be interviewed by Marie, in hopes of exposing how legal abortion would solve women's problems.

Yet, while the parents are fighting for solidarity and social change, Anna has a question. She was mistaken in school for choosing to go along with her classmates, when she knew a correct answer...later that day, she asks her parents how does one knows the difference between acting in solidarity and blindly following the sheep?

Fast forward to the end of the film, when Fernando storms into the kitchen, incensed that Marie had signed a petition with 342 other "brave" French women who'd had abortions: "You didn't even have an abortion!" He shouts at her, worried not about the morality of it, but the political implications it could have for his work. She says, "Yes, but we needed as many to sign as we could." It made me think about little Anna's question.

The film really demonstrates how adult's choices impact children. The minds of Anna and her brother were so impressionable. Francois went along easily, while Anna fought...but in the end, the open mind dictum is apparent. Because the rules generated by the parents were without a defined moral compass, the way the little minds were opened became a dangerous thing.

Jesus said better to tie a millstone about the neck than scandalize a child. Our world is chock full of scandal. As we enter more deeply into the Easter mystery, let us remember the children are all about us, and they are watching. May we never do anything that would taint the minds of the future!

Let us be Consummated!

Consummate, v. 2: complete (a transaction or attempt), to make perfect

Resurrection is the moment of consummation of Redemption. How grad it is that this word means so much in this very instant, as we celebrate Easter Joy.

St. Vincent Ferra says that the Virgin Mary, all during Holy Saturday, read the scriptures, looking for prophecies about when Jesus would rise from the dead...and she found that it would be the Third Day. He further reflects that Gabriel again visited the Virgin to announce that Jesus had truly risen! It must have been such a joy for Mary to receive this news. It was as if she was 'holding down the fort', you know--her Faith was so strong, she knew Jesus would rise from the dead. Within her heart she held all of humanity, and even the essence of the life of the Church her Son had founded.

Now is the dawn of great Joy! The consummation of Redemption is here. Consider what St. Augustine asks of Jesus, "that at the final moment of life, I may be consummated with the you, Lord."

I think that this is our Baptismal call. Mary is really inviting us to live this in a radical way today, this very Easter. The moment that life itself ought to be building up to is the moment of consummation in the Lord--the moment of perfection, the moment of entering into Eternal Life. We should not strive for purgatory--that is NO GOAL! We should hope and pray every day for Heaven! That is the great marriage feast for which we have been prepared. That is where we will find the never ending, unimaginable Joy!

May Mary's contemplation and consummation in and of the Lord be ever our example, goal and guide as our moments build ever closer to Eternal Life.

Christ is Risen! Rejoice!

At the Foot of the Cross

Someone said that Jesus found consolation knowing how much we would love Him...as He hung dying on the Cross.

John the Evangelist often writes about love and fear...perfect love casts out fear. Can we love perfectly? At the very least, we can begin to learn to love perfectly, from Jesus--on the Cross.

It is kind of a cycle, isn't it? Jesus hangs, dying, on the Cross...and He is consoled by (in our case) our future love for Him, and yet, we do not know how to love other than through Him. Seems the Cross is the perfect school for discipleship.

From the Cross we learn love, sacrifice, gain Redemption...and a Mother. "Woman behold your son" "...behold your Mother." In that exchange, Jesus entrusted not only His beloved disciple to the Virgin, but also the entire world to her. The theological ramifications are tremendous.

Journeying once again with Adrienne Von Speyr, she reflects that this exchange also and quite intimately establishes the consecrated life: the virgin man, John, and the Virgin Mary are honored as ideal for this vocation. They learned most intimately from the Master Himself what a life of total self-giving to the Lord looks like. From them, religious can find the ideal upon which to image their own consecrated lives.

Good Friday seems an oxymoron...but when you consider the great gifts that were birthed from the Cross, Good Friday is an undeniable truth.

Redemption

How intimate Jesus desires to be with us...in some Last Supper scenes, we see John closely associated with Jesus, secure by His side. Our God is an intimate God-I've heard more than one Jesuit say this! Imagine, the Godhead chose bread and wine to veil Divinity...bread and wine to enter into us...Jesus desires this intimacy, He desires to nourish us, to be with us at all times...

As I sit here, just beyond midnight on Good Friday, I wonder where Jesus was, what Jesus felt some 2000 years ago. At a local parish once home to the Jesuits, I sat little less than a hour ago before Jesus, Who was lovingly secure, though mildly out of place, at the Alter of Repose. I wondered what it must have felt like for Jesus to be a man of sorrows, to be rejected and despised. As I considered how the soldiers would crown Jesus with thorns, it occurred to me that that physical pain could in no way mirror the spiritual pain that Jesus endured.

No matter how grotesque the physical torture, the spiritual grief was beyond comprehension, and beyond any threshold of physical suffering. Can you imagine that...can you imagine something being more painful than anything you could ever possibly experience? As the moments built up to that final surrender on the Cross, the spiritual agony multiplied upon itself, like a festering wound becoming more and more fetid. Consider that it is our sin that infects the would of Christ...and when He was abandoned by the Father--that was because of our sin.

It is Mary, at the foot of the Cross, who, Adrienne reminds us, stands as the embodiment of humanity. She is there to witness Redemption on our behalf...to cooperate with Redemption on behalf of us. Through Christ, suffering is sanctified, and there is merit in partaking in the Cross--Mary stood there at Golgotha to partake in that Cross. Through her witness, she testifies to how partaking in another's suffering is an act of love...and Mary challenges us to do the same.

We can begin now...as we continue through this Sacred Triduum, may we have a spirit of perpetual contemplation, and share in the suffering of our Beloved.

Rejection

As the crowds press in upon Jesus, He is made aware that his mother and relatives are here for Him...and He responds, stretching out his hand over the crows, "Behold my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, he is brother, sister and mother to me..."

Reflecting on this moment, Adrienne, in Handmaid of the Lord, continues with the theme of Mary's intimate union with the Passion. She considers this a pivotal moment for Mary--for here, it is as if Jesus outright rejects her. Adrienne sees that in a way, Jesus does reject Mary...in order to prepare mankind to understand the difference of vocation.

Jesus, in 'rejecting' his mother, and taking on all as mother and brother and sister...is a living witness to the radical call to religious vocation. He is leaving all, to live that profound poverty, chastity and obedience. What of Mary, then?

Adrienne sees that Jesus is asking Mary, by this cold course of events, to be the perfect model of life in the world--of the married vocation. How lonely for Mary: does she not already perfectly image poverty, chastity and obedience? Of course! But Jesus knew that life in the world would be so difficult...would be such a taxing state on the souls of men, that He wanted to leave His mother as the perfect example and help to all who live in the world.

I don't think this negates Mary's pristine virtue, nor does it remove her from being a model to religious men and women or to priests--rather, Jesus seems to allow Mary to be all things to all men. Through her own agony and separation from her Son, it is as if she goes through a double purification. The one who was Immaculately Conceived...is brought to experience, in a very nuanced sense, separation and rejection from her Son--but NOT from their mission!

Mary's Fiat was like an Eternal assent--her fiat was so perfected, that she said yes to everything, freely in that moment, that would ever come and that God would ever require of her. This painful separation she could withstand. Her spirit of noncomprehension enabled her to accept it freely, without needing to fully understand. And, in her humility, she allows herself to be all the more prepared and formed for the total moment of intimate self-giving that will be required of her, in union with her Son...at the foot of the Cross.

From Chiara, on Suffering

The problem of human life is suffering. Whatever form it may take, however terrible it may be, we know that Jesus has taken it upon himself and -- as if by a divine alchemy -- He transforms suffering into love.

I can say from my own experience that as soon as we lovingly accept any suffering in order to be like Him, and then continue to love by doing God's will, if the suffering is spiritual, it disappears; if it is physical, it becomes a light burden.

When our pure love comes in contact with suffering, it transforms it into love. In a certain sense, it divinizes the suffering. We could almost say that the divinization of suffering that Jesus brought about continues in us. And after each encounter in which we have loved Jesus forsaken, we find God in a new way, more face-to-face, with greater openness and fuller unity.

Light and joy return; and with the joy, that peace which is the fruit of the spirit.

This light, joy, and peace which blossoms from suffering that is loved, strikes people and moves even the most difficult persons. Nailed to the cross, we become mothers and fathers of souls. The effect is the greatest possible fruitfulness.

~ Chiara Lubich, from her Good Friday Meditation 2000 (Chiara was laid to rest Today, after loving and serving the Lord for 88 years...she is the foundress of the Focolare Movement.
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A friend of mine once wrote in a theology essay that "our vocation is nailed to the foot of the Cross." I've always admired him for that. Holy Week seems the perfect time to consider the Cross, and what Chiara says towards the end of her reflection bears much weight for us. "Nailed to the cross, we become mothers and fathers of souls. The effect is the greats possible fruitfulness." How amazing!

Christ sanctified suffering...Chiara talks about how in a sense He 'divinized' it. Suffering, in union with Christ, is the surest school of authentic love. Imagine, if men and women learned to take up the cross willingly, how they would be moved to an unimaginable depth of love. To love as Christ loves it to seek the good of the other...as other. Today my mother told me that we must have both hands to pick up the Cross...which means, if we are tied to sin, we cannot make that assent, cannot pick up that Cross!

Yet, in carrying our cross, we have the opportunity to sojourn with the Beloved--Christ Himself! He will teach us unselfish love...and for those of us who so desperately desire to learn our vocation, we will find it nailed at the foot of that very Cross. We are all called to be mothers and fathers of souls...yes. Some of us will have families, others will live a celibate life for the Sake of the Kingdom--but we will all participate in spiritual parenthood.

This is the lesson of the Cross: if we answer God's invitation to learn authentic love, to participate in His redemptive act of suffering...to walk with Mary on the journey to Heaven, He will not deny our deepest desire: to live our vocation as men and women for others, and to experience authentic love.

Maybe this all sounds altruistic, but it should! A life turned in upon itself is not a life worth living. We have not been promised a perfect life here...but surely hereafter. Keep walking with Mary...she will show you your heart's desire, nailed at the foot of the Cross.

Contemplation

"From now on she lives as one torn open between heaven and earth. Heaven is opened to her in her contemplation, but on heart she must accompany her son, from a distance and with increasing concern. She is to carry out both missions at once: the heavenly one that is great and glorious, and the earthly mission of suffering that must be endured, hidden, and among men. And it is harder to suffer on earth when one might already be living in heaven."
~ From Adrienne Von Speyr's Handmaid of the Lord

I keep thinking of Mary as we draw deeper into Holy Week. I particularly find Von Speyr's meditations on Mary helpful. She keeps going back to Mary's relationship with Jesus, and Mary's mission...talking about how the mission of the Mother is the mission of the Son. There was no disconnect between the two. Do you remember how St. John the Baptists remarked, "He must increase and I must decrease"? I beleive this was the spirit of Mary.

Even when Jesus set off for His public ministry, Mary was ever there, if not physically, most definitely in a contemplative way. She had a spirit of perpetual contemplation. The grace that she was open to fortified and strengthened her. She was, from the moment of her fiat, ever and always allowing herself to be prepared to endure the unspeakable pain of watching her own Son suffer and die on the Cross, and experience that Sword of Pain which Simeon prophesied.

How could she handle this? If she new the end would be sorrow, how could she let herself be formed for it? Purely because of her Faith--she knew the end would not be the end. She knew that the build up was for the restoration of the Divine Order...for the Redemption of Humanity.

So, let us continue to sojourn with Mary this week...let us take on her contemplative spirit. What is Mary thinking...right now?

Passiontide

As many Christians around the world begin the commemoration of the Lord's Passion today with the celebration of Palm Sunday, there is much to consider.

Consider the idea of persecution. It has been stated that many are being persecuted and even martyred for their faith in Christ throughout the world today. Did you know that the 20th Century saw more martyrs for Christianity than any other century in the history of mankind?

As we journey with Christ this week towards the sacred Triduum toward the celebration of Easter, do you know that there is someone who desires to walk with you, in spirit, this week? Do you know that there is someone who experienced the Passion second only to Christ Himself?

When she presented Jesus in the Temple as a little babe, Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce the Virgin Mary's own heart. Many Marian Theologians speak of the intimate union between Christ and Mary. Physical motherhood of Christ enabled Mary to be closest to Him--and because of this, most intimately concerned with His ministry and mission. She took to heart all He said, and acted upon it perpetually, through her never-ceasing contemplation of the will of God. Mary was the perfect disciple and the first disciple, all the more close to Christ because she is His mother. Her faith enabled the courage needed for her to stand even at the foot of the cross...

Now, we live in a world so broken! Can you imagine that as Christ suffered in the garden, begging that if it be the Father's will, the cup be taken away, that Jesus Himself was more sorry for our sins then we would ever be? Do you know that Jesus took our sins so seriously He suffered the most treacherous pain and death on our behalf? Even we cannot comprehend the depth of our sin, and we will not suffer the way Christ did for our sin--the only way we could come close is God forbid that we suffer eternal damnation...

Now, we have Mary as a model, who walked with Christ, who suffered with Christ: for love of us! The Gospel is not just some nice story, some piece of well crafted literature. If that were the case, millions of people would not have laid down their lives for centuries defended it!

We live in an age of ruthless persecution. Everything that is good, true and beautiful is under attack. American culture is permeated by sin and disdain for the things of God. If we really are serious about Christian Discipleship, we need to take up that Cross with Jesus. The hour is getting late. We see murder and hunger and persecution visibly around the world, while the invisible murder of the unborn takes place in our own backyards. When will we awaken to this destruction, and be brave enough to stand with Jesus and Mary in defense of human dignity?

The hour is late, but not too late! How would your world view change if you truly immersed yourself, under Mary's guidance, into the Passion this week? Try and understand what suffering is--suffering with Christ. This is not useless or meaningless. It must be meant to purge us of anything that makes us hold back those talents that can be at service to the Lord, ultimately teachings us how to love rightly, how to choose to love as God loves.

The culture war rages on...in persecution, war, famine, poverty, death and destruction, corrupt governments, abortion, genocide...and even in the selfish recesses of our own hearts. God gives us a choice--what will you do with your time here? It is really nothing in light of eternity, yet it can make all the difference...May Sweet Maria be our guide this Holy Week, and lead us to a radical renewal of our Baptismal Promises this Easter!

Remembering Chiara

Today Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, passed away at the age of 88.

This phenominal woman truly allowed herself to be an instrument of peace and love in the world, advocating for a culture of unity, founded in the Truth of Christ.

Chiara was also a devotee of the Virgin Mary, and was recognized as such by the beloved John Paul the Great in a 2002 Letter.

May the selfless spirit of Chiara inspire us all to promote a true communion of persons, as personified by the Blessed Trinity, not by denying our faith, but by letting the Truths of Christ be the bedrock of our efforts!

International Appeal for Justice Fails Again

Yesterday Archbishop Paul Faraj Rahho was found dead in a shallow grave. The Archbishop had been kidnapped on February 29, 2008, by radical Islamic gunmen after he lead Stations of the Cross at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Mosul, Iraq.

This tragedy has received little attention by either the American or the International press. I searched several major American papers today, and found little. The first hits I got in Google searches directed me to Catholic news agencies and personal blogs...

Since the time of his abduction, Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly called for the archbishops release. These pleas fell on deaf ears.

Catholic news agencies, particularly Catholic Online, asked the U.S. government to join other nations and the UN in an appeal to release the Archbishop--there was no response.

The Times Online published a laudatory obituary which highlighted the selfless work this man did for Catholics in Iraq. They reported that prior to his kidnapping, the Archbishop had been interviewed by Asia News:

“We, Christians of Mesopotamia, are used to religious persecution and pressures by those in power. After Constantine, persecution ended only for Western Christians, whereas in the East threats continued. Even today we continue to be a Church of martyrs.”

It seems as though the beloved Archbishop was foreshadowing his own martyrdom.

This tragedy reminds me that the Catholic Church is very much under persecution around the world: in some places, like Iraq, in a visible way, in other places, like the United States, in an ideological way.

Samatha Powers wrote an excellent book in the 1990s discussing the US's lack of response to genocide situations around the world. I think the death of Archbishop Rahho is another example of American Cowardice. If we are a nation that has gone to war in this region of the world, if we are purporting to be heralds of justice and democracy, how can we let persecution go unquestioned?? Are we afraid to say that this is the work of radical Islam? We need to call a spade a spade! There has been much academic research in the last 20 years regarding the use of religion as a catalyst for violence: and it is internationally recognized that using one's religion to condone violence is not acceptable. We need to call these atrocities OUT!

The same thing goes for China. We don't want to hurt our diplomatic relationship with China, but that country has some of the most disgusting human rights violations of any nation, particularly forced abortions--and the Roman Catholic Church is underground there, because of persecution.

Interestingly enough, the British-based charity Iraqi Christians In Need (ICIN) has speculated, in light of Archbishop Rahho's martyrdom, that Iraqi Catholics may need to go underground to continue to practice their faith. (In order to practice in Iraq, Catholics (and any non-Muslims) must pay a tax to practice 'freely.') Spokeswoman for ICIN, Suha Rassam:

In a March 13 statement, Rassam said an underground church is not a "situation anyone would want, but the Christian population is living each day in terror of being kidnapped or murdered." "When the church is facing persecution of this magnitude, then desperate measures might have to be taken," she said. "Over the last eight months, attacks on Christians have been escalating," she said. "In June Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni and three deacons were murdered, two priests were kidnapped in October, and in January four churches and a convent were bombed." (From Catholic News Service)
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So, to the American Media: Are you really committed to reporting the news, and going in depth? Do you want citizens to know what is really going on world-wide?

To the US Government: How many more persecutions and genocides will you watch pass by? Do you really believe in justice for all? If you want to be an international leader, when will you start leading where you are needed most?

It was Turtullian who said "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church." We still live this in the 21st Century. Let us pray for Christians persecuted world-wide for their unwaivering faith!

Communication Decline?

Today the New York Times reported on how cell phones and more particularly text messaging has extended the generational communication gap. Text Generation Gap: U R 2 Old (JK) by Laura M. Holson is a well executed examination of how modern technology is effecting communication between children and their parents.

What is most unsettling is how many parents are hesitant to set limitations on their children's mobile communication. One mother recounted how she and her daughter were in Paris on vacation, and all afternoon the girl was distracted by texts and calls from friends in Boston--she couldn't even be present to the culture around her because her friends 'needed to know' where she was...something is wrong with that picture.

Holson reports that by the year 2010, 81 percent of Americans ages 5 to 24 will own a cellphone. Question: Why does an kindergarten student need a cell phone? It is like we are indoctrinating our children to be slaves to technology before they can even diagram a sentence (which, as I understand, is an all but obsolete component of English grammar instruction these days).

I know I am guilty of text obsession. I'd rather text then call--it carries less risk. I mean, I'd rather read that someone is not able to hang out then hear them say it...but why? It is almost like text messaging, in some instances, makes it easier to be dishonest with our desires...chew on that one.

Like every new technology, texting has its place and is very useful in many instances. My iPhone has totally changed the way I prepare for my day and even events--I don't have to look up directions, print notes...or even look up cheesecake recipies before I hit the grocery store. I have all that info at my finger tips...it is almost like having a personal assistant whose contract stipulates that she doesn't run errands, just keeps the info free flowing. The danger, however, is to become interdependent on the device. Honestly, if my iPhone crashed, I'd be in a bit of trouble...

We need to set limits and boundaries on how we use technology in our lives. If my Mac is getting in the way of building real relationships with people--if the only way I communicate with my friends is by posting on their Facebook Wall--that is a big problem.

Next time you feel the urge to text, think twice--maybe you don't even need to send the text. Better yet, maybe you should actually take the time to call that person, and be totally present to a real conversation. Or, take up the classy form of communication that is all but obsolete--letter writing. Technology can't strip us of relationships, but we can let it break them down. It is your choice. If you want to be honest with yourself and others...rethink the ways you keep in touch.

IWD?

I don't mean to be sardonic, but it reminds me of an IUD (which, for the record, is yet another affront to women's dignity and gift of fertility).

Apparently IWD is the acronym for International Women's Day. I discovered this celebratory occasion from my weekly Feminist Majority E-Newsletter. Of course there are many things the feminists are upset about this week, but they did take the time to remind us that tomorrow we are to celebrate women in a special way.

I perused the IWD website a bit, and it really didn't say too much. From what I gather, IWD celebrates women's achievements and empowers them to keep making a difference.

Now, who wouldn't want to celebrate women's achievements and empower them to keep making a difference? You can't argue with it--noble ideas. But what is backing them up? Is it the right for a woman to end the life of her unborn child? Is it empowering women to loose their feminine identity and bled into a gender neutral society? Is it enabling women to achieve their dreams, as long as those dreams fall into line with the mainstream feminist agenda?

Besides all that, why do we need to have one day to celebrate women? We should be celebrating women every day--the gift of femininity shouldn't be regulated to celebrate once a year!

Making a giant leap, based upon the empty messages of the feminist movement...What scares me the most about Barack Obama is that he has nothing to say. The man is a brilliant orator, but his words are nothing less than those of a soothe sayer. He speaks of Hope and Change like they were hot items on McDonald's Dollar Menu, but what the hell does he mean? There is no definition to his ideas...merely words that sound good and rally the 'troops', who, by the way, really don't know what they are signing up for.

It seems like most social movements today reflect Barack Obama's campaign. He so wants to be president, to wield that power and make a difference. But the difference Barack wants to make is not the difference I choose to beleive in--the man has an 100% pro-abortion voting record. "In 2002, as an Illinois legislator, Obama voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act, which would have protected babies that survived late-term abortions." This is NOT a man to whom I desire to entrust my country. Furthermore, his lack of experience is frightening.

Yet, Obama has learned from the feminists and the liberals and the socialists and the communists and all the other fringe movements that have worked to make a mostly horrible difference in the world. He knows how to coin a phrase, package a statement, move a crowd, make people feel better...win trust and ultimately control minds. Watch out America, you get what you vote for.

Perpetual Felicity

I've heard often that the Catholic Church represses women--which I find rather amusing. As a lay woman who works for one of the largest Archdioceses in the country, I can easily say I am not repressed. I know my gifts and talents are respected, and I am often invited to participate in major decisions that impact the life of our Church. It is a humbling place to be, and I am blessed abundantly through this opportunity to serve the Church in this way.

Yet, it is not myself, but rather two ladies I'd like to highlight today. It is the feast of Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas. Here is something I wrote about these courageous women last year:

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...The story that I loved best was that of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas. A beautiful poem was written about them called “Two Carthaginian Girls.” One was a wealthy woman and the other her servant girl...yet they were both condemned for the Faith they would not deny. In prison below the blood-thirsty masses in the arena above, Felicitas actually gave birth to her child...and handed her over in the care of the others...for it was time for Perpetua and Felicitas, together, to earn the Palm of Martyrdom. The women cared greatly for one another, and even in their final moments, as they were circled by the lions, eager to devour, they did not deny their God, nor did they compromise their modesty, being sure that the rags that had been battered by the beasts at least covered their feminine bodies as best they could. Imagine the heroism!! Even in their final moments, they retained their virtue.

Another excerpt:
...Perpetua is one of the first Christian women to have recorded writings. She composed part of her martyrology. Not only was she holy, she was a mother, most likely a widow, and was killed with her companions on March 7, 203, in Carthage, she and Felicitas being battered first by an ox, which ended Felicitas’ life, Perpetua withstanding, suffered the final blow by means of the sword with 2 other male companions. Her personal account is amazing. Perpetua was 22 years old, and she was bold--read the account--she had NO FEAR! She was so courageous...she desired nothing more than to sacrifice her life for the Lord...she anticipated her martyrdom with JOY! She had visions...a mystical martyr!

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When I discovered the texts from Perpetua last summer I was absolutely thrilled--not only did it give me yet another tangible example of how the Church has always promoted the dignity of women and their role in the life of the Church, but it also beckoned me to strive for the same courage and selfless spirit that Perpetua and Felicitas together personified. Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas, pray for us!

They use aborted baby parts in your kid's Vaccine

No joke...actually, it is a sick reality. Praise God, one pharmaceutical company has stepped up to the plate:

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For Immediate Release: Feb 29, 2008

Biotech Firm To Provide Ethical Alternatives to Aborted Fetal Vaccines

(Seattle) In a victory for pro-life families around the world, AVM Biotechnology LLC (AVM Biotech) today announced their decision to provide ethical alternatives in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and vaccine development.

Dr Theresa Deisher, AVM Biotech Research and Development Director and founder stated, “We will be working to bring commercially available, morally acceptable, vaccines to the US market and to use existing technology to produce new morally certified vaccines. Revenues from the vaccine business will also further the research, development and commercialization of morally certified therapeutics in other areas of medicine as well.”

The announcement was an answer to years of hard work and prayers for Children of God for Life, a pro-life organization that has battled to bring moral alternatives to aborted fetal vaccines to the US market for nearly a decade.

“There are no words sufficient to express our deepest gratitude to Dr Deisher and AVM Biotech”, noted the group’s Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge, who was also named to AVM Biotech’s Advisory Board for vaccine development.

While most vaccines and medicines are produced in an ethical manner, several are manufactured using cell lines derived from aborted fetal tissue with no competing ethical products available. Vinnedge noted this has left concerned pro-life families in both a difficult and unjust position.

“For too long parents who want to protect their children without compromising their deeply held pro-life and religious beliefs have been coerced into an unnecessary and unjust moral dilemma,” she stated. “No one should be forced to choose between these two fundamental human rights.”

Both organizations hope that the news will spark members of Congress to move forward with their Fair Labeling and Informed Consent legislation, a bill that would require full disclosure from the pharmaceutical industry whenever aborted fetal or embryonic cell lines are used in medical products.

“Every consumer, whether pro-life in philosophy or not, has the right to know if human fetal cell contaminants are present in the drugs they receive”, noted Dr Deisher. “Consumers should be informed and empowered to make the best health care choices for themselves and their families. Surely, if we have the right to know what is in our fast food, we should also have the right to know what is in our medicine.”

AVM Biotech intends to further assist in this effort by certifying that its therapeutic products are not discovered, screened, evaluated, produced, or tainted in any way by the use of electively aborted human fetal material, human embryonic material, or any other unethically obtained materials.

http://www.cogforlife.org/avmpress.htm

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What a victory it would be if American's were even aware that this moral problem exists in the land of the free--we may be 'free,' but we are rather blind to the cost of our 'freedom.'

Why Cardinal O'Mally is so Cool

Today I discovered that Cardinal O'Malley has a blog...and it is pretty sweet! He posts on Fridays, sharing his activities and giving not only folks in the Archdiocese of Boston but all over the opportunity to know him better and learn more about the vibrancy and socially relavent message of the Catholic Church.

I also discovered that Cardinal Sean is a Capucin Franciscan...no wonder he is so cool. I am on a big Franciscan kick right now, especially since I experienced Youth 2000 this weekend once again. The Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Renewal (CFRs) have such a spirit of Joy and Generosity--it is absolutely contagious.

Femiminists Defeted

They fight so hard for gender-neutral terms...I remember reading an article in Bitch Magazine last year about gender-neutral pronouns...words like ve vs. he/she...ridiculous.

Anyhow, many of us are aware that this mentality has been creeping its way into the Sacred Liturgy. Yesterday the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made an important clarification on the formula for the sacrament of Baptism, stating that wordings such as: 'I baptize you in the name of the Creator, and of the Redeemer, and of the Sanctifier,' or 'I baptize you in the name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer' are not valid.

The Congregation further clarified that these formulas detract from and threaten the Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. Pope Benedict XVI gave his approval and directed the Congregation to publish this response regarding the proper Baptismal Formula.

Zenit.com reported that Monsignor Antonio Miralles, professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Holy Cross University, signed the Churches statement. He explained the development of the wording thus:

"Variations to the baptismal formula -- using non-biblical designations of the Divine Persons -- as considered in this reply, arise from so-called feminist theology," being an attempt "to avoid using the words Father and Son which are held to be chauvinistic, substituting them with other names," the note clarified. "Such variants, however, undermine faith in the Trinity."

At least we can breath a little more easily, knowing the feminist agenda can't threaten the validity of Baptism any longer...