Evangelii Gaudium

Pope Francis' just published Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium , is wonderful Advent reading.

3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!

Encyclicals

Within Catholicism in recent times, an encyclical is generally used for significant issues, and is second in importance only to the highest ranking document now issued by popes, an Apostolic Constitution. Encyclicals indicate high Papal priority for an issue at a given time. Pontiffs define when, and under which circumstances encyclicals should be issued.

Recent Encyclicals (links to Wikipedia articles):

• Pope Paul VI (1963–1978)
  • Ecclesiam Suam 1964
  • Mense Maio 1965
  • Mysterium Fidei 1965
  • Christi Matri 1966
  • Populorum Progressio 1967
  • Sacerdotalis Caelibatus 1967
  • Humanae Vitae 1968
• Pope Blessed John Paul II (1978–2005)
  • Redemptor Hominis 1979
  • Dives in Misericordia 1980
  • Laborem Exercens 1981
  • Slavorum Apostoli 1985
  • Dominum et Vivificantem 1986
  • Redemptoris Mater 1987
  • Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 1987
  • Redemptoris Missio 1990
  • Centesimus Annus 1991
  • Veritatis Splendor 1993
  • Evangelium Vitae 1995
  • Ut Unum Sint 1995
  • Fides et Ratio 1998
  • Ecclesia de Eucharistia 2003
• Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
  • Deus Caritas Est 2005
  • Spe Salvi 2007
  • Caritas in Veritate 2009
• Pope Francis (2013 to present)
  • Lumen Fidei 2013

Peter Claver

An excerpt from the website, http://www.kofpc.org/index.php/the-order/st-peter-claver

Into these yards Peter Claver plunged with medicines and food, bread, brandy, lemons, tobacco to distribute among them, some of whom were too frightened, others too ill to accept them. Claver would say frequently: “We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips.” When he came upon any who were dying he baptized them and then sought out all babies born on the voyage that he might baptize them. During the time that the blacks spent in the sheds, they were penned so closely that they had to sleep almost upon one another and, thereby, freely handed on their diseases …nonetheless, Claver was seen caring for the bodies of the sick and the souls of all.

Unlike many, even among some of the clergy, Claver did not consider that ignorance of their African languages absolved him from the obligation of instructing them in the truths of religion and morals and bringing to their degraded spirits the consolation of the words of Jesus. Claver had a team of seven interpreters, one of whom spoke four African dialects, and with their help he taught the slaves and prepared them for baptism, not only in groups but individually; for the language difficulty was too great for him to make himself understood otherwise. Claver made use of pictures, in accordance with standard catechetical pedagogy of the time, showing our Lord suffering on the cross for them; above all did he try to instill in them some degree of self respect, to give them at least some idea that as redeemed human beings they had dignity and worth, even if as slaves they were outcast and despised. Not otherwise could he ever hope to arouse in them shame and contrition for their sins more perfect than that evoked by the picture of hell which he held up as a warning.

Run For The Nuns~5K at the Carmelite Fair

Come run, walk, or jog!

Date:
Start: Sunday, September 15, 2013 @ 8:00 am (MDT)

Address:

Carmelite Monastery
5714 South Holladay Boulevard
Holladay , UT 84117
 

Registration Closing Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2013 @ 3:00 pm (MDT)

Register Here:
http://beta.active.com/holladay-ut/running/run-for-the-nuns-2013 

Carmelite Fair

Detailed information about the 2013 Carmelite Fair can be found here.

The main financial support of the monastery is the Annual Fair, which is normally held on the third Sunday in September (September 15, 2013) from 11:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

The Fair has many ethnic foods such as Mexican food, Italian food, and Asian Cuisine as well as burgers and hot dogs, and ice cream. In addition to the wonderful food, every hour there is entertainment including a live auction, children's games, and various dancers.

What's the Deal with Guardian Angels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
 Bless this bed that I lay on.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels ‘round my head.

One to guide, one to pray,
Two to keep me safe all day.

 So goes the modern version of an ancient English bedtime prayer. The original version, recited 100’s of years ago by children much more used to watching friends and family die, ended with the line, “Two to bear my soul away.”  

Both versions are comforting reminders of the two main responsibilities our Guardian Angels have been given: to protect and guide us during the day, and to escort us safely into the arms of our loving God at the moment of our death. 

My son has a childlike, unshakable belief in his own Guardian Angel. After living with him for 30 years, I’ve come to believe he has several on duty at all times. When he was 6 or 7, I woke up one night to the sounds of a conversation coming from, of all places, the bathroom. I got up to investigate, and while I couldn’t make out any words, I could definitely recognize Travis’ voice. I opened the door to find him sitting on the floor, teary-eyed, trying to control his sobs.

“Oh, Sweetheart, what’s the matter?” I cried.

“I” sob “had” sob “a nightmare,” he answered.  

“But who were you taking to?” I asked, checking to see if one of his brothers was hiding under the sink.

“My Guardian Angel,” he said.

He was so matter-of-fact that there could be no doubt he had either suffered a psychotic episode complete with beautiful hallucinations, or he had just experienced the blessed and consoling presence of his Guardian Angel.  

A few days later, I asked him to draw a picture of his angel. He willingly sat at the dining room table, notebook and colored pencils in hand. From the next room I heard him talking to himself, as he said, “Yes, that looks golden.”  

I assumed he was drawing her hair, as I always imagined angels had flowing blonde hair with a few glittery silver highlights. Or perhaps it was her wings that glowed. Or maybe she wore a flowing golden gown with a starry sash. 

When he showed me his picture, I was surprised to see she had medium brown hair, the outline of wings that were not colored in, and a blue gown. It was her face that was golden and glowing--a detail I find hard to imagine a child inventing.

In today’s world of science and technology, Guardian Angels seem to have been relocated to the category of imaginary friends and pleasant bedtime stories; things that are entertaining and appropriate for children, but expected to be outgrown and abandoned as we mature.

Yet St. Basil said, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd…” Notice he did not mention that they discriminate on the basis of age. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.” And St. Paul wrote, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

Have you, as an adult, ever had an experience, perhaps a close call or an odds-defying incident that made you stop for just a moment to acknowledge your good luck or recognize the improbability of the amazing “coincidence?” Have you considered that you may have experienced the intervention of your Guardian Angel? 

Here’s the thing. Angels have been among us since creation, and they will be present at Christ’s return. In the meantime, we can all benefit from the mysterious and powerful help of our own Guardian angels. Perhaps it’s time to refresh in our hearts the little prayer we learned as children:
                                              

 Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide.

Summer Bible Study

A 12-week Bible study on The Letter to the Hebrews began Wednesday, 19 June in the Rectory Board Room at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Meetings are from 7:00-8:15 PM and continue to September 18th. The study is led by Deacon Scott Dodge.

Sacred Music Colloquium

The Sacred Music Colloquium is again at the Cathedral of the Madeleine this year. Public events include:

Masses, etc at the Cathedral of the Madeleine

during the Colloquium

Tuesday, June 18
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture, Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth: “Life-long Learning”
5:15 pm: Mass, 11th Sunday of the Year (English; Missal Chants; SEP) [David Hughes, organist]
7:30pm: Organ Recital (Charles Cole); Compline

Wednesday, June 19
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture: Archbishop Alexander K. Sample
5:15 pm: Mass (11th Sunday; OF, English, Latin and Weber propers) [Jonathan Ryan, organist]
 
Thursday, June 20
8:30am: Morning Prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Session: “The Art of Effortless Singing,” Dr. MeeAe Nam
5:15 pm: Mass (EF Polyphonic Solemn Requiem)

Friday, June 21
8:30am: Morning prayer
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Plenary Lecture: “Gregorian Chant as the splendor formae 
                   of the Liturgy,” Dr. Mahrt
5:15 pm: Mass (EF Missa Cantata, St. Aloysius) [David Hughes, organist]Mass VII
7:45pm Vespers (psalmody of Friday) [Ann Labounsky, organist]
 
Saturday, June 22
8:30 a.m.: Morning prayer
2:00 p.m. – Mass (Solemn OF, Latin, Gloria, Credo;) [Jonathan Ryan, organist]

Sunday, June 23

10:00am  Lauds
11:00 a.m.: Mass (OF, 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time) [Doug O’Neill, organist]