Father Leo's E-Mail BLAST!!!!!!!!!1
Making it Last
By the time you all read this email blast, I will have returned from leading the seminarians’ pilgrimage to Rome. The seminarians will have been steeped in studies for a few days. Will they remember all they just experienced? Yes; I’m sure they will make this experience last.
Mount St. Mary's seminarians praying at the tomb of St. Paul
outside the walls.
While I’ve led many pilgrimage groups to holy sites, I can’t help be fascinated each time I see these monuments, churches, and shrines. Leaving a beautiful place like Rome isn’t easy to do. Ending the pilgrimage – no matter how good it is to be home – isn’t easy. It is natural for us to want to make the good times last.
Our first dinner in a restaurant on Borgo Pio
How do we do that?
This is a question we often ask ourselves. While I completely understand why we would want to make good things last, there are some things we should put in perspective so that we don’t become confused or depressed when things don’t last forever. Buildings crumble, plans change, relationships breakup, and death is unavoidable.
The tomb of Incorruptible Saint, Cardinal Tomasi, in the Basilica of San Andrea della Valle
This week’s blast is part of a conversation I had with the seminarians, who not only felt a reasonable sadness at returning to the rigors of seminary life, but also a sense of loss in having to leave Rome. They just didn’t want it to end.
The “exit” from St. Peter’s Metro Stop
In our conversations we discussed the frustration in humbly accepting the passing nature of our world. On this pilgrimage we’ve seen how even the great Roman civilization eventually crumbled into a tourist site.
Excavations below the current Church of Santa Susana
The fact is we live in a temporary world. The only thing that will last forever is our souls; that part of our existence that God created, destined for an eternal life with Him.
Tomb of St. Catherine of Sienna in the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Nothing in this world is supposed to last forever because this world isn’t Heaven. If we were satisfied completely on earth, why would we want/need the reality of an eternal place of eternal bliss? The fact that things in life are temporary offers us a great reminder that we should not try and create Heaven on earth as pagan civilizations of ancient history. Instead, we are called to live this life with a serene sense of knowing that there is a place that will never end.
Seminarians praying on their knees on the holy stairs of St. Helen
This recognition of our mortality means that we should approach our life and all of the world’s offerings with a sense of humility. As children of the Church we are heirs of an eternal gift. We possess faith, which St. Augustine says is “ever ancient and ever new.” He should know. He gave up all earthly pleasures in order to gain eternal life. By the way, we visited his saintly mother’s tomb, the one who prayed for his conversion until the day she died.
In the seminarians’ discussions about the temporary state of our life, they also discovered some consolation. They realized some things do endure until God brings them to an end; namely, faithfulness. Just think about a loving marriage, a treasured heirloom, a valued painting, a really good recipe, or a prayer. God wants those good things to endure in this lifetime and into the next.
Statue of St. Francis and companions before the St. John Lateran Basilica, 3rd Century
One of our seminarians recognized he was standing on a spot that has changed much over 2,000 years. What is now as a famous square with fountains, restaurants, and shops was originally a place where Christians were martyred. And while the blood of the martyrs can no longer be found on the streets, there is a long lasting testimony to the lives of the saints who possessed the authentic and eternal faith.
There is a famous Latin phrase that when translated says, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” It poetically captures a deep perspective about our passing lives. Although we can’t live forever, we can truly share a bit of ourselves with others (especially our families) by passing on what is dear to us. I think of people who I’ve known that have died. While they are no longer physically with us, I can still see a little of that person in their influence over their children, grandchildren, and close friends. You can detect certain characteristics like the way they talk or even the way they cook. It’s the same way with Jesus’ followers, who began to talk, think, and act more like Jesus because he gave them an example that endures forever.
What are we doing to give a bit of ourselves to our children? Consider what you leave behind that will last forever, and the seeds we planting in those who will continue long after we leave this earth.
143 Pilgrims posing with a cut out image of St. Philip Neri (center) with Brother Louis, a seminarian who is following the charism of St. Philip Neri
As I write this email blast, I sit and talk with seminarians who pursue the eternal priesthood in Jesus Christ. They offered responses for our readers who may have also asked the question, How do I make a good thing last? While they know that nothing lasts forever, they can at least strive, as the saints did, to live in the direction of the eternal.
One other hope and consolation for these seminarians is they know that even a good bye is not eternal. Italians say arrivaderci! That literally means “until we see each other again!”
Seminarian Brian Wayne tossing in a coin in the Trevi Fountain, a tradition that assures a visitor will return to Rome again someday
This past week in Italy offered an overwhelming culinary experience. I can’t even pick one particular recipe to write about.
Grappa, Limoncello, and Amaro after-dinner drinks
The “Spaghetteria” restaurant offered a sampler platter of pastas – pesto (left), tuna (middle), shrimp, and artichoke (right)
Vincent Baccalla sampling a traditional Roman recipe of “Baccala
Dover Sole after I filleted it
The problem is I didn’t have time to get any of these recipes written with so much to do and so little time. But don’t worry; I’ll definitely make sure to provide some ideas about certain Italian dishes; especially some that are perfect for Lent.
In the meantime, I offer this “food for the body” idea for your family. Make it a tradition to offer a toast every now and then. It could simply follow the grace before the meal. It doesn’t have to be a long, fancy one; just some words to express something you’d like to commemorate. People offer toasts as a way to “make it last.” Just consider what’s said at weddings and anniversaries. It’s said to keep the moment alive.
At the Pontifical North American College, it is tradition that we offer three toasts at large gatherings. One toast is offered for the Pope; another, our native country; and the last, to the seminary/institution. Here, Jason Adams, a seminarian from Savannah, GA who helped organize our Mount St. Mary’s pilgrimage in Rome offered a heartfelt toast in a fantastic restaurant called Quattro Mori (The Four Moors), just around the corner from the Vatican.
The Pope used to eat here with guests. While the Pope can no longer eat in public like that, his presence definitely remains, especially for the waiter who served him at the table featured in the picture
Have you ever noticed how some of our Catholic prayers end? Most of the collects said at Mass end with the phrase “forever and ever.” Then, almost by habit the congregation says “amen.”
Our “amen” is actually a way of saying “so be it” or “let it be.” Perhaps when you say your prayers at night, consider ending them by saying to God, “I love you forever and ever. Amen.”
There are some things that DO last forever. As God’s love is eternal, so should some traditions endure, like grace before meals!
Me listening to a few toasts and some jokes thrown into the mix!
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Daily Reading & Meditation
Thursday (3/12): "Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom"
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31
19 "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27 And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
Meditation: What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way? Jeremiah tells us that whoever relies on God will not be disappointed or be in want when everything around them dries up or disappears. God will not only be their consolation, but their inexhaustible source of joy as well. Jesus' parable about the afflictions of the poor man Lazarus brings home a similar point. In this story Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts – riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We also see an abrupt and dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was not only poor, but sick and unable to lift himself. He was “laid” at the gates of the rich man’s house. The dogs which licked his sores probably also stole the little bread he got for himself. Dogs in the ancient world symbolized contempt. Enduring the torment of these savage dogs only added to the poor man’s miseries and sufferings. The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave way.
The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar! Do you know the joy and freedom of possessing God as your true and lasting treasure? Those who put their hope and security in heaven will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19)?
"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me."
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
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