Homily for Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena

Homily for the Memorial of
St. Catherine of Siena

April 29, 2024
Collect
Salesian HS, New Rochelle

If I asked you who are the greatest saints of the Middle Ages, I hope you wouldn’t ask me when were the Middle Ages.  Perhaps you might suggest St. Francis of Assisi and today’s saint, Catherine of Siena. 

Monument to St. Catherine, Rome

St. Catherine was born in 1347 and died in 1380—a very short life by our reckoning.  But she lived fully and accomplished much.  The prayer for her memorial notes 2 qualities:  “her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of [God’s] Church.”

Catherine gave herself entirely to God from her earliest years and had an intense prayer life.  Like many people in her time, she focused particularly on Christ’s passion.  He let her know that prayer wasn’t enuf:  she also had to put her love for him into action.

Catherine began by caring for the sick and the poor in her city.  But observing the sad state of the Church and of public life, she became active in public affairs.  The Popes had been living in France for 70 years.  Italy was torn by wars between the city-states.  Many bishops and priests were corrupt, caring more for wealth and comfort than for their flocks, and some led sinful lives.  While always respectful of the Church and its leaders, Catherine and her followers undertook campaigns to mediate wars and to reform the Church.  She wrote hundreds of letters and traveled to meet the Pope and other leaders in person.  Solidly grounded in Jesus Christ our Savior, she was able to achieve partial success in her efforts and left us a body of writings that caused Pope Paul VI to declare her a doctor of the Church and Pope John Paul to name her a patron saint of Europe.

When our lives are similarly grounded on Christ thru prayer, the sacraments, and the Scriptures, our union with Christ will enable us, too, to bring his love to our brothers and sisters in practical charity, respect for everyone, honest living, and the use of our abilities and opportunities to serve the common good of our country and God’s Church.

Getting to Know Catacombs of St. Callistus

Getting to Know the Catacombs of St. Callistus

Useful for the 2025 Jubilee

(ANS – Rome – April 25, 2024) – As the 2025 Jubilee Year approaches, the Salesians at the Catacombs of St. Callistus retrace their history and highlight the activities they carry out in Rome and in particular within the complex making up the catacombs.

The Catacombs of St. Callistus are among the largest and most important in Rome. They arose in the middle of the 2d century and are part of a cemetery complex that occupies an area of 38 acres, with a network of tunnels almost 12 miles long, on several floors, and reach a depth of more than 70 feet. Dozens of martyrs, 16 popes, and many other Christians were buried in them.

Pope Pius XI, who had met Don Bosco and sensed the good that the Salesian Congregation could do by welcoming pilgrims and visitors to this important place for the Church in the early centuries, decided to entrust custody of the Catacombs of St. Callistus to the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1930.

Since then, many Salesians have cared for and continue to care for pilgrims at the catacombs, and some of them rest in a small cemetery at the entrance of the district. Today there are 16 Salesians from all over the world who make the catacombs known, in many languages, to visitors and pilgrims.

What is proposed is not so much a touristic and archaeological visit, but a real spiritual journey experienced through the symbols, tombs, testimonies, and history of this place.

Here, in fact, in a journey that lasts an average of 45 minutes, the stories of the martyred popes who rest in the Crypt of the Popes are told, the most sacred and important place of these catacombs, called “the little Vatican” because 9 popes and, probably, 8 dignitaries of the Church of the 3d century were buried there. Not only that, passing through the so-called “sopratterra” there are two basilicas with three apses, called “Tricore.” In the eastern one, Pope St. Zephyrinus and the young martyr of the Eucharist, St. Tarcisius, were probably buried.

Also of great importance is the Crypt of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music. Of noble Roman family, she was martyred in the 3d century. Buried where her statue now stands, she was venerated here for at least 5 centuries. In 821 her relics were transported to Trastevere in the basilica dedicated to her.

Inside the Catacombs of St. Callistus, you can also admire ancient frescoes dating from the early 3d century, which symbolically represent Baptism and the Eucharist.

During the visit, each group can stop either in a crypt or in a surface chapel for a brief moment of prayer or for the celebration of Mass. Even just praying, with the litanies of the saints and martyrs of St. Callistus, evokes a world of sensations and faith.

To facilitate the visit, the catacombs also have a large parking lot, a refreshment point, and large open spaces for play, lunch, and moments of conviviality and encounter.

Added value is the presence, in the same area, of the Salesian postnovitiate, where you can find hospitality for the night, a hot meal, and meeting rooms.

For more information on the Catacombs, to learn more about their history, and to book a visit, you can visit the website.

Homily for 5th Sunday of Easter

Homily for the
5th Sunday of Easter

Collect
1 John 3: 18-24
April 28, 2024
John 15: 1-8
The Fountains, Tuckahoe*
Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx    

The Resurrection (icon)

We prayed in the collect this morning that God “constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us.”  The paschal mystery is the Easter mystery, the mystery of our Lord Jesus’ passover from death to eternal life.  The mystery is God’s plan for each of us:  that with Christ and thru Christ each of us should pass thru the sufferings of life, thru death and the grave, to resurrection on the Last Day and an eternal life of happiness, friendship, contentment, and joy, all without end, without limit.

We began that long journey with Baptism, when God made us new persons, sisters or brothers of our Lord.  In symbol we died—buried in water—and rose from the water spiritually alive.  Sin was put to death, forgiven and washed away.  We’re reminded of Baptism whenever we use holy water or make the sign of the cross.

Our baptismal cleansing is renewed and reaffirmed whenever our sins are washed away again by repentance, confession of our sins, and absolution from Christ’s priestly minister.

We prayed, further, that God protect us, protect our life in Christ, so that we might flourish, bearing much fruit.  At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke at length about our bearing fruit because of our connection with him, like branches on a grape vine (John 15:1-8).

(Wikimedia Commons)

What kind of fruit does Christ expect us to produce?  St. John’s letter suggests “deeds and truth” (1 John 3:18).  Truth leads us to have confidence in God, who is “greater than our hearts” (3:20) and who saves us thru Christ’s Easter mystery—saves us from our sins, from “whatever our hearts condemn” (3:20).

In truth, God has bestowed on us a measureless dignity.  The Church recently released a teaching document called “Infinite Dignity.”  Every human being has a claim to dignity, for we’re all created in the image of God.  In truth, then, our deeds must show “love for one another just as he commanded us” (3:23).  Truth must be translated into action.  Or, as St. John writes, we must keep God’s commandments; that’s how we remain in him (3:24).

One commandment forbids killing people (except in self-defense).  Would we attack the image of God?  So the Church reminds us over and over that war, abortion, euthanasia (“mercy killing”), and revenge are serious sins, crimes against humanity, crimes against the truth of who we are.

Similarly, racism, discrimination against women or people of a different religion, human trafficking, indifference toward the poor and refugees are offenses against human dignity, against the image of God in individual people.

It it’s true that God created people as male or female—the book of Genesis says so very clearly (1:27)—then our human dignity involves our sexuality, our being female or male.  Contrary to what’s regarded as politically correct, homosexual behavior and transgenderism smack up against God’s revelation, God’s creation, God’s plan for human beings.

People who push a gay agenda twist language—twist truth—by saying it doesn’t matter whom you love.  Of course, we’re commanded to love everyone.  But it’s obvious that we don’t express love for everyone in a sexual manner.  We can love a lot of people deeply, even passionately, without being sexual about it. 

The Creation of Eve (Raphael Coxie)

People who push a trans agenda also twist language—twist truth—e.g., by talking about “gender assigned at birth”—as if gender’s something that comes out of the sorting hat at Hogwarts.  God doesn’t arbitrarily “assign” our maleness or femaleness.  He deliberately creates us individually as women or men, body and soul, whole persons.  After creating us that way, he also redeems us that way, and that’s how we’ll go, eventually, into eternity.

Our deeds have to reflect God’s truth—about our relationship with him, about who we are, about the rest of creation.  This is how we “love one another just as he commanded us” (3:23).  If we remain fastened to the vine who is Jesus Christ, then we’ll have Easter life coursing thru us and will bear the fruit of good deeds, deeds that are true.

* Big chunks removed for this congregation.

Restoration of Belltowers of Basilica of MHC Begins

Restoration of the Belltowers of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians Begins

(ANS – Turin – April 26, 2024) – The scaffolding that will allow the restoration and conservation of the 2 belltowers of the basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin was erected on April 24.

In the previous extensive conservation and restoration of the entire basilica, which was organized into three lots in 2004-2008, the belltowers weren’t included. As a result, in April last year it was necessary, through the intervention of a crane, to secure the angels above the two belltowers, ultimately detaching the dangerous wings of the Archangel Gabriel placed on the belltower on the right side and the flag, also dangerous, of the Archangel Michael, on the left looking at the facade of the basilica.

The process then began for the design of the renovation and conservation of the belltowers, with their cupolas and the 2 statues, together with the statue of our Lady placed on the first cupola, the largest. The concert of bells from the towers also will be renovated.

The rector major of the Salesians and the treasurer general, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, encouraged this project, which was approved by the general council in June 2023. The treasurer general has created a working commission composed of the provincial treasurer of the Piedmont Province, the director of the Mary Help of Christians community, and the rector of the basilica.

“The basilica of Mary Help of Christians,” Bro. Muller writes, “is the central place of our devotion to the Help of Christians, who has always accompanied us and will accompany us in all the challenges thruout our history.”

Last summer, major works and various inspections began immediately, and in these first months of 2024, after analyzing the estimates of 5 companies, one company was chosen for both the structural works and the belltower system. All this is still a sign of Providence, that these works begin and should end in the bicentennial year of Don Bosco’s dream at nine years of age.

“Soon a fundraiser will be organized,” explains Fr. Michele Vivano, rector of the basilica, “certain that Mary Help of Christians continues to be our treasurer, as she was for Don Bosco, if we continue to be her devoted children.”

Homily for Wednesday, Week 4 of Easter

Homily for Wednesday
4th Week of Easter

April 24, 2024
Acts 12: 24—13: 5
Provincial House, New Rochelle

In the interval since yesterday’s 1st reading, there was a famine in Palestine, and Saul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch to Jerusalem with relief funds.  Herod Agrippa persecuted the Church, killing the apostle James and imprisoning Peter, who escaped miraculously.

So we come to the 2d half of Acts, in which the focus shifts from the apostles in Jerusalem to Paul, Barnabas, and Silas as missionaries from Antioch.  The principal actors, of course, remain the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

In Antioch, Barnabas and Saul are identified among the “prophets and teachers” in that Church.  Barnabas, originally sent there as a delegate of the Jerusalem Church—and extraordinary visitor—is still given the lead role and is observed as Saul’s mentor.  The Holy Spirit selects the 2 of them for a special work and sends them out to “proclaim the word of God.”  And Paul’s 1st missionary journey begins, in the company of Barnabas and John Mark.

The Holy Spirit continued the missionary work of the Lord thru Don Bosco, as the 1st article of our Constitutions tells us.  The Spirit “formed within him the heart of a father and teacher” and “inspired him to initiate various apostolic endeavors, 1st among them our Society.”  The Spirit remains active among us as we continue Christ’s mission.  We, today, are Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark if we allow the Spirit to lead us in our efforts to proclaim the word to the young, to families, to people as yet unevangelized, to bring to the whole world the light of Christ and eternal life (cf. John 12:44-50).

Homily for Tuesday, Week 4 of Easter

Homily for Tuesday
4th Week of Easter

April 23, 2024
Acts 11: 19-26
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

“Those who had been scattered by the persecution … preached the Word to no one but the Jews” (Acts 11: 19).

We’ve already seen Deacon Philip preaching the Word in Samaria, and Peter preaching it to a Roman household.  The Holy Spirit is at work, beyond what the apostles and the earliest community in Jerusalem could imagine.  Even persecution becomes a means by which the Spirit acts.

St. Barnabas

“The hand of the Lord was with” some who—deliberately, it seems—began to speak to the pagans (11:21).  Those who did that were from far off Cyprus and Cyrene, evidently not as closed-minded as Jerusalem believers.  Barnabas, too, was from Cyprus; so it was natural for the mother Church to send him to look into this unusual, perhaps suspicious, activity in Antioch:  the 1st provincial visitation!

That the Spirit worked in Antioch is significant.  Antioch, modern Antakya, Turkey, scene of a destructive, deadly earthquake 14 months ago, was the 3d city of the Empire, after Rome and Alexandria.  For the Church to plant deep roots here meant far more than its start-up in Jerusalem and slow progress in Samaria and Phoenicia.  It was also, according to venerable tradition, Luke’s hometown.  That, too, was a work of the Spirit, to introduce this gifted writer, this future pen of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus.

Barnabas quickly perceives the workings of grace (11:23), which is to say the workings of the Spirit.  We’re not told how that grace revealed itself, except in a bold faith.  Faith becomes more important than Law.  The Law would have restricted the faith to Jews, kept the followers of Jesus confined to a very limited portion of humanity.  Greeks also can believe and be saved.  The faith is summarized in a simple confession:  “Jesus is Lord” (11:20).

Jesus is Lord:  Kurios in Greek, the word used in the Greek Scriptures for God’s personal name, YHWH.  These followers of Jesus are affirming his divinity even before they’ve been tagged as “Christians.”  “Jesus is Lord” also distinguishes Christians from pagans, who gave the title “Lord” to the emperor, according him divine status and burning incense before his image.  It was, in effect, an act of defiance as well as of faith:  “You shall not have other gods besides me” (Ex 20:3).

This faith, driven by the Holy Spirit, will seize the hearts of many of the pagans and change the world, as it had already changed Saul of Tarsus.  Yesterday’s 1st reading (Acts 11:1-18) concluded, “God has granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”  The question before you and me is whether we, as well, have repented and submitted to the Holy Spirit.

Two New Salesian Shepherds for the Church

Two New Salesian Shepherds for the Church

Card. Angel Fernandez Artime and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti

(ANS – Rome – April 20, 2024) – The episcopal ordination of two eminent sons of Don Bosco, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, titular archbishop of Ursona and rector major of the Salesians, and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, titular archbishop of Gradisca and president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) took place in the basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday afternoon.

Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, former apostolic nuncio to Italy and San Marino, conferred the episcopal ordinations, alongside 2 co-consecrators: Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, SDB, archbishop of Rabat, Morocco; and Bp. Luc Van Looy, SDB,  bishop emeritus of Ghent, Belgium.

Many prelates and important dignitaries participated in the  Eucharistic celebration along with the families of the newly consecrated Salesians, friends, benefactors, and members of the Salesian family, joined by special invitees from governments and the military.

In his simple and impactful homily, Cardinal Tscherrig, the principal consecrator, shared insights with the soon-to-be-ordained bishops, affirming, “We have gathered here to celebrate one of the greatest miracles of the Church: the apostolic succession. Since the time of the Apostles, this succession has been transmitted through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The grace of the episcopal ministry has always been passed from one bishop to another, and this unbroken succession continues to this day.”

Quoting Pope Francis, Cardinal Tscherrig stated, “Becoming a bishop implies a missionary choice capable of transforming everything.” He emphasized that those who accept the role of shepherds in Christ’s flock should learn to see people through the eyes of Christ, think like him, and love like him. Quoting Pope Francis once more, he affirmed, “Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life the most are those who leave the security of the shore and become excited about the mission of communicating life to others.” He concluded by stating that the bishop’s inheritance is not honor or power, but God alone. A good shepherd offers his life for the flock, following the example of Jesus Christ, and the newly consecrated bishops are called to emulate him completely.

Soon after the homily, the consecration ceremony commenced with the interrogation of the candidates, followed by the invocation to the Holy Spirit and the solemn intercession of the litany of all Saints, accompanied by the choir’s prayerful singing. As the consecrators performed the apostolic tradition of the imposition of hands, a sacred silence penetrated the magnificently adorned walls and roof of St. Mary Major. After being anointed and receiving their respective miters, rings, and staffs, the two newly consecrated bishops were symbolically enthroned, greeted by thunderous applause. The faithful, religious, clergy, and choir erupted in thanksgiving and joy, solemnly singing the “Te Deum.” The two newly ordained bishops proceeded to impart their apostolic blessings to all those present.

After Communion, Cardinal Fernandez, representing the new bishops, expressed his heartfelt gratitude with great enthusiasm in a Salesian spirit. He affirmed the strong communion of the Salesians with the Church and the Holy Father, which stems from Don Bosco, and with great humility and conviction declared that they will continue to serve the Church, especially the poor. The final solemn blessing by the presider of the Mass concluded the entire celebration, accompanied by the resonating voices singing a traditional hymn to Don Bosco, “Raise your voices…Don Bosco be with us!”

The sacred rites of the ordination within the Holy Eucharist bore witness to the universality of the Catholic Church. Apart from the general councilors, several provincials, and superiors from the Salesian Family from around the world, the solemn Mass had the presence and blessing of 11 cardinals, including Card. Tarcisio Bertone, SDB, former Vatican Secretary of State; Card. Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches; Card. Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy; Card. Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship; Card. Domenico Calcagno, president emeritus of APSA; Card. Giuseppe Bertello, president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State; Card Konrad Krajewski, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity; Card. Cristobal Lopez Romero, SDB, archbishop of Rabat; Card. Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet, SDB, archbishop of Montevideo, Uruguay; Card. Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB, archbishop emeritus of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Card. Riccardo Ezzati Andrello, SDB, archbishop emeritus of Santiago, Chile.

Homily for 4th Sunday of Easter

Homily for the
4th Sunday of Easter

April 21, 2024
John 10: 11-18
1 John 3: 1-2
Villa Maria, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx 

“Jesus said:  ‘I am the good shepherd’” (John 10: 11).

On Sept. 23, 2017, a priest from rural Oklahoma was beatified—declared by the Church to be Blessed, i.e., recognized as among the saints in heaven and as an intercessor for us at God’s throne.

The priest was Fr. Stanley Rother, a farm boy born in 1935, ordained for the archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 1963, who 5 years later volunteered for a rural mission among one of the native peoples of Guatemala.  He became part of a missionary team at St. James (Santiago) Parish in Atitlan, where there hadn’t been a resident priest in almost 100 years.  Besides celebrating Mass and the other sacraments for his impoverished people, he helped develop a written form of their language and translate the Bible.  He taught them agricultural skills and formed a farmers’ cooperative, built a school, hospital, and radio station, dug a well, did carpentry and plumbing and many other services to improve his people’s lives.  He hiked their dirt roads, ate their food, got his hands dirty.  That was long before Pope Francis told priests they should know the smell of their sheep.

Fr. Stanley also defended the people when their rights and livelihoods, and the Catholic Church itself, were threatened by an oppressive government amid a violent civil war.  People who spoke up were “disappeared,” tortured, and killed, including some of the parish’s catechists.  Fr. Stanley buried the victims when their families were afraid to claim them.  He spoke up.  Then his name went onto a death list.  By 1981 he was the last member of the missionary team left in Atitlan.

He said, “If I keep silent, what kind of a shepherd would I be?”  His archbishop in Oklahoma urged him to come back home.  He did for a couple of months.  But he said, “The shepherd cannot run at the 1st sign of danger.”  He returned to Atitlan, and days later, on July 28, 1981, was killed in his rectory.  He was 1 of 10 priests murdered in Guatemala that year.

Pope Francis declared Fr. Stanley Rother a martyr.  Now he’s Blessed Stanley, the shepherd who didn’t run, a shepherd who, like Jesus, knew his sheep, loved his sheep, and laid down his life for his sheep.

On Good Shepherd Sunday, we honor Christ because he died to save us from the wolves that want to devour us—Satan and his fiends from hell “who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls” (Prayer to St. Michael).  Christ, instead, leads us to safe, green pastures.

St. John teaches us that Christ, further, loves us so much that by association with him we become God’s children, not mere sheep; and we have a greater destiny, to be like God, “for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2).  And so we shall “share in the joys of heaven,” as our collect today says.

Bl. Stanley Rother was a brave shepherd like Jesus, solicitous for his flock in the face of danger.  Besides honoring Christ and Bl. Stanley as good shepherds, we might ask whom Christ expects us to shepherd.  Parents, of course, shepherd their children.  So do grandparents and teachers.  It takes courage to protect the young from the dangers of the world around us—not only physical dangers such as we might meet in the neighborhood, but especially the moral dangers of sin and the hundreds of lies that our culture promotes on the Internet, in advertising, in the mass media, and even—regrettably—in public education and in government policies.

We also act as shepherds by encouraging men and women to serve the Church, the flock of our Lord Jesus, as priests, sisters, brothers, deacons, catechists, teachers, visitors to the sick, the imprisoned, and refugees—or we might do that ourselves.  We act as shepherds when we pray “that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before” (Collect), i.e., that God’s entire flock may reach the well-watered meadows of heaven.

Finally, we pray that the shepherds of God’s flock—our bishops and priests—may be courageous protectors of the flock, speaking and acting to defend human life in all its forms and the human dignity of every person created in God’s image.

Anticipating Episcopal Ordination of Rector Major and of Bp. Piccinotti

 Anticipating the Episcopal Ordination of Card. Fernandez and Abp. Giordano Piccinotti

(ANS - Rome - April 17, 2024) - There's an air of great expectation thruout the Salesian world for the celebration of the Mass of the episcopal ordination of Card. Angel Fernandez Artime, the Rector Major, as titular archbishop of Ursona; and that of Abp. Giordano Piccinotti, titular archbishop of Gradisca, who is president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA). Their ordinations will take place on Saturday, April 20, in the basilica of St. Mary Major. Both prelates will concelebrate their 1st Mass as bishops the following day, Sunday, April 21, in the Salesian basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome at 11:30 a.m.

Their episcopal ordination ceremony inevitably draws significant attention and the desire to participate from numerous people worldwide. Many other distinguished ecclesiastical personalities will take part in the liturgy, starting with the principal consecrator of the 2 Salesians, Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, former apostolic nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, and the 2 co-consecrators, Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, SDB, archbishop of Rabat, Morocco; and Bp. Luc Van Looy, SDB, bishop emeritus of Ghent, Belgium.

In addition, Salesian Cardinals Daniel Sturla Berhouet, archbishop of Montevideo, Uruguay; Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, archbishop emeritus of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Riccardo Ezzati Andrello, archbishop emeritus of Santiago, Chile, have also confirmed their participation. There will also be members of the Salesian General Council and some of the major superiors and leaders of the different groups of the Salesian Family.

All those who will not be able to attend the episcopal ordination in person will be able to watch it the live streamed, via  the Salesian Info Agency (ANS) YouTube channel with commentary in 5 languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Homily for 3d Sunday of Easter

Homily for the
3d Sunday of Easter

April 14, 2024
Acts 3: 13-19
1 John 2: 1-5
Scouts NYLT, Putnam Valley (with slight adaptations)
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

“The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses” (Acts 3: 15).

Jesus appears to the Apostles
(Duccio di Buoninsegna)

St. Peter is addressing a crowd of people in the Temple right after he and St. John cured a crippled man.  He attributes the healing to the power of Jesus, risen from the dead.  But he speaks bluntly about not only Jesus’ resurrection but also about how Jesus died:  put to death by a decision of Pontius Pilate and the people of Jerusalem.  They chose to kill “the author of life,” the Son of God who shares with his Father in creating and sustaining the universe.  But God the Father raised him back to life and offers forgiveness to the sinful men and women responsible for his death.

Not only to those immediately responsible for killing Jesus, but also to those remotely responsible for Christ’s death.  That means everyone who has sinned.  It means you and me.  All of us who are sinners have contributed to Christ’s suffering and death.

But, St. John assures us, “He is expiation for our sins, and not only for our sins but for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).  Jesus Christ the righteous one (2:1) obtains forgiveness for repentant sinners:  “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away,” Peter urges the crowd in the Temple (Acts 3:19).

What does repentance mean?  1st, acknowledging our sinfulness; not only in a kind of general way, but in specifics.  How have I sinned against God and my brothers and sisters?  Perhaps by an arrogant attitude, by a controlling attitude, by lying, by cheating, by taking what isn’t mine, by lusting for someone, by resentment or vengeance, by gossip, by laziness, by greed.

2d, repentance means changing that bad behavior:  “The way we may be sure that we know [Jesus Christ] is to keep his commandments.  Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him” (1 John 2:3,5).

When we keep the commandments we are witnesses to Jesus Christ, the risen one who forgives our sins and redeems the world.  St. Peter told the crowd that he and St. John were witnesses of the resurrection.  Jesus himself told all the apostles the same thing:  “It is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the 3d day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-49).

They were witnesses that the same Jesus who died on the cross—“Look at my hands and my feet” (24:39) that were pierced by Roman nails; the same Jesus condemned by Pontius Pilate, the historical governor of Judea from 26 to 36 A.D.—this Jesus has been raised from the dead by the power of God; this Jesus now lives forever and saves us from our sins.  The Catholic Church continues to bear witness to this faith of the apostles, the eyewitnesses; this is the apostolic faith handed down to us.  You and I are charged, by the fact of our Baptism, to be witnesses that Jesus Christ lives, forgives our sins, and leads us “in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection,” as we prayed in the collect—the day of our own resurrection.  “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” (Creed).

Homily for Funeral of Eufronia Maranan

Homily for the Funeral of Eufronia Maranan

April 12, 2024
Rev 21: 1-7
Phil 3: 20-21
St. Anthony, Nanuet, N.Y.

“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race” (Rev 21: 3).

The Annunciation
(St. Catharine's Church, Spring Lake, N.J.)

Last Monday, the Church celebrated the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord—the Son of God’s incarnation as a human being.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  God came to dwell with the human race in our flesh and blood.  “He shared our human nature in all things but sin” (Euch. Pr. IV).

The feast of the Annunciation followed right after our celebration of Easter, the celebration of our Lord’s victory over death.  The Lord who dwells with the human race and makes us his people wants to remain with us always as our God still living in our flesh (Rev 21:3).

Our Lord Jesus, risen, has defeated suffering and death for us.  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning” (21:4), for he has defeated death for all who believe in him and follow him.  “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body” (Phil 3:21), and so we shall live with Christ forever as citizens of heaven (3:20), his own people, his own sisters and brothers in fact.

Lala believed all this, and so she served Jesus all her life in prayer, in love for her family, in teaching the young to be honest citizens here and faithful Christians, in raising [daughter’s name] and [granddaughter’s name] in the faith and in virtue.  Her heart burned within her when she heard God’s word (cf. Luke 24:32), when she conversed with our Lord and our Blessed Mother in prayer, and when she recognized Jesus in the Eucharist (24:35) every week.  Her union with the glorified body of our Lord in this Blessed Sacrament prepared her for resurrection with him on the Last Day.

On that Last Day, all of us who have followed Jesus to “the holy city, a new Jerusalem” (Rev 21:2), will dwell with him, victors over death.  We’re filled with hope and with Easter joy for Lala and for our own destiny, thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Global Vision for Salesian Missionary Volunteer Ministry

A Global Vision for Salesian Missionary Volunteer Ministry

(ANS – Rome – April 10, 2024) – In an inspiring display of collaboration and shared vision, the Salesian Congregation’s Youth Ministry and Missions departments have united to foster a robust and dynamic Salesian missionary volunteer program. This groundbreaking initiative traces its origins to the innovative proposal by 3 dedicated lay individuals who envisioned a unified effort at the congregational level to promote the spirit of Salesian missionary work.

The proposal resonated with the hearts and minds of both departments, leading to the formation of an official advisory team, a blend of laymen and women and of Salesians. The team was tasked with nurturing and expanding the reach of Salesian missionary volunteering. The team’s composition, with members from the USA, Australia, Zambia, Colombia, Italy, and Czechia, is a testament to the global nature of the Salesian mission.

The team comprises four committed laypeople, including two provincial delegates for mission animation from the USA (J.C. Montenegro, 2d from right)and Australia, a volunteer coordinator from the U.S. mission office (Adam Rudin, far right), and another serving in Rome’s mission department. Their dedication is matched by 3 Salesians from Don Bosco’s family: one from the Youth Ministry Department, another from the Missions Department, and a 3d who is a provincial delegate for youth ministry in Zambia. This international team reflects the Salesian charism’s universal appeal, supported by the guidance and blessings of councilors from both departments.

4 years have passed since the seed was planted, and the team’s first challenge was to develop a strong working relationship and gain a deep understanding of the state of Salesian missionary volunteer programs in the Congregation. Their dedication bore fruit 2 years into their journey by creating a strategic plan, setting the stage for a series of ambitious goals, including an international gathering of the Congregation’s main volunteer coordinators. This milestone was achieved in early March this year, marking a significant step forward in their collaborative efforts.

This initiative’s success is a testament to the synergy between the Youth Ministry and the Missions departments and a shining example of the powerful collaboration between laity and religious within the Salesian Family. It underscores the vital role that laypeople play in advancing the Salesian mission and the unique contributions they make.

As Salesian missionary volunteering continues to evolve, it stands as a hope and an exemplary partnership model that transcends borders, cultures, and vocations. This effort clearly reflects Don Bosco’s dream to mobilize a vast movement of individuals committed to serving youth, particularly those most in need, through the Gospel’s loving message.

The collaboration between these 2 departments and the harmonious integration of lay and religious members are blueprints for other congregations and organizations. They demonstrate that remarkable outcomes are possible when diverse groups unite under a common goal, particularly in the service of the young and marginalized. As this team continues to pave the way for future Salesian missionary volunteers, their pioneering spirit will undoubtedly inspire many more to join this noble cause, perpetuating Don Bosco’s legacy through the transformative power of volunteer service.

Homily for Thursday, Week 2 of Easter, & St. Stanislaus

Homily for Thursday
2d Week of Easter
Memorial of St. Stanislaus

April 11, 2019
John 3: 31-36
Acts 5: 27-33
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

by Bernini, St. Peter's Basilica

“God does not ration his gift of the Spirit,” Jesus told Nicodemus (John 3:34).  He bestowed that gift in such abundance on the apostles that they became fearless preachers of the resurrection and glorification of Jesus, of “repentance and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).  Peter invoked the guidance of the Spirit in their preaching and in their defense before the high priest and the council of elders, the very men who’d condemned Jesus:  “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (5:32).

The power of the Holy Spirit also guided St. Stanislaus in his defense of public morality, of the sanctity of marriage, of the human rights and dignity of the Polish people against the abuses of their king.  The Spirit-led courage of Bp. Stanislaus cost him his life but has inspired the Polish people for 945 years since in their love for their faith and their resistance to countless oppressors.

St. Stanislaus

Last Monday the Church published a relatively short defense of human dignity against the numerous ways in which it’s assaulted nowadays, often in ways deemed politically correct:  by the obvious oppressions of war, human trafficking, degrading poverty, environmental destruction, and capital punishment but also by abortion, gender ideology, surrogacy, and IVF.  In the face of repressive governments and so many public voices, the Church still cries out, “We must obey God rather than men” (5:29).  We must continue to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus and the life he extends to every child of God, led by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

More 2024-2025 Pastoral Assignments

More 2024-2025 Pastoral Assignments

A letter published by Fr. Dominic Tran, provincial, on April 9, dated the solemnity of the Annunciation (April 8), announced almost 2 dozen assignments for the coming pastoral year.

Fr. Suarez

The responsibilities of most interest probably are those of 3 pastors or parish admininistrators.  The new pastor of St. John Bosco-St. James Parish in Chicago will be Fr. Miguel Suarez, pending the approval of Card. Cupich.  Until now Fr. Miguel has been pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Orange, N.J.

Fr. Dieunel Victor, in turn, has been appointed administrator of OL of the Valley, pending the approval of Card. Tobin.  Till now he's been parochial vicar at St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester, N.Y.

In Port Chester, Fr. Tarcisio Dos Santos, currently parochial vicar, will become administrator in place of the outgoing pastor, Fr. Pat Angelucci.

Fr. Victor

There was one more appointment of director:  Fr. John Serio has been named director of Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa, succeeding Fr. Franco Pinto.

Fr. Franco, already vice provincial, will move to the provincial residence in New Rochelle.  So will Fr. Rich Alejunas, outgoing pastor in Chicago; he's already province treasurer.  Both confreres are ex-officio members of the provincial council.  Fr. Franco has also been appointed the province delegate for youth ministry, putting him in charge of that 5-person staff.

Also moving to New Rochelle will be Bro. Rafael Vargas, newly named associate director of vocation ministry.  He'll work with vocation director Fr. Steve DeMaio.  They're 2 of the 5 members of the YM staff (besides Fr. Franco).

Bro. Vargas

The 2 U.S. provinces, New Rochelle and San Francisco, anticipate a novitiate program in Richmond, Calif., next year.  Fr. Joseph Nguyen is expected to resume the office of master of novices.  He'll be assisted by Bro. Tom Dion, currently coordinator of the prenovitate program in Ramsey, N.J.

Fr. Tim Ploch, outgoing director of the New Rochelle community (provincial offices, Salesian HS, and Salesian Missions), has been designated a parochial vicar in Chicago.  His Spanish-language skill will be put to very good use there, along with his pastoral sensitivities.

Fr. Dominic also announced the merger of the 2 Salesian parishes in Harvey, La., as part of an archdiocesan reorganization.  St. John Bosco and St. Rosalie parishes will become Mary Help of Christians Parish.  Frs. Mark Hyde and George Hanna will continue to serve there as pastor and parochial vicar.

Homily for Tuesday, Week 2 of Easter

Homily for Tuesday
2d Week of Easter

April 9, 2024
Acts 4: 32-37
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Students from the Salesian College in Saragossa, Spain,
form a large heart full of joy and happiness. (ANS)

“The community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4: 32).

Luke twice gives us a picture of an idealized Church (cf. 2:42-47).  Probably all of us recognize that it’s an ideal.  In fact, in the next chapter comes the story of less-than-ideal Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11), which our lectionary passes over.  Those 2, as well as a much later falling-out between Paul and Barnabas (15:36-39), demonstrate well enuf that the internal life of the early Church was no more ideal than it is in our day.

In today’s Scripture reflection from America Media, blogger-columnist Simcha Fisher takes on the discrepancy between the ideal and reality, specifically referencing Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.  (I’ve been reading her for a long time; she’s good.)  She asks:  “What was really happening? Was the early church actually as holy and pure and single-minded as Luke describes it, or was it a pack of weasels and backsliders and hypocrites, as Paul often seems to believe? Did it start out good and then go bad immediately? Or were the glorious early accounts written by people so naïve and blinded by optimism that they didn’t see what people were really like? Neither explanation is especially gratifying.”

Still, Luke’s ideal is something to aim at.  We religious propose that same ideal for our communities.  Insofar as we approximate the ideal, we provide a living and life-giving example to the entire Church:  this is what it means to be disciples of Jesus, to be united in heart and mind with him.  And we do our best to sing, or at least hum, in complete harmony with Jesus and with our brothers.

Homily for 2d Sunday of Easter

Homily for the
2d Sunday of Easter

April 7, 2024
John 20: 19-31
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit…’” (John 20: 22).

(By Kueshardt)

The 1st part of this morning’s gospel is St. John’s version of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ followers, i.e., upon the Church.  It’s a lot less dramatic than St. Luke’s version in the Acts of the Apostles.  That version, which we read every year on Pentecost, reports a strong wind, tongues of fire, and the apostles’ compulsion immediately to leave the upper room where they’ve been hiding and to begin preaching the resurrection.

St. John’s plainer story more effectively shows the Church’s purpose:  to bring to people Jesus’ salvation thru the forgiveness of sins.  The Church is created by the gift of the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus’ work, to reunite men and women with God thru forgiveness and mercy.  Jesus explicitly grants his followers his own power to forgive the sins of anyone who repents of them, and to hold back forgiveness from the unrepentant.

Since the time of St. John Paul II, the Church has designated the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.  In the prayer of the day (the collect), we address God as “God of everlasting mercy,” the God who has made us his own people by washing us clean of sin in the waters of Baptism and giving us a spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit was lavished upon us when we were baptized and again at Confirmation.  The Spirit, moreover, descends upon our gifts of bread and wine and transforms them into the Body and Blood of our Savior.  At Mass we pray, “By the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries” (EP III).  Every day, at every Mass, God breathes forth his Spirit to bestow his love and his grace upon us.

In our gospel passage, Christ’s gift of the Spirit was most directly connected with the forgiveness of our sins.  No matter what sins we’ve committed, no matter how grave they might be, Jesus wants to forgive them, wants to lavish his mercy upon us.  After the sacrament of Baptism, he does that thru the sacrament of Reconciliation—thru confession.  What a beautiful sacrament!  We bring our spiritual weakness, our fragility, our failures to our Lord Jesus thru his priestly minister—the minister to whom Jesus has said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.”  It’s the Spirit of Jesus himself who forgives as the priest gives absolution:  “God, the Father of mercies, thru the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins; thru the ministry of the Church, may God grant you pardon and peace.  And I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Why wouldn’t we want the gift of that forgiveness, that divine mercy, often?