By Andre Frossard, from documentary film Divine Paths of the Earth
I never met Msgr. Escriva.
I only knew him by hearsay, from what people in Opus Dei told me.
Then I saw the film of a gathering with Msgr. Escriva. He was walking up and down, and there was a huge number of people of all ages: children and their parents, men, women, old people.
And what surprised me especially was the sort of euphoric feeling in the room. I mean you could see the radiant faces of people who were clearly happy to be there, to be gathered around that man. And he looked just like the father of many children who didn’t often get the chance to see him, and were taking advantage of that gathering to bring up all sorts of little personal problems. The questions really were not that important: it was the spirit they were asked in.
I could see that Msgr. Escriva had a special gift of discerning people, through charity. The love he had for them, visibly, shone light for him on their personal case, so that the answers he gave to their questions in public, touched on their small inner problems, their inmost problems of conscience, you could see that.
Generally speaking, when someone asks a question at a large gathering, it gives rise to some general considerations. But there, there was an answer which was helpful for everyone there, but also a little something that was addressed directly to the questioner.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Women of Opus Dei: In Their Own Words
By Publisher's Weekly in Amazon.com
The Catholic group Opus Dei (Latin for work of God) emerges in this compact collection of essays and interviews as an entity that gives its female members a deep sense of purpose amid ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. Whether they are stay-at-home mothers or professionals in academia and business, these women tell of lives changed by their faith and what they commonly refer to as the Work.
Opus Dei members, according to founder St. Josemaría Escrivá, aspire to be contemplative souls in the midst of the world who try to convert their work into prayer. They do this through offering their work to Christ and following a spiritual regimen of daily prayer and regular theological development programs.
Excerpts from Escrivá's writings and an explanation of the group's structure help fill out the selected narratives. Readers looking for the kind of intrigue found in The Da Vinci Code's treatment of this group won't find it here, but they will get an honest appraisal from women who know Opus Dei from the inside out.
Other Comments in Amazon:
By LEE: I almost didn't finish this book. I had gotten close to the end and then was distracted by another project. Last night I couldn't sleep, so I picked it up as easy reading to try to lull myself back to sleep, thinking, well, now's a good time to finish this book. My God, I'm glad I did.
Kudos to the editors for including Margaret Kalb's Changing Diapers for God. I was downstairs at 3:30 AM this morning laughing my head off! There are many inspiring stories of diverse and unique women that really make you think, but in my opinion, Margaret's takes the cake. Specifically, I think she best describes the fact that heroism is not found in always being perfect and doing everything perfectly like many moms and wives think. Instead, heroism is found in always "beginning again." Thanks Margaret for sharing your sincerity and charm.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Price, and the Hurt, of Discipleship
By Richard John Neuhaus in his book Appointment in Rome: The Church in America Awakening, an account of the Synod of America of 1999.
As has happened in earlier centuries, new movements arise to challenge what they view as the stultifying of the call to radical Christian discipleship. Also as in earlier centuries, such movements stir controversy. Opus Dei in particular, but by no means alone, is the object of regular attack in books and articles. There is a whole genre of literature generated by people who claim to have been connected to these movements and then for one reason or another, to become bitterly disillusioned. Some of this literature is sober criticism, and some of it comparable to classic anti-Catholic polemics such as Maria Monk’s Awful Disclosures of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal, first published in 1836 and still being reprinted today.
There no surprise in the fact that some people have been hurt and disillusioned-in part because movements that demand radical commitment attract also the psychologically and spiritually unstable; in part because the failure to meet the standards set by the community can be grievous disappointment; in part because members and leaders of renewal movements, like all of us, are sinners and sometimes treat people shabbily.
Opus Dei and other groups are frequently accused of being, interalia, authoritarian, sexist secretive, and elite. Judged by the dominant standards of a largely secularized culture, they are beyond reasonable doubt guilty as charge. A society that cannot distinguish between authoritarianism and the acknowledgment of what is authoritative is scandalized by people who understand the whole of their lives in terms of obedience to the lordship of Christ in accord with the rules of a community of obedience. The recognition of difference and complementarily between male and female is likewise deeply offensive to prevailing cultural canons. And there is almost unavoidably a tone of secretiveness that attends a powerful group identity, a sense of belonging to “us” as distinct from “them” – a sense greatly intensified by the hostility of “them.” As of elitism, what is the point of paying such a steep to belong to a group unless one believes it is the best?
All that being said, I am impressed that those whom I know in these movements are, for the most part, keenly aware of the conventional criticisms and are eager to counter them. Against the charge of authoritarianism, they accent the freedom of life in response to commanding truth. From being sexist, they strive to demonstrate mutual respect between men and women who know they are wondrously different. Against secretiveness, they enjoin upon the members an openness and invitational eagerness to share what they have found. Against elitism, they espouse a humility that underscores the truth that, whatever they have found and whatever they have achieved, it is the grace of God from the beginning to end. They seek, they survive, they enjoin, they espouse, and they often fail. It is a wonder that anybody should be surprise at that.
In some cases, there is the undeniable hurt felt by parents and families; in others, inexpressible gratitude that sons or daughters have found the purpose for which they were born. As a priest, I have encountered both reactions. For families, and especially for parents, there is a painful “letting go” of someone who has been claimed by greater devotion, much as Mary proved her discipleship in releasing Jesus to his mission. In what are called the culture wars of our time, Christians frequently declare themselves to be “pro-family”, but true Christianity sharply relativizes the natural bond of the family. The gospels are replete with the invitations of Jesus to leave all and follow him. “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and land, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29 – 30).
“With persecutions” is a nice touch. Through the centuries there has also been family resistance to those who respond to the call to radical discipleship. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Ignatius of Loyola, and innumerable others had to overcome the vigorous opposition of their families. Youthful passion is perceived as madness, and zeal of a vision of what might be possible is derided as fanaticism. Not for nothing are so many movements of renewal built around young people; not for nothing did Jesus say we must become as little children, or end up living and partly living lives that have displaced the possible with the practical. Movements that do not demand do not attract; movements that are incapable of scandalizing are incapable of renewing. They become, as Jesus said, salt that has lost its savor, good for nothing.
And I think again of Ratzinger’s words in Salt of the Earth:
As has happened in earlier centuries, new movements arise to challenge what they view as the stultifying of the call to radical Christian discipleship. Also as in earlier centuries, such movements stir controversy. Opus Dei in particular, but by no means alone, is the object of regular attack in books and articles. There is a whole genre of literature generated by people who claim to have been connected to these movements and then for one reason or another, to become bitterly disillusioned. Some of this literature is sober criticism, and some of it comparable to classic anti-Catholic polemics such as Maria Monk’s Awful Disclosures of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal, first published in 1836 and still being reprinted today.
There no surprise in the fact that some people have been hurt and disillusioned-in part because movements that demand radical commitment attract also the psychologically and spiritually unstable; in part because the failure to meet the standards set by the community can be grievous disappointment; in part because members and leaders of renewal movements, like all of us, are sinners and sometimes treat people shabbily.
Opus Dei and other groups are frequently accused of being, interalia, authoritarian, sexist secretive, and elite. Judged by the dominant standards of a largely secularized culture, they are beyond reasonable doubt guilty as charge. A society that cannot distinguish between authoritarianism and the acknowledgment of what is authoritative is scandalized by people who understand the whole of their lives in terms of obedience to the lordship of Christ in accord with the rules of a community of obedience. The recognition of difference and complementarily between male and female is likewise deeply offensive to prevailing cultural canons. And there is almost unavoidably a tone of secretiveness that attends a powerful group identity, a sense of belonging to “us” as distinct from “them” – a sense greatly intensified by the hostility of “them.” As of elitism, what is the point of paying such a steep to belong to a group unless one believes it is the best?
All that being said, I am impressed that those whom I know in these movements are, for the most part, keenly aware of the conventional criticisms and are eager to counter them. Against the charge of authoritarianism, they accent the freedom of life in response to commanding truth. From being sexist, they strive to demonstrate mutual respect between men and women who know they are wondrously different. Against secretiveness, they enjoin upon the members an openness and invitational eagerness to share what they have found. Against elitism, they espouse a humility that underscores the truth that, whatever they have found and whatever they have achieved, it is the grace of God from the beginning to end. They seek, they survive, they enjoin, they espouse, and they often fail. It is a wonder that anybody should be surprise at that.
In some cases, there is the undeniable hurt felt by parents and families; in others, inexpressible gratitude that sons or daughters have found the purpose for which they were born. As a priest, I have encountered both reactions. For families, and especially for parents, there is a painful “letting go” of someone who has been claimed by greater devotion, much as Mary proved her discipleship in releasing Jesus to his mission. In what are called the culture wars of our time, Christians frequently declare themselves to be “pro-family”, but true Christianity sharply relativizes the natural bond of the family. The gospels are replete with the invitations of Jesus to leave all and follow him. “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and land, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29 – 30).
“With persecutions” is a nice touch. Through the centuries there has also been family resistance to those who respond to the call to radical discipleship. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Ignatius of Loyola, and innumerable others had to overcome the vigorous opposition of their families. Youthful passion is perceived as madness, and zeal of a vision of what might be possible is derided as fanaticism. Not for nothing are so many movements of renewal built around young people; not for nothing did Jesus say we must become as little children, or end up living and partly living lives that have displaced the possible with the practical. Movements that do not demand do not attract; movements that are incapable of scandalizing are incapable of renewing. They become, as Jesus said, salt that has lost its savor, good for nothing.
And I think again of Ratzinger’s words in Salt of the Earth:
In our time the reforms will definitely not come from forums and synods, though these have their legitimacy, sometimes even their necessity. Reforms will come from convincing personalities whom we may call saints... If society in its totality is no longer a Christian environment, just as it was not in the first four or five centuries, the Church herself must form cells in which mutual support and a common journey, and thus the great vital milieu of the Church in miniature, can be experienced and put into practice.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Placing ourself in the scene
By Dave Miller in Dave's Books. Dave Miller is a software developer.
I've been reading more in this book about a basic plan for growth in the spiritual life. Boylan lays out three basic needs: reading, reflection, and prayer.
Reading is to learn more about our Lord and Savior; when we love someone, we want to know more about them, and we love our Lord more than our own lives! Plus, there is so much sentimental and malicious distortion of His life and teachings that it takes some time to root out our built-in misconceptions and replace them with the wonderful truth. Reading should be done every day, at least ten to fifteen minutes worth. We should read carefully, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection is to prayerfully consider what we have read, to turn it over in our minds, discuss it with Our Lord, and drive it deep into our subconscious. Reflection is how we root out the misconceptions and lies I mentioned above, and plant the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Prayer is conversation with God, recalling Him to our mind and placing ourselves in His presence. We should get used to talking with Him from time to time throughout the day, and practice being aware of His presence. The phrase I use is "practicing the presence of God"; taking a few moments to become of aware of Him and recall Him to my mind.
All of these are closely intertwined. Reading can be a form of prayer, and many people mix in reflection during their prayer time. All three of them combined into a daily practice will have a singular effect: to make us Christ-centered, to put Him at the center of lives and thoughts. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, used to say that we should be able to close our eyes and mentally play back scenes from our Savior's life, placing ourself in the scene. I often picture myself in the crowd when Christ was passing by. Reading, reflection, and prayer is what allows us to bury such scenes and images so deep into our souls that we can close our eyes at any time and find ourselves crying out for Jesus, like the tax collector that climbed the sycamore tree to see Him.
I've been reading more in this book about a basic plan for growth in the spiritual life. Boylan lays out three basic needs: reading, reflection, and prayer.
Reading is to learn more about our Lord and Savior; when we love someone, we want to know more about them, and we love our Lord more than our own lives! Plus, there is so much sentimental and malicious distortion of His life and teachings that it takes some time to root out our built-in misconceptions and replace them with the wonderful truth. Reading should be done every day, at least ten to fifteen minutes worth. We should read carefully, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection is to prayerfully consider what we have read, to turn it over in our minds, discuss it with Our Lord, and drive it deep into our subconscious. Reflection is how we root out the misconceptions and lies I mentioned above, and plant the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Prayer is conversation with God, recalling Him to our mind and placing ourselves in His presence. We should get used to talking with Him from time to time throughout the day, and practice being aware of His presence. The phrase I use is "practicing the presence of God"; taking a few moments to become of aware of Him and recall Him to my mind.
All of these are closely intertwined. Reading can be a form of prayer, and many people mix in reflection during their prayer time. All three of them combined into a daily practice will have a singular effect: to make us Christ-centered, to put Him at the center of lives and thoughts. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, used to say that we should be able to close our eyes and mentally play back scenes from our Savior's life, placing ourself in the scene. I often picture myself in the crowd when Christ was passing by. Reading, reflection, and prayer is what allows us to bury such scenes and images so deep into our souls that we can close our eyes at any time and find ourselves crying out for Jesus, like the tax collector that climbed the sycamore tree to see Him.
Monday, May 4, 2009
St. Joseph the Worker
By Ron and Lou in Contemplations. They are both from Regnum Christi.
This is a great preface I found on Universalis.com about today's feast of St Joseph. Christ has sanctified our work, just as he has sanctified the waters of Baptism as long as it is done in the name of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today we celebrate the feast of St Joseph the Worker, step-father and guardian of our Lord and the chaste husband of the Virgin Mary. We celebrate the worker, offering the work of his hands to God. No matter what we do, whether cook or carpenter, banker or baker, if we offer our work to God, He will sanctify it. We can all strive for sainthood in our work day.
I have long admired St Josemaria Escriva and his life's passion Opus Dei (The Work of God). I have included a message from the Prelate at the end of this post.
The feast of Saint Joseph the Worker is not a mere Catholic copying of the Communist First of May – any more than Christmas is a mere copy of the pagan feast of Saturnalia.
The Christian view of work is diametrically opposed to the materialist view. A worker such as St Joseph is not a mere lump of labour – “1.00 human work units.” He is a person. He is created in God’s own image, and just as creation is an activity of God, so creation is an activity of the worker. The work we do echoes the glorious work that God has done. It may not be wasted; or abused; or improperly paid; or directed to wrong or pointless ends. To do any of these things is not oppression, it is sacrilege. The glory of the present economic system is when it gives so many, of whatever class, the chance to build and create something worthwhile, whether from their own resources, or in collaboration with others, or by attracting investment from others. But its shame is when that does not happen: when people are coerced, by greed or by poverty, into being “lumps of labour.” Whether the labour is arduous or not makes no difference; whether it is richly paid or not makes no difference.
Because she must combat the anti-humanist Communist heresy the Church is sometimes thought to be on the side of capital. Reading the successive Papal encyclicals on labour and society, from Rerum Novarum (1891) onwards, will soon dispel that illusion. The enemies of the Church have no reason to read them; all too often we feel too comfortable in our present economic state and refrain from reading them also.
MESSAGE OF THE DAY - From Opus Dei
“Your human vocation is a part of your divine vocation”
As Jesus, who is our Lord and Model, grows in and lives as one of us, he reveals to us that human life - your life - and its humdrum, ordinary business, have a meaning which is divine, which belongs to eternity. (The Forge, 688)
Christian faith and calling affect our whole existence, not just a part of it. Our relations with God necessarily demand giving ourselves, giving ourselves completely. The man of faith sees life, in all its dimensions, from a new perspective: that which is given us by God.
You, who celebrate with me today this feast of St Joseph, are men who work in different human professions; you have your own homes, you belong to so many different countries and have different languages. You have been educated in lecture halls or in factories and offices. You have worked in your profession for years, established professional and personal friendships with your colleagues, helped to solve the problems of your companies and your communities.
Well then: I remind you once again that all this is not foreign to God’s plan. Your human vocation is a part — and an important part — of your divine vocation. That is the reason why you must strive for holiness, giving a particular character to your human personality, a style to your life; contributing at the same time to the sanctification of others, your fellow men; sanctifying your work and your environment: the profession or job that fills your day, your home and family and the country where you were born and which you love. (Christ is passing by, 46)
This is a great preface I found on Universalis.com about today's feast of St Joseph. Christ has sanctified our work, just as he has sanctified the waters of Baptism as long as it is done in the name of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today we celebrate the feast of St Joseph the Worker, step-father and guardian of our Lord and the chaste husband of the Virgin Mary. We celebrate the worker, offering the work of his hands to God. No matter what we do, whether cook or carpenter, banker or baker, if we offer our work to God, He will sanctify it. We can all strive for sainthood in our work day.
I have long admired St Josemaria Escriva and his life's passion Opus Dei (The Work of God). I have included a message from the Prelate at the end of this post.
The feast of Saint Joseph the Worker is not a mere Catholic copying of the Communist First of May – any more than Christmas is a mere copy of the pagan feast of Saturnalia.
The Christian view of work is diametrically opposed to the materialist view. A worker such as St Joseph is not a mere lump of labour – “1.00 human work units.” He is a person. He is created in God’s own image, and just as creation is an activity of God, so creation is an activity of the worker. The work we do echoes the glorious work that God has done. It may not be wasted; or abused; or improperly paid; or directed to wrong or pointless ends. To do any of these things is not oppression, it is sacrilege. The glory of the present economic system is when it gives so many, of whatever class, the chance to build and create something worthwhile, whether from their own resources, or in collaboration with others, or by attracting investment from others. But its shame is when that does not happen: when people are coerced, by greed or by poverty, into being “lumps of labour.” Whether the labour is arduous or not makes no difference; whether it is richly paid or not makes no difference.
Because she must combat the anti-humanist Communist heresy the Church is sometimes thought to be on the side of capital. Reading the successive Papal encyclicals on labour and society, from Rerum Novarum (1891) onwards, will soon dispel that illusion. The enemies of the Church have no reason to read them; all too often we feel too comfortable in our present economic state and refrain from reading them also.
MESSAGE OF THE DAY - From Opus Dei
“Your human vocation is a part of your divine vocation”
As Jesus, who is our Lord and Model, grows in and lives as one of us, he reveals to us that human life - your life - and its humdrum, ordinary business, have a meaning which is divine, which belongs to eternity. (The Forge, 688)
Christian faith and calling affect our whole existence, not just a part of it. Our relations with God necessarily demand giving ourselves, giving ourselves completely. The man of faith sees life, in all its dimensions, from a new perspective: that which is given us by God.
You, who celebrate with me today this feast of St Joseph, are men who work in different human professions; you have your own homes, you belong to so many different countries and have different languages. You have been educated in lecture halls or in factories and offices. You have worked in your profession for years, established professional and personal friendships with your colleagues, helped to solve the problems of your companies and your communities.
Well then: I remind you once again that all this is not foreign to God’s plan. Your human vocation is a part — and an important part — of your divine vocation. That is the reason why you must strive for holiness, giving a particular character to your human personality, a style to your life; contributing at the same time to the sanctification of others, your fellow men; sanctifying your work and your environment: the profession or job that fills your day, your home and family and the country where you were born and which you love. (Christ is passing by, 46)
Sofia in Spain
By Sofia in Sofia in Spain!
We left Pamplona for Rome on the 3rd of April and as the bus pulled out of the parking lot we prepared ourselves for a 24-hour trip on the bus. I was part of the Larrabide group, we were ten: me, Larri, ShanShan, Marina, Emilia, Patri, Isabel, Elisa, Teresa and Clara. But we were part of a much larger group, which was composed of practically all the women in the University of Navarra (and from Pamplona) that were going to Rome.
We started the trip off with a prayer, of course, and then passed around some gummies. Bad idea; I ate too much and spent the next two hours with a stomach-ache. Fortunately, we stopped soon after that at a gas station in the border of France.
The trip went smoothly from there. We watched a film, I read a little, and stopped a few hours later for dinner. We watched another film afterwards but I fell asleep in the middle. When I woke up we were in Italy already! The hours passed by and the journey didn’t feel too tiring. We stopped one last time at another gas station for lunch. We arrived at our lodging a little after five. It was really one day of travelling!
The place that we were staying in was on the east of Rome, way opposite the Vatican. The buses that took us here stayed with us the whole time though. They brought us to the Vatican in the morning and back home in the evening. We had bought a one-week metro ticket so we could use the metro, bus, and tram throughout the day, throughout the week.
The UNIV
We were in Rome as UNIV participants. “UNIV is an international gathering of university students, which since 1968 the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU) sponsors in Rome. Each year, several thousand students spend Holy Week in Rome, profiting from the cultural and historical riches that the Eternal City has to offer. “
The congress itself is only two days and deals with matters relevant to the university. This year’s theme was “Universitas: Knowledge Without Limits.” We attended the congress on Wednesday, and it was interesting enough. Various students gave presentations on the University’s role in a pluralistic society. Marina and her friend, Marta, were chosen (beforehand) to do a presentation on an analysis of the ‘Rosa Blanca.’ Theirs was really good, and not being biased, the best. Aside from the congress, UNIV also provides us with an opportunity to see Rome and explore the pathways of Church history. So for the rest of the week, we were able to visit Churches, tour Rome, attend the masses in the Vatican, etc.
”The first UNIV encounters began thanks to the initiative and impulse of St. Josemaría (founder of Opus Dei). For the past four decades, scores of students and professors have expanded their cultural horizons through their contact with the international environment present in the heart of Christianity and thanks to the special audiences granted by Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI to the Univ participants.”
Opus Dei Gatherings
On Monday and Friday we were able to attend two ‘get-togethers’ with the Padre or Father of Opus Dei. He is the Bishop who is the head of the Opus Dei. It was a very casual talk and he imparted on me many enlightening things. Before the end of each talk, five pre-decided women were able to personally ask a question to the Father. (Due to Opus Dei practices, the get-togethers are separate for men and women.) They shared a short something on their lives and then asked their question. The Father then answered their question, but the audience was also able to take something from it. Though I am not a member of the Opus Dei, I was able to take something from these meetings, including a better understanding of this group.
In celebration of Holy Week
On Palm Sunday morning (which was also World Youth Day) we headed to St. Peter’s Square to attend mass. We weren’t able to get seats, but we were okay. The mass lasted until about twelve.
On Thursday we had mass, not at the Vatican, but at another church organized by the UNIV. After the mass we had pizza for dinner which we ate by the steps of a fountain in Piazza del Popolo. Afterwards we started our Visita Iglesia, the Christian tradition of visiting seven churches to worship Christ. It was a very beautiful night, and I actually enjoyed walking through the streets more at this time of the day.
On Good Friday, we first went to the Scala Santa (Holy Staircase). These steps are traditionally the steps Christ walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate, and could only be ascended on the knees! These marble steps, which are now covered with wood to protect them, were brought to Rome by Saint Helena (mother of the Emperor Constantine) who dedicated her life to collecting relics from the Passion of Christ. It was a tough climb and I prayed the rosary with Patri and ShanShan while climbing up. For the evening we were able to get tickets for the mass inside the Basilica. This mass was kind of new to me, because I couldn’t remember this mass at all.
We didn’t do anything on Saturday afternoon so as not too tire ourselves out before the Easter Vigil. For the Easter Vigil we were again able to get tickets for the mass inside the Basilica. When the mass started, the lights of the church were turned off, save a few backlights from behind the statues. And during the Gloria part, when all the lights came on, it was beautiful. The celebration was really nice though I’ll admit I got sleepy during the Pope’s thirty-minute homily!
We were busy packing on Sunday afternoon so we attended mass at our lodging instead. Before we left for Pamplona, we passed by St. Peter’s Square to receive the final blessing from the Pope. As he ended, the Pope greeted Happy Easter to the people in many different languages including Tagalog; “Maligayang pagkabuhay ni Kristo!”
Audiences with the Pope
We had two audiences with the Pope. The first one we had was on Monday and was exclusively for the Spanish people, mainly because of the group from Madrid that was picking up the Cross for the World Youth Day which will next be held in Madrid in 2011. We arrived outside the gates at nine where we squeezed our way near the front and waited for nearly an hour. The security came at ten, and we were let in. There was a lot of running at this point, with the guards telling us to ‘Please, slow down!’ We would slow down our pace at their words but then start running again the moment we passed them. We made it inside the building and were able to get decent seats a few rows from the font. Once everyone had saved their seats with their bags, there was a rush to stand near the barriers of the aisle, in hopes of touching Pope Benedict’s hand as He passed. It was more long waiting, and as more Spanish people came, the atmosphere got more festive. There were musical chants, cheers and songs. After, well a very long time, one of the Bishops on the stage took the mike and announced that the Spanish people were rude and to return to our seats because the Pope would not pass by the aisle, except in nicer and longer words. In defeat, everyone settled down and went back to their seats. A minute later, in true Spanish fashion, the cheering resumed. But really, can you blame them? The Pope finally came in at 11 and there was much cheering. He started off his speech, but it must have taken him five minutes to say the first few sentences because the audience would clap and cheer after every pause.
The second audience we had with the Pope was a general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. His message was mostly about preparing ourselves for the Holy Triduum. After the message which was in Italian, he went on to greet the German pilgrims in German, Spanish pilgrims in Spanish, French in French, English in English, then Italian in Italian.
Sightseeing and Churches
Our first sightseeing stop was the Coliseum which we visited on Sunday. After the Coliseum we stopped awhile at the Arco then headed in to the Foro Romano. The Foro Romano was really impressive! It’s hard to imagine that these ruins were once the centre of all busy-doings in Rome.
On Monday we visited the church Sta. Maria Maggiore. Befote going to the Opus Dei Get-together, we also passed by the Piazza del Popolo, and relaxed on the steps of Piazza Spagna.
We spent Tuesday morning in the Vatican City. First we visited the tombs of Pope John Paul II and St. Peter. Afterwards, we visited the Basilica itself, which took up a good deal of the morning. The Basilica was huge, much bigger than I imagined, and each niche and corner had its own interesting story.
We visited the Panteon before lunch then had lunch in Piazza Navona. We passed by two small, yet interesting, churches and then headed to the Trevi Fountain. We had our pictures taken then threw our coins in and made a wish.
On Wednesday we visited Santa Croce en Gerusalenne (Holy Cross in Jerusalem). This church was really interesting. It was built by the Emperor Constantine to house the relics from the passion that his mother Saint Helene had brought back from the Holy Land. Among the relics in the church are the tablet with the inscription “INRI,” a piece of the True Cross, one of the nails, two pieces of thorn from the ‘crown of thorns.’ Also there are a large slab of wood from the cross of the Good Thief and the finger of the Apostle Thomas, who upon his disbelief in the risen Christ, put his finger through the holes in Christ’s palm.
We also visited San Juan de Letran, which was a beautiful church and considered to be ‘the mother of all churches.’ It is the oldest and first of the four major basilicas of Rome.
We spent Thursday morning visiting the various Vatican Museums. After lunch, we walked around and stumbled upon a beautiful park and lake. Some took a boat ride on the lake, while I and the others rested. A little later it started to rain so we walked to the church where we would be hearing mass.
On Saturday morning we visited San Juan de Letran Extramuros. As its name states, the church was outside the walls of Rome. It was a huge and beautiful church. It is one of the four churches considered to be the great ancient basilicas of Rome. It was founded by Constantine I and is built over the burial place of Saint Paul.
All the churches had so much history and great stories behind them, that I can’t share it all here! Rome is really a wonderful city and well worth the trip.
Though I had visited Rome before in the summer, I had a much better trip this time around. I was more relaxed not having to plan out my itineraries or be the one to worry over the map. I learned so much more about Christian history, and all the churches I visited seemed more beautiful. Of course, it was Holy Week and it was much more spiritually rewarding, especially getting to see the Pope. Mostly, I had a great time because I was with my friends, just talking or laughing at the silliest things were enough to make me content. Along with eating pasta, pizza and gelatto, taking pictures, my UNIV experience in Rome was unforgettable.
We left Pamplona for Rome on the 3rd of April and as the bus pulled out of the parking lot we prepared ourselves for a 24-hour trip on the bus. I was part of the Larrabide group, we were ten: me, Larri, ShanShan, Marina, Emilia, Patri, Isabel, Elisa, Teresa and Clara. But we were part of a much larger group, which was composed of practically all the women in the University of Navarra (and from Pamplona) that were going to Rome.
We started the trip off with a prayer, of course, and then passed around some gummies. Bad idea; I ate too much and spent the next two hours with a stomach-ache. Fortunately, we stopped soon after that at a gas station in the border of France.
The trip went smoothly from there. We watched a film, I read a little, and stopped a few hours later for dinner. We watched another film afterwards but I fell asleep in the middle. When I woke up we were in Italy already! The hours passed by and the journey didn’t feel too tiring. We stopped one last time at another gas station for lunch. We arrived at our lodging a little after five. It was really one day of travelling!
The place that we were staying in was on the east of Rome, way opposite the Vatican. The buses that took us here stayed with us the whole time though. They brought us to the Vatican in the morning and back home in the evening. We had bought a one-week metro ticket so we could use the metro, bus, and tram throughout the day, throughout the week.
The UNIV
We were in Rome as UNIV participants. “UNIV is an international gathering of university students, which since 1968 the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU) sponsors in Rome. Each year, several thousand students spend Holy Week in Rome, profiting from the cultural and historical riches that the Eternal City has to offer. “
The congress itself is only two days and deals with matters relevant to the university. This year’s theme was “Universitas: Knowledge Without Limits.” We attended the congress on Wednesday, and it was interesting enough. Various students gave presentations on the University’s role in a pluralistic society. Marina and her friend, Marta, were chosen (beforehand) to do a presentation on an analysis of the ‘Rosa Blanca.’ Theirs was really good, and not being biased, the best. Aside from the congress, UNIV also provides us with an opportunity to see Rome and explore the pathways of Church history. So for the rest of the week, we were able to visit Churches, tour Rome, attend the masses in the Vatican, etc.
”The first UNIV encounters began thanks to the initiative and impulse of St. Josemaría (founder of Opus Dei). For the past four decades, scores of students and professors have expanded their cultural horizons through their contact with the international environment present in the heart of Christianity and thanks to the special audiences granted by Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI to the Univ participants.”
Opus Dei Gatherings
On Monday and Friday we were able to attend two ‘get-togethers’ with the Padre or Father of Opus Dei. He is the Bishop who is the head of the Opus Dei. It was a very casual talk and he imparted on me many enlightening things. Before the end of each talk, five pre-decided women were able to personally ask a question to the Father. (Due to Opus Dei practices, the get-togethers are separate for men and women.) They shared a short something on their lives and then asked their question. The Father then answered their question, but the audience was also able to take something from it. Though I am not a member of the Opus Dei, I was able to take something from these meetings, including a better understanding of this group.
In celebration of Holy Week
On Palm Sunday morning (which was also World Youth Day) we headed to St. Peter’s Square to attend mass. We weren’t able to get seats, but we were okay. The mass lasted until about twelve.
On Thursday we had mass, not at the Vatican, but at another church organized by the UNIV. After the mass we had pizza for dinner which we ate by the steps of a fountain in Piazza del Popolo. Afterwards we started our Visita Iglesia, the Christian tradition of visiting seven churches to worship Christ. It was a very beautiful night, and I actually enjoyed walking through the streets more at this time of the day.
On Good Friday, we first went to the Scala Santa (Holy Staircase). These steps are traditionally the steps Christ walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate, and could only be ascended on the knees! These marble steps, which are now covered with wood to protect them, were brought to Rome by Saint Helena (mother of the Emperor Constantine) who dedicated her life to collecting relics from the Passion of Christ. It was a tough climb and I prayed the rosary with Patri and ShanShan while climbing up. For the evening we were able to get tickets for the mass inside the Basilica. This mass was kind of new to me, because I couldn’t remember this mass at all.
We didn’t do anything on Saturday afternoon so as not too tire ourselves out before the Easter Vigil. For the Easter Vigil we were again able to get tickets for the mass inside the Basilica. When the mass started, the lights of the church were turned off, save a few backlights from behind the statues. And during the Gloria part, when all the lights came on, it was beautiful. The celebration was really nice though I’ll admit I got sleepy during the Pope’s thirty-minute homily!
We were busy packing on Sunday afternoon so we attended mass at our lodging instead. Before we left for Pamplona, we passed by St. Peter’s Square to receive the final blessing from the Pope. As he ended, the Pope greeted Happy Easter to the people in many different languages including Tagalog; “Maligayang pagkabuhay ni Kristo!”
Audiences with the Pope
We had two audiences with the Pope. The first one we had was on Monday and was exclusively for the Spanish people, mainly because of the group from Madrid that was picking up the Cross for the World Youth Day which will next be held in Madrid in 2011. We arrived outside the gates at nine where we squeezed our way near the front and waited for nearly an hour. The security came at ten, and we were let in. There was a lot of running at this point, with the guards telling us to ‘Please, slow down!’ We would slow down our pace at their words but then start running again the moment we passed them. We made it inside the building and were able to get decent seats a few rows from the font. Once everyone had saved their seats with their bags, there was a rush to stand near the barriers of the aisle, in hopes of touching Pope Benedict’s hand as He passed. It was more long waiting, and as more Spanish people came, the atmosphere got more festive. There were musical chants, cheers and songs. After, well a very long time, one of the Bishops on the stage took the mike and announced that the Spanish people were rude and to return to our seats because the Pope would not pass by the aisle, except in nicer and longer words. In defeat, everyone settled down and went back to their seats. A minute later, in true Spanish fashion, the cheering resumed. But really, can you blame them? The Pope finally came in at 11 and there was much cheering. He started off his speech, but it must have taken him five minutes to say the first few sentences because the audience would clap and cheer after every pause.
The second audience we had with the Pope was a general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. His message was mostly about preparing ourselves for the Holy Triduum. After the message which was in Italian, he went on to greet the German pilgrims in German, Spanish pilgrims in Spanish, French in French, English in English, then Italian in Italian.
Sightseeing and Churches
Our first sightseeing stop was the Coliseum which we visited on Sunday. After the Coliseum we stopped awhile at the Arco then headed in to the Foro Romano. The Foro Romano was really impressive! It’s hard to imagine that these ruins were once the centre of all busy-doings in Rome.
On Monday we visited the church Sta. Maria Maggiore. Befote going to the Opus Dei Get-together, we also passed by the Piazza del Popolo, and relaxed on the steps of Piazza Spagna.
We spent Tuesday morning in the Vatican City. First we visited the tombs of Pope John Paul II and St. Peter. Afterwards, we visited the Basilica itself, which took up a good deal of the morning. The Basilica was huge, much bigger than I imagined, and each niche and corner had its own interesting story.
We visited the Panteon before lunch then had lunch in Piazza Navona. We passed by two small, yet interesting, churches and then headed to the Trevi Fountain. We had our pictures taken then threw our coins in and made a wish.
On Wednesday we visited Santa Croce en Gerusalenne (Holy Cross in Jerusalem). This church was really interesting. It was built by the Emperor Constantine to house the relics from the passion that his mother Saint Helene had brought back from the Holy Land. Among the relics in the church are the tablet with the inscription “INRI,” a piece of the True Cross, one of the nails, two pieces of thorn from the ‘crown of thorns.’ Also there are a large slab of wood from the cross of the Good Thief and the finger of the Apostle Thomas, who upon his disbelief in the risen Christ, put his finger through the holes in Christ’s palm.
We also visited San Juan de Letran, which was a beautiful church and considered to be ‘the mother of all churches.’ It is the oldest and first of the four major basilicas of Rome.
We spent Thursday morning visiting the various Vatican Museums. After lunch, we walked around and stumbled upon a beautiful park and lake. Some took a boat ride on the lake, while I and the others rested. A little later it started to rain so we walked to the church where we would be hearing mass.
On Saturday morning we visited San Juan de Letran Extramuros. As its name states, the church was outside the walls of Rome. It was a huge and beautiful church. It is one of the four churches considered to be the great ancient basilicas of Rome. It was founded by Constantine I and is built over the burial place of Saint Paul.
All the churches had so much history and great stories behind them, that I can’t share it all here! Rome is really a wonderful city and well worth the trip.
Though I had visited Rome before in the summer, I had a much better trip this time around. I was more relaxed not having to plan out my itineraries or be the one to worry over the map. I learned so much more about Christian history, and all the churches I visited seemed more beautiful. Of course, it was Holy Week and it was much more spiritually rewarding, especially getting to see the Pope. Mostly, I had a great time because I was with my friends, just talking or laughing at the silliest things were enough to make me content. Along with eating pasta, pizza and gelatto, taking pictures, my UNIV experience in Rome was unforgettable.
You aren’t interested in taking our money?
By Begoña in Robert Steven Duncan. Begoña couldn’t understand why God had allowed her brother to fall into a coma. After undergoing a conversion in her own life, she brought her new-found faith and happiness to many other people. Here is her story:
A few years ago my 28-year-old brother suddenly fell sick with a grave illness. He was in a coma for more than a month. During those long days the thought kept coming to me that God had no right to afflict him that way. I rebelled against it.
Until then my life had revolved around friends, work and family. But I still felt unfulfilled. Something was lacking. I considered myself a practicing Catholic, but after my own fashion.
In the hospital I began praying to our Lady. I couldn’t remember how to say the Rosary. So I just said "the first mystery" and prayed an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. Then "the second mystery," and so on. On one of those days, I found myself unexpectedly inside a church in front of a confessional. I started talking to the priest. When I came out, I had been transformed. From that moment, my life has taken a 180-degree turn.
God was looking for me. He found me, and here I am. Some time later I asked for admission to Opus Dei as a supernumerary. Although I was afraid to take that step, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I am a lawyer in Salamanca, a city I like a lot. I’m married and have one child. That’s my world. And I know I’m here for a reason: to love my husband and son, to help others and bring them to God.
I’ve often asked myself how I could help others where I am. And I found the answer in the people I meet in my work. For example, Estrella and her husband are penniless and he suffers from AIDS; they’re homeless. Several friends and I found them a suitable place to stay and enough financial assistance to live decently. I remember how Estrella prayed every day to "my Jesus my life" and her joy on receiving Holy Communion after many years and a difficult life away from the faith.
"Many great things depend on whether you and I live as God wants," St. Josemaria says in The Way. How true! We have to do what we should and put ourselves into what we do. That’s the lamp that began to guide my steps—at work, at home, everywhere. Since I started struggling to put God at the center of my life, I’m much calmer and happier, and accomplish a lot more. And "crazy" ideas come to me about telling others about it. I do so during coffee breaks with friends, at the bus stop with other mothers, and with people at work.
I try to ensure that everyone who comes to my law office leaves feeling encouraged. St. Josemaría said that we Christians should be "an intravenous injection in the bloodstream of society." As a lawyer, I try not only to defend my clients and resolve their disputes, but to listen and advise—and speak about God. All this helps to sanctify me, and besides I have a good time.
On top of my desk I keep a small image of our Lady. Once, as a new client was leaving, she told me as I accompanied her to the door: "I’m at ease because you have a good guide"—referring to that picture—"to help you solve my problem." That gave me a chance to talk with her about some other things.
Another day, a couple came in seeking a divorce. They told me there were "insurmountable" problems and a lot of anger. We started to work on a contract to arrive at the terms, such as care and custody of the children, alimony, etc. After talking at length with me about these matters for several days, they came to the decision that it would be better to try to start over together. The husband asked me, "But you aren’t interested in taking our money?" Some time has now gone by, and they are still together.
I speak to clients about Confession, Holy Mass, marriage, etc. without apology or human respect, with the same naturalness as commenting on the weather, politics, or any other current topic. This has led to many new friendships. Some months ago a couple came to me for help regarding an inheritance. As we spoke about it and about life in general, they told me about their twenty years together and their two children, now grown, and mentioned that they had never married. Yesterday they invited me to their wedding. All of this gives me many reasons to thank God every day for letting me be his instrument in the lives of these people.
Another of my activities is moderating a radio program on legal matters. Its purpose is to give listeners accurate information, to offer solutions for those who call in with problems, and to make it clear that lawyers see their clients as human beings who need assistance, and not simply as a source of income. Every possible topic comes up: euthanasia, marriage, neighborhood covenants, leases… A few days ago the topic was abortion. One listener located my office and brought me a sack of tomatoes from his garden in appreciation for the way I had handled the topic. How good they tasted!
My new outlook on life has also affected my family. We’re learning that work, study, any effort is a means God has given us to grow in the human virtues that are essential if we are to gain a place in heaven after we die. And we’re coming to understand that when God does anything it’s for a reason.
A few years ago my 28-year-old brother suddenly fell sick with a grave illness. He was in a coma for more than a month. During those long days the thought kept coming to me that God had no right to afflict him that way. I rebelled against it.
Until then my life had revolved around friends, work and family. But I still felt unfulfilled. Something was lacking. I considered myself a practicing Catholic, but after my own fashion.
In the hospital I began praying to our Lady. I couldn’t remember how to say the Rosary. So I just said "the first mystery" and prayed an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. Then "the second mystery," and so on. On one of those days, I found myself unexpectedly inside a church in front of a confessional. I started talking to the priest. When I came out, I had been transformed. From that moment, my life has taken a 180-degree turn.
God was looking for me. He found me, and here I am. Some time later I asked for admission to Opus Dei as a supernumerary. Although I was afraid to take that step, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I am a lawyer in Salamanca, a city I like a lot. I’m married and have one child. That’s my world. And I know I’m here for a reason: to love my husband and son, to help others and bring them to God.
I’ve often asked myself how I could help others where I am. And I found the answer in the people I meet in my work. For example, Estrella and her husband are penniless and he suffers from AIDS; they’re homeless. Several friends and I found them a suitable place to stay and enough financial assistance to live decently. I remember how Estrella prayed every day to "my Jesus my life" and her joy on receiving Holy Communion after many years and a difficult life away from the faith.
"Many great things depend on whether you and I live as God wants," St. Josemaria says in The Way. How true! We have to do what we should and put ourselves into what we do. That’s the lamp that began to guide my steps—at work, at home, everywhere. Since I started struggling to put God at the center of my life, I’m much calmer and happier, and accomplish a lot more. And "crazy" ideas come to me about telling others about it. I do so during coffee breaks with friends, at the bus stop with other mothers, and with people at work.
I try to ensure that everyone who comes to my law office leaves feeling encouraged. St. Josemaría said that we Christians should be "an intravenous injection in the bloodstream of society." As a lawyer, I try not only to defend my clients and resolve their disputes, but to listen and advise—and speak about God. All this helps to sanctify me, and besides I have a good time.
On top of my desk I keep a small image of our Lady. Once, as a new client was leaving, she told me as I accompanied her to the door: "I’m at ease because you have a good guide"—referring to that picture—"to help you solve my problem." That gave me a chance to talk with her about some other things.
Another day, a couple came in seeking a divorce. They told me there were "insurmountable" problems and a lot of anger. We started to work on a contract to arrive at the terms, such as care and custody of the children, alimony, etc. After talking at length with me about these matters for several days, they came to the decision that it would be better to try to start over together. The husband asked me, "But you aren’t interested in taking our money?" Some time has now gone by, and they are still together.
I speak to clients about Confession, Holy Mass, marriage, etc. without apology or human respect, with the same naturalness as commenting on the weather, politics, or any other current topic. This has led to many new friendships. Some months ago a couple came to me for help regarding an inheritance. As we spoke about it and about life in general, they told me about their twenty years together and their two children, now grown, and mentioned that they had never married. Yesterday they invited me to their wedding. All of this gives me many reasons to thank God every day for letting me be his instrument in the lives of these people.
Another of my activities is moderating a radio program on legal matters. Its purpose is to give listeners accurate information, to offer solutions for those who call in with problems, and to make it clear that lawyers see their clients as human beings who need assistance, and not simply as a source of income. Every possible topic comes up: euthanasia, marriage, neighborhood covenants, leases… A few days ago the topic was abortion. One listener located my office and brought me a sack of tomatoes from his garden in appreciation for the way I had handled the topic. How good they tasted!
My new outlook on life has also affected my family. We’re learning that work, study, any effort is a means God has given us to grow in the human virtues that are essential if we are to gain a place in heaven after we die. And we’re coming to understand that when God does anything it’s for a reason.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)