Finals, here we come!

I would ask all of you to keep me in your prayers as I prepare for my finals. I have Synoptic Gospels tomorrow, Revelation on the 3rd, Christology on the 6th, and Church History on the 12th.

Thank you for all of your continued support.

Luke

Italy, Oh Italy!

Today while I was on my way to my last class for this semester, I saw something bizarre enough that I have to take time out from studying for finals to share it with all of you. I have been here for around six months now, and I thought that there would be nothing else that the Italians could do to shock me anymore. Obviously, I was wrong.

After two weeks of living in Italy, you quickly learn that you should not try to understand why they do certain things that seem to defy logic. Anytime we started to ask "why would...", an older man in the school would stop us before we could finish the senetence. They would then pass down the time tested wisdom given to every American man who has lived in these hallowed halls. "Some things are better not knowing, the answer will only make you upset."

For example, why would cops chase down a motorist to yell at them for driving on a closed road when there were no signs or barricades or anything else to indicate that the road was closed. Remember, don't ask questions like that. Or why do they feel the need to clap every time a plane lands after a flight. Do that many flights crash here? Remember, you don't want to know the answer. Why don't they realize that a single file line will move quicker than an entire mob trying to shove through a small area at the same time while yelling and pushing each other. This doesn't make any... Oh yeah, you shouldn't wonder about that. The list could go on and on, but I think that you are getting the picture.

Today, they managed to make me forget my battle earned wisdom, and I accidently blurted out the question which I have carefully avoided for so long. As I got to the Greg today [everyone refers to the Gregorian University which I attend as the Greg for short], I noticed a large group of protestors with banners standing around the entrance to my school shouting at everyone inside. Italy is famous for it's scioperi [strikes] and manifestazioni [protests]. They will protest anything and everything. Sometimes it is worthwhile, and other times it seems to benothing more than a way to get an extra day off work. Sad to say, I got a little excited because I thought that I was about to see my first anti-clerical protest. As I walked through the crowd, I read the signs and had to check my eyes a few times. It wasn't an anti-clerical protest. It was a protest against Morgan Stanley and other banks which haven't been fiscally responsible. Why in the world would they protest in an out of the way piaza [square] about banks in front of a theology school filled first the most part with priests, seminarians, and nuns. Oops! I shouldn't ask that. Maybe they think that my school looks like a bank. But wait, there are around a thousand people in clerics and habits walking in and out of here all the time. Stop thinking! Don't ask why! Maybe they think the nuns are smuggling money in their habits for Morgan Stanley. I'm so confused. And when I thought it couldn't be any stranger, they began using a bull horn to chant at us about banks. Do all the other priests use Morgan Stanley? Maybe I should invest with them also when I have more money. Wait, stop. You still think that there is a reason they are doing that here.

In the end, I gave up. I was reminded once again that there are some things that I will never understand as long as I live in Italy.

My Institution as Lector

"Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people. Amen"

With these words, I was instituted recently as a Lector in the Catholic Church. Before Vatican II, the steps to Priesthood were filled with the minor orders of Porter, Lector, Exorcist, and Acolyte. These were then followed by the major orders of Subdiaconate, Diaconate, and Priesthood. As a gerneral rule, the minor orders at this time were reserved to those on the step to priesthood. After Vatican II in 1972, Paul VI issued the letter Ministeria Quaedam in order to reform these practices so that they could better serve the life of the Church. The steps required for priesthood were reduced to lector, acolyte, and diaconate.

In some ways, it seemed a little strange to contemplate being instituted because you can already serve as a lector and altar server in the US without it. At my major seminary, however, only instituted men serve during mass, so I was excited at the thought of being able to serve in the Liturgy again.

The Rite for Institution of Lectors is very beautiful. As your name is called, you stand and announce "present". This is a powerful moment, and I can only imagine how much powerful it will be when I repeat it at my Ordination. The first time I heard this, it sounded very dull. I tried thinking of a word that would sound more exciting, but there are no other words that will serve in this moment. I can't say that I am prepared or ready. To say that I am ready makes me feel like I am saying that I have done everything required to be worthy of this honor. But in the end, it is not about me. It is not about whether I have studied adequately or prepared myself physically or committed myself to embracing a life of celibacy and service. In the end, it is about God. He is the one calling me, and I can only respond to His invitation to service. So I rose to declare myself present to Christ, so that He may begin His work in me.

The bishop began by giving a homily in which he talking about our need to reflect deeply on the Word of God so that what we proclaim with our lips is coming from our hearts. He wanted us to see how everything we do on the altar is a ministry in which we seek to give Christ to others.

After some prayers, we are called forth to receive the Book of the Scriptures in our hands. As we grasp the book, the bishop exhorts us with the words which you read above. In the end, my heart was moved deeply by the experience. Before this, priesthood seemed like a far off dream that I could never reach. This event made it more real and close than it has ever been before. For the first time in three years, the goal is in view, and everything that I have been striving towards is finally becoming a reality. It also made me feel an even greater bond of brotherhood with the men here in the house. Going through this Rite within them at my side cemented the relationships that we have been forming over the past few months. We will continue to support one another over the next few years as we step ever closer to Ordination.

I would like to close with the words of the prayer used over us during the Rite:

"Bless our brothers who have been chosen for the ministry of reader.
Grant that as they meditate constantly on your word they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people."

NB: For those who would like to se more pictures of this event, go to http://www.pnac.org/ and click on the link for Lector Installation or Photo Archive. Both of these will bring you to a list of files. Choose the one labeled "2009.01.11 - Lector Install"

Here are better links for my pictures

I apologize for those who tried to check my photos, and were not able to because of the large size. I thought you would be able to select Albums individually which was not the case. Here are the links for all of the Albums separately:

Brugge, Belgium: A wonderful Medieval town. Highlights were the canals, ancient buildings, Eucharistic miracle, handmade lace, and flavored gins. This was my favorite Belgium town. I was especially moved by the Eucharistic miracle. You are able to go up and touch this vial holding blood that is said to be Christ's preserved since the Crucifixion which was brought to Brugge after one of the Crusades. I am sometimes skeptical about claims like this, but I was very moved when I was able to touch the vial and pray over it. I can also attest to the fact that the blood still looked fresh to me.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.7kh680oj&x=1&y=3o0577&localeid=en_US

Brussels, Belgium: A larger more metropolitan city. Many beautiful buildings, and the famous Mannekinpis. It is exactly what it sounds like, a fountain with a little boy peeing. They dress him up in costumes throughout the year, so you will see him in a Santa suit.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.1wlp454j&x=1&y=-5cw63w&localeid=en_US

Leuven, Belgium: Another wonderful town in Belgium. It is a University town filled with students. Belgium is known for its beer, and Leuven was a wonderful place to sample it. Some of the buildings were beautiful, but the best part was the ability to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. For those who know about Fulton Sheen, I stayed at the American Seminary where he studied while in Leuven.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.1bnq07zn&x=1&y=-gldhq9&localeid=en_US

Cologne, Germany: Famous for the Cologne Cathedral which contains the relics of the Three Magi which were brought to Cologne during Medieval times. The front of the Cathedral is over 500 feet tall, and is quite stunning to look at. The rest of Cologne was destroyed during WWII, so it was more modern than I expected. My great grandparents were married in the Cologne Cathderal, so I wanted to make sure I visited it this t=year.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.2aolc0hf&x=1&y=-304gar&localeid=en_US

Prague, Czech Republic: A beautiful medieval city. Krakow and Prague were two of the few beautiful medieval cities to survive destruction during WWII. It has many famous sites such as Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, and Old Town Square with the Astrological Clock. Prague is a great city to get lost in and explore.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.54h0um5n&x=1&y=-l38sil&localeid=en_US

Auschwitz, Poland: I wrote on my experience at Auschwitz earlier, so I will leave it at that.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.5jhotmsr&x=0&y=qnju0a&localeid=en_US

Wieliczka Salt Mine, outside Krakow, Poland: A World Heritage Site worth visiting. It is one of the largest salt mines still in operation, although its operation is fairly limited now. The miners in their spare time would carve statues and chapels in the caverns they created while mining.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.1jcw0pe3&x=1&y=plezu2&localeid=en_US

Krakow, Poland: My favorite European city so far. This is where John Paul II spent most of his life prior to becoming Pope. The historic portion of the city is small, but I was able to spend days there without being bored. The city is currently very cheap because it is not on the Euro which makes it easy to spend a lot of time there. It has great antique stores, beautiful parks, great vodka, and good food. Even more important, it has a vibrant Catholic culture. This city has more Churches per square mile than any other city with the exception of Rome. Of note is the Wawel Castle area.

Also mixed in this Album are pictures from our Lady of Czestochowa.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.67nojhqj&x=1&y=-t362ju&localeid=en_US

Pictures from Christmas Break

Here is a link to my pictures for Christmas Break:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=zuf920z.beqaqc2z&x=1&y=a01ogw&localeid=en_US

Included will be pictures of Leuven, Brugge, Cologne, Brussels, Krakow, Auschwitz, and Prague.

Auschwitz

I have been back from my Christmas travels for a few days now, and I have been struggling with how I can put the last few weeks into words. I have erased sentence after sentence because none of them come close to what I want to say. Halfway through my Christmas travels, I realized that something intangible felt different. I could see that God was using this time for something, but I was blind to what was occurring. Last night, I realized that part of what occurred is that Rome finally became home. The time spent away from Rome allowed me to miss it, to see that what was once foreign has become familiar and comfortable. Coupled with this has come a deep peace about where I am in my life and what I am working towards.

That being said, the first part of my trip that I want to talk about is my time in Auschwitz. When I first arrived, I was first struck by the utter incompatibility between the cold message over the gate and my Christian faith. It proclaims that "Work sets you free" while my heart shouts that only grace can give me the freedom I seek. The guide explained how the prisoners would march out to classical music every day as they went to "work" for freedom that only came with death. I can only imagine the utter irony and pain of being subjected to these great atrocities while listening to such beautiful music.

As we toured the various places in Auschwitz which was one of three camps, we were shown room after room filled with artifacts left from those who had been killed here; rooms full of glasses and prosthetic legs, shoes and suitcases, children's dolls and human hair. The shock of such chilling efficiency which wasted nothing. The hallway filled with pictures of men and women who died in this camp was equally chilling. This was the work camp, unlike the nearby death camps of Birkenau (Auschwitz II). Yet these poor souls lasted only a few months before they succumbed to the horrible conditions. Here a priest shot to death, there a gypsy worked to death, here another prisoner beat to death. All equal, sharing the same tragic fate. Some lasted several months while others died within weeks. I was moved by seeing the Starvation Cell where Saint Maximillian Kolby died. In reprisal for attacks by some prisoners, several other prisoners were chosen to be starved to death as an example. When one of the chosen prisoners cried out, Maximillian Kolby offered himself in his place. Maximillian wanted to make sure that those who were dying were prepared to meet God. Witnesses say that they would hear Maximillian leading the other condemned prisoners in songs as they waited to die. After two weeks, everyone was dead but Kolby. In the end, the Nazi doctors gave him a lethal injection because he was not dying fast enough for them. This reminded me a Vatican exhibit I saw in Houston many years ago. Amidst all of the beautiful chalices was an old tin cup and a piece of aluminum bent to form a small plate. These were the chalice and the paten used by Maximillian during his time in Auschwitz. Somehow the Vatican obtained it, and the Pope used it in turn to celebrate mass in his memory. Amazingly enough, the man who Maximiliian replaced survived the war, and was present at his canonization.

We took the short bus ride over to Birkenau, and I was shocked by the immense size of the prison camp. Buildings and fireplaces and chain link fences and guard towers stretched as far as the eye could see. The sad part was that most people who came to Birkenau never made it to these shelters. Only the chosen few were allowed to work to their deaths, most were sent straight to the gas chambers. As I wandered these grounds where sinners mingled with saints, I could not help but wonder who I would have been. Would I be like Maximillian who was sustained by faith and hope of future glory, or would I give into despair. How many beacons of hope walked through these camps sustaining the faiths of those sent here to die?

Yet I also had to wonder how anyone could have taken part in this Holocaust. What motivated those who took part in the slaughter on innocents? Did the war machine make them lose their conscience? I know this can't be true. One of their last acts before abandoning Birkenau was destroying the Crematoriums. They knew that what they were doing was wrong. I'm sure that the reasons were as diverse as the people who participated. Some did it out of hate, others out of fear, while others did not have the courage to say no to what had already begun. Some conducted inhumane experiments under the guise of altruistic motives while they were only giving reign to curiosity without the bounds of morality. What would I have done? Where would I have stood? It is easy to say that I would never take part in something like that, but how many of us have given into hate in our lives. How many of us have judged others because of their race or creed or economic status or sexual preference or disability? The Holocaust shows us what happens when these hatreds and prejudices are given free reign. They used every single one of these categories to choose who deserved to die.

I can hear the response now, "But we would never be stupid enough to let that happen again!" Yet our generation has seen genocides throughout Africa and many other places. Our generation has allowed the Silent Holocaust of Abortion continue unabated for far too long. Our generation has allowed science to tread onto areas deemed unthinkable years before in the name of common good. Have we truly learned out lesson as we allow travesties against human rights to continue in our own country and throughout the entire world?