The Pope is no Longer Pope. February 28, 2013

Just finished watching the helicopter with the Pope inside flying overhead. In three hours at 8 PM his Papal ring will be smashed and he will remove his famous red shoes to be replaced with a brown pair. I'm not sure why. Once this happens, the chair if St. Peter, his "seat" of authority, becomes vacant , hence the tile, "Sedent Vacante" meaning vacant seat. In ancient times the chair became a symbol of the teaching authority of a philosopher, ruler or religious leader.

Now we wait for the "conclave" which means, " with key" meaning the cardinals will be sequestered and locked within the Sistine chapel and begin the election process to choose s new Pope who will succeed not only Benedict but st Peter. The Pope is the bishop of Rome , successor to st Peter.

With all this drama and attention brought to peter's successor, I couldn't help but think of today's gospel of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man wasn't overtly cruel, he just didn't notice the poor beggar named Lazarus at his doorstep. He was oblivious.

As all the pageantry unfolds in the weeks to come, there are many beggars like Lazarus visibly sitting or lying near the massive colonnade. They have pushed to the side, no, they have been removed to make way for the scaffolding that will hold the countless reporters and members of the press. The gospel is a reminder to all of us not to become indifferent to those who are Lazarus in our own day.

Remember , it was a rich man, probably well known, who ended up in a place of eternal damnation begging Lazarus to send a message to his living relatives. How ironic: the rich man became the beggar.

My hope is that the new successor of Peter will align his ministry and the church with Lazarus and not the powerful. The first person he greets should be one of the beggars around St. Peter's Square. And in this meeting, he could kneel down and kiss the beggar's feet.
The kingdom of heaven is like a newly elected Pope who begins his ministry by embracing a beggar and kissing his feet. A pope has the power to change hearts and turn our worlds upside down and inside out, by taking his place with the "least ones." This is the power that has authority.

Let us pray for Benedict and his new life of prayed. As the conclave begins, " come Holy Spirit"...
Buen camino. Padre

I Have Measured Out My Life in Coffee Spoons. February 26, 2013

The above title of this blog is a partially accurate verse in a poem by t.s. Elliot. While I love coffee and for the life of me could never give it up for Lent, I hope the measure with which I am measuring out my life goes way beyond coffee. Even if it involves that first precious cup in the morning. Today's gospel from Luke has one of my favorite verses: the measure you measure with will be measured back to you. Once again, a very loose translation, but I know you get the meaning.

Jesus is telling us just before uttering this verse to stop judging others. How hard is this to do. We make judgements everyday of our lives. And so we must. When someone is engaging in a dishonest act , we make a judgement; when someone days something hateful, we make a judgement. But judging actions is much different than judging people and the stats of their souls. Even the church, especially the church,its be very careful in this regard.

This morning's news had given us more scandal involving high ranking cardinals caught in compromising positions. So it is alleged. One of these very cardinals had made harsh statements regarding homosexuality , gay marriage and other related issues. I hope and pray the allegations are proven wrong, the fact he just resigned does not bode well. Time can only tell.

We who lead are in precarious positions because our lives are under a microscope and any unfortunate past sin can come to the surface. These are vulnerable times for the church. If we speak the church's teaching in ways that are "judged" to be condescending and "judgmental " we are open for the charge of hypocrisy, when our words and actions do not coalesce.

The measure with which you measure...we receive what we give or put forth. Each and everyone of us is measuring out our lives in some fashion. The more we love, the more we set examples, the more we speak with compassion, even in areas we are passionate about, the more we sacrifice for the other, the more we will receive in abundance.

I believe the new pope must measure out his papacy with decisive actions to start anew with a clean slate, and that means a new Curia. It means bringing in men and women within all the congregations to help govern the church. And I am speaking of lay women and men. The new pope, I hope ,measures with sound teaching but a willingness to LISTEN and dialogue. That he measures out the papacy in the Spirit of Christ. Face the realities. Measure out in honesty not in a denial of problems and embarrassing situations. Christ's Spirit doesn't want the successor of Peter to "lord over" his authority on the People of God. The Spirit of Jesus clearly wants the pope to wash feet and lead humbly.

May the next pope measure out his life by washing feet and allowing others to wash his. All of us priests, bishops and cardinals need to truly understand that we have sinned, we are sinners and we need to measure out our teaching and demeanor appropriately.
Buen camino. Padre Francesco

Berlin Wall in the Vatican Gardens. February 22, 2013

Walking through the Vatican Gardens was nothing short of jaw dropping. The gardens, 23 acres, are filled with trees, sculpted bushes, fountains, statues and... a part of the Berlin Wall. It is placed in the gardens in such a way that one stumbles on this relic of a painful past in an abrupt manner. Another jaw dropping moment.

The wall, symbol of the strident and cold world of communism, is tattered and covered with graffiti. Out of all the beauty I saw I the gardens, this tiny portion of a divided world sits profoundly in my memory. A world that banished religion, or tried to, became an ugly world with little beauty to speak of. But as much as it tried to suppress the spirit of creativity, the more that very spirit found clandestine ways of expression. Writers and artists created but did so under the radar. After the collapse of communism came, their creative spirit was finally allowed expression.

Today, February 22nd is the feast of the chair of St. Peter,celebrating his confession of faith with Jesus making him the "rock" of the church with the authority of the keys. A chair is a symbol of his authority to teach the truths of the gospel.

One of the freedoms we cherish in the Western world is the freedom to believe in God and openly express religious belief. Peter was given the Truth of Jesus' identity by the Father and he is called to be a symbol of our unity of faith throughout the world. Peter and his ministry to teach gospel truth continues through his successor, the bishop of Rome.

Unfortunately, many see the Pope as the maker and enforcer of the law, a sort of human "Berlin wall" with his fellow bishops; an invisible wall that stifles creativity and theological exploration. But everyone is free to say whatever they want in the church. However, if one holds a position of authority, as leader, teacher. or theologian, that individual must expect criticism from the bishop if what is expressed runs counter to the teachings of the church.

The big question: how can we have the creative and freedom to explore the depths of the mysteries of faith if there is a constant fear of reprisal? So many theologians who were condemned for positions taken, e.g., on ecumenism and religious freedom, were completely vindicated when the teaching authority of the church began to "see" things differently.

As I am immersed in the world of Peter's successor, the Pope, I see the importance of his ministry to protect our faith from obvious distortion. But there is a "fine line" between heresy and orthodoxy. When our faith is expressed in new ways, or the envelope is pushed, so to speak, compelling us to deeper insight, we need to reflect and dialogue. When that "fine line" becomes a "wall", the church that Peter's successor loves and serves, will be greatly diminished.

I walked away from the Vatican gardens in the world's smallest of nations, with the hope and prayer that the the 265th successor of Peter will be more open and less fearful. I hope he will be a pastor who will encourage, as well as, protect the faith given to us by Christ. Obedience runs two ways: the people must listen to the church's leaders, those very same leaders must listen to the people. The teaching of doctrine belongs to the bishops but those very doctrines are believed and lived by faithful people.

The expression of doctrine must be developed and encouraged Without the reflection of the people, the church will be seen not as a community of love but an institution with little spirit. This is not the church that Jesus started, the church of Pentecost. Buen camino. Padre

Light in the Piazza. February 21, 2013

Walking around St. Peter's piazza or square was quite peaceful on the dark of night. It was striking to see a light shining from the Pope's study on the third floor of the apostolic palace. That light, shining on the square left me to imagine the pope planning his resignation when he will move out in one week and move into a small monastery within the walls of theVatican.

I imagined him filling boxes with pictures, books, photos and other belongings. Maybe he is downsizing and lightening the load, so to speak. What is Benedict thinking as he packs and sees his quarters becoming sparser and emptier. Within three weeks, a new pope will move in and totally transform the rooms making them his own.

Benedict will be a distant memory and the Church will move on. It left me feeling somewhat sad when the truth really hit home, sinking deeply into my heart: we are all dispensable. The Church's foundation isChrist who breaths His Spirit in this Body we call " church." Popes come and go and does each one of us. Human beings enter this great circle of life as humans leave making room for creation to expand with new ideas and visions.

My sadness gave way to a deep peace: it is good that we are dispensable since life does go on when we leave this circle of life. Each one of us is a part of this beautiful tapestry of humanity, a permanent part, but only a part. Only in this sense are we INDISPENSABLE : we are forever a part of this tapestry. We are needed, wanted and cherished by the color and story we bring to the tapestry that God weaves together with the Spirit.

The new Pope will bring new life and hopefully, a new vision to carry the Church forward. But the church belongs to Christ her foundation and reason for existing. Yes, the light in the piazza was initially sad until I realized that all will be well when Christ, the Light, shines on all piazzas ,plazas, streets. neighborhoods, buildings, homes, seas, oceans, mountains, indeed, on all of creation.

We are always in transition , moving from one place in the heart to another. We carry with us what is necessary, those memories that have shaped is in love; and we let go of memories that have wounded and deformed our lives. We move through our lives as pilgrims on a journey into the center, the place where we become reacquainted with those who have left the circle of life.

The Way to Heaven. February 19, 2013

Went on a tour of st Peter's Basilica. Everything about its architecture speaks if faith and our relationship with God. This immense church can house well over twenty thousand people. It was designed and built for all people and from every nation.
The massive dome sits on a "drum" resting on four pillars anchoring the structure. Michelangelo envisioned the dome and two transepts to be a human figure, Peter, sitting over his tomb welcoming all the pilgrims into his embrace.
The architect Bernini continued this metaphor in structuring the piazza in front of the basilica to have colonnades beings the "arms" of the dome(head) and two transepts(shoulders). Originally he wanted to have an enclosed set of colonnades creating more if a circle. It was human genius that prevented the third colonnade from being constructed, which meant it would always be OPEN. The arms of Peter and the church bring people inside only to be sent back out into the world strengthened by faith. The arms of the church must welcome ALL and compel everyone who enters this "embrace" to leave. Catholicism is a missionary religion.
The piazza holds 175,000 people!!!!


Inside the basilica one's gaze is upward... toward heaven. If you look at the photo you can see the top or ceiling in gold and white symbolizing heaven; a thick cement border separating heaven from earth. The words etched in six foot letters stating the foundation of the gospel, that Christ is the Son of the living God; below the gospel letters are statues of the saints; above each column is a statue depicting a person represent the virtues.

We reach into heaven by following the gospel, practicing the virtues and following the witness of the saints. If you notice, the bottom statue is st Teresa of Avila , then another saint(I don't know who he or she is) then the stature of virtue then the gospel verse , then the border and finally...Heaven!!

We reach heaven through the gospel , virtuous living, following the way of the saints. Our catholic life is a pilgrim journey of gospel, sacraments, saints, disciplined living. All this is spoken through architecture giving God the glory. Buen camino. Padre

Moses with Horns. February 18, 2013

Just celebrated mass at San Pietro in Vincoli where the chains that bound Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem and Rome are on display. This is also the church that has the masterpiece sculpture of Moses by Michelangelo. Look closely at the statue an see the horns sitting on top if his head, looking very much like a devil.

These horns were sculpted on his head due to a mistranslation of the biblical text. One word was incorrectly translated as "horn" when the word really means to shine. After Moses received the Ten Commandments he descended from the mountain with his face in a glow. The Hebrew word meaning to shine or glow is similar to another word meaning horn. Jerome, who translated the bible into Latin missed on this word so Moses got his horns.

The gospel that was proclaimed as a horned Moses gazed at me from his niche along the wall, told the parable about the king who divides the people in two groups: the sheep and the goats. Matthew 25, a text dear to the people of st Teresa of Avila parish in Chicago. These very verses may be inscribed on the windows that hopefully will be created on the brick wall of the church facing armitage ave : "I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was naked and you clothed me; I was a stranger and you welcomed me. " Christ is encountered in all the " least ones" we meet in our everyday life. There is no mistranslation here; out salvation will depend not on religious observances but on "seeing" Christ in those who suffer or are pushed to the fringes of ordinary life. The very people who are undesirable in so many neighborhoods in every city and suburb and town. The translation is clear, accurate and biting.

The horned Moses gave humanity the first Law; Jesus gives us the new Law: to love the undesirable. Clear, plain and simple. Our very salvation hangs on this most accurate of translations.

As I walked out of the church with a throng of people, Moses was gazing at us all. I'm sure he was wondering if we would notice the homeless man wrapped in blankets on the side of the street or the many people begging along the via Cavour or via Victor Emmanuelle. How am I to respond with gospel love to every suffering person I encounter? Will I see Christ in these human beings, the very same Christ who spoke so clearly, without ambiguity : whatever you do to any least one, you do to ME.

When we follow the Law of Love our faces have a glow about them, emitting rays of light. We don't grow horns looking a bit like the devil. No. We have a glow about us, making us look more like an angel or messenger of God.

One suggestion for Lent: pray slowly through Matthew 25. Where should you be placed...on the left side or the right side? Why not invite moses in on our Lenten journeys, the one who led the people for 40 years in the desert!!! At least he has only forty days with us! In union with our Jewish brothers and sisters, one of the greatest of all prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures , Moses, can lead us to better embrace Matthew 25. This is one gospel passage that can unite people of ALL religions. Buen camino. Padre

Assisi. February 16, 2013

Assisi is one place where heaven and earth meet and kiss. Walking the medieval streets allows one to feel the presence of the Spirit, gently awakening one to the dwelling of God within. The spirit of Francis is almost tangible to the extent that his presence emerges as a quiet friend leading us to Christ. As I gaze on the cross of San damiano, the very cross that led to his conversion with the Christ hanging in crucifixion telling Francis the , "Repair my church." At first, Francis thought he meant the physical building of San damiano and so began the painstaking process of restoring the decaying structure. But God meant something very different and much deeper and much more painful: the renewal of a corrupt and wayward institution comprised of people who lost the vision of the gospel.

Yesterday I sat in a beautiful church, Santa Maria maggiore in Assisi. A small white bird was caught inside the church and was struggling to free itself through a small round window at the top near the ceiling. You could hear his frantic wings fluttering rapidly, trying to get out. And the bird found some opening that I couldn't perceive from my vantage point, and found freedom.

The bird, typically a dove, is a symbol oc the Holy Spirit. And I couldn't help but sense the Spirit trying to move more freely in the breath of the Church. There is an opening that none if us can perceive bug is nonetheless present...hidden.

We now are in a time of prayer, praying that spirit be free to breath in our structures and institutions. We all have our own ideas as to how the Spirit needs to be the given freedom to elect the right pope to make all the changes we know must be made so that our church reflect the gospel. The focus is on that which lies outside our own lives and hearts: the institution and the obvious need for renewal and change. But I sit here before the Presence if Jesus asking how I am preventing the spirit from moving more freely within MY heart. St. Francis didn't "repair" the institution by judging its corrupt leaders. No. He began with himself and allowed the Spirit into a deep crevice of his heart and the flame was ignited that led to his powerful witness.

Perhaps we think we know what is best for the church and the next successor of Peter : he must be another Benedict ; he should continue where john Paul II left off; we need another john XXIII; the church needs a pope with a new name bringing the church in a new direction; the responses are endless and the speculations tiresome. Everyone has an opinion that matches one's vision and understanding of what the church should look like and what needs to be changed.

I pray that whoever is chosen will allow the Holy Spirit to enter one of those crevices in his heart that he be guided in his ministry by the Spirit of Christ and no other.

I want to change myself and not the institution. I have prevented the Holy Spirit from freely moving in my own life. If only I can here that "fluttering " if a trapped Presence wanting freedom, not for Him but for me. I pray that my visit with Francis will give me courage and insight to stop looking outside of myself for change to occur and to allow a conversion of my own heart to deepen.

Repairing Christ's Church begins and ends with each one of us allowing that Spirit within to transform us into LOVE, compelling others to look within their own hearts. There sunk greater power on this earth than the witness of LOVE. Buen camino. Padre

The Pope's Last Public Mass. February 14, 2013

Last night I went to the Ash Wednesday Mass at st Peter's which happened to be Pope Benedict's last public mass. I sat there and was moved by the prayer and silence of over 15,000 people gathered in one massive church building sensing the sadness as the Pope quietly presided.
Life usually changes slowly and with little actual awareness of time moving forward and even slipping away. The resignation of Benedict awakened me to how change can sometimes enter one's life suddenly and with no preparation.

We all have had those experiences that jar us into realizes that time moves forward and we need to discern how we are using the time given to us. Lent is a perfect season to examine how we are using time. Are we wasting the time given us by remaining in a rut? What exactly do we do with our time? How is it being filled?

A sabbatical is "time" to renew and make the needed changes in how one is going to spend the time given to live a life rooted in meaning and purpose. Sometimes we just need to let go of that which is holding us back. Time can be consumed by our fears, discouragement, pessimism , lack of focus and apathy.

The end of my time of sabbatical is nearing its end, just as the church is about to engage in a huge transition of leadership and vision. In all of life's changes and transitions there is one constant : CHRIST. He will lead us , carry us and guide us. And if necessary, he will will rescue us from being overwhelmed by the turbulent waters of life. As he did for Peter he will do for us: grasp our hand and bring us to safety.

One of the cardinals spoke after communion thanking the pope for his service to the church and his deep humility. He said that a veil of sadness has covered the hearts of the people. But the cardinal poignantly reminded Benedict and us: the church belongs to Christ. The same can be said for you and me: we belong to Christ, our shepherd, our friend, our savior.
We all need to spend more time with Him. Buen camino. Padre

Pope Benedict Resigns. February 12,2013

I knew something was up when the director of the program interrupted our class with an announcement that something monumental in the Church was taking place. All of us were stunned at the news of the Pope's resignation. I have seen the Pope three times in the last week or so and felt very saddened that he looked exhausted and sounded so weak. As he processed by me during the Mass of the Presentation, he appeared so tired.

When his letter announcing his resignation was read in our class, I was moved by his deeply humble admission that he just didn't have the physical stamina needed to carry the burdens of the Petrine Ministry. It takes a strong and humble leader to do what Benedict did. He has given us all a powerful example of living one's life and commitments with dignity in the face of advanced age and illness.

Just before the camino I read the book, The Pope Who Quit, the true story of the only pope to resign. Six hundred years ago Pope Celestine V was elected pope while being a contemplative monk. He didn't want to accept but did so believing he was following God's will. His papacy lasted just about a month when he abruptly resigned. He was thought to be weak and indecisive ; his resignation was seen at the time as an embarrassment.

Ironically, Pope Benedict went to this very Pope's tomb a couple of years ago to pray to him. He had only kind words to say about this Pope who has been viewed by history in such negative terms. That visit to the tomb was very powerful for me for Benedict spoke with few words; his witness "spoke" volumes.

Like everyone, I am praying for Benedict that he be given what he couldn't have as pope: time to contemplatively pray and write. God knows that he deserves it. I understand he will live in a monastery within the walls of the Vatican but I may be wrong on this. In any event, Benedict lets go of this terrible burden with his head held very high. His papacy will considered a great papacy due to the humble act of letting go. And he did it out of love for Christ and his church.

I admit that I have not felt close to Benedict. His writings, in particular , I find difficult and cerebral. Maybe the translations are simply awkward and fail to capture his warmth. What is clear is that Benedict is s brilliant theologian whose writings will be read and pondered centuries from now. Right now I simply feel sad for him even though I know it us the right thing to do. I can't even begin to think about who will succeed him, a question that just isn't on my mind right now.

I took a long walk and naturally ended up in the empty square in front of St. Peter's. the lights were brightly lit in the Pope's study and office. What must be going through his head? There was something very lonesome about the light shining from his widows is the dark with the rain gently falling.

The Pope officially resigns on feb. 28 at 8 pm. A conclave will follow sometime in March. I'm not sure where I will be at the time of the conclave. I may even be back home. In each one of our lives we have those moments of truth, when God breaks through defenses we have built up over the years to keep us from change and moving forward with a completely new outlook and attitude.

This is one such moment for me...

Buen camino. Padre

The ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila February ,10 2013

After walking for a number of hours I found myself in front of the church Santa Maria Della Vittoria which houses the magnificent statue by Bernini depicting the ecstasy of st Teresa of Avila. What a beautiful irony for me and our parish.
The statue sits in an alcove near the altar and is striking in its depiction.
St Teresa is being wounded by God's love in the form of a Cupid like angel piercing her with an arrow. This wound is painful and ecstatic at the same time. She surrenders to this ecstatic experience that has a sense of Eros without being erotic.
She prayed all her life for this kind of experience that didn't occur until much later in her life when she was praying in her chapel and God suddenly enveloped her in passionate love. She wept and wept tears we all hope to shed.

Teresa lived largely in a spiritual desert much of get life and like most of us. We wait and wait upon God to give us a concrete experience of his love. Not proof, just something we can experience not in our minds but in our hearts.
We "know " we are loved; that is certain. But to experience that love in the depths of our hearts is quite another matter.
Perhaps we are just not ready for that kind of experience. All we can do is keep praying like Teresa who reminds us that God is nearer to us than we can ever imagine. Our faith needs to be deepened by the trust that God is living in our hearts even if we don't sense his presence. Teresa knows how difficult God seems to make it for us who are his friends. She was very blunt in letting God know how difficult a life of prayer can be. Being faithful to our life of prayer is the most important value we must commit our lives to, especially when we feel empty, as if our prayer is useless. When we feel this way and still pray....is a sign to God of our commitment and love. Buen camino. Padre

Anniversary. February 4, 2013

I had the privilege of celebrating mass at the clementine chapel over the bones of St. Peter. I brought to the celebration family, friends , the people of st Germaine , st Mary of Vernon , st Francis of Rome, our lady of the woods, archbishop quigley, St. John fisher, st Eulalia , st Teresa of Avila and my mom.
These are the people and students who have formed me as a priest. The priesthood is rooted in the call to love and serve God's people.

I have been a richly blessed priest given these beautiful communities of faith. Twenty nine years of trying to lead the people to a deeper love of Christ. Ironically, it is the love from people that has moved me forward and deepened my love for Christ.

At the mass, the gospel tells the story of Jesus healing a man who is do grateful he wants to stay with Jesus. But Jesus will have none of that. He tells the man to go home and tell people what has happened.
Jesus does not cling to us, nor does he want us to cling to him. We are "sent" to tell the story in our own unique way drawing people into the story so that they can encounter The Lord who will in turn send them.

Each one of us, sharing in the priesthood of Christ through our baptism, is being sent into the world. The best part of being a priest is sending people into the worlds in which they live to tell the story of Christ in a way that can be received. This demands prayer and study and worship to prepare us for the demands of being a follower of Jesus.
The most alive parishes are those that send people into the world to make a difference and to be a witness of gospel joy. As a parish community , religious education is not for just the children, but is especially for all of us adults. We ALL need continuing formation in the ways of the gospel.
At this point in my ministry I have been sent to the people of st Teresa of Avila. Today, cardinal George came to Rome for several meetings so I was able to have lunch with him, three Chicago seminarians and another Chicago priest. He asked me about the parish and our plans for the church. He said he was very happy for us as a parish community that we were alive and moving forward. It is the greatest gift for the bishop to say that your parish is alive and has a future.
Thank you ALL for showing me the way. Mom...I know you are smiling. Buen camino

Christ the Conductor. February 6, 2013

Last night I went to a phenomenal concert held in the Paul VI Auditorium. The music was provided by the symphony from Florence, one hour of Verdi and Beethoven. Classical music has never been one of my interests but thus evening captured my heart.

There we were, 10,000 people with the President of Italy and the Pope, all listening to the same pieces of music taking it all in. Language was no barrier; we were united in the beautiful harmonies and musical movements.

But what struck me the most was gazing at the sculpture above the symphony of the Risen Christ emerging from the tomb of death into Resurrection. The way is arms and fingers were positioned it made it appear as though he were hovering above the performance compelling strand of his grace to fill the musicians and audience. It was a remarkable , almost cosmic , sight. He doesn't hover over like a puppet master with strings attached to us, for inch us to move as he wishes. No, there is space between his fingers and us, the grace freely flowing out. It is totally up to us to receive his grace and move as the grace desires.

The more we receive his grace, we come together in a unity of gospel vision that transforms us from individuals into a magnificent symphony of Divine Presence. Often the many movements of this human symphony come from suffering, the violence that erupts when Christ's Love is lived in such a way that threatens established ways of life. The countless martyrs not only water the meadows with their blood, but move the human symphony to new crescendos. As a human family we are groaning as we emerge from our exiled tombs, the grace of Christ luring us into a new existence. We each are like a note in this symphony, without which the melody will be off. But each of us must discern just what our note is and how it is to be played. Grace will lead us if only we surrender to the movement within this symphony. Buen camino. Padre

Presentation of The Lord. February 2, 2013

Yesterday I went to the solemn mass celebrating the Feast of the Presentation at St. Peter's with Pope Benedict presiding. Traditionally, the mass honors the life and commitment of those living in consecrated life: nuns, brothers , monks and priests. The basilica was filled with nearly 10,000 women and men living the consecrated life in a religious community. I made it inside the basilica just as they closed the massive doors.

There I stood in the back of the basilica gazing in awe at the sight before my eyes: thousands of people who have completely dedicated their lives to Christ by living the vows of chastity , prayer, obedience and poverty. The pope spoke eloquently of their necessary presence in the church of people who have answered the gospel calling in a most radical way.

Included in the celebration for me wee the countless sisters serving out parish schools, the current Helpers, Franciscans and sisters of the poor who are so much a part of our life as a parish community.
I remember the nun, a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who placed me on her lap when I was six years old and told me about Jesus and his love for me. She did this in the chapel of Holy Family hospital in Des Plaines while my dad was having tests. Seeing these dedicated men and women have brought to mind the quiet presence of these people in the church living the life in an apostolic or contemplative way with no fanfare and few thanks.

The Feast of the Presentation celebrates Christ being brought into the temple to be presented by Mary and Joseph to the Father, who then gave his Son to the world as the Light for all people. The women and men living the consecrated life bring the Light into all areas of the world and in places most of us would rather avoid. Their voice has sometimes been one that has unsettled those in positions of authority. And their radical choice to live the Great Commandment of Love certainly is a sword that "pierces the heart" as we see the smallness of our hearts.

We need these "lights" in our church to inspire us to live lives of simplicity and prayer. Their witness is not for themselves but for all the people they encounter in ministry , daily life and prayer. They don't want us to put them on pedestals, making them an object to be admired ; they want us to find the strength and courage to become a "light" in our own worlds, given our own unique situation and calling. Each one of us is called to become a saint and we know we are on the road to sanctity when our own hearts are pierced because we love. Buen camino. Padre