Habemus Papam. We Have a Pope. March 14, 2013

What a night ! I stood right in the center beneath the window of papal blessing waiting to see the smoke coming out of the chimney stack above the Sistine Chapel as black. We all thought it was going to be a bit longed. But the Spirit had other things in mind.

When the smoke , massive amounts, poured out the chimney as white smoke, we just erupted, screamed, clapped and hugged. An amazing moment that I was privileged to witness, one that will be.forever a part of my own "camino" of faith. While this moment of new leadership in our church means little to so many, it has untold meaning for just as many others. I thought I was going to live through this papal event non plussed , not really caring about its impact. But God had other plans for me. My journey through Spain was meant to end up beneath that window in St. Peter's Square on march 13, 2013.

When the name was announced, all I heard was "francescum" the Latin for "Francis " and my heart and its pessimism melted away; my spirit emerged. I have been dreaming of seeing a pope with a Franciscan heart for most of my priesthood. And a Jesuit to boot!!!!!! This concoction couldn't get any better for me. Somehow I was soaring above the crowd wanting to personally bless the one who asked nearly 200,000people to bless him, a first in papal history.

I know little about him except that he refused to use a limo to get him to work but used public transportation ; he refused to have a cook but cooks his own meals; he refused to life in the bishop's "palace" preferring a simple apartment.; he loves the poor and is a man of justice. This is the best resume a new pope could possibly have.

I am happy he chose the name "Francis " not because that happens to be my name, but because he chose the name of the greatest saint in the Catholic Church. To all my beloved Jesuit friends , the Francis he chose does NOT refer to
Francis Xavier , the famous Jesuit saint! That was made clear by the Vatican this morning. He chose the poor one from Assisi as his namesake.

I am filled with joy for the people of Argentina and for the entire Church. A breath if fresh air has filled the Body of Christ with the Spirit of Hope. Will everyone be as happy as I am at the election of Pope Francis? Obviously not. But I hope all will at least give him a chance and pray for his mission. I know many will be thinking that I am setting myself up for a major letdown. But I truly don't think so.

Ironically I planned a week retreat in Assisi beginning on march 20 long before Benedict even resigned. This was to wrap up my sabbatical. I leave for my retreat the day after Francis is installed as our new Pope, which is March 19, the Feast of st Joseph, patron of Italy and the Universal Church. This day is traditionally a Holyday in all of Italy. In honor of the Holyday and pope Francis and st Francis and the people of st Teresa of Avila parish, the best people in the world ... I am going to fill up on pasta and canolis!! How I wish I had some Peeps to complete the moment. Buen camino from cloud nine. Padre

Black Smoke. March 12, 2013

Stood for two hours waiting for the gutsy ballot to be burned. In the photo you can barely see the black smoke: it is center of photo , one inch down from the top. It was an second sight watching the smoke billowing out of the chimney.

The piazza was filled with people looking to Sistine chapel. So far, no Pope.

The Conclave Begins. March 12, 2013

Just read a beautiful quote from this morning's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours: "If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined." This was written centuries ago by Pope Leo the Great. I am about to cheer on the American cardinals as they go to St. Peter's to celebrate a public Mass praying for strength and guidance as they enter the conclave.

This quote is so appropriate for the great task they are being called to accomplish. The next pope will do well to make charity the foundation of his papacy and to remember that God cannot be confined. This is a quote for every follower of Jesus and should be the foundation of our discipleship.

God is forever a mystery to be encountered and in this encounter, we are changed. Our own hearts should never be "confined" by our own ego and selfishness. I carry all of you in my heart for you remind me if my calling and in this remembrance my heart is enlarged.

Along with over 200 seminarians and countless reporters the cardinals have emerged to board the bus that will take them to St. Peter 's for the mass to begin the conclave. As the bus passed,I saw cardinal George and gave him a thumbs up. He returned by giving me the thumbs up sign. I was actually moved to see him and the other cardinals be applauded as they left. Cardinal Dolan from New York personally waved to me; can he work the crowds.
I am standing I along line waiting to get into St. Peter's for the mass. The atmosphere is unbelievably exciting and joyful. I am sensing that there are people from countless nations and walks of life. The many young people gives me a boost of encouragement.

I made it inside the basilica nearly a third of the way from the altar and I have a seat!!! On the aisle!!! Couldn't be better. The mass is called, The Holy Mass For The Election of the Roman Pontiff." After the liturgy the cardinals gather wherever and they will process from the chapel of St. Paul to the Sistine chapel. After they have all entered, the dean of the. College of Cardinals shuts the door of the chapel and locks the cardinals inside, hence, "conclave" meaning "with key."

They will make a solemn oath of secrecy, read the rules of conclave and election process and make the first vote around 5 pm. Unless there is a two-thirds majority, the ballots will be burned in such a way that BLACK smoke billows out of the little chimney pipe extending from the roof of the chapel. Each day there are two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon. They only burn the ballots after the second vote so there are only two times each day for the smoke to be seen. Once a Cardinal received the necessary majority he is asked if he accepts. Once he agrees, he becomes pope and the Cardinals each approach him promising their obedience. The ballots are burned with chemicals to assure that the smoke is WHITE. To avoid any confusion as to the color of the smoke, a signal is given to peal the bells of St. Peter's. A joyful sign that we have a pope.

The head of the cardinals than opens the balcony doors above the main entryway of the basilica and announces , " Habemus Papam", which means "we have a pope."
And then the newly electric pope's name is announced and he is welcomed to the world.

I am giving my limited knowledge of all the proceedings regarding the election of a pope. There appear to be two factions among the cardinals: those who want a status quo candidate but who will address the scandals (these are led mainly by the Italians ) and those who feel we need a fresh new leader to usher in a new enthusiasm for evangelization. I'm praying for cardinal o'malley or cardinal Dolan or the cardinal from brazil or the one from the Philippines. None of my choices has any chance. But I can still dream.

The mass was quiet, beautiful and prayerful. Not a bad combination. Perhaps a good omen for a Spirit-filled conclave. Buen camino. Padre

Preparing For The Conclave March 10, 2013

I am sitting in the Church of Sant Bartolomeo, which sits on a small island on the Tibet River. This also is the honorary church of our own, Cardinal George. When a bishop is named a cardinal he is entrusted one of the churches in Rome as a sort of honorary parish called his " titular" (be careful not to shorten this word) church.

The Cardinal is saying mass this morning to pray for the Conclave. All the cardinals are in their special "titular" churches celebrating the Eucharist, praying that the Spirit will guide the cardinal electors in the selection of Peter's successor.

The church of sant Bartolomeo is also the church of sant Egidio, a lay community founded after Vatican II, committed to the poor, peace building and ecumenism. I am praying to Christ to discern if it is his will that I start thus community in Chicago. The future of our Church lies in the formation of small communities rooted in prayer, the Eucharist , outreach to poor, dialogue with the world and a connection with the larger church through our bishops. Any community that is to have life and mission had to be united with the whole church if it is to be Catholic.

I pray the next pope will be a leader who exemplifies the values and vision of sant Egidio. I pray I find a handful of like minded Catholics to form this small community of faith.

Near the Vatican, all sorts of scaffoldings are being erected to hold the hundreds if journalists and news reporters. There are cameras and reporters everywhere, including outside and inside all the churches where the cardinals will be saying mass this morning. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation and hope, yes hope. Without hope there is no vision of purpose. Without hope there is no joy. Without hope there can be no church. The church will emerge from its present chaos, as it has emerged from the many past crises, with renewed mission and vitality.

I will pray for you all at this important Mass. The younger son in today's gospel "came to his senses" and returned home to his father, who was waiting patiently for this moment. Our Father is always there for each one of us. He wants to wrap HHS arms of grace around us, transforming us in mercy. Our beautiful Catholic religion must be rescued from the formal , rigid legalism represented by the older son. His god was a "quid pro quo" god: I do what is required and you reward me appropriately. This is not the God we believe in and the God Jesus revealed on the gospel parable.

May this God that Jesus revealed be at the heart of the Conclave about to begin
Burn camino. Padre

Thunder Under the Dome. March 11,2013

If you look at the attached photo if the interior of St. Peter's basilica, you will see a small light at the very center if the photo under the massive canopy. It us the famous stained glass window of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. It hovers over the altar of Confession, the "confession" of St. Peter that Jesus is the "Christ , the Son of the Living God."

As I take the photo , I can hear loud rumbles if thunder. Sometimes the Spirit breaths in a gentle breeze; sometimes in a "thundering" wind. The Spirit seems to be speaking in the form of thunder. Maybe he is trying to awaken us all to the powerful Presence of the Father calling us.

I just went to confession to a kind priest from Poland who spoke fluent English. Believe me, he understood everything I told him. He mentioned the power of humility to draw us into God's limitless love. God is relentlessly searching for us and when the Spirit, Christ's Spirit, which is the communion of Father and Son, becomes the center of our hearts, our worlds can shake and thunder.

It is still thundering as the communion bells gently chime indicating the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The whispered prayers of priest and people rise up in the Holy Spirit...they rise up in Eucharistic Sacrifice as Christ draws us into the Father's Presence. This is all happening as hundreds of tourists wander , gazing upward, whispering to a neighbor taking endless photos. They are understandably oblivious to the miracle taking place at the altar underneath the beautiful image of the Holy Spirit.

No wonder it is thundering!
Come Holy Spirit
Breath on us Your People
May we hear your Thunderous Love
May you breath on the Conclave
May the one chosen be bold
Give him courage to shake things up a bit
Causing Thunder as he "throws the Fire of Spirit" by the witness of his actions

Buen camino. Padre

The Greatest Commandment. March 8, 2013

In today's gospel Jesus us asked the most important questions if his ministry : which commandment is the greatest? The response is one we all know and believe to be true : the greatest commandment is to love God with all one's mind, strength and will...and to love one's neighbor as one's self. Love...God, neighbor and self. A trinity if LOVE.

The basis if my priesthood is to give flesh to this great commandment, a reality that came home to me during pranzo (lunch). At the table behind me sat a familiar person in my life , a very important person: bishop Wilton Gregory, the very bishop who ordained me a priest over 29 years ago. I was the first person he ordained as priest since he, himself, had just been ordained bishop two months prior.

What a beautiful but very brief reunion. He us in Rome to work with ABC Network in its coverage of the conclave. I will always have a very special relationship with him even though we have lost contact. But I left this poignant reunion reflecting on the moment bishop Gregory ordained me a priest. And how I am living this gift of priesthood.

Talk about water under the bridge!!! Sometimes if feels like a peaceful stream flowing under the bridge ; at other times, a deluge that simply destroys the bridge, forcing me to pull a St. Peter: " Lord help me, I am sinking beneath these turbulent waters ." God always comes to the rescue with arm outstretched pulling me to safety and gently placing me on a new bridge. There gave been so many "new bridges" that I have lost count.

How am I living the great commandment to love as a man called by God to be a priest? Each one of us must ask that same gospel question, given our own unique calling in life. The very foundation of our lives is built on the reality of God's love for us. It us very difficult, if not impossible, to love another or even our own selves if we haven't let God love us first. I am convinced that most of us have not let God truly enter our hearts and love the deepest core of our beings. That's what is missing: the deep experience of God's love for us, an experience impeded by our belief that we are not worthy of God's love.

And yet we keep hoping and praying to let that deep Love penetrate our hearts, causing an ecstasy beyond compare. Just read the Song if Songs in the Old Testament and let the passionate and poetic words sink in. God IS Lover. Can you believe that? God so loved YOU that he came down, descended from majestic divinity , letting go of this majesty, becoming HUMAN, a true human being united in Divinity. One Person uniting human and divine and this Person is LOVE. He so loved YOU he descended and pitched his tent among us only to suffer rejection, a rejection of Love. Those who were threatened by Christ were ultimately threatened by His Love and what would happen to their lives and religion if they let Christ's Love inside their hearts. Yes , their worlds and lives would totally change. That's what happens to us when we let God's love in.

Have YOU experienced such ecstatic and life changing Love? My priesthood will have been fruitful to the extent that I have helped people ask .... And answer tat question.
Buen camino. Padre

Florence March , 6 2013

Firenze, Florence , city of art and culture. Just prayed before the tombs of Michelangelo , Machiavelli , and Galileo in the church if San Croce. In their tombs was combined the painful realities of political manipulation, the collision of science and theology, and the genius of an artist. Somehow they all fit in with this magnificent basilica and they each have a place in our church.

It seems to be an instinct of myopic religiosity to want to eliminate all paradox and tension. Isn't the whole of the gospel a wondrous paradox? We receive when we give; we find when we lose ; we find life when we die. A paradox is a statement that is seemingly opposed to, and yet perhaps is, true. One holds together two opposites in order to unveil the truth.

So many want religion to be clear, concise, and unambiguous. No argument here. But religion must encourage us to delve deep within the clear statements of truth to discover a reality and meaning beneath the surface. The statement that God is One but with three persons is a true statement but totally inadequate. God can never be defined or pin pointed in creed or doctrinal statement. The human mind can never fathom " one in three" a statement of Truth but never the last word. The last word is always Christ, the Word of the Father.

As I say in San Croce I felt so much at peace knowing I belong to this massive church, filled with men and women having the courage to go beneath the surface of life and immerse themselves in the Reality that is the foundation of our church, our religion and our faith : a God Who do loves us that His entire Being, to use a very awkward word, is one of continuous outpouring of LOVE into our hearts.
God 's love is what empowers us to forgive " seven times seventy" ; to "love those who hate us"; to "pick up your cross" ; to love one's neighbor as one loves God and self" to feed the hungry and cloth the naked.

This huge basilica of San Croce is nearly empty but filled with the spirits of those who have gone before us and the handful of us living this life as pilgrims. We are all going in the same direction. We have our deep questions of faith and we are searching in the midst of paradox. The beauty if it all is that we all somehow belong ; let God figure it out.

Michelangelo was told he couldn't produce something beautiful from a flawed piece of marble. He defied his detractors and chiseled out the Pieta. I believe this story is truthful. If it isn't , it should be. If we can accept as truthful so many of the "stories" of the saints and the historical identity of certain bone fragments , I will believe this story of Michelangelo and his huge block of marvel.

And the greatest artist of all is God, who chisels away at the human heart recreating us all into works of art. Somehow I smell a paradox buen camino. Padre