Relics of St. Francis. March 21,2013

While walking through Assisi I know that Francis is leading me, or perhaps following me to support me when I stumble. When leaving the main road through the town, one enters a labyrinth of tiny streets and cul de sacs. When walking a labyrinth one journeys toward the center, who is God. In Assisi, these labyrinths always lead to the main road, "the way."

I make my way to the lower basilica to pray before the relics if st Francis : his tunic, habit, slippers, cincture or cord , the actual written rule of Francis, a portion if his actual ashes. These tangible objects simply remind me that Francis walked these same pathways I am walking. Francis is real. The labyrinths he walked led him to follow Christ is the most radical way.
In falling more in love with Christ I have felt closer to Francis as ever. I love this'd saint , this man, this follower of Christ.
Whole my name may be the same God does not me or anyone else to be Francis or Clare or Teresa. One of each of these great saints is enough. God needs YOU to become the saint that he wants you to become. Francis and Teresa and all the rest of the recognized, canonized saints are guides and intercessors. There are countless more saints. YOU are one of them.

Francis, Teresa, Ignatious, John of the Cross are my personal guides. Without them I would be lost. This great Communion of Saints is one of the greatest Treasures of the Catholic faith. We need these holy men and women to remind us that the "Way" of Jesus is truly possible.

In today's gospel, the leaders just couldn't see in and through the humanity of Jesus the One sent by the Father. Can you blame them? After all,he did look ordinary and came from an ordinary family. What was missing for these leaders was a softened heart to "see" things, people and the world in an entire new light. "If today you hear his voice harden not your
hearts, " says the psalmist.
A question we must all ask , "what is the condition of my spiritual heart...is it soft so God can enter,reshape and refashion, or is it hard, making it impossible for God to transform?
Francis is giving me the courage to ask the question. The answer....
Buen camino. Francesco

Assisi

I would everyone to know that I will be spending a week of prayer by myself on Assisi starting on march 20. I want to use this time to pray for other, for YOU and any special intention. I can't be any closer to you than while in prayer.

Assisi had been for me a special place where heaven and earth embrace. The presence of Francis us tangible and intimate. Praying here comes quoted naturally.

If you would like me to pray for a special
need, let me know through this blog or let dean know so that he can email me your request. As Isaiah said in today 's first reading, "remember not the events of the past; the things of long ago consider not. See I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"
It is only when rooted in a life of prayer that we are able to "perceive" that God is indeed doing something new through our own lives. Buen camino. Padre Francesco.

Throwing Stones. March 17, 2013

We frequently look to the woman caught in adultery and feel deep anger at the manner in which she is treated. And the image of Jesus embracing her in her alienation and loving her is compelling and beautiful. But sometimes we fail to focus on those with the stones in clenched fists ready to pounce on a woman caught in adultery.

I decided to put myself in the minds of those men with the stones. What was the "mindset" which would cause them to want to kill another human being simply for sinning in an obviously sexual manner?
Granite, their actions were rooted in the Law which mandated that a woman caught in adultery should be stoned. And where was the man? Of course the Law was grounded in a belief that women were inferior to men, much better seen in subservience to men.

We hear this gospel proclaimed and we rightfully cringe at the inequality that is being displayed. But let's focus on the mindset of the men holding or clenching the stones.

Their first inclination was to exclude the woman by taking her away from her community and isolating her in a particular interpretation of the Law. They were right; she is wrong. They are righteous and pure; she is a terrible sinner and impure. I can't help but believe that their " mindset" is alive and well in our own enlightened , 21st century mentality. We clench our fists around invisible stones of judgement. And can we throw them.

The current discourse in religion and politics has much stone throwing on all sides and by very smart people. We do what has been done since time immemorial : we demonized the one with whom we disagree by casting or throwing stones, so that we discredit and even demonize the "opponent." We want to exclude no less than those angry men in the gospel. Our methods are not physically violent but they are very damaging, and some might even say they are psychologically violent.

Jesus makes a simple comment that must ring true in our own ears today: if you have never sinned, go and cast the first stone. With that one sentence, our fists open up, the "stone" falls down and we take our place next to that woman writing with her finger in the dry dust of the earth.
Buen camino. Padre Francis

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