N° 280 INDEX FEBRUARY 2015 Capuchins in the East: Presence 01 and ‘de facto minority’ Capuchins in the East: Cardinal Seán O’Malley: a Presence and ‘de facto minority’ 02 Capuchin councilor of the Pope Br. Raniero Cantalamessa: Br. Pio Murat, General Councilor OFMCap 03 Lenten preaching 2015 The Capuchin friary of Monterosso is a ‘place of the urrent events continue to doc- communities, they—in the spirit of heart’ for Italians ument the daily drama of the C St. Francis (Earlier Rule XVI), wit- Appointment of two new Middle East. Barbarous killings in ness to the Gospel simply with their Capuchin bishops Syria and in Iraq, attacks in the Holy lives. Land, repeated violations of human Latin America looks To understand better the value of 04 toward PCO VIII rights. We know all too well, unfor- our presence (encouraged by the tunately, these realities, hostile and 15 years of the joy of being General Minister), the brothers of sisters cruel. Powerless, we note also that ASMEN have begun a path of re- Christians, among others, are easy Palestine will have two new fl ection: “In the countries where we saints objects of a violence that knows no are, how can we live our condition of end. ‘de facto minority,’ imposed by the In this region of the world, the Ca- context in which we live? In relation puchins are present and share the to ecumenical dialogue, to interreli- drama of these humiliated people. gious dialogue or facing the possibili- Let us recall: one of our friaries in ty of losing our churches, what sense Syria completely destroyed; a million does our presence have? What does and a half Syrians fl eeing to Leba- perseverance mean?” non; others – thousands – in exile in The process of development under- Mersin in Turkey. In such contexts taken by the Conference will cer- Deir Ezzor - Syria our brothers, directly involved, work tainly be a support not only for the in silence to comfort and soothe the brothers involved, but will also raise suff erings. awareness in the whole of our Capu- In the Middle East, we are present in chin fraternity. Jerusalem, in Greece, in Lebanon, in PCO VII clearly affi rms: “Inspired Turkey, in the Arabian peninsula, and by the teaching to proclaim the in Pakistan. Thus we form ASMEN, Good News even in the midst of the smallest among the Conferences trials and persecutions (cf. Mt 24:9), of the Order. The prospects for the the Capuchin Order encourages our ‘implantatio ordinis’ are truly thin brothers in those countries where Pakistan and our fraternities – in large part – Christianity is a negligible minority are made up of foreign brothers. to bear witness to the Gospel, like The ‘common denominator’ of all of leaven in the dough (cf. Lk 13:21), our presence in the Middle East is through example and word in a spirit the condition of ‘de facto minority.’ of minority akin to that of St Francis Here, in the political, religious, and before the Sultan. Our brotherhood social context of these countries, pledges to stand by and support our ‘minority’ is anything but an ab- brothers, especially in those lands stract and theoretical concept; it is where the freedom of religion is at a concrete condition of life. Almost risk, religious intolerance is on the Meryem Ana - Turkey everywhere the brothers are living increase and religious fundamental- in misunderstood Christian commu- ism is spreading rapidly.” (PCO VII, nities, deprived of their fundamental 16) rights and, at times, as prey of hate May these intentions, good and just and persecution. In some situations, in themselves, lift up the spirit of fra- the brothers cooperate to maintain ternal solidarity in as many forms of the life of the Church, but, in oth- expression as are possible. er cases, when there aren’t Christian Jerusalem HIGHLIGHTS CARDINAL SEÁN O’MALLEY a Capuchin councilor of the Pope

ou are the only American – and Ca- poor and sick as “our liege lords.” adoption. In 1988 I read Paul Ypuchin – called to counsel the Pope on Mother Teresa said the poor are Swope’s article in First Things, the reform of church governance. What Christ in a “distressing disguise.” We “Abortion: A Failure to Communi- can you tell us about the council’s mission? need to see the value of people who cate.” Swope pointed to research As has been announced, there is a might be invisible to the culture, that showed how women in diffi cult desire to reform the Curia, to make and that includes the unborn child, pregnancies ended up choosing it more at the service of the Holy the Alzheimer’s patient, the drug abortion. They see three options Father and the local Churches. The addict. Some of these people have available to them: keeping the child, goal is to make the Curia more very challenging situations, and they having an abortion or putting their child up for an adoption. Keeping effi cient and thus to allow the Holy aren’t the beautiful or productive the child is often interpreted as a Father to govern more eff ectively. people, the glitterati. We are called personal death. Giving the child up It is important to review the func- to see their value in God’s eyes. in an adoption is seen as a terrible tions of the dicasteries and pontif- Socrates said, “People believe me ical councils, to see how they can because I am poor.” The witness option — they are a bad mother who work better. The Holy Father is also of a simple lifestyle is important in is exposing the child to abandon- concerned about the pastoral care of the Church. It doesn’t mean that ment, abuse and neglect. Somehow people working in the Curia. Many people shouldn’t live according to we have to break through that view within the Curia have given their the demands of their station of of adoption and help women see lives in service to the Church. But life — not everybody has a vow of that there are many wonderful child- there should not be an approach of poverty. When we read about the less couples who are well-equipped careerism, but of mission. The Holy fi rst Christians and see how they to be loving parents. We need to Father wants to make sure that is shared with each other, there was a do more to support adoptive par- the spirit of the Curia. Further, the sense of responsibility for the poor, ents. The USCCB Pro-life Activi- 02 Church has grown so much and is the orphan and the strangers in their ties Committee is also promoting more international. So there is a de- midst. We need to do more. post-abortion care. So many women sire to internationalize the Curia to have had an abortion. They believe In his interview in America magazine, they have committed an unspeakable some extent. The council is not only Pope Francis spoke about his own deep crime beyond forgiveness, and they to reform the Curia, but to advise experience of spiritual paternity, but he the Holy Father on the government. live with that guilt. We need to help also made it clear that all Church leaders them fi nd the path to reconciliation Recently, there has been discussion and pastors should reach out to others like and experience God’s mercy. That about expanding consultation within a spiritual father. is one of the beautiful things about the Church more widely. Is this council For any priest, it is important to see Pope Francis. He is showing how the appointed by the Pope a model for Church ourselves as the spiritual father of Church must be a “fi eld hospital,” governance at other levels? our people. The Holy Father, during reaching out to those who have been The Church is not a democracy. his chrism Mass homily, said, “The devastated by sin. But the Church can only function if shepherd should have the smell there is a sense that you are trying In many countries and also in the USA, of the sheep.” As the father of the there legalization of same-sex marriage to discern God’s will, and we don’t family makes many sacrifi ces for has begun. What has been the experience do that just as individuals; we do his children, a priest needs to make of the Church, pastors, and families? that in an atmosphere of dialogue many sacrifi ces for his people. When In Boston, we have a commission and prayer. But ultimately, the Holy the father makes those sacrifi ces, he Father will make decisions, and we doesn’t feel sorry for himself; he sees set up to study the impact of same- will abide by them. this as his mission. And that is the sex “marriage” and the issue of way a good priest has to function. I homosexuality. We are looking at Pope Francis has asked us to be a “Church what is being taught in the public for the poor.” Does that involve leading a fear, however, that the clergy-abuse schools. We know it is an entirely crisis has led some priests to stay simpler lifestyle? apart from people so their motives diff erent anthropology from that of the Church. There is such an In the Church, we have always en- won’t be suspect. couraged people to adopt a simpler aggressive attitude toward anyone lifestyle. The Holy Father’s interest In 2012, you were elected the chairman defending traditional marriage that in ecology gives another dimension of the USCCB Committee for Pro-life many people are intimidated. And to this concern. We need to be more Activities. What are your goals for this there is a movement now that is conscious of people’s needs and be critical work of the conference? trying to stop religious people from willing to forego superfl uous wealth In the last year, I tried to bring up adopting. The challenge we face now and creature comforts. The Order of the importance of changing the is helping people focus on the fact Malta has the tradition of seeing the mentality of the country around that marriage involves families. As GENERAL CURIA • CAPUCHIN PRESENCE BIG NEWS IN BRIEF Archbishop [Salvatore] Cordileone You have served immigrants and [of San Francisco] explained in his undocumented workers from the early report to the conference this week, days of your priesthood. It looks like The Capuchin friary of Monterosso is a “Every child comes from a man and comprehensive immigration reform will ‘place of the heart’ for Italians a woman. Marriage recognizes that not go forward this year. What does that reality and binds the children to mean for people who were hoping for a their parents.” Every study shows reprieve in the USA? that the optimal circumstance for Part of the problem is that we need raising a child is with their biolog- immigrants; our quotas have often ical parents in a loving, committed been far too low. There are also marriage. But at the same time, horror stories of someone com- we need to communicate — and ing into the country as a political this is diffi cult — that homosex- refugee, but their children must ual persons are not unwelcome in wait 10 years to get in the country. the Church. The great threat that Immigration law is very complex, marriage faces is cohabitation. As and sometimes it can be very puni- LA SPEZIA, Italy – The friary of the Ca- Charles Murray reported in Com- tive. The immigration issue won the puchin Friars of Monterosso was elect- ing Apart, almost 50% of children election for President Obama. His ed a ‘place of the heart’ for Italians. The are born out of wedlock in the promise of amnesty for the stu- evocative, seventeenth century friary white working-class community. dents locked in the entire Hispanic that dominates the bay of Monteros- Cohabitation and the divorce vote. Yet Obama is the president so al Mare (La Spezia) is the winner of the seventh national ‘Places of the mentality have both been bad for who deported more Hispanics Heart’ survey, promoted by FAI (Fondo marriage, and I am so glad the Holy than any other president. He was Ambiente Italiano – Italian Environment Father will give this issue more facing that charge, and conservative Fund) in collaboration with a bank. The focus with the Synod on the Family. Republicans weren’t anxious to take friary, struck by the fl ood of 2013, holds advantage of that issue because of works of art within and is surrounded He also wants us to fi nd ways to by gardens and vineyards. In second help people in second marriages their own attitude about immigra- place was the Certosa di Calci (Pisa) fol- to return to the sacraments and tion. We need immigration reform, lowed by Calatubo Castle in Alcamo, in be reconciled and to see if the but it has fallen victim to the polar- the province of Trapani. This year more annulment process can be more ization that we see in government. than 1,600,000 Italians took part in the 03 voting, indicating also among the ‘plac- user-friendly. (National Catholic Register) es of the heart’ the Cappello Borsalino Museum (Alessandria) and the Church of Sant’Agnello (Maddaloni, Caserta). Br. Raniero Cantalamessa (www.viaggi.guidone.it) Lenten preaching 2015

atican City – “Two lungs, one diff erent ways. Citing for this the breath: East and West united wisdom of pagan thinker of the Vin the same profession of faith.” fourth century, Quintus Aurelius This is the theme chosen by the Symmachus, who reminds us of a Preacher of the Papal Household, truth that acquires all its value when Br. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM it is applied to the various theolo- Cap., for preaching to the Pope and gies of East and West: “Uno itinere the Roman Curia beginning this Fri- non potest perveniri ad tam grande day, February 27, 2015. The theme, secretum” (One does not arrive at Appointment of two new Capuchin he explains, means to be a small such a great mystery by traveling a bishops contribution to the unity of the single path.) Therefore, the image VATICAN CITY - The Holy Father has Body of Christ that is the Church of the embrace between Pope Paul appointment Bishop of Krk (Croatia) our that breathes with “two lungs,” as VI and Patriarch Athenagoras and confrere Ivica Petanjak, OFMCap., until St. John Paul II said, speaking of more recently between Pope Francis now Guardian of the house in Osijek and Provincial Councilor. East and West. Given that in re- and Bartholomew, show forth more cent times, the eff orts in fi nding the positive eff ect than long theological On this past January 29 the Pope ap- paths for dialogue have sought to debates. And it is on this ‘embrace pointed bishop of the diocese of Lolo build on what unites us, that is, the (Democratic Republic of the Congo) our in the same Spirit’ that Br. Raniero confrere Jean Bertin Nadonye Ndongo, great mysteries of our faith, instead has placed hand and heart in order General Councilor. of highlighting the diff erences, even to show us a path toward a “spiritual ecumenism that prepares for that of Best wishes to our brothers in their new if, briefl y, Br. Raniero wishes to note and demanding service to the Church. that we believe in the same Great doctrine,” in the words of Cardinal Mystery revealed or understood in Walter Kasper. (www.ofmcap.org) CAPUCHIN PRESENCE • F RANCISCAN FAMILY BIG NEWS IN BRIEF Latin America Palestine will have two new saints

BETHLEHEM, Israel – The Palestinian peo- looks toward ple will have two new saints to commem- orate. The Consistory of February 15, in PCO VIII fact, has inscribed among the saints Mari- am Baouardy and Maryam Sūltanah Danil Ghaţţas. They will be canonized on May AÑA, Peru – With a fi rst Plata; in the month of May in the 17, 2015. For the land of Jesus these are meeting in Peru, which was Provinces of Ecuador and Chile; the fi rst two women saints of the modern Ñ era. Mariam, who took as a religious name held in our fraternity in Ñaña from and fi nally, in June, in the Custody Sr. Mary of Jesus Crucifi ed in the Order of February 9 to 13, the CCA began a of Venezuela and in the Province Discalced Carmelites, was born of a Leb- series of meetings in each circum- of Colombia. There will then be a anese family in the Palestinian village of scription in order to animate the synthesis of the contributions of I’billin, near Nazareth, on January 5, 1846. friars on the themes of PCO VIII. all the friars, which will serve the Her tomb is in the church of the Carmel A commission, composed of three of Bethlehem, where she died, at just 32 delegates in order to off er the next years of age, on August 26, 1878. After friars, Br. Carlos Azcona of Ecua- PCO the ideas and way of thinking having lost both her parents, little Mariam dor, Br. Alfredo Mirando of Peru, of the whole Conference. In Latin was adopted by a paternal uncle. Running and Br. José Luis Cereijo of Río de America all this work will conclude away from home at 13 in order not to la Plata, held the meeting that was with the meeting of ALAC (Latin be forced into marriage, she was almost on the realities of work in our con- American Assembly of the Capu- killed by a Muslim who wanted to make temporary world; pastoral work in chins), during with the Provincial her renounce the Christian faith. With her a church that ‘goes out’; the Biblical Ministers and the Delegates of the throat cut, the girl awoke in a cave cared for by a woman whom she identifi ed as dimensions of work; work in our Conferences will also have time to the Virgin Mary. After having wandered Franciscan Sources; and conclud- refl ect on ‘The Grace of Working.’ from Alexandria in Egypt to Jerusalem ing with the challenge of the grace Thus we are inspiring each other, and Beirut and fi nally to Marseille, she of working in our fraternities. Af- making our way to celebrate, in entered as a novice, at 19 years of age, the ter Peru, the next meetings in April communion with all the brothers, Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition in will be in the Custody of Paraguay this great event of the Spirit in our Marseille. Under the guidance of Mother Veronica of the Passion, she was directed and in the Province of Río de la life as brothers and minors. 04 to the Carmel of Pau in the Atlantic Pyre- nees. In 1870 she was among the found- resses of the Indian Carmel of Mangalore and in 1875 among the foundresses of the Carmel of Bethlehem. Mariam is consid- 15 years of the joy ered a mystic and to her is attributed the miracle of having saved a Sicilian baby, just born and doomed to a certain death. of being sisters Maryam Sūltanah Danil Ghaţţas, on the other hand, born in Jerusalem on October 4, 1843, was a Palestinian religious and OCA, Ecuador – Among the is a cutting edge bid that off ers foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Rosary celebrations of the Year of of Jerusalem of the Latins. She died at Ein C to old confl icts and inequalities Kerem on March 25, 1927, and is known by Consecrated Life, which is still an alternative of joyous serenity, the religious name of Mary Alphonsina. in course, the Church of Agauri- fraternity, and sisterly solidarity, co is rejoicing in the celebration all nourished by a life lived con- of 15 years of the presence of the tinually before the Blessed Sac- Monastery of Santa María de rament. The brief and fruitful Guadalupe of the Capuchin Poor story of the monastery motivates Clares. Founded in mission land, the sisters, on this anniversary, as the community of the monastery Pope Francis says, “to look to the brings the announcement of joy past with gratitude, to live the that comes from the common present with passion and to look life in constant prayer, like ‘sen- to the future with joyful hope, tinels of the morning and guard- having the certainty that it is the ians of the night.’ In a world Lord guiding his work. It is thus marked by diverse and oppos- time to sing a paraphrase of the ing changes and developments, psalmist: “How sweet and pleas- the presence of a contemplative ant it is for sisters to live together monastery in this local Church in harmony.”

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