SStt AAnntthhoonnyy BBrriieeff

IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No .1 DEC/jAN 2011 €1.00

 Why Did You Come?  Gratitude and Grief  El Salvador: Light in the Darkness Spirit and Life

THE MADNESS OF GOD! Compared to Your humility in becoming man, What can I do but go mad All other humility is nothing but pride. Since You have shown me the way? Come one and all, come running! Since the Wisdom of God is drunk with love, Come and see Eternal Life in swaddling clothes! What will you do, O my wisdom? Will you not follow the example of your Lord? For love of us You seem to have gone mad! Is there a greater honour than to share in His folly? O enamoured God speak to me of this love O jubilant joy and somersaults of happiness, Which renews and gives joy to Your lovers. Please, learn to be prudent, If I might see Your face and rest with You O my heart, I will desire nothing more. Sensible people with sensible smiles Cannot understand the wildness of ecstasy! § – Jacopone da Todi, Franciscan friar and mystic ( 1306) SStt AAnntthhoonnyy BBrriieeff

4 From the Editor. South African Diary – Recalled! Fr Liam McDermott, OFM, 5 tells now of what he could not write about when apartheid ruled in South Africa.

Walking the Talk. In Singapore, two young friars went on an 8 inter-faith Walk for Peace on the morning of their final Profession. Cheryl Frois shares how the short journey captured the essence of St Francis’ message: “While you proclaim peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”

Costa Rica: A Franciscan Journey. Fr Gerald Evans, OFM, 10 writes of the unusual and beautiful Costa Rica. 12 Church Brief. Retreat Programme at La Verna Retreat Centre, Franciscan 13 Friary, Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal.

Gratitude and Grief. Elaine Mansfield writes of her broken 14 heart after her husband’s death and of her journey to peace.

Why Did You Come? Sr Mary Burke, FMDM, a midwife 16 herself, ponders on the birth of Christ.

Fun at the Fete! The friars and the friends of the Galway 18 Abbey organised a very successful fete in the friary garden for the upkeep of the Abbey church.

St Francis in Medieval Irish Art. Fr Patrick Conlan, OFM, 20 looks at a forgotten heirloom of Irish Franciscan spirituality. 22 News from Around the Franciscan World. Volume 71 No.1 The Living Memory of the Incarnation. The Custos of the 23 Holy Land, Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, in his address to Missionary Magazine of the Irish Franciscans. Published bi-monthly by the recent Synod on the Middle East, spoke of the vocation of the Franciscan Missionary Union, Christians living in the Holy Land. 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Editor: Fr Ulic Troy, OFM. Getting Ready: We Prepare For 2012! Fr Tom Russell, OFM, Production: Fr Francis Cotter, OFM. 24 begins a series of articles in preparation for the Eucharistic Subscription & Distribution Secretary: Congress to be held in Dublin in 2012. Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. Design, Layout & Printing: El Salvador: the Light in the Darkness. Fr Gearóid Ó Conaire , Corcoran Print & Design. Tel: (053) 9234760. 27 OFM, believes that in the quest for justice and reconciliation, Subscription including Postage: love is the only way for effective change. Ireland – €12.00 per annum Britain – Stg£12.00 per annum Mission Digest. Overseas – €15.00 per annum 30 31 Letters to the Editor. Dec/jan 2011 3 From the Editor… “Light in the Darkness”

It seems such a short time since I was writing the editorial for last year’s Christmas Fr Ulic Troy edition of our missionary magazine. Soon we will be celebrating the birth of Christ, when once more we remember the goodness and generosity of God our Father, who reached out to all of us and sent His Son into this broken world so that we could have eternal life. During this past year I have written about the difficulties that people have had; regrettably these difficulties are still with us. People remain angry at the way their lives have been turned upside down by the recession; many have lost their jobs with very little hope of being re-employed in the near future. In a society that spends an inordinate amount of time listening to tales of scandals, murders, rip-offs, corruption and failure, there is a need for some respite. Despite the doom and gloom, the darkness and the anger, hope abounds, and it is because of the fragile Child Jesus. That is why we Christians celebrate. He is the love of God made manifest and given to each of us, and that is certainly cause for great celebration. At Christmas we come together to celebrate the “light that shines in the darkness,” Jesus Christ; for in the birth of Emmanuel, God-with-us, we have the sure and certain proof that God loves us, and we all need to live in the assurance of that love. The truth of history is that for twenty centuries people have been grasped by the message of the Child from Bethlehem, and have had their lives profoundly changed by Him. I think of the thousands of men and women missionaries who, in various countries and in different ways, reached out to the people, striving in the midst of extreme hardship, to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Just as the missionaries reached out to people, we are also invited not to leave Christ in the crib, but to welcome Him into our hearts and reach out to others in love and service. This Christmas I ask that you, gentle reader, play a small part in removing some of the anger and darkness from the horizon. We are all in a position to reach out, to help, to share the love of God with those around us. It is truly a beautiful thing to exchange gifts at Christmas time, and that exchange is a recognition of the value we place on those who share our lives. Yet is there not another attitude of greater value? Yes, and that is by reaching out to one another beyond the merely material: spending time with the elderly, the sick, the lonely and listening to their joys and sorrows is worth far more to them than a material gift, whatever it might be. We can bring about a change; make a difference in the lives of those experiencing difficult times by reaching out to them in friendship and concern. All of these: the poor, the sick, the aged, the handicapped are, in the words of Mother Teresa: “Christ’s distressing disguise.” By reaching out to them we can truly imitate what God the Father did for us through His Son Jesus Christ. This will be my last editorial. Fr Bernard Jones is now the Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union. During my time as Director of the FMU it was a great pleasure to work with you and, on occasion, to receive your words of appreciation. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful manner in which you supported me personally, our missionary magazine, “St Anthony Brief” , but more importantly, our missionaries and the people that they minister to. On my own behalf and that of the staff here in the FMU Office, I pray that just as the Child Jesus came down into the arms of St Francis of Assisi that night in the small town of Greccio, that He will come into your heart, your home, to your friends, and above all to a world that is badly in need of Jesus Christ and His Good News. May He bring His peace and joy to all of you, but especially to all those who feel forgotten in hospital or in their own homes, and may His presence drive out all fear and darkness at this time. – Ulic Troy, OFM ([email protected])

St Anthony Brief 4 Fr Liam McDermott, OFM , writes now of what he could not write about when apartheid ruled in South Africa.

1st March 2010: Today is the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville shooting when 69 2people were shot dead and a hundred more injured as they demonstrated peacefully. On that day a group of between 5,000 and 7,000 people converged on the local police station of Sharpeville to demonstrate their disap - proval of having to carry “pass books” – an instrument which restricted and robbed “black people” of their human rights and dignity. The march was ended by the indiscriminate shooting by the police into the unarmed crowd, killing and injuring men, women and children. This incident was a tangible demonstration of the disregard of the government of the day for the human rights and dignity of the victims. On that day 50 years ago Michael Zondo, a teacher and a Catholic, was walking home from school when he was South African hit in the leg by a stray bullet and ended up in hospital. When he recovered he was brought to court and accused of being part of the Sharpeville Diary – Recalled! illegal gathering/demonstration. (A transcript of this trial appeared in Ambrose Reeve’s book The Shooting at Sharpeville .) He was acquitted but for the rest of his life he was visited by the The hated pass: demanding change Security Police/Special Branch every pious? Or just not un-cynical? Anyway every three months – the implication few months – a not-so-subtle form of in mid-1969 a lady in Inistioge, Co. being: keep out of trouble or it won’t be harassment. I was appointed to Kilkenny, wrote to the Brief to complain renewed. So I did not comment. The Sharpeville in 1963 and came to know about the fact that even though I was township manager at the time, a Mr Michael well and his wife Mary who working in Sharpeville I was ignoring Labuschagne, tried to convince me that was a teacher in our Catholic school. I the apartheid situation. She later gave I should be able to do my work between learned of the pain and harassment of me a copy of Ambrose Reeve’s book – normal work hours and be out of the 1960s. banned in South Africa. Well, she was Sharpeville by 4.30pm. I had to fight to At that time I started writing for the right in a way: I wasn’t writing about it. have the permit “unlimited” so as to be Brief what was called the “South But I could not ignore it. I was living able to go to evening Masses, evening African Diary” and it kept going until and working in the middle of it. In 1963 meetings, sick calls at any time. I won 1973. I’ve been looking back over the I had to get a permit to allow me to go the fight but was still followed by police early entries and some of what I wrote into Sharpeville between 7.00am and from time to time. They wanted to know then makes me cringe now. Naïve? Too 7.00pm and this had to be renewed what this white face was doing in

Dec/jan 2011 5 Sharpeville. Now I would like to tell one area and you would be “endorsed out” – 6.00pm for the purpose of shopping.” In or two of the stories I did not write sent “back” to a homeland you might other words, cross the “border,” to about then. never have seen. And if you did have Ficksburg only, shop and go home to your pass the first thing the police Lesotho. So when he came to stay with Identity Document checked for was the “Section 10” stamp. his mother in 1975 he was an “illegal.” Every African had to carry a pass or This Section !0 was the tiny red stamp in So after he was challenged by police, dompas – an identity document – at all your pass that gave you permission to arrested, fined and given a letter which times and if you did not have it with you be in Sharpeville and to work in the said: “Please take notice that you do when challenged by the police you were Vereeniging area. not qualify for permission in terms of thrown into a police van, locked up for Michael Motskei’s mother, Callisdina, section 12 of Act No. 25 of 1945 as the night, fined and “endorsed out.” lived in Sharpeville and attended our amended, to be in or remain in any Being “endorsed out” meant this: the Catholic church there. She was from prescribed area, and that you are a apartheid system took it for granted that Lesotho originally but had the required prohibited immigrant. You are accord - every African belonged to a “homeland” Section 10. But Michael himself was ingly hereby warned to leave the – like the Transkei – and you could only still living in Lesotho and the only prescribed area of Vereeniging on or be in a “white” industrial area like permit he had was that stamped in his before the 9th June 1975, failing which Vereeniging where Sharpeville was passport which read: “The holder of this you will be liable to arrest and prose - located if you had special permission. passport is permitted to enter the area cution without further notice. You are This was called “influx control.” So if you of Ficksburg (a town in South Africa, also warned not to enter any other did not have your pass with you it was just over the Lesotho border) periodi - prescribed area or any non-prescribed taken for granted that you had no cally during the period ending 14-1- area without prior permission.” So permission to be in a “white” municipal 1975 between the hours of 8.00am and Michael was sent back to Lesotho.

St Anthony Brief 6 Class Action which Roman Catholic church, where! front seat of the pick-up. “She should be This was the often-repeated experience And armed with this “evidence” Michael in the back!” At first they confiscated my of many, many black Africans as was X would go and try to get his Section 10 car keys and I was to go with them to mentioned in a letter (9th February stamp to allow him to live in Sharpeville. the police station. In the end they let us 2010) to the Star newspaper with And needless to say, that was go with a caution. reference to the class action case being something I could not write about then. There was always such hyper- brought in the U.S. courts against U.S. sensitivity and suspicion in the firms that propped up apartheid: country as a result of the “IBM is accused of providing Immorality Act which forbade database technology used to marriage “across the colour make dompas – the ID that line” with the police always black people had to carry on the watch for possible 24/7/365 and produce on transgressions. Now, with demand to the police. Failure people free to marry resulted in a penalty of six whoever they want, it is months on a prison farm. Not hard to believe that such a named in the suit is Polaroid law ever existed. It brought which supplied cameras and so much misery, and Kodak films for the grubby sometimes suicide, to the photographs. Influx control lives of those who fell in was designed to restrict the love with people of the freedom of Africans. Other “wrong” colour. race groups had freedom of movement. So vicious was Freedom the application of this system Years after retiring from that Chief Albert Luthuli was the “South African Diary” in arrested while addressing an the 1980s I was helping ANC rally in Cape Town. He out at a First Friday Mass was taken to Caledon Square in Sharpeville. On my way police station and brutally home I had to pass Mohlodi beaten for failing to produce a School. The children were pass. So much for Mother City’s hospi - coming out for break and as soon as tality! Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi was A new South Africa: they saw the white face driving by they passing through the sleepy town of picked up stones to stone the car. Vryheid in northern KwaZulu-Natal when Hope for a better future Luckily I had almost passed them before he was stopped and asked to produce Excluded they noticed me so I only got one or two his dompas . When he failed to do so, he Like the post-Vatican II younger gener - bangs on the side of the car. If I had was locked up for the weekend with ation who know nothing about what we been half a minute earlier I might not be drunks, robbers, thieves and rapists. For had to endure with the non-active partici - writing today! It seems a political activist the same ‘offence’ I spent a weekend at pation in the Latin Mass, the post-1990 had been at the school that morning the Van Rhyn Juvenile Detention.” generation of South Africans have no haranguing them about the evils of idea what people had to endure in white-inspired apartheid so anti-white Outwitting the System apartheid days. For example, if one was sentiment was boiling in them when they We were too late to help Michael. But driving somewhere with Wilfrid (now saw me. we did try to outwit the system from Cardinal) Napier we could never go into Now, of course, we have a free time to time. For example, if someone a restaurant together to get something to South Africa but saddled with different from Lesotho, like Michael, wanted to eat because I was “white” and he was problems: corruption, black empow - come and stay with his mother we not. What a simple joy it is now, since erment making a minority very rich while would take his Lesotho Baptismal 1994, to go into any restaurant and see the poor continue to be poor. But in spite certificate and re-issue it on a everybody of whatever colour eating of that, when you think of the dark days Sharpeville certificate which said together without any fear of “influx of apartheid, the freedom to live where simply: Michael X, born on xxxxx was control” or “Section 10” arrests. you like, associate with whom you like, baptised in the Roman Catholic Church On one occasion I was driving an marry whom you like, travel where you on such a date. Then you signed it and African Sister back to her family in like, go to whatever beach you like said it was true extract from the Sharpeville when I was accosted by the without being confronted with ubiquitous Baptismal register – which it certainly police. They wanted to know what this “Whites Only” signs is unbelievable. was! You will notice the cert did not say “Bantu” woman was doing sitting in the Thank God for Nelson Mandela! I

Dec/jan 2011 7 Walking the Talk

In Singapore, two young friars went on an inter-faith Walk for Peace on the morning of their final Profession. CHERYL FROIS shares how the short journey captured the essence of St Francis’ message: “While you proclaim peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” Bright and early on the morning of 2nd August, the day when they were scheduled to take their final vows, Friars Harry Chan and Vernon Chua, along with a group of benefactors, friends and fellow friars took a Walk for Peace. The seven-kilometre journey encompassed six stops at different places of worship aimed at manifesting the important ministry of working for peace. “The Franciscan friars place a great deal of emphasis on religious dialogue. The Order stands for the promotion of justice and peace, especially important in a world torn asunder by violence. As they work to promote holiness, unity and love, the Walk for Peace is a metaphor of a friar’s life,” explained Clifford

St Anthony Brief 8 Walking the Talk

Augustine, a friar who worked closely with the young brothers on their journey of formation. He also helped plan the Walk for Peace. The walk began all too aptly with the Prayer of St Francis commonly known as Make Me a Channel of Your Peace , sung by the children from the St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten. After the opening stop at the Church of St Francis of Assisi, the journey took the group to a Taoist, Hindu and a Buddhist temple and as well as a mosque. As could be expected the entourage managed to raise quite a few eyebrows along the way. The Vicar General of the Order, Michael Perry, on a visit from Rome, had a first-hand experience of the diversity of Singapore’s multi-ethnic community during the walk. He emphasised the importance of building bridges for a peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths. Reproduced from Tomorrow , published by the parish of St Mary of the Angels, Singapore; see www.stmary.sg Photos: Robert McGrath.

Dec/jan 2011 9 Costa Rica: A Franciscan journey

ast January, during my stay at the far off distant past. My maternal she. To which I replied: “It’s just that I saw home in Ireland, I celebrated a English grandmother on marrying my a large jar in Bewleys that had Costa Rica memorial Mass for my recently grandfather made Dublin her home. She on it.” “Oh it’s somewhere in the far off LdLeceased aunt in Glendalough. After the loved the city. After attending Mass in jungles of South America, now let’s catch Mass a lady came up to me and Merchants’ Quay or Clarendon Street she the bus home,” she replied. As we expressed her interest in hearing that I would make a bee-line to Bewleys Café trundled back to her abode in lived and worked in Costa Rica, adding usually with myself in toe. She was wont Sandymount on the no. 3 bus, not for the that she had read in a recent article a to say: “A little bit of what you fancy does first time a foreign exotic-sounding name statistic affirming that the number one you good.” It was her treat and mine too. drew my imagination beyond the confines country in the world where the majority of Even at a very early age of nine or ten, of my own very small world inviting me the population expressed themselves to Bewleys with its exotic oriental decor and once again to dream out on to the be quite happy with their lot is Costa exciting smells of coffee and spiced buns frontiers of life. Rica. She wondered whether this was so was a feast to the senses seeping out on My second encounter with that far off and how come. Curiously enough the to the Dublin streets beckoning one to place in the “jungles of South America” sayings we use here to answer the enter. was at the age of 14 on a very dark question, “how are you,” “como ésta” or One day as she paid the bill and dreary Sunday afternoon in deepest “que tal” are all positive. For example, purchased her spiced buns for afternoon winter. I was glancing idly through my “que tal,” “how are you” – reply “pura coffee, I stood beside her watching the father’s collection of National Geographic vida, ” “pure life;” “puro cienes,” “100%;” big coffee roaster at work. Momentarily magazines, when one of the titles caught ”con todo la pata,” nearest translation is my glance was drawn to three very large my attention: “Costa Rica, a Most in Irish “cosa in áirde.” I gave her a brief earthenware jars high up on one of the Unusual Country.” As I began to flick answer but her question provoked my shelves each one with a large label. One through the pages and eye the very curiosity and has moved me to put pen to said – Coffee from Brazil. The second – colourful pictures of that far off country in paper and write a series of articles for the Coffee from Colombia. The third – Coffee the “jungles of South America” another Brief about my life and work as a from Costa Rica. For some reason neither very different image of the country began Franciscan friar in this rather unusual Brazil nor Colombia drew my attention, to emerge. Even at that early age I had a country. but rather, Costa Rica. As we left the great interest in classical music so I was shop I turned to my grandmother and especially taken by the cover photo of the Coffee in Bewleys asked: “Nanny, where is Costa Rica?” Costa Rican Youth Orchestra presenting My first encounter with Costa Rica was in “Whatever put that into your head,” said Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in San Jose´s

St Anthony Brief 10 and peaceful Costa Rica could not have In Argentina the supermarkets are been starker. It was the immediate bedlam. I felt profoundly relieved to be impressions which caught my attention able to visit the theatre and the symphony and provoked my curiosity to ask why and orchestra, walk out afterwards into the how this country has evolved so differ - cool tropical night air of the city, stop to ently to the other Central American savour a hot chocolate in one of the Costa Rica: republics. What first impacted on me sidewalk cafés and stroll back to where I arriving here, curiously enough, were the was staying without witnessing the ever- features of the people. In the other present depressing, threatening and Central America countries to a greater or oppressive sight of heavily-armed military A Franciscan journey lesser extent the peoples’ features are of so visible at every corner of Guatemala´s an Indian, black and European mixture. In and El Salvador´s cities. Costa Rica, especially in the Central Having said that there were shadowy Valley where the bulk of the population is sides to my experience which left me concentrated, the peoples’ features are questioned and challenged. For example, overwhelmingly European. I was surprised by the very large and visible population of street people in the Amazed larger cities. One was constantly being I felt quite overcome by the incredible pursued by pleading eyes and begging Fr Gerald Evans, abundance of lush, well-attended tropical hands. In San José the population of the OFM, writes of vegetation everywhere with the most streets, besides the native Costa Ricans, magnificent tropical flowers in the cities is made up mainly of emigrants from the unusual many parks. I noticed the infrastructure in neighbouring Nicaragua, a sizable black general to be in a far greater state of population from the Pacific coast and a and beautiful repair then neighbouring countries. I felt a small number of native Costa Rican Costa Rica. greater sense of calm and order in the Indians largely unrecognised and pace of peoples’ lives. I was amused to forgotten by the population at large and watch the people at the bus-stops sponta - concentrated on the country’s southern neously form a queue in ordered fashion frontier with Panama and northern frontier very beautiful National Theatre. As I and calmly file forward on arrival of the with Nicaragua. Finally, sadly and deeply began to read the article its title began to bus. My first time to witness such a sight worrying a sizable population of young make a lot of sense. Many years were to since leaving England in 1977. I people of both sexes fall prey to all sorts pass before this very unusual country remember visiting a supermarket with an of abuse. On being sent to live here in would become home for me – now for Argentinian friend who was studying with Costa Rica in 1996 a small group of us over fourteen years. me. He stopped in the middle of the shop began to respond to this population at a and began glancing all around him. On pastoral level. But that will be a story for Grounded Spirituality asking what he was doing, he replied: “I the telling at another time. I first set foot in this Central American am fascinated at how calm this place is.” To be continued! I republic, situated between Nicaragua and Panama, in June 1985 to participate in a two-month workshop on biblical studies. It was my first encounter with the Bible looked at from a uniquely Latin American perspective. My European studies of the Bible had tended to be very intellectual and theoretical and focused almost exclu - sively on the personal, to the exclusion of the social, political, economic and cultural. The Latin American perspective always asks the fundamental question: What has Divine Providence to say on all areas of the lived experience? My model at that time was Archbishop Romero of El Salvador whose preaching and writings were like a door opening to a new and refreshing grounded spirituality. Although my stay in 1985 was brief (two months) my impressions of the contrast between war-torn El Salvador San José: a market in the capital city Dec/jan 2011 11 Church Brief

Christians in Iraq Religious Apps Tap Korean Catholic address book. In late October, Suspected Sunni militants are taking aim Youth the archdiocese started a mobile web at Baghdad's dwindling Christian As the smartphone phenomenon gathers service providing Bible information, daily community. An attack early in November pace, religious groups in South Korea Missal readings and prayers, as well as a on a Sunday Mass left two priests and 66 have been busy developing mobile appli - GPS tracking service to find the nearest parishioners dead. Then a few days later cations to attract more young people. parish. It is also working to develop a eleven roadside bombs went off within an Catholics are taking the lead in providing liturgy app for the iPad. Fr Choi said that hour in three predominantly Christian free apps such as a GPS service for a report that stated "almost everyone will areas of central Baghdad. Two mortar locating churches or an application for use a smart phone in 2 to 3 years" rounds also struck Christian enclaves of studying the Scriptures. Fr Bartholomew inspired him to launch iPod broadcasts in the predominantly Sunni area of Dora in Choi Gi-hong, who created an iPod September. south Baghdad. Five people were killed broadcast service for Chunchon diocese, and 20 injured in the attacks. Two bombs said that religious groups can reach Graduation in South Africa planted in deserted Christian homes in A lifeline has been western Baghdad destroyed thrown to 121 two houses. The night community members before, a series of bombs who eke out a living hit three empty houses in the informal belonging to Christians but settlement area of no one was hurt. A priest at Reiger Park, located the church, Moukhlis Shash, close to Boksburg, said some Catholic families South Africa. found on their doorsteps a Through skills bullet wrapped in paper that training received in read: "Your blood is legit - eleven different imate for us." courses at the St Catholic officials estimate Anthony’s Education that more than one million Centre, they now Christians have fled Iraq have the opportunity since the invasion in 2003. of obtaining Sunni militants such as al- employment and Qaida justify their attacks by extricating questioning whether the themselves and Christians are loyal to their families from countries in the West rather the cycle of poverty than to Iraq. Iraq's top within which they Catholic prelate, Chaldean find themselves. At Cardinal Emmanuel Delly, has a graduation encouraged the remaining 1.5 million Baghdad: Udai Saadallah ceremony held in October, certificates Christians to stay in the country and holds a photo of his slain were handed to the proud graduates asked authorities for more protection. A covering all age groups by Bernd local Catholic, Thomas, whose brother-in- brother, Fr Thair, killed Schwendtke, CEO of Mercedes Benz, law was killed in the church attack, said when gunmen stormed a South Africa, which helps fund the centre. the Christians have no tribal leaders or church during Mass. The graduates achieved a formal qualifi - militias to protect them. He is begging his young people in cyberspace with cation in a diverse field of skills including wife to leave the country with their "impressive digital content." Fr Choi, who motor mechanics, welding, bookkeeping, children. His wife, Selma, said she is Director of Media in the diocese, computer literacy, electrical, plumbing, considers Iraq's Muslims to be her family stressed that religious authorities should upholstery, and others. To celebrate the too. “I don't want to leave. I just want to recognise their faithful as "consumers of joyful event, which was also attended by be somewhere where my children are religious content in cyberspace." Early a large number of enthusiastic relatives safe,” she said, dressed in black to mourn this year, Seoul archdiocese launched and friends of students, the varied her older brother. “I wonder what has iPhone and Windows mobile apps for programme included performances by a happened to Iraq. We Christians and Bible readings, hymns, information on students’ choir and the St Dominic’s Muslims used to live together.” saints, radio broadcast extracts and a School Marimba Band . I

St Anthony Brief 12 LA VERNA RETREAT CENTRE FRANCISCAN FRIARY ROSSNOWLAGH CO. DONEGAL RETREAT PROGRAMME 20th - 22nd MAY “CREATING GOD – CO-CREATING GOD” ADVENT WEEKEND Using art as a way of externalising our relationship with God – 10th – 12th December 2010 FR PHILIP FORKER, OFM. Directed by Fr Paschal McDonnell, OFM –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This weekend invites us to takes some time out from 27th - 29th MAY the stress of this busy season to relax and allow ourselves “LISTENING TO GOD IN HIS CREATION” – to get to the spiritual centre of Christmas and A FRANCISCAN PERPECTIVE – BR CATHAL DUDDY, OFM. behold the presence of the vulnerable God in our midst. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 6th - 11th JUNE CHARISMATIC RETREAT – FR CIARAN McDONNELL. 8th - 11th FEBRUARY “The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved TRIDUUM FOR THE SICK - OUR LADY OF LOURDES. me and gave His life for me.“ This retreat will use this insight –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians to look at faith as the 4th - 6th MARCH prayerful foundation from which every other charismatic gift FAITH HEALER WEEKEND – develops. Prayerful weekend conducted by EDDIE STONES. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10th - 13th JUNE 7th - 11th MARCH TRIDUUM IN HONOUR OF ST ANTHONY. WEIGHT LOSS FOR THE SPIRIT – –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– STEPHEN HARDING & JAMES O’SHEA. 26th - 28th AUGUST This 5-day programme is designed to give you the time and "SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL INTEGRITY: space in a safe environment to look at yourself and your THE GOAL OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP” – relationship with food and how constantly slipping back into old Fr Kieran Cronin, OFM (Milltown Institute, Dublin). patterns can undermine your desire for living a fuller life. Expert Since the call of the Gospel is to a life of constant conversion, facilitators will be on hand to guide you through the week. there is a need for all believers to address the intimate links –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– between spirituality and the moral dimension of Christian life, 18th - 20th MARCH two areas which are surprisingly separated in the Catholic FAITH HEALER WEEKEND – tradition. This retreat will attempt to integrate these comple - Prayerful weekend conducted by BREDA LAFFEY and mentary aspects of the life of a disciple of Jesus. FR EUNAN McDONNELL. The focus of the weekend is on –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– healing the family tree. 12th - 18th SEPTEMBER –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEIGHT LOSS FOR THE SPIRIT – 21st - 26th MARCH STEPHEN HARDING & JAMES O’SHEA. DIRECTED RETREAT – FR RICHARD KELLY, OFM. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20th - 23rd SEPTEMBER 30th MARCH TRIDUUM IN HONOUR OF PADRE PIO. GARDENING - SOWING SEEDS (one day course) – –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FUN BRITTON & PAUL JOHNSTON. 21st - 23rd NOVEMBER –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HOPE & RECONCILIATION IN PREPARATION FOR 1st - 3rd APRIL CHRISTMAS – SR TERESA HEALY. SEEDS OF HOPE CONFERENCE – ANNE GALLAGHER. Drawing on Scripture, we reflect on the solace of hope. “Hope Growth of peace and reconciliation, a decade on. is knowing that there is love. As long as there is love, as long –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– as there is still hope there will also be prayer and God will be 8th - 10th APRIL holding you in His hands.” WEIGHT LOSS FOR THE SPIRIT (follow-up weekend) – –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– STEPHEN HARDING & JAMES O’SHEA. 9th - 11th DECEMBER –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADVENT RETREAT – FR PASCHAL McDONNELL, OFM. 13th APRIL GARDENING - LEARN HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN HANGING BASKETS, AND WINDOW BOXES – Check out: www.lavernaretreat.com. FUN BRITTON & PAUL JOHNSTON. For further information or bookings: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10th - 12th MAY Contact Trisha on 071.9852572 / 087.6710027 IRISH RELIGION HISTORY WEEK – CLOSED RETREAT. Email: [email protected] ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Dec/jan 2011 13 “Grieving is the other face of love.” Christmas can be a time when the pain of loss is felt most deeply. Elaine Mansfield writes of her broken heart after her husband’s death and of her journey to peace.

Gratitude and Grief t was relatively easy to feel gratitude experiencing, but my heart felt broken it took him, through the depths of loss for our loving marriage when my and my life derailed. I read many and into new life he couldn’t have husband Vic was alive. Whether we bereavement books searching for clues imagined. When grief is the form your IwIere in a chemotherapy treatment room about how to withstand the loss. I didn’t love takes, where do you turn? Do you or in the stem cell transplant unit or want to run from my experience, but escape, or enter the loneliness, the struggling with Vic’s illness at home, we hoped to learn from it and be trans - emptiness, the pain? How much, how had each other. To quote Paul Bennett’s formed. slowly, how fast? It’s a blessing when book, Loving Grief , we had “our intense someone can help you feel your own focus on our present love for each other, Healing the Heart way through what only your heart can a focus that grew out of not knowing None of the books I read satisfied my process. This wonderful book broke my what the future might bring.” No matter need to look at Vic’s death as an initi - heart. It healed my heart. how Vic suffered and how exhausted I ation into deeper truths about the nature Bennett helped me see the essence became caring for him, our love made of earthly existence until I found Paul of my situation when he wrote after his the experience bearable and meaningful. Bennett’s book, Loving Grief , with its wife’s death: “Grief is how loving her After Vic’s death, I reminded myself eloquent portrait of sacred sorrow. When feels. My grief is, in fact, nothing more each day to be grateful for the fruitful his wife Bonnie died, Paul lost the one or less than my love for her.” Bennett and satisfying relationship I had enjoyed person whose presence had been quotes Thich Nhat Hanh’s Peace is for 42 years. Painful separation is pivotal to every decision he made about Every Step : “He advises us to embrace inevitable, the price we humans pay for the future. He discovered that the the feeling, ‘like a mother tenderly attachment. I never doubted that our intensity of his grief matched the depth holding her crying baby.’” Bennett great love was worth the grief I was of his love. He learned how to go where writes: “In the end, there was no sharp

St Anthony Brief 14 line between loving her in life and are never going to see again – it is so started down that lonely road. This grieving for her in death. I loved her simple. There is absolutely nothing for book is good nourishment for anyone and grieved for her as I held her; I you to do but to be there. And that is a who is ready to go deeply into life and loved her and grieved for her when she tremendous gift.” love. It reminds us that grief is the risk was gone.” Loving Grief is a sacred text, a we take when we love, and that love guide to the mysteries of grief; continues even as we adapt to the Grief as Love mysteries no one would willingly pursue enormity of loss. He writes beautifully: Because Bennett helped me find but to which everyone will eventually be “I can choose to accept or resist my meaning in the first year after my initiated. Paul Bennett teaches by grief, but I cannot end it, and I would husband’s death, I look to him for example how to keep a broken heart not want to, because grieving is the guidance about how grieving might open and growing in love. The solitary other face of love; it is the inevitable evolve. “Because I knew my grief as my road one must walk after losing a loved consequence of change, of life.” And so love, I expected my grief to feel different one is as unique as the love which it is. as time went on, just as my love for made life meaningful before the From Gratefulness.org Bonnie had changed from year to year. beloved’s death. Paul’s story is an Loving Grief , by Paul Bennett, And so it did. My love for her was important gift for anyone who has Larson Publications, 2009. I sometimes so deeply sad that it sucked all the energy out of me. Other times it was easier to bear. In time, I came to find the sweetness of my memories of WE ARE LOOKING FOR PROMOTERS OF OUR MONTHLY DRAW We are looking for supporters of our mission who will take one book of tickets a month. Bonnie.” Please help us. Buy a book yourself. Write for a book to sell to your friends. Where do I go now? Will you buy or sell for us: What is my task? Book of 20 Tickets = €16.00. Return €10.00; keep €6.00. Thank you for supporting us Am I to heal? in all the ways you do already. Our Address is: 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Can a scar cover The lack of you? Am I to move on? Please send me ...... Books for Next Draw I’ve lost the knack Name: ...... Of locomotion. What now? Where now? Address: ...... Who shall I be ...... Now that I can’t be yours? – Paul Bennett Phone No: ......

Befriending Sorrow Throughout Loving Grief , Paul Bennett shares tender and useful insights from his experience. He discusses how friends can help a grieving person and how the griever can help her/himself. His heartfelt images of the gifts that CHRISTMAS come from grief help me befriend my sorrow. His insights about the healing power of simple self-created ritual give NOVENA me words to explain the comfort I feel when I walk to the place where my Cards husband’s ashes are buried or visualise available from: releasing him to other realms in daily Church Office, meditation. “Maybe the gift of rituals is Franciscan the gift of simple presence: A ritual Friary, 4 makes you completely and honestly Merchants’ here, right now. That can bring deep Quay, Dublin 8. relief from all the stirring around and talking and wrestling that we do with our Packe€ts of 10 emotions. If you give yourself the right for 17.00 ritual – something simple like standing including p&p. on a bridge with water running under you, or sitting in front of a candle with a Please print name and address when applying. picture of that beloved person whom you

Dec/jan 2011 15 Why Did You Come?

A FRESH LOOK SR MARY BURKE, FMDM

Sr Mary Burke, FMDM, a midwife herself, ponders on the birth of Christ.

here have been times in all our The Coming Held out their thin arms lives when we find ourselves And God held in his hand To it, as though waiting asking someone who loves us: A small globe. Look he said. For a vanished April T“TWhy did you come?” We recognise that The son looked. Far off, To return to its crossed though we may have a great need to see As through water, he saw Boughs. The son watched this person, to feel their love, their being A scorched land of fierce Them. Let me go there, he said. with us requires a great effort, a long Colour. The light burned journey, and a big sacrifice. Generally the There; crusted buildings A Midwife’s Meditation answer is: “Because I love you.” This too Cast their shadows: a bright Several years ago while doing a thirty- is the answer to the question of why Serpent, a river day retreat and meditating on the Christ comes to us. R.S. Thomas put it Uncoiled itself, radiant Nativity story, I was asked by my director beautifully in his poem The Coming . With slime. to put myself into the story of the birth of Christ looks down with immense love and On a bare Jesus. Being a midwife I found myself knowing our need for Him offers us a love Hill a bare tree saddened reflecting on how Mary might have felt as beyond all human love. The sky. many People she came to terms with the fact that she

St Anthony Brief 16 Each birth: a gift of wonder and mystery

was going to have a baby. In my mission But this is a gift to shadow at the back of the stable, and two years in Jordan I had spent many days ... be midwife to Christ shining eyes. For I do not know what to doing ultrasound scanning. I was the first Gently, painfully a say about Joseph and Joseph does not to see the tiny heartbeat which signified Son is born. know what to say about himself. He new life and I found myself imagining I place Him in His adores, and is happy to adore, and he God as a tiny heartbeat in the womb of Mother’s arms... and feels himself slightly out of it. I believe he Mary. As I scanned young women and I Into a gaze of love. suffers without admitting it. He suffers first saw a little heart beating often, as because he sees how much this woman early as six weeks of pregnancy, I found For a long time he loves resembles God; how she is it a moment of supreme wonder and I stand and watch already at the side of God. For God has mystery. That Jesus was once the “Privileged servant in the cave of burst like a bomb into the intimacy of this “heartbeat” of God gently sounding in God’s love.” family. Joseph and Mary are separated for Mary’s womb is almost too much to Thanks be to God for letting me show Him ever by this explosion of light. And I comprehend. In my meditation on the The love He will remember imagine that all through his life Joseph will Nativity I was asked to look after Mary, When the wood is no longer cradle be learning to accept this.” to be midwife to the emerging Christ. But Cross. Joseph’s predicament in this situation When we are asked to do what seems reminds me of the difficulty many men beyond us, inadequacy creeps in and A Yes to New Life face by being in the labour ward. It is so there is always the feeling that there Mary is that most human of women too. hard watching a partner in pain, however must be someone better. These next She is no stranger to fear, to loss or to productive this pain is going to be lines were penned to try to put words on pain. Her yes to being the mother of God eventually, and yet, there is comfort in the “un-wordable.” is not without cost and in that she is a having a husband or partner there even model for all mothers. Motherhood is a when they are silent and lost for words And now I am that maid yes to joy, to new life, to sleepless nights, and cannot, as Joseph could not, Rubbing Mary’s back to caring for another more than oneself. experience the pain and the challenge of Easing pain, whispering encouragement Being a father demands the same labour as the woman does. As a terrified Joseph looks on. qualities though Joseph is often the “silent “Not me surely, Lord” partner.” He stands as wordless testament Family There must be someone else to a selfless love. Sartre writing of Joseph Just as the vision of a heartbeat on a scan More able, more worthy uses these words: “I would not paint is a miracle so too is the arrival of a Than I! Joseph. I would show no more than a newborn baby. I once read that “the birth

Dec/jan 2011 17 of a child is God’s way of saying the world should go on.” Each little human being is A truly a miracle, a miracle which calls us to give thanks and to know that life can Midwife never be the same for those who are part of that wonder. The birth of a child in a Helped family connects the parents in a new and deeper way. It connects the wider family Me Out and community in a circle of wonder and love. In a similar way the Birth of Christ connects each one of us within the Christian family to the other. It reminds us that we are brother and sister in Christ and we are brother and sister to one another – and not just at Christmas. The Christmas Story is a miracle which tells us no one is a stranger to us. The Miracle When all the winds were mild, Mary came to me apart And laid the Holy Child Here inside my heart. My heart was made a manger, placing yourself in the “greatest picture of And my body was the stall. love” ever painted. Then, finding yourself My heart was made a manger, And now no one is a stranger: held in the heartbeat of God, you may And my body was the stall My life goes out to all. find the courage as Mary and Joseph did And now no one is a stranger: My life goes out to all. The Shepherd’s Pipe to make of your heart a manger and to try to allow your life to go out to all this To bring to each of them So as you celebrate Christ’s coming to Christmas. In this way you will answer the This child of heaven’s light; you this Christmas, take some time to be “Why did Christ come” question for those To let them enter in, like flames present to His birth. You might even I Of candles, to the holy night. consider reading the Nativity story and around you.

The friars and the friends of the Fun at the Fete! Galway Abbey organised a very successful fete in the friary garden for the upkeep of the Abbey church. The friars obviously enjoyed the day!

St Anthony Brief 18 Please post the “Brief Magazine” for one year to the following person/s (please use block capitals): ______1. Name: ...... Address: ...... Dear Friend, ...... Firstly, I would like to wish you and €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] yours a blessed and peaceful Christmas _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . and all God’s blessings in the New Year. 2. Name: ...... Thank you for your loyal and constant ...... support of our missions – both by your Address: ...... prayers and by subscribing to our ...... Mission magazine “St Anthony Brief”...... The proceeds from the sale of this €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] magazine go to help our missionaries who _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . minister in Zimbabwe, South Africa and 3. Name: ...... Central America...... The magazine as you know is full of Address: ...... interesting articles, a good read from the ...... beginning to end. If you enjoy reading ...... €12 (Ireland) [ ] €15 (Overseas) [ ] our magazine, why not donate a year’s _S_tg_£_1_2_ (_U_.K_._) _[ _ ] __(p_l_e_as_e_ _tic_k_ a_p_p_r_op_r_ia_te_ _b_o_x)_ . subscription as a gift on behalf of a friend or neighbour. Just fill in the Your own name and address: accompanying subscription form and ...... return to our office...... Yours sincerely ______Fr Bernard Jones, ofm Please complete and return with payment to Franciscan Missionary Union, Director 8 Merchants’ Quay, Dublin 8. Thank you.

Dec/jan 2011 19 St Francis in Medieval Irish Art

Fr Patrick Conlan, OFM, looks at a forgotten heirloom of Irish Franciscan spirituality.

hen we think of St Francis in away. The friars began art, our minds turn to the building at Adare a few beautiful frescos in Assisi and years after Askeaton. A WoWther parts of Italy. Yet we have here in now-damaged figure of Ireland a wonderful collection of fifteenth Francis was incorporated century stone bas-reliefs of the saint! They high on the west wall of the are in the four corners of Ireland. You cloister. It is fairly simple, have to travel to some little-known without a surround, easily buildings or search a few ruins to discover missed by visitors. There them. It is well worth the effort. are two wooden statues Dean Odo O’Malone of Clonmacnois, associated with the friary in by the banks of the Shannon, decided to Adare, St Francis and King build a new doorway on the north wall of St Louis, but these probably the cathedral there just before 1459. As belong to the seventeenth was common at the time, he decorated century. the area over the lintel. There is a typical fifteenth century floral design around and Tombs over the door. He placed bas-reliefs of Sts Around 1475 an anonymous Dominic, Patrick and Francis within the patron built a magnificent decoration. Our saint was probably tomb in Kilconnell, Co. included because the bishop at that time Galway. It was built into the St Francis with stigmata was a Franciscan, Seán Ó Dálaig. The north wall of the nave. The usual weepers Moving towards Dublin, we come to dean did not enjoy his door for long since (saints mourning for the person buried Kilcullen where nothing now remains of he died in 1461. within) are on the side of the sarcophagus. the friary itself. Before his death in 1496 The friars were undertaking major Over it is a beautiful flamboyant screen Ronald FitzEustace, Baron of Portlester, alterations in the friary in Ennis at about surrounded by floral decorations typical of erected a tomb for himself and his wife, the same time. A bas-relief of Francis was the period. On the top of the screen are Margaret Janico, in the Franciscan friary inserted into the base of the tower. Again two bas-reliefs – St Francis with an that they had founded about ten years a floral decoration surrounded the saint, in anonymous bishop – possibly St Brendan, previously. Parts of the tomb are in the some ways a miniature of the work in patron of the Diocese of Clonfert. A little New Abbey graveyard with a bas-relief of Clonmacnois. Further south two new south in the same diocese and county, but Francis on one of the pieces. St Francis is friaries were under construction in Co. this time on the banks of the Shannon is on the side of the Purcell tomb dating to Limerick. A bas-relief of Francis was incor - the chapel-of-ease at Meelick. This is the just after 1500 that is now in St porated into the north-eastern pillar of the nave and chancel of the medieval friary Werburgh’s Church, Werburgh Street, in cloister arcade in Askeaton. Over the adapted for current use. A small bas-relief Dublin. Our saint is on the side of a tomb centuries a tradition grew up of kissing his of Francis has been inserted into the in the ruins of the priory of the Canons face as a cure for toothache. As a result south wall of the church. It probably came Regular of Saint Augustine at Mothel in the details on his face have been worn from a tomb in the friary. Co. Waterford.

St Anthony Brief 20 The last Franciscan friary built in Friar Tuck? pulpit, his hands resting on the edge, the medieval Ireland was at Creevelea In three or perhaps four cases (Creevelea small cross behind him and the wound on outside the village of Dromahair in Co. upper, Kilconnell, Meelick and possibly his side just visible. Look carefully and you Leitrim. One of the most beautiful sites in Kilcullen) Francis is shown as a cheerful realise that the pulpit is a flower! I think the country, you can approach it on a path chubby individual approaching the tradi - that it is a tulip but experts have given me from the village that runs alongside the tional image of a Friar Tuck. The first three other names. The eye is guided down the Bonet River. The half-completed house are in areas of Irish influence where the stem where there are two Celtic knots. was burned in 1536. There are two repre - saint is seen as reflecting the joy and Then the stem becomes a plant with sentations of Francis one above the other happiness of living under a benevolent leaves, or are they birds? The work in on a pillar in the middle of the northern Creator. He is a happy cheerful saint for stone permits an ambiguity. The message cloister arcade. The one on top carries an the Irish in the West. Francis appears as a is simple. When St Francis talked of Christ inscription that probably can be translated mortified man interested in discovering all of creation, even the birds, listened. At as: “This is a representation of Francis.” and translating spiritual insights in the the same time the beauty of the world areas under English influence. It is a talked to Francis of the goodness of the Different Details reminder of the duality in our vision of Creator. Yes, we have here is Ireland a Certain details are common to all the bas- Francis. He can be seen as the ascetic wonderful collection of representations of reliefs. The stigmata on his side is clearly man of God, close to the Creator in the Saint of Assisi! I visible, normally showing the horizontal prayer, or a man with a feeling for people mark of a spear trust. The representation and the works of a caring God and parent. in Ennis shows blood spurting from the The lower bas-relief in Creevelea wound. It is particularly prominent on the offers a complete synthesis of an Irish upper relief in Creevelea but it is barely interpretation of St Francis. At first it discernible on the lower one. Nearly all seems that the saint is preaching from a have the cord coming straight down the centre after going around the hips. There are three knots signifying the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. What may appear as a fourth knot is the join where the cord falls down after going around the waist. Many of the figures show a clerical tonsure or haircut. With one exception it is in what may be called the Irish style – the hair is left on top but cut along the bottom. The exception shows the top of the head cut clean, as was the tradition in the Order up to a few decades ago. All the faces in these bas- reliefs seem based on earlier Irish images. A large group (Adare, Askeaton, Clonmacnois, Creevelea upper, Dublin, Kilcullen and Mothel) shows the saint with one hand pointing to the stigmata on his right side, with the other, normally the right, raised in blessing. The marks of the stigmata are usually visible on one hand, normally that raised in blessing. It is usually shown on the palm, rarely on the back of the hand. In other cases (Ennis, Kilconnell and Meelick) one hand with the stigmata is raised in blessing while the other hand holds a staff with or without a small cross on the top. This is not a processional cross but the staff of an itinerant preacher. The staff may appear in some of the larger group but not with full clarity. The feet are visible in only a few of the bas-reliefs and the stigmata there can be seen only in the case of Creevelea Creevelea: upper. a tearful saint

Dec/jan 2011 21 News from around the . . . Franciscan World

New Poor Clare Saint Adriatic coast in 1458. Her father wanted her to have a husband, but she chose to enter the Poor Clares convent in Urbano at age 23. At age 25, St Camilla Battista da Varano relocated to the monastery of Santa Maria Nuova in Camerino. Her father and brothers were killed under the perse - cution of Cesare Borgia in 1502. She wrote 22 works, including an autobiography which was Camilla Battista da Varano, a highly praised. Her princess, a Poor Clare, and a prolific writings dealt with her writer, was canonised a saint on mystical visions, as well as Recognition: Fr Edward O’Callaghan, OFM, 17th October by Pope Benedict. St the spiritual life. She died was made Honorary Chaplain to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in recognition of his Camilla Battista da Varano was born in Macerata in 1524 and many years organising and leading the in Camerino, Macerata, Italy, on the her feast day is 31st May. Irish Franciscan pilgrimage. Franciscan Village at World Youth Day Assorted programmes for members of the international Franciscan family will be offered at the World Youth Day (WYD) next summer in Madrid. The events will take place from 16th to 19th August at the Franciscan Village near the Church of San Francisco el Grande. The venue will be open for meetings and sharing every day from noon until midnight. The village is intended to be used for activ - ities such as exhibitions, conferences, prayer services and vendor booths. Receiving the Franciscan habit: the novices look happy after receiving the Applications for next year’s World habit at a recent ceremony in Ennis. L-R: Marc Riemer, Michael O'Grady, Youth Day can be obtained on the Feidhlim Ó Seasnáin, Philip Geasley will spend a year at the novitiate event’s website. www.madrid11.com I in Ennis friary before beginning their studies at Canterbury, England. Check our new look website at www.franciscans.ie St Anthony Brief 22 The Living Memory of the Incarnation

Jerusalem: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

e Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ingly “extrovert” Church, I would say OFM , in his address to the recent Synod on the Middle East, hospitable, open to the others. The Church of the Holy Land has always been spoke of the vocation of Christians living in the Holy Land. a minority. Being a minority is part of our identity and we must not turn this into a n the Holy Land, too often the opening. Every day, the Friars Minor of drama. This condition reminds us that we pastoral perspective takes as its the Custody of the Holy Land are do not exist for ourselves, but to enter starting point the problems rather than witnesses and – not infrequently – diligent into relation with all those who meet us tIhIe vocation of the Christians and the promoters of the physical and spiritual and urge us to be constructive. And this, Churches of those special and blessed movement that brings millions of people to tell the truth, happens. Although being lands. I, however, believe that we are at a to return to and gather in Jerusalem, little more than one per cent of the time and in a place where it is necessary where they are in search of the centre, population, the Church reaches more than to start off from the vocation that is proper the heart of the Christian faith and life. five per cent of the population with its to the Churches of the Holy Land. works. Allow me here to recall the service Moreover, this seems to me to be the Incarnation of the Custody of the Holy Land in sense of the invitation by the Holy Father We experience the living memory of the education, assistance and university in his inaugural homily, when he asked us Incarnation. This has not only taken place training, offered not only to Latin to look on this land as God does, “from on in time, but also in a space. Living in that Christians but also to the faithful of other high.” I would also like to recall the first space with vitality is a vocation and confessions and religions. manifestation of the Church in Jerusalem service to the whole of the Church. We For us, living in the Holy Land, the on the day of Pentecost. “We are are asked to recover and develop this ecumenical commitment is first of all the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabi - awareness. The pastors and the faithful of daily encounter of people, of brothers and tants of Mesopotamia, Judea and the Churches of the Holy Land must sisters who, beyond diversities, share the Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia develop a greater knowledge of those common Christian path and the shared and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of places that someone has defined as “the commitment to peace. But it is also the Libya near Cyrene, as well as travellers fifth Gospel.” The pilgrims who come to daily expression of the task that the preju - from Rome, both Jews and converts to the Holy Land from all over the world, like dices and history have given us and that Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear the presence of Jewish and Muslim in the Holy Land become tangible and them speaking in our own tongues of the faithful around the same sacred area of concrete. As far as the delicate and mighty acts of God.” They were all the Holy City, appear to the eyes of faith difficult political scenario is concerned, it astounded and bewildered, and said to as a fulfilment, even if only a partial one, is up to us, Christians of the Holy Land, one another, “What does this mean?” of the prophecy of the gathering of all who do not lay claim to territories and (Acts 2:9-12). peoples on Mount Zion to be instructed in privileged positions, to preserve, keep This universal encounter of all the ways of the Lord and to walk in His visible and jealously defend in all the languages in Jerusalem and their meeting path. ways possible and in all public places, the in God is not only memory, but it is still Christian character of the Holy Land and the present and future. Today as then, the A Minority of Jerusalem, something that is not Church of Jerusalem was born and The pilgrimages – multilingual, multiracial always obvious and perhaps not always develops with a universal vocation and and multi-ritual – ask us to be an increas - accepted. I Dec/jan 2011 23 Getting Ready: We Prepare For 2012!

FR TOM RUSSELL, OFM

Fr Tom Russell, OFM, begins a series of articles in preparation for the Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin in 2012.

Clonmacnoise: deep roots in the Catholic faith

® The International Eucharistic Congress Young men and women across the globe would, in time, become Archbishop will next be celebrated in Dublin, Ireland, are already in full preparation for the Anthony Bloom of the Russian Orthodox 10th-17th June, 2012. London Olympics 2012. We at the Brief Church. We read in the Acts of the ® It will be the 50th Congress since the first desire to sound the trumpet and help Apostles how the young zealot Saul was one was held in Lille, France, in 1881. prepare for the Eucharistic Congress in going to Damascus to arrest believers in ® It will mark 80 years since the famous Dublin looming up ahead. Athletes are Jesus and found himself bathed in Eucharistic Congress celebrated in aware that practice and preparation today dazzling radiant light. Caravaggio’s Dublin in 1932. are vital to performance on the big day. “It famous picture shows the powerful horse ® It will mark 50 years since the great is not so much how much you want to win rearing up but Saul unhorsed, on his Second Vatican Council of the world’s a gold medal today as how much you back, inert. Saul cried out: “Who are you bishops in 1962. wanted to win it two years ago.” Lord?” to be told: “I am Jesus whom you ® It follows on from the previous Congress Well begun is half done. What better are persecuting.” This never to be held in Quebec, Canada, in 2008. way to start than by going back to our forgotten lesson resonates with our ® The theme chosen for our 2012 core teaching that Jesus is alive. One day Congress theme. Congress is: “The Eucharist, a young man browsing through John’s Many know the story of Francis from Communion with Christ and with one Gospel was made suddenly aware of a Assisi in Italy. As a young man he was a another.” presence, the presence of Jesus. He merchant, a troubadour, a soldier, a

St Anthony Brief 24 The Journey Begins

The Pastoral Preparation Programme and the Each stage corresponds to one of the rites itinerary it presents is intended to explore, of the celebration of Eucharist: Stage One over the next two years, the celebration of (Autumn/Winter 2010) focuses on the the Eucharist and the lifestyle it inspires - Introductory Rite; Stage 2 (Spring/Summer Eucharistic lives, rooted in the Gospel, or in 2011) on Liturgy of the Word; Stage 3 other words, Communion with Christ and (Autumn/Winter 2011) on the Liturgy of the with one another. The Programme resources Eucharist and Stage 4 (Spring/Summer 2011) are for everyone, for each one’s personal on the Concluding Rite and the implications enrichment, as well as for group reflection. for our lives. You are invited and encouraged to use them Each Stage is divided into “Movements” creatively. ‘One size’ does not fit all, so tailor designed to facilitate reflection on our them to suit your journey. gathering as a Eucharistic Community. This catechetical resource suggests the language of journey for the Movements, taking its prisoner of war, a would-be knight, but Four Stages of Preparation inspiration from the Emmaus story in the always a seeker and a searcher. It Gospel of Luke which over arches the entire happened that one day as he wandered Stage. The vision is that these Movements Stage One about in the plain below Assisi he rambled serve the participants, as pastoral moments, into an old ruined church. As he admired Autumn/Winter 2010: rather than simply providing a structure for the Greek-styled crucifix inside, the young Christ gathers us a Eucharistic Community. man was stunned to hear himself called by the programme. Some groups may decide that the Movements be separate sessions, name: “Francis repair my church which as Stage Two you can see is falling into ruins.” He set to while others may discern that Movements work there and then. Spring/Summer 2011: could be combined. The progression from Christ gathers us to listen, to hear, to be one Movement to the next should be natural In Remembrance nourished and to be formed into community and occur when the group is ready. It may These three young men experienced the by God’s word. presence of the risen Saviour. The living be helpful for group leaders and indeed voice of the Good Shepherd spoke to them individuals to prepare the way before setting Stage Three in a life-changing way. They knew in their off, ensuring that participants are given ample hearts that Jesus is alive and with us all Autumn/Winter 2011: time to reflect, discuss and pray, while being days to the end of time. Indeed – “I am the Christ gathers us to be nourished by the attentive to their readiness to move on. first and the last, the one who lives. Once I Bread of Life. was dead, but now I am alive forever and Stage 1 overview ever. I hold the keys to death and the Stage Four Stage 1 full text and resources netherworld” (Revelation 1:18). At the time of the new millennium Pope John Paul used Spring 2012: to stress this fundamental truth: “Jesus Christ gathers and strengthens us for Mission Christ is the same yesterday, today, and by the Word and the Bread of Life. forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The unique journey of Jesus meant that: “He was handed over for our transgressions and was Yet Jesus, presiding at the Last off unique sacrifice of Jesus and His raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). It S upper, had said: “Do this in remem CONGRESS- comma nDATES:d to: “Do this, as often as you bore harvest in the gift of the Holy Spirit brance of me.” A mere twenty years later drink it, in remembrance of me” “rooted in the wood of the Cross.” In each w e heard St Paul admonish the new 10th - 17th(1Corint hJuneians 11: 220125). generation that Spirit continues the work of converts at Corinth: “As often as you eat Much ink and blood has flowed salvation and sanctification springing from this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim pondering this “then” and “now” the “once for all” sacrifice of Jesus. the death of the Lord until He comes” connection. The extreme form was stated (1Corinthians 11:26). Stat crux by Oliver Cromwell to Sir Lucas Taafe at dum volvitur orbis – the cross New Ross: “... but if by liberty of stands over the whirling conscience you mean liberty to practise globe. This Carthusian the Mass, I judge it best to use plain motto catches the dealing, and let you know that where the mysterious link Parliament of England has power that will between the once- not be allowed of...” The book Our Martyrs

Dec/jan 2011 Ballintubber Abbey: “the abbey that refused to die” 25 by Fr Denis Murphy, SJ, spells out the tragic and glorious consequences. Pope Benedict spoke to the partici - pants at Quebec 2008 and said: “The Last Supper is the locus of the nascent Church, the womb containing the Church in every age. In the Eucharist Christ’s sacrifice is constantly renewed, Pentecost is constantly renewed.” The Cross shines like a golden laser beam across the centuries. We note some facts and images catching the long story.

THE CELTIC CHURCH Dunshaughlin 550 A.D. The oldest Eucharistic hymn in the Catholic Church is Sante Venite found in the Antiphonary of Bangor. It dates from the sixth century. Legend says St Patrick was visiting Seanchnall at Dunshaughlin in Co. Meath when they heard the angels sing it. Ardagh Chalice: faith expressed in art “Wherefore from this time forward this Tallaght 800 A.D. Roman Canon in its central part, the Last hymn is sung in Ireland whenever one goes The Church expanded rapidly after Supper account. The Derryflan chalice and to the Body of Christ.” Daphne Pochin freedom came in 313 A.D. There was the Book of Kells from this same period Mould says that the hymn expresses in much need for practical help with worship speak of the high regard in which our faith words what “the Ardagh chalice expresses in new towns. Various compilations of ancestors held the Mass. in the shimmering patterns of Celtic art.” prayers were gathered into books called Here is the first verse of the eleven-verse Ballintubber 1215 A.D. “missals.” Our own Irish Stowe Missal hymn in her translation: This abbey in Co. Mayo was 750 years old dates from 800 A.D. possibly from in 1966. The RTE programme, Radharc, Santi venite Maelbruain’s monastery in Tallaght. It made a film at the time and some may Christi Corpus sumite gives us the ordinary rite of the Mass in remember the old lady in her 90s speak of Sanctum bibentes Latin with some rubics and adds many attending Mass in the roofless church as a Quo redempti sanguinem. Irish saints to the Roman ones. It has also young child. The church was built by Cathal Approach you who are holy notes in Old Irish. This missal is kept in Mór Ó Connor, King of Connacht, in 1215. Receive the Body of Christ the library of the Royal Irish Academy in He built it on the ancient site where St Drinking the sacred Blood Dublin. It reflects the Mass as celebrated Patrick had ministered and which is in full By which you are redeemed. in Gaul, modern France. It follows the view of Croagh Patrick. He entrusted it to the Augustinian canons and Mass has been celebrated in “the abbey that refused to die” for 800 years. By the way Fr Charles O’Connor, a direct descendant of King LEordu Jescus haristic Congress Prayer Cathal Ó Connor was present at the 1966 You were sent by the Father to gather together those who are scattered. anniversary in Ballintubber. You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, The founding year 1215 was the year that announcing the Word of salvation Pope Innocent III convoked the Fourth and giving the Bread which lasts forever. Lateran Council. St Francis and St Dominic Be our companion on life’s pilgrim way. were present, and the Eucharist was much May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, discussed. This Council gave us our “Easter enliven our hopes and open our minds, duty” as necessary to salvation, introduced so that together with our sisters and brothers in the faith the genuflection before the Blessed we may recognise you in the Scriptures and the breaking of bread. Sacrament, and ordered that the sacred Hosts May your Holy Spirit transforms us into one Body and holy oils be reserved in a safe place, and lead us to walk humbly on the earth hence our tabernacles. The Panis Angelicus in justice and love and other great Eucharistic hymns by St as witnesses of your Resurrection. Thomas Aquinas date from this period. I In communion with Mary whom you gave to be our mother at the foot of the Cross Check out the official website through You may all praise and honour and blessing of the Eucharistic Congress for be to the Father reflections and resources: In the Holy Spirit and in the Church, www.iec2012.ie now and forever. Amen.

St Anthony Brief 26 El Salvador: the Light in the Darkness

FAITH IN ACTION FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, OFM

Looking at El Salvador, Fr Gearóid Ó Conaire, OFM, believes that in the quest for justice and reconciliation, love is the only way for effective change.

n the late 1980s the Franciscan as far back as the Spanish colonisation. continued to insist, particularly through Family in El Salvador established a The people were disenfranchised and the voice of Archbishop Romero, that Justice, Peace and Integrity of subjugated by a few powerful elite while the FMLM’s claim to participation ICIreation office. The civil war was coming families who maintained their privileged in the political process were legitimate, to an end. Over 70,000 people had been lifestyle by force. The army belonged to their use of violent force was ultimately killed, over a million displaced and them. counterproductive. Archbishop Romero hundreds of thousands had fled the A coalition of left-wing political publicly named what was unacceptable country, mostly to the United States. The parties, popularly known as the FMLM, to human decency and called for change Gospel message of love is fundamentally denied access to the electoral process, through non-violent means. He was about healing and reconciliation; about revolted and organised a military branded a communist and a subversive. restoring right relations at every level – campaign to take power through force of He was ostracised not only by the ruling within oneself, between people, with arms. Some of the language they used elites, but by most of his fellow bishops creation and, ultimately with God. The and the analysis of the underlying who appeared to be in favour of the civil war in El Salvador was a manifes - causes of injustice strongly echoed status quo. And yet, friend and foe alike tation of structural inequalities and injus - some fundamental Gospel and Catholic listened to his Sunday homily broadcast tices that had simmered for generations, Social Teaching. However, the Church live on radio.

Dec/jan 2011 27 Ultimate Price For a time, to have a Catholic Bible and, worse still, a photo of the martyred Romero was tantamount to committing a subversive act. In this context, you can understand how Gospel concepts of justice, peace, equality, respect and dignity for all were interpreted as subversive by those refusing to consider a more inclusive, just and equal society. Out of fear many Catholics joined Pentecostal sects. They were able to practise a private religion without any social or political demands; a religion deemed non-threatening and acceptable to those in power. Others, faithful to a non-violent Gospel message paid the ultimate price with their lives. Fr Ciaran Ó Nuanain, OFM, has been researching and documenting, with his team, the faith commitment of hundreds of anonymous martyrs. They will publish a series of documents recounting the lives of ordinary men and women, faithful followers of Jesus, who did not renege on their faith nor allow it to be confined to the sacristy. Even after the war, injustice and inequality continue to be part of life in Salvador. Many profound changes have taken place, including participation by the FMLM in the parliamentary process. A new police force was established. However, unjust economic structures have basically remained unchanged. There has been a growing awareness of the environmental threat. With post-war development the few original forest areas, uncontaminated aquifers, unique fauna and flora are coming under increased threat from construction Unjust structures: inequalities still remain companies and other economic interest important took place in Medellin in report, nicknamed the Santa Fé Report groups. The JPIC office began to focus Colombia in 1968 and in Puebla in he stated: “In order to win the battle for its work on environmental injustice. In Mexico ten years later. The most recent hegemony (control) over conscience, it is this way it is helping to contribute to took place in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007. necessary to begin by exposing Latin justice, peace and joy for all (see The mission of the Church is to preach America to the influence of the funda - Romans 14:17-18) which, according to the good news of salvation to the whole mental values of the American way of St Paul in the letter to the Romans, is of creation, which includes promoting life, doing so through controlling the the sign of the presence of God’s and protecting the dignity of each traditional apparatus of socialisation of Kingdom among us. person. In a continent where the majority civil society: the Family, the School, and were poor and disenfranchised, the the Church.” In other words, he believed The Church in Latin America consequences of carrying out such a the implementation of Catholic social After Vatican II, particularly in Latin mission brought the Church on a teaching and praxis was at odds with America, there was a renewed vibrancy collision course with political and U.S. interest. It is said that one in the Church. Several continental economic elites. mechanism used to counteract the episcopal meetings took place. Rockefeller, the famous banker and influence of the Catholic Church – Representatives from every country politician, was given the task of visiting protestant fundamentalist sects were reflecting on the mission of the Church Latin America to assess the impact of encouraged to send missionaries and in the modern world. Two of the most the new awakening in the Church. In his establish themselves in Latin America. St Anthony Brief 28 Guatemala and Puerto Rica became an excellent learning opportunity for took advantage of the theological pilot projects. The goal was to convert them. They had to rework the material ignorance of the laity to impose their half the population to Protestantism by to make it intelligible for the people. A own agendas. With an educated and the turn of the century. Today that goal three-year theology programme was self-confident laity, clergy and religious has almost been achieved. developed. Every Saturday afternoon or have to take a different approach. It alternatively on Tuesday evenings two can happen that clergy with low self- Forming the Laity new courses were taught every three esteem or issues of power and control Formation of laity became one of the months for nine months. After three find it hard to deal with competent laity priorities of the post Vatican II Church. years the people had received a signif - and religious. There was a shortage of priests and icant formation in Scripture and some remote communities were theology. Other parishes in the area, Second Part fortunate to see a priest once a year. In known as the Deanery of Mons. In the February edition of the Brief I the absence of clergy, laity was increas - Romero, also sent leaders to be trained. will continue with the second part of ingly trained in the fundamentals of The Jesuit University was attracted this article outlining some very positive Scripture, theology and pastoral care. by the idea and offered to bring a initiatives being promoted by people of They animated the life of the local similar programme to another deanery faith in El Salvador. In this article, I Church, organised celebrations of the of the diocese the following year. Over have tried to remind you of the Word on a weekly basis, visited the time other theology schools begun in historical context, both political and sick, buried the dead and assumed different parts of the capital and in other religious, in order to better understand responsibility for the preparation of children and young people. In the 1970s many catechetical centres, serving several parishes, were established in the rural areas. The Irish Franciscan friars were pioneers and supporters of these initiatives in El Salvador. With the advent of war and due to a close association by these centres with a liberation Gospel vision, participants began to be targeted by death squads, until eventually most of them were forced to close down.

Theology School of San Bartolo In 1993 the Franciscan fraternity of San Bartolo began to reflect on the possi - bility of establishing a theology school for laity. The Jesuit University offered a three-year evening course in theology to religious and laity. Many of the leaders of the Basic Christian Communities were married with children, worked all day, studied at evening courses and were involved in several pastoral initia - Romero: Gospel is about healing and reconciliation tives at weekends. They were not free dioceses. The first graduates were what is happening today. It is not a to attend a formal theology course five conferred with diplomas in theology by comprehensive presentation, but one nights a week for three years. At that the university in 1996. Since then based on my own recollections of time, five young Central American friars several thousand lay people have happenings. In the following article I lived an inserted life in the parish while graduated. I am happy to say that the will let you know about an ecumenical, pursuing their theology studies in the school continues to function in San ecological formation programme, an Central American Jesuit University. At Bartolo. Theological knowledge has inspiring story of committed Christian week-ends and at night they were empowered lay people to reflect on their professionals working for change in involved pastorally with the people. The own faith journey as well as accompa - Chalatenango, a part of the country parish paid for their tuition and upkeep. nying their communities with greater which suffered disproportionally during Instead of bringing the people to the competence. the war and a tribute to Fr Peter university, we decided to bring the An educated laity can also be more O’Neill, OFM, who gave his life’s university to the people. The friars proactively involved, not only in imple - energies for peace and justice. I agreed to teach the theology courses menting pastoral plans, but in helping to [email protected] they themselves were receiving. It was draw them up. In the past, some clergy Dec/jan 2011 29 MISSION DIGEST

The friars in Haiti, ten friars and eleven young men in formation, have expressed their profound gratitude, A Million “a million thanks,” to the whole Order for its moral and material support since the terrible earthquake struck last January. The fraternal care, along with anks economic assistance, has enabled the friars living in the capital city to help the people in many ways, for example: nursing aid, visits to the homeless, accom - from Haiti modation for the street children (although the present host friary of St Alexandre is too small to sufficiently hold the huge number of street children), attending to the orphans, helping the countless needy, caring for the sick – some 50-70 persons are being treated daily in an existing room in the ruins of the friary of Croix- les-Missions. Furthermore, the friars distributed food and survival kits to 1,100 families and helped them re- build their houses. But the main task of the friars (including those in formation) is that of solidarity with the people and instilling hope in God in such desperate circumstances.

St Anthony Brief 30 Letters to the Editor

Dear Fr Ulic, Dear Editor, ing ticle about teach eally liked the ar A line to say that The Praises of I r s a Zimbabwe. It wa medical ethics in God written by St Francis and ade me think lenge to me. It m chal e printed in the last issue was just derstanding of th about how our un what I needed on a d with our own very bad day. th can be so linke fai g in When I ty. While teachin read “You are the culture and socie o struggle to protector, you are refreshm that priest had t ent, Africa m his lessons free fro you are our hope ep the content of ” – I felt that I ke o keep . How hard it is t was being g any Western bias iven a word of simple!! essage pure and courage and light. Thank God the Gospel m ur stimulating for St Francis and his vision of Thank you for yo who God is for us. magazine. Anonymous. James Bowden.

Dear Fr Troy, Brief as I live near the I always get the St Anthony e articles very much. I select friary in Waterford. I like th azz Band to the one just for mention: “From J lan. I read it with a touch of Franciscans” by Fr Pat Con exford town during the years nostalgia as I often visited W At that time it was Fr Humilis ministered there. nd High Mass for the dead. customary to hold an Office a unity often attended them. A Friars from the Wexford comm umilis in that context since parish priest mentioned Fr H Please write t of these Offices! singing was an important par your letters, Waterford are ever ready to Our Franciscan community in comments and the sick and dying in hospital serve us and they minister to suggestions, to: also. The Editor, St Anthony Brief, rs sincerely, You Franciscan ing, Mary Doyle-Flem Missionary Union, Waterford City. Merchants’ Quay, Dublin 8. BrLynch_GardaAD27922 28/01/2010 12:43 Page 1