A page devoted to local Catholic interests December 24, 2004 Vol. 31, No. 2 Lake Charles, La. Internet Address:http://lcdiocese.org Advent at the Vatican By The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton I was at the Vatican in early December with the Bishops of the Provinces of New Orleans, Mobile, and Louisville for our Ad Limina Apostolorum visit. Every five years all of the Catholic Bishops of the world are required to make this visit “to the threshold of the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul” and pray for the Christian faithful entrusted into our pas- toral care by the successor of Peter. Six months prior to the visit I sent hundreds of pages of adetailed report of all the activities of the Diocese of Lake Charles during the past five years. This forms the basis of my conversations the Cardinals who assist the Pope as Prefects of the various Congregations. In addition to our group audiences I also had a private audi- encewith the Holy Father. In past Ad Limina visits I joined the Pope for morning Mass in his private Chapel and for pranzo (lunch). These have been discontinued because of his failing health. Since I lived in Rome as Scholar in Residence at the North American College the eternal city is familiar to me. Because Rome is steeped with centuries of Christian and pre-Christian history almost every street contains something of interest. However, there is no time for sight-seeing during the Ad Limina. The Bishops gathered for Mass at the four Major Basilicas. These historic churches overpowering in their baroque splendor, yet intimate in their side chapels where we gathered. The first celebration is always in the lower church of St. Peter’s Basilica built over the ruins of Emperor Constantine’s Basilica, which was build over the traditional site of Peter’s tomb. Next, we gathered at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, that is outside the walls of the an- cient city of Rome, which marks the site of Paul’s beheading and burial. St. John Lateran is unique because it, not St. Pe- ter’s is the Pope’s cathedral as Bishop of Rome. At St. Mary Major, the largest (“Maggiore”) church in Rome honoring the mother of Jesus, we were greeted by the familiar face of a brother Bishop, Cardinal Law, who recently became Arch- priest of the Basilica. I was invited to be the celebrant and homilist on the Sec- ond Sunday of Advent at beautiful St. Susanna Church, served by the Paulist Fathers for Americans living in Rome, built over the home of Susanna and her martyred family. In my homily I spoke not of the “three wise men” who cannot be found in Scripture (Magi from the east? Yes. Three wise men or kings? No.) I spoke instead of the two wise men and the Bishop Edward K. Braxton, left, speaks with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II during the wiser woman who are our Advent guides to Jesus, the “Star.” Bishop’s Ad Limina Apostolorum visit to the Vatican in early December. They are Isaiah, the prophet who calls us to faith, John the Baptist who calls us to hope, and Mary of Nazareth who calls logical, sexual and social maturity needed to be effective for hosting an interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Im- us to love. I was pleased when some of the faithful remarked priests. In response to my question about Dominius Jesus, the maculate Conception Cathedral. Members of the Catholics, that the homily reminded them that Advent had absolutely Congregation’s document concerning Christianity and world Protestants, and Jewish and Islamic communities participat- nothing to do with the maddening shopping on the Via Vene- religions, the Cardinal stressed that our irenic dialogue with ed in this rite during which they came together to pray each to. I was also interviewed on Italian Television (RAI) and other faiths must never obscure our belief in Jesus Christ as according to his own faith tradition. He asked me to extend Vatican Radio. To my surprise several people from Lake the Word of God made flesh. his greetings to all the people of Southwest Louisiana. He Charles actually heard the broadcast. When the Holy Father addressed the Bishops collectively urged Christians to prepare prayerfully, undistracted by the Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for he focused on the theme of lay involvement in the life of the materialism that surrounds them, for the celebration of the Divine Worship and I have been friends since his days as Church. He reminded the Bishops that, by virtue of their birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Archbishop of Onitsha, Nigeria many years ago. During a vis- baptism, the Christian Faithful have a right and a duty to Every evening I walked alone in the rain-soaked St. Pe- it in his home he shared his joy over the beatification of the contribute to the life of the Church as we face the many chal- Nigerian Trappist priest who baptized him. When the Bish- ter’s Square praying the rosary never ceasing to be amazed lenges of modern largely secular culture. It was a reminder by Michelangelo’s massive dome, Maderno’s exquisite ops meet with him he urged us to insist on the faithful cele- that we are all called to holiness. John Paul, 84, who has dif- bration of the Catholic liturgy in our dioceses. We should not façade, and Bernini’s incomparable colonnades floodlit by ficulty walking and speaking, only read the first paragraph of yield to extremist who reject the genuine liturgical reforms night. Though Karl Wojtyla, the 264th Successor of Peter is his address in an effort to conserve his energy. of the Second Vatican Council or to those who would pre- bent down to mother earth by age and infirmities, the lights During my private audience with him, I told the pontiff of sume to further reform the liturgy on their own. In our meet- of the Papal Apartment were always burning late into the the faith hope and love of the good people of my Diocese. I ing with the Congregation for the Clergy, the Prefect, Dario night. The man who wears the Shoes of the Fisherman con- reminded him that we were one of the first dioceses that he Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, encouraged the Bishops to be tinues to obey the mandate of Christ to Peter, “strengthen strong in faith in the face of the tragedy of clergy harming erected (1980) and that we would soon be celebrating our 25th anniversary. Known for his love and concern for young your brothers and sisters in their faith.” Meanwhile, around young people. He told us to reach out with compassion in the great obelisk in the center of the piazza that once stood every way to the victims and at the same time not to abandon people, the Pope was pleased to hear about “Opening Win- in Nero’s circus where Peter was crucified, workers were as- priest found guilty of these terrible offenses. Joseph Cardi- dows” the development program that is remodeling and ex- nal Ratzinger, Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine panding St. Louis Catholic High. The Pontiff, who throughout sembling the wood for the Christmas crèche. This was a stark of the Faith, observed that in the light of this scandal Bish- his 26-year pontificate has urged Catholics to deepen their reminder that Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose birth we ops and their seminary faculties must redouble their efforts personal faith and at the same time enter into genuine dia- herald was a failure in men’s eyes, going from the wood of to make sure that seminarians have the emotional, psycho- logue with members of other faiths, commended the Diocese the manger to the wood of the cross! A Christmas Reflection Dear Sisters and Brothers in overlook it. Yet the death life and redemptive work. Advent. We are discouraged five books of the Old Testa- Christ, and resurrection of Jesus Thus the baby is placed in a from announcing our “Merry ment, the Torah. (6) The six As we begin a new Liturgi- Christ is the origin of many manger, a feed box. Why? Christmas” in mid Decem- geese are the six days of Di- cal year with the Season of popular “Christmas” sym- He is to become our spiritual ber, for that is still our time vine Creation and our six Rommel Tolentino Advent, our minds and hearts bols. The Christmas tree it- food. The infant’s body is of waiting. Our first “Merry days of work before we rest should be focused on the com- self originated in Germany wrapped in cloth and laid in Christmas” is really uttered on the Lord’s Day. (7) The Tolentino will be ing of Christ. The Scripture as the “tree of Life” which a manger just as the body of at the Mass on Christmas seven swans are the seven readings of Advent remind us became the tree of the “life crucified Christ is wrapped Eve, the Christ-mass. Yet in gifts of the Holy Spirit. (8) ordained to Diaconate that we are not simply giving cross.” Holly was in cloth and laid in the tomb. the days after December The eight maids are the eight beatitudes. (9) The NEW ORLEANS - Rom- preparing to commemorate adopted by Christians of The magi came seeking the 25th it is fitting for people of mel Pasion Tolentino will be the coming of Christ into the England as a Christmas sym- newborn “king of the Jews.” faith to continue saying nine ladies are the nine ordained a deacon on Satur- world 2000 years ago we are bol because its thorns and Above the cross Pilate wrote, “Merry Christmas,” “Merry fruits of the Spirit (Galatians day, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at the also preparing at a deeper lev- red berries are a reminder “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Christmas” for days and 5:22). (10) The ten lords are Cathedral of St. Louis, King el for the coming of Christ in of the suffering of Christ. the Jews.” The gold, frankin- days. This is why we speak of the Ten Commandments. of France. glory at the end of time. And Similarly, the ever-popular cense and myrrh brought by the twelve days of Christmas. (11) The eleven pipers are The Most Reverend Al- perhaps at the deepest level tropical red poinsettia be- the magi suggest that he is a the eleven apostles who re- fred C. Hughes, Archbishop Did you know that the the Church is calling each one came the Christmas flower Divine King who will soon mained faithful to Christ. of New Orleans, will be the song “The Twelve Days of (12) The twelve drummers ordaining prelate. of us to prepare a place for in Mexico because the green die. Myrrh was used to Christmas” was composed by are the twelve articles of the A native of the Philip- Christ to be born in the cold leaves symbolized Christ’s anoint the dead. Roman Catholics in England Apostles Creed. pines, the candidate is the stable of our conflict-filled youth and the red bloom, His Most pilgrims to Bethle- to teach the faith to their It is sad that this song is so son of Mr. Joselito V. To- world. As Catholic Christians untimely death. The wreath, hem are surprised to see children when they were for- lentino and Dr. Erlinda R. popular, even among we all know that the Christ- an ancient Roman and that the sight venerated as bidden to practice their reli- Pasion Tolentino of the mas Festival should not be Greek symbol of victory in the birthplace of Jesus is, in Catholics, but the true mean- Philippines. He graduated gion (1558-1829)? Here are about shopping days, decorat- the amphitheater, came to fact, a cave and not the ing of the lyrics have been all from San Beda College in the meanings of the symbols ing days, cooking days, or but forgotten. You might Manila in 1987; Atenco de be used at Christmastime in wooden “stable” depicted in of each “day.” (1) The par- partying days. Nor should it Italy as a symbol of Christ’s crèche or manger scenes wish to save this reflection Manila University in Quezon tridge is Christ, who gathers be about “Deck the halls, ‘tis victory over death at Easter. first created by Saint Fran- and share with others the City in 1991 and received a us under His wings. (2) The B.S. from the University of the season to be jolly, fa la la All of these connections be- cis of Assisi in the 13th cen- true Christian meaning of two turtledoves are the sac- Santo Tomas in Manila in la la la la la la,” rather for us tween Easter and Christmas tury. One reason often given the gifts given to us by our rifices that Mary and Joseph 1996. He will complete his it should be about “O Come, O are right before our eyes. for the stable is to link the own “True Love” who is God. theology studies at Notre offered on the birth of their Come Emmanuel.” These Ad- However, most of us are wood of the cross to the May we all understand that Dame Seminary in May 2005. Son. (3) The three French vent days of December should probably unaware of them. wood of the manger. All of the Life of Jesus Christ In 2001 he did his parish hens are the gifts of the not be a time of frantic “busy- The Christmas scriptures these connections between which we welcome at Christ- internship at Immaculate Magi, as well as the Three Conception Parish in Jen- ness” and the buying of costly are also filled with sugges- Christmas images and the mas has meaning because it Persons of the Trinity. (4) nings under the direction of presents, they should be about tions of Easter. When you suffering of Jesus teach us was transformed by an East- The four calling birds are Rev. Wayne LeBleu. Tolenti- spiritual openness to the are prayerfully reading the that if you want to under- er that was Happy indeed! no completed his Clinical the four Evangelists. (5) The greatest Christmas present of infancy narratives in stand this birth you must un- Be at Peace! five golden rings are the first Parish Education at Florida all, the present of the presence Matthew and Luke (not derstand this death. Without Hospital in Orlando in 2002. of Jesus Christ. found in Mark or John), re- Easter Christmas is mean- He served his deacon in- (This page paid for by the Diocese of Lake Charles.) ternship at Our Lady Help of There is a very close con- member that they were prob- ingless. Christians Parish under the nection between Christmas ably written last as a summa- As Catholics, our tradition The next Catholic Calendar will be published on direction of Msgr. James and Easter but it is easy to ry of the meaning of Christ’s urges us not to rush through February 11, 2005. Gaddy.