Feb. 2019 Edition of Columbia
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FEB 19 E COVERS 1_17 FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 1/17/19 3:19 PM Page 1 FEBRUARY 2019 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COLUMBIA FEB 19 E 1_17 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 1/18/19 12:00 AM Page 14 14 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ FEBRUARY 2019 FEB 19 E 1_17 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 1/18/19 12:01 AM Page 15 HEART of a PRIEST Thousands of Catholics venerate the incorrupt heart of St. Jean Vianney as it makes a nationwide pilgrimage by Columbia staff ome 17,000 young people gathered for Mass Jan. the patron of parish priests, whose holiness and in- 12 at the annual conference of the Fellowship of tegrity are a singular model for clergy.” Catholic University Students (FOCUS). They Father Patrice Chocholski, St. Jean Vianney’s successor Sstood in reverence as a reliquary holding the incorrupt as curé, or pastor, of Ars and rector of the shrine there, heart of St. Jean-Marie Vianney was solemnly processed brought the relic to the 136th Supreme Convention in into the convention center in Indianapolis. Throughout Baltimore last August. The pilgrimage officially began the conference, participants Nov. 10 at St. Mary’s Spiritual waited in long lines to approach Center in Baltimore, in the the relic for personal veneration. chapel where Venerable Father There have been similar scenes Michael J. McGivney, founder in churches and chapels across of the Knights of Columbus, the United States since the prayed during his seminary stud- “Heart of a Priest” pilgrimage, ies. While in Baltimore, the relic organized by the Knights of was present at the U.S. bishops’ Columbus, began last Novem- Fall General Assembly during a ber. The relic has been entrusted full day of spiritual discernment to the Order by the Shrine of and prayer, as well as at two area Ars, France, where St. Jean Vian- seminaries. ney (1786-1859) served for Following stops in New more than 40 years. Haven, Conn., where Father The possibility of the pil- Chocholski offered a series of grimage was first presented last reflections at St. Mary’s Church spring, before the clergy sexual abuse crisis erupted. In and the Knights of Columbus Museum, the relic has September, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson suggested visited dozens of cities from New Orleans to Atlanta that the pilgrimage would serve as a “spiritual re- to Washington, D.C. sponse” to the crisis, remarking, “We welcome as prov- The pilgrimage continues until early June. Visit idential this opportunity to invoke the intercession of kofc.org/vianney for the schedule and more information. Above: Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Father Patrice Chocholski, rector of the Shrine of Ars, hold a reliquary containing the incorrupt heart of St. Jean Vianney and a chalice that belonged to the saint, during Father Chocholski’s visit to the Supreme Council headquarters April 14, 2018. Behind them hangs a painting of another model for parish priests, Father Michael J. McGivney. • Opposite page: The heart relic is seen at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., with a mosaic of Christ the High Priest in the background. OPPOSITE PAGE: Photo by Matthew Barrick OPPOSITE PAGE: FEBRUARY 2019 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ 15 FEB 19 E 1_17 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 1/18/19 12:01 AM Page 16 ‘Alive in Christ’ An interview with St. Jean Vianney’s successor about the patron saint of parish priests ather Patrice Chocholski, a native of northeastern France, to Rome, and many Christians died as martyrs, especially in Fwas ordained in 1989 in Rome. The pastor and rector of Lyon. The Vianney family followed the Church, which was the shrine in Ars since 2014, he has extensively studied the forced underground, and Jean-Marie received his first Com- life of his predecessor, St. Jean Vianney. Educated in France, munion during a clandestine Mass. Italy, Poland and Jerusalem, Father Chocholski teaches at the The transition in the years that followed was difficult. Jean- International Seminary of Ars and has served as the general Marie was later allowed to enter seminary, but he was then secretary for the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in Rome forced to join the Napoleonic army. Somehow he got lost in (2008), Kraków (2011), Bogotá (2014) and Manila (2017). the mountains on the way to Spain and received the status of When Father Chocholski visited the United States last No- deserter. We do not know how it really happened, but we do vember to give a series of reflections coinciding with the pil- know he remained more than one year in the village of Les grimage of the St. Jean Vianney’s heart, Columbia editor Alton Noës, where he taught children and was appreciated by the Pelowski interviewed him about the saintly Curé of Ars and the people there. significance of the pilgrimage. When he returned home, his father refused to let him into the house because of how much the family had suffered in his COLUMBIA: The French Revolution began in 1789, shortly absence. His brother, Francis, had to take his place in the army after St. Jean-Marie Vianney’s birth. What effect did it have on and later died on the German front. With both sons gone, his his family and on his vocation? mother died of grief. His father told him to go pray at his FATHER PATRICE CHOCHOLSKI: During the French Revolu- mother’s tomb. Jean Vianney felt guilty and wounded and later tion, it was very dangerous for priests who remained faithful wrote letters to his father begging for his pardon. Photo by Aaron Joseph Photo by Aaron 16 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦ FEBRUARY 2019 FEB 19 E 1_17 FINAL.qxp_Mar E 12 1/18/19 12:01 AM Page 17 SPEAKING FROM THE HEART As the relic of St. Jean Vianney has “To see a heart that was totally in made its way across the country, the love, a heart that was undivided and Supreme Council has received many purified by love of the Cross, was an notes expressing gratitude for sponsoring inspirational event. It was amazing to the pilgrimage. be able to see the heart of the parish priest who lived the life we are seeking “A few months ago we read a biog- to emulate. It reminded me that, with raphy of the saint in the refectory. I the grace of God, it is possible to be- was impressed by his humility and pas- come a saint despite any challenges toral love, but now I feel like I’ve ex- that might be in our way.” perienced these myself because he — Louis McHale, seminarian for wanted to come here to us! the Archdiocese of Washington at the “While I was praying with the heart, Saint John Paul II Seminary and a I found this verse in John 18: ‘This was member of The Catholic University of to fulfill the word which he had spo- America Council 9542 ken, Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one.’ This thought seems so fitting “Welcoming the holy and incor- for a pastor who ‘lost not one’ of the rupt heart of the Curé of Ars was a multitude of souls entrusted to him and historic moment for the Apostolate who will lose not one of the intentions for Family Consecration. At this time entrusted to him on this tour.” in the Church when so many hearts — Sister Dominic Mary of Mercy, yearn for healing, it was a privilege to O.P., Monastery of Our Lady of Grace, provide the over 400 faithful in atten- North Guilford, Conn. dance — families, students, priests and religious — with an opportunity “I am very touched and humbled to to encounter the heart of a man be in the presence of my great-great- whose love for God and his Church great-great-grand uncle, St. John Vian- was unshakable. Father Chocholski gives a reflection at St. Mary’s ney. Someday, I hope to visit Ars, “As a Knight, it’s my personal prayer Church in New Haven during a prayer vigil Nov. France. I hope and pray for a blessed that God, through the intercession of 18. The vigil concluded three nights of prayer at tour and great healing and hope.” St. John Vianney and Venerable the parish for healing, reparation and purification. — Wade Anders Vianney, West Michael J. McGivney, grant me a heart Hartford, Conn. like the Curé of Ars.” — J. Basil Dannebohm, vice presi- We can see how this impacted his fu- “It was an amazing experience for us dent of advancement and evangeliza- ture as a priest. This sensitive man was in Pensacola. We estimated that 600 tion for the Apostolate of Family able to relieve so many people of their visitors passed through the doors of Consecration in Bloomingdale, Ohio guilt by welcoming them with the ten- the Basilica between our four Masses, derness of God in the sacrament of vespers and extended hours of being “What an incredible blessing for us confession. And he helped them expe- open. I could not have been more to have St. John Vianney’s incorrupt rience the healing of Divine Mercy pleased with the response of the heart at the recent SEEK conference! through absolution. Catholics in the area, plus those who Priest after priest told me how powerful joined us from outside Florida. it was to have the relic there. The thou- COLUMBIA: What other challenges “As I observed people in prayer be- sands of young people present loved it did Jean-Marie face in pursuing his fore the relic, the intensity of their too, venerating it in the eucharistic ado- vocation? prayer was quite visible.