THE CATHOLIC September 19, 2012C Vol. 50, No. 17ommentator SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org Diocese makes plans for Year of Faith By Laura Deavers in a statement about the up- Editor coming Year of Faith, noted Pope Benedict has worked for On Oct. 11, 2011, Pope Bene- a correct understanding of the dict XVI proclaimed a Year of Council. The Catechism of the Faith that is to begin Oct. 11, Catholic Church is a tool for 2012, the date 50 years ago on aiding in the reception of the which the opening session of journey of the people of God. the Second Ecumenical Coun- The Vatican recommends cil occurred. The Year of Faith the Year of Faith be observed will extend for 13 months and with activities for the people on conclude on Nov. 24, 2013, the the several levels of the church solemnity of our Lord Jesus – universal, episcopal confer- Christ, Universal King. ences, diocesan and parish. Oct. 11, 2012, is also the A Pontifical Commission 20th anniversary of the prom- has been organized to lead the ulgation of the Catechism of plans for the Year of Faith ,and the Catholic Church, given to a Vatican website has been es- the church by Pope John Paul tablished to communicate in- II on Oct. 11, 1992. formation to clergy and laity. To correctly ensure the re- The main ecclesial event of ception and application of the the universal church will be teachings of Vatican Council time since 1965. The next gen- month. The theme of this syn- the Christian Faith.” the General Assembly of the II, the pope has convoked the eral assembly of the Synod od will be “The New Evangeli- The Vatican Congregation Ordinary Synod of Bishops, Synod of Bishops, the first of Bishops will be held next zation for the Transmission of for the Doctrine of the Faith, SEE FAITH PAGE 8 Pope calls Middle Eastern Christians to suffering, service By Francis X. Rocca services, including schools and health care facilities, Catholic News Service are extensively used by the Muslim majority, the pope stressed the importance of “serving the poor, the out- BEIRUT – Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the cast and the suffering,” and called on Christians to be suffering of Christians in the Middle East, reassuring “servants of peace and reconciliation in the Middle them and urging them to promote peace through reli- East.” giously inspired service to their societies. “This is an essential testimony which Christians “Your sufferings are not in vain,” the pope told a must render here, in cooperation with all people of crowd of at least 350,000 at a sweltering outdoor good will,” Pope Benedict said. Mass at Beirut’s City Center Waterfront Sept. 16. “Re- During the homily, the only sound was the pope’s main ever hopeful because of Christ.” voice and its echo from the loudspeakers. Many people In his homily, Pope Benedict commented on the leaned over and bowed their heads with eyes closed, day’s reading from the Gospel of St. Mark, in which so they could concentrate more deeply. Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Jesus is a Following the Mass, the pope formally presented “Messiah who suffers,” the pope said, “a Messiah who patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East with a doc- serves, and not some triumphant political savior.” ument of his reflections on the 2010 special Synod of Speaking in a region driven by sectarian politics, People cheer and wave Lebanese and Vatican flags dur- Bishops, which was dedicated to the region’s Chris- where party loyalties are often determined by reli- ing the outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI tians. In the 90-page document, called an apostolic gious affiliation, the pope warned that people can in- on the Beirut waterfront Sept. 16. The pope was wrap- exhortation, the pope called for religious freedom and voke Jesus to “advance agendas which are not his, to ping up his three-day visit to Lebanon. CNS photo by Steve warned of the dangers of fundamentalism. raise false temporal hopes in his regard.” Crisp | Reuters Sheltered from the sun only by white baseball Pope Benedict told his listeners, whose travails of caps and the occasional umbrella, people had already war and economic insecurity he had acknowledged the Gospel in order to save it,” he said. packed the city’s central district by 8 a.m., almost repeatedly throughout his visit, that Christianity is Yet Pope Benedict also cited another of the day’s an hour-and-a-half before the pope arrived in the essentially a faith of redemptive suffering. Mass readings, the epistle of St. James, to emphasize popemobile, which took him to the foot of the altar. “Following Jesus means taking up one’s cross and the spiritual value of “concrete actions” and works, In temperatures that rose into the high 80s, the pope following in his footsteps along a difficult path which concluding that “service is a fundamental element” of celebrated Mass under a canopy while bishops and pa- leads not to earthly power or glory but, if necessary, Christian identity. triarchs on either side wiped their brows and fanned to self-abandonment, to losing one’s life for Christ and Addressing a region where Christian-run social SEE LEBANON PAGE 10 2 The Catholic Commentator September 19, 2012 | IN THIS ISSUE | DID YOU KNOW PRAYER WARRIORS PRAY FOR PRIESTS opened a home for these women so they Sanctuary lamp symbol of Christ’s presence of the Diocese of Baton Rouge so they can properly care for their baby and them- might be protected and given wisdom selves. Page 11 If you entered a vacant on a fixed pillar or stand, or and love to carry out their ministry to Catholic Church at night, you it may be attached to or em- God’s people. This group of lay men and would not be in total dark- bedded in one of the walls. women request prayer intentions from the ness. A single burning light A special oil lamp or a lamp clergy. Page 7 would guide your way. with a wax candle burns con- An oil lamp or wax can- tinuously near the tabernacle A YOUNG WOMAN dle, known as the sanctuary as an indication of Christ’s FROM THE PHILIP- lamp, would be continuously presence.” PINES TRAVELS to aglow above or near the tab- Although sanctuary lamps Baton Rouge to talk SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH CANDIDATE Erin ernacle. It is a symbol that have been red in many tradi- about her miraculous McDonald has worked in Rwanda with Christ is present. tions, church documents do cure and the priest the refugees. The social worker talked to The General Instruction not specify a color. who is responsible for St. Joseph’s Academy seniors about her to the Roman Missal, a guide for how to The Blessed Sacrament reserved in her healing. Father experience, letting them know that they celebrate Mass, states, “In accordance the tabernacle was originally intended Arnold Janssen, founder of the reli- are being called to serve their “dear neigh- with traditional custom, near the taber- for the Communion of the sick and dying gious order Society of Divine Word, was bor.” Page 13 nacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, and for those unable to attend the Sunday declared a saint in 2003 because of this should be kept alight to indicate and honor celebration. “But as the appreciation of miracle. Page 9 the presence of Christ.” Christ’s presence in the Eucharistic spe- | INDEX Catholics have always shown their re- cies became more developed, Christians PREGNANT WOMEN CLASSIFIED ADS 18 spect for the reservation of the Eucharist desired through prayer to show reverence WITH NO PLACE TO COMING EVENTS 18 in the tabernacle. The church’s guidelines for Christ’s continuing presence in their live have been able ENTERTAINMENT 14 for art and architecture states: The tab- midst,” states “Built of Living Stones: Art, to find shelter at the FAMILY LIFE 5 ernacle “should be worthy of the Blessed Architecture and Worship,” the U.S. Con- Sanctuary for Life. INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL NEWS 4 Sacrament – beautifully designed and in ference of Catholic Bishop’s guide for wor- Once their baby is harmony with the overall decor of the rest ship spaces. LETTER TO THE EDITOR 17 born they have to of the church. To provide for the security “In reverent prayer before the re- leave the sanctu- SPIRITUALITY 7 of the Blessed Sacrament the tabernacle served Eucharist, the faithful give praise ary, but often have VIEWPOINT 16 should be ‘solid,’ ‘immovable,’ ‘opaque’ and and thanksgiving to Christ for the price- no where to go that is safe. CCDBR has YOUTh 12 ‘locked.’ The tabernacle may be situated SEE LAMP PAGE 3 Coming in October | PRAY FOR those who PRAY FOR us Please pray for the priests, deacons and religious women and men in the Baton Rouge Diocese. Retirement and Sept. 23 Rev. Steven E. Kimmons SJ Sept. 30 Rev. Clyde H. LeBlanc SJ Dcn. J. Phillip BeJeaux Dcn. Patrick Broussard Br. Eugene Patin CSsR Sr. Maria Rabalais CSJ Senior Living Sept. 24 Rev. Jon C. Koehler Oct. 1 Rev. Keun-Soo Lee Dcn. Willie M. Berthelot Sr. Dcn. Barry G. Campeaux Sr. Johanne Pedersen CSJ Sr. Anne Michelle Ramagos CSJ Sept. 25 Rev. Joseph Sanjay Kunnasseril IMS Oct. 2 Rev. Msgr. Gerald M. Lefebvre Dcn. William B. Blair Jr. Dcn. Michael T. Chiappetta Sr. Cielo Pesigan DC Sr. Geraldine Riendeaux CSJ Sept. 26 Rev. J. Joel LaBauve Oct. 3 Rev. C.