Price € 1,00. Back issues € 2,00 L’O S S E RVATOR E ROMANO WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt

Fifty-third year, number 25 (2.652) Friday, 19 June 2020

Holy Father’s Message for the fourth World Day of the Poor ‘Stretch forth your hand to the poor’

See page 6/7

On Francis’ Message for World Day of the Poor General Audience Bridges to God Revive our sense of responsibility

PAGE 3 to counter the risk of indifference

ANDREA MONDA The Egyptians and the Hebrews. God walks with his people who ac- St John XXIII and Prof. Isaac Now a new event has occurred. cept his offer of freedom. This story, “I have seen the affliction of my Someone, above nature, the creator like so many others told in the On the 60th anniversary p eople who are in Egypt, and have himself, intervenes, comes in, ‘des- Bible, continues to happen each heard their cry because of their cends’ to free mankind for whom day. God calls and offers, man re- PAGE 5 taskmasters; I know their sufferings, he feels compassion in its ‘afflic- sponds. Man can do so because he and I have come down to deliver tion’. This descent occurs because is able to, he is ‘resp onse-able’. At them”. The words that God ad- three actions are accomplished to- times he does so, but not always. Corpus Christi Homily dresses to Moses from the branches gether: observing, listening, recog- And when man does not respond he nizing. And then we move on to of a bush that burns without being goes back to being simply a natural the action of liberating. element. This can be recognized Close to ones who hunger consumed, in the third chapter of This is the origin of Israel’s his- from the fact that his sense of re- the Book of Exodus, mark the be- PAGE 5 tory which is fulfilled in the advent sponsibility has been put to sleep; it ginning of history, a truly human of Christ, a history that always sees has gone into hibernation. This is history, a history of salvation. Be- mankind as the protagonist togeth- the expression that the used fore these words there was no true er with God. “He who created us in his latest Message for World Day Interview with the Bishop of Gallup ‘history’. Man was only a natural without our help will not save us of the Poor, released on Saturday, 13 element among other similar living without our consent”, Saint Au- June: “Until we revive our sense of Spirit of the Navajo beings, subjugated to the cyclical gustine reminds us. This salvation responsibility for our neighbour and rhythm of nature, within a harsh history can only happen with man’s for every person, grave economic, PAGE 11 struggle for survival that always active response, only if the journey gave rise to a law, that of the fittest. is a synod, a path traveled together: CONTINUED ON PA G E 8 page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 19 June 2020, number 25

titular episcopal See of Croae. Until now he has served as ad interim del- egate for Hispanic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus / VAT I C A N Sagrado Corazon de Jesus parish in Highlandtown, Maryland (10 June). The Holy Father appointed Bishop Bishop-elect Lewandowski, 53, Francisco Cota de Oliveira as Bish- BULLETIN was born in Toledo, USA . He com- op of Sete Lagoas. Until now he has pleted his theological studies at the served as of Washington Theological Union. He AUDIENCES Archbishop Rozanski, 61, was Fiorentino and Auxiliary of Curiti- was ordained a priest on 7 May born in Baltimore, USA . He was or- ba, Brazil (10 June). 1994. Friday, 12 June dained a priest on 24 November 1984. He was ordained a bishop on Bishop Cota de Oliveira, 50, was Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, born in Onça do Pitangui, Brazil. The Holy Father accepted the resig- 24 August 2004, subsequent to his Prefect of the Congregation for the He was ordained a priest on 1 Au- nation of Bishop José Vilaplana appointment as titular Bishop of Evangelization of Peoples gust 1999. He was ordained a bishop Blasco from his office as Bishop of Walla Walla and Auxiliary of Bal- on 26 August 2017, subsequent to Huelva, Spain (15 June). H.E. Mr Jan Tombin timore. He was appointed Bishop of ski, Ambassa- his appointment as titular Bishop of The Holy Father appointed Bishop dor of the European Union, on his Springfield in Massachusetts on 19 farewell visit Fiorentino and Auxiliary of Curit- Santiago Gómez Sierra as Bishop of June 2014. iba. Huelva. Until now he has served as Professor Marta Cartabia, President titular Bishop of Vergi and Auxiliary of the Constitutional Court The Holy Father accepted the resig- The Holy Father appointed Fr of Seville, Spain (15 June). nation of Bishop Aloísio Jorge Pena Members of the National Presidency Bruce Lewandowski, CSSR, as Auxili- Bishop Gómez Sierra, 62, was Vitral from his office as Bishop of of the Ecclesial Movement for Cul- ary Bishop of the Archdiocese of born in Madridejos, Spain. He was tural Commitment (Movimento Ec- Sete Lagoas, Brazil (10 June). Baltimore, USA, assigning him the ordained a priest on 18 September clesiale di Impegno Culturale, 1982. He was ordained a bishop on MEIC). 26 February 2011, subsequent to his appointment as titular Bishop of Fr Pasquale Spinoso, Ecclesiastical Vergi and Auxiliary of Seville. Counsellor of the Embassy of Italy London property deal to the The Holy Father appointed Bishop Saturday, 13 June Torzi granted provisional release Arturo Eduardo Fajardo Bustamante as Bishop of Salto, Uruguay. Until Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, Prefect The Vatican’s Office of the Promotor of Justice, of the interrogator- now he has served as Bishop of San of the Congregation for Bishops ies to which Gianluigi Torzi was subjected in relation to the invest- José de Mayo, Uruguay (15 June). Dr Federico Cafiero de Raho, Na- igation of the sale of the building at 60 Sloane Avenue in London, Bishop Fajardo Bustamante, 58, tional Anti-Mafia and Counter-Ter- has granted provisional release by an order dated 15 June. The de- was born in Aiguá, Uruguay. He rorism public prosecutor cree, signed by Promotor of Justice Gian Piero Milano, and by his was ordained a priest on 8 May Adjunct, Alessandro Diddi, indicates that the magistrates took no- Professor Andrea Monda, Editor-in- 1988. He was ordained a bishop on tice of elements deduced in a joint memorandum consigned by Mr Chief of L’Osservatore Romano 8 September 2007, subsequent to his Torzi, and of the numerous documentary attachments deemed use- Monday, 15 June ful in the reconstruction of facts under investigation. CONTINUED ON PA G E 8 Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern C h u rc h e s Congregation for the Causes of Saints CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E Promulgation of Decrees The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation of Bishop Pedro Daniel Mar- tínez Perea from his office as Bishop On 26 May, the Holy Father received in audience Cardin- Columbus, born on 12 August 1852 in Waterbury, USA, of San Luis, Argentina (9 June). al Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the and died on 14 August 1890 in Thomaston, USA; The Holy Father appointed Bishop Causes of Saints. During the audience, the Supreme — the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Gabriel Bernardo Barba as Bishop Pontiff authorized the said Congregation to promulgate the Venerable Servant of God Pauline-Marie Jaricot, of San Luis. Until now he has Decrees relating to: founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith served as Bishop of Gregorio de La- and the Living Rosary Association, born on 22 July ferrere, Argentina (9 June). — the miracle attributed to the intercession of 1799 in Lyon, France, and died there on 9 January Blessed César de Bus, priest, founder of the Congrega- 1862; Bishop Barba, 56, was born in tion of the Christian Doctrine Fathers (Doctrinaries), Morón, Argentina. He was ordained — the martyrdom of the Servants of God Simèon born on 3 February 1544 in Cavaillon, France, and died Cardon and five companions, professed religious of the a priest on 12 August 1989. He was on 15 April 1607 in Avignon, France; Cistercian Congregation of Casamari, killed in ordained a bishop on 1 March 2014, — the miracle attributed to the intercession of Casamari in hatred of the faith between 13 and 16 May subsequent to his appointment as Blessed Charles de Foucauld (known as Charles of 1799; Bishop of Gregorio de Laferrere. Jesus), diocesan priest, born on 15 September 1858 in Strasbourg, France, and died on 1 December 1916 in — the martyrdom of the Servant of God Cosma The Holy Father accepted the resig- Tamanrasset, Algeria; Spessotto (in the world Sante), professed priest of the nation of Archbishop Robert James — the miracle attributed to the intercession of Order of Friars Minor, born on 28 January 1923 in Carlson from his office as Archbish- Blessed María Domenica Mantovani, co-founder and Mansué, Italy, and killed in hatred of the faith in San op of the Metropolitan Archdiocese first Superior General of the Institute of the Little Sis- Juan Nonualco, El Salvador, on 14 June 1980; of Saint Louis, USA (10 June). ters of the Holy Family, born on 12 November 1862 in — the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Melchior- The Holy Father appointed Bishop Castelletto di Brenzone, Italy, and died there on 2 Feb- Marie de Marion Brésillac, titular bishop of Prusa, Mitchell Thomas Rozanski as Arch- ruary 1934; formerly vicar apostolic of Coimbaore, founder of the bishop of Saint Louis. Until now he — the miracle attributed to the intercession of the African Mission Societies, born on 2 December 1813 in has served as Bishop of Springfield Venerable Servant of God Michael McGivney, dioces- Castelnaudary, France, and died in Freetown, Sierra in Massachusetts, USA (10 June). an priest, founder of the Order of the Knights of Leone, on 25 June 1859.

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GENERAL AU D I E N C E

At the General Audience on Wednesday, 17 June, addressed the faithful from the Library of the . He continued his series of catecheses on prayer, offering Moses’ prayers of intercession on behalf of his people as an example of how we Christians today can pray for our neighbours. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis, which he shared in Italian.

The Holy Father speaks about the prayer of Moses and the mission of pastors Bridges between the People and God

Dear Brothers and Sisters, doubts, how can we pray? We do does not feel inclined to set his belongs to God. Everyone be- Good morning! not feel like praying. And it is be- people aside. They are my longs to God. The worst sinners, cause of this, his weakness, as people. They are your people. In our itinerary on the theme of the most wicked people, the most prayer, we are realizing that God well as his strength, that we are They are my people. He does not corrupt leaders, are children of never liked to deal with those impressed. Entrusted by God to reject God nor his people. And God, and Jesus feels this and in- who prayed the ‘easy’ way’. And transmit the Law to his people, he says to God: “this people have tercedes for everyone. And the Moses was not a ‘weak’ conversa- founder of divine worship, medi- sinned a great sin; they have world lives and flourishes to the tionalist either, from the very first ator of the loftiest mysteries, he made for themselves gods of blessing of the righteous, to the day of his vocation. will not for this reason cease to gold. But now, if thou wilt for- prayer for mercy, this prayer for maintain close bonds of solidarity give their sin — and if not, blot mercy that the holy, the right- When God called him, Moses with his people, especially in the me, I pray thee, out of thy book eous, the intercessor, the priest, was, in human terms, ‘a failure’. hour of temptation and sin. He is which thou hast written” (Ex the bishop, the Pope, the layper- The Book of Exodus portrays always attached to his people. 32:31-32). Moses does not barter son, any baptized person unceas- him in the land of Midian as a Moses never forgets his people. his people. He is the bridge; he is fugitive. As a young man he had ingly raises up for humanity, in And this is a great characteristic the intercessor. Both of them, the every place and time in history. felt compassion for his people, of pastors: not forgetting the people and God, and he is in the and had aligned himself in de- Let us think of Moses, the inter- people, not forgetting one’s roots. middle. He does not sell out his fense of the oppressed. But he cessor. And when we want to It is what Paul says to his be- people to advance his career. He soon discovered that, despite his condemn someone and we be- loved young Bishop Timothy: does not climb the ladder; he is good intentions, it was not come angry inside — getting “Remember your mother and an intercessor: for his people, for justice, but violence that flowed angry can do good, but con- your grandmother, your roots, his flesh and blood, for his his- from his hands. Thus his dreams demning does no good – let us your people”. Moses is so tory, for his people and for the of glory were shattered: Moses intercede for him or her; this will friendly with God that he can God who called him. He is the was no longer a promising offi- help us a lot. speak with Him face to face (cf. bridge. What a beautiful example cial, destined to rise rapidly in his Today is the “Day of Con- Ex 33:11); and he will remain so for all pastors who must be career, but rather one who science”, inspired by the witness friendly with the people that he ‘bridges’. This is why they are gambled away opportunities, and of the Portuguese diplomat Ari- feels mercy for their sins, for their called pontifex, bridges. Pastors now grazed a flock that was not stides de Sousa Mendes, who temptations, for the sudden nos- are the bridges between the even his own. And it was pre- some 80 years ago decided to fol- talgia that the exiles feel for the people they belong to, and God, cisely in the silence of the Midian low the voice of his conscience past, recalling when they were in to whom they belong by voca- desert that God summoned and saved the lives of thousands Moses to the revelation of the Egypt. tion. This is what Moses is: “Lord, forgive their sin, and if of Jews and other persecuted burning bush: “‘I am the God of Moses does not reject God, but people. May freedom of con- your father, the God of Abraham, nor does he reject his people. He you do not forgive, blot me from the book you have written. I do science be respected always and the God of Isaac, and the God of is faithful to his flesh and blood, everywhere; and may every Chris- Jacob’. And Moses hid his face, he is faithful to God’s voice. not want to advance at the ex- pense of my people”. tian give the example of consist- for he was afraid to look at God” Moses is not therefore an author- ency with an upright conscience (Ex 3:6). itarian and despotic leader; the And this is the prayer that true enlightened by the Word of God. Moses resists God who speaks, Book of Numbers defines him believers cultivate in their spiritu- who invites him to take care of rather as “very meek, more than al life. Even if they experience the people of Israel once more, all men that were on the face of p eople’s shortcomingsand their SPECIAL GREETINGS with his fears and his objections: the earth” (Num 12:3). Despite distance from God, these prayer- I greet the English-speaking he is not worthy of that mission, his privileged status, Moses never ful people do not condemn them, faithful joining us through the he does not know God’s name, ceases to belong to the ranks of they do not reject them. The in- he will not be believed by the Is- the poor in spirit who live by tercessory attitude is proper to media. Upon you and your famil- raelites, he has a stammering trusting in God as the viaticum the saints who, in imitation of Je- ies I invoke the joy and peace of tongue ... so many objections. of their journey. He is a man of sus, are ‘bridges’ between God the Lord. May God bless you! The word that issues most fre- his people. and his people. Moses, in this Tomorrow is the Solemnity of quently from Moses’ lips, in every Thus, the manner of prayer sense, was the first great prophet the Sacred Heart of Jesus: a cel- prayer he addresses to God, is the most proper to Moses is through of Jesus, our advocate and inter- ebration so dear to the Christian question: ‘Why?’ Why have you i n t e rc e s s i o n (cf. Catechism of the cessor (cf. Catechism of the Cathol- people. I invite you to discover sent me? Why do you want to , 2574). His faith ic Church, 2577). And today, too, the riches hidden in the Heart of free this people? Why? In the in God is completely at one with Jesus is the pontifex; he is the Jesus, in order to learn how to Pentateuch, there is even a dra- the sense of fatherhood he feels bridge between us and the Father. love your neighbour. matic passage where God re- toward his people. Scripture ha- And Jesus intercedes for us; he I address my thoughts to the proaches Moses for his lack of bitually portrays him with his shows the Father the wounds that e l d e rl y, to young people, to the sick trust, a lack that will prevent him hands outstretched toward God, are the price of our salvation, and and to newlyweds: Turn your gaze from entering the promised land as if to form with his own person he intercedes. And Moses is the to the Heart of Jesus and you will (cf. Num 20:12). a bridge between heaven and figure of Jesus who today prays find peace, comfort and hope. I With these fears, with this of- earth. Even in the most difficult for us, intercedes for us. offer you my heartfelt blessing! ten wavering heart, how can moments, even on the day when Moses urges us to pray with Moses pray? Indeed, Moses ap- the people repudiate God and the same ardour of Jesus, to inter- pears human like us. And this Moses himself as leader and make cede for the world, to remember happens to us too: when we have themselves a golden calf, Moses that despite all its frailties, it still page 4 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 19 June 2020, number 25

Video Message to Scholas Occurentes for the online meeting on the occasion of World Environment Day Gratuity, meaning and beauty are the future of humanity

“Gratuitousness, meaning and beauty” are the three key words that Pope Francis if another response returns from the fathers, we could say in jest — ima- emphasized to the thousands of young people from over 170 countries around the outside. gined that that educational experi- world who, along with their parents and teachers, participated in an online And this means educating. Educa- ence in the Diocese of Buenos Aires, meeting on Friday, 5 June, World Environment Day. The following is a tion is listening, or it does not edu- after 20 years would have grown as translation of the Holy Father’s video message, which he delivered in Spanish. cate. If one does not listen, one does a new culture, “poetically dwelling not educate. Education creates cul- upon the earth”, as Hölderlin taught ture, or it does not educate. Educa- us. Listening, creating and celebrat- Dear Brothers and Sisters of Scholas, and give up, or run away crying: tion teaches us to celebrate, or it ing life. This new culture poetically Today, after all these years in which what a disaster, what terrible times! does not educate. dwelling upon the earth. It came out, listening to the hearts we have shared our founding issue, Someone might say to me, “But Harmonizing the language of of young people, to cultivate the it is a great joy to be able to call how, isn’t education about knowing thought with feelings and actions. you a “community”. A community new reality. “This isn’t working? things?”. No. This is knowledge. That is what you heard me say many of friends, a community of brothers Let’s go search elsewhere”. But to educate is to listen, to create times: the language of the head, of and sisters. Scholas looks out through the culture, to celebrate. the heart and of the hands, syn- I still remember its origins: two cracks in the world — not with the And this is how Scholas grew. Not chronized. Head, heart and hands, teachers, two professors, in the midst head — with the whole body, to see even these two fools — the founding growing harmoniously. of a crisis, with a little folly and a In Scholas I have seen Japanese little intuition. Something un- teachers and students dancing with planned, which took shape along Colombians. It’s impossible! I have the way. seen it. I have seen young people of When the crisis in that time left Israel playing with those of behind a land of violence, that edu- Palestine. I have seen it. Students cation brought young people togeth- from thinking with those from er, generating meaning and, there- Dubai. Children from Mozambique painting with those from Portugal.... fore, generating beauty. I have seen, between East and West, Three images of this journey come an olive tree creating a culture of en- to my heart, three images that have c o u n t e r. guided three years of reflection and Therefore, in this new crisis that encounter: the fool in Fellini’s “La humanity is facing today, where cul- Strada”, Caravaggio’s “The Calling ture has been shown to have lost its of Matthew”, and Dostoyevsky’s vitality, I want to celebrate the fact “The Idiot”. Meaning — the fool —, that Scholas, as a community that the Call — Matthew —, and Beauty. educates, as an intuition that grows, The three stories are the story of a crisis. And thus in all three, human CONTINUED ON PA G E 5 responsibility comes into play. Crisis originally means ‘ru p t u re ’, ‘tear’, ‘opening' ... ‘danger’, but also ‘op- p ortunity’. On the 60th anniversary of the meeting between Pope Saint John XXIII and Prof. Jules Isaac When roots need space to contin- ue growing, the flowerpot ends up breaking. The fact is that life is lar- Recommitting to a Moment of Transformation ger than our own life and therefore it breaks. But such is life! It grows, it breaks. ABRAHAM SKO R KA Council. There were hardly any re- trasted with later Christian anti- quests that the Council take up the Jewish teachings. He also was one Poor humanity, without crises! There are moments in history that question of the Shoah and its rela- of the founders of the Am i tié Judéo- Everything perfect, everything or- change peoples and individuals tion to centuries of anti-Jewish C h ré t i e n n e de France and one of the derly, all neatly starched. Poor hu- forever. Many such moments are Christian teaching. One exception key participants in the famous manity. Let us imagine, such a hu- encounters between people and was an appeal sent by the rector Seelisberg Conference (1947). He manity would be an unhealthy hu- God or between people and their and Jesuit faculty of the Pontifical understood that although Nazi manity, very unhealthy. Thank God neighbors. Abraham’s encounter Biblical Institute in Rome. anti-Semitism had pagan roots, this doesn’t happen. It would be a with the Creator in which he heard The evident widespread failure to centuries of the Christian “teaching numb humanity. the command: “Go” (Genesis 12:1) understand the urgency of the of contempt” (the title of his 1962 On the other hand, given that and Moses’ encounter with God in question greatly distressed Paulist book) had served the Nazis well. crisis enlivens us, calling us into the the burning bush (Exodus 3) are Father Thomas F. Stransky, a staff And so he became one of the great open, danger comes when we are not two biblical examples of very trans- member of the Secretariat for the advocates of Christian-Jewish dia- taught how to relate to one another formative conversations. Another Promotion of Christian Unity, who logue. When the newly elected with that openness. This is why turning point in history occurred recalled decades later: John XXIII announced the Great crises, if they are not well supported, 60 years ago, on 13 June 1960, I asked myself: Was such indif- Council, Isaac sought an audience. are dangerous, as one can become when Prof. Jules Isaac had an audi- ference an unintentional collective He would find the new Pope to be disoriented. And it is wise advice, ence with Saint Pope John XXIII. oversight? Was the genocide exper- a sympathetic listener. even for small, personal, marital and Fifteen years had passed since ience of the Jews in Christian As Ambassador of the Holy See social crises: “never enter a crisis the end of the Second World War; E u ro p e , the “final solution” for the to Turkey, the former Angelo Ron- alone; go in company”. a new world was coming into being world’s Jewish people, already for- calli had provided, at the request of There, in crisis, we are invaded by on the ruins and devastation left by gotten or so marginalized? Were the Jewish Agency, thousands of the conflagration. The Pope real- the heavily publicized Nuremberg fear, we close ourselves off as indi- false baptismal certificates and ized that the Catholic Church had War Trials in 1947 a quickly extin- viduals, or we begin to repeat what travel visas to Bulgarian, Romani- to adapt to this new reality if it guished blimp? an, Slovakian and Hungarian Jews, is convenient for very few, emptying were to contribute to global needs. The Jewish historian, Prof. Jules saving them from the Shoah and ourselves of meaning, concealing Therefore, on 24 January 1960, he Isaac was famous before World enabling them to flee from Europe one’s own call, losing beauty. This is announced that he would convene War II for his books on secondary to Palestine. On his first Good Fri- what happens when one goes a great council of all the world’s education in France. Although he day as Pope, he had removed the through a crisis alone, without reser- bishops, the Second Vatican Coun- lost his wife, daughter and son-in- word “p erfidious”from the interces- vation. This beauty that, as Dosto- cil. law in Auschwitz and Bergen- sion for Jews. evsky said, will save the world. At the Vatican’s invitation, thou- Belsen, he did not become em- When the two met on 13 June Scholas was born of a crisis, but it sands of proposals were sent by bittered. In 1947 he published an 1960, Isaac presented a portfolio did not raise its fists to fight with bishops and theologians for pos- important study, Jésus et Israël on the culture, nor did it lower its arms sible topics to be considered by the how the Jewishness of Jesus con- CONTINUED ON PA G E 8 number 25, Friday, 19 June 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 5

Pope celebrates Corpus Christi in the Vatican Basilica Close to those who hunger for food and dignity We need bonds of solidarity so that no one will be left alone

We need “bonds of solidarity” today in order “to take which heals our sense of being orphans. It gives care of those who hunger for food and for dignity, of us Jesus’ love, which transformed a tomb from an those without work and those who struggle to carry end to a beginning, and in the same way can on”, Pope Francis reminded the faithful during his transform our lives. It fills our hearts with the homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and consoling love of the Holy Spirit, who never Blood of Christ on Sunday, 14 June. The following leaves us alone and always heals our wounds. is the English text of the Pope’s homily. Through the Eucharist, the Lord also heals our “Remember all the way which the Lord your God negative memory, that negativity which seeps so of- has led you” (Deut 8:2). Today’s Scripture read- ten into our hearts. The Lord heals this negative ings begin with this command of Moses: Remem- memory, which drags to the surface things that ber! Shortly afterwards Moses reiterates: “Do not have gone wrong and leaves us with the sorry no- forget the Lord, your God” (v. 14). Scripture has tion that we are useless, that we only make mis- been given to us that we might overcome our for- takes, that we are ourselves a mistake. Jesus getfulness of God. How important it is to remem- comes to tell us that this is not so. He wants to ber this when we pray! As one of the Psalms be close to us. Every time we receive him, he re- teaches: “I will call to mind the deeds of the minds us that we are precious, that we are guests Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” he has invited to his banquet, friends with whom (77:11). But all those wonders too, that the Lord he wants to dine. And not only because he is has worked in our own lives. generous, but because he is truly in love with us. It is vital to remember the good we have re- He sees and loves the beauty and goodness that ceived. If we do not remember it, we become we are. The Lord knows that evil and sins do not strangers to ourselves, “passers-by” of existence. define us; they are diseases, infections. And he Without memory, we uproot ourselves from the comes to heal them with the Eucharist, which soil that nourishes us and allow ourselves to be contains the antibodies to our negative memory. carried away like leaves in the wind. If we do re- With Jesus, we can become immune to sadness. We member, however, we bind ourselves afresh to will always remember our failures, troubles, prob- the strongest of ties; we feel part of a living his- lems at home and at work, our unrealized dreams. tory, the living experience of a people. Memory But their weight will not crush us because Jesus is is not something private; it is the path that present even more deeply, encouraging us with unites us to God and to others. This is why in his love. This is the strength of the Eucharist, Bread in which he is truly present, alive and true, the Bible the memory of the Lord must be which transforms us into bringers of God, bringers with all the flavour of his love. Receiving him we passed on from generation to generation. Fath- of joy, not negativity. We who go to Mass can ers are commanded to tell the story to their can say: “He is the Lord; he remembers me!” ask: What is it that we bring to the world? Is it sons, as we read in a beautiful passage. “When That is why Jesus told us: “Do this in remem- our sadness and bitterness, or the joy of the your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the brance of me” (1 Cor 11:24). Do! The Eucharist is Lord? Do we receive Holy Communion and then meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the not simply an act of remembrance; it is a fact: the carry on complaining, criticizing and feeling sorry ordinances which the Lord our God has com- L o rd ’s Passover is made present once again for for ourselves? This does not improve anything, manded you?’, then you shall say to your son, us. In Mass the death and resurrection of Jesus whereas the joy of the Lord can change lives. ‘We were slaves… [think of the whole history of are set before us. Do this in remembrance of me: Finally, the Eucharist heals our closed memory. slavery!], and the Lord showed signs and won- come together and celebrate the Eucharist as a The wounds we keep inside create problems not ders… before our eyes’” (Deut 6:20-22). You community, as a people, as a family, in order to only for us, but also for others. They make us shall hand down this memory to your son. remember me. We cannot do without the Euchar- fearful and suspicious. We start with being ist, for it is God’s memorial. And it heals our But there is a problem: what if the chain of closed, and end up cynical and indifferent. Our wounded memory. transmission of memories is interrupted? And wounds can lead us to react to others with de- how can we remember what we have only heard, The Eucharist first heals our orphaned memory. tachment and arrogance, in the illusion that in unless we have also experienced it? God knows We are living at a time of great orphanage. The this way we can control situations. Yet that is in- how difficult it is, he knows how weak our Eucharist heals orphaned memory. So many people deed an illusion, for only love can heal fear at its memory is, and he has done something remark- have memories marked by a lack of affection and root and free us from the self-centredness that im- able: he left us a memorial. He did not just leave bitter disappointments caused by those who prisons us. And that is what Jesus does. He ap- us words, for it is easy to forget what we hear. He should have given them love and instead proaches us gently, in the disarming simplicity of did not just leave us the Scriptures, for it is easy orphaned their hearts. We would like to go back the Host. He comes as Bread broken in order to to forget what we read. He did not just leave us and change the past, but we cannot. God, break open the shells of our selfishness. He gives signs, for we can forget even what we see. He however, can heal these wounds by placing within of himself in order to teach us that only by open- gave us Food, for it is not easy to forget our memory a greater love: his own love. The ing our hearts can we be set free from our interior something we have actually tasted. He left us Eucharist brings us the Father’s faithful love, barriers, from the paralysis of the heart. The Lord, offering himself to us in the simpli- city of bread, also invites us not to waste our lives in chasing the myriad illusions that we think we cannot do without, yet that leave us empty with- in. The Eucharist satisfies our hunger for material Holy Father to Scholas Occurentes things and kindles our desire to serve. It raises us from our comfortable and lazy lifestyle and re- CONTINUED FROM PA G E 4 no one is left out when what is not produce; it does not pro- minds us that we are not only mouths to be fed, taught is not just a thing, but duce. Yet the whole of human- but also his hands, to be used to help feed others. opens the doors of the Uni- Life. The same life that gener- ity, the future, depends upon versity of Meaning. Because to It is especially urgent now to take care of those ates us and will always gener- these things that seem worth- who hunger for food and for dignity, of those educate is to seek the meaning ate other worlds. Different less. Move forward, take this without work and those who struggle to carry on. of things. It is to teach how to worlds, unique, as we are also. mystique that has been given, And this we must do in a real way, as real as the look for the meaning of things. In our most profound suffer- that no one invented; and the Bread that Jesus gives us. Genuine closeness is Uniting the dream of chil- ings, joys, desires and nostal- first to be surprised were these needed, as are true bonds of solidarity. In the dren and young people with gia. Worlds of Gratuitousness, two fools who founded it. And Eucharist, Jesus draws close to us: let us not turn the experience of adults and of Meaning, and of Beauty. this is why they offer it, they away from those around us! “The Idiot”, Caravaggio’s give it away, because it is not the elderly. This encounter Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue our “Calling”, and the fool of “La theirs. It is something that must always take place; other- celebration of Holy Mass: the Memorial that wise there is no humanity, be- Strada”. came to them as a gift. Go heals our memory. Let us never forget: the Mass cause there are no roots, there Never forget these last three forth sowing and reaping, with is the Memorial that heals memory, the memory is no history; there is no prom- words: gratuitousness, meaning a smile, with risk, but all to- of the heart. The Mass is the treasure that should ise; there is no growth; there and beauty. They may seem gether and always hand in be foremost both in the Church and in our lives. are no dreams; there is no worthless to you, especially hand, to overcome any crisis. And let us also rediscover Eucharistic adoration, p ro p h e c y. nowadays. Who starts a busi- May God bless you. And which continues the work of the Mass within us. Students of all situations, ness seeking gratuitousness, please, do not forget to pray This will do us much good, for it heals us within. languages and beliefs, because meaning and beauty? It does for me. Thank you very much. Especially now, when our need is so great. number 25, Friday, 19 June 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 6/7

WORLD DAY OF THE PO OR

Pontiff praises those who risked contagion to help others during the pandemic Hands outstretched with generosity to answer to the silent cry of the neediest

“Time devoted to prayer can never become an alibi for neglecting our neighbour in life and the life of society. It is not necessities. For the Christian brought pain and death, despair need”, Pope Francis said in his message for the Fourth World Day of the Poor. a matter of fine words but of a people, to remind everyone of the and bewilderment, how many out- Indeed, he added, “prayer attains its goal when accompanied by service to the concrete commitment inspired by great value of the common good is stretched hands have we seen! The poor”. Instituted by Pope Francis at the end of the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016 with divine charity. Each year, on the a vital commitment, expressed in outstretched hands of physicians the Apostolic Letter “Misericordia et Misera”, World Day of the Poor, 2020 will World Day of the Poor, I reiterate the effort to ensure that no one who cared about each patient and be celebrated on 15 November, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The following is this basic truth in the life of the whose human dignity is violated in tried to find the right cure. The the English text of the Holy Father’s message. Church, for the poor are and al- its basic needs will be forgotten. outstretched hands of nurses who ways will be with us to help us 5. The ability to stretch forth our worked overtime, for hours on end, welcome Christ’s presence into our to look after the sick. The out- it, and in the uncertainties of your hand shows that we possess an in- daily lives (cf. Jn 12:8). nate capacity to act in ways that stretched hands of administrators humble state, be patient, since who procured the means to save as gold is tested in the fire, and 4. Encountering the poor and give meaning to life. How many those in need constantly challenges outstretched hands do we see every many lives as possible. The out- chosen men in the furnace of hu- stretched hands of pharmacists miliation. Trust him and he will us and forces us to think. How can day! Sadly, it is more and more the we help to eliminate or at least al- case that the frenetic pace of life who at personal risk responded to uphold you, follow a straight path p eople’s pressing needs. The out- and hope in him. You who fear the leviate their marginalization and sucks us into a whirlwind of indif- suffering? How can we help them ference, to the point that we no stretched hands of priests whose and honesty… When the founda- 9. At the same time, the com- lead to a life of concern for those Lord, wait for his mercy; do not hearts broke as they offered a turn aside in case you fall” (2:2-7). in their spiritual need? The Christi- longer know how to recognize the tions of social life are corroded, mand: “Stretch forth your hand to poorer than ourselves or lacking an community is called to be in- good silently being done each day blessing. The outstretched hands of what ensues are battles over con- the poor” challenges the attitude of the opportunities that were ours. 2. In page after page, we discov- volved in this kind of sharing and and with great generosity all volunteers who helped people liv- flicting interests, new forms of viol- those who prefer to keep their er a precious compendium of ad- But second, there is also an end or to recognize that it cannot be del- around us. Only when something ing on the streets and those with a ence and brutality, and obstacles to hands in their pockets and to re- goal towards which each of us is vice on how to act in the light of a home yet nothing to eat. The out- egated to others. In order to help happens that upsets the course of the growth of a genuine culture of main unmoved by situations of tending. And this means that our close relationship with God, creat- stretched hands of men and wo- the poor, we ourselves need to live our lives do our eyes become cap- care for the environment” (Laudato poverty in which they are often lives are a project and a process. or and lover of creation, just and men who worked to provide essen- the experience of evangelical able of seeing the goodness of the Si’, 229). In a word, until we revive complicit. Indifference and cyn- The “end” of all our actions can provident towards all his children. tial services and security. We could poverty. We cannot feel “alright” saints “next door”, of “those who, our sense of responsibility for our icism are their daily food. What a only be love. This is the ultimate “Stretch forth your hand This constant reference to God, continue to speak of so many other when any member of the human living in our midst, reflect God’s neighbour and for every person, difference from the generous hands goal of our journey, and nothing however, does not detract from a outstretched hands, all of which to the poor” (Sir 6:7) family is left behind and in the p re s e n c e ”(Gaudete et Exsultate, 7), grave economic, financial and we have described! If they stretch should distract us from it. This concrete consideration of mankind. make up a great litany of good “Stretch forth your hand to the shadows. The silent cry of so many but without fanfare. Bad news fills political crises will continue. out their hands, it is to touch com- love is one of sharing, dedication On the contrary, the two are works. Those hands defied conta- puter keys to transfer sums of p o or” (Sir 6:7). Age-old wisdom poor men, women and children the pages of newspapers, websites 8. This year’s theme — “S t re t c h and service, born of the realization closely connected. gion and fear in order to offer sup- money from one part of the world has proposed these words as a sac- should find the people of God at and television screens, to the point forth your hand to the poor” — is that we were first loved and This is clearly demonstrated by the forefront, always and every- that evil seems to reign supreme. port and consolation. to another, ensuring the wealth of red rule to be followed in life. thus a summons to responsibility awakened to love. We see this in the passage from which the theme where, in efforts to give them a But that is not the case. To be 7. This pandemic arrived sud- an elite few and the dire poverty of Today these words remain as and commitment as men and wo- the way children greet their moth- of this year’s Message is taken (cf. voice, to protect and support them sure, malice and violence, abuse denly and caught us unprepared, millions and the ruin of entire na- timely as ever. They help us fix our men who are part of our one hu- er’s smile and feel loved simply by 7:29-36). Prayer to God and solid- in the face of hypocrisy and so and corruption abound, but life is sparking a powerful sense of bewil- tions. Some hands are outstretched gaze on what is essential and over- man family. It encourages us to virtue of being alive. Even a smile arity with the poor and suffering many unfulfilled promises, and to interwoven too with acts of respect derment and helplessness. Yet to accumulate money by the sale of come the barriers of indifference. bear the burdens of the weakest, in that we can share with the poor is are inseparable. In order to per- invite them to share in the life of and generosity that not only com- hands never stopped reaching out weapons that others, including Poverty always appears in a variety accord with the words of Saint a source of love and a way of form an act of worship acceptable the community. pensate for evil, but inspire us to to the poor. This has made us all those of children, use to sow death of guises, and calls for attention to to the Lord, we have to recognize Paul: “Through love serve one an- spreading love. An outstretched The Church certainly has no take an extra step and fill our the more aware of the presence of and poverty. Other hands are out- each particular situation. In all of that each person, even the poorest other. For the whole law is fulfilled hand, then, can always be enriched comprehensive solutions to pro- hearts with hope. the poor in our midst and their stretched to deal doses of death in these, we have an opportunity to and most contemptible, is made in in one word: ‘You shall love your by the smile of those who quietly pose, but by the grace of Christ 6. A hand held out is a sign; a need for help. Structures of charity, dark alleys in order to grow rich encounter the Lord Jesus, who has the image of God. From this neighbour as yourself’… Bear one and unassumingly offer to help, in- she can offer her witness and her sign that immediately speaks of works of mercy, cannot be impro- and live in luxury and excess, or to revealed himself as present in the awareness comes the gift of God’s another’s burdens, and so fulfil the spired only by the joy of living as gestures of charity. She likewise closeness, solidarity and love. In vised. Constant organization and quietly pass a bribe for the sake of least of his brothers and sisters (cf. blessing, drawn by the generosity law of Christ” (Gal 5:13-14; 6:2). one of Christ’s disciples. feels compelled to speak out on these months, when the whole training is needed, based on the quick and corrupt gain. Others Mt 25:40). we show to the poor. Time devoted The Apostle teaches that the free- In this journey of daily en- behalf of those who lack life’s basic world was prey to a virus that realization of our own need for an still, parading a sham respectabil- 1. Let us take up the Old Testa- to prayer can never become an outstretched hand. dom bestowed through the death ity, lay down laws which they counter with the poor, the Mother ment book of Sirach, in which we and resurrection of Jesus Christ of God is ever at our side. More alibi for neglecting our neighbour The present experience has chal- themselves do not observe. find the words of a sage who lived makes us individually responsible in need. In fact the very opposite lenged many of our assumptions. Amid all these scenarios, “the than any other, she is the Mother some two hundred years before for serving others, especially the is true: the Lord’s blessing des- We feel poorer and less self-suffi- excluded are still waiting. To sus- of the Poor. The Virgin Mary weakest. This is not an option, but Christ. He sought out the wisdom cends upon us and prayer attains cient because we have come to tain a lifestyle which excludes oth- knows well the difficulties and suf- rather a sign of the authenticity of that makes men and women better its goal when accompanied by ser- sense our limitations and the re- ers, or to sustain enthusiasm for ferings of the marginalized, for she the faith we profess. and more capable of insight into vice to the poor. striction of our freedom. The loss that selfish ideal, a globalization of herself gave birth to the Son of the affairs of life. He did this at a 3. How timely too, for ourselves, of employment, and of opportunit- Here again, the book of Sirach indifference has developed. Almost God in a stable. Due to the threat time of severe testing for the is this ancient teaching! Indeed, ies to be close to our loved ones can help us. It suggests concrete without being aware of it, we end of Herod, she fled to another people of Israel, a time of suffer- the word of God transcends space and our regular acquaintances, ways to support the most vulner- up being incapable of feeling com- country with Joseph her spouse ing, grief and poverty due to the and time, religions and cultures. suddenly opened our eyes to hori- able and it uses striking images. passion at the outcry of the poor, and the child Jesus. For several domination of foreign powers. As a Generosity that supports the weak, zons that we had long since taken First, it asks us to sympathize with weeping for other people’s pain, years, the Holy Family lived as man of great faith, rooted in the consoles the afflicted, relieves suf- for granted. Our spiritual and ma- those who are sorrowing: “Do not and feeling a need to help them, as refugees. May our prayer to Mary, traditions of his forebears, his first fering and restores dignity to those terial resources were called into fail those who weep” (7:34). The though all this were someone else’s Mother of the Poor, unite these, thought was to turn to God and to stripped of it, is a condition for a question and we found ourselves time of pandemic forced us into responsibility and not our own” her beloved children, with all those beg from him the gift of wisdom. fully human life. The decision to experiencing fear. In the silence of strict isolation, making it im- (Evangelii Gaudium, 54). We can- who serve them in Christ’s name. The Lord did not refuse his help. care for the poor, for their many our homes, we rediscovered the im- possible even to see and console not be happy until these hands And may that prayer enable out- From the book’s first pages, its different needs, cannot be condi- portance of simplicity and of keep- friends and acquaintances grieving that sow death are transformed in- stretched hands to become an em- author presents his advice concern- tioned by the time available or by ing our eyes fixed on the essentials. the loss of their loved ones. The to instruments of justice and peace brace of shared and rediscovered ing many concrete situations in private interests, or by impersonal We came to realize how much we sacred author also says: “Do not for the whole world. f r a t e r n i t y. life, one of which is poverty. He in- pastoral or social projects. The need a new sense of fraternity, for shrink from visiting the sick” (7:35). 10. “In everything you do, re- sists that even amid hardship we power of God’s grace cannot be re- mutual help and esteem. Now is a We have been unable to be close member your end” (Sir 7:36). Rome, Saint John Lateran, must continue to trust in God: strained by the selfish tendency to good time to recover “the convic- to those who suffer, and at the These are the final words of this 13 June 2020 “Do not be alarmed when disaster put ourselves always first. tion that we need one another, that same time we have become more chapter of the book of Sirach. Memorial of comes. Cling to him and do not Keeping our gaze fixed on the we have a shared responsibility for aware of the fragility of our own They can be understood in two Saint Anthony of Padua leave him, so that you may be hon- poor is difficult, but more neces- others and the world… We have lives. The word of God allows for ways. First, our lives will sooner or oured at the end of your days. sary than ever if we are to give had enough of immorality and the no complacency; it constantly im- later come to an end. Remember- Whatever happens to you, accept proper direction to our personal mockery of ethics, goodness, faith pels us to acts of love. ing our common destiny can help page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 19 June 2020, number 25

Reviving our sense of responsibility

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 1 they hastened to free others from that pain, or at least accompany financial and political crises will them in the fight against an evil continue”. In Italian he uses this that did all it could to destroy the interesting verb: non cesseranno — very possibility of this together- ‘will not cease’ — as if to say that ness. Those outstretched hands economic development, entrusted were the hands of God who, in or- only to mankind, becomes a natur- der to caress mankind, asks for co- al, “constant flow” of grave crises, operation through the hands of of a struggle for power aimed at other men and women. The ges- satisfying an insatiable greed. If ture of stretching out a hand to the greed never sleeps, then, in order to poor, the Pope observes, “chal- succeed, everything else — that is, lenges the attitude of those who the conscience — must sleep, must prefer to keep their hands in their hibernate so that even man’s re- pockets and to remain unmoved by sponsibility continues to abate until situations of poverty in which they it disappears. A supernatural inter- are often complicit. Indifference Photo by Daniele Garofani vention is necessary to interrupt and cynicism are their daily food”. this seemingly inescapable cycle, We become co-workers in God’s man’s history that must be heard. It is a discourse that certainly and this happens precisely thanks tenderness or indifferent, not in So as to understand the suffering to the fact that, as Pascal recalled, one fell swoop, but through ‘daily has political consequences, but of others. This is perhaps the most “man is infinitely more than man”. fo o d’.“Structures of charity, works which is firstly profoundly human delicate passage: the world today This intervention is expressed in of mercy, cannot be improvised”, and authentically Christian, ad- a gesture that the Pope chose to continues the Pope in his Message: seems divided into two halves that dressed to the Christian people, indicate as the title of his Message: “Constant organization and train- ignore each other, those on one who by their nature cannot, on this “Stretch forth your hand to the ing is needed, based on the realiza- side know nothing about the lives earth, feel “alright”. p o or”. Agesture that today, even tion of our own need for an out- of those on the other. They are un- in this time of tragic crisis, hap- stretched hand. The present experi- able to find a meeting point (this A.M. pens often, every day, except we do ence has challenged many of our would be the ‘place’ of politics), not realize it. The Pope offers at assumptions. We feel poorer and and their clash inevitably becomes least seven examples of “out- less self-sufficient because we have a collision. But only if they are stretched hands”: those of doctors, come to sense our limitations and cognizant of the suffering, if they nurses, “of administrators who pro- the restriction of our freedom. The ‘re - c o g n i z e ’, can they truly move VAT I C A N BULLETIN cured the means to save as many loss of employment, and of oppor- on to the action of meeting, caring, lives as possible”, of pharmacists, tunities to be close to our loved saving. In this passage the Pope’s CONTINUED FROM PA G E 2 “of priests whose hearts broke as ones and our regular acquaint- words are as clear and unequivocal they offered a blessing”, of volun- ances, suddenly opened our eyes to as ever: “We cannot feel ‘alright’ appointment as Bishop of San José teers, “of men and women who horizons that we had long since when any member of the human de Mayo. worked to provide essential services taken for granted. Our spiritual family is left behind and in the and security. We could continue to and material resources were called shadows. The silent cry of so many PA PA L MASTER OF CEREMONIES speak of so many other out- into question and we found poor men, women and children stretched hands, all of which make ourselves experiencing fear. In the should find the people of God at Msgr. Ľubomír Welnitz, of the up a great litany of good works. silence of our homes, we redis- the forefront, always and every- of the Work of Jesus the High Priest Those hands defied contagion and covered the importance of simpli- where, in efforts to give them a Clerical Association and official of the fear in order to offer support and city and of keeping our eyes fixed voice, to protect and support them consolation”. on the essentials”. in the face of hypocrisy and so has been ap- What did these people do? They Keeping our eyes fixed, that is, many unfulfilled promises, and to pointed as Papal Master of Ceremon- did as God did: they observed, observing. And obeying, that is, invite them to share in the life of ies (14 June). listened, recognized the suffering, listening, because there is a cry in the community”. RE L AT I O N S WITH STAT E S

The Holy Father appointed Archbish- op Brian Udaigwe, titular Archbishop Rabbi Skorka: Recommitting to a Moment of Suelli, as Apostolic Nuncio to . Until now he has been CONTINUED FROM PA G E 4 to cherish the distinct ways in which Jews and Christi- Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and to ans [made a] covenant with God, to see the holiness (13 June). that summarized his research and requested that in in each other’s traditions, and to be able to say to preparation for the Council a sub-committee examine each other, “to see your face is like seeing the face of VAT I C A N CITY Catholic teaching about Jews. According to Isaac, the Go d!” (Genesis 33:10). Pope said, “I thought of that at the beginning of our As we recall the turning point in history represented The Holy Father appointed as office conversation”. They parted amicably and when Isaac by the dialogue between John XXIII and Jules Isaac, let head at the Vatican Apostolic Library wondered aloud if he could “take away a glimmer of us thank God and honour their memories by deepening Ms Raffaella Vincenti, secretary of the hop e”,Pope John exclaimed, “You are entitled to and extending the dialogue they began 60 years ago. said Vatican Apostolic Library (12 more than a hope!”. June). After the summer hiatus, the Pope instructed Car- dinal Augustin Bea to form the sub-committee. This Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations of Saint Joseph’s The Holy Father appointed Professor directive would ultimately lead to the promulgation of University, Philadelphia Antonella Sciarrone Alibrandi, pro- Nostra Aetate on 28 October 1965. John XXIII’s person- rector of the Catholic University of al secretary, looking back at the audience with Prof. the Sacred Heart, Italy, as member of Isaac, wrote: the managing board of the Financial I remember very well that the Pope remained ex- Information Authority (12 June). tremely impressed by that meeting and he talked about it with me for a long time. It is also true that NECROLO GY until that day it had not occurred to John XXIII that the Council had to deal with the Jewish question and Archbishop Youssef Béchara, Arch- with anti-Semitism. But from that day on he was com- bishop emeritus of Antélias for Ma- pletely taken by it. ronites, at age 85 (9 June) The brief meeting between the Pope and the Pro- fessor was thus an enormously transformative mo- Bishop Basil Meeking, Bishop emerit- ment. It gave rise to a “journey of friendship”, as us of Christchurch, New Zealand, at Pope Francis has described it, that has blessed Cath- age 90 (11 June) olics and Jews ever since. Bishop Lino Garavaglia, OFM Cap., The journey has not been without missteps and Bishop emeritus of Cesena-Sarsina, controversies along the way. But gradually we have Italy, at age 92 (12 June) learned how to talk with each other, and in many parts of the world a profound dialogue has grown Archbishop Philippe Barakat of between us. We have come to treasure our differences, Prof. Jules Isaac and Pope Saint John XXIII Homs fir Syrians, at age 67 (13 June) number 25, Friday, 19 June 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 9 storytelling WORD OF THE YEAR

“I would like to devote this year’s Message to the theme of storytelling, because I believe that, so as not to lose our bearings, we need to make our own the truth contained in good stories. Stories that build up, not tear down; stories that help us rediscover our roots and the strength needed to move forward together” (Message of the Holy Father for the 54th World Communications Day) John Everett Millais, “The Boyhood of Raleigh” (1870) When my son brought me to Church Stories connect us through narrative

MARY KARR ards coming out of your mouth, she didn’t have any pores! — that just enter into the tradition of Mary Karr,” she said. But when I I figured she’d really hate me. Shakespeare and Aeschylus and “Since God became story, every hu- told her I didn’t really care, I was But the butchered body nailed of prophets like St. Paul, we also man story is, in a certain sense, a l y i n g. to the cross — that struck me as join ancestors sitting in caves divine story. In the history of every I did care, and it wounded me real. It drew me with a fascina- sketching buffalo across walls. person, the Father sees again the when other kids claimed we were tion almost pornographic. For [We are joined] throughout our story of his Son.” — Pope Francis all going to hell, even if I didn’t such grotesque private suffering human family, the Holy Father believe there was such a place. Si- to be held up in public teaches. For my first forty years, I was a mone Weil said there is no suffer- gobsmacked me. Also, feeling When I was a struggling young nonbeliever and so always felt ing without affliction — some sorry for myself had made me mother and writer, my own drink- like a witch in any church I got form of public shame, or scorn. tender-hearted towards the hurt. I ing and drug use started to wreck dragged into — mostly as a kid by While our neighbors didn’t ex- just could not look at a crucified my toddler son’s life. To get neighbors. It touches me to read actly shrink from us — they let us Jesus and not feel an actual catch sober, I was sent to a basement in the Pope’s piece on story how play in their baseball games and in my throat. room where other drunks and ad- each person’s life saga holds “an answered when spoken to — most But I certainly didn’t believe dicts looked like ne’er do wells irrepressible dignity”, that the grownups wouldn’t let their kids he came back! No human being and losers — nobody I wanted to Father actually looks on each of play in our yard. Who could nailed to a cross like that rose up hang out with. It took every us and sees his son Jesus — go o d blame them? There ounce of self restraint not to dash news, indeed, for this black-belt were bullet holes in out to the nearest bar, for I was my kitchen walls. s i n n e r. Every great work of literature starts craving a whiskey awful. But I I grew up in a hard-drinking, Truth be told, I didn’t got a styrofoam cup of coffee and complicated household of dedic- feel that safe in my with one human being — in the — despite my revulsion started to ated atheists, but the books I house either. loneliness of her journey — wanting listen. The result was magic. Each found there — which were D on’t get me face began to bloom open like a oddball in the blue-collar Texas wrong. My parents to reach out and find another, like- sunflower. How hard everybody Bible belt I was born to — in w e re n ’t monsters. I minded creature s t ru g g l e d ! some way saved me by connect- adored them, and they Dr John Avery, an addiction ing me with other suffering loved me the best they specialist at New York Hospital creatures through story. I didn’t could. But each suffered awful and made his buddies a barbecue in Manhattan, later told me the believe in God, but part of me demons — Daddy perhaps from on the beach. Not possible. Not comfort I began to feel had a really thought that Winnie-the- the second world war, mother a chance. basis in physiology. When we Pooh was waiting in the wood for from a pair of kids she lost and We tell each other stories in or- listen to people’s stories — esp e- his friend Christopher Robin, and more than five husbands I only der to live, American essayist cially people we’ve shared our that a young stable boy named found out about in my twenties. Joan Didion wrote. As a techno- own adventures with — we release Wart would become king by Both drank to relieve pain, which logy evolved to share and store a hormone called oxytocin, the pulling a sword from a stone — a habit only made them more information, stories have no “feel good” hormone. Our levels destiny he only accidentally en- bleary and depressed. doubt shaped the very wiring of of cortisol and adrenaline — the acted. (As we often only accident- “Evil snakes its way through our brains. But every great work stress hormones — fall. In fact, ally enact God’s special dream for h i s t o r y, ” the Holy Father writes. of literature starts with one hu- oxytocin is what mother’s secrete each of us.) Such stories gave me And so Christians often use Bible man being — in the loneliness of when they breastfeed. It helps us hope when it was scarce. stories to exclude those people her journey — wanting to reach to connect with each other and to I was a thin-skinned, bookish Jesus most wants us to welcome. out and find another, like-minded feel less alone. It reduces anxiety kid, a weirdo and a weeper. It In my child’s mind, I dovetailed c re a t u re . and can magically weave dispar- was a rough neighborhood, and I the scolding piety of our neigh- Earliest literature such as the ate strangers into a loving tribe. was mouthy enough to take my bors with all religion — with God O d y s s e y, say, carried all human en- When Joan Didion wrote, “We licks till my daddy egged me on and Jesus, too, the whole she- deavors. That poem didn’t just tell each other stories in order to to start biting anybody getting bang. So I reflexively scorned any serve as entertainment, it also ex- live”, she no doubt meant we the better of me. “Lay the ivory faith stories just when I was plained religious mores and ex- gain this fairy-dust comfort in to them, Pokey,” he’d say. A bite starving most for their succor. pounded on history; it transmit- part from connecting through left a mark that’d stay with even Plus the tales were tough to ted religion and civics, philo- narrative. the biggest bully. And the scars I swallow. Who could believe an sophy and law, snapshots of In early sobriety, I began to left became part of neighborhood ark once held two of every anim- everyday life. Now other techno- practice centering prayer — not to lore about how wild I was. I al, or that a sea parted so slaves logies share those burdens — text- “find God”, but to relieve a life- cussed like a sailor, even as a very could escape their captors? I cer- books and photos, documentary time of depression and anxiety. small girl — my parents found it tainly couldn’t believe the meek film and video games. But at the And I found myself reading more funny for me to swear. I can still would ever inherit the earth. heart of how we know each other and more Christian monastic hear Mrs. Perry standing on her Dragged to Mass by a school — hardwired in us and embedded works from people like Thomas porch shaking her mop at me and friend, I found the statue of in our firmware — is the story. saying, “There are snakes and liz- Mary so beatific and perfect — When we share stories, we don’t CONTINUED ON PA G E 10 page 10 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 19 June 2020, number 25

The virus and the new world in the thoughts of philosopher Slavoj Žižek Egotistically, solidarity is our only choice

LORENZO FAZZINI vival of all and each of us, how it is compel us to think about alternatives expendable: “The only occasion in the only rational egotist thing to do”. to our obsession with individual recent times that a similar approach He repeats several times the state- The pandemic has alas convinced us vehicles. The list can go on”. was taken, as far as I know, was in ment that Pope Francis made reson- of a too often forgotten, ‘oh dear!’ is- Žižek has some harsh words for the last years of Ceauşescu’s rule in ate in his unforgettable public pray- sue: “our first principle should be those who are (again) seeking a Romania when retired people were er in Saint Peter’s Square on 27 not to economize but to assist un- scapegoat in the migrants who try to simply not accepted into hospitals, March: “we are on the same boat”. conditionally, irrespective of costs, land in Europe: “It’s hard to grasp whatever their state, because they Slavoj Žižek — philosopher, multifa- those who need help”; thus he points their level of despair if a territory were no longer considered of any ceted intellectual known for his out that “decisions about solidarity under lock-down in an epidemic is use to society”. Marxist statements often owing to are eminently political”. The con- still an attractive destination for Jacques Lacan — has no doubt: sumerist world typical of globalized them”. And also with regard to an- “We ’re all in the same boat now”. capitalism, Žižek writes, is suffering other category — the elderly — of He reiterates it at least three times in serious blows. And the thinker from that “throwaway culture”, Francis his most recently published volume Lubiana summarizes this defeat, has repeatedly stigmatized, Žižek Pandemic! Covid-19 Shakes the World identifying it with a few symbols: has quite decisive words, which refer (OrBooks, New York – London), “Amusement parks are turning into to that “new barbarism” mentioned the introduction to which appears ghost towns — perfect, I cannot ima- in the text presented here. The an- here in its original English transla- gine a more boring and stupid place notation refers to healthcare de- tion (thanks to the kind concession than Disneyland. Car production is cisions in which aged people were of the editor). And this common suffering is a seriously affected — good, this may left to die, as they were considered precisely Christian situation, accord- ing to the Slovenian thinker. Echo- ing Catherine Malabou, Žižek writes that “‘a bracketing of sociality, is sometimes the only access to alterity, Closeness is in our eyes a way to feel close to all the isolated people on Earth. Such is the reason why I am trying to be as solitary as SL AV O J ŽIŽEK from young Hegel: “The human being is this night, possible in my loneliness.’ This is a this empty nothing, that contains everything in its sim- deeply Christian idea: when I feel “Touch me not,” according to John 20:17, is what Jesus plicity — an unending wealth of many representations, alone, abandoned by God, at that said to Mary Magdalene when she recognized him images, of which none belongs to him – or which are point I am like Christ on the cross, after his resurrection. How do I, an avowed Christian not present. One catches sight of this night when one in full solidarity with him”. The atheist, understand these words? First, I take them to- looks human beings in the eye.” No coronavirus can Slovenian philosopher who un- gether with Christ’s answer to his disciple’s question as take this from us. So there is a hope that corporeal dis- abashedly presents himself as “a to how we will know that he is returned, resurrected. tancing will even strengthen the intensity of our link Christian atheist”— his texts on Christ says he will be there whenever there is love with others. It is only now, when I have to avoid many Saint Paul and theology, written to- between his believers. He will be there not as a person of those who are close to me, that I fully experience gether with the Anglican theologian to touch, but as the bond of love and solidarity their presence, their importance to me. I can already John Milbank, are well-known — between people — so, “do not touch me, touch and hear a cynic’s laughter at this point: OK, maybe we notes that the emergence of the deal with other people in the spirit of love.” To day, will get such moments of spiritual proximity, but how coronavirus amplified certain posit- however, in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, we will this help us to deal with the ongoing catastrophe? ive and other negative tendencies of are all bombarded precisely by calls not to touch oth- Will we learn anything from it? Hegel wrote that the our society. On the negative front, ers but to isolate ourselves, to maintain a proper cor- only thing we can learn from history is that we learn “the ongoing spread of the poreal distance. What does this mean for the injunc- nothing from history, so I doubt the epidemic will coronavirus epidemic has also tion “touch me not?” Hands cannot reach the other make us any wiser. The only thing that is clear is that triggered a vast epidemic of ideolog- person; it is only from within that we can approach the virus will shatter the very foundations of our lives, ical viruses which were lying one another — and the window onto “within” is our dormant in our societies: fake news, eyes. These days, when you meet someone close to you causing not only an immense amount of suffering but paranoiac conspiracy theories, explo- (or even a stranger) and maintain a proper distance, a also economic havoc conceivably worse than the Great sions of racism”. But also and above deep look into the other’s eyes can disclose more than Recession. There is no return to normal, the new “nor- all, a tremendous amount of solidar- an intimate touch. In one of his youthful fragments, mal” will have to be constructed on the ruins of our ity. Slavoj Žižek is certain of it, and Hegel wrote: “The beloved is not opposed to us, he is old lives, or we will find ourselves in a new barbarism he uses a term dear to him — a new one with our own being; we see us only in him, but whose signs are already clearly discernible. It will not “communism” —to identify the pos- then again he is not a we anymore – a riddle, a miracle be enough to treat the epidemic as an unfortunate ac- sible benefits that could arise from [ein Wunder], one that we cannot grasp.” It is crucial cident, to get rid of its consequences and return to the the consequences of the pandemic: “I not to read these two claims as opposed, as if the be- smooth functioning of the old way of doing things, don’t appeal to an idealized solidar- loved is partially a “we,” part of myself, and partially a with perhaps some adjustments to our healthcare ar- ity between people — on the con- riddle. Is not the miracle of love that you are part of rangements. We will have to raise the key question: trary, the present crisis demonstrates my identity precisely insofar as you remain a miracle What is wrong with our system that we were caught clearly how global solidarity and co- that I cannot grasp, a riddle not only for me but also unprepared by the catastrophe despite scientists warn- operation is in the interest of the sur- for yourself? To quote another well-known passage ing us about it for years?

When my son brought me to Church

CONTINUED FROM PA G E 9 ilies. I didn’t know the rules — when hand landed on the speaker’s loving hearts of the people extended to stand up and what to say. My son shoulder, and I found myself chok- to their fellows, and eventually to Merton and the great, recently late went down to Sunday school, and I ing up. An older man prayed in my son and me. Their stories led me Cistercian, Father Thomas Keating. sat in the back with a stack of pa- thanksgiving that his granddaughter to the scriptures, and — ultimately — And in the midst of my finding pers to grade (I’m a professor) and came back safely from a mission in to baptism. Now the Holy Spirit has some community among the sober a latte. El Salvador, and a gentleman across rewritten my own story. My child- and some quiet in the middle of my Then the strangest thing the aisle gave him a thumb’s up. hood home wasn’t just a cruel place chest, my son asked me to take him happened. During the Prayers of the Listening to these peoples simple where brutality left me ruined by to church “to see if God’s there”. He Faithful, people began to state their hopes and fears, I found the hard was eight or nine at the time, so I intentions. I was in the way back shell around my heart dissolving. I trauma — though that’s partly true. put a bow tie on him, and off we and couldn’t see anybody’s face, but was hearing small fragments of It was also a place I got to practice went. I could hear every voice. A tremu- beautiful, noble stories spoken by the patient, willing love for my par- Boy did I feel like a freak and a lous young woman said, “For our people I hadn’t met yet. ents that was instilled in my heart weirdo walking into Mass — a di- son’s cancer surgery,” and the con- It wasn’t the fabulous stories in when I was knit in my mother’s vorced woman, a former drug addict gregation replied Lord, have mercy. the liturgy that brought me in — womb. That’s a story I can get be- among all those clean-scrubbed fam- From a pew behind her, a woman’s those came years later. It was the hind. number 25, Friday, 19 June 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 11

INTERVIEW

with the Bishop of Gallup

GIORDANO CONTU On the United States reservation of the Navajo Nation it is a critic- al moment due to Covid-19. Ac- cording to data published on 17 June by the Health Department On the coronavirus situation of Native Americans of the Navajo Nation, there are 6747 infections and 322 deaths out of over 173 thousand inhabit- ants. This territory of the south- Strengthening the spirit western United States located between Arizona, Utah and New Mexico has the highest rate of in- of the Navajo fection per inhabitant in the US. A plague that affects a poor pop- cause the Federal Government first to the Native American American cultures. Lastly, in- ulation and one of the most vul- has title to the land. The Anti- Catholic leadership themselves. It spired by the devastation of the nerable in the country due to the Poverty Summit also found suffi- is not a “top down approach”, pandemic, we are working to in- lack of infrastructure and minimal cient evidence to call for the Fed- rather it is one of cooperation. crease our knowledge of the Nat- health services, often without run- eral Government to live up to its The leadership have an important ive American health services in ning water and electricity, full treaty responsibilities and to role in developing paths forward order to add our voice to reform weakened by social and environ- develop a voucher system to fund both for faith as well as economic medical care. mental problems. Washington has Catholic schools on reservations. development. allo cated new resources to cope The Diocese of Gallup, which you with the emergency in native and Beyond the emergency, these popula- What does the Subcommittee on lead, is in the middle of the Navajo indigenous communities. The tions have some difficulties in every- Native American Affairs that you Nation. How does the local Church United States Conference of day life. What are their needs? preside do? How does it fulfil its promote integration and dialogue Catholic Bishops praised the de- Christian mission? between cultures in everyday life? cision, expressing the hope that There are three major needs. The Subcommittee on Native aid will arrive quickly and that From my perspective, the most We try to be faithful to the American Affairs has five major tribal leaders will be involved. In important need is spiritual. Most command Our Lord gave to the goals. The Subcommittee is work- this interview with L’O s s e r v a t o re Native Americans have a deep Church prior to His ascension to ing on proper ways for integra- Romano spiritual awareness. The Catholic the right hand of the Father, , Bishop James Sean tion of the Native cultures within Wall, President of the USCCB Church has a long history among which is to make disciples bap- the Native American peoples, as the Sacred Liturgy. We are also tize, teach and know Christ is Subcommittee on Native Americ- working on the reconciliation of an Affairs captures the situation. we were the first to evangelize the with us until the end of the age. indigenous peoples. We try to re- the “boarding school period” This is the heart of the mission- spond to the spiritual need of the with Native American communit- ary Church: to know Christ came Bishop Wall, how is Covid-19 im- ies. This was a time when chil- pacting the Navajo Nation? people in a pastoral manner. At not for a few, but for all people. the heart of this response is to dren were forcibly removed by The Covid-19 has had a devast- preach the Gospel of Jesus the federal government and In this area there are some Native ating impact on the Navajo Na- Christ. The other need is the placed into boarding schools, American Catholic schools. What tion, the largest reservation in the need for employment. The some of which were Catholic in- role do they play in building the United States. It also has one of Navajo reservation has approxim- stitutions. We are working on present and the future of Native the highest infection rates. This is ately 86 per cent unemployment ways to make Native American Am e r i c a n s ? due to the low quality of health even before the Covid-19 crisis. ministry more visible in the Cath- We have a long history of care, poor diet, and many Navajo The last need is to come up to olic Church. We are working on Catholic education among the have underlying medical condi- the level of basic and adequate ways to enhance Native vocations Native American people. Saint tions such as diabetes. education. By all measures, pub- and to work with seminaries to Katharine Drexel founded a reli- lic education on reservations does educate future priests on Native gious community that ministered The United States Conference of not come close to the standards to two underserved portions of Catholic Bishops has recently im- of education in the rest of the na- the American population — Afric- plored lawmakers and government tion. Catholic schools are one an Americans and Native Americ- officials to protect native and indi- way Native Americans can lift an peoples. Saint Katharine and genous communities. What has been themselves out of poverty, but her sisters saw their outreach to done? What should be done? due to financial restraints, Cath- the people as a charitable re- olic schools can only help a small In October of last year, the sponse of the Gospel. Pope Fran- fraction of the population. United States Conference of cis urges us to go out to the peri- Catholic Bishops sponsored a According to Pope Francis there is pheries, and efforts to evangelize gathering of experts on Native and catechize through Catholic American poverty in the United not just one kind of pandemic. We have to think about many other ones education is the way we continue States at the University of Notre the work of Saint Katharine and Dame. In that meeting, the ex- that afflict humanity: hunger, war, uneducated children. How is the US respond to the invitation of our perts developed an action plan to Holy Father. Catholic Schools are end poverty especially on Native Church facing this situation and protecting minorities? vital for the elimination of American reservations. In addi- poverty and for the faith presence tion to the private sector, they The Catholic Church in the in Native American communities. also recommended several steps United States is always a voice The Subcommittee on Native to involve the U.S. Federal Gov- for the voiceless. Since 1874 when American Affairs works very ernment. The plan includes in- the Bureau of Indian Missions closely with organizations of crease in funding of Native Com- was established, the Catholic Catholic Schools on reservations munity Development Financial Church has worked to develop to maintain their vitality, cultural Institutions. These institutions ways to enhance [her response to] sensitivity and continued academ- develop ways to insure invest- the spiritual needs as well as the ic success. ments and loans on reservations. charitable needs of Native Amer- Loans and investments are partic- icans and Alaska Natives. One of ularly problematic because land the most important parts of an- cannot be used as collateral be- swering these needs is to listen Saint Katharine Drexel page 12 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 19 June 2020, number 25

ANGELUS

At the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, 14 June, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Pope Francis spoke of “the mystical effect and the communal effect” of the Eucharist. “One cannot participate in the Eucharist”, he said, “without committing oneself to mutual fraternity”. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s reflection, which he delivered in Italian.

Protect migrants, end violence in Libya Pope Francis appeals to the international community

Dear Brothers and Sisters, all. Jesus is present in the sacra- are many are one body” (v. 17). It us the Sacrament of his real, tan- Good morning! ment of the Eucharist to be our is the mutual communion of gible and permanent Presence, so those who participate in the that, in remaining united to him, Today, in Italy and in other na- nourishment, to be assimilated Eucharist, to the point of becom- we may always receive the gift of tions, the Solemnity of the Body and to become in us that renew- ing one body among them, in fraternal love. “Abide in my and Blood of Christ, C o rp u s ing force that gives once again the same way that the bread that love” (Jn 15:9), Jesus said; and Christi, is being celebrated. In the the energy and gives once more is broken and distributed is one. this is possible thanks to the second Reading of today’s liturgy, the desire to set out again after We are a community nourished Eucharist. To abide in friendship, Saint Paul reawakens our faith in every pause or after every fall. by the body and blood of Christ. in love. this mystery of communion (cf. 1 But this requires our consent, our willingness to let ourselves, our We are a community, nourished This twofold fruit of the Cor 10:16-17). He highlights two by the body and blood of Christ. effects of the shared chalice and way of thinking and acting, be Eucharist: first, union with Christ transformed. Otherwise the Communion with the body of and second, communion between the broken bread: the mystical ef- Christ is an effective sign of fect and the communal effect. Eucharistic celebrations in which those who are nourished by him, we participate are reduced to unity, of communion, of sharing. generates and continually renews First, the Apostle states: “The empty and formal rituals. Often One cannot participate in the the Christian community. It is the cup of blessing which we bless, is Eucharist without committing some go to Mass because they Church that makes the Eucharist, it not a participation in the blood oneself to mutual fraternity, have to go, as if it were a social but it is more fundamental that of Christ? The bread which we which is sincere. But the Lord event, respectful but social. the Eucharist makes the Church, break is it not a participation in knows well that our human However, the mystery is and allows her to be her mission, the body of Christ?” (v. 16). strength alone is not enough for even before she accomplishes it. These words express the mystical something else. It is Jesus who is this. On the contrary, he knows present and comes to nourish us. This is the mystery of commu- effect, or we might say the spir- that among his disciples there nion, of the Eucharist: receiving itual effect of the Eucharist: it The second effect is the com- will always be the temptation of Jesus so he may transform us relates to the union with Christ, munal one, and is expressed by rivalry, envy, prejudice, divi- from within, and receiving Jesus who in the bread and the wine Saint Paul in these words: “Be- sion.... We are all aware of these so that he may create unity in us offers himself for the salvation of cause there is one bread, we who things. For this reason too he left and not division. May the Blessed Virgin help us to always welcome with wonder and gratitude the great gift that Jesus gave us by leaving us the Pontiff's Appeal after the Marian Prayer Sacrament of his Body and his Blo o d.

After praying the Angelus the Holy Father turned his After the Angelus the Holy Father thoughts and prayers to the dramatic situation in continued: Libya. Today is World Blood Donor Dear brothers and sisters, I am following the dra- D a y. It is an opportunity to en- matic situation in Libya with great apprehension courage society to be supportive and sorrow. It has been present in my prayer in re- and sensitive to those in need. I cent days. Please, I urge international organizations greet the volunteers present and and those who have political and military responsib- express my appreciation to all ilities to recommence with conviction and determin- those who perform this simple ation the search for a path towards an end to the vi- but very important act of helping olence, leading to peace, stability and the unity of others: donating blood. the country. I also pray for the thousands of mi- I greet you all, the faithful of grants, refugees, asylum seekers and internally dis- Rome and pilgrims. I wish you, placed persons in Libya. The health situation has and all those connected via the aggravated their already precarious conditions, mak- media, a happy Sunday. Please ing them more vulnerable to forms of exploitation do not forget to pray for me. En- and violence. There is cruelty. I call on the interna- joy your lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i . tional community to please take their plight to heart, identifying pathways and providing means to assure them the protection they need, a dignified condition and a hopeful future. Brothers and sisters, we all have responsibility for this; no one should Migrants stand outside a detention centre in feel exempt. Let us all pray for Libya in silence. Tripoli, Libya (AFP or licensors)