The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene by Ashley Herzog

Home , Hildegard of Bingen, Priory of Sion

July 2020 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE St.RaphaelSt.Raphael PAIDPAID CHURCH CHURCH Cleveland, OH 44101 525 Dover Center Road 44101 525 Dover Center Road Permit No. 703 BayBay Village, Village, OH OH 44140 44140 Saint Raphael

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene By Ashley Herzog

n July 22, the Catholic Church observes the wisdom, the Bible never says that Mary Magdalene OFeast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the female was a repentant prostitute or an adulterer. This theory disciple of Jesus, witness to his crucifixion and seems to have emerged in the sixth century, when Pope resurrection, and the second-most important St. Gregory the Great gave a speech confusing three woman in Jesus’ life, behind his mother Mary. different women mentioned in the Gospels, lumping However, despite playing a central role in the them into one: Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, and Would Wouldyou like you to like stay to stayconnected connected to theto the Parish Parish using using E-Mail? E-Mail? Then pleaseplease share share it withit with us. us.Just Just go to go our to Parish our Parish Website, Website, crucifixion story, few women the penitent woman who annoints www.saintraphaelparish.com,www.saintraphaelparish.com and, and enter enter the the information information under under “Staying Connected Connected Thru Thru E-Mail”. E-Mail”. Information Information will not will be not shared be shared in the Bible have as much myth the feet of Jesus shortly before his and you can remove it at any time. Contact Mark Cunningham in the Parish office with questions at (440) 871-1100. and you can remove it at any time. Contact Mark Cunningham in the Parish office with questions at (440) 871-1100. attached to their name as Mary execution. The third, unnamed Magdalene. To put it simply: woman might have indeed been a The Home and School Association Shopping Gala Mary Magdalene has a mixed prostitute—Jesus welcomed such continued from page 7 reputation. people with open arms, even as they were shunned by society. But mind that part of the word “fund” is “fun.” Our H According to the National Catholic Educational Since the early Middle Ages, there is no evidence this woman & S Association recognizesCOVID-19 this, and they offer many Association, Notice Catholic schools raise nearly $2 billion Mary Magdalene has been was Mary Magdalene. Regardless, opportunities for people to participate and support annually. portrayed as a “sinful woman” Gregory’s speech gave the myth their Catholics efforts. in After the state the of annual Ohio continue Mardi to Grasbe dispensed event, from theThe obligation vendors toat attend the Gala Sunday pay forMass. the Ourright bishops to have a (as sixth-century St. Gregory momentum, and it’s been a the Shoppingurge those Galawho are is themost largest vulnerable fundraiser to coronavirus, that Hand booth,their caregivers, and there to is continue a small in admission prayer from charge home. for St. those the Great put it), a prostitute, mainstay in pop culture ever since. & S sponsors.Raphael will The continue funds toraised live-stream allow daily the andability Sunday to Masses.who choose As the to diocese come ofand Cleveland participate. returns to public and an adulteress. On the provideworship, funds important for the new basic guidelines operation will costs be in of effect the to help“This us is protect an important each other. parish “We and thank community you for your other hand, popular novelist Conversely, the evidence that schoolpatience, such understanding as materials, and technological cooperation as upgrades,we implement activity,” this gradual Sara return says. to “Imaginethe public celebration being able of toMass,” complete Dan Brown claimed in his Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ wife and the future. Perhaps most important, it helps to your Christmas shopping 26 days before Christmas. the Ohio bishops’ statement says. The full statement can be read at https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/covid19. bestselling novel The Da Vinci or romantic partner is equally provide a Catholic education at a reasonable cost. That is what the Gala gives you the opportunity to do.” Please continue to access our website, www.saintraphaelparish.com, for updates on St. Raphael’s re-opening Code that Mary Magdalene uncompelling. This theory, was Jesus’ wife and his hand- Mary Magdalene by Frederick Sandys popularized by Dan Brown’s plansFor andmore procedures. information, please send an email to [email protected] picked leader of the Christian Church—and that novel The Da Vinci Code, seems to be based on a single or call Sara Seybold at 440-835-0312. We hope to see you there! the Catholic Church has led a centuries-long wacky New Age book called Holy Blood, Holy Grail. conspiracy to cover it up. So which version is This work advanced the specious theory that after the Liturgy Schedule accurate? crucifixion, Mary Magdalene fled to France, gave birth to Jesus’ child, and spent the rest of her life living in Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m. │ Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., noon As modern Church scholars can tell you, the caves. This theory has been debunked by secular and answer is “neither.” Contrary to conventional Weekday Mass: M, T, W, F, 7:45 a.m. │ M, T, Th, F, 9:15 a.m. │ Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Continued on Page 2 Confessions: Saturdays 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. │ Eucharistic Adoration: Friday 10:00 a.m. - Saturday 4:00 p.m. This Issue: Why I Go to Church 1 The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene by Mike Manco We’ve finally been able to start going back to Mass A Statement from Father Continued from Page 1 starting May 26th. It hasn’t been a return as though we 2 Donald P. Oleksiak religious scholars alike, with renowned British historian Richard were asleep and can pick right back up where we left Barber calling Holy Blood, Holy Grail “a work of pseudo-history.” off. We wear masks and sit socially distanced from each “When This Is Over” 3 Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Da Vinci Code both touted the other. It will be strange going forward, but I hope as in existence of the Priory of Sion, a secret society of Catholics working the last two and half months, it will shortly be deemed St. Hildegard of Bingen and to suppress the truth about Mary Magdalene. The Priory of Sion unnecessary. 4 St. Catherine of Siena has since been debunked as one of the greatest hoaxes of the 20th For me, it’s finally about time that we can return to century, akin to Holocaust denialism and conspiracy theories about some sense of normalcy. I have not been able to get 6 Faith and Fireworks the government faking the moon landing. This didn’t prevent Dan comfortable with the video Mass, as if I am watching a Brown from claiming in the introduction to The Da Vinci Code that TV show. I know it must be hard for Father Tim and Why I Go to Church the Priory of Sion is very real—leading Laura Miller, a writer for “Doctors of the Church” 7 Father Eric to preside in front of an empty church and Continued from Page 5 the secular Web site Salon.com, to mock the novel as “The Da Vinci not being able to get the non-verbal reaction that they Covid-19 Notice Crock.” Her holiness, devotion to her work, and 8 often feed off of. I know that it’s the best we could willingness to challenge political and religious expect because of the awful virus, but now we can just leaders brought her to the attention of Pope “What entrances readers [of the Da Vinci Code] is the possibility that a secret society has protected a religious maybe get back to as near normal as possible. and historical secret for almost 2,000 years, a secret that could undermine Christianity as we know it,” Miller Gregory XI. At the time, Italian City-States and the wrote. This disruption, like most things to an older person like me, Vatican were in conflict, and the Pope actually lived has caused me to think about: “Why do I go to church?” in Avignon, France. St. Catherine wrote energetic But the true story of Mary Magdalene doesn’t undermine Christianity one bit. The Gospels show that she was and effective letters to leaders, urging an end to I have thus concluded that I go to church each Sunday a very special friend and disciple of Jesus and a witness to the most important events of his life. She remained the “Avignon papacy” (1309-1377). After the Pope to look forward to resuming the routine pattern I enjoy. at the foot of the cross until the very end, helping Jesus’ mother prepare his body for burial and checking on returned to Rome, she travelled widely throughout him in the tomb. She was the first person he greeted after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Besides the obligation part, I go not so much just to make spiritual progress in my faith journey each week, Italy, fostering peace among the States. In 2016, Pope Francis elevated St. Mary Magdalene’s Memorial -the lowest ranking celebration - to a Feast although it’s wonderful when it happens, but rather, I go Surprisingly, St. Catherine did not learn to read Day. In doing so, he recognized Mary Magdalene for what she really was: a loyal disciple and one of Jesus’ mostly for the consistency – for what remains the same or write until age 30. Until that time, she dictated most trusted friends. from week to week. hundreds of letters to her confessor, Raymund de The comfort of the liturgy that promotes thoughtfulness Capua, a Dominican friar. He also recorded her and gives me a sense of peace after a hectic week. The book, Dialogue, which taught that “if you love your A statement from Father Donald P. Oleksiak, solace of the music that promotes a feeling of being neighbors, it is loving God.” After her death, it was administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, calling for calm and lifted up that I seem more and more desirous of. The he who wrote the first complete biography, and prayers in the wake of civil unrest in the city of Cleveland reassuring sight of those familiar faces whose names I told of her many visions and mystical experiences. have gotten to know and who sit customarily around me At the end of her life, she ate very little, only Originally released on May 31 remembering that every one of us is made in the image and in almost the same pew as I seem to always find myself consuming the Holy Eucharist, and died at age 33 likeness of God. sitting in. On this day during which Catholics celebrate the after a short but very full life. solemnity of Pentecost, recalling God’s outpouring of Several chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic I go to church to experience the enduring presence St. Catherine of Siena is the patroness of Rome, of the Holy Spirit on the world, I ask all people of goodwill Bishops have called upon all Catholics to, “Pray and work of ancient rites and timeless symbols. I focus on the Italy, and of Europe. Her feast day is April 29. to join me in prayer for a restoration of peace in our toward a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of mantra of all the familiar responses that - if I carefully community and a return to civil order. truth to touch the hearts of all in the United States and to listen to instead of repetitiously parrot - give me the Notable quotes: come down upon our criminal justice and law enforcement wisdom of their true and constant value. The horrible death of George Floyd in Minneapolis -- systems.” “Be who God meant you to be and you will set video recorded for the world to see -- has outraged our I go to church to remind myself of the values that unite the world on fire. ...” nation. His death and other recent incidents around the May the spirit of God unite us in love and respect, and heal us all and the commitments that keep us all headed in country have brought a piercing light on deep-seated our broken society. the right direction. I go to recommit myself to be a light “God is closer to us than water is to a fish.” problems in our country that need to be answered by to others. each of us in a spirit of love and conversion of heart, View Fr. Oleksiak’s statement and get the latest updates by visiting “To the servant of God... every place is the right as we embrace a culture of life and respect for all, the Diocese of Cleveland’s website, www.diocesefocleveland.org. I go to church to choose again that which I chose before. place, and every time is the right time.” 2 7 Faith and Fireworks St. Raphael by Maggie Brady July usually brings us patriotic parades and The Carroll family, like many “When This Is Over” fireworks, but even without those events this year, it of our Founding Fathers, had by Stephanie West can still be a time for celebration and reflection! a dark side. The Jesuits of Perhaps you have read this poem written by Mrs. Laura Fanucci in late spring when we realized the social and emotional Georgetown were slaveholders. impact of dealing with the coronavirus. As a young wife and mother, Mrs. Fanucci wrote that “When this is over, may we The only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Even though Charles Carroll never take for granted (the simple joys of life).” She wrote, “When this ends, may we find that we have become more like Independence was Charles Carroll of Maryland. himself was morally opposed to the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, and we hoped to be.” At the time, it was forbidden for a Catholic to vote slavery, he owned hundreds of or hold any government office, because of a 1704 slaves and never set them free. Our 7th grade PSR students took this reflection to another level, a spiritual level, as they looked back onthis law that was literally called “An Act to Prevent the He later introduced a law to unprecedented spring semester. Growth of Popery in this Province.” Nevertheless, promote the “gradual” abolition Portrait of Archbishop John Carroll Charles Carroll was one of the wealthiest of slavery. Here’s what some of them wrote. landowners in the colony, and he became an early by Gilbert Stuart When this is over, may I never again take for granted: proponent of independence. He wrote a series of Archbishop John Carroll's Prayer for Government “When This is Over” fiery editorials in the Maryland Gazette under the Composed for the inauguration of George Washington • seeing and hugging my extended family by Mrs. Laura Fanucci pseudonym “First Citizen” attacking British rule, • attending Mass and soon his identity became known. We pray you, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, When this is over, through whom authority is rightly administered, • a school day and a fun daily routine may we never again take for granted Carroll’s Catholic faith laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, • hanging out with friends and family a handshake with a stranger, was one of the reasons assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude • a good yummy dinner at a restaurant conversations with neighbors, the President of these United States, he was selected to • dance classes in the studio a crowded theater, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, be part of a special • playing volleyball with my teammates and be eminently useful to your people, over whom he presides; Friday night out, • my health delegation to Montreal, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; the taste of Communion, Canada, sent north on by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; When this ends, may I find that I have become: a routine checkup, a mission to convince and by restraining vice and immorality. the school rush each morning, the Quebecois to join in • a better person who will once again never take coffee with a friend, Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the Revolutionary War. anything for granted the stadium roaring, the deliberations of Congress, Although unsuccessful, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws • more in touch with myself and my friends each deep breath, he won the respect of framed for our rule and government, • a better problem solver and a better version of me a boring Tuesday, his fellow diplomats, Charles Carroll of Carrollton so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, • more like Jesus life itself. by Michael Laty including Ben Franklin. the promotion of national happiness, When this ends, Mrs. Fanucci ends her poem with “May we stay that He was actually late to take up his seat in the Second the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; may we find that we have become and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. way—better for each other because of the worst.” Continental Congress and signed the Declaration a more like the people we wanted to be, few weeks after July 4. We pray for the governor of this state, And may we. we were called to be, we hoped to be. Charles Carroll outlived all the other signers of the for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers And may we stay that way – Declaration, the last to die in 1832. Ohio’s Carroll who are appointed to guard our political welfare, County is named after him. that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, better for each other because of the worst. to discharge the duties of their respective stations Another famous revolutionary-era Carroll was with honesty and ability. Reprinted with permission of the author, Charles’s cousin, John Carroll. Educated by the https://laurakellyfanucci.com/ Jesuits, he became a Jesuit priest himself and We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, founded Georgetown University. He was elected by all our fellow citizens throughout the United States, his fellow priests as the first Catholic bishop in the that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; United States and served as Archishop of Baltimore. that we may be preserved in union, He corresponded with George Washington, who had and in that peace which the world cannot give; donated money for the construction of a Catholic and after enjoying the blessings of this life, church in Baltimore. Our very own John Carroll be admitted to those which are eternal. University is named after him. Grant this, we beseech you, O Lord of mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

6 3 St. Raphael St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Catherine of Siena, Doctors of the Church by Joy Horvath

This is the story of two remarkable women whose A few years later, she moved the convent and its interest, and can be accessed on the internet. She also and works of charity. She continued to have lives and teachings so greatly influenced the life of residents away from the monastery, which gave her wrote on medicine and nature; these days, she would visions throughout her life. Although she told our Church that they were named “Doctors.” What considerable freedom to administer, to travel, and to be considered an environmentalist. At the age of 60, she no one, she determined to remain celibate and did they do to earn such recognition? preach. Naturally, the abbot objected to the move, so began a series of four preaching tours around Germany join a religious order. Since her parents knew Hildegard laid down in a rigid position and refused to and France, both in convents, and in public settings. She nothing of her decision, they urged her, at age First, what exactly is a “Doctor of the Church?” move until he relented and gave permission. died at her convent in Bingen at the age of 81. 12, to improve her appearance so that she could They are men and women notable for their be married. In fact, they planned to marry her remarkable holiness, and their lasting contributions St. Hildegard was a remarkably influential woman Although she was highly regarded as a mystic and to the widower of her sister who had died in to the understanding of our faith. The wisdom for her time, and also for ours. Since the age of 4, she influential writer and thinker, St. Hildegard was not childbirth. In response, Catherine cut off all her granted them during their lifetimes inspires us had been having religious visions, which she revealed canonized by the Catholic Church until 2012, when Pope hair, as nuns do when entering the convent, and and resonates in the Church forever. Each one to no one for many years. Only after her election as Benedict XVI declared her a saint in May, then a Doctor then revealed her vow to her family. Eventually, has made significant contributions to Christian abbess did she receive a vision that instructed her of the Church in October of the same year. She was the her parents relented to her request, and allowed teaching through writing or preaching. There are to share what she experienced. At that point, she fourth woman to be named “Doctor.” Her feast day is her to enter the Dominican order as a Mantellate. only 36 Doctors of the Church, not a great number began writing. Her well-known trilogy, Scivias, September 17, the anniversary of her death. She is the The Mantellate were women who were loosely for two millennia of theology. All are saints. Many Liber Vitai Meritorum (Book of the Life of Merits), patron saint of ecology, musicians, and writers. affiliated with a religious order, wore habits, and were popes, priests, or bishops. Four of the 36 and Liber Divinorum Operum (Book of the Divine Notable quotes: lived not in the convent, but in the community. are women. The first four Doctors were named in Works), recorded her visions and explanations of Siena offered them many opportunities for works 1295, and the most recent in 2015. All four female scripture. Many of her visions featured female figures: “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze of mercy for the poor, the sick, and the stranger, Doctors have been named by a Pope since 1970. Ecclesia, Caritas, Sapientia, and others. An artist, she at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now, think. as the city was on a pilgrimage route between If you have a moment, visit the hallway by the illustrated some of her visions in the style of medieval Northern Italy and Rome. Many healing miracles Community Room at St. Raphael to see a display of illuminations. She also wrote poetry and music, and What delight God gives to humankind with all were attributed to her intervention. all 36 Doctors. what was likely the first musical play. The chants she these things. . . . All nature is at the disposal of Continued on Page 7 wrote for her community are experiencing a revival of humankind. We are to work with it. For without it St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-September 17, 1179) we cannot survive.” was a mystic, composer, author, artist, naturalist, and medical writer. She corresponded with and “I, the fiery life of divine wisdom, I ignite the beauty gave spiritual advice to major political figures of the plains, I sparkle the water, I burn in the sun, of the time, including King Henry II and Queen and the moon, and the stars.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a “Renaissance St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), canonized in 1461, woman” long before the Renaissance, who gave a was one of the first two women named as Doctors of the feminine interpretation of spirituality. Church in 1970. She was an ascetic, mystic, theologian, She was born in western Germany, the tenth child author, and activist, who strongly advocated for service of a well-to-do family. At the age of 8, her parents to the sick and poor. She is to date the only lay person to sent her to live in a female section of a nearby be named a Doctor. Benedictine monastery, where she was educated Her route to sainthood was quite different from that of by her mentor, a woman named Jutta. She learned St. Hildegard. St. Catherine was born into a wealthy to read and write, to read Latin, the scriptures, and family in Siena, Italy, youngest of 23 children. (Yes, that theological and philosophical texts. At age 15, she number is correct!) At the age of 5, she experienced a chose to take vows and remain at the monastery. vision of Jesus enthroned in heaven and surrounded Her mentor Jutta eventually became abbess, and Commemorative coin issued in 1998 in Germany to by the apostles Peter, Paul, and John. From that time on her death in 1136, Hildegard became abbess. mark the 900th anniversary of St. Hildegard’s birth on, she increasingly devoted herself to prayer, penance, St. Catherine of Siena by Carlo Dolci 4 5 Faith and Fireworks St. Raphael by Maggie Brady July usually brings us patriotic parades and The Carroll family, like many “When This Is Over” fireworks, but even without those events this year, it of our Founding Fathers, had by Stephanie West can still be a time for celebration and reflection! a dark side. The Jesuits of Perhaps you have read this poem written by Mrs. Laura Fanucci in late spring when we realized the social and emotional Georgetown were slaveholders. impact of dealing with the coronavirus. As a young wife and mother, Mrs. Fanucci wrote that “When this is over, may we The only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Even though Charles Carroll never take for granted (the simple joys of life).” She wrote, “When this ends, may we find that we have become more like Independence was Charles Carroll of Maryland. himself was morally opposed to the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, and we hoped to be.” At the time, it was forbidden for a Catholic to vote slavery, he owned hundreds of or hold any government office, because of a 1704 slaves and never set them free. Our 7th grade PSR students took this reflection to another level, a spiritual level, as they looked back onthis law that was literally called “An Act to Prevent the He later introduced a law to unprecedented spring semester. Growth of Popery in this Province.” Nevertheless, promote the “gradual” abolition Portrait of Archbishop John Carroll Charles Carroll was one of the wealthiest of slavery. Here’s what some of them wrote. landowners in the colony, and he became an early by Gilbert Stuart When this is over, may I never again take for granted: proponent of independence. He wrote a series of Archbishop John Carroll's Prayer for Government “When This is Over” fiery editorials in the Maryland Gazette under the Composed for the inauguration of George Washington • seeing and hugging my extended family by Mrs. Laura Fanucci pseudonym “First Citizen” attacking British rule, • attending Mass and soon his identity became known. We pray you, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, When this is over, through whom authority is rightly administered, • a school day and a fun daily routine may we never again take for granted Carroll’s Catholic faith laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, • hanging out with friends and family a handshake with a stranger, was one of the reasons assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude • a good yummy dinner at a restaurant conversations with neighbors, the President of these United States, he was selected to • dance classes in the studio a crowded theater, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, be part of a special • playing volleyball with my teammates and be eminently useful to your people, over whom he presides; Friday night out, • my health delegation to Montreal, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; the taste of Communion, Canada, sent north on by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; When this ends, may I find that I have become: a routine checkup, a mission to convince and by restraining vice and immorality. the school rush each morning, the Quebecois to join in • a better person who will once again never take coffee with a friend, Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the Revolutionary War. anything for granted the stadium roaring, the deliberations of Congress, Although unsuccessful, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws • more in touch with myself and my friends each deep breath, he won the respect of framed for our rule and government, • a better problem solver and a better version of me a boring Tuesday, his fellow diplomats, Charles Carroll of Carrollton so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, • more like Jesus life itself. by Michael Laty including Ben Franklin. the promotion of national happiness, When this ends, Mrs. Fanucci ends her poem with “May we stay that He was actually late to take up his seat in the Second the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; may we find that we have become and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. way—better for each other because of the worst.” Continental Congress and signed the Declaration a more like the people we wanted to be,

few weeks after July 4. We pray for the governor of this state, And may we. we were called to be, we hoped to be. Charles Carroll outlived all the other signers of the for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers And may we stay that way – Declaration, the last to die in 1832. Ohio’s Carroll who are appointed to guard our political welfare, County is named after him. that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, better for each other because of the worst. to discharge the duties of their respective stations Another famous revolutionary-era Carroll was with honesty and ability. Reprinted with permission of the author, Charles’s cousin, John Carroll. Educated by the https://laurakellyfanucci.com/ Jesuits, he became a Jesuit priest himself and We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, founded Georgetown University. He was elected by all our fellow citizens throughout the United States, his fellow priests as the first Catholic bishop in the that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; United States and served as Archishop of Baltimore. that we may be preserved in union, He corresponded with George Washington, who had and in that peace which the world cannot give; donated money for the construction of a Catholic and after enjoying the blessings of this life, church in Baltimore. Our very own John Carroll be admitted to those which are eternal. University is named after him. Grant this, we beseech you, O Lord of mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

6 3 This Issue: Why I Go to Church 1 The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene by Mike Manco We’ve finally been able to start going back to Mass A Statement from Father Continued from Page 1 starting May 26th. It hasn’t been a return as though we 2 Donald P. Oleksiak religious scholars alike, with renowned British historian Richard were asleep and can pick right back up where we left Barber calling Holy Blood, Holy Grail “a work of pseudo-history.” off. We wear masks and sit socially distanced from each “When This Is Over” 3 Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Da Vinci Code both touted the other. It will be strange going forward, but I hope as in existence of the Priory of Sion, a secret society of Catholics working the last two and half months, it will shortly be deemed St. Hildegard of Bingen and to suppress the truth about Mary Magdalene. The Priory of Sion unnecessary. 4 St. Catherine of Siena has since been debunked as one of the greatest hoaxes of the 20th For me, it’s finally about time that we can return to century, akin to Holocaust denialism and conspiracy theories about some sense of normalcy. I have not been able to get 6 Faith and Fireworks the government faking the moon landing. This didn’t prevent Dan comfortable with the video Mass, as if I am watching a Brown from claiming in the introduction to The Da Vinci Code that TV show. I know it must be hard for Father Tim and Why I Go to Church the Priory of Sion is very real—leading Laura Miller, a writer for “Doctors of the Church” 7 Father Eric to preside in front of an empty church and Continued from Page 5 the secular Web site Salon.com, to mock the novel as “The Da Vinci not being able to get the non-verbal reaction that they Covid-19 Notice Crock.” Her holiness, devotion to her work, and 8 often feed off of. I know that it’s the best we could willingness to challenge political and religious expect because of the awful virus, but now we can just leaders brought her to the attention of Pope “What entrances readers [of the Da Vinci Code] is the possibility that a secret society has protected a religious maybe get back to as near normal as possible. and historical secret for almost 2,000 years, a secret that could undermine Christianity as we know it,” Miller Gregory XI. At the time, Italian City-States and the wrote. This disruption, like most things to an older person like me, Vatican were in conflict, and the Pope actually lived has caused me to think about: “Why do I go to church?” in Avignon, France. St. Catherine wrote energetic But the true story of Mary Magdalene doesn’t undermine Christianity one bit. The Gospels show that she was and effective letters to leaders, urging an end to I have thus concluded that I go to church each Sunday a very special friend and disciple of Jesus and a witness to the most important events of his life. She remained the “Avignon papacy” (1309-1377). After the Pope to look forward to resuming the routine pattern I enjoy. at the foot of the cross until the very end, helping Jesus’ mother prepare his body for burial and checking on returned to Rome, she travelled widely throughout him in the tomb. She was the first person he greeted after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Besides the obligation part, I go not so much just to make spiritual progress in my faith journey each week, Italy, fostering peace among the States. In 2016, Pope Francis elevated St. Mary Magdalene’s Memorial -the lowest ranking celebration - to a Feast although it’s wonderful when it happens, but rather, I go Surprisingly, St. Catherine did not learn to read Day. In doing so, he recognized Mary Magdalene for what she really was: a loyal disciple and one of Jesus’ mostly for the consistency – for what remains the same or write until age 30. Until that time, she dictated most trusted friends. from week to week. hundreds of letters to her confessor, Raymund de The comfort of the liturgy that promotes thoughtfulness Capua, a Dominican friar. He also recorded her and gives me a sense of peace after a hectic week. The book, Dialogue, which taught that “if you love your A statement from Father Donald P. Oleksiak, solace of the music that promotes a feeling of being neighbors, it is loving God.” After her death, it was administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, calling for calm and lifted up that I seem more and more desirous of. The he who wrote the first complete biography, and prayers in the wake of civil unrest in the city of Cleveland reassuring sight of those familiar faces whose names I told of her many visions and mystical experiences. have gotten to know and who sit customarily around me At the end of her life, she ate very little, only Originally released on May 31 remembering that every one of us is made in the image and in almost the same pew as I seem to always find myself consuming the Holy Eucharist, and died at age 33 likeness of God. sitting in. On this day during which Catholics celebrate the after a short but very full life. solemnity of Pentecost, recalling God’s outpouring of Several chairmen of the United States Conference of Catholic I go to church to experience the enduring presence St. Catherine of Siena is the patroness of Rome, of the Holy Spirit on the world, I ask all people of goodwill Bishops have called upon all Catholics to, “Pray and work of ancient rites and timeless symbols. I focus on the Italy, and of Europe. Her feast day is April 29. to join me in prayer for a restoration of peace in our toward a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of mantra of all the familiar responses that - if I carefully community and a return to civil order. truth to touch the hearts of all in the United States and to listen to instead of repetitiously parrot - give me the Notable quotes: come down upon our criminal justice and law enforcement wisdom of their true and constant value. The horrible death of George Floyd in Minneapolis -- systems.” “Be who God meant you to be and you will set video recorded for the world to see -- has outraged our I go to church to remind myself of the values that unite the world on fire. ...” nation. His death and other recent incidents around the May the spirit of God unite us in love and respect, and heal us all and the commitments that keep us all headed in country have brought a piercing light on deep-seated our broken society. the right direction. I go to recommit myself to be a light “God is closer to us than water is to a fish.” problems in our country that need to be answered by to others. each of us in a spirit of love and conversion of heart, View Fr. Oleksiak’s statement and get the latest updates by visiting “To the servant of God... every place is the right as we embrace a culture of life and respect for all, the Diocese of Cleveland’s website, www.diocesefocleveland.org. I go to church to choose again that which I chose before. place, and every time is the right time.” 2 7 July 2020 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE St.RaphaelSt.Raphael PAIDPAID CHURCH CHURCH Cleveland, OH 44101 525 Dover Center Road 44101 525 Dover Center Road Permit No. 703 BayBay Village, Village, OH OH 44140 44140 Saint Raphael

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER The True Story of St. Mary Magdalene By Ashley Herzog