THE

The Sons of Divine Providence Winter 2019

Special Topic: The construction of a new church in Kiev Fr Philip Kehoe Coordinator

Contents:

2Front cover - Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) here is a great deal of anxiety and stress in our world at Fr Philip Kehoe – Coordinator 2 the moment. Indeed it is History of The Christmas Card 4 T often claimed that these are the 6 two biggest contributors to sick Pilgramage 10 leave from work. The lead up to Christmas History 12 Christmas can also be stressful, but it also has its benefits. There is no Philippines 18 doubt that changing your routine For Our Times 20 helps. Putting up and decorating a Ukraine 22 tree can be soothing and relaxing, All Saints Rome 24 when you sit back and look at your handy work. Buying and eating Kenya 26 food that we don’t normally have Christmas Carols 28 gives us a boost, even though many are running to the gym after Christmas. Caring for others and thinking about them automatically makes us feel better. Being selfish with our time, money and energy is self defeating and makes us feel less than we are. So you could say Christmas is good for you! And that’s only the physical aspect of it. When you add in the spiritual it really does have a powerful effect. The spirit of Christmas makes us more tolerant, more loving, more forgiving and more generous. These are all good values, or we could have a slip of the keyboard and say… God values! For Christians it is no doubt a spiritual time as well as the trappings that go with it. So three cheers for Christmas- Christ’s Mass-the birth of our Saviour! The days are already getting longer and a new year is about to begin, our journey continues and blessings will surely be included.

H A P P Y C H R I S T M A S

3 The History of the Christmas Card

he custom of sending Christmas with the slogan: “Just published, a cards was started in the United Christmas Congratulations Card; TKingdom in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. or picture emblematical of old He was a senior civil servant who English festivity to perpetuate kind had helped set-up the new ‘Public recollections between dear friends”! Record Office’ (now called the Post The first postal service that ordinary Office), where he was an Assistant people could use was started in Keeper, and wondered how it could 1840 when the first ‘Penny Post’ public be used more by ordinary people. postal deliveries began (Sir Henry Cole helped to introduce the Penny Sir Henry Cole had the idea of Post). Before that, only very rich Christmas Cards with his friend John Horsley, who was an artist and used to paint the drawings. They designed the first cards and sold them for 1 shilling each. That was expensive in those days because a shilling (5 pence) was worth much more than it is today. The card had three panels. The outer two panels showed people caring for the poor and in the centre panel was a family having a large Christmas dinner! Some people didn’t like the card because it showed a child being given a glass of wine! About 1000 were printed and sold. They are now very rare and like works of art have increased in value over the years, originals now selling at thousands of pounds. The original cards were advertised

4 The History of the Christmas Card people could afford to send anything in the post. The new Post Office was able to offer a Penny stamp because new railways were being built. These could carry much more post than the horse and carriage that had been used before. Also, trains could go a lot faster. Cards became even more popular in the UK when they could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one halfpenny - half the price of an ordinary letter. Mr Prang’s first cards featured flowers, As printing methods improved, plants, and children. In 1915, John C. Christmas cards became much Hall and two of his brothers created more popular and were produced Hallmark Cards, who are still one of in large numbers from about 1860. In the biggest card makers today! 1870 the cost of sending a post card, and also Christmas cards, dropped The first known ‘personalised’ to half a penny. This meant even more Christmas Card was sent in 1891 people were able to send cards. by Annie Oakley, the famous An engraved card by the artist sharpshooter and star of Buffalo Bill’s William Egley, who illustrated some of Wild West show. She went to Glasgow Charles Dickens’s books, is on display in1891 and sent Christmas cards in the British Museum. By the early back to her friends and family in the 1900s, the custom had spread over USA featuring a photo of her on it. In Europe and had become especially the picture she is dressed in Scottish popular in Germany. tartan and she reportedly designed the cards herself and they were The first cards usually had pictures printed by a local printer. of the Nativity scene on them. In late Victorian times, robins and snow- Some years later home made cards scenes became popular. In those became popular. They were often times the postmen were nicknamed unusual shapes and had things such ‘Robin Postmen’ because of the as foil and ribbon on them. These were red uniforms they wore. Snow- usually too delicate to send through scenes were popular because they the post and were given by hand. reminded people of the very bad Nowadays, cards have all sorts of winter that took place in 1836. pictures on them: jokes, winter pictures, Christmas Cards appeared in the Father Christmas or romantic snowy United States of America in the late villages in candlelight with choir boys 1840s, but were very expensive and singing. Charities often sell their own most people couldn’t afford them. In Christmas Cards as a way raising 1875, Louis Prang, a printer who was money at Christmas. originally from Germany but who had In the UK, we send about 900 million also worked on early cards in the Christmas cards a year, that is an UK, started mass producing cards so average of 16 each! more people could afford to buy them. 5 ew Year’s Day 1st January is a To call Mary the Mother of God feast dedicated to the Mother reminds us of this: God is close to N of God. This is what Pope humanity, even as a child is close Francis has said to the mother who bears him in her womb. The year opens in the name of the Mother. Mother of God is the most The word mother (mater) is related important title of Our Lady. But we to the word matter. In his Mother, might ask why we say Mother of God, the God of heaven, the infinite God, and not Mother of Jesus. In the past made himself small, he became some wanted to be content simply matter, not only to be with us but with the latter, but the Church has also to be like us. This is the miracle, declared that Mary is the Mother of the great novelty! Man is no longer God. We should be grateful, because alone; no more an orphan, but these words contain a magnificent forever a child. The year opens with truth about God and about this novelty. And we proclaim it by ourselves. From the moment that our saying: Mother of God! Ours is the Lord became incarnate in Mary, and joy of knowing that our solitude has for all time, he took on our humanity. ended. It is the beauty of knowing There is no longer God without man; that we are beloved children, of the flesh Jesus took from his Mother knowing that this childhood of ours is our own, now and for all eternity. can never be taken away from us.

6 It is to see a reflection of ourselves Majesty is without words; his mystery of in the frail and infant God resting in love is revealed in lowliness. This silence his mother’s arms, and to realize that and lowliness is the language of his humanity is precious and sacred to kingship. His Mother joins her Son the Lord. Henceforth, to serve human and keeps these things in silence. life is to serve God. All life, from life in the mother’s womb to that of the elderly, That silence tells us that, if we would the suffering and the sick, and to that “keep” ourselves, we need silence. of the troublesome and even repellent, We need to remain silent as we gaze is to be welcomed, loved and helped. upon the crib. Pondering the crib, we discover anew that we are loved; Let us now be guided by today’s we savour the real meaning of life. Gospel. Only one thing is said about As we look on in silence, we let Jesus the Mother of God: “Mary kept all these speak to our heart. His lowliness things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk lays low our pride; his poverty 2:19). She kept them. She simply kept; challenges our outward display; his Mary does not speak. The Gospel does not report a single word of hers in the tender love touches our hardened entire account of Christmas. Here too, hearts. To set aside a moment of the Mother is one with her Son: Jesus is silence each day to be with God is an “infant”, a child “unable to speak”. to “keep” our soul; it is to “keep” our The Word of God, who “long ago spoke freedom from being corroded by the in many and various ways” (Heb 1:1), banality of consumerism, the blare now, in the “fullness of time” (Gal 4:4), of commercials, the stream of empty is silent. The God before whom all fall words and the overpowering waves silent is himself a speechless child. His of empty chatter and loud shouting.

7 to the core of the person, his or her affections and life. At the beginning of the year, we too, as Christians on our pilgrim way, feel the need to set out anew from the centre, to leave behind the burdens of the past and to start over from the things that really matter. Today, we have before us the point of departure: the Mother of God. For Mary is exactly what God wants us to be, what he wants his Church The Gospel goes on to say that Mary kept all these things, pondering them to be: a Mother who is tender and in her heart. What were these things? lowly, poor in material goods and They were joys and sorrows. On the rich in love, free of sin and united to one hand, the birth of Jesus, the love Jesus, keeping God in our hearts and of Joseph, the visit of the shepherds, our neighbour in our lives. To set out that radiant night. But on the other, anew, let us look to our Mother. In her an uncertain future, homelessness heart beats the heart of the Church. “because there was no place for them Today’s feast tells us that if we want in the inn” (Lk 2:7), the desolation to go forward, we need to turn back: of rejection, the disappointment to begin anew from the crib, from the of having to give birth to Jesus in Mother who holds God in her arms. a stable. Hopes and worries, light Devotion to Mary is not spiritual and darkness: all these things dwelt in the heart of Mary. What did she etiquette; it is a requirement of the do? She pondered them, that is to Christian life. Looking to the Mother, say she dwelt on them, with God, in we are asked to leave behind all sorts her heart. She held nothing back; of useless baggage and to rediscover she locked nothing within out of self- what really matters. The gift of the pity or resentment. Instead, she gave Mother, the gift of every mother and everything over to God. That is how every woman, is most precious for she “kept” those things. We “keep” the Church, for she too is mother and things when we hand them over: by woman. While a man often abstracts, not letting our lives become prey to affirms and imposes ideas, a woman, fear, distress or superstition, by not a mother, knows how to “keep”, to put closing our hearts or trying to forget, things together in her heart, to give but by turning everything into a life. If our faith is not to be reduced dialogue with God. God, who keeps merely to an idea or a doctrine, all of us in his heart, then comes to dwell us need a mother’s heart, one which in our lives. knows how to keep the tender love These, then, are the secrets of the of God and to feel the heartbeat of Mother of God: silently treasuring all all around us. May the Mother, God’s things and bringing them to God. And finest human creation, guard and this took place, the Gospel concludes, keep this year, and bring the peace in her heart. The heart makes us look of her Son to our hearts and to our world.

8 9 Once in a lifetime! t’s a trip to the Holy Land. Recently

FODO Pilgrims from Hampton Wick, ILondon had just that, to experience what tradition says is where Jesus walked, taught the people and healed the sick. Caesarea Philippi where Christianity began and Holy sites like Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of the Beatitudes around the Sea of Galilee are very peaceful and serene, whilst in Jerusalem it was all hustle and bustle when we walked along the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre Church - the reputed Holiest place on earth. Many other sacred places were visited in Jerusalem and also in Bethlehem and Nazareth and once again we had lovely sunny weather throughout the pilgrimage and not a drop of rain. For many it is truly a once in a lifetime visit and when jesus visited there, it changed the world and when you visit there, it will change your life. So, anyone who would like this changing experience, just join a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and maybe you will have your life changed. It is also a wonderful experience to visit the Shrines of which FODO Pilgrims will be doing in October 2020. You will be able to read about this in the New Year. Visiting these shrines also changes lives. Perhaps FODO pilgrims will be seeing all their new friends again and will also meet many new friends. Dorothy Finch

10 Once in a lifetime!

11 A history of Christmas hristmas is a wonderful time of the year for both Cthe Christian Church and the secular world, although the way of celebrating it in the two realities is very different. Today it is also a great cultural phenomenon which has a highly commercial aspect that would make Christmas continue even if the Church were to abandon it. Christmas has an amazing history. For two millennia, people around the world have countries of the Middle East where been observing it with traditions there are Christian minorities. and practices that are both An Ancient Holiday religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas The middle of winter has long been Day as the anniversary of the a time of celebration around the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Popular world. Centuries before the arrival customs include exchanging of Christianity, early Europeans gifts, decorating Christmas trees, celebrated light and birth in attending church, sharing meals the darkest days of winter. Many with family and friends and, of peoples rejoiced during the winter course, waiting for Father Christmas solstice, when the worst of the to arrive. December 25–Christmas winter was behind them and they Day is a holiday in nearly all Western could look forward to longer days countries and even in some Muslim and extended hours of sunlight.

12 A history of Christmas In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Saturnalia was a hedonistic Yule from December 21, the winter time, when food and drink were solstice, through January. In abundant and the normal Roman recognition of the return of the social order was turned upside sun, fathers and sons would bring down. For a month, slaves would home large logs, which they would become masters. Peasants were in set on fire. The people would feast command of the city. It was rather until the log burned out, which like the feast of fools in medieval could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the England, where at court during the only time of year when they had twelve days of Christmas, the court a supply of fresh meat. In addition, jesters gave orders to the royals. most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and Also around the time of the ready for drinking. winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honouring the In Germany, people honoured the children of Rome. In addition, pagan god Oden during the mid- members of the upper classes winter holiday. Germans were often celebrated a feast called terrified of Oden, as they believed “Dies Solis invicti”, the day of the he made nocturnal flights through unconquered sun, on December the sky to observe his people, and 25. This was a few days after then decided who would prosper the winter solstice and already or perish. Because of his presence, the lengthening days could be many people chose to stay inside. measured. It is easy to see why Saturnalia the Christians readily took on this feast and the Sun god became In Rome, where winters were not the Son of God. This however did as harsh as those in the far north, not happen in the early days of Saturnalia—a holiday in honour of Christianity, it took time to develop. Saturn, the god of agriculture—was In the early years of Christianity, celebrated. Beginning in the week Easter was the main holiday; the leading up to the winter solstice birth of Jesus was not celebrated and continuing for a full month, with any great pomp. It was not

13 until the fourth century that church By holding Christmas at the same officials decided to institute the time as traditional winter solstice birth of Jesus as a holiday. The bible festivals, church leaders increased does not mention the date for Jesus’ the chances that Christmas birth (a fact Puritans later pointed would be popularly embraced, out in order to deny the legitimacy but gave up the ability to dictate of the celebration). Although Jesus how it was celebrated. By the was probably not born on the 25th Middle Ages, Christianity had, for December, Pope Julius I chose that the most part, replaced pagan day to give a Christian meaning religion. On Christmas, believers to the pagan Saturnalia feasts. attended church, then celebrated First called the Feast of the Nativity, raucously in a drunken, carnival- the custom spread to Egypt by like atmosphere similar to today’s 432 and to England by the end Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or of the sixth century. By the end of student would be crowned the “lord the eighth century, the celebration of misrule” and eager celebrants of Christmas had spread as far played the part of his subjects. away as Scandinavia. Today, in The poor would go to the houses the Greek and Russian orthodox of the rich and demand their best churches, Christmas is celebrated food and drink. If owners failed to 13 days after the 25th, which is comply, their visitors would most also referred to as the Epiphany or likely terrorize them with mischief. Three Kings Day. This is the day it is Christmas became the time of believed that the three wise men year when the upper classes could finally found Jesus in the manger. repay their real or imagined “debt” to society by entertaining less 14 fortunate citizens. An Outlaw Christmas Irving Reinvents Christmas In the early 17th century, a wave It wasn’t until the 19th century that of religious reform changed the Americans began to embrace way Christmas was celebrated in Christmas. Americans re-invented Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and Christmas, and changed it from his Puritan forces took over England a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centred day of in 1645, they vowed to rid England peace and nostalgia. But of decadence and, as part of their what about the 1800s peaked effort, cancelled Christmas. American interest in the holiday? By popular demand, Charles II was The early 19th century was a restored to the throne and, withhim, period of class conflict and turmoil. came the return of the popular During this time, unemployment holiday, bigger and better than was high and gang rioting by ever. the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas The Puritan pilgrims went to season. In 1828, the New York America in 1620 and there became city council instituted the city’s even stronger than Cromwell in first police force in response to a their Puritan beliefs. As a result, Christmas riot. This caused certain Christmas was not a holiday in members of the upper classes to early America. From 1659 to 1681, begin to change the way Christmas the celebration of Christmas was was celebrated in America. actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone In 1819, best-selling author exhibiting the Christmas spirit was Washington Irving wrote The fined five shillings. By contrast, in Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, the Jamestown settlement, Captain Gent, a series of stories about the John Smith reported that Christmas celebration of Christmas in an was enjoyed by all and passed English manor house. The sketches without incident. feature a squire who invited the After the American Revolution, English peasants into his home for the customs fell out of favour, including holiday. In contrast to the problems Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn’t faced in American society, the declared a holiday in America until two groups mingled effortlessly. In June 26, 1870. Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving’s fictitious celebrants enjoy ancient customs,” including

the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving’s book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended – in fact, many historians say that Irving’s account actually “invented” tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.

15 A Christmas Carol Also around this time, Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story’s message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday. Dickens did this without mentioning God or Jesus at all in his book, but the strong Christian sentiment of helping those less fortunate came through, and it is one of the most popular and re-enacted stories in theatre and on TV and has been translated into numerous languages. One of the many films or musicals made about the Christmas carol are broadcast on British TV every year.

and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards and gift-giving, not to mention The family was also becoming less eggnog, toasting marshmallows disciplined and more sensitive to and chestnuts. the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas Although most families quickly provided families with a day bought into the idea that they when they could lavish attention- were celebrating Christmas how and gifts-on their children without it had been done for centuries, appearing to “spoil” them. Americans had really re-invented As Americans began to embrace a holiday to fill the cultural Christmas as a perfect family needs of a growing nation. holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic

16 Christmas Facts 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem 7 million “real” Christmas trees are about the reindeer to help lure sold in the UK each year and 4 million customers into the Montgomery poinsettias 90% of which are red, even Ward department store. though pink and cream are now available. Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree Today, in the Greek and Russian tradition in 1931. orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, The Christmas tree in Trafalgar which is also referred to as the Square is a yearly gift from the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is people of Oslo, Norway since the day it is believed that the three 1947 in thanks for Britian’s help wise men finally found Jesus in the during the war. It is lit every year manger. from the beginning of December until Epiphany. The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain The UK population eats nearly John Smith’s 1607 Jamestown 300 million mince pies of the settlement. Christmas period. Italian food manufacturing The Salvation Army has been companies and bakeries produce sending Santa Claus-clad donation 117 million panettone and collectors into the streets since the pandoro cakes every Christmas, 1890s. collectively worth 579 million Rudolph, “the most famous euros, just for the Italian market. reindeer of all,” was the product of Robert L. May’s imagination in

A Sponsorship scheme run by the Sons of Divine Providence and their friends and supporters for poor children in the Third World

£10 per month can CHANGE a child’s life now “The privilege that we have to Adore Him every day is one of his Your contribution can buy food, water, clothing, medicine, greatest gifts. If you have a clean education and life skill training heart, you will be able always to For further information please contact: see that wonderful connection Sons of Divine Providence, 25 Lower Teddington Road, between the bread of life and the Hampton Wick, Surrey, KT1 4HB broken body of Christ in the poor” Email: [email protected] Teresa of Calcutta

17 Philippines: Piccolo Cottolengo at Montalban

new initiative of collaboration Present at this blessing were between the sisters and Fr Martin Mroz, superior in the A priests founded by don Philippines and four of the sisters, Orione at the Piccolo Cottolengo at and the engineer involved in the Montalban. What is a Cottolengo? project construction. Another It refers to the surname of an good fruit of this collaboration Italian 19th century saint, St is that the young trainee sisters Joseph Benedict Cottolengo who will have first hand experience founded in the “City of Divine of helping people with physical Providence” and basically set up and mental problems which is care homes for the “incurables” as very much part of the charism of they were then referred to. Don don Orione. Orione was very taken and The sisters who have been in the inspired by the wonderful work Philippines for some years now and set up smaller realities, already do lots of good work. calling them “little Cottolengos” They run feeding programmes, (piccolo Cottolenghi) help in the TB clinic and help The presence of the sisters out in parishes with the religious means that a new female wing education of children and is being built for the Cottolengo adults and run a dispensary in at Montalban impoverished areas of the city. They will be very welcome at This project has been in the Montalban and the local people pipeline for some time now, and are already talking about the what better place than where great benefits people in need the SDP have been working will receive at the Little Philippine since 1996, and the building of Cottolengo. a seminary in 2000. The sisters have already got a community Fr Martin Mroz SDP at Manila and at Caloocan. It all began last year when at last it was decided to move forward with the project between the sisters and the SDP. This will also include a house for the sisters and their postulants, which will have a special wing offering help to young girls who have psychomotor problems. Recently the foundation stone was blessed and the work began.

18 Piccolo Cottolengo at Montalban

19 SAINTS FOR OUR TIMES through Rome and was responsible for the building of the first great basilicas of St John Lateran, Holy Cross in Jerusalem and old St Peter’s in the Vatican. He was buried in the catacombs of St Priscilla on the Salarian Way on 31st December 335. It is said that Constantine gave the governance of the Western Empire in Rome to the Pope while he went to live in Constantinople, the so called “donation of Constantine”. This was later discovered to be a forgery but was used to give credence to the temporal authority of the Pope particularly in the Middle Ages. The 31st December in Poland and Germany is called St Sylvester’s day and in Sao Paulo Brazil there is a great street race, rather like a half marathon called the “St Sylvester race”. St

St John Bosco was born at Castelnuovo d’Asti in the St Sylvester region of Italy on 16th August 1815 into a family of farm workers. His father died early on and John was St Sylvester was the thirty third Pope brought up and educated in the since St Peter. He lived during the time faith by his mother. In 1825, when he between the last persecutions of the was nine, John Bosco had the first of Christians and the conversion of the a series of dreams which would play Emperor Constantine. He was bishop an influential role in his outlook and of Rome from 314- 335 AD. It was to him work. This first dream “left a profound that Constantine gave the Lateran impression on him for the rest of his life”, palace and adjacent lands, on which according to his own memoirs. Bosco was later built the basilica of St John apparently saw a multitude of very Lateran. It was during his papacy that poor boys who play and blaspheme, the council of Nicea took place in 325 and a man, who “appeared, nobly which proclaimed the divinity of Christ, attired, with a manly and imposing “consubstantial with the Father” and bearing”. The man said to him: “You the Nicene creed. Sylvester with the will have to win these friends of yours finance of the Emperor Constantine not with blows, but with gentleness started a big construction project and kindness. So begin right now to show them that sin is ugly and virtue beautiful.” That dream was prophetic 20 because he later went on to dedicate his whole life to the education of the other subjects and excellence in SAINTS FOR OUR TIMES youth. From that time on he gathered practical subjects. He himself was a with his play mates and got them man of deep prayer and had a great playing games, alternating them devotion to Mary Help of Christians, with prayer and catechism. By 1841 whom he referred to as the inspiration he had become a priest in Turin, but and benefactress for all his works. He not before a lot of sacrifice along the left to his followers a very simple form of way. He realized that in those times religious life based on Christian virtue the youth were not catered for and under the title “work and temperance”. very often left to fend for themselves. He also founded a Congregations of There was great poverty around, little nuns “The institute of the daughters education and ignorance. Faith of Mary Help of Christians” in 1872 was ignored by most of the working along with St Mary Domenica class because it meant little to them Mazzarello and the Salesian co- and was seen as something above operators in 1876, lay people who them. Priests generally were seen followed the Salesian path. He died as upper class, though there were on the 31st January 1888 at the age some exceptions. This is brought out of 73. St Luigi Orione was also one in the row between him and his older of his pupils in the Valdocco in Turin brother Antonio who when he knew and was inspired by the saint. For that his younger brother wanted to this reason Don Orione is considered be a priest shouted out in anger “But one of the Salesian saints though the we are only farmhands”. His mother Founder of a separate Congregation. “Mamma Margherita” supported her St John Bosco told Don Orione as a son John and encouraged him on his boy in his school: “Remember we path to the priesthood. will always be friends”, a sign that God had other plans for Don Orione. St John Bosco is famous for founding Feast of St John Bosco is 31st January. what in Italy are known as oratories. These are Church based youth centres that involve play, trips, catechism and prayer and becoming a group of friends. One of his favourite saints was St Francis de Sales and he put his first oratories under his protection. He followed the spirituality of Francis de Sales and that is why his Congregation is called The Salesians. He founded a system of education that was quite unusual at that time called the preventive system as opposed to the punitive system. This was based not on physical punishment, so common in that era, but on reasoning, religion and love. It was designed to stress the importance of Christ and our relationship with others. He also insisted in his schools and oratories on the instruction in the faith and the need for a sound education in

UKRAINE: The construction of a new church in Kiev

ecently in the Ukraine the the Italian provincial Fr Aurelio Fusi SDP began the project for the who came specially for the occasion building of a new work and and he was accompanied by Fr R ˘ Church. His Beatitude Svjatoslav Giuseppe Volponi and our confreres Ševcuk, the Archbishop of the Greek who live in the Ukraine. Fr Egidio blessed the land Montanari and Fr Moreno Cattelan and set up a cross to mark the have already been there for many occasion of this wonderful project. years, and thank God they have a The land is near the entrance to the small group of seminarians. After capital city of Kiev and it is the second the blessing the Archbishop went residence of the SDP in the Ukraine, a for lunch to the community house growing community. There is already and an extended conversation a community at Leopolis (Lviv).The about the work of don Orione in the SDP community was represented by Ukraine and prospects for the future.

22

Fr Moreno and the young seminarian be a centre for disadvantaged youth Mykhajlo Demchuk will move from and people on low or no income. the community in Leopolis and form It will follow in the footsteps of Don the new community at Kiev also Orione and no doubt become a helping to supervise the building of “beacon” of charity and care for the the new project. The project will also less fortunate in society.

Fr Aurelio Fusi SDP 23 All Saints Rome

his year marks the centenary of and the adults out of curiosity did Ognissanti (All Saints) parish in as well. He starting miming speech TRome. One hundred years ago and gesticulations to get them all Pope Pius the X gave this area of quiet and then he started to tell Rome to St Luigi Orione to evangelize. them of his plans to build a Church It was at that time very much outside and sending priests and brothers to the centre of Rome and full of slum give the children a better education. dwellings, almost unfit for human That is how the parish of All Saints beings. The story is famous in the came to be. On the occasion history of the Congregation how of the centenary Cardinal Walter don Orione went to Pope Pius X to Kasper, the emeritus Cardinal ask him to go to Patagonia to open responsible for Christian Unity at a mission there. Pope Pius said to the Vatican, gave a homily to mark him, “there’s a Patagonia right here the centenary. “Amidst misery and on your door step”. He meant of poverty in this part of Rome, the Holy course that area on the Via Appia Founder, St Luigi Orione built a place Nova where the parish stands today that became for many a stairway to amid shops, boutiques, and ice heaven. The building of a Church cream parlours and pizzerias. At and later a school for these poor the time of Don Orione it was like a forgotten people meant-God is here among you and God has come because he loves you. In your midst are All the saints of heaven too. Today it is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing. It is no longer a place of shanty huts, but rather in the centre of modern Rome. It still however, has social problems, often hidden, not too different from yesteryear. It is a place where people can often feel alone in the crowds, but thank God this Church is always open to

shanty town. He noticed the people there had had no form of catechesis and so he started with an old barn (today a caffe) and started walking through the lanes ringing a bell and throwing sweets and small coins. The children ran after him

24 welcome them. Here there is a heart Church might collapse. Only when beating the love of God, a lung we are together in a community breathing the presence of God, and looking after one another can we a place where tears can be wiped be the place where God is in our away and people do not feel so midst. The cement that keeps this abandoned after all. structure together is love. Before The grace of God has been at leaving the world our Lord told us work here for a hundred years. to love one another and stay in We give thanks for so many young unity, and it is only a Church where people, so many men and women, love reigns that can be missionary, old and young, boys and girls who attractive and welcoming to those get involved, many parish priests who are outside of it.”. and curates over the years, and After the Mass Cardinal Kasper went volunteers who have all contributed on to bless the new children’s sports to make this parish a true bustling centre at the back of the Church centre of life. God is present in your and a refuge for homeless women. midst. The Church isn’t a building of lifeless bricks but rather of living stones. Each of us is a living stone, and without this living stone the Fr Raja Sunil SDP

25 KENYA: AN IMPROVIZED NOVITIATE FOR 2019/2020 he novitiate is one of the primary a new role for Fr. Mimmo. Along with stages in which men training Fr Mimmo are three other confreres Tto be religious go through and living in the community who help it lasts usually for one or two years. run the parish and the social works It is common to all religious orders and activities involved. They are of nuns and brothers, priests and Fr Pavlin Preca, an Albanian who monks. Our novitiate for all our spent a few months in Up Holland, students is in the Philippines. We Lancashire and Fr Morris Gichia, and simply do not have the man power Fr Gideon Ombwori both Kenyans. and the training to set up a novitiate They have a parish and lots of out in each country, so all our English stations spread over miles. They have speaking seminarians Kenyan, been given a house there that will Indian and Philippino normally accommodate fifteen people and spend the novitiate in Mont Alban it had formerly been the community Philippines. house of the Oblate fathers. Fr Mimmo was quite surprised when This year is an exception. There are asked if he would go to Kenya, being so many novices that there simply the parish priest in , but he isn’t enough room in the house in accepted it as one of the ways of the Philippines and already they Divine Providence. At his farewell are building for next year’s intake. Mass led by the bishop of Palermo, The fact that the Kenyans are also Corrado Lorefice, the bishop in his more numerous (ten novices), than sermon spoke of the importance of before means the great cost of missionaries going out to serve, and flying them out to the Philippines Fr Mimmo was happy to dream the and then back is excessive. The dream and pass it on to his novices, bishop of Meru, Silesius Mugambi is to dream about what they would delighted to have the Congregation do in the future and where they newly arrived in his diocese and has might be called to serve. We wish great plans for the SDP there. He them all the best and may it be a has already given them the parish fruitful year to get to know all about of Gaitu. Fr. Tarcisio, our Superior Don Orione and his Congregation General sent out Fr Domenico Napoli from Palermo in Italy to be the novice master. Some of you may Fr Oreste Ferrari SDP remember him as a student because he studied English in Dublin. (He is affectionately known as “Mimmo”) It’s like us calling Dominic “Dom”. Before going to Kenya he spent a month in the Philippines getting first hand experience from the long term novice master Fr. Fausto, since this is

26 KENYA: AN IMPROVIZED NOVITIATE FOR 2019/2020

27 hristmas carol (also called a Middle Ages (1223) St. Francis of Assisi noël, from the French word popularised carols by starting Nativity Cmeaning “Christmas”) is a carol plays in Italy The people in the plays (song or hymn) whose lyrics are on sang songs or ‘canticles’ that told the the theme of Christmas, and which is story during the plays. Sometimes, the traditionally sung on Christmas itself choruses of these new carols were in and the Christmas season which Latin; but normally they were all in a extends to the of the Lord, or language that the people watching during the preceding Advent season. the play could understand and join in. Christmas carols may be regarded The new carols became popular and as a subset of the broader category spread to France, Spain, Germany and of Christmas music. The first known other European countries. Christmas hymns may be traced to Most Carols from this time and the 4th-century Rome. Latin hymns such as Tudor period are folklore stories, very Veni rdemptor gentium (Come Saviour loosely based on the Christmas story, of the peoples), written by St Ambrose, about the holy family and were seen as Archbishop of Milan were austere entertaining rather than religious songs. statements of the theological doctrine They were usually sung in homes rather of the Incarnation in opposition to than in churches. Traveling singers or Arianism, a heresy that believed Jesus Minstrels started singing these carols was not divine. Corde natus ex Parentis and the words were changed for the (Of the Father’s heart begotten) by the local people wherever they were Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413) is still travelling. sung in some churches today. In the

28 When the Puritans, under Cromwell the angels appeared to them.) This came to power in England in 1640s, practise eventually died out and was the celebration of Christmas and abolished in 1835, though groups singing carols was prohibited. However, of carollers in towns and cities then the carols survived as people still sang became more popular. them in secret. Carols really came into Also, at this time, many orchestras their own in the Victorian era. William and choirs were being set up in the Sandys and Davis Gilbert collected lots cities of England and people wanted of old Christmas music from villages in Christmas songs to sing, so carols England. once again became popular. Many Before carol singing in public became new carols, such as ‘Good King popular, there were sometimes official Wenceslas, were also written in the carol singers called ‘Waits’. These were Victorian period. bands of people led by important New carol services were created and local leaders (such as council became popular, as did the custom leaders) who had the only power in of singing carols in the streets. Both the towns and villages to take money of these customs are still popular from the public (if others did this, they today! One of the most popular were sometimes charged as beggars!). types of Carols services are Carols by They were called ‘Waits’ because they Candlelight. At this service, the church only sang on Christmas Eve (This was is only lit by candlelight and it feels very sometimes known as ‘watchnight’ or Christmassy! Carols by Candlelight ‘waitnight’ because of the shepherds services are held in countries all over who were watching their sheep when the world.

29 The most famous type of Carol Service The Massacre of the innocents, for might be a Festival of Nine Lessons example the “Coventry or Sussex Carol” and Carols, where carols and Bible readings tell the Christmas Story. This In addition, some carols describe is a yearly event televised by the BBC Christmas-related events of a religious from King’s College Cambridge on nature, but not directly related to the Christmas Eve. birth of Jesus. For example: Many radio stations ask the public to “Good King Wenceslas”, based on a vote for their favourite Christmas carols legend about St Wenceslas helping a and start playing them well before poor man on 26 December (the Feast Christmas. Last year Classic FM did a of Stephen) top 30 of carols ‘O Holy night’ coming first and ‘Silent night’ coming second. “Ding don merrily on high” and “I haerd In the USA ‘Silent Night’ was the most the bells on Christmas Day”, reflecting popular and ‘Jingle bells’ (not strictly on the practice of ringing church bells a carol) came second. at Christmas “Silent Night” comes from Austria. Early carols The carol was first performed in Nineteenth-century antiquarians the Nikolaus-Kirche (Church of St. rediscovered early carols in museums. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria on 24 According to the Encyclopædia December 1818. Mohr had composed Britannica, about 500 have been found. the words much earlier, in 1816, but on Christmas Eve brought them to Some are wassailing songs, some are Gruber and asked him to compose a religious songs in English, some are in melody and guitar accompaniment Latin, and some are “macaronic” — a for the church service. The first English mixture of English and Latin. Since translation was in 1871 where it was most people did not understand Latin, published in a Methodist hymnal. the implication is that these songs were composed for church choristers, Episodes described in Christmas or perhaps for an educated audience carols at the Royal courts. The most famous Several different Christmas episodes, survival of these early macaronic apart from the birth of Jesus itself, are carols is “The Boar’s Head”, which described in Christmas carols, such speaks of the boar being the best dish as: offered in the land “bedecked with The Annunciation, for example bays and rosemary”. “Gabriel’s Message” The Census of Augustus, a rare subject, but touched upon in “On a Day When Men Were Counted” by Daniel Thambyrajah Niles (1964) The Annunciation to the shepherds, for example “While shepherds watched their flocks” The Adoration of the Magi, for example the carol by John Henry Hopkins Jnr in 1857 “We three kings of orient are”

30 The Story Of The Poinsettia oinsettia plants are native to known as Poinsettia in the mid 1830s Central America, especially an when people found out who had first Parea of southern Mexico known brought them to America from Mexico. as ‘Taxco del Alarcon’ where they There is an old Mexican legend about flower during the winter. The ancient how Poinsettias are associated with Aztecs called them ‘cuetlaxochitl’. Christmas: The Aztecs had many uses for them including using the flowers, which are There was once a poor Mexican girl technically not flowers but red leaves called Pepita who had no present known as bracts to make a purple to give the the baby Jesus at the dye for clothes and cosmetics and Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita the milky white sap was made into a walked sadly to the chapel, her medicine to treat fevers. The actual cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. flowers of the poinsettia are very tiny ‘Pepita’, he said “I’m sure that even the and insignificant and yellow in colour. smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy.” The poinsettia was made widely known because of a man called Pepita didn’t know what she could Joel Roberts Poinsett. He was the first give, so she picked a small handful of Ambassador from the USA to Mexico in weeds from the roadside and made 1825. Poinsett had some greenhouses them into a small bouquet. She felt on his plantations in South Carolina, embarrassed because she could only and while visiting the Taco area in give this small present to Jesus. As she 1828, he became very interested in walked through the chapel to the altar, the plants. He immediately sent some she remembered what Pedro had said. of the plants back to South Carolina, She began to feel better, knelt down where he began growing the plants and put the bouquet at the bottom and sending them to friends and of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the botanical gardens. bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them One of the friends he sent plants to were sure they had seen a miracle. was John Bartram of Philadelphia. From that day on, the bright red flowers At the first Philadelphia flower show, were known as the ‘Flores de Noche Robert Buist, a plants-man from Buena’, or ‘Flowers of the Holy Night’. Pennsylvania saw the flower and Its not what we give that counts but he was probably the first person to the love with which we give it. have sold the poinsettias under their botanical, or latin name of ‘Euphorbia The shape of the poinsettia flower pulcherrima’ (it means, ‘the most and leaves are sometimes thought beautiful Euphorbia’). They were first as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem sold as cut flowers. It was only in the which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The early 1900s that they were sold as red coloured leaves symbolize the whole plants for landscaping and pot blood of Christ. In Italy poinsettias are plants. The Ecke family from Southern commonly known as “stele di Natale” California were one of, if not, the first to Christmas stars sell them as whole plants and they’re The Poinsettia is also the national still the main producer of the plants in emblem of Madagascar. the USA. It is thought that they became 31 Upholland

n Tuesday 8th October we were invited to attend a civic Oreception at the County Hall in Preston. Lancashire County Council and Lancashire 50+ Assembly had been fundraising and bought 20 robo pets. We were lucky enough to be awarded one for use of the residents in Cardinal Heenan House. There has been lots of research into pets and Dementia. “Robo pets” have been proved to relieve agitation, restlessness and loneliness in the elderly. The Robo dog will be a valuable addition to real dogs that are already regular welcome visitors for our residents, one in particular is Buttons, a chocolate coloured Labrador who simply loves to be hugged and made a fuss of!

Kerry Ellison Manager Cardinal Heenan House n early November we had a spectacular bonfire and firework display to raise money for our home and missions. It was well attended and thank IGod no rain. Our friends, staff and helpers manned the food stalls and burgers, hotpot, hot dogs, curry (comfort foods for a winter’s night) and cakes and drinks were all available. Although it does leave a big black circle in the grass this is all green again by April because our gardeners “Midstream” sow it with grass seed and spruce it all up.

Our thanks to those food suppliers who kindly donated food and to UPS Building Services for donating fireworks, preparing the fire and setting off the fireworks safely and responsibly. Those attending were very appreciative and we have had further positive feedback for a lovely evening had by all. Fr Stephen SDP

33 The Book of Remembrance Our Book of Remembrance is dedicated to the Benefactors and Friends of the Sons of Divine Providence.

If you wish your name or that of any person, living or deceased, to be inscribed in this Book, please fill in the form below. All those inscribed in the book share in the prayers and Masses offered daily by the Sons of the Divine Providence. Cheques, POs should be made payable to: The Sons of Divine Providence. 13 Lower Teddington Road, Hampton Wick, Surrey, KT1 4EU

Name to be inscribed: Please accept my OFFERING of: £ NAME of donor (Mr.Mrs.Miss) Address:

Mass Offerings

Mass intentions will be celebrated at Hampton Wick. Please make cheques payable to The Sons of Divine Providence. Cheque enclosed for £ Mass to be offered for:

Please tick appropriate box:

RIP Get Well Thanksgiving Birthday Special Intention

Name: Address:

Please acknowledge my offering No acknowledgement required. Please Donate to our work!

The Sons of Divine Providence Donation If you are a basic rate tax payer, please fill in the Gift Aid Declaration form below. This will enable us to claim back the tax and make your donation go even further

I enclose a donation of:

Name:

Address: Gift Aid Declaration For past, present and future donations

Please treat as Gift Aid donations all I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and / or qualifying gifts of money made Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Today Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and In the past 4 years Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 28p In Future of tax on every £1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008. Please tick all boxes you wish to apply

Donors Details Title: First Name Surname:

Full Address Including Postcode:

Date: Signature:

Please notify the Sons of Divine Providence if you:

• Want to change this declaration • Change your name or home address • No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/ or capital gains If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

Telephone: 020 8977 5130 Fax: 020 8977 0105 Email: [email protected] www.sonsofdivineprovidence.org

13 Lower Teddington Road, Hampton Wick, Surrey, KT1 4EU JESUS IS OUR LIFE! We ask young people to consider our life of dedication

For more information: Phone or write to Fr Stephen Beale Phone or write to Fr John Perrotta Tel: 01695 622516 / 622885 Tel: 0044 20 8977 5130 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 020 8977 5130 E-mail: [email protected] www.sonsofdivineprovidence.org Don Orione World updates: www.donorione.org

“Dear benefactors, you are my bank!” With these simple but effective words St. Luigi Orione got people to help his work.

“How YOU can help the Sons of Divine Providence to do good, according to the motto of their Founder, St. Luigi Orione” • BY PRAYER: Only God can make us grow greater in numbers and in goodness, everything is a gift from Him • BY SENDING US GOOD VOCATIONS: men who want to be priests or brothers, and women who want to be sisters • BY SENDING DONATIONS or REMEMBERING US IN YOUR WILL: to our various houses for the people we help, and to our missions via our head office in Hampton Wick • BY TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT OUR WORK, OUR HOMES AND OUR MISSIONS.

Registered Charity No. 1088675 Company No. 4249759 ISSN 1475-8393