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November 2019

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Adult Faith Formation: Deepening our Catholic F aith & Identity “Christ in Majesty” from the Ghent Altarpiece deep by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, 1427 AD

Solemnity of All St. (373 AD) and in the Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Commemoration of 74th homily of St. (407 AD) a common day of remembrance is also King of the Universe All the Faithful Departed mentioned. The Feast of Christ the King is a fairly recent st nd November 1 and 2 addition to the Western liturgical calendar. Initially, only martyrs along with St. John the “Here is the patience of the saints, here are those who Baptist were honored with a special day in Instituted in 1925 by Pius XI as an keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” the Church. When a regular process of antidote to secularism, this feast day is (Revelation 14:12) was later established, other intended to proclaim in a profound manner saints were added. As early as 411 AD, the Christ's sovereignty over all of creation, Prior to his election as pope, Cardinal Chaldean Calendar displayed a service that including humanity. Ratzinger said that one major difference remembered saints on the Friday after Scripture tells us that when questioned by between Catholics and most Protestant faith Easter. On May 13th (c. 609-610), Boniface IV traditions is that Catholics pray for the dead: Pilate, Jesus did not claim the title “King of consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the the Jews.” He was a king but not in the way “Few things are as immediate, as human and Blessed and all the martyrs, ordering as widespread—at all times and in all that Pilate could understand. Pilate lived in an anniversary each year. Gregory III (731- an era of brutal rivalry and would fear any cultures—as prayer for one’s own departed 741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of dear ones… The happiness or unhappiness of ruler who could overthrow him. He St. Peter to all the saints and established understood the world to be one in which a person dear to me, who has now crossed to November 1st for the anniversary. Gregory IV the other shore, depends in part on whether I heredity, clothing, title and power defined (827-844) later extended that celebration to a person's worth. In contrast, Jesus had no remember or forget him; he does not stop the entire Church. 1 need of such things for He knew why he needing my love." In fact, praying for the dead is one of the seven spiritual works of Scripture tells us that in his letter to the was born and sent into the world: to testify mercy in the . community at Ephesus, St. Paul referred to to the truth. In Jesus’ realm, the strongest all baptized Christians as saints (Eph 1:1); have no need of intimidation for the In the early days, Christians would solemnize however, scholars note that St. John the “greatest” is the one who serves others. the anniversary of a martyr's death at the Apostle, referencing the of Revelation, Thus, Pilate soon realized that Jesus was place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, understood saints to be only those who the most powerful person with whom he neighboring began to interchange remained faithful and endured persecution, had ever dealt because no action that feast days and transfer relics to share regardless of their baptism. One of the most Pilate could take, including punishment, together in a common feast. Groups of ancient Christian writings is the account of would ever deter this kind of “king.” martyrs who suffered on the same day, such the death of – a follower of St. John as those who died under the persecution of This is basically the significance of the Feast – composed after his arrest and subsequent of Christ the King. Those who choose Christ Diocletian, led to a joint commemoration. execution by the Romans. “The Martyrdom Believing that every martyr should be believe in his preaching about the kingdom of Polycarp” lends significant insight into the of God. And those who decide to be a part venerated but not able to assign a specific esteem and reverence shown to martyrs and day to each, the Church appointed a of the realm of Christ the King know their to their earthly remains. For example, the identity comes from God alone.1 common day for all to be remembered. The deep piety of the early Christians is portrayed first hint of this is found in Antioch on the 1 McGlone, Mary M., SSJ. “The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the in how they carefully retrieved Polycarp’s Universe: Like a Son of Man.” National Catholic Reporter. 22 November 2018. first Sunday after Pentecost. In a sermon of www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/scripture-life/ solemnity-our-lord-jesus-christ- (Continued reverse side) king-universe-son-man.

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St. NW, Washington, DC 20015 www.blessedsacramentdc.org

On Sunday, November 24th at the 9:00am Mass, the church will celebrate “The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechu- mens and of The Rite of Welcoming Baptized Adults Preparing for Conformation and Eucharist.” Please pray for our seven RCIA participants and make plans to join us immediately after Mass to say hello and enjoy light refreshments!

Pope declares special Sunday each proclaim it …before the world,” the pope Upcoming Faith Formation year dedicated to word of God said. His initiative is based on a passage Opportunities for Adults of All Ages

from Luke’s Gospel: “Then he opened Did you miss it? On September 30th, their minds to understand the Scriptures.” “Advent: Season of declared the Third Sunday He emphasized that “The relationship in Ordinary Time to be dedicated to the Divine Encounter” between the risen Lord, the community of word of God. “Salvation, faith, unity and Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30pm believers and sacred Scripture is essential mercy all depend on knowing Christ and Dec 4, 11 and 18 to our identity as Christians. The Bible sacred Scripture,” he said in his new Part of the new Alive in the cannot be just the heritage of some, much Word series by Little Rock document, Aperuit Illis. Devoting a less a collection of for the benefit of Scripture Studies. special day “to the celebration, study a privileged few. It belongs above all to and dissemination of the word of God” Join us during the new Advent season as we those called to hear its message and to will help the Church “experience anew look closely at three key Biblical passages to recognize themselves in its words.” 1 how the risen Lord opens up for us the 1 Glatz, Carol. “Pope declares special Sunday each year dedicated to word of God.” recall, recognize, and anticipate the ways Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse. 30 September 2019. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/ treasury of his word and enables us to 2019/09/30/pope-declares-special-sunday-each-year-dedicated-to-word-of-god/ God comes into our lives and our world. Small fee of $8.00 for book. (continued from front page) Questions? Phone 202-449-3974 or email: bones from the ashes: “…we afterwards century theologian, , who stated: [email protected]. took up his bones, as being more precious “We offer sacrifices (i.e., the Mass) for the ______than the most exquisite jewels, and more dead on their birthday anniversaries;” meaning, on the day they were anticipated purified than gold, and deposited them in Starting January 2020: “The Eucharist.” to have been born into eternal life.4 a fitting place, where, being gathered A DVD study by . together, as opportunity is allowed us, The first clear documentation for the Five Wednesdays starting January 15th. with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant celebration of All Souls Day comes from ______us to celebrate the birthday of his Isidore of (d. 636; the last of the martyrdom….” (Ch 18). Along with similar The Western ). His monastic rule ancient writings, it is evident that early Gospel of includes a liturgy for all the dead on the day Christians deeply honored the saints as after Pentecost. St. Odilo (962-1049 AD) the supreme example of a true Christian. set a date for the liturgical commemoration Over the years their final resting places ife of the faithful departed on November 2, but A Winter SymposiumL celebrating became Christian destinations for prayer it was not until the fourteenth century that and pilgrimage.2 St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, this date was officially placed in the Evangelium vitae liturgical books of the Western Commemoration of All the Faithful Coming in 2020 Church. This date was chosen so that the Departed (All Souls Day) is dedicated to ______remembering those who have died, memory of all the holy spirits, the saints in particularly the souls in purgatory. heaven and the souls in purgatory, could be According to Church doctrine, the soul of celebrated in two successive days. In this Sacred Arts Forum a deceased person goes either to heaven way, the Catholic belief in the Tuesdays, February 2020 (for those who die in a state of perfect of Saints would be expressed.5 The next Art inFormation speaker series will grace); hell (those who die in a state of focus on stained glass, iconography and The celebrations of the Solemnity of All mortal sin due to their choice); or sacred space. Watch for details. Saints and the Commemoration of All the purgatory (free of mortal sin but in a state ______Faithful Departed, as with all things of lesser (venial) sin). Purgatory allows Christian, have to do with the Divine love Crèche these souls to be cleansed and perfected that overcomes all things, even death. As prior to entering heaven. The basis for this Exhibit 2019 we gather these first two days of November belief is found in 2 Maccabees: "Turning to remember our loved ones who passed November 16-17 and to supplication, they prayed that the sinful before us, let us pray together as one November 23-24 deed might be fully blotted out... Thus community, “Eternal rest grant unto them, before & after all Masses made atonement for the dead that they O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon might be free from sin" (2 MC 12:26, Held TWO weekends this year in the parish 3 them. May they rest in peace.” 12:32). The Gospel of Matthew as well as library. Displays from around the world! the books of Sirach and Zechariah provide 1 Van Hove, Fr. Brian, S.J. “To Trace All Souls Day.” Ignatius Insight. November Set-up on Friday, Nov. 15 at 9:00am 3 2008. www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2008/vanhove_allsouls_nov08.asp. additional scriptural references. 2 “All Saints Day.” Catholic News Agency. www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/ If you would like to participate: all-saints-day-40. Accessed 31 October 2019. 3, 5 “All Souls Day.” Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/allsouls/. phone: 202-449-3974 or email: Accessed 31 October 2019. One of the earliest Church Fathers to write 4 Nau, Joshua, Fr. “The Early Church Prayed for the Dead.” Catholic East Texas. [email protected] about praying for the dead was second- 13 August 2019.

This newsletter is prepared by the Office of Adult Faith Formation, Tammy Flippo, Director. For information or questions, phone (202) 449-3974 or email: [email protected].