St Anthony Brief IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No.3 APR/MAY 2020 €2.00

Remain Strong in Your Faith ✣✣ Prayer for Protection and Healing ✣✣ True Community is Possible! SO WE SHALL RISE

I believe that the Lord really has dived down into the bottom of creation, and has come up bringing the whole redeemed nature on his shoulders.

The miracles that have already happened are the first fruits of that cosmic summer which is presently coming on.

Christ has risen, and so we shall rise…

To be sure, it feels wintry enough still: but often in the very early spring it feels like that.

Two thousand years are only a day or two by this scale.

A person really ought to say, ‘The Resurrection happened two thousand years ago,’ in the same spirit in which he says, ‘I saw a crocus yesterday.’

– C. S. Lewis

Spirit and Life

St Anthony Brief SStt AAnthonynthony BriefBrief

2 Spirit and Life. 4 Editorial. Saint Francis and the Joy of Coca Cola! Dolores Walshe interviews 5 Patrick Noonan OFM on his controversial book, St Francis Uncensored. Although a humanist, Dolores was fascinated how this long-time missionary in South Africa portrays the saint.

Sr Patricia: Spreading Love and Hope. Francis Mureithi writes about 8 an extraordinary Irish Franciscan Missionary Sister for Africa, Patricia Speight, and her ministry among the poor and suffering of Kenya.

Remain Strong in Your Faith. In this time of pandemic, the Minister 10 General of the Franciscan Order writes a word of hope to the worldwide Franciscan Family.

11 Prayer for Protection and Healing. 12 Church Brief. ‘This Kiss Changed My Life.’ Philippe Naudin kissed the Pope and the 13 image was seen around the world. He tells the story to Anne Facérias.

Singing for Civility. Toni Cashnelli writes that Al Mascia OFM, American 14 friar and musician, wants to help heal the vitriol and division that plagues his own country. His message has drawn a worldwide response.

True Community is Possible! Gerald Evans OFM believes that St 16 Francis teaches us how to live together in authentic love and acceptance.

18 A Very Successful Zim Day. The Story of the Kelly Chalice. Paschal Sweeney writes of a friar and 20 his connection to an historic chalice.

22 News from Around the Franciscan World. A Man of Gentle and Practical Service. Archbishop William Slattery 23 OFM honours Fr Liam McDermott OFM, RIP, a dedicated missionary in Volume 80 No.3 South Africa. Missionary Magazine of the Irish Franciscans. Published bi-monthly by Of Tiny Acorns and Giant Oak Trees. Tom Russell OFM reflects on the Franciscan Missionary Union, how small faith-filled steps can lead to unimagined harvest. 4 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. 24 Production: Fr Francis Cotter OFM. Subscription & Distribution Secretary: A Letter from ‘Prison’. Bahjat Elia Karakach OFM, Guardian of the Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. friary in Damascus, writes from the ‘prison’ that is Syria. [email protected] 26

Design, Layout & Printing: Corcoran Print & Design. The Church is Like a Bicycle. Writing from Cuba, Gearóid Ó Conaire Tel: (053) 9234760. 27 OFM recognises the truth of Pope Francis’ statement, ‘The Church is like Subscription including Postage: a bicycle – it stays up as long as it keeps moving.’ Ireland – €15.00 per annum Britain – Stg£15.00 per annum Overseas – €18.00 per annum 30 Mission Digest. Slowly but surely! Apr/May 2020 3 A Different

Pandemic Greetings to our readers of the St Anthony Brief from the parish of St Joseph in the coffee-growing area of Barberena in Guatemala where I live and work. We are four friars in the community – three Guatemalans and me from Dublin. As we entered the Lenten season, I was impressed by a reading from the book of Isaiah on the kind of penance and fasting acceptable to the Lord. ‘Is not this the sort of fast that really pleases me: to break unjust fetters, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break all yokes?’ (Isaiah Gerry Moore OFM 58:6). I reflected on this verse in the context of a recent documentary on Channel 4, Starbucks and Nespresso: the truth about your coffee. It told of giant companies that buy coffee from farms in Guatemala accused of child labour. The reporters were able to visit the farms and film children working long hours in gruelling conditions. Many of them were aged 10 or 12, but others looked as young as eight years old. They worked up to six days a week and around eight hours a day through the heat and had to contend with biting insects and possibly snakes, and all this to earn a miserable three to five euros. This documentary evoked a rapid response from the companies, questioning the facts but promising to investigate the truth of the alle- gations, and the President of Guatemala, visi- bly annoyed, cast doubt on the veracity of the reports. From my long experience in Guatemala, I can state that child labour is a well-known reality in both city and rural areas, officially condemned but tacitly approved. Children help sustain the family, working in the countryside in coffee farms, sugarcane and African palm plantations; in the cities washing cars, polishing shoes, night work in factories, street vendors, construction workers, maids, garbage collectors, and even worse, in commer- cial sexual exploitation. All of this because of the miserable amounts their parents can earn, often Child labour: children forced to work. way below the official minimum salary. More than 20% of Guatemalan children are forced to work to contribute to their family’s income, a situation that is one of the worst in Latin America. While the attention of the world today is focused on the pandemic known as Coronavirus, here in Guatemala the reality of child labour points to a permanent ‘pandemic’ known as ‘poverty’. Recent statistics indicate that the per- centage of Guatemalans living in poverty has been rising and is now estimated at 64% with slightly over 30% liv- ing in extreme poverty – a level where families are unable to obtain the minimum daily calorific intake of food. About two-thirds of all Guatemalan children live in poverty: 68% of children under the age of six live below the poverty line. Malnutrition among Guatemalan children is considered among the worst in the world. The solution to this ‘pandemic’ is not simply in discovering a new vaccine but in the will to change the lifestyles of the rich and powerful elites and to create structures that promote the life and well-being of the majority. In short, to take seriously the words of the prophet, ‘What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8). – Gerry Moore OFM

St Anthony Brief 4 Dolores Walshe interviews Patrick Noonan OFM on his controversial book, St Francis Uncensored. Although a humanist, Dolores was fascinated by how this long-time missionary in South Africa portrays the saint. Saint Francis and the Joy of Coca Cola!

Dolores: Pat, I don’t usually read about Captivating saint: the icon given to the Capuchin Day Centre saints in the Roman Catholic Church, but in Dublin by Pope Francis on his visit in August 2018. your book’s title is interesting and sug- gests you might be stepping ‘outside the you think? And this after centuries of began to compare the world I was living pale’ of the Church. The image on the research on his life and times. Plus I in and the type of ‘Third World’ St Francis cover of the coffin-like door of Francis’ knew I hadn’t become a Franciscan embraced after he left home. ancient home in Italy conjures notions of because of animals! Don’t get me wrong, I found close connections between life housing death. Dolores, animals love me and I them. the two worlds so far apart in time and What’s so important about Francis of Exposed to numerous species over my space. I found myself questioning prevail- Assisi in light of the kind of world we live many years living in Africa, I sometimes ing stereotypes of Francis and indeed St in today? What is it you think people think I might even have talent as an ani- Clare, his contemporary, also born in need to hear about this man from the mal whisperer! Assisi. For instance, I was never told that Middle Ages? the highly innovative Clare was one of Dolores: And that moment of clarity? the most liberated women in human his- Pat: Well, one morning I was sitting in an tory. Against all the odds she dared to empty church before what we call the Pat: Yes, it was a moment during my explore outside the box the heretofore Blessed Sacrament when I had a sudden forty years of working abroad when it unknown in religious life. She was one of moment of clarity: Why do ordinary dawned on me that my image of St those amazing people who start religious parishioners today in the Western world Francis was outgrowing the image I had orders. Gathering my thoughts together in only remember St Francis as the saint received as a young friar in training, in this book was a way of processing my who loved animals? Pretty boring, don’t Killarney and Galway and indeed Rome. I reflections.

Apr/May 2020 5 Dolores: You portray this man Francis as politically minded, a loose cannon in the medieval Church, a non-conformist, a rebel, a nuisance; not an image the nuns I was taught by ever touched on.

Pat: Yes. And then in the middle of every- thing along comes a woman called Clare to complicate his life and make the reader wonder about their love affair.

Dolores: Did you intend to be provocative in the way you handled their story?

Pat: I’m not sure about that. However, their story is a great story and I wanted to tell it in a lucid way, while engaging the reader’s attention. The book was a pro- cess. I remember one evening I sat down to the laptop and suddenly I was changing all the chapter headings from churchy, passive, academic-style headings to vibrant, eye-catching, more daring ones. I was breathless when it was all over. And the Francis you get initially in the book is Interfaith meeting: Patrick and other very romantic, a flirt, someone who laughs guests at the viewing of the film ‘The loudly (like happy, over-excited millennials in Coca Cola ads), a sort of regular care- Sultan and the Saint’ in Johannesburg. free socialite hanging out with the guys. I might mention that this volume was never intended to be a beginner’s life of St Pat: Yes, this is much of what Francis all; whether they were a divine mistake or Francis. It’s coming from another space, a was: scattered, holy, impulsive and impos- even “failed conceptions”’. You hit hard different place. A place where you are sible. You just can’t ignore him on the there. Though given the history of the happy and comfortable to acknowledge world stage. Church’s attitude towards women, I don’t that St Francis was a loyal, creative, inde- know why that revelation surprised me. pendent-minded, globetrotting mystic with Dolores: It’s refreshing to read work by a a broken line to God. Most saints are like that. In fact, to understand Francis it would priest who tries to interpret political mat- Pat: My book doesn’t give a romantic or be helpful to be a mystic like him. It’d also ters and appreciates the interconnected- sentimental depiction of either Clare or help to have some understanding of the ness of all beings, of all things. Francis, Francis of Assisi or of the time they lived in. Third World culture Francis chose to follow you feel, had that in him too. I see you There may be readers who will find some after his chance encounter with lepers. explore themes like dreams, relationships, of the contents upsetting. Most converts even today have similar betrayal, revenge, violence, murder and testimonies of born-again experiences. war. This book ranges far and encom- Dolores: For instance, Francis and the passes many things. American gun lobby? Dolores: Then he goes to war as a sol- dier and ends up a prisoner in solitary Pat: Yes, who needs Harry Potter when Pat: Yes, in imaginary confrontation with confinement for a year. Francis Bernardone has been there, and them. Many gun-toters, including Catholic has the t-shirt to prove it! Francis comes ones, in present day America will not be Pat: True, in a dark, putrid, medieval dun- out of that crazy mix. I’m wondering would impressed with his attitude to arms carrying. geon. After that everything changes. He he be acceptable for religious life today! It was controversial even in his day. It becomes a lonely figure, detached, a But, seriously, in planning the book I tried reminds me of the time my former parish in dishevelled drifter, sometimes very quiet, to bring Francis’ story emotionally and per- South Africa became a local depot for collect- emotional, outwardly awkward, often with sonally alive. ing illegal arms during a nineties’ post- solitary ways. And later he becomes a Apartheid amnesty campaign. I wonder could runaway, a daring traveller, and later still, Dolores: I think you achieved that, your that be done in the United States today. a person who talked to power in Italy and chapters are short and vivid. I was Egypt. stunned to learn that when Clare stood up Dolores: Do you think living and working to the Pope, it was in an era when ‘many outside of Ireland has enabled you to write Dolores: Quite an arc to his life, setting great thinkers and renowned theologians this book in a way you couldn’t have at aside his love of animals. wondered whether women had souls at home?

St Anthony Brief 6 Pat: Definitely. This book could never Let me add something else here, I’ve been surprised by the reaction to have been written in Ireland. It’s based too Dolores, that is an essential part of St the chapters on those two momentous much on foreign experiences, non- Francis. Francis nurtured a deep inner weeks Francis spent in Damietta during European personal and social encounters. mystical life that only a few of his friends the Fifth Crusade. Last year in More immediately it emerges from the knew about. The Eucharist, intense medi- Johannesburg I was invited to an interfaith traumatic experiences of friars living tations in caves and charismatic prayer, screening of a new film called The Sultan through three liberation wars in the past the awesomeness of the Trinity, the origi- and the Saint. About fifty Muslims century: in El Salvador, Zimbabwe and nality of the crib (creative representation attended the showing by an ecumenical South Africa. before Hollywood existed!), and Mother Islamic group who follow the Gulan school In the seventies and eighties Mary captured his imagination. of tolerance teaching. After the show, with Franciscan missionaries lived with the the greatest humility, I suggested to the oppressed during revolutions in the fave- Dolores: Part Two of your book is entitled assembly that the scriptwriters and pro- las and mountains of El Salvador. They ‘St Francis and Jihad’. In it, you recount ducer must have read my recent book St also ministered to the vakomana (freedom how Francis, during the Crusades, armed Francis Uncensored. We had a good fighters) in the forests of Zimbabwe and with nothing but his courage, went unin- laugh at that. Muslims and Christians alike on the burning streets of Sharpeville in vited behind enemy lines to meet an can share a joke. South Africa. They blessed the boycotts Islamic leader. Just what did he intend by For sure. St Francis is a man without that drove the collapse of Apartheid. doing this? borders. Francis knew this type of conflict for he too did military service in the blood- Pat: Yes, to meet the ISIS of his day. Not Dolores: Thank you, Pat. That was very stained hills and valleys of Perugia, cen- as a politician but as a religious figure on stimulating. tral Italy. a mission. Perhaps Francis knew some- It also reminds me of the criminal thing we haven’t yet learned as human Dolores Walshe, author of ‘Where the treatment and public hangings of beings that made him feel the risk was Trees Weep’, has won many awards Franciscans and many other clergy (vic- worthwhile. Did he really think he could for her writing. She is based in tims of paid priest-hunters) in the towns persuade the Muslim leaders not to Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland. and cities of Ireland during Penal persecu- destroy the Holy Places in Palestine? Patrick Noonan OFM is the author of tions in the sixteenth century. The Sheriff Perhaps he had heard that you ‘could do several books on radical ministry of Westmeath in 1600, prompted by business’ with the Sultan al-Malik al- including ‘They’re Burning the Churches’, Queen Elizabeth I of England, called the Kamil, leader of the Muslin forces, who ‘Township God’ and ‘Help! My Granny’s Franciscan community at Multyfarnham in was a sincere person of faith? The Dog is a Racist’. All available on Amazon. Westmeath ‘a nest of scorpions’ as a pre- accounts vary. See www.patricknoonanbooks.org.za n lude to burning down the friary and arrest- ing those friars who didn’t escape. Francis and the Dolores: Your passion for bringing birds: the taming Francis to life was very moving at times. As you know, Pat, I don’t believe at all in of a saint! the institutional Church, its doctrines, rules, its exclusion of women priests and I abhor its continued suppression of cler- ical abuse in so many cases today in the world. What interests me here in your book is that Francis was also reacting to terrible scandals in the Church in his time.

Pat: That’s true. It was like as if God had parachuted Francis into the Papal States (an army Commander-in-Chief Pope is a scandal in itself by our standards today!) behind enemy lines to disrupt their supply chains of corruption, and to highlight an alternative way of life. Assisi itself, Francis’ birthplace, was split between those who stayed in the Church and those who left and became Albigensians. Though I don’t know if the word ‘scandal’ was used to describe these things at the time.

Apr/May 2020 7 Francis Mureithi writes about an extraordinary Sr Patricia: Irish Franciscan Missionary Spreading Sister for Africa, Patricia Speight, and her ministry Love and among the poor and suffering Hope of Kenya.

hen Sr Patricia Speight from referred to her as ‘Hiv Sister’ because she and move from door to door teaching Belfast, in Ireland, received a offered home-based care to those who family members how to care for their WWphone call from her congrega- were dying of Hiv/Aids-related ailments. loved ones,’ she recalls. tional leader to go for missionary work in She recognised the need for a com- She added, ‘In the early days having Africa, little did she know all that lay munity home-based care programme for Hiv/Aids was hell on earth. I journeyed ahead. people with Hiv/Aids there as well as a with some of the sick until they died.’ Sr Patricia first experienced Africa in behaviour change programme to teach She saw abandoned victims of the congregation’s hospital in Nyabondo, people about prevention. Hiv/Aids dying in small dingy rooms with Kenya. This was followed by seven years Beginning in a dilapidated storage no help. in Zimbabwe which included four years room used by the church, she founded Amidst filth in the slums, the jovial working as a nurse and midwife at Regina Love and Hope. Irish Sister mingled freely with the people Coeli Mission. Following this she was The initiative snowballed and now in Bondeni, Kaptembwa, Kwa Rhonda, asked to establish a community home- caters for those living with cancer and Flapak, Free Area, Mwariki, London, based care programme for people living debilitating illness. It has branched out to Hilton and Nyamaroto slums where she with Hiv/Aids, which she did for three those affected by gender-based violence works. She helped the poor, battered years and mobilised the local community. and offers personal and group coun- women and abused children. It was in 1997 that she was sent to selling, assistance, rights awareness to She helped the less fortunate access Nakuru slum in Kenya. When she arrived avoid abuse, skills to access services, medical care as they battled poverty and in Kenya more than two decades ago, advocacy for change and improvement in diseases. With the help of volunteers, she had no idea what the needs of resi- their livelihoods. she started empowering slum dwellers. dents of informal settlements in Nakuru And what started as a simple home- were. Abandoned based care programme at St Daniel ‘I was asked to go to Nakuru in Kenya Sr Patricia says, ‘My joy is to pass a little Comboni Hekima at Kaloleni Estate has and address the needs of the people I spark of love to the less fortunate.’ She birthed the Love and Hope Centre had never met. I had no idea what their added, ‘You don’t need money to begin located in Section 58 Estate, some five needs were,’ she recalls. something, all you need to bring into the kilometres from Nakuru town. Home- ‘The poor and sick who I found in the life of those suffering is love, joy and com- based care is today under Dominican slums captured my heart. They were very passion. Things that money cannot buy Sisters. poor and suffering from Hiv/Aids. The will make a difference to their suffering.’ needs I felt were great,’ she says. Sr Patricia says her most horrifying Sexual Abuse With the help of a woman she met experience in the slums was seeing an Love and Hope Centre is run by the there, Genevieve Oloo, she was intro- Hiv-positive woman die on a rat-infested Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa; duced to some of the most dangerous bed. This ignited her determination to find the facility has expanded its services and informal settlements in the town that are a solution to their suffering. helps girls and women who have been known to be hideouts for criminal gangs. sexually abused to deal with the trauma. But that did not deter Sr Patricia from Abandoned ‘Love and Hope Centre’s main goal is pursuing her dreams. Some residents ‘Each day we would meet at our convent to ensure girls and women in Nakuru

St Anthony Brief 8 slums are protected from violence, abuse and HIV infection,’ Sr Patricia states. Compassion: a smile and She says she has no regrets about helping abused girls and battered women. hope for the sick. ‘Working in the slums gives me an opportunity to realise the true human nur- ture,’ she says. ‘Being associated with the battered girls and women in the slums after recov- ering from trauma makes me happy.’ Sr Patricia, 67, is on a campaign to change the lifestyles of the survivors by providing vocational training opportunities for more than 300 women. The women undergo short courses in dressmaking, beauty, hairdressing, cater- ing and hospitality. The centre also offers counselling services and day-care ser- vices for terminally ill people.

Second Home She says she named the centre Love and Hope because this is what God called her Although Sr Patricia does not say how She believes that, ‘The poor have to do for him and his people in Nakuru. much she has spent on the establish- given me so much, the people who I ‘God asked me to give his love and ment, it runs into millions of Kenyan have cared for, both adults and children; hope to all people who he had sent me to shillings. they suffer with such dignity and love.’ serve as a Franciscan Missionary Sister She raises the money from well-wish- Sr Patricia says, ‘Many challenges for Africa,’ said Sr Patricia. ers in Kenya and her motherland. This have come my way. They are chal- ‘When I return to Kenya after my holi- has made people nickname her ‘the beg- lenges which have brought me so much day in Ireland, I usually tell my relatives ging Sister’. closer to God and the people. They that I’m going home,’ she said. She prays and her relationship with have also made me a stronger person, Sr Patricia, who joined the convent at God keeps her going. She admits that a more loving, caring and compassion- the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for running the centre is not a walk in the ate person.’ Africa in Mount Oliver, Dundalk, in Ireland, park due to financial challenges. at the age of 24, now loves chapatti and Each day the team and volunteers Adapted from Daily Nation, dengu. ‘I also love roasted maize sold in pray before beginning their ministry. www.nation.co.ke n the streets,’ she said. The second born in a family of 13, St Patricia says she grew up in poor circum- Companions: stances in Ireland. ‘My parents could not afford to send with Sarah me to university after high school and I Kamau, was forced to work to pay my university Programme fees at the age of 16,’ she said. Co-ordinator. The Begging Sister She wants to be remembered not for what she has done, but as someone who brought communities together. Love and Hope Centre employs social workers, counsellors and nurses. Love and Hope Centre Programme Co-ordinator Sarah Kamau describes Sr Patricia as a ‘determined, inspiring and a transformative person’. ‘In my life I have never met someone so full of love, joy, simplicity and out to tackle the needs of the poor and neglected like Sr Patricia,’ said Ms Kamau.

Apr/May 2020 9 Remain Strong in Your Faith

In this time of pandemic, the Minister General of the Franciscan Order writes a word of hope to the worldwide Franciscan Family.

May the Lord give you peace! experienced. And yet, these measures In the midst of this global pandemic, Over the course of these past months are necessary to prevent further advance let us not lose sight of the many millions since the discovery of the new Corona- of the virus. of people around the globe who are suf- virus, we have witnessed its progressive Special prayers go out to those who fering from other crises. Our hearts go proliferation from one specific region in are serving on the front lines as medical out in a special way to the people of China to more than 115 countries. personnel, those engaged in research to Syria, the Democratic Republic of Virtually the entire human community find a vaccine, and governments strug- Congo, Venezuela, Mindanao, the finds itself engaged in a major battle to try gling to find effective responses to Republics of Sudan and South Sudan, to contain its further spread, care for ensure the safety and well-being of their Palestine, Lebanon, and to brothers and those who are infected, and mourn loved people. sisters living in other parts of the world ones who have died. The economic My intention in writing to you at this where human dignity, fundamental rights, impact on nations, families, individuals, time is to try to help allay fears and anxi- and basic physical survival are under and most especially on the poor will, ety. For those of us living in countries threat. Let us seize the invitation for us undoubtedly, be catastrophic. that are to date disproportionately to move beyond all divisions, all fears, In the early stages of this pandemic affected, I wish to encourage you to and seek the paths leading to authentic we might have found ourselves feeling remain strong in your faith. For those liv- dialogue, co-operation, and the promo- protected, immune, distant, and perhaps ing in countries experiencing fewer infec- tion of the well-being of all of humanity, even a bit unconcerned with the virus tions, remain vigilant in all things. most especially those who are poor and and its impact. However, as the virus During this special liturgical season excluded. Let us also deepen our com- continues its seemingly unrelenting of Lent, Christian believers are invited to mitment to love and care for the natural spread, we find ourselves at the epicen- accompany Jesus, recalling the great environment, our common home. tre of a crisis. There are still many scien- struggles and crises he faced, recalling May the Lord bless each of you, my tific aspects of the virus that are not yet also his death on the cross as a sacrifice dear brothers and sisters, and may we fully understood. It respects no borders of pure love. But neither suffering nor allow the strength of our convictions, our or boundaries: physical, social, psycho- death had the final word over his life, nor commitment to the Gospel way of life logical, religious, or cultural. Its strategic should they have over our lives. The inspired by St Francis of Assisi, to capacity to jump from one host to hope provided by the resurrection, and enable us to be faithful witnesses to the another makes it particularly virulent. by daily acts of justice, mercy, and love power of the love and hope that our faith The responses that are being should inspire us to look beyond all fear, offers to us, indeed, to all of life. designed and implemented by govern- all anxiety, and perceive the presence of ments to halt its proliferation are making Jesus who continues to speak the same Fraternally yours in demands on many of us that restrict the words to us as he did to his beloved Christ and St Francis, exercise of our personal freedoms the friends and disciples: ‘Have no fear! I am Michael A. Perry OFM, likes of which many of us have never with you until the end of the age!’ Minister General and Servant. n

St Anthony Brief 10 Prayer for Protection and Healing

Lord Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and vil- Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the lages ‘curing every disease and illness’. At your com- foresight to act with charity and true concern for the mand, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in well-being of the people they are meant to serve. the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solu- may experience your healing love. tions that will help prepare for or prevent future out- breaks. May they know your peace, as they work Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain together to achieve it on earth. their strength and health through quality medical care. Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from work- many people suffering from this illness or only a few, ing together and neighbours from helping one another. Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invul- persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us nerability to a disease that knows no borders. your peace.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of Lord Jesus Christ, in your great uncertainty and sorrow. mercy, protect and heal us. Amen. n Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Apr/May 2020 11 Church Brief

as a symbolic gesture in support of women's rights and to draw attention to the terrible phenomenon of violence against women in the country. The gesture was linked with International Women's Day held on 8 March. Inside the church, the saints and virgins were covered with purple cloaks, usually used to cover all the images during Holy Week. Fr José de Jesús Aguilar explained, ‘We must strongly support women; it is support for their dignity and rights. In the Lenten season, the symbol of covering the images of saints challenges us to reflection and Struggle: recent drought prayer on this crucial issue.’ Fr Aguilar adds, ‘We must remind everyone that violence in Zimbabwe. against women is to be condemned utterly. It is not only a civil offence, but it is a sin to Zimbabwe: Caritas Appeal asked said that they couldn’t afford seeds discriminate against them, violate them, Caritas, the Church aid agency, is appeal- and tools to plant. The lack of planting in abuse their rights, and above all kill them ing for donations to help the people of the 2019-2020 season, as well as the with impunity, as tragically happens in many Zimbabwe who are going hungry because shortage of water due to the drought, will cases daily in Mexico.’ of drought. have an impact on people’s ability to grow Countless organisations called for a Around half the population (7.7 million food. National Women's Strike for Monday 9 people) are expected to not have access to The last three months of the emer- March. The goal was to ensure that there enough nutritious food in 2020 because of gency programme will focus on building was not even one woman present or work- poor rains and erratic weather. Many peo- people’s resilience to the future impacts of ing in offices or schools, in restaurants, ple are coping by eating more starch and extreme weather. Caritas will give commu- shops and even on public transport. The less protein and vegetables, limiting food nities seeds that grow in spite of erratic idea was to present a country without portion sizes and borrowing money. Some weather such as cowpea, maize, and women for a day. families can currently only manage one sorghum. Communities will also receive The bishops of Mexico spoke out in meal a day. training in sustainable agricultural practices favour of this initiative. ‘We express our sup- ‘We are seeing a lot of malnutrition – and the use of organic fertilisers. port for the #UnDíaSinNosotras initiative. not just in rural areas but also urban,’ says Concerns are high for the future as The motivation derives from the real Marius Zigbwi of Caritas Zimbabwe. communities struggle to cope with the tragedies that occur daily in our nation. As a ‘Unemployment is at 90 percent and chil- weather and the increasing price of food. Catholic Church, we also reaffirm our com- dren are dropping out of school because of Hwange has the highest number of house- mitment and take responsibility for building the food shortages and because their fami- holds just consuming one meal a day. All a Mexico in peace, free from violence.’ n lies can’t afford the fees. Donations will markets across the help us to stay with people at this difficult country have very lit- Protest: National Women’s time and to close the gap. It’s so important tle to no maize grain Strike in Mexico. that we ensure that no one is left behind.’ and maize meal, and Caritas’ emergency appeal will help prices are so high 17,000 people for eight months. The initial they’re beyond the focus will be on ensuring people have reach of poor house- enough to eat. Households will be given holds. enough cereal, pulses and vegetable oil to cover monthly needs. Distributions will take Mexico: ‘No’ place in the provinces of Hwange, Gweru, to Violence Chinhoyi, Gokwe, Bulawayo, and Against Masvingo. Women Direct food distributions have been cho- The parish of Saints sen rather than giving cash transfers as the Cosme and Damián food supply is low in many places and infla- in Mexico City cov- tion means the cost of food is high. ered the images and More than 90 percent of households statues of the saints

St Anthony Brief 12 ‘This Kiss Changed My Life’

Philippe Naudin kissed the Pope and the image was seen around the world. He tells the story to Anne Facérias.

am Philippe Naudin. I have had a Dominican artist) and St Bernadette. he loves Lourdes and I think he would like social handicap since I was a child. On 19 February, all the participants in to come! ITen days after my birth I suffered from the symposium went to the papal audi- I am an actor, but for me it’s very diffi- meningitis which left me paralysed. At the ence. With Anne Facérias, Michael cult to make a living so I’m what you age of seven, during a pilgrimage to Lonsdale and Yann Konopka (pianist with might call ‘begging’ in Lourdes. Lourdes, I began to walk, then to speak a disability), we were placed in the front With Daniel Facérias and these organ- and finally be able to attend school. row. isations in Lourdes (Cité Saint Pierre, Although in general nobody wants me We had prepared our hearts to greet Cénacolo, Sanctuary, the town hall and and mostly everyone rejects me, I am the Pope with a simple prayer, ‘Lord, the parish) we are going to organise ses- lucky to have many personal friends. make us instruments of your peace, may sions and artistic residencies in our artists’ I started from the bottom and now find your will be done, lead us in the grace of house for disabled or other people in pre- myself next to the Pope! God is telling me the Holy Spirit to transmit Beauty to the carious situations. We are currently rear- that he loves me very much. My photo world.’ ranging the ground floor into a working with the Pope has travelled around the Michael and Anne gave the Holy room with a small experimental theatre. world to give hope to those who, like me, Father the book on the foundation of the I have received many blessings during are not favoured by life. Diaconia of Beauty, On the Path of my time in Rome and I would like to tes- I was in Rome because I am part of Beauty and Love. tify to others all that we have experi- the Diaconia of Beauty, a movement for Then it was my turn. I got up from my enced. It is very important to evangelise artists, centred around art and faith. We chair and kissed the Pope on the fore- through art and beauty. share our love for the Lord together and I head as if I were kissing Jesus. That kiss Let us enter a path of prayer which have been involved in it since its begin- changed my life. will lead us to the Resurrection, to the nings with Michael Lonsdale. The Pope asked me to pray for him true beauty! On 11 February 2020, the feast day of and I replied, ‘Yes, no problem, my I would like to prepare my future show Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of brother. Between you and me, there is no which tells the life of two polar bears, the Sick, I received a call from Anne difference because we both have the ‘Bouba’ and ‘Boumboum’, who will meet Facérias, President of the Diaconia of same heart to pray to our God.’ the Pope. The two bears tell my life story. Beauty. She invited me to come to the With Anne and Michael who were next You can go to my website: symposium in Rome that she organises to me, we invited the Pope to come to www.philippe-alias-bouba.com/ every year around 18 February for the Lourdes to our artists’ house of the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico (the Diaconia of Beauty. He smiled because Adapted from www.zenit.org n

Apr/May 2020 13 Toni Cashnelli writes that Al Mascia OFM, American friar and musician, wants to help heal the vitriol and division that plagues his own country. His message has drawn a worldwide response. Singing for Civility

t a time when discourse is so divi- breaks my heart to witness what’s going on Al took a different approach. ‘It’s the sive, Friar Al Mascia would like to in our nation right now, and especially in the opinion of some people – and mine – that AArestore some civility. And he’s tak- upcoming year,’ when politics and ideology one thing that might help defuse some of the ing his cue from Thomas Merton, John are front and centre. ‘I think we’re being very polemics might come from the arts, from Keats, Walt Whitman, Francis of Assisi and uncivil with each other.’ poetry, from music. My hope was to produce Kermit the Frog. Their words provided the Speaking of the name-calling tweets music videos, and when I had enough con- impetus for a campaign he hopes will ‘help between presidential candidates, Al com- tent together to produce a programme, go mitigate the vitriol that’s out there, the reluc- ments, ‘I mean, c’mon! When the president around and take it on the road to promote tance of people to open themselves up to is speaking on the news and you have to the material.’ the beliefs and opinions of others’. bleep out some of the language, what does How does that help? Al quotes singer- that say? Sometimes I think we’re living in songwriter Cat Stevens, who once said, ‘You Singing an alternate universe.’ can argue with a philosopher, but you can’t Al is addressing the issue the best way he argue with a good song.’ Al thinks ‘music can – writing and singing songs. His project, Dialogue not Division speaks to a different part of the individual. It which combines eleven music videos, a CD Al’s project coincides with a year-long initia- has the ability to open places that venues and a concert in the making, is The Old tive launched 1 November 2019 by the U.S. like debates and campaign trails and media Frog and the Quiet Pond, a name borrowed Conference of Catholic Bishops. Through reports cannot – it has a different entry point. from a reflection by Trappist monk Thomas ‘Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate’, A song can access a different part of a per- Merton. Al’s goal is ‘to advance the priorities they’re asking Catholics ‘to pledge civility, son’s essence. The stuff I’m writing and pro- of peace and civility’ and reduce ‘the grave clarity and compassion in their families, com- ducing has archetypal elements that are incivility’ that plagues our world, the lack of munities, and parishes, and call on others to pretty powerful and can help us to, if not respect for beliefs and opinions other than do the same’. It starts with recognising that, understand, at least feel greater connected- our own. ‘Every person is a beloved child of God who ness with each other and our world.’ ‘It’s an enormous and ambitious chal- possesses inherent dignity.’ The campaign is lenge,’’ says Al, co-founder of The Song reinforced by resources that include a prayer Spiritual Malaise and Spirit Institute for Peace in Berkley, and pledge for civility, pastoral aids and He believes that ‘some of our current divide Michigan. He was moved by ‘the disap- Golden Rule 2020, an ecumenical effort is due to spiritual malaise. Because of over- pointing division’ that exists in America. ‘It encouraging dialogue instead of division. secularisation of our culture, people are hun-

St Anthony Brief 14 Recording: ‘You can’t argue with a gry for the transcendent, and without that good song.’ we are ill-equipped to deal with one another as children of God and worthy of respect. We don’t have the opportunities to deal with the transcendent and mystical anymore.’ The inspiration for the music video for the song The Old Frog and the Quiet Pond is one example. It is based upon Merton’s experience of nature as ‘a glimpse of the cosmic dance’, with the sights and sounds of a pond teeming with life. As Al sings, ‘There comes a time when you have to put the brakes on. When life itself is just more than you can take on.’ It ends with a quote from Kermit the Frog, ‘Take a look above you, discover the view. If you haven’t noticed, please do. Please do. Please do.’ Among the tunes inspired by poets is Song of Hope, drawn from a Keats poem about maintaining hopefulness despite the challenges of modern life. The song I Love My Job speaks to our inability to find the Since the Vocation Office for the Irish in performing the songs, and enough delight in everyday life. ‘It was inspired by a friars shared a video, he’s gotten 50 to 60 money to mount a series of concerts. For young man I got to know while doing gro- ‘Likes’ a day from around the world. that he has established a GoFundMe cery shopping at Kroger,’ Al says. ‘His job ‘Lutheran Franciscans are reaching out, campaign through Song and Spirit. was to collect shopping carts. For him it the Poor Clares and other Franciscan The message will be ‘that hope exists seemed more of a mission than a job and Sisters, a whole bunch of Secular in the face of potential despair. I think he always seemed very joyful.’ Franciscans, the OFM-JPIC office in El there are a lot of people despairing out Underlying many of the songs is the Salvador, a Russian Orthodox Bishop, a there, and I would love to imagine this idea lived and espoused by St Francis. handful of Franciscan hermits, social project will remind us that hope remains Understanding starts with listening, putting workers in Uganda and a surprising num- eternal. Like I write on the website, I’m just ‘the other’ first, as in, seeking not so much ber of young people who want to be trying to do my little part, just a friar who to be understood, as to understand. friends. I never expected to draw the inter- can write songs and make little movies.’ est of so many people, and interesting Visit www.oldfrogquietpond.com to Surprised by Response people at that.’ learn more. Al is surprised by the response he received Al aims to take his civility campaign on after posting links to his music videos on the road with a live, interactive programme. Adapted from SJB News Notes, n Facebook. It will require ‘practice, practice, practice’ St John the Baptist Province, USA.

‘When we are alone on a starlit night, Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog when by chance we see the migrating land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash – at birds in autumn descending on a grove such times the awakening, the turning inside of junipers to rest and eat; when we out of all values, the “newness”, the emptiness see children in a moment when they and the purity of vision that make themselves are really children, when we know love evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cos- mic dance.’ in our own hearts; or when, like the – Thomas Merton, ‘New Seeds of Contemplation’.

‘Cosmic Dance’

Apr/May 2020 15 TRUE COMMUNITY IS POSSIBLE!

Gerald Evans OFM believes that St Francis teaches us how to live together in authentic love and acceptance.

hen we hear the words made fraternal life the first missionary Coming from the most diverse social ‘Franciscan evangelisation’ act, the first apostolate of his brothers classes not to mention backgrounds, the WWmentioned, especially in Latin and indeed any group who seek to live early friars lived concrete experiences of America, graphic images of friars living the Franciscan charism. That is to say, love and mutual service in equality, with inserted among and accompanying the he began to live the Gospel in fraternity simplicity and cheerful humility. Those men poor on the frontiers of our world, over before preaching it. No evangelisation as a fraternity had to be good news, a many centuries, spring to mind. project is anyone's personal project; it is prophetic action of hope for all men and However, few of us have actually always the Franciscan fraternity that women. They were a manifestation that the grasped, much less lived, Francis’ very evangelises or, sadly as the case may Spirit inspires human beings from all social original intuition that the first and fore- be, scandalises. horizons, with the desire to share life most place of, and point of departure for, together. evangelisation of the Franciscan Family An Eye-Opener In a world of conflicts and in a society at large is actually the Franciscan frater- On reading the original Franciscan of so many inequalities, divided into social nity itself. biographies, one senses that the evan- classes even within the monasteries, the From the very beginning, Francis gelical spirit of relations between the first brotherhood of the first Franciscan fraterni- sought to be faithful in all things to brothers must have been quite an inspira- ties must have exploded on the world like a Jesus who left us but a single sign to tional, if not a somewhat disconcerting new dawn proving that fraternal coexis- recognise his presence among us: the eye-opener, to their contemporaries. It tence is possible as long as each brother sign of fraternal love. ‘By this sign the undoubtedly served to deeply question in allows Jesus and his compassion to be his world will recognise that you are my dis- a non-judgemental way the hierarchical inspiration. ciples: by the love you have for one structures of both the civil and religious One can well imagine attributing the other’ (John: 15,16). That is why Francis society of the medieval world. bursting forth of the secular Franciscan

St Anthony Brief 16 movement to this same inspirational wit- levels for Francis is a tragic, catastrophic sion of the human will. ness of fraternal living on the part of and a short-sighted sinfulness and as such When the paternity and maternity of Francis and his brothers. was total anathema to his way of thinking God is denied, very soon human beings and acting. become disconnected from their source No Boundaries This deeply fundamental mystical expe- and consequently become insecure, fragile So, where did this unusual fundamental rience led Francis to an awareness that and afraid. They respond to this insecurity fraternal intuition originate in the life and everyone and everything is actually an out- by placing their security in things. By domi- thinking of Francis? pouring of gift from a divine generous Giver nating, possessing and exploiting their fel- A clue I believe is to be found in his to be received, contemplated and low men and women, they monopolise cre- Canticle of the Creatures where Francis embraced with praise and gratitude. This ation as their own private property and con- conceives God as the all-inclusive, all- understanding freed Francis from the tinually create situations of exclusion for good, all-merciful, all-powerful Father/ desire to possess anybody or anything. the poorest and weakest people in their Mother who is the source of creation in all Indeed, at a later stage, when the friars midst. its entirety and who continually flows out- insisted on the need to possess certain Free from a desire to possess, wards to generously create and gift us properties as their own, in his own words Francis, the poor man, was fearful of with a cosmic fraternity of brothers and Francis replied, ‘Very well brothers, if you nobody and nothing precisely because he sisters. insist in your need to recognise something was rooted in a secure source deeper It is no coincidence that the canticle as your very own personal property, you than himself. Francis had nothing to moves from the highest levels of heaven might like to begin with your sins, vices and defend only gifts to share. He was frater- within masculine and feminine paradigms, weaknesses. They are truly your own pri- nal because he had replaced envy, jeal- beginning with Brother Sun and Sister vate property, but remember, every other ousy and ambition with a look of awe. I Moon, in a downward spiral of humility in good in you is pure gift from the generous use the word in its true sense: wonder- pairs to finally ground its journey in divine Giver.’ ment and gratitude at everyone and every- Brother Fire and Sister Earth. thing. This deeply contemplative and lis- So, everyone and everything is sacred No Fear tening gaze on the world allowed him to ground harbouring the active divine out- At the end of the day, Francis gleaned that see everyone and everything as good, pouring presence as Father/Mother who the roots of failure in human relationships true and beautiful for all reflected back to nurtures, unifies, integrates, reconciles and lie in our reluctance to call God our him the true, good and beautiful One, God heals in a continual dynamic within all cre- Father/Mother since it leads inevitably to himself. For Francis, to live together in ation. No boundaries exist between the the dramatic illusion of believing ourselves and with creation as brothers and sisters is sacred and the profane, between peoples to be the sole owner of our gifts and our humanity’s ultimate vocation. and nations, and within the entirety of cre- goods. Thus, appropriation ultimately for ation itself. Everyone and everything is Francis is the original and mother of all sin Living in Faith one, united, connected and included in this – the sin of idolatry, a deviation from the Francis did not dream of founding a frater- sacred family of creation. Exclusion at all true sense and origin of goods, a perver- nity, much less an Order. He began by tak-

Separate lives: insecure and afraid of each other.

Apr/May 2020 17 ing the words, the activity and the invita- life? Were we to choose, would we So too, those who live by my side with tion of Jesus seriously by receiving and choose them or others? me day after day reveal to me my shadow welcoming the brothers whom God sent I feel the lesson Francis teaches us is side, my selfishness, my envies, my impa- him as a gift. In other words, he did not that it is only when we are rooted in that tience, my resentment, my poverty and my personally choose any particular brothers deeper source which is God that we see radical inability to truly love. Yet, at the but received them in faith as a gift from and hear more deeply into life with God’s same time, they also reveal to me my God- God who knew who he was sending to eyes and his ears. Then we recognise given gifts, talents and values – the noble him and why. God’s divine presence actively present side of my personality as a sign of God’s This leap-of-faith gesture on the part and passing in and through the people presence within me. of Francis poses a key question and chal- and things around us. If only things that Francis invites us to ask ourselves the lenge to all of us as to whether we too gratify us are included and the rest are following key question: Do you want to know live our lives at this level of faith. either just tolerated or excluded, we will be where you are in your spiritual life, that is, in Do we receive those around us, very left all the poorer for it. relation to the life within you according to many of whom we most definitely have the Spirit of Christ? If so, then look at the not chosen to be with, as a gift from God The Shadow Side quality of your personal relationships. There at this moment and stage on our life’s Francis was no naive idealist. Rather, he you have a sure indication, an x-ray of the journey? Do we trust, as Cardinal saw the brothers and sisters who God true measure of your interior life in Christ. Newman reminds us, that ‘He knows gifted him, with their personal history, their In Francis’ very touching dialogue with what he is about’? Do we trust that, from light, their shadows, their temperaments, Br Leo on what truly makes for ‘Perfect a faith perspective, those around us have their characters, their personalities, their Joy’ we realise that this deep, liberating joy a reason to be and a contribution to different social classes and different cul- is lived not in some far off, ideal spiritu- make in our human and spiritual growth tures, as a call to conversion, because alised world. It is in the very concrete jigs at this particular stage on our life’s jour- they reflected back and revealed to him and reels, light and shadow of one’s own ney? Or do we just tolerate them until who he truly was in all his light and fraternity or family that the sure witness of they or we pass on to another stage of shadow. that beautiful Gospel grace is revealed. n A Very Successful Zim Day Before the school closures in Ireland on 12 March, the national school in Ballylinan, Co. Laois, had the chance to hold their annual Zim Day; it is believed to be their twentieth! The whole school community – pupils, teachers, parents and grandparents – were involved in a cake sale to raise funds for the Franciscan projects in Zimbabwe. The second year class (the First Communion group) traditionally has a key role in preparing the occasion. As the photos show it was a happy day and indeed a very worthwhile one. €2,075 was raised and passed on to the Franciscan Missionary Union in Dublin, and from there to the fri- ars in Zimbabwe. In a country struggling with economic collapse and recent drought, there are many schemes that need funds to help the poor and struggling. Warmest gratitude to all the generous and kind-hearted people, big and little, involved in Zim Day!

St Anthony Brief 18

THE STORY OF THE KELLY CHALICE

Historic: Paschal Sweeney and John Kealy OFM with the Kelly Chalice in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Multyfarnham Friary.

n the summer of 2019, as the Vigil Mass ended in Multyfarnham Friary, Paschal Sweeney writes of a friar and his IICo. Westmeath, the celebrant, Fr connection to an historic chalice. John Kealy OFM, held the chalice aloft and said there is a very interesting Bellmullet, who it seems was a very archives state the chalice was to be story attached to this chalice. He then good host and evidently was neutral in given to the next generation in the Kelly outlined the story of the ‘Kelly Chalice’ the dispute. At the conclusion of the family who would be ordained a priest. to the congregation. After Mass, I went investigation, the members of the com- to Fr John and asked him for further mission presented Fr Kelly with a beau- Great-Grandnephew details of the history attached to this tiful silver, gold-lined chalice in recogni- One hundred and five years after the most beautiful and unique chalice. tion of the hospitality with which he death of Fr Michael Kelly, his great- The story began in 1836 in the dio- received them. grandnephew Fr John Kealy was cese of Killala where an ongoing dis- The chalice was engraved in Latin ordained a Franciscan priest in 1959. In pute saw people and priests on both as follows: ‘To the most Reverend the late 70s, while Fr John was on holi- sides of the divide. Such was the level Michael Kelly, William Crolly Primate of days in Ballycastle, he was chatting with of the dispute that Pope Gregory XVI All Ireland, John MacHale Metropolitan the parish priest Fr Willie Moyles who sent a Papal Commission to the dio- of Tuam and Cornelius Denvir, Bishop enquired if he had heard the story of the cese to carry out an investigation. The of Down and Connor, presented this Kelly Chalice, to which Fr John replied Papal Commission consisted of chalice in testimony of their thankful- that he had. Fr Moyles replied, ‘Well I Archbishop William Crolly, Primate of ness for the hospitality, truly Irish and have it here and you’re going to get it.’ All Ireland, Archbishop John MacHale, evangelical, with which he received On searching the parish archives, at the Metropolitan of Tuam, and Bishop them on the occasion of the Apostolic behest of an American family seeking Cornelius Denvir, Bishop of Down and Visitation held in the diocese of Killala some ancestral information, Fr Moyles Connor. by mandate of His Holiness Pope had stumbled on the entry regarding the Gregory XVI in the year 1836.’ chalice. Engraved Chalice Fr Michael Kelly died in 1854 and Thus commenced the next chapter in They stayed at the residence of Fr the chalice was housed in his native the life of the Kelly Chalice, returning Michael Kelly, parish priest of Ballycastle parish. The Ballycastle with Fr John to the Franciscan Friary in

St Anthony Brief 20 Multyfarnham. Fr John’s delight in nephews were sitting at a table in receiving the chalice was shared by Leuven in Belgium. The incredible his mother Bridget (nee Kelly) who coming together of two descendants was a grandniece of Fr Michael Kelly. of Archbishop John MacHale and Fr The Kelly Chalice, now over 140 Michael Kelly resulted in the Kelly years old, took up residence and was Chalice travelling from Lucan to used in the celebration of Mass in the Louvain to be used in the celebration friary. of a Mass concelebrated in St In 1978, the chalice accompanied Anthony’s parish by Fr John and Fr Fr John to Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Sandström who was very moved by Tipperary, where they both resided for the experience. the next six years. In 1984, the Kelly The congregation were also Chalice was on the move again when delighted to be involved having been Fr John was transferred to St Fergal’s told of the unique connections. The parish in Bray, Co. Wicklow, where he Kelly Chalice then returned to the served until 1993. Fr John was then Kealy home in Lucan. transferred overseas to Leuven (Louvain) in Belgium in 1993 and for Multyfarnham the first time since the late 70s the After spending 15 years in Belgium, Kelly Chalice and Fr John were sepa- Fr John returned to Ireland and the Franciscan Friary in Multyfarnham. rated with the chalice remaining with The Kelly Chalice left Lucan once Fr John’s immediate family in Lucan, again and travelled to Multyfarnham Co. Dublin. In the following fifteen where it now resides with Fr John. years, Fr John was assistant to two The chalice is used occasionally for parish priests – Fr Edmund Dougan the celebration of Mass in the friary OFM and then Fr Vincent Gallogly church. OFM, in the international English-lan- On the second Sunday of guage parish in Brussels called St October 2019, Fr John travelled to Anthony’s. The Kelly Chalice. Belmullet with the Kelly Chalice where it During his visits back to Ireland, Fr was used in the main Sunday Mass 165 John celebrated Mass in the family Even more astonishing was Fr years since it was last in Belmullet home in Lucan, Co. Dublin, and on holi- Philip’s reply stating that Archbishop in1854. At Fr John’s insistence, it was days in Co. Mayo, and the Kelly Chalice John MacHale was his great-granduncle! agreed that Fr Michael O’Reilly as a travelled in his company. In 2003, Fr So 165 years after Archbishop John successor to Fr Michael Kelly as Parish John was the last Franciscan friar in MacHale and Fr Michael Kelly sat at a Priest of Belmullet would celebrate with Leuven where he was the ‘undertaker’ table in Belmullet, their great-grand- the chalice. Fr John gave the for closure of the house. He then homily at the Mass in which he moved to live in a parish in outlined the unique history of the Brussels where he remained until Kelly Chalice to the great appreci- 2008. ation of the congregation. The Killala diocese magazine, Fr Philip Vineyard, published an article on In Brussels, Fr John became the Kelly Chalice in the 2017 edi- acquainted with an American tion. Fr John sent a copy to Fr priest, Fr Philip Sandström, who Philip Sandström who then for- also ministered in Brussels. One warded photocopies to his family day over a cup of coffee the con- in the United States of America. versation turned to the subject of It is Fr John’s intention that the Irish in America. the Kelly Chalice will return to As Fr Philip was of Norwegian Ballycastle Parish when he dies. extraction, Fr John felt he probably It will be held in trust in the dioce- wouldn’t be well up on the subject. san museum in Ballina for the Fr Philip surprisingly answered that next member of the Kelly family all his ancestors on his mother’s to be ordained. In the meantime, side hailed from Co. Mayo, their this wonderful chalice will remain name was MacHale. Fr John men- in the loving care of Fr John tioned that the most famous Kealy OFM in the equally won- MacHale was the Archbishop John derful Franciscan Friary in beauti- MacHale of Tuam. Skill: a detail of the engraving. ful Multyfarnham. n

Apr/May 2020 21 News from around the . . . Franciscan World

PHILIPPINES: THE FRANCISCAN STORY The Franciscans in the Philippines are preparing activities related to the country’s 500th-anniversary celebration in 2021 of the coming of Christianity. Among these is the preparation of various publications and books that collect the contribution of the Franciscans to the evangelisation of the Philippines since their arrival. Aside from the founding of towns and parishes, the Franciscans also dedicated themselves to the establishment of institu- tions of charity such as San Juan de Dios Hospital (1580), Naga Hospital of San Philippines: Young friars make their Profession of Vows. Diego (1586), Hospital of the Holy Waters FRANCISCAN YOUTH GATHER larly in tune with the Franciscan charism in Los Baños (1592), and San Lazaro In two different parts of the world, large and they are urgent and necessary in Hospital, the first leprosarium in the Far numbers of young Franciscans in recent today’s world. East (1580). months gathered to pray and reflect, and In India, more than 300 young people The Franciscans also composed the to demonstrate their engagement with a from different states in India committed first Spanish-Tagalog dictionary that was variety of major global issues. themselves to be instruments of peace at published in Pila, Laguna, in 1613. The fri- In Brazil, the seventh Franciscan Youth the 2020 Franciscan Youth (FRAYME) gath- ars were involved in the authorship of the Mission took place in early February, coin- ering, held in the Parish of St Sebastian, first book printed in the Philippines in 1593, ciding with the third Serata Laudato si’ Chennai, in February 2020. This new initia- the first catechism on the Ten Command- (Laudato si’ Evening). This initiative was tive, promoted by the OFM Secretariat for ments in Tagalog, the first water system sponsored by the Franciscan Province of Evangelisation and Missions in India, is and the setting up of free-loan banks the Immaculate Conception (Brazil) and intended to foster Franciscan values and to (Montes de Piedad). The building of infras- was held in the city of Xaxim. Eight hun- motivate young people from the Franciscan tructure such as roads, dams, and bridges dred young people took the opportunity to parishes of India to be actively engaged in were also attributed to the Franciscans. reflect on Caring for our Common Home parish life. One of the most outstanding over a period of five days. The event On one of the days, the participants Franciscans who ministered in the country involved evangelisation, culture, learning, marched three kilometres with lighted can- was St Pedro Bautista (1542-1597) who and celebration – and the young people dles and placards, singing in different lan- developed key places in the country that engaged with great enthusiasm. guages and asking to be instruments of would later become important cities. He Justice, peace, and integrity of creation peace. Those who witnessed the march, taught Church music and the manufacture (JPIC) themes were highlighted, so that involving the more than three hundred and use of musical instruments, discov- future Franciscan Youth Missions would young people from YouFra, along with ered the medicinal characteristics of the address issues such as ecology, justice, many others, had an opportunity to ask hot springs of Los Baños, strongly migration, respect for nature, quality of life, questions about St Francis and also about defended the basic human rights of the and simplicity. These values are particu- the need for peace. n indigenous peoples of Zambales and was sent as emissary to Japan, a role that would lead to his martyrdom. DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE

From the time of their arrival in the Brothers Denis Aherne and country until the end of the Spanish Daraigh Quinn, members Franciscan Mission in 1898, the missionar- of the Athlone fraternity, ies were able to establish and administer chat with a visitor to the Franciscan Stand during 207 towns or parishes. the Divine Mercy At present, the friars continue to min- Conference in the RDS in ister in various parts of the country in Dublin. The theme of the weekend this year was numerous parishes, schools and in spe- ‘Deliver us from evil’ cial ministries such as media apostolate; (Matthew 6:13). Speakers justice, peace, and integrity of creation ini- included Maria Sheen, tiatives; hospital chaplaincy and interfaith Fr Pat Collins CM, and Archbishop Eamon Martin. dialogue. n

St Anthony Brief 22 Liam McDermott OFM (left) with A Man of John Hanley OFM (former FMU Gentle Director) in 1990s. and Practical Service Archbishop William Slattery OFM honours Fr Liam McDermott OFM, RIP, a dedicated missionary in South Africa.

t is not easy to speak of the hidden example before us of Franciscan life. in East Africa; it was work which inspired inspiration behind the life of Fr Liam Brother Liam McDermott lived a humble, him. It brought him back to San Damiano IIMcDermott. Liam was a quiet man, a simple life of poverty. He never drew atten- and the fresh beginnings of the Franciscan man of few and well-chosen words, a man tion to himself. He had no luxuries and movement. This work took him to many of service and humility and in no way an was satisfied with simple things. He countries in Africa, some in very difficult exhibitionist. He spoke few words, but they allowed nothing to come between himself areas of access. He generally returned to were always to the point. He was a man of and God. As the first Franciscan Provincial South Africa quite ill. One Christmas day truth, of confidentiality. Liam once sent me of the new South African Province, Liam his dinner consisted of one banana in the a letter. It comprised four words, ‘Dear listened to everyone, responded honestly, empty airport of Dar Es Salam. The mes- William… Yes… Liam.’ supported all in need and kept confidential- sages from the Poor Clare monasteries in However, luckily, Liam himself reveals ity. As Provincial, all were encouraged by many African countries speak of the high the secret of his life in the readings and his example. He was a man of truth and esteem and affection of the Sisters for their the hymns which he himself chose for his did not seek popularity. The focus of his Franciscan brother. funeral and thanksgiving Mass. He chose life was prayer. Liam’s life was poured out to build up the letter of St Paul to the Philippians, “For Liam was Franciscan in that he was the Church. He did this not only by dedi- the sake of Christ Jesus I have thrown very close to the people. His first 15 years cated ministry but by patiently bearing ago- everything away. I consider it all as rubbish in South Africa, 1963-1978, he spent as nising pain for 30 years in union with so that I may gain Christ… All I want is to priest in the parish of Sharpeville. The Jesus. For many years, Liam was unwell know Christ and to experience the power place was still reeling after the massacre and suffered terrible pain due to severe of his Resurrection.” The Gospel he chose of 1960. He loved the people of arthritis. was the scene of the disciples with their Sharpeville and said, ‘These were the In his slow, lingering death, he never Master on the road to Emmaus. They greatest days of my life.’ complained but exuded peace, content- walked with him and recognised him at the He had many stories of the characters ment and joy. Like his saintly friend, breaking of the bread. It was in the liturgy he worked with there. He spoke of John Mother Veronica, foundress of many Poor that Liam above all met the Lord. He per- Fantisi who was to be found in the church Clare monasteries in Africa, he used to formed the liturgy with great attention and every morning before work, devoutly pray- say, ‘I am lucky in my vocation, whether I dignity. Everyone knew him as the ‘singing ing the way of the cross and singing am ill or well, either daytime or the middle priest’. One Saturday morning the lady in hymns between stations. Then there was of the night, I can live it fully. I suffer and the sacristy enquired who would celebrate the old lady who frequently called him at unite myself with the Lord for the Church.’ the Saturday evening Mass that day. She night requesting the Last Rites. He put an In very brief words, whenever Liam asked, ‘Is it the parish priest or Pavarotti?’ end to this when he discovered that every looked back over his life, we would hear To have lived close to Fr Liam was a time she ate fresh cabbage she had pains these words almost as an antiphon, ‘But it privilege and a joy, for in him one met a in her stomach and thought it was the last was great.’ It reminds us of the final words man of gentle and practical service. The trumpet call. Like St Francis, Liam drew of St Clare of Assisi, ‘I thank you, Lord, for first time I met him in February 1971 I people to God not to himself. His friend- having created me.’ Indeed, Liam’s final found him lying under the bonnet of a car ship was sincere, authentic and life long. words were, ‘It was a great life, thank God. with a spanner in his hand. For 25 years Liam was the spiritual That can be my obituary when I kick the For us friars, we have a wonderful assistant of all the Poor Clare monasteries bucket.’ n

Apr/May 2020 23 Tom Russell OFM reflects on how small faith-filled steps can lead to unimagined harvest.

OF TINY ACORNS AND GIANT OAK TREES

once stood in the square in front of St he had many celebrations remembering night’s fishing. We hear Jesus asking Peter’s Basilica in Rome and watched the past and facing the future. Simon Peter if he might use his boat as a Isilently as Pope St John XXIII led a He put his thoughts together in a 2001 pulpit; sound carries well over water. procession of the world’s Catholic bishops document on the dawning of a new millen- We hear him finally say to Simon, ‘Put into the basilica to begin the Second nium, Novo Millenio Ineunte. ‘Now that the out your nets for a catch.’ Vatican Council (1962-1965). The date Jubilee Year (2000 AD) has ended, I feel We sense Simon’s hesitation. There was 10 October 1962. The Pope’s prayer more than ever duty bound to point to the are no fish out there as he and his men for a new Pentecost was being answered. Second Vatican Council as the great know well. ‘Won’t they all laugh at me if I The World Synod of Bishops met in grace bestowed on the Church in the 20th cast out the nets again?’ 1985 and said, ‘The purpose of the century. There we find a sure compass by However, he had just heard Jesus Second Vatican Council was to renew the which to take our bearings in the century speak and so he said, ‘At your word, Church in order to evangelise a radically now beginning.’ Lord, I will let out the nets.’ The boat was changed world.’ He had written an encyclical on soon sinking with the weight of fish! Think population explosion, the end- Church mission in 1991. In it he stated, In our lives too, we know what it is to ing of colonialism, the electronic explo- ‘We Christians are called to an apostolic sow and plant, to weed and water – all sion as TV developed, space travel, and courage based upon trust in the Holy part of a process leading to harvest days. more recently the internet, epidemics like Spirit. The Spirit is the protagonist or prin- As St Paul says, ‘God gives the Aids, the environmental scenario, social cipal agent of mission.’ increase.’ media… the bewildering list is endless in our new digital age. What Should We Do? An Example from the Pope John Paul was thinking of a pas- Early Church But Would the Task Be Easy? toral plan for a new era. He simply invited The followers of Jesus were first called Pope St John Paul II lived through most us to walk by the shore of Lake Galilee ‘Christians’ in the city of Antioch in Syria. of these developments and led the some lovely spring morning. Barnabas called Paul to help in his evan- Church through the Holy Door into our We watch as the tired and exhausted gelising work in that city. We read that present century. During that year of 2000, fishermen wash their nets after a barren one day during community prayer the

St Anthony Brief 24 Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart from me Barnabas and Paul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, after fasting and praying, the community laid their hands on them and sent them off. So began the great missionary jour- ney of Barnabas and Paul through Syria into modern Turkey and Greece. The his- tory of the Church is full of such small decisive steps opening out to huge hori- zons and unimagined harvests.

An Example from Our Times Sr Agnes, a Loreto sister, had been teaching for many years in India. She was travelling by train to begin her annual retreat in Darjeeling. The date was 10 September 1946. There in that very train, the not unexpected voice of Jesus came to her as an invitation to serve him in the Humble beginnings: distressing garb of the poor in Calcutta God will give the with people dying on the streets. She made the difficult decision to increase. leave her congregation and to begin the work. She would become Mother Teresa There will be always some for whom St John Paul reminds us, ‘We are called of Calcutta and found her Missionaries of the calling of the Holy Spirit means some to an apostolic courage based upon trust Charity who today work across the globe new walk, some risky first step, some in the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of as ‘drops of compassion in an ocean of new obedience, some new beginning to mission.’ n sorrow’ as she once said. do ‘something beautiful for God’, as St The tiny seed of 1946 has become a Mother Teresa put it. flourishing tree as acorns become great Some must cast out the net once oak trees. more and God will give the increase. As The pattern is clear enough – some normal life event, a stirring of energy, a whisper of the Holy Spirit, a response, then a quantum leap and a great harvest. Tús maith, leath na h-oibre (a good start is half the work).

Our Own Lives What then is the Holy Spirit saying to us today? To most of us, the invitation is to ‘let your light shine’ in your family, com- munity and country where we live.

The Lord’s invitation: Put out your nets.

Apr/May 2020 25 A Letter from ‘Prison’

Bahjat Elia Karakach OFM, Guardian of the friary in Damascus, writes from the ‘prison’ that is Syria.

Dear friends, I am writing to you from prison.

As I write, we are in the Lenten season which helps us to convert through turning our hearts toward the Lord. It is a time when we are called to be close to those who suffer, to the little ones with whom the Lord Jesus has identified. Prisoners are expressly mentioned in the parable of the final judgement in Matthew 25, ‘I was in prison and you visited me.’

Here in prison I am not alone, but I share this captivity with all my compatriots. We Syrians, in fact, have been living in a large prison since 2011, imposed by Western policies, by countries that claim the role of defenders of civil rights, but embargo an entire nation. And do you know why we are in this prison? Because we want to defend our beautiful country from terrorists who want to turn Syria into an obscurantist state.

Today, the mass media love to highlight the story of a girl who died of cold or a family forced to flee the bombings, but these same media do not tell you about the millions of Syrians who suffer from the cold due to a lack of diesel and who cannot always enjoy a hot dish due to lack of cooking gas. They don’t tell you about the students who can’t study after dark due to a power cut; they don’t tell you about the elderly abandoned because their children had to emigrate. They don’t tell you about the expensive living prices because the Syrian lira has plummeted further; they don’t tell you about the young soldiers who fight terrorism in sub-zero temperatures and they don’t know if they can do it; they don’t tell you about the sick who cannot have dignified care because ‘moderate’ terrorists have destroyed most of the hospitals and because the remaining hospitals can’t repair their machines because of the embargo. And surely, they won’t tell you about the bombings that killed a young university student two days ago in Damascus.

But the mass media will not even tell you about the joy of the people in Aleppo when the national army managed to free the western suburbs of the city, from which mortars rained down on civilians. They will never tell you about the joy of all Syrians in the reopening of the Damascus-Aleppo highway and the restarting of the Aleppo international airport which gave hope for a possible economic recovery. They will not tell you about the announcement of the repair of the railway route between the Syrian capital (Damascus) and the industrial capital (Aleppo) and the possibility of traveling by train after nine years of war.

So I tell you that we are in prison and our news, the real news, is scarcely widespread.

Sometimes, someone comes to visit us and makes us feel part of the world and gives us the hope of being able to return to being a ‘normal’ nation, not cut off from the world.

From this prison, we hear sad and worrying news of the Coronavirus which invades the world and especially our beloved Italy. We pray for you, and sometimes we say that this time it is an advantage to be in ‘prison’ because at least this cursed virus cannot easily penetrate the walls of our nation.

From the ‘prison’, we wish you all the best and a good Lenten journey. Do not be afraid; Jesus with his Cross has overcome suffering, sin and death.

Remember us in your Christian charity.

St Anthony Brief 26 The Church is Like a Bicycle Writing from Cuba, Gearóid Ó Conaire OFM recognises the truth of Pope Francis’ statement, ‘The Church is like a bicycle – it stays up as long as it keeps moving.’

ere, in Havana, the friars have The retreat took place in what is Some shared at the end about reali- undertaken some pastoral initia- known as the Hermitage of the Catalans. sations made during the time there, and HHtives in the parish of the Holy In fact, it’s a big church on a small prop- decisions to change some aspects of Cross of Jerusalem. Progress is slow, so erty where, over the years, many trees their timetables and behaviour over which we are very happy when we experience or were planted, and which today provides they had some control. Three of the notice small advances. shade and natural beauty for the weary group are in our adult religious education traveller. Apparently, the Catalans organ- class, preparing for one of the sacra- Parish Retreats ised societies for themselves wherever ments. Even though their experience of Last Advent, we organised a day’s parish they went, the first beginning in Cuba sev- Church and their knowledge of the reli- retreat with the participation of 50 people. eral centuries ago. The religious dimen- gious dimension of life is weak, they were It had been some time since the people sion was important for a long time, but the able to appreciate how helpful it is to step had had an opportunity to get away to last 60 years of a Communist regime has back from the everyday activities. pray. Just to give an idea, some of the sim- greatly undermined religious practice. The We have organised another retreat in ple logistics in other countries, such as church is available and still used by many the same place for 28 March. A Cuban finding transport, especially in more recent religious groups. Sister is going to accompany the people times with fuel shortages, can present during the day’s prayer. More about that challenges in Cuba. We had organised a Lifting Spirits in a future article. bus, but at the last minute the driver, after Most people don’t experience silence. So we contacted him, had already taken on for a mother of two young children, this The Right Moment another commitment! To be fair, he put us was the perfect answer to her deepest Another initiative – the work with the in contact with another driver, who doubled desire, to find time for herself. The group couples, some of whom have since been the price, but we had no choice but to go was mixed, but the majority were women married in the church, went well and with him. One wonders, was it a set-up? and the average age was in the 60s. It is was appreciated by them. However, our The retreat was a blessing in many incredible what a few hours can do to lift desire to meet again and organise a ways for the people. They got away for spirits and help people deal with their family pastoral group has not, to date, the day, they had time to meet and chat stress. Sometimes, we think in terms of a taken place. with one another and receive good input. few days or weeks, but I witnessed how a Several of the couples are still inter- And they prayed together and alone in a few hours can make, for people who nor- ested and, when the time is right, we peaceful and ecologically beautiful setting mally don’t get away, a big difference in believe that some will begin to meet and on the outskirts of the city. their lives. reflect together.

Apr/May 2020 27 Gearóid with the General Visitator to Cuba, Ignacio Ceja OFM, and some people from the parish.

Second Parish Mission by a group of our lay missionaries, along agreed to host a community prayer and The first disciples, according to Pope with a community prayer in eight houses, help co-ordinate the visits. We then invited Francis,‘were not a closed group of the we were able to establish one small basic members of our parish community to help elect, but a missionary Church.’ They Christian community. It has been meeting with the visits. boldly undertook new initiatives prompted once a week to pray and reflect on God’s by the Holy Spirit. As I write this article Word. No Comparisons approaching the second Sunday of Lent, Our Parish Council met a few weeks It’s not a good idea to make comparisons we have been engaged in another parish ago and decided to promote a series of between different missionary experiences. mission. Our first mission took place dur- activities in March, including another The mission in Cuba has been a magnifi- ing the national feast of Our Lady of parish mission. We focused in on three cent teacher in helping us to avoid this pit- Charity last September. As a result of that areas of the parish, two of which had been fall. Forget about numbers and results! mission, which included house visitations visited last September. Three families Work with those who volunteer, no matter how few. A small number of people volunteered for the parish mission. We met for a morn- ing’s prayer and orientation on how to conduct a visit to a family, as well as organise the logistics of the mission. The objective is to meet people, to lis- ten to them, to offer spiritual support, to inform them about the activities of the parish and to invite them to a community prayer in a designated house.

Mere Instruments We were reminded about what Pope Francis said about Christian mission. I don’t have the quote, but the general sense is the following: The missionary ini- tiative is led by the Holy Spirit; God is the protagonist and it is not our job to add numbers to the community of faith. It is God who calls and moves hearts and minds. We are mere instruments. In many ways this is a huge relief. We go out to meet people, led by God’s Spirit, not Gearóid with Br Fabio, neighbours and the young people from USA. knowing who we will encounter nor the

St Anthony Brief 28 particular situations of each individual. We leave whatever one defines as ‘results’ in God’s hands. Our mission began on 2 March and ended with a community Eucharist in our parish church on 8 March, six months to the day after the conclusion of our last mission. Everyone involved felt motivated, strengthened in their faith and more confi- dent in themselves.

Stunned by Response During the orientation, many expressed fears, especially of the unknown and of their own lack of knowledge on faith and theological issues. What is important is to set out and to be honest and sincere. If we don’t have an answer to a question, Friars Jesús (Mexico) and Fabio (Brazil) on the porch of a house we admit it and offer to try to clarify later. The majority were moved, some to tears, during the prayer mission. with what they heard on the journey. Many their petitions, leaving them at the feet of them had ever had this sort of experi- people shared their hurts and challenges Our Lady. All these petitions were then ence. As I said, one never knows who and the missionaries felt privileged to be brought to the Sunday Eucharist. will open the door or what situations able to listen. might emerge. We were stunned by the response with Students When I was visiting homes along so many coming along to the house We were joined on the mission by a group with two of the young Americans, we prayer meetings. The homes are small, of seven young North American students, met two families suffering the tragic loss but the numbers of people flowed out onto who happened to be visiting Cuba, led by of children; one child was burned alive porches and onto the street in all three a friar from the Holy Name Province, New and the other killed in a road accident. places. Our young adults provided the York. We had been asked to find some vol- During the conversations and especially musical animation for the celebrations, unteer projects for them during their visit. during the prayer with them, we became which included a scripture reflection and For three mornings we organised that aware of their loss. We don’t have intercessory time for the people to present four of them would paint some rooms of answers, but being able to pray and their petitions. the house of a struggling family in our offer condolences seemed to help them. Devotion to Our Lady is very strong in parish, while the other four came along They were very grateful for the visit. Cuba, even among the syncretic African with two of our friars on mission to visit We will certainly return to see how religions. So Our Lady of Charity had a other families. they are doing at a later date. place of prominence at the celebration. In Some of the students spoke Spanish [email protected] n fact, all day long people arrived at the but remained as observers. None of designated houses to pray and write up

A prayer meeting in a family home during the parish mission.

Apr/May 2020 29 MISSION DIGEST

SLOWLY BUT SURELY! Among the parishes in Harare in the care of the Franciscans are those in Glen Norah and Glen View. The present small churches cannot hold the thousands who attend the Sunday Masses so for several years these are celebrated outdoors. Slowly, over the past years, in a time of great economic hardship, the parishioners are building two large churches – St Patrick’s in Glen Norah and St Matthew’s in Glen View. They are justifiably proud as they see the buildings draw close to completion. n

St Anthony Brief 30 Franciscan Pilgrimage to

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