THE CATHOLIC Our Lady of Mercy plans for the future PAGE 3 September 4,ommentator 2015 Vol. 53, No. 15 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE SINCE 1963 thecatholiccommentator.org C MYSTERY OF THE EUCHARIST Some doubt realism of bread and wine By Debbie Shelley The Catholic Commentator (First in a series) Fewer than two-thirds of people who identify them- selves as Catholic believe that the bread and wine used for Communion really become the body and blood of Jesus Christ, according to a survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). Impossible! It’s one of the central dogmas the church teaches, some believe. But according to CARA senior research associ- ates, it’s because many are unaware that this is what the Catholic Church teaches. CARA’s research shows that only 46 percent of self-identified Catholics are aware of what the church teaches about the real presence and agree with that teaching. An additional 17 percent agree, but do not know this is what the church teaches. A third do not agree with the teaching, but are unaware of the teaching. Only four percent of Catholics know what the church teaches about the real presence and do not believe it. The research indicates a problem in understand- Through transubstantiation, the bread and wine used during the Mass becomes the body and blood of Christ. ing the Eucharist is the declining number of Catho- Although fewer than two-thirds of individuals who identify themselves as Catholics believe the bread and wine lics receiving religious education. really become Christ’s body and blood, clergy members explain Jesus is indeed present in the Eucharist. Photo by SEE EUCHARIST PAGE 19 Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator SCOUTS AWARDED – Sev- eral hundred Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub St. Maria Goretti to visit OLOM Scouts and their families By Debbie Shelley gathered for the annual The Catholic Commentator Scouting Religious Award Ceremony on Aug. 23 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge is Our Lady of Mercy Church one of the scheduled visits for the body of St. Ma- in Baton Rouge. For the ria Goretti during an upcoming tour of the United story, as well as pictures States, according to pastor Father Cleo Milano. and a complete list of In honor of the upcoming Year of Mercy, the Vati- award winners, please can has released the body, the major relics, of St. turn to pages 10-11. Photo Maria Goretti for her first U.S. tour. by Jessica Brouillette | The Catholic A solemn Mass in honor of St. Maria Goretti will Commentator be celebrated at noon on Saturday, Oct. 31. A public veneration will follow until 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, All Saints Day. A Mass honoring St. Maria will be celebrated at 3 p.m. that day. St. Maria Goretti, Italian virgin-martyr and pa- tron saint of mercy, is one of the youngest canonized saints of the church. She died July 6, 1902 at the age SEE VISIT PAGE 20 2 The Catholic Commentator The LIGHTER SIDE of FAI t H September 4, 2015 | TREASURES FROM THE DIOCESE | DID YOU KNOW Eucharistic Miracle At times, we all need a hand-delivered message from God regarding matters of faith. Consider the case of a Basil- ian hieromonk around the year 700 in the city of Lanciano, It- aly. According to legend, the priest was having doubts about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He would always pray the words of consecration at Mass, albeit with skepticism in his heart. However, while celebrating Mass in St. the back. It is the size of a large host, con- Legontian Church, when the priest said, sistent with those used today in the Latin “This is my body,” and “This is my blood,” church. he reportedly saw the bread change into The blood is an earthy color and con- the living flesh and the wine change into sists of five coagulated globules, in vary- UNDER FIRE – During the bombardment of Baton Rouge on May 28, 1862, which was blood. ing shapes and sizes. The number of glob- sparked when a local resident killed a federal officer on a small boat, St. Joseph Cathe- Those fortunate enough to be in the ules is alleged to parallel the number of dral, then St. Joseph Church, came under fire. A cannonball (fragments are shown congregation immediately spread word of wounds Christ suffered on the cross. above) struck the church, which caused damage to the roof, vault and part of the wall of the miracle, prompting an investigation Those elements can still be seen today, the sanctuary. The carnage included damage to the altar, candlesticks, vases and other from the archbishop. At least five inde- kept in the Valsecca Chapel in Lanciano. assorted items. Originally, the damage was estimated from $1,500 to $2,000 although pendent investigations have been con- The Basilian monks kept them until 1175, later it increased to $5,000. The church was a common gathering place on Sunday for ducted since, the most being in 1981, and until they were succeeded in Lanciano by soldiers. Construction of the church, which is the oldest place of worship in Baton all have concluded the flesh was human the Benedictine monks in 1176. Although Rouge, had been completed in 1856, and the parish still owed a large debt at the time tissue and the blood was type AB, match- remaining within the Church of St. Fran- of the shelling. During this time, pastor Father Frederick Larnaudie SJ was arrested for ing the blood type found on the shroud of cis, the elements were moved to several spying and brought to New Orleans, where he was imprisoned for several days until Turin. different locations within the church. Archbishop Jean-Marie Odin, the second archbishop for the Archdiocese of New Orle- The flesh is light brown in color and They were moved to the Valsecca ans, secured his release. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator turns into a rose hue when lighted from Chapel in 1636. so I can eat! etched in my memory. As one who enjoys plays and con- Tell us something others may not Qcerts, what has been your favorite Qknow about you. performance? … with FATHER MICHAEL ALELLO, pas- I played in the Golden Band from tor, St. Philomena Church in Labadieville Several years ago, I went to Tan- ATigerland ... for 3 days. I don’t have Aglewood, the summer home of the many regrets in life, but walking away You recently ran in the Boston Mar- Boston Symphony. We couldn’t stay for from Tiger Band during band camp is Qathon. What was one of the most the evening concert, but they allowed definitely at the top of the list. I played the memorable experiences of your race? guests to listen to the morning rehears- trombone from middle school through al and enjoy the grounds. I was able to high school. I loved band. I’m a band nerd The 2015 Boston Marathon will watch Josh Groban, long before he was but wasn’t ready to commit all my time to Abe remembered for the challeng- famous, along with YoYo Ma and John Tiger Band during my freshman year, al- ing conditions runners faced. The course Williams. I will forever remember the though I wonder if the extra time allowed is known for its daunting hills, but add great composer Williams, reviewing the me to hear God’s invitation to the priest- a strong headwind, rain and colder than score for the evenings selections with hood. I still play my trombone from time expected temps, and it made for a mem- YoYo Ma. I wish I could have captured to time, and music remains an important orable day. I was mentally beat before Everyone experiences temptation! that moment on film; it remains forever part of my spirituality. I began and quickly found my way to a AT he temptation to skip Mass or large puddle within the first mile, soak- slack on your prayer is easily related to ing anything that was still dry. Even amid the temptation to eat those homemade those conditions, volunteers and specta- turtles, which you may send to our church tors lined the entire 26.2-mile course. I’ll post office box! We know what’s best for thecatholiccommentator.org | Facebook.com/TheCatholicCommentator never forget seeing my family, friends and us, but staying focused and committed parishioners shortly after mile 17! They comes from discipline, community sup- Bishop Robert W. Muench Publisher Wanda L. Koch Advertising Manager had to endure the conditions all day just port and a constant re-commitment to Father Tom Ranzino Assistant Publisher Penny G. Saia Production Manager so that could see me for a split second, get God. We honor God when we care for Richard Meek Editor Lisa Disney Secretary/Circulation a wet hug and watch me run off to the fin- both spirit and body. Debbie Shelley Assistant Editor Rachele Smith Staff Writer ish line. The Catholic Commentator (ISSN 07460511; USPS 093-680) As one who loves to cook, what is Published bi-weekly (every other week) by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge,1800 South Acadian Related to your running, you like Qyour favorite dish? Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; 225-387-0983 or 225-387-0561. Periodical Postage Paid at Baton Qto teach about living healthy phys- Rouge, LA. Copy must reach the above address by Wednesday for use in the next week’s paper. Sub- ically and spiritually.