Saint John the Baptist

Witness to the Truth without Compromise

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There is no doubt that blessed John suffered imprisonment and chains as a witness to our Redeemer, whose forerunner he was, and gave his life for him.  His persecutor had demanded not that he should deny Christ, but only that he should keep silent about the truth.  Nevertheless, he died for Christ.  Does Christ not say:  I am the truth?  Therefore, because John shed his blood for the truth, he surely died for Christ.

     From a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable

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As an authentic prophet, John bore witness to the truth without compromise. He denounced transgressions of God's commandments, even when it was the powerful who were responsible for them. Thus, when he accused Herod and Herodias of adultery, he paid with his life, sealing with martyrdom his service to Christ who is Truth in person.

Let us invoke his intercession, together with that of Mary Most Holy, so that also in our day the Church will remain ever faithful to Christ and courageously witness to his truth and his love for all.

     His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

     Angelus, 24 June 2007

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20070624_en.html

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Before Pilate, Christ proclaims that he "has come into the world, to bear witness to the truth." (John 18:37) The Christian is not to "be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord." (2 Timothy 1:8)  In situations that require witness to the faith, the Christian must profess it without equivocation, after the example of St. Paul before his judges. We must keep "a clear conscience toward God and toward men." (Acts 24:16)

The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth or makes it known. (Cf. Matthew 18:16)

     Catechism of the Catholic Church,  2471, 2472

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8J.HTM

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Can we, like John the Baptist, bear witness to the Truth without compromise?  While we may hope to consistently answer “yes,” do we not sometimes imagine it is easier to keep silent while attempting to ignore the nagging of our conscience?  What truth is the Lord calling you to lovingly and courageously express? 

May we be open to the grace of the Holy Spirit in order to always be authentic witnesses to the Truth.

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Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mary Catherine “Mary Kay” Horsell, past NCCW President, and past WUCWO Board Member.

Please pray for all those suffering from the devastating effects of nature.



Queen of the World and of Peace

Artist Diane Andraska
artbydianeandraska@gmail.com

Observe how fitting it was that even before her assumption the name of Mary shone forth wondrously throughout the world.  Her fame spread everywhere even before she was raised above the heavens in her magnificence.  Because of the honor due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to heaven in glory.  It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of heaven in overwhelming blessedness.  Just as she was borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of the Lord, she was transported from earthly renown to heavenly brightness....

In her abundant goodness she has channeled the spring of reason’s garden, the well of living and life-giving waters that pour forth in a rushing stream from divine Lebanon and flow down from Mount Zion until they surround the shores of every far-flung nation.  With divine assistance she has redirected these waters and made them into streams of peace and pools of grace.  Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins was led forth by God and her Son, the King of kings, amid the company of exulting angels and rejoicing archangels, with the heavens ringing with praise, the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to the Lord:  At your right hand stands the queen, clothed in gold of Ophir.

From a homily by Saint Amadeus of Lausanne

…Make Christ, the Son of God, the centre of your life.  But let me also remind you that following Jesus in faith means walking at his side in the communion of the Church.  We cannot follow Jesus on our own.  Anyone who would be tempted to do so “on his own”, or to approach the life of faith with that kind of individualism so prevalent today, will risk never truly encountering Jesus, or will end up following a counterfeit Jesus.

Having faith means drawing support from the faith of your brothers and sisters, even as your own faith serves as a support for the faith of others.  I ask you, dear friends, to love the Church which brought you to birth in the faith, which helped you to grow in the knowledge of Christ and which led you to discover the beauty of his love.  Growing in friendship with Christ necessarily means recognizing the importance of joyful participation in the life of your parishes, communities and movements, as well as the celebration of Sunday Mass, frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation, and the cultivation of personal prayer and meditation on God’s word.

Friendship with Jesus will also lead you to bear witness to the faith wherever you are, even when it meets with rejection or indifference.  We cannot encounter Christ and not want to make him known to others.  So do not keep Christ to yourselves!  Share with others the joy of your faith.  The world needs the witness of your faith, it surely needs God….

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Homily, 21 August 2011

Final Mass of World Youth Day

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110821_xxvi-gmg-madrid_en.html

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
Liliane Stevenson, Secretary General; Karen M. Hurley, President General
Fotografia Felici

In November 2009, the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) President General and Secretary General were able to greet Pope Benedict XVI and present to him an image of WUCWO’s new Patroness, Mary, Queen of Peace, as well as copies of the prayer and hymn which were composed.  His Holiness seemed visibly touched by the image as he studied the various details and symbolism which were prayerfully incorporated by artist, Diane Andraska. 

Diane and I met at the 2008 National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) Convention held in Salt Lake City, Utah, shortly after the WUCWO Board chose as its Patroness, the Blessed Mother Mary, under her title, Queen of Peace.  I had previously seen and admired Diane’s work which she had donated to a silent auction.  It didn’t take long for us to realize that the Holy Spirit brought together two women from different parts of the USA to faithfully undertake a special project for the Universal Church. Diane allowed the Spirit to inspire the watercolor image which reveals Mother Mary embracing and offering a glimpse of her Son to the world.  The viewer experiences “streams of peace and pools of grace” which flow from “heavenly brightness”. 

Our faith brings us together, sometimes in unexpected ways, as sisters and brothers in Christ.  Guided by Mary, our Mother and Queen, we are led to share with others the joy of our faith, of all that the Lord has done for us.  May our words and actions always bear witness to Jesus, wherever we are in the world, even when our faithful witness meets with rejection or indifference.

L'Osservatore Romano

Diane Andraska; His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; Karen Hurley



Sing Her Litanies

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

                                                Luke 1: 46-49

… Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven, and with God and in God she is Queen of Heaven and earth. And is she really so remote from us?

The contrary is true. Precisely because she is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us.

While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is close to us, actually, "within" all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God. Being in God and with God, she is close to each one of us, knows our hearts, can hear our prayers, can help us with her motherly kindness and has been given to us, as the Lord said, precisely as a "mother" to whom we can turn at every moment.

She always listens to us, she is always close to us, and being Mother of the Son, participates in the power of the Son and in his goodness. We can always entrust the whole of our lives to this Mother, who is not far from any one of us.

On this feast day, let us thank the Lord for the gift of the Mother, and let us pray to Mary to help us find the right path every day. Amen.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Homily, 15 August 2005

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20050815_assunzione-maria_en.html

Reliving Mary

Because I want to see her again in you

I went into church one day
and with my heart full of trust, I asked:
"Why did you wish to remain on earth,
on every point of the earth,
in the most sweet Eucharist,
and you, you who are God,
have not found
also a way to bring here and to leave here
Mary, the mother of all of us who journey?"

In the silence he seemed to reply:
"I have not left her because I want to see her in you.
Even if you are not immaculate, my love will virginize you,
and you, all of you,
will open your arms and hearts as mothers of humanity,
which, as in times past, thirsts for God
and for his mother.
It is you who now must soothe pains,
soothe wounds, dry tears.
Sing her litanies
and strive to mirror yourself in them."

Chiara Lubich, Founder

Focolare Movement, “The Work of Mary”

http://www.focolare.org/en

http://www.focolare.us/us/home



Chiara Lubich, Founder - Focolare Movement



It was a brief encounter at the Congress of Laity held in Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000, but which has remained fresh in memory.  Surrounded by photographers with cameras flashing in her face, Chiara Lubich, gracefully approached the podium to speak to the historic gathering.  She exuded serenity and love, along with a confidence that comes from doing the will of God.  Her eyes were with alight with the Spirit:  they seemed to penetrate into my soul and reflected the Spirit which she saw within me.  A seed was planted which God would nurture over the next decade.

Maria Grazia Villani and Karen Hurley

Also at the Congress I met an Italian woman who was like my guardian angel, kindly watching over me and always eager to help me.  We would not meet again until several years later at the offices of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, where we embraced as long lost friends, under the patronage of Mary, Seat of Wisdom.  Maria Grazia helped me to “reconnect” with Chiara, and modeled the spirituality of “the Work of Mary” which I quickly came to recognize and appreciate in so many focolarini I have been blessed to meet and work with over the years:  in Rome, Jerusalem, Washington, and beyond. 



Maria Voce, President - Focolare Movement
Karen M. Hurley, President General - World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations



Maria “Emmaus” Voce, President of Focolare, welcomed me, as President of WUCWO, to Rocca di Papa, where we shared our hopes and efforts “that all may be one” (John 17:21).  With Grazia’s kind interpretation I was able to share my appreciation for the focolarini, beginning with Chiara, whose prayers and actions had assisted in my service to the Church and the world.

My experiences, in visits with members of the movement, always call to mind the peace, joy, and praise of God expressed in the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.  What a gift our Lord has given us in Mary!  How blessed are we to feel her closeness and motherly care!  May we always “sing her litanies” and strive to show her kindness to others.



At the tomb of Chiara Lubich
Rocca di Papa (Roma)



 

Look Into This Mirror

One of the best loved Saints is without a doubt Saint Clare of Assisi who lived in the 13th century and was a contemporary of St Francis. Her testimony shows us how indebted the Church is to courageous women, full of faith like her, who can give a crucial impetus to the Church's renewal.

Born in 1193, Clare belonged to a wealthy, aristocratic family. She renounced her noble status and wealth to live in humility and poverty, adopting the lifestyle that Francis of Assisi recommended.…  Especially at the beginning of her religious experience, Francis of Assisi was not only a teacher to Clare…but also a brotherly friend. The friendship between these two Saints is a very beautiful and important aspect. Indeed, when two pure souls on fire with the same love for God meet, they find in their friendship with each other a powerful incentive to advance on the path of perfection. Friendship is one of the noblest and loftiest human sentiments which divine Grace purifies and transfigures.

In the Convent of San Damiano, Clare practiced heroically the virtues that should distinguish every Christian: humility, a spirit of piety and penitence and charity. Although she was the superior, she wanted to serve the sick sisters herself and joyfully subjected herself to the most menial tasks… Her faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist was so great that twice a miracle happened. Simply by showing to them the Most Blessed Sacrament distanced the Saracen mercenaries, who were on the point of attacking the convent of San Damiano and pillaging the city of Assisi.

St Clare's spirituality, the synthesis of the holiness she proposed is summed up in the fourth letter she wrote to St Agnes of Prague…. She wrote: "Happy, indeed, is the one permitted to share in this sacred banquet so as to be joined with all the feelings of her heart (to Christ) whose beauty all the blessed hosts of the Heavens unceasingly admire, whose affection moves, whose contemplation invigorates, whose generosity fills, whose sweetness replenishes, whose remembrance pleasantly brings light, whose fragrance will revive the dead, and whose glorious vision will bless all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, because the vision of him is the splendour of everlasting glory, the radiance of everlasting light, and a mirror without tarnish. Look into this mirror every day, O Queen, spouse of Jesus Christ, and continually examine your face in it, so that in this way you may adorn yourself completely, inwardly and outwardly.... In this mirror shine blessed poverty, holy humility, and charity beyond words..." (Fourth Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague, FF, 2901-2903).

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience, 15 September 2010

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100915_en.html

Breakfast in the refectory of San Damiano after Mass
where we prayed in the choir stalls used by Saint Clare and the Sisters

During the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) Executive Committee Meeting held in Assisi in September 2004, graciously hosted by our Ecclesiastical Assistant, Fr. GianMaria Polidoro, OFM, the eight members walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare as we worked in this medieval mountaintop village.  Daily Masses included reflections on Franciscan spirituality as we united in prayer around altars in Chiesa Nuova, San Damiano, Santa Maria degli Angeli, and the Hermitage cave on Mount Subasio.

Sister Chiara Anastasia speaking to WUCWO Executive Committee

Poor Clare Sister Chiara Anastasia gave a beautiful biographical sketch of St. Clare of Assisi as we gathered within the cloistered Monastery of Santa Chiara.  She offered selected quotes from Clare’s writings to guide an exchange to assist us in allowing “the Gospel to have ever more room in our hearts, dreams, projects and decisions.”  Sister described Clare as “a woman of Spirit who has a very special knack for drawing out the Spirit potential in women from every part of the world, background and walk of life no matter what the issues they are called upon to address.”



Amelita Dayrit-Go, Vice President General; Gillian Badcock, Secretary General;
Stella Bellefroid, Treasurer General; Karen Hurley, Vice President for North America
in the piazza of the Church of Santa Chiara



Stella Bellefroid; Maria Eugenia Diaz de Pfennich, President General;
Gillian Badcock; Fr. GianMaria Polidoro, OFM, Ecclesiastical Assistant; Amelita Dayrit Go

Elisabeth Twissa, Vice President for Africa; Amelita, Maria Eugenia, and Fr. GianMaria

World and Church history from medieval times to the current day have been impacted by work and prayer taking place on the mountain and plain of Assisi.  How appropriate that WUCWO history would also be shaped on this peaceful, holy ground!

Saint Clare was a woman of prayer and of peace who lived each moment in union with God.  How does the light of her life inspire you to have the same strength of character and love of God and neighbor?  Has God given you a teacher or friend to help you “advance on the path of perfection”?  Does your love of God give a “powerful incentive” to another soul to look into the “mirror without tarnish”?

Sunset from the Piazza of the Church of Santa Chiara

 

It is Good That We are Here

Altar, Church of the Transfiguration
Mount Tabor

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”

Matthew 17: 1-5

The Gospel of the Transfiguration of the Lord puts before our eyes the glory of Christ, which anticipates the resurrection and announces the divinization of man. The Christian community becomes aware that Jesus leads it, like the Apostles Peter, James and John “up a high mountain by themselves” (Matthew 17: 1), to receive once again in Christ, as sons and daughters in the Son, the gift of the Grace of God: “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him” (Matthew 17: 5). It is the invitation to take a distance from the noisiness of everyday life in order to immerse oneself in God’s presence. He desires to hand down to us, each day, a Word that penetrates the depths of our spirit, where we discern good from evil (cf. Hebrews 4:12), reinforcing our will to follow the Lord.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Message for Lent 2011

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20101104_lent-2011_en.html

We, pilgrims on earth, are granted to rejoice in the company of the transfigured Lord when we immerse ourselves in the things of above through prayer and the celebration of the divine mysteries. But, like the disciples, we too must descend from Tabor into daily life where human events challenge our faith. On the mountain we saw; on the paths of life we are asked tirelessly to proclaim the Gospel which illuminates the steps of believers.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord
6 August 1999

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1999/august/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19990806_trasfigurazione-signore_en.html

Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor is the traditional location of the Transfiguration of our Lord.  It is the highest mountain in lower Galilee, rising more than 1,800 feet above the surrounding plain.  While the heartiest of pilgrims walk from a Bedouin village to the summit, most of us have made the journey riding in the comfort of a van.  Our driver, Hagop (“Jack”), once counted twenty-six (26) switchbacks on the narrow road.  The hairpin turns, though navigated slowly, cause various reactions from passengers, including:  spontaneous prayers for safety; gasps of panic from overlooking the sheer edge; groaning in fear of heights (before closing one’s eyes); as well as awe and amazement at the beautiful view.  The panorama is magnificent on a sunny, clear day as well as on a windy day when thunder, lightning and big, fat raindrops fall from the sky.  It quickly becomes apparent:  Jesus did not lead Peter, James and John on a relaxing stroll, but rather, He led them traversing a rock-strewn, steep mountain.

We can only imagine what the disciples were thinking or saying on their journey with Jesus up the high mountain.  Perhaps, “Are we there yet?!”  Jesus leads us in ways that are sometimes unexpected, challenging, and even painful.   When we follow and listen to God’s beloved Son, we are transformed by the gift of His peace.

It is not easy going up nor coming down from a mountaintop experience with the Lord. However, Jesus gives us the necessary graces for the plain of our daily lives so that we may be faithful witnesses.  “Lord, it is good that we are here.” 



Approaching the Church of the Transfiguration
Mount Tabor





Panoramic Views from Mount Tabor



Is the Lord calling you to Galilee?

Please prayerfully consider joining me on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in March 2012. 

For the pilgrimage brochure please visit:  http://db.tt/XrBlFtz