33. BITESIZE CATECHISM: OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA & THE USE OF SACRAMENTALS

APPETIZER: Holy Mother Church has instituted sacramentals which are sacred signs that bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them people are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy. Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from the Paschal mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. From this source all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power. There is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of human beings and the praise of God. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in various forms of piety surrounding the Church's sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, the rosary, medals, icons, etc. (CCC #1667, #1670, #1674)

MAIN COURSE:  Our Saint of the Week is the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland, whose feast day is August 26. I have chosen this topic and this feast because it stands out strongly for two things that are very "Catholic": the use of sacramentals and a relationship with Mary as Mother and Protectress.  

First let's take a look at the story of this holy icon and then we will study what we Catholic believe about sacramentals. Even for those who are not Polish-Americans, the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is a powerful reminder of our spiritual mother's protection and care.  Pope St. John Paul II was a HUGE proponent of this icon and devotion in modern Catholicism. It held a deeply special place in his heart and spirituality.

This sacred icon is a very famous painting of the Blessed Virgin holding the Child Jesus and is among the most ancient images of the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus in Christianity. Under this title, Mary is the Patron and Protector of Poland. Since the face of Mary is very dark, she is often referred to as the Black Madonna of Poland. This darkening of the image comes from centuries of soot and smoke from candles illuminating the icon. The picture follows the traditional form of an icon. Mary gestures toward Jesus, directing the attention away from her and pointing to Jesus as the source of salvation.  This is and continues to be Mary's mission: to present Jesus to the world. The Child Jesus extends his right hand in blessing to the viewer of the painting.  He holds a Book of the Gospels in his left hand reminding us that He is the Incarnate Word of the Father who came to speak the Word of God to us.

The painting of the Madonna has a long history.  Saint Helen the Empress found this painting when she went to Jerusalem in the 4th century in search of the true Cross of Christ. She gave the painting to her son, the Emperor Constantine. When the city of Constantinople was invaded by enemies the people prayed to Mary before this icon and the city was saved. This began the great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary attached to this painting.  In 1382, Prince Ladislaus of Poland sought to protect the holy image from invading barbarians. On his journey to his hometown where he planned to hide the icon, he stopped and spent the night at village called Czestochowa. The next day, as he began to continue the journey, the horses pulling the wagon with the painting of Our Lady refused to move. After repeatedly unsuccessful attempts to force the animals forward, Prince Ladislaus took this as a sign that the painting was to remain in Czestochowa. The icon was placed in the care of the Order of the Hermits of Saint Paul at their monastery called the Mount of Light, or in Polish, Jasna Gora. The icon of the Black Madonna, Our Lady of Czestochowa, has remained there to this day.

The sacred icon was again in danger and damaged in 1430 when a band of marauding invaders looted the monastery. Twice the painting was struck with a sword repeatedly in order to extract the gold and jewels that adorned it.  Despite trying to repair the painting afterwards, the sword cuts and the arrow wound are still visible in the painting today.  Look at you will see the scars on Mary's face and neck, giving this icon one of its most distinctive characteristics. But these "wounds" also brought a sense of solidarity with Our Lady among the people because they saw in these markings a symbolism of the desire of Mary to suffer with them and protect them. 

Through this connection the hearts of the Polish people grew stronger in their attachment to and love for the Beloved Mother.  They refurbished the icon with jewels as a signs of their love and adorned both Jesus and Mary with crowns, officially declaring the the Blessed Virgin to be the one only Queen of Poland. God seems to have blessed this devotion as is evidenced by the many conversions,  healings and miracles that have been attributed to prayers to Our Lady of Czestochowa over the years.

The icon and devotion was hugely inspirational in the Poland's successful fight for freedom from the USSR in the late 20th century. The shrine of Czestochowa was a gathering place for the Solidarity movement and the icon became both a spiritual and a political symbol igniting and uniting the people in their struggle for civil and religious rights.  What is so beautiful about the Icon of Czestochowa is that it shows all of us Catholic people, no matter what our ethnicity, the purpose and power of the sacramentals of the Church to enable us to live as Christians committed to peace and justice. And that leads us perfectly into this week's Bitesize study.

As we read in the Appetizer, sacramentals are tangible actions and items that the Church approves and blesses to aid us in our spirituality and in living the Gospel as Christians in the world.  They have a name that is very similar to Sacraments, but they do not possess the supernatural grace and power of the sacraments. Instead, they nurture us spiritually to more faithfully and effectively receive the sacraments. The sacramentals DO bring us the grace and power of God but they do so because of the prayers and blessings of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, and not becaus eo anything they possess in and of themselves.

A very important thing to remember when using sacramentals is that they are not protection-charms or magic amulets. This may sound funny to you, but many Catholics I have encountered tend to have this rather superstitious attitude. For example, I was once asked by a non-practicing Catholic who had not been to Mass or Confession for years, if I had a brown scapular he could wear for an upcoming airplane flight. I asked why he wanted it (though I knew the answer). "Because people who die wearing the brown scapular go to heaven!" Obviously, he had heard that said when he was a kid but sadly no one had put it into proper context for him. He had no clue that the scapular was simply a blessed sign of our relationship with Christ through Mary and that it has no supernatural power of its own accord! But I was glad to see that he at least still had some level of connection with God and heaven!

I love sacramentals and make good use of them myself.  Icons, statues, rosaries, medals all have a prominent but proper place in my home, in my life,  and in my spirituality. And as a deacon one of the things I love best is blessing people and the religious items they bring for a blessing.  I just hope and pray that all who use them will grow in their relationship with God, draw closer to Christ, live the Gospel more wholeheartedly, receive the Sacraments more frequently, and serve others more generously.  This is, after all, the ver reason and purpose why they have been given to us by the Church.

DOGGIE-BAG: Something to take with you for spiritual snacking...

From our Catholic Tradition:  Here is a short explanation of some of our more popular sacramentals.  It is nearly impossible to list all of them, but suffice it to say that a sacramental is ANY item or action of devotion that receives the official blessing of the Church through her ministers (bishops, priests or deacons).  

Rosary/Prayer Beads. The rosary has roots in several early Christian prayer traditions. They share similar formats to the rosary with repetitive structures and prayers.  3rd century Christian hermits and monks in Egypt used stones and later prayer ropes to keep track when praying the 150 Psalm or when reciting  the "Jesus Prayer” (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”)  The Our Father was also prayed 150 times, using a string of beads with five decades referred to as a Paternoster (Latin for “Our Father”).   The full rosary has 20 decades (a decade is groups of 10 beads or knots) but much more common is a rosary of 5 decades or even those which have just 1 decade.  The heart of the rosary though is not in the reciting of memorized repeated prayers but in reflection on the Mysteries (events) from the life of Jesus and to a lesser extent of Mary.  In addition to the Marian Rosary which most Catholics know about, there are many other devotions that make use of prayer-beads (such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy).

Miraculous Medal. The Blessed Virgin herself designed the Medal of the Immaculate Conception—popularly known as the Miraculous Medal - because of the many conversions and healings associated with its proper devout use. It was given to the Church by Our Lady in her Church investigated and approved apparitions to St. Catherine Laboure in Paris in 1830.  Mary said that extraordinary graces wpould be poured out upon those who wear it and pray for Mary's intercession with trust.

Brown Scapular/Scapular Medal. This scapular consists of two pieces of brown cloth of any material that is worn over the shoulders with one piece on the chest and the other on the back (thus its name of scapular, coming from the shoulder blades which are anatomically called "scapulas").  It is a miniature version of the full length scapular garment worn by friars and nuns of the Carmelite Order. According to the Church, wearing the scapular the Brown Scapular is an external sign of the childlike relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and those who entrusts themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession, and who devote themselves to a life of regular prayer.  If a person so wishes a Scapular Medal may be worn in place of the cloth scapular.  Such a medal has an image of Jesus with his Sacred Heart on one side and an image of Our Lady on the other side and is specially blessed to replace the cloth scapular.

Holy Water.  Water that has been specially blessed by a bishop. priest or deacon for use by making a sign of the cross when entering a church reflects a renewal of baptism, a cleansing of venial sin, and for protection against evil. Its primary connection is with Baptism and  thus the sprinkling of holy water is common in rituals for many of the sacraments and prayer services.  It is a good custom for families to have a holy water font (container) in their home so that the members can make use of it for prayer and asking God;s blessing when leaving the home.

St. Benedict Cross-Medal. For the early Christians, the cross was a favorite symbol of their faith in Christ. From the writings of St. Gregory the Great (540-604), we know that St. Benedict had a deep faith in the Cross and worked miracles with the Sign of the Cross. This faith in, and special devotion to, the Cross was passed on to succeeding generations of Benedictines.  This gave rise to the making of medals that bore the image of St. Benedict holding a cross aloft in his right hand and his Rule of Life in the other hand. Thus, the Cross has always been closely associated with the Medal of St. Benedict, which is often referred to as the Medal-Cross of St. Benedict. It is one of the few sacramentals that has a very special blessing that can be given by any bishop, priest or deacon.  It has come to be properly used as a means for combatting evil, overcoming temptations and healing the sick through the Cross of Christ and the intercession of St. Benedict.

Scripture Verse to Memorize: "People would take handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul’s skin to those who were sick. Their sicknesses would be cured, and evil spirits would leave them." (Acts 19:12. This verse shows us that the sacramentals we call relics - which are items touched to the body of a saint - were used even in New Testament times.)

32. BITESIZE CATECHISM: ST. POPE PIUS X & CHRISTIAN POLITICAL ACTION

APPETIZER:  In keeping with the social nature of human beings, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good. By common good is to be understood as social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily. The common good concerns the life of all. persons (unborn and born).  It consists of three essential elements:  First, the common good presupposes respect for the human person. Public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person, their exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, to safeguard privacy, and give rightful freedom also in matters of religion.  Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health,work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on. Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defense. The common good is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love. (See CCC #1905-1912)

MAIN COURSE:  Joseph Sarto was born in Riese, Italy on June 2, 1835, the second of 10 children in a poor working-class family. Though poor, his parents valued education. Joseph walked 4 miles to school each day as well as studied Latin with the village priest in preparation for seminary studies. He was ordained a priest in 1858; then a bishop in 1879 and then the Cardinal Archbishop of Venice in 1893. On August 4, 1903, he was elected pope after much political controversy and several voting sessions.

Ever mindful of his humble origin, the new Pope, who took the name of Pius X stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp and extravagance of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by guards like Jesus when he was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane.”

In many ways, Pius X was a forerunner of a poorer and simpler papacy 100 years before Pope Francis began this reform. His humble origins became clear right after his election, when he wore a pectoral cross made of gold-finished metal instead of real gold. He was well known for cutting down on papal ceremonies. He also abolished the custom of the pope dining alone and invited his friends to eat with him. His mother was a good influence in this regard of keeping her son, Joseph, humbly mindful of his roots. It is said that when he became pope and extended his hand to her for her to kiss his papal ring (as was the custom at the time) she responded by extending her hand with her wedding ring on it saying, “If I did not have this ring, you would not have yours!” No word on if she ever did kiss her son’s ring!

On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it and it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor spiritual children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks later, on August 20, 1914.  his liturgical feast day is celebrated on August 21.

He did so much for the life of the average everyday Catholic that he has become known as a "pope of the people". He promoted daily Holy Communion and lowered the age of First Communion to 6 or 7 years; he encouraged singing at Mass and asked parishioners to become more informed about the Liturgy; he supported the CCD religious ed programs and asked every parish in the world to have classes. 

But what I really want to focus on in our Bitesize Catechism this week is his insistence that Catholics become active participants in the political-social life of their nations and communities. 

Pope St. Pius X encouraged Catholics to become more politically savvy and involved.  He taught that we can best renew society and restore all things in Christ, by firmly grounding our political policies and exercising our voting rights in the light of the Gospel.  An important test that a Catholic can give themselves regarding his or her priorities between religion and politics is this: If a political platform conflicts with the teaching of Christ, do I stick with Christ or do I stick with my political party/policies?  If I choose politics over Jesus then I need to re-examine my faith-commitment and honestly ask myself if I am a disciple of Christ or not. 

DOGGIE-BAG: A little something to take away with you for spiritual snacking...

Prayer in Election Year

Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our nation and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom. We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW REGARDING FAITH & POLITICS...

4 Basic Principles for Catholic Political Action:

1. Have a well-formed Conscience, which we attain by reading, knowing the teachings of Christ and making decisions in the light of prayer.

2. Exercise the virtue of Prudence, which means choosing the best workable option among several choices.

3. Make Choices that Do Good and Avoid Evil - we keep in mind that the end result never justifies the means of getting there.

4. Make Positive Moral Choices - our decisions must reflect the truth that god reveals to us in Christ.  Religion is not just something for Sundays. For it to be a Faith that saves us it must have guide our social and political choices as well as our personal spiritual ones.

4 Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching:

1. The Dignity  and Life of the Human Person, from womb to tomb. Our political choices must promote and defend life from conception through natural death.

2. Subsidiarity which means that our politics and government should carry out most of its responsibilities at the most local level possible. In other words, it does not support "Big Government".

3. The Common Good - see the explanation for this in the Appetizer above.

4. Solidarity which means we stick together and help one another as brothers and sisters in the human family, with no room for discrimination or exclusion based on race, creed, economics, etc.

The U.S. Bishops also have produced a list of non-negotiable issues for Catholics:

• Standing up for Human life in all its stages and defending it against all attacks
• Promoting Peace, Law, Order and Justice
• Upholding the Dignity and Rights of Traditional Marriage and Family Life
• Safe-guarding Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience 
• Having a Preferential Option for the Poor and Seeking Economic Justice
• Understanding that Health Care and Education as basic human rights
• Balancing the two sides of Migration - the right for people to migrate and the right for host-nations to regulate this migration with mercy and in justice
• Caring for the Environment in a manner that respects human life and the common good
• Demanding Truth in Communications and Media

You can read more to inform yourself about faith and politics in this Election Year by going to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops where you will find a plethora of materials and articles: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/church-teaching

31. BITESIZE CATECHISM: ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE & CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

APPETIZER: By her complete adherence to the Father's will, to his Son's redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model of faith and charity.  In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.  This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.  Mary's function as mother in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it. (CCC #967-970)

MAIN COURSE: Every saint has had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother because this has been a part of Christian spirituality from the beginning.  But some stand out among others as special teachers of what true or authentic devotion to Mary means, what it "looks like" in every day flesh and bone living. St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of these saints.  There are so many outstanding events in his life that one could focus on, but none of them would have become what they were without his foundational relationship with Jesus that was nourished by his outstanding devotion to Mary.

St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894. When he was about ten years old, the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to him and offered him two symbolic crowns: the white crown of chastity and the red crown of martyrdom. He chose them both. Maximilian entered the Conventual Franciscan Order at the age of sixteen. He was sent to the Franciscan's International College in Rome for his philosophical and theological studies leading up to ordination as a priest.

On October 16, 1917, while still a student in Rome, Maximilian founded the Militia Immaculatae (MI) movement. Its purpose was to bring about the Lordship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in every human heart by encouraging each and every person to make a total gift of themselves to Jesus through Mary. He was ordained a priest in 1918 and returned to Poland in 1919, where he immediately began spreading the MI Catholic Evangelization and in January of 1922, began publishing the monthly magazine, Knight of the Immaculata.

In 1927 Fr. Maximilian founded a monastery near Warsaw call Niepokalanow, which means the “City of Mary Immaculate.” Kolbe’s holiness, zeal and spirituality were so attractive that this monastery became the largest Franciscan monastery in the world with over 650 members in just twelve years.   Fr. Kolbe and the friars utilized the most modern printing equipment, radio media and administrative techniques available, enabling the Knight magazine to reach an incredible monthly circulation of one million and a daily newspaper to reach 230,000. He became one of the most well known and influential priests in all of Poland, something that would eventually set him apart as a "marked man" when the Nazi invaded Poland.  But I am running ahead of the story...

In 1930, Father Maximilian took four brothers to Japan and founded another City of Mary Immaculate in Nagasaki. Future plans called for a City in every nation with the Knight magazine published in every language. All forms of communication media, including radio, movies and even television, were to be used without limit for the work of evangelization, of bring all people to Jesus through Mary. He returned to Poland in 1936, for treatment of advanced tuberculosis, and soon thereafter, the Nazis overran the country in 1939, they eventually imprisoned Fr. Kolbe in the Auschwitz death camp. 

In August of 1941, a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz and in retaliation, 10 of his fellow inmates were selected for death by starvation.  When one of the condemned men fell to his knees crying for his wife and children, Fr. Kolbe stepped forward and volunteered to take the man's place. The offer was accepted. St. Maximilian saw this as a double opportunity: to offer his life for another and to accompany the other 9 men to their deaths and provide them with the consolation of Christ and their Faith.  When I was a student at USF, I had the opportunity to meet this man for whom St. Maximilian died and to hear the story from his own lips.

Fr. Maximilian Kolbe was among the last the die in the starvation bunker two weeks later on August 14, the vigil of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven. Pope St. Paul VI beatified Maximilian in 1971 and in 1982, Pope St. John Paul II canonized him as a “martyr of charity,”  calling him “patron of our difficult century.” 

The MI Movement which he founded still exists today and can be found all around the world, teaching others to grow in their relationship with Jesus by the help of Mary's example and prayers. This is what made St. Maximilian the man, hero, martyr and saint that he came to be.  This spirituality of "To Jesus through Mary" is sometimes misunderstood as putting the focus on Our Lady instead of on her Son. But this is not true. It is a spirituality that applies St. Paul's Biblical advice where he said: "The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had..." (Phil 2:5)  So, we must ask ourselves "What attitude did Jesus have towards Mary his mother?"

I think that is quite easy to answer! As God Jesus chose the woman who was to become his mother.   He prepared her for this relationship by means of her Immaculate Conception which made her full of grace and properly fit to form and teach him in his humanity. He obeyed, loved and honored her as a devout Jewish son and pointed to her as an example of Christian discipleship. At the end of his life Jesus gave Mary as mother to all his disciples, who were represented by the apostle St. John as he stood with the Blessed Virgin at the foot of the Cross. St. John himself tells us about this beautiful and touching scene in his Gospel: "Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.”Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home." (John 19:25-27)

So the devotion that we call "to Jesus through Mary" simply means that we follow Jesus' example and intentionally welcome Mary as mother, teacher and helper in our lives.  It means that we follow St. John's example and take Mary into  our homes, which means, into our lives, into our hearts. This spirituality has been the fuel for many saints, such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, and Pope John Paul II.  It is what gave them the grace to do the awesome things they have done for God and the world.  It is what enabled St. Maximilian Kolbe to become so much like Jesus that he offered his life on behalf of another. 

St. Maximilian's feast day is August 14. How fitting it is that this spiritual on of our Blessed Mother should have made the gift of his life out of love for another on the Vigil of Mary's Assumption!

DOGGIE-BAG: A little something for spiritual snacking during the day...

Quotes to ponder from St. Maximilian Kolbe...

“Modern times are dominated by Satan and will be more so in the future. The conflict with hell cannot be engaged by humans, even the most clever. Mary Immaculate has from God the promise of victory over Satan (see Genesis 3:15). However, assumed into Heaven, the Mother of God now requires our cooperation. She seeks souls who will consecrate themselves entirely to her, who will become in her hands effective instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spreading of God's kingdom upon earth.” 

“Let us give ourselves to Mary Immaculate. Let her prepare us to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. This is the manner most perfect and pleasing to the Lord Jesus and brings great fruit to us. Because she knows how to unite ourselves totally with the heart of the Lord Jesus... We do not limit ourselves in love. We want to love the Lord Jesus with her heart, or rather that she would love the Lord with our heart.” 

St. Maximilian's Prayer of Consecration to Jesus through Mary

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. 

I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.

If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world. ” 

Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin

R. Give me strength against your enemies

30. BITESIZE CATECHISM: ST. LAWRENCE OF ROME & THE VOCATION OF A DEACON

APPETIZER: Deacons share in Christ's mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all. Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity.  Since the Second Vatican Council the Roman Catholic Church has restored the diaconate "as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy." This permanent diaconate, which can be conferred on married men, constitutes an important enrichment for the Church's mission. (CCC#1570-1571)

MAIN COURSE:  As a Roman Catholic deacon myself,  there is NO WAY I could ignore the selection of St. Lawrence as our Saint of the Week (even if a bit early).  Nor can I ignore choosing for our Bitse-size Catechism lesson a look at the Church's teaching on the vocation and identity of the deacon.  

According to these tradition. Lawrence was born in Spain on Dec, 31, 225. He eventually ended up in Rome where he was ordained a permanent deacon, and assistant to Pope St. Sixtus in the middle of the 3rd century. In 258AD the Roman Emperor, Valerian, began a fierce persecution against the Church focusing on its ministers and ordered the arrest bishops, priests and deacons.

Pope Sixtus was taken into custody. When he was being led to execution, his deacon Lawrence followed him weeping, and said to him, “Father, where are you going without your deacon?”  The pope answered, “I do not leave you, my son.  You shall follow me in three days.”  Lawrence was filled with joy, hearing that he should be so soon called to God; he set out immediately to seek all the poor, widows and orphans, and gave among them the money which he had in his hands; he even sold sacred vessels to increase the sum.

Emperor Valerian had heard of alleged riches of the Church. He sent for St. Lawrence, and said to him, “You Christians often complain that we treat you with cruelty, but no tortures are here thought of; I only inquire mildly after what concerns you.  I am informed that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, and that in your sacrifices you have golden candlesticks.  Bring out these treasures; the emperor has need of them for the maintenance of his forces.”

St. Lawrence replied, without showing any concern, “The Church is indeed rich.  I will show you our valuables but allow me a little time to set everything in order.”  Then Lawrence went all over Rome and gathered the poor who were supported by the Church.  On the third day he gathered a large number of them, and placed them in rows, the decrepit, the blind, the lame, the maimed, the lepers, orphans, and widows.  Then he went to the emperor and invited him to come and see the treasure of the Church.When he saw all of this, he asked Lawrence what all this meant, and where the treasures were which he had promised to show him.  Lawrence replied, “What are you displeased at?  These poor and needy are the treasure of the Church.”

The Prefect’s anger was doubled, and a rage he shouted, “You mock me!  The ensigns of the Roman power, are not to be insulted!  I know you desire to die, but you will not die immediately, but by inches!”  Then he had a gridiron made ready, and glowing coals put under it, that the martyr might be slowly burned.  Lawrence was stripped and bound upon this iron bed over the slow fire, which roasted his flesh by little and little.  His face appeared to the Christians to be surrounded with a beautiful light, and his suffering body to give off a sweet smell.  Having suffered a long time, he turned to the judge and said with a cheerful smile, “Let my body be turned; one side is broiled enough.”  When the executioner had turned him he said,  “It is cooked enough, you may eat.”  Then having prayed for the conversion of the city of Rome that the faith of Christ might spread there and throughout the world, St. Lawrence gave up the spirit.

St. Lawrence is one of the most important saints of the Roman branch of the Catholic Church.  He is mentioned by name at even Holy Mass when Eucharistic Prayer I is chosen. He has one of the major basilicas in Rome dedicated to his honor (The Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls) and I was so blessed to make a pilgrimage there and prayed before his tomb when I first started on on my own journey to the diaconate. His feast day of August 10 is one of the few to be have been consistently celebrated in our liturgy since ancient times.  Not surprisingly, he is the patron saint of deacons, cooks and..yes...barbecues! 

Every saint reflects some aspect of Catholic life or teaching.  Surely, St. Lawrence points us to the identity  and vocation of deacons in the Church. Jesus gave the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the Apostles and through this he made them our first bishops, sharers in his mission and ministry.  One of the first things they did was to share some of this sacramental ministry with other men who became known as deacons. Many people are surprised to learn that deacons existed in the Church before priests came into existence as a separate ministry. 

The title “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diakonos” which means "an ambassador or agent sent out by an authority to carry out a mission". The deacon is ordained and sent out by his bishop to minister to the needs of a community. Both the deacon and the presbyter (priest) are like the left and right hands of their bishop, reaching out to serve the needs of the local Church. They are co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. The deacon is ordained for three forms of ministry: Word, Liturgy and Charity.

Ministry of the Word means that the deacon is a preacher and teacher of the Gospel through such things as homilies at Mass, overseeing sacramental preparation, teaching the Catechism & Bible studies, works of evangelization, counseling, spiritual direction, giving retreats, etc.  The deacon receives a special connection to the Gospel at ordination. The bishop places the Book of the Gospels into his hands and tells the deacon to preach and teach it for the glory of Godd and the salvation of God's people. This is why the deacon is the primary minister of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. Even if the pope himself is the celebrant, it is the deacon who will proclaim the Gospel to the people.

Ministry of Liturgy means that the deacon attends to the worship of God along with the bishop and priest. He is at the altar during Mass, proclaims the Gospel, administers Baptism and Matrimony, and presides at Wakes and Burials. He may also do Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and bless people, places and things.  In the Liturgy the deacon is a guardian of the chalice and of the Precious Blood of Christ. It is he who prepares the chalice for consecration and who elevates it in offering to God beside the priest during the Great Doxology of the Mass.  If Holy Communion is distributed under both forms of consecrated bread and wine, it is the duty of the deacon to distribute the Precious Blood, while the priest distributes the Body of Christ.

Ministry of Charity means that the deacon participates in works of mercy and justice. In this ministry he continues in the tradition of St. Lawrence who was responsible for the alms and the relief of the poor in Rome. The ministry of charity and justice is expansive but in whatever form it takes the deacon strives to see and serve Christ in the needy and to image Christ to them as well. The deacon also acts as a support and chaplain to various groups of laity who carry out these good works through various charitable organizations.

Because he receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the deacon is no longer a layman in the Church. By ordination he comes a cleric. As such, he is now bound by the rights and obligations of Canon (Church) Law regarding clergy as are bishops and priests. As clergy, deacons are addressed either as “Deacon” or “Reverend Mister”. 

For liturgical ceremonies, deacons wear special vestments very much like those worn by the bishop and priest. These include an alb (white robe), stole (worn over the left shoulder) and dalmatic (a loose garment similar to the priest’s chasuble).  The alb is a connection to the white garments of baptism which symbolize freedom from the stain of sin and the beauty of holiness. The stole (a long strip of cloth) is an ancient Roman sign of someone who has authority to speak and teach. The dalmatic has wide sleeves and when these are spread out the garment takes on the form of a cross. This reminds the deacon that he is to be like Christ who came to love, serve and give his life on behalf of others.

Because they live so much of their lives in the everyday world of family, work and social life, Canon Law does not obligate the deacon to wear clerical clothing. However, some may choose to wear the clergy collar in special circumstances, for proper identification or where it is needed to allow them access to carry out their ministry.  Other deacons might choose to wear regular clothing with a Deacon's Cross emblem or pin to designate their ministerial availability.

When Pope St. Paul VI, chose to restore the permanent diaconate in Roman branch of the Church in 1967 and to admit married men to its ranks, he was simply a returning to the original and ancient practice of the Church.  The majority of the world's bishops requested him to do this for they knew that it was attested to by Scripture and Church history. 

So, we see that Catholics are served by a variety of ordained ministers who all share, in their own proper way, in the one Sacrament of Holy Orders. 

• Bishops lead and teach the flock like Jesus the Good Shepherd. 

• Presbyters minister in the parishes and preside at the Eucharist like Jesus the High Priest. 

• Deacons are to be like Jesus the Servant, who went about doing good to all (Acts 10:38) and who gave his life for others (Mt 20:28).

DOGGIE-BAG: A little something to take with you for spiritual snacking.

Holy Quotes...

"Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ. All should respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, just as all should regard the bishop as the image of the Father, and the clergy as God’s senate and the college of the apostles." (St. Ignatius of Antioch, student of St. John the Apostle, c. 108 AD)

“By the imposition of the bishop's hands and the specific prayer of consecration, the deacon receives a particular configuration to Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, who for love of the Father made himself the least and the servant of all.” (St.Pope John Paul II, Nov 30, 1995)

Prayer to St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr

O Generous patron of the Church’s poor, St. Lawrence, pray to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that all the poor of the Church in need in every corner of the world may feel the effect of the love of their brothers and sisters who seek to help them. Deliver the Church from the greed and envy of the powerful and protect her rights and property so that she may serve the needy in freedom, giving them good things for soul and body. May we come some day with all those whom we helped on earth to the bright mansions of heaven where we will enjoy the riches of God’s house and the company of the Savior who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

Scripture Verse to Memorize: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 28:20)