Vol 15 Italy

REGINA Inspiring. Intelligent. Catholic.

The Secret Catholic Insider’s Guide to

Italy

Taking the Veil in Florence

Volume 15 | August 2015 www.reginamag.com Regina Magazine

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Editorial Editor

Beverly De Soto

Webmaster Jim Bryant

Writers

Laura Giombini Harry Stevens Giacomo Allessandro Losana Boyd Ed Masters Donna Sue Berry Beverly De Soto

Volume 15 The Secret Catholic Insider Guide to Italy www.reginamag.com

Designer Helen Stead

Photography

Harry Stevens Erica Mc Cullagh Beverly De Soto Giacomo Alessandro Special Thanks Marcella De Salvo Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Sacred Art School - Firenze Basilica of St. Anthony - Padua Alex Sepkus The Roman Forum

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Contents 28 Sicilian Catholic Angels in Italy

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Tradition Comes to Rome on Film......................................04 Sicilian Catholic.....................................................................28 The Habits of the Adorers....................................................78 The View from the City.........................................................96

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The View from the Village..................................................122 Do’s and Don’ts in Rome...................................................146 La Serenissima & Her Patriarch..........................................164 Angels in Italy......................................................................198

Three Italian Ladies

Love Affair in Florence........................................................220 Is the Faith Dead in Italy?...................................................232

232 Is the Faith Dead in Italy?

Ambrose and Augustine in Milan.....................................278 Three Italian Ladies.............................................................300 The Making of a Catholic Painter......................................310 Altars of Repose..................................................................336 St Anthony the Miracle Worker.........................................346

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Tradition Comes To Rome ~

In Film

T

he Eternal City glows amber, gold and ochre in October; it is perhaps the very best time of year to experience Rome. In recent years, the third week of October has seen an extraordinary gathering of Catholics from all over the world, there to experience the beauty of Tradition in a Pilgrimage honoring the Summorum Pontificum apostolic letter which granted full freedom to the celebration of what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called the “Extraordinary” Form of the Mass.

Now, an international crew of Catholic film-makers is poised to make an historic documentary record of the 2015 pilgrimage — and to interview the prelates, priests and pilgrims who will process through Rome’s ancient streets and into St. Peter’s Basilica this year. REGINA caught up with Guillaume Ferluc, who is heading up the project.

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PHOTOS BY: Harry Stevens

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REGINA: M. Ferluc, what were the origins of the Pilgrimage?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: The pilgrimage was born in 2012. The idea was to thank Pope Benedict for his Summorum Pontificum apostolic letter in occasion of the 5th anniversary of its implementation and to mark the Year of Faith. We organized it quite in a hurry with lay people from Italy and the support of Leo Darroch, then President of the FIUV (Una Voce inernational), and Fr. Claude Barthe, a diocesan French priest.

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THE PILGRIMAGE TAKES PLACE IN ROME, during three days and has its climax usually the Saturday with a solemn procession by the streets of Rome and the celebration of Holy Mass in St. Peter’s basilica. Cardinal Cañizares, then Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, accepted to join us in this very first occasion and we were able to bring in a 1,000 faithful.

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REGINA: How would you compare the 2014 pilgrimage to the first one?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: In 2013, it was Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos who welcomed us in St. Peter’s while, in 2014, we had the joy to gather around Cardinal Burke for our third pilgrimage. Attendance has been quite similar from one year to another as October is very crowded in Rome and it’s difficult to find a place where to stay if you don’t book it with months of anticipation. However, we had nearly 1500 pilgrims for Mass with Cardinal Burke, mostly Italian who come just for the Saturday, but also a consistent and growing number of foreign pilgrims who come for all the events. We had 50 pilgrims for the entire event back in 2012 and nearly 350 in 2014 and this is the most significant motivation for us to keep going.

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PILGRIMS COME FROM FAR AWAY; we had some from British Columbia, others from California, so many from Brazil, a few pilgrims from Asia while the rest mostly come from Europe: France, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, and so forth . . . .

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REGINA: What was the genesis of this film idea?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: We had the idea of filming the Pilgrimage, or at least part of it, for some time now. At the beginning of the year, we have been approached by Les Films du Lutrin, a young film production company based in France. We knew about their work because they are producing a film about the Schola Sainte CĂŠcile (note: this film is currently in post-production).

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Tradition Comes to Rome

We discussed the idea of a short documentary film about the next edition of the Pilgrimage that we could release on the Internet. We shared the same wish to promote Tradition and quickly came to an agreement. The director, who graduated from the Sorbonne, is himself a Catholic attached to the Traditional Latin Mass and is very sensitive to the beauty of liturgy.

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REGINA: Is it a documentary?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: The film will feature the highlights of the Pilgrimage but we don’t want it to be a simple coverage of those events.

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THROUGH THIS FILM PROJECT we want to show a part of the spiritual and aesthetic richness of Tradition. This film will also give us the opportunity to let the participants speak. Thus, interviews of prelates, priests or pilgrims will punctuate the film.

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Tradition Comes to Rome

DUE TO THE INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE PILGRIMAGE, the original version of the film will be multilingual. Mainly in Italian, English and French. We will also release versions with subtitles (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French).

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REGINA: When do you hope to have the film finished?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: We would like to release the film by the very beginning of 2016, most probably via Internet.

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Tradition Comes to Rome

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We’ll also give a copy of it to Pope Francis and to Pope Benedict who gave us the pleasure to send us his blessing last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the Juventutem federation that participated in our 2014 pilgrimage. On that occasion, Pope Benedict received a delegate from Juventutem accompanied by our general delegate, Italian antimafia prosecutor Giuseppe Capoccia.

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Tradition Comes to Rome

REGINA: What events are you planning this year?

GUILLAUME FERLUC: This year, we’ll have a special pilgrim with us as Dom Pateau, Abbott of Fontgombault, will accompany us during the whole pilgrimage. He will preside over our solemn procession to St. Peter’s on Saturday, October 24 and celebrate Holy Mass for the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, October 25, at the parish church of the Trinità dei Pellegrini (FSSP).

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As ever, the pilgrimage will open by pontifical vespers on Thursday, October 22 and will offer the Rosary and the Via Crucis on Friday, October 23. Archbishop Pozzo will say Mass on Friday evening at Santa Maria in Campitelli where the Schola Sainte-CĂŠcile will take advantage of the unique architecture to sing Marc-Antoine Charpentier Mass for 4 Choirs H4.

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On Sunday, Mass will be sung by Cantus Magnus, a British choir directed by Matthew Schellhorn, in Rome for the general assembly of the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce which will be held in conjunction with the pilgrimage.

Photo of popular blogger Father John Zuhlsdorf outside St Peter's Basilica.

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Please note that the prayers of the pilgrims will be especially directed towards the Holy Family for the success of the Synod on the Family that will also take place at the very same time.

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Sicilian

Catholic ~

I WAS BORN IN THE PROVINCE OF PALERMO, SICILY IN THE 1970S. However, from a young age I lived in Ethiopia, due to my father’s work, then went to a Jesuit University in the US and subsequently lived in Mexico and Brazil . When I was younger, we were always surrounded by my extended family. As time went on, we all went our separate ways and are now scattered around the world in what is known as the “diaspora”.

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By Giacomo Alessandro PHOTOS BY: Harry Stevens, Giacomo Alessandro

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OUR CHURCHES ARE ALWAYS FULL ON SUNDAYS, but not everyone attends church anymore. The elderly often prefer to watch Mass on TV.

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TODAY I AM AN ENGINEER and live in a small town in the province of Messina with my wife, son and mother-in-law. It’s important to understand that there has always been at least two “Italys”: North and South. As a Sicilian, I can only speak to life here on the islands -- plural because we spend a lot of time on the Æolians as well.

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SKY-HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT and the economic crisis have meant that many families must be separated.

Husbands are in other parts of Italy or Europe or have to work odd hours, including Sundays.

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Knights of Columbus Traditional Latin Mass Association “Equites Traditionis�

Join Knights from around the world promoting the traditional Latin Liturgy. We have monthly conference calls to discuss various ways of accomplishing this and to coordinate collaborative events www.kofclatinmass.org Join today!

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Sicilian Catholic

ALTHOUGH THE FAITH IN SICILY IS ANCIENT – IN SYRACUSE FOUNDED BY ST PETER HIMSELF -in my diocese, you have to make the conscious decision to take church and the faith seriously, because our bishop and many of the priests have thoroughly embraced many of the heresies of modernism and every liturgical fad. This includes female altar servers, communion in the hand, unnecessary Eucharistic ministers, holding hands during the “Our Father” etc.

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IN MY OWN PARISH I NO LONGER RECEIVE COMMUNION since I was scolded by our octogenarian priest that I cannot kneel or receive on the tongue ‘in his parish.’ My son just had his first communion this year and despite years of catechism leading up to this, he was not taught the “act of contrition”, the Nicene creed, the seven deadly sins or anything one would consider necessary to make a proper confession. We had to teach these things to him at home.

So, I would say the majority of the fault for the current situation rests clearly with the modernist clergy who fail to take their role or their vocation seriously anymore.

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BEFORE OUR RECENT MOVE, WE ATTENDED THE LATIN MASS IN A VERY SMALL PARISH IN PALERMO. The irony is Palermo is itself a jewel among an island of architectural jewels; like Catania (pictured) its churches are beyond words such as “spectacular”, “beautiful” or “breathtaking.” Yet the bishop gave one priest a very recently-built, monstrosity of a church just outside the city for one Latin Mass on Sunday evenings at 19:00.

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AND YES…THE PRIESTS WHO CELEBRATE THE TLM ARE VERY AWARE OF BEING “DENOUNCED”. to their superiors for any perceived “traditionalist heresy”. I remember a flash of fear in our priest’s eyes when someone brought up the SSPX in conversation and he immediately said, “please, let’s not discuss anything like that here”.

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Sicilian Catholic

DESPITE THE UGLINESS OF THE ACTUAL CHURCH STRUCTURE, THE THIRTY-SOMETHING PRIEST AND THE PARISH THERE WERE VERY FRIENDLY, VIBRANT, WELCOMING. We all had a sense of solidarity, mostly because we were young. There was always a group celebration, pilgrimage, or other activities to bring us all closer in our faith and socially. It was one of the happiest parishes I’ve attended.

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Sicilian Catholic

~

We also have a house in the archdiocese of San Francisco, where there is now an AMAZING bishop (also Sicilian). His Excellency Archbishop Cordileone is not only a champion of orthodox Catholicism but happily promotes the TLM whenever it is requested; he’s even presided over a Pontifical Mass. Churches that offer the TLM there (such as Star of the Sea) are always full and vocations in the Orders that offer it are flourishing. But Cordileone succeeded TWO scandalous bishops that I cannot speak about without being uncharitable; both lasted a VERY long time and did a LOT of damage.

Here in Sicily, we have yet to see our wayward bishops replaced with “Lionhearts”. I believe once this happens -- and it may happen soon, simply due to their age -- the situation for more Tridentine liturgies will change and become more acceptable, as will orthodox Catholicism in general. Until then we wait and correct our children when they have to suffer through errant theology.

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MEANWHILE, WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT OUR LOCAL SAINTS USING THEIR ICONOGRAPHY. San Rocco always has a dog at his side pointing to his wound, Saint Anthony in monks’ robe holding the child, Jesus, St Cecilia with an organ/instrument, St Rosalia reclining with a skull, or St Lucy holding a cup with her eyes.

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DREAM NO SMALL DREAMS Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

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THE ONLY CHILDREN WHO DON’T KNOW ABOUT THESE are those who may never have been in a church or who dropped out of school, because they come from broken families. This is not as common as in other countries, but it does happen.

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Sicilian Catholic

MOST SICILIAN CHILDREN DO REALIZE THAT MANY OF THESE SAINTS WERE MARTYRED FOR THEIR FAITH and are aware that while Rome was glorious and a major part of our history, it was at first pagan and played a major part in the birth of Christianity by brutally martyring the early Christians.

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IN SMALLER ITALIAN TOWNS AND VILLAGES THERE ARE THREE MAJOR BUILDINGS: the church, the “palazzo” (or residence of the ruling family from the past) and the “Commune” or government building. The church will inevitably be the prominent building, very visible. Plus there are the many statues and shrines to Our Lady or a local saint any given street corner. So, you get this sense by osmosis even without having it explained to you.

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ICONOGRAPHY HAS NEVER LEFT SICILY, due to certain artforms indigenous to the island such as ceramic art. Every major city has an art-school, but every student I have known/spoken to laments the fact that realism -- or more specifically the baroque tradition which characterizes our island, much like Renaissance art characterizes Florence -- has for years been brushed aside in favor of modernist art styles.

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Sicilian Catholic

MOST FIND IT MORE LUCRATIVE TO GO INTO ARTRESTORATION RATHER THAN BECOME ARTISTS. This saddens me because I have known really talented artists to rival Bernini who simply gave up because there was no market for what they wanted to create. But once again, these tides are turning.

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SICILIAN STUDENTS ARE REDISCOVERING THEIR ROOTS

BY GOING NORTH OVER THE SEA TO FLORENCE which has MANY quality art-schools that teach Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Pre-Raphaelite etc. I try to encourage their talents by commissioning paintings/sculpture, usually one or two a year. I just commissioned an extremely talented local student, Sebastiano Caldarella, to paint the life of St Oliva in the baroque style.

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EVER SINC governmen There’s a po monument largest mon point abou borhood to several feet tallest build nearly as su 58

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CE THE RISORGIMENTO there has been a pull from the Italian nt to usurp the authority of the Church and mindset of the people. opular legend about the obscenely gaudy “altare della patria”, a t to the ego of the first King of Italy, who commissioned it to be the nument in Rome, and higher than St Peter’s. This was to stress his ut who was in charge. After destroying an entire medieval neigho build it, it was finally complete in 1925…but immediately sank t into the hill under its immense weight. This left St Peter’s still the ding in Rome. Today the leftist government of Italy is definitely not ubtle in its aims or intentions.

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HERE IN SICILY THE “NEW AGE” IDEOLOGIES HAVE NOT REALLY TAKEN ROOT, and I don’t expect they ever will since it’s just not part of our culture. We have had to battle centuries of superstition-- i.e. going to a “healer” or “witch” to cure you of the “evil eye” --but that has all but completely died out in the last generation.

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Sicilian Catholic

I think it is the expectations of women that have changed: they expect a house, stability, some sort of income from their spouse now-- as opposed to simply getting married and hoping for the best. Plus, in the past when there were 6 – 10 children per household, it was the duty of the father and brothers to keep them safe and to find them a good husband. That’s not the mentality here anymore; women definitely define their own destiny now.

Italy has one of the lowest birthrates in Europe. My wife is an OB-GYN in a smaller town; whereas 10 years ago she worked at one hospital and had enough patients to deal with a year, now she has been assigned to three hospitals because even here there are less babies being born every year.

Very few Sicilian women have abortions. My wife would never perform one and we do have a very strict “conscience clause” wherein a doctor can say he/she will not perform abortions. Similarly, if the hospital is Catholic as opposed to state-run, they will not perform them. What is I believe the most damaging to women’s psyches is that many are trying to have children at a later age -- and end up losing the child or not getting pregnant at all. My wife deals with this all the time, and I often hear these same women lamenting their situation, even inappropriately, like at parties.

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LUXURY GOODS ADS ARE EVERYWHERE IN ITALY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONSUMERISM AND ALIENATION OF TODAY’S ITALIANS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG. Here in Sicily, it’s Japanese, Korean or American goods. This is just the latest generation in a line of consumerism/ bad behavior that began long before. In my house we do not have the TV on when eating as a family, but I’ve been to formal dinners where the host immediately turns on the TV (prominently placed in the dining room) as the meal begins. That’s the sort of behavior we need to change if we want to stress the importance of what it means to be together as a society or family.

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Sicilian Catholic

MULTI-GENERATIONAL SICILIAN FAMILIES ARE STILL INTRINSIC TO CHILD-REARING. My mother-in-law lives with us and since my wife works odd hours and I travel a lot for work, it really takes all of our efforts to raise just one child. Most of our friends have 2 – 3 children and are in the same situation. The mother and father work, so if they have money they have a baby-sitter, but typically it’s other family members who help out.

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Sicilian Catholic

WHETHER PEOPLE CHOOSE TO ATTEND OR NOT, THE CHURCH IS STILL HERE AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE, despite the heresy, sometimes in the highest levels of the Italian hierarchy. Nowhere is that better evidenced in our schools, where religion (Catholicism) is still taught weekly and there is still a crucifix in every classroom, despite legal suits being brought by both atheists and Mohammedans to remove them over the past decade. One suit made it all the way to the Hague, which ruled in the atheist’s favor, awarding her thousands of euros in damages. They were forced to reverse their decision when Italy just scoffed and said, “yeah… just try and collect”.

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Sicilian Catholic

THE PRIEST IN OUR PARISH IS ABSOLUTELY DISCONNECTED; he’s an 80-something “spirit of Vatican II” dinosaur who has amassed a small fortune from donations which should have gone to the church, but made their way into his bank account. It’s an open secret and he is tolerated since most of the church is run by the women anyway as catechists, lectors, organizers etc. So he’s mostly a figurehead who demands those who do show up adhere to his version/vision of the liturgy. Contrast this with the priest in Palermo who traveled 100 kilometers on any given day to administer sacraments as needed.

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SO, NO, THE HIERARCHY IS NOT IN TOUCH WITH US IN OUR ARCHDIOCESE. They see our blessed Pope Benedict’s abdication as a victory for their status quo, and Pope Francis as unthreatening, despite his calls for “vaya lio” ("Come on, let's cause some commotion!") in the Church.

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Sicilian Catholic

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SICILY IS A LAND IMMERSED IN CULTURE, MYTH AND HISTORY at every level, which includes our Christian heritage. Sicilians were conquered by the Arab Mohammedans who enslaved and ruled over us as subhumans (dhimmi) for almost a century. We commemorate our Christian victory over the Mohammedan in popular art, culture, puppetry, ceramics etc…so we have a unique understanding that without the Church, we would be a province of North Africa. The Church will always be here; whether it is a force for good depends on the parish/diocese. In that sense we are no different from any other Catholics on the planet.

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LIGHTING A FIRE FOR THE FAITH Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

Coming in the OCTOBER issue of REGINA Magazine FREE CLICK HERE

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The Habits of the Adorers Article By:

Sequoia Sierra, REGINA Fashion & Style Editor

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Photo Credit:

Beverly De Soto

ith the changes that came about in the 1960s, for a while it seemed as though religious habits had become a rarity. However, unbeknownst to most Catholics, even in the decades after the Second Vatican Council there were still many Orders which maintained their religious garb, though modified just as the Council actually asked. Most of these are still quietly flourishing.

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Today, while not doubting the sincerity and devotion of many of the non-habited Orders, it is clear that for many young men and women seeking entrance to religious life, the habit is a deciding factor. This is because they desire to make a real and radical break with the world and to be a concrete symbol and visible sign in the world today.

There are new Orders springing up, too, all with religious habits patterned after

REGINA “Instead of pushing people away as some had feared habits would do, today’s habits actually invite the onlooker to approach the religious, sometimes out of mere curiosity.” the habits of centuries ago. These usually also have a modern addition such as a different color or function, depending upon the work or charism of the Order. And it’s a huge success. Instead of pushing people away as some had feared habits would do, today’s habits actually invite the onlooker to approach the religious, sometimes out of mere curiosity. In my own experience, however, people approach religious in habits more often from a longing to know and to be closer to someone whom they perceive as being closer to God, as a consecrated person. I have often been in public here in Southern California with priests and religious, and it is always so beautiful and amazing to see the impact that they have on everyone around them. On one such occasion, while out to lunch with one priest in his distinctive Norbertine garb, a man who was working at the restaurant approached us. The man began to tell Father about

how he and his children had not been to confession and that his son needed to get married in the Church. Father immediately encouraged him to bring his son to him to get his marriage blessed in the Church. He also set an appointment with the man to hear his confession and the confessions of his family the very next day. How many graces would have been lost that day had Father not been in his religious habit? While a religious habit is not a magical talisman that spontaneously makes the person wearing it ‘holy,’ it is definitely a sacramental -- an instrument of grace both for the wearer and for those who observe. It is a visible sign, where the religious person then becomes a sort of sacramental to the world and a channel of grace for all, as can be seen from these photos taken in March 2015 at the clothing of three new Sisters at the Church of Santi Michele e Gaetano in Florence, Italy.

“Many young men and women seeking entrance to religious life, the habit is a deciding factor.”

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TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHRIST THE KING, a new community of contemplative nuns, the Sister Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest, now reside in Italy. Distinctively garbed in their traditional black habits with blue mantles, the sisters offer their daily prayers and sacrifices, particularly for the priests of the Institute and the souls entrusted to them.

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The Habits of the Adorers

RELIGIOUS ORDERS VARY GREATLY IN THE HISTORY OF THEIR RELIGIOUS HABITS and the traditions that they preserve, as well as the symbolism inherent in their habits.

From the Carmelites who wear brown as a sign of humility -- a color that ties them to the wood of the cross -- to the blue worn by many Orders such as the Adorers to honor Our Lady, the arrangements and traditions are many.

For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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IN JUNE 2004, ENNIO CARDINAL ANTONELLI, ARCHBISHOP OF FLORENCE, VESTED THE FIRST THREE SISTERS WITH THEIR HABIT. Nine years later, the Sisters have convents in Italy, Switzerland and Germany, including three new Sisters, Marissa of Our Lady of Peace, Bernadette-Marie of the Infant Jesus and Claire-Pascaline-Marie of the Holy Cross. Here they are, dressed as brides before they received their religious habits in March 2015 from Raymond Cardinal Burke.

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The Habits of the Adorers

THE ADORERS OF THE ROYAL HEART HOLD THREE CO-PATRONS AS THE GUIDING LIGHTS OF THEIR SPIRITUALITY: St. Francis de Sales, St. Benedict, and St. Thomas Aquinas. From St. Francis de Sales’ doctrine of Divine Love, the sisters draw the pattern of their vocation: to be in constant pursuit of growth in Love, which should always be founded on Truth.

For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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DRESSED AS A BRIDE, A NEW SISTER ADORER is blessed by Raymond Cardinal Burke. Most Orders have their members follow a prayer ritual when dressing in their habit. Often, habit pieces are designed to build one upon another; each piece is typically accompanied with a prayer when clothing.

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The Habits of the Adorers

THE SISTER ADORERS AWAIT THE CLOTHING OF THREE NEW SISTERS IN FLORENCE IN MARCH 2015. Over the centuries, as Catholic religious garb developed, it became a way of manifesting one’s consecration to God in a visible and tangible way. The habit serves as a reminder –both to the woman wearing it and to those who observe her -- that the Sister belongs completely to God. For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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The Habits of the Adorers

THE CHURCH DOOR OPENS TO RE-ADMIT THE NEW SISTER ADORERS, LED BY THREE PROFESSED SISTERS. Their lives henceforth will be centered around prayer: Holy Mass and the Divine Office in the traditional Latin form, one hour of mental prayer and one hour of Eucharistic adoration in the evening.

AS THE COMMUNITY OF SISTER ADORERS EXPANDS -- now at 15 fully professed sisters, 7 novices and three postulants -- the Institute foresees that foundations will be made alongside the apostolates of the Institute of Christ the King, where the sisters will be able to provide support for the work of Institute priests.

For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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ON THEIR WAY TO A NEW LIFE: Punctuating the Sister Adorers’ rich life of prayer are periods of manual labor and intellectual training, including instruction in Gregorian Chant, Latin, Spirituality, Philosophy, and Theology, as well as the learning of crafts such as sewing, lace-making, and the care of liturgical vestments and altar linens.

For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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THE BENEDICTINE ASPECT OF THEIR CHARISM IS REFLECTED IN THE CENTRAL PLACE OF THE CHURCH’S LITURGY in the Adorers’ daily life. Holy Mass and the Divine Office celebrated in the classical Roman form, create the rhythm of each day. Some religious orders like the Institute add another piece to their habit at Holy Mass or the Divine Office. Canons usually wear a surplice while in choir, whereas the Adorers wear blue mantles.

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The Habits of the Adorers

IN A HOUSE DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF GOOD DELIVERANCE, IN THE HEIGHTS OF GRICIGLIANO, commanding a magnificent view of the entire valley of the Sieci region, the Sister Adorers lead a non-cloistered contemplative life. Building on the foundations established by the teachings of their third patron, St. Thomas Aquinas, they also benefit from time dedicated to study and intellectual formation.

For more information about the Adorers, click HERE

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“THROUGH THIS LIFE OF ADORATION LIVED IN THE HEART OF THE CHURCH - LIFE OF PRAYER, STUDY, AND MANUAL LABOR - we are ready to take on an apostolic way of life alongside the priests of the Institute, the nature of which Providence will reveal in due course. As with the entire Institute, the Holy Virgin Our Mother, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is our principal patroness. Her Heart takes us along the luminous road that leads to the Royal Heart of her Divine Son to Which we desire to conform ourselves.”

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The View from the City Article By:

Losana Boyd

Photo Credit:

Beverly De Soto

In the Fall 2014, his Eminence Guiseppe Cardinal Betori of Florence designated the Church of Santi Michele e Gaetano as a parish church of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, giving the Institute the opportunity to staff the parish with a full-time priest. While the Institute has celebrated the Latin Mass on Sunday in this church since 2008 -- following the Summorum Pontificum of Pope Benedict XVI -October 11, 2014 marked the official start of the Institute’s full-time ministry in Florence.

The rector, 34-year old Canon Federico M. Pozza, was ordained to the priesthood in this church in 2011, and spoke to REGINA in this exclusive interview on his initial experience as rector and on the general condition of the state of the Church and the faith in Italy.

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REGINA: Florence is a city full of tourists. How does this impact your role as rector of Santi Michele e Gaetano?

CANON POZZA: Sometimes, I just have to answer questions on external things, like construction dates and so forth. Sometimes tourists come for Confession, which is available here throughout the day in Italian, English, and French. Often travelers will know that we celebrate the Latin Mass here, and will come for Mass during their stay in Florence.

REGINA: What are the Institute’s hopes or goals for the apostolate?

CANON POZZA: To keep this church at the disposal of souls. To help those souls who need the Extraordinary Form of the Mass for their holiness to go towards God. REGINA: Santi Michele e Gaetano is situated in a very exclusive part of the city, alongside Gucci, Prada, Armani, Hermes and other icons of earthly treasure. What goes through your mind regarding these places and the Real Treasure in the Tabernacle?

CANON POZZA: If the earthly treasure is well used, it could bring us to the Real Treasure.

All of these things are instruments for the Glory of God. It is how we live with them and how we use them that matter. When we are “poor in spirit,” we will have a natural detachment from these transitory things. So it is fine and good to use them appropriately.

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“ONE THING PEOPLE NOTICE WHEN THEY WALK BY THE CHURCH IS THAT SANTI MICHELE E GAETANO IS OPEN for 11½ hours in the day. When we were a Christian society, all of our churches were open during the day. Today, most remain closed throughout the afternoon hours. What has happened is secularization. Corporate thinking has entered the Church; the idea that if only one or two persons enter during the afternoon, perhaps it isn’t “worth worth” keeping the church open.

This is something that has disconsoled me personally, and I wanted something different for Santi Michele e Gaetano.” Canon Pozza

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“IF COMPARED WITH OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE CHURCH IN ITALY WOULD SEEM TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. Increasingly though, the Church is being attacked by secularity.

Congregations are less crowded, young people don’t go to Mass, even the priests are unable to properly present the Gospel.

In the last two decades, the situation has worsened in Italy, through a succession of governments and laws that directly violate Christian principles. Within the culture, the quality of entertainment has really fallen. Today’s television and internet are having a terrible influence on young persons. Their intelligence is less patient, terrified in fact by silence and the necessity of taking time to really study and comprehend anything. Teaching the complexities of Christian mystery and the depth of Christian history becomes increasingly difficult in this environment.

Young people don’t believe because their parents don’t believe.

They don’t believe that through the Church they can find the truth, the answers to their deepest questions about life. Instead, they want work as little as possible with the goal of simply enjoying themselves.

Families are not transmitting the faith and we don’t have enough priests or sisters for all the work that needs to be done.

And the church bears some responsibility for this downturn. The churches are empty because they are closed. After the sixties, it was accepted that we would become a minority within the society.

Today the church in Italy has largely ceremonial status. Due to the media campaign against her, she is seen as rich and powerful and not wanting to pay what is perceived as her share of taxes.””

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“IN TERMS OF MORAL ISSUES, PEOPLE SEEM TO BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. As the society becomes increasingly secularized, the Church is less visible. In the 1970s, for example, the butcher shops throughout Italy were closed on Good Friday. RAI would only broadcast classical music. Forty years ago, people accepted the importance of the Church within society. Now they refuse it.”

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“NEVERTHELESS, THE CHURCH IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ALL OF HER HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS, Caritas, and the Red Cross (a cross, after all..) Misericordia, the schools, and so forth. Her usefulness is measured in what the Church is able to give to the society materially.”

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“THE FLORENTINES ARE JUSTLY PROUD THAT THEIR CITY WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE. They have high standards for beauty and culture. Florentines love polemics, discussions of all kinds, spiritual and intellectual brightness. In Milan, the Ambrosian priests tend toward a more pastoral simplicity; a priest here in Florence has to have a stronger personality.”

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REGINA: How do tourists, shoppers, and Florentines in your neighborhood react to the Latin Mass?

CANON POZZA: I would say that easily ninety percent of those who come are pleasantly surprised by the Latin Mass. We have had no bad reactions at all.

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REGINA: The Latin Mass is sometimes criticized for being exclusive and not “user friendly�. Can you comment on this?

CANON POZZA: I do understand this perception, and much of the problem is that the faithful are not catechized. Too many do not understand even what the Mass is. We have to educate from the pulpit, become more visible, to help people understand the rubrics. In fact, catechesis is something we need throughout our lives.

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“I WENT TO THE LATIN MASS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2002 while I was a student at the Catholic University in Milan.

It was in a very tiny church, but with the permission of the Archbishop. In this church I saw that there exists a Mass that reconciles me. In fact, I was better able to accept the New Mass once I could see it through the lens of the Old.�

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REGINA: Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the priesthood?

CANON POZZA: I was brought up Catholic in Milan and educated by the Jesuits for all of my elementary and high school years. Until the beginning of high school, I had good priests who celebrated well the New Mass. In high school, however, there was a priest who taught very strange things, pantheistic things.

He proceeded to describe the Divine as a kind of energy or presence, something akin to the power of music. For me, our Lord is a Person with whom I can speak. I could not accept this other way of considering God and began to feel alienated from the Church.

For many years, I remained outside of the practice of the faith, though I went to church daily to pray. It was the experience of the Latin Mass that initiated my return to full communion.

At the age of 22, about halfway through my law studies at the Catholic University, I experienced

something in the process of law itself that troubled me: that the trial truth is not always the real truth.

I began to challenge myself if I should not be giving my life to something superior. Around this time I met a priest of the Institute of Christ the King and began going to Gricigliano for Feast Days and retreats.

After graduating from college in 2004, I made the decision to enter the Institute seminary.

As the only native Italian speaker in the seminary, I was given the opportunity to travel with my French-speaking superiors to Rome and as a result, I have seen the Church from quite inside. This was a great privilege of my seminary experience.

Every vocation has its own odd story, one that makes it different from any others. But fundamentally, when our Lord calls someone to follow Him, it is a calm and peaceful process, which is not hard. Every time God asks for something, it is something fit for us.

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REGINA: What are the chief obstacles for moderns in confronting the Catholic faith?

CANON POZZA: We live in a very unclear time, and don’t accept that there is a higher way to think about things. From the French Revolution to the present there exists a distrust of hierarchy, but our Lord is not democratic; He created everything without asking for our vote or opinion. In the past, this was understood very well.

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“THE CURRENT SOCIETY NEEDS WITNESSES, credible witnesses, of the Gospel. And we need to start with the priesthood. Think about how St. Patrick returned to Ireland. He came as a king, with a full retinue. He was impressive, he got the people’s attention, and turned them away from pagan worship.”

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“THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ARE MADE TO WORSHIP. And if we do not worship God, we will worship something else, such as wealth, health, social status. Even if the person doesn’t acknowledge it directly, he is doing it.”

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“WHEN I HEAR THAT SOMEONE HAS LEFT THE FAITH, my immediate reaction is that they will come back. When all the assurances that they assumed would give them happiness have failed, they will return to the truth that never disappoints. We have a splendid faith. We are rightly astonished by the beauty of the Church.�

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“IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL BE AN ELITE CHURCH. NOT IN TERMS OF SOCIAL ELITE, but in terms of our reduced size and that we will exist in the margins of society. Pope Benedict often spoke of the new evangelization as emanating from a smaller church, a remnant, if you will. But let’s also remember, this whole enterprise started with a group of twelve; so I think that with the help of God the Church could find again her true position in the world.” – CANON POZZA 118 Regina Magazine | Italy

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The View from an Italian Village Priest

By Don Francesco Ramella

I

am 31 years old and I have been a priest for six years. I was born in Genoa, Italy, to a Catholic family. Nowadays, I am vicar for the Parish of San Matteo in Laigueglia (a small town in the province of Liguria) and I also teach Dogmatic Theology at the Diocesan Seminary and at the Superior Institute of Religious Sciences. I can say that I know the needs of Italian Catholics, not only due to my ministry in the parish, but also because I come from this culture. So, mine is a direct and vital experience.

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Nowadays, Italian Catholics need to rediscover their faith and to deepen it. There are a certain number of Catholics who are devotees; they are reinforcing their faith with the liturgy and devotional practices.

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On the other hand, however, there is a whole range of people who don’t care to be Christian. For a lot of people, in fact, being Catholic is more a cultural belonging than something they need in their lives.

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UNTIL THE RECENT PAST, ITALY WAS A VERY CATHOLIC COUNTRY. The entire Italian society was formed by the Faith. It is actually not a blunder to say that rural Italy for centuries was a huge open air monastery in which time was measured by religion’s calendar. This deep Catholic culture was even discussed by Benedetto Croce, a well-known agnostic Italian intellectual of the 20th century. He said “We cannot say we are not Christian”.

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The View from an Italian Village Priest

NOW, THE CULTURE HAS CHANGED. In the last fifty years, Italy has been experiencing a progressive, violent secularization which has damaged every aspect of Italian society. We are living in an era of crisis, which has reached the family, education and vocations. To face up to it, we must rediscover our traditions.

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UNDOUBTEDLY, ITALY IS A COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE LOVED BEAUTY and concretized it in painting, architecture, music and art. In the past, Italian people - even the poor - had a great sense of beauty, due to the contributions of Catholicism.

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ONE DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO SEEK OUT AN IMPORTANT CHURCH TO NOTICE THIS. If one enters into the church of even one of the smallest towns in Italy, it will likely be a great temple filled with fine masterpieces and beautiful vestments.

UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN THIS ASPECT IS FACING A CRISIS, WHICH AFFLICTS LITURGICAL LIFE. In fact, liturgies are often noticeably awful, though it seems as if Catholics do not notice this.

However, there are a certain number of people who are asking for a return of the elegance as a basic element in Catholic worship.

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IN LIGURIA, MY REGION, FEW PEOPLE ARE MARRYING AND FAR FEWER ARE HAVING CHILDREN. Obviously, I am talking about the general tendencies. On the other hand, a noticeable number of people still have a sincere Faith, are devoted Catholics and are managing to witness to Christ’s life and doctrine.

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The View from an Italian Village Priest

MODERNIST AND LIBERAL IDEOLOGIES INFLUENCED MOST ITALIANS SLOWLY, BUT EFFECTIVELY. I do not think today I can define Italy as a Catholic country. Italian law in fact strikes at the Divine Order, and Catholic people don’t seem to notice this either.

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YOUNG ITALIANS AND THE LATIN MASS: In general, young people show a certain interest in knowing about and participating in the Traditional Mass. I think that, unfortunately, in Italy the Tridentine Mass is not very available. The young who do not have the grace of meet a priest who talks about it, can hardly know and appreciate the Traditional Mass.

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The View from an Italian Village Priest

AFTER HAVING EXPERIENCED THE TRIDENTINE MASS, A LOT OF ITALIAN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING A VOCATION to the priesthood or the consecrated life. Also many young men who are already studying to be priests discover, know and appreciate the traditional liturgy and then notice spiritual improvements.

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The View from an Italian Village Priest

Italian Folklore and the Faith Popular traditions are still lively. In Italy, even in Liguria, one can easily find public demonstrations such as processions, feasts of the Patrons or pilgrimages. Nevertheless, most of these are in fact folkloric events.

On the other hand, most of the clergy use these manifestations to evangelize the people. There is a need of diligence here as demonstrations which are not transmitting an authentic faith are like empty shells without hope of survival.

Personally, I notice that if people regain the sense of the traditions in which they are involved, they become more interested in them and are affected positively.

For example, this is the case of the confraternity of Saint Maria Maddalena, in the parish where I am working. When I arrived, it was nearly extinct. As young Catholics entered in it, however, it was unexpectedly reborn and today we have more than 40 members.  Human Freedom and the Priesthood Vocations to the priesthood originate with God. He never stops sending the Church people who are able to serve Him in an extraordinary way. Obviously, humans' decisions depend on their freedom. For that reason, your question may be: how is human freedom conformed to God's will? The wider their knowledge of the real Doctrine, the more humans are free.

In our time, the young men who are called to become priests do not lack in generosity. What they do lack is knowledge of the real Doctrine, and sometimes seminaries may not transmit a completely Catholic education.

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IF THEY HAVE THE GRACE TO KNOW AND LOVE CATHOLIC TRADITION, THEY CAN BECOME HOLY AND SANCTIFYING PRIESTS. If they do not know the holy Tradition, they will have inadequate skills.

There is a great need for prayers, so that God may not only call men to the priesthood, but also permit that those vocations are educated in the Truth. The Traditional Mass is a wealth for everyone. It is necessary to do all is possible to make more and more people know it and appreciate the improvements and the graces it brings.

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R THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

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Do’s and Don’t in Rome:

TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, ROMANS CAN COPE WITH ANYTHING. For centuries, their city has been a target for hordes of tourists and barbarians. Through it all, Romans have remained inscrutable – insouciant, unsinkable and ready for just about anything. That being said, however, if you plan a visit to the Eternal City, it is a good idea to follow a few simple rules: 146 Regina Magazine | Italy

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Article by Beverly De Soto Photos by Harry Stevens

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1.

DO VISIT SAINT PETER’S FIRST. For first time visitors, stepping inside the arms of Bernini’s amazing Colonnade is a real thrill. (Secret Catholic Tip: For a free, fascinating personal tour of Saint Peter’s, stop by the Vatican post office and look for a small, unobtrusive sign advising English-speaking visitors when an American seminarian will be there. Impress him by pointing out that the statues on top of the Basilica are the Apostles.)

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2.

DO GO TO LATIN MASS ON SUNDAY: 11:00 Sung High Mass at Santa Trinita Dei Pellegrini, the church of the Fraternity of Saint Peter, just steps from the Piazza Farnese. Dress appropriately, please.

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4.

Then, there’s Only You (1994). My favorite classic books include Hilaire Belloc’s Path to Rome, H.V. Morton’s A Traveler in Rome, Bishop Sheen’s This is Rome, Louis De Wohl’s The Spear, Roger Wiltgen’s The Rhine Flows into the Tiber and John Walsh’s The Bones of Saint Peter.

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3.

DO PREPARE YOURSELF: Films and books will help you really enjoy your Roman Holiday (1953), The Cardinal (1963), Three Coins in a Fountain (1954), The Bicycle Thieves (1948), The Scarlet and the Black (1983), and La Dolce Vita (1960).

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5.

TRAVELING WITH A CROWD? Rent an apartment in the Eternal City. Way cheaper than a hotel, plus you can cook (and have the experience of your life shopping in Rome’s produce markets!) We like Halldis, but all you need to do is Google ‘apartments in Rome’ for a great selection.)

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6.

DON’T EXPECT ROMANS TO SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE: Give yourself three months to learn some touristic Italian. Never mind the stares from your fellow motorists — drive around with CDs from your local library, repeating “Il conto, per favore?” and “Ho bisogno un medico” with an Italian accent.

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7.

DO STAY IN A CONVENT: There are 2,762 hotels in Rome. Convents are cheaper, cleaner, safer and WAY more authentic than any tourist trap. They are the single best way to see Rome – especially for Catholics who would like to attend Mass with the sisters. (Secret Catholic Tip: To find a convent that gladly takes in tourists, visit www.santasusanna.org which calls itself the ‘home of the American Catholic church in Rome.”)

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8.

DO LEARN TO USE THE BUS: Forget those dangerous mopeds, although the brave and the foolhardy like Audrey Hepburn can rent one for 40 euros a day. Red Roman buses are cheap and plentiful.

Find one that stops by your convent, buy yourself a pass at the local newsstand/tobacco store and soon you’ll be zipping around Rome for basically nothing – without losing a limb.

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9.

DON’T BE A TARGET: Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Keep your voice low. Leave your sneakers at home. Wear dark, conservative clothing. Don’t wear a fanny pack or keep your wallet in your back pocket. Americans, especially, need to remember that we have a reputation for being loud and naïve – perfect targets for pickpockets and flimflam artists. This goes TRIPLE at night, or if you have been drinking. Don’t be paranoid, but do be smart.

(Secret Catholic Tip: The young woman begging at church doors with a new baby is not starving to death. This is an age-old scam targeting naïve tourists and seminarians.)

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ALWAYS REMEMBER: For Catholics, Rome is far more than just an ancient city filled with treasures and history. For us, the Eternal City is just that -- the closest that we will ever have to a spiritual home here on earth. Treasure your days there – and be sure to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, to ensure that you will, in fact, return.

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R HORIZONS WITHOUT LIMITS Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

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La Serenissima and Her Patriarch Venice, Italy Article By:

Laura Giombini

Photo Credit:

Harry Stevens

ST MARK’S IN VENICE IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SQUARES IN ITALY -- known for its ancient Basilica visited every day by thousands of people from all over the world.

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ST MARK’S IS A WONDERFUL CHURCH filled with artwork, with the best known certainly the Golden Pall (in Italian, Pala d’Oro), a gold altarpiece embedded with precious stones which tells the story of Saint Mark.

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THE BASILICA IS DEDICATED to Saint Mark, Venice’s patron saint.

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SAINT MARK IS ONE OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS, and his distinctive animal is the winged lion, which is recurrent in the city’s decoration and even in the flag of the Venetian Republic – one of the world’s oldest.

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SAINT MARK’S BODY is buried in the Basilica, after having been famously purloined from Islamic Alexandria by two Venetian merchants in 828.

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HOWEVER, St Mark’s relics are not by any means the only relics in Venice, as the city actually preserves the bodies of 15 saints.

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VENETIAN RELICS include Saint Lucy, Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, Saint Helen of Constantinople and Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani, the first Patriarch of Venice (1451-56).

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FOR MORE THAN 300 YEARS, the Patriarch of Venice’s venue was the Church of Saint Peter in Castello, as the Basilica was under the sole patronage of Venice’s powerful Doge.

The Patriarch of Venice moved to the Basilica of Saint Mark only in 1807, after the fall of the Republic of Venice.

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La Serrennisima

DURING THE LAST CENTURY THREE OF THE PATRIARCHS OF VENICE HAVE BEEN ELECTED POPE: they were Saint Pius X (born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto), Saint John XXIII (born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) and the Servant of God John Paul I (born Albino Luciani).

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THE PATRIARCHS USUALLY LIVE IN THE PATRIARCHAL PALACE, in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, a small square at the north-eastern corner of Saint Mark’s Square. Nowadays, the Patriarchate consists of not only La Serenissima and her Lagoon, but also parishes located on the mainland -- Mira, Quarto d’Altino, Eraclea or Caorle.

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TODAY’S PATRIARCH OF VENICE is Monsignor Francesco Moraglia. A tall, slim man, his manner is very polite and somewhat shy, though he can be highly resolute in faith matters.

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ON THE SCENE: In October 2011, during the flooding of the Lunigiana, the Patriarch interrupted his work to assist people affected by the disaster, supported by his priests and seminarians.

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ON THE 31ST OF JANUARY, 2012, FRANCESCO MORAGLIA was appointed Patriarch of Venice by Pope Benedict XVI. This appointment was very difficult, particularly because of his Genoese origins. In fact, Venice and Genoa have been rival cities since the maritime Republic’s time. However, the Patriarch nowadays is much beloved by the Venetians, due to his care for people’s situation during today’s ongoing economic crisis.

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MORAGLIA was born in Genoa on the 25th of May, 1953. In contrast with his predecessors Sarto, Roncalli and Luciani – all of whom were elected Pope in the 20th century -- he came from an educated, well-to-do family of lawyers and teachers. He entered the seminary in 1972 and was ordained priest on 29 June 1977 by the Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Giuseppe Siri.

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FRANCESCO MORAGLIA SHARES HIS LOVE FOR TRADITION with other priests, bishops and archbishops from Genoa, such as Mgr. Angelo Bagnasco, Mgr. Mauro Piacenza, Mgr. Luigi Ernesto Palletti and the marshal of Pope’s celebrations, Mgr. Guido Marini.

AS PATRIARCH, FRANCESCO MORAGLIA HAS INTRODUCED THE TRADITION of the monthly pilgrimage to several sanctuaries of the Diocese, and these events are drawing large numbers of people.

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THE PATRIARCHATE OF VENICE, like almost every Diocese in the world, has its typical festivals – the most famous of which is Carnivale in the days prior to Lent.

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La Serrennisima

SAINT MARK’S DAY is celebrated on 25 April and is the festival of the patron saint of Venice.

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FESTA DE LA SENSA: this festival is celebrated on Ascension Thursday (in Venetian dialect, la Sensa) with a pilgrimage to the church of Saint Nicholas in the Lido.

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REDEEMER’S DAY (third Sunday in July) features a pilgrimage to the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. During the day, the Venetians build a temporary bridge which connects the church with Saint Mark’s Square.

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La Serrennisima

SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE’S FEAST occurs on the 21st of November and consists of a pilgrimage to her magnificent church, in which Venetians show their gratitude to Mary after she freed the city from the plague.

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THE PATRIARCHATE ALSO CELEBRATES SAINT ROCH’S DAY on the 16th of August, and Saint Mary of the Angels, a festival which occurs every five years, on the 8th of September.

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Pope St. Gregory the Great’s vision of St Michael the Archangel sheathing his sword over the Castel Sant’Angelo in the 6th century, signifying the end of a a plague which had been rampaging through Rome.

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Angels in Italy

By Ed Masters Photos by Beverly De Soto

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NON SERVIAM: Angels were created in the empyrean heaven, not in the Heaven of the Triune God, as they had to earn the right to see the Beatific Vision. God, therefore, tested the angels. Most of them proved their fidelity to God but thanks to the sin of pride, some did not. Writers have posited that as many as one third of the angelic realm fell, throwing in their lot with Lucifer (‘Light Bearer’) when he uttered his cry, “Non serviam!” (“I will not serve!”) Such angels are known as devils or demons. They do their utmost to prevent mankind from attaining Heaven.

T

he number of angels created is fixed; they are said to number in the millions as St. Gregory of Nyssa believed, if not billions. They can and have appeared as children and adults and while they are sexless beings are most often depicted in artwork and referred to as male or with masculine characteristics. Tuesday is the day of the week devoted to the Angels.

The Heavenly Choir

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to be two more choirs of angels, Hosts and Aeons. Each choir of angels has their own duties.

The first hierarchy of angels are the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Seraphim are the highest of the choirs of angels and interestingly enough are described in the Book of Isaias as having not two, but six wings. They sing the praises of the Trinity without ceasing as described by Isaias: “Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of His glory.” (This is included in the Sanctus portion of the Mass).

One of the Seraphim took a coal from the altar and touched it to the lips of Isaias and told him his sins had been taken away. This

Angels in Italy

dovetails with the very meaning of the word Seraphim, which is “having a fiery love” or “burning” or “carriers of warmth.” St. Denis, the Patron of Paris, said they are the princes of pure love and the love they exude permeates like fire.

The Cherubim

The Cherubim are the angels associated with light and knowledge; the word Cherubim is described as the “power to know”. The first time a Cherubim is mentioned is in the Book of Genesis as guarding Paradise with a flaming sword after Adam and Eve were expelled.

Two images of Cherubim were placed on the Ark of the Covenant and are also mentioned often by the prophet Ezekiel in the book that bears his name. Cherubim are often portrayed in artwork as babies or small children.

Thrones

Just as earthly thrones are always above ground level, angelic Thrones are raised to being close to God’s glory and infinite majesty. It’s said that God pronounces His judgments and councils from the midst of these choirs of angels. Thrones also have another function and trait, that of submission and peace. It’s said that God takes up His rest within their midst and imparts His Spirit to them which they consequently pass onto the other angels and mankind.

Dominations, Virtues and Powers

The second hierarchy of angels are the Dominations, Virtues and Powers, which are concerned with the affairs of mankind here on Earth. St. Paul mentions them in the Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians.

• Dominations make God’s holy will known to us mere mortals and are said to be the ‘secretaries of state’ as it were of Christ the King.

These angels are said to have a special zeal for God’s authority and making sure that it is properly maintained.

• The Virtues carry out the orders issued by the Dominations. Pope St. Gregory the Great mentioned that through the Virtues, God performs most of His miracles as well as governing the seasons, the visible heavens and the elements.

Principalities, Archangels and Angels

The third hierarchy of angels are the Principalities, Archangels and Angels and they are specifically concerned with the affairs of mankind.

• Principalities are executives; they have influence over the Archangels and Angels and they let them know the Orders from on high.

They are said to assist in guarding nations and making announcements to mankind.

• Archangels make God’s will known at great moments. Both they and the Angels are notified by the Principalities in this regard. They are said to be given as guardians to those who have special work to do such as the Pope, certain Cardinals and Saints such as St. Frances of Rome, who was privileged enough to have an Archangel as her guardian. Archangels, along with Angels and Principalities, watch over nations, empires, cities, towns and villages and are charged with protecting them.

• Angels are mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments and are said to make God’s will known in ordinary affairs.

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The Angels’ Names

The three angels whose names are known from the Bible belong to the realm of Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Four others are mentioned in the Apocryphal Book of Enoch; Uriel, Raguel, Sariel and Jeramiel but the Church has never officially accepted this in her Canon and the Lateran Synod reprobated the names of those angels, though some retailers sell statues of St. Uriel. Other names that have been suggested for the remaining seven angels who stand before the Lord are Simiel, Oriphiel, and Zachariel.

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ARCHANGELS IN ITALIAN ART - MICHAEL, RAPHAEL (with Tobias) and GABRIEL: In the Hebrew Scriptures, the three archangels whom Abraham ‘entertained, unawares.’ FRANCESCO BOTTICINI, 15th Century

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Mighty Beings, More Powerful Than Any Demon

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ngels are not the pacific creatures depicted in artwork but mighty beings, more powerful than any demon. Angels appeared throughout the Bible, bestowing aid and comfort to those who asked for it as well as executing God’s commands that were not so pleasant to those on the receiving end such as King Herod Agrippa I. • An angel comforted Agar the mother of Ishmael after she was sent into the desert.

• Jacob saw a ladder while he slept with angels ascending and descending up and down that ladder.

• An angel fed the Prophet Elias with bread and water while he was fleeing from the wrath of Queen Jezebel.

• Judith was helped by an angel in carrying out her plan to kill the Assyrian general Holofornes.

• Angels scourged Heliodorus when he set out to profane the Temple in the Book of Maccabees.

• An angel saved Shadrach, Mesach and Abendago from the fiery furnace in Babylon as well as shutting the mouths of the lions in the den where Daniel was cast so he would not be harmed.

An angel also carried the Prophet Habacuc by the hair to the den where Daniel was cast into so he could give Daniel food.

• In the New Testament they announced the Birth of Christ, ministered to Jesus after He was tempted by Satan for forty days in the desert, released St. Peter from prison, appeared to St. Paul assuring him he would survive shipwreck, and St. John the Apostle saw thousands 204 Regina Magazine | Italy

of them singing the praises of God in the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) as well as speaking with one angel in particular.

• The Saints who saw and were assisted by angels throughout Church history are numerous and entire books could be written on that subject alone. St. Theodosius, St. Agnes, St. Dorothy, St. Cecelia, St. Eulalia, St. Vincent the Martyr, St. Lawrence, St. Venantius, St. Dominic Guzman, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Margaret of Cortona, St. Lidwina, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Rose of Lima, St. Agnes of Montepulciano, St. Frances of Rome, St. Stanislaus Kotska, St. Isidore the Farmer, St. Raymond Nonnatus, St. Nicholas of Tolentino, St. Gemma Galgani and Padre Pio all saw and/or were helped by angels.

• An angel appeared to the three children of Fatima in Portugal in 1916, heralding the appearance of the Virgin Mary herself.

• Angels are also said to have appeared at certain battles in history, one of the more famous being at Mons, France during World War I. In our own day there are those who swear they have seen or were helped out of life-threatening situations by angels. With evil abounding and heresies spreading and entrenched, we need to invoke the angels now more than ever.

The Powers are aptly named as it’s said that they exude courage in all their duties. They are actively engaged in fighting the machinations of Satan and his demonic horde. It’s believed that whenever the Church or State are going through dark times, devotions to the Powers come in handy for this very reason: to defeat the devil and his hellish plots.

THERESA OF AVILA WROTE THAT IN ECSTASY she saw a Cherubim who was “of small stature, all of fire and had a spear of gold in his hand which he thrust into my heart and entrails, leaving me on fire with a great love of God.” (Sculpture by Bernini in Rome; photo by Harry Stevens)

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MICHAEL IS A DEFENDER AND PROTECTOR OF THE CHURCH, along with St. Joseph. Curiously enough he shares other attributes with St. Joseph, among which are being a patron of a happy, holy death as well as being the guardian of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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St Michael, Defend Us in Battle Michael is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse). His name is from the Hebrew Mikha’el, “Who is like God?” (‘Quis ut Deus’ in Latin).

In the Book of Daniel he assists Gabriel against the fallen angel of the kingdom of Persia; in that Book it is foretold that he would play a role in fighting against the Antichrist near the end of the world. In the Epistle of Jude, it’s revealed that in the past he argued with Satan over the body of Moses, telling him, “May the Lord rebuke you.”

In the Book of Revelation he and the angelic choirs fight the devil and his demons and cast them out of Heaven.

PAINTING BY LUCA GIORDANO

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Angels in Italy

Appearances of St Michael • Michael is said to be responsible for numerous events in the Bible though his name is not mentioned, among which are leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, blocking Balaam when he conspired to curse the Jews, and destroying the Assyrian army of 185,000 men who were encamped outside of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah.

• Mont St. Michel was built in St. Michael’s honor off the coast of Normandy, France. This angelic soldier appeared there in 708 to St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches.

• Michael appeared to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great saying, “I am Michael, chief of the angelic legions of the Lord of Hosts, the protector of the Christian religion, who while you were in battle against godless tyrants placed weapons in your hands.” Constantine built a church named the Michaelion in gratitude.

• The Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian the Great built six churches dedicated to him.

• Charlemagne dedicated his kingdom to St. Michael and St. Francis of Assisi had a great devotion to this Archangel, fasting between the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) and September 29 in his honor.

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the French army against the English and have Charles crowned King of France. He appeared to various Saints such as St. Wilfrid, St. Bertrand, St. Hubert, St. Oringia, St. Francis of Paola.

• When St. Paul of the Cross was in charge of building a house for members of his Passionist Order, he was met with great opposition including from those who plotted to burn the structure down. As they were about to set the structure ablaze a beam of light struck them and they beheld an agel with a sword in hand, none other than St. Michael, who subsequently appeared occasionally to defend this new congregation and its founder.

Perhaps the most striking of modern day stories of the intercession of St. Michael is one of how he saved a U.S. Marine – his namesake — in 1950 during the Korean War. He has two Feast Days, September 29 (known in England and her former colonies as Michaelmas, pronounced MICKel-mus) and May 8, which commemorates his appearance at Monte Gargano in Italy in the 5th century.

An interesting tradition regarding St. Michael developed in England. Goose was served on September 29 and it was said that anyone who had goose for dinner on this day would not be in debt or any type of financial hardship. As the saying goes, “Whoever eats goose on Michaelmas Day, shall never lack money his debts to pay.”

MICHAEL is mentioned in the Confiteor of the Traditional Latin Mass and Pope Leo XIII composed the well-known prayer to St. Michael, an abbreviated version of which is said at the end of Low Mass as well as a scapular of St.Michael.

The Chaplet of St. Michael was approved and indulgenced

by Pope Pius IX, who also approved the Archconfraternity of St. Michael; Pope St. Pius X enriched it with indulgences.

(Painting by Jacopo Vignali)

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Gabriel GABRIEL FIRST APPEARS IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL, explaining to that prophet the meanings of the visions he’d had. He later appears in the Gospel of Luke to St. Zachary, the father of St. John the Baptist, telling him of the latter’s conception and birth.

Famously, St Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary, saying “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” telling her she would conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus. He is also said to have made other appearances in the New Testament, announcing the Birth of Jesus to the shepherds, telling the Magi in a dream to return to their homes by another route, and St. Joseph to take the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod.

GABRIEL is also said to be the angel who visited Jesus during His Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane; as his name means the strength of God, it says in the Bible, “And an angel came and gave Him strength.”

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THE ARCHANGEL ST. RAPHAEL’S NAME MEANS “GOD HEALS” and he appears in the Old Testament Book of Tobias. In this book he is instrumental in healing the blindness of Tobias’ father as well as bringing Tobias and Sarah together in marriage, driving off the demon Asmodeus in the process. He accompanied Tobias in his journey to the country of Media; for these reasons he is one of the Patron Saints of travelers and those suffering from illness.

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MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL (Right, with Tobias): St. Anthony Mary Claret had a special devotion to the Archangel Raphael. When he visited the city of Marseilles and was waiting for a ship to return to Rome, a young man appeared and offered himself as a guide to the Saint. This guide would always disappear at dinnertime and reappear when the repast was ended. When St. Anthony boarded the ship headed for Rome at the port, the young man accompanied him to the ship and disappeared as soon as the Saint was safely aboard. St. Anthony

Mary Claret was convinced this was the Archangel Raphael, as he had invoked him at the beginning of his mission. (Painting by Pietro Perugino) and he appears in the Old Testament Book of Tobias. In this book he is instrumental in healing the blindness of Tobias’ father as well as bringing Tobias and Sarah together in marriage, driving off the demon Asmodeus in the process.

He accompanied Tobias in his journey to the country of Media; for these reasons he is one of the Patron Saints of travelers and those suffering from illness.

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RAPHAEL APPEARS IN THE BOOK OF TOBIT: He is also said to be the angel who stirred the waters of the healing Pool of Bethsaida in the New Testament.

Guardian Angel GUARDIAN ANGELS, whose Feast Day is October 2, are more intimately involved with human beings than any of the angelic choirs.

Everyone has a guardian angel; some are said to have more than one. Everyone should have a devotion to their guardian angel to protect them from spiritual and physical dangers.

The Bible mentions guardian angels in the Book of Psalms: “He hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thy dash thy foot against a stone.” (Ps. 90:11) Our Lord Himself mentioned them in Matthew 18:10: “See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

When we are in a state of grace, guardian angels are drawn to us like bees drawn to nectar in a flower. When we are in a state of sin, they are driven away like smoke drives away bugs.

When asked they will run errands for us and join us in praising God.

There is a story whereby some pious persons sent their guardian angels to Padre Pio for assistance on a certain occasion, and that one morning he complained about the constant arrival of Guardian Angels with various petitions during the night, saying: “ Those Guardian Angels didn’t let me sleep a moment last night!”

The Guardian Angel Prayer

“Angel of God, my guardian dear To whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”

Guardian Angels help us in various ways: They put good thoughts into our minds, and move our will to what is good.

They offer our prayers and good works to the Lord. They protect us from dangers both temporal and spiritual.

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AT THE HOUR OF DEATH our Guardian Angel shows the greatest zeal in protecting and defending the soul committed to his care, invoking the assistance of other Angels against temptations and the rage of Satan and his demons. Should the departed soul be not quite ready to enter Heaven because it has not fully satisfied Divine Justice for its faults, and must therefore remain for some time in Purgatory, the Guardian Angel will lead it to the place of expiation.

The same Angel will often visit it and comfort it in company of other good Angels.

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Love Affair in F

How an American Protestant Fell In Love with S and a Beautiful Woman in Europe’s Culture Capi

By Beverly De Soto

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Florence

Sacred Art, the Faith ital

Article By:

Beverly De Soto Photo Credit:

Beverly De Soto

Cody Castillo is 32 years old. Once upon a time he was an evangelical protestant living in Hawaii. How he came to teach sculpture at the Sacred Art School of Florence is a long, strange trip indeed – the kind of story that only a master story-crafter like God Himself could write.

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REGINA

“I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO GROW UP ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI; my father was a helicopter pilot and decided to bring my mother and I there in search of year –round work flying. Our household was Christian and we did attend Church regularly, mostly Pentecostal denominations.”

- Cody Castillo 222 Regina Magazine | Italy

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“AT A YOUNG AGE I BECAME DRAWN TO THE ARTISTIC TRADITIONS OF THE WEST,primarily the Renaissance, and left Hawaii at 18 in search for classical training in painting and sculpture, which ultimately led me to the Florence Academy of Art. I studied there for three years and upon graduation became a member of the teaching faculty. Shortly after my conversion I also received a Masters with my wife at the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, focusing on Liturgy, Sacred Art and Architecture.” – Cody Castillo 224 Regina Magazine | Italy

“IT’S EASY FOR A FOREIGN ART STUDENT TO BECOME SOMEWHAT ISOLATED,and I drifted from any kind of Christian fellowship, which caused deep spiritual hunger.

I then received a huge wakeup call in the form of a lifethreatening accident: In 2005 I was hit by a speeding car, and having suffered a severe head injury, I woke up in intensive care with complete memory loss. Unable to recall anything I was overwhelmed with fear, yet noticed a crucifix over the door. Not able to remember who I was, I remembered Christ and His perfect sacrifice. Eventually my memory did return and I knew that Christ had to be in the center of my life.” - Cody Castillo

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“SHORTLY AFTER, I MET MY FUTURE WIFE ALINA AT THE FLORENCE ACADEMY who was raised with little Christian formation. I made it my duty to introduce her to the gospel. By the grace of God we then met several devout Catholics and they introduced us to a wonderful priest of Opus Dei named Father Robin Weatherill.

With his spiritual direction we began to study the Catechisms and a year later were both baptized and married in the Duomo by His Eminence, Cardinal Giuseppe Betori.” – Cody Castillo “I’ve now been in Florence for 12 consecutive years and teaching for eight. Italy is incredibly rich with history and beauty, it never ceases to amaze me how many important churches one finds in even the most remote places. There is unfortunately a deep recession and a serious demographic crisis, but being in a Catholic country you can attend Mass daily within a blocks’ distance and have all the more reason to pray.” – Cody Castillo 226 Regina Magazine | Italy

Love Affair in Florence

REGINA: Baptized and married in the Duomo! Fantastic!

CODY: Both our fathers were present. Alina’s father was a lapsed Catholic, and had not been to mass or confession in 40 years. His delight in her conversion compelled him to confess and receive the Eucharist with us.

My father initially opposed my conversion and struggled with many personal issues, though after months of intense theological debate he was so struck by the presence of the Holy Spirit during the Divine action of the Liturgy that shortly after our baptism he decided he wanted to convert. His own baptism was invalid so a year later, having studied the catechisms, he was baptized with my first-born child in the Duomo, again with His Eminence Cardinal Betori. We pray a great deal for our mothers and I’m overwhelmed with joy that this year after reading the book, Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn, my mother has started studying the catechism and would like to enter into the Catholic Church…just one more mother to go!

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“Art is absolutely essential for evangelization together with the Sacred Liturgy.� Cody Castillo REGINA: What role did Christian art play in your conversion?

CODY: Christian art has been an educational tool for centuries and helped even the most uneducated members of society learn the essentials of the faith. Sacred and Liturgical art however are not merely pedagogical, but a material means by which we offer up thanksgiving in showing what is truly present, but hidden; reinforcing the divine action of the Holy Spirit and ultimately encouraging prayer and meditation upon these mysteries of our faith and salvation. Consequently, the passion shared by my wife and I for sacred art brought us to spend a great deal of time in Churches throughout Italy and France; as Christ draws all unto Himself, it was the real presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist that drew us into full communion with Christ and His Church.

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Love Affair in Florence “WE’VE HAD STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, but the majority have been Italian typically within a younger age group. I actually get asked a lot if you must be a Catholic for acceptance and of course, this is not a requirement but we ask that students are at least interested in Catholicism and attend the pertaining lessons.”

– Cody Castillo “IN OUR SECULARIZED, RELATIVISTIC WORLD FULL OF SUPERFICIAL SELF -GRATIFICATION, I firmly believe that many from the younger generations are fed up with all the emptiness, and by genuinely searching for truth become attracted to tradition.” – Cody Castillo

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“THE TRANSCENDENT BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH, which through art reflects its salvific character, remains a bright beacon to many.”

– Cody Castillo 230 Regina Magazine | Italy

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Is The Faith Dead in Italy?

It’s a country whose culture has been synonymous with the family and seemingly inextricably bound to Catholicism for 2000 years. But times have changed, even in Italy.

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Is Faith Dead in Italy?

E

ver since the fall of Roman Empire and through centuries of invasions, wars, political corruption and violence, ordinary Italians have taken refuge in the twin bulwarks of their society: family and faith. Today, both are seriously endangered, and in June of this year, hundreds of thousands of Italians reacted by protesting in Rome against their government’s anti-family policies To understand this, REGINA interviewed a group of Italians ages 20-55, from cities and villages all over Italy. Our questions about the essential nature of the relationship between Italians and their Church were not easy to answer, and we received forthright answers.

It’s worth noting that honest Italian voices are rarely heard in the country’s mainstream media, which is largely controlled by huge conglomerates with definite political agendas.

Too, in a country where people fear for their jobs, many are reluctant to be blunt in their public comments. Therefore, to encourage honesty, we have disguised the names of our respondents, though their ages and locations are correct.

We think you’ll agree that their opinions are very telling. The influence of parents on younger people is apparent, though substantive, unbiased education about the Faith and its history is almost non-existent. The influence of the anti-religious elite in the universities and media is also clear; nevertheless, those Italians with families still reflexively turn to the Church for sacraments. However, the number of Italians who have families is declining rapidly. Not only are families smaller, in many cases they are failing to form at all. Many here refer to a ‘crisis of cultural values.’ People seem quite troubled about the pernicious influence of media, though few are concerned by the messages and effect of ubiquitous advertising. Some are deeply discontent with the Italian Church’s hierarchy and its apparent inability or lack of interest in influencing society positively. Materialism, syncretism, individualism, the disappearance of millennia-old cultural mores -- most of our respondents connect the dots between all of these and the disastrous decline in marriage and religious vocations.

There does, however, seem to be a marked difference between the concerns and perceptions of Italians in their 20s and those older, and we find this hopeful. Many older people deny the incidence and effect of abortion, though the young are quite clear about both.

Older people do not seem to see the rampant New Age influence; young people are aware, and trace it to cultural politics.

Fascinatingly, it is young people who most often point out the lack of respect younger Italians have for older people. Young people also seem less interested in feminism, cultural Marxism and other ideologies fashionable in their parents’ generation. And, while Italians’ concern with the intelligibility of Latin may seem perplexing to those outside the country, those few Italians who have had contact with the usus antiquor are enthusiastic about it, and most of them are quite young. With a non-working democracy, uncontrolled immigration of non-Christians and an economy in seemingly permanent crisis, it may not be an overstatement to say that the future of Italy – in fact, if there is to be a future ‘Italy’ – is in the hands of these very young, brave Italians.

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REGINA: We are very interested to know more about the current state of the Faith in Italy today. It doesn't seem as if the average Italian attends Mass very often, and the statistics bear this out. Why is this?

My father is strongly Catholic, while my mother has a more fluctuating attitude towards Faith.

Personally I try to go to the Mass every day and if I can I recite the rosary and other prayers. I think the current state of Faith in Italy is not so bad; when I go to the church there are always plenty of people.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA Many are Catholic culturally, but not practicing. There is usually one Mass per Sunday in which more people attend (kids, Scouts, catechists.), while the other Masses are less well-attended and families might not attend together.

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

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Is Faith Dead in Italy?

“Unfortunately, today the Faith in Italy is being lost because many families no longer teach children to pray, entrusting everything to the catechism of the parish or school. And so, for the first time in the history of Christianity, the chain of faith between the generations is being broken.

Just look around, the children of the middle-aged generation hardly know who Abraham, Isaac, Jacob were themselves. When they are parents they will have nothing to pass on. The Holy Mass is little frequented as it is always in the spotlight of the media, who besmirch the work.”

Michael, 20’s, LIGURIA In my opinion, people are abandoning the Church due to the bad information there are about hierarchies. For example, everywhere Cardinals and Bishops are depicted as rich people who think of their own interests, but this is a false prejudice.

LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE

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Most Italian people consider themselves Catholic, but we are not practicing the faith anymore. Catholic culture and beliefs are only on the surface for the majority. But there is a minority that is going to Mass not only on Sundays and these people are aware of what it means to be Christian. These, thank God, are not only elderly. They are from all age groups and they have a higher level of culture, they read more than the average.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN 238 Regina Magazine | Italy

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Unfortunately, since 1968 young people have rebelled against the Church, tending to new forms of religion. Thanks to Pope John Paul II, who is a great Saint, for awhile they came back to the true Faith and its values, also founding religious movements like the one of the “Papa-Boys� -- young people who followed the Pope, like a group of supporters. Nevertheless, on average today Italians are breaking the habit of going to Church, though they still attend for the most important Sacraments, such as baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, weddings or funerals, or for most important holidays, like Christmas, Holy Week or All Souls Day. In my opinion, this is because society is discarding its values and is also losing the culture of the battle against sin.

- MARCELLA, 50s, LIGURIA

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Is Faith Dead in Italy?

Most Italians nowadays do not recognise the Church principles as theirs and even if Catholic - do not recognise themselves in the behaviour of the Roman Church.

- PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE Italian people have had really bad education about Catholicism. Even if a great number of children are baptized, the majority of them stop going to the Mass on Sundays or receiving Sacraments shortly after First Communion or Confirmation.

My personal experience makes me say that it is due to priests or Bishops, who have sometimes abandoned their mission, becoming mere social workers. In some cases, they prefer fame over Faith.

- VITTORIO, 20s, ROME

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The Latin Mass is almost unknown in most of Italy -- we have even heard of groups of Italian bishops complaining about ‘traditionalists’ to Pope Francis. Why is the TLM perceived as such a threat by prelates in the Italian hierarchy?

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Thomas More College of Liberal Arts Experience the drama of a Catholic Great Books Education at our Fall Open House October 11-12, 2015

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The Latin Mass is perceived as a threat because many prelates think that it is an elitist form of cult, given that there are few people that understand the Latin language.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA

Since not everyone studies Latin, not everyone would understand the Latin Mass. In the past, even 20-30 years ago, there was more frequently Latin Masses available. In the past, even an Italian-speaking Mass would have Latin prayers in it more frequently (e.g. Salve Regina). From a cultural side, Latin is sometimes seen as an elitist language.

Previously, Mass was said in Latin because of tradition. Some might think that Latin is a language that would not reach the average person today…or that the Gospel message would be lost in translation. - VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME I do not know whether it is perceived as a threat, but I think that most people believe that God’s word needs to be understood thoroughly and fewer people nowadays study and understand Latin- PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE Because many prelates think that Vatican II has eliminated the Vetus Ordo.

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Is Faith Dead in Italy?

The Second Vatican Council was perceived in Italy as a big change, something very good and necessary. Priests and Bishops in Italy adopted the liturgical change in a moderate way, avoiding the radical changes that happened in other countries, as in the north of Europe. Because of that I believe the Latin Mass was, and still is perceived with suspicion. Anyway in most Cathedrals of Italian cities there is at least one Sunday Mass in Latin.

PIERLUIGI, 50’s, MILAN For me, bishops see the Traditional Latin Mass as if it is an obstacle against the modernization process. They also may think that it is a liturgy loved and defended only by old people. However, these bishops are wrong. Every Sunday I attend a local TLM -- which follows the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of Benedict XVI -- and the majority of those attending are very young!

MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA

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The Traditional Mass is having a renaissance thanks to lay people, and even thanks to some priests or bishops with good intentions. In my experience, I can confirm that Traditional Mass-born vocations are clearly more frequent than others. The same is true for increasing Italians’ participation in the Mass or in other Sacraments. On my opinion, Italian bishops look at these small but growing groups as if they are their antagonists, which by their success could make the bishops look bad to objective observers. Most Italian bishops want to preserve their dominance, and often react with strong abuses of power. VITTORIO, 20s, ROME Maybe the Latin Mass is seen as a threat because many prelates are progressivist, and look at the Latin Mass as something old and obsolete. However, the next generation of high prelates is more conservative, so they are more favorable to the Latin Mass. LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE REGINA: The Church in Italy has an amazing history – many ancient buildings are still standing — but are Italians today aware of this? Are they taught about the early Christians, the Martyrs, how the Faith kept knowledge alive during the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire?

Italian schools teach people the importance of the early Christians, even if in a very poor way. History books often dedicate only a small part to this topic.

LAURA, 20’s, VENETO We are, but the world ‘Martyr’ nowadays is not always positive and has also acquired a sinister connotation of fanaticism.

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE The Italian people don’t know at all the Church’s story.

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While Italians today are aware of the importance of the Faith in keeping alive knowledge during the centuries following the fall of the Roman empire thanks to the monasteries and the amanuensis monks, I think that generally they aren’t much taught about the early Christians and the Martyrs.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA Yes, in Italian schools (middle school and high school) this is studied in depth from different views in both middle school and high school: historical, artistic, literary, religious. This remains more on an academic and intellectual level. For instance, it is not connected to a personal connection of faith (at least at public schools). It is taught from a “neutral” point of view. VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME This must be done by teachers of Catholicism, even if it is another sore point. The majority of these teachers are well prepared to teach this, though on the other hand there are some teachers who are not able to transmit authentic Catholicism or that our country has Catholic origins -- so their pupils never learn this. MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA 248 Regina Magazine | Italy

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nly devout Catholics are aware of the richness of our Church history. It is almost unbelievable that we had so many saints in our cities. I believe that the Faith is going to be stronger when it is attacked, so for example, when the Gay and Lesbian movements are pushing to introduce their vision into the public school, all of a sudden Christian families have started to complain and to say aloud their point of view.

In many case the de-christianization of the society was done in a way more subtle, almost underground and that is by far the worst attack we face: a society that calls itself Catholic but is void of any Christian content. This is happening for example when charity is only towards people (the poor or those in need) -forgetting God. PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN REGINA: It’s clear that Italians are aware of and proud of their great cultural heritage, but do they recognize the role that the Church has played in creating this beauty and preserving it?

Yes, Italians recognize the Church’s presence and influence in Italy: in art, culture, philosophy, etc., even also with governance. The idea of appreciation though differs. Those who respect the Church appreciate the Church’s influence. Those who are not believers or believe the Church meddled too much in the business of the state, have less respect for its role. Many criticize the Church in the ways she has influenced and conducted herself in the past, most especially for the role between the country of Italy and the Vatican. Regarding today’s controversial issues (which in more secular countries are accepted), the Vatican has power which still influences Italian politics (e.g. abortion, gay marriage, divorce, etc.)

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

In my opinion, Italian people take for granted the great beauty of our country, so that wecannot appreciate it. We have not the knowledge that 80% of our cultural heritage is due to the Catholic Church.

MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA Most Italians probably recognize the historical role of the Church but cannot see any continuity in its current state.

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE If the priests do not care for the history and the value of the Church, why should the people?

CARLO, 40’S, VICENZA Italian aren’t aware of the Church’s role in Italian culture. To be more precise, they look at the Church only as a bad institution which contaminates Italian culture - this is caused by a certain prejudice which is taught underhandedly in schools (with rare exceptions).

LAURA, 20’S, VENETO Ignorance about religious treasures is always due to bad education emanating from certain priests or bishops. Not only have they not transmitted the authentic Faith, but they have also exposed the Faith to ridicule with poor and often awful desacralizing liturgies. They left purity to follow worldliness. This is caused by ignorance of the Church’s history, its origins and its glorious era replete with amazing music and astonishing art and architecture.

VITTORIO, 20’s, ROME

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I think Italian women got this idea from Feminism. Italian feminist people - like Emma Bonino - are unfortunately very popular and so they spread their ideas.

- LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE

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ntonio Gramsci (19th century founder of the Italian Communist Party) had the recipe to de-christianize Italy. It was done through culture. The dominant culture was to reshape history and the Italian way of thinking into a non-Christian way. For example, to accuse the Church of obscurantism, or of anti-scientific approach. And when we deal with works of art admired all over the world, to separate the content from the formal analysis. So we can celebrate Dante or Michelangelo, without saying a word about the topic they were concerned with.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN In recent years there has been a trend towards New Age ideas among middle-aged Italian women, who believe the Church has ‘oppressed’ them and prefer yoga, etc.

Where is this coming from?

New Age ideologies are probably a trend; they are not taught in schools. However, the Church has often had an obscurantistic behaviour towards women. Italian women moved forward and fought in order to have their own liberty, independence and rights (that they previously did not have).

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE I think that the advent of New Age ideologies that consider the Church as patriarchal and oppressive is mainly due to the extreme left political propaganda that in order to reduce the relevance of the Church foster these different form of cults. COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA

I can confirm that many Italian women have in fact deserted the Church in favor of New Age ideologies they have learned about on the internet. MICHAEL, 20’s, LIGURIA

The criticisms of the Church are studied in high school, but from a philosophical and historical perspective (eg. Marx). But the teachers have to present an argument or theory in the most neutral way possible…they are not allowed to propagate political propaganda.

Perhaps, these ideas come from outside of Italy from other parts of Europe, America, and the East. VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

Italy’s whole contemporary culture is full of spiritual syncretism, with influences from Eastern philosophies or new “religions”. You can find anywhere gyms where yoga is taught, Buddhist temples, movies or documentaries which spread these cultures. It is obvious that this comes with the failure in validating the glorious history of Catholicism.

VITTORIO, 20’s, ROME

This is coming from abroad. Many are preaching models from the north of Europe or from North America. This is done in many ways, inside universities, through movies and lifestyle.

People who are against the Church can defend the Muslim right to profess their faith but in fact what they want the most is to remove the crucifix from our public schools.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN

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“The problem is the family does not have the same value as before.”

Valentina, 20’s, Rome REGINA: For perhaps the first time in Italy’s long history, the young generations seem not to be marrying or having children. The few marriages are also extremely fragile, and divorce is common. What is causing this?

In fact young generations do get married and do have children, but it’s true that these families are extremely fragile and often split up and divorce is considered a choice like another, not something wrong. This is caused by the fall of ancient values that are coming from politics which permeate all society.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA I think fragile marriages are caused by the fact that, until a generation ago, people were marrying only after a certain time of engagement - on average, five years while now they are marrying a few months after they have met for the first time.

This certainly causes a certain anxiety in other families, who are no long believing in marriage. LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE 254 Regina Magazine | Italy

Is The Faith Dead in Italy?

This is not limited to Italy. There are several factors, including the economic crisis and a crisis of values.

If there were a foundation of values in common, notwithstanding the economic issues, there would be more of a chance for the family. The problem is the family does not have the same value as before. There is more individualism. For instance, after the second world war, there was an enormous economic crisis, but the family still survived. But today, there is an economic crisis but the family is not surviving. There is less connection between the generations. For instance, parents might not know how to deal with their children. There is still respect from the old toward the young, but the young (perhaps spoiled by society) lack respect for the old. By contrast, non-Italian Catholic immigrants (Filipinos, Africans, South Americans), have a strong respect for the family. They have families even if there is an economic crisis.

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

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Family is very weak in Italy and Spain, but stronger than in the UK, Scandinavian countries or Benelux. France was able to help families more than Italy. The problem is that no one is helping them; the market economy and the social political system are making Italian family life more difficult. Only if families are aware of the big war against them, can they mobilize. It is also true that it is only when families are vital that a society can develop, so a sick society sooner or later will give way to somebody or something else. It could be that among these new young families arising –who understand the challenges they face – that we will have also a Christian community with strong values.

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This is caused by psychological, politic and economic insecurity. No one seems to be disposed to engage himself for his whole life; for that reason, even families which have been Catholic forever are now facing cases of cohabitation without any wedding. I am a follower of the theory of the Historical Recurrences of Giambattista Vico (Naples, 1668 - 1744), who is my favorite philosopher, so I think there is a parallelism with the Fall of the Roman Empire.

MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA

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Nowadays Italians do not perceive marriage as a necessary step to be part of society as it used to be in the past. However, it always depends on what part of the country one is from and whether one was born and raised in a small town or not. PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE 258 Regina Magazine | Italy

REGINA: A generation ago, Italians would not have foreseen that today Italy would have the lowest birthrate in Europe. According to UN statistics, Italy’s abortion rate is twice neighboring Croatia’s, where the Catholic faith is still practiced. Is it even publicized? What emotional effect is this having on young people?

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The abortion rate is not so high.

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE

Even if a lot of abortions are not known - women would never say that they have aborted a child - their incidence is very high. In fact, abortion is publicized, in direct or indirect ways, and is shown as a way to have more freedom.

LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE

Luckily abortion is not publicized in Italy and is still considered a painful choice for women and for men. Nevertheless it is not illegal and sometimes is thought to be acceptable by the State, mainly when the pregnant woman has been harassed or when the fetus is seriously ill.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA

This depends on whether you are speaking about a Catholic or a secular person. In fact the birth rate among Italian women is even lower than the official because foreign women here are having more children than Italian women.

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Abortion is decreasing in Italy, but the anti-life mentality is spreading more and more.

There is a lack of hope towards the future, and the population is very old. Elderly people usually have less energy to plan. For young people it is difficult to find a job, and they are not accustomed -- as generations before were -- to sacrifice. The combination of the ongoing economic crisis and their being accustomed to a high living standard creates a people who are unable to move. Young people calculate more than their parents, because they have something to lose. Women many times put their work objectives as their first priority and men are like spoiled brats, enjoying their career while they live with their parents -- and getting what they want from their fiancee.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN

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REGINA: Italians say that the reason many are not marrying is because there are no permanent jobs, but Italy has suffered through great cycles of poverty in the past without abandoning the family. Why do you think that today is different?

We cannot compare the crises we had in the past with this one. Society has changed, culture has changed. I believe Catholic families are still influential in raising children.

Maybe they are not multigenerational as before, but are still influential. For the Church I believe this is the only way to maintain and pass the faith for the future.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN Grandparents have always been very important in the Italian families. It does not depend on Catholicism but more on the wish to be helping each other within a family.

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE Maybe nowadays people are using the economic crisis as an excuse; in fact, they are no long believing in marriage itself. Catholic families maintain a certain control over children’s education, even if children are more and more influenced by the context like mass media, non - Catholic friends, etc.

LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE I think there is also a crisis of faith due to the world we live in – a culture without faith and values. MICHAEL, 20’S, LIGURIA

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“One may have many friends, but the friendship may be more superficial than in the past.”

In the past there were more families, whether Catholic or not, composed of a large number of individuals, so the new bride and groom could depend on them for their survival.

Nowadays these large families are almost extinct and the new couples have great problems if they can’t get a permanent job.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA The Italian Catholic parents of today do not have the same educational capacity of the past. Not because of lack of intelligence, but because the culture has become more secularized. There is the content of television that 20 years ago would not have been accepted. Women almost naked dancing in a suggestive way at 8:00 at night was not accepted in the past. Neither were the explicit contents of commercials. For this reason, it is harder to educate children. You have to be more attentive. You have to be able to explain things. It is harder to be a good parent today. In the past, you also had more help from the grandparents, neighbors, the parish, etc. Today it is more individualistic. One may have many friends, but the friendship may be more superficial than in the past.

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

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REGINA: Advertisements for the luxury goods that Italy exports are everywhere in Italy. Do you think this has contributed to the consumerism of today’s Italians, especially the young? To their alienation?

In my opinion, Italian products’ ads do not influence Italian consumerism. Italian people (especially the young) are looking for foreign products - usually from the USA, the UK or from Japan - rather than Italian products.

LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE I do not think so. Contrarily, I think in Italy they are influenced by foreign products, especially by American products.

MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA I think that advertisements for goods of any kind could increase consumerism and cause alienation in young and old people, though not only the advertisements for the luxury goods exported by Italy.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA

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“Messages through advertising have strong influences on the young. There is no filter or capacity to recognize the social messages that they are sending.”

Yes, definitely. Advertisements are often suggestively or explicitly sexual. These have definitely influenced the choices of the young in both their consumer habits and their personal values. Messages through advertising have strong influences on the young. There is no filter or capacity to recognize the social messages that they are sending. In some of these ads, women are treated as objects and even appear to enjoy it.

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME As an advertiser I do not think so. I would rather say that in poor countries the “status symbol product” is more effective that in a wealthy society like Italy. But of course it is also true that advertising can affect lifestyle and, as Italians, we are proud of our fashion and our food.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN

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Italy is being invaded by non-European refugees, especially from Africa and the Middle East. At the same time, there is a ‘brain drain’ happening as gifted young Italians are emigrating for jobs in places like Australia.

At the same time, foreign corporations are moving their workers to Italy to produce ‘Italian’ luxury goods -- as in the Chinese in Florence. There seems to be no functioning democracy left in Italy on a national level. Italy is truly in crisis and the Church has historically served as a place of refuge and support for Italians, most recently in the wake of World War I and World War II. Previous generations seemed to have a deep understanding of the need for the Church as the fundamental organizing principle of society -- has this understanding disappeared completely?

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No i the p to re com eno

The to Ita lega the l no c for e hom

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it is not. The Church is still strong in Italy as a teaching and social reality. In a time when politicians are so distant from the people, a Pope like Francis is using the right language each everyone, and also at the local level, young priest are very clever as pastors of their mmunities. Of course, we have also a lot of old priests and the new vocations are not ough to replace those who have died. PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN

Church gives much help to immigrants. I know of a Romanian woman who immigrated aly illegally. She eventually got a job cleaning in a Church and the Church helped her get al citizenship. In reference to the Chinese in Florence, usually they make cheap goods, not luxury goods. They benefit from using the term “Made in Italy” even though it has little to connection to Italian producers. The Church helps both Italians and the foreigners. Caritas, example, helps with feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. The hungry and meless consist of both Italians and foreigners. VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME

nk we can live with, and I know many immigrants are living with a lot of respect in the t of the country where I live. MICHAEL, 20’S, LIGURIA

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No, it did not disappear. A huge number of people, even non-Catholic people, see the Church like a Great Mother: it sustains us and overcomes the shortcomings of the Italian Government. MARCELLA, 50’S, LIGURIA Apparently, the need to call on the Church seems to have disappeared. However, people are often asking the Church for help, even if in a silent way; the Church has activated a wide range of services for to help people in need. LAURA, 20’s, VENETO The Church is no more regarded as the fundamental organizing principle of society but has an unimportant role confined to drug rehabilitation centers and charities.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA

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I am afraid the Church is not perceived as an organising principle of society any more.

PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE

Does the Church hierarchy seem to be aware of the plight of so many Italians, and are they offering the Sacraments as a real support in all of this? With the lack of vocations approaching critical levels, do Italians have much contact with the Church on everyday levels at all?

Outside of the tourist churches, most churches in Italy are closed. No priests, no vocations, no Faith. CARLO, 40’S, VICENZA As I said, the Catholic Church is viewed as being completed detached from everyday life. PATRICIA, 30’s, FLORENCE Unfortunately, many young people have lost their faith and to comfort this lack abuse drugs. MICHAEL, 20’s, LIGURIA

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The Sacraments are often available but more is needed. If people go to Confession, it may be not to confess a sin, but because they are having a crisis of values, and need encouragement or advice from a priest. The average Italian probably has little to no contact with the Church on an everyday level…more those who are involved in a parish.

VALENTINA, 20’S, ROME Yes, the Church is aware of the plight of so many Italians and does offers Sacraments as a real support in this, and in spite of the lack of vocations, the contact with the Church is at a good level.

COSTANZA, 20’s, PARMA The Church always helps people in need, by offering them the Sacraments or even economic help (like the canteens or other charitable actions from the Caritas). Sadly, people are not having contact with the priests; this is not due to the hostility of Church people, but to the prejudices of people.

LAURA, 20’s, MARCHE

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Bishops in Italy are known to be the closest to the hierarchy and this is helping them to be focused on good doctrine. We have also new movements that are bringing new life to the Church, like “Comunione e Liberazione” i “Focolarini”, and new saints that are inspiring us like Padre Pio, la Beata Molla, Piergiorgio Frassati, just to mention a few. I think that with all these and with hope in the Holy Spirit, we are going to have all we need.

PIERLUIGI, 50’S, MILAN The Church’s members are humans, and as humans, they have both merits and defects. The Church has a uniform presence in Italy, and it manages to meet people’s needs which have not only a spiritual origin. It is important to have the Grace to meet kind people, sent and guided by God’s Providence.

There is a need to pray daily so that more and more people may have vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life.

MARCELLA, 50’s, LIGURIA

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DREAM NO SMALL DREAMS Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

Coming in the OCTOBER issue of REGINA Magazine FREE CLICK HERE 276 Regina Magazine | Italy

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Ambrose and Augustine in Milan H Article By: Harry Stevens Photo Credits: Harry Stevens

ow does one write about two great Doctors of the Church? With humility. From those who know more about these saints, I beg understanding and toleration, so that those who do not know them may. What follows is but a brief summation of both St Ambrose’s and St Augustine’s time in Milan. (Editor’s Note: For more detailed reading, see references at the end of the article.) St Ambrose’s biography was written by his secretary Deacon Paulinus of 278 Regina Magazine | Italy

Nola at the suggestion of St Augustine. Some say it is disappointing as literature; I have read Paulinus’s account, and it is certainly not the same level of prose as Sulpicius Serverus’ “The Life of St Martin” of Tours. However, Paulinus prefaces his biography with comments on the limitations of his writing skills.

In any case, for today’s readers it should be read as an introductory eye witness first-hand account of this fourth century saint.

“Thou hadst pierced our heart with Thy love, and we carried Thy words, as it were, thrust through our vitals.”

- St Augustine, Confessions

“If you demand my person, I am ready to submit; carry me to prison or to death, I will not resist but I will never betray the church of Christ…I will die at the foot of the altar rather than desert it.”

- St Ambrose

We know much about St Augustine from his own writing and from others such as his friend of forty years, St Possidius. Possidius’s account is called “The Life of St Augustine”, written within two to three years of St Augustine’s death. Possidius’s is a truthful account of someone who shared the same roof for seven or eight years with a friend of 40-plus years. He says of St Augustine that he was “the best of bishops, predestined from eternity to be given to us when his time came…”

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THE EARLY LIFE OF AMBROSE: He was born probably in Trier about 339 to parents of ancient Christian ancestry. He was born Aurelius Ambrosius, gens Aurelia from his mother and Ambrosius from his father. His father, also Ambrosius, was Prefect of Gallia.

After his father died, the family moved to Rome about 340. As Ambrose was destined for civil service, he received a liberal arts education, studying the classics, Greek, Latin, literature, philosophy, music and rhetoric. Later, he studied law.

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Ambrose and Augustine in Milan

AUGUSTINE’S EARLY LIFE: Augustine was born at Tagaste (now Souk-Ahras, Tunis) on 13 November, 354 to Patricius and Monica.

Patricius was a pagan of the curialis (senatorial and landholding) rank; his mother, Monica, was a devout Christian. Augustine received his early education in Tagaste, then studied at Carthage, a pagan town, in 370. His subjects would have included Latin, Greek, rhetoric, philosophy, and literature, among others.

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PRE-CHRISTIAN GODDESS: Augustine, like so many who leave benevolent parental influence when very young, became seduced by the glamour and sinfulness of a pagan world. Caught up in the pride of his own success as a brilliant student, by the time he was 18 (372 AD), he was a father, living with the woman who bore him his son, Adeodatus.

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AUGUSTINE REPORTS, IN HIS CONFESSIONS: “I became evil for no reason. I had no motive for my wickedness except wickedness itself. It was foul, and I loved it. I loved the self-destruction, I loved my fall, not the object for which I had fallen but my fall itself. My depraved soul leaped down from Your firmament to ruin. I was seeking not to gain anything by shameful means, but shame for its own sake.“

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AMBROSE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF: In 365 at about the age of 26, Ambrose and his brother became lawyers at the court of Sirmium (in the modern day Republic of Serbia), which was the headquarters and administrative offices of the praetorian prefect.

Ambrose distinguished himself in court, and came under the favor of the praetorian prefect, Anicius Probus. Probus made Ambrose a member of his council. About 370, they both were appointed to governorships, with Ambrose going to Milan.

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AUGUSTINE EMBRACES MANI: Augustine developed skills in rhetoric, and regarded its practice as his profession, though he continued to study philosophy out of love. About 373, he became enamored of Manicheanism, essentially a religion that tried to include all the truths of all previous religions. Augustine tells us that he was enticed by their ‘free philosophy unbridled by faith.’ Augustine embraced the Manicheans, read all their books, and defended their positions.

He also studied astrology.

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AUGUSTINE IN ROME: In 383, at age 29, Augustine decided to leave Carthage for Rome, and took a job teaching rhetoric. But in leaving Carthage, he lied to his mother Monica. Successfully deceiving her, he sailed to Rome, leaving his family behind. However, he actually became physically sick in Rome, to the point where he thought he was on his death bed. To add to his troubles, Augustine soon found Roman students taking advantage of him and finding ways of not paying him. When some officials of Milan came to Rome looking for a teacher of rhetoric, Augustine applied, and was accepted.

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Ambrose and Augustine in Milan

AUGUSTINE’S EPIPHANY REGARDING MANICHEANISM happened when he met Faustus, a bishop of this sect; in his writings Augustine calls him the snare of the Devil. For nine years, the elders (or select) of the sect referred Augustine to Faustus for clarification of doctrinal inconsistencies. Augustine found Faustus to be an ordinary man gifted in speech, but ignorant of Truth. Augustine became disenchanted with Manicheanism as he learned that it did not reveal the Truth he sought.

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n 374, the bishop of Milan died, after 20 years of Arian rule. The Catholics saw their chance to put one of their own on the bishop’s chair. The historian Rufinus of Aquileia tells us that as governor, Ambrose foresaw a great clash coming between the two sides.

He therefore entered Milan cathedral where all were gathered, his object was to calm the masses. (After all, he was responsible for public order). While Ambrose was addressing those present, Paulinus tells us that a cry was heard, said to be a 288 Regina Magazine | Italy

child’s voice, saying “Ambrose for Bishop!” Then the whole crowd -- Arians and Catholics alike -- began chanting these same words, “Ambrose for Bishop!”

Ambrose did not want this; he was only a catechumen at the time. He felt himself unworthy and unprepared. Ambrose left the cathedral, and Paulinus tells us, contrary to his usual practice, put some prisoners to torture, hoping to dissuade people by this show of violence.

In response, the crowd shouted “Your sin be upon us.” Ambrose then tried to tar-

Ambrose and Augustine in Milan

AMBROSE IN MILAN: Having arrived in Milan about 370, Ambrose was told

by Probus: “Go, and conduct yourself not as judge, but as a bishop.” These words turned out to be prophetic. When Ambrose arrived in Milan, Arians and Christians were both present, as were pagans of the cult of Mithra. Ambrose’s many jobs as governor included being responsible for the public order. He was a judge of the first order. He was also a member of the Senate, and he supervised a large number of public servants.

He was beloved by the people. nish his reputation by having prostitutes in his house. The crowd, undeterred, again shouted “Your sin be upon us.”

Ambrose saw that these last two acts were futile. He then tried to leave Milan, not once, but twice. On his first attempt to leave, the people captured him. He then put off his decision about a month by seeking the emperor’s approval. While awaiting the emperor’s decision, he tried to escape again, staying at a friend’s house.

But, when the emperor’s message arrived --approving Ambrose-- the friend turned

Ambrose over to the authorities. Only then did Ambrose recognize that it was God’s will. Ambrose insisted on a Catholic Bishop for baptism. Ambrose was baptized on November 30, 374 at the age of 40. (It was the custom in those days to be baptized later in life. Ambrose later came to look on his youthful years without the sacraments as a time when “he had been lost.”) He completed the other stages of ecclesiastical hierarchy, and was made bishop on Sunday December 7, 374.

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AUGUSTINE IN MILAN: Augustine lived in Milan from autumn 384 to May 387. He taught rhetoric in the pagan schools there, still holding fast to his Manichean beliefs, even after the Faustus experience.

Yet, Augustine, still seeking the Truth, began reading Holy Scripture. But, scripture was not enough; initially, a skeptical Augustine was unimpressed with holy writ. He thought it better suited to children. Further, he still had issues with the concept of evil that 290 Regina Magazine | Italy

he thought Christianity did not fully address. Then, Monica along with Augustine’s mistress of twelve years and their twelve year old son, arrived in Milan. Monica sent Augustine’s mistress away, as she wanted Augustine to have a legitimate marriage; in response, Augustine found another mistress. It was during this time that Augustine famously prayed, “Make me chaste and continent, but not yet.”

d

g

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TOWERS OF THE CHURCH THEY KNEW: Ambrose and Augustine met in Milan when Ambrose was in his fifties; Augustine was 30. Ambrose was a member of the Roman aristocracy, and had been Bishop of Milan for ten years. In contrast, Augustine was an obscure African rhetorician, a follower of Mani.

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ANCIENT MOSAIC OF AMBROSE, CREATED VERY SOON AFTER HE DIED. Augustine was attracted to Ambrose through his style of speech. In his Confessions, Augustine relates that “I took no trouble to learn what he said, but only to hear how he said it…” However, Augustine experienced much anguish as he processed what he was learning. Also, in Confessions, Augustine tells us about this story: One day, I heard the voice of a child in the yard next door singing, “Take it and read it, take it and read it.” He picked up a nearby copy of the Scriptures, opened and read the first passage he saw, “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in concupiscence.” Immediately after reading this passage, Augustine no longer had any doubt as to what he should do. He had overcome his final objection. Through the grace of God, Monica’s prayers, and Ambrose’s friendship along with his sermons, Augustine eventually turned away from the falsehood of the Manicheans, and became a catechumen.

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Ambrose and Augustine in Milan

AMBROSE (CENTER) IN THE CRYPT OF MILAN CATHEDRAL, AWAITING THE RESURRECTION. Along with St. Gervasius and St Protasius, these remains have lain undisturbed for 17 centuries.

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AUGUSTINE, HIS SON ADEODATUS, AND HIS FRIEND ALYPIUS WERE

BY BISHOP AMBROSE on the Easter Vigil, April 24-25 387. He was 32. M present, must have been overjoyed. Shortly after this in May, 387, Augus ly departed Milan to return to his African home. On the way, Monica cau and a few days later expired in the Roman port city of Ostia.

Over the centuries, we can still hear Monica’s last words: "Son, for myself any pleasure in anything in this life. Now that my hopes in this world are s know what more I want here or why I am here. There was indeed one thin wished to tarry a little in this life, and that was that I might see you a Catho fore I died. My God hath answered this more than abundantly, so that I se his servant and spurning all earthly happiness. What more am I to do her

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ALL BAPTIZED Monica, who was stine and his famiught a deadly fever

f I have no longer satisfied, I do not ng for which I olic Christian beee you now made re?"

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mbrose’s greatest triumph was perhaps in helping Augustine overcome his intellectual barriers and pride in order to accept Catholicism.

Augustine surely needed this strong Catholic Bishop at this time in his life. Possidius writes: “through Ambrose, Augustine received both the teachings of salvation within the Catholic Church and the sacraments which effect that salvation.”

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Augustine, in his own words in Confessions, reports “So I came to Milan and to Bishop Ambrose….

He was a devout worshiper of you, Lord, and at the same time his energetic preaching provided Your people with the choicest wheat and the joy of oil and the sober intoxication of wine. Unknowingly, I was led by You to him, so that through him I might be led, knowingly, to You.”

References Confessions St Augustine Saint Ambrose: His Life and Times,

by Angelo Pardee, University of Notre Dame Press, 1964 The Life of St Ambrose, Deacon Paulinus in The Western Fathers, Sheed and Ward, 1954 The Life of St Augustine, Bishop Possidius in The Western Fathers, Sheed and Ward, 1954

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Saint Peter Healing Agatha, by Caravaggio-follower Giovanni Lanfranco, c. 1614

The Ladies of the Canon Not long ago I was asked about the ‘ladies’ whose names are written in the Canon of the Mass, and quite honestly, I couldn’t answer the question. Why had they been so honored with such special mention during the most sacred part of the Liturgy? All I knew was that there were seven names mentioned, and that they were saints and martyrs.

Oh, and that one had lost her eyes. In my Sunday Missal, though, I seem to always linger over the names of Agatha, Lucy, and Agnes.

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Three

ITALIAN LADIES What is the origin of Italians’ deep traditional reverence for their women saints?

Article By:

Donna Sue Berry

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his question came to the attention of the English-speaking world after the ‘Grand Tours’ when many aristocratic travelers visited Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Faced with stupendous Christian art depicting Saints Agatha, Lucy, and Agnes, these Protestant elites could only conclude that the Roman female martyrs were in fact fictional folk characters ‘worshipped’ by the ‘ignorant, superstitious’ Catholic Italians.

Some even went so far as to suggest that Italy’s ancient women saints were pagan goddesses in disguise.

Such a stunning combination of historical illiteracy and cultural chauvinism has had long-lasting effects. Outside southern Italy and Sicily, where these women are known by their iconography, most Catholics have not been instructed about this.

Also, as the foreshortened Novus Ordo practiced worldwide today has eliminated the full Canon, few Catholics have even heard these women’s names immortalized at Mass.

In this unflinching essay, REGINA writer Donna Sue Berry tells the stories of these great Saints who suffered and died for the Faith so long ago, thereby helping lay the groundwork for the great Christian civilization of Italy. Even if their legacy has been neglected, we can safely assume one thing: the fortitude of these young women in the face of bestial torments undoubtedly influenced Italians’ traditional respect for Christian womanhood.

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St. Agatha, Lorenzo Lippi (c. 1606-1665)

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• Agatha, Tortured For the Faith

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aint Agatha is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity. About the year 231 in Catania, Sicily, Agatha was born to a rich and noble family; she was known for her remarkable beauty. Sometime during her youth, she consecrated her virginity to God, but at the age of 15 she enraged the Roman Senator Quintianus when she spurned his lustful advances. As punishment for her profession of the Christian faith, (and the fact that she had turned him down) he forced her into a brothel, essentially condemning her to a lifetime of constant rape.

eventually succumbed. Agatha died in prison under the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Decius in the year 251.

However, the madam of the establishment found her unmanageable and sent her back to Quintianus. He unsuccessfully threatened her with torture if she didn’t acquiesce to his desires and eventually had her thrown into prison. She was subjected to the most inhumane tortures, especially the cruelty of having her breasts cut off. But the holy virgin was consoled by a vision of Saint Peter, who miraculously healed her. However, as the tortures continued over a long period of time, she

A year after her death, the calming of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to her intercession, and devotees even today continue to ask her prayers for protection against fire and celebrate her feast with a daylong procession. Her relics are kept in a beautiful urn in the Cathedral of Catania and in various churches in Palermo.

St. Agatha’s feast day is February 5th, and her office is in the Roman Breviary. In testimony of the type of tortures she endured, she is the patron saint of bell-founders because of the shape of her severed breasts, and of bakers whose loaves were blessed on her feast day. She has become the patron saint of breast cancer patients. Iconography often has her pictured as holding a plate with her severed breasts on it.

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• Lucy, the Saint of Syracuse

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aint Lucy, according to tradition, was born in Syracuse, Sicily in the year 283.

Her father was of Roman origin, and her mother’s name, which was Eutychia, seems to indicate she was of Greek ancestry. Lucy was brought up as a Christian by her mother and must have been greatly influenced by the life of St. Agatha, who had died a martyr’s death some 32 years before Lucy’s birth.

Catania, the town of St. Agatha’s birth and where her relics rest, is only fifty miles from Syracuse. Many miracles were reported at Syracuse and in three decades it had become a place of pilgrimage that attracted many people who sought the intercession of St. Agatha. (Editor’s Note: Siracusa, Italy still celebrates the Feast of St Lucy, December 13, with a massive procession.)

This occurred sometime in the year 303, during the fearsome persecution of Diocletian. The courts condemned her to suffer the same fate that had befallen St. Agatha years before, and she was sentenced to a life of forced prostitution. However, by the grace of God, Lucy’s captors found that they could not move her from the spot on which she stood; they literally could not drag her away to the brothel. An attempt was made to burn her alive, but the boiling oil and pitch had no power to hurt her or to cause her to falter in her faith in God.

Lucy, too, would follow St. Agatha’s example by consecrating her virginity to God. However, her mother, who suffered from a bleeding disorder, feared for her daughter’s future and had arranged a marriage for Lucy to a wealthy young pagan.

Sensing that his demonstration of imperial power was becoming undone, the Governor ordered Lucy’s eyes to be gouged out. Still she stood resolute, refusing to deny Christ.

At last, Lucy was put to death by the sword, gaining victory and entrance into eternal life.

As soon as Lucy died, miracles began to happen. While she was being carried to the cemetery where her body was to be prepared for burial in the family mausoleum, they discovered that her eyes had been miraculously restored.

After a time, Eutychia was persuaded to make a pilgrimage to Catania in the hope of being cured of the hemorrhage. She was, in fact, cured there. Lucy took this opportunity to distribute a great part of their riches among the poor. Lucy’s generosity incensed the young pagan man she was betrothed to as he considered her dowry to already be his. It was for this reason that he denounced her to Paschasius, the Governor of Sicily.

Her feast day is December 13th and she is often depicted holding a dish on which is a set of eyes. St. Lucy’s name, which means ‘light’, was invoked by the devout during the Middle Ages as the patroness of those with eye afflictions. The poet Dante prayed to St. Lucy for the relief of an eye ailment, and in his Divine Comedy he gave this saint one of the most honored places in heaven, next to that of Saint John the Baptist.

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Saint Lucy by Domenico Beccafumi 1521

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• Agnes, Age 12

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t. Agnes, one of the most cherished of saints because of her youth and holiness, was only 12 years old when she was martyred. She was highly regarded by the primitive Christian Church, and her name has remained a symbol of maidenly purity through the ages.

Since the close of the fourth century, the Fathers of the Church and Christian poets alike have sung her praises, extolling her virginity and her heroic endurance of the tortures she experienced. St. Ambrose, Pope Damasus, and Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, the Roman Christian poet, have given to the Church some of the accounts of her martyrdom.

Agnes came from a wealthy Roman family, and she was an extremely beautiful young girl. Like St. Agatha and St. Lucy, her faith in God and love for Christ led her to value her virginity. It was during this time that the Emperor Diocletian began his persecution, and after the promulgation of his imperial edict against Christians, Agnes voluntarily declared herself a Christian.

She, too, was sentenced to a house of prostitution but was miraculously saved from harm to her innocence. The Prefect Sempronius condemned her to be dragged naked through the streets to the brothel. Various versions of tradition say that she prayed while she was disrobing before being displayed in the streets. Immediately then, her hair grew long and thick, covering her chaste body. One young man, who looked at her with lustful intent, was instantly struck blind.

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During her torment, the son of a Roman official approached Agnes in order to rape her; he fell, instantly dead to the floor. However, the holy virgin began praying for him to be restored to life, and the young man rose. He proclaimed to all witnesses that there was only “One God! And that is the Christian God!” The crowd went wild, and we are told that 160 men there stepped forward to confess their belief, were baptized and consequently suffered martyrdom.

After this, Agnes was taken out to be burned but when the wood would not catch fire, a Roman soldier beheaded her. The body of the virgin martyr was taken and placed in a sepulcher on the Via Nomentana where later a larger catacomb grew up around it, bearing her name.

Later, during the reign of Constantine, a basilica, Sant’Agnese fuori le mura, was erected over her grave. Today a slab of marble that dates back to the fourth century can be seen there with a beautiful relief depicting St. Agnes. Some of her relics still remain, and her skull is preserved in a separate chapel at the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone.

Saint Agnes is the patron saint of young girls and is represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virginal innocence. In Rome, it is on her feast day of January 21st that two lambs are solemnly blessed after mass. From the wool of these lambs, the palliums are made which are sent from the Pope to new archbishops.

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The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales

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Join the Pilgrimage to Walsingham August 2015 Click HERE

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The Making of a Catholic Painter ~

From Japanese Agnostic to Believer Interview By:

T

REGINA Magazine

here are unlikelier converts, but not many. How Osamu Tanimoto, the son of a Japanese electrical engineer discovered the Faith while studying classical Renaissance painting in Florence – and became part of a global movement of artists now discovering Catholicism anew.

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REGINA: Osamu, tell us about your life in Japan.

OSAMU: I was raised in Tokyo, the youngest of three brothers. My father was a professor in electric engineering. My mother is a housewife. My oldest brother works as a consultant and my other brother works in a bank.

REGINA: Is your family artistic?

OSAMU: My family had nothing to do with art. My father especially did not understand why I wasted time with art...that’s the impression he had, till he realized art is something worthwhile. I cannot blame him at all because all the contemporary art confuses us and make us question if artists are just people who do things outside the box without any skill or virtue. They seem not to be ones who seek the truth which is beauty.

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Catholic Painter

I CHOSE FLORENCE FOR MY STUDY IN PAINTING and restoration because I was always attracted to the harmony of the Renaissance paintings and sculptures. I arrived in 2008 and received my BA from Marist College in art restoration in 2010.

REGINA: So, did your father oppose your training as an artist?

OSAMU: Although I had been always enthusiastic about art since I was young, I studied education in Waseda University in Tokyo in order to follow my father’s wish to not seek the career as an artist. I immersed myself in theater and film where I acted, wrote, designed the stage set and assembled it. Then I switched to Temple University there to eventually study abroad and seriously seek the profession of artist. There I met my first long-term painting teacher Walderedo who painted the Amazon forests and the Native Americans. I studied Native American philosophy because I always loved Nature.

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REGINA: How does one learn art restoration?

OSAMU: I copied the masterworks with the same mediums they used, like fresco, egg tempera, silver point etc. The same year, I joined the new Russian Academy of Art in Florence to study drawing, painting and composition. I was trained in the Russian Academic tradition and graduated in 2014 with my diploma work “The Return of the Prodigal Son�. I studied drawing under Sergey Chubirko and painting under Svetlana Trekhina. I have been teaching in the Sacred Art School since 2013.

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I WAS COMPLETELY FOREIGN TO CHRISTIANITY. Christianity is not a big thing in Japan. Above all, the society is very secularized.

People simply do not hear about Jesus at all in Tokyo. It helped me in some way though because I did not have anything against the Church when I chose to be (or was chosen to be) baptized.

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I CHOSE FLORENCE BECAUSE I WAS ATTRACTED TO THE HARMONY which the Renaissance paintings have.

After copying paintings of Raphael, Fra Angelico, I came to realize it was not really the technique that made those paintings beautiful but the spirituality behind those works.

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Catholic Painter

I GOT TO KNOW THE IRISH SCULPTOR, Dony MacManus, who would become my ‘Godfather,’ and he introduced me to the whole story of the man Jesus Christ who was God -not as a preacher but as a friend.

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REGINA: What did you think, at first?

OSAMU: Many things Jesus said were mind-blowing, controversial, and what the Church said seemed to me often counter current to what educated contemporary people would say. But deep in my heart, I saw they are right.

REGINA: What do you mean?

OSAMU: How the Church sees the relationship between men and women in context of marriage, how reason and the Faith take each other’s hand and walk together.

REGINA: Okay, anything else?

OSAMU: What was extraordinary and kept me on fire was the mystery of the Resurrection. Any suffering is worth carrying and should not remove hope if I have faith in Him. To me, it turned the whole world upside down.

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A child of the Sixties, she hiked the Way of St James alone.

New from REGINA PRESS

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REGINA: Wow, so how did your family react?

OSAMU: My family respected my choice of conversion. They are not religious, probably influenced from Buddhism and Shintoism culturally. The fact that my aunt was also a convert might have helped them to understand my decision. Now I’m happy that they see my painting and rejoice, especially “the Return of the Prodigal Son” although they are not Christians.

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I CAN SAY THAT I WAS LIKE THE ILLITERATE IN THE MIDDLE AGES -- often I saw the images from Gospel first and then I understood the story. And then I read the passage. Probably, because I understand things visually, Christian art played a major role in helping me to get to know the Gospels.

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Catholic Painter

CHRISTIAN ART WAS MY ENTRANCE TO THE MYSTERIES. It touched my heart and elevated my soul with its harmony. For example, the “Annunciation� by Pontormo. How the angel flies in and the sweetness of Mary in expression, in postures, in colors etc... It shows the supernatural aspect within the language of naturalistic artworks. Those paintings and sculptures are not too scientific but more spiritual.

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REGINA: So the art was a pathway to understanding Christian teaching?

OSAMU: Yes, it helped me to understand the concept of the “Incarnation” seeing all those bodies in the art of the Church. “The bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirits” (1 Corinthian 6,19) and the most beautiful and noble design God made.

REGINA: What is your life like as a Catholic ex-patriate living in Florence today?

OSAMU: I have been in Florence six and a half years. The best part is that there are so many churches in the city and most of them are beautiful. I can choose which Mass to go to and what time.

REGINA: You say “I see my vocation as an artist is to translate the Gospel into the art today.” What Bible scenes would you be interested in painting?

OSAMU: I would like to paint as many as I can, one by one. ‘The raising of the Jairus’ daughter’ is very interesting for me because it is also a story of a conversion.

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Catholic Painter MICHELANGELO’S SISTINE CHAPEL MAKES SO MUCH SENSE BECAUSE IT CELEBRATES THE BEAUTY OF THE HUMAN BODY in this spiritual context.

Importantly, after my official conversion five years ago, my conversion still continues. Now I create art works imitating God pretty much, and it makes me mature in the Faith because when I paint a religious subject, I pray more. For me, the virtuosity in art and in life grows side by side. And so it goes on like this.

REGINA: Why? OSAMU: Jesus raised her from death. He did the miracle. This is exactly the experience I had when I converted and this beauty I want to communicate. Also there are other realities involved in this scene. The surprise of the disciples and joy of her parents.

REGINA: You seem to have given this a great deal of thought.

OSAMU: For me it’s also important to communicate the extraordinariness of the event.

Of course, the disciples had trust in what Jesus had been saying and doing but their reaction must have been extremely human, simple and spontaneous. The joy of her parents must have been over the top. Visualizing those emotional aspects which surround Jesus is worthwhile especially I hope that it speaks to those who live today and want to see the event in order to believe like the Apostle Thomas wanted to see Jesus and touch him before he believed Jesus’ resurrection was true.

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ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME FLORENTINES WHO PRACTICE THE FAITH and others who don’t, culturally many are familiar with the values of the Church’s teachings on a daily level, for example, charity, hospitality etc. People are used to sharing and these are beautiful.

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AT THE SAME TIME, Florentine society is built on a strong hierarchical order and there is a legalistic mentality highly present.

Somehow I feel at home here, however, because of my conversion to the Faith.

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Catholic Painter

EVERY TIME I SEE VASARI’S FRESCO ON THE CUPOLA OF THE DUOMO, I remember my baptism. But practically, it is not my home at all. I’m a foreigner and I will be always. I wonder though, where was the home of Jesus?

Nazareth or the house of His Father? Probably, my home is also there.

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I hope that the Pope Francis will see the Faith and the charity in the beauty of my paintings, if there is any, as Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel showed a great deal of charity to me with the Faith he displayed. I also hope that he will see the potential in the painting medium to be utilized to spread the Good News today, exactly like it happened in the past.

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REGINA: Tell us more about your upcoming exhibition when Pope Francis is in Florence.

OSAMU: This will be held in the Cloister of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence on the 7th in November for 2 weeks. It will be the solo exhibition on my sacred art. My composition “Raising the daughter of Jairus” will be presented as well as “the procession of the Palm Sunday, 2015”, and “the Return of the Prodigal Son”. Pope Francis will visit Florence and have a meeting with the sick in the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata on the 10th in November, 2015.

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R HORIZONS WITHOUT LIMITS Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

Coming in the OCTOBER issue of REGINA Magazine FREE CLICK HERE 332 Regina Magazine | Italy

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What Catholic Businesses Need Using Soci

Part I

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c Orders and to Know About ial Media

Part II

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Sacred Beauty

Florentine Altars of Repose Article By:

Losana Boyd Photo Credit:

Losana Boyd

In 1988 the Holy See published Paschales Solemnitatis, a “Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts” which directs how parishes and religious Orders should prepare for the Triduum. In Florence, the Catholic world’s art capital, REGINA Magazine’s Losana Boyd made the rounds of some of ‘La Citta Bella’s’ grandest churches to photograph their beautiful Altars of Repose.

IN THE MASS ON HOLY THURSDAY TWO HOSTS ARE CONSECRATED; after the consumption of the first, the second Host is placed in a chalice, which is covered with a pall and inverted paten; over the whole is placed a white veil, tied with a ribbon. This remains on the corporal in the center of the altar till the end of Mass, when it is carried in solemn procession to the altar of repose, there to remain in the tabernacle or in an urn placed in a prominent position above the altar. – New Advent

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AFTER THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER the faithful should be encouraged to spend a suitable period of time during the night in the church in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which has been solemnly reserved. Where appropriate, this prolonged Eucharistic adoration may be accompanied by the reading of some part of the Gospel of St. John (chapters 13-17). From midnight onwards, however, the adoration should be made without external solemnity, because the day of the Lord’s passion has begun.” – No 56, Paschales Solemnitatis 338 Regina Magazine | Italy

AFTER THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER, THE PROCESSION FORMS, with the crucifix at its head. The Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by lighted candles and incense, is carried through the church to the place of reservation, to the singing of the hymn ‘Pange lingua’ or some other Eucharistic song.

This rite of transfer of the Blessed Sacrament may not be carried out if the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will not be celebrated in that same church on the following day.” No. 54

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FOR THE RESERVATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, a place should be prepared and adorned in such a way as to be conducive to prayer and meditation, seriousness appropriate to the liturgy of these days is enjoined so that all abuses are avoided or suppressed. When the tabernacle is located in a chapel separated from the central part of the church, it is appropriate to prepare the place of repose and adoration there.� -- No. 49, Paschales Solemnitatis 340 Regina Magazine | Italy

THE DECORATION OF THE ALTAR OF REPOSE SHOULD BE SPECIAL. At least four or six candles or lamps, and preferably more, should burn around it and should be tastefully arranged with flowers, drapes, fine cloths, carpets and a judicious use of subdued electric lighting in order to create the necessary ambiance of silence and meditation.

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THE ALTAR OF REPOSE NEED NOT BE A REAL ALTAR and is often a temporary structure. In some places it is customary to make the place of reposition resemble an altar while others prefer locating the tabernacle on a column to make it stand out more clearly.

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CATHOLIC PIETY HAS MADE HOLY THURSDAY A DAY OF EXCEPTIONAL DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, and the repository is the center of the love and aspirations of the faithful.

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R THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION Online, in parishes, colleges, academies and seminaries, Catholics are recapturing their priceless legacy.

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Fernando’s Life Plans, Changed Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born in 1195 to an aristocratic Lisbon family and initially joined the Augustinians at the age of fifteen. He was the guest master for their abbey containing the famous library at Coimbra, when his whole world suddenly changed.

Franciscan friars had settled at a small hermitage nearby; their Order had been founded only eleven years before.

News soon arrived that five Franciscans had been beheaded in Morocco; the King ransomed their bodies to be returned and buried as martyrs in the Abbey.

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Inspired by their example and strongly attracted to their simple, evangelical lifestyle, Fernando obtained permission to join the new Order, upon his admission adopting the name ‘Anthony.’

He then set out for Morocco; however, he fell seriously ill and on the return voyage his ship was blown off course and landed in Sicily. When he found his way to northern Italy, Anthony was finally assigned to a rural Franciscan hermitage, due to his poor health. There he lived in a cell in a nearby cave, where he spent much time in private prayer and study.

The Miracle Worker:

St. Anthony Text By:

Photo Credit:

Beverly De Soto

Erica Mc Cullagh

H

e is one of the most famous saints of the Church, known universally as the super-competent manager of the celestial “Lost and Found” department. (“Tony, Tony, come around; something’s lost and can’t be found” is a prayer whispered by millions.)

For those of us accustomed to this familiar relationship, however, it may come as a shock to learn who Saint Anthony of Padua, O.F.M. actually was. For though he only lived 35 years, Anthony was renowned during his lifetime for his forceful preaching and expert knowledge of scripture – and for his miracles.

So well regarded was he, in fact, that in all of the 2000-year history of the Church, Anthony was to become the second-most-quickly canonized saint, after Peter of Verona. Anthony was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 30 May 1232, at Spoleto, Italy, less than one year after his death.

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ANTHONY THE HOMILIST: One Sunday in 1222 a number of Dominican friars visited for an ordination and a misunderstanding arose as to who should preach.

The Dominicans were renowned for their preaching, but had come unprepared, thinking that a Franciscan would be the homilist. Anthony was entreated to speak whatever the Holy Spirit should inspire him with; his homily that day created a deep impression and began his career as a speaker. By 1224, St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order, entrusted Anthony with the theological preparation for his priests.

Anthony focused on the grandeur of Christianity in his homilies and when a few years later he was sent as the envoy from the Franciscans to Pope Gregory IX, the Pope commissioned his collection, Sermons for Feast Days (Sermones in Festivitates). Gregory IX himself described him as the “Ark of the Testament.�

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St Anthony

ANTHONY THE MIRACLE WORKER: The stories of Anthony’s 13th century miracles make fascinating reading for today’s Catholic. Despite their obvious folkloric tone, it is the miracles’ utter originality that impresses most. One comes away thinking that such astonishing occurrences can only be fairy tales -- or the special kind of reality that seems to envelope the saints. As there are far too many miracles to recount here, we’ll focus on three of the most famous:

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The Kneeling Mule:

The teaching of the Real Presence was disparaged in northern Italy during the 1200s, as the gnostic heresy of the Albigensians had spread from France. One day, Anthony was publically challenged. “The heretic stood up and said: ‘I’ll keep my beast of burden locked up for three days and I will starve him. After three days, in the presence of other people, I’ll let him out and I’ll show him some prepared fodder. You, on the other hand will show him what you believe to be the body of Christ. If the starving animal, ignoring the fodder, rushes to adore his God, I will sincerely believe in the faith of the Church.’

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“The saint agreed straight away. God’s servant entered a nearby chapel, to perform the rites of the Mass with great devotion. Once finished, he exited where the people were waiting, carrying reverently the body of the Lord. The hungry mule was led out of the stall, and shown appetizing food. The man of God said to the animal with great faith: “In the name of virtue and the Creator, who I, although unworthy, am carrying in my hands, I ask you, o beast, and I order to come closer quickly and with humility and to show just veneration, so that the malevolent heretics will learn from this gesture that every creature is subject to the Lord, as held in the hands with priestly dignity on the altar”.

God’s servant had hardly finished speaking,

St Anthony

“From the moment in which you proved yourselves to be unworthy of the Word of the Lord, look, I turn to the fish, to further confound your disbelief.”

when the animal, ignoring the fodder, knelt down and lowered his head to the floor, thus genuflecting before the living sacrament of the body of Christ.”1

The Listening Fish:

The story takes place in Rimini, a port on the Adriatic near Padua. On a Sunday morning, the Saint found the fishermen there not at Mass. He began to preach to them and met only with ridicule. Anthony then stood at the edge of the water, looked in the distance, and proclaimed so that everyone would hear: “’From the moment in which you proved yourselves to be unworthy of the Word of the Lord, look, I turn to the fish, to further confound

your disbelief.’” And filled with the Lord’s spirit, he began to preach to the fish, elaborating on their gifts given by God: how God had created them, how He was responsible for the purity of the water and how much freedom He had given them, and how they were able to eat without working.

“The fish began to gather together to listen to this speech, lifting their heads above the water and looking at him attentively, with their mouths open. As long as it pleased the Saint to talk to them, they stayed there listening attentively, as if they could reason. Nor did they leave their place, until they had received his blessing.”1

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ANTHONY & THE BABY JESUS:

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nthony was welcomed by a local resident in an Italian town where he was to preach. His host gave him a room set apart, so that he could study and contemplate undisturbed. Soon, however, his curiosity about his famous guest overcame him and his host peeped through Anthony’s window. What he saw there has been immortalized in almost every Catholic Church in the world. “A beautiful joyful baby appear in blessed Anthony's arms. The Saint hugged and kissed him, contemplating the face with unceasing attention. The landlord was awed and enraptured by the child's beauty, and shocked when, after a long time spent in prayer, the vision disappeared; the Saint called the landlord, and he forbade him from telling anyone what he had seen. After the Saint passed away, the man told the tale crying, swearing on the Bible that he was telling the truth.”1

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SOMETHING’S LOST AND CAN’T BE FOUND: An incident in the university city of Bologna is the origin of the Saint’s fame as a finder of lost items, people and spiritual goods. Anthony possessed a book of psalms with valuable notes and comments for use in teaching his students.

A novice who had decided to leave the Order stole the prized psalter. Anthony prayed his psalter would be found or returned. The thief was moved to restore the book to Anthony and return to the Order. The stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.

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STORIES OF THE SAINT SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD with the former Portuguese Empire and with the diaspora of 19th and 20th century Italian emigrants. Stories of the Saint’s interventions are reported, therefore, from the four corners of the earth: In Siolim, a village in the Indian state of Goa, St. Anthony is always shown holding a serpent on a stick . This is a depiction of the incident which occurred during the construction of the church wherein a snake was disrupting construction work. The people turned to St. Anthony for help, and placed his statue at the construction site. The next morning, the snake was found caught in the cord placed in the statue’s hand.

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THE GRAVE OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA: Anthony was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 16 January 1946, and his Basilica in Padua contains his mortal remains.

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