Created for Heaven

CREATED FOR HEAVEN The mission of Catholic young adults in today’s world

ROME, 28 SEPTEMBER - 2 OCTOBER 2019

Widespread and profound confusion on matters of faith and morals in the world and in the Church makes the formation of a new generation of Catholic leaders vital to the future of the pro-life movement and to the future of the Church. Today we need to build our Christian civilisation anew in virtually every aspect of life. Able builders are needed for this enormous task!

That is why Voice of the Family has sought to identify young men and women who are committed to the defence of life, the family and the faith at this critical time, in order to offer them formation and fellowship to help them grow in love for the faith and uphold the unchangeable teachings of the Catholic Church in the years to come.

For the second year Voice of the Family hosted its youth programme “Created for Heaven: the mission of Catholic young adults today” in Rome, 28 Sept – 2 Oct. The young men and women who participated this year were all a real sign of hope, ready to fight for everything that is true, good and beautiful. Two of the participants from the UK have shared their thoughts after the programme and if anyone wonders, what keeps gifted young people in the Church today and inspires them to work zealously for the greater glory of God and for the good of the souls, then here are some answers to that!

Rafael Gibbons I was privileged to be able to participate in the Rome Youth Pilgrimage, a week-long programme organised by Voice of the Family, to form the next generation of pro-life Catholic leaders.

We arrived at the Lepanto Foundation on the morning of the first day. A group of around thirty young Catholics, from around the world, made their introductions. A talk from Professor Roberto de Mattei offered a prelude to the programme. He recounted the history of a great plague that befell the Roman people. However, due to an act of propitiation – namely a procession led by St Gregory the Great – the punishment was lifted. Afterwards, the saint saw a vision of St Michael sheathing his sword, a symbol that God’s fury had abated, and this same image was immortalised in a statue now standing atop Castel Sant’Angelo. In a few hours, our group would be among two hundred Catholics in a public demonstration at the foot of the same building, calling on St Michael to heal the Church of its own modern-day plague.

That afternoon, after the “Acies Ordinata” demonstration, we made our way to La Chiesa Nuova to visit the private rooms of St Philip Neri. The first room was filled with relics from the Saint’s life: coffins, paintings, and papal correspondence. As I looked among the relics, one object, in particular, caught my eye. It was the death mask of St Philip Neri. This is a truly remarkable memento. Every contour of the face is etched with sanctity. It is a visage of unfathomable austerity, set in a perpetual sneer against the things of the world. It is also an expression of humour and unshakable peace. We made our way through the rest of the rooms, with the tour ending at the altar where the Saint celebrated Mass. At this point, I was getting rather carried away with the prospect of sainthood, so I was glad to recall a

Nerian quote helpfully placed in our programme booklets: “One should not wish to become a saint in four days but step by step!”

We set off early in the morning of Monday, on the Seven Churches pilgrimage. The plan was to retrace the route of St Philip Neri on a spiritual war march through Rome. The Mass was beautiful, with Guido Reni’s St Michael Defeating Satan providing a scene for contemplation. After a prayer at St Peter’s tomb and at the Blessed Sacrament, we started off. Our second stop was St Paul Outside the Walls. Here, we prayed and we sang, drawing a small crowd of bemused tourists. We then travelled to St Sebastian, praying the Litany of Saints on the way. I thought again of St Philip Neri. He had apparently spent so much time praying in the nearby catacombs that a contemporary maintained he had virtually lived there for a decade. Next was St John Lateran, which I discovered was an archbasilica, mother of all churches, being the Cathedral Church of Rome. Relics of Our Lord’s Passion were displayed at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem: the original INRI inscription, a holy nail, a thorn from His crown, and the finger of St Thomas (the doubter). Next, we prayed at the tomb of St Lawrence, before making our way to St Mary Major. At this last basilica, we prayed at the icon of Salus Populi Romani, the same which St Gregory carried around the city in his procession to heal the plague-stricken Rome of his day.

The following two days we received talks from many brilliant speakers on current events in the Church, and advice on how we might better pursue our vocations. John-Henry Westen offered some memorable insights on family life, which were relevant to me, as a young Catholic man making preparations for marriage. A talk on the angels, very fitting for the angelic theme of the pilgrimage, was given by Fr Anthony Pillari. Professor de Mattei’s talk on the Soul of the Apostolate was inspiring too. In it, he pointed out that spiritual perfection is only possible in the Catholic faith since it alone develops the interior life of the soul. It is only by conforming himself continually to Christ, via the Church and its sacraments, that man can be sanctified. To defend the Church is, therefore, a sacred duty. Varro Vooglaid also gave a thrilling talk on the need for a revival of the militant spirit among Catholic men, evoking the Battle of Vienna, with its winged hussars descending like angels upon the hapless Turks.

The following day, we were honoured with a talk from Raymond Cardinal Burke. It is a true comfort to be in the same room with a Prince of the Church, knowing that he sees the world in the same way. His presence was a reminder that no matter how lost one can feel, there are still good shepherds. It is also a testament to the Cardinal personally, that he can speak without a hint of station, directly to one’s heart. At one moment, after speaking about the current difficulties in the Church, he looked at us all and said very frankly, “We need you. The Church needs you.” After a week of fostering our militant spirit, of an exorcistic demonstration, of combative talks about faith and family life, there was nothing quite so stirring as the gentle commission of a truly holy man. After the talk, we made our way to Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, to a Pontifical High Mass, celebrated by the Cardinal, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight.

Looking back, I can see that this week was a key moment in my spiritual formation. It has helped shape my thoughts on family life which is particularly apt for my current situation, offering insights about marital life, spiritual practice, and the education of children. It has also given me a renewed determination to offer my media production skill set to promote the pro-life cause and Catholic tradition. Above all, the programme offered me a moment to remember that we are engaged in a spiritual war, and I must give myself wholly to this end. In the words of St Philip Neri, Third Apostle of Rome: “Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts.”

Rafael Gibbons is a London-based media professional. He has produced films and other creative content for Voice of the Family, LifeSiteNews, March for Life UK, and the Catholic Medical Association. He plays a key role in the coordination of Juventutem London events and is also regularly involved with events in the pro-life movement.

Julia Herbertson

Just a week before the canonisation of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, Rome laid the scene for another great spiritual event, though less visible. This was the Voice of the Family’s Youth Pilgrimage “Created for Heaven”, a programme aimed at strengthening young Catholic adults in the pro-life movement through a pilgrimage, talks, and a solemn Pontifical Mass followed by Adoration.

I was blessed to take part in this edifying experience, which started on the Vigil of Michaelmas, and which promised a week of unique Catholic formation on faith and the family. St Michael would turn out to be a central figure in the programme, his militant spirit overseeing our efforts and guiding us in our spiritual warfare against the current crisis in the Church. I joined the group in Rome on Saturday morning at the Lepanto Foundation. There, I was greeted by the resounding voices of my fellow pilgrims singing, “Unam, Sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam”. I knew I was in the right place but, most importantly, I knew I was among friends.

Not long after my arrival, the group gathered in the chapel of the Lepanto Foundation to celebrate Holy Mass. The chapel was welcoming, and a statue of Our Lady holding the Christ Child triumphed over the altar. There was also a relic of the True Cross present which had been donated to the Foundation, and since it was a first-class relic, I later learned, one should kneel before it.

At three o’clock we gathered for the “Acies Ordinata” demonstration at the foot of Castel Sant’Angelo. I found myself among a group of lay Catholics, lined up like an army in a silent battle. Looking at the Vatican during the hour of silent prayer reawakened my affection for Holy Mother Church and increased my fervour. The calm and orderly disposition of the soldiers of Christ armed with the Rosary and a booklet with exorcism prayers contrasted with the general indifference of passers-by, the busy citizens of Rome.

On Monday morning the programme continued with the “Seven Churches Pilgrimage”. The day began with Mass at St Michael’s altar in St Peter’s Basilica. The youthful colour of the vestments was fitting for the occasion. Above this altar, St Michael triumphs over Satan, his serene gaze tells us of an effortless victory. In his sermon, Mons. Agostini talked about three armed Saints in our tradition. The first is St Michael, rising against the proud rebel Satan. The second is St George, who courageously killed the dragon, a symbol of paganism, and saved the princess, the Holy Church. The third is St Joseph. I had always imagined him as a meek old man but the sermon suggested a different picture. This St Joseph was, in fact, a strong young carpenter who would carry around his tools, his weapons. With the spiritual tools given to him by God, he fulfilled God’s call as the protector of the Holy Family. St Joseph, Mirror of Patience and Protector of Virgins, as you once protected the Holy Family, now protect the family of the Church in its time of crisis and confusion! Inspired, the group marched along the route of the pilgrimage, down the Roman streets and into sublime basilicas, before ending up in Santa Maria Maggiore, where we gathered in front of the icon of the Salus Populi Romani and sung the Salve Regina.

On Tuesday the programme unfolded with a number of talks. The topics under discussion were the current situation of the Church and the Amazon Synod. Catholic journalism and its fight for the truth was also shared with us. Of the talks, one, in particular, struck me and made a lasting impact. Its subject was the challenges for Catholic women in today’s society, principally how to counteract the feminist narrative that has taken root in our culture. This popular ideology, a child of the Communist revolution in Russia, has proven devastating to modern women. The topic is particularly relevant to me, a midwife struggling to uphold the pro-life stance in a profession corrupted by the feministic ethos. The antidote to this venom can be found, it was argued, in the restoration of authentic Catholic femininity through prayer, devotion to Our Lady, active and generous service to others and the imitation of female saints.

Sadly, the last day of the programme arrived. In the morning the nature of angels and their role in the spiritual warfare was discussed. Since learning more about these extraordinary beings, assigned to help us in our spiritual journey, I have sought recourse to their intercession and sought their advice more frequently. I have grown particularly more devoted

to my guardian angel, whom God’s love committed to me to “light and guard, rule and guide”. In the afternoon we had the honour to meet Cardinal Burke whom we welcomed with affection. He replied to some questions that the group had prepared in advance. I happily welcomed his wisdom on spiritual matters and was inspired by his account of his childhood. As a child he would pray regularly with his family for his vocation. I found this snapshot of family piety very touching and is something I would like to introduce in my own family in the future. The day ended with a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Cardinal, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The beauty of the traditional rite of the Mass, in its highest form, offered a fitting conclusion to the programme. Adoration was an opportunity for me to bring all the experiences of the preceding days before the Blessed Sacrament. I returned home with a renewed resolution to live out my faith in every detail of my life: praying for my patients whilst taking care of them, if only with a short prayer in between tasks; working with order and industry, transforming my work into an offering pleasing to God; having a zeal for souls and for the conversion of colleagues and friends. The programme also left me with a stronger desire to offer myself in the defence of the unborn, by working towards a more pro-life environment in midwifery, by developing my understanding in my bioethics studies, and by playing a more active role in the cause.

Julia Laura Maria Herbertson is a midwife working full time for the NHS. She is also a second-year Masters student in Bioethics and Medical Law at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. She is a member of the Catholic Medical Association of England and Wales and she is actively involved with its youth branch that seeks to support young Catholics in healthcare through prayer, friendship and catechesis. Throughout her professional career, she has maintained a pro-life stance and has sought to promote the sanctity of life in the working environment. She is currently preparing for marriage.