CatholicVoice Omnia possum in eo, qui me confortat
25 September - 8 October 2020
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“Behold This Heart which has so loved men that It has spared nothing, even to the point of spending Itself and being consumed to prove Its love to them. And in return, I receive from most men only ingratitude because of their irreverence and sacrileges and the coldness and scorn they have for Me in this Sacrament of love. But what offends me most is that hearts consecrated to Me act in this way. Do thou at least console Me by supplying for their ingratitude, as far as thou art able.”
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2 EDITORIAL
Catholic Voice
25th September 2020
“We Cannot Live As Christians Without Participating In The Sacrifice Of The Cross” development. In the liturgy, an experience of sacredness, holiness and transfiguring beauty, the harmony of eternal beatitude is anticipated: care should therefore be taken for the dignity of the places, of the sacred furnishings, of the celebratory methods, according to the authoritative indication of the Vatican Council II: “The rites shine with noble simplicity” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 34). Anthony Murphy On Saturday 12th September, Cardinal Robert Sarah issued a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments to the bishops’ conferences of the world urging them to facilitate the participation of the faithful in the liturgical life of the church. We welcome this letter and we urge our bishops to take the necessary steps to ensure that as many of the faithful as possible can return to Sunday Mass with a minimum of restrictions being placed on them. Cardinal Sarah noted that: “The participation of the faithful in celebrations should be facilitated, but without improvised ritual experiments and in full compliance with the norms contained in the liturgical books that regulate their
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Editor: Anthony Murphy editor@catholicvoice.ie Telephone: 059 8627268 ROI 00353 59 8627268 Outside ROI Keep up to date with news and articles via The Lumen Fidei website www.lumenfidei.ie
One could question whether the use of builders tape to close off seats in our churches and the use of Government and Department of Health notices is in keeping with the dignity of God’s house. The letter notes that “Liturgical norms are not matters on which civil authorities can legislate, but only the competent ecclesiastical authorities” (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 22). Another point of note from Cardinal Sarah’s letter, especially for Catholics who only receive Holy Communion on the tongue, says: “The faithful should be recognized as having the right to receive the Body of Christ and to adore the Lord present in the Eucharist in the manner provided, without limitations that even go beyond what is provided for by the hygiene rules issued by public authorities or by the Bishops.” The norm for receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church in on the tongue whilst kneeling and Cardinal Sarah makes the point that, ‘A sure principle for not making mistakes is obedience. Obedience to the norms of the Church...’
As has been pointed out in this paper, our bishops are acting contrary to the norms of the Catholic Church when they mandate that Holy Communion may only be received on the hand. This letter tells the bishops that they should not do this. The Cardinal also addresses the issue of ‘virtual’ Masses. “Although the media carry out an appreciated service to the sick and those who are unable to go to church, and have provided a great service in the transmission of the Holy Mass in the time when there was no possibility of celebrating in community, no transmission is equivalent to personal participation or can replace it. Indeed, these transmissions, by themselves, risk distancing us from a personal and intimate encounter with the incarnate God who gave himself to us not in a virtual way, but really, saying: “Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood remains in Me and I in him “(Jn 6:56). This physical contact with the Lord is vital, indispensable, irreplaceable. Once the measures concretely practicable to minimize the spread of the virus have been identified and adopted, it is necessary that everyone resume their place in the assembly of the brothers, rediscover the irreplaceable preciousness and beauty of the celebration, recall and attract with the contagion of the enthusiasm brothers and sisters discouraged, afraid, absent or distracted for too long.” Let us pray that our bishops will heed this letter and will take the necessary steps so that Irish Catholics can return to normal adoration and worship as soon as possible.
25th September 2020 Catholic Voice
LIVING IN FEAR 3
Living In Fear Forever Is No Life At All Prof Ray Kinsella
The re-opening of schools has brought the illusion of normality to our country. After all, what’s better and more normal than seeing little ones and older children return to the business of books and school bags, lunches and learning, dropoffs and pick-ups. Families are the hinge of a healthy society, the pivot of a robust economy. And their relationship with school should be a positive and one. By this measure, the “reopening” is an illusion. There is a sense of ‘gratitude’ to government, part of a growing culture of dependency which is unhealthy. Children are returning to an experience of school radically different to anything that this, and preceding, generations have known and with more to come. Children, of course, “get on with it”. But that is not an option for parents in a functioning democracy.
The longer-term impact of ‘social distancing’ of school as a “No Go” zone for parents and grandparents and all the rest of what seems to be made up as we go along, is not something that should be passively accepted. Clever - and expensive slogans are no substitute for facts and truth. All of this is a microcosm of Irish society. We have lurched from one policy mind-set to another: from open airports to regional lock-downs. Impositions on the Hospitality industry are a curious mix of the inexplicable and the faintly sinister. Perhaps the reopening of schools and rhythm of family life will, in their own way, break through to the surreal state of a ‘frozen’ country– and world. We should rigorously question these things. Yet to do so is, in the
culture of fear that now pervades our country, problematic. Enough for you and I to repeat the truism of the generosity of our health care professionals – nurses and medics that, not so long ago, were sold short by, and in dispute with, the very same political orthodoxy. In other words, wear your mask regardless of the evidence of its clinical efficacy to show some ‘solidarity’. It’s not healthy. Propaganda of any kind whether to ‘nudge’ or to ‘guilt’ or to manipulate people – is unhealthy. It deflects away from reason, common sense and from a reflective analysis of risk, as opposed to the uncertainty which is an intrinsic part of our world. All of this is unfolding against the backdrop of a political stasis where two jaded parties, emphatically
16 THE BLACK MADONNA
Catholic Voice
25th September 2020
A Polish Pilgrimage At the end of July this year, I was privileged to be a part of a pilgrimage for young people, which took place in Poland. For over two weeks we travelled around Poland, staying in the localities of various shrines and holy places. One place which particularly stood out to me, for many reasons, was Czestochowa. One reason, of course, was the fascinating history of the icon of the Black Madonna. Tradition says that the icon was painted by Saint Luke, and discovered by Saint Helen. She presented it to her son, Constantine, and it was kept in Constantinople. When the city was besieged by Saracens the people brought the image out in procession around the city and the attackers fled in fear. The image eventually made its way to Poland from Constantinople and was placed in the house of Prince Ladislaus. While there, the image was pierced by an arrow during an attack from Tartars. The arrow left a scar on the painting which several artists tried to fix; every attempt was unsuccessful as the paint simply would not stay. Prince Ladislaus, wishing to protect the image from further attacks, decided to bring it to his birthplace. While passing through Czestochowa on his way there the horses conveying the image stopped and refused to go any further. This was seen to be the Will of God and so the icon was placed in the church at Jasna Góra in 1382. The Pauline Fathers were entrusted with the guardianship of the icon, and the church and monastery were given over to their care. In 1430 the monastery was plundered by Hussites. When they placed the icon in their cart along with the other goods they had stolen, the horses would not budge. In anger the Hussites flung the image from the cart, breaking it into three pieces. One of them slashed the image twice with his sword, but as he attempted to strike it a third time he was struck dead. Once again the image was permanently
scarred, and efforts to repair it failed. In 1920 Our Lady of Czestochowa again showed her power in what is known as the miracle of the Vistula. When the Russians gathered at the Vistula river preparing to invade Warsaw, the Polish people prayed to Our Lady and the next day, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Russian armies withdrew when the image of the Black Madonna appeared in the clouds. While our group was staying nearby, we arose one morning at 4:30 to walk out to the shrine to witness the unveiling of the miraculous icon, which takes place every morning at 6. The church was fairly crowded, even at this early hour, and we huddled together on our knees on the cold stone floor as I strained my ears trying to catch any familiar-sounding word in all the Polish prayers and hymns being recited. At length the prayers faded out and drum rolls began to fade in; a feeling of exhilaration swept over me as trumpets began to blare and the ornate gold covering slid up to reveal Our Lady of Czestochowa in all her glory. This ritual, which was entirely new to me, struck me as a very touching proof of the people’s great love for Our Lady and I soon learned that it is carried on daily in many Polish shrines, big and small. Then every evening the people bid our Blessed Mother “goodnight!” with a similar ceremony, and the image is veiled once again. There are many other beautiful shows of devotion visible at the shrine besides these ceremonies. There is the lovely custom of pilgrims walking around Our Lady’s chapel on their knees. One can observe a constant stream of them, people of all ages, humbly circling the chapel. Then there are the gorgeous “dresses” which adorn the icon. They have been gifted to Our Lady on different occasions, sometimes to commemorate an important event of the past. There is a museum where some of the dresses are on display. Unfortunately, I was only able to see one,
25th September 2020
Catholic Voice
THE BLACK MADONNA 17
Our Lady of Częstochowa which is located in the treasury. This one was made for the 600th anniversary of the icon’s presence in Jasna Góra. It is beautifully and intricately hand embroidered with gold thread. It has rich jewellery sewn on it such as brooches, rings and earrings. Another very striking feature in the basilica is the Golgotha of Jasna Góra, which is a modern depiction of the Way of the Cross. Glancing briefly over the paintings one would think they simply showed Christ suffering His Passion alongside the people of Poland throughout their tough history. While this is certainly part of it, upon further inspection one finds that this is also Christ being rejected in the world. The artist, Jerzy Duda Gracz, said of it: “This Golgotha is present today, now and here, in the Catholic Poland.” The very first image shows a blindfolded cardinal taking the place of Pilate and being offered the basin of water to wash his hands of responsibility. Jesus’s first fall is in front of a group of people celebrating. Very few of them look His way; the only creature who appears sympathetic towards Him is a dog.
of a concentration camp inmate. While many of the paintings, understandably, are full of desolation, there is also great hope and consolation in them. Jesus meets His mother in countless images held up by devout women. He passes in front of a Eucharistic procession, and the rays of the monstrance behind Him serve as a halo. His path is strewn with rose petals, and the canopy for the Blessed Sacrament is over His head. In another image He is comforted by His saints, as Mother Teresa cleans the blood from His Holy Face. A nun tends to the sick in the background, a beautiful parallel which brings to mind Christ’s words, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Upon the Cross He is surrounded by a great multitude of saints, including Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Wyszynski, Father Maximillian Kolbe, and Sister Faustina Kowalska. Our Lady of Czestochowa is also included in the Stations in an incredibly unique manner. The foremost of the images held up by the women is that of the Black Madonna.
The second time He falls He lies on the Another station on the via crucis shows ground alongside the bodies the icon of Our Lady in Interior Jasna Gora Basilica Hans-Jörg Gemeinholzer of children killed by abortion; the background along with around Him are more children the shadowy outline of the whose innocence and freedom have been stolen from Basilica of Jasna Gora. them. He carries on, past more of His people in pain; an old woman kneels before Him praying her rosary and The icon is also shown at the foot of the cross amidst He raises a feeble hand in blessing. the other saints and at the station where Jesus is taken down from the cross the icon is placed in such a way His third fall is before a group of bishops, some of that Our Lady’s hand is supporting His body. whom seem indifferent to Him, others look deeply sorrowful. One even hides his face in his hands. At the This article was contributed by Noemi Lacken who Crucifixion Jesus is surrounded by mourners, among travelled with the Saint Andrew Community from them a cardinal, and a man wearing the striped uniform Scotland on a two week pilgrimage across Poland.