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INSIDE
INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY: “Life brings about hope”
ENTREVISTA CON EL OBISPO MICHAEL MULVEY: «La vida trae esperanza»
A HOPE FOR OUR EARTHLY LIFE AND BEYOND: A look into Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical on hope, Spe Salvi
UNA ESPERANZA PARA NUESTRA VIDA TERRENAL Y MÁS ALLÁ: Una mirada a la encíclica del Papa Benedicto XVI sobre la esperanza, Spe Salvi
FROM DEATH COMES LIFE How an inmate found hope in prison, turning away from a life marked by drugs and emptiness
A CHARISM OF HOPE: The Farm of Hope gives meaning and support to those struggling with addiction
“BE A LEAVEN OF UNITY:” The Pope Meets the Moderators of Lay Associations, Ecclesial Movements and New Communities
Taking care of animals is part of the work at the Farms of Hope
THE LEAST LIKELY PERSON TO BECOME A PRIEST: Fr. Javier Ebertowski’s journey from being bribed to go to Church to a fervent disciple
A VOCATION THAT GREW GRADUALLY: Fr. Jim Craig felt called to be a priest after his First Holy Communion
Turning 18, the young Javier was eager to leave the Church behind…
“GOD PLACED THIS DESIRE IN MY HEART:” A pivotal moment in college led Fr. Luis Lozano on the path to the priesthood
“HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST AND BECOME HOLY THROUGH YOUR MINISTRY:” Bishop Mulvey ordained three new priests for our diocese: Fr. Jim Craig, Fr. Luis Lozano and Fr. Javier Ebertowski
A SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE: CLEAR SPEECH, LESS REVERBERATION: Andy Miller, a partner at BAi Consultants specializing in Acoustics, Sound Reinforcement, and Audiovisual Technologies, designed the new sound system for the Cathedral
“YOU CANNOT BE A CATHOLIC ALONE:” Bishop Mulvey celebrated the 50th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination
A PILGRIMAGE OF THE HEART: 33 young people from our diocese went to visit Assisi, Orvieto and Rome during the Jubilee Year of Hope
BIOETHICS 101: Pope Leo, AI, and bioethics – how to evaluate the use of Artificial Intelligence
FOLLOWING JESUS: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” – Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT, reflects on living the Jubilee as Pilgrims
Three young men answered the call to the priesthood
ON THE COVER: Bishop Mulvey ordains three young men to the priesthood on June 14 (Photo: Susanne Janssen)
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Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting those who have faced abuse of any kind. For immediate assistance, support, and referral information, please call Victim Assistance Coordinator Stephanie Bonilla at (361) 693-6686.
El obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina del Medio Ambiente Seguridad y Recursos para Niños y Familias están comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido abusos de cualquier tipo. Para asistencia inmediata, apoyo e información de referencia, llame al Coordinador de Asistencia a Víctimas Stephanie Bonilla al (361) 693-6686.
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En el espíritu de una administración adecuada, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi alienta a informar cualquier inquietud de abuso financiero o problemas relacionados. Informe confidencialmente a: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org
INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY
“Life
brings about hope”
How is the Jubilee Year going so far?
Bishop Mulvey: It’s going very well. I’ve been amazed by how many people are going on pilgrimages around the diocese to the various churches dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe – it is truly beautiful. We recently had an event in the little town of Pawnee, and the church was full! You can really see the spirit of hope taking root in people’s lives.
How has your own understanding of hope changed over the years? What makes you hopeful?
Bishop Mulvey: I’m not sure it has changed so much as matured. In seminary, I took an entire course on hope — which was quite rare at the time — but theory is different from lived experience. Life itself either destroys hope or brings it to maturity. There are always disappointments. It’s easy to blame others for why something happened or question yourself and feel like a failure when things go wrong. But the spirit of hope offers another perspective: Jesus is risen from the dead. We live in Him. We can trust Him and move forward. Another source of hope for me is the young
people receiving confirmation. This year, instead of questioning them about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I asked what they had learned in their two years of preparation.
Their answers didn’t just give me hope but also a new understanding. One young man said, “I’ve learned to live the lifestyle of God,” which, of course, is love. I had never heard it put that way, and it provided me with a new insight into how to communicate it.
In another parish, a young woman said her retreat taught her the importance of living her Catholic faith in community. These kinds of responses are powerful witnesses of faith — and signs of real hope. I truly believe that if you’re looking for hope, you’ll find it.
Let’s talk about Pope Leo XIV, our first American pope. What are your hopes for his pontificate?
Bishop Mulvey: The election of Pope Leo XIV was a true sign of hope for me. An American pope was something people thought would never happen, at least not in our lifetime. Additionally, the joy he expresses and the way he has taken up this theme of hope so vividly in his meetings with people is
inspiring, and it’s empowering to see the crowds gathering in Rome. His first words were “Peace be with you,” quoting the first words of Jesus after the resurrection. I think he has an intense desire: to make peace a priority.
He often quotes John 17:21: “That they all may be one.” Love brings unity, and unity brings peace. In every group he addresses, he emphasizes at least one of those themes: working for peace, praying for peace, and giving hope to the world.
Some people are hopeful, even while enduring hardships such as illness, imprisonment, or addiction. As Catholics, how can we cultivate greater hope?
Bishop Mulvey: First and foremost, through the Holy Spirit. A renewed awareness of the Spirit’s presence in the Church is essential—we are temples of the Holy Spirit. That’s our first reason for hope.
Second, we find hope in community. As Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20). Where Jesus is present, the Spirit is present.
Third, we find hope in the Gospel: to look at the words of Jesus that are challenging, sometimes even difficult, but they will bring hope. A recent reading from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians said precisely that, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor 3:17)
When you have hope, you have freedom. And when you have true interior freedom, you have hope. Many people today feel lonely, but one reason is that we create overly strict boundaries around who we want to associate with. We might say, “I’m different from this group. I don’t speak that language. I’m not part of that race. I’m prejudiced against this group,” and these boundaries limit our freedom and deprive us of the experience of community.
Recently, as I was walking to my car, a homeless man approached me from behind. My first reaction was fear, but I stayed open. I asked his name, and we talked. I gave him the only thing I had—a small can of soda—and he was grateful. That moment gave me hope, because I didn’t close myself off to another human being.
Speaking of hope for the Church — you recently ordained three new priests, and 33 young people from our diocese went on pilgrimage to Rome. What do you see in the younger generation that inspires hope in you?
Bishop Mulvey: I met some of the Rome pilgrims after they returned, and they were filled with joy about passing through the Holy Doors, attending Mass with the Pope, and seeing the beautiful
sights of Rome. Witnessing their excitement and profound commitment to their faith is a source of hope.
I’ve also met with the three new priests before their ordination, and it was edifying! Of course, with 50 years of experience, I wanted to warn them, “Just wait for the cross, because the cross will come.” But their joy and dedication to the Church and to serving people give me great hope.
When I look back on all the priests I have ordained, I can see that each one is different, each with his own gift. My prayer for them is that they discover the gift they are — not because they are called to the priesthood, but because they are loved by God from the moment of baptism. I pray that they can accept God’s love always, in every situation. If they live in that love and create community in their parishes, they will foster unity, and unity will bring peace. Those are the same themes Pope Leo emphasizes: love, unity, and peace.
You just celebrated the 50th anniversary of your ordination. Did your hopes as a young seminarian come true? What is in your heart as you reflect on these 50 years?
Bishop Mulvey: When I began seminary in the early 70s, it was a time of great confusion; the formation we received was limited compared to what is offered now. However, a seminarian must also have a solid human formation. My dad used to say, “He may have gotten his theology in Rome, but he got his philosophy at home.”
When I was asked to attend the seminary in Rome, I was initially shocked—why were they sending me across the world? However, I have always had great respect and love for the Pope, and being ordained by Pope Paul VI was a tremendous privilege.
Another gift was my first assignment in a parish alongside two other priests: one who was much older and a young priest only five years my senior. We built a beautiful life together in community, both in the rectory and while working in the parish. Being in communion with other priests is essential; otherwise, there is a risk that you will become “the king of the parish.” And that is not what the Church needs. We need pastors, not clerics.
Reflecting on those 50 years, I have always wanted to live a spiritual life. My studies of spirituality and my experiences through the Focolare Movement, living its spirituality of unity taught me to learn from my mistakes, but also to embrace my successes with humility, acknowledging that they are a gift from God. This combination has consistently sustained me: I have to live the royal priesthood, which is the spiritual life, to enrich my ministerial priesthood.
ENTREVISTA CON EL OBISPO MICHAEL MULVEY
“La
vida trae esperanza”
¿Cómo va el jubileo 2025?
Obispo Mulvey: Está yendo muy bien. Me ha sorprendido la cantidad de gente que está peregrinando por la diócesis a las distintas iglesias dedicadas a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, es realmente hermoso. Hace poco tuvimos un evento en la pequeña ciudad de Pawnee, ¡y la iglesia estaba llena! Realmente se puede ver cómo el espíritu de esperanza echa raíces en la vida de la gente.
¿Cómo ha cambiado su propia comprensión de la esperanza a lo largo de los años? ¿Qué le hace tener esperanza?
Obispo Mulvey: No creo que haya cambiado, sino madurado. En el seminario, me propuse tomar un curso entero sobre la esperanza -lo que era bastante raro en aquella época-, aprendí que la teoría es diferente a la experiencia vivida. La vida misma puede destruir la esperanza o la hace madurar. Siempre habrá decepciones. Es fácil querer culpar a los demás de lo ocurrido o cuestionarse a sí mismo y sentirse fracasado cuando las cosas van mal. Pero el espíritu de esperanza ofrece otra perspectiva: Jesús ha resucitado de entre los muertos. Nosotros vivimos en Él. Debemos confiar en Él y seguir adelante.
Algo más que me da esperanza es ver que los jóvenes reciban el sacramento de la confirmación. Este año, en lugar de interrogarles sobre los dones del
Espíritu Santo, les pregunté qué habían aprendido en sus dos años de preparación. Sus respuestas no sólo me dieron esperanza, sino también una revelación nueva. Un joven me dijo: «He aprendido a vivir el estilo de vida de Dios», que, por supuesto, es el amor. Nunca lo había escuchado de esta manera, y me dio una nueva idea de cómo comunicarlo.
En otra parroquia, una joven afirmo que su retiro le enseno la importancia de vivir su fe católica en comunidad. Estas respuestas son poderosos testimonios de fe y signos de esperanza real. Creo sinceramente que, si uno busca la esperanza, la encontrará.
Hablemos del Papa León XIV, nuestro primer Papa americano. ¿Qué espera de su pontificado?
Obispo Mulvey: La elección del Papa León XIV fue una verdadera señal de esperanza para mí. Un papa estadounidense era algo que la gente creía que nunca ocurriría, al menos no en nuestra vida. Además, la alegría con la cual se expresa el papa y la forma tan viva en que ha asumido este tema de la esperanza en sus encuentros con la gente es inspiradora, al igual que ver a las multitudes que se congregan en Roma.
Sus primeras palabras al mundo entero fueron «La paz esté con vosotros», citando las primeras palabras de Jesús tras la resurrección. Yo creo que
tiene un deseo intenso de hacer la búsqueda de paz una prioridad. El papa cita a menudo el Evangelio de Juan capítulo 17, versículo 21: «Para que todos sean uno». El amor trae la unidad, y la unidad trae la paz. En cada grupo al que se dirige, el papa enfatiza al menos uno de esos temas: trabajar por la paz, orar por la paz y dar esperanza al mundo.
Hay personas que mantienen la esperanza, incluso cuando soportan dificultades como la enfermedad, la cárcel o la adicción. Como católicos, ¿cómo podemos cultivar una mayor esperanza?
Obispo Mulvey: Ante todo, a través del Espíritu Santo. Una renovada conciencia de la presencia del Espíritu en la Iglesia es esencial: somos templos del Espíritu Santo. Ésta es nuestra primera razón para tener esperanza.
Segundo, nosotros encontramos esperanza al vivir en comunidad. Jesús dijo: «Donde están dos o tres reunidos en mi nombre, allí estoy yo en medio de ellos» (Mt 18,20). Donde Jesús está presente, el Espíritu está presente.
Tercero, también encontramos esperanza en el evangelio: tras leer las palabras desafiantes de Jesús que incluso a veces son difíciles de entender, pero prometen la esperanza. Como lo dice la lectura reciente de la segunda carta de San Pablo a los Corintios decía precisamente eso: «Ahora bien, el Señor es el Espíritu, y donde está el Espíritu del Señor, allí hay libertad». (2 Cor 3,17)
Cuando tienes esperanza, tienes libertad. Y cuando tienes verdadera libertad interior, tienes esperanza. Muchas personas hoy en día se sienten solas, una de las razones es que creamos límites demasiado estrictos en torno a con quién queremos relacionarnos. Limites que nos hacen decir: «Soy diferente a este grupo. No hablo ese idioma. No pertenezco a esa raza. Tengo prejuicios contra este grupo», y estos límites disminuyen nuestra libertad y nos privan de la experiencia de la comunidad.
Hace poco, mientras caminaba hacia mi coche, un vagabundo se me acercó por detrás. Mi primera reacción fue de miedo, pero me mantuve abierto a la fe. Le pregunté su nombre y hablamos. Le di lo único que tenía -una pequeña lata de refresco- y me lo agradeció. Ese momento me dio esperanza, porque no cerré mi corazón a otro ser humano.
Hablando de esperanza para la iglesia, usted ha ordenado recientemente a tres nuevos sacerdotes y 33 jóvenes de nuestra diócesis han peregrinado a Roma. ¿Qué ve en las nuevas generaciones que le inspire esperanza?
Obispo Mulvey: Me reuní con algunos de los peregrinos de Roma en su regreso a casa, y estaban llenos de alegría por haber atravesado las Puertas Santas, haber asistido a Misa con el papa y haber visto las hermosas vistas de Roma. Ser testigo de su entusiasmo y de su profundo compromiso con la fe es una fuente de esperanza para mí.
También me he reunido con los tres nuevos sacerdotes antes de su ordenación, ¡y ha sido edificante! Por supuesto, con 50 años de experiencia, quería advertirles: «Esperad la cruz, porque la cruz llegará». Pero la alegría de estos nuevos sacerdotes y su dedicación a la Iglesia y la de servir a la gente me dan una gran esperanza.
Cuando recuerdo a todos los sacerdotes que he ordenado a través de los anos, veo que cada uno es diferente, cada uno con su propio don. Mi oración es que ellos descubran el don que representan, no porque hayan sido llamados al sacerdocio, sino porque son amados por Dios desde el momento de su bautismo. Rezo para que acepten el amor de Dios siempre, y en cada situación. Si ellos viven en ese amor y crean comunidad en sus parroquias, fomentarán la unidad, y la unidad traerá la paz. Son los mismos temas que subraya el Papa León: amor, unidad y paz.
Acaba de celebrar el 50 aniversario de su ordenación. ¿Se hicieron realidad sus esperanzas de joven seminarista? ¿Qué siente en su corazón al reflexionar sobre estos 50 años?
Obispo Mulvey: Cuando empecé el seminario, a principios de los años 70, era una época de gran confusión; la formación que recibíamos era limitada en comparación con la que se ofrece ahora. Sin embargo, un seminarista debe tener también una formación humana sólida. Mi padre solía decir: «Puede que haya recibido su teología en Roma, pero la filosofía la ha recibido en casa».
Cuando me propusieron ir al seminario de Roma, al principio me sorprendí: ¿por qué me enviaban al otro lado del mundo? Sin embargo, siempre he sentido un gran respeto y amor por el papa, y ser ordenado por Papa Pablo VI fue un tremendo privilegio.
Otro regalo fue mi primer encargo parroquial como sacerdote junto a otros dos sacerdotes: uno mucho mayor que yo y un joven sacerdote sólo cinco años mayor que yo. Construimos juntos una hermosa vida en comunidad, tanto en la rectoría como mientras trabajábamos en la parroquia. Estar en comunión con otros sacerdotes es esencial; de lo contrario, se corre el riesgo de convertirse en «el rey de la parroquia». Y eso no es lo que necesita la Iglesia. Necesitamos pastores, no clérigos. Reflexionando sobre estos 50 años, siempre he querido vivir una vida espiritual. Mis estudios de espiritualidad y mis experiencias a través del Movimiento de los Focolares, viviendo su espiritualidad de unidad, me enseñaron a aprender de mis errores, pero también a abrazar mis éxitos con humildad, reconociendo que son un don de Dios. Esta combinación me ha sostenido constantemente: Tengo que vivir el sacerdocio real, que es la vida espiritual, para enriquecer mi sacerdocio ministerial.
A LOOK INTO POPE BENEDICT XVI’S ENCYCLICAL ON HOPE, SPE SALVI
A hope for our earthly life and beyond
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
“Spe salvi facti sumus”—in hope we were saved, says Saint Paul to the Romans, and likewise to us (Rom 8:24). Pope Benedict XVI began his second encyclical on the theological virtue of hope, published at the end 0f 2007, quoting these words from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
The late pope elaborates how hope and faith are intertwined: “In several passages, the words ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ seem interchangeable…. We see how decisively the self-understanding of the early Christians was shaped by their having received
the gift of a trustworthy hope when we compare the Christian life with life prior to faith or with the situation of the followers of other religions.” (Spe Salvi, #2)
Benedict XVI sees it as a distinguishing mark of Christians that they have a future: “It is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness. Only when the future is inevitable as a positive reality does it become possible to live the present as well.” (#2) The following paragraph
Pope Benedict XVI wrote that to know God means to receive hope. Pixabay
explains it clearly: “To come to know God—the true God—means to receive hope. We who have always lived with the Christian concept of God, and have grown accustomed to it, have almost ceased to notice that we possess the hope that ensues from a real encounter with this God” (#3). Here, the author points out an important development: if you grew up in the Catholic Church, you might get used to the incredible message that God brought us in Jesus: Death is no more, we are called to live!
This message is not given to us by an unknown God or elemental spirits of the universe; it is a personal God who governs the stars. Not the laws of matter and evolution have the final say, but reason, will, love—a Person. If we believe that, says Pope Benedict, then we realize: “Life is not a simple product of laws and the randomness of matter, but within everything and at the same time above everything, there is a personal will, there is a Spirit who in Jesus has revealed himself as Love.” (#5)
Hope transforms the material life
If we have been given this hope, what does that mean for our lives? Pope Benedict looks at the first Christians – how could they be so strong while facing persecution, how could so many be ready for martyrdom?
Here is his explanation: “Life’s normal source of security has been taken away from Christians in the course of persecution. They have stood firm, though, because they considered this material substance to be of little account. They could abandon it because they had found a better ‘basis’ for their existence—a basis that abides, that no one can take away. … Faith gives life a new basis, a new foundation on which we can stand, one that relativizes the habitual foundation, the reliability of material income.”
This means that even in times of uncertainty, hardship, and opposition to our faith, this hope does not decrease but continues to sustain Christians. Besides the martyrdom, in which people resist power and renew the world by their death, also incredible acts of renunciation are prophetic expressions of this hope: “from the monks of ancient times to Saint Francis of Assisi and those of our contemporaries who enter modern religious Institutes and movements and leave everything for love of Christ, so as to bring to men and women the faith and love of Christ, and to help those who are suffering in body and spirit … from the hope of these people who have been touched by Christ, hope has arisen for others who were living in darkness and without hope.”(#8)
Hope happens today
These explanations and examples may lead us to believe that hope is focused solely on the afterlife. However, this life is not only a reality that we await, but a real presence already in the here and now: Jesus already shows us what life is and where it is to be found.
Pope Benedict challenges us: “So now we must ask explicitly: Is the Christian faith also for us today a life-changing and life-sustaining hope? Is it ‘performative’ for us—is it a message which shapes our life in a new way, or is it just ‘information,’ which, in the meantime, we have set aside and which now seems to us to have been superseded by more recent information?”
There is always the danger that our faith becomes routine, or that we lose track of our goal –heaven. Pope Benedict quotes the dialogue at the
Faith gives life a new basis.
beginning of the rite of Baptism for an infant. The priest asks the question: “What do you ask of the Church?” and the parents answer: “Faith”. “And what does faith give you?” “Eternal life.” The pope writes, “Today, as in the past, this is what being baptized, becoming a Christian, is all about: it is not just an act of socialization within the community, nor simply a welcome into the Church. The parents expect more for the one to be baptized: they expect that faith, which includes the corporeal nature of the Church and her sacraments, will give life to their child— eternal life.”
Now, eternity goes beyond our imagination. Our minds cannot fathom it. Pope Benedict asks the same question, “Do we really want this—to live eternally? Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living forever, endlessly, appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end—this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable. (#10)
However, we don’t know eternal life – we don’t know how it will be. We might have caught a glimpse in moments of perfect happiness, when we feel union with God and experience that we are loved beyond measure: “We can only attempt to grasp the idea that such a moment is life in the full sense, a plunging ever anew into the vastness of being, in which we are simply overwhelmed with joy. This is how Jesus expresses it in Saint John’s Gospel: ‘I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you’ (16:22). We must think along these lines if we want to understand the object of Christian hope,
to understand what it is that our faith, our being with Christ, leads us to expect.” (#10)
Here, it becomes evident that the hope we receive as Christians differs from the hopes and aspirations that young people, in particular, might have when they imagine a bright future. Even if some of these dreams become true, they won’t satisfy the human heart: “It becomes evident that man has a need for a hope that goes further. It becomes clear that only something infinite will suffice for him, something that will always be more than he can ever attain. (#30)
Learning and Practicing Hope
What can we do if we are not yet hopeful? What if, despite trying to put our faith into practice, we have a gloomy perspective? Pope Benedict gives advice: “A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me anymore, God still listens to me ... When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me.” (#32)
Another important part is how we face suffering: “Only the great certitude of hope that my own life and history in general, despite all failures, are held firm by the indestructible power of Love, and that this gives them their meaning and importance, only this kind of hope can then give the courage to act and to persevere,” writes Pope Benedict (#35). It emphasizes that God’s way of salvation is through the cross; hence, by embracing our small and bigger sufferings, we can experience a strength that helps us to go ahead.
Lastly, we have a role model that we can imitate, who is a human being like us: Mary. Benedict XVI calls her “Star of Hope:” “Through you, through your ‘yes,’ the hope of the ages became reality, entering this world and its history.” (#50)
Pope Benedict XVI using social media to spread the Church’s message of hope.
Vatican Media
UNA MIRADA A LA ENCÍCLICA DEL PAPA BENEDICTO XVI SOBRE
LA ESPERANZA, SPE SALVI
Una esperanza para nuestra vida terrenal y más allá
POR SUSANNE JANSSEN
“Spe salvi facti sumus»: “Porque en la esperanza hemos sido salvados”, dice San Pablo a los romanos, y en ellos a nosotros (Rm 8, 24). El Papa Benedicto XVI comenzó su segunda encíclica sobre la virtud teologal de la esperanza, publicada a finales de 2007, citando estas palabras de la carta de Pablo a los Romanos.
El difunto Papa explica cómo la esperanza y la fe están entrelazadas: “En varios pasajes, las palabras “fe” y “esperanza” parecen intercambiables…. Vemos hasta qué punto la autocomprensión de los primeros cristianos, estaba determinado por haber recibido el don de una esperanza confiable, cuando comparamos la vida cristiana con la vida anterior a la fe o con la situación de los seguidores de otras religiones”. (Spe Salvi, #2)
Benedicto XVI ve como un signo distintivo de los cristianos el que tengan un futuro: “No es que conozcan los detalles de lo que les espera, pero saben en términos generales que su vida no terminará en el vacío. Sólo cuando el futuro es inevitable como una realidad positiva, que viene a ser posible vivir el presente, también” (#2)
El siguiente párrafo lo explica claramente: “Llegar a conocer a Dios – al verdadero Dios – significa recibir esperanza. Nosotros, que siempre hemos vivido con el concepto cristiano de Dios y nos hemos acostumbrado a él, casi hemos dejado de notar que poseemos la esperanza, esa esperanza que se deriva del encuentro real con Dios” (#3). Aquí, el autor señala un hecho importante: si creciste en la Iglesia católica, podrías acostumbrarte al increíble mensaje que Dios nos trajo en Jesús: La muerte ya no existe, ¡estamos llamados a vivir!
Este mensaje no nos lo da un Dios desconocido o los espíritus elementales del universo; es un Dios personal que gobierna las estrellas. No son las leyes de la materia y de la evolución las que tienen la última palabra, sino la razón, la voluntad, el amor: -una Persona-. Si creemos eso, podemos darnos cuenta, dice el Papa Benedicto, de que «La vida no es un simple producto de las leyes y del azar de la
materia, sino que dentro de todo y al mismo tiempo por encima de todo, hay una voluntad personal, hay un Espíritu que en Jesús se ha revelado como Amor.» (#5)
La esperanza transforma la vida material Si se nos ha dado esta esperanza, ¿qué significa eso para nuestras vidas? El Papa Benedicto fija su mirada en los primeros cristianos: ¿cómo era posible que fueran tan fuertes mientras se enfrentaban a la persecución, ¿cómo era posible que fueran tantos los preparados para el martirio?
He aquí su explicación: “La fuente normal de seguridad de la vida, les fue arrebatada a los cristianos, en el curso de la persecución. Sin embargo, se mantuvieron firmes, porque consideraron, que esta sustancia material era de poca importancia. Podían abandonarla porque habían encontrado una ‘base’ mejor para su existencia: una base que permanece, que nadie les puede quitar. ... La fe da a la vida una nueva base, un nuevo fundamento sobre el cual apoyarse, que convierte en relativa la confianza en el fundamento habitual, con referencia al ingreso material”.
Esto significa que, incluso en tiempos de incertidumbre, de dificultades y de oposición a la fe, esta esperanza no disminuye, por el contrario, continúa sosteniendo a los cristianos. No solo en el martirio donde la gente se resiste al poder, y renueva al mundo con su muerte, existen también, increíbles actos de renuncia son expresiones proféticas de esta esperanza: “desde los monjes de la antigüedad hasta san Francisco de Asís, hasta aquellos de nuestros contemporáneos que ingresan en Institutos y movimientos religiosos modernos, donde lo dejan todo por amor a Cristo, para llevar a los hombres fe y amor de Cristo, para ayudar a los que sufren en el cuerpo y en el espíritu...
De la esperanza de estas personas que han sido tocadas por Cristo, es que ha surgido la esperanza para otros que vivían en la oscuridad y la desesperanza.” (#8)
La esperanza sucede hoy
Estas explicaciones y ejemplos pueden hacernos creer que la esperanza se centra únicamente en la vida después de la muerte. Sin embargo, esta vida no es sólo una realidad que esperamos, sino una presencia real en el aquí y ahora: Jesús nos muestra qué es la vida y dónde se encuentra.
El Papa Benedicto nos desafía: “Así que ahora debemos preguntarnos explícitamente: ¿Es la fe cristiana, de hoy en día, una vida cambiante sostenida por la esperanza? ¿Es ‘representativa’, es para nosotros el mensaje que moldea nuestra vida de una nueva manera, o es sólo ‘la información’ que mientras tanto hicimos a un lado y que ahora nos parece superada por informaciones más recientes?”
Siempre existe el peligro de que nuestra fe se convierta en rutina, o de que perdamos de vista, nuestra meta final: el Cielo. El Papa Benedicto cita el diálogo inicial que da principio al rito del Bautismo de un niño. El sacerdote pregunta: -¿Qué le pides a la Iglesia? - y los padres responden: -La fe-. - ¿Y qué te da la fe? - Vida Eterna -. El Papa escribe: “Hoy, como ayer, esto es lo que significa ser bautizado, convertirse en cristiano: no es sólo un acto de socialización dentro
de la comunidad, ni una simple acogida, por parte de la Iglesia. Los padres esperan más, para quien es bautizado: esperan que la fe, que está incluida en la naturaleza corporal de la Iglesia y de sus sacramentos; dé vida a su hijo: vida eterna”.
Ahora bien, la eternidad va más allá de nuestra imaginación. Nuestra mente no puede abarcarla. El Papa Benedicto se hace la misma pregunta: “¿Realmente queremos esto: vivir eternamente? Quizá muchas personas rechazan hoy la fe simplemente porque no encuentran atractiva la perspectiva de la vida eterna. Lo que desean no es la vida eterna en absoluto, sino esta vida presente, para la que la fe en la vida eterna parece una especie de impedimento. Seguir viviendo eternamente, sin fin, parece más un maleficio, que un don. Es cierto que uno desearía aplazar la muerte el mayor tiempo posible. Pero, considerando todo esto, vivir para siempre, sin fin, podría resultar no sólo monótono, sino insoportable”. (#10)
Sin embargo, no conocemos la vida eterna, no sabemos cómo será. Tal vez hayamos podido vislumbrarla en momentos de felicidad perfecta, cuando sentimos la unión con Dios y experimentamos
El Papa Benedicto XVI nombró a María “Estrella de la Esperanza”, un modelo que podemos imitar. Wikimedia Commons
su amor infinito: “Sólo podemos intentar comprender la idea, de que un momento así le dará un sentido de plenitud a la vida, una inmersión siempre nueva en la inmensidad del ser, en la que estamos sencillamente desbordados de alegría. Así lo expresa Jesús en el Evangelio de San Juan: «Volveré a veros y se alegrará vuestro corazón, y nadie os quitará vuestro gozo» (16,22). Debemos seguir en esta línea de pensamiento, si queremos comprender el objetivo de la esperanza cristiana, para entender qué es lo que nuestra fe, nuestro estar con Cristo, nos lleva a esperar”. (#10)
Aquí se hace evidente que la esperanza que recibimos como cristianos difiere de las esperanzas y aspiraciones que en particular los jóvenes, suelen tener cuando imaginan un futuro brillante. Aún, cuando algunos de estos sueños se hagan realidad, no llegarán a satisfacer al corazón humano: “Se hace evidente que el hombre tiene necesidad de una esperanza que va más allá. Claro está, que sólo algo infinito, será suficiente para él algo que siempre será más de lo que pueda alcanzar”. (#30)
Aprender y practicar la esperanza
¿Qué podemos hacer si aún no tenemos esperanza?
¿Y si, a pesar de intentar poner en práctica nuestra fe,
tenemos una perspectiva sombría? El Papa Benedicto da un consejo: “Un primer escenario esencial para aprender sobre la esperanza, es la oración. Cuando ya nadie me escucha, Dios me sigue escuchando... Cuando ya no hay nadie que me ayude a afrontar una necesidad o una expectativa que va más allá de la capacidad humana por la esperanza, Él puede ayudarme”. (#32)
Otra parte importante es cómo afrontamos el sufrimiento: «Sólo la gran certeza que da la esperanza, tanto en mi propia vida como en la historia en general, donde a pesar de todos los fracasos; la fuerza indestructible del Amor se mantiene firme, encuentro sentido e importancia a lo vivido, solo este tipo de esperanza puede dar valor para actuar y perseverar», escribe el Papa Benedicto (#35). Subraya que el camino de salvación de Dios es a través de la cruz; de ahí que, abrazando nuestros pequeños y grandes sufrimientos, podamos experimentar una fuerza que nos ayude a seguir adelante.
Por último, tenemos un modelo que podemos imitar, porque es un ser humano como nosotros: María. Benedicto XVI la llama «Estrella de la esperanza»: «Por ti, por tu “sí”, la esperanza de los siglos se hizo realidad, entrando en este mundo y en su historia». (#50)
A pesar de todos los fracasos, nuestra vida se mantiene firme gracias al poder indestructible del Amor, y este tipo de esperanza puede darnos el coraje para perseverar.
HOW AN INMATE FOUND HOPE IN PRISON, TURNING AWAY FROM A LIFE MARKED BY DRUGS AND EMPTINESS
From Death Comes Life
BY ALEX DERISE
We’ve all heard the saying, “God works in mysterious ways...” Some believe it, while others don’t. As for me, I can testify to the mighty power and forgiveness that can come only from Christ. Let me explain.
I am what many would call a cradle Catholic. Both of my parents were Catholic. I was baptized as a baby and raised in the Church. As I got older, I became an altar server and attended CCD like any good Catholic boy. However, I was doing it because that was what my parents wanted, not out of my own faith.
Then it came time for my Confirmation. Like many other Catholics before me, I viewed this as a sort of graduation, rather than the beginning of a new journey in Christ. I was confirmed at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Flour Bluff. For me, this was the end of my Church life.
When I decided to quit attending Church, not having a personal relationship with Christ, I rapidly spiraled downhill. I started using drugs, not just using them, but abusing them so much that I became a full-blown addict. School and drugs mixed like oil
and water, so I decided to quit school to pursue more drugs.
The result of this wrong choice eventually led to my arrest and the beginning of my prison life. I was in and out of the county jail and prison system numerous times. After serving a ten-year sentence, in 2012, I was released from prison with the notion that I had it all figured out, that I was going to do good. I started my own business and was doing rather well, or so I thought. I still did not have a personal relationship with Christ. In all reality, I did not have any relationship with Him at all. I found myself on the verge of using drugs again, heading right back down the same old rabbit hole while slowly dying inside.
In 2016, I was involved in a car accident that caused a gentleman to lose his life because I made the wrong choices. This incident pushed me over the edge, and I turned to what I knew best: drugs. I became seriously depressed as the weight of that day collapsed upon me. In August of 2017, I was sentenced to 35 years in prison. My actions had destroyed that man’s family, and my own as well.
The author with Bishop Mulvey during a Mass at the McConnell Unit in Beeville.
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I couldn’t do enough drugs to numb the pain and sorrow. Even when I returned to prison, I continued using drugs to numb myself and could not heal that gaping wound inside of me. Suicidal thoughts came to me often. I felt as if I were a lost cause, dead to the world, my life having no hope or purpose.
I was dwelling in this pitiful existence when out of the blue a fellow inmate came up to me, someone I had never spoken to before, and he said to me, “I am supposed to ask you to come to Catholic Mass.”
I asked myself, “Who is this guy, and how does he know that I used to go to Mass?” Then later I found myself considering, “Why not give it a try? I’ve tried everything else, and I still feel empty, like I am a lost cause.”
I started going back to Church. I went to Mass again. Slowly, I began to open my life to Christ. When I went to Confession, I felt as if the inner death I had been experiencing began to lift from me. That feeling was reinforced when I took the Eucharist for the first time in almost 30 years!
I was transferred to the McConnell Unit in Beeville, TX, and joined the St. Dismas Community there. I even became a member of the ministry team. But the altar called to me like an old friend. Once again, I found myself serving as an altar server. I now had a genuine and personal relationship with Jesus. And yet, still... something in my life was missing. I started helping to teach an RCIA class to try to fill
that void. But it didn’t work, and that missing piece eluded me.
I learned that the gentleman whose life I had taken had been involved in ministry. In 2022, we held a Synod on the McConnell Unit, which was attended by Bishop Michael Mulvey. I had the opportunity to speak with him and apologize for my actions that took the life of one of his parishioners. We talked at length, and I learned that he had known the gentleman and had even sat with him in his hospital room before his passing. Bishop Mulvey had also officiated at the man’s funeral. Yet, he forgave me and accepted my apology.
In that one encounter, I found what I had been missing: forgiveness. I knew that Christ had forgiven me, and suddenly, Bishop Mulvey accepted my apology and forgave me, too. This action paved the way for my biggest step yet: forgiving myself. A huge weight was lifted from me, and I felt truly alive for the first time in many years.
God works in mysterious ways. Regrettably, it took someone’s death to bring me new life that leads and pushes me to serve the Church I spent so much of my life running away from; a life that allows me to bring others to Christ so they, too, may be redeemed and find a life of their own. I will never forget that it was the power of forgiveness that brought me new hope and a new life.
Getting involved in the Ministry Team in prison helped the author to turn his life around.
THE FARM OF HOPE GIVES MEANING AND SUPPORT TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION
A charism of Hope
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
“Iwas addicted for many years of my life, and I never thought that I would overcome it,” says Mario Ramos. A skilled cook, he wasn’t able to work anymore once drugs and alcohol took over. He was in and out of prison three times, and every release seemed like just a temporary break before he returned behind bars. A couple he knew heard about the Farm of Hope that had just opened at the end of 2023 in Corpus Christi, and he wanted to give it a try: “I was planning to stay only a little while, but the Lord touched my heart… There was a little voice inside that said, ‘Stay here, this is what you need.’” He followed that voice, and one year later, his outlook on life had completely changed. He can now envision a life without drugs. As his bubbly personality shines through, he cannot praise the Farm of Hope enough: “This program is so great. It not only helps you overcome the dark obstacles in your life, but also helps you get closer to the Lord, and learn how to do things according to His will.” Now he wants to help others who are in a similar situation as a missionary.
The Farm of Hope was founded in Guaratingueta, Brazil, in the 1980s. Fr. Hans Stapel, OFM, a Franciscan originally from Germany, encouraged the youth in his parish to serve Jesus in all those they encountered during the day. Nelson Giovanelli met a group of young men on
his way home, and they shared their struggles with drug addiction. He was touched and felt called to help them, discussing it with Fr. Hans. From these efforts to aid people in need within the parish, an idea emerged: what would happen if volunteers and individuals affected by addiction lived and worked together in community, putting the Gospel into practice? It had a profound effect, and in this way, the Farms of Hope were born, providing lasting support in overcoming addiction. Little by little, this experiment expanded, more farms were established, and a charism of Hope took shape.
There are now 160 Farms of Hope worldwide across 27 countries. The facilities in South America are in high demand, as are those in various African nations. By providing an encounter with the living God, people find new meaning in life and the courage to confront the roots of their addiction. However, the program is designed to create a lasting impact within one year, so it requires a significant amount of time.
Ayres Rocha, a volunteer for the Farm of Hope from Brazil, frequently shares his life story because it illustrates how challenging it is to overcome addiction without support from others: “I was born in São Paulo, and I had a very nice childhood,” he remembers. “At school, I was quite good. I didn’t need to study a lot. When I was 19, I was already
The Farm of Hope in Violet, Robstown, offers people struggling with addiction a path to faith, purpose, and a drug-free life.
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working in an automotive company while finishing college.”
While facing minor issues like everyone else, his approach to dealing with them was risky: “I started drinking on the weekends with my friends and my girlfriend, just to have fun.”
He graduated with a degree in production engineering, received a promotion, and secured his dream job, which involved traveling to Europe and the U.S. while managing numerous responsibilities. To cope with work-related stress, he partied on weekends, drinking to unwind and using drugs for fun. However, at some point, he began drinking during the week, which negatively impacted his professional life.
From the outside, he appeared to have everything – a successful career, a fiancé, and many friends. But inside, “I felt that something was wrong–something was missing.” He filled that void with more partying and trying more potent drugs. Once he began using cocaine, which is common in South America, his life quickly spiraled downward. After two years, he was fired. Selling everything and moving back in with
his parents was the only option. But despite all his efforts, Ayres still couldn’t manage to stay sober. Until one day, his father made it clear that if he continued using drugs, he couldn’t stay at his place anymore. “I went to Paraguay, I found a job, I was in a new environment. But I was still the same – I was still using drugs,” Ayres confided. “Then, I started to consider committing suicide. I thought, this is it – this is the end.”
When taking a bus back to São Paulo, he prayed to God for help. Upon arriving there, he met someone at the Central Bus Station who had told him years ago about the Farms of Hope. A coincidence? Not for Ayres: “It was a sign of God - He was showing me, ‘I want to save you, but you need to go to this place.’”
With the help of other missionaries who had similar experiences, he felt he was in a place that was healthy, safe, and allowed him to connect with God: “They didn’t preach to me, they showed me.” However, the decision to stop using drugs was his—he compares it to a diet: “If I read something about a diet, that’s one thing. To do the diet, it’s another thing.”
He also realized that he would need more than one or two months—the average duration of rehab—to change his lifestyle after using drugs for many years. “I learned that there is hope. And God also showed me that this hope is something concrete, it’s not just a word. It’s not just a feeling.” Looking back now, after a few years, he can say that the effects of his time as a guest at the Farm of Hope are enduring; he continues to live without drugs or other addictions: “My life changed, really changed. And this is why I am so happy today.”
The Farm of Hope is not limited to those who directly need assistance recovering from addiction; there is also a broader circle - the Family of Hope. These are groups that meet weekly or monthly, offering recovery support for family members and are always connected to a parish. The concept is similar to the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). These groups are led by people who have successfully recovered or volunteered at a Farm of Hope. In South Texas, there are groups in San Antonio and Atlanta founded by individuals who went through the program in Mexico and Brazil. In Corpus Christi, a recently formed group meets at Holy Family Parish.
The Farm in Corpus Christi won’t be the only one. Bishop Louis Kihneman of the Diocese of Biloxi visited the Farm of Hope in Brazil and is currently in the process of opening a second facility in the United States. The President of the Farms of Hope worldwide, Fr. Luiz Menezes, already visited the diocese in March.
For more information about the Farm of Hope, contact Diego Lobeu at (361) 910-5462 or send an email to corpuschristi.m@fazenda.org.br.
Mario Ramos is the first American to complete the program.
Animals – like goats and chickens – are part of every Farm of Hope.
THE POPE MEETS THE MODERATORS OF LAY ASSOCIATIONS, ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS AND NEW COMMUNITIES
“Be
a leaven of unity”
BY POPE LEO XIV
Dear brothers and sisters, …
You represent the thousands of people who live out their faith and exercise their apostolate within associations, movements and communities. I would like to thank you above all for your work of guidance and leadership. Supporting and encouraging our brothers and sisters on their Christian journey requires responsibility and commitment, but also, at times, entails challenges and misunderstandings. Yet it remains a necessary and important task, and the Church is grateful to you for all the good that you do.
The gift of associations and charisms
The groups to which you belong differ from one another in kind and in history, and all are important to the Church. Some were founded to carry out a common apostolic, charitable, or liturgical project, or to support Christian witness in specific social settings. Others, however, originated from a charismatic inspiration, an initial charism that
gave rise to a movement, a new form of spirituality, and evangelization.
The desire to work together for a common purpose reflects an essential reality: no one is Christian alone! We are part of a people, a body established by the Lord. When speaking of Jesus’ first disciples, St. Augustine once said, “They became God’s temple, not only as individuals; together they were built into the temple of God” (En. in Ps. 131, 5). The Christian life is not lived in isolation, as a kind of intellectual or sentimental experience, confined to the mind and the heart. It is lived with others, in a group and in community, because the risen Christ is present wherever disciples gather in his name. The lay apostolate was strongly encouraged by the Second Vatican Council, particularly in its Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity. There we read that apostolic associations “are very important also because the apostolate often calls for concerted action, either in ecclesial communities or in various spheres. Associations established for carrying on a
Christian life is lived with others: Pope Leo XIV with the moderators and leaders of lay associations, ecclesial movements and communities
Vatican Media
common apostolate support their members, train them for the apostolate, and carefully assign and direct their apostolic activities. As a result, a much richer harvest can be hoped for from them than if each member were to act on his or her own” (No. 18)…
I would like to invite you to consider charisms in relation to grace, to the gift of the Spirit. The Letter Iuvenescit Ecclesia, as you know, states that the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the sacrament of Holy Orders exist precisely so that “the objective offer of grace” made through “the sacraments, the normative proclamation of the word, and pastoral care” may always remain alive and present among the faithful (No. 14). Charisms, on the other hand, “are freely distributed by the Holy Spirit so that sacramental grace may bear fruit in Christian life in different ways and at every level” (n. 15).
Consequently, everything in the Church is understood in reference to grace: the institution exists so that grace may always be offered, and charisms are given so that this grace may be received and bear fruit. Without charisms, there is a risk that Christ’s grace, offered in abundance, may not find good soil to receive it. That is the reason why God raises up charisms: to awaken in hearts a desire to encounter Christ and a thirst for the divine life that he offers us. …
In recalling this, I would like to reaffirm, following my Predecessors and in accordance with the Church’s Magisterium, especially since the Second Vatican Council, that hierarchical gifts and charismatic gifts “are co-essential to the divine constitution of the Church founded by Jesus” (St. John Paul II, Message for the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements, May 27, 1998). Thanks to the charisms that gave rise to your movements and communities, many people have drawn closer to Christ and have found hope in life. They have discovered the motherhood of the Church, and they want to be helped to grow in faith, in community life and works of charity, and, through evangelization, to bring to others the gift they have received.
Unity and Mission, in Union with the Pope
Unity and mission are two essential aspects of the Church’s life and two priorities of the Petrine ministry. For this reason, I ask all ecclesial associations and movements to cooperate faithfully and generously with the Pope, above all in these two areas.
First of all, by being a leaven of unity. All of you constantly experience the spiritual communion that unites you. It is the communion that the Holy Spirit brings about in the Church. It is a unity that has its foundation in Christ, who draws us to himself and thus unites us with one another. St. Paulinus of Nola once wrote in a letter to St.
Augustine: “We have one Head, one grace that fills us, we live on one Bread, we walk on one path, and we live in the same house... We are one, in both the spirit and the body of the Lord. If we separate ourselves from that One, we become nothing” (Ep. 30, 2).
Seek to spread everywhere this unity that you yourselves experience in your groups and communities, always in communion with the Church’s Pastors and in solidarity with other ecclesial realities. Draw close to all those whom you meet, so that your charisms may ever be at the service of the unity of the Church, and be “a leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity” (cf. Homily, 18 May 2025) in our world, so torn by discord and violence.
Secondly, mission... Always keep this missionary zeal alive in your midst: today, as always, movements have a fundamental role in the work of evangelization. Among you, there are many generous, well-trained people with “hands-on” experience… Place your talents at the service of the Church’s mission, whether in places of first evangelization or in your parishes and local ecclesial communities, in order to reach those who, albeit distant, are often waiting, without being aware of it, to hear God’s word of life.
Conclusion
…Always keep the Lord Jesus at the center! This is the essential thing, and charisms are meant to serve this purpose. They lead to an encounter with Christ; they foster human and spiritual growth and development, and they help to build up the Church. In this sense, all of us are called to imitate Christ, who emptied himself to enrich us (cf. Phil 2:7). Those who join with others in pursuing an apostolic goal and those who enjoy a charism are called alike to enrich others through the emptying of self. It is a source of freedom and great joy. Thank you for being who you are and for all that you do.
Pope Leo XIV emphasizes unity that has its foundation in Christ.
FR. EBERTOWSKI’S JOURNEY
TO A FERVENT DISCIPLE
The least likely person to become a priest
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
“Iam the least likely person to become a priest. If I were to write down a list of 100 careers
I could see myself doing, the priesthood certainly would not have been a remote thought for me,” said Fr. Javier Ebertowski. Growing up, he and his three siblings had to attend church on Sundays with their parents. However, young Javier tried to get away with the least prayer and Church time possible. Going to college, he was relieved to leave his faith behind.
Everything changed when an old friend from high school invited him to a Bible study – and persisted. “I finally gave in and went. This Bible study became a stepping stone to my ‘reversion’ to the faith. Up to this point, I had never encountered the Bible being explained in such an engaging way, with people who were normal, friendly, and eager to bring you in as one of their own.”
After a happy year with his newfound approach to Christianity, he encountered one fundamental element: the Eucharist. Wasn’t it the real presence of Christ, as his mother had always taught him? “After much reading, researching, and soul-searching, I concluded that I needed to return wholeheartedly to the Church. There was overwhelming evidence, particularly from the Church Fathers, that Christian believers have consistently held that the Eucharist is truly the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.” He returned to the Catholic Church and continued to read and research extensively about theology, faith traditions, and philosophy.
While working as a personal trainer at a health club, one day a strange thought entered his head and didn’t leave: “What is a day in the life of a Catholic priest like?” Researching online didn’t lead him to sign up for seminary, but the thought lingered. It took trying different paths and wrestling with understanding God’s will until Fr. Javier entered the seminary: “I would go on to graduate from college and serve as a missionary in Central America, and enter religious life.” After much discernment, he realized that this was not what God had in mind. “After wrestling with God for many years, I finally came to peace with giving God my total, complete and joyful surrender to being His priest.”
Birthday: June 17, 1991
Born and raised: Corpus Christi
Home Parish: St. John the Baptist
Parents: Richard and Elizabeth Ebertowski
Siblings: 3. I am the second of four. (Two brothers and a sister).
Favorite Bible Verse: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24)
Favorite Saint or Bible character: St. Alphonsus Liguori (he taught me how to pray)
Favorite food: Crispy, thin pizza, chips and salsa, steak, and ice cream.
Favorite place to be: On a back patio with friends/family. My favorite activity as a child: Jumping on a trampoline. Best job I’ve ever had: Personal trainer.
The quality I admire most in people: Authenticity I deal with failure by: Taking it to prayer and talking about it with people I trust.
When I have free time, I usually: Play sports, read a book, watch YouTube, catch up with friends.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do: Hang gliding.
If I hadn’t felt called to become a priest, my dream job would have been: Small business owner.
Fr. Javier spent his pastoral year at St. Pius X, where he enjoyed teaching the children and hosting monthly gatherings on faith questions called “Sips with a Seminarian,” featuring many guest speakers from our diocese. He studied for the past several years in Rome at the Pontifical North American College.
He prepared for his ordination by dedicating time to prayer and taking advantage of the practice chapels provided by the College, ensuring he felt ready to celebrate Mass. In his free time, he enjoys sports. While in Rome, he takes advantage of the sports facilities at the Pontifical North American College, playing basketball, soccer, tennis, and pickleball at least once a week with Fr. Raymond Pendleton. He will return there after the summer to assist at St. George in George West for one more year of studies.
Fr. Javier Ebertowski
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN FR. LUIS LOZANO EXPERIENCED
A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN COLLEGE
“God placed this desire in my heart”
Just two weeks shy of the day of his Priestly Ordination, Fr. Luis Lozano was in good spirits: “I am excited, there are a lot of emotions and anticipations…” Nervous? “Not yet!”
He started his journey in 2018, and now his period of formation and studies is coming to an end. Fr. Luis says he is looking forward to putting all the knowledge into practice. His favorite class? “I really liked Preaching class,” he said. “I learned a lot – I learned to make mistakes. And I got a lot of feedback from other seminarians. He says the first critiques were very gentle, then more direct. Church History, instead, was not his favorite – “too much information.”
Fr. Luis just graduated from Assumption Seminary in Houston, and he feels the need to prepare for his ordination: “I try to spend more time in prayer.” He goes to the chapel to spend time with Jesus, “and also to practice some parts of the Mass.”
When he looks back at the journey leading to this day, he had never thought about the priesthood for himself – until the second year of College in Kingsville when he got increasingly involved with the Newman Center. “All of a sudden, the thought of becoming a priest entered my head… but I pushed it aside. I felt not worthy.” A few months later, he attended an Awakening Retreat, a format of the ACTS retreat specifically designed for college students. “During adoration on the first night, I had a special moment in prayer, where all my resistance and doubts were consumed by the desire to become a priest.”
God placed this desire in his heart, and shortly after, Fr. Luis spoke with the Vocation Director, who was Fr. Joseph Lopez at that time. He took the time to discern and completed his degree in biology at Texas A&M. In 2018, he entered the seminary. The moment in Kingsville is still a moment of light: “Any time I had doubts or frustrations, I would remember that moment of intense desire – that moment sustained me.” Other consolations in prayer followed, revealing to him repeatedly that he was on the right path, following God’s will for his life.
His family was surprised, but supportive: “My parents could see how my life in College has been transformed; they would see where this was coming from.” Looking forward to working in a parish, Fr. Luis has his favorite places to recharge: “I love being
outdoors – hiking, going to a park, the beach, the hill country…” Another of his favorite hobbies is going to the movies – “Sci-Fi and action, but I am pickier about the movie being well done.” He looks forward to being with the people, meeting new people and getting to know them. Growing up in Laredo, he is accustomed to speaking Spanish. His first assignment will be as a parochial vicar at Corpus Christi Cathedral.
Birthday: 31 July 1995
Born and raised: Laredo, TX.
Home Parish: St. Gertrude Church, Kingsville, Texas.
Parents: Mr. Luis G. Lozano Sr. & Herminia Lozano (stepmother) Mrs. Elsa L. Lerma & Martin Lerma (stepfather)
Siblings: two brothers, one sister
Favorite Bible Verse: “For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.”
(Ezekiel 34:11)
Favorite Saint or Bible character: St. Peter, because he was so close to Jesus.
Favorite food: Basque-Style Codfish Stew (my family makes it every Christmas Eve), King Ranch Casserole Favorite place to be: anywhere outdoors where I can wander in the wilderness
My favorite activity as a child: gardening. I found it amazing to watch plants grow from seedlings to large plants capable of producing food.
Best job I’ve ever had: Campus Ministry Student Intern for St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center in Kingsville. The quality I admire most in people: when a person is comfortable in his own skin; when someone is authentic and honest to who God made him to be.
I deal with failure by trying again after receiving advice from some trusted people.
When I have free time, I usually go for walks in the park or read a book.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do: walk the Camino de Santiago.
If I hadn’t felt called to become a priest, my dream job would have been to be a Landscape Architect.
Fr. Luis Gerardo Lozano Jr.
Fr. Jim Craig: A vocation that grew gradually
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
It was a few days before the hour that Jim Craig had been preparing for a long time. When Bishop Mulvey lays his hands on him and ordains him as a priest, Fr. Jim has yearned for this moment since he was young. “It was a gradual growth,” he says. “When I was 8 years old and made my First Communion, I felt a connection to Jesus. Being an altar server, the wish inside me to become a priest just kept getting stronger.”
When he turned 18, he was sure he wanted to enter the seminary. He studied Philosophy at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, covering some necessary classes. However, it wasn’t until his senior year in college that he made his desire public and reached out to Fr. Romeo Salinas in the Office of Vocations. Later, throughout his formation years, it was Vocation Director Bob Cummings who accompanied him. He studied at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and Assumption Seminary in San Antonio. Did he ever doubt his choice and calling? “I don’t recall doubt, but times of testing,” he answered. “Wrestling with myself, questioning my own commitment – I asked myself, can I do this, how can I respond?”
His family was very supportive, “but my parents would have supported me whatever I had decided following God’s will.” He is the second youngest of seven children, and even though he has been sure of his vocation for a long time, he is the last to commit himself fully: “Five of my siblings are married, and one sister entered the SOLT community.” He already has twelve nieces and nephews, with the thirteenth on the way.
Along with his vocation as a priest, his desire to become a military chaplain grew. “My dad was in the military, and as a teenager, I was struck by the great need for priests.” He has already reached out to the Archdiocese of the Military Services and maintains the physical fitness requirements, which are not a big hurdle for him: “I love sports, especially team sports,” he says. He ran track and field in college and enjoys playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, and pickleball. “I was part of many friendly competitions in the seminary.” Fr. Jim is also a skilled dancer and tap dancer. Board games and card games are other pastimes he loves – again, in friendly competition.
Birthday: April 25th
Born and raised: Born in Skidmore, raised in Robstown
Home Parish: St. John Nepomucene, Robstown, TX
Parents: Stephen and Ann Craig
Siblings: I am the sixth of seven children
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
Favorite Saint or Bible character: St. Damian of Molokai – my Confirmation patron
Favorite food: Double Bacon Cheeseburger
Favorite place to be: Out in nature on a warm, sunny day
My favorite activity as a child: Playing baseball with my brothers and my friends
Best job I’ve ever had: Working in a shipping department during college, packing boxes
The quality I admire most in people: Commitment and dedication to what they do
I deal with failure by talking it over with other people
When I have free time, I usually get outside and play sports
One thing I’ve always wanted to do: Walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain
If I hadn’t felt called to become a priest, my dream job would have been a cashier and cart pusher at HEB
During his studies, he enjoyed Moral Theology and Sacramental Theology. He states, “The Eucharistic classes were excellent, especially one on the History and Development of the Roman Rite.” Many classes contributed to his growth and personal formation.
However, he now looks forward to his studies ending: “I look forward to being directly involved in the diocese and ministry, especially with youth and young adults.” Even though his family doesn’t have Hispanic roots, he can celebrate Mass and preach in Spanish.
His first assignment will be as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Church in Corpus Christi.
Father Jim Craig
BISHOP MULVEY ORDAINED THREE NEW PRIESTS FOR OUR DIOCESE:
“Have the mind of Christ and become
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
All priests, deacons and altar servers gather after the ordination on June 14 outside the pro-cathedral, Most
It It was a solemn ceremony: the pro-Cathedral
Most Precious Blood Church was filled to capacity, as many family members and friends would not miss this special day. Deacons Jim Craig, Javier Ebertowski, and Luis Lozano entered the Most Precious Blood Church, serving as the pro-cathedral during this time of renovation, as deacons. Initially, they sat with their families, waiting for the call to step forward. They were deemed worthy of ordination by the Diocesan Vicar for Clergy, Fr. Raju Thottankara, after years of study, pastoral internships and spiritual formation.
In his homily, Bishop Michael Mulvey reminded them to have “the mind of Christ” – to become holy through their ministry. “You are called to serve and not to be served – let go of yourselves,” the bishop continued. In the Gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.” Bishop Mulvey explained, “Jesus knew his talents, but also his weaknesses. He knows everything about us, and He still loves us.”
To fulfill the call to the priesthood, prayer is essential: “Never leave the gaze of the Father,
Precious Blood Church.
JIM CRAIG, FR. LUIS LOZANO AND FR. JAVIER EBERTOWSKI
become holy through your ministry”
never abandon the Word of Christ,” said the Bishop. He shared three insights on their journey that young people conveyed to him during this year’s confirmations. One young man in Odem responded to the question about what he learned during his preparation, saying, “I’ve learned to live God’s lifestyle,” which is love. “Expand your heart, don’t exclude anyone.”
The second answer came from a young woman from Alice: “I learned about the beauty of community in the Church.” Relating it to the New Commandment, “Love one another as I have
loved you” (Jn 13:34). Today, when many people feel isolated, God invites us to unity and love.
The third answer came from a young man in Corpus Christi: “I’ve come to appreciate the priests” – that they are shepherds. “A shepherd does not run away from the cross,” said Bishop Mulvey, “it is through the cross that we minister.”
Ultimately, he recommended that they have a special love, not just devotion, for Mary, Mother of the Church. “Mary gave up Jesus, but was not alone–she welcomed John, she was in the upper room where the Church was born.”
After the homily, all three deacons promised respect and obedience to the bishop and his successors. Then they prostrated themselves before the altar as the litany to the saints was sung. In silent prayer, the bishop laid hands on each of them, followed by all the priests. Each candidate knelt before the bishop, who concluded the rite with the prayer of ordination.
As the next step, the newly ordained priests received the stole and chasuble, before Bishop Mulvey anointed their hands with Holy Chrism Oil. The bishop gave them a brotherly embrace, followed by all the bishops and priests who welcomed the three young priests in their midst. Then, for the first time, they were concelebrating Mass, changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
At the end, Bishop Mulvey thanked Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services and current President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody and the more than 70 priests who were present. He thanked the people involved in their formation from different seminaries and Vocation Director Bob Cummings for their accompaniment.
The newly ordained priests received their first assignments: Fr. Jim Craig will serve as the
Credit:
S. Janssen (4)
After the ordination, the new priests give Bishop Mulvey their first blessing.
Many people stand in line to receive a personal blessing from the newly ordained.
neighbors.
parochial vicar at St. Patrick, and Fr. Luis Lozano will be at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Fr. Javier Ebertowski will return to Rome for another year to complete his studies. During the summer, he will be assigned to St. George Church in George West.
After the ceremony, all three new priests spent their first blessings in the school hall. Long lines awaited them, as many participants sought to receive the special graces associated with this beloved tradition.
The three candidates prostrate themselves in front of the altar to show their complete dedication to serve God and their
ANDY MILLER, A PARTNER AT BAI CONSULTANTS SPECIALIZING IN ACOUSTICS, SOUND REINFORCEMENT, AND AUDIOVISUAL TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGNED THE NEW SOUND SYSTEM FOR THE CATHEDRAL
A Significant Upgrade: Clear Speech, Less Reverberation
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
One thing everyone would agree on is that the Cathedral desperately needs a new sound system. If you don’t sit in the front rows, you have difficulty understanding the readings and the homilies – and sometimes, even a seat in the first pews isn’t sufficient when the current sound system has a bad day.
Replacing the old system with new, up-todate technology is a priority for the Cathedral renovation, which began at the end of May. Andy Miller is a partner at BAi Architectural Acoustic Consultancy, an Austin-based company specializing in architectural acoustics, audio system design, and commissioning work since
1935. He designed the new sound system for the Cathedral. “Churches, cathedrals, and basilicas are buildings with intense acoustics needs. And the acoustic need doesn’t always resonate with the liturgical design,” he names the principal challenge. The space should reflect the grandeur and significance of the Cathedral, but it is also a space where we can hear the Word of God. Miller said he received many reports about poor speech intelligibility in the cathedral. He visited and performed technical measurements, confirming that there was much room for improvement. Speech intelligibility in any space is measured by reverberation time – the duration it takes
The gray areas will receive an acoustical treatment that will improve greatly the acoustic in the cathedral.
Courtesy of Andy Miller
for a loud sound to dissipate. This is generally a challenge in large, high rooms, but it is even more pronounced in the cathedral, as one cannot simply add curtains or carpets. Miller collaborated with the architects to identify opportunities to introduce new or different materials that would enhance speech clarity: “The key challenge is always, how do you make it look like it belongs there or disappear altogether.”
The solution involves a material that absorbs sound while remaining nearly invisible, as it will be applied to walls or pillars beneath the finishing paint: “Those are stretched fabric systems – but they don’t look like fabric, they look like a smooth, flat surface in that fabric is stretched on top of a material that absorbs the sound.”
The other strategy involves examining the sound system: “We don’t want the music to suffer – the organ and the choir should sound like in a spacious cathedral. So, we can’t just cover every surface in the cathedral with something sound absorbing, or else the music completely loses its strength, spaciousness and brilliance, all of those things that we like to hear from liturgical music.”
The solution is a specialized system that carefully controls the direction of sound, known as adaptive, steerable systems: “We will be steering the beam of the sound so that it lands on the people’s ears, which is where you want it and need it, instead of just shooting sound everywhere out into the room.”
What will that look like? The speaker on every pillar will disappear. “It is just a relatively slender column full of speakers. There are about 32 speakers in each of these columns, and there will be one on each side at the front of the cathedral.”
Technical progress now makes it possible to direct the sound from these columns to every corner of the church. Andy Miller hopes the difference will be noticeable: “We’ve recently commissioned a system at the Cathedral in Lafayette, Louisiana, that is very similar regarding the reverberation and the acoustic character. The results were spectacular, and we couldn’t even incorporate the acoustic treatment in that room. We are really excited about the kind of result that we can expect, especially compared to what parishioners are experiencing right now.”
This is a relatively new technology: “What makes it possible is the immense amount of computer processing power that fits in such a small package. The physics to do this has been around for decades, but we just didn’t have the power to process the audio that quickly.”
In addition, the cathedral will be equipped with an assistive listening system that allows parishioners who use hearing aids to connect via Bluetooth or wear a small device that delivers sound directly to their ears.
Another improvement will be made for those sitting in the sanctuary, reading, or delivering a homily who couldn’t hear themselves at all until now: “We will also have some additional small speakers in different locations in the cathedral that wouldn’t be covered by these main speakers, like small monitors.” The same will apply to the choir loft.
Andy Miller’s job is like a ministry, and God guided him there. “Going into college, I thought I would be an artist. I thought I was going to paint pictures for a living and was looking at an art school when my parents and I ended up on a tour to the architecture school,” he shares. “That’s where God put me at the end of the day.”
An Associate Dean handed them off to another architecture school professor, Bob Coffin, an acoustical consultant. “And after walking around with him for a while, it became clear that architectural engineering was the avenue that was right for me.” Eventually, he chose Coffin as his advisor and took a job at a company specializing in acoustic consultancy. “You can’t see God’s plan until you look back at all the things that have happened and realize, ‘I’m sort of being shaped for this.’”
With this experience, he feels honored to work on the cathedral: “It’s just very humbling to be able to put my gifts at the service of any community. And the most rewarding projects I work on are usually the Catholic Church projects, just because I feel like I know I’m doing something meaningful, more meaningful than anything else, doing something that will enable the Word of God to be heard and listened to… God has given me everything, and how could you not give at least that back?”
Andy Miller experienced that God guided him toward his work, which became like a ministry to him.
S. Janssen
A much-needed upgrade: Together with Fr. James Stembler, the current rector of Corpus Christi Cathedral, four former rectors sat in the choir of the church for a press conference: Fr. Hanh Van Pham, now the Pastor of St. Andrew by the Sea in Flour Bluff; Msgr. Michael Howell, now retired; Fr. Pete Elizardo, Pastor at St. Joseph in Beeville; and Fr. Joseph Lopez, Pastor at Most Precious Blood. Fr. Stembler explained the need for new pews: “They are worn out, and the sanitizing and washing during Covid-19 also took a toll on them.” Fr. Hanh, who served as the rector of the Cathedral from 2013 to 2017, noted that it has been 40 years since the Cathedral was last updated. “The paint peels off; the
bathrooms need improvement – there are many things we need to do.” Msgr. Howell, who ministered at the Cathedral twice, first as an assistant and then as rector from 1997 to 2005, reminded the media that the Church, like this building, is in a constant state of change. Fr. Lopez, rector from 2007 to 2010, expressed excitement about the “very much needed upgrading – the Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese.” And Fr. Pete, whose first assignment was at the Cathedral and who returned as rector from 2019 to 2023, highlighted the changes that will accommodate the elderly and hearing-impaired: “The ambo will not require climbing steps anymore.”
THE VINCENTIANS Celebrating 400 Years in 2025
The Vincentians of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province brought St. Vincent de Paul’s 200-year-old mission and charism to America in 1818.
• Evangelizing the forgotten members of society with ministries to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and much more
• Forming thousands of clergy members as teachers and administrators in seminaries
• Serving in over 100 parishes in the western U.S. as pastors and parish priests
• Educating the laity in elementary and secondary schools and colleges like DePaul University
• Bringing Christ’s loving message to the people with popular missions, prison ministry, and online ministries like The God Minute
www.vincentian.org
The current Rector of the Cathedral, Fr. James Stembler (middle), with four former rectors. S. Janssen
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
ChristLife is a 3 course series that helps people discover, follow, and share Jesus Christ. ChristLife equips Catholics for the essential work of evangelization so others might personally encounter Jesus Christ and be transformed into His missionary disciples.
Discovering Christ
Join us for the first course, Discovering Christ, a course that explores the meaning of life, the basics of the Christian faith, and how you can experience love, forgiveness and the good things of God. Each week you have the chance to explore faith, and what it means for you, around a delicious dinner, an inspiring talk and an engaging conversation with friends. Discovering Christ is for everyone 18 years and older, regardless of religious background, whether you ’ve been active in a church or not, or whether you are just plain tired of where your life is headed and know there must be more.
Wednesday night’s beginning Sept. 3, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
To properly prepare for food, please register by scanning the QR Code or calling 361 -991-7891
OUR BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY CELEBRATED THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF HIS PRIESTLY ORDINATION
“You cannot be a Catholic alone”
BY SUSANNE JANSSEN
Fifty years of faithful service, including more than 15 years as Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi – a time to thank God and celebrate his ‘Yes.’ Bishop Michael Mulvey, who was ordained on June 29, 1975, in St. Peter’s Square by Pope Paul VI, celebrated a festive Mass on June 27 at Most Precious Blood Church, with Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, Bishop Brendan Cahill, the Bishop of Victoria, Bishop Mario Avilés, Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville, and many priests from the diocese.
The readings of the day—the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus—focused on the Good Shepherd, fitting the occasion to celebrate Bishop Mulvey’s life dedicated to the Lord. A good friend from his early days as a priest in the Diocese of Austin, Msgr. Bill Brooks delivered the homily. He reminded the faithful that a priest, who does not build a family of his own, touches the lives of many people throughout his life and will always be remembered.
He and the bishop initially lived and worked together, which resulted in a lifelong friendship. “When we get together, it feels like we were never separated; we just talk, laugh, and cry,” he shared. A couple who saw them having lunch together was so impressed by their joyfulness that they
thought they should start attending Church again.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Mulvey introduced his family – his three living brothers, his sister, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He thanked them, along with his brother priests and everyone working with him. “You cannot be a Christian or a Catholic alone,” he quoted Pope Leo XIV, adding his commitment to doing his part so that the Church can be a sign of unity and communion in the world
A family reunion on the occasion of Bishop Mulvey’s Golden Jubilee.
S. Janssen
Bishop Mulvey was ordained by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975.
Courtesy of Bishop Mulvey
33 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OUR DIOCESE WENT TO VISIT ASSISI, ORVIETO AND ROME DURING THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE
A pilgrimage of the heart
BY CHIARA CATIPON
All aboard? Little did we know how deeply the journey would take us into the heart of our faith as Catholic Christians. We set out on May 31 as 33 individual pilgrims representing the Diocese of Corpus Christi – 28 young adults, among whom two seminarians. The trip, sponsored by the Office of Young Adult Ministry with Siobhan O’Connor and the Newman Center Corpus Christi and Kingsville, was led by two priests, two consecrated Focolare members, and the TAMUCC Campus Minister. We returned on June 9 as a family, transformed by the experience of the Jubilee Pilgrimage. Since it was the first trip outside of Texas for many, our itinerary, which included holy sites in Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto and Rome, opened unimagined new horizons.
As Marie Webb, member of the Young Catholic Adults (YCA), shares, “I grew up reading the lives of saints and seeing pictures of basilicas; I never once thought I’d be able to actually visit these places and walk the same paths that St. Francis, Clare, and many others walked. I’ll carry these memories and the spiritual moments shared with my fellow pilgrims for the rest of my life.” Crystal Tam, a Texas A&M College Station alumna, echoes, “This pilgrimage was an opportunity to connect deeper with my faith and with our fellow pilgrims. Walking in the steps of many saints we admire serves as a reminder that they were once just like us. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are not alone in our journeys.”
At a time when young people may be cast as a “lost generation,” Cristian De La Rosa, music minister at St. Joseph Parish in Beeville, asserts, “Seeing Blessed Carlo Acutis’ remains, I couldn’t help but think that all is not lost, and that the Holy Spirit is still moving, ready to turn ordinary people into saints!” The Eucharistic miracle highlighted by Blessed Carlo then came to full view as we beheld the corporal in the Cathedral of Orvieto, which held drops of Christ’s blood. Ian Longoria, a Texas A&M Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) junior, comments: “To be able to see concrete evidence of our faith in the form of tombs and relics was amazing. Seeing the beauty in the sacrifice people have made for centuries in the name of Christ has provided me with the courage to live out my faith more boldly.”
The pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, in the audience with Pope Leo XIV
Bob Cummings (2)
We went through the Holy Doors of the four main basilicas of St. Peter, St. Paul-outside-the-Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major, with Fr. Carlos De La Rosa bringing the prayer intentions of the Diocese to St. Peter. TAMUCC alumna Juliana Gomez summarizes, “To pass through the Holy Doors was a deeply moving and transformative experience. Standing in the heart of the Church, surrounded by centuries of faith and tradition, strengthened my spiritual journey and brought me closer to God.”
As in any authentic pilgrimage, daily physical demands also contributed to spiritual growth. Many had never taken the Metro, the only way to get around in Rome’s inner city or walked that much daily in their lives. As Carmen Almeida, a recent graduate of Del Mar College describes the visit to the Holy Stairs, “Crawling up the steps on our knees helped me feel a smidge of what Jesus felt on His way to be crucified; this pilgrimage helped me realize that love isn’t always the nice, romantic stuff we see on TV or media, but it is the uncomfortable, tiredness, and humble actions that can also be love; and we see that in Jesus’ death and the life of the saints.”
Whether celebrating daily Mass in various chapels, saying the rosary in front of Mary’s icon, making a late-night visit to the Blessed Sacrament,
or saying the Rosary in front of the Colosseum, every moment was an opportunity to deepen and witness to our faith. TAMUCC graduate student Emily McGhee shares, “This pilgrimage was a journey that took me through the steps of Christ. It was a great reminder that every day is a pilgrimage, and that God is working in us right now.” Monique Gonzalez (YCA) concurs, “I found a lot of hope and peace during this trip. Overall, a very empowering experience.”
Perhaps YCA President Sophia Rodriguez captures it best: “Leaving Rome feels like stepping from a dream, yet returning feels like awakening –awakened to a fire within that will never dim. I am not the same woman who arrived. I am renewed, inflamed by love, humbled by grace, and infinitely grateful for the God who patiently shapes us in His image. Rome has etched itself into my soul – not as a place on a map, but as a pilgrimage of the heart. Here, I found a sacred home in the unity of faith, a glimpse of heaven on earth.”
Marked by that Pentecost experience, we are now called to live out Pope Leo’s concluding words, “May the strong wind of the Spirit … open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.”
The group visited the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi.
Courtesy of Liliana Badillo
HOW TO EVALUATE THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Pope Leo, AI, and bioethics
BY FR. RICHARD LIBBY
On May 8, 2025, Catholics around the world rejoiced at the white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel, the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica, and, of course, the exciting announcement: “Habemus Papam!” Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected pope, and he took the name Leo, which no pope had used since the death of Pope Leo XIII in 1903.
Two days later, in a meeting with the cardinals who had just elected him, Pope Leo explained his reasons for taking the name: “Pope Leo XIII, in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum, addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
Only four months before the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education had published Antiqua et Nova, a document on artificial intelligence and its relationship to human intelligence (with the approval of Pope Francis). In discussing the challenges that artificial intelligence poses to human dignity, Pope Leo established an immediate sense of continuity with his predecessor. Artificial intelligence is not strictly a bioethical matter, but it has implications for bioethics. While Antiqua et Nova considered the implications of artificial intelligence for issues as diverse as society, human relations, the economy, labor, education, and warfare, the authors did not neglect the implications for bioethics.
Perhaps the first and most obvious question to address is: What is artificial intelligence (AI)? The term was coined by American computer scientist John McCarthy in 1956 when he organized a conference to explore the question of “making a machine behave in ways that would be called intelligent if a human were so behaving.” Artificial intelligence has continued to develop rapidly in the years since, becoming a phenomenon that affects nearly everyone. Like any other innovation, it can be used for good or evil. Therein lies the true challenge of artificial intelligence.
In the section of Antiqua et Nova that considers AI’s implications for health care, there are some quotations from Pope St. John Paul, who wrote that health care has an “intrinsic and undeniable ethical dimension,” that commits its practitioners to “absolute respect for human life and its sacredness.” Healthcare is a social and communal endeavor; it is about helping our neighbors in need, much like the Good Samaritan. AI can help by “assisting the diagnostic work of healthcare providers, facilitating relationships between patients and medical staff, offering new treatments, and expanding access to quality care.” If AI can be used to enhance and facilitate the relationship between a healthcare provider and a patient, then this is a good to be embraced. On the other hand, if AI were to replace the relationship between the provider and the patient, then problems would arise. If a patient were to interact with a computer rather than a person, then the personal and communal aspects of healthcare would be threatened, if not lost.
Fr. Richard Libby, Chancellor of the Diocese and Pastor at St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus parish in Corpus Christi, answers questions on bioethics.
Some people might be tempted to turn to AI in search of meaning or fulfillment, longings that can only be truly satisfied in communion with God.
Patients who already feel lonely would feel even more so, and some degree of the skill and intelligence of healthcare providers would be lost, along with the compassion that all providers should feel toward their patients. If treatments were administered through AI, then the gulf of loneliness would become wider. Moreover, if AI were to be used for economic or efficiency reasons, then a disturbing trend would emerge toward healthcare being strictly a market commodity, something to be purchased by those who can afford it, rather than a service provided to those who need it.
It’s worth noting that the end of the document speaks of AI and our relationship with God. It raises the concern that, with the exciting promise of AI, “as society drifts away from a connection with the transcendent, some are tempted to turn to AI in search of meaning or fulfillment—longings that can only be truly satisfied in communion with God.” It reminds us that “the presumption of substituting God for an artifact of human making is idolatry,” and that “it is vital to remember that AI is but a pale reflection of humanity.” No matter how good AI might be, it is, now and always, a human invention, and must be seen as such. It can never take the place of God, and it can never satisfy our search for meaning and fulfillment. Finally, AI can never define or surpass our human dignity, which is the point of intersection between Catholic social teaching and bioethics.
AI poses both opportunities and challenges for the Church and the world. May God grant Pope Leo XIV the courage and wisdom to lead us through the challenges ahead, whatever they may be.
LIVING THE JUBILEE AS PILGRIMS
“Hope Does Not Disappoint”
BY FR. BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT
As we journey through this Jubilee Year, the Church invites us to walk as “Pilgrims of Hope.” But what does this mean? St. Paul offers insight, writing:
“Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Rom 5:3 - 5).
St. Paul portrays life as a journey shaped by trials, but through them, we are filled with a hope born of the Holy Spirit. In this Jubilee Year in which we are called to be pilgrims of hope, it is advantageous to reflect on this most important of virtues.
Christian hope is distinguished from optimism or wishful thinking. Unlike optimism, which rests on positive outcomes, Christian hope is rooted in the person of Christ and the certainty of God’s promises. It is “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1817). An important key in this definition is that hope is, above all, a theological virtue, a gift of God that is infused in the soul, elevating and directing all our small hopes, sublimating them, and orienting them toward their proper end, which is heaven.
In some way, we could relate our Christian pilgrimage of hope to the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Many people make this walk either as a pilgrimage of faith or when facing a decision point in their lives. Think, for instance, of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who “were hoping that (Jesus) would be the one to redeem Israel” (Lk 24:21), bringing all their heaviness of heart and dashed ‘hopes’ with them in their knapsacks. In our pilgrimage, we often bring with us a sack full of hopes, desires, and sorrows. In all cases, the Camino becomes a kind of pilgrimage of hope.
To be a true pilgrimage, though, it must have a destination. We are not in this world to hang
around and whittle away the hours. A true pilgrim of hope walks with purpose because we have the goal in mind. In the case of the Camino, the city of Santiago de Compostela comes to represent our heavenly Homeland. Someone once described the Camino as at once a “looking forward” and at the same time a “leaving behind.”
There is the excitement of getting closer to the end of the journey and the wonder of what’s over the next hill or around the next corner, while at the same time, every bridge that is crossed, every town that is passed through involves a “leaving behind.” St. Paul described this beautifully in his letter to the Philippians (3:13b-14): “Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” As pilgrims of hope, we are striving
Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT, is the Director of Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center and Novice Servant of the SOLT.
with purpose toward the goal of holiness, which requires us to look forward in hope and, at the same time, leave behind all that might hinder us. Still, we carry with us all who walk with us on this journey as well as the memories of all the good that has been heaped upon us.
There is no doubt that we will encounter difficulties and obstacles. Hope then is “a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation … and is the ‘sure and steadfast anchor of the soul … that enters … where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf’ (Heb 6:19-20)” (CCC no. 1820). If we see the difficulties that come our way in this light, and place our hope in the promises of Christ, we will be able to persevere to the end, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
In this Jubilee Year, let each of us become a true pilgrim of hope—walking with purpose, enduring with joy, and carrying the light of Christ into the world. “Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy” (Heb 10:23). Let us, finally, beseech the Mother of God, “our life, our sweetness, and our hope” (Salve Regina) to help us to be worthy of the promises of Christ, our sure and certain hope.
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Walking the Camino de Santiago involves “leaving behind” and “looking forward.”
"Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead." - Peter 1:6
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