OC CATHOLIC WRITER PUBLISHES FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK
Rosalia Ripullo, a JSerra Catholic High School alum, prepares to launch "H Goes to Mexico".
DIOCESAN ARCHIVES GET AN UPGRADE
Thanks to a new grant, the department will be remodeled to fit industry standards.
IRVINE PARISH'S NEW STATUE
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish's new artwork of the Holy Family was a gift from Fr. Bob Stone. 8
GROWING UP WITHOUT CELL PHONES
Desmond and Sarah Silveira's nine children, ages 4 to 26, are growing up without cell phones. 10
13
14
OC CATHOLIC RECIPE SWAP
Stay warm this winter with this hot macaroni casserole.
MARY'S ASSUMPTION & THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
All Souls' Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the Assumption of Mary.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT
The Orange County Catholic Newspaper seeks to illuminate and animate the journey of faith for Catholics within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange – building solidarity among the faithful and inviting a deeper understanding and involvement in the mission of Christ – through the timely sharing of news, commentary and feature content in an engaging, accessible and compelling format.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC
The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92840
Publisher: The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange
Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com
SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT
Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams Art Director: Ryann Beveridge
Rosary Beads
If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description.
Include your name and parish to: editor@occatholic.com
To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800)
số điện thoại miễn phí sau đây: 1-800-364-3064, và đồng thời báo cáo cho nhà chức trách địa phương.
ROSARY BEADS
READER CALL-OUT
Jane, my son John Paul’s girlfriend, beaded this Rosary for me as a Christmas present. A beautiful and meaningful Rosary.
—Sonia Anderson, Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Newport Beach.
If you would like to share a photo of your Rosary Beads with our readers, please send a photo and brief description (include your name and parish) to: editor@occatholic.com C
“ Do not be afraid. Be sprouts of peace,”
— Pope Leo XIV
SAINT PROFILE
MARTIN DE PORRES
1579 - 1639
THIS ILLEGITIMATE SON OF a freed Panamanian slave and a Spanish knight became a hero to the people of Lima, Peru, his birthplace, for his compassionate care of the sick and poor. Apprenticed at age 12 to a barber-surgeon, Martin also learned herbal medicine from his mother. After working for several years at a Dominican monastery as a Third Order member, he made his profession as a lay brother in 1603. He founded an orphanage and foundling hospital, ministered to African slaves, practiced great penances and experienced mystical gifts. Martin was carried to his grave by prelates and noblemen and all Peruvians acclaimed him their beloved saint. He is the patron of hairdressers and interracial justice.C
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
ROMANS 11:2936; PSALM 69:3031, 33-34, 36; LUKE 14:12-14
TUESDAY
ROMANS 12:516AB; PSALM 131:1BCDE, 2, 3; LUKE 14:15-24
WEDNESDAY
ROMANS 13:8-10; PSALM 112:1B-2, 4-5, 9; LUKE 14:2533
THURSDAY
ROMANS 14:7-12; PSALM 27:1BCDE, 4, 1314; LUKE 15:1-10
FRIDAY
ROMANS 15:1421; PSALM 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4; LUKE 16:1-8
PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK
SATURDAY
ROMANS 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; PSALM 145:2-3, 4-5, 1011; LUKE 16:9-15
THOUSANDS FLOCKED TO Christ Cathedral recently for the second I AM Eucharistic Congress. And this year, for the first time, middle school students had their own festivities aimed at their unique needs.
Themed “Anchored in Christ’s Love,” the organized outreach conference for seventh- and eighth graders took place on Oct. 17, the first day of the Diocese of Orange’s I AM: A Beacon of Hope Congress. It featured worship with the Matt Franklin Band, testimonials by high schoolers, a guest speaker, Mass with Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen and the opportunity to participate in Adoration for the first time.
“I think we really want them to walk away with being proud of being Catholic, knowing that there are others like them, hearing high school students sharing testimonies, seeing that music can be fun and exciting,” said organizer Armando Cervantes, director of the diocese’s Office of Youth & Young Adults.
Four Catholic schools — St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, Holy Family in Orange and St. Columban and Christ Cathedral Academy in Garden Grove — participated. The hope is that students will better understand “that it’s a personal relationship with Christ, that they can meet Him on their terms right now, and that He’s relevant in their life today,” said Dr. Brad Snyder, Ed.D., associate superintendent of Educational Programs for Orange County Catholic Schools.
Unlike the main I AM Congress, this one started in a uniquely middle school way: They got a little silly. The Freed Theater echoed with chants of “rock, paper, scissors, shoot” as students paired up to battle it out with their hands. As the game dwindled down to just two
champions, cheers rocked the house.
“If you’re going to teach middle schoolers, the one thing you have to have is engagement, and once you have engagement, then you can get your message across,” Snyder said.
The message was delivered by professional Catholic speaker Maggie Craig, who has a master’s degree in theology and bachelor’s degree in catechetics. Craig took the youth back to the basics of Catholicism: Jesus was a living person, and historical evidence backs it up; He is fully human and fully God; He performed miracles and was crucified on the cross for humanity’s sins; and He loves all no matter what.
“He’s the God of love, not like the affection you have for your favorite sports team, or your favorite band or your favorite food, but like deep, pure, self-sacrificing love,” Craig told the students.
“That’s the kind of love God has for the world, but also for you, specifically. And He is offering you His love — not once, thousands of years ago in history, but every day.”
Craig shared how when she was in middle school, basketball was the most important thing in her life. She had done it for so long and was so good at it that she forgot the basics and made mistakes.
Craig’s talk was a good reminder not to get “cocky” and remember her Catholic foundation, said St. Columban eighth-grader Riley Nguyen, 14.
“It helped me a lot, because right now in religion class we are getting into more complexity with the Bible,” Nguyen said. “It just made me realize again how God died for us and saved us from our sins and gave up His whole life for us.”
The music too was another aspect Nguyen said she really connected with. The Matt Franklin Band, which features Matt Franklin, the youth ministry coordinator at San Francisco Solano parish in Rancho Santa Margarita, sang worship songs with a guitarist, bassist and drummer. Franklin also served as the emcee.
“The music really makes a difference,”
STUDENTS PLAY ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS AT THE START OF THE CONFERENCE. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
HOLY FAMILY STUDENTS GATHER FOR A GROUP PHOTO DURING THE “ANCHORED IN CHRIST’S LOVE” OUTREACH CONFERENCE FOR SEVENTH- AND EIGHTH GRADERS THAT TOOK PLACE ON OCT. 17.
STUDENTS ARE ON THEIR FEET ENJOYING MUSIC FROM THE MATT FRANKLIN BAND.
Snyder said. “It’s something they can get into, something they can worship with. It’s different than your regular church music. It engages the soul of the middle schoolers.”
St. Columban eighth-grader Sarah Nguyen, 13, said she wanted to attend the conference to get a break from the stress of school and focus on God. She said she came hoping to learn more about God, learn different ways to worship and hear from others. Sarah said she found the testimonial of Servite High School senior Jakob Flores to be especially inspiring; she felt connected to his struggles.
Flores, who grew up in a Catholic family, said he was just going through the motions of being Catholic until his father got sick and was hospitalized. Then he got mad at God. When his mother was later hospitalized during pregnancy, he struggled until his aunt encouraged him to carry his Rosary and talk to God.
His life started turning around and Flores said he realized why he was struggling so much.
“That’s when I was like, ‘OK, God is real’ and I realized that the only reason I was sad was because I’d rejected God. Because I told God, ‘I don’t want you,’” Flores told the students. “Even though I experienced a lot worse things after that, I was still happy because I had God’s love with me.” C
THAI NGUYEN CELEBRATED MASS ON OCT. 17. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
OC CATHOLIC SCHOOLS STAFF POSE FOR A PHOTO DURING THE I AM OUTREACH CONGRESS HELD ON OCT. 17. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. DENISE VALADEZ, ADRIANA LOPEZ, BELINDA ESPINOZA AND DR. BRAD SNYDER.
OC CATHOLIC WRITER PUBLISHES FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK
BY BRITNEY ZINT
FROM MODELING AND professional acting to writing for Orange County Catholic and starring in school musicals at St. Catherine of Siena, Rosalia Ripullo grew up trying out as many avenues as she could to express herself
school foundation and love of stories to publish “H Goes to Mexico,” a colorful children’s book that follows the cartoon letter H’s journey down south to find out how and when its special sound is used in the Spanish language.
Ripullo was inspired by her own journey learning Spanish. Growing up speaking Italian and English — her family is from the Calabria region of Italy — she started learning Spanish around second grade at the now-closed St. Catherine of Siena school in Laguna Beach. She continued studying
real life … it’s like holding a baby, almost.”
Ripullo said there will be a second book — maybe even a series. She wants to keep writing for as long as the ideas keep coming, but she is also busy with other creative pursuits.
She is currently in her final year at New York University where she is studying film, including screenwriting. She has also continued acting.
Ripullo said she continues practicing her Catholic faith at NYU and hopes to visit Diocese of Orange Catholic schools when
ing, her mom made it work. Then in high school, during COVID, when she wanted to start taking creative writing classes at Santa Monica College, her mom figured that out too. She feels trying different avenues is crucial.
“I think it’s really important to try everything when you are young if you can, if you have the opportunity to do it,” Ripullo said. “I’m grateful for everything I tried out. It’s helped me in every way, even for this book. It helped me get the confidence to do it.” C
DIOCESAN ARCHIVES TO GET NEW UPGRADES
BY FR. CHRISTOPHER HEATH AND BRADLEY ZINT
THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL campus will soon be storing portions of the diocesan archives and receiving new upgrades to handle the job, thanks to grant funding.
In a room within the basement of the campus’ Richard H. Pickup Cultural Center, the archives department is doing some remodeling work to fit archival industry standards. Special equipment designed to protect sensitive materials is being installed, as well as mobile shelving that will increase capacity by as much as 80%.
Once completed by early 2026, the room will also contain processing space for new acquisitions and a small office space for cataloging.
The new Cultural Center space will supplement the archives’ primary repository at Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano, where the collection has outgrown the available space.
The grant funding comes from the Digital POWRR Project (Preserving Digital Objects with Restricted Resources), facilitated by the University of Arizona with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The grant funding is also allowing the archives department to purchase a flatbed scanner and an overhead book scanner to facilitate in-house digitization. The department has begun a project to digitize 1,800 cubic feet of materials (paper, books and artifacts), so the diocese’s patrimony will be preserved for generations to come.
Among the archives’ greatest treasures are two documents, drafted and signed by Vatican officials, about the establishment of the Diocese of Orange. One is from March 24, 1976, establishing the Diocese of Orange, as taken from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles under Cardinal Timothy Manning.
The second named Bishop William Johnson as the first bishop. On June 18, 1976, Mass was celebrated in the first diocesan cathedral, Holy Family in Orange, during which the two documents were read out loud, translated into English, and Bishop Johnson was officially seated in the cathedra (the bishop’s chair). June 18, 1976, is when the Diocese legally began, although March 24 is often listed as its start date.
The two documents are one-of-akind items and could not be recreated if something happened to them. They will be digitized to preserve not only for their content but also their physical structure. After 50 years of exposure under fluorescent lights, the documents have faded. Digitization will safeguard the originals, while high-quality digital images will be available for all to see. C
THE NEW CULTURAL CENTER SPACE WILL SUPPLEMENT THE
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. PHOTOS BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
AMONG THE ARCHIVES’ TREASURES IS A DOCUMENT DRAFTED AND SIGNED BY VATICAN OFFICIALS NAMING BISHOP WILLIAM JOHNSON AS THE FIRST BISHOP.
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH’S NEW STATUE OF THE HOLY FAMILY
BY BRITNEY ZINT
AN IRVINE PARISH DEDICATED and blessed its new, nearly life-sized statue of the Holy Family this fall — a project two years in the making.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church’s pastor Fr. Tuan Pham and retired priest Fr. Bob Stone invited all the children up to the statue of Joseph, Mary and a young Jesus following Mass. With music and prayers, the shrine was officially blessed and dedicated.
“I want the Holy Family statue to watch over our campus,” said Fr. Tuan during the dedication.
The statue was a gift from Fr. Bob that came to fruition one week after his 80th birthday. The idea for the shrine came to him about two years ago as his way of “thanksgiving” for God putting him in the parish he worshiped at long before joining the priesthood.
“God has blessed me so much,” Fr. Bob said. “I just felt I could help the parish.”
The white statue, made of materials that will withstand the trials of being outside, was made in China and weighs 5,000 pounds. It depicts Joseph and Mary each with a hand on a young Jesus. It’s a happy scene to attract families—especially children— to help them grow in faith.
“I want them to know that Jesus, Mary and Joseph are their family, too,” Fr. Bob said.
The statue is prominently displayed outside the main entrance on the opposite side of the statue of the parish’s namesake, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. It was strategically placed so that whenever one enters the church, they are able to gaze upon both statues.
“When you walk up from the parking lot, you can’t help but see the statue,” said parishioner Laura Brown. “It’s a big deal and I think it will redirect people’s focus back to, ‘This is why I’m here.’”
When Fr. Tuan took over leadership of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, he knew the statue project would create unity and togetherness, so he made it a priority.
For parishioner and sacristan, Loan Pham, seeing the shrine in front of her church offers hope.
“We all go through life with many challenges,” Pham said. “Looking at the statue just reminds me that God is here. Joseph, Mary and Jesus are protecting us. It gives me a lot of hope and strength.” C
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH’S HOLY FAMILY STATUE. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
GROWING UP WITHOUT CELL PHONES
BY CATHERINE RISLING
DESMOND AND SARAH SILVEIRA are accomplishing the seemingly impossible: They’re raising children without a cell phone.
All nine of them.
“When cell phones hit the market about 20 years ago, I guess out of frugality, I decided not to get one because I knew a smartphone was coming,” said Desmond, a software engineer. “It wasn’t until I started working at home the last five years that I needed one. Before that, I found there’s a lot that can be done to get around using a cell phone.”
At a parent safety meeting around the same time, the director of religious education cited a statistic linking access to a webcam and an increased risk of a child being exploited, Desmond said.
He and Sarah said, at that moment, it was “quite obvious kids should not have access to that stuff.”
Their children, ages 4 to 26, have grown up knowing they would not have the same form of entertainment and communication as their friends. Are they missing out? Most of the Silveira kids say no.
“It does get annoying when everyone around me is on their phone,” said John, 16, a Servite junior who does well in
school, excels at cross country, serves as an altar server and has a strong friend group. “But I know it’s for my own good.”
A recent study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal found that 1 in 12 kids are being exposed to abuse and sexual exploitation online.
Sean Covey, author of The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make, writes that pornography is “the addiction of the 21st century.” Experts claim the average age boys in the United States are accessing internet pornography is 11. Keeping a phone out of their children’s hands has been a firm rule in the
Silveira home. When son Vincent, now 20, attended St. Michael’s Abbey Prep School in Silverado, the school enforced a strict no-phone policy. At St. John the Baptist in Costa Mesa, phones are not allowed in the classroom. Servite High School in Anaheim, where two of the Silveira boys attend, adopted a policy banning cell phones during school hours last year.
Son Ben, 14, has asked for a phone to participate in his volleyball team’s group chats. Instead, he emails friends to stay in the loop or communicates through Discord.
This fall, daughter Catherine, 18, headed off to John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego with a phone in her backpack. She bought it herself and plans to join Instagram to promote her art. She has had access to Pinterest and Discord but no social media until now.
The Silveira children have been raised in a strict upbringing by loving parents. They are expected to earn points by doing chores, exercising and being kind in order to play games on their game consoles and desktop computers. Failure to do so results in a deduction of points and missed gaming opportunities.
It's not the cell phones themselves that are the issue, asserts therapist Brandon Joffe of Inspired Resolutions in Yorba Linda; it’s the potential addiction. Brandon, who works with kids from Rosary, Servite and Mater Dei, among other schools, said he has seen the number of struggling teens soar over the last two decades.
“Issues with cell phones are a correlation, not causation,” Brandon said. “It’s bad, don’t get me wrong. But research shows this and other things going on—family dynamics, inconsistent parenting—are also at play. Some parents ignore or minimize risks, or they
TIPS FOR RAISING A HEALTHY CHILD WITH A PHONE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
get caught up with ‘Keeping up with the Joneses.’”
Brandon acknowledges phones afford great benefits, such as the Bible app he visits regularly. Additionally, the devices are practical for coordinating rides and can be used as educational tools, but there need to be limitations, whether through parental controls or house rules.
“With teens, 77 percent use social media on their phone several hours a day,” Brandon said. “They’re exposed to bullying and addictive dopamine hits throughout the day. Mental health disorders correlate with high usage of social media and cell phones.”
Brandon advises that before giving your child a phone, “Ask yourself, why
are you giving access to social media? Are you willing to monitor it and do you have the time?” When behavioral issues get out of control, parents need to acknowledge there’s an issue within the family, Brandon said.
Before it even gets to that point, start discussions early regarding cell phone use to plant the seeds for health and balance, Brandon added. Oftentimes, arguments, especially with teens, become more damaging than the issue of cell phones.
“We need to pay attention to our children,” Brandon offered. “A 2- or 3-yearold attached to a phone is an unhealthy stimulation. If a 1- to 2-year-old becomes obsessed with sweets early on, it’s a sign. Children do not have the God-given gift of self-regulation.” C
■ Establish rules for usage. And have a plan for how you will follow through with consequences.
■ Start off strict. Then gradually give more freedoms as the child grows
■ Do not negotiate. Children have a voice; they do not have a say.
■ Respond to symptoms and issues. If your child is sneaking the phone or staying up late with it, remove the phone.
■ Check yourself. Parents should be modeling the habits they want their children to form.
■ It’s never too late. If you want to make a shift, expect a fight and set boundaries relevant to your child.
DESMOND AND SARAH SILVEIRA (PICTURED WITH SEVEN OF THEIR CHILDREN) ARE RAISING KIDS WITHOUT A CELL PHONE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SILVEIRA FAMILY
THE SILVEIRA CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP WITHOUT PERSONAL CELL PHONES.
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE SACRED WORK OF HEALING
BY BRITNEY ZINT
AS DOCTORS, NURSES AND other healthcare workers around Orange County came together to celebrate their faith and profession, one Orange County nurse manager shared her own story of being a servant leader.
The Diocese of Orange held its annual Healthcare Profession Mass, known as the White Mass, on Oct. 19 at Christ Cathedral’s Arboretum. The Mass, which dates to the late 1800s, is offered for healthcare workers and mental health providers. It is called the White Mass because of the number of white coats in the audience. The Mass is held around the Feast Day of St. Luke the Evangelist, the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.
Fr. Bao Thai, rector of Christ Cathedral, presided over the Mass and spoke about how healthcare workers carry out their mission in hospitals through quiet acts of care, long nights of vigilance and gentle words to a frightened patient, he said in his homily.
“We gather today in deep gratitude and reverence for this White Mass, a celebration to honor those who serve in the sacred work of healing: our doctors, nurses, therapists, chaplains, caregivers, support staff and all healthcare professionals,” said Fr. Bao in his homily. “Your vocation is more than a job; it is a ministry. A calling. A mission.”
Endocrinology nurse and practicing Catholic Jennifer Christensen is a nurse manager at City of Hope Orange County. She oversees the main clinic at the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, where as many as 400 patients are served on a busy day. Christensen, a mother of two whose home parish is St. Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, didn’t originally set out to be a nurse. She earned her first degree in philosophy but had no interest in law.
Always a caretaker with a strong interest in medicine, Christensen decided
to pursue a second degree in nursing.
Growing up Catholic, Christensen credits her faith for helping to instill the importance of kindness and caring for others. Her family was one who never missed Mass for sports, said grace before dinner, prayers before bed and talked about God at the dinner table — but it was in an authentic, not heavy-handed, way.
When Christensen started working at City of Hope, she originally thought working with cancer patients would be too difficult.
“I never thought I’d work with cancer patients,” she said. “I actually always thought it would be too hard to build relationships with patients and then the outcome isn’t always what you want it to be.”
But when Christensen started at City of Hope in September 2020 to help initiate its endocrinology department, she found the job gratifying. Even with
patients who were going to die, she found it rewarding to help them onto a pathway toward death that is peaceful.
“These are some of the kindest, most generous patients,” she said. “They are going through chemotherapy, they are losing weight, they are sick, they are in pain, they have chemo brain fog and yet, they are still the nicest, most wonderful people and they are so grateful for the care they get.”
Christensen said nursing for her is all about the patients; many of them become like family. She prays for and with her patients and helps them remember that God has a bigger plan for them.
The more time she spends with patients and gets to know them, the more their barriers come down, and you can help them, she said.
“If you build relationships with those patients,” Christensen said, “then you can really get down to helping them help themselves.”
THE WHITE MASS WAS CELEBRATED ON OCT. 19 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S ARBORETUM. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
THE WHITE MASS DATES TO THE LATE 1800S AND IS OFFERED FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ST. TIMOTHY PARISHIONER JENNIFER CHRISTENSEN (LEFT) WORKS AS A NURSE AT CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY. PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY
OC CATHOLIC RECIPE SWAP
MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
INGREDIENTS
WE ALL HAVE MEMORIES of food that remind us of home and family. It’s usually something that is simple and savored by both children and adults alike. We call it comfort food. This is one such dish that can be enjoyed any time but is especially good in its original recipe for a meatless Friday when the family gathers together after a long week of school and work.
—Linda Serna, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Huntington Beach.
■ 1 box/pkg Mac and Cheese (I use Kraft original, but any can be used)
■ 1 can cream of mushroom soup
■ 1 small can mushroom pieces, drained
■ 1 small can peas, drained
■ 1 small (7 oz) can tuna in water, drained
■ ½ cup milk
DIRECTIONS
Make the Mac and Cheese according to the directions on the box/pkg. Then add, in any order, peas, mushrooms, tuna, cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup of milk. Mix well. Sprinkle black pepper on top.
Bake covered at 350º for 20-30 minutes until heated through. Serves 4.
This recipe can be easily doubled. Just bake for 30 minutes.
I usually use peas and mushrooms without added salt and heart healthy cream of mushroom soup. Sometimes, when I only have a large can of peas, I use that—just more peas in recipe.
If you have someone who won’t eat tuna, you can substitute a large (12 oz) can of chicken in water.
Enjoy! C
PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA SERNA
MARY’S ASSUMPTION & THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
ON NOV. 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus (which means the most bountiful God). Seventy-five years later, the Church continues to rejoice in this mystery, which proclaims that, “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Munificentissimus Deus, 44).
In His great plan of redemption, God preserved Mary from sin from the moment of her conception so she could freely respond to His proposal of love to be the Mother of Jesus. Therefore, Mary, being free from original sin and its consequences, was not subjected to the decay of her body, nor did she have to wait for the reunion of her body and soul at the end of time. While the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is commemorated on Aug. 15, it is fitting that we reflect on this mystery as we celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary points us to reflect on the sacredness of the human body and our eternal destiny of being united to God in both body and soul. Every Sunday at Mass, we proclaim the Creed together, “I look forward to the resur-
rection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” As we honor the saints in heaven and pray for the souls of family and friends, Mary’s Assumption reveals God’s desire for each of us to be with Him forever, body and soul, in heaven.
Seventy-five years ago, the world was recovering from two world wars, the atrocities of the Holocaust and the ongoing threat of nuclear destruction. Countless offenses against the human person cried out before God and weighed heavily upon the consciences of the guilty and the innocent. While the Church had long believed and celebrat -
live in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. Mary is the first and greatest of all the saints, showing us what it means to offer a total response of love to God every moment of her life. The celebration of All Saints’ Day leads us to ask Our Lady to guide us in embracing the great mission of holiness. Her Assumption, body and soul, assures us that sanctity is not something abstract, but as concrete as our bodies, destined for eternal glory. All Souls’ Day renews our hope in heaven and calls us to pray for those still being purified, that they may soon share the joy Mary already knows in the holy presence of God. Mary’s Assumption, body and soul into heaven, is not an unrelatable fact, but a reason to hope and a sign of our future glory. Let us thank God for the gift of Mary, Our Mother, who unites the communion of saints with her prayers and love. C
ed the mystery of Mary’s Assumption, Pope Pius XII discerned that the postwar world was in desperate need of consolation and hope. Mary’s Assumption shows us that the resurrection is not just a future event but a present hope, and it strengthens our faith that, seeing what is already fulfilled in her, it is promised to all who live in Christ (cf. CCC #966).
In this present age, we also face violence against human life, fear about the future, the devaluing of human dignity, the distortion of our identity as children of God, and despair and confusion about our origin and our final destiny. And yet, in every age, God raises up the timeless witness of saints whose lives remind us that holiness is not unattainable, but something we are all called to
We decided to take a family trip to Europe in the summer of 2025 as a sendoff to our son, who was going away to college. He planned the itinerary for the entire trip, touring churches and cathedrals in every town. Of course, our favorite was the Vatican and experiencing the rare occasion of entering through the Holy Doors. What a blessing to witness our son seeing the Vatican for the very first time on this Jubilee year. Another treasured moment was attending Mass, celebrated in Gregorian chant, at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Seeing the history of our faith with our own eyes was a trip of a lifetime. It will forever be a cherished moment for our family.
We have included pictures of us at the Vatican in Rome and the Duomo in Florence.
—Damon & Amy Bartolone & Sean Flanagan, San Antonio de Padua Parish in Anaheim Hills.
We want your photos! Send your pictures of “OC Catholic Afar” — of you, family or friends visiting Catholic churches and other interesting places — to editor@occatholic.com. Please include a brief description of the photo, the name of the person(s) featured in the photo and their home parish.
