A JOURNEY OF FAITH
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrives May 30 for four-day visit
▪ SEE PAGES 10 - 11
A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
Five years since the Notre Dame fires
▪ SEE PAGES 14 - 15
Little Tex says
TCH Anniversary
60 years of being the ‘instrument of information and truth’ in Texas
▪ SEE PAGES 2 & 20
During the 50 days of the Easter Season, we read the New Testament book, “The Acts of the Apostles.” Written by St. Luke, this text describes the life of the earliest days of Christianity after the resurrection and ascension of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Though its setup makes it look like a history book, Acts does more than give information about events in the early Church and details about Apostles like Peter and James and later, Saul, who becomes Paul. These and other named figures are important, but the central “persons” of the Acts of the Apostles, the principal agents, are “The Word of God” and “The Spirit.” The latter two terms
See SHEPHERD, page 2
HOUSTON — Whether it’s holding a hand, offering prayers and Sacraments, or simply listening, clergy and lay ministers with the Catholic Chaplain Corps (CCC) embody the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ as they bring his healing embrace to the infirm, imprisoned, aged and dying.
Through a compassionate presence, they bring hope and comfort, transcending the limitations of medicine and technology and serving as a reminder of the power of human connection and
See CHAPLAINS, page 8
Three new Archdiocesan priests to be ordained June 1 at the Co-Cathedral
Three young men — one raised by a single mother of four, another by his Vietnamese refugee parents, and a former college baseball player — are excitedly giving their lives to God and His people when ordained to the priesthood on June 1. • SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
El Cardenal Daniel DiNardo comparte su columna en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.
SHEPHERD, from page 1
point to realities that St. Luke wants to show us by disclosing the personal plan of God the Father to save the human race and change human beings into witnesses and evangelists for Christ.
In fact, the Risen Christ, though offstage in Acts, is always present through His Word and the Spirit. This Word and Spirit enlivens human beings, changes them into new creatures and makes them members of the Church — born of fire and tongues on Pentecost — marching through places and events as the way of the risen Jesus.
It is remarkable how varied and yet unified the people and their new life presented by St. Luke. Almost half of the Acts is filled with the addresses uttered by the different personages. Speech and language are important for St. Luke to get across the vivid and exciting atmosphere of the early days of the Church, filled with sufferings and trials, but above all, with joys and enthusiasm for the risen Lord Jesus.
Just as speech and action were particularly important for St. Luke’s inspired portrait of the beginnings of Christianity, speech and action are
particularly important now for the growth of our Catholic faith. We are called to respond to the voice of Christ given to us by other speakers of the faith: members of our families, our parish, our diocese.
In both large and small ways, the faith is being proclaimed and lived by priests, religious women and men, deacons, catechists, representatives of our Catholic social service agencies, the newly baptized, newly confirmed teenagers, our school and religious education students, the poor, those on the margins, the sick, and the bereaved.
St. Luke writes and speaks a very crucial message about the risen Christ. Because of His love and universal meaning, Christ has saved us and invited us to be with Him on the WAY. We are all “it” in this beautiful and impressive enterprise. We are grateful to be part of God’s sometimes inscrutable plan. We should also be joyful about it!
There are some examples of our reason for joy and continued work. Over 2,200 adult converts were baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil this year. Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell ’Oro, CRS, and I will each celebrate 70 confirmations involving thousands of our young people this
year. There will be over 20,000 First Communions this year.
Numbers do not tell us a great deal about what happens in the hearts of those who come to celebrate the Sacraments, but they do tell us of the level of commitment of those who help to prepare our parishioners and their families for these life-saving encounters with the risen Lord.
The celebrations of the Liturgy lead immediately to action in the world on behalf of others, both inside the parish communities and outside in the social and civic communities they inhabit.
Our faith makes a difference in us and in the world around us because we believe, along with St. Luke and his beautiful account of the neverending journeys of those who have met Jesus on the way, that Christ is the center, the means and the goal of our lives. To Him be Glory! †
PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS AND SEMINARIANS
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Issue date: May 28
Every vocation is a “diamond in the rough” that needs to be polished, worked, shaped on every side. A good priest, sister or nun, must above all else be a man, a woman who is formed, shaped by the Lord’s grace, people who are aware of their own limitations, and willing to lead a life of prayer, of dedicated witness to the Gospel.
We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel. † THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
Little Tex says howdy!
Longtime Texas Catholic Herald readers may recognize Little Tex, the hand-drawn cowboy mascot of the Texas Catholic Herald inked by the founding TCH staff in 1964. Today he’s back in our pages to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Texas Catholic Herald.
Look for Little Tex, as well as other retro designs, such as the original TCH nameplate on the frontpage, throughout upcoming issues highlighting archive content and other special features in the paper and online.
Deadline: Noon on May 7
Issue date: June 11
Deadline: Noon on May 21
Editorial deadlines are no later than Tuesday at noon, 21 days prior to the issue date.
HOUSTON (OSV News) — The Catholic Church has dedicated numerous feast days throughout the year to events in the life of Mary and her various titles. Let’s take a look at some of the feasts of Mary in the month of May.
May 13: Feast of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Mary was called Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament by St. Peter Julian Eymard in 1868. In 1905, St. Pius X granted an indulgence to those who prayed to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Vatican in 1921 designated May 13 as her feast day, though the celebration is not on the Church’s universal calendar.
May 13: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
This feast commemorates the first of six apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal on May 13, 1917. The feast has become a cultural celebration for Portuguese Catholics around the world and is celebrated in many parishes throughout the United States, often with a procession through the streets surrounding the Church.
May 24: Feast of Mary, Help of Christians
After praying to Mary for his safe release from captivity when taken prisoner by the French, Pope Pius VII instituted this feast day in 1815. The feast venerates Mary for her intercession on behalf of those who pray to her. Many Catholics will traditionally mark this day by performing their own charitable deeds to help others in need.
May 31: Feast of the Visitation
Originally celebrated in July, the feast of the Visitation marks Luke’s Gospel account of Mary, having been told by the Angel Gabriel that she would bear the son of God, visiting her cousin Elizabeth. The feast, which originated in the 13th century, was transferred to its current date in 1969 after the feast of the Queenship of Mary, previously celebrated on May 31, was moved to Aug. 22 to follow the feast of the Assumption. †
Save some trees and get the Texas Catholic Herald sent straight to your inbox with The Digest, our free email newsletter. For free features, exclusive content and more, sign up at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/TCHDIGEST. Want to go paperless?
Effective July 1
Father Michael Earthman
Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish - Houston
Father David Hust
Administrator, St. Philip the Apostle Parish - Huffman
Father Jonathan Moré
Pastor, St. Jerome Parish - Houston
Father Nicolas Ramirez
Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish - Conroe
Father Stephen “Bart” Reynolds Pastor, St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Houston
Father Christopher Shackelford Pastor, St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish - Houston
Father Vincent Tran
Pastor, St. Theresa Parish - Houston
Father Philip Wilhite
Pastor, St. Helen Parish - Pearland
Father Wayne Wilkerson
Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish - Sealy
Café Catholica Lite heads to Midtown for May 22 gathering
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at Holy Rosary Church, located at 3617 Milam St. in Houston, on May 22 from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
The talk titled, “Come, Holy Spirit: Gaining Full Access to Sacramental Life,” will be given by Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The night will begin with lite dinner at 7 p.m., talk at 7:30, and a closing prayer at 8:30. The talk will be available to view online as well at www.archgh.org/cafecatholica.
The Café Catholica program seeks to help young adults ages 18 to 39 encounter Christ and His Church. All young adults are invited to Café Catholica Lite throughout the year. For more, contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry at yacm@archgh.org or 713-741-8778. †
Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast returns this summer
HOUSTON ― The Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast is set for Friday, June 21, at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Americas, located at 1600 Lamar St. in downtown Houston.
The event features keynote speaker George Weigel, an author, theologian and columnist, who will speak about “The Good News in a Noisy World.”
The Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast provides an opportunity for local Catholics to gather in faith and fellowship. Hundreds are anticipated to attend this year’s event.
Tickets must be reserved or purchased prior to the event, which can be done online at www.archgh.org/ prayerbreakfast. Tables and sponsorship opportunities are available. †
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Now transitional deacons, Deacons Luis Armas, Viet Nguyen and David Ramirez, are busy finishing their final exams, moving from St. Mary’s Seminary dorm rooms, and preparing for their ordinations presided by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
Deacon Armas, 30, said he first heard God calling when he attended a Holy Name retreat in Houston and was reading the Bible during Adoration in the chapel. “The reality hit me that God knows me. Here I was a college baseball player asking God what is it that You want me to do?” he said.
Deacon Armas added that he then saw flashes of himself in succession, dressed in a clerical shirt and vested as a priest celebrating Mass. He asked, “Lord, are you serious?”
Deacon Nguyen, 28, said tragedy pushed him to review his life and deal with any sins that were preventing him from loving fully. A Texas A&M University student of biology, Nguyen worked as a dental hygienist, making a good living. But then his girlfriend of three years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died by age 30.
“I was mourning her death, and it made me think that there had to be more to life than earning money and working, and then we die,” Nguyen said.
He attended a Café Catholica in 2017, an annual series of gatherings for young Catholics. At the event, thenArchdiocesan director of vocations, Father T.J. Dolce was celebrating Mass and recommended that those discerning religious life to read the book “To Save 1,000 Souls.”
“I read it, and it spoke to the yearning in my heart,” said Deacon Nguyen, who graduated from cleaning teeth to cleaning souls. Following his upcoming ordination, Deacon Nguyen will be the first priestly vocation from his home parish of Ascension Chinese Mission in Houston.
“Wildcat,” directed by Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke, depicts Flannery O’Connor, a writer known for frequently reflecting her Catholic faith in her writings.
Deacon Ramirez said and chuckled.
After all the studying and serving as transitional deacons at their assigned parishes, the trio credit their mentoring pastors in also preparing them.
Deacon Armas, in his first pastoral assignment at St. Faustina parish, thanked Father Dat Hoang, pastor of St. Faustina and also a former vocations director for the Archdiocese.
Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience Your presence in the Sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for Your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of Your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of Your divine grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.
churches that were the beginning of the diocese in Galveston and Houston. The generations of families and friendships show such true community — so beautiful,” Deacon Nguyen said.
Deacon Ramirez called his pastoral year at St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood with pastor Father T.J. Dolce as “the most amazing and joyful year of my life.”
Deacon Ramirez, 28, said God’s calling came to him throughout his childhood, being the oldest of four raised by a devout single mom. “She told us that she couldn’t give us wealth, but she could focus on forming our faith. So, she took us to confession and Adoration, and I began serving at Masses.”
“Even as a child, I played at being a priest with potato chips as the Eucharist and my sister being an altar server,”
“Connecting with families is one of the most important duties. People are willing to be vulnerable with a priest when they see I have given all my trust to the Lord,” Deacon Armas said.
Deacon Nguyen learned a whole different aspect of the Archdiocese when he served his pastoral year with Father Jude Ezuma, pastor in Galveston of the Holy Family Parish, a group of churches on the island.
“It is such a historic parish and
“Father helped me with my struggles in the beginning to trust in the Lord and the way He can use me, not comparing myself to others,” he said.
Deacon Ramirez added, “We ask for the grace to always be faithful and allow ourselves to be His vessel to use us for His people.”
The Ordination Mass will be livestreamed online at www.archgh.org/ live, beginning at 10 a.m. on June 1. † – By Jo Ann Zuñiga
million
HOUSTON — More than 900 people attended the University of St. ThomasHouston scholarship gala and celebrated the 75th birthday of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo while supporting students at the University of St. Thomas (UST).
The event, named “Ad Multos Annos” or “To Many More Years,” raised more than $1.8 million for student scholarships. It took place May 4 at the Hilton Americas Houston Ballroom in downtown Houston.
The Italian-themed gala included a dinner, live auction, dancing and a performance by Matteo Bocelli, the 26-year-old son of famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The funds collected from paddles-up fundraiser and live auction will establish an annual scholarship in the name of Cardinal DiNardo. His twin sister, Peg Riesmeyer, was also honored at the event, who was in attendace with her husband, Ron.
Calvin Nguyen, who earned a bachelor of science in cell and molecular biology and a master’s in theology, spoke via video about the importance of scholarships to the students.
“It’s not just about how you walk out of the university with more material in your brain to go out into the world, but how much fuller your heart is for others,” he said. “How much more dedicated and intentional you will be in any location where you find yourself in the future.” †
DEER PARK — Although it was no laughing matter when a tornado last year tore up St. Hyacinth Catholic Church and the Deer Park community, parishioners tried to find the silver lining with their recent bazaar.
Father Reginald Samuels, pastor at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park, was hunkered down in his church office hallway along with staff on Jan. 24, 2023, after they heard severe storm warnings and a tornado approaching the area.
As they huddled together praying the “Hail Mary,” EF3 winds of more than 130 mph peeled off the roof of the church’s connecting education building with loud crashing, windows breaking and swirling debris flying by.
No one was injured at the church complex, but the storm inflicted millions of dollars in damages. The church has been busy with repairs for the past year and four months, with hopes of having them completed by June 1, he said.
“So, our bazaar committee chaired by Raul Turner decided on the title ‘Almost… Gone with the Wind!’” Father Samuels said and chuckled. “But seriously, the community and the Archdiocese have been very supportive in getting us back on track. However, it has been challenging due to the number of parishioners also affected by tornado damage to their own homes.”
The 19-mile swath of the destructive tornado also damaged homes and businesses in southeast Houston, Pasadena and Baytown, as well as Deer Park, but no deaths were reported and only minor injuries.
Parishioners returned tearfully but
Repairs are nearly finished in the education classroom building at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park after an EF3 tornado winds of more than 130 mph in January of 2023 peeled off its roof, breaking windows and weakening walls. No one was injured at the church complex, but the storm inflicted millions of dollars in damages with hopes of having repairs completed by June 1.
joyfully celebrating Sunday Mass with Father Samuels five days after the tornado hit. Debris piles in the parking lot were curtained off by fencing, while broken windows and doors were boarded up.
“After the initial damage to the complex, we were able to get some power back and began with one Mass each Sunday,” he said. “After regular power was installed and we brought in temporary restrooms for the church, we were able to bring back daily Mass and a reduced schedule of three Masses on the weekend.”
As repairs to the education building continued, the church resumed faith formation classes. Teachers combined grades and classes to serve the young students and their families, he said.
But just as the scene seemed almost back to normal, the week of this April 28 Sunday bazaar again saw numerous weather reports predicting severe storms
throughout Texas and beyond, bringing back the post-traumatic stress.
“We’ve been having these severe thunderstorms and then tornado warnings all that week, with some ripping through other counties and states,” Father Samuels said. “The weather continues to be on my mind, especially since we will be entering hurricane season in another month!”
The rain held off on the day of the bazaar despite cloudy skies and instead poured down the next day on Monday, April 29.
Bazaar committee chair Turner said,“It was challenging trying to set up outside for the game booths and streaming festive pennant flags around the property due to the continuous strong gusts throughout the week, but it all stopped the day of the festival. We were blessed.”
He added, “Not only was the festival successful in raising money for the church but also much-needed fellowship within our community. Rebuilding our parish and our spirit. Father was specific in telling me he wanted an event to invite everyone to church in celebration.”
So, the bazaar tents for games, food and other entertainment raised about $45,000 for the church’s operating expenses.
“Thanks be to God,” said Father Samuels as he sighed. †
faith in life.
Father Clark Sample, episcopal vicar for clergy and director of the Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services of the Archdiocese, was assigned to oversee the ministry in July 2023. He said the mission of the CCC team is to provide pastoral and sacramental support to patients and their families in the Texas Medical Center and other hospitals in the greater Houston area.
“The CCC team is the administrative side, the people behind the scenes, who help the ministry work as functionally as possible and are absolutely essential to the ministry of our people in the hospitals,” Father Sample said. “Those in the role of pastoral visitor help bring the presence of Christ to the patients and assist our priests, who are limited in number, to minister most effectively.
Trained Catholic lay chaplains serve as full-time liaisons between the hospital chaplaincy departments, hospital patients, and CCC pastoral visitors and administrative staff.”
Drawing from his background as a parish priest, Father Sample said the CCC fosters a connection between patients and their families with the Church during hospitalization.
“It’s no small feat to have a unified Catholic presence in many of the hospitals around the city,” said Father Sample. “I understand how important this ministry is for everyone in the Archdiocese, and I am very happy to be involved in it.”
One of the volunteers contributing to the ministry’s mission is Bridget Caletka, a pastoral visitor at Methodist Hospital in The Woodlands. She is a licensed professional counselor specializing in grief, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety and other mental health issues. Recognizing the calling for Christians to visit the sick, Caletka feels it is important to address the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families during times of difficulty. She
finds fulfillment in connecting with patients and listening to their unique experiences.
“It is such an honor to walk into their lives for a moment in time, and to simply be there for them, whether they need to cry or vent, or maybe celebrate good news, or to talk about their faith journey,” Caletka said. “This ministry has such a special place in my heart, and I find that my time volunteering at the hospital with the CCC is often the best part of my week. I personally take so much away from my encounters with the patients.”
Carmen Qadir, a pastoral visitor with the CCC since 2023, also brings extensive experience to the ministry as a national clinical scientist and healthcare executive coach and consultant. She serves at Texas Children’s in The Woodlands and provides emotional and spiritual support to children of all ages admitted to short
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN
Pastoral visitors are trained Catholic lay chaplains that serve as full-time liaisons between the hospital chaplaincy departments, hospital patients, and CCC pastoral visitors and administrative staff.
or long-term inpatient services.
“It has been a blessing to have the opportunity to serve these children through Christ,” Qadir said. “I have always been able to provide healing through clinical or scientific efforts, but now having the opportunity to provide spiritual healing and safety is a true privilege and blessing. I firmly believe that the Lord led me to this journey knowing I had a deep understanding of suffering, pain and healing, and he wanted me to make these connections in a different light.”
Mary McGivern, who was once comforted by a CCC minister during a hospital stay at Methodist Hospital in the Medical Center five years ago, was inspired to volunteer after learning of the need for more pastoral visitors. She has since volunteered weekly at Methodist Hospital for the last 2 1/2 years.
“The CCC is an answer to God’s calling to visit the sick, which is an invaluable service to those hospitalized,” McGivern said. “Some patients have family present to support them, others do not, but they all need to be listened to and understood and have prayers said for them. I know our mission to provide emotional support and spiritual care is fulfilled when I see the welcoming smiles and earnest appreciation that I receive from those I visit.”
To support the training of additional ministers and cover increasing operational costs, Father Sample emphasized the crucial role of the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), which supports the CCC and over 60 additional ministries. Increased DSF backing would facilitate the training of more lay chaplains and chaplain priests, enhancing services for the 18 to 24% of Roman Catholics in hospitals in the greater Houston area.
“As the city of Houston grows and hospital systems expand beyond the Texas Medical Center, I hope that we can
The 2024 Diocesan Services Fund theme is “We are the Lord’s.” DSF operates in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston each year to help the Church carry out the ministries of teaching and sanctifying. DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out 64 ministries.
This new video series brings to life the ministry featured in this story. Hear from people personally impacted by God’s grace through these DSF ministries and from leaders themselves who remind others that, no matter what happens, “We are the Lord’s.”
expand the CCC around the city,” Father Sample said. “Over the next year, in collaboration with parishes and diocesan ministries, the CCC ministry will continue to offer education and training, yielding many more dedicated laborers for the harvest of compassion and care.”
Charlotte Toliver, with over 30 years of healthcare experience and recently trained as a lay chaplain at Houston Methodist, emphasizes the critical importance of supporting the DSF to fulfill its mission. She believes her role as a chaplain offers her a profound opportunity to extend a spiritual gift of compassion, embodying the presence of Christ for the ill and suffering.
“The compassionate person will reach out to a hurting person with God’s love and comfort,” Toliver said.
“Being a lay chaplain brings the joy of knowing that someone cares about the person’s feelings. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually — it is a blessing to receive and to give.”
To learn more about the CCC and how to volunteer, go to archgh.org/officesministries/clergy-formation-chaplaincyservices/catholic-chaplain-corps. To donate to the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston’s DSF annual appeal, go to www.archgh.org/DSF. The DSF supports the CCC and 63 additional ministries, whether direct service or education, which require this critical funding to remain in operation. Out of each gift given to DSF, 100% of every dollar goes directly to supporting these ministries. †
Where You Learn to Write with Spirit www.catholicliteraryarts.org
PROULDY PRESENTS THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S
1st Place Winner Bridget Clinton, Saint Francis de Sales, Houston
2nd Place Winner Mason Wozniak, St. Anne Catholic School, Tomball
3rd Place Winner Reid Abdulahad, St. Helen Catholic School, Pearland
1st Place Winner Natalya Hromanik, St. Anthony of Padua, The Woodlands
2nd Place Winner Frida Quiroga, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Crosby
3rd Place Winner Ariadne Jeskie, St. Anne Catholic School, Tomball
1st Place Winner Nefellie Frankel, St. Theresa Catholic School, Sugar Land
2nd Place Winner Megan Holden-Schmidt, St. Theresa Catholic School, Houston
3rd Place Winner Halley Abdulahad, St. Helen Catholic School, Pearland
HOUSTON — A May Crowning is a Roman Catholic tradition held during the month of May that recognizes Mary as queen of heaven and earth.
In Catholic schools and parishes in the Archdiocese and around the world, a statue of Mary is placed on a pedestal and students or parishioners bring flowers to place at Mary’s feet. One or two students are then chosen to crown Mary with a crown made of flowers while traditional Marian hymns are sung and the “Hail Mary” is prayed.
In Rome, Pope Francis makes a pilgrimage to Basilica of St. Mary Major before and after any papal trip he makes around the world. Continually in his teachings and messages, he emphasizes Mary’s role in encouraging Catholics. Catholic communities around the Archdiocese held the traditional, annual celebration and shared their photos with the Texas Catholic Herald. To see more photos, visit www.archgh.org/mary24. †
THIS YEAR’S WINNING POEM
FACIES DEI
Most radiant host, angelic glory be Within thy blessed grace, Portal of Faith. In simple form You came, yet still through thee
We see theophony, through which God saith,
“Dear child mine, most valiant flesh now is thine. Hereby thy peace I grant, through darkest night
With burden light and blood of freshest vine.
My veil, most pale, shines forth the brightest light.”
And blood, the mark of Christ, by malice drawn
In God’s almighty chalice rests untouched.
Though hard we pray, His pain is never gone.
‘Till end of times, we shall recall as much.
Most sacred Lamb of God, through pain most sweet
Has sacrificed Himself for us to eat.
HOUSTON (OSV News) — Later in May, Catholics in the Archdiocese will have a special opportunity to embrace and welcome the 2024 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage the weekend after Memorial Day in 2024.
Thousands of Catholics from across the U.S. are expected to participate in the pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress, two major parts of the National Eucharistic Revival, a threeyear initiative launched in 2022 by the U.S. bishops to inspire a deeper love and reverence for Jesus in the Eucharist.
The pilgrimage is modeled on the Gospel account of Jesus’ journey with two disciples to Emmaus after His resurrection.
PILGRIMS ON THE JOURNEY
Walking on each of the four routes are groups of 24“perpetual pilgrims,”Catholic young adults committed to prayer and walking the entire pilgrimage. The “perpetual pilgrims” will begin their treks May 17 to 19 the weekend of Pentecost from San Francisco; New Haven, Connecticut; Brownsville, Texas; and the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota.
Among the 24 pilgrims are seven young people with Texas ties. Of those seven, three have Houston connections, including Camille Anibogu, a recent University of Houston graduate; MacKenzie Warrens, a Rice University graduate student; and Chima Adiole, a student at Rice University.
Anigbogu, a music director with a
decade of experience playing pipe organ and piano, said she is looking forward to bringing “Jesus to the corners of the South and explore places by foot she wouldn’t otherwise
Originally from Missouri, Warrens is completing her Ph.D. in experimental atomic physics and is also set to become a consecrated virgin in 2025. During the pilgrimage, Warrens hopes to inspire others to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and experience His mercy in the Sacred Heart.
Go in peace! The journey you are making is under the eye of the LORD.
for the July 17 opening of the five-day congress in Lucas Oil Stadium. Along the way, the pilgrims will go through small towns, large cities and rural countryside, mostly on foot, with the Eucharist carried in a monstrance designed particularly for this unprecedented event.
JUDGES 18:6
WHERE: Choose a holy site that will help you grow closer to Jesus in the Eucharist. This could be a church, shrine, or monastery. See if your diocese has a list of local pilgrimage sites.
Both Anigbogu and Warrens will start their pilgrimage in the Lone Star State as part of the Juan Diego Route, while Adiole will join the route leaving from San Francisco.
College Station; Shayla Elm of North Dakota; and Issy Martin-Dye of Ohio.
WHEN: Make sure the site will be open when you intend to arrive. Plan your journey around the celebration of the Mass or Eucharistic adoration.
Adiole chose to apply to be a perpetual pilgrim after encountering Jesus during her own personal mini-pilgrimages around the city of Houston — visiting different parishes within the city and crossing paths with people from all walks of life. She’s also a member of the adult choir of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
TRAVEL: Decide how you will be traveling—walking, driving, by train, etc. Make arrangements beforehand so that you can be fully present to your pilgrimage experience.
In October, the National Eucharistic Congress issued a call for perpetual pilgrims and received more than 100 applications. The perpetual pilgrims were chosen after multiple rounds of interviews about experiences with service, ministry and commitment to the faith, organizers said.
WITH WHOM: Will you be traveling alone or with a community such as your family, parish, or youth group?
On the Serra route with Adiole are Chas Firestone East of Virginia; Patrick Fayad of Nebraska; Jack Krebs of Wisconsin; Madison Michel of Minnesota; and Jaella Mac Au of Georgia. With Anigbogu and Warrens on the Juan Diego route are fellow Texans Joshua Velasquez of Ediburg, and Charlie McCullough of
On the Marian Route are Kai Weiss, originally from Germany, now in Washington, D.C.; Sarah Cahill of Virginia; Matthew Heidenreich of Ohio; Danielle Schmitz of California; Jennifer Torres of Colorado; and Megan Zaleski of Illinois. On the Seton route will be Dominic Carstens of Wyoming; Zoe Dongas of New York; Marina Frattaroli of Texas; Natalie Garza of Texas; Amayrani Higueldo of Pennsylvania; and Christopher Onyiuke of Florida.
The pilgrimage routes are named for key saints for North America: the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route from the east, the St. Juan Diego Route from the south, the St. Junipero Serra Route from the west, and the Marian Route from the north.
In February, the pilgrims met for a retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they received spiritual formation from Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, who serves as chairman of the National Eucharistic Revival, as well as National Eucharistic Congress staff and priests with pilgrimage and media experience.
Pray for the special intentions that you and your loved ones have. You might also carry in your heart intentions for the Church, the world, or your local community. Be very specific and write them down. Jesus wants to bring healing, wholeness, and peace!
Along the way, 30 Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and other clergy will rotate time on the routes as chaplains. Their routes a combined 6,500 miles will converge eight weeks later in Indianapolis
PRAYER: Invite family and friends to join you in prayer.
devotions worship, orders, centers and fellowship A pilgrims of the weather
As you come to the threshold of your pilgrimage the knowledge that Jesus is waiting to PRAYER: Spend some time in silent this pilgrimage and praying for your petitions. as a group.
LITURGY: If possible, participate your petitions.
Most of the pilgrims are graduate or undergraduate students and some work for mission-oriented ministries and nonprofits. “A common thread for all was a profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist that they were inspired to share with others,” according to the media statement.
SHARING: Spend some quality time way home sharing the graces of your If you are traveling on your own, journal them with a friend.
Each day of the pilgrimage will include Mass, a small Eucharistic procession and 10 to 15 miles of travel. Along the way, parishes are planning to host Eucharistic
PATRON: Pick a patron saint for your pilgrimage as your heavenly companion for the journey.
route Green Milwaukee,
TX 77010
PRAYER: Make your pilgrimage a time of prayer and thanksgiving. Consider vocal prayers like the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or reading from Scripture: Mark 14:22-24, John 6:35, John 6:51-57, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.
After your pilgrimage, pray about how Ask Jesus to show you how he wants to through this pilgrimage. If you carried the intentions of others, the pilgrimage meant for you with them. Encounter with Jesus leads to mission. kindness to share in the saving mission
A Eucharistic pilgrimage is a testimony alive in the Eucharist, and he accompanies pilgrimage through life.
devotions such as adoration, praise and worship, and lectures. Parishes, religious orders, schools, shrines and retreat centers will offer the pilgrims hospitality fellowship and meals.
Indiana, before arriving in Indianapolis.
The “Seton Route” — named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first U.S.born saint — begins in New Haven, Connecticut, and continues through New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh and Steubenville, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.
“These events will be great moments of conversion, which this indulgence points to as we seek to be free from the effects of our sins. We are grateful for the Holy Father’s blessing on these events,” Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chair of the board of directors of the National Eucharistic Congress, said.
17 and July 16, as well as to elders, people with infirmities and “all those who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason and who participate in spirit with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, uniting their prayers, pains or inconveniences with Christ and the pilgrimage,” a statement said.
pilgrimage destination, do so with encounter you in the Eucharist.
support vehicle will follow the pilgrims and transport them through legs the journey where safety, terrain or weather are an issue, officials said.
silent adoration, thanking God for petitions. Pray individually and
participate in Mass, offering the Mass for
The southern route, dubbed the “Juan Route,” begins in Brownsville, at U.S.-Mexico border. It will follow Texas’ eastern border through Corpus Christi, Victoria and Houston. It will follow the Gulf Coast and continue Beaumont, jumping the Louisiana border to Lake Charles, through Baton Rouge, and reach New Orleans on June From there, the route will visit Mobile, Alabama; Atlanta; Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky, before concluding in Indianapolis in mid-July.
time before you leave or on the experience with one another. journal about these graces or share
The northern “Marian Route” begins northern Minnesota at Lake Itasca, headwaters of the Mississippi River. route follows the river to St. Paul Minneapolis, its first weekend stop. route also visits La Crosse and Green Bay, Wisconsin and continues to Milwaukee, Chicago and Notre Dame,
how the experience changed you. to be more present in your life
others, share something about what them.
mission. Make an act of service or mission of Jesus.
testimony to the world that Jesus is accompanies us—all of us—on our
The “Junipero Serra Route” begins in San Francisco — with hope of walking over the Golden Gate Bridge — and continues through Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City; Denver; North Platte and Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri; and St. Louis.
Each route passes secular landmarks, including Folsom State Prison in California, Ellis Island in New York, the campuses of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and Benedictine College in Kansas. The routes also include important Catholic sites in the U.S., such as the 18th-century ministry of St. Junipero Serra in what is now California, the Philadelphia tombs of St. John Neumann and St. Katharine Drexel, and in Wisconsin, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved Marian apparition in the U.S.
POPE FRANCIS GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCES FOR NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE, CONGRESS PARTICIPANTS
Participants in the National Eucharistic Congress and related National Eucharistic Pilgrimage now have opportunities to receive plenary indulgences because of approval from the Vatican, officials said.
The plenary indulgence for National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is granted to anyone who participates in the pilgrimage between May
To receive the indulgence, an individual must fulfill the usual conditions: sacramental confession, Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. †
HOUSTON — The Gulf Coast, Deep South and the Blue Ridge Mountains set the backdrop for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s St. Juan Diego Route, which starts at the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and goes through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. Beginning on Pentecost May 19, the Juan Diego Route is one of four National Pilgrimage Routes that will converge in Indianapolis ahead of the July 17 to 21 National Eucharistic Congress. Here are a few of the highlights of the Southern pilgrimage route.
Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, San Juan
After starting May 19 from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Brownsville, the pilgrimage journeys westward to San Juan and its national shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, May 22. The shrine honors Our Lady of San Juan, a devotion to Mary that emerged in the 1600s in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico, after a miraculous healing associated with an image of Mary.
Corpus Christi Cathedral, Corpus Christi
The pilgrimage continues along Texas’ Gulf Coast, reaching Corpus Christi Cathedral May 26. According to legend, the city was named for the “Body of Christ” in 1519 when a Spanish explorer discovered its lush bay on the feast of Corpus Christi. From there, the pilgrims will continue through the Diocese of Victoria and Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Blessed Carlo Acutis Chapel, Beaumont
On June 2, the pilgrims stop at Christ Central Camp and its Blessed Carlo Actis Chapel in the Diocese of Beaumont for talks, testimony and Eucharistic adoration. Blessed Carlo, the namesake for the diocesan summer camp’s chapel, died in 2006 at age 15. He was known for his deep love of the Eucharist, and the U.S. bishops named the teenager an intercessor for the National Eucharistic Revival.
St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans
The pilgrims continue east into Louisiana and through the dioceses of Lake Charles, Lafayette, Houma-Thibodaux and Baton Rouge into New Orleans. They stop June 9 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis King of France in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Catholics have worshipped on the cathedral site since 1727.
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Alabama
The pilgrimage continues through the Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, where pilgrims will attend a blessing of the sea in Long Beach June 12. Passing through Mobile into Birmingham, the pilgrims will spend June 20 at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.
Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky
The pilgrimage continues through the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the dioceses of Knoxville, Nashville and Owensboro, Tennessee, before entering Louisville. On July 4, the pilgrims will process to the Abbey of Gethsemani, founded in 1848 and home to American monk, mystic and
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE EVENTS IN GALVESTON-HOUSTON
MAY 30 TO JUNE 1
ALL ARE WELCOME
INFO: ARCHGH.ORG/PILGRIMAGE24
THURSDAY, MAY 30
ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH
3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land
6:30 p.m. - Prayer, Adoration and Testimony
FRIDAY, MAY 31
ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH
3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land 8:15 a.m. - Mass with pilgrims
9:15 a.m. - Procession around St. Laurence
CO-CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART
1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston 12:10 p.m. - Mass
12:45 p.m. - Adoration
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM 7809 Shadyvilla Ln., Houston
6:30 p.m. - Evensong, Adoration and testimony
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston
12:30 p.m. - Gathering for young adults ages 18-39 with pilgrims
3:30 p.m. - Eucharistic Liturgy of the Hours and Procession open to all ages
SUNDAY, JUNE 2
ST. MARY CATHEDRAL BASILICA
2011 Church St., Galveston
10 a.m. - Sunday Mass with Cardinal DiNardo
11 a.m. - 1-mile Eucharistic procession from the Cathedral Basilica to Sacred Heart Church at 1302 Broadway, Galveston
Note: All events are open to the public. For the latest updates, visit www.archgh.org/pilgrimage24 or visit www.eucharisticrevival.org to learn more.
leaving the abbey, the pilgrims continue into Indianapolis, Indiana, converging with pilgrims with the other three routes ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress. †
As a young Filipina girl in the city of Bellaire, I was constantly reminded of the diversity within the city and the Church. Within my neighborhood and my parish on the southwest side of town, I would hear English and Spanish being exchanged in daily conversations. Pupusas were sold down the street amid American chain restaurants. Rosaries were bilingual, and there was a mix of celebrations for different feast days. This was the norm outside of my childhood home. The story inside the walls was similar yet different.
Rather than the mix of English and Spanish, I heard a mix of Tagalog
dialects and English pieced together. Upon entering my home, everyone placed their shoes by the entrance, and there was a statue of Santo Niño. The child Jesus looked over our home as images of Our Lady graced the walls, and rosaries were scattered throughout the space. We would gather in the living room to pray the Rosary, rush out the door for Mass, and then come home to share a meal together.
During Advent, we would participate in Simbang Gabi, a devotion and novena where people attend Mass in the nine days leading to Christmas. I thought it was just a Filipino tradition, and I was only one of very few people experiencing this. I did not know if anyone participated in these traditions outside of my immediate family. But the Lord showed me a beautiful union of His people’s cultures and devotion in this local Church.
As I continued to grow older in age
by CHRYSTA JOY JAUCIAN
and in my faith, I made friends of different cultures: Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Hispanic and Nigerian. Within this new community, I discovered that some traditions were unique to my Filipino heritage while other traditions had a counterpart in other cultures.
Simbang Gabi was similar to posadas in Hispanic culture, while devotions to Our Lady were universal. While my family had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, my friends of Vietnamese descent had a devotion to Our Lady of Lavang and participated in the Eucharistic Youth Movement, something that I found so beautiful even at a younger age.
Even within the Filipino community, some parishes had bigger ministries that organized big celebrations for Santo Niño, Our Lady, and even hosted Simbang Gabi with a reception filled
with Filipino food and the sounds of karaoke.
Looking back at my experience now as a young Filipina woman, I proudly embrace my heritage and pray for more opportunities to continue connecting with people of different cultures and celebrate our faith in different ways.
As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I encourage you to research the traditions of our AAPI brothers and sisters. Perhaps you may attend Mass at Our Lady of Lavang parish or Ascension Chinese Mission, or you may cross paths with the Filipino ministry at your local parish.
May we continue to have open hearts to worship our Lord in the ways we are called, to worship with our fellow brothers and sisters, and to worship in the beautiful ways gifted in a special way to our AAPI community. †
Chrysta Joy Jaucian is an Adore Missionary at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church.
“Reclaim our roots and shoulder our responsibility. Proclaim our faith and take an active part in building up the Church that is ever ancient and ever new with its multicultural identity,” states the Pastoral Letter: “What We Have Seen and Heard.”
Forty years ago, the bishops of the U.S. (USCCB) acknowledged that faith and culture play an important role in the evangelization mandate of the Church. As an African American Catholic priest and pastor, I must acknowledge that my own unique cultural background brings another layer to the experience of evangelization in the Church. “What We Have Seen and Heard” acknowledges the importance of cultural heritage.
On Sept. 9, 1984, the then 10 African American bishops of the U.S. published the document “What We Have Seen and Heard.” This pastoral document has served as a witness and mandate to the Church community. The bishops sought
by
to explain that the work of evangelization is both a call and a response; it is not only preaching but witnessing.
On this 40th anniversary of the pastoral letter, we are called to celebrate the importance of this document because this was the first special call to the African American community to use their unique talents, skills and culture in the Church to evangelize the people of God.
The Bishop of Memphis, Bishop Terry Steib, one of the original authors of the pastoral letter, stated at the National Black Catholic Congress, “We are called to rediscover this document, to help us move forward in using our gifts of culture for evangelization.”
I’ll never forget the moment our middle child made her First Holy Communion. It was three years later than most but for a good reason.
Mimi was born with severe cerebral palsy that affected her both physically and mentally. From her diagnosis at eight months, our days were soon filled with speech, occupational and physical therapy. Over the years, there were also a few orthopedic surgeries. Mentally, Mimi remained a delightful little child her entire life and was known for her incredible hugs. Despite her many challenges, Mimi was very connected to her Catholic faith.
Mimi’s faith journey started as an infant when she was baptized. During her elementary years, Mimi attended Catholic faith formation classes: I volunteered for kindergarten and first grade with Mimi in attendance. After that, I volunteered as a catechist aide for several years. I was always watching for indications Mimi had some understanding of the mystery of Christ and the Holy Eucharist. With her limited communication skills, it was difficult to know.
Before Mimi approached the age when most children receive their First Holy Communion, my husband and I had many discussions. Was she ready? How do we know? We had already experienced Holy Communion formation with Mimi’s older sister, Katie, but this was different.
During these discussions, I was often
The bishops in the document stated: “Evangelization is both a call and response. Evangelization means not only preaching but witnessing; not only conversation but renewal; not only entry into a community but the building up of the community; not only hearing the Word but sharing it.”
The pastoral letter calls us all to use the shared gifts rooted in our cultural heritage. The bishops call the community to use gifts of our Black culture and faith and the gift of our Blackness informed by faith to build up the Church.
The pastoral letter mandates that we, as evangelizers, are called to use our gift of Scripture. Even when our ancestors were forbidden to read at one time, our ancestors used the Scriptures to continue to know that God takes care of His people. Scripture was always part of our roots, and the good news of the Gospel was heard and gave hope amid despair, and the clarion calls to fight for
freedom.
The document goes to state: “If the message of evangelization is the good news about Jesus, then we must react with joy. Such is the gift that Jesus passed on to us.”
Our cultural gifts, our spirituality and our authentic faith all go to evangelizing the Church. Now is the time to know that our rich culture within the Catholic Church elevates our joy of the Gospel. May my joy be yours and may your joy be complete.
The Pastoral Letter “What We Have Seen and Heard” can be found on the USCCB website: www.usccb.org/ committees/african-american-affairs/ what-we-have-seen-and-heard-pastoralletter-evangelization. †
Father Reginald Samuels is the vicar of Catholics of African Descent and pastor of St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park.
reminded of Matthew 19:14, when Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them: for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
In my heart, I knew Mimi understood her Catholic faith according to her limited capacity. But was it enough?
Over the next three years, my husband consulted several priest friends about our wait. The discussions were positive, but still, we hesitated. Separately, I would meet with our parish priest over these same three years. It was my last meeting where I got the message.
That night at dinner, I told my husband, “I met with Father again about Mimi and her First Holy Communion. He expects to see her at confession this Saturday. Then Father said we should schedule her First Holy Communion.” We agreed Father had spoken definitively about the matter. Naturally, we obeyed.
That Saturday, I took Mimi to Confession, pushing her wheelchair into the confessional. I sat across from the priest with Mimi, held her hand and helped her with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
When the time came, I worried Mimi wouldn’t open her mouth to receive the Holy Eucharist: sometimes, her
reactions were unpredictable. It turned out, though, that she knew exactly what to do. Mimi, then 11 years old, along with her second-grade brother, Ricky, received their First Holy Communion together. My husband stood on one side of Mimi, and I stood on the other. We each held a hand so she would save her hugs for the priest after Mass. Everyone
applauded afterward. It was one of the most special moments of our lives. †
Dixie Frantz lives in Kingwood and is the author of “A Joyful Embrace: A Memoir” available on Amazon. She wrote it about her special needs daughter.
PARIS (OSV News) — With the scaffolding removed from the newly installed spire of Notre Dame Cathedral and reconstruction work going full speed inside France’s most iconic church, the home of precious relics and a tourist site visited by millions of people yearly will be ready to reopen Dec. 8.
“We will be doing everything in a hurry over those last few months,” the cathedral’s rector-archpriest, Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, told OSV News on April 10, just ahead of the last anniversary of the April 15, 2019, fire before the reopening.
But Father Ribadeau Dumas is looking to the future with optimism. A former rector of the Lourdes sanctuary, he was appointed Notre Dame’s rector in 2022, three years after the fire. He has
therefore not yet experienced the life of the cathedral in normal times.
“In April 2019, I was the spokesman for the French bishops’ conference, and I spent the whole night of the fire responding to journalists calling me from all over the world,” he told OSV News
“Today, I am not interested in commemorating five years since the fire. What I am really looking forward to is getting everything in place that will allow us to celebrate Masses after the reopening,” he said.
“For the moment, the large scaffolding structure is still occupying the place of the ‘liturgical stage,’ on which the altar, the ‘cathedra’ — the bishop’s seat, and the ambo will be placed. And this bronze ‘furniture’ is just coming out of the foundry,” he said.
In addition, the manufacture of 1,500 new wooden chairs is progressing rapidly, and at the same time the installation of the lights also is proceeding. “Lighting is very important,” Father Ribadeau Dumas said. “It has a double dimension. We have to light the ‘liturgical stage’ according to the liturgical moments. You do not light Good Friday the same way you light Easter celebrations! And we have to harmonize this lighting with the rest of the cathedral. It is not that simple.”
What electrified France in the last weeks prior to the anniversary was the invitation to bid on the job of creating the new stained-glass windows for Paris’ cathedral. New stained-glass windows are to be installed in six of the seven chapels on the nave’s south aisle on the side of the Seine River. Candidates must
be pairs of an artist designer and a glass workshop.
The commission set up by the French government followed a request from Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, for which President Emmanuel Macron gave his official approval on Dec. 8, 2023. Critics, however, noted that the new art aims to replace what is newer than the cathedral itself but still historic — the so-called “grisaille” windows installed in Notre Dame in the 19th century by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who restored Notre Dame at the time.
The “grisailles,” personally designed by Viollet-le-Duc, are windows in which the glass is painted only by shades of a single neutral color — and something that became a natural part of the cathedral throughout the years.
also their employees. “Our customers became reticent, our suppliers wanted to terminate their contracts, and our insurers no longer wanted to cover our projects,” he said. “This fire has weighed heavily on us.”
Le Bras Frères was found not responsible for the fire, with reports indicating that they had scrupulously followed precautionary protocols. After the 2019 inferno, Le Bras’ workers were asked to secure the dilapidated cathedral. “We got to work straight away,” Le Bras said.“We had to secure the gables, prop up the vaults, and reinforce the buttresses. We took charge of dismantling the unstable scaffolding,” he said.
“The workers set to work bravely, and with their heads held high, even as we were dragged through the mud in the media,” Le Bras said.
we prepare a lot of explaining, to help people who are unfamiliar with our faith to understand its meaning. That is what all our efforts are aimed at.”
“I would like this reopening to be the occasion of a spiritual awakening for France,” Father Ribadeau Dumas concluded.
“Today, Western society is distraught, often desperate. In this context, the restoration of Notre Dame is a tremendous sign of hope. Paris is going to get its cathedral back, and that does not just concern Catholics. The hope it represents must inspire all those who will be thrilled by the reopening.” †
A petition signed by almost 140,000 people urging to save Viollet-le-Duc’s project said his colorful windows “were created as a coherent whole. It is a genuine creation that the architect wanted to be faithful to the cathedral’s Gothic origins.”
“Notre Dame has evolved over the centuries,” Father Ribadeau Dumas told OSV News, defending the archbishops’ idea to put contemporary artists’ projects in their place. He explained the “idea was to signify how (the cathedral) had been wounded at the beginning of the 21st century, and then resurrected.”
The archbishops’ request, the rector said “is that these stained-glass windows be figurative and evoke joy, hope and peace, to bear witness to the exceptional atmosphere that reigned during the work of restoration.”
The winners of the bid will present a prototype closer to the cathedral’s reopening. The stained-glass windows will be produced in 2025 and installed in the cathedral in 2026.
Tourists and Parisians are most excited to see the 315-foot-tall spire back, rebuilt exactly the same way as the previous one, designed by Viollet-le-Duc. With the spire’s scaffolding removed in mid-February, it is a visible sign that the end of restoration work on Notre Dame is approaching.
Since 2023, the craftsmen of the family-run company Le Bras Frères, specializing in the restoration of roofs and frameworks of historic monuments, have been working on the cathedral’s roof in their workshops in Lorraine, in eastern France. The lead ornaments had to be made to measure and match the shape of the roof timbers.
“We had built replicas of the spire’s framework in the workshop, so we could start fabricating the lead parts even before the carpenters had finished their work on the cathedral itself,” company president Julien Le Bras told OSV News It was a “real feat,” he said.
For Le Bras, completion of the work is all the more important as his company had come close to a disaster after the fire in 2019. In 2017, Le Bras Frères was proud to win a bid to erect the scaffolding, as well as to renovate the spire’s timber frame and external roofing, in a planned conservation project. However, the 2019 fire brought the project to an abrupt halt, and the company found itself at the center of attention, suspected of being responsible for the fire.
“This tragedy has devastated everyone, especially us, who are passionate about our heritage and whose job it is to save, restore, and beautify,” Le Bras told OSV News, listing how the accusations affected not only their projects but
In September 2022, Le Bras Frères was once again selected for the scaffolding and part of the carpentry and roofing work on the cathedral. “It was more than just a job,” said Le Bras. “It was a marathon, a presidential challenge and a mission. The craftsmen were highly motivated. They wanted to clear their honor and that of the company in the eyes of everyone, and they were proud to work for their country and for the cathedral.”
“My very deep desire is to be able to welcome visitors,” Father Ribadeau Dumas confided. “Notre Dame is a place of worship that welcomes 15 million people every year. As a priest, I seek above all to enable these people to encounter Christ. This can be done through the witness of faith that is the Masses celebrated as visitors continue their tour of the cathedral,” he told OSV News
“It can also be through the beauty of the works of art, which say something about the presence of God,” he said. “So
BALTIMORE (OSV News) — Father Brendan Fitzgerald is convinced it’s just as important to evangelize people experiencing homelessness as it is to evangelize any other person.
A big challenge at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, where the priest is rector, has been that there isn’t a place people can gather in an informal way to have those kinds of life-changing discussions.
“A number of the homeless will come and spend time inside the church just to get away from the cold or the heat or the rain, but they don’t get engaged,” he told the Catholic Review, the news outlet of the Baltimore Archdiocese. “They sit in a pew for several hours, and then they’ll leave, but no one’s talking to them about Christ or sharing their lives with them or inviting them into a real relationship.”
The rector hopes that will begin to change with the opening of the Sexton’s Lodge Cafe.
The new cafe, erected inside a space
built north of the cathedral in 1840, is meant to be a place where basilica
parishioners can develop relationships with people who live on the streets just outside America’s first cathedral.
Open Friday mornings after the 7:30 a.m. Mass and Sundays after the 10:45 a.m. Mass, the cafe offers free coffee from Baltimore Coffee and Tea, along with prepackaged treats and juice boxes for children. The idea is for basilica parishioners and visitors to the historic cathedral to get to know their neighbors and their fellow Massgoers while having meaningful conversations about faith in a warm, welcoming environment.
“If this cafe project can be a space where people who don’t ordinarily get an opportunity to hear just a little bit about the life of someone who lives in poverty,” Father Fitzgerald said, “that would be a great good.”
The Sexton’s Lodge most recently served as a gift shop and storage facility. In the past, it had also been the home of Baltimore Archbishop William D. Borders. The idea for transforming it into a cafe was inspired through the ministry of Abigail Steele, the basilica’s director of outreach. Steele had previously spent several years working in the basilica’s Source of All Hope urban missionary program that focuses on befriending people experiencing homelessness.
Steele had the idea of establishing a meeting place for fellowship and
worked with the Given Institute to flesh out her plan. The basilica received a $20,000 grant from the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization. It also received a $60,000 grant from the Knott Foundation.
The funds were used as seed money for the program and to renovate the first floor of Sexton’s Lodge with a coffee counter, tables and religious art that includes images of people such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Mother Mary Lange, founder of the Baltimore-based Oblate Sisters of Providence.
“It’s a low-cost program to run, and we are relying on the generosity of people who believe in the program, along with people who visit and neighborhood partners,” said Maria Veres, the basilica’s director of mission advancement.
Volunteers and staff from the basilica serve as hosts, Veres said.
Father Fitzgerald said the cafe also will be used for small-group parish meetings, Bible study and the like. He would like to see it grow organically to operate on more days and perhaps include outdoor picnic areas on the basilica campus.
The rector, who worked with Baltimore’s homeless when he was a student at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, acknowledged that not everyone understands the need for reaching out to vulnerable populations. The Gospel demands it, he said.
“It’s good for families to see the poor and to encounter the poor and to love the poor before they head back to the suburbs,” he said. “I think it’s a beautiful witness to see some of the poor genuinely worship with us on Sundays. We have some who have been baptized, and they participate in the Liturgy.”
Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori blessed the cafe on April 14. †
In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713-654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.
CHICAGO (OSV News) — Una religiosa conocida por ayudar a más de 100.000 migrantes y solicitantes de asilo en la frontera entre EE.UU. y México en el sur de Texas, estuvo en Chicago el 15 de abril para compartir su obra de arte a nivel nacional por primera vez y reiterar un mensaje de amor.
La hermana Norma Pimentel, Misionera de Jesús, se paró en un podio en la Catedral del Santo Nombre, colocada entre copias de cinco pinturas al óleo y pastel cuyas figuras principales eran mujeres y niños que buscaban refugio después de ser liberados de centros de detención en la frontera.
“Esa niña está sujetando esa mochila”, le dijo a un sacerdote del público que le preguntó por un cuadro en concreto. Representaba a una niña vestida de rosa y lavanda con la boca ligeramente abierta, los ojos mirando a un lado mientras sostenía una bolsa de aspecto pesado y colorido. “Está tan contenta porque esa mochila está llena de un montón de cosas: calcetines, artículos de higiene, juguetes, caramelos. ... Pero al mismo tiempo no sabe qué hacer”.
La hermana Pimentel, directora de Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande en la Diócesis de Brownsville, les dijo a los más de 200 asistentes que cuando los niños llegan al centro de alivio humanitario de su organización “ya han pasado por muchas cosas”.
La hermana Pimentel, licenciada en Bellas Artes antes de cursar estudios superiores de Teología y Psicología, dijo: “La única razón por la que estamos aquí es porque... queremos encontrarnos con Jesús en nuestras vidas”.
“Él nos dijo muy claramente que lo encontraremos en ellos: esas personas inocentes y frágiles que llegan a la frontera de Estados Unidos y que simplemente piden una oportunidad para vivir. Eso es todo”.
La hermana recordó sus primeros años como novicia tras ser detenida por apoyar los esfuerzos para cerrar la oficina de un congresista local. Dicho congresista votó a favor de que Estados Unidos financiara una guerra en un país latinoamericano que hizo que la gente huyera a la frontera estadounidense. La hermana Pimentel dijo que la experiencia le hizo darse cuenta de su verdadera vocación.
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Copias del arte de la hermana Norma Pimentel que representan a inmigrantes que buscaron refugio en el centro de respiro humanitario de su organización se exhiben a nivel nacional por primera vez en la Catedral del Santo Nombre de Chicago el 15 de abril. La hermana Pimentel, Misionera de Jesús y directora de Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande en la Diócesis de Brownsville, Texas, es conocida por ayudar a los migrantes en la frontera sur.
“Un Dios que nos ama es el que nos desafía a levantarnos y atender a su pueblo”, le a la multitud, añadiendo que la gente “no debe contenerse con el amor que Dios nos da cuando nos encontramos con él”.
“Ese amor está ahí para compartirlo y cuidar de los demás, especialmente de los que más nos necesitan”, dijo la hija de inmigrantes mexicanos.
La hermana Pimentel, de 70 años, respondió a preguntas del público que iban desde qué hacer con la creciente población de refugiados de Chicago hasta cómo abordar el miedo a los inmigrantes. Aconsejó a todos que “sean ustedes mismos” y escuchen porque “Dios les dirá lo que tienen que hacer. Este es su trabajo”, dijo. “Le digo a la gente que esté presente ante ellos. Escúchenlos. Conozcan su historia y sabrán lo que necesitan”.
Contó historias de cómo disuadía a la gente de tener miedo a los inmigrantes. Que no había que temerles, sino que — de hecho — algunos refugiados mostraban compasión y consolaban a los niños que se separaban de sus padres, describió.
La conferencia de la Hermana
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Pimentel fue la primera de una serie anual en la catedral llamada Conferencia del Obispo Kevin Birmingham. El obispo auxiliar de Chicago, cuyas funciones incluían ser el representante del cardenal de Chicago Blase J. Cupich ante los Patronos de las Artes de Illinois en los Museos Vaticanos, falleció inesperadamente en octubre a la edad de 51 años. Su familia asistió a la conferencia.
El hermano menor de Obispo Birmingham, Brandon Birmingham, pronunció el discurso inaugural. Comentó a OSV News en una entrevista previa que la hermana Pimentel era “extremadamente talentosa”.
“Pero el mensaje (detrás del arte) de la experiencia del inmigrante, representa mucho de lo que Kevin hacía: atender al pueblo de Dios”, dijo Brandon Birmingham, profesor de arte en una escuela pública. “Ese era el lema de su escudo de armas”.
También era el título de la charla y una frase que la hermana Pimentel utilizó varias veces.
La religiosa dijo que estaba “muy contenta” de poder destacar, a escala
La hermana Norma Pimentel, Misionera de Jesús, da una charla en Chicago el 15 de abril, en la que muestra sus obras de arte de inmigrantes que buscaron refugio en el centro de respiro humanitario de su organización tras ser liberados de su detención en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México. Su arte se expuso por primera vez a nivel nacional en la catedral del Santo Nombre de Chicago.
nacional, su labor de ayuda humanitaria a los inmigrantes combinada con sus obras de arte.
Después de la charla compartió con OSV News que era la primera vez que su arte se veía a nivel nacional y que — incluso con una apretada agenda — saca tiempo para pintar.
“Shhhh, es un secreto, okay”, se rió. “No se requiere mucho tiempo, sólo un par de días”.
Utilizando las fotos que los inmigrantes le permiten tomar, explica: “Empiezo un día y lo único que hago son los ojos y la expresión, porque esa es la parte más importante. Una vez hecho eso, al día siguiente termino el resto. Al tercer día retoco lo que haga falta y ya está. Listo”.
Dijo a OSV News que después de recibir la invitación a Chicago de los Patrones de las Artes de Illinois en los Museos Vaticanos, fue invitada a San Diego y luego a “otro lugar”.
“Espero que mi arte pueda hacernos tomar conciencia de los inmigrantes como un pueblo que está aquí para regalarnos su presencia más que para hacernos daño”, dijo. †
ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO
En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Cardenal DiNardo gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.
NEW YORK (OSV News) — A blending of historical facts and Southern gothic fiction proves unstable in the biographical and literary drama “Wildcat” (Oscilloscope). As a result, director and co-writer Ethan Hawke achieves only mixed results as he seeks to introduce viewers to the life and works of Catholic
Given the high rank she enjoys among 20th-century American writers, especially on the basis of her masterful short stories, O’Connor’s career is certainly deserving of attention. Nor does the primary fault for the unsatisfying nature of “Wildcat” lie with Hawke’s daughter Maya’s portrayal of the scribe, whose intriguing persona
Instead, the original aesthetic sin detectable here is one of strategy. In crafting their screenplay, the elder Hawke and his script collaborator Shelby Gaines ill-advisedly attempt to interweave scenes from O’Connor’s real experiences with dramatizations of the tales she penned. The reality-based elements mostly work; the fictitious ones, by contrast, fall flat.
Thus audiences will likely be engaged by the movie’s recounting of O’Connor’s struggle to publish her first novel as well as the narrative of her battle with lupus, the disease to which she would
succumb in 1964, aged only 39. The illness made O’Connor dependent on her mother, Regina (Laura Linney), with whom she enjoyed a close yet conflicted relationship.
with which she regarded her heartfelt beliefs. In fact, one of the picture’s most compelling exchanges takes place between a gravely ailing O’Connor and local clergyman Father Flynn (Liam Neeson).
7 pm, Saturday, June 15 featuring Requiem by John Rutter
Ecumenical Choir of 200 Voices with Orchestral Accompaniment
Gonzalo A. Ramos Conducting
The Centrum Cypress Creek Christian Community Center Spring, Texas
Like many others, Regina seems to have been somewhat bewildered by her daughter’s vibrant but eccentric creative vision. A studious reader of both Scripture and the “Summa Theologica” of St. Thomas Aquinas, O’Connor was at once fascinated and repelled by the doit-yourself approach to Christianity she observed in the then-overwhelmingly
Drawing on O’Connor’s “A Prayer Journal,” published in 2013, Hawke manages to convey the seriousness
Sequences adapted from O’Connor’s writings, on the other hand, are generally ineffectual. In some cases, this is because they are too heavily narrated, leaving them stranded between page and screen.
Still, for all its flaws, “Wildcat” does have some educational value, especially for those unfamiliar with O’Connor’s spiritual striving, physical suffering and impressive legacy. Given that problematic elements are relatively few, moreover, it’s possibly an acceptable choice for mature adolescents.
The film contains scenes of sensuality, several uses of profanity and a few milder oaths. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association. †
► FOR SUBMISSION DETAILS AND MORE LISTINGS, VISIT WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.
MAY 14-JUNE 15
SHOE DRIVE, St. Angela Merici (9009 Sienna Ranch Rd., Missouri City). Parish shoe drive collects gently worn, used and new shoes of all kinds until June 15. Shoes are donated to developing countries to create employment. Donate shoes in drop boxes in church narthex and parish office.
MAY 17-18
CONFERENCE, St. Joseph (1505 Kane St., Houston). “The Time For St. Joseph” conference includes presentations by Father Victor Perez, Devin Schadt, Dr. Leonora Butau and Mike Aquilina, Eucharistic Adoration, confession and prayer focused on St. Joseph’s devotion. Cost: $40. stjosephconferencehouston@gmail.com; 713-222-6193; saintjoseph.org.
MAY 17-19
WOMEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). This three-day retreat, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Presence,” includes the celebration of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, conferences and time for private prayer. Parish groups, mother/daughters (16+), and individuals are welcomed. Cost: $265. 713-4640211 ext. 10; holynameretreatcenter.com.
MAY 18
CONFERENCE, St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman St., Houston). “Filled with the Spirit” conference closes with Father Richard McNeillie celebrating Pentecost Vigil Mass.
CHILI SALES, St. Philip the Apostle (2308 3rd St., Huffman). Knights of Columbus Council 9794 host chili sales available weekly after each Mass on Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. $13 a jar. fjmcmahon2@yahoo.com.
MEN’S GROUP MEETING, 10 to 11 a.m., Gratia Plena (10707 Corporate Dr., Suite 135, Stafford). Weekly support group led by counselors for adult men to address issues of a sexual nature such as pornography, infidelity, promiscuity and more. Cost: $10. gratiaplenacounseling.org
MAY 19
SPRING FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart (109 North Frazier, Conroe). Live entertainment, raffle, food, games, vendors and more for the family. Open to the public. smedrano@shconroe.org; 936-756-8186.
YOUNG ADULT RETREAT, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). “Joyfully Journeying With Jesus” includes Eucharist Adoration and conference, open to parish groups and individuals. Free. 713-464-0211 ext. 10; holynameretreatcenter. com.
MAY 20
MEN’S GROUP MEETING, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua (7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands). Weekly support group led by counselors for adult men to address issues of a sexual nature such as pornography, infidelity, promiscuity and more. Cost: $10. gratiaplenacounseling.org
MAY 31
FUNDRAISER, 7:30 p.m., Notre Dame (7720 Boone Rd., Houston). The youth orchestra is hosting a symphonic fundraiser concert in honor of Mary, Our Mother for their summer pilgrimage. Cost: $25 per ticket donation. rebrand.ly/2ea75au.
JUNE 1
PRIESTHOOD ORDINATIONS, 10 a.m., Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston). Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will ordain Deacon Luis Armas, Deacon Viet Nguyen and Deacon David Ramirez to the priesthood. Open to the public. Livestream: archgh.org/live.
GARAGE SALE, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Regina Caeli (8121 Breen Dr., Houston). Gently used clothes, books, etc. Free to attend. Reginacaeliparish.org.
JUNE 5
HOLY HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). A Eucharistic Adoration Holy
A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL
• Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
• Cabrini (PG-13)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13)
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (PG-13)
Hour, held every first Wednesday of the month, includes Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. sacredhrt.com/adoration.
JUNE 6-8
MEN’S RETREAT, Thursday 5:30 p.m. to Sunday 10 a.m., St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman St., Houston). A three-day and three-night Catholic lay retreat presented by parishioners. 10 a.m. Mass celebrated with the parish community. Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the retreats. The goal is to develop a new or deeper relationship with the Lord and retreatants. Cost is $275. jgvega@msn.com, 713-446-9575.
JUNE 14-15
MUSIC FESTIVAL, The Centrum at Cypress Creek Christian Community Center (6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Second Annual Summer Sacred Music Choral Festival features an ecumenical choir of 200 voices from across the Greater Houston Area under the direction of Gonzalo A. Ramos, artistic director of the Bravura Concert Series and the Houston Cecilia Chamber Choir. Rehearsals take place Friday and Saturday. The concert on Saturday will feature a full, professional orchestra. archgh. org/choralfestival.
••• For additional listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA
► To see full movie reviews, visit www.osvnews.com/category/reviews
• Irena’s Vow (R)
• Mean Girls (PG-13)
• One Life (PG)
• The Fall Guy (PG-13)
• The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (PG-13)
• We Grown Now (PG-13)
• Wildcat (NR)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Challengers (R)
• Civil War (R)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE
• Abigail (R)
• Immaculate (R)
• Road House (R)
• The First Omen (R)
Recently a copy of the first issue of the Texas Catholic Herald visited the newsroom. Scattered across the front page, above the fold, were signatures of the founding staff of the Texas Catholic Herald, a snapshot of an important moment in time in the then-Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Each signature represented key efforts of Catholics committed to sharing the Good News to Texas and beyond.
Today, on May 14, 2024, the TCH
marked its 60th anniversary – to the day, the first issue was printed on May 14, 1964 – of reporting on Catholic information and evangelization in Texas and beyond. The Herald reported news from the Vatican, Galveston Island to as far as Tyler, Beaumont and Victoria.
While there is no signature from the pope, a papal blessing accompanied the inaugural issue with a greeting from Pope PaulVI through the apostolic delegate Bishop Egidio Vagnozzi.
The Texas Catholic Herald derives its name in part from a Catholic newspaper that began publishing in Galveston almost 150 years ago. The Texas Catholic was published in 1876 by the Church and printed by Shaw and Blaylock of East Strand St. in Galveston, according to records. The Texas Catholic inspired Bishop John L. Morkovsky of the name of the Texas Catholic Herald
Once the largest weekly newspaper in Texas, the Texas Catholic Herald
was originally printed on press machines located in the basement of the Downtown Chancery. Today the publication is still printed on Texas press machines, just now in full-color and with a lineup of digital offerings online and on social media.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Texas Catholic Herald and look for additional coverage online and in upcoming issues, including the TCH’s cowboy mascot, Little Tex. †