OC CATHOLIC - October 17, 2021

AROUND THE DIOCESE OCTOBER 17, 2021

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THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE n OCCATHOLIC.COM

OUR PLACE OF REST CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S MEMORIAL GARDENS DEDICATION SET FOR NOV. 2. PAGE 6

THE MEMORIAL GARDENS HAS UNDERGONE AN EXTENSIVE REMODEL AND EXPANSION. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

OCTOBER 17, 2021

CONTENTS

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THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Choosing your unique way to pray is a challenge for many Catholics.

FIVE CENTURIES

The Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuit order, celebrates 500 years since its founding.

POPE: FAITH IS NOT TRANSACTIONAL Pope Francis spoke to the Angelus crowd on the nature of our relationship with God.

PLUS

Guest Column, Weekly Readings, Moments In Our Journey

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 Executive Editor: Tracey Kincaid, tkincaid@rcbo.org Editor: Patricia Mahoney, editor@occatholic.com News Ideas: storyideas@rcbo.org Delivery Problems: occatholicsupport@occatholic.com

ADVERTISING Director of Custom Content: Caroline Wong, cawong@scng.com

SCNG CUSTOM CONTENT Managing Editor: Caitlin Adams

OCCatholicNews

MOUNT TABOR For Christians, Mount Tabor is believed to be the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, where Jesus began to radiate light and conversed with Peter, James, and John.

The developed lawn crypt area is named after the three apostles that were with Jesus at the place of transfiguration, Peter, James, and John.

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery offers a place of peace and reflection, a place of prayer, surrounded by stunning hillside views.

Art Director: Fernando M. Donado

Delivered weekly to parishes and homes throughout Orange County, Calif., Orange County Catholic is published by SCNG Custom Content, a division of Southern California News Group that offers content development and design expertise to businesses and nonprofit institutions. The Orange County Catholic editorial staff and editorial council are responsible for the content contained herein.

Events and products advertised in Orange County Catholic do not carry the implicit endorsement of the Diocese of Orange or SCNG Custom Content.

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GUEST COLUMN

OCTOBER: THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY

BY DEACON TONY MERCADO ST. MARY’S CHURCH, FULLERTON

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HY DO CATHOLICS PRAY the Rosary? There are so many reasons and benefits of the Rosary. It is a tradition that dates back centuries.

The beauty of the Rosary is that it is all based on scripture. The Rosary is universal, just like the Church. It is taking place all over the world, in different languages, at every minute of the day.

As a child, I have memories of praying the Rosary at home and at my grandfather’s home, but I mostly remember praying the Rosary after a loved one had passed away. I didn’t grow up praying the Rosary regularly, and it was even less as a young adult. Sure, I continued to pray the Rosary after the death of a loved one,

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memorials or on retreat. It was not until I was ordained as a deacon that I began to pray the Rosary more frequently.

One of my duties as a deacon is to lead a Rosary after a parishioner has passed away. My very first experience with this happened right before my ordination. It was simple enough -- I figured I would show up with my Rosary beads and my booklet on how to pray the Rosary, so I would not make any mistakes in front of the family members. I was surprised at how fast the crowd prayed their part of the Rosary. It made me think, why do we rush our prayers? Is there a benefit to finishing in record time? I reflected on the Rosary for quite some time. Each Rosary that I led brought me deeper and deeper to understanding the Rosary.

We all have a tradition that we practice

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TONY MERCADO, FAR LEFT. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

The Diocese of Orange, through OC Catholic newspaper, presents local, national and world news about the Catholic Church. Our intention is to give our readers access to a variety of perspectives in order to help them to process the information within the framework of our Catholic faith, but also to better understand the perspectives of those with opposing viewpoints.

We hope that ultimately our readers will be better equipped to have constructive conversations that further the growth of the Catholic Church.

DAILY READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

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THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST

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LL THREE READINGS TODAY support—each in its own way, of course—a reflection on the humanity of Jesus Christ and how that humanity played a key role in the drama of our salvation. Although not chosen specifically to coordinate with the other two readings, today’s second reading does in fact carry forward the theme of Christ’s humanity in a remarkable way. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews highlights the solidarity that exists between Jesus and us, precisely because in his human nature Jesus has known the same sufferings and testing that are our own experience. Because he can “sympathize with our weaknesses,” we can “approach the throne of grace to receive mercy.”

For the author of Hebrews, the humanity of Jesus was an essential requirement for his redemptive death, as well as an invitation to us to find in Jesus someone with whom we can identify in our daily struggles.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. C

You are living a season — old age — that is not a disease, but a privilege.

- Pope Francis

” IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

SAINT PROFILE

C.37-C.107

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HIS SYRIAN-BORN MARTYR, who gave himself the nickname “God-bearer” because of his certainty of God’s presence within him and who may have been a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, became bishop of Antioch about 69 A.D.. Eventually he was arrested and sent to Rome, where his strong desire for martyrdom was fulfilled when he was thrown to the lions in the Colosseum. In seven letters written to Christians in Asia Minor and Rome, he stressed the need to heal church conflicts, the authority of local bishops and the Eucharist as a source of unity. C

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

PHOTOS: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE, SHUTTERSTOCK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

2 TM 4:10-17B; PS 145:10-13, 17-18; LK 10:1-9

ROM 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21; PS 40:7-10, 17; LK 12:35-38

ROM 6:12-18; PS 124:1B-8; LK 12:39-48

ROM 6:19-23; PS 1:1-4, 6; LK 12:49-53

ROM 7:18-25A; PS 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94; LK 12:54-59

ROM 8:1-11; PS 24:1B-4AB, 5-6; LK13:1-9

JER 31:7-9; PS 126:1-6; HEB 5:1-6; MK 10:46-52

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FEATURE

OUR PLACE OF REST CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S MEMORIAL GARDENS IS NOW OPEN FOR VISITORS

BY JENELYN RUSSO

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EFLECTION, SERENITY and hope are at the heart of the Christ Cathedral Memorial Gardens expansion, a project that more than doubles the size of the existing campus cemetery.

Initially scheduled for completion more than a year ago, the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and then subsequently by delays in the shipment of materials. The expanded portion of the cemetery opened to the public in July and the finished product was worth the wait.

Originally opened in 1991 by the late Rev. Robert Schuller as part of the Crystal Cathedral campus, the $18.5 million expansion brings the Cathedral Memorial Gardens close to 1.6 acres and has added more than 6,400 burial spaces in the forms of niches, wall crypts and lawn spaces. Interest from the local Catholic community was an important reason behind the expansion.

“We saw that families have a need,” said Alma Ochoa, the Diocese’s associate director of administration for Cemeteries. “When we took over the cemetery (in 2012), we had so many families that were Catholic who wanted to be here.”

The expansion takes into account the design and flow of the existing cemetery space, adding to what Schuller and his team set in motion decades ago. The same red granite is used for the additional exterior niches and wall crypts. The new secondary entrance includes peaceful fountains, a nod to the water features located at the original main entrance.

Additionally, the placement of the secondary or processional entrance holds

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NICHES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MEMORIAL GARDENS SANCTUARY. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

The landscape, designed by landscape architect Rio Clemente, includes climate friendly plants, as well as plants and trees that were selected from biblical reference, such as olive trees.

Across from the exclusive 6- to 10-person Family Estates sits a five-foot tall bronze statue of the Archangel St. Michael, with red granite sarcophagi on either side that face toward the Cathedral.

The highlight of the Memorial Gardens expansion project is the Sanctuary of Eternal Life, an indoor private family mausoleum of sarcophagi and niches.

The room features Italian marble and such a special place.” granite, background music, creative lightUpon entering the Memorial Gardens ing and air conditioning, all combining to from either entrance, the sunken elevacreate a place of comfort and beauty. tion provides a natural screen, silencing Bronze statues of Archangels Rathe surrounding environmental noise and phael and Gabriel are surrounded by a creating a solemn, quiet place to reflect. collection of niches with fronts made The expanded area, designed by Mcof granite, see-through glass, or stained Cleskey Mausoleums, features new secglass with handmade prisms. tions that are named after the Seven Gifts The focal point of the Sanctuary of of the Holy Spirit. From several vantage Eternal Life is an architectural stainedpoints, visitors are provided with stunglass art piece by artist Elizabeth DeverCONTINUES ON PAGE 7 ning views of the campus architecture.

ARTIST ELIZABETH DEVEREAUX DESIGNED THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN THE SANCTUARY OF ETERNAL LIFE. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

significance as the path leads from the Cathedral and past the Baptistry, reflecting where life in Christ begins through baptism.

“There was a lot of thought and intent that went into the procession from the Cathedral through the Baptistry,” said Director Michael Wesner. “It really gets us back to how the churches were in Europe, where the cemeteries were next to the church, which is very important in our faith to be able to do that in

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FEATURE / CATHOLIC FAMILY LIVING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

eaux. “The Risen Christ” symbolizes Jesus rising from the tomb on the third day, with the Christ figure flanked by angels on either side.

Devereaux’s design features “flashed” glass with layers of color, reminiscent of a watercolor painting more than a traditional stained-glass mosaic. Christ’s garment is kiln-fired with 24 karat gold luster and is surrounded by beveled prisms, or “rays of light” that resemble the Crean Tower.

The face of Jesus is “no face” or “all faces” as a way “to invite and include all of humanity in the face of the Risen Christ.”

Unlike traditional stained-glass windows, the art piece is designed and lit in such a way to be appreciated day or night, with the light reflection providing new and unique dimensions at different times of the day.

As was a condition of the sale of the property in 2012, the Cathedral Memorial Gardens is the only one of the cemeteries in the Diocese of Orange that maintains ecumenical status, accepting all those of the Christian faith.

A dedication ceremony honoring the families of those who have purchased or are interred is planned for Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. It will include a Mass, a procession, live music and a blessing of the cemetery grounds by multiple priests. The public is invited to attend.

Father Christopher Smith, who along with Wesner and Ochoa was integral in the planning of the expansion, believes the promise of eternal life makes this cemetery a beautiful refuge.

“Catholic cemeteries are so important because they are places of hope,” said Father Christopher. “They give testimony to what’s at the core of our faith, and that’s that death is not the end of things. Our life here is destined to full life with the Lord.”

For more information about funerals, costs and cemetery availability, visit occem.org C

THE RIGHT DIRECTION CHOOSING THE PERFECT WAY TO PRAY IS A CHALLENGE FOR MANY CATHOLICS

BY CATHI DOUGLAS

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HERE ARE SOME KEY advantages in working from home, like being free to toss in a load of laundry while writing a draft, or trim roses in the garden in between assignments.

Surprisingly, I’ve discovered an important perk of a home-based business is the freedom to pray.

Like many busy working mothers, my prayer life suffered as I struggled to balance family, work and marital obligations against my need to sit quietly in the presence of Jesus.

Somehow, grace before meals and bedtime prayers with the kids weren’t enough to nurture my own relationship with the Holy Trinity.

Today, though, I am my own boss.

So, I can study a Scripture passage while awaiting a telephone interview, or sit in quiet contemplation before an online appointment, not to mention take an hour to pray the Rosary.

Yet I admit that I was rusty when it came to prayer. It wasn’t difficult to remember the prayers I was taught in Catholic school but choosing the right way to pray at the right moment was more challenging.

In a February 2021 blog in the National Catholic Register, author Patti Maguire Armstrong asked Father

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Jacques Philippe about the best way to pray. Fr. Philippe has written many books on prayer, with more than one million copies sold.

“We must always remember this,” he said. “What makes prayer good is not to use this or that method, but the fact that our prayer expressed interior attitudes of faith, of humble hope, of a real desire for loving prayer.”

God does not lead all people the same way, he added, explaining that different individuals may prefer different ways of praying, including the Rosary, Lectio Divina, the Way of the Cross, Liturgy of the Hours, Divine Mercy Chaplet and more. He believes that each prayer has its place and time for each of us.

Whichever method we choose, Fr. Philippe noted, “A prayer that is less active and more receptive -- a simple gaze of faith and love toward the Lord, a simple act of faith and love, a loving attention of the heart to the presence of God… is ultimately the highest form of prayer, when it is more God who acts, and the person welcomes.”

With that in mind, delving into the

many forms of Catholic prayer is a worthy pursuit. In studying many forms of prayer, we stretch our spiritual muscles and discover ways we can grow closer to God. There are many useful books on prayer, including “How to Pray Well,” [$10.95; Amazon] in which Father Raoul Plus studies the saints in prayer, including their struggles and insights, and offers spiritual advice. Another is “The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer: How to Pray and Why,” [$14.95; Amazon] with advice on how we can sharpen our focus.

“The Art of Praying” by Romano Guardini [$15.95; Sophia Institute] includes practical advice on improving prayers with insights from the saints and a reflection on both spontaneous and formal prayers.

However we choose to pray, Fr. Philippe observed In his book “Thirsting for Prayer,” [$12.95; catholiccompany. com]: “What the world most needs today is prayer. It is prayer that will give birth to all the renewals, healings, deep and fruitful transformations we all want for society today.” C The Maria Ferrucci Catholic Family Living feature is intended to inspire families to live their faith in the way Maria Ferrucci did throughout her earthly life.

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FEATURE

FIVE CENTURIES

CELEBRATING THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE JESUITS

BY MONSIGNOR MICHAEL HEHER

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T 16 YEARS OF AGE Ignatius of Loyola was sent to serve as a page in the household of John Velasquez. There he developed a taste for all he found, especially the ladies. He loved to gamble, could be contentious with other men and he engaged in swordplay from time to time. He went about for years in the dress of a fighting man But 500 years ago, on May 20, in a failed attempt to defend the city of Pamplona, Ignatius’ leg was shattered by a cannonball. Shattered too was what he assumed his life was going to be. During his long convalescence— months of pain and uncertainty, doubt and darkness—he asked for romance novels to pass the time but the only things he found to read in the castle were a Life of Jesus and a book about the Lives of the Saints. He had been baptized a Catholic at his birth, but these books of meditations initiated a slow process of greater conversion. He began to let go of his dreams of courtly life and centered his life not on himself but on God. He began “to see all things new in Christ.”

He became one of the most influential figures in the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation in the 16th century and founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Paris in 1534. Earlier, during the 1520s, while encountering the Scriptures, Ignatius began writing about the emotions that had taken hold of him—feelings of gratitude and anguish, consolation and sadness.

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FATHER ROBERT SPITZER, A MEMBER OF THE JESUIT ORDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE MAGIS CENTER OF REASON AND FAITH IN GARDEN GROVE. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Those meditations eventually became the Spiritual Exercises, which were first published in 1548.

The book is a compilation of meditations, prayers and descriptions of other contemplative practices. It is not a book to be read from beginning to end. It is more like a handbook, especially for use by spiritual directors who accompany and guide people through his dynamic

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process of reflection. Ignatius believed that stretching oneself spiritually was as important as an athlete following his or her conditioning regime. Its aim is to help people develop their attentiveness, openness and responsiveness to God. The Exercises are organized into four sections called “weeks.” These are steps along the path of spiritual freedom and collaboration with God’s activity in the

world. Jesuits typically make the Exercises in literally four weeks, during what is known as the 30-day retreat or simply “The Long Retreat,” and they do so typically at a retreat house with a spiritual director. But there are other iterations for those who don’t have the ability to be away from their responsibilities for that long.

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FEATURE orangediocese • follow October 9, 2021 orangediocese The first of four new sculptures is now officially installed inside Christ Cathedral!

The art by Pablo Eduardo (who also did bronze artwork for our current Stations of the Cross, Bishop’s Doors, and Narthex of the Cathedral) is one of four to go up on the walls.

The sculptures represent images taken from the Gospel that reflect the divinity of Christ. Next time you’re at the Cathedral, stop by and take a look!

DETAIL OF A CHURCH PORTAL FROM THE 18TH CENTURY SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA BAROQUE CHURCH IN VENICE, SHOWING THE JESUIT SYMBOL BETWEEN ANGELS. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.

orangediocese • follow October 3, 2021 orangediocese Lord, we pray for a quick stop of the oil spill, for those working on mitigation efforts, for the affected wildlife, shoreline, and all those impacted. Amen.

On the eve of St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day (patron of animals and the environment), we ask for his intercession.

Let us know you’re praying in the comments below.

To report sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel please call: 1 (800) 364–3064 Healing and Hope After Abortion: 1 (800) 722–4356 New Hope Crisis Counseling Hot Line (24/7): 1 (714) NEW–HOPE or 1 (714) 639–4673

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The first week of the Exercises is a time of reflection on our lives in light of God’s boundless love for us.

The meditations and prayers of the second week teach retreatants how to follow Christ as his disciples. They are brought to decide to change their lives to do Christ’s work in the world and to love him more intimately. During the third week retreatants they meditate on Christ’s last supper, passion and death. In the final week they reflect on Jesus’ resurrection and his apparitions to his disciples.

Jesuit spiritual formation is so strong that a Jesuit could be sent anywhere and maintain his spiritual equilibrium. You find contemporary Jesuits as university and high school teachers and administrators, but you also find them as scientists. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French paleontologist, theologian, philosopher and teacher. Guy Consomagno is the current director of the Vatican Observatory; he said, “The connection between Ignatius’ spirituality and my own scientific work is clear, at least to

me. ‘Finding God in all things’ means studying things, finding God in the universe.’”

The Diocese of Orange has been served well by the Jesuits. For 10 years various Jesuits served as priests at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Delhi. Fr. Gordon Moreland served as the director of the House of Prayer for Priests for more than 30 years.

Currently three Jesuits serve in the Diocese: Fr. Francis Vu, chaplain at the University of Irvine, Fr. Robert Spitzer who celebrates daily Mass at the Cathedral, and Fr. Allan Deck is a program consultant at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange.

Over the centuries many believers have made Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer their own: “Take, Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my whole will, all that I have and all that I possess. You gave it all to me, Lord; I give it all back to you. Do with it as you will, according to your good pleasure. Give me your love and your grace; for with this I have all that I need.” C

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DIOCESAN NEWS

THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LA VANG HOSTED AN ESTIMATED 1,000 FAITHFUL FOR ITS INAUGURAL ROSARY AND MASS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

AROUND THE DIOCESE

occurrence at Christ Cathedral’s new shrine, which honors the Virgin Mary, serves as a testament to the Vietnamese American people and recognizes Orange County’s Vietnamese diaspora of more than 100,000 people.

BY STAFF The Mass and Rosary were said in INAUGURAL ROSARY Vietnamese. An estimated 1,000 people AND MASS attended.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of The main celebrant was Bishop Orange celebrated the first Rosary and Thanh Thai Nguyen, who is currently Mass at the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine the only Vietnamese bishop in the Uniton Saturday, Oct. 2. ed States. The homilist was Fr. ChristoThe inaugural Rosary and Mass pher Pham. were the first of what will be a monthly The religious event included a

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120-person choir, as well as prayers for donors and their families. It was livestreamed for Catholics around the world on Christ Cathedral’s Facebook page and the Diocese of Orange’s YouTube account.

The Our Lady of La Vang Shrine was solemnly blessed on July 17, 2021, before a crowd of more than 8,000 supporters and others viewing the livestreamed event from around the world.

The centerpiece of the $12.6-million shrine is an Italian white marble statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Baby Jesus. The Blessed Mother is depicted as

she is believed to have appeared in 1798 in a remote rainforest in Vietnam before a group of persecuted Catholics.

That Marian apparition has since been named Our Lady of La Vang, and depictions of the Blessed Mother are considered a source of hope, faith and promise to Vietnamese Catholics around the world.

Although the shrine was blessed this past summer, a second phase of construction for it is pending. That will include rosary gardens, a basalt medallion and waterfall feature.

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DIOCESAN NEWS

THE ANNUAL RED MASS CELEBRATES JUDGES, LAWYERS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ANNUAL RED MASS CELEBRATED

Bishop Kevin Vann and the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County celebrated the 33rd annual Red Mass at Christ Cathedral on Monday, Oct. 4.

The special Mass — an annual event attended by judges, attorneys, law faculty and public officials — is celebrated at the opening of the judicial year in Orange County and throughout the world. Judges attending the Red Mass in Orange County traditionally don red robes in a renewal of an ancient tradition practiced for hundreds of years after the institution of the Red Mass in

the 13th century.

The custom received its distinguished name from the brilliant scarlet vestments worn by the Mass celebrant and Lord High Justices in England.

PASTOR DUY LE BLESSES A PARISHIONER’S DOG AT SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO CHURCH IN RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE

THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Parishes throughout our Diocese celebrated their beloved animals with the Blessing of the Animals, from Saturday, Oct. 2 through Monday, Oct. 4. The tradition dates to the 13th Century when St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, preached to the birds and praised all creatures calling them his brothers and sisters under God. C O C T O B E R 1 7, 2 0 2 1 n O C C AT H O L I C

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GUEST COLUMN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

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the Rosary. For some of us, we pray it in the car. For others, we pray it first thing in the morning. For others, we pray it before we go to bed. The time of day does not matter. Some of us pray it in English, others in their native language. I, personally, like to pray it bilingually, in English and Spanish, so that I can express it equally with those that I am praying it with. My parents prefer to pray it in Spanish, while my wife and children prefer to pray it in English.

I was taught to pray the Rosary by pronouncing each mystery and reflecting upon each mystery as I prayed each decade. The more that I tried to understand the Rosary, so I could better explain it to others, I found my way to the scriptural Rosary.

Our traditional Rosary is beautiful, but I find the scriptural Rosary to be

so much richer. Not only do I reflect on the mysteries of the Rosary - Glorious, Joyful, Luminous and Sorrowful but I am able to reflect on specific Bible verses that correspond before each our Father and Hail Mary. I have prayed more scriptural Rosaries in the past two years than I have prayed traditional Rosaries my whole life before.

The hidden secret of the Rosary is that we can all pray it. We know the Our Father and Hail Mary and even if we don’t, they will be pretty easy to remember once we pray the Rosary once. The prayers that may be a little challenging to remember are the Act of Contrition and the Hail Holy Queen.

If you have not prayed the Rosary before, or you haven’t prayed it in a while, I encourage you to do so. Spend some time with our Holy Mother, so she can bring you closer to her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. C

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CATHOLIC NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

FAITH IS NOT A TRANSACTIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, POPE SAYS AT ANGELUS ADDRESS

BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People should ask themselves whether their faith has become a “commercial relationship” with God or if it is a relationship built on freedom, love and generosity, Pope Francis said.

Faith, he said, “is not a cold, mechanical ritual,” a “quid pro quo” in which people must do something to obtain something in return.

People need to ask, “What is faith for me? If it is mainly a duty or a bargaining chip, we are off track, because salvation is a gift and not a duty; it is free and cannot be bought,” the pope said, speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address Oct. 10.

The pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading of Jesus setting out on a journey and encountering a rich man who asked him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The pope said the verbs the man uses, “must do” and “inherit,” show he sees religious belief as “a duty, a doing so as to obtain; I do something to get what I need. But this is a commercial relationship with God, a quid pro quo.”

The rich man told Jesus he had faithfully observed the commandments since he was young, but Jesus, “looking at him, loved him,” and offered him “the true face of God,” the pope said.

“This is where faith is born and reborn: not from a duty, not from something that is to be done, but from a look of love to be welcomed. In this way Christian life becomes beautiful, if it is based not on our abilities and our plans, but on God’s gaze,” he said.

Jesus then invites the man to take the next step, since he still lacks one thing -- giving freely, the pope said.

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POPE FRANCIS GREETS THE CROWD AS HE LEADS THE ANGELUS FROM THE WINDOW OF HIS STUDIO OVERLOOKING ST. PETER’S SQUARE AT THE VATICAN OCT. 10, 2021.

PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Jesus told him, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor” and then “come, follow me”; however, the man went away sad even though he had been looked at with love by Jesus, he said.

The pope said, “Often, we do the bare minimum, whereas Jesus invites us to do the maximum possible. How many times are we satisfied with doing our duties -- the precepts and a few

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prayers -- whereas God, who gives us life,” asks for passion in return.

Jesus shows the need to go from a sense of duty to an attitude of loving and freely giving, he said.

The “do nots” of the Ten Commandments lead to the positive action of “Go, sell, give, follow me,” he said. “Faith cannot be limited to ‘do not,’ because Christian life is a ‘yes,’ a ‘yes’ of love.”

“A faith without giving, without gratuitousness, without works of charity, makes us sad in the end,” the pope said.

If people feel their faith has become “tired” or they want to “reinvigorate it,” he said, “look for God’s gaze: sit in adoration, allow yourself to be forgiven in confession, stand before the crucified one. In short, let yourself be loved by him.” C

Moments MomentsininourourJourney Journey

Sister JoAnn Ashburn, OP - SCA eighth grade teacher at Saint Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim and Sister Johnellen Turner, OP – SCA Administrator/Principal, show they are big-time Dodgers fans.

—Photo Courtesy of St. Catherine’s Academy

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