190508

The

S outher n C ross

May 8 to May 14, 2019

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 5134

www.scross.co.za

Pilgrims go to Our Lady of the Bushveld

Page 2

NEW PRICE: R12 (incl VAt RSA)

This is the vocation of a deacon

How a priest lives and works with autism

Pages 8 & 12

Page 13

New Pretoria archbishop: I’m prepared

By ERIN CARElSE

F

or the second time in less than half a year, a former vicar-general of the Pretoria archdiocese has been appointed an archbishop.

Just a few months after Archbishop Abel Gabuza was named coadjutor in Durban, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Dabula Anthony Mpako of Queenstown as new archbishop of Pretoria.

“I am quietly accepting what’s happening and I’m content; to some extent I could see it coming,” he told The Southern Cross. “People talk, so I was sort of expecting it.”

Archbishop-elect Mpako, 59, will succeed Archbishop William Slattery, whom he served as vicar-general in the archdiocese Pretoria before being appointed to Queenstown in 2011.

“I’ve been away from the archdiocese for eight years. I was a priest in Pretoria for 25 years, so the priority for me will really be to again familiarise myself with the situation and see what emanates from that,” Archbishop-elect Mpako said.

“Building upon a firm foundation laid by my predecessor Archbishop Slattery, I know I’m not starting from scratch. He has done an excellent job so I hope to be able to pick up from where he left off,” he added.

Archbishop Slattery resigned last year as canonically required on turning 75.

“I welcome Bishop Mpako very much to the archdiocese of Pretoria, I think he will find something he will recognise, after all he worked here for most of his priestly life,” Archbishop Slattery told The Southern Cross.

“The Catholics in Pretoria are very welcoming and there is a tremendous generosity of spirit; he will receive a warm welcome.”

Bishop Mpako previously served in Pretoria at Mabopane, Capital Park, and Monavoni.

He was the rector at St Paul’s Orientation Seminary in Hammanskraal and of St Peter’s

A mother on the long road with her daughter. Mothers’ Day is marked in South Africa this year on May 12—appropriately in a month in which the Catholic Church encourages devotion to our Blessed Mother.

Pope to barbers: Cut gossip Archbishop-elect Dabula Mpako, who will transfer from Queenstown to Pretoria.

(Photo: Sheldon Reddiar) Seminary in Garsfontein, and chairman of the Priests’ Council (2000-06).

“Bishop Mpako organised the synod for the archdiocese of Pretoria in 2004 and 2005, which involved meeting parishioners from all the parishes, reviewing the spiritual life of the archdiocese, bringing people together to discuss and make plans for the future,” Archbishop Slattery said. “So he would have a very good idea of the state and layout of the diocese, the needs and the attempts already made to respond to the needs of the diocese in the past.”

In February this year Bishop Mpako began his term as the first vice-president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which has its headquarters in Pretoria.

“The good thing is, I’ve been a bishop for almost eight years now, so I’ve adjusted to being a bishop and I’ve had to deal with the challenges, the sorrows, and the joys,” Archbishop-elect Mpako said.

“So I’d like to think I’m coming to Pretoria with some experience. If I were to use a comparison to parish priests, I see myself as moving from a smaller parish to a bigger one.”

By CARol GlAtz

C

HRISTIAN hairdressers, beauticians and barbers can live their faith by being kind and courteous to their clients and cutting out the gossip and petty chitchat, Pope Francis said.

“May you always act with integrity, thereby making a positive contribution to the common good,” he told cosmetologists who belong to an Italian Catholic association dedicated to St Martin de Porres.

Speaking to members of the association, who were on pilgrimage to Rome, the pope asked that their patron saint help them live out their Christian values in the workplace.

“May he inspire you, above all, to carry out your profession in a Christian way, treating clients with kindness and courtesy, always offering them a kind and encouraging word, avoiding the temptation of gossip that easily finds its way in your workplace, too. Everyone knows this,” he said.

The pope praised the 16th-century Peruvian St Martin, who had been allowed to take the vows of only a Dominican lay brother because of his mixed race. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed black woman originally from Panama.

St Martin de Porres “accepted this humble condition, living a life of total humility, radi-

A monument for hairdressers and barbers in Havana, Cuba. Pope Francis has called on beauticians, barbers and hairdressers to cut the gossip and highlight politeness.

(Photo: Günther Simmermacher) ant with love” and dedicated himself with great sacrifice to the poor and ill, using the medical skills he learned working in a pharmacy and for a barber-surgeon, the pope said.

St Martin de Porres helped found the first hospital in the Americas in Lima, Peru.

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the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

LOCAL

Pilgrims gear up for Our Lady of the Bushveld

By ERIN CARElSE

R

USTENBURG diocese will hold its annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Bushveld on May 26 at Sesobe, north of Zeerust and in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

Buses will transport parishes into the reserve as the park allows no private vehicles, to combat rhino poaching, and for passengers’ safety, as Madikwe is “Big Five” territory.

Only two buses outside the diocese are registered to attend. One is from Gaborone, and the other from Klerksdorp, accompanied by Bishop Victor Phalana.

Inside the reserve is the Lourdes grotto, a permanent structure made of stone and a remnant from a mission there, built in1926.

When the statue of Our Lady of the Bushveld was placed in the grotto, a Holy Family Sister recorded the event: “The lifesize statue of Our Holy Mother now stands in the rocky niche overlooking us, silently

inviting us to approach and lay our petitions at her feet...who can say what graces may come to the people scattered over the bushveld through Mary’s intercession?”

The day-long May 26 pilgrimage will include Stations of the Cross, visits to the wells, the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and the shrine to St Therese, with its wood-carved cross.

Confessions and adorations will be followed by Mass at 11:00.

The roots of the now-abandoned mission go back to April 16, 1879, when 11 Jesuit missionaries set out north from Grahamstown to establish mission stations along the Zambezi River valley. Along the way, on June 30 that year, they outspanned their oxen at Sesobe, the home of the Bakwena BaPhalane BaSesobe.

Fr Henry Depelchin SJ wrote in his journal: “We camped near an African village...which we went to see by moonlight. The chief came to see us and welcomed us with great kindness...the disposition of the people...marks this place out as a

same chapel.

The Holy Family Sisters visited Veeschfontein in 1913 to see if it was feasible to establish a convent in such a remote area. A Sister recorded a particular moment in her diary: “When the children left the church they were accompanied by a woman with a radiant smile.”

Experiencing this gave the Sisters the reassurance they needed. A convent was established in Sesobe—in part through the power of a smile.

Over the next 60 years the mission flourished under the Society of Jesus, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Holy Family Sisters, and King Dominican Sisters respectively.

The mission closed down in 1950 when people were forced to leave their homes and settle elsewhere.

Bishop Kevin Dowling CssR established Sesobe as a diocesan pilgrimage site in 2003. Kgosi chief Albert Mokoka of the BaKwena BaPhalane BaSesobe proudly observed: “We have reclaimed our spiritual inheritance.”

Rustenburg diocese is holding its annual pilgrimage to the shrine of our lady of the Bushveld on May 26. favourable spot for a mission...”

This came to pass on December 8, 1884, when the first Catholic mission church to survive to this day was dedicated to Our Lady of the Im-

maculate Conception at Sesobe.

The first recorded baptism among the BaTswana people, that of Mariam Ramothuana, was celebrated on May 25, 1885, in the

Workshop speakers go in search of historical Jesus StAFF REPoRtER

T

HE study of the historical Jesus was the subject of a day-long workshop delivered by three leading biblical scholars.

The workshop was presented at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet, Cape Town, by Oblate Father Paul Decock with two Protestant scholars, Professors Marius Nel and Jeremy Punt, both of Stellenbosch

University’s theology faculty.

The well-attended seminar, organised by Dr Brian Robertson, took the title “Rediscovering the Jesus of the Gospels”.

Fr Decock, who teaches at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, of which he is a former president, set the scene by discussing how the Gospels and other New Testament books came to be written. He also examined Jesus’ understanding

of his own mission.

Fr Decock outlined the study of the texts’ historical background, and how to identify which parts can be accepted as historically authentic from an academic viewpoint.

He stressed that the Gospels were not intended to be historical biographies but rather proclamations that would move and transform people.

While the study of the historical Jesus is important and fruitful, Fr Decock said, “we never gain a complete grasp of the living Jesus. We are meant to be always on the way: Emmaus”.

Thus the Gospel texts grow with readers’ practice of mercy and engagement, can help in the education he said.

OMI STAMPS YOUR USED STAMPS

of South Africans for the PRIESThOOD at St Joseph’s Scholasticate, Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.

tomb, there would have been no Christianity. Jesus would have joined a long list of failed messiahs.

“Christianity did not begin with what Jesus said and did before his death but with the experiences of Jesus after his death by his followers,” Prof Punt told the seminar.

The Resurrection introduced a “new mode of existence”, he said.

“Resurrected from the dead and exalted to God’s presence, Jesus ‘Lord’ and ‘Christ’.”

Both Stellenbosch professors noted this was the first time they had spoken to a specifically Catholic group, and they were delighted to do so, especially since Fr Decock was a regular speaker at similar seminars aimed at Protestant audiences.

Prof Nel focused on the social identity of Jesus and his mission, noting that Christ lived in a context of 1 000 years of Judaism, 400 years of Greek cultural influence and many decades of Roman rule.

He stressed that Jesus “radically challenged” the economic and social systems of the time which depended on patronage, brokerage, class, ethnicity and gender.

In a highly unequal society, Jesus established “a community of equals” in which “the king came to serve, not be served”, Prof Nel said, asking: “For whom would that be good news? The poor.”

Prof Punt discussed Jesus’ death and its impact on his followers.

He observed that had the executed Christ remained dead in the

the zimbabwe Catholics’ Community in South Africa received thousands of rands worth of donations for relief assistance to Mozambique, Malawi, and zimbabwe after Cyclone Idai in March.

Among the donors was the Pretoria Urology Hospital which donated water, clothing, bedding, and water purifiers. Fr Jerome Nyathi, chaplain of zimCatholicsSA, blessed the donations after a Mass dedicated to the victims. Donations were delivered to a warehouse in Midrand for packaging, and collected by the Red Cross Society.

Please send them to: OMI Stamps, Box 101352, Scottsville, 3209

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Deaf sing in sign at Easter Mass StAFF REPoRtER

A

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N Easter Mass was punctuated with outbursts of signed song as 40 deaf Catholic pilgrims from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe were joined by over 185 deaf people from Cape Town.

After Mass, Colleen Curry, a pastoral worker for the Catholic deaf chaplaincy in the Chicago archdiocese, expressed her admiration for the vibrancy of the deaf celebrations in South Africa. In the US, she said, the deaf don’t sing in sign during Masss.

The Easter celebrations were hosted by Deaf Community of Cape Town (DCCT).

Pilgrims’ Easter journey started with Holy Thursday Mass and a welcome from Fr Peter-John Pearson, a former chaplain to the deaf and the main celebrant.

He said Jesus, in removing his outer garments before washing his disciples’ feet, showed us that

Alex Madikane from Mdantsane and a Cape town participant at the Easter Vigil during the Deaf Easter celebrations in the city. we need to remove our garments of pride, of seeking prestige, to truly serve as he did.

Fr Pearson washed the feet of the deaf Catholics present, with Fr Mark Foster, deaf chaplain in Cape Town, and Fr Mark James, chaplain to the deaf in Eswatini.

In his sermon, Fr Foster made

the link between the Jewish Passover meal and the supper enjoyed after Mass with the Christian Eucharist.

Members of the DCCT drama group enacted scenes of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. “This made the stations more visual, and the deaf pilgrims participated by throwing cut-up egg trays at Jesus as he carried his cross to Calvary,” Fr James said. “This was an acknowledgment by each of us of how we have ourselves contributed to Jesus’ suffering and his crucifixion.”

The signed Good Friday service followed at 15:00.

The Easter Vigil Mass started with the lighting of the Easter candle, and Lucas Magongwa, a deaf parishioner from St Martin de Porres church in Orlando West, Soweto, signed the Exultet. n For more information contact Fr Mark James at markjamesop @gmail.com

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

LOCAL

3

‘Attacks on migrants trash Mandela legacy’

By ERIN CARElSE

W Archbishop Buti tlhagale has warned South Africans against attacks on migrants and refugees.

(Photo: Sheldon Reddiar)

HEN South Africans hurl insults and inflict violence on migrants, strip them of their belongings, and set their businesses alight, they recklessly go against the solemn oath of Nelson Mandela that never again shall a human being be oppressed by another human being, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg has warned in a pastoral letter.

“If the unwarranted violent attacks on migrants and refugees are not brought to a halt, South Africans run the risk of becoming like the apartheid oppressors,” he said.

Just 25 years after Mandela be-

came South Africa’s first democratically elected president, “South Africans already trample his legacy underfoot”, the archbishop added.

He expressed his disappointment at the shameless physical attacks on migrants and refugees on spurious allegations that they rob locals of jobs.

“We are put to shame by the migrants who simply show a superior quality of self-restraint in the face of such blatant provocation,” Archbishop Tlhagale said.

“The pillaging and looting of the belongings of the migrants are unashamedly done by youths while adults stand by gloating. The absence of a consciousness of guilt will continue to undermine the moral fabric

of South African society.”

Skirmishes between migrants and locals usually happen spontaneously on the back of service delivery protests. “On such occasions, the anger and frustration of local people at the government’s empty promises have tended to engulf migrants,” said Archbishop Tlhagale.

He noted that migrants from Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique have been involved in the mining sector for decades. “They bring skills into the economy. Those who run businesses provide employment, even to local people.”

Migrants also contribute in other ways, he said. “They bring along with them the passion to succeed, in-

dustriousness, cultural diversity, and a sense of openness to the world as opposed to narrow, inward-looking nationalism and isolationism.”

Archbishop Tlhagale said diplomats from African countries have already questioned our foreign ministry about attacks on migrants.

The archbishop called on young people, who have always been at the forefront of the struggle for justice, to stand against injustice inflicted on migrants and refugees now.

“Where then are the charismatic young people to take the side of oppressed migrants?” he asked.

“Their silence is deafening. Their prophetic voices appear to have been muted,” Archbishop Tlhagale said.

Muslims join Catholics at Mass after Sri Lanka killings Pope calls for

By ERIN CARElSE

A

DELEGATION of Muslims attended Mass in a Catholic cathedral to express their solidarity following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, apparently by an extremist Islamic group, on churches in Sri Lanka.

The group from the Open Mosque in Wynberg, Cape Town, attended the Mass at St Mary’s cathedral.

Cathedral administrator Fr Rohan Smuts said he had received an e-mail from mosque president Taj Hargey, requesting an interfaith initiative in response to the Easter attacks.

It noted the sympathy the Muslim community had received after the killings by a right-wing terrorist of worshippers at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“With unhinged fundamentalists targeting Catholics on Easter Sunday—our holiest day—they felt the need to stand in a similar way with us,” Fr Smuts said.

“They wanted to assure Catholics that such fundamentalism and terrorism is not part of the Muslim faith,” he added.

Mr Hargey told the Southern Cross that over the past five years, a long-term commitment to building better relationships with people

Muslim representatives with servers, congregants and Fr Rohan Smuts outside St Mary’s cathedral in Cape town. the Muslim delegation addressed the Mass to voice their mosque’s solidarity with Christians after the Sri lanka Easter attacks. from other faiths, and particularly Christians, has developed. There have been interfaith braais and Christmas dinners at a mosque with Muslims serve Christians a banquet.

“When the Sri Lanka atrocity happened, we were appalled, ashamed that people who call themselves Muslims would kill others during prayer,” Mr Hargey said.

“We immediately issued a statement to the press to condemn unreservedly what these criminals had done in the name of Islam and disassociated ourselves from them,” he explained.

Mr Hargey, in his e-mail, had also asked to address the congregation briefly to express his sorrow at what had occurred.

Fr Smuts gave him permission, and he spoke to parishioners at the beginning of Mass.

In his address, Mr Hargey highlighted passages from the Qur’an, noting that the holy text of Islam advocates nothing to justify terrorism.

“This is the true Qur’an Islam, the Islam that I practise—where my best friend is an Anglican, where my professional colleague is a Jew, and where my good neighbour is an atheist,” he said.

“We are all God’s children, and authentic Islam commands Muslims to obey the following directive in chapter 109:6—‘To you is your religion and to me is my religion. To you is your way, and to me is my way.’”

The delegation was welcomed by the majority of parishioners, but a handful walked out when they saw Muslims present.

Fr Smuts noted that acts of intolerance are not one-sided, and while he understood that those who left come from parts of Africa where there is great tension, most parishioners appreciated the intention behind the Muslim delegation’s visit.

He added that some parishioners commented afterwards that it was a pity those who left didn’t stay to hear what was said—the message, the motivation behind all of it.

prayer for KZN flood victims StAFF REPoRtER

P

OPE Francis has called for prayer for those affected by the KwaZulu-Natal floods.

Addressing crowds in St Peter’s Square, he asked for special prayers for victims of the floods and mudslides, and for the faithful of the world to join in solidarity with them.

Some 70 people died in floods caused by heavy rains in KwaZuluNatal, with many more injured and thousands left homeless.

Schools, hospitals, police stations and roads were destroyed.

Government estimates place the damage at R1,1 billion for eThekwini/Durban municipality alone.

On behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop William Slattery said that “inspired by the celebrations of the great mysteries of the Risen Lord, we must reach out with tireless prayers for those who have lost their lives” in the disaster.

He said the bishops applauded “those who have been generous in responding to the needs of victims”.

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the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Priest: Prayer lifts up struggling alcoholics By lAURA IERACI

N Silvina Perez, a journalist for the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper, meets Pope Francis aboard his flight to Chile. the newspaper appointed Ms Perez to the editorial staff of its women’s magazine, Women-Church-World. the naming of a new editorial board for the magazine comes after the former director and members of the editorial board abruptly resigned. (Photo: Vatican Media)

New editorial board for Vatican women’s magazine

By CARol GlAtz

T

HE Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, has named a new director and editorial board for its women’s magazine, Women-Church-World.

The announcement came a little more than one month after the magazine’s founder and former director, Lucetta Scaraffia, resigned along with her editorial staff, claiming a lack of trust and support from the new management.

The newspaper announced that the head of a new editorial board would be Rita Pinci, an Italian journalist who has been working at TV2000, the Italian bishops’ television station.

Ms Pinci spent 20 years at the Italian daily newspaper Il Messaggero, starting out as a correspondent and later becoming the first Italian woman to be the editor-inchief and vice-director of a major national daily newspaper. She also served as vice-director of two major weekly magazines, Panorama and Chi. Ms Pinci said in a written statement that even though she is not a theologian, Church historian or Vatican expert, “I am a journalist.

I am a believer” and “I think the Church needs the gaze and voice of women who represent more than half of the faithful.”

Along with the announcement of Ms Pinci’s appointment, the newspaper said it was “pleased to announce” the monthly magazine would be published as usual in May. Pope Francis appointed Andrea Monda, an Italian journalist and religion teacher, to be editor of L’Osservatore Romano in December, and Mr Monda had assured her that she and the editorial board would have “complete freedom”, Ms Pinci said.

The ten new members of editorial board of the Women-ChurchWorld magazine include a number of Italian Catholic professors, researchers and writers as well as Amy-Jill Levine, a US-based scholar, historian, writer and selfdescribed “Yankee Jewish feminist”, who teaches at Vanderbilt University; Shahrzad Houshmand Zadeh, a former lecturer of Islamic studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and vice-president of the women’s consultation group of the Pontifical Council for Culture.—CNS

UMEROUS organisations, both private and public, seek to help those who struggle with substance abuse through programming and support services, but Fr Bryan Eyman has committed to a different approach: prayer.

Confident in the power of Jesus to satisfy every thirst, Fr Eyman has been offering prayers for people struggling with alcoholism for the past 20 years.

Once a month, he celebrates an Eastern Christian Marian prayer service—an akathist—dedicated to the Mother of God, the Inexhaustible Cup, Healer of Alcoholics, at St Athanasius the Great Byzantine Catholic church in Indianapolis in the US, where he is pastor.

With the situation as grave as it is regarding alcohol abuse worldwide, the Church has an important role to play in ministering to this marginalised group, said Fr Eyman.

In 1988, he began in this area of ministry and noted then, as now, the shortage of priests to help Catholics in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programme.

The Eastern Catholic priest attributes his commitment to prayer for the healing of alcoholics to his mother, Margaret Kelly Eyman.

“She was an employee in one of the first alcohol treatment centres in the world,” he said.

His mother worked with Sr Mary Ignatia Gavin, who along with Dr Bob Smith, founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The nun was a family friend, and Fr Eyman recalled being an altar server at her funeral.

In the late 1990s, his ministry with alcoholics took an unexpected and more prayerful turn. It was the advent of the Internet, and one of his first online searches produced a Russian icon of the Theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup, Healer of Alcoholics.

It came with the akathist prayer service that was translated from

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Byzantian Father Bryan Eyman with the icon of the theotokos, the Inexhaustible Cup, Healer of Alcoholics, offers prayers of healing for those struggling with alcoholism. (Photo: Fr John Russell via Horizons/CNS) Russian into English.

He read about the miraculous healing associated with the icon.

In late 19th-century Russia, a severe alcoholic, debilitated by his addiction, had a dream in which he was instructed to go to a particular monastery and ask for this icon.

Upon praying before it, he was healed of his alcoholism, after which many other alcoholics were healed before the icon.

This particular monastery was closed under communism, and a family hid the icon for safekeeping.

The icon reemerged after communism, and the prayer service linked with this devotion restarted.

Moved by this story and sensing a call to action, Fr Eyman began praying the akathist before AA meetings, and AA members were invited to participate.

He said some people have received complete healing from the prayer service.

“In at least four cases, they have lost the craving for alcohol,” he said. Others, even from different

religions, have found the prayer “very moving and encouraging as they walked through the steps” of AA and began to seek healing from alcoholism from the Mother of God. Fr Eyman said the spiritual component to recovering from addiction “is very important for people to connect with, especially in the Catholic tradition, where there is forgiveness”.

“When we repent and decide to change and pour that reality out to another person, that’s when healing can begin,” he said.

“Our spiritual life and sacramental life as Catholics can be tied in with our physical wellbeing and we can help people make that connection and see that inner dependency,” he said. “It’s basically people in need of God.” Fr Eyman said he would encourage more priests to pray the service in their parishes. The impact of alcohol abuse on individuals and families is grave and “it runs the gamut”, from “prayerful priests to outright atheists”, he said.—CNS

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INTERNATIONAL

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

Threats to churches increase after Sri Lanka

By MICHAEl SAINSBURy

S

EVERAL experts believe the threat to churches in South and South-east Asia has increased following the Easter bomb attacks that killed more than 250 people and injured 500.

Churches in those regions— which have 150 million Catholics and other Christians—have been the focus in a growing number of attacks in recent years, including fatal bomb attacks on churches in the Philippines and Indonesia by Islamic radicals in the past 12 months.

Authorities in Sri Lanka and Australia have confirmed the Sri Lanka attackers had links to ISIS, which claimed credit for the attacks. Militant preacher Zahran Hashim, who authorities believe died as one of the suicide attackers at the Shangri-La Hotel, has been named the founder and leader of the now-banned National Thowheeth Jama’ath group responsible.

“Radical Islamic groups, some affiliated with larger extremist networks, have been quietly gaining influence in an arc of countries extending from the Maldives to the Philippines archipelago, and the threat they pose can no longer be ignored,” Brahma Chellaney, professor of strategic studies at the

young people light candles near the closed door of a church in Colombo, Sri lanka. (Photo: thomas Peter, Reuters/CNS) New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, wrote for his widely distributed Project Syndicate column.

“In fact, the grisly Sri Lankan bombings are a reminder that Asia —not the Middle East—is the region most afflicted by terrorist violence,” he said.

“In the wake of the Sri Lanka attacks, Indonesia needs to be particularly alert to the increased role of pro-ISIS women; the possibly enhanced attraction of churches as targets; and the possibility of someone with international jihad experience entering the country,”

said Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis and Conflict. The group published a report on the ongoing problem of pro-ISIS cells in Indonesia.

Ms Jones said she believed that “the added significance of churches is just for pro-ISIS groups, not al-Qaeda. They’ve been recirculating the ideological justification that appeared in a number of ISIS magazines in recent years.”

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo said that Church officials had seen a leaked security document describing Roman Catholic and other churches as major targets.

“We don’t want repetitions,” Cardinal Ranjith said.

President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka said: “We now have info that there are about 140 people in Sri Lanka linked to ISIS. We can and we will eradicate all of them very soon.”

Ms Jones believes the biggest danger will come, like in Sri Lanka, from small groups. “These groups by and large come together with little vetting, training, indoctrination, weapons or experience. What they have in unlimited quantities is zeal and a desire for recognition.”—CNS

Pope hails blessed Argentine martyrs

By JUNNo ARoCHo EStEVES

P

OPE Francis applauded the beatification of four Argentine martyrs—a bishop, two priests and a layman—who were murdered early in the country’s seven-yearlong “Dirty War”.

He said the lives of Bls Enrique Angelelli Carletti, Carlos de Dios Murias, Gabriel Longueville and Wenceslao Pedernera are models for those “who work for a society that is more just and based on solidarity”.

“These martyrs of the faith were persecuted for the cause of justice and evangelical charity,” the pope said. “Let’s applaud the newly beatified!”

The four martyrs were beatified

Conclave numbers

P

OLISH Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the former archbishop of Krakow and longtime secretary to St John Paul II, celebrated his 80th birthday, ending his eligibility to vote in a conclave.

With his birthday, the College of Cardinals returns to having 120 cardinal electors, the maximum limit established by Pope Paul VI, but frequently set aside for months at a time over the past three decades.

The Catholic Church currently has 222 cardinals, who come from 88 nations.

The 120 cardinals under 80 years of age and, therefore, eligible to enter a conclave, come from 65 countries, a result of Pope Francis’ practice of naming several cardinals from countries that have never had one before.— CNS

during an outdoor Mass in La Rioja, Argentina, celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

In his homily, Cardinal Becciu said the four men were “faithful witnesses of the Gospel” who stood firm “in their love for Christ and his Church at the cost of suffering and the extreme sacrifice of life”.

Upon seizing power in Argentina in 1976, the military dictatorship began a swift campaign of brutal repression, including executing political dissidents or those perceived to be left-wing sympathisers. An estimated 30 000 people were killed or disappeared.

Among the first casualties in the military’s campaign were Bl Murias,

a Franciscan priest, and Bl Longueville, a French missionary.

Both men served in the diocese of La Rioja.

A week later, Bl Pedernera, a catechist who also spoke out in defence of poor workers, was targeted by the dictatorship’s death squad. As bishop of La Rioja, Bl Angelelli, who publicly denounced the executions occurring in his diocese, met the same fate.

Cardinal Becciu praised all four men: “We admire them for their courage. We thank them for their fidelity in difficult circumstances, a fidelity that is more than an example,” the cardinal said. “It is a legacy for this diocese and for all the Argentine people.”—CNS

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Pope Francis waves during a meeting with members of the Italian Federation of Associations for the Deaf at the Vatican. (Photo: Vatican Media/CNS)

Pope to the deaf: I am counting on you

By JUNNo ARoCHo EStEVES

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N back-to-back audiences with a group of French young people and an Italian association for deaf people, Pope Francis cited personal example and witness as a vital piece in the Church’s evangelisation mission.

Meeting with young people from the diocese of Aire-et-Dax in southwestern France, the pope encouraged them to remain united with Christ through the sacraments and the example of the saints so that they can spread the message that “God wants to give to the world through your lives”.

“Yes, let yourselves be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to every environment and give witness to the joy and youthfulness of the Gospel,” he said.

The pope told the young men and women their pilgrimage to Rome was an opportunity to reflect on the lives of the martyrs who remained faithful to Christ until the end.

The martyrs’ example, he added, is important now more than ever “because many people today think it is more difficult to call themselves Christians and live their faith in Christ”.

“The current context isn’t easy, especially due to the painful and complex issue of abuse committed by members of the Church,” the pope said. “Still, I would like to tell you once again that it isn’t more difficult than in other eras of the Church: It is only different.”

Pope Francis said that the youth-

fulness and enthusiasm of young people in the Church is a visible sign that Jesus “does not abandon his Church” and continues to entrust the Church’s renewal to younger generations.

“I am counting on you,” the pope said. “The Church needs your impulse, your intuition and your faith!”

Immediately after, he made his way to the Clementine Hall and met with members of the Italian Federation of Associations for the Deaf.

Founded in 1920, it is the oldest organisation in the country representing the Italian deaf community.

Acknowledging the prejudice people who are deaf experience, “at times even within Christian communities”, Pope Francis urged them to overcome “the barriers that do not allow you to seize the potential of your active presence and go beyond your disability”.

Catholics who are deaf, he continued, are called to play an active role in evangelisation and “place the fruits of the talents the Lord gave you at the benefit of families and all the people of God”.

“God’s presence isn’t perceived through the ears, but through faith,” Pope Francis said. “For this reason, I encourage you to revive your faith so that you may feel God’s closeness more and more.”

In this way, he added: “You can help those who do not ‘hear’ God’s voice to be more attentive to it. This is a significant contribution that deaf people can make to the vitality of the Church.”—CNS

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the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Seminaries acutely aware of laity’s rights

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

State of vocations

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N Vocations Sunday we pray in a special way that God’s call to service in the priestly or religious ministry will find many open ears and hearts.

The vocations crisis in Europe and North America dominates the global discourse on the shortage of priests and religious in the Church, but in Africa and some other parts of the world, the seminaries are full.

Yet, even as our seminaries are full, the number of priests—now and in the future—does not fill the ministerial needs of a rapidly growing Church.

This is why the African Church will cast a more than interested eye in the direction of the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, which will be held in October in the Vatican.

While the synod’s specific concern will be directed to the needs of the Church in rural regions of South America, many of these apply to Africa as well.

Apart from discussions on issues such as the exploitation and degradation of rural and tribal land—a crisis that is pertinent to Africa as well—the local Church will follow with interest the deliberations on alternative forms of the priestly ministry.

It has long been expected that the synod will visit the concept of viri probati (“men of proven worth”) priests, a form of married priesthood that would ensure access to the sacraments to Catholics in remote regions who by circumstance of geography are mostly excluded from them.

The concept of the viri probati priesthood has some of its roots in South Africa, through the pioneering work of Bishop Fritz Lobinger, retired of Aliwal North.

The viri probati model proposes the ordination of married men, drawn from the community and serving in groups, to preside over the lives of their faith community and liturgies while continuing with their professional and family lives.

That would not invent anything new. It is attested to in the First Epistle of Clement in 80AD. The viri probati option is not intended to provide a solution to the question of married men who feel called by God to the clerical ministry. The discipline that bars married men from entering the Latin-rite priesthood (except under particular and rare circumstances) would remain in place even if the viri probati model were

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion.

Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

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implemented.

For those men whose vocation includes both clerical ministry and matrimony, the permanent diaconate remains an available option.

The office of the permanent diaconate is relatively new. This means that it is still being defined, in the way deacons relate with priests and laity alike.

The permanent diaconate needs to be understood better, and our article this week (see page 8) will hopefully contribute to that.

Such a better understanding will be necessary also in relation to the possibility of the diaconate being opened to women.

Pope Francis is in possession of a report he commissioned by the Pontifical Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women, which holds that there are no theological obstacles to ordaining women to the permanent diaconate.

The pope will doubtless consider the option very carefully. If it might appear that the ordination of women to the diaconate would open the door to renewed demands for women priests, then it seems unlikely that he will permit such a thing.

Pope Francis has reiterated the Church’s inability to authorise the ordination of women to the priesthood. Holy Orders that are conferred on women are considered invalid by the Catholic Church, and those directly involved in such ordinations are considered automatically excommunicated.

This applies to the four South African women who over the past 16 years have taken this step, most recently in January.

But especially on Vocations Sunday, and even as we hold on to the Church’s teachings and disciplines governing the occupation of ministries, we must not be closed to the notion that God might direct his vocational call at people who do not conform to these teachings and disciplines, leading them to following that call.

Such people must exercise their vocation outside the Catholic Church and in separation of it, which requires of them immense sacrifices.

Whatever our views, we must always regard these women as sisters in Christ and treat their ministry with respect.

That, too, is a way of honouring our God whom we are praying to for vocations.

N the wake of the Vatican summit on sexual abuse and amidst the flood of media coverage, a picture of an intricate tapestry of possible causes is emerging.

The concept and exercise of power in the Church, clericalism and the screening and formation of candidates for the priesthood have rightly been highlighted as enabling an atmosphere of abuse and cover-up by clergy. A much-needed and healthy debate has ensued.

I write this letter in response to the views expressed by Professor Garth Abraham in the Mail & Guardian as summarised in The Southern Cross (April 13) under the heading “Training of priests to see faithful as without rights part of the roots of abuse”. It set off a Facebook discussion to which several priests have offered a counter-view, from a South African perspective.

As I do not claim to be familiar with trends in training priests elsewhere in the world, I will limit my response to my personal experience of priestly training and formation in South Africa these past 20 years.

The history and development of seminaries can be easily researched.

However, it will always lead back to that original group of Christ and the Twelve who lived together, in what can be regarded as the original apprenticeship in Christian discipleship and ministry.

Why neglect gift of the Holy Spirit?

J

ESUS left us a “programme”, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Why in heaven’s name do we neglect such a gift?

God sent us his Son, and the Son sends us his Spirit.

“They all began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance,” the Acts of the Apostles recalls about the first Pentecost.

Fearful men were filled with confidence, determination, effectiveness, godliness, holiness and readiness to die. No other programme can be a replacement for God’s Holy Spirit.

Teenagers and adults preparing for Confirmation must be in the “Upper Room”, praying and waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the first disciples did.

It is definitely not a programme about receiving a certificate and feeling free to leave the Church, returning only to get married or rolled into church in a coffin.

Even Jesus received the Holy Spirit, as it were, and surrendered the Spirit only at the final stage of his missionary journey (“He gave up the Spirit and died”). When Jesus read the words of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”, his

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n my own experience of seminary formation in South Africa, I do not recognise a “quasi monastic isolation from the rest of society”.

Seminarians are exposed daily to people from all walks of life. Private students are welcome to study alongside seminarians, lecturers from academic institutions are employed, the faithful are welcome to join the seminary community for Sunday worship and fellowship afterwards, and this results in deep and lasting friendships.

Unlike the monastic model, seminarians today do pastoral work during academic breaks, working alongside lay leaders in parishes. Furthermore, seminarians, especially diocesan, remain rooted in their families, communities and cultures.

During the six-month pastoral internship, a lay support group is appointed to accompany the intern opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy.

Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

mission was confirmed.

The Holy Spirit is the action of God, and will activate and transform every person desiring his presence.

The book of Acts continues, the Christian mission and the mission of Jesus continue—and souls are saved.

Stephen Selbourne, Cape Town

Act by setting up abuse committees

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S reported in an interview with Ricardo da Silva SJ on Spotlight.Africa (April 3), Sr Hermenegild Makoro CPS, generalsecretary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, called for action rather than words in addressing the sexual abuse crisis facing the Church worldwide.

Her call must be heard by the bishops of South Africa, whose lowkey response to the crisis has gone on for too long. I personally know of two incidents where priests tried to

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Jesus often called the Twelve away from the other disciples and the crowds, to enhance their own understanding and ministry. This teaching included content, methodology, and “spirit” or attitude.

The Twelve were not isolated from the population. There were frequent interactions, and Christ based his teachings on the concrete lives of his contemporaries.

This is ultimately the origin of and model for seminary formation.

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and to offer guidance as well as a balanced opinion about his suitability for ministry to his formators.

Never, in all my years of seminary formation, have I been given the impression that the laity is without rights. Their rights were rather imprinted on us and we were often addressed about the mission statement of St John Vianney Seminary: To form integrated prayerful and servant priests.

Seminarians are acutely aware of the perceived shortcomings of the formation system, and I was too.

Fortunately, a lack of awareness of and disregard for Christ’s faithful never featured. Among my peers, I see the vibrant, passionate servant priests many have become, testimony to their formation.

The formation staff of the national seminary and the seminaries department of the SACBC are in a much better position than I to enlighten readers about the efforts and progress made to form priests for the needs today’s Church.

As we continue to discern our response to the abuse crises, let us walk the road of healing unified as the people of God, comprised of the priesthood of all the baptised as well as the ministerial priesthood, with the former being the source and raison d’être of the latter.

Fr Dennis C Ongansie, Oudtshoorn

abuse youngsters. Both times the clergy members were passed on without any action being taken.

Surely the time has come for the SACBC to make a concerted public call for abuse victims to come forward and give their stories to carefully set-up committees in each diocese for further investigation.

Over and above the current protocols in place, such diocesan committees would include clergy and suitably qualified lay people who can listen to each story in the strictest confidence, and each complaint would be carefully investigated.

In line with the present protocols, where a priest is found to have perpetrated such abuse, he must be barred from the ministry. Further, the victim must be given full support, including psychological treatment, at the Church’s cost.

For too long we have talked about this scourge, but precious little visible action has been taken locally.

I call upon my fellow Catholics “in the pew” to support the call to our bishops to act by setting up such diocesan committees and to publically call for victims to come forward and tell their stories.

The bishops must be seen to be taking action. In the words of Sr Makoro, our “bishops need to act”.

Mervyn Pollitt, Waterfall, KZN

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

PERSPECTIVES

Don’t blame Church if we’re lukewarm Sarah-Leah W Pimentel AITING in line for confession a few weeks ago, I witnessed two adults sharing their relationship with the Church with the children who accompanied them.

At one end of the line, a little boy stood with his mom. He had a question a minute, clearly anxious about going to confession. Mom was very patient, answering his questions and soothing his fears.

It was beautiful to watch. Mother and son were walking together in faith. The boy, despite his anxiety, was fully engaged in preparing for confession. He was thinking about what and how he would confess. Mom was there to help him, but she also served as an example by participating in this healing sacrament of reconciliation herself.

A little further down the line stood a girl. Her grandfather had brought her to confession. As soon as they walked in, he told her to go and stand in line, and he went to sit down in one of the pews halfway down the church.

Five minutes later, he was pacing impatiently up and down the aisles. Someone he knew entered the church. Grandpa made a beeline for him, had a loud catchup with his buddy. Then he informed his granddaughter that he was going to the shops to buy a few things, and that she must wait with the gentleman. And he vanished.

Meanwhile, the girl was clearly bored.

After a few minutes of fidgeting, she began to hum a popular song. Then she started practising some dance moves. The guy, now charged with keeping an eye on her, frowned at her and told her to stop it.

Twenty minutes later, Grandpa returned but the line hadn’t moved very far.

He declared loudly to anyone who would listen that they really should have more priests available! When the girl’s turn finally came, the elderly gentleman stood and left the church, perhaps to wait for her in the car.

Despite her distracting restlessness, I really felt sad for the girl. She had no one to help her prepare for her confession, to calm her nerves, pray with her. I got the feeling that the grandfather had been sent on an errand to take the girl to confession, but he himself was not interested at all.

How can we expect our children to grow in faith and a relationship with Jesus if we don’t walk the journey with them,

like the first mom did with her son?

If we’re just going through the motions, but with no personal involvement, then what’s the point?

Fr James Mallon, in his book Divine Renovation, talks about renewing the Church and making it come alive again.

He states that society has changed so dramatically in the last half-century that unless younger generations can see a point to the faith, they’re likely to leave.

He calls us to self-reflection: are we like the early disciples—full of missionary fire to share our faith with others? Or are we just going through the motions, sitting at a “safe distance, more concerned with our own needs and comfort”?

Fr Mallon goes on to say that unless we become missionary disciples, our efforts to pass on the faith will be ineffective. To be a disciples, he says, is “to be a learner. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be engaged in a lifelong process of learning from and about Jesus, the master, Jesus the teacher.”

I saw discipleship in the mother. The sacrament of reconciliation was clearly important to her and she wanted to help her son to fully experience that grace as well. In contrast, the grandfather was sitting “at a distance”, thinking about the rest of his day.

C

atechists struggle with this all the time. Many parents drop their children off at catechism but don’t add to that one weekly hour of instruction.

The catechists’ efforts will be futile unless the faith is also alive in the home. Unless parents bring their children to Mass (and that means attending Mass with them, not just dropping them off at the door), it’s unlikely that these kids will con-

Children at catechism. Sunday School instruction will be futile if the faith is not present at home as well, warns Sarahleah Pimentel.

Every picture tells a story T HE early “iconography” or art of the Church, consisted of beautiful and often symbolic representations of Our Lord, Our Lady and the saints painted on walls or on pieces of board.

While the depictions in catacombs and churches are well preserved, few of the very early “icons” on wooden boards survive from before the start of the second millennium.

However, by this time a sacred tradition had developed so that stylised images were reproduced of earlier depictions, now destroyed or lost.

An artist, often a monk, would prepare himself with fasting and prayer before taking on the solemn portrayal of his holy devotion. The resulting image or icon would be blessed and revered as a spiritual depiction of the holy.

The icon told a story. That is why we speak of “writing an icon”, rather than painting it.

While most icons have their origin in the East, we should remember that they date from the time when the whole of Christendom was eastern in character, before the growth of the Western, Latin Church. Hence the writing on these images is usually in Greek or Cyrillic script.

Still very much associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church, both Greek and Russian, the appreciation of the icon has spread to the West in recent years.

There is a stillness and serenity associated with these images, they have a presence in a church or in a room at home, a focal point of prayer. Lit by candle light, the flickering flame dances silently in front of the colourful image.

In our small village church in England, we have four reproductions of icons, each a good quality printed image which I mounted on wood. They are placed in niches at the back of the sanctuary, two ei-

A 16thcentury copy of the icon of our lady of Kazan in yelokhovo cathedral, Moscow.

ther side of the tabernacle. These represent the three angelic visitors to Abraham (the Old Testament Trinity), the prophet Isaiah, St John the Baptist and Our Lady.

The representation of John the Baptist with the wings of an angel, dressed simply as a hermit with a scroll in his hand, has its origins in the description given in the Gospel—John the precursor and prophet of the Christ.

This image from 1560 is in the Andrei Rublev museum in Moscow. The dish held in his hand signifies the nature of his later martyrdom. John the Baptist is the patron of our parish church.

T

he icon of the prophet Isaiah, which originally came from the cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in the monastery of St Anthony in Novogorod, is now in the Novogorod Museum.

In the iconographical tradition, Isaiah is shown holding an open scroll on which the words of his prophecy are written: I foretell that You will be born of the Virgin.

He is also pointing to the text with his right finger, while in his left hand he holds tongs. It was with such tongs that a seraph has touched Isaiah’s lips with a burning

Fr Dick O’Riordan

Point of liturgy

the Mustard Seeds

A good Friday indeed

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N Good Friday I went to St Mary’s church in Nyanga, Cape Town. The Good Friday liturgy there is always such a moving celebration, I did not want to miss it. Not being in a parish I wanted to have that experience again.

In Nyanga I used to meet Mama Gama, Ntate Mapiloko, Mme Perry Matsepe, the Dominican Sisters and the great Fr Gerry Lorriman SJ. Now they have joined “the souls of the just who are in the hands of the Lord” (Wisdom 3).

I received a warm welcome from the young Fr Rampe Hlobo SJ. I immediately felt at home in the African liturgy. Meeting large crowds in the church grounds, I recognised some of them from the 1970s, and others were the children of the 1970s. It was gladdening to see so many youth, as well as others from different churches. This was an African occasion.

There was a short break after the lengthy celebration of the unmissable “Seven Last Words”, or sayings of Jesus on the cross. The congregation had earned their snacks and drinks.

Every African congregation worth its salt, no matter how small, simply has to have that celebration on Good Friday. Even those who never go to church, “the paschal lambs”, go on that day.

Those who still don’t go will move out on the streets to meet the worshippers coming home and ask them, “How was the preaching today?”

I could feel that people’s spirit had been touched as they excitedly shared their insights on their favourite Word with each other.

Karl Rahner SJ, Timothy Radcliffe OP and many others theologians have written books on the “Seven Last Words”. I wonder if they ever envisaged that they would be celebrated in such a lively sacred pageant.

The solemn celebration of the “Seven Last Words” is an ancient Catholic tradition. On Good Friday in the cathedrals of Europe, the bishop would gather with his clergy and congregation. He would preach on the First Word, which was then celebrated with a Sacred Cantata with soli, chorus and orchestra. It seems this celebration was continued in other local churches.

What a pity that most Catholics today are unaware of this splendid tradition. Thank God our Protestant neighbours keep it alive and kicking.

Some of the women and men in Nyanga who were dressed in the colours of their sodalities added to the grandeur and spectacle of the occasion.

Continued on page 15

tinue coming to church after confirmation.

Too often, we blame the kids for their lack of interest. We complain that they aren’t engaged, are easily distracted by their electronic devices, their friends. We fight with them when they tell us they no longer want to come to church. We tell them they have to come, but can’t give them a good reason why.

We should be blaming ourselves instead.

Fr Mallon points out that often, we think that catechism is just for the kids, and an “entirely optional and entirely non-essential” activity for adults. “We value it for children and teenagers, but somehow think that adults do not need to learn, grow or mature.”

Is it arrogant when we feel that there is nothing more to learn? Or is it fear? Are we afraid of what will happen if we allow the Resurrection to take hold of our lives?

After all, it will change everything.

If we truly embrace the final instruction of the Risen Christ in Galilee (Mt 28:16– 20) to go and make disciples of every nation, if we live in the spirit of Pentecost, alive with the courage and conviction of our faith to be missionary disciples, then we need to realign our priorities, relinquishing many comforts to become true missionaries.

But unless we do this, we cannot complain about our shrinking churches or lament our offspring’s indifference.

We cannot blame the situation in the Church today for our lukewarm faith. Unless we are prepared to get involved in rebuilding the Church we claim to love, then nothing will change.

So let’s make this Easter season different. Let’s begin with ourselves, renewing our faith and our knowledge of the faith.

Some suggestions include: join an RCIA programme, a Bible study group, a prayer group, participate in a ministry within the Church, go on retreat, take time to read the Gospels and other religious literature, take time to pray.

Let’s make our Church come alive again!

Chris McDonnell

Point of Church

coal taken from the altar.

According to tradition, the icon known as Our Lady of Kazan was discovered on July 8, 1579, underground in the city of Kazan by a little girl, Matrona, to whom the location of the image was revealed by the Theotokos, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in an apparition.

The original icon was kept in the Theotokos monastery of Kazan, built to commemorate the spot where it had been discovered. Other churches were built in honour of the revelation of the Virgin of Kazan.

On the night of June 29, 1904, the icon was stolen from the church in Kazan where it had been kept for centuries (the cathedral was later blown up by the communist authorities). Although the frame of the icon was recovered years later, the icon itself is believed to have been destroyed.

The icon to the Trinity is a mid-16thcentury icon, now in the Rublev Museum in Moscow.

This icon is based on an Old Testament subject—the hospitality of Abraham. According to traditional Orthodox interpretations, these angels were for Abraham a revelation of the consubstantial and triune God. It was given its finest and fullest expression in the icon by Andrei Rublev, painted for the cathedral of the Trinity in the monastery of St Sergius from 1425-27.

Rublev’s icon became the model for generations of iconographers.

Icons are venerated for the story they tell, the message they give, the truth they represent. n This article was first published in the Catholic Times.

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the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

PERMANENT DIACONATE

Deacons with their families: (From left) Deacon Walter Middleton of St Patrick’s parish in la Rochelle, Johannesburg; Deacon Greg Garnie of St Dominic’s parish in Boksburg; Deacon Des Eyden of our lady of Perpetual Help in Durbanville, Cape town.

The calling of a permanent deacon For many Catholics, the role of a deacon is still unclear. If deacons are not priests, is their vocation real? ERIN CARElSE asked three deacons what they are doing, and how their families support them while serving in their ministry.

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N the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, you have the pope, then, cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons. The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia meaning sservice or messenger.

There are two types of deacons.

Permanent deacons are men ordained to an office in the Church who have no possibility or desire to become priests. They can be single or married and most have secular jobs to support their families Transitional deacons are seminarians, students in the last phase of training for the Catholic priesthood.

After being a deacon for a year, they are ordained a priest by a bishop.

Deacon Walter Middleton Many deacons experience a calling to the ministry. For Deacon Walter Middleton, of St Patrick’s parish in La Rochelle, Johannesburg, there was a calling by the Holy Spirit, which he felt in December of 1987.

“From the age of 14, I prayed that the good Lord would help me to do his will by reaching out to the poor and needy,” he told The Southern Cross.

My prayers were heard when on July 14, 1969, I got a job with CARE International, a humanitarian nongovernmental organisation that did relief and development work in close to 100 countries around the world assisting those affected by war, drought, floods and famine.”

In 1988 he joined World Vision International, where again he was responsible for feeding the poor and

the hungry around the world. It wasn’t until 2011 that he made a decision to become a deacon and enrolled with bible college.

Deacon Middleton, who retired in 2015 from World Vision International, has since then dedicated his time to doing God’s work in his parish. He has started feeding programmes for the poor and hungry— mostly children, and runs a sewing class for refugees, migrants and unemployed SA women. So far he has trained over 80 women in sewing.

With his wife of 40 years, June, he has two children.

His hobbies are riding his Harley Davidson motorbike, playing the saxophone and reading.

Deacon Greg Garnie Deacon Greg Garnie, who serves at St Dominic’s parish in Boksburg and is on the board of deacons for Johannesburg, experienced God’s call to be a deacon when he was 31.

“Becoming a deacon was something I had never thought about nor did I aspire to be as I was quite content doing my bit for the Church, climbing the corporate ladder and excelling in achieving good financial results,” he recalled. “I discovered that God calls in one of two ways; either directly, as with St Paul on the road to Damascus, or indirectly as with St Mathias who was chosen by the Eleven to replace Judas Iscariot. In either case, the Holy Spirit of God intercedes to make God’s call known,” he said.

“I experienced a direct calling that left me in no doubt that my bell had been rung. Had I not had the unwavering support of my wife and sons, I would not have embarked on this mission.

“I was ordained at 37 after five years of intense academic, spiritual, pastoral, liturgical and human formation 14 years ago in the archdiocese of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and for the last ten years we have been living in the archdiocese of Johannesburg,” the businessman said.

Deacon Garnie has published a

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception We Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception are an International Congregation

book, A Deacon’s Reflection, which defines who the Catholic permanent deacon is—his identity, role, and relationship. It is the first book to be written by a permanent deacon from Africa on this subject and sheds much-needed light on the clerical order. (See page 12) He also has a job at the family manufacturing business which was founded several years ago. He and his wife Gail have been married for 32 years and have two sons.

Deacon Des Eyden For Deacon Des Eyden of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Durbanville, Cape Town, there was a need and calling to do more in his faith.

“I had this void inside me, so I first joined the St Vincent De Paul Society, but that didn’t work out, so I became a member of the Knights of Da Gama which I still am today.

But I still felt I was being called to something more, and that’s when the calling came to become a permanent deacon. It came through my wife Cilla after a weekend pilgrimage to Ngome,” he said.

Deacon Eyden and his wife have two sons and a daughter.

Functions of a deacon The order of deacon has three essential functions: the proclamation of the Gospel, the service of the liturgy, and the administration of charitable works.

Deacon Middleton explains that the role of the deacon is to be the bridge between the altar and the street. “As most deacons are married men, they are ideally suited to perform this role with one foot on the altar and the other in the street.

“Their mission is to bring Christ from the sanctuary to the everyday men and women in the community.

They do this by taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. They are involved in catechism and conduct RCIA classes. Deacons assist the parish priest on weekdays with commun-

We try to deepen our relationship with Jesus and share our Joy of the Gospel with other people by serving them in various ministries, in the spirit of St Francis.

Is God perhaps calling you to do this?

Should you wish to know more about us, contact: The Vocation Directress, PO Box 773, Nelspruit/Mbombela, 1200.

Tel 076 692 8477 , or 013 741 4520 franciscansnelspruit@telkomsa.net

ion services as well as Benediction and memorial services for the deceased should the priest be unavailable.

They can administer the sacraments of baptism and marriage in the Church, proclaim the Gospel, give homilies when asked by the priest, purify the vessels after communion and dismiss the congregation at the conclusion of Mass,” Deacon Middleton said.

A deacon is also trained in counselling and prepares couples planning to get married. They run baptism preparation classes and assist the parish priest in administering blessings on homes, cars, and individuals.

Deacons, however, cannot consecrate the Eucharist or hear confessions. They cannot administer the sacraments of confirmation or anointing of the sick.

Outside of the liturgy, the role of deacons varies, depending on the needs of the parish in which they serve. Most deacons are not paid for their service and volunteer their time out of love for God and the Church.

For the deacon, God is first, then family and then Church. Therefore, a deacon should be sure to spend quality time with his family and create a balance between his pastoral work and his family commitments.

Family support When becoming a deacon, family support is vital. One cannot become a deacon unless there is support from the family, especially the wife as she needs to give her approval in writing that she has no objection to her husband becoming a deacon. Wives are welcomed should they wish to attend the academic training with their husbands.

Most permanent deacons are married and, as such, bring a special spirituality, life experience, and charism to enrich the liturgical and pastoral life of the community in which they serve.

Deacon Eyden’s family certainly

supports him. “If they didn’t I would not be able to perform as a deacon. Deacons need to ensure that their ministry does not have an adverse effect on their family. This is something the deacon and his family need to seriously discuss prior to him applying to become a permanent deacon, especially if they have young children,” he said.

Deacon Garnie explains that a deacon must find a balance between the three principal centres of his 24/7 ministry—family life, work life, and community life.

“There is no such thing as a parttime deacon just as there is no such thing as a part-time married person.

The grace of the sacrament is permanent and always present, 24/7.”

Aspiring to priesthood?

If allowed to, would they become priests?

Deacon Middleton answered: “As long as my wife is alive, I wouldn’t become a priest. However, if the Vatican were to allow married men to become priests, yes, I would consider the priesthood.”

Deacon Eyden never seriously thought about it. “It was definitely never my intention when I became a permanent deacon to want to be a priest. The ministry of the deacon is quite different from that of a priest.”

Deacon Garnie has been asked, at various times, by priests, laity and religious Sisters, if he would consider becoming a priest.

“The question only reinforces what I had already discovered in my diaconal journey; that we need to educate our priests, laity, religious and even our bishops and deacons, on the identity of the restored, original deacon.

Simply put, the restored, original deacon is not the same as the transitory deacon and should not be confused with a transitory deacon who is on his way to priesthood. If they were the same, Vatican II would have had no reason to restore that which already existed.”

Do you wish to live your baptismal vows in a more radical way? Come experience Prayer life, Community life and Ministry, with the

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VOCATION

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

9

When God calls, grab the chance We all are called by God to a vocation, be it to married life or service or Holy Orders— and whatever that call is, we must not give in to fear but welcome it as an opportunity, writes PoPE FRANCIS for Vocations Sunday, which this year falls on May 12.

A

FTER the lively and fruitful experience of the Synod of Bishops devoted to young people last October, we recently celebrated the World Youth Day in Panama City.

These two great events allowed Pope Francis poses with seminarians from the Puglia region of southern the Church to be attentive both to Italy during a meeting at the Vatican in December 2016. In his reflection the voice of the Spirit and to the for this year’s Vocations Sunday, the Holy Father encourages young life of young men and women, people who hear the call to the consecrated life or priesthood: “Do not their questions and concerns, their yield to fear, which paralyses us before the great heights to which the problems and their hopes. lord points us.” (Photo: l’osservatore Romano/CNS) Building on what I shared with the young people in Panama, I does not want us to live from day sociated with work and profeswould like to reflect, on this World to day, thinking that nothing is sional life, with the commitment to Day of Prayer for Vocations, on worth fighting for, slowly losing charity and solidarity, with social how the Lord’s call makes us bear- our desire to set out on new and ex- and political responsibilities, and ers of a promise and, at the same citing paths. so forth. time, asks of us the courage to take If at times he makes us experiThese vocations make us bearers a risk, with him and for him. ence a “miraculous catch”, it is be- of a promise of goodness, love and I will do this by reflecting briefly cause he wants us to discover that justice, not only for ourselves but with you on these two aspects— each of us is called—in a variety of also for our societies and cultures, promise and risk—as they appear in ways—to something grand, and which need courageous Christians the Gospel account of the calling of that our lives should not grow enand authentic witnesses of the the first disciples by the Sea of tangled in the nets of an ennui that kingdom of God. Galilee (Mk 1:16-20). dulls the heart.

Two pairs of brothers—Simon Do not yield to fear Every vocation is a summons and Andrew, and James and John— not to stand on the shore, nets in In encountering the Lord, some are going about their daily tasks as hand, but to follow Jesus on the may feel the attraction of a call to fishermen. path he has marked out for us, for the consecrated life or to the orIn this demanding work, they our own happiness and for the dained priesthood. It is a discovery had learned the laws of nature, yet good of those around us. that can excite and at the same at times, when the winds were adtime frighten us, since we feel verse and waves shook their boats, Courage to risk decision called to become “fishers of men” they had to defy the elements. On Embracing this promise natu- in the barque of the Church by givsome days, the catch of fish amply rally demands the courage to risk ing totally of ourselves in commitrepaid their efforts, but on others, making a decision. ment to faithful service of the an entire night’s work was not sufThe first disciples, called by Jesus ficient to fill their nets, and they to be part of something greater, Gospel and our brothers and sisters.

Such a decision carries the risk of had to return to shore weary and “immediately left their nets and leaving everything behind to foldisappointed followed him” (Mk 1:18). RespondMuch of life is like that. Each of ing to the Lord’s call involves put- low the Lord, to devote ourselves completely to him, and to share in us tries to realise his or her deepest ting ourselves on the line his work. desires; we engage in acand facing a great chalMany kinds of interior resistance tivities that we hope lenge. can stand in the way of making this will prove enriching, Every vocation It means being ready to decision, especially in highly secuand we put out on a leave behind whatever is a summons “sea” of possibilities in would keep us tied to our the hope of steering the not to stand little boat and prevent us right course, one that from making a definitive will satisfy our thirst for on the shore, choice. We are called to be happiness. bold and decisive in seekSometimes we enjoy nets in hand, ing God’s plan for our a good catch, while at but to follow lives. others, we need courage Gazing out at the vast to keep our boat from Jesus on the “ocean” of vocation, we being tossed by the path he has cannot remain content to waves, or we are frusrepair our nets on the boat trated at seeing our nets marked out that gives us security, but come up empty. must trust instead in the As with every call, for us Lord’s promise. the Gospel speaks of an I think primarily of the encounter. Jesus walks by, sees those fishermen, and walks call to the Christian life which all up to them… The same thing hap- of us received at baptism. It teaches pened when we met the person we us that our life is not a fluke but wanted to marry, or when we first rather a gift: that of being God’s felt the attraction of a life of conse- beloved children, gathered in the cration: we were surprised by an en- great family of the Church.

It is precisely in the ecclesial counter, and at that moment we glimpsed the promise of a joy capa- community that the Christian life ble of bringing fulfilment to our is born and develops, especially through the liturgy. lives.

The liturgy introduces us to That day, by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus drew near to those fishermen, God’s word and the grace of the breaking through the paralysis of sacraments; from an early age, we routine. And he immediately made are taught the art of prayer and frathem a promise: “I will make you ternal sharing.

In the end, the Church is our fishers of men” (Mk 1:17). mother because she brings us to God’s loving initiative new life and leads us to Christ. So The Lord’s call is not an intru- we must love her, even when we sion of God in our freedom; it is see her face marred by human not a “cage” or a burden to be frailty and sin, and we must help to borne. On the contrary, it is the make her ever more beautiful and loving initiative whereby God en- radiant, so that she can bear witcounters us and invites us to be ness to God’s love in the world.

The Christian life thus finds expart of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon pression in those decisions that, of a greater sea and an abundant while giving a precise direction to our personal journey, also concatch.

God in fact desires that our lives tribute to the growth of God’s kingnot become banal and predictable, dom in our world. imprisoned by daily routine, or unI think of the decision to marry responsive before decisions that in Christ and to form a family, as could give it meaning. The Lord well as all those other vocations as-

larised contexts where there no accompaniment. longer seems to be a place for God Mary’s vocation and for the Gospel—places where it As was made clear several times is easy to grow discouraged and fall during the World Youth Day in into the weariness of hope.

And yet, there can be no greater Panama, we should always look to joy than to risk one’s life for the Mary.

Also in the story of this young Lord!

I would like to say this especially woman, vocation was both a promise and a risk. Her mission to the young: Do not be was not easy, yet she did deaf to the Lord’s call. If There is a not allow fear to prevail. he calls you to follow this path, do not pull your need for a “It was the ‘Yes’ of someone prepared to be comoars into the boat, but trust him. Do not yield to youth ministry mitted, someone willing to take a risk, ready to fear, which paralyses us and a stake everything she had, before the great heights to with no more security which the Lord points us. vocational than the certainty of Always remember that promotion knowing that she was the to those who leave their bearer of a promise. nets and boat behind, that can open I ask each one of you: and follow him, the Lord Do you see yourselves as promises the joy of a new the way to bearers of a promise? life that can fill our hearts discovering What promise do I bear and enliven our journey. within my heart to take Dear friends, it is not God’s plan forward? always easy to discern our Mary’s would unvocation and to steer our life in the right direction. For this doubtedly be a difficult mission, reason, there needs to be a renewed but the challenges that lay ahead commitment on the part of the were no reason to say “No”. Things whole Church—priests, religious, would get complicated, of course, pastoral workers and educators—to but not in the same way as happens provide young people in particular when cowardice paralyses us bewith opportunities for listening cause things are not clear or sure in advance. and discernment.

On this World Day of Prayer for There is a need for a youth ministry and a vocational promotion Vocations, let us join in prayer and that can open the way to discover- ask the Lord to help us discover his ing God’s plan, above all through plan of love for our lives, and to grant us the courage to walk in the prayer, meditation on God’s word, path that, from the beginning, he eucharistic adoration and spiritual has chosen for each of us.

‘I will ma fishers o ke you f men’ (M k 1:17)

Contact Vocation Coordinator on 072 989 2286 nardvocprom1855@gmail.com Facebook: Franciscan Nardini Sisters of the Holy Family

10

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

COMMUNITY

St John Bosco parish in Westridge, Cape town, hosted its 10th Passion play. this year’s 80 confirmation candidates performed in the play as part of their confirmation journey. Catechist lucinda Permall De Wet started the Passion play tradition in 2009.

St Anthony’s parish in Sedgefield in the oudtshoorn diocese held a Paschal supper.

Pictured are (from left) Dave Morgan-Smith, Dave Jones, Fay Jones, Mary McGregor and Rob McGregor.

(Submitted by Bobbi MorganSmith)

Catholic evangelist Stephen Selbourne brought the message of Good Friday to the streets of Bonteheuwel in Cape town.

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How sermons could be better

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Page 10

Cardinal Napier: Why I published my new book

BY ERIN CARELSE

C The smoke of incense and the light filtering through stained-glass windows interplay to create a stunning effect during the Chrism Mass in Johannesburg’s cathedral of Christ the King.

The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale. (Photo: Sheldon Reddiar)

And now for the bad news

A

NOTHER year of sharp increases in the production and distribution of The Southern Cross is forcing us to increase the cover price of the newspaper as of next week to R12.

“We realise that this is a significant increase, but we are confident that our loyal readers realise that it is absolutely necessary to ensure the survival of The Southern Cross,” said Rosanne Shields, chair of the board of the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company, which publishes South Africa’s only national Catholic weekly.

The only alternative to a price increase was to put the continued existence of The Southern Cross in danger. “This was not a risk we wanted to take as The Southern Cross prepares to enter its 100th year,” Ms Shields said.

The newspaper survives on sales and advertising, and the generosity of the contributors to our Associates Campaign. It receives no Church subsidies.

“We are confident that our readers will remain loyal to us even after the price in-

the Catholic Women’s league of Holy trinity parish in Musgrave, Durban, hosted the annual Paschal meal, based on the Jewish Passover Seder. Pictured are women of the CWl, members of the family who participated in the Paschal meal, parish priest Fr Sabelo Mkhize and Coadjutor Archbishop Abel Gabuza.

Holy Week services at our lady of lebanon Maronite parish in Johannesburg South included the Burial of Christ, celebrated by Fr Jean yammine, assisted by Frs Jean younes and Georges Arrouk. the crucified Christ was taken from his cross and placed in a casket of flowers, which was carried in procession through the church. Parishioners then came up to lay hands on the casket, passing under it while volunteers held it up.

(Photo: Mark Kisogloo)

St Peter Claver parish in Pimville, Soweto, held a Paschal meal to commemorate the last Supper.

(Photo: Eddie tshabalala)

The

the Easter Vigil Mass at St theodore’s parish in Greytown, KwazuluNatal, included the sacrament of baptism. Mass was celebrated by parish priest Fr Malusi zaca. (Submitted by Rosemary Mukuka)

crease,” Ms Shields said.

She pointed out that The Southern Cross is operating on a very tight budget.

“This year, our dedicated staff have not received a salary increase, something which they accepted because they are dedicated to The Southern Cross and the important work it is doing in South Africa’s Catholic Church,” Ms Shields said.

She added that R12 is still less than half the price of a gossip magazine. “The Southern Cross does one more good than any of those.”

Ms Shields asked parishes to continue or begin to market and promote The Southern Cross, including the digital edition, which is exactly the same as the print edition.

The annual subscription to the print issue will increase to R550, but the rate for the digital edition will for now remain at R420, which works out to just R8 per week!

To subscribe to The Southern Cross (digital or hardcopy) contact Michelle at subscriptions@ scross.co.za or call 021 465-5007.

See also editorial on page 6.

ARDINAL Wilfrid Napier hopes his new book, The Here and Now Christian, will be bought not just for curiosity’s sake, but that it will inspire people about the issues raised.

The book includes Cardinal Napier’s columns in The Southern Cross as well as a previously unpublished interview from 2013 with Günther Simmermacher, editor of The Southern Cross.

The Here and Now Christian, which has been arranged into 28 chapters, gives the cardinal’s response to social issues, reflection on how they affect society, and suggestions of actions .

Speaking to Radio Veritas’ Khanya Litabe, Cardinal Napier recalled how the inspiration for the book’s title came about.

“One of the deacons [in the archdiocese of Durban] was giving a catechism class to the confirmation kids and was explaining what the bishop was going to do. The thought then crossed his mind as to whether these kids even know who their archbishop is? So he asked the question, ‘Do you know who the archbishop of Durban is?’, and a hand shot up and immediately said Desmond Tutu. The deacon was so taken aback by the response that he said he has to do something about this.”

That’s when a group of Catholics in Durban started Catholics Awake.

The aim of the group was to inform the parishes of Durban archdiocese about the life and activities of their archbishop.

They held meetings and functions to promote the group and Cardinal Napier was asked to give talks at these meetings.

“The very first function I was called to speak at was entitled ‘The Here and Now’— and that was how the book was born and subsequently got its title,” the cardinal explained.

In his book, the cardinal speaks about violence in South Africa and suggests: “An essential ingredient for a good life in a good

S o u t h e r n C r o s s Pilgrimage

human society is good people living in good families.

That I think is the secret, that’s the core of how we’re going to get South Africa turned around,” he said.

“Pope Francis after his election, and after having listened very carefully during the pre-conclave talks where the cardinals shared their concerns about the world, the state of their country and Church, heard this call for renewal and for reform and the first things he said was, ‘Let’s have a synod about marriage and the family’,” Cardinal Napier said.

“This shows that he clearly sees it at the starting point for any renewal or reform. If you want good strong family’s you have to have good strong marriages. Marriage and the family have to really be the core interest of our churches.”

In his Radio Veritas interview, Cardinal Napier expressed his thanks to Dawn Haynes, who compiled and edited the book, and Rob Riedlinger, who produced it.

“They’ve laid the book out beautifully, with a little introduction, where it gives the situation of how it fits into what was going on either in my life or the country or the Church, and then right at the end, there are practical suggestions on how you could apply what you’ve just read to situations around you,” Cardinal Napier said in the Radio Veritas interview.

The Here and Now Christian is published by Sunrise Publications and can be ordered online at www.hereandnowchristian.co.za for R200.

A discount is offered on bulk orders, and proceeds from the book will benefit the Napier Centre 4 Healing, an aftercare facility for post-rehab addiction residents.

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IT’S WORTH IT!

learners at Holy Cross Primary School in Aliwal North handed over R2 500 for the lenten Appeal to school chaplain Mgr Joe Kizito. (Submitted by Sr Bridget Cronin)

the junior school at St Joseph’s Marist College in Rondebosch, Cape town, collected over 3 000 Easter eggs for the lions Club of Athlone.

Grade 11 drama students at Holy Family College in Durban enacted the Stations of the Cross for fellow students and staff. Pictured are (from left) Kamva Ndikolo, Phumelele zulu, yolanda Majola, Mesuli Khumalo, and David Pillay.

Send your photos to

pics@scross.co.za Mahobe Sacred Heart mission in Umzimkulu diocese held a Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday with the participation of Fr thokozani Masina SCP, Sisters of the Congregation of the little Servants of Mary Immaculate, andparishioners.

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

VOCATION

11

Rule of thumb: Evangelising by hitchhiking Drama and miracles have shaped Friar Juan Maria Crisostomo’s life. Now he takes those experiences to the road in order to bring the Gospel to people who pick him up as a hitchhiker.

M

IRACULOUS events have shaped Br Juan Maria Crisostomo’s life to bring him to the radical poverty and simplicity of his vocation as a Little Friar of Jesus and Mary.

From an inexplicable healing to a near-death experience, Friar Juan has a story to tell. He shares his story as he hitchhikes across Italy and the United States—always pointing towards the presence of Christ in the Eucharist along the way.

The beginning of Friar Juan’s life in the Dominican Republic was marked by a tragic accident. At seven months old, he fell face-first out of his cradle and into a fireplace.

The severe burns left his eyes closed, head swollen, and lungs malfunctioning. The doctors told his mother that it was very likely her son would die.

“After this, my mom took me crying in her arms and she prayed to Mama Mary, ‘Mary, intercede for him through your Son, Jesus Christ.’ She prayed this beautiful

and simple prayer with faith,” Friar Juan said.

“After three days from my mother’s prayer, my head returned to normal, my eyes reopened, and my lungs started working,” he said.

The doctors called it a miracle, and then started to work on his first facial reconstruction surgery.

In the 30 years that followed, he had 22 more surgeries on his face.

However, rather than focusing on this difficulty, the friar said that it is his mission to share the great joy and the peace he has found in the Eucharist and in his “simple life with Christ”.

This was Friar Juan’s message during his two hitchhiking trips.

As part of his formation as a Little Friar of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Poor Friars, Juan found himself sleeping in bus stations as he embraced the community’s charism: “To go to the streets [to] bring souls to the Sacraments.”

The Little Friars of Jesus and Mary, a religious community approved by the Vatican in 2014, were founded in Sicily and embrace the spirituality of both Carmelite contemplation and Franciscan poverty and evangelisation.

During one hitchhiking pilgrimage in the US, from Houma, Louisiana—where the Poor Friars have an American community—to the holy stairs in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Friar Juan said he encountered many “people who were trying to find meaning in their lives”.

“They ask, ‘Why don’t you have a car? Why don’t you have a nor-

Friar Juan Maria Crisostomo (right) hitchhiking with a fellow friar and a little Sister of Jesus and Mary. Fr Juan credits his vocation to what he says was an out-of-body experience while his heart had stopped during an operation. (Photo courtesy little Friars of Jesus and Mary) mal life?’” This opens the door for Friar Juan and his companions to share how “we found our peace”.

However, not everyone they encountered was initially welcoming.

Stopped as an ISIS terrorist “Some people called the police because they [mistook] us for ISIS terrorists,” he said.

“Seven police cars came and surrounded us with guns,” he recalled.

“Nervous and afraid...we asked them, ‘Why are you doing this to

us? We come in the peace of Jesus Christ.’” After this, the police apologised, and told the friars that they could stay as long as they wanted.

Friar Juan is currently studying for the priesthood in Rome, and hopes he will be ordained in a few years.

He said his vocation was confirmed for him after an experience he had during one of his face surgeries.

At 14 years old, Juan had a skin graft taken from his back to enable

him to move his neck. After the operation, complications from anaesthesia caused his ECG to flatline in the recovery room—his heart had stopped.

During this time, he had an outof-body experience. “I saw my body when the doctor tried to work to help me come back to life…from above,” he explained.

“At the same time, two wings— well, they were something like an angel—they took me to this place, like a very beautiful place. I saw Mama Mary and I saw Jesus Christ,” he said.

“Jesus Christ was on his throne.

He had very brilliant white clothes,” he continued.

“With an amazing smile, Mary said, ‘My son, it is not your time because you have a mission to complete on the earth.’ After she talked to me, I came back quickly,” he said.

“This changed everything in my life,” Friar Juan said. “Through this beautiful vision, I understood that we only stay for a little time in this world. I understood that we need to live a moral life. I believe that hell exists, and I know that paradise and purgatory exist.”

To this day, he maintains a devotion to Mary—and to the Eucharist.

“When I pray in my life and I take the Eucharist, I say something to God through Mary. I say, ‘Mary, help me because I do not want my heart to become a rock. I want a heart of flesh, a simple, open heart.’”—CNA

“The MISSION of the FMM springs from a life of union with Christ centred on the EUChARIST.”

DO YOU FEEL CALLED?

We are an international congregation The ChARISM of the Franciscan Missionaries of MARY is founded upon contemplative and active life

- We are in 76 Countries - We are from 80 nationalities - We are in South Africa since 1903 - We are living in 7 Communities in South Africa

COME AND SEE!

Blessed Mary of the passion, our foundress, left a treasure in our hearts and hands through the GRACE of God we are caring with LOVE. TODAY – like yesterday – the FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY live LOVE and express it in multiple ways: it is called strength of life, newness of the Gospel, passion, risk, commitment for justice. It becomes a face, a word, a meeting, a dialogue, a presence, an outstretched hand.

It is questioning, risk and choice, peace and reconciliation, offering and gift, consecration and prayer, new life and hope.

“God sends us to those who are still waiting for Christ to be announced and testified: to those whose faces are lined by suffering, destitution, rejection, and exclusion…

We FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY focus:  EUCHARIST/ADORATION: Centre of our life  MARY: “Way within the way”  FRANCISCAN: Simplicity and joy of Gospel living  MISSION: Live and share together in international Communities

“The spirit of our missionary vocation is to bring the whole world to Jesus Christ.”

Blessed Mary of the Passion (Foundress of the FMM)

FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY FMM Vocations, P.O. Box 1816, 1716 Florida hills, Gauteng. helenacoragem@gmail.com 079 645 68 08 / 011 672 82 73, www.fmm.org, Facebook: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in SA

12

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

BOOK REVIEWS

Deacon reflects on his ministry A DEACON’S REFLECTION, by Deacon Greg Garnie. SA Catholic Online Books, 2018. 90pp.

Reviewed by Michael Shackleton OPE Paul VI reinstated the permanent diaconate into the Church’s ministry in 1967.

His motu proprio “Sacrum ordinatus ordinem” received a cool reception from the clergy who, generally, were slow to accept that a permanent deacon could join priests in holy orders.

I remember a priest irritably assuring me that he would not let any deacon “jostle” him in the sanctuary. He argued that permanent deacons had died out in the fifth century.

To top off his distaste for a future with permanent deacons, the priest professed that he had worked with many catechists in missionary areas and all had done what a deacon can do: baptise, bless marriages, take communion to the sick, conduct funerals and lend a sympathetic ear to anyone who wants the consolation of prayer and compassion.

Pope Paul’s decree took a very different approach. It acknowledged that although some functions of the deacons, especially in missionary countries, were in fact entrusted to lay men, it would be beneficial that “those who perform

P

a truly diaconal ministry be strengthened by the imposition of hands, a tradition going back to the Apostles, and be more closely joined to the altar so that they may more effectively carry out their ministry through the sacramental grace of the diaconate”.

Paul VI added that “in this way the special nature of this order will be shown most clearly. It is not to be considered as a mere step towards the priesthood, but it is so adorned with its own indelible character and its own special grace so that those who are called to it can permanently serve the mysteries of Christ and the Church”.

Deacon Greg Garnie’s book argues persuasively why the permanent deacon’s ministry is needed in the modern Church.

We had become accustomed to deacons being no more than men on a stepping stone to priesthood, known as transient deacons. Paul VI’s decree that they were now to leave that stepping stone and step out into their own divinely appointed and permanent ministry, needed some digesting before it could be taken seriously.

In many parishes, the deacon as a liturgical assistant to the priest at Mass is the only image they have of the role of the diaconate. Deacon

Garnie demonstrates why the diaconate is indeed far more than that.

In a historical backdrop, he recalls how the Apostles were overworked in their pastoral care for the first converts. They chose seven men to share in their ministry (Acts 6 and 7).

These deacons were the first recorded ordained ministers after the Apostles themselves to give charitable and missionary care to new Christians, even before the presbyterate.

The greatness of their missionary appeal is described in the martyrdom of Stephen and how Philip baptised the Ethiopian.

After the Apostles, the ministerial diaconate flourished and deacons exercised their sacred role in administrative and pastoral positions at all levels. Historical records provide particulars of the assistance they rendered to their bishops.

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heir decline in status and ministry around the fifth century stemmed from apparent rivalries with priests, who effectively elbowed them aside because they did not have priestly sacramental powers.

Deacon Garnie tells us of some bishops in Southern Africa who are reluctant to restore the permanent

diaconate to their dioceses because of real or imagined fears of the rise of ancient tensions.

There is also the reality of some bishops who hesitate to allow married deacons to join celibate priests in the rural pastoral field, because the celibate priest is not as highly esteemed and accepted there as the married man, which can place the priest at a disadvantage in the community.

The author envisages the deacon’s role as specially influential when, in remote areas where priests are in short supply, pastoral work can be pursued by married clerics who share faith and culture with the rest.

He notes that more study of the rather misty understanding of the relationships between bishop, priest and deacon is called for.

Each shares in the single priesthood and ministry of Christ. They mirror the unity of the Holy Trinity, because as servants of the Gospel, bishop, priest and deacon are preeminently the subject of Jesus’ prayer to his Father “that they may be one just as you and I are one” (Jn 17:22).

History shows that there were women deacons in the young days of the Church. Pope Francis has lately set up a commission of ex-

perts to study this and the possible future of female permanent deacons, and whether they could share in holy orders with men.

This is in the melting pot, but Deacon Garnie has given us a good initial appreciation of how and why the Church’s pastoral and sacramental life is lacking without the presence and influence of permanently ordained clerics to sanctify the People of God in the 21st century. n Order at R145 (plus p&p) from www.sacatholiconline.org

Let the Swiss Guards plan your gourmet meals THE VATICAN COOKBOOK: 500 Years of Classic Recipes, Papal Tributes and Exclusive Images of Life and Art at the Vatican, by the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Sophia Institute Press, 2018. 204 pp.

Reviewed by Regina Lordan N an era in which coffee-table books collect dust while handheld social media consumes idle time, there seems little need for another large hardback to join the lot on bookshop discount shelves. But The Vatican Cookbook stands out as an extraordinary and remarkable collection, holding within its pages 500 years of recipes, history and photographs.

An epic undertaking as both a tribute to and insight from the sto-

I

The

ried Pontifical Swiss Guard, The Vatican Cookbook is a culinary and artistic dream for lovers of food, history, culture and art. Trend-touting diet books and celebrity-created recipe collections can sit on those shelves, lamentable in comparison to the magnitude of this culinary endeavour.

Recipes aside, readers will find themselves on a tour throughout the Vatican, seeing special sights and reading unique stories from contributors. Take a look into the annual May 6 swearing-in ceremony of the Swiss Guard or hear about a jovial personal encounter between a guard and the pope dur-

S outher n C ross Pilgrimage to

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ing overnight duty.

The collection of recipes includes papal favourites from the home countries of Argentina, Germany and Poland.

Here you will find such treats as the sweetly sugared alfajores, rustic suckling pig and dumplings and juicy, complex-flavoured Polish fleischvogel.

The book also includes favourites served up in the barracks of the Swiss Guards. The Polish Congregation of Albertine Sisters Serving the Poor run the kitchen; the broad smiling faces of two of the women religious appear in a crisp, two-page spread.

The versatile collection of favourites includes Christmas in Vatican City and summers at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence.

The recipes are clearly written and easy enough for an adventurous beginner willing to take a risk.

But the recipes are genuine to their cultural, traditional roots. No alternative ingredients here for dieters or suggested substitutes for those with food allergies. Some of the recipes call for hard-to-find or seasonal foods, such as saffron threads, grapeseed oil, mascarpone triple cream and sprig mugwort.

But don’t be discouraged: apart from this being a source for the hungry and curious historian, there are a few simple dishes, such as egg-

plant mozzarella and chocolate gingerbread.

And, because of the book’s photography and text, it needn’t serve primarily as a cookbook.

Feeling indulgent after all that rich risotto with smoked eel followed by the sweet Christmas pastry grittibanze? Consider joining the Swiss Guards in taking action to end global hunger as they turn the reader’s attention to the need to support the most vulnerable among us.

The authors invite readers to enjoy all the culinary treats the Vatican has to offer, but to also contribute to the Caritas Internationalis programme, One Human Family, Food For All.—CNS n See www.sophiainstitute.com

Priest’s prison book will rattle your conscience LIGHT THROUGH THE BARS: Understanding And Rethinking South Africa’s Prisons, by Fr Babychan Arackathara.

Burnet Media, 2019. 216pp.

R220 Reviewed by Fr Ralph de Hahn HIS book by Fr Babychan Arackathara MSFS, a zealous missionary from India working in the archdiocese of Cape Town, should shock and unsettle the conscience of every Christian.

And it should disturb every government department and official involved with inmates in prisons and overcrowded facilities which, in many cases, breed even more dangerous criminals.

This book’s title, Light Through the Bars, is excellent, but it offers much more. Fr Babychan’s book offers a depth of understanding, invaluable insights, human stories that tear at the heart, told with such a fresh breath of compassion and Christ-like love.

It poses the question of why the lives of so many thousands of our brothers and sisters are crucified with years of incarceration because of their unfortunate beginnings in the slums of misery, utter poverty, broken families and, in some regions governed by it, gangsterism.

T

There is that stigma attached to ex-prisoners which the community is not willing to erase.

Fr Babychan (as he is known to all) has over 20 years studied, listened, observed and probed the plight of prisoners deprived of their freedom, and now pleads for a better understanding in treating the problem.

N

o longer the game of “an eye for an eye”, or that horrible phrase, “Lock them up and throw away the key.” Fr Babychan would rather offer prison-

ers the key, and, with God’s helping grace, guide them through the corridors of restorative justice; to restore what was lost by their crime!

He is ever hopeful of change in the lives of offenders when their human dignity is respected and restored; when Correctional Services is truly correctional, and when every step is taken to help ex-offenders confidently re-enter society and regain credibility in our communities.

I strongly urge every Catholic to read this book. It will open your eyes and your heart.

I believe it will squash all that prejudice and gross misunderstanding. Get behind those bars, look and listen! It is, indeed, a revelation.

When light and love pour in, the results are miraculous. And just listen again to the Master: “Love one another as I have loved you”, and, again, “What you do unto others, you do unto me.”

So, there you have the measure of our love for God! n The book is available in good bookshops. The proceeds from sales will fund the training of prison spiritual care workers and restorative justice facilitators.

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

VOCATION

13

Priest on his life as an autistic W

God and attend weekly religious services than those without autism.

Fr Schneider said his faith is not just one aspect of his life but is central to the way he views himself.

“Our Catholic faith affects all of what we are, and really we are called to incorporate our Catholic faith in every aspect [of life]. I’m somebody who struggles in this area or that area,” he said.

“But I can, through my relationship with Jesus, overcome those struggles, [and] reach a deeper level of understanding. We can have Jesus and have the faith enter in and help us…to live with those difficulties that come from autism in our lives, to have a greater degree of peace.”

HEN Fr Matthew Schneider LC was asked to move on after just one year of a three-year assignment as a school chaplain and youth ministry leader, he was shocked.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” he said.

“I knew it was a new role and I had made some mistakes, but I figured, well, there’s a learning curve, and almost anybody’s going to make a Diagnosed after ordination few mistakes given a new role like Although Fr Schneider exhibited that.”

But his superiors believed the as- signs of autism as a child, the diagsignment was not a good fit for nostic criteria were different in the him. They cited struggles with so- 1980s than they are today. It was cial communications as a reason for not until January 2016—a little more than two years after he was their decision.

While the experience was frus- ordained a priest—that he received trating for Fr Schneider at the time, an autism diagnosis.

“Autism is primarily a distinctoday he looks back on that moment as a blessing, because it even- tion in a way of thinking, a neurotually led him to be diagnosed with logical difference,” he said. Autism presents challenges, including difautism.

The diagnosis helped him better ficulty with picking up on subtle, understand himself, and ulti- non-verbal cues. For the priest, this mately, to find roles in ministries means putting in extra effort when going into social situations. that were better suited to him.

“Realising that I’m going to have Fr Schneider has decided to go these difficulties, I will try to put in public with his autism diagnosis.

“I realise the need to evangelise as much effort as I can, even if that this segment of the population,” he tires me,” Fr Schneider said. “And said in a video issued for this year’s sometimes I will second-guess: ‘Okay, I might not have Autism Day in April. picked up the best on “We’re about 1,5–2% that.’” of the population. We ‘I hope we can Ultimately he tries to have a much higher chance of being atheists, look at how keep in mind, “Okay, I’m not necessarily going to a much lower chance of attending religious serv- we can better pick up every social cue, I’m going to do the ices on a weekly basis… present the so best I can and ask for we need someone to reach out to that commu- Gospel to the clarification when I’m not sure”, he said. nity, to inculturate the “There’s [no] magic Gospel to the autistic autistic mind’ bullet, and there’s not a mind.” time that I’m not autistic, Fr Schneider told the that I can just understand US-based Catholic News Agency about his life at the inter- perfectly those social cues. I can put section of autism and the Catholic effort into understanding them betpriesthood, and his hope of bring- ter, but it’s not going to be the exact ing the Catholic faith to more peo- same as non-autistic people would probably understand them.” ple who share the diagnosis.

But there are also blessings to Like many people in the autistic community, Fr Schneider has a life with autism, Fr Schneider said.

“I have what’s kind of a stereosharp memory and a good mind for facts. He tends to be a concrete typical autistic memory, which is a thinker, writer and preacher. He de- very good memory of details and scribes himself as “intellectually facts, which has been helpful in difdriven” and he has always been a ferent ways as a priest.”

He has also found that he can good student.

He prefers to be called an “autis- overcome some of the challenges tic person” or “an autistic”, rather associated with autism by using a method called “Theory of Mind”, than a “person with autism”.

Unlike many of his autistic in which he guesses what another peers, however, faith plays a promi- person is thinking as he talks to nent role in Fr Schneider’s life. them.

That method also helps Fr Studies suggest that people with autism are less likely to believe in Schneider prepare homilies and

Fr Matthew Schneider with a t-shirt saying “Autistic Catholic”. the priest was diagnosed with autism shortly after his ordination to the priesthood.

While autism can create problems in conventional ministry, such as a pastor or chaplain, autistic priests also have particular strengths. write articles, by anticipating how his audience may react as they read or hear his work.

“That’s a conscious thing I do, whereas most people just do that subconsciously,” he explained.

Even with those tools, however, there are some assignments that would be especially challenging for an autistic priest, he said.

A typical parish assignment or role as a school chaplain would present struggles for Fr Schneider, given the difficulty that autistic people tend to have in picking up on nonverbal cues, particularly during face-to-face conversations.

Right now, Fr Schneider is working on a doctoral thesis in theology, while also helping out at a retreat centre in Maryland, where he lives.

His said his goal is to become a seminary professor or a writer, since these “are fields that as an autistic I think I’m going to succeed in more than in a lot of other more stereotypical priestly ministries, like parishes or chaplaincies”.

The priest said his superiors in the Legion of Christ have been very supportive of him.

“I wasn’t sure what kind of attitude [they’d have] or what kind of things they’d want when I was diagnosed,” he said. But he was met with support and encouragement, “just in simple things such as helping me move towards ministries where I am going to be more likely to succeed as an autistic person”.

Until now, Fr Schneider had not spoken widely about his diagnosis with people outside his community. He maintains two Twitter accounts—a public one under his

name, and an anonymous one with the handle @AutisticPriest, where he posts about faith and autism.

Fr Schneider said he decided to go public with his story out of a desire for transparency and a hope of evangelising.

“I thought that by coming forward, I would be able to go through and look at how we can better present the Gospel in a way adapted to the autistic mind,” he said.

Challenges of autism A lot of contemporary catechesis presents the truths of the faith in ways that are not inherently wrong, but are not adapted to an autistic way of thinking, Fr Schneider explained.

Often, “we can present the faith in an emotional way that is good for a lot of people, but we autistics tend to think much more logically,” he said. “So just simply a more logical explanation is more helpful…so we understand why.

“We tend to be less easily satisfied asking why. We don’t have the social cue that a lot of kids have, or a lot of young people have, where after you’ve asked ‘Why’ three or four times, you kind of stop…we’ll keep asking until we understand it, because that’s kind of the more logical way our brain works in that regard.”

Prayer can also be a challenge for autistic people, at first.

“In prayer, a lot of times we struggle at the beginning because we struggle to understand how other people are thinking as we are talking,” the priest said. But once the expectations for prayer have

St Patrick’s Missionary Society Be a Priest An ambassador of Christ for God’s People Contact Fr Terry Nash on 072 668 2705 or Fr. Michael Murphy on 082 564 9096 St Patrick’s Missionary Society P o Box 1394813 Northmead 1511

been adapted for an autistic mindset, it “can be very freeing to realise we can communicate directly with God and we don’t have to go through the means of human language”.

Autistic people may struggle to bring concepts or ideas into human language, while hoping other people will understand the point they are trying to get across, Fr Schneider said. “But with God in prayer, I can directly share my ideas with God, without bringing it into human language.”

Fr Schneider hopes to see catechetical materials and programmes developed to better address these features of the autistic mind.

He also noted that autistic people “tend to have very strong longterm memory. That can be an advantage for us learning the faith, in the sense that we don’t ever forget what we’re taught, so we don’t have to do as much repetition”.

In addition, he sees a need for better social inclusion for autistic people in schools and parishes, since they may feel isolated or have trouble integrating at first.

“We have to bring those people into the community,” Fr Schneider said, suggesting that a Christian understanding of charity should foster this inclusion.

He said he once spoke with a secular psychologist who told him that efforts to help autistic people enter social groups “have a much higher success rate with religious groups, because there is that sense of charity and that sense of openness to other people who may struggle and may have difficulties, more than in non-religious groups”.

Moving forward, Fr Schneider plans to release YouTube videos on topics such as prayer and Christian theology, presented in a manner that is more conducive to the autistic mind.

He hopes to start a broader discussion within the Church on how to minister to people with autism, both those already in the pews and those who are not Catholic but may be interested in learning about the faith if it were taught in a way that was adapted to their mindset.

Asked what message he would offer other autistic Catholics, he said the message is fundamentally the same for all people.

“Jesus loves us, Jesus wants the best for us, whatever our situation is life is, and as autistics, we have the opportunity to experience God’s love in an autistic way,” the priest said.

“We don’t have to conform our own experience of God, in prayer and in the liturgy, to how others think, but we can experience it our own way—which is 100% valid.”—CNA

Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood

Jesus invites us!

If you want to follow his invitation contact:

The Vocation Directress Mariannhill Convent P.O. Box 10487 Ashwood, 3605 or The Vocation Directress Glen Avent Convent P.O. Box 261, Mthatha, 5099

Tapestry by Margaret Mkhize

Fr Matthew Schneider is autistic, and that creates challenges and opportunities for him, as he explained to MICHEllE lA RoSA.

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facebook.com/ thescross

twitter.com/ ScrossZA

14

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

REFLECTION

Dear Prudence, are you of God or man?

There are different kinds of prudence. Some of it is governed by self-interest, some of it is driven by God, as ALICE VON HILDEBRAND explains.

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AM sure that, like most people, you have often been tempted to confuse the prudence practised by “children of the world”, and the type of prudence advocated in the Gospel: “Be prudent like the serpent.”

In both cases, a person carefully steers clear of what is rash, unwise, and impulsive; every decision is carefully gauged and examined from every angle. Therefore, the similarity is striking.

But there is a chasm separating the first from the second—still the first can copy the second so well that we need to sharpen our attention in order to be able to distinguish between them.

The gentle St Francis of Sales used to say that he had scant sympathy for the virtue of prudence, “this poor virtue which he had such difficulty loving”, as Mgr Camus noted in his L’esprit de St Francois de Sales, and when he managed to love it, “It was out of pure necessity”.

Commenting upon the Gospel urging us to be prudent like serpents and simple like doves, St Francis of Sales remarked that the proportion between “the serpent” and the “dove” should be ten to one.

To keep them in equal balance is bound to have a harmful consequence, namely that the serpent will devour the dove; the dove, on the other hand, cannot be a threat to the serpent.

This gentle saint was clearly referring to the fact that the virtue of prudence can easily degenerate into “worldly prudence” (which he detested); we must therefore be constantly on the watch to avoid this dangerous pitfall.

He relates that after the success enjoyed by his introduction to the

St Francis of Sales, the gentle saint devout life, his “prudent” friends advised him never to write another book: “It would be difficult for the sequel to match your masterpiece, and consequently any further publication would tarnish your now well-established reputation as an outstanding writer!”

Francis’ answer was that if his first book had been acclaimed because it had pleased God that it should gain recognition, he saw no reason why his majesty could not do the same for the second work.

His treatise on the love of God turned out to be another masterpiece.

Worldly prudence a virtue?

What is worldly prudence?

While claiming to be “a virtue”, it is in fact nothing but disguised selfinterest; it is a clever gauging of one’s own advantage, so that whichever way the tide goes, one will be on the winning side.

In every situation, the “prudent” man calculates whether a particular action, or spoken word, will cater to his interest, both immediate and future. The one thing that he is concerned with is to avoid anything which might have adverse consequences for him.

The man who navigates by the laws of worldly prudence seems to have a radar warning him whether

an event might run counter to his in such a fashion that if the situapersonal safety. He then steers clear tion changed, they could never be of it with remarkable adroitness accused of having been on the wrong side of the fence. and alacrity.

Politicians major in worldly pruSome politicians practise this art dence, for to win in the political to perfection; this is why we see arena (or even to remain that ex-communists in alive), one must learn to the old Eastern Bloc are survive under any foresee- Holy prudence now heads of state in sevable or unforeseeable coneral of the countries libertingency. ated from the communist means to They often practise to yoke. They needed only perfection the principles hold fast to to change their outfits; on which any successful now they wear the demGod’s hand, ocratic vest, but basically insurance company is based: whatever happens, they remain the very and never same individuals whose it will remain the winner.

Clever politicians will only concern is their percarefully cater to the pow- rely on one’s sonal interest. ers that be, while keeping Because man is a in mind that this power own strength fallen creature, he can might not last; conseeasily lie to himself and quently, they should draw persuade himself that he as much advantage from this pres- is in fact supernaturally prudent, ent situation as possible while care- while in fact the subtle poison of fully avoiding compromising worldly prudence is corroding his themselves, should the wind actions. change direction.

Holy prudence?

They can be compared to Supernatural prudence is, of hounds whose instinct unfailingly leads them to the prey they want to course, at the antipodes of these calculating manoeuvres. But it is a catch.

These people know when to virtue which is very difficult to atspeak and when to remain silent; tain because of man’s craftiness. To when to seem to approve, when to be truly supernatural it must be free seem to disapprove, when to be from any worldly alloy.

Holy prudence is basically both frank and when to equivocate—but

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a mistrust of our own fallen nature, coupled with a wise and recollected concern with God’s glory.

The truly prudent man puts all his talents at God’s service: using his mind and his heart to discover how the divine master is best served. His leitmotif is how best to be instrumental in serving God’s glory: either by word, by action, by patient waiting, or by silence and prayer.

This inner attitude eliminates temperamental haste, impatience, impure motives; it is essentially receptive to the rhythm. The prudent man will always be on his guard, fully aware how tricky his nature is, and how easily man can lie to himself.

Holy prudence means essentially to hold fast to God’s hand, and never rely on one’s own strength.

Footnote: We do not thereby deny that there are cases in “prudence” which are not supernaturally motivated, and also legitimate: for example, when a father prudently provides for his children’s education. n Alice von Hildebrand is a lecturer and an author, whose works include The Privilege of Being a Woman (2002). She was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of St Gregory by Pope Francis in 2013.

On our pilgrim journey...

By JUlIA BEACRoFt

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T is said that the top-five most stressful life events are death of a loved one, divorce, moving house, major illness or injury, and job loss. Most of us would probably be in agreement with this.

I have lived in only four houses during my married life, but I can confirm that each house-move has been tense, worrying and demanding.

House viewings, offers, the anxiety of finding the right property to purchase, and the arduous and nerve-racking conveyancing procedure can all amount to a seriously stressful time.

Yet most of us only undertake a house-move because we have good reason to. Relocation due to employment or family needs, downsizing, upsizing, or age-related needs are the most common motivations for such an action.

And significantly, most of us stress because we are resistant to change, which in itself can be both unnerving and unsettling.

Yet in general terms we are advised that change is actually beneficial for us. We are renewed, revitalised and often transformed by change, we are frequently counselled. Yet still we can be made uneasy by its prospect.

I have always felt that there is a slight but rather wonderful dichotomy in the Catholic Church, which is steeped in tradition yet advocates change and moving forward in time.

We ourselves are called upon to keep moving on in our spiritual lives as we travel our life journey.

Our faith is not and should not; remain static but vital and alive, ready to embrace each new challenge. And indeed this is not a new idea.

John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) was presented as a dream sequence with Christian, as leading Everyman character, telling of his journey from his hometown, the “City of Destruction” (this world), to the “Celestial City” (that which is to come). It was an allegory of his life and spiritual journey.

The Second Vatican Council also developed the

on our pilgrim journey we should always be ready to embrace change, writes Julia Beacroft. (Photo: José Antonio Alba) image of the Church as a pilgrim community in its apostolic constitution Lumen Gentium (7).

The image of the whole Church as being on pilgrimage towards the fullness of the Kingdom does, however, mean that Christians living today are only one part of the journey, and our insights and ways of understanding only one small contribution.

And so let us try to embrace change in our lives and move forward each day as the pilgrim people of God. We should not think that our present experience is the sole condition for understanding the journey, as we make that journey together, grateful to receive from the past and willing to help guide future pilgrims. n Julia Beacroft’s book Sanctifying The Spirit is published by Sancio Books. It is available on Amazon.

the Southern Cross, May 8 to May 14, 2019

Sr Jerome Stützel OP

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AKFORD Dominican Sister Jerome Stützel, who was encouraged in her vocation by Padre Pio, died on March 25 at the age of 81.

Born on December 3, 1937, in Würzburg, Germany, the only daughter to Kreszentia and Anton Stützel, she was baptised Ilse Elisabeth Maria.

The family ran a bakery where Ilse honed her skills at turning out great pastries. After completing secondary school, she worked for almost seven years as a typist and office clerk.

It was during this time that she began to feel the call to religious life, but experienced moments of doubt and misgiving.

She had great faith in the wisdom of Padre Pio and wrote to him about it. She received a prompt, encouraging reply, and in 1962, aged 25, she entered the Oakford Congregation in Neustadt am Main in Bavaria.

She arrived in her green Volks wagen which she had used to

commute to work, and this became the community’s first car.

She made her first profession in 1964 in Neustadt, then came to South Africa and made her final profession in 1967 in Oakford, KwaZulu-Natal.

Now known as Sr Jerome, she was assigned to the Osindisweni community and worked in the hospital office for 18 years while

also completing studies for a commercial diploma.

In the course of her work, she would often have to drive to and from Verulam and became well known to traffic officers for speeding in the 60km/h zone.

Nobody knows if she ever received a fine because she had a wonderful way of apologising.

Sr Jerome served as her congregation’s councillor and bursar at Bedfordview in Johannesburg.

After a sabbatical in Australia, she moved to Villa Assumpta in Pietermaritzburg to help with administration. She then returned to the Bedfordview community and took up her ministry as congregational bursar again.

When her health began to fail, she joined the Pietermaritzburg community.

Poor health and a sense of helplessness caused her great suffering and she often expressed the wish to go to heaven. Her prayers were finally answered on Monday, March 25.

Joan Williamson

F

ORMER Southern Cross board member Joan Williamson died on March 27 at 98.

Born in 1920 in Pietermaritzburg, she was a boarder at Holy Cross Convent School in Aliwal North. After matriculating she studied both accountancy and music.

Her trained voice graced church choirs throughout her life, starting with Kerk Street cathedral in Johannesburg.

She played hockey for Oblates and worked as an accountant at Sun Insurance, where she met her husband of 46 years, Noel Williamson.

When the Holy Cross Sisters opened a school in Victory Park in 1954, the Williamsons relocated so that their children could attend. Mrs Williamson served as school secretary to Sr St James, and her sons attended nearby De la Salle College.

She was a member of Victory Park parish when the iconic “lemon-squeezer” building was constructed, in the time of Frs Tom Kelly and Tony D’Alton.

In 1966 the family moved to

Cape Town and she was a founding member of Constantia parish church. Her active service in the parish began under Fr HeinzWerner Schneider and continued under Fr David Musgrave.

Here she was instrumental in the team organising the annual Constantia Fair, the major parish fundraiser, as well as dayto-day activities such as welcoming new members.

Her crowning achievement was establishing and running the Visitation Adult Education Centre for 15 years, which provided literacy and formal education for local domestic workers, gardeners and farm labourers.

A very good Friday Continued from page 7 The Sacred Heart women wore blue cloaks, white blouses and red ribbons; the men wore blue and red waistcoats with black jackets.

The Women of St Anne/Mothers wore purple cloaks and blouses with black skirts.

The men’s sodality is called the “Amadodana”, meaning young men, but all men may join. They wear purple waistcoats with five buttons which denote the five sacred wounds of Christ, with black ties with the word “Catholic” sown on them.

One of the young men told me that they had gathered at the church at noon to pray the Stations of the Cross. This was followed by preaching on the “Seven Last Words” at 13:00, which ended at about 15:15 with the short tea break.

We returned at 15:30 for celebration of the Lord’s Passion. Again the church was packed. We entered in silence and prostrated in front of the altar.

The sodality members together with other men and women and the youth took leadership roles during the service, as well as the priest.

The Scriptures, hymns and prayers were in seSotho, isiXhosa and English.

I did not see anyone leaving early; no one was yawning; no babies cried. It seemed everyone was there because they were at home here.

What harmony. What dignity. What worship.

It filled my soul. n Fr Dick O’Riordan is a priest of the archdiocese of Cape Town who before his retirement served several township parishes.

The project is still thriving today as CWESI, based at Wynberg Boys’ High, and has been recognised for excellence by the national Department of Education.

Mrs Williamson’s work was recognised with a Bene Merenti medal from Pope Benedict XVI. During her time in Cape Town she served for more than 20 years on the Southern Cross board.

She put her accountancy skills to good use, doing the books for Kolbe House student residence during Fr Brian Gaybba’s time as student chaplain.

In her later years she lived in Bergvliet and joined Holy Redeemer parish, attending daily Mass and singing in the choir.

Even after settling at nearby Anchusa Court old age home, she continued to transport other parishioners to Mass. In her last years, Mrs Williamson was driven to Holy Redeemer each week, and was a familiar sight in the front pew with her rosary, still singing every hymn by heart.

She leaves five children, six grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.

Liturgical Calendar Year C – Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday May 12, 4th Sunday of Easter, Vocations Sunday Acts 13:14, 43-52, Psalm 100:1-3, 5, Revelation 7:9, 14-17, John 10:27-30 Monday May 13, Our Lady of Fatima Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4, John 10:1-10.

Readings for the memorial: Isaiah 61:9-11, Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17, Luke 11:27-28 Tuesday May 14, St Matthias Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-8, John 15:9-17 Wednesday May 15 Acts 12:24--13:5, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8, John 12:44-50 Thursday May 16 Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27, John 13:16-20 Friday May 17 Acts 13:26-33, Psalm 2:6-11, John 14:1-6 Saturday May 18, St John I Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98:1-4, John 14:7-14 Sunday May 19, 5th Sunday of Easter Acts 14:21-27, Psalm 145:8-13, Revelation 21:1-5, John 13:31-35

YOUR CLASSIFIEDS

15

Anniversaries • Milestones • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday accommodation Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Parish notices • thanks • others Please include payment (R1,90 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY: o most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. o Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are, Mother of God. Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. there is none who can withstand your power. o Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands. Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then publish.

of our lives with us granting the divine gift to forgive and forget, and in all aspects of our lives with us protecting and opening ways which we thought never existed. We praise and glorify thee and hereby confirm never to be separated from thee, casting aside all material desires.

We pray to be with thee and our loved ones in thy perpetual glory.

PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: the truth will convict a silent Church. See www.valuelife abortionisevil.co.za ABORTION WARNING: the Pill can abort. All Catholic users (married or cohabiting) must be told, to save their souls and their unborn infants. See www.epm.org/ static/uploads/downloads/ bcpill.pdf

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: Holy Spirit, who makes us see all and shows us the way to reach our ideals, thou art in all aspects

MARIANELLA Guest House, Simon’s town: “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped, with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates

Music legends for festival

for pensioners and clergy.

Malcolm Salida 082 7845675, mjsalida@gmail.com

PARISH NOTICES

NEW PARISH NOTICES MOST WELCOME: If any parish notices listed are no longer valid, call us on 021 465-5007 or e-mail us at m.leveson@scross.co.za so that we can remove them.

Also, we’d welcome new notices from parishes across Southern Africa to run free in the classifieds.

CAPE TOWN: A Holy Hour Prayer for Priests is held on the second Saturday of every month at the Villa Maria shrine from 16:00 to 17:00. the shrine is at 1 Kloof Nek Road in tamboerskloof. the group prays for priests in the archdiocese, and elsewhere by request.

Retreat day/quiet prayer last Saturday of each month except December, at Springfield Convent in Wynberg, Cape town. Hosted by ClC, 10.00-15.30. Contact Jill on 083 282-6763 or Jane on 082 783-0331.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Good Shepherd parish, 1 Goede Hoop St, Bothasig, welcomes all visitors. open 24 hours. 021 558-1412.

GOD BLESS AFRICA Guard our people, guide our leaders and give us peace. Luke 11:1-13

A

MARONITE parish in Johannesburg will feature South African music legends when it celebrates its 18th annual Family Festival on May 26.

The festival at Our Lady Of Lebanon parish in Mulbarton, southern Johannesburg, has two aims: to commemorate the inauguration of the parish, and to raise funds for various charities, outreach initiatives and parochial projects.

Our Lady of Lebanon is building a high school on the property to complement the primary school, and funds will also go to completing of the high school.

Heading the entertainment bill are music legends Victor and the Rasta rebels as well as house music band Mi Casa.

The big prize in the raffle is a Ford Figo (tickets will be on sale on the day or can be purchased from the church office directly).

There will be much food and entertainment at the festival, which will be held on May 26 after 10:00 Mass at the parish’s grounds in Bolugom Crescent, Mulbarton. Entrance is R50 for adults, R30 for pensioners and R20 for children. n For more information contact oll@maronitechurch. co.za or 011 432-5331.

Southern CrossWord solutions

SOLUTIONS TO 862. ACROSS: 3 Carpenter, 8 Font, 9 Embarrass, 10 Leeway, 11 Cloak, 14 Caste, 15 Nile, 16 Siena, 18 Envy, 20 Gable, 21 Eaten, 24 Spirit, 25 Pronounce, 26 Fear, 27 Bad dreams.

DOWN: 1 Afflicted, 2 Intensive, 4 Army, 5 Pearl, 6 Norman, 7 East, 9 Eaves, 11 Clean, 12 Kimberley, 13 Refectory, 17 Agape, 19 Yawned, 22 Elude, 23 Aria, 24 Scum.

REGISTER TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR TODAY www.odf.org.za

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The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: Po Box 2372, Cape town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za Editor: Günther Simmermacher (editor@scross.co.za), Business Manager: Pamela Davids (admin@scross.co.za), Advisory Editor: Michael Shackleton, Local News: Erin Carelse (e.carelse@scross.co.za) Editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za), Advertising: yolanda timm (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Michelle Perry (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za), Directors: R Shields (Chair), Archbishop S Brislin, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, Sr H Makoro CPS, J Mathurine, G Stubbs

Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff or directors of The Southern Cross.

the

5th Sunday of Easter: May 19 Readings: Acts 14:21-27, Psalm 145:8-13, Revelation 21: 1-5, John 13:31-35

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T this stage of the Easter season, we should be getting a deeper understanding of the Easter (or “Paschal”) mystery, the triumph of life over death that we are celebrating. You can see something of this in the readings for next Sunday.

The first reading takes place just after Paul has been stoned and left for dead, mistaken for a pagan god. Nothing, however, will stop him from pursuing his missionary vocation, and there is a real sense of life’s triumph over death; but it is as though none of this had ever happened, and his only concern is to “strengthen the spirits of the disciples, and comfort them to remain in the faith”.

Paul is clear that “it is through many tribulations that we must enter the Kingdom of God”; you might describe being nearly stoned to death as something of a “tribulation”. This is indeed the Paschal mystery.

Then Paul and Barnabas set up an infrastructure for the church in Antioch, and start off for Pamphylia, Perge and Attalia, preaching the Gospel. Nothing, it seems, can stop them. Finally, they “reported what great things God had done with them, and how God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles”. The Paschal mystery indeed, we reflect.

S outher n C ross

Life triumphs over Death The psalm for next Sunday is a great song of praise for God’s kingship; but notice how different God is from all other rulers: “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in love”. This is already a triumph of life over death, and it gets better: “the Lord is good to all, and merciful on all his creatures”, the poet sings, and concludes triumphantly: “Your kingdom is a kingdom for ever, and your reign is for all generations.” This is the victory of life over death.

In the second reading, this is even clearer.

We are now almost at the end of the great Book of Revelation, the last text of our Bible; and we glimpse God’s final triumph over death.

What John the visionary does is to remind us how it all began, for he sings: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” The old has passed on (life, you see, has triumphed over death): “For the first heaven and the first earth have gone—and the sea (ancient symbol of chaos and destruction) is no more.”

Then we are given a vision of “new Jerusalem”, life triumphing over death, “made up like a bride for her husband”; and, finally, we hear God’s verdict: “Look! God’s dwelling place is with human beings; and he will pitch

Conrad

but extraordinary because of its unique lucidity and clarity, extraordinary because for that moment we are centred, and extraordinary because in that moment we sense, beyond words and imagination, in some dark, unconscious, and inchoate way, what mystics call the indelible memory of God’s kiss on our soul, the primordial memory of once having experienced perfect love inside God’s womb before birth.

The Canadian Jesuit priest, philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan calls this “the brand of the first principles on our soul”, that is, the innate imprint of the transcendental properties of God, Oneness, Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, inside us.

We have a mystical experience when we are in touch with that part of our soul that was once touched by God, before we were born, that part of our soul that still bears, unconsciously, the memory of that touch.

Fr Henri Nouwen calls this a dark memory of “first love”, of once having been caressed by far gentler hands than we have ever met in this life.

W

e all have experiences of this to some degree. We all have mystical experiences, though we aren’t all mystics.

What’s the difference between having a mystical experience and being a mystic?

It’s the difference between having aesthetic experiences and being an artist.

All of us have deep aesthetic experiences and are at times deeply moved in our souls by beauty; but only a few persons become great artists, great composers, and great musicians—not necessarily because they have deeper ex-

Sunday Reflections

his tent with them, and they shall be his peoples; and God himself will be with them.”

And taking the ancient symbol of the motherhood of God, he goes on: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes—and Death shall be no more.” And it concludes, powerfully: “And the One Sitting on the Throne said, ‘Look! I am making all things new.’” Life has indeed conquered Death.

In the Gospel for next Sunday, it may seem at first that Death has the upper hand, for Judas has just gone out on his mission of betrayal, and the evangelist comments, sharply, that “it was night”; but see how Jesus reinterprets this moment, which is leading directly to his death: “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.”

This is an extraordinary insight: for John’s Gospel, the appalling death by crucifixion turns into a royal enthronement; and Jesus underlines this in a slightly awkward sentence: “God will glorify him in him; and will glorify him immediately.”

We do not fully grasp what he is saying; but we can see that God is registering a victory over death. And there are instructions about how we who are Jesus’ followers, huddled together

When are you a practising mystic?

‘I

’M a practising mystic!” A woman said that in one of my classes some years ago, and it raised lots of eyebrows.

I was teaching a class in mysticism and asked the students why the topic interested them. Their responses varied. Some were simply intrigued; some were spiritual directors who wanted more insight into what constitutes mystical experience; and others were taking the course because their faculty advisor asked them to.

But one woman answered: “Because I’m a practising mystic!” Can someone be a practising mystic? Yes, provided that both terms, practising and mystic, are understood properly.

What does it mean to be a mystic? In the popular mind, mysticism is most often associated with extraordinary and paranormal religious experience: visions, revelations, apparitions, and the like.

Sometimes this is the case, as is true of great mystics like Julian of Norwich and Teresa of Avila—but these are exceptions.

Normally mystical experience is ordinary; no visions, no apparitions, no ecstasies, an everyday experience—but with a difference.

British Carmelite Ruth Burrows defines mysticism this way: “Mystical experience is being touched by God at a level deeper than words, thought, imagination, and feeling.” We have a mystical experience when we know ourselves and our world with clarity, even if just for a second.

That can involve something extraordinary, but normally it doesn’t. Normally a mystical experience is not a moment where an angel or some spirit appears to you or something paranormal happens to you. A mystical moment is extraordinary,

Nicholas King SJ

against the darkness on that sombre evening, are to share in that victory: “Children—I am still with you for a little while.”

So we can rely on Jesus’ presence; and even if it is not quite as permanent as we might wish, we are told how to survive the threat of Death: “I am giving you a new commandment: you are to love each other, as I have loved you, so that you may love each other.”

Love, then, is our way of surviving the mystery of Death. And what does this “love” look like? Think of that extraordinary acted parable that John has placed at the beginning of the Last Supper, the “washing of the feet”, where Jesus performs a humble task that not even slaves should be asked to do.

That is what love looks like; that, and Jesus’ calm acceptance of death on our behalf.

And people should be able to look at us and see love in action: “This is how people are going to know that you are my disciples, if you have love among you”.

That is how you and I can proclaim the victory of Life over Death, this week.

Southern Crossword #862

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

periences than the rest of us, but because they can give exceptional aesthetic expression to experience.

Aesthetic expression is always according to more or less: anyone can become a practising artist, even if not a professional one.

The same holds true for mysticism. A mystic is someone who can give meaningful expression to mystical experience, just as an artist is someone who can give proper expression to aesthetic experience.

You can be a practising mystic, akin to a practising artist or musician. Like a struggling artist, you can strive to give meaningful, conscious expression to the deep movements you sense within your soul. And, like an amateur artist, you will not be the Rembrandt or Picasso of the spiritual life, but your efforts can be immensely helpful to you in clarifying the movements within your own soul and psyche.

How—concretely, practically—might you practise being a mystic? By doing anything that helps you to more consciously get in touch with the deep movements of your soul and by doing things that help you steady and centre your soul.

For example, in striving to get in touch with your soul you can be a practising mystic by journalling, doing spiritual reading, taking spiritual direction, doing various spiritual exercises such as the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, and by prayer of any kind.

In terms of steadying your soul you can be a practising mystic by more consciously and deliberately giving yourself over to the biblical practice of Sabbath and by doing other soul-centering things like gardening, taking long walks, listening to good music, sharing wine and conversation with family and friends, making love with your spouse, holding a baby, visiting a person who is ill, or even just taking up a hobby that healthily breaks the obsession of your daily concerns.

There are ways of being a practising mystic, even without taking a formal class on mysticism.

S outhern C ross Pilgrimage

Led by Archbishop William Slattery www.fowlertours.co.za/passion

3. The trade of Joseph and Jesus (9) 8. It holds the water at church (4) 9. Make you feel ashamed of yourself (9) 10. Freedom to move for some Galilee wayfarer (6) 11. Garment that may have a secret dagger attached (5) 14. Actors sound like they are in a Hindu group (5) 15. Flower where Moses was discovered (4) 16. City of St Catherine (5) 18. A deadly sin (4) 20. Architectural feature (5) 21. Consumed at the boys’ school, we are told (5) 24. Alcohol with ghostly connection (6) 25. Declare N, recoup no change (9) 26. Be afraid of the fare (4) 27. Nightmares (3,6)

DOWN

1. Our Lady is their comforter in the Litany (9) 2. Hospital unit of special care (9) 4. Christian soldiers of Salvation? (4) 5. It is of great price in the parable (Mt 13) (5) 6. Conqueror with a man’s name (6) 7. Where the sun comes up (4) 9. Part of the roof where you overhear a drop (5) 11. The heart prayed for by the psalmist (Ps 51) (5) 12. Diocese in the Northern Cape (9) 13. Where the religious community eats together (9) 17. Open mouthed at the Christian meal (5) 19. Showed tiredness with the boring sermon (6) 22. Escape from (5) 23. Song from part of Ave Maria rendition (4) 24. Dirt that rises to the top Solutions on page 15 (4)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

L

ITTLE Johnny’s new baby brother was screaming up a storm.

Johnny asked his mom: “Where did he come from?”

“He came from heaven, Johnny.”

Johnny responded: “Wow! I can see why they threw him out!”

21 Aug - 2 Sept. 2020

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