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Weekly Bulletin August 11, 2024
by Terrie Evans
On this 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we welcome the Minella Family to San Antonio Church for the Christening of Andrew Christian Minella. He is the son of Andrea (Alkire) and Christian Minella and the Grandson of Melissa (Morressey) and Dan Minella. Deacon John Gerke will Baptize Andrew after our 9:00 AM Mass.
Our San Antonio Church Community sends condolences and prayers to the Sisters of Charity Community on the passing of Sr. Barbara Padilla, S.C. who died on July 27th, 2024, at the age of 95. Barbara was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of 12 children, graduated from St. Mary high School and went on to earn her R.N. Certificate while working at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Joining the Sister of Charity, Sr. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at the College of Mt. St. Joseph in 1964 and became a Nurse Supervisor at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and then transferred back to St, Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1963-1968 as a Supervisor. She then worked at Mount San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Colorado 1968-1969, at St. Joseph Hospital in Albuquerque, from 1969-1971, and then back to Cincinnati, for her work at the St. Joseph Infant Home from 1971-1975. In 1975, Sr. Barbara relocated back to New Mexico where she was a School Nurse at the Tierra Amarilla Elementary for 3 years and then as a Parish Nurse at St. Joseph Parish in Los Ojos, New Mexico until 1980. Sr Barbara always longed to be a missionary and in 1980, she started working in the clinic, the Dispensary Elizabeth Seton for the next 10 years serving the health needs of the poor in Duran, Ecuador before taking a much-needed year off for renewal in Spokane, Washington. When she returned to continue her work in Ecuador, Sr. Barbara was able to use her nursing skills while teaching English to high school juniors, seniors and in the evenings to adults. In 2003, she was working at St, Michael Parish in Tybee Island, Georgia, before returning back to the Motherhouse to volunteer at St. James White Oak, the Women’s Connection in Price Hill and as a translator for track employees at River Downs Racetrack. She was preceded in death by sisters, Francis Padilla, Eliza Duncan, Dolores Inge, Leonilla Padilla, Juanita Jaramillo, Guadalupe Revalcava and brothers, Ted, Simon 1st and Simon 2nd Padilla. Sr. Barbara is survived by Elena Duncan Pauline Duran and the Sisters of Charity Community at Mount Saint Joseph. As we remember the life work of Sr. Barbara Padilla (66 years as a nun), remember the works of our beloved Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God also a Sister of Charity, who founded convents, school, and hospitals throughout the Southwest.
On Monday, August 12th we honor the life of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641) a wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community. Losing her mother, Margaret de Berbisey, at 18 months old, Jane’s father became the main influence in her life and her future. Her father, Benigne Fremyot played a prominent role in politics as the head of Parliament at Dijon, France and instilled in Jane the importance of education. After completing her studies, Jane married Baron de Chantal at the age of 21, welcoming six children with three dying in infancy. During the difficult times in their marriage, they restored the custom of having a daily Mass at the Castle of Bourbilly and engaging in various charitable works. When the Baron was killed after they celebrated seven years of marriage, Jane sank into a deep state of depression for many months. Her vision and her outlook changed when at the age of 32, she met the Bishop of Geneva, Francis de Sales and knew she wanted to become a nun. He soon became her Spiritual Advisor and asked her to take a vow and remain unmarried. A few years later, Francis de Sales confided to Jane about his plan to establish an institute for women. It would be set up for those whose health, age or the many circumstances that would prevent them from entering those already established religious communities. The Order would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy and were to exemplify the virtues of Mary of the Visitation.
During the first eight years, the new order of Visitation Nuns was unusual in its public outreach in contrast to other female religious orders who remained cloistered while following strict rules and practices. Although later she was obliged to follow the Rule of St. Augustine making it a cloistered community after he wrote his Treatise on the Love of God for them. Jane continued to accept women of all ages or with health issues with many criticizing her decisions she said “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I am on their side.” Jane Frances de Chantal had many donations and much support from aristocratic women with the Order founding 13 houses by Frances de Sales before his death and 86 houses established before the passing of Jane Frances de Chantal. After the death of Frances de Sales, the Spiritual Director became Vincent de Paul who was with her until her passing in 1641. Her favorite devotions were to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary. Francis de Sales and Jane Frances, de Chantal are buried next to each other in the Annecy Convent. She was Beatified on November 21, 1751, in Rome by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonized on July 16, 1767, by Pope Clement XIV. In 1767, the year of the Canonization of St. Frances de Chantal, there were 164 houses for the Visitation Order. She is the patron of forgotten people, loss of parents and widows and in 1867, a medal was produced with the likeness of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal.
On Tuesday, August 13th we honor the Saints, Pontian – Patron Saint of Carbonia Italy and Montaldo – Patron Saint of Scarampi, Italy and Hippolytus – Patron Saint of Horses. St. Pontian, a Roman Christian who was the Pope, Bishop of Rome from 230-235. Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus were alive during a tumultuous time the history of the Church, they defended the true nature of the Holy Trinity and died for their faith. St. Hippolytus accused Pope Zephyrinus of being too lenient concerning heretics that denied the distinct persons of the Trinity. He also saw Pope Callixtus as too lax concerning adulterers, murderers, and legitimizing invalid marriages. He also accused the Pope of Modalism, a 3rd Century heresy concerning the Holy Trinity regarding the Three persons as three modes or functions of the one God, so making the Godhead a single Person. Pope Hippolytus thought the Church’s practices were forgiving sinners and he came into conflict with Pope St. Zephyrinus, Pope St. Callistus, and Pope St. Pontian about these issues. At this time, Hippolytus elected himself as the leader of a separate church becoming the 1st anti-pope. In 235, Maximus Thrax became the Roman Emperor seizing power with the help of his army and then ordering the arrest and imprisonment of all Christian leaders. In 235 Pope Pontian and Antipope Hippolytus were banished to the island of Sardinia by the Roman Emperor to toil in the harsh conditions of the mines. The conditions were so severe, both men became martyrs dying as a result of their fate. While in exile Pope Hippolytus’ last words “Lord, they break my body; receive my soul.” Pope Fabian who would lead the Church for the next 14 years, he returned their bodies to Rome a year after their deaths. St. Hippolytus’ is buried in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina and in 1551, a headless statue of Hippolytus was found just outside Rome during excavations of the Via Tiburtina. Inscribed on either side of the chair are tables for working out the dates of Easter. The statue, showing the saint as a teacher, was carved during his lifetime. St. Pontian was laid to rest in the Papal Crypt in the Catacomb of Callixtus. St Hippolytus left a detailed description of the early ordination rites, Apostolic Traditions, which includes the reception of catechumens into the Church and the celebration of the Eucharist. He also left a commentary on the Prophet Daniel, the Song of Songs, a treatise on Christ and the antichrist found in the books of Daniel, Revelations, and various sermons. They were Canonized pre-congregation. A Prayer: “Saint Pontian and Hippolytus, you both served the Church during a difficult period in which the nature of the Most Holy Trinity was called into question. You defended the truth and taught it tirelessly. As a result of your fidelity, you both died for the faith, reconciled to God and to each other. Please pray for me, that I will always seek reconciliation, especially with other Christians, and will always remain faithful to the one true faith. Saints Pontain and Hippolytus, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. AMEN.”
On Wednesday, August 14th, the Catholic Church honors the life of martyr, Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1940) Polish catholic priest, Franciscan Friar who volunteered to die in the death camp of Auschwitz during World War II. He was born in the Kingdom of Poland, at that time part of the Russian Empire on January 8,1894. His life became strongly influenced by the Virgin Mary when he had a vision at the age of 12 in 1906. He would describe the incident: “That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity and the red one meant that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.” In 1907 along with older brother Francis, he joined the Conventual Franciscan Monir Friary and in 1910, Kolbe entered the novitiate taking the name, Maximilian. In 1911, he professed his first vows and in 1014 he took his final vows, adding the name Maria. In 1912, he attended the Pontifical University in Rome earning a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1915, continuing his studies, he earned a Doctorate in Theology between the years 1919-1922 all taking place during World War I. During his studies, his father Julius Kolbe was actively fighting against the Russians for the independence of Poland was caught and hanged as a traitor by the Russians at the age of 43. While Maximilian was a student, he witnessed demonstrations against the Popes, Pius X and Benedict in Rome saying: “They placed the black standard of the “Giordano Brunisti” under the windows of the Vatican. On this standard the Archangel, Michael, was depicted lying under the feet of the triumphant Lucifer. At the same time, countless pamphlets were distributed to the people in which the Holy Father (the Pope) was shamefully attacked.” Kolbe organized the Army of the Immaculate One in 1917 to work for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church through the Intercession of the Virgin Mary adding to the Miraculous Medal Prayer: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. And for all those who do not have recourse to thee; and all those recommended to thee.” He was ordained in 1918 and in 1919, he returned to Poland promoting the veneration of the Immaculate Virgin Mary while opposing leftist and communist movements while teaching at the Krakow Seminary until 1922. Kolbe went on to start the monthly periodical, “Knight of the Immaculata” and operated a religious publishing press until 1926. He founded a new Conventual Franciscan Monastery near Warsaw in 1927 which became a major religious publishing center. During the years 1930-1936, Kolbe journeyed to China, Japan, and India to establish missions. He first arrived in Shanghai, China but his work was not successful and then journeyed to Japan founding a Franciscan Monastery on the outskirts of Nagasaki. He had the monastery built on a mountainside that survived when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. In 1932, he left Japan for India where he founded another monastery that has since closed. He would return to Poland in 1933, travel to Japan and finally return in 1936 as guardian of Niepokalanow monastery in Poland. There he started a radio station with his amateur radio license call sign SP3RN. When World War II broke out, Kolbe remained in the monastery organizing a temporary hospital before the town was captured by the Germans. In 1939, he was arrested then released three months later refusing to sign the Deutsche Volkliste giving him the rights similar to those of German citizens in exchange for recognizing his ethnic German ancestry. After his release, Kolbe and the other friars continued to shelter refugees along with 2,000 Jews whom they hid from German persecution in the Niepokalanow Friary all while publishing anti-nazi publications. On February 17, 1941, Kolbe and four others were arrested, and the Monastery was shut down by the Gestapo. They were imprisoned in Pawiak prison. Kolbe was transferred to Auschwitz on May 28th, 1941as prisoner number 16670. Kolbe continued to practice his faith as a priest even though he was beaten and suffered harassment in his cell in Block 11. When a prisoner escaped from the camp in July 1941, the deputy commander ordered that 10 men would be chosen to starve to death to deter other escape attempts. One of the selected men Franciszek Gajowniczek cried out, “My wife! My children!” Kolbe volunteered to take his place saying: “I am old and useless.” While in his cell, Kolbe led the 10 other prisoners into prayer as they battled starvation and dehydration for two weeks with only three others and Kolbe surviving. The guards then gave the four remaining prisoners lethal injections of carbolic acid as Kolbe comforted each one as they died. Kolbe raised his left arm composed as he was the last one to die on August 14, 1941, with his remains cremated on the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th. His Beatification was opened on June 3, 1952, and he was recognized as a Servant of God on May 12, 1955. Pope Paul VI declared Kolbe Venerable on January 30, 1969, and Beatified as a Confessor of the Faith in 1971 by Pope Paul VI. He was Canonized as a Saint by Pope John Paul II on October 10, 1982, and declared as a confessor and martyr of charity. The man Kolbe saved at Auschwitz, Franciszek Gajowniczek survived the Holocaust and was present at the Beatification and Canonization ceremonies. Maximilian Kolbe is also remembered in the Church of England with a commemoration of August 14th. Kolbe is one of ten 20th century martyrs who are depicted in statues above the great West Door of Anglican Westminster Abbey in London. In 1963, a play influenced by Kolbe’s life, “The Deputy”, was published by Rolf Hochhuth and dedicated to St. Maximillian Kolbe. In 1998, a Museum of St. Maximilian “There was a Man” opened in Niepokalanow and in 2000, the National Shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe designated the community of Conventual Franciscan Friars, Marytown – the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe located in Libertyville, Illinois. In Western Australia, Kolbe Catholic College was founded in 1989 with the motto “Courage, Faith, and Excellence. On the 25th Anniversary of the College in 2014, the staff and students went on a pilgrimage to Poland and Italy to follow the footsteps of the saint. The trip included Auschwitz to connect with “Courage,” Niepokalanow to connect with “Faith” and Rome to connect with “Excellence.” The college made the pilgrimage again in 2016 for World Youth Day in Krakow and made the journey again in 2018. A Prayer to St. Maximilian Kolbe: “Heavenly Father, You inflamed Blessed Maximilian the Priest with love for the Immaculate Virgin and filled him with zeal for souls and love for neighbor. Through his prayers rant us to work strenuously for Your glory in the service of others, and so be made conformable to Your Son until death. AMEN.”
On Thursday, August 15th we honor the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is defined as a Doctrine of the Faith, regarding faith and morals given by her founder, Jesus Christ to the Apostles for the salvation for all. On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII stated that Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven after the completion of her earthly life (In theological terminology, her dormition, or falling asleep in the Lord) since, by reason of her Immaculate Conception, she should not suffer the consequences of Original Sin. Pope Pius XII stated: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” The Feast of the Assumption has been celebrated by Christians as early as the 7Th Century and at present is considered a Holy Day of Obligation. The Solemnity of the Assumption has been celebrated in the Eastern Church since the 6th Century and Orthodox Christians fast for 14 days prior to the feast. Religious Parades and popular festivals will be held to celebrate the Assumption and in Canada, The Fete Nationale of the Arcadians is an annual festival. In Malta, the Basilica of the Assumption also known as Mosta Rotunda will be decorated on this day.
On Friday, August 16th we honor the life of Stephen I of Hunga, also known as King St. Stephen, the last Grand Prince of the Hungarians, and the 1st King of Hungary until his death in 1038. He has been considered one of the most important persons in the history of Hungary. He was the first member of his family who became a devout Christian before marrying Gisele of Bavaria, a marriage that established the first family link between a Hungarian Ruler and a Western Ruling House. Their ceremony officiated by St. Adalbert took place at the Scheyern Castle. King Stephen was credited with the establishment of a Christian state that ensured that the Hungarian population survived in the Carpathian Basin, the large sedimentary basin situated in southeast central Europe during the 9th and 10th Century. The Hungarians strengthened their control over the Carpathian Basin by defeating the Bavarian Army on July 4, 907, then launched campaigns between 899-and 955 and also targeting the Byzantine Empire during the years 943-971. Due to their success, the Hungarians settled in the Basin establishing the Christian Monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary around 1000. King Stephen went on to establish an Archbishopric, the territory under an Archbishop, six Bishoprics, under authority of each Bishops diocese, and the Benedictine Monastery. His work led the Church in Hungary to develop as an independent entity away from the Archbishops of the Holy Roman Empire while he worked to encourage the spread of Christianity. King Stephen changed the rules about concerning severe punishment for not obeying Christian customs. He was considered as one of the most important statesmen in the History of Hungary during his reign. When he led the country, Hungary enjoyed a long era of peace with the country becoming a preferred route for pilgrims and merchants who traveled between Western Europe, the Holy Land and Constantinople. He died on August 15, 1038, at the age of 63, surviving all his children who passed before him. King Stephen was buried in his new Basilica dedicated to the Holy Virgin and was Canonized by Pope Gregory VII along with his son, Emeric, and Bishop Gerard of Csanad Hungary. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches with his Major Shrine, St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary. Since the 13th Century, King St. Stephen has become a popular theme in Hungarian Poetry, described by poets as the symbol of National Identify and Independence. He is also seen as the Apostle of the Hungarians in religious hymns especially in the choral piece, Hymn to King Stephen written in 1938 by Zoltan Kodaly.