Openness and Progress – “What does it mean to defend freedom, truth, virtue, and the sacred in the age of modern democratic man? And what does democracy itself even mean now? A Politics Worthy of Man (National Review)
Following the Science – “Please pause and consider this: last year the FDA put over 700 clinical trials for experimental drugs on hold. Doesn’t that seem like an amazingly high number?” Have This Mind Among Yourselves (Marcus Grodi)
Fading American Dream – “The beacon of hope that used to be California is now a fading memory.” California Dreaming (IM 1776)
Benedict’s Comforting Faith – “All Christians should seek to faithfully persevere in the faith. That simple perseverance and commitment will certainly be part of the lasting legacy of Pope Benedict XVI” Pope Benedict’s Unexpected Legacy for Protestants (Juicy Ecumenism)
A Work of Art – The Department of Catholic Studies in collaboration with the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture proudly present ‘Caravaggio: A Radical Approach to the Truth,’ a lecture by David López Ribes. Caravaggio: A Radical Approach to the Truth (Seton Hall University)
Embedded in the Churches – “It was in Latin that prayers were made, and the Mass was celebrated in all areas where the Church grew—in small village chapels, upon hidden Mass rocks, and in the great Cathedrals soon built in each county and townland.” Love Letters to the Latin Mass 1: In the Beginning (Catholic Stand)
(*The posting of any particular news item or essay is not an endorsement of the content and perspective of said news item or essay.)
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Pope Francis on May 7, 2024, appointed Father James Mark Beckman, 61, a priest of the Diocese of Nashville, as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. / Credit: Diocese of Nashville
Rome Newsroom, May 7, 2024 / 11:50 am (CNA).
Pope Franc… […]
A view of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian Territories from behind a window in the Comboni Sisters’ house in East Jerusalem. / Credit: Marinella Bandini
Jerusalem, Feb 17, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).
The Comboni Sisters have been living on the border of East Jerusalem since 1967. Running along the border of their property is a wall, constructed by the Israelis in 2009, dividing the village of Bethany/al-Eizariya — renowned as the site of the resurrection of Lazarus. The sisters’ residence remains on the Israeli side, while the church and the tomb of Lazarus are on the Palestinian side, on the other side of the wall.
“For us, the passage from Scripture that says ‘in Christ the wall of separation between peoples has been broken down’ is very powerful [Eph 2:14], especially when there is a physical wall in front of us that clearly indicates this separation,” Sister Anna Maria Sgaramella, provincial councilor and coordinator of the Middle East Zone for the Comboni Sisters, told CNA.
Sister Anna Maria Sgaramella, provincial council and coordinator of the Middle East Zone for the Comboni Sisters. Credit: Marinella Bandini
Sgaramella arrived in Jerusalem for the first time on Sept. 26, 2000. The very next day, the second intifada — a major uprising by Palestinians against Israeli occupation — erupted. She witnessed the siege of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where she taught theology.
Later, she was transferred to Egypt, where in 2011, she witnessed the uprising known as the “Arab Spring.”
Since 2013, Sgaramella has permanently returned to Jerusalem and now faces another long and bloody conflict. “I have always been struck by the deep sense of hope and determination to move forward among the Palestinian people. With this war, I see it weaker; people are more exhausted,” she said.
A view of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian Territories from the terrace of the Comboni Sisters’ house in East Jerusalem. The wall, constructed by the Israelis in 2009, runs along the border of their property, dividing the village of Bethany/al-Eizariya in two, believed to be the site of the miracle of the raising of Lazarus. The sisters’ residence remains on the Israeli side, while the church and the tomb of Lazarus are on the other side of the wall. Credit: Marinella Bandini
There are currently six Comboni Sisters in Jerusalem and each is involved in a specific ministry. They usually come together for morning Mass and evening vespers as well as for meetings and reflection. Their community house is open to religious individuals seeking periods of study or discernment and serves as a center of spirituality for both the congregation and the local Church. The sisters host educational workshops and spiritual exercises as well as welcome pilgrims.
The Comboni Sisters in Jerusalem in a recent photo at the Jordan River. The Comboni Sisters’ community in Jerusalem currently consists of six sisters and each is involved in a specific ministry. Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Anna Maria Sgaramella
Sgaramella shared with CNA what it’s like to live on the border.
“With the construction of the wall, we found ourselves in the middle, between Palestinians and Israelis,” she explained. “The Palestinians attempt to bypass the wall — especially to pray at the Dome of the Rock — while the Israelis try to repel them in an endless game.”
“Being in the middle is a physical position that has also become a spiritual one,” Sgaramella continued. “We had to reflect and decided to ‘stay in the middle,’ between these two peoples, to serve as a bridge between them. By placing ourselves in the middle, we listen to the injustice faced by the Palestinians and also to the fears of Israeli families.”
For this reason, the religious community has chosen to maintain a small presence in the Palestinian area. Two sisters reside in an apartment beyond the wall, about 100 feet from the Comboni Sisters’ residence.
The exterior of the Comboni Sisters’ house in East Jerusalem where the Comboni Sisters have been living since 1967. Credit: Marinella Bandini
“We desired to stay and share the lives of those people and accompany the small remaining Christian community there. Every time they need to reach the community, they have to travel 18 kilometers [about 11 miles] passing through the Israeli checkpoint,” Sgaramella explained.
The sisters do not do this simply in the spirit of altruism, explained Sgaramella, who is also involved in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. “We understood from the beginning that being in the middle comes at a cost. It often means getting hit from both sides. On one hand, there are stones and Molotov cocktails from the Palestinians that land on our property; on the other hand, we are under the smoke of tear gas launched in response by the Israelis,” she said.
One incident happened the night of Oct. 6, just hours before the Hamas attack on Israel. Some Molotov cocktails landed on the synthetic grass in the part of the property that houses the kindergarten, causing a fire — the signs of which are still visible today. The fire destroyed the grass, playground equipment, and blackened the recently painted wall.
The exterior of the kindergarten, housed on the Comboni Sisters’ property. In the background is the separation wall that was erected on the edge of the Comboni Sisters’ property in 2009.
The kindergarten is a work that the Comboni Sisters have been carrying out since their arrival and today it serves as an important point of connection with the surrounding community. This significance has grown, especially after the construction of the wall.
“The presence of the kindergarten has never been questioned, neither with the wall nor with the war,” said Sgaramella, who is the director. The kindergarten is attended by approximately 40 children, all of whom are Muslims, divided into two classes. Formally, it is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Ministry of Education. “It is a project that meets the needs of the people; furthermore, episodes of violence never occur during the day when the children are present,” she added.
Sister Anna Maria Sgaramella of the Comboni Sisters talks with the children in one of the kindergarten classes hosted at their home in East Jerusalem. The presence of the kindergarten has never been questioned, said Sgaramella, the director. Credit: Marinella Bandini
Every morning, the children begin with a prayer. “We tell the parents right from the start,” Sgaramella explained. “It’s a prayer of thanksgiving for what God has created, for the day, for life, a blessing for parents, neighbors, friends, and also for children who suffer. We pray for peace in the world and in this country.”
Regarding the families, she shared: “There is great trust and respect. They usually choose to send their children here, especially for moral education and English-language instruction.”
Most of the children come from East Jerusalem, but some also come from al-Eizariya. One of the two teachers, Nihal Hashmime, who is also the vice director, has to pass through the checkpoint every day to get to work.
“With the war,” the sister told CNA, “we faced some educational challenges because initially, some children were absent. The work we do with them is to impart certain values, such as peace, friendship, love, and respect for differences.”
Play is also an important aspect. “Children here do not find toy weapons, and they are not allowed to bring them from home,” Sgaramella said.
“Our attempt in education and all other activities is to break down this wall that leads to seeing the other as an enemy,” Sgaramella said. “Sometimes it is difficult to recognize the universality of salvation. We know that Jesus died for everyone, but in certain conflict-ridden contexts, it is challenging to acknowledge the other as a brother. Personally, the field of teaching theology provides me with the space to build bridges among believers. Because in every religion, there are sincere believers seeking truth.”
Love and Justice: “The Holy Father’s homily concluded, ‘All of us are children of God . . . all of us making up the Church, all of us. We are his sheep, his flock, and we can only be so together and as one. Let us overcome all polarization and preserve our communion.’”
Also a reference to “synodality” with its diminished role for the shepherds (now “facilitators” among the sheep), so not much clarity on how to also preserve the “hierarchical communion” (now a polarization?) articulated in Lumen Gentium (Chapter 3, and the Explanatory Note).
@Incoherent Documents
Must be providential. Days before he left this world Card Pell wrote in the Spectator that the Synod on Synodality is a ‘Toxic Nightmare’, “Not only is it couched in neo-Marxist jargon, but it is hostile to the apostolic tradition”?
A point of interest central to Pope Francis’ rationale of moving the Church from a legalistic posture to become less doctrinal, more welcoming and pastoral is access to the Holy Eucharist.
Discussed recently was my response to Francis’ admonition that ‘The only requisite for receiving Our Lord in communion is the garment of faith’. A compelling addition in support was a past observation made by, I believe it was Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ editor of journal La Civiltà Cattolica and confidant of Pope Francis. What was said is, ‘They refuse them what they need the most’ [the Holy Eucharist]. Them, those living in irregular unions. As such relative to anyone not practicing the faith as required by Apostolic tradition.
This complaint has substance if there is intent, at least some desire to make reparation for acknowledged transgression, some anticipated effort to express thankful love to Christ for his passion and death – by reform. If this is absent, receiving the Eucharist is an act of self affirmation. On precisely this issue Card Pell admonishes those concerned in his refutation of Synod Relator Card Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ who publicly rejects the teachings of the Church on sexuality. ‘What they need the most’ in actual context means support of a chosen, illicit lifestyle, not a remedy for the repentant sinner.
Soft spoken Pell’s last testament to the Church he loves is one of unusual fury. Righteous fury, not physically violent but morally so as that of John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus’ anger at the Pharisees in today’s Gospel for their obstinacy in refusal of the truth. A lesson to the Church, an admonition from a virtuous humble man for us to express moral outrage at this distortion of the truth of our faith, outrage at the multitude of souls led to the eternal precipice.
The article “Fading American Dream” is a classic and clear example of an illogical presentation. The writer takes his very narrow personal perspective about his perception of the decline of California as being the totality of the reality of the state as getting lost and as the “fading American dream.” This reflections which is just a grievance and hate therapy exemplifies the Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness.
A Work of Art
It’s impossible to guess what Ribes meant by Caravaggio a Radical Approach to Truth when nothing is quoted, except a quote from Chesterton on mind to mind creativity. If that means what the painter wished to convey. Although, that’s the intent of all visual art.
Caravaggio’s innovative tenebrism, as this writer perceives and as some others also is the dramatic use of dark juxtaposed to stark light that draws the viewer into the reality of what’s seen. As to religious painting his scenes of the crucifixion place us in the moment, the sense of anguish, pain that the persons depicted must have experienced. Making his passion scenes the best that I have seen.
The interview with Archbishop Chaput somehow shows his grievance and resentment at Pope Francis because he was not made to extend more years in his office as Archbishop and not elevated a Cardinal. Careerist clericalism coupled with anti-Pope Francism on display here. By CWR’s inclusion of this article here despite its disclaimer as not an endorsement just shows its latent anti-Pope Francism.
“….because he was not made to extend more years in his office as Archbishop and not elevated a Cardinal. Careerist clericalism …”
Evidence for your assertion? Or are you merely making judgments without evidence, as do so many who attack anyone who dares raise questions or concerns about various actions and statements from Pope Francis?
“Are you disappointed that you’re not a cardinal?”
“No, and I sleep a lot better for it.”
I met the man once, and I would tend to take him at his word. I think Philadelphians and Archb Chaput’s fan club were more disappointed than anyone.
I was struck by this:
“No one in current Church leadership has the capacity to replace them. That will happen in time, but the talent bench at the moment seems pretty thin.”
Too many bishops later in this interview, and we have a few thousand bishops and we’re thin in talent? That’s about the only bitterness I see in this interview. If I were the interviewer I would’ve pounced on that and suggest he name the almost-talent among his brother bishops today.
I will be following Cynthia Millen’s 12-part essay at CATHOLIC STAND, re Latin Mass “love letters”, see above last entry, Embedded.
Briefly, Traditionis Custodes is a wrong “directive”/direction, in that it does not set up and bless the impulse and idea of getting to know Tradition and growing in appreciation of it. The Latin Mass “issue” could have served -and should have served- as the first channel and “type of experience” for renewal of this area (Tradition) of the faith.
Asserting instead that “tradition must grow OR OTHERWISE it is dead and backwardist” is not the way that anyone deepens in his “heritage” or encounters it; nor is it a way of growing into the new; nor is it the way the heritage -Tradition- is sustained in what it always will be.
Allow me to share that as I write this I see words and sentences that I encountered in a dream 3 nights ago.
Love and Justice: “The Holy Father’s homily concluded, ‘All of us are children of God . . . all of us making up the Church, all of us. We are his sheep, his flock, and we can only be so together and as one. Let us overcome all polarization and preserve our communion.’”
Also a reference to “synodality” with its diminished role for the shepherds (now “facilitators” among the sheep), so not much clarity on how to also preserve the “hierarchical communion” (now a polarization?) articulated in Lumen Gentium (Chapter 3, and the Explanatory Note).
@Incoherent Documents
Must be providential. Days before he left this world Card Pell wrote in the Spectator that the Synod on Synodality is a ‘Toxic Nightmare’, “Not only is it couched in neo-Marxist jargon, but it is hostile to the apostolic tradition”?
A point of interest central to Pope Francis’ rationale of moving the Church from a legalistic posture to become less doctrinal, more welcoming and pastoral is access to the Holy Eucharist.
Discussed recently was my response to Francis’ admonition that ‘The only requisite for receiving Our Lord in communion is the garment of faith’. A compelling addition in support was a past observation made by, I believe it was Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ editor of journal La Civiltà Cattolica and confidant of Pope Francis. What was said is, ‘They refuse them what they need the most’ [the Holy Eucharist]. Them, those living in irregular unions. As such relative to anyone not practicing the faith as required by Apostolic tradition.
This complaint has substance if there is intent, at least some desire to make reparation for acknowledged transgression, some anticipated effort to express thankful love to Christ for his passion and death – by reform. If this is absent, receiving the Eucharist is an act of self affirmation. On precisely this issue Card Pell admonishes those concerned in his refutation of Synod Relator Card Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ who publicly rejects the teachings of the Church on sexuality. ‘What they need the most’ in actual context means support of a chosen, illicit lifestyle, not a remedy for the repentant sinner.
Soft spoken Pell’s last testament to the Church he loves is one of unusual fury. Righteous fury, not physically violent but morally so as that of John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus’ anger at the Pharisees in today’s Gospel for their obstinacy in refusal of the truth. A lesson to the Church, an admonition from a virtuous humble man for us to express moral outrage at this distortion of the truth of our faith, outrage at the multitude of souls led to the eternal precipice.
The article “Fading American Dream” is a classic and clear example of an illogical presentation. The writer takes his very narrow personal perspective about his perception of the decline of California as being the totality of the reality of the state as getting lost and as the “fading American dream.” This reflections which is just a grievance and hate therapy exemplifies the Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness.
A Work of Art
It’s impossible to guess what Ribes meant by Caravaggio a Radical Approach to Truth when nothing is quoted, except a quote from Chesterton on mind to mind creativity. If that means what the painter wished to convey. Although, that’s the intent of all visual art.
Caravaggio’s innovative tenebrism, as this writer perceives and as some others also is the dramatic use of dark juxtaposed to stark light that draws the viewer into the reality of what’s seen. As to religious painting his scenes of the crucifixion place us in the moment, the sense of anguish, pain that the persons depicted must have experienced. Making his passion scenes the best that I have seen.
The interview with Archbishop Chaput somehow shows his grievance and resentment at Pope Francis because he was not made to extend more years in his office as Archbishop and not elevated a Cardinal. Careerist clericalism coupled with anti-Pope Francism on display here. By CWR’s inclusion of this article here despite its disclaimer as not an endorsement just shows its latent anti-Pope Francism.
“….because he was not made to extend more years in his office as Archbishop and not elevated a Cardinal. Careerist clericalism …”
Evidence for your assertion? Or are you merely making judgments without evidence, as do so many who attack anyone who dares raise questions or concerns about various actions and statements from Pope Francis?
“Are you disappointed that you’re not a cardinal?”
“No, and I sleep a lot better for it.”
I met the man once, and I would tend to take him at his word. I think Philadelphians and Archb Chaput’s fan club were more disappointed than anyone.
I was struck by this:
“No one in current Church leadership has the capacity to replace them. That will happen in time, but the talent bench at the moment seems pretty thin.”
Too many bishops later in this interview, and we have a few thousand bishops and we’re thin in talent? That’s about the only bitterness I see in this interview. If I were the interviewer I would’ve pounced on that and suggest he name the almost-talent among his brother bishops today.
What crap!
I will be following Cynthia Millen’s 12-part essay at CATHOLIC STAND, re Latin Mass “love letters”, see above last entry, Embedded.
Briefly, Traditionis Custodes is a wrong “directive”/direction, in that it does not set up and bless the impulse and idea of getting to know Tradition and growing in appreciation of it. The Latin Mass “issue” could have served -and should have served- as the first channel and “type of experience” for renewal of this area (Tradition) of the faith.
Asserting instead that “tradition must grow OR OTHERWISE it is dead and backwardist” is not the way that anyone deepens in his “heritage” or encounters it; nor is it a way of growing into the new; nor is it the way the heritage -Tradition- is sustained in what it always will be.
Allow me to share that as I write this I see words and sentences that I encountered in a dream 3 nights ago.