Pope’s greeting to President

In an e-mail from Zenit, I got the text of the telegram sent by Pope Benedict to Barak Obama. It is worth quoting here because there are so many gossips saying that the Catholic Church cannot accept Obama as president of the USA. I am always amazed when I hear such talk. So I post this for the benefit of those who, like me, believe otherwise.

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C.

On the occasion of your inauguration as the Forty-fourth president of the United States of America I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that the Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities.

Under your leadership may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcast and those who have no voice.

At a time when so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation from the scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7). Upon you and your family, and upon all the American people, I willingly invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace.

A wonderful message that speaks in blessings for joy and peace! Those who thrive on division and condemnation would do well to reflect on it. Or maybe they need just the blessing themselves.

Hail to the chief!

Inauguration Day 2009 in the USA. The event captured the attention of Europe as well as the USA. It was also the last day of class in this semester, and I had five hours of lessons to attend to in order to wrap up two graduate courses. I had to contain myself, therefore, so that I could get the work done. But 10 minutes before 18.00 CET (noon EST), the classes finally wrapped up (interesting how after each of the sessions there were students who wanted to linger and chat). I brought the remaining 4 students into my office, opened Facebook’s link to CNN, poured glasses of Glenlivet or Sambuca, and we toasted Joe Biden and Barak Obama as they took their oaths of office.

After the students left my office, I continued to watch the new president give his inauguration address. Thanks to live streaming video, I could «attend» the entire process in English, rather than hear the voice-over of the RAI (Italian television). Later I was able to see the RAI reports, and they were excellent: half dedicated to US foreign policy; half dedicated to the fashion report of the First Family and their entourage.

There would be many profound thoughts to write, but since everyone else on the planet is writing, texting, blogging, journaling on this event, there is no need to do this myself. Still, I just want to quote something from that discourse that I found to be the most significant.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

Some have been complaining that this is all euphoria, shallow giddiness. I don’t think it is. Barak Obama is not promising an easy time; he is challenging America to work.

Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

It is a long time since I have heard similar words. Maybe the last to speak in such a way was JFK. Later perhaps I will share a thought on that, but I want to just cite another phrase from today’s speech.

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.

Exactly. But it is time for me to say goodnight now. I go to sleep smiling and very grateful.

∞∞∞∞∞

Thesis defense - Salesian studies deepen

This afternoon, the Salesian priest Jose Vettath (India Guwahati) defended his doctoral dissertation in the presence of a large contingent of students, professors, and Salesian confreres from other centers in Rome.

The dissertation, called The Mode of Government of Blessed Michael Rua, Rector Major of the Salesian Society (1888-1910), is a most timely one. It comes on the vigil of the centenary of the death of Blessed Michael Rua, first successor of Don Bosco. This fact in itself places the thesis in the context of what will be, for the entire Salesian Congregation and the apostolic family of Don Bosco, a year of reflection and celebration. Without doubt Fr Vettath’s contribution will find immediate use, particularly in English-speaking areas of the Salesian World.

The dissertation begins with a presentation of the state of the craft: who has studied the figure and writings of Michael Rua; the primary and secondary sources; the relevance of continued study of one of Saint John Bosco’s first collaborators in his mission among at-risk youth and his first successor as father and charismatic center of the Salesian apostolic world. Chapters one and two, then, offers us a historical grounding, while chapters three and four give us insights into the Blessed’s works, concrete and literary. Chapter five, finally, looks at Michael Rua’s governance itself. This chapter is something of a synthesis of all that has gone before and gives us a picture of an original and defining moment in the Salesian experience: the impact of Don Rua’s person and mission on Salesian life.

In allowing us to see the many elements of Don Rua’s governance – both in style and content – the candidate offers us a foundation, a study and a compendium. His presentation is meticulous. This makes it easy for others to reconstruct the period and to understand the inner dimensions of the Salesian Society in the earliest years. A compendium, yes, and quite valuable indeed!

∞∞∞∞

Jose Vettath (center) successfully defended his doctoral thesis today. Also pictured L-R are Jarek Rochowiak (registrar UPS), Francesco Motto (2nd reader), Giorgio Zevini (dean, theology school), Aldo Giraudo (thesis director), Joseph Boenzi (3rd reader).

Aldo Giraudo directed the scholar in his research and the writing of his dissertation, and Francesco Motto was the second reader. At Christmastime I had been asked to be the third member of the committee for the doctoral examination. I am grateful for that opportunity, for it allowed me access to Jose Vetthath’s work. Three years ago he frequented my course on the spirituality of St Francis de Sales, and at the time we had a number of conversations on the importance of creating an international team of Salesian scholars to share the sources of Don Bosco’s charism with the rising generations. I am very pleased to see that Jose has continued along this line. It is a day of pride for Salesian India, and for us all.

Officially 2009

Classes resumed this morning at the UPS. First period is (always) at 8.45.

Not only did classes resume, but all the other services began today as well. It was only this morning that I realized how many people were on holidays. The cleaning crews were back; the library staff returned in full force; the kitchen staff was back to his full complement; the secretarial staff, which had only worked part time, were back in full. It was obvious at the start of the day, and at coffee times, and in the moments of transition.

Of course, 12 days of Christmas mean also 12 days of things to catch up on, beginning with the cleaning crew. How they can possibly clean all the environments (classrooms, computer labs, library, hallways, lecture and assembly areas, chapels) at the same time as all the students are involved is, well… no small feat!

Breakfast conversation was stimulating as usually, with professors commenting on the economy. Everyone of the Italian professors noted how tourism is down in their home towns during the holidays. I commented that the US dollar is still low against the euro, which makes it hard for the “americani” to arrive in streams as they have in previous years. This comment led to a comment on the next encyclical, projected to be published soon. It would seem to be on justice in the economy: a development in the social justice doctrine. I can’t wait to see it.

In the meantime, I need to stimulate the academic economy of the UPS by finishing to prepare all my classes and getting the exams ready. Will this be possible? Or will I be too nostalgic for the holidays?

Today’s class in youth spirituality went well, despite the fact that some genius had turned off all the electricity in the smart classroom and it took three students and I 10 minutes to get everything in working order again. Turns out the projector remote was not functioning, so instead of reporting this to the university secretariat that deals with facilities, professor genius went to the power board and switched off the entire room. Brilliant! Well, I reported the breakage to the segretario, and he sent a crew in during the afternoon.

You see, professor genius? It is really easy when you speak up.

Okay, enough venting on this silly blog.

Chinese student-priests Giovanni Liu and Paolo Liu sign up for exams

It rained today… lots of rumbling of thunder and a steady wind that sounded like the soundtrack of a horror movie. Still, it turned out to be a pleasant first day back to school. This was the first day that the students were able to book their examination dates (exams go for three weeks following the end of first semester classes on 20 January). From what I can see, most of the graduate students are pretty confident and ready to roll. Beyond all this, as I said, the class I had in youth spirituality was one of the best this term, and the participation rate was very high, notwithstanding the power being cut, the wind howling, the thunder cracking, the rain pouring. 2009 is officially underway.

Holidays are swept away

Epiphany began as a warm day but overcast… it got progressively colder, and by nightfall another storm was threatening.

The old Roman proverb kicks in today: «Epifania, tutte le feste spazza via» - «Epiphany arrives today and all the holidays sweeps away».

In the Roman liturgy, this is the day when the date of Easter is announced to the faithful. the text is in the Roman Missal. I have never heard this announcement in English, but I have heard it every year when I am in Italy on this feast. It may be worth reproducing the announcement here.

Dearest brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has been made manifest
and always will be manifest among us
until his return.

In the rhythm and events of time
we recall and we live
the mysteries of salvation.
At the center of the entire liturgical year is the Triduum of the Lord
crucified, buried and risen,
which will culminate on Easter Sunday, 12 April.

In every Sunday
Easter of the week,
the Holy Church makes present
this great event
in which Christ has conquered sin and death.

From Easter all the other holy days flow:
Ash Wednesday, beginning Lent, 25 February;
Ascension of the Lord, 24 May;
Pentecost, 31 May;
First Sunday of Advent, 29 November.

Even in the feasts of the Holy Mother of God,
of the Apostles, of the saints,
and the commemoration of the faithful departed,
the pilgrim Church on earth
proclaims the Passover of the Lord.

To Christ
who was, who is and who comes,
Lord of time and of history,
be everlasting praise in age upon age.

Amen

This is a bit stilted, I realize. It is my own translation of the text… Remind me to polish it sometimes, okay?

In his words at the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI spoke from the Scriptures and noted that “All Jerusalem was troubled.” We are all part of Jerusalem, troubled by what is happening around us, even as we look at the Holy Land today, troubled by yet another war. In this sense, the pope said, “The Virgin Mary helps us to welcome Jesus with faith, to not close our hearts to his Gospel of salvation. Let us allow ourselves to be won over and transformed by Him, Emmanuel, God come among us to make ourselves a gift of peace and of His love for the world.”

So now Epiphany is winding down, sweeping away all the holidays, and carrying us back into the real world, lacerated by war and struggle, but open to Hope because God-with-us has made Himself manifest.

Buone feste!

Holy Family Sunday

As I have been doing since my return in October, I joined the student community of Don Rua for mass this morning. The number of student priests was low since most have been away helping in parishes for the Christmas holidays. An outgoing provincial from Argentina was main celebrant… and of course the theme was the Holy Family of Nazareth.

In the last few years, the Rector Major has been stressing evangelization of youth through working with the family. This theme is vital as never before because of the difficulties that so many families face today.

Another aspect, however, is that the Church is called to image family by how it forms community. And community is not something that is inward looking as much as inward supportive so that all members can be outward looking.

Pascual Chávez has been very clear on this. He has told us that the image of family for the Salesian Family is not the Holy Family of Nazareth but the family of apostles gathered around Jesus in his mission of preaching and teaching and healing. In this sense, we need to be a Family on the Move… to be the core of a vast movement that brings the good news of Christ to the young, especially to those who are poorest and most in need. Therefore, the family in the Salesian world must become authentic as a gathering place where faith is strengthened, were hope becomes fruitful, and where love comes alive.

Rain continued today… it was dark and gloomy… and this allowed greater reflection really. Nice day all in all.

Fall on your knees…

The red arrow … faster than ever!

Natale con i tuoi

Trip to Acerra

Christmas Eve. I left the University early this morning at 6.30, and I arrived in Acerra on a new train from Napoli Centrale, just a few minutes before noon. Both of my readers of this blog know that my family originated in Acerra, and that I still have family in this ancient city. I know the town quite well, and can make my way around it on foot. This is always a good idea because the traffic is horrendous! But of all days to walk, Christmas Eve is the day.

The walk from the station of Acerra to the Boenzi home on via Sant’Anna is something that I can do in ten minutes, but I took my time because I wanted to buy some Christmas bread for my zia Olga.

Everyone was in the streets. The elderly, the children, the young: all chatting and laughing. The women were moving from shop to shop for the last-minute purchases for Christmas dinner… and Christmas Eve supper, which is a major event in these parts.

Over loud speakers there was Christmas music. Most of it came from American secular songs for the holidays like Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to Town. Other children’s songs were playing as well, such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or Brahams’ Lullaby. Christmas decorations were never really a big thing in this part of the world, but I was surprised to see so many little Christmas elves climbing ladders and trying to get into the flats on Via Annunziata. They call these Babbo Natale, after the British name Father Christmas. This does keep with the American myth that Santa Claus is a one-and-only. There were so many of these little Santa elves in the same place… The decorations were funny rather than fabulous.

There were many young people dressed in Santa Claus outfits… or better, Mrs Claus outfits, since most were young women who danced in front of shops and handed out fliers with news of bargains and specials. It was noisy and chaotic (which is typical for Acerra anyway) but the sight of American Christmas kitsch was really disconcerting.

By 12.30, panettone in hand, I arrived at the home of Zia Olga, located on Via Sant’Anna. The house is 84 years old and in bad repair. Guglielmo Pepe, son of Olga’s late sister Gilda, has paid an architect to study the place. Measurements have been taken and the building is already being vacated of tenants (upstairs). Many of zia Olga’s possessions are in storeage in the garden shed. But I will talk of this later. I was warmly welcomed as I have always been, and am glad to be able to spend the holidays here with family.

After a light lunch, Zia Olga began to prepare the Christmas Eve dinner. In mid-afternoon my cousin Salvatore Boenzi arrived with his son Alberto. Zia Olga has a toy box for little three-year-old Alberto to explore, and Salvatore and I visited… catching up on news, the most important of which is that his wife Marisa is nearing the end of her pregnancy. They expect a second son at the start of the new year. So far they have not decided on a name because there are many family members that are tugging this way and that, and they are undecided. The important thing, however, is that Marisa is healthy and ready. Guglielmo Pepe, Salvatore’s first cousin and only other family member in Acerra, is a gynecologist and obstetrician (as was his mother Gilda and his grandmother Maria Concetta). Guglielmo will deliver the baby.

Salvatore Palmiro Boenzi with his firstborn son Alberto

Of course little Alberto (aka Albertomagno) is a bit nervous as to what this can all mean. He does not want to hear of little brothers because he is afraid that he will not be able to play as much once the new arrival enters the Boenzi home. Salvatore sighs at this… and says this is the whole point. “I grew up an only child; Guglielmo grew up an only child; Guglielmo’s son Giuseppe is an only child. I was very lonely as a child, and it became hard for me to understand others as I grew up. I want my children to live in Society, and that starts with the society of sharing in the family. For this reason also Marisa and I are very happy for this successful pregnancy. We finally break the current of having only one child!”

This is an interesting conversation on Christmas Eve as we await the birth of another Child!

Keep Christ in Christmas

Piazza dell’Ateneo Salesiano, after the rains

My plan is to spend Christmas in Acerra with my zia Olga. The last time I was able to go there was in June 2007. Last year my aunt was injured and unable to host me… and my own time at the university was so intense that I was not able to really do much in terms of extra curriculars.

The morning has been beautiful. After so many days of rain, it was a real blessing. I went into the piazza to do some shopping (as this is also market day). My hope was to find some panettone, but the selection was poor. I did buy some coffee, however, since I know that Zia Olga will like this.

Many of the stores in our neighborhood have put up nativity scenes, either in the shop or in the shop window. one was very amazing, really. It was in a watch repair shop, and the nativity scene takes up the whole window. I noticed it because there were a number of people standing around and admiring it. When I went to get a look for myself, I overheard a couple of neighbors conversing and saying how pleased they are that the nativity scenes (i presepi) are returning and that people are making an effort to construct them.

If people are afraid that no one in Europe wants to keep Christ in Christmas, this cannot be the fear in Rome right now. Nativity scenes are on the rise… or at least, this is what the neighbors were saying.

Shop window nativity scene in Piazza dell’Ateneo Salesiano

For my part, I had a good look at the presepio on the storefront window, and spent more than a few moments there. It represents a very tender scene, and I was very pleased.

Of carols and festivals

This was the last day of class before the Christmas break at the UPS. As one might suspect, there were moments of caroling and parties in the key gathering points of the university. Caroling in the main classroom building has been going on every day during the past two weeks, but usually I was between classes on the other side of campus, or frantically preparing the next lesson in my office, which is located in the theology wing. Today, however, I managed to get to the classroom building to hear the Filipino students lead the singing.

The time between classes is five minutes, and usually not even that long since most professors go over time (but that is another story). This means that the caroling gathering only lasts ten minutes, but the preparation lasts two weeks. As you might suspect, the Filipino delegation brought a lively and joyous spirit to their Christmas medley.

Songs and celebrations continued through the rest of the morning, until the last hour before dinner when the entry all filled with students and professors and staff. There were more songs, this time from the Indian delegation.

But I said I would continue to give news of yesterday’s walk through the old quarter of the city of Rome with Mary Margaret Stein. Hmm, where were we?

We had dinner at Trattoria Pizzeria Polese, which I called my favourite little restaurant in all of Rome, if not on all the planet. I have qualms about calling it a restaurant because, in Italy, there are different names for different styles of eating places. A ristorante is usually upscale. You can tell because there are solid table cloths, fine china and beautiful stemware. A trattoria, on the other hand, is usually a smaller place, less elegant, more affordable and less formal, more familiar. You can recognize a trattoria through its multi-coloured table cloths, often checkered but not necessarily. The flatware is more modest too, and the price much, much more reasonable than that of the ristorante. The cooking, however, is just as good as the restaurant and often better. In the case of many trattorie in Italy, the meal can be truly superior.

Certainly this is the case for Trattoria Polese.

Mary Margaret surveys the menu of Trattoria Polese

Extraordinary as the menu is at Trattoria Polese, the meal was enjoyable for other reasons, starting with catching up on the goings on in our lives, in our families, and in our work. Mary Margaret is working now with the Bishops Conference of Alaska, which brings her into Washington DC several times a year to represent the concerns of the Catholic Bishops of the 49th state.

Image of Victory on Ponte Vittorio Emanuele

We had crossed the Tiber on the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II (Victor Emmanuel II Bridge), where we spent nearly 30 minutes watching the fast moving currents of the near-flooded Tiber. That was before dinner. After dinner, instead of returning to the Vatican, we crossed Via Vittoria Emanuele to the Chiesa Nuova — the new church. Of course, it was still the mid-day break, and the church was closed. I was a little disappointed. This is the church built by Saint Philip Neri (so it is new, as of 1577), and his relics are preserved here. I would have liked to have shown the interior of this baroque church to Mary Margaret. Patience!

Afternoon shadows fall on the Chiesa Nuova

We walked around the piazza della Chiesa Nuova for a few minutes, and spoke about what it means to call a 400-year-old church “new”. Then made our way through the neighbouring streets to Piazza Navona.

Piazza Navona is a favourite tourist site. In other seasons of the years this piazza is filled with mimes, acrobats, street artists. At Christmas time, the piazza fills with little booths and stalls for Christmas as well as Epiphany. Most sell the decorations and trinkets, the desserts and stocking stuffers, children’s gifts and things of that nature.

The piazza is really a meeting place first, and this is true even when there is a mercato. Morning is the time to buy; afternoon is the time to browse and visit. It was very festive yesterday afternoon. There were many young families with their children, as well as many groups of children, adolescents and young adults. As usual, people move from booth to booth looking but not buying.

As we did our little stroll around Piazza Navona, we noticed a group of young men putting on red costumes and dressing up as Babbo Natale (literally Father Christmas). They were listening to an elder couple who were organizing these young Santas to march on behalf of abducted children. Amid all the shopping and touring that is Piazza Navona, these Santas were raising awareness to the plight of abused and abducted minors, and the heartache experienced by their families. It was very moving to see this social justice theme brought to the heart of the plaza right at the start of the Christmas preparations.

Mary Margaret said, at this point, that seeing these young men were good for her retreat meditation. She told her friends at home that she was coming to Italy for a silent retreat.

“And where have you done this retreat,” I asked.

“It has all been one great retreat,” she laughed. “I do not speak the language, so I have just been silent all these days, until today of course. So I have watched and listened, and this leads to thinking and reflecting and praying. So, it has been a silent retreat really.”

Cute! but true! Today Mary Margaret left for Assisi. She will stay there until 27 December, and then leave on the next day for home again. We might be in touch then… but if not, I’m happy that she let me interrupt her retreat.

Visiting St Peter’s and crossing the raging Tiber

From the majestic Via della Conciliazione, the Christmas tree was clearly visible in front of Basilica San Pietro this morning. I went to St Peter’s this morning to meet a long-time friend, Mary Margaret Stein. The day could not have been better for a little walk-about in Rome. In fact, after weeks of incredible rain and dreary, dark, ominous days, this morning dawned bright and clear. Throughout the day the weather remained clear and almost balmy (well, if you dressed in layers and zipped up).

Mary Margaret Stein at Piazza San Pietro today

Mary Margaret had contacted me through facebook to say that she was coming to Rome during this month. It was a quickly put-together trip, she told me then… and today I found out how she had pulled it off with a really economic flight. I will keep all this in mind for the future. Traveling between California and Italy does not have to be expensive. Of course, she lives in Alaska now, so if she found good flights from there, there is hope from LAX, no doubt.

Okay, so we met at the entrance to the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the basilica. We spent a little time in the church, but then went out into the piazza, given the wonderful weather. We stopped in first at an exposition on the life of Eugenio Pacelli — Pope Pius XII. This is the 50th anniversary of his death.

The exposition had many photographs and documents (including some pages that show how Pacelli worked to oppose the Nazis before the rest of the world took stock, and his work to save the Jewish people). In addition to the photographs, there are paintings and artefacts, some articles of his clothing, and similar items. I have to say that I recognized all the photographs, for I have seen reprints in books and magazines ever since I was a child… but it was great to see the original prints.

It was also great to see his vestments, his red shoes, the tiara that he wore. These I had also seen in photographs. What I never saw in the photos was that much of the papal regalia that he wore had been designed for Pope Pius IX, who died in 1878, that is 61 years before Eugenio Pacelli was elected pope in 1939. Talk about recycling!

After the expo, we went out into the square just as a series of limosines were exiting… limosines of new ambassadors who had come to offer their credentials to the pope. We were not allowed to cross the square as these departed, but it gave us time to visit and speculate, of course. Once they were gone, we walked down Borgo Pio, then to the Tiber to do some damage control.

Muddy and flooded Tiber River

After 6 weeks of rain in Italy, the Tiber came dangerously close to overflowing its banks. It was within a meter of doing so last weekend. Five days ago there was an alert that the Tiber might overflow its banks. Now it is now subsiding, but we could see the marks of how high the river had come thanks to the silt and mud on the walls. It is still higher than I have ever seen it in previous years… and very muddy. There is a lot of debris floating through and getting caught in the arches of the bridges, but the fast flowing river is returning to its normal depth. This is a relief.

Evidence of debris in the flooded Tiber River

Of course, all that helped us to work up an appetite. We crossed the Tiber and made our way down Via Vittorio Emanuele II, toward the Chiesa Nuova. There, in Piazza Sforza Cesarini, is a little family-style place to eat called Trattoria Polese. This is my favourite of all eateries on the planet. We were slightly ahead of the dinner crowd (we entered at 12.50) but soon enough the trattoria filled up. The owner waited on us and we took our time with a wonderful meal where everything was genuine, from the mozzarella to the sweet basil, from the saltinbocca to the gelato. I was happy to see how much Mary Margaret enjoyed the flavours and the textures… The conversation was as delicious.

Trattoria Polese, in Piazza Sforza Cesarini: my favourite of all eateries on the planet

It was during our leisurely meal that I discovered why Mary Margaret had come to Rome… but I’ll save this for tomorrow. It is already very late.

First of the Christmas Parties

Just this morning as I was getting ready for my last class, I got a call from Jesús Manuel García that the students of spirituality would throw a little Christmas party during the last class period of the morning, in the room that I normally use. My class is fourth period; the party would be fifth period.

The class today was dedicated to group work, which I understand is not so common at the UPS. Perhaps because of the chatter that could, no doubt, be heard in the hall, some students who were not my own began to come into the room during my class and sit with the groups. When they found out that my students were doing group discussions on youth and faith development, these party-goers stayed in the groups and joined the discussions. Perhaps they thought it was part of the Christmas party!

The party (they call it Scambio di Auguri: Exchange of Greetings) is quite easy to organize. All that is needed is music and food.

For the Christmas songs, the Filipino students put together a sheet with songs in Italian, English and Tagalog. They led the singing, started some dancing, and directed the keyboard musician, who is Vietnamese and who had more fun than anyone banging out the tunes.

Then you need some goodies, and the student leaders brought in Panettone and Spumante, the traditional Christmas treats. No need for decorations… just a lot of napkins, and good cheer.

We had plenty of both.

Here I am with Srs Maria Teresa Gonzales and Grea Mendoza, members of the Daughters of St Francis de Sales founded by D. Carlo Cavina, a Cooperator Salesian

So after all this exchanging of greetings, I guess it is okay to start saying «Merry Christmas», or rather, «Buon Natale!!!»

Small cup of coffee, big discussion

I promised to give more feedback on Don Pascual’s talk of yesterday… I will as the week goes on. Meanwhile, today was the first day of the Christmas novena and there were suddenly decorations: in the dining room; in the chapel; in the corridors. All this will have to wait, because there has been something on my mind for a few days, and before it gets too stale, I want to commit it to the blog.

In one of our little conversations at coffee after dinner (and believe me, these conversations are little because Italian coffee fills a thimble, and not a mug), a few of my professor-type colleagues were telling me about places in Italy where the Salesians always brought teenagers for summer experiences… how those same youths fell in love with those places and decided to move there to start their families.

There are villages in the Alps, for example, where a good percentage of the population are past pupils of the Salesian youth centers and schools of Torino.

Well this makes perfect sense. I know that there is something similar that happened in California. A lot of those who went to Camp St Francis or to St Francis School, who came from other parts of California, decided to settle there once they had the possibility to do so as adults. I think there were many good memories from their Salesian days that fueled this choice. And, if I really want to consider this, a number of the men at St Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower when I was growing up had grown up with the Salesians in Los Angeles (Our Lady Help of Christians Parish) or in Niagara Falls (St Joseph Parish) or in Paterson (St Anthony Parish). When they were looking for homes for their families after World War II, they purposely chose to live in Bellflower to be close to the Salesians. In other words, man past pupils of the Salesians built homes for their families near to the places where they lived wonderful summers in youth programs, or moved close to other Salesian centers so that their children might have the same opportunities. Amazing. There are so many past pupils living close to Salesian communities, and choosing to do so, on purpose! Imagine if we organized!

Monterey Bay seen from Camp St Francis

Certainly it has been to our sadness for decades that religious communities are shrinking. Every time somebody tells us that a change is around the corner, it never comes.

It was during the year of my first profession, 1968, that the Salesians began to decline in number. 40 years of profession and 40 years of decline. It used to really concern me when I worked as vocation director and in charge of initial formation. All efforts came to nothing. Then, about 15 years ago, I came to the conclusion that my lifetime is one of transition. I better just get used to it, I resolved. No consolation in any of that, but I have decided not to let it discourage me. That religious life will emerge under a new form is almost all I can say, but will I ever see it? I don’t know. The good times will come. I have not seen them and perhaps will never see them… but they are coming.

In the meantime, it just seems important to ground others in the Salesian spirit, trusting that the Holy Spirit will not take away God’s good gifts that have already been given to the world and to the Church.

That is why I am here in at the Università Pontificia Salesiana in Rome: to help with the charismatic and spiritual formation of young Salesian leaders from the five continents.

That is why I continue to work at Don Bosco Hall in Berkeley: to help do the same with Salesian Family members from English-speaking countries, and with lay members of the Salesian Family from our own cities.

There has been starts and stops; there have been political manuevers and power plays; there has been pride and prejudice. All that used to baffle me; now it just makes me weary. There is no time for that sort of thing. Beyond all of that, I still have to trust that the Holy Spirit will not take away those good gifts that have been given.

What I say here is superficial… but then, the cup of coffee is very small in Italy. We had time to get charged up on the topic, but not to delve more deeply. For that we would have needed a mug of coffee... but how much caffeine would that have put inside us? As it is, we are left with a good taste in our mouths and some energy to tackle this issue.

Rain or shine

The sunshine of yesterday morning was short-lived. Last night more rain, and it continued steadily through the morning… a dark, dark morning at that. It is a call to patience, I suppose. These last days of lessons call for greater concentration and preparation on the part of students and teachers, and the steady rain tells us to go slow, without haste, with charity and prudence.

Okay: I’m making this up. Not the rain part, but the charity and prudence part. Rain does not bring out these virtues in me. It brings out quite the opposite! We can always hope, however.

Rain in the central plaza of the UPS

The rainy weather kept me indoors and I spent a good part of the day correcting papers and trying to back up the hard disk of my desktop computer. I was able to get one DVD-R to take in the data of my research and classes. However, I could not get any other DVD-R to accept data… so I need to figure out another way to get the rest of my documents saved to disks. I hate when this happens.

This evening the rector major of the Salesian Society, don Pascual Chávez, came to speak with the everyone at the UPS as province and university. This is an annual event, and I can still remember the visits of Don Egidio Viganò in the early 1990s when I was a student. At that time we went into Aula Paolo VI, which holds 500 people, and I clearly recall his announcements that we were being invited into Russia.

Don Pascual meets us in Aula 2 -- which seats 250. I have heard him in 2005, 2007 and now in 2008, always at this time of the year. He spoke of the events of the year and the state of the Salesian Society. Unlike don Viganò, who used to speak about the great enterprises of the Salesians as if we were onlookers, don Pascual speaks to excite and to motivate us to a deeper understanding of our own vocations in light of the events that are transforming the world and the young and, therefore, also the Salesian Family. Tonight he spoke of three singular events in 2008 that, he tells us, have and and will have a particularly strong impact on the Salesian Society. These three events were World Youth Day in Sydney (July), the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in Rome (October), and the twenty-sixth General Chapter (GC26) of the Salesian Society, which took place in Rome (February-April).

Pascual Chávez, Salesian Rector Major, in Aula 2 of the UPS

The rector major gave a very clear presentation on all these events without the assistance of a signle note. I hope to report his main points in the next few days. Right now it is rather late, so I’ll also allow myself to reflect on what I heard before journaling the main elements.

Sandal straps, marriage and salvation

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. This is also called Gaudete Sunday. We are called to rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: rejoice!). The liturgy does this by presenting St John the Baptist. The weather did it by presenting some sunshine. After days and days and days of rain, the sun is shining wonderfully this morning in Rome. We have one more week of school (again I say: rejoice!), and it would be nice if the students did not have to fight the downpour to get to the university.

Mass again with the student communities, in the Don Rua chapel. The theme of the homily, building from scripture, was the figure and witness of John the Baptist. He is always a favorite of mine, and today’s reading brings him into focus, so that we can focus on Christ ultimately. “Standing in your midst is One whom you do not recognize! It is He that is coming after me, and I am not worthy to unlace his sandal straps!” (John 1:26-27).

What a great line! I heard a commentary last night on Vatican Radio, and it centered on the nuptial quality of this action… unlacing the sandal strap. The ascetic and seemingly severe John the Baptist is speaking of the Messiah in terms of the bridegroom who comes to save, in this case a young widow who is totally marginalized but who becomes bride, queen and mother (Ruth 4:8). The nuptial of the Messiah with humanity brings life and salvation. Very interesting insight and link.

This is something to look into further, certainly.

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete!

Santa Lucia - the saint of the Light

Today is the feast of St Lucy (or in Italian, Santa Lucia). The stories of her martyrdom tell of her being blinded during torture but how she never betrayed Christ, the Light of the World. She is the patroness of those suffering from eye disease or blindess because of the martyrdom stories, and she is particularly honored in Sicily, her home, but in Rome itself. Her name was entered early among the martyrs venerated during the liturgy.

The name Lucy name comes from the root word lux/lucis, which means light. Saint Lucy is the saint of light, and in some countries in northern Europe, such as Sweeden, this is the day when children receive their gifts. It was true also in the ancient and most serene republic of Venice.

It makes sense. Before Pope Gregory XIII revised the faulty Julian calendar, and the winter was slipping forward, the day of Santa Lucia, 13 December, was the day when the days began to lengthen again… In antiquity, the day after the solstice that showed the lengthening of days was 25 December, but by 1500, it was, as I say, 13 December. So, Saint Lucia was associated with the Light of Christ, not only in her name, but also in the workings of nature.

Think about it. The Virgin appears in Tepayac between 9 and 12 December 1531 to the Aztec elder Cuahtlatoatzin (Juan Diego). She appears in the last stages of pregnancy… and by the sun (center of the Aztec culture and calculations), Mary (la virgencita… la morenita) works her wonders on the last dark morning of the year at dawn. The next day would be the first day of the growth of the sun and the light, and this is the day that she would bring forth the her firstborn son (cf. Lk 2:7), the True Light who enlightens every person coming into the World (cf. Jn 1:9).

Thus, before the calendar revision took place so recently (in 1582), this was the day of Holy Light… Santa Luce… Santa Lucia… With this in mind, we can understand what awaits un in 12 more days.

In the meantime, today there is a clear sky and bright sunlight. Santa Lucia has come through for us, sending the clouds and the rains elsewhere… counteracting the influence of Santa Bibiana (quaranta giorni e una settimana). I hope the good weather holds up.

Finally, today we learned of the death of Cardinal Avery Dulles in the USA, who died yesterday morning, and Giacomo Domínguez, a Salesian of the Madrid province who worked at the UPS from 1966 to 2002. Giacomo was among the first to welcome me to the Don Rua community when I came as a licentiate student in 1990. May they both rest in peace!

Guadalupe or Chantal in rainy Roma

Portrait of St Jane Frances de Chantal, at Visitation Monastery, St Louis, Missouri

This morning in Rome, at the Salesian University, we celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe… but when I went to give a conference to the postnovices in Via Appia Antica, they told me that they celebrated "Santa Giovanna di Chantal" … The ordo for the dioceses of Rome and Lazio lists an optional memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe for December 12th; and St Jane’s memorial in on August 12th.

The young post novices insisted with me that they were following the Ordo -- and I told them that I was happy that they remembered Jane with great enthusiasm… but I really suspect that they were reading the feasts as found in the sacramentary and liturgy of hours published for the Great Jubilee (2000). I also expect that they do not yet know what the “ordo” is.

On my return, I consulted the Guida Liturgico-Pastorale 2008-2009, and yes, Jane is listed in August. Then I googled Chantal linked with Liturgy and I found that the changes were made in 2002, with the publishing of the Roman Missal 2002, and the new directory. Jane’s feast is set for August 12, as found on page 113 of the instruction.

The move was made to make room for at least 16 new saints, and for a number of other liturgical celebrations. It is amazing that these changes have never really been made known to the wider public. We keep waiting for updated sacramentaries and liturgical books in English, and so we will probably we playing catch up for a few years.

What was I doing in via Appia Antica? As I have said, I went to see the young Salesian “postnovices” at Comunità San Tarcisio, which is on the grounds of the Catacombe di San Callisto. I gave the young brothers a conference (too long) on Paolo Albera, second successor of Don Bosco. Morand Wirth teaches them a course on Salesian history, and he asked me to do this input. I gave a similar input to his licentiate students at the UPS last week, but I did not know about this group. It was a different level and perhaps I gave more information than needed. Still, I was happy for the opportunity to meet them and see the house. The last time I set foot inside San Tarcisio was in 1994 when I worked on the commission for volunteerism at the Salesian generalate.

Morand Wirth, SDB, Professor of Salesian Studies at the UPS

Our trip home was not so easy. The tiber is flooding and the city is worried that it will overflow its banks. That is amazing considering how high the stone embankments are! A number of roads were blocked and two bridges are closed. The city was one big traffic disruptions as we left the prenovitiate in Via Appia and drove home. But we made it back safely, and all is well in our little corner.

Cardinal Stickler to be commemorated

Instead of the usual half-hour of quiet prayer at 6.30 this morning, followed by Morning Prayers and Mass (Lauds and Eucharist), we had simply a half-hour of quiet prayer together. The community mass with take place this evening, with a special liturgy shared by all seven religious communities at the UPS. The occasion is the first anniversary of the death of Cardinal Alfons Maria Stickler. Cardinal Raffaele Farina will preside at that liturgy.

It is not clear to me why there will be this commemoration at the UPS, except that Cardinal Stickler was once Rector Magnificus, as was Raffaele Farina (back during my student days). It seems like the appropriate place and occasion, then, for a commemoration.

Don Stickler was rector at the time of the great organization of the several Salesian faculties and oversaw the move of the pontifical atheneum to the present site in Rome in 1966. He organized the faculty of classical languages here as well, before being called in 1971 to serve as librarian and archivist for the Vatican. His scholarly contributions are many (and he is said to have been a character and a half). John Paul II made him cardinal in the consistory of 25 May 1985, when he was already 74 years old. He died last 12 December, 2007; Pope Benedict XVI himself presided at the funeral, and I remember that a few members of our community went to that mass. Already then it was decided to do something to commemorate his contributions at the UPS; it has taken a year to organize it.

Besides all this, I am personally excited to be able to again see Don Raffaele. Okay, he is now Archbishop and Cardinal of Santa Romana Chiesa, but I still think of him as don Farina. Afterall, this is how I have known him for many years. Don Farina was rector when I received my Bachelor degree in 1979 and my doctorate in 1996. I had the joy of welcoming him to Bellflower when he came for a visit in 1983, and someone took some photos on that day, but who knows what happened to them. During my licentiate and doctoral studies, we had many long and friendly conversations. I have always found him warm, gentle and absolutely brilliant.

Raffaele Farina, Salesian, Cardinal, Scholar and Vatican Librarian

As for the nature of tonight’s commemoration, I am sure that things will become more clear to me once we have had the celebration.

At any rate, I have already eaten breakfast and shared the morning ritual of storytelling. It is still very dark right now, at 7.30 - but the sky is illuminated by lightning and the count from the lightening strike to the crash of the thunder is not very long. It is quite close: within 5 km.

This has been the story of the whole night past. Rome has been the scene of heavy rains, strong winds, lightening and thunder and more thunder crashing, booming or rolling in, depending of the distance. It was not easy to sleep and I unplugged everything in my bedroom during the night to be safe. Yet, even without being able to sleep, it was wondrous to stay under the warm blankets in the well heated room as I heard the world crashing around me.

But it is time to get on with the day!