Saint of the Month
Eucharistic Miricales
the Miricle of Paterno, Italy
by Sr. Theresa Corbie, S.J.C. |
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“The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. ‘Will you also go away? ‘,’ the Lord’s question echoes through the ages as a loving invitation to discover that only he has ‘the words of eternal life’ and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself. (The Celebration of the Christian Mystery. Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ch. One The Sacraments of Christian Initiation, Article 3 The Sacrament of the Eucharist 1336).
In recognition of the Year of the Eucharist October 2004 - 2005 — promulgated by Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical Letter of Holy Thursday April 17th 2003, “Ecclesia de Eucharista”, I would like during this year to intersperse the Lives of the Saints with stories of Eucharistic Miracles.
On January 18, 1772, the tabernacle of the Church of St. Peter at Paterno, Italy, was broken into and two containers of consecrated Hosts were missing. The people of the city, confused and outraged. for a few weeks searched for the Hosts and for the culprit responsible for this desecration, but to no avail. Some time later people began to notice strange lights like stars appearing at night in a field on the estate of the Duke of Grottolelli, which lay outside the city. After a time the people came to the conclusion that perhaps the missing Hosts were in the field. They searched, but found nothing.
On February 24, 1772, a great flame was seen darting around a heap of straw which lay in the field. A search was made, but again nothing was found until four of the men, Tommaso Piccido. Giuseppe and Giovanni Orefice and Carlo Marotta found themselves seized, as it were, by some invisible and irresistible power that forced them to the ground. With great difficulty they stood up and were greeted by a bright ball of light issuing from the base of a nearby poplar tree. In the centre of the blaze was a dove of dazzling whiteness. It rose a few feet above the ground and then flew back to the root of the tree disappearing in a flood of light.
Some people began to dig up the ground close to the poplar tree and eventually the Hosts were found buried only a few inches beneath the soil. One of the priests of the church gathered the Hosts into a clean linen cloth and restored them to the tabernacle.
Next evening the lights appeared again in the field. The area was searched but nothing was found until the following night when a number of tiny flames appeared around a heap of straw. A glowing light seemed to rise at times from the earth and disappear again into the ground. Another search was conducted and when a clod of earth was raised, a large number of sacred Hosts were found lying underneath.
With great pomp and ceremony the Hosts were brought to the church where the people offered heartfelt praise and thanksgiving for the heavenly signs that had given proof of the Lord’s presence in the B/essed Sacrament.
The Archdiocese of Naples possesses papers drawn by Cardinal Sersale, who was the Archbishop of the diocese when the miracle of Paterno occurred. These documents give the detailed statements of trustworthy persons who witnessed all the unusual events concerning the miraculous discovery of the Hosts and swore to their authenticity.
(Adapted from “The Miracle of Paterno. Italy” as recorded in the book “Eucharistic Miracles” by Joan Carrol1 Cruz, Tam Books and Publishers. Inc.. Rockford, Illinois, 61105)
Bishops of The Province of Castries visited
The Pope John Paul II Seminary
Cleophus Joseph
Wednesday, December 1, 2004, is a date that will not be too readily forgotten by the seminarians of the Pope John Paul II Seminary, St. Lucia. That day, the seminarians would be paid a visit by the five bishops of the Province of Castries, namely His Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix - St. Lucia, together with Bishop Vincent Darius, O.P., - Grenada, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire - Dominica, Bishop Donald Reece - Antigua and Bishop Robert Rivas, O.P., - St. Vincent.
The five bishops of the metropolitan were meeting for a week long conference in St. Lucia and their visit served to highlight the importance of vocations as a whole to the region as well as highlighting the role of the recently opened pre- seminary in St. Lucia to the entire metropolitan. This visit also comes in the wake of the passing of Hurricane Ivan in Grenada in September, as well as an earthquake which caused damage to churches in Dominica, only four days before. With this in mind, we are very thankful that the bishops took time off their schedule to be with us in the semmary.
The first thing which caught my attention when our guests arrived was their obvious humility and ordinariness. Imagine, the leaders great leaders of the Catholic Church in the Metropolitan of Castries were standing with us laughing and smiling with us as friends. Indeed, all five bishops were quite warm and this testified to their humanness, a true mark of leadership.
After a period of introductions and informal sharing, the bishops proceeded to the chapel, where, within a short space of time, music was heard coming. The beautiful voices accompanied by expert guitar playing, seemed to speak of the importance of prayer in the life of the faithful as a whole, but especially in the life of a priest. It was like they were suggesting to us, “When you become priests, make sure that you are constantly in the Lord’s presence”. Such a powerful message, I know, can serve us well.
The highlight of our time together was, of course, our mini conference which would follow. As we later described it, it was like an interview, in which we were questioned about why we had chosen to pursue the vocation of the priesthood and our opinions of the course of studies up to that time. The question which would remain in my mind for some time was, what could be done in the dioceses to promote vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life. The responses-varied slightly, but they centered around the need to educate persons about the reality of the church and its sacramental life, and having them center that life around Jesus, who calls all into His vineyard.
After taking a few pictures of ourselves with the bishops, they departed. This time of their visit, was truly inspiring and memorable. It will be difficult for the present seminarians to forget the day when we received five bishops to our new home.
The Diary of a Seminarian (part 1)
by Francis Kyeyune
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Seminarians (L - R): Cleophus Joseph and
Francis Kyeyune |
Raising up his head to the early morning chill, a young seminarian tries to pull over his head his simple bed linens only to realize that the rosary is still anchored in his right hand; perhaps God’s sleeping angels soothed him into the heavenly slumber before the end of the fifth decade.
Anyway, he blesses himself again with the sign of the cross to complete his rosary. A few minutes later the sound of the rising bell echoes in the seminary corridors.
A new day is here. God, his daily benefactor has opened another page in his diary. God’s humble servant praises his creator. He is grateful for the restful night and the energizing dawn. Looking up through his window, he further rejoices at the sight of the beautiful stars still beaming high above in the sky. And turning his head to the wonders below, sweet melodies arise from the seminary gardens, the compositions of the tiny singing creatures flying hither and thither (at the attraction of his bedroom light). It is indeed a celebration of life again.
A minor seminarian, in silence, prepares for the community liturgy of the hours followed by meditation and the Holy Mass. The seminary rector, Fr. Jesse Obias presides over this daily celebration. It is an intimate moment of praise and worship which brings new joy, new delight and grander inspiration.
The path God destines a seminarian to walk glistens before him like the shimmering path of moonbeams on the water. But how many pitfalls, briers and thorns are hidden along his way? The willing servant of God begs his master at the beginning of each morning to give him the grace of one thing” to do His will perfectly”. That is enough. However hard the cross may be, however high the waves may be, he may have the grace to persevere.
Prayer is his greatest weapon. Through contemplation, monthly confessions, constant mortifications and sacred readings on the lives of the saints, the minor seminarian strives to imitate the holy saints. He learns to embrace hardship, practices virtue, does not crave the luxurious age and does not pamper his senses. He freely wills to serve the same God in heaven and the same church on earth as did the saints.
The Holy rosary is another marvelous prayer. In his Apostolic letter entitled” Rosarium Virginis Mariae”, the Holy Father Pope John Paul II says that’ the rosary is my favorite prayer.’ Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth. In this powerful prayer our heart can embrace all the needs and concerns of ourselves, our families, nations, the church and all mankind’.
By adding the rosary to his daily communion with God every evening and every time he is on the streets to and from the Archdiocesan missions, the young seminarian fortifies his arsenal in the spiritual battle against the devil. A seminarian is therefore anxious to use every moment of praise and worship for a great purpose, should God grant him to relive those seminary years he would do exactly as he has done.
First Anniversary of the
Catholic Knights of St. Lucia
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| Knights of St. Lucia and their wives |
The Catholic Knights of St. Lucia celebrated the first anniversary of its inauguration on Sunday, 30th January 2005. The occasion was sponsored by His Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix in his capacity as Supreme Knight.
It was he who invited His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler of the United States to be the Chief Celebrant at a Pontifical High Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in observance of the occasion.
His Eminence was accompanied by His Lordship, Bishop Martin Lomuller and Rev. Fr Robert Powell both also from the United States. The Mass was concelebrated by Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Bishop Lomuller and Rev Frs. Powell and Fr. Thomas Dowd the latter having been in St. Lucia from Canada on a short holiday.
Also present for the occasion was a contingent of 14 Knights of Columbus and their spouses. The Knights of Columbus had come to provide a Guard of Honour as they did for the inauguration of the Catholic Knights last January.
For the benefit of those who may not know it, a Cardinal is really a Prince of the Church and as such is a member of the Sacred College from among whom a Pope is elected. Although it is not often we are graced with such a prominent member of the Church Hierarchy officiating in St. Lucia, his presence was given little publicity so as not to detract from the pious sentiments generated by the recently concluded Great Mission.
Consequently, worshipers at the 7.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, 30th January were treated to a bit of a surprise with the entry in procession from the Sacristy of 14 Knights of Columbus, who, bedecked in their gorgeous uniforms took up their positions to form a Guard of Honour in the main aisle of the Church. Far less conspicuous was a procession of 16 Catholic Knights of St. Lucia that entered the main aisle from Micoud Street to extend the Guard Columns.
Papal Knights who had been invited occupied the front pews with their spouses on both sides of the aisle. Behind them were already seated in alternate pews, the spouses of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights so that their husbands could occupy seats immediately behind them after the entry of the Celebrant’s Procession.
The Mass was conventional except for the disciplined reception of the Eucharist by the Knights.
On behalf of the Catholic Knights of St. Lucia, I wish to thank His Grace Kelvin Felix for the auspicious manner our First Anniversary was celebrated.
Our thanks are also due to His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, Bishop Martin Lomuller, Rev Frs. Robert Powell andFr. Thomas Dowd for concelebrating our Mass and to the Knights of Columbus and their spouses from Canada for adding such grandiose colour to our celebration.
Many thanks also to the Papal Knights and their spouses as well as the spouses of the Catholic Knights and the entire congregation who joined in praying for us and the success of our quest to recruit many more men into our fold.
(Click here to see other photo)
Photo Gallery
“Good News “ Continues Indomitable Service
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| “Good News” Team - |
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| Some of the “Good News” members at work |
For over 20 years the “Good News” team of professionals and students from Wisconsin has traveled to the Eastern Caribbean each January volunteering its services to help the poor, elderly and marginalized. What started as a St. Lucian project now includes St. Vincent, Union Island and Dominica. This year two teams of 28 volunteers each worked in St. Lucia during the period from January 8th - February 4th. During that time they built 6 houses for the poor and conducted medical clinics at St. Jude’s Hospital, the Marian Home, St. Lucy’s Home, Adelaide-Frances Home. Some also volunteered at Upton Garden, a home for delinquent girls and at the Holy Family Children’s Home which the group initiated several years ago.
Holy Name Society Rally 2005
Sunday 23rd January, Gros Islet
January 23rd 2005 “Time to recognize the power of the Eucharist” was the theme chosen for this year’s Holy Name Rally. The Annual Rally of the Holy Name Society was held this year in the Parish of Gros Islet on Sunday January 23rd About 120 men congregated on the ground of the Gros Islet Primary School on Sunday morning from where they processed to the Saint Joseph the worker Church singing the hymn “Praise God, Praise God”.
The His Grace Archbishop Kelvin Felix during his homily encouraged members to follow the teachings in the Gospel and be fishers of men.
During the Mass the new executive of the Archdiocesan Council of The Holy Name Society was installed. They are President Brother Hubert King – Choiseul; Vice President: Brother Nathy Thomille - Choiseul, Treasurer: Brother Primus Duplesis - Laborie and Secretary: Brother Gregory Prospere - Babonneau.
The Guest Speaker for this year’s Rally was Father Athanase Joseph who delivered an enlightening speech on the theme of the Rally highlighting the origin, history and meaning of the Eucharist.
The President in his address spoke about the Mission and Vision of the Society and the need to promote the society. The day’s activity ended with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Page 1 Page 2 Page 4 Page 5 
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