November 4 2022 - St. Charles Borromeo - Incorrupt Reformer

 

A few years ago, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass in the magnificent Cathedral in Milan, Italy where St. Charles Borromeo was Cardinal Archbishop from the age of 25 until his death in 1584, only 46 years old. Like many bishops, he was buried in his Cathedral Crypt. Some time after his death, it was discovered that there was a great deal of moisture accumulating around his tomb. In order to preserve his relics, the tomb was opened and a miracle was uncovered: even though the outer coffin had corroded, and the lid of the inner coffin was rotting, the body of the holy Cardinal was found incorrupt, and remains incorrupt to this day.

Our diocesan college seminary here in Cleveland is under the patronage of St. Charles Borromeo. During the Council of Trent, St. Charles was instrumental in developing the modern seminary system, and he also developed the Catechism of the Council of Trent which was used by parish priests for centuries for teaching the faith to their people.

St. Charles was a pastor at heart, with such great love for the Church. In fact, when I was in Rome for several months, I would make frequent visits to the minor basilica of St. Charles and Ambrose in Rome on my way to and from class. And there in the back of the basilica is a shrine containing the incorrupt heart of St. Charles. His body is in Milan, but his heart is in Rome. 

His was a heart that believed the Church must constantly be renewed. Charles was a great reformer in his own Archdiocese.  He believed that the Archbishop and priests must give good example by their apostolic spirit.  So, he worked for the reform of his own clergy. He allotted most of his income to charity, and forbade himself all luxury.  When plague and famine came to Milan in 1576, the civil authorities fled the city, but the saint stayed, ministering to the sick and the dying; he fed thousands of people daily, selling his possession to pay for the work.

As a nephew to a Medici Pope, St. Charles could have become just another corrupt Renaissance Bishop. But he became a driving force of reform within the Church, by his own humble, holy, charitable example. St. Charles is patron saint of seminarians, may he inspire us as well. Like him, may we seek reform, beginning with ourselves, reform in learning, reform in detachment from worldly luxuries, reform in charity, that God’s incorrupt Spirit may dwell in us, and animate us, and sustain us, even in death, for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.  

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That through the intercession of the Bishop St. Charles Borromeo, bishops and church leaders will be models of inspiration and holiness for the Church.

That God will raise up many priestly vocations in our diocese and that the young people of our parish may strive after holiness and God’s will in their lives.

For all seminarians from our diocese, that as they prepare for priesthood, they may be formed into credible and holy witnesses of the Gospel, and given generous hearts for service of the Church.

For the renewal of the clergy and reparation for their sins.

That Christ the Good Shepherd will draw close to all who suffer, the sick, the needy, victims of injustice, and the dying.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, for those whose names are written in our parish book of the names of the dead, all deceased members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, those who fought and died for our freedom and for X. for whom this mass is offered.

Hear our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and through the intercession of St. Charles Borromeo grant us renewal and the increase in charity, wisdom, and grace. Through Christ Our Lord.

December 03 2021 - St. Francis Xavier - The hand extended to sinners

 I’ll never forget my first trip to Rome and visiting all the different Churches. Many of the Churches are administrated by the diocese and priests of Rome itself. Some are run by the different religious orders. The Jesuits run a few churches in Rome, but most impressive, however, is their mother Church, La Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù, the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, or the Gesu, for short.

And there on the side altar of this immense, beautiful baroque church, is the incorrupt relic of the right hand and arm of St. Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary, who is honored today. The rest of his incorrupt body is laid in Goa, India, where he was sent by Ignatius in 1540 to evangelize. He also traveled to Japan and is known as the first apostle of the Philippines. 

But it is there in Rome, where his incorrupt right hand and arm are is enshrined in this golden reliquary. And it is so fitting that it is his arm that is so enshrined. For that arm baptized and blessed thousands and thousands of new converts, probably close to a hundred thousand converts. That arm poured water to become a conduit of God, it called down blessing for so many. A tremendously powerful image.

St. Francis Xavier is one of the great Patron Saints of Missionaries, and it is good to celebrate this missionary saint here at the beginning of Advent. Jesus himself was a missionary, sent by the Father for the work of salvation. We are to receive Jesus as we would receive a missionary who delivers to us the most important message of our lives. He is the Word that brings salvation, the hand extended to sinners, as we say in the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation. 

Advent helps us to quiet down, to remove the spiritual clutter, in order to receive His Word more deeply, to receive The Word, more deeply.

But the one who receives is also called to give, to pass on. To receive the missionary Christ we must be willing to become a missionary as well. Just as St. Francis Xavier was sent by his superior to the farthest ends of the earth, we are sent, to carry the reconciling word of Christ, to extend the reach of the saving hand of God. 

Pope Francis reminds us that we are missionary disciples. Disciples with a mission, disciples sent out by God, to extend the blessing, truth, salvation, goodness, peace, and love of Jesus to everyone. May this holy Advent, and this great Advent saint, Francis Xavier, continue to stir up our faith, that we may more willingly and courageously extend that faith to others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis, Bishop Malesic, and all of the ordained, that their ministry may be effective in leading the Church in spreading Christ’s saving Gospel.

That our elected officials, judges, government leaders and people of good will may work together in defending innocent human life, working for the common good, and righting injustice.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, for the Jesuit Order’s faithfulness to the mission of Christ, and through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, for the sanctity, safety, and success of all missionaries.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, disease or sorrow, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased of our parish, family and friends, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.