Memorial Day 2025 - Praying in the Catacombs

 

Today, there is a beautiful confluence of two calendars: our liturgical calendar and our civil calendar as Americans. On the liturgical calendar we celebrate today the Memorial of St. Philip Neri. Philip Neri was a priest in Rome in the 16th century. On the Civil calendar, we remember in a special way those who fought and died for our country’s freedom.

And we might think, what does this 16th century Italian saint have to do with an American holiday. Well, there really is a fascinating confluence.

Philip Niri was a holy priest, who was dedicated to those who were on the fringes: the youth, starving artists, struggling shopkeepers, people in trouble with the law. And he would try to impress upon them the truth, the beauty, and the importance of our Catholic faith.

To sustain him in his priestly ministry, Saint Philip Neri had the habit of going down into the catacombs of Rome to pray. It was there in the catacombs, his biographer tells us, that while he was praying, he would suddenly feel himself divinely filled with the power of the Spirit with such force that his heart began to palpitate within his body and he’d be inflamed with such love that he almost couldn’t stand it.

You see, Fr Philip would go to the places where the dead Christians were laid to rest, the heroes of our faith—the early Christians of Rome, who heroically practiced their faith in the face of persecution, and threat of arrest, torture, and death. And there he was inflamed to do what God called him to do.

Today, our nation, in a sense, goes to the catacombs for a similar purpose. We go to our version of the catacombs, today we go to our cemeteries, to honor our war dead. Americans go to the cemeteries that we might remember our civic heroes, those who laid down their life for us. But also, to be inflamed with civic pride to do what God calls us to do for our nation.

In my home town, on Memorial Day there is a grand parade concluding with a beautiful and powerful ceremony in proximity to a nearby memorial cemetery. And as the whole town, together gathers to honor our war dead, the heart just swells as we remember the cost of freedom and the sacrifice of our heroes. It is a sort of civic calibration, that seems more important these days than ever. 

I recommend making a trip to a cemetery today, to remember, to pray, and reflect, that our nation may be recalibrated to value what matters most—the laying down of our lives in service to God, family, and country for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, confident that He is generous to those who call upon Him with faith.

On this Memorial Day, we pray that our nation may live with ever-greater gratitude for the sacrifice of those who fought and died for our freedom. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our President and all government workers, may the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and guide them to promote authentic and lasting peace in the world, respect for religious freedom, and a greater reverence for the sanctity of Human Life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the protection of all those who serve in our nation’s military, and for all wounded servicemen and women, for all those widowed and orphaned because of war. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for N… Let us pray to the Lord.

Gracious Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church, grant us your grace and lead us to the glory of your kingdom, through Christ Our Lord.

January 1, 2021 - Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Madonna and Child

 

This eighth day of Christmas is celebrated with particular solemnity, as we adore Christ embraced by the arms of his Mother.

Among the most ancient and important catacombs in Rome are the catacombs of St. Priscilla on the Via Salaria, east-northeast of the Vatican.  Painted on the walls of these catacombs are numerous frescoes that throw light on the faith of the early Church.  One fresco depicts the Virgin Mary seated, with the infant Jesus at her breast.  Next to her stands the prophet Isaiah pointing to star—the star being the ancient Jewish symbol for the Messiah. 

This Fresco, dating from the early 200s is one of the oldest known representations in art of the Madonna and Child, certain evidence that, from the very beginning, the Church has given the Mother of Our Lord a place of special honor and devotion.  The Roman Christians, during a time of persecution, would gather in those catacombs for prayer and to bury their dead, and would look upon that image and contemplate its truths. 

Just as babies are embraced in love by their mother; Mary embraces every Christian—in life and in death.

Just as babies learn to smile and sing in the arms of their mothers; so every Christian learns what real joy looks like, by looking to the face of the Mother, who finds her joy in doing the will of the heavenly Father, in caring for the life of the Son.

Just as babies learn talk, walk, eat, and clothe themselves, so also Christians are taught to talk, walk, think, feel, and act like Christ by Our Mother.  Mary nurtured and taught the Christ child, and she will nurture and teach us—how to put God first in our lives, how to serve him, how to be healed by him, how to be saved by him, that his peace and joy and strength may be ours.

From the cross, Jesus gave Mary to be our Mother in the order of grace. If what St. Paul said is true, that “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Then we also, like the Son, turn to Mary, and cry, “Hail, Mother”

Throughout the Christmas octave, we’ve considered the example of martyrs and apostles who have followed Christ unto death. And on this octave Day, we look to the perfect disciple, the Mother Mary who gives herself without reserve to the person and work of her Son. Her self-giving and cooperation with Christ continues now, from her place in heaven. She always helps us to adore, contemplate, and follow Christ ever more faithfully, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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That Mary’s maternal care and heavenly intercession will help us all to reach the moral greatness befitting true children of God.  

That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, Mother of the Lord and Mother of the Church—blessings may be upon the world and the Church in this Year of Our Lord 2021.

For blessings on all expectant mothers, newborn infants, and young families. 

That from the moment of conception all children will be preserved from bodily harm; for the overturning of unjust laws that permit the destruction of innocent life; and that the minds of all may be enlightened to know the dignity of every human life.  

For all those who have died, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered.  

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

January 1 2018 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

An octave of days has passed since the feast of the Lord’s Nativity.  Most of the world has already left the message of Christmas far behind. Some retail store, I’ve seen, have already begun to sell Valentine’s Day cards and candy. Even some Catholics looked at me quizzically when I wished them a Merry Christmas this weekend.

Yet, the Church in her wisdom realizes that celebrating the birth of the Savior is too great an occasion to be contained in a single, 24-hour day. This eighth day of Christmas is celebrated with particular solemnity, as we adore Christ embraced by the arms of his Mother.

Among the most ancient and important catacombs in Rome are the catacombs of St. Priscilla on the Via Salaria, east-northeast of the Vatican.  Painted on the walls of these catacombs are numerous frescoes that throw light on the faith of the early Church.  One fresco depicts the Virgin Mary seated, with the infant Jesus at her breast.  Next to her stands a man pointing to a star directly above, the star being the ancient Jewish symbol for the Messiah.

This Fresco, dating from the early 200s is the oldest known representation in art of Mary and Child.  This fresco evidences that, from the very beginning, the Church has placed Mary in a place of honor and devotion.  The Church has looked to this image of Mother and Child as containing profound spiritual truths for every Christian.

Just as babies are embraced in love by their mother; Mary embraces every Christian.

Just as babies learn to smile and sing in the arms of their mothers; so every Christian learns what real joy looks like, by looking to the face of the Mother, who finds her joy in doing the will of the heavenly Father, in caring for the life of the Son.

Just as babies learn talk, walk, eat, and clothe themselves, so also Christians are taught to talk, walk, think, feel, and act like Christ.  Mary nurtured and taught the Christ child, and she will nurture and teach us—how to put God first in our lives, how to serve him, how to be healed by him, how to be saved by him, that his peace and joy and strength may be ours.

From the cross, Jesus gave us Mary to be our Mother in the order of grace. If what St. Paul said is true, “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Then we also, like the Son, turn to Mary, and cry, “Hail, Mother”

Throughout the Christmas octave, we’ve considered the example of martyrs and apostles who have followed Christ unto death. And on this octave Day, we look to the perfect disciple, the Mother Mary who gives herself without reserve to the person and work of her Son. Her self-giving and cooperation with Christ continues now, from her place in heaven. She always helps us to adore, contemplate, and follow Christ ever more faithfully, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

May 26 2017 - St. Philip Neri - Pilgrimage & the Miracle of the Heart

As the home of the Pope and his Curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to the apostles, saints, and martyrs; Rome has been a destination for pilgrims for most of Christian history.

Rome was certainly the destination for today’s saint, Philip Neri. He was born in Florence. And already when he was just about five years old, he was known as “good little Philip” by his parents because of his innocence and obedience. At age 8, he almost died, a horse fell on top of him crushing him to the ground, but when he emerged unscathed he credited his preservation to God, and dedicated his life to God’s service. He went to Rome to study philosophy and theology, although the divine truths were so clear in his mind he didn’t have to study much, the only two books he owned were the bible and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas.

St. Philip seemed surrounded by celestial splendor, holiness radiated from him, the effect of his angelic purity which he never lost despite the many temptations of Rome. He always maintained sexual innocence and his virginity. He was fiercely tempted by his flesh and the devil, but he won these battles by fasting and mortification.

In 1548, together with his confessor, Neri founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents whose primary object was to minister to the needs of the thousands of poor pilgrims who flocked to Rome, especially in jubilee years.

There is a special tradition, started by St. Philip Neri, of visiting the seven pilgrim churches of Rome, a tradition I was able to partake of when I visited Rome the first time.

Philip would often make pilgrimages to the catacombs where he would pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and venerate the relics of the martyrs. In the catacomb of St. Sebastian, Philip witnessed a great miracle. A few days before Pentecost in 1544, while he making a late night vigil, praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, when a globe of fire, entered into his mouth and lodged in his chest; he was filled with the tremendous fire of love and he almost couldn’t bear it. When the doctors examined his body after death, they discovered that the saint’s heart had been dilated so much under this powerful impulse of love, that in order that it might have sufficient room to beat, two ribs had been miraculously broken and curved in the form of an arch.

Each of us need to make a pilgrimage of love from time to time. It should be a sacrifice, it should take some time, some effort, and done for the soul purpose of honoring God. And if we make that pilgrimage, our hearts will expand.

May St. Philip Neri inspire us to make that journey for God, that our love for God might increase so to become every greater instruments in his service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the merciful love of the Good Shepherd may fill the hearts of all of the ordained.

That the entire church might emulate the sacrifice and charity of the saints.

For all the safety of all travelers, especially those who make pilgrimages to the Holy Places.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing and comfort to the sick.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.