More from San Nicola

More photos from San Nicola in Carcere:

http://picasaweb.google.com/diesirae.jd/Ordinations52607

A first blessing

Father Joseph Rogers -- a blessing for me, and for Msgr. Charles Pope! -- at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception yesterday.

A day to remember

Yesterday at San Nicola in Carcere, a day of great joy (Note the cleared center nave -- see Fr. Lang's "Turning Toward the Lord" -- and the baldacchino curtained). MORE PHOTOS HERE:

http://www.ssjohn.org/ordination/index.html

"Come have breakfast."

It didn't look like much, but it's just about the only "beach" anywhere around Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee). Our pilgrimage last October took us to Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha, and then finally here, near the tiny church of the Primacy of St. Peter. I had finally reached the spot where Our Blessed Lord uttered my favorite words: "Come have breakfast." (John 21:12)

But He said something else on this spot, too -- see this link for a handy reminder: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/john/john21.htm#v15

I thought I would mention it since Msgr. Rossi (no, not Msgr. Ross! Not yours truly!) today delivered one of the finest homilies I have ever heard. It started out drily, and he modestly claimed not to be a Scripture scholar. He took us through today's Gospel, the triple questioning of Peter by Jesus, "Do you love Me?"

The first two times the question is put to Peter, Jesus uses "agapas me" to which Peter answers "philo se", but the for the third question Jesus uses "phileis me" and a slightly exasperated Peter answers "philo se" again.

As we all know, there are three terms in Greek for "love" -- agape, philia, and eros. The two featured in the Gospel passage are usually differentiated along the lines of "agape" being selfless, unconditional love, love without reserve, while "philia" is more often translated as brotherly love or friendship or loyalty or dispassionate love, or even "like." "Agape" is used for "God is love" (1 John 4:8).

It is as if, Msgr. Rossi pointed out, Peter can only respond with "I really like you/care about you" whereas Jesus is asking for his whole heart. Finally, on the third attempt, Jesus meets Peter where he is, lowering Himself to what Peter is capable of at the moment, "philo se", and leaves it at that. Then, after giving him a glimpse of his future (martyrdom), and telling him not to be such a busybody about John or the other Disciples or what will happen to them, says, "Follow me." The question is, of course, being put to all of us, and until we can answer with something beyond "I really like you" we will have to do the same.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house, including the large man behind me.

The Greek and Latin and a variety of English translations can be found here: http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B43C021.htm

Order of Preachers

There are more photos from last Friday's ordination on: http://priory.dhs.edu/latestnews.aspx

Rosary and Benediction

Father Kramer after Benediction. See http://fsspinurbe.blogspot.com for more photos. Maurizio said it was a wonderful evening, full house, and very prayerful.

Rosary and Benediction

From the Sahel

See this link below (my schoolmate Father Alphonse Kabore has an amazing story!):

http://www.npe.ednews.org/Review/Testimonials/v2n2.htm

Ordination at Santa Cecilia

My former classmates Bernard, Mattias, and Carlos ordained to the transitional diaconate by Cardinal Herranz.

New Deacons of Collegio Sedes Sapientiae

Mass at St. John the Evangelist yesterday...

Super flumina Babylonis ibi sedimus et flevimus cum recordaremur Sion...

(see http://www.stjohnsp.org/)

Father Tom Kocik in McLean, VA

Fr. Kocik gave a wonderful synthesis of his book "The Reform of the Reform?" at St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, VA, this morning. About 35 souls of all ages attended, which made for a VERY LIVELY gathering. For those who were not lucky enough to be there, here's the book: http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=513&SKU=ROTR-P&Category_ID=124 Happy reading!

The James Beard Award goes to...

James Oseland. Auguri!

Les Tendences Nouvelles de l'Ecclesiologie

The title of a book no longer in print, by Rev. Stanley L. Jaki, but see http://worldcat.org/wcpa/ow/ffd14ee257803dd7.html
for a library that has a copy. About this book: the Holy Father told Fr. Jaki that it enjoys "a place of honor" on his own personal bookshelves. Get it, read it. Learn French if necessary!

An altar "Renewed" at CUA

Click to enlarge. Check out the credence/umbrella shelf.

First Thursday

A special day of prayer for priests and deacons. Me, Mimi, and the Basilica.

Results from World Day of Prayer for Vocations

I don't know yet. There are lots of people out there praying, but in some places not much may change until parents can say, "God, take my son, take my daughter. Take all my children." And that's just the first step...

St. Joseph the Worker

Another Joseph for whom I pray every day.

Another happy day

That was then...but it looks like now! Carlos and Edmundo in 2005 at Santa Cecilia.

More Ordinandi

It will be Kevin and Anthony's turn on May 26th. They will be priests forever. If you are in Rome, don't miss this one.

More Ordinandi

Head and shoulders above the rest: Mattias Bell Tiba (Cameroon) and Bernard Afrifa (Ghana), being ordained along with Carlos.

A happy day

Carlos Mena Blum, from Ecuador, with guitar, ordained to the transitional diaconate today in Rome at Santa Cecilia by Cardinal Herranz. With him is my (everyone's!) beloved classmate Edmundo de la Vega from Mexico.

St. Joseph the Worker

Special prayers for Fr. Joseph Kramer, FSSP, today! (Photo from CIEL 2006 at Oxford)

Spring at CUA