During my spring break last March I went for an overnight campus visit to the very Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville. Quite a long drive to Ohio but well worth the distance. Mom and I entered Steubenville late that night and wanted to see where the school was before checking into our hotel. Fortunately, we found it very quickly and were surprised at the sight of the campus.
A sign pointed upward. Neither of us expected it to be on top of a hill. I had expected a school at a common level, but being up away from the rest of the town was actually a plus instead of a minus. In this way you're totally in Franciscan and free from the distractions of the world, so you are Christ-centered.
What an impressive school! Imagine a Catholic university where each year the professors take an oath of fidelity to the Church. Prospective students, parents, and guardians can rest assure that they will only be instructed in the truth of the faith.
Daily is mass is offered four times a day and guess what? Students and faculty actually attend! It's celebrated reverently in a pretty chapel filled with people. By no means is this boring, for in the reverence one is surrounded by the beauty of the mystery of God. A little Latin is even sung, so we have a taste of the past.
Throughout my stay there I noticed how Eucharistic centered the campus was. In the multiple daily masses, the small chapels in each residence hall where adoration takes place, and in the Portiuncula. The Portiuncula is chapel built that was remodeled after a church that St. Francis of Assisi restored and the place of the founding of the friars and clothing of St. Clare as a nun. Such a beautiful place for Eucharistic adoration! Other places for prayer include the outdoor stations of the cross, the grotto built in honor of Our Lady, and a tomb of the unborn which is in sorrowful memory of five aborted babies.
I got to sit in on a theology and catechetics (religious education class) that I must say are very impressive. Franciscan is the perfect place to study such subjects. The pre-theology program is top notch and the catechetics major is the best in the country. My mom and I even got to take a tour of the set where the television show "Franciscan University Presents" is filmed for EWTN. Another interesting thing about the school is that one can join what are called households-- a group of peers that come together for prayer, socialization, etc. Each has its own charism whether it be Our Lady, a saint, etc. They become like a home away from home for an individual.
The pro-life movement is absolutely huge at this school and there is no doubt that it is Catholic. The only place more Catholic than Franciscan University of Steubenville is the Vatican. A very different environment than my current secular college to say the least. When you pray no one thinks you're weird or gives you strange looks. Heck, they may even join you. Not that Franciscan students are holier than thou. They act like ordinary people; hang out, have fun, get involved in non-religious activities on campus, watch movies, etc. They're not perfect little angels, but they certainly do put their faith first in their lives. You may even encounter a religious sister in a classroom or spot a Franciscan friar strolling around campus. If I do attend, I'll be in a safe environment filled with people with the same set of values as me. About 2,400 undergraduate students where the classes tend to be smaller, students get the personal attention needed and are not just one of hundreds in a room.
The school's motto is, "academically challenging, passionately Catholic." Believe me, it lives up to it. So if you're looking for a rock solid Catholic campus, Franciscan University of Steubenville is the place to be.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Boy With Clubfoot
For my English class I had to look at an older painting and then write about it. The title of it is "Boy With Clubfoot" and yes you guessed it, this is a picture of a boy with a clubfoot. After pondering what to write about for a little while it hit me to write a poem- a pro-life poem.
sweet, energetic, bright boy
...with a clubfoot
so much to give yet so little given to him
mother's abandonment at two
after multiple doctors told her that his condition was permanent,
uninvolved father
claiming that she should decide,
rejoicing her freedom from him,
sent to an old orphanage,
five years and no one has come to adopt him
because of his clubfoot,
saying that he isn't like other children
or he would be too difficult to take care of,
made fun of by the other children
mocking him by inviting the boy to play sports
knowing full well that he couldn't
no family
no friends
only given pity from those who work at the orphanage
to some a nuisance
a challenge
an inconvenience
to others just a clubfoot
not a person but a body part
sweet, energetic, bright boy
...with a clubfoot
so much to give yet so little given to him
mother's abandonment at two
after multiple doctors told her that his condition was permanent,
uninvolved father
claiming that she should decide,
rejoicing her freedom from him,
sent to an old orphanage,
five years and no one has come to adopt him
because of his clubfoot,
saying that he isn't like other children
or he would be too difficult to take care of,
made fun of by the other children
mocking him by inviting the boy to play sports
knowing full well that he couldn't
no family
no friends
only given pity from those who work at the orphanage
to some a nuisance
a challenge
an inconvenience
to others just a clubfoot
not a person but a body part
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Defying Gravity- Defying Society
Last summer I saw the awesome musical "Wicked" which is the story of the wicked witch of the west with a whole new creative twist. My favorite song from it is "Defying Gravity." Now whenever I listen to it or think about it I can't help but be reminded of living out the Catholic faith, for nothing is as radical as holiness. So I've tweaked the song a little bit for you. Instead of "Defying Gravity" it's "Defying Society." May this encourage you during times when you feel so weird or attacked for your beliefs. I know what it's like to have people think that you're crazy and narrowminded for fidelity to the Church.
Defying Society
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and take a leap of faith. It's time to try defying society. I think I'll try defying society and you can't pull me down...
I'm through with accepting limits because someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love. I guess I lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost. I'd sooner buy defying society. Kiss me goodbye. I'm defying society and you can't pull me down...
So if you care to find me look to the western sky. As someone told me lately everyone deserves a chance to fly. But I won't be flying solo. Our Lord and I we'll be flying free and to those who ground me take a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying society. I'm flying high defying society and soon I'll match them in renown. And nobody in all the world, no culture that there is or was is ever gonna bring the Church down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btU7hXLOYHA
Defying Society
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and take a leap of faith. It's time to try defying society. I think I'll try defying society and you can't pull me down...
I'm through with accepting limits because someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I'll never know. Too long I've been afraid of losing love. I guess I lost. Well if that's love it comes at much too high a cost. I'd sooner buy defying society. Kiss me goodbye. I'm defying society and you can't pull me down...
So if you care to find me look to the western sky. As someone told me lately everyone deserves a chance to fly. But I won't be flying solo. Our Lord and I we'll be flying free and to those who ground me take a message back from me. Tell them how I am defying society. I'm flying high defying society and soon I'll match them in renown. And nobody in all the world, no culture that there is or was is ever gonna bring the Church down.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btU7hXLOYHA
Friday, March 21, 2008
Crown of Thorns Reflection
| One Halloween years ago I was getting my costume ready. I was going as St. Philomena and my mom was pinning the crown of flowers around my head. One of the hair clips jabbed my head accidentally and led out an "ow!" Then it reminded me of how Jesus was pierced by a whole crown of long and thick thorns. After the soldiers slammed it on His head they pounded it into his very skull so that it would stay on. I saw that my own pain was absolutely nothing compared to what He endured. No matter what we suffer, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, will never add up to what Jesus suffered. He loves us that much and wants us to seek Him in times of sorrow and joy as well. There is nothing that He has held back from us: His Body, His Life, His Time, His message, His love, and even lowered Himself- body, blood, soul, and divinity, down to the Eucharist in the form of bread and wine. So why do we struggle in giving ourselves totally to Him? (I ask this more to myself than anyone else.) |
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Regarding Lent
Today is Ash Wedesday, the first day of Lent. For those of you who don't know much about it or who don't understand it I'll explain what it entails.
For fourty days we prepare for Easter, just as Jesus was in the desert for fourty days in preparation for His ministry. During that time He fasted, prayed, and overcame temptation. The official Church teaching is that we are to abstain from meat accept for fish on Ash Wedesday and every friday throughout Lent. Why do we do this? In the time of Our Lord, whenever there was a celebration the fattened calf was slaughtered and eaten, but Lent is not a time of celebrating, Easter is. We await in hope for that glorious day. I also think of eating fish as a reminder of our call to discipleship and to spread the gospel to all people. Our Lord said to His disciples, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mk 1:17). The ashes on our foreheads serve as a reminder to us. For we are dust and to dust we shall return (Gen 3:19). This reminds us that our life on earth is a short one and that we are made for God in heaven, not earth.
In regards to fasting, those fourteen and above are required to do so only on Ash Wedesday and Good Friday. "On these days, we are permitted only one full meal and two small meals that together add up to one full meal and two small meals, and must abstain from eating meat. Days of abstinence (such as the Fridays of Lent) simply require the avoidance of meat on those days" (Pinto 168, 169). One is excused from fasting if it indangers one's health though. Many people also make other sacrifices such as giving up a particular food or drink that they like or secular music.
Why do we do these things?
"1. As a way to atone for sins of the past, both ours and others (Col 1:24).
2. To learn to master our inclinations towards sin (Jas 1:2-4).
3. To help us prepare for the spiritual feast of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter.
4. As a sign of our conversion.
5. As a way to purify our soul (CCC 2043)" (Pinto 168).
"Mastering the little changes in life prepares us for the big challenges (Heb 5:8, 1 Pt 4:12-13)" (Pinto 168).
I'd like to point out that the words Lent and love are interconnected. They both start with the letter "l" and have four letters. Some think that Lent is all about burdens, but actually, the only sacrifice that is burdensome is the one done apart from love. True love is not a feeling or an emotion, but action. True love is wishing the best for another, even to the point of sacrifice. The ultimate display of love was Jesus dying on the cross for us all. There was no other ration reason for Him doing it. Throughout Lent we offer our very selves up and unite our sufferings with His. We call it the paschal mystery, which means suffering and dying in order to gain new life, just like what Jesus did. We find this in the theme song to a television series entitled, "The Pure Life."
Was I born just to die? Was I given these gifts just to watch um' pass by and have I toiled in vain? There is joy in Him who leads us through pain. For all those who'll come to the Table to be sustained, there is joy, there is life here in my suffering.
Christ died for us and we are called to die a little for Him to show our love for Him. Don't focus on the cost but on the prize. "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor 9:24-27).
"I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect" (Rm 12:1-2).
Lent is a time to start anew. Perhaps instead of giving something up you could work on overcoming a particular sin or obtain a certain virtue. I urge you to go to confession during this season, especially if you have skipped mass, which is very serious (unless there was a valid reason such as illness, the weather wouldn't permit it, etc. I don't mean for this to sound judgmental. It's just that things are pretty lax these days and I want you to be brought up instead of down.) "Why should you go to confession? Why can't you just tell God you're sorry on your own?" www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0110sbs.asp
Think of every sacrifice you make as a gift to Jesus, an egg or treat in His Easter basket. If it is not done out of love though, the chocolate bunnies will taste terrible to Him. Why not possibly watch less tv or even give it up all together. I've heard it said that Blessed Mother Teresa refered to the tabernacle as her tv. Did you know that you can do Eucharistic Adoration online? www.savior.org Do you have questions about the Eucharist? "Isn't it just symbolic? Come on, it's just a piece of bread. Does receiving the Eucharist make us cannibals? Doesn't scripture disprove the doctrine? Wasn't it made up over time by the Church?" www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0103sbs.asp
Works Cited
The New American Bible. Ed. Hartman, Canada: World Bible Inc., 1987.
Pinto, Matthew J. Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? 2003. West Chester: Ascension Press,
1998.
For fourty days we prepare for Easter, just as Jesus was in the desert for fourty days in preparation for His ministry. During that time He fasted, prayed, and overcame temptation. The official Church teaching is that we are to abstain from meat accept for fish on Ash Wedesday and every friday throughout Lent. Why do we do this? In the time of Our Lord, whenever there was a celebration the fattened calf was slaughtered and eaten, but Lent is not a time of celebrating, Easter is. We await in hope for that glorious day. I also think of eating fish as a reminder of our call to discipleship and to spread the gospel to all people. Our Lord said to His disciples, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mk 1:17). The ashes on our foreheads serve as a reminder to us. For we are dust and to dust we shall return (Gen 3:19). This reminds us that our life on earth is a short one and that we are made for God in heaven, not earth.
In regards to fasting, those fourteen and above are required to do so only on Ash Wedesday and Good Friday. "On these days, we are permitted only one full meal and two small meals that together add up to one full meal and two small meals, and must abstain from eating meat. Days of abstinence (such as the Fridays of Lent) simply require the avoidance of meat on those days" (Pinto 168, 169). One is excused from fasting if it indangers one's health though. Many people also make other sacrifices such as giving up a particular food or drink that they like or secular music.
Why do we do these things?
"1. As a way to atone for sins of the past, both ours and others (Col 1:24).
2. To learn to master our inclinations towards sin (Jas 1:2-4).
3. To help us prepare for the spiritual feast of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter.
4. As a sign of our conversion.
5. As a way to purify our soul (CCC 2043)" (Pinto 168).
"Mastering the little changes in life prepares us for the big challenges (Heb 5:8, 1 Pt 4:12-13)" (Pinto 168).
I'd like to point out that the words Lent and love are interconnected. They both start with the letter "l" and have four letters. Some think that Lent is all about burdens, but actually, the only sacrifice that is burdensome is the one done apart from love. True love is not a feeling or an emotion, but action. True love is wishing the best for another, even to the point of sacrifice. The ultimate display of love was Jesus dying on the cross for us all. There was no other ration reason for Him doing it. Throughout Lent we offer our very selves up and unite our sufferings with His. We call it the paschal mystery, which means suffering and dying in order to gain new life, just like what Jesus did. We find this in the theme song to a television series entitled, "The Pure Life."
Was I born just to die? Was I given these gifts just to watch um' pass by and have I toiled in vain? There is joy in Him who leads us through pain. For all those who'll come to the Table to be sustained, there is joy, there is life here in my suffering.
Christ died for us and we are called to die a little for Him to show our love for Him. Don't focus on the cost but on the prize. "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor 9:24-27).
"I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect" (Rm 12:1-2).
Lent is a time to start anew. Perhaps instead of giving something up you could work on overcoming a particular sin or obtain a certain virtue. I urge you to go to confession during this season, especially if you have skipped mass, which is very serious (unless there was a valid reason such as illness, the weather wouldn't permit it, etc. I don't mean for this to sound judgmental. It's just that things are pretty lax these days and I want you to be brought up instead of down.) "Why should you go to confession? Why can't you just tell God you're sorry on your own?" www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0110sbs.asp
Think of every sacrifice you make as a gift to Jesus, an egg or treat in His Easter basket. If it is not done out of love though, the chocolate bunnies will taste terrible to Him. Why not possibly watch less tv or even give it up all together. I've heard it said that Blessed Mother Teresa refered to the tabernacle as her tv. Did you know that you can do Eucharistic Adoration online? www.savior.org Do you have questions about the Eucharist? "Isn't it just symbolic? Come on, it's just a piece of bread. Does receiving the Eucharist make us cannibals? Doesn't scripture disprove the doctrine? Wasn't it made up over time by the Church?" www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0103sbs.asp
Works Cited
The New American Bible. Ed. Hartman, Canada: World Bible Inc., 1987.
Pinto, Matthew J. Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? 2003. West Chester: Ascension Press,
1998.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Bella Movie Review
| Over the summer I had heard about the upcoming release of a film entitled Bella. I was told that that it was a pro-life movie and that it had actually won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Last August, producer and actor in the film, Eduardo Verastegui, made a guest appearance on popular EWTN show Life on the Rock discussing his conversion from being a mostly non-practicing Catholic to his journey home to Rome. He was a soap opera star in Mexico and was lost in the glitz of stardom, but through his mother's prayers and his English tutor's challenging words Eduardo discovered what was truly important. I yearned to see this movie but it was (and still is) released in a limited amount of theaters. Over Thanksgiving break my family and I went on vacation to Branson, MO. My mom surprised me by asking if I wanted to see Bella. I didn't know that she had even heard of the movie. Apparently it was playing in my hometown while I was away at college. Previously, I had prayed for the privilege of viewing the film and I knew that this was the answer to my prayer. So my mom and I drove to Springfield to see it and we are glad that we did. Nina, an unwed waitress, finds herself pregnant and her boyfriend is for aborting the child. To make matters worse she is fired from her job for her multiple tardies and her boss doesn't believe that she was truly sick one day. He thinks that she was actually hung over, but Nina was experiencing morning sickness. To promote life the writers could have gone in multiple directions with this. The film could have been preachy, judgmental, etc. Surprisingly enough, the movie doesn't do any of these things. We as an audience feel compassion for Nina, who had difficulty enough just living on her small salary at the restaurant. A chef named Jose from where she used to work, leaves the restaurant to come to her aid. He merely becomes her friend; listening to what she has to say, spends the day with her, and treats her to dinner with his family. Nina grows to trust Jose and through this friendship love their lives change. Both pro-choicers and pro-lifers will be challenged by this movie. Pro-choicers will ponder on their previous position and pro-lifers will consider how loving is the key to changing people. The main message is love in Bella. As the movie website says, it's a love story that goes beyond the romance between a man and woman. This theme of love can be applied to evangelizing. Everyone longs for it and is incomplete without it. Through loving we can reveal what being a follower of Christ is all about and the walls of defense around their hearts will collapse. As my mom put it, the movie is different in that it's for widescreen audiences. Bella isn't about any part of Christ's life or the life of a saint, so it draws attention and appeal to many faith backgrounds and views. Despite its common ground though, the Catholic faith isn't ignored. One seen involves Jose and his family praying before dinner and the film itself opens with the quote, "My grandmother told me that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." (By the way if this is true I must be Robin Williams.) Most likely, Jose's displays of love are motivated by his faith. On another note Bella is a great film for Hispanics. Eduardo, who plays Jose commented on how Latinos are typically portrayed in films. The men are usually portrayed as criminals, thieves, drug dealers, and if they are handsome then they are Don Juan casanovas who are womanizing liars. "You never see a Latino as a hero- not a hero like Superman or Batman or any of those guys; a man of integrity, a man who sacrifices for his wife or children, a good citizen that serves his country." Eduardo and his fellow associates who made Bella, resolved to portray Hispanics in a much more positive light and kept their promise. Looking back at his past, Eduardo realized that back when he was a Mexican soap opera star, that he was feeding the negative stereotype in the media, and even became a womanizer himself. The man who was (and still is) regarded as Mexico's Brad Pitt, decided to turn his life around and has a profound new respect for women. He wanted to present women more favorably in this film as well, after all he said, he had a wonderful mother and three sisters. Bella is truly a magnificent treasure. You'll laugh, possibly cry, and be hungry for Puertorican/Mexican food afterwards. This is now one of my favorite movies of all time. I'm considering it for the number one spot on my list. At the moment, it's showing in a limited amount of theaters, but the requests for the movie keep coming in. To find out where it's being shown go to http://bellathemoviesite.com/. |
Thursday, November 1, 2007
All Saints Day
Happy All Saints Day everyone! Over the years I've studied the lives of many saints. Throughout this time I've noticed that even though each one of them is unique, that they have many similar traits.
1) Love Jesus More Than Anyone or Anything
2) Love Their Neighbor as They Love Themselves
3) Serve in Whatever Vocation That They Are Called To
4) Are Christlike
5) Chaste
6) Prayerful
7) Have Beautiful Souls
8) Seek God's Will Above Their Own
9) Childlike But Not Childish
10) Obedient
11) Follow 10 Ten Commandments
12) Passionately Love The Church
13) Live Out The Eight Beatitudes
14) Are Not Saints By Themselves, But With Total Reliance on The Lord
15) Reverent When Needed To Be, Never Wishing To Be Disrespectful
16) Love The Sacraments, Especially The Eucharist
17) Know How Important The Family Is
18) Pro-Life
19) Know That There Is Both a Spiritual World and a Natural World
20) Have a Healthy Love of Self
21) Have True Freedom, By Being Free in The Lord
22) Courageous in The Battle of Good vs. Evil
23) Pro- Scripture, But Anti-Scripture Alone
I have never found a single saint that contradicted any of these traits. As one can clearly see, we can live out these traits as well. Holiness is for everyone, not just for a select few.
1) Love Jesus More Than Anyone or Anything
2) Love Their Neighbor as They Love Themselves
3) Serve in Whatever Vocation That They Are Called To
4) Are Christlike
5) Chaste
6) Prayerful
7) Have Beautiful Souls
8) Seek God's Will Above Their Own
9) Childlike But Not Childish
10) Obedient
11) Follow 10 Ten Commandments
12) Passionately Love The Church
13) Live Out The Eight Beatitudes
14) Are Not Saints By Themselves, But With Total Reliance on The Lord
15) Reverent When Needed To Be, Never Wishing To Be Disrespectful
16) Love The Sacraments, Especially The Eucharist
17) Know How Important The Family Is
18) Pro-Life
19) Know That There Is Both a Spiritual World and a Natural World
20) Have a Healthy Love of Self
21) Have True Freedom, By Being Free in The Lord
22) Courageous in The Battle of Good vs. Evil
23) Pro- Scripture, But Anti-Scripture Alone
I have never found a single saint that contradicted any of these traits. As one can clearly see, we can live out these traits as well. Holiness is for everyone, not just for a select few.
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