We are all familiar with our Lord's description of our judgement: "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, . . ." (Matthew 25:35). But, as with all of Scripture, the more we reflect on it, the more we find in it. For example, there are all sorts of hungers, most of which we cannot simply write a check to alleviate. And there are strangers all around us; do we even see them? In my retirement I am trying to see more clearly those who have shown us the way to live Christ's mandate of love by their example.

So far, I have posted twelve reflections — those indicated in the first column. You can click on the images there or use the navigation bar toward the top of each page. I have come to know something about these individuals over the years — often as historical figures, but sometimes in person — and I am trying to learn more, and sharing that knowledge with anyone who might be interested. So, welcome! And enjoy!

The Bishops of the United States encourage all Catholics to participate actively in civic life, and to vote. Each party and each candidate endorses policies in conformity with Church teaching as well as policies contrary to Church teaching. The Bishops encourage conscientious Catholics to first form their consciences in accordance with Church teaching on the issues, vote prayerfully in accordance with their conscience thus formed for the candidate who seems to support more of the issues supported by the Church, and commit to bring the moral issues not supported by the winning candidate more into line with Church teaching.

To assist us, the Bishops have published Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, a 64 page document providing guidance for Catholics. Father Casey Cole, OFM, the face of the web site Breaking in the Habit, a Franciscan ministry with a mission to evangelize and catechize in the Franciscan spirit in order to promote faith, energize communities, inspire active involvement, and encourage vocations to consecrated life, has produced a video which provides an overview of the Bishops' document.

Click Image Above for the Video

Click here for the Bishops' Document.

With roots in the Biblical concept of Jubilee (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13), in 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the Church's first Jubilee, also known as a "Holy Year," since it is a time in which God's holiness transforms us. The frequency of Holy Years has changed over time: at first, they were celebrated every 100 years; later, in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the gap between Jubilees to every 50 years, and in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. There have also been "extraordinary" Holy Years: for example, in 1933 Pope Pius XI chose to commemorate the 1900^th anniversary of the Redemption, and in 2015 Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy as an extraordinary jubilee. The way in which Jubilee Years are marked has also changed through the centuries: originally the Holy Year consisted of a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, later other signs were added, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence.

Jubilee 2025 will begin on December 29, 2024, when the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican will be opened. The Jubilee will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican on January 6, 2026. The theme of the Jubilee is "Hope does not disappoint." Pope Francis prays that the Jubilee will be a moment of genuine personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the door of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as "our hope."

Click here for the Jubilee Calendar.

During Jubilee 2000, I was blessed to attend the Jubilee of People with Disabilities. Click here for my memories of that "Weekend in Rome."

BECOME A JUBILEE 2025 VOLUNTEER

If you are over 18 and want to have a special — and active — experience of the Holy Year, by assisting the numerous pilgrims who will be in Rome to enter through the Holy Door, this is your chance!

You can offer your service for one or more weeks, or for specific jubilee events, in a unique experience: helping those in need of assistance and information along the pilgrimage routes that lead to the Holy Doors of Rome's four Pontifical Basilicas.

It seems to me that this would be a great opportunity for a college student or other young adult — or possibly a high school teacher — who is into his or her Catholic faith to experience the Jubilee and interact with other volunteers and pilgrims from all over the world. Seminarians and male and female novices in religious communities who wish to volunteer require the written approval of their rector or formator. Knowledge of the Italian language is preferable, but not mandatory. If you have any language skills, it seems to me that you will have opportunities to use them with pilgrims and with other volunteers.

Other basic requirements are:

• A letter is required from your pastor or other priest certifying your Catholic faith and your active participation in parish life.
• A valid passport (and visa, if necessary) is required.
• The volunteer must cover travel expenses to and from Rome.
• The Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization will cover food and accommodation during the period of service

Click here for more information.

Slavery in the
Historic Archdiocese of St. Louis
A new report on the history of slavery in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, details how many people were enslaved by the archdiocese's first three bishops, as well as 11 diocesan priests, and seven other clergymen who ministered there in the nineteenth century.

The archdiocese's full report includes the names of 99 people who were enslaved, 44 of whom were owned by clergy and diocesan bishops, including Bishop DuBourg, Bishop Rosati and Archbishop Peter Kenrick. There also is information on additional clergy members who were involved in the sales of enslaved people between other clergy, or who rented or had some authority over enslaved people, but did not legally hold them as property.

In 2018, the Office of Archives and Records began researching the archdiocese's involvement in the institution of slavery. In the fall of 2020, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski authorized an expansion of the previous efforts, and the project was formally named "Forgive Us Our Trespasses" in early 2021. He laid out two goals for the project: to promote open and honest access to historic records of enslavement within the local Catholic Church; and to promote community engagement and encourage dialog on the legacies of slavery in the local community.

From a research perspective, those who prepared the report said that it's important to let the information speak for itself, but it's also critical to acknowledge the sins of the Church and seek forgiveness. "It's important to acknowledge it was harmful and caused pain to individuals and families. You can't move on as a community and work toward healing and hope without acknowledging the sin and sorrow first."

Click here for the report.

Our Salvation Is in the Interruptions