The first photos

Snow capped mountains somewhere between Oregon and Idaho

Back in my parish after a 24 hour trip, mostly in the air between Malta and Bend, here are just a few photos I took from the air on my arrival in Malta, a month ago. I am presently downloading and cropping and saving all my 2500 photos, and will certainly share many of them in the next few weeks.

Mount Hood, the highest mountain in Oregon

Mdina and Rabat in Malta, photo also taken from the plane.

As the world prepares for the World Cup which starts today in Brazil, I cannot let this day pass by without asking for your prayers for a priest in a parish in Phoenix Arizona, killed last night during a robbery in the Rectory. A 28 year old priest, Fr Kenneth Walker was killed and a 56 year old priest, Fr Joseph Terra was seriously injured while they were in their Rectory in Mother of Mercy Mission in the Capitol District. Even though we do not know each other, we feel like a family when one of us is murdered so innocently. Let us pray....

Malta Diary - part 7

This would be my last entry from Malta, and the blog should be running regularly with pictures from June 12 onwards. Over the first few weeks I will be downloading my photos and cataloging them as is my custom, and will certainly share some of them with you throughout the next few months.

One interesting innovation I noticed in Malta is the introduction of solar panels on many roofs of residences. The majority of hotels and larger complexes such as office buildings had already installed these panels, but the trend is now for homes and private residences to install these panels. In fact it is an excellent idea since we get a plentiful supply of sunny days, and people can benefit from the free sunny days without having to pay their ever-mounting electric bills.

The sun burns relentlessly in Malta all year round, but especially in the hot summer months. Many people have water tanks on their roofs which they use for their daily consumption, but even though it's supposed to be cold water, by 10 am the water is already hot and stays very hot till late in the evening. In fact very few households use their water heaters in the summer months, but only during the  three cooler months, usually December till February. By the way, all houses in Malta have flat roofs where people can walk on, enjoy a cool evening under the stars and as is customary hang their clothes to dry, which usually takes an hour or less - that's why no one has driers next to their washing-machines.

But enough about household details. These last few days were highlighted by quick visits to various churches and taking a few more photos of sacred art and other spontaneous shots that show up in places where you least expect them. Among these were visits to the local festas that dominate the summer months in Malta. My home-town of St Julian's celebrated a colorful re-enactment of an old custom, commemorating the feast of the Ascension, as people dressed in traditional clothing, marching bands, food stands, and other traditional customs that were popular in years gone by. It was quite a colorful event, as you will see later in the year when I post some of these photos. 

Since many of the buildings are well lit up, some of my photography focused on night scenes which create quite an interesting texture. I have to say that during this trip I was a real photographer, not just with my camera in my passenger seat or around my neck, just in case I come across something interesting. This time I was an inquisitive photographer looking around for that unusual and spontaneous scene, sometimes very unexpected, but rewarding nonetheless.  

One of the most surprising thing I noticed these past few weeks was the fact that I am recognizing less and less people, besides very few people are recognizing me. Walking around town, I used to recognize just about everyone, but nowadays, it is the complete opposite. The fact that most of the people I come across are tourists does not help the situation. Malta has become the melting-pot which New York became known for. Riding a bus one can hear all kinds of languages spoken, from Arabic to Spanish, from Italian to Romanian, from French to Swedish, mostly British accent and once in a while an American accent, especially when someone asks me for direction.

And as Bugs Bunny used to say......from Malta....that's all folks!

Malta Diary - part 6

The most obvious difference between Malta and the USA is simply found in one word: history. The USA can go back to 250, maybe 300 years with any documented information. On the other hand Malta's history goes back to many centuries BC, Before Christ. We have churches that were built in the 14th and 15th century still standing strong, and beautifully adorned, besides palaces and monuments, shrines and museums and other buildings built from locally-cut limestone, as is every structure still standing.

This week I visited one Museum that is built over old catacombs from the 6th century. Adjacent to the catacombs are shelters that were hewn out of rock just before World War II. Since Malta was heavily bombed during the war, most people had to seek safety in underground shelters strategically located in different places to provide safe haven to the local folks, especially when the sirens alerted the people that an attack was imminent, with hundreds of bombs being dropped by the Italian and German fighter planes.

A brief lesson in history is in place here. Malta was ruled by a large number of rulers, starting with the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, (both Before Christ), the Romans, (first few centuries AD, Anno Domini), the Arabs (6 to 9 th centuries), the Normans around 1100 AD, the Spanish until 1530, the Knights of Malta 1530-1798, the French until 1814, and the British until 1964 when Malta gained its Independence. In 2004, Malta joined the European Union. Most of these rulers, especially since the Normans, left their indelible mark in structures, monuments, palaces, churches, etc.

So far I took only 1,700 photos - and I doubt if I even have a handful to erase, because obviously they are all so good. Thank God for my battery charger, which also transfers the electricity from 220 volts to 110, since Malta and most of Europe works with 220 volts, which also makes working with electricity very dangerous. 

I visited St John's Cathedral, built by the Knights of Malta between 1570 and 1590, recently restored to its former splendor. It's the same Cathedral where I was ordained a priest in 1977, and where I served many Masses as a seminarian. In it are displayed two famous paintings by Caravaggio, the Beheading of St John the Baptist and St Jerome, besides the massive vault and other paintings by Mattia Preti, as well as marble tombstones of the Knights.

I have a lot of Masses to say this week, as the pastor asked me to cover for him while I'm here, which of course is never a problem for me. Stay tuned for a last entry of this Malta Diary, before I start my regular postings next week

Malta Diary - part 5

This entry can very well be titled 'Women and Work.' it has been the week for women in Malta, as the results of the European Parliament elections were decided, and in a stunning result, 4 out of the 6 Maltese members elected were women, two-thirds of Malta's humble representation at the European Union! There are presently 10 women in the Maltese parliament, out of 65 members, and so the women in Malta are having a field day, rightly so. Incidentally thanks to the 4 elected in the Euro Parliament, Malta has the largest percentage of representation of women among the 27 countries that make up the European Union. In the last election 5 years ago, they had none.

This week has also been a working week for me as I did some furniture painting around our house. As I'm so used to seeing white in the USA, in reference to snow, I've seen lots of white this past week as I painted chairs, cabinets, doors and other furniture with brilliant white paint, freshening up some of the kitchen equipment that needed a new paint-job. Speaking of painting, I also started doing some watercolor projects in my free time. After the success of my 4 paintings being auctioned for our parish school, I got motivated to pick up the brushes and created some landscapes with the limited equipment I have, mostly lent by my sister-in-law Maria.

This past week I also accompanied my sister-in-law to her native island of Gozo, our sister island and part of the Maltese archipelago. Gozo is 5 miles north-west of Malta, and a ferry boat covers the 20 minute transit to a more peaceful, more conservative and less crowded spot in the 122 square miles that make up the Maltese islands. I was able to visit some of the churches there and take some great photos to add to my ever-growing collection. So far I took 1200 photos, but I'm sure by the time I return to Bend the number will be close to 2000. 

Malta Diary - part 4

Visiting so many towns and villages this past week, I came to realize how much the topography and physiognomy of my home town has changed recently. The many colonial style one floor houses have been replaced by apartments that are 6 to 12 floors, most of them for tourists, but for local residents as well. My home town of St. Julian's is well known for restaurants, hotels and even night clubs where the young and the old gather for entertainment, besides of course for socializing, drinking and just hanging out. Walking around these neighborhoods, I felt like a fish out of the water, as the young people dominate the streets, bars and shops, most of them with tables and chairs outside, to attract more customers. I don't want to sound like a broken record, because I've mentioned this point already in an earlier entry, but this has been a major change in my perspective of Malta, one of the smallest islands, but with a tremendous building boom, overcrowded towns, and a hectic, bustling life, night and day.

Many of these young people are students from foreign countries staying in Malta for a few weeks or months with the purpose of learning English. Since most of the Maltese are polyglots, and speak at least English and Italian, besides their native Maltese, it is easy for foreigners to find a welcoming spirit and friendly people, wherever they go. There is always someone around who can speak a foreign language, and communication is the least of our problems. 

And since Malta is part of the European Union, any Maltese native can work abroad, and vice-versa. We don't even need a passport to travel to other European countries, similar to what happens when one travels from one state to another within the United States of America. 

There are in Malta around 90 parishes, and each parish celebrates a special festivity during the summer months, honoring their patron saint. Over the next two weekends, I hope to visit some of these parishes, where a procession with the statue of the saint is held on Sunday evening, culminating a week of religious celebrations, held inside the local parish church, as well as outside, with fireworks, band marches and lots of decorations along the main streets of each town and village. The churches in particular are dressed up in their very best with tapestries hanging on the walls, chandeliers, as well as other decorations that are stored throughout the year, but are showcased during this week, as churches sparkle with the gold and silver that are hundreds of years old, donated by our generous forefathers and preserved throughout the centuries

Malta Diary - part 3

Yes, this was a terrific week for photography as I ventured out to many other towns and villages, some of which have changed and developed so much since I was a youngster. Traffic of course is horrendous. Wherever you go, people are always friendly and ready to help with directions and easy to start a chat with, especially when they notice you are a native Maltese with a tourist glow around you, particularly when they notice the camera around my neck. 

Walking through many of the streets of the small towns, you never know what you might come across....unusual flowers that you never knew about, small sparrows frolicking on the tree branches, women crafting lace in a shady spot outside their homes, small chapels and other architectural gems, elderly men resting on benches eyeing me suspiciously as I take their picture, and many other surprising scenarios that show up unexpectedly. When I was younger and took pictures of elderly folks, they took offense, considering me an intruder. Nowadays it's much easier and safer, not only because they are used to tourists shooting all kinds of photos, but also because telephoto lenses make it easier to aim, point and shoot from a distance, getting the same result as an annoying close-up which nobody seems to like.

I have been helping out in my parish with Masses and some confessions. Since I left Malta for good back in 1981, there are very few of my former folks and parishioners who are still alive. My former altar servers are now parents, and their own children are now serving my Masses. The many couples that I married in the late 1970s are now grandparents and the many babies I baptized in the same period are now parents themselves and raising their own babies. Moreover my brother Marcel and his wife Maria are celebrating their 25th anniversary on May 21 with a visit to Florence and Rome, the same places they visited on their honeymoon. Back then they also visited me in New York, staying with me in the Rectory, while visiting various landmarks in the Big Apple. 

The temperature is warming up slowly slowly, as is the political temperature in many of the people, in anticipation of the big European elections taking place this coming Saturday, May 24. These are taking place all over Europe, in all the countries representing the members of the European Union. This is similar to elections taking place in the USA for members of Congress. Each country has a number of members proportionate to the population. So, while Italy, Germany and France have over 70 members, smaller countries like Portugal, Sweden and Greece have around 20 each - Malta has only 6. Stay tuned for more news from Malta in a few days.

Malta Diary - part 2

I can say that as of Sunday May 18, I am fully recovered from jet-lag, and this is confirmed by the fact that I am waking up early in the morning without the need of an alarm clock. I've been helping in my parish with Masses and confessions, also because the pastor is by himself at the moment. A priest who is helping him with daily Masses is away for a week, and another priest who was helping for a few days is back in Rome studying. Moreover since my last visit here 2 years ago, two of my childhood priests have died, and so the pastor saw me as an angel, to help him with Masses, which have been reduced to three a day, with six on Sunday. I remember growing up when we had 7 priests in the parish, even though some of them taught in schools, but they were always available to say daily Mass. Besides the parish church, there is a smaller church and a smaller chapel, besides a church run by the Augustinians.

I have been doing some serious photography, going into detail and finding unusual angles and perspectives in my home town and the capital city. Even though Malta is very small, and I've been to every town and village, there is always a surprise in every unexpected place. Moreover many new buildings have been built over the years, and the Maltese topography has changed drastically, with new hotels, restaurants and shops sprouting up in every imaginable spot. Since my hometown of St Julian's is a very touristic place, there is a tremendous attraction to visitors, especially with the young people in a section where night clubs and disco clubs are very common. 

And thank God for chargers so that I can re-charge my IPad and camera battery. Since the voltage in most of Europe is 220 volts, it's always risky charging something without a transformer, but nowadays, every airport is loaded with these international travel transformers, especially with everyone carrying cell-phones, IPods and IPads, besides lap-tops, cameras and every imaginable gadget that runs on batteries, which is just about everything. This coming week I plan to visit more towns and villages, and of course more photography.

Home-cooking is much appreciated, thanks to my sisters and anyone who invites me over. The taste of Maltese food, local bread, homemade soups, local drinks, and soon rabbit brings back many nostalgic memories, and certainly my taste-buds adapt quickly to Maltese cuisine. Besides, many of the local TV stations have popular cooking shows which add to the anticipation of what the next meal will be like. But this teaches me the virtue of patience, of which I have an abundance.

Malta Diary - part 1

Being away from the Internet, WiFi and e-mails is helping me appreciate the social media a little more. We take it for granted when WiFi is so easily accessible. But when it's not available, you feel like you're living in the 1950s or beyond.

Well even at home here in Malta for a family visit, I have no access to the Internet, and so these entries on my blog are probably going to be few and far between.

After a 4-plane flight from Bend to Portland, to Washington DC, to Frankfurt and to Malta, jet-lag as usual took its toll on me, and I needed a few days to recover and get back to myself. But thanks to my IPad, I was able to type as much as I wanted and save everything for future use. Keeping journals and writing articles for a Maltese newspaper as well as for the parish Bulletin is something I do on a regular basis., and so it is automatic for me to start typing at every opportunity of free time I have. 

In the middle of May, the temperatures are pretty comfortable for Malta at this time of the year. However it will soon be warm and humid as May gives way to June and then to July and August, which are the hottest months of the year. My first impression of Malta is definitely its congestion, with lots of cars on the road, with finding a place to park anywhere is always a Herculean task. With over 400,000 people living on an island that is 18 miles by 8, this makes for a the third most densely populated place in the world, only surpassed by Monaco and Singapore. And with the influx of many tourists and the illegal immigration from Northern Africa, the population keeps growing, and congestion gets bigger and more complicated.

Two main issues are dominating the news in Malta at this time. The first one is the European Union elections being held on May 24, and the second one is the upcoming World Cup in soccer being held in Brazil, starting within a month. There are 30 candidates running for elections to take the 6 seats available for the European Parliament, a highly prestigious position which helps make important decisions in Brussels that effects all of Europe. Each country in the European Union has a number of seats proportionate to its population. Our country has only 6 seats, but they are fought for tooth and nail, and even though they will all represent Malta, there are usually 3 members from each political party in Malta, although it could very well be 4 and 2.
The interest in soccer in Malta is truly fascinating, with many of the fans rooting for either England or Italy, but since the matches are being played in Brazil, the time difference will have a definite effect on the general interest, as most games will be held in the middle of the night, Malta time. Granted that most matches will be replayed over the next day on TV stations, but there is a bigger sense of excitement when following a soccer match 'live.' Usually the host team is always a favorite, and so, Brazil seems to have the upper hand. They usually are one of the strongest teams, and they already won the World Cup five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Italy won the World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, while England won it only once, in 1966 when it was held in England. May the best team wins!

Off to Malta

Balluta Bay, close to my home in Malta in the town of St. Julian's

I will be visiting my family over the next month, and my blog entries may be limited. I will try to keep a diary, as long as I have WiFi access. I may not be able to place any photos, but I’ll see what I can do when I’m there. My nephews may be able to help me, even though they will be busy working and studying. If you want to check where I’ll be, this webcam in my hometown is where I’ll be roaming about. (link further down)

St Julian's parish church, where I'll celebrate most of my Masses

The new church is on the top centre, with a modern steeple, and lit up at night. Malta is 9 hours ahead of Oregon, and 6 hours ahead of New York. Naturally I will spend time with my family, help in my local parish, take plenty of photos and charge my internal batteries for another year of pastoral ministry and service to my people here in Bend.

http://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/malta/malta/st-julians/st-julians.html

The main altar of the old parish church, where I'll celebrate some Masses

PS: The School Auction held yesterday was a huge success, and my paintings went for $230, $200, $300 and $500 respectively, bringing in a total of $1230.

Pope Paul VI soon a Blessed

Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)

Giovanni Battista Montini's beatification is near: On May 6 cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints unanimously approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Italian Pope from Brescia, who died in August 1978. The year which marked the canonization of two Popes – John XXIII and John Paul II – will also be the year of Paul VI’s beatification. In the next few days Pope Francis will be promulgating the decree on the miracle attributed to the late Pope and the date suggested for the actual beatification is 19 October. The beatification is expected to take place in Rome on the occasion of the concluding ceremony of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family: it was Paul VI himself who established the Synod in September 1965 in response to a request made by the Council fathers. It should be noted that next August will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Paul VI’s first big encyclical, the “Ecclesiam Suam”, which he wrote and edited entirely by himself. He was ordained priest on May 29, 1920, consecrated Bishop on December 12, 1954 and made a Cardinal on December 15, 1958. He succeeded St John XXIII as Pope on June 21, 1963.
The miracle attributed to the intercession of Paul VI was witnessed in the United States in 2001. It involved the healing of an unborn child, which was found to have serious problems and a high risk of brain damage: the foetus’ bladder was damaged and doctors reported ascites (presence of liquid in the abdomen) and anhydramnios (absence of fluid in the amniotic sac). All attempts to correct the problem proved futile and in the end the doctors said the child would either die in the womb or it would be born with severe renal impairment. Abortion was offered as an option but the mother refused. Instead, she took the advice given to her by a nun who was a friend of the family and had met Montini: she decided to pray for Paul VI’s intercession using a fragment of the Pope’s vestments which the nun had given her.

Pope Paul VI with Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, eventually John Paul II

Ten weeks later the results of the medical tests showed a substantial improvement in the child’s health and the baby was born by Caesarean section in the 39th week of pregnancy. Faith weekly Credere revealed that the diocesan inquiry was launched in 2003 and all witnesses agree that the case in question cannot be explained scientifically.
The child has made it to thirteen and his health is constantly monitored to ensure that his psychophysical state is normal. Doctors are especially keeping an eye on the child’s renal function. On 12 December last year the medical consultation of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints headed by Professor Patrizio Polisca, confirmed the impossibility of explaining the healing and the dicastery’s theologians gave their approval last 18 February. Benedict XVI promulgated Paul VI’s heroic virtues on 20 December 2012.

Altar-boy Julian Cassar kissing the ring of Pope Paul VI in 1966

I was honored to be in Pope Paul VI’s presence in 1966 as an altar-boy chosen to serve at the Vatican. In the audience we had with the Pope, I kissed the ring of the Supreme Pontiff and a photographer snapped a photo which I will treasure for ever. Out of 25 altar-servers only me and another boy had our picture taken in such a historic and memorable moment. In the audience he told us that whenever we became pastors to go to visit him again. Unfortunately he died in 1978, but I did see his successor, Benedict and even concelebrated Mass with him in Malta in 2010.

Maybe.....

 - Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
 - Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
 - Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
 - Maybe it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.
 - It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
 - There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.
 - Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
 - May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
 - Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
 - The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
 - Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.
 - The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
  - When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May Crowning

Children placing flowers in front of Mary's statue

The May Crowning was held in our parish yesterday, both in the morning for the school children, and in the afternoon and evening for our Faith Formation program. A statue of the Blessed Mother was crowned at each celebration as children placed flowers in front of the Marian statue. While this was being done, I played several times the Ave Maria by Schubert on my flute, as the long line of children prayerfully processed towards the altar. Afterwards we recited the Rosary, and concluded with the Hail Holy Queen. 

More photos can be seen on the parish blog at www.stfrancisbend.blogspot.com

Two other watercolors on auction

"New England in Autumn" by Fr Julian Cassar

These are the two other watercolors I painted which are being auctioned on Saturday to benefit the parish school. The Auction is being held at the Riverhouse in Bend, Oregon, stating at 5 PM. I am also hoping that this summer I will resume my water coloring painting hobby which I have abandoned since I arrived here in Bend. I am self-taught, and professional artists would probably find a few mistakes, but I do it for the fun of it, and enjoy it tremendously, especially when people appreciate my style.

"Oregon Ranch" by Fr Julian Cassar

Watercolors on the auction block

'Pier at Sunset' by Fr Julian Cassar

This coming Saturday, 4 of my watercolors are being auctioned to support our parish school. Some of the staff noticed my collection of watercolors I have done over the past 4 years and asked if I can donate a few of them to be auctioned. They then chose 4 of them, had them matted and framed, and this Saturday they will find a new home. 

'Peaceful River' by Fr Julian Cassar

Surprisingly enough I was told that the bidding will start with $200 on each painting. Picasso and Botticelli must be rolling in their graves! I hope that my humble efforts and my self-taught hobbies will help our school in any possible way. The other two paintings will appear in tomorrow's blog.

Bend First Holy Communion

Some of our school children First Communicants

I am awaiting a few more photos from parents of our First Holy Communion celebration which was held at the 10 AM Mass yesterday, May 4. These are just some of the school children gathered together before the Mass started. It was a beautiful celebration as 70 children received Jesus for the first time in their lives. Another 30 Spanish-speaking children will receive their First Holy Communion this coming Sunday at 12:30 PM.

Flashbacks on First Holy Communion

1936 photo of my mother, Mary

While waiting to share with you some photos of our First Holy Communion celebration taking place today in my parish in Bend (with hopes that some parents share some of these photos) I flashback to years gone by to show you some other First Holy Communion photos from my family, including one from 1936 of my mother, as well as my sisters and brothers. 

My sisters Rosemarie and Josephine in 1956

I was happy to see many of our children have their photo taken yesterday, as w ell as group photo with both the English and Spanish speaking children together.

My brother Paul's First Communion in 1962

My brother Marcel's First Communion in 1970

First Holy Communion

Many parishes at this time of the year celebrate a ritual that we all went through, receiving the First Holy Communion. This week and next week I have over 100 children receiving Jesus in their hearts, as parents, siblings, grandparents and relatives celebrate with the children this very special and intimate moment. My memory of my First Holy Communion is still very vivid in my mind, even though this was 56 years ago. It happened on June 29, 1958 in my home parish of St Julian's in Malta. It was customary for each child to have his official photo, which I share with you today. This photo is still hanging in our home, along with those of my brothers and sisters.

Another custom was to have holy cards printed to commemorate this occasion. Please pray for my children, and for their parents that they would realize the responsibility to bring their children to church every week.

Pope's Easter Message

With this joyful certainty in our hearts, today we turn to you, risen Lord!

Help us to seek you and to find you, to realize that we have a Father and are not orphans; that we can love and adore you. Help us to overcome the scourge of hunger, aggravated by conflicts and by the immense wastefulness for which we are often responsible. Enable us to protect the vulnerable, especially children, women and the elderly, who are at times exploited and abandoned.

Enable us to care for our brothers and sisters struck by the Ebola epidemic and to care for those suffering from so many other diseases which are also spread through neglect and dire poverty. Comfort all those who cannot celebrate this Easter with their loved ones because they have been unjustly torn from their affections, like the many persons, priests and laity, who in various parts of the world have been kidnapped.
Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely professing their faith. We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent. We pray in a particular way for Syria, beloved Syria, that all those suffering the effects of the conflict can receive needed humanitarian aid and that neither side will again use deadly force, especially against the defenseless civil population, but instead boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue!
Jesus, Lord of glory, we ask you to comfort the victims of fratricidal acts of violence in Iraq and to sustain the hopes raised by the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. We beg for an end to the conflicts in the Central African Republic and a halt to the brutal terrorist attacks in parts of Nigeria and the acts of violence in South Sudan. We ask that hearts be turned to reconciliation and fraternal concord. By your resurrection, we ask you to enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence and, in a spirit of unity and dialogue, chart a path for the country’s future. 

Lord, we pray to you for all the peoples of the earth: you who have conquered death, grant us your life, grant us your peace! "Christus surrexit, venite et videte!" ["Christ is risen, come and see."]

Prayer for work

Lord Jesus, as the world celebrates May Day today, the church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers, and so our thoughts and prayers go to all those who work, those searching for work and that the dignity of all workers be respected and honored everywhere.
We pray for those who work work with their hands, carpenters, construction workers, loggers, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, writers, printers, nurses, sculptors, painters, engineers, cooks, chefs, and yes, even baseball, lacrosse and football players. May they always stay focused on the work at hand and avoid any accidents or mishaps.
We also pray for those who use their minds at work, doctors, lawyers, accountants, counsellors, planners and inventors, politicians and strategists, priests and teachers, and mothers and fathers who use both hands and mind and heart.
We ask you Lord to provide work opportunities for those parents who need some form of income to support their families. May employers and employees collaborate together and see good, productive work accomplished with dedication, honesty and commitment.
And as we continue the work of creation, remind us also to rest on specified days, and never waste any time at work, or do things which are otherwise done during leisure time. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Church

Heavenly Father, I pray today for our church, the same church you instituted 2000 years ago. It has endured persecutions, unfair attacks and criticisms, it has survived heresies and schisms, it has weathered inquisitions and apostasies, but is still going strong. With the 12 apostles as the home base, we are now up to 1.2 billion members. Grant all these Catholics strong adherence to what they believe and profess and may they be an example to others who are still searching for the truth.
We pray for our Pope who has been an indefatigable witness to his mission to bring everyone together and proclaim a church that is open and accessible to one and all. We pray for the cardinals and bishops helping him in this mission and may they in turn direct and inspire the priests and lay people entrusted in their care to preach and to embrace a message of love, compassion and true commitment to what they believe.

We pray today as the Body of Christ, all of us working for one scope, that all may be one, and as splintered as many sects and cults have become, may they realize their mistakes and come together as part of the one true church, holy, Catholic and apostolic.
We pray for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as we show gratitude for all the missionary priests who have been serving in foreign countries where vocations are scarce. We pray also in appreciation of our churches, Cathedrals and Basilicas where our faithful gather to worship, and may God always bless our forefathers who have sacrificed everything they had to build these monuments of faith.
And may we continue to be grateful for all that the Catholic church owns - the Bible, the Catechism, beautiful liturgy, convents and monasteries, retreat houses, chapels and shrines, statues and religious art, and most importantly, what is in our heart, the belief and hope of an even stronger church, as long as we stay close to its founder, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for the Earth

Heavenly Father, we thank you for all that you gave us, and for all that we take for granted. We especially thank you today for the beautiful earth you gave us, this land we inhabit, this place we call home, this incredible planet, possibly one of thousands, maybe millions that are spread around our universe.
We are grateful for giving us everything we need, for creating seas and skies, water and immense oceans, trees and plants and flowers of every color and texture. We are grateful for the variety of animals you placed on this earth, the wild ones and the tame ones, for fish and birds that populate seas and skies with their song, hues and agility to move around so skillfully, and for those we have domesticated to become our companions and pets.
We are grateful for the creatures we use for food, for the staples we get from nature itself, the nutrition we receive from herbs, fruit, vegetables, berries and everything that nourishes us. Remind us always to improve on what you gave us, and never damage, destroy or annihilate the many little things we have around us, because we think they are not useful to us and our plans for survival.
We thank you for the ingenuity of the human body, for creating us in such a perfect form, male and female, with the intricacies and details that makes procreation and the continuation of the human race possible through the act of love between a man and a woman. We thank you for human interaction, for eyesight and speech, for the gift and use of our hands and feet, for a heart beating for a lifetime, for blood that circulates through miles of veins and arteries, for muscles and bones that make us move, twist and turn, run for joy and leap to lofty heights.
For this earth and the planets that give light and create darkness, we are grateful. May we never ignore or underestimate your greatness, your power and your love for all of us. Amen.

Emvin Cremona's paintings

Angel in dome of Annunciation, Balzan church

My favorite artist has become over the past few years the Maltese artist Emvin Cremona. I have shared a few of his sacred art paintings from various churches. Here are a few from two of the churches in Malta where his artistry is spread out across the ceiling for everyone to admire. The first one is from the church in Balzan, with an image of an Angel, and another one shows a section of the smaller dome and side paintings. 

Section of the same church in Balzan

The second church is the one dedicated to St Cajetan in Hamrun and shows Christ the teacher in the apse, and a detail of the same image. I have six photos of paintings of his in my office, and everyone who sees them is attracted to his style. I guess I’m getting them hooked  on Cremona, just as I did over the last few years. While visiting my family later on in the spring, I will make it a point to photograph every remaining painting of his, some of which are in smaller churches and in private collections. (please click on each photo to see the artist's beauty in greater detail)

Apse in St Cajetan, Hamrun Church

Detail of Christ the Teacher

From Karol to Pope to Saint

During the 27 years of his Pontificate, Pope John Paul II would beatify 1340 holy people, and canonize 483 Saints. He visited 129 countries and travelled 750,000 miles, to reach the millions of people who flocked to see him celebrate Mass, speak to them, or just to get a glimpse of the successor of Peter. He died on April 2, 2005 after 27 years of his Papacy. 

He will certainly always be remembered as the Great John Paul for helping to exterminate Communism in the Soviet Union and bringing peace to his native Poland, and also for supporting Solidarnosc, the Solidarity Movement that brought peace and harmony among his fellow Polish people. He was very devoted to the Blessed Mother, and in fact his motto was Totus Tuus (Totally Yours,) also becoming a beacon for Life—emphasizing the Gospel of Life while attacking the culture of death.  He was beatified on May 1, 2011 and canonized on April 27, 2014. His Liturgical Feast Day is  October 22nd. 

Forgiving his would-be assailant in prison in 1982

These are some of the major Encyclicals he wrote: Redemptor Hominis 1979 - Dives in Misericordia 1980 - Laborem Exercens 1981 - Redemptoris Mater 1987 - Centesimus Annus 1991 - Evangelium Vitae 1995 - Ecclesia de Eucharistia 2003

A scene from the double canonization held earlier today

Pope St John Paul II

Pope St John Paul II (1920-2005)

Born May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, he lost his mother at age 9 and his father at 21. In spite of the war, he studied at the Jagellonian University and later at the Krakow Seminary where he was ordained as a priest on November 1, 1946. Karol Wojtyla was made auxiliary bishop of Krakow in 1958 and was installed as Archbishop of Krakow in 1964 , becoming Cardinal on June 28, 1967. 

Karol Wojtyla , a few months old

On October 16, 1978 at age 58, Karol Wojtyla was elected the 264th Pope and Bishop of Rome. Within a few days, he visited Assisi, the first of 146 trips within Italy. A later visit to a Rome parish marks the start of visits to 317 of Rome’s 333 parishes. His election was a surprise election because his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, died after 33 days into his Papacy, and he was the first non-Italian Pope in almost 400 years. His reign became the second longest in history.

Fr Wojtyla as a young priest

Cardinal Wojtyla with Pope Paul VI

The day he was elected Pope, October 16, 1978

From Angelo to John to Saint

Cardinal Roncalli was elected Pope on October 28, 1958. He was chosen by his fellow Cardinals, who hoped that he would be a transitional Pope after the long papacy of Pius XII. But little did they know that he would eventually revolutionize the Catholic Church by convening the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, gathering all the Bishops in Rome, during which many changes were implemented—particularly the way we celebrate the Mass. People said that he attempted to open a window for a little fresh air into the Church, but he got a hurricane instead. He was a very pastoral Pope, beloved by everyone, and remembered for his practical one liners. Once he was asked how many people work in the Vatican and his quick witty response was “About half!” 

The Council was completed by his successor, Pope Paul VI. St John XXIII died on June 3, 1963 and was beatified on September 3, 2000.  He is canonized on April 27, 2014. His motto was: Obedientia et Pax (Obedience and Peace.) His liturgical Feast Day is on October 11th

Signing the Documents of Vatican II

During one of his St Peter's balcony speeches

Pope St John XXIII

Pope St John XXIII (1881-1963)

Pope St John XXIII will be canonized this Sunday along with Pope St John Paul II. Born Angelo Roncalli in Sotto il Monte in Bergamo, Northern Italy, on November 25, 1881, he worked with his family on the farm until he started studies to become  priest. He was the 4th child of 14, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1904, and worked as the Bishop’s secretary, and as seminary teacher. He was drafted as a chaplain and stretcher-bearer during World War I. Angelo never aspired for any promotions, and even his family remained farmers in their home, even though they could have moved in nicer residences.

As a young priest with two of his brothers

He was consecrated Bishop on March 19, 1925 and served in various posts including appointments as a papal nuncio in France, and a delegate to Bulgaria and Greece.
He was created Cardinal on January 12, 1953 and was made Patriarch of Venice. 
Roncalli was elected Pope on 28 October 1958 at the age of 76 after eleven ballots. No one could have been more surprised with the election than Roncalli himself, who had come to Rome with a return train ticket to Venice. He was the first pope to take the pontifical name of "John" upon election in more than 500 years. (to be continued tomorrow)

As Bishop Roncalli

As Patriarch Cardinal of Venice

Two Saintly Popes

This coming Sunday is a historic day for the Catholic Church as two recent Popes will be elevated to Sainthood. Over the next 4 days I will review their lives and their Papacies, which anyone 60 years and older remembers so well, especially the long pontificate of Blessed John Paul II. However Blessed John XXIII also left his imprint on the church by convening the Second Vatican Council. As the church canonizes these two saintly Popes, we honor a tradition that is rich in history, but devoid of papal Saints over the last 700 years.
In fact, since the 13th Century, only two Popes have been elevated to Sainthood. Since Pope St. Celestine, who was Pope in 1294, only Pope Pius V and Pope Pius X have been canonized—Pius V reigning as Pope between 1566 and 1572, and Pius X reigning around 100 years ago between 1903 and 1914, until he died on August 20th.
And now we will have two more Saintly Popes—Pope St. John XXIII, who reigned between 1958 and 1963, and Pope St. John Paul II, who reigned between 1978 and 2005. Because I remember both Popes—the first one during my childhood years and the second in my priestly years—I can share some insights into how they not only influenced the Church, but also the entire world.

One more procession

The statue of the Risen Christ at Valletta, Malta

Yes, there is one more procession to write about in my home country of Malta. This is held on Easter Sunday in a number of parishes, mostly in the morning but a few in the late afternoon. The statue carried around the respective village this time represents the Risen Christ, accompanied by clergy, other post-passion characters and the a festive marching band. These photos were taken in 2010 in the capital city of Valletta.

St Helen and King Constantine at the procession