CONGRATULATIONS FLICKA

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Known as the "non-diva", our friend FREDERICA von STADE, was just inducted into the Opera Hall of Fame.  Her ex- agent is a nun in our Mother Abbey. (I have done a Blog in the past on her, but at present have no way to access past Blogs, due to a mess on new computer.)

We have been most fortunate to hear "Flicka" twice in our area: once years ago when she appeared at the famed. Mt Baker theater in Bellingham and more recently on Orcas Island at the Orcas Island Chamber Festival.

Best known for her work in opera, this mezzo-soprano, was also a recitalist and concert artist, having recorded more than a hundred albums and videos. She was especially associated with operas by Mozart and Rossini, and with music by French and American composers.

She is a practicing Catholic, who has given herself to extensive charitable work, especially with education, health issues and the homeless. She retired from the operatic and concert stage in 2010 and now is furthering efforts to bring classical music to disadvantaged youth.

The main beneficiary of her philanthropy has been  (for 20 years) the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra, an East Bay (CA) organization that provides children from low income families with musical tuition, academic reinforcement and assistance in their personal development in order to help them to win a place at university. It's an after-school free program from ages 10 to 18, with everything from opera to jazz. 

Frederica holds honorary doctorates from Yale University, Boston University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music (which holds a Frederica von Stade Distinguished Chair in Voice), Georgetown University School of Medicine, and her alma mater, the Mannes School of Music. 

In 1998  she was awarded France’s highest honor, an officer of L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 1983 President Reagan honored her with an award at the White House in recognition of her contributions to the arts.

If you want to hear her, I recommend going to Youtube, and listening to Dvorak, “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka. Heavenly!

SOLITUDE

 

 This week we celebrated the feast of St. Francis de Sales. Here is one of my favorite quotes from him:

"Always remember to retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart even while outwardly engaged in discussions of transactions with others. This mental solitude cannot be violated by the many people who surround you since they are not standing around your heart but only around your body. Your heart remains alone in the presence of God... Indeed our tasks are seldom so important as to keep us from withdrawing our hearts from them from time to time in order to retire into this divine solitude."

Art: Sacred Heart of Paris-  Jerry Di Falco

HE TAUGHT CUBANS TO THINK

I recently came across a priest who found asylum in the United States. VENERABLE FELIX VARELA y MORALES, born in Havana in, 1788, was a priest, teacher, writer, philosopher, and politician who played a significant role in Cuba’s intellectual, political, and religious life during the first half of the 19th century.

Persecuted and condemned to death by the absolutist authorities, Father Varela went into exile in the United States at the age of 35, where he spent the rest of his life.

Félix Varela y Morales spent his childhood in St. Augustine, Florida. His father was Spanish, the captain of a military regiment in Havana, which was then a Spanish colony. His mother, Josefa Morales, was from Santiago de Cuba.

 Felix was the third and last son of the couple, preceded by his sisters María de Jesus and Cristina. He was baptized a week after birth by the chaplain of the regiment, the Dominican priest Fr. Miguel Hernandez.

However, when he was 3 years old, his mother died and the three children were left in the care of their grandmother and aunts, since their father was in the active military and had to travel continuously.

His grandfather was also in the military and when he was assigned that same year to St. Augustine, in the Florida peninsula (which was then still a Spanish colony), he took Felix with him.

This made it possible for the little boy to attend primary school with Fr. O’Reilly, who taught him Latin, grammar, and the violin, which was not common at that time.

His grandfather wanted him to have a successful military career, but Felix felt called to the priesthood. He returned to Cuba and began his studies at the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary in Havana. At the age of 23,  he was ordained a priest at the cathedral of Havana by Bishop Diaz de Espada. Because of his young age, he had to ask the Pope for a dispensation.

After several years Father Varela was chosen as the Vicar General of the Diocese of New York. He continued to work for immigrants and was a friend of the Irish. During this time he was also chosen as a theological advisor to the Baltimore Catechism.

 In 1812 he was appointed professor of Philosophy, Physics and Ethics at the seminary. There he would prepare what was to be the first physics and chemistry laboratory in the country.

After teaching at the seminary for several years he was chosen to represent Cuba in the General Courts in Spain. During his time there, he was active in a Foreign Affairs committee and introduced projects to give independence to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and other territories under the Spanish crown.

Father Varela also advocated for the abolition of slavery, writing, “Constitutional Liberty and equality are synonyms and these words repel slavery and inequality of rights.”

 After the French invasion of Spain in 1823, his political views were under scrutiny and the new government sentenced him to death. He fled the country and eventually settled in New York City. There is founded the nation's first Spanish language Catholic newspaper.

While there, Father Varela was appointed pastor of an Irish parish in the city. He continued his political activism by publishing articles about human rights, alcoholism and religious tolerance. He also defended the rights of immigrants and supported those who were struggling to make it in their new country.

After several years Father Varela was chosen as the Vicar General of the Diocese of New York. He continued to work for immigrants and was a friend of the Irish. During this time he was also chosen as a theological advisor to the Baltimore Catechism.

Due to health issues, Father Varela was forced to retire, returning to St. Augustine, Florida, where he died five years after arriving in 1853.

His life was an inspiration to many and after his death the cause for his canonization was opened.

The renowned scholar’s remains lie at the Main Lecture hall of Havana University, a fitting fate for the man defined by the Cubans as “the one who taught us to think.”

Pope St. John Paul II praised him as "the best synthesis of Christian faith and Cuban culture." Not only is he recognized for his greatness by the Church, but In 1981, the government of the Republic of Cuba created the Order of Félix Varela, the highest distinction granted to Cubans and foreigners, as well as to cultural collectives, in recognition of extraordinary contributions made in favor of culture.

Pope Benedict XVI declared Father Félix Varela as Venerable in 2012.

 

 

SAINTS FOR THE YEAR

 

Sometimes even Catholics ask, why pray to the saints? Unfortunately, in our Church today so few saints are known, especially the ones who have lived in our lifetime. RCIA programs, unlike in my day when we had catechism daily, one or two hours a week gives little time for anything but doctrine. As Joe Friday would say: just the facts, ma’am.

And when we pray why not just go to the source of our prayers?  Why this need for intercessors?

 

Because the saints help us develop a deeper relationship with Jesus and life as we know it today is hard. The saints are examples of those who lived the Christian life well. They had their struggles and faults like we all do, but they continually said yes to God, allowing His love to transform them. One of the beauties of knowing about the modern saints is, due to modern technology & communication, we know more about their lives (through the written word and photography) then saints of past centuries. 

I personally feel I can’t have enough heavenly friends who can intercede for me. So I am stacking them up, one by one, getting to know them, confident that they are cheering me on in my own journey with the Lord.

This year for our patron saint of the year, we considered only saints who somehow related to the Ukraine or the Holy Land. We drew for the Community St.. Mariam Baouardy and drew for our Abbey St. Marie Alphonsine Ghattas, both Palestinian saints of modern times, who were canonized together in May 2015. (I am sure I did a Blog on the former, but at present have no access to my files- due to a new computer glitz).

ST. MARIE-ALPHONSINE founded the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Jerusalem, and ST. MARIAM (Mary of Jesus Crucified) was a Discalced Carmelite and mystic. They are the modern first saints to hail from the territory that made up historic Palestine. 

For my saint I drew the Ukrainian martyr, BL. LAURENTIA HARASYMIV, who was born on 31 September 1911 in the village of Rudnyky, Lviv District. In 1931 she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, and in 1933 she made her first vows.

In 1951, she was arrested by the agents of the NKVD along with Sister Olympia and sent to Borislav.  She was then exiled to Tomsk, Siberia, being sick with tuberculosis when she arrived at her designated place of exile. Only one family would agree to give her a roof over her head, in a room where a paralyzed man lay behind a partition. 

In spite of her own state she was made to do heavy manual labor, all the while  enduring sub-human conditions and praying. .She finally died on 28 August 1952 in the village of Kharsk in the Tomsk Region of Siberia.  Her feast is December 28. (Photo to left is Bl. Laurentia)

BL. OLYMPIA OLHA BIDA was born in 1903 in the village of Tsebliv, Lviv District. At a young age she entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1938 she was assigned to the town of Khyriv where she became superior of the house. After the establishment of the Soviet regime, she and the other sisters suffered a number of attacks on the convent. She, nevertheless, continued to care for children, to catechize and organize underground religious services, often without a priest.

 In 1950 she was arrested by soldiers of the NKVD and taken to a hard labor camp in Boryslav. Eventually she was sentenced to lifelong exile along with Bl. Larentia in the Tomsk region of Siberia for “anti-Soviet activities.” Even in exile, Sister Olympia tried to perform her duties as superior. She provided support for her fellow sisters. She patiently endured inhuman living conditions. She died a martyr’s death on January 23, 1952.

“God Almighty, God’s Providence will not allow His little children to perish in a foreign land. For He is with us here, in the midst of these forests and waters. He doesn’t forget about us Because of our faith, because of a divine matter, we suffer, and what could be better than this? Let’s follow Him bravely. Not only when all is well, but even when times are bitter, let us say: Glory to God in all matters.” – From Sister Olympia’s letter to her provincial superior, Sister Neonylia.

May these two holy women intercede for all Ukrainian women and children who have been displaced from their homeland due to the on-going war, and may their people know an everlasting peace!

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN?

 

                                  Mother of God - Solomia Kazanivska -Ukraine,2019

Has the world already forgotten the plight of the Ukrainians, who not long ago were forefront in the headlines? Have we forgotten how close that country sits next to other European free countries, like Poland and Romania? Have we forgotten how the world sat by, while Hitler invaded Poland, thinking it was “none of our business”?  Having lived in Europe, I can tell you countries are not that far apart! The world, it seems, is tired of Ukraine and perhaps worse, it is bored. Ukraine and its fight for freedom are no longer newsworthy.  How easy it is for the human mind to forget, and yet we cannot, must not, forget prayer.

The Ukrainian economy has been shattered. So have the hopes and dreams of its people, especially the children.

Last week in a letter to the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Pope Francis said he was sorry that "in an increasingly tragic international situation, the war in Ukraine risks becoming a forgotten one." The Holy Father emphasized the strikes on civilians and vital infrastructure were "vile, unacceptable and cannot be justified in any way", and urged the international community and all involved in the conflict to seek peaceful solutions.

We can only pray that history does not repeat itself where we once again find a blood bath that covers much of Europe! 

CONNECTIONS

 Once again we find a connection between saints.

VENERABLE ANDREA BELTRAMI was born in Omegna, in the province of Novara in 1870. In his family, he received a lasting education in Christian values. Andrew, with his lively character, was tempted in his virtue during adolescence by a bad companion, but his frequent reception of the sacraments, together with his firm will, made him held in high esteem with any people.

His parents wanted to enroll him at the Salesian College at Lanzo, where he entered in October 1883. He distinguished himself in his studies and his vocation matured during this time. Later he would say: “The Lord set an intimate conviction in my heart, that the only way forward for me was to be a Salesian.”

His mother, entrusting him to the Novice Master, said: “Make him a saint.” In 1886, he received the clerical habit at Foglizzo from (St.) Don Bosco, who said of him: “There is only one Beltrami.” In the two years (1888-1889) he spent in Turin-Valsalice, he completed two three-year subjects.

During this time, he came to know the Polish  (Bl.) Prince Augustus Czartoryski, who had recently entered the Congregation, but soon became ill with tuberculosis. It would be Fr. Beltrami, who quickly became his spiritual friend, who would be his guardian angel at Valsalice and in those places where he was in convalescence. He wrote: “I am aware that I have been looking after a saint, an angel.” Later, Fr. Andrew himself took ill.

 He offered himself as a victim of love for the conversion of sinners and for the consolation of those who suffered, living out his motto: “Neither recovery nor death, but live to suffer.” Fr. Beltrami fully accepted the sacrificial dimension of the Salesian charisma, as desired by its founder, Don Bosco.

Ordained priest by Bishop Cagliero, he gave himself to contemplation and the apostolate of the pen. His very strong desire for holiness took over his whole existence including the pain and ceaseless work. He was exact in his observance of the Rule, and had a burning love for Don Bosco and the Congregation.

In the four years of life that were his after his ordination, he continued praying and writing ascetic books, devoting himself to hagiography,  biographies of saints and volumes of pleasant and educational readings. 

 When he died on December 30, 1897, he was 27 years of age. He was declared Venerable on December 5, 1966.

HOLY NOBLE

 

BL. AUGUST FRANCISZEK MARIA ANNA JOZEF KAJETAN CZARTORYSKI was a Polish professed member of the Salesians of Don Bosco and a noble prince. He was born in Paris during his house's exile.His constant frail health saw much of his childhood being shuttled to various health spas. (St.) Raphael Kalinowski  (Previous Blog) tutored him. 

Bl. Augustus was born in Paris in 1858, in exile, to the Polish Prince Ladislaw and Princess Mary Amparo, daughter of the Queen of Spain. Thirty years before, this noble family, tied to Polish nobility, had emigrated to France. From his place of exile Prince Ladislaw had sought to restore unity to his country which had fallen apart in 1795.

 When he was six, Augustus lost his mother. He inherited his mother's title upon her death in 1864 a title he held until 1876 when it was made a duke. Taking his mother's place was Margaret d’Orléans. She was the daughter of the Count of Paris, pretender to the French throne. From his earliest years, Augustus showed himself to be a good, thoughtful boy. Although much attached to his beloved Poland, he was never attracted to courtly life.

 Between the ages of 10 and 17 he studied in Paris and Krakow, but his health forced him to interrupt his studies and go to the south of Europe frequently in search of a better climate. Here he began his relationship with (St.) Joseph Kalinowski, who prudently guided him not only in his studies, but especially in the spiritual life. 

The tutor described his pupil as a lad with a stable character, a good soul, perfectly courteous, sincere, intelligent and very religious, but with a simple heart. 

In May 1883  (St.) Don Bosco was in France. He was invited to Lambert Palace by Princess Margaret d’Orléans. Augustus served his Mass, and the saint said to him: “I have wanted to meet you for quite some time!”. The prince was struck by his encounter. Following this he went several times to Turin to meet Don Bosco. He insisted with him that he be allowed to enter the Salesians, but the Founder was not convinced due to the young man's poor health.  Augustus spoke with Pope Leo XIII, who convinced Don Bosco to accept him.

In July 1887, after having renounced his earthly goods and all possibility of the throne, he entered the novitiate against his family’s wishes. He was 29 years of age. In his efforts to adapt himself to the Oratory and its lifestyle, he became the humblest of novices. Don Bosco, almost on his deathbed, blessed his religious habit. 

He began his philosophy studies,  but soon took ill with tuberculosis. In the house at Valsalice, Turin, he met Venerable Andrea Beltrami. The two developed a deep spiritual friendship, while Andrea looked after Augustus during his illness.

When he was ordained priest at Saint Remo, on the 2ndApril 1892, his family chose to be absent, having made many efforts to get him to leave the Congregation.

Augustus fully took on Salesian spirituality, especially its element of sacrifice and offered his life and sufferings for the good of the young and the Congregation just as Don Bosco did. 

Bl. Augustus died at Alassio on the 8th April 1893, on the Saturday of the Octave of Easter: “What a wonderful Easter!”, he had said. He was 35 years old. 

(St.) John Paul II declared him Blessed on the 25th April 2004.