Get to Know Rome

...by following my friend's blog, Orbis Catholicus.  JP lives in Rome and blogs about his time there.

A Return to Lourdes

Readers may recall that last Summer I spent three wonderful weeks working for the English-speaking chaplaincy in Lourdes, France.  The chaplaincy has invited me back this Summer, and with the kind approval of my bishop, I will return to Lourdes from July 16th through August 7th.

My family will meet me in Lourdes on August 5th, then we will travel to Nevers (Saint Bernadette's Shrine), Verdun (My mother's birthplace), and Paris before returning to the United States on August 13th.

Just like last year, please feel free to email prayer intentions so that I may pray for you and your intentions at Our Lady's Shrine.

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Update

Rather than pursue the medical trial at Duke, I have decided to pursue a different trial at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) near Washington, D.C.  Conveniently, there is a Blessed Sacrament chapel in the hospital:

Unfortunately, my most recent MRI showed that the brain cancer continues to grow.  As there are no "standard treatments" left for this type of cancer, a medical trial is the only option in trying to slow the cancer's growth.  

This trial consists of "Carboplatin" chemotherapy once a month, given intravenously.  If the tumor continues to grow, I will be offered an additional trial drug which attempts to stop blood flow to the tumor.

Please keep me in your prayers as I recover from my first treatment on June 16, and be assured of my prayers for all who continue to pray for me.

Feast of Corpus Christi

In 1263 a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at Bolsena while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He is described as being a pious priest, but one who found it difficult to believe that Christ was actually present in the consecrated Host. While celebrating Holy Mass above the tomb of St. Christina, he had barely spoken the words of Consecration when blood started to seep from the consecrated Host and trickle over his hands onto the altar and the corporal.

The priest was immediately confused. At first he attempted to hide the blood, but then he interrupted the Mass and asked to be taken to the neighboring city of Orvieto, the city where Pope Urban IV was then residing.

The Pope sent emissaries for an immediate investigation. When all the facts were ascertained, he ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring to Orvieto the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of blood. With archbishops, cardinals and other Church dignitaries in attendance, the Pope met the procession and had the relics placed in the cathedral. The linen corporal bearing the spots of blood is still reverently enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

It is said that Pope Urban IV was prompted by this miracle to commission St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the Proper for a Mass and an Office honoring the Holy Eucharist as the Body of Christ. One year after the miracle, in August of 1264, Pope Urban IV introduced the saint's composition, and by means of a papal bull instituted the feast of Corpus Christi. 

- from Eucharistic Miracles by Joan Carroll Cruz

My friend Fr. Gregory Gresko, O.S.B. took me to this Cathedral of Orvieto during a Spring Break pilgrimage to Rome in 2005:

The intricate decoration on the front of the cathedral depicts the conflict between man and demon:

The corporal from the 13th Century, upon which the host dripped blood.  Fr. Gregory offered Mass for us on the altar below this relic:

This year, Sacred Heart in Dunn continued the traditional celebration of this Eucharistic Miracle with a Eucharistic Procession similar to those that have been celebrated for the past 800 years:

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the procession:

Brendan J. Buckler Ordained Transitional Deacon

Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge ordained Brendan J. Buckler to the Transitional Diaconate in a Rite of Ordination of a Deacon celebrated at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Wake Forest, NC on June 5. Deacon Buckler recently completed his Third Year Theology at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.

Brendan promises obedience to the bishop and his successors:

An eastern NC barbeque to celebrate: