In October of 2008, after serving three years as a Naval Officer, I was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. This blog chronicles my pilgrimage through life and towards the Roman Catholic priesthood.
November 28, 2011
7-year-old Gets Wish to Meet the Pope
"Her birth mother had wanted to have an abortion, but backed out and decided to give her life."
November 25, 2011
New Rosary!
Thanks for the great Rosary, Fr. George! It just arrived today from his Holy Souls Hermitage, and all of the "beads" are small St. Benedict medals. No forces of evil shall ever approach!
November 23, 2011
Immaculate Conception Novena
Dear friends, I would appreciate your prayers during this novena to the Immaculate Conception from November 30 - December 8, even if just a short "Ave." Know of my prayers in return! Thank you!
November 12, 2011
Feast of St. Josaphat!
In 1595, when St. Josaphat was a boy, the Eastern Orthodox bishop of Brest-Litovsk (in Belarus) and five other bishops representing millions of Ruthenians sought reunion with Rome. John Kunsevich (Josaphat became his name in religious life) was to dedicate his life and die for the same cause. Born in what was then Poland, he went to work in Wilno and was influenced by clergy adhering to the Union of Brest of 1596. The Union of Brest was a decision of the Ruthenian Church to break relations with the Patriarch of Constantinople and place themselves under the Roman Pontiff as an Eastern Catholic church.Josaphat became a Basilian monk, then a priest, and soon was well known as a preacher and an ascetic. He became bishop of Vitebsk (now in Russia) at a relatively young age, and faced a difficult situation. Most monks, fearing interference in Eastern liturgy and customs, did not want union with Rome. By synods, catechetical instruction, reform of the clergy and personal example, however, Josaphat was successful in winning the greater part of the Orthodox in that area to the union.
However, a dissident hierarchy was set up the next year, and the opposition spread the accusation that Josaphat had "gone Latin" and that all his people would have to do the same.
Despite warnings, he went to Vitebsk, still a hotbed of trouble. Attempts were made to drive him from the diocese: A priest was sent to shout insults to him from his own courtyard. When Josaphat had him removed and shut up in his house, the opposition rang the town hall bell and a mob assembled. The priest was released, but members of the mob broke into the bishop’s home. He was struck with an axe, shot, and his body was thrown into the river. It was later recovered and is now buried in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was the first saint of the Eastern Church to be canonized by Rome.
His death brought a movement toward Catholicism and unity, but the controversy continued (and continues to this day). After the partition of Poland, the Russians forced most Ruthenians to join the Russian Orthodox Church, but Ruthenian Catholics remain widespread throughout the world thanks to the efforts of St. Josaphat.
However, a dissident hierarchy was set up the next year, and the opposition spread the accusation that Josaphat had "gone Latin" and that all his people would have to do the same.
Despite warnings, he went to Vitebsk, still a hotbed of trouble. Attempts were made to drive him from the diocese: A priest was sent to shout insults to him from his own courtyard. When Josaphat had him removed and shut up in his house, the opposition rang the town hall bell and a mob assembled. The priest was released, but members of the mob broke into the bishop’s home. He was struck with an axe, shot, and his body was thrown into the river. It was later recovered and is now buried in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was the first saint of the Eastern Church to be canonized by Rome.
His death brought a movement toward Catholicism and unity, but the controversy continued (and continues to this day). After the partition of Poland, the Russians forced most Ruthenians to join the Russian Orthodox Church, but Ruthenian Catholics remain widespread throughout the world thanks to the efforts of St. Josaphat.
From the Eastern Divine Liturgy (Mass) of today:
Troparion of St. Josaphat (Tone 4): "You have become a brilliant light, O hieromartyr Josaphat. You gave up your life for your sheep like the Good Shepherd. You were slain by the lovers of heresy, and you have walked into the Holy of Holies to rest in the company of the angels. O long-suffering saint, we make this petition to you: Beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds, to save our souls and to number us among the sheep on his right hand."
In the same words as the ending of the Eastern Divine Liturgy, we ask God to grant us "Many Years" - "Mnohaja Lita" - especially to all Eastern Catholics today:
November 11, 2011
Happy Veterans Day!
We took this photo during my first deployment to the Northern Arabian Gulf in 2007 onboard the USS VELLA GULF (CG 72). It was inspired by Captain Davis' (front and center) love for Naval history. Sadly, Captain Davis passed away suddenly less than a year later from complications during throat surgery. He was one of the finest leaders I have ever met.
A happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
November 7, 2011
Mercedarian Feast of All Souls
Today, the Order of Mercy commemorates the Feast of All Souls of the Order. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. The Mercedarians are a great group, and I'm happy that they inducted me into their Third Order back in March 2009:
You can see the Mercedarian shield/Coat of Arms hanging on the front of the Mercedarian habit and embroidered on the front of the Mercedarian Scapular. The order elected a habit of white, signifying innocence. Some histories claim that Mary provided such guidance during her appearance to Saint Peter Nolasco. An enthusiastic King James of Aragon authorized the members to wear his own distinguished arms and crown on their breasts and long scapulars. The Maltese Cross is its most striking component - a unique cruciform that commemorates Malta's steadfast defense against the Muslim Turks.
November 4, 2011
Medical Update and Admission to Candidacy
I visited the doctor last week to learn that my brain tumor is still stable. When they compared my most recent MRI to my November 2010 MRI, it appeared that the tumor may be slightly smaller than one year ago. For this reason, my doctors have decided to keep me on the daily chemotherapy treatments for at least a few more months, since they appear to be having some effect.
On November 4th, the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, I was admitted to Candidacy for the Orders of Diaconate and Priesthood along with 20 other seminarians (6 of us from Raleigh). In the presence of Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., the Archbishop of Philadelphia, we stated publicly our intention to continue formation towards Holy Orders.
Below, a photo of the new Raleigh Candidates (back row, left to right): Steve Cartwright, Ian Van Heusen, Phil List, Philip Johnson, Johnathon Baggett, Robert Schmid. Front row (left to right): Fr. Phil Tighe (Diocese of Raleigh), Fr. Ned Shlesinger (Vocations Director, Diocese of Raleigh), Fr. Shaun Mahoney (Rector of St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia), Bishop Daniel Thomas (Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia), Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. (Archbishop of Philadelphia), Bishop Michael Burbidge (Bishop of Raleigh), Fr. Brendan Buckler (Diocese of Raleigh), Fr. Vic Gournas (Diocese of Raleigh), Fr. Joseph Bongard (Vice Rector of St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia).
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