This morning, we went to Saint Teresa of Avila parish in Madrid for a catechesis session and Mass. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux's relics arrived today and they will be here for three days. The church was packed; there were people sitting on the floor.
Cardinal Francis George from the Archdiocese of Chicago gave the catechesis session and spoke on the power of names. "When you know someone's name, you can build on the relationship, but to give someone your name is to give them a certain level of control because they can call on you," he explained. "Faith is a response to God's call. He takes the initiative and we can't control God."
With the phrase "I Am", Jesus claims divinity. He was one of us, but different. We don't have a name for God in the Bible until Jesus arrives in the world. Through Jesus, God becomes one of us. We can't use the name to control God, but He trusts us with it and He wants to have a relationship with us. We can always call on Him and we can understand His ways because of Divine Revelation through Jesus. We give Him our name and He calls us by name.
Faith gives us a way of thinking that doesn't fit with the world's. Our faith tells us who we are as followers of Jesus. "The heart has its reasons that intellect doesn't understand," explained Cardinal George. "It's a marriage; Jesus loves His Church and we can trust Him like a wife trusts her husband," he added. The problem, however, is that our sinfulness stops us from trusting God.
It is Jesus who acts in the sacraments. It's Jesus who forgives sins, who baptises, who gives himself to us in communion, and faith helps us to overcome our own evil and the evil of the world. "Faith comes first in baptism," said Cardinal George. "When we were baptised, we were born into the family of God and it cannot be 'undone', just as our birth into our biological families cannot be undone," he explained.
Jesus is also the saviour of the whole world and he wants the world to know who He is. To grow in the firmness of the faith is to take on this mission and that's Cardinal George's prayer for us this World Youth Day.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Plus de 5 000 Canadiens se sont réunis à Palacio de Deportes
Aujourd'hui, plus de 5 000 Canadiens se sont réunis à Palacio de Deportes pour une grande cérémonie qui comptait de nombreux évêques catholiques du Canada, y compris Mgr Prendergast qui l'a mené. Un prêtre a donné son témoignage et il a chanté des chansons en jouant la guitare. Les autres chansons étaient animées par la chorale de Marie Jeunesse.
Mgr Prendergast a expliqué aux jeunes du Canada qu'il faut vraiment s'enraciner dans la foi afin que le Seigneur puisse nous aider à surmonter nos peurs. Dieu n'attend pas qu'on soit parfait; il a confiance qu'on a ce qu'il faut pour devenir ses mains et ses pieds.
Mgr Richard Smith, Archevêque d'Edmonton, a rappelé aux jeunes de vivre en communion avec Jésus-Christ.
Mgr Lacroix, Archevêque de Québec, et Mgr Prendergast nous ont envoyé en mission et on prié pour nous.
Mgr Prendergast a expliqué aux jeunes du Canada qu'il faut vraiment s'enraciner dans la foi afin que le Seigneur puisse nous aider à surmonter nos peurs. Dieu n'attend pas qu'on soit parfait; il a confiance qu'on a ce qu'il faut pour devenir ses mains et ses pieds.
Mgr Richard Smith, Archevêque d'Edmonton, a rappelé aux jeunes de vivre en communion avec Jésus-Christ.
Mgr Lacroix, Archevêque de Québec, et Mgr Prendergast nous ont envoyé en mission et on prié pour nous.
Hola Madrid
Hola Madrid!
We are now in Madrid. It has been quite a journey so far. The Days in the Diocese were amazing. During those days, we were hosted in homes in the parish boundary of Holy Family in Valladolid. This was the highlight, and every morning we would hear stories of the ways that the host families would share their warmth. We were well taken care of! Some of the stories were of host homes ironing clothes, having their extended families over to meet the Canadians, chocolate for breakfast, many late night conversations, and much more. They became like second families and on our departure, there were tears shed. Thank you Valladolid for your warmth and hospitality!
On the bus ride to Madrid, we had an open mike where the pilgrims could share their journey and experiences. Once again, tears were shed as we remembered tender moments and much laughter was had remembering the many joys. This was one of the most memorable times!
We are now on the second phase of our journey; the days in Madrid. We have settled into the Florida Norte Hotel and had small group discussions. This morning, we will have a gathering with the Canadian pilgrims at Palacio de Deportes. There should be thousands of us there. Tonight there will be the opening Mass with hundreds of thousands gathered in Cibeles Square. Thank you for your prayers. We will continue to pray for you.
Ted
We are now in Madrid. It has been quite a journey so far. The Days in the Diocese were amazing. During those days, we were hosted in homes in the parish boundary of Holy Family in Valladolid. This was the highlight, and every morning we would hear stories of the ways that the host families would share their warmth. We were well taken care of! Some of the stories were of host homes ironing clothes, having their extended families over to meet the Canadians, chocolate for breakfast, many late night conversations, and much more. They became like second families and on our departure, there were tears shed. Thank you Valladolid for your warmth and hospitality!
On the bus ride to Madrid, we had an open mike where the pilgrims could share their journey and experiences. Once again, tears were shed as we remembered tender moments and much laughter was had remembering the many joys. This was one of the most memorable times!
We are now on the second phase of our journey; the days in Madrid. We have settled into the Florida Norte Hotel and had small group discussions. This morning, we will have a gathering with the Canadian pilgrims at Palacio de Deportes. There should be thousands of us there. Tonight there will be the opening Mass with hundreds of thousands gathered in Cibeles Square. Thank you for your prayers. We will continue to pray for you.
Ted
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today, Archbishop Prendergast spoke about Jesus' resurrection and Mary's hope during the last Mass that we celebrated at Sagrada Familia parish in Valladolid.
Saint Paul tells us that the victory in the resurrection will be shared with all of us. In Valladolid, there's a great devotion to Jesus and His Sacred Heart. Father Bernardo F. de Hoyos was beatified last year and was an apostle of the Sacred Heart, and this Sunday marks the 300th anniversary of his birth. During the World Youth Day Mass this Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI will consecrate the youth to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
However, the most important thing is not the act of consecration, but the transformation of our hearts and our intimate relationship with Jesus, explained Archbishop Prendergast.
Mary allowed us to have a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus because she gave permission to God to give birth to Him.
God wants to give us eternal life and the fullness of His love. By celebrating Mary's assumption today, we celebrate this love. Nothing can seperate us from the love of God and we are forever with Him in His love.
At the end of the Mass, we exchanged gifts with the priest and volunteers from Sagrada Familia parish.
The Days in the Diocese are now over and we are currently in Madrid. Photos taken by Javier Polanco Gonzalez during the Days in the Diocese have been posted online: https://picasaweb.google.com/117589744512370515497/PreJMJValladolidAgosto2011?feat=email.
Saint Paul tells us that the victory in the resurrection will be shared with all of us. In Valladolid, there's a great devotion to Jesus and His Sacred Heart. Father Bernardo F. de Hoyos was beatified last year and was an apostle of the Sacred Heart, and this Sunday marks the 300th anniversary of his birth. During the World Youth Day Mass this Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI will consecrate the youth to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
However, the most important thing is not the act of consecration, but the transformation of our hearts and our intimate relationship with Jesus, explained Archbishop Prendergast.
Mary allowed us to have a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus because she gave permission to God to give birth to Him.
God wants to give us eternal life and the fullness of His love. By celebrating Mary's assumption today, we celebrate this love. Nothing can seperate us from the love of God and we are forever with Him in His love.
At the end of the Mass, we exchanged gifts with the priest and volunteers from Sagrada Familia parish.
The Days in the Diocese are now over and we are currently in Madrid. Photos taken by Javier Polanco Gonzalez during the Days in the Diocese have been posted online: https://picasaweb.google.com/117589744512370515497/PreJMJValladolidAgosto2011?feat=email.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Évangéliser dans les rues de Valladolid
Aujourd'hui, nous avons eu un rassemblement de tous les pèlerins qui sont à Valladolid pour les journées en diocèse. Chaque groupe de chaque pays a évangélisé dans une région différente de la ville. Nous avons distribué des prières dans la rue et nous avons chanté en anglais, français et espagnol.
Aujourd'hui marque le 50e anniversaire de Mgr Prendergast comme jésuite. Nous avons célébré son anniversaire à Valladolid. Voici une photo du groupe avec l'archevêque:
Aujourd'hui marque le 50e anniversaire de Mgr Prendergast comme jésuite. Nous avons célébré son anniversaire à Valladolid. Voici une photo du groupe avec l'archevêque:
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Mass in Alba de Tormes - the city where St. Teresa of Avila died
Today, the Ottawa pilgrims visited the city where St. Teresa of Avila died. Archbishop Prendergast presided the Mass in the basilica where her tomb lies and where her arm and heart are found.
During the Mass, His Grace explained that Jesus was sent to someone who hadn't studied, and that St. Teresa didn't study either, but she is a doctor of the Church. The dove over St. Teresa in front of the basilica represents the holy spirit and it's over us as well.
Jesus says that for those who believe in Him, water will flow from their hearts, and that's what He wants for us as well. As a nun, St. Teresa saw herself as going away from God until she had a conversion and that's when God was able to work through her.
"Let's ask the Holy Spirit to fire us up with love and to transform our hearts," concluded Archbishop Prendergast.
During the Mass, His Grace explained that Jesus was sent to someone who hadn't studied, and that St. Teresa didn't study either, but she is a doctor of the Church. The dove over St. Teresa in front of the basilica represents the holy spirit and it's over us as well.
Jesus says that for those who believe in Him, water will flow from their hearts, and that's what He wants for us as well. As a nun, St. Teresa saw herself as going away from God until she had a conversion and that's when God was able to work through her.
"Let's ask the Holy Spirit to fire us up with love and to transform our hearts," concluded Archbishop Prendergast.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Première journée complète à Valladolid
Aujourd'hui fut très chargé. On a visité trois églises, on a eu une conférence sur la sexualité, la chorale internationale a pratiqué pour le concert de demain soir, on a célébré la messe et on a eu une soirée dédiée à Marie.
Mgr Prendergast a célébré la messe et nous a expliqué que les grands thèmes dans les lectures sont notre choix et notre alliance avec le Seigneur. Dans la première lecture, Josué a parlé au peuple et leur a dit qu'ils peuvent servir Dieu ou non. Notre alliance avec Dieu est notre choix de répondre à toutes les choses que Dieu fait.
Dans la deuxième lecture, on est présenté des types de vocations différentes. Tomber en amour est un choix qui peut changer notre vie pour toujours. Jésus nous invite à découvrir la valeur du mariage ainsi que la vocation du célibat. Le choix de notre vocation coûte toute notre vie, mais ça vaut la peine.
Aujourd'hui, nous avons l'exemple d'un prêtre de ce diocèse qui est devenu un évêque et qui est mort un martyr. « Je vous invite à prier pour ceux qui ont fait un choix de rester fidèle à leur vocation et pour que le Seigneur puisse guider ceux qui n'ont pas encore fait un choix dans leur discernement », a conclu Mgr Prendergast.
Mgr Prendergast a célébré la messe et nous a expliqué que les grands thèmes dans les lectures sont notre choix et notre alliance avec le Seigneur. Dans la première lecture, Josué a parlé au peuple et leur a dit qu'ils peuvent servir Dieu ou non. Notre alliance avec Dieu est notre choix de répondre à toutes les choses que Dieu fait.
Dans la deuxième lecture, on est présenté des types de vocations différentes. Tomber en amour est un choix qui peut changer notre vie pour toujours. Jésus nous invite à découvrir la valeur du mariage ainsi que la vocation du célibat. Le choix de notre vocation coûte toute notre vie, mais ça vaut la peine.
Aujourd'hui, nous avons l'exemple d'un prêtre de ce diocèse qui est devenu un évêque et qui est mort un martyr. « Je vous invite à prier pour ceux qui ont fait un choix de rester fidèle à leur vocation et pour que le Seigneur puisse guider ceux qui n'ont pas encore fait un choix dans leur discernement », a conclu Mgr Prendergast.
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