My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name. (Lk 1:46-49).
*     *     *
What does it mean to be “famous”? One clue is found in the origin of the word “fame,” which comes from a Greek word that means “talked about.” In our modern culture, being famous usually means being on television, where many people can come to recognize you. Being “famous” means that a person is talked about. But something interesting might happen when you actually meet a “famous” person. They might be exactly like you thought they would be, or you might be surprised how they’re different. Being famous can be good or bad.

In the Virgin Mary’s song, the “Magnificat,” the beginning of which is above, Mary says something startling: “All generations will call me blessed.” And indeed since Luke transcribed her words nearly 2000 years ago, each generation has called her the “Blessed Virgin Mary.” If you think about it, it might sound like a little “bravado.” But that’s not the case. Mary’s blessedness comes specifically because God in His Greatness looked upon Mary in her lowliness and chose His handmaid to be the Mother of His Son. And the humility and lowliness of Mary stands in contrast to the pride and disobedience of Eve. Mary is known as the “New Eve,” since Eve’s disobedience caused Orignal Sin for all of her children, and Mary’s obedience became the remedy for that Original Sin. That’s why Mary calls God her “Savior.”

Mary is particularly “famous” throughout Christianity. And she’s even mentioned more times in the Islamic Koran than she is in the Bible! But her “fame” is not just because she is “talked about.” Actually, it’s the opposite. Mary is talked about because she was particularly blessed by God. In fact, Mary is talked about because God exalted (lifted her up) for a special mission: nothing less than the Salvation of the Human Race. She’s not just “famous,” she’s blessed because God chose her to blessed. And every time we “talk about” about Mary, we recount her blessedness.

Nowadays many people want their “15 minutes of fame.” It’s better to look for something different: blessedness. Each of us is called for a special mission by God. The mission begins by our working on our own holiness, and then allowing God to use us for His mission. Earthly fame is fleeting. True blessedness points to the Virgin Mary. True blessedness points to Heaven.

(Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (Lk 12:39-40).
*     *     *
There are two ways by which we will see God face-to-face: upon our death or at the time of the Second Coming. And the truth is that we really don’t know when either of those events might occur!

Over the past month, I was the celebrant at two funeral Masses that marked a real contrast. The first funeral was of a young, 18 year-old boy in the beginning of a promising life. And the second was of a 93 year-old great-grandfather. Although it’s certain that only God knows the state of their souls at their death, we prayed at both funeral Masses that God would be merciful to them. And we commended them to Heaven.

But there was one difference between the two of them. The 93 year-old grandfather knew that the Lord was near. He knew that he was nearing the end of his life. And he did everything that he could to prepare for it. He went to Confession; he received the Sacrament of Holy Anointing; he asked for the Holy Mass to be celebrated in his room next to his bed; and he surrounded himself with his family who prayed the Rosary unceasingly for him during his final illness. And the 18 year-old boy? He had no time to prepare. The Lord came for him “like a thief in the night,” and he died alone in his bedroom. Did he have any inkling that the Son of Man was coming to him? By all accounts and circumstances, he didn’t.

Throughout the earthly life of Jesus, He warned us that our time is short. And it is. Whether we live 18 years or 93 years, it passes very quickly (although it didn’t seem that way in high school!). Because of that, we should always have a sense of “urgency” to our faith. If we have mortal sins on our soul, it’s urgent that we go to Confession. If we are engaged in habitual sin, it’s urgent that we work on correcting it. If we are living in a state of sin (an irregular marriage, an illicit relationship, or a morally sinful relationship), it’s urgent that we recognize it and work to restore ourselves to God’s grace through Confession with a firm intention to amend our lives.

We will see the Lord face-to-face. It’s only a matter of time. And we will be judged; that’s a fact. And all of those things about ourselves that we were “going to do something about some day” will be before His eyes. Will we have done something about them? Remember, He will come again to separate the sheep from the goats. I know on what side of the fence I want to be found!

(Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty

Ignacio López de Loyola was born in Spain in 1491, the youngest of 13 children. In 1506, he adopted the last name "de Loyola" in reference of the Basque city of Loyola where he was born. In 1509, Ignatius took up arms under the Duke of Nájera and participated in many battles without injury to himself. However, on May 20, 1521, in a battle against the French, a cannonball wounded one of his legs and broke the other. Heavily injured, he had several surgical operations, very painful procedured in the days before anesthetics.

During his recuperation at Loyola, Ignatius read the Life of Christ by Ludolph of Saxony, a commentary on the Gospels with extracts from the works of over sixty of the Fathers of the Church; the book influenced his whole life. Ludolph proposes that the reader place himself at the scene of a Gospel story and visualize the scene in a simple contemplation. He also read the lives of the saints.

When Ignatius left Loyola he had no definite plans for the future, except that he wished to rival all the saints had done in the way of penance. His first care was to make a general confession at the famous sanctuary of Montserrat, where, after three days of self-examination, and carefully noting his sins, he confessed, gave to the poor the rich clothes in which he had come, and put on garment of sack-cloth reaching to his feet. His sword and dagger he suspended at Our Lady's altar, and passed the night watching before them. The next morning, he retired to a cave near the neighboring town of Manresa, where he retired for prayer, austerities, and contemplation, while he lived on alms.

It was at this time, too, that he began to make notes of his spiritual experiences, notes which grew into the little book of “Spiritual Exercises.”

St. Ignatius spent a number of years studying in Paris, where he became thoroughly versed in the science of education, and learned by experience how the life of prayer and penance might be combined with that of teaching and study. Starting a small society in Paris, the Society of Jesus was approved by the Holy See in 1540. He died on July 30, 1556 and was canonized in 1622.

Currently, the Jesuits are the single largest religious order in the world, numbering nearly 20,000 members, of which nearly 14,000 are priests. They work in 112 nations on six continents.

‘There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!’
But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God. (Lk 12:18b-21).
* * *
Last Thursday I was asked to speak to a Catholic group in Baton Rouge. Although my talk was about the Apostolicity of the Church (being founded on the Apostles and the current bishops being their successors), at the end a man asked me a question about clerical celibacy. “Father, why do priests have to be celibate” was the simple question. Unfortunately, celibacy is looked upon as some sort of cancerous disease. And the idea of celibacy is perceived as strange and abnormal.

I won’t go through my entire response to the question, but I do want to mention two points. First, Jesus was celibate. He came to pour himself out for the life of the Church. He didn’t give Himself to a woman in an exclusive, permanent, life-giving relationship. He gave Himself to all of us. So the short answer about celibacy is that priests are called to follow Jesus as perfectly as possible. Not giving ourselves to a wife means that we are able to give themselves to many others, whether the poor or the rich, the joyful or the sick and dying.

Secondly, the life of a priest is always meant to point to Heaven. You recall that we’ll all be celibate in Heaven? In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus reacts to a hypothetical situation about a woman who is married seven times on earth: “Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.” (Mk 12:24-25) So the way that a priest lives points to Heaven. Priests (and women religious) live in this world as though it’s a passing thing. We try to be rich in what matters most to God, rather than what matters most to the world.

The lesson for today’s Gospel isn’t necessarily a call for everyone in our parish to sell their possessions. Some might have that call – to be a priest or religious – but some are called to have families and provide for their future. But it is a call to remember that earthly possessions aren’t what matter to God. What matters to God is love. And charity on earth shows a trust in God that echoes to Heaven.

(Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty

Does the picture look familiar? And the cross? This is actually a photograph taken in the early 1900’s showing the original steeple cross. We had seen the plans, but never an actual photograph.  Thanks to John Pecarrere for finding this photo on www.old-new-orleans.com/NO_StStephens.html. It’s hard to see, but the oak trees in front are saplings!

From another parish’s bulletin, an instructive reminder

• Remember to keep your Eucharistic fast by abstaining from food and beverages (water excluded) for an hour before Mass.

• Always dress modestly and appropriately. Arrive early to allow for personal prayer and/or read the readings of the day.
  Turn off all mobile devices while still in the vestibule. This is your time with God and His people.
  Use the restroom before or after Mass. Men remove hats or caps before the Lord.
  Deposit all water bottles the waste receptacles.
  Make the sign of the cross with Holy Water upon entering.
  Genuflect with great reverence towards the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle before entering your pew. If unable to genuflect, a profound bow is respectful.
  Refrain from chit-chat which distracts others who are connecting with God through prayer before Mass.
  Join the singing and know that singing is praying twice and that singing with others gives great praise to God, which is really why we are gathered here.
  Listen to the readings.  God is speaking directly to you.
  Receive Communion with laser-like attention.  We receive Communion, we do not take it. If choosing to receive the Body of Christ in the hand, place the hand you write with under the hand you will receive, in a way, creating a throne for the Lord. A simple bow of the head to the Eucharist is appropriate as a sign of reverence to Christ before receiving.
  Don’t forget to make a prayer of thanksgiving after receiving Communion. “There is no prayer more agreeable to God, or more profitable to the soul than that which is made during the thanksgiving after Communion.” (St. Alfonsus Liguori)
  Remember that the point of being at Mass is not to see what we can get out of it, but what you can do to praise and worship the Almighty.
  And finally, leave church only after the procession has left the altar.  Only one person left the Last Supper early…

Thanks to all who donated items to the raffle held at the Grace Under Fire celebration two weeks ago!

Theresa Martin, Dan and Dana LeBlanc, Mimi Gorman, Allison Thomas, Dixie Williams, Mignon Faget, Jean Jens, La Petite Grocery (Chef Justin Devillier), Hey! Café (Greg Rodrigue & Thomas LeBlanc),  Jezebel’s Art & Antiques, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Cindy St. Raymond, Dr. & Mrs. Frank Schmidt, and Southern Hospitality Catering (John Rowland).

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Lk 11:9-10)
*     *     *
per•se•ver•ance [pur-suh-veer-uhns] –noun
1.steady persistence in a course of action, a pur-pose, a state,etc., esp. in spite of diffic-ulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2.Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end,leading to eternal salvation.

Anything that’s worth doing requires perseverance. The Latin verb “perseverare” is composed of two words: “per” meaning “through”; and “severare” meaning “to be severe or strict.” So perseverance means to achieve something through being strict. And the obvious object of the strictness is oneself. Prayer requires perseverance. It is an uphill climb supported by God’s grace, but we need to persevere in prayer for it to be effective.

I know in my own life that there have been things for which I prayed only for a short time and the prayer was granted. On the other hand, I prayed for 17 years for something before it was granted. I’m I’ve been praying for something else for 7 years, and it still hasn’t been granted. So do I give up? Obviously, I’m a hard-headed Irishman, and I keep praying and praying.

“But why would you pray for something for so long? Couldn’t you accept that the answer is ‘no’?”

Apparently, I don’t. If what I am praying for is a “good thing” (no, I haven’t prayed for that long to win the lottery!), then I will continue to persevere.

It’s interesting that the second definition of “perseverance” is a theological definition. And that makes sense. Because Jesus said: “He that shall persevere to the end shall be saved.” (Mt. 24:13). The Christian life isn’t a sprint; it’s an ultra-marathon. We “persevere” through it in spite of difficulties, obstacles or disappointments. And we discipline ourselves (through + severity) by our penitential practices – means by which we deny ourselves things of the world so that we might focus on the things of Heaven.

Perseverance. It’s a really great word. We recognize it as a virtue in all good endeavors. Today Jesus asks us to show it in our prayer. And practice it as a means of achieving our Salvation.

(Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty

Mary was called “Magdalen” because she was either from Magdala near Tiberias (on the west shore of Galilee) or possibly from a Talmudic expression meaning “curly women's hair,” which means an adulteress.

In the New Testament Mary is mentioned among the women who accompanied Christ and ministered to Him (Luke 8:2-3), where it is also said that seven devils had been cast out of her (Mark 16:9). She is next named as standing at the foot of the cross (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56; John 19:25; Luke 23:49). She saw Christ laid in the tomb, and she was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection.

The Greek Fathers, as a whole, distinguish the “sinner” of Luke 7:36-50; Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and Mary Magdalen. On the other hand most of the Latin Fathers hold that these three they were one and the same. It is impossible to demonstrate the identity of the three through the Scriptural texts. Yet it is certainly Mary Magdalen who, according to all the Evangelists, stood at the foot of the cross and assisted at the entombment and was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection. And while St. John calls her “Mary Magdalen” in 19:25, 20:1, and 20:18, he calls her simply “Mary” in 20:11 and 20:16.
Many Scriptural scholars observe that the “sinner” in Luke comes early in the ministry of Jesus to seek for pardon; Mary is described immediately afterwards as Mary Magdalen “out of whom seven devils were gone forth”; shortly after, we find simply “Mary” “sitting at the Lord's feet and hearing His words.”

To the Catholic mind it all seems fitting and natural. The sinner has repented, and she is no longer considered an “adultress.” At a later period Mary and Martha turn to “the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” and Jesus raises their brother Lazarus. Only a short time afterwards Mary and Martha make Jesus supper and Mary repeats the act she had performed when a penitent. At the Passion she stands nearby; she sees Him laid in the tomb; and she is the first Scriptural witness of His Resurrection (although it would have been only fitting for Jesus to have appeared first to His Mother) St. Mary Magdalen, patroness of penitent sinners, pray for us!

St. Henry (6 May 973 – 13 July 1024) was the fifth and last Holy Roman Emperor of the Ottonian dynasty, from his coronation in Rome in 1014 until his death a decade later.  He was crowned King of Germany in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004. He is the only German king to have been canonized.

Henry was the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria. As his father was in rebellion against two previous emperors, he was often in exile. This led the younger Henry to turn to the Church at an early age, first finding refuge with the Bishop of Freising, and later being educated at the cathedral school of Hildesheim. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995 as Henry IV.  Henry's most significant contributions as emperor came in the realm of church-state relations and ecclesiastic administration within the Empire. He supported the bishops against the monastic clergy and aided them in establishing their temporal rule over broad territories. He strongly enforced clerical celibacy in order that the public land and offices he granted the church would not be passed on to heirs. This ensured that the bishops remained loyal to him, from whom they received their power, and provided a powerful bulwark against rebellious nobles and ambitious family members. Henry founded the Diocese of Bamberg, which quickly became a center of scholarship and art.

Henry had been working with the pope to call a Church Council to confirm his new system of politico-ecclesiastical control when he died suddenly in 1024, leaving this work unfinished.  Henry was canonized in July, 1147 by Pope Clement II; and his wife, Cunigunde, was canonized in the year 1200, by Pope Innocent III. His relics were carried on campaigns against heretics in the 1160s.  He is buried in Bamberg Cathedral.  Because as king he supported the Church, Henry is usually portrayed wearing a crown and holding a small model of a church.

The Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans congratulates Deacon Everett J. Williams as the recipient of the 2010 Pope John Paul II Award. He has served on many committees and Boards including: Archbishop’s Community Appeal, Catholic Charities, Catholic Foundation, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Xavier University, Notre Dame Seminary, Holy Rosary Academy and St. Joseph Seminary College. In the greater New Orleans community, he has worked with UNITY for the Homeless, Bridge House, Children’s Hospital, the Medical Center of Louisiana, the Blood Center of Louisiana and he is currently the chair of the Education Committee Patrick F. Taylor Foundation. The award will be presented at the Catholic Foundation’s Annual Dinner being held on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. The award is presented to a layperson or permanent Deacon who resides in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and who exhibits inspirational examples of Christian stewardship. Recipients must be a Roman Catholic with an outstanding record of volunteer service in the Catholic Community; high moral character; and exemplary values. I have known Deacon Williams for many years, and I could not think of a better choice. And I am so happy he’s part of long list of wonderful recipients of this high honor, including other parishioners, Blanche & Norman Francis (2003), Michael Read (2008) and my parents, Jane & Paul Nalty (2001).

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.” (Lk 10:25-27)
*     *     *
There’s a tendency to take this Sunday’s Gospel as an encouragement of laziness. We hear that Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus doing nothing, and Martha is doing all of the work. Yet, when Martha complains, Jesus reassures that the two that Mary has “chosen the better part.” So doing nothing but listening to Jesus is better than helping out around the house? Sounds like a quick way our of household chores! “Need me to mow the lawn? Sorry, but I’ve chosen the “better portion”; I’m heading to the Adoration Chapel to pray!

That’s not really what’s going on here. What Jesus is referring to is not the literal “action” of the scene, with Mary praying and Martha working. He’s actually more concerned with where their hearts are. Jesus is concerned about Mary being anxious and worried. And by singling out Martha’s anxiety in contrast to Mary’s peace, He’s pointing to Himself as the source of peace.

So now the big question. How does this apply to us? I would bet many of us more closely fit the Martha paradigm than the Mary model. We are all incredibly busy, and we continue and continue to put things into our lives that make us busier! Does that mean it’s bad to be busy? Not necessarily. But it’s bad when that busyness starts to affect our lives by making us worried and anxious. And if that happens, we need to stop for a moment, and remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When we’re at our busiest and our anxiety level rises is the time that we need to sit at the feet of Jesus (my favorite place is the chapel near the Tabernacle) and receive his peace.

During my first year as a priest, I spent part of my summer making a 30 day Ignatian silent retreat. Far from being a “lazy” time, I finally understood why the “Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius are called “exercises.” Praying 4-5 hours a day is hard work! Although I learned during my retreat that I wasn’t called to be a monk spending my whole life in contemplative prayer, I did learn where I needed to go when my life got too anxious: to the feet of Jesus. So if you ever see me, and I seem “frazzled” (like a friend noticed recently), give me some of my own advice. Tell me I need to go pray! You know what? I’ll agree with you.

Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty

Thanks so much to Cait Muldoon and her great team that put together a wonderful “Grace Under Fire” cookoff between Father Leo Patalinghug and myself against Chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Chef Chris Barbato of Commander’s Palace. Thanks to Mary Matalin for her great job emceeing the event, and to our great team of Judges: Judge Martin Feldman, Caroline Ponseti, Jeff Crouere, Betsy Sterkx and Sister Leah Couvillion. Ever the careful jurist, Judge Feldman gathered together all of the facts, examined the law, applied the law to the facts and determined that the contest was . . . a tie! After a requested rehearing on the merits, he was persuaded to reexamine the record. The verdict was that the winner was the crowd of hungry diners who got to taste two great dishes! Father Leo Patalinghug and I cooked a Spicy Cocoanut Chicken with Asian-style Trinity Rice, and Chef Justin and Chef Chris cooked a Redfish Courtbouillon with Popcorn Rice (and a Peach Cobbler dessert). Thanks also to the generous friends who donated items for the raffle. All in all, the evening was an extraordinarily joyful time of parish celebration!

The Prayers of Good Shepherd Parish in Rome

Sometimes pictures are worth 1000 words.  Here are a few thousand words from Rome that I thought you might enjoy more than my writing! You were remembered in prayer.

Here I am a with a few pilgrims as the empty Piazza St. Peter is set up for the big Mass for the Closing of the Year for Priests.

This is a view of the Piazza filled with 15,000 priests!