Holy See Mission Seminar Day 6- Caritas Christi Urget Nos

My joy is God
the Threefold
Holy One.
My joy
is His truth
that inspires me.
My joy
is His will
calling me.
My joy
is His word
leading me on.
My joy
is His peace
that gives me rest.
-Mother Julia Verhaeghe, foundress of the Spiritual Family The Work (from
http://www.thework-fso.org/English/indexen.html)
This poem highlights another important focus of the Path to Peace- Holy See Mission Seminar that I attended between May [...]

Read Full Post »

Holy See Mission Seminar Day 5- Je dors mais mon coeur veille

Canticle of the Sun, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226):
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And [...]

Read Full Post »

Holy See Mission Seminar Day 4- Verbum Caro Factum Est

Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
These words are inscribed on either side of the tabernacle at Holy Family Church in Manhattan, the parish of the United Nations. Fr. Bob Meyer presided over Mass there on the fourth day of the Path to Peace Foundation- [...]

Read Full Post »

Holy See Mission Seminar Day 3- Sharing Our Story

Since its foundation more than 2000 years ago, the Catholic Church has been the world’s foremost institution regarding social justice and the advancement of the common good, which is more than an idea or a lifestyle, but a necessary human response to the love of God. History has seen this loving reply modeled for us [...]

Read Full Post »

Holy See Mission Seminar Day 2- Master, it is Good to Be Here

The opening lecture of the Holy See Mission seminar focused on the role of the Church in building the common good throughout the world. As I mentioned in my previous post, the “common good” is an ambiguous term. The defense of this common good involves the protection of basic human rights. As such, the Holy [...]

Read Full Post »

Holy See Mission Seminar Day 1- the Moral Element

While I was filling out the application to attend the seminar on Catholic Social Teaching in New York, I realized how little I knew about the United Nations or about the Church’s influence within such a large worldwide organization. Even so, it was a great privilege to have attended this symposium from May 20 to [...]

Read Full Post »