Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 507

Good News from Rome: Burke, Dolan & Sad News too

From my friend and Canon Lawyer Ed Peters:

"Franz Klein of the Diocese of Lacrosse has a nice spread on Archbishop, and-one-day-shy-of-being-formally Cardinal, Burke in the on-line The Catholic Times (18 Nov. 2010, page 3B). Klein offers a good overview of Burke's typical day at the Apostolic Signatura, and of the esteem in which he is held by those concerned for the proper coordination of law and theology. The essay even features a few quotes by yours truly. So enjoy!

"It's been another good week for the Church: Archbishop Dolan elected president of the USCCB, Archbishop Burke, among others, elevated to the College of Cardinals.

"Let's just remember, though, the trials of the Church in places like China, where bishops faithful to the Holy See are being forced to attend on Saturday an episcopal ordination performed in violation of 1983 CIC 1382. Think of it as two strides forward, one shove back. Oremus pro invicem.

"Speaking of cardinals, I have updated my list of Cardinal Electors."

Interview with Archbishop Burke after announcement of his appointment to Cardinal.

Pointless Family Photo

St. Ignatius Steps on Luther

Today my wife and I are exploring new things in Rome. We again visited the beautiful church dedicated to the founder of the Jesuits. It is called the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. In Italian it is Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio. It was built in the 17th century, back when the Jesuits knew who they really were and what their commission and charism was (though there are still a few like that today, e.g., Fr. Joseph Fessio and Fr. Mitch Pacwa and the deceased Fr. John Hardon).

In the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola there is a huge statue of St. Ignatius standing tall looking up to heaven. In his hand is the open Bible.

Beneath him is Martin Luther with a closed Bible. St. Ignatius has his foot on Luther's neck and Luther is biting the back of his own hand.

Click IMG_3603 for a short video clip.

This would probably not go over very well today. In fact the sign under the statue only says "A Statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola" but fails to explain the original purpose and meaning of the statue and who is under St. Ignatius' foot.

I bought their booklet explaining all the statues and art in the church and it fails to show this statue or to explain it.

Fr. Fessio likes this statue — and so do I. I know we are in a new era today, and do not necessarily attach to Protestants the schism caused by Luther and we refer to them as our "separated brethren."

But we still need to realize that when the "Reformation" took place the rebels were heretics and caused a schism in the Church and the saints and theologians did not hesitate to say so. We need to quit being politically correct and overly ecumenically sensitive and start calling heresy heresy and schism schism when they raise their ugly heads up in our current time.

Steve's Brief Story of St. Paul's Life

Since we are in Rome, I thought I would share a short biography I made on the fly of St. Paul at Tre Fontone where St. Paul was beheaded. This will give you a short introduction to St. Paul and his life from the very place where he was beheaded.

Free Timeline of the Life and Writings of St. Paul

Want to go to the Holy Land with us?

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Tickets are selling fast and the drawing is December 10, 2010 so don't miss out and buy your ticket today! Call Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral at 602-242-1300 to buy a ticket.

Picture to right: Day Three: Mass in front of the grotto where Gabriel met Mary and said, "Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee!"

On the altar it says, "The Word was made Flesh HERE!"

How Do They Cook Spinach in Rome?

Janet and I (and our whole family) are keeping healthy with losing weight, exercise and eating good food. While in Rome last week Janet and I ate spinach every day. (Spinach is a SuperFood.) The spinach we ate was so good that  we asked our friend Mario to show us how to cook spinach Roman-style. Not only did he include spinach (as a SuperFood), but also two others: Olive Oil and Garlic.

Like many times in the past our friend Mario took us downstairs into his kitchen on Via di Porta Cavalleggeri across the street from St. Peter's Basilica — and we took a video so YOU could learn how to make this healthy and delicious dish.

We also added some video and pictures from an exceptional restaurant where Frs. Alfonso Aguilara and Ben Cieply took us for our celebration at the end of teaching our course on apologetics.

Here is the video! Bon Appetit!

"We the People": A Message to Obama

Over 6 million have viewed this good video. I couldn't agree more.

Beethoven was Never Better – I Enjoyed This!

In which hand do you hold the baton? What happens when you nose itches at the crescendo? What do you do when the baton goes flying into the audience?

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this short clip of a three year old conducting a Beethoven symphony. All young kids should be exposed to such music.

Can you imagine how much more alert, inquisitive, intelligent, and full of life this kid will grow up to be compared with kids sitting in front of stupid and insulting television shows and commercials throughout their childhood?

Hallelujah Chorus & Organ at Macy's – Watch Peoples' Reaction

People in their heart love beauty, spirituality and God. Look what happens when a random act of culture and beauty and spirituality bursts forth at Macy's.

Pope's New Interview in a New Book!!

Click image for more info or to order.