VATICAN : POPE : COURAGE TO ASK THE LORD WHAT MORE WE CAN DO
ASIA : BANGLADESH : 1000 MISSING IN TROPICAL STORM - 23 DEAD
Vatican Radio REPORT In his first Sunday Angelus since the beginning of the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict welcoming the faithful to St Peter’s Square focused his attention on one of the most famous Gospel stories. The parable is of a rich man who asks Jesus how he can enter the kingdom of God and who receives the notable reply,
"It 's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The Holy Father explained to those gathered that Jesus teaches that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but not impossible, in fact, the Pope said, God can win the heart of a person who possesses great wealth and can push them to work for solidarity and sharing with those in need.
Pope Benedict also underlined the fact that wealth does not bring true happiness.
The man in the Gospel, continued the Holy Father is someone who has observed God’s commandments but like many people thinks that eternal life can somehow be bought.
Jesus, notes Pope Benedict, is underlining the fact that the riches of heaven far out way those of this world, which is why he asks the man in the parable to give his wealth to the poor.
The Pope concluded his address by saying that this story teaches us that the rich should not neglect their salvation. He also remarked on the number of Saints, such as St. Francis, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Charles Borromeo who had given up their wealth to follow God.
Following the recitation of the Marian prayer the Holy Father, drew the attention of those present in St Peter’s Square, back to the Year of Faith.
“During this Year of Faith may we, like the man in today’s Gospel, have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs to the eternal life God promises.”
He also recalled those who had died for the Faith such as Federico Bachstein and thirteen Brothers of the Order of Friars Minor who were beatified this weekend.
He said they were killed in 1611 because of their faith and this reminds us of those people who are willing to suffer for Christ.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
"It 's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The Holy Father explained to those gathered that Jesus teaches that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but not impossible, in fact, the Pope said, God can win the heart of a person who possesses great wealth and can push them to work for solidarity and sharing with those in need.
Pope Benedict also underlined the fact that wealth does not bring true happiness.
The man in the Gospel, continued the Holy Father is someone who has observed God’s commandments but like many people thinks that eternal life can somehow be bought.
Jesus, notes Pope Benedict, is underlining the fact that the riches of heaven far out way those of this world, which is why he asks the man in the parable to give his wealth to the poor.
The Pope concluded his address by saying that this story teaches us that the rich should not neglect their salvation. He also remarked on the number of Saints, such as St. Francis, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Charles Borromeo who had given up their wealth to follow God.
Following the recitation of the Marian prayer the Holy Father, drew the attention of those present in St Peter’s Square, back to the Year of Faith.
“During this Year of Faith may we, like the man in today’s Gospel, have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs to the eternal life God promises.”
He also recalled those who had died for the Faith such as Federico Bachstein and thirteen Brothers of the Order of Friars Minor who were beatified this weekend.
He said they were killed in 1611 because of their faith and this reminds us of those people who are willing to suffer for Christ.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
AMERICA : USA : MASS AND PILGRIMAGE FOR FREEDOM
USCCB REPORT:
Pope Benedict XVI's 2011 World Day of Peace message called religious freedom the “path to peace.” Since “religious freedom is at the origin of moral freedom,” the Pope taught it should be understood “not merely as immunity from coercion, but even more fundamentally as an ability to order one’s own choices in accordance with truth... When religious freedom is acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root, and the ethos and institutions of peoples are strengthened. On the other hand, whenever religious freedom is denied, and attempts are made to hinder people from professing their religion or faith and living accordingly, human dignity is offended, with a resulting threat to justice and peace...."
Speech by Archbishop John Onaiyekan on International Religious Freedom in Nigeria
September 12, 2012
Speech by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi on International Religious Freedom
September 12, 2012
“Let Freedom Ring . . . !” by Timothy Cardinal Dolan. John Carroll Society Event, September 10, 2012. To hear the audio of Cardinal Dolan’s speech, click here. . . .
OCTOBER 14 MASS AND PILGRIMAGE FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY
On Sunday, October 14, starting at 12 noon EDT, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore will lead a Mass and Pilgrimage for Life and Liberty at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Shortly after the Mass, Archbishop Lori will lead the recitation of the first day of the Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty, which will take place from October 14 to 22. Additional resources are available for the October Respect Life and Liberty campaign. Check out the press release and Facebook page!
NEW: Please see the video invitation of Archbishop Lori and web graphics you can use to promote this Sunday's Mass and Pilgrimage!
NEW: Please see the video invitation of Archbishop Lori and web graphics you can use to promote this Sunday's Mass and Pilgrimage!
Pope Benedict XVI's 2011 World Day of Peace message called religious freedom the “path to peace.” Since “religious freedom is at the origin of moral freedom,” the Pope taught it should be understood “not merely as immunity from coercion, but even more fundamentally as an ability to order one’s own choices in accordance with truth... When religious freedom is acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root, and the ethos and institutions of peoples are strengthened. On the other hand, whenever religious freedom is denied, and attempts are made to hinder people from professing their religion or faith and living accordingly, human dignity is offended, with a resulting threat to justice and peace...."
Religious freedom has profound implications for the common good of our nation and world. Visit the menu on the left for resources related to Religious Liberty at Home, International Religious Freedom, and Conscience Protection. The menu on the right offers opportunities for you to take action and make your voice heard in support of religious freedom within our nation and throughout the world.
Latest News!
"Cardinal Wuerl Says Faith Sets Standards for Morals, Behavior. . . " Georgetown University. September 13, 2102. Video of Talk Courtesy of theBerkley Center for Religious Liberty. . . .
"International Religious Freedom: An Imperative for Peace and the Common Good" by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. September 12, 2012, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary.Speech by Archbishop John Onaiyekan on International Religious Freedom in Nigeria
September 12, 2012
Speech by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi on International Religious Freedom
September 12, 2012
“Let Freedom Ring . . . !” by Timothy Cardinal Dolan. John Carroll Society Event, September 10, 2012. To hear the audio of Cardinal Dolan’s speech, click here. . . .
Letter to Assistant Secretary Blake on Rimsha Masih
Bishop Richard E. Pates, September 7, 2012
Bishop Richard E. Pates, September 7, 2012
Letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee on Protecting Religious Minorities in the Arab World
Bishop Richard E. Pates, September 4, 2012
Bishops Urge Congress to Act on Religious Liberty Crisis in Health Care Before Year's End (USCCB News Release, August 3, 2012)Bishop Richard E. Pates, September 4, 2012
"HHS mandate shouldn't require leaving faith, values at home". . . by Archbishop William E. Lori. (Washington Post, August 2, 2012)
TEXT THE WORD "FREEDOM" TO 377377
After the Supreme Court's ruling, the contraception mandate still remains. Keep up your prayers and action for religious freedom!
Sign up for text messages to stay up-to-date on current religious freedom issues.
Text the word "FREEDOM" to 377377.
PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
O God our Creator,from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ....MORE
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF USA
ASIA : BANGLADESH : 1000 MISSING IN TROPICAL STORM - 23 DEAD
UCAN REPORT:
Death toll expected to rise
Communication remain disrupted and homes are devastated (Rudra Masud)
A violent tropical storm yesterday has left 23 people dead, hundreds injured and more than 1,000 missing in four southeastern districts, officials said.
Accompanied by strong wind and rain, the storm devastated thousands of homes leaving tens of thousands without shelter. Telephone communication, transportation and power remain out after hundreds of trees and electric poles were uprooted and fell on the roads.
The death toll is expected to rise as more than 1,000 fishermen are still missing, officials at various districts confirmed.
According to the Meteorological Department, a seasonal depression in the Bay of Bengal caused the storm and an alert was issued Tuesday. Gaining strength, the storm ripped through small islands and the coastal areas of Noakhali, Bhola, Chittagong and Feni districts. Noakhali was the worst hit, recording 12 deaths.
“Most people died when walls and trees fell on them,” said Sirajul Islam, deputy commissioner of Noakhali.
Islam added that relief efforts including money and food distribution to victims are in full swing.
SHARED FROM UCAN
Accompanied by strong wind and rain, the storm devastated thousands of homes leaving tens of thousands without shelter. Telephone communication, transportation and power remain out after hundreds of trees and electric poles were uprooted and fell on the roads.
The death toll is expected to rise as more than 1,000 fishermen are still missing, officials at various districts confirmed.
According to the Meteorological Department, a seasonal depression in the Bay of Bengal caused the storm and an alert was issued Tuesday. Gaining strength, the storm ripped through small islands and the coastal areas of Noakhali, Bhola, Chittagong and Feni districts. Noakhali was the worst hit, recording 12 deaths.
“Most people died when walls and trees fell on them,” said Sirajul Islam, deputy commissioner of Noakhali.
Islam added that relief efforts including money and food distribution to victims are in full swing.
SHARED FROM UCAN
AUSTRALIA : CHURCH BACKS MANDATORY REPORTING
ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT:
Catholic Church in Victoria backs mandatory reporting for clergy and reporting to police
Wednesday 10 October 2012
TODAY the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, announced that the Catholic Church in Victoria supported extending mandatory reporting under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 to ministers of religion and other religious personnel, and the reporting of child abuse to police.
Archbishop Hart was speaking on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria, following the publication by the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations of the Catholic Church in Victoria’s submission, Facing the Truth. Click here to read the executive summary from 'Facing the Truth.'
“In Facing the Truth the Church supports the extension of mandatory reporting of cases of suspected child abuse to ministers of religion and other religious personnel, with an exemption for information received during the rite of confession. It also proposes a mechanism for reporting child abuse to police while protecting the victim’s right to privacy,” he said.
Mandatory reporters include doctors, nurses, teachers and police. No additional professions have been added since the introduction of the Children, Youth and Families Act in 1993.
“The Church also supports the recommendation of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry that mandatory reporting should operate prospectively, so that it covers reasonably suspected instances of physical and sexual abuse of a person who is under the age of 18 at the time the reporter forms the suspicion of such abuse.
“Extending mandatory reporting in this way would mean that all of those mandated are doing so under the same system and to the same authorities.
“In relation to the police, our submission discusses the issue – a sensitive one for victims – that many want their experiences to remain private and do not want their complaint reported to the police. A tension exists between respecting the wishes of these victims and the calls for all allegations of abuse to be reported to the police.
“The Church acknowledges that Victoria Police has the primary role and expertise in investigating criminal allegations.
“We recommend that all allegations of serious crimes be reported to the police in a way that does not infringe the confidentiality and privacy of victims who have come forward on that basis, or the sanctity of the confessional.
“This difficult matter requires a balance to be struck between the responsibility of the community to prosecute criminal conduct and protect the vulnerable, and the right of victims to privacy.
“This balance could be achieved by implementing a system in which details of an allegation (other than those that could identify the complainant) are reported to the police on the basis that the police’s powers of compulsion cannot be used to discover the identity of the complainant from the source of the report.
“The Church would support reforms to implement this,” Archbishop Hart said.
The Catholic Church submission was made by the Catholic Bishops of Victoria: Archbishop Denis Hart, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne , Bishop Peter Connors, Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, Bishop Christopher Prowse, Catholic Diocese of Sale and Bishop Leslie Tomlinson, Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst and the Catholic Religious Orders, Congregations and Societies within Victoria, represented by Sister Annette Cunliffe rsc, Catholic Religious Australia and Sister Helen Toohey csb, Catholic Religious Victoria.
For further information go to www.facingthetruth.org.au
TODAY the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, announced that the Catholic Church in Victoria supported extending mandatory reporting under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 to ministers of religion and other religious personnel, and the reporting of child abuse to police.
Archbishop Hart was speaking on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria, following the publication by the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations of the Catholic Church in Victoria’s submission, Facing the Truth. Click here to read the executive summary from 'Facing the Truth.'
“In Facing the Truth the Church supports the extension of mandatory reporting of cases of suspected child abuse to ministers of religion and other religious personnel, with an exemption for information received during the rite of confession. It also proposes a mechanism for reporting child abuse to police while protecting the victim’s right to privacy,” he said.
Mandatory reporters include doctors, nurses, teachers and police. No additional professions have been added since the introduction of the Children, Youth and Families Act in 1993.
“The Church also supports the recommendation of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry that mandatory reporting should operate prospectively, so that it covers reasonably suspected instances of physical and sexual abuse of a person who is under the age of 18 at the time the reporter forms the suspicion of such abuse.
“Extending mandatory reporting in this way would mean that all of those mandated are doing so under the same system and to the same authorities.
“In relation to the police, our submission discusses the issue – a sensitive one for victims – that many want their experiences to remain private and do not want their complaint reported to the police. A tension exists between respecting the wishes of these victims and the calls for all allegations of abuse to be reported to the police.
“The Church acknowledges that Victoria Police has the primary role and expertise in investigating criminal allegations.
“We recommend that all allegations of serious crimes be reported to the police in a way that does not infringe the confidentiality and privacy of victims who have come forward on that basis, or the sanctity of the confessional.
“This difficult matter requires a balance to be struck between the responsibility of the community to prosecute criminal conduct and protect the vulnerable, and the right of victims to privacy.
“This balance could be achieved by implementing a system in which details of an allegation (other than those that could identify the complainant) are reported to the police on the basis that the police’s powers of compulsion cannot be used to discover the identity of the complainant from the source of the report.
“The Church would support reforms to implement this,” Archbishop Hart said.
The Catholic Church submission was made by the Catholic Bishops of Victoria: Archbishop Denis Hart, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne , Bishop Peter Connors, Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, Bishop Christopher Prowse, Catholic Diocese of Sale and Bishop Leslie Tomlinson, Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst and the Catholic Religious Orders, Congregations and Societies within Victoria, represented by Sister Annette Cunliffe rsc, Catholic Religious Australia and Sister Helen Toohey csb, Catholic Religious Victoria.
For further information go to www.facingthetruth.org.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
EUROPE : NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARDED TO EU
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Bernardo Cervellera
The Oslo Committee has decided to award the Peace Prize to the EU, for achieving 60 years of peace on the continent. But they have forgotten Bosnia and Kosovo. Europe seeks to promote respect for human rights and religious minorities in Turkey and Central Asia, but is silent with regards China. The embarrassing campaigns for "new rights" (homosexual unions, reproductive health, etc. ..). Perhaps this award (also) seeks to garner support for Barack Obama.
Rome (AsiaNews) - The Nobel Peace Prize awarded today to the European Union is perhaps only half deserved given the many areas of shadow as well as of light in the history of the EU.
The head of the Nobel Committee, Thorbørn Jagland said the award was being given to the EU because of its helping to "transform most of Europe as a continent of war in a continent of peace." The honor falls at a time when many sections of the European population are concerned by the economic choices of their leaders, slaves of Europe's economic iron fist.
Jagland was quick to point out that the award is also being given because the EU has contributed to "six decades of advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe."
But even for this, perhaps we should remember and beat our breasts for Euorpe's immobility and then slowness to move on the massacres in Bosnia, or the superficiality with which it intervened in Kosovo. What's more, we should remember the embarrassing EU attitude - at least for us Catholics and people of good will - in launching its "anti-discrimination" campaign in defense of de facto unions, reproductive health rights (which often also imply abortion); accusing the Vatican of "discrimination" over women priests, monastic vocations suspected of being forms of "brainwashing."
Of course, the staff and leadership of the EU is overjoyed by this recognition. EU Commission President Manuel Barroso, said that it "is justified recognition for a unique project that works forthe benefit of its citizens and the benefit of the world." It is also true that the political and economic relations of the EU with the rest of the world spread sensitivity on human rights and religious freedom. Work on the sidelines with Turkey, to push it to respect religious minorities, as a condition for its entry into the EU, has often been appreciated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The commitment of Europe to Central Asia also demands recognition, where demand for post-communist leaders to respect human rights and opposition views, with these improvements affecting economic relations. At the same time, however, we also have to mention the timidity with which these "conditions" are demanded of the Chinese giant, which continues unabated to arrest Tibetan monks and Catholic bishops, pro-democracy dissidents and artists. It must also be said that the EU's list of human rights, goes much further that the UN Charter, to include those "rights" of medicine and reproductive health, the result of ideological and anti-religious choices.
Somehow, this Nobel Prize for Peace is as controversial as the one awarded to Barack Obama three years ago, assigned to him on his "intention" to do something for the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian problem: an intention which was not followed by any action, indeed, arriving at a boycott of the recognition of Palestine as a UN member.
Perhaps the Nobel Prize this year is for Obama. After all, his competitor, Mitt Romney, has promised a tough stance toward Beijing and more interventionism in the Middle East. But this is not the policy desired by the EU. Could exalting the way the EU works "for peace" be just another way to suggest: "Vote Obama?".
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
by Bernardo Cervellera
The Oslo Committee has decided to award the Peace Prize to the EU, for achieving 60 years of peace on the continent. But they have forgotten Bosnia and Kosovo. Europe seeks to promote respect for human rights and religious minorities in Turkey and Central Asia, but is silent with regards China. The embarrassing campaigns for "new rights" (homosexual unions, reproductive health, etc. ..). Perhaps this award (also) seeks to garner support for Barack Obama.
Rome (AsiaNews) - The Nobel Peace Prize awarded today to the European Union is perhaps only half deserved given the many areas of shadow as well as of light in the history of the EU.
The head of the Nobel Committee, Thorbørn Jagland said the award was being given to the EU because of its helping to "transform most of Europe as a continent of war in a continent of peace." The honor falls at a time when many sections of the European population are concerned by the economic choices of their leaders, slaves of Europe's economic iron fist.
Jagland was quick to point out that the award is also being given because the EU has contributed to "six decades of advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe."
But even for this, perhaps we should remember and beat our breasts for Euorpe's immobility and then slowness to move on the massacres in Bosnia, or the superficiality with which it intervened in Kosovo. What's more, we should remember the embarrassing EU attitude - at least for us Catholics and people of good will - in launching its "anti-discrimination" campaign in defense of de facto unions, reproductive health rights (which often also imply abortion); accusing the Vatican of "discrimination" over women priests, monastic vocations suspected of being forms of "brainwashing."
Of course, the staff and leadership of the EU is overjoyed by this recognition. EU Commission President Manuel Barroso, said that it "is justified recognition for a unique project that works forthe benefit of its citizens and the benefit of the world." It is also true that the political and economic relations of the EU with the rest of the world spread sensitivity on human rights and religious freedom. Work on the sidelines with Turkey, to push it to respect religious minorities, as a condition for its entry into the EU, has often been appreciated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The commitment of Europe to Central Asia also demands recognition, where demand for post-communist leaders to respect human rights and opposition views, with these improvements affecting economic relations. At the same time, however, we also have to mention the timidity with which these "conditions" are demanded of the Chinese giant, which continues unabated to arrest Tibetan monks and Catholic bishops, pro-democracy dissidents and artists. It must also be said that the EU's list of human rights, goes much further that the UN Charter, to include those "rights" of medicine and reproductive health, the result of ideological and anti-religious choices.
Somehow, this Nobel Prize for Peace is as controversial as the one awarded to Barack Obama three years ago, assigned to him on his "intention" to do something for the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian problem: an intention which was not followed by any action, indeed, arriving at a boycott of the recognition of Palestine as a UN member.
Perhaps the Nobel Prize this year is for Obama. After all, his competitor, Mitt Romney, has promised a tough stance toward Beijing and more interventionism in the Middle East. But this is not the policy desired by the EU. Could exalting the way the EU works "for peace" be just another way to suggest: "Vote Obama?".
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
AFRICA : CHAD : BISHOP EXPELLED - DUE TO HOMILY
Agenzia Fides REPORT - "There is an openness to dialogue on behalf of the government to resolve Mgr. Russo’s situation in a positive way" sources of the local church in N'Djamena, capital of Chad, say to Fides where local authorities have announced the expulsion of Mgr.Michele Russo, Bishop of Doba, because during a homily he had criticized the management of oil revenues in the Country denouncing an unfair distribution. Mgr. Russo is a missionary Bishop, Combonian, of Italian nationality.
"Mgr. Russo’s homily was broadcast by a local radio station, but in the translation from the French to the Ngambay language it gave a translation which does not perfectly comply with the Bishop’s words, using words that Mgr. Russo did not use" say our sources that conclude hoping for "the continuation of good relations between Church and State." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2012)
"Mgr. Russo’s homily was broadcast by a local radio station, but in the translation from the French to the Ngambay language it gave a translation which does not perfectly comply with the Bishop’s words, using words that Mgr. Russo did not use" say our sources that conclude hoping for "the continuation of good relations between Church and State." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2012)
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SUNDAY OCT. 14, 2012
Oct 14, 2012 - 28th Sun Ordinary Time
Your generosity will help to keepSUNDAY MASS on the
| Wisdom 7: 7 - 11 | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. | ||||||||||||||
| 9 | Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. | ||||||||||||||
| 10 | I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases. | ||||||||||||||
| 11 | All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth.
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air!
TODAY'S SAINT: OCT. 14: ST. CALLISTUS
St. Callistus I
POPE
Feast: October 14
Information:
Feast Day:
October 14
Died:
223
Patron of:
cemetery workers
The name of St. Callistus is rendered famous by the ancient cemetery which he beautified, and which, for the great number of holy martyrs whose bodies were there deposited, was the most celebrated of all those about Rome. He was a Roman by birth, succeeded St. Zephirin in the pontificate in 217 or 218, on the 2nd of August, and governed the church five years and two months, according to the true reading of the most ancient Pontifical, compiled from the registers of the Roman Church, as Henschenius, Papebroke, and Moret show, though Tillemont and Orsi give him only four years and some months. Antoninus Caracalla, who had been liberal to his soldiers, but the most barbarous murderer and oppressor of the people, having been massacred by a conspiracy raised by the contrivance of Macrinus, on the 8th of April 217, who assumed the purple, the empire was threatened on every side with commotions. Macrinus bestowed on infamous pleasures at Antioch that time which he owed to his own safety and to the tranquillity of the state, and gave an opportunity to a woman to overturn his empire. This was Julia Moesa, sister to Caracalla's mother, who had two daughters, Sohemis and Julia Mammaea. The latter was mother of Alexander Severus, the former of Bassianus, who being priest of the sun, called by the Syrians Elagabel, Emesa, in Phoenicia, was surnamed Heliogabalus. Moesa, being rich and liberal, prevailed for money with the army in Syria to proclaim him emperor; and Macrinus, quitting Antioch, was defeated and slain in Bithynia in 219, after he had reigned a year and two months, wanting three days. Heliogabalus, for his unnatural lusts, enormous prodigality and gluttony, and mad pride and vanity, was one of the most filthy monsters and detestable tyrants that Rome ever produced. He reigned only three years, nine months, and four days, being assassinated on the 11th of March 222 by the soldiers, together with his mother and favorites. His cousin—German and successor, Alexander, surnamed Severus, was for his clemency, modesty, sweetness, and prudence one of the best of princes. He discharged the officers of his predecessor, reduced the soldiers to their duty, and kept them in awe by regular pay. He had in his private chapel the images of Christ, Abraham, Apollonius of Tyana, and Orpheus, and learned of his mother, Mamma a, to have a great esteem for the Christians. It reflects great honour on our pope that this wise emperor used always to admire with what caution and solicitude the choice was made of persons that were promoted to the priesthood among the Christians, whose example he often proposed to his officers and to the people, to be imitated in the election of civil magistrates. It was in his peaceable reign that the Christians first began to build churches, which were demolished in the succeeding persecution. Lampridius, this emperor's historian, tells us that a certain idolater, putting in a claim to an oratory of the Christians which he wanted to make an eating-house of, the emperor adjudged the house to the Bishop of Rome, saying it were better it should serve in any kind to the divine worship than to gluttony, in being made a cook's shop.
To the debaucheries of Heliogabalus St. Callistus opposed fasting and tears, and he every way promoted exceedingly true religion and virtue. His apostolic labours were recompensed with the crown of martyrdom on the 12th of October 222. His feast is marked on this day in the ancient Martyrology of Lucca. The Liberian Calendar places him in the list of martyrs, and testifies that he was buried on the 14th of this month in the cemetery of Calepodius, on the Aurelian Way, three miles from Rome. The pontificals ascribe to him a decree appointing the four fasts called Ember-days; which is confirmed by ancient Sacramentaries, and other monuments quoted by Moretti. He also decreed that ordinations should be held in each of the Ember-weeks. He founded the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary beyond the Tiber. In the Calendar published by Fronto le Duc he is styled a confessor, but we find other martyrs sometimes called confessors. If St. Callistus was thrown into a pit, as his acts relate, it seems probable that he was put to death in some popular tumult. Dion mentions several such commotions under this prince, in one of which the praetorian guards murdered Ulpian, their own prefect. Pope Paul I and his successors, seeing the cemeteries without walls, and neglected after the devastations of the barbarians, withdrew from thence the bodies of the most illustrious martyrs, and had them carried to the principal churches of the city. Those of SS. Callistus and Calepodius were translated to the Church of St. Mary beyond the Tiber. Count Everard, lord of Cisoin or Chisoing, four leagues from Tournay, obtained of Leo IV, about the year 854, the body of St. Callistus, pope and martyr, which he placed in the-abbey of Canon Regulars which he had founded at Cisoin fourteen years before; the church of which place was on this account dedicated in honour of St. Callistus. These circumstances are mentioned by Fulco, Archbishop of Rheims, in a letter which he wrote to Pope Formosus in 890. The relics were removed soon after to Rheims for fear of the Normans, and never restored to the abbey of Cisoin. They remain behind the altar of our Lady at Rheims. Some of the relics, however, of this pope are kept with those of St. Calepodius, martyr, in the Church of St. Mary Trastevere at Rome. A portion was formerly possessed at Glastonbury.
Among the sacred edifices which upon the first transient glimpse of favour, or at least tranquillity, that the church enjoyed at Rome, this holy pope erected, the most celebrated was the cemetery which he enlarged and adorned on the Appian Road, the entrance of which is at St. Sebastian's, a monastery founded by Nicholas I, now inhabited by reformed Cistercian monks. In it the bodies of SS. Peter and Paul lay for some time, according to Anastasius, who says that the devout Lady Lucina buried St. Cornelius in her own farm near this place; whence it for some time took her name, though she is not to be confounded with Lucina who buried St. Paul's body on the Ostian Way and built a famous cemetery on the Aurelian Way. Among many thousand martyrs deposited in this place were St. Sebastian, whom the Lady Lucina interred, St. Cecily, and several whose tombs Pope Damasus adorned with verses.
In the assured faith of the resurrection of the flesh, the saints, in all ages down from Adam, were careful to treat their dead with religious respect, and to give them a modest and decent burial. The commendations which our Lord bestowed on the woman who poured precious ointments upon him a little before his death, and the devotion of those pious persons who took so much care of our Lord's funeral, recommended this office of charity; and the practice of the primitive Christians in this respect was most remarkable. Their care of their dead consisted not in any extravagant pomp, in which the pagans far outdid them,[8] but in a modest religious gravity and respect which was most pathetically expressive of their firm hope of a future resurrection, in which they regarded the mortal remains of their dead as precious in the eyes of God, who watches over them, regarding them as the apple of his eye, to be raised one day in the brightest glory, and made shining lustres in the heavenly Jerusalem.
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