SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dominican Sister Mary Gianini, OP, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at St. John’s Hospital in the 66th year of her religious profession. Known for a time as Sister M. Mystica, she was born in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1930, to Philip and Rosa (Aguzzi) Gianini. She joined the Dominicans in 1954 and professed her vows in 1955 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Illinois.
Sister Mary taught first and second grade children for 36 years, preparing them for the sacraments. In Illinois, she taught at parochial schools in Granite City, Evergreen Park, Odell, Bethalto, Chicago, Springfield and Jacksonville. Sister Mary also taught grades 1-2 in Brawley, California, and served a year each at the religious education centers in Hillsboro and Arcola, Illinois. For a dozen years after leaving classroom teaching, she provided hospitality for visitors to Benincasa Renewal Center, Riverton, and later at Siena Hall in Springfield.
Proud of her Italian heritage and her Mississippi roots, Sister Mary often spent summers assisting in the medical records department at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, allowing her time with her sister Ann (Jack) Mellott in Columbus, Mississippi and brother Gus Gianini, Cleveland, Mississippi, both survive her. She is also survived by three nieces; three nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Sister Mary’s funeral Mass was held on Oct. 11, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, as celebrant. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery.
Mass and graveside services can be viewed at https://springfieldop.org/sister-mary-gianini-op/.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Mary may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
JACKSON – The Lay Carmelites of Jackson participated in their annual retreat at the Visitation Monastery in Mobile, Alabama from Oct. 1-3, 2021. The Mobile Community of Lay Carmelites (aka “Carmelite Seculars”) were the hosts of this silent retreat. They were well-represented along with Carmelite Seculars from the Gulf Coast area and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They all belong to the Order of Discalced Carmelites Seculars (OCDS).
Father Stephen Sanchez, OCD, a Discalced Carmelite priest led spirited conferences on the theology of St. John of the Cross, with emphasis on his minor works. Particular attention was given to St. John’s practical admonitions that could be used to avoid the snares of the world, the flesh and the devil. Retreatants also attended daily Mass, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, had Exposition/Benediction, participated daily in the Liturgy of the Hours and gathered for meals. There was also time for silent prayer and reflection.
MOBILE – Carmelite Secular Aspirants and their Formators with Father Stephen Sanchez, OCD after being clothed in ceremonial brown scapulars. Front, left to right: Billy Yost of Mobile, Jill Therese Hisaw of Jackson, and Tom and Deirdre Head of Jackson. Back, left to right: Robert Gareri (formation director, Mobile) and Anita DeRouen (formation director, Jackson). Blocked from view are Gena Middleton and Kathleen Williams both of Fort Walton Beach. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley, OCDS)
Three Jackson members, Jill Hisaw (St. Therese) and Deirdre and Tom Head (Christ the King) completed their Aspirancy period and were clothed in the large ceremonial Brown Scapular of the Order during evening prayer on Saturday of the retreat, thus advancing to a period of deeper commitment and formation. During Mass on Sunday, one Jackson member, Elmina Johnson, OCDS (Holy Ghost) made her Definitive Promise to the Superiors of the Order of the Teresian Carmel and the local community. Her Promise was entrusted to the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel.
Discalced Carmelite Seculars are members of the Carmelite family of the 16th-century reform of St. Teresa of Avila. These followers are present in the modern world as friars, enclosed nuns and seculars. These lay, third order, seculars come from all walks of life, from every level of education and from every type of work. They are Catholic lay men and women over the age of 18 (married or unmarried) or they can be ordained diocesan priests or deacons. They gather in canonically erected communities monthly for study, prayer, formation and community bonding under the guidance and leadership of the Order.
The local Jackson community, St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux Discalced Carmelite Seculars was founded by Father Josiah Chatham in 1952. It became dormant in 1969 but was revived in 1997 and has met continuously ever since. They have a fraternal and supportive relationship with the Discalced Carmelite nuns of Jackson and often participate together in praying Novenas particularly leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The two groups support each other in prayer and celebrate major Carmelite Feast Days together. The three Branches of Carmel, priests, nuns and seculars, are of the same Order with the same Holy Mother Foundress, St. Teresa of Avila. The monthly meetings for the remainder of the year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at St. Jude Parish Hall in Pearl at 10:15 a.m. The Jackson community has 20 members from various parishes throughout the diocese including one diocesan priest and one member who lives outside of our diocese.
Those who may be interested in learning more about the vocation of an OCDS are welcome to visit the monthly meetings as part of their discernment. For more information, please contact Dorothy Ashley, OCDS, President at (601) 259-0885 or carmelite57@yahoo.com.
RIPLEY – On Sunday, Oct. 10, at a 1:30 in the afternoon bilingual Mass, Sister Carol Ann Prenger, School Sister of Notre Dame, celebrated 50 years of vowed life with the parish community where she serves as Lay Ecclesial Minister in Ripley, Mississippi. Parishioners from the St. Matthew Parish community had prepared for the liturgy with special music and decorations.
Sister Jane Wand, who lives in community with Carol Ann, as well as Sisters, Roseanne Mock from Ellington, Missouri, and Kathryn Frank and Sandra Helton from Montgomery, Alabama joined in celebration.
Father Jesuraj Xavier, sacramental minister for the parish was the celebrant, joined by Father Tim Murphy, dean of the northeast deanery.
Father “Raja” had invited Sister Carol Ann to speak to the congregation, sharing a commentary on the Sunday readings and applying them to her own life and to that of School Sisters of Notre Dame.
After Carol Ann spoke, the four other Sisters shared briefly some of their story or meaning of religious life. Then all five Sisters renewed their vows and sung the familiar “Receive me as You have promised, that I may live. Disappoint me not in my hope.”
Following the celebratory Mass of thanksgiving, the congregation was invited to the parish hall to view a display of photos and articles of Carol Ann’s and SSND life and to take any of the SSND vocation resources that were displayed.
The St. Matthew parish community congratulated Sister Carol Ann and shared a delicious potluck meal, conversation and fellowship. Gratitude and praise was given that day for the gift of sharing in the parish of St. Matthew, in Tippah County and the Diocese of Jackson. Mutual support will continue between parishioners and their Lay Ecclesial Minister. The work has not ended for anyone, and the struggles of spirit, service and education will continue.
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – As part of the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis, the U.S. Catholic Church’s annual Respect Life Month celebration in October “highlights the example of that great saint” as protector of life, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee.
“As the faithful protector of both Jesus and Mary,” St. Joseph is “a profound reminder of our own call to welcome, safeguard and defend God’s precious gift of human life,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas. “Despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mary’s pregnancy, St. Joseph took her into his home at the word of the angel,” and like the saint, “we are also called to care for those God has entrusted to us – especially vulnerable mothers and children,” the archbishop said.
The prelate, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, made the comments in a Sept. 27 statement.
During October, Respect Life Sunday is observed on the first Sunday of the month, which this year is Oct. 3. To join in prayer for the intercession of St. Joseph, defender of life, visit www.respectlife.org/prayer-to-st-joseph. Various resources for celebrating Respect for Life Month – including dozens of articles, prayer cards, prayers for life, a toolkit for parish pro-life leaders, homily helps and other resources can be found online at https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month.
As the Holy Family’s protector, St. Joseph “guided their journey to Bethlehem, found shelter and welcomed the infant Jesus as his son,” Archbishop Naumann said. “When Herod threatened the life of the Christ Child, St. Joseph left his homeland behind and fled with Jesus and Mary to Egypt.”
This is the poster for Respect Life Month 2021 observed in October by the U.S. Catholic Church. As part of the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis, this years celebration “highlights the example of that great saint,” said a Sept. 27 statement from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Oct. 3 is Respect Life Sunday. (CNS photo/courtesy RespectLife.org)
“We can follow in the footsteps of St. Joseph as protector by advocating against taxpayer-funded abortion, which targets the lives of millions of poor children and their mothers here in the United States,” he continued. “We can imitate his care and provision by helping to start Walking with Moms in Need at our parishes, ‘walking in the shoes’ of mothers experiencing a difficult pregnancy, especially low-income mothers in our communities,” he said.
In March 2020, the USCCB’s pro-life committee asked all U.S. Catholic bishops to invite the parishes in their dioceses to join a nationwide effort called “Walking With Moms in Need: A Year of Service,” which began March 25 of that year.
But “like everything else, the roll out of Walking with Moms in Need was dramatically impacted by COVID-19,” Archbishop Naumann noted in a Sept. 21 address to a Nebraska pro-life conference.
He said the pro-life committee “is renewing our efforts to encourage every diocese and parish to implement the Walking with Moms in Need process.”
Walking with Moms in Need asks every diocese and parish to make an assessment of the resources available to assist mothers experiencing a difficult pregnancy.
The program seeks to identify gaps in available services and then encourage dioceses and parishes to find ways to fill those gaps. Walking with Moms in Need also includes efforts to communicate better available resources and to encourage every Catholic to support Pregnancy Resource Centers.
The program has its own website, www.walkingwithmoms.com, with resources, outreach tools and models to assist parishes in this effort.
Also, Archbishop Naumann in his Sept. 27 statement urged Catholics to learn more about preventing taxpayer-funded abortion by visiting www.notaxpayerabortion.com.
“At times, we may feel uncertain of our ability to answer the Lord’s call. But he invites us to faithfully respond, despite our own fears or weaknesses: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor 12:9),” the archbishop said.
“May we imitate St. Joseph’s faithful trust and courage as we work to uphold the dignity of every human life,” he added. “St. Joseph, defender of life, pray for us!”
By Berta Mexidor JACKSON – Two mothers’ experiences and teachings were at the center of the National Migration Week celebration at St. James Tupelo, on Thursday, Sept. 24. Mrs. Oyafemi taught her little child that when someone asks where you are from? you must answer: ”I am a citizen from heaven.” And 6,375 miles and 25 years away from Nigeria, a mother in Mexico, escaped to the United States from an abusive husband in Mexico with a little girl, hidden from her, for years, her true citizenship situation.
With the moderation of Fran Lavelle, diocesan director of Faith Formation, a panel of different speakers exposed their interactions and experiences as migrants and refugees that included Father Clem Oya, coordinator of Intercultural Ministry, child of the Nigerian mother who made him fall in love with the teachings of the Bible; and Guadalupe Meyer, the little girl who came to the US without a visa, standing today as a DACA recipient, only because her mother’s intuition, and in her desperation, told her “you are a citizen of heaven.”
For at least fifty years the Catholic Church in the United States has been celebrating and recognizing the increasing population of immigrants, victims and survivors of human trafficking and refugees, not only in the country but worldwide to educate Catholics about the reality of people forced by circumstances to abandon their natal countries to start a new life in a new land and culture.
TUPELO – DACA is a program that aids children and young adults to establish legal status in the only country they know – the US. (Left to right) Guadalupe Meyer, a Ph.D. candidate at Tulane University and DACA holder, answered questions about her family ordeal, as Fran Lavalle, director of Faith Formation Department for the diocese, moderated the questions from the audience at St. James parish on Sept. 24 for National Migration Week. (Photos by Berta Mexidor)
The celebration of National Migration Week (NMW) was the venue for community lectures, parish encounters and national speakers to highlight the struggles and accomplishments of migrants and refugees; as well as, the Catholic programs assisting them during their transition and establishment in the different communities receiving them. This year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) celebrated NMW from Sept. 20-26 to coincide with the Vatican’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees, celebrated each year on the last Sunday of September. This year’s theme for NMW was “Towards an Ever Wider ‘We.’”
In his letter to announce this year’s theme, Pope Francis emphasizes that “this approach calls on us to ensure that “after all this, we no longer think in terms of ‘them’ and ‘those,’ but only of ‘us.’ (Fratelli Tutti, no. 35) And this universal ‘we’ must become a reality, first of all within the church that is called to cultivate communion in diversity.”
During NMW, every year, each diocese creates a different activity that includes prayers, education and actions of solidarity toward immigrants and refugees. The Diocese of Jackson is among them, celebrating the diversity that migrants bring to the Catholic Church in a state where Catholics are a minority religious group; and where Catholic Charities assists not only to Catholics but also, the state’s underserved population, including migrants and refugees, without looking to their religious affiliation.
TUPELO – A light of hope in the north For the high percentage of Hispanics settled in deanery five, the passionate leadership of Father Tim Murphy at St. James and Danna Johnson, of Catholic Charities in the area, makes a huge difference. For a number of years, they have hosted national and local speakers, and exponents of the hard work of migrants, while promoting a welcoming culture to the foreigners.
This year at St. James, the audience of mainly English speakers had the opportunity to exchange conversation with Father Clem; Guadalupe Meyer, activist for migrants; Josh Blackmon, a young businessman; and attorney Brad Prewitt, vice president of Circadence, a cybersecurity company.
Before the session, Father Tim directed a reading of the prayer to Sister Thea Bowman, Servant of God, and promoter of intercultural understanding, who “in times of intolerance and ignorance, I bring wisdom, conscience, unity and charity.”
At the end of the meeting, two folk dances highlighted Hispanic heritage, which the parish celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 19.
VARDAMAN – (Above right) Rev. Nida Pittman prayed for a small but ecumenical audience, after a conversation with Father Clem Oya, diocesan director of Intercultural Ministry and Guadalupe Meyer, a DACA dreamer. (Above left to right) Peggy Skinner, Sheila Freely, Glenda Donogh, and Rev. Annie Douglas, along with Margaret Beckely (not pictured) welcomed the visitors into the Catholic Charities community center on Sept. 25 for National Migration Week.
VARDAMAN – Sweet potatoes, from their field to your heart Proud of their land, traditions and hospitality, religious and community leaders gathered on the morning of Sept. 25 at the Vardaman Catholic Charities Center for NMW.
Father Clem spoke to the audience in Vardaman about the Pope’s ideas and declarations about migrants and refugees, and about the struggles of children brought to the country by their parents, without documents. The dreamers, represented by Guadalupe Meyer, explained the dilemma of young people like herself who feel that the US is their own country because they have never known another one, and how it feels like a national-foreigner contradiction. The board of Catholic Charities Vardaman with the leadership of Danna Johnson has worked to highlight the silent and tenacious work of the migrants, who are responsible for putting sweet potatoes on the table of Mississippians and those nationwide.
Vardaman is attracting migrants in search of jobs and survival. The locals see migrants come and go and make an effort to understand the phenomenon and how some foreigners feel. They both share the same love for the fields and people in Vardaman.
Migration Week – Partnership and Education The Catholic Charities’ Migrant Support Center in Mississippi has been the main coordinator each year during NMW, offering conferences, free legal clinics, and a space for prayer and understanding. The Support Center, as well as priests, sisters, brothers, parish staff, and community leaders in the diocese work with the mission to receive Jesus in the face of every foreigner they assist in the new land of hope and freedom.
For more information about the USCCB migrants’ programs, visit https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/.
(Berta Mexidor, originally of Cuba, is a photo-reporter contributor of Mississippi Catholic, and editor of Mississippi Católico for the Diocese of Jackson.)
JACKSON – On Sunday, Oct. 24, at the 10:30 Mass in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle, Bishop Joseph Kopacz will officially open the diocesan phase of the church’s preparation for a universal synod on the synodal process in 2023. In the Mass, Bishop Kopacz will offer prayers for the diocesan church as we undertake this important aspect of church life on the local level.
More information on the preparations for the synod is shared in this week’s paper and will be shared as the process moves forward. This is an exciting time for our church.
Bishop R.O. Gerow, seventh bishop of the diocese, sits surrounded by his clergy for a 1935 Synod held in Bay St. Louis at St. Augustine Seminary on July 9. (Photos from archives)
From an archive’s perspective, synods have been held in our diocese dating back to 1858. Bishop William Henry Elder called the First Synod of Natchez to gather his priests together to discuss diocesan life and business. In 1856 the Archdiocese of New Orleans had hosted a synod for the province, which included our diocese. Decrees, including the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, rules for the election of bishops, and several disciplinary items, were promulgated from that synod. Bishop Elder called the 1858 local synod in Natchez to discern those decrees and discuss in collegial fashion how to implement them in the diocese.
Nowadays we get information immediately; in the mid-19th century news travelled much more slowly. It is not unusual that it took two years to discuss these decrees and how they will affect the growing church in Mississippi.
The 10th and last official diocesan synod was held in 1957. This synod took up some very weighty topics such as the teaching authority of the church, the Sacraments, Christian education for children, and the administration of church property.
After each synod, a book was published of the decrees and decisions. In the 1957 book we find some great paragraphs on the sacraments and sacred things. These quotes will sound familiar to many of us.
Paragraph 96 states: “The Sacraments should be administered with dignity and decorum and in accordance with the regulations of the church. The rubrics shall be carefully studied and scrupulously observed.”
Paragraph 100 is most important to an archivist and chancellor: “Great care should be taken that records of Sacraments administered be plainly legible. All names of recipients should be written in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS. Ink to be used must be of a permanent type.”
Bishop William Henry Elder called the First Synod of Natchez to gather his priests together to discuss diocesan life and business.
Paragraph 211 is most informative: “The music for all church services shall be that found in approved liturgical books and only hymns which have been approved by recognized authorities in church music shall be used.”
Those are a few of the 261 statements coming forth from the 1957 synod. The 10 synods in our history were clergy attended. Diocesan convocations grew out of the synods. These convocations up until COVID met every two years and in recent years had included parish leadership other than just priests.
The themes for the 2023 worldwide synod are: Communion, Participation and Mission. It will involve listening sessions with local parishioners around the world on these powerful foundations of our faith. Our diocese will participate in this process as stated above.
Stayed tuned to how you can be a part of this historic and spiritual process in our church.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)
FLOWOOD – On Oct. 2, Father Nick Adam was pleased to present diocesan seminarians at the 2nd annual Homegrown Harvest Seminarian Fest at St. Paul parish. The event raised funds with sponsorships, dinner, a tailgate party and a silent auction for the seminarian program. Pictured left to right: Grayson Foley, Will Foggo, Ryan Stoer, Tristan Stovall, Carlisle Beggerly and Father Nick Adam. Not pictured was Deacon Andrew Bowden who was tied up serving wine at the event. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON – The leaders of three U.S. Catholic organizations hope to have a million people pray and promote the daily rosary during the month of October for “the end to legal abortion in America and an outpouring of support for expectant mothers,” according to their announcement on the joint effort.
The three leaders – Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN; Father Francis J. Hoffman, CEO of Relevant Radio; and Tim Busch, CEO of Napa Institute – launched the joint effort on their organization’s respective websites.
In the U.S. Catholic Church, October is observed as Respect Life Month and the first Sunday of the month is Respect Life Sunday, which this year was Oct. 3.
In addition, the month of October each year is dedicated to the rosary. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated Oct. 7.
JACKSON – The sisters at the Carmelite Monastery in South Jackson pray the Sorrowful Mysteries on Friday, June 11, 2021 for the Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
“With the Supreme Court of the United States taking up the Dobbs case in December that could lead to overturning Roe v. Wade, the justices will need the grace of wisdom and courage to confront the issues honestly,” said the announcement from Warsaw, Father Hoffman and Busch.
On Dec. 1, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in an appeal from Mississippi to keep its ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and supporters of the law are urging the court to reexamine its previous abortion rulings, including 1973’s Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion nationwide.
The CEOs said they hope many other Catholic organizations “will join this effort by praying and promoting the daily rosary in October for this intention, and thus mobilize millions of Americans in prayer.”
This year’s Respect Life Month, promoted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, highlights the example of St. Joseph as part of the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis.
“As the faithful protector of both Jesus and Mary,” St. Joseph is “a profound reminder of our own call to welcome, safeguard and defend God’s precious gift of human life,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who is chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
P. He asistido a una iglesia católica cercana durante más de 20 años. Pero ahora he estado conduciendo 40 minutos a otra parroquia debido a cambios para restaurar “viejas tradiciones” en mi parroquia local.
Uno de ellos es la recitación común de la oración a San Miguel Arcángel inmediatamente después de la Misa. Me parece inapropiado hablar de San Miguel y Satanás justo después de que se nos haya encomendado “ir en paz para amar y servir al Señor”. En mi antigua parroquia, me sentí rehén de una pequeña minoría que trató de controlar mis pensamientos y sentimientos posteriores a la Misa en lugar de dejarme salir de la Misa con la alegría de la Eucaristía. (Iowa)
R. La oración a San Miguel fue parte de un grupo de oraciones llamadas oraciones leoninas que se decían en las iglesias católicas después de la misa desde 1884 hasta 1965. Fueron introducidas originalmente por el Papa León XIII y surgieron de una visión que supuestamente tuvo de Satanás. queriendo destruir la iglesia.
La intención por la que se dijeron las oraciones cambió con el tiempo. Originalmente se ofrecieron por la soberanía temporal de la Santa Sede, pero luego comenzaron a decirse por la conversión de Rusia.
Durante el Concilio Vaticano II, una instrucción del Vaticano que implementa la Constitución sobre la Sagrada Liturgia decretó que las oraciones leoninas se suprimieron y dejarían de usarse. Pero la recitación de la oración a San Miguel ha “vuelto”, y varias parroquias ahora están recitando esa oración después de la Misa.
No ha habido una declaración oficial de la iglesia de que esta oración deba resucitar; si su parroquia lo está usando, lo más probable es que sea una determinación del párroco local, aunque podría ser simplemente la elección de un grupo de feligreses que hayan decidido orar juntos después de la misa.
San Miguel Arcángel,
defiéndenos en la lucha.
Sé nuestro amparo contra la perversidad y acechanzas del demonio.
Que Dios manifieste sobre él su poder, es nuestra humilde súplica. Y tú, oh Príncipe de la Milicia Celestial,
con el poder que Dios te ha conferido,
arroja al infierno a Satanás,
y a los demás espíritus malignos que vagan por el mundo
para la perdición de las almas. Amén.
Oración a San Miguel Arcángel creada por el Papa León XIII)
En cualquier caso, es posible que desee hablar con el párroco de su antigua parroquia para hacerle saber su malestar con esta oración en particular y el hecho de que parece atenuar la alegría con la que debería estar al salir de la Misa.
P. A nuestra clase de religión de séptimo grado le gustaría saber por qué tenemos que esperar hasta la escuela secundaria para recibir el sacramento de la confirmación. Creemos que estamos listos para recibir el don del Espíritu Santo cuando estemos en octavo grado, lo que completaría el proceso de iniciación en nuestra comunidad católica. (Albany, Nueva York)
R. La edad a la que se administra la confirmación varía en los Estados Unidos y la elección la hace el obispo local. El Código de Derecho Canónico de la iglesia dice: “El sacramento de la confirmación debe conferirse a los fieles aproximadamente a la edad de discreción, a menos que la conferencia de obispos haya determinado otra edad” (núm. 891).
En 2000, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos decretó que la confirmación debería administrarse “entre la edad de discreción y alrededor de los 16 años, dentro de los límites determinados por el obispo diocesano”.
En varias diócesis de Estados Unidos la confirmación ahora se confiere a los niños de 7 a 8 años de edad; sólo después de ser bautizados y confirmados, estos niños reciben la primera Comunión. Es evidente que su propio obispo siente que los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria son los más capaces de comprender lo que significa la Santa Cena y cómo debe guiar el futuro de una persona en la comunidad católica. Si siente, como algunos lo hacen, que el octavo grado es el momento más estratégico y menos confuso para que se lleve a cabo ese proceso de pensamiento, debe expresar sus sentimientos a su obispo.
Una mujer reza con un rosario en el santuario mariano en Knock, Irlanda, el 10 de octubre de 2021. (Foto del CNS / Cillian Kelly)
WASHINGTON – Los líderes de tres organizaciones católicas estadounidenses esperan que un millón de personas recen y promuevan el rosario diario durante el mes de octubre por “el fin del aborto legal en Estados Unidos y apoyo para las mujeres embarazadas”, según su anuncio en el esfuerzo conjunto.
Los tres líderes: Michael Warsaw, director ejecutivo de EWTN; El padre Francis J. Hoffman, director ejecutivo de Relevant Radio; y Tim Busch, director ejecutivo de Napa Institute, lanzaron el esfuerzo conjunto en los respectivos sitios web de sus organizaciónes.
En la Iglesia Católica de EE. UU., octubre se observa como el Mes del Respeto a la Vida y el primer domingo del mes es el Domingo del Respeto a la Vida, que este año es el 3 de octubre. Además, el mes de octubre de cada año está dedicado al rosario. La fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario se celebra el 7 de octubre. “Con la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos asumiendo el caso Dobbs en diciembre que podría conducir a la revocación de Roe v. Wade, los jueces necesitarán la gracia de la sabiduría y el coraje para enfrentar los problemas con honestidad,” dijo el anuncio de Warsaw, Busch y el padre Hoffman.
JACKSON – Las hermanas del Monasterio de la Orden de las Carmelitas, en South Jackson, rezan los Misterios Dolorosos para el Relevo Mundial Anual del Rosario del Sacerdote, en foto de archivo del viernes 11 de junio de 2021. (Foto de Tereza Ma)
El 1 de diciembre, la Corte Suprema escuchará los argumentos orales en una apelación de Mississippi para mantener la prohibición de los abortos después de las 15 semanas de embarazo, y los partidarios de la ley instan a la corte a que vuelva a examinar sus fallos anteriores sobre abortos, incluido Roe v. Sentencia de Wade que legaliza el aborto en todo el país. Los directores ejecutivos dijeron que esperan que muchas otras organizaciones católicas “se unan a este esfuerzo rezando y promoviendo el rosario diario en octubre por esta intención, y así movilizar a millones de estadounidenses en oración.”
El Mes del Respeto a la Vida de este año, promovido por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, destaca el ejemplo de San José como parte del Año de San José declarado por el Papa Francisco. “Como el fiel protector tanto de Jesús como de María”, San José es “un recordatorio profundo de nuestro propio llamado a dar la bienvenida, salvaguardar y defender el precioso regalo de Dios de la vida humana”, dijo el arzobispo Joseph F. Naumann de Kansas City, Kansas. quien es presidente del Comité de Actividades Pro-Vida de la USCCB.
(Nota del editor: para obtener más información sobre el esfuerzo para que un millón de personas recen el rosario, visite EWTN.com, RelevantRadio.com y Napa-Institute.org. Se pueden encontrar varios recursos para celebrar el Mes del Respeto por la Vida en línea en https : //www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month.)
