I recall my grandfather say once, “the more someone speaks the more likely he or she will say something dumb.” I agree with him. It is always better to listen more and to speak less. Unfortunately today in society everyone speaks, but not many listen. The number of outlets to express opinions has rapidly multiplied in the last few decades – I venture to say that the internet has so much information that several lifetimes would not be enough to... Read more
We arrived to the village of Kagano in western Rwanda after a long journey from the capital of Kigali. It had been a lengthy day of traveling first to the District Office of Nyabihu for a meeting with district officials followed by continued journeying deeper into the countryside. Due to unexpected delays, we were unable to have lunch as planned. As our small bus entered the village up through a battered road, many children ran next to us yelling, “abazungu,... Read more
Llegamos al pueblo de Kagano en Rwanda después de un largo viaje desde la capital Kigali. Habíamos tenido ya un día extendido primero con la visita a las oficinas del Distrito de Nyabihu para una reunión con funcionarios distritales seguido por la continuación del camino hacia una zona más remota. Debido a retrasos inesperados, no pudimos comer como estaba previsto. Al ingresar a Kagano en nuestro bus pequeño, niños corrían al lado nuestro gritando “abazungu, abazungu.” Pronto aprendimos que estas... Read more
Twelve palm trees mark the location of Georgia’s first church, a mission dedicated to Saint Catherine. Destroyed in the late 1600s by fire, the mission was run by Spanish Franciscan friars who first arrived to Saint Catherines Island, Georgia, in the 1590s. Located on an island still only accessible by boat fifty miles south of Savannah, the Mission of Santa Caterina de Guale was the northernmost Atlantic outpost of the mighty Spanish Empire which at one point stretched from the... Read more
I once heard a story about a parish priest who climbed up the church’s steeple to be closer to God. He thought that by spending time up there, he would hear God’s word more easily and then pass it on to his parishioners. But the more time he spent up there, the further from God he felt. One day, in desperation he cried out, “God, speak to me! Where are you? Show yourself!” At that very moment the priest heard... Read more
The Monastery of San Francisco is one of the most visited sites in Lima by tourists and pilgrims. It is the number one site to visit according to Trip Advisor. Built in the late 17th century, both the church and monastery are gems of Spanish colonial architecture. A victim of devastating earthquakes throughout the centuries, I find the monastery much more beautiful than the actual church. San Francisco is best known for its extensive catacombs that create an elaborate underground... Read more
La Navidad siempre implica la repetición de tradiciones familiares tales como quien arma el nacimiento, quien coloca los adornos en el árbol de Navidad y el menú de la deliciosa cena compartida con seres queridos. Aunque cada familia tiene sus propias tradiciones y prácticas, hay tradiciones muy antiguas presentes en diversas culturas que celebran el nacimiento de Jesús. En estas expresiones de piedad popular dice el Papa Francisco, “se puede percibir el modo en que la fe recibida se encarnó... Read more
The Christmas season always involves the practice of family traditions such as setting up the nativity scene, who places the angel on top of the Christmas tree and the menu of the delicious meal shared with family members. Though each family has its own practices and traditions, there are very old traditions imbedded in cultures that celebrate the birth of Christ. These expressions of popular piety writes Pope Francis, “enable us to see how the faith, once received, becomes embodied... Read more
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Today is a very special day in the Church, especially in Mexico. The U.S. Bishops have called for a special day of prayer today with a focus on the plight of refugees and migrants. It will be a time to place before God the hopes, fears, and needs of all those families who have come to the United States seeking a better life. On this feast I share with you a beautiful piece... Read more
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Southern Bishops Speak for Life
This morning in Augusta, Georgia, Bishop Estevez of Saint Augustine, Bishop Hartmayer, OFM Conv of Savannah, and Archbishop Gregory of Atlanta held a press conference outside the Richmond County Courthouse in defense of life. Last April, Steven James Murray murdered the Saint Augustine priest Father Rene Robert and dumped the body near Waynesboro, Georgia. Prosecutors have stated they may pursue the death penalty in this case. Father Rene Robert’s ministry focused on ministry to convicts, both in prison and after their... Read more