In DC, Archbishop Wuerl gets off the same-sex marriage fence

(Not to say he was ever on the fence about the issue - but hey, it made you click the headline, didn't it?)

In all seriousness, Archbishop Donald Wuerl is definitely off the bench and in the fight for traditional marriage now.

From the Washington Post:

Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl is plunging the Catholic Church deeper into the battle over legalizing same-sex marriage in the District, a tactic that could complicate the D.C. Council's efforts to quickly take up the matter this fall.

Wuerl sent a letter to 300 local Catholic priests Tuesday reminding them about the church's opposition to same-sex marriage, and he launched a round of media interviews designed to bolster the church's presence in the debate.

In his efforts to mobilize Catholics, Wuerl joins a group of Baptist, predominantly African American, preachers in stepping up the pressure on D.C. officials to allow a public vote on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized.

... 

Wuerl launched the media offensive on the same day that eight opponents of same-sex marriage, including {non-Catholic} Bishop Harry Jackson, filed a request with the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics to hold a initiative next year defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The proposed initiative simply states: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in the District of Columbia." 

... 

In a letter supporting the proposed initiative, the D.C. Catholic Conference noted that there are 580,000 Catholics living in the Washington metropolitan area.

"It is ironic that at the same time the city is asking for voting representation in the U.S. Congress, its leaders are denying residents the opportunity to participate in the Democratic process for an issue with widespread implications for children and families," Ronald Jackson, executive director of the D.C. Catholic Conference, said in a statement. 

Good to have you in the game, Archbishop. Now let's get behind him.

From the Archdiocese of Washington press release:

Learn more about Catholic teaching and marriage at www.MarriageMattersDC.org, an initiative of the Archdiocese of Washington to promote a deeper understanding of marriage and its contribution to society.

Live Twittering: DiNoia Ordination

Details here (and here).

Twittering from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here.

What I'll be doing today (attending an episcopal ordination!)

I was surprised to find local living-in-DC blog DCist post such a good summary of what's happening. The writer must be a closet papist. So yes, anyway, that's where I'll be at 2PM EDT! I may even fit in some twittering.

Report: 2009 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

This morning I attended the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. You can read my Twitter play-by-play here. And yes that's me with Archbishop Burke and Justin Aquila of the Susan B. Anthony List.

I was very impressed by Abp. Burke's keynote address. The audience liked it too - they were constantly interrupting it with applause and standing ovations. In fact at times it was difficult for him to work in a complete sentence.

One comment of Abp. Burke's in particular, where he called Notre Dame's decision a "source of the greatest scandal", was greeted with thunderous and prolonged applause.

But apart from the "radioactive lines" and headline-grabbing soundbites, I think Abp. Burke has provided Catholics in America with a comprehensive manifesto for action in the coming year. I think his speech will have wide, beneficial consequences, or at least I pray that it does.

I will provide a link to the text as soon as it is officially released.

update: EWTN will be broadcasting the entire prayer breakfast at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 10; 5 a.m., Monday, May 11; and 9 a.m., Saturday, May 16.

update 2: Life Site News has the full text on their website.

[photo credit: David Cory.]

Twittering from the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

This morning I'll be at the 6th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

The keynote speakers are Archbishop Raymond Burke and Justice Antonin Scalia.

If anything exciting happens, I'll try to tweet it at http://twitter.com/americanpapist.

Last Call: Volunteers needed for Catholic Prayer Breakfast

If you are in the DC area and want to attend for free (in exchange for some volunteering), you should contact Jacqueline (jacquelinehalbig [at] hotmail.com) or Jenny (cnsconsultjenny [at] aol.com) ASAP.

The event is tomorrow morning so this really is last call.

I'll be there.

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, May 7/8th

This year Archbishop Raymond Burke is the keynote speaker. A friend explains:

This year's breakfast will be organized around the theme "A Celebration of The Teachings of the Catholic Church". A Mass has also been scheduled for Thursday evening, May 7, 2009, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle at 6:30 pm. Last year the breakfast was a tremendous success, with several hundred people attending Mass, and over 1,900 people in attendance for the breakfast itself. Online reservations can be made here.

Schedule permitting, I hope to attend. I wonder if Archbishop-elect Carlson will fly into DC for it?

Where I am right now

Hopefully attending this:

"Hudson Institute and the Ethics and Public Policy Center are pleased to welcome Archbishop Raphael Cheenath for a discussion on the state of religious freedom in India. Archbishop Cheenath was ordained as a Priest of the Society of the Divine Word in 1963 and was appointed as the Archbishop of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, in the region of Orissa, in 1985. Orissa has been at the center of violent attacks against Christians in recent months. Archbishop Cheenath is now working along with Protestant and Evangelical church leaders to bring peace and stability to the region."

I have blogged about the dire situation in Orissa before.

I'm very interested to hear what the Archbishop has to say.

Event: 14th Annual Crossroads Rally at the Capitol

I hope to attend this:

You are invited to the 2008 Crossroads Pro-Life Rally at the US Capitol this Saturday at 3pm. We will be celebrating the end of our three of pro-life walks across America as well as our pro-life walk across Canada!

Keynote Speaker - Patrick Reilly This year we are excited to announce that Patrick Reillywill be our keynote speaker. Mr. Reilly is the President and founder of the Cardinal Newman Society. The Cardinal Newman Society is dedicated to renewing and strengthening Catholic identity at America's 224 Catholic colleges and universities.

Mr. Reilly also is well-versed on abortion and life issues, having served several years as a board member and Chairman of American Collegians for Life.

Crossroads Map
Saturday, August 16th
3pm - 4pm
West Front Lawn of the US Capitol
email: contact@crossroadswalk.org
web: http://www.crossroadswalk.org
Call for details - (301) 467-9259

View Schedule here! // Franciscan Friars of the Renewal // The Call

And unofficially - drinks at the Dubliner afterwards!

(Vaguely related: Americans United for Life announces available funding for voter guides)

Noted: Bp. Loverde to bless new Arlington highschool

On the local front, from a friend:

Bishop Loverde is blessing our newest high school, Pope John Paul the Great, on Sunday. The principal and some members of the staff are Nashville Dominicans (they also wrote the bioethics curriculum). You can see photos of the school here.

Blessing and Grand Opening

Sunday, August 17, 2 p.m.
Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School
17700 Dominican Drive
Dumfries, Virginia 22026

Included in the celebration will be the blessing of the school, remarks by students of the first freshman and sophomore classes, a reception, self-guided tours and a chance to meet the faculty and staff.

Of particular interest, from the press release:

The Bioethics program enhances the core accredited college-prep curriculum, which includes rigorous study in the fields of Religion, English, Math, Science, History, World Language, Fine Arts, Business, Technology and Health/Physical Education.

On his recent visit to the U.S., Pope Benedict XVI blessed the school’s tabernacle at the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC. This was the only item to be blessed by name at the Papal Mass.

Totally cool.

Event: Arlington, VA Readers Take Note!

Emailed to me by a Dominican priest:

One of our brightest young Dominicans is featured tonight at Arlington's Theology on Tap. Br. Thomas Joseph White, a good friend and an insightful theologian (and soon-to-be priest!) will be speaking on "Did Jesus Know He was God?".

I am planning to go with him to root him on. I think he'll be getting there around 6:30; I'll probably arrive about 7pm. I think the plan is to eat dinner there starting before the talk, and then to hang out for a beer or two afterwards. I hope you can make it!

Dominicans and pints. Good times! Details: Monday, May 5, 2008 // Talk 7:30 p.m., followed by Q&A at 8p.m. // Come for food and drink before. // Pat Troy's in Alexandria //111 North Pitt Street; Alexandria, VA.

Video & Recap: Internationally-known panelists on the pope's visit

As I mentioned last week, on Friday I attended an event put on by the good people at Crossroads which assembled an internationally-known panel of experts to discuss the pope's visit.

The event entitled "Only something infinite will sufice" was held at the John Paul II Cultural Center, which is where Pope Benedict will be holding his ecumenical dialogue on Thursday, April 17th.

Speakers from this evening included:

• His Eminince Pietro SAMBI Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the U.S.
• John L. ALLEN, Jr. NCR Senior Correspondent, CNN Senior Vatican Analyst
• David SCHINDLER Dean of John Paul II Institute, Editor of Communio
• Monsignor Lorenzo ALBACETE Theologian, Author, Columnist
• ... and a surprise appearance by EWTN's Raymond Arroyo

Here is a picture of the panel:

(from R-L: Albacete, Sambi, Schindler, Allen - if you can't read the placards)

And for any die-hard Arroyo groupies:

Crossroads has released video with highlights from the evening:

And here is a short video I took of John Allen and the presentors (apologies for the vertical orientation at the very beginning of the video - don't get neck strain!):

You can see Abp. Sambi listening very attentively.

John Allen at the podium:

My brief reactions to the presentations:

• Monsignor Albacete's wit and deep knowledge were evident from his participation. He's a joy.
• Abp. Sambi's presentation helped identify the pope's priorities for his visit. He singled out the phrases Conversi Ad Dominum (turn towards the Lord!) and Sursom Corda (Lift up your heart!) as being integral to the message he wishes to bring to the United States.
• Allen provided inside and exhaustive knowledge of what a papal trip entails in general, and what this one will in particular. Besides some amusing personal antedotes, he stuck fairly close to the material he has published on his weekly web column. It was nice to meet him.
• Schindler provided the theological heft of the evening, and provided thought-provoking points.

Abp. Sambi was somewhat surreptitiously taken away before the Q&A session in order to appear on EWTN, which will be broadcasting from the John Paul II Cultural Center throughout the pope's visit.

And there you have it. More inside scoops to follow!

Event: John Allen & Pietro Sambi discuss pope's visit

I will be attending this event tonight:

Title: “Only Something Infinite Will Suffice”

Opening Remarks: H.E. Pietro SAMBI Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the U.S.

Speakers:

• John L. ALLEN, Jr. NCR Senior Correspondent, CNN Senior Vatican Analyst
• David SCHINDLER Dean of John Paul II Institute, Editor of Communio
• Msgr. Lorenzo ALBACETE Theologian, Author, Columnist

When/Where: The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 7PM

Host: Crossroads NYC

The JP2 Cultural Center is where Pope Benedict will hold his meeting with ecumenical representatives on the 17th. Archbishop Pietro Sambi needs no introduction, and I'm looking forward to hearing John Allen.

CUA Law hosts "Common Morality for the Global Age" event this weekend

I might be attending some of these conference events this weekend (Mar 27-30):

The Catholic University of America’s Center for Law, Philosophy and Culture presents a symposium, “A Common Morality for the Global Age: In Gratitude for What We Are Given.”

In response to the personal appeal of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, this symposium seeks to elicit ideas and concepts for the renewal of a global culture that can sustain the moral insight necessary for addressing our world’s pressing problems. Can we reclaim an original attitude of acknowledgement of, and respect for, the gift of existence that arguably has historically informed the world’s great moral and cultural traditions? Leading thinkers from philosophy, theology, ethics and politics will gather for several days of papers, discussion and common reflection centered on this question.

Links:

• Schedule
• Speakers
• Panelists & Respondents
• Symposium Question

The events are free and open to the public, but registration reserves you a seat.

Any suggestions as to what events I should prioritize? There's plenty of good options it seems.

Report: Abp. Donald Wuerl at DC Theology on Tap

Tonight I heard Archbishop of DC Donald Wuerl speak to a local Theology on Tap. The event was very well attended. In fact, I'm sure the fire marshall would not have been pleased. I'm not sure what attracted the audience more - the prospect of hearing their local shepherd speak, the wide selection of beers on tap, or the six tickets to Pope Benedict's Mass in April that they raffled off at the end of the evening. Maybe all three.

The Local Fox News affiliate was on-site rolling film, and also interviewed the Archbishop before his talk. Two ladies sitting next to me were interviewed by a correspondent for the Washington Post. I was interviewed briefly by someone with the Washington Times. I'll be keeping on eye out for their reports, and will link them when they are published.

The talk itself was brief, but very enjoyable. The Archbishop focused on answering the question "Why should we be excited the Pope is coming?" His one-sentence response: "Because he is Peter." Abp. Wuerl also spent a good deal of time answering questions.

I've uploaded a few photos to the AmP Flickr Page.

One question that came up several times was how folks could try to get tickets to see the Pope. It's no secret people have "Papamania" here in DC. I'll be posting an update with recent news on that front later this week.

In the meantime, check out the happy face of one lucky person who secured her ticket to see the Pope in April.

update: Here are the first five minutes of Abp. Wuerl's Theology on Tap speech:

Video 2: Abp. Wuerl answers a question, "Why was Pope Benedict called 'God's Rottweiler' as a Cardinal?"

Two more videos available on the AmP YouTube Channel.

Theology on Tap with Archbishop Donald Wuerl tonight

Last minute notice. I plan on attending:

Theology on Tap with Archbishop Wuerl

This event offers young adults an opportunity to meet new friends and reflect on how Catholicism relates to their unique experiences. The evening begins with a "happy half-hour" at 7:00 p.m. followed by a short reflection on a particular aspect of Catholic life.

On February 19, Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl will speak on the topic, "Who is Peter?" as we prepare for the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of Peter.

[More info here.]

Exclusive: Pictures of Pope Benedict's DC Mass pulpit, lectern & chair

Today the winning design for the pulpit, lectern and chair that Pope Benedict will use for his public Mass at DC's Nationals stadium during his April visit was unveiled.

I was able to tour the exhibit this afternoon and take a few photographs of the chosen models. Enjoy!

The complete set of photos is available on the AmP Flickr page.

From the CUA press release:

Washington DC - Student Winners of Papal Design Contest Announced at CUA

The winning architectural design by two Catholic University students for a 10-by-4-foot papal altar and a pulpit, lectern and chair that Pope Benedict XVI will use when he celebrates Mass in Washington, D.C., was unveiled today at The Catholic University of America, D.C., in partnership with the Archdiocese of Washington.

The model by John-Paul Mikolajczyk, of Staten Island, N.Y., and Ryan Mullen, of Manchester, N.H., both candidates in the master's program at Catholic University's School of Architecture and Planning, shows an altar with a substantial top, a repeating pattern of decorative parabolic arches beneath it and a smaller base.

...

At the unveiling, Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, said that the design is "a tribute to this school of architecture, Catholic University and the quality of students here.

Twenty-one entries were submitted for the design competition, or charrette, which was held last week at CUA's Edward M. Crough Center for Architectural Studies, where the winners were announced.

The top award for the design competition will receive a $1,500 prize. The second-place winner will receive $1,000 and five honorable-mention winners will each receive $500. The proposed designs will be displayed at the Crough Center for about a week.

More information from the press release:

The front of the pulpit (or ambo), where the Holy Father will read the Gospel, is adorned with images of the Bible and the Holy Trinity. The tall chair back is decorated with Pope Benedict XVI's papal coat of arms.

Mikolajczyk and Mullen will work with architecture faculty and the Archdiocese of Washington to fine-tune the design and actually construct the altar and the other furnishings at the Crough Center. The four pieces will become part of the sanctuary for the Mass that Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate April 17 at the city's new baseball stadium, Nationals Park. Following the Mass, the pontiff will give a major address on Catholic education at CUA.

Students, working individually or in teams of up to four people, prepared their models and drawings over an intense few days of work between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23. The entries were judged on Jan. 24.

Catholic University's School of Architecture and Planning is the largest in the Washington, D.C., area. The school offers a bachelor of science in architecture, master of architecture and master of architectural studies and its graduate program concentrations include cultural studies/sacred space, design technologies, digital media, real estate development and urban design. For more information see
architecture.cua.edu.

[Above photo credit: Tony Fiorini, CUA - "Ryan Mullen and John-Paul Mikolajczjk and their winning papal design." All other photographs: Thomas Peters, AmericanPapist blog.]

So, what do you think of the chosen design?

Local Event: Abp. Timothy Broglio installed to U.S. Military Archdiocese

The notification from the U.S. Military Archdiocese website:

The Most Rev Timothy Paul Broglio (biography in Word document) is appointed the new Military Ordinary by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

Mass of InstallationFriday, 25 January 2008

Basilica of the National Shrineof the Immaculate Conception

DCTel: 202.526.8300

Public Mass begins at 2:00 PM. Please arrive no later than 1:00 PM.

The Mass will be broadcast live on EWTN (streaming).

More information from Whispers.

March for Life: Jan 21 Schedule of Events (+update)

As part of my ongoing coverage of the 35th Annual March for Life, here are the events that are taking place tomorrow, January 21st (Monday). The actual march takes place on Tuesday the 22nd.

From the LifeSiteNews listing:

• 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cardinal O'Connor ConferenceSee. Speakers include Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of Knights of Columbus, Helen Alvare esq., of Catholic University of America, and others. I will be attending at least the morning sessions of this event.


• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Rock for Life Training & Activism Weekend. I may attend this event briefly.


• 7 p.m. Huge National Prayer Vigil for Life at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Starts with Mass attended by thousands of pro-lifers and several hundred clergy and religious. Following the Mass there will be prayers throughout the night until morning for those able to participate. Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Regali.


• 10a.m. - 4 p.m. March for Life Convention Sessions II + III at The Hyatt Regency, D.C.


• 7:30p.m. Local theology-on-tap in Alexandria, VA with speaker Dawn Eden. More info here.

Related news:

• Gerald has done a great job photo-blogging San Francisco's West Coast March for Life on his blog, The Cafeteria is Closed. I was especially pleased to see the local Dominican friars out in force, cappa and all.
• CNA: 25,000 attend West Coast Walk for Life, event continues to grow
• CNA: President Bush proclaims National Sanctity of Human Life Day (full text)
• CNA: Opposition to abortion is a non-negotiable requirement of Catholics, says Bishop Aquila

And, as you can see, the pilgrims are already appearing, in greater numbers, at local events:

this post will be updated throughout the day....

update: News from and about the blogs:

• "Why We March" by Joe of Life At The Frontier, and will also be at Blogs4Life.
• Causa Nostrae Laetitiae will be at the Blogs4Life conference as well as the March.
• BlogsforTerri, finally, also gives the Blogs4Life conference a healthy plug.
• Bishop Lori of Bridgeport, meanwhile, will be "alongside a large number of pilgrims from our diocese." There's an endearing comment from a young man posted in response.
• MOJ: Change of Attitude Toward Abortion

Schedule of Events: The 35th March for Life (AmP Complete Coverage)

As I blogged earlier, the 35th Annual March for Life will be happening in my backyard of Washington, DC next Tuesday, January 22nd. There are also many related events scheduled in the days leading up to the March.

This is the link you want to bookmark for upcoming March for Life posts.

I'll be personally walking with the local Dominican Friars, as well as attending as many private events and public conferences as I can swing. According to Wikipedia, this is the most attended annual march in Washington D.C. (100k+) so there is plenty happening.

I also hope to have a flickr slideshow of exclusive images and several high-quality youtube videos up throughout the long weekend, so stay tuned!

*Notice: March for Life Buses *must* purchase a DC permit*

To get started, let's take a look at the important events coordinating with this year's March for Life:

• Official schedule of events from the USCCB (beginning with Jan. 21 Vigil Mass)
• MarchForLife.org - the organizers of the even
• StudentsForLife.org - they host a pro-life conference in DC on the 20th.
• Cardinal O'Connor Conference for Life - Takes place at Georgetown on the 21st.
• 2008 Rally for Life & Youth Mass - Jan 22nd, by the Archdiocese of Washing & Abp. Wuerl
• The American Life League is hosting Rock for Life, a training & activism weekend for youth.
• Blogs For Life Conference - A must for St. Blog's community members, hosted by the FRC
• Priests for Life has a list of events listed here and here (focusing on Fr. Frank Pavone).
• LifeSiteNews offers its schedule of 2008 Conferences and Activities here.

I'm planning on attending Abp. Wuerl's Mass for Life on Sunday evening, and much of the Cardinal O'Connor Conference for Life on Monday. I don't think I'll make it to the Youth Rally on Tuesday morning, but I will be at the Blogs for Life Conference a couple times when I'm not walking with the Dominicans. In the evening I'm currently planning on attending the ICL, Champions for Family Reception.

Now, let's take a look at recent stories about or mentioning the March for Life:

• Last year, President Bush called the Marchers for Life and gave them encouragement. CNS: "Culture of life means changing hearts, president tells March for Life"
• Dawn Eden informs us that the Catholic Information Center is doing several things to help Marchers, including discounts, free wireless internet and a tea party! She'll also be at Blogs for Life.
• This year, CNS reports, "Founder says walk to Capitol Hill still the top March for Life event"
• LifeSiteNews announces that the entire student population of Christendom college is coming.

We should not forget to mention the West Coast March for Life, taking place on Saturday the 19th. The fourth French Pro-Life march in Paris will take place on the 20th, last year they assembled 10k people.

(And I would be remiss to not mention that every of age Catholic pro-lifer warms up at The Dubliner Irish Pub after the cold day of marching. I'll be there. In fact, I'll probably be switching between "The Dub" and Kelly's Irish Times.)

The Dominican Friars posted videos on YouTube from last year's March: [Part 1] - [Part 2].

The March for Life website has provided video from the 2007 pre-march rally:

The best places to find up-to-date pro-life news is the ProLifeBlogs aggregator, as well as Jill Stanek.

Notice: Readers are more than welcome to submit information to this post by posting it in the comments!

Notice of Complete Coverage: March for Life in 7 Days

The 2008, 35th Annual March for Life will be happening in my backyard of Washington DC's National Mall on January 22nd, with numerous activities taking place in the days leading up to it, which I'm now in the process of compiling into a one-stop list.

I also plan to provide exclusive audio/video coverage of these important events, so bookmark AmericanPapist, start your preparations and then check back soon!

Local Event: "Iconographer to visit CIC this Wednesday, 1/16/08"

The press release from the Catholic Information Center:

Noted iconographer Sister Eliseea Papocioc will be visiting the Catholic Information Center on Wednesday, January 16th. Sr. Eliseea is a Romanian Orthodox nun and hermitess who lives outside of Bucharest. Her work has been featured at the Smithsonian and at the John Paul II Cultural Center.

The program will be begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Sr. Eliseea will speak about her icons, which will be displayed. There will also be a question-and-answer session. The event will end at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about Sr. Eliseea and her work, see this article in The Catholic Virginian.

Related: I especially love St. George Icons, like this Russian one. A google gallery of them here.

Mass at the Shrine and meeting Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Today was a good day.

During my lunch break I attended Mass for Festum Omnium Sanctorum at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I guess it was broadcast on EWTN. If you saw a gangly youth in the back with a red tie, that was me.

Later in the day I was privledged to attend a lecture and Mass celebrated by Fr. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at the Catholic Information Center here in DC.

Fr. Groeschel was in town for an event hosted by the Cardinal Newman Society promoting their recently-published guide to choosing a Catholic College. I received a complimentary copy of the excellent resource (now available on Amazon.com), and plan on reading through it this weekend, time permitting.

Fr. Groeschel's best one-liner (of which there were many) went something like this: "You know, if people try Catholicism - they'll discover that it works!" He had some acerbic (and truthful) things to say, but I'll keep those to myself.

Comments were also made during the night's discussion about the conspicuous absence of Jesuit institutions in the list compiled by the Newman Society. I have to say, after blogging for the last two years, it's really a small wonder with all the negative stories that regularly crop-up on Jesuit campuses these days. So. Many. Stories.

In fairness, good news has a hard time making it into my inbox, so if I'm missing anything important, let me know.

I'd like to spread the good word, if it's out there.

Event Alert: Dominican Friars celebrate Vigil of All Saints - And You're Invited!

(click image at left for full-size version)

This Wednesday the Dominican Friars in Washington are hosting their 9th Annual Vigil of All Saints celebration. I heard about this wonderful event last year, long before knowing that I would be attending school with them at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception this year.

Previous years of the Vigil of All Saints have received widespread Catholic media attention (including coverage in the National Catholic Register and Zenit), as well as praise from Catholic blogs (Amy Welborn, GashwingGomes, for instance).

Even more impressive, last year's Vigil of All Saints was featured in PBS's Religion and Ethics television program.

You can still read the text and watch the video of that report at the PBS website.

The eminently media-savvy Dominican Brothers have plenty of excellent material available online from last year's Vigil and beyond:

• This video contains scenes from their most recent vigil.
• This video containes preaching by Br. Anthony Mary Giambrone, O.P. at the '06 Vigil
• Here is the full '05 Vigil homily, preached by Br. Hugh Vincent Dyer, O.P.
• The Dominican Friars have made available their template for the Vigil so that others might emulate it. Benedictine Monks in St. Louis are doing so for local youth [more info here].

Needless to say, expectations are running high for this year's event. They're expecting over 400 folks to attend.

More from their press release [updated]:

Held in the Gothic chapel of the Dominican House of Studies, this evocative service commemorates the eve before the Christian feast of All Saints (attested to by Church Fathers as early as the Fourth century). It is a celebration of all Christian saints, known and unknown, and is the original source for what has become Hallow'een.

The evening will begin with readings from the lives of the saints and a homily by Br. Ignatius Schweitzer, O.P. Following this, the Dominican friars will lead the singing of the ancient liturgy of Compline, the night prayer of the Church. The service will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. with a candle-lit procession to the friars' reliquary while a litany is sung in honor of the saints. Following the vigil, the friars will host a reception in their monastic "refectory" or dining room.

The current Vigil was brought to Washington by a group of young Dominicans in 1998. It immediately began to draw large numbers of college-aged and young adult Catholics, and has become the most popular event of the year at the Dominican House.

I am looking forward to being there, and would urge those in the DC area to attend if they are able!

15th Annual Culture of Life Award

I'll be attending this event tonight, and will try to post a summary afterwards. Information here.

FCS convention: Day One report

This weekend, in addition to covering the ongoing controversy surrounding the statement of the Connecticut Catholic Conference on Plan B, I've also been attending the '07 Fellowship for Catholic Scholars convention here in Washington DC. The first day was very fruitful.

Personal highlights:

• Dr. John F. Crosby's presentation on Newman's Idea of the University, and particularly on the Catholic University's criterion for appropriating scattered seeds of truth in culture.
• Spotting James V. Schall at dinner (which was generously provided by the Franciscan University of Steubenville). He gave my undergraduate commencement address and I've had the opportunity to review several of his books. He currently teaches at Georgetown.
• Meeting Bill May and E. Christian Brugger for the first time.
• CUA President David O'Connell's response to a presentation on Catholic identity (more on that here).
• Singing Compline at the close of the day's events with the gathered FCS membership.

Tomorrow's planned activities include Mass celebrated with and a presentation by Archbishop Donald Wuerl, lunch sponsored by the Ave Maria School of Law and several good presentation topics. Much fun!

Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Convention this weekend

I'll be attending this year's Fellowship of Catholic Scholars convention here in DC this weekend. I'm really looking forward to the scheduled topics as they touch upon several issues that are treated regularly at AmP, including the identity of Catholic schools and the relationship between that identy and the exercise of academic freedom.

Here is a PDF with extracts of the presentations. Here is a PDF with the schedule. The theme this year is "The Idea of the Catholic University for the Twenty-First Century."

For those of you who are in the area, you can still register online or drop a line to "jrook [at] catholicscholars.org" for more information. I hope to see you there! If you spot me, please don't hesitate to introduce yourself.

AmP Event: DC Dominicans Install New Faculty

This Saturday the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, where I am attending classes for my S.T.B. degree, is having two important events: a laying of the cornerstone for their new $18 million expansion and an installation Mass for their new President, Vice President and Academic Dean.

Archbishop of Washington Donald Wuerl and the Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. Archbishop Pietro Sambi will be officiating and celebrating the events. Numerous other archbishops and bishops will be in attendance. As part of my work-study for the PFIC's Advancement Office, I have been helping to organize the event. I'll try to post a follow-up summary of the event next week.

The PFIC website has a press release:

The Dominican Friars will install new leaders at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception, located in northeast Washington DC. It is one of the seven pontifical faculties of theology in the United States. The installation will be the occasion also for the solemn laying of the cornerstone of the new, $18M, academic center currently under construction. The academic center will house the Dominicans’ theological library, as well as the administrative offices and classrooms of the pontifical faculty.

Father Dominic Izzo, O.P., provincial superior of the Dominicans in Washington stated, “We are proud to be installing Dominican Fathers Steven Boguslawski, Gabriel O’Donnell and Joseph Fox as the new leaders of our pontifical faculty. The Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception has an outstanding tradition of academic quality and education. We look forward to continuing and developing its well-deserved reputation by new academic programs and strategic partnerships with other ecclesiastical institutions.”

At 4:30pm, the ceremony of laying the cornerstone to the new addition will be presided by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican Ambassador to the United States. The Mass and installation will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington at 5:30pm in the chapel of the Dominican House of Studies. In the evening, there will be a private reception and dinner at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.

Father Izzo concluded, "We see the construction of the new academic center as being tangible evidence of our commitment to these new efforts. We've been doing a good job at the Dominican House of Studies for more than a hundred years, and we look forward to doing even better in the next hundred.”

Also see the biographical sketches of the new officers and the one-sheet with more information about the PFIC.

The ever-industrious Dominican Student Friars (who run an excellent website) have created a flicker slideshow with updates on the construction. Work is moving fast so the most recent pictures are already dated - just today on my way home from work I noted that the third floor is up and the brick walls are fast following.

The picture at right was probably taken about a month and a half ago. That's the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the background. I have to admit that I'm rather envious of the people who have offices on that side of the building.

It's exciting times for the DC Dominicans. You can expect great things from them in the coming months and years, and I'll be doing my best to keep my readers updated!

Mass of the Assumption today in DC ...

... was celebrated at the National Basilica by Archbishop John Foley (ex. president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications), with (obviously frail) Cardinal Emeritus Baum of Washington DC in attendance. Mass clocked-in at a healthy hour and forty minutes, mostly due to the after-celebration prayers for peace and the contributions of the Basilica choir. Here is a blurry picture which I snapped with my cameraphone of Abp. Foley dismissing the congregation. The liturgy was meticulously celebrated, which is encouraging considering it was the first Mass of the Basilica's new master of ceremonies (whose name, sadly, escapes me at present).

After the liturgy it was announced by Msgr. Rossi, rector of the National Shrine, that the foreword dome mural, paid for by the Knights of Columbus, had just that day been completed. I managed to snap a slightly better (and larger) picture of this most recent addition to the Basilica's sacred decoration. The mural is entitled "The Incarnation of our Savior" and will (I think) be officially dedicated November 16th - an event which I hope to attend. The central and final dome to be decorated (also the largest) is scheduled to be installed sometime in 2009.

Incidently, the cause for the beatification of the KofC's founder, Father McGivney, is being promoted by Dominican Father Gabriel B. O'Donnell, who I just met with during the week previous to go over my planned course of studies at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception. Father O'Donnell has "written extensively about the life and heroic virtue of the founder of the Knights of Columbus", and those articles are archived here.

I hope, as I become more involved in local Catholic events here in DC, to continue posting short updates on them and related topics, along the lines I've begun here. I hope this is of interest to my readers!