Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Those who believe they are upholding the faith by pointing their finger at others may have a certain 'religiosity', but they have not embraced the spirit of the Gospel, for they disregard mercy, which is the heart of God." - Pope Francis

Tajci: "Breathe"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Tatiana "Tajci" Cameron and Blue Orleans presenting "Breathe":

Padre Pio Lenten Reflection: Fourth Saturday

"In 1940, Padre Pio came up with the idea for what  he referred to as a 'cathedral of charity' - the House for the Relief of Suffering in San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio, himself, offered the first donation of one gold coin to help make it a reality. His followers immediately joined in to support his efforts. In 1956, the hospital officially opened on the hill above the town. It still operates to this day and as well as being a full-service hospital, it is also a world class scientific research center."

Franciscan Media is offering a special Lenten series of meditations, "Lent with Padre Pio." The mediation for the Fourth Saturday is as follows:

Franciscan Media: Lent with Padre Pio: Fourth Saturday

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of poetry.

Pope Francis on Importance of Societal Inclusion of People with Disabilies

"Ahead of World Autism Awareness Day, Pope Francis called for a 'culture of inclusion,' which breaks down barriers to ensure that people with disabilities can more fully take part in church communities and civil society.

"Pope Francis met with an autism association at the Vatican on Friday and expressed the importance of supporting education, employment, and social opportunities for people with all types of disabilities."

A recent Catholic News Agency article reported on Poe Francis' message on the importance of supporting education, employment, and social opportunities for people with all types of disabilities.

To access the complete Catholic News Agency report, please visit:

Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis advocates for inclusion of people with disabilities in society (1 APR 22)

Reflection Starter from Thomas Merton

"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope." - Thomas Merton, OSCO

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for April

The Holy Father's prayer intention for April is:

For health care workers: We pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries; may they be adequately supported by governments and local communities.

Carl Maria von Weber: Symphony No. 1 in C major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Carl Maria von Weber's Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 19, as presented by the Wiener Philharmoniker, conducted by Horst Stein:

 

Padre Pio Lenten Reflection: Fourth Friday

"Padre Pio had a rather structured prayer life. In addition to some of the things he is more well known for, he was also a treasured spiritual adviser to many. He often corresponded with people, trying to help them live more fulfilling prayer lives. One of the things he often told people was that he believed there were five principles that every Catholic should practice in their lives. 

"Those principles were: go to Confession weekly; receive Communion daily; perform an examination of conscience every evening; do spiritual reading every day; and meditate twice a day. For him, these steps were the key to maintaining - and growing - a strong faith life"

Franciscan Media is offering a special Lenten series of meditations, "Lent with Padre Pio." The mediation for the Fourth Friday is as follows:

Franciscan Media: Lent with Padre Pio: Fourth Friday

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of light in all its wondrous forms.

The Most Powerful Human Being

In his essay "Power of the Powerless: a Brother's Lesson," published in the Wall Street Journal in 1985, Christopher de Vinck writes, "For me, to have been brought up in a house where a tragedy was turned into joy explains to a great degree why I am the type of husband and father and writer and teacher that I have become."

In his essay, which was later adapted into a book of the same name, with an Afterword by Fred Rogers, de Vinck recounts how, when his mother was pregnant with his brother Oliver, she was exposed to a gas leak in their home. Although they did not realize it at the time, this had a terrible effect on Oliver in the womb, and he was eventually born with severe impairments.

The doctors said Oliver wouldn't live past seven or eight years, but he lived for 32 years. In that time, Christopher witnessed his parents care for Oliver, and he himself cared for Oliver, often taking on the task of feeding his brother. This very act of caring for a person with severe disabilities made Christopher a better person. Oliver's presence in his life even helped Christopher choose the right woman to marry. He tells of bringing a young woman to their home and inviting her to meet Oliver, having told her all about him. Her reply was, "No," she did not want to meet him. Soon after that incident, he met another young woman named Rosemary, or Roe, and eventually brought her home to meet his family. While Roe was visiting, Christopher prepared to feed Oliver. He writes, "I sheepishly asked Roe if she’d like to come upstairs and see Oliver. 'Sure', she said and up the stairs we went. I sat at Oliver's bedside as Roe stood and watched over my shoulder. I gave him the first spoonful, the second . . . . 'Can I do that?' she asked, with ease and freedom and compassion. So I gave her the bowl and she fed Oliver, one spoonful at a time. The power of the powerless. Which girl would you marry? I married Roe, and I never regretted. Today Roe and I have three children."

The Christophers share this story on occasion because it remains one of the most poignant witnesses to the value of human life at all stages and in all forms. Christopher's witness is so powerful that I'd like to end this column with the words he chose to end his 1985 tribute to his brother, which seems to me to be one of the most truthful and yet mysterious statements I have ever encountered. May it change our hearts.

"When I was a child I was afraid of the dark and shared a room with my younger brother. Our room was separated from Oliver's by a single wall. Five inches of wood and plaster divided us from each other during the night. We inhaled the same night air, listened to the same wind. Slowly, without our knowledge, Oliver created a certain power around us which changed all of our lives. I cannot explain Oliver's influence fully, except to say that the powerless in the world do hold great power, and sometimes the weak do confound the mighty. Even now, five years after his death from pneumonia on March 12, 1980, Oliver still remains the most helpless human being I ever met. The weakest human being I ever met, and yet, he was the most powerful human being I ever met."

This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from Thomas à Kempis

"A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!" - Thomas à Kempis