In last week’s bulletin, I wrote about the Precepts of the Church, focusing on the first precept of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.  I was pleased to see a good number of people in attendance for our masses on the Solemnity of the Assumption this past week, even though it was not a day of obligation this year due to its falling on a Monday.

Given that the concept of the Precepts of the Church may be new for some of you, or at least something you may have not considered in a while, I thought it might be a good idea to address the other precepts over the next few weeks.  For our review, the Catechism states the following about these precepts (emphasis added):

The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor. (CCC 2041)

Instead of just going from one precept to the next, I would like to jump to the fifth precept for our consideration this week: Providing for the needs of the Church.

In our Fourth Diocesan Synod, held in 2017, a prominent theme was that of stewardship.  The tenth declaration from the Synod summarizes what we mean by stewardship:

As a Diocese committed to discipleship and stewardship, the community of Catholic faithful recognizes that everything we have comes from God and that He has given us gifts not just to use them for ourselves but also to share them with others. As faithful and generous stewards of God’s abundant gifts, those committed to discipleship and stewardship as a way of life pledge to share their talents, give of their time and contribute proportionately from their financial resources for the good of the Church and those in need.

You will have noticed in last weekend’s bulletin a summary of our financial position which offers some insight into the good financial stewardship in our parish.  In most parishes, unfortunately, a large majority of the financial support comes from a relatively small number of parishioners.  In other words, let us not be too comfortable with where we are, but heed the invitation to prayerfully reflect on how the Lord is inviting us to be more generous in sharing from our abundance for the good of the Church – locally here at the Cathedral, and beyond.  In that regard, you will see some information in the bulletin about our mission appeal that will be taking place next weekend.  Supporting the good work of the sisters who will come to speak with us is an excellent way for us to live our stewardship for the good of the Universal Church.

Lest you think stewardship is only about money, notice how the definition also includes being stewards of our time and talent.  In that regard, we have noticed some disappointing declines in the number of liturgical ministers at our masses.  It is becoming more and more difficult to fill some of the slots we need in order to make for a good experience at each Mass.  In particular, we have a great need for greeters and ushers, especially at our 5:00 PM Sunday Mass, and for people to do the livestreaming at our 10:00 AM Sunday Mass.  Please contact Vicki Compton if you are willing to exercise your stewardship of time and talent in these or any liturgical role.  

Father Alford

Feast Day: August 16^th | Patron of Hungary, Kings, Stonemasons/Bricklayers, Protector against the Death of Children

This week we begin 1500 years before Stephen’s crown was returned to Hungary from Fort Knox, with the calendar now standing at about 440 AD. If you were unfortunate enough to be on the shore of the Danube river (so, modern-day Hungary) at that time, you would find yourself on the run from Attila the Hun, who was sacking Roman outposts as he swept down the river pillaging the entire Balkan peninsula with his army of horse archers. Attila would, a decade later, be stopped from sacking Rome by a word from Pope St. Leo I, but during this campaign he and his brother Bleda burned and pillaged pretty much every settlement except for Constantinople itself. Thankfully, if you survived their onslaught, the barbarian brothers would be long in the historical rearview-mirror 500 years later when the only reminder of their presence was perhaps a shadow of “Bleda” carried down in the name of the city of “Buda”.  In any case, ironically, all this means that if we were to stand along the Danube in 1945, or 445, or 945, we would have found ourselves each time surrounded by bloodthirsty pagan hordes, though different ones each time. 

In 945, to finally get closer to the time of St. Stephen, if we again were standing there on the Danube, we would now be bumping elbows with “the Hungarians”, a conglomeration of Magyar tribes originally from Mongolia, actually descendants of the same people from which Attila and Bleda had come from. These tribes had recently gained control of the Carpathian Basin by defeating and displacing the prior residents here, members of the Kingdoms of Bulgaria, East Francia, and Moravia (who had been weakened by their own internecine conflicts). Many more details could be found if you were to delve into the Church records of that time, for that is where most of this history was recorded.  The “Chronicle by George the Monk” contains the first known reference to the Hungarians. Their first raids are recorded in the “Annals of St. Bertin”. The succession of their kings, who we will now get to know, are given to us in an anonymous monk’s “Gesta Hungarorum”. Archbishop Theotmar, 300 miles west in Salzburg, wrote around 900 of the Moravians and Hungarians allying against the Germans. His diocese has been in existence for 400 years, so Christianity was well established there in Germany, at that time ruled Louis the German, the grandson of Charlemagne. Theotmar, though, would die in battle against the Hungarians in 907, before their conversion to the faith that he championed.

To get back to those seven different Magyar tribes. As they were taking over those lands within the Carpathian peninsula, they had chosen to unite under one of their chieftains, Álmos. Three other Khazar tribes, after an unsuccessful revolt against their Khagan [King] joined those seven, calling themselves together the “Ten Arrows” [“On-Ogur”, probably the origin of the name “Hungarian”], and choosing Álmos as their Grand Prince around 850 AD. They thus definitively left behind their loose obedience to the Khagan further east (and south), and started the Árpád Dynasty, which would last 450 years and would count 8 members of its line as Catholic saints or blesseds, though of course we’re not there just yet! Among the first six successors of Álmos, Christian names are nowhere to be found: Árpád, Zoltán, Fajsz, Taksony, Géza, and Vajk. Each, unfortunately, were in the main cruel pagan chieftains, with Géza, though he was baptized at some point and did allow missionaries into his kingdom, continuing to practice pagan rites and mercilessly murdering relatives who could act as rivals to his power.

But baptism did not leave Géza’s son unconverted. Named Vajk at his birth in Esztergom, 30 miles North of Budapest, the only son of Géza and Sarolt, would take the name Stephen (after that famous deacon-martyr of the early Church) upon his own baptism at the hand of St. Adalbert of Prague. Providentially, his pagan father would arrange Stephen’s marriage to Gisela, a Christian princess of Bavaria (daughter of Henry II, a member of the Ottonian dynasty, who had taken over the Germanic lands after the Carolingians had fallen from power. The Germans and Hungarians were now on better terms and this marriage was one of the acts that solidified that congenial relationship). With the help of Christian Knights from Germany, Stephen would solidify his reign over all the Hungarian tribes, and later, with the support of both Otto III (then Holy Roman Emperor) and the consecration of Pope Sylvester II, would became the first King of a united Hungary and was crowned either on December 25^th, 1000 AD, or January 1^st, 1001. (The records we have speak of his being crowned on the “first day of the second millennium” which could be interpreted by the dating of that time either way).

– Fr. Dominic Rankin was recalling last week a time he dressed up as St. Louis of France for Halloween, important to note was that his homemade crown also incorporated some sort of bucket to maintain its structural integrity.  It also made it far too small, and rather uncomfortable. St. Stephen’s crown is actually far too large to fit a normal human head, so they insert a leather pad between the crown and the king to be crowned, making it fit properly, and far more comfortable than my bucket.

As you may recall, last year we spent time focusing on the third section of the Catechism which addresses our moral life in Christ.  We considered the Commandments, the Beatitudes, virtues, etc.  But there is a topic that I do not recall our addressing:  the Precepts of the Church.  Let us right away address two questions:  what do we mean by the Precepts of the Church, and what are the precepts themselves?

Let’s give the definition for the Precepts of the Church according to the Catechism:

The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor. (CCC 2041)

Now for the list of the Precepts of the Church:

1. Attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
2. Confession of serious sin at least once a year
3. Reception of Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season
4. Observance of the days of fast and abstinence
5. Providing for the needs of the Church

For the purposes of this article, I want to focus on the first Precept of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.  In particular, how do we apply this Precept in light of what the Church celebrates on Monday (August 15) – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary?  The Church in certain areas (including ours) has decided that certain Holy Days of Obligation, when they fall on a Saturday or Monday, would have the obligation dispensed, meaning you do not have to go to Mass.

End of story, right?  Not so fast!  Let me draw your attention to an important word in the definition I gave above, that these precepts are “the very necessary minimum” for our lives as disciples.  Is that what we should be looking for in the practice of our faith?  The necessary minimum?  I hope the answer for us is no.  But how we react to the fact that we do not have to go to Mass on Monday likely does say something about where we stand on whether the minimum is good enough for us.  Is it that much of a burden for us to go to Mass two days in a row?  If our answer is yes, I am afraid the evidence points to our leaning toward the minimalist approach.  If that stings your conscience a little, pay attention to that.

At this point you might be thinking: “Father Alford is trying to guilt me into coming to Mass on Monday.”  You are free to make assumptions (no pun intended) about my motives, but my true intention is to invite you to consider where you at in your journey with the Lord.  The Solemnity of the Assumption just happens to be a convenient way of broaching the topic in an interesting way.  With the Precepts of the Church, the Church expects certain minimums from us, but when we truly love something or someone, why talk about minimums?  

Father Alford

This past Monday, the Church celebrated the Memorial of St. Dominic. St. Dominic happens to be one of the favorite saints of both myself and Fr. Rankin. I’ll let you figure out why! I came across this prayer which was written by Blessed Jordan of Saxony, who knew St. Dominic and succeeded him as the leader of the Dominican Order. He wrote it as one prayer, but because it is long, it is sometimes divided up for each day of the week. Because it is long, I am sharing this prayer over two weeks. This prayer can be found in a foldable PDF form at https://www.marburydominicannuns.org/prayer-of-bl-jordan-to-st-dominic/

Sunday

O blessed father, St. Dominic, most holy priest and glorious confessor of God; noble preacher of His word, to you do I cry. O virginal soul, chosen by the Lord, pleasing unto Him, and beloved above all others in your day; glorious alike for your life, your teaching, and your miracles, to you do I pray. I rejoice to know that I have you for my gracious advocate with the Lord our God. To you, whom I venerate with special devotion among all the saints and elect of God, to you do I cry from out of this vale of tears. O loving father, help, I beseech you, my sinful soul, not only lacking grace and virtue, but stained with many vices and sins.

Monday

Holy Dominic, man of God, may your soul, so happy among the blessed, help my soul so poor and needy. Not only for your own sake, but for the good of others also, did the grace of God enrich your soul with abundant blessings. God meant not only to raise you to the rest and peace of heaven and the glory of the saints, but likewise to draw innumerable souls to the same blessed state by the ex-ample of your wonderful life. God encouraged numberless souls by your loving advice. He has instructed them by your sweet teaching; He has excited them to virtue by your fervent preaching. Assist me, therefore, O blessed Dominic, and bow down the ear of your loving kindness to the voice of my supplication.

Tuesday

Behold, O holy father Dominic, my soul, poor and needy, flies to you for refuge. With all lowliness of mind I cast myself down before you. I desire to approach you as one sick: yea and sick unto death. Most earnestly do I beseech and implore you by your merits and loving intercession to hear and quicken my soul. Fill it with the abundance of your blessing.

Wednesday

I know in very truth and have the fullest certainty that you, holy father Dominic, are able to help my soul. I trust that in your great charity you do desire to succor me. I hope that in His infinite mercy our Savior will accomplish every-thing you shall ask. This hope of mine is firm, because of the greatness of that familiar love which even here below you bore to our Lord Jesus Christ, the beloved of your heart, “chosen out of thousands.” He will refuse you nothing. Whatsoever you shall ask you will surely obtain, for though He is your Lord, yet He is likewise your Friend. One so dearly beloved will deny nothing to him whom He loves so much. He will give all things to you, who lovingly left all things for His sake, and gave up your self and all you possessed for love of Him.

Part II

Last week, I shared the first half of a prayer to St. Dominic. Here is the second half. I invite you to pray this prayer for the Dominican Order, either all at once or spread out during the week. This prayer can be found in a foldable PDF form at https://www.marburydominicannuns.org/prayer-of-bl-jordan-to-st-dominic/

Thursday

O holy father Dominic, we praise you and venerate you, because you consecrated yourself to Jesus Christ. In the first flower of your age you dedicated your virgin soul to the comely Spouse of virgins. In your baptismal innocence, shining with the grace of the Holy Spirit, you devoted your soul in fervent love to the King of kings. From early youth you stood arrayed with the full armor of holy discipline. In the very morning of life you “disposed your heart to ascend by steps” unto God; you went “from strength to strength,” always advancing from good to better. Your body you offered as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto God.” Taught by divine wisdom, you consecrated yourself entirely to Him. Having once started on the way of holiness, never did you look back, but giving up all for Christ, who for us was stripped of all, you fol-lowed Him faithfully, choosing to have your treasure in heaven rather than on earth.

Friday

O holy father Dominic, steadfastly did you deny yourself. Manfully did you carry your cross. Valiantly did you plant your feet in the footprints of Him Who is in very truth our Savior and our Guide. All on fire with the flame of charity burning strongly in your fervent soul, you de-voted your whole self to God by the vow of poverty. You embraced it yourself and by the counsel of the Holy Spirit instituted the Order of Friars Preachers to carry out the strictest form of evangelical poverty. By the shining light of your merits and example you enlightened the whole Church. When God called you from the prison of the flesh to the court of heaven your soul went up into glory, and in shining raiment you now stand near to God as our advocate. Come then, I pray you, and help me, and not only myself, but all who are dear to me. Help likewise the clergy, the people, and the women consecrated to God. I ask with confidence, for you always zealously desired the salvation of all mankind. You, after the blessed Queen of virgins, are beyond all other saints my hope, my comfort, and my refuge. Bow down, then, in your mercy to help me, for to you do I fly, to you do I come and prostate myself at your feet.

Saturday

O holy father, I call upon you as my patron. Earnestly I pray to you, devoutly do I commend myself to you. Receive me graciously, I beseech you. Keep me, protect me, help me, that through your care I may be made worthy to obtain the grace of God that I desire, to receive mercy, and all remedies necessary for the health of my soul in this world and the next. Obtain this for me, O my master. Do this for me, O blessed Dominic, our father and leader. Assist me, I pray you, and all who call upon your name. Be unto us a Dominic, that is, a man of the Lord. Be a careful keeper of the Lord’s flock. Keep and govern us who have been committed to your care. Correct our lives, and reconcile us to God. After this exile is ended, present us joyfully to the beloved and exalted Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who, with the glorious Virgin Mary and all the court of heaven, dwells in honor, praise, glory, ineffable joy, and everlasting happiness, world without end. Amen.

Feast Day: August 16^th | Patron of Hungary, Kings, Stonemasons/Bricklayers, Protector against the Death of Children

We’ve got ourselves quite the story this week (and the next two weeks as well. This’ll be another three-part-er.) We begin our tale on January 6, 1978. On that feast of the Epiphany, the US Secretary of State, an Illinois Senator, a Nobel Prize Laureate, and a Catholic Monsignor stepped off a plane carrying an ancient crown… No joke here, the Secretary of State was Cyrus Vance (who carried the crown), the senator was Adlai Stevenson (of Illinois), with them was Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi (who discovered Vitamin C and had won the Nobel Prize for Medicine because of that discovery in 1937), and along as part of the delegation as well was Msgr. George Higgins (a Catholic priest ordained in Chicago, who had attended Vatican II and had since gained fame for his defending the rights of workers.) 

But this is where our story gets even crazier. These men, and a few others, had been sent by President Jimmy Carter to return to Hungary the 1000-year-old Holy Crown of St. Stephen that had been spirited out of that country in 1945 to save it from the Communists, and in the intervening 32 years it had been safeguarded at Fort Knox! History is stranger than fiction! A Hungarian Army Colonel, perhaps part of the Hungarian Crown Guard, on May 4^th, 1945, had handed a non-descript black bag containing that sacred crown and the other Hungarian crown-jewels, to an American Army Colonel of the U.S. 86^th Infantry, in order to get them away from Hungary, where they had been hidden (buried somewhere in the castle to keep them from the Nazi’s), but where it was now feared that the Communists, who were coming to power in Hungary, would eventually find them. The Americans smuggled them west, and got them safely out of Europe, eventually all the way to safekeeping with the US Gold Reserve. History is way stranger than fiction!

If you were to fly into the Budapest at night, as that delegation just had after a hasty refuel in England, you would see clearly lit below you an ancient city divided by the Danube river. On the western bank you would see the enormous and ancient Budávari castle surrounded now by communist architecture, the aftermath of the brutal annihilation of the city between Nazi and Soviet forces in 1944. On the Eastern bank you would see much of the medieval brick and stone city still intact, with homes and churches stretching east up from the river. A hundred years before, these were actually two cities, “Buda” and “Pest”, beautifully perched on either side of the river, which merged into the one city of Budapest in 1872, becoming a united capital for the Kingdom of Hungary. Both cities had, for centuries, been known for their numerous lime kilns, with “buda” being the German word for “furnace” and “pest” being the Slavic term. There in its name itself, you can already see some of the cultural-overlap that had happened here over the centuries, but to get to the heart of that, and to find out more about that sacred crown, and the story of St. Stephen himself, we’re going to have to rewind the clock a bit further.

– Fr. Dominic Rankin once dressed up as St. Louis King of France for Halloween, and as part of his costume had to craft a crown out of cardboard, gold spray-paint, and glue-on plastic gem “stones”, … so nothing nearly as beautiful, historic, valuable, or sacred as that which crowned St. Stephen.