Stoned To Death With Popcorn

It's a pity that the beatification process of Fulton J. Sheen - the remarkable human being, Catholic, famous preacher, archbishop and most of all - faithful follower of Christ - has been stalled by two disputing dioceses in USA. Hopefully, they will resolve quickly their differences and the process will come to its completion.

As we await it with great anticipation, let's remind ourselves some of his most famous quotes (click here). I must admit cheekily, that my favorite quote, certainly one of his most popular, is this:

“Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.”

Somehow, being a Catholic priest and a long-time confessor of nuns of numerous congregations, both  in active and contemplative service of the Church, I can attest to the truth of this quote!

Against Malefice

Found this prayer in the internet. I think we need to pray with living faith and full trust in God's Omnipotence and Mercy - for ourselves and for each other in this manner.

Prayer Against Malefice from the Greek Ritual

Kyrie eleison. God, our Lord, King of ages, All-powerful and All-mighty, You Who made everything and Who transform everything simply by Your will. You Who in Babylon changed into dew the flames of the ‘seven-times hotter’ furnace and protected and saved the three holy children. You are the doctor and the physician of our soul. You are the salvation of those who turn to You. We beseech You to make powerless, banish, and drive out every diabolic power, presence, and machination; every evil influence, malefice, or evil eye and all evil actions aimed against Your servant [name of person/s]. Where there is envy and malice, give us an abundance of goodness, endurance, victory, and charity. O Lord, You Who love man, we beg You to reach out Your powerful hands and Your most high and mighty arms and send the angel of peace over us, to protect us, body and soul. May he keep at bay and vanquish every evil power, every poison or malice invoked against us by corrupt and envious people. Then, under the protection of Your authority may we sing, in gratitude, ‘The Lord is my salvation; whom should I fear? I will not fear evil because You are with me, my God, my strength, my powerful Lord, Lord of peace, Father of all ages.”

Yes, Lord our God, be merciful to us, Your image, and save your servant [name of person/s] from every threat or harm from the evil one, and protect him/her by raising him/her above all evil. We ask You this through the intercession of our Most Blessed, glorious Lady, Mary ever Virgin, Mother of God, of the most splendid archangels and all Your saints. Amen!

Power Of Attraction

I personally find this gem of a thought as one of the most important statements of the Holy Father Francis. 

"When a person is secure of his or her own beliefs, there is no need to impose or put pressure on others: there is a conviction that truth has its own power of attraction." (Pope Francis to interreligious leaders in Albania, 21/9/2014)

Invitation To The Philippines

The National Coordinator of The Divine Mercy in the Philippines invites us all to take part in the upcoming Fourth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in his country in 2017. Check the info on the national shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan here.

Thank you, Father Bruce! We are coming, but first - our Continental African Congress on Mercy in Rwanda in September/October 2016.

From Zero To Hero

Coming back to Kiabakari has been always a special experience - like getting a shot of pure adrenaline straight into the main vain or like jumping straight into the deep cold sea. This time this adrenaline shot kicks stronger. This time the sea is a bit rougher and colder.

Monday evening, upon my arrival back to Kiabakari, I have found on my desk a heap of correspondence and documents waiting for me to go through. Among them a schedule of the upcoming pastoral visit of the Apostolic Nuncio in Tanzania in our diocese of Musoma (Sept 11-17). The first point in the itinerary of the Nuncio - Kiabakari, on September 11. Interesting thing - as I type this post, in general the people in Kiabakari have no idea the Nuncio is coming. I guess the one who substituted me while I was away, did not publicized the news to the faithful.

Now, you don't need a flourishing imagination to figure out how long it took me to switch from the holiday mood to the full combat mode.

Yes, you are right. A millisecond.

So, after holding an emergency meeting last night with the executive council of the parish and the Sisters, things are beginning to move quickly ahead. We have exactly one week left to go from zero to hero. Keep your fingers crossed!

We have hosted Apostolic Nuncios in Kiabakari twice already.

First time, on July 28, 1992, The Archbishop Agostino Marchetto blessed and opened officially the mission in Kiabakari and the quasi-parish of Kiabakari was initiated by the then Bishop of Musoma Rt. Rev. Justin Samba.

Second time, Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto came to Kiabakari on August 17, 2001, to raise the parochial church in Kiabakari to the dignity of the diocesan shrine of Divine Mercy.

I wonder what this third coming of the Nuncio to Kiabakari means to us this time? For sure, we will receive the Nuncio as the Holy Father Francis himself. The meaning, the value and the outcome of this pastoral visit I leave entirely to the freedom of action of the Holy Spirit.