First Reading: Titus 3: 1-7
Psalms: Psalm 23: 1-6
Gospel Reading: Luke 17: 11-19

     Born the son of a Roman officer and pagan parents in Hungary around the year 319, Saint Martin of Tours became the epitome of the Good Samaritan throughout his life, beginning at the age of 15. Having been educated at Pavia, Italy, Martin followed his father's footsteps when he enlisted in the Roman army as an imperial guard. On one cold day, the legend relates, he came upon a barely-clothed beggar who was shivering. As people passed him by, ignoring his pleas, Martin felt compassion. Having no money, only his weapons and his long red army-issued cloak, Martin drew his sword and slashed the cloak in half, giving the poor man the cloak to warm him. As he slept that night, Martin had a vision in his dreams of Jesus Christ who was wrapped in the half cloak Martin had bestowed on the beggar. It was a confirmation of Christ's words in Matthew 25:35-40 specifically the last verse, "Amen I say to you, as long as you did for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me." The dream had such a profound effect on Martin that he immediately sought out the Christians for catechumenism. Constantine had passed the Edict of Milan and Christians were now free to openly profess their faith. After six years as a catachumen, Martin was baptized and traded his commission in the army for the minor order of exorcist by Saint Hilary of Poitiers. After Hilary was exiled, Martin went back to his Hungarian homeland, where, through his example he converted his pagan mother. After Hilary was allowed to return to Poitiers in France, Martin left Hungary to rejoin Hilary there as his disciple. Martin was ordained and became a hermit on land that would eventually become the monastery of Liguge - the first ever monastery in France that was reinstated by the Benedictines in 1852 and still exists today. Martin gained the reputation of being a miracle worker after he had brought a catechumen back to life. He became so popular that the people of Tours demanded he become their bishop when the vacancy came. In 371 he was selected Bishop of Tours and dedicated his episcopate to evangelization. Four years later he founded the monastery at Marmoutiers where vocations multiplied, providing many priest-monks for the region and beyond. He was an excellent diplomat and administrator, convincing representatives of the Roman Empire in the west that the Church should have the same guidelines and freedom in France that Constantine afforded Holy Mother Church in Rome. His austere lifestyle was a bone of contention among other bishops and priests who fought his attempts to instill this way of life on them. While at a country parish trying to quell the division among the clergy, he died in 397 at the age of 78. His efforts and the seeds of faith he planted in French soil nourished France for centuries where Tours became the focal point of monastic life. He was one of the most well-beloved bishops of the 4th Century and has always been one of France's favorite saints so much so that in the autumn, when the leaves begin to fall, they call it "St. Martin's summer" for that is the time the people drink the new wine that has been harvested and wine represents the fruit of Christian virtue which Martin personified.

      Today's prayer is taken from the Opening Prayer for today's Mass honoring Pope Saint Leo the Great:

God our Father, You will never allow the power of hell to prevail against Your Church, founded on the rock of the apostle Peter. Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great keep us faithful to Your Truth and secure in Your Peace.

Events Today in Church History

      Today is the 449th anniversary of the death of the 220th successor of Peter Pope Paul III who was the man who, continuing the counter-reform movement against Protestantism, convened the landmark Council of Trent and also gave papal approval to the Society of Jesus, which, of course, is the priestly order known as the Jesuits. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for November 10:

461 A.D.


Death of Pope Saint Leo the Great, Doctor of the Church. For more on this great saint and pontiff, see TODAY'S LITURGY

1241 A.D.


Death of Pope Celestine IV, 179th successor of Peter who had been elected on October 28, 1241. The cardinals had been unable to reach an agreement on his election so the Roman Senate closed them under lock and key in the ancient palace of the Settizonio on the Coelian Hill. From this episode the Church derives the term "conclave."

1285 A.D.


Death of King Pedro III, monarch of Aragon who had wrongly been excommunicated by French sympathizing Pope Martin V.

1549 A.D.


Death of Pope Paul III, 220th successor of Peter whose pontificate lasted just a week over 15 years. A great patron of culture and the arts, he nominated Michelangelo as architect for life of St. Peter's Basilica. In the climate created by the "Counter Reformation" he gave official approval to Saint Ignatius Loyola for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and called the 19th Ecumenical Council - the landmark Council of Trent.

1608 A.D.


Death of Saint Andrew Avellino, 87-year old mystic and reformer who faced fierce harassment by those opposing reform within religious orders. He was a close friend of Saint Charles Borromeo and died in Naples on this date.

Pope calls for the world to respond to Hurricane victims as Miami group responds generously

      During his weekly Sunday Angelus at St. Peter's, Pope John Paul II appealed to everyone to respond to the needs of the helpless victims of Hurricane Mitch and made another plea that peace can be achieved in the Congo and the Mid-East. While he was speaking in Rome, a group of former Nicaraguans in Miami banded together to do all they could to provide rations, food, money and clothes to the victims with a grass roots fundraising campaign throughout the city and drop-off points for supplies to be sent to the victims in these hurricane-ravaged countries of Central America. Not only Miami, but from Boston to San Diego Americans are opening their hearts, closets, cubbards and checkbooks to do all they can do to help and alleviate the unbelievable suffering of their brothers and sisters who were left homeless from the devastating floods on the Isthmus of the Americas. For more, click on Hurricane relief.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- After his Angelus audience on Sunday, November 8, Pope John Paul II made an appeal for a "generous" worldwide response to the needs of people he Central America who are suffering in the wake of a devastating hurricane there. He also renewed his calls for peace in the world, especially in Congo and in the Middle East.

      After speaking of the natural disaster that struck Honduras and Nicaragua, the Pope told his audience, "While raising my prayer to God for the numerous victims, I renew my invitation to generosity toward the survivors, who are now confronting enormous problems."

      "Alas there are other sad events, caused this time by the violence of men, which threaten to undo the efforts of those who hope for a better world," the Holy Father continued. He mentioned the recent bombing in Jerusalem, evidently intended to set back the peace process. "The best remedy against such terrorism," the Pope said, "is the application of the peace accords."

      Finally, the Holy Father mentioned new armed attacks in regions of Congo. These new military advances, he said, "leave the local populations in a climate of total insecurity, causing damage to our religious personnel and the works of the Catholic Church."

      Meanwhile in Miami, native Nicaraguans who are now living in the United States have organized a series of fundraising efforts to help their former countrymen recover from the damages caused by hurricane Mitch.

      Especially in Miami, the activity among Nicaraguan groups has been particularly intense during the past week, since news reports carried a dramatic story of suffering in the Central American nation. Parish halls have been converted into warehouses, storing supplies for shipment to Nicaragua. The city's harbors have been busy day and night, as supplies come in from other cities, or head out for Managua.

      The organization Nicaraguan Brotherhood said that government aid would not be enough to help the hurricane victims, and so "we are working, community to community, to make sure they really get what they need." Setting aside the political differences between many exiles and the government in Managua, those involved in the fundraising efforts see their work as a service to their former neighbors. As one volunteer pointed out simply: "First and foremost, we are all Nicaraguans."

Supreme Court rules School Vouchers do not violate separation of Church and state issue

     Many suspect Milwaukee's Catholic schools will be swarmed with applications from parents next week on the heels of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the School Vouchers Law passed in Wisconsin. Everything had been in limbo pending an appeal by the ACLU who had challenged the law. Now that challenge has been defeated and 15,000 vouchers valued at $5,000 apiece will be distributed to students who are eligible under the guidelines set down. The vote was 8-1 against allowing the ACLU to challenge and, hopefully, is an omen of good things to come for other states in both granting school vouchers for parochial schools to boost the coffers of much needed parish schools but also to improve education on all levels in both public and private schools. For more, click on Vouching for the Vouchers.

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US Supreme Court on Monday turned away a challenge to a Wisconsin law that allows parents to use tax vouchers to send their children to the school of their choice, including church schools.

      The high court voted 8-1, with no explanatory comment, to refuse to hear a challenge to the law that contended it violated the separation of church and state because religious schools were allowed to take part. The program allows as many as 15,000 eligible students in Milwaukee to attend the school of their choice with tuition vouchers good for up to $5,000 per year.

      The law had been challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, People for the American Way, the NAACP, and teachers' unions. Some supports of the law were also disappointed that the court elected not hear the case and "resolve the constitutionality of parental choice."

Pope's right hand man elevated higher as Cardinal Ratzinger becomes vice-dean of the College of Cardinals

      One of the Holy Father's most trusted lieutenants Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was granted another honor last Friday when the six Cardinal bishops elected the German prelate as vice-dean of the College of Cardinals, the second-in charge of the conclave. Within four years he could very well become dean of the College and be the one to govern the conclave in the event the Holy Father should die. Cardinal Ratzinger's selection fills a void left after the death of Cardinal Agostino Casarol who passed away on June 9. For more, click on New vice-dean.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has been elected vice-dean of the College of Cardinals. He succeeds Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, who died on June 9.

      Cardinal Ratzinger was elected to his new post on November 6 by the six cardinal-bishops. (The College of Cardinals is divided into cardinal-bishops, cardinal-priests, and cardinal-deacons.) The vice-dean replaces the dean of the College of Cardinals (currently Cardinal Bernardin Gantin) if the latter is unable to perform his functions.

      Upon the death of a pope, the cardinal known as the camerlengo (currently Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo) takes charge of Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected. But it is the dean of the College who calls together the conclave, presides over the elections in the Sistine Chapel, and asks the elected candidate if he will accept the office and which name he will choose.

      In his motu proprio of November 1970, governing the process of papal elections, Pope Paul VI stipulated that the vice-dean should replace the dean if the dean has reached the age of 80 at the time of the conclave. Cardinal Gantin is now 76 years old, while Cardinal Ratzinger will be 72 in April.

      The other 4 cardinal-bishops, named for life, are Cardinals Paolo Bertoli, Roger Etchegaray, Angelo Sodano, and Lucas Moreira Neves-- the last having been named to replace Cardinal Eduardo Pironio upon his death last year.

Church gives strong attention to preserving Pro-Life in Columbia as Pope urges family values while anti-family organizations try to squeeze Operation Rescue

      The bishops of Columbia have united to issue a strong plea to the legislatures to preserve the pro-life referendum by defeating new bills that would give the culture of death an inroad in this highly Catholic country where, to this point there are strong laws against abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. But liberals are trying their best to lobby to have these measures passed that would weaken the pro-life platform. The Holy Father reminded the new Columbian Ambassador to the Holy See when he met with him Saturday, urging him to uphold family traditions and curb the violence and right the unbalanced system where the poor just get poorer. In addition to all the above, more bad news for the pro-life movement when Randolph Terry former head of Operation Rescue announced he has filed bankruptcy to stave off the vultures from Planned Parenthood and Women's Lib movements who are circling in bloodthirsty attempts to suck the man and his non-profit organization dry. For more, click on Columbia and the Sanctity of Life

      BOGOTA (CWNews.com) - The Catholic Church bishops of Colombia have asked pro-life legislators not to accept new proposals which could weaken the penalties for abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia.

      Bishop Fernando Sabogal, an auxiliary in Bogota, testified before a legislative committee which is considering proposed changes in the country's penal code. He observed that the changes would provide lighter sentences for abortion in cases involving rape or severe malformation of the fetus, as well as for euthanasia, mercy killing, and genetic manipulation.

      "For the Church this "mercy killing" is unacceptable, as is abortion in all circumstances," Bishop Sabogal said, "because the 'problem' which they seek to eliminate is life itself--and that, of course, is contrary to the law of God." The bishop argued that rather than easing criminal penalties for such offenses, the legislature should actually make the law stricter, in order to counteract the current climate of indifference toward the dignity of human life. He also expressed the fear that, if criminal penalties are eased in some cases, the way might be cleared for elimination of all criminal sanctions, and thus for the effective legalization of abortion and euthanasia.

      Bishop Sabogal reminded the legislators that they are not obliged to approve the proposed changes in the criminal code, and urged them to make an independent judgment, mindful of the threats to human life.

      Regarding the situation in Columbia, Pope John Paul II condemned the terrorism which has struck innocent victims in that country, including several missionaries and Church workers as he greeted the new ambassador to the Holy See from Columbia.

      Speaking to Guillermo Leon Escobar-Herran, who presented his diplomatic credentials on November 7, the Pope argued that "social disequalibrium" caused by "marked discrepancies in the distribution of material resources" had contributed to the growth of violence in Colombia. He urged a process of "national reconciliation" based on "the art of dialogue."

      The Pope expressed his outrage over the recent acts of violence by terrorist groups seeking to overthrow the government, as well as the ugly phenomena of drug traffic, abandoned children, and family breakdown.

      Meanwhile, in Syracuse, New York the former head of Operation Rescue filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday, citing enormous debts owed to pro-abortion groups and abortion clinics after a civil judgement against him.

      Randall Terry said in his Bankruptcy Court filing he has $1.7 million in debts, including $1.6 million he has been ordered to pay to the National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood. "I cannot in good conscience permit the National Organization of Women, Planned Parenthood, and others who have profited from abortion to harass my wife and family, and possibly get money from me to continue their crusade against unborn life," he said.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

Click here to return to SECTION ONE or click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

November 10, 1998 volume 9, no. 220   DAILY CATHOLIC