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SIMPLY SHEEN: Idleness is the devil's workshop!

     They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Physical idleness deteriorates the mind; spiritual idleness deteriorates the heart. The joint action of air and water can turn an iron bar to rust. Therefore at every hour in the marketplace, man must ask himself: "Why am I standing here idle?"

Cardinal Casoria: a fixture in the Roman Curia for over half a century

      Our nineteenth red hat we feature, in alphabetical order is Cardinal Guiseppe Casoria who retired from active ministry in the eighties. Today's featured Prince of the Church is the 91 year-old Italian prelate and former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. For more on Cardinal Casoria, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

19.   Cardinal Guiseppe Casoria

      Cardinal Guiseppe Casoria, now 91, retired in 1993, the same year he was transfered to the order of cardinal-priests. He was born in Acerra, Italy outside of Naples on October 1, 1908 and became a priest on December 21, 1930. The Bishop of Naples could already see great potential in this young lad, assigning him to spend his seminary training at the prestigious Pontifical Theological Faculty in Naples. After being ordained he was spent six years in pastoral work in the diocese before being called to Rome to become a jurist at the Holy See in 1937. His expertise in this field as a Roman Curia official earned him many plaudits during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII and in 1959 with Pope John XXIII as the new Vicar of Christ he was elevated to under-secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments. Ten years later Pope Paul VI promoted him to Secretary for the same congregation. On February 13, 1972 he was ordained titular Bishop of Vescovia with the personal title of Archbishop. In 1973 he was transfered to the same position of Secretary for the Congregation for Causes of Saints which he held until 1981 when Pope John Paul II appointed him Pro-Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments. In the Consistory of February 2, 1983 John Paul II welcomed him into the College of Cardinals as a cardinal deacon, receiving the titular church of St. Joseph on Via Trionfale. The Holy Father also named him Prefect of the Congregation he had served so loyally as under-secretary and Secretary for 14 years. Ill health forced him to resign his post two years later.

      Cardinal Casoria served as a peritus, which means "expert," throughout Vatican II because of his expertise as a jurist. Today he is completely retired, living in southern Italy after over fifty years of loyal service inside the Vatican.

"The earth will suffer in every way from natural disasters to man-made disasters, until the wheat and the chaff are separated."

      Those strong words from Our Lord set the pattern of Jesus' plea to take total refuge in Him for the Purification, the Recleansing will come when the fields of souls are plowed and the harvest gathered up. Those who will be counted among the wheat are those who heed all He says and dismiss human rebuke for we have nothing to fear if we live in the Divine Will. Besides, any human rebuke pales in comparison to the rebuke of the Father if we fail to heed the Son's words. Can you say "chaff?" His Blessed Mother prefaces this in her Message two days earlier to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart by reminding us that to not heed God's will leave us out in the cold and the best way to warm up to God is through conversion of the heart and prayer, specifically the Rosary that will bind satan. For Messages 393 and 394, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages Three Hundred-Ninety-three and Three Hundred-Ninety-four

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I desire to bring peace and unity among all my little ones, particularly among those who are gathered beneath my Immaculate Mantle.

      I solemnly tell you that all are called to holiness, and to each God gives according to His design. Yet I desire that you realize all are called to pray from the heart. These prayers are the links in the chain that will bind satan.

      Therefore, I say to all: Peace. Do not be curious over the mission given to one and not to another. Be alert and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you so that you do not make the mistake of becoming involved in many apostolates when in God's Plan you may have but one.

      Each link in the chain is of the utmost importance, and I tenderly watch over each one. Know you all must pray, go to Mass, Confess at least every two weeks and be secure in my Son's Sacred Heart.

      The evil one causes disunity, envy, jealousy, doubt, fear. I give you my Divine Son's Peace which tells you to fear nothing. I am with you. I love and bless you.

      Thank you for responding to my Call!

      My Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I bless you.

      Through you, little and hidden in My Sacred Wounds, I say to all of My children - Come to Me. I await you with Infinite Love! Come, be not afraid. I am the Savior of the world. I gave My life that you may have life eternal with Me.

      The Kingdom of My Father awaits you. Can you not hear Me calling? I give you signs and wonders, but yet you doubt. You who feel My call and want to give Me true reverence, do not be afraid of all who shall oppose you, for there are many lost sheep in the fold, and many still who are wolves in sheep's clothing. Do not fear their rebukes. They, too, are My children. When I ask to be given all reverence, praise, adoration, do I not have this right? I am God, and all creation is subject to Me.

      I solemnly tell you: My signs shall increase daily. The earth will suffer in every way from natural disasters to man-made disasters, until the wheat and the chaff are separated. You are to be Mine and I want to pour out Mercy. Believe and trust as humble children. I am with you always. I allow My Mother to remain for a very short time. Love Me Who Am Love, and all shall be given unto you according to the Divine Will.

      Be at peace. Pray unceasingly, for soon I shall reclaim all creation and purify all by Divine Justice.

      I love you. I bless you. Give praise to the Trinity! I am Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Word made flesh, the Savior and Redeemer. Heed My words.

Events Today in Church History

      On this date in 1145 a holy Cistercian Abbot was chosen to lead the Church during turbulent times where violence was the norm. This 167th successor of Peter was Blessed Pope Eugene III who is most remembered for putting the final touches to the Sacred College of Cardinals which has continued, with several modifications, to this day. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for February 15:

• 121 A.D.
  
• Death of the brothers Saint Faustinus and Saint Jovita, Martyred preachers from Brescia who had their heads severed from their bodies during the ruthless reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian. It was the emperor himself who ordered the decapitation when they steadfastly refused to become apostates.

• 273 A.D.
  
• Death of Saints Castulus, Lucius, Magnus and Saturninius, martyrs who were followers of Saint Valentine. They were all put to death for their faith on this date.

• 530 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Severus of Androcca, a holy parish priest who is said to have brought back a man from death so that he could confer the last rites on him.

• 1040 A.D.
  
• Death of three Benedictine monk martyrs - Saints Sunaman, Unaman and Winaman, all nephews of Saint Sigfrid of County Wexlow. These Irish monks received their martyrdom in Sweden when they were decapitated by by pagan tribes. Their heads were tossed into the river and retrieved by their uncle.

• 1045 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Sigfrid of Wexlow, missionary bishop who retrieved the severed heads of his three martyred nephews and used that as incentive to convert and baptize countless pagans in Sweden including King Saint Olaf. He traveled throughout Scandinavia bearing much fruit and is considered the "Apostle of Sweden."

• 1145 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Lucius II, 166th successor of Peter. Born in Bologna, he was elected on March 12, 1144. During his one year papal reign he had to govern during the disorders caused by Arnold of Brescia. With the rise of the communes in Italy began the end of the Middle Ages. While he was trying to prevent an extremely grave riot in the streets he was struck by a stone which caused his death a few days later on this date.

• 1145 A.D.
  
• The Cistercian Abbot Bernardo Pignatelli is elected the 167th successor of Peter on the same day his predecessor died. He took the name Eugenius and is known today as Blessed Pope Eugene III. His pontificate would last eight years and he would be forced to flee Rome several times. He would also send the previously declared Crusade on its mission and complete the institution of the Sacred College as well as begin construction of the Papal Palace at the Vatican.

• 1775 A.D.
  
• Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Braschi is elected the 250th successor of Peter and chooses the name Pope Pius VI. His pontificate would last 24 years during which he would celebrate the 19th Jubilee, and be forced to break with France for which he would have to pay a large sum of money and donate many works of art. It was during his papacy that Napoleon Bonaparte would conquer Rome and arrest the Pope. Pius VI would also have the great bell of St. Peter's cast, a massive metal casting that measures two meters in diameter.

CATHOLIC CANVAS: Daily Dose of curious contents of the Church: ORDINARY TIME

      Today and tomorrow are the last days of Ordinary Time until May 24th. Why does the Church call it "Ordinary Time?" It has nothing to do with the term Ordinary which is attributed to one who has jurisdiction of an office such as the Pope who is the "Ordinary of the Church," a bishop is the "Ordinary of his Diocese" or a priest being the "Ordinary of his parish." Some abbots are "Ordinaries" who are not subject to the jurisdiction of the local bishop. The term "Ordinary Time" evolved from that time that used to be called the Time of Epiphany after Christmas or Septuagesima (which means seventy days and therefore rougly comprises the thirty days prior to the forty days of Lent); and after the Easter Season it used to be regarded as the Season of Pentecost that included Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Feast of Corpus Christi Sunday and the time after Pentecost up until the First Sunday of Lent. After the Second Vatican Council the liturgy was changed and simplified, marking the time after Christmastide, beginning with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord as the gateway to the first block of Ordinary Time. The second block begins the day after Pentecost incorporating the two succeeding Sundays of The Holy Trinity and The Body and Blood of Christ, then picking the following Sunday as the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, picking up the three feasts of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi as the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Sundays preceded by the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Even though there are 34 Sundays in Ordinary Time, it ends that nomenclature with the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time the week before the Feast of Christ the King which begins the final week of Ordinary Time before the First Sunday of Advent seven days later. The vestment colors are, of course, green which is the symbol of hope and growth; hence its use for the greater part of the year. (sources: My Catholic Faith, Mission House; 1999 Catholic Almanac, Our Sunday Visitor, Publisher; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers; Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon, SJ, Doubleday).

      Today and tomorrow are the last two days in Ordinary Time until May 24th for Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, followed by Easter Season through Pentecost Sunday. For the readings, liturgies, and meditations, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Monday February 15:
Sixth Monday in Ordinary Time
Presidents' Day

Green vestments

First Reading: Genesis 4: 1-15, 25
Psalms: Psalm 50: 1, 8, 14, 16-17, 20-21
Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 11-13

Tuesday February 16:
Sixth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Shrove Tuesday

Green vestments

First Reading: Genesis 6: 5-8; 7: 1-5, 10
Psalms: Psalm 29: 1-4, 9-11
Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 14-21

      In the old liturgy, we commemorated the martyrs Saints Faustinus and Jovita on this date. In honor of their merits, we present a special prayer for their intercession from My Daily Prayer published by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood:

      O God, Who dost makeus glad by the yearly festival of Thy Holy Martyrs, Faustinus and Jovita, mercifully grant that we, who rejoice in their merits, may be inspired by the example of their lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

    Dear children! I again invite you to prayer. You have no excuse to work more because nature still lies in deep sleep. Open yourselves in prayer. Renew prayer in your families. Put Holy Scripture in a visible place in your families, read it, reflect on it and learn how God loves His people. His love shows itself also in present times because He sends me to call you upon the path of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

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THE DAILY WORD

"With all prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit, and therein be vigilant in all perservance and supplication for all the saints."

Ephesians 6: 18

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February 15, 1999 volume 10, no. 31   DAILY CATHOLIC