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Holy Father blesses new church in Rome in fulfillment of a vow made 55 years ago

     It took three generations and fifty-five years later, but the Roman faithful led by Pope Pius XII, who made a vow to build a church in honor of Our Lady of Divine Love if God would spare their city from invasion during World War II, have finally made good on their promise and Pope John Paul II, along with 22 other bishops, was present to consecrate the new Sanctuary of Divine Love, bathed in a blue light created by stained glass, as His Holiness reminded the people of the other vows made in association with the construction of this edifice, that of helping others and repenting of their immoral conduct. For more, click on Fulfilling a promise

      ROME, 5 (NE) In 1944, allied troops were near Rome, waiting orders to enter into the Italian capital, still occupied by German soldiers. A group of faithful gathered in a place near the Eternal City, in order to pray for the city's salvation. There they made a triple promise in case Rome was preserved from destruction: to build a church in honor of the Virgin of Divine Love, to make an important act of charity, and also correct their moral behavior.

      On that same day, an hour after reading the vow, the German army left the capital without offering any resistance.

      Yesterday, Pope John Paul II consecrated the church of the Sanctuary of Divine Love, the temple promised during those difficult years of war. 22 bishops were also present. The beautiful celebration counted with a great choir and included fireworks.

      "During World War II," recalled the Pontiff in his homily, "when allied troops were ready to attack Rome, Pope Pius XII and the people of Rome gathered here to pray and made the vow to build in this same place a sanctuary for the Virgin."

      The Holy Father especially urged the people to fully accomplish the promise done during the war. "Today the promise is partially fulfilled," he said. "The act of charity is also about to take place: a home for elderly, nor far from here. But the third promise never ends and it is the most difficult to carry out: the correction of moral behavior," said the Pope.

Rome proclaims fourteen more to be canonized in the near future

     The Pontifical Congregation for the Causes of Saints proclaimed, in the Holy Father's presence, the clearance for fourteen new saints to be proclaimed later this year and in the Jubilee year. Included in the group are various Spanish martyrs, two Italian priests who reformed their orders, and a Mexican nun who founded the Congregation of the Sacred Heart and will become Mexico's first female saint. For more, click on Modern saints .

      VATICAN CITY, JUL 2 (ZENIT).- In the near future, the Church will have fourteen new saints. They were proclaimed Friday in a public morning consistory held at the Vatican in John Paul II's presence.

      Among the new saints will be Giuseppina Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who became a nun shortly after her baptism. She was born in 1869 in Dafur, and was kidnapped when she was 9 years old and sold into slavery. Her owners took her to Venice. When her owners decided to return to Sudan, Giuseppina refused to follow them. The city's attorney agreed with her, and she regained her liberty. She was baptized in 1890 and, three years later, entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity. She spent the rest of her life in the magnificent simplicity of the convent.

      Along with Giuseppina, the sanctity of Cirilo Bretran and eight companion martyrs will also be recognized -- they were Brothers of the Christian Schools -- along with Fr. Inocencio of Mary Immaculate, a Passionist priest who, like Bretran and his companions, died a martyr during the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War.

      In addition, among those to be canonized will be Mexican Sister Maria de Jesus Sacramentado Venegas, founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, who died 40 years ago. She is the first female saint from Mexico.

      Italy will have two new saints. The first is Benedetto Menni (1841-1914), of the Hospitaler Order of St. John of God, who reorganized this religious order in Spain after it had been suppressed by anticlerical laws. He opened 22 hospitals in Spain, Portugal and Mexico. He was also the founder of the Congregation of Hospitaler Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

      Tommaso da Cori (1655-1720), the second new Italian saint, entered the Franciscan Order at 22 years of age; he established the "retreats" of the Order of Friars Minor -- individual communities in which the Franciscan rule was observed with great austerity.

      The Spanish martyrs and the two Italian saints will be canonized on November 21 of this year. Sister Giuseppina Bakhita will be proclaimed a saint on October 1, 2000. The date for the canonization of the Mexican Blessed remains to be decided, although it will almost certainly take place in Rome during the Jubilee celebrations. ZE99070204

Protestant marchers think better of marching through Catholic neighborhood in Northern Ireland

      Surprisingly, the Protestant Orange Order which has been fomenting so much opposition to the Irish Peace Pact and to the Roman Catholics, backed off and decided not to stir things up further by marching past Catholic homes in tension-villed Portadown, Northern Ireland. Many believe the pressure from the Ulster Unionists which is the strongest Protestant main-line group in the region, and promises from British Prime Minister Tony Blair who has both Protestant and Catholic blood-lines, helped quell further violent confrontations though there are minority factions within these groups on both sides who want to perpetuate the centuries-long bitter fued. For more, click on Irish tension.

      DRUMCREE, Northern Ireland (CWNews.com) -- No serious incidents were reported as Protestant marchers from the Orange Order paraded through the town of Portadown on Monday, July 5, stopping short of the nearby Catholic town of Drumcree.

      Although some members of the Orange Order had vowed that they would march into Drumcree, the heavy British troop presence made it impossible those promises. Facing soldiers and barbed-wire roadblocks outside the Catholic town, the Orangemen delivered a protest to the British peacekeeping contingent, but then turned away without forcing any further confrontation.

      After the parade had ended, officials reported one incident in which young Protestant hoodlums attempted to break into a Catholic cemetery near Drumcree. They were driven away by British paratroopers.

      The relative quiet of the annual march was seen as a victory for British Prime Minster Tony Blair, who was struggling to rally support for his efforts to force progress in the peace talks on Northern Ireland. Unionists in the divided region had protested that Blair was making too many concessions to the Republican forces, and a new outbreak of violence at Drumcree-- the scene of daily confrontations between Orangemen and police last summer-- was seen as likely to inflame tensions and make the peace process more complicated.

Prefect of Justice and Peace Pontifical Council lays out Ten Commandments in business

     There is a saying, "Mr. Business went to church, never missed a Sunday; Mr. Business went to hell for what he did on Monday." Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace wants to provide a guide for businessmen and women so they don't fall into that trap and will conduct business in a Christian manner as Jesus Christ intended. That is why he recently release ten guidelines, or the "Ten Commandments of Business" applicable to all. For more, click on It's everybody's business.

      VATICAN CITY, JUL 2 (ZENIT).- Archbishop François Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, not only combines Christian and Asian wisdom, as he is a native of Vietnam, but also a practical sense, having spent years in a Communist jail. In the May-June, 1999 issue of the magazine, "Sign of the Times," the Archbishop gives ten rules for all those people who would like to be talented businessmen and follow Gospel principles. His secret lies in applying Christ' example to business life. We provide here the Archbishop's text.

1st Lesson: "Be ready"

      In order to be a good leader, a good manager, and good director, one must be well prepared, and be properly disposed. Jesus is a good example. He prepared thirty years for a three-year mission! Jesus' Gospel speaks of the five wise virgins who bought oil for their lamps, and they waited all night for the arrival of the groom. The preparation is thus complete and success is guaranteed.

2nd Lesson: "Establish a plan with the firm determination to accomplish it."

      Jesus had a great plan: to save humanity! And he was determined to be thorough in three stages: the first, to call the Apostles; the second, to train the Apostles; the third, his Passion in Jerusalem. When we set a goal, we will arrive at it step by step.

3rd Lesson: "Choose Collaborators"

      Jesus employed time and effort in the choice and formation of his collaborators. The imperative that defines the success of a business is not money, or a building, or machines, but collaborators. They are the ones who insure the life of a company, of a business.

4th Lesson: "To carry out an important endeavor, it is necessary to be determined to overcome all obstacles."

      The most beautiful plan does not meet with success unless there is someone determined to live and die for it. St. Paul is a symbol: he was an enemy, a persecutor of the Church; but, once chosen by Jesus, he did not spare a single sacrifice to conclude the mission Jesus entrusted to him, including death.

5th Lesson: "Make no compromises with corruption"

      React rapidly, because any delay can cause irreparable damage. When Jesus sees the traders in the temple, he chases them away immediately. Many businesses fail because they wait to cut corruption or give in to it ...

6th Lesson: "Cultivate good relations"

      St. John the Baptist, Jesus' precursor, who prepared the Lord's way, is an excellent model; because of his humility, his sensitivity, his affection and his indifference to self, he helped Jesus in his work. "I am not the Messiah; he is coming after me, but he is greater than I am. I baptize with water but he will baptize in the Holy Spirit."

7th Lesson: "Reserve special attention for children"

      Why? When the Apostles do not want the children to come near to Jesus, He says to them: "Let the children come to Me, because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." When a boss is concerned about the children of his collaborators -- their health, their studies... the psychological success is very great. Working parents are happy, they feel secure, their work and production increase happily.

8th Lesson: "Be ready to face difficulties"

      Every business and every project suffers its own crises. One must be prepared. Jesus spoke many times to his disciples about his Passion and death, in order to prepare them for the crisis, which was virtually insurmountable.

9th Lesson: "Choose priorities"

      There are many good tasks to be done. However, it is imperative to choose the priority among priorities. Jesus answered those relatives who were looking for him: "I must do my Father's will."

10th Lesson: "Prepare a successor"

      This is a very important task for the leader, for the heads... Jesus prepared twelve Apostles and chose Peter as his successor. Many good bosses commit a grave error: they believe they are eternal and do not prepare a successor. Thanks to this preparation of Peter's successors and, notwithstanding the fact that for three centuries the Church suffered persecution and many were martyrs for the faith, the Church has continued to go forward until our day -- with 267 Popes. There has never been a business in the world that has lasted 2000 years like this one of Jesus, the perfect model. ZE99070201

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July 6, 1999 volume 10, no. 129   DAILY CATHOLIC