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      Today is the Thirteenth Wednesday in Ordinary Time and the Feast of the First Martyrs of Rome while tomorrow is the Thirteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time and the Feast of Blessed Padre Junipero Serra, Franciscan missionary and founder of 21 Spanish missions in California, beginning with the first in San Diego at Mission de Alcala. In fact, his feast day corresponds with the day he first arrived in San Diego in 1769. He established the site of the mission on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 of the same year. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignetttes on these feasts, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Wednesday, June 30:
Thirteenth Wednesday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of the First Martyrs of Rome

Green or Red vestments

First Reading: Genesis 21: 5, 8-20
Psalms: Psalm 34: 7-8, 10-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 8: 28-34

      In an effort to commemorate all of the early martyrs in the first days of the Church, a special feast has been set aside which follows the day after the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and was established for the entire Roman Calendar by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Prior to that it had only been observed in the city of Rome. The Jerome Martyrology lists 979 martyrs who died in the famous fire set by the nefarious Emperor Nero in 64 A.D. as well as countless others who shed their blood to sanctify the faith with the blood of its martyrs." Their deaths were the "seeds of faith." Historians Tertullian and Tacitus give accounts of how many willingly gave their lives for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the dastardly acts of being thrown to the lions and other beasts in the arenas, or burned at the stake as "human torches;" while others were crucified, and still others banished to remote islands without food or water. All in all there is no set number how many martyrs they were but they are all remembered in this special feast as the "first martyrs."

Thursday, July 1:
Thirteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of Blessed Junipero Serra, Franciscan Missionary

Green or White vestments

First Reading: Genesis 22: 1-19
Psalms: Psalm 115: 1-6, 8-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 1-8

      Considered the founder of the California missions that still flourish today along the west coast, Blessed Junipero Serra was born Jose Miguel Serra in 1713 in the village of Petra near Mallorca, Spain. The son of a farmer, he received the name Junipero upon joining the Franciscans in 1730. After receiving his doctorate in theology as a priest and teaching at the Lullian University at Palma de Mallorca, he was finally given the assignment he had prayed for - missionary work which took him first to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1749. For the next eight years he traveled throughout Mexico, holding numerous administrative offices including Commissary of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico and the Franciscans were given the spoils with Junipero being named president of the missions in Lower California. Two years later Spain took over Upper California and Blessed Serra accompanied the Conquistadors to San Diego where he founded the first mission in 1769 - Mission de Alcala in Mission Valley which is still considered the "mother of all California missions." Following the traditional Spanish rule for administering the missions, Serra had more than a few run-ins with Spanish leaders and military forces regarding the Indians whom he ministered to and loved. Because of his dedication to the Beatitudes, perseverance, and loyalty to the Indians resulted in countless conversions. Riding by mule and horseback, Blessed Junipero established nine more missions along the California coast from Oceanside to Carmel where he established his headquarters and where he died peacefully in 1784 at the age of 71. At Serra's beatification ceremony in 1988, Pope John Paul II said Blessed Junipero "is a shining example of Christian virtue and the missionary spirit. His great good was to bring the gospel to the native peoples of America, so that they, too, might be consecrated to the truth." It is fitting that the Church established his feast day on the first day of the month America celebrates her heritage and independence.

      Today we honor the First Martyrs of Rome with the Preface of today's last Mass for June:

Father, You sanctified the Church of Rome with the blood of its martyrs. May we find strength from their courage and rejoice in their triumph.

Events Today in Church History

      On this date last year His Holiness Pope John Paul II issued his Apostolic Letter Ad tuendam fidem aimed at dissident theologians mostly in higher education at Catholic institutions who have strayed from the true teaching of the Church in regards dogma and policy such as their stubbornness in pushing for women priests despite Rome's orders that there will be no discussion. This Apostolic Letter gave the Holy See teeth to carry out discipline against those who stray. They have been duly warned. 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 June 30:

1139 A.D.


Death of Saint Otto, bishop and missionary from Bamberg who strove to heal the breach between Pope Paschal II and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V during a time when there were five succeeding antipopes. Otto was canonized by Pope Clement III in 1189.

1741 A.D.


Pope Benedict XIV releases the second official encyclical - Quanta cura which treats the subject of forbidding traffic in alms.

1998 A.D.


Pope John Paul II issues his Apostolic Letter Ad tuendam fidem dealing with dissident theologians and those who keep trying to push for ordination of women as the Holy Father litterally takes the bull by the horns with this papal bull calling for disciplinary measures against those who teach a tune other than what they must as members of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Pope reveals at festivities for Saints Peter and Paul that he'll retrace history for Jubilee pilgrimage

      The Holy Father, during papal festivities at St. Peter's yesterday for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and the traditional day the papacy is honored, revealed that he has written a letter to be released today in which he lays out an itinerary that will take him first to the birthplace of Abraham and then on through the Old Testament to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. Those hearing it included a contingent of Orthodox representatives honoring him as well as 37 archbishops who received the traditional pallium. For more, click on Papal plans .

      VATICAN CITY, JUN 29 (ZENIT).- John Paul II surprised everyone on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of Rome, by signing a letter, to be published tomorrow, giving his reasons for undertaking the realization of one of the most cherished hopes of his pontificate: "a Jubilee pilgrimage through some of the places linked to the history of salvation."

      The Pope's pilgrimage will begin in Iraq -- the ancient Ur of the Chaldeans, Abraham's native land -- or on Mount Sinai, symbol of the Exodus and of God's Covenant with the people of Israel. He will continue by visiting holy places of the New Testament: Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. In other words, as the Pope himself explained, it will be "a journey on the road of divine Revelation."

      "I want to emphasize the exclusively religious and spiritual significance of this pilgrimage; no other interpretations can be attributed to it," the Pontiff said. On several occasions Holy See representatives have made it very clear that the Pope would only undertake this pilgrimage if the countries and factions in conflict in the Middle East do not use it as an instrument. Because of this, as Bishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio in Israel explained, it is hoped that this visit will take place in the framework of renewed peace agreements between Israelis and Palestinians.

      The letter includes the Pope's memories of his 1965 visit to the Holy Land, when he was Archbishop of Krakow.

      Meanwhile the Holy Father oversaw a celebration of unity among Christians In Rome as an Orthodox Delegation from Constantinople joined in festivity for Patrons of the Eternal City on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, which is a public holiday in Rome, became a moment of intense Christian unity, both within the Catholic Church, as well as in ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Church.

      The solemn Mass presided by John Paul II in the Vatican Basilica has been, for many years, the celebration of the year that best reflects Christianity's cohesion. It is mirrored in the traditional offering of the sacred pallium to Metropolitan Archbishops named by the Pontiff over the past year.

      The pallium, a band of white wool with six crosses embroidered in black silk, is the symbol of the ties that unite the Metropolitans with the See of Peter. An Archbishop who heads an ecclesiastical provinces made up of several dioceses, symbolized by the crosses.

      The wool for the palliums traditionally comes from two lambs offered to the Pope of the Feast of St. Agnes (January 21). The wool symbolizes the flock of the Archbishop. The pallium also has two metal pins, originally included for the practical purpose of fastening the pallium. These now symbolize the link with the universal Church.

      On this occasion, 37 Archbishops received the pallium: fourteen from Latin America, two from North America, seven from Africa, four from Asia, and ten from Europe.

Orthodox Delegation

      The ceremony was characterized by a profound ecumenical spirit. Among those attending the Mass was an Orthodox delegation sent by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. When greeting ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I's envoys, John Paul II prayed that all Christians, "forgetting the errors of the past, will come to the full unity willed by Christ."

      The Holy Father received the ecumenical delegation in private yesterday. During the meeting, Chrysostom Kostantinidis, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ephesus, who represented the Patriarch of Constantinople, expressed his hope that the new millennium will put an end to the schism of 1054 which has kept Catholics and Orthodox divided for almost one thousand years. ZE99062905 and ZE99062906

Leader of Armenian Church succumbs to throat cancer

      Catholicos Karekin I, leader of the Armenian Church which had signed a reconciliation agreement last fall that effectively paves the way for reuniting the Armenian Church with Rome, died Tuesday in Yerevan. The Holy Father had wanted to visit him before his inevitable death but his own health in Poland precluded any possibilities. It could be a good omen that he died on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul for Armenians can associate that day with the day celebrated in the Western Church as a Papal Feast. He was 66 and had been Catholicos for four years. For more, click on Catholicos dies .

      YEREVAN, Armenia (CWNews.com) - Catholicos Karekin I, the leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, died on Tuesday after a lengthy battle with larynx cancer, the church announced.

      The Catholicos had undergone surgery in the United States last year to remove a tumor on his larynx. He was 66. Earlier this month, Pope John Paul II had scheduled a last minute trip to visit the ailing Catholicos and then, just as abruptly, canceled the visit after contracting the flu. The trip had been rescheduled for July 2-4.

      Karekin was born Nshan Sarkisian in Kassab, Syria, and studied at a seminary in Beirut, Lebanon, where he later became director. He became a deacon in 1949 and took a vow of celibacy in 1952, church officials said. He studied in the theology department at Oxford University in 1957-58, and in the 1970s he led church dioceses in the United States, Iran, and India, the church said. He was elected Catholicos in April 1995.

Disney video being used in South America by Planned Parenthood in promoting the Culture of Death through family favorite vehicle Donald Duck

      The wholesome, family value reputation built by Walt Disney is corroding under Michael Eisner as word comes that Planned Parenthood has recirculated an atrocious, blatant contraception Disney animation promotion in Spanish in South America using Donald Duck to do the dirty work that demeans all that is sacred for the meaning of life. It was actually made in 1968 and shown for twenty years until it was pulled. Disney has denied involvement and asked for it to be shelved but the fact Disney made the video speaks volumes. For more, click on Disney's Death video.

      ROME, JUN 29 (ZENIT).- A 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck encourages families in the developing world to have few children. The cartoon "Planificacion Familiar" ("Family Planning") was created by Disney for the US Population Council, one of the chief promoters of population control, and is being distributed by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood, Associacion Chilena de Protection de la Familia (APROFA), for home and educational viewing.

      APROFA is selling the video as part of a set which retails for $25. The set includes "Planificacion Familiar," a Planned Parenthood cartoon entitled "Felices Familias Planeadas" ("Happy Planned Families"), and an APROFA educational video entitled "La Confianza No Es Un Metodo" ("Trust is Not a Method").

      "Family Planning" begins with Donald Duck, a well-loved children's figure, opening a medical supply kit that contains reproductive health supplies, oil paints and an easel. Using the paints and easel he proceeds to illustrate rapid population growth and ensuing starvation.

      "The world is overpopulated," a narrator declares. "With every generation, the population is growing too fast.... Let's say in time that this couple will have more children.... The mother ... is unhappy, weak and sick. The children will be sickly too.... But this situation can change."

      From his reproductive health supply kit, Donald Duck brandishes a golden key, and declares: "Science gives us the key for a new personal freedom: family planning!"

      At the end of "Family Planning," Donald Duck declares: "We are all responsible for humanity and that means you too!"

      Patty Gadomski of Disney Educational Productions confirmed that Disney created the Donald Duck "Family Planning" cartoon. She said that it had sold well in Third World countries, but went out of production in 1988 because of decreasing demand.

      Gadomski added that APROFA is in violation of copyright law for reproducing and marketing the video, and for marketing the accompanying video "Happy Planned Families" as a Disney product.

      "Happy Planned Families" markets condoms, IUDs, the pill, and other methods of birth control in the Chinese, French, Spanish, English and Arabic languages. A close examination of the credits reveal that "Happy Family Planning" was not made by Disney but by Planned Parenthood of America in cooperation with the Wyeth Institute. Wyeth-Aherst is the manufacturer of Norplant.

      Gadomski described APROFA's use of the Disney name and video as "a serious no-no" and said Disney's attorney's would be in contact with APROFA to stop the violation. ZE99062920

"Cut the cover-up, let's get to the bottom of this," former judge rails at Guatamalan government over Bishop's murder last April

     After fifteen months the murder of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera of Guatamala still remains a mystery and Church officials, human rights advocates and now a former judge want answers now! Up until now the government and military have been staging a cover-up framing another priest with no evidence while everything points to a conspiracy by the military to silence the Bishop after he had exposed the government for various violations and atrocities. For more, see Guatamala

      GUATEMALA CITY (CWNews.com) - A former judge on Monday filed a complaint against Guatemala's new defense minister and two other military leaders, accusing them of planning the murder of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera last year.

      Judge Juan Carlos Solis Oliva did not reveal his evidence in the complaint, but named Gen. Marco Tulio Espinoza Contreras and other officers as the masterminds of the killing. Prosecutors will investigate the complaint to see if charges should be filed.

      Bishop Gerardi was murdered at his home in April, 1998, two days after releasing a human rights report blaming the military and its paramilitary allies of the majority of deaths during the country's 36-year civil war. The investigation until now had focused on a priest who was living with the bishop at the time, even though Church and human rights groups had insisted that the timing of the murder after the report be investigated.

      The Archdiocese of Guatemala City's human rights office, which Bishop Gerardi led before his death, was cautious concerning Solis Oliva's claims. "We want to be able to see his evidence. Until now, as far as we know he hasn't presented any actual evidence," said Mynor Melgar, legal counsel to the human rights office. Solis Oliva has previously said that his information comes from a confidential military source. But some Guatemalans say he is trying to divert attention from some of his relatives whose names have come up in the investigation.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the features, dossiers and Daily Dispatches at ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

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June 30, 1999 volume 10, no. 126   DAILY CATHOLIC