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The teacher of the 40's is rewarded by his pupil with the cardinalate in the 90's

     We continue with this new series that debuted the beginning of the year, bringing you on a regular basis three times a week the Princes of the Church. Our thirty-third red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order is Cardinal Paola Deskur, S.J., former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, former professor of the Holy Father and second oldest living cardinal. For more on Cardinal Deskur, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

33.   Cardinal Paolo Dezza, S.J.

      The second oldest cardinal is Cardinal Paolo Dezza, S.J. who was born December 13, 1901, making him four months younger than the oldest - China's Igatius Pin-mei Gong. Cardinal Dezza was born in Parma in Northern Italy just south of Cremona. At the age of 17 he entered the Jesuit Seminary in Naples where he was ordained on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1928. After ordination he took higher studies in Theology and then taught Metaphysics at the Gregorian University in Rome until 1932. After various other teaching assignments, he was instrumental in helping establish the Aloisianium a new center for Scholastic Philosophy in Gallarate where he became Rector on September 24, 1939. Two years later Pope Pius XII summoned him to Rome to appoint him Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University there during World War II.

      Renowned for being a precise, caring professor who conveyed his material with the utmost sincerity and clarity, he was well loved by his students, many of who would go on to become bishops and cardinals within the Church. In fact, one of his students there was a young priest from Poland - Father Karol Wojtyla. When the latter became Pope John Paul II he would remember this great teacher who imparted so much to our current Holy Father. In 1965 Cardinal Dezza was elected Assistant General of the Jesuits during the 31st General Congregation in Rome and moved to the Jesuit headquarters a stone's throw from St. Peter's. On October 5, 1981, with the Superior General of the Society of Jesus very sick and unable to fulfill his duties, Pope John Paul II recalled his excellent professor, mentor and friend Cardinal Dezza and appointed him to head the vast Jesuit empire as Superior General locum tenens until an election could be held to appoint a permanent Superior General.

      At the age of 90, out of respect for this devoted Jesuit who had taught so many leaders of the Church, the Holy Father made him a cardinal during the Consistory of June 28, 1991 even though he was well-past the retirement age and not eligible for the Sacred Conclave. He received the titular church of St. Ignatius of Loyola on a Campo Marzio with the title of cardinal deacon.

      This weekend we observe the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, foster-father of Jesus and earthly-spouse and protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saturday is a Lenten Weekday before the FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT. For the readings, liturgy, meditations and vignette on St. Joseph, click on DAILY LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND.

Friday March 19:
FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY, FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

White vestments

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7: 4-5, 12-14, 16
Psalms: Psalm 89: 2-5, 27, 29, 37
Second Reading: Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22 Gospel Reading: Matthew 1: 16, 18-21 or Luke 2: 41-51

      So much has been said about this very special, holy, pure and quiet saint...and yet, so little is really known about Saint Joseph. No one can pinpoint the exact year he died, but we do know he died a happy, peaceful death richly deserved because of his obedience to the Will of God in being the earthly guardian of God's Own Son and the Immaculate Mother Mary through whom He chose to fulfill the Act of Redemption. Saint Joseph is the saint most often invoked for the grace of a happy death and the assurance that Jesus is spiritually present at that time with every dying soul. While Mary was the heart of the Holy Family, Joseph was the head, yet always submitting to a higher Power in all things...from accepting Mary's virgin birth as truly from God to rallying the family in the cold of the night to flee from Herod's wrath into a land he knew nothing about, only that God would not abandon him or those he was charged to protect. Every virtue can be attributed to this saint who bridged the Old Law, born into the royal family of David's lineage, and the New Law and guided to maturity his foster Son Jesus Christ, our Savior. Because of his role in protecting the Holy Family he has been designated Protector of Holy Mother Church as well. Yet, it is surprising to discover that this pivotal saint was not really recognized until the fourth century and then that veneration was in the Eastern Church because of the apocryphal History of Joseph. In the Western Church only in the ninth century was there first any mention of Joseph and that was in Irish circles. It wasn't until the fifteenth century that Joseph began receiving widespread veneration in the West when his feast was introduced into the Roman Calendar in the year 1479. It took two great saints to promote his cause for universal appeal - that of Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Francis de Sales, both doctors of the Church. This recognition finally came in 1870 when Pope Pius IX declared him Patron of the Universal Church. More honors were extended to Joseph in 1889 when Pope Leo XIII made Joseph the model for all fathers in his encyclical Quanquam pluries in which he confirmed "that his pre-eminent sanctity places him next to the Blessed Virgin among the saints." Other recent Popes have also extended special titles on Joseph, among them "Protector of the worker" by Pope Benedict XV, "Patron of Social Justice" by Pope Pius XI and an additional feast day was added in 1955 by Pope Pius XII - May 1 to observe the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.

Saturday March 20:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Jeremiah 11: 18-20
Psalms: Psalm 7: 2-3, 9-12
Gospel Reading: John 7: 40-53

SUNDAY March 21:
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14
Psalms: Psalm 130: 1-8
Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11
Gospel Reading: John 11: 1-45

Monday March 22:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Daniel 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
Psalms: Psalm 23: 1-6
Gospel Reading: John 8: 1-11

      This weekend's Prayer is taken from the Preface for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph:

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks, as we honor St. Joseph. He is that just man, that wise and loyal servant, whom You placed at the head of Your family. With a husband's love he cherished Mary, the virgin Mother of God. With fatherly care he watched over Jesus Christ, Your Son, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the powers of Heaven praise and worship Your glory.

     For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary

Events this weekend in Church History

      Friday is the 74th anniversary of Pope Pius XI elevating Father Angelo Roncalli to bishop, naming him titular Archbishop of Areopolis and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. It was the first of his diplomatic service and Roman Curial experience that would promote him to Patriarch of Venice and then the 261st successor of Peter as Pope John XXIII. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 19:

• @24 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Church, foster father of Jesus, spouse and protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For more, see WEEKEND DAILY LITURGY

• 1128 A.D.
  
• Queen Theresa of Portugal gifts the Castle of Soure to the Knights Templars for their noble efforts in the crusades.

• 1148 A.D.
  
• Crusaders of the Second Crusade make their entrance into Antioch

• 1227 A.D.
  
• Pope Gregory IX succeeds Pope Honorius III as the 178th in the line of Peter. He would go on to be known as the "canonizer" for elevating St. Francis, St. Dominic, and St. Anthony. He was also called the "excommunicator" for taking the bold move of placing Frederick II under interdiction. It was Gregory who instituted the "Holy Inquisition."

• 1229 A.D.
  
• The German Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen enters Jerusalem causing the Archbishop of Caesarea to place an inderdict on the Holy City at Pope Gregory IX's command.

• 1452 A.D.
  
• Frederick III becomes the last Holy Roman Emperor to be coronated in Rome

• 1532 A.D.
  
• Church property in England is confiscated by King Henry VIII in retaliation for Pope Clement VII's censures on him.

• 1925 A.D.
  
• Pope Pius XI elevates Father Angelo G. Roncalli to the episcopacy, naming him titular Archbishop of Areopolis and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. Archbishop Roncalli would go on to become a cardinal and then the 261st successor of Peter as Pope John XXIII.

• 1937 A.D.
  
• Pope Pius XI publishes his 28th encyclical Divini redemptoris speaking out against atheistic communism.

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 20:

• 687 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Cuthbert, bishop and abbot in Ireland, and Saint Herbert

• 1191 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Clement III, 174th successor of Peter. This Roman-born Supreme Pontiff sustained the indissolubility of marriage. He gave official approval to the Order of the Teutonic Knights whose principal duty was to defend the pilgrims in the Holy Land.

• 1239 A.D.
  
• Pope Gregory IX re-excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II Hohenhauffen for disobedience and interference in ecclesial affairs

• 1312 A.D.
  
• The King of France, Philip IV, with his army at the ready, persuades Pope Clement V in Vienne to condemn the Knights Templars

• 1345 A.D.
  
• Superstition spreads through Europe that the alignment of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the 40th degree of Aquarius is an omen of the Black Death. Though this plague scourged Europe and weakened Holy Mother Church's prestige, it opened doors for missionaries and religious to play a merciful role in aiding the sick and the dying.

• 1393 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint John Nepocene, Polish martyr and Patron of confessors.

• 1413 A.D.
  
• Death of the Catholic King of England Henry IV

• 1565 A.D.
  
• King Philip of Spain signs the deed for the settlement of Florida, dispatching more missionaries to the new world.

• 1993 A.D.
  
• Pope John Paul II beatifies Blessed John Duns Scotus.

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 21:

• 630 A.D.
  
• Roman Emperor Heraclius recaptures the True Cross taken by the Persians and restores it to it's proper place

• 1146 A.D.
  
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux begins preaching the Second Crusade

• 1152 A.D.
  
• Pope Blessed Eugene III grants an annulment to King Louis VII of France and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine

• 1487 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Nicholas Von Flue, Patron Saint of Switzerland

• 1591 A.D.
  
• Pope Gregory XIV bans all wagering on papal elections as well as betting on the length of a papal reign or when cardinal would be named and who.

• 1947 A.D.
  
• Pope Pius XII publishes his eleventh encyclical Fulgens radiatur on Saint Benedict.

"I do not seek from you great deeds. I seek instead your love."

      Those words above come from Our Lord just a few days before His Nativity in which He asks His children to not worry about the extraordinary feats, but to do the little things in an ordinary way through virtue and love. That pleases Him most. He urges His children to heed His Blessed Mother's words to her little ones, including Our Lady's 441st Message to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart six days before on December 17 in which Blessed Mary entreats her children to be aware of the wiles of satan who is more active than ever before. For Messages #441 and 442, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages 441 and 442

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I bless you. Please tell all my children I love them. I desire to bring them to my Divine Son, the Savior of the World. How my heart is comforted by all who have truly lived my messages and prepare their hearts daily to receive my Divine Son.

      Yet, my children, so many of you fail to respond. You lack peace. You do not have direction for your life, and you seek solace and comfort only in earthly things. When you do this I cannot help you. First, you must give your heart to Jesus Christ, and surrender to His Love and Mercy. You will not know peace, nor receive proper direction unless you are in union with the Divine Will.

      Dear children, I solemnly tell you never has satan tried to deceive so powerfully. Do not permit his attacks. When any difficulty arises go immediately to prayer and remain in prayer until it is the Holy Spirit Who fills you. Then will conflicts of all types cease, starting with families and encountering nations as well.

      If you do not abandon yourself to God and surrender your will that the Holy Spirit may fill you, you shall be caught unprepared for the trials that must yet come. I have warned of these trials. I have told you repeatedly to convert your heart so that you might understand the signs of the times.

      For all of those who, by God's Wisdom, are called to form communities as the first Christians lived, I solemnly tell you the hour is now and you must go forward in great faith, united in mind and heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Be Eucharistic communities always in the True Presence of my Son. If you do this, all that you need God will provide.

      Prepare well, my children. Each day brings the Hour of Justice closer. Therefore, in this time of Mercy do not be stubborn, nor proud. Kneel in homage to God, the tiny Infant Savior in the Manger, and give Him your heart. Comfort Him! Love Him!

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I love you. O! How eagerly I await my children. How many will come to Me, the Divine Infant, to give Me their hearts?

      O! My children, you have not understood My Gospel; you have not really learned from My Mother's Messages. I do not seek from you great deeds. I seek instead your love. Love is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well, practicing virtue which warms and comforts My Heart.

      Will you be as the shepherds were? Little, humble, yet full of faith? Will you hear the angels sing, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth Peace to men of good will."

      O! I, your Lord and God, the Savior of the world, do solemnly tell you that in this season of Advent you have not only prepared to celebrate My Divine Sacred Birth, but you also have prepared My Way to return to reclaim My Kingdom. The hour draws near for My return. Come, kneel in humble adoration before Me, your God, your King. Hear Me, for I speak to you. I call ceaselessly and give to you My Own Mother as a beacon of light in a dark world.

      Awaken from your spiritual darkness. The Son of God comes in all His Glory. I seek your heart. Will you deny it to Me?

      I love and bless you, My children. Prepare well for the hour is at hand.

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

March 19-21, 1999 volume 10, no. 55   DAILY CATHOLIC