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    Today we bring you the 64th person selected out of the TOP 100 CATHOLICS OF THE CENTURY. The voters chose Cardinal George Basil Hume, O.S.B., the late Archbishop of Westminster who died this past June 17th. The selection of this beloved Benedictine came from many voters in Britain and Europe who loved this shepherd who treated young and old, rich and poor, Catholic and non-Catholic alike - all with love and respect, upholding the Pope's policies and teachings in trying to bring people together for one common purpose - to love and serve God. For more on the 64th selection, click on CARDINAL BASIL HUME, O.S.B.

64.    Cardinal George Basil Hume, O.S.B.

    The voters chose as the 64th selection Cardinal Basil Hume, O.S.B., the late Archbishop of Westminster who died of cancer on Thursday, June 17 this year at 5:20 in the afternoon at the Hospital of St. John and St. Elizabeth in London He was the ninth archbishop of the See of Westminster, holding that position for 23 years, the same time span he had been a cardinal. In mid-April he had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. He submitted his resignation to Pope John Paul II and wrote to the priests of his archdiocese that, "I have cancer, and it is not in its early stages. However, I have received two wonderful graces. First, I have been given time to prepare for a new future. Secondly, I find myself- uncharacteristically - calm and peace."

    He was born George Basil Hume in Newcastle-on-the-Tyne on March 2, 1923 in the Hexham Diocese of England. He came from a mixed marriage with his mother Marie Elisabeth nee Tisseyre being French Catholic and his father Sir William Errington Hume, CMG, FRCP a strict Anglican and well-known heart surgeon. He completed his primary and junior education at Newcastle Prep School between 1931 and 1933. The next two years he attended Gilling Preparatory school where he completed his colleges and at the phenomenal age of 11, young George attended Ampleforth College, completing his secondary school studies in 1941. At 18 he joined the Abbey of St. Lawrence at Ampleforth in 1941 and professed Solemn Vows in 1945 and was ordained a Benedictine priest on July 23, 1950 at St. Lawrence Abbey after receiving his degree in Theology from Fribourg, Switzerland.

    His first teaching assignment was at St. Lawrence where he became Senior Master in Modern Languages from 1952 to 1963 while at the same time serving as Housemaster of St. Bede's. Simultaneously he was also Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Magister Scholarum of the English Benedictine Congregation. After teaching for several years, he was appointed in 1963 Abbot of the Abbey where he studied as a seminarian. He held this post until being named Archbishop of Westminster on February 9, 1976, the first such honor for anyone from a monastic order to such a high position. He was installed as the ninth Archbishop of Westminster on March 25, 1976. This honor was followed up with an even higher honor two months later when he was named in Pope Paul VI's Fifth Consistory of May 24, 1976. He received his red hat and the titular church of St. Silvestro in Capite.

    He was Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal for twenty-three years. Over this time he was active in various Curial offices including the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life along with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. In addition, he was President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales from 1979 to his death and President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences from 1978 to 1987. In 1990 he was tabbed as joint President of Churches Together in England and President of the Council of Christians and Jews. He was a strong proponent of ecumenism. He received Honorary Doctorates from numerous universities in Europe and the United States - from Cambridge and Oxford to Catholic University of America and Notre Dame. On May 25 this year Queen Elizabeth II conferred the Order of Merit on him. To this honor which garnered him the same title his father had - "Sir" - he remarked, "I would like to think that it is a recognition of the part played by Her Magesty's loyal Catholic subjects - laity, clergy and bishops - in the life of the nation."

    That was the kind of man Cardinal Hume was, unassuming, humble and striving for holiness. His books bear this out, such as Searching for God released in 1977; In Praise of Benedict in 1981; To be a Pilgrim in 1984; Towards a Civilization of Love was published in 1988; Light in the Lord in 1991; Remaking Europe: the Gospel in a divided continent was issued in 1994; Basil in Blunderland in 1997 was a humorous look at his own humanity; and The Mystery of the Cross was his final book published in 1998. He also did three films, A Series of Surprises, 1995; Footprints of the Northern Saints in 1996 and his final work, possibly his best Exploring the Mass in 1999.

    He was a strong and loyal backer of Pope John Paul II's policies and teachings and the Holy Father felt his allegiance, having a mutual respect for this quiet, but firm and jovial English prelate. The Pope's consoling words on June 18, 1999 to the clergy and laity of England sum up the calibre of this 76 year-old cardinal: "I thank the Lord for having given the Church a shepherd of great spiritual and moral character, of sensitive and unflinching ecumenical commitment and firm leadership in helping people of all beliefs to face the challenges of the last part of this difficult century. I am confident that the example of the cardinal's devoted service as Benedictine monk and Abbot at Ampleforth and as Archbishop of Westminster, his untiring work as President of the Bishops' Conference, as well as his witness of dignity and hope in the face of the mystery of suffering and death, will inspire all who knew him to ever greater fidelity to the Gospel of salvation."

"Have Mercy on East Timor!"

    Today, with every minute counting and the world taking their sweet time in coming to the aid of the helpless Catholics of East Timor who are falling by the thousands to the Muslim mauraders of Indonesia, we bring you the Holy Father's consoling words this past weekend to Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, spiritual leader of East Timor who meets with the Pope today in Rome, and Bishop Basilio Do Nascimento of Baucau. In addition we bring you the Pope's brief words from his regular weekly Wednesday Papal Audience on the theme of conversion. For the Pope's words, click on THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS.

    It is with great sadness that hour by hour I am receiving ever more tragic news from the cherished land of East Timor and I am profoundly saddened that the glimmers of hope born of the recent popular consultation have been transformed into the terror of today, which nothing and no one can justify.

    In these hours of suffering, I wish to send to both of you, to the clergy, seminarians, religious and faithful of the two Dioceses this expression of my spiritual closeness, while remembering in prayer those who have died, the injured, the refugees, the deportees and all who are in distress. I call on everyone to cling to hope in the victory of the Cross, even as they are living once again the sorrowful experience of the passion.

    In most firmly condemning the violence, which has also been furiously unleashed against the personnel and property of the Catholic Church, I implore those responsible for so many acts of wickedness to abandon their murderous and destructive intentions. It is also my heartfelt wish that as soon as possible Indonesia and the International Community will put an end to the slaughter and find effective ways to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Timorese population.

    With such sentiments and fervent wishes, and as a pledge of divine comfort, I impart with all my heart to you and your Christian communities my Apostolic Blessing.

   The day before the Holy Father imparted the following short address during his regular weekly Papal Audience on Wednesday, September 8 - the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Saint Peter's Square to a packed crowd:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Parable of the Lost Sheep proclaims that, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7). In the Old Testament, in the writings of the Prophets and Psalmists, we find that Israel’s sins are forgiven and cancelled by God the Father, with a Father’s love and mercy towards his children: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalms 103:10-13). In the New Testament, God’s forgiveness is made present through the words and deeds of Jesus who reveals to us the merciful face of the Father. The forgiveness of sins is offered by Christ to all the baptized through the sacramental mediation of the Church. As in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, all are invited to return to the Father, to the communal banquet of joy, where divine mercy triumphs over human wrong and injustice. This invitation is addressed with particular emphasis to the whole Church as an essential part of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

Appreciation of the Successors of the Apostles: Bishops

    Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the great treasuries of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith. We continue with the Hierarchy, treating today the successors of the Apostles - the Bishops of the world and the charge given to them. For the ninth installment, click on APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH

THE BISHOPS - THE SUCCESSORS OF THE APOSTLES

    A bishop rules over that part of the Church, an organized territory called a bishopric, diocese, or see, assigned to him by the Pope. The word “bishop” is a translation from the Greek episcopos, which means “overseer,” a term first applied during apostolic times.

    A bishop administers the temporal possessions of his diocese, and gives an account of their administration to the Pope. He provides for the education and training of candidates for the priesthood, and the religious education of his whole flock. He gives faculties to hear confessions, censors books on religious subjects, and has many other powers for the proper administration of his diocese.

    The bishops are the major-generals in the vast army of the Church. They command the different divisions of that army, subject to the authority of the commander-in-chief, the Bishop of Rome. As the Pope is the successor of St. Peter, so the other bishops are the direct successors of the other Apostles. Bishops are called “Princes of the Church.” To them Our Lord spoke: “He who hears you hears Me.” They and their vicars general are termed ordinaries, because they have ordinary, or immediate, jurisdiction over the diocese. The Pope grants to bishops their jurisdiction. They are obliged to go to Rome at stated intervals, to report on the state of their dioceses in what are called ad limina visits.

    A bishop is shepherd of his flock. He appoints and supervises parish priests to help him. In governing his diocese, he is assisted by a number of “canons,” or by diocesan consultors. A coadjutor or auxiliary bishop is commissioned to assist the bishop of a diocese. Usually a coadjutor bishop is one with the right of succession.

    The Pope addresses a bishop Brother, because as bishops they have the same rank. Bishops wear a miter, and carry a crosier as a sign of their office of pastor. They wear a pectoral cross. They have a ring, as a symbol of their union with their diocese. The faithful kiss it in token of obedience and respect.

    A Vicar Apostolic is a bishop who rules over a territory that is not yet fully organized, called a Vicariate Apostolic. When the territory is first organized, it is usually placed under the care of a priest, and not a bishop. This priest is called a Prefect Apostolic and his territory is an Apostolic Prefecture.

    A titular Bishop or Archbishop is one to whom a special work is given, but who does not have jurisdiction over a diocese, as nuncios, apostolic delegates, auxiliary bishops, vicars apostolic, and retired bishops. He is given the title of an ancient and extinct diocese where once the faith flourished, but where there are now few or no Catholics.

    An Archbishop or Metropolitan is a bishop who has certain powers of jurisdiction granted by the Pope over neighboring dioceses composing his province. Archbishops wear a pallium, a white strip of wool, on the shoulders, as a symbol of gentleness. They act as first judges of appeal from a decision of their suffragan bishops.

Tuesday: the Hierarchy and the Sacred College of Cardinals

    Today is the Feast of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church and tomorrow is the Feast of the HOLY CROSS. For the readings, liturgies, meditations, and vignettes on these feasts, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Monday, September 13, 1999

Monday September 13:
Feast of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

White vestments

First Reading: 1 Timothy 2: 1-8
Psalms: Psalm 28: 2, 6-9
Gospel Reading: Luke 7: 1-10

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

    One of the great Doctors of the Church in the 4th Century was Saint John Chyrsostom who was born into a Christian family in Antioch in 349. Shortly after his father died and his mother, a woman of great virtue, raised John in the faith. Baptized at the age of 18, John was tutored by the great Greek public orator of his day Libanius, but in 374 John gave it all up in search of a higher calling and retreated to the mountains to live the life of a hermit. Poor health forced him to return to Antioch where he was ordained a priest in 381. Utilizing all he had learned under the Greek master while incorporating the dogma of the true faith his fame soon spread and the faithful flocked to his Masses. This caught the attention of Pope Saint Siricus who appointed him to the influential bishopric as Patriarch of Constantinople. Throughout his life John was a fierce defender of the true faith against Arianism and received the name Chyrsostom which means "golden-mouthed" in Greek. Like fellow Saints Athanasius and Basil of his time, John was not only greatly cherished by the people, but also falsely accused by the Arians, in particular the Bishop of Alexandria who forced John's exile. John knew, like Basil, that the people would not stand for this and thus he called the Arian bishop's bluff by refusing to show up for the mock trial that whould condemn him. Regardless, the Arian bishops unanimously decided to exile him. However John refused, claiming they had no authority and the Arians appealed to the Roman Empress Eudoxia who was moved to side with the Arians after hearing one of St. John's sermons denouncing the pomp and luxury promulgated by the Roman rulers. It wasn't until 403 that John was allowed to return by the Emperor Arcadius. However that was short-lived for, always loyal to Christ, John objected vehemently to the unveiling of a statue of the Empress Eudoxia who had exiled him. He did not object because of the exile edict, but rather the pagan nature attributed to the statue. Once again exiled, he would not return until posthumously carried back by the Emperor's son Theodosius II thirty years after the saint's death. While John spent his last years in exile orchestrating the missionary efforts of Lebanon, Syria and Persia as well as helping in the conversion of the Goths, he continued his campaign to be reinstituted as the rightful Patriarch of Constantinople. He wrote the new pontiff Pope Saint Innocent I who had been elected the 40th Vicar of Christ on December 22, 401. Though Innocent was in favor as well as the Constantinople citizens who would accept no one else other than John as their bishop, the new Roman Emperor Theodosius was stronger and more influential. Thus he sent John even farther away. John lived a total of 63 years, dying on the feast of the Holy Cross on September 14, 407 while enroute to the village of Comana near the Black Sea to preach. He received his Heavenly reward with the words "Glory be to God for everything. Amen" on his lips. He was pronounced a Doctor of the Church by Pope Saint Leo the Great at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, 44 years after his death.

Tuesday September 14:
Feast of the Triumph of THE HOLY CROSS

Red vestments

First Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9
Psalms: Psalm 78: 1-2, 34-38
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Gospel Reading: John 3: 13-17

    In the Latin Roman Rite this feast is celebrated on September 14th each year to celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, died. Historians record that the true cross was unearthed by the Empress Saint Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine the Great in the year 326. With Constantine as emperor his mother had the funds and the visa so-to-speak to conduct an extensive expedition for the true cross for it was the sign of the cross in the sky that enabled her son to be victorious - "In hoc signo vinces." Though she was nearly 80 years old her mission was to uncover Christ's cross so that all the world could give it the reverence and veneration it deserved. On arriving in Jerusalem there was no visible sign of any evidence because the heathens had constructed pagan temples over anything Christian to show their disdain. This was the signal to Helena where to look and so she sought out where stones had been piled high, leading her to many discoveries including the sepulchre where Jesus was buried, finding the tools of torture as well after she had the pagan temples destroyed. In the process her expedition nearby uncovered three crosses with the nail holes still visible and, after more digging, discovered the crude rough iron nails that had pierced the hands and feet of our Savior, as well as the two thieves. Helena grappled with which of the three was the true cross and sought out the holy bishop Saint Macarius, who suggested to Helena that the three crosses be taken to a very influential lady who lay very ill in the city. His reasoning and faith was that God would reveal which was the true cross when it touched and healed the sick woman. Helena did just this as Macarius prayed for the miracle they sought. God answered their prayers when the third cross was placed near the woman after the first two had failed. Almost immediately the woman regained full health. Helena was so overcome with joy and gratitude that she ordered a church be built on the spot where she discovered the cross and placed the major portion of the cross in an elegant silver casing inside the church for protection, entrusting it to St. Macarius. Because this pine wood cross was shredding some, Helena took a healthy piece back with her back to Rome, placing it in another church she had delegated to be built there which was renamed Of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem or the Church of Santa Croce in Rome where it is still preserved today. Helena died peacefully in her son Constantine's arms on August 18, 326. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Macarius' successor, stated that pieces of the true cross were spreading throughout the world which later confirmed what St. Paulinus of Nola wrote: though pieces of the sacred wood were slivered off the main cross almost daily and given to the devout, the cross seemed never to diminish in size. Today these relics are indeed on every continent and we have personally seen many times crosses that contain a sliver of the true cross. As a relic the sliver of the cross is often carried beneath a covered canopy in procession. When it is presented for exposition it is customary to genuflect in veneration, and kissing the relic is a total indication of respect and veneration.

    In honor of today's Feast of Saint John Chrysostom, we present the Opening Prayer for the Mass in his honor:

Father, the strength of all who trust in Your, You made John Chrysostom renowned for his eloquence and heroic in his sufferings. May we learn from his teaching and gain courage from his patient endurance.

    On this date 1,395 years ago in 604 Pope Sabinian was elected the 65th successor of Peter. He succeeded Pope Saint Gregory the Great after a six month vacancy for replacing Pope Gregory I was a major project. Sabinian introduced the regulation of the ringing of the bells to indicate to the people the canonical hours for meditation and prayer. In addition, it was Sabinian who decreed that the sanctuary lamps be kept lit wherever the Blessed Sacrament was reposed. 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 September 13:

604 A.D.


Election of Pope Sabinian as the 65th successor of Peter. After a vacancy of six months this holy man from Blaera, Italy was chosen to lead the Church. He regulated the ringing of the bells to indicate to the people the canonical hours for meditation and prayer. He decreed that sanctuary lamps be always kept lighted in the churches and chapels where the Blessed Sacrament was present in the Tabernacle.

606 A.D.


Death of Saint Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria who worked closely with Pope Saint Gregory the Great in fighting the various heresies of the age, especially the Eutychian heresy.

630 A.D.


Death of Saint Amatus, Bishop and Confessor. This Benedictine monk was born in Grenoble, France and, encouraged by Saint Eustace, founded monasteries and became the first abbot of one of the monasteries where he remained until his death on this day.

1549 A.D.


Pope Paul III publishes the suspension of the eighth session of the Council of Trent due to interference by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and an outbreak of typhus. No other reform decrees would be issued until this landmark Council would be reconvened in 1551 by Paul's successor Pope Julius III and last through 25 sessions when it would be finally closed by Julius' successor Pope Paul IV in December 1563.

A common sense approach to our Faith through the eyes and heart of the laity!

    Due to unforeseen circumstances, Pat Ludwa's column has been delayed. Therefore, we bring you his past columns giving you the opportunity to review any of his forty-four columns for this year. This Thursday hopefully his regular column will resume. For Pat's past columns, click on VIEW FROM THE PEW ARCHIVES

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August 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message

   Dear children! Also today I call you to give glory to God the Creator in the colors of nature. He speaks to you also through the smallest flower about His beauty and the depth of love with which He has created you. Little children, may prayer flow from your hearts like fresh water from a spring. May the wheat fields speak to you about the mercy of God towards every creature. That is why, renew prayer of thanksgiving for everything He gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

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The DAILY WORD

"So Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Thyself, for I an not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof' this is why I did not think myself worthy to come to Thee. But say the word and my servant will be healed.'"

Luke 7: 6-7

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September 13, 1999 volume 10, no. 173   DAILY CATHOLIC