Comments on: Covering A Variety Of Topics This Week: Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Halloween and All Saints/All Souls, Por Cristo & More

By: Theresa Gorey

Theresa Gorey — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:46:44 +0000

Your Eminence, The sanctity of marriage is about to fall in our State�A true disgrace to us as Massachusetts Catholics. Like with abortion in 1973, the Catholic Church across the State has not been sufficiently vocal on this critical issue and I fear, under our watch, the sanctity of marriage will go down with only a whimper from our Church clergy and authorities. What can you do? Would you announce this rally from the pulpits accross the State at all Masses on this Saturday and Sunday so that Catholics will be inspired to come out in defense and protection of Marriage? Thank you and God bless,

By: Enmanuel Merino

Enmanuel Merino — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 23:10:46 +0000

Hello brother. I came across your blog and i think is awsome. I just want to let you know that you are an inspiration for many young people. Including myself. Thanks to God for people like you. I am currently a seminarian at Borromeo cleveland with the Capuchins. Thanks and remember that we keep you in our prayers…

By: Connie Ley

Connie Ley — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 02:45:20 +0000

Your Eminence, I am intrigued by the fact that Sister Olga is a hermit, yet she works in the world. I would have thought a hermit was one who was isolated from the world.

Thanks you for your blog. It is the first and only one I have ever read (saw an article about it in the National Catholic Register). This is a great form of evangelization. God bless and protect you. Thank you for being His instrument.

By: Julia Russell

Julia Russell — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:53:49 +0000

Hi Cardinal Sean, today is All Souls Day and I was remembering my loved ones especially my Dad(2001) and my sister Jackie
(1997) may they rest in peace. I have a Mass intention for their souls each year on their birthday and anniversary. I was wondering today is there anyway of knowing their souls are in purgatory or heaven? Thanks.
I really enjoy your comments and the BEAUTIFUL photos!!!
God bless you, Julia Russel, South Easton,MA.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:29:08 +0000

I just came across this site by accident. I am not a very good Catholic anymore. Maybe never was. But lately my co-workers have really been Catholic bashing and I feel the need to defend it, still. Why I do not know since I feel abandoned by my fomer Church. So, perhaps you could have a question and answer format some day before I go crazy? The latest is that Catholics are not Christians. How does one combat these notions. And where could I write to let you know why I am so angry at the Church? Karen

By: elaine kwiecien

elaine kwiecien — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 23:22:13 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,

I think your weekly updates are great and now I can let my “out of state” family members know about all the news also by tuning in to your blog. Its just not for our diocese as you can see from other comments. This is terrific !

God’s peace and love

Elaine – Brookline

By: Robert Marshall

Robert Marshall — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:16:10 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean: Today, October 31st, is the traditional date of the celebration among Lutherans and Reformed of Reformation Day, though in recent times it has been moved to the Sunday that falls on or before October 31st. It commemorates Luther’s posting of his 95 theses on October 31, 1517. How appropriate that devilish date was for Luther’s action, for surely Satan was at work in these beginnings of the division of Christendom! It all started with “the ravings of a disaffected monk.” And was furthered considerably when “a fat English king wanted a divorce.” It makes me think of the words of a sharp early bishop of Boston, Benedict Fenwick. John Carroll was appointed the first bishop in the U.S. in 1789, to the new see of Baltimore. In 1808, the Diocese of Boston was created. It included all of New England. Its first bishop was the able and popular John Cheverus. When he was assigned to a see in his native France, he was succeeded by Bishop Benedict Fenwick. In July, 1829, Bishop Fenwick went to Hartford, Connecticut, to purchase a church that the Episcopalians had outgrown. Said Episcopal Bishop Brownell to Bishop Fenwick, “Well, Bishop Fenwick, as we have a fine new church building, we will let you have the old one.” Replied Bishop Fenwick, “Yes, and you have a fine new religion, and we will keep the old one.” Robert Marshall, Stamford, CT

By: brother lesser

brother lesser — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 03:17:48 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean-

Thank you for this posting. You cover so many subjects all at once, yet each subject is richly steeped in your knowledge of the Catholic faith and your deep compassion for mankind (and you are able to sprinkle it with tidbits of your marvelous wit!)

Can you perhaps enlighten us further involving the True Cross? Where and when it was discovered? Where was it taken to be protected? How many fragments are still in existence? And how much of it is left as a result of the fragments being removed?

This is the first I’ve heard of it and I find it very exciting!

The Lord give you peace!

By: don alberto

don alberto — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:08:49 +0000

I was very sursprise when a few minutes ago a priest of my community communicated me about this blog. Immediately I went to connect and have a contact.
It’s very interesting that a cardinal find some time to dedicate to a blog, but this is a good way for meeting and listening poeople today. it is not a lost time.
May God give you all the strenght you need, becouse you already have courage.
Thank you
I write from Italy

By: John

John — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:38:21 +0000

Your Eminence,

Thank you for your efforts to be a shepherd to the people of Boston. Sharing your thoughts and spiritual guidance weekly in the blog is fantastic and helps us to follow the admonition of St. Ignatius, “Let nothing be done without the bishop.”

Periodic assistance at mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is another way that our family tries to remain connected to our bishop. As a father of four children, I think these visits are an important part of their proper formation. Since I know that you are not always at the Cathedral on Sunday mornings, is it possible to have your schedule posted on-line so that we know in advance if you will be there? We have not made the hour drive in some time now and I would like to get back to this practice. Thank you.

By: EVE

EVE — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:06:21 +0000

Just want to let you know that I have read your blog. The pictures are beautifully taken.

By: cuijianbo

cuijianbo — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 08:01:13 +0000

I am Chinese, for the reasons you know, my knowledge of the Jesus Christ are very limited. Even if there is some books about Jesus and Bible, it always come to politics, which I really disgust. I like your blog, which just give me so many plain facts about those costoms.

By: Maria Teresa Frias

Maria Teresa Frias — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 04:19:02 +0000

Dear Father Sean, thank you for sharing your love for the Lord and the faith of your dear people of Boston with all of us. We thank our Lord for all of you because each and every one of you are overcoming so much pain with so much love for Him and for His Church.

In the mass this past Thursday, our priest told us to wander off in the words of Saint Paul for that day in the first reading in his instructions to the Ephesians. Our priest told us to dwell in God�s love and marvel in His infinite love for each one of us who give us the same love that He has given to His Saints in heaven. These words of Saint Paul during his tribulations in suffering for the faith, are so appropriate with what you have been saying to us in your blog regarding our Lord and our share in His cross. It is also very appropriate on what you said regarding the feast of All Saints and All Souls. It is the love of our Lord in us that instill in us His love so we could love Him and love others with His love, His sacrificial love.

Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, 3: 14 – 21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that He may grant you in accord with the riches of His glory to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to Him be Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

By: dexter

dexter — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:10:04 +0000

Hello Cardinal Sean!
Your Eminence, I really enjoy reading your blogs! Hope to have personal contact with you!
God Bless!

By: Dominican Nuns

Dominican Nuns — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 16:37:41 +0000

“in the far right of the picture, there is one priest with a black zucchetto, and another man with black robes on.”

That is Abbot Gabriel, OSB of St. Benedict Abbey, Still River, MA.

By: Eve

Eve — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:00:34 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Regarding Halloween, the world expresses it as something to do with Satan. The clothes, the symbols, the decorations and all that.
It is good to know that young people are interested in life, other than the routine. Thanks again.

By: matt

matt — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:57:45 +0000

Your Eminence,

What a wonderful thing you are doing with this blog. I will add it to my favorites and visit you often!

God Bless you,

Matt in Denver

By: Roger Fortin

Roger Fortin — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 18:28:04 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
I have been following the Boston events for a few years. I am a priest from the region of Qu�bec. This blog is certainly one of the good news from Boston in the last months.
May I say that I prefer the franciscan garb to the crimson cassock and simplicity to power trappings? But who am I to judge?
Anyway, what a wonderful way to communicate!

By: gregory

gregory — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 11:42:42 +0000

Dear Cardinal Sean,
im livinf a world across you, but on sat im eagerly awaiting your blog … i want to congratulate You and i hope You will keep on with Your writings. we do not have suck ‘cool’ bishops here in austria, but i pray the start using the net and modern media a lot more.
I glad, you took the step to show other fellow bishops whats possibile and how the communication is possible even if you dont meet personally.
i’ve to admit i envey the archdioces of Boston, …
May GOd bless you and Your congegation
GWS

By: michael g. b.

michael g. b. — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:11:02 +0000

i have never been in the actual physical presence of a relic of “the true cross” . . .and in our Eastern Ukrainian Church we observe two major observances of the Holy Cross –” The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross” on September 14th . . . and in the mid-pint of the Great Fast before easter “The Veneration Of The Holy Cross” . . . so i was grateful to you for posting at least the photograph of the piece of the Holy Wood . . . it probably will be about as close as i will ever get to being in its presence . . . but, as Jesus said, “take up your cross and follow Me” . . . so the cross that Jesus desires is probably already on my shoulder . . . or has been and will be . . . still, it was important to me to “see” that relic even by way of the internet computer screen . . . thank you for that . . .

By: ede

ede — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:27:50 +0000

Wonderful post, Eminence. As always, it was very informative and thought provoking, beautiful pictures…entertaining, too! I think there’s a book there…”From Pirate to Cardinal” LOL. I’m new to blogging. Perhaps you could teach us another acronym. LOL!!!

Two personal questions–Besides the Mass, Rosary, Bible, other standard prayers, such as the Hours, what is your favorite prayer(s) and/or method of prayer?…and why?

Also, what do Franciscans do for boots, if anything, when there’s three feet of snow outside? No, I’m not looking for a punch line (LOL) …just curious.

Would you talk to us some more about the vocation of hermit, please? Thank you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

By: friar minor

friar minor — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:22:10 +0000

Thank you, your Eminence, for the all the information about your celebration with the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, which I hadn’t even heard of! There is such a richness, a catholicity, to our religion!

For me it brought back the wonderful memory that it was actually in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where I for the first time ever, proclaimed the first reading at Mass! How good God has been since then!

By: Peter Skipper

Peter Skipper — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:05:01 +0000

Hello again Cardinal Sean! The Investiture Ceremony for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre looks like such an awesome liturgy. One question I have is that in the picture with the bishops sitting down, in the far right of the picture, there is one priest with a black zucchetto, and another man with black robes on. I’ve never seen a black zucchetto before, and the other man almost looks like a Greek Orthodox bishop. Who are they? God Bless,
Peter Skipper