Monk to run Marathon!!!

Our Br. Maximilian Maxwell, OSB will be running in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon this Sunday.  Please feel free to post some words of encouragement for Br. Max here on the blog.

Memorial of Pope St. Pius V

Father,
You chose Saint Pius V as pope of Your Church
to protect the faith and give You more fitting worship.
By his prayers,
help us to celebrate Your holy mysteries
with a living faith and an effective love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen

More on Pope St. Pius V from EWTN

Prayers for Bishop Zubik

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Bishop David A. Zubik will undergo back surgery Thursday morning to repair a herniated disc.

According to a press release from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, this surgery was planned for later in the spring, but was moved up based on the advice of Bishop Zubik's doctors.

He had been experiencing back pain for some time and all attempts to correct the problem had failed.

Most of Bishop Zubik's scheduled events for the next two weeks will be covered by diocesan staff.

His doctors are expecting a speedy recovery.

St. Vincent hosts noted Catholic Speaker

St. Vincent was honored to have Colleen Carroll Campbell give a talk to our college students entitled "Hooking Up or Getting Hitched" which focused on the Catholic teachings on Marriage.  May God continue to bless Mrs. Campbell, her family, and her wonderful ministry.

Happy Anniversary Pope Benedict

Today is the fifth anniversary of the Pontificate of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.  May God grant him many more happy and healthy years of service to the Universal Church. 

A Prayer for the Pope (By Pope Leo XIII)

O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy fervor the sacred Victim of love and peace.

Wherefore, O Lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in unison with him.

Whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At the moment when our venerable High Priest, holding in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words: "The peace of the Lord be with you always," grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power. Amen.

Modesty and Men

From: http://blog.adw.org/ 

We have had three great discussions on the blog in recent months regarding modesty, HERE and HERE and HERE. In my post some weeks ago I did not distinguish between men and women for the matter in question was dirty dancing which involves both. However, the conversation turned inexorably to women and girls, what they wear and how they should behave. I also note that 90% of the commentators were women. Last week Laura raised the question of modest beachwear and focused especially on the bikini. Here too the majority of the commentators were women and the conversation was mostly about what was proper for women and girls.

However, in both conversations there were a few comments that expressed irritation that questions of modesty always seem to center on women and little is said about men. I was asked by a few to blog about men and modesty and perhaps set forth some principles for men and boys. Here is my humble attempt and I ENCOURAGE you to add to the discussion for I am no expert on this. I really propose only to set the table and put out a few items on the lazy Susan. This discussion is really pot luck so make your contribution too.

Perhaps a few opening principles and premises to frame the discussion.

1. Men and women are quite different when it comes to questions of attraction and arousal. While there are many individual variances, as a general rule men are much more likely to be immediately interested by way of visual stimulation. Attraction for women seems a bit more complicated and subtle. For men there seems to be a pretty quick trip-wire whereas for women it often seems that a series of switches need to be thrown in the right combination. Men can become interested very quickly and easily. Beauty, shape, posture, the way she walks, all of this is like eye candy to men. It does not seem to me that most women are this easily caught into the cycle of interest and arousal though there are exceptional persons and moments. Rather than say women are never like this, what I am saying is that it seems a far less common occurence for women. For men it may happen hundreds of times a day   
2.  Compassion and understanding and sobriety  - Some are sharply critical of men with regard to their quickly roving eye. The most extreme form of it comes with expressions like “Men are pigs.” We will talk in moment of the fact that men have to take some responsibility for this aspect of who they are but here at the beginning perhaps some understanding is in order. Men do not simply or freely choose to have this almost instant-on switch. It sort of comes built in and the off switch is not easy to find. Men are drawn very quickly, almost instantly, by beauty. Of itself this is not evil. God surely means for beauty to attract. The problem comes with our fallen nature that frequently desires inordinately or inappropriately. But the point to make here is that rather than simply denounce men as pigs it may be more appropriate merely to be sober about the fact that men have strong desire in this regard. Due to the fallen nature we all have this desire is often difficult to control perfectly. It is part of our human condition. Part of modesty for women it seems is a kind of strategy in this regard as well as a kind of charity. As a strategy, modesty helps keep unwanted attention within reasonable levels. As a form of charity modesty accepts the fact that men are easily tempted to unchaste thoughts and takes reasonable measures to assist men in this regard.
3. Reasonable expectations – Now reasonable is an important word. Women cannot be expected to take unreasonable measures to protect men in this regard. Men are attracted by a LOT of things and invisibility is not reasonable or possible to demand of women.
4. Hence, men must also develop self discipline, custody of the eyes and careful discretion. Jesus speaks of looking at a woman with lust as a serious sin (Matt 5:28 ). It is one thing to notice that a woman is beautiful, that is usually good and natural. But it is another to stare intently at her and  sexually fantasize about her. This is to cross a line. For many men such a standard seems impossible to fully meet. But in effect Jesus is offering a freedom and a power over what goes on in our minds. Through self-discipline, daily prayer, the sacraments and scripture it is possible to have increasing authority over our thought life. Jesus would not command it if it were not possible. It is a usual fact that self discipline increases over time and we who are men OUGHT to be growing in this and not just indulge our every thought and desire and be stuck in lust. Progress in this matter is to be insisted upon.
5. Political incorrectness alert! – In the end life is not always fair and modesty issues are simply going to weigh more heavily on women. This is for two reasons. First women have more to cover. It is simply a fact that the female body, at least in our culture, has more of what we can simply term here as private areas. These areas arouse significant sexual interest in men and however much we may want that to change in a big way, it probably isn’t going to dramatically change. Secondly since men are more easily tempted in these matters, it seems reasonable that women ought to take this into account. Surely we can only expect what is reasonable, but prudence and charity ought to be operative in such matters.

What of Modesty for men in terms of clothes and behavior.

1. Tight and tiny swimwear for men seems just as inappropriate for men as for women. There is simply no good reason to wear tiny speedo suits outside of certain very limited swim-racing situations. The purpose is obviouslyto arouse sexual interest and to display what ought not be displayed. Further, I will say, most men look just plain silly wearing such swimwear. Larger “boxer-shorts”  style bathing suits seem far more appropriate.
2. Going shirtless should be limited. I am not aware that women are all that tempted by shirtless men, even those who are slender and muscular. But if the women on this blog tell us men that it is at times problematic then we ought to stop. A further concern about going shirtless other than in beach settings and limited sports settings is that it just seems a bit rude and far too casual. Our society has become so casual about everything. Men walking through city parks without shirts just seems too informal and frankly I don’t care for it. Such behavior was not commonly accepted in this country prior to the 1960s. Find a cool and comfortable shirt men and wear it. It does  not belong tied around your waist. Neither should your t-shirt be pulled up over the back of your head to expose your belly and chest. It’s just ugly, inelegant and far too casual for public parks. Save it for the back yard or the beach.
3. Saggy drawers have to go – no one cares to see your underwear. Please! Pull your pants up. This dumb trend that emerged from gansta culture is thankfully on the wane but it isn’t disappearing fast enough.
4. Tight fitting jeans and open shirts are retro and wrong. Back in the 1970s we went through a lot of dopey stuff where men’s fashions started to take on rather feminine notions. The disco era brought this to its high point. It was an era of extremely tight jeans. Men started unbuttoning their shirts two and three buttons down. In those days hairy chests were in and an exposed hairy chest with gold necklaces was not uncommon. Jeans were worn low and large belt buckles to draw the look below the belt were being worn. Boots were also often worn.  It was all silly and stupid looking: Men getting dolled up. The purpose was to strut your stuff. Men trying to sexualize themselves. I don’t really remember what the women thought at that time. Were they attracted by this? That seems to have been the purpose and if it was meant to tempt women, it was wrong. Every now and then these retro fashions try to make a come back. Bottom line is that men should dress modestly in loose fitting comfortable clothing. Shirts should be buttoned. Large belt buckles or things to draw attention to the waist are inappropriate and can be sinful.
5. I’ll never get used to men wearing earrings. This many not pertain to modesty per se and I know men whom I respect that have earrings. But I’ll never get used to it and live for the day when earrings on a man are gone from the scene.
6. Wear a suit more often – Our culture is so casual. Suits and Ties are getting rare. Many men no longer even know how to tie a Tie. They have to ask their mother. Go to http://artofmanliness.com/ a learn how to tie a tie and read the three-part series on purchasing and wearing a decent suit. It is modest and professional. We priests too need to stop bumming around and learn the art of wearing our clerical attire well, to include a tailored cassock:  http://www.clergyapparel.com/
7. Men should behave modestly. Sexual jokes, immodest conversations, improper posture and the like are wrong. Men are exceptionally poor today at curbing their behavior in mixed company. Learning to be a gentleman is a lost art. Immodest behavior, scurrilous jokes, remarks about women’s bodies and the like are bad enough around other men, but they take on added ugliness in the presence of women. Men must learn to treat women with respect. They should not be treated as or thought of as sexual objects. Men should consider that the purpose of dating is to find a wife not just to have fun and “play the field.” If a man realizes that the purpose of dating is to look for a wife, he may well behave differently. This woman may not just be my next sexual partner, she may well be my wife and the mother of my children. More than clothing, men’s  biggest problem with modesty is how they regard and treat women. I know it is complicated and women send confusing signals. But in the end we have to be men. And real men treat women with respect. they do not seek to conquer them or merely have them. They seek to love them, provide for them and cling to them as a spouse. The Bible says that a man clings to his wife. That is what a man does. Boys play. Men are modest and respectful around women and seek to form proper, lasting and deep relationships with them.

Comments are wide open. I have not been without controversy I am sure. I am especially interested in what women might have to say about ways we men might be more modest. It is not all that clear to most men how women might be tempted. The more we can know the more we can improve.

Be careful everyone to remember that this is a “family blog.” Mature topics like this sometimes require that we be artful in our descriptions so as not to offend the pious, the young or even each other.

Fr. John Murtha, OSB

The Rev. John F. Murtha, O.S.B., 79, a monk and priest of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, who served as the thirteenth president of Saint Vincent College, died on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

A native of Mount Pleasant, he was president of Saint Vincent from 1985 to 1995. During his tenure, the college’s endowment fund was strengthened as he led two successful multi-million dollar capital campaigns. Campus improvements included a life sciences research laboratory, a swimming pool, computerization of the college’s library collection, a new student union, student residence hall, and parking areas.

Advancements were made also in academic programs, alumni and employee relations, enrollment, development, campus construction, community relations, and long-range planning. New academic initiatives he introduced included a multidisciplinary environmental studies program for chemistry and business administration, a teacher certification program for elementary education and early childhood education, a common texts project, and an interdisciplinary writing program. The college’s educational programs repeatedly earned national recognition during his presidency.

Father John encouraged the development of outreach services and activities in the region, including the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Projects, Small Business Development Center, Center for Global Competitiveness, Teacher Enhancement Institute, Center for Economic and Policy Education, a National Science Foundation Young Scholars Program, the Saint Vincent Theatre, and the Saint Vincent Camerata.

“Father John served impressively for many years in this office,” President Jim Towey said. “He was one of a kind and deserves much of the credit for Saint Vincent College's fine reputation and academic excellence. My family loved his sense of humor and how he laughed even though he was burdened with chronic illness in recent years. He will be greatly missed.”

When Father John stepped down as president, he was honored with a Community Salute organized by the Eastern Westmoreland Development Corporation. “Father John was an extraordinary person whose progressive leadership made a notable difference at Saint Vincent and in the Latrobe area community,” said Mrs. Phil Dymond, former EWDC president. “His love for Saint Vincent, his commitment to its mission, and his vision for its future were clear. Father John was a good friend to many and a capable leader who brought the college and the community of Latrobe and the region much closer. His impact continues to this day.”

Father John was born May 28, 1930, the son of the late Frank and Margaret (Kearns) Murtha. He was one of seven children, including Harry Murtha and Theresa (Murtha) Cox, both of Greensburg. He was preceased by one sister, Mary Margaret (Murtha) Waida, and three brothers, William, Joseph, and Frank Murtha.

He attended Saint Peter’s Elementary School, North Side, Pittsburgh, and Saint Benedict Elementary School, Marguerite. He is a 1948 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1953, a master’s degree in history from Columbia University in 1960, and a doctorate in history from The Catholic University of America in 1965. He was awarded a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1985. In 1991 he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Seton Hill College, Greensburg, and in 2002 he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree presented by His Eminence Paul Cardinal Shan, S.J., on behalf of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan.

He made simple profession of monastic vows on July 2, 1951, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1954. He was ordained a priest on May 26, 1957 in the Archabbey Basilica by the late Bishop Hugh Lamb.

He served as a prefect and assistant headmaster in the Saint Vincent Preparatory School. In 1965, he was assigned to the Archabbey’s Wimmer Priory in Taiwan, Republic of China. He served at Fu Jen Catholic University as associate professor of history (1966-1971), professor of history (1971-1977), director of American studies (1969-1974), and director of the Graduate School of History (1974-1977).

Upon returning to Saint Vincent in 1977, he was appointed associate professor in the Department of History and director of the Office of Continuing Education, Evening and Summer Sessions (1977-1980).

He served the Archabbey as prior from 1980 until he was named president of Saint Vincent College in 1985. He served on the Saint Vincent College Corporation (1978-1987), the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors (1978-1981 and 1984-1985), and the Archabbey Council of Seniors (1978).

Following his retirement as college president, he served as president of the Benedictine Military High School, Savannah, Georgia, until 1999. From 2001-2004 he was pastor of Saint Benedict Parish, Marguerite.

Father John was a member of the American Historical Association, China Historical Association and Phi Alpha Theta. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Latrobe Area Hospital and the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce (1985-1991), and was active with the Boy Scouts of America, Westmoreland-Fayette Council.

The body will be received at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center of Saint Vincent Archabbey. Viewing will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in the parlor of the Roderick Center. A vigil service will be held at 7:15 p.m. Sunday in the Archabbey Basilica. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 19 in the Basilica. Interment will follow in the Saint Vincent Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. John F. Murtha Scholarship Fund, Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.

Requiscat in Pace

Our confrere, Father John Murtha, OSB, former president of St. Vincent College died at the Archabbey this morning at the age of 79.  May he rest in the peace of Christ. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Advice from Br. Maximilian, OSB

One of the Brothers sent me this link from the St. Vincent College website and since most of us find humor in everything Br. Maximilian does I decided to post it here.  Enjoy!

SVC Threshold Series to Present Television Host Colleen Campbell

Colleen Carroll Campbell, author, columnist, television and radio host and former White House speechwriter, will be the 62nd speaker in the Saint Vincent College Threshold Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15 in the Robert S. Carey Student Center Performing Arts Center. Her talk is entitled, “Hooking Up or Getting Hitched: Love, Freedom and Marriage in the 21st Century.”

Campbell began her career as a reporter at the Memphis Commercial Appeal before becoming a news and editorial writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In 2000, Campbell won a $50,000 Phillips Foundation Journalism Fellowship to write The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy (Loyola Press, 2002).

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Marquette University, she began work toward a doctorate in philosophy at Saint Louis University but interrupted her studies to become one of six speechwriters to President George W. Bush. Campbell worked directly with the President on major policy addresses, writing speeches on education, the faith-based initiative, the fight against AIDS and judicial appointments.

Currently a fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Ethics and Public Policy Center, Campbell is a contributor to such national media outlets as The New York Times, Weekly Standard, National Review Online, and First Things, and host of "Faith & Culture," a television and radio interview show that airs on EWTN, the world's largest religious media network, and on Relevant Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. She also appears as a guest commentator on FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, and PBS, and is an op-ed columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and writes a religion blog for The Washington Post.

Ms. Campbell has traveled across the country discussing what she learned about the spiritual yearnings and religious commitments of young Americans while interviewing hundreds of college students and young professionals for The New Faithful. Her research focused on the attraction that many feel toward a challenging, countercultural Christian faith, as well as the challenges they encounter in attempting to live their faith and values in our postmodern age. She also writes and speaks on a variety of other topics related to religion, politics and culture.

She lives in St. Louis with her husband and children. Her website is www.colleen-campbell.com.

Campbell will be introduced by Saint Vincent College President Jim Towey.

Admission is free of charge for Campbell’s presentation at Saint Vincent College. However, all seats in the Robert S. Carey Student Center’s Performing Arts Center are reserved and admission will be by ticket only. Requests for reservations may be made by email to threshold@stvincent.edu

Please note that tickets will be held at the Box Office at the Carey Center for pickup when attendees arrive for the presentation; no tickets will be mailed in advance. Tickets not claimed by 7:50 p.m. will be released.

Saint Vincent College established the Threshold Lecture Series in 1981 when the Kennametal Foundation of Latrobe made a substantial grant to the College for the creation of an ongoing series of lectures and cultural events.

Regina Caeli

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia. 

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. 

Ecce Homo

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. (Sirach 6: 14-17).