Communication with Visitors* Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us! October 1 (P.S. Oct. 18) Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, A few days ago I read a paper on the Blessed Virgin Mary by Archbishop John Zora of Ahwaz entitled The Virgin Mary, Daughter of the East. It was delivered in Rome at the Gregorian University to members of a branch of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It attempted to give picture of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, as practiced in the Chaldean Church. The heading of the Paper in the Italian title read Maria Virgine, Filia d'Oriente. The word "Oriente" was translated into English as "the East." What drew my attention to the paper was the phrase in the title " Daughter of the East." In my readings of the writers of the Eastern Churches I had not seen this title and could not recall it having been used by the members of these churches. The author, however, drawing upon the evidence provided by Chaldean liturgical texts, the teachers and doctors of the Chaldean Church with particular reference to the theological schools of Nisibis and Edessa showed how revered and cherished was the name of Mary, the Mother of God, in the minds and hearts of the faithful in the church of the East. So much indeed that the title given her "Daughter of the East" was fully justified and rightly acclaimed. We of the Western Church may and should find support and encouragement for our devotion to the blessed Mother of God from this long and enduring tradition. Your sincerely in Christ and Our Heavenly Mother, Michael Lapierre, S.J. P.S. (Oct. 18) World Peace Let us pray that countries suffering because of war, terrorism and violence can find the way to reconciliation, concord and peace. We are well aware of the crying need to end war, to curb acts of terrorism and to eliminate violence. The widespread disruption, suffering, upheaval and horror caused by such acts create an atmosphere of vulnerability, fear, insecurity, distrust, dread and anxiety. Our gracious Savior appealed to the crowd listening to Him in these words, " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for hose who treat you badly...treat others as you would have people treat you." This is what He asks of His disciples. It is a self-sacrificing and costly demand. Yet if we are really Christian, our prayer for a way to reconciliation, concord and peace should flow from hearts fully imbued with the spirit of our Savior's words. Peace will flow from hearts of good will. Keep in mind what Dante wrote. "In His will is our peace." * Fr. Michael Lapierre, S.J., and the editor John Cheng are currently taking part in this monthly column. While the latter is writing in January, March, and May, etc., the former is doing so in February, April and June, etc. As usual, we take July and August as our summer holidays. The background hymn is a version of "Immaculate Mary". Thank you.
October 1 (P.S. Oct. 18)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
A few days ago I read a paper on the Blessed Virgin Mary by Archbishop John Zora of Ahwaz entitled The Virgin Mary, Daughter of the East. It was delivered in Rome at the Gregorian University to members of a branch of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It attempted to give picture of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, as practiced in the Chaldean Church. The heading of the Paper in the Italian title read Maria Virgine, Filia d'Oriente. The word "Oriente" was translated into English as "the East." What drew my attention to the paper was the phrase in the title " Daughter of the East." In my readings of the writers of the Eastern Churches I had not seen this title and could not recall it having been used by the members of these churches. The author, however, drawing upon the evidence provided by Chaldean liturgical texts, the teachers and doctors of the Chaldean Church with particular reference to the theological schools of Nisibis and Edessa showed how revered and cherished was the name of Mary, the Mother of God, in the minds and hearts of the faithful in the church of the East. So much indeed that the title given her "Daughter of the East" was fully justified and rightly acclaimed. We of the Western Church may and should find support and encouragement for our devotion to the blessed Mother of God from this long and enduring tradition.
Your sincerely in Christ and Our Heavenly Mother,
Michael Lapierre, S.J.
P.S. (Oct. 18) World Peace
Let us pray that countries suffering because of war, terrorism and violence can find the way to reconciliation, concord and peace. We are well aware of the crying need to end war, to curb acts of terrorism and to eliminate violence. The widespread disruption, suffering, upheaval and horror caused by such acts create an atmosphere of vulnerability, fear, insecurity, distrust, dread and anxiety. Our gracious Savior appealed to the crowd listening to Him in these words, " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for hose who treat you badly...treat others as you would have people treat you." This is what He asks of His disciples. It is a self-sacrificing and costly demand. Yet if we are really Christian, our prayer for a way to reconciliation, concord and peace should flow from hearts fully imbued with the spirit of our Savior's words. Peace will flow from hearts of good will. Keep in mind what Dante wrote. "In His will is our peace."
* Fr. Michael Lapierre, S.J., and the editor John Cheng are currently taking part in this monthly column. While the latter is writing in January, March, and May, etc., the former is doing so in February, April and June, etc. As usual, we take July and August as our summer holidays. The background hymn is a version of "Immaculate Mary". Thank you.