masterpieces by meghan ferrara 2014

Masterpieces 2014 | Regina Magazine 1

REGINAREGINAInspir ing. Intel l igent. Catholic .

by Meghan FerraraMasterpieces 2014

Regina Magazine | Meghan Ferrara2


One of the darkest periods of the French Revolution was the Reign of Terror, which lasted from September 1793

to July 28, 1794. During these months, over 1,300 victims met their fate at the guillotine. Yet, out of this turmoil emerged the story of sixteen Carmelite sisters, whose courage and hope in the face of martyrdom still is an inspi-ration today.

Darkness Gathers in Revolutionary FranceFollowing the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789, the Church faced increasing hos-tility from the National Assembly and the new Republican government. On October 28, 1789, the Assembly banned the profess-ing of vows in French monasteries. A few months later, on February 13, 1790, religious orders with solemn vows were subdued. During this time, practices such as gathering

for common prayer and wearing religious clothing were also outlawed. On July 12 of that same year, the Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, requiring all religious to swear allegiance to the new Republic instead of Rome. By 1792, reli-gious houses were closed and their members dispersed.

Cloistered Carmelites In A Quiet, Northern Town

The sixteen Carmelites resided in the quiet, northern town of Compiègne. The sixteen women were composed of professed sisters, lay sisters, and two servants. The names of the professed Carmelites were Mother Teresa of St. Augustine, prioress; Mother St. Louis, sub-prioress; Mother Henriette of Jesus, ex-prioress; Sister Mary of Jesus

Singing Their Way to the GuillotineBy Meghan Ferrara

The Carmelites of Compiègne


Crucified; Sister Charlotte of the Resurrection, ex-sub-prioress and sacristan; Sister Euphrasia of the Immaculate Conception; Sister Teresa of the Sacred Heart of Mary; Sister Julie Louise of Jesus, widow; Sister Teresa of St. Ignatius; Sister Mary-Henrietta of Providence; Sister Constance, novice. The lay sisters were Sister St. Martha; Sister Mary of the Holy Spirit; and Sister St. Francis Xavier. The two women who served the Carmelites were Catherine Soiron and Thérèse Soiron. While many of these women came from poor or middle-class backgrounds, the community enjoyed the patronage of the royal family. If a girl’s family found it difficult to pay the dowry expected upon entering the convent, it was not unusual for a noble or royal benefactor to provide assistance. Someone who exemplified this generosity throughout her life was the Dauphine, Marie Antoinette, who graciously paid the dowry of the prioress, Mother Teresa of St. Augustine, when she took the veil.

Ordered To Leave Their Carmel and Arrested

The Carmelites were ordered to leave their Carmel on September 14, 1792, the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross. Shortly before their eviction, Mother Teresa lead her sisters in a communal act of conse-cration, offering their lives for the end of violence and the sake of peace in their homeland. Following the expulsion from their convent, the women lived in four groups and wore simple clothing. However, they continued to meet for common prayer and their for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The community’s staunch fidelity to their vocation along with their refusal to swear allegiance to the new Constitution lead to their arrest on June 22, 1794. The women were charged with conspiracy, treason, being royalists, and corresponding with anti-revolutionaries.

Charged with “attachment to your Religion and the King”

Mother Henriette of Jesus successfully demanded the addition of the charge, “attachment to your Religion

and the King.” She then turned to her sisters and declared proudly, “We must rejoice and give thanks to God for we die for our religion, for our faith, and for being members of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.” During their trial, the sisters were not al-lowed lawyers or witnesses, the entire process being a mere formality. The “evidence” submitted by the state included pictures of the late King Louis XVI, images of the Sacred Heart, and the Canticle to the Sacred Heart.

Their Wedding Day at the Guillotine

On 17 July 1794, the Carmelite sisters, attired in their religious habits because they had been washing their plain clothes the morning of their arrest, renewed their vows of baptism and religious profession. They then mounted a tumbrel and were led through the streets of Paris to the Place du Trône Renversé (now the Place de la Nation). Witnesses reported that the sisters radiated joy, as if anticipating their wedding day. Juxtaposed against the ethereal silence of the usually raucous crowds were the voices of the sisters, singing their way to heaven. En route, they chanted the Salve Regina, the Te Deum, and Veni, Sancte Spiritus, and then in-toned the psalm Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes. Before each sister mounted the scaffold, she knelt before the Mother Superior to receive a blessing, kissed a small statue of the Madonna and Child, and placed herself beneath the blade without allowing the executioner to touch her. The Mother Prioress was the last sacrificed. All throughout, the silence was complete. Not even a single drum-roll sounded.

Ten days after the martyrdom of the sixteen Carmelites, Maximilien Francois Marie Isidore de Robespierre was arrested and executed, and the Reign of Terror came to an end. The sacrifice of the sisters, sustained by their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, paved the way for the peace they so desired.

The Carmelites of Compiègne


The Woman Who Helped

ForgeIrish Catholism

Strength, Grit and Faith

~

Saint Brigid, known as ‘Mary of the Gael,’ is one of Ireland’s most beloved saints. Along with Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, she is a patron saint of the Emerald Isle. Her influence was as essential as St. Patrick’s in the

spread of Catholicism among the Irish, and her story is equally remarkable. Her strength, grit, and faith helped forge the character of Irish Catholicism.

By Meghan Ferrara

06


Brigid was born in 451 at Faughart near Dundalk, Louth, Ireland to a pagan father and a Christian mother. Her father, Dubhthach, was a pagan chief-tain of Leinster. Brigid’s mother, Brocca, was a Chris-tian slave in her father’s court. St. Patrick eventually baptized the entire family, though the family faced many difficult obstacles along the way.

Brigid’s mother, Brocca, was a Christian slave in her father’s court. St. Patrick eventually baptized the entire family.

Throughout her life, Brigid’s munificent nature led her to provide extraordinary aide to the poor. How-ever, when she was a girl, many of the goods Brigid gave away belonged to her father, and Dubhthach did not appreciate his daughter’s magnanimity. When he protested, the young girl explained, ”Christ dwells in every creature.” In frustration, Dubtach even attempted to sell Brigid to the king of Leinster. While they bargained, she gave a treasured sword of her father‘s to a leper. Dubtach was furious, but Brig-id explained she had given the sword to God through the leper, because of its great value. Then the king, a Christian, intervened saying, “Her merit before God is greater than ours.” After this incident, the chieftain gave his daughter her freedom.

From a very early age, Brigid expressed an interest in religious life. Despite her father’s wish for her to marry, and the excellent offers she received, Brigid never waivered in her desire to become a bride of Christ.

In frustration, Dubtach even attempted to sell Brigid

to the king of Leinster. While they bargained, she gave a treasured sword of her father‘s to a leper. Dubtach was furious.

St. Mel and St. Patrick hear St. Brigid profess her vowsBrigid first began to prepare for her vocation with St. Macaille at Croghan. Brigid eventually professed her full vows in the presence St. Mel of Armagh, who, according to legend, conferred abbatial au-thority on her. St. Patrick himself, whose preaching so influenced Brigid as a child, heard her final vows upon entering the convent. After Brigid professed her final vows, she resided at the foot of Croghan Hill for a brief period with a small group of fellow sisters. About the year 468, Brigid followed St. Mel to Meath.

St. Brigid founds the double monastery at KildareIn 470 Brigid founded and became abbess of the double monastery at Kildare. Kildare was the first convent in Ireland and became renowned as a center of spirituality and learning. This center gave rise to the Cathedral city of Kildare.

Brigid also founded a school of art at Kildare. The illuminated manuscripts produced there became famous, particularly the Book of Kildare, which was arguably the finest of all illuminated Irish manu-scripts before its disappearance three centuries ago. Brigid’s religious life was rooted in prayer, but also involved substantial manual labor including cloth making, dairy farming, and sheep raising.

Kildare was unique as the only known Irish double

Strength, Grit and Faith


monastery. It included a separately housed men’s community, led by the bishop Saint Conleth. Brigrid became an avid traveler, journeying across Ireland founding numerous additional religious communi-ties.

Brigid founded the double monastery at Kildare, the first convent in Ireland renowned as a center of spirit-uality and learning — eventually becoming the great Cathedral city of Kildare.

Many miracles are attributed to BrigidBrigid was one of the most remarkable women of her times. There are many legendary, incredible, and amazing miracles attributed to her. Brigid was particularly renowned for her generosity, her healing, and her feeding the poor.

According to one of many such tales, as a child Brig-id gave away her mother’s store of butter. It was then replenished as an answer to Brigid’s prayers. Similar

narratives about Brigid’s miraculous deeds were told throughout her life. While there are many legends surrounding Brigid, there is no doubt that her ex-traordinary spirituality, and her boundless charity and compassion for those in distress was real.

Brigid dies and is buried with St. Columba and St. PatrickBrigid passed into eternal life on February 1, 525 at Kildare. She is buried at Downpatrick with St. Columba and St. Patrick, with whom she is patron of Ireland.

Saint Brigid’s feast day is February 1. Her determi-nation, energy, and abounding faith helped form the rich Catholic heritage that is still integral to Irish identity today. Brigid is buried at Downpatrick with St. Columba and St. Patrick, with whom she is patron of Ireland.

The Cross of Saint Brigid


The Astonishing True Story

of St Joan of Arc

By Meghan Ferrara

For France and the Faith, She Was Burned As A Witch

06

It’s strange, but true. Amid the turmoil and upheaval of the Hundred Years War and the general malaise permeating the French country-side, a singular young girl rose to lead France to a new Golden Age. es to meet St. Giles.


THE HOUSE OF ST JOAN: She was born on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1412, in this house in Domremy, to Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Rommey. She was the youngest of their five children.


JOAN’S FIELD: Joan and her sisters tended the sheep in this field. Though they were illiterate, they received thorough in-struction in all domestic tasks.

St Joan of Arc


FAMILY HEARTH: Joan frequently sat by this hearth, where she was particularly skilled in sewing and spinning.


JOAN’S CELESTIAL VOICES: As a girl, Joan was known for her love of prayer and her faithful church attendance, her frequent use of the Sacraments, and her kindness to the sick and poor. She was around fourteen when she first heard her celestial voices, accompanied by a blaze of light, bringing her divine messages. She continued to receive these visions over the next few years. Joan eventually identified her visitors as St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Marga-ret, and they gradually revealed that her mission was to crown Charles as King of France and to defeat the English.


St Joan of Arc

MASSIVE PAINTING BY BASTIEN LE PAGE captures the moment in May 1428, when Joan’s voices became insistent and urgent. Joan traveled to the Dauphin’s residence at Chinon and on March 8, 1429, she was granted an audience. To test her, Charles disguised himself as one of his courtiers, but Joan quickly recognized him and, by a sign known only to them, she convinced Charles of her purpose.


Her Brilliant Military Career

Before his ministers were willing to trust her, they sent Joan to Poitiers to be questioned. After an extensive examination, the panel of theologians af-firmed Joan’s integrity and that of her mission. Upon her return to court, Joan and her soldiers rode to the relief of Orléans under a new standard depicting a figure of God the Father, to whom two kneeling angels presented a fleur-de-lis, along with the words, "Jesus Maria." The French broke through the English line and entered the city on April 29. By May 8, the English fort outside Orléans had been captured, and the siege raised. After several more victories, Joan urged the immediate coronation of the Dauphin. At Rheims, on July 17, 1429, Charles VII was duly crowned, Joan standing proudly behind him with her banner.After a failed attempt on Paris by the French, both sides signed a truce that lasted the winter. This prevented Joan from taking advantage of the mo-mentum she’d gained at Orléans and her subsequent victories. Throughout the winter, Joan was keen to return to battle and continue her mission. When hostilities renewed in the spring, she hurried to the relief of Compiègne, besieged by the Bur-gundians. Her attack on May 23, 1430 failed, and Joan was captured by one of John of Luxembourg’s soldiers and remained in Burgundian custody until autumn.

Betrayed by the King

During Joan’s entire captivity, Charles and his min-isters made no effort to secure her release. But the English were keen to exact their revenge on the Maid. So on November 21 the Burgundians accepted a handsome reward and released her to her enemies.

The English charged Joan with being a witch and heretic. On February 21, 1431, she appeared for the first time before an Inquisitional court presid-ed over by Pierre Cauchon, bishop of Beauvais. He was an ambitious man who hoped through English influence to become archbishop of Rouen. The other judges were lawyers and theologians carefully se-lected by the bishop. Joan was cross-examined as to her revelations, her decision to dress in military attire, her faith, and her willingness to submit to the Church. Though she was alone and without counsel, Joan acquitted herself bravely. Her responses to ques-tions and her conduct throughout the proceedings underscored the veracity of her claims. Joan was sentenced to burning if she did not confess to being a witch and to lying about hearing voic-es. She refused to recant, despite being physically exhausted and threatened with torture. She waivered only once, when she was led out into the churchyard of St. Ouen to hear the sentence pronounced. She then returned to prison, but not for long. Either by her own choice or as the result of a trick played by her enemies, Joan resumed dressing in her military clothing. This provided the Court the pretext they needed to condemn Joan as a relapsed heretic and deliver her to the English on Tuesday, May 29, 1431.The next morning she was led out into the market place of Rouen to be burned at the stake. At the end, Joan requested to see a crucifix and she was heard to call on the name of Jesus. Twenty-five years later, Pope Callixtus IX ordered a rehearing of the case. Because of new testimony, the trial was pronounced irregular, and Joan was formal-ly rehabilitated as a true and faithful daughter of the Church. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1919.


Margaret Mary & the Sacred

Heart

“Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting

and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love.”

By Meghan Ferrara


A Sad Childhood

Margaret’s childhood was marked by sad-ness and difficulty. Her father died when she was eight years old, and disputes with

relatives regarding his property were a great trial for Margaret and her family for many years. In addition, shortly after Claude’s death, Margaret contracted rheumatic fever, from which she suffered for four years. It was only after making a vow to the Blessed Mother to consecrate herself to religious life that Margaret was healed.

Throughout this hardship, Margaret found solace in the Blessed Sacrament. During this period, Margaret received visions of the Crucified Christ, reminding her of His presence and protection, which she as-sumed others experienced as well. Upon the coming of age of Margaret’s eldest brother, the family prop-erty was returned and Mme Alacoque wished for her daughter to marry. Margaret wanted to please her mother, but she still felt called to the consecrated life. While she prayerfully considered which path to take, she enjoyed a normal life in society. While returning from a ball, she witnessed a vision of Christ during his scourging, Margaret felt that she had betrayed Christ by breaking her childhood promise to the Blessed Mother. As a result, she immediately rededi-cated herself to religious life.

The Apparitions

Margaret Mary, as she was now known, entered the Visitation Convent at Paray-le-Monial in the sum-mer of 1671. After enduring many trials to confirm her vocation, the young novice pronounced her final vows on in November 6, 1672. A year later, on De-cember 27, Sister Margaret Mary experienced the first of a series of revelations that would continue for another year and a half.

During the course of these apparitions, Christ con-fided to the young sister his desire for her to establish the devotion to His Sacred Heart. He instructed that this consecration should include Holy Commun-ion on the First Friday of each month, Eucharistic Adoration (in particular, on Thursdays during the Holy Hour of from 11 p.m. until midnight in mem-ory of his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane), and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart on the Friday after the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Margaret Alacoque was born on July 22, 1647, during the reign of King Louis XIV, to Claude Alacoque and Philiberte Lamyn in Lhautecour, France. Whilst growing up, Margaret preferred silence and prayer to usual youthful pastimes, and she demonstrated an intense love of the Blessed Sacrament. For this reason, she was allowed to receive her First Communion at the age of nine.

St Margaret Mary


Rejected in Disbelief

Sister Margaret Mary’s attempts to convince her community of the validity of her message were unsuccessful. Her superior, Mother de Saumaise, was particularly resistant to Margaret Mary’s claims. When this rejection seriously affected the young nun’s health, Mother de Saumaise reconsidered her opposition.

A primary source of support for Sister Margaret Mary during this difficult period was her spiritual director and confessor to the entire community, St. Claude de la Colombière. He was immediately convinced of the veracity of her visions, and his writings about them were an integral part of their eventual acceptance. This new détente continued with the election of Mother Melin as Superior in 1683. She named Mar-garet Mary as her assistant and was more sympathet-ic to the young nun’s mission. Later, Margaret Mary also became Novice Mistress. Under her direction, the convent began to privately observe the feast of the Sacred Heart in 1686, but the practice soon spread to other Visitation convents.

Her Holy Death

Sister Margaret Mary died just four years later on October 17, 1690, at the Visitation Convent in Paray-le-Monial. She faced her final illness with courage, frequently praying from Psalm 73, “What have I in heaven, and what do I desire on earth, but Thee alone, O my God?” She received the Last Sacra-ments, stating, “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.”

The writings and teachings of St. Margaret Mary were thoroughly examined, and finally the Sacred Congregation of Rites passed a favorable vote on the heroic virtues of this faithful sister. The first petition to the Holy See for the institution of the Feast of the Sacred Heart was from Queen Mary, consort of James II of England. The devotion was officially recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1765, seventy-five years after Margaret Mary’s death. In March 1824, Pope Leo XII pronounced her Venerable, and on September 18, 1864, Pope Pius IX declared her blessed. Pope Benedict XV canonized this Apostle of the Sacred Heart in 1920.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in you!


The Unknown Catholic Genocide



Jim Morlino, Catholic film-maker and president of innovative Connecticut-based Navis Pictures, talks with Regina Magazine about his movie The War of the Vendée.

By Meghan Ferrara

Photo Credit: The Hidden Rebellion

http://www.hiddenrebellion.com


A friend suggested ‘Why don’t you do the War of the Vendée?’Jim Morlino recounts. And I said, ‘The what?’ I’d never heard the word;

I had no idea what he was talking about. That was a period of history and an event that had escaped me.”

The War of the Vendee (1793 to 1796) was an armed rebellion against the French Republican troops

which resulted in a massacre of over 100,000 Catho-lics – men, women and children – in the west of France.

As an early modern example of revisionist history, this shocking genocide was completely whitewashed from French history, and in fact until recently denied by the French government.


MASS BEFORE BATTLE: Young actors re-enact the common practice in the Catholic army to con-fess, hear Mass and to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart through Mary before entering battle.


Due to the film’s positive reception, Jim was invited to work on The Hidden Rebellion, a documentary about the War of the Vendée. This afforded Jim and his wife the op-portunity to visit France for the first time. Among the Morlinos’ favorite

experiences were observing historical reenactors portraying important battles of the Vendée War and meeting historian Reynald Secher as well as descendants of Jacques Cathelineau and Henri de la Rochejaqueleinm.


MORLINO’S FILM FEATURES AN EXCELLENT SCORE composed by Kevin Kaska, who offered his talents after seeing Navis Picture’s St. Bernadette of Lourdes. The film has garnered many awards including Best Film for Young Audiences at the 2012 Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film festival.


The Unknown Catholic Genocide Young Actors

“There is something intrinsically beautiful and valuable in capturing and celebrating the creativity of young people as well as watching them give their talents to God and to Our Lady,” Morlino explained, adding, “Well, I love kids, number one. I love my own and, by exten-sion, we are blessed with a great group of other Catholic kids who come from families with a similar philosophy as us.”

Jim described his youthful actors as respectful, attentive and well read.

“I find that this type of young person makes for a natural actor. When I studied acting formally, we were often encouraged to recapture certain elements of our youth to use on stage such as our innocence and emotional availability. I’ve found that many times these kids already have those basic building blocks. They don’t have the artifice that adults do.”


NAVIS PICTURES’ FILMS ARE CAST ENTIRELY WITH YOUNG CATHOLICS, not professional actors.


WHAT HAPPENED IN THE VENDEE?

After exploring the making of The War of the Vendée, our conversation naturally segued into the historical events that inspired the film. “These were happy poor, many of whom, like most of Western Europe, were subsistence farmers. The Church provided spiritual sustenance for these farmers and the people of

France by running hospitals and schools in addition to aiding the poor.” Contrary to prevailing opinion, “the Revolution was not a widespread popular uprising against abuses of monarchy and corrupt church. And the resistance wasn’t confined to the Vendée or to Brittany. There were similar revolts all through France,” according to Morlino.


France by running hospitals and schools in addition to aiding the poor.” Contrary to prevailing opinion, “the Revolution was not a widespread popular uprising against abuses of monarchy and corrupt church. And the resistance wasn’t confined to the Vendée or to Brittany. There were similar revolts all through France,” according to Morlino.



The people had a childlike faith and a great rever-ence for their priests and nuns who brought them Christ. They also had a great devotion to Our Lady and the rosary. Many of the soldiers incor-

porated rosary beads as part of their uniform and their motto was “For God and King.” It reminded them that they were fighting for God’s rights as well as their own.

THE EMBLEM OF THE CATHOLIC OPPOSITION WAS THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS a devotion which began seventy years prior to the Revolution through the preaching of St. Louis de Montfort.

http://www.navispictures.com


http://www.navispictures.com



Jim clarified how, despite the horrific efforts of the Infernal Columns to wipe out resistance to the Revolution and to eliminate the Catholic population, the Vendean soldiers conducted themselves with dignity and honor.

“The architects of the French Revolution knew exactly what their generals were doing, as proved by documentation which still exists in the National Archives.”

Though they fought with cunning and used their knowledge of the land to their advantage, the Vendeans also treated captured Republican soldiers humanely, even when this was diffi-cult.

On one occasion, when his soldiers wanted to exact revenge against Republican prisoners, Louis d’Elbée urged them to recite the Our Father. At the words, “forgive us our

BATTLE SCENE: How were the Catholic soldiers able to simultaneously fight for and remain faithful to their Catholic values?


trespasses,” the Vendeans’ anger dissipated and they abandoned their plans for retribution.

Later, on his deathbed, Vendee commander Charles de Bonchamps pardoned five thou-sand captured Republicans. This act was com-memorated by a statue designed by the French sculptor Pierre Jean David, whose father was among the pardoned.

From the perspective of more than two centuries later, it is clear that the sacrifice of these Vendeans ensured the survival of the Faith in France.


Our Lady of

Guadalupe

By Meghan Ferrara

Roses in December Bring the Faith to Mexico

~

140

In the early 16th century, at the height of the Protestant Reformation sweeping across Europe, another reformation was embracing the Amer-

ican Continent. It began with a simple man and a spectacular miracle.

In the cold, early morning of December 9, 1531, 57-year-old Juan Diego, an Aztec convert, was en route to Mass in Tlatelolco on Tepeyac Hill, near Mexico City. Suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman surrounded by a bright, golden light. She was dressed as an Aztec princess and spoke to him in his native tongue, Nahuatl.

The lady identified herself saying, “My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother’s Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace. So run now to Tenochtitlan and tell the Bishop all that you have seen and heard.”


“1531 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe anagoria” by unknown (1531 present-ed by Juan Diego) - Nueva Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons


In the Bishop’s OfficeThough Juan Diego had never been to Tenochtitlan, he immediately traveled there and asked to meet with the Spanish Archbishop of the area, Juan de Zumárraga, a Franciscan and the first bishop of Mex-ico. Some of the bishop’s staff were suspicious of the rural peasant. After keeping him waiting for hours, Juan Diego was finally admitted to the Bishop’s of-fice, where he reported his experience to Zumárraga.

The Bishop heard him out, but instructed Juan Diego to return and ask the lady for a sign to confirm her identity. Juan was unsatisfied by the bishop’s response and felt himself inadequate to persuade someone of the bishop’s stature of the veracity of his claims. He returned to the hill, and found the lady there waiting for him.

She responded to his pleas for a replacement, “My little son, there are many I could send. But you are the one I have chosen.”

The First MiracleThough the Blessed Mother told Juan Diego to meet her the next day, he was unable to do so because his uncle, Juan Bernardino, was extremely ill. When he passed by Tepeyac Hill two days later on his way to find a priest to administer Last Rites to his uncle, Juan Diego again received an apparition of Our Lady.

She assured him that Bernardino would recover, “Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Am I not here with you who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Your uncle will not die at this time. There is no reason for you to engage a priest, for his health is restored at this moment. He is quite well.”

The miraculous recovery of Juan Bernardino was the first proof that she offered in response to Archbishop Zumárraga’s request. Then, the Virgin directed Die-go, “Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me.”

Castilian Roses in DecemberAlthough it was very late in the growing season and the top of the hill was usually barren, he found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, in bloom. The Blessed Mother arranged these in Juan Diego’s cloak, or tilma. When he opened it in front of the Archbishop, the fragrant roses fell to the floor. On the tilma’s fabric appeared the miraculous image of the Virgin of Guadeloupe. It is reported that the archbishop and witnesses dropped to their knees in wonder.

The Most Visited Marian Shrine in the WorldJuan Diego passed away on December 9, 1548, seventeen years after the first apparition. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on July 31, 2002 and his cloak is displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most visited Marian shrine in the world.

On October 12, 1895, by decree of Pope Leo XIII, the Image of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe was crowned with great solemnity. On October 12, 1945, the fiftieth anniversary of the crowning, Pope Pius XII proclaimed her Patroness of all the Americas. The depiction of Our Lady on Juan Diego’s tilma is Mexico’s most popular religious and cultural icon, and under this mantle the Blessed Mother has garnered such titles as Queen of Mexico, Empress of Latin America and the aforementioned Patroness of the Americas.

Through the unshakeable faith of one, humble man, this single image became integral to forging the Catholic identity of Mexico and the Americas.

Editor’s Note: Up until this apparition occurred, the Spanish were having very little success in converting the Aztecs to Christianity. Within five years of this event, one of the greatest mass conversions in history occurred, with millions -- virtually all of present-day Mexico – converting to the Faith.

Our Lady of Guadalupe


ZitaCatholic Empress in Exile

2014 marks 100 years since the beginning of the Great War, which tore European civilization asunder in ways that we are only now beginning to grasp. In this look back at that turbulent era, Meghan Ferrara turns the spotlight on an enduring Catholic marriage, which just happened to take place at the pinnacle of European society — on the ancient Throne of the Holy Roman Empire.

By Meghan Ferrara

40


In their wedding photos, they are so young, in those far-off days before World War I ripped into their lives. She, in particular, is luminous. It is difficult to believe,

observing the smile of the joyful bride, that she and her husband were destined to be at the center of one of the major conflicts of the twentieth century.

In the midst of World War I — which Pope Benedict XV failed to prevent despite all his efforts — and through a series of extraordinary events, Charles and Zita von Hapsburg ascended the Imperial throne of Austria-Hun-gary. Upon the death of Emperor Franz-Joseph in Novem-ber 1916, they became Emperor and Empress of all the Austro-Hungarian territories. By the end of the “War to End All Wars,” they would be deposed from the Imperial throne, and exiled from Austria.

Their reign, though brief, and their legacy would make an indelible mark on modern history. Their deep com-mitment to the Faith manifested itself in all areas of their lives. Today, both Charles and Zita are in the process of canonization – a rare and remarkable feat in modern times.

From a very young age, both Charles and Zita held great reverence for the Faith. Attending daily Mass and receiv-ing the Sacraments on a regular basis were established routines in both Charles’s and Zita’s childhoods; they continued this practice with their own children. In addi-tion, they both developed a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Eucharist.

An integral part of Charles and Zita’s Catholic education was a keen awareness of the weakest and most vulnerable of society and the desire to help them. They each donat-ed money, clothes and other necessities to those in need. Despite their royal rank, the Faith taught Charles and Zita to maintain a servant’s heart towards those less fortunate.

Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma was born Zita Maria delle Grazie Adelgonda Micaela Raffaela Gabriella Gi-useppina Antonia Luisa Agnese on May 9, 1892 in Parma, Italy. She first met Charles when they were children, and they played together quite happily. Their friendship quick-ly rekindled when they met again as young adults. While the marriage was dynastic, their union was also a true love match. Charles and Zita were devoted to each other and they continued to support and love each other despite the difficulties they faced.

For Charles and Zita, their marriage was a sacramental union blessed by God with special graces. The day before their wedding, Charles remarked to Zita, “Now we must help each other to reach heaven.”

This observation formed the basis for their marriage and family life, as they raised their eight children with the same love of Christ and the Catholic Church that they shared. When their eldest son, Otto, received his First Communion, Charles dedicated his family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Often, Charles and Zita taught the children their Catechism lessons personally and Zita continued this tradition with their grandchildren.

Charles and Zita raised their eight children with the same love of Christ and the Catholic Church that they shared. When their eldest son, Otto, received his First Communion, Charles dedicated his family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.Charles followed Catholic teaching in all areas of his life, including his political activities. Though he had been well prepared for the Imperial throne, Charles’s political life was fraught with extreme difficulties and danger.

“By the end of that War, Charles and Zita would be deposed from the Imperial throne, and exiled from Austria. Their reign, though brief, and their legacy would make an indelible mark on modern history.”


As a soldier, Charles witnessed firsthand the dev-astation caused by the war. When he ascended the throne, his most ardent desire was for peace, earning him the nickname, “the peace emperor.” However, there were few who shared Charles’ vision, and this isolation cost him dearly. His advisers blocked his efforts and even, in some cases, betrayed him. In addition to his quest to end the war, Charles, inspired by the papal encyclical Rerum Novarum, put into practice many innovative social reforms to help his people, such as social security and social welfare systems.

Zita worked in tandem with her husband, frequently visiting nursing homes and hospitals, volunteering for the Red Cross and traveling with him when possi-ble. As rulers, the imperial couple always put service to their people above everything else, in accordance with their coronation oaths and the principle of Catholic kingship. This adherence to service endured long after their exile following the war and remains an important aspect of the family’s life today. Zita worked in tandem with her husband, frequently visit-ing nursing homes and hospitals, volunteering for the Red Cross and traveling with him when possible.

Charles died in exile on the island of Madeira in 1922. Shortly before his death, Charles promised Zita, “We will always be together in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The last words Charles ever spoke were, “Jesus, my Jesus,” as he kissed his crucifix.

The courage that Charles demonstrated in accept-ing his death and that Zita displayed in assuming a future without her husband reflected their profound trust in God’s providence. Even when faced with widowhood, the education of her children and the protection of the Hapsburg legacy, the empress never wavered in her confidence in Christ. Zita remained devoted to her family, her people and her Faith for rest of her life.

Zita lived to be almost 100 years old; she died on 14 March 1989. Today, the Cause for Canonization of Blessed Emperor Charles and Servant of God Empress Zita of Austria is only the next stage in the journey of this holy couple.


Zita, Catholic Empress in Exile

“Even when faced with widowhood, the education of her children and the protection of the Hapsburg leg-acy, the empress never wavered in her confidence in Christ. Zita remained devoted to her family, her people and her Faith for rest of her life.”

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