Pope Leo’s surgery and his speedy return to the Vatican have revealed a great deal about his strength of faith, strength of health and strength of character. The doctors expressed that he was the perfect patient, taking all things in stride, including his setting up of chairs in the chapel where he was to celebrate Mass. He was described as friendly, patient, understanding and extremely cooperative. None of this should be a surprise to anyone who has observed His Holiness since his election as pope. He is an extraordinary man, not because he seeks to be extraordinary and admired by others, but because he chooses, like our Lord, in His human nature, to be ordinary, like everyone else in the best sense of the word. The pope’s speedy recovery and manner of activity are signs that he truly is extraordinary.
While fragility is a necessary part of human existence, it is difficult to acknowledge honestly. Pope Leo gave a splendid example of facing fragility with honesty and candor in making the announcement about the surgery and in facing it with a great deal of peace. Even the pope’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, made reference to this. He said, “We were all struck by his serenity. He spoke very calmly. The Holy Father is a great example in this regard.” The cardinal expressed that, “No one expected it, but there are, as the pope said, God’s surprises.”
Certainly, the most insightful world voice in regard to the dangers of artificial intelligence, as well as its benefits, has been that of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. From the very beginning of his papacy, he stressed that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence would be a major focus of his papacy, and he has spoken very frequently about it and the need for caution in its use. His first encyclical is a brilliant reflection, offering guidance in understanding artificial intelligence and dealing with it, both in its positive contributions and its ability to harm. He reminds us of our own human dignity, which cannot be controlled by any machine and far supersedes modern technology.
The month of October is dedicated to Mary, especially in regard to praying the Rosary. It was Pope, Leo XIII who consecrated October to the Rosary and established the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. He wrote twelve encyclicals on the Rosary and established it as a major public devotion while strongly urging families to pray it together. The month of October is also Respect Life Month as established by the USCCB with its first Sunday, (this year, October 4), being Respect Life Sunday. It is very fitting that this year the Bishops have chosen the theme of Mary, Mother of Life, for Respect Life Sunday.
Pope Leo XIV turned a young 71 years of age on Sept. 14. On this happy occasion, he went to visit the Apostolic Vatican Library for the first time. During his visit, he addressed the staff of the library with words of gratitude and support for their service, as well as with words of high regard for the library.
In his address to the staff of the Apostolic Library, Pope Leo made excellent points in regard to the value of what a library is all about.
A great deal of attention is rightly paid to the need for justice as part of our lives and as a part of our world. In regard to the many wars we are facing around the world today, the situation of many immigrants, proper medical care, employment and of the death penalty, among so many others, justice is rightly cited as a need. However, there is a great deal of misunderstanding in regard to justice, especially as it directly relates to the other virtues.
As time moves on and we move from summer into fall, we are all reminded of the passing of our days and our ultimate departure from this revolving earth created by God. Our faith tells us that our departure from time brings us into eternity. The reminder of this passing brings a new perspective to all that we experience in time. There is only one constant and that is God, in whose brilliant shade we live.
While some of that may seem to be positive, artificial intelligence is taking us into a new world where human interaction, introspection and the ability to use our hearts, heads and hands are not so much relied upon as essential to who we are as human persons made in the image and likeness of God.
The role of Mary and St. John the Baptist are unique in the life of the Church as they were the first to encounter Christ and point to Him at all times during their lives.
The Feast of the Queenship of Mary is celebrated one week after the Assumption as a fitting conclusion to an octave of days giving special attention to Mary. Originally, Aug. 22 was set by Pope Pius XII as the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and hence, August became the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
This year, the Solemnity of the Assumption occurs on a Saturday and so it is not a Holy Day of Obligation for which we must attend Mass. However, this does not lessen the importance of the Assumption or the appropriateness of celebrating it at Mass. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary points to the fulfillment of her role as the first among those who believe in Christ and who shares in the fullness of redemption with the Lord has gained for us.
God speaks to us in many unexpected ways. Through the daily encounters of our lives, the people we meet, the joys we experience, and sometimes in the annoying events before us, God is present and speaking to us.
We very much need time for silence. The world in which we live is filled with so many distractions due to instant media and communications. Through our cellphones, laptops and iPads, we are in constant contact with others as well as with all that is going on within the world.
Truly, the Heart of Jesus speaks to that of Mary, and the heart of Mary speaks to that of Jesus. It was from Mary’s human heart that the human heart of the Lord literally came into existence.
It is quite fitting that this consecration, as well as the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, takes place almost immediately following the encyclical, Magnificent Humanity, which our Holy Father, Pope Leo, just gave to us.
