gleanings (9)
by Don Bruno Capparoni
Nn the imminence of the month of June, "gleaning" among paintings and images of the Sacred Heart, I came across an altarpiece, the work of the Veronese painter Giovanni Caliari (1802-1850), which I then wanted to reproduce on the cover. The name of this painter was completely unknown to me, but I was struck by the subject depicted.
We have dedicated ample space to children in this issue La St. Crusade, to participate, with our means, in the beautiful initiative of Pope Francis, who announced the first World Children's Day in Rome on 25 and 26 May 2024. Don Gabriele Cantaluppi explicitly writes about this "day" (p. 20-21 ), as both the cover and the large opening photo refer to it (p. 2-3) and finally, indirectly but intentionally, my article is for children (p. 12-13 ) on the “Friends (or Heralds) of Saint Joseph”, the section of the Pious Union of the Transit of Saint Joseph made up of children and young people.
by Don Bruno Capparoni, director of the Pious Union
DSunday 21 April, the fourth of Easter, also known as the "Good Shepherd" Day, is the Day of Prayer for Vocations. In Europe and Italy this is not a simple prayer intention, but a serious problem for the Church. There is no need to consult statistics; the eyes are enough to see the reduced number of priests, as well as the semi-empty or empty seminaries.
PTo cultivate an authentic devotion to Saint Joseph, it is useful (and also simple) to return to Saint Teresa of Avila. It is true that, before her, other saints recommended venerating the holy Patriarch, but she is the most authoritative, the most listened to.
by Don Bruno Capparoni
We are affected by Eurocentrism and therefore we were surprised when the Holy Father Francis visited Mongolia from August 31st to September 4th. In that country, so remote for us, there is a tiny Catholic community, which forms the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar, made up of around 1400 faithful and led by Cardinal Giorgio Marengo.
by Don Bruno Capparoni
CWhat is more beautiful than a summer walk in the high mountains? The body and spirit benefit from it. Sometimes on the paths and on the mountain tops we encounter the "peak crosses" which become the destination of our walking and remain almost inseparably linked to the panorama we contemplate. Sometimes they are crosses placed in memory of a mournful event, of a misfortune in the mountains or of a war event, and then they recall the traveler to sad thoughts and prayer.
by Don Bruno Capparoni
AWe have reproduced the effigy of Mary on our cover Queen of peace which Benedict XV wanted to place in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on 4 August 1918, at the end of the First World War, which he defined as a "useless massacre". We also remember that it was Benedict to the Madonna most loved by the Christian people.
by Don Bruno Capparoni
I write these lines close to the dearest feast, that of Saint Joseph. This year we will return here in Rome to the tradition of previous years, to the Procession which is the most solemn and participatory moment, to the celebrations in the Oratory and along the streets, especially without the very tiring limitations of the last two years. Let's thank God for it!
Christmas: joy of living and giving
Don Bruno Capparoni, director
When did the fun custom of giving gifts at Christmas begin and who was its inventor? It is the Gospel that answers: the inventors of Christmas gifts were the wise men. Every year at the Epiphany we are read that they, having arrived in Bethlehem, after having seen the Child and his mother and adored him, "opened their caskets and offered him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh". Christian tradition (not the Gospel) believed that shepherds also brought gifts to Baby Jesus, humble gifts compared to the treasures of the Magi, but offered with faith and above all with joy.