Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE DECEMBER 4, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN Trip to canonization still open MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA Mary's motherhood and our salvation This coming Monday, we will celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We do so because the Father in his eternal love kept Mary sinless from the moment of her conception so that she could give birth to his son, Jesus. The fact that Mary was conceived without sin is a mystery of our faith, but that does not mean we cannot understand what God did, or at least begin to understand it. And as we comprehend this mystery more, we also see that Mary's femininity played a key role in our salvation. Mary was saved through Jesus in a very real way even before she was conceived—her Immaculate Conception was Our Lord's very first act of redemption of fallen humanity. Her sinless soul ensured that she would be perfectly prepared to serve Jesus Christ as his mother and that she would be able to be the mother of all humanity. But the fact remains that Mary still felt inadequate when she was called upon by God to fulfill her vocation. This is something that all of us experience when we strive to answer God's call for our lives. At the Annunciation, Mary heard the call of the Lord and was troubled and frightened. She was surprised by the presence of the angel and the words spoken to her. She may have felt unprepared and inadequate. She pondered how this could be possible. We can all relate to that. But God didn't call Mary to serve as God's mother without first preparing her with grace. The great mystery of her Immaculate Conception is that God chose to give Mary a soul that was pure, so that she could fulfill her unique and feminine vocation. And this is made apparent in the first words the Archangel Gabriel spoke to her—"full of grace" or "favored." St. Maximilian Kolbe, the great Franciscan martyr of Auschwitz, explained that Mary was immaculately conceived because God needed her to be. He wrote that "she was immaculate because she was to become the Mother of God; she became the Mother of God because she was immaculate." Mary's vocation as the Mother of God and the way that her feminine virtues were essential for that role bring to mind Pope Francis' most recent letter on evangelization. In his Nov. 24 apostolic exhortation, "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel"), Pope Francis raised again the need for greater participation by women in the Church's decision-making and recognized the unique gifts they contribute to her life. "The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess. … But we need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church," he wrote. Mary's trust in God, her willingness to step forward in faith despite her fear, her parenting of Jesus, and her obedience to God's plan even though it meant a "sword would pierce her heart," offer the perfect example of how the Church is enriched by women. In fact, it is even more dramatic than that. Without Mary's "yes" to God's invitation to be the mother of Jesus, his plan to save humanity would have had to be different. The overthrow of death by Jesus through his conception in her womb, and his life, death and resurrection with Mary present, were all the fruit of her trust in God and fidelity to her vocation. Her trust brought to life the most feminine quality of all, her motherhood, earning her the title "Mother of All the Living." And it is this powerful aspect of trust as God brought his hidden plan to life that all of us should imitate. Mary is the first among the disciples of Jesus, and like Mary, every one of us is called to humility and trust. We See Aquila, Page 8 PHOTO PROVIDED THE COLOSSEUM in Rome is among the historic and sacred sites pilgrims will visit while on pilgrimage April 25-May 3, 2014, to witness the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. exhortation "The Joy of the GosBY ROXANNE KING pel." The pope will make the canPILGRIMAGE onization proclamations. "A pilgrimage is a prayer." In addition to attending the So said Sister Esther Mary When: April 25-May 3, 2014 canonization, which is expected Nickel, R.S.M., speaking about Where: Rome and Assisi for to take place in St. Peter's Square, an April 25-May 3, 2014, jourcanonization of Blesseds John pilgrims will have daily Mass and ney to Rome co-sponsored by Paul II and John XXIII will visit sacred and historic sites the Denver Archdiocese and its Information: call 1-877-732in Rome and Assisi. newspapers—the Denver Catho4845, ext. 100, or email info@ Sacred sites pilgrims will visit lic Register and El Pueblo Católimyfaithjourneys.com include St. Peter's Basilica, the co—to witness the canonization heart of the Roman Catholic of Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II. Theological Seminary in Denver, Church built above the crypt of "Pilgrimage in itself, like the Sister Nickel attended several be- St. Peter and home to the tomb procession in the Mass, is sym- atifications and canonizations of John Paul II and the incorrupt bolic of our return to heaven," during her 10 years studying lit- body of John XXIII, as well as visSister Nickel told the Denver urgy at the Pontifical Atheneum its to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the major basilCatholic Register. "So when we of St. Anselm in Rome. make a pilgrimage, for example, "It's always very profound," she icas of Rome and the Basilica of to the canonization of John Paul said. "Having been (to canoniza- St. Francis in Assisi where the II and John XXIII, the signifi- tions) a number of times, there's a founder of the Franciscan order cance is that we long for the day movement of the Holy Spirit that is interred. Historic sites to be when we'll be in heaven as well." is just known in the community." visited include the oldest road from Roman times—the Appian Faithful are invited to go on pilWay—the Roman Forum and grimage to this historic Church Pontiffs and places moment that will take place in Pope John XXIII, known as Colosseum, the Pantheon and Vatican City April 27, 2014. "Good Pope John," convened the the catacombs where the early "To gather in the heart of the Second Vatican Council; Pope Christians hid. A general audiChurch to witness the procla- John Paul II, called "John Paul the ence with Pope Francis, if he is mation in Latin by the pontiff— Great," was largely responsible for available, is also planned. the bold proclamation that this implementing it. Both were inperson is in heaven—is huge," strumental in bringing about the Saints and hope Sister Nickel said. "You're one "new evangelization" in which Msgr. Bob Amundsen, pastor of of the 'cloud of witnesses' of the the Church proclaims the good Immaculate Conception Parish in Church." news of Jesus Christ with "new … Lafayette, will serve as spiritual diAn associate professor of sa- ardor, methods and expression." rector on the trip. Msgr. Amundcred liturgy and sacramental Pope Francis contributed to sen studied at North American theology at St. John Vianney this call in his recent apostolic See Pilgrimage, Page 5 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-722-4687 OR CIRCULATION@ARCHDEN.ORG Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 General Manager Karna Swanson Denver Catholic Register (USPS 557-020) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January, and in June, July and August when it goes bi-weekly. The Register is printed by The Denver Post LLC in Denver. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. 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