Real Catholic Blog

Teresa Shipley at Discovery.com reports that archaeologists believe they have discovered the bones of Saint John The Baptist, who baptised our Lord Jesus Christ (see John Paul II commentary), and infamously beheaded by King Herod at the request of his wife’s daughter, Salome (Catholic-Forum.com). The discovery was made at a 5th century monastary near the Black Sea in Bulgaria.

According to the article:

Bulgarian archaeologists excavating under an ancient basilica last week unearthed a reliquary, or a container full of human relics.

Bone fragments of a human skull, hand and tooth were found inside. …

The archaeologists believe that a date inscribed on the alabaster jar, June 24, is a good sign that the reliquary houses John the Baptist’s remains.

June 24 is the day Christian’s celebrate the birth of Jesus’ contemporary.

Seems a bit too coincidental to me. Besides . . . Bulgaria? How and why would John The Baptists’ remains find there way there? Of course, anything is possible. The Vatican is taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach. Fabrizio Bisconti, superintendent of the Vatican Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, told CNN more information and research is needed before the Holy See will opine on the discovery (see CNN’s Belief Blog for more, including video).

It’s interesting to contemplate, but misidentifications, not to mention forgeries, in ancient and Biblical antiquities are common. We look forward to more information confirming or dismissing what would be a terrific find.

Saint John The Baptist’s remains may have been found. The authenticity of the find, however, impacts little on Catholic faith.

In November, I wrote about an exciting new film produced by Newt and Callista Gingrich about John Paul II. Yes, that Newt Gingrich, who converted to Catholicism within the last couple of years (as written about here with video), with the earthly influence of his wife, Callista, and the late Holy Father himself; as well, of course, from the Divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Originally, the movie, Nine Days That Changed The World, a DVD documentary which chronicles the Pontiff’s 1979 visit to his native Poland — a pilgrimage that drew a third of Poland’s population to see him and peacefully, but forcefully, jackhammered the first cracks into the grip of Soviet enslavement of Eastern Europe — was supposed to have been released late last year. It wasn’t, but in a bittersweet irony it was released a couple of weeks ago, around the time of the plane crash that killed the Polish president, first lady and several high ranking government officials.

Nine Days That Changed The World looks extraordinary. That’s easy, of course, because John Paul The Great is and an extraordinary subject. The movie features priceless archival film and photos and interviews with John Paul biographer George Weigel and Solidarity leader and former Polish President Lech Walesa. It will bring back to life a period not long ago but neglected and taken for granted already, one which, as with all John Paul did, brings to life timeless lessons. It was a history altering event, an impact  unforeseen and unexpected by almost everyone at the time, but one which to this day shows the Heavenly power of the Holy Spirit.  

Here’s more about the film from Gingrich Productions:

Pope John Paul II’s historic nine-day pilgrimage to Poland in June of 1979 created a revolution of conscience that transformed Poland and fundamentally reshaped the spiritual and political landscape of the 20th Century. … explore what transpired during these nine days that moved the Polish people to renew their hearts, reclaim their courage, and free themselves from the shackles of Communism.

Nine Days That Changed The World and showed the unequal power of the Holy Spirit in the realm of man.

As Mardi Gras draws to a close and Ash Wednesday and Lent dawns, I looked for a fulfilling and inspirational commentary on the season. On the ZENIT site, I found this, from John Paul The Great. I think it will set the tone for a fulfilling spiritual journey this Lent, drawing you closer to Christ, and a better understanding of the season and your faith.

“We Acknowledge Ourselves As Sinners,” Says John Paul II

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 5, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul II’s address at today’s general audience, which he dedicated to the spirit of Ash Wednesday. Earlier he had proclaimed this a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

* * *

1. Today, Ash Wednesday, the liturgy addresses to all the faithful an intense invitation to conversion with the words of the apostle Paul: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Lent is the most propitious time, spiritually, to receive this exhortation, as it is a time of more intense prayer, of penance and of greater attention to the needs of brothers.

With today’s rite of the imposition of ashes, we acknowledge ourselves sinners, invoke the forgiveness of God, manifesting a sincere desire for conversion. Thus we begin an austere ascetic journey, which will lead us to the Easter triduum, heart of the liturgical year.

2. In keeping with the tradition of the Church, all the faithful are obliged today to abstain from meats and to fast, with the sole exception of those who are impeded for reasons of health or age. Fasting has great value in the life of Christians, it is a need of the spirit to relate better to God. In fact, the external aspects of fasting, though important, do not exhaust such a practice. Joined to it is a sincere desire for interior purification, willingness to obey the divine will, and thoughtful solidarity toward brothers, particularly the poorest.

There is, then, a close link between fasting and prayer. To pray is to listen to God and fasting favors this openness of heart.

3. While we enter in the time of Lent, we cannot but be conscious of the present international context, in which threatening tensions of war are agitated. It is necessary that everyone consciously assume responsibility and engage in a common effort to spare humanity another dramatic conflict. For this reason, I wanted today, Ash Wednesday, to be a day of prayer and fasting to implore for peace in the world. Above all, we must ask God for conversion of heart, in which every form of evil and every thrust toward sin is rooted; we must pray and fast for peaceful coexistence among peoples and nations.

At the beginning of our meeting we heard the encouraging words of the Prophet: “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4). And again: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Ibid.). Above the upheavals of history is the sovereign presence of God, who judges the choices of men. To him [who] “judge[s] between the nations” and “impose[s] terms on many peoples” (Ibid.) we turn our hearts to implore for a future of justice and peace for all. This thought should stimulate each one of us to continue in an incessant prayer and in energetic commitment to construct a world in which egoism gives way to solidarity and love.

4. I also wished to propose again the urgent invitation to conversion, penance and solidarity in the Message for Lent, made known a few days ago, whose theme is the beautiful phrase of the Acts of the Apostles: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (see 20:35).

In fact, only by converting to this logic can a social order be constructed characterized not by a precarious balance of conflicting interests, but by a just and common search for the common good. Christians, as leaven, are called to live and spread a style of generosity in every realm of life, thus promoting the authentic moral and civil development of society. In this connection, I have written: “To deprive oneself not only of the superfluous, but even of something more to distribute it to those in need, contributes to that denial of self without which there is no authentic practice of Christian life” (No. 4: [daily] L’Osservatore Romano, Feb. 7, 2003, p. 5).

5. May this day of prayer and fasting for peace, with which we begin Lent, be translated in concrete gestures of reconciliation. From the family to the international realm, may each one feel and make himself co-responsible for the construction of peace. And the God of peace, who knows the intentions of the heart and calls his children peacemakers (see Matthew 5:9), will not be lacking in his recompense (see Matthew 6:4,6,18).

We entrust our wishes to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary and Mother of Peace. May she take us by the hand and accompany us during the next 40 days toward Easter, to contemplate the Risen Lord.

I wish everyone a good and fruitful Lent!

Who here is afraid to breach the taboo of talking politics and religion, especially to strangers? Most people won’t, of course, because it’s deemed impolite. However, John Paul The Great had another view, which is why he was the greatest man of the 20th century, in my view.

We are all called, as Catholics, to bring the Lord to all. It is not a calling the Lord limits to priests, bishops and religious; being Catholic is more than attending Church and, literally preaching to the choir. Nothing so important should be restricted by an arbitrary social norm, probably constructed by secularists anyway. Of course, we must be mindful of how we approach people and the particular situations in which we find ourselves. But if volunteers can go door to door for any number of secularcauses (many worthwhile), why don’t Catholics go door to door, or speak up more often publicly, about the Faith?

It is not enough to call, to summon, and to wait for people to come. … You must be a Church which seeks people out, which invites them not only through  the general appeal of the media, but also by personal invitation, from house to house, from street to street, in an unflagging effort, respectful but present in all place and social environments.

- John Paul II, from his Address to the Bishops Conference of Brazil, Ad limina visit, September 5, 1995

John Paul II: He was Great and loved for a reason.

John Paul II and Benedict XVI teach us about adoration of the Holy Eucharist in their words and actions.

Last week, upon his death, I posted the story of Robert Novak’s conversion to the Church as well as an account of a personal encounter I had with him. Reflecting on Mr. Novak, I realized there are numerous stories of people famous and not who have inspiring stories of conversion to the Faith. We’ll try to highlight some of them along the way.

But it also occured to me that there was another famous Washington power broker type who’s also converted to the Faith with whom I also have had a couple of personal moments. That would be former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

I met him a couple of years ago at a fundraiser for a group for which I did some volunteer work. A woman I know popped up with a camera out of nowhere while I, by chance was standing next to him, having finished a brief conversation with him and getting his autograph. She asked if I would like my picture with him. I said, “I think that’s the Speaker’s decision. Does he want one with me?” He gladly stopped and posed. My mom, who loves him, was very impressed.

This past spring, I was at a dinner where he was the special guest speaker. I had no hope of getting close to him, but as I walked through the hotel lobby, there he was — having just emerged from a makeshift studio where he participated in a live cable news interview. I looked up, saw him, and couldn’t hold back. I reminded him of the picture story, but quickly got right to the point:

“Mr. Speaker, I’m a big fan, but my mom is absolutely crazy about you. But as a devout Catholic, when she read about your recent conversion, she cried she was so happy!”

He smiled as broad as Saint Peter’s Square and a genuine twinkle of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He gushed his thanks and told me to be sure to thank her. I had the impression he wouldn’t have minded hanging around and talking about it — in his speech earlier, he quoted John Paul II extensively. But I decided not to press my luck. Instead, I moved along, counting my blessings . . . and his.

Here’s one of the few public comments Mr. Gingrich has made about his conversion:

Brother Newt? The former Speaker of the House is passionate about the admiration he had for John Paul II well before his conversion to the Faith.