ST. ANTHONY'S CORNER OF MY WORLD

Over the last few years I have become familiar with the many writings and teachings of St. Anthony Zaccaria. Two years ago a Barnabite friend gave me a statue of St. Anthony Zaccaria. The statue has the Saint holding a crucifix of Christ Crucified in his right hand close to his heart. His left hand holds the Holy Eucharist atop a Bible, and near his feet is a medical shield to commemorate his years as a physician prior to becoming a priest. The statue is absolutely beautiful.

When I moved to a new apartment earlier this year, I knew that I wanted to give this statue a prominent place in my living room. I created a little nook devoted to St. Anthony. Gazing at the statue each day brings to mind St. Anthony's many fine attributes. For example, his energy knew no bounds and he was never too busy to help those less fortunate.

He persevered in the face of adversity. That is an inspiration to me when some of life's challenges seem overwhelming. Having the statue nearby, for that reason, has a calming effect on me.

The Saint's disdain for "lukewarmness" is another source of inspiration. Sometimes taking the easy way out of a difficult situation is very tempting to me. If I think of Saint Anthony, I'm reminded that we are all called to do our best in order to be worthy servants of the Lord. St. Anthony's deep, deep love for Jesus inspires me to be more appreciative of the friends and family who the Lord has placed in my life. These individuals help to make my life journey a little easier.

The statue is, and will remain, a very cherished possession.

By Fran Stahlecker

The Layout Artist

Mr. Greg Gambino, the layout artist of the English Edition of the Bull of Canonization of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, shows a copy of the document in front of the painting of St. Anthony, Patron of Physicians, at the Barnabite Spiritual Center in Bethlehem, PA.

Photo taken on May 5, 2009

The Original Bull of Canonization in Latin

The cover page of the Bull

The first page of the Bull

My personal Reflection ..

No man is an island, 

entire of itself; 

every man is a piece of the continent, 

a part of the main...

John Donne, Meditation XVII

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and 

though all its parts are many, 

they form one body.

1 Cor 12:2

Dear Readers, 

Without doubt it was Thomas Merton’s book entitled, No Man is an Island, which made John Donne’s expression so noted among general population. This insightful statement carries within itself a lesson to be learned for each of us, just as it was in my case while working on a project that I undertook.  

 

It all started almost a year ago, in June 2008, when I was searching for the homily that Pope Leo XIII made during the canonization of our Holy Founder, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. I contacted my confrere, Fr. Filippo M. Lovison, CRSP who was stationed in Rome, for some direction on this matter. It was during my conversation with Fr. Lovison that I had learned about the Bull of Canonization of St. Anthony by the Supreme Pontiff, Leo XIII, entitled, Dilectus Domini nostri, and dated May 27, 1897. This was truly a great blessing and was an answer to my search. However, the document was in the original language, in Latin.  So then, I began to look for the person to help me with the translation. I communicated with our Provincial Superior in the North-American Province, Fr. Gabriel M. Patil, CRSP and asked for his assistance.  Fr. Patil in turn took upon himself the task to contact our confrere, Bishop Sergio Pagano, CRSP who is at present the Prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, and requested him to have the document translated into English. Fr. Patil and I were also one in asking Bishop Pagano to write the preface to the Bull, owing to his expertise and his position as prefect. Bishop Pagano accepted our requests.  

Regarding the translation, we learned that the search for a translator of the document had become a real hurdle almost impossible to overcome. In the final account, the document was translated only into Italian and not into English, as it was originally intended. And so the search for a translator continued.  Finally, Fr. Robert F. Slesinki, a friend of mine, who is in Connecticut, USA, agreed to translate the document into English.  At this time there was a need for the final work of editing and correcting the document.  For this delicate and vital task to the final presentation of the Bull of Canonization to be accomplished, I turned to my friend in the Philippines, an Angelic Sister, Sr. Rorivic Israel. Her editorial work was one of the final touches given to the final form of the document. Now I was left only with finding the person who would creatively and originally provide a graphic form to the document. Mr. Greg Gambino, who is another friend of mine, and who is a graphic designer, did the job, and did it excellently. 

These people became instrumental to the completion of the project. From my experience of working with them, I have realized that any endeavor must be done with others. Indeed, no man is an island. I could have not accomplished this project had I done it all by myself.  

To all of them, I am deeply grateful. 

Fr. Robert B. Kosek, CRSP  

________

Photo by Renata Bardecka.  Greece

Bull of Canonization of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria

The Bull’s first English translation

comes on the occasion of

Fr. Augusto M. Pucci’s

70th year of dedicated and faithful service

as a Barnabite priest to God and His people.

Rome, Italy 1939 - 8 IV - 2009- Oakville, Canada

__________________________

From the Introduction to Dilectus Domini nostri, 

Bull of Canonization of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria  

by †Sergio Pagano, CRSP, Titular Bishop of Celene Prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives

(....)

The canonization of the Founder of the Barnabites occurred many years following his death (1539). His canonization also followed experiences of various vicissitudes related to the events of history that pertained to the Congregation between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. (...) 

       The ordinary process began in 1802. However, the first stage had already taken place in October 1800 during the provincial chapter of Lombardy. The Barnabite who must be acknowledged as the prime animator behind the future canonization of Anthony Mary Zaccaria was Reverend Father Francesco Fontana (1750–1822). (...)

       Without going into all the merits of the long procedural process, we shall only say that the many efforts of the Barnabites were in the end rewarded. The figure of their Founder was enriched both by the precious circles of contemporary and latter witnesses. This outcome led His Holiness Leo XIII to beatify Anthony Mary Zaccaria on January 3, 1890, given that the Congregation of Rites had already approved three miracles that were attributed to this future saint. This opened the way to canonization as requested by Father Granniello, who adduced an abundance of canonical arguments.

         During the Consistory of May 20, 1897, His Holiness Leo XIII decreed the canonization of Anthony Mary Zaccaria. On May 27, 1897, the pope issued the Bull of Canonization Dilectus Domini nostri. In truth, this Bull had been signed by the pontiff and twenty-three cardinals several days prior to the actual issuance of the Bull. (...)

        On May 27, 1897, St. Peter’s Basilica housed this great ceremony: under the rays of Bernini were the portraits of two future saints, Anthony Mary Zaccaria and Peter Fourier. The basilica was illuminated by 950 chandeliers, and was filled with faithful. In solemnity, His Holiness Leo XIII pronounced the formal act of canonization and, indeed, the Bull bears the very date of the ceremony. The Barnabites in Italy, particularly those in Cremona where Zaccaria was born, and the entire Church could now begin to venerate our Founder as a saint – we could even say, a great saint – who, on the example of the Apostle Paul, dedicated himself tirelessly to the Church until his death at a young age, leaving a fertile legacy.

Vatican City

September 5, 2008

Listening to our Readers..

Hi Fr. Robert,

Greetings in the Lord! Thank you for sharing Sr. Rorivic Ma Israel's reflections on the calendar. She is indeed a real treasure.

While navigating around the blog, I chose theme #3 to read. I was inspired by the choices that St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria made as a youth and how these choices affected his life. These thoughts were particular meaningful to me as I struggle to raise holy children.

The quote at the top of the page "Enter his world and you will be forever changed" made me laugh out loud! WOW! This is so true for the Gambino family. I feel like St. Anthony is a part of our family and, in fact, it's hard to imagine life without him now. Actually, I think the saying could be modified by changing the wording a little...."Enter the world of the Barnabites, (whose founder was Saint Anthony Zaccaria) and you will be forever changed". I am certain that this is what happened to us. Sometimes, it feels like we've been swept up into a spiritual cyclone! The profound and concrete changes that have taken place within each of us are truly remarkable. One really needs an abundance of stamina to keep up! Thanks be to God and thank you, Fr. Robert, for opening this treasure to us. We are eternally grateful!

Your sister in Christ,

Mary

A Daily Lesson in Holines of St. Anthony M. Zaccaria on DISCRETION

April 1. 

Discretion is discernment over the real attribute of things, and over which things are to be kept and which are to be laid aside.

April 2.

 Discretion is the eye of the mind, which in no way will make us err.

April 3.

Discretion, which is the same as prudence, restrain us from licentiousness, and motivates us to goodness.

April 4. 

Discretion keeps us from falling into vices; it rather purifies all vices and transforms them into virtues.

April 5 

It is its nature that discretion weighs up both external and inner virtues.

April 6 

The most sublime and perfect discretion is more of heavenly things than of earthly things.

April 7. 

The eye of discretion is so clear that it sees even the minutest thing; he who does not see it is not discreet.

April 8. 

A discreet person has eyes, front and back, top and bottom, right and left. It is because of discretion that man is a lot similar to God.

April 9. 

A person who grows in discretion grows also in other virtues.

April 10. 

To a discreet person, failure is beneficial, for through it he learns to be more careful. Discretion by itself teaches that one can receive healing from wounds, and he can gain both from failures as well as from successes.

April 11. 

When the devil sees our discretion to be truly firm, he does not dare to assail it.

April 12. 

A person who is truly discreet is far from falling. If he falls, it is because he is indiscreet.

April 13. 

A person who is discreet is hated by those who may seem to have virtues, but who do not actually have.These are the lukewarm and the imperfect. They are like a thorn in his side.

April 14. 

A discreet person is hated by the malicious. However, one can never lightly determine which is worse, the persecution of the malicious or the persecution of the lukewarm.

April 15. 

The persecution of the lukewarm against persons who are discreet is varied and continuous, but the persecution of the malicious is done all at once and is persistent.

April 16. 

As salt is needed for food, so discretion is needed for any action. As food becomes tasteless without salt, so virtue becomes meaningless without discretion.

April 17. 

Discretion can be acquired through careful examination of one’s work and diligence in putting it to completion. 

April 18. 

Discretion often leads us to what is best and towards the highest virtue. A person can never be discreet unless he strives to reach the highest peak of virtue.

April 19. 

You will be able to reach perfect discretion only if you desire harm and insult.

April 20. 

Only a discreet person can hide or show his virtues, or yet extol them, without shame.

April 21. 

He who practices virtue without discretion is like throwing dust to the winds.

April 22. 

These are signs of a discreet person: he knows what steps to make when in doubt; he accepts everything from the hands of God with great tranquility; and he is able to give great and wholesome advice to others.

April 23. 

Many look discreet in certain situations, but when they are in another, they appear to be what they really are, stupid and imprudent.

April 24 

A discreet person knows how to be in want and in abundance. When he does not, he is indiscreet.

April 25. 

A discreet person knows how to give reasons to everything, even the most impossible ones.

April 26. 

A person who is perfectly discreet already overcomes his bad inclinations. He who is still tied up with some passion is not yet perfectly discreet. 

April 27. 

Discretion is not too much or too little. It avoids extreme prudence as well as excessive stupidity.

April 28. 

Extreme prudence does not recognize one’s defects and at the same time does not excuse the defects of others.

April 29. 

Extreme prudence goes beyond what is expected of it. It belittles the deeds of others and criticizes them without diplomacy.

April 30. 

Extreme prudence speaks with pretense and makes new laws that hinder the weak.