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Today in Catholic History – Junipero Serra establishes the Mission San Antonio de Padua

July 14, 2010 – 7:05 am

On 14 July 1771, Fr. Junipero Serra established the Mission San Antonio de Padua in Alta California in a valley at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains known as the “Valley of the Oaks”. Fr. Serra along with two other Franciscans began the mission by the hanging of a large bronze bell on an oak tree. Fr. Serra rang the bell while loudly calling for all “gentiles” to come and receive the faith of Jesus Christ. When the other friars pointed out to Junipero that there were no gentiles in sight, Fr. Serra is reported to have said, “let me give vent to my heart which desires that this bell might be heard around the world.”

One of the Native Americans came to the first Mass celebrated by Fr. Serra a short time later. Fr. Serra offered gifts to the curious visitor who soon returned with others of his tribe. The friendship of the native people was very important for the survival of the young mission.

Junipero Serra would soon leave to establish other missions, leaving behind Frs. Miguel Pieras and Buenaventura Sitjar to begin the actual construction of buildings and farms.

Two years later, the Franciscan friars would move the mission because of problems with the water supply at the original site. The mission continues to be an active parish today.

Today in Catholic History – Transferal of the Body of Pius IX and an Incident Involving the Tiber

July 13, 2010 – 12:08 pm

On 13 July 1881, the body of Pope Pius IX was transferred from St. Peter’s Basilica to the the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.

Pius IX’s body was moved to San Lorenzo because he had been responsible for its restoration in 1870 and during the reconstruction had a mausoleum built for his tomb.

On the night of the 13th of July, the body of Pius IX was moved to its permanent resting place in utmost secrecy because the Italian government believed that permitting any sort of ceremony would only serve to strengthen the support of the papacy in its struggle against the Italian government. However, people did find out about the transfer and a large crowd of one hundred thousand gathered to pay their final respects with flowers and lit candles.

However, not everyone in Rome came to show their devotion. Anti-clerical Italians, angry at the Pope’s hostility to the new government and to the forces of secularism, attacked the procession by throwing stones and even attempted to toss the body of Pius IX into the Tiber River before they were driven away by those devoted to Pius.

After Pope Leo XIII, the successor of Pius IX, dies, concern that a similar attack might take place will lead Pope Pius X to order that the transfer of Leo’s body to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran also be made in utmost secrecy.

By sbeshonertor | Posted in Papal History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

Today in Catholic History – The Civil Constitution of the Clergy

July 12, 2010 – 11:20 am

On 12 July 1790, the French National Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy which placed the Catholic Church in France under the authority of the French government.

The National Assembly, dominated by representatives who had been deeply inspired by the Enlightenment’s anti-Catholic views. Since France was struggling with a deep debt, they believed the best way both to weaken the power of the Catholic Church as well as to help solve the problem of the French debt was to restrict the power of the French Catholic church both politically and economically.

Therefore the Civil Constitution nationalized all Church property, bishops and priests were no longer appointed but instead were to be elected [moreover the electors did not have to be Catholic], no longer would the Pope have any voice in the election and appointment of bishops in France and all clergy were to sign an oath of loyalty to the Civil Constitution and the French Government.

Needless to say, Pope Pius VI vehemently opposed the Civil Constitution and warned the clergy that anyone who swore an oath to it would be excommunicated. The vast majority of bishops of France refused to agree to the Civil Constitution but the majority of priests did accept it. Thus a schism was created in the French Church between the those who swore the oath to the Civil Constitution and those who refused to do so. This schism would not be resolved until 1801 when Pius VII and Napoleon I agreed to a new relationship between the French Government and the Papacy.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Pius VI’s response to the Civil Constitution

By sbeshonertor | Posted in French History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

#240 – The Formation of an Identity Part 1

July 11, 2010 – 11:04 pm

Continuing our extended look at the history of the Eastern Catholic Church in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with a special focus on how the Eastern Catholic Church began to understand its relationship to the Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

Image: Formerly Eastern Catholic, now Orthodox Church in Turzańsk, Poland by Tomasz Kuran

Sources:
Barbara Skinner – The Western Front of the Eastern Church. Uniate and Orthodox Conflict in 18th-century Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia 2009
David A. Frick – Melitij Smotryc’kyj 1995
Demetrius E. Wysochansky, O.S.B.M. – Josaphat Kuntseviych – Apostle of Church Unity 1987
Joseph Macha, SJ – Ecclesiastical Unification. A Theoretical Framework Together With Case Studies From the History of Latin-Byzantine Relations 1974
Paul Magocsi – A History of Ukraine 1996
Serhii Plokhy – The Cossacks and Religion in Early Modern Ukraine 2001

Be sure to check out the CUTH blog for more on the history of the Catholic Church

Also check out the other great podcasts at the Starquest Production Network

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon #240 – The Formation of an Identity Part 1

By sbeshonertor | Posted in Eastern Catholic, Podcast | Comments (0)

Today in Catholic History – Ex Quo Singulari

July 11, 2010 – 11:16 am

On 11 July 1742, Pope Benedict XIV issued the bull Ex Quo Singulari which addressed the issues of Catholic missionary activity in China and the Chinese Rites Controversy.

Following the example of Matteo Ricci, the Jesuit missionaries in China sought to present the Catholic faith in a way more compatible to traditional Chinese practices so as to encourage conversions in that country. One particularly problematic aspect of the Jesuit method of evangelization was in regards to Chinese veneration of their ancestors. The Jesuits taught that the Chinese practice was compatible with Catholic belief because it was a social and not a religious ritual. However other missionaries in China such as the Franciscans and Dominicans argued that the Jesuits were not teaching the Catholic faith properly and appealed to the pope. The other missionary orders wanted to present a Catholic faith and practice which would be exactly the same as it was in the countries of Europe.

In Ex Quo Singulari, Benedict XIV sided with the Franciscans and Dominicans against the Jesuits and forbade any further discussion of the issue. Papal policy led to a marked decline in conversions in China and indeed the Chinese Emperor would tell a visiting papal delegate, “You destroyed your religion. You put in misery all Europeans living here in China. You desecrated the honor of all those, who died long ago.” The Emperor would also ban all Catholic missionary activity.

In 1939, Pius XII would reverse this policy to permit the veneration of deceased family members and the Catholic Church would again begin to flourish until the Chinese Communist revolution in 1949.

On the Chinese Rites Controversy

By sbeshonertor | Posted in History of China, Jesuit History, Papal History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

Today in Catholic History – The Formation of the Catholic League

July 10, 2010 – 10:26 am

On 10 July 1609, a coalition of Roman Catholic states in the Holy Roman Empire gathered together to oppose the Protestant Union which had formed in 1608.

The purpose of the Catholic League, under the leadership of Maximilian I of Bavaria, was to defend Catholic interests in the Empire which seemed pressing particularly after a conflict at the city of Donauwörth in Bavaria on 25 April 1606. The Lutheran majority in Donauwörth forbade a St. Mark procession involving the waving of flags and singing hymns from passing through the town even though this was to be permitted according to the terms of the Peace of Augsburg. This was followed by other anti-Catholic incidents in the Empire.

While the purpose of the League was intended to “promote peace” by being a counter-force to the earlier formed Protestant Union, the establishment of large military forces under the leadership of opposing Catholic and Protestant leadership in fact made war between the two sides more likely. This will be especially seen in the eventual outbreak of the Thirty Years War in 1618 which saw significant fighting between Protestants and Catholics.

Indeed the Thirty Years’ War will bring about the end of the Catholic League as the peace terms will prohibit such inter-state agreements and alliances within the Holy Roman Empire. Only direct alliances between states and the Emperor will be permitted.

By sbeshonertor | Posted in German History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (1)

Today in Catholic History – The Martyrs of Gorkum

July 9, 2010 – 3:44 pm

On 9 July 1572, nineteen Catholics were martyred in Brielle by the Calvinist William de la Marck, the Lord of Lumey despite an order from the Prince William of Orange to leave priests and religious unharmed. Lumey was the leader of a group of Watergreuzen or “Sea Beggers” – irregular troops that had recently captured the city of Brielle from the Spanish.

The nineteen martyrs included eleven Franciscans, an Augustinians, and a Dominican. The Dominican priest, John of Cologne, had been arrested after it was discovered that he was secretly visiting the other Catholic prisoners to administer the sacraments. After spending several days in prison during which time they were tortured and forced to parody Catholic rituals, the Lord of Lumey demanded that the Catholic prisoners deny the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the primacy of the pope in exchange for their freedom. The prisoners refused and were martyred by hanging.

Their beatification took place on 14 November 1675, and their canonization on 29 June 1865.

By sbeshonertor | Posted in History of the Netherlands, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

Today in Catholic History – The Finding of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan

July 8, 2010 – 10:12 am

On 8 July 1579, a little girl by the name of Matrona discovered an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the city of Kazan that would come to be known as Our Lady of Kazan or the Theotokos of Kazan [Казанская Богоматерь]

This icon is of the highest importance for Russian Orthodox faithful and many churches throughout Russia are dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan. Her feast day on 4 November is also the Russian Day of National Unity. The Russian Orthodox believe that prayers to the Blessed Mother through the icon have protected Russia against Polish invasion in 1612, Swedish invasion in 1709 and French invasion in 1812.

On 29 June 1904, the icon was stolen from the church in Kazan. The thieves who wanted to obtain the golden covering of the icon later claimed to have destroyed it. However, rumors continued that stated that the icon had survived.

One copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan, through for some time it was believed that it might have been the original icon, was obtained by the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima and kept at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. This copy, dated to around 1730, was given to Pope John Paul II in 1983 and kept in his study in the Vatican. While Pope John Paul II hoped to visit Russia and return this icon to the Russian Orthodox while he was there, the Russian Orthodox Church refused to grant him permission to visit that country.

Unable to visit Russia, Pope John Paul II chose to return this copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan to Russia on 27 August 2004. In returning the icon, Pope John Paul II expressed his hope that Our Lady of Kazan might help bring about unity between the Orthodox and the Catholics.

Today, as I announced last Sunday, our traditional weekly meeting has a special profile. Indeed, here we are gathered in prayer around the venerable Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, which is on the point of setting out on the return journey to Russia, which it left one day long ago.

After passing through various countries and staying a long time at the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal, it providentially arrived at the Pope’s dwelling more than 10 years ago. Since then, it has found a home with me and has accompanied my daily service to the Church with its motherly gaze.

How often since that day have I called on the Mother of God of Kazan, asking her to protect and guide the Russian people who venerate her, and to hasten the moment when all the disciples of her Son, recognizing one another as brothers and sisters, will be able to fully restore the compromised unity.

More on the transfer of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan from Pope John Paul II to Russia

By sbeshonertor | Posted in Papal History, Russian History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

#239 – The Family That Prays Together

July 7, 2010 – 4:05 pm

Fr. Patrick Peyton dedicated his life to promoting family prayer and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the world. The Rosary Priest attracted huge crowds and the attention of Popes and the CIA.

Links:
Family Rosary – Continues Fr. Peyton’s mission to spread devotion to the Rosary throughout the world and includes some of the Radio Theater programs produced by Fr. Peyton.
Family Theater Productions – the radio and television organization established by Fr. Peyton to promote religious programs.
The OTR Network Library has several of the Family Theater radio programs available [requires Real Player]
Hill Number One – a Family Theatre television program produced by Fr. Peyton and contains an early appearance of actor James Dean
Information on the cause of Fr. Peyton

Sources
Hugh Wilford. The Mighty Wurlitzer. How The CIA Played America. 2008
Richard Gribble, CSC. American Apostle of the Family Rosary 2005.
Richard Gribble, CSC. “Anti-Communism, Patrick Peyton, CSC and the C.I.A.” Journal of Church and State No. 3 2003

Be sure to check out the CUTH blog for more on the history of the Catholic Church

Also check out the other great podcasts at the Starquest Production Network

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon #239 – The Family That Prays Together

By sbeshonertor | Posted in Podcast, Spirituality, US History | Comments (1)

Today in Catholic History – Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges

July 7, 2010 – 10:09 am

On 7 July 1438, King Charles VII of France issued the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. This document was part of the Concilliarist attempt to limit the power of the papacy by arguing that a General Council, to be held every ten years, would have the highest authority within the Catholic Church.

Additionally, the Pragmatic Sanction also required bishops to be elected rather than appointed by the papacy and limited the authority of the papacy in France.

The popes, themselves, were greatly opposed to the Pragmatic Sanction and attempted to get the kings of France to repeal it but only attaining success with a new concordat with France in 1516.

While the document held an important place for those in the Gallican movement which desired a Catholic Church more independent of the papacy, the text itself was used by the French kings to justify placing the Catholic Church under royal authority.

The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges

By sbeshonertor | Posted in French History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)