Untold Stories of the Last Three Popes

This past week I listened to one of the new "Lighthouse Catholic Media" CDs. (Many parishes have a Lighthouse CD "rack" in the back of their parish church.) It is called the "Untold Stories of the Last Three Popes." Listen online here. Given by Bishop John Magee, the private secretary for Pope Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. Wow! What an inspirational and insightful testimony to the character of these three "Holy Fathers". I really enjoyed hearing the stories about Pope Paul VI, who we often don't hear about, apart from his connection with the encyclial Humane Vitae.

The CD caught my eye, because about a month ago, I was privileged to watch an interview of Bishop John Magee with Jerry Coniker, from the Apostolate for Family Consecration. This was quite interesting to watch, as it focused on the untold stories of the interior life of Pope John Paul II. The description of the video below says it well:

Spirit of John Paul II: Stories of His Interior Life (DVD)
What you will see and hear on this timeless 90-minute treasure will give you a much deeper understanding of the life of John Paul II--from the intimacy of his private apartments to the silence of the conclave. Witness exclusive interviews with the people closest to him:
· His former private secretary, Bishop John Magee, shares "never told before" stories about the providential circumstances surrounding John Paul II's election to the papacy, as well as the assassination attempt on his life.
· Cardinal Jaime Sin, a close friend of Pope John Paul II, was sitting next to the future Pope during the conclave. In this exclusive interview, learn about Pope John Paul's reaction during the incredible moments immediately following his being selected by the cardinal electors--an election which changed the course of history as Pope John Paul II launched out on his remarkable pontificate. This account is awesome and moving.
In this fascinating program, you will also learn more about Pope John Paul II’s captivating relationship with the youth, and his total commitment to Jesus Christ and to the entire human family. You will also view rarely seen actual footage of Pope John Paul II himself.

The "Spirit of John Paul II: Stories of His Interior Life" will certainly help you to more deeply comprehend and appreciate the life and legacy of this great Pope and prophet for our times!

Simply amazing details and truly "untold stories" granted here as well.

Twelve Ways to Know God

Twelve Ways to Know God



One of my favorite writers is Dr. Peter Kreeft, professor at Boston College and author of who- knows-how-many books. He is a Catholic C.S. Lewis; a faithful, logical, witty, humble and sincere man. In an age that is tempted to believe that "science" (empirical science, that is) is the only avenue to what is "real"--his writings are a breath of fresh air. The Goliath of science is put in its proper place through the stones of faith from this modern David. Here's a sampling of an article of his called Twelve Ways to Know God. I adapted them slightly and put them in a memory aid for easier recall. When we wonder how one gets to know God, here's some good reasons to keep in mind.

A Memory Aid of how to come to Know / Experience God

At the heart and center of coming to know and experience God is Jesus Christ: “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) If we want to know what God is like, how He relates to us, what He thinks of us, etc., the simple answer is look at the life of Christ. As the argument goes, He is either who He said He is (Lord), He was a lying fool (Liar), or He was a crazy man (Lunatic). The image at the left (the facial image of the Shroud of Turin--the supposed burial cloth of Christ) is fitting to post here, as this really helps us see "what God is like, how He relates to us, what He thinks of us, etc."


Here are twelve other ways to ponder under the double acronym of

S.E.A.R.C.H

(The first part highlights the "natural" aspects of our "SEARCH" for God. The second part highlights the "super-natural" aspects of God's SEARCH for man.

S Serving others. In tape 1 of Archbishop Fulton Sheen's Famous Audio Series (the Philosophy of Life, he gave the time-tested advice. "If you want to find God, find your neighbor." One must "act" their way into knowing and loving God, through knowing and loving their neighbor.
Experience (Ponder all the life experiences of personal and collective history. As Pope Leo XIII said, "All history in a way shouts out that it is God whose providence governs the varied and continual changes of mortal affairs.")
A Arts (Music, Architecture, Paintings, etc. Coming to know God through the goodness and beauty reflected in these) There is an Artist behind the art.
R Reason (reflection, logic, philosophy, the order of the mind shares in the divine mind. There is an Intelligence behind the intelligence.
C Conscience (the voice of God in the sanctuary of his dwelling). There is a Lawgiver, behind the law.
H Holy people (Saints are windows into God’s presence among men).

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S Scripture Reading/Study (Privileged record of God’s Words and Deeds)

E Eucharistic Communion and Adoration (Spiritual Interior "Radiation" in Heart and mind)
A Apparitions (Historical Miraculous occurences (often through Mary, Queen of the Prophets) highlighting God's plan for man--i.e Fatima, Lourdes, Kibeho)
R Revelations given through saints and mystics to promote or expound God's plan for man (i.e. St. Margaret Mary and Sacred Heart)
C Catholic Teaching (embodied in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: faithfully records and expounds the meanings of Scripture and Tradition)
H Holy Spirit Prayer and Inspiration (All those other wordly-this-couldn't-have-come-from-me “promptings” and “coincidences” in thought and experience.

Get the facts....then decide for yourself.

This was imprinted on a series of cassette tapes I heard back in the early 90s. It was one of those write-down-on-an-index-card, "words of wisdom" that has become part of my life thinking. Echoing a friend of a friend's slapstick comments to "get to know"-- it's verbiage is now entrenched, and thus seemed to be a good title for a blog. Isn't this at the heart of what blogging is about anyway, "getting to know"?

Even in these our times of "information overloard", it can still be hard to "get to know". Just look at how many diverging views there are in the things that really matter. Then you take a look in the mirror of our own fallen nature and conclude: if we can't even trust our own ability at times to remain objective in the things that really matter to ourselves, then how about when dealing with the so-called "facts" or opinions that are presented before us by others?

Bottom line, life's decisions are about trust; trusting in the word of another. Who do I trust? I mean, really? Whose word do you trust...for the important stuff? In this valley of tears and contradictions, there's only one Word that I think can stand. And fortunately for us, that Word became flesh. And even better, we still have access to this Word in more ways than we might realize.

Getting to know involves others, thus the 2 in the get2know. The 2 stands for all those others on the journey who help us to become, as a contemporary "magi /wise man" Matthew Kelly states, "the best version of ourselves".

In a world which often looks out for # 1, I hope I can help be a part of a growing group of "number 2s" who are willing to share some of the wisdom and "info" that comes our way, and thus help others to strive for the only goal that "eternally matters." Thus, I can think of no better fitting article to start than one that comments on both "2" and "eternity", The Tale of 2 Churches.

(The first official blog---written on the day when Neil Armstrong said those famous words, "One small step for man, one big step for mankind." In my case, dealing with technological stuff, "One small step for the Lord, one big step for Shawn" :-D