Website Launched!! Upcoming workshops!! WHAT?!

Yesterday was a real exciting day for us as we launched the CHRISTA Apostolate website! There were a couple hiccups, but I guess that's to be expected. All in all after a tinkering here and there, it got launched thanks to our computer science expert (!!) and can be found at www.christaapostolate.org.

In addition to the launch of our website, I'm also pleased to announce we are holding our first set of faith workshops in Hamburg. The theme is Gebet: Heilung & Befreiung.

For me, this is a basic course, which I believe will be regularly offered. It's basic in this sense that it's core to what we as Catholics need to be doing. We need to pray if we're going to be a faithful, Christian people. One cannot simply say I am Catholic but not have an interior life. What I mean by this I will unpack in the workshops.

The course is also fundamental. In the course, we teach people how to pray. It is a way of prayer, not the only way of prayer. I think that people will enjoy this also because Christian prayer, ultimately, when you do it well can open you up to receive Christ in a very unique way.

And truth be told that how we pray is not often discussed or taught. We teach our children to pray fundamental Catholic prayers, but are we as adults also conscious of our own interior life? Do we take care of it, as we take care of say, maybe our bodies?

If we shower to clean ourselves, should we also not in some way find a way to refresh ourselves when it comes to our souls? This is the point of the workshops. My hope is that CHRISTA will introduce in a beautiful way how we can cultivate a love for prayer, how we can pray more intentionally, and also to show us how can the Catholic church support our spiritual growth and needs?

An Introduction: CHRISTA and Healing

My PhD project and research involves developing a theology of healing. I investigate the texts of Hl. Hildegard of Bingen as a foundation and will also examine contemporary theological and philosophical scholars and works who treat this theme. From this, I will develop a theology of healing for the purposes of using this as a foundation for how CHRISTA conceptualizes and approaches healing. 

I was once told, "A good theology is one that can be used." I wholeheartedly agree! 

Therefore, it is my intent to apply this theology and to refine it in a way that would be truly useful, practical, and good for the soul. 

"Good for the soul" does not mean it will be easy -- as healing is a process. And like any other NGO, we have our own way of addressing how and what we mean when we say 'good for the soul.' But I believe our ways will be effective and meet unmet and ignored needs. More importantly, we will know the fruits of our work according to the transformation of the people we would be serving -- all in relationship with God.

If we are talking about 'healing' (and concepts associated with it), what do we mean by healing in a theological sense? CHRISTA, after all is a religious NGO, and approaches healing in a spiritual sense -- not in a direct service, psychotherapeutic capacity. We have an explicit spiritual objective aimed at the salvation of souls. What does healing look like if we are talking about salvation? Is this a relevant question for modernity? 

As I do my research, I find that I am unsatisfied with concepts I am dealing with -- 'Healing,' 'Sin,' 'Sickness' -- none of these have a proper nor elaborate understanding in the Roman Catholic church. This is a fair assessment as the current scholarly literature and basic Catholic texts available for your everyday layperson demonstrates. 

The laity are left to adopt general understandings as they are presented to them by the Church OR to a concept of healing that is related to a post-Christian approach that is in fact secular instead of Christian.  

Our understanding of healing in the Catholic church has not been sufficiently elaborated upon, let alone theologized ... and 'healing' is primarily taken for granted. 

One of the reasons I love Hildegard is because she was sehr praktisch in how she theologized and philosophized. By our standards today, we often fail to understand her, and therefore, misunderstand what she is saying mistaking perceived idiosyncrasy for in reality, sheer brilliance.

Hildegard understood the connection between one's relationship with God and woundedness. In other words, the health of a person was intimately tied to their relationship with God. This requires a lot of unpacking, as Hildegard can easily be misunderstood. But what we find within her thought and system is one that ultimately has an actual answer and response to healing that we can actually implement. What this response is will become clear as our apostolate develops.

Not bad for someone from the medieval period! 

Feast Day of Hl. Hildegard von Bingen (17 September)

Today is the feast day of one of the greatest women in the Latin church, Hl. Hildegard von Bingen, and arguably, in the West. No other woman prior to the twelfth century and from the West created as many texts as is credited to St. Hildegard.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a German foundress of two Benedictine monasteries. Through her gift as a visionary mystic, she is responsible for three major theological and philosophical texts: Scivias (Scito vias domini, or Know the Ways of God), Liber vitae meritorum (Book of Life's Merits), and Liber divinorum operum (or The Book of Divine Works). 

Hildegard is a core saint for the CHRISTA Apostolate. This is because her approach to healing will be a foundational base for CHRISTA. And as my research is showing, her thinking is not only relevant to the modern Catholic church of today but ... desperately needed. 

Many non-Hildegardian scholars profess she is too idiosyncratic, problematic, and that her Latin was insufficient. In reality, none of this actually makes sense on account of a number of factors. I would say a primary counter to these bogus and unfounded propositions are that the scholars suggesting such things, don't actually understand her thinking. Her thinking is complex not because of her lack of formal educational training but because ... she is a philosopher AND writing in the twelfth century (which is a completely different ball game). 

That I have stated she is a philosopher, is both a compliment (and maybe, a little bit of a slap!). But it is true. Her thinking is not that of a theologian though she theologizes. Principally, she thinks and communicates her ideas as a philosopher. So to understand her, one must also approach her as a philosopher. And philosophers both write and think in a specific way. If you don't agree, simply read Heidegger ... Note: simply.

I think once we approach her in this sense, it completely changes the methodology required to approach her thinking; and in this, we can appreciate her on her own terms rather than the methodologies that would have been alien to her.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of Hildegard was her understanding of health and healing. My research at the Universität Hamburg in Hamburg, Deutschland investigates this question inquiring as to how does Hildegard approach healing theologically and philosophically? This is part of my research question.

Hildegard was very level-headed and pragmatic. Her earliest caretaker, Jutta of Sponheim, lived a very ascetical and austerely, penitential life. Hildegard not only disapproved of this way of living; but there is enough evidence to show she lived an opposite way of life, and she was opposed to such severe practices except in very exceptional cases. Her life was balanced and she understood the importance of the influence of nature on our health, the relationship between persons as affecting health, the role of evil affecting health, and also one's relationship with God as a core component of health and healing.

Here are some plates depicting her visions -- the encounter with God which was her basis for the content of her theology and philosophy.

I am interested in how she addressed healing; but most importantly, what can we draw from her thinking for our context today? Please stay tuned as my research develops.

Hl. Hildegard von Bingen, bitte für uns!

Our Lady of Sorrows / Schmerzen Mariens

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (Feast: 15 September)! Also, CHRISTA Apostolate has a special fondness towards Our Lady of Sorrows because she is the Patroness of CHRISTA.

A devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is not one that is immediately automatic or even intuitive. It is likely that her title of 'Sorrow' is probably why Catholics avoid her if they have heard of her at all.

In hindsight, I have found how impoverished my interior life was before I found her, or perhaps it is better put -- that she found me.

Developing a devotion to the Mother of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart is one of the greatest sources of strength and protection in the spiritual life one can have to overcome the difficulties of life or at least to know how to handle the trials as they come.

She is a powerful advocate for those who suffer and those desiring healing. Through her holy intercession, she rescues souls from being forever lost. And she helps those who also do not know they are lost.

St. Bridget of Sweden brings to us the 15 prayers honoring the suffering and holy wounds of Christ. She also brings to us the devotion to the dolors, or pain, and tears of Our Lady of Sorrows. This pain, the tears, and sorrowing of Our Lady show us the suffering she experienced in relationship with her son, Jesus, and beautifully shows us the participation of Mary for the redemption and salvation of souls.

When we meditate on the dolors of the Mother of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, we are brought into a deeper knowledge of the relationship between Mother and Son and how Our Lady's suffering was in profound union with Christ and in obedience to the will of God. Mary continues to point to Christ -- we see this even in the mystery of her sorrows. 

The 7 Sorrows consist of:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows can include recitation and mediation of a sorrow, then followed by 7 Hail Mary's. 

She is generally pictured with 7 swords piercing her heart to represent the sorrows. In my recent conference to Lviv, Ukraine, I visited a Basilian monastery dedicated to Our Lady of Pidhirtsi, which contained the painting below. Stunning!

Our Lady revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden the following promises for those who keep a devotion to the Sorrows of Mary: 

1. “I will grant peace to their families.”

      2. “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

      3. “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”

      4. “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of         my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”

      5. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at 

      every instant of their lives.”

      6. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death—they will see the face of their mother.”

      7. “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to           my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all              their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”

If the 7 Hail Mary's is a bit much to begin with after reciting one sorrow, I find that meditating solely on the mysteries to begin with is a good start! Once you have this down, then move to meditating on one mystery and say 1 Hail Mary after this mystery. So on and so forth. Starting devotions slowly and building step by step will lead to the likelihood of maintaining them in the long run. And this is a beautiful devotion to develop.

My own personal experience with this devotion has been my awareness of sin and its role in Christ's suffering and the tears of Mary. I think discussing sin belongs to another future post. I simply mention it here because prior to this devotion sin was probably more of an intellectual concept or something to be thought of or listed within the sacrament of reconciliation.

It's very different, however, when sin has a concrete effect on someone you love, let alone an innocent victim. One begins to see that sin is so radical because it opposes God, and it has the ability to transcend both time and space. This is very serious.

When we become more aware of sin, which this devotion can actually assist us in, then we are more likely to change how we are and how we treat others if this treatment is not good and not healthy. Indeed, this awareness I would argue is a grace from God ... that is, to know of one's wrongdoing and sin. But the effort to truly overcome sin and bad behaviors for the long term is not something as Christians that we believe we can do on our own: We need Jesus.

This devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows will not only bring us into a greater love for what Christ did for us and for the sorrows of Mary, but the graces derived from the devotion also help in the spiritual life to overcome sin and to strive towards a life of virtue and holiness pleasing God.

How? Begin to practice this devotion and allow Our Lady to show you.

So viele Festtage im September: Heute, Feast Day of the Nativity of Mary

September might have to be the best month for CHRISTA. There are too many awesome feast days in this month!

September 8: Feast Day of the Nativity of Mary / das Fest Mariä Geburt
September 14: Feast Day of the Exaltation of the Cross / Fest der Kreuzerhöhung
September 15: Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows (CHRISTA's patroness)
September 17. Feast Day of St. Hildegard of Bingen / Hl. Hildegard von Bingen
September 29: Feast Day of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of Mary / das Fest Mariä Geburt. It is a meaningful day for CHRISTA, too, because it is also the first day of having a workspace EVER, and with this -- a different kind of drive to get CHRISTA moving forward. Praise God!

I think there are enough websites talking about the significance of today's feast. I simply want to put down an antiphon that was in today's Laudes, or Morning Prayer, which when I prayed it, I was profoundly caught off guard by its reality. I write it here for it to be pondered upon:

Gospel Canticle

Ant. Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, proclaims joy to the whole world, for from you arose the glorious Sun of Justice, Christ our God; he freed us from the age-old curse and filled us with holiness; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.

May the Holy Spirit and Our Lady take you into a mental journey reflecting on the beauty of such a reality, God's great gift to us: Mary.

The workspace CHRISTA obtained providentially came across, and it is truly a gift to begin operations from this location.

In the coming 100 days, I will be refining the language of CHRISTA's mission and vision, business plan, and strategic planning ... and of course, complimenting all these things with my research and prayer. I will be taking from the past what I have already drafted and will incorporate/ subtract/ refine / define the apostolate's areas of concentration.

How long has CHRISTA been in the making? I think this is a question only God knows. Lol. For me, there has been so much failure, waiting, disappointment, waiting ... hope, despair ... waiting, patience to get where CHRISTA is now. And praise God, the time is now ... or at least, I'm pretty sure it's now.

The one thing I can say is that had CHRISTA started earlier, either it wouldn't have been ready or it would have fallen short from what it is intended to be. But God has all things in His timing. And His timing is perfect, wise, and always good. Though I admit, I was not able to always think this way en route; but rather, I see it and appreciate it ever more in hindsight.

Day 1: Awakening from a Deep Slumber ... Moin Hamburg!

The CHRISTA Apostolate is embarking on new horizons in northern Deutschland -- die schönste Stadt: Hamburg. CHRISTA just acquired a workspace (!) effective 08 September 2018 (Feast of the Nativity of Mary or das Fest Mariä Geburt).

Since the last blog eons ago, much has changed with CHRISTA, and I look forward to sharing with you what these changes are in terms of vision and mission, areas of apostolate, upcoming formation, gatherings, leadership training, and whatever else is relevant to the apostolate.

Thank you for visiting the blog, and it is my sincere hope that you will continue to follow CHRISTA -- be inspired, have hope, be intrigued, fall in love (?! to be explained later because who doesn't want to fall in love?), and draw ever closer to Jesus and Our Lady. Yes! All these things are possible in relation to Jesus and Holy Mary.

As a Catholic NGO addressing the wounded from unhealthy relationships and various forms of abuse, the objective of the blog is to highlight the areas of CHRISTA and not to engage in polemical debates and controversies related to the apostolate. There are enough voices to weigh in, and not enough advocating, supporting, and listening to the voices of those wounded. 

Therefore, please respect the content of the blog, which is varied. Inappropriate or irrelevant comments will be steadfastly deleted in order to preserve the integrity of our focus on the question and practice of healing and healthy relationships within a Catholic Christian context.

On that note, a Herzlich 'Willkommen!' or a heartfelt 'Welcome!' to the awakening of the CHRISTA Apostolate! Don't snooze past these workspace pics!

Why is Doctor of the Church, Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias (Scito vias Domini, or Know the Ways of God)(written 1141-51), on the table of the first picture? To find out, you will have to come back to the blog ;) I DID mention much has changed with CHRISTA, and this is one of the main, newest and exciting dimensions ... I guarantee: You will not be disappointed. Vielen Dank und tschüss!

Lent: Availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Normally, when we think of the liturgical season of Lent, we're not entirely excited -- say, as we might be during the season of Advent and Christmas. Given the reality that the 40 days of Lent precedes the culmination of the liturgical year into Holy Week and then the Triduum, it shouldn't understandably be a time of festivity. It is proper that it is a time to reverentially observe the 40 day period.

What I'd like to propose is that in the Lenten Season, we participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. The sacrament of reconciliation is one of two sacraments in the Church understood as a healing sacrament.

In our context today, is healing possible? In this Season of Lent, we will look at the question of healing and various other ethical questions for victims-survivors of abuse. At this time, I think it is necessary to first approach the fundamental question of is healing possible? And what is healing when we consider it within the context of the Church, and more specifically the sacrament of reconciliation? Are there conditions for healing for both victim-survivor and those who committed abuse?

I propose these questions for your reflection and a developed response in the course of the week.