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ENCYCLICAL LETTER

Patientia Vera

OF HIS HOLINESS POPE CHARBEL

REGARDING SOCIAL ISSUES

BROUGHT FORTH BY NATURAL DISASTERS

SUCH AS HURRICANE KATRINA

SCOTT THOMAS

CATHOLIC DOCTRINAL SOCIAL TEACHING

DECEMBER 12, 2005

To Our Venerable Brethren, the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, and all Religious, as well as the Lay Faithful and all People of Good Will.  Health and Apostolic Blessings!

TRUE SUFFERING, exemplified in the most perfect sense by our Savior Jesus Christ, is an awesome thing.  How wonderful it is to suffer in the name of our loving Creator!  But it is then, and only then, that we are able to overcome suffering like that which Hurricane Katrina has brought forth.  In fighting pain himself, Saint Paul’s strength was reaffirmed when the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”[1]  Therefore, I offer the following reflection based upon these words, so that those suffering in any way may be consoled.  In the words of our predecessor, Pius XII, I offer this reflection “…so that even in the present condition of the human race, [the truth] can be known by all men with ease, with firm certainty and with no admixture of error.”[2]

            TRUE PATIENCE, through the graces given by the Father, can lead us to finding the most positive aspect in even the most disastrous of circumstances.  It is through disasters such as Hurricane Katrina that we are challenged to come closer as the Body of Christ[3], acting as our “brother’s keeper”[4].  And it is that exact call upon which I offer the following reflection concerning the role of the state in the reconstruction of the numerous communities affected by the storm.  I also offer the following reflection based upon Saint Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians: “…there is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”[5]   As a community built in Christ, we must become Christ to all peoples, so that we may all have the true patience needed to tolerate any suffering that may fall upon us.  Then the words of the Son himself would be put into action: “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”[6]  Brothers and sisters, we are that house, the Church, standing strong with Christ as our corner stone.

            TRUE ENDURANCE, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can certainly overcome anything.  As Saint Paul said, love “bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.”[7]  So I offer the following reflection on the amount of aid given so that many could endure this time of suffering.  As the product of the eternal love generated by the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is our guide to the needed patience for enduring any suffering we may experience.  And he truly does act as our guide through the actions of our brothers and sisters.  The Roman Catechism showed this in its Preface, saying, “The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends.  Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the love of our Lord must always be made accessible, so that anyone can see that all the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective than to arrive at love.”[8]

            And so, for you my dear brethren, I offer to you this series of reflections, “in obedience to the word of the Lord who entrusted to Peter the task of strengthening his brethren, in order to clarify and aid our discernment”[9].  But I do not offer this to just those in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.  This letter is meant for all peoples, as we are all one in the Body of Christ.  As our Fathers have shown us, we are all called to global solidarity.  And, as the Second Vatican Council in particular told us, social obligations are among man’s most important duties, as he must transcend individualistic morality and extend his resources to those in need most.[10]  But all of this must be carried out not for the self, but for the common good, the good of the Body of Christ.  Let us then, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and all the Saints, have the patience and endurance to overcome the suffering at hand, so that we may stay ever firm in our faith.

“…there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)

            One major effect of a catastrophe of such magnitude is that, when many people decide to leave to avoid a hurricane, and, as a result, lose all they had, they simply decide to stay where they are and start anew.  Why move a second time, back to a storm ravaged area, where your job could be in just as much jeopardy as would be the chances of finding a new home in the ravaged area.  Thus, it would seem logical to merely stay where you ended up while fleeing the storm, as then you would save money.  When one chooses to do this, he leaves open a job, or jobs, for others to fill.  And with the amount of cleaning up that is left behind by such a storm as Katrina, many jobs are created in the massive urban revival that is needed.  Garbage needs to be removed.  Houses need to be repaired.  And businesses need to be reopened for the public that does return, or even move in to help.

            With the advent of such jobs, the city of New Orleans has seen a change in its demographics.  With the many residents who fled the storm and have decided not to return, many jobs have opened up for many new comers looking for a better life themselves.  And, due to this, many Hispanics have moved into the city to aid in the clean up.  Over the last few years, the Hispanic population has been on a rise in the United States, as many have gone to make a better living, not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones who chose to stay behind, or simply could not afford to make the move. 

But sadly enough, these hard working people, our brothers and sisters in Christ, all who are a part of the greater “Body of Christ”[11], are being looked upon as invaders and as a nuisance.  In fact, the Mayor himself asked what he should do to be sure that they do not “overrun” the city.  But when doing this, he used a term that is often used in a derogatory manner, a term which refers literally to only one specific group of Hispanics, while many are moving in with ties to many different Central American countries as well as from Mexico.  Of course, he may be afraid that these new workers will come in and take many of the jobs that were once filled by local residents, who were skilled it the respective areas.  But, until those local residents return, someone has to do the work, for the job must be done.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, recalling the many writings by our predecessors and our Fathers, reminds us that we all “enjoy an equal dignity.”[12]  “Since something of the glory of God shines on the face of every person, the dignity of every person before God is the basis of the dignity of man before other men.”[13]  As we all know, and have been taught since the earliest years of our life, we are all created by God and are all called to be God to others.  We are all called to reflect God, through our actions, in our daily life, making him ever more apparent to those we come into contact with.  For, as the Letter of James reminds us, “What good is [faith]… if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”[14]  If there was an ethnicity that was to be held on a higher level than others, then why would it not be that of Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate?  Would not the race God chose to lead out of Egypt into the “land of milk and honey” then be superior to all others, and not the ethnicities and races that have historically held themselves to be the one of superior status?  But, as Saint Paul tells us, he died for all of man[15], not the select few that the heresy of Jansenism claimed.

We already have experienced what hatred towards others based upon race and ethnicity can bring into our world.  We have already seen what can be made of the oppression of a group on many occasions throughout the history of the world, and sadly still do throughout the world.  But, “in the definitive witness of love that God has made manifest in the cross of Christ, all the barriers of enmity have already been torn down…”[16]  All it takes to start it is one person, especially a leader such as the mayor of a city.  Now, in no way am I saying that this is what is happening in New Orleans, but it very well can if one is not careful towards what is being said.  American politicians can learn a great deal from what their predecessors and contemporaries, both American and foreign, have said and done and what has come of their actions and accusations.  But unfortunately, many times they fail to remember what has happened.  And that is why I now choose to address this topic, with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  Learn from the failings, as well as the successes, of the past so that we may fulfill our divine calling to “fill the earth and subdue it.”[17]  Remember, whenever you show the least amount of resent towards another, for whatever reason you may have, you do the same to our Savior.[18]

I am reminded of the Golden Rule: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.”[19]  Saint Benedict, in his great Rule, told his monks, “Any guest who happens to arrive at the monastery should be received just as we should receive Christ himself…”[20], “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me.”[21]  We should always accept guests with the heart of Christ, as if they are Christ themselves.  Whatever may come of it should be of no worry, for our rewards will come in the end if we truly act from the heart.

On this subject, I now turn to another ache in my heart, as I hear of some worrying about land value more than they are of their brothers and sisters who have lost their homes.  One of the solutions being used to house those who have been left homeless by the hurricane is to build trailer parks, sometimes large enough to house a couple of thousand people.  This seems to be an affordable and reasonable way to import housing in a relatively hasty manner, so that many may be able to move out of shelters or finish paying monstrous hotel bills.  Unfortunately, many, who live in the areas adjacent to those chosen to hold the trailer parks, fear that land value will fall as a result of the new, inexpensive housing.  And, of course, a fall in property value tends to lead to a rise in the crime rate.

In the Gospel of Luke, we are told not to pay favor only to those who can return.  And this reminds us reminded of our preference for the poor as members of his Church.  Our predecessor John Paul II said, “Today, furthermore… this love of preference for the poor, and the decisions which it inspires in us, cannot but embrace the immense multitudes of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care and, above all, those without hope of a better future.”[22]  Those who have been left homeless certainly are looking for a better future.  But that better future will never be realized if their “neighbors”, their “brother and sisters” in the Body of Christ, leave them out in the cold because they were worried about property value and crime.  My dear brothers and sisters, if you disagree, put yourself in the shoes of those who are homeless, hungry, and hoping for a better future.  Could you ever turn your back on yourself due to a simple monetary loss?  Certainly, if you deny someone else, you deny yourself and society further growth towards Christ.  For, by denying a brother, you deny Christ.  And when you deny Christ, you prevent yourself from coming closer to him and fulfilling your vocation in life.

I would like to take this chance, if I may, to commend those schools who have accepted the many students displaced by the Hurricane.  Many primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges, universities, and seminaries have accepted these displaced students at a discounted cost.  In fact, many have been taken in without any cost at all.  May the Lord bless you in your efforts to bring Christ to these people as they experience hardships like never before!

“…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Cor 12:9)

            Something extremely characteristic of being caught in a disaster like that of Hurricane Katrina is the loss of hope through a fear of suffering.  Those who become caught in the middle of the disaster, whether they are caught off guard or they decided to “ride out the storm”, can easily come to a mindset that will begin to coerce them into believing that there is nothing more to live for, or that the suffering will be too hard to endure.  And, sadly enough, in situations like this, the sacredness of human life, and one’s duty towards the fulfillment of their own life, comes to fly away like dust in the wind.  As the person becomes concerned with the present situation, he or she may easily begin to follow the ways of the time, taking their life and needs into their own hands.

            After the storm, many began to act in an unruly manner, whether they realized it or not.  Many began looting and pillaging, while others stayed inside full of fear.  Unfortunately, the latter led themselves into a situation where they too would act in an unruly manner.  However, their act would be unruly towards God and the self.  It has become customary in our society, despite some legislative rulings against the notion, that when one is suffering, he or she may be allowed to end the suffering through some form of assisted suicide.  Through this act, one says that they have control over their body and their life.  But as many documents given by the Magisterium throughout past years have shown, as well as scripture, the human person has no such right.  Our predecessor, Paul VI, said in his encyclical letter Humanae Vitae that “man does not have unlimited dominion over his body in general” nor his own life[23], as it is a gift received from God.  Holy Scripture says, “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living”.[24]  Therefore, no person should, in any circumstance, have the right to take his or her own life.[25]  “For he fashioned all things that they might have being”.[26]

              The Second Vatican Council, in their document Gaudium et Spes, said that euthanasia is a crime “against life itself” as it “poisons civilization.”[27]  It is a crime “against life itself” as all things that have life were created for just that function—to live.[28]  To take your own life is to not love yourself.  And if you cannot love yourself, then how can you have love for anything else, especially your Creator, who created you out of that very love?  As the Creator of life, the Father also has dominion over the end of life.  Thus, we must wait to go when he decides for us to go and not when we decide.

            The quote of Saint Paul upon which this reflection is based tells us of just why we should have no need to ever think of ending our life in order to avoid suffering.  He reminds us that God’s grace is greater than any other hardships we may come to endure.  “For when I am weak, I am strong,” he says.[29]  All things are possible when we trust in the Lord as the holy Martyrs did.  And look at what has become of them!  Yes, endure sufferings in the Lord’s name, and you are sure to be rewarded!  For everyone is responsible for his or her life when they appear before God.[30]

            But not only are we responsible for our own life, but also for the lives of others, especially those who have been entrusted to us.  The “poison” of euthanasia extends even to those who are “put to sleep” because they are not expected to make it through the storm, or because moving them away from the storm’s path would cause them worse damage.  Each and every one of us is called to be our brother’s keeper.[31]  And through this call, we are taught of our need to respect life from its beginning to its natural end.  Taking a life through any medical or artificial means, no matter how justified it may seem, is always an intrinsically evil act, as it cannot be ordered towards God in any way possible.  Our Father created us out of his love, and so he has full dominion over our lives.

“Love is patient, love is kind.  …it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.”  (1Cor 13: 4-6)

            The outpouring of love that has been shown since Hurricane Katrina hit has been absolutely remarkable.  Many people from across the country have done many different things in an effort to help out their brothers and sisters.  I have heard stories of people traveling as far as 850 miles, or more, to deliver supplies and offer to take back families looking for a place to merely lay their heads or even, in some instances, to relocate.  I have also heard of states as far as Oregon, a west coast state, offering to take in thousands of homeless evacuees, alleviating some of the strain on the resources of Texas, who has been gracious enough to take in a large sum of those who have been displaced.  And let us not forget those who have given money from their own pockets, especially those with little to give.  No matter the amount, I am sure their support has been well received.

            All of these instances, I feel, are a reflection of St Paul’s eloquent words on the subject of love in his first letter to the Corinthians, saying, “It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”[32].  If we are to overcome the anxiety and devastation of this time, then we should definitely cling to our love, that love which has been given to us by God, which truly does, as Paul said, prevail over all.  But the only way that this love will prevail is if we accept it and put it to action.  We, as God’s children, have to say, “Yes.”  We, as “individual parts of [Christ’s body]”[33] have to do our own part.  We have to “pursue love” [34].

But if we refuse to give that answer, if we say, “No,” or, “I don’t have the time or money,” then nothing will change.  This love cannot do anything for anyone who chooses not to listen to it, leaving us without answers, without anywhere to find a better situation.  And those who say no will search endlessly until the blame for this devastation rests upon the shoulders of another.  The more people who do their part as the “Body of Christ”, the more we will see God’s love in action.  The more we emulate those who have given their own time, money, and space, the more God’s power will be seen by the eyes of all who are watching.  And through just those acts, many more will be able to feel God’s endless love, giving all the more reason for an increase in hope, leading to an increase in faith.

Our predecessor Pius XI said that when everyone partakes in some form of charity, that “then only will true cooperation be possible for a single common good when the constituent parts of society deeply feel themselves members of one great family and children of the same Heavenly Father; nay, that they are one body in Christ, “but severally members one of another’ (Rom 12:5), so that ‘if one member suffers anything, all the members suffer with it.’”[35].  Yes, we will then be united as the Body of Christ, and enabled to fight victoriously against any evil or suffering that may come upon us, especially suffering as strong as a natural disaster of this magnitude.

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council pointed out that, with the advances of our age, getting aid to troubled areas is easier now than ever before.  “Today these activities and works of charity have become much more urgent and worldwide, now that means of communication are more rapid, distance between men has been more or less conquered, people in every part of the globe have become as members of a single family.”[36]  With automobiles and the ability to fly, getting resources to those in need is easier than before.  And to those who have taken advantage of this ability, especially through private means, despite the rise in fuel prices and the fall of its availability at the time, I commend you and bless you.  May the Father repay you for your efforts.

One factor that does deeply trouble me, however, is that not all of the aid has made it to those in distress.  Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, the three states hit the hardest, are states with large rural populations, especially Mississippi, who took on the eye of the storm.  And, unfortunately, many of those rural towns were too small for anyone to care about.  The distribution of aid should not deal with who lives where or which area has a greater property value.  Every person, being created by God, in his image, deserves to be given some form of help.  Many of those towns are old and founded on a great tradition, many of which are strong Christian communities.  It truly does sadden me to see that so many of them have been overlooked due to their locale and poverty that existed before the storm hit.

A second factor that deeply saddens me is that many have taken advantage of this opportunity to “cash in”, taking advantage of those giving out aid.  In one state alone, thousands of complaints of fraud have been counted for.  The American Red Cross, at one point, was issuing out its received donations to “victims”, without the proof of damage or the need of the money.  Therefore, money was being given to anyone who merely lived in a specific geographic area.  I doubt that those who gave their money to the Red Cross intended for it to go to someone who only lost their power during the storm. 

But the Red Cross could not have been the only hit by those who took advantage of the relief.  This, in turn, also affected those who truly did need the money.  Those who took the money without experiencing any damage, in a way, stole from those who did experience damage, which for many meant a total loss.  In Apostolicam Actuositatem, the Second Vatican Council reminded us, “The liberty and dignity of the person helped must be respected with the greatest sensitivity.”[37]  Thus, by the taking advantage of the offered relief by those not in need of it in no way “binds us in unity”[38] as the Body of Christ.[39]  As God’s children, we are all called to a communal life, apparent in our strong social nature.  We truly are social beings, one dependant upon another.  And it is in times like this, where we come together through charity, that great virtue that Saint Paul put above all others[40], that we become that “single family” we are called to be.

Of course it can be hard to wait.  We constantly expect to be able to fix things as quickly as possible, especially when it comes to justice.  But unfortunately we, unlike our Creator, are governed by time and its limits.  God’s love is “patient”, as Paul exclaims, and does not push for instant results, but rather for the best results.  And we, as his children, must all aspire to the same.  Truly, this event must be studied and investigated so as to prevent it from being repeated.  But the time for that will come.  The focus of humanity at this current point is to see that everyone who has been affected is helped in any and every way possible.  No one deserves to be drained of his or her financial means or starved because he or she has no access to food.  There is no reason to focus on blame when our brothers and sisters are struggling to find a way back onto their feet.  “The aid contributed should be organized in such a way that beneficiaries are gradually freed from their dependence on others and become self-supporting.”[41]

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9)

            Although Cain acted out of jealousy towards his brother Abel, it can also be said that he acted out of negligence towards our call to care for one another.  As I have already shown in this letter, we are all called to be our “brother’s keeper”.  However, in no circumstances must we tread upon the rights or abilities of another.  We are called to respect others and their abilities, as we all play an equally important part in the betterment of society.  And after any major natural disaster, this becomes more and more apparent as days go by.  Urban revitalization is not a task for one man or one group.  Moreover, it is certainly not a task for a group who is in another locale, unless the locale being helped is unable to do the job itself.  And in many cases, this indeed is the case.

            Just as it has happened before, Hurricane Katrina wiped out entire communities along the coastal line of Louisiana and Mississippi.  And along with those communities, hundreds of billions of dollars of revenue in the local tax was wiped out as well.  However, the federal government has awarded contracts to many out of state companies to help rebuild.  Companies in states as far away as Alaska have been hired to aid in the rebuilding.  However, many things that are being bought, such as manufactured homes and portable classrooms, could be made locally.  I now ask, how is this going to help the local economies in the affected states?

            Our predecessors have spoken many times of how horrible of an act this is.  Not only does it contradict the Church’s social doctrine, but it also contradicts reason altogether.  The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace recently reminded us, “The goal to be sought is public financing that is itself capable of becoming an instrument of development and solidarity.”[42]  If an area is expected to be revived, then it needs to be employed itself, in order for the capital to begin to flow again, which is what the United States economy is based off of.  In his encyclical Quadragesimo Anno, Pius XI said, “it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative.”[43]  And this is especially true when it deals with the revitalization of the area’s economy.  John Paul II, in his encyclical Centesimus Annus, said, “the State has a duty to sustain business activities by creating conditions which will ensure job opportunities, by stimulating those activities where they are lacking or by supporting them in moments of crisis.”[44]

            But at the same time, it must be realized that the higher levels are capable of getting a job done, and, in some occasions, can get it done better.  For example, the higher levels usually have a larger pool of resources to draw from.  However, that level must act at its highest capacity, and not infringe upon the rights of those being helped.  A leader’s job is to be there as soon as he is needed, not to stay on vacation for an extra day or two.  “For every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social,” said Pius XI.  Waiting four days or a week to enter a disaster stricken area is certainly not acting for the common good of the society.

             According to John Paul II, “Certain demands which arise within society are sometimes not examined in accordance with criteria of justice and morality, but rather on the basis of the electoral or financial power of the groups promoting them.”  This is a wonderful example of how a government can get distracted from the common good in a democracy.  Never should anyone be influenced by anything but the common good, as it relates to the will of God.  The role of a national government is, simply put, “directing, watching, urging, [and] restraining, as occasion requires and necessity demands.”[45]  And never should it do this according to its own needs, but the needs of its people.  In fact, the national government, with the power and influence that it has, should act as Christ, watching out for his fellow man in all situations.  Not once did our Savior act according to his own will, but only according to the will of the Father.  In the same way, never should the national government act on its own will, but for the common good.

            Aside from the flow of capital, the national government should also oversee the use of resources, especially those of a perishable nature.  “The State should also actively endeavor within its own territory to prevent destruction of the atmosphere and biosphere.”[46]  Of course God gave us dominion over the earth and all it contains[47], but we must also be wise when using it, so as to not destroy it.  With the building boom that has been brought forth by the destruction left behind, it will be easy to deplete resources.  But we must show care for our gift from God, so as to not destroy its beauty.

            Our world truly is a good thing, even if horrid natural disasters are possible.  Therefore, we must answer the call to care for that which has been a common heritage for mankind throughout the ages.[48]  John Paul II reminded us that “Benedictine and Franciscan spirituality in particular has witnessed to this sort of kinship of man with his creaturely environment, fostering in him an attitude of respect for every reality of the surrounding world.”[49]  Ironically, there are Benedictines and Franciscans in the affected areas.  I urge them to be active in getting this message out to all, especially those on the juridical levels.  Just as the Israelites constantly praised God’s creation throughout their Psalm prayers, so too must we, through the sound use of its resources.

CONCLUSION

            It is almost unquestionable, and understandable, that the faith of many has been, or still is being, tested as a result of the immense devastation caused by this storm.  But now, my brothers and sisters, is it time, ever more, to stand firm in your faith, and to call for the help and guidance of the Almighty Father.  Throughout history we have seen instances where the human person has overcome such devastation.  But we must keep in mind that it may not be successfully done without the help of our Lord.[50]  In his first letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul reminds us that God will always be at our side, for he is where our hope need be placed.  He says most powerfully, “He rescued us from such great danger of death, and he will continue to rescue us; in him we have put our hope [that] he will also rescue us again.”[51]  He will never leave us alone, especially in times of trial.

            At the same time, we must never leave him in our times of trial.  You must stand firm in your faith now more than ever.  Looking back, I recall the tribulations of Job and how he still was able to bless the Lord.  “‘The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!’  In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.”[52]  Saint Peter described faith as being “more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold.”[53]  Our predecessor, Leo XIII, said, “To suffer and to endure… is the lot of humanity.”[54]  But if we suffer with the Father, as did the Son, then how could we lose?  For the Son suffered even until death, but prevailed on the third day, only to later be taken up to Heaven before the eyes of his disciples.  Therefore, as I said earlier, you must remain patient.  Truly, how distant our loving Creator can seem from us in these times of trial, but “it is [now] we must turn to the witnesses of faith”.[55]  And those witnesses, namely, Mary, the Mother of Mercy, are just the ones who should be invoked at such a time.

            For years, the people of Louisiana have been a people of great devotion to our Blessed Mother, praying constantly to Our Lady of Prompt Succor (their patroness) for “protection from hurricanes and all other disasters”.  Described as “the perfect Orans (pray-er)”[56], she is welcomed into your home, just as the beloved disciple let her into his own as they stood before the Christ crucified.[57]  I pray that your devotion to her may stay strong, even through this time, when it may seem as if she has let you down.  But I reassure you, she always has been, was on that day, and will continue, to constantly pray for you in the presence of our Creator.[58]

            My dear brothers and sisters, when one goes to be in eternal paradise with our Lord, he or she is constantly praying for us, as we are all a part of their communion through our faith.[59]  However, they cannot control any of nature or the physical world.  All that they can do is pray, as God is the one who is ultimately in control.  Thus, to say that Our Lady of Prompt Succor let us down could never be farther from the truth.  If anything, you still have your life and your health.

            Along with the Blessed Mother, I also call for the intercession of Blessed Francis Seelos, who worked in the city of New Orleans, to guide our brother priests as they return home to tend to their flock.  I call upon Saint Philomena, the Little Saint, the Patroness of Youth, that they may be comforted by her, especially those who are in new homes and with new families.  May she also aid all in their devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Our Lady of Sorrows (Patroness of Mississippi) and Our Lady of the Gulf (Patroness of Alabama); for through Saint Philomena comes a devotion to the Blessed Mother.  And finally, I call to Saint Teresa of Avila, that great mystic, to instill hope in all, by ending with a hopeful inspiration of her own:

Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.[60]

Given, in Rome, at St. Peter’s, on the 12^th day of December, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, year 2005, the first of our Pontificate.

Charbel PP.