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February 29, 2012 09:53:28
Posted By DelvecchioRC
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We've found this image (Ecce Homo – Behold the Man) to be helpful for meditation on the Passion. One of the reasons it is such an aid is because it leaves much for the imagination. Specifically, we don't see the faces of Jesus or Pilate from the front (as is usually the case in art). Instead, we have a view from the rear of the scene, as if from the view of a roman servant in waiting.
What pulls the eye in right away, of course, is the central scene of Pilate displaying Jesus to the Jews and saying 'Behold the Man.' Even if the title of this painting wasn't "Ecce Homo," it's still simple to derive that this is indeed the moment the artwork captures. Notice the motion of Pilate's arm, pointing towards Christ, the crown of thorns barely visible on Christ's head, and the exposed back indicating the recent flagellation.
When the eye wanders more through the painting, it will notice the most visible face in the entire image: that of the woman on the right. The look of anguish on her face, her outstretched arm embracing her friend (or servant perhaps) for emotional support—all indicate that this figure would be none other than the wife of Pontius Pilate.
"And as he (Pontius Pilate) was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." Matt 27:19
If it was her explicit wish for her husband to have nothing to do with a just man, then her emotional pain displayed in the picture makes perfect sense. The moment Pilate begins to announce that he has tortured the Christ, her heart sinks as the realization truly sets in that her husband displayed cruelty to the just man, despite her warnings. She turns from his side and begins slowly withdrawing—the moment captured in this painting.
We can relate to the agony of Pilate's wife by inserting how our own sins have caused the suffering of Jesus. The brilliance of the perspective of Pilate's wife is that she, apparently, had no idea that Jesus was God or that he was dying for ours sins. If she had so much sorrow simply because she sensed that something was awry and unjust, imagine how great her sorrow could have been had she known the sublime and grim reality of what was happening before her eyes.
© 2012 High-Res Image Files of Public Domain Christian Artwork
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February 28, 2012 08:06:51
Posted By DelvecchioRC
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Blessed Villana was the daughter of Andrew de'Botti, a Florentine merchant, and was born in 1332. When she was thirteen she ran away from home to enter a convent but her attempts were unsuccessful and she was forced to return. To prevent any repetition of her flight, her father shortly afterwards gave her in marriage to Rosso di Piero. After her marriage she appeared completely changed; she gave herself up to pleasure and dissipation and lived a wholly idle and worldly life. One day, as she was about to start for an entertainment clad in a gorgeous dress adorned with pearls and precious stones, she looked at herself in a mirror. To her dismay, the reflection that met her eyes was that of a hideous demon. A second and a third mirror showed the same ugly form. Thoroughly alarmed and recognizing in the reflection the image of herself sin-stained soul, she tore off her fine attire and, clad in the simplest clothes she could find, she betook herself weeping to the Dominican Fathers at Santa Maria Novella to make a full confession and to ask absolution and help. This proved the turning point of her life, and she never again fell away. Before long Villana was admitted to the Third Order of St. Dominic, and after this she advanced rapidly in the spiritual life. Fulfilling all her duties as a married woman, she spent all her available time in prayer and reading. She particularly loved to read St. Paul's Epistles and the lives of the saints. At one time, in a self-abasement and in her love for the poor, she would have gone begging for them from door to door had not her husband and parents interposed. So completely did she give herself up to God that she was often rapt in ecstacy, particularly during Mass or at spiritual conferences; but she had to pass through a period of persecution when she was cruelly calumniated and her honor was assailed. Her soul was also purified by strong pains and by great bodily weakness. However, she passed unscathed through all these trials and was rewarded by wonderful visions and olloquies with our Lady and other saints. Occasionally the room in which she dwelt was filled with supernatural light, and she was also endowed with the gift of prophecy. As she lay on her deathbed, she asked that the Passion should be read to her, and at the words "He bowed His head and gave up the ghost", she crossed her hands on her breast and passed away. Her body was taken to Santa Maria Novella, where it became such an object of veneration that for over a month it was impossible to proceed with the funeral. People struggled to obtain shreds of her clothing, and she was honored as a saint from the day of her death. Her bereaved husband use to say that, when he felt discouraged and depressed, he found strength by visiting the room in which his beloved wife had died. Blessed Villana's cultus was confirmed in 1824. Her feast day is February 28th.
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February 27, 2012 08:37:44
Posted By DelvecchioRC
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During Lent the Christian faithful are to do penance through prayer, fasting, abstinence and by exercising works of piety and charity. All Fridays through the year, and especially during Lent, are penitential days.
Sundays in Lent are not considered part of the Lenten observance because each Sunday we continue to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Each Sunday is like a mini-Easter.
Abstinence
All who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent.
Fasting
All those who are 18 and older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Only one full meal is allowed on days of fast. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs. But together, they should not equal a full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.
The obligation does not apply to those whose health or ability to work would be seriously affected. People in doubt about fast or abstinence should consult a parish priest.
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February 24, 2012 08:17:05
Posted By DelvecchioRC
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Stations of the Cross
(Bilingual English-Italian)
Every Friday 7pm in the Church
Theology on TAP
Raising Catholics
Join Mr. Steve and Miss Jenn, parents of a 5 year old, 2 year old and a
newborn, as they lead us in a discussion about the challenges,
techniques and joys of raising children in the Catholic faith in today’s society.
February 28th 7 P.M.
Location: Mazzat Restaurant & Bar
208 Columbia Street.Bklyn.NY.11231
On-Site sitter service will be available
Please e-mail Family@sacredhearts-ststephen.com to reserve a sitter slot
See attachment for More details
Catholic Underground
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Learn what Catholic Underground is as
http://catholicunderground.net/home.html
Eucharistic Adoration, Vespers and Contemporary Catholic Music and Art
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church - 230 E. 90th St. New York, NY
Saturday, March 3rd 2012
Bus to leave Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen at 6pm
Bus to return at 10:30pm
$5 per person for transportation
RSVP to Trip@sacredhearts-ststephen.com by February 26th for a spot
Lenten Speaker Series
Return and See the Face of the Father
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 pm
in the Rectory Hall
given by Brother Valerio Svegliati, K, SJB
Lenten Speaker Series
What is My Real Face and Who Am I in the Trial
Thursday, March 15, 7:30 pm
in the Rectory Hall
given by Father Eamon Murray, K, SJB
Lenten Speaker Series
The Face of Christ: The Dynamics of Salvation
Thursday, March 22, 7:30 pm
in the Rectory Hall
given by Father Claudio Antecini, K, SJB
One Day Lenten Retreat -
Divine Mercy Conference
Keynote Speaker: Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Saturday, March 24th 9am - 5pm
$25 per person (includes bus transportation and lunch)
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
TBD
Blessing of the Children
Sunday, March 25th 10am Mass
Bishop Guy Sansaricq - celebrant
Lenten Speaker Series
Faith And Conversion: Encounter of the Two Faces
Thursday, March 29, 7:30 pm
in the Rectory Hall
given by Brother Matej Curbel, K, SJB
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February 22, 2012 10:54:02
Posted By DelvecchioRC
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Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Pontius Pilate presenting a scourged Christ to the people Ecce homo! (Behold the man!).
painted in 1871
This Lent we are challenged to ask the question, "who am I in this painting?"
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