Saints of Culture: St. Patrick

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St. Patrick is the great missionary monk and bishop who evangelized the people of Ireland. He lived from about 390 to 460 A.D. Together with the other windows on this side of the church, his window celebrates the marvelous ethnic diversity of the parish. He represents the Irish and other Anglos of European background who were instrumental in establishing the parish in its early years. The founding pastor of St. John’s, Rev. Msgr. Anthony McGowan, was Irish, as were all the Sisters of Mercy attached to St. John’s.

This is the primary “dedication” window of the parishioner who donated all of the stained glass windows in the church. It (together with the other windows) is dedicated with humble gratitude to the memory of Msgr. Daniel Brennan who brought the donor into the Church at St. John’s and confirmed him. The face of St. Patrick, which has no reliable iconographic tradition, resembles that of the very Irish Msgr. Brennan (while St. Patrick is often portrayed with a beard, serious studies of his iconography actually prefer a beardless St. Patrick).

St. Patrick bears the insignia of a bishop – miter, crosier, and ring. The crosier is decorated with a shamrock leaf, highlighting its effective use by St. Patrick as a tool for teaching the mystery of the Trinity. Over his green chasuble (evoking the Irish) is the white pallium with superimposed crosses which represents his role as the founding bishop of the Irish Church.

In the background is a small stone church, symbolizing the many ancient churches and dioceses which St. Patrick founded in Ireland. Shamrocks grow at his feet and snakes scurry away. Though the ancient “legend” of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland can be historically questioned, the fact that he drove out many demons (represented by snakes in the tradition of the Scriptures) remains. His crosier is planted firmly on the head of one of those unfortunate “demons”.

Kneeling at the feet of St. Patrick is an adult representative of the many thousands brought to the faith by St. Patrick as well as those who have come into the Church through the ministry of St. John the Baptist parish. He wears a simple white alb, like those worn by the catechumens on the night of their baptism at the Easter Vigil.

St. Patrick is administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to the kneeling figure. A dove overhead symbolizes the Holy Spirit received in the Sacrament. St. Patrick’s thumb is signing the forehead of the kneeling figure with the oil of Chrism, as is done by the bishop at Confirmation in our own day.

The shield in the lower panel is that of the Order of the Knights of Malta to which the donor belongs. The shield features the typical “Maltese Cross” with pointed ends on each arm of the Cross to evoke the sharp nails and thorns in Our Lord’s Passion.

Saints of Culture: St. Juan Diego

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St. Juan Diego is the humble Indian peasant of Mexico to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in 1531 and to whom She gave the famed likeness of Herself. He was born in 1474 and died on May 30, 1548. Together with the other windows on this side of the church, this window celebrates the marvelous cultural diversity of our parish and represents in a special way all those of Mexican and Latin American background.

The iconographic tradition for St. Juan Diego’s face is sketchy. In the earliest known image (the so-called “verdadero retrato”), he is depicted with dark skin and facial hair. Also present in this earliest depiction of St. Juan Diego is his broad-rimmed hat. He wears the hat which evokes both his cultural background and his labors and journeys under the hot sun of Mexico. He is also dressed in the
traditional garb of the Mexican peasant, the sandals on his feet once again underlining his humble origins. We are reminded in this window that Mary has most often chosen to visit the humble and the poor in Her apparitions on earth.

St. Juan Diego holds the tilma in front of him with roses spilling out, recalling the events which surrounded the first “unveiling” of the holy image. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is at the center and heart of the window, imprinted on St. Juan Diego’s tilma, as She was at the center and heart of the saint’s life.

St. Juan Diego’s Indian name (Cuauhtlatoatzin) means “the talking Eagle”. In the panel above his head there is a soaring eagle with beak opened. Pictured in the background of the window are some typical plants and cacti native to Mexico. The mountains in the background flatten at one point evoking the mesa-like landscape of the southwest.

The window contains a bottle at St. Juan Diego’s feet with the initials “O.I.” which stand for Oleum Infirmorum or “Oil of the Sick”. St. Juan Diego was on his way to seek the sacrament of the sick for his uncle who was seriously ill when Our Lady stopped him to give him the miraculous image on December 12th, 1531. The bottle at his feet represents his errand of mercy interrupted by Our Lady (who also looked after the cure of the sick uncle). Growing at St. Juan Diego’s feet are the aloe plants which are native to Mexico and contain many healing properties—a further symbol of God’s abundant graces granted to the sick who receive this Sacrament.

The shield in the lower panel is that of Bishop William R. Johnson, first bishop of the diocese of Orange (from 1978-1986). The left side of the shield is that of the diocese of Orange with the characteristic Santa Ana mountains, orange tree, mission courtyard and waves of the ocean. On the right side of the shield are the personal arms of Bishop Johnson.

Saints of Culture: St. Andrew Dũng Lạc

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St. Andrew is the most prominent of the Vietnamese martyrs. He was born in 1795 and died a martyr for the faith on December 21, 1839. He belonged to a peasant family, but eventually entered the priesthood at a time when the church was being severely persecuted by the Vietnamese authorities. His presence in this window represents another major ethnic group of the parish, the Vietnamese community, and indirectly, all those of Asian descent. He completes the trio of windows celebrating the ethnic diversity of our parish (which is by no means limited to the three cultural groups represented in the windows).

The face of St. Andrew is based on a popular representation consistent with the limited iconographic tradition. Although he is often portrayed wearing the black biretta of European origin, here he wears the typical conical hat which is a symbol of traditional Vietnamese life. It is worn throughout Vietnam and also appears in rural areas of neighboring Laos and bordering areas of Cambodia. In this window the hat is especially symbolic of the poor peasant background of St. Andrew’s family members who worked the land under the hot sun of Asia.

St. Andrew wears the vesture of a diocesan priest (black cassock, white surplice and stole). The red stole, reminiscent of his martyrdom, has a typically Vietnamese textile pattern. Around his neck is a thin red line, evoking his eventual martyrdom by beheading in 1839. His hands are chained to recall his suffering through imprisonment for the faith. At his feet are the typical Asian neck harness worn by prisoners of the time on their way to execution, as well as the blade used in his beheading. St. Andrew stands calmly above these instruments of death which he knows ultimately have no power over his soul. He holds the palm branch, symbol of his victory over death. In the background are plants typical of Asia, including palm trees to the left and right of his shoulders, evoking the psalm text, “The just man shall flourish like the palm tree” (Ps. 92:12). In the panel above his head is the sun, appearing here in the only window of a saint from the east. In the panel below his feet are lotus flowers and tropical fish evoking the beauty and colors of Asia.

The stole worn by St. Andrew is a common symbol of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. In this context, it takes on an even richer significance because it is worn by one who did not hesitate as a priest to “lay down his life for his sheep.”

The shield in the lower panel is that of Bishop Tod D. Brown, third bishop of the diocese of Orange (from 1998 to present). The left side of the shield is that of the diocese of Orange with the characteristic Santa Ana mountains, orange tree, mission courtyard and waves of the ocean. On the right side of the shield are the personal arms of Bishop Brown.

The Stained Glass Windows of SJB

St. John the Baptist Catholic School recently celebrated “Fifty Years of Mercy” during Mercy Week last year. On September 25, 2009, we celebrated the unveiling and blessing of the new stained glass windows in the Church. This important milestone in SJB's history brought beautiful works of art which illuminates the many facets of SJB School and Parish. Now, the six stained glass windows are available for online viewing.

Saints of Culture:

• St. Andrew Dũng Lạc
• Juan Diego
• St. Patrick

Saints of Education:

• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
• St. Herman Joseph
• Mother Catherine

A Letter from Fr. Pascal

Dear friends at SJB,

First, I would like to thank Fr. Hildebrand for inviting me to write something to all of you on this weekend’s Pastor’s Corner. It is my opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you for your warm welcome when we all just arrived at the parish, your understanding and forgiveness for my shortcomings, your patience, your support, and most of all your love and prayers.

There are always new beginnings on our journey of life, and this is one of them. I am reminded of the providence of God from the Book of Ecclesiastes: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.” (3:1-4) I have many memories of having the privilege of being with the families of SJB in all the different “times” of their lives over these precious years; joyful as well as sad times. I will treasure them always.

I know that when I began here, I was welcomed with open arms. I remember meeting Msgr. Daniel Brennan for the first time and asking him about Costa Mesa. After a few sick calls in the dark, I mentioned to Monsignor about how hard it is to look for address numbers in front of homes here. Monsignor went to his room, brought out his big six-volt yellow flashlight, and gave it to me. Sister Vianney was very kind too, and introduced me to her circle of friends and parents in the school. These and so many others who make SJB so special will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.

Now, I have a new “beginning” with the Expansion Project at the Abbey. It is an important task that Abbot Eugene has asked me to do, and it needs to be done for securing the future of the Abbey. I trust in God’s providence, as always, that He will provide for what we need and that this project will be completed in his own good time. I ask for your support and prayers, for without God’s help nothing is possible.

May God bless all of you for your generosity and kindness which you have shown to me over these years. May He, through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, keep you strong in your faith and help you to be joyful witnesses for Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

Sincerely,

Rev. Pascal Bao Nguyen, O.Praem.
St. Michael’s Abbey
Silverado, CA 92676
(949) 858-0222

A Farewell to Fr. Pascal Nguyen, O.Praem.

FR. PASCAL'S FAREWELL MASS
Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Please join us for the reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the Mass, as we bid farewell and show our appreciation to

Fr. Pascal Nguyen, O.Praem.

for serving St. John the Baptist, since the arrival of the Norbertine Fathers six and a half years ago. Fr. Pascal’s service have touched the lives of all of us here at SJB parish community.

Fr. Pascal has begun his new assignment at St. Michael’s Abbey and its Expansion Project. The Abbey is in the process of expanding its present facilities to a more stable location.

To learn more about St. Michael’s Abbey and its Expansion Project, please visit www.StMichaelsAbbey.com or call (949) 858-0222.

May God bless him with health and success in all the endeavors which God has planned for him.

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What will you remember most about Fr. Pascal?

Please comment. Thanks.

The Holy Cure of Ars: Patron of Priests

Today, August 4th, is the Feast of the Cure of Ars - St. John Mary Vianney, the patron of priests.

Make sure to thank our Norbertines for all they do.

The following is an except from the "Catechism on the Priesthood" by Saint John Mary Vianney

"Who placed Him there, in that tabernacle? It was the priest. Who was it that received your soul, on its entrance into life? The priest. Who nourishes it, to give it strength to make its pilgrimage? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, by washing that soul, for the last time, in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest -- always the priest. And if that soul comes to the point of death, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calmness and peace? Again the priest. You cannot recall one single blessing from God without finding, side by side with this recollection, the image of the priest."

"Go to confession to the Blessed Virgin, or to an angel; will they absolve you? No. Will they give you the Body and Blood of Our Lord? No. The Holy Virgin cannot make her Divine Son descend into the Host. You might have two hundred angels there, but they could not absolve you. A priest, however simple he may be, can do it; he can say to you, "Go in peace; I pardon you. " Oh, how great is a priest! The priest will not understand the greatness of his office till he is in Heaven."

"The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself, he is for you. After God, the priest is everything. Leave a parish twenty years without priests; they will worship beasts. If the missionary Father and I were to go away, you would say, "What can we do in this church? there is no Mass; Our Lord is no longer there: we may as well pray at home."

"If I were to meet a priest and an angel, I should salute the priest before I saluted the angel. The latter is the friend of God; but the priest holds His place. Saint Teresa kissed the ground where a priest had passed."

www.saints.sqpn.com