Catholic St. Louis, Missouri

The Gateway Arch is one of the most iconic monuments in the United States. Built entirely of stainless steel and standing 630 feet tall on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis. The Gateway Arch was completed in A.D. 1965.

A picture of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis from the street. The round, modern looking building in the foreground is the chancery.

The main altar of the basilica. From this vantage point you can see into two of the domes, although a picture (especially with most of the interior lights dimmed as we found the basilica on this day) cannot do it justice.

Saint Louis IX, King of France, himself, holding our Lord's crown of thorns, a relic that he purchased from Baldwin II, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople. Today, the crown of thorns is preserved at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Bishop Robert Hermann, Auxiliary Bishop emeritus of Archdiocese of St. Louis has his own designated confessional in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. There are several of these confessionals in the basilica, offering both face-to-face or behind-the-screen opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A very nice setup.

The All Saints chapel inside the basilica. The Cathedral Basilica boasts the largest mosaic installation in the world, with nearly every surface covered with mosaic tile. Also available now is a life size bronze replica of Michelangelo's Pieta, which is stunning.

Fortnight for Freedom - Draw your Voice in Prayer

The Fortnight - July 4, 2012

These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.

The fact is that men of the present day want to be able freely to profess their religion in private and in public. Religious freedom has already been declared to be a civil right in most constitutions, and it is solemnly recognized in international documents. The further fact is that forms of government still exist under which, even though freedom of religious worship receives constitutional recognition, the powers of government are engaged in the effort to deter citizens from the profession of religion and to make life difficult and dangerous for religious Communities.
 
This sacred Synod greets with joy the first of these two facts, as among the signs of the times. With sorrow, however, it denounces the other fact, as only to be deplored. The Synod exhorts Catholics, and it directs a plea to all men, most carefully to consider how greatly necessary religious freedom is, especially in the present condition of the human family.
 
All nations are coming into even closer unity. Men of different cultures and religions are being brought together in closer relationships. There is a growing consciousness of the personal responsibility that weighs upon every man. All this is evident.
 
Consequently, in order that relationships of peace and harmony may be established and maintained
within the whole of mankind, it is necessary that religious freedom be everywhere provided with an
effective constitutional guarantee, and that respect be shown for the high duty and right of man freely to lead his religious life in society.

Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 15
December 7, 1965

Reflection
In concluding its Declaration of Religious Freedom, the Council rejoices in the fact that religious freedom has been enshrined in the constitutions of many countries as well as in international statements. However, the Council Fathers are well aware that religious freedom is not guaranteed merely when it is stated on a piece of paper. It must be exercised by a living body of people. Moreover, there are actual governments that act against religious communities, sometime in
the name of religion. The Council Fathers find such situations appalling and ask that Catholics and all
people of goodwill work to rectify this injustice.

Since the Vatican Council, has religious freedom improved or deteriorated throughout the world? What is the relationship between growing religious diversity, as well as growing interactions among people of different faiths, and religious liberty?

Fortnight for Freedom - Day 13

Day 13 - July 3, 2012

In turn, where the principle of religious freedom is not only proclaimed in words or simply incorporated in law but also given sincere and practical application, there the Church succeeds in achieving a stable situation of right as well as of fact and the independence which is necessary for the fulfillment of her divine mission. This independence is precisely what the authorities of the Church claim in society.

At the same time, the Christian faithful, in common with all other men, possess the civil right not to
be hindered in leading their lives in accordance with their conscience. Therefore, a harmony exists between the freedom of the Church and the religious freedom which is to be recognized as the right of all men and communities and sanctioned by constitutional law.

Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 13
December 7, 1965

Reflection

While insisting upon the religious freedom of the Church, the Council Fathers do not wish to give the
impression that in some manner the Catholic Church is special when it comes to religious liberty. Thus, the Council first states above that where the principle of religious liberty is present, the Church is able to peaceably fulfill her divine mission. It is this amicable relationship between herself and civil authorities that the Church always wishes to pursue and ensure.

In the light of this, the Church also champions the religious and civil rights of all so that all people can live “their lives in accordance with their conscience.” In this way there is no conflict with what the Church demands for herself and what she demands for others—the freedom to follow one’s
conscience in matters religious. This religious freedom for all is what the Council once more believes should be acknowledged and sanctioned within the constitutional law of countries.

In the United States, religious freedom is protected in the Constitution, as the Council desires. Are those constitutional protections enough? Are they growing stronger or weaker in our society today?
What else, apart from the law, can strengthen or weaken religious liberty? What should Catholics do to defend and foster religious liberty in America today? What have Catholics done in the past when religious liberty was threatened? 

Fortnight for Freedom - Day 12

Day 12 - July 2, 2012

Among the things which concern the good of the Church and indeed the welfare of society here on earth—things therefore which are always and everywhere to be kept secure and defended against all injury—this certainly is preeminent, namely, that the Church should enjoy that full measure of freedom which her care for salvation of men requires. This freedom is sacred, because the only-begotten Son endowed with it the Church which He purchased with His blood. It is so much the property of the Church that to act against it is to act against the will of God. The freedom of the Church is the fundamental principle in what concerns the relations between the Church and governments and the whole civil order.

Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 13
December 7, 1965

Reflection
In Chapter I, the Council Fathers considered the nature of religious freedom from a rational and philosophical perspective—the dignity and equality of human beings and the natural right to religious liberty. In Chapter II, they turn to examining religious liberty in the light of Christian Revelation.

In this context, the Council Fathers forthrightly insist that the Church must “enjoy that full measure
of freedom which her care for salvation of men requires.” Jesus became man, died, and rose from the
dead so that all men and women would come to salvation—to know the fullness of truth and the fullness of the Father’s love. This is why the Church’s religious freedom is “sacred.” Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, founded the Church as the means by which his saving message and presence would go forth to all the world. Only then would Jesus’ Gospel be lived out among all nations and peoples. Only if the Church is free can she rightly fulfill her divine commission. This is why the Church jealously guards her freedom while simultaneously fostering harmonious, appropriate, and just relations with various governments throughout the world.

What present circumstances threaten the freedom of the Catholic Church particularly? Are threats
to the Church’s freedom always from without, or do threats arise from within the Church itself? What
threats in the past has the Church in our country had to contend with?

Litany for Liberty

Christ the Lord has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let us turn to him in humble but fervent petition, seeking the grace to root out from our hearts all trace of darkness, and all that holds us back from walking in the full freedom of the children of God. As Christ is our great model for that inner freedom, which enables us to do the right, let us turn to him with confidence that we, too, may follow him to the fullness of spiritual freedom.

Lord, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy; 
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy; 
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, victor over sin and death
Free our hearts.
Jesus, source of light and hope
Free our hearts.
Jesus, fullness of truth and mystery
Free our hearts.
Jesus, teacher of seeking hearts
Free our hearts.
Jesus, healer of body and soul
Free our hearts.
Jesus, bringer of mercy and justice
Free our hearts.
Jesus, who humble the heart and mind
Free our hearts.
Jesus, release of captives
Free our hearts.
Jesus, voice against violence
Free our hearts.
Jesus, courage for the lowly/downtrodden
Free our hearts.
Jesus, origin of all authority and power
Free our hearts.
Jesus, true lawgiver
Free our hearts.
Jesus, unity of order and passion
Free our hearts.
Jesus, freedom of the Spirit
Free our hearts.
Jesus, obedient Son of the Father
Free our hearts.

For the freedom to love
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to believe
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to hope
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to worship
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to serve in charity
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to care for the suffering
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to comfort the sick
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to feed the hungry
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to shelter the homeless
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to walk in chastity
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to live in peace
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to work in good conscience
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to stand in solidarity
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to seek justice
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject sin
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject coercion
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject falsehood
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject evil temptations
Give us your grace.
For the freedom to reject injustice
Give us your grace.

O God, who gave one origin to all peoples and willed to gather from them one family for yourself, fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, each human person may be brought to perfection, every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

SOURCE: USCCB

Fortnight for Freedom - Day 11

Day 11 - July 1, 2012

Furthermore, society has the right to defend itself against possible abuses committed on pretext of freedom of religion. It is the special duty of government to provide this protection. However,
government is not to act in arbitrary fashion or in an unfair spirit of partisanship. Its action is to be controlled by juridical norms which are in conformity with the objective moral order.

These norms arise out of the need for effective safeguard of the rights of all citizens and for peaceful settlement of conflicts of rights. They flow from the need for an adequate care of genuine public peace, which comes about when men live together in good order and in true justice. They come, finally, out of the need for a proper guardianship of public morality. These matters constitute the basic component of the common welfare: they are what is meant by public order.

For the rest, the usages of society are to be the usages of freedom in their full range. These require
that the freedom of man be respected as far as possible, and curtailed only when and in so far as necessary.

Declaration on Religious Liberty
(Dignitatis Humanae), no. 7
December 7, 1965

Reflection

The Council Fathers are well aware that, while various religious groups are meant to live in harmony,
each accepting the equal rights of others, yet, in reality, conflicts frequently arise between various
religions. This may be due to what a specific religion holds concerning the nature of its own beliefs in relation to the beliefs of other religions. While each religious group has the right to profess that its religious beliefs are true and that other religious beliefs are either inadequate or contain erroneous tenets, no religious group has the right to persecute or seek to suppress other religious groups. Similar conflict may arise within a religion, in which case, the cause of the conflict does not reside in the religious belief as such, but in a misinterpretation of those beliefs that prompts misguided attacks on other religious groups.

Given the reality of such religious conflicts, the Council Fathers acknowledge that the government is responsible for keeping public order, not by taking sides, but by enacting just laws and guarding the equal rights of all.

What causes religious conflicts today? Do governments always adequately respond to such conflicts?
What distinguishes “public order” (which limits religious freedom) from an ordinary policy preference of government (which does not)?