Jul. 25, 2011
KANSAS CITY, MO — Cardinal Raymond Burke concelebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Mo., July 24 after a Saturday conference, "Being Faithful, Even Unto Death: Catholic Wisdom on the Treatment of the Disabled and Dying."
His homily at the Sunday Mass reflected the core message of the conference: to embrace suffering and see its meaning through the love of Christ. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City and Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-Saint Joseph were co-celebrants.
Burke began by highlighting that it is by the sacraments that the relationship between the faithful and Christ's "enduring love" is shown.
"The greatest blessing of our lives is not some material good or worldly success but the revelation of the mysteries of the kingdom which God the Father has made to us," Burke said. He encouraged the faithful to recognize the "great gift" of God's "ceaseless love."
Burke frequently referenced "the greatest treasure" -- the sacrifice that Jesus made -- and how the faithful should live their lives in accordance with that love and acceptance of suffering.
"According to his plan, he has predestined us to share in glory which is his, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for all eternity."
"How can we fail to consider every aspect of our daily living within the context of the mystery … of God's pure and selfless love… how [can] we spend our lives in pursuit of various treasures while neglecting to pursue the one treasure which really matters, the one treasure which endures through eternity?" he asked.
He noted how easily people in a secularized culture make daily decisions "as if we were our own creators and saviors." In doing so, he said, we fail to recognize God's gift of love.
He spoke of St. Gianna Molla, an Italian mother who chose to go through a risky operation to save the child she was carrying, and in doing so died a few days after the birth. St. Gianna's youngest child, Gianna Emanuela Molla, is now a physician and was present at the conference. She spoke at the Mass about her mother's life.
Jesus' suffering and dying is the "greatest treasure in the church," Burke said, and "those who are sick and suffering are to be treasured by all in the church."
For those who suffer, Burke said, "Let us consider how we can assist them, to accept their suffering and dying that is shared in the suffering and dying of Christ, filled with pure and selfless love, with the sure hope of eternal love and the kingdom of heaven. In a special way, let us draw our understanding of the mystery of suffering and dying from the Eucharistic sacrifice in which we now participate."
"In a secularized society, we view sickness and suffering as completely negative and meaningless," he said. "The holy Eucharist reveals the mystery of [God] in the acceptance of suffering for the salvation of others."
He ended with the message "Be the love of Christ."
Burke is cardinal prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, sometimes called the Vatican's Supreme Court.
The Mass preceded a reception at the Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Center where several relics of St. Gianna were on display. The conference was sponsored by St. Gianna Physician's Guild.
[Zoe Ryan is an NCR intern. Her e-mail address is zryan@ncronline.org.]
The most important right anyone has is the right to determine when to depart the mortal coil.
It isn’t a Constitutional Right — it is merely a reality of being a human being with free will.
The decision to hold or not is between the individual and his/her God.
No State, no potentate, no church should do more than advise and, as appropriate, pray.
It is easy for those who do not suffer to blithely say “suffering is good.”
ping
St. Gianna's Physician Guild will be posting video of the talks. I'll post links as they become available.
I spoke at 9:00am for about ten minutes right before Cardinal Burke.
Cardinal Burke was a real gem. He was very kind. At the end of the conference, Cardinal Burke offered a Traditional Benediction service, in Latin, with the schola from the ICK parish in Kansas City MO. My two sons served Benediction for him at the end of the conference.
Ironically, after Benediction, a local priest asked my sons to serve a Novus Ordo anticipated Sunday mass for those who would be traveling. It was the first time my youngest son ever served a Novus Ordo mass, and he was more nervous about serving a Novus Ordo mass than he was about serving Benediction for the Cardinal.
Suffering is not only getting cut while shaving.
Not trivializing the issue, only pointing out that
suffering is not always physical, and when it isn’t,
then the question of life’s meaning arises that is
not often acknowledged. (My view, my dog is with stupid!)
“”Suffering does not rid life of purpose””
This is so very true,dear friend
This reminds me of my mother-who after many surgeries and only 1/4 Kidney along with many other ailments throughout her life, living in constant pain,she is a beam of love to total strangers always reaching out to see their suffering and to comfort them no matter how much pain she is in.
My dad(who is a rock of faith) told me the story of a recent DR visit where my mother was in severe pain -next thing that happens in the lobby walks in a young pregnant women, the young girl,a total stranger sees my mother and starts explaining her pain of the pregnancy.
The next thing that happens is the girl praying with my mother in the lobby and excepting Christ in her life along with my mom cooking meals for the young girl and having my father deliver them to her family.
My parents(in their late 70’s) do not have much money because of excessive medical bills ,but the Lord has always provided for them to give to others
This is what happens when we UNITE our sufferings with Christ
Contact: Megan Morris, St. Gianna Physician's Guild, 888-345-3343, info@StGiannaPhysicians.org
SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Conference in Kansas City this past Saturday entitled "Being Faithful even unto Death: Catholic Wisdom on the Treatment of the Disabled and Dying," sponsored by St. Gianna Physician's Guild drew a sold out, standing room only crowd. Attendees traveled from 17 states and included physicians, psychologists, administrators, attorneys, religious and many others.
The powerful line up of speakers was headlined by the beloved Cardinal Raymond Burke who delivered a powerful address framing the Church's position on suffering and care of the disabled and dying. Other speakers included Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadomo, siblings of the late Terri Schiavo who now advocate for these issues for families and patients through the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network, Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, Dr. Austin Welsh a geriatrician and special guest Gianna Emanuela Molla, the daughter of St. Gianna who traveled here from Italy.
"The entire day exceeded all of our expectations. The atmosphere in the room when discussing and analyzing the difficult bioethical issues surrounding the care of the disabled and elderly and the momentum in society to euthanize them was that of a family gathering," said Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician's Guild and sponsor of the event. "The importance of these issues was underscored by the participation of both dioceses of Kansas City, KS and Kansas City -- St. Joseph. It was a great blessing to have Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Finn with us throughout the entire day."
Participants agreed that a highlight of the day came when Gianna Emmanula Molla delivered her first talk since the death of her father entitled: "My mother, St. Gianna, and the legacy she left behind." This beautiful talk gave insight to the spirituality of St. Gianna's husband and family since her death in 1962. Gianna and her siblings represent the first time ever that children were present at the canonization of their own mother.
Cardinal Burke said: "The conference addressed one of the most critical questions regarding respect for human life in our nation. It was outstanding and very edifying for me and I was very pleased to be a part of it."
A set of the conference talks will soon be available on St. Gianna Physician's Guild web site www.StGiannaPhysicians.org.
Photos available upon request.
Redemptive Suffering
Through church, Jesus ministers to all who are sick in the world
'Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer'
Pope Benedict asks sick to offer up suffering for priests (Catholic Caucus)
Why Must I Suffer?
On the Advantages of Tribulations by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Why Be Catholic? 3: Suffering [Ecumenical]
"Love Really Can Make Suffering Bearable": Woman with Spina Bifida
Experts at Euthanasia Symposium Stress Unity, Strategy, and the Triumph of Love over Suffering
Holy Father prays for peace and unity, encourages the suffering to trust in God
Joy-Filled Suffering, Laetare Sunday
Children 'Suffering >From Lack Of Two-Parent Family', Study Finds
Pope Says Euthanasia 'False Solution' to Suffering, Alludes to Comatose Woman's Fate
Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE - The Value Of Suffering - Mother M. Angelica
Why Not You? (on suffering)
Vicar takes down crucifixion sculpture 'because it's a scary depiction of suffering'
The Value of Suffering in the Life of Christian Perfection
IN BRUSH WITH DEATH, PRIEST SHOWN HELL, PURGATORY, DEGREES OF SUFFERING
Prayers to Saint Agatha [For Those Suffering from Breast Cancer]
REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING(Catholic Caucus or by Invitation Only)