ECS celebrates the Divine Liturgy in Vienna at Sts Cyril and Methodius Parish
“That the Eastern Catholic Churches and their venerable traditions may be known and esteemed as a spiritual treasure for the whole Church.”
13 Nov 2011 – ITI graduate Deacon Joseph Bolin invited the ITI Center of Eastern Christian Studies (ECS) to celebrate Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Rite Mass) at the parish he serves in Vienna, Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
Deacon Joseph proclaims the Gospel during the Liturgy
Deacon Joseph’s idea to invite the ECS coincided perfectly with the Pope’s intention for the month of November.
Time stops and we experience Heaven on earth
Father Joseph Veresh, ECS Director, gave an introduction about the Divine Liturgy and explained that during and through the celebration, time stops and we experience Heaven on earth. The Liturgy was enthusiastically attended by 300 parishioners – most of whom were seeing a Byzantine Liturgy for the first time in their lives.
Many of the parishioners had never experienced the Byzantine rite before
His Beatitude Patriarch Igatius Youssif III with ITI representatives of ECS
10 Nov 2011 – The ITI Center of Eastern Christiaan Studies (ECS) went to a lecture in Vienna given by His Beatitude Patriarch Igatius Youssif III, the Patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Churches. The lecture was organized by Pro Oriente and was part of a special synod for the Bishops of the Middle East.
His Beatitude spoke of the suffering of his people in theMiddle East.
His Beatitude speaks of the suffering of Christians in the Middle East
He said that their main task is to give witness to the Gospel…to spread the Good News, but how can they do this, when their very presence is against the law? He wanted to send a wake up call to the EU and UN about their suffering. He said he finds it hard to encourage his own faithful to return, or to remain in the face of violent attacks. It is one thing to decide to remain and sacrifice yourself. It is quite another thing to demand this same sacrifice of your children.
ECS representatives speak with the Patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Churches
After the lecture, the ITI was presented to His Beatitude and was able to visit with him and the other bishops and representatives who were present from the Middle East and India. This event helped us to deepen our understanding of the situation of the Christians in the Middle East. Since some of our students belong to the Syrian Catholic Churches, it was a great gift to be able to meet His Beatitude in person and to build up relationships with these representatives in the hope of future collaboration.
ECS representatives visit with a Syrian Orthodox Bishop after the lecture
We just returned from a wonderful pilgrimage in Italy where we went with many intentions, but primarily to give thanks to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina for a donation we received that has helped us to get through these difficult financial times. During our trip, there were many signs that Padre Pio was watching over us. We carried all you ITI students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and benefactors in our hearts and in our prayers to each shrine.
Loreto - House of the Holy Family
We began the long trip from Trumau on Friday night and “slept” on the bus. The bus was full of students, faculty, staff and families. The kids gave the right spirit of joy and enthusiasm. I am always amazed at their willingness and trust. You say to a child…”Do you want to go in the car?” “Yes!” they gleefully reply, and they don’t even know where you are going, for how long, or what it will entail. I wish we could be that way with God’s plans for our life. Accepting things with humility and joy. In a way, that is how our pilgrimage turned out. We knew something of what lay ahead, but not everything, and had to humbly say, “yes!” to whatever was in store, and God had many beautiful things in mind that gave us a joyful heart.
Our first stop was Loreto where the house of the Holy family was carried by angels to preserve it. Padre Pio said that Our Lady only appeared in other places, but here she still walks. We attended Mass at the shrine and prayed in the Holy House that welcomes you with an embracing peace.
Norcia Crypt
Next stop was Cascia, where we were able to visit St. Rita and the lovely city that was glowing with sun and exploding with fall colors. We then travelled to Norcia to see our dear friends and alumni among the Benedictine monks there, and to sleep there for the night. After praying in the crypt that houses the birthplace of twins, Sts. Benedict and Scholastica, we explored the town for a bite of their famous Norcia wild boar ham and salami.
Monte Sant'Angelo Chapel
After early Mass in the crypt on Sunday, we drove to Lanciano, home of a Eucharistic miracle and resting place of St. Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Christ’s side with a lance. Even though the place was about to close when we arrived, they let us in and told us to close the door when we left. So we had our own quiet special time to spend there with Our Lord. In a church across the street, we discovered the relics of St. Pantaleone, doctor and martyr.
Monte Sant'Angelo Church
As the sun set, we climbed high into the hills and then deep into a cave to see the church of St. Michael the Archangel at Monte Sant’Angelo. St. Michael appeared here and many saints have visited to ask his intercession in the battle against evil.
We curled further into the mounains and reached San Giovanni Rotundo where we lodged for two nights. Here we found another gift from Padre Pio. Our hotel upgraded the whole group! The Hotel is called Pace, V7. V stands for the family name and 7 for the children of the family. Padre Pio told the father of the family to buy land and build a hotel there. They did not have the money at the time, but did so, and the money came for the building.
On Monday morning we got back into the bus, which had become our second
Divine Liturgy at the altar of the relics of St. Nicholas
home, and drove to Bari to see St. Nicholas. We were supposed to have Mass at noon, but traffic in the city made us an hour late. But this was turned into another gift! Because we were late, we were allowed to celebrate Divine Liturgy in the crypt of St. Nicholas, over his relics, instead of at the main altar.
Child venerating relics of St Nicholas
Normally, you cannot approach the relics, as there is a big gate surrounding them. Because we were allowed to have Divine Liturgy there, we were all allowed to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas.
Divine Liturgy in Bari at the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra
After lunch and photos by the sea, we made a short stop at the tomb of Luisa Piccarreta a servant of God, and then returned to San Giovanni Rotundo where we explored the surroundings, and happened upon a choir concert of different Ave Marias in the new big basilica. The architecture there by Renzo Piano caused a huge discussion about art, architecture and sacred space which continued into the late hours in the hotel lobby.
Divine Liturgy at Altar where Padre Pio would say Mass
On our final day of the pilgrimage we brought our thanks and petitions and yours to Padre Pio. We were allowed the honor of having Divine Liturgy at the same altar that Padre Pio would celebrate at daily.
Mosaic by Padre Pio's Tomb done by Rupnik
Then we visited his tomb and venerated his relics and toured the mosaics by Fr. Marko Rupnik.
We started the 18 hour return bus journey with full hearts. Thank you Padre Pio and all the great saints we visited on this trip for your many blessings!
