St. Mary's Church, Roslyn: Pastor's Page

Dear Friends:

Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum. “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to live in unity” (Ps. 133). It has been said that the most compelling evidence that the Holy Spirit is alive and at work in the Church is that, after more than 2,000 years, we are still here. This is no small matter; a world fractured by conflict and war, and wounded by illness and famine, cries out for healing and joy. The Church gives witness to the heroism of those who embrace suffering in the spirit of charity, and direct our attention to the Kingdom of Heaven, where we find true happiness with God.

On Monday (February 17), the Church celebrates the Feast of the Seven Founders of the Servite Order. The Servites are a 13th-century mendicant (begging) order made up of wealthy men from Florence. Beginning on August 15, 1233 (the Feast of the Assumption), these men experienced a number of apparitions of the Blessed Mother, who encouraged within them a spirit of penance and self abnegation. The original members were from the merchant class who forsook the world for the “pearl of great price.” Some never married, others were widowed; all were devoted to Mary, and dedicated themselves to the honor of God.

The beautiful painting by Agostino Masucci (1728) illustrates various details of the founding of the Servites. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Our Lady instructs the Brothers to follow the Rule of St. Augustine, adopting a black habit that symbolizes their share in the Passion of Christ. Toiling in his vineyard and contemplating the “dolors” (sufferings) of his Mother, they are assured eternal reward (the palm branch in the hand of the cherub). The life of the fledgling order has a certain divine quality about it, with respect to both the afflictions it endured and the obstacles it faced. On the same day Our Lady first appeared to the Brothers, Philip Benizi was born; as a young man, he showed great hostility to the Servites, but was won over by their gentle kindness, and eventually joined the order. Moreover, there was within the Church tremendous resistance to the establishment of yet another mendicant order (there were already four). Only the death of a pope gave a reprieve to the Servites, who were finally approved in 1304. They continue to work for the sanctification of God’s people: holiness that only comes through conformity to the Cross of Jesus.

Speaking as one with a relatively low threshold for pain—and a corresponding level of patience—I stand in awe of those who demonstrate equanimity in the struggle for holiness. Let us find our consolation at the foot of the Cross and in the pierced heart of Our Lady.

Faithfully,

Fr. Valentine

Dear Friends:

As a little boy growing up in Amityville, I attended St. Martin of Tours Church, having been baptized there before the beautiful Church was completed. One year, our second grade class put on a play depicting the Presentation of Jesus; guess who got to play Simeon? Doing due diligence for the role, I was inspired by the stained-glass window of our new Church, where Simeon blesses the Baby Jesus as Mary and Joseph look on. The wardrobe of the character consisted of an old bathrobe; you can imagine the quality of the performance. Granted, Simeon was a “holy man,” not a cleric, but whenever anyone asks me when I first thought of becoming a priest, I return in my mind’s eye to that stained-glass window.

Today the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord (hypapante tou kyriou). The Law of Moses established the practice of dedicating the firstborn son forty days after his birth. Since by the 4th-5th century the Western Church came to celebrate Christmas on December 25, the date for the Presentation was fixed on February 2.

The beautiful story from St. Luke’s Gospel (2:22-40) is the subject of the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, and emphasizes the theme of light. Jesus is the “light of the Gentiles,” who reveals the Kingdom of God to the nations. We today are the beneficiaries of that light. Still, there is a kind of bittersweet paradox to the Feast of the Presentation: the new era only begins with the close of the old. Simeon symbolizes the Chosen People, to whom God originally promised deliverance. This pledge comes to fulfillment with the arrival of the Anointed One, the “the glory of your people Israel.” Yet Jesus’ appearance indicates a fresh chapter in history, when salvation—or friendship with God—extends to all humanity. As Simeon grows old, he is reassured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he should see the Messiah. He is therefore released from his duty just as humanity is released from its sin.

This week’s cover art featuring the “Presentation of Jesus in the Temple” (c. 1306, located in Padua’s Arena Chapel), comes from the hand of the Florentine master, Giotto di Bondone. As with only a handful of great artists, Giotto was referred to by his first name only. The Chapel was erected by a wealthy patron, Enrico Scrovegni, and is dedicated to Our Lady of Charity. The fresco itself is part of a series depicting the life of Mary and the passion of Jesus. We behold the imposing figure of Simeon (whose name means “obedient,” or “one who listens to God”) and the dignified Anna, daughter of Phanuel (the “face of God). Simeon informs Our Lady as to the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious moments that are yet to be. Likewise Anna, whose years of faithful worship give her mystic vision, immediately recognizes Jesus as though they had made an appointment.

St. Mary’s, I have found, has its share of Simeons and Annas: prayerful people who, by years of experience—and indeed suffering—discern and respond to the voice of God. We “younger” members of the parish do well to emulate their holiness and seek out their wisdom.

Faithfully,
Fr. Valentine