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Whether a Salesian or a salesman for the faith, Cardinal Castillo was at the top of his class in carrying out Canon Law

     We continue with this new series that debuted three weeks ago, bringing you on a regular basis three times a week the Princes of the Church. Our tweny-first red hat we feature, in alphabetical order is the retired Venezuelan President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. For more on Cardinal Castillo, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

21.   Cardinal Rosalio Jose Lara Castillo, S.D.B.

      This 77 year-old Venezuelan prelate was born in San Casmiro, Venezuela on September 4, 1922 and ordained a priest in the Salesian Order exactly 27 years later by the head of the Archdiocese of Caracas Archbishop Castillo Hernandez who happened to be his uncle. Within a year he was shipped off to Turin, Italy by his Order to study Canon Law at the Salesian University there, becoming a faculty member four years later. In 1957 he was transfered to the Salesian institute in Rome where he continued teaching Canon Law for the next eight years. Pope Paul VI elevated him to Bishop on May 24, 1973, giving him the titular bishopric of Precausa and assigning him coadjutor Bishop of Trujillo. Nine years later he became Archbishop. In 1984 Pope John Paul II selected him as Pro-President of the Pontifical Commission for Revision of Code of Canon Law, a post he served for two years in which he oversaw the implementation and understanding of the revised Code of Canon Law released on January 28, 1983.

      He was named cardinal-deacon at the May 25, 1985 Consistory and given the titular church of Our Lady of Coromoto. In 1989 he rejoined the Curia as President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See until 1995. The Pope added to his menu in 1990 by appointing him President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City State, a position he held until retiring in 1997. A year before his retirement at 75 his status was transfered to that of a cardinal priest on January 26, 1996. He continues to assist with memberships in various Curia offices including the second section of the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. He also serves as a member in the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and the Commission for the Institute for Works of Religion, which includes being on the Cardinals' Supervisory Commission for the Vatican Bank. He remains one of the ranking Salesians of his Order.

"I solemnly tell you that you must daily consecrate yourself to the Holy Spirit."

      Those words come from the Blessed Virgin Mary in her 402st Message to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart on Our Lady's birthday in September, 1993 in which Our Lady reinforces the need to trust in her Divine Spouse the Holy Spirit in our constant struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil. She follows this up 3 days later in Message 403 with the same encouragement. For these two Messages, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages Four-Hundred-one and Four-Hundred-two

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I bless you and have taken your suffering to my Divine Son.

      How happy my Immaculate Heart is on this day when all those who are faithful to Holy Mother Church honor me on my birthday. How many of you, my little children, renewed their consecration to my Immaculate Heart and how joyfully have I given all of these consecrations to my Divine Son.

      Little children, on this special day of graces I solemnly bestow upon all of my children my Motherly blessing, that you might be filled with the Flame of Love for my Divine Son. May each of you realize that your heart is aflame with intense zeal for my Divine Son, Who calls all to the refuge of His Sacred Heart.

      Dear children, I solemnly tell you that you must daily consecrate yourself to the Holy Spirit. Pray to Him that you may be possessed by the Holy Spirit, desiring this possession of the Holy Spirit. Then shall you be illumined as God wills, for now heresy is everywhere, and the dangers are rampant.

      God has ordained that I should be among you as the Lady of the New Advent, to announce to you that my Divine Son shall claim His Kingdom and there will be one flock and one shepherd. The trials shall intensify. Confusion will sweep the earth, and if you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, if your are not united to my Divine Son's Sacred Passion, you shall be swept away by the confusion.

      I ask you to heed my warnings. The chastisements are upon you. Daily they increase. God's Divine Justice shall come and the earth shall be purified of all evil. Be alert. Wait, watch and pray unceasingly, for the Justice shall strike when you least expect it.

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower, peace. I am beside you.

      Please say to all of my little ones: The false peace is upon you and yet you refuse to see it as false because you have not read Sacred Scripture faithfully, being guided by the Holy Spirit.

      I solemnly tell you the events now taking place in your world among many nations are nothing less than the evil one's scheme to lull you into apathy, so that you no longer desire to pray and make sacrifice. It is easier for your weakened will to accept that man will solve problems and bring peace and unity to all the world.

      Dear children, you must never forget God. You must never forget you are His children. He alone is All Peace, All Justice, All Unity. From Him alone shall come true and everlasting peace. If you will to be God's little child, then lift up your heart in prayer, beholding always my Divine Son's Most Sacred Passion. If you would see and understand Truth then come to my Divine Son in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and confess your faith by giving unto Him all reverence.

      My little ones, so great is God's Love, Infinite and Perfect, that still He calls you to Himself. He desires in these end times to pour out His Divine Mercy. He will make known to all the world His Mercy, manifest in the Sacred Blood and Water which flowed from His Sacred Heart upon Calvary.

      Will you reject this Sign when it is given to you? Will you remain cold, unbelieving and callous? O! Dear children, I invite all to come and drink from the Font of Divine Mercy, and be filled with Peace. Then you will persevere and you will be faithful until the end.

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

     This weekend we observe the Lenten Liturgy Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT leading into a rare feast day, one of only three during Lent, when we celebrate the Chair of Peter. For the readings, liturgy, meditations and vignette on that feast, click on DAILY LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND.

Friday February 19:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-9
Psalms: Psalm 51: 3-6, 18-19
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 14-15

Saturday February 19:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Isaiah 58: 9-14
Psalms: Psalm 86: 1-6, 11
Gospel Reading: Luke 5: 27-32

SUNDAY February 21:
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
Psalms: Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-14, 17
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-19
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 1-11

Monday February 21:
Feast of the Chair of Peter

White vestments

First Reading: 1 Peter 5: 1-4
Psalms: Psalm 23: 1-6
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-19

      This feast, designated for February 22, commemorates the first service in Rome by the first Pope in Rome - Saint Peter who established the see of Antioch. He is said to have sat on a portable chair that ultimately became the "chair of Peter" and which is a liturgical emphasis on the apostolic succession, the episcopacy within Holy Mother Church and the unbroken line of pontiffs since Peter. The chair is preserved in the Vatican with evidence of this being the authentic chair dating back to the second century. It was officially made a feast day in the Roman Calendar in 394 to coincide with the day the Romans commemorated their deceased. It was first celebrated at the old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome during the middle of the fifth century, preceded by an all night vigil with the Holy Father present. In the eighth century the Franks moved the feast to January 21 while the rest of Europe virtually ignored the feast altogether. However, at the beginning of the eleventh century it was revived and observed on February 22 where it has been fixed ever since.

      This weekend we complete the second part of the Prayer at the Beginning of Lent from the Lenten Missalette:

Grant us a season of good and honest laor. Prosper the work of our hands, and support us when our efforts fail. Whether at the first hour or at the eleventh hour, may all enter into this privileged time of prayer, fasting, and the sharing of charity. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Events this weekend in Church History

      Sunday is the 486th anniversary of the death of Pope Julius II, 216th successor of Peter and the pontiff who completed the Basilica of St. Peter's including the magestic dome designed by Michelangelo. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for February 19:

• 452 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Odran, who, as the chariot/horse driver for Saint Patrick throughout Ireland. He is considered a martyr because when he learned of a plot by some pagan tribesmen to ambush the Irish bishop, he masqueraded as Patrick to save him, and rode into the gauntlet of certain death in order to give Patrick time to escape.

• 509 A.D.
  
• Death of the Palestinian Martyrs who were slaughtered by Persian Saracens who were on a mission to destroy anything or anyone who represented the Roman empire or Christianity. Unfortunately for these hermits in Palestine they were rooted out and swords thrust into them as they died for Christ.

• 607 A.D.
  
• Election of Pope Boniface III, 66th successor of Peter. Born in Rome, his pontificate would last less than a year. During this short time he would forbid arrangements for the election of the new Pope until three days had passed after the death of a pontiff. Today that has been extended to nine days - novendiali". He would also decree that the only universal bishop was that of Rome, ergo - the Pope, a decision that would further strengthen the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff as head of the Church.

• 682 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento who was instrumental in eliminating idolatry and the belief in superstitions from not only his Diocese but much of Lombardy. He also was of great assistance to Pope Saint Agatho, 79th successor of Peter in helping organize the Sixth Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 680. Shortly after that he passed on to his Heavenly reward at the age of 70.

• 1352 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Conrad, Franciscan hermit of Piacenza who was renowned for both his humility and miracles both during his death and after when many reported cures after visiting his grave. In early life he had been a hellion, but his conscience got the best of him and he came clean, giving it all up to join the Franciscan Order started by Saint Francis of Assisi four decades earlier as well as convincing his wife to join the Poor Clares. The couple surrendered all their personal belongings and gave the rest of their lives to God.

Historical Events in Church Annals for February 20:

• 302 A.D.
  
• Death of the Martyrs of Tyre , also part of the contingent of Palestinians, not to be confused with the Palestinian martyrs who would die seven years later or the Phoenician martyrs a year after that. Legend has it that these Egyptian Christians living in Palestine were rounded up and when they refused to offer up sacrifices to false idols, were made sport of by unleashing wild beasts on them.

• 743 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Eucherius, Benedictine Bishop of Orleans who felt unworthy of being elevated to the episcopacy but when the people clamored for his election he relented. Throughout his bishopric he was a constant thorn in the side of French sovereign Charles Martel because of his policies, lifestyle and gutting of Church property and treasures. The former had him exiled hoping that would silence him but the people and monks rallied behind this humble man, giving him sanctuary in a monastery in Cologne. When Martel moved to have him exiled further, he was befriended by the governor who permitted Eucherius to retire in peace in a monastery near the Netherlands far enough away from Martel's influence.

• 1431 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Martin V, 206th successor of Peter. For more on this pontiff who was the first after the end of the Great Schism of the West, we refer you to Tuesday's feature from THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH with Pope Martin V: The struggle to start anew.

Historical Events in Church Annals for February 21:

• 107 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Simeon , believed to be first cousin of Jesus and nephew of St. Joseph who became one of the first bishops. Some historians believe he was given a heavenly warning of the impending destruction of Jerusalem in 66 AD and gathered a group of faithful and fled the city, setting a safe distance away until returning to Jerusalem to rebuild it. Though many times he nearly met his martyrdom, it wasn't until 107 when, under the persecution of Emperor Trajan that he was scourged and crucified like his relative Christ had been 74 years before.

• 434 A.D.
  
• Death of the Northern African Martyrs Saint Felix, Fortunatus, Saturninus, Secundinus, Siricius, and Verulus along with their companions at Hadrumetumm at the hands of Vandals who derided them for their superstitious faith.

• 606 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Paterius, This Roman monk from Brescia wrote extensive commentaries on the Bible while transcribing the Latin Vulgate in his monastery. He was also a close friend and confidant of Pope Saint Gregory the Great and helped influence the latter in formulating Gregorian chant.

• 1072 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Peter Damian, Doctor of the Church. Born in Ravenna, Italy he died when he was 71 after a dedicated life in his Church of giving of himself heart and soul.

• 1173 A.D.
  
• Saint Thomas Becket, Martyred Archbishop of Canterbury is canonized by Pope Alexander III three years after Thomas had been murdered in the Cathedral.

• 1513 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Julius II, 216th successor of Peter. Born in Savona, Italy, he was elected on November 26, 1503 and his pontificate lasted ten years. During this time he encouraged the arts and contributed to the study magnificence of Rome through the contribution of the Renaissance masters Raphael and Michelangelo. It was Julius who completed construction of St. Peter's Basilica as it is today. He also called the 18th Ecumenical Council, also known as Lateran V in which the Church would deal with Neo-Aristotelianism and enact reforms in an effort to stave off the growing dissidence among those who embraced "enlightenment."

• 1595 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Robert Southwell, Jesuit martyr who was canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970 along with forty other martyrs in England and Wales during this time of persecution of Catholics. Robert, whose family was influential inside the court of King Henry VIII, considered his family of the Church greater and became a member of the Society of Jesus and returned to England, ministering to the people in disguise because priests were arrested at that time. Eventually he was betrayed by one of those who he ministered to as a chaplain and tortured terribly as the English executioners, at the order of Queen Elizabeth, sought to extract information from Robert to uncover the many other priests still in hiding. He refused and died a martyr's death.

• 1730 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Benedict XIII, 245th successor of Peter whose pontificate lasted six years. Born in Gravina di Puglie, Italy on February 2, 1649 he was already 75 when he became Vicar of Christ. He occupied himself principally with his spiritual mission. On the occasion of the 17th Jubilee (1725) he inaugurated the marvellous flight of steps of Trinita dei Monti in Rome. It was Benedict who canonized Saint Louis Gonzaga and the patron saint of Poland, Saint Stanislaus.

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February 19-21, 1999 volume 10, no. 35   DAILY CATHOLIC