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      They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Give a person a taste for the intellectual, the spiritual and the moral, and you make them happy."

     Today is the feast of Saint John Nepumocene Neumann, American bishop and religious educator. Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Blessed Andre Bessette, religious brother from Canada. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignettes on these men, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY.

Tuesday January 5:
Eleventh Day of Christmas
Feast of Saint John Neumann, Bishop and Religious Educator

White vestments

First Reading: 1 John 4: 7-10
Psalms: Psalm 72: 1-4, 7-8
Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 34-44

      The practice of Forty Hours Devotion in the United States can be attributed to a Czechoslovakian in the nineteenth century who came to our shores to become a Redemptorist priest and foster Catholic schools and education throughout the U.S.A. This man was Saint John Neumann, born on March 28, 1811 and ordained in 1936. In 1852 he was appointed bishop of Philadelphia where he worked tirelessy to establish the Catholic school system in America. He labored especially with European immigrants in mind. He spoke twelve languages fluently and wrote numerous books and two catechisms as well as a Bible History for the students. His was a life of firsts, becoming the first Redemptorist to make his profession in America and the first bishop from America to be ordained a saint. He died on January 5, 1860 just as the Civil War was breaking out, but he was not forgotten and his legacy has served many a college student through the years with almost each college campus throughout the country providing a Catholic oasis for the students known as "Neumann clubs." He was ordained in 1977 by Pope Paul VI.

Wednesday January 6:
Twelfth Day of Christmas and
Feast of Blessed Andre Bessette, Religious

White vestments

First Reading: 1 John 4: 11-18
Psalms: Psalm 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13
Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 45-52

      Credited with countless cures, Canadian-born Blessed Andre Bessette, a Holy Cross Brother was born in 1845 into a family of twelve. At the age of twelve he became an orphan when his parents died and helped care for his brothers and sisters by working in mills and farms in New England before returning to Montreal in 1870. At the age of 25 he joined the Holy Cross Order as a Lay Brother. Never educated and of poor health, Andre did not let that deter him from fulfilling God's Will in the simplest of ways. Though he was first rejected by the Holy Cross Fathers after his novitiate, the Bishop of Montreal intervened and suggested that he become a lay brother with the Order. For the next 67 years he devoted himself to the menial, but spiritually rewarding jobs of porter and gardener. Through the grace of God those who came in contact with this holy man were cured and word quickly spread of his fame. While he was helping build a shrine to Saint Joseph in Montreal - St. Joseph's Oratory, he contined as porter at the College of Notre Dame in that Canadian city. For 40 years he held this responsibility until demand was so great for Brother Andre to be at the shrine that the Holy Cross Order transferred him over there. Millions of pilgrims flooded the shrine with countless cures physically and spiritually occurring regularly when they came in contact with this holy, humble man of God. They flocked to him for spiritual direction. He received over 80,000 letters a year and insisted on corresponding with the people, but could not read or write and so he dictated the letters, many through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to a plethora of secretaries hired to handle the phenomenal responses to Blessed Andre. Through word of mouth and devotion, this shrine has since become the most well-known shrine to the protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus in the world. It was already the best known in North America when Brother Andre succumbed of old age at 92 in 1937. Eighteen years later the Oratory was solemnly dedicated and declared a minor basilica. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Events Today in Church History

     Today marks the 35th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's historic pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, becoming the first Sovereign Pontiff since Saint Peter to set foot on Holy Land soil during his pontificate. Pope John Paul II hopes to be the third Vicar of Christ to do so when he travels to the Holy Land, God willing, sometime in the Jubilee Year 2000. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for January 5:

• 1439 A.D.
  
• Pope Eugene IV moves the Council of Basle from Ferrara to Florence because of both the danger of the plague and financial reasons.

• 1531 A.D.
  
• Pope Clement VII issues a stern warning, forbidding King Henry VIII to remarry after his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The monarch's proud and haughty refusal would result in his excommunication and the break of England from Holy Mother Church.

• 1860 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, Bohemian saint who migrated to America and became a great priest and bishop. For more on him see TODAY'S LITURGY

• 1964 A.D.
  
• Pope Paul VI becomes the first Sovereign Pontiff since Peter to set foot in the River Jordan during his papal visit to Israel and Jordan. Pope John Paul II hopes to be the second when he visits, God willing, the Holy Land sometime in the Jubilee Year 2000.

    For Day Twelve of the song that was actually a secret Catechism for persecuted Catholics, click on TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

      Actually, the Twelve Days of Christmas were a secret "catechism" sung by Roman Catholics after the Reformation in countries such as England where they were not allowed to practice their faith. Thus, to communicate with fellow Catholics and truly celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ as the Savior in the Catholic tradition without fear of reprisal, they formed this "carol" which represented "religious reality" in symbols. This was also used often during the French Revolution.

      The "True Love" is God the Father. The Partridge in a pear tree is the Holy Trinity - in particular the Holy Spirit (the Dove) and Jesus Christ Who is known as the "Second Adam". We all know that the fall of man derived around an apple tree. A pear tree ties into this analogy and elevates the redemption.

      In each issue we describe each day of Christmas and the hidden Catholic meaning to the song. Many do not realize that the Twelve Days of Christmas are after Christmas - not before, and cover the time between Christmas Day and the Feast of Epiphany which had traditionally been celebrated on January 6th.

DECEMBER 25:
"On the first day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, a Partridge in a pear tree."

   So many have misinterpreted the Twelve Days of Christmas with a secular meaning, but they fail to realize that, in fact, they were a "secret catechism code" sung by persecuted Roman Catholics from the Protestant Reformation through the French Revolution. It was their way of communicating their faith much in the same manner the early Christians did with symbols such as the fish. The first day is a given since Christmas Day is the first day of Christmas and the "Partridge in a pear tree" represents Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the King.

DECEMBER 26:
"On the second day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, two turtledoves."

   The two turtledoves represent the Old and New Testaments - the Word of God which over the years has been so watered down by "interpretations and political correctness" that often it loses its true meaning and must be properly discerned through the Church's reliance on the Holy Spirit.

DECEMBER 27:
"On the third day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, three French hens."

   The three French hens represent the Three theological Virtues of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY which enabled Catholics to stay in the state of grace by practicing and promulgating these vital virtues when the sacraments were not readily available.

DECEMBER 28:
"On the fourth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, four calling birds."

   The four calling birds represent the four Gospels where truly the Word of God through Jesus and His life for all of us to emulate was recorded. Since Catholics were not allowed to keep bibles or preach during those times, they reinforced others through the song to read the Gospels in private and live it.

DECEMBER 29:
"On the fifth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, five Golden Rings."

    The five golden rings represent both the first Five Books of the Old Testament or the Pentatuch which reminded fellow Catholics of the roots and, after the devotion became more widespread and known, the Five Decades of the Rosary and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

DECEMBER 30:
"On the sixth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, six geese a-laying."

    The six geese a-laying represent the six days God took to create the earth, the universe, and all creatures. It was a way for all Catholics to remind fellow faithful and be reminded that, despite persecution, they were not second-class citizens but rather first-class children of God and rightful heirs to His mansions in the Heavenly regions if they persevered in the One, True Faith. Thus the sixth day represents the sixth day octave of Christmas and Creation.

DECEMBER 31:
"On the seventh day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, seven swans a-swimming."

   The seven swans a-swimming represent the Seven Sacraments established by Jesus Christ as well as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. With the Sacraments and Gifts Catholics could sustain themselves through the dark times and encourage others at this holy time of the year with this Christmas song, reminding each other of the wondrous glory of God and His munificence on the seventh day of the octave of Christmas.

JANUARY 1:
"On the eighth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, eight maids a-milking."

    The eight maids a-milking represent the Eight Beatitudes preached by Jesus Christ on His sermon on the mount and which Catholics, no matter how persecuted, could practice good deeds through the Beatitudes and gain great consolation and courage from these.

JANUARY 2:
"On the ninth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, nine ladies dancing."

   The nine ladies dancing is not about partying but rather the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit as described in Galatians 5: 22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modedesty and continency." These fruits helped Catholics to practice the virtues and remind fellow Catholics how to stay out of harm's way as far as their souls were concerned.

JANUARY 3:
"On the tenth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, ten lords a-leaping."

    The ten lords a-leaping symbolize the Law of God - the Ten Commandments. It was not a leap to obey the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai for the Protestants, who were persecuting the Catholics of those times and countries, also believed in the Ten Commandments, but the reference to "lords" was in reference to the rich and powerful for they were the ones who could change the laws that governed persecution and curtailment of the Catholic Faith. Yet it was the "lords" who were lax in obeying God's laws and Catholics wanted to remind their fellow Catholics that no matter how wealthy or spoiled the princes were, faith and perseverance was more important by reminding them of the law of ages.

JANUARY 4:
"On the eleventh day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, eleven pipers piping."

   The eleven pipers piping stood for the Eleven Faithful Apostles who stuck with Jesus when seemingly all others had abandoned Him. They were referred to as "pipers" for they indeed were sent out to all corners to spread the Gospel as Our Lord had commanded and, like the "Pied Piper of Hamlin" they attracted many to the One, True Faith. It was a way for Catholics to remind their fellow faithful to keep this in mind during the hard times for all but Saint John were persecuted and martyred for the faith. If they remained faithful to their Faith and to Jesus, they too would one day enjoy the same rewards of Heavenly bliss.

JANUARY 5:
"On the twelfth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming."

   The twelve drummers drumming represented the Twelve Points of Belief in the APOSTLES' CREED It's interesting that Catholics chose drummers for their symbolism for to keep reminding each other of the twelve points of the solid creed known as the Apostles' Creed for this was their profession of faith and there was a constant need to keep hammering home this point or should we say "bang the drum" so fellow Catholics would get the "beat" and get into a rhythm of their religion, encouraged by all Jesus promised and professed in the Creed.

Pope to canonize three new saints Saturday; calls upon the the example of saintly heroes during two World Wars

      The Holy Father took the occasion during Mass at St. Peter's on World Day of Peace to remind all that true peace comes through the cross holding up such holy luminaries as Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Saint Edith Stein as true examples of heroic glory. It was also announced that he will add three more saints to the roster when he canonizes two priests and a nun on Saturday. For more, click on Saints.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- On Saturday, January 9, three new saints will be canonized at a ceremony in Rome.

      The ceremony-- an "ordinary consistory," which is a meeting of the cardinals and other bishops present in Rome at the time-- will see the canonization of Marcellin Benoit Champagnat, the French priest who founded the Marist teaching order in 1817; Giovanni Calabria, and Italian priest who founded the Poor Servants of Divine Providence; and Agostina Livia Pietrantoni, the Italian foundress of the Sisters of Charity.

      On the 32nd World Day of Peace, January 1, Pope John Paul II evoked the memory of the victims of this century's two great world wars.

      As he celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope told members of the congregation, his thoughts had turned to the millions of deaths that had occurred during those wars. "How can be forget the death camps, the children of Israel who were cruelly exterminated, the marytred saints-- Father Maximillien Kolbe, Sister Edith Stein, and so many others?" the Pope asked in his homily.

      The Holy Father also mentioned the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and repeated his insistence that peace must be based on respect for fundamental rights. As he addressed a crowd of 30,000 people who gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus audience, he said that "the integral observance of human rights is the surest route to creating solid relations among states."

      On the eve of the new year, the Pope had traveled to the parish of St. Ignatius in Rome, which is staffed by the Jesuit order. With the Jesuit leadership and the mayor of Rome among the congregation, the Holy Father led the singing of the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the blessings of the year 1998. He also mentioned the suffering that many families had endured during the year, paying particular attention to "the sick, the aged, and those who live alone, or abandoned; those who feel they have been abandoned by society."

Chief Catholic Chaplin rails at Clinton's order to bomb Iraq, advises troops to question morality of military orders

      Archbishop Edwin O'Brien not only pulled no punches, but sent vibrations through the entire fabric of the United States Armed Forces when the head of the US Military Services spoke out strongly against Bill Clinton's questionable decision to bomb Iraq. He stated what we stated a few weeks ago in our editorial, if it is morally wrong, then even the soldiers must weigh the consequences for they must answer to a much Higher Source than the US commander-in-chief. For more, click on Artillery from the Archbishop.

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The archbishop of the Archdiocese for US Military Services said last week that the US bombing of Iraq is morally questionable and that US military personnel should question their actions if ordered to take an action that is a clear "violation of the moral law."

      Archbishop Edwin O'Brien said in a statement to Catholic chaplains serving the US armed forces around the world that soldiers, airmen, seamen, and Marines "are not exempt from making conscientious decisions" when confronted with immoral orders. "I join the bishops of our country as well as the concerned voices of the Holy See and other hierarchies in calling on our president and his advisers to initiate no further military action in the Middle East," he said, referring to a five-day bombing campaign on Iraq initiated by the US and Britain as punishment for Iraqi non-compliance with UN weapons inspections.

      The archbishop praised the professionalism of US military personnel and noted that they are subject to the policy decisions of US elected leaders. "Once civilian leadership decides a policy requiring military action, it is the sworn obligation of all in our armed forces to execute their mission in complete obedience unless in a specific instance the required action is judged clearly illegal or immoral," he said.

      Archbishop O'Brien stipulated the conditions under which a soldier decides the morality of an order. "In executing orders that might violate just war requirements military personnel face a serious moral challenge .... Any individual who judges an action on his or her part to be in violation of the moral law is bound to avoid that action," he wrote. "When clear moral conclusions that a particular act is unjust cannot be reached because, for example, of lack of sufficient evidence, the individual is justified in following the presumably better informed decision of his or her superiors."

Unspeakable tactics being employed to persecute and dishearten Catholic priests in the underground Church in China

     The reliable Fides News Agency reports shocking news out of China that numerous priests are being persecuted, tortured and tempted in an effort of the Chinese government to suppress the underground Catholic Church in China. Despite all the denials during the numerous fact-finding tours by religious and political leaders last year, the fact is they are lying through their teeth and Fides provides the sad facts to prove it. For more, click on chafed in China.

      ROME (CWNews.com) - The Vatican news service Fides reported on Monday that priests serving the underground Catholic Church in China have been arrested, tortured, sexually abused, and blackmailed by the Communist authorities.

      Father Li Qinghua was arrested in November in Hebei province has suffered torture designed to undermine his priestly vocation and training, including the use of special female agents who try to tempt the priests into engaging in sexual relations, the agency said. Fides reported: "Hidden video-cameras are used to film the priest's reactions, to blackmail him into admitting his connection with other underground priests and force him to join" the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-sanctioned church that eschews any contact with foreign religious bodies, including the Vatican, and denies certain Catholic doctrines.

      Father Li, 31, was arrested on November 15 during a secret catechetical session and six lay workers were arrested the following day. The six were later released, but Father Li has since been transferred to a special prison unit in Xushui. Underground priests arrested anywhere in Hebei are brought in Xushui where a special guest-house has been transformed into prison: the corridors along the rooms are barred with iron grills, with no escape, according to priests who have suffered the same abuse.

      According to the report, priests who resist the temptations and brainwashing risk being sent to the brutal "re-education camps," are placed under house arrest, or are sent back to be dealt with by local police.

Lay group defies cardinal, demands glass confessionals to prevent child abuse

      Before a child abuse group goes too far in defying Cardinal Basil Hume's direct order, they should remember that those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones - the same goes for the ridiculous idea of glass confessional doors. Their rationale for distributing leaflets in his diocese is that with the see-through glass priests will not commit child abuse, even though they have no proof of any of this. It is a further degradation of priests on a whole to associate all priests with pedophilia which the Cardinal, head of Westminster, blamed on the media for spreading these lies and alarming the public, stirring them into a frenzy. For more, click on Glass menagerie

      LONDON (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Basil Hume of Westminster this weekend rejected calls by a child abuse group to put glass doors on confessionals to protect children from predatory priests.

      Christian Survivors of Sexual Abuse said in pamphlets distributed throughout Britain, "Children should not be alone in a confessional box with a priest." The group added that an alternative to glass doors would be to have the priest and the child sit in the open in the church where they can be seen, but not heard. The pamphlet, entitled "Safe Church, Safe Children," also outlines what constitutes sexual abuse and advises parents on precautions to take.

      Cardinal Hume sent a letter to the group this week, saying he does not want them to distribute that pamphlet in his diocese and calling their suggestions outrageous. "To suggest that children should never be alone in the confessional is outrageous," he said. "I believe this statement only compounds the media image of priests as pedophiles awaiting their prey."

      The group rejected the cardinal's demand and has pledged to distribute the pamphlet anyway. "It was a highly defensive reaction to a sensible suggestion which has already begun in Australia and Ireland," said the group's leader Margaret Kennedy.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales. Both CWN and NE are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

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January 5, 1999 volume 10, no. 2   DAILY CATHOLIC