(314) How Mary's Rosary Changed the Course of World History: The Epic Battle of Lepanto in 1571

AMDG 

A painting of the fleet of the commander, Don Juan being blessed by our Lord and His mother, depicted in the upper left corner. 

      A 13 Century Struggle.  Throughout world history, Mary has nurtured the faith and brought millions of people to her Son.  Many of us know of her role in the evangelization of Latin America with her message and her miraculous image as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531, her role in healing as Our Lady of Lourdes since 1858, her prophetic warnings at Fatima in 1917 calling for repentance and to pray the rosary for peace.  But do you know that the War on Terror is just another chapter in a 1300 year struggle between Christian Western Civilization and Radical Islam bent on conversion by military conquest and Mary had an important role in protecting the Faith?  Mary is the greatest missionary of all time!  

The Quran (2:190-93) states: "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out.”  See http://www.clearquran.com/quran-chapter-002.html and http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/violence.aspx.  The Quran does say, “Kill the infidels”.  That’s us.  Radical Islam takes that literally.  Over the years the Moors conquered much of once Christian Northern Africa and a large part of Spain.  The Turks (Ottoman Empire) conquered the Holy Land (the Crusades failed) as well as parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans,

      During those 1300 years, Radical Islam terrified Europe and was well on its way to conquering all of Europe at least four times.  Charles Martel stopped the advance of the Saracens into France and the rest of Europe in 732 in the Battle of Tours.  They however occupied much of Spain and Portugal for the next 700 years.  Godfrey de Bouillon won a major victory at Jerusalem in 1099 as part of the First Crusade, but other crucial battles followed in the second millennium.  The victory at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456 was a big help.  Each time, the people appealed to Mary to save Western Civilization from radical Islam and each time they stopped the advance in three decisive battles.  Otherwise, Western Europe would be Muslim today.

       It was October 7, 1571, only a few years after the disastrous 1535 Protestant Reformation which Our Lady of Guadalupe anticipated by her 1531 apparitions to St. Juan Diego in Mexico.  The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) had already conquered much of Hungary (1541-1699).  Under Suleyman the Magnificent Islam conquered Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and northern Africa.  

       Again radical Islam threatened under Sultan Selim the Sot.  With a fleet of over 400 ships carrying some 30,000 soldiers under the command of Admiral Ali Pasha, they planned to conquer Malta, plunder, and control the Mediterranean Sea with its trade routes.  Since 1565 the Knights of St. John of were able to resist the Turkish siege of their island of Malta.  If the Turks would gain control of the Mediterranean Sea, all of Western Europe would be set to fall to radical Islam. 

       The people were afraid.  It was a time of tension and a battle was looming.  Pope St. Pius V ordered fervent prayer to Mary with a Rosary Crusade as he formed a Christian alliance (the Holy League) of forces of Spain, Venice, Genoa, Malta, and the tiny Papal fleet to defend Christendom under the command of the Austrian noble, Don Juan appointed by the Pope.  

       At dawn on October 7, the day of the epic naval battle, Pope St. Pius V himself led a group of the faithful to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray the rosary and ask Mary for her intercession.  People all over Europe were praying throughout the day.  Most had been praying the Rosary for the previous two years.  The future of Western Civilization was at stake!

Don Juan of Austria, the commander of the fleet of the Christian Alliance although still a young man in his twenties.  

That same morning in the Gulf of Patras in the Ionian Sea off of western Greece, the Catholic force of 208 ships, 30,000 soldiers and 50,000 oarsmen  under Don Juan of Austria met the superior Turkish forces of 330 ships (except for fire power and technology), flying the banner of Christ crucified under the standard of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They faced a Turkish armada of 400 ships with 37,000 enslaved rowers.  The Christian seamen were afraid, but very prayerful.  The Radical Muslims  were known to terrorize Christian ships and torture and execute prisoners.

A drawing of one of the ships of the Holy League

The Catholic fleet was sailing east from Messina-Sicily as the Ottoman fleet was sailing west from its base in Lepanto-Greece.  On the night of October 6, with a favorable wind behind him, Ali Pasha moved his fleet westward toward the mouth of the Gulf of Patras to intercept the approaching ships of the Holy League. The two opposing fleets clashed!   It was like two armies fighting from floating platforms, the largest naval battle in history and the last fought with rowers.

In the thick of the naval battle, the winds suddenly shifted in favor of the Europeans and the Turks were routed. It was the first defeat ever for the dominant Turkish Navy.  The alliance took 10,000 prisoners and sunk or captured 167 Turkish ships.  For a summary and illustrations go to TRIBUTE TO THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO. 

Details of the Battle. Robert McMullen gives an excellent summary of the battle in detail in his article, "Remember Lepanto!" at http://www.traditioninaction.org/History/A_001_Lepanto.html

Don Juan then pulled up anchor and moved to engage the Turkish fleet in the Gulf of Lepanto, off the southern coast of Greece. The Turkish fleet, some 330 ships strong, under the command of Ali Pasha, had been reinforced by Uluch Ali, the Bey of Algiers, and head of the notorious band of Moslem corsairs (pirates) that had long terrorized Catholic ships in the Mediterranean.

Don Juan of Austria in battle, at the bow of the ship in hand to hand combat.  Painted by Juan Luna y Novicio.

At dawn, on October 7, 1571, the two fleets met. Don Juan split his fleet into three sections: on the left (north), the Venetians under Agostin Barbarigo; on the right (south), Andrea Doria led the Genoese and Papal galleys; in the center, Don John commanded his flagship and galleys. Santa Cruz, with a force of 35 Spanish and Venetian ships, was held in reserve. He ordered his captains not to fire until “close enough to be splattered with Moslem blood.” The iron rams were removed from the Christian ships, as the plan was for boarding and close quarter fighting. Two of the large Venetian galleasses were towed into position in front of each of the three Christian divisions.

Ali Pasha's fleet approached in a giant crescent formation, and seeing the opposing fleet, he also ordered his fleet split into three divisions. Ali Pasha himself took up the middle position opposite Don Juan, and charged forward to engage Don Juan's ships. The Venetian galleasses opened fire, and almost immediately eight Moslem ships were hit and began to sink. The Catholic galleys, their decks filled with soldiers, opened fire with arquebuses (1) and crossbows as the Moslem ships drew alongside. Ali Pasha's men attempted to board the Catholic ships, but the Spanish soldiers were experienced and well disciplined. Attack after attack was beaten back with deadly shots from their crossbows and arquebuses.

Fresco of the Lepanto battle plan by Antonio Danti

Don Juan ordered the ship of Ali Pasha to be boarded and taken. Two times the boarding attack of the Spanish soldiers was beaten back, but on the third attempt they swarmed over the deck, now awash in blood, and took the ship. Ali Pasha was captured and beheaded on the spot (against the wishes of Don Juan), and the Battle Flag of the Ottoman Fleet came down off the mainmast. The head of the Turkish admiral was spitted on a long pike and raised on high for all the enemy ships to see. The Turkish attack in the center collapsed, and Don Juan sent his ships in pursuit of the retreating Turks, and also turned to aid in the battles raging on his flanks.

On the Catholic right, Uluch Ali and his pirates had broken through Doria's lines and managed to capture the flagship of the Knights of St. John. Santa Cruz, seeing what had happened, came up to the rescue, and Uluch Ali was forced to abandon his prize. The Genoese were in a fight for their lives with the remainder of Uluch Ali's ships, but after Don Juan had broken the enemy fleet in the center, he turned and came to the aid of the Genoese. The Algerian corsairs were finally overcome, and fled for their lives in full retreat.

Admiral Mahomet Sirocco, commanding the Turkish right (on the Catholic left), sailed close to the rocks and shallows on the northern shore of the gulf and was able to outflank Barbarigo's Venetian galleys. Barbarigo's flagship was surrounded by eight enemy galleys, and the Catholic Admiral fell dead from Turkish arrows. His flagship was taken for a time, but aid finally arrived, and Sirocco's flagship galley was sunk. The Turkish admiral was yanked out of the water, and, like Ali Pasha, killed right on the spot.

The engagement lasted, all total, around four to five hours. When it was all over, 8,000 men who had sailed with Don John were dead and another 16,000 wounded. The Turks and Uluch Ali's corsairs had over 25,000 dead, and untold thousands more wounded and captured. Over 12,000 Catholic galley slaves had also been rescued from the Moslems. The Venetian galleasses had taken a heavy toll on the Turkish fleet. It was a major victory for the Holy  League and Christendom.  

When news of the victory finally reached Europe, church bells rang out in cities all across the continent. The Battle of Lepanto was a decisive victory, with only 40 of the over 300 Moslem ships surviving the engagement. The Turkish force of some 75,000 men was in ruins.

Our Lady of Victory. It was clear to all that the Rosary made the difference!  Despite not receiving any news of the victory, Pope Pius V was inspired by a vision to suddenly interrupt his meeting later in the day and exclaim: “Our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Catholic army.”  

Later in thanksgiving Pope Gregory XIII established the Feast of the Holy Rosary or initially Our Lady of Victory on October 7.  Europe was somewhat secure for the next hundred years while the Turks rearmed.  Due to friction in the alliance, they did not follow up on their great victory by completely destroying the Ottoman fleet.  The alliance unraveled in 1573.

 MOTHER MARY, WE ASK YOU TO INTERCEDE FOR PEACE in our world today as a revived radical Islam again threatens us.  BRING US BACK TO YOUR SON. 

Christianity and Islam both revere Mary as the ideal woman.  The Quran devotes an entire chapter to her.  There is a reason that Mary chose the village of Fatima, which the Moors named after Fatimah, the favorite daughter of Mohammed.  May Mary use these commonalities and connections to evangelize the Muslims, our brothers, and bring us world peace

Today there are predictions that Western Europe will have a Muslim majority by 2050 if present trends continue…….something they could not do by military conquest.  Because of widely practiced contraception and abortion, the population of Christian Europeans is decreasing while the population of Muslim immigrants, welcomed to satisfy the labor shortage in an aging population, is increasing.  Correctly believing that contraception and abortion are immoral, they multiply.

The Rosary changed the course of World History in 1571.  Imagine what it can do for you today!

(313) This Should Make Every Knight Proud to Be a Knight

 AMDG

The Report/Speech delivered by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly at the 143^rd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Washington was so touching that it brought tears to my eyes.  It was a powerful and eloquent speech that reviewed the accomplishments of the order both at the national and the local level, which is just as important because its great success depends upon the participation and dedication of every member.

The Supreme Knight opened his speech by recalling that in the wake of the Industrial Revolution then Fr. Michael McGivney put the social teachings taught by Pope Leo XIII into practice and founded the Knights of Columbus.  Today Pope Leo XIV emulates his predecessor by fighting for the welfare of the poor under new circumstances.   

“In this world of deep confusion about the deepest questions, we will make clear in everything we do that Jesus Christ is the answer. As we proclaim this truth, we stand in solidarity with the Vicar of Christ.” while thanking Pope Francis for his support and praise for the works of charity done by knights around the world.  He recalled Pope Francis saying “we need more priests like Father McGivney.”   The order donated a broadcasting truck and helped restore Bernini’s baldacchino over the main altar and the adjacent Chair with the statue of St. Peter.

An overall view of the St John Paul II National Shrine (and museum) which the Knights of Columbus purchased, made extensive renovations, and maintains for you to visit in Washington D.C. after praying in the nearby magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception whose bell tower the Knights helped to finance.  Go to saint john paul ii national shrine - Search.  

Charity.  “We don’t merely volunteer. We see the face of Christ in those we serve. And we sacrifice for them because that’s what Jesus did for us.  This hope in Christ inspired Father McGivney and the first Knights to put their faith into action.” 

The list of Knights of Columbus charities is long…..Coats for Kids, soup kitchens, campaigns against human trafficking, 19,000 wheelchairs to the needy last year. 

Encouraging are the words of Archbishop Lori, our Supreme Chaplain, in Ukraine: “This war may try to destroy your homes (deliberate bombing of civilians in a brutal war of aggression), your communities and your peace, but it cannot destroy your identity as a temple of the living God. You are his people, and he walks with you… every step of this difficult journey.” 

In Gaza, floods, wildfires, etc., the knights are there.  In one case a wildfire destroyed a home completely except for a statue of the Blessed Mother.

Building a Culture of Life Through Education and Legislation.  High priority is to help mothers and children.  That includes helping pregnancy resource centers and donating ultra sound units (2000 since 2009) so that mothers can observe the tiny living human being in their wombs.  ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) is a most important initiative.  Some 60% of abortion-minded women would not abort if aware of sufficient material and emotional support.

In this photo 150 French knights on pilgrimage wade through the water surrounding the Mount Saint Michel Monastery in Normandy at low tide.  It is said that the high tide can come in as fast as a galloping horse.  American and Canadian knights make pilgrimages on foot carrying the Silver Rose to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and Polish knights go to the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. 

The Knights of Columbus is also concerned with the formation of the faith of its members.  “Men are a major reason why abortion is so common. Too many men fail to respect women. And too many men abandon women once they’re pregnant. They’d rather run than take responsibility. The truth is that too many men are acting like boys…..We don’t need boys. Women need husbands. Children need fathers. And we all need men to act like men!”  Blessed McGivney created the Knights of Columbus to give men a place to pursue greatness.  More than 140 years later, we are still helping men grow as husbands and fathers.”

Gaining traction is the COR movement, which consists of prayer, Bible study, and discussion in small groups.  He urges every council to organize a COR group.

The Pilgrim Icon of the Sacred Heart

“And I encourage you to consecrate your family and your home to the Sacred Heart (His image in a place of honor is basic). This devotion speaks to the timeless promise that God has made to us.  In the Sacred Heart, we see the limitless love of Jesus Christ, and we find the courage to love with the heart of a father.”  The Pilgrim icon of the Sacred Heart sponsored nationally by the Knights of Columbus will be in our parish in November. 

Our 146 college councils, including West Point and Annapolis, play a unique role in promoting vocations.  Furthermore, the Knights of Columbus supports seminarians and now the training of Nigerian priests at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Membership. The Supreme Knight urged every knight to bring in two new members to augment the order of 2.1 men in 17,000 councils in North America and 67 councils in the military. 

Knights of Columbus Insurance not only insures the security of our families, but also uses its surpluses to support the order’s charities.  Over the years, the Knights of Columbus has also been at the forefront in defense of religious liberty in the face of anti Catholic bigotry.  

Patriotism is the pillar of the 4^th Degree whose 125^th anniversary we are celebrating this year.  The Knights have always supported our military.  In fact for years the Knights of Columbus have provided 700,000 copies to date of the Armed with the Faith prayer book to military personnel to preserve and strengthen their faith. And each May, “we sponsor the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage”. 

“St. John Paul II taught us that loving your country is just as natural as loving your family. That means patriotism isn’t an option. It’s an obligation…..We will foster the good in our countries. We will actively work to make them better. And we will hand on our love of country to our children and our grandchildren.  This is what a patriot does. And the Knights of Columbus will never apologize for our love of country!” 

While in the Ukraine, “several Knights in the Ukrainian army asked me to establish the Patriotic (4^th) Degree in Ukraine. They were preparing to go to the frontlines. And they told me that, if they were going to die, they wanted to die as Fourth Degree Knights. I granted their request.”  Brother knight, follow their example and make the effort to obtain your 4^th Degree!  Not a knight yet?  We would love to have you join us!.....for great fellowship and opportunities to serve.

“The world is searching everywhere for hope — in science, in politics, in ideology. But the world will find it only in Jesus Christ, the author of hope. As Knights, we point the way to him. And as we move forward, we draw strength from our Lord — and from the heroes of our past.”

(312) St. Louis IX King of France (1214-1270): Faithful to God; Faithful to the People of France; a Leader of Medieval Christendom

 AMDG

                          A painting of King St. Louix IX By Emile Signol

      Many kings in history used the throne as a means of personal power, enrichment, glory, and pleasure.  St. Louis IX saw the throne as an opportunity to serve not himself, but to serve God and His people.  He was not an ordinary king, but a holy king and a saint.  With the help of God he would not let power corrupt him as it often does.  Let’s examine the saintly life of St. Louis IX. 

       We might say that St. Louis IX lived in a golden age of Christianity, certainly the Second Millenium.  There was a uniform Christian culture and a united faith in western civilization.  Great cathedrals were built.....Notre Dame de Paris, Chartres, Reims, Cologne, Canterbury, and others.  Sacred art and music as Gregorian Chant flourished.  True, medieval Christianity was threatened by radical Islam and there was enough corruption for our Lord to ask St. Francis to "rebuild my Church".  Every age has its problems and flaws.  Human beings are prone to sin, but God raised up a gallery of great saints who rose above all that.....namely St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Thomas Becket, St. Albert Magnus, St. Bernard Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Clare, and more.

     St. Louis' mother had a tremendous influence upon him since childhood.  She is known to have said: "I love you, my dear son, as much as a mother can love her child; but I would rather see you dead at my feet than that you should ever commit a mortal sin”.   Furthermore, she prepared her son for the mission of being king by having him educated in Latin, the international language of the time, public speaking, writing, and government.  His education included military arts that his knights should know.  He became king during the height of chivalry and practiced it.

       Since his father died in 1226 when he was only 12 years old, his mother ruled as regent until the young Louis became of age in 1234.  That same year Louis married  Marguerite of Provence (1221–1295), the daughter of a count.  Being very devout, she was an excellent complement to the King as wife, mother of their children, and queen.  It was an exemplary marriage that bore him 11 children. 

 

                             Ste-Chapelle Church in Paris

      King St. Louis IX was a leader of the uniform Christian culture of medieval western Europe, which we refer to as “Christendom”.   Thus Christendom College, a truly Christ centered Catholic college in Front Royal, Virginia adopted its name and took on the great mission……”To restore all things in Christ”. 

   During his 44 year reign, St. Louis IX exemplified the highest medieval ideals of kingship, gaining for his people an era of peace with neighboring countries and prosperity.  He had a passion for justice with mercy.  A very pious king, he protected the Church.  Although respectful of the pope, he staunchly resisted unreasonable papal demands and protected his clergy.  He believed in the responsibilities to use his reign for the common good, not for personal advantage.  He founded abbeys, convents, hospitals, and almshouses for the poor, even serving meals to the poor in his palace.    He built the famous gothic Ste-Chapelle Church with stunning stained glass windows in Paris to house the Crown of Thorns. It’s a must see for every visitor to Paris.

The seal of King St. Louis IX

       Louis IX introduced legal reforms beyond his time, creating a royal mechanism that allowed petitioners to appeal judgments directly to the monarch, and established a code of ethical conduct for his officials as forbidding them to accept gifts.  He abolished trials by ordeal (physical tests), endeavored to terminate private wars, and incorporated the assumption of innocence into trials until proven guilty.  Louis IX's reign is often marked as an economic and political zenith for medieval France.  He held immense respect throughout Christendom.  His reputation of personal integrity as a fair, impartial, and judicious ruler led to his being solicited to mediate disputes beyond his own kingdom.  He reformed the administrative institutions of his own kingdom and had government abuses investigated.

         During the time of St. Louis, the kingdom of France was at its height in Europe, both politically and economically. He commanded the largest army and ruled the largest and wealthiest kingdom, the European center of arts and intellectual thought at the time. The foundations for the notable college of theology, later known as the Sorbonne and the University of Paris with such great minds as St. Thomas Aquinas in about the year 1257.

       King Louis IX enjoyed unparalleled prestige throughout Christendom and was respected even by his opponents as he was considered to be the 'Most Christian King' (rex Christianissimus).  This title adopted by the French kings was later confirmed by the Pope, while further papal concessions cemented France as the "eldest daughter of the Church"  A base relief of St. Louis IX adorns the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives.   

    The 13^th Century was a difficult time for Christianity.  The Holy Land was desecrated and occupied by radical Islam.  Christendom had to respond and it did with the Crusades.  King St. Louis IX did not stay back in the comfort of his palace and send troops.  Honoring a vow he had made while praying for recovery during a serious illness, he went to the Holy Land with his army.  He led two crusades, engaged in combat and risked his life.  He was even captured and held for ransom.  He returned to battle and finally died during the Eighth Crusade on August 25 (feast day), 1270.

        Interesting is a letter that St. Louis IX wrote to his son:  "My dear son, in the first place I teach you that you must love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your strength; unless you do so you cannot be saved. You must guard yourself from everything that you know is displeasing to God, that is to say, from all mortal sin. You must be ready to undergo every kind of martyrdom rather than commit one mortal sin.

     If God sends you tribulation, you ought to endure it, giving thanks, realizing that it is for your good, and that, perhaps, you have deserved it. If however, the Lord confers some benefit on you, you must humbly thank Him, and be on your guard not to become the worse for it, either through vainglory or in any other way. You must not offend God with the very gifts he has given you.

       Assist at the Divine Office of the Church with joyful devotion; while you are present in church do not let your gaze wander, do not chat about trifles, but pray to the Lord attentively, either with your lips, or meditating in your heart.

     Be compassionate towards the poor, the destitute and the afflicted; and, as far as it lies in your power, help and console them.  Give thanks to God for all the gifts he has bestowed upon you, so that you will become worthy of still greater gifts. Towards your subjects, act with such justice that you may steer a middle course, swerving neither to the right nor to the left, but lean more to the side of the poor man than of the rich until such time as you are certain about the truth.  Do your utmost to ensure peace and justice for all your subjects but especially for clergy and religious.

      Devotedly obey our mother, the Roman Church, and revere the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father.  Endeavour to banish all sin, especially blasphemy and heresy, from your kingdom.

   Finally, my dear son, I impart to you every blessing that a loving father can bestow on his son; may the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and all the saints, guard you from all evil.  May the Lord grant you the grace to do His will so that He may be served and honored by you, and that, together, after this life we may come to see him, love him and praise him forever. Amen.”

(311) St. John Vianney (1786-1859): Barely Made It Through the Seminary; But One of the Greatest Confessors of All Time

AMDG

       In 2019 the Knights of Columbus sponsored a national pilgrimage tour of the relics (left behind remains) of St. John Vianney, including his incorrupt heart (a first class relic), to promote his life and to honor the pivotal importance of the parish priest.  The founder of the Knights of Columbus, Blessed Michael McGibney, was a parish priest and most council chaplains are parish priests.  

       They conducted this promotion by sponsoring a national tour of the relics of St. John Vianney, particularly his incorrupt heart, considered to be the core of the person.  Hopefully, the tour has been a source of graces and personal holiness, inspiring people to defend the faith, to pray for and support our parish priests…..repent, reform, rebuild.  All that is part of the mission of the Knights of Columbus.

        At one church, knights led the rosary and the Litany of the Holy Spirit.  Each hour was dedicated to a different theme: Conversion and Personal Holiness, Sanctification of Bishops and Priests, and Perseverance and Holiness of Seminarians. The hour began with short readings from John Vianney’s writings, except for one “replacement” with St. John Paul II’s Letter on the Curé of Ars to All Priests of the Church.  

       Father Patrice Chocholski, rector of the Shrine of Ars and St. Jean Vianney’s successor as Curé d’Ars, gave reflections each hour on different aspects of the saint’s life and his extraordinary charism concerning the sacrament of Confession.  He quoted St. John Vianney: “The saints don’t all start well, but they finish well.”  In the saint’s case, “he was aware of walking with Jesus all the time,”

      Beautiful is the official statement of the Knights of Columbus: "The heart is a symbol of love, courage and commitment, and serves as the most evident sign of life within a person. In the case of St. Jean Marie Vianney, popularly known as the Curé of Ars, his incorrupt heart is also a sign of great holiness that holds a message of hope for those who approach it today for veneration." —Knights of Columbus

The reliquary containing the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney

Entrusted to the Knights of Columbus by the Shrine of Ars, France where his incorrupt heart and body are displayed, this relic went on a national six month tour of the USA.  Thousands of pilgrims in long lines venerated him, named the patron saint of parish priests after his canonization in 1925.  Similarly, we honor the physical objects associated with our departed loved ones.  His holiness and integrity are a model for clergy and laity alike.  He faced obstacles with trust in the Lord.  They called the campaign, “The Heart of a Priest”.  Who was St. John Vianney? 

On August 4, we celebrated the feast day of St. John Vianney, who from the world’s perspective was headed to obscurity.  Born into a poor but devout farm family, St. John felt the call to the priesthood at an early age.  After the French Revolution and its violent persecution of Christians, a reign of terror forced priests into hiding in order to minister the sacraments and secretly say Mass.   

 By 1802, the Church in France was reestablished, but in recovery.  St. John entered the seminary, but struggled with the academics, particularly Latin and understanding Theology, but his holiness was recognized.  He barely made it through the seminary and was ordained in 1815.  A post in an affluent parish or university in Paris was out of the question.  

Thus they assigned him to an obscure rural village parish of Ars (population 214), so remote that he got lost trying to find it.  The parish church did not have a priest and was in disrepair while the people had drifted from the faith in religious ignorance and indifference.  He had the mission of starting from scratch in teaching the faith.  He spoke out against profane dancing and withheld absolution to those unwilling to give it up.

      The priest’s gentle manner and wise counsel soon brought souls back to Christ.  His ability to read souls, compassion for sinners, and understanding of human nature was a big help.  His deep devotion to Mary earned him the title of "Mary’s priest".  He sometimes heard confessions for 18 hours a day as people from across Europe came to seek guidance from a man gifted with reading hearts.  

       Even his little time for sleep was marred by demonic harassment.  The winter cold made it very difficult in the unheated church.  “People went not to see Jean Vianney, they went to see Christ and they met Him in the confessional and the altar,” Bishop Olson insisted.  “And [Jean Vianney] worked for them not as himself, but as Christ’s humble steward.”  He is also the patron saint of confessors.  

       By 1855 the number of pilgrims traveling to this obscure church reached 20,000 penitents per year.  St. John Vianney was so much in demand that the Bishop forbade him from taking off to attend the diocesan priestly retreats.  Even priests came to him for guidance. 

       Jean Vianney’s whole being was attuned to the mercy of God, which came like an overflowing stream. He was the first to experience the Divine Mercy which he then brought to countless others who streamed to his confessional in Ars to “experience the love and mercy of God.”

   Miraculous is the incident of a woman devastated by the suicide of her husband.  She desperately sought out St. John Vianney, but the throngs of people prevented that.  In a moment of great insight the great confessor shouted: “He’s in Purgatory; pray for him”.  Apparently, the woman’s husband repented on the way down from the bridge to the water.  During the last moments before death time stops!

      He was a champion of the poor as a Franciscan tertiary (Third Order) and was a recipient of the coveted French Legion of Honour awarded by the government of France.  Humility, self-discipline, fasting, and sacrifice were his life.  Despite honors, he saw himself only as the instrument of God's goodness.

      To commemorate the centenary of John Vianney's death in 1959, Pope John XXIII issued the encyclical letter Sacerdotii nostri primordia.  St. John Paul II visited Ars in 1986 in connection with the bicentenary of Vianney's birth and referred to him as a "rare example of a pastor acutely aware of his responsibilities ... and a sign of courage for those who today experience the grace of being called to the priesthood."  In observance of the 150th anniversary of Vianney's death Pope Benedict XVI declared 2009–2010 a Year of the  Priest, beginning on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of priests.  Its purpose was to encourage priests to strive for spiritual perfection.  The Curé d'Ars is "a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock."

     As Joe Bollig explained in his article, "The heart receives special veneration because in Scripture it is considered to be a person's hidden center of emotional, intellectual and moral activity. Saint John Vianney is said to have lived his life according to the heart of Christ and united his heart to Christ's."  By the end of the six month tour, "the relic traveled almost 36,000 miles [58,000 km]—almost one and a half times the circumference of the Earth—and was available for over 1,200 hours of public veneration."

       Clearly, God does not give great intellectual gifts to some, but compensates for that with other gifts to serve Him and His people.  St. John Vianney was no great intellectual, but he had the great gift of being able to read hearts, communicate love, and empathize with the spiritual struggles of people.  Thus St. John Vianney was one of the greatest confessors of all time, a model for all priests and their patron saint.

( 310) DEACON JOHN VICTOR SEBASTIAN (1942-2025): He Taught Us How to live; He Taught Us How to Die

 

AMDG

      Our parents gave the future deacon the middle name of Victor because they could only think of victory after America entered World War II upon the attack of Pearl Harbor three weeks before his birth as the Great Generation greeted the new year of 1942.  The son of Hungarian/Ruthenian immigrants and grandson of Fr. Vladimir Mihalich, a Byzantine Catholic priest, he had achieved the American dream and generously gave back to the Church and the community of his time, talent, and treasure.  

    Still in his prime as a successful investment banker in Chicago, he took early retirement to become a man of the cloth and was ordained a deacon in 2003 after a few years (part-time) of study.  Kathleen gave him the required espousal permission and continued to faithfully be at his side during their 57 years of marriage.  John served as a deacon at his home parish of St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale, Illinois and for the winter at St. John the Evangelist Church in Naples, Florida where he had a condo. 

        Deacon John took his new vocation seriously.  He normally got up at dawn or before to say the scriptural prayers of the Lectio Divina (i.e. the breviary - read, pray, meditate, contemplate) as customary for religious and Catholic clergy and recommended for laity too.  

       Deacon John and his family spent several weekends in Rio Grande.  Fr. William Myers, of happy memory, was so gracious as to allow him to participate as a server at Mass and give the homily.  We all were thrilled, our mother especially, to hear him give these excellent homilies.

      John served his extended family as well.  When our cousin Eddie died, he was at the funeral in New Jersey; when cousin Emil died he traveled to Rochester, MN to give the family emotional and spiritual support.  He married our daughter Naomi to Dr. John Faro.  He would have baptized their baby if he were able as he did with his 11 grandchildren.

Deacon John conducts the wedding ceremony between his niece Naomi and Dr. John Faro.

Around 2015 Deacon John’s rheumatoid arthritis was in remission and he continued serving in both parishes.  In the last two or three years, however, he became incapacitated with one ailment after another in an out of his local hospital.  While fighting a blood disease that required 25 transfusions, his doctors discovered colon cancer and that meant surgery.  

Since the treatment with chemo destroyed his immune system, a whole series of diseases followed……laryngitis, a severe ear infection that made communication by phone impossible, a bad cough, and more.  Overcoming one sickness, he would be inflicted with another while Kathleen was fighting an ailment of her own.  Deacon John valiantly fought every ailment with a saintly attitude of faith and courage.  Michelle rallied to her father’s side with her mother and John Victor II handled the tax returns.

Deacon John and his lovely wife, Kathleen faithfully at his side in Rome

      During one of our phone conversations, his nurse came in and asked:  “How are you doing?  The deacon’s answer was “Blessed”.  He was grateful to the Lord despite it all and did not complain.  When I said, “John, it’s sort of not fair.  You have all this suffering and your older brother (me) just has a few old age aches and pains.”  His answer astonished me.  “WHY NOT ME?”  Our Dad would often repeat, “Every man has his cross to bear” on his journey to eternity and Deacon John had a heavy one.  Life is only a preparation for eternity.

      Deacon John believed in Redemptive Suffering. That is, every one of us has the opportunity to make his cross a prayer for others.  “I offer up my sufferings to God in reparation for my sins and for my children”. One of Mary’s most important messages at Fatima was to pray for and offer up one’s crosses for the conversion of sinners.  In that way the mystery of suffering becomes meaningful and productive.  Otherwise, it is misery.  He repeated more than once: “Thy will be done”.  As cousin Fr. Thomas Loya noted, “he gave his best homilies from his sick bed”.

Deacon John is at the lectern and Cardinal Francis George is on the right. The venue is Cardinal George's pastoral church in Rome, the Basilica of St. Bartholomew the Apostle.

      He went on a pilgrimage with the great Cardinal Francis George and served at one of his Masses.  Among those who visited him in the hospital were Bishop Conlin, Bishop Hicks, and of course cousin Fr. Loya and pastor Fr. Burke Masters who is also the Catholic Chaplain for the Chicago Cubs.      

        His funeral Mass at St. Isaac Jogues Church was full.  A large group of fellow deacons and Knights of the Holy Sepulcher attended in full regalia.  Deacon John was nominated for this prestigious group by Bishop Conlin in appreciation of his work in straightening out the Diocese of Joliet-IL pension plan for the priests and employees.  

    Relatives came from all over the country……his nephew John Paul's family of four plus one on the way flew in from Irving-TX, his niece Stephanie’s family of four drove from four Front Royal-Virginia, his niece Naomi’s family of three flew in from Durham-NC, and his nephew Joseph flew in from Atlanta-Georgia.  Deacon Greg and his wife came from Cleveland, Tim Loya from Jefferson-OH, and Michael Foley from New York City.   Fr. Thomas Loya, our cousin, concelebrated, was the homilist, led prayers at the wake, and officiated the burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.  Deacon Greg assisted and read the Gospel.  His daughter Michelle and son Mark gave eulogies.

Lt. John Sebastian Company Commander in Orleans, France

      Taps were played at the burial site by a group of Army veterans in a touching ceremony that left me (also a veteran) in tears as I saluted.  The flag, which draped the coffin crafted by Trappist Monks, was presented to his wife, Kathleen.  Deacon John certainly deserved the honor.  Although only a lieutenant, he was made commander of an important engineering company in Orleans, France in the midst of the Cold War in the 1960s.  Later in the reserves he was promoted to the rank of Captain.

      Let me close with a bit of humor.  In the Boy Scouts we sang a stupid lyric: “If I get to heaven before you do, I’ll drill a hole and spit on you”.  Well, Deacon John certainly is getting to heaven before me, his older brother.  And I know one thing.  He’s sending down a shower of prayers for his loved ones. 

    We can confide that John has received the ultimate prize......."Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23) as he has a joyful reunion with his deceased relatives and loved ones in eternity.  May we all do as well. 

       May we all imitate his faithfulness to God and the teachings of His Church, especially his dear ones……John & Nicole, Christian, Justin, and soon to be Dr. Allison Peeney PhD; John Victor II & Ann, Kate, Mary, and John Victor Sebastian III; Shawn & Michelle, Isabella, Emilia, and Maria Gleason; Mark & Lauren, Mark II, and Valentino Sebastian.  Nothing would make him happier for you now and later to embrace you in Heaven.  Don't forget; you have a cheerleader up there cheering you on.  

      Your wife, two daughters, two sons, 11 grandchildren, numerous relatives and friends will miss you very much, John.  We can take solace in the thought that we will all be together again in Heaven for a joyful reunion.  Let’s make sure that we all get there by being always faithful to Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church.  Good-bye my brother until we meet again.  We love you.

      Obituary of Deacon John Victor Sebastian

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John Sebastian Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Sullivan Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Service - Hinsdale on Jun. 2, 2025.

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Deacon John Victor Sebastian, a devoted family man, faithful servant of God, and cherished member of his community, passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on May 31, 2025. Son of the late Drs. John and Stephanie Sebastian.  Preceded in death by his brother Fred.  Survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen Marks Sebastian; daughter, Nicole Peeney (John); son, John II (Ann); daughter, Michelle (Shawn); son, Mark (Lauren); grandchildren, Allison, Christian, and Justin Peeney, Kathleen, Mary, and John Sebastian III, Isabella, Emilia, and Maria Gleason, Mark II and Valentino Sebastian; brother, Paul (Jaga); brother-in-law James (Patricia); sister-in-law, Georgianna; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

       Before dedicating his life fully to the church and charitable causes, John served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He served as a liaison in Paris and briefly in Vietnam, and then as a member of the Army Reserves after returning to the United States.  

He then continued to have a successful career as an investment banker in Chicago for 30 years. John proudly co-hosted a weekly finance show, "Ask an Expert" on Channel 26 in Chicago. He graduated from Duquesne High School in 1959 near Pittsburgh, was proud to have earned his Bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1963, making him a lifelong fan of the Nittany Lions, and later earned his MBA from the University of Chicago.

       In 1963 after graduating from Penn State he worked for Inland Steel in East Chicago, Indiana. While there, he met the love of his life Kathleen at her father's ophthalmologist office where she worked. They were married in 1967 and moved to Illinois in 1973 where he and Kathleen raised their four children. He was ordained as a permanent Deacon in 2003.

       For over 20 years, John served with unwavering commitment as Deacon at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale, IL where he was a parishioner for over 50 years. He was also blessed to serve as a deacon at St John the Evangelist in Naples, Florida. In both communities, he was a beloved and integral part of the church, offering guidance, support, and comfort to many individuals. He also made countless gifts of his time, talent and treasure throughout his lifetime and was proud to be a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.

   Deacon John Sebastian's legacy of love, faith, and generosity will forever be etched in the hearts of his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Visitation Thursday, June 5th, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sullivan Funeral Home, 60 South Grant Street, Hinsdale, IL. Funeral Friday, June 6th, family and friends to meet for a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Isaac Jogues, 306 West Fourth Street, Hinsdale, IL. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

       Mass will be live-streamed Here.  Deacon John's Register Book can be signed Electronically Here.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet.

 For Information 630-323-0275 or www.sullivanfuneralhomehinsdale.com

       To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon John, please visit our floral store.