In Brief

Holy Father's Intentions

Pope John Paul II has announced the following general and missionary intentions for November and December 2002:

November

For widows and widowers, who often feel the pain of loneliness, that they may find comfort and support in the Christian community.

That the active participation of Christians may encourage the spreading of the Gospel through the mass media.

December

That children throughout the world may be protected and defended against every form of violence by means of the care taken by their families and by means of adequate social policies.

That the celebration of the birth of Christ the Savior may help men and women of every culture to have an ever greater respect for the little ones and the disinherited.

Great Family Viewing

CUF advisor Stephen Ray is the host of "Mary, Mother of God," the second video of the acclaimed 10-part Footprints of God series. This 78-minute video blends dynamic elements of a travel documentary, biography, Bible study, and apologetics and Church history course as it steps back in time to explore the life of the Blessed Virgin and her indispensable role in salvation history.

"My family has watched the video twice," reports CUF president Leon Suprenant. "It combined sound teaching and apologetics with an engaging documentary format in such a way that all of us were captivated. I couldn't recommend this video more highly."

The "Mary, Mother of God" video may be ordered by calling Benedictus Books toll-free at (888) 316-2640. CUF members receive a 10% discount.

Unique Apologetics Work

In his new book, The Divine Primacy of the Bishop of Rome and Modern Eastern Orthodoxy: Letters to a Greek Orthodox on the Unity of the Church, James Likoudis, president emeritus of CUF and himself a convert from Greek Orthodoxy, replies to Eastern Orthodox polemicists who have renewed medieval grievances against the Catholic Church and the papacy. He gives a detailed explanation and defense of the Pope's primacy of supremacy and infallibility, the procession of the Holy Spirit as explicated in the "filioque" clause of the Nicene Creed, the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception, the doctrine of purgatory, the development of doctrine, and an interesting treatment of the theology and spirituality of the 14th-century Byzantine theologian Gregory Palamas. An Appendix contains the valuable 1871 treatise on the Infallibility of the Pope according to Vatican I by German Catholicism's great champion, Bishop Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler.

There is no similar apologetics work in English fully refuting Eastern Orthodox objections to Catholic teaching.

This title may be ordered by sending $27.95 (postpaid) to James Likoudis, P.O. Box 852A, Montour Falls, NY 14865.

Bishop Bruskewitz Defends Hahn

Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of the Diocese of Lincoln wrote in an op-ed for the National Catholic Register that a recent article "seemed to heap accusations of an irresponsible kind upon Scott Hahn and his latest book, First Comes Love: Finding Your Family in the Church and the Trinity." Bishop Bruskewitz unequivocally endorsed Hahn as a theologian and exegete.

More particularly, Bishop Bruskewitz said that Hahn's attribution of "bridal and maternal actions" to the Holy Spirit is in keeping with early Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church, modern saints, and Cardinal Ratzinger. He also strongly objected to unfounded allegations and distortions regarding Hahn's theology. After a few pastoral remarks recognizing the climate for such a misguided reaction, Bishop Bruskewitz added his own endorsement to those of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Bishop Donald Wuerl, among others.

See the entire text of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz' article from the National Catholic Register. First Comes Love may be ordered by calling Benedictus Books (888) 316-2640. CUF members receive a 10% discount.

Renewing Catholic Colleges

The Cardinal Newman Society is offering three exciting events in Washington, DC, for the renewal of Catholic colleges: (1) On November 9th, the society's annual John Henry Newman Award Banquet will honor Thomas Monaghan, founder of Ave Maria University and School of Law. Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J. of Ignatius Press and former CUF president Curtis Martin will also receive awards. Jeremiah Denton will be the keynote speaker. (2) Prior to the awards banquet will be a conference on "Catholic campus life" to discuss new guidelines for student life policies and programs at Catholic colleges. (3) On November 10th, students will gather for the inaugural meeting of the Association of Students at Catholic Colleges, a new program to network and assist student leaders on Catholic campuses.

For registration or further information, visit www.cardinalnewmansociety.org or call (703) 536-9585.

Praise and Thanksgiving

Lay Witness is pleased to reprint on this page the ancient Latin hymn Te Deum. It dates as far back as the fifth century, and ever since has been part of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Since this hymn is particularly associated with joyful occasions of thanksgiving, we are delighted to include it in this issue.

Te Deum
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army or martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
The eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,
Bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

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