In England

Dear Friends and Family,

I have now safely arrived at Lanherne Carmelite Monastery in England. Thank you very much for your prayers! My visa arrived Wednesday, I flew out Friday, and then at 9AM Saturday landed in London. After picking up the books I had dropped off at a London parish a month ago, and picking up a used car, I drove down to Lanherne, arriving here around 11PM. I am still trying to get unpacked and need to turn in early after not sleeping much the past two nights, but wanted to pause to let you know I arrived safely.

This morning I heard Confessions for the lay faithful who arrived for the nuns' Sunday Mass, and then chanted my first High Mass here. Afterwards I gathered in "St. Joseph's Hall" to talk with some of the families about this coming year.

How am I feeling? Above all tired. I think I slept about an hour Friday night on the plane, and then perhaps 4 1/2 hours last night due to all the coffee I drank Saturday to make sure I was awake while driving. Beyond that I suppose a combination of nervous, excited, and thankful. Thankful for this peaceful, prayerful place which seems promising as a place for prayer, study, and some ministry for this coming year. Excited for what God has in store. Rather nervous as I have never been a chaplain for Carmelite nuns, a bit nervous at the prospect of beginning ministry in an entirely new diocese where I don't know anyone.

As I feel quite sleepy, it is 5:30PM here, and I still need to pray vespers, finish unpacking, and eat dinner, it is probably wise that I sign off. You all will have plenty of posts to read from here.

It's a beautiful sunny day outside, temperature in the upper 60's. While I don't have a photo of that, I'll share here some photos I took from the back yard of my parents' home this past week. It was also a beautiful, peaceful (in a different way than a monastery of course), place to be for the past 2 1/2 weeks.

Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this first week of priestly life, ministry, prayer, and study here.

You all are in my heart and prayers.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Anthony Pillari

Tree and hammock in the back yard

Trees looking into neighbors' back yards.

Beautiful Sunday

Dear Friends and Family,

Hope you all are having a blessed Sunday. I had expected to be on a flight to London right now, but since the processing of my visa was delayed a bit I am currently still in Bay Village. Hopefully the New York office will finish processing it and will send it out early this week. If you could say an extra prayer for that I'd be grateful!

This morning was beautiful. I woke up early and had time for the early parts of the Divine Office, the Holy Mass, some quiet prayer, and then a swim in Lake Erie while the beach was still quiet and empty. It's a wonderful place to swim laps in the morning. Here's what it looks like.

Sun rising on beach where I swam this morning.

The two piers I did laps between. The water was quite calm and it is still quiet shallow here so that you can stand in most places.

After breakfast I drove to St. Stephen's parish (http://www.ststephencleveland.org) a beautiful old Church where the Latin Mass is each Sunday morning at 9:30AM. Was nice to assist at the Mass and then meet a number of the young families. Always lots of little children at these Masses! Received a kind invitation to visit a young family on their farm. Hopefully I'll be off to London quickly, but if not I may take them up on their offer.

The afternoon was spent catching up with a dear old friend and her husband and children, and now in a little bit I'll be offering the Holy Mass for my parents and little sister who are driving back from Georgia. A good, full Sunday!

Beyond that most of this week was spent studying criminal law: currently murder cases as well as assisted suicide (which is still considered in the textbook to be a crime, though that is changing quickly....).

Will go now to finish preparing for Mass. Will pray for you again there--I am privileged to be able to pray for you all in two Masses on this Sunday!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Anthony Pillari

Study Report

Mountains above Garabandal, Spain. I took this photo while hiking there a few years ago.

Dear Friends and Family,

Blessings to you all on this beautiful Sunday morning. I had a very quiet Sunday morning here --with early morning prayer on my parents' porch, a quiet 6AM Mass, and then some time of adoration at the Poor Clares' monastery nearby. A wonderful way to begin this celebration of the Lord's Day! Am currently waiting for the final stages of my visa to be completed by the New York office and then will be off to England. In the meantime, since many of you are praying for my studies, I thought it might be good to give you a progress report.

Essentially you could say that there were 4 key areas of study these past 6 months: canon law, civil law, Italian, and "people study"--in the sense of making personal contacts and spending time learning from some very good people in the Church, particularly in Europe.

Canon Law:
I've completed 70% of the coursework for the J.C.L. degree (the degree that is normally gained in 6 full-time semesters and that allows you to "practice law" within the Church using Church law). I am currently working on my thesis paper--a 40 page research paper, which will be on the historical development of the "Index of Forbidden Books"--and I will also be completing the remaining 30% of courses from this September to May, culminating in the comprehensive oral exam the first week of June.

Plans for the doctorate in canon law (J.C.D. and PhD.) are coming along nicely. In discussion with Cardinal Burke a nice thesis proposal is developing that would focus on the papal magisterium. I wouldn't formally begin this though until the summer of 2017.

Civil Law:
In April I began the four year J.D. program--thanks to a number of you all who are sponsoring me--that could lead to taking the California Bar Exam. It is a year-round program where you are supposed to spend 30 hours per week studying (though in practice it has been possible so far to spend significantly less). The first year courses are: Criminal Law, Contract Law, Torts (law suits), and Legal Writing. If I make it through this first year--the courses are challenging!--I will head to California for a few days in June 2017 to take the "First Year Law Students Exam"--that I need to pass to continue in the J.D. program.

The civil law courses have been quite interesting for understanding how our society and government functions, and in learning how historically (most of it in England), laws were developed and adapted to try to best fit the needs of various disputes. For example we studied the development of cases involving homosexuality in the U.S. from the beginning of the 20th century to more current. Beyond the content of the courses, they have been constantly pushing me to refine my analytical skills and writing skills. I think that this analytical aspect alone would make the courses worthwhile and am looking forward to the continued studies--if I continue to pass my exams!

Italian:
By the time I left Italy a week ago I was able to pretty confidently have conversations with whomever I needed to in Italy. I could understand people pretty well, though speaking (depending on the topic) can be more challenging. My grammar is still quite shaky but I can get by, and my understanding--depending on the topic and vocabulary--can be rather shaky at times; however for Church-related topics I can understand most of what people say and am able to read books and to preach in Italian.

I must admit I had hoped to be further along in this language but travels this spring meant that I had less time in Italy than I expected. However England should offer me chances to keep working on it as most of the sisters in the Carmel are Italian. My plan is to try to spend 30 minutes a day studying Italian. We'll see...

"People Study":
This part went quite well I think and will continue as different relationships are developing. I won't say more here than what I've already mentioned in my previous blogs.

This past week I spent as much time as possible catching up on the civil law courses. To be honest these next 5 months look rather daunting because of several deadlines in civil and canon law, and then of course the whole beginning of ministry in England which will need its own time. But at least I won't be able to say that I'm bored!

Lastly, I'd really encourage you all to set aside 30 minutes to watch this video. I have gotten to know personally a number of the people in it (including Cleveland's own Right-to-Life President!). This is probably not for children, but for the adults I'd really encourage you to take a look at it. http://www.onepeterfive.com/catholic-leaders-make-video-appeal-pope-francis-clarity/ ("trailer" is first and then if you scroll down you'll see full 30 minute video)

Wishing you all a very blessed Sunday,

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Anthony Pillari

Arrivederci Roma

Some of my Canon Law Class inside the Apostolic Palace. The door at the end of this hallway is the pope's bedroom (that is where the popes have normally lived, though Pope Francis is living in another building). We were there awaiting our meeting with the "chief of protocol" for the Vatican Secretary of State.

Dear Friends and Family,

This month in Rome is now coming to an end. Tomorrow morning, thanks to a new rule for visas to Britain, I have to fly back to the USA (instead of flying directly to England), in order to have my visa processed in the U.S. and then will fly to England.

So much happened this past month and even just this past week! There would be too much to write here so I'll include just a point or two.

My guardian angel has taken very good care of me. For example Tuesday afternoon I entered the Vatican City State in order to sign up for a canon law periodical. However I was directed to the wrong office, and was mistakenly led to the office of the editor of the English edition of L'Osservatore Romano (the Vatican's newspaper). Someone opened the door and said, "This is Mary Nolan, our editor." "Mary Nolan? From South Bend?" I asked. Sure enough, there in front of me was the Mary I had met when she was a little 10 year old girl--whose home I used to go to with some other college students to pray the rosary with her family--when I was studying at Notre Dame, and who had now become the editor of L'Osservatore Romano.

So I had the pleasure of catching up on her life and discussing life in the Vatican--which of course she knows quite well after several years as editor. By the time we stopped talking I was supposed to be at my next appointment for a canon law class: an appointment with Cardinal Pell and the officials from the Secretariat for the Economy (in charge of the Vatican's finances). She offered to lead me there by a back way so that I would be on time. We indeed arrived at the Cardinal's office just ahead of the required time. However we were told that the Cardinal and officials had just left... to go to an undisclosed conference room to meet with my class. We asked one of his secretaries which conference room and she replied, "there are about 1,000 in these buildings."

So I headed out to the main avenue, hoping to find some trace of them, and ran into... Cardinal Pell, who for some reason was walking by himself towards the building. He said "well then you can come with me, as I'm a bit late myself," and I had the pleasure of talking with him one-on-one for some minutes as we walked towards the conference room. I thanked him for his courageous witness to the Truth, talked about a few other things, and responded to a few questions he was kind enough to ask about my own priestly life and ministry. After arriving at the conference room he gave our whole class a very frank and interesting talk on his challenging work of trying to get handle on the Vatican finances. He asked that the talk be "off the record" so I'll keep it that way, but will say that he does not have an easy job.

Among other encounters arranged by Divine Providence were lunch with Fr. Thierry Sol, professor of the history of canon law at the pontifical university of Santa Croce (who offered to help me track down some canon law books), a visit to the oldest Carmel in Rome and a chance to pray there at the tomb of Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, and also to speak with the mother superior; a visit to the private quarters and chapel of St. Philip Neri, along with a chance to pray at his tomb in the large church he designed himself.

But right now I am very happy to be heading to a quiet Carmel in England (after a detour to the U.S. for the visa). Meeting important people is interesting and all--and it has been a very interesting past few weeks in terms of getting a sense of the Vatican and of the state of the Church in general--but I'm quite happy right now to leave that behind and head to what seems so much needed in the Church today--quiet prayer, charity, faith, and sacrifice.

Thank you for all the prayers you have offered on my behalf (and don't stop!). I try mainly in these posts to speak about some of God's blessings, but these weeks have also involved their share of crosses. Before signing off, I'll include a few additional photos, and first a story on the lighter side: while traveling via train and bus I have sometimes been following courses in Italian via my cell phone and a set of headphones. One or two lessons focussed on learning how to ask for different things, how to speak about different locations and different times of day. So the course chose to construct a number of conversations around whether or not to order beer or wine, how much, who would bring it, whose home we would meet at, etc. So it occurred to me that the people sitting around me on the train or bus were hearing a priest in a cassock spend half an hour--apparently talking with someone on his cell phone--in intense discussion about how much beer or wine we should order and were and when we should meet. Well, hopefully it gave someone a laugh :).

I prayed for you all in a particular way in this morning's Mass. Below is a photo of that, as well as a few other photos.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Anthony Pillari

Before yesterday's 6AM Mass. All this week I was blessed to have some nuns attending and praying. This morning I was pleased to find that I could give an impromptu sermon in Italian--with horrible grammar but that seemed to be understandable.

In the little box on the altar is one of the habits that St. Therese of Lisieux wore.

Altar upon which John Henry Newman offered his first Mass as a Catholic priest.

St. Peter's from a rooftop connected to the Apostolic Palace. A Dominican priest from Australia, fellow canon law student, pictured.

My arrangement for sleeping during the warm Roman nights. Since air-conditioning is almost non-existent in Rome (and certainly is non-existent where I'm staying here at the Lepanto Foundation), getting to sleep involves some ingenuity. I found the best arrangement is that pictured above. By closing the base of the fan in my suitcase I can kept it tilted at this angle and the fan blowing directly on me and as close as possible. Between that and a cold shower right before going to sleep I get a good night's rest! Well, sort of... :)

Bishop Athanasius Schneider

Some of the 25 canon law students in my class during one of our visits to the Vatican "dicasteries" (branches of Vatican government) this past week.

Church next to the building housing the Vatican tribunals. Nice place to make Holy Hours--I've made two here so far.

Dear Friends and Family,

My apologies in not posting yesterday! I have been unable to get access to the internet from Saturday night until now. And only have it now in a restaurant where I am trying to type this post while eating (they had free wi-fi), before heading to our next appointment at the Vatican.

It has been quite a full past 10 days! Each day has had a number of meetings with Vatican congregations. For example this morning at 9AM we met with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and were able to ask them questions on their work, here their own presentation of their challenges and work, etc. They fielded two of my questions. I actually wasn't real satisfied with the answers but... c'est la vie.  Then at 11AM it was the Congregation for Divine Worship (i.e. Liturgy), then in an hour it will be the Congregation that interprets legislative texts. An interesting one for a canon lawyer...  There were also a good number of personal meetings and discussions, for example with the priest who runs Human Life International for Italy. I had lunch with him. Great priest.

But I'll focus here on just one of the highlights of the week: having some extended time this weekend with Bishop Athanasius Schneider. If you don't yet know who he is, get to know him! If you haven't already done so, I'd highly recommend reading his book: https://www.amazon.com/Dominus-Reflections-Bishop-Central-Communion/dp/0977884619 It is very short and can be read in less than an hour. It touches on a question Mother Teresa once raised. When she was interviewed by a famous American priest and asked, "Mother Teresa, what is the greatest evil in the world?" She replied, "Communion in the hand." (that is people not receiving Communion on the tongue. Read the good Bishop's book...

For those who don't know him (though many of you do as he's rather famous). He's an auxiliary bishop in Kazakstan, and receives many, many invitations to travel throughout the world and preach. Last week he gave a retreat for priests in California He is one of the most well-known bishops for speaking our courageously to defend the faith in the midst of our crazy world. He lived through some intense persecution years ago.

I met up with him in Florence. He was in town for a Confirmation Sunday and is friends with the family I have become friends with there. So they invited me to spend the weekend. Most of Saturday was spent celebrating Mass, hearing Confessions, and playing a game of soccer with some of the boys. Then in the evening Bishop Schneider came by for dinner. Was a wonderful two hours speaking with him, and listening to him speak. The parents asked him questions that so many parents have today: how to help their children grow up as Catholics in today's world? How to handle questions of media and internet? How to deal with the confusion in the Church today? etc. etc. Was quite interesting to listen to him respond.

It was also interesting to see him interact with the children. He is a very simple man when dealing with them (even though also very intelligent). Was neat to see him feeling "at home" in a family.

Then Sunday I arrived early in the Church and saw him praying in preparation before the Confirmation and Mass. Indeed I was able to assist him with the Confirmation and then to simply kneel beside the altar as he offered Mass.  He is a bishop who really prays. Then afterwards, after the celebratory lunch under the trees, he kindly offered to talk with me alone.

We spent perhaps 30 - 40 minutes talking. He advised me on my own situation and was also kind enough to answer some practical pastoral questions such as how to deal with certain questions that come up in the Confessional. Out of discretion I won't report here his advice, but will simply say that it was very nice to talk with him and to feel so much "on the same page" on so many things. After receiving his blessing I took at train back to Rome and now begins this week of meetings....

If you have a chance, please say a prayer for him and for bishops throughout the world.

I have to go now or else I may get tossed from the restaurant as space here is a premium... :)

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Anthony Pillari