First Week Back

Dear Friends and Family,

After a wonderful first week back, which included going through a two months' worth of emails, a backlog of correspondence (still not finished), phone calls, meeting with workers who are renovating the presbytery, setting up a new office and moving into new quarters, having an hour phone conversation in Latin to keep up the practice, as well as preaching in Latin to the sisters, and simply spending time with families I had not seen in a few months, I'm quite happy but a bit wiped out! As a result, this post might not be too long.

Today was a beautiful Sunday, with early morning quiet prayer by candle-light in the chapel of St. Thomas More, the joy of hearing Confessions and celebrating two Masses, preaching, talking with families, playing with children, and then... in the afternoon at Lanherne baptizing a beautiful baby girl. It is always such a joy to baptize a child. I especially like the moment just after the ceremony when I can take the child in my arms, kneel before Our Lady's statute, and consecrate the baby to Her. I then joined the family in celebrating the baptism and the father's (surprise) 30th birthday party. I was also able to meet some of their friends and invite some back to the Church. Please pray for them.

I just returned home from all of this now and am rather wiped out, so I will sign off shortly. But it was a wonderful, beautiful day and week. I am very blessed to live in such a prayerful place and to be able to work with some young families. May God be praised.

For those of you across the Atlantic, you are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart. I am especially thinking of you all as you begin the coming school year with your children. May Jesus and Mary guide you and bless you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Duo mensibus ubi locutus sum latine...

The entrance to the villa where we studied for two months.

Dear Friends and Family,

Salvete omnes! Gaudeo me vos, saltem vos qui habitant in Britannia, visurus esse hac hebdomada.

The past 8, highly intense, but highly fruitful, weeks, were very blessed, thanks to your prayers. For those in England, I’m eager to see you soon! All of you were in my daily prayers—those in the U.S., England, Canada, and elsewhere, but it will be very good to see some of you again in person. At the moment I am operating on very little sleep, which was hard to come by during studies—and no doubt there is much work awaiting me at Lanherne—but as I sit here in Gatwick Airport my heart is full of gratitude and joy for the graces of these past two months.

A professor-friend in the U.S. had advised me, “If you attend the 8-week summer course you will learn more than you would in several years of courses at a university.” As far as I can tell, his words were true.

 

Path on the grounds where we could walk, pray the rosary.

What was the course like?

In “Villa Falconieri”, located just outside of Frascatti, just outside of Rome, about 60 students gathered to learn Latin from 15 professors from sunrise to sundown (and beyond sundown). From 9AM – 2PM we were in class (with two 15-minute breaks), then 2PM lunch, brief break, 3:30 – 5:00 Greek class, 5:30 – 7:00 Latin class (every other day I had this period free to complete homework), 7:30 – 9:00 class, 9:00 – 10:00 dinner.

What sorts of people were crazy enough to want to spend 8 weeks where they were not allowed to speak their own languages, only being allowed to speak Latin (or occasionally Greek)? They came from Italy, Spain, France, England, the Netherlands, Bohemia, Portugal, China, India, the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina. Many were either graduate students (from Princeton, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.), many others were professors in high schools looking to learn how to speak Latin for the sake of teaching it better, a few students were children, for example a 12-year old boy from Bohemia did quite well; one was a business-man working in Africa to help developing economies, another was a computer analyst (each of whom had always wanted to learn Latin for the same of being able to read the classics in their spare time). Another was a rather-well known British author (who writes children’s stories set in Ancient Rome). Another was Korea’s former ambassador to the Vatican, along with his wife.

Students acting out a scene in Latin, with two professors holding them on their shoulders.

We were welcomed by professors who live year-round in the villa, speaking among themselves nothing but Latin or Greek, so it was a bit like going to stay with a family in Italy or Spain in order to learn Italian or Spanish.

How to describe the classes? They were not lectures! While the teachers would be constantly explaining things, or reading texts with us, they were also constantly asking us questions (in Latin of course): “how could you say this a different way? What does that mean? Please come up here and act out this part, or go to these other students and try to buy something from them, etc. etc.” The course-book for the first month was “Familia Romana”—that follows the life of an ancient Roman family. So we would have to act out, sometimes improvising with our own words, scenes from their life. At the end of the first month we were divided into groups that had to take an ancient fable and write a script and perform a play. My group had the fable of a man who goes to the netherworld to try to get his wife back. I had the part of Pluto who at first refuses but then gradually grants permission (we adapted the fable a bit. The hero was a Mexica, so we finished (putting the words in Latin) by him strumming on the guitar and singing “Ai Ai, yaiyai…” (not sure how to write that but if you heard it you would know it)). The second month we studied exceptions to the grammatical rules while reading different texts, still acting things out on occasion.

We gather in the entryway to the villa to hear a harp concert the last night (from a former student who now tours the world playing the harmp). It was a beautiful concert.

Meals, outings to the Roman Forum or Ostia, everything was in Latin. I even began to dream in Latin: one of my professors showed up as a pirate who drew his sword and marched into a city and then began to ask us to speak in Latin, to describe what was happening in the city…

The course was not Catholic, and was not designed for priests who need to spend a certain amount of time in daily prayer. So… after dinner in the evening, or early in the morning, I would spend time doing the necessary reading and homework for the classes plus celebrating Mass, praying the Divine Office, the rosary, etc. which made for short nights. But I was blessed to have a few students attending daily Mass. And on Sundays they chanted the Mass, with the full Gregorian Chant propers most weeks, and with a congregation of about 15. After the first few weeks I was able to begin preaching in Latin, with a short summary in English. There was also some apostolate through hearing Confessions and spiritual direction. Please pray for some non-Catholics who might embrace the faith.

Looking out over the gardens, overlooking Rome. Though you can't see it, St. Peter's is there, way in the distance.

Same view but at night.

So what was the impact on my knowledge of Latin and Greek? Time will tell, but as far as I can tell it was extremely helpful. I went from zero knowledge of Greek to an ability to read some very (very) basic texts. And with some additional work I am hopeful that I will be able to read the New Testament comfortably in Greek. In Latin I think the course was priceless. It was not just the quantity of information but the way it was taught. There is something about living in a language that is many times more helpful than simply reading it. And the method they used—the method used by the Jesuits from the 1500’s until about 1940—is a real gem.

View from the window of my room.

Thank you all for the sacrifice of not being able to communicate with me these past 8 weeks. I think these studies will, with time, bear good fruit and allow me to serve you better.

I had best go now to head to my flight.

For those in England… see you very soon!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

PS I arrived safe and sound late last night, to discover the presbytery almost completely torn apart! But for a good reason, they are renovating it. I am now moved-in enough to a temporary room to be able to sit down and post this.

Sunrise, looking out window of the room I stayed in.

Coming soon...

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Italy! By tomorrow night, Sunday night, I should be in a location with a decent internet connection, on my way back to England, and will hope to write you a full post then.

Thank you very much for your prayers! It was an outstanding series of courses, well-worth the time and effort. However, I have not slept much these past 8 weeks due to the demanding schedule, but I'll write more tomorrow. For those in England, see you soon!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Off to Italy! Last post for 8 weeks

The Basilia of St. Sernin in the heart of Toulouse.

An ordinary street in Toulouse, to give you a feel for the city (graffiti and all!)

Cathedral St. Etienne, in the heart of Toulouse.

Dear Friends and Family,

This will likely be my last post until August 19th because of the intense Latin and Greek immersion in Italy. But you will be in my daily prayers! Especially in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each morning.

I am very pleased to say that I passed my one hour oral exam this morning with high marks--Deo gratias et Mariae! I was rather nervous--not having spoken much French in 20 years and the topic being a completely new one for me (they asked me to research and defend the Church's teaching on "No salvation outside the Church"--which is a rather involved topic). So I will be awarded this summer an "STB"--Baccalaurate in Sacred Theology--from l'Institut Catholique de Toulouse. This is essentially a validation of my previous seminary studies and conferal of a degree from a pontifical university (which l'Institut is), so that I can now be admitted to the STL and STD degrees. The STL is essentially a specialized masters degree in theology. STD is the Church's doctorate in theology awarded by pontifical universities. A few words about this wonderful opportunity.

It is a dream come true to be able to study for a doctorate in theology. A series of unexpected events, that would take too long to explain here, opened up this possibility last fall. As most of you know, the plan had been for me, after receiving my licentiate in canon law last summer, to continue for a doctorate in canon law. Then, the Lord seemed to open this door to instead receive three theology degrees, the last being the doctorate, and in a very good program. After discernment it seemed to me that this was the door the Lord was asking me to walk through.

One key in that discernment was that my bishop was encouraging and supportive. Another key was that this program should not require me to miss any Sundays for the apostolate at Lanherne and in Plymouth. Instead, it will consist of 5-weeks each year away, Monday to Friday (plus this one summer session for languages that I am embarking on now.). A third key was the quality and style of the program.

The STL and STD (God-willing) will be through l'Institut Thomas d'Aquin in Toulouse (Institute of St. Thomas Aquinas). The progam is run by the Dominican province of Toulouse. It is their house of formation where they teach theology to the Dominicans studying to be priests. They also offer, to a small group of students, these degrees and formation. The goal is to take 10 topics per year. This year's topics will be: 1) key elements of the political thought of St. Thomas, 2) St. Thomas' metaphysics and its use in theology, 3) Christology in St. Thomas and contemporaneous theology, 4)
Thomas' treatment of the Trinity 5) Thomas' teaching on angels and demons, including the sin of the demons, 6) "I do not want I want, but what I do not want"--from Romans; free will and our weakness according to St. Thomas, 7) the virtue of Faith in St. Thomas, and three other topics I can't remember...

I will be with, I think, about 15 other students, including priests from France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. It should make for some interesting discussions. The goal is to look at any topic through the eyes of St. Thomas but then looking also at what other good sources of theology might bring. It should be interesting and the class size should make it easier to dive into discussion. While no doubt the program will not be perfect (nothing on earth is!), the professors have a strong reputation of holding and teaching the Catholic faith. And in one sense St. Thomas is the key professor, and he's a pretty solid Catholic.

This program will be an investment of time and energy, but one that I believe will bear much good fruit, in time, in caring for your souls.

I had best now care for my own soul by signing off and praying some of the Divine Office before dinner.

Each of you will be in my heart and prayers these next 8 weeks. May Jesus and Mary watch over you, guide you, and keep you from harm.

Arrivederci!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Study in Italy

With Bishop Athanasius Schneider at Walsingham, at the end of the pilgrimage.

Dear Friends and Family,

Above is a photo that EWTN kindly sent me, from the pilgrimage a few weeks ago with Bishop Schneider. They also posted his main talks from that weekend here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wmIefomrXqMy10IuYWprw  in case you are interested.

Thank you for all of your prayers for my exams. I took all my civil law finals, for this semester, this past week, and am very pleased to say that I received A's in two classes, and am still waiting for the results from the others, but am hopeful! The last exam of this semester will be an oral exam, in French, this Friday morning at l'Institut Catholique in Toulouse. If I pass this exam it would permit me to enter the licentiate and, God-willing, doctoral programs at l'Institut Thomas d'Aquin (The Institute of St. Thomas Aquinas) run by the Dominicans of the Toulouse province. The oral exam will consist of me presenting on a topic for 20 minutes and then two Dominicans examining me for 20 minutes each. I will be sure to let you know the results next weekend! If I pass the exam, I will then tell you more about the studies for the licentiate and doctorate in theology.

But I wanted to write today about another blessing I am about to receive: From June 24 - August 19 I will follow an intensive Latin program in Frascati, Italy, near Rome. It is considered one of the best such programs in the world. Each summer about 30 students come to live 8 weeks of immersion in the Latin language--meaning that the only language you are allowed to speak, write, or read is Latin, whether you are at the dinner table, in the classroom, playing a game, etc. The goal is to train your mind to think in Latin so that you can read ancient texts fluently. I have always found immersion experiences particularly helpful for learning foreign languages, and am excited at this opportunity. God-willing I will return on August 20th much more fluent in Latin.

The program will be intense: from 9AM to 10PM there will be classes, meals, plays performed in the evening, etc. all in Latin. There is some free time in the afternoon for private study, a siesta, or recreation, and also an optional 90-minute course in Greek each evening. The early morning, before 9AM, will be for the Holy Mass, Divine Office, and prayer. This will take place Monday - Saturday. Then on Sundays, there is an outing to some historic site, but the whole trip is conducted in Latin. The more I have had to use canonical texts, writings of Church Councils, writings of saints and Fathers of the Church, etc. the more that it has become apparent how useful a good knowledge of Latin is.

I prayed rather hard, this past November, when this opportunity came up, about whether or not I should accept it. Two months is a long time to be gone from the flock God has confided to me. But it seemed to me that the investment of time, and the sacrifices involved, would be well worth it. I will let you know at the end of the 8-weeks!

In a little while I will need to meet a local diocesan priest for dinner, so will sign off now. May Jesus and Mary watch over you, protect you, and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

First Holy Communion and a Cheerful Temper

Lawn outside Lanherne

Grotto

Orchard

Lanherne Graveyard.

Dear Friends and Family,

Today my niece was born! Little Catherine Therese Whitmore showed face to the world a little after 4 AM and is doing well at a healthy 9 lbs +, as is my sister. Thank you to those of you who were praying.

I also had the joy of giving First Holy Communion to a little girl in Plymouth. The Mass was the external solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a nice Mass for the occasion. The music was particularly beautiful. I then had the joy, during the reception at her family's home, of her wanting to show off various "tricks" on the trampoline, such as flips and various games with her friends. There is something rejuvenating about seeing young children laughing and having good, innocent fun.

This past weekend and Wednesday I gave a talk to young families on fostering a cheerful temper in the home--in imitation St. Philip Neri. St. Philip insisted much on a cheerful temper (contrasted with melancholy) as a key to growing in holiness. It was the introductory talk of a monthly series of talks entitled "Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation" that I will--God-willing--be giving starting in September, drawn especially from the teaching of St. Alphonsus Liguori. Hopefully, the families who heard this week's talks are now off to a good start to this month of working on fostering a cheerful temper in their homes!

I'm also in the midst of final exams and have gotten a bit less sleep than usual the past few nights so I am going to sign off now.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari

Walsingham with Bishop Athanasius Schneider

Design made entirely with flower petals (red, white, and gold), by the Sisters for the Octave of Corpus Christi. Father Thomas Crean is offering the Holy Mass at the altar.

Dear Friends and Family,

The past two weeks had so many blessings that it's hard to know what to choose to write about! I would have to say though that the 5 days with Bishop Schneider were the highlight.

I am writing this email Sunday morning, during the Octave of Corpus Christi here at Lanherne--a beautiful Octave where almost every day is the Mass of Corpus Christi. You see above a beautiful design with flower petals done by the Sisters. The celebration included a procession on Thursday, and adoration and benediction every day throughout the octave.

In a few minutes I will be heading to Plymouth, where I will offer the Mass of Corpus Christi (external solemnity), followed by a procession including flower girls spreading petals before Our Lord, then the Baptism of the newest member of our congregation, then a reception. Should be a wonderful Sunday.

Also, Fr. Thomas Crean, O.P., a learned Dominican who, among other things, has written a book to respond to Richard Dawkin's work "The God Delusion," is spending much of the summer here. It is a blessing to have his fraternal presence, including a meal and discussion with him each evening.

So now on to the visit of Bishop Schneider...

He arrived in England last Thursday for a Mass and talk in London, before traveling to Walsingham--England's major Marian shrine--on Friday to spend 4 days with the young Catholic families of The National Association of Catholic Families. I was asked to accompany him throughout the entire trip, to essentially as his personal assistant. It was a real privilege to get to know him personally and to essentially spend every waking hour with him for those 5 days.

A brief outline of the events:

-Thursday noon I had lunch with him and Dr. Joseph Shaw, head of the Latin Mass Society for England and Wales.

-Thursday evening: Mass at St. Mary Moorfield's, conference on the Church Militant, and dinner at a local restaurant with him and the leaders of the Latin Mass Society.

-Friday morning: serve his private Mass at the Brompton Oratory. It was only the two of us at this Mass. In some ways, it was my favorite Mass with him. I was quite edified by his devotion and reverence, and it was very nice to simply be able to pray with him without worrying about some of the finer points of episcopal functions.

-Friday 10AM: 5-hour drive to Walsingham, stopping for lunch in a little village. Upon arrival in Walsingham, we went straight to EWTN's studios where he was interviewed for 90 minutes. During that time a member of EWTN showed me the replica of the "Holy House"--a replica of the house the Virgin Mary lived in, in Nazareth, as revealed to the visionary at Walsingham in 1061.

-Friday evening: dinner with a lovely couple who live in Walsingham, and about 12 members of the National Association of Catholic Families, including two lovely babies! Dr. Ward and his wife, the founders of the association (Dr. Ward has also been a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life and held various other positions--and has a great sense of humor!), were there.

-Saturday morning: I celebrated a 7:45 AM quiet low Mass in the Slipper Chapel, which has been standing all these centuries. Then there was the rehearsal for Bishop Schneider's afternoon Mass, a visit with Bishop Schneider to the old Abbey grounds, lunch with a local couple. A few shots of the town:

-Saturday Afternoon: 1:50 PM official welcome by the families. The 200+ people there (vast majorithy were children), were almost all camping in a large field reserved for them. As we arrived with Bishop Schneider they formed a long receiving line on either side of a path leading to their main tent. They applauded, knelt to receive his blessing, and welcomed him very warmly as we walked to the tent, where there was a nice opening ceremony of offering flowers to Our Lady.

-Sat Afternoon: I gave my first o three talks to boys ages 13-15. The adults were with Bishop Schneider throughout, and boys and girls were divided by age group among priests, brothers, and sisters. Then followed Bishop Schneider's pontifical Low Mass, at which I was the first assistant priest. The poor Bishop.... he probably earned time off from purgatory by being patient with me. But on the whole it came off pretty well.

-Saturday evening: dinner back in the field tent with Bishop Schneider and others, then Confessions, then a brief time to pray in the chapel (while a version of line-dancing was taught to the children in the tent), then at 9:30 PM I gave a talk to the young adults ages 18 - 35. Lastly, I exposed the Blessed Sacrament for all-night adoration, and headed off to bed (in a house where the Bishop was staying).

-Sunday AM: give Benediction and repose Blessed Sacrament, then I offered a 7:30AM low Mass for most of the families there (the other families would attend the noon Mass of the Shrine, where Bishop Scheider would preside and preach). 10AM second talk, then accompanying the Bishop back towards the chapel and helping him prepare for Mass. Noon: a bit of time to pray, then speak with a religious sister, then back to help the Bishop unvest and walk him over to lunch. Lunch with young men--in the  tent in the field, and with the Shrine's rector: Msgr. Armitage.

-Sunday PM: help Bishop prepare for procession, then serve as one of his deacons on mile-long procession with Blessed Sacrament. It was beautiful! We walked the old pilgrim's route from the Slipper Chapel. The Bishop carried the monstrance the whole way, under the canopy, preceded by young girls and nuns strewing flower petals, followed by the rest of the group, constantly praying the rosary. Benediction in town, then a mile walk back with a good young priest, Fr. Wisenant.

-Sunday evening: dinner with Bishop and young people, then talent show put on by young people--it was quite good!--then Confessions. 9:45PM head back to house.

-Monday AM: 7AM low Mass in Slipper Chapel then serve Bishop's 8AM Mass. Breakfast with Bishop. Final talk to 13-15 young men, then screening and reading people's (written) questions to Bishop for Q & A. Then 11AM departure.

-Departure: quite moving as everyone sang and wished the Bishop well. A final interview with EWTN, then the drive back to London. A final 2 hours with the Bishop--just he and I--to talk in the airport before he caught his flight. My own flight back to Lanherne.

Above all, it was such a joy to be with these good, young, large families. The weather was gorgeous and it seemed a taste of Heaven. And it was such a joy to get to know the Bishop better, to seem him interacting with people in so many small ways, and to have quite a lot of time to discuss various things with him.

It is now evening and I need to head to Adoration to pray Vespers, help with Benediction, and then have dinner with Fr. Crean, so I'd best go...

May Jesus and Mary watch over you and guide you.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Pillari