I was very pleasantly surprised (shocked really) to learn the new Pope is a Jesuit. Like Fr. Barber, who preceded me here, I too am a Jesuit. The Jesuits are the largest order of religious men in the Catholic Church. The word “Jesuit” was originally used by the opponents of the Jesuits – our official name is “The Society of Jesus.” We were founded in the 1500s by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a Basque soldier who experienced a conversion to Christ after he was wounded in a battle. The mission of the Jesuits, then and now, is to go to anyplace in the world where the Church most needs service – Jesuits were in the vanguard of missionary work to both North and South America, Asia, and Africa. We were also instrumental in defending the Church against many who attacked it.
Now, Jesuits are associated mostly with our successful schools and colleges. Our schools were started originally to serve the poor. Our motto is As Majorum Dei Gloriam, which means in Latin, “For the Greater Glory of God.”
There has never been a Jesuit Pope before because we were so influential. Many feared making a Jesuit a Pope would give the Society of Jesus too much power in the Church. But clearly the Cardinals who selected Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio were impressed not with his power, but with his humility and holiness.
I never heard of him until this Wednesday when he was chosen to be the new Bishop of Rome. (All the Popes are first and foremost the Bishop of Rome, following in the direct footsteps of St. Peter, who was the first leader of the early Church in Rome.)
He chose the name “Francis” after St. Francis of Assisi – a very humble and holy man who helped restore the Church to its real calling as the announcer of the Gospel in a time when politics and corruption had crept into its governance.
Cardinal Bergoglio was known in his native Argentina as a strong defender of the poor and oppressed. He turned down the Cardinal’s elegant mansion and chauffeured car to live in a simple apartment, did his own cooking and took the bus to work each day. He lived what he preached.
This new Francis comes at a time when the Catholic Church needs new leadership who can get us back to the basics of Jesus’ teaching – to Love God and to love our neighbors.
I was particularly moved that the very first thing the new Pope did was to ask for the blessing of the Church – he bowed in humility as the servant of the Church – showing that he understands fully the role that Jesus intended for the leadership of the Church.
Catholic Chapel Has Much To Offer
There are many new activities going on in the San Quentin Catholic Chapel. The word catholic comes from the Greek word for universal. This means we are open to all who wish to join us in the spirit of brotherhood and prayer, whatever your own religious practice.
In other words, all are welcome. We are interested in sharing the richness of our faith, not forcing it down anyone’s throat. So, feel free to come to any of the programs listed here or to Mass on Sundays or Fridays. If you wish to see me my door is always open to you; just send me a kite or stop by the chapel and make an appointment to see me. Or, if you see me in the yard, let me know. I am here not just for Catholics but for all and I respect and value your spiritual path, in whatever form it takes.
Mass is held on Sundays at 9 a.m. for Reception Center, 11 a.m. in English for the Main Line and 2 p.m. in Spanish for the Main Line. We also celebrate Mass every Friday at 12:30 p.m. We will be offering Religious Education in both English and Spanish immediately after the 11 o’clock Sunday Masses, starting in August. If you have never been baptized, confirmed or received your first Holy Communion, this is your chance to do so.
Mondays we have Centering Prayer at 6:20 p.m. in the Catholic Chapel. This is an interfaith form of meditation that draws on the richness of our Christian tradition, but would be helpful for people of any faith.
A Spirituality Class is offered at 6:20 p.m. Tuesdays in the Catholic Chapel. This is a chance to share our faith in an environment of trust and friendship.
Wednesdays we have our weekly Catholic Bible Study. We are currently using a Bible study program called “Modern Parables,” which is a series of short films that portray the parables of Jesus in modern images. All are welcome. We also have received a large supply of Catholic Bibles in both English and Spanish, so you are welcome to come and get a Bible anytime.
Thursday nights we have a variety programs. Every Thursday we have our Restorative Justice Interfaith Roundtable. This has been going on for several years, and it includes many from the outside community and is meant to be a forum for advocacy of prisoners’ and victims’ rights, and for a correctional system to be based on principles of restoration to the community, reconciliation and forgiveness instead of just punishment and incapacitation.
On the third Thursday of each month we have a prayer and share meeting for all those who have participated in Kairos. The next Kairos will occur in September. If you are interested, Fr. Williams or one of the Protestant Chapel Brown Card holders can sign you up.
Following the Friday Mass at 1230, there is an opportunity to pray the Rosary together.
On the first Saturday of each month at 6:20 p.m. we offer our bilingual (English and Spanish) Rosary prayer service and on the third Saturday of each month is our interfaith Taize prayer service; a beautiful candlelit service or meditative chant and quite prayer.
Catholic Chapel Has Much To Offer
There are many new activities going on in the San Quentin Catholic Chapel. The word catholic comes from the Greek word for universal. This means we are open to all who wish to join us in the spirit of brotherhood and prayer, whatever your own religious practice.
In other words, all are welcome. We are interested in sharing the richness of our faith, not forcing it down anyone’s throat. So, feel free to come to any of the programs listed here or to Mass on Sundays or Fridays. If you wish to see me my door is always open to you; just send me a kite or stop by the chapel and make an appointment to see me. Or, if you see me in the yard, let me know. I am here not just for Catholics but for all and I respect and value your spiritual path, in whatever form it takes.
Mass is held on Sundays at 9 a.m. for Reception Center, 11 a.m. in English for the Main Line and 2 p.m. in Spanish for the Main Line. We also celebrate Mass every Friday at 12:30 p.m. We will be offering Religious Education in both English and Spanish immediately after the 11 o’clock Sunday Masses, starting in August. If you have never been baptized, confirmed or received your first Holy Communion, this is your chance to do so.
Mondays we have Centering Prayer at 6:20 p.m. in the Catholic Chapel. This is an interfaith form of meditation that draws on the richness of our Christian tradition, but would be helpful for people of any faith.
A Spirituality Class is offered at 6:20 p.m. Tuesdays in the Catholic Chapel. This is a chance to share our faith in an environment of trust and friendship.
Wednesdays we have our weekly Catholic Bible Study. We are currently using a Bible study program called “Modern Parables,” which is a series of short films that portray the parables of Jesus in modern images. All are welcome. We also have received a large supply of Catholic Bibles in both English and Spanish, so you are welcome to come and get a Bible anytime.
Thursday nights we have a variety programs. Every Thursday we have our Restorative Justice Interfaith Roundtable. This has been going on for several years, and it includes many from the outside community and is meant to be a forum for advocacy of prisoners’ and victims’ rights, and for a correctional system to be based on principles of restoration to the community, reconciliation and forgiveness instead of just punishment and incapacitation.
On the third Thursday of each month we have a prayer and share meeting for all those who have participated in Kairos. The next Kairos will occur in September. If you are interested, Fr. Williams or one of the Protestant Chapel Brown Card holders can sign you up.
Following the Friday Mass at 1230, there is an opportunity to pray the Rosary together.
On the first Saturday of each month at 6:20 p.m. we offer our bilingual (English and Spanish) Rosary prayer service and on the third Saturday of each month is our interfaith Taize prayer service; a beautiful candlelit service or meditative chant and quite prayer.