Wednesday, May 21, 2008

And the poor have hope: many thanks...

As St. Paul wrote: "For your sake He made Himself poor though He was rich so that you might become rich by His poverty."

In Rome the dust of the world mingles with the dust of Peter. Catholics from the world over, while seeking to be "poor in spirit," make their journey to Rome in a spirit of conversion. Still others make many sacrifices so as to study here, for the honor to live "under the shadow of the dome." The poverty of these students is evident as they have no surplus, but exist from hand to mouth. We are many.

I take this opportunity to thank three clergymen who in their extraordinary kindness have donated to my education through this blog. One a Canadian, one living in Ireland and one an American. You three know who you are and I thank the Lord for your priesthood and for your victimhood. May the Harvest Master reward each of you!

They say that those who have no money perhaps have a greater subjective inclination to the Kindgdom of Heaven. Perhaps this is true, but all I know is that your kind donations have really helped me a lot and I thank you all ex imo pectore!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

John, do you graduate this year?

Anonymous said...

When will Pope Benedict give us the communion rails back

John Paul Sonnen said...

I will study for at least two and a half years more full-time for the doctorate. It takes a lot and even longer in Rome than back home, as was discovered.

John Paul Sonnen said...

In theory it souldn't always take "the pope" to bring back or maintain all the good things of old. Catholic leadership and faithful must know (be taught) Catholic "custom" and then they can bring back (=maintain) that which is Catholic without a pope or bishop having to force them to make the connection.