Divine Mercy vs. Dictatorial Mercilessness

There had been rumors circulating the past week or so about a meeting between the Pentagon and the nuncio (the Vatican ambassador to the U.S.) in January. Apparently, the administration did not like Pope Leo’s call for peace in his Easter Urbi et Orbi message. The under secretary apparently said, “America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side.” It was also rumored that they made reference to the Avignon Papacy, implying that military power can be used to control the Church, or that a nation can install its own puppet pope. I didn’t initially have too many thoughts on it; the meeting was confirmed, but the specifics were rumor. The Vatican released a statement saying that it was pretty much a normal meeting and the media narrative wasn’t factual.

But it was clear that the pope’s message of peace and the administration’s message of war were at growing odds. That is probably obvious for anyone paying attention, but the rumors of the meeting conflict brought it out to light. It was further highlighted when, on Easter, the holiest day of the Christian year, instead of a message of blessings or resurrection, the president posted a threat to blow Iran back to the Stone Age. Two days later he further threatened that a “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

In his Urbi et Orbi message on Easter (his first Easter as pope), Pope Leo XIV noted that Christ is victorious, but that victory is non-violent. He spoke against war, private interests, and inhumane treatment. He spoke of unity, peace, and freedom. “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!.... On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil.”

St. Maria Crescentia Höss

Anna Höss was born Oct. 20, 1682 in Bavaria. Her father was a weaver, and the family had little money. Anna trained to be a weaver as well. She wanted to join the local Tertiary Franciscan convent, but the family could not pay the expected dowery. The convent was in financial straits and depended on local patrons and doweries of novices.

The mayor of Kaufbeuren, a Protestant, donated a building to the convent. In compensation, he asked that Anna be accepted as a candidate. Even as a Protestant, he recognized Anna’s piety and knew she would be a benefit to the convent. She was admitted in June of 1703 and took the name Maria Crescentia.

However, the community resented Anna’s admittance, considering her a “parasite,” who did not financially contribute. She was treated poorly and given the most menial tasks. She did not have a cell of her own and has to ask other sisters to sleep in the corner of their cells.

In 1707 a new superior was elected who was more sympathetic to Maria Crescentia. Maria Crescentia began receiving better assignments, eventually becoming mistress of novices in 1717. She became known both in and out of the convent for her wisdom and good advice.

In 1741 she became the mother superior. She cultivated deep devotions in the convent, telling sisters that “God wants the monastery rich in virtue, not in temporal goods.”

In her final years, she suffered great pain in her body, slowly losing mobility. St. Maria Crescentia died on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1744. Her feast day is April 5, though due to Easter falling on the same day this year, her feast is celebrated on April 6.

An Empty Sepulchre

Due to the current conflict, the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has been closed since Feb. 28. It, along with other major religious sites, were closed for security concerns as Iran began retaliatory strikes against Israel. A government statement said that "all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will remain closed … for security reasons in light of the current tensions in the region."

On March 12, a missile struck a few hundred meters from the Old City. The closed remain citing security risks of high-target areas and mass gatherings.

As Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan on March 15, they were prevented from entering al-Aqsa Mosque. As Holy Week begins, it looks like Christians will similarly be unable to celebrate the holiest days of the year at the tomb of Christ.  

It’s so sad to think of the Holy Sepulchre closed off from worshippers. Even though I wasn’t going to be there, it feels like I’m being denied something. I want the holiest site to be reverenced on our holiest day. Here Christ was buried. Here He rose. A historical moment. In a real place. And when we commemorate it, I want to know that some of my brothers and sisters can stand in that place.