CIS NEWSLETTER  No. 40 - February 2007 Searching for the Truth It is evil to deceive, to voluntarily and maliciously hide the truth, or exploit the facts for one's own reasons, to know the truth, and yet to purposefully hide it for ulterior motives. Perhaps just as evil, is allowing oneself to be weak and ignorant, so that one may easily be deceived, fooled, tricked into believing something that is far from the truth. But, surely the worst, is to believe that one holds the truth, and meant to propagate it, when one is simply being led by personal resentments, and private impulses. Without doubt, however 'innocent' this kind of deception may appear to be, its effects are nothing but dangerous.  Fr George Preca often spoke of 'l-ingann', and in his writings, he frequently mentions the vulnerability of our human nature, which makes it more susceptible to the evil spirit, allowing this spirit to work effectively on our human spirit, with the consequence that one becomes blind to the truth. After all, as we hear in The Phantom of the Opera, the truth may not be what we want to see, and it is sometimes so much easier to pretend, rather than to face the truth. Fr George asserts that we repeatedly speak, and act, without the 'right intention', believing that we are serving others disinterestedly, when we may actually be seeking ourselves, or hiding our weak human nature.  The post-modern mentality, with its uncertainty and ambiguity, concurs, in this respect, with the state of mind suggested by Fr Preca's emphasis on 'l-ingann'. Direct observation often deceives us, and one can never be certain that things, or people, or even us, are as they appear to be. This is just one aspect about the nature of humanity that one must accept, simply because being naïve about reality will not make things better. In fact, spiritual writers, including Fr Preca and Ignatius of Loyola insist that one should rather seek to expose the darkness of human nature, rather than to conceal it, however upsetting this may be. The inference is that a man or a woman of God will never feel secure of having arrived, for, despite the efforts that one may be putting, the possibility of one's intention not being fully right remains. The men and women who wish to be holy will therefore want to understand themselves, and will want others to help them purify their intentions, and will use any tool in their capacity to discover the truth, through spiritual direction, reflection and prayer.  Popular psychology, physical well-being and spirituality are perhaps among those generally accepted beliefs that should be questioned. Lately, popular psychology has contested our spiritual notions of sacrifice and mortification, and in many instances, we have practically surrendered to its conclusions. Moreover, contemporary culture has instilled in us the worth of physical well-being, beauty and youth above all else, so that suffering and old age are losing their significance. Another misconception is that propagated by religious activism, which maintains that true men and women of God should be involved in some activity or other. Furthermore, our educational system contends that academic qualifications should be a priority for our children and youths, and we have become enslaved by this philosophy. In addition, the Maltese mentality is adamant that our houses are worth all the money and energy we pour into them, even if we have to suffer the consequences. Perhaps to crown it all, our political system insists on measuring our nation and our politicians using economic tools rather than cultural ones. These are only some of the notions that have become endemic, and to question them is to be an eccentric. Our conscience needs to be educated, and we must be extremely careful which 'tutors' we choose, since that will determine what our conscience becomes. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear in this regard.  On a personal level, Ignatius of Loyola recommended that one should dig deep, and should realize that not every experience is recognizable at first glance. Even what appears to be a spiritual experience, may not be genuine. There are a number of considerations that have to be made1. Yet, to understand our own deceptions, to uncover their hidden nature through a process of discernment, is in itself a healing process.  Where corporations, institutions and other structures are concerned, one usually prefers to speak about the process of auditing, evaluation and assessment. 'Discernment' seems to carry too many religious overtones. Still, maybe discernment is precisely the process required, even where secular entities and secular matters are concerned. The evaluation of the communal attitudes and modes of acting, and the identification of what is flawed, cannot be done in a vacuum. One needs something to judge things against. Unless one is to be deceived, one must appraise social values and traditions against something that is considerably more splendid, noble, and transcendent. And there is no better set of values than those of the Gospel.  This process of discernment, or appraisal, has implications for the spiritual leader. It entails above all else a probing, a sense of exploration, in those with some obligation to lead others. The spiritual leader must feel the compulsion to question and to challenge the practices of the culture, and the attitudes of the era. The genuine leader in today's world is the one who humbly accepts his/her vulnerability, but who transforms these misgivings into an attitude of vigilance. George Orwell once said, 'In a time of universal deceit - Telling the truth is a revolutionary act'.  Pauline Dimech 1 The 'Rules of Discernment of Spirits' The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, ed. and trans. Louis Puhl, Loyola University Press (1952), pp. 313-36. Book Review  Journal of a soul: Pope John XXIII (translated by Dorothy White) Geoffrey Chapman, London, 1965 ISBN@225 66895 5 As excellent translation of Pope John's original Italian text of his Spiritual Journey, this Journal is a remarkable personal account of one man's extraordinary relationship with God. Angelo Roncalli (1881-1963), born in an obscure village near Bergamo (in Northern Italy), started writing his diary in 1896, shortly after receiving the clerical habit and the first tonsure. At the time, he was sure that his vocation was that of a humble priest in some backwater parish - his rise to bishop, patriarch (of Venice), cardinal and pontiff, entirely unexpected, in no way affected his total abandon to God's Will. Indeed, throughout the diary, Pope John's abiding characteristic is conforming his own will to what the Lord, in His mysterious ways, expected of him. One is struck by the manifestations of human frailty, yet radiating hope and complete belief in Divine Guidance. As Giulio Bevilacqua points out in the introductory "Meditation": "Here all is real: the simplicity, the awareness of being a creature, scrupulous moderation and reserve, extreme human sensibility, above all, the will to aspire to the fullness of Christ". Again and again, Angelo Roncalli bemoans what he perceives as his slow spiritual progress because of the distractions imposed by his official functions. "Sometimes", he writes in Venice, "the thought of the short time left to me tempts me to slacken my efforts, But with God's help I will not give in… The Lord's will is still my peace". Here is the Supreme Pontiff of nearly 2 billion Catholics praying, in 1960, "0 sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas". Forgotten as Nuncio in Sofia, Athens, and Ankara, Roncalli utters no word of complaint to Rome, even when some "brilliant" prelate in the Vatican implicitly taxes him with not having a high enough profile. "There is nothing better", he confesses, "than bearing my cross, Jesus sets it on my shoulders and on my heart… all that is not to the honour of God, the service of the church and the Welfare of souls is extraneous to me, and of no importance". Pope John, the Papa Buono, is indeed, a saint for our times and for all times. Welcome to our New Archbishop On the 2nd of December, news spread like wild-fire that Pope Benedict VI nominated Fr Paul Cremona O.P. as the new Archbishop of Malta. This was received with an immediate joyful reaction from the Maltese people, as evident in Fr Paul's meetings with various sectors of Maltese society. These meetings reached their culmination on the 26th January, with the Episcopal Ordination of Fr Paul, held at St John's Co-Cathedral. Thousands of Maltese flocked to Valletta to attend this ceremony. Thousands more watched the Ordination on television from their homes or other places. This confirmed that the Maltese have welcomed their new Archbishop wholeheartedly. We thank God for the grace of having Mgr. Joseph Mercieca as our shepherd for thirty years, and we congratulate Mgr. Paul Cremona O.P. in his new mission and we promise him our prayers.  Prayer for the Light of Truth O MY God, I confess that You can enlighten my darkness. I confess that You alone can. I wish my darkness to be enlightened. I do not know whether You will it: but that You can and that I wish, are sufficient reasons for me to ask, what You at least has not forbidden my asking. I hereby promise that by Thy grace which I am asking I will embrace whatever I at length feel certain is the truth, if ever I come to be certain. And by Thy grace I will guard against all self-deceit which may lead me to [adopt] what nature would [offer as truth], rather than what reason approves.  Cardinal Newman From the CIS Programme Frar 2007   Irtiri ta' Weekend ghall-Mizzewgin  Dan il-Weekend huwa okkazjoni ghall-dawk il-koppji mizzewga li jixtiequ jgeddu u jiccelebraw il-weghdiet taz-zwieg taghhom. Din hija esperjenza spiritwali b'differenza. Il-Weekend huwa mfassal li jkun kreattiv u jghin lill-partners jirriflettu u jitolbu flimkien. Ikun hemm hin ta' sharing fi grupp maghmul minn 8 koppji. Dan il-Weekend joffri lill-koppji partecipanti opportunita' sabiex jiskopru dejjem aktar l-imhabba li Alla ghandu ghall-mizzewgin u l-familji taghhom Dati:           Mill-Gimgha 16 ta' Frar, fis-6.00 pm sal-Hadd 18, fil-5.00 pm Post:          Mount St. Joseph Retreat House - Mosta  Imexxu:      Il-Koppja Carmen u Karm Conti u Fr. Vince Magri S.J. Marzu 2007 Fuq Liema Sisien Nibni hajti?  F'wahda mit-tixbihat tieghu, Gesù jsemmi zewg tipi ta' nies li jridu jibnu dar. Tip minnhom, qabel ma jibni, jibda jhaffer sakemm isib il-blat iebes biex jibni fuqu. It-tip l-iehor jaqbad jibni mill-ewwel fuq ir-ramel. Wara maltempata kbira, id-dar mibnija fuq is-sod baqghet kif kienet, izda l-ohra ggarfet ghax ma kellhiex pedament fuqhiex isserrah. (Mt 7: 24-27) hajti wkoll irrid nibniha fuq xi haga. Fuqhiex qed nibnih Fuq pedament sod u permanenti jew fuq strutturi li jinbidlu l-hin kollu? F'hiex jikkonsisti dan il-pedament? Fejn se jwassalni fil-binja ta' hajti? L-ghan ta' dan is-seminar hu biex jghinni nfittex u niskopri s-sisien u d-direzzjoni ta' hajti. L-esperjenzi ta' hajti, specjalment f'mumenti ta' diffikultà, juruni kemm hajti hi mibnija fuq is-sod u 'l fejn sejra. F'dan is-seminar ikollna cans nisimghu, nirriflettu, nitolbu, niddiskutu u naghmlu tahrig personali u fi gruppi. Data:          Kull nhar ta' Erbgha bejn is 6.30 u d-9.00 p.m. f'dawn id-dati: 28 ta' Frar, 7, 14 u 21 ta' Marzu 2007.  Post:          Mt St Joseph Retreat House, Mosta  Imexxu:      Il-koppja Gordon u Josette Vassallo, u Fr. Reno Grech, S.J.  Weekend ma' S. Marija Magdalena  B'hafna partecipazzjoni attiva, li tinvolvi role-plays, workshops kreattivi u Omien ta' riflessjoni personali, nikkontemplaw lil S. Marija Maddalena tikber fl-intimita' mal-Mulej Gesù. Dan il-Weekend huwa miftuh l-aktar ghal dawk ghandhom jew kellom esperjenza ta' Komunita'. Dan il-Weekend jghodd hafna ghal min jixtieq ikun xi tip ta' group leader biex jakkumpanja l-ohrajn jimmaturaw fir-relazzjoni ma' Sidna Gesù. Data:          Mill-Gimgha 2 ta' Marzu fis-6.00pm sal-Hadd 4, fil- 5.00pm.  Post:          Mt St Joseph Retreat House, Mosta  Imexxu:      Maryann Muscat, Mary Xuereb u Fr Ray Pace SJ  Irtiri ta' Weekend ghall-Mizzewgin  Dan il-Weekend huwa okkazjoni ghall-dawk il-koppji mizzewga li jixtiequ jgeddu u jiccelebraw il-weghediet taz-zwieg taghhom. Din hija esperjenza spiritwali b'differenza. Il-Weekend huwa mfassal li jkun kreattiv u jghin lill-partners jirriflettu u jitolbu flimkien. Ikun hemm hin ta' sharing fi grupp maghmul minn 8 koppji. Dan il-Weekend joffri lill-koppji partecipanti opportunita' sabiex jiskopru dejjem aktar l-imhabba li Alla ghandu ghall-mizzewgin u l-familji taghhom  Data:          Mis-16 ta' Marzu, fis-6.00pm sal-hadd 18, fil- 5.00pm.  Post:          Mt St Joseph Retreat House, Mosta  Imexxu:      Il-Koppja Carmen u Karm Conti u Fr. Vince Magri S.J.  Zmien ir-Randan Inhejju ghall-Ghid billi nifhmu u nghixu ahjar il-Maghmudija taghna  Permezz ta' l-ikona tal-Maghmudija tal-Mulej, Fr. Gerard Buhagiar jghinna nidhlu iktar 'fil-fond filmisteru ta' Kristu li miet ghalina u issa jghix ghal dejjem.  Data:          Mill- Gimgha 16 ta' Marzu fis-7.00 ta' fil ghaxija sal- hadd 18 wara l-pranzu.  Post:          Dar Manresa - Ghawdex  Imexxi:       Fr. Gerard Buhagiar, SThD DipLit Dip Arch  Irtir ghall-Professjonisti bil-Malti  Dan l-irtir, li ghandu storja twila, huwa miftuh kemm ghall professjonisti individwali kif ukoll ghan-nisa taghhom. Data:          Mill-Gimgha 23 ta' Marzu fis-7.00 ta' filghaxija sal - hadd 25 wara l-pranzu.  Post:          Dar Manresa - Ghawdex  Imexxi:       Fr. Franz Refalo (hu stess kien professjonista qabel sar qassis)  Trid tiltaqa' tassew ma' Kristu? - Kif, Fejn u Meta?  F'dan is-Seminar irridu nilqghu l isfida qawwija li dawn il-mistoqsijiet jaghmlulna. Nirriflettu fuq xi tfisser "ir-rieda taghna" quddiem il-persuna ta' Gesù, specjalment fil-kultura u s-socjetà li qed nghixu llum. U x'differenza taghmel f'hajtek li tiltaqa' ma' Kristu? X'ser tassew jinbidel? F'das-Seminar nirriflettu fuq dawn il-mistoqsijiet.  Data:          Nhar l-Erbgha ta' qabel id- Duluri, 28 ta' Marzu. Mis-6.00 pm sat-8.00 pm.  Post:          Mount St. Joseph Retreat House - Mosta  Imexxi:       Fr Arthur G. Vella SJ  Weekend Retreat Bil-Muzika  Fl-Iskrittura nsibu li l-istrumenti muzikali u l-kant dejjem kienu modi li ntuzaw ghat-tifhir ta' Alla. Il-muzika dejjem kienet medium li ghennet il-bniedem jesprimi ruhu spiritwalment. Il-muzika tferrah il-qalb li tinfeta? aktar ghall - prezenza ta' Alla f'hajjitna. Dan il-weekend kreattiv joffri spazju ghat-talb personali u fi-grupp permezz tal-muzika. Il-mexxejja tal-weekend huma persuni li jhobbu u huma midhla tal-muzika. Marija Blanco hija pjanista professjonali u Joe Cachia li jiehu hsieb imexxi l-kor Voices. Data: Mit-30 ta' Marzu pm sa l-1 ta' April pm  Post:         Mount St. Joseph Retreat House - Mosta  Imexxu:     Fr Godwin Preca SJ/Maria Blanco/Joe Cachia