Vatican Insider

Direct from the Eternal City, EWTN’s Joan Lewis speaks with Vatican officials and visitors about events affecting the Church and the world.

ST. JOHN CANTIUS, THE STORY OF A CHICAGO PARISH

9/22/2024

VATICAN INSIDER: ST. JOHN CANTIUS, THE STORY OF A CHICAGO PARISH My guest this week in the interview segment of “Vatican Insider” is a longtime friend, Fr. Frank Phillips, former pastor for 30 years at Chicago’s well-known St. John Cantius Church. After a number of years, we met serendipitously over my vacation at a pre-investiture ceremony for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre that was held at St. John Cantius. I’ve always been intrigued by the rich history of this parish and you will be too as you hear Fr. Frank talk of his 30 years here, of his love of reverent and beautiful liturgy, of his founding of a religious community, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, and so much more. Thanks to Fr. Frank’s dedication, inspiration, as well as decades of both material and spiritual renewal, the current pastor, Fr. Josh Caswell and his staff offer many liturgies during the week, including morning, afternoon and evening prayers, vespers and high and low Masses in both Latin and English. Astonishingly enough, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius today work in 3 parishes in 2 dioceses in Illinois, offering 57 public Masses weekly and hearing more than 700 confessions each week! Yes, you read that right! First called the Society of St. John Cantius by Cardinal George, the name was later changed to the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. The reference is to St. John of Kenty, Poland! Here are some of the dozens of photos I took at the Holy Sepulchre liturgy on September 24. Some kind of technical glitch prevented me today from uploading all the pictures I took but when I finally make that happen, there are many photos and many stories to tell What you see is only a small representation of the main body of the church, the reliquary room and what I call the Polish chapel, a room in which Fr. Phillips had recreated to one-third original size the main altar of St. Mary Church on Market Square in Krakow. You’ll love the story of this Polish parish! (originally

Tony Clark, Mainland China, Taiwan and the Catholic Church (Part II)

9/1/2024

In the interview segment this week and next, I feature a conversation I had with Tony Clark, a scholar of all things Chinese, an historian, and writer who has authored dozens of books, articles, and other publications. He is a professor of Chinese history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Tony has lived and travelled extensively in China and tells many wonderful, riveting stories. We have a mutual passion for all things Chinese, especially the Catholic Church in mainland China (the “underground” Church and the government approved one) and the Church in Taiwan. Much of what Tony says will surprise and delight you. We also look at the 2018 accord signed – and renewed twice – between the Vatican and the Chinese communist government. And we talk at length about Taiwan. Both of us have visited mainland China and Taiwan. I also share with Tony an amazing job offer I received in Taiwan! We had met days earlier over dinner with a mutual friend, Jesuit Fr. Michael Maher, and probably could have talked until breakfast given our mutual love of and interest in all things Chinese. IN THE UNITED STATES, you can listen to Vatican Insider (VI) on a Catholic radio station near you (stations listed at www.ewtn.com) or on channel 130 Sirius-XM satellite radio, or on www.ewtn.com. OUTSIDE THE U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” VI airs at 5am and 9pm ET on Saturdays and 6am ET on Sundays. On the GB-IE feed (which is on SKY in the UK and Ireland), VI airs at 5:30am, 12 noon and 10pm CET on Sundays. Both of these feeds are also available on the EWTN app and on www.ewtnradio.net ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWN TIME ZONE! For VI archives: go to www.ewtn.com/radio/audio-archive and write the name of the guest whom you are searching in the SEARCH box. Below that, will appear “Vatican Insider” – click on that and the link to that particular episode will appear.

Tony Clark, Mainland China, Taiwan and the Catholic Church

8/25/2024

In the interview segment this week and next, I feature a conversation I had with Tony Clark, a scholar of all things Chinese, an historian, and writer who has authored dozens of books, articles, and other publications. He is a professor of Chinese history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Tony has lived and travelled extensively in China and tells many wonderful, riveting stories. We have a mutual passion for all things Chinese, especially the Catholic Church in mainland China (the “underground” Church and the government approved one) and the Church in Taiwan. Much of what Tony says will surprise and delight you. We also look at the 2018 accord signed – and renewed twice – between the Vatican and the Chinese communist government. And we talk at length about Taiwan. Both of us have visited mainland China and Taiwan. I also share with Tony an amazing job offer I received in Taiwan! We had met days earlier over dinner with a mutual friend, Jesuit Fr. Michael Maher, and probably could have talked until breakfast given our mutual love of and interest in all things Chinese. IN THE UNITED STATES, you can listen to Vatican Insider (VI) on a Catholic radio station near you (stations listed at www.ewtn.com) or on channel 130 Sirius-XM satellite radio, or on www.ewtn.com. OUTSIDE THE U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” VI airs at 5am and 9pm ET on Saturdays and 6am ET on Sundays. On the GB-IE feed (which is on SKY in the UK and Ireland), VI airs at 5:30am, 12 noon and 10pm CET on Sundays. Both of these feeds are also available on the EWTN app and on www.ewtnradio.net ALWAYS CHECK YOUR OWN TIME ZONE! For VI archives: go to www.ewtn.com/radio/audio-archive and write the name of the guest whom you are searching in the SEARCH box. Below that, will appear “Vatican Insider” – click on that and the link to that particular episode will appear.

Fr David Hulshof NAC apostoloates Pt2

6/2/2024

In the interview segment of Vatican Insider on this first weekend of June 2024, I reprise an earlier conversation with Fr. David Hulshof, director of Apostolic Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. This weekend is Part II. Part I aired last weekend There are a number of apostolates that are mandatory for all seminarians during their formation years such as working with the poor and homeless, with refugees, visiting patients in hospitals, being a guide in St. Peter’s Basilica and working in an Italian parish. Fr. David explains the apostolates offered at NAC, and you will revel in his passion and joy for the priesthood, the apostolates and especially for the current class of seminarians. And you will feel very positive about the future pastors of the Church in America! As the website of the North American College notes about these apostolates: In each of the five parishes, seminarians are teaching religious education, preparing children for the sacraments of the church, assisting at Mass, and some opportunities for preaching. St. Galla is an Italian speaking parish, St. Maria in Monserrato is the Spanish speaking parish, and St. Patrick’s is the English language parish. Seminarians bring comfort to the elderly, sick and poor at four locations in the Eternal City. They serve in soup kitchens and visit with the poor on the streets. Others minister in a local prison and at a refugee center. Our men also evangelize by leading tours with pilgrims to St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. They assist the USCCB Visitor’s Office in Rome and offer Scavi tours of the excavations beneath St. Peter’s.

Via Lucis

4/14/2024

This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I bring you on a pilgrimage with the Via Lucis! After the news segment and the Q&A on the Paschal candle, stay tuned for the special story about the Via Lucis, the Way of Light, basically a post-Easter journey through 14 stations of light, the light that fills our life because of the Resurrection. This devotion is also known as Stations of the Resurrection as it encourages the faithful to meditate on the Resurrection of Jesus and on his post-Resurrection appearances to the disciples and others. The 14 traditional stations of the Via Lucis are: Jesus Rises from the Dead-Matthew 28: 5-6 The Women Discover the Empty Tomb-Matthew 28:1-6 The Risen Lord Appears to Mary Magdalen-John 20:11-16 Mary Magdalen Proclaims the Resurrection the Apostles-John 20: 17-18 The Risen Lord Appears on the Road to Emmaus-Luke 24: 13-16, 25-27 The Risen Lord is Recognized in the Breaking of the Bread- Luke 24: 28-32 The Risen Lord Appears to the Community of Disciples-Luke 24: 36-39 The Risen Lord gives the Disciples Power to Forgive-John 20:21-23 The Risen Lord Strengthens the Faith of Thomas-John 20:24-29 The Risen Lord Forgives Peter and Entrusts Him to Feed His Sheep-John 21:15-17 The Risen Lord Sends the Disciples into the World – Matthew 28: 16-20 The Risen Lord Ascends into Heaven – Acts 1: 9-11 Mary and the Disciples Keep Vigil in the Upper Room – Acts 1: 12-14 The Risen Lord Sends the Holy Spirit – Acts 2: Source: On the road to Emmaus –

Fr John Paul Kimes and the Cause of Joseph Dutton Pt2

1/14/2024

As I wrote last week, I was a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who, as you know, worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meeting must be held in the diocese of the cause for canonization with all members present. This is required by the dicastery for the causes of saints to which we our individual reports are sent. Thus, two other members of that commission, Pat Boland of Honolulu and Fr. John Paul Kimes, Canon law professor at the university of Notre Dame, and I met in Honolulu this past December to present our findings and work with Msgr. Robert Sarno, an advisor on the cause. One copy of the findings remain in the diocese of Honolulu and two are sent to Rome for further work by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Though now retired, when he was on the staff of the dicastery (then the Congregation for Saints) in Rome, Msgr. Sarno also helped with the causes of St. Damien (canonized in 2009) and St. Marianne Cope (canonized in 2012). The diocesan phase of the Joseph Dutton cause will close in Honolulu on January 21st, after which the Roman phase of his causes goes to work. Part I of my conversation with Fr. John Paul aired last weekend. This week, in Part II, he is back with more riveting stories about the life and times of Servant of God Joseph Dutton, a man we both hope and pray will one day join Damien and Marianne at the honors of the altar.

Fr John Paul Kimes Pt1

1/7/2024

I was a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who, as you know, worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meeting must be held in the diocese of the cause for canonization with all members present. This is required by the dicastery for the causes of saints to which we our individual reports are sent. Thus. two other members of that commission, Pat Boland of Honolulu and Fr.. John Paul Kimes, Canon law professor at the university of Notre Dame, and I met in Honolulu this past December to present our findings and work with Msgr. Robert Sarno, an advisor on the cause. One copy of the findings remain in the diocese of Honolulu and two are sent to Rome for further work by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Though now retired, when he was on the staff of the dicastery (then the Congregation for Saints) in Rome, Msgr. Sarno also helped with the causes of St. Damien (canonized in 2009) and St. Marianne Cope (canonized in 2012). The diocesan phase of the Joseph Dutton cause will close in Honolulu on January 21st, after which the Roman phase of his causes goes to work. You have heard Fr, Kimes before but he is back this weekend with more riveting stories about the life and times of Servant of God Joseph Dutton, a man we both hope and pray will one day join Damien and Marianne at the honors of the altar.

Deacon Andy Orosco pt1

9/10/2023

I’ll be away for the next two weekends so there will be no news summary on “Vatican Insider” but my radio colleagues and I are preparing the “best of” for those dates. I do, however, want to highlight the fact that my special guest in the interview segment this weekend will also be back next week! And that guest is Deacon Andrew – “Andy” – Orosco of the diocese of San Bernardino in California. He is a Native American who works in the Native American Ministry in the diocese. You will be fascinated about his reports on Native Americans as he explains where they live in the United States, what life is like for those who live on a reservation, their education, how they live the faith and the specifics of his ministry in the diocese. I’ll be away for the next two weekends so there will be no news summary on “Vatican Insider” but my radio colleagues and I are preparing the “best of” for those dates. I do, however, want to highlight the fact that my special guest in the interview segment this weekend will also be back next week! And that guest is Deacon Andrew – “Andy” – Orosco of the diocese of San Bernardino in California. He is a Native American who works in the Native American Ministry in the diocese. You will be fascinated about his reports on Native Americans as he explains where they live in the United States, what life is like for those who live on a reservation, their education, how they live the faith and the specifics of his ministry in the diocese. You will love the final story he tells in Part II about attending the weekly papal general audience and the subject of Pope Francis’ attention as he spoke of apostolic zeal! I learned a lot from Deacon Orosco and so will you!

SERVANT OF GOD JOSEPH DUTTON: HAWAII’S THIRD SAINT?

12/2/2022

As you may already know, the Vatican websites have been up and down for several days, and are down, in fact, as I write this column. vaticannews.va is down but vatican.va is up, although the English language site has not been updated since November 30. A Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said Wednesday that the Holy See had taken down its main vatican.va website amid an apparent attempt to hack the site. Without expanding on what caused the problem, he said, “Technical investigations are ongoing due to abnormal attempts to access the site.” Numerous users online, in fact, noted that the site was unavailable as of Tuesday morning. The sites have been up and down since Wednesday afternoon, with many attempts producing “404” error messages. The link you see below has nothing to do with what I normally bring you daily in this column but the World Cup is on, and it’s hard to ignore stories related to this global event that, every four years, mesmerizes most of the world’s population for a month! I saw a story today that I found to be very interesting – all about the traditional Arab headgear that is taking the games by storm. It quotes one Swiss fan as saying he has “been surprised by how indulgent Qataris — and others from across North Africa and the Middle East — have been when it comes to foreigners adopting and appropriating local customs and clothing, something that is generally seen as disrespectful in Europe and North America.” Being an American who lives in Europe, it was that soccer fan’s statement that drew my attention. I think you’ll enjoy this piece and perhaps even learn something new. It’s the World Cup’s Hot Accessory. But Should Fans Wear It? – The New York Times (nytimes.com) VATICAN INSIDER: SERVANT OF GOD JOSEPH DUTTON: HAWAII’S THIRD SAINT? This week, in what is normally the interview segment, I’ve prepared a Special Report on Joseph Dutton. The past two weeks, you heard Fr. John Paul Kimes of Notre Dame University, which has a lar

Fr John Paul Kimes Dutton Pt2

11/27/2022

Join me this weekend on Vatican Insider for Part II of my off-the-cuff interview with Fr. John Paul Kimes, Canon law professor at the university of Notre Dame and member of the Historical Commission for the cause of canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton. Dutton, a layman was companion, caregiver and friend for 44 years, alongside Sts. Damien and Marianne Cope, to the victims of leprosy on Kalaupapa, a peninsula of the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Father John Paul and I spoke after a recent event in Honolulu for this cause of canonization, a gala, fund-raising luncheon that brought together just under 500 people from several Hawaiian islands. He gave an over-the-top keynote address at that event! This took place during a week in Hawaii in which I was also sworn in as an official member of the Historical Commission, a huge honor! Father Kimes, a riveting storyteller, tells us about the link between Notre Dame University and Joseph Dutton and explains what he has learned of Dutton by researching the university archives on this Servant of God. You’ll love every minute of our conversation! Fr. John Paul had arrived in Honolulu the night before the luncheon and had to get to the airport almost immediately afterwards for his return flight so finding time – and a place! – to have this conversation was a real blessing, almost a miracle. The only available space, in fact, was in a small hallway off the main hallway not far from the room where our luncheon was. A table and two unoccupied chairs seemed to be waiting just for us. Not an acoustically perfect setting, however, so you’ll hear some faint background conversation as people walk by in the main hall but Father John Paul is such a great storyteller that you may not even note it!

Fr John Paul Kimes Dutton pt1

11/20/2022

What an exciting guest I have this weekend and next on Vatican Insider! I feature an off-the-cuff interview with Fr. John Paul Kimes, Canon law professor at the university of Notre Dame and member of the Historical Commission for the cause of canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton. Dutton, a layman was companion, caregiver and friend for 44 years, alongside Sts. Damien and Marianne Cope, to the victims of leprosy on Kalaupapa, a peninsula of the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Father John Paul and I spoke after a recent event in Honolulu for this cause of canonization, a gala, fund-raising luncheon that brought together just under 500 people from several Hawaiian islands. He gave an over-the-top keynote address at that event! This took place during a week in Hawaii in which I was also sworn in as a member of the Historical Commission, a huge honor! Father Kimes, a riveting storyteller, tells us about the link between Notre Dame University and Joseph Dutton and explains what he has learned of Dutton by researching the university archives on this Servant of God. You’ll love every minute of our conversation! Fr. John Paul had arrived in Honolulu the night before the luncheon and had to get to the airport almost immediately afterwards for his return flight so finding time – and a place! – to have this conversation was a real blessing, almost a miracle. The only available space, in fact, was in a small hallway off the main hallway not far from the room where our luncheon was. A table and two unoccupied chairs seemed to be waiting just for us. Not an acoustically perfect setting, however, so you’ll hear some faint background conversation as people walk by in the main hall but Father John Paul is such a great storyteller that you may not even note it!