Author: Chris Lee

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Chris Lee

Veneration of relics and bodies of saints

I write these words from Milan, Italy, where I am with my Word on Fire team filming new episodes for our Pivotal Players series.

I’ve seen lots of marvelous things on this trip, including the ruins of the ancient baptistery under the Milan Cathedral where, in the spring of 387, St. Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose.

But the most fascinating sight I’ve taken in is the vested and mitered skeleton of that same Ambrose, which rests in the basilica that bears his name, not far from the cathedral.

Skeletal remains

Behind a grille, just under the main altar, lie the skeletal remains of Ambrose and two martyr saints, Gervasius and Protasius, whose bodies were recovered during his lifetime.

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Chris Lee

Growing in knowledge of faith in the diocese

MADISON — “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”

We begin by reflecting on these words by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which define our mission as Christians as being a disciple to Christ and thus our relationship with him gives “direction” to our lives.

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Chris Lee

Hopes Church will continue to offer Mass in both rites

To the editor:

R. Jared Staudt’s article (July 27 issue of Catholic Herald) suggesting the Church use both the Extraordinary Form (with priest facing ad orientem) and Novus Ordo rites was interesting.

The Extraordinary Form offers much rich music, protocol, vestments, rubrical gestures, and the ranking and roles of the celebrants. God is adored and worshiped, and this worship is strictly conducted. Much attention is given to well-defined ritualistic human behaviors and postures which are meant to indicate the pious devotion of each worshiper.

The Novus Ordo offers a simpler worship . . . a community called by Christ nourished and fed in Word and sacred sacrament, and gathered around the living and active Christ who is present in the celebrant, the Word, His holy body and blood . . . and His people.

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Chris Lee

Mary’s assumption invites us to follow her

On August 15, we celebrate Mary’s assumption into heaven.

In no. 966 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church it says, “The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”

Shows us how to love

Mary’s assumption can motivate us to reflect upon events that led to her being assumed into heaven as a reward for her faithfulness.

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Chris Lee

Bride and the groom are sign of God’s love

Two weeks ago, I had the great good pleasure of presiding at the wedding of my niece, Bryna.

She has been, all her life, a lovely girl, full of joy and good cheer — and eager to give herself in service to others.

Her husband, Nelson, is also a fine person, and he took the courageous step of becoming a Catholic in anticipation of his wedding.

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Chris Lee

Commentary strays from Matthew 5-7

To the editor:

The commentary by Boyd Cathey, “The triumph of lunacy,” in the July 13 Catholic Herald, illustrates how far we can stray from the words of Jesus in Matthew 5-7 in our zeal to protect our Church.

I spent 42 years among students at what he characterized as a supposed center of higher education. Gullible, soul-less students? Hardly. They were too ethical and asked too many questions. And when they studied the Greek philosophers, they found men who engaged in discourse with and entertained the views of those with whom they differed.

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Chris Lee

Liked commentary on America’s societal ills

To the editor:

Fr. Bevil Bramwell’s article in the July 27 issue of the Catholic Herald entitled, “The Church and the New Left,” is a brilliantly expressed commentary on America’s societal ills.

One of my favorite expressions is that you cannot serve two masters. When people react politically due to ill conceived and wrongful “handouts” and ignore the Church truths, they are “denying their integrity as human beings.”

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