.::Firmum Est::. - - My Heart is Steadfast

Rich Mullins, a great witness of Christ’s love and a successful Christian recording artist, was very close to the fullness of the faith when he passed away. See the following article below…

Terry Mattingly

http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/1998/05/06/

Father Matt McGinness had never heard the song playing on his car radio, even though “Sing Your Praise to the Lord” was one of superstar Amy Grant’s biggest hits.

“Gosh, I really like that song,” the priest told a musician friend that night back in 1995. “Well, thanks,” responded Rich Mullins. This mystified the priest, who asked what he meant. “I wrote that,” said Mullins.

McGinness hadn’t realized that Mullins was that famous. The priest simply knew him as another seeker who kept asking questions about doctrine, history and art and was developing a unique spiritual bond with St. Francis of Assisi. At the time of his death in a Sept. 19 car crash Mullins was taking the final steps to enter Catholicism.

“Rich had made up his mind and he wasn’t hiding anymore,” said McGinness, chaplain of the Newman Center at Wichita State University. “But I really don’t think it’s fair to make him the poster child for Catholic converts. …The key to Rich is that he was searching for a deep, lasting unity with God. He was such a reflective man and that quality brought him both peace and a great deal of anxiety.”

Even friends described Mullins as “enigmatic” and “eccentric” and there was much more to him than hit songs, led by the youth-rally anthem “Awesome God.” Grant summed up his legacy during last month’s Dove Awards in Nashville, in which Mullins received his first “artist of the year” award.

“Rich Mullins was the uneasy conscience of Christian music,” she said. “He didn’t live like a star. He’d taken a vow of poverty so that what he earned could be used to help others.”

McGinness said Mullins often said he felt called to a life of chastity and service, while staying active in music. It was hard to predict his future. His final recordings are slated for release on June 30 as “The Jesus Record.”

“Rich didn’t know for sure if he was called to ministry, which in the Catholic context would be the priesthood,” said McGinness. “He also feared that converting to Catholicism could mean losing his audience. … He knew there might be rough days ahead.”

It’s crucial to remember that Mullins grew up surrounded by fiercely independent brands of Protestantism such as the Quakers and the Churches of Christ, said his brother David Mullins, minister at the Oak Grove Christian Church in Beckley, W. Va. This taught him to fear formality and hierarchies, while also yearning for a faith that united people in all times and places - - with no labels.

“Rich had a very low view of church structures, but he had very high ideals about what the church could be,” said his brother. “He was sincerely drawn to Catholicism, but he also wondered where he would fit in the Roman Catholic Church.”

Nevertheless, Mullins’ recent music was steeped in Catholicism, from his autobiographical album “A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band” to his “Canticle of the Plains” musical about a Kansas cowboy he called St. Frank. His greatest-hits set was filled with photos of Celtic churches, crucifixes, nuns and statues of Mary. He quoted G.K. Chesterton and Flannery O’Connor, defended the pope and told one interviewer: “I think that a lot of Protestants think that Pentecost happened and then the church disappeared until the Reformation. So there is this long span of time when there was no church. That can’t be if Jesus was telling the truth.”

After playing telephone tag for a week, McGinness and Mullins talked one last time the night before the fatal accident. Mullins was going to Mass weekly, if not more often. He was ready to say his first confession and be confirmed. They set a meeting in two days. Others said Mullins was aiming for Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis.

“There was a sense of urgency,” said the priest. “He told me, ‘This may sound strange, but I HAVE to receive the body and blood of Christ.’ I told him, ‘That doesn’t sound strange at all. That sounds wonderful.’ … Of course, I’ll always remember that conversation. Rich finally sounded like he was at peace with his decision.”

See also:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=5876 

I was blessed to travel to Venice with a friend at the end of October. For part of the trip I used a book called Top Ten: Venice. Following in the Letterman-style, I offer my Top Ten Five of Venice
In the book, there is a disclaimer that I found funny.

Within each Top 10 list in the book, no hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in the editor’s opinion, of roughtly equal merit.

That is being diplomatic! By the way, mine are in random order.

1. Scola San Rocco - All the Tintoretto paintings you could ever want to see. They are beautiful. He follows in the style of Michaelangelo.
2. Doge’s Palace - the seat of government for the powerful Venetian Empire. Comes with its own prison!
3. San Marco - words do not come to explain - One of the most extraordinary churches in the world. Mosaics cover every square inch (centimeter) of the upper walls, domes and vaults.
4. Friari Church - plain huge church with massive wood beams and great pieces of art strewn everywhere. Titian’s Assumption of Mary rocked simple Venice in 1518 when it was unveiled.
5. Cicchetti - Pub Crawl Venetian Style - these are cafes with trays full of interesting toothpick munchies (like tapas) where wines are uncorked and served by the glass. Great for a quick snack or quick lunch!

So, I am tempted to do more than five. It is really hard not to. I will just mention the beautiful Grand Canal and the three Paladian Churches across from Piazza San Marco.
Check out the pictures!

I have a bike. Not a motorbike or a ‘motorino’ as they call it here. The name ‘vespa’ is like calling all tissues ‘kleenex’ or calling all bleach ‘clorox.’

Anyways, I have a bike. I’ve always thought it to be the best way to get around. It is the fastest. I’m able to get out into more of the residental areas just enjoy the scenery. Below is the experience of a life-time biker while riding through the city.

“Rome traffic was busy, fast and assertive (I wouldn’t call it aggressive). The simplest way to explain how to ride in Rome traffic is to follow and mimic the Vespa riders.

It is easy to keep up with traffic. As you approach a red light do whatever it takes to get to the front of the line - with all the motorized Vespas. That includes crossing the double yellow line, or riding right on it, in order to pass everyone and get to the front. When the light turns green, sprint across the intersection and fade over to the right so the cars and other traffic can pass you. I never once felt threatened, got honked at, or even noticed an ounce of hostility. It’s just fast and assertive. Rome drivers will NOT hit you.

And on a bike you get the best of both worlds. If you ride assertively in traffic the Rome drivers seem to understand you better, they can predict your actions. You are given the respect due any other vehicle on the roadway. And then, since you are on a bike, if you feel the need to you can go the wrong way down a one way street.

Just be sure to give everyone else the right of way. Stay way over to the side of the road and mind the pedestrians that walk out over the curb at times. Like I said, I never saw an evil eye nor heard a discouraging word.”

This afternoon, with some of the University Study Abroad students, we made a pilgrimage to some of the saints in the heart of Rome. I believe that the saints are the heart of Rome. We visited the Pantheon - formerly the Temple to All the Gods. Just in case the Romans forgot someone up there they didn’t want them to get angry. So they covered their bases in the Pantheon. The Church now is called ” ”

I prayed for all my former teachers and Dominican friends at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva with St Catherine of Sienna and Blessed Fra Angelico.

I prayed for my Mom at San Agostino where there are the relics of St Monica, the Mother of St Augustine.

I prayed for my teachers and Jesuit friends at San Ignazio with St Aloysius Gonzaga and St Robert Bellarmine.

I prayed for my Dad and all Franciscans at Ss. Apostoli, where Philip and James the Lesser are found. James is my father’s name and my middle name. The O.F.M Conv. are the custodians of this Church.

It was a blessed afternoon with many good conversations and prayers along the way. Just a mini-pilgrimage around the city. Nothing like a good afternoon with the saints to keep me away from the books. Now they want me to get back to the books - in preparation for a presentation on Monday Afternoon.

Dio vi benedica!

Slowly being added are:

• Venice (from last weekend)
• Sorrento, Pompei, Amalfi, (capri soon to follow)
• Official Pictures from the Diaconate

Click “Photos” at the top of the page!

Wow! What a great day to be in Rome - the City of the Saints - for the Feast of All Saints! All the religious holidays are ‘national holidays’ in Italy, so the whole city shut down, including the schools.

The day began with a true American breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Cinnamon Rolls, French Toast. The seminary is such a big building that we divide ourselves into corridors for more personal events. The corridor of “Third Convent” (because the wing is near the convent on the property) is about 25 guys from North Dakota to Australia, Wyoming to Brooklyn. But gathering together, we usually don’t remember all the things that had once seperated us - we remember that we are now brothers in Christ.

That which unifies the most is the celebration of the Eucharist. Yesterdays, Mass was very prayerful and beautiful. A side altar in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception held relics from the 12 Apostles and to the Patron Saint of Parish Priests, St Jean Marie Vianney. I was able to share my relic of St Jean Vianney, who is accompanied by a relic of St Thomas Aquinas. These were a gift of a good friend for my ordination to the Diaconate. In the sanctuary, Bishop-Elect Callahan, was vested. He had returned that morning from his visit to the states where he was announced new aux. Bishop of Milwaukee. It was a joyful return for all of us. We will enjoy his presence here in the house for about another month - then he will return to the US for his ordination and his ministry.

The afternoon brought rain and football practice. Not European ‘football,’ but real American football. The “Old-Men” were practicing for our Thanksgiving Day game - Not the Turkey Bowl but the Spaghetti Bowl - against the “New-Men.” It was a blast but my legs are a bit sore. I’m not used to the squatted lineman stance.

The day was capped off with Evening Prayer, our first solemn celebration of the year. What more can I say, except it was beautiful. The Choir, though very young and with a new director, is doing exceptionally well. They create a proper prayer filled environment. It reminded me of the glory that the angels and saint give to the Holy Trinity in Heaven. Having just visited Venice this past weekend, I leave you with a painting of all the Saint worshiping in Paradise.

By Tintoretto: