Here, shepherding a diocese by being elevated to the rank of Bishop is matter entrusted to the Holy See. And we can trust that the Holy Spirit is at work whether that diocesan father is good, bad, handsome or ugly. One thing that we are often encouraged to do in our liturgical celebrations is to offer them in prayer, their intentions, their work and whatever else they have in the going. That seems easy! However, taking time to learn about their duties is another level of commitment; it is definitively prayer in action that somehow bears fruits intellectually and, gives a direction to our prayers. What is interesting is that the Lord often seems to hear the prayers of the faithful, and when following closely the life of some, we marvel at what the Spirit of the Lord did through them. We wonder if the pope when nominating them to this or that diocese had perceived the direction their mandate would take. So here, I'll direct my attention to two men; Blessed Nykyta Budka, Martyr and Msgr. Isidore de Souza.
Christus Dominus in regards to a Bishop perpetuating the work of Christ, not being an administrator. And this perception is not even after reading a full length biography of his, rather one senses the zeal he was filled during his mandate. It transpires in the lines that summarize the testimonies given about his life, and is nothing less but inspiring. However, it is also one who suffered to achieve such success in Christ since he was also serving during a season where the Soviet Union's influences were not little. It would be by the power of the Holy Spirit that he managed to keep His flock Catholic both culturally and spiritually for the glory of the Father in the name of Christ who He had embodied eucharistically.Over the recent years, the name of Msgr. Budka (June 7, 1877 - Oct 1, 1949) popped quite a bit in the liturgical celebrations, so much so that it undeniably poked my curiosity beyond the hourly Eucharistic celebration. So this year, as the Catholic Church celebrated him on June 27, 2018, I rose from my ignorance. Lo behold, I was taken aback to not only learn that he is one of our many Canadian Bishops. You see the more I heard the name the more I thought he came from one of the Oriental Churches or from Russia. Msgr Budka was not a bishop in the Roman Rite, but the diocesan shepherd of the Ukrainian Rite. Under him, The Ukrainian Ritual Church flourished exponentially. According to me, he wore very well his hat as a bishop; His life echoes the words of
Another man who heroically lived out his calling as a Bishop using in surpassing ways the universal faculties passed on to him by the Holy See is the Most Reverend Isidore de Souza.
Msgr de Souza (April 4, 1934 - March 13, 1999), Archbishop of Cotonou. This is little compared to the numerous acts he accomplished that impacted me growing up I dreamed, and I dare to share it here. I dreamed to one produce a movie on his life regardless of what would be there. Needless to say that besides grooming the faithfuls of his diocese, leading peacefully my native land, Benin Republic, from Marxism Leninism to a system of Democracy, he knew as well to empower. And this he did when invited to the University of Laval by Dr. Kossou Leocadie who was responsible of the Catholic Charismatic prayer that met weekly in the Chapel built for students on campus; a place that remained opened every day of the week anytime.I never thought or even imagined in my wildest dreams that I would one day meet this holy man face to face. Even better stand so close to him that He would dedicate me more than few minutes with words that still resonnate with me. You would think that after having addressed the countless students who had packed the Chapel he would be tired. No, regardless of his health conditions, He was radiating the love of Christ. In our exchanges, he was so proud of the Catholic Faith in Benin that he did not want to sacrifice it for anything. Thus he clearly expressed to me that if ever a choice had to be made, He preferred a country poor financially but rich spiritually "Je prefere un Benin pauvre materiellement, mais rich dans la foi." These words I forever cherished and belted in my soul.Fanny Magnificat, MZRB
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