Bulletins
October 11, 2015
Download the Bulletin as a PDFChristopher Columbus is not currently a candidate for canonization but he is worthy of the celebration of civic society and the prayers of the Church.
"Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool merchant, was born in Genoa in about 1451…. Still a teenager, he got a job on a merchant ship. He remained at sea until 1470, when... his ship... sank, but the young Columbus floated to shore on a scrap of wood and made his way to Lisbon, where he... began to hatch the plan that would change the world forever."
from history.com"Muslim domination of the trade routes through the Middle East makes travel to India and China difficult. Believing a route sailing west across the Atlantic would be quicker and safer, Columbus devised a plan to sail west to get reach the East. He estimated the earth to be a sphere approximately 63% its actual size and the distance between the Canary Islands and Japan to be about 2,300 miles."
from biography.com"At ten o'clock p.m., 11 October, Columbus himself described a light which indicated land and was so recognized by the crew of his vessel. It reappeared several times, and Columbus felt sure that the shores so eagerly expected were near. At 2 a.m. on 12 October the land was seen plainly by one of the Pinta's crew, and in the forenoon Columbus landed on what is now called Watling's Island in the Bahama group, West Indies. The discoverers named the island San Salvador. The Indians inhabiting it belonged to the widespread Arawak stock and are said to have called the island Guanahani."
from the Catholic Encyclopedia"The same year, 1506, that Christopher Columbus died, St. Francis Xavier was born. Talk about divine timing. Xavier, as you know, is the Church's universal patron – I should add along with the Little Flower – of the missions. Christopher Columbus gave us a mission. He brought the true faith to our land. After five centuries, thank God there are many strongly believing Catholics in the western world. They were under no illusion. Many have discarded the Faith which they once professed. Many others are Catholics only in name. The deepest need of America is for that spiritual food which is Christ's revealed Truth brought to America 500 years ago. Please God we will put it into practice and realize the hopes of the Vicar of Christ, of Queen Isabella and of Christopher Columbus in our day."
from Fr. John Hardon, S.J."God, indeed, is especially wonderful in his Saints - mirabilis in Sanctis suis; but the impress of His Divine virtue also appears in those who shine with excellent power of mind and spirit, since high intellect and greatness of spirit can be the property of men only through their parent and creator, God"
from Pope Leo XIII
God bless you!
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
