Interview with Cardinal Fratelli, Part III

    

“When were you made a cardinal?”

"In the summer of 1829.”

      

“Why didn’t you want to be a cardinal?”

      

“I felt unworthy of such an office nor did I believe I could bear it.”

      

“But you did well, didn’t you?”        

      

“Yes, moving into the cathedral was easy, although the priests had to get used to having such a young bishop. I seemed isolated, being an object of so much empty flattery. But, in a year, all was settled. I performed my duties well and even saw fit to chastise Lamberto II, who was son of the Duke of Tuscany; a man known for cruelty and revelry. I had the respect of my congregation and not to mention Francine, who soon reconciled with me.”

      

“Speaking of reunions, you also met back up with Michele. I heard she gave you a lot of unwanted attention!”

      

“Indeed. The dear girl hadn’t married yet and was very lonely. I think she wanted friendship most of all.”

      

“Was there any temptation?”

      

“Oh, I don’t want answer that.”

      

“Come on!”

      

“Well, she certainly didn’t grow any less lovely. I simply restrained my feelings, prayed about this matter and promised to find a husband for her.”

      

“Ernesto, right?”

      

“Yes. It seems the two met before I could make any plans on it. God brought them together without my help- as if to humble me.”

      

“How did you feel when you discovered Ernesto was your brother?”

     

“At first, I could not believe it but then I simply knew. I sorely wished my parents told me they had another son before they’d wed but this apparently was a family secret not even Francine knew about. When I met Ernesto, I noticed we were very much alike, strong-willed, God-fearing…”

      

“And handsome?”

      

“That too.”

     

“What is your favorite thing about being a cardinal”

“I enjoy being active in the community and visiting the churches I oversee. They are always glad to welcome me. There are many charities I support, including an orphanage and school. Going there and seeing the children, makes me happy, to know that God’s work is being done makes me feel very glad. And as you know, I take my duty as a preacher seriously. Sometimes I must be patient in my teaching, watching progress little by little… and this I enjoy also.”

      

“What is the hardest part of your duties as a cardinal?”

      

“I’d have to say that the paperwork is especially cumbersome. Even though I have a secretary to help, I have to look over so many papers, books and documents. It becomes wearying.”

“Do you get vacation time?”

“Not really. The last time I took a vacation, I went to Pisa and it was quite nice but there were several mishaps- one involving gelato…In the end, I felt relieved to be home.”

“It seems you really are set in your daily life.”

“Oh yes, I am. I say Mass every morning except for two days when I celebrate privately in the afternoon. I like these private Masses because the Lord seems to draw closer in the moments of silence. However, I know He is always there watching me- even when I trip in the hallway. I take frequent naps to stay energetic. Dina, my housekeeper, makes wonderful meals. I really can’t ask for more.” 

An interview with Cardinal Fratelli, Part II

“Tell us about the seminary?”

“Francine refused to give a letter of permission, being that I was still underage. I waited what felt like an eternity and finally she provided it one month before my 18^th birthday. The Reverend-Father of the seminary accepted me but doubted if I would fare well. You see, they viewed me as privileged and lazy… I worked very hard, excelled in my studies and thinned down. Many were even jealous of me and did various things to land me in trouble. However, Reverend-Father knew about their schemes so I was never sent away.”

 “When were you ordained a priest?”

“In 1826, when I was 25 years old.”

“What was it like, meeting the Bishop of Lucca for the first time?”

“In those days, meeting a bishop was rare. Usually, he could only be spotted from afar on Easter Mass. When I first saw him, my heart filled with glad awe then when I approached him, I felt almost dizzied from the Holy Spirit’s presence. I imagined myself present before Christ, being chosen as His apostle.”

“Tell us about your first year as a priest?”

“The Bishop sent me to a small church, San Marta, just inside Lucca’s walls. After the parish pastor retied, I took his place. Though I felt nervous and unsure inside, I never revealed this. San Marta was a working-class community, with plenty of farmers and merchants. They were surprised that I, being from an affluent background, worked so well with these common people. I just beheld them as people, who like myself, needed God’s love and grace. …Then, they were surprised by the large numbers who came in order to hear me preach.”

“We know of your reputation as a great preacher. Is there anything you did to gain such eloquence? Perhaps you have advice for those of us who don’t speak in public so well?”

 “I don’t remember doing anything in particular. I simply studied the Scriptures, and the homilies of our early Church Fathers, and I stayed close to God. There are differing gifts in the Church of Christ. Some may not speak well but they might be blessed with great faith or with understanding of deep, theological matters.”

“You brought us a copy of one of your sermons; may you please read it for us?”

“Yes, of course…May I stand?”

“Go ahead!”

“This is from Lent, of 1827. I shall start:

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (1). How many times does Our Lord say this? We hear it in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector, we hear it echoed in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” and we hear also, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” For what purpose?

      Our Lord was not unacquainted with the ways of men. He knew well the lines we’ve drawn in society and He knew the hearts of earthly kings just as much as the hearts of beggars sitting atop ashes. We look at the outside, at appearances and we behold the Pharisee who boldly prays and call him an esteemed man. Yet, we see in the Gospel, that he only prays because he is pleased with himself. Who can be pleased with himself before the Lord? Who can bear His holy presence? I tell you, truly, the tax-collector, sinful as he is, who begs mercy from God- or the beggar sitting outside who prays for healing, is better off!

      Now some of you may think I stand here to condemn worldly possessions but I do not. I condemn the notion that our possessions and fortunes make us better before God! Some of you have said before, “Look at this wealthy man, he is so blessed- he must be holy” as if every Christian found favorable in God’s eyes will be granted prosperity! Then why, my children, did so many of the prophets declare: “He has crushed me”, “May my soul not be forgotten”, “Why have You forsaken me”!

      This is why Our Lord blesses the lowly and lifts them up. His own Son became a servant so that we may be free, became crushed that we would be healed. His path is a hard path and everyone who humbles himself follows after Christ’s own example unto the Kingdom of Heaven.”

 “Wonderful! Very wonderful! And this beautiful eloquence is why the pope made you a cardinal?”

“I suppose… That is, at least, the reason he gave.”

     

“You are so funny, Your Eminence.”

      

“Oh, I don’t mean to be…”

An Interview with Cardinal Fratelli, Part I

                              An Interview with Cardinal Fratelli ~

     



 “Good afternoon, Your Eminence, how are you?"

“I am very well, thank you.


“It’s the perfect day for this interview, don’t you think?

“Oh yes indeed."

“So, let’s get started. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?”

“Well, I was born on April 6^th, 1801. My mother’s name was Maria and my father’s was Francesco. It was my aunt Francine, who decided to name me “Angelo” after the angel who announced the birth of Christ to Mary.”     

 “So, were you raised very religious?”

“I would say yes. My parents took me to Mass every day and when I turned 7, I began serving at the altar. It was delightful learning all the prayers and gestures.”

 “Is this when you wanted to be a priest?”

 “Before I was 10 years old, I didn’t really think about much of anything like that. I didn’t get along with the other boys because I was overweight. They teased me. I think I just wanted to get away and our parish church provided a safe haven.”

 “How was your relationship with the priest there?”

“Very good! Father Paolo was rather impressed with my intelligence and ability to learn. When some of the other altar-boys began taunting me…for the usual reasons…Father placed me in charge of them. They did not like this at all! I remember one of their parents complained that I was “too young” to be leading at the altar and Father Paolo replied: “If your son spent more time serving and less time fooling around, he would be up there instead."

 “Did you have any friends your age?”

“Yes, sometimes I played with the postman’s son, his name was Vincent, but my best friend was Michele, a girl who lived next door to me. All the other boys left me alone when she was around. At least they were taught to be polite around a lady.”

 “How old were you then?”

“I was about 9.”

“Is it true you were sweethearts?”

 “Well, I would not say it like that. We cared for eachother and were just friends."

 “But she did kiss you on the cheek once?”

“Well…yes.”

“Tell us about your parents. Didn’t they die when you were fairly young? How did this affect you?”

“Francesco died first, in a riding accident when I was 11 years old. It was horrible. Maria died two years later, they say of a broken heart, but I believe she was fighting an illness. I was so sad! My aunt, Francine took me in to live with my three cousins, Iona, Francesca and Philomena. But, I was still very lonely. They played many girlish games I didn’t care for. Michelle did visit- but to be honest, I was rather jealous that she played along with them.”

“What was Francine like? Did you two always have such a tense relationship?”

 “Francine was loving and kind to me. She provided whatever I asked. We had a wonderful relationship. However, when I turned 14, she began urging for me to court Michele. I complied and dated Michele for a year but felt unhappy- as if I were being controlled.”

“Didn’t you have any feelings for Michele?”

“I truly did. But I wanted to do things in my own time. The prospect of experiencing romance at such a young age made me awfully nervous. Back then, people married young so it wasn’t unusual… I just suppose I was different.”

“How were you different?”

 “I didn’t want to marry. Since my parents died, I grew very religious and spent a lot of time at the church, working and helping with various things. I just didn’t think about marriage and Francine pushed it on me."

“How could she expect a 15 year old to think about marriage?"

 “Our whole family thought about it. Iona married at age 16. She had her first baby while I was still living in Francine’s house. You must remember, my family had a lot of wealth and influence. Marriages amongst the aristocracy were seen as vital, especially when the couple was young… I suppose best before they got older and opinionated.”

“So, where did your vocation figure into all of this?”

“I didn’t know when I was 17 and Michele, 15, Francine had already begun planning a wedding. I’d come home from morning Mass, filled with godly joy and told her that I wished to spend my life in the church. Merciful goodness, she was so upset! She told me that I was unsuitable for priesthood, that no seminary would take me until I turned 18 and that all the family’s hopes would be devastated. I don’t believe she meant to hurt me by saying these things. She was very angry.”

“What about Michele?”

“She took it much better. After being upset for a few days, she came back and wished me well. I even told her that she wouldn’t have much trouble finding a husband as she was very beautiful.”

“Did you ever regret not marrying her?”

“For a short time…however, I’d fallen hopelessly in love with the Lord.”