Simone Veil, born Simone Annie Liline Jacob, was born to an educated Jewish family in southern France in 1927. In 1944 her family was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau then Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. Only she and her sister survived to be liberated in 1945 by British soldiers.
Here is a British radio broadcast of the Bergen-Belsen liberation. Here is a link to a tribute film to the liberation.
After her liberation from Bergen-Belsen, Simone met and married her husband, Antoine Veil. She was educated as a scientist and lawyer and became Minister of Health for the Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Jacques Chirac, both of whom met Pope John Paul II.
Giscard d'Estaing and Pope John Paul II
President Jacques Chirac and Pope John Paul II in Lourdes, France in 2004
The accomplishments of Simone Veil
I just couldn't stomach posting pictures of
aborted fetuses. They are out there and horrific
like the pictures of the concentration camps.
Birth rates across Western Europe are very low. Abortion is rampant, not as much in Europe as in the United States, but even so, the numbers of those killed via abortion since 1974 dwarf those killed in the Shoah by a factor of 10. Women have become more objectified and families have been weakened. I doubt that Simone Veil would support such a culture of death if she realized that was her legacy. I hope that, in her golden years, she has a change of heart.
American First Ladies have traditionally worn black when meeting the pope in an official capacity. Only in the later half of the 20th Century and afterward have American presidents met popes face to face. The advent of air travel has allowed this to happen.
To read a presidential etiquette insider's blog on the subject click here. NPR has a wonderful primer on meeting the pope. In it are bits of wisdome like
What if the pope approaches me?
Don't just stand there — genuflect. That means bend at the knee, for you non-Catholics.
To read the entire list of suggested manners click here.
Jackie Kennedy had a private audience with the pope, but I'm not sure weather it was John XXIII or Paul VI. The footage here is of Jackie with John XXIII.
Nancy Reagan met John Paul II with her husband in 1982. To see this short, historic video, click here.
This was not from the 1982 meeting, but a more informal occasion later
in the Reagan presidency
John Paul II was elected as pope toward the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency.
President Carter was lampooned for wearing his sweater and for appearing so informal in this address. He did not ask us to conserve oil in our private homes in that speech. It was in this video that he did. I remember this speech. After it, my family set its thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 62 or 64 at night. I still enjoy having a cold nose and warm toes at night.
Jimmy Carter's legacy is much much broader than the energy crisis and energy policy. But, as we endure another New England winter, those lessons are worth learning once again.
Although I could have done this in fewer degrees, I got to the papacy through the Eastern Orthodox Church in . The videos at the end are amazing. What a way to end Greek month! Enjoy!
Fifth Degree: Carrie Bradshaw
The iconic character from HBO's "Sex and the City" loves fashion. So does Pope Benedict. For that post click here. Fourth Degree: Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah played Carrie Bradshaw for years. Here she is discussing that role on The View.
Carrie Bradshaw
Third Degree: George Stephanopoulos
Sarah Jessica Parker is married to Matthew Broderick, a Broadway star and movie actor. The couple naturally live in the New York metropolitan area and go to very fancy parties with very fancy people. Here they are with another power couple, the Stephanopouloses.
George Stephanopoulos, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ali Wentworth (Mrs. Stephanopoulos),
and Matthew Broderick
Second Degree: Robert George Stephanopoulos
Father Robert George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos is the son of an Orthodox priest. The Reverend Doctor Robert George Stephanopoulos wrote a book about Archbiship Iakovos. To read more about Father Stephanopoulos click here.
Second Degree: Archbishop Iakovos
Patriarch Athenagoras and Archbishop Iakovos
First Degree: Pope Paul VI
Archbishop Iakovos accompanied Patriarch Athenagoras to Rome to meet with Pope Paul VI when the two brother patriarchs lifted the excommunications that have separated the Orthodox and Catholic churches for over 1000 years. read about Iakovos here
The documentary below shows Iakovos with John Paul II. What a wonderful man.
Iakovos or John Paul?
Yes! Both!
George Stephanopoulos will be mentioned in the last post of this month, "Carrie Bradshaw." Watch for it! He is two degrees from Pope John Paul II through two first-degreers.
Fourth Degree, Bill Cosby was interviewed with New York restaurateur, Gianni Gavelli, by David Susskind in April of 1986. Cosby is a legend of American comedy. I cannot say enough about him. Enjoy the video.
Third Degree, David Susskind interviewed Nikita Khrushchev on the ninth of October, 1960. Interviewing the Soviet Premier was so controversial, that there was violent reaction to the interview even taking place. Susskind's children were threatened by anti-Communist Americans.
David Susskind and Nikita Khrushchev
October 9, 1960
Second Degree, Nikita Khrushchev invited Pope John to some event or meeting. I am not sure what that event or meeting was.
It may have been the Time-Life luncheon, but it is probably mentioned somewhere between pages 220-242 in
"John XXIII: Pope of the Century." Whatever the case, The Holy Father felt obliged to respond to the Soviet Premiere. He rejected the cold letter offered by his secretary of state, and penned this response to Khrushchev.
Cordial thanks for the courteous message and good wishes. We return them from the heart in words that come
from on high: Peace on earth to people of good will.
We bring to your attention two Christmas documents from the year which call for the consolidation of a just
peace between peoples.
May the good Lord hear and respond to the ardour and sincerity of our efforts and prayers.
Fiat pax in virtutue tua, et abundantia in turribus tuis. ["Peace within your walls, and security within your towers":
Psalm 122.7]
Joyful good wishes for the prosperity of the Russian people and all the peoples of the world.
(letter, p. 438)
Second Vatican Council
First Degree, Pope John XXIII: opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962. A council attended by Pope John Paul II.
Or you could just link Khrushchev to Fidel Castro.
There have been many times when I'm writing a post, that I go off on several different tangents. One of these tangents leads back to John Paul II, and that is the one I publish. But often, there are interesting story lines that aren't published.
Here's one.
Discovering David Susskind's interview videos was really fun. I had heard Alan Sherman refer to him in his music, but never actually seen one. Here is a line of connection that I may pursue at another time. Hope you enjoy the video. I sure did!
David Susskind interviewed President Harry Truman, mentioned in the John Adams post. In this interview, President Truman confessed that Chopin's Opus 42 Waltz in A flat major was his favorite piece of music.
Let's listen to that marvelous piece of music, played by the best person to interpret Chopin's music, Sergei Rachmoninoff. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Rachmoninoff first recorded for Edison Records, one of the earliest record labels. Edison didn't care for Rachmoninoff's touch and referred to the pianist/composer as a "pounder." Listen to a clip of one of those early Edison Diamond recordings. Here, Rachmoninoff plays his Prelude, opus 3, number 2.
Would you believe, a priest challenged me to connect Charles Manson to JP2? What is the world coming to. Well, I did it in 3 degrees. I'm sure it could have been fewer, but I liked the way I chose. I didn't go through the Manson Family, a twisted, rich, and stoned set of ne'er-do-wells who would have undoubtedly known someone who knew JP2. I went in through those who tried the case.
Not-so-fun Catholic Fact: No matter how wonderful you are, you are going to witness terrible things in your life. The death of a loved one, disasters, injustice, etc. I'm noticing over and over (especially in researching these posts) that good Christians rise to the occasion and just do the right thing. They may be surrounded by madness and evil, yet they man-up. Don't neglect your prayer life. Stay strong to meet the challenges when they occur.
2 Degrees of Separation
Second Degree: Judge Charles "Chuck" Older The original judge for the Manson trial had granted Manson permission to act as his own attorney. Manson ran a muck of the courtroom with voider and that permission was retracted before the beginning of the trial. Judge Older, a former WWII and Korean War ace, was the new judge who presided over the Manson trial. To read the New York Times article on the life and 2006 death of Judge Older, click here.
First Degree: Ronald Reagan Charles Older was appointed to the bench by then Governor, Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan met the pope on several occasions.
See the link to the blog Catholic Drinkie in the sidebar
Do you have any ideas for a drink "The JP2"? Leave recipes in comments.
A word on Catholic drinking: Drinking the blood of Christ is the highest sacrament there is. Catholics love drinking. Friars have brewed beer and wines for millenia. Jesus turned water into really good wine. You can even buy Frangelico in a bottle that's dressed as a Franciscan.
Drinking alcohol is not a sin. Drinking and driving is a sin. Drinking to get drunk is a sin. Drinking to make your date more attractive is a sin.
Fermentation and the beverages that are derived from fermentation are morally neutral. They are a gift from God. Like all heavenly gifts, they need to be treated with respect. They are here to help us become closer to God and closer to one another in true friendship. If drinking detracts from your life, it should not be enjoyed by you. Not everyone can enjoy every gift from God.
I’m a native New Yorker.9/11 raped the skyline of my favorite city.I didn’t lose anyone personally in the disaster, “Luckily” they all missed their alarm, missed the train, were out on assignment, or otherwise delayed that morning.It seems as though God did His best to get all those away that He could manage.He didn’t choose to save the best people, just the most people.
We are all sinners and every gift is all Grace. Those who survived just survived, those who perished just perished.
There is no reason or higher purpose for their deaths unless there had been a higher purpose for their lives.
Little Asia Cottom had purpose to her life. This purpose lives on, even a decade after her death.
3 Degrees
11-year-old Asia Cottom was one of three Middle School scholars on their way to study marine biology for 4 days in California. These exceptional children earned scholarships from The National Geographic Society to do the research, then return home to write about their findings. They and the three teachers who accompanied them, perished in the 9/11 Pentagon crash.
To read the Washington Post story about Asia's death click here.
To visit Asia's charity and memorial website click here.
To read about "The Littlest Victims largely overlooked" click here.
Paula Spruill
Third Degree: Paula Spruill A scholarship was established by Asia's family to help other young people realize their dreams. Paula Spruill, a former tutor of Asia, received an Asia Cottom scholarship. Ms Spruill earned her bachelors degree in Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2006. She earned a law degree from Franklin Pierce Law School in 2009. To read Ms Spruill's graduate CV click here.
Judge Baker
Second Degree: Judge James Baker was the commencement speaker at Ms Spruill's graduation in 2009. Baker served President Clinton for 4 years as special council. He now serves on the military court of appeals.
First Degree: President Clinton met John Paul on several occasions.
First Degree: Father Kevin Cook was a classmate of Steve McGraw in the seminary.
Second Degree: Father Kevin met John Paul II
Father Stephen's September 11 Story
Just months into his priesthood, Father Stephen McGraw was on his way to a funeral at Arlington National Cemetary. He took the wrong exit and found himself stuck in traffic by the Pentagon. As his car crept along a deafening sound roared over his head. It was American Airlines flight 77. Moments later the Pentagon was an inferno. The following story quotes witnesses to Father McGraw's bravery and love.
Father McGraw kneels (right) in prayer
and comfort on September 11, 2001
"He literally had the stole in one hand and a prayer book in the other and in one fluid motion crossed the guardrail," said Mark Faram, a reporter from the Navy Times who witnessed McGraw in the first moments after the crash.
Within 45 seconds, McGraw was on the lawn of the Pentagon to provide spiritual comfort to the injured.
For more stories of priests and how they responded, click here.
For an article about a priest in New York who died from debris and the push by firemen to his canonization click here.
Did you know? There are people who deny the attacks of 9/11. There are people who deny the Holocaust too. These people are violating a commandment of God, "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Let's make a search for Father Stephen McGraw bring up the truth and love of his priesthood. Please do the following things,
write blog posts about him and make all your friends read them
pray for all priests who are scorned when they do right
Jesus is still maligned for doing what he did. No matter how holy a person is, they will encounter persecution. I'm so proud of the Orthodox and Catholic priests who ran toward the flames and the screams and tended the flock. Where would we be without you?
One of the conspiracy theory blogs had a comment "how many priests do you know who would leave a job to tend to people in 9/11?" The answer, ALL OF THEM. Here is a video of another priest who ran toward the destruction. The saint of 9/11.
