By Anne DiBernardo - Florida Catholic
MIAMI � Father Jordi Rivero was getting into his zone. He had his chin perched on top of his clasped hands and a rosary casually dangling from his fingers as he prayerfully braced himself to give the keynote talk to more than 200 people who attended the annual Respect Life awards luncheon April 24.He had no clue that he was the person whom Joan Crown was talking about as she paused a few times to compose herself through a very emotional tribute to the recipient of the 2010 Respect Life Award.
Father Rivero has served as director of the Respect Life ministry for 14 years and began serving as spiritual director when Crown became director three years ago. He is currently pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Miami but will be going on sabbatical beginning June 1.
�We don�t usually give this award to one of our own,� said a choked up Crown, noting that he was receiving it for his many years of valiant service leading the pro-life cause in the Archdiocese of Miami.
Touched with emotion, Father Rivero gracefully accepted the award and plunged right into a well-timed, awe-inspiring talk.
Father Rivero discussed events of the past and present and even of some future events that have been announced by apparitions. He spoke about the attacks that are being waged against the Church and how the Holy Father is at the front line of the battle.
He began by citing one of St. John Bosco�s dreams, where he sees the Church being attacked by other ships. Actually, he said, �The weapons were paper � media � words. It seems like the Church is going to sink until it makes it to two great pillars � the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. And of course the ship � the Church � is victorious.�
Photographer: FILE PHOTO
Father Jordi Rivero
But he also spoke of another vision, which is the third part of the secret of Fatima that was made public in 2003. In this vision the Holy Father, with priests and bishops, is going out toward a hill where they are all martyred. The angels pick up the blood of the martyrs and join it with the blood of Jesus on the cross and with this blood the Church is renewed with new life and strength.
Father Rivero encouraged everyone to offer their lives every day to the Lord. �That is the greatest thing we can do. That is what Romans 22 tells us; offer our bodies as a living sacrifice each day to the Lord and realize that everything we do, from changing diapers to washing the dishes, and all the menial tasks � if we offer it lovingly united with Jesus Christ to the Father as an offering of love � there is power beyond all the powers of the world and that is how the battle is won and how we can overcome.�
He said the media has been unjustly attacking Pope Benedict XVI �because historically he has been a man who has confronted the abuses and confronted the need for reform in the Church.
�There is a hate for the Holy Father precisely because he is a moral authority that speaks the truth in a world that is awash with abuse,� Father Rivero said.
He pointed out that one in every 60,000 cases of abuse is by a priest and asked who is committing the other 59,999. While this does not mitigate the guilt of abusive priests, it places the scope of the problem into a more realistic context � less than 1 percent of all priests are reportedly guilty of sexual abuse yet the media conveys a perception that is disproportionate with reality, leaving the naive to believe that pedophilia is a disease that only priests catch.
Father Rivero encouraged everyone to go back to the heart of the Church because, whatever happens, Jesus does not fail. He continues to rain down graces through the Church and becomes truly present at every Eucharist.
Father Rivero also reminded his listeners that whatever happens in the next few years does not really matter, for the battle has been won � Jesus Christ is victorious.
�What we will see perhaps is a period of trial and suffering which ultimately will prove to be good for the Church, to prepare the Church for a time of evangelization, for a time of spreading of the Gospel, that we have never seen before,� Father Rivero said. �St. Louis Marie de Montfort said that the Lord is preparing for the greatest saints to come up under these trials and these difficult times � where sin abounds, grace super abounds. We can look forward to this and expect this grace to be saints, to be filled with grace that is faithful to overcome whatever comes against us. The one who is in us is stronger than the one who is in the world.�
The Archdiocese of Miami Respect Life apostolate will be hosting this year�s statewide Respect Life conference, �Ignite the Spark Within Us!� to be held October 29�30 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North. For details, call the Respect Life office, 954-981-2922 or visit www.respectlifemiami.org.
