Mary\u27s Place in Evangelization: The Mission Impact of the Marian Charism

At the end of the second millennium, John Paul II exhorted that, The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. To renew the zeal of the missionary activity of Christians, he reminded those who are baptized, Like the apostles after Christ\u27s Ascension, the Church must gather us in the Upper Room together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14), in order to pray for the Spirit and to gain strength and courage to carry out the missionary mandate. Hence, in the missionary activity of the Church, there is a close link between the Holy Spirit, who is the principal agent of the mission and the response of a Christian missionary, a yes, like that of Mary at the Annunciation

Mary\u27s Place in Evangelization: The Mission Impact of the Marian Charism

At the end of the second millennium, John Paul II exhorted that, The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. To renew the zeal of the missionary activity of Christians, he reminded those who are baptized, Like the apostles after Christ\u27s Ascension, the Church must gather us in the Upper Room together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14), in order to pray for the Spirit and to gain strength and courage to carry out the missionary mandate. Hence, in the missionary activity of the Church, there is a close link between the Holy Spirit, who is the principal agent of the mission and the response of a Christian missionary, a yes, like that of Mary at the Annunciation

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Mary, the communion of saints and the Chinese veneration of ancestors

This dissertation of 408 pages includes illustrated photos and Chinese texts as appendices, and attempts to understand Mary\u27s role in two ancient traditions and practices: Chinese ancestor veneration, a cultural practice; and the communion of saints, a Catholic theological doctrine. This research is one of the first in academic circles to compare this important aspect of Chinese culture with a key Catholic teaching. Therefore, the thrust and the novelty of this dissertation hopes to point out how Marian devotion can contribute to Chinese Catholics in the cultural practice of ancestor veneration as an important means of expressing filial piety. Complex as this theme may be, the methodology used is the principal method of: seeing critically; examining alternate sources; and evaluation (reconstruction). The methodology also includes other ways of doing theology, such as qualitative research for six case studies and the category of relationship for the reconstruction. Chinese cultural and religious traditions and texts are important alternate sources to consider, aside from the mainstream of Church documents, writings and scriptural readings. With rich variables at hand, the final chapter suggests ways of implementing Marian devotions thanks to Chinese ancestor veneration understood within the theological framework of the communion of saints. This dissertation unfolds in six major chapters with chapter seven offering an assessment, conclusion and recommendations. Chapters one through six are as follows: Chapter one outlines the rationale and the methodology chosen. Chapter two gives the historical background, including the \u27Rites Crisis\u27, and examines practices of Chinese Ancestor veneration as a cultural, filial-piety tradition. The chapter also clarifies differences between ancestor worship as a cultural phenomenon, and the Catholic understanding of the communion of saints as a religious phenomenon. Chapter three, using the qualitative method, extensively proves that Chinese ancestor veneration is considered important within Chinese Catholic families and clans. Chapter four explores the concept of communion as a model in ecclesiology and in reference to the saints. Chapter five focuses on Mary\u27s role in the communion of saints and Chinese ancestor veneration by outlining their differences and similarities. Chapter five reconstructs the rich variables in the category of relationship, as an anthropological approach. The sixth chapter suggests ways and means of implementing Marian devotions in the liturgy in reference to the communion of saints and Chinese ancestor veneration. For evangelization and pastoral work in Asia, there is food for thought illustrated in three models of relationship: the first model, hierarchical, the second, communion, and the third, a vision of the evolution and journeying together to the end point that is the Reign of God, in one single family and clan

With Mary, Daring to Encounter Others in China

Sister Celia Chua, MIC heard the call to be a bridge builder and to dare to encounter others in China. She has been acting on her calling since 1995