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"The Marian Paradigm for Welcoming the Word"
A late October article on the Catholic Education Resource Center's website. "On Tuesday afternoon when Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, and papally appointed auditor, finally addressed the full" (5-28 October) "Synod of Bishops, he touched upon two very important topics that have emerged at this synod, and which can reveal either the full flowering or complete failure of the impact of the Word of God on the lives of ordinary faithful people.
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At this Synod of Bishops, themed The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church, Carl Anderson...supreme knight of the world's largest, Catholic, fraternal and charitable organization said: 'For many years the Knights of Columbus has promoted a form of lectio divina" [reading of Scripture] "'within the context of Marian devotion through the rosary and Marian Hours of Prayer’.
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In his opening address to the synod, which set the tone for all discussions and deliberations, the relatore generale, Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec City, said: 'A woman, Mary, perfectly accomplishes the divine vocation of humanity by her 'yes' to the Word of Covenant and her mission. Through her divine motherhood and her spiritual motherhood, Mary appears as the permanent model and form for the Church, like the first Church'.
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When Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, he referred explicitly to the biblical story of the Annunciation in Luke's Gospel. The angel Gabriel's salutation, 'Hail, full of grace', is understood as recognizing that Mary must always have been free from sin. No other human being collaborated in the work of redemption as Mary did. The Early Church wanted to explain in a plausible manner how God's Son could be 'completely human, yet without sin'. Their answer was that the mother of God must have been without sin.
Within the Roman Catholic tradition we have given this pre-eminent disciple many names and titles out of love and honor.
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What happens to Mary happens to Christians. We are called, gifted and chosen to be with Jesus. When we honor the Mother of God under the title 'Immaculate Conception', we recognize in her a model of purity, innocence, trust, childlike curiosity, reverence, and respect, living peacefully alongside a mature awareness that life isn't simple. It's rare to find both reverence and sophistication, idealism and realism, purity, innocence and passion, inside the same person as we find in Mary."
An October 20 article from the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). "Before praying the Rosary at 5 p.m. today with faithful gathered at the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Holy Rosary at Pompeii, Italy, Benedict XVI paused for a few moments in the chapel of Blessed Bartolo Longo. Subsequently, in remarks he made following the Marian prayer, the Pope asked: 'Where did this great apostle of Mary find the energy and constancy necessary to achieve such an important enterprise? Was it not in the Rosary which he welcomed as a true and heartfelt gift from the Virgin?'
'Yes', he cried, 'that is how it was!...This popular Marian prayer is a vital spiritual means to increase our intimacy with Jesus and to learn, in the school of the Blessed Virgin, always to carry out the divine will'.
'Yet in order to be apostles of the Rosary, it is necessary to gain a personal experience of the beauty and profundity of this prayer, so simple and universally accessible...The Rosary is a school of contemplation and of silence. At first sight it may seem like a prayerful accumulation of words and hence not easily compatible with the silence which is rightly recommended for meditation and contemplation. In reality though, this regular repetition of the Ave Maria does not disturb inner silence, rather it...nourishes it'."
"Prayer prepares the way for the Gospel, Pope Benedict says"
An October 19 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Following Mass in the square in front of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Rosary in Pompeii, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI greeted the 30,000 faithful present and invited them to pray for two special intentions: the synod of bishops and World Mission Day. The Holy Father also spoke about today's beatification of Louis Martin Zélie Guérin, the parents of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, patroness of missions, in Lisieux, France.
In this Pauline Year, Pope Benedict recalled St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!'
The Pope continued: 'In this month of October, month of missions and of the Rosary, how many faithful and communities pray the Holy Rosary for missionaries and for evangelization! I am, therefore, blessed to find myself here today, in Pompeii, in the most important Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. This, in fact, gives me the opportunity to stress that the primary missionary obligation of each of us is prayer. It is, above all, prayer that prepares the way for the Gospel; it is prayer that opens hearts to the mystery of God and disposes souls to accept the Word of Salvation'."
"Archbishop O'Brien orders alleged Marian seer to stop spreading messages"
An October 16 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, has ordered a woman who claims to receive visions of the Virgin Mary to stop disseminating alleged Marian messages within his archdiocese.
Gianna Talone-Sullivan, now a resident of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, claims she began receiving messages from Mary since before she and her family moved from Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. She and her husband founded Mission of Mercy, a nonprofit that provides health care to the poor and uninsured in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Texas."
"Holy Father urges the faithful to pray for Christians in India and Iraq"
An October 12 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Following the canonization Mass for four new saints, Pope Benedict XVI greeted the pilgrims present inviting them to rejoice in the saints canonized today and to pray for the victims of religious persecution in India, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
"Catholic hospital to remove window said to depict image of Virgin Mary"
An October 12 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Mercy Medical Center, a Catholic hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, has announced plans to remove a window in a building which some claim displays an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Hundreds have visited just to see the window. After its removal, the window will be further evaluated and observed for any changes in the image between its panes of glass. "According to Fox News, hundreds of people have visited Mercy Medical Center to see the second-story office window since the image was first noticed on September 30. 'The Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS) will also explore options for appropriate display of the window but is not likely to reach any decision about its display until the conclusion of the evaluation and observation period', Mark M. Fulco, an SPHS executive, said in an SPHS press release.
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Describing Mercy Medical Center as a 'busy hospital and medical center', Fulco said it 'respects the cultural and religious beliefs of the community' but is focused primarily on caring for patients. 'Removal of the window is not only a prudent decision at this point but is necessary for returning to normal operations', said Fulco..."
Feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Here is Catholic Culture's page on this October 11 feast. "...today is the feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The theological controversies regarding the divinity of Christ which disturbed the Church during the fourth and fifth centuries led to a denial of the divine maternity of Mary. The heretics refused to honor Mary as Mother of God. The Council of Ephesus in 431 declared that the Blessed Virgin 'brought forth according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh' and that in consequence she is the Mother of God. Thus she is rightly given the title of divine maternity. In 1931, on the fifteenth centenary of this great Council, Pius XI instituted today's feast. By this act the pope wished to emphasize not only Mary's divine maternity, but also her motherhood of all the members of Christ's Mystical Body."
"Pope Benedict Prays Sainthood Cause of Pope Pius XII Proceeds Smoothly"
An October 9 article from the Catholic News Service. "Pope Benedict XVI prayed that the sainthood cause of Pope Pius XII, whose pontificate spanned the 'tumultuous years' during and after World War II, would proceed smoothly. At a memorial Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Oct. 9, Pope Benedict said 'courage and patience' and a constant striving for holiness marked the pontificate and life of Pope Pius, who died Oct. 9, 1958.
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Critics have said they believe Pope Pius did not speak out clearly enough in defense of the Jews during World War II or was indifferent toward the victims of Nazism.
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The 20th-century pontiff was already aware of the impending danger hidden in the 'monstrous socialist-Nazi ideology with its pernicious anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic roots' when he served 1917-1929 as apostolic nuncio in Germany, the pope said.
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Pope Pius 'often acted secretly and silently' because he knew that was the only way 'he could avoid the worst and save the greatest possible number of Jews', said Pope Benedict. Despite having to veil his public criticisms of Nazi atrocities, Pope Pius still made an emotional condemnation with 'clear reference to the deportation and extermination perpetrated against the Jews' in his 1942 Christmas radio message to the world, the pope said. Pope Pius 'consoled refugees and the persecuted' and dried the tears of pain of innumerable war victims, he added. He said Pope Pius drew strength during these troubled, insecure times from the word of God and Christ who is 'the only certainty that never wanes'. That Pope Pius took great pains to save and care for countless people during and after the war was confirmed by the 'numerous and unanimous testimonies of gratitude extended toward him at the end of the war' and after his death" including "Golda Meir, then foreign minister of Israel" who, upon Pius XII's death said "'When fearful martyrdom came to our people, the voice of the pope was raised for its victims...We mourn a great servant of peace'.
Pope Benedict noted [that] 'not always peaceful' debate surrounding Pope Pius' legacy has overshadowed the important and landmark contributions this pope made to the church and society. His 1943 encyclical on sacred Scripture, 'Divino Afflante Spiritu', represented a 'prophetic intuition' that gave the green light to serious scientific research on biblical texts', said the pope. He said Pope Pius also laid the groundwork for the liturgical movement with his 1947 encyclical on liturgy, 'Mediator Dei'. In it Pope Pius emphasized 'the chief element of divine worship must be interior' with everything being focused on and given over to Christ so that 'the heavenly Father may be duly glorified', the pope quoted. Outward observances and rituals must be intimately linked with this interior devotion, 'Otherwise religion clearly amounts to mere formalism, without meaning and without content'."
"Catholic Pro-Life Group for Young Adults Urges Prayer for Upcoming Election"
An October 9 article from LifeNews.com. "A new pro-life group for young Catholics is urging prayer and sacrifice in the weeks leading up to the election with the hopes the prayers will yield leaders who are sensitive to the destruction of human life via abortion. Sacrifices for Life invites people to pray from now until Election Day.
This initiative is a pro-life effort to rally Christians to make daily sacrifices for the cause of restoring a culture of life in America. The group hopes to help turn the tide against abortion and other anti-life practices that are threatening to destroy the family, and ultimately, society itself.
'The upcoming election is crucial for the pro-life movement in this country', Diana Roccograndi, Sacrifices for Life founder, tells LifeNews.com. 'Many of us are praying and working to elect pro-life candidates who will fight to uphold our family values - our prayers and works will be more powerful when united with sacrifice'.
Roccograndi points to numerous Biblical examples of Christians who proved 'that prayer and action combined with sacrifice can bring God's mercy and healing to our land'. The group's suggestions for sacrifices are similar to the kind associated with Lent and for include abstaining from sweets, television, complaining, or anything one can do without or increasing prayer, fasting, volunteering, or charitable works. 'The organizers of this effort urge that now is the time to implore God to save his children and our nation', the group said.
The effort is growing exponentially as Election Day approaches with members joining from across the country. Flyers and sample cover letters are available for download and may be distributed to all concerned Christians, parishes, schools, communities and Christian organizations. The organizers ask that everyone generously offer sacrifices from now until the elections on November 4th and to join them in this effort by distributing the flyer widely to others. Related web sites:
Sacrifices for Life - http://www.sacrificesforlife.org."
"Prayer, homilies, understanding emerge as early themes at Bible synod"
An October 8 article from the Catholic News Service. "Learning to pray with the Scriptures, improving homilies and ensuring an accurate interpretation of Bible passages were the major themes of formal presentations, open discussion and small-group work Oct. 7-8 at the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible. Canadian Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, the synod's English-language briefing officer, said the three concerns came up repeatedly during the Oct. 7 open-mike discussion in the synod hall and in small groups Oct. 8. Pope Benedict XVI was not present for the Oct. 7 evening session, and he does not participate in the small-group discussions.
Father Rosica said many synod participants asked not just for an explanation of 'lectio divina' (divine reading - a form of prayerful meditation on Scripture), but also asked someone to lead the synod in the exercise so members could experience it for themselves.
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Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Congo, special secretary of the synod, also spoke about the spread of sects and how they challenge the church to explain that a fundamentalist reading of the Bible violates what the Bible itself says about interpretation.
While describing a 'cancerous proliferation of all types of sects', the archbishop said that in the New Testament the apostles warned Christians that some parts of the Scriptures are hard to understand and that 'false teachers' were leading Christians astray. Even in the earliest days of Christianity, he said, the teaching of St. Peter and the other apostles was the norm for interpreting the Scriptures correctly. The Holy Spirit, the apostolic tradition, communion with the church, adherence to the faith of the creed, and coherence with the Bible as a whole 'protect us from a fundamentalist and subjective interpretation of the word of God', the archbishop said. Bishop Maurice Piat of Port Louis, Mauritius, said that preaching and catechesis often overemphasized doctrine and overlooked the word of God. 'Not resting on the rock of the word, the doctrinal and moral building becomes a house built on sand, and it struggles to resist the tsunami' of modern culture, he said.
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Another topic repeatedly raised by synod participants, he said, was the need to improve homilies. Several people mentioned that 'homiletics has a very low priority in seminaries' and one participant told synod members, 'I took one homiletics course for one semester, one hour a week and that's all I ended up with'."
Here is Catholic Culture's page on this October 7 Feast. "This feast was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the great naval victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto on this day in the year 1570, a favor due to the recitation of the Rosary. This victory saved Europe from being overrun by the forces of Islam.
Lepanto, perhaps the most complete victory ever gained over the Ottoman Empire, on October 7, 1571, is commemorated by the invocation 'Help of Christians', inserted in the Litany of Loretto. At Belgrade the Turks were defeated on the Feast of Our Lady ad Nives in 1716. A second victory gained that year on the Octave of the Assumption determined Pope Clement XI to command the Feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the universal Church. Leo XIII added the invocation 'Queen of the most Holy Rosary, pray for us', to the Litany of Loretto. The Feast is in reality a great festival of thanksgiving for the signal and countless benefits bestowed on Christendom through the Rosary of our blessed Queen.
In modern times successive popes have urged the faithful to pray the rosary. It is a form of contemplative prayer, mental and vocal prayer, which brings down God's blessing on the Church. It is a biblically inspired prayer which is centered on meditation on the salvific mysteries of Christ in union with Mary, who was so closely associated with her Son in his redeeming activity."
"Mexican cardinal calls for traditional Marian celebration to include 'mournful' pro-life march"
An October 6 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara has invited the faithful who will participate in the traditional Marian celebrations of at the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, to dress in white and in something black as a sign of mourning for the Supreme Court's ruling that abortion in the country is constitutional.
'The annual visit of the statue of Our Lady of Zapopan to the churches of our city is an occasion of joy for the Christian communities', the cardinal explained in a letter.
'The return back to the Basilica of Zapopan is a manifestation of the extraordinary faith of Catholics that affirms the public presence of the Church and shows the massive support for the Christian faith', he added.
The cardinal also encouraged 'the diocesan community to assume the commitment of watching over the family and ensuring respect for human life from conception to natural death'.
In addition, he called on 'pastors and community leaders to encourage and promote the participation of the faithful in this celebration 'For life and the family'."
"Pope Benedict’s prayer intentions for October published"
An October 1 article from the Catholic News Agency. "This morning Pope Benedict XVI's prayer intentions for the month of October were announced by the Holy See's Press Office.
Pope Benedict XVI's general prayer intention is: 'That the Synod of Bishops may help the pastors and theologians, the catechists and promoters who are engaged in the service of the Word of God to courageously transmit the truth of faith in communion with the entire Church'.
His mission intention is: 'That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, every Christian community may feel the need to participate in the Church's universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help'."
"Pro-Life Group Launches Prayer Campaign to Convert Abortion Practitioners"
A September 29 article from LifeNews.com. "A top pro-life group has launched a new prayer campaign to encourage pro-life advocates to pray for abortion practitioners. Human Life International [HLI] hopes getting them to convert to Christianity will be one way to protect women and children from the tragedy of abortion.
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, the head of HLI, tells LifeNews.com the international campaign involves getting Catholics to promote praying the St. Michael prayer after every Mass.
'The fight against the culture of death is primarily a spiritual battle', Euteneuer said. He cites Biblical writings to make his case: 'Nowhere are the words of St. Paul that 'our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens' (Ephesians 6:12), more evident or obvious than in the abortion battle'.
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The pro-life movement is filled with former abortion practitioners who became pro-life and now strongly advocate an end to abortion. Dr. Bernard Nathanson was the founder of NARAL [Pro-CHoice America] and did more than 50,000 abortions before his viewing ultrasounds of unborn children convinced him that babies are worthy of protection before birth..."
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Bishop of San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Héctor Cardelli who in his homily stressed that 'when Mary calls us together, the family is reinforced, because the Mother is bringing her children together'.
'How much she told us and how little we recall! How opportune was the intervention of Mary, who reminds us to listen to Christ the Teacher...an encounter with Him ensures the presence of the Kingdom here, among us," he continued. The bishop went on to emphasize that it has already been 25 years since 'her maternal accompaniment has come to us and spoken of her love and fidelity to follow Christ, who is our Way, Truth and Life. Christ is the point of reunion, because from Him, our steps have a course, our motivations have direction and our lives make sense'.
'Considering this brief history, if only 25 years, we see nothing more than grace after grace, where our faith has grown based on acts and the Word being translated into reconciliation, peace, prayer and mission', he concluded."
"Prayer is best weapon against anti-Christian violence, says Indian cardinal"
A September 24 article from the Catholic News Agency. "In an interview with L'Osservatore Romano, the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, explained that the best weapon the Church and the faithful have against the wave of anti-Christian violence in the country is prayer.
'I don't think I am wrong in saying that this campaign of hate against Christians is due to the total inaction of the local government', he added, stressing that 'it is not necessary to give in to the temptation to just accept it or much less to vengeance'.
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Explaining the reasons that led to the closing of Catholic schools in India for one day, the cardinal underscored that the shutdown of the 'more than 25,000 Indian schools was a symbolic gesture of great impact and protest, that was aimed at stirring the conscience of our country. It was a clear sign to shed light on the importance of the Christian presence, which is always on the front lines of social work, education and assistance embracing the entire population without distinction', the cardinal continued. 'Prayer, even for those who hate us, has become our main weapon', he added.
Cardinal Gracias went on to refer to the necessity of inter-religious dialogue for 'eliminating all possible causes of tension and disagreement between religious and ethnic groups in India. Dialogue is vital, fundamental. The Church in India has never ceased to promote it'. The cardinal said the Church participates in this dialogue 'on behalf of the poor, the infirm, with no consideration for whether they are Hindus, Muslims or Christians, reaffirming the right to life for all; it is horrible that newborns are killed because they are female', he said. 'In the end it's about proclaiming Jesus with one's own life and contributing to a new world system built on reciprocal love and faith', he stated.
Later in referring to the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, which will begin on October 5 and which he will be unable to attend for health reasons, Cardinal Gracias said he hoped the gathering would lead India to a 'deeper understanding of the Scriptures in order to remove errors and prejudices'."
Old Liturgical Calendar: Feast of Our Lady of Ransom
Here is Catholic Culture's page on this September 24 feast day (in the old Church calendar). "Would you risk your life to free someone from a concentration camp? Would you take the place of a prisoner? Would you sacrifice comforts and even necessities to save a slave? Would you pray and do penance for the freedom of Christian captives? These things were done by the followers of Christ from the earliest days, but especially during the Middle ages. At that time the enemies of Christ's Church had conquered a great part of Christian territory and had carried off into slavery many thousands of Christians. Hit and miss, though heroic, efforts to free these unfortunates had been made here and there.
The Church decided to organize the work of ransoming slaves. In 1198 St. John of Matha and St. Felix of Valois founded the Trinitarians. From then until 1787 they redeemed 900,000 captives. The Order of Our Lady of Ransom, called the Mercedarians, and founded by St. Peter Nolasco, ransomed 490,736 slaves between the years 1218 and 1632. St. Vincent de Paul, a slave himself, led his priests to save 1200 Christian captives in the short period between 1642 and 1660 at the staggering cost of 1,200,000 pounds of silver. An even greater achievement was the conversion of thousands in captivity, and steeling them against the sufferings of a cruel martyrdom for the faith.
All this has been admitted by a modern, competent Protestant historian, Bonet-Maury. He records that no expedition sent into the Barbary States by the powers of Europe or America equalled 'the moral effect produced by the ministry of consolation, peace and abnegation, going even to the sacrifice of liberty and life, which was exercised by the humble sons of St. John of Matha, St. Peter Nolasco, and St. Vincent de Paul'.
Our Blessed Mother herself appeared in a vision to St. Peter Nolasco, and requested him to found a religious order devoted to the rescue of captives. This was in 1218. Previous to that, since 1192, certain noblemen of Barcelona, Spain, had organized to care for the sick in hospitals and to rescue Christians from the Moors. St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Pennafort, and King James formed the new Order of Our Lady of Mercy. The group included religious priests who prayed and gathered the means, while the lay monks or knights went into the very camps of the Moors to buy back Christians, and, if necessary, take their very places. We have mentioned the magnitude of their success, a success that was won through the heavenly assistance of the Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Ransom."
Here is Catholic Culture's page on this September 19 observance (in the old Church calendar). "On September 19, 1846, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Maximin Giraud and Melanie Calvat on the mountain of La Salette, France. After thorough investigation the Catholic Church gave approval to the message and secret of La Salette as written by Melanie. The account was published in Lecce on November 15, 1879 with the imprimatur of Bishop Zola of Lecce. Mary's message was much the same as at Fatima, 'If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son. It is so heavy and weighs me down so much I can no longer keep hold of it'. She lamented with tears those who do not keep Sunday holy and who take the name of the Lord in vain. She indicated that if men did not stop offending Our Lord the potato crop would fail. She gave Maximin his secret which he never revealed. She then turned to Melanie and gave her a secret which Melanie revealed 30 years later only to the Holy Father, who gave orders that it was never to be revealed."
Here is Catholic Culture's page on this September 15 feast day. "...The title Our Lady of Sorrows focuses on Mary's intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. The Seven Dolors, the title by which it was celebrated in the 17th century, referred to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary. The feast is like an octave for the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th....As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul. Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:
The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)"
Here is Catholic Culture's page on the September 14 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. "The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. Our Mother Church sings of the triumph of the Cross, the instrument of our redemption. To follow Christ we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death, even if it means death on the cross. We identify with Christ on the Cross and become coredeemers, sharing in His cross. We made the Sign of the Cross before prayer which helps to fix our minds and hearts to God. After prayer we make the Sign of the Cross to keep close to God. During trials and temptations our strength and protection is the Sign of the Cross. At Baptism we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Let us look to the cross frequently, and realize that when we make the Sign of the Cross we give our entire self to God: mind, soul, heart, body, will, thoughts.
O cross, you are the glorious sign of victory. Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.
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This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena [mother of the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great] and preserved in Jerusalem, but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroas, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jerusalem by Emperor Heralius in 629.
An interesting tale!
The lessons from the Breviary tell us that Emperor Heraclius carried the Cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders. He was clothed with costly garments and with ornaments of precious stones. But at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. Try as hard as he would, he could not go forward. Zacharias, the Bishop of Jerusalem, then said to the astonished monarch: 'Consider, O Emperor, that with these triumphal ornaments you are far from resembling Jesus carrying His Cross'. The Emperor then put on a penitential garb and continued the journey."
"Thousands of sick flock to Lourdes to see pope, pray to Mary"
A September 15 article from the Catholic News Service. "From an altar ringed with wheelchairs and stretchers, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged thousands of sick people at Lourdes to seek solace in Mary's smile and maternal love. Their devotion to Mary at a time of need is not 'pious infantilism' but a sign of the highest spiritual maturity, the pope said...The pope administered the sacrament of the anointing of the sick to 10 people during the liturgy. Addressing each by name, he gently anointed their foreheads and hands with oil and invoked the mercy of the Lord.
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In his sermon, the pope said devotion to Mary can help break the isolation of suffering. Far from being an act of 'outmoded sentimentality', he said, turning to Mary demonstrates that people 'know precisely how to acknowledge their weakness and their poverty before God'. He recalled that St. Bernadette Soubirous, who experienced visions of Mary 150 years ago in Lourdes, first noticed Mary's smile. This smile remains a source of hope for many who endure illness and distress, he said. 'Unfortunately, we know only too well: The endurance of suffering can upset life's most stable equilibrium, it can shake the firmest foundations of confidence', he said. Sometimes it can even lead people to despair of the value of life, he said. 'There are struggles that we cannot sustain alone, without the help of divine grace. When speech can no longer find the right words, we need a loving presence', he said. Mary's smile offers strength to fight against sickness, but also the grace to accept 'without fear or bitterness' the hour of one's death, he said.
The pope...also spoke of the attraction of Lourdes' spring water, which many pilgrims bathe in or drink in search of a miraculous cure. The church has recognized as miracles 67 cures attributed to Mary's intercession at Lourdes, but pilgrims believe many more undocumented miracles also have occurred. The pope did not talk about miracles, but said the spring water at Lourdes is a sign of a spiritual reality that has helped many pilgrims. 'By immersing themselves in the baths at Lourdes, how many people have discovered and experienced the gentle maternal love of the Virgin Mary, becoming attached to her in order to bind themselves more closely to the Lord', he said."
Several other articles connected with the Pope's Lourdes pilgrimmage are:
"Pope celebrates Mass, tells Lourdes pilgrims Mary leads to Christ"
A September 14 article from the Catholic News Service. "Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for 150,000 international pilgrims at the Marian sanctuaries of Lourdes and told them that humble prayer to Mary was a true path to Christ. The pope said Mary had appeared at Lourdes to invite everyone who suffers, physically or spiritually, to 'raise their eyes toward the cross of Jesus' and recognize a love that is stronger than death or sin. 'The power of love is stronger than the evil that threatens us', he said. The pope traveled to Lourdes...to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mary's appearances to St. Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl.
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he made a point he has consistently emphasized when speaking of Marian devotion: that Mary turns one's gaze to Christ. He noted that Mary's first gesture to St. Bernadette was to make the sign of the cross -- an initiation into the mysteries of faith in Christ...'Prayer is indispensable if we are to receive Christ's power', he said. At Lourdes, he said, Mary also revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, a person conceived without sin. In this way, she is 'beauty transfigured, the image of the new humanity'...This special grace inspires people by reminding them that they are 'marked by sin but saved in hope', the hope of salvation that allows them to face daily life, he said. 'This is the path which Mary opens up for man. To give oneself fully to God is to find the path of true freedom'.
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At Lourdes, he said, Mary stirred hope and love 'by giving pride of place to the sick, the poor and the little ones'. 'In this shrine at Lourdes ... we are invited to discover the simplicity of our vocation: It is enough to love', he said. The traditional nighttime procession stems from St. Bernadette's habit of lighting a candle when Mary would appear to her. Today, the pope said, the light from pilgrims' torches represents a powerful symbol against the darkness of sin. The procession expresses the mystery of prayer in a form that everyone can grasp, like a luminous path in the dark, he said. It should also remind Christians of those who suffer, he said. 'We think of innocent victims who suffer from violence, war, terrorism and famine; those who bear the consequences of injustices, scourges and disasters, hatred and oppression; of attacks on their human dignity and fundamental rights; on their freedom to act and think', he said. The pope remembered those experiencing family problems, illness, unemployment or loneliness, as well as difficulties related to immigration. Those who have suffered or died for Christ must not be forgotten, either, he said. He described Lourdes pilgrimages as leading to a spiritual place 'between heaven and earth'.
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At Lourdes, he said, people encounter Mary and find that 'the mother's love' is what provides true healing for all sickness and suffering. 'I think this is a very important sign for our era', he said."
"At Notre Dame, pope tells French art, prayer are pathways to God"
A September 12 article from the Catholic News Service. "Standing in one of the world's most beautiful cathedrals, Pope Benedict XVI told French priests, religious and seminarians that art and prayer were pathways to God. Then he went outside and, cheered by thousands of young Catholics, prepared them for a candlelight procession across Paris. The pope's appearance Sept. 12 at Notre Dame Cathedral marked the close of his first day in France, and he was treated to enthusiastic, if very different, audiences. After riding in his popemobile past crowds of flag-waving well-wishers in downtown Paris, the 81-year-old pontiff entered the main doors of the Gothic cathedral. An organ boomed from above, and as he strode down the main aisle, outstretched arms reached for a touch or a blessing.
The church was packed -- an unusual occurrence in a country where only 10 percent of Catholics attend Mass regularly. French pastoral workers face serious challenges, including a steep decline in vocations and a steady drop in sacramental practice among Catholics. The pope did not mention those problems. Instead, leading a celebration of vespers, he first paid tribute to the cathedral as 'a living sign of God's presence in our midst', one whose beauty had helped spur conversions of the famous and the unknown. Then he spoke to the priests, nuns, deacons and seminarians about the importance of nourishing their faith with daily reading and meditation of Scripture. 'Always cultivate a thirst for the word of God', he said. 'Thus you will learn to love everyone you meet along life's journey. In the church, everyone has a place, everyone'...
Although a brief greeting had been foreseen when the youth event was organized, the pope gave his audience a longer talk that focused on two themes: the Holy Spirit and the cross. Through the gift of the Spirit, he said, young people can be led to bear witness to Christ in their daily lives and to be unafraid to proclaim Christ to others. 'You are at an age marked by great generosity. You need to speak about Christ to all around you, to your families and friends, wherever you study, work and relax', he said. The youths cheered loudest when the pope said, Do not be afraid! when he told them that he and the whole church have confidence in them. Looking out at the crowd, the pope said he knew that many of them wore a cross on a chain around their neck. It is 'not mere decoration or a piece of jewelry', but a symbol of their faith and salvation, he said. The cross is also a symbol of human suffering, and venerating it may sometimes bring mockery or even persecution, he said. The young people were to walk along the river banks of central Paris that evening and keep an all-night vigil at the Esplanade des Invalides, where the pope was to say Mass the next morning."
"Website launched for 400th anniversary of devotion to Our Lady of Charity"
A September 12 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The Bishops' Conference of Cuba has launched a new website dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the devotion to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. The website will provide information on the three-year preparation for the anniversary.
In a message posted on the site, Archbishop Dionisio Garcia Ibanez thanked God for this new means of 'remaining united in fraternal communion'. Likewise, the archbishop welcomed 'Cubans and non-Cubans, pilgrims of the internet from all corners of the planet...to this place of encounter, prayer and dialogue'.
He added that the site would help people discover the 'profound impression that Our Lady of Charity has left upon our personal history as Christians and also upon our personal history as Cubans. I invite you to get to know Jesus more, as that is the desire of his Mother, Mary, who lovingly presents him to us in her arms', the bishop said.
Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Here is Catholic Culture's September 12 page on this memorial. "In accordance with Jewish custom our Lady's parents named her eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary. The feast of the Holy Name of Mary therefore follows that of her Birthday, as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus follows Christmas. The feast originated in Spain and was approved by the Holy See in 1513; Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to our Lady for the victory on September 12, 1683 by John Sobieski, king of Poland, over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West. This day was commemorated in Vienna by creating a new kind of pastry and shaping it in the form of the Turkish half-moon. It was eaten along with coffee which was part of the booty from the Turks.
The ancient Onomastica Sacra have preserved the meanings ascribed to Mary's name by the early Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers. "Bitter Sea," "Myrrh of the Sea," "The Light Giver," "The Enlightened One," "Lady," "Seal of the Lord," and "Mother of the Lord" are the principal interpretations. These etymologies suppose that the Hebrew form of the name is Maryam, not Miryam. From the time of St. Jerome until the 16th century, preferred interpretations of Mary's name in the West were "Lady," "Bitter Sea," "The Light Giver," and especially "Star of the Sea." Stella Maris [Star of the Sea] was by far the favored interpretation. The revival of Hebraic studies, which accompanied the Renaissance, led to a more critical appraisal of the meanings assigned to Our Lady's name. Miryam has all the appearance of a genuine Hebrew name, and no solid reason has been discovered to warrant rejecting the Semitic origin of the word. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryam, (in Latin Domina) means lady or sovereign; this Mary is in virtue of her Son's sovereign authority as Lord of the World. We call Mary our Lady as we call Jesus our Lord, and when we pronounce her name we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection."
"African National Prayer Day Celebrated September 19-21 in Washington"
A September 11 press release from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "African Catholics and others will convene September 19-21, in Washington for African National Prayer Day. The annual gathering, which is free and open to the public, serves as an opportunity for worship and reflection on the presence, role and influence of African Catholics in the Church in United States.
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The gathering will include round table discussions, concerts, liturgies, charismatic prayer, traditional African food and art exhibits in several locations. Close to 1,000 are expected to be in attendance at the main event, the Eucharistic celebration on Saturday, September 20, at 1 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Zaccheus Okoth of Kisumu, Kenya, and concelebrated by Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington, Va., and Bishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam, Abune of Asmara, Eritrea..."
"Papal trip to France is a Marian pilgrimage, says Vatican official"
A September 11 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The vice president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Archbishop Octavio Ruiz Arenas commented...on Vatican Radio...that the dogma of the Immaculate Conception reminds 'the entire Church that Mary was born without original sin and was full of grace from the very moment of her conception in preparation for that magnificent event of the Incarnation of the Son of God. Therefore the visit of the Holy Father to Lourdes constitutes first of all recognition by the Church of that dogma that has touched the deepest part of the hearts of all Catholics. And secondly it is to accompany all those persons who with faith and devotion take refuge in the protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and pray to her not only for the health of their bodies but also for the grace of their conversion', he continued..."
"Pope hopes trip to France encourages awareness of Mary"
A September 10 article from the Catholic News Service. "Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped his first trip to France as pope would encourage greater awareness of Mary as a beacon of hope for all people, especially the young. The pope said he was traveling to France as a "messenger of peace and fraternity" and that he would offer a special prayer during his visit for the sick, the weak and the cause of peace in the world.
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In celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, the pope said he hoped to underline Mary's importance in the lives of all Christians today. "May Mary be for all of you, especially for the young, the mother who is always available to meet the needs of her children, a light of hope that brightens and guides your paths," he said. During his visit, the pope was to hold meetings in Paris with French political leaders, including President Nicolas Sarkozy, and celebrate an outdoor Mass in one of the city's squares.
Vatican officials said one of the most important events on the papal schedule in Paris was his Sept. 12 address at the College des Bernardins, which was to be attended by academics and cultural leaders, Muslim representatives, and officials of the European Union and UNESCO.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the pope had spent considerable effort in personally preparing this speech, which was expected to focus on a major theme of his pontificate, the relationship between faith and modern culture."
Polish "Cardinal Glemp proposes making Mary patroness of European Parliament"
A September 9 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The Archbishop Emeritus of Warsaw, Cardinal Jozef Glemp, said last week he hopes Our Lady of Trybunalski, the patroness of the Polish parliament, will be named patroness of the European Parliament as well.
According to the Polish daily 'Metro', the proposal will be sent to Brussels sometime this month. Cardinal Glemp first made the proposal during the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa in August.
Our Lady of Trybunalski was named patroness of the Polish parliament by its former president, Marek Jurek."
A September 8 article from Catholic Culture's website. "Mary was born to be the mother of the Savior of the world, the spiritual mother of all men, and the holiest of God's creatures. Because of her Son's infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of heaven and of earth, all grace is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy; and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all human nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times. This is one of the three birthdays in the Church Calendar: the Birth of Jesus (December 25), the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24) and the Birthday of Mary. All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb at the Visitation of Mary."
"Pope Benedict prays for ‘every earthly mother’ in Sardinia visit"
A September 7 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Before the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke about the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria, dedicated to the Queen of All Sailors. Addressing an audience of almost 100,000 people, the Holy Father noted that tomorrow the Church celebrates the feast of the birth of Mary. He further reminded them that each grace the Lord granted to Mary, 'He granted thinking of each of us, her children'.
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The Holy Father noted that the birth of Mary was a 'fundamental stage' for the Family of Nazareth, cradle of humanity's redemption. 'With immense gratitude', Pope Benedict continued, 'we ask Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate and our Mother, to protect every earthly mother, those who, together with their husbands, raise their children in a harmonious family context, and those who, for so many reasons, find themselves facing this difficult task alone. May all of them carry out their daily service in the family, the Church, and society with dedication and fidelity. May the Virgin Mary be support, comfort, and hope for all!'"
"Catholic Mobile offering Pope's thoughts from Lourdes via text message"
A September 6 article from the Catholic News Agency. "To accommodate those who will not be participating in the Holy Father's trip to Lourdes, France next week, Catholic Mobile will be offering the opportunity for Catholics to read the Pope's messages on their cell phones.
In addition to receiving text messages with words of Pope Benedict, Catholic Mobile provides the option of selecting other daily text messages such as prayers, saints of the day, or the daily scripture reading sent directly to the individual's mobile device.
Next week, during the Holy Father's trip to Lourdes, Catholic Mobile's service will include daily quotes from Pope Benedict's homilies and teachings, sending messages of hope and inspiration to Catholics around the world.
Subscribers can also personalize their phones by downloading Catholic wallpaper and ringtones.
Catholic Mobile is a partnership between JP2 Media and The Missionaries of Faith Foundation that provides families and individuals with faith-filled content sent directly to their wireless device.
"Italian bishops set aside day to fast and pray for Christians in India"
A September 3 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The Italian Bishops' Conference is inviting all Italian dioceses to join in a day of prayer and fasting on Friday, September 5, for an end to the anti-Christian violence in India.
The day of prayer, which will be held 'as a sign of spiritual closeness and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who so harshly tried in their faith', especially in the state of Orissa, will take place on the 'liturgical memorial of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta or on another day established by the Diocesan Bishop', Fides news agency reported."
"Expert explains Church’s criteria for confirming Marian apparitions"
Just found this May 8 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Salvatore M. Perrella, an expert in dogma and Mariology from the Mariunum Pontifical School in Rome, explained this week the criteria used by the Church to determine the legitimacy of Marian apparitions.
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In an article for L'Osservatore Romano, Perrella cited Jesuit Father Giandomenico Mucci to explain the difference between a vision and an apparition. The first is of a spiritual nature, while the second is of a physical one. That is, the seer has a real and sensible experience of the one in the apparition.
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After a detailed examination of the numerous events related to apparitions, Perrella said, the Church 'has approved a total of 11 apparitions out of 295 that have been studied, including now the 12th, which are those of Our Lady of Laus, approved on May 4, 2008'.
'Once verified and authenticated by Church authorities, the extraordinary manifestations may be freely embraced, [but] faith is reserved only to the public Revelation of God which ended with the death of the last Apostle', he said.
In any case, Perrella stressed, the apparitions approved by the Church only manifest the evangelical mission of Mary throughout the history of the Church, which has been to point the way to the Father's house through faith in the Lord Jesus.
U.S. "President Bush Proclaims Days of Prayer and Rememberance for 9/11 Anniversary"
A September 2 article from the Catholic News Agency. "President George W. Bush has issued a proclamation declaring Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7, 2008 to be National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
In the August 28 proclamation, Bush said during these days of Prayer and Remembrance, 'we pay special tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who died on September 11, 2001'.
'Our Nation honors the brave citizens, service members, police officers, and firefighters who heroically responded in the face of terror', he continued, adding 'we reflect on the terrible events of September 11, 2001, and lift the victims and their families in our prayers'.
'Our Nation will never forget the individuals who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon', President Bush wrote. 'America remains inspired by the countless acts of kindness and sacrifice we saw that day - fearless rescuers who rushed toward danger, a beloved priest who died helping others, two office workers who carried a disabled person 68 floors to safety'.
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Bush asked the people and places of worship in the United States to mark the days of Prayer and Remembrance with 'memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils'."
In September, "Pope Asks Prayers for Those Affected by War and for the Family"
A September 1 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The press office of the Holy See released the prayer intentions of Pope Benedict for the month of September this morning. The Pope's intentions include those displaced by war or by oppressive regimes and that families will be open to the call to evangelize.
Pope Benedict XVI's general prayer intention is: 'That those who, because of wars or oppressive regimes, are forced to leave their homes and country may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights'.
His mission intention is: "That, faithful to the sacrament of matrimony, every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelising community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of its brothers'."
"Convention History Finds Catholics Often Sought to Lead Prayers"
An August 29 article from the Catholic News Service. "In politics, every word, every action, every appearance is analyzed in terms of how it helps one side or hurts the other. Even prayer.
So the appearances of Jesuit Father Edward Reese and St. Joseph Sister Catherine Pinkerton in leading prayers at the Republican and Democratic conventions, respectively, are getting at least a little attention by those wondering what the two Catholic religious leaders might be saying by their presence.
To which they respond: nothing.
Father Reese, president of Brophy College Preparatory School in Phoenix, accepted the invitation from the Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, and his wife, Cindy, to offer a prayer at the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 3 because he has known the couple for years. The McCains' sons, James and Jack, graduated from Brophy. The McCains also have supported the school generously, and Cindy McCain is a member of the school's board of regents.
'It's an honor to be asked', Father Reese told Catholic News Service.
Father Reese is one of two Catholic priests who will join the convention. The second, Father Joseph Johnson, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, will lead the invocation to open the convention Sept. 1.
Sister Catherine, a lobbyist for Washington-based Network, a Catholic social justice lobby, gave the benediction to close business at the Democratic convention in Denver Aug. 27. While Sister Catherine, 86, serves as one of the leaders of the Catholic National Advisory Council to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, she sees her appearance on the dais as nonpartisan.
'I think it's a great opportunity for the church to show Catholic social teaching', the nun from Cleveland told CNS 24 hours after offering her prayer. 'If there's anything that's going to change the way this country is going, it's those principles'."
"Priests for Life Announces National Pro-Life Prayer Campaign for 2008 [U.S.] Elections"
An August 28 article from LifeNews.com. Priests for Life has announced a national pro-life prayer campaign for the upcoming presidential elections. The Catholic organization devoted to ending abortion wants pro-life advocates to pray that Americans make wise voting choices and that they keep in mind the deaths of millions of unborn children.
The group announced a nine-week 'Novena of Prayer' starting on Monday, September 1, to prepare for the elections.
The Novena concludes on Monday, November 3, the day before Election Day and the group has the prayer announcement in both English and Spanish on its web site.
'The intentions of this prayer are that citizens participate in an active and informed way in the elections, and that their voting choices are wise', Fr. Frank Pavone told LifeNews.com Thursday.
'Wisdom means that we see things from God's perspective, put first things first, and discern what's important and what's not', he explained. 'One of the practical effects of such wisdom is that we realize that when the state fails to protect the right to life, it ceases to be a true democracy and instead becomes a tyrant state'..."
August 22 is the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Here is an article from CatholicCulture.org on the Queenship of Mary, celebrated in the Church's liturgical calendar on the octave (eighth day of) the Feast of Mary's Assumption to Heaven (see our August 15th bloglet!).
"Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar, this feast (of the Queenship of Mary) was celebrated on May 31, and today was the feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is now celebrated on the Saturday following the Second Sunday after Pentecost.
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With the certainty of faith we know that Jesus Christ is king in the full, literal, and absolute sense of the word; for He is true God and man. This does not, however, prevent Mary from sharing His royal prerogatives, though in a limited and analogous manner; for she was the Mother of Christ, and Christ is God; and she shared in the work of the divine Redeemer, in His struggles against enemies and in the triumph He won over them all. From this union with Christ the King she assuredly obtains so eminent a status that she stands high above all created things; and upon this same union with Christ is based that royal privilege enabling her to distribute the treasures of the kingdom of the divine Redeemer. And lastly, this same union with Christ is the fountain of the inexhaustible efficacy of her motherly intercession in the presence of the Son and of the Father.
Without doubt, then, does our holy Virgin possess a dignity that far transcends all other creatures. In the eyes of her Son she takes precedence over everyone else. In order to help us understand the preeminence that the Mother of God enjoys over all creation, it would help to remember that from the first moment of her conception the holy Virgin was filled with such a plenitude of grace as to surpass the graces enhancing all the saints. Recall what our predecessor Pius IX, of blessed memory, wrote in his Bull Ineflabilis Deus: 'More than all the angels and all the saints has God ineffable freely endowed Mary with the fullness of the heavenly gifts that abound in the divine treasury; and she, preserving herself ever immaculately clean from the slightest taint of sin, attained a fullness of innocence and holiness so great as to be unthinkable apart from God Himself, a fullness that no one other than God will ever possess.'
Spurred on by piety and faith, may we glory in being subject to the rule of the Virgin Mother of God; she bears the royal sceptre in her hand, while her heart is ever aflame with motherlove."
Also well worth reading is ArmericanCatholic.org's article on the Queenship of Mary.
"Rosary Gets Pop Music Makeover by Michigan Musicians"
Just found this one! A July 25 article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
"Madonna is on Jennifer Zablocki's iPod. So is 'The Madonna'. The Detroit-area Grade 12 teacher works up a sweat to the pop diva's music as well as songs honouring Mary, the mother of Jesus...Among the hundreds of popular and Top 40 selections Zablocki has downloaded, are the 'Rosary Tapes', a collection of Roman Catholic prayers and meditations for the rosary, set to contemporary music by a pair of jingle writers better known for helping Ford Motor Co. sell cars. 'I don't make it to church every week, so it's just kind of my way of keeping in touch with my faith', said Zablocki, a 25-year-old Catholic...'People with few qualms about listening to something from a different denomination will have no trouble getting into the Rosary Tapes', Zablocki said. 'It's really nice-sounding music', she said. 'It's not like preaching to you or anything like that. I don't think anybody would feel uncomfortable - if they weren't Catholic - listening to it'.
'The Rosary Tapes' have helped open the centuries-old tradition to other Christian denominations, according to former rock station disc jockey Bill Gildenstern and composer John Giaier, both devout Catholics. The Michigan-based music consultants have released the fourth CD in the set and have seen more than one million free downloads of an earlier CD. 'It's not a Catholic prayer; it's a Christian prayer' Gildenstern said. 'We all have our traditions, but the bottom line is we're Christians. I see the rosary not as something to, in any way, replace our Sunday worship together, but rather as a way to bring prayer into other areas of our lives where we may typically not pray, such as while driving or exercising'.
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The rosary is a series of prayers beginning with the Apostle's Creed, Lord's Prayer, three Hail Marys and one Gloria Patri, also known as 'Glory Be to the Father'. Catholics believe that as the rosary is recited, it allows a person to see Jesus through Mary. A string of small rosary beads typically is used to count prayers. Jesus' birth, baptism, crucifixion and resurrection are part of the 20 mysteries that make up the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous mysteries in the rosary.
Gildenstern and Giaier, who helped compose 'Have You Driven A Ford - Lately?' and have written thousands of other advertising jingles in a more than 30-year collaboration, added original lyrics, music, percussion, acoustic and electric guitars, organs, pianos and vocal harmony to the devotional prayers."
An August 19 news release from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). "The...(USCCB) invites U.S. Catholics to pray before the November election a novena for life, justice, and peace called Novena for Faithful Citizenship. It is a podcast and available for download.
Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for the USCCB's Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said that the special novena is part of 'the bishops' campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions'. The bishops issued their statement on forming consciences for faithful citizenship in November 2007.
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Seventy-one percent of all visitors to the USCCB's web site download the free podcasts of the daily NAB [New American Bible] readings. These same visitors are encouraged to use the novena podcast for prayer.
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The Novena for Faithful Citizenship runs for nine days and can be used consecutively, one day each week, for nine days prior to the election, or 'in any way that works best for a community or individual', said Rosenhauer.
"Cubans Offer Homes as Prayer Houses to Nurture Faith, Service"
An August 14 article from the Catholic News Service. "As a summer afternoon rainstorm brewed, nearly two dozen Cubans gathered on a friend's covered porch to celebrate Mass.
Wooden chairs were lined up, row by row, to accommodate neighbors. A visiting priest turned a small table into an altar. Another man strummed the opening song on his guitar while a couple of horses rested on the nearby grass, languishing in the muggy heat.
Liturgies at home have become a phenomenon in Cuba as the church slowly rebuilds communities of faith. They are a way of bringing Jesus into the barrio instead of expecting that people make their way to a church they might not have attended in decades -- or ever.
These missionary houses of prayer are known as 'casas de mision', and Santa Catalina Parish in Pedro Betancourt has about 15 satellite mission homes and a chapel.
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Missionary homes began appearing in the 1990s as tensions started easing between the government and the Catholic Church. Casas de mision continued flourishing after Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to the island in 1998.
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Victor Sanchez and Vivian Sosa have been answering the call to service and Christian love since the 1970s...'It's nothing more than the Holy Spirit pushing and inspiring me', said Sanchez. 'I got to know youth from catechesis and I haven't stopped since'. Sanchez recently gathered the youths for a craft project to make rosaries using brightly colored beads and materials brought by U.S. visitors...He also plays the guitar and leads the choir, bringing messages of hope and faith through music...'We have to do God's will', said Sanchez, putting his hand on his heart."
"Archdiocese of Denver to Hold Prayer Vigil at Largest Abortion Facility in U.S."
An August 17 article from the Catholic News Agency. "The Archdiocese of Denver announced it will hold a prayer vigil and peaceful protest outside the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Abortion Clinic. Speaking at the event will be Dr. Alveda King, and Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver.
The archdiocesan Respect Life Office, in partnership with the archdiocesan Office of Black Catholics will hold the Light in the Darkness rally against abortion on Monday, August 25.
The main speaker of the event, Dr. Alveda King, the niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Director of African American Outreach for the Gospel of Life Ministries will open the prayer vigil by addressing abortion as one of today's most pressing civil rights issues. She will also comment on Planned Parenthood's history of targeting minority neighborhoods for abortion services.
Dr. King has noted that 'The fight against abortion is a new frontier in the Civil Rights Movement...We are not following Martin's dream if we do not stand up for the voiceless'.
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The vigil will conclude with a candlelight walk around new facility, which is said to be the largest abortion clinic in the United States. It is located at 7155 E. 38th Ave. in Denver."
"The Blessed Mother Watches Over all Her Children, says Holy Father"
An August 15 article from the Catholic News Agency. "Overlooking the courtyard at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict recited the Angelus with those present for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Pontiff stressed that from Heaven, the Mother of God, continues 'to watch over the children that Jesus himself entrusted to Her before dying on the cross'.
Noting that Mary's 'maternal love is apparent in the many sanctuaries dedicated to her', the Holy Father recalled, the city of Lourdes, 'where, God willing, I will go in a month, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions that took place there'.
'Mary being assumed into Heaven shows us the ultimate goal of our pilgrimage on earth. She reminds us that our whole being – spirit, soul, and body - is destined for the fullness of life, that those who live and die in love of God and neighbor will be transformed in the image of the glorious body of the risen Christ, the Lord who humbles the proud and extols the lowly (Luke 1:51-52). This is what the Virgin proclaims forever in the mystery of her Assumption. May you always be praised, O Virgin Mary! Pray to the Lord for us!'"
August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into Heaven
Here is CatholicCulture.org's article on the Feast of the Assumption, which is the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary.
"At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, when bishops from throughout the Mediterranean world gathered in Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be enshrined in the capitol. The patriarch explained to the emperor that there were no relics of Mary in Jerusalem, that 'Mary had died in the presence of the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later...was found empty and so the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into heaven'.
In the eighth century, St. John Damascene was known for giving sermons at the holy places in Jerusalem. At the Tomb of Mary, he expressed the belief of the Church on the meaning of the feast: 'Although the body was duly buried, it did not remain in the state of death, neither was it dissolved by decay...You were transferred to your heavenly home, O Lady, Queen and Mother of God in truth'.
All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her part in the work of redemption. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood, celebrated both at Christmas and a week later (Jan. 1) on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) marks the preparation for that motherhood, so that she had the fullness of grace from the first moment of her existence, completely untouched by sin. Her whole being throbbed with divine life from the very beginning, readying her for the exalted role of mother of the Savior.
The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eyes in that direction, where we will follow when our earthly life is over.
The feast days of the Church are not just the commemoration of historical events; they do not look only to the past. They look to the present and to the future and give us an insight into our own relationship with God. The Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.
In 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in these words: 'The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven'.
With that, an ancient belief became Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God."
August 14 is the Memorial of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Martyr of Auschwitz and the great modern Marian apostle
Here is an article on St. Maximilian Kolbe, from the CatholicCulture.org website. Go to 'Click for more info.', below. A more detailed, but not-too-long biography of this modern saint is available at Kolbe.net.
Aug. 18/08 update from Rome's Zenit News Agency: On Martyrs of Auschwitz. "Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered Wednesday during the weekly general audience, held at Castel Gandolfo.
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
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Those who pray never lose hope, even when they find themselves in difficult and even humanly desperate situations. Sacred Scripture teaches us this and it is attested in the history of the Church. How many examples, in fact, we can recall of situations in which it was precisely prayer that sustained the journey of saints of the Christian people! Among the testimonies of our age I would like to mention that of two saints whose memory we recall these days: Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, whose feast we celebrated Aug. 9, and Maximilian Mary Kolbe, whom we remember tomorrow, Aug. 14, vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Both ended their earthly life with martyrdom in the Auschwitz concentration camp. It would seem that their existence could be regarded as a defeat, but it is precisely in their martyrdom that the brilliance of Love shines which conquers the darkness of egoism and hatred. Attributed to St. Maximilian Kolbe are the following words which it is said he pronounced at the height of the Nazi persecution: 'Hatred is not a creative force: Love alone is'
... 'Ave Maria!' was the last invocation on the lips of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe while he extended his hand to the one who was killing him by injecting him with carbolic acid. It is moving to see how humble and trusting recourse to Our Lady is always the source of courage and serenity."
A Jun 15 2006 page from Rome’s Zenit News Agency offers information on the Militia of the Immaculata, an international association founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe.
This is an August 13 posting on the Ignatius Press blog Ignatius Insight Scoop. "Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Our Lady's apparitions to Saint Bernadette in Lourdes with 150 true and moving stories!
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The Wonders of Lourdes tells the true story of this marvellous shrine from the very first apparition to the present day. This unique collection chronicles 150 true and moving stories that celebrate 150 years of faith, prayer and miracles, and recounts the epic history of a pilgrimage site that has become a sign of conversion, faith and hope for millions of believers.
Working in harmony with the bishops of France and with complete access to the Lourdes archives, twenty-two contributing writers relate in dramatic style the development of the shrine, its traditions and the personal journeys of many who work or have visited there. Written in an engaging fashion representing a variety of styles, The Wonders of Lourdes is an essential addition to a home library that makes a cherished gift to loved ones. A great preparation for the first Papal visit of Pope Benedict to Lourdes, planned for the autumn of 2008."
