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  November 2007

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Prayer to Obtain Favors
(here mention your request)

Hail and blessed be the hour
And moment in which the Son of God
Was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,
At midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, O my God,
To hear my prayer and grant my desires,
Through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
And of His Blessed […]

My friend you will come to know God through our prayer of the night.
At the vigils we keep for our church and world you will be drawn in to Gods presence.
Each night we silently climb our mountain to stand alone before God.
We offer incense and pray psalms to the one who has called us.

That trials […]

Gospel Commentary for 1st Sunday of Advent
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap
The first year of the three year liturgical cycle, year A, begins Sunday. Matthew’s Gospel accompanies us through this year.
This Gospel is characterized by its ample reporting of Jesus’ teachings — the famous sermons, such as the Sermon on the Mount — and its […]

SPE SALVI
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
BENEDICT XVI
TO THE BISHOPS
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON CHRISTIAN HOPE  

Introduction
1. “SPE SALVI facti sumus”—in hope we were saved, says Saint Paul to the Romans, and likewise to us (Rom 8:24). According to the Christian faith, “redemption”—salvation—is not simply a given. Redemption is offered to us in […]

Sends Letter to Istanbul Patriarch on Feast of St. Andrew
Benedict XVI expressed in a letter to Patriarch Bartholomew I of Istanbul his wish that Catholic-Orthodox dialogue continues to progress toward the union that Christ himself desired.
A Vatican delegation, led by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, delivered the letter […]

Here is the message Benedict XVI sent to Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople on the occasion of the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron of the ecumenical patriarchate. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, delivered the letter to the patriarch today.
* * *
To His Holiness Bartholomaios I
Archbishop […]

Andrew, like his brother, Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He became a disciple of the great St. John the Baptist. However, when John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Andrew understood that Jesus was greater. At once he left John to follow the Divine Master. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind […]

LETTERA ENCICLICA
SPE SALVI
DEL SOMMO PONTEFICE
BENEDETTO XVI
AI VESCOVI
AI PRESBITERI E AI DIACONI
ALLE PERSONE CONSACRATE
E A TUTTI I FEDELI LAICI
SULLA SPERANZA CRISTIANA

 
Introduzione
1. « SPE SALVI  facti sumus » – nella speranza siamo stati salvati, dice san Paolo ai Romani e anche a noi (Rm 8,24). La « redenzione », la salvezza, secondo la fede cristiana, non è […]

Says Displaced Hold Fast to Identity as Chaldean Christians
Displaced Iraqi Christians are doing what they can to hold on to their identity, and the Chaldean Church is a big help, says the bishop of Aleppo, in northern Syria. But, he says, more help is needed.
Jesuit Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, a member of the Pontifical […]

Men also suffer from abortions because they grieve the loss of their fatherhood, said the founder of Project Rachel.
Project Rachel, along with the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing (NOPARH), sponsored the first U.S. conference to focus on the effects of abortion on men. The event concluded today […]

Express Hopes That Democracy Will Prevail
The bishops of Pakistan welcomed Pervez Musharraf’s move to step down as army chief and serve as a civilian president, and expressed hopes for democratic rule in the country.
Musharraf promised today to end the nation’s state of emergency and restore the constitution, which he suspended Nov. 3. He said this […]

Novena to the Immaculate Conception
Say once a day for nine days, especially starting on November 29 and ending on December 7 the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Virgin! Mary, conceived without sin! Remember, thou wert miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because thou wert destined to become not only the […]

  The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today:
  “This morning, Thursday November 29, 2007, Janez Jansa, prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, was received in audience by the Holy Father. He subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
  “The prime minister expressed the […]

  On October 13, for the occasion of the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), a group of 138 Muslim religious leaders sent an open letter to the Holy Father Benedict XVI and to other Christian leaders. The letter was entitled: “A Common Word between Us and You.”
  The Holy Father has […]

“But let us not delude ourselves. As we try to identify true obedience, our reflections are full of serenity and light; but this must not make us forget that, for Jesus, the ultimate accomplishment of the Father’s will took the form of an infinitely painful testing: The Letter to the Hebrews tells us this in […]

Comments on Syriac Poet-Theologian
Christianity didn’t originate in Europe, but rather has its roots in the Middle Eastern world of the Old Testament, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today during the general audience in Paul VI Hall, which he dedicated to the figure of St. Ephrem the Syrian, a fourth-century theologian, poet and musician.
He said […]

Former Orthodox Woman Says Saint Obtained Cure for Her
By Nieves San Martín
The 71-year-old mother of a former Orthodox priest says she was cured of lung cancer through the intercession of Padre Pio. After the apparent miracle, the priest explained, he and his mother, and members of his parish, have become Catholics.
Lucrecia Tudor was born into […]

The bishop of Lourdes, France, where Our Lady appeared to a young shepherd girl 150 years ago, is inviting Americans to make a pilgrimage during the jubilee year marking the anniversary of the apparitions. Bishop Jacques Perrier made this recommendation Tuesday during a trip to the United States to promote the yearlong celebrations that will […]

  Continuing his series of catecheses on Fathers of the Church, Benedict XVI today dedicated his general audience to the figure of St. Ephrem the Syrian, “the most famous poet of the patristic age.” The audience was held in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of 8,000 people.
  Before discussing St. Ephrem, the Pope […]

  In the Vatican Basilica the morning of the 26th, Benedict XVI celebrated his second Ordinary Public Consistory, during which he created 23 new cardinals.
  Following the opening liturgical greeting, the Holy Father read the formula of creation and solemnly proclaimed the names of the new cardinals. The first of them, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of […]

Zoe Laboure, born in 1806, was the daughter of a French farmer. She was the only one of her large family who did not go to school. She could not read or write. Her mother died while she was still very young. Zoe had to run the house when her older sister became a nun. […]

Washington Boys Choir to Join Russian Musicians
The world premiere of Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev’s newest musical work is set for the U.S. capital in December.The premiere of “Christmas Oratorio” is set for Dec. 17 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It will be performed by the Russian Defense Ministry […]

Positive Effects of Religion Abound
By Father John Flynn, LC
The avalanche of books on the merits and demerits of God and religion continues. One of the latest works outlines many of the valuable contributions made by Christianity to society.
Dinesh D’Souza, a research scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, authored “What’s So Great About Christianity” […]

Though modern times are marked by an “indescribable load of suffering,” a Vatican official said he sees signs of “unique and very promising” opportunities.
Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, made this reflection after the 2nd World Congress of the Ecclesial Organizations Working for Justice and Peace, sponsored by his […]

Gaudete in Domino semper, Iterum dico, gaudete
       Phil. 4,4
Rejoice in the Lord always, 
Again I say, rejoice
       We are pleased to announce that Mass will be offered according to the rite of the Missale Romanum 1962 every third Sunday of the month at 3 o’clock in the afternoon at St. Margaret Mary Church, 35 Arch Street, […]

Says He Will Try to Convince Emigrants to Return Home
By Marta Lago
The newly elevated cardinal from Iraq urged his people to be “sons of hope” and optimists, since God is a father who loves his people.
Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of Babylon of the Chaldeans said this the evening before the Saturday consistory in which he […]

Australian bishops are hoping newly elected government officials will pursue policies that integrate prosperity with justice and concern for human dignity.
The bishops’ conference offered its prayers and congratulations in a press release today to Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party. The prelates urged the incoming government to commit to be mindful of […]

The bishop of Mosul, Iraq, said that in his city, as in other parts of the nation, there is an effort to force Christians and educated professionals to emigrate. Bishop Faraj Raho, a member of the delegation that accompanied newly elevated Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, Chaldean patriarch of Baghdad, to Rome for Saturday’s consistory, spoke […]

James was a Persian who lived in the fifth century. He was a great favorite of King Yezdigerd I. When this king began to persecute Christians, James did not have the courage to confess his faith. He was afraid of losing the king’s friendship. So he gave up his faith or at least pretended to. […]

Reports Show that Family Life Is Highly Beneficial
By Father John Flynn, LC The increasing trend toward cohabitation as an alternative to marriage brings with it severe disadvantages for children. The latest confirmation of how children suffer when brought up outside a stable marriage between a man and a woman came in a lengthy article published Nov. […]

This Belgian saint once said, “If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one.” In fact, he died at the early age of twenty-two-and he had, without any doubt, reached his goal of sanctity.
John was born in 1599. As a child, he stayed very close to his sick […]

Here is a translation of the homily that Benedict XVI gave during Saturday’s ordinary public consistory in which he elevated 23 new cardinals.* * *
Lord Cardinals,
Venerable Brothers of the Episcopate and Priesthood,
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today — in this Vatican basilica, heart of the Christian world — is renewed a significant and solemn ecclesial event: the […]

Benedict XVI seconded the U.S. bishops’ appeal for a day of prayer for the Holy Land, leading up to Tuesday’s meeting with Israelis and Palestinians in Annapolis, Maryland.The Pope mentioned the meeting in his address today after concelebrating Mass with the newly elevated cardinals, and before praying the midday Angelus.
The Holy Father said: “On Tuesday, […]

Catherine lived in early Christian times. She was the daughter of a wealthy pagan couple of Alexandria, Egypt. She was a very beautiful girl whose great interest was in learning. Catherine loved to study deep questions of philosophy and religion. One day she began to read about Christianity. Soon she became a Christian. 
St. Catherine was […]

The business of salvation is no easy task. There are two roads through this world and two gates into the future life. “Enter ye in at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in threat. How narrow is the gate, […]

Carthusians
By Edward Dowson
(1867-1900)
Through what long heaviness, assayed in what strange fire,
Have these white monks been brought into the way of peace,
Despising the world’s wisdom and the world’s desire,
Which from the body of this death bring no release? Within their
austere walls no voices penetrate;
A sacred silence only, as of death, obtains;
Nothing finds entry here of loud […]

” LET THE ONE WHO IS WISE REMEMBER.”
” Remember.” - At certain points of life’s journey mother church calls her children to remember. To remember in both times of joy and sadness. Both times of tears and laughter.
” Remember.”- At birth the very gift of life itself incarnate in the beauty and wonder of new […]

Biretta Symbolizes Readiness to Die for Faith
Benedict XVI will elevate 23 new cardinals Saturday, following a rite introduced in June 1991.The ceremony will start with a liturgical greeting, followed by the Pope’s reading of the formula of creation while solemnly proclaiming the names of the new cardinals.
The first of the new cardinals will then address […]

Gospel Commentary for This Sunday
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM CapThe solemnity of Christ the King was instituted only recently. It was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to the atheist and totalitarian political regimes that denied the rights of God and the Church. The climate in which the feast was born was, […]

I also have a heart as well as you.
Job 12: 3
In order to manifest more clearly His infinite love, Jesus has
opened to us His Heart. It is to make us understand that all He has
endured for us, He has endured just on account of the love with which
His Heart was filled. After showing to us […]

  At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow, November 24, the Pope will hold an Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of 23 new cardinals.
  The consistory for the creation of new cardinals, according to the new rite introduced during the consistory of June 28, 1991, contains the following points:
  Following a liturgical greeting, the Pope reads the […]

“Birth of Christ” Unites Protestants and Catholics
As Christmas celebrations seem more and more secularized, a concert premiering today attempts to focus on that “earth-shattering, awesome, tender moment” when God became man, said its executive producer.Raymond Arroyo, director of EWTNews and host of “The World Over,” was speaking of the world premiere of “The Birth of […]

The Roermond Carthusian Foundation is currently preparing an exhibition that is unique for the Netherlands to take place in the spring of 2008. Entitled `As the World Turns‘ – a reference to the motto of the Carthusian order – , this exhibition will be devoted to the importance of the Carthusian order for the Netherlands […]

The new Encyclical of Benedict XVI, “Spe salvi,” will be presented in the Holy See Press Office at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, November 30. The document will be presented by Cardinal Georges Marie Martin Cottier O.P., pro-theologian emeritus of the Pontifical Household, and by Cardinal Albert Vanhoye S.J., professor emeritus of New Testament exegesis at […]

Benedict XVI will sign his second encyclical, dedicated to the theme of hope, this Nov. 30, confirmed his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.  The cardinal confirmed the Pope’s plan today during the 4th world congress of the organizations dedicated to justice and peace, under way in Rome and focusing on the 40th anniversary of […]

Miguel Pro was born in Guadalupe, Mexico, in 1891. He was destined to become a martyr of the twentieth century. The Mexican government’s persecution of the Church began in 1910. Miguel joined the Jesuit novitiate in 1911. He was twenty years old, generous, courageous and lively. By 1914 the revolution had become severe. Jesuit novices […]

Says Psychological Support Cannot Replace Spiritual Aid
Though providing psychological support to the elderly is important, nothing can replace the value of spiritual aid, and especially the benefit of the sacraments, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán made this affirmation when he concluded the 22nd international conference sponsored […]

From the Carthusian Statutes
Book 4, Chapter 33 - Conversion of Life
“4 ‘But he who has no love for the brother he has seen,
what love can he have for the God he has not seen?’
And since brotherly fellowship between men can never
be perfect unless based on mutual esteem, it is
certainly fitting in the highest degree that […]

Justice and Peace Council Begins Plenary Assembly
Mankind needs God in order to discover its vocation to be a united human family, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the inauguration of the dicastery’s plenary assembly.The council opened its assembly Tuesday, dedicated to the study of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “Populorum […]

This patroness of music lived in early times. What we know about her goes back to the fourth century. Cecilia was a Roman noblewoman who had given her heart to Christ. Beneath the rich clothes worn by women of her class, Cecilia wore a rough shirt that caused her suffering. She wanted to be able […]

Now is the time of year when we give thanks to God for all our blessings.  Let us thank God for the greatest blessing of all—the love his divine Son has for us.

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Presents Teachings of Bishop Afraates “the Wise”
Prayer for Christians is to carry Jesus in their hearts, which in turn invites the believers to take up a commitment of charity toward their brethren, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope concluded this during today’s general audience in which he presented the teachings of Bishop Afraates “the wise,” who lived […]

  At his general audience this morning Benedict XVI turned his attention to Aphraates, known as “the Sage,” an important Christian figure from 4th century Syria. The audience, held in St. Peter’s Square, was attended by around 15,000 people.
  The Pope explained how Christian communities in Syria at that time were essentially part of “the […]

Vows to Make Aid Dependent on Respect for Freedom
The European Parliament joined its voice to that of many Church leaders who are condemning the persecution of Christians in several nations.
With a resolution passed Nov. 15, the Parliament asked governments to protect the rights of all citizens and combat acts of discrimination and intolerance. The Parliament […]

Concert Shows Solidarity With Suffering Children
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone addressed the suffering of children with the universal language of music — hosting a concert in solidarity with all young people who do not have the medical care they need.
The Pope’s secretary of state sponsored “La Luce Dei Bambini” (The Light of the Children) concert on Tuesday […]

Cassian’s teaching on the interplay of Bible, prayer, and experience is
the very heart of his monastic theology. It is from this heart that he
continues to nourish and to challenge those who find him to be a
spiritual guide. The centrality of Christ in both reading and praying
the Bible, the call to deeper awareness of the divine […]

When she was only three years old, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem by her parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne. (We celebrate their feast day on July 26.) Mary’s whole life was to belong to God. He had chosen her to be the Mother of his Son, Jesus. The […]

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