The Pope's April Prayer Intentions

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for April is: "That Christians, even in the difficult and complex situations of present-day society, may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ's resurrection is the source of peace and of hope".

His mission intention is: "That the future priests of the young Churches may be constantly more formed culturally and spiritually to evangelise their nations and the whole world".

Pictures: An unusual rosary

I thought this was an interesting idea.

It looks like a normal rosary:

But with an important difference:

Not surprisingly, it was made to pray for an end to abortion.

ph/t: Phatmass phorum.

update: you can order this rosary here. (thanks, reader Rachael).

Leap year saints!

Fr. Nicholas at Roman Miscellany:

The 2004 Roman Martyrology lists four saints for today, who are thus only commemorated (technically) once every four years. Let's especially pray to them on their feast.

[He lists them here.]

Very cool.

"Miraculous medal? Nuns say medal might have helped Giants win"

"Ursuline Sister Kathleen Finnerty, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, knows the limitations of Catholic theology as well as anyone.

So when she mailed a small medal of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to the New York Giants president, John Mara, before Super Bowl XLII, she knew there was no way she could "guarantee" his team a victory over the heavily favored New England Patriots.

"I never guaranteed him anything, but I wrote in the note that I thought he could use a little extra divine intervention," Sister Kathleen said. "I sent it off and completely forgot about it."

During the game-winning drive, Mara was caught on TV pacing in the owner's suite of the University of Phoenix Stadium and reaching into his shirt pocket.

It turns out he was praying silently and touching the religious medal sent to him by the former principal of Resurrection Grammar School in Rye, N.Y., where Sister Kathleen got to know the Maras and their three young children from 1984 to 1991."

... When Pope John Paul II visited Giants Stadium in 1995, the Maras allowed Resurrection parishioners, teachers and students to use their luxury box." - CNS

I'd take a miraculous medal over a super bowl ring anyday, and twice on Sunday.

This Sunday's Gospel Reading as a Gateway to a Fruitful Lent

Today's Sunday Gospel Reading (Mt. 4:1-11), I would submit, offers in the quotations of Jesus when rebuking Satan, three starting points for fruitful Lenten meditation. The following brief comments on these passages are simply my own meditations, and hold no independent authority:

• "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deut 8:3)

In Lent we are encouraged to give up our attachment to physical pleasures and sustenance (bread) in order to better pursue the spiritual goods of faith in God and his saving message (every word...).

• "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Deut 6:16)

Putting God "to the test" is roughly equivalent to demanding that he reveal himself dramatically. True faith, however, does not demand signs from God but rather accepts the tests and trials he gives to us.

• "'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Deut 6:13)

The fulfillment of our Lenten penance and devotion is a contrite and pure heart prepared to worship God at Easter. Serving God represents our full flourishing as human persons, and is a foretaste of heaven.

A close reading of Deuteronomy chapters 7-9 might also be a good way to prepare for this Gospel text.

Pope's February missionary intention: evangelize.

Today the Vatican released the Pope's prayer intentions for February:

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for February is: "That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalised, but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way worthy of their physical and social condition".

His mission intention is: "That the institutes of consecrated life, which are so flourishing in mission countries, may rediscover the missionary dimension and, faithful to the radical choice of evangelical counsels, be generous in bearing witness to and announcing Christ to the ends of the earth."

Amen.

Noted: Vatican Nativity Scene to be set in Nazareth, not Bethlehem

CWNews:

In a break from tradition, the life-sized crèche in St. Peter's Square will show Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their home at Nazareth rather than in a stable in Bethlehem, the Vatican has announced.

Instead of the familiar scene of the Baby Jesus laid in a manger, the Vatican's Nativity scene this year will show the infant Jesus in a home that also includes his father's workshop. No reason has been given for the change.

The crèche will include many of the same figures that have been used in the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square for the past 25 years. Several new statues have been added this year, however.

The Christmas crèche, located in the center of St. Peter's Square, was introduced to the Vatican in 1982 at the suggestion of Pope John Paul II. The Nativity scene, which is currently under construction, is unveiled after midnight Mass on Christmas eve.

Time to give St. Joseph a little attention...?

From the papist archives:

St. Joseph by Gerard van Honthorst, c. 1620. Gallery of his paintings here.

Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part Two

As I menioned before, the Dominican Friars in Washington DC are producing a series of articles and videos entitled "The Mystery of Advent" to help us prepare for Christmas.

If you missed it, the first week reflections are here.

Now, the second written reflection and the accompanying video reflection by Br. Anthony Giambrone, O.P. are available on the Dominican Friars blog here.

Spe Salvi: Pope calls for Living Hope "daily" through prayer

I finished reading Pope Benedict's encyclical letter Spe Salvi last night. One of the themes that the pope often underscores is that hope must inspire us in our daily life.

I've provided the instances where the term "daily" is used by Pope Benedict in the encyclical to describe how the Christian person lives hope, namely, in their daily routine, efforts and life:

"Faith draws the future into the present [and] This explanation is further strengthened and related to daily life if we consider verse 34 of the tenth chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews, which is linked by vocabulary and content to this definition of hope-filled faith..." (#7-8)

"To live for [Christ] means allowing oneself to be drawn into his being for others. For Augustine this meant a totally new life. He once described his daily life in the following terms..." (#28-29)

"... our daily efforts in pursuing our own lives and in working for the world's future either tire us or turn into fanaticism, unless we are enlightened by the radiance of the great hope that cannot be destroyed even by small-scale failures or by a breakdown in matters of historic importance." (#35)

[A quotation from Vietnamese martyr Paul Le-Bao-Tinh:] "...I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to relate to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises, for his mercy is for ever." (#37)

"From the earliest times, the prospect of the Judgement has influenced Christians in their daily living as a criterion by which to order their present life, as a summons to their conscience, and at the same time as hope in God's justice." (#41)

"This looking ahead has given Christianity its importance for the present moment. In the arrangement of Christian sacred buildings, which were intended to make visible the historic and cosmic breadth of faith in Christ, it became customary to depict the Lord returning as a king—the symbol of hope—at the east end; while the west wall normally portrayed the Last Judgement as a symbol of our responsibility for our lives—a scene which followed and accompanied the faithful as they went out to resume their daily routine." (#41)

Pope Benedict's reflection on this topic finds its fullest expression and application in Paragraph #40, which completes Section II ("Action and suffering as settings for learning hope").

Keeping in mind what the Pope has already said about the importance of living hope "daily", see how he takes this truth and provides a practical way of expressing it, living it, in prayer:

"I would like to add here another brief comment with some relevance for everyday living.

There used to be a form of devotion—perhaps less practised today but quite widespread not long ago—that included the idea of “offering up” the minor daily hardships that continually strike at us like irritating “jabs”, thereby giving them a meaning.

Of course, there were some exaggerations and perhaps unhealthy applications of this devotion, but we need to ask ourselves whether there may not after all have been something essential and helpful contained within it. What does it mean to offer something up?

Those who did so were convinced that they could insert these little annoyances into Christ's great “com-passion” so that they somehow became part of the treasury of compassion so greatly needed by the human race.

In this way, even the small inconveniences of daily life could acquire meaning and contribute to the economy of good and of human love. Maybe we should consider whether it might be judicious to revive this practice ourselves." (#40)

The most famous example of this popular devotion (that I know about) is the Apostleship of Prayer. You can learn more about it briefly at Wikipedia, the Catholic Encyclopedia, or at their own website.

The text of the traditional prayer:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

A shorter version, known commonly as the "morning offering":

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of our Holy Father for this month.

You can learn more about this prayer, and others like it, at this page.

I would propose that this Advent, at the beginning of the Church new year, as people of hope we should heed Pope Benedict's advice and resolve to continue or begin the fruitful practice of praying a morning offering daily.

Online Advent Calendars

Deacon Greg Kandra has found a few and reviewed them.

Jeff Miller, in the comments, recommends one by Clayton Emmer.

Pope Benedict's December Prayer Intentions

Benedict XVI's general prayer intention for December is: "That human society may be solicitous in the care of all those stricken with AIDS, especially children and women, and that the Church may make them feel the Lord's love."

His mission intention is: "That the incarnation of the Son of God, which the Church celebrates solemnly at Christmas, may help the peoples of the Asiatic Continent to recognize God's Envoy, the only Savior of the world, in Jesus."

Video: Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part One (The Meaning of Advent)

Catholic Exchange introduces this video (I blogged about the same story here):

Welcome to the video portion of Catholic Exchange's new free Advent study, "Renewing the Mystery of Advent", produced by a team of Dominican Friars from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and St. Vincent Church and Priory in New York City. Each week on Thursday we will feature front-page article along with a video presentation by Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, a Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Joseph.

You can watch or download the video at the Dominican friars blog. The accompanying article is here.

Advent with the Dominican Friars: Part One (The Meaning of Advent)

As blogged last week, the Dominican Friars in Washington DC are producing a series of articles and videos entitled "The Mystery of Advent" to help us prepare for Christmas.

Today the first reflection was posted on Catholic Exchange (with video to follow shortly) by Br. John Chrysostom Kozlowski, O.P. Do take a moment and read:

"Once again Advent is upon us. Our churches will be draped in purple; our priests will wear violet vestments; the Advent wreath will be blessed and lit; "O come, O come Emmanuel" will be sung as we begin the time of preparation for our Lord's coming.

Once again Advent is upon us. Our lives will be swept up in a whirlwind of chaos; we will have to find that perfect present; we will attend any number of pre-Christmas Christmas parties. Our ears will be bombarded with Christmas songs everywhere we go as we begin a three week celebration of Our Lord and Savior's birth.

Which of these images come closer to our experience of Advent? For most of us, the second scenario is probably closer to reality. For most of us, Advent is lived as a time of early celebration of Christmas rather than as spiritual preparation for Christmas. We do not need to celebrate Christmas early because the Church gives us the Octave of Christmas, the Church's eight day celebration of Christmas.

However, all too often, Advent becomes a time for pre-Christmas Christmas celebrations and no one has the energy for eight days of celebration when Christmas comes. When that happens, the distinctive purpose of the Advent season becomes lost and forgotten. Of course, some of us will have office parties and family events that take place before Christmas and it would be in poor taste not to participate. Yet, with some effort, we can reclaim the true meaning of Advent.

[Read the full meditation.]

A truly excellent practical help:

"We promised to offer not only theological but practical points for this period of intense training. Now, there are a number of fine Advent traditions that can help individuals and families prepare. There is the family Advent wreath, the displaying of a nativity scene without the Christ-child until Christmas, and various sorts of meditations that go with these. Advent is a great time for individuals and families to start praying the Rosary — especially the Joyful Mysteries. But when we keep in mind how busy everyone is during this season, there is one Advent practice in particular that we commend to everyone. It is quick and easily carried out by even the busiest shoppers.

The method is to print out a copy of the two prefaces of Advent (they are available here as a .pdf file), and take just one minute a day to read and ponder the appropriate preface — personally praying the first preface during the first part of Advent and the second preface during the second part of Advent. Those who want to make a greater effort to reclaim the meaning of Advent might consider taking a minute to read and meditate upon the appropriate preface before each and every trip to a mall, a store, or a pre-Christmas Christmas party. In this way, the true meaning of Advent will remain with us even during this chaotic time of the year."

To learn more about the Dominican Friars, visit their vocations blog here.

Spend this Advent with the Dominican Friars preparing for Christmas

Here's an exciting offering from the Dominican Friars in collaboration with Catholic Exchange.

Tom Allen, president of Catholic Exchange, explains:

Free Advent Study on the Way!

Realizing that our Christmas joy is in direct proportion to our Advent preparation, we are very excited about sharing with you a free Advent study, consisting of both written materials (downloadable and printable for your convenience) and videos. This series of articles and videos is entitled "The Mystery of Advent."

The "Mystery of Advent" is being produced by a team of Dominican Friars from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and St. Vincent Church and Priory in New York City. Several of their brothers have become regular contributors to Catholic Exchange, sharing with us the treasures of their in-depth Scripture study and prayerful meditation.

More details from the Dominican Friars Student blog:

Every year Christians bemoan how the true meaning of Christmas gets lost from view in our society. In the midst of December’s consumerist frenzy and politically correct greetings, how does one put Christ back in Christmas?

The Church has a powerful response to the secularization of Christmas. The response is Advent.

The Advent season, when lived to its depths, prepares the heart and mind to celebrate Christ at Christmas. The more consciously Christians enter into what Advent offers, the greater will be their Christmas joy.

[We] are offering a series of articles and videos - titled “The Mystery of Advent."

The series consists of one article and one short video for each week of Advent. The articles will cover the readings and liturgy for each Sunday of Advent, and will appear on the homepage of Catholic Exchange the Thursday before each Sunday. The articles are designed to help one prepare spiritually for the upcoming Sunday Mass. The first article appears on Thursday, November 29. The videos will provide Dominican preaching on the meaning of each Advent week, and will appear each week on the homepage of Catholic Exchange.

We Friars invite everyone to join us this Advent in preparing the way for Christ at Christmas.

[Visiting their blog and bookmarking their RSS feed is an easy way to make that happen.]

I consider this is an excellent instance of using modern technology to meet the special spiritual needs of Catholics during this busy holiday season. I suggest we take the Dominican Friars up on their generous offer!

I wonder if he knew how right he was to pick this photo?

... that is, when the author posted this picture with a story entitled "Five Things You Need to Know About Effective Habit Change."

Maybe he intended to visually pun on the word "habit" which can describe the clothing that religious brothers and sisters wear.

Of course, the daily routines of religious orders are meant to foster habits of virtue - particularly the theological virtues of Faith, Hope & Love.

"Monasticism: Psychologically Savvy."

Don't pray to the Rain God - pray to the God of Rain says Archbishop!

Via the CNS Hub, no less than Abp. Wilton Gregory dusts off his Sacramentary:

The Sacramentary contains an official prayer asking God for rain, and I doubt that any priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta has ever used this prayer before—I know that I have not used it in my 34 years of Priesthood. Now seems to be a good time to turn to the heritage of Faith that belongs to the Church and to offer the Mass prayers beseeching God Himself to send the rain that we all so desperately need.

I therefore ask each priest to consider offering the Mass text that is found in the Sacramentary under “Masses for Various Needs and Occasions” #35 for Rain during the course of the next few weeks to beg the Lord of all creation to send us the rain that we need. This Mass may be offered on any day that does not have an assigned feast.

I invite all Catholics to include in your personal prayers an intention for rain so that the earth that we are entrusted with will be spared even greater damage. Parishes may also include petitions in the prayer of the faithful asking for an end to the drought that has caused all of us not only inconvenience, but even more importantly a reason to turn humbly to the Lord who created the heavens and the earth for the help that His love and providence can provide for us all.

Georgia and other parts of the south are undergoing a severe drought right now.

An interesting related issue is that the Endangered Species Act is hurting the water supply for humans:

[Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue] also sent a letter to President George Bush seeking a temporary exemption from the Endangered Species Act to reduce water flows from the state. The day before, the state asked a federal judge to immediately force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to curb releases of water from federal reservoirs.

Georgia contends humans need the water more than the federally protected mussels and spawning sturgeon downstream that benefit from the water drawn from Lake Lanier. The corps estimates there's enough water to last about 110 days if the drought holds, before reaching the murky water at the bottom that's more expensive to treat.

Sorry mussels and surgeon - first things first.

40 Days for Life: Making progress in Sacramento

CNA passes this account along:

We seem to be having an impact on Planned Parenthood, 29th and B Street, downtown Sacramento, where we are holding our constant prayer vigil these 40 days.

When we arrived Monday morning, they had put a sign on the door saying "Closed for Staff Meeting" until after 10 a.m. With the doors locked, no loud PP radios to talk over, and no escorts to contend with, it was a great opportunity to talk with PP clients who showed up; many turned to us for help and information.

Tuesdays and Fridays are usually abortion mornings here. But thanks be to God, the next day --Tuesday -- the abortionist never showed up. Prayers are being answered!

Today, Planned Parenthood's parking lot was at 30% capacity most of the day. [More...]

Do you have similar experiences to share with 40 Days for Life? Please share them with us in the comment box below!

More information on the 40 Days for Life campaign here.

Update: Meanwhile, shady Planned Parenthood-related legislation passed today by Gov. Schwarzenegger in California following an 11th-hour submission.

A silver lining to the Peru earthquake disaster

In no way intending to make light of the situation, I'd like to note Rod Dreher's observation that dozens of the fatalities caused by yesterday's earthquake in Peru occurred in a Catholic Church:

ABC News reported just now that the Peru earthquake caused a Catholic church to cave in during mass, killing a hundred people. One way to look at it: if you have to die, wouldn't you want to do it while in church? Another way to look at it: at mass? Come on, God, why?

Though it may seem easy for me to say this from my situation, I've often thought that the fulfillment of the final invocation in the Hail Mary that she be with us "now and at the hour of our death" would be a to die during one one of the Sacraments (presuming I was in a state of grace, etc).

Abp. Foley, in his homily on the Feast of the Assumption this week, made a similar point. He said that whenever he goes to bed, he prays to Jesus "that he might soon see Your mother, and mine."

We should all pray that the faithful who died attending Mass in Peru yesterday will soon enjoy the beatific vision, and be with our Blessed Mother.