Monday, April 3, 2006
John Paul's Presence Remains Great
From English News from Korea:
Thousands gathered in Saint Peter's square on the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death to pay tribute to the man who led the world's Catholics for 26 years. During the day, many visited his tomb in the crypt underneath Saint Peter's basilica.
By early evening the square was filled with pilgrims holding candles and many waving red and white polish flags. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, president of the Italian bishops conference, led the evening vigil with prayers, hymns and selected readings from John Paul's writings: his poetry, books and homilies.
Pope Benedict XVI appeared at his study window and joined the pilgrims in the recitation of the rosary. It was a reminder of the solemn prayers of the faithful at the same time last year underneath John Paul II's apartments.
At 21.37, the exact time of Pope John Paul's death, pope Benedict addressed the faithful saying that a year has gone by since the death of his predecessor, but his memory continues to be very alive.
The pope said John Paul II continues to be present in our mind and in our heart, he continues to communicate his love for god and his love for man.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
"Well done good and faithful servant."
From Pope Benedict today:
Towards the end, Benedict XVI recalled the last days of John Paul II, sick and in silence. The pope said the Lord “stripped him of everything to assimilate him with himself… His gestures and proclamations were reduced to the bare essential: to the gift of himself to the last”. The pope added: “His death was the fulfillment of a testimony of faith that touched many men of goodwill”.
Introducing the Angelus prayer, Benedict stressed that John Paul II died on Saturday, “the day dedicated to Mary”, to who we ask to “make ours that which this great pontiff showed and taught us”.
Pope Calls for Days of Prayer and Fasting for Iraq
For this Monday and Tuesday...
During the Angelus:
During the Angelus:
The pope launched an appeal for two days of prayer and fasting for peace in Iraq, on 3 and 4 April. The appeal, made by Benedict XVI, was the desire of the Patriarch of Baghdad, Emmanuel Delly and the Iraqi bishops, and it has been made to all believers, including Muslims.
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
From Poland Will Come the Spark
One year ago today...
"From Poland will Come the Spark that will prepare the world for my final coming"
I read these words back in 1978 from St. Faustina's diary that were spoken to her by Jesus. They were published before anyone had even thought of a Polish pope, but somehow one knew that Jesus was referring to this pope and twenty six years later the spark has spread it's fire throughout the world and the devotion to the Divine Mercy is one of the most popular.
I wrote to the pope back in those early days and received the standard reply from a Monsignor that the Holy Father had received my message and sent his blessings. Enclosed in the letter was a small crucifix. What I had written the pope was the following message from teh Gospel of John in Polish:
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young,
you girded yourself and walked where you would;
but when you are old,
you will stretch out your hands,
and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go."
(This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.)
And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
John 21:18-19
It is Our Lord's message to St. Peter. I was reminded of this today at Mass when the Gospel reading was from John and the verses immediately preceding this passage. When I sent it to the Holy Father those many years ago I did so because I thought of how his embracing of the Petrine office was taking him away from his beloved Poland. But in these last years it has seemed even more prophetic as he is wheeled out and put around.
If indeed he is the spark that was to prepare the world for the Lord's coming what awaits us after his entrance into the Father's Kingdom?
One Year later...2006:
In the middle of the night on February 24/25th on a plane somewhere over the west European cost as light broke through the darkness this passage from St. Faustina's diary entered my mind and the words "write and remind others about this message."
I forgot about it for the most part after the excitement of the days in Rome, but was reminded of it when I prayed at the tomb of Pope John Paul II and then this:
The beautiful Encyclical of Pope Benedict is yet another invitation from the God of Love...
Yet how many of us are mired in judgment--judging and being judged?
Picking up stones to cast at others, while worthy of being stoned?
Forgetful of the price paid for our salvation, forgetful of the gift being offered in the Confessional and the altar?
Lord have mercy on us!
"From Poland will Come the Spark that will prepare the world for my final coming"
I read these words back in 1978 from St. Faustina's diary that were spoken to her by Jesus. They were published before anyone had even thought of a Polish pope, but somehow one knew that Jesus was referring to this pope and twenty six years later the spark has spread it's fire throughout the world and the devotion to the Divine Mercy is one of the most popular.
I wrote to the pope back in those early days and received the standard reply from a Monsignor that the Holy Father had received my message and sent his blessings. Enclosed in the letter was a small crucifix. What I had written the pope was the following message from teh Gospel of John in Polish:
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young,
you girded yourself and walked where you would;
but when you are old,
you will stretch out your hands,
and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go."
(This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.)
And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
John 21:18-19
It is Our Lord's message to St. Peter. I was reminded of this today at Mass when the Gospel reading was from John and the verses immediately preceding this passage. When I sent it to the Holy Father those many years ago I did so because I thought of how his embracing of the Petrine office was taking him away from his beloved Poland. But in these last years it has seemed even more prophetic as he is wheeled out and put around.
If indeed he is the spark that was to prepare the world for the Lord's coming what awaits us after his entrance into the Father's Kingdom?
One Year later...2006:
In the middle of the night on February 24/25th on a plane somewhere over the west European cost as light broke through the darkness this passage from St. Faustina's diary entered my mind and the words "write and remind others about this message."
I forgot about it for the most part after the excitement of the days in Rome, but was reminded of it when I prayed at the tomb of Pope John Paul II and then this:
The beautiful Encyclical of Pope Benedict is yet another invitation from the God of Love...
Yet how many of us are mired in judgment--judging and being judged?
Picking up stones to cast at others, while worthy of being stoned?
Forgetful of the price paid for our salvation, forgetful of the gift being offered in the Confessional and the altar?
Lord have mercy on us!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
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