The Florida priest, Father David Toups, is doing what he’s been called to do: to be a faithful priest proclaiming the Presence of Christ through preaching the Gospel, praying the Mass, administering the sacraments and being an authentic father of souls. A recent article makes the case.
Here’s Pope Benedict’s letter for the World Day of Social Communications. There many great things in the document to ponder for our own personal development in the face of Truth, gospel and our brothers and sisters.
On the occasion
of the 45th World Day of Social Communications, I would like to share some
reflections that are motivated by a phenomenon characteristic of our age: the
emergence of the internet as a network for communication. It is an ever more
commonly held opinion that, just as the Industrial Revolution in its day
brought about a profound transformation in society by the modifications it
introduced into the cycles of production and the lives of workers, so today the
radical changes taking place in communications are guiding significant cultural
and social developments. The new technologies are not only changing the way we
communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we
are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of
spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning
and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships
and building fellowship.
The Church’s liturgical memorial for Saint Francis de Sales is a testimony to what can be done with a man of intelligence, humility, zeal for souls and love by God for the salvation of souls. De Sales is known as the modern Thomas à Kempis because of his book, Introduction to the Devout Life. He’s also credited in assisting Saint Jane Frances de Chantal in founding the Order of the Visitation in 1610. Francis showed fatherly concern for the poor and refused ecclesiastical honors, e.g., the cardinal’s hat, in favor of living as simple a life as possible as a bishop. The Church declared Saint Francis de Sales a Doctor of the Church.
The Church prays at the Liturgy:
O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all thing to all, grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of Your charity in the service of our neighbor.
From Pius Parsch’s The Church’s Year of Grace
How Francis developed a gentle and amiable disposition is a story in itself; he was not born a saint. By nature his temperament was choleric, fiery; little was needed to throw him into a state of violent anger. It took years before he mastered his impatience, his unruly temper.
Even after he became bishop, there were slips, as for instance, when someone rang a bell before he had finished preaching. The important point, of course, is that by constant perseverance he did in time attain perfect self-mastery. Wherein lies a lesson.
+++
Today, please remember my Mother, Lynda, at the Altar. She’s having her left knee replaced. May Saint Francis de Sales, pray for her and the medical professionals.
In his letter to the priests of the Archdiocese of New York on the founding of the new Pro-Life Commission, Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan said,
“These professional men and women, from a variety of backgrounds, fields, and
areas of expertise have generously offered their time and talent to engage in
research, writing, coordination of events, and so much more on behalf of
life. For this I am most grateful, and look forward to working with
them over the years that lie ahead.”
For centuries the Church has blessed olive oil as a sacramental for healing. Some will have oil blessed for lighting a lamp, bodily healing, and even some will use it in cooking. As a sacramental, oil is used in the same way we’d use Holy Water, Holy Salt, and holy images. The blessing given by the priest beseeches God through the intercession of Saint Jude to heal those who use the Oil protecting them from evil and giving the gift of good health of both mind and body. The Bible also speaks of the healing power of oil and its use also reminds us of our own consecration at the time of Baptism and again at Confirmation. This oil is blessed with the relic of St. Jude but is not to be confused with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
Today, asking for Saint Jude’s intercession and using the relic of Saint Jude, Father Ken blessed Saint Jude Oil for the Dominican Shrine of Saint Jude. The Shrine is a ministry of the Church of Catherine of Siena –NYC.
If you would like to get Saint Jude Oil, write to the Shrine at 411 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065. A $5.00 donation is requested to cover costs of mailing the Oil.
Blessing of Saint Jude Oil
Priest: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
God’s creature, oil, I cast out the demon from you by God the Father + almighty, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that they contain. Let the adversary’s power, the devil’s legions, and all Satan’s attacks and machinations be dispelled and driven afar from this creature, oil. Let it bring health in body and mind to all who use it, in the name of God + the Father almighty, and of our Lord Jesus + Christ, His Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, as well as in the love of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire.
Priest: O Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto you.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Let us pray. Lord God almighty, before whom the hosts of angels stand in awe, and whose heavenly service we acknowledge; may it please you to regard favorably and to bless + and hallow + this creature, oil, which by your power has been pressed from the juice of olives. You have ordained it for anointing the sick, so that, when they are made well, they may give thanks to you, the living and true God. Grant, we pray, that those who will use this oil, which we are blessing + in your name, may be delivered from all suffering, all infirmity, and all wiles of the enemy.
Let it be a means of averting any kind of adversity from man, made in your image and redeemed by the precious blood of your Son, so that he may never again suffer the sting of the ancient serpent; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
It is sprinkled with holy water.
Today marks the
anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion
in the USA. It is possible according to Law to end a pregnancy throughout all
nine months. A prayerful response to this atrocity the Church has proposed to
us to observe January 22 as the Day of Prayer and Penance making
reparation for the sin the abortion, praying that true freedom would be engaged
in respecting all of human life, from conception to natural death, and that the
Law would be changed.
The rubric for prayer for the day:
In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 22 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373)
The mission of The Siena Forum for Faith and Culture
seeks to critically examine and promote the rich diversity of the Catholic
faith and its practices that advance authentic human flourishing and its common
good. Our goal is to bridge the gap between faith and reason. The work of the
Forum is rooted in relationships among theology, art, culture, since,
education; the activities of the Forum include pastoral practice, leadership
development, talks, debates courses, seminars, publications, cultural events,
and exhibitions to help people integrate their faith in Jesus Christ as a
dynamic lived experience.
O God, You made glorious in the martyrdom of the hermit Meinrad. Through his intercession, help me to grow in my love for you and in the devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May I follow his example in the Christ-like hospitality and in single-hearted prayer.
Pope Benedict
XVI appointed Attilio Cardinal Nicora, as president of the newly
created Financial Information Authority (FIA). Until now, the cardinal has been the
head of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. Also appointed on
Wednesday were the members of the executive council of the FIA:
Surprisingly, no North
Americans were appointed.
The Financial Information Authority was formed on December
30 as an “autonomous and independent body with the specific task of
preventing and countering the laundering of money and the financing of
terrorism with respect to each subject, both legal and physical, entity and
institution of whatever nature, of Vatican City State, of the Dicasteries of
the Roman Curia and of all the other institutions and entities dependent on the
Holy See.”
Controversies never end between the Holy See and Islam. Dialogue between a Vatican group and an Egyptian one is now suspended in a surprising move. From what I can tell, some individuals are easily swayed by sentiment and the immediacy of political power and not by true faith and reason. Not to mention the poor translations of speeches given by the Pope. This is not a new issue and it is a matter of concern. I am inclined to say that the tensions originate not in Pope Benedict’s statements on Islam and Christianity, religious freedom and reciprocity, and faith and reason, but the tensions in Egypt (and other Islamic countries) over secularizing tendencies of some government leaders and the more conservative religious types. Islam, like Christianity, is in a precarious situation with the faith not being able to fruitfully interact in society. They are facing what 1968 was for the West. Islam is losing ground with many people, though it’s hard to prove this on occasion. On the other hand, I am not convinced, from what I read coming from certain religious leaders in Islam, that broadening reason by faith is a priority. They say one thing and do something opposite. Many of them can’t (won’t?) distinguish secularity from secularism. Certainly conflicting statements and reversing previously held “positions” is confusing and leading to heightened anxieties.