Before reciting the Angelus, the Pope reflected on the importance of one’s conscience is doing good and avoiding evil. He was speaking about the first reading from Sunday’s Mass, which spoke of King Solomon, who had prayed to God to give him a meek heart, meaning a developed conscience to determine between good and evil.
The Pope said, “Solomon’s example applies to everyone…The moral conscience presupposes a capacity to listen to the voice of truth, and to be meek towards its indications.”
“In reality,” Pope Benedict XVI said, “the true quality of our own life and that of society depends on a person’s rightly formed conscience, and on everyone’s capacity to recognise good, separating it from evil, and to try and bring it about patiently to contribute to the cause of justice and peace.”
His Majesty King Harald V
King of NorwayProfoundly saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the acts of senseless violence perpetrated in Oslo and Utøya, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI offers fervent prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God’s peace upon the dead and divine consolation upon those who suffer. At this time of national grief he prays that all Norwegians will be spiritually united in a determined resolve to reject the ways of hatred and conflict and to work together fearlessly in shaping a future of mutual respect, solidarity and freedom for coming generations.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State
EUROPE: NORWAY: PRAYERS AT CHURCH FOR VICTIMS WITH PM AND KING
The Prime Minister said, that the two days since the attacks took place felt like "an eternity - hours, days, and nights filled with shock and angst and crying".
AMERICA: USA: 19 YOUTH CONFERENCE REACHING THOUSANDS OF TEENS
FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY RELEASE: Nineteen conferences across the U.S. and Canada will root more than 38,000 teens in Christ this summer.
Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2011
CONFERENCE MULTI-MEDIAPhoto Gallery on Flickr.comClick on the image to see more photos from the conference at our Flickr.com photostream.  Watch the 2011 High School Youth Conference Promotional Video |
STEUBENVILLE, OH—Stefanick spoke to over 1700 teens, youth ministers, chaperones, priests, and religious, who packed Finnegan Fieldhouse June 17-19 for Franciscan University of Steubenville's first on-campus High School Youth Conference of the summer. Nearly 40,000 teens will attend Franciscan's conferences this summer in 11 states and Canada.
The weekend centered around Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist at Mass and in adoration, and his Holy Spirit, speaking through God's Word in Scripture and the magisterial teaching of the Church to bring the life and love of the Father to every human heart.
A conference highlight was a quiz-show style contest to win free copies of the new international youth catechism, YouCat, made possible through a partnership with Ignatius Press.
Other highlights of the weekend included talks by former MTV personality and director of Internet Ministries for Life Teen Matt Smith, a concert with Catholic singer and songwriter Kelly Pease, and life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ, especially through the sacraments.
"Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and come to know him in a deeper way," said Bob Rice, leader of the music ministry at the University's summer conferences. "As beautiful as it is to adore Christ in the Eucharist, it's even more beautiful to receive him."
Many youth were moved throughout the weekend to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
For audio recordings of the main talks by conference speakers, visit the Franciscan University Bookstore Conference page.
Upcoming Franciscan University summer conferences for adults include the Applied Biblical Studies Conference (July 27-29) for those seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of Scripture, and the Defending the Faith Conference (July 29-31), which focuses on Catholic apologetics. Find out more atFranciscan University of Steubenville Summer Conferences
http://www.franciscan.edu/News/2011/Teens_Rooted_in_Jesus_Christ/
AFRICA: NIGERIA: BISHOPS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO STOP BOKO HARAM
AUSTRALIA: NATIONAL MARRIAGE DAY RALLY ON AUGUST 16
DIOCESE OF CANBERRA REPORT: “Don’t meddle with marriage” is the message that will be sent to all politicians on 16August at the National Marriage Day Rally.
From 10am to 12noon, people are invited to gather in the Great Hall of Parliament House to voice their opinion on proposed laws to permit same-sex marriage.
“In August 2004, Australians from all over crowded into the Great Hall of Parliament House, the Marble Foyer, the surrounding balconies and the Forecourt, demanding that marriage be protected and defined as a ‘union between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’,” Australian Family Association national vice president Mary-Louise Fowler said.
“The message was heard and subsequently the Marriage Amendment Act 2004 was passed on 13August 2004, with support from both sides of politics.”
Since then however the debates about redefining marriage have remerged.
“Many people, including Christians, are confused and have been silenced for fear of offending homosexuals,” Ms Fowler said.
“The fight to defend the institution of marriage is not about homophobia. It is rather about preserving the integrity of marriage, which is naturally oriented to the bearing and nurturing of children.”
Rally participants are encouraged to dress in ruby and gold, the colours of National Marriage Day.
Rebecca Hagelin, from the United States, will deliver the rally’s keynote address, One Man, One Woman: the Future of Civil Society.
To register for the rally, or for more information, go to www.marriageday.org.au.
ASIA: PAKISTAN: MUSLIM FORCED TO HIDE FOR MARRYING CHRISTIAN
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Islamabad (AsiaNews) - The religious intolerance that is destroying Pakistan continues unabated. The latest case in point is that of a couple comprising a Christian and a Muslim, who married without the consent of the families of origin and are now forced to live on the run from one place to another for fear of violence. The bishop of Islamabad has defended them: "Marriage should be free. The state must guarantee them freedom of choice. "The pair is composed of Asthma Zubaida, a Muslim, and Basharat Masih, a Christian. Both lived in the town of Gujranwala, where they met and fell in love: the first was a teacher in the local government school, while Masih was an official of the Department of the school administration. Without parental consent, they were married in September 2010: since then have started to receive frequent death threats forcing them to flee.
The newlyweds have sought police help. Malik Arif, a police officer, said: "We have been contacted for assistance, they claimed the situation was life threatening. In fact, their complaint explains that her family attacked Masih a couple of months ago, when they discovered the marriage. The attacks also targeted the family of Christians. " "They too have been forced to flee."
One of Masih’s relatives, anonymous for security reasons, said: "We have been threatened, our home came under attack, they have even arrived at throwing stones at us from the street That Basharat is obviously more at risk: they want him dead. We asked for help, but nobody paid any attention to us: neither the police nor the local politicians. " Despite the fact she gave police a statement confirming that the marriage took place without any constraint.
Maulana Muhammad Sultan Haider, a Muslim scholar in Islamabad says that this "does not change anything. Only a Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman, because it would water down future generations. I condemn this marriage, I call it illegal, these two could be killed for what they did. "
Diametrically opposed to the opinion of Mgr. Rufin Anthony, bishop of Islamabad and Rawalpindi: "This is a case of intolerance. Marriage is a sacrament between two people, others have nothing to do with it. A state that fails to guarantee its citizens freedom of choice, religious or family, will not survive long. Why should a Muslim girl not marry a non Muslim? Why do marriages with non-Muslims aim to convert. They see it as a great victory, but is only coercion”.
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 24: ST. JOHN BOSTE
St. John Boste
PRIEST AND MARTYR
Feast: July 24
| Priest and martyr, b. of good Catholic family at Dufton, in Westmoreland, about 1544; d. at Durham, 24 July, 1594. He studied at Queen's College, Oxford, 1569-72, became a Fellow, and was received into the Church at Brome, in Suffolk, in 1576. Resigning his Fellowship in 1580, he went to Reims, where he was ordained priest, 4 March, 1581, and in April was sent to England. He landed at Hartlepool and became a most zealous missioner, so that the persecutors made extraordinary efforts to capture him. At last, after many narrow escapes, he was taken to Waterhouses, the house of William Claxton, near Durham, betrayed by one Eglesfield [or Ecclesfield], 5 July, 1593. The place is still visited by Catholics. From Durham he was conveyed to London, showing himself throughout "resolute, bold, joyful, and pleasant", although terribly racked in the Tower. Sent back to Durham for the July Assizes, 1594, he behaved with undaunted courage and resolution, and induced his fellow-martyr, Bl. George Swalwell [or Swallowell], a convert minister, who had recanted through fear, to repent of his cowardice, absolving him publicly in court. He suffered at Dryburn, outside Durham. He recited the Angelus while mounting the ladder, and was executed with extraordinary brutality; for he was scarcely turned off the ladder when he was cut down, so that he stood on his feet, and in thatposture was cruelly butchered alive. An account of his trial and execution was written by an eye-witness, Venerable Christopher Robinson, who suffered martyrdom shortly afterwards at Carlisle. [Note: In 1970, John Boste was canonized by Pope Paul VI among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, whose joint feast day is kept on 25 October.] |
source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnboste.asp#ixzz1T1nf4w79
TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 17th SUN. OF ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A
| 1 Kings 3: 5, 7 - 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
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