AFRICA : APPEAL FOR HARMONY AMONG FAITHS
ASIA : PAKISTAN : CHRISTIAN LEADERS FIGHT PORNOGRAPHY
AMERICA : VENEZUELA : CARDINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRESIDENT EUROPE : MASS IN HONOUR OF VICTIMS OF SHIP WRECK
ASIA : PAKISTAN : CHRISTIAN LEADERS FIGHT PORNOGRAPHY
AMERICA : VENEZUELA : CARDINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRESIDENT EUROPE : MASS IN HONOUR OF VICTIMS OF SHIP WRECK
TODAY'S SAINT : FEB. 10 : ST. SCHOLASTICA
VATICAN ; POPE : PLEA FOR COUNTRIES OF SAHEL AND OTHER NEWS
VATICAN ; POPE : PLEA FOR COUNTRIES OF SAHEL AND OTHER NEWS
BENEDICT XVI INVITES
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP THE COUNTRIES OF THE SAHEL
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Holy Father received in audience twenty-five members of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel (the sub-Saharan region of Africa which includes countries on the west coast and central part of the continent). The institution came into being following John Paul II's first trip to Africa and was formally established with a Chirograph on 22 February 1984. It is involved in managing and protecting natural resources, the struggle against drought and desertification, rural development and the fight against poverty, through the involvement of local people. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
In his address Benedict XVI recalled how in recent months the Sahel "has been seriously threatened by a significant drop in food supplies and famine, caused by low rainfall and the consequent inexorable advance of the desert. I exhort the international community to concern itself with the extreme poverty of these peoples, whose living conditions are deteriorating. And I encourage and support the efforts made by the ecclesial organisations which operate in this field".
In some of the countries in which the Foundation operates Islam is also present. In this context Benedict XVI expressed his satisfaction at the good relations that exist with Muslims, and noted "the importance of bearing witness to the fact that Christ lives, and that His love goes beyond all religions, races and cultures".
In conclusion the Pope highlighted how "Africa is the continent of hope for the Church, ... the continent of the future".
CONSISTORY FOR CANONISATION OF SEVEN BLESSEDS, COURTESY VISITS OF NEW CARDINALS
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Basilica at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday 18 February Benedict XVI will celebrate an ordinary public consistory for the creation of twenty-two new cardinals during which he will impose the biretta, consign the ring and assign them their title or diaconate, according to a communique released today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
At the end of the ceremony, the Holy Father will celebrate an ordinary public consistory for the canonisation of the following Blesseds: Jacques Berthieu, French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits); Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr; Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord; Maria del Carmen (nee Maria Salles y Barangueras), Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching; Maria Anna Cope (nee Barbara), German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse U.S.A.; Kateri Tekakwitha, American laywoman, and Anna Schaffer, German laywoman.
That same afternoon, from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. in various rooms of the Apostolic Palace, the new cardinals will receive all those who wish to pay them a courtesy visit. A list of these locations follows:
Atrium of the Paul VI Hall: Cardinals Joao Braz de Aviz, Edwin Frederick O'Brien, George Alencherry, Lucian Muresan, Julien Ries and Prosper Grech, O.S.A.
Paul VI Hall: Cardinals Francesco Coccopalmerio, Thomas Christopher Collins, Dominik Jaroslav Duka O.P., Willem Jacobus Eijk, Giuseppe Betori, Timothy Michael Dolan, Rainer Maria Woelki and John Tong Hon.
Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Fernando Filoni, Manuel Monteiro de Castro and Giuseppe Bertello.
Galleria Lapidaria of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Santos Abril y Castello and Antonio Maria Veglio.
Sala Ducale of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Domenico Calcagno and Giuseppe Versaldi.
Also in St. Peter's Basilica, at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 19 February, Solemnity of the Cathedra of St. Peter, the Holy Father will preside at a concelebrated Mass with the new cardinals.
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Eight prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Jerome Edward Listecki of Milwaukee, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Donald J. Hying and former Auxiliary Bishop Richard John Sklba.
- Bishop David Laurin Ricken of Green Bay, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Robert Joseph Banks.
- Bishop William Patrick Callahan O.F.M. Conv. of La Crosse.
- Bishop Robert Charles Morlino of Madison.
- Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Bishop Marco Perez Caicedo, auxiliary of Guayaquil, Ecuador, as bishop of Babahoyo (area 6,531, population 788,000, Catholics 583,000, priests 42, religious 49), Ecuador.
- Archbishop Giovanni d'Aniello, apostolic nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia, and apostolic delegate to Myanmar and Laos, as apostolic nuncio to Brazil.
- Bishop Paolo Mietto C.S.I., apostolic vicar emeritus of Napo, Ecuador, as apostolic administrator of San Miguel de Sucumbios, Ecuador.
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Holy Father received in audience twenty-five members of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel (the sub-Saharan region of Africa which includes countries on the west coast and central part of the continent). The institution came into being following John Paul II's first trip to Africa and was formally established with a Chirograph on 22 February 1984. It is involved in managing and protecting natural resources, the struggle against drought and desertification, rural development and the fight against poverty, through the involvement of local people. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
In his address Benedict XVI recalled how in recent months the Sahel "has been seriously threatened by a significant drop in food supplies and famine, caused by low rainfall and the consequent inexorable advance of the desert. I exhort the international community to concern itself with the extreme poverty of these peoples, whose living conditions are deteriorating. And I encourage and support the efforts made by the ecclesial organisations which operate in this field".
In some of the countries in which the Foundation operates Islam is also present. In this context Benedict XVI expressed his satisfaction at the good relations that exist with Muslims, and noted "the importance of bearing witness to the fact that Christ lives, and that His love goes beyond all religions, races and cultures".
In conclusion the Pope highlighted how "Africa is the continent of hope for the Church, ... the continent of the future".
CONSISTORY FOR CANONISATION OF SEVEN BLESSEDS, COURTESY VISITS OF NEW CARDINALS
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Basilica at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday 18 February Benedict XVI will celebrate an ordinary public consistory for the creation of twenty-two new cardinals during which he will impose the biretta, consign the ring and assign them their title or diaconate, according to a communique released today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
At the end of the ceremony, the Holy Father will celebrate an ordinary public consistory for the canonisation of the following Blesseds: Jacques Berthieu, French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits); Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr; Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord; Maria del Carmen (nee Maria Salles y Barangueras), Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching; Maria Anna Cope (nee Barbara), German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse U.S.A.; Kateri Tekakwitha, American laywoman, and Anna Schaffer, German laywoman.
That same afternoon, from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. in various rooms of the Apostolic Palace, the new cardinals will receive all those who wish to pay them a courtesy visit. A list of these locations follows:
Atrium of the Paul VI Hall: Cardinals Joao Braz de Aviz, Edwin Frederick O'Brien, George Alencherry, Lucian Muresan, Julien Ries and Prosper Grech, O.S.A.
Paul VI Hall: Cardinals Francesco Coccopalmerio, Thomas Christopher Collins, Dominik Jaroslav Duka O.P., Willem Jacobus Eijk, Giuseppe Betori, Timothy Michael Dolan, Rainer Maria Woelki and John Tong Hon.
Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Fernando Filoni, Manuel Monteiro de Castro and Giuseppe Bertello.
Galleria Lapidaria of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Santos Abril y Castello and Antonio Maria Veglio.
Sala Ducale of the Apostolic Palace: Cardinals Domenico Calcagno and Giuseppe Versaldi.
Also in St. Peter's Basilica, at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 19 February, Solemnity of the Cathedra of St. Peter, the Holy Father will preside at a concelebrated Mass with the new cardinals.
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Eight prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Jerome Edward Listecki of Milwaukee, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Donald J. Hying and former Auxiliary Bishop Richard John Sklba.
- Bishop David Laurin Ricken of Green Bay, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Robert Joseph Banks.
- Bishop William Patrick Callahan O.F.M. Conv. of La Crosse.
- Bishop Robert Charles Morlino of Madison.
- Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 10 February 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Bishop Marco Perez Caicedo, auxiliary of Guayaquil, Ecuador, as bishop of Babahoyo (area 6,531, population 788,000, Catholics 583,000, priests 42, religious 49), Ecuador.
- Archbishop Giovanni d'Aniello, apostolic nuncio to Thailand and Cambodia, and apostolic delegate to Myanmar and Laos, as apostolic nuncio to Brazil.
- Bishop Paolo Mietto C.S.I., apostolic vicar emeritus of Napo, Ecuador, as apostolic administrator of San Miguel de Sucumbios, Ecuador.
AUSTRALIA : NEW VICAR GENERAL OF ARCHDIOCESE
ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT: Friday 10
February 2012
Archbishop Hart announced today that Monsignor Greg Bennet
has been appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese
of Melbourne. This follows the recent announcement that Pope Benedict has
appointed Bishop Les Tomlinson Bishop of Sandhurst. The Archbishop also
announced that Very Reverend Dr Terence Curtin PP, Greythorn has been appointed
Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region from 28 February 2012. The Archbishop
said Father Curtin will officiate at Confirmations in the Eastern Region, attend
the regular Curia meetings and be a point of reference for the parishes of the
Region.
To read Archbishop's announcement click here.
Archbishop Hart announced today that Monsignor Greg Bennet
has been appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese
of Melbourne. This follows the recent announcement that Pope Benedict has
appointed Bishop Les Tomlinson Bishop of Sandhurst. The Archbishop also
announced that Very Reverend Dr Terence Curtin PP, Greythorn has been appointed
Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region from 28 February 2012. The Archbishop
said Father Curtin will officiate at Confirmations in the Eastern Region, attend
the regular Curia meetings and be a point of reference for the parishes of the
Region.To read Archbishop's announcement click here.
AFRICA : APPEAL FOR HARMONY AMONG FAITHS
CISA
REPORT: UJUMBURA, February 10, 2012 (CISA) -Anglican leaders from across
the continent of Africa have made an emotional appeal to Muslim faith leaders to
stand with them in opposition to “tragic violence that is destroying our
communities”.
The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda.
The statement read: “The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa…has noted with much sadness the increasing deterioration between Muslim and Christian communities in different parts of the world, specifically our Provinces of Sudan, Nigeria, and the Diocese of Egypt.
“As a council, coming from communities diverse in religion and culture, the present circumstances have forced us to ask whether the violence we see and experience is driven by religious intolerance from our brothers of different religions with whom we have lived together for generations, in some cases centuries, or whether in fact it is a result of a much greater problem of exploitation of ignorance and religious beliefs for political gain.
“Whatever the cause, the subsequent violence is devastating. In most cases, this societal decline has resulted in bloodshed, loss of life, livelihoods, poor living standards, and has bred bitterness and hopelessness.”
Highlighting conflict in Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria the statement, signed on behalf of CAPA by the outgoing Chairman Archbishop Ian Earnest, called for an end to violence that “destabilise whole communities”.
“As CAPA, we reach out to Muslim faith leaders of these affected communities to stand with us in solidarity opposed to the tragic violence that is destroying our communities in Africa. We call upon individual Christians and Muslims in Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria, especially the youth, to join hands united against religious extremism and respectful of religious and cultural differences.”
Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating “Bayt al-’ila” or a “Family home” from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governments of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups, equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship.
“We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property.”
The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda.
The statement read: “The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa…has noted with much sadness the increasing deterioration between Muslim and Christian communities in different parts of the world, specifically our Provinces of Sudan, Nigeria, and the Diocese of Egypt.
“As a council, coming from communities diverse in religion and culture, the present circumstances have forced us to ask whether the violence we see and experience is driven by religious intolerance from our brothers of different religions with whom we have lived together for generations, in some cases centuries, or whether in fact it is a result of a much greater problem of exploitation of ignorance and religious beliefs for political gain.
“Whatever the cause, the subsequent violence is devastating. In most cases, this societal decline has resulted in bloodshed, loss of life, livelihoods, poor living standards, and has bred bitterness and hopelessness.”
Highlighting conflict in Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria the statement, signed on behalf of CAPA by the outgoing Chairman Archbishop Ian Earnest, called for an end to violence that “destabilise whole communities”.
“As CAPA, we reach out to Muslim faith leaders of these affected communities to stand with us in solidarity opposed to the tragic violence that is destroying our communities in Africa. We call upon individual Christians and Muslims in Sudan, Egypt and Nigeria, especially the youth, to join hands united against religious extremism and respectful of religious and cultural differences.”
Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating “Bayt al-’ila” or a “Family home” from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governments of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups, equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship.
“We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property.”
ASIA : PAKISTAN : CHRISTIAN LEADERS FIGHT PORNOGRAPHY
UCAN REPORT;
Concrete steps must be taken to combat sex addiction on the internet
Young people connected to the internet
A priest this weekend urged Christian leaders to
pluck up courage and educate young people about the dangers of pornography
addiction during an ecumenical seminar in Lahore.
“Christian leaders are suspicious of the internet and are afraid to discuss pornography with youths,” said Capuchin Father Morris Jalal executive director of Pakistan’s only Catholic television service.
He was speaking at seminar discussing the influence modern media has on young people organized by the Theological Institute for the Laity and the Presbyterian Church.
Many speakers at the seminar agreed there is a high degree of “media illiteracy” among Christian leaders and that they should be less wary of modern communication in order to organize programs to help youths overcome porn addiction.
For the past two years Pakistan has topped the rankings when it comes to searching the term “sex” and other sexually explicit terminology, according to Google statistics.
The government confirmed earlier this month it blocked 13,000 obscene websites on the internet following directives issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Fr Jalal also said many young people admitted looking at porn in a survey he carried out in his own Kot Lakhpat parish recently.
“About fifty percent use the internet daily for more than an hour. I asked some of them if they watched porn movies on the internet and they confessed to having watched them a few times,” he said.
“They would not admit to being addicts, but at least they were willing to discuss it”, he said.
Daughter of St. Paul Sister Athen Angeles, who heads a youth group in Islamabad-Rawalpindi diocese, wanted a ban on porn sites.
“This gives us a chance to train up cyber priests in the minor seminary,” she said.
Catholic rectors prohibit seminarians from using cell phones in minor and major seminaries. Major seminarians however are permitted to use the internet only to help them complete study assignments.
“Christian leaders are suspicious of the internet and are afraid to discuss pornography with youths,” said Capuchin Father Morris Jalal executive director of Pakistan’s only Catholic television service.
He was speaking at seminar discussing the influence modern media has on young people organized by the Theological Institute for the Laity and the Presbyterian Church.
Many speakers at the seminar agreed there is a high degree of “media illiteracy” among Christian leaders and that they should be less wary of modern communication in order to organize programs to help youths overcome porn addiction.
For the past two years Pakistan has topped the rankings when it comes to searching the term “sex” and other sexually explicit terminology, according to Google statistics.
The government confirmed earlier this month it blocked 13,000 obscene websites on the internet following directives issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Fr Jalal also said many young people admitted looking at porn in a survey he carried out in his own Kot Lakhpat parish recently.
“About fifty percent use the internet daily for more than an hour. I asked some of them if they watched porn movies on the internet and they confessed to having watched them a few times,” he said.
“They would not admit to being addicts, but at least they were willing to discuss it”, he said.
Daughter of St. Paul Sister Athen Angeles, who heads a youth group in Islamabad-Rawalpindi diocese, wanted a ban on porn sites.
“This gives us a chance to train up cyber priests in the minor seminary,” she said.
Catholic rectors prohibit seminarians from using cell phones in minor and major seminaries. Major seminarians however are permitted to use the internet only to help them complete study assignments.
AMERICA : VENEZUELA : CARDINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRESIDENT
Agenzia
Fides REPORT - Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas, said that the
Catholic values that every presidential candidate must have are love, justice,
freedom, respect for people and for the people in general. All this is condensed
in the Constitution. The Cardinal answered the journalists’ questions on the eve
of the primary elections, which in Venezuela will be held on Sunday, February
12, while the presidential elections are to be held on 7 October. "Another very
important value is truth, the truth and work for the good of the Venezuelan
people and not for a particular political party, excluding the other", he
added.
"It is not only now that the Bishops speak of national life - said the Cardinal -. We have a duty as pastors, to promote peace. Compliance with all the dignity and the common good, the need to create opportunities for all and respect for private property, are values that should always be defended".
If these values were actually applied, the Cardinal said, "we would have a much better country than we have now ... This is what we lack, to address problems early: never before have there been many problems such as corruption and lack of housing". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/02/2012)
"It is not only now that the Bishops speak of national life - said the Cardinal -. We have a duty as pastors, to promote peace. Compliance with all the dignity and the common good, the need to create opportunities for all and respect for private property, are values that should always be defended".
If these values were actually applied, the Cardinal said, "we would have a much better country than we have now ... This is what we lack, to address problems early: never before have there been many problems such as corruption and lack of housing". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/02/2012)
EUROPE : MASS IN HONOUR OF VICTIMS OF SHIP WRECK
| IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT: | ||||
|
TODAY'S SAINT : FEB. 10 : ST. SCHOLASTICA
St.
Scholastica
BENEDICTINE ABBESS AND FOUNDER, VIRGIN
Feast: February 10
 Information:
|
This saint was sister to the great St. Benedict. She
consecrated herself to God from her earliest youth, as St. Gregory testifies.
Where her first monastery was situated is not mentioned; but after her brother
removed to Mount Cassino she chose her retreat at Plombariola, in that
neighbourhood, where she founded and governed a nunnery about five miles distant
to the south from St. Benedict's monastery. St. Bertharius, who was Abbot of
Cassino three hundred years after, says that she instructed in virtue several of
her own sex. And whereas St. Gregory informs us that St. Benedict governed nuns
as well as monks, his sister must have been their abbess under his rule and
direction. She visited her holy brother once a year, and as she was not allowed
to enter his monastery, he went out with some of his monks to meet her at a
house at some small distance. They spent these visits in the praises of God, and
in conferring together on spiritual matters. St. Gregory relates a remarkable
circumstance of the I last of these visits. Scholastica having passed the day as
usual in singing psalms and pious discourse, they sat down in the evening to
take their refection. After it was over, Scholastica, perhaps foreknowing it
would be their last interview in this world, or at least desirous of some
further spiritual improvement, was very urgent with her brother to delay his
return till the next day, that they might entertain themselves till morning upon
the happiness of the other life. St. Benedict, unwilling to transgress his rule,
told her he could not pass a night out of his monastery, so desired her not to
insist upon such a breach of monastic discipline. Scholastica finding him
resolved on going home, laying her hands joined upon the table, and her head
upon them, with many tears, begged of Almighty God to interpose in her behalf.
Her prayer was scarce ended when there happened such a storm of rain, thunder,
and lightning, that neither St. Benedict nor any of his companions could set a
foot out of doors. He complained to his sister, saying, "God forgive you,
sister; what have you done?" She answered, "I asked you a favour, and you
refused it me; I asked it of Almighty God, and he has granted it me." St.
Benedict was therefore obliged to comply with her request, and they spent the
night in conferences on pious subjects, chiefly on the felicity of the blessed,
to which both most ardently aspired, and which she was shortly to enjoy. The
next morning they parted, and three days after St. Scholastica died in her
solitude. St. Benedict was then alone in contemplation on Mount Cassino, and
lifting up his eyes to heaven, he saw the soul of his sister ascending thither
in the shape of a dove. Filled with joy at her happy passage, he gave thanks for
it to God, and declared her death to his brethren, some of whom he sent to bring
her corpse to his monastery, where he caused it to be laid in the tomb which he
had prepared for himself. She must have died about the year 543. Her relics are
said to have been translated into France, together with those of St. Bennet, in
the seventh century, according to the relation given by the monk Adrevald.1 They
are said to have been deposited at Mans, and kept in the collegiate church of
St. Peter in that city, in a rich silver shrine. In 1562 this shrine was
preserved from being plundered by the Huguenots as is related by Chatelain. Her
principal festival at Mans is kept a holyday on the 11th of July, the day of the
translation of her relics. She was honored in some places with an office of
three lessons, in the time of St. Louis, as appears from a calendar of Longchamp
written in his reign.
Louis of Granada, treating on the perfection of the love of God, mentions the miraculous storm obtained by St. Scholastica to show with what excess of goodness God is always ready to hear the petitions and desires of his servants. This pious soul must have received strong pledges and most sensible tokens of his love, seeing she depended on receiving so readily what she asked of him. No child could address himself with so great confidence to his most tender parent. The love which God bears us, and his readiness to succour and comfort us, if we humbly confess and lay before him our wants, infinitely surpasses all that can be found in creatures. Nor can we be surprised that he so easily heard the prayer of this holy virgin, since at the command of Joshua he stopped the heavens, God obeying the voice of man! He hears the most secret desires of those that fear and love him, and does their will: if he sometimes seems deaf to their cries, it is to grant their main desire by doing what is most expedient for them, as St. Austin frequently observes. The short prayer by which St. Scholastica gained this remarkable victory over her brother, who was one of the greatest saints on earth, was doubtless no more than a single act of her pure desires, which she continually turned toward, and fixed on her beloved. It was enough for her to cast her eyes interiorly upon him with whom she was closely and inseparably united in mind and affections, to move him so suddenly to change the course of the elements in order to satisfy her pious desire. By placing herself, as a docile scholar, continually at the feet of the Divine Majesty, who filled all the powers of her soul with the sweetness of his heavenly communications, she learned that sublime science of perfection in which she became a mistress to so many other chaste souls by this divine exercise. Her life in her retirement, to that happy moment which closed her mortal pilgrimage, was a continued uniform contemplation, by which all her powers were united to and transformed into God. |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/stscholastica.asp#ixzz1mFrde9rE
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : FRI. FEB. 10, 2012
| Mark
7: 31 - 37
| |
| 31 | Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. |
| 32 | And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. |
| 33 | And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; |
| 34 | and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." |
| 35 | And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. |
| 36 | And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. |
| 37 | And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak." |
