TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 5: BLESSED MOTHER TERESA, DIED 1997
NOVENA FOR BIRTH OF VIRGIN MARY - DAY 7 - PLENARY INDULGENCE
NOVENA FOR BIRTH OF VIRGIN MARY - DAY 7 - PLENARY INDULGENCE
Vatican Radio REPORT:
Pope Benedict XVI held his weekly General Audience at the Vatican on Wednesday,
during which he continued his reflections on Christian prayer. The Pope flew by
helicopter from Castel Gandolfo to meet with pilgrims and visitors gathered in
Paul VI Hall. In his catechetical remarks, the Pope focused on the theme of
prayer as found at the start of the Book of Revelation - also known as the
Apocalypse. “In some ways,” said Pope Benedict, “it is a difficult book, but it
contains many riches.” The Holy Father went on to say that, right from its
opening verses, the Book of Revelation begins to tell us that prayer means,
above all, listening to the God who speaks to us:
Today, amid the din of so many useless words, many people have lost the habit of listening, even to God’s word. The opening lines of the Apocalypse teach us that prayer is not just more words, asking God to grant our various needs, but rather it must begin as praise to God for his love, and for his gift of Jesus Christ, who has brought us strength, hope and salvation.
The Pope said that we, too, are to welcome Jesus into our lives, to proclaim our "Yes!" to Christ and to nourish and deepen our Christian living.
Constant prayer will reveal to us the meaning of God’s presence in our lives and in history. Prayer with others, liturgical prayer in particular, will deepen our awareness of the crucified and risen Jesus in our midst. Thus, the more we know, love and follow Christ, the more we will want to meet him in prayer, for he is the peace, hope and strength of our lives.
After the catechesis, Pope Benedict greeted pilgrims in many languages, including English:
I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present today, including those from England, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. I am especially pleased to welcome the group of Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit as well as the young men and women of the Focolare Movement who have been participating in this year’s Genfest in Budapest. Dear young people, you have taken to heart Christ’s call to promote unity in the human family by courageously building bridges. I therefore encourage you: be strong in your Catholic faith; and let the simple joy, the pure love, and the profound peace that come from the encounter with Jesus Christ make you radiant witnesses of the Good News before the young people of your own lands. God bless all of you abundantly!
Pope Benedict held his General Audiences at Castel Gandolfo during the month of August. The return to Rome for the Wednesday appointment comes just over a week before the Pope’s scheduled departure for Lebanon, from September 14th to 16th.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
Today, amid the din of so many useless words, many people have lost the habit of listening, even to God’s word. The opening lines of the Apocalypse teach us that prayer is not just more words, asking God to grant our various needs, but rather it must begin as praise to God for his love, and for his gift of Jesus Christ, who has brought us strength, hope and salvation.
The Pope said that we, too, are to welcome Jesus into our lives, to proclaim our "Yes!" to Christ and to nourish and deepen our Christian living.
Constant prayer will reveal to us the meaning of God’s presence in our lives and in history. Prayer with others, liturgical prayer in particular, will deepen our awareness of the crucified and risen Jesus in our midst. Thus, the more we know, love and follow Christ, the more we will want to meet him in prayer, for he is the peace, hope and strength of our lives.
After the catechesis, Pope Benedict greeted pilgrims in many languages, including English:
I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present today, including those from England, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. I am especially pleased to welcome the group of Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit as well as the young men and women of the Focolare Movement who have been participating in this year’s Genfest in Budapest. Dear young people, you have taken to heart Christ’s call to promote unity in the human family by courageously building bridges. I therefore encourage you: be strong in your Catholic faith; and let the simple joy, the pure love, and the profound peace that come from the encounter with Jesus Christ make you radiant witnesses of the Good News before the young people of your own lands. God bless all of you abundantly!
Pope Benedict held his General Audiences at Castel Gandolfo during the month of August. The return to Rome for the Wednesday appointment comes just over a week before the Pope’s scheduled departure for Lebanon, from September 14th to 16th.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
2012
by: Miriam Westen
(http://www.jesuscaritasest.org/ report) Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910. The Bojaxhiu family was of Albanian descent. When she turned 18 she entered the Sisters of Loreto of Ireland. She took the name Teresa after St. Therese of Lisieux. She taught in a missionary school in India until 1948. While traveling through India she felt God calling her to serve the poorest of the poor. She received permission to leave her order and began to help the poor with volunteers.
In 1979, she received
the Nobel peace prize for her tireless work for the poor.
(Beginning Aug. 30.)
Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur.
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Most holy Mary, Elect One, predestined from all eternity by the Most Holy Trinity to be Mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, foretold by the Prophets, expected by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living Temple of the Holy Ghost, Sun without stain, conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of angels:- humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy most happy Nativity; and we pray thee with all our hearts to vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
i. So now whilst we say nine angelic salutations, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mother’s womb; celebrating at the same time thy descent from the royal house of David, and how thou didst come forth to the light of heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother.
Ave Maria.
ii. We hail thee, heavenly Babe, white Dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin.
Ave Maria.
iii. We hail thee, bright Morn; who, forerunner of the Heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth.
Ave Maria.
iv. We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin.
Ave Maria.
v. We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapt in the darkness of idolatry.
Ave Maria.
vi. We hail thee, dread Warrior-Queen; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell.
Ave Maria.
vii. We hail thee, fair Soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by God and God alone.
Ave Maria.
viii. We hail thee, dear Child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling-clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born.
Ave Maria.
ix. We hail thee, much-loved Infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Word Incarnate.
Ave Maria.
PRAYER
O most lovely Infant, who by thy holy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we entreat thee, with the most fervent love and gratitude, to be spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirits to thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all the virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; may it ever be our comfort to call on that name in all our troubles; may it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and our last utterance in death. Sit nomen Mariae mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen. Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, joy in the heart. Amen.
V. Nativitas tua, Dei Genitrix Virgo.
R. Gaudium annuntiavit universo mundo.
Oremus.
Famulis tuis, quaesumus Domine, coelestis gratiae munus impertire: ut quibus Beata Virginis partus extitit salutis exordium, nativitatis ejus votiva solemnitas pacis tribuat incrementum.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
V. Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God.
R. Hath brought joy to the whole world.
Let us pray.
Grant to us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to all those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of salvation, this her votive festival may give increase of peace. Through, &c.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 5: BLESSED MOTHER TERESA, DIED 1997
(http://www.jesuscaritasest.org/ report) Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910. The Bojaxhiu family was of Albanian descent. When she turned 18 she entered the Sisters of Loreto of Ireland. She took the name Teresa after St. Therese of Lisieux. She taught in a missionary school in India until 1948. While traveling through India she felt God calling her to serve the poorest of the poor. She received permission to leave her order and began to help the poor with volunteers.
In 1950, she was given permission from the Vatican to start the order "The
Missionaries of Charity".
In 1979, she received
the Nobel peace prize for her tireless work for the poor.
Her order rapidly spread around the world to care for the poor, sick and
marginalized in over 120 countries. 
She spoke of this
ministry in her own words, "I once picked up a woman from a garbage dump and she
was burning with fever; she was in her last days and her only lament was: ‘My
son did this to me.’ I begged her: You must forgive your son. In a moment of
madness, when he was not himself, he did a thing he regrets. Be a mother to him,
forgive him. It took me a long time to make her say: ‘I forgive my son.’ Just
before she died in my arms, she was able to say that with a real forgiveness.
She was not concerned that she was dying. The breaking of the heart was that her
son did not want her. This is something you and I can understand."
She spoke of this
ministry in her own words, "I once picked up a woman from a garbage dump and she
was burning with fever; she was in her last days and her only lament was: ‘My
son did this to me.’ I begged her: You must forgive your son. In a moment of
madness, when he was not himself, he did a thing he regrets. Be a mother to him,
forgive him. It took me a long time to make her say: ‘I forgive my son.’ Just
before she died in my arms, she was able to say that with a real forgiveness.
She was not concerned that she was dying. The breaking of the heart was that her
son did not want her. This is something you and I can understand."
She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mother died in 1997 when her order
had 610 institutions in 123 countries world wide. Mother Teresa was beatified by
Pope John Paul II in 2003. Her 100th birthday was celebrated around the world by
many with special tributes. India has created a stamp with her
image.
Shared from the Missionaries of Charity
Official Novena Prayer to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Official Novena Prayer to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Prayed each day of the Novena
you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a
living flame within you,
and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your
request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so
completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
“Jesus is my All in All”
Thought for the day:“Don’t search for Jesus in far lands; He is not there. He is close to
you; He is in you.”
Ask for the grace of an intimate knowledge of Jesus.
Thought for the day:
Ask for the grace to be convinced of Jesus’ unconditional and
personal love for you.
Thought for the day:
Ask for the grace to understand Jesus’ cry of thirst.
Thought for the day:
Ask for the grace to learn from Our Lady to quench Jesus’ thirst as
she did.
Thought for the day:
Ask for the grace to have an unshakeable trust in the God’s power and
love for you and for all.
Ask for the grace to surrender your whole life to
God.
Thought for the day:“Joy is the sign of union with God, of God’s presence. Joy is love,
the normal result of a heart burning with love.”
Ask for the grace to find joy in loving and to share this joy with
all you meet.
Thought for the day: “Believe that He, Jesus, is in the appearance of Bread and that He,
Jesus, is in the hungry, naked, sick, lonely, unloved, homeless, helpless and
hopeless.”
Ask for the grace of a deep faith to see Jesus in the Bread of Life
and to serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poor.
Ask for the grace to become a saint.
Recite the prayer to Blessed Teresa
To all faithful Christians who, in private or
public, in church or in their own houses, shall keep any of the following
Novenas, in preparation for the principal feasts of most holy Mary, Pope Pius
VII., at the prayer of several holy persons, granted, by Rescripts issued
through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, Aug. 4 and Nov. 24, 1808, and Jan. 11,
1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the Vicariate) -
i. An indulgence of 300 days, daily.ii. A plenary indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas every day, and who shall afterwards, either on the Feast-day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, pray to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin ac cording to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
i. An indulgence of 300 days, daily.ii. A plenary indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas every day, and who shall afterwards, either on the Feast-day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, pray to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin ac cording to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY’S NATIVITY.
(Beginning Aug. 30.)
Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur.
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Most holy Mary, Elect One, predestined from all eternity by the Most Holy Trinity to be Mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, foretold by the Prophets, expected by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living Temple of the Holy Ghost, Sun without stain, conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of angels:- humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy most happy Nativity; and we pray thee with all our hearts to vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
i. So now whilst we say nine angelic salutations, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mother’s womb; celebrating at the same time thy descent from the royal house of David, and how thou didst come forth to the light of heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother.
Ave Maria.
ii. We hail thee, heavenly Babe, white Dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin.
Ave Maria.
iii. We hail thee, bright Morn; who, forerunner of the Heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth.
Ave Maria.
iv. We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin.
Ave Maria.
v. We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapt in the darkness of idolatry.
Ave Maria.
vi. We hail thee, dread Warrior-Queen; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell.
Ave Maria.
vii. We hail thee, fair Soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by God and God alone.
Ave Maria.
viii. We hail thee, dear Child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling-clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born.
Ave Maria.
ix. We hail thee, much-loved Infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Word Incarnate.
Ave Maria.
PRAYER
O most lovely Infant, who by thy holy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we entreat thee, with the most fervent love and gratitude, to be spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirits to thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all the virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; may it ever be our comfort to call on that name in all our troubles; may it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and our last utterance in death. Sit nomen Mariae mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen. Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, joy in the heart. Amen.
V. Nativitas tua, Dei Genitrix Virgo.
R. Gaudium annuntiavit universo mundo.
Oremus.
Famulis tuis, quaesumus Domine, coelestis gratiae munus impertire: ut quibus Beata Virginis partus extitit salutis exordium, nativitatis ejus votiva solemnitas pacis tribuat incrementum.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
V. Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God.
R. Hath brought joy to the whole world.
Let us pray.
Grant to us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to all those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of salvation, this her votive festival may give increase of peace. Through, &c.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
AMERICA : USA : FR. BENEDICT GROESCHEL STEPS DOWN FROM EWTN - OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Fr. Benedict Groeschel has officially stepped down from his show on EWTN (Eternal Word Catholic Network). He was host of the "Sunday Night Prime" program. This is due to his recent comments to the National Catholic Register on abuse. See
Dear readers, we ask you to pray for Fr. Groeschel
and all victims of abuse. God bless.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF
EWTN
Statement of Michael P.
Warsaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN Global Catholic Network
regarding Father Benedict Groeschel:
The recent comments regarding clerical sexual abuse of minors made by Father Benedict Groeschel to a news editor of the National Catholic Register should never have been published. In no way do those comments reflect the views of the Register or EWTN. It shou...
The recent comments regarding clerical sexual abuse of minors made by Father Benedict Groeschel to a news editor of the National Catholic Register should never have been published. In no way do those comments reflect the views of the Register or EWTN. It shou...
ld have been obvious to the editor that Father
Benedict's physical condition and mental clarity have deteriorated and that the
comments were completely inconsistent with his life's work and witness. We
apologize that these remarks were published and ask for forgiveness for this
error.
To regular viewers of EWTN, it has been evident for some time that Father Benedict's health has been declining. For more than a year, the Network has been in discussions with both Father and his Community about his capacity to continue hosting Sunday Night Prime. This is the reason that the program moved from a live to a pre-recorded format last year. In more recent months Father Benedict’s decline has accelerated. After consultation with EWTN and the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Benedict has decided that it is now time to step away from the program. The Sunday Night Prime program will continue and will be hosted by other priests of the CFR community.
Father Benedict has led a life of tremendous compassion and service to others and his spiritual insights have been a great gift to the EWTN family for many years. We are profoundly grateful to him and assure him of our prayers. At the same time, we ask our EWTN family to pray for all those who have been affected by this painful situation and in particular those who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Monday, September 03, 2012
To regular viewers of EWTN, it has been evident for some time that Father Benedict's health has been declining. For more than a year, the Network has been in discussions with both Father and his Community about his capacity to continue hosting Sunday Night Prime. This is the reason that the program moved from a live to a pre-recorded format last year. In more recent months Father Benedict’s decline has accelerated. After consultation with EWTN and the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Benedict has decided that it is now time to step away from the program. The Sunday Night Prime program will continue and will be hosted by other priests of the CFR community.
Father Benedict has led a life of tremendous compassion and service to others and his spiritual insights have been a great gift to the EWTN family for many years. We are profoundly grateful to him and assure him of our prayers. At the same time, we ask our EWTN family to pray for all those who have been affected by this painful situation and in particular those who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Monday, September 03, 2012
FOR THE FULL COMMENTS
SEE
ASIA : SRI LANKA : 184 CATHOLIC PILGRIMS ATTACKED
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
To prevent serious violence, the Indian police returned the Christians in their own country. The attackers were militants demanding the creation of an independent Tamil state. Local sources tell AsiaNews: "This is a message to the Sri Lankan government, but the situation has worsened." For many it was the first pilgrimage to Our Lady of Vailankanni.
Chennai (AsiaNews) - A group of Indian Tamil militants attacked 184 Sri Lankan Christians preventing them from making the annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Health Vailankanni (Tamil Nadu). To prevent the situation from degenerating, the police escorted the pilgrims - mostly women and children - to Trichy airport, to bring them back to their country. Local sources that prefer to remain anonymous tell AsiaNews, that at the moment the situation is "quiet", but "is not a good sign" for the church and its pilgrims.
The police identified the attackers as Eelam activists, who are fighting for the creation of an independent Tamil in Sri Lanka (the Eelam, in fact). The militants - about a hundred - attacked the pilgrims while they were still on the bus, headed to the basilica. No one was injured, but one of the seven bus was damaged. The officers then tried to escort the Christians to the church, but along the way they were again attacked by activists. At that point, the police decided on their immediate return to Sri Lanka. The group of Christians left India last night on board a special flight.
According to sources, "the attack is only a demonstrative act, not against the pilgrims themselves. Its not the first time that the militants have carried out acts of this kind. Their goal was to attract the attention of the Government of Sri Lanka, to tackle once and for all the issue of resettlement of Tamil refugees and internally displaced persons. " However, they add, "at the expense of poor people. Many people, especially the younger ones, were on their first pilgrimage."
Each year, the "Lourdes of the East" welcomes pilgrims from all over the world. After the 2005 tsunami, thousands of people of all religions, not only Catholics go to seek solace in the sanctuary and to pay homage to Mary. At that time, the tsunami hit the Marian shrine hard: about 850 people died, 300 others were washed away by the fury of the waves. But those who sought refuge in the chapel, were unhurt.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
To prevent serious violence, the Indian police returned the Christians in their own country. The attackers were militants demanding the creation of an independent Tamil state. Local sources tell AsiaNews: "This is a message to the Sri Lankan government, but the situation has worsened." For many it was the first pilgrimage to Our Lady of Vailankanni.
_0905_-_Pellegrini_srilankesi.jpg)
Chennai (AsiaNews) - A group of Indian Tamil militants attacked 184 Sri Lankan Christians preventing them from making the annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Health Vailankanni (Tamil Nadu). To prevent the situation from degenerating, the police escorted the pilgrims - mostly women and children - to Trichy airport, to bring them back to their country. Local sources that prefer to remain anonymous tell AsiaNews, that at the moment the situation is "quiet", but "is not a good sign" for the church and its pilgrims.
The police identified the attackers as Eelam activists, who are fighting for the creation of an independent Tamil in Sri Lanka (the Eelam, in fact). The militants - about a hundred - attacked the pilgrims while they were still on the bus, headed to the basilica. No one was injured, but one of the seven bus was damaged. The officers then tried to escort the Christians to the church, but along the way they were again attacked by activists. At that point, the police decided on their immediate return to Sri Lanka. The group of Christians left India last night on board a special flight.
According to sources, "the attack is only a demonstrative act, not against the pilgrims themselves. Its not the first time that the militants have carried out acts of this kind. Their goal was to attract the attention of the Government of Sri Lanka, to tackle once and for all the issue of resettlement of Tamil refugees and internally displaced persons. " However, they add, "at the expense of poor people. Many people, especially the younger ones, were on their first pilgrimage."
Each year, the "Lourdes of the East" welcomes pilgrims from all over the world. After the 2005 tsunami, thousands of people of all religions, not only Catholics go to seek solace in the sanctuary and to pay homage to Mary. At that time, the tsunami hit the Marian shrine hard: about 850 people died, 300 others were washed away by the fury of the waves. But those who sought refuge in the chapel, were unhurt.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
EUROPE : ARCHBISHOP NICHOLS - CONFIDENTLY CATHOLIC IN ALL
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT
|
AUSTRALIA : CARITAS PRESIDENT VISITS SYDNEY
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese
REPORT
4 Sep 2012
On his first
visit to Australia, Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, President of Caritas
Internationalis, the international aid and development arm of the Catholic
Church spent three days at Alice Springs meeting with Aboriginal communities and
spending time at the Purple House, a unique medical service managed and operated
by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytija Palyantijaku Tjutaku Aboriginal
Corporation.
The Purple House provides Indigenous people in Alice Springs as well as those in remote communities with a renal facility as well as nutritional and traditional bush medicine programs.
In addition the Aboriginal-run Corporation operates a Wellbeing Project, which is funded and supported by Caritas Australia and builds on the Purple House's dialysis services by offering meaningful employment and income for dialysis patients through the production and sale of traditional bush balms.
"The work provides cultural and healing benefits to patients who greatly value their link to Aboriginal traditional medicine," Jack de Groot, CEO of Caritas Australia explained to Cardinal Maradiaga.
The Honduran-born Cardinal, who is
also Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, has been in Australia for just over two weeks,
during which time he visited Melbourne, Sydney and Alice Springs.
Fascinated by Australia's first people and their culture, the chief of Caritas Internationalis was keen to learn more and spoke about many of his experiences in Alice Springs the following weekend when he launched Caritas Australia's Walk As One: Connecting with Indigenous Peoples campaign.
In Alice Springs accompanied by Jack de Groot and the Bishop of Darwin, the Most Rev Eugene Hurley, he spent time with staff and patients at the Purple House and inspected the Purple Bus which is used as a mobile renal facility to provide medical care to remote communities. The bus also enables patients undergoing dialysis to have the procedure in their own communities surrounded by family and friends.
The Purple House and Purple Bus are part of a holistic program offering emotional and psychosocial support as well as treating physical conditions. Mr de Groot told the Cardinal that the Aboriginal Corporation's trained staff and volunteers were all from Aboriginal communities in the area.
During his three-day visit to Alice Springs, the Caritas Internationalis chief also had a chance to meet with Andrea Mason, coordinator for the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council which Caritas Australia has helped fund and support since 1995. Over many years, NPY has successfully empowered women to turnaround many adverse community issues such as domestic violence, alcoholism and the high rates of male imprisonment.
One of NPY's
most successful programs involves the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Supported by
Caritas Australia, the 300 traditional weavers from 28 communities in Central
Australia, maintain their ancient art of weaving grasses. Tjanpi staff also
travel throughout the region conducting grass weaving workshops to give
Indigenous women across the region the skills to collect and dye grasses and to
weave them into baskets and sculptures to sell which not only promotes their art
but gives them an income.
The group of Tjanpi Desert Weavers were among the more than 200 who attended the launch of Australian Caritas' Walk for One campaign. A two day forum of speakers, panels and workshops held at St Aloysisus College, Milson's Point on the weekend of 25 and 26 August opened the campaign and was designed to showcase the diverse cultures, languages and traditions of many of the world's indigenous peoples.
In his keynote address at the forum, Cardinal Maradiaga spoke of his time in Alice Springs and meeting with Australia's first people and also talked of other indigenous peoples who live in 90 different nations across the world. Among these peoples are Greenland's Inuits, the Hmong of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, the Ixcatecs of Mexico and Borneo's Dayaks. But while indigenous peoples comprise only 370 million of the world's population of 7 billion, they account for a staggering 15% of its poor.
Not only are
indigenous peoples among the world's most disadvantaged and marginalised but the
majority of them are right on our doorstep in Asia, Cardinal Maradiaga said
describing the recent economic growth in Asia as impressive but uneven.
"Not enough of the economic prosperity is reaching the poorest people," the Cardinal said adding that despite Asia now being home to the world's fastest growing economies it remained home to nearly half the world's poor with half a billion Asians still lacking access to safe drinking water.
"But we are all one human family. All people are created by God. He gave all of them a life with an inalienable dignity and His love is there for all. For us as Christians it goes without saying that we help Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and people of all faiths who are in need."
To find out more about Caritas Australia's Walk as One campaign, sign the petition to call on the Government to prioritise indigenous peoples in its foreign aid program as well as resources including liturgy for parishes and schools, log on to http://www.caritas.org.au/act/walk-as-one-indigenous-peoples-campaign
4 Sep 2012
Cardinal Maradiaga President of Caritas
Internationalis at the Sydney launch of Walk as One
The Purple House provides Indigenous people in Alice Springs as well as those in remote communities with a renal facility as well as nutritional and traditional bush medicine programs.
In addition the Aboriginal-run Corporation operates a Wellbeing Project, which is funded and supported by Caritas Australia and builds on the Purple House's dialysis services by offering meaningful employment and income for dialysis patients through the production and sale of traditional bush balms.
"The work provides cultural and healing benefits to patients who greatly value their link to Aboriginal traditional medicine," Jack de Groot, CEO of Caritas Australia explained to Cardinal Maradiaga.
Cardinal Maradiaga meets staff and patients of
the Purple House at Alice Springs
Fascinated by Australia's first people and their culture, the chief of Caritas Internationalis was keen to learn more and spoke about many of his experiences in Alice Springs the following weekend when he launched Caritas Australia's Walk As One: Connecting with Indigenous Peoples campaign.
In Alice Springs accompanied by Jack de Groot and the Bishop of Darwin, the Most Rev Eugene Hurley, he spent time with staff and patients at the Purple House and inspected the Purple Bus which is used as a mobile renal facility to provide medical care to remote communities. The bus also enables patients undergoing dialysis to have the procedure in their own communities surrounded by family and friends.
The Purple House and Purple Bus are part of a holistic program offering emotional and psychosocial support as well as treating physical conditions. Mr de Groot told the Cardinal that the Aboriginal Corporation's trained staff and volunteers were all from Aboriginal communities in the area.
During his three-day visit to Alice Springs, the Caritas Internationalis chief also had a chance to meet with Andrea Mason, coordinator for the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council which Caritas Australia has helped fund and support since 1995. Over many years, NPY has successfully empowered women to turnaround many adverse community issues such as domestic violence, alcoholism and the high rates of male imprisonment.
Cardinal Maradiaga with the Purple Bus a mobile
renal unit that visits remote Indigenous communities
The group of Tjanpi Desert Weavers were among the more than 200 who attended the launch of Australian Caritas' Walk for One campaign. A two day forum of speakers, panels and workshops held at St Aloysisus College, Milson's Point on the weekend of 25 and 26 August opened the campaign and was designed to showcase the diverse cultures, languages and traditions of many of the world's indigenous peoples.
In his keynote address at the forum, Cardinal Maradiaga spoke of his time in Alice Springs and meeting with Australia's first people and also talked of other indigenous peoples who live in 90 different nations across the world. Among these peoples are Greenland's Inuits, the Hmong of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, the Ixcatecs of Mexico and Borneo's Dayaks. But while indigenous peoples comprise only 370 million of the world's population of 7 billion, they account for a staggering 15% of its poor.
Wellbeing Project trainee Cassandra Stewart
shows the Cardinal traditional bush balm medicines
"Not enough of the economic prosperity is reaching the poorest people," the Cardinal said adding that despite Asia now being home to the world's fastest growing economies it remained home to nearly half the world's poor with half a billion Asians still lacking access to safe drinking water.
"But we are all one human family. All people are created by God. He gave all of them a life with an inalienable dignity and His love is there for all. For us as Christians it goes without saying that we help Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and people of all faiths who are in need."
To find out more about Caritas Australia's Walk as One campaign, sign the petition to call on the Government to prioritise indigenous peoples in its foreign aid program as well as resources including liturgy for parishes and schools, log on to http://www.caritas.org.au/act/walk-as-one-indigenous-peoples-campaign
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
AFRICA : TANZANIA : JOURNALIST KILLED BY TEAR GAS
CISA REPORT:
DAR-ES-SALAAM, September 4, 2012 (CISA)
-ARTICLE 19 is saddened by the killing of Tanzanian journalist, Daudi Mwangosi
at the hands of the Tanzania police, and calls on the government to ensure all
those responsible are brought to justice.
“We urge the Tanzanian authorities to carry out a prompt and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice. We also urge the authorities to take all possible measures to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future,” said Henry Maina, Director of ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa.
On 2 September 2012, Chanel Ten television journalist, Daudi Mwangosi had gone to cover the opening of a Chama cha Democrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party office in Nyololo village, Mufindi South, when the police used teargas to disperse the party’s supporters who had gathered to witness the ceremony.
Daudi Mwangosi died instantly after one of the teargas canisters that had been fired into the crowd exploded against him, ripping through his stomach.
His death comes barely a week after aprotester, Ally Zona died from injuries sustained during a confrontation between the police and supporters of Chadema in a demonstration on 27 August.
The police had put a temporary ban on rallies and demonstrations to ostensibly allow the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to conduct the country’s census peacefully. The ban expired on 1 September but it was extended without prior notice after the NBS announced an extension to the census exercise.
“The continuous use of excessive force by the police to disperse peaceful demonstrations and assemblies must be strongly discouraged, and the people be allowed to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The indefinite ban on rallies and demonstrations by the authorities in Tanzania is a disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression and assembly,” added Maina.
ARTICLE 19 calls upon the authorities in Tanzania to immediately lift the indefinite ban on rallies and demonstrations in respect of its Constitution and international human rights obligations.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS AFRICA
“We urge the Tanzanian authorities to carry out a prompt and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice. We also urge the authorities to take all possible measures to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future,” said Henry Maina, Director of ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa.
On 2 September 2012, Chanel Ten television journalist, Daudi Mwangosi had gone to cover the opening of a Chama cha Democrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) party office in Nyololo village, Mufindi South, when the police used teargas to disperse the party’s supporters who had gathered to witness the ceremony.
Daudi Mwangosi died instantly after one of the teargas canisters that had been fired into the crowd exploded against him, ripping through his stomach.
His death comes barely a week after aprotester, Ally Zona died from injuries sustained during a confrontation between the police and supporters of Chadema in a demonstration on 27 August.
The police had put a temporary ban on rallies and demonstrations to ostensibly allow the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to conduct the country’s census peacefully. The ban expired on 1 September but it was extended without prior notice after the NBS announced an extension to the census exercise.
“The continuous use of excessive force by the police to disperse peaceful demonstrations and assemblies must be strongly discouraged, and the people be allowed to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The indefinite ban on rallies and demonstrations by the authorities in Tanzania is a disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression and assembly,” added Maina.
ARTICLE 19 calls upon the authorities in Tanzania to immediately lift the indefinite ban on rallies and demonstrations in respect of its Constitution and international human rights obligations.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS AFRICA
AMERICA : PERU : MARCH FOR LIFE AND PEACE
Agenzia Fides REPORT -On 1 September the "March of
commitment for life and peace " was held, led by the Archbishop of Trujillo, His
Exc. Mgr. Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, OFM., and representatives of the various
institutions of Trujillo and La Libertad, characterized by a vast participation
of thousands of people belonging to all social groups in the city.
The note sent to Fides Agency by the Peruvian Episcopal Conference reports that the March started from four extreme points in order to reach the main square of the city of Trujillo, where some authorities and civil society representatives took the floor to make their commitment for peace known. The event ended with an agreement that was signed by all authorities. Mgr. Cabrejos stressed that the March "is a commitment for life, safety, responsibility and peace in the region."
Despite not having participated in the March, the Interior Minister, Wilfredo Pedraza Sierra, went immediately to the Episcopio to get from Archbishop Cabrejos Vidarte, the "Deed of Commitment for Life and Peace" signed by all authorities. The same minister thanked for the coordinated work of civil authorities and the Catholic Church for the benefit of public safety, and reported that he would deliver the Deed to the President of the Republic, Ollanta Humala. The city of Trujillo has suffered many acts of violence because of that crime which has increased in recent months. The Church has also proposed an awareness campaign to be carried out in schools, on respect for life and for the rights of citizens, in order to reach brotherly relations. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/09/2012)
The note sent to Fides Agency by the Peruvian Episcopal Conference reports that the March started from four extreme points in order to reach the main square of the city of Trujillo, where some authorities and civil society representatives took the floor to make their commitment for peace known. The event ended with an agreement that was signed by all authorities. Mgr. Cabrejos stressed that the March "is a commitment for life, safety, responsibility and peace in the region."
Despite not having participated in the March, the Interior Minister, Wilfredo Pedraza Sierra, went immediately to the Episcopio to get from Archbishop Cabrejos Vidarte, the "Deed of Commitment for Life and Peace" signed by all authorities. The same minister thanked for the coordinated work of civil authorities and the Catholic Church for the benefit of public safety, and reported that he would deliver the Deed to the President of the Republic, Ollanta Humala. The city of Trujillo has suffered many acts of violence because of that crime which has increased in recent months. The Church has also proposed an awareness campaign to be carried out in schools, on respect for life and for the rights of citizens, in order to reach brotherly relations. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/09/2012)
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : WED. SEPT. 5, 2012
| Luke
4: 38 - 44 | |
| 38 | And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they besought him for her. |
| 39 | And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she rose and served them. |
| 40 | Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. |
| 41 | And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. |
| 42 | And when it was day he departed and went into a lonely place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them; |
| 43 | but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." |
| 44 | And he was preaching in the
synagogues of Judea. |
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