CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : ALL SAINTS DAY : THURS. NOV. 1, 2012

LITANY OF THE SAINTS - OFFICIAL PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - SHARE 

VATICAN : ALL SAINTS : GAZE OF LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR

CATHOLIC MOVIES - WATCH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - PART 6 AFRICA : MALAWI : RIP BISHOP EMERITUS FELIX MKHORI OF LILONGWE ASIA : SYRIA : CHRISTIAN KILLED IN HOMS

AUSTRALIA : BISHOP FISHER GIVES LECTURE FOR ANSCOMBE MEMORIAL

EUROPE : SISTINE CHAPEL TURNS 500 - VIRTUAL TOUR - POPE'S PRAISES

TODAY'S SAINT: NOV. 1: ALL SAINTS DAY

TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURS. NOV. 1, 2012

LITANY OF THE SAINTS The Litany of the Saints is one of the oldest prayers of the Church. It was extent in the 3rd century. It is an official prayer that can be recited publicly in the Roman Catholic Church. Today is the feast of all the Saints: Nov. 1. LITANY Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.	Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All you Holy Angels and Archangels, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Jude, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, All you holy Disciples of the Lord, All you holy Innocents,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, Sts. John and Paul, Sts. Cosmos and Damian, All you holy Martyrs,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All you holy Bishops and Confessors, All you holy Doctors,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All you holy Priests and Levites, All you holy Monks and Hermits,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Anastasia, St. Catherine, St. Clare, All you holy Virgins and Widows, All you holy Saints of God,	pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us. pray for us.
Lord, be merciful, From all evil, From all sin, From your wrath, From a sudden and unprovided death, From the snares of the devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, From the spirit of uncleanness, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquake, From plague, famine, and war, From everlasting death,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, By your Coming, By your Birth, By your Baptism and holy fasting, By your Cross and Passion, By your Death and Burial, By your holy Resurrection, By your wonderful Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Spirit, On the day of judgment,	Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people. Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners,	Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us, That you will pardon us, That it may please you to bring us to true penance, Guide and protect your holy Church, Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all those in holy Orders, Humble the enemies of holy Church, Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people, Bring back to the unity of the Church all those who are straying, and bring all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel, Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service, Raise our minds to desire the things of heaven, Reward all our benefactors with eternal blessings, Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors, Give and preserve the fruits of the earth, Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That it may please You to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,	Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	Spare us, O Lord!Graciously hear us, O Lord! Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us, Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.	Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

V. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem. V. And lead us not into temptation. R. Sed líbera nos a malo. R. But deliver us from evil. Psalmus 69. Deus, in adjutórium Psalm 69. Deus, in adjutórium 1 Deus, in adjutórium meum inténde: * Dómine ad adjuvándum me festína. 1 HASTE thee, O God, to deliver me; * make haste to help me, O LORD. 2 Confundántur et revereántur, * qui quærunt ánimam meam. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; * let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil. 3 Avertántur retrórsum, et erubéscant, * qui volunt mihi mala. 3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, * that cry over me, There! there! 4 Avertántur statim erubescéntes, * qui dicunt mihi : Euge, euge. 4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee: * and let all such as delight in thy salvation say always, The Lord be praised. 5 Exsúltent et læténtur in te omnes qui quærunt te, * et dicant semper : Magnificétur Dóminus : qui díligunt salutáre tuum. 5 As for me, I am poor and in misery: * haste thee unto me, O God. 6 Ego vero egénus, et pauper sum : * Deus, ádjuva me. 6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer: * O LORD, make no long tarrying. 7 Adjútor meus, et liberátor meus es tu : * Dómine, ne moréris. 8 Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. 8 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 9 Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. 9 As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. V. Salvos fac servos tuos. V. O God, save thy servants. R. Deus meus, sperántes in te. R. That put their trust in thee. V. Esto nobis, Dómine, turris fortitúdinis. V. Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength. R. A fácie inimíci. R. From the face of the enemy. V. Nihil profíciat inimícus in nobis. V. Let the enemy prevail nothing against us. R. Et fílius iniquitátis non appónat nocére nobis. R. Nor the son of wickedness approach to afflict us. V. Dómine, non secúndum peccáta nostra fácias nobis. V. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins. R. Neque secúndum iniquitátes nostras retríbuas nobis. R. Neither reward us according to our iniquities. V. Orémus pro Pontifice nostro (Nomen). V. Let us pray for our Pope (Name). R. Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum ejus. R. The Lord preserve him and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth; and deliver not thou him into the will of his enemies. (Vacante Apostolica Sede, Versus cum suo Responsorio præteritur.) (If the Holy See is vacant, the above Versicle with its Response is omitted.) V. Orémus pro benefactóribus nostris. V. Let us pray for our benefactors. R. Retribúere dignáre, Dómine, ómnibus, nobis bona faciéntibus propter nomen tuum, vitam ætérnam. Amen. R. Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's sake, to reward with eternal life all them that do us good. Amen. V. Orémus pro fidelibus defunctis. V. Let us pray for the faithful departed. R. Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine, et lux perpétua luceat eis. R. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. V. Requiéscant in pace. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Pro frátribus nostris abséntibus. V. Let us pray for our absent brethren. R. Salvos fac servos tuos, Deus meus, sperántes in te. R. Save thy servants, O my God, that put their trust in thee. V. Mitte eis, Dómine, auxílium de sancto. V. Send them help, O Lord, from thy holy place. R. Et de Sion tuere eos. R. And from Zion deliver them. V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. R. And let my cry come unto thee. V. Dóminus vobíscum. V. The Lord be with you. R. Et cum spíritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. (Collects) Deus, cui proprium est miseréri semper et parcere : súscipe deprecatiónem nostram ; ut nos, et omnes fámulos tuos, quos delictórum catena constringit, miserátio tuæ pietátis clementer absolvat.	O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive : receive our humble petitions ; and though we be tied and bound by the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us.
Exáudi, quæsumus, Dómine, supplícium preces, et confiténtium tibi parce peccátis : ut páriter nobis indulgéntiam tríbuas benignus et pacem.	We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear the prayers of thy humble servants, and to forgive the sins of them that confess the same unto thee : that they may obtain of thy loving-kindness pardon and peace.
Ineffábilem nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam clementer osténde : ut simul nos et a peccátis ómnibus exuas, et a pœnis, quas pro his meremur, erípias.	O Lord, we pray thee, shew forth upon us thy servants the abundance of thy unspeakable mercy : that we may be delivered from the chain of our sins, and from the punishment which for the same we have most righteously deserved.
Deus, qui culpa offenderis, pœniténtia placaris : preces pópuli tui supplicántis propítius réspice ; et flagélla tuæ iracúndiæ, quæ pro peccátis nostris meremur, averte.	O God, who art wroth with them that sin against thee, and sparest them that are penitent : we beseech thee to hear the prayers of thy people that call upon thee ; that we, which have most justly deserved the scourges of thine anger, may by thy great mercy be delivered from the same.
(If the Holy See is vacant, the following Collect is omitted.)	(If the Holy See is vacant, the following Collect is omitted.)
Omnípotens sempiterne Deus, miserére famulo tuo Pontifici nostro (Nomen), et dírige eum secúndum tuam cleméntiam in viam salútis ætérnæ : ut, te donante, tibi placita cupiat, et tota virtúte perfíciat.	Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to have compassion upon N., our Pope, and by thy mercy govern him in the way of everlasting life : that, being endued with thy grace, he may ever seek those things that are pleasing unto thee, and with his whole strength perform the same.
Deus, a quo sancta desidéria, recta consília et justa sunt ópera : da servis tuis illam, quam mundus dare non potest, pacem ; ut et corda nostra mandátis tuis dedita, et, hóstium subláta formidine, témpora sint, tua protectióne, tranquilla.	O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed : give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give ; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness.
Ure igne Sancti Spíritus renes nostros et cor nostrum, Dómine : ut tibi casto corpore serviamus, et mundo corde placeámus.	Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that the fire of thy Holy Ghost may in such wise cleanse our reins and our hearts : that we serving thee in pureness both of body and soul may be found an acceptable people in thy sight.
Fidélium, Deus, ómnium conditor et redemptor, animábus famulórum famularumque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum : ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, piis supplicatiónibus consequántur.	O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all them that believe : grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins ; that, as they have ever desired thy merciful pardon, so by the supplications of their brethren they may receive the same.
Actiónes nostras, quæsumus, Dómine, aspirándo prævéni et adjuvándo proséquere : ut cuncta nostra orátio et operátio a te semper incipiat et per te cœpta finiátur.	Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help : that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life.
Omnípotens sempiterne Deus, qui vivórum domináris simul et mortuórum, ómniumque miseréris quos tuos fide et ópere futuros esse prænoscis : te supplices exorámus ; ut, pro quibus effúndere preces decrevimus, quosque vel præsens sæculum adhuc in carne retinet vel futúrum jam exutos corpore suscépit, intercedéntibus ómnibus Sanctis tuis, pietátis tuæ cleméntia, ómnium delictórum suórum véniam consequántur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.	Almighty and everlasting God, who hast dominion both of the quick and the dead, who likewise hast mercy upon all men, whom by reason of their faith and works thou hast foreknown : we commend unto thee all those for whom we now do offer our prayers, whether in this world they still be held in the bonds of the flesh, or being delivered therefrom have passed into that which is to come ; beseeching thee that at the intercession of all thy Saints they may of thy bountiful goodness obtain the remission of all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.
V. Dóminus vobíscum.	V. The Lord be with you.
R. Et cum spíritu tuo.	R. And with thy spirit.
V. Exáudiat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.	V. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord graciously hear us.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.
V. Et fidélium ánimæ † per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.	V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, † through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.

VATICAN : ALL SAINTS : GAZE OF LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR

(Vatican Radio IMAGE)
POPE BENEDICT XVI at Angelus : Nov. 1
“Dear brothers and sisters!
Today we have the joy of meeting on the Solemnity of All Saints. This feast day helps us to reflect on the double horizon of humanity, which we symbolically express with the words "earth" and "heaven": the earth represents the journey of history, heaven eternity, the fullness of life in God And so this feast day helps us to think about the Church in its dual dimension: the Church journeying in time and the Church that celebrates the never-ending feast, the Heavenly Jerusalem. These two dimensions are united by the reality of the "communion of saints": a reality that begins here on earth and that reaches its fulfillment in heaven.

On earth, the Church is the beginning of this mystery of communion that unites humanity, a mystery totally centered on Jesus Christ: it is He who introduced this new dynamic to mankind, a movement that leads towards God and to same time towards unity, towards peace in its deepest sense. Jesus Christ - says the Gospel of John (11:52) - died "to gather into one the dispersed children of God," and this work continues in the Church which is inseparably "one", "holy" and "catholic". Being a Christian, being part of the Church means being open to this communion, like a seed that unfolds in the ground, dying, and sprouts upwards, toward heaven.

The Saints – those which the Church proclaims such, but also all those saints known only to God, and whom we also celebrate today - have lived this dynamic intensely. In each of them, in a very personal way, Christ was present, thanks to his Spirit which acts through the Word and the Sacraments. In fact, being united to Christ, in the Church, does not negate ones’ personality, but opens it, transforms it with the power of love, and confers on it, already here on earth, an eternal dimension.

In essence, it means being conformed to the image of the Son of God (cf. Rom 8:29), fulfilling the plan of God who created man in His own image and likeness. But this insertion in Christ also opens us - as we have said - in communion with all the other members of his Mystical Body which is the Church, a communion that is perfect in "Heaven", where there is no isolation, no competition or separation . In today's feast, we look forward to the beauty of this life fully open to the gaze of love of God and neighbor, in which we are sure to reach God and one another in God .With this hope filled faith we honor all the saints, and we prepare to commemorate tomorrow the faithful departed. In the saints we see the victory of love over selfishness and death: we see that following Christ leads to life, eternal life, and gives meaning to the present, every moment that passes, because it is filled with love and hope. Only faith in eternal life makes us truly love the history and the present, but without attachment, with the freedom of the pilgrim, who loves the earth because his heart is in Heaven.

May the Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to strongly believe in eternal life and feel ourselves in true communion with our deceased loved ones”.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA

2012

CATHOLIC MOVIES - WATCH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - PART 6

In honor of the YEAR OF FAITH - JCE news will be showing some of the TOP Catholic movies of all time - view new episodes each day. Tune in for PART VI of St. Francis - tomorrow.
PART I http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2012/10/catholic-movies-watch-st-francis-of.html
PART II http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2012/10/catholic-movies-watch-st-francis-of_27.html
PART III http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2012/10/catholic-movies-watch-st-francis-of_29.html
PART IV http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2012/10/catholic-movies-watch-st-francis-of_30.html
PART V http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2012/10/catholic-movies-watch-st-francis-of_31.html

AFRICA : MALAWI : RIP BISHOP EMERITUS FELIX MKHORI OF LILONGWE

CISA REPORT

LILONGWE, October 30, 2012 (CISA) -The Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) announced the death of the Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Right Reverend Felix Eugenio Mkhori on the morning of October 27.

The Right Reverend Felix Eugenio Mkhori passed away at Mwayi Wathu Private Hospital in Blantyre, having been admitted at the same hospital on Saturday, October 13, 2012.

Bishop Mkhori was born on August 24, 1931, and ordained priest on September 8, 1961. He was consecrated Bishop on January 8, 1978 and served as Bishop of Chikwawa until January 23, 2001 when he became Bishop of the Diocese of Lilongwe. He retired from the pastoral office of Bishop of Lilongwe on July 4, in 2007 and lived in St. Montfort, Nchalo until the time of his departure.

Burial of the late Bishop Mkhori will be on Wednesday, 31st October, 2012 at Chikwawa Cathedral starting with Holy Mass at 9:30 am.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS

ASIA : SYRIA : CHRISTIAN KILLED IN HOMS

Agenzia Fides REPORT - The last Christian who was in the center of Homs was killed, after the evacuation of the civilian population. Elias Mansour, 84 years old, Greek-Orthodox Christian, did not want to leave his home, in the Wadi Sayeh street, because he had to take care of his son Adnane, handicapped, even though he knew that his life was in danger. The Wadi Sayeh area - inhabited by Christians and Sunni Muslims - is still at the center of fighting between the army and rebels. The rebels are holed up in the areas of Khalidiyeh, Bab Houd, Bustan diwan, Hamidiyeh, until the streets of Wadi Sayeh and Ouret al shayyah. The forces of the regular army surround them. As a Greek-Orthodox priest reported to Fides, Elias Mansour was killed yesterday. In the days before he said he would not leave his house for no reason and that if he met the rebels, "he would have reminded them the Ten Commandments and the Holy Scriptures." The funeral will be celebrated today in an Orthodox church. An Orthodox priest is trying to track down his son, who is disabled.
Meanwhile, as sources of Fides inform, this morning, the convent of the Jesuits in the Hamidiyeh area was hit in the fighting which takes place every day. The structure has undergone minor damage but no victims. The Jesuits and the displaced people who are there have experienced moments of fear, but they are fine. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2012)

AUSTRALIA : BISHOP FISHER GIVES LECTURE FOR ANSCOMBE MEMORIAL

DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA RELEASE

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Anscombe Memorial Lecture 2012

The Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, delivered the Anscombe Memorial Lecture 2012 at St John’s College, Oxford University on 15 October.
Bishop Anthony’s lecture was titled “Fair innings? Healthcare rationing in favour of the young over the elderly”.
Related:
Bishop’s Oxford Address: ‘Ageist’ health care discriminates against the elderly
Listen to Bishop Anthony’s Oxford Address at The Tablet
12 & 19 Nov: Catholic Bioethics with Bishop Anthony @ Institute For Mission

EUROPE : SISTINE CHAPEL TURNS 500 - VIRTUAL TOUR - POPE'S PRAISES

Every year 5 million people visit the Sistine Chapel. On average 10, 000 - 20, 0000 people enter the chapel per day. (Image source: GOOGLE ) The Sistine Chapel is now 500 years old. Pope Benedict held Vespers in the Chapel and called it a “liturgical classroom”. He explained that “It is as if during the liturgical action, the entire symphony of figures comes alive, certainly in the spiritual sense, but also…in the aesthetic sense,” The Pontiff said, “The Sistine Chapel, encompassed in prayer, is even more beautiful, more authentic; it reveals all of its treasures.”
The artist Michelangelo worked on the paintings for 4 years, from 1508 to 1512. It encompasses over 1000 square meters.

Benedict XVI said,

“The idea that permeates the great work: it is the light of God that illuminates these frescoes and the entire Papal Chapel. That light, with its power, conquers the chaos and darkness to give life; in creation and in redemption. The Sistine Chapel tells the story of light, liberation, salvation; it speaks of God's relationship with humanity,”.

CLICK LINK TO ENTER THE SISTINE CHAPEL VIRTUALLY
http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

TODAY'S SAINT: NOV. 1: ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day
Feast: November 1
Information:
Feast Day:
November 1

The church in this great festival honours all the saints reigning together in glory; first, to give thanks to God for the graces and crowns of all his elect: secondly, to excite ourselves to a fervent imitation of their virtues by considering the holy example of so many faithful servants of God of all ages, sexes, and conditions, and by contemplating the inexpressible and eternal bliss which they already enjoy, and to which we are invited: thirdly, to implore the divine mercy through this multitude of powerful intercessors: fourthly, to repair any failures or sloth in not having duly honoured God in his saints on their particular festivals, and to glorify him in the saints which are unknown to us, or for which no particular festivals are appointed. Therefore our fervour on this day ought to be such that it may be a reparation of our sloth in all the other feasts of the year; they being all comprised in this one solemn commemoration, which is an image of that eternal great feast which God himself continually celebrates in heaven with all his saints, whom we humbly join in praising his adorable goodness for all his mercies, particularly for all treasures of grace which he has most munificently heaped upon them. In this and all other festivals of the saints God is the only object of supreme worship, and the whole of that inferior veneration which is paid to the saints is directed to give sovereign honour to God alone, whose gifts their graces are: and our addresses to them are only petitions to holy fellow creatures for the assistance of their prayers to God for us. When, therefore, we honour the saints, in them and through them we honour God, and Christ, true God and true man, the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind, the King of the Saints, and the source of all their sanctity and glory. In his blood they have washed their robes: from him they derive all their purity, whiteness, and lustre. We consider their virtues as copies taken from him, the great Original, as streams from his fountain, or as images of his virtues produced by the effusion of his spirit and grace in them. His divine life is their great exemplar and prototype, and in the characteristical virtues of each saint some of his most eminent virtues are particularly set forth: his hidden life in the solitude of the anchorets; his spotless purity in the virgins; his patience or charity in some; his divine zeal in others; in them all in some degree his plenitude of all virtue and sanctity Nor are the virtues of the saints only transcripts and copies of the life or spirit of Christ; they are also the fruit of his redemption; entirely his gifts and graces. And when we honour the saints we honour and praise him who is the Author of all their good; so that all festivals of saints are instituted to honour God and our Blessed Redeemer.
In all feasts of saints, especially in this solemn festival of All Saints, it ought to be the first part of our devotion to praise and thank God for the infinite goodness he has displayed in favour of his elect. A primary and most indispensable homage we owe to God is that of praise, the first act of love and complacency in God and his adorable perfections. Hence the Psalms, the most perfect and inspired model of devotions, repeat no sentiments so frequently or with so much ardour as those of divine adoration and praise. This is the uninterrupted sweet employment of the blessed in heaven to all eternity; and the contemplation of the divine love and other perfections is a perpetual incentive inflaming them continually afresh in it, so that they cannot cease pouring forth all their affections and exhausting all their powers; and conceive every moment new ardour in this happy function of pure love. So many holy solitaries of both sexes in this life have renounced all commerce and pleasures of the world, to devote themselves wholly to the mixed exercises of praise and love, and of compunction and humble supplication. In these, all servants of God find their spiritual strength, refreshment, advancement, delight, and joy. To aid our weakness and supply our insufficiency in magnifying the infinite Lord of all things, and exalting his glory, we have recourse to the spotless victim, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, put into our hands for us to offer a holocaust of infinite price, equal to the majesty of the Godhead. We also rejoice in the infinite glory which God possesses in himself, and from himself. Deriving from himself infinite greatness and infinite happiness, he stands not in need of our goods, and can receive no accession from our homages as to internal glory; in which consists his sovereign bliss. But there is an external glory which he receives from the obedience and praise of his creatures, which, though it increase not his happiness, is nevertheless indispensably due to him, and an external homage with which all beings are bound to sound forth his sovereign power and sanctity. Nor do we owe him this only for his own greatness and glory, which he possesses in himself, but also for the goodness, justice, wisdom' and power which he manifests in all his works. Compounds of the divine mercies as we are, we are bound to give to God incessant thanks for all the benefits, both in the order of nature and of grace, which he has gratuitously conferred upon us. We owe him also an acknowledgment of praise and thanksgiving for all his creatures from the beginning, and for all the wonders he has wrought in them or in their behalf. For this the psalmist and the prophets so often rehearse his mighty works, and invite all beings to magnify his holy name for them.

SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/allsaintsday.asp

TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURS. NOV. 1, 2012

Revelation 7: 2 - 4, 9 - 14
2	Then I saw another angel ascend from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,
3	saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads."
4	And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand sealed, out of every tribe of the sons of Israel,
9	After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10	and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!"
11	And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12	saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen."
13	Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?"
14	I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Psalms 24: 1 - 6
1	The earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;
2	for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
3	Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4	He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5	He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation.
6	Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah] 1 John 3: 1 - 3 1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Matthew 5: 1 - 12 1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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