London Grammar - 'Maybe' [touching God] :)

St Ignatius of Loyola! BLESSED FEAST !!! :) 31 July 2015

From: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Ignatius_of_Loyola_%28militant%29.jpg

Année de la réconciliation en Afrique

Année de la réconciliation en Afrique


Cité du Vatican, 29 juillet 2015 (VIS). Aujourd'hui à Accra (Ghana) s'ouvre par une messe l'Année de la réconciliation en Afrique, lancée à l'initiative du Symposium des Conférences épiscopales du continent et de Madagascar (Une Afrique réconciliée pour la coexistence pacifique). Elle se conclura le 29 juillet 2013 avec la XVII Assemblée plénière de l'épiscopat en Angola. L'Année de la réconciliation, qui prend place dans le sillage de l'exhortation apostolique post synodale de Benoît XVI Africae Munis (2011), entend demander pardon pour les les blessures et les offenses causées dans l'Eglise comme dans la société aux personnes et aux communautés de l'Afrique. Il s'agira, avait écrit le Pape émérite à Cotonou (Bénin) le 19 novembre 2011, d'un jubilé extraordinaire où les Eglises particulières d'Afrique et l'Eglise universelle prieront pour recevoir les dons de l'Esprit, et ceux de la réconciliation, de la la justice et de la paix tout particulièrement. L'idée était de mettre en application les recommandations du Synode de 2009 consacré à l'Afrique. Le Président du SECAM a adressé une lettre aux huit Conférences épiscopales pour les encourager à mettre sur pied des initiatives en la matière et à les coordonner tout au long de cette année jubilaire, avec l'aide des diverses Commissions Justice et Paix. Elles choisiront une date pour une collecte pour la Seconde Journée du SECAM, qui se déroule chaque deux ans pendant l'assemblée de cet organisme et dont le but est de soutenir des projets d'évangélisation, de renforcement de la justice et de la paix, ainsi que les media catholiques africains et malgaches.

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom after Communion

Having been made worthy to partake in a mystical way of Your immaculate Body and precious blood O Christ our God, I acclaim and bless, worship and glorify You, and proclaim the greatness of your saving acts, now and forever and ever.  Amen.

- from the "Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom", published by the Synod of the Hierarchy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1988.  P. 83-85.

'The Scale of the Cloister', by Guigo II, Ninth prior of the Grande Chartreuse

"And so the soul sees that of herself she cannot attain to the sweetness of knowledge and experience for which she longs, and that the more high minded she is the more is God exalted beyond her reach.  The soul therefore humbles herself, and betakes herself to prayer, saying: O Lord.  Who art not seen save by the pure of heart, I have examined in reading and I have sought in meditation how I can obtain true purity of heart, so that by means of it I may know you at least a little.  I have sought your countenance, O Lord, I have sought your countenance.  Long have I pondered in my heart, and in my meditation the fire has burnt up, the fire of desire to know you better.

Thou break the bread of Scripture for me, and in this very breaking there is much knowledge.  But the more that I know you the more do I desire to know you, not any longer in the dry husk of the letter but in the discernment of experience.

I ask for this, trusting not in my own merits but in your mercy.  I acknowledge that I am unworthy, and a sinner; but even the little dogs do eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their lords.

Grant me, O Lord, a pledge of my future inheritance, just one little drop of heavenly dew wherewith to quench my thirst, for I burn with love."

* Excerpt from "Early Carthusian Writings", Gracewing Publishers, St. Hugh's Charterhouse, Parkminster, UK, 2009.  P. 55-57 - 'The Scale of the Cloister', by Guigo II, Ninth Prior of the Grande Chartreuse, written circa 1150 AD.

Deux ans après sa disparition, le Pape demande la libération de Paolo Dall'Oglio

Deux ans après sa disparition, le Pape demande la libération de Paolo Dall'Oglio

2015-07-26 Radio Vatican

(RV) A bientôt deux ans de l'enlèvement du jésuite Paolo Dall'Oglio en Syrie, le Pape François a lancé un appel solennel à l'issue de la prière de l'Angélus ce dimanche place Saint-Pierre. « J'adresse un appel sincère et pressant pour la libération de ce religieux estimé » a dit le Souverain Pontife. « Je ne peux pas oublier non plus les évêques orthodoxes enlevés en Syrie et toutes les personnes qui, dans les zones de conflit, ont été prises en otage » a également souligné le Saint-Père, qui a souhaité une nouvelle fois que les autorités locales et internationales s'engagent « afin que nos frères puissent retrouver rapidement la liberté ». « En participant à leurs souffrances, nous voulons les porter dans la prière » a conclu le Pape.

Militant du dialogue islamo-chrétien, le Paolo Dall'Oglio s’est rendu le 27 juillet 2013 dans la ville de Raqqa au nord-est de la Syrie. Expulsé en juin 2012 pour avoir défendu l’opposition au régime syrien de Bachar El Assad, le prêtre jésuite italien bravait l’interdiction de fouler le sol syrien où il vécut pendant plus de trente, notamment au monastère de Mar Moussa.

En se rendant à Raqqa, il souhaitait instaurer un dialogue entre les différentes factions hostiles au régime de Damas, se combattant entre elles. Il voulait tenter une médiation entre les groupes les plus radicaux, et en particulier auprès des djihadistes de l’Etat islamique en Irak et au Levant. On est sans nouvelle de lui depuis le 29 juillet 2013.

Mgr Gregorios Ibrahim, de l’Eglise syro-orthodoxe, et Mgr Paul Yazigi, de l’Eglise grecque-orthodoxe d’Antioche, ont été enlevés par des rebelles le 23 avril 2013, près d'Alep en Syrie.

(Tratto dall'archivio della Radio Vaticana)

Armenian Catholics get new Patriarch

Armenian Catholics get new Patriarch

BEIRUT (Massis Post) — Bishop Krikor Ghabroyan (Emeritus Bishop of the Eparchy of France) was elected the new Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church. The new Patriarch has assumed the name Grégoire Pierre XX.

The celebration of its installation will be on August 9 in Lebanon. It will carry the title of “Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians”. the patriarchal headquarters is located in the convent of Bzommar and his residence in Beirut.

Pope Francis has sent a message of congratulations to the new Armenian Catholic Paticarch of Cilicia, his Beatiude Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan.

In the message Pope Francis expressed hope that his new ministry will bear many fruits, adding that his elections comes at a time when the Armenian church is confronted with various difficulties and challenges, the Vatican Radio reported.

Pope Francis referred to the terrible ordeals that some Armenian Catholics in the Middle East are facing. But he added that “illuminated by the light of faith in the risen Christ, our vision of the world is full of hope and mercy, because we are certain that the Cross of Jesus is the tree that gives life”.

Bishop Krikor Ghabroyan, born November 15, 1934 in Aleppo, Syria. He was ordained a priest March 28, 1959, appointed Bishop 3 January 1977. He was consecrated bishop 13 February 1977.

His Beatitude Grabroyan studied at the Minor Seminary of the Institute of Bzommar Patriarchal clergy; then to the College of the Marist Brothers of Jounieh (Lebanon); Armenian Leone Pontifical College in Rome; and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome

Its various departments were: School Director St. Mesrob Bourj Hammoud (1960 – 1969), rector of the minor seminary of Bzommar (1969 – 1976), General Treasurer of the Institute of the patriarchal clergy of Bzommar (1976) . Armenian Apostolic Exarch of France (1977 – 1986) and Eparch of the same diocese (1986-2013). Since his retirement, he had retired from the Paris region.

Sharing the Gospel: Nuns learn Albanian

Evangelism in Kosovo: Nuns learn Albanian

(In Communion) - The eight nuns of a Serbian Orthodox monastery, Sokolica, in religiously polarized Kosovo have decided to learn Albanian so they can talk to Albanian Muslims who come to pray at an ancient statue of the Virgin Mary.

Muslims from all over Kosovo flock to the Sokolica monastery because they believe its 14th-century sculpture of the Sokolika Virgin can cure deaf-mute children and help childless couples become pregnant. The famous sculpture is adorned with gold necklaces, bracelets and strings of pearls from grateful pilgrims, both Christian and Muslim. “It cures not only their people but also our people,” said a Muslim neighbor.

The monastery, surrounded by the Muslim village of Boletin, is located in the mountains that overlook the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica.

“When Muslims ask how to pray, we tell them to pray in their own language and in the way they are taught to,” the 67-year-old head of the monastery, Mother Makarija, told Agence France Presse. “We let them praise their Allah as we do our God.”

“Our door is open for all who come, both Christian and Muslims. If Muslims think our sacred sculpture can help them, then they are welcome,” said Mother Makarija.

“But speaking the languages of neighbors is a must,” she said. “I don’t want our sisters to talk to the neighbors and Albanians who visit the monastery in English but in Albanian. I am always looking for [Albanian] textbooks. I may be too old for it but my nuns must learn Albanian.” (The abbess speaks Serbian, English, German and Greek.)

Local villagers tell how the abbess braved heavy fighting during the war to take a pregnant Boletin woman to deliver her baby at a Serbian hospital in Mitrovica. “It was dangerous even for her, despite the fact that she was a nun,” said Besim Boletini, who lives next door to the monastery.

Muslim villager Mustafa Kelmendi, 67, said Mother Makarija had saved his son Basri from Serb paramilitaries twice. “The war brought chaos … However she did not allow Serb forces to stay in the convent even when fighting was going on in the area.”

The nuns are well known as fresco painters and iconographers. “That is our main income,” said Mother Makarija.

Who is Mary Mother of God? - From the homily of St. Cyril of Alexandria preached at the Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

From the homily of St. Cyril of Alexandria preached at the Council of Ephesus

Hail Mary, Mother of God, august treasury of the whole world, unquenchable torch, crown of virginity, scepter of orthodoxy, temple indestructible, and place of the uncontainable, mother and virgin.  Through you is named blessed in the holy gospel He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hail Mary!  You contained the uncontainable in your holy virginal womb.  Through you the Trinity is glorified; through you is the cross named precious, and adored throughout the whole world; through you heaven exults; through you angels and archangels rejoice; through you demons are put to flight; through you the devil, the tempter, fell from heaven; through you the fallen creature is taken up to heaven; through you the whole created world, gripped in the madness of idolatry, come to a recognition of the truth; through you comes about holy baptism for believers; through you the oil of gladness; through you churches have been founded through the whole world; through you nations are led to repentance.

What need is there to speak at length?  Through you the only Son of God shone His light for those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; through you prophets foretold what was to come; through you apostles preach salvation to the nations; through you the dead are raised to life; through you kings reign, through the Holy Trinity.

What man can sing adequately the praise of Mary?  She is both virgin and mother!  The wonder astounds me.  Shall the Builder be forbidden to inhabit the temple He has built? Shall He be despised who chose His handmaid for His mother?

See then, all things rejoice.  May it be ours to fear and bow before the unity of the Trinity, to worship and tremble in awe before the indivisible Trinity, as we sing praises of the ever-virgin Mary, that is the holy Church, and of her Son and immaculate spouse; for to Him is glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

CARMEL: Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace Feast!!! 23 July

Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace - feastday

23rd July - Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace

OCD: Memory

‘The Blessed Virgin Mary was eternally predestined, in the context of the incarnation of the divine Word, to be the Mother of God. As decreed by divine Providence, she served on earth as the loving Mother of the divine Redeemer, his associate, uniquely generous, and the Lord’s humble servant. She conceived, bore, and nourished Christ; presented him to the Father in the Temple; and was united with him in his suffering as he died on the cross. In a completely unparalleled way she co-operated, by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity, with our Saviour’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is Mother to us all in the order of grace’ (Lumen Gentium, the Constitution on the Church, 61).

Mass

Entrance Antiphon - Heb 4.16
With confidence let us draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace when we are in need of help.

Opening Prayer
God of eternal wisdom,
in your providence you willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary
should bring forth the Author of Grace,
and take part with him in the mystery of man’s redemption.
May she obtain for us grace in abundance
and bring us to the haven of everlasting salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

A reading from the book of Esther - 8:3-8a, 16-17a
How can I look on, while my people suffer?
Esther went to speak to the king.  She fell at his feet, weeping and imploring his favour, to frustrate the wicked scheme devised by Haman the Agagite and his plot against the Jews.  The king held out the golden sceptre to her, whereupon Esther rose and stood face to face with him.  'If such is the king's good pleasure,' she said 'and if I have found favour before him, if my petition seems proper to him and if I myself am pleasing to his eyes, may he be pleased to issue a written revocation of the letters which Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, contrived to have written to procure the destruction of the Jews in every province of the realm.  For how can I look on, while my people suffer what is in store for them?  How can I bear to witness the extermination of my race?'
King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, 'I for my part have given Esther Haman's house, and have had him hanged on the gallows for planning to destroy the Jews.  You are free now to write to them as you judge best, in the king's name, and seal what you write with the king's signet'.
For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honour.  In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and decree arrived, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and holiday-making.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps.  66:2-3, 4-5, 6-7b (R.2b)
R/. Let your face shed its light upon us, O Lord.

God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.   R/.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.   R/.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you
for God, our God, has blessed us.   R/.

Gospel Acclamation 
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy;
through you we receive grace from Christ our Saviour.
Alleluia!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John - 2:1-11
The mother of Jesus was there.
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee.  The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciple had also been invited.  When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine'.  Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn to me?  My hour has not come yet'.  His mother said to his servants, 'Do whatever he tells you'.  There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.  Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' and they filled them to the brim.  'Draw some out now,' he told them, 'and take it to the steward'.  They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine.  Having no idea where it came from--only the servants who had drawn the water knew--the steward called the bridegroom and said, 'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now'.

This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee.  He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.

Prayer over the Gifts
Almighty Father,
accept our offerings of atonement and praise,
and through the working of the Holy Spirit
effect the sacrament of man’s redemption.
May that which Christ our Mediator
instituted for our reconciliation with you be for us,
through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
a well-spring of grace
and an unfailing stream of salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Priest:    The Lord be with you.
People:  And also with you.

Priest:    Lift up your hearts.
People:  We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
as we honour the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of Divine Grace.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
she became the virgin mother of your only Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is for ever the light of the world.
Through him the choirs of angels
and all the powers of heaven
praise and worship your glory.
May our voices blend with theirs
as we join in their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy...

Communion Antiphon - Rev 22:17
The Spirit and the Bride say: “Come!”. And let him who hears say: “Come!” Let all who thirst come, and let him who desires it accept the gift of life-giving water.

Prayer after Communion
Lord God,
we have been refreshed at the fountain of salvation.
Through the power of this Sacrament
and the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary
may a closer union with Christ our Mediator
fit us to collaborate ever more faithfully
in the mystery of redemption.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Divine Office

Office of Readings

Second Reading - From the homily of St. Cyril of Alexandria preached at the Council of Ephesus

Hail Mary, Mother of God, august treasury of the whole world, unquenchable torch, crown of virginity, scepter of orthodoxy, temple indestructible, and place of the uncontainable, mother and virgin.  Through you is named blessed in the holy gospel He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hail Mary!  You contained the uncontainable in your holy virginal womb.  Through you the Trinity is glorified; through you is the cross named precious, and adored throughout the whole world; through you heaven exults; through you angels and archangels rejoice; through you demons are put to flight; through you the devil, the tempter, fell from heaven; through you the fallen creature is taken up to heaven; through you the whole created world, gripped in the madness of idolatry, come to a recognition of the truth; through you comes about holy baptism for believers; through you the oil of gladness; through you churches have been founded through the whole world; through you nations are led to repentance.

What need is there to speak at length?  Through you the only Son of God shone His light for those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; through you prophets foretold what was to come; through you apostles preach salvation to the nations; through you the dead are raised to life; through you kings reign, through the Holy Trinity.

What man can sing adequately the praise of Mary?  She is both virgin and mother!  The wonder astounds me.  Shall the Builder be forbidden to inhabit the temple He has built? Shall He be despised who chose His handmaid for His mother?

See then, all things rejoice.  May it be ours to fear and bow before the unity of the Trinity, to worship and tremble in awe before the indivisible Trinity, as we sing praises of the ever-virgin Mary, that is the holy Church, and of her Son and immaculate spouse; for to Him is glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Responsory
R/.  With confidence let us draw near to the throne of grace, * so that we may receive mercy, and find grace when we are in need of help.
V/.  To you do we cry, blessed Virgin, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears, * so that we may receive mercy, and find grace when we are in need of help.

Benedictus Antiphon
It is I who give birth to all noble loving and the holy gift
of hope.  From me comes every grace of faithful observance;
from me all promise of life and vigour.

Magnificat Antiphon
Our salvation is in your hands, O Mother; smile upon us,
and we shall be happy in our service of the Lord our King.

From: http://www.ocd.ie/index.php/2-uncategorised/244-our-lady-mother-of-divine-grace