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Saturday, June 7, 2014

Catholic News World : Saturday June 7, 2014 - Share!

2014

Pope Francis meeting for Peace at Vatican with Peres and Abbas of Israel and Palestine


Vatican Information Service: During a briefing on Friday, Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, custodian of the Holy Land, and Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, director of the Holy See Press Office, presented details of the 'Invocation for Peace' initiative, scheduled to take place in the Vatican on Sunday.
Pope Francis has invited the presidents of Israel and Palestine, Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas, to join him in a prayer encounter. Peres and Abbas will arrive at the Vatican within a few minutes of each other. The Holy Father will receive them at the entrance of Casa Santa Marta, and will briefly with them individually. All three will then join with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and proceed by car to the Vatican Gardens where the event will take place, beginning with a musical introduction and an explanation in English of the structure and form of the celebration, which will follow the chronological order of the three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  At around 7pm there will be a prayer (creation) in Hebrew, a brief musical interlude, a prayer invoking forgiveness, another musical interlude, a prayer invoking peace, and finally, a Jewish musical meditation. The Christian part will follow the same structure, but the first prayer will be in English, the second in Italian, and the third in Arabic. Finally the Muslim part of the celebration will proceed as above, in Arabic. The reader will then introduce in English the final part of the celebration, beginning with Pope Francis' discourse invoking peace.
The Holy Father will then invite each of the two presidents to formulate his own invocation. Shimon Peres will begin, followed by Mahmoud Abbas. As a gesture of peace, in which the Patriarch Bartholomew will also participate, they will all shake hands and the Pope will then accompany them in planting an olive tree, symbol of peace. At the end of the celebration the four will remain side by side while the delegations pass by to greet them. The Holy Father, the two presidents and the Patriarch will then proceed to the Casina Pio IV to speak in private. Finally, Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas will leave the Vatican, while Pope Francis and the Patriarch Bartholomew will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Source: VIS

Today's Mass Online : Saturday June 7, 2014

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 302


Reading 1ACTS 28:16-20, 30-31

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,
with the soldier who was guarding him.

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains.”

He remained for two full years in his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 11:4, 5 AND 7

R. (see 7b) The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel JN 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.

Kidnapped Priest Fr. Alexis Prem still Missing - Please Pray

Asia News Report: The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that "the situation is very delicate." A group of tribals in Tamil Nadu organize a prayer vigil to demand the release of the priest.

Kabul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The government of Afghanistan is following "some concrete leads" in relation to the kidnap of Indian Jesuit Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar SJ, on 2 June. This is according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who have confirmed the arrest of three Taliban militants. The Ministry spokesman has added that "Afghanistan is working on all fronts" to free the priest, but there are no other details because "the situation is very delicate."
In recent days, some local media claimed that Fr. Alexis was in Afghanistan in relation to the Indian diplomatic mission in the country, and for this reason was arrested. His abduction in fact occurred ten days after a suicide bombing at the Indian consulate in Herat, the province where he was a Jesuit.

However, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied "any involvement" of the priest with the government in New Delhi. "He is an Indian citizen - they add - but he is there with an NGO. He has no links to the Indian government, the diplomatic mission or consulate."
Since 2011, Fr. Alexis has headed the Afghan section of the Jesuit Refugee Service(JRS). Every year, this NGO provides educational services, health care and social assistance to more than 500 thousand refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. In 2013, the JRS helped more than 6 thousand Afghans returning from Iran and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, statements and expressions of solidarity for Fr. Alexis and his familycontinue to arrive. A group of tribals in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu village where the Jesuit worked before leaving for Afghanistan, organized a prayer vigil on June 4 last. "He worked with our kids - they tell - and at the same time with the Sri Lankan refugees. Many of us benefited from his commitment and his dedication. If we have houses and identity documents is only thanks to him." In his honor, volunteers and activists in the area are organizing a silent march on June 11.

Pope Francis meets with President of Mexico Enriqué Peña Nieto


07/06/2014

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday received the President of Mexico, Enriqué Peña Nieto. A communiqué from the Press Office of the Holy See says that the Pope and the President held cordial discussions, during the course of which they touched on several issues, including recent reforms in Mexico, in particular the constitutional amendments regarding religious freedom.
The communiqué goes on to say that attention then turned to migration, the struggle against poverty and unemployment, and initiatives for combating violence and drug trafficking, before the two exchanged views on themes relating to current regional and international affairs.
Below, please fin the full text of the Communiqué from the Holy See Press Office
Communiqué
This morning, Saturday 7 June 2014, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of Mexico, His Excellency Mr. EnriquePeña Nieto, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial discussions, the Parties focused on various aspects of the life of the country including numerous recent reforms, in particular the constitutional amendments regarding religious freedom. Attention then turnedto other matters of common interest, such as migration, the struggle against poverty and unemployment, and initiatives for combating violence and drug trafficking.
Finally, there was an exchange of opinions on themes relating to current regional and international affairs.

Saint June 7 : St. Robert of Newminster : Cistercian Abbot

St. Robert of Newminster
CISTERCIAN ABBOT
Feast: June 7


     Information:
Feast Day:June 7
Born:1100 at Gargrave, Craven district, Yorkshire county, England
Died:7 June 1159 at Newminster England
He was a native of Yorkshire, and even in his childhood an enemy to the usual amusements of that age, loving only prayer, serious reading, and useful and pious employments. Having finished his studies, he was ordained priest, and instituted to a rectorship of a parish in the diocese of York; but after discharging that office some time with great assiduity and zeal, he resigned that living, and took the religious habit in the Benedictine monastery of our Lady in York. Richard, the prior of this house, and twelve others, desiring to serve God according to the primitive institute of the Benedictine Order, left the monastery, with leave of the abbot, and endeavoring to execute their project, struggled with incredible hardships; till Thurstan, the pious archbishop of York, gave them a desert valley, called Scheldale, with the town of Sutton, where, in the midst of winter, and in extreme poverty they founded the celebrated abbey which, from certain springs, was called Fountains, in 1132. The Cistercian Order, which had been lately introduced into England, and settled at Rievalle, was perfectly agreeable to the fervent dispositions of this holy colony; and at their request the monastery of Fountains was received into it by St. Bernard, who in his letters extols the perfection and sanctity of this new nursery of saints, which, from the beginning, was a model to the whole order for devotion, austerity in fasts, labor, by which all the monks procured their subsistence, fervor in all religious exercises, and cheerfulness in singing assiduously the divine praises. No murmur or sadness was known among them; nor any strife or contention ever heard of, unless of charity or humility: they never yielded to rest, till fatigued with labor; and always came hungry from their slender table, which was chiefly furnished with pulse and roots from their garden. St. Robert seemed so far to eclipse the rest of this holy company by the lustre of his piety, that they all had their eyes on him in their religions duties, and studied to transcribe his fervor in their actions. Ranulph of Merley, baron of Morpeth, paying a visit to the monastery of Fountains five years after its foundation, was so struck with the edifying deportment of the terrestrial angels who inhabited it, that he obtained of the abbot Richard a certain number of those monks, and built for them a monastery called Newminster, near Morpeth, in Northumberland, in 1137, of which St. Robert was appointed abbot.

The saint in his new dignity thought it his duty not only to walk before his brethren, but to go beyond them all in every religious observance; and all his virtues seemed to receive new vigor, and a new degree of perfection in this eminent station. His affection to holy prayer is not to be expressed. He recommended to God continually those committed to his care, and with many tears poured forth his soul for them night and day. He was favored with the gift of prophecy and miracles. He founded another monastery a Pipinelle, or Rivebelle, in Northamptonshire, and lived in the strictest union of holy friendship with St. Bernard; also with St. Godric, a holy hermit in those parts, illiterate as to secular learning, but a most spiritual man. St. Robert finished his course by a happy death on the 7th of June, 1159. Miracles attested his sanctity to the world. He is named in the Roman Martyrology.


source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/R/strobertofnewminster.asp#ixzz1x6nU0Gif

Friday, June 6, 2014

Novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost SHARE this Powerful Prayer


ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. / I adore the brightness of Your purity the unerring keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength / and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart! To be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light: and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You / by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds / and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart / I implore You / Adorable Spirit I Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere / "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.


PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul / the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth / the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You I and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God find know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable / the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples / and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

9th DAY OF THE NOVENA

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.
Prayer
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

Novena Day 1 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-1-pentecost.html
Day 2 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/holy-spirit-novena-day-2-for-pentecost.html
Day 3 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/holy-spirit-novena-day-3-for-pentecost.html
Day 4 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-4-for.html
Day 5 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-5-for.html
Day 6 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-6-for.html
Day 7 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-7-for.html
Day 8 http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/novena-to-holy-spirit-day-8-for.html


Pope Francis meets Prime Minister of Japan and gets a Magic Mirror as a Gift


Pope Francis speaks with the prime minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe
06/06/2014



(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the  prime minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, who subsequently went on to meet with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. A statement by the Holy See Press Office said the good relations between Japan and the Holy See were spoken about during cordial talks, as well as the understanding and collaboration between the Church and State in the fields of education, social welfare and healthcare.
The conversation then turned to several current regional and international themes, with particular reference to initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Asian continent, Japan’s commitment to cooperation for development, especially in Africa, attention to the environment, and nuclear disarmament.
Shared from Radio Vaticana