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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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2014


Latest from Vatican Information Service News - Pope Francis Appoints - House Arrest of Ex-Nuncio -

Summary
- Pope Francis' message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “A Church without frontiers, mother to all”
- The challenge of migration: indifference must not prevail
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Cardinal Muller meets the superior general of the Society of St. Pius X
- International Theological Commission at the end of its eighth term: appointments and new website
- The Holy See at the 58th Conference of the IAEA: nuclear disarmament is a realistic objective
- Other Pontifical Acts

Summary
- Pope Francis' general audience: Albania, example of resurgence of the Church
- The Pope calls for prayer for African countries in Ebola epidemic
- Vatican City State legal authorities order house arrest for ex-nuncio Jozef Wesolowski
- The Holy See: committed to working against climate change
- Other Pontifical Acts
Pope Francis' general audience: Albania, example of resurgence of the Church
Vatican City, 24 September 2014 (VIS) – Pope Francis devoted today's general audience to recounting last Sunday's trip to Albania. The Holy Father confirmed that it was important to encourage this population on the path to the peaceful co-existence of the different religious components of society. “Indeed, the various religious expressions have in common a path of life and the will to do good to one's neighbour, without denying or diminishing their respective identities”.
Francis recalled his meeting with priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and lay movements, as well as a number of elderly people who had experienced, “in their own flesh, terrible persecutions”. “It is precisely from the intimate union with Jesus, from the relationship of love with Him, that these martyrs, like all martyrs, found the strength to face the painful events that led them to martyrdom … and it is the strength the Church finds in Christ's love. A strength that supports us in moments of difficulty and inspires our apostolic action today, to offer goodness and forgiveness to all, and thereby bearing witness to God's mercy”.
The Pontiff also mentioned the forty priests executed during the communist dictatorship, for whom the cause for beatification is under way. “They take their place among the hundreds of Christians – and Muslims – assassinated, tortured, incarcerated and deported simply because they believed in God. These were dark years, during which religious freedom was razed to the ground and it was forbidden to believe in God; thousands of churches and mosques were destroyed, transformed into warehouses and cinemas for the propagation of Marxist ideology, religious books were burnt, and parents were forbidden from giving their children the religious names of their ancestors. … Their blood was not shed in vain; it was the seed that will bear the fruit of peace and fraternal collaboration. Today Albania offers an example not only of the rebirth of the Church, but also of peaceful co-existence between religions”.
The Pope concluded by thanking the Lord for the trip, “which enabled me to meet a courageous and strong population that has not given way to suffering”. He encouraged the brothers and sisters of Albania to “be brave and good, to build the present and the future of their country and of Europe … and may the Virgin continue to guide the path of this population of martyrs”.
The Pope calls for prayer for African countries in Ebola epidemic
Vatican City, 24 September 2014 (VIS) – At the end of today's general audience, the Holy Father greeted the faithful in various languages, as usual. Before the greetings in Italian, he launched an appeal for the countries in Africa that suffer as a result of the Ebola epidemic. Pope Francis assured his closeness to the many people affected by this virus and invited the faithful to pray for them and for those who have tragically lost their lives. “I hope that there will be no shortage of necessary help from the international community to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters”.

Vatican City State legal authorities order house arrest for ex-nuncio Jozef Wesolowski
Vatican City, 24 September 2014 (VIS) – The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., gave the following declaration yesterday afternoon:
“Today the promoter of Justice of the Vatican City State Court of First Instance summoned the ex-nuncio Jozef Wesolowski, in relation to whom a criminal investigation has been initiated. The former prelate – previously convicted in the first instance by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and reduced to lay status following a canonical penal administrative trial – has been informed of the indictment of the proceedings against him for serious acts of abuse against minors carried out in the Dominican Republic. The seriousness of the allegations has prompted the investigating office to impose restrictive measures that, in view of the state of health of the accused, attested to by medical documentation, consists of house arrest with its related limitations, in a location within Vatican City State.
“The initiative taken by the Vatican legal authorities is consistent with the wish expressed by the Pope that such a serious and delicate case be addressed without delay, with the just and necessary rigour, with the full assumption of responsibility on the part of the institutions governed by the Holy See”.
The Holy See: committed to working against climate change
Vatican City, 24 September 2014 (VIS) – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin spoke at the Climate Summit held in New York, U.S.A. yesterday afternoon. Faced with the great risks and socio-economic costs of inertia in relation to this problem, he remarked, “prudence must prevail, which requires thoughtful deliberations based on an accurate analysis of the impact our actions will have on the future. This requires a great political and economic commitment on the part of the international community, to which the Holy See wishes to make its own contribution, being aware that 'the gift of knowledge helps us not to fall into attitudes of excess or error'”.
The cardinal went on to emphasise the responsibility of States “to protect the world climate by means of mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as by sharing technologies and 'know-how'. But above all they have a shared responsibility to protect our planet and the human family, ensuring present and future generations have the possibility of living in a safe and worthy environment”. He also mentioned the efforts made by Vatican City State to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels through diversification and energy efficiency projects, but added that “talking about emission reductions is useless if we are not ready to change our lifestyle and the current dominant models of consumption and production”. The Holy See, he concluded, “commits itself to this end, so that in this work the international community may be guided by the ethical imperative to act, inspired by the principles of solidarity and the promotion of the common good, in the knowledge that 'the dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies'”.

Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 24 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed:
- Bishop Fernando Bascope Muller, S.D.B., auxiliary of the diocese of El Alto, as military ordinary for Bolivia (priests 36, permanent deacons 4, religious 28).
- Bishop Oscar Omar Aparicio Cespedes, as metropolitan archbishop of Cochabamba (area 32,306, population 1,732,000, Catholics 1,593,000, priests 316, permanent deacons 32, religious 1,267), Bolivia, transferring him from the office of military ordinary of Bolivia.
- Bishop Jose Ronaldo Ribeiro of Janauba, Brazil, as bishop of Formosa (area 47,604, population 346,760, Catholics 257,000, priests 35, religious 47), Brazil.
Pope Francis' message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “A Church without frontiers, mother to all”
Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The full text of the Holy Father's Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2015 is published below:
“Dear brothers and sisters,
Jesus is 'the evangeliser par excellence and the Gospel in person'. His solicitude, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised, invites all of us to care for the frailest and to recognise his suffering countenance, especially in the victims of new forms of poverty and slavery. The Lord says: 'I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me'. The mission of the Church, herself a pilgrim in the world and the Mother of all, is thus to love Jesus Christ, to adore and love him, particularly in the poorest and most abandoned; among these are certainly migrants and refugees, who are trying to escape difficult living conditions and dangers of every kind. For this reason, the theme for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is: Church without frontiers, Mother to all.
“The Church opens her arms to welcome all people, without distinction or limits, in order to proclaim that 'God is love'. After his death and resurrection, Jesus entrusted to the disciples the mission of being his witnesses and proclaiming the Gospel of joy and mercy. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples left the Upper Room with courage and enthusiasm; the strength of the Holy Spirit overcame their doubts and uncertainties and enabled all to understand the disciples’ preaching in their own language. From the beginning, the Church has been a mother with a heart open to the whole world, and has been without borders. This mission has continued for two thousand years. But even in the first centuries, the missionary proclamation spoke of the universal motherhood of the Church, which was then developed in the writings of the Fathers and taken up by the Second Vatican Council. The Council Fathers spoke of Ecclesia Mater to explain the Church’s nature. She begets sons and daughters and 'takes them in and embraces them with her love and in her heart'.
“The Church without frontiers, Mother to all, spreads throughout the world a culture of acceptance and solidarity, in which no one is seen as useless, out of place or disposable. When living out this motherhood effectively, the Christian community nourishes, guides and indicates the way, accompanying all with patience, and drawing close to them through prayer and works of mercy.
“Today this takes on a particular significance. In fact, in an age of such vast movements of migration, large numbers of people are leaving their homelands, with a suitcase full of fears and desires, to undertake a hopeful and dangerous trip in search of more humane living conditions. Often, however, such migration gives rise to suspicion and hostility, even in ecclesial communities,prior to any knowledge of the migrants’ lives or their stories of persecution and destitution. In such cases, suspicion and prejudice conflict with the biblical commandment of welcoming with respect and solidarity the stranger in need.
On the other hand, we sense in our conscience the call to touch human misery, and to put into practice the commandment of love that Jesus left us when he identified himself with the stranger, with the one who suffers, with all the innocent victims of violence and exploitation. Because of the weakness of our nature, however, 'we are tempted to be that kind of Christian who keeps the Lord’s wounds at arm’s length'.
“The courage born of faith, hope and love enables us to reduce the distances that separate us from human misery. Jesus Christ is always waiting to be recognised in migrants and refugees, in displaced persons and in exiles, and through them he calls us to share our resources, and occasionally to give up something of our acquired riches. Pope Paul VI spoke of this when he said that 'the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others'.
“The multicultural character of society today, for that matter, encourages the Church to take on new commitments of solidarity, communion and evangelisation. Migration movements, in fact, call us to deepen and strengthen the values needed to guarantee peaceful coexistence between persons and cultures. Achieving mere tolerance that respects diversity and ways of sharing between different backgrounds and cultures is not sufficient. This is precisely where the Church contributes to overcoming frontiers and encouraging the 'moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalisation … towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world'.
“Migration movements, however,are on such a scale that only a systematic and active cooperation between States and international organisations can be capable of regulating and managing such movements effectively. For migration affects everyone, not only because of the extent of the phenomenon, but also because of 'the social, economic, political, cultural and religious problems it raises, and the dramatic challenges it poses to nations and the international community'.
“At the international level, frequent debates take place regarding the appropriateness, methods and required norms to deal with the phenomenon of migration. There are agencies and organizations on the international, national and local level which work strenuously to serve those seeking a better life through migration. Notwithstanding their generous and laudable efforts, a more decisive and constructive action is required, one which relies on a universal network of cooperation, based on safeguarding the dignity and centrality of every human person. This will lead to greater effectiveness in the fight against the shameful and criminal trafficking of human beings, the violation of fundamental rights, and all forms of violence, oppression and enslavement. Working together, however, requires reciprocity,joint-action, openness and trust, in the knowledge that 'no country can singlehandedly face the difficulties associated with this phenomenon, which is now so widespread that it affects every continent in the twofold movement of immigration and emigration'.
“It is necessary to respond to the globalisation of migration with the globalisation of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane. At the same time, greater efforts are needed to guarantee the easing of conditions, often brought about by war or famine,which compel whole peoples to leave their native countries.
“Solidarity with migrants and refugees must be accompanied by the courage and creativity necessary to develop, on a world-wide level, a more just and equitable financial and economic order, as well as an increasing commitment to peace, the indispensable condition for all authentic progress.
“Dear migrants and refugees! You have a special place in the heart of the Church, and you help her to enlarge her heart and to manifest her motherhood towards the entire human family. Do not lose your faith and hope! Let us think of the Holy Family during the flight in Egypt: Just as the maternal heart of the Blessed Virgin and the kind heart of Saint Joseph kept alive the confidence that God would never abandon them, so in you may the same hope in the Lord never be wanting. I entrust you to their protection and I cordially impart to all of you my Apostolic Blessing”.
The challenge of migration: indifference must not prevail
Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – A press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office this morning, in which Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, along with Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, secretary of the same dicastery, presented the Holy Father's message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be held on Sunday 18 January 2015 on the theme, “A Church without frontiers, Mother to all”.
Cardinal Veglio explained that the Message is dated 3 September, the date of the centenary of the election of Pope Benedict XV, and highlighted the importance Pope Francis has attached to establishing an annual day for increasing awareness of the phenomenon of migration. He also emphasised that the Church has faced ever new and challenging situations during her millennial history, and that migration poses fresh challenges not only on account of its magnitude but also for the various social, economic, political, cultural and religious problems it gives rise to.
“The biblical commandment to love one's neighbour, to open the door to him as though welcoming God, may come into conflict with certain problematic situations, for instance when immigrants are linked to irregular or delinquent behaviour”. Cardinal Veglio posed the question, “How should the Church respond?”, when faced with such a complex situation, and went on to outline the three recommendations offered by the Pope. These are: the renouncement of oneself, collaboration between the different entities and institutions that work for immigrants, and the humanisation of conditions for immigrants, intensifying efforts to promote a gradual reduction in the root causes of immigration, that cause entire peoples to abandon their homelands.
Archbishop Kalathiparambil went on to consider the theme of multiculturalism in contemporary society, which is in constant evolution. He raised key issues related to forced immigration, explaining that this takes the form of fleeing for salvation, often involving dangerous or life-threatening journeys which may nonetheless offer the only option for reaching a country where protection and the possibility of a dignified life can be found. The prelate highlighted that since many people in these conditions cannot meet the stringent requirements for international travel as they often do not possess, and have no means of obtaining valid documents, they become “vulnerable and defenceless, in search of protection, and easy prey to smugglers and traffickers”.
He remarked that “to respond effectively to the recognition of the need for protection, to restore human dignity to refugees and treat the causes of forced mobility”, States are required to cooperate in a spirit of international solidarity, and added that the Church must make efforts to ensure that “the dignity and the centrality of the human person is protected, promoting solidarity and dialogue between peoples”. He concluded by emphasising that today's challenge is to resist becoming “used to the human tragedy experienced by forcibly displaced persons, and not to allow indifference, 'the weakness of our human nature', to prevail or to give rise to the temptation to be Christians who keep a safe distance from the wounds of the Lord”.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Cardinal Muller meets the superior general of the Society of St. Pius X
Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office has issued a statement to confirm that this morning from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a cordial meeting took place at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith between Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X. The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., secretary of the same Congregation, Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., adjunct secretary and Archbishop Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, along with two assistants from the Society of St. Pius X, Rev. Niklaus Pfluger and Rev. Alain-Marc Nély.
During the meeting, various problems of a doctrinal and canonical nature were examined, and it was decided to proceed gradually and over a reasonable period of time in order to overcome difficulties and with a view to the envisioned full reconciliation.
International Theological Commission at the end of its eighth term: appointments and new website
Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – This year the International Theological Commission concludes its eighth five-year term, which began with the pontifical appointment of its members on 19 June 2009.
As is known, the International Theological Commission, instituted by the Servant of God Paul VI on 11 April 1969, has the task of assisting the Holy See, and in particular the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in examining the most important and current doctrinal questions. The Commission is composed of theologians from various schools and nations, eminent for their scientific excellence and fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church. The Members – no more than thirty in number – are appointed by the Holy Father “ad quinquennium” upon proposal by the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and following consultation with the Episcopal Conferences. During the course of its history the Commission has published 27 documents, with the approval of its President.
The Holy See wishes to express special gratitude for the competent and conscientious theological service provided by the Members of the Commission during the term that is about to draw to an end. Three documents have been published during this term: Theology today. Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (approved in 2011 and published in 2012); God the Trinity and the Unity of Humanity: Christian monotheism and its opposition to violence (approved in 2013 and published in 2014) and the more recent Sensus fidei in the life of the Church (approved and published in the current year 2014). In reality, the work of the Commission has been more extensive, as it has also offered valuable contributions on other issues on behalf of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the primary task of the Commission.
On 26 July 2014, with the appointment by the Holy Father Francis of thirty new Members, the Commission began its ninth term. This will continue until 2019, which will also be a jubilee period for the Commission, which celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its institution on 11 April 2019.
As usual, in view of the aforementioned appointments, during this last year extensive consultations have been carried out with Episcopal Conferences throughout the world, as well as the Synods of the oriental Eparchies. On the basis of the responses received, Cardinal Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presented to the Holy Father a preferential list of candidates. Taking these proposals into consideration, the Pope appointed the theologians who are to form the Commission, at the same time renewing the appointment of Fr. Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P. (France) as secretary general.
With regard to the provenance of the Members, there is an increased number of extra-European appointees in the new composition of the Commission. As well as the 14 representatives of Europe (compared to 14 in the previous term) there are 5 from South America (previously 3), 4 from Asia (previously 4), 3 from Africa (previously 2), 3 from North America (previously 2) and 1 from Australia (previously 1).
Furthermore, there is a notable increase in the contribution of female theologians. In the two previous terms, the Commission benefited from the presence of two renowned theologians, Sister Sara Butler, M.S.B.T., (U.S.A.), and Professor Barbara Hallensleben (Switzerland, of German nationality). Five other female theologians have been appointed for the new term: Sister Prudence Allen, R.S.M., (U.S.A.), Sister Alenka Arko, Com. Loyola (Slovenia-Russia), Moira Mary McQuenn (G.B. – Canada), Tracey Rowland (Australia), Marianne Schlosser (Germany – Austria). Women now constitute 16% of the Commission’s members, a sign of growing female involvement in theological research. In 2014 it was also decided to further diversify the ecclesial provenance of the members, in relation to their religious status and the particular charisms they represent.
The first meeting of the new members, which will take place in plenary session at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is traditionally held in the first week of Advent – from 1 to 5 December. The three themes to be considered by the Commission over the coming years will be selected.
The International Theological Commission has renovated and enriched its page on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va), which offers all its documents in various languages, among the section of Commissions linked to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. All the documents published by the Comission are available for consultation, usually in ten or more languages. The Commission has now taken a further step to facilitate consultation while conserving all its documentation on the official site of the Holy See (www.vatican.va), by establishing a new link ( www.cti.va).
Referring to the initials of its Latin name, “Commissio Theologica Internationalis”, the new link has the advantage of being identical for various languages, such as Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Aside from offering a page dedicated to the Commission, the new link also offers the reader the possibility of selecting the language without returning to the Vatican homepage. It is hoped that this new and easier to use page will be a useful tool for stimulating dialogue by enabling an increasingly effective communication of the Commission's theological patrimony both within and beyond the Church.
The Holy See at the 58th Conference of the IAEA: nuclear disarmament is a realistic objective
Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) – Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, under secretary for Relations with States, attended the 58th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in Vienna yesterday. He began his address by emphasising that the Holy See commends and supports all the activities of the IAEA, which contribute to “authentic human development and foster peace and prosperity throughout the world”, and remarked that, in relation to the Agency's significant achievements, “the Holy See believes that improved public awareness and recognition ... would come about through a greater use of the modern means of communication and a deeper cooperation with civic and political authorities”. Moreover, he added, “we believe that these activities … are compatible with Pope Francis' call for fraternity, articulated in his 2014 Message for the World Day of Peace”.
He went on to stress that the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons is “paramount for all humankind. Yet the attainment of this objective cannot be the final word with regard to peace: special emphasis must be given to worldwide nuclear disarmament. This must be a goal for all states, especially for those who possess nuclear weapons or who want to develop or acquire them. Furthermore it is a goal which ought not to be considered unrealistic. The reality of peace unquestionably requires a change of course which can be accomplished by decision-making which is clear and firm, and by a willingness to seek and achieve nuclear disarmament. As in years past, the Holy See urges governments and scientific experts engaged in the field of military defence to work strenuously towards such disarmament”. He commented that this year is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and the seventy-fifth of the Second World War, conflicts whose terrible consequences we still experience to this day.
Archbishop Camilleri turned his attention to the great worldwide interest in ensuring the enhancement and improvement of nuclear safety since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plants in March 2011. “This is the path that must be pursued: doing everything humanly possible to prevent accidents at nuclear facilities and minimising any consequences should an accident occur”. He concluded by confirming that the Holy See delegation “wishes to encourage and support the efforts and innovative approaches tht concern the management and safe disposal of radioactive waste”, and reiterated the great importance attached by the Holy See to the successful cooperation of the IAEA with other United Nations organisations such as the WHO and the FAO.
Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed:
- Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane, U.S.A., as metropolitan archbishop of Chicago (area 3,654, population 6,251,000, Catholics 2,438,000, priests 1,559, permanent deacons 660, religious 2,787), U.S.A. He succeeds Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same metropolitan archdiocese, upon reaching the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.
- Rev. Fr. Riccardo Luca Guariglia, O.S.B., as ordinary abbot of the territorial abbey of Montevergine (area 3, population 232, Catholics 232, priests 12, religious 27), Italy. Fr. Guariglia is currently lecturer in fundamental theology at the “Madonna delle Grazie” Theological Institute in Benevento, Italy, and claustral prior and master of novices of the monastic community of Montevergine.
- Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, India, as his special envoy to the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the evangelisation of Myanmar, to be held in Yangon from 21 to 23 November 2014.
- Msgr. Paolo Rudelli, nunciature advisor, as special advisor and Holy See permanent observer at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed the new members of the International Theological Commission and has renewed the mandate of a number of members from its previous five-year term. For the 2014-2019 term, the Commission will be composed of the following members:
- Fr. Serge Thomas Bonino, O.P., secretary general, France;
- Rev. Terwase Henry Akaabiam, Nigeria;
- Sister Prudence Allen, R.S.M., U.S.A.;
- Sister Alenka Arko, Loyola Community, Russian Federation - Slovenia;
- Msgr. Antonio Luiz Catelan Ferreira, Brazil;
- Msgr. Piero Coda, Italy;
- Rev. Lajos Dolhai, Hungary;
- P. Peter Dubovsky, S.J., Slovakia;
- Rev. Mario Angel Flores Ramos, Mexico;
- Rev. Carlos Maria Galli, Argentina;
- Rev. Krzysztof Gozdz, Poland;
- Rev. Gaby Alfred Hachem, Lebanon;
- Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil, C.M.I., India;
- Rev. Koffi Messan Laurent Kpogo, Togo;
- Rev. Oswaldo Martinez Mendoza, Colombia;
- Professor Moira Mary McQueen, Canada – Great Britain;
- Rev. Karl Heinz Menke, Germany;
- Rev.do John Junyang PARK, Corea;
- Fr. Bernard Pottier, S.J., Belgium;
- Rev. Javier Prades Lopez, Spain;
- Professor Tracey Rowland, Australia;
- Professor Hector Gustavo Sanchez Rojas, S.C.V., Peru;
- Professor Marianne Schlosser, Austria – Germany;
- Rev. Nicholaus Segeja M'Hela, Tanzania;
- Rev. Pierangelo Sequeri, Italy;
- Rev. Zeljko Tanjic, Croatia;
- Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Philippines;
- Fr. Gabino Uribarri Bilbao, S.J., Spain;
- Rev. Philippe Vallin, France;
- Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M.Cap., U.S.A.

Novena for Feast of the Archangels - SHARE this Prayer - St. Michael, St. Gabriel




September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels. Here are three novenas to the archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and ST. Raphael.


Novena to St. Michael the Archangel
Novena Dates September 21 - 29, Feast Day September 29

St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request: (Mention your request).

St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted.

Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.


Novena to St. Gabriel the Archangel
Novena Dates September 21 - 29, Feast Day September 29

St. Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the "Angel of the Incarnation," because God has specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a tender and devoted Mother, more like your own.

I venerate you also as the "strength from God," because you are the giver of God's strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God's faithful and to teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions, renew my courage, comfort and console me in the problems, trials, and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in His agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you.

St. Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (Mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God-Made-Man and for His blessed Mother, I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God's holy Will.

Pray for us, St. Gabriel the Archangel. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray. Almighty and ever-living God, since You chose the Archangel Gabriel from among all the Angels to announce the mystery of Your Son's Incarnation, mercifully grant that we who honor him on earth may feel the benefit of his patronage in heaven. You live and reign for ever. Amen.



Novena to St. Raphael the Archangel
Novena Dates September 21 - 29, Feast Day September 29

Holy Archangel Raphael, standing so close to the throne of God and offering Him our prayers, I venerate you as God's special Friend and Messenger. I choose you as my Patron and wish to love and obey you as young Tobiah did. I consecrate to you my body and soul,all my work, and my whole life. I want you to be my Guide and Counselor in all the dangerous and difficult problems and decisions of my life.

Remember, dearest, St. Raphael, that the grace of God preserved you with the good Angels in heaven when the proud ones were cast into hell. I entreat you, therefore, to help me in my struggle against the world, the spirit of impurity, and the devil. Defend me from all dangers and every occasion of sin. Direct me always in the way of peace, safety, and salvation. Offer my prayers to God as you offered those of Tobiah, so that through your intercession I may obtain the graces necessary for the salvation of my soul. I ask you to pray that God grant me this favor if it be His holy Will: (Mention your request).

St. Raphael, help me to love and serve my God faithfully, to die in His grace, and finally to merit to join you in seeing and praising God forever in heaven. Amen.

Full Text message of Pope Francis to United Nations Assembly


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a Message to the participants in the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations, which convened on September 16th. The Pope's Message was delivered on Wednesday, September 24th - the first day of the General Debate of the Assembly - by the new Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, at the end of his first address to the Assembly. Please find the full text of the Pope's Message, which is to be found at the end of the text of Archbishop Auza's address, below. (Image source Google Pope Francis with Ban-Ki Moon earlier this year)
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REMARKS
of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza,
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
Prayer Service on the occasion of the
Opening of the Sixty-Ninth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Your Excellency Mr. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Mrs. Ban Soon-taek,
Your Excellencies the Presidents of the 68th and the 69th Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly,
Your Excellencies,
Friends and supporters of the United Nations:
It gives me great pleasure to begin my mission as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations with this evening’s Prayer Service, to invoke the Almighty’s blessings upon all the Nations of the world, as the Sixty-Ninth Session of the United Nations General Assembly is about to begin.
In behalf of the His Holiness Pope Francis, I am delighted to greet all of you. In particular, I extend a cordial welcome to His Excellency the Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon and Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, as well as to His Excellency the President of the just concluded Sixty-eighth UN General Assembly, Mr. John Ashe and Mrs. Ashe, and to His Excellency the President of the Sixty-ninth UN General Assembly, Mr. Sam Kutesa and Mrs. Kutesa. I am delighted as well to acknowledge the gracious presence of many Permanent Representatives and Mission Staff, as well as high-ranking officials of the UN System and Agencies. I express profound gratitude for your presence and your prayers for peace in the world.
Excellencies, dear friends, let us all work towards an ever-greater realization of the founding ideals of the United Nations, first among which is to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. Let us then heed the call for peace, by beating our swords into plowshares, and our spears into pruning hooks, so that no nation may ever lift up a sword against another nation, and that we may never train for war any more (cfr. Is. 2:4), nor any group may ever use violence to impose its ideology upon others. Because war is madness, and senseless is violence. 
Alas, the current situation of violence and war in many parts of the world reminds us that lasting peace has remained elusive to many.  Right at this very moment, death, destruction and tragic loss of lives are happening in several areas of the world. It would seem that we have yet to learn the lesson from the madness of war and the senselessness of violence.
We cannot construct a world more genuinely human unless each one of us devotes himself or herself to the cause of peace with ever-renewed vigor, and make the pursuit of peace a constant rule of life. For, indeed, peace is never achieved once and for all; it is the fruit of our daily quest for greater justice and respect for one another. Let it, therefore, be our daily aim to be an instrument and a channel of peace.
Moreover, for believers, peace is not merely a result of our human efforts, but also a gift from the Almighty. That is why we come together this evening, to pray for peace and to commend the important work of the United Nations to God, as the Sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly is about to open. We pray that all the stakeholders may reach agreements on difficult questions that affect us all, not only on issues of war and peace, but also on the respect of fundamental human rights and on improving the quality of life for all, which are key to consolidating peace and security throughout the world.
I would like to end by conveying to you the message that Pope Francis has for this evening’s Prayer Service, signed by the Secretary of State, Pietro Cardinal Parolin:
“HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS SENDS CORDIAL GREETINGS TO ALL GATHERED IN PRAYER IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY. AS THE ASSEMBLY PREPARES TO DISCUSS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AS MEANS TO FURTHER PEACE, PROSPERITY AND SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, HIS HOLINESS ENCOURAGES ALL NATIONS TO KEEP THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN PERSON FOREMOST IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS. IN THIS WAY, HE HOPES THAT SOLUTIONS MAY BE SOUGHT WHICH PROMOTE PEACE AMONG PEOPLES AND WHICH CONFRONT POVERTY THROUGH THE “VALUING OF FRATERNAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HEART OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, THROUGH THE SHARING OF JOYS AND SORROWS, OF HARDSHIPS AND TRIUMPHS THAT ARE PART OF HUMAN LIFE.”  POPE FRANCIS ASSURES THOSE PRESENT OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS IN PRAYING THAT THE NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY BE AN OCCASION OF GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN DELEGATION MEMBERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY AND IN SERVICE OF LASTING PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL PEOPLE. HIS HOLINESS WILLINGLY INVOKES THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND WISDOM UPON ALL ENGAGED IN THE MISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS.”
God bless the United Nations and all Nations of the world! Shared from Radio Vaticana

Today's Mass Readings : Wednesday September 24, 2014


Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 451


Reading 1PRV 30:5-9

Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.

Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Through your precepts I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Falsehood I hate and abhor;
your law I love.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Gospel LK 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

Pope Francis "...the intimate union with Jesus, from the relationship of love with Him..." Angelus Full Text/Video

Pope Francis blesses a baby during his Apostolic Voyage to Tirana, Albania, on Sunday. The visit to Albania was the focus of the Holy Father's remarks at his weekly General Audience on Wednesday
24/09/
(Vatican Radio) During his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on his Apostolic Voyage to Albania.
Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the full text of Pope Francis’ remarks:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today I want to speak about the Apostolic Voyage I took to Albania last Sunday. I do so first of all as an act of thanksgiving to God, who allowed me to undertake this Visit in order to show, even in a physical and tangible way, my closeness and the closeness of the whole Church to this people. Next I desire to renew my fraternal gratitude to the Albanian Episcopate, to the priests and to the men and women religious who worked so hard. My grateful thoughts go out also to the Authorities that welcomed me with such courtesy, as well as to those who cooperated for the realization of the visit.
This visit was born from the desire to go to a country that, having long been oppressed by an atheistic and inhuman regime, is now living an experience of peaceful coexistence among its various religious components. It seemed important to encourage them along this path, so that they might continue with tenacity and deepen all aspects for the benefit of the common good. For this reason, at the centre of the Voyage there was an inter-religious meeting where I was able to see, with great satisfaction, that the peaceful and fruitful coexistence between people and communities belonging to different religions is not only desirable, but also concretely possible and practicable. They practice it! It is a genuine and fruitful dialogue that avoids relativism and takes into account the identity of each. What unites the various religious expressions, in fact, is the journey of life, the good will to do good to others, without denying or downplaying their respective identities.
The encounter with the priests, consecrated men and women, the seminarians and the lay movements was the occasion to remember gratefully, with particular emotion, the many martyrs of the faith. Thanks to the presence of some elderly people, who experienced the terrible persecutions in their own flesh, the faith of many heroic witnesses of the past, who followed Christ to the very end, continues to resonate. It is precisely from the intimate union with Jesus, from the relationship of love with Him, that the strength to face the painful events that led to them to martyrdom rose up in these martyrs, as in every martyr. Even today, as yesterday, the strength of the Church is not given so much by organizational capabilities or structures (which are also necessary). The strength of the Church is not found there. Our strength is the love of Christ! A strength that sustains us in times of trouble and inspires the daily apostolic action to offer to all goodness and forgiveness, thus testifying to the mercy of God.
Travelling along the principle road of Tirana, that takes you from the airport to the great central piazza, I was able to see the pictures of forty priests killed during the communist dictatorship, for whom the cause of beatification has been opened. To these are added the hundreds of Christian religious and Muslims killed, tortured, imprisoned, and exiled solely for believing in God. They were dark years, during which religious liberty was razed to the ground and it was forbidden to believe in God; thousands of churches and mosques were destroyed, transformed into stores and cinemas that propagated Marxist ideology; religious books were burned; and parents were forbidden to give to their children the religious names of their ancestors. The remembrance of these dramatic events is essential for the future of a people. The memory of the martyrs who resisted in the faith is the guarantee for the destiny of Albania; for their blood was not shed in vain, but is a seed that will bear the fruits of peace and fraternal collaboration. Today, in fact, Albania is an example not only of the rebirth of the Church, but also of peaceful co-existence among the religions. Therefore, the martyrs are not the vanquished, but the victors: in their heroic witness the omnipotence of God, who always consoles His people, shines forth, opening new paths and horizons of hope.
I have entrusted this message of hope, founded on faith in Christ and on the memory of the past, to the whole population of Albania, whom I saw enthusiastic and joyful in my meetings and in the celebrations, as well as in the streets of Tirana. I encouraged everyone to draw new energy from the Risen Lord, to be able to be an evangelical leaven in society and to engage, as is already being done, in charitable and educational activities.
I give thanks once more to the Lord because, with this Voyage He allowed me to meet a strong and courageous people, [a people] that has not allowed themselves to be bent in pain. To the brothers and sisters of Albania I renew the invitation to courage to do good, to build the present and the future of their country and of Europe. I entrust the fruits of my visit to the Madonna of Good Counsel, venerated in the Sanctuary of Scutari dedicated to her, that she might continue to guide the path of this martyr-people. The bitter experience of the past is ever more rooted in the openness towards the brothers, especially the weakest, and makes it the protagonist of that dynamism of charity that is so necessary in today’s socio-cultural context. I would like for all of us today to salute this courageous, hard-working people, who seek unity in peace. 

Saint September 24 : St. Pacific of San Severino

St. Pacific of San Severino
MIRACLE WORKER
Feast: September 24
Information:
Feast Day:
September 24
Born:
1 March 1653 at San Severino
Died:
24 September 1721 at San Severino
Canonized:
26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory IX

Born at San Severino, in the March of Ancona, 1 March, 1653; died there 24 September, 1721; the son of Antonio M. Divini and Mariangela Bruni. His parents died soon after his confirmation when three years old; he suffered many hardships until in December, 1670, he took the Franciscan habit in the Order of the Reformati, at Forano, in the March of Ancona, and was ordained on 4 June, 1678, subsequently becoming Lector or Professor of Philosophy (1680-83) for the younger members of the order, after which, for five or six years, he laboured as a missionary among the people of the surrounding country. He then suffered lameness, deafness, and blindness for nearly twenty-nine years. Unable to givemissions, he cultivated more the contemplative life. He bore his ills with angelic patience, worked several miracles, and was favoured by God with ecstasies. Though a constant sufferer, he held the post of guardian in the monastery of Maria delle Grazie in San Severino (1692-3), where he died. His cause for beatification was begun in 1740; he was beatified by Pius VI, 4 August, 1786, and solemnly canonized by Gregory XVI, 26 May, 1839. His feast is celebrated on 24 September. SOURCEhttp://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpacificofsanseverino.asp

 2014

Novena to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina - Special Prayers and Litany - SHARE




Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.








































God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Virgin 
Immaculate, pray for us.

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.

Beloved of God, pray for us.
Imitator of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Good shepherd of the people, pray for us.
Model for priests, pray for us.
Light of the Church, pray for us.
Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
Faithful son of St. Francis, pray for us.
Marked with the stigmata of Jesus, pray for us.
Patient in suffering, pray for us.
Helper of the dying, pray for us.
Director of souls, pray for us.
Heart of gold, pray for us.
Apostle of mercy, pray for us.
Worker of miracles, pray for us.
Consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.
Lover of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Helper of souls in doubt and darkness, pray for us.
Comforter of the sick, pray for us.
Example of humility, pray for us.
Source of wisdom, pray for us.
Mirror of the divine life, pray for us.
Lover of Jesus Crucified,
Resigned to the will of God, pray for us.
Doing good upon earth, pray for us.
Filled with the spirit of self-sacrifice, pray for us.
Our help and hope in all our needs, pray for us.
Vessel of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Leading us to Christ, pray for us.
Our spiritual father and advocate, pray for us.
Crowned with glory in Heaven, pray for us.
God our Father,  You helped St. Pio of Pietrelcina to reflect
the image of Christ through a life of charity and self-sacrifice.
May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of
St. Pio and by imitating his selfless love.

Amen

Stay with me, Lord

Prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina after Holy Communion
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have
You present so that I do not forget You.
You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
and I need Your strength,
that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life,
and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light,
and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice
and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You
very much, and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is,
I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes;
death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength,
so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.
It is getting late and death approaches,
I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows.
O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers. I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread,
so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness,
the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You,
if not by communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it,
but the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You!
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart,
Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth
and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina


Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
with the gifts of the Spirit.
You marked his body with the five wounds
of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.
Endowed with the gift of discernment,
St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
for the salvation of souls.
With reverence and intense devotion
in the celebration of Mass,
he invited countless men and women
to a greater union with Jesus Christ
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
I confidently beseech You to grant me
the grace of (here state your petition).
Glory be to the Father… (three times). Amen.
Prayer of Pope John Paul II to St. Pio of Pietrelcina

St Padre Pio Novena -A Novena to Saint Padre Pio seeking his intercession for a special grace.

Day 1
Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh holy Saint Padre Pio, throughout your entire life you sought always to love Jesus and Mary with your whole heart. Help us that we too may always seek to know, love and serve God with all of our hearts, and help us to seek His holy will in all things. And for the love of God we ask the following grace (mention your request). Beloved St Padre Pio, we give this request to you, seeking your heavenly intercession, and we ask you to make this request in our name before the throne of God.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!
___________________________________
DAY 2


Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh beloved Saint of God, Padre Pio, you were especially chosen by God to bear the holy stigmata in union with Jesus for 50 years, sacrificing and suffering all for the conversion of souls. What intense suffering these holy wounds caused you! But your bore this constant pain for the love of God and for the love of souls. We ask you to place this request (mention request) into your stigmatised hands, and present it to Jesus in our name.

-Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!
__________________________________

DAY 3

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most loving Saint Padre Pio, you offered your life to become a holy priest of God, giving yourself completely to Jesus through the intercession of His Mother, the most Blessed Virgin Mary. We ask you to join with our holy Mother in heaven, and to present this request to Her holy Son, (here mention request), and we ask our beloved Mother in heaven to join you and obtain this grace for us.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!

DAY 4

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh blessed Saint Padre Pio, you were a priest after the Heart of Jesus, seeking always to love and please Him in all things. We ask you to place this request before the Sacred Heart of Jesus (mention request). And through the love that you bore the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may God hear and answer our poor prayers.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!
___________________________________
DAY 5

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Padre Pio into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through his intercession the favor that we humbly request (mention request), and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!

DAY 6

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Most devout priest of God, Padre Pio, you spent countless hours in the confessional seeking always to reconcile sinners to God. We present ourselves to you, sinful and in sorrow for our sins. Help us to recognise and repent of our sins, and to be always faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Pray for us that God may not look upon our sins, but upon the desire in our hearts to please Him. Plead for mercy for us before God, and especially pray for the intention that we are presenting to you (mention request).

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!

DAY 7

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Beloved St Padre Pio, you had a most tender devotion to the Mother of God and were known to recite many rosaries and prayers in Her honor each day. Plead for us then before the Holy Mother of God, that She may join us in prayer before Her most Holy Son Jesus, that we might obtain the request we are asking (mention request).

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!
___________________________________
DAY 8

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most pure and chaste Saint Padre Pio, during your life on earth you gave a most beautiful example of purity and love of God, and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request).

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!


DAY 9

Preface: Oh most Holy God, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Padre Pio, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most loving Saint Padre Pio, you were very devout in the service of God, always encouraging others to obey God's laws and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Obtain for us, we beg you, not only the grace that we are asking, if it would be God’s will (mention request) but most importantly obtain for us the conversion and salvation of our souls, so that someday we may be united with Jesus, Mary and you for all eternity. Finally, help us to accept God's will in all things, even if it runs contrary to our own likes or desires.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be...

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. +

-St Padre Pio, pray for us!
- See more at: http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/2011/09/novena-to-st-padre-pio-padre-pio-novena.html#sthash.eU5D0N7x.dpuf
Pope John Paul II recited this prayer
on the occasion of the canonization of Padre Pio, June 16, 2002.
Teach us, we pray, humility of heart,
so that we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel
to whom the Father promised to reveal
the mysteries of His Kingdom.
Help us to pray without ceasing,
certain that God knows what we need
even before we ask Him. Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize
in the poor and suffering, the very face of Jesus. Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial and, if we fall,
let us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness.
Grant us your tender devotion to Mary,
mother of Jesus and our Mother.
Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage
toward the blessed Homeland,
where we too, hope to arrive to contemplate forever
the Glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen