My Ecclesial World

Okie…its kwento time…

May 22 - Trinity Sunday…of course, Church day. Went sa SSJ, and we’re in dark colored tops and we’re full-force once again…haha…Tapos, we went to Robinsons Pioneer…kain ulit kami sa Mr. Choi’s Kitchen then grocery kami ng konti for our dinner…

May 23, 24, 25 and 26 - the usual routine:

a. wake-up and take a bath

b. watch tv OR internet OR read books

c. cook and eat OR eat lang

d. watch tv again while on the laptop; chatting or surfing the net

e. dinner lang OR cook and eat

f. watch tv again while on laptop; chatting or surfin the net

g. sleep nah…

May 27 - Youth Cross Day. woke up around mga 1 pm nah…so i had to prepare everything…4:30 p.m. pumunta na sa SSJ but I made sundo Jade first….then, around mga 5pm dumating na kmi, meh kasal pa…we prepared…Lee came and so Carlo S…Then Ace, Sam and Ralph arrived with the Youth Cross from Mary the Queen…Tapos at around 5:30 p.m. Parish Hall kmi, we deligated work for the taize…unfortunately, kulang kmi so we got Lee to read…then Mass at 6:15 started with Fr. Licuanan as celebrant…it was novena to sacred haert day 3…medyo maramirami umattend…then umulan…basa…then the sacristans transferred the cross to the Parish hall…we were expecting around 150 participants but it turned out na 30 lang kmi sa taize…it was fun…it was a meditative prayer service…haha…to my surprise: natapos ng around 8:30 pm…haha…bilis…then hinatid ko si Lee sa car nila dahil sinundo na sya ni brother niya then Carlo and Karl B. went away…nahihiya yata kela Ace and the others…then there was this guy na pinahatid sakin ni Ace sa house…on the way nman so hinatid na nmin…haha…but first, dumaan muna kami sa KFC Petron para bumili dinner…kawawa nman the guy so I paid for his and his brother’s dinner…tapos dumating sina Sam, Ralph and Ace…nagkitakita kami dun…haha…tapos, hinatid na nmin yung guy…sa St. Francis pala ang youth ministry nya…then yun…uwi na…medyo na-traffic…tapos, franz c. and i were chattin, he wanted to join the youth ministry.,..so i called up Ace to inform and fortunately he said YES…okie…pero dipa natapos ang kwnetuhan nmin…dami niya kinwento so we ended up finishing our conversation at around mga 1 am na…so yun…dat was Youth Cross Day

Saturday, May 28 was rest day. No story about that.

May 29, SUnday is CORPUS CHRISTI. So I went to SSJ, kala ko malalate ako. I was there 2 mins before the mass starts. Buti nlng…Pagpasok ko sa loob ng sacristry, ang lamig…bahhh…the aircon is ON na….wow…ang lamig esp. sa commentator’s podium…haha…then…we were all in white…haha…white’s the color of the day…Ralph was also in white too…haha…Jade, Nina nd Sam also became usherettes…collectors…haha…ang galing…wow…tapos, the mass ended with the speech of Fr. Vani thanking everyone who supported the airconditioning of SSJ…biniro pako ni Fr. Vani, hinahanap na yung donation ko…pati sina Sam, Jade at Nina…haha…then, hinatid na the youth cross to EDSA Shrine…sila Sam, Ace at Ralph na naghatid…d na ko sumama, sinakay nila yung cross kay Kikay, the pink van of Sam. Haha…tapos, yun…we said na GREEN is the color of next sunday…can’t wait…haha…

We went to Megamall after. We ate at El Pollo Loco, mexican cuisine. Tapos, punta kmi dept. store to buy black pants for school. Tapos, grocery to buy my ingridients needed for dinner.

The dinner we had, which I cooked:

CHICKEN PICCATA: Fried chicken breast with lemon butter and capers sauce. (Italian)

CHICKEN MANGO SALAD: Iceberg lettuce. Sweet ripe mangoes. Diced chicken breast. Lemon Butter-Garlic Mayo (dressing).

ICED LEMON GREEN TEA (c/o Nativa)

Well, that was my week.

Til the next blogging!

Daily Gospel Reflections for the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
May 25 to June 2, 2005

Part II: Week 2: May 30 - June 2, 2005

May 30, 2005   Monday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time (Year I) - Green

First Reading: Tobit 1:3; 2:1a-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112: "Blessed the man who fears the Lord."
Gospel: Mark 12:1-12

"A man planted a vineyard…he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey."
The image of the vineyard is symbolical to the vineyard of the Lord, the Church. In a vineyard, work is done effectively and efficiently to produce a fruitful harvest. This is same to the Church. The People of God need to be taught the Good News of Christ and live it in order to ensue the effectivity of its produce.

Now as integration to our gospel passage, the owner of the land leased them to tenants who will use them. When he sent his servants, the tenants maltreat or kill them. Like the tenants, Jesus says, the religious leaders have the task to care for God’s people, to bring them closer to God and make them yield a fruitful harvest of justice and peace. but they fail miserably. Thus, the vineyard will be given to others.

Follow-up Question

    What portion of the Lord’s vineyard has been entrusted to you? Are you giving back to the Lord the harvest he expects from you?*

*cf. 365 Days with the Lord 2001, Society of St. Pauls.

May 31, 2005   The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast (Year I) - White/Blue

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Romans 12:9-16
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12
"Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel"
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant."
Humility is the virtue of Mary that no other girl in history ever had. From the annunciation, Mary accepted humbly the task of being the Mother of God. During the infancy and childhood years of Christ, Mary humbly raised Jesus to be in spirit and stature. During her Son’s ministry, she was humbly following him wherever he goes. During his Passion, Mary humbly accepted the fact that her very own Son has to die on the cross. At his death, Mary humbly cleansed the dead remains of Christ as a sign of her great love for her Son. At the resurrection, Mary humbly rejoiced that her Son triumphed over death. Therefore, Mary is the perfect model of humility and this is why she was chosen to be the mother of our Lord.

In our gospel, Mary humbly visited her cousin, Elizabeth, who was miraculously with child in spite of her sterility. Mary humbly accompanied Elizabeth through the hardships of pregnancy until the birth of "the precursor to the Savior of the world." This humility is greatly seen in Mary’s Magnificat, praising God for all his works and humbly accepting the challenge and help of God our Lord.

This feast is a fitting ending to our Flores de Mayo. We give thanks to God for giving us Mary as our model of humility. We stand with Mary, hoping that God will grant every humble prayer through her intercession, at the threshold of our Christian calling. May the flowers we offer to Mary be a sign of our warm affection of her great humility she showed all throughout her life and after her life on earth, being our Co-mediatrix to the Father. Amen.

June 1, 2005   Memorial of St. Justin, martyr (Year I) - Red

First Reading: Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:  "To you, O Lord, I lift my soul."
Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

"He is not God of the dead but of the living."
God is the God of Life. God sustains our daily lives. He provides us with instruments that we can use in order to survive the challenges we face in our life. God gives life to our lives when our lives are dim and in the verge of darkness. Therefore, God is the God of Life not of the dead.

To quote: "Our hope in the resurrection rests on the power of the living god revealed in Christ Jesus. As 2 Timothy declares, ‘Christ Jesus…destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.’" (Par 2, p. 494, Vatican II Daily Missal). Amidst the challenges of today, we still believe in the belief of the resurrection of the dead. We must proclaim this, knowing in whom we have trusted.

June 2, 2005   Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time (Year I) - Green

First Reading: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:  "Blessed are those who fear the Lord."
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

"…To love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
On the last day of our liturgical novena, the Lord Jesus teaches us to be loving. Loving God is the greatest of all laws. But loving our neighbor as we do love oursleves is greatest than offering sacrifices, as the hypocrites do. This immense teaching is the foundation of the Church law: LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL AND; LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR JUST AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. There is no commandment greater than this. Walang silbi ang sakripisyo mo kung hindi ka nagmamahal. You did not even sacrifice when you do not know love. Therefore, make it a point to do the following things:

1. Know what LOVE is and people will learn how to LOVE.

2. Learn how to LOVE and you will be LOVED.

3. LOVE everyone, no matter who he is or what he is.

This is true: when you love the least of our brothers, we had the greater love for God.

Follow-up Question

    Have you loved somebody? What did it feel like? Therefore, if you have loved the least of your brothers, then you have loved God the more. Now, do you feel God’s warm embrace?

Liturgical Notes:

1. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is June 3. It is a first Friday. It is, however, a non-obligatory feastday. Liturgical color is WHITE (maybe that of festive color).

2. On the solemnity itself, in any church, public and semipublic oratory, the Prayer of Reparation should be read and the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus should be sung or recited before the Blessed sacrament exposed.

3. It is good that the image of the Sacred Heart be enthroned at an altar, adorned with flowers and candles.

May 29, 2005   Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (A) - White

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147   "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem"
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58

Sequence: Lauda Sion (pref. Short Form from the Lectionary; may be recited optionally before the Alleluia)

"For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink."
Today’s solemnity brings us the feast of the Blessed Sacrament. This Blessed Sacrament is the mystery of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. Therefore, just like the feast of the Trinity, our celebration today is a feast of our faith, the feast of our doctrine, not a feast of a biblical event in contrast to the Easter mysteries that we have celebrated.

Since today is the feast of the Eucharist, we remember the mystery of Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice. In the Eucharist, He gives us his own body and blood so that we might have life to the full. During the consecration, the bread that we offer transforms in to the real flesh of Christ; and the wine transforms into the real blood of Christ poured out to cleanse our sins. Therefore, the Eucharistic feast we celebrate to day has 3 points:

1. It is a celebration of the presence of Christ in the bread and wine that we offer in the Holy sacrifice of the mass.

2. It is the the unbloody celebration and re-enactment of the bloody sacrifice of Christ on Calvary.

3. It is a celebration of our intense Eucharistic devotion to Christ as a mystery of our faith.

Today’s Solemnity of Corpus et Sangue Christi (Official Latin name meaning "body and blood of Christ") is given more significance because of our year-long celebration of the International Year of the Eucharist, proclaimed by Pope John Paul II to run from October 2004 to October 2005. However, we must see it as a devotion more than a mere celebration for in the Most Blessed Sacrament, Jesus our Lord is truly present and therefore, our participation in this devotion is a sign of our proclamation of faith in our lives.

Living as Christians

Receive Christ wholeheartedly in the Most Holy Eucharist and experience it’s healing powers in your life through this devotion.

Reflection in honor of the Novena to the Most Sacred Heart of Christ

The Most Holy Eucharist is very much closely related to the Most Sacred Heart of Christ. The Eucharist is Christ’s self-giving for our redemption while his Most Sacred Heart is his intense love and embrace to our calling as Christians.

Jesus is real food for our souls. Only through Jesus can we be able to fathom the mysteries of our faith and this is through our Eucharistic devotion and our belief in the love of Christ in his Most Sacred Heart. Whenever we receive the body of Christ in our lives, we are always in communion with Christ and the Church.

Therefore, the devotion of the Sacred Heart, through prayer, is always intensely Eucharistic.

Hey guyz…check out my sticker tags for this school year! I know its like too childish but its DISNEY…and Disney is my happiness…haha…just sharing them with you… haha…enjoy…

Daily Gospel Reflections for the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
May 25 to June 2, 2005

Part I: Week 1: May 25-28, 2005

May 25, 2005   Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time (Year I) - Green

First Reading: Sirach 26:1,4-5a,10-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79
"Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindess!"
Gospel: Mark 10:32-45

"Think of the Son of Man who has not come to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."
It is fitting that we start our novena masses to the Sacred Heart with the imagery of Christ as the Servant Leader and Redeemer. Christ is the King of all nations. But he is a different type of king - he is the king that SERVES. Service is his gift to us, just as what he promised and inaugurated at the Last Supper table - washing the feet of his disciples. When did you see a king wash the feet of his subordinates? He has come into this world to SERVE but not to be served. He served us, not only by his ministry, but with the greatest act of love and service in this world - dying for our sins and redeeming us from the corruption of hell. This is the promise of the Sacred Heart for us - the immense love of Christ for us by "washing our feet" and "dying for our sins." This is indeed the mystery of our celebration today and the next days to come. 

May 26, 2005   St. Philip Neri, Priest (Year I) - White

First Reading: Sirach 42:15-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made"
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

"Go your way, your faith has made you well."
Often, we are blinded by our own beliefs. Graver than this is when the devil tempts us and we fall into this greater temptation. This is when we get blinded in faith. We become like the old man in today’s gospel; the only difference is that we are blinded spiritually.

We can’t do anything about the fact that worldy pleasures, earthly possessions and material stuff are simply around us. But what we could do is to humble ourselves and think of the greater life that we will experience after our earthly life. When we pray and repent and go back to the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ will simply test our faith. Then, when we show that great faith, and when he is already contented with what we show, the Lord will simply tell us: "Go your way, your faith has made you well."

This should be our attitude as Christians. We should live and show our faith in others.

May 27, 2005   Friday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time (Year I) - Green

First Reading: Sirach 44:1,9-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149
"The Lord takes delight in his people."
Gospel: Mark 11:11-26

"Forgive whatever you may hold against anyone, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive your sins."
Forgiveness is the key to being forgiven. The sacrament of Reconciliation teaches us that the greatest forgiveness given to man is that of being forgiving. Certainly, we feel great when we go to the sacrament of confession and the priest gives us the absolution from our sins. However, the greatest confession that one can ever receive is to forgive others - there is this great feeling of peace and serenity when we forgive - greater than being forgiven of our sins. This is also true with the Father. "…and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." (cf. Pater Noter) He forgives our sins when we forgive others. This is the basic doctrine of our sacramental confession.

The most Sacred Heart of Jesus is overflowing with infinite mercy and love. His heart gives us forgiveness from our sins and he never runs out of mercy. He welcomes sinners as well. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is for everyone, for both sinners and righteous, believers and non-believers as well.   

May 28, 2005   Saturday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time (Year I) - Green

First Reading: Sirach 51:12cd-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19
"The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."
Gospel: Mark 11:27-33

"I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this."
This condition Jesus raised to the elders of the temple and chief priests of Jerusalem. This was meant to entrap these people for if they answer that John’s preachings were of God, they didn’t follow them; but when they answer that the preachings were humane, then they are to be mocked by the people because of their belief that John is a prophet of God. The chief priests and elders played safe. Since they played safe, Jesus did not give them any answer too. These Jewish elders did not accept Jesus, anyway. So they do not and will never understand Jesus.

This is our call as Christians for today. Do we accept Jesus? There are just 3 simple answers to that simple question. If we do, then we would gladly understand him and live in his teachings. If we don’t, then we will never see nor understand him. If we play safe, like the Jewish elders, Jesus will not fully reveal himself to us and we may never understand fully his authority and persona.

However, Jesus is open for everyone. He is merely waiting for us to knock at his door.

Some liturgical notes…

1. May 29 is the Solemnity of Corpus et Sangue Christi. This is also the 5th day of the Novena to the Sacred Heart.

2. For the Novena Prayer, refer to this website from EWTN: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/heart/meditation.htm

May 22, 2005   Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity (A) - White

First Reading: Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9
Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3
"Glory and praise for ever!"
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Gospel: John 3:16-18

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
The faith that we received in Baptism is symbolical of our love for God and neighbor. This faith has made us one in communion with the entire universal Church. Although we, Christians, are different physically among each other, we are one but the same in faith and hope in the Risen Lord. "As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." (1 Cor 12:12) Therefore, this "unity in diversity" makes us sons and daughters of the one author of this faith who is God. We, being part of one body, therefore profess one faith, live in one faith, and solemnly commit ourselves in one faith.

We talk about one faith. According to the Athanasian Creed, our faith is this: "We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is one, the Son’s is another, the Holy Spirit’s another; but the Godhead of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty coeternal." We are then introduced to the mystery of the Trinity, whose solemnity we celebrate today. We are baptized in faith according to our Christian belief in the Trinity, calling us "to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity, here on earth in the obscurity of faith, and after death in eternal life" (CCC 265). Therefore our Christian life is marked by the sign of the Trinity: "three Persons, equal in majesty, undivided in splendor, yet one Lord, one God, ever to be adored…" (Preface of the Holy Trinity). This mystery we couldn’t understand without the eyes, hearts and minds of faith.

Knowing this belief, we should get to know the mystery, person and works of the Trinity. The Trinity is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As the cycle of Salvation History continues, the Trinity "reveals himself to men ‘and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin’" (CCC 234) and go back to his love. The Trinity, therefore, is a mystery in action at the start of time. "The Father is Creator of the world. The Son revealed the Father, not only being a creator but also He is eternally Father to the Son, who is eternally Son to the Father. The Son also revelaed the coming of the Spirit, another divine person with Jesus and the Father. The Spirit now reveals to us the Father and the Son" (cf CCC 240, 243-244). Therefore "the sending of the person of the Spirit after Jesus’ glorification reveals in its fullness the mystery of the Holy Trinity." (CCC 244) Summarizing the acts of the Trinity, we can conclude that: The Father acted during the Old Testament era. The Son, Jesus Christ, came to this world and continued the work of the Father. The Holy Spirit, "sent by the Father in the name of the Son (Jn 14:26) and by the Son ‘from the Father’ (Jn 15:26)" (CCC 263) is to move the early Christians in mission. This work of the Spirit continues up to now until the end of age. How different are their works in different timeframes, "the divine persons are also inseparable in what they do." (CCC 267) Therefore, the work of the Father and the Son is also the work of the Spirit. Let us also not forget that although they are one in their works, they are distinct from one another "in their relations of origin: ‘It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds.’" (CCC 254) Therefore, knowing the mystery and person of the Trinity, we can say that the sign of the Trinity is "the central mystery of Christian faith and life." (CCC 234) 

Therefore, having introduced to the mystery of the Trinity, are we ready to profess in our hearts the mystery of our faith? Are we ready to proclaim that "God is our Father, Jesus is his eternally-begotten Son, and that the Holy Spirit is worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son" (cf. Nicene Creed)? The Trinity is mysterium fidei - the mystery of our faith. Therefore, are we ready to live in the mystery of our faith - the Trinity?

Living as Christians

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. The Trinity lives in communion with each other. Let us try to live in communion with the Church by our loving service to our neighbors and by sharing ourselves wholistically in the mission of Christ.

This post is for the so many posts I’ve missed…

May 8 was Mum’s day…so first, we went to SSJ for the regular Sunday Mass. Then we went to Megamall to eat pero wala na palang parking so we transferred to Galleria, then there, we ate sa Ah-Sin. Its an Asian restau sa basement. I found my order worthless - a Vietnamese caramel Shrimp plate. Ugghh…ang tamis tamis, d bagay maging ulam. Anyways, okie lng. I loved the Pork liempo…its one of the best. Tapos nun, we visited Loloy and Nanay’s house to give her our Mum’s day gift; btw, no Mum’s day dinner kasi busy lahat.

May 9 to 14 - wala akong matandaan. All I remembered is that may 11 is Amazing Race Finale Day. Tapos may 12, we went to Batangas dun sa may private beach. may 13 was just an ordinary friday…May 14 pala was sale day sa robinsons galle…we went there, i bought my pair of leather shoes and a cute li’l black stripey polo again from vuvre…haha…

May 15 is Pentecost Sunday. We went to Church, op corss…Then, nag-treat ng lunch si Tito ods sa Mr. Choi’s Kitchen sa Galle…Then, yun, we went home…I watched nga pala the Ordination of the 21 deacons of Rome by Benedict XVI.

May 16-18…..lagi akong late nagigising. I hate it…mga 1 or 2 pm nah…d ko alam kung bakit…then may 19 - star wars day…we went to megamall, i accompanied mum…hehe…got also my sambuhay, due na eh.

May 20- today…yippeee!!! I finally updated my blog.  wat to expect? the sunday gospel reflection and this post!!!

Till the next bloggin’

SCHOOL COUNTDOWN: 25 days to go before June 15…

May 15, 2005   Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (A) - Red

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104
"Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth."
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13
Gospel: John 20:19-23

Sequence: Veni, Creator Spiritus (to be sung/proclaimed before the Gospel)

"Peace be with you…Receive the Holy Spirit…"
The descent of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of the Church. Today, we celebrate the birthday of the Church, the People of God. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit, who descended upon the Apostles through tongues of fire, enabled them to speak in different languages yet, they speak of one subject, that is the mighty acts of God. Diversity of languages is highlighted, hence, there is no understanding among each other. However, because they speak of one faith, they are united with each other. Hence, the Holy Spirit enables unity in diversity among the peoples of the Church.

Pentecost also marks the end of the Paschal Mystery. Today, we solemnly wave goodbye to the Easter Season, and welcome the Ordinary Time of the Year. The faith, which is fundamentally rested on the mystery of the resurrection, bears its firstfruits through the working of the Holy Spirit. The firstfruits of this faith is to be carried out through the world. They may only carry out this faith if and only if they believe in the faith that is the mystery of the Risen Christ, who made salvation possible to everyone through his sufferings on the cross and the glory of his resurrection. Hence, the fruits of the Easter season is fundamentally fulfilled in the event of Pentecost.

The mystery of Pentecost, that of peace, is achieved through the belief in Christ’s mission. The Holy Spirit brings peace to each one of us. He enables us to continue Christ’s mission on earth - that is of opening closed doors to God. This peace that we gain must be given and shared to others through our mission in the Church. Hence, Pentecost is an inauguration of our mission as members of Christ’s Mystical Body.

Living as Christians

The Holy Spirit continues to live in us. The Holy Spirit leads us to a greater awareness of the Church’s salvific mission. Let us share in this mission by our loving service to one another. Let us share the peace that the Holy Spirit gave the apostles during the first Pentecost by being harbingers of peace in this world.

CAUSE FOR JOHN PAUL II’S SAINTHOOD OPENED; JOHN PAUL II NOW "SERVANT OF GOD"

Pope Benedict said Friday he had opened the process for the sainthood of Pope John Paul, overriding the usual five-year waiting period following the death of a possible candidate.

The Pope made the announcement in Latin during a meeting with Roman clergy at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Immediately following Pope John Paul’s death on April 2, there were calls from faithful for his sainthood. At his funeral mass pilgrims held up banners saying "Santo Subito," or "Immediate Sainthood," in English.

The announcement came on the anniversary of a 1981 assassination attempt against John Paul in St. Peters square.

The priests in St John’s Basilica broke into sustained applause when he made his comments in Latin, the official language of the Church. He then joked that there was no need to repeat it in Italian since they all understood.

The Pope read a letter in which the Vatican official in charge of sainthood, Jose Saraiva Cardinal Martins, announced that Benedict himself had authorized the beginning of John Paul’s path to sainthood.

"And now I have a very joyous piece of news for you," Benedict said in Italian before making the announcement. Benedict, who had been seated, stood up to join the clergy in applauding the major tribute to his predecessor.

Testament regarding the opening of John Paul II’s cause for sainthood
Congregation for the Causes of Saints

    Instante Em.mo ac Rev.mo Domino D. Camillo S.R.E. Cardinali Ruini, Vicario Generali Suae Sanctitatis pro Dioecesi Romana, Summus Pontifex BENEDICTUS XVI, attentis peculiaribus expositis adiunctis, in audentia eidem Cardinali Vicario Generali die 28 mensis Aprilis huius anni 2005 concessa, dispensavit a tempore quinque annorum exspectationis post mortem Servi Dei Ioannis Pauli II (Caroli Wojtyla), Summi Pontificis, ita ut causa Beatificationis et Canonizationis eiusdem Servi Dei statim incipi posset. Contrariis non obstantibus quibuslibet.
    Datum Romae, ex aedibus huius Congregationis de Causis Sanctorum, die 9 mensis Maii A.D. 2005.

Iosephus Card. Saraiva Martins
Praefectus
Congregationis de Causis Sanctorum

Eduardus Nowak
Archiepiscopus tit. Lunensis
a Secretis

May 13 is the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima

The Message of Fátima

The most important dimension of the Fátima event was not the  supernatural and preternatural phenomena but the content and the meaning of the message communicated to the children. By following this message their spiritual lives were elevated to the heights of sanctity, to which the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco testifies, and the hope and possibility of the conversion of the world from its ruinous course was offered to mankind.

This message can be seen as comprising two essential elements, to which all others can be related in some way. The first of these elements is the singular role of the Immaculate One in the economy of salvation, a dogmatic fact. God does not have whims, and so the request of the Almighty that devotion to the Immaculate Heart be established in the world must be founded on reality and presumes that such devotion is  justly given to the Mother of God.

The second of these elements involves the practical order, the value of devotion to the Immaculate Heart for the individual life and for the future of the human race. To this element are connected the various spiritual practices encouraged by the Angel and by the Lady, as well as the prophetic content of the message, upon which the fate of the world depends. Without the first element, the dogmatic, the practical dimension of the message of Fátima would be entirely arbitrary.

Prayers taught by Our Lady of Fátima:

Oh, Holy Trinity, we adore You. My God, my God, I love You in the Blessed Sacrament.

[After each one of the mysteries of the Rosary, pray]
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins , save us from the fire of hell. Take all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need.

[When offering a sacrifice]
O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for offences committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

from The Eternal Word Television Network (http://www.ewtn.com/fatima)