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Thursday, January 4, 2018
Monday, November 14, 2016
Brother's who Shoot Together, Stay Together
Come join us this Thursday, November 17th at Shoot Smart in Ft Worth for an evening of target practice followed by a bonfire Rosary at the Farmhouse.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Pope at Angelus: Welcome the Lord’s Invitation to Follow Him
Also Decries Terrorist Attacks in Bangladesh and Iraq, Recalls Young Martyr Saint Who Forgave Murderer Before Dying
CTV - OSSERVATORIO ROMANO
“I wonder how many of you hear the invitation – how many of you, young people, who now are present in the square today, hear and heed the Lord’s call to follow him?”
Pope Francis said this during his Angelus address today at noon to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, while reflecting on today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke.
As Francis discussed how faithful are meant to contribute to the Church’s mission, he encouraged, “Be not afraid! Be brave and bring to others this torch of apostolic zeal that has been left by so many exemplary disciples.”
Recalling Jesus’ words about the Kingdom of God in today’s Gospel, the Jesuit Pope noted how the Kingdom is built up day-by-day and already offers on earth, its fruits of conversion, purification, love and consolation among men.
“What is the spirit with which the disciple of Jesus will carry out this mission?” he asked. “First of all: the Christian must be aware of the difficult and sometimes hostile reality that awaits him; Jesus minces no words on that; in fact, Jesus says, ‘I am sending you like lambs among wolves (v. 3).’
While the Pope acknowledged there will always be anti-Christian hostility and challenges, we, faithful, are to rely solely on the power of the Cross of Christ. “This means giving up all personal reason to boast, of careerism or hunger for power, and means being humble instruments of salvation worked by Jesus’ own sacrifice,” he said.
Francis emphasized that Christian mission is one of service, without exception, noting, “There is so much need for Christians who testify with joy the Gospel in everyday life.”
“When we do this, our heart fills with joy,” he departed from his script to say, just like the hearts of Jesus’ disciples.
Francis noted how this makes him think about how much the Church rejoices of the many men and women who daily proclaim the Gospel, including priests, especially “those good pastors that we all know,” nuns, consecrated persons, missionary men and women. Francis then told young people present that they should not be afraid to welcome the Lord’s invitation to follow him.
Before reciting the midday prayer, Francis prayed that, through Mary’s intercession, the Church may never lack generous hearts which bring the Heavenly Father’s love and tenderness to the world.
Post Angelus Appeals
The Holy Father also offered his closeness to the families of all the people killed and wounded in the attack that took place in the night between Friday and Saturday in Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka, and that which took place Saturday in Baghdad, Iraq.
In the diplomatic district of Dhaka, shooters stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery, a trendy restaurant, killing 20 hostages and two police officers. CNN reports that the victims were 11 males and nine females. Their nationalities included one U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, and two Bangladeshis.
In Baghdad’s commercial Karrada district, there was a first terrorist attack claiming more than 83 lives, along with another on a predominantly Shia neighborhood of the city, killing another five people.
Recalling these tragedies, Pope Francis said, “Let us pray together for them – for all the dead – and let us ask the Lord to convert the hearts of all those blinded by hatred.” He then invited all gathered to join him in saying a Hail Mary.
After giving his usual greetings to all the pilgrims and various groups present, he reminded those gathered of an upcoming, special event.
“In the Holy Year of Mercy, I am happy to recall that on Wednesday we will celebrate the memory of St. Maria Goretti, the martyr girl who, before dying, forgave her murderer. This brave girl deserves applause of the entire square!”
As usual, Pope Francis concluded, wishing all present a good Sunday, good lunch, and telling them not to forget to pray for him.”
Pope Francis said this during his Angelus address today at noon to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, while reflecting on today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke.
As Francis discussed how faithful are meant to contribute to the Church’s mission, he encouraged, “Be not afraid! Be brave and bring to others this torch of apostolic zeal that has been left by so many exemplary disciples.”
Recalling Jesus’ words about the Kingdom of God in today’s Gospel, the Jesuit Pope noted how the Kingdom is built up day-by-day and already offers on earth, its fruits of conversion, purification, love and consolation among men.
“What is the spirit with which the disciple of Jesus will carry out this mission?” he asked. “First of all: the Christian must be aware of the difficult and sometimes hostile reality that awaits him; Jesus minces no words on that; in fact, Jesus says, ‘I am sending you like lambs among wolves (v. 3).’
While the Pope acknowledged there will always be anti-Christian hostility and challenges, we, faithful, are to rely solely on the power of the Cross of Christ. “This means giving up all personal reason to boast, of careerism or hunger for power, and means being humble instruments of salvation worked by Jesus’ own sacrifice,” he said.
Francis emphasized that Christian mission is one of service, without exception, noting, “There is so much need for Christians who testify with joy the Gospel in everyday life.”
“When we do this, our heart fills with joy,” he departed from his script to say, just like the hearts of Jesus’ disciples.
Francis noted how this makes him think about how much the Church rejoices of the many men and women who daily proclaim the Gospel, including priests, especially “those good pastors that we all know,” nuns, consecrated persons, missionary men and women. Francis then told young people present that they should not be afraid to welcome the Lord’s invitation to follow him.
Before reciting the midday prayer, Francis prayed that, through Mary’s intercession, the Church may never lack generous hearts which bring the Heavenly Father’s love and tenderness to the world.
Post Angelus Appeals
The Holy Father also offered his closeness to the families of all the people killed and wounded in the attack that took place in the night between Friday and Saturday in Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka, and that which took place Saturday in Baghdad, Iraq.
In the diplomatic district of Dhaka, shooters stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery, a trendy restaurant, killing 20 hostages and two police officers. CNN reports that the victims were 11 males and nine females. Their nationalities included one U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, and two Bangladeshis.
In Baghdad’s commercial Karrada district, there was a first terrorist attack claiming more than 83 lives, along with another on a predominantly Shia neighborhood of the city, killing another five people.
Recalling these tragedies, Pope Francis said, “Let us pray together for them – for all the dead – and let us ask the Lord to convert the hearts of all those blinded by hatred.” He then invited all gathered to join him in saying a Hail Mary.
After giving his usual greetings to all the pilgrims and various groups present, he reminded those gathered of an upcoming, special event.
“In the Holy Year of Mercy, I am happy to recall that on Wednesday we will celebrate the memory of St. Maria Goretti, the martyr girl who, before dying, forgave her murderer. This brave girl deserves applause of the entire square!”
As usual, Pope Francis concluded, wishing all present a good Sunday, good lunch, and telling them not to forget to pray for him.”
Monday, June 20, 2016
Pope Francis - 6-20-16
How Many Times Do You Say ‘I Need to Change?’ Jesus Invites You to Do It
During 7th Jubilee Audience, Reminds Faithful Jesus Is Waiting to Change Our Lives, Make Us Happy
L'Osservatore Romano
How many times do we say we must change and then we continue as we are? Well, Jesus is inviting us to come to him so he can give us happiness.
Pope Francis discussed this during his seventh Jubilee Audience on Saturday morning in Saint Peter’s Square, a meeting that Pope Francis holds monthly for pilgrims and faithful coming to Rome for the Jubilee of Mercy. Drawing inspiration from Saturday’s Gospel reading from St. Luke, the Pontiff focused his meditation on conversion.
Jesus, the Jesuit Pope reminded the pilgrims in the Square, insists again more on the interior dimension of conversion. “In it, in fact, the whole person is involved, heart and mind, to become a new creature, a new person. The heart changes and one is renewed.”
When Jesus calls someone to conversion, Francis explained, “He does not erect Himself as a judge of persons, but does so beginning by closeness.”
“Jesus persuaded people with kindness, with love, and with His behavior Jesus touched the depth of people’s heart and they felt attracted by God’s love and spurred to change their life.“
How often …
“How many times we also feel the need of a change that involves our whole person!” Francis asked. “How many times we say to ourselves: ‘I must change, I can’t continue this way … My life, on this path, won’t bear fruit; it will be a futile life and I won’t be happy.’ How many times these thoughts come to us, how many times!”
“And Jesus, by our side,” he continued, “with His hand extended says to us: ‘Come, come to Me. I’ll do the work: I will change your heart; I will change your life: I will make you happy.’”
Will you believe it?
“But do we believe this or not? Do we believe or not? What do you think: do you believe this or not? Less applause and more voices: do you or don’t you believe? [the people: “Yes!”] “It’s like this. Jesus Who is with us invites us to change our life. It is He, with the Holy Spirit, who sows this anxiety in us to change our life and to be somewhat better.”
With this in mind, the Pontiff encouraged, faithful should welcome the Lord’s invitation and not resist, because only when we open up to God’s mercy, do we find true life and joy.
“We only have to open the door wide, and He does all the rest. He does all, but we have to open wide our heart so that He can heal us and make us go forward,” he concluded, assuring them they’ll be happier.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Forum: ‘Celebrating St. George’
Forum: ‘Celebrating St. George’
One Day Ahead of Feast Day, British Ambassador to Holy See Reflects on England’s Patron Saint
Below is a reflection of British Ambassador to the Holy See Nigel Baker, entitled ‘Celebrating St. George.’ Published on April 22nd, it is from Ambassador Baker’s blog available on the British Embassy to the Holy See Website:
***
There are many oddities in English history. One is that our patron saint is St George. It is an ecumenical oddity. His feast day, 23 April, is both a Solemnity in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church in England, and a ‘Feast’ in the Church of England calendar (and he is a major saint in both the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions). But what makes a third century Roman soldier, born in Cappadocia (now Turkey) and raised in Lydda (now Palestine), and martyred for his faith by the Emperor Diocletian, a hero (for that is what patron saints are) of England? He is not even exclusive: Georgia, Malta, Romania and Portugal also have him as their patron.
The probable answer is his link with the English, and later British, Royal Family. He was already venerated in Anglo-Saxon England as a martyr. He is mentioned by the Venerable Bede, and church dedications to him date back to King Alfred. However, for many years, the traditional patron saint was a different royal figure, King Edward the Confessor. What brought St George to prominence were two very different events that convulsed the Christian world: the crusades, and the Reformation.
As a military figure, St George was a natural patron of the various chivalric orders that were established during the period of the crusades. It was crusaders who brought back the tale of the slaying of the dragon. 23 April became a feast day in England in 1222, and when King Edward III created the Order of the Garter, England’s premier chivalric order, it was St George he chose as its patron. The St George battle cry – evoked famously by Shakespeare in his depiction of the Battle of
Agincourt (pleasingly, we celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary also on 23 April, the day of his death) – was probably shouted for the first time during the Hundred Years War. St George was declared the protector of the Royal family around that time.
And that is almost certainly what “saved” his cult in England during the Reformation. Henry VIII was a great patron of the Order of the Garter – the Abbot of the Papal Basilica of St Paul’s outside the
Walls, closely linked to England in the 16th century, still has the Garter on its Coat of Arms, almost certainly awarded by King Henry – and keen to link his rule with the Plantagenet military successes against France. When saints’ banners were banned in 1552, including that of Edward the Confessor – whose royal status could not save him the indignation – St George was excepted. It was a natural development for the Royal banner of the Cross of St George to become the national banner (as used on English ships from the 16th century), later incorporated into the Union Flag of Great Britain and the United Kingdom. England is now full of churches, schools, hospitals, castles and other institutions dedicated to him – even the British school in Rome is a St George’s School.
It is an untidy history, with many odd diversions, from an original tale of bravery and martyrdom under an emperor, to the lone survivor (for a while) of saintly iconography during England’s convulsive and sui generis Reformation. But that, perhaps, is also one way of summing up the history of England itself. In that sense, St George makes a very appropriate patron. It seems right that I shall be spending his feast day watching a cricket match between the Royal Household XI and St Peter’s Cricket Club, here in Rome.
***
There are many oddities in English history. One is that our patron saint is St George. It is an ecumenical oddity. His feast day, 23 April, is both a Solemnity in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church in England, and a ‘Feast’ in the Church of England calendar (and he is a major saint in both the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions). But what makes a third century Roman soldier, born in Cappadocia (now Turkey) and raised in Lydda (now Palestine), and martyred for his faith by the Emperor Diocletian, a hero (for that is what patron saints are) of England? He is not even exclusive: Georgia, Malta, Romania and Portugal also have him as their patron.
The probable answer is his link with the English, and later British, Royal Family. He was already venerated in Anglo-Saxon England as a martyr. He is mentioned by the Venerable Bede, and church dedications to him date back to King Alfred. However, for many years, the traditional patron saint was a different royal figure, King Edward the Confessor. What brought St George to prominence were two very different events that convulsed the Christian world: the crusades, and the Reformation.
As a military figure, St George was a natural patron of the various chivalric orders that were established during the period of the crusades. It was crusaders who brought back the tale of the slaying of the dragon. 23 April became a feast day in England in 1222, and when King Edward III created the Order of the Garter, England’s premier chivalric order, it was St George he chose as its patron. The St George battle cry – evoked famously by Shakespeare in his depiction of the Battle of
Agincourt (pleasingly, we celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary also on 23 April, the day of his death) – was probably shouted for the first time during the Hundred Years War. St George was declared the protector of the Royal family around that time.
And that is almost certainly what “saved” his cult in England during the Reformation. Henry VIII was a great patron of the Order of the Garter – the Abbot of the Papal Basilica of St Paul’s outside the
Walls, closely linked to England in the 16th century, still has the Garter on its Coat of Arms, almost certainly awarded by King Henry – and keen to link his rule with the Plantagenet military successes against France. When saints’ banners were banned in 1552, including that of Edward the Confessor – whose royal status could not save him the indignation – St George was excepted. It was a natural development for the Royal banner of the Cross of St George to become the national banner (as used on English ships from the 16th century), later incorporated into the Union Flag of Great Britain and the United Kingdom. England is now full of churches, schools, hospitals, castles and other institutions dedicated to him – even the British school in Rome is a St George’s School.
It is an untidy history, with many odd diversions, from an original tale of bravery and martyrdom under an emperor, to the lone survivor (for a while) of saintly iconography during England’s convulsive and sui generis Reformation. But that, perhaps, is also one way of summing up the history of England itself. In that sense, St George makes a very appropriate patron. It seems right that I shall be spending his feast day watching a cricket match between the Royal Household XI and St Peter’s Cricket Club, here in Rome.
Friday, March 4, 2016
May Science and Technology Be United to Humanity, Pope Encourages
In address to Pontifical Academy for Life, considers the role of virtue in human heart
The study of virtues in the ethics of life is the theme chosen for the general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, currently underway. In his address today to the members, Pope Francis affirmed that it is “a theme of academic interest that transmits an important message to contemporary culture: the good that man does is not the result of calculations or strategies, or even the product of genetic programming or social conditioning, but is rather the fruit of a well-disposed heart and of the free choice that tends to true goodness.”
“In our time, some cultural orientations no longer acknowledge the imprint of divine wisdom either in the realities created, or those of man,” the Pope said. “Human nature is thus reduced to mere matter, that may be moulded according to any design. Our humanity, however, is unique and so precious in God’s eyes. For this reason, the first nature to protect, so that it may bear fruit, is our human nature itself.”
“Virtue,” he continued, “is the most authentic expression of the good that man, with God’s help, is able to achieve. … It is not merely a habit, but the constantly renewed decision to choose good. … It is the highest expression of human freedom. Virtue is the best that the human heart offers.”
“The Sacred Scripture shows us the dynamic of the hardened heart: the more the heart tends towards selfishness and evil, the more difficult it is to change. As Jesus affirms, ‘Everyone who sins is a slave to sin’. And when the heart is corrupt, there are grave consequences for social life, as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us. … This condition cannot change either through theories, or by the effect of social or political reforms. Only the work of the Holy Spirit may change our hearts, if we collaborate: God Himself, in fact, assures His effective grace to all those who seek it and those who convert with all their heart.”
Francis went on to comment that nowadays there are many institutions committed to service to life, through research, assistance and the promotion not only of good actions, but also passion for goodness. But there are also many structures governed by economic interests rather than concern for the common good.
“Nowadays there is no lack of scientific knowledge and technical tools able to offer support to human life in situations in which it is shown to be weak, but at times humanity is lacking,” he said. “Acting for good is not the correct application of ethical knowledge, but rather presupposes a real interest in the fragile person. May doctors and all healthcare workers never neglect to unite science and technology with humanity.”
“Here I would like to repeat something I have said a number of times. We must be wary of the new ideological colonisations that enter into human and even Christian thought, in the form of virtues, modernity and new attitudes. They are colonisations – that is, they take away freedom, and they are ideological – that is, they are afraid of reality as God created it,” he concluded.
“In our time, some cultural orientations no longer acknowledge the imprint of divine wisdom either in the realities created, or those of man,” the Pope said. “Human nature is thus reduced to mere matter, that may be moulded according to any design. Our humanity, however, is unique and so precious in God’s eyes. For this reason, the first nature to protect, so that it may bear fruit, is our human nature itself.”
“Virtue,” he continued, “is the most authentic expression of the good that man, with God’s help, is able to achieve. … It is not merely a habit, but the constantly renewed decision to choose good. … It is the highest expression of human freedom. Virtue is the best that the human heart offers.”
“The Sacred Scripture shows us the dynamic of the hardened heart: the more the heart tends towards selfishness and evil, the more difficult it is to change. As Jesus affirms, ‘Everyone who sins is a slave to sin’. And when the heart is corrupt, there are grave consequences for social life, as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us. … This condition cannot change either through theories, or by the effect of social or political reforms. Only the work of the Holy Spirit may change our hearts, if we collaborate: God Himself, in fact, assures His effective grace to all those who seek it and those who convert with all their heart.”
Francis went on to comment that nowadays there are many institutions committed to service to life, through research, assistance and the promotion not only of good actions, but also passion for goodness. But there are also many structures governed by economic interests rather than concern for the common good.
“Nowadays there is no lack of scientific knowledge and technical tools able to offer support to human life in situations in which it is shown to be weak, but at times humanity is lacking,” he said. “Acting for good is not the correct application of ethical knowledge, but rather presupposes a real interest in the fragile person. May doctors and all healthcare workers never neglect to unite science and technology with humanity.”
“Here I would like to repeat something I have said a number of times. We must be wary of the new ideological colonisations that enter into human and even Christian thought, in the form of virtues, modernity and new attitudes. They are colonisations – that is, they take away freedom, and they are ideological – that is, they are afraid of reality as God created it,” he concluded.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe this evening and then carried out his wish in coming to Mexico: to spend some time alone in prayer before her image.
The Holy Father entered a secure back room by which the image can be accessed, and the tilma was turned away from the main area of the basilica, so that he could face her.
The Pontiff presented her with a crown and a bouquet of yellow roses and then sat for about 20 minutes in visibly intense prayer. At the end, he rose to his feet and prayed for a few moments longer before touching the glass and departing from the room with his face showing his recollection.
In the homily, the Pope had reiterated the consoling, simple message of Our Lady of Guadalupe: That I am here and I am your mother. That no one is too small or insignificant for me, in fact that the smallest and least ones are my chosen ambassadors.
“Mary tells us that she has ‘the honour’ of being our mother, assuring us that those who suffer do not weep in vain,” the Pope said. “These [tears] are a silent prayer rising to heaven, always finding a place in Mary’s mantle. In her and with her, God has made himself our brother and companion along the journey; he carries our crosses with us so as not to leave us overwhelmed by our sufferings.”
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