One Minute Each Night

One of our readers forwarded this to me. I was so pleased to read of this effort and knew Sr. Marie would be the perfect patron and intercessor! What we can add to this effort is to spiritually bring all who pray for peace into the House of Mary by praying the Sister Marie Prayer at this appointed time! Through Sr. Marie's intercession we can bring all petitions for peace to the Heart of Mary! Let us add to this a request that all hearts, especially those who wish harm and work against peace, may be melted by Our Lady's Heart and converted! Consider joining this effort (below) and pray the prayer on Sister Marie's Prayer Card at your appointed hour. Print the card from the tool bar at the left. Remember too that Sister Marie's birthday is September 13, so please don't forget to have Masses said and to offer your Holy Communions as perfect and precious little birthday gifts each 13th of the month for the cause of the beatification of Sister Marie and in anticipatory thanksgiving for all the graces of world peace that will flow from her being raised to the altar of saints and her recognition world wide... Sister Marie, pray for us.


ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT
In WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people, and world peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for peace in the world. If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Thank you.

St. Vincent De Paul

Happy Feast Day! On this special day when we remember the great saint who began the order to which Sr. Marie was drawn, let us ask him to work in heaven for Sr. Marie's cause. May she too be raised to the altar of Saints along with him all for the glory of God. Let us never forget nor become weary of the mission of peace for which we labor under the patronage of dear Sr. Marie. Let us also ask God's abundant blessings on the Vincentians and all Daughters of Charity that their work will always bring God's charity to this world.

Pontiff: God used as pretext for terrorism

VATICAN CITY, Sept. 21

Pope Benedict XVI said in Italy Friday terrorists use God to justify their attacks on secular Western cultures.

"Terrorism often uses God ... as a pretext, founded on the charge that people have forgotten God, to justify assaults on the security of Western societies," the pontiff told an international gathering of Catholic politicians at his summer residence south of Rome.

The pope called international terrorism an "extremely grave phenomenon," ANSA reported.

9/17 First Reading: 1 Tm 2:1-8

Beloved: First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and Apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Let us unite in a special way in the holy place of the House at Ephesus and pray asking Sister Marie to intercede for us, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument, so that God's will is done and everyone is saved and comes to knowledge of the truth... Jesus Christ, Truth Incarnate. Amen.

Pope: God’s mercy stronger than the darkness of September 11th

09/16/2007 14:40 VATICAN

Benedict XVI challenges opinion on the “clash of civilisations” reaffirming that “true religion” is love for all, friends and enemies. An appeal for a more effective protection of creation in the aftermath of the Montreal Protocol. The beatification of 3 new blessed in France and Poland recalled. A special greeting to the members of Aid to the Church in need.

Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – “Humanity is in need of a vigorous witness and proclamation of God’s mercy” even “in the wake of the tragic events of September 11th 2001, which overshadowed the dawning of the third millennium”: was the affirmation of Benedict XVI today before the recitation of the Angelus prayer in the presence of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the apostolic palace of Castel Gandolfo. Just a few days on from the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, which ushered many to speak of a “clash of civilisations”, the pontiff affirms that “true religion consists …. Of entering into harmony with this great Heart, ‘ rich in mercy’ which asks us to love everyone, even those who are our enemies, imitating the heavenly Father who respects individual freedom and draws all onto him by the strength of his faith”.

The pope’s reflections were drawn from the Sunday liturgy, particularly Luke’s Gospel, chapter 15 with the three parables of the lost sheep, the drama of the lost one and the two sons: “in this page of the Gospel, we almost perceive Christ’s voice revealing God’s face to us, His and our Father. After all, this is why he came to earth: to speak to us of the Father and make him known to us to reawaken in the hearts of the lost souls the joy of belonging to God; to restore hope in God’s forgiveness and our human dignity, and the desire to belong to God’s house which is also our own house”.

On the urgency of witnessing God’s Divine Mercy today, Benedict XVI recalled John Paul II’s encyclical “Dives in Misericordia”, “throughout his pontificate he was a missionary of God’s love to all peoples.” “This is the way – concluded the pontiff – that Christ shows all those who want to be his disciples: "Stop judging …Stop condemning and you will not be condemned…. Forgive and you will be forgiven….Give and gifts will be given to you; … Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6, 36-38).

In comments following the angelus Benedict XVI marked the 20th anniversary of the Montréal Protocol” on “substances that deplete the ozone layer, provoking untold damage to human beings and the ecosystem”. “Over the last two decades - commented the pope – thanks to the international community’s exemplary collaboration in politics, science and economics, important results have been achieved, with positive repercussions for present and future generations”. “I hope – concluded the pontiff – that this cooperation is intensified by all involved, in order to promote common good and the development and safeguarding of creation so that the alliance between humanity and the environment is strengthened, becoming the mirror of god’s creating love from which we all originate and towards which we are all journeying”.

Benedict XVI also greeted polish pilgrims gathered at the sanctuary of Licheń, where card. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State today proclaimed blessed Fr. Stanislao Papczyński, ffounder of the congregation of Marian Fathers. “I send warm wishes – said the pope – to all of the faithful gathered for such a happy occasion and to all of those devoted to the newly Blessed, who venerate in him an exemplary preacher, former of the lay apostolate, father of the poor and of prayer in suffrage for the souls in purgatory”.

The pontiff also recalled the beatification of Sr. Maria Celina of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, a religious sister of the second order of St. Francis, who was beatified today in Bordeaux by card. José Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of the Saints. Recalling the newly blessed he said: “her life, touched by the cross, was offered as a sign of love for Christ, as she herself once said:” I thirst to be a rose of charity”. Card. Saraiva Martins also beatified fr. Basilio Antonio Maria Moreau, founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Cross yesterday in Le Mans.

Among the groups, the pope also greeted leaders of the Kirche in Not (Aid to the Church in Need), gathered in Rome for the 60th anniversary of the organisation dedicated to supporting evangelization throughout the world and persecuted Churches.

Heaven's Peace Plan, September 13

How beautifully providential that today's Gospel Reading on Sr. Marie's birthday would be what is known as Our Lord's Demands for His Disciples. These demands are particularly applicable and poignant in these times as we pray for peace while living in a world where there are some who believe they are called to rid the world of Christians and we have seen first hand the violence and death that this can spawn. Sr. Marie gives us the perfect gift on her birthday, as I have come to know that the saints often do; Our Lord's Gospel. She is teaching us in a very special way on this day, September 13, when we commemorate her birth into this world.

At this moment a friend of mine is visiting Poland and the Divine Mercy Shrine. She called by phone today to join me in wishing Sr. Marie a Happy Birthday and she told me that the people she is on pilgrimage with suggested that all those working for the cause of Sr. Marie should have Masses said on the 13th of each month for the cause! I am so delighted with this idea that wanted to pass it on. Let us give Sr. Marie many birthday gifts of Masses on the 13th of each month in thanksgiving to her for giving us Mary's House at Ephesus with all it's hope as a beacon of peace in this world. Let us pray and learn from today's Gospel. May this Word of God transform the world.

Gospel
Lk 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

As the good priest explained in his homily today, of our own volition we can do none of these things...but with Jesus we can do them ALL. Sr. Marie, Pray for us.

Happy Birthday Sister Marie

From the short biography by Jerome M. Vereb, C.P. S.T.D.

"Adele Louis Marie de Mandat-Grancey was born in 1837 in the Chateau Grancey in Burgandy. She was the fifth child of Galliot-Marie-Francious-Ernst de Mandat and Jeanne-Louise-Laure-Eugene-Rachel de Cordove, the Count and Countess of Grancey. The family has been noted in French and Ecclesiastical history as both noble and hole. It is distinguished by the motto, Enmese et Verbo - "By the sword and the word."

Through ancient connections the de Mandat-Grancey family was associated in history with another family of saints, the outstanding relations of the Cistertian hero, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, that great devotee of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. A grand Abbot of Cluny, St. Hughes, was another prominent relative; but even more was the scholarly and saintly abbot, Pierre-_Maurice the Venerable. He was elected Abbot of Cluny under the title of Peter the Venerable in 1122. The author of a precious scholastic treatise from the treasury of the Middle Ages, De Miraculis - i.e., "The Miracles of God" - he is best known for being the first academic to undertake the project of translating the Koran into both Latin Christianity and Islam. In light of the future events in the life of Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey, Peter the Venerable appears as a figure of a prophet in the family history, and indeed in the modern discipline of inter-religious dialogue.

In the eighteenth century, the French Revolution brought havoc to all members of the aristocracy, and the de Mandat-Grancey family was no less affected. However, through careful planning, most of the de Mandat-Grancey family escaped with their lives and their faith intact. Eventually, following the exile of Napoleon, the family was able to regroup, especially at the Parisian house. Upon their return, they found that the Archbishop of Paris had moved the central headquarters of the Daughters of Charity to the former house townhouse of the Comtes de Lavallier, on the rue de Bac.

In short, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the aristocratic family of the de Mandat-Grancey family became neighbors in Paris. "

Enjoy the whole biography at:

http://holyfaceofjesus.com/Srmarieofstpeter_files/VonUffel_SISTERMARIE_Booklet_11%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.05.pdf

9/11

On this sad memorial of that tragic day in 2001, I find myself without words. But I know that Sr. Marie will pray all the most perfect words for us this day if we but implore her intercession by spiritually uniting in the House of Mary and praying the prayer found on her prayer card. Think carefully about the words as you meditate upon them. Is there need for any further words? We have the words, now we must commit our hearts. We need Sr. Marie's help and she is willing and waiting to do so...we need only persevere in praying with faith and hope. Remember, Love wins.

And...if you have yet to read my piece "Why Sister Marie? Why Now?," please follow the link in the left tool bar. It details my understanding of why commitment to the cause for Sr. Marie is so essential after 9/11/01.

He Shall Be Peace...

As we celebrate our Blessed Mother's birthday she gives all who pray for peace a beautiful gift in the first reading of today's Mass. We who pray for peace pray for the Glorious Victory of the Prince of Peace. Happy Birthday, dear Blessed Mother. May all who honor your Holy Name unite under your mantle and beckon the Prince of Peace through the intercession of Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey. Amen.

Reading 1Mi 5:1-4a

The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, And the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.

Our Lady of the Downtrodden

09/05/2007 12:31

PAKISTAN

Christians and Muslims against extremism, on pilgrimage to see Our Lady of the Downtrodded by Qaiser Felix

All is set for the annual pilgrimage to ‘Mary’s Village,’ near Lahore. The local archdiocese calls on the government for protection against extremism; still fear does not stop tens of thousands of pilgrims from coming.


Lahore (AsiaNews) – All is set for the three-day Annual Marian pilgrimage in the village of Mariamabad which brings together thousands of Catholics and Muslims for prayers and devotional activities. The Central Pilgrimage Committee of Lahore Archdiocese has announced that the theme of this year’s event is “Our Lady, Mother of downtrodden.”
Locally known as “Ziarat-e-Muqaddasa Mariam,” the pilgrimage will officially begin on Friday, but the number of visitors to the shrine has already increased considerably in the last few days.
Led by Mgr Joseph Coutts, bishop of Faisalabad, the initial procession will set off from ‘Mary’s Village.’
The faithful, both Christians and Muslims, traditionally come to ask for a blessing and pray to the Mother of God, who is also much loved in Islam.
During the three-day event, men and women will line up separately to reach the statue of the Virgin and kiss her feet, waiting up to eight long hours. Traditionally they bring Mary gifts of garlands, crowns, necklaces and dupatas (a piece of cloth that covers the head and the upper part of the body).
“We are very well aware of the country’s situation regarding law and order and the growing extremism in the country”, Fr Andrew Nisari, vicar general of Lahore Archdiocese, told AsiaNews. “That is why we informed the authorities about the pilgrimage well in advance so they could provide us the appropriate security and protection.”
The pilgrimage is the work of Father Frank, a Belgian Capuchin who was later martyred. He founded the annual event in 1949 to honour the Virgin Mary on Her birthday, September 8.
Over the years the number of pilgrims has steadily increased reaching the tens of thousands in the last few years.
On June 23, 1974, a central committee was set up to organise the Marian pilgrimage under its first chairman, the then Archbishop of Lahore, Mgr Armando Trindade.