St. Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus

Celebrating the Feast day of Sts. Timothy and Titus had me pondering the gift of Apostolic succession today. St. Timothy, once Bishop of Ephesus, now in heaven, is uniquely linked to current Archbishop Franceschini and Archbishop Emeritus Bernardini, both of Turkey, where Ephesus is found. In this Year of the Priest, please join me in asking for the intercessory prayers of St. Timothy for his brothers in Christ who hold the same seat of Bishop of Turkey today. May God bless all Bishops, especially Archbishop Franceschini and Archbishop Emeritus Bernardini. May God bless in a special way the Bishop, especially chosen, and at this time known only to Him, who will one day release God's heavenly and abundant graces upon the world by opening the Cause for the beatification of Sister Marie.

I opened my Bible today to St. Paul's Letter to Timothy to receive what it is that the God would say to us today, especially as we pray and work for the Cause of Sister Marie, Foundress of Mary's House in Ephesus. I was struck to my soul as my eyes fell on the following prophetic passage, so encouraging to us in this mission.

1 Tim 2: 1-6, 8.

First of all, then, 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
the humanrace, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for
all. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting
up holy hands without anger or argument.

Surely this scripture reading is what Sister Marie would have us echo with all zeal in these times to God's children everywhere… and, thanks to Sister Marie, to this day this scripture passage continues to be what Mary's House stands as quiet witness to for the whole world.

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