Pope Francis is greatly disturbed by the cruel terrorist attack that has struck Barcelona last night and once again condemns the blind violence affirming that it “is a great offence to the creator”. In a note issued by Vatican spokesman Greg Burke, the Pontiff said he had learned with great concern what had happened along the Rambla de Canaletes, just a short distance from Plaça de Catalunya, in the center of the city, where around 5 pm a white van swooped in at great speed on a crowd of tourists, killing and injuring several of them before crashing against a kiosk near Boqueria’s market.

The analysis of Don Stefano Caprio (Oriental Pontifical Institute) on the “Ostpolik 2.0”: the future of the Middle East, the Ukrainian issue, and the Russian contrast to the unilateral American supremacy.

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven, following is the response given in 1976 by Chiara Lubich to a young woman who wanted to know how to love our perfect and blessed mother Virgin Mary:

Maria 1“The very thought of talking about Mary makes my soul tremble and my heart patter. This is a topic that lies beyond our faculties and silence would be more appropriate than words.

August 15 is the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.

What is the Assumption of Mary, how did it come to be defined, and what relevance does it have for our lives?

1) What is the Assumption of Mary?

The Assumption of Mary is the teaching that:

The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory [Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus 44].

2) What level of authority does this teaching have?

The call of Parolin at the end of August is “very important”, Pope Francis is “very esteemed and loved” by the Rusian people. Trump? The relations between Russia and the Vatican do not depend on other countries.

An interview on the eve of the feast of the Assumption with Father Ibrahim Alsabagh, parish priest of the church of St. Francis who is also responsible for the Latin community of the city.

Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children.
Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign… (Dt 6.6-8).

“Amen” means “so be it” (CCC 2856) or “I believe.” It’s what we say at the end of every prayer and, significantly, it’s what we say when we present ourselves for Holy Communion. The Eucharist is elevated before our eyes, and our “Amen” is a verbal assent that we both believe it’s Christ (“I believe”) and that we want to become Christ by consuming him (“so be it”).

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We live in a noisy age, from early morning to late night noise surrounds us. Many of them are the ordinary bits and pieces of our life, water pouring from tap and shower head, TV and other media sharing with us their particular images and voices, news, music, film, documentary and much loved soap drama!

Meditation is a way of connecting and communicating with God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and also to be in His presence thus filled with His love.

Meditation is not alien to the writer of these lines, nor should it be to those who find satisfaction in their daily reading of the Bible. The Bible speaks of meditation in several places and on a number of occasions. In one of many, Psalm 119:78 says: “As for me, I will mediate on thy precepts," is one of many.

To put it clear, Christian Meditation and all other kinds of mediations are two worlds that stand apart.

Homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, August 6, 2017

What a grace for Peter and James and John to see Jesus transfigured. They got a preview of the glory of Jesus risen from the dead and his glory in heaven. It was also a preview of the glory we all hope to share in heaven. This was a very special grace for Peter and James and John.