The cross is a sign of God’s love for humankind and not just an emblem of Christianity or a piece of jewellery to display, Pope Francis said.
The cross is a symbol of “the power of God who made himself sin to heal us,” and its significance can be lost due to a lack of faith in its saving power or the desire to show off, the Pope said on April 4 during his morning Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
There is something fascinating about famous last words. Some are merely interesting: “All my possessions for a moment of time” (Queen Elizabeth I); “Josephine” (Napoleon Bonaparte); “I have tried so hard to do the right” (Grover Cleveland). Some are even humorous: “I should never have switched from scotch to martinis” (Humphrey Bogart), while others are troubling: “Don’t you dare ask God to help me” (Joan Crawford).
At the general audience, on Wednesday, April 5, Pope Francis also remembers the attack in St. Petersburg. "Mobsters respond to evil with evil because they have no hope".
When a group of Christians from different denominations get together to pray, it is easy to figure out who is Catholic. Instead of diving right into prayer by addressing God the Father, the Catholic uses his hand to trace a cross over his body or forehead.
Why is that?
First of all, let’s look at the history behind it.
One of the favorite stories from the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima a century ago this year is how Our Lady was compelled gently to correct the three shepherd children for “cheating” on how they were praying the Rosary.
The eldest, at the time ten-year-old Lucy, described in her eventual Memoires what they were doing and why.
The Pope in Mirandola: these are “places of historical memory and are crucial areas of social and ecclesial life.” “Raise your children with the same courage you had during those hard times.” “Thank you for the example you have given to humanity”.
Be not troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God be with you in everything you do. Keep your conscience clear and God will protect you, for the malice of man cannot harm one whom God wishes to help. If you know how to suffer in silence, you will undoubtedly experience God's help. He knows when and how to deliver you; therefore, place yourself in His hands, for it is a divine prerogative to help men and free them from all distress.
Our Blessed Mother had the profoundest influence on the spiritual life of St. John Paul II.
Intense devotion to her was always a characteristic trait of Polish mysticism, and so it was for him.
Karol Wojtyła first learned traditional Polish Marian devotion at home and in his parish. During his grade-school years, he would stop at the parish church on the way to school each morning and once again upon returning home in the evening, to pray in front of an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Following is a homily by Fr. René J. Butleron the Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 2, 2017, Year A:
Resurrection of Lazarus
We are faced today with such an embarrassment of riches in the readings, one hardly knows where to begin. It would be interesting to ask each of you what struck you in particular. Let me share what struck me. I begin with... the Responsorial Psalm!
Each Lent I look forward to participating in the Way of the Cross at one particular parish in our diocese which also celebrates a half hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. This parish uses the reflections and prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori. We sing the Stabat Mater verses between each station, using the translation by the Oratorian Edward Caswall, one of Blessed John Henry Newman’s converts.
