When I was a minor (pun intended) on the last day of summer vacation Dad would say, “Well. It’s back to the salt mine tomorrow.” That’s how I feel tonight. It’s the final day of July (my usual vacation month) so it’s back to the salt mine tomorrow beginning with Confessions at 3:30 p.m.!
The showstopper at the Wieliczka Mines is the gargantuan Chapel of Saint Kinga. In fact the word ‘Chapel’ doesn’t really do this space justice as at 400 metres squared it’s more akin to a church – albeit one that’s a hundred metres below ground. Everything that you see in this enchanted chamber is made of salt. Even the chandeliers. The meticulously carved reliefs on the walls are the work of a pair of extraordinarily gifted miners, which could give many professional artists a run for their money. A statue of Polish Pope John Paul II was also recently installed here, and the chapel is a longstanding favorite for weddings and classical concerts.
My mother is feeling the burden of nursing dad back to health; she asks your prayers that God’s Will be done. Thankfully, they have the physical support of family and friends. As for me, I find it difficult to be 400 miles away from them during this trying time…so I guess I too need some prayer support aimed my way. Thanks.
The Vatican has made public the prayer intentions of Pope Benedict XVI for August 2009.
The Holy Father’s general is: “That public opinion may be more aware of the problems of millions of displaced persons and refugees, and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.”
His missionary intention is: “That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality, and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely.”
VATICAN CITY, JULY 30, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is inviting priests from around the world to Rome next June to close the Year for Priests.
The International Conference for Priests will be held June 9-11, 2010, culminating with a Mass presided over by the Pope.
The theme for the conference, like that of the priestly year, is “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests.” The program includes moments of prayer, reflection, the chance to go to confession, and the papal Mass.
The organization of the event has been entrusted to Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, the Vatican institution whose mission is to evangelize through pastoral tourism and the ministry of pilgrimage.
More information on the program and registration (for now, only in Italian) can be found at their Web site: Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi: www.orpnet.org
This morning I received a very nice letter from a reader of this blog. He thanked me and assured me of his prayers in regard to this effort. The letter continued with some personal information about his life. He has begun a personal ministry–My Francis Ministry–that uses “written correspondence to foster worldwide prayer” in support of his discernment and possible vocation to the priesthood.
I ask you, especially during this Year for Priests, to add Christopher Joseph Francis Ruggiano to your daily prayer intentions. His mottos: Holy is His Name, and To Jesus Through Mary are close to his heart. May our prayers be united to his and the saints so that he may, in his words, “give back to God,” for the precious gift of life God has given him.
When I was young I would complain to my mother about the California summer heat. Her response was prophetic: “If you don’t change your ways you’re going to end up in a place hotter than this!” — I didn’t know she meant Arizona.
U.S. Catholics grow to 68 million, 22% of population
According to the information released by the Official Catholic Directory of the United States, Catholics compose 22% of the population in this North American country. The total number of Catholics in the United States equals 68,115,001.
The directory is compiled from information collected from the dioceses and is published every spring. The statistics found on U.S. Catholic bishops’ conference webpage indicate that there are one million more Catholics in the United States than the year before.
Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has reiterated that politicians who support legal abortion should be barred from receiving Communion. Because these individuals are engaged in gravely sinful behavior, the Spanish prelate told LifeSite News, it would be an act of charity for a priest to withhold Communion, preventing them from blasphemous reception of the Eucharist.
V: Let us pray for our Pope Benedict.
R: May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
V: May Thy hand be ever upon the man of Thy right hand.
R: And upon the son of man whom Thou hast confirmed unto thee.
Let us Pray. O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
What ‘They’ Are Saying:
"Father, you're either very holy or very crazy, or a little of both!" -- a comment
