The true cost of the war in Iraq...

CBSNews' title for this article was "The Iraq War Gets Personal".

So far this war has "gotten personal" for:

2,809 American families,
2 Australian families,
119 British families,
13 Bulgarian families,
6 Danish families,
2 Dutch families,
2 Estonian families,
1 Fijian family,
1 Hungarian family,
32 Italian families,
1 Kazakhi family,
1 Latvian family,
17 Polish families,
2 Romanian families,
2 Salvadoran families,
3 Slovakian families,
11 Spanish families,
2 Thai families,
and 18 Ukrainian families.

(as of 22:39 26th October, 2006).

It has also "become personal" for the many families affected IN IRAQ by the deaths of civilian friends and family members. The number of Iraqi civilian deaths is estimated to be AT THE VERY LEAST between 45,000 and 49,000, but no "official body count" exists. The Lancet medical journal just published an article estimating over 650,000 deaths in Iraq.

Please remember all these individuals in your upcoming prayers for All Saints' and All Souls' Day.

October 26th, 2006

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse
My dear children, for whom I am again in labour pains until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be with you now.

-- Gal 4:19-20

Reflection
If Paul by his care and heartfelt tenderness gives birth to his children again and again till Christ be formed in them, how much more so does Mary!

In a manner far more holy and godlike, she begot her children by giving birth to the Word himself.

-- Blessed Guerric of ‘Igny

Prayer
O Mary, you beget us in Christ. Help me to live as benefits someone who has Christ as a Brother, God as a Father, and you as a Mother.

Amen.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!

Today's Mystery - Luminous Mysteries

October 24 2006

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse

Jesus went down with Mary and Joseph and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them; and his mother treasured all these things carefully in her heart.

-- Luke 2:51

Reflection

In imitation of Jesus, Christians should love Mary and think the best of her.

They should take her as their Mother and love, serve, wait upon her, and like Jesus be completely obedient to her.

-- St. Anthony Claret

Prayer

O Mary, increase my love and regard for you as my Mother. Help me to serve you in all things, for in doing so I will be serving and obeying your Divine Son.

Amen.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!

Today's Mystery - Sorrowful Mysteries

October 23, 2006

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse

Peace I bequeath to you; my peace I grant to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be fearful.

-- John 14:27




Reflection

Queen of Peace, it is through your Immaculate Heart that the God of peace has been given to the world.

Let this sweet peace reign in the Church and in our souls.

-- St. John Eudes

Prayer

O Mary, you are the Queen of Peace. Bring us to my heart, so that I may work for peace in my family, in my Church, and in my community, and in the world.

Amen.

Today's Meditation:

To my mind, democracy is more compassionate, more harmonious, more friendly than any other system. It respects others' rights and considers others equally as human brothers and sisters. Although you might disagree with them, you have to respect their wishes.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/calendar/month.cfm?y=2006&m=10

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!

Today's Mystery - Joyful Mysteries