Pope John Paul II's Rosary for Peace

The following is a Rosary for Peace that was composed by Pope John Paul II. In each of the meditations, he calls upon different titles of Our Most Holy Queen, Mary to help us make our world more like the mystical Kingdom of God.

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word, may we contemplate in hope your Son who is the source and model of a renewed humanity in which we encounter each other as brothers and sisters and live in a peaceful spirit.

The Visitation of Mary to Her Cousin Elizabeth
Mary, Mother Most Amiable, may all Christians feel their responsibility to bring Christ to others, for it is he who can unite what is divided, destroy sin and hatred, and reawaken humanity to its vocation to unity and solidarity.

The Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem
Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, may all people open themselves to God who gives us the hope of a new era of peace and whose love, fully revealed in Jesus, is the foundation of universal peace.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Mary, Queen of the Universe, obtain for us the courage to work together to become one family, the fundamental calling of the human race.

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Mary, Mother of Refugees, as you sought for your Son when he was lost in Jerusalem, comfort all mothers and fathers who must flee their countries with their children, in a desperate attempt to find the basic necessities of life.

The Luminous Mysteries

John Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan
Mary, Mother of Hope, may we put all our confidence in God's power, for it is only God who can create openings for peace in humanity's endless history of division and conflict.

Jesus Reveals His Glory at the Wedding of Cana
Mary, Cause of Our Joy, teach us that human events are always accompanied by the merciful providence of God, who knows how to touch even the most hardened of hearts and bring good fruits even from what seems utterly barren soil.

Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God and Calls Us to Conversion
Mary, Mother of the Poor, open our eyes so that we will see the poverty around us, the inequalities between rich and poor nations, and the human and environmental degradation brought about by the irresponsible use of natural resources.

The Transfiguration of Jesus
Mary, Mother of the Living, teach us that human life is the most sacred and inviolable earthly reality, and that there can be no peace when this most basic good is not protected.

Jesus Gives Us the Eucharist
Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, help us believe that in a world in which the power of evil seems once again to have the upper hand, your Son is present and acting to transform it into a world in which true peace will prevail.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
Mary, Mother Most Merciful, obtain for us who live in a world order subjected to horrific violence the strength of heart to respond with justice and forgiveness.

Jesus Is Scourged
Mary, Tower of Ivory, may governments of nations have the courage to complete justice with a forgiveness that heals and rebuilds troubled human relations from their foundations.

Jesus Is Crowned with Thorns
Mary, Mystical Rose, protect and assist the countless millions of men and women who are barely able to survive and who are the most grievously affected by economic and political chaos.

Jesus Carries the Cross to Calvary
Mary, Morning Star, obtain a change of heart for those who, despairing of humanity, of life, and of the future, kill by acts of terrorism.

Jesus Is Crucified
Mary, Mother of Divine Charity, give Christians the courage to choose forgiveness, to make the decision to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.

The Glorious Mysteries

Jesus Rises from the Dead
Mary, Dawn of the Eternal Tomorrow, guide our societies to allow people the chance to start all over again, to raise their eyes to the future, and to discover new possibilities of trust and commitment.

Jesus Ascends into Heaven
Mary, Mother of the King of Kings, lead politicians and government leaders to submit to the Kingdom of your Son, leaving aside all desires aimed at dominating and exploiting others, ideologies of power, crazed nationalisms, and ancient tribal hatreds.

The Holy Spirit Descends on the Apostles
Mary, Spouse of the Spirit, inspire reconciliation and dialogue among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, that the healing power of the Spirit may be unleashed in the world.

Mary Is Assumed into Heaven
Mary, Assumed into Heaven, lead governments to treat the poor with justice, to consider the poor not as a problem, but as people who can become the principal builders of a new and more human future for everyone.

Mary Is Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth
Mary, Queen of Peace, give those of us who live in abundance the courage to change lifestyles and models of production and consumption, in order to help entire peoples who today are excluded or marginalized to enter into the sphere of economic and human development.

This Rosary from:

The Rosary : Contemplating the Face of Christ, Introduction and Reflections from Pope John Paul II. by Linda Salvatore Boccia, FSP and Kathryn James Hermes, FSP

More about Pope John Paul II.

An interesting site about Mary.

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

9th Day of Advent

23^rd Day of the Lunar Month

Saint of the Day:

Saint Lucy (d. )

Saint Lucy was killed during the persecutions of Diocletian for rejecting the advances of the Governor of Syracuse. The Governor wanted to have his way with Lucy, but Lucy had dedicated her life (and body) to God. In the hopes that he could have revenge on her, the Governor had Lucy sold to a brothel. The owner of the brother was ordered to set her on fire if she would not perform work for her new owners. Instead of burning her alive, the owner was said to have gouged out Lucy's eyes and then cut her throat with a sword.

Saint Lucy is now the patron saint of persons with eye problems and young girls who have devoted themselves to God.

Ikon from - http://www.fleckensteingallery.com/1lucy2.jpg

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

-- Ps 119:103

Reflection
The seven words or phrases of Mary found in the Gospels are voiced in accord with a wonderful progression and order.

They impart to the devout soul the ardor of a holy love.

-- St. Bernardine of Siena

Prayer
O Mary, help me to emulate what each of your words imparts; virginal reserve (Lk 1:34); zealous service (Lk 1:38a); faithful obedience (Lk 1:38b); joyful praise (Lk 1:46-55); authoritative gentleness (Lk 2:48); tender charity (Jn 2:3); and firm faith (Jn 2:5).

Amen.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!

Tuesday, December 12th, 2006

10th day of Advent

22nd day of the Lunar Month

Saint of the Day:

Frances de Chantal (d. 1641 )

Saint Frances de Chantal founded the Carmelite order of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary after being consulted by Saint Frances de Sales on the matter. At the time of her death, Saint Frances had founded more than 80 convents of the Visitation Order.

and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse

You have visited the earth and watered it; you have enriched it abundantly.

-- Ps 65:10

Reflection

Mary is the fruitful Virgin everywhere.

Thus, she produces in the soul wherein

she dwells purity of heart and of body,

purity of intention

and of putpose,

and fruitfullness in good works.

-- St. Louis Grignion de Montfort

Prayer

O Mary, today the Church recalls your appearance as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

As I honor you under this glourious title, grant me the graces I need for my state of life.

Amen.

News for the Day:

Two car bombs set off today in central Baghdad have killed at least 57 and wounded at least 151, according to official news reports. The attack centered on Tayaran Square, a place where Iraqi men gather in hopes of being hired as day labourers.

Bush is supposedly still "reviewing his options" on Iraq, while most Americans are totally pessimistic about our involvement in Iraq. (A Yahoo!News video on the poll results can be watched here.)

Kofi Annan, as predicted, did not soften his criticism of Bush for his farewell speech yesterday... and of course, the far right was frothing at the mouth about it. More here... here... and here.

And of course, my latest installment of "maths and science of the day" which I offer up as an intro to particle physics... hope you enjoy.

Pope Benedict XVI states "Human rights must always be protected"

Today Benedict XVI released his annual message for The World Day of Peace, which is celebrated on January 1st. In it, he states that human rights must be defended - even in the "war on terror"... hmmmm... good thing Bush isn't Catholic... he might have to do some theological reflection on what the Pope's message means to him.The entire text of THE HUMAN PERSON, THE HEART OF PEACE can be found here. (Please consider Benedict's theological statements in this message in light of Section 80 of Gaudium et Spes, Sollicitudo rei Socialis, and CCC 2309 - 2314.)

The scientists who figured out the concept of "nuclear winter" have a theory on how a regional nuclear war would "devastate the environment", which only makes the above theological statements more important.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!
Today's Mysteries: Sorrowful Mysteries

Monday, December 11th, 2006

9th Day of Advent
21^st day of the Lunar Month

Saint of the Day:

Daniel the Stylite (d. 493)

St. Daniel the Stylite was influenced by a meeting he had with St. Simeon (the most famous Stylite) when he was still a student at monastery. He lived in a monastery until he was forty-two years old; St Simeon passed away and Daniel felt called to follow in the footsteps of his mentor. Daniel lived on pillars for the next thirty-three years, but had little peace and quiet, as many came to him for advice and wisdom. At the age of eighty, before he passed away, Daniel left his teachings to his followers which emphasized love and charity as the most important virtues of the Christian life.

Ikon from : http://www.serfes.org/images/StDanieltheStylite.jpg

More about St. Daniel http://www.serfes.org/spiritual/september2002.htm

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse

Within her is a spirit that is

intelligent, holy,

unique, manifold,

subtle, mobile,

clear and undefined.

-- WIs 7:22

Reflection
How good Mary is!

How beautiful she is!

How worthy she is of all respect!

-- St. John Eudes

Prayer
O Mary, you are all-beautiful, and there is no stain of sin in you.

Grant that I may praise you as you deserve – both by my words and by my actions

Amen.

Catholic News of the Day

Newsweek has a special section this week called "Holy Family Values" that focuses on the Advent season, the Nativity and how these events affected Christian culture.

The article Holy Family Values discusses (with great respect for the Traditional view and beliefs of Christianity) how Jewish social and cultural customs (mores, taboos and restrictions) became part of the Christian culture; it also discusses how this "Christian culture" affected the development of Western Civilisation. The most interesting part of this article however is the way in which it emphasizes the revolutionary nature of Jesus' message that family is important - not just the "biological" or "nuclear" family, which was important in Jewish culture - but rather the entire family of man. Just as in Jesus' day certain prominent religious leaders (think of the Saducees, "Scribes" and Pharisees that you meet in the Gospel stories) liked to use religion to further their socio-political goals, today we have leaders who claim to follow Christ while acting like the Saducees.

The article Nativity of the Jews looks at the intersection of Jewish and Christian faith. It asks what the differences are between the two faiths by looking at the differences in the way each faith was "born".

The very interesting Whitewashing Jesus asks the important question "How white was Jesus?". Throughout history, many pictures of Jesus of Nazareth, called Christ have been made... but in very few of them does he look like a first-century Palestinian Jew. What's with that?

A video put together by Jan Grarup puts together photos she took in Dafur with Happy Xmas - War is Over by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

My interest in historical sites and landmarks was piqued by the article A Sacred Mission which talks about Endangered Religious sites in America... and why preserving former houses of worship is difficult. (and what we as Americans can do about it!)

Today in Iran, David Duke, former KKK Grand Wizard, is giving a speech at a "Holocaust Conference". Lemme guess... Elie Wiesel isn't going to speak...

Scientists have found the skeleton of a Plesiosaur in Antarctica.

Some biologists are learning more about the squirrels that inhabit our cities.

Another intersting article that was sent to me... nothing to do with religion really... or Advent... just some good ol' maths... I include it here so that persons interested in math and science can become conversant in faith matters and vice-versa.

Today the Vatican issued an update on the archaeological exploration of what is assumed to be St. Paul's tomb.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!

In lieu of my usual closing graphic, I ask you to go to:

http://bagnewsnotes.typepad.com/bagnews/2006/12/from_years_end_.html

and

http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/pdf/FinalWhole10mb.PDF

Please pray for the soldiers and their families.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

2nd Sunday of Advent
20th day of the Lunar Month.

Saint of the Day:

St. Eulalia (d. 304) , also called St. Eulalia of Merida.

According to traditional Hagiography, Saint Eulalia was martyred in Spain. She was only 12 when she was sentenced to death by Dacian, the local judge, for the crime of “athiesm” or failing to worship the Roman Dieties because of her Christian faith. Tradition states that she was first tortured by having her flesh torn with hooks, then killed by being burned to death. It is also stated in several traditional sources that she was “spared” from the full pain of being burned to death because of “the fotunate fact“ that her long hair caught fire and choked her to death quickly.

St. Eulalia comes to us from the Visigothic Church and has reached us through the Mozarabic Liturgy, in which today is her feast day.

picture from; http://www.portcult.com/OPS_103.gif

Marian Meditation of the Day:

Verse
Rise and shine!

Your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

-- Isa 60:1

Reflection
The Holy Spirit did not describe Mary in the Gospels but left it to you to picture her in your heart.

In this way, you might comprehend that there is no grace, no perfection, and no glory conceivable in a simple creature that is lacking to her.

-- St. Thomas of Villanova

Prayer
O Mary, help me to meditate often on your life in the Mysteries of Christ. May I come to appreciate the true glory that is yours.

Amen.

Remember to Pray the Rosary for Peace!