Merciful Love of Christ

By Blessed John Paul II, Pope

Merciful Love, we pray to You, do not fail!

Merciful Love, be tireless!

Be constantly greater than every evil 

which is in man and in the world. 

Be greater than that evil 

which has increased in our century 

and in our generation!

Be more powerful with 

the power of the crucified King!

"Blessed be His Kingdom which is coming."

Strength of the Cross ~ Prayer

By Saint John Paul II, Pope

Holy is God.

Holy and strong.

Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.

Have mercy: eleison: misere.

May the power of Your love once more be shown to be greater than the evil that threatens it. May it be shown to be greater than sin…

May the power of Your cross, O Christ, be shown to be greater than the author of sin, who is called "the prince of this world."

For by your blood and Your passion You have redeemed the world!

Help me O' Lord! I Your servant cry for Your Help.

Dear Lord I am going through financial difficultly, and out of desperateness I cry to you O' Lord to help me in this urgent need and all those in similar situation as me. I know Lord I have sinned and am a sinner, have mercy on me Lord. I am only human at times, I am unable control my human senses. I know Lord you are full of love and mercy, your compassion and empathy is infinite. Therefore, Lord Jesus by the will of the Father in heaven, let it be done unto me, touch, heal and provide for me Lord and all other who also need the same. I truly have faith, trust and hope in You alone my Lord, that by Your miraculous wonder, will allow needs be fulfilled and the money I need will know my name, address and bank account as soon as You permit it. My trust and hope in You Lord will never fade or die. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and Supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. Amen.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ 23 November, 2014

In this solemnity, we celebrate and contemplate the kingship of Jesus our Redeemer. Today, the Sunday 23 November, 2014 is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. Next Sunday, 30 November, 2014, we start the Advent Sunday with the first Sunday in Advent. 

Jesus Christ is not a king like any king we have ever seen on earth. He is the Good Shepherd that we hear about in the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel. Jesus is a King who loves our freedom. He rules by his love, by his tender mercy. He wants us to respond with our freedom to his gifts of grace and his invitation to share in his divine life.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, 

and all the angels with him, 

he will sit upon his glorious throne, 

and all the nations will be assembled before him. ”

Matthew 25:31

Pope Benedict XVI, has spoken of the power of Christ the King in this way: “It is not the power of the kings or the great people of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness.”

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”  Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” 

(John 18:33-38)

In the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus reminds us that Our Lord’s kingship is real, yet it is unlike political kingship. He did not come to rule over peoples and territories. For Him, to reign was to serve! His throne was the cross where He revealed His power, the power of love. With this power, Christ the King set people free from the slavery of sin and reconciled them to God the Father. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus witnessed to the truth that God is love. On Calvary, He witnessed this truth to the full with the sacrifice of His own life. He conquered Satan, the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31).

Lastly, let us ask Our Blessed Mother Mary that through her intercession may we all gain the grace we need to allow Jesus Christ to rule in our hearts and souls as we serve others for the love of him and seek to build his Kingdom of Love. 

Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Sunday, 23 November, 2014
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King)


Reading 1

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD,
I will judge between one sheep and another,
between rams and goats.


Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
When everything is subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected
to the one who subjected everything to him,
so that God may be all in all.

Gospel 

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Memorial ~ 21 November, 2014

May we be assisted, 

we beseech Thee, O Lord, 

by the worshipful intercession 

of Thy glorious Mother, 

the ever-Virgin Mary; 

that we, who have been enriched 

by her perpetual blessings, 

may be delivered from all dangers, 

and through her loving kindness 

made to be one heart and mind: 

who livest and reignest 

world without end. 

Amen.

Every year on 21 November, we celebrated the memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Protoevangelium of James has told the story of Mary's presentation at the Temple at the age of three. In gratitude for being granted a child after years of infertility, Mary's parents, Saints Joachim and Anna, had vowed to dedicate Mary to the service of God at the Temple. When they presented her at the Temple at the age of three, she stayed willingly, showing her dedication to God even at that young age.

Pope Sixtus IV first placed the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the universal calendar in 1472, but in the Tridentine reform of the calendar in 1568, Pope Pius V removed the feast. It was restored 17 years later by Pope Sixtus V, and remains in the Roman calendar today as a memorial.

As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Friday, 21 November, 2014
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading 1

Revelation 10:8-11
I, John, heard a voice from heaven speak to me.
Then the voice spoke to me and said:
“Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll.
He said to me, “Take and swallow it.
It will turn your stomach sour,
but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.”
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it.
In my mouth it was like sweet honey,
but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
Then someone said to me, “You must prophesy again
about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!


Gospel 

Luke 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.

Prayer to the Infant Jesus ~ Father Cyril OCD

O Infant Jesus, I run to You,

begging You through Your Holy Mother

to save me in this need 

(you may name it here),

for I truly and firmly believe

that Your Divinity can defend me.

Full of trust I hope in You

to obtain Your holy grace.

I love You with all my heart,

I am painfully sorry for my sins

and on my knees I beg You,

O Little Jesus, to free me from them.

My resolution is to improve

and never more to offend You.

Therefore, I offer myself to You,

ready to suffer everything for You

and to serve You faithfully.

I will love my neighbour as myself

from my heart for the love of You.

O Little Jesus, I adore You,

O Mighty Child, I implore You,

save me in this need

(you can mention it here),

that I may enjoy You eternally,

with Mary and Joseph see You

and with all the angels adore You.

Amen.

Give Generously to the Church, Tithing and Offering

Tithe is a tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church. Catholics don't practice tithing, but we give voluntarily as our conscience dictates in response to the Precept of the Catholic Church that requires us to support the needs of the Church according to our ability and our station in life.

Ephesians 5:29-30

for no one ever hated his own flesh, 

but nourishes and cherishes it, 

just as Christ also does the church, 

because we are members of His body.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body; 

and be thankful.

Support the Church,

• Give what you can and what feels right. “Ideally, giving should feel good and should not be like a chore. It’s entirely up to you to decide how much you can give and what is appropriate given your monthly budget.
• Keep it consistent, no matter what amount you decide on, try to give on a regular basis.
• Keep it discreet, Matthew 6:3 say "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
• Offer help in other ways instead (eg. like your services, volunteer on the weekends or during church-related events.), if your budget is tight.

Deuteronomy 14:22

You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, 

which comes forth from the field year by year.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must do as he has made up his mind, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, 

for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 11:24

One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, 

and only suffers want.

Genesis 28:22

This stone, which I have set up for a pillar, 

shall be God’s house; 

and of all that thou givest me 

I will give the tenth to thee.

Six Precept of the Catholic Church (The Duties of a Catholic)

1. To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days.
2. To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent).
3. To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the "Easter duty"). 
4. To observe the days of fasting and abstinence.
5. To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one's abilities and station in life.
6. To obey the marriage laws of the Church.

Shoulder wound of Jesus . . .A powerful prayer for urgent help

Oh loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred wound of Thy shoulder, on which Thou did bear Thy heavy cross, which tore Thy flesh and lay Thy bones as to inflict an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most blessed body. 

I adore Thee, oh Jesus most sorrowful. I praise and glorify Thee, and give thanks fully to Thee for the most holy and sacred and painful wound. Beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy cross to be 
merciful to me on towards heaven along the way of Thy cross. In Jesus' name (make request) 

Amen to all.

**This powerful prayer must be said for requests and most urgent help. After you have said it, ask for requests, then you must publish it right away 
for requests to be granted.**

Prayer for Charity, Kindness and Care towards the Less Fortunate brothers and sisters

Thank You Lord for the many graces and blessings you have placed in my life. I offer You my heart-felt gratitude for Your countless gifts to me each day.

In turn, dear Lord, help me to be aware of the needs of my least sisters and brothers, and to respond to those those who are poor and less fortunate with generous expressions of charity, kindness and caring.

On that day Lord, when I finally stand before You to give an account of my life, I pray I will hear you say, “Come O good and faithful servant to share your Father’s joy, for when you saw me hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, ill and imprisoned, you offered your gifts in charity and you lovingly did it for me”.

Amen.

Truly, I say to you, 

as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, 

you did it to me.

Matthew 25:40

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles ~ 28 October, 2014

Saints Simon and Jude, who are among the twelve Apostles. Saint Simon the Zealot (Simon the Lesser), shares the feast with Saint Jude Thaddeus because it is believed both of the apostle traveled east from Palestine into what was then Persia to bring the Gospel to the nations, where they were martyred for the faith in the first century.

Saint Jude is best known to us as the patron saint of hopeless causes.

O God, who by the blessed Apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name, graciously grant, through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude, that the Church may constantly grow by increase of the peoples who believe in you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Tuesday - 28 October 2014
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Reading 1
Ephesians 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.


Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.


Gospel 

Luke 6:12-16
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Christian believe in ONE

ONE Lord, 

ONE Faith, 

ONE Hope, 

ONE Baptism,

ONE Holy Spirit,

ONE God and Father of all.

Therefore, abide in God and you will discover that your effectiveness in ministering to your family, your friends, your community, and your parish will grow and bear marvellous fruit.

Heavenly Father, 

bless all those You have called. 

May they see the dignity 

they have in Your eyes. 

Open their hearts to the treasure 

You have prepared for them. 

Amen.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary, star of the new evangelization

Mary, Virgin and Mother,

you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,

welcomed the word of life 

in the depths of your humble faith:

as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,

help us to say our own “yes” 

to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,

to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Filled with Christ’s presence, 

you brought joy to John the Baptist,

making him exult in the womb of his mother.

Brimming over with joy, 

you sang of the great things done by God.

Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith,

you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection, 

and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit

so that the evangelizing Church might be born.

Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection,

that we may bring to all 

the Gospel of life which triumphs over death.

Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,

that the gift of unfading beauty 

may reach every man and woman.

Virgin of listening and contemplation,

Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,

pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are, 

that she may never be closed in on herself 

or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.

Star of the new evangelization, 

help us to bear radiant witness to communion,

service, ardent and generous faith, justice 

and love of the poor,

that the joy of the Gospel 

may reach to the ends of the earth,

illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,

wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, 

pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia!

October ~ Month dedicated to our Lady of the Rosary

October is the month of the Holy Rosary, 7th October every year is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The rosary is one of the most cherished prayers of our Catholic Church. Starts with the Creed, the Our Father, three Hail Mary's and the Glory Be, and involves the recitation of five decades consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and the Glory Be. During the recitation, individual's meditates on the saving mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous) of our Lord's life and the faithful witness of our Blessed Mother.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known, 

that anyone who fled to thy protection, 

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, 

was left unaided. 

Inspired by this confidence, 

we fly unto thee, 

O Virgin of virgins, our Mother! 

To thee do we come, 

before we pray, sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 

despise not our petitions, 

but in thy mercy, 

hear and answer them. 

Amen.

The Hail Mary reminded the people of the Angelical Salutation and the Providence of God, while it at the same time prepared the soul for and obtained grace by the power of impetration, or by its efficacy as a prayer. The Rosary is the devotion which belongs especially to Our Lady. No one who wishes for the assistance of Mary will neglect her Rosary. Let us then pray the rosary daily, especially praying together with your family and during this Month of the Rosary!

“THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS 

THE ROSARY TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!”

A Prayer for Help ~ Psalm 86

86 Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am helpless and weak.
2 Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

3 You are my God, so be merciful to me;

I pray to you all day long.

4 Make your servant glad, O Lord,

because my prayers go up to you.

5 You are good to us and forgiving,

full of constant love for all who pray to you.

6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
hear my cries for help.
7 I call to you in times of trouble,
because you answer my prayers.

8 There is no god like you, O Lord,

not one has done what you have done.

9 All the nations that you have created

will come and bow down to you;

they will praise your greatness.

10 You are mighty and do wonderful things;

you alone are God.

11 Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,
and I will obey you faithfully;
teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
I will proclaim your greatness forever.
13 How great is your constant love for me!
You have saved me from the grave itself.
14 Proud people are coming against me, O God;
a cruel gang is trying to kill me—
people who pay no attention to you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
always patient, always kind and faithful.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
strengthen me and save me,
because I serve you just as my mother did.
17 Show me proof of your goodness, Lord;
those who hate me will be ashamed
when they see that you have given me comfort and help.

Holy Guardian Angel Prayer

"Dear angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me until I die. He who created you and me gave me to you as your particular charge. You assisted in great joy at my baptism, when I became part of the mystical body of Christ, and was made a member of the household of God and an heir of heaven. You saw the dangers that beset my path, and, if I sinned, it was in spite of you. You envied me when Christ came to me in Holy Communion. Even though you probably were there among the angels that adored him the night he was born, you have not been able to receive him as I can. Oh, help me to appreciate these gifts! Help me to realize, as you do, with every fiber of my being, that to serve Christ is to be a king! Help me steadfastly to avoid evil and do good and always guard my soul from sin. Protect me as well from physical evils as I go about my daily work. You will be with me all my life, and at the hour of my death. Help me to face death bravely, patiently, with great love of God, knowing that it is only through death that I can come to him in heaven! Then, come with me to my judge, and when the hour of my salvation comes, take me home to my father, God. Amen."

source : angels.about.com

World Day of Migrants and Refugees ~ Prayer for Migrants

God the Father,

source of life and love,

we are all your children;

with your providential care

guide the path of all migrant people.

God the Son,

obedient to the will of the Father,

You have called us to a holy life;

may migrant people hold on to their

faith in You especially in moments 

of difficulties.

God the Holy Spirit,

fountain of all gifts,

may migrant people open

their hearts to You so that

they may be inspired to hold on

to their hope.

Through the maternal intercession of

the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we all 

at the end of our earthly journey 

be reunited in the place her Son has 

prepared for us.

Amen.

100th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

19 January 2014

Theme: “Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World”  

“Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. The sheer number of people migrating from one continent to another, or shifting places within their own countries and geographical areas, is striking. Contemporary movements of migration represent the largest movement of individuals, if not of peoples, in history. As the Church accompanies migrants and refugees on their journey, she seeks to understand the causes of migration, but she also works to overcome its negative effects, and to maximize its positive influence on the communities of origin, transit and destination.” 

(Pope Francis ~ World Day of Migrants and Refugees)

In the holy scriptures, we can see events of migration and seeking refuge.

• Abraham brings his family to a new land as part of a new covenant (Genesis 12:1-7).
• Moses leads his people through the desert back to the Promised Land (Exodus 13:17-22).
• Jesus, Mary and Joseph knew what it meant to leave their own country and become migrants: threatened by Herod’s lust for power, they were forced to take flight and seek refuge in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14).

The Church is God’s family in the world where no one ought to go without the necessities of life and no one is a stranger. Motivated by the charity of Christ and His teaching, the Church offers the love of Christ to all forcibly displaced persons, upholding in each one the inalienable dignity of the human person, made in the image of God. The Church’s response to the divine commandment and attention to the spiritual and pastoral needs of migrants and refugees can be attributed to the love and Compassion of Jesus, the Good Samaritan.

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels ~ 29 September 2014

These 3 archangel, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are named in the Old as well as the New Testament. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are called "saints" because they are holy. But they are different from the rest of the saints because they were not human but spirits. They are angels and the word "angel" means Messenger of God.

Michael's name means "who is like God?" St. Michael is mentioned in three books of the Bible: Daniel, Revelation and the Letter of Jude. Archangel St. Michael and his angels battled with Satan. Michael became the champion of loyalty to God. We can ask St. Michael to make us strong in our love for Jesus and in our practice of the Catholic religion.

Gabriel's name means "the power of God." He is mentioned in the book of Daniel and more importantly in Luke's Gospel. Archangel St. Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of our saviour. Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son and call him John. Gabriel is the announcer, the communicator of the Good News. We can ask him to help us be good communicators as he was.

Raphael's name means "God has healed." We read the touching story of Raphael's role in the Bible's book of Tobit. He was also the Angel mentioned in John 5:1-4 as the power behind the healing at the sheep pool. Archangel St. Raphael brought protection and healing to the blind Tobit. At the very end of the journey, when all was completed, Raphael revealed his true identity. He called himself one of the seven who stands before God's throne. We can ask St. Raphael to protect us in our travels, even for short journeys, like going to school. We can also ask him to help when illness strikes us or someone we love.

O God, who dispose in marvellous order ministries both angelic and human, graciously grant that our life on earth may be defended by those who watch over us as they minister perpetually to you in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

29 September 2014
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels


Reading 1

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw

One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Or 

Revelation 12:7-12ab
War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.


Gospel 

John 1:47-51
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”