Our Lady of the Rosary

Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!

Feast Day of Our Lady

Our Lady of the Rosary – October 7Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
The feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by St. Pius V in commemoration of the victory of the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571 against the Turks who were threatening Europe. In 1716, the feast was extended to the entire Church in thanksgiving for the defeat of the Muslim Crescent in Hungary.

Santa Maria La Mayor, patroness of the city of Burgos, SpainThe devotion of the rosary was revealed to St. Dominic by Our Lady. It was born, therefore, in a private revelation. And we know that such revelations are abhorred by the enemies of the Church – internal and external. Although it came from a private revelation, the praying of the Rosary was extended to the entire Catholic Church, and was considered by St. Louis Grignion de Montfort as the characteristic devotion of predestined souls. Before Vatican II, the habits of many religious Orders had rosaries that hung on their cinctures, and good Catholics used to carry the rosary with them all day. It was considered not only an item for counting the Hail-Mary’s, but a blessed object, the seal of a special liaison of the person with Our Lady. Many times, the mere physical presence of the rosary would repel the Devil and attract special graces. It became the classic religious object to fight against the Devil. What is the rosary? The rosary is a series of mediations on the mysteries from the lives of Our Lord and Our Lady. These mysteries are simultaneously prayers that one says vocally and meditations that one makes mentally. This mixture of vocal prayer and meditation is a splendid thing, because while the lips pronounce a plea, the mind concentrates on a point of the mystery. It is a dual activity that intimately unites one with God. The practice of praying the rosary to beg a grace from God supposes the theological truth that Our Lady is the Universal Mediatrix of all graces. It is, therefore, a small masterpiece of spirituality and Catholic doctrine as they should be understood. The rosary is not a religious custom relying on emotions, but rather a serious, solid, and meditative pious practice, which explains why the rosary has obtained so many graces.

Each mystery of the Rosary has its special graces that correspond to the meditation. Above, the Annunciation in the Monastery of El Paular, Madrid. Below, the Crucifixion in the Bom Jesus Sanctuary in Braga, Portugal. It is very beautiful and valuable to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, because for each decade, one contemplates a different thing with its special graces: There are particular graces for the mystery of the Annunciation, others for the Agony in the Garden, yet others associated with the Ascension of Our Lord. Each one of the decades has its special graces, and the person who meditates on all of them attracts to his soul the ensemble of graces from the lives of Our Lord and Our Lady. It is a complete circumnavigation that brings a supernatural plenitude to the soul of the person, which helps us to better understand the salutary influence of the rosary. A Catholic, thinking and reflecting on things of the Faith, should draw conclusions that build upon each other and constitute a kind of architectural construct. This should be the spiritual life of a Catholic. It follows in accordance with the way God governs the universe. He wisely judges the weight and measure of everything. This is another reason why the rosary is an excellent devotion. We know that the victory of the Battle of Lepanto was achieved when St. Pius V interrupted a meeting with Cardinals at the Vatican and went to a window and started to pray the rosary. He was deeply concerned about the future of the Church and Christendom that was being decided in those Mediterranean waters. After the Pontiff finishing praying the rosary, he returned to the meeting and told the Cardinals that the Catholic fleet had been victorious. That is, he had a revelation while he was praying the rosary. It was the way Our Lady showed him that she linked that victory to his praying of the rosary. Understanding this, St. Pius V instituted the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was extended to the whole Church in commemoration for another great victory over the Mohammedans in 1716. The fact that this devotion is specially linked to victories over the enemies of the Church and Christendom induces us to think that it will protect all those who fight against the enemies of the Catholic cause. It is a devotion that most probably will endure until the end time, when the enemies of the Church will be more dangerous than ever. Therefore, also during the chastisement predicted at Fatima, the assiduous recitation of the holy rosary should be a decisive factor of victory for those who would be defending the Catholic cause. The historical antecedents of the value of the rosary are a pledge of analogous future victories. When St. Alphonsus of Liguori was already old, sick, and in a wheelchair, a lay brother used to wheel him around the cloister of his monastery in the evening so he could take some fresh air. Engaging the brother in conversation, St. Alphonsus asked him:
“Did you pray your rosary today?” “I don’t remember,” the brother answered, “Then, let us pray it now,” the Saint said.“But you are already so tired. What difference does it make if we don’t pray the rosary for one day?” protested the brother.St. Alphonsus answered: “If I did not pray my rosary for even one day, I would fear for my eternal salvation.” This is what a Saint said. I like this episode because it teaches us that we should do precisely the same. The daily rosary is a great guarantee of final perseverance and fidelity for the times ahead when the prophecies of Fatima will be fulfilled. The victory in our everyday Lepanto is linked to the recitation of the rosary. Let us ask Our Lady of the Rosary to bless this intention of saying the Rosary daily and give us the grace to carry it out.
Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
The Saint of the Day features highlights from the lives of saints based on comments made by the late Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. Following the example of St. John Bosco who used to make similar talks for the boys of his College, each evening it was Prof. Plinio’s custom to make a short commentary on the lives of the next day’s saint in a meeting for youth in order to encourage them in the practice of virtue and love for the Catholic Church. TIA thought that its readers could profit from these valuable commentaries. The texts of both the biographical data and the comments come from personal notes taken by Atila S. Guimarães from 1964 to 1995. Given the fact that the source is a personal notebook, it is possible that at times the biographic notes transcribed here will not rigorously follow the original text read by Prof. Plinio. The commentaries have also been adapted and translated for TIA’s site.
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Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!

May I take this occasion to wish you all a Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Holy Bible tells us that after the Blessed Virgin Mary had visited her cousin Elizabeth, she recited the Magnificat. One prophetic verse in that prayer still echoes today, "Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed." [Lk. 1:48] (C.C.C. # 971) The Holy Rosary fulfills the prophecy of those words, that the blessed Virgin Mary shall be called blessed today as much as she was called blessed in the days that followed the glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
The Church Sacramental of the Rosary (C.C.C. # 1674), recited daily throughout the world, brings back to memory thousands and thousands of times the words of the angel of God, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with." [Lk. 1:28] As a Christian prayer, it involves meditation on the fifteen mysteries surrounding the lives of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin mary. The Rosary engages our thoughts, imagination, emotion, and desire. This serves the purpose of mobilizing our faculties in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompting a conversion of heart and strengthening our will to follow Christ. (C.C.C. # 2708)
Considering the immense treasure of spiritual good that is found in the recitation of the Holy Rosary, how is it associated with Our Lady of the Rosary? When and where did it have its beginning?
Tradition asserts that the Feast of the Holy Rosary had its beginning when the Albigensian heresy was destroying the country of Toulouse. Shortly after September 12, 1213, St. Dominic turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the triumph of Catholic arms. As St. Dominic was kneeling before the altar in the Church of St. Jacques, Our Lady instructed him to preach the Rosary among the people as a cure for heresy and sin. In thanksgiving to Our Lady for the miraculous victory that followed, it is asserted that the crusaders erected a chapel in the Church of St. Jacques and dedicated it to Our Lady of the Rosary. Based on this tradition, it appears that the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary had its origin in those days.
Over and above the defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213, it is believed that the grace of God frequently shined upon the world through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary.
At the same time, historical documents have not been able to accredit St. Dominic with the origin of the Rosary. The earliest trace of any Church documents alleges that it was a Dominican preacher, Alan de la Roche, who created the legend of St. Dominic in the fifteenth century.
Further research has proven that the Rosary was in existence prior to the days of St. Dominic. In those earlier days, its existence was patterned on the Book of Psalms. Originally, possibly as far back as the eight century, the Lord's Prayer was recited 150 times by religious communities. Those who were devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary replaced the Lord's Prayer with the first part of today's Hail Mary, reciting 150 Hail Mary's on beads strung on a cord.
It was not until the fifteen century that the Rosary was divided into three Chaplets of 50 Hail Mary's each and that the mysteries were added to each Chaplet. By the sixteen century, the fifteen mysteries had become accepted by all as the proper way of reciting the Rosary. During that period of time, the second half of the Hail Mary was added and the "Glory be to the Father" was used to close each decade of the Rosary. In 1569, Pope Pius V officially approved the Rosary as it is known today.
Four years later, he established the Feast of the Rosary in thanksgiving to Our Lady to commemorate the naval victory of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. On that same day, the first Sunday of October, while the members of the Rosary confraternity made their procession in Rome, Don John of Austria defeated the Turkish fleet.
Following the request of the Dominican Order, in 1573, Pope Gregory XIII allowed this feast to be observed in all the Churches that possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary. In 1671, Pope Clement X extended the observance of this feast to the whole of Spain. Afterward, in recognition of the victory over the Turks by Prince Eugene on August 6, 1716, at Peterwardein in Hungary, Pope Clement XI commanded that the Feast of the Rosary be celebrated throughout the world.
Other popes, namely Benedict XIII and Leo XIII, were involved in raising the Feast to the rank of a double of the second class and added the Litany of Loreto to the invocation of "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary."
Although the history of the Rosary is controversial, over the centuries, different Supreme Pontiffs, in their apostolic letters, have accredited St. Dominic with the origin of the Rosary. In 1883, Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical in which he commended to the faithful the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, attributing its origin to St. Dominic.
Keeping all this in mind, it was not until Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the three children on May 13, 1917 that she revealed herself to be Our Lady of the Rosary. Recognizing the apparitions of Fatima as being worthy of belief, on October 13, 1930, the bishop of Fatima authorized devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima.
Since then, on a date that I have not been able to trace, the "Feast of the Rosary" has officially become the "Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary."
The "Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary" is closely associated with the titles of "Our Lady of Fatima" and the "Immaculate Heart of Mary." In summary, it began as a most beautiful spiritual prayer in recognition of the salutation of the angel of God to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then, it progressed to meditating upon the lives of Jesus and Mary according, each mystery reflecting upon a biblical passage or and inspired truths that the Church has proclaimed as a Dogmas. Such truths consists of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
While reflecting upon the mysteries continues to be the norm of the faithful, now, based on the apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, additional emphasis has been placed on repentance, praying for sinners and doing penance. Through this spiritual devotion, Our Lady assures the world that evil shall be overcomed and that there will be a time of peace.
More specifically, in 1917, while communism was not so apparent, Our Lady asked that the faithful pray for the conversion of Russia and that Russia be consecrated to her. If such was done, communism would fall and Russia would be converted.

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary echoes the words of Job that are found in today's First Reading.

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." It has now become obvious to the world that the Lord God has eternal plans for the Blessed Virgin Mary and that He has commissioned her as the Second Eve to assist her Son in the salvation of mankind by bringing sinners to Jesus.

The First Reading continues by saying, "The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning." Equally, the Lord has blessed the latter day of Mary more than her beginning. Progressively, over a period of possibly one thousand years, the fulness of the devotion to the Holy Rosary was not fully revealed to the world until 1917 when Our Lady stated, I am "Our Lady of the Rosary." If we are to measure the progressive honours that the Blessed Virgin Mary has received since she has departed from this world, can we begin to imagine what honours awaits her in the days to come?

Today, let us reflect upon the mystery of Our Lady of the Rosary that is unravelling itself upon the world. Let us give thanks to the Lord for the wonders that He has bestowed upon Our Lady of the Rosary, our heavenly Mother and our heavenly Queen.
The readings...[The readings were taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (C) 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the United States of America.]

"Job made this response to the words of the Lord: 'I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you: therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.'

The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with the brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty- years, and saw his children, and his children's children, four generations. And Job died, old and full of days." [Job 42:1-3, 5, 12-7]

"The seventy disciples returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, the your name even the demons submit to us!' Jesus said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and you have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.'" [Lk. 10:17-24]

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Babies Eliminated as New Eugenics Gains Force

Gregory Mussmacher, Faith in Jesus Christ!!

The Search for Perfection

Babies Eliminated as New Eugenics Gains Force
By Father John Flynn, L.C.

ROME, JUNE 25, 2007 - The desire for perfect babies combined with the possibilities of biotechnology is taking an ever-higher toll. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and other forms of screening enable the detection of genetic defects, leading either to embryos being eliminated before implantation when combined with in vitro fecundation, or to abortion in the case of pregnancies already in progress. Philosopher Michael J. Sandel considered some of the ethical questions involved in this practice in the book "The Case Against Perfection," published in May by Belknap Press. A professor of government at Harvard University, Sandel starts his brief book by asking if, even when no harm is involved, there is something troubling about parents "ordering up a child" with certain genetic traits. Sandel's approach is nonreligious and does not fully embrace the position of the Church. For example, he defends embryonic stem cell research. Nevertheless, the book provides a useful series of reflections which invite the reader to consider the implications of both eliminating individuals with genetic defects and also efforts to "improve" physical or mental capabilities. This "drive to mastery," as Sandel terms it, runs the risk of destroying our appreciation of the gifted character of human powers and achievements. In other words, "that not everything in the world is open to any use we may desire or devise." When it comes to parenthood, Sandel comments that unlike our friends, we do not choose our children. "To appreciate children as gifts is to accept them as they come, not as objects of our design, or products of our will, or instruments of our ambition." Thus, he continues, the problem with wanting to choose children with or without certain genetic characteristics is in the hubris of the parents. Such a parental disposition, he adverts, "disfigures the relation between parent and child." As a result the unconditional love that a parent should have toward a child is placed at risk. Sandel also warns that if we erode the sense of the gifted character of human powers and achievements we will damage three important elements in society: humility, responsibility and solidarity. A school for humility Parenthood is a school for humility, according to Sandel, in which we care deeply about our children, and also live with the unexpected. When it comes to responsibility, the more we become involved in determining our genetic qualities, the greater the burden we will bear for the talents we have and how we perform. For example, once giving birth to a child with Down syndrome was considered a matter of chance. Today parents who of children with Down syndrome or other disabilities feel blamed for not having eliminated the child before birth. In turn, this growth in responsibility could well damage solidarity, Sandel continues, because there is a very real risk that those who are less fortunate will come to be seen not as disadvantaged, but as simply unfit. Sandel is not the only one to be worried over what happens to those who are less fortunate in the genetic stakes. A number of press articles over the last few months have taken up the matter of the elimination of embryos detected with Down syndrome. On May 9 the New York Times published an article reporting that, following a new recommendation by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors have begun to offer a screening procedure to all pregnant women, regardless of age, for Down syndrome. About 90% of pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis normally choose to have an abortion, the article reported. The article then went on to describe the efforts by some parents to educate the medical profession about the fulfilling lives that children suffering from disabilities can lead. Advances in medical treatment and appropriate attention means that, despite not inconsiderable difficulties, Down syndrome children can achieve much in their lives. Morally wrong The New York Times returned to the argument on May 13 with another article. Among other testimonies was that of Sarah Lynn Lester, a supporter of abortion rights, who nevertheless continued her pregnancy after learning her child had Down syndrome. "I thought it would be morally wrong to have an abortion for a child that had a genetic disability," she told the newspaper. Earlier this year the Canadian Down Syndrome Society launched a public awareness campaign to counter the trend toward genetic testing, reported the National Post newspaper Jan. 10. The campaign came just as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada released a recommendation that all expectant mothers undergo screening for Down syndrome. The article also quoted Dr. Will Johnston, president of the Vancouver-based organization Physicians for Life, who said his members find the move toward more fetal screening to be troubling. "I think it shows our inability as a culture to be as inclusive and accepting of diversity as we would like to think we are," he said. Italy is another country where genetic screening is increasing. According to a March 11 report in the national daily newspaper La Repubblica, by 2005 no less than 79% of Italian women were having three or more ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. The tests, however, can sometimes have a tragic outcome. On March 7 the Italian news agency ANSA reported on the case of a 22 week-old fetus aborted because of a mistaken diagnosis of a defective esophagus. After the ultrasound examination, which erroneously seemed to reveal a problem, the mother decided to abort. The baby survived the abortion, but the following day ANSA reported that it had died. Cosmetic screening As biotechnology develops, genetic screening seems destined to expand even further, with ominous consequences for babies. On May 6 the London-based Sunday Times reported that the Bridge Center Fertility clinic had received the go ahead from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority to screen a couple's embryos in order to create a baby without eyes affected with cross-eye, also known as a squint. The article also noted that screening has now started for some forms of cancer and early-onset Alzheimer's. "We will increasingly see the use of embryo screening for severe cosmetic conditions," Gedis Grudzinskas, medical director of the clinic, told the Sunday Times. David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, was critical of the decision to allow such screening. "We moved from preventing children who will die young to those who might become ill in middle age," he noted. "Now we discard those who will live as long as the rest of us but are cosmetically imperfect." Concern over such trends was also expressed by Benedict XVI in an address given Feb. 24 to members of the Pontifical Academy for Life. "A new wave of discriminatory eugenics finds consensus in the name of the presumed well-being of the individual, and laws are promoted especially in the economically progressive world for the legalization of euthanasia," the Pontiff warned. In today's increasingly secularized world our consciences face increasing obstacles in distinguishing the correct path to take on these and other issues, the Pope added. This is due both to a growing rejection of the Christian tradition and also to a distrust of the capacity of our reason to perceive the truth, he explained. "Life is the first good received from God and is fundamental to all others; to guarantee the right to life for all and in an equal manner for all is the duty upon which the future of humanity depends," the Holy Father concluded. A duty made increasingly urgent in the face of increased pressures to manipulate life.

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Virtue and Business, Can Ethical Principles Help the Troubled Markets?

Gregory Mussmacher, Faith In Jesus Christ!!

Virtue and Business Can Ethical Principles Help the Troubled Markets?

By Father John Flynn, LC ROME, OCT. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).-

As efforts continue to resolve the financial crisis a number of commentators argue that it's not only a lack of monetary capital, but a lack of spiritual capital that has contributed to the problems. "The market is vital, but is the market has an essentially social function," declared Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland. "It can only function in an ethical and judicial framework where the vulnerable are protected and the natural arrogance of the powerful is curbed. We see today how gross and unregulated individual misbehavior in market activity affects the stability of companies but also of countries and then of the men and women who make up the society in which we live," he declared in an address titled: "Ethics, the Economy and Caring: Lessons to Be Learned." From England the Anglican archbishop of York, John Sentamu, had strong words for traders who had profited from the crisis, calling them "bank robbers," reported the London-based Times newspaper Sept 25. He also said that no one was guiltless in the present crisis and that everyone had joined in worshipping the false god of money. While not denying the gravity of the current crisis, Peter Mullen, an Anglican priest in charge of two parish churches in London's financial center, and also chaplain to the Stock Exchange, reminded readers that there is no viable alternative to capitalism. In an article published in the Sept. 26 edition of the Catholic Herald, Mullen noted that every time there is an economic or financial crisis we hear arguments about capitalism being incompatible with Christianity. The only alternative in recent times -- socialism -- proved to be much worse, he argued. So while it is true capitalism is imperfect, it's better than any other option, he concluded. Moral principles For their part the bishops of the United States, by means of a letter sent to government leaders by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chairman of the episcopal conference's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, spoke of the need for considering key moral principles. The letter warned of the dangers of excessive speculation and recommended greater responsibility and accountability. Bishop Murphy also wrote of the importance of the principles of solidarity and the common good. The need to anchor the economy and markets in solid virtues was the theme of a book published earlier this year by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch. In "Spiritual Enterprise: Doing Virtuous Business," (Encounter Books) he defends capitalism, but also insists it requires a "spiritual capital" as a foundation. Malloch had experience in Wall Street, having worked at Salomon Brothers. He currently heads the Roosevelt Group. He starts by noting that in the wake of a number of recent corporate failures it's clear that greater accountability and better governance are needed in the business world. "The moral outrage that people feel in response to the past decade of scandal and deceit is entirely legitimate, and it leads to compelling questions about the true purpose of business and the virtues that are necessary to sustain it and a free economy," Malloch comments. Defenders of capitalism and the free market extol its capacity to produce wealth. Critics, however, Malloch notes, argue that putting the profit motive at the center of life is a mistake as it falsely takes the place of ethical and spiritual values. Malloch's thesis is that we do need to create wealth and that this is a legitimate activity, but we should do so in a way in which God's gifts are used responsibly. As well, creating wealth should not be done for the purpose of dominating others or for accumulating personal power. Spiritual capital Malloch declares himself to be a "committed Christian, and people of faith, he points out, see freedom not just as an array of possibilities but as the capacity to choose between right and wrong and to develop our faculties guided by virtue. The concept of social capital, he explains, is well-known and refers to the accumulated social resources handed on from one generation to the next. This body of customs, culture, manners and morals has been a key factor in the economic development of Western countries. More recently some have started to talk about a spiritual capital, including Malloch notes, two Nobel laureate economists. This is a necessary counterbalance to the reductive model of the human being used by many economists, who reduce activity to a balance of costs and benefits. "Human beings are not just profit-maximizers," he affirms. Our age, he continues in a chapter of the book dedicated to the concept of virtue, tends to consider the moral life as a matter of following rules. This is, however, a departure from previous times where the moral life was conceived of not in terms of duty, but virtue. The spiritual capital that is built up through the cultivation and practice of virtues adds something that social capital does not have, explains Malloch. Spiritual capital comes from a relationship with God through worship, prayer and devotion, and also through a discipline that is not just that of a human society. This spiritual capital, he warns, must be something more than just a public relations exercise, often termed these days as corporate social responsibility, but which is frequently termed these days merely a device to ward off criticism from nongovernmental organizations. We also have to avoid a superficial sort of business ethics that is often driven by a political agenda. Instead, a company needs to be guided by virtue, Malloch concludes. This virtuous behavior is by no means easy in a world often marked by corruption and dishonesty. Moreover, in a global economy marked by swiftly moving technological change it is more necessary than ever for companies to be guided by spiritual values. There may even be short-term costs in doing business virtuously, Malloch acknowledges. In the end, however, he argues that virtue will lead to long-term benefits, both personal and commercial. Choices Benedict XVI offered some words of guidance on how financial activities and the economy should be guided by ethical principles, in a homily given Sept 23, 2007. During his homily, given during a Mass celebrated in the plaza of the Cathedral of San Clement, on the occasion of a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Velletri-Segni, one of the suburbicarian dioceses, which are those nearest Rome. The Pope reflected on the parable of a dishonest steward who is praised (Luke 16: 1-13). "Life is truly always a choice: between honesty and dishonesty, between fidelity and infidelity, between selfishness and altruism, between good and evil," the Pope said. Moreover, the conclusion of this Gospel passage is clear: You cannot serve both God and Mammon, the Pontiff continued. "As a result, it is necessary to make a fundamental decision between God and mammon, it is necessary to choose between the logic of profit as the ultimate criterion for our action, and the logic of sharing and solidarity," the Pope noted. If we do choose this logic of sharing and solidarity, he added, then it will be possible to direct economic development in way that will ensure the common good of all. To do this, the Pontiff explained, we need to be able to choose between selfishness and love, between justice and dishonesty, and not to allow ourselves to be absorbed "by a selfish quest for profit." Useful pointers to help redirect financial markets so they serve the common good of the whole society. email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23810?l=englishSphere: Related Content

Unborn Baby's Heartbeat Prompts Pro-Life Vote

Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!

Unborn Baby's Heartbeat Prompts Pro-life Vote NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, OCT. 2, 2008 (Zenit.org).-

A Knights of Columbus radio spot running in many U.S. markets until the Nov. 4 elections encourages citizens to listen to the heartbeat of a 10-week-old unborn baby and vote pro-life. The 30-second spot is running in more than a dozen states. The ad features the sound of a baby's heartbeat at 10 weeks, and the voice of a woman saying, "Listening to this makes me wonder: Why would anyone question that her life has begun?" It concludes with the words, "Vote your heart. Vote pro-life." Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced the beginning of the ad campaign. "The fact that the child whose heartbeat we hear is alive is simply a matter of science," he said. "We believe that it is vital that America's pro-life community make it clear that they will reserve their votes for candidates of either party who are committed to protecting life from conception to natural death." A similar ad is planned for broadcast in Canada, where general elections are set for Oct. 14. --- --- --- On the Net: Radio spot: http://www.kofc.org/un/cmf/resources/prolife_ad.mp3/ email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23785?l=english

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From Brotherhood to Fatherhood

From Brotherhood to Fatherhood
Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008
Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!

Another great e-mail blast from Father Leo, Rock On Padre!!

From Brotherhood to Fatherhood
Meet two brothers from Lincoln, Nebraska.
Both are studying for the priesthood. The older brother, Matthew, is at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. His younger brother, Michael, is studying here at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland .
A few weekends ago, these brothers and a few other seminarians got together and cooked dinner for me!
They wanted to thank me for the various times I’ve hosted dinner, taught a cooking class , or had them over to meet my family. It was one of those rare occasions where I didn’t have to cook, even though I couldn’t resist stirring some sauce and helping with plating designs.
What was more impressive than the great food they prepared was the sense of brotherhood these men demonstrated and shared with me. Needless to say, I was not only grateful for the tasty meal, but also inspired by their example.
After almost 10 years of priesthood, I should be accustomed to hearing stories of young men who want to become priests to serve a cause greater than their own. Despite what people think of the younger generation and talk of a vocation crisis, there are many, many good young people who desire to live a life of service. In talking with these young men, I realize the answer to the lack of priests can be found when families grow stronger and parishes become more faithful.
From this dinner conversation, the idea struck me that increasing the number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life will come about when we concentrate on strengthening faithfulness in family relationships. Vocations come from the home. That has been the experience of these young men, and it is also my experience.
Parents, ask yourself the following questions: “Would I be happy if my son wanted to become a priest or my daughter entered a convent?” “Would I discourage my child from serving the church in a religious vocation?” “Do I teach my kids how to pray about God’s will for their lives?” “Am I trying to live my vocation as a mother or father to the best of my ability?” “How do I show my children what it means to be faithful to God’s calling?”
Don’t worry. If you have never asked yourself these questions, it’s not because you’re a bad person. But, it could mean that you have been deceived by the evil one who doesn’t want you to ask such important questions about your life or your family. Let’s face it: the devil throws up many distractions (being busy, materialism, pride) that prevent us from asking ourselves important questions like these. Instead, we spend more time worrying about the future of the church. Parents should remember that raising their children to be successful is NOT their primary responsibility. Instead, they are called to raise children who are faithful to God’s will.
If families and parish churches (i.e., the church family) don’t encourage children to try and follow God’s will, then are we not praying the “Our Father” in vain? Do you suppose that our materialistic society will encourage young men and women to consider priesthood and religious life? Of course not! The vocational discernment will come about when families become more faithful to prayer, church, and service. So go ahead and do what I did with these young men – have dinner and talk about God . I realize that such dinner conversations may be difficult at first, but after a while, families may realize that God should always be a part of the dinner conversation. More importantly, God desires to be part of the family dinner .
My dinner with these young men not only inspired me, but satisfied my desire for brotherhood by being with young men who want to share in this priest’s fatherhood.

The “Thank You” – Pollo Fiorentina
These young men told me this recipe came from one of their parish priests back in the Lincoln Diocese. As I said before, vocations come from families and their church families , the parish church . After talking with these guys, I was inspired to write another book. It will be called, Feeding the Flock and the Shepherds . When I find the time (after I write the book about marriage , Spicing Up Married Life! ) I’d love to write this book about vocations complete with essays, questions, and recipes that can be used by parishes and families to talk about vocations. If your parish hosts a vocation dinner, you’ll get the chance to see many young men who are willing to talk about how God is working in their lives while enjoying good food .
Click here for the recipe these young seminarians made for me. It was definitely a crowd pleaser.
A Family Prayer for Vocations
Gracious and loving God, help the men and women of our parish families to hear the call to serve in this diocese. Our needs are great and our people thirst for Your presence. Open the hearts of many. Raise up faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated holy priests, sisters, brothers, and deacons, who will spend themselves for Your people and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example of faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen


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Put Man at the Center of the Economy

Gregory Mussmacher, God Bless!!

Vatican Aide: Put Man at the Center of the Economy

Cardinal Martino Says World Is More Than Just Money SANTIAGO, Chile, SEPT. 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).-

The financial crisis under way in the United States should remind us that the human person must be at the center of the economy, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Cardinal Renato Martino affirmed this in a press conference during a visit he is making to Chile through Wednesday. "The economic crisis, which is manifested throughout the world, perhaps is a sign that the world is not made up only of bills, money and the economy. [] [The crisis] serves as a reminder that the human person must be put at the center of the whole of world economy," he said, as reported by the Chilean episcopal conference. Cardinal Martino went on to note some of the problems he considers among the greatest facing humanity today, including the situation of human mobility, and the 200 million people who are seeking work, shelter or a better economic situation. The prelate also addressed the problem of access to water, an issue expected to grow increasingly complicated in the coming years. "The right to water is a fundamental human right that is part of the right to life, which is made up of several rights, such as the right to food, work and water. That is why water cannot be an element that is privatized; it must be available to all," he stressed. Integral perspective After the press conference, Cardinal Martino met with Chilean bishops to reflect on the relationship between evangelization and social doctrine, "which is not something peripheral or accidental in the evangelizing mission of the Church." "Social pastoral care is a right and duty of the Church that is based on theological premises," he noted. "It is because of this that the integral vision of the human person must never be lacking in the praxis of Christians in society, in any of its realms: the realm of work, economy, politics, culture, of efforts to build peace." Social structures, the Vatican official affirmed, "must always consider the truth about man that the Church -- with all her doctrine -- proclaims, teaches and defends." Cardinal Martino clarified the key role of pastors in spreading the social doctrine of the Church. "If leadership in directly transforming social, economic and political realities according to God's plan corresponds to the laity," he explained, "to we pastors and priests corresponds a very delicate and not less exacting commitment, namely, to satisfy laypeople's right to be formed and enlightened by the social doctrine of the Church, to be supported in forging a solid spirituality and to be encouraged by the closeness of their pastors." "Only in this way will they be able to fulfill with evangelical effectiveness their daily commitments in the world," Cardinal Martino affirmed. "This support is still insufficient in many places." email this article: http://www.zenit.org/article-23766?l=english

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