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+ SOME THOUGHTS UPON THE DEATH OF
OUR HOLY FATHER, JOHN PAUL II +
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Bishop Anthony writes:
May the last sufferings and death of this most holy servant of GOD, and the witness in these last weeks of countless millions of people throughout the world to the inate goodness and indesputable inner sanctity of the Pope be a lasting legacy to us all.
Pope John Paul was a father to so many, a teacher and a prophet in these uncertain and dangerous times. It is in no small part thanks to him that the evil of communism was destroyed in East & Central Europe.
He was indomitable in his struggle for the Gospel and in his concern for the dignity of everyone. Above all he was driven by the love of JESUS and by his life-long veneration for MARY, the Virgin Mother of GOD. May the Holy Father’s death lead us all closer to the Cross – the Cross which leads us through our human death to Resurrection! May the Holy Father’s leaving us make us all, as he would wish, kinder and more loving to each other, as we ourselves strive to follow Christ to the end of this earthly pilgrimage.
Let us become better people and we, who are priests, far more worthy priests, aided daily by our most Holy Mother MARY, Our Lady of Victories and Queen of Poland!
Holy Father, John Paul: death cannot separate us; instead it brings us closer together in the adoration and love of the most Holy Trinity. Intercede for us now – as we assuredly are praying for you!
GRANT IT, LORD! Amen.
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A Meditation by John Henry, Cardinal Newman.
GOD has created me to do Him some definite service that He has not committed to another. I have my mission – I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.
I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. GOD has not created me for naught. I shall do good. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not, for all I know, even intending it – if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore will I trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; if I am in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about! He may take away my friends; He may throw me among strangers; He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me – still He knows what He is about!
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And in this merry month of MAY, the month of our Blessed Lady, a Prayer to MARY for England.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of GOD and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, Thy Dowry and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in Thee.
By Thee it was that JESUS, our Saviour and our Hope was given unto the world; and He has given Thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us, Thy children, whom Thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true Fold, they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of Thy Son.
Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works, we may all deserve to see and praise GOD, together with Thee, in our heavenly Home. Through Christ, our Lord. +Amen+
Our many Faithful outside England can, of course, if they wish, substitute their own country for the words “ England, Thy Dowry” and thus still say the prayer throughout May. Bishop Anthony adds: “Many of you who don’t live in England, however, will hopefully feel that England needs your prayers – specially in these dangerous times of moral and spiritual bankrupcy! I do recommend this famous Marian prayer to you all. It was composed by Pope Leo XIII in the 1890s and was previously ordered to be said, during Benediction, for the Conversion of England. An Indulgence of 300 days is attached to it every time that it is recited by the Faithful. Let us all make that special effort to honour MARY daily in her month of May. |
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+ GOD grant unto our new Pope, Benedict, inspiration and strength to guide Thy Church. Amen+
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MARY, Our Lady of Victories, intercede for us all who have unto Thee most sweet recourse!
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