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DAILY LITURGY
Today is the Fourth Tuesday of Lent with tomorrow being both the Fourth Wednesday of Lent and the optional Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop and Apostle of Ireland. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignette on St. Patrick, click on DAILY LITURGY.
PRAYER & DEVOTIONS
Below is another increment of a special prayer for Fasting and Giving Alms from the USCC:
Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation. No one lives on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
A sword pierces Mary's heart
Meditative Lessons on the Sorrowful Mysteries
 
In today's second part of Meditative Lesson 7 THE MOTHER SUFFERS WITH THE SON we get a glimpse of what Simeon foresaw in the temple when he prophesied that Mary's heart would be pierced by seven swords. This, then, is one of those swords when the reality of what is happening has set in and Our Lady, rather than lashing out bitterly, seeks counsel from the Father for herself in acquiescing to the Divine Will in accordance to all her Divine Son has foretold and promised. It is a touching moment which the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart shares with all. For part two of Lesson 7, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"
Medjugorje Monthly Message for FEBRUARY 25th
Dear children! Also today I am with you in a special way contemplating and living the passion of Jesus in my heart. Little children, open your hearts and give me everything that is in them: joys, sorrows and each, even the smallest, pain, that I may offer them to Jesus; so that with His immeasurable love, He may burn and transform your sorrows into the joy of His resurrection. That is why, I now call you in a special way, little children, for your hearts to open to prayer, so that through prayer you may become friends of Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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The DAILY WORD"Jesus said to him, 'Rise, take up thy pallet and walk.' And at once the man was cured. And he took up his pallet and began to walk. Now that day was a Sabbath." John 5: 8-9
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290 and counting,
hoping and praying...
Coming
Tomorrow:
- Part Four of address by Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap. on Forming Disciples for the Third Millennium in MITERS THAT MATTER
- Biography on Cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur, the 32nd Prince of the Church we feature in COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION
- LENTEN MEDITATIONS
- Time Capsules in Church History with MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES focusing on March 17th.
- More words of wisdom from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in SIMPLY SHEEN
- Another interesting fact of the Church laid out on the CATHOLIC CANVAS
- DAILY LITURGY for Lenten Weekdays and the optional Feast of Saint Patrick.
- ...and much more in our 53rd issue for 1999!
To review past articles in textonly format, click on Archives.
To read the front page graphics versions click on the desired Year below
 For additional religious and secular headlines from around the world, we refer you to our new up-to-the-minute NEWS ticker billboard by clicking on the ARROW
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We're here on loan because Christ gave us a new lease on life.
 In today's editorial we tap the great treasury God has made available to us of which He encourages us to invest in, especially during this special time of Lent. We're reminded that we possess nothing for we are all here on loan from God but by living up to the rules set forth in the agreement with Him, He helps us by providing the spiritual funds to repay our debt to Him for dying on the Cross. No greater price could anyone ask for than to die for us and through His graces we are able to afford the payment Jesus asks of us. For today's commentary entitled The past tense of lend is Lent!, click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT.
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TODAY'S
HEADLINES:
Pope Paul VI could be beatified around the same time as Mother Teresa
Itinerary set for Pope's historic trip to Romania which will be restricted to Bucharest
Catholics must vote for candidates who promote a pro-life platform Cardinal George states
Pope reinforces necessity of individual and frequent confessions as part of his Lenten message
These headlines and more are featured in today's NEWS & VIEWS below.
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 For Pope Pius II the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Such was the case when Pope Pius II succeeded Pope Callistus III on August 19, 1458. His grandiose plan to reunify Christian Europe was met with resistance because of political turmoil and rejections. The plans for a crusade that Callistus wanted so badly and Pius was determined to carry on fell on apathetic ears. Stubborn, yet astute and scholarly, Pius, like his predecessors alienated more than he won and the Church suffered because of it, opening the door for a growing resistance to Rome that would erupt less than a century later with the Reformation. For the ninety-ninth installment titled Pope Pius II: The task of reunifying Christian Europe begins , click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH.
Events in Church History
On this day in 1517 Pope Leo X officially closed the Fifth Lateran Council also called the 18th Ecumenical Council which lasted for five years. Many believed it was the straw that broke the camel's back for though it enacted reforms, the horses were already out of the barn and Leo had no clue how to offer a remedy to counteract the dangerous schism fomented by Martin Luther. For other pertinent events that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
Finding the perfect balance
 They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"Only on the principle of giving can the inequalities of the human race be adjusted, can the strong help the weak, and social peace reign among men."
 "Will to live holy lives. Will to obey God, and listen to Him, for He talks to each of you."
This is what the Blessed Virgin Mary affirms to all her children in Message #436 on the feast of Saint Francis Xavier early December of 1993. Our Lady entreats all to her little ones to return to her Divine Son Jesus and live humility, a way to defeat satan and by observing First Fridays and First Saturday devotions which help ensure the Font of Divine Mercy to flow out to more of God's children. She prefaces this message i and form Eucharistic refuges - in communities, in parishes, in homes where God is first and foremost. She prefaces this in her 435th Message to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart a week earlier by reminding all of the importance of Advent in preparation for His coming. For Message #435 and #436, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."
The Hidden Way series now in book form
Though we have completed the 100 Lessons/Meditations of THE HIDDEN WAY previously carried on Tuesdays, you may now acquire your own copy of the just-released book THE HIDDEN WAY which contains all 100. To find out how, click on Book
 WORLDWIDE
NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant
provided by
Catholic World News Service
and Noticias Eclesiales Church News
HEADLINES:
Padre Pio and Mother Teresa have company in beatification process: Pope Paul VI
 The Vatican announced this past weekend that the beatification process for Pope Paul VI is going smoothly with the first phase - the local phase nearing completion. having exhausted numerous interviews and testimonies both in Rome and Cardinal Giovanni Montini's home archdiocese of Milan. Once this is all compiled it will be forwarded to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints headed by the Most Reverend Jose Saraiva Martins, C.F.M. who has been a busy man over these past several years. Paul VI's cause was introduced six years ago in May. For more, click on Beatification of Paul VI
Bucharest to be only destination for Pope as Romanian intinerary of Papal Trip set
  Despite hopes that the Holy Father could visit two othere cities during his historic Papal Pilgrimage to Romania in May, the Vatican has agreed to Romanian stipulations that the Pope spend his three day visit only in the country's capital city of Bucharest. The final itinerary was set Monday with the Vicar of Christ to visit this Orthodox country from May 7 to May 10 this year. For more, click on Romanian Papal Trip .
Cardinal George reaffirms Cardinal O'Connor's battle cry: We will not stand for abortion! Urges full participation in political process as Catholic Alliance names Flynn to head political arm
  Hosted by Bishop Charles Grahmann, the Bishop's Pro-Life Dinner in Dallas Saturday night was highlighted by keynote speaker Cardinal Francis George, OMI who reiterated Cardinal John O'Connor's recent battle cry to stand against abortion no matter what! Before an overflow crowd of 1,700 the Archbishop of Chicago signaled the tone of the upcoming presidential election by urging all Catholics to get heavily involved in politics as well as education and the business place. That first step was taken when Raymond Flynn former Vatican ambassador and mayor of Boston was appointed to head the Catholic Alliance in preparation for the 2000 campaign. For more, click on Battle for life.
Pope places special emphasis on the need for Confession in his Sunday Angeles
  During his Angeles talk at St. Peter's Sunday, the Holy Father stressed the importance of the confessional in bringing us closer to the graces God makes available to every Catholic. He emphasized that without the Sacrament of Reconciliation one cannot receive the graces and merits of indulgences or receive Jesus worthily in the Holy Eucharist. For more, click on Confession for the soul.
For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the
CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales Both CWN and NE are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.
Daily Dose of curious contents of the Church: The Stole
The stole was originally the uppermost garment. It is the distinctive mark of official authority and signifies the robe of original innocence which man lost at the fall of Adam and Eve. The etimology of the word is derived from the Greek and Latin word stola for "garment." The stole is a necessary vestment both at Holy Mass as well as the administration of other sacraments such as Baptism, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony. For confessions this is the only vestment the priest wears and it must be purple or violet, while at Holy Mass the celebrant must wear an alb and chasuble with the stole, the color to correspond with the liturgical calendar. The stole is a long, band-like vestment, usually three to six inches wide, which the priest wears around the neck draped over both shoulders hanging down to his waist or lower. A deacon wears the stole on his left shoulder wrapped across the chest and joined on the right hip to distinguish the difference between priest and deacon. The stole in recent years has become an ornamental piece in many different colors and designs, but traditionally is red for feasts of Martyrs, the Passion of our Lord including Palm Sunday and Good Friday, Pentecost, and the Apostles; white for solemnities, feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady, angels, and non-martyred saints, plus the feast of Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Evangelist, the Chair of Peter, the Conversion of Saint Paul, Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday as well as the Easter and Christmas season; green for Ordinary Time; and purple or violet for Lent, Advent and, on occasion, Masses for the dead. Purple is the color used for hearing confessions; white for Benediction or annointing of the sick, and the color of the liturgical season when the priest or deacon preach.
(sources: The Glories and Triumphs of the Catholic Church, Benziger Brothers; 1999 Catholic Almanac, Our Sunday Visitor, Publishers; Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon, S.J., Doubleday; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers).
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