With apologies to Samuel Langhorne Clemens - better known as Mark Twain who died eighty-eight years ago today, we present our take on another kind of Yankee and the man who is not afraid to take on not only the Yankee organization and "the boss" George Steinbrenner, but also Major League Baseball for their insensitivities to Catholics and Christians in staging games during the most sacred hours of Good Friday. For our editorial Who do you count on in the big apple? Go with O'Connor in a "New York minute!", click on today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT.
Innocents Abroad
&nsbp; Again, taking a page from Mr. Twain, we thought this title best depicted the life of King Saint Louis IX of France who, during his forty-four year tenure as monarch sought with all his might to be just and giving to the innocent ones for he himself was an innocent soul who placed all his trust in God. He spent his middle years as king away from family and France heading up two Crusades and therefore was abroad for quite some time. His contributions to the Church helped sustain Holy Mother Church during volatile times as we see in the sixty-fourth installment entitled Saints who preserved the Church during the turbulent thirteenth century: The indomitable Louis IX. Click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
Ever the Twain shall meet...
...and forgive all injuries. That is not only the advice of Mark Twain but also Jesus in His 82nd Lesson/Meditation to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart among a series of 100 Meditative Lessons imparted to her. The following FORGIVE ALL INJURIES was conveyed on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11, 1995. Just as Twain's Tom Sawyer forgave all injuries and overcame the fear of Indian Joe, so also Our Lord asks us to forgive all and overcome the fear of the world by fearing in the Lord. Click on THE HIDDEN WAY
FEAST OF A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Besides being a weekday in the Second Week of Easter, it is also the feast of another great Doctor of the Church - Saint Anselm, Bishop. For his story as well the liturgy, readings, and meditations for today and tomorrow's Mass, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY.
PRAYERS & DEVOTION
Today's Prayer is taken from the Opening Prayer for the Mass honoring Saint Anselm
Father, you called Saint Anselm to study and teach the sublime truths you have revealed. Let your gift of faith come to the aid of our understanding and open our hearts to your truth.
Asian Synod begins in Rome while China pressures Pope to snub Taiwan
Despite the absence of all the bishops from mainland China, the Holy Father officially opened the Asian Synod with his focus on evangelization of the Far East, with the hub of evangelization coming from the Philippines - a stalwart of Catholicism. Problems continue with Red China who is playing hardball with the Holy See, trying to coerce the Pope to cut off diplomatic relations with Taiwan with whom the Vatican has had an excellent relationship. For more, click on Asian Synod
Thousands of French Mayors can't be wrong. They say "No" to same-sex relationships while Luxembourg and U.S. embroiled over gay ambassador
France is bracing for a battle over the same-sex marriage plan proposed by the French government while the overwhelmingly Catholic population of neighboring Luxembourg are more than a little concerned over Clinton's nominee of a U.S. ambassador who is openly gay. Thousands of French Mayors petitioned the government to reconsider plans to go ahead and approve same-sex relationship because of the grave threat to the heart and soul of this mainly Catholic country. For more, click on furor over gay issue.
Another nun massacred in Africa
The list of modern martyrs, especially in war-ravaged African countries embroiled in civil strife, grew larger last week with the announcement of yet another religious killed by soldiers who attacked the Belgian nun's convent in Nganza in the Congo. The local bishop strongly berated the government for their lack of protection and security. For more, click on slain nun to read more.
College of Cardinals pared to 118 with the death of Cardinal Bovone
The Holy Father mourned the loss of Cardinal Alberto Bovone, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican Curia at a special funeral mass at St. Peter's where the Pope presided. Cardinal Bovone, one of the new prelates granted the rank of cardinal in February could not make the ceremony and was presented his by Cardinal Angelo Sodano in his hospital room at John Paul II's request. Cardinal Bovone never left the hospital, dying there on April 1 after a long illness. For more, click on Cardinal Bovone to read more.
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Events today in Church History
For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
PROVERB OF THE DAY
"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that a man may avoid the snares of death"
Proverbs 13: 14
Medjugorje Monthly Message for March 25th
Dear children! Also today I call you to fasting and renunciation. Little children, renounce that which hinders you from being closer to Jesus. In a special way I call you: Pray, because only through prayer will you be able to overcome your will and discover the will of God even in the smallest things. By your daily life, little children, you will become an example and witness that you live for Jesus or against Him and His will. Little children, I desire that you become apostles of love. By loving, little children, it will be recognized that you are mine. Thank you for having responded to my call. For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE
For all other standard
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columns, click on Archives
April 21, 1998 volume 9, no. 77 DAILY CATHOLIC
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