Today is the feast of Saint Peter Chanel, the first martyr of Oceania as well as Saint Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort a devotee of promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and religious founder. In today's on-going megaseries on Church History we focus on the triumverate of saints - the Paris connection of Saint Albert the Great, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Bonaventure. It truly is a "day of saints!"
Mutiny on the Bounty
This is the 209th anniversary of the actual mutiny on the British ship "H.M.S. Bounty" in which the crew mutineered against their skipper Captain William Bligh and set him, along with 18 of his crew, adrift in the South Pacific. After months Bligh and his crew were able to reach land 3,618 miles away. The crew of the mutiny vessel anchored at Pitcairn Island, the ship was damaged beyond repair and they went on to colonize the isle. Just as there were those who would mutiny against Holy Mother Church and the popes, there were those loyal to the Holy See such as the saints we feature in this week's installment of our on-going megaseries on Church History. Those three - considered the "Paris connection" were composed of the three saints above who counseled kings and popes. Through their influence not only was mutiny curtailed but their efforts played a significant role in colonizing not only the Dominican and Franciscan orders, but all of the universal Church leaving a legacy of scholarly works and agendas as well as hymns that would enhance the spirituality of all. For the sixty-fifth installment, click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH?
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
It was Saint Louis de Montfort who emphasized that total devotion to the Mother of Jesus would bring all closer to her Divine Son. Never in history have we needed her loving guidance and the need to be closer to Jesus than today when we find ourselves in the throes of turmoil, amorality and immorality as we close out the second millennium. In today's editorial we point this out, citing today's headlines as a sign that we are indeed closer to the Triumph but the only formula to finding our way safely there is through the Two Pillars - the Eucharist and Devotion to the Immaculate Heart which begins with the Act of Total Consecration. For our commentary, The Formula for Expediting the Triumph!, click on today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT
The Communion of Saints
In union with the Communion of Saints, Jesus reminds us of our duty as members of the Church Militant: to pray for the Church Suffering - the souls in Purgatory as well as those still living through the Spiritual Works of Mercy. If we do as Our Lord asks, then we can look forward to fulfilling the Communion of Saints by someday joining the ranks of the Church Triumphant. For the 83rd Lesson/Meditation PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, click on THE HIDDEN WAY
Events this day in Church History
For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
PRAYER & DEVOTIONS
Today's Prayer is the ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY composed by Saint Louis de Montfort. For the full consecration, click on ACT OF CONSECRATION in today's special PRAYER & DEVOTION page.
The killings continue in Central America, the most recent being the shocking murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedra, an auxilary prelate who was an outspoken critic of the lack of accountability on the part of the Guadalupe military for over 150,000 deaths and 50,000 missing in action. Two days after releasing his human rights document at his cathedral in Guatamala City Friday, he was brutally dragged from his bed and murdered with severe blows to the head. For more, click on Murder
China playing hardball with the Vatican by refusing to allow two bishops to attend Asian Synod in Rome
So much for a softening of religious tolerance in Red China as the Communist government promised last month during the U.S. tour of three religious leaders. Instead of allowing two bishops to attend the Asian Synod, they have been denied their passports, greatly saddening the Holy Father who had been holding those two chairs at the Synod open in hopes they would be able to attend. Many believe one or both are the unnamed newly appointed cardinals "in peccatore" for their protection. For more, click on Bishops denied.
Culture of Death visits Chiapas via coerced sterilization of women
Poor Indian women in the troubled state of Chiapas are being coerced to receive free sterilizations in an effort to curb population of the peoples. This policy being forced on the poor people of southern Mexico has been decried and condemned by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City who lashed out at the government for considering the people "a disease" rather than God's children for whom the government exists. For more, click on sterilization to read more.
Three Days of Darkness in Bosnia as Serbs continue to attack Croats
On the heels of the near fatal attack on Cardinal Vinko Puljic of Sarajevo and his pilgrimage tour of six-hundred Croats, more violence erupted in and around Sarajevo as Catholics sought to attend Mass but were prevented by Serbian attacks. The recent eruptions have curtailed the calendar for returning refugees to their original homes by UN peace-keeping troops because it is not safe. Many have been homeless since the three-year civil war that ended in 1995. For more, click on Serb violence to read more.
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LITURGY FOR THE DAY
Today is the Feast of both Saint Peter Chanel, the first martyr in Oceania, and Saint Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort religious founder who fostered devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. For the liturgy, readings, meditations and vignettes on these saints as well as preparation for tomorrow's feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY.
April 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message for
Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer, to open yourselves to God as a flower opens itself to the rays of the morning sun. Little children, do not be afraid. I am with you and I intercede before God for each of you so that your heart receives the gift of conversion. Only in this way, little children, will you comprehend the importance of grace in these times and God will become nearer to you. Thank you for having responded to my call.
