The meditation for today states that "on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after having trained His Apostles for their high calling to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus prepared to ascend on high to where the glories of Heaven awaited Him. "Jesus entered into Heaven to enter into possession of His glory. On His Ascension into Heaven He took His place as Man beside His Heavenly Father and was exalted above all other human creatures. Christ's Ascension is also the assurance of our own ascension into Heaven after the Last Judgment. He entered into His Kingdom to prepare a place for us, for He promised to come again to take us to Himself." This is the essence of this special feast we celebrate today in most dioceses of America, except in the west and Canada where they celebrate the feast of Saint Eugene de Mazenod, Bishop and Religious Founder. For the liturgy, readings, meditation and background, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

     Today begins a massive campaign by the Marian movement worldwide to rally the faithful to pray the Rosary for nine consecutive days in calling on the Holy Spirit to guide Pope John Paul II to make the right decision that is in accord with God's Will, particularly on whether the Holy Father will proclaim the definitive dogma of Blessed Mary as CoRedemptrix, Advocate, and Mediatrix of all graces. Many have anticipated this will come about on the Feast of Pentecost, but no confirmation has been made. What can be made are countless petitions to Heaven through this Rosary Crusade. We strongly endorse this campaign and encourage all to "rattle those beads."

     In the seventieth installment of our megaseries on the state of the Church Today we begin a multi-part treatment on the Triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart and its meaning today. Today we kick this off with the first of a two part article by Father Dominic Maria on the words of Our Lady at Fatima on July 13, 1917: "In the End my Immaculate Heart will triumph." Click on WHERE IS HOLY MOTHER HEADING AS WE NEAR THE MILLENNIUM?

      Those are the essence of the Blessed Mother's 151st and 152nd messages to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart which we bring you today in which Our Lady alerts us of the burden the Holy Father carries in his heart and that only through our prayers (see Rosary Crusade above) and calling upon the Holy Spirit will we be able to help effect her great Triumph sooner. Click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Pope John Paul II asserts in his weekly audience that the Holy Spirit didn't just come on the scene in the New Testament

     In his regular Wednesday audience at Paul VI Hall adjacent to St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father affirmed that the Holy Spirit was referred to in the Old Testament over one hundred times, most often as the "Creator." In the New Testament He took on the responsibility of Sanctifier and Advocate as well as a whole new entity in the eyes of man for it was Christ's Spirit that He left to His Apostles and disciples. The Pope emphasized what Paul stressed: that the Holy Ghost is vital for evangelization and conversion. For more, click on Pope on the Holy Spirit

Moment of Reflection and Reconciliation signals a new Columbia

     With all the violence and crime so rampant in Columbia, the Catholic bishops of that country along with various other peace organizations, successfully promoted a moment of silence to pause and pray for reconciliation with their neighbor and a new way to live in peace with each other. The response was overwhelming; the results will be longer in coming. For more, click on Columbia.

Is Hong Kong on Pope's agenda for closing Asian Synod?

     Because of its Chinese roots, Hong Kong was recommended by the Synod of Asian Bishops as one of three destinations for the Holy Father to travel to in order to officially close the Asian Synod. The Philippines and India were the other two choices to join the booming metropolis in southern China which was turned over to the Chinese by Britain. For more, click on Hong Kong.

The lost sheep returned to the fold as Sinatra put to rest in Southern California

      It was fitting that Frank Sinatra's funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills for he was one of the lost sheep who found his way back to the Good Shepherd Jesus and His Church. This was the testimony given by Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding at the funeral Mass yesterday. Despite the turnout of who's who of Hollywood, the services were subdued and reverent for the bigger-than-life icon who was known to have fallen away from the Church for awhile. For more, click on Sinatra.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

To review past articles in textonly format, click on Archives.