Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 11-25-16, OM, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 11-25-16 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

November 25, 2016

Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Rv 20:1-4, 11—21:2

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time.

Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a

R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.

Alleluia Lk 21:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.”

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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

[Salvation]

KEYWORDS: catholic; lk21; ordinarytime; prayer; saints;

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Alleluia Ping

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From: Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2

The Thousand-Year Reign of Christ and His People

---

[1] Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key
of the bottomless pit and a great chain. [2] And he seized the dragon, that an-
cient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
[3] and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should
deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he
must be loosed for a little while.

[4] Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was
committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testi-
mony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast
or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.
They came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The Last Judgment of the Living and Dead

---

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence
earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the
dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also
another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by
what was written in the books, by what they had done. [13] And the sea gave up
the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged
by what they had done. [14] Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of
fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; [15] and if any one’s name was not
found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New World Comes into Being. The New Jerusalem

---

[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first
earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-3. The victory of the Lamb is manifested by the fact that Rome, the great har-
lot, has been destroyed (chap. 18); then the beast and its prophet are overcome
(chap. 19); there remains the dragon whom we saw in chapter 12 and whose de-
feat marks the final outcome of the war referred to in that chapter.

The battle between Satan and God is described in two scenes; the first tells of
how Satan is brought under control and deprived of his power for a time (vv. 1-3);
the second describes his last assault on the Church and what happens to him
in the end (vv. 7-10). Between these two scenes comes the reign of Christ and
his followers for a thousand years (vv. 4-6). At the end of the second scene
comes the General Judgment, with the reprobate being damned (vv. 11-18) and
a new world coming into being (21:1-8).

The bottomless pit, or abyss, refers to a mysterious place, different from the
lake of fire, or hell. Satan is also called the “ancient serpent” because it was
he who seduced our first parents at the dawn of history (cf. Gen 3:1-19).

The period during which Satan is held captive coincides with the reign of Christ
and his saints — one thousand years (cf. v. 4) — and contrasts with the “little
while” during which he is given further scope to act. This contrast is very signi-
ficant and it may simply be a symbolic way of showing that Christ’s power is
vastly greater than Satan’s and that the devil’s power is doomed to perish even
though on occasions it may emerge with unsuspected force.

11-15. Now that the devil, the root of all evil, is removed from the scene, we are
shown (as we were after the previous battle) the resurrection of the dead and the
General Judgment. The white throne symbolizes the power of God, who judges
the living and the dead. Other New Testament texts tell us that the supreme
Judge is Christ, who has been charged with this task by the Father (cf., e.g.,
Mt 16:27; 25:31-46; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor 5:10). The “flight of earth and sky” mean
that they disappear (for even non-rational created things have been contamina-
ted by sin: cf. Rom 8:19ff) to make way for a new heaven and a new earth (21:1;
cf. 2 Pet 3:13; Rom 8:23).

The author then turns his attention to the resurrection, when all men will be jud-
ged according to their works. He describes this by using the metaphor of two
books. One of these records the actions of men (as in Daniel 7:10 and other
passages of the Old Testament, cf., e.g., Is 65: 6; Jer 22:30). The second book
contains the names of those predestined to eternal life (an idea inspired by Da-
niel 12:1; cf. also, e.g., Ex 32: 32). This is a way of showing that man cannot
attain salvation by his own efforts alone: it is God who saves him; however, he
needs to act in such a way that he responds to the destiny God has marked out
for him; if he fails to do that he runs the risk of having his name blotted out of the
book of life (cf. Rev 3:5), that is, of being damned. By using this metaphor, the
author of Revelation is teaching us two truths which are always mysteriously
connected — 1) that we are free and 2) that there is a grace of predestination.

Regarding Hades or hell, it should be pointed out that this does not refer to hell
in the strict sense, but to “Sheol”, the name the Jews gave to the gloomy abode
of the dead.

The Last Judgment is a truth of faith concerning which Paul VI says: “He ascen-
ded to heaven, and he will come again, this time in glory, to judge the living and
the dead each according to his merits; those who have responded to the love and
compassion of God going to eternal life, those who have refused them to the end
going to the fire that is not extinguished [...]. We believe in the life eternal. We be-
lieve that the souls of all those who die in the grace of Christ, whether they must
still be purified in purgatory, or whether from the moment they leave their bodies
Jesus takes them to paradise as he did for the Good Thief, are the people of God
in the eternity beyond death, which will be finally conquered on the day of the Re-
surrection when these souls will be reunited with their bodies” (”Creed of the Peo-
ple of God”, 12 and 28).

21:1 - 22:15. Now that all the forces of evil, including death, have been vanquished
the author turns to contemplate the establishment of the Kingdom of God in all its
fullness. Thus, the climax of the book shows a new world inhabited by a new race
— the new Jerusalem (cf. 21: 1-4); a world guaranteed by the eternal and almighty
Word of God to last forever (cf. 21:5-8).

The focus of attention now becomes the people of God; the new Jerusalem is
portrayed as the Bride of the Lamb; a detailed description shows it to be a won-
derful city of great beauty ruled over by God the Father and Christ (21:9-2:6). The
contrast between this and the pilgrim Church in its present circumstances is so
great that the new city can be discerned only if one puts one’s faith in what God’s
messengers reveal (cf. 22:6-9). Faith is also an effective stimulus to the Christian
to continue to strive for holiness and the reward of eternal life (cf. 22: 10-15).

1-4. The prophet Isaiah depicted the messianic times as a radical change in the
fortunes of the people of Israel — so radical that, as he put it, God was going to
create new heavens and a new earth, a new Jerusalem full of joy, where the
sound of weeping would never more be heard, where God would make himself
plain for all to see and where everything would be as it was in paradise before sin
(cf. Is 65:12-25). The author of the Apocalypse uses this same format to describe
the future Kingdom of God. The imagery of a new heaven and a new earth (taken
in a physical sense) was very much in vogue in Jewish writing around the time of
the Apocalypse (cf. 1 Enoch 72:1; 91:16), and is probably reflected also in 2 Pe-
ter 3:10-13 and Matthew 19:28. Scripture nowhere indicates what form the new
heaven and the new earth will take. However, what is clear is that there will be a
radical “renewal” of the present cosmos, contaminated as it is by the sin of man
and the powers of evil (cf. Gen 2:8-3:24: Rom 8:9-13): through this renewal all
creation will be “recapitulated” in Christ (cf. Eph 1:10; Col 1:16:20). No reference
is made to the sea, probably because in Jewish literature it symbolized the
abyss, the abode of demonic powers hostile to God.

Those who will inhabit this new world (symbolized by the Holy City, the new Je-
rusalem) are the entire assembly of the saved, the entire people of God (cf. vv.
12-14) — a holy people disposed to live in loving communion with God (as reflec-
ted by the image of the adorned bride: cf. vv. 2, 9). The promise of a new cove-
nant (Ezek 37:27) will be fulfilled to the letter: God will see to it that none of the
evil, suffering or pain found in this world will find its way into the new world.

This passage of the Book of Revelation strengthens the faith and hope of the
Church — not only St John’s own generation but all generations down the ages
for as long as the Church makes its way through this valley of tears. The Se-
cond Vatican Council says: “We know neither the moment of the consummation
of the earth and of man nor the way the universe will be transformed. The form of
this world, distorted by sin, is passing away and we are taught that God is prepa-
ring a new dwelling and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, whose happi-
ness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men.
Then with death conquered the children of God will be raised in Christ and what
was sown in weakness and dishonor will put on the imperishable: charity and its
works will remain, and all of creation, which God made for man, will be set free
from its bondage to decay” (”Gaudium Et Spes”, 39).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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From: Luke 21:29-33

Discourse on the Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World

---

[29] And He (Jesus) told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees;
[30] as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the
summer is already near. [31] So also, when you see these things taking place,
you know that the Kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly, I say to you, this genera-
tion will not pass away till all has taken place. [33] Heaven and earth will pass
away, but My words will not pass away.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

31. The Kingdom of God, announced by John the Baptist (cf. Matthew 3:2) and
described by our Lord in so many parables (cf. Matthew 13; Luke 13:18-20), is
already present among the Apostles (Luke 17:20-21), but it is not yet fully mani-
fest. Jesus here describes what it will be like when the Kingdom comes in all its
fullness, and He invites us to pray for this very event in the Our Father: “Thy King-
dom come.” “The Kingdom of God, which had its beginnings here on earth in the
Church of Christ, is not of this world, whose form is passing, and its authentic de-
velopment cannot be measured by the progress of civilization, of science and of
technology. The true growth of the Kingdom of God consists in an ever deepening
knowledge of the unfathomable riches of Christ, in an ever stronger hope in eter-
nal blessings, in an ever more fervent response to the love of God, and in an ever
more generous acceptance of grace and holiness by men” (”Creed of the People
of God”, 27). At the end of the world everything will be subjected to Christ and
God will reign for ever more (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28).

32. Everything referring to the destruction of Jerusalem was fulfilled some forty
years after our Lord’s death — which meant that Jesus’ contemporaries would be
able to verify the truth of this prophecy. But the destruction of Jerusalem is a
symbol of the end of the world; therefore, it can be said that the generation to
which our Lord refers did see the end of the world, in a symbolic way. This verse
can also be taken to refer to the generation of believers, that is, not just the par-
ticular generation of those Jesus was addressing (cf. note on Matthew 24:32-35).

[The note on Matthew 24:32-35 states:

32-35. Seeing in the destruction of Jerusalem a symbol of the end of the world,
St. John Chrysostom applies to it this parable of the fig tree: “Here He also fore-
tells a spiritual spring and a calm which, after the storm of the present life, the
righteous will experience; whereas for sinners there will be a winter after the
spring they have had [...]. But this was not the only reason why He put before
them the parable of the fig tree, to tell them of the interval before His coming; He
wanted to show them that His word would assuredly come true. As sure as the
coming of spring is the coming of the Son of Man” (”Hom. on St. Matthew”, 77).

“This generation”: this verse is a clear example of what we say in the note on
Matthew 24:1 about the destruction of Jerusalem being itself a symbol. “This ge-
neration” refers firstly to the people alive at the time of the destruction of Jerusa-
lem. But, since that event is symbolic of the end of the world, we can say with
St. John Chrysostom that “the Lord was speaking not only of the generation then
living, but also of the generation of the believers; for He knows that a generation
is distinguished not only by time but also by its mode of religious worship and
practice: this is what the Psalmist means when he says that ‘such is the gene-
ration of those who seek Him’ (Psalm 24:6)” (”Hom. on St. Matthew”, 77).]

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[Salvation]

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green.

---

First reading

Apocalypse 20:1-4,11-21:2 ©

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain. He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and shut the entrance and sealed it over him, to make sure he would not deceive the nations again until the thousand years had passed. At the end of that time he must be released, but only for a short while.

  Then I saw some thrones, and I saw those who are given the power to be judges take their seats on them. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God’s word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not have the brand-mark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.

  The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.

  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband.

---

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 83(84):3-6,8 ©

Here God lives among men.

My soul is longing and yearning,

  is yearning for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my soul ring out their joy

  to God, the living God.

Here God lives among men.

The sparrow herself finds a home

  and the swallow a nest for her brood;

she lays her young by your altars,

  Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

Here God lives among men.

They are happy, who dwell in your house,

  for ever singing your praise.

They are happy, whose strength is in you:

  they walk with ever-growing strength.

Here God lives among men.

---

Gospel Acclamation	Lk21:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Stand erect, hold your heads high,

because your liberation is near at hand.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Luke 21:29-33 ©

Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’

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It's time to kneel down and pray for our nation (Sacramental Marriage)

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Perpetual Novena for the Nation (Ecumenical)

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Prayers for The Religion Forum (Ecumenical)

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7 Powerful Ways to Pray for Christians Suffering in the Middle East

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Pray the Rosary!

Is This Bishop Right about the Rosary Conquering Boko Haram? [Catholic Caucus]
Why Boko Haram and ISIS Target Women
Report reveals scale of Boko Haram violence inflicted on Nigerian Catholics
Military evacuating girls, women rescued from Boko Haram
Echos of Lepanto Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Harm
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Nigerian Bishop Says Christ Showed Him How to Beat Islamic Terror Group

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Jesus, High Priest

 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem.  He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

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Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

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St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

[Salvation]

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

PLEASE JOIN US - Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

[Salvation]

(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." II Maccabees 12

 

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

To Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

1. Have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered up for them.

2. Pray the Rosary and or the Chaplet of Divine Marcy for them, or both.

3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.

4. Offer up little sacrifices and fasting.

5. Spread devotion to them, so that others may pray for them.

6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.

7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls

8. Visit to a Cemetery

 

Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; 

He shall not fear the evil hearing.

V. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed 

from every bond of sin, 

R. And by the help of Thy grace

may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment, 

and to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. 

Because in Thy mercy are deposited the souls that departed 

in an inferior degree of grace,

Lord, have mercy.

Because their present suffering is greatest 

in the knowledge of the pain that their separation from Thee is causing Thee,

Lord, have mercy. 

Because of their present inability to add to Thy accidental glory, 

Lord, have mercy.

Not for our consolation, O Lord; 

not for their release from purgative pain, O God; 

but for Thy joy 

and the greater accidental honour of Thy throne, O Christ the King,

Lord, have mercy.

For the souls of our departed friends, relations and benefactors, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those of our family who have fallen asleep in Thy bosom, O Jesus, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have gone to prepare our place,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

(For those who were our brothers [or sisters] in Religion,)

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For priests who were our spiritual directors,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For men or women who were our teachers in school,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our employers (or employees),

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who were our associates in daily toil,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For any soul whom we ever offended,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For our enemies now departed,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those souls who have none to pray for them,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those forgotten by their friends and kin,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those now suffering the most,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who have acquired the most merit,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For the souls next to be released from Purgatory,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those who, while on earth, 

were most devoted to God the Holy Ghost, 

to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, 

to the holy Mother of God,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased popes and prelates,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all deceased priests, seminarians and religious, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our brethren in the Faith everywhere, 

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For all our separated brethren who deeply loved Thee, 

and would have come into Thy household had they known the truth,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those souls who need, or in life asked, our prayers,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

For those, closer to Thee than we are, whose prayers we need,

grant light and peace, O Lord.  

That those may be happy with Thee forever, 

who on earth were true exemplars of the Catholic Faith, 

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.

That those may be admitted to Thine unveiled Presence, 

who as far as we know never committed mortal sin,     

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be housed in glory, 

who lived always in recollection and prayer,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be given the celestial joy of beholding Thee, 

who lived lives of mortification and self-denial and penance,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be flooded with Thy love, 

who denied themselves even Thy favours of indulgence 

and who made the heroic act 

for the souls who had gone before them,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

That those may be drawn up to the Beatific Vision, 

who never put obstacles in the way of sanctifying grace 

and who ever drew closer in mystical union with Thee,

grant them eternal rest, O Lord.  

V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, 

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. 

Let Us Pray 

Be mindful, O Lord, 

of Thy servants and handmaids, 

N. and N., 

who are gone before us 

with the sign of faith 

and repose in the sleep of grace.  

To these, O Lord, 

and to all who rest in Christ, 

grant, we beseech Thee, 

a place of refreshment, 

light and peace, 

through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen

Bringing back the dead… Catholic style
All Souls, Purgatory and the Bible

Letter #95: Remembering the Dead
Hungry Souls (a bit of a [Book] review) Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
What Is All Souls Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed)?
All Saints or All Souls? Differences should be black and white
All Souls' Day [Catholic Caucus]
Why I Am Catholic: For Purgatory, Thank Heavens (Ecumenical)
Q and A: Why Pray for the Dead? [Ecumenical]
“….and Death is Gain” – A Meditation on the Christian View of Death [Catholic Caucus]
99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day

November 2 -- All Souls Day
On November: All Souls and the "Permanent Things"
"From the Pastor" ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS
Praying for the Dead [All Souls Day] (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
To Trace All Souls Day [Ecumenical]
All Souls Day [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Roots of All Souls Day
The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
During Month of Souls, Recall Mystic, St. Gertrude the Great
All Saints and All Souls

[Salvation]

November 2016

Pope's Intentions

Universal: Countries Receiving Refugees -- That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity.

Evangelization: Collaboration of Priests and Laity -- That within parishes, priests and lay people may collaborate in service to the community without giving in to the temptation of discouragement.

[Salvation]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Friday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Clement of Rome, Pope from about 90 to 100
Letter to the Corinthians, 19-23 (trans. SC 167; Edgar Goodspeed, 1950)

"Know that the kingdom of God is close at hand"

Let us fix our eyes on the Father and Creator of the world and cling to his splendid and surpassing gifts of peace and his benefits. Let us see him with our mind and look with the eyes of the soul at his patient purpose. Let us consider how free from anger he is toward all his creation… For he ordered the universe to be in peace and harmony in his kindness to all things but especially to us who have taken refuge in his mercy…

Take care, dear friends, that his many benefits do not bring condemnation upon us, if we do not live worthily of him… Consider how near he is and that none of our thoughts or the reflections in which we indulge escapes him. It is right therefore that we should not be deserters from what he wills…. Far be it from us that scripture where it says: “How wretched are those who waver, who are of a doubting heart, and say: “We heard those things even in our forefather’s time, and here we have grown old and none of them has happened to us.” You senseless people! Compare yourselves to a tree; take a vine. First it sheds its leaves, then a shoot appears, then a leaf, then a flower, and afterward a sour grape, then a ripe grape.” You see in that in a short time the fruit of the tree comes to maturity. In truth, his will will be quickly and suddenly accomplished as the scripture also bears witness: “He will come quickly and not delay” (Is 13:22) and “The Lord will come suddenly to his Temple, and the Holy One for whom you seek.” (Mal 3:1).

[Salvation]

'A person's soul should be clean, like a mirror reflecting light. If there is rust on the mirror his face cannot be seen in it. In the same way, no one who has sin within him can see God.'

St. Theophilus of Antioch

[Salvation]

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).