Pope asks Mary to protect families from falling apart

On Sunday afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of the Oak as part of his pastoral visit to area surrounding Viterbo. While at the shrine the Pope prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and read out a prayer calling upon the Virgin Mary to protect families that are at risk of being divided .
Addressing the religious the Holy Father said: "To you I entrust my intentions, the intentions of the pastor of this diocese and the needs of everyone who lives in this land. In this Year for Priests I especially entrust you with clergy, seminarians and vocations. ... Offer the Lord the sacrifice of your lives for their sanctification and for the good of souls.”

Returning to his request for his prayer in his role as a successor to St. Peter, Benedict XVI asked Mary to extend her “maternal protection" to him and “the Church entrusted to his care.” “Queen of peace,” he prayed, “obtain the gift of harmony and peace for peoples and for all humankind.”

The Holy Father also prayed that the Blessed Virgin would "keep our families united, which today suffer threats from all sides, and make them centers of serenity and harmony where patient dialogue dissipates difficulties and contrasts. Watch especially over those that are divided or in crisis."

Those who seek to spread the Gospel to the world were also on the Pope's mind as he prayed, "make the will of those whom the Lord of the harvest calls to be workers in His vineyard firm and decided, so that, resisting all the temptations and pitfalls of the world, they may persevere generously in following the path they have taken and, with your maternal help, be witnesses of Christ, attracted by the brilliance of His Love.”

Finally, Pope Benedict implored Mary to: "Console those who weep, who suffer for human injustice; support those who waver under the burden of fatigue and look to the future without hope; encourage those who work to build a better world in which justice many triumph and fraternity reign, in which egoism, hatred and violence may end. May every form and expression of violence be overcome by the pacifying power of Christ.”

Benedict XVI: The source of joy is the goodness of God

The source of joy is the goodness of God.
Benedict XVI recalled this at the end of the General Audience catechesis on Wednesday, September 2nd, which was held in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall before approximately 8 thousand people .

Pope praying for spread of Gospel and Christian courage in September

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Sep 1, 2009 <>(CNA).-

As Pope Benedict winds down his time at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, he is also praying for the spread of the Gospel and that Christians in Asia are not deterred from witnessing to Christ.

For the month of September, Pope Benedict XVI's general intention is: "That the word of God may be better known, welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy."
His mission intention is: "That Christians in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, who often meet with great difficulties, may not be discouraged from announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit "

Habemus Papam!

Pope praying for spread of Gospel and Christian courage in September

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Sep 1, 2009 / 09:54 am (CNA).- As Pope Benedict winds down his time at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, he is also praying for the spread of the Gospel and that Christians in Asia are not deterred from witnessing to Christ.

For the month of September, Pope Benedict XVI's general intention is: "That the word of God may be better known, welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy."

His mission intention is: "That Christians in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, who often meet with great difficulties, may not be discouraged from announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit."


Pope praying for spread of Gospel and Christian courage in September

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The Year of The Priests 2009-2010

ANGELUS 2009-08-02

Happy Birthday dearest Holy Father , Pope Benedict XVI

Today, April 16th, marks the 82nd birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Let us pray for Benedict, our Pope.
May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]
Our Father, Hail Mary.

God our Father,
Shepherd and Guide,
look with love on Pope Benedict XVI Your servant,
the pastor of Your Church.
May his word and example inspire and guide the Church,
and may he, and all those entrusted to his care,
come to the joy of everlasting life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever.Amen

Remembering the Pope of all souls John Paul II

Four years ago today, on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II died after 26 and a half years as Pope — one of the longest and most event-filled pontificates in the history of the Church.
He showed that one could lead by faith instead of force, justice instead of injustice, humanity instead of inhumanity.
He had an unshakeable conviction that the message of his Founder was a wiser way to govern the world. As he said:
"When good overcomes evil, love prevails and where love prevails, there peace prevails."
His great message enobles the human spirit, challenging all to the greatness to which they are called .
He is gone - but his message is not. It never will. The people of this world will not let that flame die, for it is the flame of life itself. As he said:
"Peace is the outcome of a long and demanding battle which is only won when evil is defeated by good."
As he lay on his death bed, his final words to the world was:
"I am happy . . you should be."
Now I'm happy that Holy See hopes to raise John Paul II to the altars “as soon as possible” . In an interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, said that like many people in the world, the Holy See hopes the beatification of John Paul II will occur “as soon as possible” but that the normal process would be followed.
During the solemn Mass celebrated for the 4th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged young people to follow the example of his predecessor, who did not accept any compromise when the Truth was at stake.
Thank you Holy Father Benedict for remembering Pope John Paul II .

Let us faithfuly pray :
O Blessed Trinity
We thank You for having graced the Church
with Pope John Paul II
and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,
the glory of the cross of Christ,
and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
and has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life
and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,
the graces we implore,
hoping that he will soon be numbered
among your saints.
Amen.