I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations.
I said I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally,
I’ll be there. – Blessed Mother Teresa

Polish priest Slawomir Oder of the the Diocese of Rome, is in charge of the beatification cause of Pope John Paul II, and has issued the following official prayer for Pope John Paul II’s intercession in imploring favors.  The prayer was issued in several languages.

‘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.’

Facing God

A Peacemaker is someone who:

• cares about and accepts himself
• cares about and accepts others
• is patient
• helps and affirms others
• is creative and tries to come up with solutions even when there don’t seem to be any
• can change his mind (is flexible)
• has a vision
• has many different feelings including anger, but tries his best to work out conflicts peacefully
• is committed enough to try to work things out even when discouraged;
• is forgiving

COMMITMENT TO A PEACEFUL AND UNITED WORLD 0n 26 June, in accepting the Letters of Credence of Firmin Mboutsou, the new ambassador of Gabon to the Holy See, Pope Benedict spoke about peace. ‘The Church contributes and wishes to contribute ever more to educating men, women and children, without distinction, respecting people and their cultures, and transmitting to each the spiritual and moral values indispensable for human development. In the same way, over her long history, she participates in healthcare education’. The Holy Father also invited the ‘authorities and men and women of good will, especially on the beloved continent of Africa, to commit themselves ever more intensely to building a peaceful, fraternal and united world’. He pointed out, ‘Without justice, without fighting all forms of corruption, without respecting the rules of law, true peace is impossible and citizens will clearly find it difficult to put faith in their leaders. Indeed, without respect for the freedom of each individual, it is not possible to speak of peace’. In this context, the Pope indicated that the Church is ready to provide collaboration and support for ‘all those people whose primary concern is to build a society respectful of the most elemental rights of human beings’. (Source: VIS – Vatican Information Service).

Video-message of Benedict XVI to Youth at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress
Quebec City, Canada, 21 June 2008

Do not forget that the Sunday Eucharist is a loving encounter with the Lord that we cannot do without. When you recognize him ‘at the breaking of bread’, like the disciples at Emmaus, you will become his companions. He will help you to grow and to give the best of yourselves. Remember that in the bread of the Eucharist, Christ is really, totally and substantially present. It is therefore in the mystery of the Eucharist, at Mass and during silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, that you will meet him in a privileged way. By opening your very being and your whole life under the gaze of Christ, you will not be crushed – quite the contrary: you will discover that you are infinitely loved. You will receive the power that you need in order to build your lives and to make the choices that present themselves to you every day. Before the Lord, in the silence of your hearts, some of you may feel called to follow him in a more radical way in the priesthood or the consecrated life. Do not be afraid to listen to this call and to respond with joy. As I said at the inauguration of my pontificate, God takes nothing away from those who give themselves to him. On the contrary, he gives them everything. He comes to draw out the best that is in each one of us, so that our lives can truly flourish.

(Source: Agenzia Fides www.fides.org)