The Ascent to Carmel

And so my trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel pushed through!

It was a Monday when my friend Ronald texted me, "Bro, tuloy pa ba tayo sa Carmel?" We've been planning that for weeks but it always get postponed for some reasons. So I immediately texted Fr.Rich,OCD for a schedule and gave an 8:30AM appointment. It's my first time to commute by bus there, an uncharted place for me. Good thing when I got home from church I heard my brother informing my mom he's going to Ortigas on Wednesday with his girlfriend to Cubao. GREAT!!! I'm joining them.

By the way, my mom didn't know I went there. She's against me being a contemplative. Until now I haven't told her I've been there.

When I arrived in Cubao I met with Ronald who knows the way in QC since he's working there, but it came upon me that it was also his first time to go to the Carmel Shrine. He confessed that he agreed to accompany me because he also wanted to go there as well, just to visit the place. We rode an LRT then he led the way. When we turned to a street I saw a large gate from afar with a signboard "Carmel of St. Therese of the Child Jesus" and a large picture of her. Oh! I got too excited! Sabi ko sa kanya, "See Ronald, St. Therese is really guiding my vocation! And she's here to greet me at the entrance." So we went inside with me shaking excitedly.

Praying in front of the statue of my personal patron
to whom I entrusted my vocation.

When we entered the gate there was this statue of St. Therese on a pedestal greeting. "See! See! She's here for me!" I told him how she greeted me in the entrance of the SPCS lobby when I took my entrance exam. So we went inside and found a porter-like man and I asked where is the office of the vocation director. He said there's no vocation director there but nun! Oh goodness we went in the wrong Carmelite convent! He told us to ride a tricycle just outside the compound and say 4th Street Carmel Parish. Then we just had a short visit in the chapel and.... wow! It's beautiful!

Praying nervously by the sanctuary of the chapel.
The image at the back of the tabernacle
is St. Therese of the Child Jesus
offering roses to the BVM and Jesus.
Roses came from heaven as depicted in the cloth
that drapes from the Cross.

So we walked outside and since the Carmel Parish was near, just on the other street, we just walked our way there. Seeing the vast compound and the huge church, it was breath-taking. Ronald asked me if i'm sure of what i'm doing but whether or not i'm sure, by the looks of the church, he said I'm in good hands (haha). We paid a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and proceeded to the Parish Office where Fr.Rich greeted me in front. He was already waiting for me.

We had an hour talk then afterwards he toured us in the columbary where we searched for a niche of an old friend. We prayed then had lunch. Fr. Rich joined us for lunch then he suggested me go to San Sebastian Parish where the first image of Our Lady of Carmel in the Philippines is housed. So we went there and prayed our mid-day office. Before returning home we passed by the monastery of the Carmel of St. Therese then proceeded on our way.

The San Sebastian Church of the Agustinian Recollects
is made of iron-works from Belgium.
The walls, posts, etc. everything is iron! Amazing.
This is the facade of the Church;
not wood, not cement, its iron right.

The first image of the Nuestra Senora del Carmen brought in the Philippines.

I got to know more about the Carmelite friars. Well I thought they are cloistered men but no! The brothers (who are monks) are but the priests (friars) are active in missions, parishes, BEC's, chaplaincies, etc. I saw that their charism is not only in prayer but also in a strong community. Fr.Rich said he will help me journey through Carmel even though I am journeying also in the diocese. For now he will help me discern for a Carmelite Spiritual Director to guide me.

Fr. Rich Escoto, OCD and myself strike a pose beside the image of Our Lady.

What strikes me most is how he told me that I am not in a win-lose situation. My choices for diocesan or Carmel is not a good-bad decision but both choices are better. They are of equal value. He said I should pray more and let God confuse me more. He stressed cheerfulness as a way to holiness and said that God is just playing with me with these choices because He loves me so much that He is giving me good choices, and better ones. He saw me as an outgoing person and very active so he suggested that I go with the diocesan priesthood but with a Carmelite spirituality (and later on join the Notre Dame de Vie).

It was a very good conversation, an enlightening one. It opened my eyes more that the Carmelite priesthood is not only contemplation but also an active one. It made me love Carmel more but for now it would be good to be in the diocese. After our talk he gave me a stampita each of St. Therese, St. Teresa, and St. John of the Cross. He also asked me to have a personal campaign for Carmel in the diocese.

Journey with Mary of the Rosary

October 31 marks the end of the month of the holy rosary. To culminate it, let me share these wonderful sacramentals that have been journeying with me in my spiritual life. Much of them were given of which I am very much appreciative of (f.y.i. If someone would give me a rosary either as a birthday, thank you, christmas, etc. gift, I am very much delighted. It is a sign of Mary's call to pray harder and I remember the giver in my prayers).

This one was a surprise gift to me by Niño Rickson Acero, my co-seminarian and one close to my heart. He made it especially and in time for my birthday. It bore in it the 4 major basilicas of Rome as it's major beads with the salve bead that of Jesus the Eternal and High Priest. I had this held by the Blessed Virgin in the shrine at the seminary on her birthday. I keep this near me whenever I am in bed at night. I keeps evil forces away.

Grateful for helping her on her thesis (on the Trinity), Sr.Ma.Joy of the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary had this personally made for me. She said thank you coupled with her prayers. It is a wooden benedictine rosary. I remember all the religious and pious men and women when I pray with this rosary.

When he entered the Benedictine Monastery, Kuya Debaron Tivi learned how to make a rosary. This is a benedictine rosary from cat's eye beads. This is another of my favorites especially when I pray for vocations and the priesthood. My special intentions go to the maker of this rosary as well as Fr. Jerry Gaela, then rector, who gave the piece of Jerusalem Cross that I attached on its salve bead.

This rosary was made by members of the SSpSA. It was a graduation gift from my godmother, Lina Ilag, in 2010. I remember the intentions of the Society who made this as well as my godmothers in prayer through this.

This is my very first rosary given to me by my godfather, Leopold Ilag. He gave it to me after his trip from the Holy Land. A piece of stone from the Jordan River accompanies it but I seemed to have lost it way way back (I dropped it among the gravel near Lola Nana's house and I couldn't find it anymore, sorry). This is my favorite as I still keep it in my pocket. Maybe this has been with me for almost 20 years already and one of my most sentimental mementos.

When I had my first retreat in the seminary, I forgot to bring my rosary (which was unusual). I left it in my other pants. This came from the Capuchin Retreat Ceneter in Lipa and I was able to use this as a rosary just 3 times. All the rest, I use it to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every Fridays.

This is a Christmas present from Fr.Nino then our Formation Director.

Get something from your room which has special meaning for you and give it to your batchmate- that was the instruction. This "summarized" rosary is especially themed with Our Lady of Guadalupe. The cross bears a magnifying glass where you can see the image of Our Lady. This was given by Jefferson Carmona, now our Liturgy chairman. Using this I remember his intentions, that of the batch, and for the defense of the culture of life.

This wooden rosary was a souvenir in the opening of our small religious store in the seminary. It was our formation batch that initiated in opening one to sustain a fund-raiser for the Institute.

This wooden rosary came from Rome. It is simple indeed and has an oak casing (the image of the Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart interchange). This I keep in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady MMediatrix of All Grace, in my room atop my bookshelf. I had this when I was mid-college already.

"Separating" Church and State

December 2, 1956 - President Ramon Magsaysay, with wife Luz, read the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

 

Recently I found an old picture of the Consecration of the Philippines to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in December 2, 1956. It was President Ramon Magsaysay who read the prayer. Beside him was his first lady, Ms. Luz Magsaysay. In a souvenir publication for the Second National Eucharistic Congress of the Philippines, it recounts how the president strongly and willingly pursued this endeavor "even if it meant his political graveyard... He received thousands of threatening letters and telegrams urging him not to read the act of consecration. The President, with clear and unhalting voice, read the formula of consecration."

Praying for the Carmelites

Carmelites have a special place in my heart. I grew in a parish where the patron is a discalced carmelite, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Since then I was devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Through the years, I learned more about them and their spirituality and I grew in love too with Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross.

As we has the Mass in honor of Saint Teresa de Avila yesterday, October 15, I prayed for my prayer partner, Sr. Bernina of the Holy Family, O.C.D., who in faith never abandoned me and constantly prays for my intentions. I also remembered my professor, Ms. Cleofe O. Ciar, M.A., who never failed to exhort me in prayer. This evening as I knelt in from of the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima in the cathedral, I asked the Blessed Mother to enlighten me more in my vocation. Carmel has been my first love and feel I am still called to ascent to the spiritual mountain.

May the Lord show me the true way. Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary with... who are they?

The Blessed Virgin Mary handling the rosary to Saint Dominic
and Saint Catherine of Siena.

Beginning the month of October, I had an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying the Child Jesus on her lap while handling the rosary to two saintly figures in kneeling posture enthroned in the chapel. The intention was catechetical, that is, in order for people to get curious (if they do not know) who are the two characters depicted and so have a glimpse of Church history.

Almost a week past and no one reacts. I thought maybe they already know. I tried to ask several people if they know who the two saints are and surprisingly, out of 10, only 2 know! Sadly disappointed for their lack of initiative to know who these figures are, let me share.

So, who are the two saintly figures?

The first is Saint Dominic de Guzman who established the mendicant Order of Preachers. It was said that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and gave him the rosary as a powerful prayer to attack the Albigensian heresy. True enough, the Dominicans won over such enemies of the Church.

The second is Saint Catherine of Siena. She was not a contemporary of Saint Dominic but came later. She is not a nun but a lay woman who entered the Dominican Tertiary. She was heavily instrumental for the return of the papacy in Rome which ended the great schism. Through her prayers and the rosary, unity was restored in the Church.

Have you talked to your Guardian Angel?

Let's not forget to greet our Guardian Angels today. A short prayer to them would do.
Let us thank them for continuously guiding us, protecting us from danger and from the snares of the evil, and for giving us light, leading us to God.

PRAYER TO ONE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL

ANGELE DEI,

qui custos es mei,

Me tibi commissum pietate superna;

(Hodie, Hac nocte) illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna.

Amen.

ANGEL OF GOD,

my guardian dear,

To whom his love commits me here;

Ever this (day, night) be at my side,

To light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.

CBCP NEWS: Leave the 'selfie' mindset, go back to God

A headline in the CBCP's website reads
Leave the 'selfie' mindset, go back to God
Here's a repost of the news:
___________________________________

MANILA, Sept. 23, 2013—An excess of ‘selfie’ photos may not just be a symptom of selfishness, but may show a need to go back to God, a prelate said. 

“We are selfish, this is what we need to do away with. [It's all about] I, me, myself [like] those who keep on taking selfie photos,” Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. said in a homily to some 2,000 people gathered to see the international pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal last Wednesday. 

This kind of mindset is reflected in the social media phenomenon of the ‘selfie’ photo, a self-taken picture made possible by front-facing cameras, according to Bishop Bacani. 

All taking, no giving 

“I joked some people, telling them, ‘You’re all about picture-taking, but never about picture-giving.’ This is the world today, it’s all about taking,” he said. 

In an intended pun, Bacani said this selfishness is evident even in the halls of political power, saying, “If by any chance, you don’t take pictures yourself, you take from the pork barrel instead.” 

According to Bacani, this shows an unnatural self-centeredness in the “smallest to the most powerful” in society — with 90 million selfie photos posted on Instagram alone, this does not seem hard to believe. 

Talking about a topic that seemed to strike a chord with many of the faithful, he said, this phenomenon also reveals a culture that needs God more than ever before. 

“What God wants to say is, ‘Leave your selfishness.’ This is what you need to leave and live in God instead because in God is true peace,” Bacani said during a 9 a.m. mass at the San Fernande De Dilao Parish, Paco in honor of the visit of the Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal image. 

Penance, a return to God 

He explained that this return to God or repentance is part of the message Our Lady gave to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. 

“The original meaning of penance is to return to God,” Bacani said, dispelling widely-held notions that penance is about extreme physical mortifications like self-inflicted pain. 

Together with prayer, penance forms a formula of sorts for lasting peace, he explained. 

The image of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal is on pilgrimage in the Philippines until December 18, 2013 and is currently in the Diocese of Pasig.

Nuestra Senora dela Merced

Today we celebrated the feast of Our Lady under the title of Nuestra Senora dela Merced (Lady of Mercy). She is also called Our Lady of Ransom. This devotion began in Spain of which She became the principal patroness of Barcelona and in some parts of Italy. It is believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary in white scapular appeared to St. Peter Nolasco and with St. Raymond Penafort., founded the Order of Mercedarians who cared primarily for the oppressed, the chained, and those in prison.

The celebration reminds us of how powerful the prayers of the Blessed Mother are. She care for her sons and daughters whom Jesus entrusted to her, "Woman, behold your son..." What else could Jesus give while hanging on the cross but her own mother, the very last person He had during that time. Yes, Jesus Christ did give His all to us, even to the point of giving up His own mother.

PRAYER

Mary, our Mother of Mercy,

the fullness of God’s own mercy dwells in you.

With the eyes of a mother, look upon your sons.

Intercede for everyone who suffers in body or soul

and for all who are enslaved in mind or spirit.

We give ourselves to you totally-ind, heart and senses.

Keep them and help us always to be a sign of God’s love.

Reveal to us what it means to be yours,

and teach us to live in that same generosity

with which you responded to the grace of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.

To be Willing is Enough

The image of the Little Flower that stands in
the Parish Church of St. Therese of the Child
Jesus, UP Los Banos.

                     "Our Lord has deigned to explain this mystery to me. He showed me the book of nature, and I understood that every flower created by Him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would lose its spring-tide beauty, and the fields would no longer be enameled with lovely hues. And so it is in the world of souls, Our Lord's living garden. He has been pleased to create great Saints who may be compared to the lily and the rose, but He has also created lesser ones, who must be content to be daisies or simple violets flowering at His Feet, and whose mission it is to gladden His Divine Eyes when He deigns to look down on them. And the more gladly they do His Will the greater is their perfection."

- St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul

When the young Therese wanted to go on missions, she was unable and was prevented because of her poor sickly health. She understood that she cannot do anything and everything she wanted even if those are forms of service for the Lord. In her account she wrote that God was pleased to see even the mere WILLINGNESS to serve. We may not be given the chance to do all we want even if we can but it is that fire in our hearts, the zeal to serve, and the willingness to honor and glorify God that give our desires the benefit. She accepted the fact humbly and turned to prayer for the missions as her contribution. In a letter to her brother missionaries she wrote: "Our Divine Lord asks no sacrifice beyond our strength. At times, it is true, He makes us taste to the full the bitterness of the chalice He puts to our lips. And when He demands the sacrifice of all that is dearest on earth, it is impossible without a very special grace not to cry out as He did during His Agony in the Garden: 'My Father, let this chalice pass from me!' But we must hasten to add: 'Yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' It is so consoling to think that Jesus, 'the Strong God,' has felt all our weaknesses and shuddered at the sight of the bitter chalice--that very chalice He had so ardently desired."

Panalangin Kay San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila at kasamahang Martir

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila (in white)
together with other martyrs in Japan.

PANALANGIN KAY SAN LORENZO RUIZ DE MANiLA AT MGA KASAMANG MARTIR
September 19-27

Si San Lorenzo Ruiz ang unang Pilipinong santo at martir. Siya ay isang laykong sakristan at katekista na pumunta sa bansang Hapon. Doon niya sinapit ang kamatayan dala ng pag-uusig sa pananampalataya. Sinasabi na kanyang mga pasakit ay nawika niya, "Sanlibo man aking buhay, bawat isa pa rin ay aking iaalay sa Diyos."


Amang Mapagmahal, ang Iyong Anak na si Hesukristo ay naghandog ng kanyang buhay para sa kaligtasan ng tanan. Kasihan kami ng iyong pag-ibig upang maihandog ang aming buhay para sa iyo at sa aming kapwa tao. Inakay rin ng mapagpala Mong kamay ang iyong mga lingkod na sina San Lorenzo Ruiz at mga kasama sa lupain ng Hapon upang tularan ang sakripisyo ni Kristo at ipamansag ang Mabuting Balita ng Kaligtasan.

Isinasamo namin na sa pamamagitan ng panalangin ng mga banal na martir na kami'y maging matatag sa pananampalataya tulad nila at maging kasangkapan ng pagpapahayag ng mabuting balita sa aming bayan at sa mga bansang nasa paligid namin. Dinggin Mo ang aming kahilingan at ang tanging biyayang aming hinihingi:
(Banggitin ang mga kahilingan)
Kaisa ni San Lorenzo Ruiz at mga kasama, hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo na aming Panginoon. Amen.

Tragedy on the Shores of the Philippines

In a telegram - signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone - Pope Francis expressed his condolences to Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu for the ferry accident which took place on Friday, 16 August. The tragedy occurred when a ferry collided with a cargo ship near the city of Cebu, the Philippines. In less than half an hour the ferry with 841 people aboard sunk, drowning at least 50 people. The following is the text of the telegram.


His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from the ferry boat accident off the central port of Cebu. He assures all affected of his closeness in prayer and commends the victims to the loving mercy of Almighty God. The Holy Father invokes divine strength and comfort upon the grieving families, the injured and those involved in the rescue efforts.


***
Taken from L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO, 21 August 2013 (46 No. 34) p.2

To Your Patronage, O Holy Mother

Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary
erected in honor of her nativity at the
St. Peter's College Seminary chapel.

Holy Mother of God;

despise not our petitions in our needs,

but from all dangers deliver us always,

Virgin Glorious and Blessed!

In the Latin liturgical calendar of the Church, three significant births are celebrated with a solemn festivity: 1) the birth of John the Baptist, 2) the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and 3) that of Our Lord Jesus Christ known much as Christmas. These nativities are symbols of Christian journey - one who prepared the way of the coming Word, one who in her fiat (the obedient "Yes" to God's will) humbly carried the Word, an the One who is Incarnate, the Word Himself.

September 8 marks the annual commemoration of the Blessed Virgin's birth. Each year this day is a special one for me as I celebrate my birthday with her as well. This is one of my devotions to Mary that I celebrate it in a prayerful and recollective atmosphere. I see our day as a blessing and an affirmation that Mary's guidance has been with me all throughout my years guiding me and leading the way.

Although her birthday falls on a Sunday this year, it is imperative that the Sunday liturgy takes precedence over the celebration of her nativity. Nevertheless, we had an altar fixed in her honor. On the night of Septemeber 7, we had a harana for her. Seminarians sang their own compositions of Marian songs to give praise to her as the glory of God and model of faith, hope, and love.

This afternoon, a good friend of mine, Sem. Nino Acero from Siniloan, Laguna, handed me a rosary which he personally made (and on the same day!). He told me it was a present for my birthday. Just a trivia, almost every year I receive a white rosary on my birthday and I still have my very first rosary with me in my pocket that I use daily. It was given to me by my godfather when I was in preschool. Going back, upon receiving the my new rosary, I hastily went down to the chapel and placed it on Our Lady's hands together with a stargazer lily that I offer during these time of the year. The flower reminds me of the Blessed Virgin who is the lily of purity, the ornament and glory of Christinity, the flower of heaven which looks upward (the stargazer lily is called the "new cross" because it always looks up to heaven).

The image of the Virgin Mary holding the rosary given to me
by Sem. Nino Acero.

Why do I have such a love and devotion to Mary? For one, I feel close to her ever since I knew we shared the same birth day. Second, because she is for me a model of discipleship.

Knowing Jesus is one thing, but following Him is another. Mary shows me the way to both knowing and following her Son. She does not only lead me to Him but tells me to "do whatever He tells you." Mary inspires me in service. Even though I find myself astray and lost because of my wrong doings, I still find my way back home in the Church because of her. It is from her example that I drove one of my philosophies in life that true greatness comes from a humbles submission to learn from the Master's feet. Mary listened to Jesus and kept and pondered His words in her heart. Mary chose to give up her personal freedom in order to be the Mother of our Lord and from where she found her true liberation. Mary is our guide towards her loving Son. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus but also Our Mother.

Happy birthday dear Mother!

Pope Francis calls for a day of prayer and fasting

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS CALLING FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR SYRIA

Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.

I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.

With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that countrywithout further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.

May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.

What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).

All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!

I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.

May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and be let themselves be led by the desire for peace.

To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.

On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.

Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Franciscus

Message before the Angelus

September 1, 2013