Cistercian monks in Algeria

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Anne Marie  . . .
To: Donald   . . .
Sent: Fri, 1 July, 2011 22:35:39
Subject: Fwd: CultureWatch Update: 1 July 2011

I thought you would like the article on Of Gods and men.
There are more links in the article.

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

CultureWatch Update - 1 July 2011 To: anne marie milwain (Damaris Username: amilwain) This email is only sent to Damaris members who have opted to receive CultureWatch Update. Login to manage the emails you receive from us. Has this email been forwarded to you? Access all the latest CultureWatch resources by joining the Damaris internet community for free. It entitles you to future special offers on some of our other resources. In CultureWatch Update this week: 127 Hours Of Gods and Men John Galliano Culturewatch Podcasts For other recent additions to CultureWatch, see the What's New page, or see what's new onother Damaris websites. Welcome to this week's Culturewatch update, where we have three new articles for you. The first, written by Richard Blakely before he finished his internship, looks at the Oscar-nominated thriller 127 Hours. Visceral, inventive, and with a gruesome climax that's not easy to sit through, the film explores the human will to survive. What is it that really makes life worth living? New culturewatch intern Hannah Bottom has written about Of Gods and Men, a critically-acclaimed independent film which focuses on a group of Cistercian monks in Algeria. When violence rocks the country, they face a decision: will they stay or leave? Hannah's article looks into questions of community and sacrifice. Finally, we have something a bit different - an article by Stuart Goddard on disgraced fashion designer John Galliano, who was suspended from Dior in February for alleged xenophobic outbursts. In our usual podcasts, you can hear me and Tony talking about the latest DVD and cinema releases, from tearjerking dramaNever Let Me Go to noisy sci-fi sequel Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Don't forget that The First Grader is still in cinemas, and Damaris' free resources are still available to help you think through the issues it raises.  Sophie Lister

Of Gods and Men - An article by Hannah Bottom on the drama about Cisterian monks in Algeria.

Death and freedom

Author: Hannah Bottom 

Keywords: Life, death, martyrdom, sacrifice, community, religion, brotherhood

Film title: Des Hommes et des Dieux (Of Gods And Men)

Director: Xavier Beauvois

Screenplay: Etienne Comar, Xavier Beauvois

Starring: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rabourdin, Phillippe Laudenbach

Distributor: Artificial Eye (UK); Sony Pictures Classics (USA)

Cinema Release Date: 3 December 2010 (UK); 25 February 2011 (USA)

Certificate: R (USA); 15 (UK) Contains infrequent strong violence

Buy Of Gods and Men from Amazon.co.uk or from Amazon.com

Note: This article contains plot spoilers.

Xavier Beauvois’s film Of Gods and Men is, perhaps, embodied by one moment. Having adjusted the handle of the gun on his shoulder, the leader of a group of Islamic extremists thrusts his hand out in front of the prior of a Cistercian monastery. It hangs, solidly, under the electric light. Christian, the prior, looks from the hand to the man’s face, returning his gaze to the hand. And takes it. It is just a handshake, yet that moment of contact between these two worlds demonstrates something of the very core of this captivating film.

• Set in a beautifully hazy landscape in North Africa, the film weaves its way around the humble lives of Cistercian monks as they enact their daily routine of prayer, meditation, singing and working. Led by Christian (Lambert Wilson), they plough the land, wash-up, make and sell honey. And whilst their religion may distinguish them from the locals, they are, in fact, an integral part of the community. Luc (Michael Lonsdale), the doctor, offers medical treatment, relationship advice and clothing; all the monks are invited to a local boy’s circumcision party, and several attend. It is a quiet, simple existence. The film stunningly amplifies this by silence: the only sound is often the gentle hum of people around the monks, or the bristling and brushing of objects as they work. Encircling them, however, is political turmoil. Loosely based on events in Algeria during the 1990s, radical Islamist groups are fighting to prise power from the government in an increasingly bloody war.[1] When they order all foreigners to leave the country, they make their threat frighteningly clear by killing a group of Catholic Croatian workers. The Cistercian Monks are faced with a decision: to remain or leave. It is the question on which the film hangs, a silent threat that presses in as it overshadows and begins to stifle the monks’ lives. However, whilst this provides the essential crux of the plot, in Of Gods and Men this simple question of physical movement is translated into an eloquent questioning of faith, humanity and community.     

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Memorial

Flower? 2 July 2011
I need to ask Mark to name the flower.  

Dear William,

Thank you.

A week of diversion.

This morning we ferried three of our sisters to airport and bus station after their week of sojourn with Nivard and myself at Nunraw. 

Fr. Nivard will have the Mass tomorrow.

This Vigil Lesson is from Bl. Elizabeth of Trinity.
Fr. Hugh is carrying the 'flu half the community suffers, but Hugh is bravely persevering his pilgrimage to the Medjgorgi (?) Retreart at Dalmalay (Oban). He looks after to Night Office Lessons.
This one from DGO
God bless.
Donald

Saturday, 02 July 2011

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Memorial

Commentary of the day : 

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906), Carmelite
Last retreat, 15th day (©Institute of Carmelite Studies) 

« Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart» (Lk 2,19)

       "The Virgin kept all these things in her heart." Her whole history can be summed up in these few words! It was within her heart that she lived, and at such a depth that no human eye can follow her. When I read in the Gospel "that Mary set out in haste to the hill country of Judea" (Lk 1,39) to perform her loving service for her cousin Elizabeth, I imagine her passing by so beautiful, so calm and so majestic, so absorbed in recollection of the Word of God within her. Like Him, her prayer was always this: «...Here I am" Who? ''The handmaid of the Lord," (Lk 1,38) the lowliest of His creatures: she, His Mother! Her humility was so real for she was always forgetful, unaware, freed from self. And she could sing: "The Mighty One has done great things for me, from now on all peoples will call me blessed" (Lk 1,49.48).

This Queen of virgins is also Queen of martyrs; but again it was in her heart that the sword pierced, for with her everything took place withinl ... Oh! How beautiful she is to contemplate during her long martyrdom, so serene, enveloped in a kind of majesty that radiates both strength and gentleness! She learned from the Word Himself how those must suffer whom the Father has chosen as victims, those whom He has decided to associate with Himself in the great work of redemption, those whom He "has foreknown and predestined to be conformed to His Christ," (Rom 8,29) crucified by love. She is there at the foot of the Cross, standing, full of strength and courage.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: WILLIAM   . . .
To: Donald   . . .
Sent: Fri, 1 July, 2011 11:08:53
Subject: Sacred Heart

Dear Father Donald,

Just to share with you a photo of a little framed painted-print that I treasure.

From sheltering in the wounds of Christ during Pascal time, it is a joy following the Easter celebrations to rest in His Heart.

With my love in Our Lord,

William 

July Menology

09 July 2011

OCSO

Menology

for the

Month

of

July

Nunraw July Memorials

Br. Joseph Woods - Born 30 March 1915, Entered 3 March 1943, Professed 9 September 1948, Died 11th July 1986

Dom Columban Mulcahy - born 1901, entered 1924, priest 1929, abbot 1948, died 15 July 1971.

Br. Oliver McIvor – born 11 July 1899, died at Nunraw 22 July 1975

Dom Malachy Brasil - born 2 February 1883, entered 15 August 1905, professed 28 December 1910, ordained 23 June 1911, Abbot Mount Saint Bernard 1933 –1959, died, Nunraw, 28 July 1965.

JULY 1

Elizabeth De Wans + 1250

During the first year of her marriage, arranged by her parents, she lived in celibacy with the consent of her husband. After this they separated and Elizabeth entered the monastery of St Desiderius in Champagne where she later became abbess. Resigning after three years, she transferred to Aywieres where she lived as a simple nun; her intimacy with the crucified Christ becoming the preoccupation of her life.

JULY 2

Diego Velasquez

A monk of Fitero in Spain, he was instrumental in founding the Order of Calatrava which was formally incorporated into the Cistercian Order in 1187. After many victories and then the loss of the Calatrava stronghold to the Moors in 1195, Diego retired to the monastery of San Pedro where he became abbot. He died a few years later at the beginning of the 13th century

Lekai, p. 56; NCE, Vol. 2, p. 1056

Macarius + 1403

Lay-brother of Valbuena, Spain, he served as porter with great patience and cheerfulness.

Bernadine Dufour + 1859

            A diocesan priest in France, he desired solitude and more time for prayer. At forty-four he entered Port du Salut and ten years later was elected abbot. Awareness of God's will dominated his spiritual life and from this flowed his great charity and peace. He was especially devoted to Our Lady and died on this day while his community was celebrating the feast of the Visitation.

Edmund Mikkers 1911-1993

Born in the Netherlands, he studied at the minor seminary, and entered Achel in 1929. He was ordained priest in 1937; from 1936-1939 he studied in Rome. Returning to his monastery, he             continued to sttudy the Cistercian heritage and to pass it on to his confreres. He and Fr. Roger de Ganck founded the quarterly Citeaux in 1949, and Fr. Mikkers was editor in chief from 1963-

1985. He was also librarian of his monastery. He encouraged monastic formation, lectio and studies by means of study weeks in the Dutch region, publications, and the conferences he gave in Europe and the United States. A special chapter of his life began in 1970 with the foundation of Klaarland. He was its chaplain from the beginning and helped the community with its Cistercian development.

Throughout his 63 years in the Order he combined immense erudition with simplicity, humility and a deep commitment to the monastic life.

JULY 3

Mennas Effleur +1764

Abbot of Orval in Belgium, he encouraged the study of theology among his monks. He was known and loved for his great kindness and gentleness.

JULY 4

Richard Patard + 1895

From Paris, he entered the monastery of Sept-Fons where he made profession as a lay-brother and eventually became assistant cellarer. For forty years he gave himself in service to his community, putting the concerns of his confreres before his own. He died faithful to his vocation to the end.

James Calmettes + 1895

Lay-brother of Bonnecombe. He entered the monastery at the age of forty, suffered a grave fall during his novitiate, and made profession on his death bed.

JULY 5

Everard

Lay-brother of Villers. He set a guard over his tongue and was zealous for silence.

Martha  13th century

Nun of La Cambre, Brussels, she was the faithful servant of Bl Aleydis (June 12).

Mother Anna Maria + 1746

Nun of Valladolid in Spain, she had an intense love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and helped to spread this devotion throughout her country.

JULY 6

Albert + 1239

Lay-brother of the monastery of St Andrew in Liguria, Italy, he worked many years in the kitchen, generously giving to the poor whenever possible. Feeling himself called to a deeper solitude, he obtained his abbot's permission to live as a hermit in the neighboring woods where he spent the last thirty years of his life.

MBS, p. 200

Bl Elias Desgardin 1750-1794

He entered Sept-Fons as a lay brother in 1777. Being skilled in medicine, he served the community as infirmarian. When the monastery was suppressed in 1791, he went with the prior and 20 of the monks to live in Dijon. He was arrested and sentence to deportation. Detained on ship board, he became a dedicated infirmarian to the sick prisoners, until he himself succumbed to illness. He was beatified along with other French religious in 1995.

Two other monks of Sept-Fons, Fr. Macarius and Br. Rene were arrested, condemned and imprisoned with Br. Elias, and died later that summer.

JULY 7

A lay-brother of Clairvaux, whose name is unknown, when dying surprised his abbot, St Bernard, by his calm assurance that he was going to heaven. He said he had always tried to live out St Bernard's counsel that it is only through obedience that we win the kingdom of heaven, and now he had full confidence in the mercy of Christ. St Bernard was delighted with this reply.

JULY 8

Bl Eugene III + 1153

Bernard Paganelli was born of poor parents in Pisa, Italy. He came under St Bernard's influence in 1134 and followed him to Clairvaux. In 1140 Bernard sent him as founding superior of Tre Fontane in Rome. While filling this office, to his surprise and dismay, at the death of Pope Lucius III, the cardinals elected him Pope. His reign of eight years was filled with political and ecclesiastical crises, among them his frequent exiles from Rome, the foment caused by Arnold of Brescia and the failure of the Second Crusade. He held synods and the important Council of Rheims. Profiting from St Bernard's advice, (De Consideratione, CF 37), he remained faithful to his monastic vocation amidst all the viscissitudes of his reign. In 1147 he attended the General Chapter at Citeaux, remarkable for his humility and simplicity. He died six weeks before St Bernard.   

Lekai, p 28; MBS, p. 195; NCE, vol. 5, p. 625

Sebastian Devaulx + 1751

Monk of La Trappe.

JULY 9

St Theobald

The eldest son of Burkhard de Montmorency, he was born in Marley near Paris in 1200. As a young man he went to the court of Philip II, was knighted and became renowned at tournaments. When twenty-five years old, under the influence of Our Lady, he turned his back on the world and entered Vaux-de-Cernay, west of Paris. He was docile to the guidance of his superiors, was made prior and, in 1235, elected abbot. In this office he was determined to grow in humility, serving his brothers. When he had to leave the monastery on business, he longed to return to his community and solitude. He was instrumental in averting the separation of Louis IX and Queen Margaret who both attributed to his prayers their ability to have children.

MBS, p. 193; NCE, vol. 14, p. 12

JULY 10

Ephrem Ferrer + 1839

Fervent in prayer during his childhood, as a teenager he abandoned his Catholic religion while attending school in Toulouse. However, God's grace pursued him and, after many struggles, his conversion was effected and he entered the monastery of Aiguebelle where he gave himself to his monastic life with enthusiasm and joy.

Candidus Villemer + 1905

After his military service, he became a lay-brother at Bricquebec, having been instructed to do so, as he believed, by St Joseph. He possessed great purity of heart and innocence of soul, combining a deep spirit of prayer with a boyish gaiety.

JULY 11

The Solemnity of our Father, St Benedict, lawgiver of our Order.

Bertrand + 1149

Abbot of Grandselve, a few years before his death he was overjoyed when St Bernard agreed to affiliate his community to Clairvaux. He led his monks into the ways of simplicity and purity of heart with gentleness and love.

Angela Frances Losada y Guiroga + 1711

Nun of St Anne's Convent, Valladolid, Spain.

Br. Joseph Woods, Nunraw, - Born 30 March 1915, Entered 3 March 1943, Professed 9 September 1948, Died 11th July 1986

JULY 12

Gabriel

Called by Our Lady to enter the Cistercian Order, he became a novice at the monastery of Nogales in Spain. However, he became ill and died before the end of his year of probation.

JULY 13

Giles de Roye + 1478

After entering Citeaux, he was sent to the College of St Bernard in Paris from where he was chosen as abbot of Royaumont. After six years he resigned and retired to the abbey of the Dunes where he shared his great learning with his fellow monks. The latter came to love him for his humility and patience.

Simon Dupont  1872 -1898

Lay-brother of Our Lady of the Lake, Canada. He had a special love for the common life. Suffering from poor health, he pronounced his solemn vows in the infirmary and died at the age of twenty-six.

JULY 14

Roland + 1200

Fourth abbot of Chezery in Savoy.

Juana Maria de Rojas y Contreras + 1757

Nun of San Quirce, Valladolid, Spain. Throughout her long life she endured many sufferings. She had a special grace for assisting the dying.

JULY 15

Bl Teresa + 1260

In Aragon died the former queen, Teresa Gil de Vidaure. Separated from King James after what she believed to be a lawful marriage, Teresa turned her back on the pomp of the world. She obtained from the king a former Moorish palace at Valencia which she converted into a monastery and at her request twelve Cistercian nuns came from Valbona. She became one of the community and inspired all by her deep humility.  At her death she was acclaimed a saint not only by her sisters but by the people of her realm.

Dom Columban Mulcahy, Nunraw, - born 1901, entered 1924, priest 1929, abbot 1948, died 15 July 1971.

   

COMMENTS - Barnsley Blessed Sacrament

Blessed Sacrament precinct of Barnsley
Lift the City - a Catholic Eucharistic flash mob
CapuchinFranciscan 1 video Subscribe
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Uploaded by CapuchinFranciscan on Jun 22, 2011
A Eucharistic flash mob in the centre of Preston, organised by the Capuchin Franciscans on Ascension Thursday 2011.

A small team of Catholic evangelists mingled with the crowd to hand out cards and explain what was going on. Here are some of the reactions....

"What is this about? What is happening? What is this about?"

One young girl said: "I've not seen anything like this since Church."

"Are they doing this all day? ... Will they be doing it again? ... Are they doing this any where else?"

Two young women asked: "Why does God allow hurt and pain in the world?" They agreed it was not God's fault but ours. Then they asked: "Why doesn't Jesus come again?" We explained that He is here in the form of bread, but would come again and we invited them to think about Him now.

"Is it religious? What is inside that thing?"

A man said: "What is that guy doing?" An old woman with him replied: "That's Jesus. Show respect."

"This is so moving! It is the first time I have seen it done outside. I can't wait to tell my parish priest!"


Thanks to Sean Zaniboni, Gerardo Gonzalez and the team for filming and producing the video.

To find out more, visit http://acertainhope.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-of-eucharistic-flash-mob.html
• 470 likes, 13 dislikes
• As Seen On:Fr. Z's Blog - What D...
Show more
Uploader Comments (CapuchinFranciscan)
• I've now added the link to my blog in the description above.
CapuchinFranciscan 8 hours ago
Top Comments
• I was part of this amazing experience and I can tell you all that Jesus was truly present in the Blessed Sacrament but also in each and every one of us - we felt His love, Joy and Peace - Thanks be to God! May feel Jesus touch your soul as he touched all of ours on that wonderful day.
A proud Catholic Prestonian.
teresaann2 20 hours ago 10
• @TehBuhmDiggeee - foul and abusive language will only serve to reinforce our beliefs because they show that the peace we have in our hearts which has transformed our lives is more real than the so-called 'things' that modern secular society puts its trust in. The Word of God will never be obsolete.
'The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
WSMVN 1 day ago 8
see all
All Comments (255)

• There is something so serene and inspiring about the speaker's voice when he says "come kneel before him now."
KnightOwl2006 52 minutes ago
• @tjttzcspplt The problem, is lack of faith and lack of belief in the source, center, and summit of our faith. Lack of belief is caused by carlessness. Carelessness in small things = carelessness in large things. In case you hadn't noticed the Church is in full on apostasy due to the sloppy irreverence since Vatican 2.. Just today the Vatican announced a diocese realignment in the US. What do I do? I drive 100 miles every week to give my time, talent and treasure to a priest who is faithful.
SanMichel22 1 hour ago
• Were the kneelers part of an ochrastrated flash mob? I ask this because I've always thought that a flash mob was a preplanned event. Or were the kneelers simply ordinary shoppers and such that did not know this event was about to take place?
66tuber 2 hours ago
• Well done.
God bless.
KnightOwl2006 2 hours ago
• This brought streams of tears to my eyes +
weirdschool 3 hours ago
• This is awesome! Two words for you,
GOD RULES!
StrawberyFreakTARDIS 3 hours ago
• @TehBuhmDiggeee I am sorry for you. I truly will pray for your soul to be softened and for the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. You are upset that someone would discount your post and you because of your choice of words. I can understand how that must have made you feel. and it is sad that you have to have so much saddness and darkness in your heart/life that you feel you have to use that kind of language in a post. I won't discount you at all fr what you have said. May he give you peace
gotmg1 3 hours ago
• It is not HE that is devisive anywhere. It is the use of His holy name to either uplift or tear down others that is devisive. HE can never be devisive as that is sinful He is like us in all things but sin!! He has never and will never sin. So look to those who use our Lord as a sword to tear others down or cause devisivness.
God bless
gotmg1 4 hours ago
• @abctijo I'm actually surprised as many knew to kneel, and knelt, as did. Not a lot of Catholics in this population.
jhssuthrnmama 6 hours ago
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Blessed Sacrament - in centre of city precinct of Barnsley

Thanks to ICN (Independent Catholic News)

Eucharistic flashmob in Barnsley

Posted: Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:32 pm

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The following film on Youtube takes a few seconds to get going,  but then it becomes increasingly inspiring.  The Capuchin Friars now run the University Chaplaincy in Preston. Many thanks to Sr Janet for sending us this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ5aYoSr3Hg&feature=youtu.be

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Corpus Christi Jn 6:51-58

Sunday, 26 June 2011

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) - Solemnity

Nunraw Retreat House - Families Group

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:51-58.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."  

=======================================================

Chapter Community Sermon by Fr. Hugh

CORPUS CHRISTI

There is always a certain newness about the Christian Mystery. God's love is always new, bright and refreshing; something which gives a certain buoyancy to life which can at times be a little drab and monotonous.lt is perceived by faith, man's new organ of sight. The Holy Eucharist is like that; it exceeds all human comprehension because God's ways can be known truly but never adequately. One of the dominant features of the Eucharist is its giveness. 'This is my body which is given for you'. 'This is my blood which is shed for you' Christ gives himself completely in love to the Father and the Father returns this love which is the third person of the "Blessed Trin,ity, the Holy spirit. To celebrate the Mass worthily is to be caught up in this mutual self-giving.

It is to lead us to the Father that Christ gives us his body and blood as we share in the heavenly sacrifice which is the eternal sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross represented but never repeated. This is Christ’s greatest activity in which we are invited to share, a representation not only of his death on Calvary but of every moment of his life 'I do always the things which are pleasing to my Father.'

Every Mass is a social activity, whether it is offered with one or two people present or when it is presided, over by the Bishop of the diocese, who is the successor of the Apostles. Such a Mass is the fullest expression of the Church. As a social activity it involves both the Pilgrim Church, the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant. It is a family celebration in which the whole of the Mystical Body participate. Here we are united with all its members; for the Church is a Eucharistic society, a family which finds its greatest activity in the celebration of the Holy Mass. It is a family to which we all belong regardless of race or colour, poverty or riches, aged or young. All have their part to play. Here individuals find their completion in both contributing to the good of others and in receiving the help they helve to give us. Everyone in the family of the Church has something to give and something to receive. Here individuals and different races find their completion, racism is 8verC0rne and we -Te made aware of the universality of Christ’s Church.

In the text of the Eucharistic prayers we are made aware of the other members of the extended family who have gone before us, the living dead. The saints are our Christian ancestors  from whom we have received the accumulated wisdom of the past who join us in or worship As the Orthodox express it in their Lenten liturgy; 'Now the powers of heaven are present with us and worship unseen.’

A welsh poet who died 1968 has expressede the same thought.
'There is no barier between the two worlds in the Church.
The Church militant on earth
Is one with the Church triumphant in heaven

And the saints are in this Church which is two in one.
They come to worship with us our little congregation.'

This is expressed in every preface of the Mass in different words such as, 'Therefore with all the choirs of angels and the whole company of heaven.' We 'j oin them in the Sanctus, Holy, Holy, Holy, The family members who have gone ahead of us are mentioned too when we o.onmemoz-at e the saints.

This worship unseen is symbolised by the use of incense. Its use in worship goes back to Jewish times and it is described in the Catholic Encyclopedia as a 'natural and beautiful symbol of prayer and sacrifice.’

In the Lord's Supper we are guests of Jesus. When we think of the sacred host our minds naturally go to the consecrated small piece of bread and this is right but Christ is the Sacred Host because it is He who presides at every Mass in which he is always the principle celebrant, welcoming us with infinite love .; a love which is expressed in the reserved sacrament waiting to be received in Holy Communion.

'Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone opens to me I will supp with him find he with me.'

"the book of prayer par excellence, the Book of Psalms", Pope

The Feast of Corpus Christi. Pope Benedict XVI  invited everyone in Rome, residents and pilgrims alike, to participate in the Mass he will celebrate at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the basilica of St. John Lateran, and in the subsequent procession along Via Merulana to the basilica of St. Mary Major.  "I invite you", he said, "to join this act of profound faith towards the Eucharist, which represents the most precious treasure of the Church and of humankind".

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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

THE PSALMS: THE BOOK OF PRAYER PAR EXCELLENCE

VATICAN CITY, 22 JUN 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis during this morning's general audience to what he described as "the book of prayer par excellence, the Book of Psalms". The audience was held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 10,000 people.

  The 150 Psalms of the Book of Psalms "express all human experience", said the Pope. "All the truth of the believer comes together in those prayers, which first the People of Israel and later the Church adopted as a special way to mediate their relationship with the one God, and as an adequate response to His having revealed Himself in history".

  "Despite the many forms of expression they contain", the Psalms "can be divided into two broad categories: ... supplication associated with lamentation, and praise. These two dimensions are related, almost indivisible, because supplication is animated by the certainty that God will respond, and this opens the way to praise and thanksgiving; while praise and thanksgiving arise from the experience of salvation received, which presupposes the need for help expressed in the supplication. ... Thus, in the prayer of the Psalms, supplication and praise intertwine and fuse together in a single song which celebrates the eternal grace of the Lord as He bows down to our frailty".

  "The Psalms teach us to pray", the Holy Father explained. "In them, the Word of God becomes the word of prayer. ... People who pray the Psalms speak to God with the words of God, addressing Him with the words He Himself taught us. ... Through these words it is also possible to know and accept the criteria of His actions, to approach the mystery of His thoughts and His ways, so as to grow and develop in faith and love".

  "By teaching us to pray", the Pope went on, "the Psalms also teach us that at times of desolation, even in moments of suffering, the presence of God is a source of wonder and consolation. We may weep, plead and seek intercession, ... but in the awareness that we are advancing towards the light, where praise will be unending".

  "Equally important and significant are the manner and frequency in which the words of the Psalms appear in the New Testament, where they assume and underline that prophetic significance suggested by the link of the Book of Psalms with the messianic figure of David. In His earthly life the Lord Jesus prayed with the Psalms, and in Him they reach definitive fulfilment and reveal their fullest and deepest meaning. The prayers of the Book of Psalms, with which we speak to God, speak to us of Him, they speak of the Son, image of the invisible God Who fully reveals the Father's face to us. Thus Christians, by praying the Psalms, pray to the Father in Christ and with Christ, seeing those songs in a new perspective which has its ultimate interpretation in the Paschal Mystery".

  Having completed his catechesis and delivered greetings in various languages, the Pope recalled the fact that tomorrow is the Feast of Corpus Christi. He invited everyone in Rome, residents and pilgrims alike, to participate in the Mass he will celebrate at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the basilica of St. John Lateran, and in the subsequent procession along Via Merulana to the basilica of St. Mary Major. "I invite you", he said, "to join this act of profound faith towards the Eucharist, which represents the most precious treasure of the Church and of humankind".

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Comment: Re: Prayer of Hannah 1 Samuel 9-18

Comment: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Prayer of Hannah 1 Samuel 9-18
I too was very struck by D. P. Coughlin's appreciation of Merton's style!       
Nivard.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Nivard . . . . 
Sent: Tue, 21 June, 2011 16:25:03
Subject:                              Judge not  

Monday, Week 12, Judge not...

Jesus states a heavenly principle on which we can stake our lives: i.e. what you give to others (and how you treat others) will return to you in like manner. The Lord knows our faults, weaknesses, and sins. He sees everything, even the imperfections and hidden sins of the heart which we cannotrecognise in ourselves.

     Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor he patiently draws us to his seat of mercy. He removes the cancer of sin which inhabits our hearts. Do we trust in God’s mercy and grace. And do we submit to his truth about what is right and what is wrong. We must see what is good and what is evil and what is helpful and harmful for our welfare and the welfare of our neighbour. Let us ask the Lord to purify our hearts with his loving-kindness and mercy so that we may have ample room for charity and forbearance towards one another.

Father, help us always to praise rather than to criticise, tosympathise rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy. This we ask through Christ our Lord.

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From: Fr Donald
To: nivardmcglynn@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, 21 June 2011, 21:05
Subject: [Dom Donald's Blog] Prayer of Hannah 1Samuel 9-18

Nunraw foreground, Danskin Reservoir.

12^th  Week in Ordinary Time

TUESDAY June 21 – the longest day and shortest day

First Reading 1 Samuel 1:1-19