Hail Mary

The entrance antiphon before today's Mass for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary read:

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among
women and blessed is
the fruit of your womb.  (Note ending punctuation.)

Some people automatically added "Jesus," as if they were praying a regular Hail Mary prayer.
But for centuries, the name of Jesus wasn't used there.  People just prayed the direct scripture quote when Elizabeth greeted Mary.  St. Bernardino of Siena, who had a special devotion to the holy name of Jesus, used it, and it caught on.

Here also is where many people add different various phrases.  If one wanted to focus on the mystery of that decade, they could add:

for the Nativity
...blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, who was born in a humble stable.
and say it on each of the ten beads.

for the Crucifixion
...blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, who suffered and died for our sins.
and say it on each of the ten beads.

Get the idea?

or special intentions
...blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, whom I beg to help my son find work.
and say it on each of the ten beads.

...blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, whom I ask to heal my sick child.
and say it on each of the ten beads

Although one might say this makes the rosary too long, you can't deny the fact that it keeps you focused on your praying.

Colombian President Wins Nobel Peace Efforts to End Civil War

Colombian president wins Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to end civil war: OSLO, Norway (CNS) -- Even though the people of Colombia rejected the terms of a peace accord ending more than 50 years of civil war, the Nobel committee chose Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos as the winner of the 2016 Nobel prize for peace.

This is not as strange as one might think at first.  The people aren't rejecting peace.  They want peace.  They are rejecting certain terms in the peace agreement.  Discussion is ongoing.  President Juan Manuel Santos has his hands full.

Catholic Prosecutor and Death Penalty

Catholic prosecutor and death penalty: Q. As you can see from the envelope, I am in prison. Since the church opposes the death penalty, I am trying to understand how a Catholic prosecutoer can be allowed to argue repeatedly in favor of it.

Father Kenneth Doyle attempts to respond to this question.  Keeping in mind that on June 26, the pope sent out a video message to an international congress against capital punishment.  In fact, the pope said he wanted "a world free of the death penalty."

Read the article to get the rest of Father Doyle's answer.

Use of death penalty re-examined in the states, at Supreme Court

Use of death penalty re-examined in the states, at Supreme Court: WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in November.
To me, it's obvious that the death penalty doesn't work.  It doesn't deter anybody.  Nowadays, too often the only ones in prison are the poor, who can't afford to appeal and appeal, etc..  The justice system is too fallible.  The innocence project has proven that.

Gender Difficulty

Pope Francis: Love those who struggle, but don't push gender theory on kids: Aboard the papal plane, Oct 2, 2016 CNA/EWTN News.- On his way back from Georgia and Azerbaijan Pope Francis criticized what he called the “wicked” push of gender theory in schools, but stressed that everyone is to be treated equally and with mercy.

People with gender difficulties aren't the only ones struggling.  I do, too.  I don't know how to handle them.  I don't understand their problems.  It's beyond my comprehension.  And I don't know how to react nor respond to them.

I have one friend who is transgendered.  I don't understand why he changed into a woman.  I feel sorry for him/her because he/she's always alone and every conversation he/she has is about his/her transgender issues.  I don't know what to do to help him/her.  He/She's very spiritual and feels God is with him/her.

Since I don't know what to do, I do nothing.  In fact, I stay away from my problem.  But there are occasions when we run into each other.  When that happens, we hug and chat like old times.

But still.

It's hard.

So I am very happy to read the above article.  The pope says to be kind and merciful and walk with our transgendered friends.  That I can do.

St. James

This morning's meditation included a reading by St. James, (James 2:12-13).  It struck me how James theme of mercy ties in with Pope Francis Jubilee Year of Mercy.

 

Always speak and act as men destined for judgment

under the law of freedom.  Merciless is the judgment

on the man who has not shown mercy; but mercy

triumphs over judgment.

Pro Patria: A homily 50 days before the election

Pro Patria: A homily 50 days before the election: (The following is reprinted from the Sept. 18 post of Msgr. Moroney's blog, sjsrector.blogspot.com).

While you are discerning, pray and take a look at Joe Schriner.