* October 3 – Our Lady of Graces (Italy, 1697)  * “The Rosary helps me to relax” —

An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association October is the Month of the Rosary. This year A Moment with Mary has chosen to dedicate each daily meditation to the holy Rosary that Pope Benedict XII (d.1730) called: “The supreme remedy for errors and vices.” October 3 – Our Lady of Graces (Italy, 1697) “The Rosary helps me to relax” “The rosary is the prayer that accompanies all the moments of my life. It’s also a simple and holy prayer… It’s a prayer that comes from my heart.” It is with these words that Pope Francis prefaced the book The Rosary, Prayer of the Heart written by Father Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a Coptic priest of Catholic rite, who in recent months has been part of his private secretariat. The book of Father Yoannis was released in Arabic a few years ago, and has already been distributed to more than 130,000 copies. The originality of this booklet is that it allows the reader to pray the rosary in two traditions, the Eastern and the Western. We know how much the Pope loves the Virgin Mary. His attachment to the Rosary is not a secret. In March, to mark the first anniversary of his pontificate, his personal secretary at the time told Vatican Radio: “The Pope does not waste a single minute! He works tirelessly. And when he feels the need to take a break, he doesn’t close his eyes without doing anything: he sits and recites the rosary. I think he recites three a day. He says: ‘It helps me to relax.’ Then he returns to work.” www.aleteia.org Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to Travel to Syria to Protect Christians The month of October, a month when we especially like to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is traditionally called the Month of the Rosary. The holy Rosary is composed of twenty decades. Each decade is recited in honor of a mystery in the life of Christ and that of Our Lady. It is customary to recite five decades at a time while meditating on one set of mysteries. We usually pray one specific set on each day the week in the following way: – On Monday and Saturday we pray the Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation of Jesus, and The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. – On Tuesday and Friday we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony of Jesus, The Scourging, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, and The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. – On Wednesday and Sunday we pray the Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and The Coronation of the Virgin Mary. – On Thursday we pray the Mysteries of Light: The Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, The Transfiguration, and The Institution of the Holy Eucharist. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius V in 1573, to thank the Virgin Mary for the victory of Lepanto (1571).

Remembering Father Benedict One Year Later

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Remembering Father Benedict One Year Later For Franciscans October 3rd is a day of death. Every year we gather on this anniversary to remember the passing of Saint Francis. That Father Benedict would pass on this day was surely a sign. For me it is also the anniversary of my mom’s passing. As she lay dying of cancer at 47 years of age, she shared with me that she was offering her suffering for my vocation. I had only been a friar for two years at the time. That my mom would pass on this day was surely a sign. Like a concerned grandfather, Fr. Benedict kindly reached out to me in my grief. I will never forget his tenderness and concern. He took me under his wing for a while as I was recruited to be his “driver.” So many others could tell a similar story. As I shared in the adventures of life with Father Benedict he shared in my sorrow and guided me towards hope. When I had my own scare with cancer Father Benedict was there for me again. Although he possessed a towering intellect, he could speak directly from the heart. His presence and prayers were a huge consolation. He could always use humor to lighten the burden. My fear broke and I burst into laughter when he told me (in that famous Jersey City accent), “There’s nothing that helps you focus like a loaded gun pointed at your head! Pray for the rest of us who don’t realize we are dying.” It was exactly what I needed to hear. Father Benedict we miss you, thank you and pray for us. - Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR Yonkers, NY Father Benedict serving at our South Bronx Homeless Shelter At the March for Life Father's food and gift give out during Thanksgiving Father was a friend and adviser to Mother Teresa Father touched millions through his popular EWTN shows

* October 2 - Cardinal de Berulle, who studied the Incarnation in depth (d.1629)  * Why pray the Rosary? (II) --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association October is the Month of the Rosary. This year A Moment with Mary has chosen to dedicate each daily meditation to the holy Rosary that Pope Benedict XII (d.1730) called: "The supreme remedy for errors and vices." October 2 - Cardinal de Berulle, who studied the Incarnation in depth (d.1629)  Why pray the Rosary? (II) Pope Benedict XVI addressed this question by giving these intentions: "May Mary help us to welcome within ourselves the grace emanating from these mysteries, so that through us she might "irrigate" society, beginning with our daily interactions, and purifying it from so many negative forces by opening it to the newness of God." "Prayed in an authentic way, not in a superficial way, the Rosary indeed brings peace and reconciliation. It contains within itself the healing power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, invoked with faith and love at the heart of each Ave Maria." "The Rosary, when it is not a mechanical repetition of traditional formulas, is a biblical meditation that makes us retrace the events of the Lord's life in the company of the Blessed Virgin, preserving them, like her, in our heart." "Let this good habit never stop. Let it continue even with greater zeal, that, at the school of Mary, the lamp of faith may shine ever more brightly in the heart of Christians and in their homes." Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI speeches for the opening and closing of the month of Mary (May 2009) Source: Radio Maria www.mariedenazareth.com The month of October, a month when we especially like to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is traditionally called the Month of the Rosary. The holy Rosary is composed of twenty decades. Each decade is recited in honor of a mystery in the life of Christ and that of Our Lady. It is customary to recite five decades at a time while meditating on one set of mysteries. We usually pray one specific set on each day the week in the following way: - On Monday and Saturday we pray the Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation of Jesus, and The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. - On Tuesday and Friday we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony of Jesus, The Scourging, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, and The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.  - On Wednesday and Sunday we pray the Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and The Coronation of the Virgin Mary. - On Thursday we pray the Mysteries of Light: The Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, The Transfiguration, and The Institution of the Holy Eucharist. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius V in 1573, to thank the Virgin Mary for the victory of Lepanto (1571).

Archbishop Hindo " McCain’s disturbing words on anti-Assad rebels armed by the CIA"

ASIA/SYRIA -

CIA seal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hassaké (Agenzia Fides) - "US Senator John McCain protested saying that the Russians are not bombing the positions of the Islamic State, but rather the anti-Assad rebels trained by the CIA. I find these words are disturbing. They represent a blatant admission that behind the war against Assad there is also the CIA". This is what Syrian Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo says to Agenzia Fides with regards to recent developments in the Syrian conflict, marked by the direct intervention of Russian military forces against the positions of the jihadi militias.
"Western propaganda", said Archbishop Hindo "keeps talking about moderate rebels, who do not exist". According to Syrian Catholic Archbishop, "there is something very disturbing about all this: there is a superpower that since September 11 protests because the Russians hit the militias of al-Qaeda in Syria. What does it mean? Al-Qaeda is now a US ally, just because in Syria it has a different name? But do they really despise our intelligence and our memory?"

English: President Bashar al-Assad of Syria . Original background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the interview with Fides, Archbishop Hindo repeats that "the Syrians will decide if and when Assad has to go away, and not the Daesh or the West. And it is certain that if Assad goes away now, Syria will become like Libya". Syrian Archbishop launches a warning: "We have received terrible news from the city of Deir al Zor, which has been besieged by Daesh for a long time. There is no more food in town, and the population is literally starving. We need to do something immediately, before it is too late". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 02/10/2015)

ASIA/HOLY LAND - Prince Hassan of Jordan: "human protection" for Christians in the Middle East is needed

HRH Prince Hassan bin Al Talal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Acre (Agenzia Fides) - Christianity began in the Middle East, it is not a "product of western import", and has given a major contribution to the development of Arab culture and the Arab-Islamic civilization. Even for this reason the presence of Christians in the Middle East must be safeguarded through instruments and measures that ensures them "human protection". This is the clear and concrete message that Prince Hassan of Jordan expressed during his intervention in Acre, on the occasion of the presentation of a book on the historical events of Arab Christians in the Middle East, written by Archimandrite George Agapios Abu Saada, a priest in the Greek-Melkite Catholic Archeparchy of Akka.
The book, presented on September 30 at the Orthodox Club of the Israeli city, also deals with emergencies that closely affect Christians in today's Middle East, overwhelmed by conflict and sectarian rifts, and the dangers they face today. During the event, organized in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies (a body of dialogue chaired by Prince Hassan), Abu Saada, Greek-Melkite parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Elias in Haifa intervened, and condemned the Muslim world for its general silence before the violence and discrimination against Christians in the Middle East. "Until now", said Father Abu Saada, according to reports of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media "no Islamic authority has issued a religious ruling [fatwa] that prohibits the killing of Christians and non-Muslims". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 02/10/2015)

Archbishop Cordileone to lead San Francisco’s fifth annual Rosary Rally October 10th

Apostolate of Fatima represented at 2015 event


On Saturday, October 10, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will once again lead his flock as he bears the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of San Francisco at the Fifth Annual San Francisco Rosary Rally. The rally will be held in the city’s United Nations Plaza at 12 noon.
The San Francisco Rosary Rally was reborn in 2011 as an effort of the SF Senatus of the Legion of Mary. Other groups quickly joined the effort: Immaculate Heart Radio, The Knights of Columbus, Ignatius Press, Cruzada Guadalupana Arquidiócesana,  the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the Archdiocesan Ministry for Spanish Speaking.  The 2011 rally marked the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s 1961 Rosary Crusade, held in the City’s Golden Gate Park. That event drew over 550,000 people—still the largest crowd ever assembled in San Francisco.
On August 7, San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone sent a letter to all pastors of the Archdiocese, urging them to lead their flocks to the Rally: “Since our first rally five years ago, the event has drawn an ever-growing number of priests, religious and faithful onto our streets to pray. These faithful come from San Francisco and beyond. Their intention is very simple: to pray for the needs of our great City and nation. I believe the presence of so many people in prayer is a great witness to those with whom we share our City. It is a sign too that God is truly with us and the Faith is alive…I invite you and your parishioners to join me in this celebration of our Catholic spirituality and tradition.”
The day begins with a 10:00 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, concelebrated by Father Arturo Albano, the rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and other priests. Following Mass, the Archbishop will lead the Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral to United Nations Plaza, where the Rosary rally will begin at 12:00 noon.  When the Eucharistic procession arrives they will be greeted by a second group of Catholics, already at the plaza, praying the rosary.
Archbishop Cordileone will serve as keynote speaker and Father Albano will address the faithful in both Spanish and Tagalog. The rally will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, and priests will be on hand to hear confessions.
This year’s special guest speaker will be Deacon Robert F. Ellis, the National Coordinator of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. As a special blessing, the National Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima will be present. Deacon Ellis wrote recently: “St. Pope John Paul II considered Fatima more important today than it was in 1917. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI cautioned that ‘we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.’ Pope Francis’ request for the consecration of his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, which was honored on May 13, 2013, the entrustment of WYD 2013 to her, and his consecration of the world to her on October 13, 2013 – all occurring within the first year of his papacy – make his disposition toward the importance of Fatima crystal clear.” -‘How can a world gone mad be saved from itself.’
For more information, go here:  http://www.rosaryrallysf.com/

From http://cal-catholic.com/

[Video] The Hands of St. Therese

The Hands of St. Therese (10/1/15) The Hands of St. Therese (10/1/15) apostleshipofprayer Video Reflection for 10/1/15. https://youtu.be/WYQJZXeO-tE www.apostleshipofpra­yer.org

* October 1st – Church Slavonic: Our Lady of Pokrov (“Protectress”) - Saint Romanos the Melodist (6th century)  * Why pray the Rosary? (I) --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association October is the Month of the Rosary. This year A Moment with Mary has chosen to dedicate each daily meditation to the holy Rosary that Pope Benedict XII (d.1730) called: "The supreme remedy for errors and vices." October 1st – Church Slavonic: Our Lady of Pokrov (“Protectress”) - Saint Romanos the Melodist (6th century)  Why pray the Rosary? (I) October is the month of the Rosary. Pope Benedict XVI explained why we should pray the Rosary: "The Rosary is not a practice relegated to the past, like prayers of previous eras we might think of with nostalgia. On the contrary, the Rosary is enjoying a new springtime." "The Rosary is undoubtedly one of the most eloquent signs of love that the young generations nourish for Jesus and his mother Mary." "In today's world, which is so fragmented, this prayer helps us to place Christ at the center, as did the Virgin who meditated interiorly about everything that was said about her Son, and about what He said and did." "When reciting the Rosary, we relive the important and meaningful moments of salvation history; we visit anew the stages of Christ's mission." "With Mary, we turn our heart to the mystery of Jesus. Jesus is placed at the center of our life, of our time, of our cities, through the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory." Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI speeches for the opening and closing of the month of Mary (May 2009) Source: Radio Maria Rosary (Photo credit: Wikipedia) www.mariedenazareth.com The month of October, a month when we especially like to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, is traditionally called the Month of the Rosary. The holy Rosary is composed of twenty decades. Each decade is recited in honor of a mystery in the life of Christ and that of Our Lady. It is customary to recite five decades at a time while meditating on one set of mysteries. We usually pray one specific set on each day the week in the following way: - On Monday and Saturday we pray the Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation of Jesus, and The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. - On Tuesday and Friday we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony of Jesus, The Scourging, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, and The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.  - On Wednesday and Sunday we pray the Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and The Coronation of the Virgin Mary. - On Thursday we pray the Mysteries of Light: The Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, The Transfiguration, and The Institution of the Holy Eucharist. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius V in 1573, to thank the Virgin Mary for the victory of Lepanto (1571).