Christ our Hope!
Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit to the U.S. starts tomorrow with the theme of Christ our Hope!
[M]an needs God, otherwise he remains without hope…God is the foundation of hope: not any god, but the God who has a human face and who has loved us to the end, each one of us and humanity in its entirety. His Kingdom is not an imaginary hereafter, situated in a future that will never arrive; his Kingdom is present wherever he is loved and wherever his love reaches us. His love alone gives us the possibility of soberly persevering day by day, without ceasing to be spurred on by hope, in a world which by its very nature is imperfect. His love is at the same time our guarantee of the existence of what we only vaguely sense and which nevertheless, in our deepest self, we await: a life that is “truly” life. (Spe Salvi, 23, 31)
At our Legion of Mary Acies yesterday our spiritual director urged us to offer up many prayers, especially extra rosaries, for the Pope and the success of his visit. There has been a lot of speculation as to how his trip will effect or influence politics. What is most important, however, is how the presence of our humble German Shepherd here will influence souls.
The salvation of souls is greatly needed in our country, especially among Catholics. A recent poll showed a majority of Catholics (68%) believe that they can still be “good Catholics” without going to Mass every Sunday. Indeed, only one-third of America’s Catholics attend weekly Mass. This is the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith!
Together let us pray for our beloved Holy Father, for his safety, for the success of his visit and that the people of America may be open to his message of hope!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Below are links to some of my past posts that feature the Holy Father and his writings:
A Message From Papa Ben!
The Paradox of the Cross
The Resurrection = Event of Love
We are Awaited by His Love
Pope Confronts the “Difficult Problem of Bioethics”
An Advent Reflection on Eternal Life
Love and Suffering
When Technical Progress Becomes a Threat
The Pope on Political Priorities
Oh, and I Love the Pope, Too!
Pope Endorses Stem Cell Research
Pope Speaks About Life Issues
The Greatest Destroyer of Peace
Uniting for Life
Check out the Pope’s itinerary on Fox News and be sure to watch EWTN or visit Benedict in America for full coverage of our Holy Father’s visit to America.