Saint Pope Paul VI writing on this venerable tradition in an encyclical letter entitled Mense Maio, teaches: “The month of May is almost here, a month which the piety of the faithful has long dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. Our heart rejoices at the thought of the moving tribute of faith and love which will soon be paid to the Queen of Heaven in every corner of the earth. For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God's merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother's throne.”
It’s Easter, we rejoice that the Lord is Risen, truly Risen! Be well. Do Good. A joyous Easter Season to all! Alleluia! The Lord is Risen! Alleluia He has Risen Indeed
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.”
It is indeed the week that changed the world and it begins today. I pray you make it a week that changes your world. Please join us for Holy Week services! Let us pray, adore and rejoice together in mysteries of our Catholic Faith.
Preaching on the Passion, the Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, who serves as the official preacher of the Pope and his household suggests: “On the cross Jesus not only gave us an example of self-giving love carried to the extreme; he also merited the grace for us to be able to bring it to pass, to some extent, in our lives. The water and blood that flowed from his side comes to us today in the sacraments of the Church, in God’s word, and even in just looking at the Crucified One in faith. One last thing John saw prophetically at the cross: men and women of every time and place who were turning their gaze to ‘the one who was pierced’ and who wept tears of repentance and of consolation” (see Jn 19:37 and Zac 12:10).
Pope Francis encourages us to take up the devotion of the Stations during Lent. He suggests: “The Cross of Christ contains all the love of God; there we find his immeasurable mercy. This is a love in which we can place all our trust, in which we can believe. Let us entrust ourselves to Jesus, let us give ourselves over to him, because he never disappoints anyone! Only in Christ crucified and risen can we find salvation and redemption.”
