Inspirations for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for “God is Charity” (1 John 4:8)
— Saint Albert the Great, O.P.
Saint Albert the Great, O.P. – Doctor of the Church and patron saint of students and scientists.
Saint Albert the Great (franciscan media)
Saint Albert the Great (CatholicSaints.info)
As we approach the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are challenged to help bring healing to race relations in our country, and the Catholic Church and its parishes can play a big role in helping America. Following is a beautiful video about work of a parish in Baltimore, and a reflection from Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M., and the Claver Prayer that are worth your time to see and pray.
Pax Et Bonum,
John Clem, O.F.S.
Following is the prayer of St. Peter Claver – patron saint of race relations
God our Heavenly Father, You have given us life through the Death and Resurrection of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus our saving Lord, You came into a world
darkened by man’s sin and gave it light through your teachings,
Holy Spirit, the Breath of God Within us,
You guide and enlighten us and give us the strength of our convictions;
Saint Peter Claver, who became an example for us, You showed us the Love of God
The Light of Christ, and the strength of the Holy Spirit;
We pray now that all we say and do,
in your honor, be a continuation of your work here on earth.
St. Peter Claver….pray for us,
St. Peter Claver….pray for us,
St. Peter Claver….pray for us.
Do Not Normalize Hate and Discrimination (Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M. – Dating God)
Resources from US Bishops on Racism and Race Relations (USCCB)
Pope greeting invited guests at the Jubilee for Excluded Persons. Copyright L’Osservatore Romano
“Mercy also means accepting others without excluding or classifying them on the basis of their social background, language, race, culture, or religion. We must see them as persons to be loved just as God loves them.”
Pope Francis on Instagram, November 12, 2016
“Dear brothers and sisters, today is your Jubilee. Your presence here helps us to be attuned to God’s wavelength, to see what he sees. He sees not only appearances (cf. 1 Sam 16:7), but turns his gaze to the “humble and contrite in spirit” (Is 66:2), to the many poor Lazaruses of our day. What harm we do to ourselves when we fail to notice Lazarus, excluded and cast out (cf. Lk 16:19-21)! It is turning away from God himself.”
Pope Francis – Homily at the Mass for Excluded Persons (Sunday, November 13, 2016)
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy. Amen
Pope: ‘the only values that endure are God and neighbour’ – with complete Homily at the Mass for Excluded Persons (Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis praying with the poor and homeless guests at the Jubilee for Excluded Persons.
Pope Francis embraces one of 6,000 guests to the Vatican for the Jubilee for Socially Excluded Persons – the final Jubilee audience for the Year of Mercy.
“God , Father of us all, of every one of Your children, I ask You to give us strength, to give us joy, to teach us to dream so as to look ahead, to teach us to be fraternal because we are brothers, and to help us to defend our dignity. You are the Father of every one of us. Bless us, Father. Amen”.
Pope Francis’ prayer at the Jubilee for Socially Excluded Persons – November 11, 2016
“I would like to stress the importance of inclusion. God’s mercy, which excludes no one, challenges us to be merciful and open to the needs of others, especially the poor and all those who are weary and burdened.”
Pope Francis’ address at the Jubilee for Excluded Persons
Pope welcomes poor, homeless for Jubilee in Rome (Vatican Radio)
Forgive us for looking the other way, pope tells homeless people (CNS)
English summary of Pope’s final Jubilee audience (Vatican Radio)
Teach us not to be satisfied: the Pope to the socially excluded (Vatican Summary Bulletin)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours, the patron saint of peace and soldiers, and because of his generous acts of mercy was known as ‘Martin the Merciful.’
St. Martin’s Prayer
Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defense of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner.
St. Martin of Tours (316-397)
Saint Martin, please pray for peace and the safety of our soldiers!
Saint Martin of Tours (franciscan media)
Saint Martin of Tours (CatholicSaints.info)
Catholic Origin of Veteran’s Day with St Martin of Tours (Dr. Taylor Marshall)