For in the Church of Christ, if love is queen, no prince of darkness can prevail. “The devil’s works are then most effectually destroyed when men’s hearts are reunited in the love of God and the love of one another.”

Aeterna Dei Sapientia – Encyclical on commemorating the 15th Centennial of Death of Pope Saint Leo I: The See of Peter as the Center of Christian Unity (by Pope Saint John XXIII, O.F.S.)

 

St. Leo, Pray for Us!

---

Pope St. Leo the Great (Apostleship of Prayer)

---

LINKS

Aeterna Dei Sapientia – Encyclical on commemorating the 15th Centennial of Death of Pope Saint Leo I: The See of Peter as the Center of Christian Unity (by Pope Saint John XXIII, O.F.S.)

Pope Francis urges all Christians to journey together towards unity (Vatican Radio)

Saint Leo the Great (franciscan media)

Pope Saint Leo the Great (CatholicSaints.info)

The Pope that Rode Out to Confront Attila the Hun (Word On Fire)

“May we make God’s merciful love ever more evident in our world through dialogue, mutual acceptance and fraternal cooperation.”

Papal Tweet (Pope Francis, November 9, 2016)

---

These words of wisdom from Pope Francis give me peace in knowing that we are in God’s hands, and that we can always seek his merciful love.  I pray America and the world can move forward after this historic election of Donald Trump to work toward healing and peace.  God Bless America!

---

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding the election of Donald Trump as President-Elect:

Coming Together As Faithful Citizens For The Common Good

The American people have made their decision on the next President of the United States, members of Congress as well as state and local officials. I congratulate Mr. Trump and everyone elected yesterday. Now is the moment to move toward the responsibility of governing for the common good of all citizens. Let us not see each other in the divisive light of Democrat or Republican or any other political party, but rather, let us see the face of Christ in our neighbors, especially the suffering or those with whom we may disagree.

We, as citizens and our elected representatives, would do well to remember the words of Pope Francis when he addressed the United States Congress last year, “all political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person and be based on respect for his or her dignity.” Yesterday, millions of Americans who are struggling to find economic opportunity for their families voted to be heard. Our response should be simple: we hear you. The responsibility to help strengthen families belongs to each of us.

The Bishops Conference looks forward to working with President-elect Trump to protect human life from its most vulnerable beginning to its natural end. We will advocate for policies that offer opportunity to all people, of all faiths, in all walks of life. We are firm in our resolve that our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees can be humanely welcomed without sacrificing our security. We will call attention to the violent persecution threatening our fellow Christians and people of other faiths around the world, especially in the Middle East. And we will look for the new administration’s commitment to domestic religious liberty, ensuring people of faith remain free to proclaim and shape our lives around the truth about man and woman, and the unique bond of marriage that they can form.

Every election brings a new beginning. Some may wonder whether the country can reconcile, work together and fulfill the promise of a more perfect union. Through the hope Christ offers, I believe God will give us the strength to heal and unite.

Let us pray for leaders in public life that they may rise to the responsibilities entrusted to them with grace and courage. And may all of us as Catholics help each other be faithful and joyful witnesses to the healing love of Jesus.

 

 

Please join in prayer that we have a free, fair, and just election in the United States of America, and that we may all move forward in to work toward healing for a more merciful and loving nation.  Following is the prayer before an election from the USCCB:

Prayer Before An Election

Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.

We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

---

LINKS

Knights of Columbus head: Catholics must be a source of post-election unity (CNA)

After the election, unleash the Francis Option (Tom Hoopes – Aleteia.org)

 

 

“The whole of Scotus’s theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man.”

– Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., 20th-century authority on Scotus

Blessed John Duns Scotus, Pray for Us!

---

Duns Scotus (Ryan Reeves)

---

LINKS

Blessed John Duns Scotus (CatholicSaints.info)

Blessed John Duns Scotus (franciscan media)

Postmodernity and Univocity: A Critical Account of Radical Orthodoxy and John Duns Scotus (Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M.)

Writings for John Duns Scotus (Franciscan Archive)

“No cell is so isolated that it is shut to the Lord. His love reaches everywhere. I pray that each one may open his heart to this love.”

Papal Tweet (Pope Francis, November 6, 2016 – Jubilee of Prisoners)

---

“Today we celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy for you and with you, our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned. Mercy, as the expression of God’s love, is something we need to think about more deeply. Certainly, breaking the law involves paying the price, and losing one’s freedom is the worst part of serving time, because it affects us so deeply. All the same, hope must not falter. Paying for the wrong we have done is one thing, but another thing entirely is the “breath” of hope, which cannot be stifled by anyone or anything. Our heart always yearns for goodness.”

Pope Francis (Homily for the Jubilee of Prisoners, November 6, 2016)

 

---

LINKS

Pope’s homily for Jubilee of Prisoners (News.va)

Angelus:  Pope appeals for better prison living conditions (Vatican Radio)

Pope asks authorities to grant clemency for prisoners during Jubilee (CNA)

At Jubilee Mass for Prisoners, Pope Francis Calls for a Criminal Justice System that Gives Hope (America)