Feast of the conversion of St. Paul

 Feast of the conversion of St. Paul

My turning point

"I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?"

 (Acts 22:3-16)

Beloved, there is a significant question in responding to God's call, one that no longer seeks your plans, your dreams and aspiration, but God's. 

That question is,

 ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?.’ It was Paul's turning point, St. Francis of Assisi's too, and yours it shall be if you let Him.

Good morning and happy feast

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest and Monk (5 Lessons to Learn from Him)

Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest and monk, Patron of Nigerian Priests (born in Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria in September 1903 died in Leicester, England, January 24, 1964) was an Igbo Nigerian ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria on December 19, 1937. He worked in the parishes of Nnewi, Dunukofia, Akpu/Ajalli and Aguleri.

Tansi did not only live a contemplative life, he also engaged in active ministry. As a pastor and Father, he did the normal day to day function of a shepherd, but with extraordinary love and dedication. 

We Nigerian parish priests or brothers and sisters engaged in pastoral works can emulate his love for his flocks, evangelize the youths, teach them faith and morals, counsel couples preparing for marriage, visit the poor, sick, be a good confessor and promote vocation to the Priesthood and religious life by our examplary life of charming purity, simplicity and prayer,  when necessary as St. Francis of Assisi would say, use words.

As we celebrate his feast day today, we ask for his intercession and guidance while we pray that his canonization process may be hastened for the greater glory of God. Amen. 

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

Sites consulted: 

Google, Blessed Iwene Tansi: The patron saint of Nigeria's democracy @20 www.thecable.ng 

5 Important Lessons From St. Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

 

5 Important lessons from St. Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

INTRODUCTION 

Happy Feast day to all attached to the name and devotion of St. Teresa, especially the Discalced Carmelite nuns and friars. The period of the birth of St. Terese in 1515, was when Columbus opened up to European colonization. Interestingly, it was within this period, Luther started the Protestant Reformation. From this background of turmoil she shed the light of Christ and interior peaceOut of all of this change came Teresa pointing the way from outer turmoil to inner peace and way of perfection.

HER LIFE

In her failed attempt to be martyred (just like St. Francis of Assisi) thus fulfulling her eagerness to be with Christ forever, St. Teresa built a hermitage with her brother where they lived and prayed. Later on, she became a Carmelite nun. She was called on to reform her order with St. John of the Cross; Order of  Discalced Carmelite. She hated delusion and to the last obeyed her confessor. She died on October 4, 1582. She was canonized in 1622 and in 1970 she was declared doctor of the church. She is the patron saint of Headache sufferers. Her symbol is a heart, an arrow, and a book.

HER WORKS

Autobiography 

The Way of Perfection (1583), 

The Interior Castle (1588),

 Spiritual Relations, Exclamations of the Soul to God (1588), 

and Conceptions on the Love of God. 

Of her poems, 31 are extant; of her letters, 458 are extant.

5 POINTS TO LEARN

1. Deep hunger for heaven 

2. Obedience to our confessor 

3. The art of prayer 

4.  Continual conversion 

5. Contagious love for  Christ and St. Joseph

CONCLUSION 

St. Teresa of Avila had a desire for Jesus, a longing which she lived out. She did not just live it out, she showed us the way in her writings, teachings and spirituality. She shares with us insights on Christian journey to a perfect union with God. We learn from her to develop and nourish a deep hunger for heaven, to follow the counsels of our spiritual directors and confessors even when we feel we know better, to practice continual prayer and prayer even at our dryness, when we don't feel consolations and finally have a contagious love for Christ and devotion to St.  Joseph. St. Teresa of Jesus...pray for us!

(c) Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap. 

ifeanyi.nwogueze@gmail.com 

REFERENCE 

 

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "St. Teresa of Ávila". Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Teresa-of-Avila. Accessed 15 October 2022.

Father Roger Landry https://www.ncregister.com/blog/5-important-lessons-from-st-teresa-of-avila?amp

Saint Teresa of Avila - Catholic Saints App.

Sacrament and the Sacramental

 

 Lenten Journey 30/40

Sacrament and the Sacramental

Whoever looks at the bronze serpent, shall live.  (Nm 21:4-9)

Beloved, wow it's our 30th day and today just as the bronze serpent was lifted as a sign for healing, Jesus reveals the sign of our redemption.

 Catechism teaches, "Sacramentals are sacred signs. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacrament and sanctify different circumstances of life... they always include prayer, often accompanied by a special sign, such as laying of hands, the sign of the cross, or sprinkling of holy water" (CCC 1668,1677) Apart from sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, other  forms of popular pieties sorrounding sacramental life include veneration of relics, stations of the cross, making the sign of the cross, genuflection, rosary, medals and other private devotions. (CCC 1675)

Sacraments too are outward sign of inward grace but they were directly instituted by Jesus. Sacramentals don't confer grace as sacraments do, but by the church's prayer they dispose and prepare us to cooperate with it (CCC 1670) they are the extention of the sacraments, they orient or lead us to them.

What's in Sacrament and sacramental 🤔 its actually the form and matter. Moses provided the bronze snake and mounted it and as far the  people looked at it, it effects healing. So also, the words/formula of blessing/consecration is  uttered by the priest/minister, and the effect follows necessarily. Dearly beloved, to whom much is given much is expected. What a treasure we have in the sacraments and sacramentals, unfortunately some deny themselves of this grace.

Good morning and have a nice day.

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

SAINT AGATHA, virgin and martyr.

 

The story and history of SAINT AGATHA. Agatha was born in Sicily, of rich and noble parents—a child of blessing from the first, for she was promised to her parents before her birth, and consecrated from her earliest infancy to God. In the midst of dangers and temptations she served Christ in purity of body and soul, and she died for the love of chastity. Quintanus, who governed Sicily under the Emperor Decius, had heard the rumor of her beauty and wealth, and he made the laws against the Christians a pretext for summoning her from Palermo to Catania, where he was at the time. “O Jesus Christ!” she cried, as she set out on this dreaded journey, “all that I am is yours; preserve me against the tyrant.”

And our Lord did indeed preserve one who had given herself so utterly to him. He kept her pure and undefiled while she was imprisoned for a whole month under charge of an evil woman. He gave her strength to reply to the offer of her life and safety, if she would but consent to sin, “Christ alone is my life and my salvation.” When Quintanus turned from passion to cruelty, and cut off her breasts, our Lord sent the Prince of His apostles to heal her. And when, after she had been rolled naked upon potsherds, she asked that her torments might be ended, her spouse heard her prayer and took her to himself.

©IBreviary

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, Priest and Angelic Doctor.

 

The story and history of SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS. Thomas Aquina was born of noble parents at Aquino in Italy, in 1226. At the age of nineteen he received the Dominican habit at Naples, where he was studying. Seized by his brothers on his way to Paris, he suffered a two years’ captivity in their castle of Rocca-Secca; but neither the caresses of his mother and sisters, nor the threats and stratagems of his brothers, could shake him in his vocation. While Thomas was in confinement at Rocca-Secca, his brothers endeavored to entrap him into sin, but the attempt only ended in the triumph of his purity. Snatching from the hearth a burning brand, the Saint drove from his chamber the wretched creature whom they had there concealed. Then marking a cross upon the wall, he knelt down to pray, and forthwith, being rapt in ecstasy, an angel girded him with a cord, in token of the gift of perpetual chastity which God had given him. The pain caused by the girdle was so sharp that Thomas uttered a piercing cry, which brought his guards into the room. But he never told this grace to any one save only to Father Raynald, his confessor, a little while before his death. Hence originated the Confraternity of the “Angelic Warfare,” for the preservation of the virtue of chastity.

Having at length escaped, Saint Thomas went to Cologne to study under Blessed Albert the Great, and after that to Paris, where for many years he taught philosophy and theology. The Church has ever venerated his numerous writings as a treasure-house of sacred doctrine; while in naming him the Angelic Doctor she has indicated that his science is more divine than human. The rarest gifts of intellect were combined in him with the tenderest piety. Prayer, he said, had taught him more than study. His singular devotion to the Blessed Sacrament shines forth in the Office and hymns for Corpus Christi, which he composed. To the words miraculously uttered by a crucifix at Naples, “Well have you written concerning mme, Thomas. What shall I give you as a reward?” He replied, “Nothing save yourself, O Lord.” He died at Fossa-Nuova, 1274, on his way to the General Council of Lyons, to which Pope Gregory X had summoned him. His tomb is located in Tolouse.

©Ibreviary

SAINT AGNES, Virgin and Martyr.

 The story and history of SAINT AGNES. Agnes was only twelve years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva at Rome and commanded to obey the persecuting laws of Diocletian by offering incense. In the midst of the idolatrous rites she raised her hands to Christ, her spouse, and made the sign of the life-giving cross. She did not shrink when she was bound hand and foot, though the bonds slipped from her young hands, and the heathens who stood around were moved to tears. The bonds were not needed for her, and she hastened gladly to the place of her torture.

Next, when the judge saw that pain had no terrors for her, he inflicted an insult worse than death: her clothes were stripped off, and she had to stand in the street before a pagan crowd; yet even this did not daunt her. “Christ,” she said, “will guard His own.” So it was. Christ showed, by a miracle, the value which he sets upon the custody of the eyes. While the crowd turned away their eyes from the spouse of Christ, as she stood exposed to view in the street, there was one young man who dared to gaze at the innocent child with immodest eyes. A flash of light struck him blind, and his companions bore him away half dead with pain and terror.

Lastly, her fidelity to Christ was proved by flattery and offers of marriage. But she answered, “Christ is my spouse: he chose me first, and his I will be.” At length the sentence of death was passed. For a moment she stood erect in prayer, and then bowed her neck to the sword. At one stroke her head was severed from her body.

-IBreviary.

SAINT ANTHONY OF EGYPT

 

The life of SAINT ANTHONY will remind many people of Saint Francis of Assisi. At 20, Anthony was so moved by the Gospel message, “Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor” (Mark 10:21b), that he actually did just that with his large inheritance. He is different from Francis in that most of Anthony’s life was spent in solitude. He saw the world completely covered with snares, and gave the Church and the world the witness of solitary asceticism, great personal mortification and prayer. But no saint is antisocial, and Anthony drew many people to himself for spiritual healing and guidance.

At 54, he responded to many requests and founded a sort of monastery of scattered cells. Again like Francis, he had great fear of “stately buildings and well-laden tables.”

At 60, he hoped to be a martyr in the renewed Roman persecution of 311, fearlessly exposing himself to danger while giving moral and material support to those in prison. At 88, he was fighting the Arian heresy, that massive trauma from which it took the Church centuries to recover. “The mule kicking over the altar” denied the divinity of Christ.

Anthony is associated in art with a T-shaped cross, a pig and a book. The pig and the cross are symbols of his valiant warfare with the devil—the cross his constant means of power over evil spirits, the pig a symbol of the devil himself. The book recalls his preference for “the book of nature” over the printed word. Anthony died in solitude at 105.

©Ibreviary

He knows and holds your future

 Saturday of the first week in Ordinary Time. Year C

He knows and holds your future

“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel" (1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1)

Beloved, the ways of the Lord is perfect, and different from ours. Saul did not plan what happened to him today, God led him through the search for the lost asses of his father, to his destiny of kingship. 

God knew Saul's future, his strength and weakness, yet he still goes on to annoint him.  He perfects his plan in mysterious ways. Jesus continues in like manner, he said he did not come to call the righteous but sinners. 

Beloved, don't be over worried about your past or future, put them in the hands of Him who holds the key to your life and future. Don't also condemn anyone. You see dearly beloved, every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. You are destined for greatness and God is willing to hold you by the hand, to lead you to the rightful place he prepared for you before you were born. He does this in mysterious ways, you only need to trust him, and live in the present moment, grateful for the past and hopeful for the future. 

Good morning and have a blessed day.

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

Is God still with us?

 

 Thursday of the first week in Ordinary Time. Year C

Is God still with us? 

 “Why has the LORD permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines?" (1 Sm 4:1-11)

Beloved, this was a very bad moment for Israel. They were defeated and the All powerful ark was  captured. Why?

There had been moments when I questioned the whereabouts of God while his people suffer. But coming to think of it, we abandoned him first when we chose to sin, but did the just God ever abandon us because of our sins? 🤔 

Why would God, All powerful and loving not prevent evil on his people? Don't we deserve good life, no sickness, no robbery, no accident, no kidnapping, no rape, no death, a cross free Christianity? 

The gospel of Mark 1:40- 45 instead, presents Jesus offering his healing presence to the leprous man, and all who sought him even when he wanted to be alone in the desert. No matter what caused the defeat of Israel today, obviously the sons of Eli and Eli were forewarned, Christ did not promise us sun without rain, love without hurt, life without suffering, he promises to fill our suffering with his presence! So in the mystery of suffering, will you still hold on to him?

We are often confused on what direction to take in the _way_ full of diverse routes, wide and narrow; who to trust in a _truth_ mixed with falsehood, and troubled over a _life_ that has an end, unknown to us. -Fulton Sheen-. Christ calls us to abide in him always, he is the way, truth and life, cut off from whom we can do nothing. 

Good morning and have a blessed day.

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

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ST. RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT

 

 OF PENYAFORT was born near Barcelona around 1175. He became a canon of the diocese of Barcelona and afterward joined the Order of Preachers. At the command of Pope Gregory IX, he produced a collection of canon law. He was elected general of his order and directed it wisely. The Summa casuum, which treats of the correct and fruitful administration of the sacrament of penance, is the most notable of his works. He died in 1275. 

©IBreviary

St. André Bessette, C.S.C.

 

 Bessette, C.S.C. (9 August 1845 – 6 January 1937), known simply as Brother André was a lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross, credited with thousands of reported miraculous oil healings associated within his deep devotion to Saint Joseph.

Born Alfred on August 9, 1845 in Mont-Saint-Grégoire,(Québec, he was so frail when he was born that the curé baptized in emergency at his birth. From a working-class family, his mother, Clothilde Foisy Bessette, saw to the education of her children. Alfred found himself orphaned at the age of twelve after the early deaths of his parents.

His parish priest, noting his piety and devotion, presented him to the Congregation of Holy Cross. writing a note to the superior, “I’m sending you a saint.” Initially rejected because of his frail health, Archbishop Ignace Bourget of Montreal intervened on his behalf, and in 1872, Alfred was accepted, and entered the novitiate of the congregation, receiving the religious name of Brother André, by which he was known for the rest of his life. He made his final vows on February 2, 1874, at the age of 28.

André was given the task of porter at Notre Dame College in Côte-des-Neiges, Quebec“When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained 40 years,” he said.

He was deeply devoted to Saint Joseph and recommend Saint Joseph’s intercession to the afflicted. On his many visits to the sick in their homes, he would rub the sick person lightly with oil taken from a lamp burning in the college chapel and recommend them in prayer to Saint Joseph. People claimed that they had been cured through the prayers of the good Brother and Saint Joseph, and they were grateful their prayers had been heard. Brother André steadfastly refused to take any credit for these cures. Because he wanted Saint Joseph to be honored, in 1904 Bessette began the campaign to erect a chapel to honor Saint Joseph.

When an epidemic broke out at a nearby college, André volunteered to nurse. Not one person died. The trickle of sick people to his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were suspicious; doctors called him a quack. “I do not cure,” he said again and again. “Saint Joseph cures.” In the end he needed four secretaries to handle the 80,000 letters he received each year.

As his reputation spread, controversy inevitably arose. There were many religious in the Congregation of Holy Cross, teachers and parents of students at the College who supported him but many others opposed him and even considered him dangerous to the well-being of the school’s reputation because they regarded him as a charlatan.

In 1924 construction of a basilica named Saint Joseph’s Oratory began on the side of the mountain, near his chapel. André Bessette died in 1937, at the age of 91. A million people filed past his coffin. Brother André was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II on May 23, 1982. On October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI formally declared sainthood for him, the first saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

 ©IBreviary

SAINT JOHN NEUMANN

SAINT JOHN NEUMANN was born in Bohemia on March 20, 1811. Since he had a great desire to dedicate himself to the American missions, he came to the United States as a cleric and was ordained in New York in 1836 by Bishop Dubois. In 1840, he entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He labored in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1852, he was ordained bishop of Philadelphia. There he worked dilligently for the establishment of parish schools and the erection of many parishes for the numerous immigrants. Bishop Neumann died on January 5, 1860. He was beatified by Saint Paul VI in 1963 and also canonized by him in 1977.
 ©IBreviary

You are God we praise you! (Te Deum)

TE DEUM

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
   Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
   heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
   Father, of majesty unbounded,
   your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
   and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

℣. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
℟. Govern and uphold them now and always.
℣. Day by day we bless you.
℟. We praise your name for ever.
℣. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
℟. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
℣. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
℟. for we put our trust in you.
℣. In you, Lord, is our hope:
℟. and we shall never hope in vain.

 ©IBreviary

Conditions for obtaining it:

1. Have the intention of receiving it

2. Sacramental confession with same intention

3. Communion 

4. Prayer for reception and for the intention  of the holy father. (1 our father, hail Mary, glory be and  1 creed)

The Mark of Greatness

Thursday of the third week in Advent, year C.

Mark of greatness 

"...among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Beloved, what is the mark of greatness? John wanted nothing of himself, he understood his role and humbly carried it out; he served. What else can we associate to the least in heaven? the lowest of ranks? Or service?

The greatest among you must be your servant. No matter the status you bear, it comes with great responsibility, the greatness lies in the service.

Humility is a mark of greatness. Humility is truth. In truth beloved, the bulb does not shine for itself, its greatness lies in its being light to others and shinning brightly. Jesus who praises John is not left out, He humbled himself (kenosis) and was obedient unto death, not for himself, for you and I. He stooped low to wash the feet of his disciples, showing us the way to greatness.

Bringing it down to myself, I have my responsibilities. Baptism has placed a role on me; to be Christian, likewise religious life, family, citizenship, etc. has placed roles on me. I will account for them; my greatness is not in the status but in my humble service.

St. Francis Xavier, priest.

 

This young Spanish gentleman, in the dangerous days of the Reformation, was making a name for himself as a Professor of Philosophy in the University of Paris, and had seemingly no higher aim, when Saint Ignatius of Loyola won him to heavenly thoughts. After a brief apostolate amongst his countrymen in Rome he was sent by Saint Ignatius to the Indies, where for twelve years he was to wear himself out, bearing the Gospel to Hindostan, to Malacca, and to Japan. Thwarted by the jealousy, covetousness, and carelessness of those who should have helped and encouraged him, neither their opposition nor the difficulties of every sort which he encountered could make him slacken his labors for souls. The vast kingdom of China appealed to his charity, and he was resolved to risk his life to force an entry, when God took him to Himself, and on the 2nd of December, 1552, he died, like Moses, in sight of the land of promise.

-ibreviary

Fiat Voluntas Tua! (Thy Will be done!)

 Thursday of the first week in Advent (C)

Fiat voluntas tua

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven but the one who does the will of my Father"(Mt 7:21, 24-27)

Beloved, 'Christianity no be for mouth'. It's one thing to be a Christian and another to make Christ's words the rock of your Christianity. We are called Christians; being like Christ, acting like Christ, thinking and speaking like Christ, an in summary, being another Christ. On this basis, actions speak louder than popular acclamations.

What a misery it would be that on the last day, after being a Christian, a religious, minister, priest; with all the duties, practices, deprivations, sacrifices and so on, we get the reply, 'I do not know you'. However, in faith and hope; the Lord is our portion, justified by faith, of course not without good work. This is only when we do the will of the Father; founded on Christ the rock.

Beloved, a house built on the rock stands firm amidst rain, storms, problems, evil, obstacles and limitations. They come during and after we have received the word and Eucharist, to distort our disposition and distract them from taking root in us. Let's watch and pray.

That's why when temptations to steal, to fear, to commit sins against purity; fornication, masturbation, pornography and others, to lie, to judge, to let your anger and pride take hold of your emotion, etc. come, the house built on Christ stands unshaken, a life that abides in the word, full of the spirit, wisdom and fear of the Lord, perseveres to the end. 

What saves me at last, where have I built my being a Christian; acting on Christ's word; the rock, or on sand; being without acting? 

Let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. (Is 26:1-6)

Thy will be done O Lord!

Good morning and have a blessed day.

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFMCap. 

Preserve me O God🙇🏾‍

 Thirty-third Sunday in ordinary time (B)

Preserve me O God🙇🏾

He will gather his elect from the four winds. (Mk 13:24-32)

Beloved, if God should mark our guilt who shall survive? 

At the end of Nigerian movies, the caption often read, 'to God be the glory' 

We are reminded today about the end, how glorious it will be for our own journey to be heaven at last. These readings might have either made us worried or relieved. Which ever, we are called today to make an introspection, to evaluate our lives and make necessary amends to be on track. 

Only the righteous, the elect shall be with God. The response and journey to God's call is not automatic, its a daily job, it thrives and grows through falling and rising, learning and growing in love. Those who respond to this call of holiness; he justifies and in turn would glorify. We are his elect by baptism, we are his saints! 

However elect and saints of Christ,😇

 Are you making conscious effort, Is our life lived in accordance with the precepts of God? Are we  living in fear of the end time or making effort to order our steps in the eternal word of Christ which shall not pass away? 

Dearly beloved, this life as we know it is passing away and full of vanities, we are to live it in hope and in view of the next.

 Let's Make an introspection and evaluate our lives so far, bearing in mind that we are not justified by our power and might, but by our faith; the power of grace and the redemptive mercy of Jesus Christ. Let's pray with the psalmist, 'preserve me oh God for in you I take refuge.' Amen.

May our lives be on track in the life in Christ, whose word is eternal yes and amen. Amen!

Happy Sunday

Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

5 Important Lessons to Learn From St. John Paul II, Pope, a witness to hope

 St. John Paul II, A witness to hope

Introduction 

Coming to papacy after his his election, he addressed the world saying, "Be not afraid, open wide the doors for Christ." This speech reveals his great desire to build bridges and promote peace. He featured in a world full of tension, war, national and international crisis and other threats to peace.

Who is Pope John Paul II?

-Karol Jósef Wotjtyła was born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. 

-On October 16, 1978, he was elected Supreme Pontiff and took the name John Paul II. 

-His exceptional apostolic zeal, particularly for families, young people, and the sick, led him to make numerous pastoral visits throughout the world. 

-Among the many fruits which he has left as a heritage to the Church are above all his rich body of teachings, the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and of the Codes of Canon Law for the Latin Church and for the Eastern Churches.

- In Rome on April 2, 2005, the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter (or of Divine Mercy), he died peacefully in the Lord.

The Lagacy of Pope JP II as a Man of Peace

- A preacher and Witness of Peace

-Religious and National Freedom 

-The End of Communism in Poland

-The International Recognition of the Republic of Croatia

-Inter-Religious Dialogue

-Apology on behalf of the Catholic Chruch. Amongst others. 

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Conclusion 

Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the sons of God (Matt 5:9). We have noted the points that actually proclaims him a son of God. No wonder the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan in 2005, praised him as "a tirelwss advocate of peace." The voice of the people which is the voice of God could be heard after his death, Santo subato! Sainthood Now!

Reference

Nwogueze, G. 2022. Pope John Paul II is a Man of Peace: A Discourse (Unpublished) 

Saint of the Day

Homily of Pope John Paul II for the Inauguration of his Pontificate www.vatican.va>document assessed 11th May, 2022.

How to say the Rosary

 All Catholic Prayers

Praying the Holy Rosary Devotion

The Holy Rosary is one of three Sacramentals that the Blessed Virgin Mary has given to the Holy Catholic Church. In the thirteenth century, Mary gave the Rosary as a powerful weapon to mankind to combat the evils that were in this world as a result of the spiritual battle that is taking place between Satan and God. Since then, the blessings received through this Sacramental are beyond man's count. 

STEP 1: Make the sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

STEP 2: Say the Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, And is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Amen.

STEP 3: Say 1 "Our Father":

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

Amen.

STEP 4: Say 3 "Hail Mary's": (For the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity)

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. 

Amen.

STEP 5: Say 1 "Glory Be":

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 

Amen.

STEP 6: The Rosary Breakdown:

The Holy Rosary consists of 20 decades.

A decade consists of: 1 Our Father 10 Hail Mary's 1 Glory Be.

To pray an entire Rosary, you must pray 20 times the "Our Father," 10 "Hail Mary's" and the "Glory Be" in that order.

The Rosary is been divided into 4 parts of 5 decades each. Each of the four parts are called a Chaplet.

To pray an entire Chaplet, you must pray 5 times the "Our Father," 10 "Hail Mary's" and "Glory Be" in that order.

The general practice of Catholic is to commit themselves to praying one Chaplet per day.

STEP 7: The Mysteries of the Rosary:

While praying a decade, you reflect on a mystery. There are specific mysteries for each day of the week.

For example, when praying the Holy Rosary on a Monday, you meditate on the Joyful Mysteries. 

During the recitation of first decade, you meditate on the Annunciation of Mary. During the recitation of the second decade, you meditate on the Visitation. During the recitation of the third decade, you meditate on the Nativity of Jesus. Etc...

The following is a list of the Mysteries:

Joyful Mysteries - Monday and Saturday

1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation 5. The Finding in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries - Tuesday and Friday

1. The Agony in the Garden 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries - Wednesday and Sunday

1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption 5. The Crowning of Mary

Mysteries of Light - Thursday

1. Baptism in the Jordan 2. Self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion 4. The Transfiguration 5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist

STEP 8: The "Fatima Prayer": After the completion of one decade, you recide the "Fatima Prayer": O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy. STEP 9: The "Hail Holy Queen": After the completion of one Chaplet (5 decades which represents 5 mysteries), you pray the "Hail Holy Queen" prayer. Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. STEP 10: The Sign of the Cross: You conclude the Rosary by doing the Sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Catholic Prayers - http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=wiktoria.goroch.bible_prayers