Two quotations

Since we last visited the whirlwind has continued with a wonderful time of Retreat at Subiaco Benedictine Abbey in Arkansas, a trip to Chicago to order cassocks etc. and my first opportunity to preside over the Dedication of a Church this past Sunday in Buffalo, Texas.  All of these events are material for lengthy reflections and hopefully I can share more of my thoughts soon. 

I wanted to share these two quotations that I have encountered over the past couple of days.  The first is a few lines from the remarks given by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his election as Bishop of Rome.  The second is a prayer offered by Cardinal Burke who presently serves in Rome.

Please pray with me that these words of Blessed John Paul will always guide my service as Bishop.

"Perhaps in the past the tiara, that triple crown, was placed on the Pope’s head in order to signify by that symbol the Lord’s plan for his Church, namely that all the hierarchical order of Christ’s Church, all “sacred power” exercised in the Church, is nothing other than service, service with a single purpose: to ensure that the whole People of God shares in this threefold mission of Christ and always remains under the power of the Lord; a power that has its source not in the powers of this world, but instead in the mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection." 

As the election on November 6, draws near these words of Cardinal Burke remind us of the precious gifts we have and the values we must cling to with all our might.


AN ELECTION YEAR PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL


WITNESS OF CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES

By His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke,

Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

O Lord Jesus Christ,

You alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

In Your Church You show us the Way,

You teach us the Truth, and You give us Your Life.

Grant, we humbly beg You,

that, always and in all things, we may

be faithful to You in Your Holy Church,

and to Your Vicar on Earth, the Supreme Pontiff,

Pope Benedict XVI.

Grant also, we beg You,

that, in these times of decision,

all who profess to be Catholic

and who are entrusted with the sacred duty

to participate in public life,

may, by the strength of Your grace,

unwaveringly follow Your Way and

faithfully adhere to Your Truth,

living in You with all their mind and heart,

for Your greater glory, the salvation of souls,

and the good of our nation. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America,

Pray for us.

Saint Thomas More, Patron of Religious Freedom,

Pray for us.


Let us join in prayer for our nation and for our world. 

God bless you.