Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the United States

Other saints: Saint Deiniol (-584); Blessed Mary of Jesus (1560-1640)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 2:11-16 The Qualities of the Abbot 

Mass: 1 Tim 1:15-17; Resp Ps 113; Lk 6:43-49 

Above the heavens is God's glory.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

On this 20th Anniversary of 9/11, may we bear good fruit and out of goodness in our hearts, produce only good. For all those who died, may they rest in peace. And for all those who grieve the loss of loved ones, dear Jesus, give them comfort and peace. We go forth, with Jesus Christ, the Rock, as our foundation. As Pope Saint John Paul said at his General Audience on the day following the terrorist attacks, "Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say." And in the words of Pope Benedict XVI on the first papal visit to Ground Zero in New York, may the Lord "give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and the hearts of all" (April 20, 2008). 

In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary who helps us, the following is from French Cistercian Adam of Perseigne (1145-1241), from Letter Three, in Mary, Most Holy: Meditating With the Early Cistercians, pp. 350-353.

How happy is she

who is both mother and spouse of God

the gate of heaven

the loveliness of paradise

lady of angels

queen of the universe

joy of the saints

advocate of believers

courage of those who fight

recaller of those who wander

medicine of the penitent.

O sure salvation!

Short path of life!

Sole hope of pardon

sweetness unique.

You, my Lady,

are my all.

In your hands

has been stored for me

the fulness of good.

With you

have been hidden the unfailing treasures

 of truth and grace

 of peace and pity

of salvation and wisdom

of glory and honor.

You are my anchor amid the billows

my port in shipwreck

my support in tribulation

my comfort in grief.

For those who are yours

you are

aid in oppression

help in time of crisis

temperance in prosperity

joy in time of waiting

refreshment in toil.

Whatsoever I can stammer

in your praise

is less

than your praise

for you are worthy of all praise.

SAINT DEINIOL,

BLESSED MARY OF JESUS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one from Wednesday, when the sky was Mary's blue. We had a repeat performance yesterday.

© Gertrude Feick 2021