Sunday, June 29, 2008

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Visiting a Carthusian monastery - part 1



"Stat crux dum volvitur orbis".

St. Thomas More~Trial & Execution




Sir Thomas More, (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535)Renaissance English writer,Lawyer, Lord chancellor of England and Catholic martyr, in the Tudor court of King Henry VIII.

It is certain that he went to live near the London Charterhouse and often joined in the spiritual exercises of the monks there. He wore "a sharp shirt of hair next his skin, which he never left off wholly" (Cresacre More), and gave himself up to a life of prayer and penance. His mind wavered for some time between joining the Carthusians or the Observant Franciscans, both of which orders observed the religious life with extreme strictness and fervour(at that time). In the end, apparently with the approval of Colet, he abandoned the hope of becoming a priest or religious, his decision being due to a mistrust of his powers of perseverance.
Meanwhile More had made friends with one "Maister John Colte, a gentleman" of Newhall, Essex, whose oldest daughter, Jane, he married in 1505.

More married again very soon after his first wife's death, his choice being a widow, Alice Middleton. She was older than he by seven years.

In October, 1529, More succeeded Wolsey as Chancellor of England, a post never before held by a layman. In matters political, however, he is nowise succeeded to Wolsey's position, and his tenure of the chancellorship is chiefly memorable for his unparalleled success and fair charitable justice as a judge.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

First vows of Sr Jacinta and Sr Miriam CFR


Sr's Jacinta and Miriam, may God bless you and keep you... the example that has been set, will bear much fruit. God watch over the friars and sisters of the renewal.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Iohannes XXIII: the good Pope - part 2 of 2


Angelo Roncalli - The first days of his pontificate.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Hymn by Chaldean Catholic Priest-Martyr in Iraq


Hear the voice of a Christian Martyr singing a hymn in Arabic to the Blessed Mother, while watching a slideshow of his funeral mass. Hear the angelic voice of Father Ragheed Ganni, a 35 year old Chaldean Catholic Priest killed on Sunday June 3rd, 2007 with three of his deacons right after celebrating mass at Holy Spirit Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul, Iraq. The car of Father Ragheed and the three deacons was stopped by terrorists shortly after leaving the church. They were forced to get down from the car and asked to declare their conversion to Islam. When the four martyrs refused they were brutally gunned down with machine guns. Lord, protect all the innocent people of Iraq and all those trying to defend them. Jesus we trust in you and we are sustained by the prayers of your most holy mother to whom you never refuse a request. We pray for the repentance and conversion of Father Ragheed's killers and all other terrorists. May she who gave birth to us at the foot of the cross beg you for mercy.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Iohannes XXIII: the good Pope - part 1 of 2


Angelo Roncalli - The first days of his pontificate.