Monday thru Friday at www.DailyCatholic.org See why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!" e-mail: DailyCatholic@dailycatholic.org

    Today is the Eighth Tuesday in Ordinary Time as well as the Feast of three saints: Pope Saint Gregory VII, the 157th successor of Peter who was the holy monk Hildebrand and whose Dictatis Papae forever set in stone the universality of the Vicar of Rome; Saint Bede, priest, religious and missionary; and Saint Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi Italian virgin and religious. Tomorrow is the singular feast of Saint Philip Neri, priest and religious founder of the Oratorians and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in Forty Hour Adoration. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignettes on these saints, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Tuesday, May 25:
Eighth Tuesday of Ordinary Time and
Feast of Saint Bede, Doctor of the Church, and
Feast of Pope Saint Gregory VII and
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi, virgin and religious

Green or White vestments

First Reading: Sirach 35: 1-12
Psalms: Psalm 50: 5-8, 14-23
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 28-31

    This English saint -Saint Bede the Venerable - was a Benedictine monk in England and a learned man who specialized in English history and wrote an account of Christianity in Britain from the earliest times up to his time. He was dubbed "the Venerable" because of his wisdom and learning acumen. He was named a Doctor of the Church in 1899 by Pope Leo XIII. He is said to be the first to date events using A.D. (anno Domini.

   Born in Tuscany as Hildebrand, the great Pope Saint Gregory VII was the 157th successor of Peter and a strong pontiff who excommunicated the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV and lifted it only after Henry came on bended knee wearing a rough hewn habit of public penance in the bitter cold of northern Italy to seek a pardon at Canossa. Gregory called a Council and issued a Dictatus Papae in which he decreed only the Pope is universal; no one can judge him; he alone can dispense from vows. Gregory was beatified by Pope Gregory XIII in 1584 and canonized in 1606 by Pope Paul V.

    This Firenzen-born saint Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi was born into an influential Florentine family who wanted her to marry, but she resisted their urgings and joined a Carmelite Convent in Florence, taking the name of "Mary Magdalen". Though bedridden for most of her life after her profession as a nun, she was gifted with prophecy and the ability to perform miraculous healings. Her private revelations were recorded by fellow sisters and published after her death. She was canonized in 1669 by Pope Clement IX.

Wednesday, May 26:
Feast of Saint Philip Neri, Priest and Religious Founder

White vestments

First Reading: Sirach 36: 1, 5-6, 10-17
Psalms: Psalm 79: 8-9, 11, 13 and Sirach 36: 16
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 32-45

    Having a profound effect in the turbulent sixteenth century, Saint Philip Neri was born and reared in Florence, Italy on July 22, 1515. He received his education from the Dominicans of San Marco. Later, while emersed in secular commerce his travels took him to the famed Benedictine Monastery Monte Cassino where he drank in the spirituality set down by Saint Benedict...all this during the time England and much of Europe were bolting from Holy Mother Church. At the age of 18 Philip's business led him to Rome where three years later he met Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and enrolled at Sapienza University. Through the guidance of other holy men such as Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint Francis de Sales, Philip realized his vocation was not in the secular world. Thus he dropped out of the university to become a lay apostle, preaching in the streets and markets to the Roman populace all he had garnered from the conglomeration of religious orders he had been exposed to. Soon his fame spread and he became a confidant of the popes of the times. He founded the lay Confraternity of the Most Blessed Trinity in an effort to help pilgrims coming to Rome as well as promoting 40 hour Adoration, but realized he could be even more effective if he became a priest. Ordained in 1551 at the age of 36 he sought to form another religious organization called the Congregation of the Oratory which many of his followers joined. For a time however Pope Paul IV would not allow Philip to hear confessions because of false rumors and information forwarded to the Holy Father. Though this pained Philip greatly, he was totally obedient and his patience paid off in 1564 when he was totally absolved by Pope Pius IV and the Congregation was approved. It received papal approval by Pope Gregory XIII through encouragement by his predecessor Pope Saint Pius V. Philip was given the church of St. Mary of Vallicella as headquarters for the Congregation. Philip was one of the most popular and well beloved men in all of Rome and the people flocked to hear him and to call him their confessor. Philip spent countless hours, forsaking sleep, to hear confessions which, along with the Holy Eucharist and spiritual conferences to reinforce the teachings of the Church and love for all Christ bequeathed His children, he made the paramount mission of his Oratorians. He became known as the "Apostle of Rome" and was credited with miracles and prophecy. In 1593, because of ill health he resigned as superior general of the Oratorians but continued to minister to the people and counsel the popes, in this case Pope Clement VIII, by intervening to stop a potential dangerous conflict between Rome and France through his insistence that the French king Henry IV be absolved. Two years later Philip died peacefully on May 26 at the age of 80 having served His Lord well and venerated for the last half of his life by the people as a saint. This formality of canonization was accomplished in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

    Those words were spoken by the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Message #525 on August 3, 1994 to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart, in which Our Lord laments at how so many neglect prayer and opt for gossip and slander which murders the reputations of those God has placed in our paths to help us. It is the work of His adversary and in these days the evil one is more desperate than ever. Jesus asks us to take refuge in His Sacred Heart and if we seek out physical refuges to be rooted in our spiritual needs not material for these things are fleeting. If we persist, wars and chastisement will increase. He foretold this five years ago and when we look at the world today we can see a fulfillment of all He spoke of. His Blessed Mother follows His words on the same day, beseeching us to heed His words and to realize the urgency of her messages for time is very, very short. But that is not reason for doom or gloom, but rather for great hope to persevere to witness the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart as she promised at Fatima. For Messages #525 and #526, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Message Five-Hundred-twenty-five, August 3, 1994

    Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I love and bless you.

    To all of My little ones I say: The time of persecution has begun in earnest for all who are truly within the Refuge of My Sacred Heart. I weep for you. I share your pain. But I am your God, your Strength. Persevere, for I shall triumph and your pains shall bring many souls into My safe harbor for eternity.

    Every soul is precious to Me. Daily I seek to pour out graces and blessings upon all. But only very few seek and desire Me.

    In all places where I have asked for physical refuges to be built so My faithful ones might live together in unity through the Holy Spirit and My True Presence in the Eucharist, My adversary has wreaked havoc.

    You have not understood, My children, that My places of physical refuge are above all for the spiritual needs and growth of your souls in the way of perfection.

    I gaze upon all who have come to begin such places, and are more concerned over how they shall live, how they shall eat, how they shall clothe themselves. Less than a grain of sand are those souls so filled with love for Me, that their trust is such that they live knowing I will shelter, clothe and feed them according to My Plan, My Will. Less than a grain of sand are those who, by their faith, are willing to live a very simple, holy, happy life because I possess their souls fully.

    O! Little ones. Put off your bickering, put off all uncharitableness. Do not seek your will. Seek Mine alone and do as I ask of you through My Mother.

    Little children in those places, and they are many, where I asked for a refuge and it has failed - you must look at your lack of faith, trust and love. You must recognize how you have allowed the enemy to use you to destroy My Will.

    So it was in the time when I walked among you on earth. Blindness of soul comes from human ego, judgment and self-righteousness.

    But when man chooses his own will above Mine, I do not interfere. I allow these things to happen and only those who are of pure intent are strong enough to persevere and to continue in their daily lives to live My Gospel Message fully!

    I cannot help you if you seek your own way, if you cling to worldly ways and are as busybodies, attending to everyone else's business while you do nothing to earn the bread I alone provide.

    I solemnly tell the world strife shall daily increase in every nation. Wars will increase and embroil many nations. Governments will be crushed and be replaced by those who work for My adversary, until all the world is placed beneath his hideous rule.

    I solemnly tell you that the period of great chastisement has only just begun. Unless you truly convert your hearts, the Father's hand shall not be lifted from you.

    Seek Me daily in every thought, word and deed. Pray much, and do not become worldly by your gossiping, slander and lies which are murder in the eyes of God because you destroy my precious little ones. I alone Who Am God, know your heart and I do not neglect My faithful servants. But to those who speak evil, who clamor noisily for their own purpose, I will deal with them according to their deeds.

    Therefore, I repeat! Repent and convert your hearts lest you become as a piece of chaff which shall be forever lost in the abyss of hell.

    Be humble, obedient little children of God, and you shall then clearly understand the signs I am giving and the words I speak to you through My many little messengers. My Holy Mother is very sorrowful because She has pleaded for many years for your return to holy living. Woe to all who by their pride cause My Mother's heart to thrust with the sword of sorrow. Heed Her Words, for our Hearts beat as one!

Message Five-Hundred-twenty-six, August 3, 1994

    Beloved Hidden Flower, tell all the world: Pray! The persecutions shall intensify. But if you are with Me, you have nothing to fear. Do not seek to save your mortal bodies; rather give of yourselves in all things for the good of all souls and your eternal reward shall be great.

    I am with you always. Soon you shall recognize more profoundly the signs of the end times and the approach of My Mother's Immaculate Heart's Triumph! O! Pray very, very much. Be loving children of God, charitable and merciful to all, and to you I shall give My Mercy a hundred fold both now and at the hour of judgment.

    Prepare yourselves now for the time is very short and you slumber, sated by the world's goods. Shake off sleep and labor in My vineyard, for soon I shall be among you in a special way. I come again, your God and Savior, as a new era dawns.

    I love you. I bless you. I give to you My Peace.

Pope's Pentecost Pastoral points to Pontifical Council for the Laity to pave way for Jubilee 2000 Conference

    This past weekend the Holy Father announced plans for another universal laity ministry conference in 2000 under the guidance of Cardinal James Francis Stafford, head of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The Pope recalled the tremendous success of last year's Pentecostal celebration when lay apostolates from all over the world convened in Rome to celebrate the first gathering of such a group in the Pope's plan to confer more responsibility of evangelization on the laity. For more, click on Pentecost at St. Peter's

VATICAN CITY, MAY 23 (ZENIT).- On the day when a billion Catholics in the world celebrated the feast of Pentecost, John Paul II recalled the meeting organized last year for ecclesial movements, which turned out to be one of the most numerous events in Saint Peter's Square during the twenty years of his entire pontificate.

    In fact, the Pontiff said, "new ecclesial movements and new communities are a real gift of the Spirit to the Church at the end of the century, and one of the new signs stemming from Vatican Council II."

    "Last year's meeting produced extraordinary fruits," the Holy Father said. "Initiatives have multiplied, which nourish the movements' and communities' sense of communion to increase cooperation among them, as well as with local churches and parishes."

    The Pope announced that the Pontifical Council for the Laity has organized a Congress which will focus on the topic, 'Ecclesial Movements and New Communities and the Bishops' Pastoral Care.' The Pope believes that it is precisely from this collaboration between the new entities and the Church's hierarchy that the Christians' "missionary impulse" in "a secularized world," largely depends; it is based on "a radical experience of faith in Christ, an experience which is expressed in prayer, unity and proclamation" of the Good News.

    Before saying farewell to the thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square on a bright Roman sunlit day, the Holy Father greeted the participants of the marathon "With Padre Pio, on the Paths to the Jubilee," organized by the "Peace Courier" association.

    After greeting the runners from various regions of Italy, as well as the mayors who participated in the marathon, John Paul II said that "Blessed Padre Pio was a real athlete of peace, tempered by prayer and penance, and led by the Holy Spirit. May his example and intercession be a stimulus and relief for all." ZE99052309

Half dozen years after gang-like killing of Cardinal Ocampo investigators and Church officials frustrated

    The six year anniversary of the brutal murder of Guadalajara Archbishop Cardinal Juan Posadas Ocampo passed yesterday with investigators no closer to determining the murderer/s than they were six years ago when he was gunned down at the Guadalajara airport while waiting to meet the apostolic nuncio in 1993. While there has been repeated attempts by the government and city politicians to bury the case or outright dismiss it just as is being done in Guatamala, Ocampo's successor Cardinal Juan Sandoval refuses to let the memory of his fellow cardinal drift into oblivion. Thanks to his persistence it has been brought to the attention of the international theater and pressure put on those responsible to bring the killers to justice somehow, someway. For more, click on Cardinal's murder case.

MEXICO CITY, MAY 23 (ZENIT).- May 24 marked the sixth anniversary of the murder of the Archbishop of Guadalajara (Mexico), Cardinal Juan Posadas Ocampo, which occurred in the airport of that city, when the Cardinal arrived to welcome the apostolic nuncio in Mexico, Archbishop Girolamo Prigione.

    In its latest edition, 'Nuevo Criterio,' a publication of the archdiocese of Mexico, devoted a great deal of space to the petition of millions of Catholics for clarification of the murder.

    The article points out that in the past the Attorney General's Office tried to put an end to the case and close the investigations. But Cardinal Juan Sandoval's tenacity, and Attorney Jorge Madrazo's willingness have made the consideration of evidence which previously was disregarded or rejected possible.

    'Nuevo Critero' disclosed that the parallel investigation carried out by a special commission of the Congress of Jalisco rejected the version of former Attorney Jorge Carpio, which stated that Cardinal Posadas was the victim of an accident, when the car he was traveling in arrived at the airport during a shoot-out between drug traffickers.

    The publication stresses that according to the testimony of witnesses and the first version of experts, the Cardinal did not lose his life in a crossfire but was directly targeted in his car.

    Cardinal Juan Sandoval, the murdered Cardinal's successor, has warned that "there is a risk of rupture" in the Inter-Institutional Commission (which is composed of officials of the Attorney General's Office, the Church, and the Jalisco government), charged with clarifying the death of Cardinal Posadas, to the point that it has been suggested that every person could present "his final report, his version of the facts, and the Mexican people could then judge, even if there is no justice."

    Cardinal Sandoval revealed that the investigation of the crime was trapped in two theses: the official one: a crime due to confusion; and the Church's: a pre-meditated, direct murder. Each of these two versions are strongly defended by different members of the Inter-Institutional Commission, the Archbishop of Guadalajara stated.

    According to the Archbishop of Guadalajara, there is enough data to determine that the murder was premeditated and "direct." But the Attorney General's Office "under no circumstances, abandons the thesis of a crime due to confusion."

    Given the above, the Archbishop believes there will be no surprises in the results given in the report which could be presented tomorrow by the Inter-Institutional Commission, made up of the Assistant Attorney General, Jose Ramos; the Secretary General of the Jalisco government, Fernando Guzman; Bishops Luis Reynoso and Jose Fernandez; and Cardinal Juan Sandoval.

    "There is progress, the course of the investigation is about 90% complete, but there are no conclusions, the evaluation of the case is in the remaining 10%, and this is because each part defends its thesis," the Cardinal said.

    The Cardinal told the newspaper 'El Universo,' that new investigation leads have opened, and material has been recovered, including videos, statements, photographs and documents, which were not known of before, and "were found there, in the basement of the PGR (Dept. of Justice)."

    The Cardinal added that since the Commission in charge of the case was created, 70 new declarations have been added to the investigation, but important testimony still remains to be seen, such as that of former apostolic nuncio Archbishop Prigione, who has expressed his willingness to help solve the case. ZE9905231

Chaldean Patriarch Bidiwid confident UN will ease possibility of Pope visiting Iraq and birthplace of Abraham

    While the Holy Father awaits his first visit from the new king of Jordan King Abdullah on June 4 before heading for Poland, word comes from Baghdad that the Catholic Chaldean Patriarch of Iraq Rafael I Bidawid reinforced that John Paul II is intent on walking in the footsteps of Abraham hopefully the end of October or early November this year and the Patriarch expressed hope that the UN will help make this a reality by clearing the hurdles placed in his path by embargos, political circumstances and the threat of war. For more, click on Walking in the footsteps of Abraham.

BAGHDAD (CWNews.com) - The Catholic Chaldean Patriarch of Iraq, Rafael I Bidawid, said on Friday that Pope John Paul II is set on making a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Abraham this year despite political, logistical, and military hurdles to overcome.

    The patriarch said he expects the United Nations to suspend a ban on direct air travel to Iraq to allow the Holy Father to visit Iraq at an unspecified date later this year. "He told me his dream was to make that trip, to see Abraham's journey repeated, and I think he is determined to do it," said Patriarch Rafael. "He has long called for unity and Abraham is the father of all believers," including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, he said.

    Under current UN sanctions against Iraq -- for its 1990 invasion of its neighbor Kuwait and its efforts to create weapons of mass destruction -- direct air travel to Iraq is forbidden and travelers must fly into Amman, Jordan, and make a grueling 12-hour drive to Baghdad. The Pontiff has been a frequent critic of the sanctions for their deleterious effects on the population of Iraq, especially children. The patriarch also said the US and British militaries should suspend attacks -- which have been occurring almost daily since December -- on Iraqi military facilities in the northern and southern no-fly zones during the papal visit.

Reparation being made in Carribean Republics

    While a "Cross of Reconciliation" is toted to various parishes throughout Cuba, the Dominican Republic, led by their prelate Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez has begun a prayer crusade to end violence in this island nation and to pray for peace that all may live in harmony and forgiveness. For more, click on Caribbean confessions.

MIAMI, 24 (NE) More than one thousand people gathered at San Jose de Las Lajas, a Cuban town located 30 miles from Havana, to receive the "Cross of Reconciliation". The pilgrimage began with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana.

    Early in the morning, people from several bordering towns gathered at the town's square, which was filled with the presence of youth with Christ 's image stamped on their shirts, and by children that carried small crucifixes in their hands. The "Cross of Reconciliation" will remain in San Jose until today morning.

    This cross, three meters high and one meter wide, will travel through 191 different places in the Archdiocese of Havana as part of a preparation program in order to receive the 2000 celebration of the birth of the Savior with converted hearts. Similar pilgrimages are being carried out in the dioceses of Pinar del Rio and Camagüey.

    To the east in Santo Domingo, in view of recent acts of violence registered in the Dominican Republic, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez requested people to "do all that one is able to in order to prevent this true calamity that we are living".

    Upon presiding the Mass of closure of the V Catholic Fair of Communications in the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop of Santo Domingo affirmed that "we are going to make a silent campaign, that is much more effective than all the screaming. An intense, constant campaign of prayer, so that all those hearts that are volcanoes that aim to kill, may be pacified and depose those attitudes".

    The Cardinal also pointed out the important role that mass media play in promoting a culture of peace. Regarding this he pointed out the necessity of looking at the new millennium with hope, trusting that in mass media there will be people willing to work so that the "promise prevail over the menace, the true communication over alienation". "In that way it will assure a world in which the Church and the media may work together for the common good of humanity", he affirmed.

    Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the Holy Father's visit to the Shroud of Turin. Today we present the site on the Shroud which also includes the talk given by His Holiness on that occasion. The site is THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR THE SHROUD OF TURIN and contains all you wanted to know about the Shroud as well as letters from the Archbishop of Turin and plans for its next exposition during Jubilee 2000.

Click here to return to SECTION ONE or click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

May 25, 1999 volume 10, no. 101   DAILY CATHOLIC