October is The Month of The Rosary

The Battle of Lepanto

As October is rapidly approaching, it seems only fitting to post this friendly reminder to my fellow Catholics, that October is The Month of the Rosary. In so doing, I hope that Catholic visitors to my blog will be encouraged to a daily recitation of the Rosary. If you are somewhat new to the Rosary, I hope this post will be part of your discovery of this most beautiful gift given to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary to her faithful servant, St. Dominic in the thirteenth century. 

October is dedicated as the "Month of The Rosary" primarily due to the liturgical feast day of October 7, Our Lady of The Rosary. It is a feast designated by the Church to honour of Our Blessed Mother's intercession at the Battle of Lepanto, which saw Christians forces defeat the Ottoman Turks on October 7, 1571. This victorious day became the feast day of Our Lady of Victory, which later changed to Our Lady of the Rosary. To gain a true appreciation of this feast day, one should have some knowledge of the historical facts of the Battle of Lepanto. Below is a concise summary of the events that led to the victory over the Turks.

The Turkish Ottomans had aspirations for domination of Western Europe. By the latter half of the sixteenth century that Muslim aggression revealed itself with the Ottoman sultan proclaiming jihad or "struggle," a call to "Holy War." Pope Pius V understood the importance and significance of resisting aggressive Turkish expansion; that is, the real battle was a spiritual one, with Christianity in the West (western Europe) at stake. The Ottoman Empire, the seat of Islamic power, looked to control the entire Mediterranean and bring all of Europe within the dar al-Islam or "House of Submission."

To combat this imminent Islamic threat, a "Holy League" force was formed, comprised of Catholic Knights of Papal States, Malta, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, Scotland, Scandinavia, Catholics and freebooters (lawless adventurers), gentlemen adventurers and convicts used to row the galleys. France not officially present as a force, had contributed Knights to the Holy League. Part of the Italian contingent, were the Venetians whose thirst for commerce was abruptly interrupted by the realization that holding on to their business enterprises would necessitate war against Turkish aggression. The Turkish aspiration for Europe was thrust into action in 1565, with an attack in the eastern Mediterranean on the island of Malta. The island was valiantly defended by Christian forces and after four months, the gallant Knights repelled the Turkish invasion, inflicting heavy losses upon the Ottoman forces. Malta was then reinforced with fresh troops from Spain.

With Malta proving to be more difficult than anticipated, the Turks changed their target to Cyprus. The two key points in Cyprus were Nicosia and Famagusta. At Nicosia, the Cyprian force who were out numbered 7 to 1 and after seven weeks of fighting the Cyprian force was reduced to 500 men. The Christian forces surrendered with the expectation that the civilians would be spared and the Christian troops to be enslaved. Instead, the Muslim invaders butchered every Christian they could find, regardless of gender, rank, age including children, 20,000 in total. At Famagusta, the Christian defenders fought for ten months, keeping the Turks at bay. Eventually the Christians, under the Venetian commander Marco Antonio Bragadino agreed to a negotiated settlement. Just as at Nicosia, the Turks deceived the Christians slaughtering all the troops and their commanders, sparing only the civilians and reserving a special torture for Bragadino.

Map of The Battle of Lepanto

Eventually, it all led to the Battle of Lepanto, located at the Gulf of Patras in what was then, Turkish occupied Greece. The Turks had 328 ships with 77,000 fighting men, with 50,000 oarsmen, many of them Christian slaves. The Christian forces under Don Juan of Austria had 40,000 oarsmen and sailors with 28,000 soldiers, knights and gentlemen adventurers. In addition, there were Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits who accompanied the fleet with their prayers and support, ensuring that every Christian oarsman had the Rosary beads with them. On October 7, 1571, Don Juan's forces entered in the Gulf of Patras and the battle began. Among the naval maneuvering, cannons blasting, arrows raining from the sky, exploding bombs, clashing of swords and the hand to hand fighting aboard decks, the Christians forces prevailed and defeated the Ottomans. It was a battle that was won with the aid of Christian slaves who revolted against their Muslim masters, causing havoc from within the Turkish lines.  

With the victory of Lepanto, the Ottoman Turks domination of the Mediterranean ended. Pope Pius V, who had commanded the faithful to pray the Rosary for victory was thoroughly convinced that this victory was granted by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each year on the same day, this victory was remembered and later became the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, eventually changed to Our Lady of The Rosary. The victory at Lepanto, together with increased devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, eventually led to the entire month of October being dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Leo XIII on August 30th, 1884, in his encyclical, Superiore Anno, on the Recitation of the Rosary declared:

We have therefore resolved that in this coming month of October, in which the sacred devotions to Our Virgin Lady of the Rosary are solemnised throughout the Catholic world, all the devotions shall again be observed which were commanded by Us this time last year. We therefore decree and make order that from the 1st of October to the 2nd of November following in all the parish churches [curialibus templis], in all public churches dedicated to the Mother of God, or in such as are appointed by the Ordinary, five decades at least of the Rosary be recited, together with the Litany. If in the morning, the Holy Sacrifice will take place during these prayers; if in the evening, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for the adoration of the faithful; after which those present will receive the customary Benediction. We desire that, wherever it be lawful, the local confraternity of the Rosary should make a solemn procession through the streets as a public manifestation of religious devotion. (4)

In more recent times, examples of this devotion can be taken from St. Pius (Pio) of Pietrelcina, who used to recite the Rosary every day, several times a day. Pope Paul VI contributed to the increased devotion of the Rosary with his Apostolic Exhortation, Marialis Cultus. Pope John Paul II, whose marian spirituality permeated his life, stated that the Rosary was his favourite prayer. Such enthusiasm and devotion to our Blessed Mother was revealed throughout his pontificate and captured in a major document, his encyclical Rosarium Virginis Mariae:

The Rosary of the Virgin Mary is a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness. It blends easily into the spiritual journey of the Christian life...it is also necessary to recall that the spiritual life is not limited solely to participation in the liturgy. Christians, while they are called to prayer in common, must also go to their own rooms and pray to their Father in secret (Mt 6:6); indeed, according to the teaching of the Apostle, they must pray without ceasing (1Thes 5:17). The Rosary, in its own particular way, is part of this varied panorama of ‘ceaseless’ prayer... (1, 13)

The Battle of Lepanto is a wonderful encouragement for the faithful to pray the Rosary daily. As a further encouragement, our Blessed Mother gave us Her Fifteen Promises to Christians who recite the Rosary:

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against Hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means!
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice; he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faith children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

(Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan)

In the month of October, let us resolve to recite the Rosary faithfully with renewed fervour, each and every day. To do so is to meditate on the life and passion of Jesus, and on the life of Mary and her virtues, and learn from the many Gospel lessons contained within this most efficacious and powerful prayer. For those who have never prayed the Rosary, please visit the Rosary Center's How To Pray The Rosary page, where you will find the easy to follow instructions.  Please include me in your prayers.  Thank you.

Life Chain: Faith Put Into Action

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Join me at Life Chain this year on Sunday, October 6th at 2:00pm. 

For those of you who are new to Life Chain, it is a public witness against the killing of unborn children. Participants stand in silent prayer at designated Life Chain locations, holding a sign that reads, "Abortion Kills Children" or something very similar. The Life Chain location that I will be attending is at Hwy. 7 and Islington Ave. from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

If you have never publicly witnessed before, you might be asking yourself, "Why should I stand on the corner of Hwy. 7 and Islington to show my support for the protection of unborn children?" There are a few reasons. First, the very fact that abortion exists here in Canada should concern all conscientious Catholics. There is a moral crisis in Canada when the murder of developing babies in the womb is permitted at law and available on demand. The truth of the matter is that the killing of a human being is unacceptable at any stage of one's life, including while developing in the womb. God's commandment, "Thou Shall Not Kill," is not negotiable or open to interpretation. It demands assent by everyone and should be reflected in Canada's constitution and laws. Unfortunately, this is not the case since Morgantaler's 1988 constitutional challenge. So it is up to us, those who know, understand and accept the truth, to promote and defend the value, inviolability and sacredness of human life. By attending the LIfe Chain effort, you are standing up for the truth and helping to defend the lives of innocent human beings.

Second, faith is put into action when one participates in community efforts such as Life Chain, which is what we are called to do as Catholics. To quote scripture from the second chapter of James, Faith Without Works is Dead:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill', and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. (James 2:14-18)

Life Chain brings you together with other like minded Christians. It is but one effort that helps to build up and strengthen the Catholic parish community. Typically, you may see diocesan clergy, Franciscan Friars, Knights of Columbus, Secular Franciscans and other conscientious Catholics who strive to get the message out, that abortion is morally wrong and unacceptable. 

Third, by your witness you may positively affect someone, a passerby who until seeing you, may not have thought much about the abortion issue. Being that visible witness may be all that is needed to sway someone away from having an abortion. In today's secular society, we certainly need more and more witnesses raising awareness on the abortion issue.  

Fourth, when we promote and defend the right to life of innocent unborn children, our prayers and actions are united to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn. Pope John Paul II in 1999 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, entrusted the cause of life to the loving protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe and placed under her motherly care the innocent lives of children, especially the unborn children. The abortion fight is a spiritual battle, one that demands we employ spiritual weapons. With Our Lady of Guadalupe as a powerful intercessor, we fight the good fight against this evil in our society.

If you do decide to join me, I recommend the following:

1. Wear exterior clothing that is appropriate for your one hour witness. Check the weather reports especially for rain. If rain is forecasted, Life Chain still goes forward, it is not cancelled, so bring an umbrella or rainwear.
2. Bring your Rosary! Typically, many pray the Rosary during this one hour witness, so you can join others in group recitation of the Rosary, which is an even more effective way to fight this spiritual battle. You can read more about group recitation of the Rosary from St. Louis De Montfort's, The Secret of The Rosary, Forty Sixth Rose - Group Recitation.
3. Take photos of your family, friends and other participants and share them on your social networks. Get the word out, bring awareness to everyone you can. 
4. Life Chain is a time of silent prayer and not a forum to debate the abortion issue with those who might try to engage you in a conversation. If a passerby does try to engage you, don't entertain the invitation to debate. Continue in prayer, undeterred with your witness.
5. Hold the sign with attention, showing people you care about this issue.
6. Arrive well before 2:00pm. It would be best to arrive between 1:30pm-1:45pm, to get situated, meet with others etc. Once 2:00pm hits, it is time to witness.

I hope to see you there! I will be holding a poster of Our Lady of Guadalupe, like the image I have included with this post. Please feel free to connect with me. It would be great to meet like minded Christians whose lively faith is helping to make Canada a better place!

"Thou Shall Not Kill": Human Life is Sacred

As part of a continuation of postings on Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae I have dedicated this post to one of its major sections, chapter three's "Thou Shall Not Kill."  The aforementioned section goes to the core of why so many of the "culture of death" elements, such as abortion, euthanasia, "reduction" or discarding human embryos in fertility clinics and any and all threats to value and inviolability of life, are fundamentally and morally wrong.  

To begin, the fundamental reason why murder is completely and morally wrong derives directly from God's commandment given to Moses, "You Shall Not Murder (Exodus 20:13) It is a commandment that Jesus reminds the rich man, who asked Jesus as to how he may have eternal life? Jesus replied, "...You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal..." (Matthew 19:18)

Human life is sacred. Why is human life sacred you may ask?  Pope John Paul II answers this question in section 53 of Evangelium Vitae, by directly quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church's Article 5 The Fifth Commandment, which I provide here in full, "Human life if sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being." (2258) Further reading of Article 5 contains information on: respect for human life, respect for the dignity of persons, respect for the person and scientific research, respect for bodily integrity, peace, avoiding war, abortion, euthanasia, suicide and more.

Unfortunately here in Canada, many are deceived by the Evil One, in thinking that threats to human life are acceptable. As Pope John Paul II points out, only Satan delights in the death of the living, he who is "...[A] murderer from the beginning" is also a "liar and the father of lies." (53) With Satan's deception in place many are led down the road of sin and death disguised as roads that help and better life. One such example Satan's deception is the need for abortion in the case of rape. The deception begins first by discarding the right of the unborn's life. Once that is accomplished, it does not take much for the "Father of Lies" to reduce or eliminate the dignity of the human being by suggesting and inspiring for an abortion to take place. If we refer back to the sacredness of life and how God's creating hand is apart of all life, a life conceived even under such brutal circumstances, has a meaning and purpose for God. 

Many individuals in Canada including those in the professional sectors, have also been deceived. In Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II notes how many in society contribute to the death of human beings. Take the example of abortion. We typically tend to place the blame for an abortion on the mother, but what about the father. Is the father not to blame as well, when he puts direct pressure on the woman to have an abortion or when he indirectly encourages such a decision by lack of moral and financial support. (58) Then there is the doctors and nurses, whose training, education and experience are supposed to be placed at the service of life, not at the service of death. (58) How could a medical professional with any degree of integrity, possibly assist in the death of an innocent human being in the womb. What about legislators, who have failed to protect the innocent unborn at law. Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper is just such an example, whose failure as early at 2008 to address the abortion issue in Canada, will have negative ramifications for many years to come.

Society's response to a crisis pregnancy should be one which co-operates with God's plan for humanity by providing financially, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and physically assistance. In so doing, we do our part to ensure the entry of another beautiful life on earth is lovingly received. Some have made this their mission, such as the Sisters of Life, a Catholic women's religious Order, whose organization assists with crisis pregnancies, helping those women understand that they can do this, they are not alone! This year, I created a pro-life flyer on the Sisters of Life, as part of a Secular Franciscan effort.  Please take the time to view and print it out as part of your effort to assist in a crisis pregnancy.

It is my hope that this posting has raised your awareness level and recognition of the value and inviolability of human life, that you will take an active role to spread your awareness and in so doing, perhaps even help save a life!

The Moral Disorder in Canada: The Analogy of Cain and Abel

The analogy of Cain and Abel was first presented by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae or the Gospel of Life on March 25, 1995. If you are somewhat new to or unfamiliar with the late pontiff's writings, Evangelium Vitae is considered to be one of the most important documents of Pope John Paul II's pontificate.

Evangelium Vitae is a document that seeks to defend and promote the value and inviolability of human life against the many threats to it including: abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and human embryo research.

The inclusion of the biblical passage of Cain killing Abel, not only highlights the seriousness of murder, but it is meant to address the modern world's "Culture of Death," where many countries have ushered in murder at law and within their constitutions.

Just as Cain was responsible for Abel's death, so too are many political leaders responsible for the deaths of innocent, unborn children. Canada is one such country where the political leadership has been responsible for "therapeutic abortions" since 1969, and abortion "available on demand" since 1988. 

Today's post focuses on the moral disorder in Canada that has resulted from the daily, willful murder of developing human beings in the womb. 

A Brief Summary of the Scriptural Passage of Cain and Abel

To understand the analogy of Canada's moral disorder and the biblical passage of Cain and Abel, I have provided a brief summary, which can be read in full at Genesis 4:9-16.

Cain and Abel, were sons of Eve. Cain a tiller of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Over time, both presented offerings to God. Abel offered the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions and Cain, fruit of the ground. Of the two offerings, God was pleased only with Abel's. As a result Cain became angry and plotted to kill Abel. Cain invited Abel to go out into the field and it was there that Cain rose up against Abel and killed him.

The Lord then asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain replied, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" The Lord said to Cain, "What have you done?" As punishment, Cain was banished from the land he knew to live in exile, wandering about like a fugitive. 

Cain became quite distressed and was worried about retribution by others for the killing of his brother. God assured him that he would not be harmed and to prove it marked Cain so that all who saw this mark, would know not to hurt him. The place of tranquility of Eden that Cain had enjoyed was to be no more. Cain finally settled in Nod, east of Eden, alone and separated from God.

By including the biblical passage of Genesis in Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II presented a fundamental concern regarding today's world that is at the core of this analogy:

"The Lord said to Cain: "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" (Gen 4:10). The voice of the blood shed by men continues to cry out, from generation to generation, in ever new and different ways. The Lord's question: "What have you done?", which Cain cannot escape, is addressed also to the people of today to make them realize the extent and gravity of the attacks against life which continue to mark human history; to make them discover what causes these attacks and feeds them; and to make them ponder seriously the consequences which derive from these attacks for the existence of individuals and peoples. Some threats come from nature itself, but they are made worse by the culpable indifference and negligence of those who could in some cases remedy them." (10)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is one such individual who has been indifferent and negligent with his adamant refusal to allow for abortion to be debated in the House of Commons. 

The Moral Disorder Within the Canadian Context 

As early as September 29, 2008, Prime Minister Harper had publicly stated to reporters that his government would not open the abortion debate and would prevent anyone else from trying to do so. This shocking announcement was caught by LifeSiteNews and published in an article titled, Prime Minister Harper: Not Now, Not Ever Will Conservative Government Protect Unborn Children. On that same day Prime Minister Harper reiterated his government's position three more times!

In 2011, Harper held fast to his anti-life position when he fled from Conservative Member of Parliament Brad Trost's pro-life comments made at a pro-life convention, by stating, "As long as I'm prime minister, we are not opening the abortion debate...The government will not bring forward any such legislation, and any such legislation that is brought forward will be defeated."

There have been other Conservative MP's, such as Stephen Woodworth's  Motion 312 in 2012, which sought to launch a special committee to re-examine section 223 of Canada's Criminal Code, which stipulates that a child only becomes a human being once he or she has fully proceeded from the womb. Prime Minister Harper voted against it and the motion was defeated in the House of Commons.

During that same year, Mark Warawa put forth Motion 408 to re-examine the definition of human life and condemn sex-selective abortions.

Then there are the twenty-six Conservative MPs and two Senators who were in attendance at this year's March For Life in Ottawa; a clear indication that a significant amount in Harper's government are against the killing of a developing human being in the womb.

Harper continues to ignore the concerns of Canadians, those MPs in the Conservative government, and the Senate.

Perhaps it is the view of Prime Minister Harper that he is "not his brother's keeper." What ever the case may be, as Prime Minister, he has a direct responsibility to protect Canadians, especially those most vulnerable such as those developing in the womb. This very point was emphasized by Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, "But responsibility likewise falls on the legislators who have promoted and approved abortion laws, and, to the extent that they have a say in the matter, on the administrators of the health-care centres where abortions are performed." (59)

To do otherwise should be considered willful negligence on Harper's part and is the equivalent of Cain's action against Abel. Perhaps Harper flatters himself that he knows not his sins, but he will have to answer to God on Judgement Day and woe to him if his response is that of Cain's! 

Pope John Paul II stated in Evangelium Vitae, "...I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being." (62)

Canada's moral disorder did not begin with the current Prime Minister Stephen Harper, but with the stirrings from certain publications: Chatelaine magazine in 1959; the Globe and Mail; and the United Church Observer in 1961; all in an effort to encourage changes to the abortion law.

In addition, there was support for changes to the abortion law from the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Medical Association in 1963.

In 1963-64, The United Church of Canada and Anglican Church of Canada began to support abortion when the life of the mother was threatened.

In 1966, the notion that abortion laws should change in Canada made it into the House of Commons with Liberal MP Ian Wahn's private member's bill.

Eventually these stirrings became an inclusion in the infamous 1969 Omnibus Bill, reintroduced by then Finance Minister, John Turner. The Omnibus Bill still maintained abortion as a criminal offence, but permitted it in hospitals when an application for an abortion was approved by the majority of a "Therapeutic Abortion Committee."

As to what constituted approval by the "committee," the health of the mother was insufficiently defined, so the emotional health of the mother was also included as a "valid" reason for approving an abortion. What resulted was the approval of many abortions that quickly became the second most popular "surgical procedure" after tonsillectomies.

For complete details of how Canada's moral disorder began, see Campaign Life Coalition's Chronology of Laws.

One of the most significant developments in Canada's moral disorder was the infamous Dr. Henry Morgantaler's 1988 constitutional challenge, which resulted in the removal of all legal restrictions for the killing of a human being in the womb, and essentially began "abortion on demand" in Canada.

Today, there are abortion facilities operating legally under the euphemistic title of "Women's Health Clinic."  

In my view, Canada has left the "Garden of Eden," a place of plenty, of harmonious interpersonal relationships and friendship with God, to a place on earth transformed by moral disorder, a land of Nod. Like Cain, many Canadians are marked by their willful murder of the innocent and roam the country separated from God. 

Evangelium Vitae Day June 15-16, An Annual Vatican Celebration of Life

Evangelium Vitae Day is the annual Vatican celebration that promotes the respect and dignity of human life. It is a celebration that began a few years ago with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, that featured an annual papal Mass for pro-life leaders. This year on June 15th, it will offer an opportunity for the faithful from all around the world, who are aged, sick, dying, physically and mentally challenged and those who suffer in any way, to gather at St. Peter's Square with the Holy Father Pope Francis, in a communal witness to the sacred value of life.

The day celebrating Evangelium Vitae has been given the title, "Believing May They Have LIfe." In an article from the Vatican News web site titled, Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration and Evangelium Vitae Day, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, stated that "We have given it this name to testify to the grand theme that revolves around the Church's commitment to the promotion, respect, and dignity of human life." The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization is a newly formed council whose aim is to encourage a reawakening of the faith in traditionally Christian countries whose faith has waned.

On June 15th, in addition to the catechesis on Evangelium Vitae for various language groups, Holy Mass in several languages, a pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. Peter, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Penance, candlelight procession and prayer vigil, there will be an English language only event, an Educational Conference: The Gospel of Life and the New Evangelization. This conference will feature a keynote address by His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, the former Archbishop of St. Louis and current Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura. There will be a panel discussion led by two leading Catholic authors and intellectuals, Francis Beckwith author and Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies and Resident scholar in the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, and Robert Royal, author and the President of the Faith and Reason Institute, Graduate Dean at the Catholic Distance University. The moderator of the panel will be Douglas Sylva, Senior Fellow and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute.  On Sunday, June 16th this celebration of life will conclude with the Holy Mass, celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square. For a detailed list of the events during this upcoming weekend, please click on the following link: Day Celebrating The Evangelium Vitae.

The term Evangelium Vitae is Latin, for the Gospel of Life, a title given to a document, an encyclical written by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1995, which this annual Vatican celebration is based on. Today, the encyclical still retains its relevance and importance in Canada's ever increasingly secularized society. At the time Blessed Pope John Paul II had written and published the aforementioned encyclical, negative societal trends in Canada had established a level of desensitization and apathy toward the value and inviolability of human life. What resulted was the increased development of a "culture of death," that manifested itself in the Canadian government's refusal to debate the abortion issue in parliament, the 1988 Morgantaler challenge and reinterpretation of the Canadian Constitution that resulted in the removal of all legal barriers to abortion, acceptance from medical organizations and associations and a general widespread disrespect for the dignity of the human person. Part of Blessed Pope John Paul II's response to what was happening in Canada and throughout the world, was the publication of in which he appealed to every individual:

The present Encyclical, the fruit of the cooperation of the Episcopate of every country of the world, is therefore meant to be a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability, and at the same time a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person, in the name of God: respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life!  Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness! (EV, 5)

In preparing for this blog post and Evangelium Vitae Day, I reread Evangelium VitaeI respectfully encourage anyone who is serious about any number of the threats to the value and inviolability of human life, to read or reread the Gospel of Life. 

Welcome To My New Blog

A warm welcome to everyone to my new blog!

Although I am not totally new to blogging, this is my first solo effort! Inspired by so many great bloggers here in Canada and throughout the world, I enthusiastically join the blogging community, hopeful and confident, that my God given gifts, will in some way benefit others.

I think it is only forthcoming that I begin by explaining why I am doing this and what I hope to accomplish! This blogging effort was a result of dedicated and consistent prayer, seeking the answer from God, as to what else can I do to share my gifts with others. The answer came one day when I was reciting the Rosary: blogging!

The decision to blog was also made clear by the ease with which Google's blog platform accommodates such an endeavour! Together with my faith, knowledge, experience, understanding, creative endeavours, awareness and observations, I hope to contribute to my local community, striving to make it a better place to live in.

I have decided to blog also as a matter of highlighting some of the societal issues facing my community and Canadian society in general. There is no doubt in my mind that some of the problems we are facing here in Canada, mirror many other parts of the world. Hopefully, my posts will help others, no matter where they may be! 

Much of what I intend to share stems my Catholic faith journey and the knowledge that I have acquired not only regarding fundamental and other aspects of the Catholic faith, but the truths that the Catholic faith has revealed about a variety of topics, issues and controversies.

For Catholics and Christians alike, Jesus Christ is "...the way, the truth and the life..." (John 14:6). The teachings of the Catholic Church have always been for me, a first step to acquiring an understanding. In today's deceptive world, we can sometimes forget how important it is to begin with resources based on the truth! I hope all visitors to my blog will benefit from the truth!

To all who visit my blog, I thank you for doing so! Please feel free to share your thoughts with me and if you so consider my efforts worthy, let's connect and collectively improve this global village we all live in!  

God bless to everyone!


Cheers