Old Men

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From The Office of Readings:

The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the fore-ordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.

Justly, then, do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led toward the truth, and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. How can this be? Darkness yields before the coming of the light, and grace exchanges legalism for freedom. But midway between the two stands today’s mystery, at the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality, and the old is replaced by the new. Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.

--St. Andrew of Crete--

Tropical Storm Ophelia and Mary

Coincidence or another sign?

Ophelia means "help" or "succor"...interesting when you link this to the area threatened by Tropical Storm Ophelia -- St. Augustine, FL which coincidently was founded on September 8th, 1565 (anniversary tomorrow)... the feast of the birth of Mary. The area is also dominated by a beautiful shrine marking the spot, including a large cross and chapel of Our Lady of LaLeche (nursing mother).

Given that Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the patroness against storms and of New Orleans---add to this St. John Bosco's prophecy (alluded to last month on this blog, during the Pope's boat trip in Cologne)...where a future pope linked the barque of Peter to a pilar on which stood Our Lady Help of Christians (prompt succor is another rendering of this title) might we see some unraveling of a mystery before our eyes to prepare?

Check out How do You Handle Tragedy?

Hoarse Pope Receives Blessing from a Child

From Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - News In English:

With the original sin, man 'has replaced the glory of incorruptible God with the
image and figure of corruptible man, choosing to worship idols and becoming
alike', said Pope Benedict XVI today, describing the temptation to be godless,
which has always affected man, and is still topical. In order to react to this
temptation, said the Pope in the general hearing, 'we must keep on considering
the son of God a model. He freed us from darkness and took us to the kingdom of
his son. This is the condition that grants us eternal salvation, because Jesus
Christ is the first-born of the dead, namely, the first to resuscitate'. The
pope then greeted the members of the Cistercense Order in St.Peter's square,
asking them to 'faithfully experience St.Bernard's charisma, and pursue his
century-long spirtitual fertility'. THe pope also met Moscow nuncio, mons.
Antonio Mennini, and the representatives of the Holy See in South Africa and
Peru. The pope was in good shape, but had a hoarse voice. A curious episode
after the general hearing: a down lad, waiting to be blessed by the pope, gave
him a blessing himself before receiving it, with the austere pontiff smiling.

Powerful Typhoon Lashes Southern Japan

From the Washington Post:

Typhoon Nabi lashed southern Japan on Tuesday, forcing tens of thousands to
evacuate as the government dispatched troops to fortify defenses against the
waves and flooding. At least 15 people were injured and three reported missing.

With winds of up to 89 mph, the storm churned near the coastal city of
Kushikino on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu, Japan's Meteorological
Agency said.

Meanwhile back here Tropical Storm Nate forms in the Atlantic.

Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa

From Prayer to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta:

Blessed Teresa, you promised to continuously bring the light of love to those on earth; pray for us that we also may long to satiate the burning thirst of Jesus by loving Him ardently, sharing in His sufferings joyfully, and serving Him wholeheartedly in our brothers and sisters, especially those most unloved and unwanted.

Rehnquist's Funeral to be at St. Mathew's Cathedral

It'll be a Lutheran service though...

From :

President Bush could have petitioned Congress for a state funeral for Rehnquist, a ceremony that would have allowed the body to lie in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol. Only state funerals include that honor.

Rules of the Roman Catholic Church permit church use for funerals for those who, like Rehnquist, are not Roman Catholics, according to a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington. Rehnquist belonged to a Lutheran church and the services will be Lutheran.

Susan Gibbs, the spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said the request to use St. Matthew's came from the Rehnquist family through the court based on its size. The church has seating for about 2,000 in its main section and side chapels.