The Rosary Is Synthesis of History of God’s Mercy, Says Pope... from ZENIT of Roswell, Georgia, United States for Sunday, 9 October 2016

The Rosary Is Synthesis of History of God’s Mercy, Says Pope... from ZENIT of Roswell, Georgia, United States for Sunday, 9 October 2016
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The Rosary Is Synthesis of History of God’s Mercy, Says Pope by Kathleen Naab

Pope Francis says the rosary, in many ways, is the “synthesis of the history of God’s mercy,” but that far from removing us from life’s problems it “demands that we immerse ourselves in the history of each day, so as to grasp the signs of Christ’s presence in our midst.”
The Pope said this Saturday evening as he celebrated a Vigil for today’s Marian Jubilee in the context of the Year of Mercy. This morning he celebrated Mass for the jubilee.
Saturday’s reflection centered on the rosary, which the Pope said asks us to “reflect on how God comes into our own lives, so as to be able to welcome him and follow him.”
“We are disciples, but also missionaries,” he reflected, “bringing Christ wherever he asks us to be present.”
The gift of his presence shouldn’t be kept to ourselves: “On the contrary, we are called to share with everyone his love, his tenderness, his goodness and his mercy.”
Thank you
Then at today’s Mass, the Pope underlined Mary’s example as a woman of gratitude.
Drawing from today’s reading about the 10 lepers who Jesus healed, and the one who returned to thank him, the Holy Father invited the faithful to ask, “Are we capable of saying, ‘Thank you?’”
“How many times do we say ‘Thank you’ in our family, our community, and in the Church? […] Often we take everything for granted! This also happens with God,” he said, noting that it is easy to ask the Lord for something, but returning to give thanks is another matter.
But in this effort, Mary is a model, Francis said.
“After hearing the message of the Angel, she lifted up her heart in a song of praise and thanksgiving to God: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord…'”
“Let us ask Our Lady to help us recognize that everything is God’s gift, and to be able to say ‘Thank you,’” he invited. “Then our joy will be complete.”
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On ZENIT’s web page:
Full text of meditation from Saturday’s vigil: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-meditation-at-marian-jubilee-vigil/
Full text of homily from today’s Mass: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-homily-for-marian-jubilee/
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Chicago, Indianapolis Prelates on List of New Cardinals by ZENIT Staff

At the end of his Angelus address today, Pope Francis announced there will be a consistory for the creation of 17 new Cardinals on Nov. 19, the eve of the closing of the Year of Mercy.
Of the 17 new cardinals, 13 will be under 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave.
On the list are the prelates of Chicago and Indianapolis, as well as the Irish-born bishop of Dallas who has been appointed the head of the Vatican’s new Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
The Holy Father said that the those chosen come from five continents.
Here is the list:
Archbishop Mario Zenari, Italy
Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Central African Republic
Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra, Spain
Archbishop Sérgio da Rocha, Brazil
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, U.S.A.
Related: Archbishop Cupich Tells Journalists He Sees Transformation in Synod Hall
Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario, Bangladesh
Archbishop Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, Venezuela
Archbishop Jozef De Kesel, Belgium
Archbishop Maurice Piat, Mauritius
Archbishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, U.S.A.
Related: Archbishop Farrell, appointed prefect of Dicastery for Laity, Family, Life, tells Zenit it’s the ‘age of the laity’
Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes, Mexico
Archbishop John Ribat, Papua Nuova Guinea
Archbishop Mons. Joseph William Tobin, U.S.A.
Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez, Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Archbishop Renato Corti, Archbishop Emeritus of Novara Italy
Archbishop Sebastian Koto Khoarai, Bishop Emeritus of Mohale’s Hoek Lesotho
Father Ernest Simoni, presbytery of the Archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult, Scutari – Albania.
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Pope Assures His Closeness to Victims of Hurricane Matthew by ZENIT Staff

Pope Francis is assuring the people of Haiti that he is close to them, as the death toll on the island from Hurricane Matthew approaches 1,000.
The Pope mentioned the hurricane today with his praying of the midday Angelus, following a Mass he celebrated for the Marian Jubilee during this Year of Mercy.
In the United States, at least 15 people have died from the storm, which is continuing to cause flooding and damage along the east coast.
“I learned with sorrow of the serious consequences caused by the hurricane which recently hit the Caribbean, especially Haiti, leaving many victims and displaced persons, as well as substantial property damage. I assure my closeness to the people and express confidence in the sense of solidarity of the international community, of Catholic institutions and people of good will. I invite you to join me in prayer for these brothers and sisters, so sorely tried,” he said, according to a translation by Vatican Radio.
The Holy Father also remembered the beatification on Saturday in Oviedo, Spain, of Fr Gennaro Fueyo Castañón and three lay companions.
“We praise the Lord,” he said, “ for these heroic witnesses of the faith, added to the ranks of the martyrs that have given their lives in the name of Christ.”
In concluding remarks the Pope greeted all the pilgrims who participated in the Marian Jubilee and thanked them for their presence.
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Pope’s Homily for Marian Jubilee by ZENIT Staff

Here is a Vatican translation of Pope Francis’ homily from Mass this morning, celebrated for the Marian Jubilee of the Year of Mercy.
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This Sunday’s (cf. Lk 17,11-19) Gospel invites us to acknowledge God’s gifts with wonder and gratitude. On the way to his death and resurrection, Jesus meets ten lepers, who approach him, keep their distance and tell their troubles to the one whom their faith perceived as a possible saviour: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (v. 13). They are sick and they are looking someone to heal them. Jesus responds by telling them to go and present themselves to the priests, who according to the Law were charged with certifying presumed healings. In this way, Jesus does not simply make them a promise; he tests their faith. At that moment, in fact, the ten were not yet healed. They were restored to health after they set out in obedience to Jesus’ command. Then, rejoicing, they showed themselves to the priests and continued on their way. They forgot the Giver, the Father, who cured them through Jesus, his Son made man.
All but one: a Samaritan, a foreigner living on the fringes of the chosen people, practically a pagan! This man was not content with being healed by his faith, but brought that healing to completion by returning to express his gratitude for the gift received. He recognized in Jesus the true Priest, who raised him up and saved him, who can now set him on his way and accept him as one of his disciples.
To be able to offer thanks, to be able to praise the Lord for what he has done for us: this is important! So we can ask ourselves: Are we capable of saying “Thank you”? How many times do we say “Thank you” in our family, our community, and in the Church? How many times do we say “Thank you” to those who help us, to those close to us, to those who accompany us through life? Often we take everything for granted! This also happens with God. It is easy to approach the Lord to ask for something, but to return and give thanks… That is why Jesus so emphasizes the failure of the nine ungrateful lepers: “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Lk 17:17-18).
On this Jubilee day, we are given a model, indeed the model, to whom we can look: Mary, our Mother. After hearing the message of the Angel, she lifted up her heart in a song of praise and thanksgiving to God: “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Let us ask our Lady to help us recognize that everything is God’s gift, and to be able to say “Thank you”. Then our joy will be complete.
It also takes humility to be able to give thanks. In the first reading we heard the singular story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the King of Aram (cf. 2 Kg 5:14-17). In order to be cured of his leprosy, he accepts the suggestion of a poor slave and entrusts himself to the prophet Elisha, whom he considered an enemy. Naaman was nonetheless ready to humble himself. Elisha asks nothing of him, but simply orders him to bathe in the waters of the River Jordan. This request leaves Naaman perplexed, even annoyed. Can a God who demands such banal things truly be God? He would like to turn back, but then he agrees to be immersed in the Jordan and immediately he is cured.
The heart of Mary, more than any other, is a humble heart, capable of accepting God’s gifts. In order to become man, God chose precisely her, a simple young woman of Nazareth, who did not dwell in the palaces of power and wealth, who did not do extraordinary things. Let us ask ourselves if we are prepared to accept God’s gifts, or prefer instead to shut ourselves up within our forms of material security, intellectual security, the security of our plans.
Significantly, Naaman and the Samaritans were two foreigners. How many foreigners, including persons of other religions, give us an example of values that we sometimes forget or set aside! Those living beside us, who may be scorned and sidelined because they are foreigners, can instead teach us how to walk on the path that the Lord wishes. The Mother of God, together with Joseph her spouse, knew what it was to live far from home. She too was long a foreigner in Egypt, far from her relatives and friends. Yet her faith was able to overcome the difficulties. Let us cling to this simple faith of the Holy Mother of God; let us ask her that we may always come back to Jesus and express our thanks for the many benefits we have received from his mercy.© Copyright – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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Pope’s Meditation at Marian Jubilee Vigil by ZENIT Staff

Here is a Vatican translation of the meditation Pope Francis gaveSaturday evening, on the vigil of the Marian Jubilee.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this Vigil we have pondered the fundamental moments of the life of Jesus in company with Mary. In mind and heart, we have returned to the time of the fulfilment of Christ’s mission in the world. The Resurrection, as a sign of the extreme love of the Father who restores everything to life and as a foreshadowing of our future state. The Ascension, as a sharing in the Father’s glory, where even our humanity finds a privileged place. Pentecost, as the expression of the Church’s mission in history until the end of time, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the last two mysteries, we have also contemplated the Virgin Mary in the glory of heaven. From the earliest centuries, Mary has been invoked as Mother of Mercy.
The prayer of the rosary is, in many ways, the synthesis of the history of God’s mercy, which becomes a history of salvation for all who let themselves be shaped by grace. The mysteries we have contemplated are concrete events by which God’s intervention on our behalf develops. Through prayer and meditation on the life of Jesus Christ, we see once more his merciful countenance, which he shows to everyone in all the many needs of life. Mary accompanies us along this journey, pointing to her Son who radiates the very mercy of the Father. She is truly Hodegetria, the Mother who points to the path we are called to take in order to be true disciples of Jesus. In each mystery of the rosary, we feel her closeness and we contemplate her as the first disciple of her Son, for she does the Father’s will (cf. Lk 8:19-21).
Praying the rosary does not remove us from the problems of life. On the contrary, it demands that we immerse ourselves in the history of each day, so as to grasp the signs of Christ’s presence in our midst. Whenever we contemplate an event, a mystery of the life of Christ, we are asked to reflect on how God comes into our own lives, so as to be able to welcome him and follow him. In this way, we discover how we can follow Christ by serving our brothers and sisters. By accepting and making our own certain outstanding events in the life of Jesus, we share in his work of evangelization, so that God’s Kingdom can increase and spread in the world. We are disciples, but also missionaries, bringing Christ wherever he asks us to be present. So we cannot keep the gift of his presence within us. On the contrary, we are called to share with everyone his love, his tenderness, his goodness and his mercy. It is the joy of sharing that stops at nothing, for it brings a message of freedom and salvation.
Mary helps us to understand what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Eternally chosen to be his Mother, she learned to become his disciple. Her first act was to listen to God. She obeyed the message of the Angel and opened her heart to receive the mystery of divine motherhood. She followed Jesus, listening to every word that issued from his lips (cf. Mk 3:31-35). She kept all those things in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19) and became the living memory of the signs worked by God’s Son to awaken our faith. But is not enough simply to listen. That is certainly the first step, but listening then needs to be translated into concrete action. The disciple truly puts his life at the service of the Gospel.
So it is that the Virgin Mary went immediately to Elizabeth to help her in her pregnancy (cf. Lk 1:39-56). In Bethlehem she gave birth to the Son of God (cf. Lk 2:1-7). In Cana she showed her concern for two young spouses (cf. Jn 2:1-11). At Golgotha she did not flee pain but stood beneath the cross of Jesus and, by his will, became the Mother of the Church (cf. Jn 19:25-27). After the resurrection, she encouraged the apostles assembled in the Upper Room as they awaited the Holy Spirit who would make them fearless heralds of the Gospel (cf. Acts 1:14). Throughout her life, Mary did everything that the Church is asked to do in perennial memory of Christ. In her faith, we learn to open our hearts to obey God; in her self-denial, we see the importance of tending to the needs of others; in her tears, we find the strength to console those experiencing pain. In each of these moments, Mary expresses the wealth of divine mercy that reaches out to all in their daily needs.
This evening let us invoke our loving heavenly Mother with the oldest prayer that Christians have addressed to her, especially at times of trouble and martyrdom. Let us invoke her, in the certainty of being aided by her maternal mercy, so that she, “glorious and blessed”, can be a protection, help and blessing for us all the days of our life:
We fly to your protection, holy Mother of God. Scorn not our petitions in the hour of need. O glorious and blessed Virgin, deliver us always from every peril.[Original text: Italian]© Copyright – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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Gospel for Sunday, Oct. 9 by ZENIT Staff

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
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