Our Motive Places the Value of Our Life

The value of our whole life depends on the motive by which we act.  Now it is certain that the highest motive is that of love.  Once the soul has given herself out of love, nothing stays her, neither sufferings, nor difficulties, nor all that troubles us, for “where there is love, labor is absent” (St Augustine).  Try then to give yourself to Christ in this way without reserve, for good and out of love.  Then all will go well.  Your life will be extremely pleasing to God and very meritorious. 

From:  Union with God: Letters of Spiritual Direction by Blessed Columba MarmionSelected and Annotated by Dom Raymond Thibaut

Vacare Deo

If our visits to God are random, they are probably driven by intermittent needs in our lives rather than a desire for relationship.  We come like a niece or nephew hoping for a loan or gift from a rich uncle, something to tide us over until the next time.  But when we start spending time with God every day, we realize that he has already been with us every day and knows us and our every need already.  Even so, God wants us to tell him our needs and our deepest desires, because that will help us become intimately and personally, beyond words and thoughts.  And the best way to do that is vacare Deo, spending time with God every day, with no agenda except to take a vacation with God. 

From:  Life Lessons from the Monasteryby Jerome Kodell, OSB

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth,

faint-heartedness,

lust of power,

and idle talk. 

But give rather the spirit of chastity,

humility,

patience,

and love

to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King!

Grant me to see my own errors

and not to judge my brother;

For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages.

 Amen.

Litany in Honor of St. Walburga

(for private use)

Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, have mercy on us,

Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, hear us,

Christ, graciously hear us,

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us.

Holy St. Walburga, pray for us.

Lily of purity, pray for us.

Lowly violet of humility, pray for us.

Perpetual holocaust of Divine love, pray for us.

Pattern of persevering charity, pray for us.

Shining example of obedience, pray for us.

Ornament of holy virgins, pray for us.

Example of self-denial, pray for us.

Teacher of continual prayer, pray for us.

Fervent follower of the Crucified, pray for us.

Chosen seat of Christian perfection, pray for us.

Ornament of the Benedictine Order, pray for us.

Glorious Saint in Heaven, pray for us.

Our wonder-working Patroness, pray for us.

Refuge of the afflicted, pray for us.

Consoler of the sorrowful, pray for us.

Protectress of the dying, pray for us.

Our refuge in every need, pray for us.

Our chosen Patroness, pray for us.

St. Walburga, whom God has glorified by numberless miracles, pray for us.

St. Walburga, from whose relics flows a healing oil, pray for us.

In all our anxieties and necessities, pray for us.

In times of special temptation and difficulty, pray for us.

In all our griefs and distresses, pray for us.

In every danger, pray for us.

In the hour of death and judgment, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

            Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

            Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

            Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us,

Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, O holy virgin Walburga,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

O almighty and merciful God,

who repairs all our frailties,

grant to us by the merits of your great servant, St. Walburga,

that we may have recourse to her patronage and intercession

in all our anxieties and necessities,

and may be freed by Your mercy

from all evils of body and soul. 

Amen.

I Kiss the Wounds...



I kiss the wound on Your Sacred Head,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every thought of mine today
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wound on Your Sacred Shoulder,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every cross I bear today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds on Your Sacred Hands,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every task I do today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds on Your Sacred Feet,
With sorrow deep and true,
May every step I take today,
Be a thousand acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

I kiss the wounds in Your Sacred Heart,
With sorrow deep and true;
May every beat of my heart today,
Be a million acts of love for You,
Of love for You, dear Lord.

Owning Up to Our Faults

St. Benedict realized that in owning up to our faults, we would be freed from the chains that bound us – the chains of our guilt.  Already asking ourselves the question, “Did anyone see that?”, already shows our embarrassment.  We want others to think well of us.  We want their admiration and applause.   We do not want their disdain.  We do not want them to think less of us. 

Could it be, though, that by owning up to our fault, especially at those times when it is severe, could realistically help someone else over come their own timidity and seek the forgiveness and healing that they need and desire?  Could it be that our example of admitting we are wrong and doing what it takes to set things right actually be the first part of the grace that our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Growth in the spiritual life does not come with leaps and bounds.  It usually comes by falling down and picking oneself up again.  It comes by being broken open so that there is room for the Spirit to enter into our lives and work. 

Growth also means being patient with ourselves and with those around us who are also on the journey.  We only get to graduate from this school of the Lord’s service when we enter fully into the embrace of our Heavenly Father upon our death.  Until then, we are learning the rugged and difficult path that leads to the high places in the kingdom of heaven. 

Let our prayer be that of Habakkuk:  Yet will I rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God.  God, my Lord, is my strength; me makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables be to go upon the heights (3:19).  Lord, make our feet like those of hinds…

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten journey...

O God, who are moved by acts of humility

and respond with forgiveness to works of penance,

lend your merciful ear to our prayers

and in you kindness pour out the grace of your blessing

on your servants who are marked with these ashes,

that, as they follow the Lenten observances,

they may be worth to come with minds made pure

to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mardi Gras - Monastery Style!

Whatever you want to call it -- Mardi Gras, Fasching, Carnival, Fat Tuesday -- it all commonly means a last day of feasting and good, light-hearted fun before Lenten fasting and abstinance begins. 

What do nuns do to celebrate?  Well, we've gathered a collection of funny hats, wigs, masks, etc. that we mix with scarfs, brightly colored fabric, some jewelry and whatever else may be at hand and dress up.  We enjoy some tasty treats and just have fun relaxing together -- and of course, take some photos to record the memories of our "costume creations."

So, enjoy an extra treat or two today -- and Happy Mardi Gras!

A Wonderful Heart

One week ago, one of our big-hearted volunteers had three major heart attacks within a 12 hour period.  The first one likely during late Sunday night/early Monday morning, one at his doctor's office and the third while undergoing heart catherization at a local hospital. 

The first left him incredibly weak -- and it seems that he was unaware that he had it.  The second one in the doctor's office got him an ambulance ride with police escort to the nearest hospital.  The third one had medical personnel performing CPR for 45 minutes while they hooked him up to a heart-lung bypass machine, and earned him a trip with a specialized ambulance crew to Allegheny General Hospital, and as of Friday he now has an artificial heart.

Ironically it was on Valentine's Day that this wonderful man -- known for having a B-I-G heart, was determined to need a heart transplant.  With no donor heart available, he received a titanium artifical heart on the way to a future heart transplant.

As you may be becoming more and more aware, our volunteers are not just individuals that come in and help -- they are truly a part of our family. 

We ask your prayers for him, and the nurses and doctors caring for him, and his family.  May God bless you!

Without Love Everything Is in Vain

A treatise on Charity by St. Maximus the Confessor
Charity is a right attitude of mind which prefers nothing to the knowledge of God. If a man possesses any strong attachment to the things of this earth, he cannot possess true charity. For anyone who really loves God prefers to know and experience God rather than his creatures. The whole set and longing of his mind is ever directed toward him.
For God is far superior to all his creation, since everything which exists has been made by God and for him. And so, in deserting God, who is beyond compare, for the inferior works of creation, a man shows that he values God, the author of creation, less than creation itself.
The Lord himself reminds us: Whoever loves me will keep my commandments. And this is my commandment: that you love one another. So the man who does not love his neighbour does not obey God’s command. But one who does not obey his command cannot love God. A man is blessed if he can love all men equally. Moreover, if he truly loves God, he must love his neighbour absolutely. Such a man cannot hoard his wealth. Rather, like God himself, he generously gives from his own resources to each man according to his needs.
Since he imitates God’s generosity, the only distinction he draws is the person’s need. He does not distinguish between a good man and a bad one, a just man and one who is unjust. Yet his own goodness of will makes him prefer the man who strives after virtue to the one who is depraved.
A charitable mind is not displayed simply in giving money; it is manifested still more by personal service as well as by the communication of God’s word to others: In fact, if a man’s service toward his brothers is genuine and if he really renounces worldly concerns, he is freed from selfish desires. For he now shares in God’s own knowledge and love. Since he does possess God’s love, he does not experience weariness as he follows the Lord his God. Rather, following the prophet Jeremiah, he withstands every type of reproach and hardship without even harbouring an evil thought toward any man.
For Jeremiah warns us: Do not say: “We are the Lord’s temple.” Neither should you say: “Faith alone in our Lord Jesus Christ can save me.” By itself faith accomplishes nothing. For even the devils believe and shudder.
No, faith must be joined to an active love of God which is expressed in good works. The charitable man is distinguished by sincere and long-suffering service to his fellow man: it also means using things aright.

From The Liturgy of the Hours

Volume III

The Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.  They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam Conflict broke out, the son went to war.  He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.  The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. 

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.  A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, “Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  He often talked about you, and your love for art.”  The young man held out this package.  “I know this isn’t much.  I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package.  It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.  He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.  He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.  “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.  It’s a gift. 

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.  “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.  Who will bid for this picture?”  There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting?  Who will start the bidding? $100?  $200?”

Another angry voice, “we didn’t come to see this painting.  We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”

But still the auctioneer continued. “The son!  The son!  Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.  It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.”  Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have $10, who will bid $20?”  “Give it to him for $10.  Let’s see the Masters.”  The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son.  They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, sold for $10!”  A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?”  “I am sorry.  When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.  I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.  Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.  Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.  The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross.  Much like the auctioneer, his message today is:  “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?”  Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.  For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son, whosoever believeth, shall have eternal life.  That’s love.

Recommendation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O sweetest Heart of Jesus,

to Thee I commend my body

and my soul this night,

that they may calmly rest in Thee.

And as I cannot praise my God

while I sleep,

do Thou deign

to supply my lack of service,

and for every beating of my heart

give praise to the most Holy Trinity

on my behalf;

receive into Thyself

every breath I draw,

and offer them all to God

as glowing sparks of Divine love.

Amen.

~ St. Gertrude the Great

I am the light of the world...

Ego sum lux mundi;

qui sequitur me,

non ambulat in tenebris,

sed habebit lumen vitae

("I am the light of the world;

the one who follows me does not walk in darkness,

but has the light of life")

John 8:12

One doesn't accept these words at face value.  One has to have faith that enables these words to sink in with meaning.

So much of life appears dark and unclear, and if we believe that the appearance is all that really is, then we're in trouble.  But if we regularly refer our thoughts to the correcting value of the mind of Christ, then we're walking with clarity and precision.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He lights up the world.  He lights up our lives.  That light shows the way even when our mightiest powers of reason fail us.

But this is His promise, and believing Him who can do anything, and believing Him who can neither deceive nor be deceived, turns a spotlight on our steps, choices, and decisions that is flashed our way from heaven itself.

From Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth

by Rt. Rev. Lambert Reilly, OSB

Snow Fun Nunning II

Another part of the walk that brought about the mischevious snowball, included a visit to our Last Supper Shrine.  We were intrigued at how the blowing wind had caused the snow to drape over Jesus' shoulder. 

It was tempting to go over and put your arm around Jesus and give him a hug, and with camera in hand we "captured the moment."

If you are ever in the area, you would be most welcome to visit with Jesus, sharing with Him all that is happening in your life.

Will You Be Mine?

Will you be Mine?

Will you love Me with all your heart and soul?

Will you cling to Me who are your true strength?

Will you be only Mine?



Snow Fun Nunning

At the end of last week, temperatures dipped and we received several inches of snow.  Several of us have been trying to do the "healthy" thing several times each week and go out and enjoy fresh air, sunshine and make several laps around our beautiful grounds. 

Alas, even an innocent walk can be lead some innocent mischief!  Unfortunately, the snow proved to be too dry to make a really good snowball, so we contented ourselves with simply enjoying the wonder of God's creation covered with a blanket of pure white snow.

Prayer - Meeting of the Human and the Divine

All prayer is a meeting between the human will and the will of God; for this we are indebted to the Son's obedience to the Father:  "Your will be done."  And obedience does not mean only renunciation of one's own will; it means opening one's spiritual eyes and ears to the Love which is God himself, God who loved the world so much thata for its sake he sacrificed his only-begotten Son.

~ Blessed John Paul II

in Sign of Contradiction

The Summons

So often when we talk about vocation we use the phrase "a calling" or "being called" to describe it. 

Yet a somewhat popular hymn with a "ministry and mission" theme is called The Summons, which has a somewhat different meaning.  Summon means "to call for," while summons can mean "any call to appear."  Calling refers to "one's profession or vocation."

So, then maybe some questions to ask yourself are

• Am I being summoned by the Lord?
• Does He desire me to follow Him radically? 
• Am I meant to be someone who is counter-cultural? 
• What does God want for me?
• Am I willing to surrender my will to His will?
• Am I willing to say yes to God?

Litany in Honor of St. Scholastica

For Private Use Only.

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.

Saint Scholastica, pray for us. (repeated after each invocation)
St. Scholastica, true sister of St. Benedict,
St. Scholastica, chosen by God from eternity,
St. Scholastica, predisposed to faith by the grace of Christ Our Lord,
St. Scholastica, consecrated to God from thine infancy,
St. Scholastica, always a Virgin incorrupt,
St. Scholastica, espoused to Jesus Christ,
St. Scholastica, scholar of the Holy Ghost,
St. Scholastica, mirror of innocence,
St. Scholastica, model of perfection,
St. Scholastica, pattern of virtues,
St. Scholastica, glory of the monastic life,
St. Scholastica, mother of numberless virgins,
St. Scholastica, imitator of the angelic life,
St. Scholastica, full of faith in God,
St. Scholastica, replenished with hope of the goods of Heaven,
St. Scholastica, ever burning with the love of thy Spouse,
St. Scholastica, resplendent with humility,
St. Scholastica, trusting as a daughter in the Lord,
St. Scholastica, intent on prayer,
St. Scholastica, quickly heard by the Lord,
St. Scholastica, famed for the praise of perseverance,
St. Scholastica, who didst enter the courts of Heaven in the form of a dove,
St. Scholastica, who dost now follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth,
St. Scholastica, who dost rejoice in the delights of thy Spouse forever,
St. Scholastica, adorned with a crown of glory,
St. Scholastica, advocate with God of those who invoke thee,
St. Scholastica, generous patron of those who imitate thee,
St. Scholastica, holy and innocent Virgin,

We sinners, Beseech thee, Saint Scholasica, to hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to help us by thy most holy
 and efficacious prayers to God,We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to cherish and preserve,
by thy protection, the Benedictine Order and all who dwell therein, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign to raise up, increase, and preserve our
devotion toward thee, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst deign, by thy supplications, to moisten the dryness
of our hearts with the dew of heavenly grace,We beseech thee, hear us.
That by thy intercession thou mayest eternally unite us to Christ,
the Spouse of our souls, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou mayest lead us to eternal joys, and to Jesus, We beseech thee, hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us, We beseech thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

            Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Virgin Scholastica,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who, to show the innocence of her life,
didst cause the soul of Thy blessed Virgin Scholastica
to ascend to Heaven in the form of a dove,
grant, we beseech Thee,
by her merits and prayers,
that we may live so innocently as to deserve to arrive at eternal joys, through Jesus Christ, Thine only-begotten Son Our Lord,
Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth,
God, forever and ever. R. Amen.

Hello! Nunning

Believe it or not, this was not a staged photo!  On hold on one line and another incoming call on the other!

Hospitality has many faces.  Not only do we welcome Christ in the guest at the door, but also welcome Christ in the guest via the telephone, an email, or a letter equally.  The reality of all of them is that Christ is being made present to us, to our concern, whether the individual is calling with a prayer request, making a retreat reservation, inquiring about accommodations at our bed and breakfast, looking for an item in our gift and book shop or just has a question or needs a listening ear. 

In all of it, we encounter Christ if we are attentive to the moment.

A Prayer for Fulfilling the Will of God

O most merciful Jesus,

grant me Your grace,

that it may remain with me always

and persevere with me to the end.

Grant me always to will and desire

what is most pleasing

and acceptable to You.

Let Your will be mine,

and let my will always follow Yours

in perfect conformity with it.

Let my will and desires

always be one with Yours;

and let me be unable to will or not will except

as You will or do not will.

Grant that I may die to all worldly things,

and that I may be despised and unknown

for love of You.

Grant, above all things to be desired

that I may find rest in You,

and that in Your heart alone may be my peace.

You, O Lord,

give true peace to the heart

and perfect rest to body and soul.

Apart from You,

all is difficult and never still.

In that peace,

in You Who are the one,

supreme and eternal Good,

I will sleep and take my rest (Ps. 4:9)

Amen.

from The Imitation of Christ

by Thomas A Kempis

Book 3, Chapter 15

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84:11

The response and verses of today's Responsorial Psalm at Mass sum up so beautifully how our hearts are drawn to the Lord!  Even a single day with Him is better than days beyond counting.

Praying, living, working all within the confines of the monastry grounds and in such close proximity to the Chapel is the grace of our monastic vocation.  Supported by each other, we place our hearts and whole being at His service.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like?  We invite you to come and experience it for yourself.  We have a new overnight planned for Palm Sunday weekend (March 31-April 1) or a longer time planned April 4-8 (or you could come for a day or two during those days).  Contact Sr. Mary Clare at 724-834-3060 or email vocations@stemma.org for additional information or to sign up.

I am the light of the world...

Ego sum lux mundi; qui sequitur me, non

ambulat in tenebris, sed habebit lumen vitae

("I am the light of the world;

the one who follows me 

does not walk in darkness,

but has the light of life")

John 8:12

One doesn't accept these words at face value.  One has to have faith that enables these words to sink in with meaning.

So much of life appears dark and unclear, and if we believe that the appearance is all that really is, then we're in trouble.  But if we regularly refer our thoughts to the correcting value of the mind of Christ, then we're walking with clarity and precision.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He lights up the world.  He lights up our lives.  That light shows the way even when our mightiest powers of reason fail us.

But this is His promise, and believing Him who can do anything, and believing Him who can neither deceive nor be deceived, turns a spotlight on our steps, choices, and decisions that is flashed our way from heaven itself.

from Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth

by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, OSB

World Day for Consecrated Life

Instituted by Blessed John Paul II in 1997, this day of prayer for men and women in consecrated life.  Attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2), it is also known as Candlemas Day due to the candles that are blessed as part of the liturgy.  Let us pray that those in the consecrated life may reflect the light of Christ for all to see.

Prayer for Consecrated Persons

God our Father,

we thank you for calling men and women

to serve in your Son’s Kingdom

as sisters, brothers, religious priests,

consecrated virgins, and hermits,

as well as members of Secular Institutes.

Renew their knowledge and love of you,

and send your Holy Spirit to help them

respond generously and courageously to your will.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(Prayer from the USCCB)

Commemorating Mary on Saturday

During Ordinary Time, the option is given in the Liturgy to commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturdays.  Here at the monastery, we do this once a month, usually on the First Saturday, unless another saint's feast day falls on that day.

Why do we do this?  Mary was the first person who "got it right."  Unlike Eve and Adam who wanted to become gods themselves, Mary humbled herself before God.  She said "Yes!" to God's will and became the Mother of Jesus.  Where would we be today without Mary's yes?

Today, take a few minutes to ask Mary to intercede for you before the throne of her Son, and ask her to help you to be open to God's will for your life.  May you be able to say fiat to God just like Mary did.

Abandoning Ourselves Unreservedly

Few souls understand

what God would accomplish in them

if they were to abandon themselves

unreservedly to Him

and if they were to allow His grace

to mold them accordingly.

~ St. Ignatius Loyola

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace...

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,

 according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
~ From the Gospel of Saint Luke

These words from Saint Luke's Gospel which is an option for today's feast, are prayed each night at Compline -- the Office that closes our day and begins our time of sacred silence until the next morning.  In these short, yet poignant phrases, Simeon praises God for seeing the Messiah, and prophesies that Jesus will not only be a light for his own people, but also for all peoples. 

Tonight as you pray your final prayers, perhaps Simeon's words can be added and well as a few quiet moments to ponder this tremendous gift of faith that we have received from God.

February Prayer Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI

Access to Water.  That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.

Health Workers.  That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.

For more information about the Apostleship of Prayer, visit:  http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/.