Apostleship of Prayer

St. Bernadette, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared at Lourdes, is remembered on this day though her feast is not celebrated in the universal calendar of the Church. She is a saint not because she received visions, but because of her holiness of life which involved carrying a cross of misunderstanding and physical suffering. Our Lady herself told her: “I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next.” During this year we have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes, when Mary revealed herself to the fourteen year old Bernadette as the “Immaculate Conception.”

Today is Pope Benedict’s 81st birthday; let us thank God for his life and service of the Church. He will celebrate Mass this morning at the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio. At 10:30 AM he will meet privately with President Bush and give a major address in his presence. This is only the second time in history that a pope has visited the White House. He will have lunch with the U.S. Cardinals and then at 5:30 PM will celebrate Vespers with the Bishops of the U.S. at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our nation, and then address them. Let us pray today that our nation and our Church may listen carefully to the Holy Father’s words and respond generously to them. Our prayer is from the consecration prayer used in 1959 for the dedication of the National Basilica and Shrine.

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of Your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your mother; in union with Mary, we adore Your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to You. Through her we wish to thank You for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.

Today’s Readings:  Acts 12:24-3:5a;  Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8;  John 12:44-50

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