23 September 2012 St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Southern Italy Of feeble health but strong will, he was ordained Capuchin priest in 1910. On 20 September 1918, the five wounds of our Lord’s Passion appeared on his body, to be the first stigmatized priest. Canonized by Pope John Paul II on 16 June 2002. (“Padre Pio Information Centre”, Kent CT5 2DF) “I Am the Light of the World.” (Jn 8:12) Our Lord began with these words his third sermon in the temple. To understand what the world owes to the Divine Light in the person of Jesus Christ, we must consider the state of society before the Incarnation. The most senseless idolatry was substituted for the worship of the only true God. Divine honors were given to gods of wood and stone. Human sacrifices were offered with the most dreadful cruelty. More than half the world were reduced to a state of slavery, and treated like brute beasts. Children were abandoned. The worst vices were raised to the rank of virtues. To whom do we owe our deliverance from all errors and abominations of Paganism? To Jesus Christ, and to the light of the true faith which, through his Apostles, he spread all over the world. It is to him alone that we owe all the good we enjoy, both natural and supernatural. He enlightens every man that does not wilfully close his eyes. He has taught us the nobleness of our origin, the grandeur of our destiny, the duties we owe to God, to our neighbors, and ourselves. Duties which if faithfully fulfilled, would undoubtedly make the human race happy, both in this world and the next. What gratitude, then, do we not owe our Lord? “He who follows me walks not in darkness ...” (Jn 8:12) not in the paths of vice and error; but in the daylight of truth and virtue. Pagan savages brought to Christ, and learned and lived the doctrines of his Gospel, became models of virtue, gentleness and heroism. On the contrary, whoever abandons these doctrines relapses into barbarism. Altering it by heresy, they fall into a chaos of doubt and human opinions. If separated by schism, they become victims of worldly power. How consoling for us whom the Lord ‘has called out of darkness’, in the persons of our ancestors, ‘into his marvellous light’ to meditate on these great truths. For us who, born of Catholic parents, have been taught from our childhood the knowledge and love of God! Let us take care to live worthy of this great favor. “... shall have the light of life” (Jn 8:12) ie, spiritual life which leads to the Beatific Vision. He who lives habitually in a state of grace, exempt from mortal sin, is in the first grade of spiritual life. He who lives exempt from deliberate venial sin, is in the second. He who, entirely detached from the world, aims habitually at the perfect imitation of Christ, is in the third. We admire those who reach this third degree. They have in this life great spiritual illumination, the source of unspeakable sweetness; and in the next, a greater share in the joys of eternal life, the Beatific Vision. Jesus calls us to this third degree and gives us the means to reach it. Let us use them with humility, confidence, and perseverance. Success is assured. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp600-602 To Men of Culture Through your scientific, philosophic, literary, and historical professional capacities, you can offer a service of authentic intellectual charity to your colleagues, to students, to society and all its institutions. You can also offer a service to the Church, as a cultural contribution, for catechesis, for evangelization, for human advancement. You are not only intellectuals who reflect, evaluate and contemplate truth, closed in an individualistic ivory tower. Do not let it be that only isolated voices launch messages to consciences and to the world. You, too are involved in a prophetical task of forming sensitive consciences capable of saying “No” to death, to hatred, to violence, to terror, to error, to evil, to degradation; but saying “Yes” to the good, to the beautiful, to truth, to justice, to responsibility, to life, to peace, to Love. You, too, must take on your responsibility, consciously. Your contribution in this field is conspicuous. The young who have an educational contact with you, politicians who turn an ear to what you say, technicians who cannot do without you -- let all these be aided by you to enter sagely and rationally into a vision of life and human society which promotes the common good of all mankind. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp334-5 Professional prestige From what lamp can the light of Christ shine forth into our midst? Our top quality work and professional prestige. Can a Catholic businessman talk about high ideals with his employees if he ignores the Church’s social doctrine? A student who doesn’t study can’t share human and supernatural virtues to his friends. To have professional prestige, we should master our occupation, craft or profession. We must dedicate the necessary time for learning, practice or study; by setting goals in order to perform better each day, even after completing our formal course of study or training. A logical consequence of this commitment is respect by colleagues as a good worker or good student. This kind of reputation is indispensable for whoever wants to carry out a serious apostolate in the middle of the world. (cf Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 36) Almost without realizing it we will show how the doctrine of Christ can become a reality in ordinary life. Love for the Blessed Virgin will inspire us to imitate her in faithfully fulfilling our ordinary duties. She will move us to reject sin, even venial sin; and encourage us against our defects. Contemplating Mary’s docility to the Holy Spirit will inspire us to do God’s will whatever the cost. This kind of love will overcome our weakness and temptations to pride and sensuality. Our Lady, ‘Spes nostra’, our hope, will lift us up with hope whenever we experience our weaknesses! Ref: Cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 5:71-3; 206-7 • Our Lady of Valvenere, in Spain. This image was found in an oak, on the very spot where is now seen the magnificent church which Alphonsus IV, King of Castile, rebuilt. — Antonius Yepez, Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Valvenere, Spain. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)