5 New Catholic Saints

Pope Francis proclaim 5 new saints as he canonizes four religious and one lay person;

Cardinal John Henry Newman, 
Sister Marian Thresia, 
Sister Giuseppina Vannini, 
Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes, 
Marguerite Bays.

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis brought the Gospel of Luke into context explaining how the nine lepers who sought the help of Jesus and one only, that too a non-Jewish leper, came to thank Him once they were cured.

Mariam Thresia Mankidiyan

Cardinal Henry John Newman

Saint Cardinal Henry John Newman wrote a lot of songs, this one is particularly suited for the occasion, as saints are our leading lights.

Lead, Kindly Light

                    —————————————

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th'encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

                    —————————————

Source

Pope Francis quoted the newly proclaimed  Saint John Henry Newman, who had opined the holiness of daily life as: “The Christian has a deep, silent, hidden peace, which the world sees not... The Christian is cheerful, easy, kind, gentle, courteous, candid, unassuming; has no pretence... with so little that is unusual or striking in his bearing, that he may easily be taken at first sight for an ordinary man”

Marguerite Bays

2019, 28th Sunday reflections.

Being Thankful is the Key, to survive in grace.

Psalms 137

Psalms 137:5-6

5. If I forget you Jerusalem

May my right hand forget its skill

6. May my tongue cling to the roof my mouth,

If I do not remember you, 

If I do not consider Jerusalem, 

my highest  Joy. 

As our Nation is celebrating the Shakti Festival for Nine days and Rama Navami, everybody is counting their blessings and thanking God for their blessings with their family and loved ones. 

Family, loved ones, the means to take care of them are perhaps the greatest gifts one can have. Unfortunately, we know, some do not have it. Either the means or the mind to have love and family. For whatever reasons one may not have it, may one know it in ones heart the way life should be. The way ones happiness and joy ought to be. In that ideal Jerusalem, one praise God and pray that everyone have that blessing in their life and be grateful. 

Our blessings may be few, we still remember you Jerusalem, may our right hand forget its skill if we forget you, may our tongue cling to the roof of our mouths if we do not consider you as the highest of our joys. 

A "Gentile" thought.