Otherwise known as Our Lady of Mercy, her feast day is September 24. I believe the history of devotion to Our Lady under this title has great significance for our times and the current Islamic threat to Western civilization.
For information on the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, go here.
He was NOT euthanized.
“Pope John Paul II was cared for until the last moment of his life, when at 9:37 p.m. on April 2, 2005, he breathed his last.
“It is true that he had previously told his doctors, ‘Let me go to the Lord.’ But that was an ascetic phrase, an elevated form of a final prayer of a man who was suffering a great deal and felt the strong desire to draw close to the Heavenly Father.
“It was certainly not a renunciation or a form of anticipated surrender of life. Nor was it an invitation to physicians caring for him to pull the plug or to discontinue care, a sort of indirect choice for euthanasia, as some are insinuating. Whoever believes this, is wrong.” - Zenit
So don’t believe what you will no doubt be hearing from the secular media.
[Thanks to Susan for the tip.]
“When I see someone sad, I always think she is refusing something to Jesus.” - Blessed Mother Teresa.
Cathy of Alexandria has a beautiful reflection on venial sin and the grace of the Sacrament of Penance. Most Catholics realize venial sins, properly repented of, may be forgiven in many ways without Confession; through an act of contrition, Holy Communion, prayer, good works, etc.. However, it is good to confess venial sins in regular Confession, since the Sacrament itself is a source of actual graces, strengthening us to avoid sin in the future. Sacramental Confession is frequently the source of a deep interior joy which invigorates our generosity in the service of God.
Venial sin deprives us of many graces which could merit greater help from God, as well as hinder our growth in the love of God. Disregard of venial sins can become stepping stones to mortal sin, causing the soul to fall little by little through carelessness. The indifference generated by venial sin can weaken our will and discrenment in recognizing mortal sin. The Sacrament of Penance helps us correct this tendency, and is often the primary source for good spiritual direction in our spiritual life.
I want to go to Confession NOW!
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