First of the Americans

Archbishop O'Brian

The Holy See announced this morning that the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore and has named His Grace Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of the Military Archdiocese as the successor of Keeler to the Primatial throne of the United States. O’Brien, a native of the Bronx New York was ordained to the priesthood in 1965, and has in his career been rector of two seminaries; St. Joseph’s in Dunwoody New York, and the North American College in Rome, as well as Archbishop of the 1.2 million strong Archdiocese of the Armed Forces.

Summorum Pontificum

Up to our own times,
it has been the constant concern of supreme pontiffs
to ensure that the Church of Christ
offers a worthy ritual
to the Divine Majesty

(Motu Proprio Summorum Pntificum of Pope Benedict XVI)

The Church in China

Mother of the Dawn of Grace
intercede for your children in
China and throughout the
whole World.

July 2

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in his letter to the Church in China speaks with “particular interest” and “sincere admiration” about the Chinese people, its culture and socio-economic achievements. With great “respect” for its political leaders, he is reassuring about the Church’s mission—which is not to “change the structure or administration of the State” (nº 4) —and is eager for and open to normalizing diplomatic relations. But with equal determination and clarity, he wants a place for the Church in Chinese society “for the good of Chinese Catholics” and “all the inhabitants of the country,” to reawaken its “spiritual energy”. For this reason the Holy Father wants an end to improper interference by the Chinese state in matters regarding the Faith and the internal life of the Church” and calls on the state to guarantee “authentic religious freedom.”

In a loving and open attitude he demands in the name of the Catholic faith the right for the Holy See to appoint its bishops. He calls on underground bishops to seek official government recognition and on official bishops to overcome their fear and publicly acknowledge their ties with the Pope so that bishops and the faithful alike can become reconciled. He especially urges the Chinese Church as a whole to go beyond the defensive mode persecution imposed on it, and try instead evangelizing Chinese society, Asia and the whole world by giving itself the necessary means—bishops’ conference, pastoral councils and diocesan administrations—that the task entails. This will mark as it were the end of the time of emergency, and allow the Church of China to become an integral and active part of the universal communion.

When all is said and done all that the Holy Father desires for China is that China become a truly modern state, subject to the United Nations conventions to which it is a signatory.

The Mass of the Saints.

The age of mere generosity, the age of
Ecclesia Dei, is coming to an end.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

TU EST PETRUS

The Year of Saint Paul

St. Paul Apostle to the Nations.

San Josemaria

Saint Jose Maria Escriva

Oremus:

O God our Father, you chose St. Josemaría to proclaim the universal call to sanctity
and apostolate in the Church.
By his example and prayers, grant
that in faithfully carrying out our daily work
in the Spirit of Christ, we may be formed in the likeness of your Son,
and together with the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
serve the work of redemption with an ardent love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ
your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.