Bishop Jenky and the St. Michael Prayer

Bishop Jenky of Peoria has asked all priests in his diocese to "insert the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel into the intercessions at Sunday Mass to pray for Catholics’ freedom" in response to the Obama Administration's (or HHS) recent imposition that contraception coverage be mandated at most religious institutions, including Catholic hospitals. The fine bishop then goes on to urge his flock by saying: "Have faith! Have courage! Fight boldly for what you believe! I strongly urge you not to be intimidated by extremist politicians or the malice of the cultural secularists arrayed against us.” You can read more about this story here.

I like the way this bishop thinks, since including the St. Michael prayer each week will allow the people of his diocese to: 1) Be reminded regularly of what is going on in regards to this issue, 2) Be involved by "fighting boldly" through the power of prayer. My parish has always prayed this prayer at the end of Mass, but perhaps I will incorporate it into my daily prayer intentions on this pressing issue.

A couple of notes on the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:

1) St. Michael is found in Scripture in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation.

2) Scriptural illusions to the prayer can be found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 and Revelation 20:10, among others.

The Prayer:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

In Remembrance

"Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor's injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?
Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?
If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside;
remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults."
-Sirach 27:30-28:7 (NAB)

More on Haiti

Please consider donating to Catholic Relief Services.

For Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti

De Profundis

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered.
I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word.
My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord,
For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption;
And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

O Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls,
I pray to you by the agony of your most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of your Immaculate Mother, to wash in
your blood all of our brothers and sisters in Haiti
who are now in their agony, and are to die this day.

Amen.

Update:
According to media reports:
"The archbishop of Port-au-Prince was killed in the massive earthquake that devastated the Haitian capital and taken untold lives since striking Tuesday, according to a dispatch from the Vatican. The body of Bp. Joseph Serge Miot, 65, was found under the rubble of the archdiocese, and may be one of only hundreds of victims trapped in the ruins of the building."


May he and all the faithfully departed rest in peace.

Apostolic Constitution on Anglican Ordinariates Released

The Vatican has released the Apostolic Constitution on the Anglican Ordinariates. Included with the Consititution is a press release, as well as canonical commentary. The title of the Apostolic Constitution is ANGLICANORUM COETIBUS, which means "On Groups of Anglicans".

More info at the following sites:

Whispers in the Loggia
John Allen NCROnline
Fr. Z

Pope Creates Ordinariates for Anglican Dioceses

It will be interesting to read the Apostolic Constitution once it is signed and released by the Pope. If you would like to read the Joint Statement made by the Catholic Bishop of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury, go here.

For some commentary on this historic announcement, check out these sites:

John Allen

Canon Lawyer Ed Peters

Rocco

Universal Spanish-language Catholic Bible News

From Catholic News Service:

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Latin American bishops' council have completed another step in a project to develop a universal Spanish-language Bible translation designed to reach Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Americas. Father Sidney Fones, assistant secretary-general of the council, known as CELAM, and Msgr. David Malloy, general secretary of the USCCB, signed a publications agreement Aug. 25 in the Church in Latin America office at the bishops' conference headquarters in Washington. The USCCB's annual Collection for the Church in Latin America is funding the project and has pledged to contribute $1 million over 10 years, said Oblate Father Andrew Small, head of the Latin America office. He emphasized the Bible project is being "supported by the American people" through the collection. Father Fones said the new translation will serve the majority of Spanish-speaking Catholics who cannot understand current Spanish translations of the Bible because they are based on linguistic traditions in Spain.

Thanks to reader Chase for the link!

The Gospel in the World

I spotted this story at Mlive.com, via the Grand Rapids Press. While it has nothing to do with particular Bible translations or study tools, it has everything to do with the Gospel.

IONIA COUNTY -- After 35 years in prison, Ross Hayes left the Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility on Tuesday and fell into the arms of his wife, Shirley. Waiting to greet him with support and forgiveness was Dale Daverman, whose great-aunt was killed by Hayes in her Grand Rapids home. Daverman, standing off to the side, wiping tears, waited for Hayes to greet family and friends in the prison lobby. Finally, the two men shook hands. Then they embraced......rest of article can be read here.