Pope Leo XIV and Carmel

 The Holy Father referred to our great Carmelite saints at the start of his visit to Spain, which ends tomorrow.  Addressing authorities and the diplomatic corps at the Royal Palace in Madrid, ‘The Pope recalled St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila, whose passion for the divine Mystery brought them together as friends. He recalled that the two prominent figures from Spain enriched the life of the Church and the spiritual journey of many for five centuries, even beyond the borders of Spain.  ... Pope Leo observed, "Our age, seemingly shaken by terrible imbalances and conflicts, cries out from its depths for peace, for a new understanding of the human person and its inviolable dignity, for a civilization of love."  "Saint Teresa describes this same process using the image of the interior castle. As one moves from room to room toward the innermost chamber — that is, toward one’s own heart, the sanctuary of truth — the space enlarges, the mind opens, challenges are overcome, tensions dissipate, others find their place, and the universe becomes a home. This is not an escape into the self, but a radical openness to the Totus Alius et Semper Novus achieved when we return to ourselves."  "This dimension of the human person," Pope Leo said, "is the reason why religious freedom and freedom of conscience must be protected." [Courtesy of Vatican News]  Incidentally, I have just discovered that the Holy Father’s paternal grandmother Suzanne Prevost was a Third-Order Carmelite.

 Intercessions

RIP Mervyn Leach, father of two Secular Carmelites

RIP Dean

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.