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Today is the first time Pope Francis celebrates, as pope, the feast of the saint whom he has chosen as the patron of his Papacy. Pope Benedict explained that he chose the name "Benedict" because the previous pope of that name had been a man of peace and he, Benedict XVI, hoped he could fulfil the same mission in the Church. In his teachings, he contributed to peace by his quite constant insistence on the need for justice in the world, for sooner or later we must all come to accept Pope Paul VI's dictum: "Justice is the new name for peace." Pope Francis is obviously dedicated to the work of justice, especially justice for the poor.
It is, then, a nice coincidence that the ordinary Mass for today begins with Baruch's words: "Justice is with the Lord our God." We are not concerned merely with social or political justice, but with the justice which is God's gift to us as we work for the coming of the Kingdom.
Heavenly Father, we pray for Pope Francis in his mission of leading and guiding the Church in the pathways of truth and love, joy and peace that Your divine justice may transform our world.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That those feeling so crushed by life that they wish to end it may sense the nearness of God's love.
Elaboration
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