Happy Easter to one and all

Alleluia…He has risen!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish one and all a very Happy Easter. God bless you and your family.

Saint Dismas, the Good Thief

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation. And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:39-43

This passage from The Bible never fails to cause tears welling up in my eyes. First of all, a thief…a brigand who was one of those crucified next to Jesus on the cross…the penitent thief named Dismas, who repented and is a saint now. He is the patron saint for:

• condemned prisoners
• death row prisoners
• funeral directors
• Merizo, Guam
• penitent criminals
• prisoners
• prisoners on death row
• reformed thieves
• undertakers

Today is his feast day. Pray for us Saint Dismas

Palm Sunday

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt (Jn 12:13-15)!”

Today we commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery. In the old calendar before Vatican II, the Church celebrated Passion Sunday two Sundays before Easter, and then Palm Sunday was the beginning of Holy Week. The Church has combined the two to reinforce the solemnity of Holy Week.

The Palm Sunday procession is formed of Christians who, in the “fullness of faith,” make their own the gesture of the Jews and endow it with its full significance.

 

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!

“I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!” That is what the Latin words above mean. 30 minutes ago, this is what poured forth from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican. We have been without a Pope for a couple of weeks now, ever since Pope Benedict XVI stepped down. We are now waiting for the announcement.

Its official. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, a Jesuit, has been elected by his peers as the new Pope, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas…Argentina to be more exact. He has chosen to be known as Pope Francis I. Viva el Papa!

Catholic church in China

My wife who is currently in China on a holiday with her folks, snapped this picture of a Catholic church in China. I must say that it looks like one of those ancient temples that we have in some parts of Singapore, temples that were erected in the last century. It is only the cross at the top of the structure that tells me that it is a Catholic church. I must say that the build is very striking and I wish that she would snap a pic of the inside of it. All I can say is, its beautiful!