utaziprincereflection

  THE POWER OF THE CROSS  (The Triumph of the Cross; The Exaltation of the Cross September 14) A. INTRODUCTION The power of the cross is a Christian concept referring to the transformative spiritual power derived from the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is seen as the way through which God saves his people from sin, offer forgiveness and healing, reconcile individuals to God, and provide strength to live a righteous life. For believers, the cross signifies the unconditional love of God, the destruction of the power of sin, and the cancellation of spiritual debt, empowering them to become new creations in Christ.   To be crucified literally means to die on a cross. Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross are the foundation of the Christian faith.  The cross is an essential symbol of the salvation God gave humankind. The cross is at the very heart of the Christian message (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). It is a graphic reminder of the terrible price that Je...

  SIGNIFICANCE OF CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY (NATIVITY) OF MAMA MARIA The Church celebrates the nativity of Mama Maria on September 8. This feast day is exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. The Church makes no claims as to the historical merit of either date. Rather, the date serves a liturgical purpose in recalling the mysteries associated with Mama Maria, in the same way as the nine months on the calendar between the Annunciation and Christmas. The birthday (nativity) of Mama Maria marks the beginning of salvation history and the plan of God for human redemption, thereby highlighting the unique role of Mama Maria as Mother of the Savior and intercessor. It means that the celebration of the nativity of Mama Maria is significant in Catholicism and even beyond. The feast day serves as a reminder of the grace of God upon and promises, a celebration of the value of all human life, and an opportunity for Catholics to renew their faith and ...

 SEVEN SORROWS OF OUR LADY OF SORROW FIRST SORROW: THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON And you yourself a sword will pierce (Lk 2:35). When Marys 40-day period of purification has almost ended, she goes to Jerusalem to fulfill the Mosaic Law and for the required offering to the Lord of every firstborn male. The law of purification does not bind Mary, always a virgin. Nor does Jesus, because of who he is, have to be redeemed. Yet Mary humbly obeys.  After the ceremony, imagine young Marys amazement when Simeon takes Jesus from her arms and acknowledges him as the Messiah! Only through divine inspiration can Simeon know this. Simeon blesses them and says to Mary, And you yourself a sword will pierce (Lk 2:35).  Mary shudders and holds Jesus close to her breast, as Joseph gently leads her out of the temple. Although Joseph is deeply shaken, his primary concern is for his wife and son. They return to Nazareth in silence, where Mary ponders these things in her heart.  SECOND SORROW: T...

  FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS SEPTEMBER 15 Liturgical Colour: White. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON cf. LUKE 2:34-35 Simeon said to Mary: Behold, this child is destined for the ruin and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign of contradiction; and your own soul a sword will pierce. COLLECT O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. FIRST READING HEBREWS 5:7-9 During his life on earth, Christ offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal sal...

  HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY SEPTEMEBR 12 Galatians 4:4-7 Or Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:39-47 CELEBRATING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NAME Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scriptures, we are reminded that we are marking another celebration of Mary, the Mother of God , after her Nativity celebrations just a few days ago. Today we mark the celebration of her Most Holy Name , the name that even the devil and other demons and evil spirits fear, for this is the name of the Woman through whom the salvation of the whole world had come from, in the person of Jesus Christ her Son, the Lord and Saviour of all the whole world. Through Mary, her obedience to God and active participation in the works of the salvation of God, the Lord had made our salvation into a tangible reality. Today, we are celebrating the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Christian name Mary, have a Hebrew origin, which means The Be...

  THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY SEPTEMEBR 12 Liturgical Colour: White. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON cf. JUDITH 13: 18-19 Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, by the Lord God Most High, above all women on the earth; for he has so exalted your name that your praise shall be undying on our lips. COLLECT Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, for all who celebrate the glorious Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she may obtain your merciful favour. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. EITHER: FIRST READING GALATIANS 4:4-7 When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, Abba, Father, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made y...

  SAINT PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (THE MAN OF THE BEATITUDES 1901-1925) The two saints canonized on September 7, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV in the Square of Saint Peter were Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Both were Italian laymen who died at a young age. They are the first set of Saints to be canonized by Pope Leo XIV. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati was an Italian young person who was affectionately called the Man of the Beatitudes by Saint John Paul II for his exemplary work of bringing comfort and happiness to those who were poor, suffering, meek, hungry, thirsty, and in need of mercy, and who was himself clean of heart, a peacemaker, and persecuted for the sake of the Gospel (cf. Matthew 5:3-10). He died at the young adult age of 24 while in charitable service to the people who were sick and dying in his community.  He died of polio, which he likely contracted while serving the sick. An avid outdoorsman from Turin, he was known for his energetic spirit and deep fa...

  SAINT CARLO ACUTIS (1991-2006) The two saints canonized on September 7, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV in the Square of Saint Peter were Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Both were Italian laymen who died at a young age. They are the first set of Saints to be canonized by Pope Leo XIV. Saint Carlo Acutis was a holy boy who infused the ordinary aspects of life with extraordinary love for God. During his 15 years on earth, he lived as a regular young person, going to school, playing soccer, eating at the pizzeria with his peers; though somehow making all of these activities a lived Gospel. In the regularity of his life, he [dedicated] his life, moment by moment, to the highest goal to which all men are called: eternal bliss with God. Among typical teen interests like video games, computer programming, and making home movies with his cats and dogs, he also loved the Eucharist. In fact, he loved the Eucharist in a most profound way, never missing an opportunity to go to M...