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The Feast and Season of Holy Cross

by Fr Yuhanna Azize

The liturgy is absolutely fundamental to Christianity: the New Testament shows the Church as a worshipping community, gathering for the adoration of God, the climax of which is the Eucharist. The liturgy is not a man-made add-on to the faith: it is of its essence, and its feasts are major signposts for the Christian and for the Church. This feast, celebrated on 14 September, was established to commemorate how, in 628, Emperor Heraclius recaptured the Cross which the Persians had stolen in 614. On this day we also commemorate the finding of the Cross by St Helena in 326, and the subsequent dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is therefore an occasion to remember in prayer four matters: the Holy Cross itself and all that occurred in relation to it, namely, the ... Read More click on photo 

Turning To Mary

 

By Emily Lattouf, MSCL Postulant (pictured with her siblings)    

Turning to Mary in times of trouble is a lesson I learned from my earliest youth. One of the lullabies my mother would sing is the hymn, “We Run for Protection." This Marian hymn was a source of great comfort to her during the civil war in Lebanon.  My mother told us that whenever there was a bombing near the school, the Sisters would gather the children into the chapel and they would sing this hymn asking the Blessed Mother’s intercession. When my father fled the civil war and came to America as a young boy of ten, he brought with him a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  

  

Jesus teaches us that we can depend on Mary to be with us when we are experiencing crosses in our life. Christ looking down from the cross saw His mother standing beneath and I am sure this brought Him great comfort. Our Blessed Mother is with us and for us, she brings us comfort and consolation. My parents held fast to this and passed it on to me.

Mary knows and understands our pain. We can turn to her and rest assured that she will take care of us. Mary carries our needs in her heart to the foot of the Cross of Christ. Our crosses may not disappear, but our Mother is walking the road to Calvary with us and she will lead us to her Son who is the Resurrection and Life. 

Mary be a mother to us now.  Our Lady of Lebanon pray for us.

 

Hymn to Mary

We run for protection to you                         

Mary, we come to you for aid. 
We implore you turn not away 
Mother who must be obeyed. 

 

Perfection of the pure 
Mother undefiled. 
By your merit plead for us, 
let us know your Child. 

 

Mary Heaven's gate 
Mother of our Lord 
Through you source of all our hope 
Guiding light has poured. 

 

Look down upon us all 
serving faithfully 
We implore your help and care 
at our Mother's knee.