Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Empire Strikes Back: Welcome to America!


The Emperor is back and playtime is over, friends!

The last time a Pope was in the New World was in 2002. The last time a Pope landed in the U.S.A. was in 1999. Nine years was a long time...


In 1965 Paul VI was in NYC, Yankee Stadium and Waldorf Towers. In 1979 John Paul II was there when he called New York the "center of the world." Now there's just one last hurrah before they tear down the mighty old Yankee Stadium later this year...


And we can almost hear that recognizable signature tune of Star Wars on the horizon...


"O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy fervor the sacred Victim of love and peace.

Wherefore, O Lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in union with him.

Whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At the moment when our venerable High Priest, holding in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words: "The peace of the Lord be with you always," grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power." Amen.

-From the Raccolta.




5 comments:

Diego Ruy said...

"The last time a Pope was in the New World was in 2002"

I think Brazil is also part of the New World, isn't it? Remember Aparecida last year?

Anonymous said...

Bravo Bravo
Thank you for finding that prayer and sharing it with us
Love Mom

John Paul Sonnen said...

I stand corrected (I was thinking of the 2002 trip to the WYD in Toronto when the Pope then flew over the U.S.A. to Mexico).

Der Herr Alipius said...

Amen to that, man!

Anonymous said...

29 yrs since a Pope was in the Oval Office!