St Teresa of Avila (28 March 1515 – 4/15 October 1582) This is the one portrait of Teresa that is probably the most true to her appearance. It is a copy of an original painting of her in 1576 at the age of 61. Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things pass away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing; God alone suffices. Nada te turbe, nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada te falta Nada te turbe, nada te espante Solo Dios basta. ~ Sta Teresa de Avila, Mystic, Doctor of the Church (1515 – 1582) ~

Trivia about St Teresa. She died during the night of Thursday 4 October 1582 which was followed by Friday 15 October 1582 when the Julian Calendar was replaced by the calendar now followed universally and known as the Gregorian Calendar, after Pope Gregory XIII who had decreed the change. The saints’ feast day is 15 October.

J. Berthier’s setting of St Teresa’s word as sung in Taizé. This version is in Korean. For the Spanish version click here. For a different musical setting in Spanish click here.

Edison as a boy

Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.

~ Thomas Alva Edison, American Inventor and Businessman (1847 – 1931) ~

St Catherine of Genoa (painted by Giovanni Agostino Ratti)

When the soul is naughted and transformed, then of herself she neither works nor speaks nor wills, nor feels nor hears nor understands; neither has she of herself the feeling of outward or inward, where she may move. And in all things it is God who rules and guides her, without the meditation of any creature.... And she is so full of peace that thought she pressed her flesh, her nerves, her bones, no other thing come forth from them than peace.

~ St Catherine of Genoa, Mystic (1447 – 1510) ~

Clement Shahbaz Bhatti (9 September 1968 - 2 March 2011)
Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Pakistan (2 November 2008 - 2 March 2011)

‘I have been asked to put an end to my battle, but I have always refused, even at the risk of my own life. My response has always been the same. I do not want popularity, I do not want positions of power. I only want a place at the feet of Jesus. I want my life, my character, my actions to speak of me and say that I am following Jesus Christ. This desire is so strong in me that I consider myself privileged whenever – in my combative effort to help the needy, the poor, the persecuted Christians of Pakistan – Jesus should wish to accept the sacrifice of my life. I want to live for Christ and it is for Him that I want to die. I do not feel any fear in this country . . .
‘I say that, as long as I am alive, until the last breath, I will continue to serve Jesus and this poor, suffering humanity, the Christians, the needy, the poor . . .

‘I believe that the needy, the poor, the orphans, whatever their religion, must be considered above all as human beings. I think that these persons are part of my body in Christ, that they are the persecuted and needy part of the body of Christ. If we bring this mission to its conclusion, then we will have won a place at the feet of Jesus, and I will be able to look at him without feeling shame.’

(Quotations from an article by Luciano Larivera SJ and used by Sandro Magister on his website.)

His Blood Cries Out

Verse 1. 
These are the hands 
They praise the life of you 
These are the veins 
Your life and love flow through 
These are the words we try to write for you 
We sing this song

Refrain/Chorus
His Blood Cries Out 
His Blood Cries Out

Verse 2.
Peace is the star 
That guides our hearts to you 
Hear all the angels 
How they sing for you 
These are the words we try to write for you 
Help us to erase 
This war, this rage 
We need to turn the page and 
Find true peace within love's heart 
In the silence hear the shout 
His blood cries out
Refrain/Chorus

His blood cries out 
His blood cries out

Verse 3. 
These are the prayers 
Helpless and the weak 
His was the voice 
For those that couldn't speak 
For this we cry 
Freedom, Love and Peace 
What have you done 
This war, this rage, 
We need to turn the page and 
Find true peace within love's heart 
In the silence hear the shout 
His blood cries out

Refrain/Chorus.
His blood cries out 
His blood cries out.........

Abortion Destroys Life

I think that abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace today precisely because it is war. It is killing. It is a deliberate and calculated murder carried out with the mother’s collaboration. We read in Scripture what God clearly says about this: ‘Even if a mother should forget her child, I shall not forsake you. You are in the palm of my hand’. God has us in the very palm of his hand. And that is what strikes me. Even if a mother could forget her child which seems impossible, ‘I will not forsake you’. Today abortion is the greatest and most effective destroyer of peace.

~ One Heart Full of Love, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Founder of the Missionaries of Charity (1910 – 1997) ~

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

~ Matthew 5:3-12 (New American Bible) ~

The Sermon on the Mount from The Gospel According to St Matthew by Pier Paolo Pasolini (1964)

The Ordination of St Hilary of Poitiers (from a 14th century manuscript)

Her womb made flower a Fruit, a Bread that has filled us with an angelic gift. Mary restored to salvation what Eve had destroyed by her sin.

~ Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church (c. 300 – c. 368) ~

Cathedral of St Peter of Poitiers