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Novena For Christian Unity

Our Father in Heaven, we pray for the unity
of all humankind in one flock,
and under one shepherd, and especially:
January 18:
For the union of all Christians in the Church.
May they all be one
As you, Father,
in me and I in you.
O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the grace
to take to heart the scandal of our divisions. Deliver us
from all hatred and prejudice, and from all that hinders unity.
As there is but one Body and one Spirit,
one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,
one God and Father of all,
so may we also be of one heart
and one soul,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Save us, O Lord, our God,
and gather us from among
the nations.
that we may give thanks
to your holy name,
and may glory in
praising you.
Let us pray: Be mindful of your Church, O Lord.
Deliver her from all evil,
and perfect her in your love.
As the grain is scattered
on the hillside
and is gathered up to become
one bread,
so let all your children
be gathered up from the ends
of the earth
into your kingdom.
For yours is the power
and the glory,
through Christ Jesus forever.
Amen.

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Quote for the Day:
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.
Henry Ward Beecher

I read in this book about writing... that for practice you open the dictionary up at random... pick a word and then write about it for five minutes. I thought that would be an excellent way for coming up with something to write about when the brain locks up. Sometimes it seems pretty permanent.

Anyway to help keep me on topic.... I will take a word from the Catholic Dictionary. (Bet many of you didn't know Catholics have their own dictionary did you?) Not surprising - since we have so many words that are not used outside of Catholic settings.... something is needed to help us out!

Okay ... here I go.... and the word is .......... Custodian of the Holy Land ... oh great.... that's a winner! Is it fair to look again?

What I know about the Custodian of the Holy Land is very little. I know it has to do with the Franciscans - when the Moslems took over the Holy Land they only allowed the Franciscan Friars to remain. Or maybe the Franciscans were the only ones who stayed.. so hard to recall when you have a memory like mine. Guess I should do some googling and give you at least a link to someone who has some "real" knowledge!

Challenges of New Franciscan Custodian of Holy Land

The Custodian is in charge of Catholic friars across the Middle East and coordinates the reception of pilgrims in the Holy Land.

The Custody Must Be Doubled in the Holy Land

Well, enough of that.... maybe that picking a word out of a Catholic Dictionary wasn't such a hot idea!

But before I end.... January 18th begins the Novena for Christian Unity! Today's Theme is "For the union of all Christians in the Church."

Sr Patricia