The theme of the October 2011 issue of Columban Mission magazine was Catholic Social Teaching, focusing on Columban social activism in the various mission countries, including Peru, Japan and the Philippines.
The theme of the October 2011 issue of Columban Mission magazine was Catholic Social Teaching, focusing on Columban social activism in the various mission countries, including Peru, Japan and the Philippines.
We beseech You, O Lord,
to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us;
have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen;
appear to the needy;
heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of your people;
feed the hungry;
ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick;
comfort the faint-hearted.
Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
we turn to you,
O Virgins of virgins,
our Mother.
After every atrocity in the global city there are days of discussion and debate as to why such acts are happening. Blame is thrown around at the individuals who perpetrated the atrocity and the organizations with which they are associated. Seldom is an overall critical analysis made of the causes of terrorism and its solution.
Spirit of God,
fill our hearts with a desire
to seek truth and rejoice in beauty.
Help us to know what is pleasing to you
and to understand what is right and good in your sight.
Give us the spirit of learning
that we may please you by our thoughts
and love you in your creation.
Give all teachers your constant encouragement
O My God, I adore You
and I love You with all my heart.
I thank You for having created me,
for having made me a Catholic
and for having watched over me this day.
Pardon me for the evil I have done this day;
and if I have done any good,
deign to accept it.
Watch over me while I take my rest
and deliver me from danger.
Before sharing some memories of my experience as a lay missionary, I would like to thank the Columban Fathers for giving me the opportunity to live one of the greatest life experiences I have ever had.
God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in my heart and in my thinking.
God be at my end and at my departing.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To You do we cry, poor banished children of Eve!
To You do we send up our sighs;
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears!
Turn, most gracious Advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of Your womb, Jesus!
Saint Michael,
your heart was filled with great charity
for God and man.
Our Lord returned your love
and allowed you to exchange mystically
your heart with His.
Pray for all whose hearts
are afflicted with illness, fear, or loneliness.
Teach us to be resigned to God's will
in all the trials and sicknesses.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.
We go in the name of the Church to announce, by deed and word, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Missionary Society of St. Columban
1902 N. Calhoun
St. Columbans, NE 68056
Phone: 877-299-1920
Fax: 402-291-4984
email: mission@columban.org