NEWS OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S RELICS

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

NEWS OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S RELICS

screen shot of video ©BBC 2010

The BBC online news service carries an interesting report from a site near the Black Sea in Bulgaria, about the possible finding of further relics of our Blessed Patron John the Baptist. Click here to watch the video report.

The report tells us there is a tooth within the sarcophagus, which adds to the substantial heritage of claimed relics of the Baptist's head - in Damascus, visited by Pope John-Paul II in 2001; in Rome at San Silvestro in Capite; in Amien Cathedral; and on Mount Athos, among the most reknowned. Some or none of these may be real, which in no way diminishes their value as aids to devotion, and in venerating them we honour the Saint, and join in the prayers of pilgrims over many centuries.

There is is of course no authority to believe in the veracity of this latest find, but we pass it on as a matter of some historical and pious interest.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN