From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- Psalm 126:5-6 --   
      
   Those who sow in tears   
   will reap with songs of joy.   
   He who goes out weeping,   
   carrying seed to sow,   
   will return with songs of joy,   
   carrying sheaves with him.   
   ========================   
   God's ability to restore life is beyond our understanding. Forests   
   burn down and are able to grow back. Broken bones heal. Even grief is   
   not a permanent condition. Our tears can be seeds that will grow into   
   a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy.   
   When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and   
   that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God's   
   great harvest of joy is coming.   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   November 9th - Dedication of St. John Lateran Archcathedral   
      
   This feast is not so much about a building as about the whole Catholic   
   Christian family. Today we celebrate the consecration of this building   
   to the divine worship of God in the name of all the churches   
   (worshipping believers) throughout our world. In the earliest   
   centuries after Christ's death and Resurrection, worship took place in   
   private homes. It wasn't until the beginning of the third century that   
   we hear of a building specifically set apart as a Christian Church.   
      
   It was in the 4th century that Emperor Constantine ended the   
   persecution of Christians and in fact made Christianity the official   
   religion of his empire. The palace of a noble Roman family, the   
   Laterani, changed hands several times and eventually became the   
   property of the Emperor through his second wife Fausta. He donated it   
   to the Church, and the great hall of the palace was made into what   
   became known as the Church of the Savior.   
      
   It has subsequently been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times because   
   of fires, earthquakes, wars and other tragedies. It has also undergone   
   several renovations, although it wasn't until the end of the middle   
   ages, that it lost most of the traces of it's ancient basilican form.   
   It was under the renovation of Francesco Borromini that it came to the   
   form we see today.   
      
   This basilica became the center of Christendom. It was the primary   
   residence of the Bishop of Rome until the 14th century. The name St.   
   John Lateran developed at a time when there was an adjoining monastery   
   called St. John the Baptist. Also the Baptistery of the basilica is   
   dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Because of political and religious   
   chaos the papal seat was moved to Avignon and it wasn't until 1378   
   that the pope moved back to Rome. Because of decay and destruction,   
   the Lateran was not fit to live in and eventually the present day   
   Vatican became the home of the Popes and center of the Catholic world.   
      
   The Lateran Archbasilica remains the oldest, and ranks first of the   
   patriarchal basilicas. On the front façade are carved the   
   words,"Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput." (The Mother   
   and Head of all churches of the City and of the World) It is the   
   Cathedral Church of Rome and of the Pope, as the Bishop of Rome and   
   the Mother Church of all Catholic believer's. St. Peter's is the   
   Cathedral of the Universal Church. Until 1870, most of the popes were   
   crowned in the Lateran basilica. Because of extreme tensions between   
   the civil government and the Church this event was moved to St.   
   Peter's. The celebration of the dedication of St. John Lateran goes   
   back to the 4th century and is still continued today.   
      
      
   Quote of the Day – The Feast of the Dedication of St John Lateran   
      
   “What was done here, as these walls were rising,   
   is reproduced when we bring together those who believe in Christ.   
   For, by believing they are hewn out, as it were,   
   from mountains and forests, like stones and timber   
   but by catechising, baptism and instruction they are,   
   as it were, shaped, squared and planed   
   by the hands of the workers and artisans.   
   Nevertheless, they do not make a house for the Lord,   
   until they are fitted together through love”.   
   --St Augustine (354-430) Doctor of the Church – Sermon 36   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us: that we might be made   
   the justice of God in him. Sin for us... That is, to be a sin   
   offering, a victim for sin.  [2 Co 5:21]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead   
      
   "Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because   
   the hand of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.   
      
   NINTH DAY   
      
   The just die members of the Church and so continue. They remain united   
   with us as well as with God by Faith, Hope and Charity. Therefore we   
   should assist them as one member assists another.   
      
   Prayers:  Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.   
      
   De Profundis   
      
      Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,   
   O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.   
      Let Thine ears be attentive to the   
   voice of my supplication.   
      If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,   
   O Lord, who shall stand it?   
      For with Thee there is merciful   
   forgiveness: and by reason of Thy   
   law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.   
   My soul hath relied on His word;   
   my soul hath hoped in the Lord.   
      From the morning watch even until   
   night; let Israel hope in the Lord.   
   Because with the Lord there is mercy;   
   And with Him plenteous redemption.   
      And He shall redeem Israel from   
   all its iniquities.   
      Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,   
   And let perpetual light shine upon them:   
      May they rest in peace. Amen.   
      
   O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy terrible agony in the Garden, we beseech   
   Thee to have pity on the Souls in Purgatory, particularly the soul who   
   has the most to suffer through us. Deliver it from the torments, that   
   it may join the heavenly throng in forever glorifying Thee.   
      
   See all 30 days at   
   http://www.dailycatholic.org/deprofun.htm#deprofundis   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)