Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSCBS is experiencing severe backlash over a recent On Assignment episode in which they jubilantly declare that Down syndrome had almost entirely “disappeared” in Iceland – but not because of medical advances. It’s disappearing because they are aborting unborn babies who have it.
August 16
Feast of St. Stephen of Hungary (969 – 1038)
“Be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.”
-St. Stephen
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSThe father of the 32 year-old woman who was killed on Saturday when a driver drove his car into a crowd of protestors in Charlottesville cited the Bible and Jesus’ death on the cross when he told the media that he forgives the man who killed his daughter.
Speaking before thousands who gathered in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, Pope Francis reminded that God can only do great things in us if we become humble like Mary.
August 15
Feast of the Assumption
Who is she that ascends so high,
Next the Heavenly King,
Round about whom Angels fly
And her praises sing?
Who is she that, adorned with light,
Makes the sun her robe,
At whose feet the queen of night
Lays her changing globe?
To that crown direct their eyes,
Which her head attires;
There thou mayest her name descry
Writ in starry fires.
This is she in whose pure womb
Heaven’s Prince remained;
Therefore in no earthly tomb
Can she be contained.
Heaven she was, which held that fire,
Whence the world took light,
And to Heaven doth now aspire
Flames with flames t’ unite.
She that did so clearly shine
When our day begun,
See how bright her beams decline
Now she sits with the Sun.
During his Angelus address on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis warned those who seek security in consulting horoscopes and fortune tellers rather than the word of the Lord.
The U.S. Conference of Bishops is vigorously condemning the violent protests that occurred this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia that left three dead and injured at least 19, and are asking the faithful to pray for an end to the evil ideologies that brought about the carnage.
