Pope asks Catholics to pray for Mary’s intercession in Holy Land

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Special message of Pope Benedict XVI in English to the peoples of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories, at the end of the General Audience. May 6th, 2009
Interview of the Holy Father Benedict XVI during the flight to the Holy Land
Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI - Regina Coeli Prayer along with the ordinaries of the Holy Land

Valle d'Aosta, Italy, Jul 17, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- After praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in front of the house at Les Combes in Italy's Valle d'Aosta region which he is spending a brief holiday, Pope Benedict XVI called on people to pray for peace in the Holy Land and, in a special way, to pray for the intercession of Mary.

News coming from the Holy Land over the last few days is, said the Pope, "a cause of new and serious concern to everyone, especially for the increasing military activities in Lebanon and for the many victims among the civilian population. At the root of such pitiless contrasts there are, unfortunately, objective ... violations of rights and of justice. But neither terrorist acts or reprisals, especially when they have such tragic consequences on the civilian population, can be justified. Bitter experience shows that by following this path no positive results can be achieved.”

The Pope recalled that Sunday was the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is a mountain in the Holy Land which, just a few kilometers from Lebanon, dominates the Israeli city of Haifa. Haifa itself has been attacked recently.

Earlier in the day, during a visit to the Carmelite monastery in nearby Quart, the Holy Father assured the solidarity of the whole church with the religious and lay of Haifa, which has suffered several missile attacks by Hezbollah.

"Let us pray to Mary Queen of Peace," said Benedict, "that she may implore from God the fundamental gift of harmony, bringing political leaders back to the way of reason and opening new possibilities of dialogue and understanding. With this in mind, I invite the local Churches to raise special prayers for peace in the Holy Land and in the entire Middle East."

Comments: 54

Subscriber comments:

Published by: john
malaysia 12/17/2007 03:15 AM EST

Thou shall worship the Lord your God not Mary. Be obedient to the Living and Written word, the Bible and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus, God the Son, will not listen to Mary. John 2:4 'Dear woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. Jesus listens to God the Father.
Mary told us to listen to Jesus John 2:5 '... do whatever he tells you.'

Published by: Jerry Louis Reed
Bunn , NC United States 08/26/2006 08:25 AM EST

Please pray for me and my family that satan has to pay back now seven fold every thing he stole off of me and my family our finances, health, joy and blessings, In JESUS NAME.

GOD BLESS YOU
YOUR BROTHER IN JESUS CHRIST
REV.JERRY L REED

Published by: James A Bright
India 08/21/2006 09:50 PM EST

Not only Mary, Catholics route their prayers through saints and angels. There is no reference in the Holy Bible for any such practice. It is equal to disobedience to the commandment of the Almighty. We have only one mediator and that obviously is Jesus. Any one who is heavy laden can go to Him for he gives rest. let the peace that passeth all understanding dwell in us.

Published by: Reanna Thatcher
Seattle, Washington, USA 07/27/2006 10:41 PM EST

Ive always belvd N God.I was scared N2 the Suthrn Baptist Ch aftr a near death exper @ 10yo.I was told if Id died,I wouldve gone 2 hell.I hadnt been baptized.I wasnt aware of sin,so I didnt undrstnd the Crucifiction.Being N luv w Jesus wasnt enough.I luvd Him cuz He is God & I felt His luv for me.I was sent 2 a Tex So Bapt brding hi sch for 4yr where greed & child isolation were painful.Worship was allowed 1hr on Sun.They didnt liv what they preached,but they belvd N the Great Commisn. For 2+yr,I sought out Ministrs of diff denomin 2 get answrs to spiritual questions.I wasnt taken seriously & was disapptd.A Rom Catholic 13yo roommate,who livd the joy of her Faith,knew what she belvd,& why,answrd my sprtual questions Cath belv in a Social Gospel: Action-Focus.Faith w/o works is dead. Jas 5. Worship for her was a 24/7 lifestyle.I obeyed my father,waited 2yrs,& studied both.I nevr saw my father N church & he didnt discus religion.He said he was Presby cuz it was wher the "Money Boys" went.The more Im confrntd by Protest,the deeper my Cath Faith grows,cuz Im forced 2 study deeper.Most attacks come from a position of ignorance. If a Christian isnt Cath, or a Cath is not on fire,it is cuz he's never studied Cath Theology.Truth,Love,
Holiness,& Faith R virtues coveted by both.Praise,Prayer & Repentance R weapons fervent, righteous men use against evil.We all need 2 pray 2 end evil N our hearts & N the Mid East. Jesus was a Jew. Promise,Blessing & Curses will be fulfild thru Israel.

Published by: Mike
Los Angeles CA 07/27/2006 10:15 AM EST

It seems to me the discussion of intercessory prayer focuses around if we do, or do not need Mary to intercede for us. The protestant always says, “why go to Mary, when you can go straight to Jesus? Jesus is our only mediator.” So, why should I ask you to pray for me, in a time of need? Why do we ask our brethren to pray for us? Clearly we all believe that intercessory prayer is a good thing. Paul taught us about it in his writings. So, shouldn't the discussion instead be focused on if and how Mary can intercede for us?

Here's what I think. There is no reference to any human in Heaven being able to intercede on our behalf. The best New Testament reference is the story of Lazarus and the beggar (Luke 16:19-31). Here it tells us that the dead can't help the living.

Catholics believe that Mary is alive, that she was assumed into Heaven like Enoch. They believe this is true because a Pope declared it so. Part of the belief is based on the absence of a recording of her death in the Bible. After her appearance early in Acts, the Bible is completely silent about Mary.

I ask, if Mary plays such a central role in the Catholic life, and if this is the correct position, then why does neither Paul, Peter, nor the others write a single message of her intercessory powers?

Published by: Michael
Marion, Ia 07/24/2006 07:00 PM EST

Lets see Mary is suppose to be the one we ask for peace. Nowhere in the Bible is that taught. Someone said Jesus loved His mother and that may be true., but He always said He is doing the will of the Father. Mary was born into sin as all of us ,including the pope. None of the Apostle spoke of Mary or a pope, with that said they knew as we need to know is Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Mary or the pope have nothing to do with salvation, forgiveness of sins or to pray to. Jesus said not to let our prayers be in vain and they would be to pray to someone dead.

Published by: Jack A. Leone
Wantagh, NY 07/24/2006 04:51 PM EST

We all must ask Mary's intercession from this to end. The world is in a mess, the Church is in a mess. What else is new?

Published by: Joseph Kawaya
Ndola, Zambia 07/24/2006 05:09 AM EST

It is amazing reading some of the items posted on this site, particularly from some of our separated bretherens. It is true that we are all called to Holiness so, I do not find it suprising that we call our Pope, Holy Father. This however does not mean we equate the Pope to God.
It is also amazing that many people know that Jesus is referred to as Mighty God or simply put God. What suprises me is that when we call Mary as Mother of God, meaning Jesus, they take offence.
As Catholics,we believe that we only have one God and this is what we profess in our faith. It is therefore misleading for anyone to think we have several 'Gods'. It is also wrong to say Catholics worship Mary as we only worship God the Almighty Father.
Anyhow, I pray that some day this will be a think of the past.
God bless you all and let us remember to pray for each other.

Published by: James
Chicago/IL/US 07/20/2006 05:11 PM EST

Benjamin,
Awesome post! Only thing I would add is to your point #8 "...through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."

Published by: Benjamin
Albuquerque, NM, USA 07/20/2006 04:08 PM EST

To all non-Catholics confused about the Mother of Jesus:

1. The Church does not teach that Mary is God. I truly can't believe anyone would believe that.

2. The Body of Christ is one. Those on earth and in heaven are united. Within this body there is a profound love for one another and prayer for one another. St. Paul urges us to pray for one another.

3. Requesting Mary's intercession is not praying to God but asking her to pray for us. This does not violate Jesus as the mediator between man and God. Only Jesus died for our sins and rose to give us new life.

4. Jesus fulfilled the law - including "Thou shall honor thy father and mother." If you were the Son of God how would you honor your mother?

5. Jesus saved his mother from all sin - from the moment of conception. She participated in Jesus' offering of himself to the Father. Jesus gave her to us as a universal Mother with the few last words he spoke from the cross; "Behold your mother."

6. All Christians for the first 1500 years sought Mary's intercession - even Martin Luther. Only the Protestants after rejected Mary's vital role in our salvation.

7. Where is all this in the Bible? The Church existed for many years before a single New Testament letter was written. Jesus died in 33 AD. The first letter was written in 55 AD. Scripture must be read in the living faith.

8. Catholics don't read the bible and then start a church. Catholics live in the Church that wrote the Bible.

Published by: Jim Kearney
Bronx, NY USA 07/19/2006 07:55 PM EST

To my Protestant brothers in Christ, who wrote with their concern about our reliance upon Our Lady, Our Mother: Lighten up a bit, we are with you in our devotion to Our King, Our Saviour. But as He said to John, "Behold your Mother." That was for us as well. Mary leads you right into the Sacred Heart of Her son.
Jesus loves His mother much more than we do, and as at the wedding feast, He refuses her nothing. Would it be a sin to ask your mother to pray for you? Well that is our request in the Hail Mary. "Pray for us sinners" And she exhorts us "Do as He tells you." The Rosary is a meditation on HIS life, Our Saviour. Each decade is sealed with the Lords Prayer, and this; Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all Souls into Heaven, especially those most in need of your Mercy.
And Please respect our free will to follow our way to Jesus, as we respect yours. Their is too much division in the Body of Christ, and I'm sure He is saddened by it.Let's be better than the Shias and the Sunis.

Your Brother in Christ and His beloved Mother, Jim

Published by: Justin Rowland
Cary, NC, United States 07/19/2006 04:52 PM EST

There will be no peace in the world until the Social Reign of Christ the King is restored and the hearts of men are converted to the one true faith. We ought to pray for peace, while recognizing that only true peace comes in the true Church.

Published by: David DeLauter
Hagerstown, MD 21740 07/19/2006 04:05 PM EST

Just what does the Pope think Mary can do? Pray to Mary? That's apostacy. There is only one intercessor between man and God and that is Jesus, the Christ. Yes, Mary was blessed among women but she is not someone to be prayed to, she is not God.

This apostacy is just another sign of the times. Jesus could return at any moment. I urge everyone to give your heart to Jesus (not Mary) only He can save you. Jesus told us to pray in His name not in the name of Mary.

Published by: Ken
Bronx,NY,USA 07/19/2006 03:32 PM EST

Mark P. Keep reading this site and maybe with God's grace who will come back to the Church in which you were born. We will pray for you. Remember if it wasn't for the Church you wouldn't have the New Testament.
Ken

Published by: Kevin
Renton, WA USA 07/19/2006 02:44 PM EST

Praying to Mary? This is blasphemy! We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Published by: Jason Madera
Italy 07/19/2006 02:31 PM EST

Praying the Rosary will not help anything! Only The Lord Jesus Christ can hear our prayers. Mary is but a wonderful saint who died in faith and is with God in heaven. She does not want anyone to pray to her. If it were possible the real Mary would tell all of us to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our saviour and put our hope of eternal life ENTIRELY on Hima nd His finished work on that 'old rugged cross'. Mary is not a goddess to be worshipped and adored. This is blasphemy and those who do these things offend The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost AND Mary!
"Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, HE washed it white as snow." Christ Jesus be glorified forever and ever!

Published by: Ruth M. Ledergerber
Santa Ana, CA USA 07/19/2006 12:33 PM EST

O Mary, my Mother and my Lady, I offer You my soul, my body, my life and my death, and all that will follow it. I place everything in your hands. O my Mother, cover my soul with Your virginal mantle and grant me the grace of purity of heart, soul and body. Defend me with Your power against all enemies, and especially against those who hide their malice behind the mask of virtue. O lovely lily! You are for me a mirror, O my Mother! #79 of the Diary of the Servant (now Saint)of God Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska.

Published by: Mark Pung
Lansing, MI 07/19/2006 11:36 AM EST

As a person who was raised Catholic and got Saved by Grace through Faith, I greatly mourn for all of the souls out there being kept in bondage by a religious system that gives them no hope. My dear Catholic friends, Mary, priests, or any other person delegated a saint by Rome can not intercede between men and God. The Bible clearly tell us this in 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" Also the name "Holy Father" is only used once in the Bible by Jesus Christ referring to God Almighty. How can you call a man on this earth that same name. Its pure blasphemy. The same blasphemy as when you call Mary the mother of God. Friends, God is eternal. He is Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the End. Mary was a woman that God chose to bring his Son Jesus Christ, who existed before he was born of Mary, into the world. She was blessed among women, not above women. Jesus himself even called her "woman" instead of mother. I pray that you dear souls would repent and get completely Saved by the all Saving power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 19:30 "..It is Finishied" The job of Saving mankind was completed once and for all for anybody who would repent and call upon the name of the Lord for Salvation. Anyone who does not get Born again by making a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior will not see the Kindom of God.

May the Word of the Lord prick your hearts.

Love,

Mark

Published by: Bev Anne
Chicago IL 07/19/2006 10:51 AM EST

Jim, retired NYC Firefighter, I am WITH YOU. Thank God for Americans who have really read about the true history of this 1380 year old war known as Islamic Jihad. I am sickened by the moral relativism and moral equivalency among the "Catholics" of the West. Where is the spirit of Lepanto and of King Jan at the walls of Vienna on that FIRST September 11th (1683)?? We can pray as we pass the ammo, Jim. Good for you. God Bless.

Published by: dan t. streeter, sr.
los angeles, ca 90004 07/19/2006 01:35 AM EST

I thought only evangelical Protestants made the gross error of confusing modern Zionist Israel with biblical Israel. Modern Israel has no affiliation with Our Lord, his Blessed Mother, or the church He founded, except possibly as a tourist attraction I do not excuse Hezbollah in triggering this latest round of violence, but why does Israel have to destroy the infastructure of Lebanon to make its point?

Published by: George Angel
Canada 07/18/2006 11:00 PM EST

As devout Catholic people of good faith we are not to give in to fear or anxiety, for fear and anxiety comes from our enemy who is the prince of this world. As Pope John Paul II clearly stated in his ponificate and reiterated by Pope Benedict VXI at the beginning of his Papacy, "Be not afraid." Of course the battle we are currently udergoing on earth is quite clearly a spiritual diabolical battle that quite justifiably needs spiritual armour to combat protect and defend our selves from Satan's attacks. This spiritual armour consists of going to daily mass and receiveng Holy Communion which is the living body and blood of Jesus Christ and even going to visit the body and blood of Jesus Christ at Eucharistic Adoration Chapels at least once a week or even more for one hour at a time. The recital of the daily rosary is an absoute must with a thank you prayer to your guardian angel followed by a prayer to Saint Michael The Archangel. To conclude a recital of the devine mercy chaplet would be appropriate along with wearing your brown scapular which serves as a perfect sign that one belongs to Our Blessed Mother Mary and receives her heavenly protection.

Published by: Elizabeth
Deltona Fl USA 07/18/2006 10:41 PM EST

an abomination the world gay pride festival is to be held this year in Jerusalem on August 6th the feast of the Transfiguration.
let us make holy hours and pray the Rosary and litanies in reparation to our Blessed Mother and her SON!LIFT HIGH THE CROSS!

Published by: Kathy Tesoriero
Phoenix,Az U.S.A. 07/18/2006 10:19 PM EST

Our Lady Queen of Peace Pray for us! Let us too open our hearts to the crys of our Holy Mother and Her Sacred Son thru Mystic Christina Gallagher. Let us assist Our Lady with the HOUSE'S OF PRAYER that She is Begging us to make available to Her for our Protection in these tumultuous times. Please Look at www.christinagallagher.org and Read the Messages. It is all there!!!! love your sister in Christ Kathy Tesoriero

Published by: Marcia
Lemoore, California, U.S.A. 07/18/2006 10:02 PM EST

What a joy to see how many people have sent messages on this. I believe what is happening is definitely a consequence that the Famtima message has not been properly obeyed. Russia has yet to be properly consecrated and we all must keep our prayers for this. I am so happy with the above responses that indicate the need for devotions to Our Lady. Lets keep up our prayers!

Published by: Anna
San Antonio, Tx 07/18/2006 09:11 PM EST

In addition to the rosary for peace, pray the Mystical Prayers of Our Lord in the book published by the Queenship Publishing Co.entitled Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Most precious blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world. Precious Blood of salvation, fight the enemy!

Published by: Lloyd Lobo
India 07/18/2006 08:16 PM EST

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph and may the consecration to Russia be fulfilled according to the desire of God. Then only will there be peace in the world.

Published by: Mark
Denver, Colorado USA 07/18/2006 08:02 PM EST

God will not allow his chosen people to perish. God will bless those that bless Israel and will curse those that curse them.

Published by: florafollett
st. john's nl. canada 07/18/2006 07:58 PM EST

psl.91 God says,I will save those who love me and will protect those who know me as Lord. When they call to me I will answer them;when they are in trouble, I will be with them,I will rescue them and honor them."I will reward them with long life"; I will save them. Let us get on our knees and emplore God to come to the rescue of the trouble in the middle East and ask God to bring Peace to this nation. Also ask our Blessed Mother ,Queen of Peace to pray to her Son for our world and grant us peace.

Published by: Pat Kolb
Wabasha, MN 07/18/2006 06:32 PM EST

Beware all must happen before the antichrist comes forward.
Wake up people and pray for God's will to be done. Pray for it all to get over soon so that we will get into the era of peace, that we have been told will happen. Do not be surprised
by anything. All things must happen as the bible tells us. Prepare and Repent for Jesus is coming soon! Amen.

Published by: Jim Kearney
Bronx, NY USA 07/18/2006 03:36 PM EST

Amen to Mary in NY about this being a spiritual battle, and invoking St. Michael to bind this evil. I would recommend the St Michael Prayer to be given after every decade of our Rosary to protect Israel, America, and the world, and free the Moslem people from the tyrannical spiritual insanity that imprisons them. Remember that Jesus prayed for those who were cursing and crucifying Him.
Our Lady, at Fatima, warned us about the world war to come about if her requests were not heeded.
Sorrowfully, they were not, so we needed to have brave men to go and fight, and sacrafice. Millions of soldiers, and civilians were slaughtered.
Our Lady's request has still not been answered, or we would have the promised peace, and the very same evil that we fought then, would not be destroying us now.

Published by: Margaret
Dublin, Ireland 07/18/2006 03:11 PM EST

How wonderful to read all these notes. I will join my brothers and sisters in the U.S. in praying for peace. Thanks for the column, Michael. God Bless you.

Published by: Mary
Madison County NY USA 07/18/2006 01:43 PM EST

Let us all pray for all those who look at this war in just a militaristic way...This is a huge spiritual battle; and it is especially significant that Mount Carmel is overlooking a city that has recently been hit...Was it St. Louis De Montfort said that our world would be set free from evil by the use of the Rosary and the Scapular? Perpetual Adoration is being heavily requested from heaven --and saying the rosary in Adoration is very important--in reparation for the sins of mankind. Let us pray for the salvation of mankind and the binding of Satan, his demons and minions. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, oh Prince of the heavenly host, by the Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all of the evil spirits who rome your world seeking the ruination of souls. Amen. Thank you St. Michael... Thank you Holy Spirit...Thank you Blessed Mother...

Published by: Eric
Lake Bluff, IL USA 07/18/2006 01:06 PM EST

Our Lady has said that "wars are sent by God as a consequence of sins." This being the case we can expect a lot more wars and the world slides further and further into the secular ceasepool of pornorgraphy, materialism, homosexuality and the like. May Our Lady intervene for all of us and stay the terrible hand of justice that her Son is about to chastise us with.

Published by: Ben Little
Little Canada MN USA 07/18/2006 01:02 PM EST

The Holy Father is right to ask for prayers, and how fitting that we should pray to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Yet, I must say that I cannot bring myself to pray for "understanding" or "dialogue". The reality of the situation is that these instruments have already failed, and they have failed because bad men have rendered them useless by initiating violence against Israel. There is a moral superior in this situation, and it is Israel. I think it is more prudent to pray that Our Lady would turn the hearts of these evildoers (Hezbollah/Hamas/Iran/Syria)away from violence and ensure the success of the Israelis, who justifiably wish to protect their citizens from barbarous attacks while minimizing casualties among innocents.
Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for Us.

Published by: paul velasquez
san antonio texas 07/18/2006 12:27 PM EST

Let us all ask Our Blessed Mother to wrap her Blue mantle around our brother and sister's in the Holy Land to bring peace! Jesus I Trust in You

Published by: Magdalen Mauldin
Littleton, Co USA 07/18/2006 11:12 AM EST

I agree with our Pope! Our lady, the mother of God has asked us to pray the Rosary every day.

Published by: Josephine Gatchell
1935 31 ave. Vero Beach FL. 07/18/2006 10:54 AM EST

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL and OF FATIMA, Hail MARY true mother of GOD, full of Grace the LORD is with thee BLessed are you among women and BLESSED is the fruit of thine womb JESUS HOLY MARY Mother of GOD PRAY for us sinners now and at the hour of oue death AMEN,THE BLESSED VIRGIN also in the last apparition of Fatima ASK US AS she appeared asour Lady of Mount Carmel holding the Brown Scapular out to the whole whole world It was her last moving appeal to souls to wear Her Scapular as a sign of consercration to Her Immaculate Heart. HOLY GOD WE praise THY Name LORD of all, we bow before Thee. ALL on earth THY scepter claim, ALL in heaven above adore Thee, Infinite Thy vast domain Everlasting is Thy reign. Hark, the loud celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising. Cherubim and Seraphim, In unceasing chorus praisinng. Fill the Heavens with sweet accord. HOLY HOLY HOLY LORD. Fill the heavens with sweet accord, HOLY HOLY HOLY LORD, Amen

Published by: Cathy
PA 07/18/2006 10:48 AM EST

We need to get on our knees and pray for peace, our dear Mother Mary cannot hold her Son's hand back any longer. Dear Lady of Fatima, pray for us. Our Mother asked us to pray, pray, pray. What are we waiting for?

Published by: Kathleen
San Antonio TX 07/18/2006 10:36 AM EST

We need a world day of prayer ( or novena) where all stop and pray for peace. Prayer is needed everyday, especially the rosary and adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Hail Mary, Queen of Peace grant us your intercession to Jesus for Peace in the World, most especially in the Middle East. We thank you for loving us and being our Mother. Amen
Offer up all of your rosaries, attendance at mass , confessions and good works to Our Lady of Peace for this intention.

Published by: Jim
Bronx, NY USA 07/18/2006 10:34 AM EST

As a retired NYC Fireman, and a cousin of one of the murdered victims on 9 11, I know full well that there is evil in this world, and whereas I believe that Divine intervention, Prayed for by us is needed to convert the hearts of the Moslems who are breast fed on the poison that we "infidels" need to be destroyed. This includes Israel, Hindus, the "wrong" type of Moslems, and even their own daughters who marry against their family dictates or violate the family honour by being raped.
We must pray for Moslems and at the same time, defend our families and our lands. Do we not allow police to defend us with necessary violence? This radical Moslem evil is no less dangerous than that produced by Stalin or Hitler. And Israel has every right and duty to protect their people. Do we forget that it was God who ordained that Israel would once again be a nation. Well the Moslem world will send their men into Passover saders to destroy women and children, with the promise of 72 waiting virgins who will satisfy every lust.
Get Real, name the evil that is in front of you, my fellow Catholics.
PRAY as Our Lady taught us, but dont forget to pass the Ammo.

Published by: Barb Finnegan
Utica, NY USA 07/18/2006 10:29 AM EST

I'm with the Holy Father on this-we must pray for the intercession of Our Lady in this crisis. Diplomacy has had no effect; prayer is the only weapon we have!

Published by: CHARLENE
NEW YORK CITY 07/18/2006 09:54 AM EST

THE ARMS DEALERS OF THE WORLD POWERS ARE REAPING HUGE PROFITS IN THE ONGOING CONFLICT OF WARS,WHERE EVER THEY SPRING UP.IT IS THE BLOOD LUST OF HUMAN PRIDE THAT USES BRUTE FORCE TO CRUSH ITS ENEMY.BUT IT NEEDS THE COMMERCE OF WAR TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS.THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MUSLEMS AND JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN PEOPLE IS JESUS CHRIST.HE WAS GOD.HE HAD ALL POWER.AND HE HAD THE ULTIMATE SELF CONTROL,NOT TO USE IT.THAT IS DIVINITY.THE FORCES OF EVIL CONTINUE THIER ASSAULT ON DIVINITY.EVIL LOST AT CALVARY,THIS IS THE BAPTISM OF FIRE AND BLOOD INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.IT IS NOT THE NIGHTLY NEWS.AND THE VICTIMS ARE ALWAYS MIRRORS OF THE INNOCENCE OF CHRIST.MAY GODS MERCY FLOW FROM THE BLOOD AND WATER OF CHRIST SIDE.FLOW UPON THIS WORLD OF BROKEN BODIES,TROUBLED MINDS AND WOUNDED HEARTS.MAY HIS KINGDOM COME!HIS WILL BE DONE!

Published by: Rita
Rockport MA 07/18/2006 09:51 AM EST

Bishop Sheen often said IF there is WWIII, it's because WE didn't heed the msg. of Fatima. Many forget the 2nd part of the line "concecrate to Russia" is AND MAKE THE FIRST % SATURDAYS FOR REPARATIONS.

Maybe now more than ever we can all encourage the devotion to the first 5 Saturdays, for reparations of the sins of the world (which Sheen always said was the ONLY cause of war), and of course is the request of Our Blessed Lady of Fatima.

Pray the Rosary, stay close to the Eucharist, and make the 5 First Saturdays. This will do far more than any world leader can or is doing. It't time for Catholics to step up and gather the flock. We've been given the most, and we will be accountable for it.

Rest assured through Mary (to Jesus), we will prevai!

Published by: Sharon
Imperial, CA USA 07/18/2006 09:16 AM EST

Hail Mary Full of Grace the Lord is with Thee, Blessed Art Thou Among Women and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for us Sinners, NOW and at the HOUR of our Death, Amen.......

Published by: Carol Fernadnes
U.S.A. 07/18/2006 09:06 AM EST

We all have to get down on our knees and implore our Lord through the intercession of our blessed mother Mary to stop this war before it gets any worse.

Published by: Elaine
Long Branch, NJ USA 07/18/2006 08:26 AM EST

Yes, let us pray the Rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Queen of Peace for peace in the world. Let us also pray to the Holy Spirit. Oh Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth.

Published by: Judy
Philippines 07/18/2006 08:10 AM EST

I have always believed that Our Lady of Fatima will be the uniting force for Muslims and Christians and it is to her under this title, Our Lady of Fatima, that we should pray for peace in this troubled world.

Published by: Barbara Medcalf
Shreveport, La. 07/18/2006 07:58 AM EST

We should all be praying at this time, this very troubled times. I fear things will only get worse and Our Lord and His Blessed Mother are, and always will be, the best weapons we have. God bless us all!

Published by: Bill
USA 07/18/2006 07:11 AM EST

I'm with the Pope and the Blessed Mother on this one. It's time for prayer and it is time for the Pope to Consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on a special day with all the Bishops of the Catholic Church. She said to Sister Lucia (Fatima Seer) this is the only way to peace. Our Lady of Fatima Pray for us and the whole world.

Published by: Andrew
Australia 07/18/2006 07:05 AM EST

To Linda, from the UK. Please explain to us the purpose of your political viewpoint in a religious website.
Please Lord Jesus & Our Lady, we plead for peace in our troubled world, for people of all faiths. Amen.

Published by: Claude S. Avilez
Alta Loma, CA 91701 07/17/2006 08:16 PM EST

Question: "What is the land that God promised to Israel?"

Answer: In regards to the land that God has promised Israel, Genesis 15:18 declares, "To your descendants (Abraham's) I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." God later confirms this promise to Abraham's son Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel). When the Israelites were about to invade the promised land, God reiterated the land promise, as recorded in Joshua 1:4, "Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates — all the Hittite country — to the Great Sea on the west."

With Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4 in mind, the land God gave to Israel included everything from the Nile river in Egypt to Lebanon (North to South) and everything from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (West to East). So, what land has God stated belongs to Israel? All of the land modern Israel currently possesses, plus all of the land of the Palestinians (the West Bank and Gaza), plus some of Egypt and Syria, plus all of Jordan, plus some of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Israel currently possesses only a fraction of the land God has promised.

Recommended Resource: Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You by Michael Rydelnik.

Published by: rmi
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 07/17/2006 04:11 PM EST

The Christians in Israel, Palestine or Lebanon have no-one to speak up for them, except The Holy Father. I am glad he did just that.

Published by: Linda
UK 07/17/2006 01:37 PM EST

Frequent mention is noted in the media of the supposed terrible situation in which the Palestinians find themselves. Yes, there is much discomfort and trauma in the Gaza Strip. However, I would like to make three points.

• There is neither hunger nor a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip beyond what existed prior to the start of Operation Summer Rains two weeks ago. Palestinian Authority-controlled Gaza has wallowed in destitution for the past year as a result of the local Arabs’ inability to make use of the vast agricultural resources left behind by the area’s former Jewish residents and their overwhelming choice of a terrorist organisation to head their government, leading to international sanctions.

• Hizbollah launch rockets and mortars at Israeli civilian population centres and military positions from Lebanon, killing two and wounding many others, ostensibly in support of captured Palestinians. there is a continuous rain of Kassam rockets being fired at Israeli towns from Gaza.

• It is not surprising that Indonesia supports the Hamas-led Palestinians. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, with a growing terrorist presence

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 07/17/2006 10:01 AM EST

It is most appropriate to invoke the Queen of Peace during these troubled times in the Holy Land.

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