The Feast of Saint John Chrysostom

Pope Francis is now scheduled to visit Turkey at the end of November at the invitation of both the Turkish government and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew.  According to the Turkish ambassador to the Vatican the Holy Father will be present at a special liturgy in Istanbul on November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew the apostolic founder of the See of Constantinople.

It is heartening to see the relationship grow between these two men who play such important roles in Christendom.  It is of course too early still to speak of a reunion, but this is another major step in the right direction.  The Holy Father acknowledged this morning how dark the world is becoming with rumors of war in far off places gathering together.  The world should listen to his warning, but I doubt they will.  Maybe recent events and growing conflict in the world are spurring the Pope and the Patriarch to do what needs to be done here.  Maybe be they will do it and maybe they won’t.  It is for the Lord of history to decide such matters but we can pray.  We must pray.

Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary on Monday for the See of Constantinople, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday for the See of Antioch, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday for the See of Jerusalem, the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday for the See of Alexandria, and the Sorrowful Mysteries on Friday for the See of Carthage; for their liberty and their salvation and the restoration of their ancient position as pillars of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in communion with the See of Peter in Rome; for the conversion of the Jewish people and the conversion of the Muslim peoples.  And join the Rosary Confraternity!