Maureen's thoughts

https://www.junonews.com/p/liberal-mp-calls-church-burnings?r=2jbvb0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

A Liberal MP is facing criticism after dismissing a wave of church burnings and acts of vandalism as “conspiracy theories,” despite numerous church arsons, including some near his local riding in Hamilton.
During debate in the House of Commons on proposed hate-crime legislation, Liberal MP John-Paul Danko (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas) accused Conservatives of “repeating conspiracy theories” rather than addressing “real hate crimes.”

“If we want to talk about real hate crimes, and I’m not quoting, you know, alt-right, so-called alternative news, I’m talking about Jewish members in my community who are covering their Jewish identity in public, that is the hate that we’re talking about, that this bill seeks to address.”

Danko’s response was in relation to True North’s church arson incident map hosted on Juno News which has catalogued 123 instances of arson or vandalism since 2021.

Conservative MP Andrew Lawton responded on X, calling the attacks “real hate,” and highlighted dozens of firebombings and acts of vandalism against churches and synagogues since 2021.

He accused Liberals of downplaying anti-Christian and antisemitic violence while “cozying up with those responsible for Jew-hatred in this country.”

The two continued the exchange on X, where Danko reposted a clip of the exchange accusing the Conservative party of keeping the base angry and “say and do anything to divide Canadians.”

Independent data reviewed by True North shows that at least 123 Christian churches across Canada have been burned, defaced, or vandalized since 2021.

Among the cases are two in Hamilton: a 2022 firebombing at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, where incendiary devices were found at the entrance, and a 2023 blaze at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which local authorities investigated as suspicious.

One arrest has been made in Hamilton in connection with the firebombing at St. Paul’s Presbyterian church.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has described the church arsons as “terrorist attacks,” arguing that Christians are now the country’s most targeted faith group.

True North reached out to Danko’s office for comment but did not receive a response in time.

https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/ourladyoftherosary/

The Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. On this day, we celebrate the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Even though the Turkish forces were very powerful, the Christians won due to the intercession of Mary and the prayer of the Most Holy Rosary.

What happened at the Battle of Lepanto?

At the time when the Battle of Lepanto was fought, the Ottoman Empire had not lost a major battle since the previous century. Pope St. Pius V realized that the Holy League needed great spiritual assistance, so he asked the Holy League, as well as all of the faithful, to pray the Rosary, asking Our Lady’s intercession for a victory in the upcoming battle. The evening before the famous battle, the sailors prayed the Rosary on their knees.

On October 7, 1571, the Christian fleet went into battle carrying a banner blessed by the Pope. Some evidence also suggests they carried a painting sent to the King of Spain from Mexico depicting the miraculous image known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Holy League encountered the Ottoman warships deployed in the shape of a crescent, the symbol of Islam. The Holy League’s ships took the shape of a cross. Between the two forces, there were more than 400 warships, making this one of the largest naval battles in history. After five hours of battle, the Holy League won.

Who fought in the Battle of Lepanto?

The Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states promoted by Pope St. Pius V, fought against the Ottomans, an Islamic empire centered in Istanbul. The “Turks” were trying to extend their influence beyond Southeast Europe. A Turkish victory might have permitted the expansion of Islam deep into Europe.

Where did the Battle of Lepanto take place?

The battle took place in the Gulf of Patras, on the western coast of the Greek peninsula.

What was the significance of the Battle of Lepanto?

Due to the Holy League’s defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto, the Turks did not advance into Europe. Many historians have said that this was one of the most significant battles in history.

Why do we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary?

Pope St. Pius V knew that Our Lady had interceded for the Holy League, ensuring their victory. In fact, on the day of the Battle of Lepanto, October 7, 1571, he saw the Blessed Mother in a vision, and she revealed the victory to him.

As an offering of thanksgiving, the Pope declared this day as the Feast day of Our Lady of Victory, later known as Our Lady of the Rosary.

Why is Mary called Queen of the Holy Rosary?

Mary is the Queen Mother because her Son is Christ the King. The Rosary, as given to St. Dominic, is a meditation on the mysteries of the Incarnate King, and thus on the sorrows and joys of His Mother, as well. Thus, Mary is so deeply entwined with the Rosary that one cannot think of the Rosary without thinking of Mary.

To whom did Mary give the Rosary?

In the 13th century, the Blessed Mother appeared in visions to St. Dominic and inspired him to create the Rosary as we know it today.

Make the Sign of the Cross and say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Pray the Creed.
Pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
Announce the first Mystery. If possible, make a short meditation on the subject of the Mystery. Then pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. While it is not a formal part of the Rosary, it has become usual to pray the “Fátima Prayer” taught by Our Lady to the children of Fátima in 1917 (see below).
This pattern is then repeated over the decades for each of the subsequent Mysteries of the Rosary.
After you have completed all the decades, it is usual to say the Hail, Holy Queen, and other prayers according to custom, though these are not formally part of the Rosary, or obligatory.
Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Fátima Prayer: “O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.”

What is the purpose of praying the Rosary?

Like any prayer, the purpose of the Rosary is to bring us closer to the Lord. Unlike most “vocal prayers,” the Rosary is also meant to be a meditation on the subject matter of the Mysteries.

As a vocal prayer, the Rosary serves the usual purposes of such prayer, often described in the mnemonic A.C.T.S. – Adoration of God, Contrition for our sins, Thanksgiving for His Gifts, and Supplication for ourselves and others. We can thus offer, and intend, the Rosary for any and all of these intentions. Many Catholics even make a different intention for each decade.

This leads us to the Rosary as a meditation. All of these same elements can be drawn out of the Rosary by meditating on its Mysteries. Contemplating the Mysteries we see the reasons to adore and give thanks in the greatness of God and the greatness of His love for us. We see the evil of our sins and the reasons for contrition and in Jesus and Mary the models of holiness to which we ought to aspire, so that we may share in the joys and glory of eternal life with the Holy Trinity.

Thus, the Rosary leads us to a deepening of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It is, as many saints have testified, the door of the faithful to a deeper prayer life and a deeper union with God.

For the Mysteries of the Rosary, go to the following links:

JOYFUL MYSTERIES LUMINOUS MYSTERIES SORROWFUL MYSTERIES GLORIOUS MYSTERIES HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY ROSARY PRAYERS

If I am not able to meditate on the Mysteries, should I say the Rosary?

Many people who pray the Rosary find it difficult to meditate on the Mysteries. Either they don’t consider themselves capable of meditation, or distractions keep them from it. Public Rosaries are often impossible to combine with meditation, and the noise and preoccupations of our culture, especially with electronic devices, certainly do not help.

None of this should keep us from praying the Rosary, and even trying to meditate on the Mysteries. Even if it’s a simple meditation, such as imagining the scene of the Mystery, or is one guided by a book – such as a scriptural Rosary or other Rosary meditation book, it should be possible to some degree for most people. With time, like all habits, if we persevere it will become easier to do.

ROSARY BOOKS AND PRAYER BOOKS

Is there a month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary?

The Catholic Church interweaves the year with feasts and liturgical seasons as reminders of the mysteries of salvation. The months of the year are also dedicated to different aspects of the Faith for this same reason. In October, we recall especially the Holy Rosary, itself a summary of the Gospel. In particular, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7.

While not a definitive list, among the common monthly dedications are the following:

January: The Holy Name of Jesus
February: The Passion of Our Lord and the Holy Family
March: St. Joseph
April: The Most Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit
May: The Blessed Virgin Mary
June: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
July: The Precious Blood of Christ
August: The Immaculate Heart of Mary
September: The Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows
October: The Most Holy Rosary
November: The Holy Souls in Purgatory
December: The Immaculate Conception of Mary

What are the 15 promises of the Holy Rosary, and where did they come from?

Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for Heaven. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
By the recitation of the Rosary, you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
Those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

According to tradition, the Blessed Mother gave these 15 promises to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche.

These promises are promoted by the Rosary Confraternity, an association of people around the world who strive to pray 15 decades of the Rosary each week (the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries). Also, they encourage (but do not require) the members to pray the Luminous Mysteries. There are certain plenary and partial indulgences associated with being part of the Confraternity. Finally, since the members of the Confraternity pray for the intentions of the rest of the society, this means that each member receives a share of hundreds of thousands of prayers every day.

Is the Hail Mary prayer in the Bible?

The prayer of the Hail Mary is rooted in Scripture but is also a response of the Church to the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption and the role of Our Lord’s Blessed Mother in it (cf. John 2:3).

In Luke 1:28, St. Gabriel greets Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”

In Luke 1:42, St. Elizabeth says these words to Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

May non-Catholics pray the Rosary?

Unlike Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics, the Rosary may be prayed by anyone. In fact, since the Rosary is mostly a reflection on the Gospel, many non-Catholics enjoy the meditations on the life of Jesus. The practice was even popularized in books like Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Methodist chaplain J. Neville Ward.