J.M.J. Today is the liturgical Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr. Saint John Paul II restored this Memorial on the General Roman Calendar. Her image is located in the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls.
Yesterday, Robert B. Moynihan, Ph.D., the Founder and the Editor-in-Chief of Inside the Vatican, offers the following fascinating essay. The great love for Our Lady that Pope Francis possesses is a good example for each of us.
Many thanks to Dr. Moynihan for his excellent contribution.
November 24, 2014, Monday — The Pope and Mary: 30 Minutes of Silent Prayer
A few moments ago, on the afternoon of Monday, November 24, in Rome, Pope Francis prayed silently for half an hour before an ancient and important icon of the Virgin Mary.
The Pope was praying before the icon this evening because tomorrow he will travel to Strasbourg, France, to speak to the leaders of the European Union.
So, this afternoon in Rome, as has become his custom before making any trip, Francis visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray to the Virgin Mary.
It was the 14th time Pope Francis has visited St. Mary Major to pray before the icon, known as the Salus Populi Romani (The Safety, or Protection, of the Roman People), since his election to the papacy on March 13, 2013.
The Pope visited the Basilica at 5:30 p.m.
He went immediately to the chapel on the left side of the main altar.
He prayed to Our Lady for her protection for his journey tomorrow to the governing bodies of a new, united Europe which has in recent years become increasingly "post-Christian" and increasingly hostile to traditional Christian morality.
The Pope's remarks tomorrow are being awaited with considerable interest. It is expected that, among other things, he will call on the people's of Europe to remember the Christian faith that shaped their customs and laws for centuries.
The Pope's prayer continued for half an hour. The Pope brought to Our Lady a floral wreath with roses the colors of Europe, yellow and blue.
Here is a list of his prior visits, as published today by the very useful Italian website "Il sismografo."
1) March 14, 2013
On the morning after his election, at 8 a.m. (thus, the very first act of his pontificate)
2) May 4, 2013
To recite the Holy Rosary
3) May 30, 2013
The Feast of Corpus Christi (Pope Francis presided over the public procession from St. John Lateran, down the via Merulana, to St. Mary Major)
4) July 20, 2013
The vigil of his trip to Brazil for World Youth Day
5) July 29, 2013
Just after his return from Brazil for World Youth Day
6) December 8, 2013
Following the act of Veneration at the column by the Spanish Steps, where the Popes each year venerate Mary in memory of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
7) January 1, 2014
Solemnity of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God
8) May 23, 2014
On the vigil of his departure for the Holy Land
9) May 27, 2014
In thanksgiving upon his return form his pilgrimage to the Holy Land
10) August 13, 2014
On the vigil of his trip to South Korea
11) August 18, 2014
Upon his return from his trip to South Korea
12) September 18, 2014
The vigil of his trip to Albania
13) September 22, 2014
Thanksgiving upon his return from his pilgrimage in Albania
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