Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Optional Memorial Saint John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. John Paul is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in this native Poland & eventually all of Europe. He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, & the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as artificial contraception & the ordination of women, but also supported the Church's Second Vatican Council & its reforms.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

"O God, You are our creator.
You are limitlessly good & merciful.
To You is due the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given to us an interior law by which we should love.
To do Your will is to perform our task.
To follow Your ways is to find peace of soul.
To You we offer our obedience.
Guide us in all the steps that we undertake on earth.
Free us from evil inclinations which turn our heart from Your will.
Do not permit that in invoking Your Name we should ever justify human disorders.
O God, You are the One Alone to whom we make our adoration.
Do not permit that we should estrange ourselves from You.
O God, judge of all mankind, help us to belong to Your elect on the last day.
O God, author of justice & peace, grant us true joy & authentic love, as also a lasting fraternity along all peoples.
Fill us with Your gifts for ever. Amen!"
—Pope St. John Paul II, 19 August 1985

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses nineteen thru twenty-three;
Psalm One, verses one thru four, six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses forty-nine thru fifty-three

or, for the Memorial,
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Sixty-three, verse three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen thru seventeen.