Saint On the Making in Cuba

International Herald Tribune
The Associated Press
Published: November 29, 2008

Today, the Church has added to its long lists of virtuous men and women who offered their lives to Christ by selflessly giving what they have in the service of the poor.

In Camaguey, Cuba, the only tough standing communist country in South America, Friar Jose Olallo Valdes, a member of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God was beatified, the first outside Vatican City. The rite was very unusual since Cuba is a communist country and in communism, they give little room for religious tolerance just like Vietnam, North Korea and the equally notorious Chinese government.

Read additional info at Zenit.com or have a view of the beatification at
YouTube

CHRIST THE KING! May He Reign Over Us!

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King. This feast was declared Solemn by Pope Pius XI to commemorate the last Sunday in Ordinary Time in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church. This also signals the faithful that Christmas is almost at hand preceded by the Advent Season.

Christ, the Son of God is declared the King of the Universe in the Holy Scripture as we read in all Catholic Churches today in different rites and languages reflected in the First Reading taken from Ezekiel 34; the second reading taken from I Corinthians 15 and the Gospel taken from Matthew 25.

May all who confess belief in Christ find this day fitting to make good their faith in him and pledge faithfulness to his honor and splendor as our King and Savior. Amen!


Picture Credit: Thanks to EWTN.com