Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul
Prayers of Saint Paul
To commemorate the birth of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed a Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul:
from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009.
As our response to Pope John Paul II's urgent plea for prayer in the encyclical EV, and to Commemorate the Year of Saint Paul "
"A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer that will rise up throughout the world...Let us...discover anew the humility and courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love." (#100)
The parish of the Annunciation of the Lord in Ottawa Ontario held monthly Holy Hours on the First Friday of each month ( after mass until noon ) to pray for respect for the dignity and sanctity of all human life from conception until natural death. The Net Team ( our greatest supporters and helpers in this initiative) usually led the prayers during the second Holy hour.
Saint Paul A Convinced Apostle
a weekend silent retreat at a retreat in Orleans ( Notre Dame de la Providence) February 17 2009 and I am still in awe of how spiritually rich an event this was. The retreat leader was Father Kenneth Leblanc L.C a very holy and humble priest and a brilliant speaker. The theme of the retreat was "Saint Paul, A convinced Apostle" There were eight meditations in all including the Interior Life, Prayer, and Paul's Conversion. Indeed we are temples of the Holy Spirit and God lives in us by Grace. Do I use my body to give the Glory of God? Do others encounter God in me?
" Saint Paul's Spirituality is based on prayer and is mission-oriented," said Father Kenneth.
Father Kenneth said that during at least 20 of Benedict's audiences since the beginning of the Pauline Year, the pope spoke passionately about Saint Paul and calls us to be apostles like Paul; to work for the salvation of souls and to become holy, because, as Christians, we are all called to be co-workers in the kingdom of God and to be saints.