This Week’s Reflection
Turn Me Back to God
Ah, through this mystery, which best can make amends for my imperfection and make reparation for all my defects, make my life new and restore to me a hundredfold all that I have wasted so that my soul may exult in you; my youth like an eagle’s may be renewed in you; my life may be turned back to you; my entire virtue may serve you; my whole substance may glorify you.
My Jesus, by your loving-kindness destroy all my iniquities; by your charity cover over and hide all my sins; by your cherishing-love make amends for my negligence; by your love re-establish me in that freedom of spirit by which you, the heir of innocence, have set me free, dying for me by giving the price of your own blood. Make me conform to your will so that I may transform my life in you. Make me completely whatever you want me to be so that after this life, having left behind the cloud of my body, I may in jubilation see your mellifluous face.
Gertrud of Helfta (1256–1301), also known as Gertrud the Great, was a German Benedictine nun, mystic, and scholar. Her writings include Spiritual Exercises and The Herald of God’s Loving-Kindness.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 2026
This year’s theme is “One in Christ, United in Mission" and we celebrate 100 years of this worldwide collection for the Missionary Church. The whole month of October is designated as Missionary Month. This is a time we are asked to pray in a special way for all missionaries around the world who are striving to make Jesus known. On October 18th, there will be a special collection world-wide to financially support the missions in their needs.
POPE LEO’S INVITATION TO PRAY THE ROSARY THIS MONTH.
I would like to make an appeal that is particularly close to my heart, here in this place. It was here that the Immaculate Virgin appeared to Saint Bernadette with the rosary and, as it were, guided her in prayer. For this reason, today I invite all the faithful and all Christian communities to pray the holy rosary throughout the coming month of October, with the particular intention that wars may cease and that peace may be established among peoples in conflict. Let us accompany this prayer with concrete acts of penance and mercy, committing ourselves always to fostering dialogue and reconciliation.
May our most holy Mother intercede for us!
Pope Leo X1V at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Sep, 27th 2026