Liturgy Notes from Joann

Christ is risen!
Have you seen the new Paschal candle? The candle is from Marklin Candle and the design is called LAUDATO which is Latin for “Praised be.”

“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord” are the first words of each strophe of the Canticle of Saint Francis:

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
(Excerpt from Canticle of Brother Sun & Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi).

In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.

“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord” are also the first words of the encyclical “On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si’)” written by Pope Francis in 2015 where he calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path.
Shortly after the first lighting of this Easter candle, we hear the story of the creation of the world in the first reading of the Easter
Vigil. Sun and stars, sea and fish dance around this flame, proclaiming the life of Easter. – Paul Turner
PRAISED BE TO GOD for new life in Christ our risen Lord!

Psalm Refrain for April 29 – 5th Sunday of Easter
(Psalm 22:26)
I will praise you Lord, in the assembly of your people. OR Alleluia.

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