Legion of Mary Blog

VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - At the end of today’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope recalled how “the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox is currently holding its 10th plenary assembly in Ravenna, Italy, where it is deliberating upon a theological subject of particular ecumenical interest: the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church - ecclesial communion, conciliarity and authority.”

“I ask you to join me in my prayer,” said the Holy Father, “that this important gathering may help us to progress towards full communion between Catholics and Orthodox, and that we may soon be able to share the one chalice of the Lord.”

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VATICAN CITY, OCT 7, 2007 (VIS) - Shortly before midday today, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Prior to the Marian prayer, the Pope spoke of today’s Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and of missions to which this month of October is dedicated.

“The Rosary,” said the Holy Father, “is a means granted by the Virgin to contemplate Jesus and, by meditating upon His life, to love Him and follow Him ever more faithfully.” He also recalled how Mary in her various apparitions, and especially in that of Fatima, had “insistently recommended the daily recitation of the Rosary in order to obtain an end to war.

“We too,” he added, “wish to accept the Virgin’s maternal request, committing ourselves to the faithful recitation of the Rosary for peace in families, nations and the entire world. Yet we know that true peace is established where people and institutions open themselves to the Gospel, and the month of October helps us to recall this fundamental truth through [its] particular concern for maintaining the missionary spirit alive in all communities, and for supporting the efforts of those people … who work on the frontiers of the Church’s mission.”

The Pope recalled how the theme of this year’s World Mission Day - to be celebrated on October 21 - is “all the Churches for all the world.” He also highlighted the fact that “announcing the Gospel remains the Church’s principal service to humanity, so as to offer the salvation of Christ to the men and women of our time, who suffer so many forms of humiliation and oppression, and to give a Christian orientation to the cultural, social and ethical changes that are taking place in the world.

“This year,” he added, “there is another reason that encourages us to renewed missionary commitment: the 50th anniversary of Servant of God Pius XII’s Encyclical ‘Fidei donum’ which promoted and encouraged cooperation between Churches for the ‘ad gentes’ mission.” Pope Benedict also recalled the 150th anniversary of the arrival in Sudan with five priests and a layman of St. Daniel Comboni, “the future bishop of Central Africa, and patron saint of those people.”

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8 Oct 2007
George Jr. is still in intensive care at Georgetown University Hospital, but is making progress. He is more alert and is talking more. The physical therapist has been to see him and said there is potential for the use of his left side. He is still weak and will remain in the intensive care unit until he is medically stable.

Thank you again for your prayers. Please don’t stop praying. While we are hopeful for his recovery, he still has a long way to go. We know that God is hearing your prayers and is blessing him and us with His Divine Providence.

Friday October 5, 2007

George, Jr. made a bit more progress today. The physical therapist was able to get him to sit up on the edge of the bed with support. She said this is a good sign. His progress from yesterday continues but he is still sleeping most of the time. We won’t know the extent of damage until the physical and mental assessments are complete. Thank you again for your prayers. Please continue the prayers for his physical and mental recovery. He is still quite weak from both the stroke and his surgery. Praise to God for his graces and blessings.

George and Monica Bonina

3 Oct Update
George, Jr. is still in the Critical Care Unit of Georgetown University Hospital in serious condition, but is making progress. On Wednesday they removed the breathing tube and all is well with his respiratory system. He is a little more alert and is now opening his eyes. He continues to communicate via hand squeezing and eye blinking. He seems to understand what we say and responds appropriately. He can respond to commands such as raise two fingers, give a thumbs-up. He has weakness on his left side, but his right side is fully functional. He also said a few words yesterday after they removed the breathing tube.

The doctors tell us that he is starting to “wake up” but we don’t know how long the process will take. Until he wakes up, they won’t be able to assess the extent of damage. Nevertheless, the doctors tell us that all the signs are good but we still have a long way to go. Please keep up the prayers.

Monica, Mary Beth, Mike and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and thoughts. We know that God is answering the multitude of prayers being offered for his recovery. We thank God for his love and mercy in bringing George to this point.

4 Oct Update
George Jr. made progress today in recovering from his stroke. About 4:45 pm he opened his eyes and started speaking. His speech was understandable and he was speaking in sentences. Among other things, he said that he wanted to, ” Get up, go home, and go to bed.” He acknowledged that he had a stroke. He was awake for about 30 minutes before he went back to sleep. Some movement is also starting to return to his left side.

Since he is now awake, the stroke team can begin assessing the damage. We don’t yet know what knowledge and motor skills might be lost. He is in a fragile physical state since he is also recovering from the surgery that removed part of his skull to allow his brain to expand.

We believe that God allowed this step to happen today through all the prayers you have been offering for him. He still needs a lot of prayers to continue his recovery. He has many hurdles, both physical and mental, to overcome. Please keep praying for George.

God bless all of you,

George and Monica Bonina