Some gifts are priceless. The Guide to the Rosary, the Register's gift to the Archdiocese of Military Services, is a treasure of Catholic wisdom and devotion making its way to service members on the front lines of Operation Iraqi Freedom and military personnel around the globe. It takes a warrior's strength and resolve to hold on to God when hell is in session.

This book is one of those spiritual weapons of combat. Its poignant reflections on Christ's life, enhanced with vivid classical art images, elevate the mind and heart to God, who is everywhere — and can be found everywhere — even amid chaos and war.

Thank you for making it available to our military and their families. Through its faithful recitation, may justice and peace be served well and may loved ones return safely home.

JUDY MCCLOSKEY

Front Royal, Virginia

The writer is a director of Catholics in the Military, an apostolate serving Catholic military families in cooperation with the Military Archdiocese.

St. Vincent de Paul's Daughters

Thank you for the informative article about St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home in Hyattsville, Md., and the profile of its director, Sister Josephine Murphy, D.C.

I need to point out one error that you consistently made throughout the article. This was to refer to Sr. Josephine as a Paulist nun and to her religious community as Paulists.

Actually, she is a member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. We in the Archdiocese of Washington have been very blessed to have the Daughters of Charity ministering in various elementary schools, [along with] Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md., Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., and, of course, at St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home.

Thank you for allowing me to bring this matter to your attention.

FATHER JOHN DILLON

Hollywood, Maryland

The writer is associate pastor at St. John Francis Regis Church.

Mother Teresa on Tape

In “Missionary of Faith, Hope and Charity” (Feb. 16-22), it was mentioned that “live audio and video tapes of Mother Teresa are relatively hard to come by, as the Missionary of Charity was in the business of serving the poorest of the poor — not making recordings!” True, very true, Mother Teresa's biggest penance was talking to the public and being nationally recognized. Not because she didn't love to witness to the Truth, but because, in her humility, she didn't want to be personally recognized and she didn't want to be taken away from her first love, serving the poorest of the poor.

But, oh my goodness! The Apostolate for Family Consecration has at least eight hours of live footage of Mother Teresa meeting with its founders, Jerry and Gwen Coniker, and teaching the world the truths of the Catholic Faith in her simple way. This footage is available in audio-tape and videotape sets called Encounters with Mother Teresa. It is an awesome treasure of the Catholic Church!

If any of your readers are interested, they can call (800) 77-FAMILY or visit www.familyland.org.

ANNA THOMPSON

Bloomingdale, Ohio

The writer is director of public relations for the Apostolate for Family Consecration

Our Pope and Our President

I just finished reading the commentary titled “Rising Up From Flanders Fields” (April 20-26). I am proud that it was authored by a Catholic priest in Rome. The article articulates so well how honorable and caring people can differ on the justification for this war. I think the article gives a reasonable explanation of why the war is perceived so differently on each side of the Atlantic. It is so ironic that the Holy Father and George Bush are on opposite sides of this issue. On many other issues, such as the rights of the unborn, no modern American president has held views so consistent with that of the Holy See.

We are all truly blessed to have the Holy Father. I understand his position and I am proud that he is a man of peace. I would not expect him to espouse violence or war. Yet I am also proud of President Bush. I truly believe he is a good Christian man, and has only pursued this course after hours of prayer. Would that all our leaders pray to God before they act.

RICHARD A. BIERLY

New Albany, Indiana..

Catholic-American Pride

We are proud to be American Catholics. We are proud of our cardinals, bishops and priests, whom we see as Jesus on the altar. We are proud of our priests who minister to people in nursing homes, hospitals and prisons, teach in our schools and serve as Military Chaplains in our armed forces. We are proud of our missionaries all over the world.

We are proud of Bishop Richard (John), who criticizes the government in the Middle East denying visa's to Catholic clergy. We are proud of Bishop William Weigand of California.

We are proud of our pro-life priests — we must be 100% Catholic. We are proud of Archbishop John Myers for changing the rules on eulogies at funeral Masses.

We are extremely proud of Pope John Paul II and our Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

IDA AND GEORGE ZAMBETTI

New York City