Our Journey in the Shadows

Pope Benedict XVI stated that our journey of faith "progresses more in the shadows than in full light." But, as yesterday's Gospel illustrates, we too shall one day see the glory of Christ's light. And on that day, Christ's light shall be the only light in the world that matters.

Catholic World News has a good article for our Lenten journey:

Commenting on the day's Gospel reading, which recounted the story of the Transfiguration, the Pope observed that no one can "live on Mt. Tabor," seeing Jesus in his full glory, in the course of ordinary life. The daily pilgrimage of faith is a more mundane affair, he said; it requires courage and perseverance during times of "obscurity or even of complete blackness.

There are rare occasions, the Pope said, when God provides a special insight to believers "especially prior to severe trials." These experiences, similar to those experienced by the apostles on Mt. Tabor, are "a foretaste of what will be the joy of heaven," he said.

However, the more typical experience of faith is guided by an "inner light" rather than such extraordinary experiences, the Pontiff continued. He recommended that the faithful follow the example of the Virgin Mary by meditating on the Scriptures and by trying to find God's messages "in the events of our own lives, seeking to read therein the messages of Providence."

During the season of Lent, the Pope encouraged the faithful to "the greatest attention" to the "the mysterious voice of the Lord." He told his audience that the annual Lenten Retreat at the Vatican, concluded the previous day, had given him and other leading Vatican officials a week "completely dedicated to listening to the Lord, who always speaks to us."

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Quotations on the Eucharist

"The soul that receives the Divine Blood becomes beautiful, as being clothed in a more precious garment, and it appears so beautifully aglow that if you could see it you would be tempted to adore it" (St. Mary Magdalene di Pazzi).

Go to adoration as one who would go to heaven, to the divine banquet. Our Lord will give us an audience of grace and love. He is waiting for us. He is longing for us." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

The Lord has confirmed His presence in the Eucharist by a manifold miracles.

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Prayers for Sharon

After journeying over to Sharon's blog, I saw the pain of loss firsthand. Sharon has just suffered a miscarriage. This is certainly a painful time for her and her family, and I offer her my prayers and support. Please include Sharon in your prayers and let her know that you are praying for her. Just hearing of another's prayers can make a person feel better.

Prayer:

O Lord, it is you who have called us all by name and redemned us by your Precious Blood. May all who suffer and mourn from miscarriages be comforted by you, who laid down your life for us all. Jesus, my love, I trust in you! Have mercy on us all and bring to eternal glory all of your children. Amen.

Mother Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us! Amen.

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The Age of Martyrs Continues: 2005

Just this week I read the somber reality that the day of martyrs is not over. In 2005 Fides, the news agency for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reported 26 missionaries died for serving the Gospel message of Our Lord: "Go forth and make disciples of all nations."

These people are living example of the need for an adamant faith in our times. It is only by God's grace that these people could have laid down their lives. Now these men and women surely have been rewarded with eternal life. Let us keep their souls in our prayers nonetheless, but let us also pray that the continued persecution of Catholics and Christians immediately ceases. Everyday Catholics are forced to celebrate their faith in fear in certain countries. They need our prayers as brothers and sisters in Christ.

According to Fides, in 2005, one bishop, 20 priests, two religious brothers, two nuns, and one lay missionary were murdered for their work for the poor and spreading the Gospel. And this is the 21st Century! We must realize the love that is required to be a Catholic. As Catholics we all are called to possess that same love for Christ that we would rather lay down our lives for Him than offend him. Only through love of the Eucharist and continual prayer can we hope to achieve such a beautiful faith.

These figures from Fides, however, were finalized before the December 28, 2005, murder of Ursuline Sister Clementine Brantschen from South Africa. The 74-year-old Swiss nun was shot during a robbery. The bishop that died in 2005 was Bishop Luigi Locati, an Italian who was working in Kenya. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, in his book On the Way to Jesus Christ: "Missionary work requires, first and foremost, being prepared for martyrdom, a willingness to lose oneself for the sake of the truth and for the sake of others."

As we clearly see the age of martyrs is not over, so let us keep all missionaries in our prayers. The world is in need of prayers desperately.

Prayer for Missionaries

O Almighty God, Lord of the harvest of souls, we ask You to guide and bless all who have gone forth to preach the gospel. Endow them with the gifts of generosity and concern. Send your Holy Spirit on them, that He may strengthen them in weakness, comfort them in trials and direct their efforts. May He open the hearts of their hearers to receive Your message. Let Your revelation enlighten all minds for the salvation of souls, and let Your love heal every heart and body for the happiness of each person. May all people consciously acknowledge You and serve You by living the teachings of Your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Image Source: Believed to be from the AP

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It's a Beautiful Day

Blessed Mother Teresa: "God speaks in the silence of the heart, and we listen. And then we speak to God from the fullness of our heart, and God listens. And this listening and this speaking is what prayer is meant to be: oneness with God, oneness with Jesus."

This Saturday morning, please join me in praying the Morning Liturgy of the Hours. On this day please start you're day in prayer focusing solely on the heart of Jesus. If you can pray the Rosary. But above all, especially since we are in Lent, let us pray the Rosary and other devotions. Let Jesus Christ be the center of our day.

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Prayers Intentions for This Evening

At the end of this day I pray the Stations of the Cross, recalling the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our King.

I also add the following intentions to my evening prayers:

• For the Conversion of sinners
• For greater vocations to the priesthood
• For Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who is recovering for a heart ailment
• For the conversion of abortionists and all who support the murder of the unborn

O Almighty and Eternal God, in the presence of Thy divine Majesty, I humbly adore Thee and thank Thee for all Thy blessings. Grant me the grace to know how I have offended Thee, and to be truly sorry for my sins.

Lord, answer my prayers for the conversion of abortionists and their supporters. May all of your children one day embrace the Catholic Church and turn away from sin to value the light of every one of your children. Lord God, have mercy on us sinners. We depend on your mercy to fill us with the truth and the light of life. Amen

Holy Mary, pray for us this evening that we may remain in the grace of God. Amen

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Texas Abortions on Teenages Reduced

With today being the "Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers", I continue to focus on the need for these people's conversion. The truth is that the nurses, receptionists, technicians, and even abortion supporters are people like us created in God's image. The saddest thing is that some of them are Catholics that betray Christ's teachings through the Church.

The truth is that we are winning. Have faith! With South Dakota passing a ban on abortion and more and more pro-life laws passed, we are moving closer to a day when abortion will be illegal. Let us continue to focus on prayer. As Catholics, prayer must be the center of our lives. Let us also focus on the Cross, the heart of the Christian life.

Previously this week, the New York Times published a story saying that parental notification laws do not work. This is a lie! A study was published in this weeks New England Journal of Medicine stating that abortions have drastically dropped because of the state's parental notification law passed in 2000. The Texas law requires abortionists to notify the girl's mother 48-hours before the murder of her child.

Because of this law, the study finds that "abortions on 15 year-olds dropped 11 percent, on 16 year-olds dropped 20 percent, and fell 16 percent on 17 year-olds" (Source: Life News)

Pray, Pray, and Pray for the end to abortion! Please join me in praying for this today.

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Susan Tassone on Purgatory

We as Catholics know there is a temporary state between Heaven and Hell called purgatory. This place is where all people who die in God's friendship - without mortal sin on their souls - but have less serious sins can be purified. St. Paul alluded to purgatory.

1 Cor 3:15 "The one whose work is burnt down will suffer the loss of it, though he himself will be saved; he will be saved as someone might except to be saved through fire."

We however can help the souls in purgatory called "The Holy Souls" to reach Heaven through our prayers, indulgences, and having Masses said in their name.

One activist for the Holy Souls was Susan Tassone. An interview was conducted with her about her work to help the souls of those in purgatory. I highly recommend this interview. And for those wanting to know more information on purgatory, please see my post "Purgatory."

Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

O gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament,
ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory,
Have Mercy on them.

Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops
of Your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames.

And, Merciful Savior, send Your angels to conduct
them to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.

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St. Dominic Savio

Today the Church remembers St. Dominic Savio, (1842-1857) who lived a very short but devout life. By the age of five he was an altar server. He was a student of St. John Bosco.

St. Dominic Savio was born in Riva, Italy and joined the Oratory in Turin under St. John Bosco at the age of 12 to become a priest. Young St. Dominic even founded the Company of the Immaculate Conception, a group dedicated to devotional acts and also assisting St. John Bosco.

St. Dominic lived centered on prayer. His nights were spent in deep prayer, and he wished to do continuously "little things" for the glory of God. He died on March 9, 1857, from lung problems, after receiving the Last Sacraments.

Pope Pius XII officially canonized him in 1954.

Prayer:

Dear Saint Dominic, you spent your short life totally for love of Jesus and His Mother. Help youth today to realize the importance of God in their lives. You became a saint through fervent participation in the sacraments, enlighten parents and children to the importance of frequent confession and Holy Communion. At a young age you meditated on the sorrowful Passion of Our Lord. Obtain for us the grace of a fervent desire to suffer for love of Him.

We desperately need your intercession to protect today's children from the snares of the world. Watch over them and lead them on the narrow road to Heaven. Ask God to give us the grace to sanctify our daily duties by performing them perfectly out of love for Him. Remind us of the necessity of practicing virtue especially in times of trial.

Saint Dominic Savio, you who preserved your Baptismal innocence of heart, pray for us.

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Prayer Intentions for this Evening

I end this day in the Prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours and pray for the following Intentions:

• That all abortionists and their staff may repent for their sins and convert
• For the poor and the poor souls in purgatory
• For the Intentions of the Catholic forum that I put together
• For the children of Kenya, of whom, only 28% are immunized against disease
  

(There is a pious story that soon after the death of a certain Poor Clare nun, she appeared to her Mother Superior - who was praying for her soul - and made the following revelation: " I went straight to heaven because I paid all my debts by virtue of this prayer (below)." Please note that this prayer is not meant to take the place of making a sincere Confession. It is meant only as a prayer to foster true contrition and reparation.)

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits. To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

To purify the good I have done poorly this day and during all my life. Glory be, etc.

To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and all my life.
Glory be, etc.

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