Stational Church of March 23, 2006

Today we continue the Stational Churches of Lent. Today's Station is the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.

"This church, made from two pagan temples, holds the bodies of the holy martyrs, Cosmas and Damian, who were put to death during the Diocletian persecution. The sick came in crowds to visit the tomb of these two brothers, doctors by profession, imploring them to restore their health. 

"The "unsalaried" physicians, Cosmas and Damian, devoted time and talents to the service of the poor and the sick, so that, by curing the infirmities of the body without remuneration, they might more easily win immortal souls for Christ. Today, the Divine Physician will again come and refresh you. He carries with him the divine antidote, the Eucharistic medicine for the healing of our infirmities. 

"Let us pray: May the blessed solemnity of Thy saints, Cosmas and Damian, magnify Thee, O Lord, by which Thou hast both granted eternal glory to them and assistance to us by Thy ineffable providence. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. " 

(Source: St. John Cantius Parish)

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Why Is the Pope Called "Holy Father"?

Holy Father is not an official title of the Pope. As of this year, the Pope's official titles are "Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God." Traditionally, the Pope also has the title "Patriarch of the West."

The early Church even used the expression "Holy Father" to refer to other holy members of the Church at the time. St. Augustine wrote, "I beseech you to convey my respectful salutation to the holy father Alypius, worthy of all esteem" (cf. Letter LXXXI). And St. Athanasius wrote in the Life of St. Anthony: "the life and conversation of our holy Father, Antony: written and sent to the monks in foreign parts by our Father among the Saints, Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria." Both of these saints lived before 400 AD, so the origin of this expression is quite ancient.

Consequently, the custom was adopted to refer to the Pope as "Holy Father" as well. As the Catholic Education center writes: "On the part of the faithful, a filial, loving relationship, which recognizes in the one so addressed or spoken to, a mission of spiritual fatherhood, expressing that of God toward us, in the threefold charge confided to the Church of preaching the Good News of salvation, of sanctifying the believers, and of gathering together the dispersed children of God. This is a special and supreme responsibility of the Pope in the Church’s threefold mission of teaching, governing and sanctifying, as Prophet, Priest, and Shepherd."

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The Stational Church for Wednesday in the 3rd Week of Lent

Today's Station is at the Chuch of St. Sixtus in Rome:

The St. Sixtus Stational Church is located on the Appian Way and is a parish church dating to the fifth century. It was in this church that the catechumens were presented to the Church by their sponsors. Their names were written on tablets of ivory covered in leather, which were read at the Commemoration of the Living. After the Collect of the Mass, the catechumens received the initial parts of the Baptismal ceremony, viz. the rites of exsufflation, of the sign of the cross, of the imposition of hands and that of the salt.

In an age, which makes light of God's commandments, it is of special importance that the faithful be uncompromising in the observance of the "ways of life." Let us be "the salt of the earth and the light of the world," as our holy leader Sixtus was in the third century. We invite this holy pontiff to precede us to the altar and to ask for us "that we, who seek the grace of God's protection, may serve Him with a quiet mind.

Let us pray: Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that disciplined by wholesome fasting, and abstaining from all vices, we may more easily gain forgiveness. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

(Source: St. John Cantius Parish)

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Pray for the Repose of Carolina's Soul

Please pray for the soul of Carolina. I got this email this morning:

I ask today that you remember my dear Aunt Carolina Miruzzi, who, at the age of 91 years, was received into the arms of Jesus this very morning. She was given the grace of a happy and peaceful death, with her entire remaining immediate family at her bedside. She was unique among women, long-suffering and without complaint. May her graces shine down on us all.

Bernadette

In paradisum deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere aeternam habeas requiem.

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A Eucharistic Miracle Has Occurred

A reader of my blog just emailed me about news article on a possible Eucharistic miracle from our time. Actually, this miracle occurred in Dallas on March 19th, 2006, last Sunday, the feast day of St. Joseph!

The Eucharist is host turned visibly into the Body and Blood of Christ. This may be declared one of many such miracles. But, don't let this seem too miraculous for you, because the same host that became visible Blood is the same Jesus we receive at each Mass. This Eucharistic host is no different other than in appearance from the ones we have received. This is the beauty of Jesus' words: "This is my Body...for this is my Blood..." (Matthew 26:26-28)

In the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem - "Since He Himself has declared and said of the bread: This is My Body, who shall dare to doubt any more?

Not sure what the Eucharist is? Then read my post: The Eucharist

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Update on the South Dakota Abortion Ban

November 7, 2006: South Dakota Residents did not approve the law by a roughly 45-55%. It is a sad day. But the pro-life movement will move on!!

Since Governor Rounds signed the landmark abortion ban into law March 6, 2006, a fund has already been created to defend it in court. As of Monday, March 20, 2006, $7,157 dollars had been collected. In addition, an unnamed donor has pledged to contribute $1 million dollars to defend it in court.

This is fabulous news. LifeNews also reports that there appears to be no severe blow to South Dakota's tourism industry because of the law either. Tourism is the second largest industry in South Dakota with 2005 bringing in $809 million. Pro-abortion activists have promised to boycott travel to South Dakota if Governor Rounds signed the bill. However, there appears to be no effect. On the contrary, many people are now going to South Dakota because they support this ban on the cruelty of abortion.

Image Source: LifeNews

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Meditations for March 21, 2006

Blessed Mother Teresa - "Believe in Jesus trust in Him with blind and absolute confidence because He is Jesus. Believe that Jesus and Jesus alone is life and sanctity is nothing but that same Jesus intimately living in you; then His hand will be free with you.Give yourself unswervingly, conforming yourself in all things to His holy will. Love Jesus generously.Love Him trustfully, without looking back and without fear. Give yourself fully to Jesus. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your weakness."

Padre Pio - "Yes, I love the Cross, the Cross alone; I love it because I see it always on Jesus' shoulders" (Letters I, p. 377).

Everyone:

We are nearly half-way through Lent. How has it gone for you? Has it been penitential and spiritually rejuvenating? Please continue to pray along the stational churches each day and meditate each day on the passion of our Lord. For the God of Glory didn't just love us enough to be born among us; instead, He opened us His arms and died to ransom us too.

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Today's Stational Church: March 21, 2006

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Prudentiana.

The church of St. Prudentiana, on the Viminal Hill, was one of the most venerated places for Roman Christians. St. Prudentiana lived here with her sister, St. Praxedes. Here, St. Peter received hospitality and the first Christians often assembled. Today, this church stands rather forgotten because it was closed for a very long time.

We turn to St. Prudentiana on this day. May she obtain for us by her powerful prayers:1. The grace of mutual forgiveness, so that we may be able to say in truth: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us"—Not seven times, but seventy times seven.2. The grace also of true love for our glorious Lord and for each other. Prudentiana shows us the way. Where charity and love reign, there is God. Christ will then be in our midst. And He shall be the Savior, Lord and King of our hearts and our home.

Let us pray: May the effect of our redemption be applied unto us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by means of your grace, ever restraining us from human excesses and conducting us to the gift of salvation. Through Christ, Our Lord.Amen.

(Source: St. John Cantius Parish)

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Illinois Primary Election Day

Today is the Primary Election in Illinois, and if you are here go out and vote! We, as Americans, have the great privilege to vote. Your vote makes a difference especially in local elections!

I also ask you to remember the unborn and pro-life issues as you vote. Please visit the Illinois Citizens for Life for the rankings of Illinois candidates according to pro-life issues. Please vote for the pro-life candidates and stand up for life. Many people don't know this, but it is considered a sin to vote for a pro-abortion candidate knowingly.

View the Illinois Citizens for Life's Candidate Information List (.pdf file)

Here are the candidates ranked Fully pro life:

Governor:
Bill Brady (R)
Jim Oberweis (R)

Lt. Governor:
Steven J. Rauschenberger (R)
Sandy Wegman (R)
Joe Birkett (R)

Attorney General:
None but Lisa Madigan (D) is ranked totally opposed to pro-life issues. I'd vote for the other candidate

Secretaty of State:
Dan Rutherford (R)

Comptroller:
Carole Pankau (R)

Treaurer:
None are ranked well but Paul L Mangieri (D) is pro-life, I believe

Please say this prayer that the pro-life candidates will win.

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.

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Pro-life Action: Contact Amazon.com

Sadly, Amazon.com has bowed down to the pro-death society around us.

Seattle, WA (LifeNews.com) -- Amazon.com has modified its book search results after receiving complaints from abortion advocates who thought they were tilted in favor of the pro-life view. A pro-abortion religious group objected to Amazon asking customers if they wanted books on adoption when putting in the term "abortion" as a search phrase.

Amazon made the change a few days ago. Before that, a question asking customers, "Did you mean adoption?" appeared at the top of search results for books on abortion.

That upset Reverend James Lewis, a retired Episcopalian minister in West Virginia and a member of the board of the pro-abortion Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

Source: Life News

What could be more deceitful that a minister advocating abortion! It's sad that in our society Christ's Church has been split up and there are some so-called leaders like James Lewis. I ask you to please contact Amazon.com and express your regret with their decision.

Here is a letter that I wrote:

I wanted to express my utter discontent with your recent decision for searching with the word "abortion". Beforehand, you would respond with "Did you mean adoption," but now you have removed this. Why? It is extremely important that people realize that adoption is an option for pregnant women. I am offended that your organization would bow down to the pro-abortion industry and remove this automated response. I actually have been planning on joining and purchasing through Amazon, but now I know that I'll have to choose EBay over your company because of this. I ask you to please add "Did you mean adoption?" again to your searches.

Thank you

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