Friday, July 7, 2006
Words of Inspiration: July 7, 2006

Words of Wisdom from St. Padre Pio:

"Make a particular effort to practice sweetness and submission to the will of God, not only in extraordinary natters, but even in the little things that occur daily. Make these acts not only in the morning, but also during the day and in the evening, with a tranquil and joyful spirit. And if you should fail in this, humble yourself, make a new proposition, get up and continue on your way" (Letters III p 708).

If you have not done so, read about the Miracles of St. Padre Pio.
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Pope Benedict XVI visits Valencia, Spain

On July 8-9, 2006, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will visit Valencia, Spain for the 5th World Meeting for Families. The family is extremely important. Without a loving and pious family, children can grow up not knowing God. As the Catechism states, "The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life" (2207).

We must pray for the Holy Father as he travels to this country that is 94% Catholic. However, the country has gone downhill under the current Prime Minister. Spain has abortion, divorce, and allows gay marriage. A horribly offensive protest by homosexual citizens will occur when he arrives in Spain. (Read more)

Pope Benedict XVI's schedule (CWN):

Saturday, July 8, 2006:
  1. 9:30 AM - leaves Rome's Fiumicino airport
  2. 11:30 AM - arrives in Valencia, Spain
  3. 11:30 AM - Greeting ceremony with speeches by King Juan Carlos and the Holy Father
  4. Following the Ceremony, he will board the Popemobile for the 10 minute trip into Valencia
  5. In response to the July 3 metro accident that killed 41 people, Pope Benedict XVI will stop briefly at the Jesus Metro Station for prayer and to lay a floral wreath in memory of the victims
  6. He will then arrive at the Cathedral where he will be given the keys to the City. In the Cathedral, he will meet with 1,500 priests and religious, leading them in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  7. He will then go to the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, where the Lord's cup from the Last Supper, is kept, to give a message to the Spanish bishops
  8. After leaving there, he will go to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken to meet with the families affected by the July 3rd accident.
  9. Late Afternoon -He will travel to "Generalitat" palace for a courtesy call on the Spanish royal couple and then meet with Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
  10. 8:30 PM - The Holy Father will make his first appearance at the World Meeting of Familes.
Sunday, July 9, 2006:
  1. Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Holy Mass to an expected 1 million people including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia. His homily is expected to discuss family issues, and the Mass will be a special Mass for Families. At the Mass, he will use the actual Holy Grail, which Jesus used at the Last Supper.
  2. After Mass he will lead the Angelus
  3. Afterwards, in the sacristy, he will briefly meet with Mariano Rajoy Brey, the head of Spain's political opposition
  4. He will depart for Rome.
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A Living Miracles: Terry Wallis

Terry Wallis' story is one of true inspiration. As you look upon his image above, what do you see? Do you see a crippled man that the world feels sorry for? Do you see someone that is suffering and does not experience the love of God? I see Jesus Christ through this man. This man is bearing a heavy Cross, but I see the love of Jesus Christ through him. You can see Our Lord best through the poor, hungry, homeless, unborn, sick, and despised. For Jesus Christ humbled himself to their state to raise us all to His divinity. Jesus Christ shines through this man.

Wallis, 42, has regained speech and movement nearly 20 years after a car accident. His brain began to grow tiny new nerve connections to replace the ones destroyed in the accident. Wallis is considered the only person in the United States to ever recover so remarkably after such a long time. As of right now, he needs help eating and cannot walk, but he can count to 25 uninterrupted. He is a miracle - a sign of God's love.





Story Source: LakeNewsOnline.com
Photo Source: AP Photo/Brian Chilson
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Thursday, July 6, 2006
Prayer to the Holy Souls

I have found this prayer to the Holy Souls in the book,"Stories About Purgatory," 30 Days For The Holy Souls.

A PRAYER ADDRESSED TO THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY:

O Holy Souls in Purgatory, thou art the certain heirs of Heaven. Thou art most dear to Jesus, as the trophies of His Precious Blood, and to Mary, Mother of Mercy. Obtain for me, through thine intercession, the grace to lead a holy life, to die a happy death, and to attain tothe blessedness of eternity in Heaven. Dear suffering souls, who long to be delivered in order to praise and glorify God in Heaven, by thine unfailing pity, help me in the needs which distress me at this time, particularly (here mention your request), so that I may obtain relief and assistance from God.

In gratitude for this intercession, I offer to God on thy behalf the satisfactory merits of my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day (week, month, or whatever space of time you wish to designate). AMEN
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The Jesus Prayer

Blessed Cardinal Schuster

The classical form of the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Fr. John Corapi recently talked about how this prayer is a wonderful prayer to say during our day. I completely agree. Please realize that the actual words of our short prayers can vary. Some versions will say, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" while others say, "Lord Jesus, have mercy." Monks of old said, "Lord, make haste to help me. Lord, make speed to save me," throughout their entire day.

The Jesus Prayer originates in the early sixth century, with Diadochos, who taught that repetition of the prayer leads to inner stillness. Even earlier John Cassian recommended this type of prayer. In the fourth century, Egypt's short "arrow" prayers were practiced.

Realize that this prayer, repeated throughout the day, is a very pious action. It does not go against Our Lord's command not to pray in "vain repetition" because Jesus' emphasis is on "vain" prayers, not on the fact they are repeated often. Jesus himself taught us the Our Father for us to repeat just two lines after Matthew 6:7! The important thing is that we must raise our hearts and minds to God. That is prayer!

Abba Macarius of Egypt said there is no need to waste time with words. It is enough to hold out your hands and say, "Lord, according to your desire and your wisdom, have mercy." If pressed in the struggle, say, "Lord, save me!" or simply, " Lord." He knows what is best for us, and will have mercy upon us. St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach always when necessary use words."

Fr. John Corapi said that if we can't concentrate on prayer because we are in pain or dying, just say the name of "Jesus".
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Words of Inspiration: July 6, 2006

St. Padre Pio:

"A lively faith, blind belief and complete adherence to the authorities constituted by God over you; this is the light that illuminated the steps of the people of God in the desert, and this is the light that always shines in the tip of those souls who are acceptable to the Father. This is the light that led the Magi to adore the newly-born Messiah" (Letters III p 404).

If you have not done so, read about the Miracles of St. Padre Pio. I'd love to hear your opinions on them.
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St. Maria Goretti

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which features a side altar dedicated to pro-life saints including St. Maria Goretti. Photo (c) A Catholic Life, 2021.

Optional Memorial (1969 Calendar): July 6

Today the Church remembers St. Maria Goretti, who died a martyr at the young age of 12 in 1902.

St. Maria Goretti was born on October 16, 1890, in Corinaldo, Italy to Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. She was baptized the next morning. She was raised as a pious farm girl, one of six children, who grew in holiness. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca and shortly afterward, St. Maria's father died of malaria. The Goretti family was forced to move onto the Serenelli farm to survive.

On July 5, 1902, St. Maria Goretti, at the age of 12, was attacked by Alessandro Serenelli, a farm hand, who wanted to rape her. He had repeatedly suggested impure things to her previously, but this time hatred filled him. St. Maria Goretti refused sexual relations first and foremost because it was a sin outside of marriage. She desperately fought to stop Alessandro, a 20-year-old, from abusing her. She kept screaming, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!"

Alessandro Serenelli began to choke St. Maria Goretti and then stabbed her 14 times. The young girl survived in a hospital for two weeks, where she forgave her attacker and asked God to forgive him. She died holding a crucifix and a medal of Our Lady.

Years later, while in prison, Alessandro had a vision of Maria. He saw a young girl, dressed in white, gathering lilies in a garden. She then smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As Alessandro took them, each lily transformed into a still white flame; St. Maria then disappeared. This vision led to Alessandro's conversion. He later testified at her cause for beatification. At the end of his life, Alessandro wrote, "I ask pardon of the world of the outrage done to the martyr Maria Goretti and to purity. I exhort everyone to keep away from immoral shows, from dangers, from occasions that can lead to sin."

She was beatified on April 27, 1947, and canonized on June 24, 1950, by Pope Pius XII. Her mother was present at her canonization - the only time a mother has ever been present for her child's canonization. She was the youngest officially recognized saint of the Catholic Church. She is a model of purity - a model all of us should try to imitate. St. Maria refused to break the Commandments and for that, she was rewarded with eternal life. Remember Our Lord's words, that we are to adhere to every Commandment of the Church, even the least important (Mt. 5:18-19). St. Maria is a model for all of us, especially the youth, to follow.

Pope Pius XII presides over the canonization of Saint Maria Goretti at St. Peter's Basilica (photo by Jack Birns, 1950)

Official Prayer to St. Maria Goretti

Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth, with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.
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British Abortion Rates Rise

While abortions decline in America and many other nations, abortion rates are drastically rising in England. I appeal to all pro-life, British citizens to stand up for life. Write to your elected officials, pray at abortion clinics and pro-life events, and pray for the protection of the unborn. LIFE, is a leading British pro-life charity worth supporting.

The British Department of Health reports that abortions rose by about 700 in 2005 compared with statistics from 2004. The number of abortions in England and Wales shot up to 186,416 in 2005 from 185,713 in 2004. Repeat abortions are on the rise as well and nearly one-third of British women having an abortion in 2005 have had at least one abortion before. While 31 percent of all women had an abortion before, about 43 percent of black British women had at least one abortion previously. Teenagers are also having more abortions as more than 1,000 girls under the age of 15 had an abortion, an increase of 4.7 percent over the previous year. The new figures come at a time when the British parliament is considering a debate on limiting late-term abortions and not allowing abortions as long as 24 weeks into pregnancy.

Source: LifeNews

Girls under 15 are having sex and abortions??? There is something seriously wrong. Education, abstinence education, has to begin in the family. These girls could develop serious diseases and ruin their lives. Many of them have already killed a life because of their poor actions.

This is serious and very upsetting.
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at July 06, 2006 2 comment(s)
Completed the 54-Day Rosary Novena

This past May I began the Double Great Novena, it is a 54-Day long Novena of Rosaries. I prayed the Rosary each day for several intentions. Many of them were for people I only know online so I do not know if my prayers were answered. But, I do know that two prayers that I earnestly prayed for where answered

  1. My mother's ankle problem was completed corrected
  2. A blog reader of mine got the job-of-a-lifetime
It is a wonderful devotion and because of it, I was making time to pray the Rosary daily. I'm so thankful for this devotion. If you would like to read more on this devotion, please read my original post on it.
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Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Catholic Book Recommendations

 

Protestants, please read the letter written by His Holiness Pope Pius IX, to all Protestants and other Non-Catholics at the convocation of the Vatican Council, September 13, 1868: "With all our hearts we await the return of wandering children [i.e. Protestants] to the Catholic Church with open arms, to welcome them with infinite love in the house of the Heavenly Father and to be able to enrich them with His inexhaustible treasures. Precisely on this much-desired return to truth and communion with the Catholic Church depends...the salvation of each of them." 

If you are seeking conversion to Catholicism, I offer the following resources for you to learn more about Catholicism. In addition, view the posts in my sidebar under the title "Catholic Categories", specifically look through my Apologetic Posts.

Online Resources:
The Best Books on the Spiritual Life
    Catechism:
    Authority of the Church:
    Fasting:
    Miscellaneous:
    Mass and Liturgy and Liturgical Year:
    Breviary:
    Marian Devotion:
    Life of our Lord:
    Lives of the Saints & Spirituality
    History:
    Crisis in the Modern Church:
    '"A willow tree,' says Pope St. Gregory the Great, 'bears no fruit, but by supporting as it does the vine together with its grapes, it makes these its own by supporting what is not its own.' In like manner, he who warmly recommends a book calculated to do much good makes his own all the good that is done by the book" (Father Michael Mueller in The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)

    Bibles & Scripture Commentary:

    Absolutely every Catholic should own a Bible. Translations like the King James Version and New World Translation are protestant and, therefore, should never be used because they do not even have all of the books of Sacred Scripture. The best Catholic Bible is the Douay-Rheims Bible, which was translated from the Vulgate. I would definitely avoid the New American Bible [NAB] and Jerusalem Bible; the footnotes in the NAB are horrendous and even heretical. Here are some recommended Bibles:
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    at July 05, 2006
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