St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort
Thursday, April 28, 2011 4:58 AM
You can read more of his life here.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09384a.htm
Some Sacramental Symbols + Explanations
Friday, April 15, 2011 9:02 AM
The
Cross, in the ancient world, was a symbol of humiliation and shame. However, for Christians, it is a symbol of victory and glory, "Lord, by your Cross and Resurrection, you have redeemed the world."
The
Crucifix is a cross with the image of Christ's body nailed to it. Crucifixes are always found in Catholic churches and chapels over the altar and are always carried in liturgical processions. The image is venerated by the faithful in a special ceremony on Good Friday. A less common form of the crucifix bears an image of Christ glorified, wearing the vestments of a priest and with his arms extended in blessing.
The
Sign of the Cross is a visible sign of one's belief in Christ and of one's hope in redemption which flows from His Cross. Accompanied by the invocation of the Trinity - "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" - by making this sign, we affirm our faith in Christ crucified ask for His blessing and protection.
Saint Monica
Monday, April 11, 2011 6:44 AM
Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine, was born at Tagaste, North Africa, in 331. With extreme patience she obtained the conversation of her husband Patricius, a violent and dissolute pagan, who was baptized one year before his death. Augustine, her elder son, remained her biggest problem. Even though he was enrolled as catechumen in his early youth, Augustine never thought seriously about baptism. His love for pleasure and idleness was made worse when he joined the Manichean heresy. At 19, while studying in Carthage, Augustine became engaged to a girl and fathered a son, Adeodatus. For many years Monica stormed heaven by prayers, fasting and tears. A wise Bishop, whom she invited to talk to her son, told her: God's time will come. It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.
When she knew that Augustine had left secretly for Italy, she tracked him down as far as Milan. There she was overjoyed to learn that her son had been converted. Soon afterwards, they set out to return to Africa. While waiting for the ship at the harbor of Ostia, Monica fell seriously sick.
In her last conversation, she said: Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. All I wished to live for was that I might see you a Catholic Christian and a child of heaven. The she added: Bury my body wherever you will. One thing only I ask of you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord.
She died at the age of 55, and was declared Patroness of Mothers.
Augustine wrote in his Confessions: I think it was not wrong to weep an hour for a mother who for many years had wept for me.
Novena Prayer to St MonicaDear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversion of your belvoed husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St Monica, that God may favourably hear my plea for (mention your petition here) and grant me the grace to accept his will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
How Poor We Are
6:41 AM
How Poor We Are
One day a father and his rich family took his son to a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“Very good Dad!”
“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.
“Yeah!”
“And what did you learn?”
The son answered, “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon.”
When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless.
His son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!”
Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said,
“I will never forsake you or abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5
How Poor We Are
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Friday, April 1, 2011 10:22 PM
The gift of
KNOWLEDGE is the ability to comprehend the basic meaning and message of Jesus. Jesus revealed the will of God, his Father, and taught people what they need to know to achieve fullness of life and, ultimately, salvation. The gift of knowledge is closely related to the gifts of understanding and wisdom. (Ephesians 3:18-19)
The gift of
UNDERSTANDING is the ability to comprehend how a person must live her or his life as a follower of Jesus. Through the gift of understanding, Christians realize that the Gospel tells them not just who Jesus is; it also tells them who we are. (John 16:13)
Through
WISDOM, the wonders of nature, every event in history, and all the ups and downs of our life take on deeper meaning and purpose. The wise person sees where the Spirit of God is at work and is able to share that insight with others. Wisdom is the fullest expression of the gifts of knowledge and understanding. (Ephesians 1:17-19)
The gift of
RIGHT JUDGEMENT is the ability to know the difference between right and wrong and then to choose what is good. It helps us to act on and live out what Jesus has taught. In the exercise of right judgement, many of the other gifts - especially understanding, wisdom, and often courage - come into play in the Christian’s daily life.
(1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
The gift of
COURAGE enable us to take risks and to overcome fear was we try to live out the Gospel of Jesus. Followers of Jesus confront many challenges and even danger - the risk of being laughed at, the far of rejection, and, for some believers, the fear of physical harm and even death. The Spirit gives Christians the strength to confront and ultimately overcome such challenges. (Joshua 1:9)
Sometimes called piety, the gift of
REVERENCE gives the Christian a deep sense of respect for God. Jesus spoke of his Father, God, as Abba, a very intimate name similarly to daddy or papa. Through the gift of reverence, we can come before God with the openness and trust of small children, totally dependent on the One who created us. (Romans 8:14-16)
The gift of
AWE AND WONDER in the presence of God is sometimes translated as “the fear of the lord”. Though we can approach God with the trust of little children, we are also often aware of God’s total majesty, unlimited power, and desire for justice. A child may want to sit on the land of his loving Father, but sometimes the believer will fall on his knees in the presence of the Creator of the universe. (Psalm 33:8-9)
