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Young people today are not against the Church; they simply don't know much about it, says the new director of the youth section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.Zenit Article - Vatican Youth Director Considers Faith in the Young
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Young people today are not against the Church; they simply don't know much about it, says the new director of the youth section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.Zenit Article - Vatican Youth Director Considers Faith in the Young
Is There A Byzantine Mariology?
Researching this question leads to a seeming paradox. On one hand we find a tremendous richness of Marian thought in the liturgy, but on the other hand a virtual absence of specifically Mariological studies in theology. In the Eastern Churches the understanding and appreciation of the Virgin Mother of God developed differently, and is not the result of scientific theological reflection. The Mariological experience and piety of the Byzantine Churches—Catholic and Orthodox—seem to be embodied almost entirely in their worship. But we find no prominent theological reflection on the subject, nothing that would parallel the specialized Mariological treatises of the Western Church. Theology manuals contain no chapters dealing with the place of Mary in the economy of salvation. The veneration of Mary, which is so central in Byzantine worship, has not been extensively expressed, analyzed, or evaluated systematically. ..
O Holy Father, I offer you all the Masses celebrated or to be celebrated throughout the whole Church this day, so that through the Blood of Jesus Your Son, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary laden with sorrows beneath the Cross, You may deign to grant to the just the great gift of perseverance, to sinners the grace of a perfect conversion, and to all the faithful, and most of all me and my family, at the last hour of life, the grace of receiving the Holy Viaticum, of being anointed with the holy oil, and of dying a death precious in Your sight. Amen.
Lord, all hearts are in Your hands. You can bend as you will the most stubborn and soften the most obdurate. Do that honor this day to the Precious Blood, the merits, the sacred Wounds, the Holy Name, and the loving Heart of Your beloved Son by granting my requests.
(Make Your Request here...)
Amen.
1. To desire ardently to increase in the love of Jesus Christ.
2. Often to make acts of love towards Jesus Christ. Immediately on waking, and before going to sleep, to make an act of love, seeking always to unite your own will to the will of Jesus Christ.
3. Often to meditate on his Passion.
4. Always to ask Jesus Christ for his love.
5. To communicate often, and many times in the day to make spiritual Communions.
6. Often to visit the Most Holy Sacrament.
7. Every morning to receive from the hands of Jesus Christ himself your own cross.
8. To desire Paradise and death, in order to be able to love Jesus Christ perfectly and for all eternity.
9. Often to speak of the love of Jesus Christ.
10. To accept contradictions for the sake of Jesus Christ.
11. To rejoice in the happiness of God.
12. To do that which is most pleasing to Jesus Christ, and not to refuse him anything that is agreeable to him.
13. To desire and to endeavor that all should love Jesus Christ.
14. To pray always for sinners and for the souls in purgatory.
15. To drive from your heart every affection that does not belong to Jesus Christ.
16. Always to have recourse to the most holy Mary, that she may obtain for us the love of Jesus Christ.
17. To honor Mary in order to please Jesus Christ.
18. To seek to please Jesus Christ in all your actions,
19. To offer yourself to Jesus Christ to suffer any pain for his love.
20 To be always determined to die rather than commit a willful venial sin.
27. To suffer crosses patiently, saying, "Thus it pleases Jesus Christ."
22. To renounce your own pleasures for the love of Jesus Christ.
23. To pray as much as possible.
24. To practice all the mortifications that obedience permits.
25. To do all your spiritual exercises as if it were for the last time.
26. To persevere in good works in the time of aridity.
27. Not to do nor yet to leave undone anything through human respect.
28. Not to complain in sickness.
29. To love solitude, to be able to converse alone with Jesus Christ.
30. To drive away melancholy [i.e. gloom].
37. Often to recommend yourself to those persons who love Jesus Christ.
32. In temptation, to have recourse to Jesus crucified, and to Mary in her sorrows.
33. To trust entirely in the Passion of Jesus Christ.
34. After committing a fault, not to be discouraged, but to repent and resolve to amend.
35. To do good to those who do evil.
36. To speak well of all, and to excuse the intention when you cannot defend the action.
37. To help your neighbor as much as you can.
38. Neither to say nor to do anything that might vex him. And if you have been wanting in charity, to ask his pardon and speak kindly to him.
39. Always to speak with mildness and in a low tone.
40. To offer to Jesus Christ all the contempt and persecution that you meet with.
41. To look upon [religious] Superiors as the representatives of Jesus Christ.
42. To obey without answering and without repugnance, and not to seek your own satisfaction in anything.
43. To like the lowest employment.
44. To like the poorest things.
45. Not to speak either good or evil of yourself.
46. To humble yourself even towards inferiors.
47. Not to excuse yourself when you are reproved.
48. Not to defend yourself when found fault with.
49. To be silent when you are disquieted [i.e. upset].
50. Always to renew your determination of becoming a saint, saying, "My Jesus, I desire to be all Yours, and You must be all mine."
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (February 25, 1841–December 3, 1919) was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. As a celebrator of beauty, and especially feminine sensuality, it has been said that "Renoir is the final representative of a tradition which runs directly from Rubens to Watteau".
First DayMy intentions for this Novena will be for the protection of the unborn babies.
Rose Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favor......
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.
Once upon a time, there was a famine in the land. People hoarded their food and hid it from neighbours and friends. One day, a stranger arrived in the village, all hungry and dishevelled. He went from door to door looking for someone to receive him and for something to eat. One after the other, the villagers told him they too were starving and so could not help him.
It was not until he reached the last house in the village that the poor woman who lived there told him that all she had left was water but he was welcome to share the water. He said that was more than enough. Then he told her that he had a magic stone with which he could make enough soup to feed the whole village. The starving old woman was excited and went to alert her neighbours. The stranger filled a large pot with the water and threw a round shiny stone into it. Villagers supplied the firewood and surrounded the large cooking pot to see the miracle of the Stone Soup.
The Stone Soup cooked and the hungry villages waited. Then the stranger tasted the cooking soup and said loudly, "Ahhh!, I love this Stone Soup. Of course, Stone Soup with a little cabbage is hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he had retrieved from its hiding place. He gave it to the stranger to add to the pot. "Wonderful!" cried the stranger, "I once had some Stone Soup with cabbage which had some onions in it that made it fit for a king!" Soon a second villager appeared with some onions and garlic for the soup. On and on he went, through "If only we had a few potatoes...How wonderful it might be with a couple of carrots" and so on. At last, there was a delicious meal for all.
The villagers offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and travelled on the next day. He probably made Stone Soup at the next village, too. Soon the famine ended but the people of the village never forgot about the finest soup they ever had.
When each of us contributes a little, we can feed the whole world village.
Fr Ernest Munachi Ezeogu
"Mother of the Lamb"...
This reflection was based on Luke 22:14, 19-20
..."This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
"Call it mother's intuition. I had to be with him.
Is it such a terrible thin, a mother making sure that her
Son is eating well? So, they showed me the room, and I
shooed them out of my kitchen.
So much to do! Peeling and roasting and boiling.
My Son would have a feast.
After dinner I made coffee, and pondered
Jesus' words: "This is my body...my blood."
I was just about to clear the dishes when I heard,
"Who is greater? The one seated at the table
or the one who serves?"
I glanced at my dishpan hands, and wondered,
What could it mean?
DEC. 1 - THE STABLE
Frequently during the day offer your heart to the little Infant Jesus. Ask Him to make it His home.
--Sweet Jesus, take my heart and make it meek and pure.
DEC. 2 - THE ROOF
See that the roof of the stable is in good condition, so that the Infant Jesus is protected from rain and snow. This you will do by carefully avoiding every uncharitable remark.
--Jesus, teach me to love my neighbor as myself.
DEC. 3 - CREVICES
Carefully stop every crevice in the walls of the stable, so that the wind and cold may not enter there. Guard your senses against temptations. Guard especially your ears against sinful conversations.
--Jesus, help me to keep temptations out of my heart.
DEC. 4 - COBWEBS
Clean the cobwebs from your spiritual crib. Diligently remove from your heart every inordinate desire of being praised. Renew this intention at least three times today.
--My Jesus, I want to please You in all I do today.
DEC. 5 - FENCE
Build a fence about the crib of your heart by keeping a strict watch over your eyes, especially at prayer.
--Sweet Jesus, I long to see You.
DEC. 6 - MANGER
Fix the best and warmest corner of your heart for the manger of Jesus. You will do so by abstaining from what you like most in the line of comfort and amusement.
--Dear Mother Mary, use these sacrifices to prepare my heart for Jesus in Holy Communion.
DEC. 7 - HAY
Supply the manger of your heart with hay, by overcoming all feelings of pride, anger or envy.
--Jesus, teach me to know and correct my greatest sins.
DEC. 8 - SOFT STRAW
Also provide your manger with soft straw by performing little acts of mortification; for instance, bear the cold without complaints; or sit and stand erect.
--Dear Jesus, Who suffered so much for me, let me suffer for love of You.
DEC. 9 - SWADDLING CLOTHES
Prepare these for the Divine Infant by folding your hands when you pray, and praying slowly and thoughtfully.
--Jesus, help me love you more and more.
DEC. 10 - BLANKETS
Provide the manger of your crib with soft warm blankets. Avoid harsh and angry words; be kind and gentle to all.
--Jesus, help me to be meek and humble like You.
DEC. 11 - FUEL
Bring fuel to the crib of Jesus. Give up your own will; obey your superiors cheerfully and promptly.
--Jesus, help me do Your will in all things.
DEC. 12 - WATER
Bring fresh, clean water to the crib. Avoid every untruthful word and every deceitful act.
--Dearest Mary, obtain for me true contrition for my sins.
DEC. 13 - PROVISIONS
Bring a supply of food to the crib. Deprive yourself of some food at mealtime or candy as a treat.
--Jesus, be my strength and nourishment.
DEC. 14 - LIGHT
See that the crib has sufficient light. Be neat and orderly about your person; keep everything in its place in your room.
--Jesus, be the life and light of my soul.
DEC. 15 - FIRE
Take care to have the crib of your heart warmed by a cozy fire. Be grateful to God for the love He has shown us in becoming man; behave with grateful respect towards your parents and relatives.
--Jesus, how can I return Your love; how can I show my gratitude to You?
DEC. 16 - THE OX
Lead the ox to the crib. Obey cheerfully without making excuses and without asking "why."
--I will obey for love of You, Jesus.
DEC. 17 - THE DONKEY
Bring the donkey to the crib. Offer to the Divine Infant your bodily strength; use it in the service of others.
--Jesus, accept my service of love; I offer it for those who do not love You.
DEC. 18 - GIFTS
Gather some presents for the Divine Infant and His Blessed Mother. Give alms for the poor and say an extra decade of the rosary.
--Come, Jesus, to accept my gifts and to take possession of my heart.
DEC. 19 - LAMBS
Strive to bring some little lambs, meek and patient. Do not murmur or complain.
--Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
DEC. 20 - SHEPHERDS
Invite the shepherds to pay homage to our newborn King. Imitate their watchfulness; stress in your speech and thoughts the idea that Christmas is important because Jesus will be born again in you.
--Jesus, teach me to love You above all things.
DEC. 21 - THE KEY
Provide the stable with a key to keep out thieves. Exclude from your heart every sinful thought, every rash judgment.
-- Dear Jesus, close my heart to all that hurts You.
DEC. 22 - ANGELS
Invite the angels to adore God with you. Cheerfully obey the inspirations of your guardian angel and of your conscience.
--Holy Guardian Angel, never let me forget that you are with me always.
DEC. 23 - ST. JOSEPH
Accompany Saint Joseph from door to door. Learn from him silently and patiently to bear refusals and disappointments. Open wide your heart and beg him to enter with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
--Saint Joseph, help me to prepare for a worthy Christmas Communion.
DEC. 24 - THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Go meet your Blessed Mother. Lead her to the manger of your heart and beg her to lay the Divine Infant in it. Shorten your chats and telephone conversations and spend more time today thinking of Jesus and Mary and Joseph.
--Come, dear Jesus, Come; my heart belongs to You."
...Thanks so much for the great news that 3 Masses will be offered at Sacred Heart in the diocese of Honolulu. I really appreciate it.
Presently, there are 131 Masses scheduled to be offered as part of the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES.
God bless you.
Sincerely,
Patrick Benedict
Encouraging and supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life has been a top priority for Bishop Robert Finn since his installation in the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Currently, the diocese has nearly 30 men studying to become diocesan priests while others have been called to nearby religious orders.
I think it is very telling that the Church chose to honor the Martins based in their wedding anniversary. During my marriage preparation in the Catholic church, we learned that a proper, holy marriage requires 'dying to self' each day. On the day I was married to my wonderful husband, I was blessed to feel a physical change take place - it was beautiful. In essence, the old me had died, and the new me, this man's wife, was ready to take on the challenges of married love. Praise the Lord!During this Advent Season, I have been thinking of doing more to die to myself. But after reading the above statement, I think I will concentrate more of dying to myself in my marriage. Like most couples who have been married awhile, we start to take our spouse for granted. I often do nice things for others outside my family. But when is the last time I did something special for my husband?
Louis and Marie-Zélie Guérin Martin, pray for us!
Tara Szymanski