A Ratzinger from Four Centuries Ago. In Beijing

"...The challenge is all the greater today, with China rising to become a new global superpower. But it has been one before.

Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this challenge was taken up by a brilliant missionary, Jesuit Fr. Matteo Ricci, the fourth centenary of whose death is being marked in 2010 with exhibits, studies, and conferences, including in China, where he is considered a national treasure. His beatification process is also underway.

In dialoguing with the intellectual circles of Beijing at the time, Ricci adopted an approach remarkably similar to the one proposed by Benedict XVI today. He knew very well that the Christian Gospel was an absolute innovation, come from God. But he knew that human reason also has its origin in the one Lord of Heaven, and is common to all who live under the same sky..."

You can read Sandro Magister's article in its entirety here.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

Pope Leo XIII personally started the practice of devoting October to the Rosary devotion. In a letter of September 1, 1883, mindful of the Rosary's power to strengthen faith and foster a life of virtue, he outlined the triumphs of the Rosary in past times and admonished the faithful to dedicate the month of October to the blessed Virgin through the daily recitation of her Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in order to obtain through her intercession the grace that God would console and defend His Church in her sufferings.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Indulgence of 300 days.

Source: The Prayer Book, Catholic Press

Feast of Our Guardian Angels

This post is dedicated to my guardian angel, who has always protected me and guided me and whom I have, regretfully, thanked in return by often forgetting him and taking him for granted.

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Tertullian recommended that we do not sit while praying out of respect for "the angel of prayer who is at our side."

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"Everyone of the faithful, is assisted by an angel, and Christ is our witness that these angels behold the face of the Father continually." - Origen

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"An angel is assigned to every believer, unless we drive him away through sin.  He guards the soul like an army on alert." - St. Basil the Great

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"St. Thomas Aquinas believed that every newborn drew the attention of both an angel and a devil, and that Baptism gave the angel the advantage."

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"Whenever we have to speak with someone who is rather closed to our argument, and with whom therefore the conversation needs to be very persuasive, we go to our guardian angel.  We recommend the matter to him.  We ask him to take it up with the guardian angel of the person we have to see.  And once the two angels establish an understanding, the Pope's conversation with his visitors is much easier." -  Pope Pius XI to Msgr. Angelo Roncalli, who later was named Pope John XXIII.  Pope John XXIII later confided to his sister that he said the prayer 'Angel of God, my guardian dear' at least five times a day.

St. Gemma Galgani claimed to see her guardian angel regularly.  She thought of him as a brother.

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"If you find it impossible to pray, charge your Good Angel to pray in your stead."  - St. John Vianney

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"Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for, without being seen, they are present with you." - St. Francis de Sales

Quote source - All About Angels, Published by the Catholic Digest.

Tertullian quote - Magnificat Magazine, October Issue 2010

October - Respect for Life Month

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STATEMENT FOR RESPECT LIFE MONTH
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo
Chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
September 27, 2010

October - Month of Our Lord of Miracles - Octubre:Mes de EL SEÑOR DE LOS MILAGROS

This feast is celebrated in Peru. There is an old article that appeared in Time magazine. You can read it here

October - Month of the Holy Rosary

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

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Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

 

On her conversion on Christmas as a child:  

"I felt charity enter into my soul, and the need to forget myself and to please others."

Therese Age 13

"O my God, your love has gone before me, and it has grown with me, and now it is an abyss whose depths I cannot fathom."

Child Thérèse Picture source

Martin Sisters

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Louis and Zélie Martin

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"On every side this love is unknown, rejected; those hears upon whom You would lavish it turn to creatures; they do this instead of throwing themselves into Your arms and of accepting Your infinite love."

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Sister Thérèse's Habit

 "I understood how easy it is to become all wrapped up in self, forgetting entirely the sublime goal of one's calling."

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To see photographs of St. Thérèse and the camera which her sister Celine used to take the photos of her beloved sister, please check out Marc Dan's gallery

The Tomb of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

"I always feel the same bold confidence of becoming a great saint because I don't count on my merits since I have none, but I trust in him who is Virtue and Holiness.  God alone, content with my weak efforts, will raise me to himself and make me a saint."

Quotes are from October 2010 issue of Magnificat.

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Death of St. Therese

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Souer Thérèse Martin's obituary can be found here

Powerful Pro-Life Prayer - Mary, Help of Christians

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The following prayer was written by Jack Smith of The Catholic Key Blog and shared by Mary Jane.

My sister was born two years ago. She’s really fun. I can’t wait to play with her, but I can’t. I’m frozen in a tube and doctor says he needs my cells to help cure really famous people with really bad diseases.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

Here I am Lord, but momma doesn’t know I’m here yet. Doctor says I can’t possibly be here yet and he gave her some medicine. I’m in a dark place and trying to grab on to mom.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

I know I’m not perfect, Lord. Doctor says I have an extra chromosome. He told mom I’d be really miserable when I’m born.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

Mom thinks she made a mistake. I’ve been growing in her for a few months now. She doesn’t want anybody to find out. But dad found out. He told mom if she doesn’t take some money and go to Planned Parenthood, he’ll leave her.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

Mom’s been taking really good care of me for eight months now, but she never talks to anybody about me. She told grandma about me yesterday and grandma said she’s gonna disown mom. We’re taking a trip to some different state so grandma will still help mom.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

Dear God, I’m born at last! I’m in a really bright room. There were lots of people here, but nobody was happy when I came out of mom. Now everybody’s gone, and I don’t have a blanket, and I’m cold, and I’m bloody, and I’m hungry, and I need Help.

Mary Help of Christians, Pray for Us.

Mark Miravalle on Eucharistic Adoration

Mark Miravalle on Eucharistic Adoration

Thanks to Sue Cifelli.

Life is the Only Choice (by David MacDonald www.ProLifeMusic.com)

David MacDonald

Thanks Sue Cifelli!

EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica's Hometown to Name a Street in Her Honor

PRESS RELEASE

For Information, Please Contact:

Oct. 1, 2010

Michelle Johnson

Director of Communications

EWTN Global Catholic Network

5817 Old Leeds Road
Irondale, Alabama 35210-2198 USA

(205) 795-5769 – Office

(205) 441-6248 ­– Cell

(205) 795-5781 – Fax

mjohnson@ewtn.com





EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica’s Hometown to Name a Street in Her Honor



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Mother Angelica, the cloistered nun who founded EWTN Global Catholic Network, will be honored by her hometown of Canton, Ohio when a section of Market Ave. is declared the “Mother Angelica Memorial Corridor.” The section, between 30th St. N.W. and 44th St. N.W., includes the portion of the avenue that runs in front of Sancta Clara Monastery, where Mother made her first vows and lived out her first years as a nun.

“Mother Angelica and all of us at EWTN are truly touched and thrilled by the recognition bestowed upon our foundress by the Mayor and the Canton City Council,” said EWTN CEO & President Michael P. Warsaw. “It is a testament to the work that Mother accomplished in her life – work from which the whole world is benefiting. We want to thank the Mayor and the Canton City Council for recognizing Mother Angelica in this way.”

The honor comes as EWTN prepares to descend upon the Canton Civic Center Oct. 9 and 10 for its annual “Family Celebration,” an event that attracts viewers from all over the country thanks to its roster of well-loved speakers, children’s entertainment, and more. This year, the Network will pay homage to the life and legacy of its famous foundress with a live program featuring many of this year’s speakers as well as select members of the audience. This made Canton the perfect location for the 2010 Family Celebration.

This year’s speakers are all well-known to Mother. They include EWTN’s “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica’s best-selling biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi; Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of EWTN Radio Network’s “The Doctor Is In,” and Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose order hosts the EWTN children’s catechetical series, “Truth in the Heart.” “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck will emcee the event.

EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Father Anthony and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the popular “Family Talk,” which is a chance for viewers who are part of the EWTN Family, to ask questions

In addition, children will be entertained by “Roamin Catholic” Host Rob Wahl and his sidekick, Pete the Penguin, as well as Brother Leo, author of “Hey Brother Leo” fame. “Older kids” can browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop, line up to “Meet the Author,’ and maybe even get a signed copy of Arroyo’s new book, “The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica.”

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN and Mother Angelica will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!

For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/

Note: We invite you to tell you friends about this event – and the great honor being bestowed on Mother Angelica – on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social networks – and to tweet about it using the hashtag #EWTN.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

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Feast of the Archangels

Prayer to the Archangels

Holy Princes and faithful messengers of the Sovereigns of Heaven, I thank thee for the lights with which thou hast illuminated my understanding and strengthened by heart and dissipated the blindness of my eyes. I, who am the least of all of the creatures that exist upon the earth, praise the Lord for all of the marvelous things He has done in me.

Dear Archangels, I, who am deserving of nothing, beseech thee, go now to Our Lord and Our Lady of Good Success and intercede for me, as this poor servant desires to prostrate himself before Them and submit to whatever they desire. As my heart and my entire being belongs to Them, may I, like a small drop of dew, lose myself in the immensity of the Divine Being.

Amen.

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St. Michael the Archangel

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...Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.


The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it... - Revelations Chapter 12:7-9

St. Gabriel the Archangel

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...Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."


And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.


But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time..." - Luke 1:18-21

St. Raphael the Archangel

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...So Raphael was sent to heal them both: to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes, so that he might again see God's sunlight; and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah, and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. For Tobiah had the right to claim her before any other who might wish to marry her.In the very moment that Tobit returned from the courtyard to his house, Raguel's daughter Sarah came downstairs from her room.... - Tobit 3:17

A Dog Who Says Grace Before Eating

Watch video here.

Latest Update on the Blue Chapel

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A few years ago, a kind lady would send me regular updates on the Cloistered Nuns of the Blue Chapel in Union City, New Jersey, who had to leave their home. It was
Someone was kind enough to leave the following comment yesterday. Mahalo!

Peace be unto you and may Mary ever be a Mother unto us.
As of this post, 9/27/2010, all the nuns are gone from the former Blue Chapel with the woman who runs the gift shop coming in occasionally.

Last year, a proposal was brought to an assembly of community residents to convert the Blue Chapel to a home for unwed mothers. The architect who was present revealed that the footprint of the building would change, the perimeter walls would go in some cases, and 3 stories would be added. The residents vocally objected and the plan is on hold for the time being.

Local preservationists are trying to convince local leaders in Union City, especially the mayor, to attempt to get the former building protected to a limited extent on the New Jersey Registry of Historic Places. So far the church authority, as I understand, is opposed to this and their are hints that the entire property of just over 1 acre will be sold. But that is unconfirmed at this point.

The Union City Reporter, available on-line, has at least 3 articles about the Blue Chapel to date.

Meanwhile a sister monastery in Summit, New Jersey continues.

The Blue Chapel consistently lost nuns over several decades and they are interred in a small cemetery on the grounds.

Perhaps the best known nun was the late Sr. Mary of the Compassion (Constance Mary Rowe)who was artistically gifted.

Please continue to pray for those nuns who still survive but have been relocated due to age and infirmity.
Pax Christi

The Blue Chapel also has connections to our friends, the Dominican Nuns in Summit, NJ. History



More information and recent articles on the Blue Chapel:


Saving the Blue Chapel

Novena to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos CSsR Started Yesterday

I'm so sorry I failed to post this notice yesterday.

From Mary Jane:

His Feast Day is October 5th.

Divine Physician,
You infused Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
with the gift of Your healing.
By the help of his prayers,
sustain in me the grace to know Your will
and the strength to overcome my afflictions.
For love of You, make me whole.
May I learn from the example of Father Seelos
and gain comfort from his patient endurance.
Amen. (Mention your intentions here)


Litany of Blessed Francis Seelos:


Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, have mercy on us!

Lord, have mercy on us!

Christ, hear us!

Christ, graciously hear us!

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, pray for us

Francis, pattern of cheerfulness, pray for us

Francis, lover of labors, pray for us

Francis, model of confessors, pray for us

Francis, gentle refuge of penitents, pray for us

Francis, example to seminarians, pray for us

Francis, master of poverty, pray for us

Francis, pillar of peacefulness, pray for us

Francis, comfort of the sick, pray for us

Francis, companion to the dying, pray for us

Francis, paragon of holiness, pray for us


LET US PRAY


O God, who made your priest, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, outstanding in love, that he might proclaim the mysteries of redemption, and comfort those in affliction, grant, by his intercession, that we may work zealously for your glory and for the salvation of all. Amen.

For more information go to: Blessed Seelos Center

Note: I finished this Novena which I had been praying for someone, last week. My friend Dottie gave me the Novena booklet. I highly recommend you obtaining it because it is filled with testimonials of Father Seelos' life and holiness as well as prayers.

Nice Coverage of the Recent Beatification of Cardinal Newman

Can be found at Catholic Heritage

I am happy they let me know about it. Thank you.

In Memoriam Fr. Steven F. Torraco, PhD

Sunday Night Live - Don Bosco's relics - Fr. Groeschel, CFR with Fr. Ang...

Why do I have to go to Confession?

This video was posted recently but it had been removed. It is now up and running.

In Memoriam Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M.

Spiritual Advice - Avoid Being Anxious About the Little Things

It appears that Saint Francis de Sales is the one who originally came up with the idea of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff".

"St. Basil says that when God's will is shown clearly to us by His ordinances and commandments, there is nothing further to deliberate on, for we must simply do what has been ordained." BUT, St. Francis counsels, "for all other things, it is in our liberty to choose what seems good according to our preferences, although we must not do all that is lawful, but only what is expedient...to determine properly what is suitable, we must listen to the advice of a wise spiritual director.

St. Francis warns against the troublesome temptation that as he says "comes to souls who have a great desire to follow in all things what best accords with God's will. On every occasion the enemy puts them in doubt as to whether it is God's will for them to do one thing rather than another." The following are some examples given by St. Francis de Sales:

Asking

-whether it is God's will to dine with a certain friend or not;

-whether they should wear gray clothes or black;

-whether they should fast on Friday or Saturday;

-whether they should participate in a certain recreation or abstain from it;

-whether it is better to hear Mass in one church rather than another;

-whether it is better to spin rather than to sew;

-whether it is better to give alms to a man or to a woman.

-whether to go to the hospital to visit the sick rather than to vespers?

-whether to go hear a sermon rather than visit a church where one can earn an indulgence;

St. Francis says that if we do so, we are wasting a lot of time. While perplexing over these small matters, we are losing many opportunities to do good deeds.

"Choices of vocation, plans for some affair of great importance, a work requiring a long time or some very great expenditure of money, change or residence, choice of associates, and such similar t hings require that we think seriously as to what best accords with God's will. But, in little daily actions, ion which even a mistake is neither of consequence nor beyond repair, what need is there for us to make a great to-do, given them much attention, and stop to make importunate consultation with others? To what purpose will I make trouble for myself to learn whether God prefers me to say the Rosary or the Office of Our Lady? There can be no such great differences between the one and the other that a long inquest should be hold...

...We must proceed in good faith and without subtle distinctions in such affairs (Note: the above list of examples) and, as St. Basil says, do freely what seems good to us, so as not to weary our minds, waste our time, and put ourselves in danger of disquiet, scruples, and superstition...

...Even in important matters, we must be very humble and not think of finding God's will by force of scrutiny and subtle discussion. We must:

- pray to the Holy Spirit for illumination;

- "applied our thought to search for His good pleasure";

- Speak and listen to our spiritual director or maybe another spiritual person;

"Finally, we must come to a resolution and decision in the name of God. After that we must not call our choice in doubt, but devoutly, peacefully, and firmly keep and sustain it."

We must be willing to live with our decision so as not to cause disruption of peace in our soul.

From Finding God's Will for You by St. Francis de Sales, Sophia Press Publishers.