Check Out this New Artist - Flor Larios Art
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| St. Valentine Day cards |
Flor Larios Art
Right now, she is having a clearance sale. Check out her blog for details and links to her Etsy shop.
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| St. Valentine Day cards |
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Esther G.
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2:21 PM
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Esther G.
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9:42 AM
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Labels: Innocent Priests
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Esther G.
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8:53 AM
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Labels: Persecution: Recent Martyrs
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Esther G.
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9:59 AM
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A PrayerPrayer source: Holy Cross Vocations
Lord our God,
friend of the lowly,
you gave your servant, Saint André Bessette,
a great devotion to St. Joseph
and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted,
Through his intercession,
help us to follow his example of prayer and love
and so come to share with him in your glory,
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen
Saint André, pray for us.
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Esther G.
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9:54 AM
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Esther G.
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9:46 AM
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Labels: Female Saints
Joan of Arc’s 599th Birthday Celebrated at Maid of Heaven.
Thursday January 6, 2011 , marks the 599th anniversary of Saint Joan of Arc’s birthday and MaidOfHeaven.com, the world’s largest website about Joan of Arc, is celebrating her birthday with a special page containing many historic details about her birth.
"It was during the night of the Epiphany of Our Lord when men are wont most joyfully to recall the acts of Christ that she first saw the light in this mortal life” describes the birth of Joan of Arc and is an actual quote from one of Joan’s contemporaries. The special page at MaidOfHeaven.com dedicated to celebrating Joan of Arc’s birthday contains other similar descriptions of Joan’s birth and childhood by the people who knew her best when she was alive. As author Ben D. Kennedy of MaidOfHeaven.com explains: “The mission of both the book Maid of Heaven and the website MaidOfHeaven.com is to help people to learn the true and complete history of Saint Joan of Arc. Using actual quotes by Joan and the people who knew her while she was alive is integral to successfully accomplishing this mission.”
Kennedy goes on to explain how the birthday of Joan of Arc is a great time to remind people about the significance of Joan of Arc’s life. “Joan of Arc is probably the most famous women to ever live and her great deeds continue to inspire people today. Her birthday anniversary is a chance for people to remember her and celebrate her life and history. Most people have heard Joan’s name but are not aware of all that she accomplished in her short life. Her birthday on the Epiphany is a detail that most have never heard about before and are amazed at the timing of her birth on this special day of Christian significance.”
For anyone unfamiliar with Joan of Arc’s full history she lived for only nineteen years but the brilliance of her life has inspired people ever since resulting in more books and artwork dedicated to her than anyone else in history except Jesus Christ. Joan was the youngest person in history at only seventeen to command the armies of a nation. She won two of the greatest military victories in all of world history at the battles of Orleans and Patay. Despite her military successes she was ultimately captured by her enemies and convicted of heresy in a rigged trial and burned at the stake where she died at a young nineteen years of age. Throughout her life she maintained her great faith in God and was ultimately rewarded in 1920 when she was canonized a Saint by the same Church that had once condemned her to death by fire.
To learn more about Joan of Arc and all the details of her birthday please visit MaidOfHeaven.com The special page about Joan’s birthday is advertised on the homepage in a sliding banner or the page can be accessed direct at:
St. Joan of Arc Birthday
MaidOfHeaven.com
PO Box 34664
Louisville , KY 40232
(502)515-1087
Posted by
Esther G.
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1:23 PM
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Esther G.
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1:08 PM
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| The Seven Deadly Sins by Hieronymus Bosch |
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| Detail of the above painting: Table of Mortal Sins: Gluttony |
Our excuses are numberless. In fact, they are as numberless as our sins, none of which are now deemed by us (and, for sorrow, by many priests) grievous enough to preclude our receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. Most often they are reducible simply to this: "I have not committed any mortal sin".
Indeed.
For Catholics who have never been taught the difference between Mortal and Venial sin — which is to say, the entire last generation of Catholics — we must be clear about the notion of sin, especially the distinction between two kinds of sin, before we can proceed to even understand the necessity, as well as the inestimable value of Holy Confession.
Q - My question is regarding the distinction between mortal and venial sins. I have read (many times over) the description in the Catechism, specifically sections 1854-1864. I am still unclear about the definition of grave matter. I'm not a murderer, thief or adulterer, so those grave matters are easy to exclude for me. But, how does a decent, law-abiding, generally respectful, person know how to distinguish when a sin has moved from venial to mortal? Section 1858 of the Catechism seems to imply that violation of the Ten Commandments is a mortal sin. But aren't venial sins also violations of the Ten Commandments? Are sins on a continuum where the same act could be defined as mortal or venial depending on how the sin occurs, to whom its directed, etc? Is there a sample list of mortal vs. venial sins that could help clarify this for people?
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Esther G.
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11:41 AM
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O Jesus, who on earth commanded and practiced a hidden life, grant that--in these our days of pride and outward display--the example of your servant John Neumann may lead us to follow your humble ways. Grant, O Lord, that like your holy bishop we may do all our work with the pure intention of pleasing you, and let not our deeds be done to win the favor of others but to give glory to our Father in heaven.
We thank you that our fellow citizen and devoted missionary bishop is recognized among the saints of your Church in heaven, and we beseech you, O Lord, to glorify him on earth by granting the favors we ask through his intercession. Amen.
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Esther G.
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11:14 AM
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After being ordained, he worked for nine years in the parish of St. Philomena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, first as assistant pastor with St. John Neumann, the superior of the Religious Community, and later as Superior himself and for the last three years as pastor. During this time, he was also the Redemptorist Novice Master. With Neumann he also dedicated himself to preaching missions. Regarding their relationship, Seelos said: “He has introduced me to the active life” and, “he has guided me as a spiritual director and confessor.”
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| Incorrupt Body of St. John Neumann, C.S.s.R. |
PRAYER FOR HIS INTERCESSIONPrayer source
O Saint John Neumann, your ardent desire of bringing all souls to Christ impelled you to leave home and country; teach us to live worthily in the spirit of our Baptism which makes us all children of the one Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, the first-born of the family of God.
Obtain for us that complete dedication in the service of the needy, the weak, the afflicted and the abandoned which so characterized your life. Help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and, at times, painful paths of duty, strengthened by the Body and Blood of our Redeemer and under the watchful protection of Mary our Mother.
May death still find us on the sure road to our Father's House with the light of living Faith in our hearts. Amen.
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Esther G.
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9:43 AM
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1. Pray more (or start if you aren't)
2. Say "I love you" to those you love
3. We have too much stuff - go through your stuff and give some of it away.
4. Visit your relatives
5. Tip bigger
6. Volunteer at a nursing home / soup kitchen / homeless shelter / animal shelter / Habitat for Humanity
7. Smile more
8. Say "hi" (or if in Texas "howdy") to strangers
9. Be thankful for what you have, not envious of what you don't have
10. Write someone a hand-written letter
Posted by
Esther G.
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9:21 AM
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Labels: Spiritual Guide
Please check out The World Apostolate of Fatima: Honolulu Division for the decree.
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Esther G.
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1:49 PM
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- I resolve to arrive at Mass early.Read the rest here
- Before arriving for Mass, I resolve to turn off my cell phone, or put it on “vibrate.”
- I resolve to go to the bathroom before I leave home, so I don’t have to stand in line outside the restroom for most of Mass, hopping from foot to foot.
Posted by
Esther G.
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12:34 PM
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Labels: Catholic Humor
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| St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Paterson, NJ |
My Father and my God, who by the consoling voice of his word builds up the Soul in hope so as to free it even for hours of its incumbrance, confirming and strengthening it by the constant experience of his indulgent goodness; giving it a new life in him even while in the midst of pain and sorrows--sustaining, directing, consoling and blessing thro' every changing scene of its pilgrimage, making his Will its guide to temporal comfort and eternal glory--how shall the most unwearied diligence, the most cheerful compliance, the most humble resignation ever enough express my love, my joy, Thanksgiving and praise!Picture source
To be engaged in the Service of our adored creator, to be set apart to that service,...to plead for Him, to be allowed the exalted privilege of serving H im continually, to be his Instrument in calling Home the wandering soul, and sustaining, comforting and blessing your fellow creatures-- are considerations which bear no comparison with any other and should lead you to consider the very possibility of your realizing the hope they present as the most precious and valued gift life can afford...A man may be a very good man in the pursuit of any other profession- but certainly that of a clergyman is the easiest, surest road to God, and the first, the highest, and most blessed that can adorn a Human Being.Picture source
I WILL GO PEACEABLY & FIRMLY TO THE CATHOLICK (sic) CHURCH for if faith is so important o our salvation I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from GOD HIMSELF. The controversies on it I am quite incapable of deciding, and as the strictest Protestant allows salvation to a good Catholic, to the Catholicks (sic) I will go, and try to be a good one. May God accept my intention and pity me.
Our misery is not conform ourselves to the intentions of God as to the manner in which he will be gloried-- What pleases Him does not please us. He wills us to enter in the way of suffering, and we desire to enter in action. We desire to give rather than receive--and do not purely seek his Will.
I am the happiest of creatures in the thought that not the least thing can happen but by His will or permission; and all for the best.
I have had a great many very hard trials, my Father,... but you will of course congratulate me on them as this fire of tribulation is no doubt meant to consume the many imperfections and bad dispositions our Lord finds in me. Indeed it has at times burnt so deep that the anguish could not be concealed, but by degrees custom reconciles pain itself, and I determine, dry and hard as my daily bread is, to take it with as good grace as possible. When I carry it before Our Lord sometimes he makes me laugh at myself and asks me what other kind I would choose in the valley of tears than that which himself and all his followers made us of.
Posted by
Esther G.
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10:40 AM
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Posted by
Esther G.
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10:49 AM
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Labels: Catholic Media: Press Release
HICTv will be up and running by the end of January. Please come by our website to view a number of live events as well as some special programs as we continue to build Hawaii’s first Catholic Internet Television Station.
Our next live event will be March for Life, Saturday, January 22 2011 @ 10:00 AM HST – 03:00PM
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Esther G.
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10:39 AM
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Labels: Hawaii Pro-Life
0 C + M + B 11
May Christ bless this House…
All who dwell and pray in it…
And All Whom they Welcome in His Name
....................
BLESSING OF A HOME AT EPIPHANY
Let us pray, In the name of + The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
V. On entering the house, the Magi found the Child Jesus with Mary his mother.
R. They did Him homage and presented to Jesus symbolic gifts: gold to the great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh as a foreshadowing of his suffering and death.
Let us pray, God, our Father, by the guidance of a star, You revealed Your only Son as the Savior of all nations. Grant that we who already know You by faith, may be brought to the contemplation of Your glory in our heavenly home. We ask this through Christ your Son, Our Lord. Amen.
All may recite the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The MAGNIFICAT) by which Mary praised God at the time of her Visitation to the house of Elizabeth found in St. Luke's Gospel Chapter 1, verses 46-55.
V. Be enlightened, O Jerusalem, and shine forth …for Your light has come!
R. And upon you is risen the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
V. All nations shall walk in Your light and kings in the splendor of Your birth.
R. And upon You is risen the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
Now, a Reading of the Gospel for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord
from St. Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 2, verses 1 to 12.
V. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, has appeared and been revealed to the nations.
R. The prophets foretold His coming, and the angels and shepherds adored Him.
V. The Magi rejoiced to find Him and they lay their treasures before Him.
R. All you nations and peoples, …come and adore Him!
All recite The OUR FATHER as all the rooms of the house are sprinkled with holy water …and also if possible with blessed salt.
Let us pray, Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have received all benefits. Come, visit and bless + this house so that it may be a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the Commandments, - and thanksgiving to God, + The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
May the love and blessings of God, + The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit, descend upon this house, all those who reside within it, and upon all those whom they welcome in the Sacred Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and may God's grace and peace remain with all of them forever. Amen.
NOTE: The initials of the names ascribed by tradition to the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar), and the numerals of the current year are to be written with the blessed chalk above all the entry doors of the house in the following manner:
20 C + M + B 11
(Some interpret the letters to stand for Christus Mansioni Benedicat! May Christ bless this house! )
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Esther G.
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2:48 PM
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Labels: Epiphany Blessing
I think you will enjoy this video. Please be sure to read the blog post that accompanied it.
Crossing Nineveh: In Praise of Being Alone- Tanya Davis.
Thanks to Sue Cifelli for sharing.
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Esther G.
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2:42 PM
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"Christ was in all things and above all things, and at the same time He was existing in the womb of the Holy Mother of God, but He was there by the operation of the Incarnation. And so He was made flesh and took from her the first fruits of our clay, a body animated by a rational and intellectual soul, so that the very Person of God the Word was accounted to the flesh . . . And so we confess that even after the Incarnation He is the one Son of God, and we confess that the same is the Son of Man, one Christ, one Lord, the Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Jesus our Lord. And we venerate His two begettings- St. John Damascene
-----one from the Father before the ages and surpassing cause and reason and time and nature, and one in latter times for our own sake, after our own manner, and surpassing us."
Hail Mary, Mother of God,
venerable treasure of the whole universe,
lamp that is never extinguished,
crown of virginity,
support of the true faith,
indestructible temple,
dwelling of him whom no place can contain,
O Mother and Virgin!
Through you
all the holy Gospels call blessed
the one who comes in the name of the lord.
Hail, Mother of God;
you enclosed under your heart the infinite God
whom no space can contain.
Through you
the Most Holy Trinity is adored and glorified
the priceless cross is venerated
throughout the universe.
Through you
the heavens rejoice,
and the angels and archangels are filled with gladness.
Through you
the demons are banished,
and the tempter fell from heaven.
Through you
the fallen human race is admitted to heaven.
Hail, Mother of God;
through you
kings rule,
and the only=begotten Son of God
has become a star of light
to those who were sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
- St. Cyril of Alexandria
Bishop and Doctor
Posted by
Esther G.
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11:33 AM
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Labels: Marian Feasts: Mother of God
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,Picture source
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
The name Jesus was given to the Holy Child at God's command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ, that we should pray in His Name and because it reminds us of all the blessings we have received through our Holy Redeemer. Hence St. Paul was able to write to the Philippians: "...at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil. 2:10). By means of this devotion we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name.
Picture sourceAct of Reparation for Blasphemies Uttered Against the Holy Name
O Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, Son of the living God,
behold, we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation;
we would make amends for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy holy name, for all the injuries done to Thee int he Blessed Sacrament,
for all the irreverence shown toward Thine immaculate Virgin Mother,
for all the calumnies and slanders spoken against Thy spouse,
the holy Church and Roman Church. O Jesus,
who hast said:
"If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,"
we pray and beseech Thee for all our brethren who are in danger of sin;
shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith;
save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss;
to all of them give light and knowledge of truth, courage and strength
for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity!
For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy name, unto God the Father, with whom Thou livest and reignest
in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
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Esther G.
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11:16 AM
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Labels: Holy Name of Jesus
Posted by
Esther G.
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3:45 AM
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Labels: Holidays: New Year
Shared by Sue Cifelli.
Posted by
Esther G.
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2:15 AM
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Labels: Marian Hymns
...St. Augustine