St. James - Bridling of the Tongue

The Beheading of St. James by Fra Filippo Lippi

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If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue 14 but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.

St. James 1:26.

In honor of the Feast of St. James, I will:

- Not speak unless necessary.

- Not give my opinion unless asked.

- Listen more intently to the person speaking to me.

- Avoid negative words, harmful, critical, hurtful words escaping from my lips.

- Literally bite my tongue if tempted to speak without first pausing and thinking about I am about to say.

- Pray to the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother for strength in  taming my tongue.

- I knew I forgot one more thing.  I will not complain especially about little things.

In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.

The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.

James 3:6-10

There is a good article that someone shared on Twitter that should be read. Three Tips for Taming the Tongue.

Protect the Seal

From Richard's blog

"The world is turning in on the Faith, first Ireland and now Australia, where will it end?"

Saint Mary Magdalene

by Georges de la Tour

Shared by Mary Jane D.

A Prayer to Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary Magdalene, woman of many sins, who by conversion became the beloved of Jesus, thank you for your witness that Jesus forgives through the miracle of love.

You, who already possess eternal happiness in His glorious presence, please intercede for me, so that some day I may share in the same everlasting joy. Amen. (mention your intentions)

The Litany of St. Mary Magdalen
Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalen,
Pray for us.
Sister of Martha and Lazarus, etc.
Thou who didst enter the Pharisee's house to anoint the feet of Jesus,
Who didst wash His feet with thy tears,
Who didst dry them with thy hair,
Who didst cover them with kisses,
Who wast vindicated by Jesus before the proud Pharisee,
Who from Jesus received the pardon of thy sins,
Who before darkness wast restored to light,
Mirror of penance,
Disciple of Our Lord,
Wounded with the love of Christ,
Most dear to the Heart of Jesus,
Constant woman,
Last at the Cross of Jesus, first at His tomb,
Thou who wast the first to see Jesus risen,
Whose forehead was sanctified by
the touch of thy risen Master,
Apostle of apostles,
Who didst choose the "better part,"
Who lived for many years in solitude being miraculously fed,
Who wast visited by Angels seven times a day,
Sweet advocate of sinners,
Spouse of the King of Glory,

V. Saint Mary Magdalen, earnestly
intercede for us with thy Divine Master,
R. That we may share thy happiness in Heaven.

Let Us Pray.

May the glorious merits of blessed Mary Magdalen, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
make our offerings acceptable to Thee, for Thine only-begotten Son vouchsafed
graciously to accept the humble service she rendered. We ask this through Him
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, God forever and ever. R. Amen.

May the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen help us, O Lord, for it was in answer to them
that Thou didst call her brother Lazarus, four days after death, back from the grave to life,
Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Unity in Trinity,
world without end. R. Amen.

Why it is not a Good Idea for Kids to See Horror Movies

When my son was little we watched The Picture of Dorian Grey as a family. It was the old black and white movie. My husband and I thought he would like it. We completely forgot about the colorized scene in the movie. That one scene terrorized our poor son so badly that he had nightmares for a long time. He is now twenty and he still cannot bring himself to watch that movie.

That movie was tame compared to some recent horror movies.

As kids, my husband and I had been big fans of old black and white movies, especially film noir and horror movies. We stupidly forgot how impressionable a young child is.

I do remember a traumatic experience of my own. When I was 12 years old, my aunt took my cousin and me to watch Mark of the Devil.  It was the most violent, scary movie I had ever experience in my sheltered life!  I do not think my aunt knew what it was going to be about.  We left after maybe 1/2 hour but that movie images stayed with me for a long time too.  

The reason I am bringing this topic up now is because of my nephew. Without giving too much personal information away, my mother noticed that he is very tired and something seemed to be bothering him. Well, it appears he saw a very scary movie about the devil. Apparently, almost all of my family like horror movies. I don't know what movie he saw but the poor kid is very frightened! He is not a little kid either. He is a teenager.

The good thing about this traumatic experience is that being a good Catholic boy, he is turning to God for protection. He recently was confirmed and was given a Brown Scapular to wear. He wears his Brown Scapular continuously. He is also praying more, especially the Divine Mercy chaplet. I know he is in good hands with his mom and our mom to help him during this difficult time.

But just imagine all the poor children out there whose parents aren't aware the damage being done to their child by letting them be exposed to evil in movies; who don't teach that the child can go to God for help.  When I was a kid, it was fun to be get scared watching movies. But back then those movies only implied evil and violence. Movies today explicitly show evil. Some movies can very well be classified as pornographic because of the graphic violence they contain.

Right now there seems to be a debate on whether Catholic kids should be allowed to watch the latest  Harry Potter movie. Ultimately, that is the parents' decision. But why expose children to the dark side in any shape or form?  I know it is all in good fun and entertainment but I think the Devil just waits for any opportunity to try and snatch our children away.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

These photos are of the statue and banner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel found at Blessed Sacrament Church, Paterson, New Jersey.  The Italian Catholics have a huge devotion to our lady under this title.  Tonight was the last night of their novena of Masses and prayers in preparation for tomorrow's feast day.  The celebration will include Holy Mass, a procession and then a big Italian dinner.

A Brief Summary:

The Scapular is a habit- Our Lady's habit.  The Scapular must be worn over the shoulders in such a manner that one part hangs in front of the body and the other in back.  Worn in any other way, it carries no indulgence or promise.  It is not necessary to wear the Scapular next to the skin.

Many Catholics may not know it is the wish of the Holy Father, the Pope, that the Scapular Medal should not be worn in place of the Cloth Scapular without sufficient reason. Mary cannot be pleased with anyone who substitutes the medal out of vanity, or out of fear of making an open profession of Faith.  Such persons run the risk of not receiving the Promise.  The medal has never been noted for any of the miraculous reservations attributed to the Brown Cloth Scapular.

May a non-Catholic wear the Brown Scapular?  Yes, and in so doing, a non-Catholic will receive many graces and blessings with this special sign of devotion to the Mother of God.  Although baptized Catholics are the only ones who can be officially enrolled in the Confraternity and share in the special Scapular privileges, non-Catholics are warmly encouraged to avail themselves of this special way of honoring Jesus' Mother.

"Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is my garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life."

- Our Lady

From Garment of Grace

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha - Lily of the Mohawks

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Born at Auriesville, NY, 1656
Baptized at Fonda, NY, 1676
Died at Caughnawaga, Canada, April 17, 1680
Declared Venerable by Pope Pius XII January 3, 1943
Beatified by Pope John Paul II June 22, 1980

O God, who, among the many marvels of Your grace in the New World,
did cause to blossom on he banks of the Mohawak and of the St. Lawrence,
the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha,
grant, we beseech You,
the favor we beg through her intercession--
that this young lover of Jesus and of His cross
may soon be counted among her saints by Holy Mother Church,
and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire
to imitate her innocence and faith.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D.
- Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden by the Daughters of St. Paul

Thanks to Mary Jane for the following information:

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Lilly of the Mohawks, feast Thurs. July 14
patron of:
•ecologists
•ecology
•environment
•environmentalism
•environmentalists
•exiles
•loss of parents
•people ridiculed for their piety

Click here: Kateri Page - Kateri Shrine - Fonda, NY National Shrine in NY

prayer for Canonization of Blessed Kateri

Serra Prayer for Priests/Vocations - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

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The following is an invitation to the faithful from the Serra Club in Honolulu:

PLEASE COME JOIN US IN PRAYER. A HEALTHY CHURCH DEPENDS ON SPIRITUAL PROTECTION FOR OUR CHURCH LEADERS..CONSECRATED & LAITY
..EVEN IF ABLE TO COME ONLY PART OF THE DAY.....

PLEASE FORWARD AND INVITE AS MANY AS YOU CAN TO FILL OUR CHURCH THIS SATURDAY.

OUR BLESSED MOTHER INVITES YOU TO PRAY FOR YOUR CLERGY AND THOSE IN TRAINING AS WELL AS YOUR OWN NEEDS....

GOD BLESS ALL OF US.... REMEMBER SCAPULAR BLESSINGS & ENROLLMENT


SAT. JULY 16, 2011 ….10 AM TO 3 PM
Feast Day : OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

PLEASE JOIN US FOR PRAYER & FELLOWSHIP
EVENT : PRAY FOR SANCTIFICATION & PROTECTION
OF PRESENT & FUTURE VOCATIONS
FOR THE DIOCESE OF HONOLULU

Place: Star of the Sea Church (Kahala)
4470 Aliikoa Street

* * WELCOME A SPECIAL VISITOR * *

Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima from TFP
Oct. 13, 1917 Apparition at Fatima : Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Event Details :
Holy Mass (Fr. Peter Dumag w. Concelebrants)
"Challenges and Joys of Priesthood Ministry today"
Urgency of Our Lady's warnings re today's Church
Adoration, Prayers & Benediction

Join our Table of Plenty at Lunch
Purchase & Blessing of Brown Scapulars, Statues etc.

Organized by Serra Club of Honolulu. Details Please Call
699-9761Lleander-East/Central 348-7395 Merci - Leeward
672-8100(Estrella - West, 721-1810 Mark-Windward
Serra Chaplain : Very Rev. Fr. Gary Secor
Materials on Vocations & Serra Membership Available


PROGRAM DETAILS :
10 : 00 to 10 : 30 am Check-in. Browse Scapulars, Religious supplies
10 : 30 to 10 : 50 am Prayers & Litanies for Priesthood & Vocations
10 : 50 to 11 : 00 am Preparation for Holy Mass
11 : 00 to 12 : 00 noon Concelebrated Mass led by Fr. Peter Dumag
12 : 00 to 12: 40 pm Lunch - Social Hall
12 : 40 to 1 : 00 pm Video : Fishers of Men
1 : 00 to 1 : 50 pm "Challenges and Joys of Priesthood Ministry Today"
( Some Testimonies from Present Seminarians)
1 : 50 to 2 : 00 am Preparation for Visit with Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima
2 : 00 to 3 : 00 pm Holy Rosary, Prayers to Our Blessed Mother
~Short Talk on America Needs Fatima -Our Lady's messages
Custodian of Statue : Mr. Michael Whitcraft
SILENT ADORATION and Benediction

Lleander Jung
Serra Club of Honolulu
Cell : 808-699-9761

My Guardian Angel

I am more conscious of my guardian angel's presence. I greet him right after I greet the Holy Family when I arise in the morning. I know he is with me all the time. When my mom the sacristan our her parish church opened the church very early in the morning, it was only the five of us present...Jesus, my mom, her guardian angel, my guardian angel and me.

There was a beautiful quote by St. John Marie Vianney in today's Magnifcat reading:

With what humility should we assist at Mass, if we realized that our guardian angel was kneeling beside us, prostrate before the majesty of God!

Thanks to Richard for sharing this lovely hymn to our guardian angels.

Novena for Our Brothers and Sisters

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What a wonderful novena!!! I love my brothers and sisters so much. I just love the idea that we will be praying for each other this way.

Check out Calling All Witnesses' Novena to St. Benedict and St. Scholastica for ourselves and for our siblings.

The Novena Prayer

Dear Saints Benedict and Scholastica,

As siblings you encouraged each other to grow in faith and love of God;

As saints, you encourage the world to do the same.

We turn to your knowledge of the struggles as siblings, from different perspectives and desires, to time and distance spent apart.

Despite the struggles, you also experienced the fruits of friendship, love, and support.

We humbly pray for your intercession, for ourselves and our siblings. Open our hearts to the Lord; guide us on the path to holiness; and bind us together, so that one day we will greet you in heaven with our siblings by our side.

Our Father–Hail Mary–Glory Be

Fighting Back - Attacks on the Priesthood

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There should be no doubt left in our minds that the devil has declared war on the Church and is putting all his efforts into destroying her by the ruination of her priests.

Will he succeed? Of course not! But that does not mean we should just let things happen and hope for the best. We must fight back!

The laity can do one of two things:

1. Give up on the Church because we feel we have been betrayed by the fallen priests;

-or-

2. Fight back with all our might, fortified by the strength God will give us and in turn declare war against evil.

We must constantly pray for these fine, yet frail men of God and offer many, many sacrifices on their behalf.

Our priests MUST:

In all humility realize that they will be at the mercy of these continued satanic assaults unless:

1. Get on their knees in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament as often as they can during the day, beginning as soon as the awake. This must be their first priority.

2. Become true sons of Mary by permitting her to guide and protect them by asking for her constant guidance and protection, especially through her most Holy Rosary.

They should totally consecrate themselves to Our Lady and clothe themselves with her Brown Scapular.

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3. Be obedient to our holy Father, the Pope, the holy magisterium and their immediate authority, their bishop.

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The devil's grip on our priests will be loosened if we fight back together, both priests and laity.

Lastly, until our bishops and pastors lead the congregation in praying the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, we can do it privately at the end of the Holy Mass.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..

St. Michael Prayer courtesy of EWTN