Fine Arts Friday - Father's Day

Biblical fathers and sons depicted in art is this week's theme.

Happy Father's Day to all you father's!


1.  God the Father and God the Son

The Holy Trinity by Hendrick von Balen I

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2.  St. Joseph and the Child Jesus

Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus by Jusepe de Ribera

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3.  The Prodigal Son and his loving Father.

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt van Rijn

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4.  Adam and his sons.

Adam and Eve with Cain and Abel by Giovanni David

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5.  Abraham and Isaac.

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Thought for the Day: Reflection on the Three Signs of a Faithful Catholic, the Four Last Things and God's Perfect Number

I thought about the following today:

Three signs that a Catholic is faithful:

1.  Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
2.  Devotion to the Blessed Mother.
3.  Loyalty to the Holy Father and the Magisterium

I read today that Saint John Paul II recommended that the faithful meditate often on the Four Last Things:

1.  Death - "We are all going to die someday."
2.  Judgement - "Each one of us will then be judged by Jesus on whether our actions have been good or evil, and whether or not we cooperated with His grace during our stay on earth.
3.  Heaven - "The place and condition of perfect and eternal joy, love and peace with God in His Kingdom.
4.  Hell - The place and state of eternal punishment created for the angels who rebelled against God and those human beings who die resisting God's mercy." **

Finally, it is clear that the three signs and the four things equal to God's perfect number, seven.

**Fatima for Today, by Father Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R.

Sister Lucia's Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

Sister Lucia's Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

On the 4th day of every month, Sister Lucia would pray a special Novena to Our Lady of Fatima in anticipation of the 13th day. The novena included the Memorare and three Hail Marys.      This month the Novena begins on the FirstSaturday, June 4,  which is also the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We hope you will begin praying the Novena every month!  Your First Saturday devotion also consoles Our Lady's heart and helps bring graces for salvation to those most in need of God's mercy. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.    3 Hail Marys...Amen

Thought for Today - Futility in Worrying About the Future

Why do we worry about the future?

If we trusted in God as we are supposed to do, there would be need to worry.

There are three things that can happen:

1.  He will remove the problem;

2.  He will help us bear whatever problems or pain He permits to happen.

3.  If the problem is not removed, let us rest assure something good will come out of that suffering.

Whatever happens in the future is really God's will and it is our duty to trust in Him.

"Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." - Matthew 6:34

Thought for the Day - Be Joyful

We all have troubles and it is easy to feel sad or troubled by our problems and worries.  We also have been blessed by God in many ways even if we don't realize it.  Therefore, we should remember to think of our blessings whenever our problems get us down.  This simple exercise will lead to us to becoming more joyful and more grateful.

"I always find a way of being happy." - Saint Therese of Lisieux

The Virtues of the Good Thief

The Crucifixion by Tintoretto

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"He believed,
he repented,
he confessed,
he preached,
he loved,
he trusted,
he prayed."

- Arnold of Chartres
via The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

Maxims by Saint Philip Neri

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Philip Neri. The following are some of the maxims for the month of May.  May it inspire us to living a holier life.

-  Men are generally the carpenters of their own crosses.

-  We must not give up praying and asking because we do not get what we ask all at once.

-  We ought to abhor any kind of affection, whether in talking, dressing or anything else.

-  As much love as we give to creatures, just so much we steal from the Creator.

-  Avarice is the pest of the soul.

-  He who wishes for goods will never have devotion.

-  All sins are highly displeasing to God, but above all sensuality and avarice, which are very difficult to cure.

-  If we find nothing in the world to please us, we ought to be pleased by this very not finding anything to please us.

-  He who wishes to attain to perfection must have no attachment to anything.

-  The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.

-  Let us strive after purity of heart, for the Holy Spirit dwells in candid and simple minds.

-  The Holy Spirit is the master of prayer, and causes us to abide in continual peace and cheerfulness, which is a foretaste of Paradise.

-  If we wish the Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray, we must practice humility and obedience.

-  A virtuous life consists in mortifying vices, sins, bad thoughts, and evil affections, and in exercising ourselves in the acquisition of holy virtues.

-  Let us be humble and keep ourselves down:  Obedience! Humility! Detachment!


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Thought for Today - Suffering in Silence

Should we keep our sufferings to ourselves or should we get talk about it with someone we trust?  Should we bear our crosses patiently?  Do we lose the merits we could have gained in Heaven by seeking comfort from another human being?  An answer to this question is not very easy.  Maybe the following prayer can help.

"O Jesus, let me never yield to despair.  Let me come to You in hardship and spiritual distress."

- Stations of the Cross reflection

Thought for the Day - Comforting Words

"You are in my prayers."  - Just by praying a simple Hail Mary for someone can bring s much comfort and hope.

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen.

For more urgent prayer needs consider praying Blessed Mother Teresa's express novena that is never known to fail, the Memorare prayed nine times consecutively.


Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. 

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. 

 Amen.

Today's Thought - The Silent Soul

Why is it so difficult to keep quiet when someone says something hurtful.  Jesus remained silent during His passion.  His Blessed Mother pondered things in her heart.  Can we do less?

We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it is God's will that we should speak.  A silent soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence.  The silent soul is capable of attaining the closest union with God.  - St. Faustina (477 in Diary)