Pope Paul VI encyclical: Christi Matri Rosarii (Rosaries to the Mother of Christ) for Peace

Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Christi Matri Rosarri pleading for worldwide praying of the holy rosary, to be offered especially for peace.  The emphasis is mine.

The following is from his holiness' salutation:

To His Venerable Brothers the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, Bishops and other Local Ordinaries in Peace and Communion with the Apostolic See. 

Venerable Brothers, Health and Apostolic Benediction.

It is a solemn custom of the faithful during the month of October to weave the prayers of the Rosary into mystical garlands for the Mother of Christ. Following in the footsteps of Our predecessors, We heartily approve this, and We call upon all the sons of the church to offer special devotions to the Most Blessed Virgin this year. For the danger of a more serious and extensive calamity hangs over the human family and has increased, especially in parts of eastern Asia where a bloody and hard-fought war is raging. So We feel most urgently that We must once again do what We can to safeguard peace. We are also disturbed by what We know to be going on in other areas, such as the growing nuclear armaments race, the senseless nationalism, the racism, the obsession for revolution, the separations imposed upon citizens, the nefarious plots, the slaughter of innocent people. All of these can furnish material for the greatest calamity.

Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Too often these days two of Mary's great and powerful gifts - the Rosary and the Scapular - are being ignored and, sad to say, even totally neglected...

...At Fatima Our Blessed Mother emphasized the importance of these sacramentals.  In fact, she said:  "I am the lady of the Rosary", and she asked over and over again, that the Rosary be prayed daily and often for the conversion of sinners and world peace.  As to the Brown Scapular, in her final appearance at Fatima, Mary appeared as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, holding the Brown Scapular.

As to the Brown Scapular, during the past seven hundred years the Church as encouraged this devotion, and our pontiffs have placed many indulgences upon its devout use.  Numerous authenticated miracles and favors, both spiritual and temporal, have proved the devotion's validity and emphasized Our Blessed Mother's promise that whoever dies wearing the Brown Scapular will be saved.

Fatima or Moscow?  by Clentine Lenta

Fine Art Friday - The Chalice of Christ

July is the month we honor the Precious Blood.  So, this week's Fine Arts Friday honors the Chalice of the Precious Blood in art.

"Christ with the Chalice by Juan de Juanes

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"Christ with the Chalice" after Sebastiano Conca

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"St. John the Evangelist Drinking from the Poisoned Chalice" by Bernat Martorell

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"The Eucharist: a Gold Chalice,  a Host, Two Silver Candelabras in a Stone Niche" by Jan van Kessel

"Ezekiel and the Angel Holding the Chalice of the Passion from the Sacristy of St. Mark" by Melozzo da Forli

Book Review - The Angel of Portugal at Fatima

Adoration Chapel - World Apostolate of Fatima, NJ

I recently had the pleasure of reading a short book on the Angel of Portugal appearance at Fatima written by Father William Wagner, ORC (Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross.  This angel is more commonly known as the Angel of Peace.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, we are seeing many books published on the subject of the apparitions and our lady's messages.  Some books are controversial in nature and should be read with care.

The Angel of Portugal at Fatima is different.  It tells the history of the angel's apparition to the three shepherd children prior to the Blessed Mother's appearance.  Since the book comes from Opus Angelorum, much is learned about the angel's appearance to these little children.

The angel appeared to the three children, six times just like our Lady did.  Each time the angel appeared, he taught the children with many lessons.  The spiritual growth and maturity of the children is quite remarkable in how little time they grew in sanctity and understanding.  They progressed from fun-loving children to deeply reverent, with a mission to accomplish for the salvation of souls.  These lessons are also applicable today, for all of us.

It is quite interesting how much one learns about the angel, the Biblical connection, and even the Islamic connection.  The emphasis on a loving God, Holy Communion, the Holy Eucharist is an important part of this book. You will read how the angel taught the children certain prayers and how to pray.  He taught them how to make sacrifices for sinners and how the youngest of them all, really embraced this way of saving sinners.  You will learn how little Francisco had a love our our Eucharistic Lord and was happiest during adoration.

This is a book you want to read slowly and while taking notes.

The release date for the book is July 12, 2016.

To order more booklets contact:

Opus Sanctorum Angelorum

164 Apollo Rd SE

Carrollton, OH 44615

Tel. (330) 969-9900

Or via our website: www.opusangelorum.org

contact@opusangelorum.org

Pricing:

$3 (1-9 copies)

$2.50 (10 to 49 copies)

$2 (50-99 copies)

$1.80 (100 or more copies)

(Shipping not included)

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