Keep
your eyes open!...
December 23, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN IN EARLY JANUARY 2010, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! BLESSINGS FOR A JOYOUS NEW YEAR!
(Isa 9:6-7) For
a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.
His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he
shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish
it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth
and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
A Nativity Sermon by Pope St Leo the Great (5th century)
Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness
should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has
been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.
No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for
rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free
from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the
palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the
offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to
life.
In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God's
wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to
reconcile it with its Creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the
origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.
And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in
the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see
the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world.
When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God's
goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?
Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the
Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and
when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so
that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature
and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us
renounce the works of the flesh.
Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God's own
nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in
mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget
that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into
the light of God's kingdom.
Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy
Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become
again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of
Christ.
VESPERS PRAISES
Come all with happiness, come all with joy, come all with gladness, all you sons of man.
All wisemen and scholars, all elders and young, all men and women, all you sons of Adam.
+ Come hear from me, for I proclaim to you, that the true God has come, and took flesh from the Virgin.
+ Truly she gave birth to Him, truly without blemish, truly she gave birth to the Word, with her true virginity.
Who of the wisemen, or scholars on earth, can obtain the heavenly thought, to speak of the honor of the Virgin.
Seven ranks of angels, seven great hosts, seven ranks in Zion, chant to the Virgin.
+ The whole creation together, glorifies the Virgin, from where the sun rises, until its setting.
+ For God is the true God, God the Logos of the Father, God the Son of the Virgin, the daughter of Joachim and Anna.
Jesus Christ the name of salvation, Jesus Christ the sweet name, Jesus Christ the life-Giver, was incarnate of the Virgin.
As was spoken, through Isaiah the prophet, "Behold the Virgin will conceive, and give birth to Emmanuel."
+ All nations and all tribes, all nations the Orthodox people, every harbor of salvation, came forth from her.
+ For Moses the law giver, Melchisedek and Aaron, Mark the Apostle, take pride in the Virgin.
The Cherubim with the six wings, the Seraphim full eyes, all the ranks of angels, glorify the Virgin.
Every tree of life, that paradise adorns, that all virgins adorn, is the Virgin Mary.
+ Glory be to God the Father amen, glory be to His beloved Son, glory be to the Holy Spirit, we magnify the Virgin.
+ The throne of the Highest, carried by the Cherubim, the light of the firmament, is the Virgin Mary.
Rejoice O my Lady the mother of my Lord, rejoice O queen the mother of
the King, rejoice O true bride, who gave birth to the Bridegroom.
Solomon the Son of David, Samuel the prophet, Sawerus the patriarch, glorify the Virgin.
+ Your greatness O Mary, is higher than the heavens, you will bear a Son, and His name will be Emmanuel.
+ Nobody can resemble you, in heaven nor on earth, I am not capable, of speaking of your honor.
He who created heaven and earth, who comes from the Father, came and dwelt in your womb, for nine full months.
Hail to the fountain of living water, hail to the golden vessel, hail to the unblemished ark, in the tabernacle of testimony.
+ The adornment of all virgins, and all souls of the Orthodox, all souls bless them, O Virgin Mary.
+ O shining dove, O perfect grace, O rod of Aaron, that blossomed and brought forth fruit.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the pasions,
most sublime humility"
19. It is one thing to be humble, another to strive
for humilty, and another to praise the humble. The first belongs to the
perfect, the second to the truly obedient, and the third to all the faithful.
December 22, 2009
(Rev 22:20) He that giveth testimony of these things, saith: Surely, I come quickly: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
EXCERPT: The Golden Compass by Fr Joe Borg
The true Golden Compass for humanity is Jesus Christ. He is not just
the Compass. He is the way who leads us to the Father. Finding Him
means finding the Father because He and the Father are one. Christmas
is the ideal occasion for us to discover that He became man only
because He is madly in love with each and every one of us. Christmas is
the time when we reciprocate His love by trying to love others the way
He loves them. Christmas is the time when we discover the joy of all
this.
It's the season to be jolly
Pope Benedict XVI spoke about this joy on December 13, just before
reciting the Angelus. The secret to experiencing true joy is not found
in accumulating lots of things, but from feeling loved by the Lord and
being generous to others, he said. Real joy is feeling that one's
personal and social life "is touched and filled by a great mystery, the
mystery of God's love."
How can one experience joy when one lives in a sea of problems and
difficulties? The Pope said that the Holy Family, gathered in a stable
and facing so many hardships, does not on the surface, look like a very
lucky family.
"And yet, they are full of an intimate joy because they love each
other, they help each other" and above all they are certain that their
lives are fulfilling God's work, commented Pope Benedict. True joy,
therefore, "does not consist in having lots of things, but in feeling
loved by the Lord, in letting ourselves be a gift to others, and in
loving ourselves," he said. To feel joy, people need love and truth and
to be close to God, who "warms our hearts and responds to our deepest
needs," added the Pope.
It's the season to be radical
Christmas brings with it a radical development in the history of
humanity. God shared our humanity so that we humans could have a share
in His divinity. Quite naturally this has myriad implication on the
level of personal, communal and political way of living for all men and
women. Christmas should be the guarantee that all humans should share
in the freedom of God and live in true freedom. God is a community of
persons so Christmas should instil a spirit of solidarity and
community. By becoming man, God got involved in human history to free
humanity. Involvement is the name of the game for Christians.
Christmas is the promotion of a way of life. It promotes the integral
development and the freedom of all men and women. Christmas promotes
human dignity. We preach this Gospel. This is our mission of
evangelisation. John Paul II said that "Human promotion must be the
logical consequence of evangelisation, which tends to the integral
liberation of the person."
Christmas is an eminently political feast. It is a celebration of
involvement in the human condition; it is the clarion call of the
victory of the meek and the humble; it is the ultimate defeat of the
haughty; it is the bridgehead of solidarity. This is the looking glass
that Christians must be gazing at during Christmas time. This is the
looking glass which shows the real solution to the economic
difficulties that we are facing. We should resist the temptation of
looking for salvation at the neo-liberal theories that value the market
more than the human person.
A really happy Christmas can only be enjoyed to the full if we
Christians individually and together as a church discover and incarnate
in our society the social and political dimension of Christmas which
emanate from its religious dimension.
OF INTEREST
Send your Christmas greeting to the pope
Bethlehem ready for Christmas
Christmas spirit grips Viet Nam's big cities
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
19. It is one thing to be humble, another to strive
for humilty, and another to praise the humble. The first belongs to the
perfect, the second to the truly obedient, and the third to all the faithful.
December 18, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Luk 2:10-14) And
the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to
you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this
shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in
swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory
to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.
ARCHBISHOP VINCENT NICHOLS: Christmas is a time of hope
RELATED: Nativity scene: A reminder of the true meaning of Christmas
EDITORIAL: Life gets more meaningful with love
We celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, the outpouring of God's love in great abundance into each of our hearts.
It is God's love for you and me: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16).
Christmas is therefore a reminder of God's love for us.
What does God's Love mean to us? In today's context, it is time for self-introspection in the light of this Love.
Poor self-esteem is a common problem affecting many individuals in
every strata of every society. The hurt and bruises inflicted on hearts
and minds lead many to believe that they are worthless and are of no
value to anyone.
As members of a wider community, we need to reflect on this issue.
What can we do to bring God's Love into hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters who feel unloved and worthless?
St Francis de Sales a very wise, loving and spiritual guide (and a 16th
Century Roman Catholic Saint and Bishop of Geneva) said, "You learn to
Love by loving,"
Hence, the journey of Love begins with each one of us loving one another.
Many people radiate Love through their speech, action and even appearance.
God's Love is constantly pouring abundantly into our hearts and we in turn need to pass this love on to others.
The journey of Love continues when we accept it is God who provides us with blessings more than what we deserve.
When we accept that every blessing comes from God, then we have the
inner desire to share and give freely to those who are in need.
Jesus Christ himself said: "You received freely; give freely." (Mt. 10:8)
When we start loving and sharing the blessings, we create an
environment in which Love abounds and life thrives. That is what
Christmas should mean to each of us.
Whoever we are, whatever we do, and wherever we live, all of us need to realise that all of us are precious in the eyes of God.
We are unique.
God proclaims His great love for us, saying, "You are precious in my eyes, and honoured and I love you". (Isaiah 43:4).
Once we believe we are a precious child of God and we are unique, we
will not feel inferior, insecure or jealous when we come across another
who is more able, more good looking or more talented.
Rather our identity in God will help us to acknowledge and appreciate the other as a precious work of God's creation.
As a child of God, we establish our self-worth and self-esteem, making life as the greatest treasure and gift to us.
Jesus taught us to pray: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Jesus wants each one of us to build heaven on earth in our journey here.
Finally, the mystery of Christmas: God Almighty comes down to earth to save humans.
God has given the human nature a divine dignity.
Therefore, let us celebrate Christmas by loving, sharing the blessings
we have received, and promoting and defending our human dignity
irrespective of whom we are and where we come from.
I wish you God's Love and Blessings for Christmas and throughout 2010.
POPE PAUL VI: "We
consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the
historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and
humanity... [so] let us rejoice."
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
18. It is one thing to exalt oneself, another not
to exalt oneself, and another to humble oneself. One person may be judging
others all the day long; another does not judge others, but he does not
condemn himself; a third, although he is innocent, is always passing judgment
on himself.
December 17, 2009
(Joh 17:20-23) And
not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word
shall believe in me. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me,
and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may
believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me,
I have given to them: that, they may be one, as we also are one. I in
them, and thou in me: that they may be made perfect in one: and the
world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them, as thou hast
also loved me.
ORTHODOX-CATHOLIC RELATIONS IN THE HEADLINES
Orthodox, Catholic Faiths Inch Closer
Minsk suggests hosting first meeting of Orthodox, Catholic leaders
Russian Orthodox uneasy with Protestant trends
Catholic schools an oasis in Bosnia's ethnic strife
Moscow patriarchate sets familiar conditions for Pope-Patriarch summit meeting
CHIESA EDITORIAL: For Rome and Moscow, It's Spring Again
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Moynihan Report: ROME-MOSCOW RELATIONS BEGIN NEW ERA- Orthodox Archbishop Offers to Help Europe Fight Secularism
Things are moving on the Eastern front. And more movement may be coming
soon, as an old winter chill in Rome-Moscow relations seems to be
thawing, with profound consequences for Europe and the entire world.
Vatican observers have been following these developments with great
attention. "For Rome and Moscow, It's Spring Again," the respected
Italian Vatican observer Sandro Magister noted in a Dec. 11 column.
This improvement in relations is due in part to many quiet steps taken
by the Vatican under the direction of Cardinal Walter Kasper, the
Vatican's chief ecumenist, who led the Vatican delegation to a
week-long theological dialogue in Cyprus, and by Archbishop Antonio
Mennini, the Pope's very able nuncio to Moscow.
Magister, however, was commenting on two key recent events: (1) the
upgrading of relations between the Holy See and Russia, and (2) the
publication in Russia, for the first time ever, of a collection of
Benedict XVI's homilies.
And this "springtime" has a goal, Magister argues: "the defense of the Christian tradition" in Europe and around the world.
So what we have, essentially, is the announcement of a new alliance on
the world stage between two powers that have long distrusted each
other: Rome and Russia.
Incredible as it may seem -- given that just 20 years ago Russia was
the atheist, Church-persecuting Soviet Union -- this is what seems to
be occurring right before our eyes.
On Dec. 9, following a meeting in the Vatican between the Pope and the
president of Russia, Dimitri Medvedev, Russia and the Vatican announced
"the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, at the level
of apostolic nunciature on the part of the Holy See, and of embassy on
the part of the Russian Federation."
The week before, Benedict XVI had received Medvedev in audience at the
Vatican and gave him a copy, in Russian, of the encyclical Caritas in
Veritate.
On Dec. 2, the day before Medvedev met with the Pope, a book published
by the Patriarchate of Moscow containing the main speeches about Europe
made over the past 10 years by Joseph Ratzinger, as cardinal and Pope,
was presented in Rome.
The entire volume is in two languages, Italian and Russian -- again, a
sign of the ever-closer relations between Russia and Rome.
Kindred spirit
Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk, the head of the
patriarchate's department for external Church relations, wrote the
introduction for the book. The archbishop is an increasingly important
figure in the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the Orthodox world. (The
previous occupant of this post, Kirill, was elected patriarch of Moscow
earlier this year, which suggests the possible future importance of
Archbishop Hilarion himself.)
In his introduction, Archbishop Hilarion, 43, sets forth his vision for
Europe, and the new "alliance" needed to realize that vision. It is a
remarkable text, which we can only touch upon here.
Magister was so impressed by this introduction that he wrote: "Those
who expect an Orthodox Church removed from time, made up only of remote
traditions and archaic liturgies, will come away shaken from reading
the introduction to this book. [...] "The image that emerges from it is
that of a Russian Orthodox Church that refuses to let itself be locked
up in a ghetto, but on the contrary hurls itself against the secularist
onslaught with all the peaceful weapons at its disposal, not excluding
civil disobedience against laws 'that oblige the commission of a sin in
the eyes of God.'"
Those in the West, both in Europe and in the United States, who feel
that unjust laws have been passed that cannot be countenanced by
Christians, will find a kindred spirit in Archbishop Hilarion.
The title of the Orthodox archbishop's text is, "The Help That the Russian Orthodox Church Can Give to Europe."
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
16. All visible things get their light from the
sun, and all that is done according to reason gets its force from humility.
Where there is no light, everthing is dark; where there is no humility,
all that we have is rotten.
December 16, 2009
(Mat 9:37-38) Then
he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the
labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he
send forth labourers into his harvest.
HEADLINE: Soldier's death led Catholic priest to become chaplain
Capt. Matt Foley hasn't presided over any weddings or christenings
since he arrived here in April - not much call for those services in a
war zone.
But the Army chaplain and Catholic priest who spent much of his
childhood in Wauwatosa stays very busy ministering to nine companies in
the 82nd Airborne Divisional Special Troops Battalion, delivering care
packages, checking on soldiers' welfare, presiding over Catholic Masses
as well as handling any calls for a priest.
And like all military chaplains, he cares for all service members regardless of their religion.
His job is very rewarding though he says the toughest part is getting
to know people and sharing in sacred moments with them such as funerals
and prayers and then seeing them leave when their unit returns home.
"You'd be amazed how much support we get here," said Foley, 47. "It's
been eight years (since the war began in Afghanistan) and people are
still sending packages which is very gracious."
Foley's journey to Afghanistan was circuitous, starting with his
decision to become a priest. While attending Marquette University in
the early '80s, Foley had a nice girlfriend and was majoring in
political science with an eye toward law school. But he felt himself
drawn to the priesthood and left Marquette in 1983, enrolling at St.
Mary of the Lake Seminary in Chicago, where his morals and canon law
classes were taught by Milwaukee's new archbishop Jerome Listecki.
He was ordained in 1989 and spent five years at a parish on Chicago's
west side and then six years in Mexico. He returned to the west side of
Chicago in 2000 where, in 2006, he presided over the funeral of Pfc.
Daniel Zizumbo, a soldier killed by a makeshift bomb in Afghanistan
whose parents were Foley's parishioners.
Zizumbo's death was motivational for Foley, whose brother and college
roommate served in the Army and whose uncle was an Army chaplain in
Vietnam. On the second anniversary of Zizumbo's death, Feb. 27, 2008,
Foley was sworn in as an Army officer by his brother Michael, a
lieutenant colonel.
"I'm a Catholic priest and I know there's a shortage of Catholic
priests in the Army. I thought it was my time to serve," Foley said in
his office at Enduring Faith Chapel at this large air base north of
Kabul.
VIA IRAQ: Christians in Basra subdued for holiday
HEROISM CHRONICLED: The Miracle of Father Emil Kapaun series
Part 1: In Korea, Kapaun saves dozens during Chinese attack
Part 2: Through Death March, Father Kapaun perseveres and inspires
Part 3: In icy POW camps, Kapaun shares faith, provisions
Part 4: As hundreds die, Kapaun rallies the POWs
Part 5: Kapaun leads camp prisoners in quiet acts of defiance
Part 6: Kapaun forgives guards, welcomes death
Part 7: POWs call him 'a hero and a saint'
Part 8: Former POWs say his miracle was providing them hope
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
15. Repentance raises the fallen, mourning knocks
at the gate of Heaven, and holy humility opens it; but I affirm this and
I worship a Trinity in Unity, and a Unity in Trinity.
December 11, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Joh 19:26-27) When
Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he
said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the
disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took
her to his own home.
INTERMOUNTAIN CATHOLIC: Together we celebrate San Juan Diego and the Virgin of Guadalupe
VIA A MOMENT WITH MARY: Chronology of Events related to the Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe
1525 - The Indian Cuauhtlatoatzin was baptized by a Franciscan priest. He received the Christian name of Juan Diego.
1531 - Year of apparitions to Juan Diego.
1567 - The new church ordered by Archbishop Montúfar was completed.
1666 - A formal inquiry and investigation was conducted by the Church
from February 18th to March 22nd in order to give authority to the
tradition.
1946 - Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady to be the Patroness of the Americas.
1976 - Dedication of the new basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located four miles from central Mexico City.
1988 - The liturgical celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December
12th was raised to the status of a solemnity in all dioceses in the
United States.
1999 - Pope John Paul II, during his third visit to the shrine,
declared the date of December 12th as a Liturgical Feast for the whole
continent.
EDITORIAL: Our Lady of Guadalupe: Queen of the Americas
Many Masses will be held throughout the world on Dec. 12th dedicated to
Our Lady of Guadalupe or el dia de La Virgen. This will be happening in
many communities throughout the United States and Mexico. Actually just
after midnight at the start of Dec. 12th, the celebrations will already
have started in the Basilica of Guadalupe located in Mexico City
(usually carried live on Univision television).
On Dec. 12, 1531 the Virgin Mary appeared to an Indian named Juan Diego
for the second time asking him to go to the local Catholic Bishop,
requesting that a religious site be prepared at the present location of
the basilica. Both times she appeared as an Indian in dress and
physical features. Juan Diego was clearly frightened, but did as the
Lady had requested when he appeared at the Bishops door with his cloak
filled with flowers. The Bishop had asked for a sign, and when the
cloak was opened he was convinced by the brilliance of the flowers.
Today the cloak of Juan Diego is still visible in the basilica and has
been studied for many years. It still has the imprint of the flowers.
The words she spoke to Juan Diego “Let not your heart be disturbed. Do
not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not
here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not
your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish?
Do not grieve nor be disturbed. “ In 1531 when La Virgen appeared, the
United States did not exist. She was known as the Queen of Mexico but
as she is more recognized, she is now known as the Queen of the
Americas.
From the website www.sancta.org,
“The Basilica as well as other chapels in the sanctuary are the center
of fervent religious activity, around the clock: - at least 30 masses
are celebrated every day of the year – hundreds of baptisms are
celebrated every week, as well as holy matrimonies, first
communications and confirmations celebrated.” The Basilica of Guadalupe
is only second to the Vatican, as the most visited Catholic religious
site in the world.
When I was 13 years of age we had a shrine dedicated to La Virgen de
Guadalupe in our home. We then lived in a house at 234 North 7th
Street, next to the Kroger’s Store. Mi Madre prayed everyday to Our
Lady with the lighted candle always present. I remember her soft voice
as she prayed in Spanish. One evening I asked her “Who do you pray
for?” She replied “Usted!” That reply caught my attention quickly… I
didn’t ask her why. I did feel a bit of fear. Why did mi madre feel
that she needed to pray for me? I was 13 years of age then, and did not
realize that I would need those prayers later in my life.
The Basilica in Mexico City was a place where many Mexican Americans
soldiers of World War II, Korea and Vietnam would make a pilgrimage.
During these stressful years, they would promise to La Virgen that they
would make the trip to pray and thank her for their safe return back to
their hometowns. At the Basilica they would mix with the indigenous
Indian people of the area and people from around the world.
Journalist, Tony Castro of the Los Angeles Daily News has written about
his friend Lawyer, Alex Jacinto who is very much devoted to Our Lady of
Guadalupe. Jacinto possesses a life-size digital copy of Our Lady which
he keeps in his office. Several days a week he delivers the painting to
various sites to be exhibited. He has special equipment to transport
the photo which also fits perfectly in his vehicle. He also is active
in various Latino activities. He comments “Ethnically, I am Mexican
American, politically I am Chicano. And today I am Guadalupano .” A
Guadalupano is a person of the church’s society dedicated to promoting
and bringing awareness to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Castro comments in an article “When he was 10 years old and visiting
the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Alex Jacinto was
struck by a sight that stayed with him the rest of his life. An old
Indian Woman crawled on her knees the length of the holiest shrine in
the country to visit the image encased beyond the altar. I looked at
this poor woman saw that she was completely enwrapped in prayer and I
thought, ‘this poor old woman doesn’t have an education, doesn’t have
anything, but she has something I don’t have. She has faith.” On
December 12th, Jacinto will be among the countless people kneeling in
prayer for blessings and hope.
Rudy Padilla can be contacted at [email protected].
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
10. He who has been united with humility as his
bride is above all gentle, kind, easily moved to compunction, sympathetic,
calm, bright, compliant, inoffensive, vigilant, not indolent and free from
passion; for the Lord remembered us in our humility, and redeemed us from
our enemies (Ps 135: 23-24), and our passions and impurities.
December 10, 2009
(Heb 13:2) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
RON SMITH REPORTS
Obedience to a Catholic Bishop
Requirements for a Valid Catholic Marriage
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Dawn: Sunday, October 11th, 2009
I have been going to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for 2 hours on
Tuesday mornings 3am-5am, and added a couple of months ago Sunday
mornings from midnight-2 am. I enjoy going in the middle of the night.
I don't have to maneuver my days around it, and I (usually) am alone
with Our Lord. I try to schedule 2 hours together at a time, as it is
an 18 mile drive one-way.
Saturday night the 10th, I arrived just before midnight. I pray a
special devotion for Adoration-for the souls that will die that day,
especially those who are unprepared. It is associated with Divine Mercy.
Saturday morning-Our oldest daughter Courtenay had just left with her
Army National Guard Unit, and flew to El Paso for 2 months-then they
will deploy to Iraq for a year. Of course, being a mother---when the
time came for her to leave, I cried.
A little about our Adoration Chapel. You need the combination to open
the door, and come in the back door by a strip parking lot along the
street. Walk up the hallway, make a right through a library, then
another right into the Adoration Room itself. Kind-of like a big U
through the building. There are 4 chairs and 4 kneelers on the left
wall, along the windows, and 3 chairs with 3 kneelers along the solid
brick wall on the right. There is a beautiful plaster relief of Christ
in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is sweating blood, and an Angel holding
a chalice. In front of that is an altar with symbols of the Alpha and
Omega-with the Last Supper in between on the front facade. A crocheted
tablecloth covers the altar. Christ is in the center in a lovely
Monstrance. 2 plaster angels kneel on each side, in prayer, and there
are 2 large candelabras with 5 white candles in each. Lovely. Very
peaceful there, especially in the middle of the night. The floor is
tile. The altar is elevated somewhat---the tile forms (kind-of) like a
step (or kneeler) across the front. I have made a habit of sitting in
the 2nd seat from the front on the left, at the foot of the cross that
hangs there on the wall.
I haven't had anyone come in during these wee hours---although I have
been in there at other times during the day and night. When people come
in, they sit in the chairs or kneel pray on the kneelers in front of
the chairs. Always.
So, Sunday morning, I finished my Divine Mercy devotion, and had
started on my Rosary. I heard the (combination) door, and a man's
footsteps up the hall-through the library, so I turned around (of
course, wanted to face whomever is coming in at 1:05 am-I had looked at
my cell phone). A tall slim man in a grey suit walked in. He didn't
have a dress shirt or tie, but (maybe) a sweater under the jacket.
Darker Grey than the suit. The jacket had pinstripes. He was handsome,
with salt-and pepper hair.
He turned and walked into the room, passing the holy water font at the
doorway without blessing himself. But he seemed to be familiar with
where he was going.
I said, "Well, hello."
As he was walking up, he said, "God Bless you."
I replied, "God Bless you." And, he hesitated slightly, putting his hand on my shoulder as he passed me.
I didn't feel threatened. His voice was clear-it had an assurance to it
(commanding?). I wondered if he was a Priest, although he wasn't
dressed like one.
He passed me and walked up to the Altar, and kneeled on the tile, in
prayer, with his head hung forward. *The tile rises like a step in
front of the altar.*
The bottoms of his shoes were tan in color, I remember.
I continued with another decade of my Rosary, all was quiet (I didn't
look at him), and when I finished the next decade, I looked up at him.
He had his arms spread apart, holding onto the altar with his head hung well down.
I said a short prayer that God would hear this man's prayer, and grant him what he was praying for.
I went back to my Rosary, and prayed another decade.
I heard the noise of movement, and looked up once again. He was still
on his knees, but (prostrate?)---his head was to the ground-in front of
the Altar & Monstrance.
Not wanting to stare, I went back to my Rosary.
Soon, he arose, turned and while walking out, he once again put his
hand on my shoulder, looked me in the face and said, "You will be
blessed, my Child." And started to walk out.
I was startled, and said something (stupid) like, "Have - a - nice - day."
He turned, not blessing himself with the holywater again, walked back through the library...
My mind started racing. I thought: Was that a priest? He called me a child. Then, I just knew. I knew-he was an Angel!
By this time he was walking down the hall. By the time I walked through
the library, and turned by the stairway to the hall, I heard the back
door closing, so I hurried to the kitchen (to the right) and looked out
the windows.
No car in the lot. He couldn't have left that quick-by car anyway. I didn't see him walking away. He disappeared into the night.
I think he was there about 10 minutes.
I looked at the time (about 20 after) then quickly wrote down what he'd said (not wanting to forget his exact words).
I believe he was an Angel. Was he my Guardian Angel? The thought crossed my mind. I thanked My Lord for this. It was so cool.
Why did he call me "my child?" I mean, he looked about my age (51). I would not have been a child to him.
And, he said I would be blessed, "You will be blessed my child."
Well, when I have received a Signal Grace before, I always realize it
in my heart-for what it is. I believe he was an Angel. I did then-right
after it happened.
A lot of stress in me is gone. Anxiety I had has been relieved. My heart feels at peace.
I told the 2 Sisters who replace me at 2 am what happened. Sister
Nathaniel asked me if he had long hair, I said no. But he was handsome.
She thought he may be my Guardian Angel. Sister Kathleen listened
intently to what I had to say too. His shoes on the wooden floors
sounded like men's dress shoes. He didn't have any jewelry on-that I
saw.
I could not describe his face if I had to. But, I would know him again if I saw him.
I asked my Guardian Angel (in prayer)---was that you?
- - - - - - -
Now that some time has passed, I still relish this.
He was so devout, so reverent, so "worshipping" of Our Lord in the Holy
Eucharist! It reminded me of the Angel at Fatima (St. Michael)-how he
would prostrate before the Holy Eucharist!
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
9. In union with humility, it is impossible that
there should be any appearance of hatred, or any kind of dispute, or even
a sniff of disobedience, unless perhaps the Faith is called in question.
December 9, 2009
(John 16:33) These
things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the
world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the
world.
POPE BENEDICT XVI:
Mary Immaculate helps us rediscover and defend what is inside people,
because in her there is perfect transparency of soul and body. She is
purity in person in the sense that the spirit, soul and body are fully
coherent in her and with God's will. Our Lady teaches us to open up to
God's action and to look at others as he does, starting with the heart,
to look upon them with mercy, love, infinite tenderness, especially
those who are lonely, scorned or exploited. "[W]here sins increased,
grace overflows all the more."
IN THE NEWS: Pope keeps Spanish Steps tradition in Rome
Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday lamented what he described as a steady
diet of news about evil in the world, saying it hardens hearts, as he
prayed at the Spanish Steps in a Christmas season tradition.
Shoppers who jammed the narrow streets, including Via Condotti with its
posh shops, paused from buying Christmas gifts to catch a glimpse of
Benedict as he was driven in a glass-sided popemobile to the square
below the Spanish Steps.
"Every day, through the newspapers, television, radio, evil is
reported, repeated, amplified, making us used to horrible things,
making us become insensitive, and, in some way, poisoning us," the pope
said after kneeling in prayer before a statue of the Virgin Mary to
mark the Dec. 8 Catholic feast day in her honor.
"Hearts harden and thoughts darken," Benedict said.
He also complained that the mass media "tend to make us feel like
spectators, as if evil regards only others and certain things could
never happen to us."
Instead, Benedict said, "we are all actors, and for better or worse, our behavior has an influence on others."
CATHOLIC CHARITIES IN THE HEADLINES
'Worst of times' an opportunity
Toledo area Catholic network offers help, hope
HELPING HANDS: Catholic Charities provides start for thankful immigrant
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 25- "On the destroyer of the passions,
most sublime humility"
2. This subject sets before us as a touchstone,
a treasure preserved in earthen vessels, that is to say in our bodies,
and it is of a quality that baffles all description. This treasure has
an inscription, which is incomprehensible because it comes from above,
and those who try to explain it with words give themselves great and endless
trouble. And the inscription runs thus: Holy Humility.
December 8, 2009
(Luk 1:28-30) And
the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was
troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of
salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary,
for thou hast found grace with God.
LINK: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed (Holy Day of Obligation)
We celebrate Tuesday the Solemnity
of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a
special Marian celebration for Filipinos who regard Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception as the National Patroness.
The dogma of the Immaculate
Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX in the bull Ineffabilis Deus in
1854, although, even before the dogma was proclaimed, many Christians
already believed in Mary's sinless stature from the moment of her
conception until her last moment on earth.
The doctrine of the Immaculate
Conception declares that Mary, the mother of Jesus, unlike all other
human beings, was conceived without original sin. This is a special
favor given to her by God since she was being prepared to be the mother
of God's only begotten Son, Jesus our Lord.
In the Gospel of Luke, it is
written that when the angel sent by God to announce to Mary that she
would be the mother of His Son, the angel greeted Mary as being "full
of grace" or "highly favored daughter" (cf. Luke 1:26-28). It must be
stressed that Mary had received grace from the very beginning, not
because of any merit on her part. It was purely out of God's goodness.
Pope John Paul II, a Marian
devotee, said in 2003: "Chosen in advance to be the Mother of the
incarnate Word, Mary is at the same time the first-fruits of his
redeeming action. The grace of Christ the Redeemer acted in her in
anticipation, preserving her from original sin and from any contagion
of guilt." Some theologians regard the conception of Mary as the "dawn
of salvation." It was through her that God started to carry out his
loving plan of salvation.
God looks with favor upon all of us
too. This is the reality that our Christian faith tells us. Like Mary,
we have been privileged to be recipients of God's ineffable grace and
limitless love. The Holy Book tells us that even before we are born,
God had carved us in the palm of His hands. (cf Isaiah 49:15)
The challenge of this feast is for
us to live our lives like Mary. Mary, aware that the grace of God was
at work in her, lived a life of obedience to God's will. She remained
sinless until the very end. We, too, must strive to live a good life.
We, too, must seek always the will of God in our lives.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception in this special Year for Priests and Year of
the Two Hearts for Lay Participation in Social Transformation, may the
example of Mary, who proclaimed the goodness of the Lord in her
"Magnificat," also announce the Good News and denounce what is sinful,
evil, and unjust in our society. May the sinless Virgin Mary lead us to
Jesus, our true Peace.
VATICAN RADIO: An Abbot's Reflection on the Meaning of the Immaculate Conception
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"
18. Honesty is unmeddling thought, sincere character,
frank and unpremeditated speech.
December 4, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Rom 1:20-21) For
the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power
also and divinity: so that they are inexcusable. Because that, when
they knew God, they have not glorified him as God or given thanks: but
became vain in their thoughts. And their foolish heart was darkened.
ZENIT.ORG: Pope Notes Limits of Looking Through a Telescope- Cautions Against Being Blinded by Scientific Success
EDITIORIAL (LA Times): What do scientists think about religion?
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA A Moment with Mary: The Student and the Man with the Rosary
More than a hundred years ago, a man traveling in a train found himself
seated next to someone who appeared to be a wealthy peasant with a
rosary in his hands. "Sir," the student addressed the old man, "do you
still believe that old stuff ?"
"Yes," the other replied, "I certainly do. What about you?"
The student burst out laughing and went on: "I don't believe that silly
stuff. Follow my advice: throw your rosary out the window and learn
what science has to say about it."
"Science? ... Maybe you could explain it to me?" replied the man humbly, with tears in his eyes.
The student noticed the emotion on the face of his traveling companion
and to avoid hurting his feelings further, told him: "Please give me
your address, I will send you some information."
Then, glancing at the business card the man had taken out of his inside
pocket, the young man fell silent. The card read: Louis Pasteur,
Director, Scientific Research Institute, Paris
EXCERPT POPE JOHN PAUL II (General Audience, July, 1985):
May a reference to an Italian scientist, Enrico Medi, a few years
deceased, be sufficient. At the International Cathechetical Congress of
Rome in 1971 he affirmed: "When I tell a young person: Look, there is a
new star, a galaxy, a neutron star 100 million light-years away, yet
the protons, electrons; neutrons and mesons which are found there are
identical with those which are found in this microphone... Identity
excludes probability. That which is identical is not probable...
Therefore there is a cause, outside of space, outside of time, the
master of being, which made being to be in this way. And this is God...
The being -I am speaking scientifically- which has caused things to be
identical at a distance of billions of light-years, exists. And the
number of identical particles in the universe is 10 raised to the 85th
power... Do we wish then to take in the song of the Galaxies? If I were
Francis of Assisi I would say: O Galaxies of the immense heavens, give
praise to my Lord, for he is omnipotent and good. O atoms, O protons, O
electrons, O bird-songs, O blowing of the leaves and of the air, in the
hands of man as a prayer, sing out the hymn which returns to God!"
(Acts of the Second International Catechetical Congress. Rome, 20-25
September 1971, Rome, Studium, 1972 pp. 449-450).
Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 159:
Faith and science: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be
any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who
reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on
the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict
truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of
knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and
does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith,
because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the
same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of
nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of
himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what
they are."
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"
17. Guilelessness is a joyous state of soul far
removed from all ulterior motive.
December 3, 2009
(Gal 4:4-5) But when the fullness of
time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.
ZENIT.ORG: Pope Benedict XVI: On God's Presence and Coming
EXCERPT HOMILY: Advent: Lessons on time by Archbishop George H. Niederauer
Time is a marvelous "present" which God keeps giving us. How are
we using it? Are we burying ourselves in the past, pawing over
its meaning, again and again? Are we so totally distracted with
our long-range plans that we miss Christ and others in the
present? Or are we just mechanically going through the motions of
a kind of "rut" in life? As followers of Jesus Christ we are
called away from living in those ways.
As Catholics we believe that history is going somewhere, not round in
circles, aimlessly. Because of that faith we are not consumed
with anxieties, like outcasts in an empty universe, scratching and
scrambling for survival. Remember one definition of an atheist:
"a man with no invisible means of support." In contrast, we disciples
are called to depend on the Lord, to be present to him, in everything,
not just in a few "great moments" in life. We Catholic Christian
"lookouts" need constantly to familiarize ourselves and others with the
"invisible means of support" in Christ and Christ's Church. If we
meet Jesus Christ as a friend each day–in prayer and in our
neighbor–Christ our Judge will never be a terrifying stranger.
EXCERPT THE MOYNIHAN REPORT: On the Incarnation
The story begins, as all good stories should, with a mystery, and a
secret. The anonymous Letter to Diognetus, written around 125 AD
(and used in the Roman Catholic Office of Readings for December 18)
discusses this secret plan of salvation from sin and death which
St. Paul calls “the Mystery.” The letter is addressed to a pagan
reader and therefore is clear, simple, and unadorned.
First, the anonymous Christian author tells us about God. “God,
the Lord and maker of all things, who created the world and set it in
order, not only loved man but was also patient with him,” he
writes. “So he has always been, and is, and will be: kind, good,
free from anger, truthful; indeed, he and he alone is good.” Then, this
early Christian tells us about God’s secret plan to end the reign of
sin and death and bring about an “era of holiness” — though many have
thought God would do nothing.
“God devised a plan, a great and wonderful plan, and shared it only
with his Son,” he writes. “As long as he preserved this secrecy
and kept his own wise counsel he seemed to be neglecting us, to have no
concern for us. But when through his beloved Son he revealed and
made public what he had prepared from the very beginning, he gave us
all at once gifts such as we could never have dreamt of, even sight and
knowledge of himself.” The author acknowledges that it took some time
for this plan to unfold, many centuries in fact.
“When God had made all his plans in consultation with his Son, he
waited until a later time, allowing us to follow our own whim, to be
swept along by unruly passions, to be led astray by pleasure and
desire,”?the author says. “Not that he was pleased by our sins:
he only tolerated them. Not that he approved of that time of sin:
he was planning this era of holiness.” Then God acted — Christmas, the
Incarnation.
“When our wickedness had reached its culmination, it became clear that
retribution was at hand in the shape of suffering and death. The
time came then for God to make known his kindness and power (how
immeasurable is God’s generosity and love!). He did not show
hatred for us or reject us or take vengeance; instead, he was patient
with us, bore with us, and in compassion took our sins upon himself; he
gave his own Son as the price of our redemption, the holy one to redeem
the wicked, the sinless one to redeem sinners, the just one to redeem
the unjust, the incorruptible one to redeem the corruptible, the
immortal one to redeem mortals.” From a letter of St. Athanasius
(297-373 AD) to Epictetus we learn of the role in this plan of
Mary. (The text is in the office of readings for the feast of
Mary, the Mother of God, on January 1).
“The Word took to himself the sons of Abraham, says the Apostle, and so
had to be like his brothers in all things,”?Athanasius says. “He
had then to take a body like ours.
"This explains the fact of Mary’s presence: she is to provide him with
a body of his own, to be offered for our sake. Scripture records
her giving birth, and says: ‘She wrapped him in swaddling clothes.’
"Her breasts, which fed him, were called blessed. Sacrifice was
offered because the child was her firstborn. Gabriel used careful
and prudent language when he announced his birth. He did not
speak of ‘what will be born in you’ to avoid the impression that a body
would be introduced into her womb from outside; he spoke of ‘what will
be born from you,’ so that we might know by faith that her child
originated within her and from her.
"By taking our nature and offering it in sacrifice, the Word was to
destroy it completely and then invest it with his own nature, and so
prompt the Apostle to say: ‘This corruptible body must put on
incorruption; this mortal body must put on immortality.’” And so that
is the news: a long-hidden plan to give life eternal to dying men, has,
through Mary, brought us incorruptible life, and this divine plan is
still unfolding today.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"
16. Hypocrisy is a contrary state of body and soul
interwoven with every kind of subterfuge.
December 2, 2009
(John
3:19-21) And this is the judgment: Because the light is come into the
world and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works
were evil. For every one that doth evil hateth the light and cometh not
to the light, that his works may not be reproved. But he that doth
truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest: because
they are done in God.
HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL: Get Ready for Christ Our Savior! by Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Frank Rega, SFO: Why they still fear Christmas!
During this Advent, let us remember in
prayer all of the unborn little ones who will never live to see their
first Christmas, and for the conversion of those who are permitting
this to happen. We should especially pray for the pro-abortion
"Catholic" politicians and activists, such as Pelosi, Biden, and
Sebelius, whose Michael Corleone Catholicism will not save their
souls. In the Godfather, Al Pacino's character Michael Corleone,
during a solemn Baptism ceremony, professes his loyalty to Christ and
renounces Satan, with all his pomps and all his works. At the
same time, Corleone's henchmen, acting upon his orders, are committing
a series of brutal murders in organized crime's gang wars.
In the real-life culture wars, Christophobia plays an integral part
along with the crimes against the unborn, since a burgeoning, concerted
attack is being waged on the Christmas season and the birthday of
Jesus. Just what are the "Happy Winterfest" folks afraid
of? Is it because December 25th flies in the face of the entire
secular New World Order agenda, with its anti-family,
anti-traditional-marriage, anti-childbirth, and anti-God satanic
program? As we know, the grinches even hate the very word
"Christmas," attempting to eliminate mention of it in the public
square. But the more they attack this Holy Day, the more we
should promote it, since it is a Divine wedge uprooting their evil
machinations. It teaches us that the birth of a child is
something joyful and wonderful, not a "punishment" as the president of
the United States once contended *. Our president has also stated
on more than one occasion that the United States is no longer a
Christian nation. This is religious indifferentism applied to
politics. It is a crude attempt at psychological manipulation,
since people will tend to believe that this falsehood must be true,
because the "president" himself has said it. We may not be
officially a Christian nation, but the great majority of our citizens
still profess belief in Christ, and attend Christian places of
worship. Since Christ is God, this is the way it should be.
If we hold onto our Christian roots, and if true Catholics adhere to
the Traditional Faith, we will undermine the agenda of the socialists,
evolutionists, godless amoralists, and the abortionists' "organized
crime" lobby, with their Corleone Catholics. Right now the
grinches are still confined to being the counter-culture, in terms of
numbers at least, but their goal is to bury Christian America.
I believe one clue to this Christophobia to be found in the disturbing
memo made available on the web by Randy Engel at her U.S.
Coalition for Life site, www.uscl.info. In this heinous 1969 memo
from Planned Parenthood to the Population Council, numerous strategies
for controlling world population growth are outlined. The current
implementation of many of these proposed policies from forty years ago
illustrates the power and influence of the Population Control
machine. For example, one of their nefarious schemes is to
"encourage increased homosexuality." Yes, your children are being
exposed to this life style not because anyone really cares about some
nebulous self-fulfillment or self-expression, but because rampant
homosexuality will contribute to population reduction!
Abortion, contraception, denigration of marriage, propagandizing women
to abandon their homes and enter the workforce, control of education,
etc., it's all there in this 1969 blueprint, including compulsory
sterilization and child-bearing limits.
The celebration of the birthday of Jesus is the worst nightmare of the
abortion / population control lobby. During this season, the
birth of a male child is literally glorified throughout the land.
This event is presented as a time of great joy and happiness, with
hymns and special church services commemorating it. The grotto of
Bethlehem becomes an archetype of the domestic hearth, with a husband
and wife presenting their lovely new-born baby to warmly-welcomed
visitors and strangers. And to make matters worse for the
population control Christophobics, the spouses are of opposite
sexes! And that is why they are still afraid of Christmas.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"
15. Guile is a science, or rather, a diabolical
deformity, bereft of truth and thinking it can escape the notice of the
many.
December 1, 2009
(2Ti 4:7-8) I have fought a
good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. As to the
rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the
just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to
them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.
FATHER ROBERT J. FOX FOUNDER OF FATIMA FAMILY APOSTOLATE HAS PASSED AWAY
Father Robert J. Fox passed away at his home on Thanksgiving day at
12:45 P.M. He died a peaceful and happy death. He was anointed the
night before and he also offered Mass. A wake service will be held at
the Shrine of The Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville Alabama. The body
will arrive at 3:00 P.M. and the rosary at 7:00 P.M. His burial will be
in Alexandria South Dakota at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church. Please
check this site for more information for more funeral details.
Fatima Family Apostolate International dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima (30 November 2009)
OBITUARY (The Cullman Times): Father Robert Joseph Fox
EXCERPT CHAPTER 18: Fatima Today - The Third Millennium by Fr. Robert J. Fox
MORE: Words spoken by Mary at Fatima
BIBLIOGRAPHY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._Fox
PRAYER:
O God, Thou didst raise Thy servant, Robert, to the sacred priesthood
of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving him the
sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and
Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the
sins of men in Thine own Holy Name. We beseech Thee to reward his
faithfulness and to forget his faults, admitting him speedily into Thy
Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of his
labors. This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord.
Amen.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 24- "On meekness, simplicity and guilelessness"
14. Simplicity is a constant habit of soul that
has become immune to crafty thinking.
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