May – The Month of the Blessed Mother

Posted on May 4, 2018 by mikatsa6

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With the flowers all abloom and the sweet fragrance of roses in the air, it is easy to see how our thoughts and hearts turn to our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and of earth. During this month, Catholics, both in church and in the privacy of their own homes, offer up special prayers and veneration to Our Blessed Mother.

Many faithful Catholics have held a special love for the Blessed Mother, and rightly so. She is after all the perfect example of how we are to follow Christ. She completely submitted herself to His Will. She knew that there was going to be pain and sacrifice but she also knew that this was exactly what God desired of her…and even though her humble submission was wrought with agony and immense pain, her heart being pierced with Seven Swords…. She placed all of her trust into the hands of the One Who created her… She gave back to the Lord everything that she was able…

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Throughout the centuries many Popes have established devotions and written about the Blessed Mother and her role in the Church. Pope Paul VI proclaimed her to be the “Mother of the Church.” In an excerpt taken from his address we read:

 “The doctrine of the Church presents itself as an exaltation of mankind. And you know where it reaches its summit: in the human creature who possesses within herself, through divine privilege, the fullness of human perfection and who was chosen to give to the Word of God, when He became man for our salvation, our flesh, our nature; to be, that is to say, the Mother of Christ –  God- man- according to the flesh, and our spiritual Mother through the mystical union which makes us brothers in Christ. As we know, Mary has a most singular position. She, too, is a member of the Church; she is redeemed by Christ, she is our sister, but, by virtue of being chosen to be the Mother of the Redeemer of mankind, and because of her perfect and eminent representation of the human race, she has the right to be called, morally and typically, the Mother of all men, and especially ours, of us, the believers and the redeemed, the Mother of the Church, the Mother of the faithful.

“For this reason, beloved sons and daughters, we are happy to announce that we will end this session of the council, which has traced the doctrine of the Church, with the joy of acknowledging to Our Lady the title which she well deserves of Mother of the Church.

It will be this title which will help us to celebrate the Most Holy Mary as the loving Queen of the world, the maternal center of unity, the pious hope of  our salvation.”

Unfortunately many of our Christian brothers and sisters have fallen away from this fundamental truth of Mary and her role in the salvation of man. God knew from the moment of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden that He would need to send His Son to redeem mankind… He knew that this was going to be one of those all in moments... Everything had to be perfect…He could not risk it to chance...He chose perfection… He created the Blessed Mother from the beginning of time to save mankind…She had to be perfect… She had to be Immaculate...After all, she was going to be the tabernacle of the Most High…She had to be spotless…blemish free…and totally devoted to God in thought…in word and in deed…every single one of them!

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As we enjoy these last days of the Easter season, with our hearts still filled with the joy of the Resurrection… let us not forget to spend some extra time in this month of mothers, to honor our Blessed Mother, the ever Virgin Mary… sending to her our spiritual bouquets and our special Marian prayers. Remember our devotion to the Blessed Mother will only aid in our salvation…She will never stand between you and Her Son…she will only draw you in closer union to One Who has redeemed us all.

 

 

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First Friday Devotion – Litany of the Eucharist

Posted on May 4, 2018 by mikatsa6

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Oh sweet May, the month of the year in which we the faithful celebrate the Blessed Mother Mary and her special place in the life of Christ and her special place in the life of the Church, and in each of our lives. But for today,  on this first Friday of May, let us not forget our devotion to Jesus in the Most Precious Eucharist.

LITANY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Lord, have mercy                                                      Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy                                                    Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy                                                      Lord, have mercy

 

 

Jesus, the Most High                                                have mercy on us

Jesus, the holy One                                                   have mercy on us

Jesus, Word of God                                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, only Son of the Father                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, Son of Mary                                                   have mercy on us

Jesus, crucified for us                                               have mercy on us

Jesus, risen from the dead                                      have mercy on us

Jesus, reigning in glory                                             have mercy on us

Jesus, coming in glory                                              have mercy on us

Jesus, our Lord                                                         have mercy on us

Jesus, our hope                                                         have mercy on us

Jesus, our peace                                                      have mercy on us

Jesus, our Savior                                                      have mercy on us

Jesus, our salvation                                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, our resurrection                                             have mercy on us

Jesus, Judge of all                                                    have mercy on us

Jesus, Lord of the Church                                        have mercy on us

Jesus, Lord of creation                                             have mercy on us

Jesus, Lover of all                                                     have mercy on us

Jesus, life of the world                                              have mercy on us

Jesus, freedom for the imprisoned                             have mercy on us

Jesus, joy of the sorrowing                                       have mercy on us

Jesus, giver of the Spirit                                           have mercy on us

Jesus, giver of good gifts                                         have mercy on us

Jesus, source of new life                                          have mercy on us

Jesus, Lord of life                                                      have mercy on us

Jesus, eternal high priest                                         have mercy on us

Jesus, priest and victim                                            have mercy on us

Jesus, true Shepherd                                               have mercy on us

Jesus, true Light                                                        have mercy on us

Jesus, bread of heaven                                            have mercy on us

Jesus, bread of life                                                   have mercy on us

Jesus, bread of thanksgiving                                   have mercy on us

Jesus, life-giving bread                                            have mercy on us

Jesus, holy manna                                                    have mercy on us

Jesus, new covenant                                                have mercy on us

Jesus, food for everlasting life                                 have mercy on us

Jesus, food for our journey                                       have mercy on us

Jesus, holy banquet                                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, true sacrifice                                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, perfect sacrifice                                            have mercy on us

Jesus, eternal sacrifice                                            have mercy on us

Jesus, divine Victim                                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, Mediator of the new covenant                           have mercy on us

Jesus, mystery of the altar                                        have mercy on us

Jesus, medicine of immortality                                have mercy on us

Jesus, pledge of eternal glory                                  have mercy on us

Jesus, Lamb of God,

you take away the sins of the world              have mercy on us

Jesus, Bearer of our sins,

you take away the sins of the world              have mercy on us

Jesus, Redeemer of the world,

you take away the sins of the world              have mercy on us

Christ, hear    us                                                        Christ, hear us

Christ, graciously hear us                                         Christ, graciously hear us

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer                               Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.

 

Let us pray…

Lord our God,in this great sacrament we come into the presence of Jesus Christ, your Son, born of the Virgin Mary and crucified for our salvation. May we who declare our faith in this fountain of love and mercy drink from it the water of everlasting life.

Taken from the Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist

                        © 1992, United States Catholic Conference

 

 

 

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Saint Joseph the Worker – May 1st

Posted on May 2, 2018 by mikatsa6

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With flowers blooming and the snows of winter finally coming to an end, the month of May brings with it, signs of rebirth, and the realization of the promises of spring. Because of the warmer weather, in many cultures May 1st, or May Day, has long been a day of celebration by the peoples throughout the world, as they  rejoice in the good things of the earth. Unfortunately, most of these celebrations were pagan in nature and held God in no esteem. May 1st was also chosen for these celebrations because on the calendar, it fell at approximately the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

By the nineteenth century, in 1955, Pope Pius XII established May 1st as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Both as a response to these pagan celebrations and as a response to the growing tide of communism that had been spreading its errors throughout the lands. He felt he needed to reestablish a Christian celebration that would remind the faithful of their dignity as workers. He wanted to set Saint Joseph, the most humble of all saints, as an example for the working man. He felt that by honoring St. Joseph the worker, the faithful would be reminded of their true dignity as children of God, and also be reminded of the value of their work as human beings. He wished that man would see that they could use their work…their labors, in a sanctifying way, a way that would bring glory to the God Who created them. He wanted to Christianize the concept of labor, to remind man that they were more than just a ‘cog’ in some giant work machine. He wanted to reaffirm for man, that there was more value to his being, than the sum of his wage. Pope Pius XII, wanted to re-instill in men, the sense of Christianity in their daily labors, and who better to set as a role model than Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, and chaste husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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St. Joseph never shirked his duties to his family. He worked as a carpenter and served  his vocation as husband and father with a most humble heart, approaching his work with his heart full of love for his family. He is a perfect example for all who work to fulfill a vocation or provide for their family. He was humble and obedient to the Lord and his vocation. And even though he was a poor carpenter, he was entrusted by God to watch over and care for Jesus and Mary while here on earth. Unlike Mary, who was spotless from the stain of original sin, Joseph had his moments of fear and anxiety. He had his doubts which led to moments when he wished to ‘throw in the towel’ and be free from the things he did not understand. But he was also a man of great faith, and he trusted in the Lord. And when he was overcome with these anxious feelings, he did what all of us should do, he prayed and gave his fears to God, trusting in the Lord,  dutifully fulfilling his vocation with humility and grace.

By establishing this feast, Pope Pius XII wanted to remind man that this daily work was his duty, and rightly so. We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If any one will not work, let him not eat.” The Church has always taught that  work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from Him. The Church also teaches that work can  be redemptive. By enduring the hardships of work, and  uniting these hardships with Jesus, the carpenter, and Jesus the One crucified on Calvary, man is able to collaborate, in a certain sense, with the Son of God in His redemptive work. Man, by uniting himself on a daily basis, shows the world that he is a disciple of Christ, carrying his cross, by completing the work he is called to accomplish. Looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we find in paragraph 2428:

” In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. The primordial value of labor stems from man himself… Work is for man, not man for work.”

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As we honor Saint Joseph the worker, let us ask his intercession in our day to day life, so that we may face our labors, knowing that each of us has a special calling for God. Each of us has a job to do…no matter how grande…or no matter how small. We are all called to work to bring glory to God and His Church…the Body of Christ on earth. So let us pray:

Glorious St. Joseph,
model of all those who are devoted to labor,
obtain for me the grace  to work conscientiously,
putting the call of duty above my many sins;
to work with thankfulness and joy,
considering it an honor to employ and develop,
by means of labor,
the gifts received from God;
to work with order,
peace, prudence and patience,
never surrendering to weariness or difficulties;
to work, above all,
with purity of intention,
and with detachment from self,
having always death before my eyes
and the account which I must render of time lost,
of talents wasted,
of good omitted,
of vain complacency in success
so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus,
all for Mary,
all after thy example,
O Patriarch Joseph.
Such shall be my motto in life and death.

                                                                                Amen.

 

 

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Mediocrity is Not An Option

Posted on April 30, 2018 by mikatsa6

So much today, in our culture we are told that any efforts we make are good enough for praise, especially when dealing with children. We are encouraged to teach them that if they just make an effort…even a halfhearted effort, one without a genuine struggle… it will be okay. We are supposed to assure them that mediocrity is an acceptable goal.  And unless you are a paid athlete, or in competition sports, everyone gets praised…everyone gets a trophy. Even if we spend most of our time on the field pouting and whining…. We are risking our chance at heaven with this type of attitude. The harsh reality that we must face as Christians striving for the perfection of heaven…is that we need to do be…we need to be more and we need to expect more, not only from ourselves, but from our children as well. I’m not talking about unreasonable demands, either, I am just talking about expecting ourselves and our children to give back to God what He deserves… nothing more…nothing less.

Treating everyone with kid gloves is not doing anyone any favors, and for many parents, it has become normal to indulge this type of behavior. It has been drilled into our heads that we mustn’t hurt their self esteem, so much so, that we have fallen into the tendency  of coddling those who don’t even try… we tend to make excuses for not aiming for something better… especially when it comes to our spiritual life or the spiritual lives of our family members, particularly those who are currently living in ‘acceptable states’ of sin.  We say we don’t want to judge, but it what it really is, is a lack of effort on our part to help them change…. Because of our fallen nature and our propensity to laziness, we have allowed halfhearted efforts to become the norm.

We no longer think about pleasing the Lord, and this is precisely where the problem lies, we are allowing ourselves to be lied to… and we are lying to our children as well.  Telling them that somehow it is okay to not live up to God’s expectations… His created perfection within each of us. This is a farce created by the devil to  keep us mediocre… to keep our children mediocre…. especially when it comes to serving God, and living out His Will for us, whatever the cost.

As Catholics…who are members of the Holy Mother Church…we are the Body of Christ. We have an obligation to God. We have to strive to be perfect…. not ‘eyes of the world’ perfect…but ‘eyes of God’ perfect.... We cannot settle for half way. We have to make our way out of the patches of gray that creep around our souls… telling us that it is okay to strive only halfway. We mustn’t listen to the lies of the evil one, especially those disguised as words that tell us our own mediocrity is fine… those lies that us that we have done enough... As Christians, we  know what God wants…And if we honestly don’t know, well then, we have to pray and develop a heart that longs for God and cares not, for the praises of this fleeting world.

We have to stop allowing ourselves and our children to be manipulated by the sin of being lukewarm in our love for God. We need to have courage to become more like the saints who gave up the things of the world to seek out the Lord…to serve the Lord in the best way they knew how… we need to learn to suffer and embrace whatever cross may be resting upon our shoulders, with the confidence of God’s promise, we must embrace it, without defeat. We must be strong and courageous… even when it seems like an impossibility. And for this we must pray that God will give us His mercy and His grace so that we may have the strength to carry this cross and not let it beat us into settling for living just so-so.  We must not give up or give in to the temptations that whisper, that we fine just how we are… Or the whispers that tell us the only God we need to serve is us…We have to do more… we have to be more… by being all that we were meant to be…. and for that my friends, we need the Lord. Let us pray…

Dear Lord, Thank you for all You have given me throughout my days. Help me to understand Your Will for me in each of my day to day tasks, be with me that I may never fall into the occasion of slothfulness, or into the ‘sin’ of being satisfied with a job only half way done. Be with me each moment and give me the strength to do Your works with a charitable heart full of love and determination to do whatever lies ahead, and to do it well, not for me, but for Your Glory, Lord. And when I fail, please Dear Lord, pick me up and help me to continue on my daily path so that at the end of my life I will know that I did not slack in my service for You, and that I did not allow my disposition of falling into sin, lead me in a life of mediocrity towards You. Amen.

 

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Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel – April 26th – Litany

Posted on April 26, 2018 by mikatsa6

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Litany: 

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

 

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father, pray for us.

August Mother of God the Son, pray for us.

Blessed Spouse of God the Holy Ghost, pray for us.17 Best images about *MAMA MARY* on Pinterest | Pray for ...

Living temple of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.

Queen of Heaven and earth, pray for us.

Seat of Divine Wisdom, pray for us.

Depositary of the secrets of the Most High, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.

In our doubts and difficulties, pray for us.

In our tribulations and anguish, pray for us.

In our discouragements, pray for us.

In perils and temptations, pray for us.

In all our undertakings, pray for us.

In all our needs, pray for us.

At the hour of death, pray for us.

By thine Immaculate Conception, pray for us.

By thy happy nativity, pray for us.

By thine admirable presentation, pray for us.

By thy glorious Annunciation, pray for us.

By thy charitable Visitation, pray for us.

By thy Divine Maternity, pray for us.

By thy holy Purification, pray for us.

167 best images about Saint Philomena on Pinterest | Our ... By the sorrows and anguish of thy maternal heart, pray for us.

By thy precious death, pray for us.

By thy triumphant Assumption, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. And obtain for us the gift of good counsel.

 

Let Us Pray:

V. Lord Jesus, Author and Dispenser of all good, Who in becoming incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin hast communicated to her lights above those of all the Heavenly intelligences, grant that in honoring her under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel, we may merit always to receive from her goodness counsels of wisdom and salvation, which will conduct us to the port of a blessed eternity.

R. Amen.

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Saint Fidelis Sigmaringen

Posted on April 26, 2018 by mikatsa6

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Here’s a hard fact…as Catholics, we sometimes like to think that we are the ‘good Christians’ ….the ‘better’ Christians, because we are Catholic… Of course there is basis in this… but only because Christ instituted this Church, and so in that regard, it is better because we are admitting to His Truth...but that doesn’t necessarily make us better… it just makes us Catholic, but there is so much we have to do to be better…And many times whether we want to admit it or not, we are lacking in the virtue needed to actually be better. So often we have an uncharitable nature, but we don’t work on it,  we make excuses for our failings, and we only give a halfway attempt at a full conversion. Just because we enjoy the fullness of what Christ came to preach,  we like to think that by being Catholic in name only, that we are better. But I am afraid, nothing could be further from the truth.

More often than not, we tend to think that we are living a life that is pleasing to the Lord. We like to tell ourselves that we have Faith…We keep the commandments don’t we?? We feel that we’ve got what it takes to be a good Christian…. a good and holy person…. and we may honestly believe it, but do we really live it? Are we all in? It is  a difficult decision for many… it is a difficult commitment, after all, we enjoy our comfort and like our ‘lazy afternoons.’ But this is not what Christ preached… it is not what God expects.  We need to remember that there is no room in heaven for the halfhearted effort at our Faith. It is that important. Saint Fidelis Sigmaringen realized this and ultimately lay down his life for that of the Church…he lay down his life for the Life of Christ.

Saint Fidelis Sigmaringen was born ‘Mark Rey’, to a family who enjoyed nobility, in  the year 1577. The area is now known as Prussia. Raised in the Faith, he made frequent use of the sacraments and spent many hours before the altar of God. He was known to visit the poor and the sick, offering help in whatever way that he could. As he grew, he studied law and spent much of his time and expertise helping the less fortunate and the downtrodden of society. He was a fair and just man who was often mocked and ridiculed for his service to the poor. Unable to stomach the often cruel and harsh ways of his fellow lawyers, he realized that he would never be able to fulfill his duty to the Lord if he remained a lawyer. So he abandoned the wicked ways of the world and closed his practice, leaving not only the cruel world, but also his wealth behind, becoming a Capuchin Monk.

After entering the Capuchin Order he completed his theological studies and traveled throughout southern Germany and Switzerland. Realizing the errors of the Protestant Reformation that was moving through the land, he worked tirelessly, day and night for their conversion. Throughout his travels he took with him only his Cross, his Bible, his breviary and the rule and Constitutions of the Order. He had separated himself from every comfort and every leisurely desire in order that he may not stray from his primary duty of saving souls.

Fidelis Sigmargin

Enduring severe bodily mortifications, he was very active in evangelizing those who had strayed from the True Church and those who did not yet know its true beauty and worth. He was a very passionate preacher and many were moved to conversion by listening to him teach about the Catholic Faith.  His enormous appeal had a major drawback though, it made him a target of hate among the Protestant fundamentalist circles. Many sought to end his ministry by whatever means necessary.
With God’s mercy and grace and the wholehearted  efforts of Brother Fidelis’ efforts, the protestant stronghold begin to give way and one by one, Brother Fidelis was able to convert them into embracing the true Catholic Faith once again. Even many Catholics who had become lukewarm were moved to conversion, many confessing their sins and changing their ways with a heartfelt repentance.
While living in Weltkirchen, which is present day Austria, he lived as the Superior of the convent during an outbreak of the plague. Devoting himself to the care of the people, he worked tirelessly to bring comfort and aid to the sick soldiers and citizens. Unconcerned about his own health he never let fear of the plague keep him from his duties. Inspired by the crown of martyrdom, he did not even fear when he was sent with several other Capuchin monks on a mission to Switzerland, where he was named to preside over the newly founded Congregation of the Propaganda, where he braved numerous perils in order to rescue souls from the errors of Calvinism.
Even though there were dangers all around, and his life was in constant danger, Br. Fidelis and his fellow monks continued to do the Lord’s work, converting many. So many were converted that several Protestant preachers became alarmed at the falling rate of their congregations…they felt that as long as Brother Fidelis continued to preach, that they were in a losing battle, and it was a battle they did not wish to lose. Several of them gathered and plotted to kill the monk. As part of the rouse to murder him, they invited him to visit Sewis and preach during Easter at the village church. Unaware of the conspiracy that was plotted against him, in good faith he agreed to go. Then on the 24th of April in 1622, he preached a rousing sermon that was filled with the true teachings of Christ and His Church…he told all those who were gathered the fact that, “there is One Lord, One Faith, One baptism.” Many who were listening were moved to conversion, and the Protestant leaders, well they were moved with hate. A shot was fired in his direction, but missed him completely, undeterred, he finished his sermon and tried to leave the city.
Saint FidelisIt was here that he was attacked by his enemies. They insisted that he recant the Truths he had just preached. They tried to force him to change his ways and accept their ‘reform.’ He refused and told them,
“I will never renounce Catholic doctrine, which is the Truth of all ages, and I fear not death.”
At these words, they fell on him with their daggers, killing him in their anger, making him the first martyr of the Propaganda, giving his all…giving his life…which belonged to God anyway… back to the One, for Whom it was intended.  Several days before he was killed, he had been preaching and below is a part of the moving sermon which had been instrumental in moving the hearts of the many who had listened, to conversion. These words still ring true. It is a message for us today, just as it was in his day. Remember, God is unchanging…as is His Church, and His call for us…each of us, remains the same.
“O Catholic faith, how solid, how strong you are! How deeply rooted, how firmly founded on a solid rock! Heaven and earth will pass away, but you can never pass away. From the beginning the world opposed you, but you mightily triumphed over everything. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. It has subjected powerful kings to the rule of Christ; it has bound nations to his service. What made the holy apostles and martyrs endure fierce agony and bitter torments, except faith, and especially faith in the resurrection? What is it that today makes true followers of Christ cast luxuries aside, leave pleasures behind, and endure difficulties and pain? It is living faith that expresses itself through love. It is this that makes us put aside the goods of the present in the hope of future goods. It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future.” 
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Reflection. We delight in decorating the altars of God with flowers, lights, and jewels, and it is right to do so; but if we wish to offer to God gifts of higher value, let us, in imitation of Saint Fidelis, labor to save souls who would be lost; that is to offer Him the ornaments of paradise which He so ardently longs to acquire.

Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin (Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 5

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From Crucifixion to Redemption

Posted on April 24, 2018 by mikatsa6

I have not been able to get my thoughts together for my regular posts lately….but, I used to like to write poetry… even tough I’m not very good, and I know this isn’t what you normally expect, and it’s message carries more of a Holy Week sentiment…  I promise, with God’s infinite goodness and Mercy… and a more balanced way of dealing with my time… I will get back to writing about all of the Holy Catholic Church’s Awesome Saints.

I’ve battled before with this darkness of sin…

  My soul, drowning in shadows of despair and doubt…

aches with the whispers of the malcontent one….

spinning lies… into rumors…and anguished pain.

Trembling under the weight, I fall to my knees

            …I have never been able to stand…

       Alone…

Looking up at the foot of the Cross….

 The burden of sin is real….

is smothering…

 I know…it was me… it has always been me

         Who put the nail there…

         The measure of my sins…causing blow after blow.

       My heart has been shattered with this realization…

    With this knowledge…. That I am to blame.

                Choking…. my breath, strangles in my throat…

           Suffocating me under the weight of the debt…that I cannot even begin to pay.

 Broken fragments of my soul shiver in the empty hollow of my chest

Thumping around like some caged wild animal that

        is frantic with fear…

                 frantic with the smell of death…

               and the uncertainty of what is to come.

             Reaching up… touching the feet of the Most Blessed One…

I am lifted from this depth of misery,

         purely with the strength and mercy

           from the very Blood of this very One….

  Our Triune Lord…

        Whose feet, I have so often, pierced alone.

 

 

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In Memory of Sister Clare Crockett- Servant Sister of the Home of the Mother

Posted on April 17, 2018 by mikatsa6

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On April 16th in the Holy Mother Church, we celebrated the birthday of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, but in small communities of religious and lay members alike, spread  throughout the world, we got together to view the new film “All or Nothing” to remember Sister Clare Crockett who was a Servant Sister of the Home of the Mother, who was killed along with five candidates in an earthquake that struck Playaprieta, Ecuador on April 16th, 2016.

Sister Clare was an amazing servant of God. She had spent several years in Jacksonville before ending up in Ecuador.  Back in October of 2006, when she and the other sisters first arrived in Jacksonville, I was truly amazed at their pure joy. The sisters are clothed in habits that are all white… but the joy that radiated from these beautiful sisters makes them shine from within … with their gentle, charitable natures they are beacons of Christ’s Light…. And even though there is so much focus on Sister Clare and her companions right now, all of the Sisters in the Home radiant this same sort of charism…Under the guidance of Father Raphael Alonso (the founder) and Mother Anna, these young women grow  in their spiritual lives, praying and focusing on God’s Will and His Holy Mother, allowing themselves to be transformed…allowing themselves to embody what it truly means to be a servant of the Lord, and it has truly been a blessing knowing this group of Priests and Sisters alike.

One special blessing, is that my family had the great joy of being one of the families who got to spend time with this sweet and holy Sister. We were a part of the group of lay members that welcomed the Sisters as they moved to Jacksonville Florida and set up a community here. There were four sisters who arrived from Spain. Two of them, Sister Theresa and Sister Ruth were originally from Spain and Sister Clare and Sister Terese  were both originally from Ireland. These were the first group of Sisters to actually live here. Prior to this we had had  opportunities to meet with several of the other sisters as they would have family retreats around town at different parishes before they were actually invited to move here permanently, due in large part from the persistent efforts of Delores Hambleton and the generous nature of Father Fred Parke.

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The Home of the Mother has 3 missions in the Church: The Defense of the Eucharist, the Defense of the Honor of Our Mother, especially in the privilege of her Virginity, and the Conquest of the Youth for Jesus Christ.

One of my first memories of the Home of the Mother was a family retreat they were holding at Assumption Parish here in Jacksonville. The adults were inside talking and I had wandered outside with my young daughter. I watched as the Brothers of the Home played games out in the field with our sons…they were having a great time. One of my sons was pretty shy at the time and I watched as the Brothers got each of the boys out of  their shells and my son was no different… he was having a blast. I knew right then that I wanted to know more about these religious young men and women who had such an awesome connection with the young people.

To get to know each of the Sisters was totally a wonderful experience…They are called the Home of the Mother…and it actually feels like being at home when you are with them… As part of their evangelization efforts, they hold weekly family meetings to guide and instruct the lay faithful…. They also do a weekly Holy Hour of Adoration with points of meditation and songs. The sisters would always sing, and when Sister Clare was still here, it was special to hear her singing… She had one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard in my entire life. And to sit in the quite Church, praying and meditating with Our Blessed Lord…and to have Sister Clare’s voice… was a very beautiful memory for me and my family.

The movie documenting her life debuted on the 15th of April, and  is currently being shown in many areas, but even if there is not a showing close to where you live, please click on the teasers on the Home of the Mother website to see more about this wonderful religious order and to read more about Sister Clare Crockett…one of God’s chosen daughters …and I believe...one of God’s holy Saints….

 

 

 

 

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Be Not Afraid

Posted on April 16, 2018 by mikatsa6

“Be not afraid,” this was the message spoken by Pope Saint John Paul II when he became pope in 1978 … He continued to use this phrase…repeating this message….throughout the entirety of his pontificate throughout the 1980’s and 90’s… and then into the 2000’s. He used it especially when speaking to crowds of young people… at World Youth Day…. It was his motto…his slogan for Christians everywhere… It was a radical message. He was asking us to abandon ourselves to God…and turn away from the ordinary…the average everyday … ‘comfort zone’ areas  we tend to live in… He later said, that this message was to remind us, that we have nothing to fear…we have been redeemed by God… Reflections: Matthew 19-21 - Rich Young RulerHe was using this message to inspire us to turn away from the comforts of the world…from our belongings, which if you think about it, wind up owning us more than we own them. Even though this phrase is so often linked to Pope Saint John Paul II, it is nothing new…it is the same message that Jesus spoke of when He came to share the Good News about His Father and Heaven… As in Matthew 19:21, when Jesus says to the young wealthy man who had come to ask Him what he needed to do to be saved, and Jesus replied “go and sell everything and follow Me”…

It was a message that resonated in the hearts of the young people all over the world…I was one of those young people who heard the message and wanted to follow the call. I was sure that the Pope was talking to me… I even remember  at one point I told my mom I wanted to abandon the things of this world and run off and join a religious order…Like most mothers, she flipped out and gave me a list of excuses a mile long as to why this was a bad idea. It was very discouraging…and disappointing on one hand… But, understandable on another.  I was her child and she was afraid… like the young man whom Christ spoke to, she found security in tangible things… material things…and the lifestyle of a religious, offered none of these things… in an attitude taken by so many parents… she wanted more for me…she wanted me to be something…to make something of myself… Unfortunately, this is a very common theme that comes from the parents of young people who want to explore a religious vocation.

Being fearless is a radical idea. Even in this day and age. It makes most of us uncomfortable to even think about it. Most people think of Chuck Norris or Steven Seagal as fearless… at least the people my age… I don’t know who is considered fearless nowadays… But most of us have been manipulated by the world…manipulated by the devil into thinking that we should be afraid…That unless we are a master in the martial arts, that we should just  settle for the ordinary… and not risk anything or take any chances…

Like I have said countless times before…the devil is a clever manipulator…. He will whisper lies in your other ear, while God is whispering His plans for you, in your heart. He wants us to abandon the greatness that God is calling each of us to be. Yes, I mean each of us. You and me. We are all called to greatness. Again, I have to stress, it may not be great big worldly greatness... On a level that will bring us accolades and praise the world over… No, God is calling us to the specific greatness He has created in each of us…in whatever capacity that might be. Surprisingly though, this greatness is often more than each of us will ever realize. So many of us have created for ourselves a comfort zone of excuses that keep us mediocre. We garner a list that stretches out forever, of all the reasons… all of the ‘why nots’…that keep us safe and settled, and we pull this list out on nearly every occasion that God might be calling us to live out this greatness…to live out His greatness…

These excuses and lists may keep us relatively safe, but they also keep us average and ordinary. They keep us looking at situations that go by, as things that could have been… Looking at opportunities that would sing of God’s glory, we pooh pooh them…And  instead, we cling to our fears… both real and imagined…and we hide, under this blanket of fear. Where we are smothered.  The Light of Christ needs air…”Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5″15)  And before we realize it, we have looked at these situations… these moments of daring, when God was calling us to action. Whether it be a moment of charity or maybe to perform a simple act of kindness… or perhaps a missionary journey, or whatever He was calling us to, and we view these promptings of the Lord,  from the perspective of the ‘ordinary Joe’… Not from the perspective of a saint. And our life… this precious gift from God, has past us by. And we will have very little in our hands to offer the Lord at the gate. Remember, nothing in this life is easy. If it is, you may not be following God’s plan…you may just be doing it all wrong.

Take the sacrament of marriage. When a couple gets married, they are encouraged by the world to go all out…spend a fortune...“It’s your day,” as they say…. But then for the next stage, when it comes to the number of children, they are constantly told that one or two  is fine.  They are constantly reminded of their obligation to the world… Any more than the status quo, and you’re rocking the boat. You’re crossing the line. You’re taking up too much space…. But as Christians we need to remember our obligations are to the Lord… ‘Be not afraid.’ Be radical. Let the number of your children be a proclamation to the world that indeed there is a God. Let your children be a beacon of  God’s glory in this dismal self centered world. Let the size of your family be a sign of contradiction to the world. Pray about it, and be not afraid…there will be naysayers in every generation. Don’t become one of them.

What we need to realize as we go through our lives, is that, we will be afraid. We will fail. And we will struggle. And sometimes regardless of our best laid plans, things will fall apart in our hands.  Things may crumble all around us. But God will be there. Every inch of the way. Giving you the strength to make it through another day. Giving you the courage when you just want to throw in the towel and wipe your hands of the whole affair…God will be there…as the ‘Footprints’ poem says…He will be there holding you up when you are too weak to stand on your own…and He will carry you if needed… but you have got to be all in. Fearless and unafraid. And for that kind of grace, we need to pray. And we must always strive to remember to live our lives in union with the Lord, allowing His perspective of us to guide our every action… our every word…. in every situation. With Christ’s message of  “Be not afraid”, let us approach all of our endeavors with another motto that also comes to us from the God’s Holy Word : “ I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13) Amen.

 

 

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Saint Ardalion the Actor

Posted on April 15, 2018 by mikatsa6

Saint Ardalion the Mime as a Model for our Lives ...

Well, here’s one for the record books… Saint Ardalion; an actor who converted from his pagan ways and became a saint. With the way things are in Hollywood, it would seem that we should implore this holy saint  for many of our modern ‘movie stars.’  Even though he is often referred to as a jester or a mime, his role was one of entertaining and Ardalion was one of the more talented actors towards the end of the third century…. It is clear, that he had a way of drawing large crowds…and pleasing them with his antics. Unfortunately,  it is also clear that in our present age… few if any of our ‘favorite movie stars’ have even heard of him or implored him for his guidance.

One day the talented actor decided to lay it all on the line…he’d scripted his own play… One that showed the reality of the persecution that Christians were facing at the time, a play that highlighted the courage these Christians embodied in order to endure the torture and the punishments that were being waged against them. Unbeknownst to the pagan spectators and the Provincial Ruler, who was present along with other important State Officials, Ardalion had recently converted to Christianity and had chosen to write and act this show as to a means of trying to convert the crowds that had gathered to watch his performance… he was using his talents…his gifts, for God… and not against Him.

You see, Ardalion had been a pagan like everyone else. He had renounced Christ and made sacrificial offerings to false gods. But one day as he was ‘acting’ the part of a Christian in a play that mocked the pain and suffering of these brave men and women, God stirred in his heart. His conversion was almost instantaneous. God filled him with a courage and a bravery that he had not known. And later when he had written and was preparing himself to perform his own ‘play,’ it is almost certain that he prayed to God for courage and prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance…. as it was an all or nothing kind of moment for him… The kind of moment that separates the saints from the rest of us…He had given his heart to God…and the rest of his body  went with it…there was no turning back for that kind of inspiration. It is that powerful.

During his performance he reenacted the bravery of the Christians, who were refusing to submit to the government. His portrayal was done with such natural emotion and conviction that many in the crowd were moved to compassion for the plight of the Christian. At one point, the crowds was so overcome that they loudly declared their admiration for his artistic talents…and begged for more. Later, as he was suspended from a wooden torture device that hung him high above the crowd…they became feverish with excitement… they couldn’t believe what they were seeing…it was so realistic, that he almost had them believing in what they were witnessing…The crowds erupted wildly… so much so, that Ardalion ordered all to calm down… he ordered them to be silent. And then in front of an auditorium full of pagans and state sponsored ‘henchmen,’ he declared himself to be a true Christian.

He explained to them that he was converted..and that his heart belonged to Christ. He assured them that he would no longer obey the government’s forced paganism. He told them that he would no longer renounce the Lord. The governor was a fan of Ardalion’s and didn’t want to punish him, so he contradicted the statements that Ardalion had made, and assured the crowd that it was just a misunderstanding… he assured the crowd that the actor was just playing a ‘role’ and that Ardalion would come to his senses and continue his pagan ways. He was sure that Ardalion would  renounce Christ once this performance was over, and once he had calmed down. Not wanting to punish such a star as Ardalion, he assured those who were gathered,  that surely he would continue to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. But Ardalion was filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and he continued to confess his faith in Christ. This outraged the governor, who in front of the large crowds who had just praised Ardalion, ordered that Ardalion  be thrown onto a red-hot iron, and killed. His play was the final act of this brave actor turned saint, and the outrage over his conversion resulted in his death. And instead of winning some golden award, he won the red crown of martyrdom and gained for himself a spot in heaven. Let us pray.

Dear Lord , Please inspire in each of us the same courage you gave to Ardalion, so that if ever we are faced with anything that contradicts You or Your Holy Catholic Church, that we may stand in the face of such contradiction, speaking the Truth and living our life for You and Your Glory…in all things….big and small alike, conforming our will to the Divine. Amen.

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