Mary TV Daily Reflection 3nd Day of Novena

(c)Mary TV 2010 Youth Festival Piety!

May 20, 2012   Dear Family of Mary!   "Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer and sacrifice, to prepare yourselves for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Little children, this is a time of grace and so, again, I call you to decide for God the Creator. Allow Him to transform and change you. May your heart be prepared to listen to, and live, everything which the Holy Spirit has in His plan for each of you. Little children, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the way of truth and salvation towards eternal life. Thank you for having responded to my call." (May 25, 1998)   Piety helps us to obey the Lord, to embrace everything that He has for us in His plan. Piety is love for God and for all God's people. It fills us with the power to act in love and to serve. We need Piety to move us ever closer to the Father. As we approach the Father and live His plan for our lives we become the people we are meant to be!   THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension) Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.   The Gift of Piety The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.   Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.   Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.   ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT    To be recited daily during the Novena   On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." Amen.   PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT    To be recited daily during the Novena   O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You  and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.   In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2012

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For Your Discernment: Warnings On The Dangers Of Centering Prayer

What Have The Vatican, Recent Popes, Exorcists, and Saints Said About The Dangers Of Practicing Centering Prayer?

Please share with Courageous Priest any comments, concerns, or personal experience with “Centering Prayer.”  As always, please be charitable.

Taken From:  Sword Of Light And Truth Ministries.  

The Centering Prayer Movement is very popular in retreat centers and parish programs. However, after acloser look, many people have discovered it to be a Hindu type of prayer rather than Christian.

What does the Vatican document say about Centering Prayer?

The Vatican recently released adocument exposing the New Age and its dangers. It is called “Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian Reflection on the New Age.” This 62-page document describes New Age spirituality and how it differs from the Christian faith. It lists most New Age practices and beliefs.

It does not mention the term Centering Prayer anywhere in the document. It does, however, expose the four major beliefs or practices of Centering Prayer as being New Age. These are: mantras (sacred word), altered levels of consciousness, Transcendental Meditation (which is almost identical to Centering Prayer) and the belief in the True Self (Higher Self).

Fr. Thomas Keating, the founder of the Centering Prayer Movement, has written a number of books onCentering Prayer. Fr. Basil Pennington has also written many books on the subject. According to Fr. John D. Dreher’s article, “The Dangers of Centering Prayer”, Keating learned prayer techniques from Buddhists and Hindus in an effort to Christianize TM. According to the article, Keating had asked the monks, “Could we put the Christian tradition into a form that would be accessible to people…who have been instructed in an Eastern technique and might be inspired to return to their Christian roots if they knewthere was something similar in the Christian tradition” (Intimacy with God, p. 15) Frs. William Menniger and M. Basil Pennington took up the challenge, and Centering Prayer is the result. Centering prayer
originated in St. Joseph’s Abbey, a Trappist monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts. During the twenty years (1961 – 1981) when Keating was abbot, St. Joseph’s held dialogues with Buddhist and Hindu representatives, and a Zen master gave a week-long retreat to the monks. A former Trappist monk who had become a Transcendental Meditation teacher also gave a session to the monks.”

The Techniques Of Centering Prayer and Transcendental Meditation Are Very Similar.

CP is almost identical to TM. The only difference is that in CP the sacred word is usually love, peace, orJesus. In TM, the mantra or sacred word calls on a Hindu god. Both CP and TM use a 20 minute meditation. Both CP and TM use a mantra to erase all thoughts and feelings. Both CP and TM teach that in this meditation you pick up vibrations. Both CP and TM claim that this meditation will give you more peace and less tension. Both CP and TM teach you how to reach a mental void or altered level of consciousness. Both CP and TM have the common goal of finding your god-center. In the books written by Keating and Pennington, they both teach the reader to use a sacred word, or mantra to achieve mind emptying in order to go into pure consciousness (which is an altered state) to find the True Self. (New Agers believe the True Self, the human soul, is the same as God) Keating makes a similar statement in his book, Open Mind, Open Heart, p. 127, where he states, “God and our true Self are not separate. Though we are not God, God and our true Self are the same thing.” This statement represents the basic belief of all New Agers and is clearly contrary to the Christian faith! Our soul was created by God. It is not God Himself!

The techniques used in both Centering Prayer and in Transcendental Meditation, are used to empty the mind of all thoughts and feelings. Keating says in his book, Open Mind, Open Heart, p.97, “All thoughts pass if you wait long enough.” On p. 35, Keating says, “The method consists of letting go of every thought during the time of prayer, even the most devout thoughts. Since New Age beliefs are contrary to the Christian faith, the document states, “It is therefore necessary to accurately identify those elements which belong to the New Age Movement, and which CANNOT BE ACCEPTED by those who are faithful to Christ and His Church.” (#4)

What Did Pope JP II Say About Centering Prayer?

When Pope Benedict XVI wasCardinal Ratzinger, he wrote Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation. On p. 34, footnote 12, he writes “Pope John Paul II has pointed out to the whole Church theexample and doctrine of St. Teresa of Avila who in her life had to reject the temptation of certain methods which proposed a leaving aside of the humanity of Christ in favor of a vague self-immersion in the abyss of divinity. In a homily given on November 1, 1982, he said that the call of St. Teresa of Jesus advocating a prayer completely centered on Christ ‘is valid even in our day, against some methods of prayer which are not inspired by the gospel and which in practice tend to set aside Christ in preference for a mental void which makes no sense in Christianity. Any method of prayer is valid insofar as it is inspired by Christ and leads to Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ [(cf John 14:6).

What Did Pope Benedict XVI Say About Centering Prayer?

What else did Cardinal Ratzinger say about mind-emptying prayer? In the same document, CardinalRatzinger states, “With the present diffusion of Eastern methods of meditation in the Christian world andin ecclesial communities, we find ourselves faced with a pointed renewal of attempt, which is not free fromdangers and errors, to fuse Christian meditation with that which is non-Christian.” He goes on to say, “Still others do not hesitate to place that absolute without image or concepts, which is proper to Buddhist theory on the same level as the majesty of God revealed in Christ.” He says they abandon the Triune God, “in favor of an immersion in the indeterminate abyss of the divinity.” Then he says mixing Christian meditation with Eastern techniques can lead to syncretism (the mixing of religions).

Warnings From An Exorcist!

What warnings does Fr. Amorth, the Vatican exorcist give us on CP? Fr. Amorth, states that “Yoga, Zen, and TM are unacceptable to Christians. Often these apparently innocent practices can bring about hallucinations and schizophrenic conditions.” (Centering prayer and Transcendental Meditation are almost identical, so this warning would apply to both CP and TM).

What does the Catechism have to say about this type of prayer?

The Catechism of the CatholicChurch refers to mind-emptying prayer as “erroneous”. In section #2726, it describes “erroneous notions of prayer.” It then lists different types of prayer that fall into that category. It states, “Some people view prayer as a simply psychological activity, others as an effort of concentration to reach a mental void.”

What does St. Teresa of Avila say about contemplation?

She said that contemplation is a gift fromGod, and no technique can make it happen. She says it is usually given to people who have a deep prayer life and are practicing many virtues, although God can give it to anyone he chooses. She repeatedly insists that contemplation is divinely produced. She said that entering into the prayer of quiet or that of union whenever she wanted it “was out of the question.” She also said in her book, Interior Mansion, “For it to
be prayer at all, the mind must take a part in it.” Our Pope, when he was Cardinal, quotes St. Teresa in his booklet, Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation on p. 34. She said “the very care not to think about anything will arouse the mind a great deal”, and that the separation of the mystery of Christ from Christian meditation is always a form of ‘betrayal.’ St. Teresa advised her nuns to meditate or think about the Passion of Christ as a preparation for contemplation.

In Summary

In summary, the Vatican document on New Age, Pope Benedict XVI as Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope John Paul II, St. Teresa of Avila, the Catechism, and Fr. Amorth give warnings about mind-emptying prayer.  We must remember that prayer is a dialogue with God. A person wanting to reach contemplation begins with normal prayer, or they may remain silent with a loving gaze toward God. Then if God so chooses, he may take that person up into ecstasy or some supernatural state. Then and only then would their normal faculties (ability to think) be suspended! It would be a gift from God!

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I personally had one experience with Centering Prayer, which seemed positive to me. It was back in the early 80's and I was on retreat with my fellow class mates who were studying for the diaconate. The Retreat Master led us through a Centering Prayer gathering as we sat in a semi-circle facing him. He got us to relax our minds and bodies and then had us think about some special time in our lives. My mind went back to a scene which really happened in my past. I was in my former home, looking into the living room. It was Christmas. The children were sitting around the tree opening presents. The fire place was lit. My wife was sitting on the couch. On the TV they were showing the Nativity story from the Fr. Payton Rosary movies. I burst into tears and had to leave the group of men. Why? Because we had lost our home to foreclosure back in the late 70's when my business went bankrupt and I had blamed myself and was suffering with this for all those years; well it was all lifted up and after that I didn't have all that guilt of not providing for my family anymore. It seemed to me that a heavy cross was lifted off my shoulder. I was even able to drive by the former house without any regret, something I couldn't do before. So that's my experience with this type of prayer but I will say that I never went to another Prayer group like it, even a charismatic one but strictly took part in Marian and Rosary Prayer Groups from then on. God works in strange ways. Why couldn't He use Centering Prayer to heal me?
Deacon John

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The Blessed Sacrament: Infinite Love Unappreciated

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The Holy Hour in our modern rat race is NECESSARY for authentic prayer. Our world is one of speed in which intensity of movement is a substitute for lack of purpose; where noise is invoked to drown out whisperings of conscience; where talk, talk, talk gives the impression that we are doing something when we are really not....the Hour is so important to our growth in God... in our only purpose in existing to love God......yet the vast majority will not give up a nap, TV, a golf game, shopping or countless other trivial things to spend one hour in love with God, which hour will reverberate for all eternity. Remember our Lord said: without Me you can do nothing.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

You can receive complimentary materials to make your Consecration to God through Mary’s Immaculate Heart ( important spiritual protection at this time in salvation history) at myconsecration.org/total-consecration/make-your-consecration.html... where you can also learn about Our Lady of Las Lajas.

You can learn more about our Lady of Fatima at www.wafusa.org.

God Bless you and your work,

Deacon Bob Tony

Deacon Bob Ellis Anthony Mullen
National Coordinator MyConsecration.org
World Apostolate of Fatima, USA visit us at: www.myconsecration.org
A Pontifical Association of the Faithful
visit us at: www.wafusa.org

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Children of Medjugorje, May 2012 Newsletter

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May 18, 2012

Dear Children of Medjugorje, Praised be Jesus and Mary!

1. On May 2nd, 2012, Mirjana received her monthly apparition at the Blue Cross. After the apparition of Our Lady to her, Mirjana gave us the following message:

"Dear children! With motherly love I implore you to give me your hands, permit me to lead you. I, as a mother, desire to save you from restlessness, despair and eternal exile. My Son, by His death on the Cross, showed how much He loves you; He sacrificed Himself for your sake and the sake of your sins. Do not keep rejecting His sacrifice and do not keep renewing His sufferings with your sins! Do not keep shutting the doors of Heaven to yourselves! My children, do not waste time! Nothing is more important than unity in my Son. I will help you because the Heavenly Father is sending me so that, together, we can show the way of grace and salvation to all those who do not know Him. Do not be hard hearted! Have confidence in me and adore my Son. My children, you cannot be without the shepherds. May they be in your prayers every day. Thank you."

2. Fasting better? I received a number of responses to my April 15 call for fasting:
- From those who asked for recipes because they really wanted to fast but couldn't get through it with regular white bread.
- From those who shared good recipes
- From those who explained their difficulties in fasting or gave methods they found for adapting the fast to their health diet.

All of that is very touching and useful. So I would like to renew my appeal today to all who have thought about answering the call but haven't done it yet. Please do it, starting today! The pamphlet which will come out will be even more valuable and will help those who want to live out the messages of the Gospa whole-heartedly! Thank you on their part! (See PS 2)

3. Won't you believe my story? Last April 27, a man attended the Mass in French at noon: Jean, 35, from the Island of La Reunion (Indian Ocean). The evening before, he had given his testimony of conversion to his group of pilgrims, and everyone was overwhelmed by it. It needs to be said that, after having killed a man, Jean had just gotten out of prison. Here is the story:
Although he was of catholic origin, Jean had stopped practicing his religion at 14. Then he got into drugs, alcohol, hanging around bad company. He lived with his companion, Jessica. In 2003, in the course of a violent dispute with Gilbert, he felt threatened and hit him a little too hard... Gilbert died instantly. Jean was condemned to 12 years of prison.

His girlfriend Jessica went to Medjugorje in 2008, and she had a major conversion. Upon her return, she taught Jean - still in prison - how to pray the Rosary. During his years of detention, Jean held onto praying the Rosary, though it was not always easy for him. But he carried on and realized that "it cured him of heart pains and head pains", as he said. He became a diligent reader of the Bible. Later, another person talked to him about the Rosary and about Medjugorje.
He came out of prison on Good Friday, April 6, 2012, and his first step was to go to confession after 17 years away from the Church. Then he asked for a Mass for the repose of Gilbert's soul. His deepest wish was to go to Medjugorje. A generous person offered him the trip and, on April 27, Jean was with us at the French Mass. Only the pilgrims in his group knew him and his background.

That day, the celebrant did something I've never seen: during the homily, he called Jean to the pulpitand asked him to illustrate by his own witness the story of the conversion of Paul, who was struck blind, was healed of his blindness, and followed Christ. Jean delivered a few simple words and went back to his seat. Then the most unheard-of thing happened: in this small chapel, thousands of miles from the Island of La Reunion, that very same day, that same hour, were present the relatives of Gilbert, the man whom Jean had killed! Seeing Jean in front of the microphone, they couldn't help but recognize him! Imagine the shock!

That day, once again, Heaven opened up in Medjugorje, because after the Mass, they fell into each other's arms and reconciled. They were weeping tears of joy, full with the emotion of having known Jesus and Mary.If I had not been present at that mass, I would not have believed this story!

4. Cologne 2012! I want to share about a nice initiative; one of those initiatives that we would like to see multiplied throughout the whole world! They actually draw thousands of people thirsting for truth, who are very often struggling in the midst of the spiritual desert of our society, and who find in these Oases wonderful nourishment to regain their breath, courage, and enthusiasm on their journey of faith.

Cardinal Meisner (Archbishop of Cologne), Father Paul Maria Sigl, and the Community « Family of Mary » are inviting us to a powerful Day of Prayer around the « Lady of all Nations », on June 23. Info at PS 6 and at www.de-vrouwe.info/en/ - familiemariens@web.de

5. People of France, re-read very slowly and several times the message of May 2, and replace "Dear children!" with "Dear people of France!"
It could not be better suited to our situation today! I leave it to the Holy Spirit to inspire each person with the light he can find in this message to face the coming hardship of France. It is also right to remember a few prophets who suffered for France when they saw what was brewing. Marthe Robin (1901.1981), on the way to Beatification, had this prophecy in 1936:

"France will fall very low, lower than other nations, because of her pride and the bad leaders she will have chosen. She will have her nose in the dust. But in her distress, she will remember God. Then she will cry out to Him, and it is Our Lady that will come to save her. France will thenfind again her vocation as the "Elder daughter of the Church", she will be the site of the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and she will once again send missionaries into the whole world."

There are also the prophecies of Maryam of Bethlehem, « the little Arab. » She said,
« Jesus compares France to a rose bush. The rose bush is going to be pruned by 3 scissors. There will be only one branch left, and through this branch God will do great things. France has to be greatly purified. »

« France, ask for forgiveness, Jesus said, ask for forgiveness! France has done too much good in the missions for God to abandon her. France will be holy, but she doesn't deserve it yet. If people pray and convert, the trial will be minor. If not, she will go from downfall to downfall. » Maryam said that God « will take his delight in the bosom of France. » (See PS 3)

Filiola, that great and very simple mystic of the Paris area (1888-1976), said,
« The enemy is gaining ground. Everything could have been different! But the Church will triumph in spite of Satan and his henchmen. I have death in my soul for France. » « France will suffer a great blow. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is so scorned,the Blessed Humanity of Jesus so deformed, torn apart by His own! »

« Oh, France is going to suffer for its lack of faith in Jesus, in his Blessed Humanity. France is going to be humiliated. Her pride will suffer. . . .
But Jesus will reign through his Blessed Humanity. The moment is here. The world no longer knows where to turn. It is wondering in whom to trust. People try to defend their own well-being. And souls are being lost.

Those faithful to Jesus, to His Spirit, to His love, are the lowly ones. But Jesus is building with them. Jesus allowed me to see a very beautiful light, which is a force without name. How consoling it is! Jesus searches for poor souls in the mud in order to clothe them with His love, to guide them, to give them life, His life. Jesus will reign through these little ones!

Dearest Gospa, you told us, "Dear children, I need you! Without your help, I cannot help the world!" We do not want to fail you! Especially since we ourselves need you more than ever! We give you our hands to walk with you, but hold them even more tightly, please!

Sister Emmanuel +
(Translated from French)

PS 1. Do you want to write to the Blessed Mother? Send your letter to "Queen of Peace", BP 2157, F-06103 Nice cedex, France.

PS 2. Fasting recipes? Some have dropped the practice of fasting on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays, as they got tired of the white bread, so poor. But many persevered with fasting by getting bread that is more adapted to fasting. Please, send me your bread recipes and what you found to stand firm in your fasting, and I will publish it. Some people are still hesitating, please help them! Their resuming fasting will make a difference for the conversion of the world and the protection of priests. Please send your email to contact@edm.eu.com with the subject "Fasting recipes".

PS 3. "Maryam of Bethlehem, the little Arab", Sr. Emmanuel's newest e-book is now available online. Who is this little Arab? Maryam Baouardy is a daughter of Galilee. Her life? A succession of supernatural manifestations worthy of Catherine of Sienna. Maryam shares the keys of holiness, including ways to defeat Satan himself. This is a book you don't want to miss? Go to Children of Medjugorje's online shop to download Maryam of Bethlehem, the little Arab for $5.00 at www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

PS 4. COM is on facebook! Want another facebook friend? Good News, Children of Medjugorje is now on Facebook! Get updates on the messages and the latest Medjugorje news on our facebook page. All you have to do is look us up at Children of Medjugorje, Inc.

PS 6. Our Lady appeared in Amsterdam from 1945 to 1959, to Ida Peerdeman, under the title of Our Lady of All Nations. She revealed to her a very simple remedy to prevent the dangers from degeneration, disaster and war: that of a painting and a prayer. In 1955, Our Lady said, "You, people of this time, know that you are placed under the protection of Our Lady of All Nations! Invoke her as Advocate, ask her to prevent all disasters". As a mom, she is warning us of dangerous events. We will avoid them, putting into practice her advice, as children.

PS 7. Children of Medjugorje Inc needs your help! Please consider supporting our ministry in prayer and, if possible, through financial contributions so that we may be able to continue spreading the messages of Our Lady to the English-speaking world. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help support and sustain our work, please donate through this link on our secure online store or send an email to pray@childrenofmedjugorje.com. Your generosity is deeply appreciated! Thank you!

PS 8. If you no longer receive the reports, write to pray@childrenofmedjugorje.com. See preceding messages at www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

PS 9. Take Medjugorje home! View the evening celebration live at:http://www.medjugorje.hr/en/multimedia/tv-web/

PS . 10 Watch Sister Emmanuel ON DEMAND, on your computer! Go to: www.napavalleyTV.org . Click on "Video on Demand" on the red banner at the top. Screen goes light blue- wait, then scroll way down until you see channel 27 channel 28 side by side. Click on Channel 28 and scroll down the list until "Medjugorje- Our Mother's Last Call", then click on the date you want to watch.

PS 11. Subscribe Today! Receive Sr. Emmanuel's Monthly Newsletter along with Mary's messages!
In French: contact@edm.eu.com
In English and German :Pray@childrenofmedjugorje.com
In Italian : info@vocepiu.it or vannalvisepg@gmail.com
In Spanish : gisele_riverti@gmail.com
In Croatian : rsilic@yahoo.com
In Portuguese : medjugorjeport@yahoo.com
In Chinese : delai.teresa@gmail.com
Our website www.childrenofmedjugorje.com has the report in English and in other languages.

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Mary TV Daily Reflection 2nd Day of Novena

The Duet Family overlooking Medjugorje from Krizevac. (c)Mary TV 2010

May 19, 2012   Dear Family of Mary!   "Dear children! You are absorbed with material things, but in the material you lose everything that God wishes to give you. I call you, dear children, to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are necessary for you now in order to be able to give witness to my presence here and to all that I am giving you. Dear children, let go to me so I can lead you completely. Don't be absorbed with material things. Thank you for having responded to my call." (April 17, 1986)   Fear of the Lord helps us to detach from the world and long only for God. It is this childlike respect and need for the parent that will bring us close to the Father. We don't need earthly power and wealth, we need our Daddy. He can fix everything.   SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)   Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live! The Gift of Fear The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."   Prayer   Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen. Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES   ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT  To be recited daily during the Novena   On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." Amen.   PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  To be recited daily during the Novena   O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You  and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.   In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2012   Full novena prayers found at http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven_tx.htm  .

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[video] Cardinal Burke Writes New Book on the Eucharist

Cardinal Raymond Burke writes book on the Eucharist: 'Divine Blood Made Flesh' romereports.com More

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May 18: Ivan in Medjugorje - Our Lady Gives Message Tonight

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May 18, 2012 A.D.

Thousands of pilgrims gathered underneath a clear, beautiful, star filled sky tonight at the Blue Cross on Apparition Mountain in Medjugorje for the visionary Ivan’s prayer group apparition. Substantial rains the day before left the air clean, fresh, and cool, and a gentle breeze floated over the pilgrims as they prayed and sang while preparing to be in the presence of the Mother of God. At around 9:30 p.m. Ivan began a Rosary that was continued by other prayer group members, ending with the 7,7,7 prayers immediately preceding the apparition. Our Lady came shortly before 10:00 p.m., and the apparition lasted approximately 7 ½ minutes. There was a clean, pure silence throughout the entire apparition, broken only by a few soft sobs coming from those whose hearts were being laid open by Our Lady’s presence.

After the apparition of Our Lady at the Blue Cross in Medjugorje, on May 18, 2012 at about 10:00 p.m., Ivan said:

“The most important from tonight’s meeting together with Our Lady I will try to describe in these words:

Our Lady came to us joyful and happy and at the beginning, as always, She greeted us all with Her motherly blessing: ‘Praised be Jesus my dear children.’

Then Our Lady, with Her arms extended, prayed for a while over all of you here. She prayed for a while over you who are sick present here and then She blessed us with Her motherly blessing and She blessed everything you brought for a blessing. Then Our Lady, especially prayed for a while for priests, bishops and the Holy Father. She also called us:

‘Dear children, also today I desire to call you to pray together with me for my shepherds, that they may lead their flock tirelessly in faith. The Mother prays together with you. Pray, dear children, with the Mother. Thank you, dear children, also today for having responded to my call.’

After that I recommended all of you, all of your needs, all you intentions, your families and in a special way, all the sick. Then a conversation followed between me and Our Lady. After that conversation Our Lady left in prayer in an illuminated sign of the cross, with a greeting, ‘Go in peace, my dear children.’

Once again, I would like to emphasize that Our Lady today for a longer time especially prayed for priests, bishops and the Holy Father and She also invited us to pray for this intention.”

 

Medjugorje visionary Ivan has returned to Medjugorje and had an apparition of Our Lady tonight, May 18, 2012, at the Blue Cross. He can be seen here at the foot of the Blue Cross, gathered with his prayer group. Ivan is seated in between the white pole and the Blue Cross. Today is the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s birthday. Our Lady once said to the Medjugorje visionaries that John Paul II was Her Pope. So many of the bishops that Our Lady has asked us to pray for were placed in their position by John Paul, and so many of the priests became priests through Pope John Paul’s witness. John Paul II was a believer in Medjugorje and worked “tirelessly” in doing everything he could to see Our Lady’s plans fulfilled in the world. Medjugorje visionary Ivan was the only visionary who had an apparition of Pope John Paul II on the day that he left the earth, April 2, 2005. The Holy Father appeared with Our Lady that evening at his normal apparition time. He was smiling, young, and very happy, all in white with a long gold cape. Our Lady turned, smiling, to look at the Pope and he was looking at Our Lady, smiling. Our Lady then said to Ivan:

"This is my son; he is with me."

As we pray for our shepherds in fulfilling Our Lady’s call to us tonight, let us remember a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Pope John Paul II who did much to bring renewal to the priesthood, through leading the Church back to the Heart of Our Lady. 

It’s always a joy to learn of Ivan’s return to Medjugorje and be able to hear the words of Our Lady that She speaks from Apparition Mountain through the prayer group meetings. So many of you from around the world have shared with us the happiness it brings to you to be able to be on your knees before and at the time Our Lady appears though you may be a half a world away. We know you wait for Her message, and feel deep gratitude that you can respond immediately to Her requests. Our Lady seems to give a grace to those who have their hearts turned towards Medjugorje on the evenings of Her mountain apparitions to Ivan because we hear from people all across the world that just through reading the descriptions and pondering the pictures they feel they were somehow there on the mountain with Her. For those who have been to Medjugorje, it brings back sweet memories of being with Our Lady on Her mountain. For those who have never been, it is a joy to feel a part of the immense event that Medjugorje encompasses, and that through their prayers joined to those gathered with Ivan, they are making a contribution in seeing Our Lady’s intentions fulfilled.

    

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TWO APPARITION SITES CONNECTED BY MESSAGES THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE BEAUTY OF 'FLOWERS'

via spiritdaily.com

At this time of year, when spring flowers begin to rise, there's a little dramatic connection between two apparitions -- the Church-approved ones in Kibeho, Rwanda, and the reputed ones in Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hercegovina, which are currently under Vatican study.

Read more here: http://www.spiritdaily.com/flowers.htm

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PHOTOS: Your Mother’s Day Fatima Banner

 

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via americaneedsfatima.org

I am pleased to offer you a few pictures of the banner we carried with your mother’s name and yours and that of over 22,000 other dear friends of America Needs Fatima just this past May 12 -13th in Fatima, Portugal.

We were so very happy to do this for you.

And our humble prayers for you and your mother and the efforts of America Needs Fatima were presented directly at the spot where she appeared.

Here are your pictures, as promised.

If you haven’t yet signed up to pray for America in America Needs Fatima’s 2012 Public Square Rosary Crusade, please give it some prayerful thought and go here to sign up if you will.

In Jesus and Mary,

Robert E. Ritchie
America Needs Fatima
www.ANF.org

http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/

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Mary TV Daily Reflection 5/18/2012 1st Day of Novena

Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten our hearts! Mt. Krizavec  Sue Kathman 2008

May 18, 2012 St. John I   Dear Family of Mary!   "Dear children! You are not conscious of the messages which God is sending you through me. He is giving you great graces and you do not comprehend them. Pray to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. If you only knew how great are the graces God is granting you, you would be praying without ceasing. Thank you for having responded to my call."(November 8, 1984)   On this first day we pray for the Light of the Holy Spirit to shine into our hearts. Our Lady asks in this message of 1984 that we pray for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit, so that we can comprehend the great graces we are being given in these days. Light! O, Lord, be our Light!     FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)   Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!   The Holy Spirit Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asks for us."   Prayer Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.   Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE. Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES.    ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT  (To be recited daily during the Novena) On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." Amen.   PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  (To be recited daily during the Novena) O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You  and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.   In Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2012   Full novena prayers found at http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven_tx.htm

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The Fiat of the Ascension

Tribulation Times

 

May 17, 2012  

THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).

(Act 1:11-12) Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's journey. 

PENTACOST NOVENA: The Pentecost Novena is the first of all novenas, nine days of prayer. After Jesus' Ascension into heaven, He commanded His disciples to come together in the upper room to devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). They prayed for nine days before receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

On May 4, 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed: "We decree and command that throughout the whole Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent year, a novena shall take place before Whit-Sunday (Pentecost), in all parish churches." It has been reported that Pope Leo XIII was inspired to mandate the Pentecost novena because of a letter from a housewife in Italy. Pope John Paul II has reiterated Pope Leo XIII's command for a worldwide Pentecost novena, although the novena can be prayed at any time — not only before Pentecost.

LINK: Novena to the Holy Spirit

A MOMENT WITH MARY: The Fiat of the Ascension 

Everything that happened on the day of the Ascension, Mary kept in her heart. She was educated by her Son's example, so Mary understood the Father's will for her. "Thy will be done" - the Fiat of the Annunciation and the Fiat of the Cross took Mary to the Fiat of the Ascension.
 
Jesus disappeared before her eyes of flesh. She was forced to accept this mystery of separation, which made her detachment purer and more perfect than all those that she had experienced up to that point.  (Marie Benoite Angot)

PILOTCATHOLICNEWS: The Ascension of the Lord

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.

When we hear the collect for the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we cannot help but stand with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the apostles on that hillside as they stared up into the eastern sky, already longing for the Lord who had ascended to the right hand of his father in heaven. They gaze with a longing already for his return in glory at the end of time.

But the collect for today's Mass, using a phrase from the prayers of Advent, begs God to gladden us, to fill us with holy joys, to make us rejoice as the Lord ascends to heaven.

Why would we rejoice when the Lord is leaving us? First, one might suppose, it is because of the assurance of the Lord that he would remain with us always until the end of time. Or perhaps, it is because of his promise of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who will call upon us at Pentecost.

But the collect suggests an even deeper reason for our joy. This joy is rooted in devout thanksgiving that "where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope." Christ, of course, is the head of the Church. And now in his ascension into heaven he enters into glory. But he, the firstborn of many brothers, is only laying out the way that each of us should follow. For all who have died with the Lord, St. Paul assures us, will live with the Lord. And where he has gone, we too shall follow.

Which is why we live in hope. That's the meaning of the prayer the priest prays during the Lord's Prayer just before we receive Holy Communion:

''Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days,

that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.''

''Expectantes in beatam spem....'' This is the joyful hope of the Blessed Virgin and the apostles on that first Ascension morning, it is the hope of the Church as she awaits the return of her Savior in glory and it is our hope, our joyful hope, as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

INSTRUCTION ON THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

Where and how did Christ ascend into heaven?

From Mount Olivet where His sufferings began, by which we learn, that where our crosses and afflictions begin which we endure with patience and resignation, there begins our reward. Christ ascended into heaven by His own power, because He is God, and now in His glorified humanity He sits at the right hand of His Father, as our continual Mediator.

In whose presence did Christ ascend into heaven?

In the presence of His apostles, and many of His dis­ciples, whom He had previously blessed, (Luke XXIV. 51.) and who, as St. Leo says, derived consoling joy from His ascension. Rejoice, also, O Christian foul, for Christ has today opened heaven for you, and you may enter it, if you believe in Christ, and live in accordance with that faith. St. Augustine says: "Let us ascend in spirit with Christ, that when His day comes, we may follow with our body.

Yet you must know, beloved brethren, that not pride, nor avarice, nor impurity, nor any other vice ascends with Christ; for with the teacher of humility pride ascends not, nor with the author of goodness, malice, nor with the Son of the Virgin, impurity. Let us then ascend with Him by trampling upon our vices and evil inclinations, thus build­ing a ladder by which we can ascend; for we make a ladder of our sins to heaven when we tread them down in combating them:"

ASPIRATION O King of glory! O powerful Lord! who hast this day ascended victoriously, above all heaven, leave us not as poor orphans; but send us, from the Father, the Spirit of truth whom Thou hast promised. Alleluia.

Why is the paschal candle extinguished after the Gospel on this day?

To signify that Christ, of whom the candle is a figure, has gone from His disciples.
 

Thoughts and Sayings of Saint Margaret Mary: Patience & Generosity

2. You know that virtue is not practiced without effort, but for one moment of suffering there follows an eternity of reward . 

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Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

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Martyrdom of Knights of Columbus Priest Featured in Major Motion Picture

The relics of six Knights of Columbus priests, martyred during the period of anti-Catholic persecution in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s began a pilgrimage of the United States in Houston on April 27.  More | In the News | Priest Martyrs | Tour Schedule |  Photos   

via kofc.org

NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 17, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- When the Mexican government of Plutarco Elías Calles began persecuting the Catholic Church in the 1920s, priests were not immune. In fact, they became targets of the regime.

One of the hundreds of priests killed during that time for simply carrying out his priestly ministry was Father José María Robles Hurtado.

His martyrdom in 1926 at the hands of Mexican troops is depicted in the film For Greater Glory being released nationwide June 1.

The film sets the story of his martyrdom in the broader context of the persecution of the Church in Mexico at that time.

During that same time period, the Knights of Columbus in Mexico was instrumental in founding the League of the Defense of Religious Liberty in Mexico, which organized economic boycotts and petition drives in response to the persecution. When a civil war broke out between the government and Catholics, the Knights of Columbus worked to bring about peace. Standing in solidarity with the persecuted Catholics in Mexico, the Knights raised funds for humanitarian relief of those displaced and for the education of the American public about the horrific facts of the persecution. A delegation of the Knights of Columbus even met with President Calvin Coolidge in 1926 to discuss ways in which the U.S. government could influence the Mexican government to end the persecution.

The K of C did this in the face of attempts by the Calles regime in Mexico to eliminate the organization, and despite strong support for Calles in the United States from powerful groups including the Ku Klux Klan.

In the end, the pressure brought by the Knights of Columbus and others to end the conflict, stop the persecution and restore peace had an effect and, in 1929, the U.S. government helped broker an agreement between the Mexican government and the Catholic Church, which ended the worst of the persecution.

"For many years, this period of history has been all but forgotten on both sides of the border," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "This year, with the release of For Greater Glory, the story of the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico will begin to be told. With religious freedom now an important issue of discussion here in the United States, every American who values faith and freedom should see this film. As we watch it, we should rejoice that we live in a country where we settle debates over religious liberty with ballots not bullets and in courtrooms rather than on battlefields. Seeing how Catholic Mexico remains today, this film also serves as a timely reminder that -- from the earliest days of the Church's history to the present era -- persecution does not stifle the faith, but emboldens it."

The relics of Father Jose Maria Robles -- and those of five other Knights of Columbus priest martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II -- are currently at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles as part of a nationwide tour throughout the United States.

The Knights of Columbus is active throughout the United States and Mexico -- as well as worldwide in Asia, Europe, and throughout North America. There are more than 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus worldwide.

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ESCAPE TO MIRACLES:

via spiritdaily.com

IN THE DREARY WORLD OF SECULARISM (AND RELIGIOSITY) ARE LITTLE HINTS OF MUCH MORE

From the mail: "I had the first dinner guests over to my new apartment recently, so I bought a couple of regular candles," writes Paul Kristan of Los Angeles. "After the guests left, one candle started melting sort of oddly -- and this is what took shape. I've been praying the Rosary for about eleven years and lately seem to be struggling to get it in every day -- and maybe this is her way of sending out a little encouragement."

Read more from SpiritDaily.com: http://www.spiritdaily.com/Escapetomiracles.htm

We would not doubt that. When we melt down, she will often rise.

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Banker says he saw Virgin in sun at apparition site

Mary seen in the sun at apparition time

By Jakob Marschner on May 17, 2012

A former Italian bank manager says he saw the Virgin Mary in a sun spectacle in Medjugorje on April 27. Wearing a blue cloak, the Virgin stood forth in the sun just about the time the daily apparition begins, Luciano Giglioni testifies. Group of other Italian pilgrims also saw the sun wonder.

Luciano Giglioni

Along with a group of Italian pilgrims, Luciano Giglioni from Castel del Piano witnessed a 30 minutes sun wonder in Medjugorje on April 27.

Giglioni says he saw the Virgin Mary in the sun minutes before 5.40 pm when three Medjugorje visionaries have their daily apparition.

“When we went down Apparition Hill, the sun had become so bright that its light took much of the sky. Then suddenly it started to throb and turn on itself, and then split into two. And you could see the image of the Virgin Mary dressed in a blue cloak, and a purple Cross” Luciano Giglioni tells regional newspaper Il Tirreno Grosseto.

Luciano Giglioni on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje where he saw the Virgin Mary in the sun on April 27. His account of the event has many similarities with accounts of the earliest sun spectacles in Medjugorje, when the apparitions began in 1981

“Some began to cry, some to pray, some were still walking as if nothing had happened. I realized I was crying. And I took off my glasses, and I left myself to watch the sun changing color continuously for at least half an hour. Just as it started, then everything went back to normal, with only the ‘normal’ heaven, and apparently ‘normal’ people” the retired bank manager says.

Saying he will always have emotions tied to the event, Giglioni has spent a while since April 27 trying to make sense of what happened:

“Imagine my surprise when I tried to rationalize the event. What had I seen? What did we see? How did I look at the sun without sunglasses all the time, and not take any damage to my eyesight?” Luciano Giglioni recounts.

“I am only giving a witness, and this means that I must stick to the facts of what I experienced on April 27 at about 17.30″ the former bank manager says.

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[video] Can God Lie?

Dear Friend in Christ,

Is there any circumstance at all in which God could lie? Catholics say no, but Protestants .. in denying the Real Presence would have to say .. yes, God can lie. Please take a few minutes to watch this episode of the Vortex and pass it to your family and friends.

GOD Bless you and your loved ones,

Michael Voris
~senior executive producer at RealCatholicTV.com

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Celebrate the Founding of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery With EWTN By Michelle Laque Johnson

via ewtn.com

"Lord, if you let me walk again, I'll build you a monastery in the South."

That was the famous promise that young Sister Angelica made to Our Lord in the face of an operation that might have paralyzed her for life. Although the operation was a medical failure, Mother could indeed walk – one of many miraculous events that led to the founding of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.

This weekend, EWTN invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of that monastery, out of which grew the world's largest religious media network. EWTN's celebration begins with a Mass, which will be celebrated Birmingham Bishop Robert J. Baker, with a homily by Fr. Joseph Mary, who serves as EWTN's chaplain and who knows Mother well. (Airs live at 9 a.m. ET, Saturday, May 19, with encores at noon and midnight.)

On Sunday, Father Joseph will officiate and preach at a full hour of Vespers & Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. (Airs 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 20; with encores at 1:30 a.m. ET, Monday, May 21; 3:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, May 24; and 2 p.m. ET, Friday, May 25.)

As long-time viewers of EWTN know, Mother's operation was far from the only miraculous event that brought the young nun from her monastery in Canton, Ohio to the Deep South.

There was the senior nun at the Canton monastery who wanted to start her own foundation. Since the Canton monastery couldn't support two foundations, the abbess decided to mail letters from the two sisters to two different bishops asking for their support in establishing a foundation in their dioceses. Whoever received the first positive response could proceed with her foundation. Guess whose letter arrived first?

Then, the Bishop of Youngstown, who had charge of the Canton community, told the abbess he didn't feel her monastery was strong enough to survive the departure of the six nuns required by Church law to establish a new foundation. But with the abbess' support, Sister's own pleas and plans, and faced with the specter of her declining health in the cold weather, the Bishop was eventually persuaded.

However, at 37, Sister was too young to become an abbess without an official dispensation from Rome. The Bishop set about getting that for her and one more obstacle was overcome.

The beginnings of the Alabama foundation were perilous. With a Catholic population of only 2 percent, the monastery was vandalized every Saturday and the nuns were shot at many times! But, of course, that only succeeded in bringing the monastery to the attention of the public.

According to Raymond Arroyo's official biography of Mother Angelica, as the monastery was being built, the Archbishop of what was then the Mobile-Birmingham Diocese became concerned about cost overruns. He ordered Mother to stop building until she could obtain get the necessary funds. Mother informed the crew, but the electrician said: "Sister, for you to owe me money is like having money in the bank. I'm going to finish the job." The rest of the crew agreed. Mother received a $25,000 loan from Sancta Clara to pay the crew. To contain costs, Mother Angelica and another nun pitched in and Mother scaled back the size of the monastery – a move she realized, in later years, was providential – of course!

Mother officially left the Sancta Clara monastery with the nuns who would populate the new monastery on May 8, 1962. They arrived in Birmingham two days later. For the next 10 days, they hosted an open house. On May 20, the monastery was dedicated, the tours ended, and the convent was closed to the public. But the adventure was just beginning!

To learn more about Mother's incredible life, join us for our weekend celebration and pick up a copy of Raymond's Arroyo's best-selling biography, "Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, And a Network of Miracles." Get it here: http://bit.ly/J95Itk.

God bless Family!

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Mary TV Daily Reflection 5/17/2012

The Ascension of the Lord

May 17, 2012 The Ascension of the Lord   Dear Family of Mary!   "Dear children! Tonight I wish to tell you during the days of this novena to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on your families and on your parish. Pray, and you shall not regret it. God will give you gifts by which you will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth. Thank you for having responded to my call." (June 2, 1984)   Today is the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Imagine the joy in heaven when He came, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity! Imagine the wonder, that God could be incarnate, and take His seat at the right hand of the Father! This is what satan could not abide, the very thing he hated and rebelled against. Oh Jesus, we are so proud of You! So grateful to You! So amazed at You!   And imagine the apostles and disciples gazing up into the sky as Jesus rises. Imagine their grief, their feelings of loss, their emptiness. At that time, the presence of Our Lady must have been their only consolation. She remained with them. She was with them. She went back to the Upper Room with them, to pray and to wait for the Holy Spirit, as Jesus told them to do. Her presence was vital for the infant Church at that moment. She was their physical touch with their Lord.   We are no different than the apostles and disciples. Our Lady is with us in our need, just as she was with them. She is with us. And so we can pray and wait with her, just as they did. In this novena time before Pentecost, we can pray and wait with Mary. She will help us to prepare for His coming, the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete.   Together, let's pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit. It begins tomorrow, Friday, May 18, and will end on Saturday, May 27. I have found novena prayers on the EWTN website that we can use. And we will meditate on Our Lady's messages as well. Here is the foreword to the Novena published by EWTN:   The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. (http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven_tx.htm ) As Our Lady says in the message above, "Pray, and you shall not regret it. God will give you gifts by which you will glorify Him till the end of your life on this earth." The Holy Spirit is really important. He is not just a side note in the Christian life. He is the power of the Christian life. He is necessary. We cannot glorify God without Him. The Spirit moves us, fills us, trains us, teaches us, anoints us, empowers us, forms us, delights us, fills us with joy, makes us fruitful, just as He did Mary! We need Him. Our Lady knows that. And that is why she will pray with us as she did the apostles and disciples in the Upper Room. She will be very near as we pray. This is for her a delight!   So, as we await Pentecost, let us pray....   In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2012   [Come Holy Spirit, Come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse!]

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