DOCSLIB.ORG

Preparing for Lent Fr

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Preparing for Lent Fr February 24, 2019 1 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Preparing for Lent Fr. Steve Gruno, CEO of www.WordOnFire.org 6646 Addicks Satsuma Road In two weeks, the Church begins the penitential practices of Lent. Houston, TX 77084 Penitential practices are virtuous works through which we demon- 281-463-7878 strate the sincerity of our profession of faith and discipline our desires so that we might better serve the mission of the Church. Lent is an extended period of time during which the Church prepares herself to celebrate the great mysteries of Holy Week. www.SeasCatholic.org www.SeasCatholic.org Continued on page 12... February 24, 2019 2 Mass Schedule Monday—Friday 6:30 a.m. English 9:00 a.m. English 7:00 p.m. English On Friday, the evening Mass Is in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) 7:30 p.m. Miércoles en Español The First Friday devotion arose from a private revelation to St. Margaret Saturday Mary Alocoque in the seventeenth century. 9:00 a.m. English The devotion involves participating in the Holy Mass and receiving Holy Anticipated Masses Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays of the month. It is like a 5:00 p.m. English novena which is prayed over consecutive months rather than over con- 6:30 p.m. Español secutive days, and is offered for the particular intention of reparation to 8:00 p.m. Tiếng Việt the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sunday Masses Devotion to the Sacred Herat is call to the faithful to “stand in the gap” 7:00 a.m. English by doing penance for sinners. 8:30 a.m. English “Reparation” refers to the spiritual healing that is needed because of 10:30 a.m. English the effects of sin. The small penance we receive in confession is an act 12:15 p.m. English of reparation, that helps to repair the evil consequences of our unfaith- 2:00 p.m. Español fulness. We can make acts of reparation in other ways: through prayer, 5:30 p.m. English fasting, sacrifice and self-denial. 7:30 p.m. Español In the Gospel, Jesus says that some demons “can only be driven out by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). Jesus refers not only to literal demons, Confession but also to the figurative demons of sin and the inclination to sin. Acts of reparation are powerful spiritual weapons that can drive away the Tuesday—Thursday influence of evil from ourselves and others. 7:00 a.m. Wednesday Uniting our prayers, works and sufferings to those of Jesus, we can make 5:45 p.m.—6:45 p.m. some reparation for our offenses and those of others. Because we ae Friday members of Christ through Baptism, our offerings become part of the 5:45 p.m.—6:45 p.m. work of the Lord—His suffering and death—which was undertaken to Saturday make reparation for the sins of the world. 3:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m. First Friday St. Paul explained, “Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in 8:00 a.m.—8:45 a.m. my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of 5:45 p.m.—6:45 p.m. His Body, that is the Church” (Cf. Colossians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 1:5f; Ephesians 3:1, 13 ). Altar Flowers What is lacking in the suffering of Christ? Only our participation. Through Call Patti at 281- 463-7878 to ar- acts of reparation, we enter into the redemptive suffering of Christ, and range to sponsor in a certain sense, become co-redeemers through Him. the altar flowers one Sunday. Continued on page 5... www.SeasCatholic.org February 24, 2019 3 St. Joseph Altar The St. Jo- seph Altar originated in Sicily during a period of famine. The people prayed to St. Jo- seph asking for intercessions and promising to prepare a feast in his honor to which eve- ryone, especially the poor, would be invited. The SEAS Italian Club will be hosting a St. Joseph altar in the CLC, on Sunday, March 10 be- ginning at 10:30 a.m. with the blessing and feeding of the “saints” followed by a tradition- al pasta dinner from 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Donations accepted in ex- changed for the meal but there is a charge for dessert. To-go orders are accepted. Proceeds go to feed the poor in our community. Scholarship Opportunity SVDP SEAS Knights of Columbus and SEAS Ladies Auxiliary are again offering The St. Vincent de Paul Society scholarships to our parish's graduating high school seniors. Applications monthly report for January may be are available in the Church office. found on page 9. If you are a graduating high school senior pursuing a post-secondary education at a university, community college or technical school, you Parish Festival are eligible to apply. The festival team is now accepting Application deadline is Friday, April 19, 2019 - no exceptions. prize and supply items. Please refer to the application for further details. More info. on p. 10. www.SeasCatholic.org February 24, 2019 4 Parish Apostolates and Announcements Knights of Columbus Council 8096 work to coordinate care for parishioners in their time If you are a Catholic man and you are not a mem- of need. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the ber of the Knights of Columbus, you are missing a month. Please feel free to call Wyona (281-433-5365) wonderful opportunity to transform your life. As a or Kim (832-746-1135) if you have health questions or Knight, you have the opportunity to support your par- would like to join this growing ministry. ish, give back to your community, grow in your faith plus many more benefits. We meet the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7:30pm, with a small meal served @ R.C.I.A. 7pm, in the Community Life Center (CLC). The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is for people who are thinking about the possibility of be- Contact Grand Knight Clint Porche @ coming Catholic. It is for the un- baptized, people of [email protected] or Membership Director, other faiths or people who have been baptized Mike Jackson @ [email protected]. Visit us Catholic but did not complete the sacraments of @ KofC8096.org Initiation. We explore the beliefs of the Catholic Church and discern, over a period of many months, if they desire to become Catholic. Cursillo—Northwest Ultreya Cursillo is a Catholic lay movement that offers an op- If you are interested, or have a relative, friend or co- portunity to meet Christ in a more intimate way. worker who has expressed this interest, please call: Cursillo provides a lifetime plan for following Christ Nadia Jara: 281- 463-7878 ext. 337 or at nja- through prayer, study and action, in friendship with [email protected]. others. As a part of Cursillo, our monthly Ultreya meet- ing brings the community together to encourage each other by sharing and witnessing to our life in Respect Life Committee Christ. We meet at 9:45 AM on the third Saturday of For information about upcoming pro-life activities, each month in the Family Life Center. Questions? you are invited to contact James Pinedo at his per- Contact Duane King 281-615-8942 DE COLORES! sonal e-mail: [email protected]. Helping Hands Ministry Free English Language Classes We assist families in pre-planning for funerals. To English class on Mondays, Sept. 10 - May 20, 2019, schedule an appointment, please call Beth Wood at 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Copperfield Church, 8350 Highway 281-413-9682. Bereavement support in the form of 6 North #C-8 (behind Wings ‘N More). Contact Jan printed Carenotes specific to a family’s need is pro- Garza 832-443-4248, or at [email protected]. vided at the time of a Funeral or Memorial Mass. You must be 18 or older. (NO baby-sitting provided). Join us any week! Nursing Ministry The Parish Nursing ministry is comprised of health care LỚP HỌC TIẾNG ANH MIỂN PHÍ professionals and others who have the health of our Các ngày THỨ HAI, Ngày 10 tháng 9/2018 - Ngày 20 parishioners at heart. They are nurses, therapists, edu- tháng 5/2019, từ 9:00-11:00 sáng & 7:00 - 9:00 chieu’ cators, and experts in the fields of health promotion. Tại nhà Thờ Copperfield, 8350 Highway 6 North #C-8 Some work in home health, elderly assistance, aging, (ở sau Wings 'N More). Xin liên lạc JAN GARZA 832- hospice, general medicine, surgery, oncology, ob- 443-4248 [email protected] stetrics, domestic violence and intensive care. They www.SeasCatholic.org February 24, 2019 5 Continued from page 2… First Friday Devotion Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alo- coque (1647-1690), a French nun of the Visitation Order, and gave her the special task to spread de- votion to His Most Sacred Heart at a time when reli- gion was growing cold in the hearts of mankind. He said to her: “Behold this heart which, not withstanding the burning love for men with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from most Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indif- ference and ingratitude, even in the sacrament of my love [the Eucharist]. But what pierces my heart most deeply is that I am subjected to these insults by persons especially consecrated to my service.” Jesus asked for special prayers and practices to make amends (reparation) for this great neglect to the proper reverence owed to God.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Peace Plan from Heaven
    Relationship with GOD More than Just SUNDAY A Peace Plan from Heaven May 13 will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Mary reassured the children in a gentle voice, saying apparitions of Our Blessed Mother Mary to three “Do not be afraid; I will do you no harm.” She told shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Lucia, “I come from Heaven.” She asked the children if Portugal. Taking place in 1917, Our Lady appeared they would “pray the Rosary every day, to bring peace six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, to the world and an end to the war.” and his sister Jacinta, 6, on the 13th of each month On June 13, as Mary appeared to the three children, between May and October. Lucia asked, “What do you want me to do?” The Lady It is important to make a distinction between public responded, “Continue to pray the Rosary every day Revelation, the definitive teachings of Christ through and after the Glory Be of each mystery, add these the Catholic Church and “private” revelation, such as words: ‘O my Jesus, forgive us our sins! Save us from apparitions of Mary. According to the Catechism of the the fire of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially Catholic Church, “Throughout the ages, there have those in most need of Thy mercy.’” been so-called ‘private’ revelations, some of which Before the apparitions began, the children were have been recognized by the authority of the Church. devout in the Catholic Faith and spent time in prayer They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith.
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson 2 Grade 10 11/22
    Lesson 2 Grade 10 11/22 Bible Questions Luke 4-6 Chapter 4 1. How long was Jesus tempted by the devil in the wilderness? 2. What are the three temptations of Jesus? 3. Where does Jesus begin His preaching? 4. What town does Jesus encounter the man who is possessed by the evil spirit? 5. Who has the high fever that Jesus healed? 6. What does this mean about Peter? Chapter 5 7. Which 3 apostles were with Jesus when they caught an abundance of fish? 8. Where were they? 9. What does Jesus say to Peter after they catch all the fish? 10. What’s the name of the tax collector that follows Jesus? Chapter 6 11. What did Jesus do before He picked the 12 apostles the night before? 12. Name 6 of the 12 apostles 13. What did Jesus say we should do to those who curse and abuse us? 14. How is a good tree known from a bad tree? Catechism Questions Page: 6-10 1. What does God reveal fundamentally to man? 2. How did God reveal Himself in the beginning? 3. Who is the father of multitude of nations? 4. Which religions claim Abraham as their father? 5. What did God give to the Jews through Moses? 6. Who would come through the line of King David? 7. What stage is the fullness of God’s revelation? 8. What is the difference between public and private revelations? 9. Give three examples of private revelation. 10. What is Apostolic Tradition? 11. How are Scripture and Tradition different? How are they the same? 12.
    [Show full text]
  • Blessing and Investiture Brown Scapular.Pdf
    Procedure for Blessing and Investiture Latin Priest - Ostende nobis Domine misericordiam tuam. Respondent - Et salutare tuum da nobis. P - Domine exaudi orationem meum. R - Et clamor meus ad te veniat. P - Dominus vobiscum. R - Et cum spiritu tuo. P - Oremus. Domine Jesu Christe, humani generis Salvator, hunc habitum, quem propter tuum tuaeque Genitricis Virginis Mariae de Monte Carmelo, Amorem servus tuus devote est delaturus, dextera tua sancti+fica, tu eadem Genitrice tua intercedente, ab hoste maligno defensus in tua gratia usque ad mortem perseveret: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. THE PRIEST SPRINKLES WITH HOLY WATER THE SCAPULAR AND THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED. HE THEN INVESTS HIM (THEM), SAYING: P - Accipite hunc, habitum benedictum precantes sanctissima Virginem, ut ejus meritis illum perferatis sine macula, et vos ab omni adversitate defendat, atque advitam perducat aeternam. Amen. AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS: P - Ego, ex potestate mihi concessa, recipio vos ad participationem, omnium bonorum spiritualium, qua, cooperante misericordia Jesu Christi, a Religiosa de Monte Carmelo peraguntur. In Nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus Sancti. + Amen. Benedicat + vos Conditor caeli at terrae, Deus omnipotens, qui vos cooptare dignatus est in Confraternitatem Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo: quam exoramus, ut in hore obitus vestri conterat caput serpentis antiqui, atque palmam et coronam sempiternae hereditatis tandem consequamini. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R - Amen. THE PRIEST THEN SPRINKLES AGAIN WITH HOLY WATER THE PERSON(S) ENROLLED. English Priest - Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy. Respondent - And grant us Thy salvation. P - Lord, hear my prayer. R - And let my cry come unto Thee.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Divine Mercy Sunday John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy
    Understanding Divine Mercy Sunday John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy Nihil Obstat Imprimi Potest © Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, 2003 All Rights Reserved This booklet has been prepared by the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy, an apostolate of the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, based at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Eden Hill, Stockbridge, MA 01262 Telephone: 413-298-1184 E-mail: [email protected] My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.
    [Show full text]
  • Church of St. John Vianney
    July 7, 2019 CHURCH OF ST. JOHN VIANNEY MISSION STATEMENT TOGETHER—RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD & OUR COMMUNITY Address: 789 17th Ave N, South St. Paul, MN 55075 Phone: (651) 451-1863 Fax: (651) 451-1864 www.sjvssp.org Parish Staff Pastor Fr. Antony Skaria, CFIC [email protected] Deacon Scott Wright [email protected] Director of Religious Education & Parish Assistant Jill Vujovich-Laabs [email protected] Director of Music Lori Lencowski [email protected] Maintenance—Kent Trkla [email protected] Bulletin Deadline - Monday 12:00 pm MASS SCHEDULE WEEKEND: SATURDAY 5 PM SUNDAY 8:15 AM & 10:30 AM WEEKDAYS: TUE—FRI 7:30 AM HOLY DAYS: 7:30AM & 6:30 PM RECONCILIATION THUR & FRI: 7:00 AM SAT: 4:00 PM 5 Things To Know About Our Lady of Mt. Carmel “What’s that thing you’re always wearing?” And so began another discussion of the Brown Scapular that hangs around my neck. This time it was while visiting New Orleans with my sister. A city suffused with Catholicism plus voodoo shops, gris-gris and the like was, perhaps, the perfect place to explain the two small pieces of brown wool on a cord that I always wear. The Brown Scapular is neither a good luck charm, talisman, amulet nor gris-gris. It is a sacramental; a symbol of devotion and yoke of obedience to Our Lady of Mount Carmel whose feast we celebrate on July 16. Simply put, in the words of the always humorously orthodox John Zmirak, the Brown Scapular is “a sleek and minimalist version of the Carmelite habit.” 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Canon & Continuing Revelation
    REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DELIVERED ONCE FOR ALL: THE CANON AND CONTINUING REVELATION 0ST508 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I BY STAN MCMAHAN JULY 30, 2013 Introduction John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, counters the claim of some during his day to receiving new revelations from God. In doing so, he highlights the specific role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. He writes, “Hence the office of the Spirit promised to us, is not to form new and unheard-of revelations, or to coin a new form of doctrine, by which we may be led away from the received doctrine of the gospel, but to seal on our minds the very doctrine which the gospel recommends.”1 Calvin’s underlying assumption in this argument is the classic Reformed reason for rejecting claims of continuing revelation: the Spirit and the Word which He “breathed-out” are inseparably united, and this union is such that the Spirit will not speak against His will, character, and plan revealed in the written Scriptures (“the received doctrine of the gospel”). This argument has not been made without controversy. Advocates of continuing revelation have not been lacking in the church and have spoken out from disparate denominational perspectives. The Roman Catholic Church has continued its claim for revelation today by pointing to God’s communication through both private revelations and the ecclesiastical hierarchy--the church councils and Pope speaking authoritatively for God. From the other end of the ecclesiastical spectrum, Pentecostals have claimed the communication of the Spirit in private prayer and prophecy. What are we to make of such claims? Is denying ongoing revelation not a way of “quenching” the Spirit? The answer to these questions is found by considering God’s self-identified purpose and method for his revelation to man.
    [Show full text]
  • Catholic Parishes Of
    Catholic Parishes of St. Anthony and Our Lady of the Hills October 4, 2020 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Issue No. 207 General Directory Administrator Fr. Tijo George Email: [email protected] Fr. Charles Anemelu (Priest in Residence) St. Anthony Catholic Church Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church 1000 6th Street Deacon David Wuletich 100 Jackson Drive Charleston, WV 25302 Elkview, WV 25071 www.stanthonywv.com Email: [email protected] www.ourladyofthehills.com Facebook Phone: 304-345-9567 Facebook www.facebook.com/ www.facebook.com/ stanthonywestvirginia Office ourladyofthehillswv 1000 6th Street, Charleston, WV 25302 Email: [email protected] Phone: 304-342-2716 Office Hours: Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; Closed Wednesday and holidays. Sacrament of Reconciliation: St Anthony by appointment. Our Lady of the Hills by appointment. Why Does Our Lady Appear on Earth? What is the significance of the apparitions at Lourdes and other places? What is the meaning of Marian apparitions in general? In our world of rationalism and secularism, of materialism and consumerism, God and the supernatural realm seem far removed from most people. Yet He continues to intervene in human history by sending the mother of Jesus when the Christian faith is challenged and under attack. The human family needs to be reminded, sometimes in a dynamic and supernatural way, that God exists, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a universal call to goodness and holiness, that we are all responsible before our Maker for our choices. Apparitions are a wake-up call for a corporate examination of conscience about how well we may be responding to God’s manifold invitations to personal salvation and world peace.
    [Show full text]
  • Ths 572 the Church in Consummation: Eschatology and Mariology / Fall 2003 / Dr
    ThS 572 / Ford / Page 1 of 10 ThS 572 The Church in Consummation: Eschatology and Mariology / Fall 2003 / Dr. Ford Syllabus and Schedule Hee that lives in hope danceth without musick. —George Herbert, 1593–1633 Anglican Priest and Poet DESCRIPTION ThS 598 The Church in Consummation: Eschatology and Mariology analyses Chapters Seven and Eight of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, for what its says about the eschatological nature of the Church, of which the Blessed Virgin Mary is the icon. Eschatology has been described by Jon Sobrino as “Spes quaerens intellectum” (“Hope seeking understanding”). The first half of the course treats the traditional four last things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell) within the larger context of the Kingdom of God as the consummation of God’s eternal plan. The second half of the course discusses the place of Mary in the mystery of Christ and of the Church by surveying the scriptures and Christian tradition, Catholic doctrine, theological approaches, and the devotional practices of Catholics in the many cultures of the southwestern United States. OBJECTIVES Upon the successful completion of this course the student will have accomplished the following tasks at a graduate level: • the student will explore biblical revelation, Christian creeds, the fathers of the Church, magisterial statements, and the liturgy for what they say regarding the Catholic belief about the last things and about Mary (especially the soteriological and ecclesiological foci of Marian doctrine and devotion) and develop the ability to dialogue with non-Catholic Christians and others who differ with us about eschatology and about Marian doctrine and devotion.
    [Show full text]
  • Divine Mercy Booklet
    The Divine Mercy Chaplet (476) Our Lord said to St. Faustina: Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you… Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death… When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior. In 1933, God gave St. Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy, St. Faustina tells us: "I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord's wounds and I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus." Of another vision on Sept. 13, 1935, she writes:"I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike the earth...I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment...." The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer: (For the novena start with the Prayer intention for each day on pgs.3 thru 7) The Chaplet of Mercy is recited or sung using the rosary beads Opening Prayers (optional) All: You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
    [Show full text]
  • AVE 2017 12 Christmastide
    THE MAGAZINE OF THE Society of Mary American Region Edition Christmastide 2017 www.somamerica.org THE SOCIETY OF MARY (Established 1931) THE SOCIETY OF MARY springs from two similar societies founded in 1880 and 1901 respectively, which united in 1931. It has members all over the world and is not confined to Anglicans alone. Where there are sufficient members in one place or area, they combine to form a Ward, with a priest as Superior and an elected Secretary. They can organize regular services, meetings and many other activities. Five or more members may form a Cell, and organize joint prayer and fellowship. Isolated members are joined to the Headquarters Ward. The Society publishes its magazine “AVE” two times each year with details of pilgrim- ages, retreats, festival services, etc. It is free to all members and is the effective link between the various Regions. The Society is not affiliated to any single Shrine or Marian institution, and is the only organization endeavoring to promote equally all the different aspects of devotion to Mary. THE SOCIETY RULE OF LIFE The Society is dedicated to the glory of God and in honor of the Holy Incarnation under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians. 1. Members shall keep a Rule of Life, which will include such special devotions as the Angelus, the Rosary, the Litany and Anthems of Our Lady. 2. They will pray for Departed Members of the Society and offer Mass for them. 3. They will take part in the Mass on the principal Feasts of Our Lady.
    [Show full text]
  • Blessed Virgin of the Miraculous Medal
    Blessed Virgin of the Miraculous Medal SAINT OF THE DAY 27-11-2020 On 27 November 1830, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Catherine Labouré (1806-1876), novice of the Daughters of Charity in the Parisian convent on Rue du Bac, who was meditating in the chapel in deep silence. It was half past five in the afternoon. The saint, next to the picture of St Joseph, saw Our Lady wearing a white dress like the dawn, a blue mantle and a long white veil, standing on a half globe enveloped in the coils of a snake. The Heavenly Mother tenderly held another smaller, golden globe in her hands and with a glowing face presented it to Our Lord. “This little globe symbolises the whole world and each soul in particular!” Catherine heard her say. She suddenly saw Mary's fingers covered with rings, adorned with precious stones radiating beams of light downwards. “The rays are the symbol of the graces that I spread on those who ask me for them,” said Our Lady, who explained why other precious stones did not radiate light: “They are the graces that one forgets to implore”. Catherine then saw an oval painting form around the Virgin, on which she read a prayer written in golden letters: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to You”. She observed the painting turn round and saw the letter M intersected by the I (of Iesus) and surmounted by a cross. Below her appeared the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the first surrounded by thorns, the second pierced by a sword (cf.
    [Show full text]
  • Popular DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES: BASIC QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
    POPULAR DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES: BASIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Issued by USCCB, November 12, 2003 Copyright © 2003, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. As the Second Vatican Council pointed out so clearly, the life of the Church centers on the liturgy, the official public worship of God by the Church as the Body of Christ. The liturgy includes, above all, the Eucharist and the other six sacraments, but also other actions of the Church such as the daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, the rites of Christian burial, and the rites for the dedication of a church or for those making religious profession. Christ himself is at work in the liturgy, so that the action of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, participates in the saving act of Christ as priest. 1 Precisely because every liturgical celebration "is an action of Christ the priest and of His Body which is the Church," no other form of worship can take its place: a liturgical celebration "is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree." 2 While the liturgy is "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed" and "the font from which all her power flows," 3 it is not possible for us to fill up all of our day with participation in the liturgy. The Council pointed out that the spiritual life "is not limited solely to participation in the liturgy. according to the teaching of the apostle, [the Christian] must pray without ceasing." 4 Popular devotional practices play a crucial role in helping to foster this ceaseless prayer.
    [Show full text]