Slandering the Pope

How we need to pray for Our Holy Father.

St. Thomas the Apostle

From Pope St. Gregory the Great:

Dearly beloved brethren, what is it in this passage which particularly claimeth our attention?  Think ye that it was by accident  that this chosen Apostle was not with them when Jesus came? or, when he came, heard? or, when he heard, doubted? or, when he doubted, felt? or, when he had felt, believed?  All these things were not accidental, but Providential.  It was a wonderful provision of Divine mercy, that this incredulous disciple, by thrusting his fingers into the bodily Wounds of his Master, should apply a remedy to the spiritual wounds of unbelief in our souls.  The doubts of Thomas have done us more good than the faith of all the disciples that believed.  While he feeleth his way to faith, our minds are freed from doubt, and settled in faith.

Even as the Lord before his birth willed that Mary should be espoused, and yet never lose her virginity, so, after his Resurrection, he willed that his disciple should doubt, and yet not lose his faith.  For, even as the espoused husband was the keeper of the virginity of the Mother, so was the disciple who doubted and felt, the witness of the truth of the Resurrection.  He felt, and cried out: My Lord and my God.  Jesus saith unto him: Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed.  When the Apostle Paul saith Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, he plainly meaneth that faith is the evidence of things that cannot be seen.  When they are seen, there remaineth not faith, but knowledge.

Sins of Profanity

From Totus Tuus:

I often find myself not behaving in a way that Our Lady would. I can be crass. I need to ask myself...Would Mary act like this? Would Joseph act like this? It's embarrassing and I hope that whenever I or my children hear cursing that we find it abrasive and repulsive. Let it not become common to us, Lord. May the Holy Family guide us in presenting ourselves without blemish and not succumbing to the sinful, uncouthness of our age.

Month of the Precious Blood

In July we recall the blood of the Lamb, shed for our redemption.

Praying for Enemies

Fr. Mark has a remarkable prayer to the Sacred Heart for all those who have wished us ill.

I pray for those who hate me,
for those who resent me
and for those who have spoken ill of me.
I beg you to bless them abundantly
and to pour into their hearts
such a profusion of healing mercies
that in them and around them
love will triumph over hatred,
friendship over resentment,
sweetness over bitterness,
meekness over anger,
and peace over enmity.
I further ask you to extend these graces
to their families and to all whom they hold dear.

The Immaculata

The Virgin of the Apocalypse. Our Lady has told us how to live in difficult times.

This is why true devotion to Our Lady is so important in our day.  We need to draw close to the Blessed Virgin in prayer, through some form of daily devotion, be it so simple as the devotion of the Three Hail Marys, the Little Office, or the Rosary.  Of all devotions the Rosary is the most highly recommended and something Our Lady herself has requested.  Therefore it is accessible to all - it just takes practice to incorporate into our daily lives - especially when most of us are busy with work, daily necessities and family obligations.

Prayer Request

Please pray for our friend Scott Richert's beloved uncle who is ill.