Not long ago we featured on our program, Father Joseph Esper, author of the book, Spiritual Dangers of the 21st Century . In this book, he identified the stages of persecution as follows:
Stage 1 The group is stereotyped.
Stage 2 The group is marginalized
Stage 3 The group is villified.
Stage 4 The group is criminalized.
Stage 5 Outright persecution ensues.
Father Esper stated that researchers tell us Christians are hovering between Stage 3 and Stage 4. Some would argue, however, that Catholics are hovering between Stages 4 and 5. With the demise of the federal government's "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" policy on September 20, 2011, the continued legislative push for gay marriages to be recognized across state lines, the Obama administration's hammering to overturn the conscience clause, Catholics are in the cross-hairs.
So much so, that Francis Cardinal George (Archdiocese of Chicago) stated, "I expect to die in my bed, my successor will die in prison, and his successor will die a martyr." Some wonder if his statement is more prophesy than prediction.
The question, therefore, ought not to be, "Are we facing challenges?" but rather, "How do we meet the challenges we are facing?" I think the answer to this question can be summed up as follows:
1. Admit where we are. George Weigel in an address at St. Patrick's Church, London, entitled "Benedict XVI and the Future of the West," said this: "A decisive moment has been reached in the history of the Catholic Church; the catechetical-devotional Catholicism of the counter-reformation is giving way to what may be called Evangelical Catholicism." He reminded listeners that the Church itself is mission and always about the business of pointing to Jesus Christ as the answer. We must realize that, as laity, we are called to mission activity.
2. Prepare ourselves for the struggle. Many would read this as a call to stockpile food, create safety bunkers, and head for the hills. While such strategies may have value, we must remember that ultimately the battle is not with "flesh and blood," but with "powers and principalities" (Eph 6:12). As St. Paul instructs in Ephesians, we need to equip ourselves with the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of justice, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Word of God, and the boots of zeal to propogate the Gospel. We do this through our time of personal prayer, attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, receiving the Sacraments, and striving to live a virtuous life. Maintaining holy friendships and participating in activities that fortify and strengthen our resolve increase our ability to meet the challenges that confront us.
3. Do not give in to fear, discouragement, or anxiety. These three tactics are the most frequently tried strategies of the evil one. He seeks to disarm us, paralyze us, and overtake us through them. When they tempt you, see them for what they are and call upon the name of Jesus. Quoting Scripture is invaluable in these moments. Of course, this presupposes that you have several good passages committed to memory (Tip: Start with "one-liners" and then move on to more complex passages. A good beginning are these words of Jesus, "Get thee behind me, Satan;" and St. John's words,"Stronger is he who is in me than he who is in the world.").
4. Read the lives of the saints, especially the martyr saints. These holy men and women show us that "nothing is impossible with God," even giving the ultimate witness. Ask them to intercede for you as you seek to live your life as a witness of the truth in this our day and time. Their lives also give us keen insight and inspiration regarding the realities of trial, persecution, and travail.
5. Know that God is with you. Jesus tells us He will never abandon us. And He won't . The Holy Spirit dwells with the soul that is in the state of grace and provides every spiritual blessing in the heavens we need to live out our call and mission. In addition, the peace that surpasses understanding wraps us in the certainty of God's presence and love. He never calls us to a task or a mission without giving us the grace we need to meet it. He is our Father and our provider.
6. Be joyful. There is a certain joy that accompanies struggle and challenge. It is the joy in knowing that when our sufferings are united to the Cross of Jesus, we share in the merit accomplished through that Cross. Such is the Father's will and pleasure. We find something else in that Cross as well: power. The Cross of Christ is the very Power of God (1 Cor.1:18). So, when the cross is presented to you, rejoice! God's own power can be yours!
These words of St. Pio of Pietrelcina give us good advice:
Being subjected to a trial is not under a soul's control at all, and no one can directly do anything to be subjected to a trial; it depends exclusively on God's will. I advise you to remain peaceful and not to be the least bit concerned about what will happen. Everything will be resolved to the glory of God and the sanctification of your soul.
...Give infinite freedom to the action of divine grace in you, and let it always serve to be for his glory and for the salvation of your soul and the souls of others. Never forget that heavenly favors are granted not only for your sanctification but also for the sanctification of others. (To Raffaelina Cerase, Feb. 23, 1915, taken from Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day).
Prayer to Our Lady of Victory
O sweet and gentle Lady, Immaculate Mother of God,
we beg you to be our Mother now and all the days of our life.
shield us Mother Mary with your holy mantle that nothing of the
enemy could harm or molest us.
Ask your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ to spare us
from any calamities that will cause our life misery.
Pray for us that we may lead a life pleasing to Him,
and when our end comes present us to Him and
may we live in His kingdom forever and ever,
Amen.
Our Lady of Victories, please pray for us.
It is with great joy and zeal that Women of Grace® presents its new groundbreaking website (www.womenofgrace.com) to the women of the world today, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We hope that you will help us to share the good news about this exciting new extension of the Women of Grace® apostolate.
The new website uses various aspects of electronic communications to complement our mission to transform the world, one woman at a time, by affirming women in their dignity and vocation as daughters of God and in their gift of authentic femininity. Through on-line video and audio presentations, podcasts, document libraries, blogs, and dozens of other resources, Catholic women will find the information and the inspiration they need to live out their feminine genius in their marriages and families, professions and careers, and in the world at large.
One of the most exciting features of this groundbreaking new website is GracePlace, a social communications network that unites women from around the world in a virtual community setting. Women of Grace® is one of the first Catholic women's outreach to use this high-powered social network platform. It marks a significant moment in the history of the apostolate and its ability to achieve its mission.
In GracePlace, women can network with other sisters in Christ as near as their own parish communities or with women who live half a world away. Discussion groups, a shared resources library, leadership development, training tips, and events calendars provide just a glimpse of how faithful daughters of the Church can come together for encouragement, inspiration, instruction, information, and restoration. Simply stated, we are confident that all Catholic women will find a home at GracePlace.
Updated daily, there is always something new at the Women of Grace website. I hope you will visit us often!
I faithfully remain, your sister in Christ,
Johnnette Benkovic
During a fundraiser in St. Louis earlier this week, President Barack Obama bragged about a new regulation that will force religious institutions to provide birth control coverage for their employees, a rule the U.S. bishops have denounced as an "unprecedented attack on religious liberty."
Because of her long history of religious provocation, Catholics are rallying across the country to convince the NFL not to feature Madonna during Super Bowl XLVI.
Brenda Dooley of Lafayette, LA summed up her conference experience by stating, "In a profound and spiritual revelation I realized that God heals the child in me in order to mature my womanhood/motherhood and in turn how He can touch a small insignificant life like mine and use it to heal the world beginning with one person, one family, one community, one country."
Women in attendance represented three continents (North America, Africa, and Europe) and four countries (the US, Canada, Ghana, and Ireland) and, though geographically diverse, all of the women were united in the common bond to imitate Our Lady by giving their "fiat" to God's will for them.
"This conference has changed my way of thinking and feeling about a lot of things. It has inspired me to be a better mother, wife, sister...to be a woman of Grace!" said Monica Gonzalez of Florida.
The conference was preceded by the Benedicta Leadership Institute for Women conducted by Johnnette Benkovic. A maximum group of 80 women attended the Institute. The theme was "The Building Blocks of Catholic Women's Leadership." Based on the virtues, attributes and guiding influence of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this foundational offering of the Institute helps women find a truly Catholic response to the issues, circumstances, and challenges they face in today's world both personally and corporately. The Institute's dynamic utilizes a variety of modes of communication. Part lecture, part discussion, part workshop, and part participant presentation, women attendees discover a Catholic lens through which to view the gift of their authentic femininity and the influece it can have to "aid humanity in not falling."
And the effect is contagious. Women of Grace co-facilitator. Michaelyn Hein of the Diocese of Metuchen, received a dose of holy zeal from her mother's attendance at the Benedicta Leadership Institute. She comments in GracePlace, "My mom just came home from the leadership institute in Florida so invigorated and inspired, and I'm getting fed again off her enthusiasm and passion. It's exciting me for the kickoff of another year's Full of Grace study in our parish as I help her facilitate."
The first nine regional coordinators of Women of Grace were installed at the Conference's opening liturgy. A tenth regional coordinator was installed the following weekend in Buffalo, Wyoming. The Women of Grace movement is growing and expanding throughout the United States and beyond.
For more information about the Conference including pictures taken by conference attendees, go to GracePlace and log-in. [gallery]
MM asks: "If energy medicine and other alternatives are scientifically unsubstantiated, why are so many of them showing up in U.S. hospitals?"
