Blog

Have you ever noticed the connection between what is going on in your interior life and what is taking place exteriorly? Often, Our Lord uses the events and circumstances of our daily life to draw attention to a work He is doing deep within us.

Let me give you an example. Several years ago I was sitting in my family room deep in prayer. I had just meditated on a particular passage of Scripture and was earnestly seeking what the Lord was saying to me through it.

Interiorly, I was very aware of His presence and I knew He was about a work of grace. As  I waited in silence, listening for His voice with my "spiritual" ears, I seemed to hear Him tell me He was healing me of a great hurt and that He was about a work of restoration in me. He seemd to say that He was making new a certain area of my being (2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 21:5).

Just as these words were penetrating my heart, I audibly heard a loud ripping noise that sounded like the very roof was being torn off of my house! Startled, I all but jumped off of the couch. My eyes flew open and it took a second or two to realize what was going on. I had recently hired workmen to replace the screening around my pool area and they had begun to strip away the old material at the very moment Our Lord was telling me He was making all things new!

 Tears sprang to my eyes even as I began to laugh out loud. How poignantly God was emphasizing His work! He was stripping away the debris of my woundedness and replacing it with new life -- and He had seen fit to accompany His work with sound effects to make the point!

What is happening in your life today? Is it worth a bit of reflection to see what God might be saying to you through it? Remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you..." (7:7). Let's ask, seek, and find that which God is about in us today. He may well be making a very big statement!

Read the rest

I love to invite friends and family to my home for dinner! It is part of a long-standing tradition my husband, Anthony, and I began early in our marriage. Though he has gone to his eternal reward, it has brought me much pleasure, consolation, and no small amount of joy to continue this tradition.

I  have found through the years that a small gesture of hospitality has the capacity to do so much. It can be a soothing balm to a troubled spirit, a healing gesture that resolves an estranged relationship, a happy celebration to highlight key moments in a person's life, a gift of presence when a sign of solidarity is needed. It can also be just plain fun! Today, scheudules are so busy that gestures of hospitality are frequently omitted from the family agenda.

But, as women, we have an innate desire to bring people together. And, when this desire is united to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, great things can happen.

Just this week, I hosted a small dinner party at my home. Among the guests was Father Philip Scott, F.J. It was clear that this get-together was ordained by God. The Holy Spirit was abundantly present. Indeed, the old charismatic song holds true:  "Great things happen when God mixes with man!"

One of the fun highlights of the evening occurred when Father Philip asked me for a "bib." Given that he lives in Peru and realizing he probably didn't mean the kind a baby wears, I asked him if it was an apron he wanted. He said, "Yes, an apron." I offered him a variety (apron drawer open as you can see), and he selected my Women of Grace apron -- once again confirming to me that "real men love women of grace."

I would categorize this evening as one of those that is blessed  -- and, as many blessings are -- a great deal of fun!

Who might God be prompting you to ask to dinner and what joy might He have in mind for you? I can assure you,it is well worth extending the invitation!

Father Philip and friends, thanks for a great time!

Read the rest

There is no question that as Catholics living in the culture of our day, we are facing unprecedented challenges. I could write a whole series of blogs about those challenges, but my guess is you know many of them already. Recently, for example, our apostolate was unable to lease space because of a usage clause that prohibited religious purposes.

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).

 

Read the rest

Earlier in the Spring, I was in Methuen, Massachusetts at St. Monica Catholic Church giving a day's retreat for women. In my talk, I spoke of the loss of my son, Simon, and my husband Anthony in 2004 and 2007 respectively. I shared about the consolation I received from the prayers of so many, and the maternal beatitude our Blessed Mother continues to show me. Following the talk, a sweet woman approached me with a knowing smile. She lost her son, too, she said. And then, quietly and simply, she told me her story. Her son was on Flight 11 out of Boston on September 11, 2001, which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 AM. A young man full of promise and hope. A young man who, she later discovered, was well-known for his concern and care for the less fortunate and the poor. For her, like for me, Our Blessed Mother had been and remains a consolation and a conduit of hope. This dear mother had a particular devotion to Our Lady of Beauraing and found in her and through her a "cause for joy" in the midst of her sufferings. Indeed, this graced woman had found a way to suffer well. I have been reading a little book published by Sophia Institute Press by Marguerite Duportal called "How to Make Sense of Suffering." This mother came to mind when I read this passage from this little gem of a book: "Suffering willingly borne before God, in His presence, under His eyes, while the soul is in union with Him 'who is,' in union with all the good emanating from His power, becomes supremely sweet and consoling. This enduring of affliction for religious motives is opposed to that consuming sorrow of rebels against God and of unbelievers. The benefits deriving from this kind of suffering become inestimable, if only we are able to say these words from the bottom of our heart, in every sad or merely painful circumstance of life, 'My God, I believe, I hope, and I love You. I accept." Such a reading causes us to ask some questions of ourselves: "To what extent have I suffered well in the major tragedies entrusted to me? Can I do better? Is there something now that is a present plight? What can I do today to help make this a means of union with God? I will be forever grateful for the witness of this dear woman. May God bless her as she continues to see her tragedy with supernatural vision and for her courage which unites all of it to the Cross of Jesus, Our Lord. May each of us do the same.

Read the rest

Fr. Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. recently read the following reflection on our radio program, Women of Grace Live, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It gives us pause for reflection and consideration. May we never forget all of those who died on this infamous date especially those who were spiritually unprepared for their final moment of life on earth.  With these poor souls in mind, let us come together as the Church Militant, and offer our prayers for them.  It is just possible that the prayer we pray for them today, the Mass and Holy Communion we offer in their name, the sacrifice we make on their behalf may be the very vehicle God uses to bring them to Himself.  Let us, pray, too, for those who were left behind -- the survivors of the men and women lost and the men and women whose lives were spared. We are one body in Christ, and when one member suffers, so do we all.  Finally, let us beseech God to protect and make safe our country, as we seek to serve the One Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Meet Me In The Stairwell by Stacey Randall

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.’

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.’

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

-Jesus

Read the rest

If you watch the evening news, you surely caught wind of the story of a 17 year old high school student who evidently planned to kill 32 people at Freedom High School, which is located right here in the Tampa Bay Area, where our offices are located.  Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor  said that authorities found pipe bomb-making materials and a manifesto containing the student's  minute-by-minute plan for the massacre, in which he detailed each murder he intended to commit.  Needless to say, parents, teachers, and students in Tampa and around the country were shocked and worried.  If that weren't enough, just days later, a teacher from the same high school was accused of having sex with a 16 year old student at the school.  Both of these stories are very disturbing.  I believe that we are only seeing the tip of the iceburg and that as economic and social conditions worsen, we will be the unfortunate witnesses of these societal ills which are rooted in the loss of respect for the human person and human sexuality, the degeneration of marriage and family life, and a general loss of morality.  These are the plagues of our time.

Read the rest

Today is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This Feast was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954 and concludes the octave of the Feast of the Assumption.  Pope Pius XII stated that,

 "Jesus Christ alone, God and Man, is King in the full, proper, and absolute sense of the term.  Mary also, in a restricted and only analogous way, shares in royal dignity as the Mother of Christ who is God, as His associate in the work of Redemption, in His conflict with the enemy, and in His complete victory.  From this association with Christ the King, she obtains a height of splendor unequaled in all creation" (Ad Caeli Reginam, no. 25).

Wow! What a Queen Mother we have!  When we place ourselves in her caring hands, she continually draws us ever more closely to Jesus, Our King.  I hope that you will entrust yourself, your family, and all of your needs to the loving intercession of Mary, Our Queen.  Please enjoy this beautiful prayer of Pope Pius XII:

Read the rest

by Guest Blogger Peggy Stanton

It is an irony of the day that one has to dress with more class to sit in a courtroom than a church pew. When you receive a summons for jury duty you are instructed to wear "business attire," and indeed on the day that you appear in court you are surprised to see how nicely clad most potential jurors are. Far better than many venues on the island.

No such requirements apparently are cited for church services. Congregants are dressed in everything from dungarees to tennis togs. Fascinating that we must show more respect for a criminal than our Creator.

Priests and ministers are not blind to the phenomenon, but they are embarrassed to broach the subject. Few pastors in America take the stance of the Vatican in Rome where ladies who dare to bare are physically barred from entering St.Peter's Basilica. Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Jacksonville, however has posted a plea to all genders on the church door that reads in part, "Out of respect for our Lord and the edification of our neighbors, we beg men and women, boys and girls to appear in church modestly dressed ... shorts, tank tops, low cut, backless and mini dresses, halters, bare midriffs, tight fitting clothes, etc., do not meet the norm of Christian modesty and respect."

Whoever coined the phrase that American moral standards have descended to curb level must attend fashion shows. We women seem to be leading the descent. Bosoms are showing up in the boardroom and the bakery as much as on the beach. Cleavage at 10 in the morning is as common as it used to be at 10 in the evening.

Most recently, division of a non-political nature was revealed on the floor of the U.S. Senate, causing the linotype to light up at The Washington Post. "Showing cleavage in a setting that does not involve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres is a provocation," declared the usually liberal newspaper, "... showing cleavage is a request to be engaged in a particular way."

And perhaps in a way that is totally unintended. A recent Associated Press article claimed that juvenile sex offense cases have risen 40 percent in 20 years, leading some psychologists to lay the blame at the feet of a sex-saturated society. A teacher in Fernandina displaying more decolletage than decimals was seen seated at recess among a group of young male students, bringing to mind the comment of a teenage resident in a low-income neighborhood in Texas. He said that gang members are more likely to do physical violence to sexually provocative women than modest, motherly women because they have respect for the latter, but not the former.

One young girl surmised that women have become sartorially bolder in response to the nearly naked celebrities they view on television and in the movies. This raises the question, does every woman walking on the street have to look like a streetwalker?

However much a woman admires her body, its overt display does not necessarily draw similar admiration from more objective viewers. "They all look like hookers to me," an older man commented to a younger male friend in Baltimore. The younger man laughed, and both men agreed that skin shows can be a turnoff more than a "turn on," particularly when women of a certain age have cleavage surrounding the cleavage.

It is strange that this overt sexuality is concurrent with the modern woman's desire to be respected for her smarts. Even men who might ogle the frame may wonder what's under the dome of a lady so anxious to call attention to what's below rather than above her neck.

Related articles and websites:

A Young Man Speaks About Modesty

The Controversy of Dress

BettyBeguiles.com

PureFashion.com

Peggy Stanton is a Catholic writer who resides in Floria.

Comment from Johnnette: Ladies, as the article above suggests, we women need to exercise prudent judgement regarding our attire. Look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions as you are selecting an outfit -- and be brutallly honest:

"What message am I sending?"

"What is my purpose in wearing this outfit?"

"What comments or thoughts do I want people to make about me when they see me today/tonight?"

If the answer to these questions include the words "hot," "sexy," "smoking," or any other of a variety of words that indicate "siren," it would be wise to "retire the attire." It is not in keeping with your dignity and vocation as a woman. You are worth more than that.

Consider this quote: " Woman is the conscience of man." --Soren Kierkegaard

Hmmm........................................

Read the rest

The Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, gives hope to the human race.  Like her, we are destined for eternity with God.  Mary, Our Mother, pray for us! Almighty and everlasting God, You have taken up body and soul into the heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son: Grant, we beseech You, that, ever intent upon heavenly things, we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory. Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen. From the Roman Missal

Read the rest

It's been an exhilarating time of production thus far here at EWTN with several amazing guests like street smart evangelist Justin Fatica, chastity champions Jason and Cystalina Evert, powerful preacher and healer Fr. Philip Scott and the always informative Bert Ghezzi.  But what I am most thrilled about is our day of live programming  tomorrow with another favorite guest, Dr. Ted Sri who will be walking us through the upcoming changes to the Mass.  I hope you will join us for this exciting opportunity.  The details are below:

TUNE IN FRIDAY 11AM EST on EWTN for  Women of Grace® LIVE! Television Call in and be part of the show

This Friday, August 12th at 11am EST, Women of Grace® TV will be a full one hour LIVE Call in Show.  Join Johnnette and Fr. Edmund Sylvia for this exciting show with Dr. Edward (Ted) Sri on "The Mass: Constant and Changing". We are inviting all of you to give us a call and get on the show.  Ask your questions or share your experiences with us. The LIVE call in phone number is 205-271-2980. JOIN IN ON THIS EXCITING LIVE SHOW!!!  WATCH IT LIVE ON EWTN! We'll be providing updates through our Women of Grace Facebook and Twitter pages so stay tuned...

Read the rest