By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new report issued by the Council on Foreign Relations, a liberal think tank, claims an increase in taxpayer funded international family planning programs is needed because these programs have demonstrated a “high return on investment.”
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Father John Zuhlsdorf, who blogs on the popular “What Does the Prayer Really Say” site, discusses the pro’s and con’s about using these gadgets at Adoration and suggests that people try not to do so.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
King & Spalding, the Atlanta-based law firm that abruptly dropped the U.S. House of Representative’s case to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) not only lost one of its most prominent lawyers over the decision, but the State of Virginia has just ended its partnership with the firm because of the “weakness” it displayed in caving into pressure by homosexual activists.
“No one may understand the meaning of the Gospel if he has not rested on the breast of Jesus and received Mary from Jesus, to be his mother also.”
Origen
For Reflection:
In light of Genesis 3:15, why is it necessary to receive Mary as our mother in order to understand the meaning of the Gospel? See tomorrow’s Grace Line for one saint’s insight.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
In his homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, the day of the beatification of Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI praised his predecessor as having the “strength of a titan” who convinced Christians throughout the world to not be afraid to witness for Christ.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., released the following declaration on the news regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden this morning:
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Archbishop Emeritus of Lahore, Pakistan, who was ordained archbishop on the day of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the U.S., said he fears a backlash against Christians in the days following the death of Osama bin Laden, but hopes his death will lead to a reduction in militant radicalism in the future.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The House Rules Committee has announced that it will meet tomorrow to discuss the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” (H.R. 3) which is a good indication that the bill will come to the House floor for a vote as early as Wednesday of this week.
“He willed us to have all through Mary.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
For Reflection:
In what specific ways have we obtained all through Mary?
Mary, Virgin and Mother
Oh, Virgin Joy of all the world art thou,
In whose white, fragrant steps the countless throng
On souls elect doth follow God with song:
Creation’s Queen, whose bright and holy brow
The multitude of Saints, like stars, endow
With changeful splendors, flashing far and strong:
The Main unshadow’d by the primal wrong:
God’s Lily, chosen in His shrine to bow.
All these thy glories are, and still a grace
More high, more dread, and yet more sweet and fair,
Doth bind thy royal brows, O Mary blest.
God called thee Mother; yea, His sacred face
The tender likeness of thine own doth wear.
And thou art ours — we trust Him for the rest.
E. Seton
For Reflection:
The saintly poet ends with the proclamation that Mary is our mother. Have I accepted her as such? Why or why not? To what extent have I seen her maternal influence in my life?
