“If evils increase, the devotion of the People of God should also increase. And so, venerable brothers, we want you to take the lead in urging and encouraging people to pray ardently to our most merciful mother Mary by saying the Rosary during the month of October.”
Pope Paul VI
For Reflection:
Is my devotion to prayer keeping up with the increase of evil around us? What one way can I increase my devotion today?
“Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for the Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world.”
St. Pio of Pieltracina
For Reflection:
What are the evils of the world rampant in our midst today? What one “evil” is assailing me personally? Am I willing to pick up the weapon of the Rosary and fight against it through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady?
“The rosary is not a road, but a place, it has no goal but a depth. To linger in it has great compensations.”
Romano Guardini
For Reflection:
How is it that the Rosary is a place? How can I linger in it so as to reap its compensations? What does this require of me when I sit down to pray the Rosary?
The Vatican is calling the death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi the end of a “harsh and oppressive regime” that was based on power instead of human dignity.
The inspirational story of the women’s basketball team from a small Catholic college that soared to fame in the 1970s is the basis of The Mighty Macs, a family-friendly film that debuts today.
Even though the Catholic vote helped to propel President Barack Obama into office in 2008, three years of anti-life and anti-family policies decisions combined with his open disdain for the principles of religious liberty has resulted in a chilly response to the president’s new outreach to religious voters.
MC asks: “Do you know anything about Paula D’Arcy and the Gift of the Red Bird book.She is doing a retreat in my diocese and I just wanted to know if this is New Age.”
“Contemplating the scenes of the Rosary in union with Mary is a means of learning from her to ‘read’ Christ, to discover his secrets and to understand his message.”
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
To what extent is Mary helping me to “read” Jesus better? What impact is this having on my life of prayer and my daily life?Â
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!
A new study assessing the impact of reality TV on the behavior of young girls has found that those who view these shows regularly accept and expect a higher level of drama, aggression, and bullying in their own lives, and measure their worth primarily by their physical appearance.
