Monthly Archives: January 2012

The Holy Face of Jesus

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“You are not able to see my Son as He is in Heaven, but let me describe to you His physical appearance as He was in the world. His features were so beautiful that no one looked at His Face without feeling joy and consolation, even when depressed.”

                                  The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget of Sweden

For Reflection: 

Could it be that this is why Pope John Paul II asked us to meditate on the Holy Face of Jesus? Practice doing so in your time of prayer today. Journal any consolation or grace that you receive. Consider the fact that Jesus took on Mary’s flesh. In light of this, what does this quote reveal to us about Mary as well? Reread St. Maximilian Kolbe’s quote for January 16. Journal any new inspirations or insights.

The Sure Path

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“Mary is the sure path to our meeting with Christ. Devotion to the Mother of the Lord, when it is genuine, is always an impetus to a life guided by the spirit and values of the Gospel.”

                                                                                    Pope John Paul II

For Reflection: 

What is the conditional given by the Holy Father regarding Mary’s efficacy in our spiritual life? On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place your devotion to Mary in light of authenticity and genuineness? Remember these words from the Closing Message to Women of the Second Vatican Council – “… women impregnated with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.” How does Pope John Paul II echo these words?

A Symbol of Injustice? Warren Buffet’s Wealthy Secretary

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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

Warren Buffet’s secretary, Debbie Bosanek, was presented as a symbol of economic injustice by President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address on Tuesday night – but what nobody wants you to know is that Bosanek makes in excess of $200,000 a year.

Read the rest…

Guest Blogger: Reflection from the March for Life by Peggy Pritchard

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There was little mention of the March for Life from main stream media and if reported at all, the numbers were inaccurately described as in the “thousands.  There were no counter protesters, although reported as such, but only joyful, prayerful, massive pro-life crowds!

I pondered these things in my heart as I participated in the annual March for Life on Monday. It was the 39th sad memorial of the passage of Roe V. Wade. Since that date over 53 million babies have been lost, mothers have been scarred for life and families devastated.

Determined to make a difference, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, umbrella-to-umbrella the massive March for Life crowd was jubilant, hopeful…and YOUNG. Those who had attended in prior years returned in solidarity and renewed vigor; those who were attending for the first time were in awe and uplifted.

We marched as Women of Grace in full knowledge that “for such a time as this” we were created for a specific purpose and to impact the culture. We marched with the director of our local Christian pregnancy resource center, who was overcome with emotion and thanksgiving for the presence of God she was witnessing. We marched with a young Polish priest, in our country for just 5 months, who was amazed by the hundreds of thousands of peaceful, prayerful, joyful people he encountered.

As we approached the Supreme Court building our young priest searched for the precise words to express the moment. “I am full, and I struggle to control my emotions. This (legalized abortion) is Satanic!”

“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.” –2 Timothy 4:3-4

My dear sisters in Christ please continue to be heartfelt, determined Women of Grace, nurturing life to the full. Pray for God’s grace and mercy to be manifest in our country. Ask Our Mother to guide you and give you her heart to transform our culture.

I pray that it would be unnecessary to March in 2013. Perhaps, however, we should consider marching together next year as Women of Grace full of joy, hope and grace?

Your thoughts?

Peggy Pritchard is a Women of Grace® facilitator and Regional Coordinator.  She and Vicki Crispo conduct studies in York, PA and will be hosting the Women of Grace Healing the Wounds of the Heart Retreat and are both lay associates of the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Communion ‘Fusion’

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“In that first ‘fusion’ with Jesus (holy communion), it was my Heavenly Mother again who accompanied me to the altar for it was she herself who placed her Jesus into my soul.”

                                                                        St. Therese of Lisieux

For Reflection: 

This beautiful quote expresses the ultimate purpose and grace of Eucharist and the intervention of the Mother of God in helping it to be procured. It also rightly expresses Mary’s role as spiritual mother. Identify all of the above. What resolution would you like to make in its regard?