Catholic Fire

Today is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which recalls Mary's visit with her cousin Elizabeth. This event is also the second joyful mystery of the rosary -- the first being the Annunciation. Elizabeth had been barren all her life, but in the Annunciation, Mary learned that her cousin was miraculously expecting a child in her old age. Upon hearing this good news, Mary fervently desired to share in Elizabeth's joy and serve her during the last part of her pregnancy. So she went "with haste" to visit Elizabeth Both women rejoiced over their good fortune. What wonderful and exciting news they both had to share! I know what it is like to experience the heartbreak of infertility and can only imagine what a joy it would be to experience pregnancy and to share that bond with another woman. God wants all women to experience the beauty and joy of motherhood, even if they are unable to biologically have children. He wants some of us to adopt child...

Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...(special intention). We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.

In a horrifying case in Oregon, a woman was allegedly raped after her call to 911 went unanswered. The situation is leading many to question how budget cuts are impacting public safety. In August of 2012, the woman called for help after her violent ex-boyfriend showed up at her door. She was transferred to state police because her local sheriff’s department isn't staffed full time, but she didn't receive any help from them either. In shocking audio, the dispatcher can be heard telling the woman she didn't have “anybody to send out there.” Read more

“Jesus speaks in silence in the mystery of the Eucharist and each time reminds us that following him means to come out of ourselves and not make our life our possession, but a gift to him and to others.” ~ Pope Francis from his homily on May 30 at Rome’s Basilica of Saint John Lateran. Image Source

Benedictine Abbot Michael Zielinski, an official at the Vatican's worship congregation, discusses the differences and similarities between the liturgical approaches of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Vatican City, 31 May 2013 (VIS) - The Pope's general prayer intention for June is: “That a culture of dialogue, listening, and mutual respect may prevail among peoples.” His mission intention is: “That where secularization is strongest, Christian communities may effectively promote a new evangelization.”

Related Post: St. Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)

May 30, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Friday, May 31st, at 8pm, Rome time, Pope Francis will pray the Rosary in St. Peter's Square, along with thousands of pilgrims. He will then give a reflection on why the Virgin Mary is important not only to the Church, but to him.   It's no secret that the Pope feels a strong devotion towards Our Lady. The day after he was elected, he went to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray before an image of the Virgin Mary. Then most recently, when he met with Catholic lay movements, he explained exactly why he likes to pray the rosary on a daily basis. POPE FRANCIS “The Virgin Mary is our mother. She knows everything. So, it's important for us to pray to Our Lady, so that she, as a mother, can give us strength. It has to do with our weakness, at least in my experience. One thing that gives me strength, is praying the Rosary to the Virgin Mary every day.  I feel it. I pray to her and I feel strong.” Precisely during the Rosary prayer on ...

By Steven Mosher and Elizabeth Crnkovich Gardasil has been controversial from the beginning. While other vaccines protect against diseases spread by casual contact, Gardasil was developed to protect against a sexually transmitted disease called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. Merck & Co., the manufacturer, has been very effective at lobbying governments around the world to make the vaccine mandatory for school attendance. Despite the frequent objections of doctors and parents, it has been administered to tens of millions of 11- and 12-year-old young girls around the world. Now comes the case of a 16-year-old Australian girl who suffered "premature ovarian failure" after receiving Gardasil. Her ovaries have shut down, her eggs have been destroyed, and she will never be able to have children. Read more.

  The saint of the day for May 30th is the valiant warrior Saint Joan of Arc, French national heroine, who was born in Domremy, France, 1412 and died in Rouen, France, 1431. When she was 13 years old, Joan began to hear the voices of Saints Michael the Archangel, Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria, urging her to free her country from the English. Joan’s visions told her to find the true king of France and help him reclaim his throne. She resisted for more than three years, but finally went to Charles VII in Chinon and told him of her visions. After overcoming opposition from churchmen and courtiers, she was given a small army with which she raised the siege of Orleans on May 8, 1429. Carrying a banner that read “Jesus, Mary”, she led the troops into battle. She followed the famous campaign of the Loire during which the English were decisively beaten, and Charles was crowned at Rheims, on July 17, 1429. When she was captured by the Burgundians during the...

A premature newborn in Australia, born along with his twin sister at just 27 weeks’ gestation and weighing in at only two pounds, was pronounced dead by his physician after medical staff tried for twenty minutes to revive him. Jamie Ogg, now a little over three years old, is alive today only because of the undying love and affection of his mother. Read the story.

by Kathy Ostrowski In 1979, before giving birth to the first of my five children, I was fascinated by “breaking” literature that encouraged talking and singing to your child in utero. I remember my husband’s puzzlement when I told him the “experts” said he should put his head close to my growing belly and talk to our baby! I was reminded of how new that concept had been when Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (who is my age) recounted his experience during that era. Gohmert is a member of the federal House Judiciary subcommittee that heard testimony on HR 1797, a bill that bans elective abortions when a baby is capable of feeling pain , which the bill recognizes as existing by 20 weeks fetal age. During his brief comments at the hearing, Gohmert shared his experience with the premature birth of his first child, Katy. His wife asked him to do whatever he could to assist their daughter’s struggle to survive. The neonatologist told him how important it was to caress and talk to Ka...

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart ...

Yesterday, I blogged about the parents of 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan , who are fighting immoral federal organ donor rules, which are preventing her from getting the lung transplant she needs to save her life. Sarah has cystic fibrosis, and doctors say she has only weeks to live. But because Sarah is 10 years old and not 12, she can only receive a donor lung after all of the adult candidates have received the chance. Today, Sarah's mother is pleading for her life. The following update is from FOX News: Sarah’s mother, Janet, joined America’s Newsroom to plead for help for her little girl. She described the rules that are preventing Sarah from receiving a transplant. Candidates over the age of 12 are given a lung allocation score after doctors look at a number of factors associated with their condition, including the severity of their illness. “The organs are given out based on who’s the sickest. It’s basic triage medicine. The sickest patient is treated first,” Murnaghan sai...

May 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his weekly catechesis Pope Francis talked about the role of the Church. But before that, the Pope made his way through St. Peter's Square where about 90,000 people were gathered. Despite the rainy weather, the Pope maid a point to greet the crowds. POPE FRANCIS “I congratulate all of you for having the courage to come out in the rain. You're strong! Even if the weather wasn't ideal, there was time for some endearing moments like this one, where a boy gave Pope Francis a puppet that resembled  the Pontiff himself. During his catechesis the Pope addressed the popular notion of those who say they believe in Christ, but not in the Church. POPE FRANCIS “There are those who say, 'I believe in God, but not in priests. I believe in Christ, but not in the Church.' But it's the very Church that leads us to Christ. The Church is God's family. And yes, it's true that the Church also has human characteristics in its ...

The saint of the day for May 29 is St. Bona of Pisa (1156 - 1207), virgin. Bona was the daughter of a single mother who grew up believing that her father had vanished during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, when, in fact, her parents had never married. She discovered this through a vision, which led her to Jerusalem, where her she found her father alive. She was a mystic and visionary. Bona experienced visions from early childhood of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint James the Greater. By the age of ten,  she dedicated herself as an Augustinian tertiary. She regularly fasted from an early age, taking only bread and water three days a week. At the age of 14, she made the first of many journeys, travelling to see her father who was fighting in the Crusades near Jerusalem. On her way home, she was captured and imprisoned by Islamic pirates in the Mediterranean, but was rescued by her countrymen. She made pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela and to Spain nine times, ...

What if saving a life, was just a plane ticket away? What if the doctor who could cure you was half way across the world, but you had no money to buy a plane ticket? Massimo Pollio was involved in one of these cases. He says it's a tragedy, he will never forget.

Ten-year-old Sarah Murnaghan is waiting for a lung transplant in a Philadelphia children's hospital, where she's dying from cystic fibrosis. Sarah needs a lung transplant to survive, but a little-known federal policy known as OPTN is standing in her way. The young patient has been in the hospital since February, where doctors say she will die if she doesn't receive the organ transplant. However, the OPTN policy discriminates against children under the age of 12, meaning that Sarah would probably have received the lung if she was just two years older. Read more Sign the Petition to change this immoral policy.

May 28, 2013. (Romereports.com) On June 2nd, Catholics worldwide will pray simultaneously. It will be a truly historic event: Pope Francis will lead the Eucharistic adoration in St Peter's Basilica, joined by the faithful in cathedrals all over the world. ARCH. RINO FISICHELLLA President, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization “It will be a historic moment, because for an hour cathedrals throughout the world will be in communion with the Pope in Eucharistic adoration. We had a massive support to this initiative: it extends beyond the cathedrals and involves episcopal conferences, parishes and religious congregations, especially cloistered convents and associations.” It is going to be a simple celebration, with no speech or homily by the Pope. However, the Vatican will broadcast footage of the Basilica and connect with countries around the world. Prayer will take place between 5 and 6 PM Italian time (16.00-17.00 GMT). In Mexico, it will be at 10 am, in Iceland at 3 ...

(WARNING! Video may upset some viewers.) by Hans Johnson Last Saturday residents of an apartment building in Jinhua, China heard a baby’s cries from a toilet on the fourth floor, and saw a tiny foot sticking up from the bottom of the bowl. Firefighters removed the section of pipe holding the baby and took it to the hospital where doctors and rescue workers carefully dismantled it piece by piece. The newborn boy, found with the placenta still attached, is in stable condition. Via Jill Stanek.

I would love to see this act come to our Catholic Family Conference in Wichita next year!  Array of Hope delivers an opportunity for Catholic families to encounter Jesus Christ through faith, worship and witness ATLANTA, May 28, 2013 – In November of 2012, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released its strategic plan for 2013-2016 titled “The New Evangelization/Journey With Christ: Faith-Worship-Witness.”  In it, the Bishops are exhorting US Catholics to encounter Christ more fully through greater participation in a community that focuses on marriage, the family and the life and dignity of the human person. One of the means to engage the family is an experience that invites and reaches the whole family regardless of age. Te Deum Ministries has created a singular solution to how a diocese or parish can engage the entire family to participate in the community life of the Catholic Church and “engage and motivate a broad cross-section of Catholics.” Through ARRAY ...

On May 28, we commemorate Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury. Margaret was born on August 14, 1473 at Farleigh Castle, Bath, Wiltshire, England, to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence and Isabella Neville. Her father was a brother of both Kings Edward IV and Richard III of England. When she was about 20 years old, she married Sir Richard Pole and bore him five children. Margaret was widowed, named Countess of Salisbury, and appointed governess to Princess Mary, daughter of Hemy VIII and Queen Catherine of Aragon, Spain. She opposed Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the king exiled her from court, although he called her “the holiest woman in England.” When her son, Cardinal Pole, denied Henry’s Act of Supremacy, the king imprisoned Margaret in the Tower of London for two years and then beheaded her on May 28. In 1538, her other two sons were executed. She was never given a legal trial. She was seventy when she was martyred. Margaret was beatified in 1886 by Po...

My family has started praying for a miracle for my sister-in-law, Betty, who has an aggressive cancer.  Please join us in praying for a miracle through the intercession of Venerable Father Emil Kapaun . Prayer for Intercession Father Emil Kapaun gave glory to God by following his call to the priesthood and thus serving the people of Kansas and those in the military. Father Kapaun, I ask your intercession not only for these needs which I mention now. . .but that I too may follow your example of service to God and my neighbor. For the gifts of courage in battle and perseverance of faith, we give you thanks O Lord. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

This post is dedicated to all our military heroes -- especially those in my own family -- my dad, my brother, Michael, my sister, Susan, and my brother-in-law, Heinz. Thank you for your service! A Prayer for Memorial Day Remember, Lord, the fallen Who died in fields of war, In flaming clouds, in screaming crowds, On streets that are no more, That we today might waken And greet this day in peace With grateful prayer for those who bear The storms that never cease. Remember friends and strangers, And those forgotten now, Whose names are known to you alone, Before whose love we bow And ask that you surround them With mercy’s endless light That they may live, and we forgive The foe they went to fight. Remember, Lord, the living, Who bear the pain of loss- A death she died who stood beside Her Son upon the cross. Remember all your children The dead and those who weep, And make us one beneath the sun Where love will never sleep. Text...

The saint of the day for May 27th is St. Augustine of Canterbury, an Italian Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 598. He is not be confused with the earlier St. Augustine of Hippo, the famous author of the “Confessions” and “City of God.” Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great chose him to lead a party of forty monks to travel to south-eastern England to spread the Gospel there. They landed in 597, and were welcomed by the king of Kent, Ethelbert, who became a Christian along with many of his subjects. Augustine went to Arles, in France, where he was consecrated archbishop of the English, and then returned to Canterbury to set up his see. The mission prospered, and he founded two more sees, at London and at Rochester in Kent. Augustine died at Canterbury on May 26, 604. St. Augustine has been called "Apostle of England" because of his missionary efforts. He is the patron of England.

For the next several days, I will be taking a blogging break. See you soon!

The saint of the day for May 22 is Saint Rita of Cascia, religious. St. Rita was born at Rocca Porena, Italy, in 1386 to Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were quite advanced in years. Rita’s birth was an answer to their prayers. The family was well-known for their charity, which merited them the surname of "Peacemakers of Jesus Christ." Rita brought much joy to her parents. She was a cheerful, amiable, pious and devout child who spent much of her time in prayer. At the age of twelve, she desired to consecrate herself to God in the religious state. Pious though her parents were, they refused her pleas, but instead gave her away in marriage, at the age of eighteen, to an ill-tempered young man who was the town watchman. The couple had two sons, who inherited their father's temperament. After 18 years of marriage, Rita’s husband was murdered by an old enemy. Her sons swore vengeance on their father’s killers, but through Rita's intercessory prayers, they forgave th...

The Vatican Museums are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the completion of restoration work on Michelangelo’s Pieta. The Pieta, which stands in the nave of St. Peter’s basilica, was badly damaged on May 21, 1973, by a disturbed man, Laszlo Toth, who attacked the sculpture with a hammer. Painstaking restoration work was completed a year later. To mark the 40th anniversary, the Vatican Museums hosted a series of events on the Pieta and the work of restoration. The sculpture, completed by Michelangelo when he was just over 20 years old, is now protected by bulletproof glass. The Vatican Museums have now begun protecting other sculptures by making 3-dimensional models as “clones” of the works. In an entirely separate initiative, Vatican officials have begun tightening security in the Vatican Museums in response to increased presence of pickpockets, who prey on tourists especially in the Sistine Chapel. View the slideshow here to see before and after photos. Imag...

You just have to love U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke! He tells it like it is. In this video, he discusses the relationship between social justice concerns and the pro-life movement.

Please continue to pray for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado disaster. Those who wish to help victims of Monday's tornado in Moore, Okla., may donate through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Make a donation here . St. Andrew the Apostle Church - the only Catholic parish in Moore - is without power and water, but according to initial reports, was not heavily damaged by Monday's tornado. A Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m., if power is restored. If you would like to assist them, you may contact them here.

May 21, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Tuesday's morning Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, the Pope talked about the concept of power. Echoing the words he said during his Inaugural Mass, the Pope said true power comes in serving others . He also said there is no room for power struggles within the Church.   POPE FRANCIS “Real power is found in service. Just like Jesus, who didn't come to be served, but to serve. His service was seen on the Cross. He humbled Himself unto death, He died on a Cross for us, to serve us, to save us. It's with this path that the Church moves forward. For the Christian, getting ahead, progress, means humbling oneself. If we do not learn this Christian rule, we will never, ever be able to understand Jesus’ true message on power.” During the Mass, the Pope also prayed for all the people who were affected by the tornado in Oklahoma. Among those in attendance where employees of Vatican Radio as well as Maria Voce, the president of ...

Oklahoma City, Okla., May 21, 2013 / 03:15 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City traveled to Moore today to give his support and concern to those devastated by the tornado that swept through the town yesterday, May 20. “I feel, as the archbishop, as a shepherd, I need to be there,” Archbishop Coakley told CNA while on his way to the suburb of Oklahoma City on May 21. “I'm not sure…there's anything very practical I can do when I arrive, other than to show my pastoral concern and support, and give the assurance of my prayers to those who are indeed suffering.” He added that “people are in such shock right now, we just want to accompany them in their suffering at this point.” The tornado, which was two miles wide at its greatest, touched down mid-afternoon yesterday, and lashed the area for 45 minutes with winds of up to 200 mph. It destroyed homes, businesses, the local hospital and other buildings, including Plaza Towers Elementary School. ...

Pope Francis sent special condolences to those parents who lost their children in a tornado that killed around 100 people in Oklahoma. “I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children,” the Pope said on his Twitter account on May 21. “Join me in praying for them,” he added. Pope Francis also tweeted the same message in Spanish. Earlier in the day during his morning Mass in the Vatican, the Pope personally added a prayer intention for the tornado victims and those who are missing, especially the children. Read the full story. Related:  Photos detail carnage after tornadoes strike Midwest

Today we honor St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs. Christopher and his twenty-four companion martyrs were members of the Cristero movement, a response to  anti-Catholic government in Mexico in the 1920s.  The government was determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Under the Cristero movement, members pledged their allegiance to Christ and to the church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders had made it a crime to receive baptism or celebrate the Mass. Christopher's last words were: "I am innocent and I die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico". These martyrs were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later. A major motion picture depicts the story of these martyrs. It i...

May 20, 2013. (Romereports.com) From Catholic Lay Movements, to associations and communities, about 200,000 people went to St. Peter's Square to celebrate the Pentecost Vigil with Pope Francis. The Pope called on them to never forget that Jesus should be at the center of everything they do. POPE FRANCIS “All of you out there on the Square have yelled out 'Francis, Francis, Pope Francis! But where is Jesus? I would have rather heard 'Jesus, Jesus is Lord and He is among us.' From now on, it shouldn't be 'Francis,' you scream out, it should be 'Jesus.'” When it comes to the word crisis, the Pope said society often talks about the economy and not the needy. POPE FRANCIS “Today, it's painful to say, but a homeless man out on the street, freezing to death, isn't considered news. Nowadays, news is about  scandals! Oh a scandal! Yes, that's news. To think that even today, there are so many children that don't have anything to eat,...

The saint of the day for May 20th is St. Bernardine of Siena. A Franciscan friar and preacher, St. Bernardine is known as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country's Catholic faith during the 15th century. St. Bernardine was born in 1380 in Tuscany. His parents died when he was seven years old and he was taken in by relatives who raised him as if he were their own. As a youth, he possessed a strong love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and spoke to her as a child speaks to his mother. She kept him chaste and pure. He had a special devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and later wrote that the Immaculate Heart of Mary was "a fiery furnace of Holy Love." While still a student at the University of Siena, he took charge of the hospital there when an epidemic killed most of the staff. Later he looked after a bedridden aunt until her death. At the age of 22, he became a Franciscan. He was an energetic and popular preacher who spent years travelling on...

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and personally, this year, the feast commemorates the 8th anniversary of my lifetime oblature to the Community of St. John . So, let's celebrate! Here are some great posts on this feast day: 8 things to know and share about Pentecost by Jimmy Akin I have Come to Cast a Fire on the Earth – A Meditation on the Feast of Pentecost by Msgr. Charles Pope The Holy Spirit – The Principle of Unity throughout Scripture  by Sister Benedicta Marie, O.C.D. Celebrating Pentecost at Catholic Cusine Two of my Favorite Hymns for Pentecost:

The saint of the day for May 18th is St. John I (470-526), pope and martyr. By birth, Pope John was a Tuscan, the son of Constantius. He was an archdeacon for several years before being elected Pope on the death of Pope St. Hormisdas in 523. He was a friend and confidant of the philosopher Boethius. In 525 Pope John was sent to Constantinople by King Theodoric of the Ostrogoths to reverse the edict of the Emperor Justin against the Arians two years earlier, which required Arians to give back churches which they had taken from orthodox Catholics. Throdoric was himself an Arian and a strong defender of Arianism (a heresy which arose in the 4th century and denied the divinity of Christ). Even though Theodoric wanted a reversal of Justin’s policy, Pope John did not comply with his wishes, refusing to support heresy, and only counseled the Emperor Justin to be more gentle in his overzealous dealings with the Arians. The success that Pope John achieved was contrary to the wishes ...

Although it has taken more than 400 years, the sainthood cause of Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century missionary to China, is back on track. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Macerata, Italy, where Fr. Ricci was born in 1552, formally closed the diocesan phase of the sainthood process May 10. The cause now moves to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes at the Vatican. Bishop Giuliodori had met Pope Francis, a Jesuit, at the Vatican the first week of May. He wrote in the Macerata diocesan newspaper, “I never imagined I’d be able to speak about the cause of Fr. Matteo Ricci with a Jesuit pope. After the great attention given by Benedict XVI, who never missed an occasion to encourage us to promote the cause, we now have the joy of placing it into the hands of a Jesuit.” The bishop said when he spoke to Pope Francis about the cause, the pope highlighted Fr. Ricci’s “innovative method of evangelization based on the inculturation of the fait...

The saint of the day for May 17th is St. Paschal Baylon. Born in a small village in between Castille and Aragon in Spain, on Pentecost in 1540, he was christened Pascua (meaning "the pasch of the Holy Ghost") in honor of the feast. As a young man, until he was twenty-four years old, he worked as a shepherd for his poor, but pious family. During this time, he lived a life of penance and showed great devotion for the Holy Eucharist. One day Paschal heard the bells of a convent announce the approaching consecration at Mass. Such an ardent longing for God overcame him that, prompted by yearning and love, he involuntarily cried out: "O God, most worthy of all adoration, please let me see You!" Hardly had he uttered the prayer when a glowing star appeared in the sky. As he watched, the heavens opened; the star disappeared and was replaced by a chalice with the Host, flanked by two adoring angels. Christian art has selected this vision to show his chief virtue -- lo...

Second Video: Via Marcel at Aggie Catholics

Dominican Father Wojciech Giertych, theologian of the papal household, weighs in on the debate over women's ordination to the priesthood.

Burlington, Vt., May 16, 2013 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vermont legislature passed a bill allowing physicians to approve lethal drugs for terminally ill patients to kill themselves, a move the local Catholic diocese said will have major consequences. “Physician-assisted suicide will forever transform the role of physician from one who preserves life to one who takes life,” the Catholic Diocese of Burlington said ahead of the vote on its website. “Catholics must raise their voices against such an affront to human life,” the diocese added. “True compassion calls us to embrace those who are dying, not provide them with the means to end their lives.” Read the entire story.

May 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Thursday's morning Mass, Pope Francis reflected on the apostolic zeal of St. Paul. The Pope invited Christians to follow the apostle's example by living out the faith publicly and with courage. He also called on faithful to not be so called 'backseat Christians.' POPE FRANCIS “There are backseat Christians, right? Those who are well mannered and do everything well, but they don't know how to bring others to the Church through proclamation and Apostolic zeal. Today we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us all this Apostolic fervor and to give us the grace to be annoying when things are too calm in the Church. The grace to go out to the outskirts of life. The Church needs this! Not only in distant lands, young parishes or among people who do not know Jesus, but here in the cities. Our cities need this proclamation of Jesus Christ. So let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of Apostolic zeal. Let’s be Christians with Apostol...

Here is a fascinating development in the New Evangelization: From the Catholic geek files news desk comes the exciting update that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, will engage in a historic moment on Friday when he activates a brand new smartphone app called “Missio.” Lisa Hendey posts the story at Patheos and Catholic Mom .

May 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Saturday May18th and Sunday 19th, Pope Francis will meet with leaders and members of different lay movements. The meeting is a way to recognize their contributions to the Church and to mark the Year of Faith. Those two days will be quite busy. Roughly 120,000 tickets have already been given out for the Pope's Pentecost Sunday Mass. ARCH. RINO FISICHELLA President, Pontifical Council for New Evangelization “We chose this weekend when we celebrate Pentecost to highlight the presence of all these movements, new communities, lay associations and all the different ecclesial roles that are present within the Church. They are signs that reflect the presence of the Risen Spirit of Christ, that guides the Church in Her work of evangelizing.” Over 150 different movements from all over the world will gather in Rome over the weekend. Among them will be Catholic Action, Communion and Liberation, the Focolare Movement, the Community of St. Egidio and ...

By Austin Ruse ROME, May 16 (C-FAM) Pro-lifers held their breath the day the world received a new Pope. They did not question his pro-life credentials but wondered if he would speak forcefully. An old quote soon surfaced and concerns faded. “Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you. No child should be deprived of the right to be born, the right to be fed, the right to go to school.” This June the Pope also will play a central role in the Vatican’s annual celebration of the Gospel of Life, the papal teaching published by Pope John Paul II in 1995. His successor, Benedict XVI, started the annual celebration a few years ago that features a papal mass for pro-life leaders. The new Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, established by Benedict to encourage a reawakening of the faith in traditionally Christian countries, leads an expanded celebration this year. This year’s three-day c...

The saint of the day for May 14th, St. Simon Stock, was born in Aylesford in County Kent, England in 1165. Although we know little about Simon Stock's early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning "tree trunk," is based on the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. He drank only water and ate herbs, roots, and wild apples. In 1212, he joined the Carmelites soon after they arrived in England. He finished his studies at Oxford and in 1215, he was appointed Vicar General.  Simon Stock helped the Order spread throughout Europe; he founded many Carmelite Communities, especially in university towns such as Cambridge, Oxford, Paris, and Bologna. He revised the Rule of the Order to make them mendicant friars instead of hermits. He was elected as the sixth superior general of the Carmelites in 1247 around age 82. Simon governed the order with great sanctity and prudence for twenty years. He had a deep devotion...

I am vehemently against the death penalty. Now stay with me…this is not a post about my opinion regarding that. You can disagree or agree with me on that some other time. I did want to share a little bit about why I take the words of prolifers so seriously. I have heard so much vitriol spewed from the mouths of “Christian prolifers” since the Gosnell trial has concluded. I feel like I must address it. When I was confirmed as a Catholic, I chose Mary Magdalene as my confirmation saint. I felt an immediate connection to her. She had sinned so much…and was forgiven in even greater amounts. She knew she didn’t deserve forgiveness…but she received it anyway. And because of this, she clung to Christ. She knew she was nothing without Him. I have also done my fair share of sinning. And I have also been forgiven much more than I deserve. I abused and betrayed women in the worst possible way. I convinced them to kill their children. Did I slit the necks of children after they were born? ...