Catholic Fire

The good Cardinal talks about self-control, our necessary cooperation with God and respect for natural law as a logical step for all people of good will as he reflects some more on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

Room of Tears is a beautiful video on the Holy Father's acceptance of the papacy in 2005. The new popes all get dressed in a room off the Sistine Chapel before being presented to the world. They often weep as they ponder the responsibility. Thanks be to God for the gift of our dear Papa!

On Saturday morning Pope Benedict XVI received participants in an international congress on the theme: “Woman and man, the ‘humanum’ in its entirety.” During his reflections, the Holy Father called on Christians to promote “a culture that grants women, in law and in everyday life, the dignity that is theirs by right.” The congress, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, takes place in the twentieth anniversary year of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter on the dignity and vocation of women, “ Mulieris Dignitatem .” MORE ( Via CNA )

Fasting Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and spend that time helping a family member. Give up something you enjoy doing today (like dessert or snacks) and spend 10 minutes praying for the needs of others. Give up something you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and donate 25 cents to your Operation Rice Bowl box. Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewlery) and donate 50 cents to your Operation Rice Bowl box. Give up going to a movie or other fun activity and donate the money from this activity to your Operation Rice Bowl box or other people in need in your community. Think about a bad habit you would like to change, like telling a lie, yelling at others, getting angry, putting people down, and choose to avoid that habit and do something positive instead. Think about how often you fail to listen to your parents when they ask you do something. Resolve to listen to them and to obey them the first time they ask you to do something rather than m...

This is a wonderful work of art and is so hilarious. What an amazing Papa we have! Via Jackie at Catholic mom of 10.

The U.S. Catholic bishops have written “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” which consists of summaries of Catholic teaching on seven key issues of concern to the Catholic Church and an enumeration of 10 goals for political life which could be the starting point for personal or group reflection. The seven key issues discussed are: protecting human life, fostering conditions that allow humans to flourish, such as ensuring freedom, peace, a just and impartial legal system, and opportunities for education and work, providing care for the most vulnerable members of society, and being wise stewards of the earth’s resources. Their aim has been to enable Catholics to better “evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world.” “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: a Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the Unit...

Today the Church celebrates the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The wonders of the Incarnate Word are revealed by singing the praises of His holy name. The name of Jesus means Savior; it had been shown in a dream to Joseph together with its meaning and to Our Lady at the annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel. Devotion to the Holy Name is deeply rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted in a special manner by St. Bernard, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Capistrano and by the Franciscan Order. It was extended to the whole Church in 1727 during the pontificate of Innocent XIII. He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. ~ Luke 1: 49 "Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! You are the refuge of those who repent, our banner of warfare in this life, the medicine of souls, the comfort of those who morn, the delight of those who believe, the light of those who preach the true faith...

In response to the recent outrage about the reviews of Harry Forbes of the USCCB Office of Film and Broadcasting, three Catholic bloggers (Leticia at causa nostrae laetitiae and Cause of Our Joy , Julie at Happy Catholic , Christine at The World IMHO ) and I have formed a group blog called Catholic Media Review , on which we will post film reviews, and possibly, in the near future, TV show reviews. I am thrilled to be a part of this group of talented writers. The blog was Leticia's idea, but I think each one of us was shocked and appalled by the fact that Harry Forbes, the USCCB movie reviewer, gave positive reviews to Golden Compass and Brokeback Mountain and wanted to put our gifts to use to make a difference in our culture. We will do our best to examine each film in the light of Catholic teaching and to warn parents about films that will present a danger to our youth. We also want to encourage people to see those films which we believe will have a positive impact on our s...

The Holy Father waves after giving his message for The Celebration of the The World Day of Peace entitled The Human Family, A Community of Peace. Here is an excerpt: The natural family, as an intimate communion of life and love, based on marriage between a man and a woman, constitutes “the primary place of ‘humanization' for the person and society”, and a “cradle of life and love”. The family is therefore rightly defined as the first natural society, “a divine institution that stands at the foundation of life of the human person as the prototype of every social order.” Indeed, in a healthy family life we experience some of the fundamental elements of peace: justice and love between brothers and sisters, the role of authority expressed by parents, loving concern for the members who are weaker because of youth, sickness or old age, mutual help in the necessities of life, readiness to accept others and, if necessary, to forgive them. For this reason, the family is the first and indi...

Happy New Year to all and a blessed feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God! Eight days after the feast of the birth of Christ, we remember Mary, Theotokus, which means God - bearer. Today, we look at and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of God, and also the Mother of the Church. "Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom." ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church 721 For Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, go here. For a free download of Veni Creator Spiritus, go here .

Today I received one of the best gifts of the entire Christmas season - a visit from the Brothers - one of the Brothers of St. John from the Laredo monastery and one of the Brothers from the New Jersey monastery were here to visit. It is such a treat to visit with family! We (The Oblates and the Brothers) enjoyed a wonderful supper together and engaged in long conversations about the family Community and the faith. My mind and soul are fed each time I see them (They always encourage such stimulating philosophical conversations on the faith.) and my heart melts. The charism of the Community is love and it radiates from each one of them in copious amounts. Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful blessing!

It has always been a tradition in my family to celebrate Christmas at Midnight Mass. Our parish church is so beautifully decorated I wanted to share the beauty with you. The large Fontanini nativity set is my favorite.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Today's Mass Readings Advent Meditation with Video Today is Day Eight of the Christmas Novena. On This Day in Catholic History 1988 - Pope John Paul II met with Yasser Arafat at the Vatican. The pontiff told the PLO leader he believed Palestinians and Jews had "an identical fundamental right" to their own countries but that both must reject violence, including terrorism and reprisals. Birthdays 1582 - Severo Bonini , an Italian composer, organist and Benedictine monk, (d. 1663) 1935 - Paul Hornung , American football player (Notre Dame) 1938 - Bob Kahn , American Internet pioneer 1971 - Steve Stenstrom , American football quarterback

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has converted from Britain's established church, Anglicanism, to Roman Catholicism.

O' Antiphons~December 21 From: EJGcatholi O'Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death! Optional Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, priest and doctor Read my post on St. Peter Canisius, priest and doctor, which includes a brief bio, quotes, and a prayer here. Today's Mass Readings Today is Day Six of the Christmas Novena. On This Day in Catholic History 1118 - Thomas Becket , Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury was born. (d. 1170) 1597 Peter Canisius (b. 8 May 1521), Dutch-born Roman Catholic reformer, died. Birthdays 1401 - Tommaso Masaccio , Catholic Italian painter (d. 1428) 1872 - Don Lorenzo Perosi , Catholic Italian composer of Sacred Music (d. 1956) 1892 - Rebecca West , English journalist and novelist (d. 1983) 1915 - Werner von Trapp , member of the Trapp Family Singers (d. 2007) 1922 - Paul Winchell , American ventriloquist (d. 2005) 1954 - Chris Ever...

Via EJGcatholi at Love To Be Catholic. Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent Today's Mass Readings Advent Meditation: The Daily Gospel with Fr. Philippe, O.P. Today is Day Four of the Christmas Novena. On This Day in Catholic History 401 - Pope Anastasius I died. American History Highlight 1998 - President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. Birthdays 1933 - Cicely Tyson , Award - wining American actress ( Because of Winn-Dixie (2005), The Rosa Parks Story (2002) (TV), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) (TV), "Roots" (1977) 1944 - Tim Reid , American actor ( WKRP in Cincinnati ) 1944 - Zal Yanovsky , Canadian guitarist ( The Lovin' Spoonful ) (d. 2002 ) 1956 - Tom Lawless , baseball player 1957 - Kevin McHale , American basketball player 1972 - Alyssa Milano , American actress ( Who's the Boss? ) 1974 - Jake Plummer , American football player

Gospel Mt. 1: 1 - 17 To make us better understand the desire of the people of God, the Church gives us this Gospel of the generations that are awaiting the Messiah. All the people of Israel, starting with Abraham, are waiting for the Messiah. "Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day: he saw it and was glad. (John 8:56) This is the first Magnificat of Abraham's heart. This great expectation from Abraham all the way to Joseph and Mary, makes us understand divine preparation. In this genealogy, there were moments that were not directly under the breath of the Holy Spirit, there were some serious mistakes. Mary, however, is immaculate ... Mary, together with Joseph, carries the great desire of these successive generations. Fourteen, fourteen, fourteen: a symbolical number to show the fullness of this expectation, to show us how all the people of Israel are carrying and representing all the desires of mankind and presenting them to the Messiah. How great and wonderful it i...

Gospel Mt. 11: 16 - 18 Christ will return in glory. He will return victorious, carrying the insights of victory, and we will have only to greet Him as the One who is victorious. And yet it is difficult to to receive the victory of Christ! To receive Christ's victory is to receive the mystery of the Cross fully transformed by glory. The pride of today's humanity -- and we belong to this humanity, therefore we know this pride well -- is such that therefore we would like for man to be the victor! The "good" men, the Pharisees of all times, want it to be themselves who hold the victory, and not Jesus. Actually this is what lies behind the fact of not awaiting Jesus Christ's return: we don't want it to be Him, but rather the Pharisees of every era, those who claim to be good and believe themselves capable of of saving men ("If I were given power, I would be able to save men"), when this is not the case at all .... Today's culture is not seekin...

Much of the information that our Catholic bloggers have been sharing about 2008 Presidential candidates is very enlightening and, in some cases, shocking. Gerald reports on Governor Romney. According to his well - researched and documented information, Romney's Health Care Plan provides Taxpayer-Funded Abortions. Abortions are covered in the Commonwealth Care program that Romney created as Governor. Under the program, abortions are available for a copay of $50. And there's more: It Guarantees Planned Parenthood A Seat At The Table. Get the full scoop here. I know $50 isn't much when you consider the cost of abortions today, especially the late-term abortions (They have to cover themselves, you know, in case they botch the job.), but as a Christian Catholic and a taxpayer, I don't believe that I should have to pay one cent toward the murder of an innocent child. This violates my religious and moral beliefs. I would much rather be personally donating this money to a fac...

This is a great resource. Bookmark it! The Congregation for the Clergy now has a searchable Bible with commentary from the Magesterium and the Church Fathers. Check it out. Although it's designed for priests, the site is available to the general public and the entire contents of the site can be downloaded. Via Marcel at Aggie Catholics aka "Mary's Catholics"