Catholic Fire

“Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.” -- Words from our Lord to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 3, 2016 – Today the world faces unprecedented global financial crises, record-breaking natural disasters, global terrorism and the greatest exodus of refugees to Europe since World War II. Our world is also under great threats from countries like Iran, North Korea and China. With the closing of Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy, and to help combat these grave threats, a grassroots coalition of Catholic organizations worldwide is mobilizing for the 24th International Week of Prayer and Fasting (IWOPF), from Oct. 2 – 10, 2016. This year the Coalition is joining together with the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy and Priests for Life and other groups. They are uniting to pray and fast for the following goals: Conversion of peoples and nations To build a culture of life To defend the sanctity of marriage and family life For pe...

Pentecost – the great birthday of the Church is only nine days away! Are you getting excited? If not, you should be. This is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the great graces and gifts that the Holy Spirit wants to bestow upon us. Now, more than ever, we need these graces in our lives. We need the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to stand strong in our faith and to be able to witness to the world. How can you prepare for the feast of Pentecost this year? 1. Pray the novena for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit . These are gifts that will not break or shatter. They are lasting gifts that, when used, will bear much fruit. 2. Gather together as a community (with your family, friends, prayer group, or bible study) in prayer and wait for the promise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit.  Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray, “Come Holy Spirit.” Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our country. Pray specifically for your own persona...

I have previously participated in the March for Life in Washington D.C. and found it to be an amazing and unforgettable experience. However, like many other pro-lifers I am unable to attend this year. Here are some suggestions for those who are unable to attend, but still want to be pro-active. 1. Pray for those who are participating in the March for Life.  Here is one prayer you might say: Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 2. Attend Mass, pray the Rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or go to Eucharistic Adoration and pray for an end to abortion. 3. Fast -- from food, electronic dev...

The saint of the day for March 5 is St. John Joseph of the Cross, a Franciscan priest who practiced self-denial in order to grow in the virtue of charity. Saint John Joseph of the Cross was born on the feast of the Assumption in 1654 on the Island of Ischia in Southern Italy. He was a pious and virtuous child. Even as a child, he devoted himself to poverty and fasting. He wore the clothes of the poor, despite the fact that he was a noble. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Franciscan Order of the Reform of Saint Peter of Alcantara, at Naples. St. John Joseph was a quiet man of contemplation. He practiced self-denial in the form of strict penances: he fasted constantly, never drank wine, and slept only three hours each night. In 1674, he was sent to found a friary at Afila, in Piedmont and helped to build the friary with his own hands. Afterwards, he was elevated to the priesthood and became the master of novices, becoming an excellent model and mentor to them which he ev...

I am pleased to participate in Andy LaVallee’s book-launch blog tour, hosted by Ellen Gable Hrkach of Full Quiver Publishing.   Entrepreneur Andrew LaValee was living in the fast lane and had no strong desire to return to his Catholic faith. After all, why should someone who is worldly successful and who has achieved nearly all his goals in life, go searching for something he is not particularly interested in finding? In From the Hub to the Heart , Andy LaValee and Leticia Velasquez share his captivating conversion story. He grew up in a tough neighborhood in Boston and spent most of his adult life drinking, gambling, and swearing. Then, one day, he met Jim Cavaziel (the actor who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of the Christ), who dared Andy to visit Medjugorje, a poor, obscure village in Croatia, where it has been alleged that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing for the past thirty years. His initial reaction to this challenge was, “No way am I going to fly fifteen ...

WHAT IS LENT? "Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” - Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OP Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter Sunday and one of the major liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church. Signifying the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert after His baptism, it is a penitential season marked by prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. Lent is not necessarily about “giving something up” for 40 days only to return to it on day 41 or afterward, but is a period of ongoing conversion so that we may draw closer to Jesus. When we repent for our sins and then make a permanent--rather than temporary--change in our lifestyle, a spiritual transformation can take place. At ...

The over 56 million abortions since the 1973 decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.” However, we have great trust in God’s providence. We are reminded time and again in Scripture to seek the Lord’s help, and as people of faith, we believe that our prayers are heard. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”: “In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.” As individuals, we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fa...

WHAT IS LENT? Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter Sunday and one of the major liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church. Signifying the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert after His baptism, it is a penitential season marked by prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. Lent is not necessarily about “giving something up” for 40 days only to return to it on day 41 or afterward, but is a period of ongoing conversion so that we may draw closer to Jesus. When we repent for our sins and then make a permanent- rather than temporary- change in our lifestyle, a spiritual transformation can take place. At the heart of repentance lies the call to conversion. “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15)! Here's to a happy and holy Lent! Here's a great reading list for Lent , and another to which I would add this wonderful book. You'll find Lenten activities for the whole family HERE. Fr. Robert Barron’s Daily Lent Reflections (E-mail) ( Wa...

There has been a ton of information on websites about the day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria and world peace which Pope Francis has proclaimed for Saturday, September 7th, which is the vigil of the traditional birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the First Saturday of the Month. As for prayer, this is an excellent day to go to Mass and offer it up for peace in Syria and world peace. Praying before our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration would be ideal. A few days ago, I shared a prayer for peace online. HERE it is again. HERE is a prayer specifically for the people of Syria. HERE is a prayer for world peace from Pope John Paul II. There are many ways to observe this day of fasting, as there are many ways to fast. One can fast from: eating food, watching TV, communicating on social media sites, etc.CNS has an article to provide us with some fast facts on fasting . Busted Halo has more information on fasting .  This video on fasting from Rome Reports provides some addi...

What is Lent? "Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” (Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OP) Lenten Ideas for Adults Fasting Fast from watching TV one night a week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such as praying, reading the Bible, and serving others. Fast from watching one movie during Lent and give the money and the time on service to others. Fast from using foul language and put-downs and begin affirming others with positive speech; use your speech to encourage, rather than discourage others Fast from purchasing new things like clothing, music, and magazines; instead make a donation to a charitable cause Fast from holding resentments and learn to practice forgivene...

Lenten Posts from Catholic Fire : Ash Wednesday -- Into the Desert Ash Wednesday: Entering into Intimacy With God 40 Days for Life begins on Ash Wednesday Lenten Reading 2009 Favorite Quotes for Lent Lenten Ideas 2009 Adrienne's Catholic Corner post "Ash Wednesday" contains some great links for Lent. Jimmy Akin shares his comprehensive list of Lenten links in every category imaginable in his "Welcome to Lent" post. In My Daily Domestic Diigolet 02/25/2009 , Elena at My Domestic Church shares several great posts for Lent. The Anchoress is compiling her own list of Lenten links. (Check the bottom of the post.) A must read is Marcel at Aggie Catholics' mega-post "Lent 2009". If you have a Lenten post, feel free to share the link in the comment box below.

What is Lent? "Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” (Fr. Dominique, OSJ) “Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.”( Pope Benedict XVI from MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008.) Lenten Ideas for Adults Fasting Fast from watching TV one night a week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such ...

Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation: Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) These are the words spoken by our Lord to His apostles at the Last Supper, after he completed the washing of the feet. Easter Triduum Easter or Paschal Triduum is the ancient name given to the three days of the ‘pasch’ or ‘passing over’ of the Lord, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday and ending on Easter Sunday. This is the "Feast of feasts", the high point of the Church’s liturgical year, when we celebrate the heart of our faith -- the great mystery of salvation when Our Lord Jesus Christ passes through suffering and death to the new life of the Resurrection. The triduum liturgies teach us the meaning of Christ’s life, death...

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...

What is Lent? “Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” (Fr. Dominique, OSJ) “Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.” ( Pope Benedict XVI from MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008.) Lenten Ideas for Adults Fasting Fast from watching TV one night a week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such as p...

A Catholic organization is launching its 15th annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting for the culture of life. The International Week of Prayer & Fasting Coalition has as its goals the conversion of nations, an end to abortion and to build a culture of life. The Coalition is asking for people to participate as individuals, families and parishes by organizing and offering the following: fasting, daily Masses and prayer to include: Holy Hours, Rosaries, Divine Mercy Chaplets and Confession. Pope John Paul II backed the international week in a message given on October 1, 2001. "As a pledge of an abundance of Divine Blessings upon you and yours, I paternally impart to all participants of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting my most heartfelt apostolic blessing," he said. Coalition Chairperson Maureen Flynn says there has been an expansion of the group's mission. "This is actually a coalition, a grassroots effort of groups from all over the world that ...

Check out these Lenten goodies from L-Mart - your Lenten Superstore. Another gem from The Curt Jester . In addition to sharing with us a gospel reflection as well as a daily Lenten meditation, Esther posts a thorough and comprehensive examination of conscience from Father Robert Altier. W. from the Eagle and the Elephant posts on Fr. Matthew of the Poor, a Coptic Monk (1919 - 2006) one of the great spiritual masters of our time, and shares his words of wisdom on fasting . Moneybags is posting on each of the stational churches during Lent, sharing beautiful photos of each. Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Peter in Chains. Julie D. is sharing some exercepts from her spiritual reading Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality by Raymond Arroyo, which is also on my list of books to read this Lent. Her daily quotes this week will be coming from this book.

Daily Lenten Devotions: Monday, the First Week of Lent Lenten Topic for Today: The Value of Fasting Saint of the Day: St. Alexander, Bishop This Day in History 398 John Chrysostom (349–407), the greatest preacher of the early church, became bishop of Constantinople. 1732 In Philadelphia, Mass was celebrated for the first time at St Joseph's Church the only Roman Catholic church built and maintained in the American colonies before the Revolutionary War. 1802 Victor Hugo , author (Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables) was born in Besancon, France (d. May 22, 1885 in Paris, France). 1846 William F "Buffalo Bill" Cody , an American soldier, showman, and bison hunter who killed 4000 buffaloes was born in Iowa, near LeClaire (d. January 10, 1917 in Denver, Colorado). 1932 Johnny Cash , American country and western songwriter and vocalist, was born in Kingland, Alabama (d. September 12, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee).