Catholic Fire

I will be taking a brief blogging break during the holiest week of the Liturgical Year and will return after Easter. Have a blessed and prayerful Holy Week!

Discover how the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Duluth pray during Holy Week, and discover something you can use in your prayer life as we walk with Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem, to Calvary and the Resurrection. The unique prayer commitment Fr. Mike suggests in this video follows Jesus through all of his experiences—from suffering to celebration—in this the holiest week of the year.

I just learned that my book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues has recived the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval. First, I waited a couple of months before I could apply, then I waited another couple of months for it to be approved. So, it has been a while in coming, but my patience paid off and I am ecstatic! Thank you, Lord! These little minions express how I feel:

Holy Week is the week that changed the world. Here are 12 ways you can make this week more meaningful. 1 . PRAY  throughout the day, speaking to God just as you would to a close friend. Ask Him to save souls, especially those who are dying this day and are most in need of His mercy. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for these souls. 2. FAST  Eat smaller portions of food for meals or eat food without salt or pepper this week. 3. REPENT   Examine your conscience daily and go to Confession. 4. ADORE  Spend time with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration this week, even if you only have 15 minutes. 5. PRAY the rosary slowly, contemplatively, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. 6. ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies. 7. PRAY the Stations of the Cross. 8. MEDITATE on Christ's Passion daily as you read the various accounts of the Passion in the Gospels. 9. SACRIFICE Offer up any pain or difficulties you are experiencing and unite them with Chr...

1. Spring has arrived here in Wichita! Above are just a few of the signs I have been seeing in my yard. Below is another sign of spring. 2. On Palm Sunday evening, I will be a guest on Fr. Ronald P. Legwin 's radio program discussing my book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues. I am looking forward to that, as well as to my next speaking engagement at Sacred Heart parish in Colwich this coming week. 3. On March 25, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and I wrote a new blog post on that feast day, focusing on joy and love. 5. On Thursday, I also wrote a blog post entitled Surrender it to God , which focuses in on abandonment, trust, and surrender. 6. What I am reading this week: 30 Days with Teresa of Avila by Daniel Burke and Anthony Lilles. 7. Here is another book recommendation from my friend, Leticia Velaquez: Review of the book "Joyful Witness: How to be An Extraordinary Catholic" by Randy...

1. PRAY  Incorporate prayer breaks into your daily schedule. Pray short ejaculations throughout the day. 2. FAST  Eat smaller portions of food for meals or eat food without salt or pepper this week. 3. REPENT  Go to Confession. 4. ADORE  Spend time with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration this week, even if you only have 15 minutes. 5. PRAY the rosary slowly, contemplatively, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. 6. ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies. 7 . PRAY the Stations of the Cross. 8. MEDITATE on Christ's Passion daily as you read the various accounts of the Passion in the Gospels. 9. SACRIFICE Offer up any pain or difficulties you are experiencing and unite them with Christ's sufferings. 10. INVITE  family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers to come to Church with you, especially those who have been away from the faith for some time. 11. GIVE of yourself -- your time, talent, and treasure-- to assist your parish in ...

March 27, 2013. (Romereports.com) Pope Francis held his first general audience in St. Peter's Square. Before even starting, he made his way through the Square in the Popemobile for about ten minutes. With flags waving and cheers of 'Viva il Papa' thousands of pilgrims welcomed the first  catechesis of his first general audience. POPE FRANCIS “Dear brothers and sisters. Good morning. I am pleased to welcome you to my first general audience. It is with great appreciation and respect that I take this responsibility from the hands of my beloved predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.” The Pope said he would continue to talk about the Year of Faith, just like his predecessor, but given that it's Holy Week, the Pope said he would instead explain the meaning behind Easter, which he described as the core of the liturgical year. POPE FRANCIS “Living Holy Week, means following Jesus not only with moved hearts, it means learning to come out of ourselves, like I said last Sund...

Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday" because on this day Judas made a bargain with the high priest to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, As My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“ The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will be...

O vos omnes -- Tenebrae Responsories -- (Tomás Luis de Victoria) Latin: O vos omnes qui transitis per viam: attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus. Attendite, universi populi, et videte dolorem meum.Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus. English Translation: O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see: If there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. V. Attend, all ye people, and see my sorrow: If there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.