Catholic Fire

Sunday, June 29, is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul (Liturgical Year A, Cycle II). At 6 p.m. on Saturday, at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI will solemnly open the year of St. Paul, marking two millennia since his birth. At 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, he will give the pallium to metropolitan archbishops at St. Peter’s. The pallium is a wool liturgical garment. Indulgence The Vatican has granted a plenary indulgence during the Pauline Year for those who fulfill the requirements of confession, Communion and prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions “in total detachment from sin,” and also: 1. Make a pilgrimage to St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome and pray for the Holy Father’s intentions at the altar of confession, invoking the Blessed Mother and St. Paul. 2. The Catholic faithful in any local church can obtain the indulgence by participating with devotion in a liturgy or other public event dedicated to St. Paul — in any sacred place on the openin...

Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 in his encyclical Quas Primas. Pope Pius connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At the time of Quas Primas , secularism was on the rise, and many Christians, even Catholics, were doubting Christ’s authority, as well as the Church’s, and even doubting Christ’s very existence. Today's Mass establishes the titles for Christ's royalty over men: 1) Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence wields a supreme power over all things; "All things were created by Him"; 2) Christ is our Redeemer, He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession; 3) Christ is Head of the Church, "holding in all things the primacy"; 4) God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as his special possession and dominion. Today's Mass also describes the qualities of Christ's kingdom. This kingdom is: 1) supreme, extending not only to all peoples but a...

July 16th is is the patronal feast of the Carmelites. The Order of Carmelites takes its name from Mount Carmel in Israel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumption into heaven. July 16th is also the feast of the "Scapular of Mount Carmel" On that day in 1251, pious tradition says, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear her scapular. To obtain the indulgences and other benefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular, a person must be invested by a priest and must lead a consistent Christian life. Practices:Wear the Brown scapular after enrollment.Observe chastity according to your state in life.Recite the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary , or recite the Rosary daily (usual requirements). ...

Catholics who participate in the World Day of the Sick February 11 events can receive a special indulgence. A plenary, or full, indulgence will be offered to those who participate in the official celebrations of the World Day of the Sick in Seoul, South Korea, or in their own dioceses or parishes. A plenary indulgence will also be offered on Feb. 11 to people who dedicate at least several hours caring for a sick person, especially one with a incurable or terminal illness, and to the sick themselves. To receive the indulgence, the person must go to confession, receive the Holy Eucharist (or do so as soon as possible), and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. Partial indulgences are being offered between Feb. 9-11 to those who pray for the sick, especially for those with incurable or terminal diseases.