Catholic Fire

PROMOTING AUTHENTIC EUCHARISTIC ADORATION In the Eucharist we experience the fundamental transformation of violence into love, of death into life; the Body and Blood of Christ are offered so that we ourselves may in turn be transformed. Benedict XVI reiterated this in his speech to the participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship, during which he also emphasized the importance of being vigilant against the dangers of deviating from a correct use of the liturgy.The Pope requested that Eucharist adoration be intensified through a greater awareness of this mystery, in complete fidelity to Sacred Tradition, and through the enrichment of our communities liturgical life.

"There is more value in a little study on humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world." ~ St. Teresa of Avila

What will you be reading this Lent? Here's a taste of some of the books I will be reading: The Seven Last Words by Fulton J. Sheen My Catholic Women's Bible (New American) by Fireside Press The Magnifcat Lenten Companion Numerous books on the saints -- too many to mention here. Here are some recommended reads for this Lenten season: 1. Imitation of Christ -- Thomas a Kempis 2. Introduction to the Devout Life -- St. Frances de Sales 3. Journey to Easter by Pope Benedict XVI 4. 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation -- St. Alphonsus Liguori 5. Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ -- Anne Catherine Emich 6. Kisss from the Cross -- Ronda de Sola Chervin 7. Back to Virtue -- Peter Kreeft 8. Live Well, Die Holy -- St. Robert Bellarmine 9. Self - Abandonment to Divine Providence -- Fr. J.P. De Caussade, S.J. 10. Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius -- St. Ignatius of Loyola 11. The Virtue Driven Life -- Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR 12. City of God -- St. Augustine 13. Confessions -- S...

A Great Lenten Project Are you married? Are you Catholic? Do you have a devotion to the saints? Have you and your spouse or a family member experienced hope and healing as a result of prayer to a saint or saint(s)? This is your chance to evangelize and it makes for a wonderful Lenten project as well. I am looking for dramatic conversion stories as well as stories of trials and tribulations (for example, financial difficulties, addictions, the birth of a child with a medical problem) overcome or that you learned to cope with better through the intercession of a saint or saints and the grace of God to publish in a new book meant to inspire and encourage married couples. In order to be published: Your story must name a saint or saints. It must be at least 1800 words, but not more than 2000 words. Email your submission to me no later than March 15, 2009. jean.heimann@gmail.com

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 ...