Catholic Fire

During difficult times, we may feel distant from God or even abandoned by Him, so how do we draw close, when He seems so far away?  We all go through periods of our life feeling like this. Many of the saints experienced this during their lives. This is something that I have been personally struggling with for the past few months. I have been praying for Mother Mary's intercession -- asking her to hold me close and wrap me in her arms -- especially during the darkest nights, when I am unable to sleep or my night is filled with pain. Daily Mass, prayer throughout the day, the rosary and clinging to the Truth are all ways I manage to cope. Today, I was reminded of the reality of His presence, in light of the gospel message for Thursday of the sixth week of Easter "A little while and you will no longer see me and you will no longer see me." John 16: 16 Here's is a new insight (a reminder actually) I obtained from today's The Word Among Us (April 20 - M...

Vatican City, Dec 1, 2013 / 09:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Pope’s Sunday Angelus message for the start of Advent focused on the importance of hope during the liturgical season dedicated to preparing for Christmas. “For the great human family it is necessary to renew always the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope! This is the horizon that makes a good journey,” Pope Francis said on Dec. 1 to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square. “The time of Advent that we begin again today returns us to the horizon of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the Word of God. A hope that does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful!” the Pope emphasized. The time of Advent that the Church celebrates in preparation for Christmas, explained the Pontiff, is “a new journey of the People of God with Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us in history towards the completion of the Kingdom of God.” “Let us rediscove...

This is a beautiful video filled with the hope of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is sung by an eleven - year - old girl named Molly which means Mary in Gaelic. ~ Via Sandy.

Via Sarah : The rosary has a special place in my life, and I can't wait for this month's Mary Moments carnival! We'll be celebrating the rosary during this month of the rosary. . Share your stories, your reflections, and your enthusiasm. What is your "relationship" with the rosary? What are some tips you have to share with others? How has the rosary impacted your life? Submit your posts by October 10 using the online form or by emailing Sarah at peerybingle [at] gmail [dot] com. If you don't have a blog, Sarah wil be happy to host your guest post over at her blog . We'll have Mary Moments live by October 15.

The above quote is from Isaiah 52:14. In this mystery, the scourging of Jesus, we find that the Old Testament reveals some of Jesus at the time of the scourging. We also ask Mary to pray for us, not because we cannot pray directly to Jesus, but because we are all part of the Family of Jesus. Another beautiful reflection on the rosary from Steve Silivia.

This video is done as a decade of the rosary. Ten statements, each to help you meditate on the mystery of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the temple after losing Him. Jesus tries to explain that God the Father is His Father. ~ Via Steve Silvia.

This video is done as a decade of the Rosary. ten statements, each on the birth of Jesus, to allow you to meditate on this joyful mystery. Via Steve Silva.

By Jean M. Heimann Today is the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, one of my favorite saints. As a Conventual Franciscan, he graciously assisted me during one of the most difficult times in my life and in my marriage - a dark night of the senses - approximately seven and a half years ago. The Lord led me to seek spiritual direction from a Conventual Franciscan (much like St. Maximilian Kolbe) who guided me on the path to a closer relationship with Our Lord and recovery home to a world of hope. At the time, family members, who lived thousands of miles away were seriously ill, my husband was unexpectedly laid off (for a six month period) and we were facing serious financial difficulties. I was chronically ill and unable to work outside our home, although I made attempts at doing so. The Lord was showing me the meaning of true humility and total dependence on Him. This is when St. Maximilian Kolbe entered into my life. St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Russian - occupied Poland on January...

is now up and ready for your reading pleasure! Joe at Ho Kai Paulos has created a beautiful theme, so please join me on my trek there. Here are just a few of my favorite posts: Worship in the Shadowlands by Heidi at Mommy Monsters, in which she discusses Humanae Vita and the meaning of true love. She makes a profound discovery about conjugal love when she watches Shadowlands, the love story of C.S. Lewis and his wife. In How to Be a Man, Jane at Building the Ark, reminds us that we can all strive to be heroes . At Behold Your Mother, Heidi introduces us to Christine Trollinger and an example of divinely answered prayer - When the Lost is Found . When Things Turn Out...Differently by Sarah at Another Day of Catholic Pondering reminds us that God has every hair on our heads counted and keeps our best interests in mind, even when they aren't how WE planned things. Don't stop at reading these inspirational and well-written posts, but be sure to check out all the great posts ther...