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...

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.

October 4, 1922 – April 28, 1962 If you must choose between me and the baby, no hesitation; Choose—and I demand it—the baby, Save him!” Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian doctor, wife, and mother who refused to have either an abortion or hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child. Doctors had discovered in the second month of her pregnancy a fibroma tumor in her uterus. As a doctor, Gianna knew the consequences of not fully treating the fibroma. She chose the life of her child over her own. On the morning of April 21, 1962, a healthy baby girl was born, Gianna Emanuela. Despite all efforts and treatments to save both of them, on the morning of April 28, amid unspeakable pain and after repeated exclamations of “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you," the mother died of septic peritonitis. She was 39 years old. Her funeral was an occasion of profound grief, faith and prayer. Gianna was beatified by Pope St John Paul II on April 24, 1994, during the i...

Today we commemorate the Holy Innocents. Children under the age of two in Bethlehem were massacred by Herod the Great in an attempt to kill the child Jesus. We call these Holy Innocents, martyrs, because they died in the place of Christ. St. Augustine called them "buds, killed by the frost of persecution the moment they showed themselves." In modern times, we have our own "holy innocents" -- those children who are killed daily in the place that should be the safest and most protective environment of all for them -- their mother's wombs. On this day, we recall the over 55 million children in our country alone (since 1973) and the vast number of children throughout the world who have been killed under the insane laws permitting abortion. Let us pray daily for an end to this tragedy. The Holy Innocents Today, dearest brethren, we celebrate the birthday of those children who were slaughtered, as the Gospel tells us, by that exceedingly cruel king, Herod. L...

Many of this remember this, but to those who have forgotten or have not heard this story, this is a must-see. 20 years ago Mother Teresa was invited to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. alongside Bill and Hilary Clinton. Nobody expected what she would say.

October 3, 2013. (Romereports.com) Pope Francis is giving Catholic doctors a clear goal: protect and promote a culture of life. In a recent audience with the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, Pope Francis  stressed that no life is better than other. It's a message doctors heard loud and clear. MARÍA PILAR NÚÑEZ CUBERO Gynecologist “I have worked in developing countries and I think that maternity must be protected. Above all, it must be physically protected. For example, I don't like it when it's said that hunger and poverty are a consequence of having lots of children. In Africa, to have children is a source of wealth.” The Pope stressed that Catholic doctors and gynecologists in particular, must work together to promote life. That includes, putting an end to the misconception that abortion is just another medical procedure. MARÍA PILAR NÚÑEZ CUBERO Gynecologist “We live in an individualistic society and everyone thinks they can do what...

September 20, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Pope met with the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations. The group came to Rome for a conference on maternal health and gynecology. During his remarks, the Pope brought up once again the issue of a “throwaway culture.”   POPE FRANCIS “A general mentality of what's useful, the 'throwaway culture,' that today enslaves the hearts and the intelligence of so many, comes at a great price. It demands the elimination of human beings, especially if they are physically or socially weak. Our response to this mentality is a 'yes' to life, directly and without hesitation.” In his lively speech, the Pope added that the right to life is the first right of any person, and that each child denied the right to life because of an abortion has the face of God. For this reason, the Pope asked to the doctors present to look after the human life in all its stages. POPE FRANCIS “My dear friends, You are called to care ...

Via Fox News: A Washington state congresswoman and her husband are speaking out about a trial that left them devastated, but now filled with new hope ... and new life, with a bouncing and healthy baby girl named Abigail. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) and her husband, Dan, were over the moon when they found out they were expecting their first child late in 2012 ... but nothing could prepare them for the journey ahead. Doctors told them their daughter had Potter's Syndrome, a diagnosis that is fatal. Or, is often fatal. Physicians say baby Abigail is the first baby to survive the diagnosis. In essence, the syndrome is characterized by a lack of amniotic fluid in utero, which makes the womb shrink and prevents the baby from developing normally, particularly the kidneys. "I don't know if anything can ever prepare you for that kind of a diagnosis. It floored us," Herrera Beutler said. "On one hand, we were first time parents and excited, and then we get ...

A record number of viewers tuned in to watch the fourth season premier of Duck Dynasty, a politically incorrect hit reality show that preaches faith, good morals, and family values. LiveActionNews.com is reporting that the A&E reality show focuses on the lives of the Robertson family who run a business that makes products for duck hunters. Instead of glamorizing adulterous housewives and the antics of drunken youth at the Jersey Shore, Duck Dynasty features a refreshing line-up of solid characters and healthy American living. Read more.

June 17, 2013. (Romereports.com) It was a Mass to celebrate life.  As usual, the Pope greeted the faithful who lined the streets near St. Peter's Square. In the background, one could hear the roaring noise of Harley Davidson motorcycles, since thousands of bike owners also attended the Mass. The celebration, titled 'Evangelium Vitae Day,   translates to the Gospel of Life. POPE FRANCIS “Let us say “Yes” to life and not death. Let us say “Yes” to freedom and not enslavement to the many idols of our time. In a word, let us say “Yes” to the God who is love, life and freedom, and who never disappoints.” The Pope explained that the Gospel itself leads to life. The notion that rejecting God, will lead to freedom, is mistaken, he said.  On the contrary, following the Gospel leads one to a full life. POPE FRANCIS “But all too often, people do not choose life, they do not accept the “Gospel of Life” but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of thinking that blo...

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com . Praise God! I have been praying for this young girl and her family! A big victory in federal court today for 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan , a dying girl in need of a lung transplant. This afternoon, Judge Michael Baylson granted the Murnaghan family's request for a temporary restraining order, telling the Secretary of Health and Human Services to cease application of the "Under 12" rule when it comes to Sarah. The 10-year-old Newtown Square, Pa. girl has been hospitalized at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia for three months with end-stage cystic fibrosis. Read the entire story. Previous Posts on Catholic Fire: 10-Year-Old Fights for Her Life Due to "Immoral" Federal Policy Update: Mom Pleads for Help to Save Dying 10-Year-Old Daughter

Image Source The mother whose story inspired the hit movie “The Blindside” has taken on a new television series to assist families in navigating the process of adoption. “We are taking one family at a time and we are trying to make a difference,” said Leigh Anne Tuohy, adoptive mother of Super Bowl champion and offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, Michael Oher. Ever since her family’s real life story of taking in – and eventually adopting – a teen from the streets has captured the public’s attention, Tuohy said members of the family have been offered spots on numerous shows, from “The Amazing Race” to “Undercover Boss.” “We’ve turned them all down because that’s just not who we are,” she said in a recent press call. However, Tuohy recently decided to get involved with UP’s “Family Addition” because “it just enhances our platform and our message” that “every child is valuable” and “every kid in every country of this world is valuable and worth having a forever family....

Via New Advent : Tim Harris, owner of Tim's Place, is the country's only restaurant owner with Down's Syndrome, and the joy he gets from serving people good food carries over into his diner's most famous export: hugs. Aol is a global brand company that develops, grows, and invests in fantastic video production. Originally founded in 1983, Aol now delivers the best in news, sports, tech, entertainment, business, autos, and much more.

This is a great example of why it is important for us to persist in our prayers for those who are ensnared in the culture of death. Via Tim Drake at the Cardinal Newman Society: Reflecting on the 40th anniversary of the Roe v.Wade decision, Jesuit Father John J. Conley, Knott Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Loyola University Maryland took the occasion to write an article in America magazine. In "An Unwelcome Anniversary," he describes how he went from a “personally opposed, but abortion should be legal” position to a pro-life position. “As the pro-life movement continues its resistance, the case against abortion has become stronger than ever,” he writes. “The omnipresent sonogram has graphically advanced it.” Advancing the pro-life argument, Father Conley also talks about the very real threats of euthanasia and infanticide. “For those of us called into the pro-life movement, the defense of the right to life of the innocent can never become just one cause a...

Jan 29, 2013  (CNA/EWTN News).- Americans who wish to be truly pro-life must be willing to examine the philosophical and cultural implications of these views, said George Mason University law professor Helen Alvaré. Being involved in the pro-life movement, she said, “will lead you places where you’ll be surprised to go, because abortion is not a single issue.” Alvaré delivered the keynote address at the Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life on Jan. 26, explaining to participants that if they want to “keep the integrity” of their positions, they must be willing to take action on social and philosophical issues connected to abortion. Hosted annually at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., the Cardinal O’Connor Conference for Life is the largest student-run pro-life conference in the United States. Alvaré, who was speaking at the conference for the third time since it began in 2000, told the 650 student participants that being pro-life may lead them to investigate the ...

A new website for women “from the men who love them” encourages women to “demand their dignity” and attacks the “incessant, often conflicting” messages and “lies” about women’s worth. The site Demand Your Dignity says “enough is enough” to messages that depict women as a “collection of body parts.” “Demand that men rise up and BE MEN! Demand to be treated as the whole person YOU ARE!” the site tells women. The site says it was made by men “who want to love women, not use them.” Demand Your Dignity characterizes itself as a “plea” to women not to believe the “lies” the world says about them and not to give up hope. “You aren’t alone anymore. We are fighting with you.” Read the story here. This is a great site, which refutes the false images of women in advertising which presents them as sex objects. I'm adding it to my culture of life blog list.

'The Birth of the Virgin', fresco by Juan de Borgoña, Cathedral of Toledo, c. 1495 Let us celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary; let us worship her Son, Christ the Lord. Each Year, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8. Usually the church celebrates the feast day of a saint on the date of their death, which is actually the day remembered as their birth into everlasting life. Mary, however, was conceived without sin as a special grace because God had selected her to become the Mother of His Son. Her birth is a cause for great joy as it is considered the "dawn of our salvation" (Pope Paul VI, Marialis Cultus,1972.) Although there is no reference to Mary's birth in the Sacred Scriptures, the names of Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, appear in the Protoevangelium of James (5:2), which is an apocryphal writing from the late 2nd century. According to this account, Joachim and Anna were also beyond the years of chi...