Catholic Fire

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9 How do we cope with the violence, chaos, and conflicts that we face in our world today?  How can we find peace and also serve as true peacemakers in our twenty-first century culture? St. Bernard of Clairvaux , a Doctor of the Church, a contemplative, theologian, and mystic of the twelfth century is an excellent example for us to follow. He found peace in God through a devout prayer life as a contemplative. However, he also led a very active life, performing works of peace and love in the secular world.  He traveled throughout Europe, which was plagued by various schisms, restoring peace and unity. Not only did he resolve divisions in the Church, but he also mediated in secular disputes and was sought out as an adviser and an arbitrator by the ruling powers of his era. What was his secret for restoring peace and unity to a troubled world? He was merely a modest monk with no worldly pow...

With the way our culture disregards life sometimes, it is easy for the question “Is life worth living?” to surface. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz emphatically states that not only is life worth living—it is sacred. If there are any feelings of doubt about life’s worth in your heart, take courage in Fr. Mike’s words here. If there is anyone you know who is weary of life, reach out to them and show them they are wanted.

The Pope's prayer intentions for December are: Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

The Church remains faithful if she keeps her eyes fixed on Jesus, but she becomes lukewarm and mediocre if she seeks comfort in worldly things. That was Pope Francis’ message on Monday as he reflected on the Gospel reading at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta… Pope Francis noted that the reading from St Luke’s Gospel tells the story of the widow who puts her two coins in the temple treasury box, while other wealthy worshipers make a great show of the money they're putting in. Jesus says that “this poor widow put in more than all the rest” because the others were giving away money from their surplus wealth, while she, in her poverty, “has offered her whole livelihood”. In the Bible, Pope Francis said, the widow is the woman who is alone, who has no husband to look after her, who has to manage on her own, who survives on charity. The widow in this Gospel passage, he said, was “a widow who had placed her trust only in the Lord”. I like to look at the widows in the Gospel, he said, as...

I have been reading and reviewing Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s books for the past seven years and have been a big fan. Donna-Marie has served as an inspiration to me and to all women, speaking to us in a gentle, gracious manner, guiding us spiritually, with wisdom and love. Now, she has written a book (her twentieth) that tops them all. In The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross , she shares her life story. And, what a story it is! In this candid, astonishing autobiographical account, this soft-spoken, delicate, and devout Catholic media celebrity reveals the shocking struggles she has tackled in life. She became engaged to a drug addict who held her against her will, threatening harm to her family. She faced miscarriages, abuse, serious illness, divorce, financial difficulties, custody battles, and single motherhood – all with great inner strength and tremendous courage. Through God’s providence, she met Mother Teresa, th...

Today, September 19, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of La Salette. On Saturday, September 19, 1846, on the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. about three o'clock in the afternoon, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the mountain in La Salette, France to fifteen-year-old Melanie Calvat and eleven-year-old Maximin Giraud, two young shepherds. Mary appeared in a resplendent light as a beautiful woman dressed in a strange costume, seated on a stone, her face buried in her hands, crying. The beautiful lady then stood up and crossed her arms. She told the children not to be afraid but reassured them that she had great news to share. She gave them both a public message and asked them to make her message known to all her people. Our Lady called the townspeople to repent of their sins and to turn back to Christ.  The Blessed Mother told them: "If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son. It is so heavy and weighs me ...

Mark Your Calendars Now! August 15 through October 7, 2015 Join hundreds of thousands of people of all ages in prayer across America Mark your calendars & spread the word A Message of Hope in response to the spiritual crisis in our culture and nation What: Pray the rosary for 54 straight days for the Novena Intentions 27 days in petition from August 15 through September 10, 2015 27 days in thanksgiving from September 11 through October 7, 2015 Where:  Pray the rosary individually or as a family in your home or as part of your parish community Primary Novena Intention:  “For the Family & Marriage” including for peace, human life and religious freedom Visit the website for more information www.54days.org A Hearts United Campaign of the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate Bishop Kemme (Wichita diocese) makes a request for our participation in this prayer campaign:

Today, June 23, we honor St. Joseph Cafasso, an Italian priest who was a social reformer in Turin during the 19th century. He is the patron of prison chaplains, captives, and prisoners. He was born on January 15, 1811 in northern Italy, about twenty miles from Turin. Joseph Cafasso was the third child of a family of four. His parents, who were known for their charity to the poor, were small farmers who had to supplement their scanty income by working on neighboring farms. Although he was born with a deformed spine, Joseph did not allow this defect to influence his need to do penance. Even in his childhood he had certain days set apart for penance, and he fasted every Saturday in honor of Our Blessed Lady. He also attended daily Mass, at which he often served. He was gifted with a keen intellect and a good memory, and was first in his class at school. He was ordained a priest in 1833 at the age of twenty-two. After Ordination, he was selected to be an assistant professor of mo...

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- one of my favorite Marian feast days. Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, brings hope into our lives. She covers us in the folds of her heavenly mantle and cradles us. She is the Mother who tenderly consoles us and protects us from evil. She is the one who carries Divine Life within her and crushed the head of the wicked serpent. She brings us life and love; hope and healing. She brought conversion to Mexico and will renew the Americas again if we pray for her intercession. History Five centuries ago, in the country now known as Mexico, senseless human sacrifices were performed. Between 20,000 and 50,000 human beings were murdered a year in the Aztec empire. Most of them were slaves and included men, as well as women, and children. An early Mexican historian estimated that one out of every five children in Mexico was sacrificed to the gods. The climax of these ritualistic killings came in 1487 when a new...

Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast is also called the Triumph of the Cross, Elevation of the Cross, Holy Cross Day, Holy Rood Day, or Roodmas. The public veneration of the Cross of Christ originated in the fourth century, beginning with the miraculous discovery of the cross on September 14, 326, by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine, while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem -- the same day that two churches built at the site of Calvary by Constantine were dedicated. In the Western Church, the feast came into prominence in the seventh century, after Emperor Heraclius of Constantinople recaptured the cross of Christ from the Persians and returned it to Jerusalem. On this feast day, we honor the Holy Cross by which Christ redeemed the world. The Cross -- because of what it represents -- is the most potent and universal symbol of the Christian faith. We revere the instrument by which Jesus Christ, Our Lord, saved us. Once an object of scorn, the ...

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 How do we deal with the violence, war, and conflicts that we face in our world today?  How can we serve as true peacemakers in our 21st century culture? St. Bernard of Clairvaux , a Cistercian abbot, a contemplative, theologian, and mystic of the twelfth century is an excellent example for us to follow. Due to the numerous schisms which had arisen in the Church during his age, he traveled throughout Europe, restoring peace and unity. Not only did he deal with divisions in the Church, but he also mediated in secular disputes and was sought out as an adviser and an arbitrator by the ruling powers of his era. What was his secret for restoring peace and unity to a troubled world? He was merely a modest monk with no worldly power or possessions. What made him so influential and valuable to others was the fact that he was a man of heroic virtue. Which virtues made him effective as a peacemaker in...

Today was one stressful day for me! Everything that could have gone wrong did -- almost. As is my daily custom, I attended afternoon Mass. During Mass, I was experiencing the pangs of chronic pain, which is often exacerbated by stress. Nevertheless, I felt elevated -- lifted up above the pain.  I began to experience joy in the midst of my suffering. The graces of the Eucharistic Sacrifice made me realize that in this present situation, I was living out Heaven on earth. St. Pope John Paul II  described the Mass as "Heaven on Earth," explaining that what "we celebrate on Earth is a mysterious participation in the heavenly liturgy." ( Angelus address, November 3, 1996).  The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Divine Liturgy confirms John Paul II's description, further elaborating:  "In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgr...

Nearly 20,000 young people from Abruzzo and Molise welcomed Pope Francis at the sanctuary of Castelpetroso. The Pope expressed his concern with unemployment, an issue close to home for the massive group. POPE FRANCIS "It's sad to find youth in this particular situation. They do not study, because they cannot, they don't have the possibility. Nor do they work. And this is the challenge that as a community, we all need to overcome. We need to move forward to overcome this challenge. We cannot resign ourselves to losing an entire generation of youth without the full dignity of a job.” Pope Francis reminded them that, despite the crisis, youth remain brave before any challenges they face, they have hope, and are capable of expressing solidarity. The Pope asked them not to fall into the "throw-away culture,” and to make definitive choices, and to choose a suitable path, in order to give meaning to their futures. POPE FRANCIS "Suitable path, choose the way...

In his Friday morning Mass, Pope Francis talked about having faith, even in challenging times. He said that Christian life is full of trials, but one day sorrows will turn into joy. POPE FRANCIS "How many sick people who are at the end of their lives, feel physical pain, but also peace in their souls...This is the seed of joy, the seed of hope and peace. Do you have peace in your soul in moments of darkness, or when faced with challenges, persecution, or when others celebrate your failures? Are you at peace? If you feel peace, you have the seed that will bring everlasting joy.” Despite the hardships faced in Christian life, the Pope highlighted that Jesus says 'Don't be Afraid.' SUMMARY OF THE POPE'S HOMILY Source: Vatican Radio "We must tell the truth: Christian life not just one big party. Not at all! We cry, we cry so many times. When we are sick; when we have a problem with our son, in the family, with our daughter, or wife, or husband; When ...

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...

In his Thursday morning Mass, Pope Francis talked about the mystery of death. He explained that despite our sins, dying in the heart of the Church, is a gift. POPE FRANCIS "It's a gift from God and we must pray for it. To say, 'Lord, grant me the gift of dying at my spiritual home, in the heart of the Church.' We are sinners! All of us are. But we're not traitors. No! We are not corrupt. No! We stay on the inside! The Church, our Mother loves us so, despite our sins, the Church cleanses us. She's our Mother.” The Pope then added that every Christian should make an effort to leave a Christian legacy behind, once they pass away. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) Speaking at Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday, Pope Francis reflected on the mystery of death, inviting us to ask God for the grace to die in hope, in the heart of the Church and in the knowledge that we have left a legacy of Christian witness behind us. Pope Francis...

January 10, 2014  During his daily morning Mass, Pope Francis said it saddens him to see so called part time Christians...those who memorize prayers, but don't feel connected to the words. POPE FRANCIS "There are so many Christians with a watered down faith, a faith that's not strong. Their hope is weak. Why? Why don't they have the strength and courage to trust the Lord?” Pope Francis explained that part of trusting God comes with understanding one's personal weaknesses.  Just like the sick did with Jesus. They understood that they could only be healed by Him. SUMMARY OF POPE'S MASS (Source: Vatican Radio)  "Faith makes all things possible,” but we must place our trust completely in God. This was the central focus of Pope Francis’ remarks following the readings of the day at Mass on Friday morning in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. Pope Francis concentrated especially on the 1st Letter of St John, in which he speaks of t...

In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis talked about God's tenderness. He said that God comforts each Christian with tenderness, and brings hope to their lives. But he also warned about the risks of losing hope. POPE FRANCIS "When a Christian forgets hope, or worse, loses hope, his life is senseless. It’s as if his life hit a wall: there’s nothing. But the Lord comforts us and draws us forward with hope.” Pope Francis ended his homily saying that God has never been afraid to approach humans with tenderness. In return, he asked Christians to never fear searching for God's comfort. SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY: (Source: Vatican Radio) "He re-creates things. And the Church never tires of saying that this re-creation is more wonderful than the creation. The Lord re-creates more wonderfully. And so He visits His people: re-creating, with that power. And the people of God always had this idea, this thought, that the Lord will come to visit them. We remem...

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...