Catholic Fire

Prayer for Success in Work Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and death. Amen. A Prayer for Workers O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for...

The importance of leading a balanced life. This is what Pope Francis talked about as he started off a new series of catechesis,  in his weekly general audience. He explained that dedicating time to celebration, work and prayer are all needed to appreciate a healthy family life. POPE FRANCIS "It's a masterpiece of simplicity. It's beautiful because it's not artificial or fake. Rather it has the potential to incorporate all the aspects of true life.” Balancing these three elements will be one of the central themes of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which the Pope will attend at the end of September. The Pope emphasized that despite a societal obsession with economic profit,  celebration and prayer are needed to reflect on one's life and to reflect on God. POPE FRANCIS "We are made in the image and likeness of God, who is not a slave to work, but the Lord of work!  God asks us to break away from the obsession of economic profit, whic...

In today's society greater attention is given to a company's financial statements than the dignity of work. This was the focus of Pope Francis' homily Wednesday morning celebrated with children and single mothers who are guests at the "Il Ponte" center for solidarity based in the port town of Civitavecchia north of Rome. Marking the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Pope pointed out that "those who work have dignity, a special dignity, a personal dignity". He also spoke of those many who want to work but often cannot find employment". He described the unjust nature of a society that puts profit above the person, where many fail to find a job and are forced to work like slaves.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. " ~ Matthew 11:28   Image Source

"In order to love and serve God, it is not necessary to do extraordinary things. Christ asks all men without exception to be perfect as His heavenly Father is perfect (cf. Mt 5: 48). For the great majority of men, to be holy consists of sanctifying their work, to sanctify themselves in their work, to sanctify others with work, and also to find God on the road of their life." ~ St. Josemaria - Escriva, Founder of Opus Dei