Thursday, September 30, 2010

How Devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy Started


For many centuries, Muslim fleets seized Catholic ships and invaded Catholic lands and took away men, women and children into slavery. The Catholic population in many countries, especially in Italy, Spain and Portugal lived in constant fear of being carried off into slavery. France, Britain, Holland, Ireland, and even Iceland suffered similar attacks and some of their population were captured and sold in the Islamic slave market of North Africa and the Middle East.

It was perilous in the extreme to their eternal salvation for Catholics to live as slaves in Muslim society because of their grossly immoral customs. Women were in special danger because they were habitually sold into Muslim harems.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Remedy

But God did not leave His people unaided. He inspired several religious institutions to work towards the rescue of the Catholic slaves from their Muslim slave masters.

One of these was the Trinitarian Order, which was founded by Saint John Matha in 1198. This Order was founded to redeem Catholic slaves from the Islamic slave markets and to set them free.

However, only by raising large sums of money could the Trinitarians carry out their mission of buying back Catholic slaves. To be successful in raising such huge sums of money, they confided their fundraising efforts to the merciful protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

And She did not let them down. In fact, the Mother of God was so generous in answering their pleas for funds, that they called Her "Our Lady of Good Remedy."

And so, the Trinitarians were able to free many slaves from the bondage of slavery and, above all, to free them from the moral evils of sin that was prevalent in those decadent Muslim societies.

Today, we need Our Lady’s help more than ever in our personal lives, to resolve complicated personal situations and to find solutions for troubles we face in our families.

Above all, we need Our Lady of Remedy's powerful intercession to help us turn back the rising tide of radical Islamic Terrorism that is destabilizing the world. Our country and the world desperately need Our Lady’s powerful and unfailing help.


Novena to Our Lady of Good Remedy

Our Lady of Good Remedy


O QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, Most Holy Virgin, we venerate thee. Thou art the beloved Daughter of the Most High God, the chosen Mother of the Incarnate Word, the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and the Sacred Vessel of the Most Holy Trinity.

O Mother of the Divine Redeemer, who under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy comes to the aid of all who call upon thee, extend thy maternal protection to us. We depend on thee, Dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring mother.

Hail, Mary....

How Devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy Started

O LADY OF GOOD REMEDY, source of unfailing help, grant that we may draw from thy treasury of graces in our time of need.

Touch the hearts of sinners, that they may seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Bring comfort to the afflicted and the lonely; help the poor and the hopeless; aid the sick and the suffering. May they be healed in body and strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patient resignation and Christian fortitude.

Hail, Mary....

DEAR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY, source of unfailing help, thy compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me with thy prayers and intercession to find a remedy for my problems and needs, especially for... (Mention your intentions here).

O loving Mother, on my part, I pledge to adopt a more intensely Christian lifestyle, to a more careful observance of the laws of God, to be more conscientious in fulfilling the obligations of my state in life, and to strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours.

Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me, and through thy intercession, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus.

Hail, Mary.....

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of Good Remedy,

R. That we may deepen our dedication to thy Son, and make the world alive with His Spirit.


How Devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy Started

Sex ed madness in Montana

It was deep sorrow that we learned that the new sex ed program for children in Montana was passed.  Although it was revised and the most egregious immoralities were somewhat toned down, it is still a very bad program.

See references here:

http://www.kpax.com/news/helena-school-board-releases-revised-sex-ed-plan/

http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/images/documents/Curriculum/HealthCurriculum/REVISED91410.pdf

As you probably remember, America Needs Fatima did an extensive campaign against this horrific and immoral program. 

http://americaneedsfatima.blogspot.com/2010/07/sex-ed-for-kindergarten-in-montana.html

Now, the question is:

What will they push next?

With young children being taught such gross immorality, what’s next?

At Fatima, Our Lady said that either the world converted or there would be a terrible chastisement in which many nations would be annihilated.

By opposing these immoral programs we’ve been working very hard to try to avoid the chastisement that Our Lady predicted at Fatima.

But if people insist on offending God with new and worse sins, then we must realistically expect the chastisement that will finally wake up America.

Hopefully, during this merciful and cleansing experience, many will return to God and the Church like prodigal sons.  We pray they will reject these sins and love the purity and holiness of God’s Law and of Holy Mother Church.

Ultimately, this cleansing, renewing chastisement will bring the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart as She promised at Fatima:

“In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph!”

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Impressive list of rosary rallies planned for Las Vegas area

With Our Lady's help, the Las Vegas area is having a strong number of rosary rallies planned for Saturday, October 16th at noon, coordinated by our very dedicated rally captain, Caroline Kuhn.  Please see these rallies on the map:

http://www.anfrosaryrallies.com/rallys/locationstxt.asp

Here’s a listing too:

Las Vegas Strip – Las Vegas Blvd. [corner] Cathedral Way (front of Guardian Angel Cathedral)

12:00 Noon

Deacon Frank Pemper

(702) 341-8931

Las Vegas Strip – S. Las Vegas Blvd. [corner] Warm Springs Blvd. (Las Vegas Outlet Mall entrance)

12:00 Noon

Gilbert Vallez

(702) 339-2896

Las Vegas Strip – S. Las Vegas Blvd. [NW corner] Town Square Blvd. (Town Square Mall entrance)

12:00 Noon

Caroline Kuhn

(702) 274-4714

Summerlin – Front of Red Rock Station Casino on W. Charleston Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Ed Graveline

(702) 271-8293

Summerlin – Front of Suncoast Casino on Rampart Blvd. (Children’s Rosary Rally)

12:00 Noon

Clark & Liza Barte

(702) 289-8338

Summerlin – Rampart Blvd. [corner] W. Lake Mead Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Lorna Kumabe

(702) 768-0889

East Las Vegas – Boulder Hwy. [corner] Lamb Ave.

12:00 Noon

Marian Birdsey

(702) 453-5018

West Las Vegas – South Rainbow Blvd. [corner] I-215

12:00 Noon

Leni Marcelino

(702) 682-6002

West Las Vegas– Hualapai Way [SE corner] W. Charleston Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Kim Thomas

(702) 233-9840

West Las Vegas – 3220 W. Charleston Blvd. [corner] Cashman (Abortion clinic location)

12:00 Noon

Vikki Doak

(702) 301-9711

West Las Vegas – Peccole Plaza on 8600 W. Charleston Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Diane & Johnny Ventura

(702) 258-4373

West Las Vegas – Tropicana Ave. [corner] Sepulvera Rd.

12:00 Noon

Antonia Torres

(702) 253-9941

North Las Vegas – Buffalo Drive [SW corner] Summerlin Pkwy (Abortion clinic location)

12:00 Noon

Edna Martinez

(702) 580-2783

North Las Vegas – W. Craig Rd. [corner] Camino Al Norte and N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Joanne Kuhlmann

(702) 648-3785

North Las Vegas– Front of Fiesta Casino on West Lake Mead [SE corner] Rancho Drive

12:00 Noon

Mauricio Rojas

(702) 685-4905

Southwest Las Vegas – Buffalo Drive [NE corner] Flamingo Rd.

12:00 Noon

Anita Cabacan

(702) 767-2588

Southwest Las Vegas – Durango Rd. [NE corner] Spring Mountain Rd.

12:00 Noon

Aida & Celso Ceria

(702) 257-9007

Henderson – outside Sunset Station Casino on Sunset Rd.

12:00 Noon

Mellie Turner

(702) 564-7043

Henderson – Boulder Hwy. [corner] E. Lake Mead Blvd.

12:00 Noon

Barbara Doner

(702) 253-6098

Henderson – Across Sunset Station Casino on Sunset Rd.

12:00 Noon

George Querio

(702) 856-0081

Letter from gracious volunteer

Just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to serve Our Lady by making calls recruiting rally captains.  I just looked at the current number of captains...4,868. 

How wonderful!  The goal of 5,000 looks like it might be exceeded.

[It was. We are over 5,400.]

Please thank everyone there for all they did for us while we were in Topeka and Rossville.  I have never worked with a group so dedicated to Our Lord and His Mother.

I look forward to the Rally in October as we all honor Our Lady of
Fatima praying the rosary for our country.

God Bless you and your family,
K. B.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Sacrality & Interior Life in our Catholic Apostolate

If we lived in centuries long gone, it would not be necessary to explain why surfing nuns are inappropriate.  But we don’t.

Rather, we live in a de-sacralized environment, where we have lost the notion of sacredness.  And, therefore, it is necessary to explain.

image

(St. Francis went on the Crusades.  While there, he challenged the Sultan to have Muslim priests, like himself,  walk through a tunnel of fire.  The  Sultan declined.)

It is better understood in these two stories.  One of them is about Saint Francis of Assisi who went out from the Monastery to preach in the village.

The group spent the day walking up and down the streets, they assisted the sick and poor, but they spoke to no one. In the evening, as the day was winding down, Saint Francis headed back to the Monastery.

On the way back, one of the monks asked, "I thought we were going to preach?"

And Saint Francis answered, "We just did. In our walk we were watched by many. Our demeanor was observed by many. It’s no use to preach with words unless we preach by our presence.”

Now, for the sake of comparison and contrast, let’s imagine that Saint Francis and his monks had walked through the town with surf boards under their arms. What message would they be sending to the people who observed them?

Here’s the second story.

It’s about Saint John Vianney, the famous Cure of Ars. A lawyer went to Ars to poke fun at the simple parish priest. But he returned converted.

Someone asked him: “What did you see there?”

He answered: “I saw God in a man.”

To be more precise, he saw the presence of God in St. John Vianney. He could see that God was in him. The unsolicited witness of this lawyer about the Curé of Ars is one of the most glorious praises a man can receive.

Would this lawyer have said the same thing if he had seen Saint John Vianney with a surf board under his arm?

Well, these two stories demonstrate that it is not by being like everyone else and by doing the things the world does that we attract people to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Much to the contrary.

It is in being different – different by being deeply mortified in the flesh that we attract people to God. Different in our contempt for the things of this earth: “I have suffered the loss of all things and counted them but as dung that I may gain Christ.”

Not that surfing in itself is sinful. That’s not the point.

The point is that religious, by their very vocation, are called to extreme limits of virtue to act as a counter balance in society to the extreme limits of the depravity of sin. One of the big reasons why sin in our society is sinking to lower and lower degrees everyday is that there are fewer and fewer religious who are willing to mortify themselves of licit pleasures.

As mentioned above, Saint Francis of Assisi could walk in silence through the streets of a village preaching the mystery of the Cross by his mere appearance: but a religious who does what everyone else does in the world, like surfing, is ….well, just like everybody else. And therefore, cannot communicate the silent yet powerful language of mortification that converts souls.

What is needed is for men and women religious alike to make the Passion a vivid, living reality by his own mortification and detachment.

                      image

In his famous treatise, Abbot Chautard writes:

“When we see the repeated victories of our infernal foes, we may well wonder, in our anxiety, where to look for the salvation of our society. When will it be the Church’s turn to win a few battles?

“The answer is easy: we can say with Our Lord, “This kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.”

“It will be our turn when the ranks of the clergy and of the religious orders will have begun to produce a body of mortified men who will make the great splendor of the mystery of the Cross blaze in the eyes of all peoples: and the nations of the earth, seeing, in mortified priests and religious, how reparation is made for the sins of the world, will also understand the Redemption of the world by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

“Only then will the army of the devil begin to retreat, and the ages of human history will no longer echo with the terrible anguished cry of our outraged Lord — that cry that will at last have found some to make reparation: “And I sought among them for a man that might set up a hedge, and stand in the gap before Me in favor of the land, that I might not destroy it, and I found none.”

“Someone has tried to find out why a single sign of the Cross from Fr. de Ravignan was enough to electrify indifferent Catholics and even unbelievers who had come to hear him out of mere curiosity. The conclusion to which he was led after questioning many of those who had heard the holy Jesuit, was that it was the preacher’s austerity of life which was given a most striking manifestation by this sign of the Cross, uniting him with the mystery of Calvary.”

But very sadly, we’ve lost the notion that religious are, by their very vows and state of life, a consecrated group, set apart from the common folk, for whom great mortification is an obligation, not a choice.

Also, we have lost the precious notion of the sacred. And our generation has been raised in a society where people talk in church, wear immodest clothes to Mass and treat the priest like an equal and a buddy.

Catholics have forgotten that not only do religious have the obligation by their state in life to strive for perfection, but they must also reflect that holiness in their exterior.  Their exterior demeanor and actions must reflect their interior holiness.

             File:Bernadette soubirous 1 publicdomain.jpg

These stories can help to restore the notion of the sacredness of the religious vocation, which has been eroded terribly.

Another result of the loss of mortification and the sacred is the tragic exodus of nuns from the religious life.  Let’s take a look at the stats.

In 1965, there were 180,000 Catholic nuns.  By 2002, that had fallen to 75,000 and the average age of a Catholic nun today is 70.

In 1965, there were 104,000 teaching nuns.  Today, there are 8,200, a decline of 94 percent!

In my opinion, to some extent, the exodus of nuns from the religious life is due to the fact that their orders have lost the notion of mortification and the sacred.

And, in turn, the loss of the notion of the sacred, to a degree, is due to the fact that the religious have reverted back to behaving like common folk.

In 2000, Bishop Seretteli, the ordinary for Patterson NJ, wrote a piece titled: “The Loss of the Sacred.”

In it, he writes:

“Living in our world, we breathe the toxic air that surrounds us.  Even within the most sacred precincts of the Church, we witness a loss of the sense of the sacred…old songs were jettisoned.  The guitar replaced the organ. 

“Teaching about the Mass began to emphasize the community.  The Mass was seen as a community meal.  It was something everyone did together.  Lost was the notion of sacrifice...the priest was no longer seen as specially consecrated.  He was no different than the laity.  With all of this, a profound loss of the sacred.

“Not one factor can account for the decline in Mass attendance, Church marriages, baptisms and funerals in the last years.  But most certainly, the loss of the sense of the sacred has had a major impact.

“Walk into any church today before Mass and you will notice that the silence that should embrace those who stand in God’s House is gone.  Even the Church is no longer a sacred place.  Gathering for Mass sometimes becomes as noisy as gathering for any other social event.  We may not have the ability to do much about the loss of the sacredness of life in the songs, videos and movies of our day.  But, most assuredly, we can do much about helping one another recover the sacredness of God’s Presence in His Church.”

That makes a lot of sense.

Finally, let’s conclude this already very long post with precious wisdom from Abbot Chautard’s Soul of the Apostolate on the importance of the interior life in our works of apostolate.

“And you will see that a good clear understanding of the Gospel will cut down your expenses and, far from hurting your success, it will promote it! But above all, you will have to pay the price yourself, not so much by wearing yourself out rehearsing plays or setting up football games, as by storing up in yourself the life of prayer. For you can be sure that the extent to which you yourself are able to live on the love of Our Lord will be the exact measure of your ability to stir it up in other people.”

“What it all comes to, then, is that you base everything on the inner life.”

“Yes, absolutely. That way, you don’t merely get an alloy, but pure gold. Besides, speaking from long experience, I know you can apply what I have just said about youth-clubs to any kind of work — parishes, seminaries, catechism classes, schools, soldiers’ and sailors’ groups, and so on. How much good a Christian society, really living on the supernatural level, can do in a city! It works there like a strong leaven, and only the angels can tell you how many souls are saved because of it.”

“Ah,” he concluded, “if only the majority of priests and religious and workers in Catholic action knew what a powerful lever they have in their hands, once that lever takes advantage of the Heart of Jesus as a fulcrum. Living in union with that Divine Heart they would soon transform our country! Yes indeed, they would bring our land to life, in spite of all the efforts of Satan and his slaves.”

Enough said.

Tomorrow is the feast of Saint Michael

As a tribute, I think you’ll enjoy reading about Mont Saint Michel, where Saint Michael appeared to Saint Aubert in 708.  The video is simply marvelous.

Video & article:  Where Saint Michael Appeared

I’ve also posted a tribute to Saint Michael from Fr. Butler’s Lives of the Saints.  As the moral crisis worsens, you and I must rely more and more on the powerful help of Saint Michael and the Angels.  To read it, please visit:

Captain of the Armies of God

At this time, your friends at America Needs Fatima will be invoking Saint Michael, especially as we continue protesting the first ever public Satanic ritual that is scheduled in Oklahoma City on October 21.

See details here:

http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/Frontpage/protest-satanic-qexorcismq.html

Monday, September 27, 2010

Brave volunteer gets collapsed disk – recruits rally captain from hospital bed!!!

Please pray for a very brave volunteer for America Needs Fatima, who was helping to recruit rally captains in the 2010 Public Square Rosary Crusade at our office in Rossville, Kansas.

Her name is Mary Ellen Piel, and she is now in the Saint Francis Hospital via Christi in Wichita Kansas.

On Sunday, she went with the other volunteers to take a field trip to an air show at the base in Wichita.  They parked the car in the parking station,a and were shuttled to the air field in a bus.  But the driver went too fast over a speed bump and, as a result, Mrs. Piel got a collapsed disk. 

She is in a lot of pain, but this did not stop her from turning a friend who called on the phone into a rally captain!

Please do pray for Mrs. Piel’s recovery.  The Evil One is not happy that Mrs. Piel was one of the volunteers who helped America Needs Fatima pass the goal of getting 5,000 rosary rallies scheduled for October 16th.

We’re at 5,301 rallies right now, and the devil is very upset.

May Our Lady, Queen of Angels, protect each and every one involved in getting more rosary rallies for her glory.

America Says No to Mega Mosque

Not everyone is aware of the controversy over the proposed Ground Zero mosque in New York City.

Thanks to the mainstream media, even fewer are aware of the protest against it on this year’s anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

TFP Student Action volunteers joined a huge rally one block from Ground Zero in New York City against the “Victory Mosque” and remembered the victims of the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history.

See the video here:

http://www.tfp.org/current-campaigns/2010/america-says-no-to-mega-mosque.html

Click here to read more.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Protest this public Satanic event

According to press reports, a Satanic group called the Church of the IV Crowned Princes has rented the Civic Center of Oklahoma City to perform a mock exorcism on October 21st.

The Satanists say this will be the first ever public Satanic exorcism ever. And, of course, as always, the target is the Catholic Church.

The leader of the Satanic group said the event planned for October 21st will be a parody of the exorcism used by the Roman Catholic Church: "It's just a blasphemy ritual poking fun at the Catholic ritual."

You and I and all God fearing Americans cannot allow this to go by unopposed.

That's why I urge you to send your instant e-protest to the Mayor of Oklahoma City, Mr. Cornett, respectfully asking him to use all the legal powers invested in him to cancel this event.

Send your e-protest message to Mayor Cornett.

A copy of your protest message will be automatically sent to the City Manager, Mr. Jim Couch.


More contact information: (Please be polite yet firm when calling)


Mayor’s Office
Mr. Mick Cornett
City Hall, 200 N Walker,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 297-2424
mayor@okc.gov

City Manager
Mr. Jim Couch
City Hall, 200 N Walker,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 297-2424
citymanager@okc.gov

Saturday, September 25, 2010

5,000 rosary rally goal surpassed – 5,301 captains prepare for October 16th

Thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our efforts to sign up captains in the 2010 Public Square Rosary Crusade have been blessed with success beyond our expectations.

As you know, our goal was to sign up 5,000 rosary rally captains in time for the Rosary Crusade that is scheduled for Saturday, October 16th.

That goal was crossed this week, and we are currently at 5,301 captains who are committed to leading a public rosary.

Our first and best thanks go to Our Lady, the Blessed Mother of God for this good news.

Secondly, our thanks go to all those who, to a greater or lesser degree, contributed to this successful outcome.

Finally, it is our most ardent hope and prayer that these rosary rallies in the public square will bring countless souls to see that human solutions have failed and that we need true supernatural solutions – amendment of life, prayer, penance and the Rosary.

May Our Lady of Fatima awaken in our nation the realization that it is only by practicing the message that She brought the world in 1917 that we can turn around a very bad situation that is getting worse by the day.

There’s still a few days left to become a rally captain, so please do so now if you haven’t yet had a chance to:

http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/PSRR-Articles/2010rrc-signup.html

Sign the: “Just Cancel the Course” Petition

What happened: Seton Hall University -- the oldest Catholic diocesan university in America -- is being hush, hush about this but they just started a new course called "The Politics of Gay Marriage."

Course materials promote homosexual "marriage."

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Who's giving the class?  Prof. King Mott, a pro-homosexual activist affiliated with the Human Rights Campaign.

What Archbishop John J. Myers said: "The course is not in synch with Catholic teaching."  He also urged campus officials to "take whatever action is required under the law" to preserve the "Catholicity of this university."

What you can do:  Join the TFP's peaceful protest.  Sign the Just Cancel the Course e-protest today.  Yes, let's make this protest massive.  Silence is not an option.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Please encourage all your friends to join this prayerful effort.  Forward this email.  You can also make a huge difference by posting this on blogs and/or Facebook.

For more information on this topic, here’s some additional contact information:

Be polite and respectful.

Seton Hall University
Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, president
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9620
president@shu.edu

Archbishop John J. Myers is the president of the Board of Regents as well as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Seton Hall.  Thank him for opposing this sad situation.

Archdiocese of Newark
Archbishop John J. Myers
171 Clifton Ave
P.O. Box 9500
Newark, NJ 07104
973-497-4000

Friday, September 24, 2010

TFP-ANF Public Forum: The Role of Suffering in the Life of a Catholic

From Hawaii Coordinator Valerie Elefante:

You are invited to attend the Public Forum presented by the TFP - America Needs Fatima Campaign. The TFP Members are from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania and spoke at the First Annual TFP - America Needs Fatima Hawaii Regional Conference held at the Pagoda Hotel in April.

Please share this information with your relatives, friends and interested persons.

You are Invited to a Public Forum

Moving God, Moving History:
The Role of Suffering in the Life of a Catholic


Presented by the TFP - America Needs Fatima

Why: Our Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal 93 years ago and warned us to pray, do penance and mend our ways. Did we? No.

As a result, we are now in the "Fatima Moment", experiencing the Fatima Prophesies of Our Blessed Mother.

Are you aware and prepared for the consequences of the Prophesies?

Where: Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School (Located in the Hale Moku and Hokulani Naval Community - Off of Nimitz Hwy).

Center Drive and C Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96818 (Pearl Harbor)
When: Saturday, September 25, 2010

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Potluck Dinner and Fellowship

May Our Blessed Mother continue to bless you for spreading her Fatima Message and for your devotion to her

Immaculate Heart.


Your Friend,
In Jesus and Mary,
Valerie Elefante

Today we pay homage to Our Lady of Ransom – September 24

In the 13th century, Our Lady appeared in visions to St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Penafort, and James, king of Aragon, asking them to found a religious order dedicated to freeing Catholic slaves and captives from the barbaric Muslims.

As a result, the Mercedarian Order was founded by Saint Peter Nolasco.

Saint Peter Armengol was also a member of the Mercedarians.

His story is among the greatest examples of holy confidence in the Blessed Virgin Mary ever.

Here it is:

Hanging from a noose, but trusting in Our Lady

by Felipe BarandiarĂ¡n

Saint Peter Armengol, a model of unshakable confidence, sustained by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Peter Armengol was born in GuĂ¡rdia dels Prats, a small village in the archdiocese of Tarragon, Spain in 1238. He belonged to the house of the barons of Rocafort, descendants of the counts of Urgel, whose ancestors were directly linked to the counts of Barcelona and the monarchs of Aragon and Castile.

Despite the great care taken by his parents regarding his education, young Peter gave himself over to a life of total dissipation in the company of other dissolute youths who led him on the wide road of vice and caprice. “Abyssus abyssum invocat”—deep calleth on deep—say the Scriptures. Thus Peter joined a gang of criminals who, pursued by justice, led the life of bandits in the mountains. Soon the young Armengol became the leader of that gang.

On account of this bad behavior of his son, Arnold Armengol de Moncada moved to the kingdom of Valencia, recently conquered from the Moors by King Jaime.

This monarch had to embark upon a trip to Montpellier in order to deal with the King of France on grave matters of interest to both crowns. To travel safely, he commissioned Arnold to go before him on the road in order to rout any of the assailants who often robbed and even killed travelers in the region of the Pyrenees.

At the most dangerous part of the journey, the retinue of the noble Spaniard saw itself surrounded by brigands. Arnold rushed at them with his troops, wounding some and apprehending others. Warned that at a certain point the evildoers would defend themselves with particular energy, he spurred his horse forward with sword in hand and urged his men to attack with greater ardor in order to defeat the leader of the bandits. Indeed, Arnold himself was the first to encounter the leader, engaging him in hand-to-hand combat. Grief came upon both noble and brigand, however, when each realized whom he had wounded. Bathed in tears, Peter prostrated himself at the feet of his father, surrendering to him his sword, with it, his heart.

Penance for his misdeeds

Filled with confusion and shame, the repentant youth retired to a Mercedarian monastery in Barcelona. With an ardent desire to repair the injuries done to God, he resolved the resolution to become a monk in that religious order founded by Saint Peter Nolasco to ransom Catholics captured by the Mohammedans. He requested the habit with such insistence and gave such conclusive proofs of his vocation that he was received there by the Venerable William de Bas, the French-born successor of the holy founder in the government of the Order.

The passions that had previously revolted with violence were now repressed with violence by Peter Armengol in religious life. He understood how to subdue them with such promptitude, through rigorous penances, mortification of the senses and continual prayer, that even before the end of his novitiate he had managed to subject them to the dominion of his will and reason.

During the eight years of his profession, he was entrusted with the important task of dealing directly with the ransom of captives. He carried out this function in the kingdoms of Granada and Murcia, provinces of Spain that were still in the power of the Saracens. Nonetheless, his greatest desire was to go to Africa and become a captive for the ransom of Christians.

On an expedition to that continent, he arrived in Bugia in the company of Friar William Florentino. There they ransomed 119 captives without any incident that would impede their return to their country. However, before departing, Friar Armengol learned of a prison with 18 children who, impelled by the threats of punishments of the barbarous Mohammedans, remained exposed to the danger of denying the Faith. The religious happily offered himself for the ransom of the innocent captives. His release was promised in exchange for a stipulated sum, but if the payment did not arrive within the set time he would suffer harsh punishments. Divine Providence had disposed that this man of God would thus give proof of his special confidence in the omnipotent mediation of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he was deeply devoted.

Flaming torch of confidence

In captivity, Friar Armengol worked prodigies of charity among the infidels, converting many by the efficacy of his preaching, which was confirmed by many miracles.

The time prescribed for the delivery of the money came and passed without payment being made, so the infidels threw him into prison. There they denied him even the food necessary for his sustenance, but Our Lord, by means of His angels, miraculously provided for His most faithful servant.

Eventually tired of tormenting him, the Moors then conspired to take his life. They accused him of blaspheming and cursing Mohammed and of being a spy sent by the Christian kings, thus raising the ire of the Saracen judge who oversaw his case. The judge condemned Friar Peter to death by hanging.

Friar Armengol prayed to Our Lady and confided in her. In the hands of the infidels he could not defend himself, for he was nothing; he was mere dust. But, in truth, he was a flaming torch of confidence in Our Lady!

The unjust sentence was executed. Due to a prohibition imposed by the Moors, who wanted Peter’s body to serve as food for birds of prey, no one dared to take it down, so the body of the holy man remained suspended on the gallows. Six days went by; then Friar William arrived with the ransom money. Learning what had happened, he went with great sorrow and emotion, in the company of some captives, to see the lamentable sight. Upon approaching the site of the punishment he noted that the body, after so long a time, did not emit a bad odor but rather exhaled a heavenly fragrance. To the shock of all, Friar Armengol then spoke to him, telling him that the Blessed Mother had conserved his life in these circumstances so that this might be a perpetual reminder of her marvels. Astounded by the stupendous miracle, some pagans converted to the Catholic religion.

Conversations with the Queen of Angels

Barcelona, learning of the portentous miracle, impatiently awaited the return of the unconquerable martyr of Jesus Christ. In the city, they received him with indescribable joy, accompanying him from the port to his monastery, giving thanks to Our Lord for His marvels. The religious wanted to hear from Friar Peter’s mouth what had happened, but despite their earnest pleas, he would not speak. Finally, the superior ordered him to tell all that had occurred. Not resisting the voice of obedience, the man of God spoke these words: “The Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our own mother, asked her most holy Son to conserve my life. Having obtained this favor, this same sovereign Queen sustained me with her most holy hands, so that the weight of my body would not hang upon the rope by which I was suspended.” Upon saying these words he felt such a sweetness in his heart that he became enraptured in an admirable ecstasy.

Friar Peter Armengol thereafter always had a twisted neck and a pale color, most authentic signs of what had taken place. He retired to the monastery of Our Lady de los Prados, where his life was a continuous series of heroic virtues and familiar conversations with the Queen of Angels, whom he loved so dearly that it would be impossible to imagine a more reverent devotion or a more filial tenderness. Always remembering those days of his hanging, he told the religious of the monastery on the various occasions when he spoke to them of this marvel: “Believe me, my dear brothers, that I do not believe myself to have lived, except for those few but most happy days when, hanging from the gallows, I was held to be dead.”

Later assailed by a serious illness, he was given prophetic knowledge of the time of his death. He delivered his spirit into the hands of his Creator on April 27, 1304. Our Lord deigned to give proofs of the glorification of His servant with seven miracles, the cures of three men and four women, even before his venerable body could be buried. On March 28, 1686, Pope Innocent XI approved the public cult to the saint, and, in the eighteenth century, Pope Benedict XIV inscribed the name of Saint Peter Armengol in the Roman Martyrology.

The tomb of the saint

Today the remains of Saint Peter Armengol can be found in GuĂ¡rdia dels Prats. The small village still preserves much of its ancient medieval character: tortuous, narrow streets; stone pavements; buildings that recall ancient palaces or noble residences; and a charming Romanesque-style church whose principal nave dates from the time of the Mercedarian saint.

The body of Saint Peter Armengol, as well as that of an illustrious contemporary, Blessed Oliva, were incorrupt until 1936. During the Spanish Civil War, communist militia invaded and sacked the church, carrying off the two venerable bodies to the public square where, burning them, they reduced them to ashes. Some children gathered up what they could of these ashes and took the precious remains to their homes, where their mothers kept them with great care. Later, after the communists were vanquished, the precious relics were returned to the church. These remains are today conserved together in a reliquary over the main altar of the church. Forgotten by the progressivism that has infiltrated and intoxicated so many Catholic circles, these ashes await better days, in silent testimony of the sanctity of the Catholic Church and Christian civilization.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Homosexual agenda infiltrating Catholic schools

The homosexual agenda is not just infiltrating public schools.  It's infiltrating Catholic schools as well.

Please read the story at:

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/100922

Rosary Crusade Spreads

It is very inspiring to see several groups promoting Rosary Crusades in the USA and across the globe.

One such group called the THE LEPANTO VICTORY MISSION is promoting nine days of non-stop Rosaries from:

Dates & hours: 9/29/10, 12:00 am – 10/7/10, 24:00 am

Prayer intention: For our nation - - -

“Lord, save us from the hands of our enemies.”

Listing: Committed soldiers of Our Lady

The Battle Formation:

. Pray the rosary

. Throughout the USA & beyond

. For 9 days around the clock

. For the single united intention

The Lepanto naval battle in 1571 was won with this spiritual battle formation.  Europe was saved.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Thanksgiving to God for victory in Senate military vote

Please pray in thanksgiving to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for yesterday's victory in the Senate.

As you probably know by now, the Senate rejected a defense authorization bill that would have allowed homosexuals to openly serve in the military and abortions at military hospitals.

This was an important victory for America and for our dear armed forces. But the fight is not over.

See, Senator Harry Reid voted against the bill, only to give himself the chance to bring it up again. Some say he will bring it up again in the lame-duck session in December.

So please keep on watching and praying that God will continue to save our military from the sins of abortion and homosexual vice.

And please check out the latest news on the 5,000 rosary rallies in the Public Square Rosary Crusade, scheduled for Saturday, October 16th.

2010 Public Square Rosary Crusade.

24/7 rosary rally

From Sergio De Paz in Miami:

Providentially, my home sits on a corner on very busy road -- Coral Way and 59 Ave.-- Close to 57 Ave.  Two blocks to the west is the entrance to Coral Gables.

DSCN7092

The morning bumper to bumper traffic is from 7:00 AM to 10 AM.  The reverse takes place in the evening.

DSCN7096

(From my office,  I can see the traffic go by.) 

Some people honk their horns and gave me a thumbs up when they see my sign.

DSCN7073

My sign for the rosary rally next to the political one.  Mine is the real politics, the politics of heaven.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Law barring homosexuals from serving openly in the military stands – thank God!

by Peter J. Smith

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 21, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Republicans were successful in their efforts Tuesday to block debate on a defense authorization bill that would have repealed both the law prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in the military and the law banning abortion on military bases.

Democrats failed to muster the 60 votes needed for cloture as all members of the GOP caucus held together, and two Arkansas Democrats, Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, also crossed party lines to join the Republican-led filibuster.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also voted against the bill, but only as a procedural tactic. Under the Senate rules, this gives him the opportunity to bring up the matter at a later time. It is anticipated that Reid will reintroduce the measure sometime during the Congressional lame-duck session in December.

The $726 billion Defense Authorization Bill has one amendment, originally sponsored by Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), that strikes a section of the U.S. Code, which has prohibited Department of Defense facilities from being used to perform abortions except in cases of rape, incest, and risk to the life of the mother.

Top conservative groups including the Family Research Council (FRC), the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List, and the American Family Association are warning that the FY2011 Defense Authorization bill, if passed, would "turn every U.S. military hospital in the world into an abortion clinic."

FRC president Tony Perkins noted that, because it is not an appropriations bill, the controversial authorization measure is "not necessary to fund our military.”

Also at stake was the 1993 law banning homosexuals from military service, a law that is commonly, but erroneously identified as the Pentagon policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) led the charge to block the repeal of the 1993 law and DADT.

Heavy pressure was put on Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to buck the GOP filibuster and vote for cloture. However Collins, who supports a repeal of the 1993 law, and voted for it in committee, said she would not help advance the bill unless Reid would allow the GOP to submit their own amendments, adding they “deserve to have a civil, fair and open debate.”

“I will defend the right of my colleagues to offer amendments on this issue, and other issues that are being brought up in connection with the defense authorization bill,” Collins said on the Senate floor.

Snowe expressed similar reservations, but added that since DADT had been in place for 17 years, Congress deserved a chance to review the Defense Department’s upcoming December report on the issue first.

Earlier today, Marine Gen. James Amos, President Obama’s nominee to replace Gen. James Conway as Marine Corps Commandant, testified before the Senate that most Marines oppose repeal of DADT.

“I've heard at the Marine bases and the Marine input for the online survey has been predominantly negative,” Amos told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Minnesota bishop encourages Catholics to act against same-sex ‘marriage’ dangers

Winona, Minn., Sep 19, 2010 / 07:47 am (CNA).- The bishops of Minnesota are “alarmed” by continuing attacks on marriage, Bishop of Winona John Quinn has said. He reported that Catholics of his diocese will receive a DVD and a letter from him to remind Catholics of church teaching and to explain the dangers of the legal recognition of same-sex “marriage.”

Story here:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/minnesota-bishop-encourages-catholics-to-act-against-same-sex-marriage-dangers/

Monday, September 20, 2010

Suffering with joy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a valuable deposition from the canonization of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, given by her sister Celine.  It reveals aspects of the saint’s life about which few are aware and to which, even less give due importance.

The information contained in this document is ironclad. Not only was Celine closer to Saint Therese than anyone else, but she gave this testimony in an official Church inquiry. Thus, it is scrupulously accurate. A part of this document states:

"The servant of God followed a path of simple confidence and total abandonment to God. She named this her little way of spiritual infancy. She continually corresponded to grace and performed generous acts. This is how she formed herself and her novices."

This shows the role that correspondence to grace plays in the little way. Most people are very familiar with the sweetness of Saint Therese’s spirituality, but neglect the roles of correspondence and suffering.

However, doing so denies almost every page of Saint Therese’s writings. In fact, she prized suffering so much that it became an integral part of who she was. Celine shows how this sweetness and suffering coexisted in the life of Saint Therese.

She says that Saint Therese always corresponded to grace. This correspondence is an act of the will. It consists in accepting the invitation to grace. This requires sacrifice, because frequently it forces one to behave contrary to his desires. Though Saint Therese was not the saint of great sacrifices, she constantly accepted little, simple and unpretentious ones.

Since these were unceasing, they weighed more heavily on her than great sufferings would have. At least these would have come in waves with periods of respite in between. Saint Therese’s life of constant sacrifice demonstrates the great-little suffering of her way.

Celine continues:

One day, I read a passage on the Eucharist that said Our Lord’s mercy will be granted to each according to the merit of his works. I asked the servant of God why mercy would be given according to the merit of one’s works. She was emphatic and immediately responded that confidence in God is nourished on sacrifice.

Pay close attention to her response. Saint Therese sustained herself on sacrifice.

She went on to say that each should give himself entirely and constantly renounce himself. In a single word, he should prove his love in every way and always do every good work that he can. This is the desire of little souls who run along the way of spiritual infancy. She finished: “I intentionally said that these souls run, because they never lag behind.”

Thus, the spirit of sacrifice is key to the little way. It means constantly offering little sufferings, and at times big ones, in a spirit of spiritual infancy, abandonment and confidence in God.

Saint Therese exemplified this spirit. She resolved always to ask for nothing and accept everything. Once, a nun was helping her arrange her habit and inadvertently stuck a pin through her flesh. Faithful to this spirit, Saint Therese never complained and left the pin where it was until she retired for the evening.

So, the relationship between the little way and suffering is clear. Nevertheless, there is still something mysterious about it, because Saint Therese’s life and writings, which are filled with affliction, are also imbued with a perfume of roses.

When one reads the Spiritual Exercises of the great Saint Ignatius, who I hold in highest esteem, it makes one’s hair stand on end. However, when Saint Therese writes the same thing, somehow it comes with a smile.

By Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira

Sunday, September 19, 2010

3rd attack on Our Lady; our response below

There’s a Protestant man named Sam who has made 3 posts on his blog attacking Catholic veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He also insults Catholics by saying that we worship idols.   He sites the fact that he saw a newly web Catholic couple kneel before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary as proof that we worship idols.

He also says that there was a Catholic priest on Pat Robinson’s radio show that said Catholic veneration of Our Lady is idolatry.

Here is my response:

Dear Sam,

Although the response you posted is long, it crumbles at its base because it rests upon two faulty premises:

1) Your definition of idolatry is incorrect; and,

2) You attribute this incorrect notion of idolatry to Catholics.

Please have the kindness to take note of an essential difference that exists between idolatry and the veneration of images practiced in the Catholic Church, viz., that while the idolater credits the image he reverences with Divinity or Divine powers, the Catholic knows "that in images there is no divinity or virtue on account of which they are to be worshipped, that no petitions can be addressed to them, and that no trust is to be placed in them.

We Catholics know that the honor which is given to them is referred to the objects (prototypa) which they represent, so that through the images which we kiss, and before which we uncover our heads and kneel, we adore Christ and venerate the Saints whose likenesses they are" (Conc. Trid., Sess. XXV, "de invocatione Sanctorum," New Advent).

Furthermore, the fact that a Catholic priest said on radio, (if you heard correctly), that Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is idolatry does not make it so.

The fact is, the Catholic veneration of the Mother of God is exactly that -- veneration, and nothing more.

Now, once we have clarified the false premises of your post, for those of good faith, let's shed clarity to what idolatry truly is:

Idolatry etymologically denotes Divine worship given to an image, but its signification has been extended to all Divine worship given to anyone or anything but the true God.

St. Thomas (Summa Theol., II-II, q. xciv) treats of it as a species of the genus superstition, which is a vice opposed to the virtue of religion and consists in giving Divine honor (cultus) to things that are not God, or to God Himself in a wrong way.

The specific note of idolatry is its direct opposition to the primary object of Divine worship; it bestows on a creature the reverence due to God alone.

It does so in several ways. The creature is often represented by an image, an idol.

"Some, by nefarious arts, made certain images which, through the power of the devil, produced certain effects whence they thought that these images contained something divine and, consequently, that divine worship was due to them." Such was the opinion of Hermes Trismegistus. Others gave Divine honors not to the images but to the creatures which they represented.

Both are hinted at by the Apostle (Romans 1:23-25), who says of the first: "They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of four-footed beasts and of creeping things";

And of the second: "They worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator". These worshippers of creatures were of three kinds. Some held that certain men were gods, and these they honored through their statues, e.g., Jupiter and Mercury.

Others opined that the whole world was one God, God being conceived of as the rational soul of the corporeal world. Hence they worshipped the world and all its parts, the air, the water, and all the rest; their idols, according to Varro, as reported by St. Augustine (City of God VIII.21-22), were the expression of that belief.

Others again, followers of Plato, admitted one supreme God, the cause of all things; under Him they placed certain spiritual substances of His creation and participating in His Divinity; these substances they called gods; and below these they put the souls of the heavenly bodies and, below these again the demons who, they thought, were a sort of aerial living beings (animalia).

Lowest of all they placed the human souls, which, according to merit or demerit, were to share the society either of the gods or of the demons. To all they attributed Divine worship, as St. Augustine says (City of God VIII.14).

I sincerely hope that this clarification will be helpful to you to undo the false notions that many hold in regard to Catholics being idolaters.

May the holy Mother of God, who all generations will call blessed, intercede for you and obtain your conversion to the One True Faith of the One True God, the Roman Catholic Church.

Sincerely,

Robert Ritchie

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Pope says Socialism deforms and depraves children

In Pope Pius XI's encyclical, DIVINI ILLIUS MAGISTRI, on Christian Education, we find precious insights about education, with a special comment on the evil effects of theories of advanced  Socialism.

“Nevertheless, Venerable Brethren and beloved children, We wish to call your attention in a special manner to the present-day lamentable decline in family education. The offices and professions of a transitory and earthly life, which are certainly of far less importance, are prepared for by long and careful study; whereas for the fundamental duty and obligation of educating their children, many parents have little or no preparation, immersed as they are in temporal cares.

“The declining influence of domestic environment is further weakened by another tendency, prevalent almost everywhere today, which, under one pretext or another, for economic reasons, or for reasons of industry, trade or politics, causes children to be more and more frequently sent away from home even in their tenderest years.

“And there is a country where the children are actually being torn from the bosom of the family, to be formed (or, to speak more accurately, to be deformed and depraved) in godless schools and associations, to irreligion and hatred, according to the theories of advanced socialism; and thus is renewed in a real and more terrible manner the slaughter of the Innocents.”

4,660 Rally Captains Gearing Up For October 16th Rosary Crusade

Thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have signed up 4,660 rally captains who will each lead a group in praying the Pubic Square Rosary Crusade on October 16th.

How Our Lady will reward each one of these captains with many graces and favors!

If you have not yet signed up please do so today by going here:

http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/PSRR-Articles/2010rrc-signup.html

Friday, September 17, 2010

Horrific porn blasphemy against Our Lady in Australia

Please see the email contact list below so you can send a protest message (polite and peaceful) against the horrific porn blasphemy being carried out at an the Australian Galleries in Paddington, Sydney, Australia.

DISTRURBING NEWS.

DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU THINK THIS BLASPHEMY WILL DISTURB YOU.

Some Australians have written to inform us that an exhibit that includes hardcore pornographic images superimposed on the Virgin Mary and Child has opened on Tuesday, 14 September at:

Australian Galleries

15 Royston Street

Paddington 2021 (Sydney, Australia).

Besides the complete insult to the Blessed Virgin Mary,  in other parts of the exhibition artist Rodney Pople has desecrated and perverted Bellini’s famous altarpiece in Venice – obscuring it with very indecent scenes.

There are other porn scenes displayed as well.  This exhibition is simply blasphemous in the most extreme sense of the word.

It is most offensive to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Our Lord Jesus Christ and to all Catholics in Australia and in the world.

Please write a protest message (polite and peaceful) to these people and institutions, including the local and state members of parliament:

Australian Galleries: enquiries@australiangalleries.com.au

State Member for Sydney and Lord Mayor Clover Moore: cmoore@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Local Mayor Andrew Petrie: andrew.petrie@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

Councilors for the Paddington Ward:
Deputy Mayor Peter Cavanagh: peter.cavanagh@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

Councilor Susan Jarnason; susan.jarnason@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

Councilor Greg Medcraft: greg.medcraft@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

In light of the uproar a few Danish comics of Mohammed caused, surely we Catholics can put in a good effort for our dearly beloved Mother.

Saint Joseph does it again!!!

The story below confirms how powerful is Saint Joseph to help us in out material needs.  So, let’s ask, and ask, and not just for our material needs either. 

                       image

More importantly, we must ask for our spiritual needs and for the good of our dear country, which is being destroyed by sin and its terrible consequences.

Free Saint Joseph Novena Book

Here is the story from a member of America Needs Fatima who ordered the Saint Joseph Novena online:

“We received our St. Joseph prayer book about 3 weeks ago. We read through the entire letter you sent and we were inspired to start the novena that day.

“St. Joseph answered our prayers back in 2008 when he helped us sell our home in Arizona 1 month before my wife delivered our first born. This time I was praying for a job.  My business is failing and I have  been unemployed since March and the unemployment insurance was about to run out. 

“We stormed Heaven with prayers and cried out to St. Joseph for a job that I would love to do and that would help pay the bills. 

“The day after our Novena ended, I received a message from a Marine I served with 4 years ago.  He owns a Pressure washing company and was looking to a hire a new Marketing Director the exact time I asked him if he was hiring!! 

“I am now working as the Marketing Director for the company. God is Great!

“Thank you Saint Joseph and thank you for the Novena Prayer Book.”

Yours in Christ,

C.K.

NO to homosexuals in the military

Vote-NO-Defense-Authorization.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

A critical piece of federal legislation is in the works that, if approved, would allow abortions to take place in military hospitals and homosexuals to serve openly in our military.

The appropriations bill has already passed the House, and could be voted upon on Tuesday. 

Here is what’s at stake:

The Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill includes Senator Roland Burris's amendment, authorizing abortion in military hospitals.

Besides that, the bill will repeal the 1993 law regarding homosexuals in the military, Section 654, Title 10, U.S.C.

For both reasons, it’s urgent to call your two U.S. Senators to ask that they vote to uphold Senator John McCain's objection to the bill.

Here’s a sample message that you can use to copy and paste right into their email page:

*****************************

Dear Senator:

Due to my deeply held religious beliefs, I ask you to OPPOSE the National Defense Authorization bill. For the good of America, I urge you, with all my soul, to keep abortions out of military hospitals and homosexuals out of the military.

Unless BOTH of these faith-based reasons are satisfactorily addressed in the bill, I expect you, as my representative, to OPPOSE the NDA bill.

Please do everything legally and humanly possible to stop the National Defense Authorization bill as it now stands.
Thank you.
Sincerely,

Click here for a listing where you can send an e-mail to urge your U.S. Senators to Vote NO on the Defense Authorization bill. You can also get the phone numbers of your two senators.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Statue touches Protestants

I had the chance to spend some quality time with the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, as she went from church to church in Kentucky. 

13_Sacred Image_082609

I was AMAZED at the reaction of some protestant Kentuckians to this miraculous statue.

For example, I just had a conversation with two ladies that work at the place we are staying. One of them was on the verge of tears when I told her about our Lady's apparitions and her message to the world.

She then said that her grandfather was a protestant minister but that she had fallen away from religion and "felt the need to get closer to God".

Not having time to do or say more at the moment, I simply suggested that she go before the statue when she returns in a few days and "address her as you would your own mother and ask Her to put you on the right path."

I so hope that this lady will do what I suggested and that our Lady will work marvels in her soul and bring her to the true religion.

Also, another lady that works here also took time to stop by and visit our Lady's statue.  She was obviously not Catholic by the way she spoke in a loud way in front of the Blessed Sacrament. But she like the others was extremely moved by the beauty of the statue.

Please pray for this part of Kentucky, which is very protestant.  But I cannot help but think that she is leaving a trail of Gold Dust in the her wake. She literally converts souls by her mere presence and does more with a simple gaze than many others do by hours of talk.

by Norman Fulkerson

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Startling objection to rosary rally – answer is even more startling…

Someone told me he read an article discouraging Catholics from praying the Rosary in public.  He said the article referred to this Scripture passage as evidence that its wrong to pray in public:

“And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

“But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee”  (Matthew 6:5-6).   

Of course, by this, we cannot infer that public prayer is wrong. 

We could never practice our faith in private, behind closed doors, to such an extent that all of our acts of piety are completely hidden.

Nor does God want this.  

So, the meaning of this passage is that Our Lord did not condemn the act of praying in public, but the bad intention of those who pray in public for the wrong reasons.

As is evident by the context of the parables that Our Lord used, He colored the situation to its darkest to teach us a lesson.  He did not censure people who prayed in public, nor did He ask the apostles to keep their faith exclusively indoors.

Much to the contrary!  Our Lord commanded His apostles:

“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”  (Matthew 28:19)

Our Lord Himself prayed in public on several occasions.  Two of the most pungent examples of which we contemplate with holy veneration in the Garden of Olives and at the foot of the Cross:

“And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”  (Matthew 26:39).

“And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots” (Luke 23:34).

Holy Mother Church shows us the importance of public prayer in Her magnificent public processions.  More recently, people have gathered to pray the Block Rosary with excellent results.

Furthermore, Saint Louis de Montfort in his book Secret of the Rosary, says:

"When people say the Rosary together, it is far more formidable to the devil, than one said privately, because in this public prayer, it is an army that is attacking. It is very easy to break a single stick, but if you join it to others to make a bundle, it cannot be broken. In union, there is strength."

Finally, Saint Louis de Montfort states:

“Public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer, to appease the anger of God, and to call down His mercy. Holy Mother Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, has always advocated public prayer in times of public tragedy and suffering.”

So why would anyone recommend that the public praying of the Rosary is wrong?

Amazing rally captain

One of Our Lady’s volunteers justy got off the phone with a man who pledged to be a rosary rally captain on Saturday, October 16th.

The amazing thing about this case is that the 16th is this man's daughter's due date.

He said that if she has her baby on the 16th then he will have the rally at the hospital.

Limbaugh, Coulter and Beck say same-sex “marriage” not important; time to move on!!!

In the history of war, we can observe many cases of battles where someone mistakenly sounds the retreat when victory was in sight.

Traditional marriage has been taken to the polls 31 times and has won each time. So the homosexual movement resorts to judicial activists to impose its agenda.

This seems to be the case against same-sex “marriage.”

Traditional marriage has never been defeated.  Thirty-one times it has been taken to the polls and thirty-one times it has won.  Even in the bluest of blue states—California—it won against all expectations.  In Maine, pro-family activists overturned the decision of the legislature.

In New York, a same-sex “marriage” measure was defeated despite every effort by the Democratic majority in both houses to force it through.

Homosexual activists in Massachusetts quaked in fear at the prospect that it might be put to the vote.  District of Columbia councilmen overturned any possibility that residents might have a say in their government.

Here we have an ideal issue which shows the tyranny of judicial activism at its worst. In the few cases, where same-sex “marriage” has been imposed upon us, most have been through judicial fiat. It is the conservative issue that best shows the brutality of the liberal agenda.

The desperation is capped by a decision of Judge Vaughn Walker which struck down the California Marriage Amendment. Here is a court decision stacked with evidence that is blatantly unscientific and biased. Here we have a single judge nullifying the votes of seven million Californians and redefining marriage in a single stroke.

With thirty-one states banning the practice with constitutional amendments, the other side has no real future—except to sound the retreat.

With 31 states banning same-sex “marriage,” who is spreading rumors that traditional marriage is a “lost cause?”

To sound the retreat? Yes, to spread the rumors that the traditional marriage cause is lost. With the Judge Walker decision, there are those who are saying there is an air of inevitability to the eventual destruction of marriage in America.


At the moment of our greatest victory, we are told that it is time to give up.  Some “lions” of the right are beginning to make statements supporting civil unions or same-sex “marriage”— Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and even Glenn Beck are saying this most important matter is no longer that important and it is time to move on. 

(Reference: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/aug/10081315.html)

Practical political “strategists” are saying we need to court the tiny part of that two percent of the American population which is homosexual—even at the risk of losing a much greater percent of their normal political base.

And yet almost nothing has changed.  There is still some 80 percent of Republicans that support marriage as a union of one man and one woman and 40 percent of Democrats share in the opposition to same-sex “marriage.”

Thus, we have to ask: Who is sounding the retreat?
Now is the time to sound the charge!

by John Horvat

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Photos – Brecksville Rosary Rally

On Saturday, we had our Rosary Rally in Brecksville, OH.  It seems that we almost always have 12 people  - and not always the same people each month. 

DSC00522

Sure enough, we had 12 again! 

DSC00523

After the prayers, one generous couple signed up to lead a rally in their part of town for October 16th!  May Our Lady bless their generosity. 

I know everyone is busy with your efforts to get the 5,000 rallies for next month.  We will be praying with you and for you.

In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Mrs. Henderson

Our Lady of Sorrows – September 15

                 image

Please find below a series of prayers, promises and reflections about Our Lady of Sorrows and Her feast day which we celebrate tomorrow, September 15.

About this day, Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments how Our Lady, whom God predestined to be the Mother of His Son, was united in her person to the life, mysteries and suffering of Jesus, so that she might be a faithful cooperator in the work of Redemption.

He notes that God must consider suffering to be a great good since He gave so much suffering to His Son, Whom He loved so much. And since, after His Son, God loved the Holy Virgin more than any other creature, He also wanted to give her suffering as the richest of all presents.

In the solemnity of this feast, we principally remember Mary on Calvary where she suffered the supreme sorrow of all sorrows that filled her life. Indeed, so great was Mary's grief on Calvary that, had it been divided among all creatures capable of suffering, it would have caused them all to die instantly.

If the Church limits the number of sorrows to seven, it is because this number has always symbolized the idea of totality and universality. To understand the extent and suffering of Our Lady, one must know the extent of her love for Jesus.

Her love as Mother of God only augmented her suffering. In fact, nature and grace came together to produce profound impressions on the heart of Mary. Nothing is stronger and more pressing than the love that nature gives a mother for her son or that grace gives for God.

These considerations help us understand the role of suffering in our lives.

We see we are not alone in our suffering. In fact, the immensity of the crosses suffered by Our Lady was so great that we might also say she suffered not seven, but all sorrows. She is Our Lady of All Sorrows since no one suffered more.

While it is true that all generations will call her blessed, to a lesser but immensely real degree, all generations may also call her "sorrowful."

Thus, we need to understand better that when sorrow enters our lives, it is a proof of God's love. And when we are not visited with sorrow, we do not have all the proofs of God's love for us.

It is in sorrow that our mettle is tested. Moreover, one finds a note of maturity, stability and rationality in those who suffer and who suffer much. And so we should understand that when adversity, difficulties, misunderstandings, bad health and conflicts visit us, we must not see them as things that should never happen.

To suffer is normal in this vale of tears.

If she, whom God loves so much, suffered, how much more should we suffer. He, who God and Our Lady love, suffers because God will not refuse to give him that which He gave abundantly to the two who He loved most: Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Lady.

Thus, we must see temptations, trials, stress and so many other sufferings as something normal in life. We must ask that sufferings pass but when they persist, we must bless God and Our Lady.


                         

Petitions to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary
The Seven Dolors of the Mother of God

V. Incline unto my aid, O God!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!

One Glory be.

1. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that grief suffered by thy tender heart at the prophecy of the aged Holy Simeon. O dearest Mother, through this thy afflicted heart, implore for me the virtue of humility and the Gift of the Fear of God. One Hail Mary.

2. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of those distressing fears which thy affectionate heart endured on the flight to Egypt and during thy sojourn there. O dearest Mother, through this thy anxious heart implore for me the virtue of generosity, particularly for the poor, and the Gift of Piety. One Hail Mary.

3. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that anxiety which thy worried heart endured in the loss of thy beloved Child Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly troubled heart, implore for me the virtue of chastity and the Gift of Knowledge. One Hail Mary.

4. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that horror with which thy mother's heart was stricken when meeting Jesus, bearing the Cross. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly oppressed heart, implore for me the virtue of patience and the Gift of Fortitude. One Hail Mary.

5. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that martyrdom which tortured thy magnanimous heart at the death-agony of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy martyred heart, implore for me the virtue of temperance and the Gift of Counsel. One Hail Mary.

6. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of the anguish inflicted upon thy tender heart by the thrust of the lance that opened the side of Jesus and pierced His Most Adorable Heart. O dearest Mother, through this vicarious transfixion of thy own heart, implore for me the virtue of brotherly love and the Gift of Understanding. One Hail Mary.

7. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that agony of soul which racked thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this extreme torment that filled thy burdened heart, implore for me the virtue of zeal and the Gift of Wisdom. One Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Most Sorrowful!
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, whose soul was pierced by the Sword of Sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may be our advocate at the throne of Thy Mercy, now, and at the hour of our death. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Novena Prayers

Here are seven graces the Blessed Virgin Mary grants to souls who honor Her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditating on Her tears and Dolors. The devotion was passed to us by Saint Bridget.

  1. I will grant peace to their families.
  2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
  3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
  4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the Adorable Will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
  5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
  6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother.
  7. I have obtained (this grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

  1. The prophecy of Simeon.
  2. The flight into Egypt.
  3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
  4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
  5. The Crucifixion.
  6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
  7. The burial of Jesus.

Homosexual "Marriage": Who Sounded the Retreat?

In the history of war, we can observe many cases of battles where someone mistakenly sounds the retreat when victory was in sight.

Traditional_Marriage_Concord_NH.jpg

Traditional marriage has been taken to the polls 31 times and has won each time. So the homosexual movement resorts to judicial activists to impose its agenda.

This seems to be the case against same-sex “marriage.”

Traditional marriage has never been defeated. Thirty-one times it has been taken to the polls and thirty-one times it has won. Even in the bluest of blue states—California—it won against all expectations. In Maine, pro-family activists overturned the decision of the legislature.

In New York, a same-sex “marriage” measure was defeated despite every effort by the Democratic majority in both houses to force it through.

Homosexual activists in Massachusetts quaked in fear at the prospect that it might be put to the vote. District of Columbia councilmen overturned any possibility that residents might have a say in their government.

Here we have an ideal issue which shows the tyranny of judicial activism at its worst. In the few cases, where same-sex “marriage” has been imposed upon us, most have been through judicial fiat. It is the conservative issue that best shows the brutality of the liberal agenda.

The desperation is capped by a decision of Judge Vaughn Walker which struck down the California Marriage Amendment. Here is a court decision by an avowed homosexual stacked with evidence that is blatantly unscientific and biased. Here we have a single judge nullifying the votes of seven million Californians and redefining marriage in a single stroke.

With thirty-one states banning the practice with constitutional amendments, the other side has no real future—except to sound the retreat.

bugler_silhouette.jpg

With 31 states banning same-sex “marriage,” who is spreading rumors that traditional marriage is a “lost cause?”

To sound the retreat? Yes, to spread the rumors that the traditional marriage cause is lost. With the Judge Walker decision, there are those who are saying there is an air of inevitability to the eventual destruction of marriage in America.


At the moment of our greatest victory, we are told that it is time to give up. Some “lions” of the right are beginning to make statements supporting civil unions or same-sex “marriage”—Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and even Glenn Beck are saying this most important matter is no longer that important and it is time to move on.

Practical political “strategists” are saying we need to court the tiny part of that two percent of the American population which is homosexual—even at the risk of losing a much greater percent of their normal political base.

And yet almost nothing has changed. There is still some 80 percent of Republicans that support marriage as a union of one man and one woman and 40 percent of Democrats share in the opposition to same-sex “marriage.”

Thus, we have to ask: Who is sounding the retreat?
Now is the time to sound the charge!

by John Horvat

Monday, September 13, 2010

A Catholic diocesan university teaches "The Politics of Gay Marriage" – course materials promote homosexual "marriage!"

Seton Hall University -- the oldest Catholic diocesan university in America -- is being hush, hush about this but they just started a new course called "The Politics of Gay Marriage."

Course materials promote homosexual "marriage."

Sign your protest now

Who's giving the class?  Prof. King Mott, a pro-homosexual activist affiliated with the Human Rights Campaign.

What Archbishop John J. Myers said: "The course is not in synch with Catholic teaching."  He also urged campus officials to "take whatever action is required under the law" to preserve the "Catholicity of this university."

What you can do:  Join TFP Student Action's peaceful protest.  Sign the Just Cancel the Course e-protest today.  Yes, let's make this protest massive.  Silence is not an option.

Sign your protest now

Please encourage all your friends to join this prayerful effort. 

Forward this email.  You can also make a huge difference by posting this on blogs and/or Facebook.

For more information on this topic, go here.

Thank you for defending moral values.  The truth will prevail.

And here's some additional contact information:
(Be polite and respectful)

Seton Hall University
Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, president
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9620
president@shu.edu

Archbishop John J. Myers is the president of the Board of Regents as well as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Seton Hall.  Thank him for opposing this sad situation.

Archdiocese of Newark
Archbishop John J. Myers
171 Clifton Ave
P.O. Box 9500
Newark, NJ 07104
973-497-4000

Miami Rosary Rally -- Photos

DSCN6927

These are members of America Needs Fatima who gathered in Miami at Tropical Park for the monthly rosary rally.

DSCN6971

Sunday, September 12, 2010

2nd attack on Catholic Church by Protestant – our response is here

You may like to follow or even to join this discussion with a Protestant who insults Our Lady and the Catholic Church.  His attack is posted first.  Our response follows below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Dear Robert:

I am writing in response to your 11:41 am comment to my AGoodChoice blog post last Sunday, September 5, 2010.
What is this, “Holy Mother Church?” I have never heard of it before. Is this the whore spoken of in Revelation 17:5, 15, who is the mother of harlots. Jesus said, “I will build My Church.” I thought the Church belonged to Jesus Christ. How does it then become Holy Mother Church?

Paul writes that there is one mediator between God and man, the man, Christ Jesus. Mary is not a mediator. Jesus sits at the right hand of God. Scripture does not say that Mary sits with them.
We have a way to enter before God directly by the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10: 19). We are to enter boldly before God (Hebrews 4:16).

Asking a statue of Mary for something is not honoring to Mary. It is idolatry, plain and simple!

You and your friend need to repent of your sin and invite Jesus into your heart. What America Needs, my friend, is repentance, a turning from idols to Jesus, and Him alone!

Sincerely,
Sam

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sam:

Many Protestants make the false assumption that we Catholics worship idols.

This is not true.

But no matter how many times we show them we do not worship idols, they persist in this same false belief.  They repeat the same error over and over again!

Go figure…

Also, Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Mediator to God the Father.

But this does not mean that there are no secondary mediators between Our Lord and men.  Holy Scripture is full of examples of this secondary mediation, such as:

Matthew 5:44-45

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Psalms 106:23
So he said he would destroy them —  had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.

Joel 2:17
Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'

Acts 12:5-12
Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him.

Furthermore, Protestants themselves offer to pray for people, and, therefore, to act as secondary intercessors.  Then, they go on to say it is wrong for the Mother of God to intercede for us!

How contradictory!

Finally, there is no unity of belief amongst them.  Each one is his own pope.  They disagree with each other on fundamental points of doctrine, faith and morals.

Yet, each claims to be right, to be inspired by the “holy spirit”.

The Holy Spirit cannot inspire a thousand different and contradictory interpretations of the same Gospel passage.

As a result, this disunity of faith and thought amongst Protestants, as well their refusal to accept reality makes honest, serious discussion very difficult.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the sweetest Mother of God, the one who all generations shall call blessed, intercede for these lost sheep and bring them back to the one true fold of Our Lord Jesus Christ -- The One Holy Roman Catholic Church.

Sincerely,

Robert Ritchie