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7 Reasons Why I Love Gaudete Sunday

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The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete Sunday takes its name from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon at Mass which proclaims: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!" which reads in Latin as "Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete." (Sounds so cool in Latin doesn't it?) Click here to read 7 reasons why I love Gaudete Sunday...

Why I Cope With Life Better Today (as a Catholic)

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I do not know how I would cope with my life if I were not Catholic. I can easily tell you that I would not cope well. Years of living beforehand would bear that out. Here are some differences in how I get through tough times today vs. during my "heretical" years.  (1) My emotions do not control my decisions as much Free will has to do with making decisions without being driven by emotions. I am making more solid, logical and clear choices now than I ever have before. During my "heretical years," I believed that free will had to do with extricating myself from the oppression of moral obligations in order to be free to follow my feelings. How did that work out for me? Hmm.. I'm writing this... so... (2) I take care to have selfless motives.  When I pursue being of the greatest service to God above the motives for comfort, public opinion or material things, each decision I make has meaning. When I work to make my life a gift to God rather than a gif

Mystical Transformation

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When the Bishop slipped and broke his nose, he cancelled his pilgrimage to Lourdes and decided to grace our school with his presence for ‘speech day’ instead. It was customary to put on some sort of entertainment when he was presiding over the proceedings, but nothing had been prepared, so it was decided, to produce a Shakespearean anthology at the last minute. It would comprise two comic scenes sandwiched between three serious ones. There were no budding actors in my class so we all drew lots to decide who would play the part of Henry the fifth, - and the lot fell on me. Day after day I practised extravagant gestures in front of my mother's full-length mirror, as I recited his famous speech before the final assault on Harfleur – “Once more into the breach dear friends once more…” At the dress rehearsal I got far more laughs than the grave digger from Hamlet and the porter from Macbeth put together. ....... read on

Birthright

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This story was posted in 2010, in another blog: " Birthright " Drifting at the Edge of Time and Space (February 19, 2010) Despite the stories you've seen, there never were very many Voini. Like any alter, each Voin was expensive to grow. Also, unlike the Gung Yan, Voini had earned an unpleasant reputation during the recent wars. Between limited production, judgments after the Suspension and 'Voin hunts,' there are now perhaps only a few dozen surviving Voini. Perhaps it is best this way.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Something different to think about this Christmas.

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At the time of Mary, it was unheard of for a single woman to become pregnant. It would have been a great scandal bringing shame to all the family. To then proclaim that you are carrying the Son of God would have been blasphemy at the very least. Mary would have either been stoned to death or thought of as totally insane. Yet, despite the fear of shame, and fear for her own and her family's safety, she said "Yes" to the Lord. We owe her a lot for that "Yes"! For a man to find out his girl-friend is pregnant and the baby is not his, is bad enough. Most men would have run a mile in the opposite direction. To be told the baby is the Son of God is more than any man in such circumstances could understand. We owe a lot to Joseph too, for staying by Mary's side.

Homo Erectus Engraving, Long-Lost Relatives

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A researcher with a digital camera noticed faint marks on a half-million-old shell. It's the earliest known abstract mark: made by Homo erectus. Scientists discovered genetic traces of a previously-unknown group of people, Denisovans , in a Neanderthal's DNA a year ago. Detailed analysis of the Neanderthal DNA reveals details of that Neanderthal family's history: and a few genes from another previously-unknown group.... ...The woman we know as KNM ER 3733 lived about 1,700,000 years ago.... ...The human family has changed a bit since her time: most of us have shorter arms and legs now; our foreheads are smoother and more nearly vertical; and we're probably better at singing opera. I'll get back to that.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

"Is There Anything Else You Need?" Reflections on Our lady of Guadalupe

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As the Church once again celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I find myself pondering her pointed question to Juan Diego: "Is there anything else you need?  Over and over that phrase turns in my mind -- is there anything else I need?  Juan Diego could answer that question and place his complete trust in the Mother of God who was standing directly in front of him. I have not been given such a privilege. I am, however, asked to have the same trust and faith that he did. Click here to read more...

A Baker's Dozen: Thirteen Words Every Catholic Should Know

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It makes perfect sense to call the thirteen words every Catholic must know a “Baker’s dozen.”  Christ, after all, used such references as “yeast” and “leavening,” in his parables. So, with yeast as the foundation of baking, these thirteen words, when part of the Catholic’s every day journey, will grow and expand into a vibrant and exciting understanding of faith. Redemptive Suffering What do you want to hear first: the good news or the bad news? The good news is that Jesus suffered and died for us. He bore our wounds, his stripes healed us. The bad news is that this does not eliminate suffering in the world. Enter the often misunderstood teaching of “redemptive suffering.” This isn’t to say that what Christ suffered was insufficient or lacking; rather, redemptive suffering is the ability to be a co-worker of Christ’s. It is the anointed opportunity to join your own difficulties and afflictions with Christ’s for the sake of others. It is the beautiful way

Make Me a Saint!

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Lord, Let my life always be Yours. Let my heart always be Yours. Let my thoughts always be Yours. Let me praise You with all my being. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Let Him direct me in  His ways, For His ways are Your ways. Let Him guide me and counsel me So that I will walk in Your Footsteps. Your burden is easy and Your yoke is light, Be with me that I might carry my cross with joy Knowing that by embracing my cross, I am filled with Your love and peace. Read More at:: His Unending Love!

Catholic Resources on Extreme Parenting (Special Needs, Adoption, Fostering, and More!)

My request for Catholic online and print resources on extreme parenting circumstances got an amazing response, so I'd like to share it with you. There's more on adoption than I thought, including an excellent new resource scheduled to be released by Pauline Books in 2015 (huge shout-out to author Jaymie Stuart Wolfe and the sisters at Pauline). But there's much less on fostering and step-parenting than I was hoping to find. Please, please, please if you have more to add to the list, respond in the comments or by email to santoskaree@gmail.com. It's so important to support parents taking on this holy but often incredibly arduous work. Adoption Adoption: Room for One More? , by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe (forthcoming from Pauline Books in 2015) Adoption: Choosing It, Living It, Loving It , by Dr. Ray Guarendi (St. Anthony Messenger, 2009) Longing to Love: A Memoir of Desire, Relationships, and Spiritual Transformation , by Tim Muldoon (Loyola Press, 2010) While We

Tis the Season... to Prepare!

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Happy Advent all! …in our Season of Hope & Preparation! Still, yet, it can also be a season of many, many challenges [to body, mind, & spirit!] …in this time of year that’s well known for setting us back [if not completely derailing us] on the way of wellness & weight management. SO IS IT HOPELESS, THEN, TO BELIEVE OUR YEAR SHOULD BE ENDING [AND OUR LITURGICAL YEAR BEGINNING] IN A BETTER, MORE HEALTHFUL WAY?? Of course, it’s not hopeless!!   …And Hope (& Triumph) can certainly be found through the very thing that the Season itself proclaims to us with Joy… Be Prepared! :)  It is in being prepared that we will best meet the extra challenges of this extra busy time of year! So, in recalling the previous “Tis the Season…” reflection here on The Way to Nourish… we had 3 options [+3 tips] … >> Click Here to Read More at: The Way to Nourish for Life >> ...including a look at one such challenge!

Inspired by a Pregnant Mary

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In Greenbush, the snow is falling straight down in huge flakes, coating each branch and twig with a thick coating  of snow. The snow literally absorbs sound waves and the effect is a quiet, peaceful, pure white oasis. In the middle of this deep silence, the thought popped into my mind that it is also the second week of Advent,  a time of silent waiting. Let these prayers and painting of a pregnant Mary inspire you as you wait with her for the birth of Jesus.    ADVENT PRAYERS: To Prepare your heart for the birth of Christ  God of power and mercy,  open our hearts  in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen   continue

Mary, A Consecrated Virgin

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The Year of Consecrated Life, which began on November 21, casts the spotlight on religious vocations, such as the calls to be a sister, brother, nun, monk, or priest. Consecration is the setting aside of persons (or objects) exclusively for God and divine service. The word is derived from the Latin for “to make sacred.” The thought occurred to me that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the first consecrated Christian. Her vocation as Mother of God aligns with religious vocations today. click to continue

The Magnificat - Mama Mary's Song of Praise

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"My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name; Read more at His Unending Love

Parents, the First Evangelists

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Pope Francis has an evangelization prayer close to his heart this month: he is praying for parents. As the Pope puts it, "Pray that parents may be true evangelizers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith." Mary and Joseph were the first evangelizers of Jesus. If evangelizing means to bring the good news of salvation to the world, then Mary was a literalist: she physically brought Jesus, the saving Word of God, to the world. Joseph and Mary cared for the Word, loved the Word, and shared the Word with others in their daily lives. It almost seems unfair, in a way, doesn't it? SAY WHAT?! Read on at Praying with Grace .

Butterfly Kisses

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In honor of this feast of St. Juan Diego and the upcoming feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I am reposting this blog from 2012.  Most of the time when I am in prayer it is spent in meditation, contemplation and intercession. I rarely ask the Lord questions but I find when I do I almost always receive an answer. I don't know why but I often do not expect an answer and I don't always recognize the revelation I receive as a direct response to my question. That happened to me a few weeks ago. Before I tell you what my question was, let me clarify that I am 110% pro-life.  I see it as a grave evil and a spiritual battle. I believe that Satan, through the act of abortion would like to kill as many of these innocent lives as he can because nothing reflects God better than an innocent baby made in his image and likeness. I believe these babies therefore are little martyrs that go to heaven. My heart in the matter has always been very grievous, especially for the mother.  I often

Helping Kids Discern a Vocation

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(Excerpt is reprinted with permission from  All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters) Have you ever been in a religion class or in Church and Father asks you to think about a vocation? Do you get the feeling you want to crawl in a hole and disappear, fearing he will ask you to become a priest? A vocation is a call from God. It’s not merely a career choice. Everyone, everyone, everyone has a calling from God! The word vocation refers to three different things:     1.         Vocation comes with baptism. It’s a call to know, love and serve God in your life. 2.       Vocation also means, “state in life,” such as priesthood, religious life, marriage or single life. 3.       Vocation also means a personal relationship you have with Jesus. It’s you, yourself, trying to know, love, and serve God. read more here

Duns Scotus and the Immaculate Conception

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Blessed John Duns Scotus  saw so clearly that God had planned that his son, for whom the world was created, would be made flesh to live in and rule over that world as Christ the King. From this Duns Scotus argued that the very moment that God had made this decision, then that decision included a human mother, how else would he be made flesh? As Scotus put it – “If God wills an end, he must will the means.” This was obviously before creation had taken place in space and time, so his mother would have been conceived perfect in every way, as the mother of the Word to be made flesh , or if you like, Immaculate.   read on...

Recourse To Thee

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Today the Church celebrates our Blessed Mother under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Being a Mom has given me a much deeper understanding of the beautiful prayer given by our Blessed Mother to St. Catherine of Laboure and inscribed on the perimeter of the Miraculous Medal..."O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Read my reflections here...

The Empty Box

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I think the wise men are trying to tell me something! That's right, I openly admit it, it is the second week of Advent and we have not made our candles yet!  I feel like Advent is flying by and I still can't get it all together. It has been a rough start with sickness, unexpected delays, my husband working lots of overtime, and general chaos. I looked around today and thought, I am failing! This is not what Advent should look like. Where is the family Nativity that consumes the entire entertainment center with over 25 unique pieces?   We made a fresh, evergreen Advent wreath, but have yet to roll the candles, and have consequently only prayed the Advent prayer once. We are doing a Jesse Tree, but do not have an actual tree to use, so we are settling for an artificial pine garland that is precariously draped over the bookcase. We are only behind on two days of Holy Heroes videos, but there are only three of our handmade ornaments hung because we have been reshapin

Advent Prayer Simplified (@ Melody's Harmonies)

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Tradition has blessed us with a lovely symbol and reminder to pray during advent: the  Advent wreath ! The advent wreath provides the perfect centrepiece to praying together daily throughout advent. The advent wreath was traditionally a Lutheran practice but has become a tradition for many faiths to celebrate the passage of advent (the four weeks leading to Christmas). An advent wreath is usually a circle of evergreen with four candles: three purple and a pink. Sometimes there is also a fifth white candle. Each week another candle is lit, until by the 4th week of advent, all four candles are lit (and by Christmas the white one is also lit). When lighting the candles, usually there is a short prayer and reflection.  Read the rest here .

Martin Luther on The Immaculate Conception

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Christians in the first centuries of the Church believed in the Immaculate Conception of Mary, In fact all Christians,until 500 years ago, up until and including Martin Luther, believed in the Immaculate Conception. Luther was the founder of Protestant Reformation. I discovered this on  a post written in 2007 on  Bread from Heaven . It is interesting that Luther’s followers reject anything that is not written in the Bible. However, neither Luther nor Holy Scripture itself demands that all truth should be rejected unless it is contained in the Bible. Luther’s beautiful reflection’s on Mary follow: It is a sweet and pious belief that the  infusion of Mary’s soul was effected without original sin ; so that in the very infusion of her soul she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God’s gifts, receiving a pure soul infused by God; thus from the first moment she began to live she was free from all sin . read more>

Are You Hurting? Let us Pray

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For some, the Advent/Christmas season is a painful time of year. A time to be gotten through, tackled, weathered like a storm. How can the rest of the world be rejoicing if someone I love is in the throes of a serious illness? How can I turn on a radio if I'm taking a chance on hearing my recently deceased father's favorite carol? While everyone else is celebrating, I just might burst into tears. I suspect many of us have had such seasons, at one time or another, over the years. Times when we'd rather just skip the decorating and the ho-ho-hos and wait for a white blanket of January to settle the world back into its normal routine. If anyone reading this is grieving, in pain, depressed by the long dark nights of winter, or maybe just wishing the holidays would be over and gone - know that you are not alone. In fact, you are so "not alone" that I'm going to ask a favor of everyone reading this. Could we each take just a minute and offer a li

Bah! Humbug! Christmas and Plastic Reindeer

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" ...'What else can I be,' returned the uncle, 'when I live in such a world of fools as this? ... If I could work my will,' said Scrooge indignantly, 'every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!'... " (" A Christmas Carol ," Charles Dickens (1843) via www.gutenberg.org) 'Tis the season to be frazzled. Advent is when some Americans max out their credit cards, buying presents and setting up holiday parties: while others kvetch over bright lights and holiday music played in stores.... More, or less, at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I Permit No Woman to Teach a Man.....1 Timothy 2: 12

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   I was in a debate the other day on another blog about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2: 11-12.  Here is what it says " A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.…"  When I asserted that it didn't really mean what it seems to mean, that women were never to instruct men in matters of faith, the debate was on.   I tried many ways to show that early Church Doctors didn't understand it that way that men did learn from the writings of the women saints an understanding of the authority of men in that it's only given through the Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony and did not endow authority on all men just because they are male through trying to make them understand how the Church views men and women together as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and those being equal, they both could teach each other.  I made no headwa

Something for me to eat.

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A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY CLICK HERE

New Years Resolutions (@ Melody's Harmonies)

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So I thought this was a good time for some liturgical new year’s resolutions! I really wanted to be more in tune with the liturgical year last year but I got overwhelmed and used having no children as an excuse as to why we couldn’t celebrate. Cause obviously you can’t celebrate feast days without coloring and activity pages! It wasn’t until recently that I really began to understand how important the liturgical year is to our faith. And even if the rest of society doesn’t realize it: it’s important to them too (Easter? Christmas? Halloween?) So if we celebrate those major feast days then why shouldn’t we celebrate all the other lovely days in the Church year? Personally I’ll take any excuse to celebrate! So here’s a few ideas I have as to how to be more in tune to our faith and the occurrences in the liturgical calendar this year.  Read the rest here .

'Prepare the way of the Lord.' Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B

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  St John the Baptist ,  El Greco, c.1600 Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  Gospel   Mark 1:1-8   ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition , Canada)   The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,     who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:     ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,     make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now J

The Power of Love

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I had a cousin called John who was a bit of a rake. If he wasn't genially propping up the bar at the rugby club, he was engaged in a similar exercise at the golf club. He drank too much, smoked incessantly and generally ended up late at night gambling. Even though he was quite well off, he soon got into debt. His mother didn't see him for days on end. She had no idea where he slept, or with whom he slept for that matter. The rest of the family was more concerned for my aunt than for my cousin. He seemed to thrive on his revelry, as if the physical effects of his life-style by-passed him and were inflicted by some ugly twist of fate on his mother instead. It was a sort of 'Dorian Gray' situation, where his mother took the place of his own decaying portrait. Everybody in the family had rows with him. There were frightful scenes, endless flare-ups, and he even came to blows with an uncle of mine on one occasion. I tried with the rest of them, but got nowhere. We had all

DNA Test Hype; and Studying Life's Origins

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A company whose DNA test was banned by the FDA is back: in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, scientists are learning that complex organic compounds may be forming in Titan's atmosphere: another piece to the puzzle of how life began. Another team found that up to half of Earth's water came from interstellar space. Finally, a quick look at astrobiology and assumptions about intelligent life in the universe.... ...We've known that traits are inherited for a thousand generations, maybe more, and applied that knowledge. The deal Jacob made with Laban in Genesis 30:17 - 3:13 at least hints that Jacob knew how to make sure many dark sheep and spotted or speckled goats were born.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

7 Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids: Catholic Style

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Looking for ways to keep Christ in the gifts you purchase for your children and others this Christmas - here are 7 ideas for Catholic gift ideas that your kids will love! 1. For the babies.... This has to be the most adorable little gift for a Catholic baby that I have ever seen.  I so wish we had one of these when my children were small. This Baby Rosary, Plush Bright Colored Single Decade with EVA Teething Cross Purple  is just perfect for snuggling your little one and praying the rosary!  What a great gift for a baby shower as well! My little guy started pretending to celebrate Mass when he was under 2 years old.  Again, I sure wish this was around then.  This plush My Mass Kit  is a perfect way to teach the littlest ones in your family about the Mass - best of all - the children can bring them to Mass without disturbing anyone.   Head on over to Saints 365 and check out the remaining 6 faith-filled, fun-filled gift ideas for kids and give the children in your life a

Laughing, Loving, and Crying Through 36 Years of Marriage: 10 Years & Then Some

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Today we welcome Michael and Melanie Jean Juneau to the series  How to Stay Married 10 Years & Then Some . Michael and Melanie live on a small family farm in Canada, where they raised their nine kids. I know Melanie from her excellent work at the  Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and through her prolific writing. Today Michael and Melanie explain how suffering doesn't have to crush a marriage, instead it can lead to great joy! 1. How many years have you been married and how many kids do you have? We have been married for 36 years, and we are still in love. Surprisingly, we really have become one, deeply in tune with each other’s spirits. Our tangible joy is inexplicable through secular eyes because from all outward appearances our life together has been a tough journey including poverty, nine kids, overwhelming chores on a small family farm and clinical depression. One priest gently consoled us by explaining we have lived through “trials by fire.” Another frie

Joseph and Mary's House: A Modern Mini Play

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Time:  1970's  Location: Midwest farm...the Kitchen. A young boy of the age of 12 with brown hair sat at a kitchen table, writing something on a paper, possibly a homework assignment.  Into the kitchen comes a woman with brown hair, tied in a bun in a blue dress with a baby on the hip.  There are two small children trailing behind her, and she is carrying a bag of groceries.  "Jesus..." She didn't even have to finish His name, the young boy at the table had turned when she came in the room and was already rising from his chair, taking the grocery bag from her and digging into the bag to put the food away.  TO READ MORE...CLICK HERE!

Francis Xavier Had the Whole World!

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Only one path lets you keep your soul. Francis Xavier had it pretty good. In fact, to some, he may have seemed to have the whole world. After all, he was an aristocrat; he was highly educated, wealthy, young, respected,...you name it, Francis really did seem to have it all. Including a pesky little illiterate friend named Ignatius, later known as Saint Ignatius of Loyola - founder of the Jesuits. Francis Xavier was at the university of Paris when Ignatius began hounding him to join religious life. Saint Francis wanted no part of it. He planned to pursue worldly things, to be counted among the intellectuals, the respected, the admired of the world. How could this happen if he gave up his own goals to follow Christ? But Ignatius knew better. “What profits a man,” Ignatius repeatedly asked Francis, “if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” ( See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com ) The question took a while to sink in but eventually, Saint Francis b

Journal Prompts for your Prayer Journal

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1) Father, I love You… 2) Jesus, Thank You… 3) Sweet Lord, Teach me… 4) Holy Spirit, Inspire me… 5) God, Hear me… 6) Lord, I know You know this… 7) When will things change, Lord? 8) We Praise You… 9) I am nothing.  You are my all! 10) Inspire me, Lord, 11) I am yours, Jesus! 12) This has been a rough day, Lord… 13) Without You, I am nothing… Read More At:: His Unending Love

5 Quotes and Other Facts about St. Francis Xavier

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St. Francis Xavier was one of the greatest evangelists and missionaries the Church has ever known. No doubt this quote had something to do with his effectiveness. Humble sharing of your personal witness to God's love and mercy is one of the most effective evangelization tools and one few can argue against.     Click hear to read more powerful quotes from St. Francis Xavier and to find out which 4 powerhouse saints he was canonized alongside in 1622.