Association Of Catholic Bloggers

It ain’t easy being male. Not that I would know, but lately being a wife and a boy-mom, I’ve had a lot of sympathy for the less-fair sex. Feminism ran rampant, going so far beyond its noble beginnings with woman’s suffrage and ended up shaping our entire culture into a place where genuine masculinity is no longer welcome. It starts when they are so young. Boys are forbidden to play “cowboys and Indians” because that is racist. They can’t play with sticks and toy guns because that is training them to be violent. When a little boy can’t sit still for six hours straight in a classroom, he is put on Ritalin because he must be disordered. He probably isn’t disordered, he is probably just a boy! They don’t sit very well and they like to pretend to shoot things. Surprise, surprise! By the time they reach adulthood, the male species as a whole has been socially castrated, forced to take his God-given natural aptitudes for manly pursuits and competitiveness, and trade them in for avoc...

St. Joseph was a worker, strong, capable but spiritual enough to see and hear messages from God. He was courageous enough act on those commands even though they went against all common sense. His young betrothed pregnant yet a virgin? A move to Egypt, the place of slavery in the minds for the Jews? How many of us could obey such ludicrous messages? Modern artists reject sappy images of St. Joseph, choosing to capture a strong, loving man but supported by divine strength. continue

Canadian artist, Michael O'Brien Modern sculptures and paintings of St. Joseph, emphasize his strength and protective attitude for his young wife and vulnerable infant son. A model for modern dads. continue reading

St. Joseph was a worker, strong, capable but spiritual enough to see and hear messages from God. He was courageous enough act on those commands even though they went against all common sense. His young betrothed pregnant yet a virgin? A move to Egypt, the place of slavery in the minds for the Jews? How many of us could obey such ludicrous messages? Modern artists reject sappy images of St. Joseph, choosing to capture a strong, loving man- human but supported by divine strength.       continue

Friday, I begin the Novena to St. Joseph, asking for his intercession to pray for me. St. Joseph is known for being a faithful servant to God, for his protection and caring for the infant Jesus throughout his life. I am trying to be faithful to Jesus’ call for me to be a public speaker for the Catholic faith. Who better to go to for encouragement and prayers said on my behalf, for the virtue of faithfulness, than the saint known for his faithfulness! This Novena culminates on the ninth day, which happens to be the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19 th ). Saint Joseph is known to intercede on our behalf when looking for work, which I am doing as well, as a public speaker. I have firsthand testimony on the power of prayer regarding this Novena, when it comes to looking for work. This time last year, my husband... Read more...  

"Matthew’s gospel reveals to us the greatness of St. Joseph’s heart and soul."   Pope Francis goes on to explain... "He was following a good plan for his life, but God was reserving another plan for him, a greater mission.  Joseph always listened to God’s voice, was deeply sensitive to God’s secret will, attentive to the messages that came to him from the depths of his heart and from on high.  He did not persist in following his own plan for life or allow bitterness to poison his soul.  Rather, he was ready to make himself available to the news that, in such a bewildering way, was being presented to him.  And thus, he was a good man.  He did not hate or allow bitterness to poison his soul.  Yet how many times does hatred, or even dislike and bitterness poison our souls!  And this is harmful ... >> Click Here to Read More at: The Way to Nourish for Life >> [which shall include a prayer by Pope Francis; as well as the song: "O...

At Our House: St. Joseph's Day Feasting As I drove to the 65,000-square-foot wholesale bakery at the top of a hill, I could smell the bread baking, even behind my van's closed windows. Inside the retail store of  Anthony and Sons,  there were more smells - and sights - of bread baking. Some of my students work here and I have never visited. Today, being St. Joseph's Day, I decided to. I never tire of discovering the treasure troves of my faith; tonight my parish will celebrate with a special Mass so we might contemplate the man who raised the son of God. Keep Reading

Please join Awestruck in this Novena to St. Joseph (March 11 to March 19).  I have reworded this prayer to suit my OWN prayer language. See the original on Awestruck. We will be praying for your intentions and for all men – that they will imitate Saint Joseph. NOVENA PRAYER Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your friend. I ask for your prayers and  your intercession for myself and my loved ones. Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary, pray  for me for the gift of a pure, humble  mind, and perfect surrender to Divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life. CONTINUE PRAYER  ON MY SITE OR AT AWESTRUCK