Association Of Catholic Bloggers

Lourdes: This pilgrim reflects! Recently we had a successful pilgrimage Lourdes. The journey to Lourdes was by coach so not one for the faint hearted! Next year we are going to go via air and spend the whole time in Lourdes. Still the journey this year did not detract from the wonderful spiritual blessings which we received in Lourdes. Lourdes has a peaceful security that wraps itself around the discerning and unaware pilgrim alike. I like the coming together as a group but also the individual graces that we receive from our own time spent in prayer and awe at the place. Peace is difficult to find in this of world of ours that rushes around and seems to heading somewhere but at times loses its way. So finding peace is a bonus indeed! The peace in Lourdes from my perspective is a fulfilment of the craving to be close to God. Being in Lourdes is to be blest to experience the brushing of the earth with the imprint of heaven. Now I experience this peace every time I celebrate the Mass; ...

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church's piety for Christ, her Spouse and Lord: it calls for a fundamental attitude of conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, apostolic commitment and dedication to Christ and his saving work. Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. Among these, mention should be made of the following: Personal Consecration Personal consecration, described by Pius XI as "undoubtedly the principal devotional practice used in relation to the Sacred Heart" ( Miserentissimus redemptor ) . Family Consecration Family consecration to the Sacred Heart, in which the family, by virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony already participating in the mystery of the unity and love of Christ for the Church, is dedicated to Christ so that he might reign in the hearts of all its members. Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus T...

June is the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, after being shown the Sacred Heart, was asked to spread devotion to it. St. Margaret Mary was often visited by souls in purgatory and would recommend to families who had recently lost loved ones to pray Novenas to the Sacred heart for the release of their loved ones from purgatory. There's a beautiful site called Daily Pilgrimage to Purgatory where you can read more about St. Margaret Mary and her love for the souls in purgatory. We live in a day and age where many people don't believe in God and, if they do, many of them believe that everyone goes straight to heaven. They focus completely on God's mercy - not understanding that justice and mercy walk hand in hand. Without justice pure chaos would reign both now and in the afterlife!  There are also those who offer a Mass and a prayer or two for their loved ones and then assume that is sufficient and do no more. Meanwhile, there are souls...

Picture source "We are pilgrims, we live in a temporary inn, we are in transit, and this is not our homeland." - St. Gaspar del Bufalo - Magnficat, January 2011 "Detach yourself instantly which removes or can remove you from God.  Let us instantly renounce in affection the goods of this earth before death strips us of them by force." "...if you believe that you must die, that there is an eternity, that you can die only once, and that if you then err your error will be forever, irreparable, why do you not resolve to begin at this moment, to do all in your power to secure a good death?..." - St. Alphonsus de Liguori - Preparation for Death

People and events can so easily destroy our peace in today’s world. We don't need to 'find' something that we haven't lost - don't let other people destroy your peace telling you how you should live your faith or what new doctrine you should be following. Stick closely to the Catholic Church, Jesus and the Sacraments so that you may not be easily swayed by every new doctrine. The Bible says: “ People will say to you, 'Look! There he is!' or 'Look! Here he is!' But don't go and chase after him.” Luke 17:23 NIV Luke 17:21 says: “nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. Luke 21:8 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not be...

Under the protection of His Sacred Heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in Thee. Sweet Heart of Jesus make me love Thee more and more. Immaculate Heart of Mary,pray for us, Faithfull Heart of Joseph intercede for us. Amen Lets us love Our Lord for His Adorable Heart aches for us and longs to embrace us!

The month of June is dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus . "Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth." ~ Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Prayer  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I place my trust in you.