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Maria Fonseca painting at  Parish of Our Senora da Conceição – Pau Dos Irons / RN see more>

Last week I posted a photograph in my "five favorites" of Pope Francis hugging a man who suffers from a rare disease called neurofibromatosis Type 1.  This disease began to take root and change his physical appearance at the young age of 15, causing painful large tumors to grow throughout his body. As you can see from the picture, this man knows what it is to suffer. His name is Vincio Riva, and he recently was interviewed about his awesome experience.  I was SO deeply moved by the picture alone, but now I am equally, if not more moved by what this man had to say: “His hands were so soft. And his smile was so clear and open. But the thing that struck me most is that  he didn’t think twice about whether or not to hug me, ” he said. “I'm not contagious, but he did not know. He just did it: he caressed me all over my face, and as he did  I felt only love. ” He later mentions that because of his disease, he has had to suffer a lot of emotional pain from p

UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST. Evening Mass had finished half-an-hour ago and the congregation had long departed to their homes. Father Ignatius tidied up in the Sacristy and then entered the church and sat on the front pew, just where he normally sits by the statue of the Virgin Mary. He took his Rosary from his pocket and started praying. A few minutes later he heard a noise from the back of the church. It sounded as if someone was trying to break into the collection box for the poor. He got up and hurried to the back. “Is anyone there?” he shouted. A figure ran out in the dark. He heard something crash to the ground and then he saw the back door open and slowly close again as the spring on the door pulled it shut. As he reached the exit door at the back of the church Father Ignatius switched on the lights in the porch. He noticed that a small table which had various leaflets and pamphlets for visitors had been knocked to the ground by the esca

Lord, we ask that You bless and protect Your priests,  For those priests who are tired and burnt out, please fill them, again, with Your Holy Spirit.  For those priests who are full of the Holy Spirit, grant them Your Peace and a burning thirst for souls.  For those priests who are attacked by evil, protect them. Read and Pray More for Priests at "His Unending Love."

New page created today on The Way to Nourish for Life [called "Let's Be Fruitful"]  to focus on the riches of a fruit-filled diet,  as well as a Spirit-filled life!   So how fitting, therefore, to begin with the words of Mother Teresa... http://thewaytonourishforlife.wordpress.com/  

back view He who has J esus has everything St. Rose Philippine Duchesne , Virgin (Feast day - November 18.     Died: 1852 Born in Grenoble, France, in 1769, Rose joined the  Society  of the Sacred Heart.  In 1818, when she was forty-nine years old, Rose was sent to the United States. She founded a boarding school for daughters of pioneers near St. Louis and opened the first free school west of the Missouri. At the age of seventy-one, she began a school for Indians, who soon came to call her "the  woman  who is always praying". She was courageous in frontier conditions, singleminded in pursuing her dream of serving Native Americans, and  self-accepting. "Learn to let others do their share of the work. Things may be done less well, but you will have more peace of soul and health of body. And what temporal interest should we not sacrifice in order to gain these blessings?" - 

Today, on  Vivificat,  Teófilo de Jesús posted a quote by a Carthusian monk. Interestingly enough, when I tried to visit his site, Google told me to stay away because his site was infected by Malware. I don't understand computers but this was all bogus and it was soon fixed. When I got to the site and read the message, it was as if God was speaking just to me. What a consolation and encouragement. Tears of relief come to my eyes with this quote because my private prayer has been a wordless encounter with Light and Joy for a long time. No effort on my part; I just glance in His direction and Christ takes over.  Praying like this, it is easy to feel  slack, lazy.... . The Wound of Love  By A. Carthusian  "Solitude is the place of prayer"  first published in 1994 by the Carthusian Order in England Solitude is the place of prayer. The only true prayer which radiates there is that of Jesus: all other prayer is a reflection of the light that shines forth f

'Hidden, lowly souls in the cloister, the hospital ward, the classroom, the home and the factory, are winning many a battle on fields they never tread.  When God bestows His rewards for missionary service we shall see some of the most glorious crowns going to those who... were missionaries by prayer and loving self-denial.... Let us, then, not let slip the golden opportunities that Our Lord puts into our path each day.'  (from Fervorinos From Galilee's Hills, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1936, pp. 116-119) from The Cloistered Heart

Each of us has an idiolect, a personal speech pattern uniquely ours. When confronted with the idea of my spiritual idiolect, “Spirit-filled” came to mind. But aren’t most expressions of spirituality filled with the Spirit? So this doesn’t fully describe my personal conversation with God, which is as unique as my soul . Only God knows the full implications of this short-cut descriptor. Like language developed from listening and speaking to those around me, my Spirit-filled spiritual idiolect developed from listening and speaking to the Lord. My idiolect grew from my outer surroundings. My spiritual idiolect grew from my inner life in the Spirit. My Protestant childhood and my first conversion experience as a young teen provided the baby talk of my spiritual idiolect. Then when I converted to the Catholic Church as a young mother, new words, sights, sounds and smells surrounded me. They infused my spirit with a richer understanding and closeness to God i

Our hearts stop beating.  Our lungs no longer fill with air.  Our bodies cease to function.  Our immortal souls are released from our bodies.  We enter into eternal life, and our souls leave our physical bodies.  We only take with us, that which we are.   Reports from those who have returned include tunnels through which the soul flies at speeds unknown on earth.  Lights are brighter than any here.  Colors are vibrant and living.  Colors that have never been seen are visible to the soul who has left the body. Read more at "His Unending Love."

The biggest small success of the week happened when my husband lost consciousness on the commuter train home. He most likely suffered a seizure, which is a known complication from the many surgeries he's undergone to remove  recurring brain tumors . The doctors will probably not allow him to drive a car for six months to a year. But he's alive, and that's a victory. The seizure didn't happen while he was driving our six kids to the park. It didn't happen while he was crossing a crowded city street or when he was waiting on a subway platform, the scene of more than one tragic accident where someone falls to their death on the tracks. He was just a strap-hanger who let go of the strap and fell in the midst of caring strangers. Someone called 911, and the police took my husband to the nearest emergency room. After a battery of tests, he'll be discharged. His doctors will come up with a plan of treatment, and we'll go on with life as close to normal as we can.

  Seven differences that Pope Francis has made  in one public  appearance are in keeping with this man’s lifestyle. This image is also a visual symbol for this pope’s message to the world. Pope Francis has a special vocation to witness to social issues. this is not to demean Pope Benedict , who taught with deep wisdom; his focus and charism were simply different, not better or worse than Pope Francis. 1. Changed the golden throne to a wooden chair which is something more appropriate for the disciple of a carpenter. 2. Did not want the gold-embroidered red stole nor the red chasuble, which symbolizes the heir of the Roman Empire . 3. Uses same old black shoes, not the classic red. 4. Uses a metal cross, not one of rubies and diamonds. 5. His Papal ring is silver,  not gold.6. Uses the same black pants under the white cassock, to remind himself that he is simply  another priest. 7. Removed the red carpet. credit unknown- f

Sto Niño Basilica, Cebu City, Philippines, 15 October 2013 Readings  (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)                                   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 21:5-19  ( Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition )  And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, "As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first tak

The Christmas season—which ought to be one of peace and good cheer—is often everything other than tranquility and happiness. For many people (women especially), family events, shopping, and fractured relationships bring stress and steal the joy of Christmas. For a Christian, this really doesn’t have to be the case. It really shouldn’t be the case—and a few tips to take into the Christmas season will help replace angst and strain with harmony and pleasure. 1. Remember that Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Christ; see others through His eyes. If you are in the process of forgiving someone, don’t feel you’ve failed if this Christmas you aren’t jumping up and down with joy to see that person. Forgiveness is a process. Take it one step at a time—and be okay with that. 2. The physiological aspect of stress can be countered by breathing. That’s right—breathe this Christmas season! Breathe deep. Studies show that when we are stressed we don’t breathe deepl

The Best Part of Waking Up is… JOY in Your Cup! I’ve been letting the following words [provided by a priest, as well as the Pope!] steep well within my heart today, and hope you’ll find them well worth tasting, too:  Joys are hidden in sorrows! I know this from my own times of depression.  I know it from living with people with mental handicaps.  I know it from looking into the eyes of patients, and from being with the poorest of the poor.  We keep forgetting this truth and become overwhelmed by our own darkness.  We easily lose sight of our joys and speak of our sorrows as the only reality there is.   We need to remind each other that the cup of sorrow is also the cup of joy, that precisely what causes us sadness can become the fertile ground for gladness.  Indeed, we need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength and consolation.  Because only when we fully realize that the cup of life is not only a cup of sorrow — but also a cup of joy

I love discovering Catholic art that is new for me. Today I stumbled upon wonderful, Modern Coptic ic ons from Egypt. They are bright, colourful with  clean lines that speak about the purity and simplicity of a life lived in God , archangels Christ Panocrator (Snai) Icon St. Thomas St. Catherine of Sienna

              Here's an opportunity for you to donate to  The Salvation Army  and the clever thing is IT WILL NOT COST YOU A CENT OR A PENNY. All you have to do is write a comment at the end of this post.  Even if it's just to say "Hi".  For every comment made I will donate £1 ($1.60) to  The Salvation Army  up to a total of £100. No repeat comments please from the same person.   No anonymous comments.   Please tell all your Blog readers to visit here and leave a comment.   And whilst here please browse this Blog  and download any of my FREE E Books.   Thank you.  GOD BLESS      go to Victor's blog>

  Something to Think About: What has your food (and way of eating) been doing to you… and for you? There truly is a better Way.   http://thewaytonourishforlife.wordpress.com  

A relationship to the living God is child’s play.  Children are open to the Spirit in a simple and natural way; their spirituality is not only taught, it rises from within them as they listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in their own hearts. St. Paul assures us that all men have the basic laws of God carved into their hearts. In modern language, we all have an awareness of good and evil or a conscience.The problem is tapping into and living out from my core where God has inscribed a moral code on my heart. It is  hidden in my deepest self. Actually, first we must recognize that our own ego and selfishness are a barrier between us and God. Thank God for Christ because He offers an easy way to love and easy way to live in His Spirit as saints. Relax.  Give up striving in your own strength, self-righteousness and pride and accept that you need Jesus as your Saviour. St. Paul understood that only Christ had the power to deliver him from himself. In Romans 7: 24 …. Wretched ma

You get to that age when you are really concerned about falls, and, justifiably so.  Who wants a broken hip, arm, or any other body part?  I know I don’t, and I didn’t when it happened.   I missed a step at home fell, heard pop! pop! pop!  In that single motion, I managed to fracture a bone in my foot and sprain my ankle.  Ouch!  The result of this fall was that I had to slow down.  Hospice work is not an option for a while.  Then there’s the yard work.  I love doing our yard work, but this year, Ouch!  I couldn't.  So, it was time to find someone to take care of those beautiful leaves falling from the fire maples in our front yard.     Read More Here At "His Unending Love."

The National Pro-Life Petition that is circulating in social networking  -  http://wh.gov/lTwUZ IF YOU DON'T BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION THEN YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM

Green 4 God: Book Review-The Book of Helen by Sherry Antonetti : What do you get when you cross a dethroned demi-goddess with a childhood rival?  (And , no.  This isn't the beginning of a bad joke!...

The photos above were uploaded on October 30 on her Facebook account by my friend Rhea Gladys Mae Sarigumba, a social worker who lives in Tacloban City. She is with one of her two daughters in the top right while her mother Mrs Vicenta Matildo is in the photo below with her to granddaughters, the children of Rhea and her husband Rogel who is pictured in the top right with his two daughters, his mother-in-law Vicenta and sister-in-law Lalai with her daughter Barbie. Rhea with her husband Rogel and their daughters whose nicknames are 'Xycy' and 'Xie Ann'. I've had no news about Rhea since Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit Tacloban City early on Friday morning, 8 November. One of the last entries by Rhea on the timeline of her Facebook is a link to an update on the approaching storm on the website of  PAGASA , the national weather bureau in the Philippines issued at 6AM on 7 November, less than 24 hours before it hit the islands of Samar and Leyte in

How many times have we said, "Jesus, please, please, please grant me this", "Lord, please help this work, please give me it...", "God, please - I  need  this to work out", or even the famous last words of "Lord, if you'd only grant me this, I'd never ask for anything again"? When we pray like this, it's as if we have just grabbed the steering wheel from Our Lord because we think that we can drive better than He can.  But can we?  Of course not.  It's so hard to let Him take full complete total control of our life.  When we surrender to him, we let go of all of our petty handrails and we take the jump.  Sometimes, it feels like we're falling.  It's frightening.  But if we try to plan our own lives, we enclose ourselves in a small cage.  If we give our lives to God, He will shatter the chains that we would have been tempted to cling to, and He will set us free. We don't trust Him enough, do we?  Do we  really  believ

November 13 is the first anniversary of Contemplative Homeschool. The 14th is the Feast of All Carmelite Saints. To celebrate, I’d like to introduce you to a few Carmelite saints and blesseds  you may not know. In the future, I hope to delve deeper into the spiritual insights of more Carmelite saints on my blog. Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity   Elizabeth Catez was born in 1880 in France. Her father was in the army. He died when Elizabeth was seven. She, her mother, and sister moved to a home in Dijon that overlooked a Carmelite monastery. When Elizabeth made her first Communion, the mother superior told her that Elizabeth meant “House of God.” That impressed the young girl. It became the central idea of her spirituality–the realization that the Holy Trinity lived in her soul. She made a private promise of virginity at age 14 and entered Carmel at 20. She spent only five years in the cloister before her death from a prolonged illness in 1906. Read the res

UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST. Father Ignatius was on his way back from a school trip to the museum in the big city with the young children from St Andrew’s School. The young seven-year olds were a little boisterous and excited after their first school outing; and the six adults on the bus had their work cut out keeping them in their seats. When everyone was seated, Mr Foster, the Headmaster, took a roll-call to ensure that no one was missing.   As the bus made its way slowly through the busy traffic the children discussed amongst themselves their museum visit and the souvenirs they had bought from the museum shop.  A few of them sitting next to Father Ignatius discussed the various ancient exhibits they had seen from years gone by and asked him which were his favorite.  “I wouldn’t say I had a favorite as such,” replied Father Ignatius, “but I suppose it is impressive how many of these exhibits have survived all these centuries and how much we

As preparations heat up for Pope Francis'  2014 Extraordinary Synod on the Family , it's a good time to revisit some ideas for fixing what's broken about the marriage preparation and annulment process in the United States. Catholic author John Zmirak recently asserted that we could  fix Catholic marriage in five easy steps . But can we? Although thought-provoking, Zmirak's proposals underscore the need for more thorough education about the annulments process among Catholics today, say some canonists. Let's take a look at Zmirak's five proposals and see what might work, what might not work, and what's already being done. Read more here...

~~~~~~~SELF LOVE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HOLY LOVE~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is motivated towards self________________________Is motivated in every thought,                                       advantage in thought,___________________________word, and action by love of                                     word and deed._______________________________God, and neighbor as self.                                     Sees only others' faults,________________________Sees himself as full of                                    not his own. Considers_________________________imperfections. Is always seeking himself on the right____________________________to be perfected through Love. path-perhaps even_____________________________Considers others to be more humble and virtuous.__________________________humble and holy than himself.  continue reading