quotes

Apostle’s Scroll

pentecost

This new devotional will provide you with bits of wisdom in honor of your birth Apostle. For future posts from this article, see link: Apostle’s Scroll

Timothy and Titus (January)

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Matthias (February)

then he must confess his sin that he has committed and must make full reparation, add one fifth to it, and give it to whomever he wronged. (Numbers 5:7)

Epaphroditus (March)

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

Mark (April)

And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

 Philip and James (May)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

Peter and Paul (June)

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Thomas and James (July)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Bartholomew (August)

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37)

Matthew (September)

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

Simon and Jude (October)

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  (Matthew 21:22)

Andrew (November)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

John (December)

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)

May God bless you through the intercession of His holy apostles, especially the one watching over you!

ascension

My Prayer Prep

jesus and me

For Quieting Body, Mind, and Spirit

  1. Invoke the Holy Spirit.
  2. Examen.
  3. “Penance, penance, penance.” — OLO Lourdes
  4. Awake your hunger for God through spiritual reading, prayer, Christian music, charity work, or some other holy activity.
  5. Create a quiet, peaceful, and comfortable environment.
  6. Wear simple and comfortable clothing.
  7. Light candles, burn incense, and play low volume chant music.
  8. Assume a comfortable and meaningful body position.
  9. Don’t merely empty your mind, open it to its Lord. https://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMED.HTM 
  10. Pray the Chotki to improve  your breathing and focus.
  11. Enter into one of the three expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, or contemplative. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p4s1c3a1.htm
  12. When distracted invoke the holy names of Jesus and Mary and calmly return to prayer.
  13. Be aware that some “distractions” might actually be God speaking to you.
  14. Persevere even if no spiritual consolation is felt.
  15. When you finish praying, record what you experienced in your prayer journal.
  16. “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” — The Mass 

trinity

Clarification on Pope Francis’s Words

There is a lot of confusion going around in the media concerning the Pope’s recent statement on compassion in immigration management. To truly understand what the Pope said and what he was responding to in any instance, it is essential to find the transcript of the actual conversation the Pope had and look at his words in context (transcript for this particular conversation here http://www.nytimes.com/…/ap-us-rel-pope-trump-transcript.ht… ) because the secular media is all too happy to make Christianity look bad by misrepresenting and misinterpreting. As a Catholic from the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona, which is closer to the border than most of the USA, I’m pretty familiar with the Church’s sentiment on immigration management. You will find that the bottom line in all the Church’s words on the subject is that yes immigration management is important, but above all remember the dignity of the person (because whether you’re an illegal alien or not, you’re still a human being beloved by God) and make sure your perspective in border control is not lacking in mercy and compassion or contradictory to the immigrants’ human rights. Reading the transcript you will find that really all the Pope said was that separating families would not be in keeping with Christian charity and that he didn’t want to get involved in a political discussion. The link below will also help clarify the situation.

POPE, TRUMP, AND IMMIGRATION

Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?

holy name of jesus

Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate 3, October 28, 1965:
““The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth (Cf. St. Gregory VII, Letter III, 21 to Anazir [Al-Nasir], King of Mauretania PL, 148.451A.), who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting….
“Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion.”

olo the rosary

Happy Assumption of Our Lady!

“Mary has the authority over the angels and the blessed in heaven. As a reward for her great humility, God gave her the power and mission of assigning to saints the thrones made vacant by the apostate angels who fell away through pride. Such is the will of the almighty God who exalts the humble, that the powers of heaven, earth and hell, willingly or unwillingly, must obey the commands of the humble Virgin Mary. For God has made her queen of heaven and earth, leader of his armies, keeper of his treasure, dispenser of his graces, mediatrix on behalf of men, destroyer of his enemies, and faithful associate in his great works and triumphs.” –Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, #28

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CONSECRATION OF THE LAST TWO HOURS OF YOUR LIFE TO OUR LADY by Rev. Fr. Ildefonso M. Izaguirre, O. P.

Prostrated at thy feet, and humiliated by my sins, but full of confidence in thee, O Mary! I beg thee to accept the petition my heart is about to make. It is for my last moments. Dear Mother I wish to request thy protection and maternal love so that in the decisive instant that thou wilt do all thy love can suggest in my behalf. To thee, O Mother of my soul, I consecrate THE LAST TWO HOURS of my life. Come to my side to receive my last breath and when death has cut the thread of my days, tell Jesus, presenting to Him my soul, “I LOVE IT”. That word alone will be enough to procure for me the benediction of my God and the happiness of seeing thee for all eternity. I put my trust in thee, my Mother and hope it will not be in vain. O Mary! Pray for thy child and lead him to Jesus! Amen.

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“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.” –Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church