St. Raphael

October 24th on the old Catholic Calendar...

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael , great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace.  You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea, or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.  I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.  Be cause you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body, mind, and spirit.  I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Fr. Benedict Groeschel,CFR,and the book of Sr. Marie

Excerpt from the Preface written by Fr. Groeschel for the book The Life of Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey & Mary's House in Ephesus by Rev. Carl Schulte, CM.

"... I found its account of the discovery of the House of  Mary outside the ruins of Ephesus to be absolutely fascinating, and I'm sure many other readers will feel the same way....This book will give a great many readers the opportunity to grow.  It gives an experience that involves adventure, history, archeology, and insight into possible mystical happenings. And most importantly it fulfills Sister Marie's lifelong dream -- it brings us a little closer to our Blessed Mother. "

Order your book here!

IN TIME OF WAR, A PLACE OF PEACE: Site in Turkey honored as home of Mary by Christians and Muslims

9/27/2011 - 1:14 PM PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

Charlotte, NC (September 27, 2011) - Ten years after the horrific events of September 11, 2001, relations between Muslims and Christians continue to suffer deep wounds, with conflicts between the world’s two largest faiths simmering and flaring across the globe. But at a humble site in Ephesus, Turkey, these wounds are beginning to heal as Muslims and Christians gather together in silent prayer at a house they believe once sheltered the Virgin Mary.

The remarkable story of this special house is told in a new book from Saint Benedict Press, The Life of Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey and Mary’s House in Ephesus.

October, Month of the Holy Rosary

“The Most Holy Virgin, in these last times in which we live, has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, temporal or especially spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. With the Holy Rosary, we will save ourselves. We will sanctify ourselves. We will console Our Lord and obtain the salvation of many souls.”

Sister Lucia (seer at Fatima)

To Father Fuentes, 1957

October 7 - Mothers

A post from a few years ago.  Some things never change, thanks be to God.

Saint Faustina - October 5

On October 5, 1938, a young religious by the name Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Poland. She came from a very poor family that had struggled hard on their little farm during the terrible years of WWI. Sister had had only three years of very simple education. Hers were the humblest of tasks in the convent, usually in the kitchen or the vegetable garden, or as a porter.

On February 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina tells us in her diary under this date:

"In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, 'paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.'"

Some time later, Our Lord again spoke to her:

"The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/stfaust.htm

Selcuk to Become Sister City to Fatima!

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=selcuk-to-become-sister-city-to-fatima-2011-09-28

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

SELÇUK, İzmir - Anatolia News Agency

The Portuguese city of Fatima, which is famous for visions of the Virgin Mary, is set to become the sister city of the Aegean district of Selçuk, the site of the House of the Virgin Mary.

“We are highly excited about Selçuk and Fatima becoming sister cities, both carry traces of the Virgin Mary. Selçuk and Fatima will bring together the eastern and western Mediterranean,” Selçuk Mayor Vefa Ülgür said earlier this week, adding that he hoped to conclude the sister city agreement soon after meeting officials from the Portuguese city.

The agreement will contribute to tourism in Turkey as Christians visiting Fatima will also become acquainted with Selçuk, he added. ”We expect around 2 million people to visit Selçuk every year after the sister city agreement goes into effect.”

Ülgür originally sent a letter to Fatima on Aug. 28, proposing that the two cities become sister cities; his offer received a positive response from the speaker of Fatima’s council, Natalio de Oliviera Reis.
“We would be happy to establish cooperation and closer relations with Selçuk,” Reis said. “While the two cities are important for the Christian world, we aim to boost economic and cultural relations as well.”

“The seven churches mentioned in the Bible are in Turkey, including the House of the Virgin Mary,” Ülgür said, adding that if Turkey could better promote these seven churches, it could become the world center of faith tourism.

Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

Holy Virgin Mary, there is none like you among women born in the world. Daughter and handmaid of the heavenly Father, the almighty King, Mother of our most high Lord Jesus Christ, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us to your most holy Son, our Lord and Master.

Hail holy Lady, most noble Queen, Mother of God, and Mary ever Virgin. You were chosen by the heavenly Father, who has been pleased to honor you with the presence of his most holy Son and the Divine Paraclete.

You were blessed with the fullness of grace and goodness. Hail, Temple of God, his dwelling place, his masterpiece, his handmaid. Hail, Mother of God, I venerate you for the holy virtues that–through the grace and light of the Holy Spirit–you bring into the hearts of your devoted ones to change them from unfaithful Christians to faithful children of God. Amen.