Before my present assignment, I was pastor in a small parish in Vermont. The former pastor, Fr. Paul, lived with me, and one of his greatest interests was his garden, one of the most famous in town, not huge—just four raised beds—but always early and always lush. One of the secrets of his success was the soil, just the right mix of soil and his own rich home-made compost, completely organic, no chemicals. Just like the fourth illustration in the Parable of the Sower. Not for nothing he used to say he never felt so close to God as in his garden.

The timelessness of the Gospels is remarkable. Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel about the sower were spoken directly to those who gathered around him — and they are almost more relevant to us in our highly technological age.

“The miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies, the Church's growth and holiness, and her fruitfulness and stability are the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all; they are motives of credibility, which show that the assent of faith is by no means a blind impulse of the mind.” (CCC 156)

If you pray, stay away from the occult, go to Mass and have faith in God, you will be protected. One good confession is worth a hundred exorcisms.
Patti Armstrong

“What is it you need?” Father Patrick asked when he returned my call.

Father Patrick (not his real name) is a parish priest who has been a diocesan exorcist for 7 years. He seems to be busy from morning to night so like many of our interviews, he squeezed me in on his way to an appointment.

"Work out your salvation in fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12

"Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them: Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able." Luke 13:23–24

"For many are called, but few chosen." Mark 20:16

"Not all, nor even a majority, are saved." St. Augustine, Doctor and Father of the Church

The United Bible Societies distributed 34 million bibles around the world during 2016. North and South America hold this year’s record for distribution of full-length bibles.

According to impressive new figures released by the United Bible Societies, 34 million bibles were distributed across the world during 2016.

In addition, 360 million “biblical products", including copies of the New Testament, the Gospel and other shorter publications such as beginner booklets, were also distributed.

On July 13, 1917, Our Lady gave several specific directives that, if we heeded, the world would not be in the situation it finds itself today.
Joseph Pronechen

A hundred years ago, during the Fatima apparition on July 13, 1917, there was mention of the Rosary, a vision of hell, direction to help sinners, talk of consecration to the Immaculate Heart and consecration of Russia.

Comboni Father Daniele Moschetti explains the reasons of the conflict. “The embargo on the sale of weapons is not enforced, it suits nobody.” The war and the humanitarian tragedy in the country where Pope Francis would like to visit. The role of al Qaida and of global superpowers.

Published in a US scientific journal new findings by Cnr and University of Padua. Electron Microscopy to analyze a pristine fiber: found creatinine and ferritin iron nanoparticles, typical in cases of severe polytrauma.

Sometimes we have trouble seeing Jesus in our lives. Maybe we are stressed out in a way that doesn’t match the peace he promised. Maybe we feel stretched thinner than the “abundant life” he promised. Maybe we feel we have sought but not found; that we have knocked, but the door has not been opened.

Today Jesus tells us why.

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones,” he says.