When your pilgrimage ends in giving your life to Christ as a martyr

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 21:35

The Christians of Egypt have defied ISIS and given the world a powerful example of what it means to profess faith in Jesus Christ.

Last week, a large group of Christians in Egypt went on pilgrimage to the monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor. The Christian families — grandparents, parents, and children — boarded the bus along with two other vehicles for a weekend of renewal at this spiritual oasis with the monks in the Egyptian desert.

Pope Francis’ diplomacy of dialogue: How has It fared?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 21:25

The day before President Trump met with Pope Francis, Cardinal Peter Turkson juxtaposed the president’s speech in Saudi Arabia with what the Pope said in Egypt.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Pope Francis and President Trump reach out to Islam-world to exorcise it of [religious violence]. One offers peace of dialogue, the other security of arms.”

Which seems fitting. It would be odd for a pastor to counsel recourse to arms. Similarly, it is expected that a commander in chief would seek to augment security through arms.

Feast of the Visitation: Could You Write Your Own Magnificat?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 01:32

The Magnificat is a history lesson, a song of praise, and a prophetic message.
Marge Fenelon
The Visitation is one of the most significant events in our Catholic faith tradition.

Mary, newly pregnant with our Lord, traveled 70-some miles of rough territory to help her elderly cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Both pregnancies were miraculous, and both involved key figures in salvation history: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

'The Holy Spirit is given to us…'

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 22:24

Following is a reflection on preparing young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation:

In the high school chapel, young people are meditating. A song rises spontaneously. Then silence. A song springs up again: “The Holy Spirit is given to us…”

The last preparatory meeting for confirmation has just ended. We who are accompanying these youths are both surprised and moved by this improvised praise. Something has taken place during these times of preparation; something which is beyond us.

Vatican postpones Pope’s trip to South Sudan

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 02:00

The Vatican has postponed a trip by Pope Francis to war-torn South Sudan planned for later this year, which the pontiff had hoped to undertake together with Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told journalists Tuesday that while the trip is still being considered it is “not for this year.” Burke did not say when the trip, which had been tentatively planned for October, might now take place.

Reflection on the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 12:41

Virgin May is reserved as a month in which the faithful honor Mary, the Mother of God. As a student at Sacred Heart School in Bennington, each May we took part in the “May Crowning,” a ceremony in which a statue of Mary would be crowned with a wreath of flowers. It was a way to honor her presence and remember our devotion to her. The ceremony was followed by a “Living Rosary,” in which each student would take one prayer of the Rosary. In my sixth-grade year, I was designated by Sister of St.