August 15 is the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.

What is the Assumption of Mary, how did it come to be defined, and what relevance does it have for our lives?

1) What is the Assumption of Mary?

The Assumption of Mary is the teaching that:

The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory [Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus 44].

2) What level of authority does this teaching have?

The call of Parolin at the end of August is “very important”, Pope Francis is “very esteemed and loved” by the Rusian people. Trump? The relations between Russia and the Vatican do not depend on other countries.

An interview on the eve of the feast of the Assumption with Father Ibrahim Alsabagh, parish priest of the church of St. Francis who is also responsible for the Latin community of the city.

Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children.
Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign… (Dt 6.6-8).

“Amen” means “so be it” (CCC 2856) or “I believe.” It’s what we say at the end of every prayer and, significantly, it’s what we say when we present ourselves for Holy Communion. The Eucharist is elevated before our eyes, and our “Amen” is a verbal assent that we both believe it’s Christ (“I believe”) and that we want to become Christ by consuming him (“so be it”).

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We live in a noisy age, from early morning to late night noise surrounds us. Many of them are the ordinary bits and pieces of our life, water pouring from tap and shower head, TV and other media sharing with us their particular images and voices, news, music, film, documentary and much loved soap drama!

Meditation is a way of connecting and communicating with God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and also to be in His presence thus filled with His love.

Meditation is not alien to the writer of these lines, nor should it be to those who find satisfaction in their daily reading of the Bible. The Bible speaks of meditation in several places and on a number of occasions. In one of many, Psalm 119:78 says: “As for me, I will mediate on thy precepts," is one of many.

To put it clear, Christian Meditation and all other kinds of mediations are two worlds that stand apart.

Homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, August 6, 2017

What a grace for Peter and James and John to see Jesus transfigured. They got a preview of the glory of Jesus risen from the dead and his glory in heaven. It was also a preview of the glory we all hope to share in heaven. This was a very special grace for Peter and James and John.

Let’s look at how the Bible describes love, and then we will see a few ways in which God is the essence of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a). This is God's description of love, and because God is love (1 John 4:8), this is what He is like.

Years after Maria's death, when her assailant Alessandro was still in prison, she appeared to him in a dream, and forgave him once more. From that day forward, Alessandro experienced a conversion, repented of his sins, and went on to live a holy life, eventually becoming a Franciscan lay brother. St. Maria led him to God.

Today we pray for the healing of those who have been sexually assaulted as well as for the contrition and conversion of their offenders.

St. Maria Goretti Novena Prayers - Day 9

Who is God? What is God? How can we know God?

Who is God? - The Fact
The fact of God’s existence is so conspicuous, both through creation and through man’s conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a “fool” (Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning (Genesis 1:1). What the Bible does is reveal the nature, character, and work of God.