Search Results for: marriage

Pope Benedict on Prayer 19 – The Prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper

“In contemplating Jesus’ words and gestures that night, we can clearly see that it was in His intimate and constant relationship with the Father that He accomplished the gesture of leaving to His followers, and to all of us, the Sacrament of love”, said the Pope. During the Last Supper Jesus also prayed for His disciples, who likewise had to suffer harsh trials. With that prayer “He supported them in their weakness, their difficulty in understanding that the way of God had to pass through the Paschal mystery of death and resurrection, which was anticipated in the offer of bread and wine. The Eucharist is the food of pilgrims, a source of strength also for those who are tired, weary and disoriented”.

Faith Check 28 – Supporting our Priests

I once spoke with a priest of a large suburban parish with thousands of members, who told me that he could count the number of dinner invitations he had received over the past year from his parishioners on one hand. This shocked me as I knew he was very busy with his ministry, and I assumed that he was frequently invited to the homes and activities of his parishioners. Yet such was not the case.

It is easy to take our priests for granted. Our priests are men who have sacrificed everything—marriage, family, children—for the sake of the Gospel.1 And yet they are but men who, like everyone, need to be encouraged, welcomed, and loved.

Let us find ways to involve them in the lives of our families. Let us pray for them that they will grow in the grace of God and be protected from the attacks of the enemy;

And let us pray the Lord to send more priestly laborers into the harvest fields, so that the People of God might be sanctified, supported, and led in our earthly pilgrimage toward our Father’s House.

1 – cf. Mt. 19:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:32-35

St. Cecilia, patroness of music…of wordless prayer

St. Cecilia, her story is an extraordinary one of faithulness and commitment. Some would have you believe it was all “legend”, but the discovery of her incorrupt body in 1599 would bear otherwise. It seems to me the Lord is encouraging us to believe the witness of this courageous virgin martyr.

In St. Cecilia’s in Rome, I had one of the most peaceful and prayerful experiences while on pilgrimage to the “City of the Saints”.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa never sought out the mystical experiences that she experienced, but resigned herself to God’s will and considers the experiences a divine blessing. She spent long hours in meditation that she called the “prayer of quiet” and the “prayer of union.” During such prayers she frequently went into a trance, and at times entered upon mystical flights in which she would feel as if her soul were lifted out of her body. She said ecstasy was like a “detachable death” and her soul became awake to God as never before when the faculties and senses are dead.

The Seventh Mansions chapter 2 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila audio mp3 edition –

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The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila audio mp3 edition – The Seventh Mansions chapter 2

1. The spiritual nuptials introduced by an imaginary vision. 2. Spiritual betrothal and marriage differ. 3. Spiritual marriage lasting. 4. Not so spiritual betrothal. 5. Spiritual marriage permanent. 6. St. Paul and spiritual marriage. 7. The soul’s joy in union. 8. Its conviction of God’s indwelling. 9. Its peace. 10. Christ’s prayer for the divine union of the soul. 11. Its fulfilment. 12. Unalterable peace of the soul in the seventh Mansion. 13. Unless it offends God. 14. Struggles outside the seventh Mansion. 15. Comparisons explaining this.

The Seventh Mansions chapter 4 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila audio mp3 edition –

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1. Vicissitudes of the Seventh Mansion. 2. Humility produced by them. 3. Such souls free from mortal and from wilful venial sins. 4. The fate of Solomon. 5. Holy fear. 6. These favours strengthen souls to suffer. 7. Crosses borne by the saints. 8. Effect of vision of our Lord on St. Peter. 9. Fruits of these favours. 10. Why the spiritual marriage takes place. 11. Love for Christ proved by our deeds. 12. True spirituality. 13. Humility and the virtues must combine with prayer. 14. Zeal of advanced souls. 15. Strengthened by the divine Presence within them. 16. Examples of the saints. 17. Both Martha and Mary must serve our Lord. 18. Christ’s food. 19. Mary’s mortification. 20. Her grief at the Passion. 21. Can we lead souls to God? 22. How to do so. 23. Love gives value to our deeds. 24. Conclusion.

Catechism Of The Catholic Church

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH See also: Credits : Overview – Text & search – Lists – Concordances – Glossary – For easier reading… – Table of Contents – See also: Index of footnotes   PROLOGUE I. The life of man – to know and love God –II. Handing on the Faith: Catechesis –III. The Aim and Intended Readership of the Catechism –IV. … Read more

Living Faith in the World Library

You will find conversations and teachings from a host of teachers, authors, religious and others who have gathered to discuss everything from politics, economics, family, theology of the body and missionary activity to literature, movies and more. The conversations of an expressed faith in the World! Life Issues Women Men Marriage The Family Today's Campus ... Read more