The Culture of Life Descends upon the Capital
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington DC yesterday for the annual March for Life, with the cold and a constant freezing drizzle unable to dampen their spirits.
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United With the Immaculate Mother
“To give worthy praise to the Lord’s mercy, we unite ourselves with Your Immaculate Mother, for then our hymn will be more pleasing to You, because She is chosen from among men and angels. Through Her, as through a pure crystal, Your mercy was passed on to us. Through Her, man becomes pleasing to God; Through Her, streams of grace flowed down upon us.”
St. Faustina Kowalska, #1746
For Reflection:
Go to your Catechism of the Catholic Church and read paragraphs 490-493. Consider the Saints comparison of Mary to a “pure crystal” in light of the Immaculate Conception. Consider all of the above in light of Mary’s role of Mediatrix (CCC 967-970).
Woman of Grace: Venerable Thecla Merlo
Ven. Thecla Merlo (1894-1964)Venerated January 22, 1991 by Pope John Paul II
Meditation on Sacred Scripture and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament have been the foundation of prayer for many women destined to be great spiritual mothers. Such was the case with Maestra Thecla, first Superior General of the Daughters of St. Paul founded by Father James Alberione. Teresa Merlo was a pious young Italian woman whose family was alive with Catholic piety and devotion. She had been trained as a seamstress but desired to enter religious life. Her brother, a seminarian, introduced her to Father Alberione who was looking to form a feminine congregation dedicated to spreading the Gospel through the press. With faith and trust in God, Teresa said "yes" to Father Alberione’s suggestion that she join the group of women he was forming. In 1922 she was consecrated to serving the Lord along with nine other women. This new order, called the Daughters of St. Paul, was forging new apostolic ground in the area of mass communications and women religious. Teresa chose the name "Thecla" in honor of St. Thecla, the early follower of St. Paul.
Harrisburg Bishop Says Hitler Would Love our Public Schools
Bishop Joseph P. McFadden of the diocese of Harrisburg criticized the monopolistic American public school system, saying that “totalitarian governments would love our system” in an interview with ABC.
Obama Administration Bows to Abortion Lobby
Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services (HHS), issued an announcement late Friday afternoon indicating that her department will ignore the concerns of religious employers regarding HHS rules mandating health insurance coverage for sterilizations and contraception, including some that cause abortion, except to allow religious groups a year to comply with the law.
Voodoo Thriving in Miami
A new report by Michael Brown, founder of Spirit Daily, has found that as many as one out of every ten residents in the Miami metro area dabbles in a form of voodoo known as Santeria.
Marchers Rejoice! The Abortion Industry is on the Ropes
The mainstream media will probably black out today's March for Life in Washington, DC the way they usually do, but their efforts to shield the public from the pro-life view are futile because the quest to end abortion-in-demand in America is making astonishing progress without their "help."
Our Unceasing Joy
“Hail to you forever, O virgin mother of God, our unceasing joy…You are the pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom; the fate of every victim, the living altar of the bread of life. Hail, O treasure of God. Hail, O fount of the Son’s love for man.”
St. Methodius of Olympus
For Reflection:
Why do you think Mary is our “unceasing joy?” Why do you think she is the “pearl of great price that belongs to the kingdom?” How is Mary “the living altar of the bread of life” and therefore, the “fate of every victim?” Why do you think she is the “treasure of God” and the “fount of the Son’s love for man?” Which of these deepens your love and appreciation of Mary the most?
Mother of Wonder
“What a wonder is your Mother! The Lord entered her, and became a Servant; the Word entered her, and became silent within her; Thunder entered her, and His voice was still; the Shepherd of all entered her, and He became a Lamb.”
St. Ephraem the Syrian
For Reflection;
Prayerfully meditate on the juxtaposition of concepts presented here – Lord/Servant, Word/silent, Thunder/still voice; Shepherd/Lamb. What does this say about the power God gives to Mary? What does this say about the relationship between Mary and her Son? How does Mary exemplify the call of the disciple in this quote. How can the same be said for you?
Eternal Splendor
“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendor.”
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
For Reflection:
Name three practical ways you can stay close to Mary. Begin to employ them right away. How is Mary “the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendor?” Prayerfully consider this and journal your insights.
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