Woman Who Refused Abortion Receives Life-Saving Heart Transplant
A Tennessee woman who refused to abort her unborn child after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition has undergone a successful heart transplant.
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FBI Shuts Down Stem Cell Scam
UPDATE: (04/07/18): The following developments have occurred in this case since the publication of this article. All government charges against Dr. Dammai were dismissed on January 27, 2014 by federal judge Francis Stacy after it was determined that he was not a co-conspirator in the case and had no knowledge that the stem cells he provided were being used inappropriately. The charges against Alberto Ramon were also dismissed. Both men were charged with misdemeanors involving mislabeling for which they were fined. However, Francisco Morales was convicted in this case and in a second case with Lawrence Stowe that did not involve Ramon and Dammai. Morales received a 60 month sentence and Stowe was sentenced to six years.
Three men involved in a scheme to sell stem cell therapies to people desperate for cures have been arrested by the FBI, with a fourth suspect still at large.
Virgin Most Powerful
"Let the storm rage and the sky darken – not for that shall we be dismayed. If we trust as we should in Mary, we shall recognize in her, the Virgin Most Powerful and who with virginal foot did crush the head of the serpent.”
Pope Saint Pius X
For Reflection:
What title does the Saint give to Mary? What makes her so powerful? What do you think is the relationship between her “virginal foot” and the ability to crush the head of the serpent? What serpent in your life would she most like to crush today? What virtue does the Saint say is required for us to experience this aspect of her maternal care? In what way will this dissipate the storms and darkness pressing down upon us?
Pope Erects Historic Ordinariate in U.S. for Disaffected Anglicans
Pope Benedict XVI's first official act of the New Year was to announce the official establishment of an ordinariate in the U.S. for Anglican groups and clergy who wish to become Catholic, making it one of only two such structures in the world.
Top Ten Anti-Christian Acts of 2011
The shutting down of a Bible study group in California and the ruling of the Mt. Soledad Memorial as unconstitutional made the list of the top ten anti-Christian acts of 2011 in the U.S.
Study: Women Suffering Record Rates of Depression
A new study by European researchers has found that today's woman is twice as likely to suffer from depression compared with 40 years ago because of the struggle to manage both family and career.
Mary's Glance
“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.” St. Therese of Lisieux
For Reflection:
Read a biographical sketch of St. Therese’s life (you can access a complete biography at www.littleflower.org ) When might Therese have sought recourse to Mary’s “glance?”
Consider the life of Our Lord. At what moments would Mary's glance have helped dissipate His fear? Meditate on this for a few minutes. In your life right now, in what one way do you most need to experience Mary’s glance? Ask her to look your way. Sit with her gaze upon you until you feel at peace.
Did Sandy Hook Killer Have Evil Gene?
The Connecticut Medical Examiner who conducted the post-mortems on the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of December 14 has asked geneticists at the University of Connecticut to conduct a study of the killer's DNA to look for clues as to why he carried out the mass murder.
City of refuge
“Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.”
St. Anthony of Padua
For Reflection:
If Mary is the “city of refuge,” in what part of her would we experience most fully her love and beatitude? How has she been a city of refuge for you? What quality of her motherhood of all men does this express according to the quote? Note the use of the word “the” in the phrase, “Mary is the ‘city of refuge.’” What does this indicate to you? What does it indicate in light of Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation?
Solemnity of Mother of God
Mary Virgin and Mother
Oh, Virgin Joy of all the world art thou
In whose white, fragrant steps the countless throng
On souls elect doth follow God with song:
Creation’s Queen, whose bright and holy brow
The multitude of Saints, like stars, endow
With changeful splendors, flashing far and strong:
The Main unshadow’d by the primal wrong:
God’s Lily, chosen in His shrine to bow
All these thy glories are, and still a grace
More high, more dread, and yet more sweet and fair,
Doth bind thy royal brows, O Mary blest.
God called thee Mother; yea, His sacred face
The tender likeness of thine own doth wear.
And thou art ours --- we trust Him for the rest.
St. Elizabeth Seton
For Reflection:
Today is the Solemnity of Mother of God. What references do we see to this title of Mary in the Saint’s poem? Which touches you most deeply and why? Consider the title the Saint gives to Our Lady – Creation’s Queen. Ponder the way in which all of creation’s surrender to God is found most perfectly in Mary’s “fiat” to God. Journal your thoughts. How can you unite your “yes” to God in hers?We Need Your Help!
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