Blog

November 8

“If so many people believe in heaven and hell while also believing that this life will determine which destination will be theirs, why don’t we see more evidence of that belief?"

                                                                                    -Regis J. Flaherty

Read the rest

The heroic virtue of John Paul I, the pope who reigned for just 33 days in 1978, has been officially recognized, paving the way for him to be declared “venerable.”

The Catholic Herald is reporting on an announcement by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints that they have voted unanimously in favor of the “heroic virtues” of Pope John Paul I. This means Pope Francis can now sign a decree declaring him “venerable.”

Miracles are already under investigation and, if certified, could lead to his beatification in the near future.

Albino Luciani was born into a desperately poor family on October 17, 1912, in Canale D’Agordo, a little village in northern Italy. He knew what it was like to suffer hunger as a child and to be forced to beg for food, especially during World War I.

“Our family had very, very little money,” his brother Edoardo told the John Paul I Association in an interview, “but . . . all of us always had smiles on our lips and we knew the most joyous and carefree childhood. My father, when he was working at home, used to whistle from morning till night.”

Albino’s earliest impression of the Church was equally positive. As he would write many years later, in his childhood he felt that “the Catholic Church not only is something great, but also something that makes the poor and the little ones great, honoring and uplifting them.”

These humble roots never left the heart of the man who would one day be known as the “smiling pope.” After becoming a priest, he was a gifted preacher who delighted people with fascinating sermons that contained simple stories that were full of wisdom.

A brilliant man, he was also known for his astounding memory which allowed him to recite long passages from the books he had read.

As he moved through the ranks of the Church, he found himself participating in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome and brought these teachings back to his congregation.

As the John Paul I Association recounts, Albino had hoped that Pope Paul VI would decide that some form of artificial birth control might be allowed but when Humanae Vitae was issued in 1968, he wrote to the people of his diocese asking them to join him in a “sincere adherence to the papal teaching.”

Even after becoming Patriarch of Venice, he would be widely criticized for this position but he never wavered in his insistence on obedience to Church teaching. In spite of the criticism and the rampant dissension in the Church that was occurring at the time, he remained beloved by the people because of his humility and simplicity. He would often put away his pectoral cross and walk through the streets of Venice talking with people. When he traveled, he took the steamboat with the rest of the people rather than a private vehicle.

This simplicity of heart remained even after he received his cardinal’s hat from Pope Paul VI at the consistory in March 1973.

Through it all, Albino remained a man of prayer, the Association writes.

He said, “I speak alone with God and Our Lady, I prefer to feel like a child rather than an adult. The miter, the skullcap and the ring disappear; I send the adult on vacation and the bishop too, with the staid, serious and dignified behavior that go along with them, in order to abandon myself to the spontaneous tenderness that a child has for his father and mother.”

When Pope Paul VI died in August 1978, the cardinals looked for a man who would carry on the reforms of Vatican II and also teach authentic doctrine. Albino was their choice.

“He was elected by an overwhelming majority of the cardinals on the first day of the conclave,” the Association writes. “He amazed the world at his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s to give his blessing by his smile, which radiated the love of God. He took the first double papal name in history, and was the first Pope qualified to put a ‘First’ in front of his name in a thousand years.”

He would reign for just four weeks before dying suddenly of a heart attack in the middle of the night on September 28, 1978.

The heart of this great man of the Church can be summed up in the words he spoke in his first sermon to the people of Venice.

“God sometimes loves to write great things not on bronze or marble, but actually on dust, so that if the writing remains, not wiped out or dispersed by the wind, it will be clear that the merit belongs completely and solely to God. I am the dust.”

Pope John Paul I, pray for us!

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

 

 

Read the rest

As National Adoption Month gets underway, concerned citizens are getting their first opportunity to make adoption easier and more affordable for prospective parents by voicing their opposition to the elimination of a lucrative tax credit proposed in the new tax reform plan.

Read the rest

November 7

“The best way to prepare for death is to spend every day of life as though it were the last. Think of the end of worldly honor, wealth and pleasure and ask yourself: And then? And then?"

                                                                                   -St. Philip Neri

Read the rest

For the first time ever, prosecutors in the Netherlands are launching a criminal investigation into a “possible punishable case of euthanasia” after a woman suffering from dementia was forcibly held down by family while a doctor administered a lethal dose of drugs.

Read the rest

A glowing article about how millennials are ditching religion for astrology and psychics celebrates the fact that millennials - the first generation to come of age during the Harry Potter era - are ditching religion. Should we be surprised?

Read the rest

College is an exciting time for young adults, an opportunity to grow as individuals. And whether you’re experiencing college as a freshman or finishing it up as a senior, it never hurts to get some advice that will help you live out your time at college to the fullest.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Find balance in your school and social life (Romans 12:2) Easier said than done! There are two different types of people at college: one that places school over everything and the other that doesn’t prioritize their education enough. For the ultimate college experience, balance is essential. Make sure to work hard but also schedule in some fun! Writing in your agenda and keeping track of how you are spending your time is crucial. And remember, learning to maintain balance is a life learning goal. Don’t worry about trying to perfect it.

2. Find your community (Proverbs 18:24) If you are a freshman, being proactive in searching for a community can be really intimidating. But let me tell you, it’s worth it. College is a time when you can find some lifelong friends who share your values and goals in life. A great way to do this is by finding out if your school has a Catholic Student Union. If not, find people that share your faith. You could even start a group of your own! However, don’t become discouraged when a friendship doesn’t work out right away because building relationships take time. Be patient with yourself, it might not be easy at first but it will become easier with time. Side note: Don’t forget your community back home! This transition is also hard on your parents - make sure to take the time to call and tell them you love them.

3. Budget (Proverbs 13:11) Yuck, even the word alone sounds boring. But let me tell you, if you work hard to budget your money, it will pay off. It’s always good to stay alert on how much you’re spending and saving. Even if you aren’t in the position to save or you have to take out student loans from GTRwallet, there are smart ways to spend so that it won’t hurt you too much in the future. Just cutting out your Starbucks can make a world of difference. And since God calls us to be frugal, you will feel better about not overspending. however if you already have multiple loan, you might wan to consider the payday loan debt settlement plans now available online.

4. Dig deeper into your faith (Colossians 2:6-7) This is a time to question and grow in your faith, no matter what household you came from. It’s a lot easier to go to mass when your parents are telling you to, but now it’s up to you. Take advantage of this time and go. Even more, I invite you to dig deeper into Catholicism and learn more about what we believe. If you go beyond what is expected, God will do the same for you.

5. Trust in God, have faith in yourself (Joshua 1:9)https://www.federatedfinancial.com College isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to challenge you. From studying for exams to making major life decisions, you are going to experience it all. And it can be hard at times to not let these challenges overstress and overwhelm you; however, remind yourself that no matter what, everything is going to be okay. Trust that God has a plan and have enough faith to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Let go of your fears and let God do the rest!

 

Christine “Christy” Moore graduated from Florida State University with a degree in English Editing Writing and Media with a minor in Education. Currently interning at Women of Grace, she was born and raised in a strong Catholic home with two amazing parents and three siblings and is active in her parish music ministry.

 

Read the rest

President Donald J. Trump has issued a proclamation declaring the month of November as National Adoption Month to celebrate the thousands of families who have adopted children and to raise awareness of the many children who are still looking for a forever home.

Read the rest

The Christian faith community in the United States is in mourning this morning after a gunman, who was known to be a committed atheist, opened fire in a small Baptist church yesterday morning, killing 26 people – including 14 children - and injuring more than 20.

Read the rest

November 6

“Do now, do now, what you will wish to have done when your moment comes to die.”

                                                                      -St. Angela Merici

Read the rest