Catholic Fire

Man Fired After Saying Homosexuality Wrong

2009-11-03T13:08:00.001-06:00

A Massachusetts man has been fired from his sales position at the Logan Airport branch in Boston of Brookstone allegedly for telling a female manager that his Christian faith says homosexuality is wrong.
Peter Vadala was fired and the company says he violated a tolerance policy. But Vadala reports his dismissal came because he expressed his Christian view of homosexuality after a female manager made repeated references as she approached him four times during work hours to her plans to marry her lesbian partner.

Video: Pope Benedict visits the tombs of his predecessors

2009-11-03T12:56:00.002-06:00

St. Martin de Porres, Religious

2009-11-03T02:13:00.003-06:00

Today is the optional memorial of St. Martin de Porres, the first black American Saint. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed slave woman from Panama, who may have been black or of Indian blood. His father was repelled by the darkness of his son's skin at birth and abandoned him, leaving the child-raising to his mother.

At age 12, Martin was apprenticed to a "surgeon," at that time a combination of barber, druggist, physician and surgeon. Once trained, he began to use his skills to serve the poor. At fifteen, he became a lay brother at the Dominican Friary in Lima, where he worked as a barber, a farm laborer, a clothier, and a care-giver for the sick. Each day Martin distributed food to the hungry, he was doctor to the sick, and he helped to establish an orphanage and a hospice for abandoned babies.

Martin devoted himself to severe penances. In turn, God endowed him with many graces and an abundance of spiritual gifts: visions, ecstasies, bi-location (being two places at the same time), healing, and supernatural understanding.

Martin's kindness and his love of prayer and humility helped him become friends with many people from all social classes, which enabled him to alleviate the sufferings of many. His popularity allowed him to use all of his extraordinary gifts to serve the poor and to work diligently to promote their cause. Thus, he was nicknamed 'Martin of Charity'.

St. Martin's love was shown equally to humans and to animals, including mice. Like St. Francis, Martin treated animals as brothers and sisters and they did whatever he told them to do. He maintained a hospital for cats and dogs at his sister's house. A close friend of St. Rose of Lima, Martin died in 1639 and was canonized in 1962.

St. Martin de Porres is the patron saint of: African Americans, barbers; bi-racial people; hair stylists; hairdressers; hotel-keepers; innkeepers; inter-racial justice; mixed-race people; paupers; Peru; poor people; public education; public health; public schools; race relations; racial harmony; social justice; state schools; television.

Prayer to St. Martin de Porres

To you Saint Martin de Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every color the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen.

Legend has it that if you pray to St. Martin and see a mouse in an unusual place on his feast day, you will receive an answer to a prayer, so I am sending a mouse your way today ..... along with a cute frog, too.

VIDEO: Are abortion advocates smarter than a 2nd-grader?

2009-11-03T01:45:00.001-06:00

Josh Brahm's latest edition of Science Matters is not only hysterical and well done, it is also good ammo to keep in one's back pocket the next time a pro-abort claims the product of the union of human sperm and human egg is not a human.

In this episode, Josh is sick of debating grade school-level biology with pro-choicers. If a pro-choicer meets Josh's challenge at the end, he says he will shut down his YouTube channel, currently the 4th most subscribed pro-life channel on YouTube.

USCCB Frightens Planned Parenthood CEO

2009-11-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

Via Jill Stanek:

On October 30 Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards emailed a sigh of relief to followers that "every version of the [healthcare] bills out there... respects choice and expands access." Whew.
Then Cecile found out Catholic bishops had only the day before activated nationwide priests and parishioners to oppose nationalized healthcare unless it excludes public funded abortion, as described by the National Catholic Reporter, November 2:

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent bulletin inserts to almost 19,000 parishes across the country in an effort to urge Catholics to prevent health care reform from being derailed by support for abortion funding....

Read the entire story here.

Denver bishop: Catholics must demand delivery from Obama on health care promises

2009-11-02T21:44:00.000-06:00

Stressing that “there is very little time to act,” Bishop James Conley, the Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, told CNA in an exclusive interview on Monday that now is the time for President Obama to prove his critics wrong and show them that he really meant it when he said abortions would not be funded in the health care reform bill.

Bishop Conley added, “If we don't demand honesty from our public officials and responsiveness to the serious concerns of the Catholic community, nobody will do it for us -- and we, our beliefs and our institutions will be the losers.” The full interview between CNA and Bishop Conley follows.

Read the interview here.

Lux aeterna: Heavenly Music for All Souls' Day

2009-11-02T21:18:00.001-06:00

Let eternal light shine on them, Lord,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them,
as with Your saints in eternity,
because You are merciful. -
-
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine,
et Lux perpetua luceat eis,
cum Sanctus tuis in aeternum,
quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Americans Protest The Obama-Pelosi-Carhart Abortion Funding Scheme

2009-11-02T15:00:00.001-06:00

Americans gathered outside the White House on Saturday and laid down in the street to form the number 71, representing the percentage of Americans who oppose taxpayer funded abortions in our nation's health care plan.

The group was part of the IAM71.org coalition, which has a multi-faceted campaign against tax-funding of abortions that includes a ground-breaking virtual protest that can be found at www.IAM71.org. The protest was led by coalition member Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition.

The protest came on the heels Speaker Nancy Pelosi's unveiling of the House version of the health care "reform" bill that specifically provides for the tax funding of abortions. Read the entire story here.

Image via Operation Rescue.

Rep. Pence on why Americans ought to oppose PelosiCare

2009-11-02T14:18:00.000-06:00

This is a powerful video, which speaks the language of American principles and our Founding Fathers:

Congressman Mike Pence released the following video, urging all Americans to rise up and let their voices be heard in regard to the Pelosi health care plan.

Let your voice be heard by going to the APIA action item at the American Principles Project Blog.

H/T: American Papist

Planned Parenthood Leader Has Spiritual Conversion, Resigns After Watching Ultrasound of Abortion Procedure

2009-11-02T13:57:00.001-06:00

The leader of Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas left her post after watching the ultrasound of an abortion procedure. Abby Johnson told reporters that Planned Parenthood changed it’s business model from one that pushed prevention, to one that focused on abortion.

From KBTX.com:

Planned Parenthood has been a part of Abby Johnson's life for the past eight years; that is until last month, when Abby resigned. Johnson said she realized she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure.

"I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it," said Jonhson. Read the entire story here.

H/T:Gateway Pundit

ACTION ALERT: Emergency Webcast Tonight on Abortion-Funding Healthcare

2009-11-02T12:55:00.001-06:00

I have just learned of a nationwide webcast this evening, Monday, November 2 being put on by Stop the Abortion Mandate. This webcast will contain extremely crucial and time critical information regarding abortion and the healthcare legislation. I strongly encourage all of you to participate in this webcast:

Your attendance is crucial:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast
Seventy plus pro-life and pro-family organizations that make up the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition invite you to attend this urgent educational event.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Stop the Abortion Mandate Urgent Web Cast
DATE: TONIGHT, Monday, November 2
TIME: 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific
Register now at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast

During the live webcast, you'll hear the latest breaking news from many nationally respected leaders.
Invited presenters include:

* DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee
* REP. CHRIS SMITH, U.S. House of Representatives
* MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
* CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
* KELLYANNE CONWAY, The Polling Company
* KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life
* DR. DAVID STEVENS, Christian Medical & Dental Associations

During the event, you will:
* Hear the LATEST UPDATES and news straight from our nation's capital
* Learn exactly how abortion IS mandated in the proposed health care reform bills
* Discover what YOU can do about it!

During the webcast, you will get the latest information straight from our nation’s capital…

Learn exactly how abortion IS mandated in the proposed health care reform bills…

…And discover what YOU can do about it!

http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/webcast/

Related article:

LifeSiteNews.Com: Emergency Webcast Tonight to Combat Imminent Passage of Abortion-Funding Healthcare

All Souls' Day

2009-11-02T00:56:00.001-06:00

On All Souls' Day, Roman Catholics commemorate and pray for the holy souls in Purgatory, undergoing purification of their sins before entering heaven. It is celebrated on November 2.

The theological basis for this feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, cannot not yet attain the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, alms, deeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass.

In the early days of Christianity the names of the departed brethren were recorded on tablets. Later, in the sixth century, the Benedictine monasteries commemorated their deceased during Pentecost. In Spain, there was such a day on Saturday before before Pentecost, at the time of St. Isidore (d. 636). In Germany there existed a ceremony of praying to the dead on 1 October. St. Odilo of Cluny (d. 1048) ordered the commemoration of all the faithful departed to he held annually in the monasteries of his congregation. From there, it spread among the other congregations of the Benedictines and among the Carthusians to various dioceses.

On this day, three requiem Masses are celebrated: one for the celebrant, one for the departed, and one for the Holy Father.

All About All Souls' Day

Prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

English:

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Latin:

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

All Saints' Day

2009-11-01T00:19:00.002-05:00

Today's feast honors all the saints of the Church, known and unknown, whose virtues and efforts in this life are considered to have earned them an eternal reward with God. On this day, Catholics are asked to reflect on holiness and sainthood and to celebrate the holiness of men and women who gave their lives in faithfulness and service to God, and whose witness continues to inspire us today.

According to tradition, Catholics did honor Christian martyrs on May 13. Pope Boniface IV created Feast of All Martyrs in 615. Pope Gregory IV changed the date to November 1 to put in the place of pagan festivities in 844. He also moved it on the practical grounds that Rome in summer could not accommodate the great number of pilgrims who flocked to it. In 741, the feast was used to celebrate everyone in Heaven. The name of the day changed to Feasts of All Saints in 840. Then in 1484, Pope Sixtus IV called November 1 a Holy Day of Obligation and gave it both a vigil (known today as "All Hallows' Eve" or "Halloween") and an eight-day period or octave to celebrate the feast. By 1955, the eight day octave of All Saints was removed.

Learn all about the Solemnity of all Saints - the History, Information, Prayers, Resources, Traditions, & More here.

Litany of the Saints

Inspiring Articles:

The Church's Thanksgiving Day by Fr. Joseph Minihan
Ideas for Sanctifying All Saints' Day by Jennifer Gregory Miller
Halloween and All Saints Day by Fr. William Saunders

Related Post:

What does it mean to be a Saint? Ten Steps to Follow

Catholic Speakers Month: Johnette Benkovic -- a Woman of Grace

2009-10-31T23:22:00.006-05:00

Brief Biography

Johnette Benkovic is the founder and president of Living His Life Abundantly International, Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate with outreach ministries in television, radio, print, and the Internet. She is the founder of Women of Grace, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women that features a number of programs including conferences, curricula, study groups, and more.

After years of being a non-practicing Catholic, Johnette experienced a deep conversion back to her Catholic faith in 1981 and discerned a call to share the gospel message through the media. She has been a consistent presence in Catholic radio since 1987 and in Catholic television since 1988.

Johnette is executive producer for The Abundant Life on EWTN, a television program that discusses contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective. She is also the host of Women of Grace, a one hour talk show on AM/FM stations and short wave and satellite radios.

My Personal Reflections on Johnette

Johnette Benkovic is someone I deeply admire and who has fascinated me not only with her informative and engaging shows on TV and the radio, but also by the way she lives her life. I can't recall when I first started watching Johnette's The Abundant Life on EWTN, but it was when the show first came on the air. The topics were so interesting I felt compelled to come back for more. Johnette was someone I could relate to - a revert to the faith, close to my own age, a professional woman, someone who had grown up during the '60's and had survived the sexual revolution as well as the changes in the Catholic Church following Vatican II. These were challenging times when women were deceived by the culture regarding their femininity. Johnette's approach to these issues was fresh and challenging. She was a woman who was seeking spiritual growth not only for herself, but for other women, who shared a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I have met Johnette in person twice during my life. The first time was in 2003 at a conference sponsored by Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry in Vandalia, Illinois. Johnette was scheduled to speak on Saturday, but had arrived on Friday night, so I was happy to have the opportunity to have a brief private meeting with her. She signed my copy of "Full of Grace" and we spoke about her ministry, as well as the Community of St. John -- I was surprised that she not only knew about the Community, but had met our founder, Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, and had heard him speak at the home of an Oblate in Texas. Johnette was personable, very friendly, and quite knowledgable.

When I heard her speak the following day -- I was mesmerized by her witness -- not only by her dramatic presentation -- but also by the story itself, and her deep spiritual insights, her inner strength, and her wisdom. When she spoke about authentic femininity, my spirit was on fire with the truth and I was deeply touched. When I turned to see what my husband's reaction was to her powerful words, I noticed the tears in his eyes, and knew that he. too, had been deeply moved. Afterward, he shared that he never realized this unique type of spirituality that women possessed and wish he had known about this earlier in his life. It was a spiritual awakening for both of us.The truth we learned through her talk that day was that God has entrusted every woman -- single or married, with or without children -- with an important task: to bring spiritual life to the world around her, following the example of the Blessed Mother.

The second time I was blessed to see Johnette was this past August in Wichita, Kansas at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. I was thrilled to see her again -- it had been six years since our last meeting -- and I knew a lot had happened in her life since the first time we met.

This time her presentation was even more dramatic and her witness even more powerful. She came across as a strong evangelist -- testifying to the graces that she received through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to deal with the crises that had occurred within her life over the past few years: first the death of her 25-year-old son in March, 2004, to a vehicular accident, shortly after his return from Iraq, where he served in the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army and, second, the loss of her husband, Anthony, to an aggressive form of terminal brain cancer in April, 2007. She shared some of the details of her trials, the way in which she handled them as a woman of God, a woman consecrated to Jesus through Mary. Her witness this time was even more inspiring than the first. She not only spoke about her suffering, but manifested the depth of her suffering through her words, actions, and emotions, which were tempered by her strong faith and intellect. She shared the secret to dealing with suffering and the unique graces we are given in our trials. Her witness was uplifting, encouraging, wise, and prophetic.

We spoke briefly after her talk and she was so gracious to have her photo taken with me. In the photo above, I have deleted my image from the picture and kept hers. Isn't she a beautiful woman interiorly as well as exteriorly?

Links:

Living His Life Abundantly

Johnette Benkovic's Moment of Truth radio program on Ave Maria Radio

Anthony's Memorial Website

The Abundant Life on EWTN

Women of Grace blog

~ © Jean M. Heimann, October 31, 2009

This story was written as part of Support a Catholic Speaker Month, sponsored by Fallible Blogma.

Have a Happy and Holy All Hallow's Eve

2009-10-31T14:43:00.001-05:00

Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. These three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints. The Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We also rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints to intercede for us, and for the souls in Purgatory. More here.

The History of All Hallow's Eve

In 834, the evening of October 31 became All Hallow's Eve when Pope Gregory IV established November 1 as the feast of All Saints, followed by a day in honor of her soon-to-be saints, the feast of All Souls. This time of year was chosen because it was the time of barrenness on the earth. The harvest was in, the summer done, and the world was brown, drab, and mindful of death. Snow had not yet descended to comfort and hide the bony trees or blackened fields; so with little effort man could look about and see a meditation on death and life hereafter.

Apparently how you spent the vigil of All Saints depended on where you lived in Christendom. In Brittany the night was solemn and without a trace of merriment. On their "night of the dead" and for forty-eight hours thereafter, the Bretons believed the poor souls were liberated from Purgatory and were free to visit their old homes. The vigil for the souls, as well as the saints, had to be kept on this night because of course the two days were consecutive feasts — and a vigil is never kept on a feast.

Breton families prayed by their beloveds' graves during the day, attended church for "black vespers" in the evening and in some parishes proceeded thence to the charnel house in the cemetery to pray by the bones of those not yet buried or for whom no room could be found in the cemetery. Here they sang hymns to call on all Christians to pray for the dead and, speaking for the dead, they asked prayers and more prayers. Late in the evening in the country parishes, after supper was over, the housewives would spread a clean cloth on the table, set out pancakes, curds, and cider. And after the fire was banked and chairs set round the table for the returning loved ones, the family would recite the De Profundis (Psalm 129) again and go to bed. During the night a townsman would go about the streets ringing a bell to warn them that it was unwise to roam abroad at the time of returning souls.

It was in Ireland and Scotland and England that All Hallows' Eve became a combination of prayer and merriment. Following the break with the Holy See, Queen Elizabeth forbade all observances connected with All Souls' Day. In spite of her laws, however, customs survived; even Shakespeare in his Two Gentlemen of Verona has Speed tell Valentine that he knows he is in love because he has learned to speak "puling like a beggar at Hallowmas." This line must have escaped the Queen.

Tricks or treats

Begging at the door grew from an ancient English custom of knocking at doors to beg for a "soul cake" in return for which the beggars promised to pray for the dead of the household. Soul cakes, a form of shortbread — and sometimes quite fancy, with currants for eyes — became more important for the beggars than prayers for the dead, it is said. Florence Berger tells in her Cooking for Christ a legend of a zealous cook who vowed she would invent soul cakes to remind them of eternity at every bite. So she cut a hole in the middle and dropped it in hot fat, and lo — a doughnut. Circle that it is, it suggests the never-ending of eternity. Truth or legend, it serves a good purpose at Halloween.

The refrains sung at the door varied from "a soul cake, a soul cake, have mercy on all Christian souls for a soul cake," to the later:

Soul, soul, an apple or two,
If you haven't an apple, a pear will do,
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for the Man Who made us all.

Here they had either run out of soul cakes or plain didn't care. Charades, pantomimes, and little dramas, popular remnants of the miracle and morality plays of the Middle Ages, commonly rehearsed the folk in the reality of life after death and the means to attain it. It is probably from these that the custom of masquerading on Halloween had its beginning.

~ Excerpted, in part, from The Catholic Education Resource Center

Be sure to visit the following links:

Ideas for Sanctifying Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day by Jennifer Gregory Miller

Halloween and All Saints Day by Father William Saunders

Holyween: Reclaim The Celebration Of All Saints by Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: You are Invited

2009-10-30T13:08:00.004-05:00

You can either make or renew your consecration by attending in person or going online.

This November, the Brothers of St. John are pleased to offer a series of talks to help anyone interested in making a total consecration of themselves to Jesus through Mary according to the teaching and spirituality of St. Louis DeMontfort. These talks are perfect for anyone who would like to make the consecration or those who have made it in the past, and are looking to make it for the first time or renew it on December 8th.

The talks will be held at the Spalding Pastoral Center 419 NE Madison Ave. Peoria, IL 61603. There will be one talk given per week, with a special talk on Dec. 6th, just two days before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The talks will last from 7pm until approximately 8:30 pm. on November 3, 10, 17, 24, and Dec. 1. On Sunday, December 6th, a final talk will be given at the Brothers' Priory (11223 W. Legion Hall Road; Princeville, IL 61559) at 4:30 pm.

Two opportunities will be given to make or renew this Consecration on the Feast Day of Our Lady. All are invited to join the Brothers at Holy Mass on the 8th at approximately 11:15, or, if you work on that day, you make your consecration at a special Vigil Mass of the Immaculate Conception at 7 pm on Dec. 7th at the Brothers'.

All of the talks, given by Father Nathan, will also be broadcast live on Radio Maria, and all are welcome to tune in, no matter where they are in the country, to the live broadcasts over www.radiomaria.org. Simply scroll down to "Listen live" on the homepage, click on it, and listen in.

Please invite your friends to come -- there is plenty of room at the Spalding Center, and it is important to help spread this wonderful devotion.

Today's Saint: St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, Marvelous Mystic and Humble Doorkeeper

2009-10-30T02:13:00.000-05:00

St Alphonsus, or Alonzo as he was called in Spain, was born at Segovia in Spain, on July 12, 1531. From childhood he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He loved her as his mother. This childlike devotion to her was the main reason for his sanctity.

When he was a teenager, Alphonsus and his older brother were sent to study in a Jesuit college. On the death of his father in 1545, he was called home from his studies, by his mother, who was burdened with the care of eleven young children. Though only a boy of fourteen, he was placed in charge of the family business, which involved the buying and selling of wool.

At the request of his mother, Alphonsus married the virtuous Maria Suarez. His married life of four years was marked with much suffering. His business suffered, and two of the couple’s three children died in infancy. He was widowed at the age of 32 and his mother died soon aftewards. He sold the business and moved in with his sisters; they helped Alphonsus raise his son, and taught their brother prayerful meditation. When his son died, Alphonsus decided to follow his call to the priesthood.

Alphonsus wanted to become a Jesuit. Twice he was refused admittance due to his older age, but providence came to his rescue. He entered the novitiate at the age of thirty-seven, and after six months, he was instructed to go to the Jesuit college of Montesion in Palma on the island of Majorca off the coast of Spain, to complete his novitiate training. At the end of his novitiate, he was assigned various duties and was made doorkeeper at the college. He remained in this office for 46 years.

Nothing could be more insignificant in the eyes of the world and more monotonous in itself than such a life. By his deep interior spirit that animated him, Alphonsus transformed and transcended it with his: fervent spirit of prayer, deep union with God, devotion to Mary, especially the Rosary, which allowed him to live constantly in the presence of God even in the most difficult times. His spirit of obedience was remarkable. His love for his fellowmen and his spirit of penance inspired many to follow him. People in high positions came to him in their troubles and difficulties to seek his advice. He exercised a powerful influence for good upon his own Brothers, many of whom reached a high degree of sanctity. Of these the greatest was St Peter Clever, a fellow Jesuit, whom Alphonsus prepared to become the apostle of Slaves in the New World. Many owed their vocation to priesthood and religious life to him.

The last year of his life, was one of great suffering. He died on October 31, 1617, with the name of Jesus on his lips.

As a humble porter, Alphonsus was always appreciated for his kindness and holiness; however, it was only after his death that his memoirs revealed the quality and depth of his prayer life. It was then that others learned that the humble Jesuit who had been gifted by God with remarkable mystical graces, ecstasies and visions of our Lord, our Lady and the saints.

Alphonsus was beatified in 1825, and was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on 15 January, 1888 together with his spiritual disciple, St Peter Claver.

St. Alphonsus is the patron saint of Majorca, Spain.

Prayer for New Life through Death to Sin (Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez)

Though Your most holy passion and death, I beg of you, Lord, to grant to me a most holy life, and a most complete death to all my vices and passions and self-love, and to grant me sight of your holy faith, hope and charity.

40 Days for Life Reaches Milestone: 2,000 Babies Saved from Abortion

2009-10-29T23:32:00.000-05:00

"Through the grace and mercy of God -- and the faithful prayers of more than 200,000 volunteers standing vigil outside abortion facilities -- an incredible miracle has taken place," said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life.

"Starting with the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004, and continuing through the international 40 Days for Life effort that is under way this fall, we now have confirmed reports of at least 2,000 babies whose lives have been saved from the tragedy of abortion," Bereit said. "Who knows what wonders each of these children will bring to the world!"

Two thousand children would be enough to fill at least 80 classrooms. Two thousand children would be enough to make up 180 teams of little soccer players -- "and just as importantly," said Bereit, "this could represent 180 teams of soccer moms -- women who will enjoy watching their children run and jump and shout -- blessings they would have never known if they had fallen for the lies that are so often disguised by the rhetoric of 'choice.'"

Frequently, it is simply the sight of people peacefully standing in prayer that will convince a woman to turn away from abortion. "When people ask me what to say when they're at the vigil," said Bereit, "I often say -- just pray and don't worry about it. We have countless stories of women rejecting abortion and leaving the clinics even when not a single word was spoken."

Click here to read the entire story.

Breaking News: Bishops Call for Massive Catholic Opposition to Abortion in Health Care Reform

2009-10-29T15:14:00.002-05:00

PTL! This is wonderful news:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - An E-mail directive has been sent from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Activities Secretariat mobilizing every parish in the United States of America. It contains an urgent message which is to be distributed in every parish this weekend and announced at every single Mass. This massive and urgent appeal may be unprecedented in our history as Catholics in America. It is an effort to mobilize the Catholic faithful on an urgent matter of public policy concerning the fundamental and foundational human right to life.

The E-Mail specifically asks that no parish opt out of this initiative.

Click here to read the entire story.

USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert

Catholic Culture: US bishops conference mounts late drive against 'unacceptable' health-care reform

Inspiring Video: 40 Days for Life in Charlotte, NC

2009-10-29T14:49:00.001-05:00

Listen as volunteers in the Charlotte, North Carolina 40 Days for Life share the blessings they have experienced as part of this worldwide pro-life initiative:

Birth control pills can double stroke risk

2009-10-29T14:30:00.002-05:00

Double your fun? I think not!

The Pill still has the potential to kill (babies as well as moms):

Oral contraceptives can nearly double the risk of stroke in women, a U.S. review of studies finds.

Dr. Jose Biller, Dr. Michael J. Schneck and Dr. Sarkis Morales-Vidal, all Loyola University Health System neurologists, say oral contraceptives used today contain much lower concentrations of estrogens than older preparations.

The review, published in MedLink Neurology, found there were about 4.4 ischemic strokes for every 100,000 women of childbearing age, but birth control pills increase the risk of stroke 1.9 times, to 8.5 strokes per 100,000 women.

However, for women who take birth control pills and also smoke, have high blood pressure or have a history of migraine headaches, the stroke risk was significantly higher. Read the entire story here.

FR. ANTOINE THOMAS, CSJ, APPEARING ON EWTN TONIGHT

2009-10-29T13:52:00.002-05:00

Fr. Antoine Thomas, CSJ, and Jordan Allott, who collaborated on Father's last three DVD's, will be interviewed live on Life on the Rock tonight, Thursday, October 29th at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. eastern time). The title of tonight's Show is The Eucharist Expedition: To the Summit! Ask Fr. Antoine a question.

Fr. Antoine is a member of the Community of St. John and I am an Oblate with this community. I have known Fr. Antoine for several years now and I can say from first hand experience that Fr. Antoine is one of the most interesting and informative spiritual instructors I have ever known. He is wonderful with children as well as with adults. This is a program you won't want to miss.

For more information about the Community of St. John please visit their websites:

* Children of Hope
* The Community of St. John
* The Community of St. John in the U.S.
* Biography of Father Marie - Dominique Philippe, OP, Founder of the Community of St. John

Feast of Blessed Maria Restituta, Martyr, Hero of the Holocaust

2009-10-29T01:05:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrate the feast of Helen Kafka, better known as Blessed Maria Restituta.

Helen Kafka was born in 1894 to a shoemaker and grew up in Vienna, Austria. She initially worked as a salesgirl and then as an assistant caregiver at the Lainz public hospital, which brought her into contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. At the age of 20, she decided to join the Order and took the name Restituta, after a 4th century Christian martyr.

In 1919, she began working as a surgical nurse at the Moulding hospital in Austria. When the Germans took over the country, she became a local opponent of the Nazi regime. Her conflict with them escalated after they ordered her to remove all the crucifixes she had hung up in each room of a new hospital wing.

Sister Maria Restitua refused and she was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942. She was sentenced to death for "aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of the fatherland and for plotting high treason.”

Martin Bormann decided that her execution would provide "effective intimidation" for other opponents of the Nazis. She spent her remaining time in prison caring for other prisoners; even the Communist prisoners spoke well of her. She was offered her freedom if she would abandon her religious community; but she refused.

Blessed Maria was beheaded March 30, 1943 in Vienna. Pope John Paul II beatified her on June 21, 1998.

Saint Quote:

"I have lived for Christ; I want to die for Christ."

~ Blessed Maria's last recorded words

Shocking: Planned Parenthood's Declaration of Debauchery

2009-10-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

The International Planned Parenthood Federation released a declaration of Sexual Rights, seeking to impose its twisted views on human sexuality on all nations. The declaration, if ever fully realized, would remove all legal, social, and religious barriers from all forms of sexual perversions in virtually any situation including public areas.

All of the Bishops Reject Health Care Bill: It Fails To Protect Human Life

2009-10-28T15:33:00.001-05:00

CNA reported this today:

All of the Catholic bishops in Texas released a statement on health care reform on Tuesday, warning that the legislation currently under consideration does not adequately ensure the protection of all human life.

The statement issued by the Texas Catholic Conference, which represents all 15 dioceses in Texas, said that the bishops “hope that our national leaders will work together to bring about genuine life-affirming reform to our nation’s health care system.”

“Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that every human being, from the moment of conception to natural death, has an innate dignity that entitles him or her to certain rights and protections, including the fundamental right to life and the right to affordable health care, which flows from the right to life,” they stated. However, the bishops of Texas also said that they are concerned that the current proposed reforms do not respect these human rights. They singled out the Capps Amendment for criticism, saying that it “does not adequately ensure the protection of all human life.”

Last night Marcel at Aggie Catholics shared this story with the blogosphere, and today, Thomas, The American Papist, adds these Bishops to the list he has been compiling for over a month now on U.S. Bishops who vigorously oppose the current health care reform proposals being debated in Congress. I agree with the point Thomas makes there -- that the message they are sending out is very clear -- it is against Catholic teaching to support the health care bill as it currently exists based on the above statement -- in short, it does not adequately protect all human life -- from the moment of conception to natural death.

The Bishops want "genuine life-affirming reform" not this phony and deceptive bill the Obama admisnistration is attempting to force upon us. The advocates and creators of this bill want us to believe that abortion isn't going to be covered (at the tax-payers expense) and that there will not be rationing for the elderly and disabled and that this will all be done without massive tax increases. They are trying to make us believe that it is wise for us to give up our privacy and control (individual decision making) and let the government control this aspect of our lives. We'll be so much better off that way, they claim. These culture of death advocates think we can't see through their trickery, but God has gifted us with His wisdom and discernment so that we will remain faithful and obedient to His laws and His commands, not those of our secular society. I am grateful to these Bishops who have spoken out -- for, we as Catholics, look to the leadership of the Church to shepherd us and to point us to the truth.