[powerpress]
PRIEST:
Most holy and Immaculate Virgin and our Mother Mary,
you are our Perpetual Help, our refuge and our hope.

ALL:
We come to you today.
We thank God for all the graces received through your intercession.
Mother of Perpetual Help, we promise to live you always
and to do all we can to lead others to you.

PRIEST:
Mother of Perpetual Help, confident of your powerful influence with God, obtain for us these graces:

ALL:
The strength to overcome temptation,
a perfect love for Jesus Christ,
and a holy death
so that we will live with you and your Son for all eternity.

PRIEST:
Let us pray as a community of faith.
Mary, all generations have called you blessed,
and the Almighty has done great things for you.

ALL:
Mother of Perpetual Help,
we call upon your most powerful name.
Your very name inspires confidence and hope.
May it always be on our lips,
especially in time of temptation
and, at the hour of our death.
Blessed Lady, help us whenever we call on you.
Let us not be content with merely pronouncing your name.
May our daily lives proclaim
that you are our Mother and our Perpetual Help.

PRIEST:
Let us pray for our temporal wants:

ALL:
Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the greatest confidence we kneel before you.
We implore your help in the problems of our daily lives.
Trials and sorrows often depress us;
misfortunes and privations being misery into our lives;
everywhere we meet the cross.
Comforter of the Afflicted
beg your Son, Jesus,
to strengthen us as we bear our burdens
and to free us from our sufferings.
Or if it be the will of God
that we should suffer still longer,
help us endure all with love and patience.
May we follow the example of your Son,
and through him,
with him,
and in him,
commend ourselves to the care of our heavenly Father.

PRIEST:
Let us now present our petitions and our thanks.
Lord Jesus Christ, at a word from Mary your Mother,
you changed water into wine at Cana of Galilee.
Listen now to the People of God gathered here
to honor Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Grant our petitions and accept our sincere thanks.

PRIEST:
Grant wisdom and guidance to our Holy Father, Pope . . .,
our Bishop . . ., our priest,
and all the leaders of our nation, state, and community.

ALL:
Hear us, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Grant peace and unity throughout the world, especially in our homes and families.

ALL:
Hear us, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Grant that young people respond generously to the call of the Holy Spirit
in deepening their faith and choosing their vocation in life.

ALL:
Hear us, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Grant us continued health of mind and body, and help the sick,
especially . . ., to regain their health according to your holy will.

ALL:
Hear us, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Grant eternal rest to all our deceased,
especially . . ., and to the souls of all the faithful departed.

ALL:
Hear us, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Let us pause now to silently present our own petitions to
Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

PRIEST:
Lord, accept our thanks for the new life of grace you gave us.

ALL:
We thank you, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Accept our thanks for all the graces received
through the sacramental life of the Church.

ALL:
We thank you, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Accept our thanks for the spiritual and material blessings we have received.

ALL:
We thank you, Lord, through Mary our Mother.

PRIEST:
Let us pause now to silently thank
Our Mother of Perpetual Help for our own favors received.

PRIEST:
we pray for the sick:

ALL:
Lord, look upon your servants
laboring under bodily weakness.
Cherish and revive the souls
which you have created
so that, purified by their suffering
they may soon find themselves healed by your mercy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRIEST:
May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you that he may defend you,
within you that he may sustain you,
before you that he may lead you,
behind you that he may protect you,
above you that he may bless you
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

ALL:
Amen.

PRIEST:
Let us renew our confidence in Mary as a perpetual help.

ALL:
Mother of Perpetual Help,
you have been blessed and favored by God.
You became not only the Mother of the Redeemer,
but the Mother of the redeemed as well.
We come to you today as your loving children.
Watch over us and take care of us.
As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms,
so take us in your arms.

Be a mother ready at every moment to help us.
For God who is might * has done great things for you,
and his mercy is from age to age
on those who love him.
Our greatest fear is
that in time of temptation,
we may fail to call out to you,
and become lost children.
Intercede for; us, dear Mother,
in obtaining pardon for our sins,
love for Jesus,
final perseverance,
and the grace always to call upon you,
Mother of Perpetual Help.

PRIEST:
Let us unite with the Christians of all ages in praising Mary
and in committing ourselves to her powerful protection:

ALL:
Hail Mary, etc.

PRIEST:
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

ALL
May we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

PRIEST:
Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us your Mother Mary,
whose image we venerate, as a mother ready at every moment to help us;
grant, we beg you, that we who call on her help my always
enjoy the fruit of your redemption.
We ask this through you who live and reign forever.

ALL:
Amen.

vocals offered by Fr. Mark Cyza and Kris McGregor

I cannot recommend a book more highly than this,  “Answer Your Call: Reclaim God’s Purpose For Faith, Family, and Work” is OUTSTANDING! The combined gifts of  Dick and Martha Lyles have brought us must a gem which serves as a practical everyday guide for prayer and discernment.  The book description below and the interview I have with Dick can provide just some of the reasons why this work is so important, but neither really goes far enough.  I have heard from so many men and women looking for spiritual directors, guides, mentors, anyone or anything that could help them to respond to that “still, small voice” deep inside themselves; here is the book I’ll now tell them to start with.  While this isn’t the answer to all questions and quests, this is work offers a great start and foundation.  Great for individual study, as well as for groups.  For pastors, deacons, pastoral ministers, parents, but most importantly, for the every day man or woman trying to “answer God’s call”!

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

From the book description:

Answer Your Call helps Christians discern their purpose from a Catholic perspective—think of it as a Catholic response to The Purpose Driven Life. Building on the premise that every person has a unique set of natural gifts meant to be used in concert with God’s supernatural graces, readers will find practical insights on what prevents someone from hearing and responding to God’s call, as well as how to reclaim and live their calling in the home, workplace, and community. Answer Your Call goes beyond mere theory, using key questions, short quizzes, and practical exercises to help the reader implement the material. You’ll learn:

• What causes us to lose sight of God’s presence
• How we lose touch with our natural gifts
• The three dimensions of our divine call
• Understanding discernment in relation to purpose and call
• How you can plan to implement your call

Interspersed with Scripture and Catechism quotes, as well as wisdom from popes and saints, Answer Your Call will guide you to carry out God’s purpose in every dimension of your life.

“Americanization ” is a very important concept to comprehend when trying to understand the state of the Roman Catholic Church in America. In “American Church: The Remarkable Rise, Meteoric Fall, and Uncertain Future of Catholicism in America”  offers that many of the benefits of cultural assimilation exprienced by Catholic immigrants to the U.S.,  around the turn of the last century, were good.  However, the secular culture has threatened the “Catholic identity” of millions of faithful and of their institutions, such as schools, universities, and hospitals.

Rich in in history, which points potentially to the future, Russell Shaw helps us to see the disturbing aspects of the Church in America today, while offering hopeful outcomes for the future.  A very important book, indeed!

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

“Russell Shaw is one of the best informed and most articulate observers of the American Catholic experience; a writer of elegant clarity, fairness and impeccable research. If you want to understand the Church in the United States and the challenges she now faces, American Church should be on the short list of books you need to read.”
+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia

“The new bull-in-the-china-shop of U.S. Catholic history, Russell Shaw upends pedestals, reimagines story-lines, and invites all of us to think again about the roots of the severe challenges — and great opportunities — facing the Church in the United States in the first decades of the third millennium.” —-George Weigel, author of Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church

 

Episode 12 “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher.

In this episode with Fr. Gallagher,  the series concludes with an instruction on the Third Mode and summary overview of “Discerning the Will of God”.

[powerpress]

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.  Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life:  The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”.

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit  his  website:   frtimothygallagher.org

 

For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

 

Episode 11 “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher.

In this episode with Fr. Gallagher,  there is a brief summary of the First and Second Mode.  Then Fr. Gallagher breaks open the Third Mode, a Ponderousness of Reasons, also know as the 4 columns.

[powerpress]

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.  Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life:  The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”.

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit  his  website:   frtimothygallagher.org

 

For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

 

At stunning moment in the recent history of the Catholic Church, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church effective February 28, we had the opportunity to George Weigel before his departure for Rome to be, once again, a witness to history.  In “Evangelical Catholicism:  Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church” he writes of this particular moment in the life of the Catholic Church.  Our conversation centers on the Papacy and its future.  I cannot encourage listeners more highly to pick up a copy of this book; it is extraordinarily compelling and filled with hopeful certainty concerning the future course of this great “barque of Peter”.  Don’t miss!!!

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York
“This sparkling read puts all the old Church-labels—liberal vs. conservative, progressive vs. traditionalist, pre- vs. post-Vatican II—in the shredder. Now there is only one valid adjective for all of us: evangelical! Simply put, this means we take our baptismal promises with the utmost seriousness. Like the Samaritan woman, we’ve met a man—Jesus—who has changed our lives.”

Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
“George Weigel has been the leading diarist of authentic Catholic renewal—its progress, detours, personalities, and hopes—for 30 years. In Evangelical Catholicism he turns his extraordinary skills to the needs of the Church in the coming decades, calling us back to the missionary vocation we received at baptism and offering us a road map to faithful, vigorous Church reform. Rich in its vision, engaging in style, on target in its counsel and invaluable for anyone trying to understand the Church and her challenges in the 21st Century, this book should not be missed.”

Mary Ann Glendon, author of The Forum and the Tower: How Scholars and Politicians have Imagined the World, from Plato to Eleanor Roosevelt
“This remarkable book offers nothing less than a map and compass for men and women determined to take up the challenge of living the Catholic faith in its fullness under 21st-century conditions. With its bold call for ‘deep reform’ in every single corner of the Church, Evangelical Catholicism is sure to provoke lively discussion. The book’s proposals for true renewal are presented with the clarity and verve that have made George Weigel a peerless advocate of the courage to be Catholic.”

It’s great to be joined once again by Mark Brumley, this time to discuss  “Knowing God: God and the Human Condition” (previously titled God and the Human Mind) authored by the great Catholic writer, teacher, and publisher Frank Sheed.   Written in 1966 during the time of the Second Vatican Council, Sheed  addresses the most challenging questions the human mind can pose about God, without presenting answers in dry academic way.  Instead, because of his gifted writing style, he engages the reader with a desire to discover “mystery” in all its forms.

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

“This book is vintage Sheed: clear, commonsensical, and convincing. This is the Sheed of the two masterpieces of apologetics Theology and Sanity and Society and Sanity. But this is also a new Sheed: older and wiser, more practical and human–the post-Vatican II Sheed. I mean this in all the good senses, the John Paul II senses: he is sensitive to the dangers of “the good old days”: verbalism, “dead orthodoxy,” rationalism, deism, what Sheed calls “theometry” instead of theology: an abstract, formal theological geometry that only wants to define terms and win debating points. Instead, this book is a kind of theological midrash, a deepening, a spelunking in the caves of the deepest mysteries with the clear light of honest words–honest with heart as well as head. It unites dogmatic theology with lived religion. It is precisely the breath of fresh air that Pope John XXIII opened the windows for, and in terms the layman can clearly grasp. —– Peter Kreeft, Author, Because God is Real

“The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against Scientism” is fascinating.  I love discussing anything surrounding the thought of C. S. Lewis, and this particular conversation with John West,  brought great insight on Lewis’ thought about the dangers of “scientism”.   This extensive book offers warnings by the beloved writer concerning the influence of unleashed science and its various fields and it’s potentially troubling effect on mankind.  A wonderfully engaging read…don’t miss.

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

Here is the link to the site that is dedicated to the book:  C.S. Lewis Web

From the book description:

Beloved for his Narnian tales and books of Christian apologetics, bestselling British writer C. S. Lewis also was a perceptive critic of the growing power of scientism, the misguided effort to apply science to areas outside its proper bounds. In this wide-ranging book of essays, contemporary writers probe Lewis’s prophetic warnings about the dehumanizing impact of scientism on ethics, politics, faith, reason, and science itself. Issues explored include Lewis’s views on bioethics, eugenics, evolution, intelligent design, and what he called “scientocracy.” Contributors include Michael Aeschliman, Victor Reppert, Jay Richards, and C. John Collins.

 

What a delight to talk once again with Dr. Thomas Howard.  This time we discuss “Hallowed Be This House: Finding Signs of Heaven in Your Home”.  Dr. Howard has such a beautiful gift of recognizing the sacred.   Through this marvelous book, he helps us all to appreciate the many ways in which we too can dive deeper into the “mystery”,  especially in  those ordinary places and things in found in our lives.  This book is a treasure!

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

Tom Howard, an accomplished writer of great distinction, has the rare gift of being able to express profound truths in whimsical terms. In Hallowed Be This House, he explores with charm and wit the sacramental aspect of our daily lives. I found the book vastly entertaining and, what is more, felt refreshed and the happier of having read it. So, I am sure, will all its readers. —Malcolm Muggeridge

Howard’s vision is the quintessential Catholic, sacramental vision. To read this book is to see with the eyes of Christ. —Peter Kreeft, Handbook of Christian Apologetics

[powerpress]

Msgr. Esseff continues his reflection on the readings found in the readings of the Church’s liturgy, with a particular emphasis on the Thanksgiving during these turbulent times. We need to remember that He is not a “tinsel” God…He has power which He passes on to us to draw upon. The power comes from PRAYER! Do you believe that? Jesus invites us to enter through the open door…the open door into His Sacred Heart. Have you entered? Like in the parable given by Jesus in the Gospel, what have done with the “golden coins” you have been given?

(more…)

“Christians as Political Animals: Taking the Measure of Modernity and Modern Democracy” as fascinating work that looks at faith, reason, virtue, and the limits of modern liberty. Dr. Marc Guerra, professor of the graduate program at Ave Maria University, brings forward Augstine and Aquinas, as well as 20th century theologians and political philosophers, to help us recognize that Christian thought must keep a proper prospective in viewing the political realm, and not to surrender our call and response as members of the body of Christ.  Is it heading stuff?  Not at all, faith and reason anchored in Truth, is for all of us to understand…it should be the true rudder we use to navigate the political landscape.

You can find Dr. Guerra’s book here

[powerpress]

On October 7, at the beginning of the Synod on the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI will declare St. Hildegard von Bingen and St. John of Avila  Doctors of the Church.  On this special edition of Inside the Pages I talk with Dr. Matthew Bunson about the significance of this declaration.  We talk about the lives and work of both saints and how their teachings can touch our lives today.

[powerpress]

How can you pack the richness of Fatima into a little ol’blog post here?

I discerned….you can’t.  There is just so much for us to take in and ponder.  For a fuller explanation of the approved private revelation I found this wikipedia article gives a fairly balanced presentation – Our Lady of Fatima.

The year is 1917: a dancing sun, an abundance of miracles, and so much more, were all given to wake up an aching world to the consequences of sin and the need to return to the heart and love of the Father, through the beautiful Immaculate Heart of Our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  A message was given to 3 shepherd children…a message basically consisting of prayer, penance and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  If we can enter into these basic of all practices, our hearts would ultimately find their way “home”…to heaven and to the embrace of our loving Father.  Practice of the first five Saturday devotion, frequent recitation of Our Lady’s rosary, and devotion to the Eucharist are all central elements to the experience of Fatima.

Many Roman Catholics recite prayers based on Our Lady of Fátima. Lucia later revealed that she and her cousins had had several visions of an angel in 1916. Calling himself the “Angel of Portugal” and the “Angel of Peace,” he taught them to bow with their heads to the ground and to say “O God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you.” Lucia later set this prayer to music and a recording exists of her singing it. Sometime later he returned and taught them a Eucharistic devotion now known as the Angel Prayer.

Lucia said that the Lady emphasized Acts of Reparation and prayers to console Jesus for the sins of the world. Lucia said Mary’s words were “When you make some sacrifice, say ‘O Jesus, it is for your love, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.‘” At the first apparition, Lucia wrote, the children were so moved by the radiance they perceived that they involuntarily said “Most Holy Trinity, I adore you! My God, my God, I love you in the Most Blessed Sacrament.”Lucia also heard Mary ask for these words to be added to the Rosary, after the Gloria Patri prayer: “O my Jesus, pardon us, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need.”

In the tradition of Marian visitations, the “conversion of sinners” is not necessarily religious conversion to the Roman Catholic Church, but general repentance and attempt to amend one’s life according to the teachings of Jesus.Lucia wrote that she and her cousins defined “sinners” not as non-Catholics but as those who had fallen away from the Church or, more specifically, willfully indulged in sinful activity, particularly “sins of the flesh” and “acts of injustice and a lack of charity towards the poor, widows and orphans, the ignorant and the helpless” which she saidwere even worse than sins of impurity. – wikipedia

 

How much the Father loves us all!  To allow, through the action of the Holy Spirit, an encounter with Our Blessed Mother, especially one that is so loving  and nurturing.  Praise God for the grace of courage, perseverance, fortitude and so much more, poured out to those 3 little children who communicated that message to the world.  I am reminded of what Jesus once conveyed to St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church…that He uses the humble (like uneducated fisherman, simple women and little children) to communicate a message from heaven in order to confound the arrogant and to bring an opportunity of humility to us all.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us My favorite movie surrounding the mystical experience of Fatima is “The 13th Day” distributed by Ignatius Press.   Here is another video. film “The Miracle of Fatima”  

A Doctor of the Church, a distinguished Jesuit theologian, writer, and cardinal, born at Montepulciano, October 4, 1542; died 17September, 1621.

When you look up the word “prudence” in the dictionary, you may find his picture.  Why?  Does the name “Galileo” ring a bell.  Many think they know the story…but do you?  If you’ve never heard St. Robert Bellarmine’s role and thoughts on the matter, than you haven’t heard the whole story. Take a listen to Dr. Matthew Bunson break open the “Galileo issue” from a truly Catholic perspective.  Fascinating.

[powerpress]

For more on this great saints life check out the article found on New Advent

 

 

Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God’s love, entire love!
– St. Catherine of Genoa

St. Catherine of Genoa’s life is one that testified to the power that regular confessions and frequent Communion can have in helping us see the direction (or drift) of our life with God.  Isn’t it interesting that people who have a realistic sense of their own sinfulness and of the greatness of God are often the ones who are most ready to meet the needs of their neighbors. Catherine’s life testifies to that as well.  She’s best known for her “Treatise on Purgatory” .  She gave tirelessly to the needs of the poor and sick.  Beautiful, married young to…well, should we be charitable and say…”an unpleasant fellow ” (Ok, he was a jerk) at 16.  During the course of ten years within the marriage, Catherine began to slowly slide into worldliness, not necessarily a sinful life, but not the one of holiness she had desired before her marriage.  And then it happened, Catherine experienced a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit in a dramatic life-changing mystical moment at the age of 26.  Again you can read more about in  “Treatise on Purgatory“.  Her life of prayer and service to the poor and needy would effect her husband as well; his conversion is a strong testament to the fruits of her relationship with God.  She reminds me a little of Mother Teresa, in that her deep, deep prayer led her to serve Him in those around her.

“Since I began to love, love has never forsaken me. It has ever grown to its own fullness within my innermost heart.” – St. Catherine of Genoa.   And it’s true…God is love, expand and make more room for Him and He will fill the space.

From Approved Apparitions:

“Catherine lived in holy obedience to God as He guided her to do His Will as He spoke to her interior,

“My daughter, observe these three rules, namely: never say I will or I will not. Never say mine, but always ours. Never excuse yourself, but always accuse yourself. When you repeat the `Our Father’ take always for your maxim, Fiat voluntas tua, that is, may his will be done in everything that may happen to you, whether good or ill; from the `Hail Mary’ take the word Jesus, and may it be implanted in your heart, and it will be a sweet guide and shield to you in all the necessities of life. And from the rest of Scripture take always for your support this word, Love, with which you will go on your way, direct, pure, light, watchful, quick, enlightened, without erring, yet without a guide or help from any creature; for love needs no support, being sufficient to do all things without fear; neither does love ever become weary, for even martyrdom is sweet to it. And, finally, this love will consume all the inclinations of the soul, and the desires of the body, for the things of this life.”

 Though Catherine lived a life of austere penance she did so for she understood how deadly is sin to the soul as a child of God can quickly turn to become a child of the Devil, if they choose to willfully disobey God through their actions. As Catherine explained, “If it were possible for me to suffer as much as all the martyrs have suffered, and even hell itself, for the love of God, and in order to make satisfaction to him, it would be after all only a sort of injury to God, in comparison with the love and goodness with which he has created, and redeemed, and, in a special manner, called me. For man, unassisted by God’s grace, is even worse than the devil, because the devil is a spirit without a body, while man, without the grace of God, is a devil incarnate. Man has a free will, which, according to the ordination of God, is in nowise bound, so that he can do all the evil that he wills; to the devil, this is impossible, since he can act only by the divine permission; and when man surrenders to him his evil will, the devil employs it, as the instrument of his temptation.”

. (more…)