Watch Episode 1 of Bishop Barron's "The Sacraments"

Bishop Barron's new series is now available.
Episode 1 is available for free streaming now:
https://sacraments.wordonfire.org/episode1access

Pope's Prayer for Mary's month (May) for an end to the pandemic

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200425_lettera-mesedimaggio.html

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Pope Francis

---

First Prayer
 

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

---

Second Prayer
 

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

---

© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Good Friday homily on 10 April 2020 from the Vatican, preaching by Fr Raniero Cantalamessa

Thank you Fr Cantalamessa for these words of encouragement.

Peter's Denial, Palm Sunday 2020 // Music with Meaning // Third Day - Can't Take the Pain

There are a number of songs that Third Day have written from the point of view of a Gospel character. I have found this to be deeply nourishing encounters with the Word of God. They seem to me to embrace the Jesuit spirit of entering into the scenarios and embracing the emotions of the character you are drawn to. This particular song is written from the point of view of Peter after denying Christ three times.

Matthew 26:31-35 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Peter’s Denial Foretold

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:69-75 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”[a] 72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 26:71 Gk the Nazorean

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Struggler by Brother Isaiah

The music:


and the meaning:

SHADE // Brother Isaiah (updated 2 August 2020)

From the CFR facebook page:
"SHADE" is a new acoustic series featuring the music of Brother Isaiah, CFR. Brother Isaiah offers simple and uncut prayers from the heart hoping these "holy-hooks" might offer you an experience of the Lord's accompanying presence and refreshment in the midst of your day-to-day journey. The pilgrimage of life can be difficult at times and we can easily find ourselves pretty weary along the way, but the Lord wants to meet us along that road in little moments of quiet rest with renewal unlooked-for, like the simple refreshment one finds “beneath the shade of a tree.” As the psalmist sings, “The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side He stands” (Ps 121:5). We pray these little tunes might be a source of life and refreshment for the road the Lord has for you these days. Remember, we’re pilgrims on this earth… "poco a poco, vamos a llegar.”

Follow the Friars at:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cfr_franciscans/
www.franciscanfriars.com

Videos by Martin Jernberg:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/martin.jernberg/



Playlist:

Introduction video:


Pre-intro video. The volume on this first one is a bit low, but the song needs to be heard. Pray, Hope, Don't Worry:

Quarantined Catholic Hub

Another free resource, this time from Scott Hahn. It includes free access to the study "The Eucharist in Scripture".

Quarantined Catholic Hub

Formed.org free for 40 days

Formed.org has opened up their platform for 40 days at this difficult time in the world. I strongly encourage taking up the opportunity.

Formed.org

Message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols for first Sunday since public participation in Mass is suspended

Cardinal Vincent Nichols on COVID-19 from Catholic Westminster on Vimeo.

ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE,
WESTMINSTER, LONDON, SW1P 1QJ

Pastoral Letter for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

22 March 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
You need no words from me to state the grave seriousness of the crisis of the spread of the coronavirus
around the world and throughout this country. We know the steps and the sacrifices we must take in
order to play our part in slowing its spread, saving lives and enabling the NHS to continue its vital
work. These things are our duty before God.
There are other vitally important aspects of this moment in our history that are less prominent in our
media and conversations.
At this moment we stand before God. That is never to be forgotten. Together we turn to God in prayer,
at this moment as never before.
Our faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the bedrock on which we live. Prayer is the first and
loving expression of this relationship. Prayer is an acknowledgement that we are not in ultimate
control of our lives or of our world. That is so clear at this time. Prayer is the recognition that our
lives, individually and communally, are marked by failure and sin. Prayer is an expression of our
turning to God for that grace which alone can heal us, strengthen us and give us the resolve and
generosity to do all that is rightly expected of us today. Please make this a time of prayer, personally,
in the family and wherever you happen to be.
The highest form of prayer is the celebration of the Holy Mass. This is at the heart of the rhythm of
the life of the Church, the rhythm of prayer which sustains us all. The present crisis will not disturb
that rhythm. Mass will continue to be celebrated, day by day. The prayer of the Church will continue
day by day.
What will change is the manner of our participation in those celebrations of the Mass. In response to
the pandemic and the official guidance, which we must follow, public participation in the celebration
of the Mass is not, for now, possible. This is a sacrifice we have to make. It is not easy, for any
Catholic, but it is what we must do.
I want to make it exceptionally clear that the teaching of the Church is that, in these circumstances,
the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days no longer applies. Please have no doubt
about this.
This does not mean that we lose our love of the Mass or our desire to take part in the celebration of
the Mass. Mass will be celebrated, day by day, in your church. There are many ways of taking part
in this prayer. Associate yourself with the celebration of the Mass spiritually. Read the Scriptures of
the day. Use some of the materials that are available to be close in your heart. Learn again the practice
of spiritual communion. If you are helped by a visual participation in the Mass, then go to one of the
websites on which that celebration is being streamed. The list of those websites is available to you.

There are many ways in which we can deepen our participation in the Mass and our life of prayer in
these strange and stressful days. Indeed, they are an opportunity for us to do so.
Two other points.
Being unable to attend Mass is the experience of many, many Catholics around the world. They are
deprived of the Mass through distance, or through violence, or through persecution. We can unite our
experience with them and, like them, return to the Mass with fresh love and enthusiasm when, again,
it is possible for us to do so, in bigger numbers than ever.
Secondly, you understand well that from our prayer, and from the prayer of the Mass, flows the love
and compassion which we want to show to those around us who are in need. Jesus gives Himself
entirely for us in His sacrifice, the sacrifice made present again for us in every Holy Mass. What we
receive from Him we offer to others. So please do look out for every way in which you can help those
in need around you. Thank you.
We know that this time of crisis is not going to be brief. We are involved in a lengthy battle. We
encourage each other. We pray for each other. Together we turn to Mary for her special protection,
especially on 29 March when again, in keeping with our ancient tradition, we offer ourselves and our
country to her, as our gift, and seeking her protection.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us
Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us
Mary, Mother of Joys, pray for us.
Amen.

Yours devotedly,

 Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster

PS, I was given this prayer a few days ago. It touched me deeply. It is a prayer for our times.
Dear Guardian Angel, go for me to the church, there kneel down at Mass for me. At the Offertory,
take me to God, and offer Him my service: What I am, what I have, offer as my gift. At the
Consecration, with your seraphic strength, adore my Saviour truly present, praying for those who
have loved me, for those who have offended me, and for those now deceased, that the blood of Jesus
may purify them all. During Holy Communion, bring to me the Body and Blood of Jesus uniting Him
with me in spirit, so that my heart may become His dwelling place. Plead with Him, that through His
sacrifice all people throughout the world may be saved. When the Mass ends, bring home to me and
to every home, the Lord's blessing. Amen.
We are still surrounded by the angels and by the saints who are glorifying God and protecting and
assisting mankind. Why should we not make them our particular friends and allies in situations where
we are touching limits that we cannot overcome?

On the run for London's homeless

I will be running for Thames Reach (where I work as Head of Finance). Thames Reach is a London- based charity helping homeless and vulnerable people to find decent homes, build supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. Our vision is to end street homelessness. Thames Reach specialise in helping people with complex and multiple needs and are committed to never giving up on anyone, no matter how chaotic or challenging they may be.

The Royal Parks Foundation Ultra Marathon covers 50 kilometres, beginning in the heart of London and heading through the city, past landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament before heading out along the Thames towpath and ending in Bushy Park in south West London. 

An ultra marathon is defined as a run extending beyond the standard marathon distance of 42 kilometres.

The race is on Sunday 6 October 2013.

I’m running this race as a personal challenge. In life we get the best of ourselves when we are pushed beyond our limits. For me running is a huge challenge as it is something I never did until a couple of years ago. I wasn’t sure at the beginning that I would be able to get far, but completing my first marathon in May was a great feeling. 

I have learned so much about myself through the challenges on the road and am continuously amazed by how much my body makes available for the asking. I believe that completing 50km is an example to everyone that anything is possible if you just decide at some point to take the first step and stick with it for long enough. And, as my water bottle says ‘The first step is with the mind.’ 

I know any money I raise will go to helping others achieve their goals with the support of Thames Reach. I hope to reach my funding target and inspire others to take that first step.

Please help:

www.justgiving.com/PaulZA

There is an article on Thames Reach's website about it here:

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/on-the-run-for-londons-homeless/

We have a Pope!

Welcome Pope Francis 1. You can get some information about this bus riding servant of the people here and here

Music with Meaning - Third Day - Your Love is like a River

The music:

The meaning:

Music with Meaning - Third day - I need a miracle

The music:



The meaning:

Free today: New Matthew Kelly book - The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic

Click here

"What FOUR things did... Mother Theresa, Francis of Assisi, John Paul II, Catherine of Siena and Ignatius of Loyola all have in COMMON?

THEY ALL PRACTICED THE FOUR SIGNS.

Over the course of the past few years, The Dynamic Catholic Institute has conducted research to explore the difference between engaged and disengaged Catholics.  The results of this research are staggering. 6.4% of parishioners contribute 80% of the volunteer hours at a parish, 6.8% of parishioners donate 80% of financial contributions at a parish, and there is an 84% overlap between the two groups.  These “Dynamic Catholics” are accomplishing more than 80% of what the Catholic Church is doing today – proving that engaging just 1% of Catholics could change the world.

As human beings we are constantly engag- ing and disengaging in everything we do. We engage and disengage at work, in marriage, as parents, in our quest for health and well- being, in personal finances, environmentally, politically, and, of course, we engage or dis- engage spiritually.

If you walk into any Catholic church next Sunday and look around, you will discover that some people are highly engaged, others are massively disengaged, and the major- ity are somewhere in between. Why? What is the difference between highly engaged Catholics and disengaged Catholics?

Answering this question is essential to the future of the Catholic Church. If we truly want to engage Catholics and reinvigorate parish life, we must first discover what drives engagement among Catholics. Matthew Kelly explores this question in his groundbreaking new book, and the simplicity of what he discovers will amaze you.

Four things make the difference between highly engaged Catholics and disengaged Catholics: the four signs of a Dynamic Catholic.

Whether you are ready to let God take your spiritual life to the next level or want to help reinvigorate your parish, The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic promises to take you on a journey that will help you to live out the genius of Catholicism in your everyday life.
The central idea in this book should change the way we live our faith and the way we teach our faith. This book is a game changer."

Marriage = Biology (Not Bigotry)

CATHOLICISM Faith Formation Full Video

CATHOLICISM for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Cardinal Pell and Richard Dawkins debate, 10 April 2012

Here is the debate between Cardinal Pell of Australia and Richard Dawkins from 10 April 2012:

Music with Meaning - I would die for You - MercyMe

I was reading the book "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) everything" and was on the chapter concerning chastity. In that chapter there is a beautiful meditation by Pedro Arrupe, S.J. which I will share here:

Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything.

It also reminded me of a song I used to play on retreats a few years ago. It is by a band called MercyMe who wrote the song because of, and dedicated it to the memory of, a young boy who gave his lost his life after contracting a fatal disease whilst on a mission trip to South America.

I love the lyric "You never know why you're alive / until you find what you would die for" which come just after the words "My life has never been this clear / Now I know the reason why I'm here". I think many Christians who have discovered their faith anew can relate to this, and even more so people who have just discovered Jesus for the first time. When you fall in love with Him it is the greatest thing known in all creation, to be in love with the God who is love, and who teaches us what it means to love. Through suffering and joy, all for the greater glory of God. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Extracts of Fr Barron's CATHOLICISM for Lent

I will update this post each week as the extracts become available on the awesome Word on Fire.

Week 1:



Week 2:



Week 3:



Week 4:



Week 5: