A Great Marian Book: Under the Mantle by Fr. Don Calloway

We are living in an extraordinary
time of grace and mercy.

With an increasingly secularized world
growing ever more hostile to the
Christian faith, it is in these times that Jesus,
through the Immaculata,
is raising up a new generation of Catholics who know,
love, and live their faith.

Under The Mantle

This is a time in which many people, through the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
are experiencing a renewed hunger for the sacred
and unchanging truths of the Catholic Church.

Under The Mantle

“She [Mary] holds all the great Truths of Christianity together,
as a piece of wood holds a kite.
Children wrap the string of a kite around a stick
and release the string as the kite
climbs to the heavens. Mary is like that piece of wood.
Around her we wrap all the precious strings
of the great Truths of our holy Faith—
for example, the Incarnation, the Eucharist, the Church.
No matter how far we get above the earth,
as the kite may, we always have need of Mary
to hold the doctrines of the Creed together.
If we threw away the stick, we would no longer have the kite;
if we threw away Mary, we would never have Our Lord.
He would be lost in the Heavens,
like our runaway kite, and that would be terrible,
indeed, for us on earth.”

~Venerable Fulton Sheen

 

If we are to truly know our faith,
we need to know Mary, the Mother of God.
If we are to love our faith,
we need to love Mary Immaculate; if we are to live our faith,
we need to live under Mary’s mantle.

Under The Mantle

“Among creatures no one knows Christ better than Mary;
no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of
His mystery better than His Mother.”

~Blessed Pope John Paul II

What does the Blessed Virgin Mary
teach us about Christ?

How does she hold all the
Truths of the Christian faith together?

Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest

Under the Mantle:
Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest

This new book dedicated to Our Lady explains
it all with clarity. A book that will allow you
to grow in your appreciation for Immaculate Mary,
and in so doing, also in your love for
Jesus and His Church.

This is a book you will want to read slowly
and absorb over time . . . yet one that you won’t want
to put down because it’s raw, unapologetic,
and inspiring!

A book written by a Marian priest as a
beautiful tribute to Our Blessed Mother.

“Mary is a princess. All girls want to be one,
and all men want one. I’m a man, so I write about my princess.
She is my beautiful lady and I see myself
as a Knight for her, and I want to honor her
in any way that I can. One way is to write about her.”

Under The Mantle

In this work, the knight-priest-author begins the journey
with Our Lady, who then guides the reader through
the rich treasures found in the Church
established by her Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the Sacraments, to the depth of devotion found
in our spiritual practices and doctrines,
and then with a rich appreciation of what
authentic manhood and femininity truly are,
the author explores the many facets
of our Catholic faith and its Truth. . . plainly and boldly.

This is a book written in a no-nonsense,
straightforward writing style that a beginner will find
engaging and easy to read, yet with enough depth
and insight to satisfy even those well-seasoned
in Catholic theology.

This is a book for grandparents and teenagers alike,
for priests and laity, for sinners and theologians,
for those far away from the Church and for those close to it.

No matter who you are,
you will not be disappointed!

Fr. Calloway, as a former rebel, Catholic convert,
and a 21st century priest, shares unique insights
about Mary & Catholic theology. He does this by using
interesting yet everyday analogies to convey
spiritual truths in a style that anyone can comprehend
and appreciate…. even his surfing buddies.

Under The Mantle

In Under the Mantle there are nine chapters divided into
three sections. Each chapter summarizes nine different talks
Fr. Calloway has delivered to Catholics
all over the world, and they all weave together one
magnificent tapestry that illuminates
how beautifully Our Lady keeps the Church –
and each of us individually as her children – under her mantle.

Fr. Calloway finds Mary
in ways that you may least expect.

In each of the sections Fr. Calloway develops and
argues for a specific theme or aspect of Catholic doctrine,
not only giving a defense of the doctrine
but showing how Mary,
as Mother and Bride, is at the heart of it all.

At the conclusion of each section Fr. Calloway provides
a list of Marian Gems, which is a compilation
of quotes about Our Lady from Saints,
Blesseds, Venerables, Servants of God, and Popes.
They are profound statements
made about Our Lady which support the arguments
made in that section. These Marian quotes—
which took Fr. Calloway nearly a decade to collect—
are by themselves worth the whole book.

Under the Mantle satiates the hunger
and thirst for deeper knowledge of spiritual
and mystical truths that are more difficult to comprehend,
and will be a pleasure to read and re-read.

Under The Mantle

In this book you will learn about:

  • Prayer as a spiritual Marriage
  • Jesus as Noah, Mary & Church as the Ark
  • The Cross as wedding ring
  • Priests as a band of brothers
  • Mary as the Church perfected
  • Mary as the model of authentic womanhood
  • Mary as what reminds men and priests to fight
  • The Immaculate Conception as an act of Divine Mercy

 

“Our Lady is God’s masterpiece . . .
she is the prototype of what it means to be pleasing to God.”

She is the heart beating in the Mystical Body of Christ,
circulating the life-blood of grace to its members.
She is the woman whose heart became a spiritual womb;
the sword-thrust it endured on Calvary
was the labor pain that gave spiritual birth to the Church.
She is the mother whose womb baked for
her children the Bread of Life.

Under The Mantle

“I guarantee that a priest will have
an extremely fruitful ministry if
he places before the eyes and hearts of his people
the beauty and loveliness of Mary.”
~ Fr. Calloway

To those who are yearning to learn more
about the faith with clear, rich explanations of the beauty
of the teachings of the Catholic Church
– this is your book!

Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest

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May 30: Feast Day of St. Joan of Arc

Joan-of-Arc-Chinon-2695216aMay 30 is the feast day of St. Joan of Arc (1412 – 1431), patroness of France and patroness of soldiers.

While she lived, St. Joan of Arc was one of the Church’s most misunderstood saints both within and without the Church.

As a young peasant girl of 13 she received visions of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret telling her to help the King of France reconquer his kingdom, which at that time was being threatened by England.

A few years later she began to make the moves necessary to gain audience with the King, but not without much hardship. In order to be faithful to heaven’s command, she had to endure much opposition.

She was ridiculed and maligned, and understandably so, because what does a young peasant girl know about military campaigns and wars? Especially one who “hears voices” asking of her impossible things?

With much determination and persistence, she finally gained admittance to the Dauphin (the eldest son of the King of France and heir to the throne) and said to him, “Most noble Dauphin, I am come and am sent to you from God to give help to the kingdom and to you.”

After her petition to the Dauphin, she was granted a small army. She was by then 17 years old.  With her army, which she commanded with surprising prowess, she led the French to key victories in the infamous Hundred Years’ War between France and England.  These victories paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France.

Joan of Arc did what she was called to do, and the French King was crowned at her side.

She was eventually captured and handed over to the English. The French did not save her; however Joan of Arc knew from the saints who visited her that she would die a martyr.

She was put on trial under the ecclesiastical court and not in the law courts.  When facing her tribunal, Joan of Arc refused to renounce her claim to visits from saints in heaven; she was therefore condemned to death as a heretic and sorceress.

This was a sad moment in Church history where a saint was condemned to death by a bishop. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431 at the age of nineteen. She called for a crucifix to be brought and placed before her as she died.

Twenty-five years after her execution, an inquisitorial court authorized by the Pope examined the trial, pronounced her innocent, and declared her a martyr.   Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.

Below is an excerpt with more about the life of this incredible saint:

 

“St Joan stands alone in history. Many women have found sanctity in the cloister, some have shown bravery in battle, but no other ever trained herself to holiness in a soldier’s camp, and surely no female saint ever died at the stake condemned by an ecclesiastical tribunal as a witch and a heretic.

Her story is incredible, but true: it rests on the most abundant and clear evidence.[1] She was a peasant girl of no importance and before she was eighteen her intervention had already changed the course of European history for centuries to come. When she died at nineteen, thanks to her the French had become conscious of being a nation, England had lost all hopes of ever being a Continental power, and Burgundy, the arbiter of the destinies of France, was soon again to be her vassal.

We cannot explain this by a mere recital of the diplomatic and military history of the times. The hand of God clearly appeared in these events. Joan of Arc was the tool He chose to accomplish His work: she is the explanation of the miraculous reversal of the fortunes of France which followed her appearance on the stage of history. . . continue reading here.

 

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Popular New Book: “Navigating the Interior Life” by Dan Burke

Navigating the Interior LifeNo one seeks God alone. Everyone needs help.

But it’s far too easy to get lost on our journey to God. The world is constantly drawing us away from God, muddling our compass, and steering us off course. But Sacred Scripture warns us to “Be sober, be watchful,” and to stay “firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Everyone should pay attention to their interior (spiritual) life and to the various movements of their soul.  Everyone should learn how to look for God’s providence in all circumstances.  But it’s hard to know how to do this when you’re on your own, both for the experienced and inexperienced.

The spiritual journey, however, need not be a complicated one . . . with the right help.  The Christian pursuing holiness is foolhardy not to seek the counsel and direction of wise and experienced mentors in the spiritual life.

Navigating The Interior Life

Scripture warns us that “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41). One of the helps for our weak flesh is the guidance of a spiritual director.

According the the author of a new and popular book, Navigating the Interior Life,

“Without exception, the teachings of the saints and spiritual doctors of the Church agree: spiritual direction is among the most powerful tools to help us in the battle. Spiritual direction is the means through which the Holy Spirit guides us and provides coaching for our souls.”

Spiritual direction is a relationship through which we come to better know, love, and follow Christ with the assistance of a seasoned spiritual guide. A good spiritual director can help you understand the spiritual life and to navigate its twists and turns. They can also help you retain your interior composure, particularly during times of dryness, confusion, and discouragement.

But most of us have questions about spiritual direction. What exactly is it? Do I really need it? How do I choose a spiritual director? What if I can’t find one? What is the first step?

Navigating the Interior Life answers these questions and more.  And just as a plan is necessary for the success of any voyage, the spiritual life is no exception. There is some ground work to do before you seek out spiritual direction. You have to pay attention to your spiritual life and know where you are in your own journey to the heart of God;  this information allows a spiritual director to better guide from where you are now.

Navigating The Interior Life

What are the phases of the spiritual life? Where am I? Am I moving towards God or away from Him? How can I get unstuck? How can I find peace? How can I deepen my relationship with God? How can I avoid false spirituality? How can I deepen my prayer life? How do I find someone to help me answer these questions?

This new book provides  a step by step plan:

This book places a compass in  our hands—the compass of  Christ-centered spiritual direction. It provides a clear map on how  to find that spiritual director and navigate your spiritual path. A book that quickly became About.com’s  2013 Reader’s Choice Winner,  Navigating the Interior Life is a simple handbook  for seeking God.

This book is informative, succinct,  logical and balanced . . .  a go-to guide for any question you have  about spiritual direction and making progress in the spiritual life. This accessible and practical book  includes helpful charts and graphs to lay out the  frequency and number of  your spiritual disciplines, helping you to “see”  your spiritual life more easily.Christ Centered Compass

It also includes targeted questions for  self-assessing your current  spiritual life and where to go from there,  providing a helpful framework  for anyone seeking to grow in relationship with Our Lord.

This immensely practical book  helps Catholics in … understanding the general direction or trajectory of one’s soul, working with a spiritual guide to help unite one’s soul to God, and finding peace and joy through the pursuit of God’s will.

A process for growing in holiness:

Covering each of these important pathways to peace and holiness,  this book will serve the souls of those who are seeking to deepen their relationship with God and find their spiritual direction.  Whether you are at the beginning of the process,  a veteran of spiritual direction, or struggling  outside of spiritual direction,  this book will help you uncover a map  of success for your journey.

Plan a course by developiMy Prayer Life Chartng a  “Rule of Life” that’s easy to stick to.  Give yourself a tool to  live out the universal call to holiness.

“There is no better time than now for such a solid resources concerning spiritual direction . . .  if we are going to grow in our faith we need good solid guidance to help us along the way. Dan’s book provides a  step by step plan for those who may be  seeking spiritual direction for the first time as well as those hoping to dive much deeper  into their relationship  with the Lord and His Church.” ~Teresa Tomeo

About the Author:

Dan Burke is also the Executive Director of and writer for EWTN’s National Catholic Register, a regular co-host on Register Radio, an author and speaker who provides webinars and travels to share his conversion story and the great riches that the Church provides us through authentic Catholic spirituality. Dan has been featured on EWTN’s Journey Home program and numerous radio programs. What is spiritual direction and my spiritual direction? What are my “blind spots” and how can I uncover them? What keeps me from all the spiritual riches Christ has for me? How can I better understand where I am in my spiritual progress? Daniel Burke’s Navigating the Interior Life will give you the tools you need to understand how and why we grow and die in the spiritual life and what we can do about it.

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St. Rita of Cascia: Patron Saint of the Impossible

St. ritaMay 22 is the feast day of St. Rita.  St. Rita of Cascia was an Augustinian nun from 14th century Italy. She is the patroness of impossible causes and hopeless circumstances because of her difficult and arduous life. Through her trials God used her in remarkable ways, not only while she lived, but now from heaven she assists those who plead for her intercession for their seemingly impossible and hopeless circumstances.

 

From an early age St. Rita desired to become a nun, but her parents insisted that she marry at the age of 12.  St. Rita did so in obedience to them.  Adding to her disappointment, the man she married was cruel and harsh, and she spent 18 years in a very difficult marriage.  Her husband eventually became physically abusive, yet she met his cruelty with kindness and patience.  Two sons were born to her whom she loved deeply. After many years she eventually won her husband over to greater civility and kindness.

 

In the 14th century Italy was rampant with warring families caught in a vicious circle of assassinations and bloody vendettas  (think Romeo and Juliet).  St. Rita’s family was caught up in this strife that was so entrenched in society at that time.  Her husband was murdered as a result of the  infamous rivalry between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines.  St. Rita mourned her husband’s death and interceded for his soul with great earnest.

 

Her two young sons, in keeping with the vice of the day, talked of avenging their father’s death.  St. Rita did all she could to guide her children into forgiveness, but was unable to dissuade them from their evil intentions. Prayer was her only hope. She prayed that God would change the evil swelling up in the hearts of her sons, or allow them to die before they had the chance to commit a mortal sin and in so doing be separated from God forever.  God granted her prayers.  Both of her two sons died within a year in a state of grace; they were prevented from following the evil path of their father.

 

After the death of her husband and her sons, St. Rita was all alone in the world and sought again to enter the convent.  She was turned away because of her family’s association with the civil strife; some of the sisters living in the convent were family relations of the men who were responsible for killing her St-Rita-of-Casciahusband.  To maintain peace, she was denied entry.

 

St. Rita, again facing crushing disappointment and yet another impossible situation, had recourse to prayer and the intercession of the saints.  St. Rita’s sincerity and spirit of charity and forgiveness prevailed and she was eventually granted entry.  She became known as a holy and prayerful nun, often meditating on the sufferings of the crucified Christ.

 

One day, while praying before a crucifix, St. Rita received a visible wound on her forehead.  This was a mystical yet visible mark (stigmata) of Jesus’ wound from the crown of thorns, symbolizing St. Rita’s unity with Christ in his sufferings.  She also enjoyed many mystical experiences with Christ during the forty years she lived in the convent.  She died on May 22 when she was in her seventies.

 

St. Rita certainly had a difficult life, but her heartbreaking circumstances helped her to become a holy woman. She began her work of intercession for sinners while she lived, starting with those closest to her heart.  Through her love and prayers she won the grace of conversion for her husband and both her sons.

 

Even though her life was full of sorrows and disappointments, she was consoled by being closely united with Christ.  He did not abandon her; rather He granted her profound and intimate graces.  Now a saint in heaven, St. Rita is the patron of impossible causes, sterility, abuse victims, loneliness, marriage difficulties, parenthood, widows, the sick, bodily ills and wounds.  If you are facing a difficult and impossible life circumstance, you can resort to prayer after the example of St. Rita.  Below is a prayer to St. Rita as well as a novena.  You can also find medals, books, and prayer cards associated with St. Rita here, which make great gifts for those similarly facing difficult and heartbreaking life circumstances.

 

Prayer to St. Rita


  O Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such compassionate love for thy Crucified Jesus that thou couldst obtain from Him whatsoever thou askest, on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort; be propitious to our petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy suppliant; be lavish to us, as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of thine own devotion, and for the consolation of those who trust in thee.

 We promise, if our petition is granted, to glorify thee by making know thy favor, to bless and sing thy praises forever. Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray thee grant that [here mention your request].

By the singular merits of thy childhood,
Obtain for us our request.

By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,
Obtain for us our request.

By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,
Etc.

By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband,
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God,
By the miraculous entrance into the convent,
By thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings,
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of thy Crucified Savior,
                    By the Divine love which consumed thy heart,
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, 
on which alone thou didst exist for four   years,
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse,
By the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state of life.
Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY.

   O God, Who in Thine infinite tenderness hast vouchsafed to regard the prayer of Thy servant, Blessed Rita, and dost grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on Thy promise, have pity on our adversity and succor us in our calamities, that the unbeliever may know Thou art the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in Thee, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

 

Novena to St. Rita


O holy protectress of those who art in greatest need, thou who shineth as a star of hope in the midst of darkness, blessed Saint Rita, bright mirror of God’s grace, in patience and fortitude thou art a model of all the states in life. I unite my will with the will of God through the merits of my Savior Jesus Christ, and in particular through his patient wearing of the crown of thorns, which with tender devotion thou didst daily contemplate. Through the merits of the holy Virgin Mary and thine own graces and virtues, I ask thee to obtain my earnest petition, provided it be for the greater glory of God and my own sanctification. Guide and purify my intention, O holy protectress and advocate, so that I may obtain the pardon of all my sins and the grace to persevere daily, as thou didst in walking with courage, generosity, and fidelity down the path of life. [Mention your request.]

Saint Rita, advocate of the impossible, pray for us. 
Saint Rita, advocate of the helpless, pray for us. 

Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times each. 

 

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After Pentecost: Catechesis on the Holy Spirit

PENTECOSTWe’re now in the octave of Pentecost (the period of 8 days following a feast day that are considered part of the feast) so it’s a great time to learn more about the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes we may forget that within the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person distinct from the Person of God the Father and the Person of God the Son, and that He helps us in specific and unique ways.

Specifically He gives us 7 gifts:  Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.  At the Sacrament of Confirmation we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and receive from Him these 7 gifts which help us to live out our Baptismal promises.

Although the distinct Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit is still One and the same God.  The Blessed Trinity—the Triune God—is the greatest mystery of the Christian faith and the end for which we were created.  While in this life we should prepare our hearts for heaven by catechizing ourselves as best we can about each Divine Person of the Blessed Trinity and their contributions to our sanctification and salvation.  Here are a few great resources from the saints, our teachers and forbears, to meditate on the Person of the Holy Spirit during this octave of Pentecost.

 

St Basil on the Holy Spirit

 

“[W]e are compelled to direct our thoughts on high, and to think of an intelligent being, boundless in power, of unlimited greatness, generous in goodness, whom time cannot measure.

All things thirsting for holiness turn to Him; everything living in virtue never turns away from Him. He waters them with His life-giving breath and helps them reach their proper fulfillment.

He perfects all other things, and Himself lacks nothing; He gives life to all things, and is never depleted.

He does not increase by additions, but is always complete, self-established, and present everywhere.

He is the source of sanctification, spiritual light, who gives illumination to everyone using His powers to search for the truth—and the illumination He gives us is Himself.

His nature is unapproachable; only through His goodness are we able to draw near it.

He fills all things with His power, but only those who are worthy may share it.

He distributes His energy in proportion to the faith of the recipient, not confining it to a single share.

He is simple in being; His powers are manifold: they are wholly present everywhere and in everything.

He is distributed but does not change. He is shared, yet remains whole.

Consider the analogy of the sunbeam: each person upon whom its kindly light falls rejoices as if the sun existed for him alone, yet it illumines land and sea, and is master of the atmosphere. In the same way, the Spirit is given to each one who receives Him as if he were the possession of that person alone, yet he sends forth sufficient grace to fill all the universe.

Everything that partakes of His grace is filled with joy according to its capacity—the capacity of its nature, not of His power.”

 

Catechism of the Holy Spirit by St. John Vianney

 

“O my Children, how beautiful it is! The Father is our Creator, the Son is our Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost is our Guide. . . . Man by himself is nothing, but with the Holy Spirit he is very great. Man is all earthly and all animal; nothing but the Holy Spirit can elevate his mind, and raise it on high. Why were the saints so detached from the earth? Because they let themselves be led by the Holy Spirit. Those whcathedra-holyspirit1o are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas; that is the reason why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned. When we are led by a God of strength and light, we cannot go astray.

The Holy Spirit is light and strength. He teaches us to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and between good and evil. Like glasses that magnify objects, the Holy Spirit shows us good and evil on a large scale. With the Holy Spirit we see everything in its true proportions; we see the greatness of the least actions done for God, and the greatness of the least faults. As a watchmaker with his glasses distinguishes the most minute wheels of a watch, so we, with the light of the Holy Ghost, distinguish all the details of our poor life. Then the smallest imperfections appear very great, the least sins inspire us with horror. That is the reason why the most Holy Virgin never sinned. The Holy Ghost made her understand the hideousness of sin; she shuddered with terror at the least fault.

Those who have the Holy Spirit cannot endure themselves, so well do they know their poor misery. The proud are those who have not the Holy Spirit. . . Continue reading the Catechism of the Holy Spirit by St. John Vianney here.

 

St. Cyril on the Holy Spirit

 

“The Holy Spirit impresses on us the divine image and gives us superhuman loveliness. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, who truly lives in us. On this account we are called gods. Because of our union with the Holy Spirit, we share the divine, imcomprehensible nature of God.” Again, the same Saint says, “We have not merely the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, but He Himself dwells in us. Man is composed of a body and a soul and the Holy Spirit.”

 

Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Augustine

 

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Amen.

 

 

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St. Dymphna: The Courage of a Teenage Irish Girl

st_dymphna_pictureMay 15 is the feast day of St. Dymphna, a woman of incredible courage. Saint Dymphna is the patroness of the mentally and emotionally ill and other nervous disorders.  How did this come to pass?  Read the incredible and heart-wrenching story of St. Dymphna.

The Story of St. Dymphna

Saint Dymphna was born to a pagan Irish chieftain named Damon and a beautiful Christian woman in 7th century Ireland.  Her mother imparted the Christian faith to her daughter and had her secretly baptized against her father’s wishes.

Her mother tragically died while St. Dymphna was only a teenager.  Her father, who loved his wife deeply, was driven to madness by her death.  Delusion and mental illness overcame him and he eventually sought to marry his daughter because she reminded him of his departed wife.

St. Dymphna, a Christian girl, refused to do such a wicked thing as marry her father.  She resisted him and courageously fled Ireland with her confessor, St. Gerebernus, and a couple of servants into Belgium.

Her father was relentless in his mad pursuit of her and followed them to Belgium.  When he eventually discovered her location he ordered his men to kill St. Gerebernus and the other servants.  He then attempted to convince St. Dymphna to come back to Ireland with him and be his wife.  Again she courageously refused.  In a fit of rage he beheaded her, his own daughter, in Belgium.  According to tradition she was only 15 years old when she died.

God, as always, uses circumstances surrounding the death of his saints to bring about good.  After St. Dymphna’s tragic murder, those suffering from mental or emotional illness would come to the site of her death and receive miraculous healing.  Later an infirmary was built over the site where she died and many miracles were reported there as well.

St. Dymphna’s story should give all of us courage and strength, especially that through her God has provided a powerful patroness for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders.

If you have loved ones suffering from mental or emotional illness then I encourage you to invoke St. Dymphna.  Here at The Catholic Company we have many St. Dymphna medals and prayer cards for yourself and your loved ones, find them here.  Have you or a loved one benefited from the intercession of St. Dymphna?

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Three Sacramentals Instituted by the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary is ever-interested in our salvation and is our supreme advocate and intercessor among all the saints.  As the very good Mother she is, she gives her children helpful instruction to aid them in doing God’s will here on earth and loving Christ better, which helps them gain heaven.

From time to time in the history of the Church, Mary has given certain holy saints a particular devotion to her with attached graces and promises. In some cases the devotion is meant to be spread to the whole Church and involves an object, or sacramental, given as a physical sign to be associated with the devotion.  Three very famous sacramentals given to the Church by Mary are the holy rosary, the brown scapular, and the miraculous medal.

Blue RosaryThe Holy Rosary

The rosary was given by the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Dominic in the year 1214.

“Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?” . . . “I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter.”

This psalter, a combination of the Pater Noster (Our Father) prayer taught by Jesus, the words of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin at the Annunciation, and the words of Elizabeth at the Visitation.  The rosary was composed according to the instructions of the apparition including the Sorrowful, Joyful, and Glorious mysteries as meditations on the life and Passion of Christ. It was then called the ‘rosary’ because each time it’s prayed Mary receives a crown of roses.

 

 scapularsThe Brown Scapular

Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, gave the brown scapular to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite, in the year 1251.  A scapular is composed of two small pieces of wool cloth attached by a string, meant to wear on the front and back in the same way a habit would be worn. It then becomes a sign of devotion to the Virgin Mary worn hidden under the clothes.

“Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.”

 

 

2043491The Miraculous Medal

Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in France in the year 1830 and gave her the vision of a medal, known as the Miraculous Medal, with specific details as to how it should be constructed both on the front and the back.  The medal is a testament to the role of Mary in salvation history and is especially associated with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

“Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck” . . . “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.”

 

After reading about these sacramentals and their promises given to the faithful by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself, are you more inclined to make use of them?  Have you already received special graces from using any of these, that you would like to share with our readers as an encouragement to practice these devotions?

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The Influence of “True Devotion to Mary” on Blessed Pope John Paul II

True Devotion to Mary book

Since May is the Month of Mary, and next week is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and the fact that it has recently been announced that Bl. Pope John Paul II could be canonized later this year, it’s a great time to talk about this his special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When Pope John Paul II was nearly fatally shot during his papacy, he credited the intercession of the Virgin Mary, specifically Our Lady of Fatima, with the miraculous save of his life.  And Pope John Paul II gleaned his devotion to Mary largely through the writings of one saint: Louis de Montfort.

During the Month of Mary it would be a great time to follow in his footsteps and read the book that changed Karol Wojtyla’s life: True Devotion to Mary.

Bl. Pope John Paul II and St. Louis de Montfort

Blessed Pope John Paul II was well known during his papacy for having a deep and abiding love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. His devotion to Mary was evident in all that he did: his words, his prayer life, his motto and even his coat of arms, were all dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

But how did he develop this life-long devotion to Mary? In his book, Gift and Mystery, Blessed Pope John Paul II credits his home parish and the nearby Carmelites for their early influence. However, as he matured in his faith, he singles out one overwhelming influence which changed his life:

“At one point I began to question my devotion to Mary, believing that, if it became too great, it might end up compromising the supremacy of the worship owed to Christ.  At that time, I was greatly helped by a book by Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort…

There I found the answers to my questions, Yes, Mary does bring us closer to Christ; she does lead us to him, provided that we live her mystery in Christ… The author was an outstanding theologian.  His Mariological thought is rooted in the mystery of the Trinity and in the truth of the Incarnation of the Word of God”.

Blessed Pope John Paul II thought so highly about the writing of St. Louis De Montfort, that he spoke about the saint on many occasions. In addition, on December 8, 2003, he wrote a special letter on the occasion of the 160th Anniversary of De Montfort’s publication. In this letter he wrote: “I myself, in the years of my youth, found reading this book a great help.”

The book was such a great influence that when he was elected Pope in 1978, he chose his motto from words written by St. Louis De Montfort.

“As is well known, (in) my episcopal coat of arms … the motto Totus tuus is inspired by the teaching of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort.  These two words express total belonging to Jesus through Mary: “Tuus totus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt.” (“I am all Yours, and all that I have is Yours.”) . . . “This Saint’s teaching has had a profound influence on the Marian devotion of many of the faithful and on my own life.”

Pope John Paul II FatimaNow available in a new edition, this life-changing book has a fresh look for a new generation of faithful readers.

This edition also includes an expanded Preparation for Total Consecration with readings and prayers, as well as directions for how to pray “The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

There is no better way to advance quickly in holiness, no better way to please God, and no better way to guarantee one’s present sanctity and eternal salvation than with true devotion to Mary.

In True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis De Montfort teaches us:

“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based on the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray.”

***

“If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children.”

***

“Mary is the fruitful Virgin, and in all the souls in which she comes to dwell she causes to flourish purity of heart and body, rightness of intention and abundance of good works.  Do not imagine that Mary, the most fruitful of creatures who gave birth to a God, remains barren in a faithful soul. It will be she who makes the soul live incessantly for Jesus Christ, and will make Jesus live in the soul.”

***

“All our perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ; and therefore the most perfect of all devotions is, without any doubt, that which the most perfectly conforms, unites, and consecrates us to Jesus Christ. Now Mary being the most conformed of all creatures to Jesus Christ, it follows that, of all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms the soul to Our Lord is devotion to his holy Mother, and the more a soul is consecrated to Mary, the more it is consecrated to Jesus. Hence it comes to pass that the most perfect consecration to Jesus Christ is nothing else than a perfect and entire consecration of ourselves to the Blessed Virgin.”

About the author, St. Louis de Montfort:

 stlouisdemontfortSt. Louis De Montfort was a French priest who was born in 1673 and ordained at the age of 27. He wanted to be a missionary, but instead spent his life traveling around western France preaching, teaching, hearing confessions, rebuilding churches, and opening schools. He encountered great resistance, and decided to walk one thousand miles to Rome, to seek council from the Pope as to his mission. Pope Clement XI named him a Missionary Apostolic and asked him to continue traveling and ministering to the people. St. Louis De Montfort wrote several books, including: The Secret of the Rosary and The Secret of Mary.

The Secret of the Rosary

 The Secret of Mary

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The Feast of the Ascension & the Holy Spirit Novena

AscensionThe Feast of the Ascension, also called Ascension Thursday, follows 40 days after Easter Sunday and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

(In many places in the U.S. the feast is transferred to the following Sunday and falls under the usual Sunday obligation. Check with your parish to be sure.)

The Feast of the Ascension is when Jesus left earth—in his physical, resurrected body—to sit at the Father’s right hand in heaven.  His mission was complete, and he went to be the Head of the Church from his heavenly throne.

NB: The Ascension of Jesus should not be confused with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here is the account of the Ascension from the Bible, found in the Book of Acts:

“And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

This feast day falls just before the 7th and final Sunday of Easter. From the Resurrection to the Ascension (a span of 40 days), Jesus continued to appear to his disciples to strengthen, teach, and encourage them.

The Feast of the Ascension is probably treated in many places today as one of the ho-hum feast days, but historically it was a major feast (thus, its status as a holy day of obligation).  In order to think of it and treat it with the same reverence as Christians of days past, it helps to reflect on it more deeply.

 

Here are three aspects of Ascension Thursday that we can reflect on today.

 

First, this was the first time the Second Person of the Holy Trinity returned to heaven since his Incarnation.  A completely new thing took place in heaven; at the Ascension the angels worship human nature in Jesus Christ for the first time.  Human nature was created lower than angel nature; and because of the Fall, there were no human bodies in heaven before Jesus ascended; that is, not only were we created lower, but through sin we fell from the place that we did have.  Now, because of the Incarnation and Passion, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity has a physical, human body in heaven. This was a true feat.

Second, even more remarkable is that we have a share in the Ascension of Jesus. Christ ascending into heaven in his glorified human body applies to all of the redeemed, in that we through Christ are brought back to the throne of God, back to what we were created for. When we reflect on the Ascension, we should remember that this is the glory that we are meant for; in God’s mercy he has restored us to Himself through His Son.  The destiny that God has planned for us, which is a stunning and remarkable display of his mercy and love, is an eternal reality that should inform our daily actions for the better.

Third, Ascension Thursday is closely connected with Pentecost. After Jesus ascended, the disciples were instructed to go to Jerusalem and wait. They, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, waited and prayed for a period of 9 days until the Holy Spirit was poured out on them at Pentecost.  In fact, Jesus told his disciples that unless he ascended the Holy Spirit would not come. This period of 9 days was the Church’s first novena, and the biblical precedent for all the various novenas that believers pray today.  This period of nine days of prayer to the Holy Spirit is something that we can enter into again. Listed below is a  novena to the Holy Spirit that can be prayed everyday from now until Pentecost Sunday.

 

NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love.

Grant me,

the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal,

the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth,

the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,

the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,

the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,

the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and

the Spirit of Fear of the Lord that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.

Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

 

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am.

I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee.Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness.

Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Amen.

(To be recited daily during the Novena)

 

May this feast day inspire us all to live like saints, through the power of the Holy Spirit!

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4 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the Catholic Mom

We love momsAttention all sons, daughters, and husbands: Mother’s Day is next weekend!

If you don’t have any gifts lined up yet, you don’t have to panic . . .  we’ve got you covered. We’ve lined up some great inspirational gifts your moms and wives are sure to love, making you an instant favorite.

Listed below are four great Mother’s Day gift ideas (with a Catholic twist of course) that will ensure your mom will have a pleasurable and relaxing Mother’s Day. Making mom happy is your #1 priority on the second Sunday in May.

 

DSC_0733-2Gifts for the Garden:

Garden gifts are a popular gift idea for most mothers, and rightly so, because Mother’s Day arrives each May (hello, flowers) and most moms love to have a beautiful outdoor area.  Gardens are a great place to relax outside and breathe in nature’s beauty.  But gardens can serve a spiritual purpose when they become Catholic after being sprinkled with Catholic  garden gifts.  Catholic gardens are a wonderful place to pray and enjoy spiritual refreshment, helping your mom to remember that just as outdoor Catholic statues of angels and saints surround her in the garden, so too they surround her in reality, always offering up prayers on her behalf.

 

Immaculate Waters Complete Set (6-Pack)

Gifts for the Boudoir:

Your mom is sure to get soiled with dirt as she puts her new Catholic Garden Gifts in her yard.  But again, don’t worry, we’ve thought of this too!  We’ve just brought in a new line of Immaculate Waters bath & body products that are made with pure Lourdes Grotto Water. In addition to having this special water as their key ingredient, these special  bath soaps and body lotions also contain other luxurious ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, aloe vera, rose fragrance, and lavender essential oil. Give your mom a bit of spa-like luxury in the comfort of her own home.

 

A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms Gifts for the Mind & Heart:

With our line of Immaculate Waters products, your mom will probably stay in the bath a little longer than usual enjoying all the aromatherapy goodness.  But don’t worry, you guessed it, we’ve thought of that too!  Give your mom some great reading while she’s enjoying a little time to herself with Catholic Books just for mom. Catholic books provide insight, inspiration, and encouragement to live a life of faith, all good things your mom will appreciate this Mother’s Day.

 

 

Precious Life Rosary BraceletGifts for Jewelry Box:

When your mom comes out of her luxurious bath, after being spiritually refreshed by her new and improved Catholic garden and her new Catholic book, she’s probably going to feel like a new person!  Again, we’ve thought about this!  Give your mom something new to wear too, such as a lovely new Catholic bracelet or other Catholic jewelry gifts for mom.  She’ll love to emerge from her boudoir showing off a beautiful piece of jewelry that offers her spiritual encouragement too.

 

 

These Catholic Mother’s Day gift ideas line up the perfect relaxing day for your mom.  What can be a better way to spend Mother’s Day than with lovely scenery, a good book, a relaxing bath, a new piece of jewelry, and a very thoughtful husband or child?  Not much, and I’m sure your mom will agree!

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