Archive for February 14th, 2008

The ‘O Sacred Banquet’ Prayer
http://www.sistersofmary.org/video_wm.php?id=516

“Chastity can only be thought of in association with the virtue of love.” – Pope John Paul II

The new sexual revolution is here. Hook-ups, friends with benefits, safe sex, and now safer sex? Our generation found out the hard way that none of it gives us the love we long for.

Romance without regret does exist. But if you want the real thing, be prepared to sacrifice. Only then will you see that the peace and joy that comes from chastity is worth more than all the pleasures of the world.

Listen to Jason and Crystalina’s chastity talk:

(Rated PG-13, for high-school-level content on health and behavior issues.
Jr. High presentation also available.)

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Public High School talk MP3 format RealAudio format
College PresentationMP3 FormatReal Player VideoDownload Real Player

Listen to Chris Stefanick’s chastity talk:(Rated PG-13, for high-school-level content on health and behavior issues. Jr. High presentation also available.)
Catholic High School talkTrue Love

Before using RealAudio format, download free player.

St. Augustine (354-430) was one of the great figures of the early Church. The story of his conversion to Christ is told in his Confessions, in which he describes how God used a single verse from the epistle to the Romans to suddenly convert him. He went on to serve the Church as an illustrious teacher and bishop in the African city of Hippo.
Chapter XII.- Having Prayed to God, He Pours Forth a Shower of Tears, And, Admonished by a Voice, He Opens the Book and Reads the Words in Rom. xiii. 13; By Which, Being Changed in His Whole Soul, He Discloses the Divine Favour to His Friend and His Mother. 1
But when a profound reflection had, from the secret depths of my soul, drawn together and heaped up all my misery before the sight of my heart, there arose a mighty storm, accompanied by as mighty a shower of tears. Which, that I might pour forth fully, with its natural expressions, I stole away from Alypius; for it suggested itself to me that solitude was fitter for the business of weeping. So I retired to such a distance that even his presence could not be oppressive to me. Thus was it with me at that time, and he perceived it; for something, I believe, I had spoken, wherein the sound of my voice appeared choked with weeping, and in that state had I risen up. He then remained where we had been sitting, most completely astonished. I flung myself down, how, I know not, under a certain fig-tree, giving free course to my tears, and the streams of mine eyes gushed out, an acceptable sacrifice unto Thee. And, not indeed in these words, yet to this effect, spake I much unto Thee, – “But Thou, O Lord, how long?” How long, Lord? Wilt Thou be angry for ever? Oh, remember not against us former iniquities;” for I felt that I was enthralled by them. I sent up these sorrowful cries, – “How long, how long? Tomorrow, and tomorrow? Why not now? Why is there not this hour an end to my uncleanness?”
I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo, I heard the voice as of a boy or girl, I know not which, coming from a neighbouring house, chanting, and oft repeating, “Take up and read; take up and read.” Immediately my countenance was changed, and I began most earnestly to consider whether it was usual for children in any kind of game to sing such words; nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So, restraining the torrent of my tears, I rose up, interpreting it no other way than as a command to me from Heaven to open the book, and to read the first chapter I should light upon. 2 For I had heard of Antony, that, accidentally coming in whilst the gospel was being read, he received the admonition as if what was read were addressed to him, “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.” And by such oracle was he forthwith converted unto Thee. So quickly I returned to the place where Alypius was sitting; for there had I put down the volume of the apostles, when I rose thence. I grasped, opened, and in silence read that paragraph on which my eyes first fell, – “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” No further would I read, nor did I need; for instantly, as the sentence ended, – by a light, as it were, of security infused into my heart, – all the gloom of doubt vanished away.
Closing the book, then, and putting either my finger between, or some other mark, I now with a tranquil countenance made it known to Alypius. And he thus disclosed to me what was wrought in him, which I knew not. He asked to look at what I had read. I showed him; and he looked even further than I had read, and I knew not what followed. This it was, verily, “Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye;” which he applied to himself, and discovered to me. By this admonition was he strengthened; and by a good resolution and purpose, very much in accord with his character (wherein, for the better, he was always far different from me), without any restless delay he joined me. Thence we go in to my mother. We make it known to her, – she rejoiceth. We relate how it came to pass, – she leapeth for joy, and triumpheth, and blesseth Thee, who art “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think;” for she perceived Thee to have given her more for me than she used to ask by her pitiful and most doleful groanings. For Thou didst so convert me unto Thyself, that I sought neither a wife, nor any other of this world’s hopes, – standing in that rule of faith in which Thou, so many years before, had showed me unto her in a vision. And thou didst turn her grief into a gladness, much more plentiful than she had desired, and much dearer and chaster than she used to crave, by having grandchildren of my body.

Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament….There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth, and more than that: death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste (or foretaste) of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, that every man’s heart desires.
– J.R.R. Tolkien

How is it that Our Lord is so little loved in the Eucharist? One reason is that we do not speak enough of It and that we insist only on faith in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, instead of speaking about His life and His love therein, instead of calling attention to the sacrifices which His love imposes upon Him—in a word, instead of showing Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with the personal and special love He has for each one of us. How many among the best Catholics never pay a visit of devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament to speak with Him from their heart, to tell Him of their love. They do not love Our Lord in the Eucharist, because they do not know Him well enough.

-Saint Peter Julian Eymard

JESUS, KING OF NATIONS
Jesus, King of nations and ages, receive the acts of adoration and praise that we, your brothers by adoption, humbly offer to you. You are the “living bread come down from heaven, which gives life to the world” (John 6:33). High Priest as well as victim, you offered yourself on the cross in a bloody sacrifice of expiation to the Eternal Father for the redemption of the human race, and now, each day, you offer yourself on our altars by the hands of your ministers, so that there might be restored in each heart “your kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace”. (Preface of Mass of Christ the King)

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a most effective means of living always in the company of our Lord Jesus whom we receive in Holy Communion. In other words, our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an extended act of love for Him who shows us the greatest possible love by offering His Body and Blood for us in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
– Archbishop Raymond Burke, St. Louis Review, June 11, 2004

CONFESSION & THE SACRED HEART
In a particular way, we are drawn to the Heart of Jesus, which is open for us in the Sacrament of Penance to receive the confession of our sins and to pour out upon us the healing grace of forgiveness. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus draws us, above all, to communion with our Lord Jesus in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
– Archbishop Burke, “Be not afraid!” Lent and First Friday Devotion

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Are You Really Serious About Discerning God’s Will For Your Life?

True happiness comes only by finding, following and fulfilling God’s plan for your life. IRL announces two free online retreats designed to help you find your vocation in life. Go to retreat.

Retreat Descriptions “LifeWork” Retreat
Each of us was created for a reason, and we need to discover it. Where do we begin? Using a step-by-step approach through eight daily emails sent to you, the LifeWork Retreat will lead you through a spiritual journey to discover your vocation and mission in life. Beginning with the universal call in Baptism to be holy, you will examine the particular states of life, and then look at the topic of mission and purpose in fulfilling God’s individual plan for you. The LifeWork Retreat is a good first step if you are not sure where Christ may be directing you.

In this retreat, a special emphasis is placed on the unique, personal vocation and mission to which we are called. Written in a user-friendly style, the retreat is particularly relevant for high school and college-age youth, yet has application for all believers wanting to know God’s will.

http://religiouslife.com/retreat/retreat_descriptions.php
Author, rehabilitation counselor and inspirational speaker Dr. Rick Sarkisian has woven together these important themes in this online retreat that will help you begin your journey to discover your life purpose.

“Responding to God’s Call” Retreat
This online eight-day retreat takes you beyond the LifeWork Retreat into a deeper understanding of the theology of vocation — particularly a vocation to the consecrated life. It presents an overview of the evangelical counsels as lived out by religious: poverty, chastity and obedience. The retreat examines the right reasons for choosing a religious vocation, as well as pitfalls. It also covers the practical challenges of living in community, and such topics as the differences between apostolic work and a career as a lay person.

All of this is designed to help you find your vocation, not in the “earthquakes and firestorms” of life, but in the quiet “whispers of the heart.” This retreat is for you if you have taken the LifeWork Retreat, or have a fundamental understanding of the Catholic faith and the idea of a vocation. It is great if you are serious about discerning a call to the consecrated life and are looking for the next step.

Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P., a nationally-known Dominican priest, retreat master and spiritual director, is the theological consultant to the Institute on Religious Life. He has drawn from his wealth of experience and knowledge as a religious priest and scholar to put together this retreat.

The ‘O Sacred Banquet’ Prayer
http://www.sistersofmary.org/video_wm.php?id=516