PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST
THROUGH CYBER-EVANGELIZATION
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LITURGICAL
BIBLE STUDY
Bible Study for Catholics
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CFC-FFL
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CFC-FFL
is
PRO-LIFE!
BECOME
ACQUAINTED WITH TODAY'S BURNING ISSUE
THAT THREATENS FAMILY AND LIFE!
House
Bill 5043
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CLICK HERE< |
Write
your congressman!
For the e-mail address log on to
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PRAYER
IN OPPOSITION TO
THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL OF 2008 (HB 5043)
Loving
Father, through the intercession of San Lorenzo
Ruiz, we beg You not to allow us to be deceived
by the wrong directives of laws that do not give
value to family and to life. May we see the hidden
truth behind the seemingly good but deceptive
arguments that will bring about widespread destruction
of the morality of the Filipino family as well
endanger the innocent life of the unborn child.
Touch and
guide the hearts of our law makers. Assist them
in the path of renewal that they may bring about
the dream of society towards honorable and peaceful
way of living in accordance with the culture for
life and love.
Help us
Father, we who are burdened by the struggles of
these modern times. Grant us the courage to fight
those forces that threaten the peace of the family.
Help us to offer our individual crosses for the
good of the Church. Through the power of the cross
of Jesus, may all our decisions and works be in
accordance with Your will so that we may be worthy
of your blessings.
We ask
this in the name of Your Son together with the
prayers of our Mother Mary.
Amen.
(An
English translation from the Pilipino text courtesy
of the Diocese of Pasig) |
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PRO-LIFE
VIDEOS |
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PRO-LIFE
UPDATES |
After
a month long travel delay due to four devastating
typhoons and the worst flooding in 40 years, PFL's
International Director, Bob Lalonde arrived in
Manila on the first Sunday of Advent and began
our prolife work by attending Mass at St Francis
of Assisi Parish. Fr Pavone wanted Bob to help
the Philippines by taking along the latest pro-life
weapons with him including his new prayer book
'Pro-Life Reflections for Every Day' and new video
'The Biology of Prenatal Development'. By using
embryoscopy, a rare technique involving a tiny
camera the size of a pen tip, scientists were
able to get breathtaking, real footage of the
unborn, which shows how preborn babies have a
heartbeat at three weeks, make spontaneous movements
at six weeks, and have 90% of the anatomical structures
found in adults at eight weeks. What a powerful
demonstration of the life of a preborn child.
READ
MORE... |
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ORATIO
IMPERATA FOR THE RESPECT OF ALL HUMAN LIFE
God,
our loving Father, Creator and lover of all
life, You fashioned in your own image and likeness
every human person. We thank you for this gift
and the freedom to appreciate it
Grant
us intense eagerness to recognize your image
in every person so that respect for all human
life becomes our way of life. Give us also the
strength and courage to defend and protect the
right of all to live as you ordained, from conception
to natural death.
We pray
for your divine healing, comfort and peace for
all affected by past abortions. Grant them strength
and the consolation of your presence. Help us
serve actively in alleviating the sufferings
and troubles of all women with pregnancy problems.
Let your Spirit enlighten the minds and open
the hearts of those who do not yet fully respect
all human life according to your will.
We pray
for all our leaders and legislators who must
deliberate assiduously on this critical present
issue. May they be guided by the grace of the
Holy Spirit to act responsibly for the good
and well-being of all. May their competence
be always steered by humility and fear of the
Lord.
Mary,
our loving Mother, to you we entrust the cause
of life. Grant that all who believe in your
Son may proclaim the Gospel of Life with honesty
and love to the people of our time.
We make
our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your
Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our
Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Saint Rosa of Lima, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
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| SHARINGS |
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COMMUNITY
NEWS |
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ORATIO
IMPERATA
FOR DELIVERANCE
FROM CALAMITIES
Almighty Father,
we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders
of creation of which we are part, for Your Providence
in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that
guides the course of the universe.
We acknowledge
our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have
not been good stewards of nature. We have confused Your
command to subdue the earth. The environment is made
to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest
of our abuse and indifference. Global warming is upon
us, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural
calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.
We turn to You,
our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.
We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions
be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and
man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into
responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous
neighbors to those in need.
Amen.
Courtesy of
the Diocese of Pasig |
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Theme
for 2012: |
| “Choose
Life” |
| Deut.
30:19 |
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| HEART
OF THE MATTER: FRANK AND GERRY PADILLA |
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| Anti
RH Bill Advertisement |
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From
the Servant General
>CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVE OF
ARTICLES<
On
Servant Leadership (Part 30) - Let Shimei
Curse
January
30, 2012
David fled Jerusalem
to escape from his son Absalom. As he
traveled with his entourage, Shimei
came out cursing, and threw stones at
David and his officers, all the while
maligning him. Abishai, one of his officers,
wanted to kill Shimei but David prevented
him. We as servant leaders have much
to learn here.
Live
Pure (Part 13) - A Clean Heart and a Steadfast
Spirit
January 27, 2012
David prays for
a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.
“A clean heart create for me,
God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.”
(Ps 51:12). This recalls the prophetic
word of Ezekiel given to Israel: “I
will give you a new heart and place
a new spirit within you” (Ez 36:26a).
This is what God does. God takes our
stony hearts and replaces these with
natural hearts, and He puts His Spirit
within us in order that we might be
empowered to obey His laws (Ez 36:26b-27).
Live
Pure (Part 12) - Striving to Live Pure
January 27, 2012
Today
we read the tragic story of David, Bathsheba
and Uriah. From the roof of his palace,
David saw Bathsheba bathing, had her
taken to him, and had sexual relations
with her. She got pregnant. To cover
up his deed, David tried to get her
husband Uriah, called from the battlefield,
to sleep with her. When that failed,
David had Uriah placed in such a position
in battle that he was killed.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 28) -
Go Without Delay
January
25, 2012
We all have
our sinful past, some more sinful than
others. As such, we were estranged from
God and acting against the Kingdom.
Such was Paul. He “persecuted
this Way to death” (Acts 22:4),
ironically while being “zealous
for God” (Acts 22:3). Then, someway
somehow, God brings about our conversion,
though oftentimes not as dramatic as
what happened to Paul. We get to really
know Jesus, answering our question of
“Who are you, sir?” (Acts
22:8a). Then Jesus gives us answers
to another question, “What shall
I do, sir?” (Acts 22:10a).
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 27) -
Time is Running Out
January
22, 2012
We are living
in the end times. The reality is that
“the world in its present form
is passing away.” (1 Cor 7:31b).
As such, our work of evangelization
is even more crucial. We need to try
to bring in as many souls as we can,
before all mankind faces final judgment
before God.
On
Servant Leadership (Part 29) - Looking
to God's Anointed
January
20, 2012
Today’s
reading is about how David spared Saul’s
life, when he had the opportunity to
kill him, as Saul was pursuing him to
take his life. David’s reason?
“The Lord forbid that I should
do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s
anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for
he is the Lord’s anointed.”
(1 Sm 24:7). David, in the same breath,
gave his reason twice: “he is
the Lord’s anointed.”
The
Way Forward in Christ (Part 46) - Chosen
By God
January
17, 2012
We all have been
called and chosen by God to be His instrument
for some purpose. On our response depends
how God’s will is done for the
life of the world.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 26) -
Being Persistent
January
13, 2012
I like today’s
story on the healing of a paralytic.
People brought a paralytic to Jesus,
but because there were so many people
gathered, there was no room for him
and so his friends opened up a hole
in the roof and lowered the mat on which
the payalytic was lying, right next
to Jesus.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 25)
- Publicizing the Whole Matter
January
12, 2012
We again have
much we can learn about evangelization
in today’s gospel reading. A leper
whom Jesus heals witnessed about his
healing, such that people kept coming
to Jesus from everywhere.
Loving
One Another (Part 8) - Loving Our Brethren
January 05, 2012
We continue from
yesterday’s reading. There we
saw the imperative of loving our brethren.
So important is this that we were shown
the contrasts.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 24) -
Sharing the Gospel
January 04, 2012
In today’s
story of the first disciples of Jesus,
we see the classic way of evangelization
that God has given us.
First, evangelization is person-to-person.
John the Baptist points Jesus out to
Andrew and John (Jn 1:36). Then Andrew
points Jesus out to Simon (Jn 1:41).
The evangelized becomes an evangelizer.
Loving
One Another (Part 7) - Belonging to God
January 04, 2012
In this passage,
John is talking about righteousness
versus sin, about how one begotten by
God does not sin, about being children
of God versus children of the devil.
He concludes: “no one who fails
to act in righteousness belongs to God”
(1 Jn 3:10b). But then he continues:
“nor anyone who does not love
his brother.” (1 Jn 3:10c).
Whoa! Where did that come from?
Live
Pure (Part 11) - Children of God or the
Devil?
January 04, 2012
There are no
two ways for us. We are either children
of God or we are children of the devil.
Now that is quite stark. One could have
thought of a relatively good person
who did not have a personal relationship
with God but who did not really do bad
things, and never think of that person
as being a child of the devil. But Jesus
gives only two options: you are with
me or you are against me; you gather
or you scatter. There are no fence-sitters.
Those who are neither hot nor cold he
will spit out of his mouth (Rev 3:16).
Live
Pure (Part 10) - Not Sinning
January 03, 2012
Because of God’s
love for us, we have been restored to
fellowship with Him and are called children
of God (1 Jn 3:1a). Because of this,
we have our eternal hope, to be with
our Father in heaven forever. It is
something to look forward to, while
we are still on earth. But we do not
only look to what is to be; rather,
we prepare ourselves right here and
now. How do we do that? We live pure.
New
Year Message - Resolve to be Holy
January 01, 2012
Each new year
is a crossroad. We decide to go God’s
way or veer away on our own way. We
either move forward in our walk with
God, or we retrogress. We of course
can stand still, neither moving forward
nor backward, but to do so would be
akin to moving backward. God calls us
to holiness and discipleship, and we
have our whole life for this, and each
new day should be a deliberate step
forward.
Live
Pure (Part 9) - Putting on God's Holiness
December 30, 2011
We are God’s
people, called according to His purpose,
and chosen to do His work of proclaiming
His good news of salvation to all, and
of renewing the family and defending
life. As among “God’s chosen
ones,” we are “holy and
beloved” (Eph 3:12a). We are greatly
loved by God, and we are called to be
holy as He is holy. To be loved by God
is His unconditional unilateral decision.
To be holy is our response. We are to
live pure.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 23) -
Happy Feet
December 25, 2011
The prophet
Isaiah says, “How beautiful upon
the mountains are the feet of him who
brings glad tidings” (Is 52:7a).
Paul quotes him: “How beautiful
are the feet of those who bring good
news!” (Rom 10:15b). As an aside,
Semites praised the parts of the body
that bring the messenger with good news
(see Lk 11:27).
Christmas
Message 2011 - The Servant of the Lord
December 25,
2011
As we rejoice
in the birth of Jesus, we are mindful
of who he is--Savior, Messiah and Lord.
But we must be mindful as well of his
call to us as his disciples.
Overturning
Lives
December 22,
2011
God is a God
who overturns and radically changes
lives. In doing so, He is able to do
the impossible. God enabled the barren
Hannah to conceive and bear a son. God
enabled the virgin Mary to conceive
and bear a son.
Live
Pure (Part 8) - Up the Mountain of the
Lord
December 20, 2011
Our destiny
as children of God is to live with our
Father in heaven for all eternity. But
that will not just happen automatically.
We need to do our part, in making ourselves
eligible for entry into heaven.
Honoring
Toto De La Cruz
December 20, 2011
I take this privilege
to honor Toto, my brother, co-worker
and friend.
As has been his practice, he has gone
on ahead of us. He has always been a
trailblazer. He was among the first
full-time pastoral workers, and there
has been no stopping him ever since.
Even death has not done that, as he
has now moved on up there, where he
can intercede mightily for our life
and mission.
The
Culture of Life (Part 5) - Destined from
the Womb
December 19, 2011
One reason why
some people question God’s existence,
especially as Christians claim that
He is an all-powerful but just and loving
God, is why He does nothing to solve
the immense problems in the world. Why
does God allow sub-human poverty, bloody
wars, disastrous calamities, unchecked
crime and corruption, rampaging environmental
degradation?
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 22) -
Giving Our Yes to God's Call
December 18, 2011
Today’s
gospel reading is about the announcement
to Mary by the angel of the birth of
Jesus. This was about the coming of
the Savior of the world. Through all
of salvation history, from the prophecy
about the Savior given in paradise at
the time of the fall (Gen 3:15), this
was now the defining moment. God’s
specific plan was on the verge of being
implemented. All that was needed now
was the “yes” of a young
maiden.
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 21) -
The Geneology of Jesus
December 17, 2011
Every
year this passage in Matthew on the
genealogy of Jesus is read. The total
number of generations (Mt 1:17) is 14
+ 14 + 14 = 42, right?
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 20) -
A Voice Crying Out in the Desert
December 11, 2011
The
world is in a dire situation in relation
to God. First, it does not recognize
its Creator, as “the world came
to be through him, but the world did
not know him.” (Jn 1:10). Second,
even as God manifested Himself to a
people, they rejected Him. “He
came to what was his own, but his own
people did not accept him.” (Jn
1:11). Thus the world remains in darkness,
even as “the true light, which
enlightens everyone, (has come) into
the world.”
Live
Pure (Part 7) - Perfectly Holy and Entirely
Blameless
December 11, 2011
We are called
to be holy. We become holy as we live
pure. How do we live pure? “Refrain
from every kind of evil.” (1 Thes
5:22).
On
Mary (Part 15) - Immaculate Conception
December 08, 2011
Today
is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Since many Catholics do not actually
know their faith, let us make clear
what this Church dogma is. No, it is
not that Mary conceived even when she
was a virgin (we can make this mistake
especially since the gospel today is
about her as virgin who will conceive
a child). What it is is that Mary was
conceived without original sin.
On
Mary (Part 14) - The New Eve
December 08, 2011
Genesis 3 tells
us about the fall of Adam and Eve. This
caused them, and us, to lose paradise.
But God’s plan is not to be thwarted.
So here we have the first prophecy of
the coming of a Savior.
Live
Pure (Part 6) - Destined To Be Holy
December 08, 2011
Paul speaks a
powerful truth in today’s reading.
He says that God “chose us in
him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before
him.” (Eph 1:4). We are a very
special people. Our destiny is to truly
live out what God has created us to
be. We are created in the image and
likeness of God. God is holy. We too
are called to holiness. To be holy is
to be without blemish, that is, to live
pure.
Live
Pure (Part 5) - Purity and the Parousia
December 04, 2011
Jesus will return
once again in glory. That will be an
exciting time, as “the day of
the Lord will come like a thief, and
then the heavens will pass away with
a mighty roar and the elements will
be dissolved by fire” (2 Pt 3:10).
On
Evangelization and Mission (Part 19) -
Disobeying Jesus (Part 2)
December 02, 2011
In today’s
gospel we have the story of the two
blind men who were healed by Jesus.
Now this part is interesting: “Jesus
warned them sternly, ‘See that
no one knows about this.’ But
they went out and spread word of him
through all that land.” (Mt 9:30b-31).
Signs
of the Times
>CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVE OF
ARTICLES<
Not
Being a True Catholic
September
12, 2011
Yes,
Archbishop Charles Chaput speaks clearly
and with authority. He is not wishy-washy
like other clerics and even bishops,
who are loath to defend the fullness
of the Catholic faith. This is the
reality: IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT
THE CHURCH TEACHES, YOU ARE NOT REALLY
CATHOLIC.
Sex
Education in Schools Useless and Harmful
September
02, 2011
The anti-life
legislators in the Philippines continue
to insist on mandatory sex education
for young children. There is abundant
evidence from the experience of many
countries that such valueless sex education
increases promiscuity and incidences
of unwanted pregnancies, STDs and HIV/AIDS.
Such a seemingly harmless thing as sex
education in schools will actually destroy
the family, life and faith.
U
S Bishop on Unrepentant Pro-abort Pols:
Expel him
August
12, 2011
It
is about time that a US bishop spoke
out this clearly and forcefully. Now
let us see if the Catholic bishops in
the USA actually follow through. "Purge
the evil person from your midst."
(1 Cor 5:13b).
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One
Hundred Fifty Reasons I'm Catholic
And
You Should be Too!
by Dave Armstrong
1.
Best One-Sentence Summary: I am convinced
that the Catholic Church conforms much more
closely to all of the biblical data, offers
the only coherent view of the history of Christianity
(i.e., Christian, apostolic Tradition), and
possesses the most profound and sublime Christian
morality, spirituality, social ethic, and
. . . Read
more. . .
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2012
CFC-FFL "Alive in Christ" Community
Weekend
January 14-15, 2012
CAP Convention Center
Camp John Hay, Baguio City |
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2012
CFC-FFL Community Conference
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Ynares Gym, Pasig City |
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| Frank
Padilla's Latest Book
|
In
the year 2011, CFC-FFL is 30 years
old. Its theme for the year is "My
God is now my strength!" (Isaiah
49:5). It is an imposing theme, with
the Lord offering the fulness of His
grace and strength for the work beyond
the 30 years.
With
the world in deep darkness, with anti-life
and anti-family forces rampaging,
with even the Church buffeted from
within, there is a great challenge
for followers of Christ to stand and
be counted, and to give their all
for the cause of the Kingdom.
Once
again CFC-FFL is at the crossroad.
With 30 years of experience in doing
God's work, with all the ups and downs,
having been purified and restored,
will the army that is CFC-FFL go all
out for Jesus? Are the brethren willing
to give their all, holding nothing
back, even their very lives? Will
they as God's servants take hold of
the fullness of God's grace and be
made glorious in the sight of the
Lord?
Be
with Jesus over these 40 days and
understand more clearly what God's
call to CFC-FFL is
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Walk through the history of
CFC by way of the passage on
the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah. |
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Grasp
the profound meaning of the
strength of God |
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Appreciate
the importance of the crossroad. |
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Have
a clear understanding of the
vision and mission of CFC-FFL |
May
we choose the right path, and confidently
go forth in the very strength of God.
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Now
available at the CFC-FFL Shoppe |
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REALCATHOLICTV.COM
THE
VORTEX
(This series was produced
in the Philippines)
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A
CALL TO ARMS
(Defending
the Culture of Life)
Homily
of Fr. Melvin Castro
Executive
Secretary of the Episcopal Commission
on Family and Life
CFC-FFL
"Strong in God" Conference
Baguio
City, January 22-23, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn-ka2xsHkc
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January
2011 CBCP Plenary Statement
on Choosing Life and Rejecting the RH
Bill
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HUMAN
LIFE INTERNATIONAL
17th ASIA-PACIFIC CONGRESS
November 06-08, 2010
OPENING
REMARKS
by
FRANK PADILLA
Servant General - CFC-FFL
Faith,
family, life. These are the crucial
issues in the life and mission of the
Church in this third millennium. At
every turn we see the threats to and
the attacks on faith, family and life.
Read
more . . .
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His
Eminence,
Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales,
Archbishop of Manila,
appoints
Rev. Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB
Spiritual Director
of
Couples for Christ
Foundation for Family and Life
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The
Servant General meets with Pope Benedict XVI at the
19th Plenary Session of the Pontifical Council for the
Family
The Vatican - February 09, 2010 |
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| ANOTHER
ECCLESIASTICAL RECOGNITION |
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"The
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP), through its Episcopal Commission
on the Laity (ECLA), has given formal
and official recognition to Couples for
Christ Foundation for Family and Life
(CFC-FFL) as a national private association
of the lay faithful, effective October
15, 2009.
>
> VIEW DOCUMENT
<
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"His
Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has re-appointed
our Servant General Frank Padilla and
his wife Gerry as members of the Pontifical
Council for the Family, effective September
10, 2009, for another term of five years."
>
VIEW DOCUMENTS <
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| THE
GOSPEL FOR TODAY |
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Fifth
Sunday In Ordinary Time
February 05, 2012
Mark 1:29-39
On
leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house
of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's
mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately
told him about her. He approached, grasped her
hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left
her and she waited on them.
When it was
evening, after sunset, they brought to him all
who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole
town was gathered at the door. He cured many
who were sick with various diseases, and he
drove out many demons, not permitting them to
speak because they knew him.
Rising very
early before dawn, he left and went off to a
deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those
who were with him pursued him and on finding
him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby
villages that I may preach there also. For this
purpose have I come." So he went into their
synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Memorial
of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
February
06, 2012
Mark 6:53-56
After making the crossing to the other side
of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to
land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they
were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized
him. They scurried about the surrounding country
and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever
they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns
or countryside he entered, they laid the sick
in the marketplaces and begged him that they
might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and
as many as touched it were healed.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Juliana
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
February
07, 2012
Mark 7:1-13
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had
come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate
their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed,
hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all
Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their
hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace they do not
eat without purifying themselves. And there
are many other things that they have traditionally
observed, the purification of cups and jugs
and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and
scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples
not follow the tradition of the elders but instead
eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded,
"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites,
as it is written:
This people
honors me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me; In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard
God's commandment but cling to human tradition."
He went on to say, "How well you have set
aside the commandment of God in order to uphold
your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father
and your mother, and Whoever curses father or
mother shall die. Yet you say, 'If someone says
to father or mother, "Any support you might
have had from me is qorban"' (meaning,
dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing
more for his father or mother. You nullify the
word of God in favor of your tradition that
you have handed on. And you do many such things."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Jerome Emiliani, priest
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in
Ordinary Time
February 08, 2012
Mark 7:14-23
Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing
that enters one from outside can defile that
person; but the things that come out from within
are what defile."
When he got
home away from the crowd his disciples questioned
him about the parable. He said to them, "Are
even you likewise without understanding? Do
you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot
defile, since it enters not the heart but the
stomach and passes out into the latrine?"
(Thus he declared all foods clean.) "But
what comes out of the man, that is what defiles
him. From within the man, from his heart, come
evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery,
greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy,
blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils
come from within and they defile."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Apolonia
Thursday
of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Ferbuary 09, 2012
Mark 7:24-30
Jesus
went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house
and wanted no one to know about it, but he could
not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter
had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came
and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek,
a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him
to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said
to her, "Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the
children and throw it to the dogs." She
replied and said to him, "Lord, even the
dogs under the table eat the children's scraps."
Then he said to her, "For saying this,
you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter."
When the woman went home, she found the child
lying in bed and the demon gone.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Memorial
of Saint Scholastica, virgin
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
Febraury 10, 2012
Mark 7:31-37
Jesus
left the district of Tyre and went by way of
Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district
of the Decapolis. And people brought to him
a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged
him to lay his hand on him. He took him off
by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger
into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his
tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned,
and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that
is, "Be opened!") And immediately
the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment
was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered
them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered
them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They
were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He
has done all things well. He makes the deaf
hear and the mute speak."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Our
Lady of Lourdes
Saturday of the Fifth Week in
Ordinary Time
February 11, 2012
Mark 8:1-10
In those days when there again was a great crowd
without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the
disciples and said, "My heart is moved
with pity for the crowd, because they have been
with me now for three days and have nothing
to eat. If I send them away hungry to their
homes, they will collapse on the way, and some
of them have come a great distance." His
disciples answered him, "Where can anyone
get enough bread to satisfy them here in this
deserted place?" Still he asked them, "How
many loaves do you have?" They replied,
"Seven." He ordered the crowd to sit
down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves
he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to
his disciples to distribute, and they distributed
them to the crowd. They also had a few fish.
He said the blessing over them and ordered them
distributed also. They ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over'seven
baskets. There were about four thousand people.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 12, 2012
Mark 1:40-45
A
leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged
him and said, "If you wish, you can make
me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched
out his hand, touched him, and said to him,
"I do will it. Be made clean." The
leprosy left him immediately, and he was made
clean. Then, warning the him sternly, he dismissed
him at once.
He said to him,
"See that you tell no one anything, but
go, show yourself to the priest and offer for
your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will
be proof for them."
The man went
away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible
for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained
outside in deserted places, and people kept
coming to him from everywhere.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Catherine de Ricci
Monday
of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 13, 2012
Mark 8:11-13
The
Pharisees came forward and began to argue with
Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to
test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit
and said, "Why does this generation seek
a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be
given to this generation." Then he left
them, got into the boat again, and went off
to the other shore.
Bible
passages courtesy of New American Bible
Memorial of Saint Cyril, monk, and
Saint Methodius, bishop
Tuesday
of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 14, 2012
Mark 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the
boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and
the leaven of Herod." They concluded among
themselves that it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
"Why do you conclude that it is because
you have no bread? Do you not yet understand
or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do
you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember, when I broke the five
loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker
baskets full of fragments you picked up?"
They answered him, "Twelve." "When
I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick
up?" They answered him, "Seven."
He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Walfrid
Wednesday of
the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 15, 2012
Mark 8:22-26
When
Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
people brought to him a blind man and begged
Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by
the hand and led him outside the village. Putting
spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the
man and asked, "Do you see anything?"
Looking up the man replied, "I see people
looking like trees and walking." Then he
laid hands on the man's eyes a second time and
he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he
could see everything distinctly. Then he sent
him home and said, "Do not even go into
the village."
"Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Gilbert
Thursday
of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 16, 2012
Mark 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages
of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked
his disciples, "Who do people say that
I am?" They said in reply, "John the
Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of
the prophets." And he asked them, "But
who do you say that I am?" Peter said to
him in reply, "You are the Christ."
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about
him.
He
began to teach them that the Son of Man must
suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders,
the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed,
and rise after three days. He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke
him. At this he turned around and, looking at
his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get
behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God
does, but as human beings do."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Seven
Founders of the Order of Servites, religious
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 17, 2012
Mark 8:34 - 9:1
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples
and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come
after me must deny himself, take up his cross,
and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake and that of the Gospel will save
it. What profit is there for one to gain the
whole world and forfeit his life? What could
one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is
ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless
and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be
ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory
with the holy angels."
He also said
to them, "Amen, I say to you, there are
some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come
in power."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Memorial
of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of
the Church
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
January 28, 2012
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said
to his disciples: "Let us cross to the
other side." Leaving the crowd, they took
Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him. A violent squall
came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up. Jesus was
in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke
him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not
care that we are perishing?" He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet!
Be still!" The wind ceased and there was
great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are
you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"
They were filled with great awe and said to
one another, "Who then is this whom even
wind and sea obey?"
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Fourth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 29, 2012
Mark 1:21-28
Then
they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus
entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and
not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a
man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What
have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you are?the
Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and
said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The
unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud
cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked
one another, "What is this? A new teaching
with authority. He commands even the unclean
spirits and they obey him." His fame spread
everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Hippolytus
Monday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
January 30, 2012
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus
and his disciples came to the other side of
the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes.
When he got out of the boat, at once a man from
the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.
The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and
no one could restrain him any longer, even with
a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound
with shackles and chains, but the chains had
been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,
and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides
he was always crying out and bruising himself
with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a
distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before
him, crying out in a loud voice, "What
have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most
High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment
me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean
spirit, come out of the man!") He asked
him, "What is your name?" He replied,
"Legion is my name. There are many of us."
And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive
them away from that territory.
Now a large
herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.
And they pleaded with him, "Send us into
the swine. Let us enter them." And he let
them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered
the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed
down a steep bank into the sea, where they were
drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported
the incident in the town and throughout the
countryside. And people came out to see what
had happened. As they approached Jesus, they
caught sight of the man who had been possessed
by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his
right mind. And they were seized with fear.
Those who witnessed the incident explained to
them what had happened to the possessed man
and to the swine. Then they began to beg him
to leave their district. As he was getting into
the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded
to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit
him but told him instead, "Go home to your
family and announce to them all that the Lord
in his pity has done for you." Then the
man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Memorial
of St. John Bosco, priest
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
January 31, 2012
Mark 5:21-43
When
Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other
side, a large crowd gathered around him, and
he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue
officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing
him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly
with him, saying, "My daughter is at the
point of death. Please, come lay your hands
on her that she may get well and live."
He went off with him and a large crowd followed
him.
There was a
woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve
years. She had suffered greatly at the hands
of many doctors and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind
him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She
said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall
be cured." Immediately her flow of blood
dried up. She felt in her body that she was
healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once
that power had gone out from him, turned around
in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched
my clothes?" But his disciples said to
him, "You see how the crowd is pressing
upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling. She fell down
before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He
said to her, "Daughter, your faith has
saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your
affliction."
While he was
still speaking, people from the synagogue official's
house arrived and said, "Your daughter
has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do
not be afraid; just have faith." He did
not allow anyone to accompany him inside except
Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue
official, he caught sight of a commotion, people
weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and
said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep." And
they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him and entered the
room where the child was. He took the child
by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you,
arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose
immediately and walked around. At that they
were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders
that no one should know this and said that she
should be given something to eat.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Severus
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
February 01, 2012
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus
departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath
came he began to teach in the synagogue, and
many who heard him were astonished. They said,
"Where did this man get all this? What
kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty
deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the
carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother
of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And
are not his sisters here with us?" And
they took offense at him. Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except
in his native place and among his own kin and
in his own house." So he was not able to
perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing
a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 02, 2012
Luke 2:22-40
When
the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph
took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to
the Lord, just as it is written in the law of
the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall
be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the
sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the
law of the Lord.
Now there was
a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This
man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death before he had seen
the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit
into the temple; and when the parents brought
in the child Jesus to perform the custom of
the law in regard to him, he took him into his
arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master,
you may let your servant go in peace, according
to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and
glory for your people Israel."
The child's
father and mother were amazed at what was said
about him; and Simeon blessed them and said
to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child
is destined for the fall and rise of many in
Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce so that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter
of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced
in years, having lived seven years with her
husband after her marriage, and then as a widow
until she was eighty-four. She never left the
temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting
and prayer. And coming forward at that very
time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about
the child to all who were awaiting the redemption
of Jerusalem.
When they had
fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their
own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became
strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of
God was upon him.
-
Or -
Luke 2:22-32
When the days
were completed for their purification according
to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus
up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated
to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a
pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in
accordance with the dictate in the law of the
Lord.
Now there was
a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This
man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death before he had seen
the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit
into the temple; and when the parents brought
in the child Jesus to perform the custom of
the law in regard to him, he took him into his
arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master,
you may let your servant go in peace, according
to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and
glory for your people Israel."
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Blase, bishop and martyr
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 03, 2012
Mark 6:14-29
King
Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become
widespread, and people were saying, "John
the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that
is why mighty powers are at work in him."
Others were saying, "He is Elijah";
still others, "He is a prophet like any
of the prophets." But when Herod learned
of it, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded.
He has been raised up."
Herod was the
one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother
Philip, whom he had married. John had said to
Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have
your brother's wife." Herodias harbored
a grudge against him and wanted to kill him
but was unable to do so. Herod feared John,
knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak
he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to
listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one
day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet
for his courtiers, his military officers, and
the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter
came in and performed a dance that delighted
Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will
grant it to you." He even swore many things
to her, "I will grant you whatever you
ask of me, even to half of my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother, "What
shall I ask for?" Her mother replied, "The
head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried
back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist." The king
was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths
and the guests he did not wish to break his
word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head. He went
off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought
in the head on a platter and gave it to the
girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it, they came
and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
St.
Andrew Corsini
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
February 04, 2012
Mark 6:30-34
The
Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported
all they had done and taught. He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted
place and rest a while." People were coming
and going in great numbers, and they had no
opportunity even to eat. So they went off in
the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know
about it. They hastened there on foot from all
the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked
and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved
with pity for them, for they were like sheep
without a shepherd; and he began to teach them
many things.
Bible
passage courtesy of New American Bible
Sorry,
no passage available for today. |
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| "Lead
us back, O Lord, that we may be restored;
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| give
us anew such days as we had of old." |
| Lam
5:21 |
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Updated: 01-31-2012 |
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| The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself
in the face of adversity, choosing right
over wrong, ethics over convenience, and
truth over popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking
back, for THERE IS NEVER A WRONG TIME TO
DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Archbishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007 |
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PAPAL
AUDIENCE |
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| Frank
and Gerry Padilla present the books "Servant
Leadership" and "Stories from Prison" to
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, on February
09, 2010, at the Vatican |
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CFC-FFL
PRAYER FOR 2012
Almighty Father,
you are the Author of Life. You have created
us in your image and likeness, and we
belong to you. Help us to grow in holiness
and purity, as we continue to heed your
voice and hold fast to you.
Jesus our Lord, you came so that we might
have life, and have it more abundantly.
Grant us the grace to experience that
abundant life that is lived for you. Continue
to show us the way of discipleship, walking
in your ways, trusting and rejoicing in
you, and always ready to embrace your
cross.
Holy Spirit of God, you have brought us
into community, so that we might help
renew the family and defend life, and
bring the good news of salvation in Jesus
to many others. Send us forth in your
power to engage the enemy, keeping us
always under the mantle of your divine
protection.
Triune God, we choose life. Help us to
live life, to defend life, and to promote
life. Use us to build a civilization of
love in the world today, so that all may
experience life as you intend.
Mama Mary, you brought Life into the world.
We are your children. Pray and intercede
for us always, and keep us in your loving
embrace.
May we all be found to be good and faithful
servants, ready when our Lord Jesus returns
in glory.
Amen.
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CFC-FFL
CONSECRATION TO MARY, MEDIATRIX OF
ALL GRACE |
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We
kneel before you, as you yourself
sit at the throne room of God, beside
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
your Son. You more than anyone else
embody the pure love for our Lord
Jesus that we all desire to have,
as you bore him in your womb, gave
birth to him, raised him, suffered
with him through the cross, and finally
witnessed his resurrection. You are
the one whose soul perfectly proclaims
the greatness of the Lord, whose spirit
perfectly rejoices in God our Savior.
You are the one we and all ages will
call blessed.
You are the highly favored one, and
the Lord is truly with you. We thus
look to you to be our mediatrix, as
we continue on our journey in the
world, proclaiming your Son Jesus
and bringing his good news of salvation
to all. We recognize our weakness
and sinfulness, and that apart from
the power of God’s Spirit we
can do nothing.
Dear Mother Mary, you are our inspiration
for the strengthening of families
and the promotion of the culture of
life. Pray and intercede for us always,
that we may remain faithful to our
covenant, steadfast in our work, persevering
despite trials and crosses, and always
mindful of the call to holiness and
discipleship. You who are holy and
you who are the most faithful disciple
of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep us
in your loving embrace always.
We consecrate ourselves, our families
and our work to you. Bless us, dear
Mother, and journey with us, as we
continue to journey with your beloved
Son Jesus. You are our mother, and
we are your children, now and forever.
Amen.
Hail Mary … |
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