Archive for the ‘Character/Virtue’ Category

Today Christians Honor Blessed Angela Salawa, “Devoting her Life to Works of Mercy” – Please Pray For Us!

Tuesday, March 12th, 2024

Blessed Angela Salawa...

Blessed Angela Salawa (1881-1922)

(Franciscan Media) Born the eleventh of twelve children in Poland Krakow, Angela learned piety, modesty and hard work from her Mother writes The Black Cordelias and with these principles Angela grew into a God fearing young woman.

At the age of 15 Angela began working for nearby families and went to work for a family in Siepraw and entertained their children. At 16 she worked for a family in Krakow without complaint until she felt intimidated by the landlord and left her employment and moved in with her sister Teresa until her death in 1899

In 1900 Angela felt called to a religious life and enrolled into the Association of Saint Zita, promoting care for the home, disciplined for Jesus Christ and a model for her Christian life–In 1912 she joined the ‘Third Order of St. Francis’ and two years later during WW I, Angela gave great service caring for injured soldiers in a hospital and prisoners of war without distinction of their nationality, earning the name ‘The Holy Lady’ for those she cared.

Beatified in 1991 Blessed Angela Salawa was remembered by Pope Saint John Paul II during his Papal visit to Poland in August, 2002 for “devoting her life to works of mercy.”

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of St Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of Bee Keepers and Learning – Please Pray For Us!

Thursday, December 7th, 2023

Saint AmbroseSaint Ambrose (340-397)
Image Courtesy:
National Trust Art@Twitter

(Franciscan Media) One of Ambrose’s biographers noted that at the ‘Last Judgment’ people would still be divided between those who admired Ambrose and those who heartily disliked him–Ambrose emerges as a man of action who cut a furrow through the lives of his contemporaries, even royal personages were numbered among those who were to suffer crushing divine punishments for standing in his way.

At 33 Ambrose had it all observes Catholic Online a successful career as a lawyer, an important position as Governor of Milan, the approval and friendship of the Emperor and a large estate.

Then the Bishop of Milan died. At this time, about 374 heresies threatened to destroy the Church–the Bishop had supported the Arian heresy that argued against the divinity of Christ. Who would take his place an Arian or a Catholic? Both sides met in the cathedral and a riot broke out.

Public order was Ambrose’s responsibility as Governor, so he hurried to the church and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side but in favor for peace, begging the people to make their choice without a fight, using restraint and moderation.

Suddenly while he was speaking, a voice called out “Ambrose for Bishop.” Soon everyone was shouting, “Ambrose for Bishop.”

The other Bishops of the Province were only to glad to have this controversial decision taken out of their hands but Ambrose was not about to give up his successful career for the dangerous position as Bishop–a life threatening position in these heretical times, so Ambrose ran away.

When he appealed to his friend the Emperor to overturn the decision on the grounds that he hadn’t even been baptized yet, the Emperor answered that he was happy that he chose Governor’s fit for the episcopal office–Ambrose hid in a Senator’s house but the Senator surrendered Ambrose when he heard about the Emperor’s decision.

With nowhere else to run, Ambrose gave in. Since he had been forced to take the position, no one would have been surprised if he’d decide to keep on living the way he had before ordination. Instead, Ambrose immediately gave all of his property to the poor, making only provisions for his Sister Marcellina (who later became a Nun) and committed the care of his family to his brother–raising Ambrose’s popularity even more…

More here about St. Ambrose -EWTN

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Ambrose, Visit: -USCCB

Today Christians Celebrate Feast of Queen Saint Margaret of Scotland, Patron Saint of Learning — Please Pray For Us!

Thursday, November 16th, 2023

St Margaret of Scotland

Saint Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Image: Catholic Online

Born in Hungary into Royalty, Margaret “was a truly liberated Woman in the sense, that she was free to be herself,” writes Franciscan Media “for her, that meant freedom to love God and serve others.”

Margaret’s father Edward ‘Outremere’ Atheling, heir to the English throne, her mother Princess Agatha of Hungary–While Margaret’s family returned to England when she was 10 yrs old, the Norman Conquest forced them into exile. By this time Margaret’s father had passed away and her mother fled with the children aboard a ship which crashed onto the coast of Scotland where they remained.

In 1070 at the age of 25 Margaret wed the King of Scotland Malcom III Canmore (1031-1093) — As Queen, Margaret’s Christian faith had a strong influence on her husband’s reign. Queen Margaret helped to soften his temper and led him to practice virtue, she dignified the Royal Court, providing an example of purity and reverence that others emulated. Queen Margaret and King Malcom III prayed together and fed the hungry, offering a powerful witness of faith to the people they served.

In addition to being wife and mother, Queen Margaret worked tirelessly to bring justice and relief to the poor of Scotland, she would also go on to build Churches and encouraged the practice of Christian devotion. In Queen Margaret’s private life, she exhibited a great prayerfulness and faith, her influence was seen not only in King Malcom’s life but throughout all of Scotland.

Queen Margaret passed away on this date in 1093 just 4 days after King Malcom III and one of her sons was killed in battle — In 1251 Queen Margaret was Canonized by Pope Innocent IV

More here from EWTN

Today Christians Celebrate Our Lady of Fatima, Mother of Jesus – Please Pray For Us!

Friday, October 13th, 2023

Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima
Image: Aquinas & More

(Franciscan Media) Between the 13 May and 13 October, 1917 the Mother of Jesus, appeared 6 times to three little shepherd  children (Jacinta Marto, Lucia de Jesus Santos and Francisco Marto) from Portugal Fatima, asked by Mary to pray the Rosary for the end of WW I, for Sinners and for the conversion of Russia.

On the 20 February, I wrote here on the Feast Day of Saint’s Jacinta and Francisco Marto, Visionaries of Fatima — At the time, Europe was involved in an extremely bloody war and Portugal was in political turmoil, having overthrown its monarchy in 1910 –the government had disbanded religious organizations soon thereafter.

Mary gave the children three secrets: Since both Francisco and Jacinta both contracted influenza in 1918 (later Jacinta also contracted tuberculosis) and these two children died, Lucia revealed two of the secrets that Mary gave to her: (1) the first concerning devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; (2) the second secret was a vision of Hell.

Throughout the Old Testament God, in His great mercy chose prophets to call His people back to Him. In recent times, Jesus has sent his Mother to forewarn humanity of the harm from famine and plagues mankind may inflict upon oneself as a result of ones sinful nature, wars–persecution of the Church and the loss of many souls to Hell.

God in His great mercy, desires to save mankind from these miseries through the Immaculate heart of Jesus’ Mother. Our Heavenly Mother revealed in Portugal Fatima, a plan of hope for this world, which continues to plunge headlong towards its own destruction.

More here from EWTN

Related: The True Story of ‘The Miracle of the Sun’ at Fatima

Sister Lucia: Final Confrontation Between The Lord & Satan Will Be Over Family & Marriage

Today Christians Memorialize St. George, Martyr for Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023

Martyrdom of Saint GeorgeMartyrdom of Saint George (Paolo Veronese 1564) Image: WikiArt

(EWTN) Born somewhere between 275 and 281 in Bithynia Nicomedia (modern day  NW Turkey) George is by far one of the most illustrious martyrs for Jesus Christ. The Greeks have long distinguished him by the title of ‘The Greek Martyr’ and keep his festival a holiday of obligation. To this day, St. George is honored as principle patron by several Eastern nations, particularly the Georgians. The intercession of St. George was implored especially in battles and by Soldiers in the ‘Byzantine Empire’ (330-1453) and its said that St. George himself was a mighty soldier.

There stood formally in Constantinople 5 or 6 Churches dedicated in his honor, Timothy II (1612-1620) rebuilt and enlarged ‘The Church of St. George’ in Istanbul and is open to the public to this date.

The extraordinary devotion to all Christendom to St. George, would seem to evidence how glorious St. George’s triumph and name have always been in the Church.

All of his acts, relate how St. George suffered under  the Emperor Diocletian — One account of his martyrdom comes from Ecclesiastical history which relates:

That Diocletian issued an Order to tear down all of the Churches to their foundations and destroy the Sacred Scriptures by fire…a certain man of no mean origin but highly esteemed by his temporal dignities, stimulated by a Divine zeal and excited by an ardent faith, took the Emperor’s Order as it was openly displayed for public inspection and tore it up into shreds. This act so enraged Diocletian, that he had the ‘certain man’ identified by more than one ancient source including Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea (263-339) as St. George though other historians have suggested that this isn’t likely.

St. George is usually depicted in Christian art as a Soldier on horseback killing a dragon with a lance. This image is representative of a popular legend of St. George which first appeared in 1275 in a romance entitled, ‘The Golden Legend’ (from 1470 to 1530 was the most often printed book in Europe) which George saved a town terrorized by a dragon with one blow of his lance. The image however is also and more significantly a powerful symbol of the victory of the Christian faith over evil (sometimes interpreted more contextually in the early Church as ‘Paganism’) personified by Satan who is symbolized by the dragon according to the imagery of the Book of Revelations.

The reason why St. George has been regarded as the Patron Saint of Soldiers is partly upon the score of his profession and partly upon the credit of a relation of his appearing to the Christian Army in the Holy War before the battle of Antioch. The success of this battle proving fortunate to the Christians under the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem by ‘Godfrey de Bouillion’ made the name of St. George more famous in Europe and disposed of Soldiers more particularly his intercession.

While some Christians dishonor the profession of Soldiers and weaponry, we find the names of more Soldiers recorded in Martyrologies  than almost any other profession. Every true disciple of Jesus Christ must be a Martyr in the disposition of ones heart and must be prepared to lose everything and to suffer anything rather than to offend Almighty God.

Every good Christian is also a Martyr by the patience and courage with
which one bears all trials. There is no virtue more necessary,
nor of which the exercise ought to be more frequent than patience–which I often fail, I digress.

In this mortal life we have continually something to suffer from, disappointments, from injustice, irritations, jealously, animosity of others, from ourselves in mental anguish, grief and physical pains. Even our own weaknesses and faults are to us subjects of patience. We likewise have many other burdens both of our own and to others to bear, it is only patience that we are to possess our souls.

By this, it affords us comfort in all of our distress/unhappiness and maintains our souls in unshaken tranquility and peace. This is true greatness of mind and the virtue of an heroic soul…What comfort should we find, what peace should we enjoy, what treasures of virtue should we amass, what a harvest of merits should we reap, if we had learned the true spirit of Christian patience. This is the martyrdom and the crown of every faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. George, Visit: -USCCB

Facing Our Battles With St. George and Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton -Seton Shrine

Today Christians Commemorate St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Martyr For Jesus Christ – Please Pray For Us!

Friday, March 24th, 2023

Archbishop Oscar Romero(CNA) On Sunday, 22 March, 2015 in Los Angeles, over 3,000 people gathered at the ‘Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels’ for Mass in honor of Archbishop Romero’s Beatification (in San Salvador on the 23 May) and prayed that his ‘shining example’ of sacrificial love and his alliance and friendship with the poor and oppressed will continue to be fruitful.

“Archbishop Romero preached nonviolence and reconciliation in a time of hate and vengeance,” Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles said in his Homily Sunday, adding that he, “Spoke out against every form of violence, every violation of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person,” noting that this included “the violence of abortion.”

Sunday 22 March, 2015 Holy Mass, marked the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Romero during his celebration of Mass in a small Chapel outside of San Salvador.

The proclamation by Pope Francis confirming that Archbishop Romero died a martyr followed a vote by Theologians at the ‘Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints’ in January that Romero was murdered in “hatred of the faith.”

Archbishop Romero Radio BroadcastArchbishop Oscar Romero — El Salvador’s Most Trusted News Source

Catholic Agency For Overseas Development worked closely with Archbishop Romero during the 1970s supporting his famous Sunday radio broadcasts which — at a time of heavy press censorship, were often times the only means by which people in El Salvador, knew the truth about the atrocities occurring in their country.

A vocal critic of the country’s military dictatorship, the Sunday before his assassination, Archbishop Oscar Romero’s homily called upon Salvadoran soldiers to disobey their orders if asked to attack innocent civilians — his homily ended with the words: “In the name of God, I urge you, I plead with you, I order you—Stop the killing.”

Archbishop Jose Gomez said that Archbishop Romero is “a shining example to all of us,” showing us humility and courage, love for the poor and his “witness of solidarity and service to others, even to the point of laying down his life.”

More here from Franciscan Media

We Have A Sin Problem In Our Country

Monday, September 7th, 2020

Kentucky Church Sign Vandalized -Image Courtesy: Roberto Walkerell-Cruz@Twitter

Mayhem Continues -Image Courtesy: Anarchist Thugs@Twitter

Outrageous! -Image Courtesy: Terrence Daniels@Twitter

What the Holy Scriptures Teach About the Dangers of the Last Days

There will be terrifying (distressing) times in the Last Days. People will be self-centered (lovers

of themselves) and lovers of money, proud, haughty, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful,

irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors,

reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of

religion but dent its power. Avoid Them!  –2 Timothy 3:1-5

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those

who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them

because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and

divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He

has made. So they are without excuse, for though they knew God, they did not honor Him as

God or give thanks to Him but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds

were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and they exchanged the glory of the

immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals

or reptiles.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their

bodies among themselves because they exchanged the truth about God for a Lie and worshiped

and served the creature (Satan) rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!

Since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to

things that should not be done. They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil,

covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips,

slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward

parents, foolish, faithless, heartless,ruthless. They know God’s decree, that those who practice

such things deserve to die – yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice

them.  –Romans 1:18-25; 28-32

  • Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near;
    Repent and believe in the Good News!”  –Mark 1:15
  • You May Experience the Joy of Salvation Today
    Through THE GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ

Thought For Today: Faith Always Brings Us To Joy!

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019

Faith Always Brings Us JoyThis is the Day that the Lord has Made,
Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad In ItPsalm 118:24
Image Courtesy: Society of the Sacred Heart

Perilous Times! Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton… We Have a Sin Problem In Our Country

Monday, August 5th, 2019

“Our hearts are with the Gilroy community and all those affected by the horrific tragedy…”
-Campbell Police

“We are sadden by the news of the tragic shootings that have taken place…” -CAL FIRE

Godlessness In The Last Days

You must understand this, that in the Last Days distressing times will come. For people will be

lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their

parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of

good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women,

overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being instructed

and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. –2 Timothy 3:1-7

The Guilt of Humankind

For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those

who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them

because God has shown it to them.

Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they

are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made. So they are without

excuse; For though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him but

they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be

wise, they became fools and they exchanged the glory of the Immortal God for images

resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their

bodies among themselves because they exchanged the Truth about God for a lie and worshiped

and served the Creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural

intercourse for unnatural and in the same way also then men, giving up natural intercourse

with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts

with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

Since they did not see fit to Acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to

things that should not be done. They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil,

covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, craftiness, they are gossips,

slanderers, God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, rebellious toward

parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. They know God’s decree, that those who practice

such things deserve to die — yet they not only do them but even applaud others who practice

them. –Romans 1:18-32

  • For the wages of sin is death but the Free Gift of God
    is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. –Romans 6:23

Good News! Discover here how you may receive the Free Gift of God and Eternal Life Today!

Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Three Greatest Confessions of History

Friday, July 12th, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGGSxxuBtMk

“If we do not live as we think we soon begin to think as we live.”