November 20, 2024

The Patron Saint of TV?? You Won’t Believe Who!

Mother & Refuge03 mins

It might seem a bit odd that a saint from nearly 800 years ago would be the patroness of television—but that’s exactly the case! St. Clare of Assisi was officially given this title by Pope Pius XII in 1957. Born in 1194 into a noble family, Clare turned her back on wealth and privilege to embrace a life of faith. Inspired as a teenager by St. Francis of Assisi, she became his devoted follower. At a time when no other women had joined his mission, Clare was sent to live at a Benedictine monastery. Soon after, her sister joined her, and together they established a new community near the Church of San Damiano in Assisi, which would later become known as the Poor Clares. Clare’s devotion to poverty was unshakeable. Even bishops and popes couldn’t sway her commitment to a simple life rooted in trust in God. She led her order with unwavering determination and humility. As she aged, Clare’s health declined significantly. On one Christmas Eve, too ill to attend Mass, she longed to be with her community for the celebration. Tradition holds that God granted her a miraculous vision: the sights and sounds of the Mass were projected onto the wall of her room, allowing her to participate from afar. Fast forward centuries to the invention of television—literally meaning “vision from afar”—and this miraculous story must have come to mind for Pope Pius XII. Recognizing both the potential for good and the dangers of this powerful new medium, he declared St. Clare the patroness of television, entrusting the world of screens to her intercession. Pius XII, in a prophetic reflection on the medium, noted that television could bring great blessings but also serious challenges. Who better to guide its influence than a saint known for her humility, simplicity, and steadfast faith? On Valentine’s Day, 1957, St. Clare was formally named the patroness of television, reminding us that even in the world of modern technology, we can look to the saints for guidance. St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!

Read More

Is sleep paralysis a spiritual attack? How to Overcome it?

Mother & Refuge06 mins

Sleep paralysis can be a very scary thing. In it, you know you’re asleep, you try to wake up, but you can’t. It’s often accompanied by an irrational feeling of utter terror, and sometimes images of figures in black cloaks. Many cultures have developed supernatural explanations for sleep paralysis. In China, it’s called mèng yǎn, “ghost pressing on body.” In some Muslim countries, it’s associated with an evil djinn. In Africa, it’s called “the witch riding your back.” However, there is an entirely physiological explanation for the phenomenon known as sleep paralysis. As we fall asleep, our minds may enter a hypnagogic state. It’s what happens when the sleeper’s still-aware mind is faced with dream images. As some people wake up, they experience a hypnopompic state, which is the dreaming mind faced with stimuli from the real world. In both cases, the dreams can seem very real, taking on a vivid, hallucinatory feeling. Often these images are of black smudges, which the confused mind interprets as human figures, sometimes called “shadow people.” The hallucinations can also take the form of sounds like a loud bang or a child’s cry. These episodes frequently begin with a falling feeling followed by a “hypnic jerk” where the body’s muscles violently contract. One of the scarier experiences with sleep paralysis is the inclusion of lucid dreaming and false awakening. The sleeper recognizes he’s asleep and tries to wake up. He opens his eyes in relief, but soon realizes he’s still asleep. This can go on for some time, sometimes resulting in an actual awareness of his real surroundings—the pressure of the covers, the light of the room beyond his eyelids—but still the inability to fully waken. That awareness can slip away again, returning the sleeper to the hallucinations. Muscle paralysis in sleep is a necessary thing. People who act out their dreams on a regular basis are prone to accidental injury—even jumping out of windows. Knowing that you’re asleep and paralyzed, however, can be frightening. You tell yourself to open your eyes, just to get caught in another false awakening. One theory is that sleep paralysis affects the larger parts of the body more completely. You can try to wake up by wiggling your toes or fingers. It’s also possible to pray during this time. This will often give comfort that lets you fall back into unconsciousness. You may be able to avoid sleep paralysis by getting sufficient rest and avoiding drugs and alcohol. In probably the vast majority of cases, sleep paralysis is just a quirk in a person’s REM cycle, not a spiritual attack. At the same time, there is no denying that demons can and do attack us. It seems plausible, then, that demons can and do attack us while we sleep. In the Gospels, several instances of demonic attack involved clear physical symptoms. So, it is possible that a demonic attack could result in symptoms resembling sleep paralysis. Whatever the case, we have a God who watches over us, whether we are awake or asleep (1 John 4:4). “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).   Read more… https://youtu.be/ibvjxIQQLJs

Read More

Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart

Mother & Refuge02 mins

O Lord Jesus Christ, To your most Sacred Heart, I confide this/these intention: (mention your intention) Only look upon me, And then do What your Sacred Heart inspires. Let your Sacred Heart decide I count on it, I trust in it I throw myself on Your mercy, Lord Jesus! You will not fail me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your Kingdom come. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked you for many favors, But I earnestly implore this one. Take it. Place it in Your open, broken Heart; And, when the Eternal Father looks upon It, Covered with Your Precious Blood, He will not refuse it. It will be no longer my prayer, But Yours, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

Read More

Couldn’t you watch with me one hour? How to Pray a Holy Hour, a Minute-by-Minute Guide

Mother & Refuge07 mins

To pray a holy hour, all you need is a tabernacle with a lit sanctuary lamp, a Bible, and perhaps a Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (available online). Three Rules 1.  Be Silent. Don’t rattle prayers or silently review stresses. Be still exteriorly and interiorly. 2.  Be Attentive. It’s not simply a reading hour — reading should be an entry-point to prayer. 3.  Be Alert. Sit, stand, or kneel respectfully. Quick tip: If you get sleepy, stand up! Minute-by-Minute There is no one way to pray a holy hour. The following might help if you get lost in the hour, but feel free to reconfigure it to suit your needs. :00-:05 – Begin First 5 Minutes: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you, then make acts of faith, hope and charity. Tell God how you believe, trust and love him. Ask for more faith, hope and love. Quick tip: There are great prayers to the Holy Spirit and Acts of Faith, Hope and Love in the Compendium. :05-:15 – Adoration Next 10 Minutes: Adore God. He holds the universe like a seed in the palm of his hand. He is all powerful, all good, more beautiful than we can imagine, and more real than the small things that we grasp so easily. Imagine Christ sitting with you. Tell him: “Oh my God, I adore your divine greatness from the depths of my littleness; you are so great, and I am so small.” or “Glory be …” Repeat as long as necessary. Quick Tip: Try the Te Deum in the Compendium. Scriptural helps for adoration—Exodus 33:18-23; Song of Songs 2:8-17;  Matthew 2:1-11; John 1:1-18;  Colossians 1:15-20; Philippians, 2:6-11. :15-:25 – Contrition Next 10 Minutes: Offer reparation. It’s not your love for God, but his for you that saves. Examine your conscience. Offer reparation for the sins of the world. Pray: “Oh my Jesus, I am so sorry. Forgive me.” (Imagine Jesus on the cross; kiss each wound.) Quick tip: Scriptures for contrition—1Corinthians 13:4-7; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; James 3:2-12; 1 John 1:5-2:6; Penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 142. :25-:40 – Meditation Next 15 Minutes: Contemplate God’s action. You may wish to meditatively pray the Stations of the Cross or a Rosary. Or: Scriptural meditation. Read a brief Gospel passage. Imagine the scene. Notice Christ’s reactions. Think of three ways the passage applies to your own life. Meditate on each line. Doctrinal meditation. Read Scripture or Catechism passages that apply to a doctrine of the Church. Appreciate God’s plan and find ways it applies to you. (Perhaps: Sun, Resurrection; Mon, Incarnation; Tues, Mercy/con­fession; Wed, Holy Spirit; Thurs, Eucharist; Fri, Passion; Sat., Mary). Life meditation. Or, deepening your examination of conscience, look at your own life. Which kind of pride do you most fall into? Selfishness (valuing yourself most), Vanity (valuing others opinions most), Sensuality (valuing comforts most). Pray for the opposite virtues: Charity (serving others first), Fidelity (putting Christ’s opinion first), Discipline (accepting your crosses). :40-:50 – Thanksgiving Next 10 Minutes: Express gratitude for all God’s gifts. He didn’t just create you, he sustains your existence out of love in every moment. Thank him for literally everything, and be specific: food, shelter, clothing, health, family, friends, teachers, coworkers, home, and most of all spiritual gifts — faith, hope, love, this time of prayer, the Catholic faith, the disciples who reached you. Thank God for answers to prayer. Thank him for crosses. Thank him for creating you and caring so much for you that he died for you. Quick tip: Scriptures for thanksgiving – Genesis 1; Genesis 8:15-22; Job 1:13-22; Daniel 3:46 ff.; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 17:11-19; Psalms: 8, 65, 66, 100, 111. :50-:55 – Petition God Next 5 Minutes: Ask God for what you and others need. He is the king of the universe. He’s in control, even when it isn’t obvious. Pray for: The Church, the pope’s intentions, for those who are suffering, for priests and bishops, for religious, for vocations, for your country, your family, for what you need most in the spiritual life. Pray for peace and the protection of the institution of the family. Pray for those who have asked for prayers. :55-1:00 Final 5 Minutes: Make a resolution to act on a light of the Holy Spirit you received: something doable and checkable. Read more…

Read More

Video-Vatican & Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter’s Basilica to allow virtual visits

Mother & Refuge03 mins

https://youtu.be/375qvk06Zf4 Entitled “St. Peter’s Basilica: AI-Enhanced Experience,” an AI-enabled project was unveiled on Monday in collaboration with Microsoft and Iconem, a heritage digitalization company, as the Church prepares for the Jubilee celebrations in 2025. As speakers at a press conference explained, the digital creation of a replica of St. Peter’s Basilica allows for immersive virtual tours and in-depth digital exhibitions that bring the grandeur of the Renaissance marvel into much sharper focus. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, expressed his delight during the briefing, comparing the experience to gazing at a “starry sky on a summer night.” “The new tools act like a telescope or spaceship for better viewing,” he said, capturing the essence of this remarkable digital expansion. A partnership between ancient and modern The partnership between the Vatican and Microsoft is notable not only for its ambition but also for its innovative use of technology in service of faith and heritage, said  Microsoft President Brad Smith, speaking at the press conference. In an interview with Vatican News’ Fabio Colagrande, Smith reflected on the unique role technology can play in bridging past and present. “I believe it adds to the spiritual experience of pilgrims coming to Rome,” he said, recalling that “Just going through it myself yesterday, gave me even more insight into the memory of Saint Peter, his life, and what he stood for. It brings that history to life.” Smith explained that the virtual experience offers a new perspective, allowing viewers to “see parts of the Basilica that one cannot see,” and through the digital exhibit, visitors can access spaces usually out of reach, like the Roman tombs below and intricate artwork in the Basilica’s high dome. Read more…

Read More

St. Thérèse’s prophetic words to St. Faustina in a dream?

Mother & Refuge02 mins

St. Faustina had a difficult time when she was a novice, experiencing both interior and exterior forms of suffering. She prayed to a variety of saints for help, but did not receive any consolation. Then she prayed to St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her novena was very successful. The dream St. Faustina was a novice in the 1920s, and St. Thérèse was canonized in 1925, but St. Faustina knew of her and her autobiography even before she entered the convent. She also likely heard many of the favors that St. Thérèse was known for and decided to pray a novena to the Little Flower in hopes that she would intercede for her before God. St. Faustina writes about the dream in her Diary, explaining how she saw St. Thérèse on the fifth day of her novena: On the fifth day of the novena, I dreamed of St. Thérèse, but it was as if she were stillliving on earth. She hid from me the fact that she was a saint and began to comfort me,saying that I should not be worried about this matter, but should trust more in God. Shesaid, “I suffered greatly, too,” but I did not quite believe her and said, “It seems to me thatyou have not suffered at all.” Read more…

Read More

Is 11.11 Wishing a Form of Idolatry?

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Basically, the definition of wish is a desire for something. Under that definition, even Jesus Christ expressed wishes at times: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Lk 13:34). Sometimes people express the hope that they have that certain wishes will be granted by stating the wish while doing some specific act (e.g., blowing out candles, watching a shooting star, pitching coins into a fountain). Unless there is a belief that the action will magically bring about the wish, which most people do not entertain, there is no superstition involved (cf. CCC 2111). Certainly, there is no idolatry.

Read More

An Essential Guide to Catholic Meditation

Mother & Refuge026 mins

What Is Meditation and How Does It Benefit Catholics? At its most basic definition, meditation is a method that helps people relax. When you meditate, you intentionally breathe deeper and relax your muscles. Your racing thoughts will calm down, and for a moment, the busyness of life comes to a halt. It’s just you and the peace of the moment. Let’s face it — life can be pretty hectic at times. Some people are unaware of how stressed they are until they finally have a moment of peace and quiet. But the truth is that you’re only human. It’s only through engaging in a healthy dose of self-care that you can care for others. Meditation is a way that people around the world care for themselves. Meditation deactivates the sympathetic nervous system, one of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of you that controls unconscious operations like sweating and other functions that prepare your body for physical activity. Of these functions, the most noticeable when it kicks in is what’s called the “fight or flight” response. Your body can enter fight or flight mode for various reasons. It can result from perceived dangers, which are dangers that only exist in your mind. These can stem from past traumas or self-made worries. Your body can also enter a state of fight or flight from actual, present circumstances that happen unexpectedly. The purpose of meditation is to help you exit from this state of fight or flight. Your body and mind will calm down, and you’ll be able to think more clearly again. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll see in the next section how Catholic meditation differs from traditional meditation. For now, know that meditation is a means of calming down and finding peace during life’s stressful moments. Catholics are susceptible to the stresses of life like everyone else. Meditation has many benefits for Catholics, including the following: Reduced anxiety: Whether your anxiety stems from a real or perceived threat, Catholic meditation can help you regain your confidence. Remember that God’s will for you is good, as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11. He is with you every step of the way. Greater awareness of the present moment: Meditation can help recenter you. Life is busy and can have you going from one thing to the next without a moment’s pause. Eventually, you could feel like your life is out of control. Carving out time to meditate can help ground you so you’re more invested in your current moment. Trust that God has control over your circumstances, according to Proverbs 19:21. Increased sense of peace and wellbeing: When you meditate in a way that draws you closer to God, you can feel greater peace knowing that you’re spending time with Him. Be thankful for your relationship with God and let the peace of Christ found in Colossians 3:15 guide your heart. But are there different types of Catholic meditation? What is Catholic meditation like compared to other forms of meditation? To reap the benefits listed above, you need to be sure you’re meditating properly and understand how it differs from traditional meditation. How Does Catholic Meditation Differ From Traditional Meditation? When talking about religion in a broad sense, the topic of meditation will likely come up. Even non-church-goers will sometimes mention meditation in passing, but it could leave you wondering what they are talking about. Couple this with your priest mentioning meditation during mass, and you could be left wondering if he’s talking about the same thing. Can anyone meditate, and does everyone who practices meditation do it the same way? The act of meditation may even carry some negative connotations in specific contexts. Perhaps you’ve heard that meditation is a bad thing, that it empties your mind and moves you further from God. Maybe you’ve heard that only new-age religions allow meditation and that Catholics avoid meditation. This is traditional meditation — meditation that causes the meditator to look inward and close themselves off from other forces, including God. Catholic meditation is different. When you hear your priest talk about meditation, he’s talking about a form of prayer meditation that fills the mind with thoughts of God and your relationship with Him. Catholic meditative prayer brings you closer to God. It fills your mind with thoughts of Christ and His work in your life instead of emptying your mind from all thoughts. Catholic meditation encourages engagement. It demands concentration and intention. It fosters divine inspiration and prayers that you can offer up to your Heavenly Father. And the Bible even talks about it, so you know the practice is rooted in scripture. Psalm 1:2 says blessed is the person who meditates on the law of the Lord instead of walking in the counsel of the wicked. When you meditate, you’re shielding yourself from evil thoughts and instead focusing on God and what He wants to say to you at that moment. Catholic meditation helps you grow as a believer and spend time with God, investing in your relationship with Him. 6 Steps to Meditating as a Catholic Now that you know what Catholic meditation is, you may be wondering how to practice it yourself. Like other disciplines, it will take practice and time to become experienced. Catholic meditation may feel challenging at first, but you can become more comfortable with it the more you practice it. Here are six steps to help get you started meditating as a Catholic.   1. Prepare and Open in Prayer It’s essential to prepare for your time of meditation. If you can, give yourself plenty of time to prepare before beginning. Try to leave the worries and cares of life behind as you approach this sacred time between you and God. And be sure to bring your Bible, as your time in meditation should be rooted in the Word of God. Pick the passage you intend to read before meditating to limit time spent leafing through the pages looking for something to read. Approach the experience…

Read More

PRAYER FOR THE POOR SOULS

Mother & Refuge02 mins

By, St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them.R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Amen.  

Read More