December 16, 2024

April 2023

What to Do on Divine Mercy Sunday? Are You Ready to Receive Special Graces?

Mother & Refuge07 mins

By Marian Fathers Are you discouraged that you will not be able to receive the special graces of Divine Mercy Sunday promised directly by our Lord through St. Faustina in the 1930s? Don’t be. Even though churches are closed and you cannot go to Confession and receive Holy Communion, you can receive these special graces this Sunday, April 19, Divine Mercy Sunday. And we’re going to tell you how. Let’s begin by reading what is arguably the most important passage in St. Faustina’s Diary, when Jesus tells St. Faustina: I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699). There it is: Jesus promises that the soul that’s been to Confession and receives Holy Communion will be completely wiped away of the two stains that are on our soul. Those stains are sin and the punishment due to sin. The special grace promised by our Lord for Divine Mercy Sunday is nothing less than the equivalent of a complete renewal of baptismal grace in the soul. But how can you receive this complete forgiveness of sins and remission of all punishment? After all, churches are closed and Confession and Communion are not available.  There is, however, still a way to receive this grace. Do these three things on Divine Mercy Sunday with the intention to turn away from sin in your life: Make an Act of Contrition Since you are unable to get to Confession, make an Act of Contrition, instead. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is ‘sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again’” (1451). You thereby will be completely forgiven of all sins, even “mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism, 1452).   Make a Spiritual Communion Since churches are closed and you cannot receive Holy Communion, make a Spiritual Communion instead, asking God to come into your heart as if you received Him sacramentally — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. For instance, you can say this: Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You were already there, I embrace You and unite myself to You; permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen.  Again, do this act of trust with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible.    Say a prayer like this: Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace. Finally, please remember that this extraordinary promise of Divine Mercy Sunday is for everyone. Tell your non-Catholic friends about it. Everyone can ask Jesus to forgive their sins. Everyone can make a Spiritual Communion. And everyone can ask for this grace to completely wipe their slate clean of not only all sin, but all punishment due to sin. Normally, the punishment is not remitted unless one has absolute perfect contrition. And unlike a plenary indulgence, there is no requirement of having perfect detachment from sin. In other words, as long as we have a desire for this grace and intention to amend our lives, we can be completely cleansed with grace similar to our original Baptism. It is a way to really start over in our spiritual life!  Read more…

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Dedication of the Rural Family to the Divine Mercy

Mother & Refuge03 mins

Almighty and merciful Father,whom Your only-begotten Son,our Lord, Jesus Christ,has named the Husbandman, or Farmer,graciously accept our praise and adoration.All things were made by Youand all that we have is Yours. Our lives and our talents,our home and furnishings,the soil and its fruits,the animals and their abode,sunshine and rain,fruit and harvest are all from You.By their use we are to come more securely to You.For all Your gifts, O God,we offer You our thanks. You have made us branches of Your Son,the true Vine,members of Your kingdom,and sheep of Him who is our Good Shepherd.In gratitude and lovewe promise to remain ever closeto the Divine Heart of Him who is the Way,the Truth, and the Life. We humbly beseech You to look with favor upon this Your familyand to sanctify its members.Bless also our home,our flocks and herds,our fields and labors.Keep from us all attacks of Satanand preserve us from all evil,through Your beloved Son in the charity of the Holy Spirit. With filial affection and reverencewe humbly dedicate ourselves to the Blessed Trinity,the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.Keep us ever in Your love,faithful and true unto death. We place this our dedicationin the pure hands of the Immaculate Mother of God,the patroness of our beloved country.May the Most Holy Virgin Marycarry this offering of ourselvesand all that is ours to the throne of Your Divine majesty.Grant us through her intercession,we beseech You,the grace to pass through things temporalthat we may not lose those which are eternal.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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These People Receive Wounds Of The Stigmata

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Meet the extraordinary people who claim to receive open wounds of the stigmata from Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. A fascinating documentary examining evidence from people claiming to receive the open wounds of the stigmata – the wounds of Christ’s Crucifixion which appear physically on the hands, feet and side of a rare and, some would say, chosen few. The programme features stigmatics from around the world, including the three from the UK, and throughout history – from St Francis to Padre Pio. It covers the various theories that have been put forward to explain this mysterious phenomenon: multiple personality disorder, self-infliction of wounds, and the possible psychosomatic reproduction of traumatic injuries years after the event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wViL_uSdrCk

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O Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Heaven

Mother & Refuge02 mins

hymn from the Roman Brieviary, 5th century O Christ, whose glory fills the heaven, our only hope, in mercy given; Child of a Virgin meek and pure; Son of the Highest evermore: Grant us Thine aid Thy praise to sing, as opening days new duties bring; that with the light our life may be renewed and sanctified by Thee. The morning star fades from the sky, the sun breaks forth; night’s shadows fly: O Thou, true Light, upon us shine: our darkness turn to light divine. Within us grant Thy light to dwell: and from our souls dark sins expel; Cleanse Thou our minds from stain of ill, and with Thy peace our bosoms fill. To us strong faith forever give, with joyous hope, in Thee to live; That life’s rough way may ever be made strong and pure by charity. All laud to God the Father be; All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet, to God the Holy Paraclete. Aeterna caeli gloria, beata spes mortalium, celsi Parentis Unice, castaeque proles Virginis: Da dexteram surgentibus, exsurgat et mens sobria. flagrans et in laudem Dei grates rependat debitas. Ortus refulget lucifer, ipsamque lucem nuntiat, cadit caligo noctium, lux sancta nos illuminet. Manensque ostris sensibus noctem repellat saeculi omnique fine temporis purgata servet pectora. Quaesita iam primum fides radicet altis sensibus, secunda spes congaudeat, tunc4 maior exstat caritas. Sit, Christe, rex piissime, tibi Patrique gloria, cum Spiritu Paraclito, in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

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Jim Caveizel’s real story – almost died during shooting “The Passion of the Christ”

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Jim tells the compelling story of how he almost died making “The Passion of the Christ” movie. He got sick with double pneumonia in both lungs, his weight dropped form 210 to 165 and his sholder continually kept coming out of joint. He turned blue and it was not make-up. The doctor told Mel Gibson that he could die during this scene. Jim prayed and God told him to go on with the scene. Jim decided if he did die, perhaps it would bring more people to Christ. Listen to his own testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzH6w8rR1RA

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Canticle of Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi

Mother & Refuge03 mins

Most High, All-powerful, All-Good, Lord!All praise is Yours,all glory, all honorAnd all blessing. To You alone, Most High, do they belong.No mortal lips are worthyTo pronounce your name. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through all that You have made,And first my lord Brother Sun,Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him.How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;In the heavens You have made them, brightAnd precious and fair. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,And fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods,By which You cherish all that You have made. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,So useful, lowly,precious, and pure. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,Through whom You brighten up the night.How beautiful he is, how happy!Full of power and strength. All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,Who feeds us in her sovereignty and producesVarious fruits and colored flowers and herbs. All praise be Yours, my Lord,through those who grant pardonFor love of You;through those who endureSickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace,By You, Most High,they will be crowned. All praise be Yours, my Lord,through Sister Death-of-the-Body,From whose embraceno mortal can escape.Woe to those who diein mortal sin,Happy those She findsdoing Your holy will!The second death can dono harm to them. Praise and bless my Lord,and give Him thanks,And serve Him with great humility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRDxpmV27p8

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St. Hildegard’s Prophetic Vision: Renewal and Hope for the Church

Mother & Refuge07 mins

Are you ready to uncover the fascinating prophecies of one of the most intriguing women in the history of the Catholic Church? A medieval visionary, Benedictine abbess, writer, composer and mystic, St. Hildegard of Bingen not only spoke about the Church’s end times but also had a clear message of hope and renewal. Her prophecies, as recorded in her book Scivias, offer insight into an era of great upheaval and challenges for the Church, but also a vision of a renewed and strengthened Church, sustained by the grace of God. Let’s delve into the prophecies of St. Hildegard of Bingen and discover how they can inspire us to face the challenges of our own time with faith, courage, and hope. In her book Scivias, which she completed in 1151, St. Hildegard predicted an era of great upheaval in the Church, which she referred to as the “Age of the Grey Wolf.” She foresaw a crisis of faith, corruption among the clergy, and a lack of leadership in the Church. She prophesied that “the time is coming when princes and peoples will reject the authority of the Pope” and “some countries will prefer their own Church rulers to the Pope.” “Toward the end of the world, mankind will be purified through suffering. This will be true, especially of the clergy who will be robbed of all property. “The Church will not be left in peace, and the enemies of Christ and His Church will be many.” She predicted that “the German Empire will be divided,” “church property will be secularized,” and that “priests will be persecuted.” St. Hildegard also predicted that “the Church will be punished because the majority of her members, high and low, will become so perverted.” But that’s just the beginning. She wrote to St. Bernard of Clairvaux that “the Church will sink deeper until she finally seems to be extinguished, and the succession of Peter and the other Apostles to have expired. But, after this, she will be victoriously exalted in the sight of all doubters.” Despite these challenges, St. Hildegard believed that the Church would ultimately overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger than ever before. She foresaw a time of spiritual renewal and the rise of a new generation of holy leaders who would guide the Church into a new era of peace and prosperity. She said, “the Church will be divided, and there will be much strife and discord, but the faithful will persevere and be rewarded.” “The Church will suffer greatly, and her enemies will seem to triumph, but God will intervene and restore her to her former glory.” She also predicted that “the Church will be purified and made radiant, and many will be saved through her” and that “the Church will be in turmoil and confusion, and many will be deceived, but those who remain faithful will be rewarded.” “The Church will be attacked by many enemies, but she will emerge victorious and will shine like the sun.” St. Hildegard believed that “the Church will undergo a great trial, but she will be sustained by the grace of God and will emerge stronger than ever before.” The prophecies of St. Hildegard of Bingen offer a powerful message of hope and renewal for the Church. As we witness a world in chaos, where faith is under attack, and the Church is facing an internal crisis, her prophecies speak to us with a prophetic urgency. Despite the challenges and trials she foresaw, she firmly believed that the Church would ultimately emerge stronger and more radiant than ever before. Her prophetic words are not just an interesting historical artifact but a timeless reminder that God’s grace is always at work, even in the darkest moments of human history. Let us take inspiration from St. Hildegard’s prophecies to face the challenges of our time with faith, courage, and hope. It is important to keep in mind that interpreting these prophecies requires prayerful discernment, as they are not considered official Church teachings. However, St. Hildegard’s status as a Doctor of the Church, which was officially conferred upon her by Pope Francis in 2019, gives her prophecies considerable credibility. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, and her recognition as a Doctor of the Church makes her one of only four women to have received this title. O Mary, Mother of the End Times, pray for us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5dwcaO6my0

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The Greatest Moment in History: Revealed by an Exorcist – Our Lady’s Most Glorious Act

Mother & Refuge08 mins

As the Church teaches, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the greatest of all God’s creatures. She is the one who was chosen by God to bring His only Son into the world, and her role in salvation history is unparalleled. But what is Our Lady’s greatest glory?   In the history of humanity, there have been many moments of triumph and honour. But according to an exorcist, Father Chad Ripperger, one moment stands above all others.   During an exorcism, Fr Ripperger encountered a demon who admitted that he had been the angel created by God to head the hierarchy of angels meant to serve Our Lady as Queen of Heaven.   This demon had been reduced to tears when Father pointed out that his name would never be written in Heaven next to Our Lady’s.   It was the Feast of the Assumption, and upon the demon denying Father’s assertion that the Assumption is Our Lady’s greatest glory, Father Ripperger commanded him to reveal the truth: What is Our Lady’s greatest glory?   Why isn’t it her Assumption into Heaven, free from the stain of sin?   The demon explained that our Lady’s Assumption into Heaven is her greatest triumph. She was taken from this life into the next, having completed her life absolutely sinless.    She entered Heaven as the Queen of Angels, perfectly pure and holy. Assumed body and soul into Heaven, she now reigns with her Son as Queen of Heaven and Earth.   To get back to our question… Could it be her Crowning as Queen of Heaven and Earth perhaps? No.   According to the demon, Our Lady’s Coronation is the moment of her greatest honour. It is the recognition of her excellence by which God drew attention to her perfections.   The crowning also has a very specific meaning in spiritual warfare. “It means that she rules, and whenever she asks for something, she gets it because she never offended God and always did everything to please Him. As a result of that, He will never deny her anything.”   “We’ve all offended (God) to some degree or another,” says Fr. Ripperger, “and as a result of that, His level of trust in us is only proportionate to how much He knows He can trust us.” But Our Lady never hurt Him. Everything she did was purely for Him.   The demon revealed that never once did she count the personal cost of any of her sacrifices, and that was because, as Spouse of the Holy Ghost, her pure love for Him consumed her. This relationship with God is unique to Our Lady and gives her a powerful intercessory role as a warrior for God.   But there’s more. Mary’s crowning also makes her powerful against demons. In spiritual warfare, demons are terrified of her, for they know that she is their greatest adversary. She is the one who was chosen to crush the head of the serpent, and she has been given the power to defeat him and all his minions.   Indeed, the demon was forced to reveal that Our Lady’s most glorious moment was something else entirely…   The most glorious moment, in all of history in fact, aside from Christ’s Passion is when Our Lady stood in perfect virtue at the foot of the Cross.   It was there that she participated in her Son’s redemption of mankind.   It was there that she united her sufferings to His, and it was there that she became our Mother.   She intercedes for us and protects us from the devil. Her standing at the Cross shows us the depth of her love for us and her willingness to suffer for our salvation. This moment has been etched in the hearts of believers for centuries, and it continues to inspire us to this day.   “What do we mean by glorious?” Father explains. “Saint Thomas defines glory as the manifestation of excellence. And just by looking at Our Lady at Calvary, we see the manifestation of the greatest excellence in all of creation, aside from Christ.”   Our Lady’s standing at the foot of the Cross is powerful and profound as she models for us what it means to love God with every fibre of our being… what it means to be a true disciple of Christ.   Our Lady’s Assumption, crowning, and standing at the foot of the Cross are all important aspects of her glory. Each reveals a different facet of her perfection and her love for God and for us. Let us turn to her in times of need and ask for her intercession.   She is Our Lady, Our Mother, and Our Queen.   Let us remember this moment of glory.   Let us remember the sacrifice that Our Lady made for us.   Let us honour her as Queen of Heaven and Earth and let us strive to follow her example of perfect virtue and pure love for God.   Join us in praying to Our Lady and experiencing her powerful intercession against the forces of evil.   Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylHbccuHkTo

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