December 16, 2024

May 2023

Orthodox Church of Ukraine Decides to Celebrate Christmas on December 25 as per Gregorian Calendar

Mother & Refuge04 mins

The autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has charted history by deciding to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 as per the Gregorian Calendar like the Roman Catholics. This decision was taken by the Council of Bishops on May 24 in an apparent act of defiance towards the Russian Orthodox Church. The Council almost unanimously voted to follow the Gregorian calendar for the Solemnity of the Birth of our Lord instead of celebrating it on January 7 like many other Orthodox communities while Easter and other major feasts like the Feast of the Trinity will be celebrated as per the old Julian calendar. The new changes will come into effect as of September 1 which marks the onset of the new ecclesiastical year. Orthodox believers in the war-torn nation belong to the autocephalous OCU and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which is loyal to the Russian Church. As per the Gregorian calendar, the Orthodox feast of St Nicholas the wonderworker will be observed on December 6 and OCU believers will join their Catholic brethren in celebrating the feast of Epiphany on January 6. The council of bishops of the OCU said in a decree that the decision to switch calendars regarding the celebration of Christmas was made because the Julian calendar is of secular origin and has no spiritual importance. It is also a powerful reminder of the association with the Russian Orthodox Church. “In the modern realities of the existence of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Ukrainian society, especially in connection with the aggressive Russian war against Ukraine, the demand for a change in the calendar increased significantly,” they said. However, the prelates said that for centuries the Julian calendar was the symbol of resistance to the Latinization efforts and after the communist takeover, it was a sign of resistance. But with the socio-cultural change in Ukraine, it is time for a revamp, they said. The bishop said that these days, people consider the Julian calendar as being a vestige of the Russian connection rather than a symbol of Ukrainian nationality and culture. Therefore, it was a timely decision to affirm Ukraine’s spiritual identity by switching to the Gregorian calendar while preserving the traditional Easter. Read more…

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Sister Wilhelmina in guiding us as Apostles of the End Times

Mother & Refuge05 mins

This week we have all witnessed what appears to be a great miracle for the Catholic Church in the United States: the discovery of a new Incorruptible body of a possible Saint. The Benedictine Sisters are allowing the body to be touched physically until Sunday, May 28. Those who are able to travel to this apparent miracle are wonderfully blessed. Like Thomas, they are able to put their hands on what appears to be a sign of the Resurrection, a preserved body of a holy woman.    Some have been blessed to have seen Incorruptible Saints before, and I doubt many of us had the opportunity to touch a body in this condition. Travel to places where Incorrupt bodies are on display for the faithful provides a unique sign for the Catholic Faithful. In the years to come, much will come to light about the life of Sister Wilhelmina, and certainly God has provided us a sign for us to take a close look at her life and ask, what is it that we can learn from this Holy woman.  A well-known Catholic Youtube personality stated his belief that the Faithful ought to not focus on the fact that Sister Wilhelmina was African American or that her congregation worships according to the Extra-ordinary form of the Latin Rite Mass. However, I believe that both of these facts should be known and celebrated. Firstly, what a blessing it is that we have our first African American woman incorrupt saint in the United States! Noting that Sister Wilhelmina’s great grandmother was a slave provides great reason to celebrate that in overcoming such prejudices, this family has been blessed with an amazing grace and miracle. This is a great honor for those who African American and this is something that can indeed be a source of great pride for their culture.  Secondly, it is not insignificant that Sister Wilhelmina was called to found an order founded in the traditions of the extra-ordinary form of the Mass. There is much to be said upon reflection of Sister Wilhelmina’s own spirituality that led her down this path. She left one order to found another in the middle of the 1990’s. At this time there were several people attempting to found new orders with the Latin Mass as its center and many of them failed. Sister Wilhelmina not only succeeded, but she had success in the most phenomenal of ways. In the end, the order that Sister chose to found was a Benedictine Convent – which is structured according to a very contemplative way of living. Thus, as Catholics living after Vatican II, and after the turn of the 21st century we must take a serious look at the Traditions of prayer in the Church and at least acknowledge that in the case of Sister Wilhelmina, the traditional way of prayer both as Benedictine and as centered around the Extraordinary form of the Mass led her to a very high form of Sanctity.

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Midnight Praises of the Coptic Monks

Mother & Refuge04 mins

I sought after You: from the depths of my heartMy Lord Jesus: help me.Loosen for me: all the bonds of sinMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Be a help to me: so that You may save meMy Lord Jesus: help me.May Your goodness: come speedily to meMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Overshadow me: with the shadow of Your wingsMy Lord Jesus: help me.In six days You have made: all the creationMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Seven times everyday: I will praise Your NameMy Lord Jesus: help me.All the creation: glorifies Your NameMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Yours is the Lordship: and the AuthorityMy Lord Jesus: help me.Make haste, O my God: so that You may save meMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Every knee: bows down before YouMy Lord Jesus: help me.All the diverse tongues: together bless Your NameMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Turn away Your face: from all of my sinsMy Lord Jesus: help me.Blot out, O God: all my iniquitiesMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. You know my thoughts: and You search my depthsMy Lord Jesus: help me.Create in me: a clean heartMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Your Holy Spirit: do not take away from meMy Lord Jesus: help me.Incline Your ears: make haste and hear meMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Set before me a law: in the way of Your justiceMy Lord Jesus: help me.Your Kingdom O my God: is an eternal kingdomMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. You are the Son of God: I believe in YouMy Lord Jesus: help me.You Who carries the sins of the world Have mercy upon meMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Forgive me the multitude: of my iniquitiesMy Lord Jesus: help me.All of the souls: together bless Your NameMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Have patience with me: do not hasten to destroy meMy Lord Jesus: help me.Early in the morning: I will rise and Bless Your NameMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Your yoke is sweet: and Your burden is lightMy Lord Jesus: help me.In the accepted time: hear meMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Oh, how beloved: is Your Holy NameMy Lord Jesus: help me.Disperse away from me: all of the devilsMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me. Sow within me: the seed of Your righteousnessMy Lord Jesus: help me.Grant us Your true peace: and forgive us our sinsMy Lord Jesus Christ: help me.

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Unveiling the Divine Encounter: America’s Exclusive Recognized Marian Apparition

Mother & Refuge04 mins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDbZ5t7p3UE By Aleteia On October 8, 1871, in or around a place called Peshtigo, Wisconsin, several men were setting small fires in the woods. This was a common practice in clearing land for expanding railroads or for expanding farm land. Except, on this particular day, something unexpected happened. A cold front moved into the area creating winds that were close to hurricane force. The winds fanned the flames and the resulting Peshtigo Firestorm still can claim the ignominious title as the “deadliest wildfire” in American history. To this day, no wildfire in the U.S. has ever caused more deaths. It is estimated close to 2,500 people perished in the raging 2,000-degree inferno. But there is an incredible side-bar to this story. Miraculously, there was a small group of people who were not harmed at all and they were right in the middle of the blaze. They were with Adele Brise. Adele Brise was 24 years old when she arrived in Wisconsin with her parents from Belgium in 1855. A devout Catholic, Adele had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and prayed daily. On Sunday, October 2, 1859, Adele was walking home through the woods when she saw a woman clothed in white standing between a hemlock and a maple tree. The woman was encased in a bright light and had a yellow sash around her waist.  A crown of stars was above her long, blond hair. Adele, filled with fear, began praying and the vision disappeared. She told her mom and dad about it and they told her that maybe it was a soul in need of prayers. The following Sunday, Adele was on her way to Mass with her sister and another woman when she saw the apparition a second time. But her sister and friend, who were walking a bit ahead of her, did not see anything. As Adele returned from Mass, the Lady appeared to her for the third time. Adele, who had confided in her parish priest about the mysterious lady, did as he had told her. She asked the Lady the question, “In the Name of God, who are you and what do you wish of me?” The Lady answered, “I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners… Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.” Read more…

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Seven Thanksgivings for the Seven Sheddings of Our Lord’s Blood

Mother & Refuge07 mins

Against the Seven Deadly SinsI. O Most humble Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because in Thy tenderest age, on the eighth day of Thy mortal life, Thou didst vouchsafe to shed Thy precious and innocent Blood for us, and as a true Son of Abraham to bear the pain of circumcision.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beg of Thee the grace of humility against all pride and wordly vanity.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.II. O THOU whose love is like the pelican’s for her young, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because in the Garden, out of exceeding anguish of Thy Heart, Thou didst pour forth a bloody sweat, and, wholly resigning Thyself to death, didst offer it to Thy Father.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I ask of Thee the grace of liberality against all covetousness and avarice.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.III. O MOST chaste Spouse, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thyself to be mercilessly bound in Pilate’s judgement hall, and Thy virginal flesh to be cruelly scourged and mangled.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I implore Thee the grace of chastity against all sensuality and lust.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.IV. O MOST meek Lamb, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thy sacred Head to be crowned with piercing thorns and struck with a hard reed.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I pray Thee for the grace of meekness against all anger and desire of revenge.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.V. O MOST sweet Jesus Christ, Pattern of temperance and self-denial, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst allow Thy garments to be torn from Thy bleeding body both before and after the carrying of Thy Cross, which opened Thy wounds again, and caused them to bleed afresh.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beseech of Thee the grace of temperance and abstinence against all greediness and gluttony.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.VI. O GOOD and faithful Samaritan, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because out of Thy burning love for us Thou didst suffer Thy sacred Hands and Feet to be pierced and nailed to the Cross for our redemption.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I beg of Thee the grace of brotherly love against all envy and jealously.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.VII. O Most zealous High-Priest, true God and true Man, eternal praise and thanksgiving be to Thee, because Thou didst suffer Thy sacred side to be pierced, opened, and wounded with a spear.By this most holy shedding of Thy Blood, I earnestly pray Thee for the grace of holy zeal and fervor against all sloth and weariness in Thy service, and in every religous exercise.Our Father. . .O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Amen.

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Prayer to Bind & Blind Demons

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Most gracious Virgin Mary, thou who wouldst crush the head of the serpent, protect us from the vengeance of the evil one. We offer our prayers, supplications, sufferings and good works to you so that you may purify them, sanctify them and present them to thy Son as a perfect offering. May this offering be given so that the demons that influence us (could influence us or name the person) do not know the source of the expulsion and blindness. Blind them so they know not our good works. Blind them so that they know not on whom to take vengeance. Blind them so that they may receive the just sentence for their works. Cover us with the Precious Blood of thy Son so that we may enjoy the protection which flows from His Passion and Death. We ask this through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. Source

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Before Confession…

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Be truly sorry for your sins. The essential act of Penance, on the part of the penitent, is contrition, a clear and decisive rejection of the sin committed, together with a resolution not to commit it again, out of the love one has for God (which is reborn with repentance). Understood in this way, contrition is, therefore, the beginning and the heart of conversion, of that evangelical metanoia which brings the person back to God like the Prodigal Son returning to his father, and which has in the sacrament of Penance its visible sign, and which perfects attrition (imperfect contrition-born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and other penalties threatening the sinner).2 The resolution to avoid committing these sins in the future (amendment) is a sure sign that your sorrow is genuine and authentic. This does not mean that one has to promise never to fall again into sin. A resolution to try to avoid the near occasions of sin suffices for true repentance. God’s grace in cooperation with the intention to rectify your life will give you the strength to resist and overcome temptation in the future. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. or: My God,I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.In choosing to do wrongand failing to do good,I have sinned against youwhom I should love above all things.I firmly intend with your help,to do penance,to sin no more,and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.Our Savior Jesus Christsuffered and died for us.In his name, my God, have mercy. You are now ready to go to Confession. The rite is presented on p. 336. Read more…

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