July 26, 2024

Mother & Refuge

Chaplet of the Ten Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mother & Refuge012 mins

A Glory to BeholdMary’s Ten Evangelical Virtues are typically presented in the shape of a Ten-ray star. A prime example of such Marian iconography can still be seen on the ceiling of an 18th century Marian Church in Gozlin, Poland.Above all, the star has great spiritual meaning, but it is also significant for our edification. As the morning star, Mary is radiating her Ten Evangelical Virtues and inviting us to be inspired and guided by her glorious example on our earthly pilgrimage. In our battle against evil, the Blessed Virgin Mary shines as a pattern of perfection. What is most inspiring about Our Lady’s virtues, as recorded in the Gospels, is their perfect correspondence with the beatitudes of her Son in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5: 3-12)! These blessings of Jesus form the very heart of the Gospel, which Mary’s life perfectly reflects. So it is not surprising that Mary’s virtues have been a source of inspiration down through the centuries, starting with the early Christians. After all, whoever takes to heart Jesus’ teachings and follows Him is like Mary, the model disciple of the Lord. To Jesus through MaryWe are considering here one of the Church’s great treasures. Great mystics saw in Mary’s virtues a simplified way to holiness for the faithful: Let us be like Mary and we will be holy, fulfilling the challenge of the Gospels. Thus, a great Marian devotional tradition started, best described by the principle “To Jesus through Mary.” And it has always received the support of the highest Church authorities. Both Popes Paul VI and John Paul II are good examples of this. In his exhortation Signum Magnum, published on the 50th anniversary of the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Paul VI dedicated the entire second part to the “devout following of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s virtues.” He again confirmed the rightness of the way to holiness in Jesus “through Mary”. So, too, John Paul II is known for his deep Marian piety, summed up best in his papal motto, Totus Tuus, and his everyday entrustment of himself to the Blessed Mother. Our model of lifeTurning to our own Marian Congregation, it is not an accident of history that no one else but Mary has been given to our religious community as a model. We were called into existence by Divine Providence and, in our early history, were known as the Order of the Immaculate Conception. We Marians were called from our beginnings to defend Our Lady’s perfect holiness in her Immaculate Conception. That also entailed glorifying her and imitating her evangelical virtues. One of the greatest of our early Marians, Fr. Casimir Wyszynski, said: “Whoever wants to glorify the Blessed Virgin Mary and wishes to stay under her protection, should love and respect her – but above all, should exercise the evangelical virtues and, through this, shall follow Mary’s example.”Historical RootsIt makes perfect sense, then, that, as our rule of life, we Marians chose the Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. This rule has its roots in a religious order dedicated to Our Lady.Let me share with you a bit about its origins. In 1501, an order of women religious was founded. It was named the Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Members of this order were, and still are today, called Annunciades. The co-founders of the Order were St. Joanne de Valois (1464-1505) and Blessed Gilbert-Nicolas, OFM (1463-1532). Inspired by the founding of the Order, Blessed Gilbert wrote the Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. He reasoned that since Mary was the model for the Sisters, her virtues — as named in the Gospels — should form the basis of their rule of life. According to the Sisters’ history, the “Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary” was then composed by St. Joanne, who was canonized in 1950 by Pius XII. This prayer is based on the Church’s rich rosary tradition and reflection on Our Lady’s virtues (See section on how to pray the Chaplet at the end of this article.) For the Sisters, the Chaplet served as a daily reminder of their rule of life and Marian foundation. A Rule and a Prayer for MariansThe Marians were the first and remain the only community of men religious based upon the Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. We received this rule in 1699. Until the renovation of the Order, which occurred in 1910, Marian priests and brothers professed their solemn vows based on the Rule of the Ten Virtues written by Blessed Gilbert. It’s important historically to note the prominence of the Chaplet in the life of our Marians before the renovation. Each Marian would hang his chaplet beads from the sash of his white habit. Called a decima (“ten” in Latin), the chaplet is comprised of 10 black beads, with a crucifix on one end and a medal with an image of Mary Immaculate on the other. The White Marians carried their chaplet or decima with them all their lives, and were buried still holding it in their hands. This chaplet was given to each White Marian on the first day of his religious life, when he was vested in his habit. “The Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary” was the Marians’ everyday prayer for almost two and a half centuries. In fact, in Marian iconography, paintings of our Marian Founder, Bl. Stanislaus Papczynski, and Fr. Casimir Wyszynski typically depict them holding their chaplet beads. A prayer for allPerhaps the Venerable Servant of God, Fr. Casimir understood and expressed best the spiritual significance of this powerful prayer when he wrote in the introduction to the book called The Morning Star: Although our most beloved Lady was shining with innumerable virtues, all but 10 were difficult not only to imitate, but even to understand, because, through them, Our Lady surpassed…

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J.D. Vance’s Path to Catholicism: 13 Key Moments!

Mother & Refuge014 mins

By Matt McDonald National Catholic Register, Jul 2 Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance is one of the most overtly religious major politicians in America. Vance has written extensively about his life in faith, both in a mega-selling memoir and in a long essay that describes how a drug-using teenager with anger problems, family problems, school problems, and doubts about God became an accomplished, successful family man excited about being a Catholic. But nowadays, he’s also the most questioned of religious politicians, as pro-lifers ask if he’s still one of them. Where did he come from in faith? And how did he get where he is now? Vance, who comes from a long line of culturally Protestant Scots-Irish Americans from Appalachia, was baptized Catholic in August 2019. Below are 13 items about his meandering journey to Rome and the aftermath, drawn largely from his 3-million-copy-selling 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and a 6,777-word essay he wrote about his conversion for the Easter 2020 issue of The Lamp, a Catholic magazine.  1. J.D. Vance rarely went to church as a child. Vance was largely raised by his grandmother, whom he called “Mamaw,” who believed in Jesus and liked Billy Graham but didn’t like what she called “organized religion.” Vance wasn’t baptized as a child. The family members he spent the most time around generally didn’t go to church unless they were visiting their Appalachian ancestral home in Jackson, Kentucky. Even so, he says in his memoir, his grandmother had “a deeply personal (albeit quirky) faith.” 2. Vance had a crisis of faith as a child. When he was about 10, Vance had a moment of doubt. “Mamaw, does God love us?” he asked his grandmother after a major disappointment, mindful of the fractured family life he and his half-sister were growing up in. The question caused his grandmother to cry. Vance doesn’t say how his grandmother answered the question. But he describes another instance when Mamaw accidentally went the wrong way on a three-lane interstate before making a U-turn, causing him to scream in terror. “Don’t you know Jesus rides in the car with me?” his grandmother replied. 3. As a teenager, Vance was a Pentecostal. As an adolescent, Vance reconnected with his biological father, whom he hadn’t seen much of after his parents split up. For a while, he stayed with his dad every other weekend. “With little religious training, I was desperate for some exposure to a real church,” Vance wrote in “Hillbilly Elegy.” His father had given up drinking and became a serious Pentecostal, and he would take Vance to a large Pentecostal church in southeastern Ohio with his new wife and their children. Vance drank it in. Among other things, he rejected evolution and embraced millennialism, including a belief that the world would end in 2007. “I’m not sure if I liked the structure or if I just wanted to share in something that was important to him — both, I suppose — but I became a devoted convert,” Vance writes in his memoir. 4. Vance didn’t like the Catholic Church when he was a kid. Even before he started going to a Pentecostal church, Vance thought he knew certain things about Catholicism — which he didn’t like. “I knew that Catholics worshipped Mary. I knew they rejected the legitimacy of Scripture. And I knew that the Antichrist — or at least, the Antichrist’s spiritual adviser — would be a Catholic,” Vance wrote in his April 2020 article in The Lamp of his once-misguided impressions. 5. Vance’s image of Jesus when he was growing up differed from his image of the Catholic Church’s image of Jesus. One of Vance’s aunts married a Catholic, whom Vance liked and respected. “I admired my uncle Dan above all other men …,” Vance wrote in “Hillbilly Elegy.” His grandmother liked Dan, too. But Catholicism seemed too formal and impersonal to her. “The Catholic Jesus was a majestic deity, and we had little interest in majestic deities because we weren’t a majestic people,” Vance wrote in his conversion essay. 6. “Hillbilly Elegy” isn’t a conversion story. Vance mentions the word “Catholic” or “Catholics” only five times in the 264-page book, and he never engages with Catholic teachings in it. He wrote it between 2013 and 2015, several years before he became a Catholic, and gives no hint that he had ever considered Catholicism. He also doesn’t dwell in his book on his atheism as a young man, a period he describes at length in his conversion essay in The Lamp. 7. An Anglican philosopher provided the first crack in Vance’s atheism. While he was still a nonbeliever, Vance encountered the work of English philosopher Basil Mitchell (1917–2011) in an undergraduate philosophy course at Ohio State. As Vance describes it, Mitchell, who was a member of the Church of England, presented difficult experiences in life as a trial of faith that requires trust in God without fully understanding what God has in mind. Vance was surprised by Mitchell’s presentation because as a young Christian he had always thought that “[d]oubt was unacceptable” and “that the proper response to a trial of faith was to suppress it and pretend it never happened.” “But here was Mitchell,” Vance wrote in his conversion essay, “conceding that the brokenness of the world and our individual tribulations did, in fact, count against the existence of God. But not definitively.” Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and former president Donald Trump bow in prayer during the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 18, 2024. Credit: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images 8. A homosexual billionaire influenced Vance’s outlook on life. While a student at Yale Law School, Vance went to a talk by venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who was Facebook’s first outside investor and co-founded PayPal. According to Vance, Thiel argued that elite professionals got themselves trapped into climbing rungs on the socioeconomic ladder at the expense of happiness. Vance realized that he was “obsessed with achievement” for itself…

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Practical Guide to Be Consistent in Prayer Life

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Consistency in prayer is essential for deepening your relationship with God and nurturing your faith. Here’s a practical guide to help you maintain a regular prayer life: 1. Set a Specific Time for Prayer Morning Offering: Start your day with a morning prayer. Offer all your thoughts, words, and actions to God. Evening Reflection: End your day with a prayer of thanksgiving, examination of conscience, and asking for God’s forgiveness and guidance. 2. Create a Sacred Space Designate a quiet, comfortable spot in your home for prayer. Keep religious items such as a crucifix, Bible, rosary, and candles to create a prayerful atmosphere. 3. Use a Prayer Schedule Daily Prayers: Include the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Rosary: Pray the Rosary daily or at least a decade. Liturgy of the Hours: Consider incorporating the Divine Office, especially Morning and Evening Prayer. Meditation: Spend a few minutes in silent meditation, contemplating the mysteries of faith or the daily readings. 4. Incorporate Scripture Read and meditate on a passage from the Bible each day. Reflect on how it applies to your life. Use a Catholic devotional or a daily reflection guide to help you understand and live out the Scripture. 5. Attend Mass Regularly Daily Mass: If possible, attend daily Mass to receive the Eucharist and listen to the Word of God. Sunday Obligation: Never miss Sunday Mass. It’s a fundamental part of our faith. 6. Make Use of Sacramentals Holy Water: Bless yourself with holy water as a reminder of your baptism. Rosary: Carry a rosary and use it for prayer throughout the day. Scapulars and Medals: Wear them as a sign of devotion and protection. 7. Keep a Prayer Journal Write down your prayers, reflections, and any insights or inspirations you receive during prayer. Review your journal regularly to see how God is working in your life. 8. Pray with Others Join a prayer group or a Bible study. Pray with your family, teaching children the importance of prayer. Participate in parish activities and devotions, such as Adoration, Stations of the Cross, or novenas. 9. Seek Spiritual Guidance Find a spiritual director or confessor to help guide your prayer life and spiritual growth. Regular confession helps maintain a state of grace and deepens your relationship with God. 10. Be Patient and Persevere Understand that prayer is a journey. There may be dry spells or distractions, but persevere. Trust in God’s timing and be open to His will. Sample Daily Prayer Routine Morning Morning Offering Read a Scripture passage Brief meditation Midday Angelus (at noon) Short prayer or reflection Evening Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours Rosary Examination of conscience Night prayer By incorporating these practices, you can develop a consistent and enriching prayer life that strengthens your faith and draws you closer to God.

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St. Padre Pio’s 3 Simple Weapons for Spiritual Warfare

Mother & Refuge16 mins

In the life of a devout Catholic, the concept of spiritual warfare is ever-present. We are constantly reminded of the battle between good and evil, light and darkness, and the need for steadfastness in our faith. St. Padre Pio, a revered saint and mystic, provides profound insights into this struggle. Known for his piety, miracles, and deep spiritual wisdom, St. Padre Pio emphasized three simple yet powerful weapons in the battle against the forces of evil: prayer, the sacraments, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. 1. Prayer: The Foundation of Spiritual Life Prayer is the cornerstone of any spiritual life, serving as our direct line of communication with God. St. Padre Pio was a man of deep prayer, often found in fervent conversation with the Divine. He understood prayer not just as a ritual, but as a vital, living relationship with God. Padre Pio once said, “Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key to God’s heart.” Through prayer, we draw closer to God, seeking His guidance, strength, and protection. It is in moments of prayer that we fortify our spirits, gain clarity, and find peace amidst the chaos of life. St. Padre Pio encouraged both personal and communal prayer, emphasizing the importance of the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other devotions. 2. The Sacraments: Channels of Grace The sacraments are visible signs of God’s invisible grace, instituted by Christ Himself. For St. Padre Pio, the sacraments were essential in maintaining spiritual health and fortitude. He particularly emphasized the importance of the Eucharist and Confession. The Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life, provides spiritual nourishment and unites us intimately with Christ. Padre Pio’s devotion to the Mass was profound; he often experienced mystical phenomena during the celebration of the Eucharist. He taught that receiving the Body and Blood of Christ strengthens us against the temptations and trials we face. Confession, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation, was another cornerstone of Padre Pio’s ministry. He spent countless hours hearing confessions, offering guidance, and absolving sins. He believed that frequent confession cleanses the soul, restores grace, and empowers the faithful to resist the snares of the devil. 3. The Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Heavenly Advocate St. Padre Pio had an immense devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he saw as a powerful advocate and protector in the spiritual battle. He often urged the faithful to turn to Mary in times of need, trusting in her intercession and maternal care. Mary, the Mother of God, is the model of perfect discipleship and obedience to God’s will. Her “yes” to God brought forth our Savior, and her continued intercession aids us in our journey towards holiness. Padre Pio frequently recommended the Rosary as a powerful weapon against evil, referring to it as “the weapon” for our times. By meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life through the Rosary, we deepen our understanding of His love and sacrifice, and we invite Mary’s protection and guidance into our lives. Conclusion In the midst of spiritual warfare, St. Padre Pio’s simple yet profound counsel reminds us of the tools we have at our disposal. Through steadfast prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we arm ourselves with the grace and strength needed to resist evil and grow in holiness. As we navigate the trials of life, let us remember Padre Pio’s wisdom and seek to incorporate these spiritual weapons into our daily lives. Through them, we draw closer to God and stand firm in our faith, ever ready to combat the forces that seek to draw us away from His love.

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How The World Looked When Jesus Was Born

Mother & Refuge09 mins

When our Lord Jesus Christ was born, around 4 BC, the world was a vast and intricate mosaic, held together by the immense power of the Roman Empire. To understand this sacred period, we turn to the insights of Roman geographers and historians, whose writings provide a window into the ancient world as it was when the Savior entered it. The Roman Empire: The Pinnacle of Civilization The Extent of the Empire At the time of Jesus’s birth, the Roman Empire was under the rule of Emperor Augustus, the first Roman emperor who had established the Pax Romana—a period of relative peace and stability across the empire. Roman geographers like Strabo and Pliny the Elder documented the expanse of Roman territories, which stretched from the British Isles in the northwest to Egypt in the southeast, and from Hispania (modern Spain) in the west to the regions of Syria and Judea in the east. Infrastructure and Urbanization The Romans prided themselves on their infrastructure. Roads, aqueducts, and cities were meticulously planned and constructed, facilitating trade, military movement, and communication. The Via Appia, one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads, connected Rome to the southern parts of Italy, exemplifying the empire’s engineering prowess. Economic and Cultural Hubs Cities like Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch were bustling centers of commerce, culture, and political activity. Roman geographers highlighted the significance of these cities not only as administrative centers but also as melting pots of different cultures, languages, and religions. Judea: The Birthplace of Jesus Geographical Significance Judea, where Jesus was born, was a small but significant province in the Roman Empire. Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, it was a land of diverse peoples and cultures. Roman geographers described it as a region of strategic importance, lying along vital trade routes and connecting various parts of the empire. Political Climate The political landscape of Judea was complex. It was under Roman occupation, with local governance often in the hands of client kings like Herod the Great. The Roman presence was marked by a blend of direct rule and local autonomy, a system designed to maintain stability while extracting resources and loyalty from the local populace. Socio-Economic Conditions The economy of Judea was largely agrarian, with agriculture forming the backbone of daily life. Roman records indicate that the region produced olives, figs, and dates, which were vital for both local consumption and export. The social fabric of Judea was a tapestry of various groups, including Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, each with its own customs and religious practices. Beyond the Roman Frontiers: The Known World Neighboring Civilizations Roman geographers were aware of civilizations beyond the empire’s borders. To the east lay the Parthian Empire, a formidable rival known for its skilled horsemen and archers. The Silk Road, a series of trade routes connecting the East and West, brought goods and ideas from as far as China and India into the Roman sphere of influence. The African Continent Africa was known to the Romans through their interactions with Egypt and the kingdom of Kush. The Nile River was a critical artery for trade and transportation, and Roman geographers like Strabo described the wealth of Egypt in terms of its grain production, which was essential for feeding the population of Rome. Northern Europe and the Barbarian Tribes To the north, beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire, lay the territories of various barbarian tribes. The Romans had frequent encounters—both hostile and peaceful—with these groups, whose lands were characterized by dense forests and rugged terrain. Roman geographers often depicted these regions as mysterious and untamed, inhabited by peoples with different customs and ways of life. The Worldview of Roman Geographers Maps and Descriptions Roman geographers created maps and wrote extensive descriptions of the known world. While these maps were rudimentary by modern standards, they reflected the Roman understanding of geography and their place within the world. The “Orbis Terrarum,” or the map of the world, often placed Rome at the center, symbolizing its perceived role as the heart of civilization. Cultural Exchange and Knowledge The Roman Empire was a conduit for cultural exchange. The spread of ideas, technologies, and religious beliefs was facilitated by the empire’s extensive network of roads and trade routes. This period saw the mingling of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Near Eastern cultures, creating a rich tapestry of intellectual and cultural life. Conclusion The world at the time of Jesus’s birth was a dynamic and interconnected realm, intricately described by Roman geographers. From the bustling streets of Rome to the sacred landscapes of Judea, the Roman Empire was a complex mosaic of cultures, economies, and political entities. Understanding this context enriches our comprehension of the historical and cultural backdrop into which Jesus was born, lived, and preached—a world poised between tradition and transformation, seeking meaning and connection in a vast and varied landscape. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus entered this world at the appointed time, fulfilling the prophecies and bringing salvation to humanity. The richness of the Roman world, with its diversity and interconnectedness, provided the perfect stage for the spread of the Gospel. The birth of Jesus in a humble manger in Bethlehem marked the beginning of a new era, one where divine love and redemption were made manifest in the world. Let us reflect on the profound significance of this moment, understanding that the Savior came into a world much like our own, full of challenges and opportunities, to bring us closer to God and to one another.

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All 7 fallen angels’ names and meanings with their deadly sins | Know Your Enemy!

Mother & Refuge012 mins

The concept of the 7 fallen angels has long captured the imagination of theologians and the public. Once revered for their beauty and wisdom, these powerful celestial beings succumbed to the allure of sin and were cast out of heaven. Their fall from grace is an advisory about the dangers of sin. But what are the 7 fallen angels names and meanings? Fallen angels are celestial beings who have rebelled against God and fallen from grace. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, fallen angels were created to serve and worship God. However, some rebelled against God out of pride, ambition or a desire for independence. Their names and roles often symbolise the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of sin. The most famous fallen angel is Lucifer, who became known as Satan or the devil after his rebellion. What is the difference between an archangel and a fallen angel? Archangels are high-ranking angels who serve God and carry out His will. Examples include Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. They are powerful spiritual beings who remain loyal to God. Fallen angels are angels who rebelled against God and followed Satan in his revolt. They were expelled from heaven and now work against God’s purposes. The most prominent fallen angel is Satan, also known as Lucifer. 7 fallen angels names and meanings How many fallen angels are there? The Bible does not provide a definitive count of the number of fallen angels. However, the seven commonly known fallen angels are: Angel names Meanings Deadly sins Lucifer: The Fallen Light-Bearer Light-bearer Pride Azazel: The Scapegoat of Sin Strong one or God strengthens Envy Belial: The Worthless One Worthless or wicked Greed Beelzebub: The Lord of the Flies Lord of the flies Gluttony Abaddon: The Angel of Destruction Destruction or place of destruction Wrath Asmodeus: The King of Lust To destroy or the evil spirit of lust Lust Mammon: The God of Greed Wealth or riches Greed 1. Lucifer: The Fallen Light-Bearer Lucifer, whose name means “light-bearer” in Latin, is one of the fallen angels in the Bible. He was once the most beautiful and powerful angel. However, his pride and ambition led him to rebel against God, believing he could overthrow the divine order and rule heaven himself. In Christian tradition, Lucifer’s fall from grace is seen as the origin of Satan, the ultimate embodiment of evil. His rebellion symbolises the danger of unchecked ego and the consequences of prioritising self-interest over divine purpose. What is Lucifer’s real name? Lucifer, one of the original names before his fall from grace, is a matter of debate among scholars and theologians. 2. Azazel: The Scapegoat of Sin Azazel, whose name means “strong one” or “God strengthens,” is associated with the ritual of Yom Kippur in Jewish tradition. On this holy day, a goat was chosen to symbolically bear the people’s sins and sent into the wilderness, carrying away the community’s impurities. In some apocryphal texts, Azazel is depicted as a fallen angel who taught humans the art of metalworking and cosmetics, corrupting them with vanity and materialism. His deadly sin is envy, as he sought to undermine God’s creation through temptation and deception. 3. Belial: The Worthless One Belial, meaning ‘worthless’ or ‘wicked,’ is often associated with lawlessness, rebellion, and the corruption of justice. In some traditions, he is seen as the personification of evil, leading humans astray with promises of power and pleasure. Belial’s deadly sin is greed, as he tempts people to abandon their moral principles to pursue wealth, status, and worldly success. His influence is believed to erode the foundations of society, leading to the breakdown of order and the triumph of chaos. 4. Beelzebub: The Lord of the Flies Beelzebub, whose name means “Lord of the Flies” in Hebrew, is often depicted as a demon or prince of demons in Christian and Islamic traditions. His association with flies symbolises the decay, filth, and distortion of the good he represents. Beelzebub’s deadly sin is gluttony, as he embodies the insatiable appetite for indulgence and excess. He tempts people to overindulge in sensual pleasures, leading to physical and spiritual degradation. His influence is seen in the obsession with material wealth, the worship of false idols, and the neglect of spiritual nourishment.   5. Abaddon: The Angel of Destruction In the Book of Revelation, Abaddon, whose name means “destruction” or “place of destruction” in Hebrew, is associated with the abyss or bottomless pit. He is often depicted as an angel of death or a demon of the underworld. Abaddon’s deadly sin is wrath, as he represents the destructive power of unchecked anger and vengeance. He tempts people to lash out in rage, leading to violence, retribution, and the breakdown of relationships. His influence is seen in the cycle of hatred, the desire for revenge, and the inability to forgive. 6. Asmodeus: The King of Lust Asmodeus, whose name means “to destroy” or “the evil spirit of lust” in Hebrew, is often associated with sexual temptation and the corruption of marriage. In the Book of Tobit, he is depicted as a demon who kills a woman’s husbands on their wedding night. Asmodeus’s deadly sin is lust, as he embodies the uncontrolled desire for physical gratification. He tempts people to prioritise their sexual urges over emotional intimacy, commitment, and respect. His influence is seen in the objectification of others, the breakdown of healthy relationships, and the neglect of spiritual growth.   7. Mammon: The God of Greed Mammon, whose name means ‘wealth’ or ‘riches’ in Aramaic, is often personified as a demon or fallen angel associated with the love of money and material possessions. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns that “you cannot serve both God and Mammon”. Mammon’s deadly sin is Greed, as he embodies the insatiable desire for wealth and the power it brings. He tempts people to prioritise material gain over spiritual well-being, neglecting compassion, generosity, and justice. His influence is seen in the exploitation of others, the hoarding of resources,…

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The Number 13 Belongs to Mama Mary?

Mother & Refuge05 mins

Is 13 really that unlucky? Or actually ‘Holy’ for it belongs to Mama Mary? ‘Friday the 13th’ day. The ‘unlucky’ truth is that, most of us are conditioned to think of this day is the unluckiest day for it falls under the ‘unluckiest’ number: 13. The number ’13’ is oftenly associated to badlucks. Several buildings either don’t have a 13th floor or 13th room. Some people even go the distance of not traveling on the 13th day or hosting important events on this day because of the fear that something will go wrong. However, the belief that the number 13 is bad luck or an unlucky number is essentially a superstition. And as Catholics, we should never engage ourselves in believing such. There’s more ‘Holy’ events to the number ’13’ that we need to consider. Aside from the traditional 13 Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony of Padua, there are other holy events that actually belong to Mama Mary, specifically, to her title as the ‘Our Lady of Fatima.’ It’s not a trivial matter that she appeared on May 13. May is the month dedicated to Our Lady, but furthermore she appeared at Fatima on the thirteenth of every month for six months and confided three secrets in the children as well as asking them to make known her requests, that we were to offer a daily rosary and make reparation for our sins.  The Miracle of the Sun also occurred on October 13, which is the month dedicated to the rosary. Our Lady entrusted the rosary to St. Dominic in the 13th Century. During the descent of the Holy Spirit, Our Lady was the thirteenth person in the room. Also, ‘m’ is the 13th letter in the English alphabet. This might be coincidence, or it may owe to England’s Catholic days, when the letter ‘m’ for Mary was placed at number 13 in the series of letters because it honoured Our Lady, the thirteenth witness to the descent of the Holy Spirit. St John Paul II credited Our Lady with the miracle that saved his life – after he was shot three times by Mehmet Ali Agca on May 13 1981.Miraculously surviving the gun blast, the Polish Pope later placed the bullet into Our Lady’s crown at the shrine in Fatima on May 13 1982. St John Paul II could have chosen another day, but he decided on May 13 because it is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. It would appear that Our Lady has a method of marking her presence on our earthly calendars. It’s a system that uses a certain number and one day a month. If so, the number is 13, and the day is the thirteenth of every month. There’s nothing to worry about unlucky 13, because this number is actually Holy, and it belongs to Mama Mary.

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Prayer for Rosa Mystica | To be said Daily with Petitions and Compulsory for the 13th of Every Month

Mother & Refuge04 mins

This prayer is very efficacious if said daily with petitions and compulsory for the 13th of every month for the hour of Graces veneration of Maria Rosa Mystica.  Three Hail Marys followed by: Mystical Rose, be Thou blessed, Mother of Divine Grace. Thou has given to the whole mankind Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, the Author of Grace. Mystical Rose, be Thou ever blessed! Thy Divine Son, when dying upon the cross, obtained grace for us, and Thou didst cooperate with Him in this, when the sword pierced Thy Soul. Mystical Rose, be Thou ever blessed! Thou wert chosen by the Heavenly Father to be the Mistress of His Treasures, stewardess and distributor of all His graces. Mystical Rose, our Mother! Turn your loving eyes upon the millions of human kind. We beg Thee, we implore Thee, we beseech Thee, let all obtain the grace of God through holy baptism, the sacrament of reconciliation and all other sacraments. Mystical Rose, Mother of Divine Grace, let us attain to the house of the Heavenly Father, for we are all Thy children and the children of God. Look upon my soul, which through sin is so poor and unworthy. Mystical Rose, Thou givest to whom Thou willest. I trust in Thee; I open my heart to Thee. Let Thy light irradiate my soul. Make Thy Motherly love, with its measureless and pitiful power; cause my indifferent heart to glow. Fill me with Thy joy, Thy humility and Thy peace! Mystical Rose, Thou acceptest that Thou art a mother with a special care for all those children who most require Thy help. And so I seek Thy help in all my bodily and spiritual needs. Very particularly, I beg Thee for the following graces (here mention your requests). Mystical Rose, Thou art the Mother of Jesus Christ and the Mother of Divine Grace. Thou art the Mother of Mercy and the Mother of Life. Thou art our kind Mother and our hope. Enclose me in Thy Immaculate Heart and hear my prayer.Amen #Miracles #catholic #CatholicSeers #MessagesFromHeaven #ourlady #OurLadyApparitions #Miracles #catholic #CatholicSeers #MessagesFromHeaven #ourlady #OurLadyApparitions

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Prayer to Save Souls During the Warning

Mother & Refuge01 mins

“O God the Almighty Father on behalf of your beloved Son Jesus Christ, and in commemoration of His death on the cross to save us from our sins, I beg you to save souls who cannot save themselves and who may die in mortal sin during The Warning. In atonement for the sufferings of your beloved Son, I urge you to forgive those who are unable to seek redemption because they will not live long enough to ask Jesus Your Son for mercy to free them from sin. Amen. ”

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How To Do Epiphany House Blessing| Chalking of the Doors

Mother & Refuge05 mins

he traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.  It is a long-held Catholic tradition to bless one’s home on (or near) the celebration of the Epiphany by using chalk to write a special inscription above the home’s entrance. This weekend, we are blessing chalk at Mass for you to take home and participate in this tradition. If you are unable to attend Mass at Our Lady this weekend, you can bless chalk at home yourself! You can find the blessing to do so below. The inscription written over the door changes every year. For this year, you should write: “20 + C + M + B + 23.” The Letters C, M, and B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The + signs represent the cross, and 2023 is the year.  Below we have included a very family-friendly Epiphany home blessing. Here is a different one, from the USCCB. Both are perfectly valid! Blessing the Chalk Priest/Adult: Our help is the name of the Lord:All: The maker of heaven and earth. Priest/Adult: The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:All: From this time forth for evermore. Priest/Adult: The Lord be with you.All: And also with you. Priest/Adult: Let us pray.All: Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name all who use it in faith to write upon the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit their home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (You may sprinkle the chalk with holy water.) Instructions for Blessing the Home Optional Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-16.  Also optional, you can sprinkle holy water in each room of your house while singing hymns or praying the rosary. Then gather at the front door to your home. Using the blessed chalk, mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step, or a wall within your home) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 23  saying: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty-three years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen. Then say the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen. Read more…

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