February 18, 2025

Devotions

A smiling Argentine nun on her way to canonization

Mother & Refuge02 mins

By Aleteia In 2016 social media was ablaze with the pictures of a smiling nun, with the caption that the nun was near the moment of death. While the picture was not taken at the moment of her death, it was a picture of a joyous and smiling nun who embraced her suffering. Sister Cecilia, a Carmelite of Santa Fe in Argentina, was suffering from lung cancer in 2016 and died on June 23 at the age of 43. At the time Aleteia was able to obtain an interview with the Carmelites and related more information about Sister Cecilia. Despite her illness, she did not lose her joy, which was sustained by the support of her numerous family members, who remained close by. Joyful nieces and nephews congregated in the gardens outside the hospital where she was admitted for some weeks, sending her messages and helium balloons to distract and entertain her from the window. Those who saw her spoke of her face as showing peace and joy — as someone awaiting the encounter with the One to whom she had given her life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. On the road to canonization According to the Catholic News Agency, “The archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz in Argentina, Sergio Fenoy, signed the edict that begins the process prior to the opening of the cause of canonization of Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face.” Read more…

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15 Secret Tortures of Our Lord|With Meditative Images

Mother & Refuge44 mins

15 Secret Tortures of Our Lord  (Each torture pray 1 Our Father,1 Hail Mary,1 Glory be) The consequent revelation was presented to Pope Clement II (1730-1740), who gave his imprimatur for public release. There are two official translations into English:”My tormentors considered Me as the most wretched man living on earth, that is why:”(1) They fastened My legs with rope and dragged Me over the stepping stones of the staircase, down into the filthy, nauseating cellar;  “(2) They took off My clothing and stung My body with iron joints; “(3) They attached a rope around My body and dragged Me on the floor, and then threw Me from wall to wall; “(4) They hung Me on a wooden beam with a loose knot from which I slipped and fell to the ground. Overwhelmed by this torture, I wept tears of blood. “(4) They hung Me on a wooden beam with a loose knot from which I slipped and fell to the ground. Overwhelmed by this torture, I wept tears of blood. “(5) They tied Me to a post and pierced My body with various tools and weapons; “(6) They struck Me with stones and burnt Me with blazing embers and torches; “(7) They pierced Me with awls; sharp spears tore My skin, flesh and arteries out of My body; “(8) They tied Me to a post and made Me stand barefoot on a heated metal sheet; “(9) They crowned Me with an iron crown and wrapped My eyes with the dirtiest possible rags; “(10) They sat Me on a chair with pointed nails, causing deep wounds in My body; “(11) They poured on My wounds molten lead and tar, and after this torture pressed Me again on the nailed chair, so that the nails went deeper and deeper into My flesh; “(12) To shame and torment Me, they drove needles into the holes of My uprooted beard; “(13) They threw on Me a cross and tied Me so tightly that I could hardly breathe; “(14) When I fell to the ground, they stomped on My head. One of them stepped on My chest, then took a thorn from My crown and drove it into My tongue; “(15) They poured into My mouth the most immodest excretions, as they uttered the most infamous expressions about Me. Then they tied My hands behind My back and led Me out of jail with strikes and blows.”

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Prayer to Our Lady of Knock for children in the womb

Mother & Refuge02 mins

Lord Jesus, you are the source and lover of life.Reawaken in us respect for every human life. Help us to see in each child the marvelous work of our Creator.Open our hearts to welcome every childas a unique and wonderful gift. Guide the work of doctors, nurses and midwives.May the life of a mother and her baby in the wombbe equally cherished and respected. Help those who make our laws to upholdthe uniqueness and sacredness of every human life,from the first moment of conception to natural death. Give us wisdom and generosity to build a society that cares for all.  Together with Mary, your Mother, in whose womb you took on our human nature,Help us to choose life in every decision we take. We ask this in the joyful hope of eternal life with you,and in the communion of the Blessed Trinity. Amen. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.All the Saints of Ireland, pray for us.

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