December 21, 2024

catholic blog

Australia Sends Its Next Sainthood Cause to the Vatican!

Mother & Refuge02 mins

According to The Catholic Weekly, Archbishop Anthony Fisher “officially signed off on the final decree for the acts of the cause at Cathedral House, alongside members of the Eileen O’Connor tribunal and the historical commission, who hope the Servant of God will become Australia’s second saint.” So far, Australia has one canonized saint, Mary MacKillop. The Vatican will now review the life of Eileen O’Connor to determine if she lived a life of “heroic virtue.” If the Vatican affirms that she did live heroically, she would be declared “venerable.” Who was Eileen O’Connor? Eileen Rosaline O’Connor was born in Richmond, Australia, on February 19, 1892. By the time she was 10, her family would move near Sydney and she would be as active as she could in her school and local parish. Eileen suffered from spinal tuberculosis, meaning she had severe curvature of the spine and only grew to 3ft 9in, but for much of her life, she could not stand. Despite being in constant pain, O’Connor was known for her joyful disposition. Later on she related a possible vision of the Virgin Mary who encouraged her to offer her pain for the salvation of others. Read more…

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Letter of Bishop Regarding Seer Pedro Regis (English Translation)

Mother & Refuge817 mins

Download as PDF below Powered By EmbedPress Archdiocese of Feira de Santana Pastoral Letter to the Catholic faithful about the presumed apparitions of Our Lady in Anhanguera Bahia/BR. Ladies and Gentlemen, Grace and peace in Christ Our Risen Lord!“Devotion to the Virgin Mary originates, reflects and finds complete expression in the cult of Christ and, through him, in the Holy Spirit, leads to the Father, thus becoming a qualifying element of the genuine piety of the Church” (Marialis Cultus, Introduction). Dear believers, faced with the phenomena of Marian apparitions, we must take a stance that overcomes the extremism of an exaggerated appreciation of the messages of the “seers” as if it were the best and the only way to update divine Revelation, losing focus on the centrality of Christ and, on the one hand, to avoid another extreme, which is tounderstand these phenomena only from the perspective of human sciences.“Visions” or “appearances” are considered by the Catholic Church to be “private revelations” or “particulars” that are subordinate to the biblical Revelation of God, in Jesus Christ. Revelation also known as Christian, historical and public, and which reached its fullness in the person of the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ, which is condensed in theSacred Scriptures and the Sacred Apostolic Tradition. This public Revelation has already ended with the death of the last apostle of Christ, Saint John the Evangelist. But, from the point of view of interpretation and its transmission, the understanding of the historical Revelation of God to Humanity, which was fully given by Jesus Christ, is progressingTherefore, it is the Holy Spirit who leads us to the full truth until the end of time. After a long process of discernment, the Church can recognize and approve the content of the messages, the result of the phenomenon of visions/appearances, according to the mystical experience of some visionaries. And, in this sense, what does this recognition and approval consist of? It consists of: a) not stating that Mary of Nazareth,the mother of Jesus, appeared in a specific place, nor forcing the faithful to follow the messages of the “seers”, as this is a “private revelation”; b) proclaim that the phenomenon is “worthy of human faith”; c) the Blessed Virgin Mary can be venerated with a certain title. For example: Queen of Peace; d) authorize the construction of a sanctuary in honor of Our Ladyon the site) allow this devotion to spread throughout the world. (CF. Doctrinal Subsidies, n.01, Apparitions and Private Revelations of the CNBB). In recent years, the number of people in different parts of the world has increased, claiming to be “seers” of Our Lady, as well as other Saints of the Catholic tradition. As a result, the phenomenon of “apparitions” and “private revelations”, mainly related to the Blessed Virgin Mary, have multiplied significantly in Brazil and elsewhere. In this way, manypeople in a sincere search for God have followed these “seers” as if they were the only reference of Catholic faith and, even, the only authorities, with regard to Catholic doctrine and as if they were a qualified witness of the Church’s own faith tradition. In this sense, many people follow them without the necessary discernment, such as theological-doctrinaltraining, accurate catechesis, critical sense and prudent ecclesiastical attention. It is also, in this context, that the phenomenon of the well-known “appearances” of Our Lady, in the Municipality of Anguera, in the Archdiocese of Feira de Santana/BA, is growing. The archdiocese has cautiously monitored the phenomenon of “apparitions” in Anguera and, above all, through a theological-pastoral Commission constituted by the Metropolitan Archbishop, with the purpose of observing and discerning about this phenomenon, from an theological-doctrinal point of view, ecclesiological-pastoral andpsychic-spiritual. That is, analyzing it in the light of the entire Tradition of the Church, in its biblical, patristic, liturgical and theological expression. Tradition that is transmitted, taught and updated, uninterruptedly, by its living Magisterium.The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on the norms for proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions and revelations of 1978, number 3, indicates criteria for discernment on the phenomena of particular apparitions and revelations, which are under the competent ecclesiastical authority of the local Bishop . Dear Catholic faithful, for these reasons, we address you with the desire to guide you, so that you are not, as Paul teaches, Apostle of Christ, “dragged by any wind of doctrine, deceived by these presumed seers and by them, with cunning, led into error. You are no longer children, allowing yourselves to be carried from here to there like toys, left to the wind and the waves (cf. Eph 4:14). It is with this pastoral sensitivity and ecclesialresponsibility that we would like to offer you elements and criteria for discernment for such phenomena.According to the discernment of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, regarding these phenomena, an essential element, for their possible acceptance, in view of the spiritual pastoral good of the people of God, is that they are in communion with the entire Tradition of the Catholic faith (cf. Rules for proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions and revelations – Criteria for judging, at least with a certain probability, thecharacter of presumed appearances or revelations, Part I). How to welcome and understand these messages? The most important thing is to follow Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Savior, listen to his calls, discern his will through faith, hope, charity and solidarity. God speaks to us in many ways: He speaks to us in the prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture, in biblical circles, in the appeal of a social orecological reality, in spiritual retreats, in personal prayer, in liturgical celebrations, in ecclesiastical meetings, in the practice of charity , human solidarity and, also, through extraordinary manifestations, such as visions, apparitions, interior and exterior locutions, intuitions and dreams.From a spiritual point of view, they all have value, as they are in tune with the divine Project for us and the world. All must be discerned and monitored by the Church; They are opportunities…

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

Mother & Refuge114 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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A prayer to keep from feeling that you suffer alone

Mother & Refuge03 mins

Give everything to God, your Heavenly Father. He is with you.We should never suffer alone because we can place all our pains and sorrows into the loving hands of God, our Heavenly Father! He has the power to comfort us in our time of need and bring spiritual consolation, even when the rest of our body aches. Below is a prayer from the book, Short Meditations and Prayers for the sick and afflicted, that can be used to place our sickness in the hands of God, asking him to help us endure our trials. Lord, I accept this sickness from your hands, and entirely resign myself to your blessed will, whether it be for life or death. Not my will, but yours be done; your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Lord, I submit to all the pains and uneasiness of this my illness. I desire to join my heart and voice with the whole Church of heaven and earth, in blessing you forever. I give you thanks from the bottom of my heart, for all your mercies and blessings bestowed upon me and your whole Church. O sweet Jesus, receive me into your arms in this day of my distress; hide me in your Wounds, bathe my soul in your precious Blood.   I love you, O my God, with my whole heart and soul, above all things: at least I desire so to love you. O come now and take full possession of my soul, and teach me to love you forever.

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