December 21, 2024

real miracles

Navigating Life’s Storms: Finding Peace in Catholic Faith Amidst Turbulent Seas

Mother & Refuge05 mins

Welcome, dear friends, to this journey through the stormy seas of life. Just as sailors face turbulent waters, so too do we encounter trials that test our mettle. But fear not, for in the Catholic faith, we find an anchor amidst the waves, a guiding light to lead us through the darkness. Join me as we explore how to navigate life’s storms with grace and courage. Navigating the Waves: Riding Life’s Challenges with FaithPicture yourself on a boat with the apostles, the winds howling and the waves crashing around you (Matthew 8:23-27). It’s a vivid reminder that life’s storms are inevitable. Yet, in these moments, we turn to our faith as our compass. Just as Christ calmed the storm, so too does He calm our fears and doubts. Through prayer and trust in God’s providence, we find the courage to face each wave with unwavering resolve. Anchoring in Faith: Cultivating Inner Peace Through Catholic SpiritualityImagine your soul as a ship seeking refuge amidst the storm. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, are like safe harbors where we find solace and strength. Our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints becomes our guiding star, leading us to the calm waters of inner peace. By immersing ourselves in Catholic traditions and deepening our prayer life, we anchor our souls in faith, finding serenity amidst life’s chaos. Navigating with Purpose: Finding Meaning in Catholic Wisdom Amidst Life’s ChaosIn the Catholic tradition, suffering takes on a deeper meaning when united with Christ’s passion (Colossians 1:24). Like navigators charting a course, we discern the purpose behind life’s trials. Through the wisdom of spiritual directors and the teachings of the Church, we find meaning in the midst of chaos. The Cross becomes our compass, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of God’s love and mercy. Embracing the Journey: Thriving in Catholic Faith Amidst Life’s TurmoilAs we journey through life’s storms, let us embrace the virtues of faith, hope, and charity (1 Corinthians 13:13). Like a crew working together on a ship, we find strength in community and support. The communion of saints surrounds us with love and encouragement, reminding us that we are never alone on our voyage. With Christ as our captain and the Church as our vessel, we navigate the seas of life with confidence and hope. Inspirations from Catholic Saints:– St. Therese of Lisieux, in her autobiography “The Story of a Soul,” teaches us to find joy in the little things and to trust in God’s providence, even amidst life’s trials.– St. Francis de Sales, in his work “Introduction to the Devout Life,” encourages us to cultivate a deep interior life through prayer and meditation, finding peace in God’s presence.– St. Teresa of Avila, in her classic “The Interior Castle,” invites us to journey inward, exploring the depths of our souls where God’s peace resides. Dear friends, as we navigate life’s storms together, may we find comfort in the arms of our loving God. Let us hold fast to our faith, trusting in His providence and mercy. With hearts full of prayer and souls anchored in Christ, we sail forth with courage and hope, knowing that calmer waters lie ahead. Fair winds and following seas, dear friends, as we journey onward together.

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Satan And His Attributes – Know Your Enemy

Mother & Refuge05 mins

Satan And His Attributes By Bella Francis The Bible teaches that Satan is a fallen angel tempted by pride. He is said to be a seducer originally created as good and whose rebellion against the divine will is reflected in the temptation that he offered to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.The scene is the garden of Eden. The characters are God, the serpent, Adam, and Eve. The devil has just deceived Eve, and through her, Adam. With demonic pride in destruction, he has successfully marred God’s handiwork of creation, and dragged human beings—for whom God has a special love—into death and misery. God starts by addressing Satan, telling him he is going to eat dirt for the rest of his days. Then he reveals something that makes Satan cringe in horror—his ultimate defeat will come at the hands of a woman. God said ” I will establish a feud between thee and the woman, between thy offspring and hers; she is to crush thy head, while thou dost lie in ambush at her heels” Satan is a master theologian. He’s talked to God, interacted with God, believes in God’s existence, and knows more about God’s attributes and abilities than most…and yet Satan doesn’t love God.  Very few people believe in the devil these days,” stated Fulton Sheen in 1958, “which suits the devil very well. Do not be deceived. Satan is real and we must resist him, strong in our faith. However, do not be so terrified that you forget that God, His angels, and the grace He bestows on us are more powerful and that God limits what demons can do. Trust God; call to Him; frequently recite the 91st Psalm. Be sober and watchful and stay distant from the once-glorious fallen angels we rightly call demons. Let us ask St. Michael, the Archangel for protection St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen. More on Mother of Refuge of the End Times Warning in May 2024? Luz de Maria Novena to Holy Spirit🕊️DAY 02-Pray With Us! Pentecost Novena begins today🕊️DAY 01-Pray With Us! Load More Go to Mother and Refuge Homepage Pieta of the Apocalypse: Essential End Time Prayers and Promises BUY NOW! Happiness and the Path of Spiritual Abundance (A Living Spring Book) BUY NOW! Live Prayers with Mother and Refuge:    Join us on Youtube and Telegram.

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2 crosses at the center of Eclipse in the USA!

Mother & Refuge010 mins

Where the paths of the 2017 and 2024 eclipse of the USA meet; there are two crosses in an area known as ‘Little Egypt’ Is this a prophetic warning of plagues / chastisements / fire from Heaven (eg: God warned Egypt they would face plagues if they didn’t obey His commands through Moses).  So the Ninevah eclipse pinpoints ‘Little Egypt,’  Luz de Maria was told by Heaven of the eclipse; ‘This is a Warning for the world’.  The seer Jennifer was told recently; ‘God will soon remove the veil of protection from the USA,’ Will some world chastisements of ‘Egyptian Biblical level chastisements’ begin in 40 days time after the Ninevah warning? Something truly extraordinary is going to happen as the Great American Eclipse of 2024 passes over the United States, and hardly anyone is talking about it.  Those that follow my work on a regular basis have already heard much of what I am about to share with you in this article, and I apologize to them in advance.  But I feel compelled to write about this again, because the information that I am about to share with you is incredibly explosive and so few people know about it.  My hope is that if I make enough noise about all of this, it will inspire others to make videos and write articles about these giant crosses.  A 111 foot tall cross stands where the path of the Great American Eclipse of 2024 will intersect with the path of the Great American Eclipse of 2017 on April 8th. And a cross that is 77 feet and 7 inches tall stands where the path of the Great American Eclipse of 2024 will intersect with the path of the “ring of fire” solar eclipse of 2023 on April 8th. Is it just a coincidence that 2 giant crosses stand at the intersections of these eclipses? I don’t think so. I believe that only God could have orchestrated this. On April 8th, an area in southern Illinois known as “Little Egypt” that was plunged into darkness by the Great American Eclipse of 2017 will also be plunged into darkness by the Great American Eclipse of 2024. This particular area of southern Illinois has been known as “Little Egypt” since the very early days of our country… In 1799, Baptist minister John Badgley dubbed the fertile highlands and bottoms near Edwardsville the “Land of Goshen“. Early Edwardsville was known as Goshen. This was a biblical reference to Ancient Egypt. Geographic features such as the Mississippi and its flood plains were like the fertile Nile valley. The Indian mounds of the area were large at the time and seemed like the pyramids of Egypt. The nickname stuck, and it was reinforced by other events. In the 1830s, poor harvests in the north of the state drove people to Southern Illinois to buy grain.[16] Others say it was because the land of the great Mississippi and Ohio River valleys were like that of Egypt’s Nile Delta. According to Hubbs,[citation needed] the nickname dates back to 1818, when a huge tract of land was purchased at the confluence of the rivers and its developers named it Cairo /ˈkɛəroʊ/. Today, the town of Cairo still stands on the peninsula where the Ohio River joins the Mississippi. Other settlements in the area were also given names with Egyptian, Greek, or Middle Eastern origins: The Southern Illinois University Salukis sports teams and towns such as Metropolis, Thebes, Dongola, Palestine, Lebanon, New Athens, Sparta, and Karnak show the influence of classical culture. In the heart of “Little Egypt”, there is a gigantic white cross. It is known as “The Bald Knob Cross of Peace”, and it is 111 feet high… Bald Knob Cross, officially known as the Bald Knob Cross of Peace, is a large white cross located in Alto Pass, Illinois, United States.[1] The structure is 111 feet (34 m) tall. The base of the cross is 1,034 feet above sea level and overlooks the Shawnee National Forest. Originally completed in 1963, the cross itself stands 111 feet tall, is 22 feet square at the base, 16 feet square at the top and its arms extend 63 feet horizontally. The exterior white panels covering the cross are 4-inch architectural flat insulated metal panels while the base portion is covered in granite approximately 4-inches thick. The structure sits on a foundation of 730 tons of reinforced concrete that goes down 20 feet to bedrock. The steel framework weighs approximately 170 tons. Each of the four sides of the cross have a word inscribed into the granite: Peace, Hope, Faith, Charity.[2] As the Great American Eclipse of 2024 completes the gigantic “cross” over America that the Great American Eclipse of 2017 started, a gigantic cross that is 111 feet tall will be standing at the intersection of those two eclipses. If you aren’t amazed by that, I honestly don’t know what to say. But that isn’t the end of the story, because there is more. As the Great American Eclipse of 2024 completes the gigantic “cross” over America that the “ring of fire” solar eclipse of 2023 started, a gigantic cross that is 77 feet and 7 inches tall will be standing at the intersection of those two eclipses. It is known as “The Empty Cross”, and it is in the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, Texas… The 77′ 7″ hollow cross sculpture at this site has been seen by millions of people traveling on Interstate 10, connecting California and Florida. Countless others have learned about this unique spiritual art garden through various media channels. Remarkably, the paths of the Oct. 14, 2023, Annular Solar Eclipse and the April 8, 2024, Total Solar Eclipse converge deliberately. Many believe this convergence, forming a colossal cross in the sky directly above “The Empty Cross,” is not a random occurrence but a divine sign—a message from the Creator Himself. Read more…

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3PM HOUR OF MERCY PRAYER

Mother & Refuge014 mins

3PM HOUR OF MERCY PRAYER   V: You expired Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.  All: O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.  V: O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, All: I trust in You. V: Mary, Mother of Mercy and our Mother, All: Pray for us. V: Saint Faustina and Saint John Paul II All: Pray for us. (3x)   — ACT OF ENTRUSTMENT OF THE DESTINY OF THE WORLD — All: O God, merciful Father, Who has revealed Your love in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and has poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. We entrust to You today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. Bend down to us sinners, heal our weaknesses, conquer all evil, and grant that all the inhabitants of the earth may experience Your mercy. May they always find the source of hope in You, the Triune God. Eternal Father, for the sake of the sorrowful Passion, and the Resurrection of Your Son, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen. (Saint John Paul II entrusted the destiny of the world to the Divine Mercy on August 17, 2002 in Kraków Łagiewniki) — PRAYER FOR THE GRACE TO BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS — (Diary 163) V: O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy. All: I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor. V: Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue. All: Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. V: Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. All: Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.  V: Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. All: Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. V: You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy — if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically. All: O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things. Amen. — PRAYER FOR PRIESTS — All: O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests; for your unfaithful and tepid priests; for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for your tempted priests; for your lonely and desolate priests; for your young priests; for your dying priests; for the souls of your priests in Purgatory. But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who’ve absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I’ve assisted and who’ve given me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who’ve taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and eternity. Amen   — LITANY — Lord, have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us; Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us; Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord, Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord, Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, Who alone are good. Although my misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your mercy because You are the God of Mercy, and it has never been heard of in all ages, nor do heaven or earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your mercy has been disappointed. (Diary 247) With complete trust, let us bring our prayers before the Lord. Let’s take a moment of silence and offer…

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 LIVE 10 HOUR HOLY THURSDAY PREMIERE!

Mother & Refuge01 mins

We are excited to be sharing the full video version of The 24 Hours of the Passion by Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta.  This will be aired on Holy Thursday beginning at 8am EST to 6pm EST. Please join us in this powerful Holy Week meditation of the sorrowful Passion of Our Lord, as it was experienced by Him and Our Lady on an hour by hour basis.  https://youtu.be/vpO15C5Pyjg

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ST.RAFQA | THE LEBANESE MARONITE NUN

Mother & Refuge014 mins

1- RAFQA in Himlaya (1832 – 1859) She is like the lily of HimlayaGrown as a bud in the land of JrabtaAnd will grow thanks to the sky 1. The idea of Saint Rafqa’s basilica Saint Rafqa was born in Himlaya, one of the villages of Northern Metn near Bikfaya, on June 29, 1832. She was the only child of Saber El-Choboq Al Rayess and Rafqa Gemayel.On July 7, 1832, she was baptized and named Boutroussieh. Her parents taught her to love God and pray daily. At the age of seven, she suffered her first great loss with the death of her mother. In 1843, her father experienced financial difficulties and sent her to work as a domestic servant for four years in Damascus in the house of Assaad Al-Badawi, of the Lebanese Nationality. Rafqa became a beautiful, pleasant, humorous young woman, pure and tender with a serene voice. In 1847, she came back home to find that her father had remarried. His new wife wanted Rafqa to marry her brother. A conflict developed when her aunt tried also to arrange a marriage between her son and Rafqa. Rafqa asked God to help her and clear her thoughts. Thus, her decision, to devote her life to Jesus Christ and to become a nun was her greatest joy. 2- RAFQA in the Congregation of the Mariamettes (1859 – 1871) At that time, Rafqa felt drawn to the religious life and asked God to help her achieve her desire. She decided to go to the convent of Our Lady of Deliverance in Bikfaya. There, she joined the Mariamette Order, founded by Father Joseph Gemayel. When she entered the convent church, she felt deep joy and happiness. One look at the icon of Our Lady of Deliverance was enough to confirm God’s voice who told her to enter the religious life: “You will become a nun”. The Mother Superior accepted Rafqa with no questions asked. Rafqa entered the convent, and refused to go back home with her father and his wife, when they came to discourage her from becoming a nun. Following her postulate, Rafqa wore the congregation’s robe of novice on the feast of St. Joseph on March 19, 1861. A year later and at the same date, she pronounced her temporary vows. She was sent to the seminary in Ghazir to take charge of the kitchen services. Among the seminarians were Elias Howayek, who became a Patriarch, and Boutros El- Zoghbi, who became an Archbishop. Rafqa studied in her free time Arabic, calligraphy and arithmetic and also helped aspiring girls to join her congregation. In 1860, Rafqa was sent to Deir El Qamar to teach catechism. There, she witnessed the bloody clashes that occurred in Lebanon during that period. On one occasion, she risked her own life by hiding a child under her robe and saving him from death. After a year in Deir El Qamar, Rafqa returned to Ghazir. In 1863, she was sent to teach in a school of her congregation in Byblos. One year later, she was transferred to the village of Maad. There, with another nun, she spent seven years establishing a new school for girls, this was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Antoun Issa. 3- RAFQA in the Lebanese Maronite Order: In the Monastery of St. Simon El Qarn in Aito (1871 – 1897). While living in Maad and following a crisis in her congregation, Rafqa asked God to guide her to the right decision. Entering at St. George Church, to pray for help, she heard the Lord’s voice telling her: “You will remain a nun.” In that same night, she saw in her dreams St. George, St. Simon the Stylite and St. Anthony the Great, the Father of monasticism. St. Anthony the Great told her: “Join the Lebanese Maronite Order.” Her trip from Maad to the Maronite Monastery of St. Simon El Qarn in Aito was facilitated by the generosity of Mr. Antoun Issa. She was immediately admitted in the Order. She wore the novice robe on July 12, 1871, and pronounced her solemn vows on August 25, 1872 and chose the name “Sister Rafqa,” after her mother. She spent 26 years in the monastery of St. Simon and was a role model to the other nuns in her observation of the rules and her devotion to prayer and silence. Her life was full of sacrifice and austerity. On the first Sunday of October 1885, she entered the monastery’s church and began to pray asking Jesus to permit her to experience some of the sufferings He endured during His Passion. Her prayer was immediately granted: Unbearable pain began in her head and moved to her eyes. Her Superior insisted that she undergoes a medical treatment. After all local attempts to cure her had failed, she was sent to Beirut for treatment. Passing by St. John-Marcus Church in Byblos, her companions learned that an American doctor was in the area. So, they took her to him. He ordered an immediate surgery for her right eye. St. Rafqa refused anesthesia. In the course of the surgery, the doctor uprooted by mistake her eye which fell on the floor. Rafqa did not complain and told him: “For Christ’s Passion, God bless your hands and may God pay you back.” Within a short time, the disease struck the left eye. For the next 12 years she continued to experience intense pain in her head. As always, she remained patient and uncomplaining, praying in joy for the gift of sharing in Jesus’ suffering. In Saint Joseph Monastery Al Dahr in Jrabta, Batroun (1897 – 1914).. At Saint Simon’s monastery, lived sister Ursula Doumit who suffered from arthritis. Her doctors advised her to live near the coast. Sister Ursula’s brother, Fr. Ignatius Doumit decided to found a monastery for nuns in Jrabta in the district of Batroun. Fr. John Basbous, donated the land for the project. On November 3, 1897, six nuns, led by Mother Ursula Doumit, were…

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 ‘St. Joseph’s bread’| The recipe

Mother & Refuge03 mins

In honor of St. Joseph, a prudent and just man, the book offers the following recipe for a sweet bread for four people: St. Joseph’s Bread Serves 4 Cooking time: 1 hour Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (110 degrees Fahrenheit) 2 packages active dry yeast 6 cups bread flour, divided 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons salt 4 tablespoons melted butter, at room temperature 5 large eggs, divided 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon anise seeds 2 tablespoons sesame seeds   Directions: 1. Combine lukewarm milk and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir together and rest for 10 minutes until yeast blooms. 2. Add melted butter, sugar, and 1 cup of the flour and beat with the regular paddle attachment of the mixer for about 2 minutes. 3. Add 4 of the eggs, the anise seeds, and 1 more cup of flour and beat for 2 more minutes. 4. Switch out the regular paddle attachment on the mixer for the dough hook and add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough starts to tighten up. (Depending on the size of the eggs, you may not need all the flour.) Continue to knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes. 5. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a cloth towel, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. 6. Punch the dough and divide it into 3 equal pieces. 7. Roll each piece of dough into the shape of a thick noodle, about 1/2- to 1-inch thick and 20-22 inches long. Braid the dough together loosely and tuck the ends of the braids under the dough. Place the braided loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 9. Combine the water and the remaining egg to make an egg wash, and use it to brush the loaf. 10. Generously sprinkle the top of the dough with sesame seeds. 11. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. 12. Transfer dough to a wire rack and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArAiNPETdGA

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