Private Vows in The Laity/Spirituality

[Guest]

.

 

BEING LEAVEN

Quote

 

 Christians must be concerned with being leaven in society more than with being a majority.

(Pope Francis, Milan Archdiocese's Pastoral Workers)

 

 

[Guest]

Vincent's Quote of the Day - St Vincent de Paul Society

 

 

Quote

 

Mar 27, 2017

We must continue to do good, even though people of the world may criticize us (VII:105).

.

 

 

It is often almost the mark of discipleship to be negatively criticised, which is a (hopefully mild) form of persecution when it is unjustified.  "They have persecuted Me and they will persecute you"

Edited March 27, 2017 by BarbaraTherese

[Debra Little]

I am so happy for u!. God has been working things out in your favor and giving u His blessing.  Praised be Abba!

Will keep u in my heart and in my prayers. 

[Guest]

In The News

Pope Francis: Baptism

 

Quote

 

March 27, 2017

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading at Mass (Jn. 9:1-41), Pope Francis said during his March 26 Angelus address that the healing of the man born blind “causes us to reflect on our faith in Christ, the Son of God, and at the same time, also refers to Baptism.”“We too have been ‘enlightened’ by Christ in Baptism, and then we are called to behave as children of light,” the Pope said to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “This requires a radical change in thinking, an ability to judge men and things according to a new scale of values, which comes from God.”The Pope added:

The Sacrament of Baptism, in fact, demands a choice, firm and decided, to live as children of light, and to walk in the light. What does it mean to walk in the light? It means first of all abandon the false ‘lights’: the cold and foolish light of prejudice against others … Another false ‘light,’ so seductive and unclear, is self-interest.

MORE

 

 

 

Don't take yourself too seriously -

Humour a function of Wisdom

and Gift of The Holy Spirit at Confirmation

"The Wit and Humour of The Saints" (Fr. Aloysius Roche) " Wisdom is from above, and it is the gift of the Holy Spirit; and hu­mor is part and parcel of wisdom. Humor is the salt of life, and to some extent it is the salt of the religious life, preserving it from de­cay. G. K. Chesterton says of St. Francis ofAssisi, “The sense of hu­mor salts all his escapades.” ................ “Laugh and grow strong,” St. Ignatius said; and to one of his novices, “I see you are always laughing, and I am glad of it.”..........." When she (St Teresa of Avila) was asked to give her opinion on a memorandum written by Senor Salcedo, this was her comment: “Senor Salcedo never stops repeating through the whole of his pa­per, ‘as St. Paul says,’ ‘as the Holy Spirit says’; and then he ends by regretting that he has written nothing but nonsense. I am going to denounce him to the Inquisition.”............

................"She (St Teresa of Avila) invented nicknames, and very clever ones, for those with whom she had dealings. The Nuncio was “Mathusalem,” the Calced Carmelites were “The Cats” and “The Owls”; and, of course, the Discalced were “The Eagles” and “The Butterflies.” She herself was sometimes “Poor Angela” and some­times “Laurentia.” She has explained the motive of it all: “What would become of our little house if each one of you hid the little wit you possess?” And in another letter she writes, “We are having great joy here, but we do not get tipsy.”.............

............."And this wit and humor of the saints is very instructive. It re­minds us of what we are apt to forget, of what we sometimes do not even suspect: that there is more real joy in a saint’s life than there is in all the intoxication of worldliness. All that comes from God is joyous, and holiness comes straight from Him and is, in fact, the only attribute of His that man can imitate. Piety in the saints is blended with all that is lighthearted and exhilarating. Fulbert of Chartres described the monastic spirit as a blend of “natural simplicity and angelic hilarity”; that is to say, the saints have some of the liveliness of the angels..............Read more HERE 

 

[Guest]

CHAT

More on Humour and Spirituality

There are some things in life that are serious and to be taken with due seriousness and with understanding, empathy and rich compassion.  Balance is a Gift of The Holy Spirit.  He forms one's attitudes and perspectives to give all things, oneself and one's spirituality included, right attitude and perspective, balance, and this includes at times humour as well.  All that is good comes from God (see James Ch1) and healthy laughter is a good.

My spirituality should have a lightness and dancing quality weaved through my whole personality at all times and everywhere -  fashioning a spirit that brings compassionate understanding as well as Joy to others.  Laughter is a function of Joy which is a fruit of The Holy Spirit and evidence of His Presence and Action.  It is that self-same compassionate, understanding and merciful Grace that will alert to the sufferings of others.  It is too that self-same Grace that alerts to Joy and laughter in life where the serious matters of spirituality and my own salvation is balanced out with lightness and humour.  This is not only for my own benefit but surely for the benefit of others as well.

We are bearers ideally of Good News of Great Joy!  Hence the dour faced, stern and deadpan saints probably won't make the grade.

Come Holy Spirit, Creator come and inflame our hearts with Your Love, Your Joy and Your Laughter.
 

Quote

 

Gifts of The Holy Spirit at Confirmation: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder).

Fruits of The Holy Spirit and evidence of His Presence and Action:  Love, joy, peace, forbearance/fortitude (patience and strength of soul), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

 

 

Laudate Dominum

Edited March 28, 2017 by BarbaraTherese

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Guest]

To love means loving the unlovable.

To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.

Faith means believing the unbelievable.

Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless
(G.K. Chesterton)

[Guest]

Quote

A sense of humour is a gift from God.

Laughter unites us.

Funny things help us get through the humdrum of life.  Without humor this would be a lot harder.

http://epicpew.com/good-clean-catholic-jokes/

 

 

"A Jesuit, a Dominican, and a Franciscan were walking along an old road, debating the greatness of their orders. Suddenly, an apparition of the Holy Family appeared in front of them, with Jesus in a manger and Mary and Joseph praying over him. The Franciscan fell on his face, overcome with awe at the sight of God born in such poverty. The Dominican fell to his knees, adoring the beautiful reflection of the Trinity and the Holy Family. The Jesuit walked up to Joseph, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, “So, have you thought about where to send him to school?”

http://epicpew.com/good-clean-catholic-jokes/

Edited April 1, 2017 by BarbaraTherese

[Guest]

 

 

 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

 

Quote

 

Vincent's Quote of the Day

 

Apr 01, 2017

God has riches in abundance; until now, you have lacked nothing; why are you fearful for the future? (VII:171).

 

 

Quote

 

Daily Reflection

 

Apr 01, 2017

 

“Your health is a gift of God; use it therefore with pleasure and joy for this life in the service of the poor.”
– St. Louise de Marillac

 

 

[Guest]

St Isidore of Seville

Patron Saint of Internet

Feastday 4th April

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=58

 

[Guest]

COURAGE or FORTITUDE (Strength of Soul)

 

Daily Reflection - St Vincent de Paul Society

 

 

Quote

 

Apr 06, 2017

 

“Condescension in evil or dangerous matters is not a virtue; it is a weakness and a disorder.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

– Be present, Lord, when my desire to be thought well of tempts me to take the easy way out and not challenge what I know is a wrong course of action. Give me the courage to do what is right.

 

 

[Guest]

[Guest]

COMMENTARY ON HOLY WEEK

Catholic Culture: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/Lent/lent_holy_week.cfm

[Guest]

 

 

 

AN UNEXPECTED SAINT

http://catholicexchange.com/st-mary-egypt-unexpected-saint?mc_cid=318781627e&mc_eid=419cf29043

 

Excerpts only: "For things are often not what they seem. A person who seems to us to be a great sinner may, in fact, be awash in the holy grace of forgiveness through repentance.

This was the case with Mary of Egypt. She seemed to be still a great sinner, but in truth, her glorification by grace, by the life of God, had already begun. She went immediately after her eyes were opened to the holy mystery of repentance, was absolved of her sins, and received holy communion. This is the proper, ordinary, and churchly way to begin again the life in Christ after we have sinned. When we fall, we get up again."

....."Here is a woman who defies all of our churchly expectations. Living apart from church services, even apart from frequent reception of holy communion, and yet living a life somehow filled with grace and faith. I do not recommend that we all imitate Mary of Egypt in her way of life. St. John Climacus (who we remembered on the Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast), warns us, after all, that the avoidance of church services is a sure sign of the deadening of the soul.

But I think we can hold up Mary as demonstration that God can and does act as he will. He is not confined by us or by our expectations.

We do not limit his grace."

[Guest]

 

FROM SOCRATES

 

"The greatest way to live with honour in this world, is to be what we pretend to be"

"He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature"

"Death may well be the greatest of all human blessings"

"To know is to know that you know nothing.  That is the meaning of true knowledge"

"I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry,

but a kind of instinct or inspiration such as you find in seers and prophets

who deliver all their sublime messages

without knowing in the least what they mean"

Socrates

Edited April 8, 2017 by BarbaraTherese

[Guest]

 

"Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine

that I might wet my mind

and say something clever"

Aristophanes

Edited April 8, 2017 by BarbaraTherese

[Guest]

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked

  And figs grew upon thorn,

  Some moment when the moon was blood

  Then surely I was born.

 

With monstrous head and sickening cry

  And ears like errant wings,

  The devil’s walking parody

  On all four-footed things.

 

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

  Of ancient crooked will;

  Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,

  I keep my secret still.

 

Fools! For I also had my hour;

  One far fierce hour and sweet:

  There was a shout about my ears,

  And palms before my feet.

G.K. Chesterton

[Guest]

 

 

 

 

ASK A CARMELITE SISTER

LONELINESS

http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2012/04/ask-a-carmelite-a-lonely-faith-walk/

Q: Why does my faith walk seem so lonely to me at times?  

Quote

Excerpts only (read full text on above link):

We believe in God and in His revelation, His revealed truths, and because we believe Him, we have faith in Him and in what He says. We are secure in following His lead. Carmelite spirituality, especially the writings of St. John of the Cross, describes a night of faith during what he calls the dark night of the soul. Those who are serious in their spiritual journey will come to this point. It is then that each soul must walk alone in faith. Those who are called to Carmel, to its prayerful way of life, are also called to this walk in total faith.

It will come. Sooner or later, it will come, and not only to Carmelites but to all who steadfastly walk their faith-journey.God creates, God reveals, God calls to relationship – and promises a blessing (or blessings) in return for our faith-filled response; we respond in faith using our intellect and our will.

This is what St. John of the Cross writes about, i.e. the role of the intellect and the will in our faith-journey, especially during the dark night. John of the Cross says that God wants us to give Him everything – to surrender all that we are and all that we have to Him alone. John goes on to say that God will keep us in the dark night until we make this surrender.

When times grow hard and the light grows dim, in times of testing and trial, it is then that the virtue of faith comes into action. Belief can be a powerful motivator, and a deep faith keeps us moving through the darkness. Into each life, sooner or later, comes this time of testing. It takes many forms, probably as many different forms as there are people in the world. Faith tells us, “Hang in there. Hold on. Look ahead.

The only way out of it is through it.” Because of supernatural faith, we cling to the hope that God has a plan.

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2017 by BarbaraTherese