Saturday, May 31, 2008

What did the Angel of Portugal tell the 3 shepherd children?

The apparitions of the Angel of Portugal

Before the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917 occurred, Lucia de Jesus dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who all lived in the village of Aljustrel in the township of Fatima, had three visions of the Angel of Portugal, also called the Angel of Peace.

The first apparition of the Angel

The angel first appeared either in the spring or summer of 1916 at Loca do Cabeço, a rocky outcrop near the top of a knoll called Cabeço, not far from Aljustrel. This is Sister Lucia's account of the apparition:

"We had been playing for a while when a strong wind shook the trees. Since it was a calm day, this made us raise our eyes to see what was happening. Then we began to see, well above the trees that covered the stretch of land to the east, a light whiter than snow in the shape of a transparent young man who was more brilliant than a crystal struck by the rays of the sun."

As he approached, we began to see his features. He was a young man of great beauty about fourteen or fifteen years old. We were surprised and ecstatic. We did not utter a word."Once he drew near us, he said:

'Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.'"Kneeling down, he bowed forward until his forehead touched the ground. We imitated him, led by a supernatural inspiration, and repeated the words we heard him say:

'My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee. I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.'"After he had repeated this twice, he rose and said: 'Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.'

Then he disappeared.

"The supernatural atmosphere that enveloped us was so intense that we were almost unaware of our own existence. For a long time, we remained in the same position we were in when he left, repeating the same prayer. The presence of God was so intense and intimate that we dared not speak to each other.

On the following day, we felt our spirits still enveloped in that atmosphere, which was but slowly disappearing."None of us thought of talking about this apparition or of recommending secrecy, for the incident itself demanded it. It was so intimate that it was difficult to utter a word about it. This might well have been the apparition that impressed us the most, because it was the first one thus manifested." (8)

How much lower can we go: Open bathrooms in Colorado

Colorado governor okays open bathrooms

(From AFA online)
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 5/31/2008 5:45:00 AM

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has signed a bill that has shocked many of the state's residents.

The bill adds transgendered people to the list included in the state's non-discrimination law. That means businesses will be required to hire transgendered people, even if they are owned and operated by Christians who oppose the lifestyle on moral grounds. Focus on the Family spokesman Bruce Hausknecht was asked what impact that will have on churches and ministries such as his.

"One of our state legislators demanded and got an amendment that would exempt from the definition of public accommodation a church, a synagogue, a mosque, or any other facility that is primarily used for religious purposes," he explains.

But he says it is not certain ministries other than churches would be left untouched. Hausknecht also notes that the bill creates an opportunity for sexual predators to visit the restroom of their choice to find a victim.

"What this bill now does do is allow men to go into women's restrooms and locker rooms and vice versa because we are told that we cannot discriminate against someone with a transgender status," he warns.

Colorado lawmakers also slapped voters in the face with a provision that prohibits a public referendum or petition drive to overturn the law. Hausknecht says the only choice Colorado voters have now is to send people to the legislature that will act to reverse the law.

May 31, feast day of Our Lady the Queen...

Our Lady the Queen is Our Lady Queen of Hearts

Why Our Lady Queen of Hearts?

The great champion of Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), in his inspired work "The Treatise on True Devotion to Mary," said:


"Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth by grace, as Jesus is King by nature and conquest.

"Since the kingdom of Jesus Christ is mainly in the heart of interior of man, according to scripture "the kingdom of God is among you" (Luke: 17,21), the kingdom of Our Lady is mainly inside man, which means his soul, and it is mainly in souls that She is glorified, as is Her Son, and so with the saints we can call Her Queen of hearts."


The word "heart," in this case, means the soul and, more properly, the mentality of the person which is his way of being, thinking and acting.

Taking this thought one step further, we can say that as the public opinion of a country is an expression of the mentality of its people, Our Lady Queen of Hearts can be understood as meaning Queen of public opinion.

Put all of our work under Our Lady's care


Our Lady's protection is the key to success for any apostolate.

This is seen again and again in the Church: when a religious association is in decline, when our apostolate goes no where, or when a holy mission fails to awaken interest or find roots among the people, the solution and the path to resolve all these difficulties is to place the work under the care of Our Lady.

The most startling example of this is the Crusade preached against the Albigensians. These heretics lived in Albi, Southern France, and they were so hardened that no means were found to change them.

Our Lady revealed to Saint Dominic a devotion to Herself that would make the heretics bend: the Holy Rosary. In fact, with the spreading of the devotion to the Holy Rosary, the Albigensian heresy, which was deeply entrenched in French soil, started to weaken.


A most beautiful invocation of Our Lady

Take the case of devotion to Our Lady in Brazil, the largest Catholic country in the world.

Because of devotion to Our Lady, the Marian Congregations flourished all across the country. In Brazil, in the 20s and 30s, before this accursed combat against devotion to Our Lady, Catholic life was reaching a very high point. All it takes for Catholic life to start to decay is for one form of devotion to Our Lady to decline -- immediately, everything starts to decline.


Where there is devotion to Our Lady, everything flourishes; once this devotion dies, everything declines. Restore devotion to Mary and everything starts to flourish again.

Behind these comments are deep theological reasons. Saint Louis de Montfort shows that since Our Lady has great influence in the spiritual generation of members of the Mystical Body of Christ, She implicitly has great power over souls; She could not work the spiritual generation of a member of the Mystical Body without this power.


Devotion to Mary Most Holy works in souls in a very powerful manner. That is why this devotion produces the most profound conversion, the most surprising changes of soul, and the most signal spiritual graces.

Therefore, Our Lady should be called the Queen of Hearts. It is one of Her most beautiful invocations.


I encourage you to always pray the invocation Our Lady Queen of Hearts before and after every work or mission to gain this special protection from Mary Most Holy.

Our Lady Queen of Hearts, pray for us!

Ireland: The Voice of Those Who Have No Voice

Day of Infamy or Glory?

June 12 could go down in history as the date when Europe officially lost the Faith. That is not to say that the continent is currently a paladin of Catholic virtue. However, on that date Ireland will vote on whether or not to accept the European Union’s (EU) new version of a constitution, called the Treaty of Lisbon.

This document refuses to recognize Europe’s Catholic roots and would finish with whatever governmental vestiges of Christian civilization still remain.EU officials are eager to push the plan ahead.

In 2005, France and the Netherlands rejected a constitution that was at least 90% the same as the “treaty” now proposed. Since even little children catch on quickly to parents trying to present the same Brussels Sprouts in different ways, officials cannot hope to force feed the same constitution to the people of Europe a third time. However, EU guidelines still require unanimity among member states to ratify the treaty-constitution. Since only Ireland requires a public referendum before signing on, the constitution’s ratification will be decided by how the Irish vote on June 12.

Ireland will be the voice of those who have no voice.But what is it that makes the Treaty of Lisbon so bad and why is it so necessary that the Irish defeat it? The American TFP’s Irish sister organization, Irish Society for Christian Civilization, has compiled the answer to this question in a 14-page document titled:

“Nine Reasons Why a Conscientious Catholic Citizen Should Reject the Treaty of Lisbon in the Upcoming Referendum.”

[1] Nine Reasons…The document succinctly presents some of the horrors contained in the new constitution and gives sufficient reason for any practicing Catholic to vote no on June 12.Below is a summary of the document’s nine points:1. Betraying Its Christian PastSimilar to the former defeated constitution, the Treaty of Lisbon has no mention of God or the Christian roots of Europe.

The very preamble states:
from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, from which have developed the universal values of the inviolable and inalienable rights of the human person, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.

However, even a grade school student knows that European values were developed from the Catholic Church, which built Christian civilization out of the barbarian tribes that inhabited Europe.This omission has further-reaching consequences than the denial of historic truth. As John Paul II expressed on the occasion of the 1200th anniversary of the coronation of Charlemagne, while discussing the Charter of Fundamental Rights:

The Church has followed the drafting of this document with keen attention. In this regard, I cannot conceal my disappointment that in the Charter's text there is not a single reference to God. Yet in God lies the supreme source of the human person's dignity and his fundamental rights. It cannot be forgotten that it was the denial of God and his commandments which led in the last century to the tyranny of idols.[2]

The then Cardinal Ratzinger echoed these sentiments on the day before John Paul II’s death:
The rejection of the reference to God, is not the expression of a tolerance…but rather the expression of a conscience that would like to see God cancelled definitively from the public life of humanity, and relegated to the subjective realm of residual cultures of the past.

Furthermore, the Polish episcopate noted the absence of God in the former constitution with “indignation,” calling it a “falsification of the historical truth and a deliberate marginalization of Christianity.”2. Imposition of RelativismIn the preamble of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the document from which the Treaty of Lisbon defines society’s rights, freedoms and principles, states:

it is necessary to strengthen the protection of fundamental rights in the light of changes in society, social progress and scientific and technological developments by making those rights more visible in a Charter.

The Vice-president of the body that oversaw the compilation of the text of the Charter, Guy Brabant, explained that this opens the way “for an evolving and dynamic conception of fundamental rights.” A draft of the Charter including the phrase “drawing inspiration from its religious heritage.” According to Mr. Brabant, this had to be excluded, thus preventing the consideration of Europe’s religious patrimony “as a source of inspiration of fundamental rights.”

[3]Once again, Church hierarchy has weighed heavily against the document. Bishop Dominique Rey, of Fréjus-Toulon (France) said:

This Charter represents on many points an intellectual and moral break with the other great international juridical provisions, by presenting a relativist and evolving idea of human rights which disputes the principles of natural law.[4]

The following words, taken from a recent address of the Holy Father are apropos, indeed:
Today, a positivist conception of law seems to dominate many thinkers. They claim that humanity or society or indeed the majority of citizens is becoming the ultimate source of civil law. …When the fundamental requirements…of basic human rights, are at stake, no law devised by human beings can subvert the law that the Creator has engraved on the human heart without the indispensable foundations of society itself being dramatically affected.[5]

3. Restricted Protection for Human LifeThe same Charter of Fundamental Rights states simply: “everyone has the right to life.” However, by its very simplicity, this phrase is insufficient to confront the many attacks on human life rampant in modern society such as euthanasia, abortion and human cloning.The renown professor, Msgr. Michel Schooyans explained:

in its present wording, this key article is just unacceptable. Apart from exposing the idea of personhood to the most absurd interpretations, this article should specify that the right to life extends from conception to natural death.[6]

One of the last rulings of the European Court shows that these “absurd interpretations” are more than a theory. This ruling stated that unborn children do not possess personhood and thus, would not be protected in any way under the new constitution.Shockingly, the right to life of unborn children is denied while the European Court of Human Rights has defined abortion as “preventative healthcare,” which makes this sin a human right!Furthermore, the Charter illegalizes human cloning for reproductive purposes, but opens the door to it for therapeutic or other reasons.

Under the new Constitutions, the sick and elderly would also be threatened. This was clearly expressed by Mr. Brabant:

To exclude (euthanasia), several members of the Convention presented amendments wanting to clarify that “every person has a right to life until its natural end.” This formula was not kept, because some states, like the Netherlands, are headed towards a partial and progressive recognition of “the right to death with dignity.”[7]

4. Official Recognition of Discrimination for “Sexual Orientation,” Limiting the Rights of the ChurchIf ratified, the Treaty of Lisbon would become history’s first international document to prohibit discrimination on grounds of “sexual orientation.” This is stated in two articles of the constitution.

First, Article 10 declares: “the Union shall aim to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.” Similarly, Article 19 states: “the Council…may take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.”The inclusion of so-called “sexual orientation” in matters of discrimination would be tantamount to equating differences in race, age and origin with homosexual vice, a contention not likely to sit well with minorities.

Furthermore, it could be used to force homosexuals into jobs and functions that morality and common sense dictate they have no place, such as the: priesthood, athletic instruction, school teaching and even foster or adoptive parenthood.The inclusion of homosexuality as a basis of non-discrimination also frontally challenges Catholic teaching as expressed by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. On July 22, 1992 it published a document stating:

Recently, legislation has been proposed in various places which would make discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal…“Sexual orientation" does not constitute a quality comparable to race, ethnic background, etc. in respect to non-discrimination. Unlike these, homosexual orientation is an objective disorder (cf. "Letter," No. 3) and evokes moral concern.

There are areas in which it is not unjust discrimination to take sexual orientation into account, for example, in the placement of children for adoption or foster care, in employment of teachers or athletic coaches, and in military recruitment.…Among other rights, all persons have the right to work, to housing, etc.

Nevertheless, these rights are not absolute. They can be legitimately limited for objectively disordered external conduct. This is sometimes not only licit but obligatory.
The document also expressed concern that:

Including "homosexual orientation" among the considerations on the basis of which it is illegal to discriminate can easily lead to regarding homosexuality as a positive source of human rights, for example, in respect to so-called affirmative action or preferential treatment in hiring practices.

Furthermore, prohibiting any discrimination based on sexual orientation will limit the freedom of the Church to preach the Gospel and the moral teachings coming from it, as it was denounced by the then Cardinal Ratzinger:

The concept of discrimination is ever more extended, and so the prohibition of discrimination can be increasingly transformed into a limitation of the freedom of opinion and religious liberty. Very soon it will not be possible to state that homosexuality, as the Catholic Church teaches, is an objective disorder in the structuring of human existence.[8]

5. Dissolving the Differences Between Men and Women Article 23 of the Charter on Human Rights states:

Equality between women and men must be ensured in all areas, including employment, work and pay.

Vice-president Guy Brabant explains:

The really important expression of the first paragraph of this article is: ‘in all areas.’ The initial text only refers to the social issues, which still figure at the end of the paragraph: employment, work and pay. These elements are only kept to underline their importance; they no longer have a limited character, opposite to the treaty instituting the European Community of which article 141 on the equality of sexes was inserted under the heading ‘Social Policy.’The Charter goes much further with the affirmation of equality ‘in all areas.’ Without doubt this is the first time that this was done in an international document of juridical nature.[9]

Denial of the God-given differences of sex “in all areas” would undermine the proper functioning of society. For example, in the religious field this would illegalize the Church’s prohibition on women priests.In fact, the report: Women and Fundamentalism, produced by the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee, later approved by the European Parliament condemns:

the administrations of religious organisations and the leaders of extremist political movements who promote racial discrimination, xenophobia, fanaticism and the exclusion of women from leading positions in the political and religious hierarchy.

6. Undermining the Concepts of Marriage and the FamilyConcerning the rights of marriage, the Charter states:

The right to marry and the right to found a family shall be guaranteed in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of these rights.

The failure of the document to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman would open the door to same-sex “couples” having the same rights as married couples, including the right to adoption and artificial fertilization. Bishop Dominique Rey argues that this is tantamount to dissociating marriage with the family and is symptomatic of times in which:

Progressively, the right to have a child prevails over the right of the child, particularly those rights of being born and of having a father and a mother.

The then-Cardinal Ratzinger further showed that this faulty definition of marriage undermines the family, which is the fundamental cell of society itself. He then predicted the consequences of such undermining:

Europe would not be Europe if that basic cell of its social edifice were to disappear or be altered in any essential way. The Charter of Fundamental Rights stipulates the right to marriage, but fails to express any juridical and moral protection for it and doesn't even define it in more precise terms.

Regarding the legal acceptance of same-sex “marriages,” he added:

Such a trend or propensity takes us completely outside the confines of the moral history of humankind, which, despite all kinds of juridical forms of matrimony, always knew that marriage in its essence is the special communion of man and woman open to offspring and hence to the family.[10]

7. Denying Parents the Right to Give Their Children Religious InstructionThe Charter also denies parents their fundamental right to educate their children. It gives the EU authority to mandate that students are educated from a secular perspective. The Charter states:
the freedom to found educational establishments with due respect for democratic principles and the right of parents to ensure the education and teaching of their children in conformity with their religious, philosophical and pedagogical convictions shall be respected, in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of such freedom and right.

Vice-president Guy Brabant explains the full extent of this article:

The expression: ‘democratic principles,’ that should be respected within the scope of freedom to found educational establishments, needs to be interpreted… as having to include, if not secularism, at least the neutrality of the teaching, which the majority of the Convention didn’t want to explicitly inscribe in the Charter.

He further explains:

the liberties granted to parents by this article must reconcile themselves with the rights for children that are recognised by article 24, particularly that of expressing their views freely, which shall be ‘taken into consideration on matters which concern them in accordance with their age and maturity.’ This addition of rights of children to the rights of parents shows the evolution of ideas and of social customs which have characterised the last half-century of family relations.
[11]

Such a provision could endanger the curricula of Catholic schools and throw the divinely established familial hierarchy on its head. It would give freedom to rebellious teenagers to transgress the limits of the order established in their families, greatly increasing the chances that their adolescent delinquency will carry over into their adult lives.It would represent, to a large extent, the victory of the rebellious students who demonstrated at Paris’ Sorbonne University in 1968.

8. Forcing the Acceptance of Foreign LawThe Charter would also bind all its member states to accept EU law that originated in other countries. Currently more than 80% of new legislation imposed on Europe’s citizens fits into this category.Former German President, Roman Herzog explained how this has played out in his country:

The German Ministry of Justice has compared the legal acts adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany between 1998 and 2004 with those adopted by the European Union in the same period. Result: 84 percent come from Brussels, with only 16 percent coming originally from Berlin ... The figures stated by the German Ministry of Justice make it quite clear. By far the large majority of legislation valid in Germany is adopted by the German Government in the Council of Ministers [of the EU], and not by the German Parliament.[12]

Furthermore, the limitation of the binding character of the Charter of Fundamental Rights to EU law and to the EU institutions is unrealistic, because

(a) the principles of primacy and uniformity of Union law mean that Member States will not only be bound by the Fundamental Rights Charter when implementing EU law, but also through the "interpretation and application of their national laws in conformity with Union laws" (v. ECJ judgements in the Factortame, Simmenthal and other law cases); and because(b) the Charter sets out fundamental rights in areas in which the Union has currently no competence, e.g. outlawing the death penalty, asserting citizens' rights in criminal proceedings and various other areas.”All this gives a new and extensive human and civil rights jurisdiction to the EU Court of Justice and makes that Court the final body to decide what people's rights are in the vast area covered by European law.[13]

Thus, the acceptance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a binding juridical document would impose on all EU member states, uniform standards regarding most sensitive areas where, presently, there are significant national differences.Given this situation, Pope Benedict XVI rightly asks:

how can they [the EU] exclude an element essential to European identity such as Christianity, with which a vast majority of citizens continue to identify? … Does not this unique form of "apostasy" from itself, even more than its apostasy from God, lead Europe to doubt its own identity?[14]

9. Ireland Must Become the Voice of Those Who Have No VoiceAlthough the treaty of Lisbon is being presented as a new constitution, it contains at least 90% of the formerly proposed constitution that was rejected by the citizens of France and the Netherlands. Since the Irish will be the only people before whom this constitution will be put to the vote, circumstances have placed the country in the historic position of being the voice of all Europe that has undemocratically been denied their voice.Therefore, it is incumbent upon everyone to firmly support the rejection of the Treaty of Lisbon in the Irish referendum scheduled for June 12.

Above all it behoves Catholics to pray for this intention. The very Faith of Europe is at stake.
Footnotes:

The complete text of the document is published at: http://www.isfcc.org/nine_reasons.htm
John Paull II, Message to Cardinal Antonio Maria Javierre Ortas on the Occasion of the 1200th Anniversary of the Imperial Coronation of Charlemagne by Leo III, http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2000/oct-dec/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20001216_javierre-ortas_en.html
Guy Brabant, La Charte des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne, Ed. du Seuil, 2001, p. 81 and p. 75-76.
Cfr. http://www.diocese-frejus-toulon.com/Problemes-ethiques-souleves-par-la.html
Benedict XVI, Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to Members of the International Theological Commission, Vatican City, 05-10-2007.
Michel Schooyans, "La face cachée de l’O.N.U.", p.120.
Brabant, p. 91-92.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, lecture given upon reception of the St. Benedict Award for the promotion of life and the family in Europe on April 1, 2005.
Brabant. p. 163.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Address to the Italian Senate on May 13, 2004, http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=6317
Brabant p. 132-133.
Welt Am Sonntag, January 14 2007.
Prof. Anthony Coughlan, Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin, in http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2773
Benedict XVI, Address to the Participants in the Convention organized by the COMECE, in http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20070324_comece_en.html

Friday, May 30, 2008

May 30, Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus -- 12 promises to those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart....

Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Of the many promises Our Lord Jesus Christ did reveal to Saint Margaret Mary in favor of souls devoted to His Sacred Heart the principal ones are as follows:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.

5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.

9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.

12. In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

Virgin Mary statue untouched by fire

It's comforting to see statues of Our Lord and Our Lady remain untouched by fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.

I remember seeing a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus standing tall amid the wreckage of Katrina in New Orleans. These statues bear the silent message that says, "I Am what really counts. If you have Me, you have everything. Material things are nothing."

Another story from Maryland, shows the same thing. This time with a fire and an untouched statue of the Virgin Mary.

It happened on Tuesday morning. An arsonist set fire to an historic barn built in 1841.

But the statue of the Virgin Mary that stood next to the barn wall was untouched. Around the statue was scorched grass and blackened bits of wood.

According to an article in the Frederick News Post:

"While the barn burned, Newlon was able to find a sign of hope in the chaos.

"The family had a statue of the Virgin Mary up against a stone wall in the barn. Although flames surrounded her, "she was just as white as can be," Newlon said.

"She pointed out the statue to a firefighter who ran up to the barn and moved her to a safer location. "I know he must have burned his hands because she was hot," she said.
It was a gesture Newlon appreciated. "God has a purpose," Newlon said. "He will bring good out of it somehow."

For the full story, please go here:

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=75552

Thursday, May 29, 2008

May 30, Feast of Saint Joan of Arc -- who would she be fighting today?

I'd like to make a tribute to Saint Joan on her feast day.

Many speak of Napoleon's military genius. Well, in my opinion, Saint Joan of Arc was such a military genius, that she outshone him like the sun does a simple star.

Moreover, St. Joan realized that victory always comes from God.  She used to say: "We must fight so that God will grant us victory.”

I believe that if Saint Joan were alive today, she would be part of TFP-America Needs Fatima's moral crusades to spread the Fatima message, stop blasphemy, and oppose the homosexual agenda. 

Saint Joan of Arc, again, if alive today, would surely be a dynamo of peaceful and legal action in favor of the traditional family and all pro-life causes.

Because today, the homosexual agenda is making efforts to destroy the legitimate family as God made it.  The decision of the CA Supreme Court to allow same-sex "marriage," against the will of the people, is the most recent attack on the family.

Our book, Defending a Higher Law: Why We Must Resist Same-Sex “Marriage” and the Homosexual Movement, unmasks the myths of the homosexual agenda.

Our book proves the falsity of many arguments of the homosexual movement, such as: the lie that 10% of the male population is homosexual, the reality that no homosexual instinct exists in animals and the fact that there has been no scientific evidence to suggest that homosexuality is an innate or unchangeable condition.

Our book answers three main questions:

1) Who is behind the homosexual agenda?

2) What are its weaknesses?

3) What strengths do we as Catholics have to resist this movement?

Our main strength lies in that fact that God is on our side.

We know that we cannot lose.  But this does not mean that we can sit around and do nothing. God wants us to work with Him.

That is where I bring in our saint of today, Saint Joan of Arc. She used to say: "We must fight so that God will grant us victory.”

Of course, our fight is always one of prayer, one that is entirely peaceful and lawful.

Above all, we know that Our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, will multiply our efforts, as He multiplied the loaves and the fishes, and grant victory to His cause.

Our Lady of Fatima promised us this victory.  She said: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will Triumph!"

May Saint Joan of Arc in Heaven before the Throne of The Almighty, beg God and Our Lady on her feast day of May 30 to hasten that glorious day.

Photos of Americans at Polish Annual March for Life and Family in Warsaw

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Does God speak to us through natural calamities?

Natural Calamities, Divine Threats?


Earthquake in China...Cyclone in Myanmar...Fires in Florida...Tornado in Iowa...

Read what St. Alphonsis Ligouri has to say on the matter.

FIRST DISCOURSE:
God Threatens to Chastise Us in Order to Deliver Us from Chastisement

"Ah, I will comfort Myself over My adversaries: and I will be revenged of my enemies." -----Isa. 1:24.
Such is the language of God, when speaking of punishment and vengeance: He says that He is constrained by His justice to take vengeance on His enemies. But, mark you, He begins with the word Heu, "Ah:" this word is an exclamation of grief by which He would give us to understand, that if He were capable of weeping when about to punish, He should weep bitterly at being compelled to afflict us His creatures, whom He has loved so dearly as to give up His life through love for us. " '

 

Alas' " says Cornelius a Lapide, "is uttered by one who is lamenting and not insulting; God signifies by this word that He is grieving, and that He is unwilling to punish sinners." No, this God, Who is the Father of mercies, and so much loves us, is not of a disposition to punish and afflict, but rather to pardon and console us. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of affliction. -----Jer. 29:2. But some one will say, since such is His character, why does

He now punish us? or, at least, appear as if He meant to punish us? Why so? Because He wishes to be merciful towards us: this anger which He now displays is all mercy and patience.

Let us then, my brethren, understand how the Lord at present appears in wrath, not with a view to our punishment, but in order that we may cleanse ourselves of our sins, and thus enable Him to pardon us. Such is the subject of our discourse: GOD THREATENS TO CHASTISE IN ORDER TO DELIVER US FROM CHASTISEMENT.

The threats of men ordinarily proceed from their pride and impotence; whence, if they have it in their power to take vengeance on an object, they threaten nothing, lest they should thereby give their enemies an opportunity of escape. It is only when they want the power to wreak their vengeance that they betake themselves to threats, in order to gratify their passion, by awakening at least the fears of their enemies.

Not so the threats of which God makes use; on the contrary, their nature is quite different. His threats do not arise from His inability to chastise, because He can be avenged when He wills; but He bears with us in order to see us penitent, and thus exempt from punishment. Thou hast mercy upon all because Thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men for the sake of repentance. -----Wisd. 11:24.

Neither does He threaten from hatred, in order to torment us with fear; God threatens from love, in order that we may be converted to Him, and thereby escape chastisement: He threatens, because He does not wish to see us lost: He threatens, in fine, because He loves our souls. But Thou sparest all because they are Thine, O Lord, Who lovest souls. -----Wisd. 11:27. He threatens; but notwithstanding bears with us and delays the infliction, because He wishes to see us converted, not lost. He dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance. -----2 Pet. 3:9. Thus the threats of God are all acts of tenderness, and amorous calls of His goodness, by which He means to save us from the punishment which we deserve.


Yet forty days, exclaimed Jonas, and Nineve shall be destroyed. -----Jonas 3:4. Wretched Ninevites, he cries, the day of your chastisement is come; I announce it to you on the part of God: Know that within forty days Nineve shall be destroyed, and cease to exist. But how comes it that Nineve did penance and was not destroyed? And God saw their works, that they were turned from their evil way, and God had mercy. -----Jonas 3:10

Whereat Jonas was afflicted, and making lamentation before the Lord, said to Him: Therefore, I went before Thee into Tarsis, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and merciful God, patient and of much compassion, and easy to forgive evil. -----Jonas 4:2. He then left Nineve, and was screened from the rays of the burning sun by an ivy which God caused to overshadow his head. But how did the Lord next act?

He withered the ivy, whereat Jonas was so much afflicted that he wished for death. God then said to him, Thou hast grieved for the ivy for which Thou hast not labored, nor made it to grow; . . . and shall not I spare Nineve? -----Jonas 4:10. Thou grievest for the ivy which thou hast not created, and shall not I pardon the men who are the work of My hands?

More coming soon...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Americans Join Poland's March for Life

The American TFP-America Needs Fatima sent John Miller and Charles Sulzen, its two representatives, to Poland for that country's third annual March for Life.

While Charles played the bagpipes, John carried the American flag.

The article below from Poland Today quotes from John Miller.

POLAND TODAY

Poland's March for Life: joyfully pro-family! 26.05.2008 Listen 3,7 MB

March for Life and Family 2008 (photo: marsz.org)

On the eve of the Mother's Day, which is celebrated in Poland every year on the 26th of May since 1923, residents of the Polish capital together with guests from different cities and countries, could take part in the third annual March for Life and Family - a joyful celebration of traditional values and a call for respect for the fundamental human right to life.

Joanna Najfeld reports

[GIRL] 'I am pro-life. I think it's a healthy view on life and I want to support healthy family composed of a woman, a man and children.'

[BOY] 'To celebrate family, to celebrate life, to give support to our pro-life organizations!'

Several thousand people, many families with children

Family picnic (photo: marsz.org)

and youth, marched through the heart of Warsaw on Sunday in a joyful affirmation of Judeo-Christian values. Participants called for respect for the natural family and fundamental human right to life for everyone from conception to natural death.

Next to families, individuals and organizations supporting the idea, some celebrities were spotted at the event, among them Wojciech Cejrowski - well-known Polish traveller, writer and journalist.

'For me this pro-life and pro-family march is also a celebration of the Mother's Day. I came here with my mother. She gave me life, thank you. And it was her who taught me what family is. Two homosexual women may love each other deeply but they will never make a marriage. You can call it that way, you can legalize it, but then, why don't we legalize as a marriage a group of three loving men and a dog that they all love, right? My mother

photo: marsz.org

also taught me to respect life and that is why I protest against abortion. And then, again, you can make it legal, but it is killing - premeditated murder of an innocent human being. Thank you,' Cejrowski said.

International guests came to this year's march from Germany, France, Belarus, Ukraine, but also Brazil, Chile and the United States of America: 'I'm from the American TFP. I came with the bagpiper. I was just trying to compare this to the March for Life in Washington D.C. We have about two hundred thousand. It looks today maybe 4 to 6 thousand. From here it looks like a lot. I'm definitely enjoying it.'

Comparing with the rest of Europe, Poland is a fairy conservative country. Abortion is illegal, though not punishable within certain time restrictions in three exceptions: when the baby is suspected of disability,

photo: marsz.org

there is a diagnosis of danger to the mother's health, or when there is a claim that the pregnancy is a result of crime. There is no formal registration of homosexual unions.

Pro-life and pro-family rallies has been organized occasionally not only in Warsaw. In the 1990s, when the abortion law was changed twice, two major pro-life marches were held in the Polish capital, reportedly nearing two hundred thousand participants each.

The regular, annual March for Life and Family in Warsaw was first held in 2006. Since then, the event has been steadily growing in numbers, as participants began to see Poland as a hope for the revival of human rights in Europe.

photo: marsz.org

'The family is the future for Europe. It guarantees stability and development of the whole civilization. Unfortunately, because of the crisis caused by the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, we see a decline of family - more divorces, homosexual unions and also less children because of contraception and abortion. Because of this, europe is becoming a demographical "Titanic". The only solution is to return to the family values and it should be guaranteed by the state and also by the European Union which is not unfortunately supporting suicidal policy,' said Sławomir Olejniczak, co-organizer of March for Life and Family.

photo: marsz.org

March for Life and Family ended with a family picnic open air concert with a variety attractions - games and competitions for children. Mothers received Mother's Day wishes and gifts from their beloved ones.

A week before the march, a series of family events had been held in the run-up to the march, including a conference on naprotechnology - natural methods of combating infertility, and a pro-life movie night.

Organizers are already working on next year's edition.

Urgent prayer request for our troops...

According to the weather reports, it is our understanding that it is 122 degrees in Iraq right now -- and the low will be 111! Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance, and safety. If it be God's will, give these men and women the strength they need to prevail.

I am sorry, but I am not breaking this one... Let us pray.

Prayer chain for our Military... please don't break it...

Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer

"Lord, please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need, through the intercession of Thy Most Holy Mother. Amen."

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.

And please send this to all the people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you, please...

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine & others deployed in harm's way, Prayer is the very best one!

Monday, May 26, 2008

The History of the Rosary

The word Rosary means crown of roses.

In pre-Christian times, pagans used to crown their statues with roses to symbolize the rendering of their hearts to the gods. With the coming of Christianity, the fusing of their love for false gods with their hatred for the early Christians led to the Roman persecutions.

During these persecutions, Christian virgins, dressed in their best and crowned with roses, went to their martyrdom in the sandy arena of the Coliseum. Their brethren in the Faith later collected these crowns of roses and prayed before them, saying one prayer per rose.

Among these prayers, that which held the foremost place in Christian hearts from the beginning was the one that flowed from the lips of our Divine Redeemer Himself: the Our Father.

Little by little, as though to complement this most perfect prayer, the Holy Spirit inspired the faithful to address the Mother of the Redeemer with the words spoken by the Angel and by Saint Elizabeth, giving rise to the recitation of the first part of the Hail Mary. The Church added the name of Mary to the beginning and that of Jesus to the end of this salutation.

At the Council of Ephesus, in 431, Holy Mother Church defined that the Blessed Virgin is truly the Mother of God and gave us the conclusion of the Hail Mary, "Holy Mary, Mother of God . . .," which officially became the second part of the Hail Mary in 1568.

In the monasteries of the Middle Ages, the monks who could not read replaced the recitation of the Psalms with the repetition of the Our Father. Since there are 150 Psalms in the Bible, they prayed a series of 150 Our Fa-thers, which they called the "Psalter of Christ." To count the Our Fathers, the monks used knotted ropes or collars of grains, which in France were called "paternotres."

In the eleventh century, some hermits and laymen began to recite "Our Lady's Psalter," that is, 150 salutations "Hail Mary... fruit of thy womb," instead of the 150 Our Fathers. They divided these salutations into three series of 50, which they termed "rosaries" or "crowns" because of the custom of crowning Our Lady's statues with flowers.

But it was only in 1214, according to a pious and admirable tradition, that the Most Holy Virgin herself consecrated this devotion by appearing to Saint Dominic of Guzman, founder of the Dominicans, and giving him the Rosary in its present form as a weapon to combat the Albigensian heresy that was devastating southern France.

Let the great apostle of Mary, Saint Louis De Montfort, tell us the circumstances in which that great event took place:

"Saint Dominic, seeing that the gravity of people's sins was hindering the conversion of the Albigensians, withdrew into forest near Toulouse where he prayed unceasingly for three days and three nights. During this time he did nothing but weep and do harsh penances in order to appease the anger of Almighty God. He used his discipline so much that his body was lacerated, and finally he fell into a coma.

"At this point Our Lady appeared to him, accompanied by three angels, and she said:

"'Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?'"

" 'Oh, my Lady,' answered Saint Dominic, 'you know
far better than I do because next to your Son Jesus Christ
you have always been the chief instrument of our sal-
vation.'

"Then Our Lady replied:

"'I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter.'

"So he arose, comforted, and burning with zeal for the conversion of the people in that district he made straight for the Cathedral. At once, unseen angels rang the bells to gather the people together and Saint Dominic began to preach.

"At the very beginning of his sermon an appallin storm broke out, the earth shook, the sun was darkened, and there was so much thunder and lightning that all were very much afraid. Even greater was their fear when, looking at a picture of Our Lady exposed in a prominent place, they saw her raise her arms to heaven three times to call down God's vengeance upon them if they failed to be converted, to amend their lives, and seek the protection of the Holy Mother of God.

"At last, at the prayer of Saint Dominic, the storm came to an end, and he went on preaching. So fervently and compellingly did he explain the importance and value of the Holy Rosary that almost all the people of Toulouse embraced it and renounced their false beliefs" (The Secret of the Rosary, Montfort Publications, Bay Shore, N.Y., 1954, pp. 18-19).

After this brilliant victory of the Faith, obtained by preaching the Rosary, Saint Dominic endeavored with renewed fervor to spread such a meritorious devotion. But after his death in 1221, as the memory of his preaching gradually faded in the minds of the Christians who had heard him, devotion to the Rosary declined.

One century later it was practically buried and for-
gotten.

To reestablish this devotion in its pristine fervor, Our Lady chose Blessed Alan de la Roche, a Dominican from the monastery at Dinan, France. In 1464, after apparitions of Our Lord, Our Lady and Saint Dominic himself, Blessed Alan solemnly resolved to preach the Rosary incessantly, which he did until his death in 1475, around the time of the founding of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary at the Dominican convent at Cologne. It was to him and Saint Dominic that Our Lady gave her promises to those who pray the Rosary.

The erection of confraternities in many other places led to the printing of numerous books on the Rosary. The devotion quickly spread throughout Europe. It is to the confraternities that the acceptance of the list of fifteen mysteries to be meditated on during the recitation of the Hail Marys is mainly due. Pope Saint Pius V, a Dominican himself, enunciated the list in his Consueverunt of 1569.

By then, Europe was tragically menaced by the might of the Turkish empire. Saint Pius V convoked a crusade to save Christendom. However, many Christian peoples, either rendered lukewarm by the Renaissance or alienated from the bosom of the Church by Protestantism, turned a deaf ear to the Pope. But the Holy Father did not rest until he had organized a fleet of about 200 galleys from the Papal States, Malta, Spain, Naples and Sicily, and the states of Venice and Genoa.

This Christian fleet, placed under the Most Holy Virgin's protection by the Pope, sailed under the command of Don John of Austria, half-brother of King Philip II of Spain. The Moslem fleet was sighted about 50 miles west of the harbor of Lepanto, which is just inside the narrow entrance of the Gulf of Corinth.

Battle was joined on October 7, 1571. Upon its outcome depended the future of Christendom.

During four long hours, galleys crashed into each other, musket balls and arrows flew everywhere, men swarmed aboard the enemy ships wherever they could get a grip.

Although things had gone badly for the Christians at first, in the end they were victorious. Alt Pasha, the commander in chief of the Moslem fleet, was killed and his standard taken. The Moslems, losing courage, began to flee.

The combat became a slaughter of infidels. It is reckoned that 24,000 Moslems were killed and 5,000 taken prisoner. The Christians captured 177 ships and freed perhaps as many as 15,000 Christian rowers, slaves in the Turkish galleys.

On the day of the battle, Saint Pius V was working with the cardinals. Suddenly, interrupting his work and opening the window, he looked at the sky and cried out:

"A truce to business; our great task at present is to thank God for the victory He has just given the Christian army."

Two weeks and more later, a courier, delayed by storms at sea, arrived in Rome with the news of the naval victory of Lepanto. The Pope wept for joy: the power of Islam had been dealt a shattering blow from which it would never recover.

To thank the Most Holy Virgin for this triumph obtained while the members of all the confraternities of Rome were holding Rosary processions, Saint Pius V added to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary the supplication "Help of Christians" and instituted for the first Sunday of October the feast of Our Lady of Victory, which was changed by Gregory XIII to the feast of the
Most Holy Rosary.

After a new victory over the Turks gained by Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1716, at Peterwardein in Hungary, Pope Clement XI extended the celebration of the feast of the Rosary to the universal Church. In our century, the great Saint Pius X fixed the feast on October 7.

In 1917, less than three years after the death of Saint Pius X, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta (aged ten, nine and seven respectively), at Cova da Iria, Fatima, Portugal, in a series of six apparitions that began May 13 and ended October 13. The authenticity of these apparitions was confirmed by the miracle of the sun witnessed by about 70,000 spectators during the final apparition.

At Fatima, Our Lady gave the three children the mission of telling the world that she was profoundly displeased with the impiety and corruption of men. She warned that if mankind did not amend its ways a terrible chastisement would come, several nations would disappear, Russia would spread its errors throughout the world and the Holy Father would have much to suffer.

In her message, the Queen of Heaven and Earth along with pointing out the danger tells us how to avoid it. She maternally provides guidelines to avert this terrible chastisement: she asks for prayer and penance, and especially the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

It was after giving the warning of the chastisement and the ways to avoid it that Our Lady taught us the prayer to be recited at the end of each mystery of the Rosary. She told Lucia: "When you pray the Rosary, after each decade say, 'O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need.' "

At the tempestuous start of the 21st century, amidst the most devastating crisis in history, a beacon of hope shines in the words spoken by Our Lady at Fatima, for she has assured us: "Finally, my Immaculate Heart will triumph!"

Sunday, May 25, 2008

2008 Rosary Rallies on Target

Please join 2008 Rosary Rallies by calling 866-584-6012. Or write to reritchie@juno.com.

While October 11 is still months away, the task of organizing and coordinating thousands of Public Square Rosary rallies nationwide must be done well in advance.

Over 100 volunteers are scheduled to work at America Needs Fatima's central coordination office in Rossville, KS, starting on June 15. They are the "backbone" of the campaign. Some are coming from as far away as Saipan. "There will always be at least 10 volunteers on the floor taking and making phone calls to rally captains," said Chris Pierce volunteer coordinator.

These 100+ volunteers will help guide the regional and local organizers to reach our goal of holding 3,000+ Public Square Rosary rallies across the country on October 11, the Saturday closest to October 13, the day of the Fatima miracle of the sun. "I think we'll get well more than 3,000 rallies this year, "said Francis Slobodnik, ANF national rally coordinator. "People are seeing the moral crisis grow, and want to spread the Fatima message of prayer, penance and amendment of life."

Indeed, in these days of rampant immorality, homosexuality, failed human policies, natural disasters and militant secularism, the idea of proclaiming the Catholic faith in the public square is very attractive.

What better way to honor the Blessed Mother than to be out in the public praying the rosary?

This is exactly what happened at Fatima. The whole nation watched as people were not in the churches but publicly filled the highways and byways to reach the huge field where Our Lady appeared before 100,000 faithful.


In a similar way, it is hoped that on October 11, millions of Americans will see Catholics in visibly
public areas all over the nation with large banners calling upon passersby to “pray with us for America.”


Practical Matters: Nuts and Bolts

Beyond the reasons for holding the rallies, there are practical problems involved in such a mammoth task. Francis Slobodnik, head of the campaign central office in Kansas, said, "every day, the volunteers and staff will recruit rally captains, answer questions and send out supplies."

America Needs Fatima is preparing a special web page with the resources available online for all those involved in the organizing rallies.

Site specialist Joseph Ritchie said, "our how-to manual has all the easy steps to follow. People can find downloadable banners and a map is available to find the nearest rally." The idea of the web resource center for the campaign is to make it possible for anyone, anywhere to get involved.

As the date of the rallies gets closer, the efforts to recruit rally captains and helpers will intensify. Plans call for sending out tens of thousands of letters and email blasts to potential rally participants.

Last year's rally advertisements appeared with the question: “Where will you be on October 13th?”

“But this year, our message focuses on failed human efforts to solve America's steep moral and economic troubles," said campaign director Robert E. Ritchie. “People see that without God and Our Lady there is no human solution."

"The encouraging thing," Mr. Ritchie commented, "is the response and enthusiasm we have received for the 2008 rallies is far greater than we saw in 2007. People are suffering more and prayer is the answer."

Anyone Can Be Rally Captain

Many have the idea that the role of rally captain is too daunting a task. Regional directors will be coordinating rallies and resolving difficulties.


While it definitely involves some responsibility, the Rosary Campaign Central Office has made the process much easier.


With devotion and determination, anyone can be a rosary rally captain. All that is needed is a public place, some friends, some signs and a rosary. Rallies need not have huge crowds; all it takes is a few ardent souls holding a banner to impact the public and more importantly Heaven.

People of all ages and walks of life are signing up. Several captains are holding not one, but several public rosaries in their communities. Last year, one man who is wheel chair bound asked to be a rally captain. And one mother said that “with this public rosary, I will bind my children to the Immaculate Heart of Mary”.


Much Already Done

While the main rallies are planned for October 11, some captains are holding public rosary rallies as a preparation for the final rally.


For example, in Cleveland Ohio, there's been a rosary rally every month since the 2007 rallies. And our Student Action group is holding rallies on the nation’s universities.

The Public Square Rosary Rallies are a huge grassroots effort. It hopes to bring together as many Catholics as possible to respond to the question: As human efforts fail to solve America's problems, should we not turn to God and the Blessed Mother to save us through the Rosary?

Let's see how many people answer YES on October 11!

Please join 2008 Rosary Rallies by calling 866-584-6012. Or write to reritchie@juno.com.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Reflections on a Statue of Our Lady Help of Christians

May 24: Feast day of Our Lady Help of Christians

We see many beautiful aspects in this statue. The first and most beautiful of them is Our Lady with the Child Jesus in Her arms, something we should meditate on today.

Our Lady Help Christians II

What is the link between Our Lady as Help of Christians and Our Lady as holding the Infant Jesus in Her arms?

There is a time when the child is still very small, when the mother governs him, and that he, as it were, lives from her very life. This special time is when the mother has the most intimacy with her child; when the child’s love for his mother penetrates his soul and is set to endure for a lifetime.

Also, it is during a child’s infancy that motherly love expands to such an extent that all the love she will have for him for the rest of his life is merely an overflow of that first love she had for him while an infant in her arms.

Now, let’s consider this: The Child that plays in Our Lady’s arms is God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible. This fact is really marvelous and incredible. He wants to be carried by Our Lady. He wants to be held in that simple unpretentious manner. He wants that intimacy, kindness and dependency towards the Blessed Mother.

To measure this fact, please remember this: there was a saint who once received an apparition from his guardian angel. Upon seeing the angel, so splendorous and magnificent, the saint knelt and wished to adored him as God. The angel told the saint he was not God, but his guardian angel. And we know that Guardian Angels are members of the lowest angelic choir. If a Guardian Angel is so magnificent, what about the highest Seraphim? And the highest of Seraphims is absolutely nothing compared to God. For sake of comparison, we would think it incredible to see Our Lady holding a seraphim and playing with him like She played with Our Lord.

Try to imagine what it means, therefore, for Our Lady to play with God Almighty Who is seated on Her lap. While His majesty is infinite, in His sanctity there is an aspect that is legitimately childlike.

God’s goodness is infinite, yet He assumes a childlike size to depend on Our Lady and to be more easily presented to us. The infancy of Jesus is an infinitely precious gift that Our Lady gives to mankind. The person who plays with God on Her lap has everything that God can give. Evidently, Our Lady’s omnipotent power of supplication is hereby described in a splendid manner.

This reflection aids us in understanding how Our Lay can help us. She wants to help us because She is the detonator of all the mercy of a God who has made Himself a Child for our benefit. She can help us because the Child completely depends on Her.

This is the link between Our Lady as help of Christians and as holding the Child Jesus in Her arms. If She were not holding Our Lord, She could not help us in the least.

Friday, May 23, 2008

11 Most Important Stories of the Week

  1. Germans have trouble getting exorcisms
  2. Prayer and Crucifixes on the endangered list in Quebec
  3. Cyclone survivors get free condoms from UN
  4. Pilgrims barred from Marian Shrine by Communist Chinese
  5. French government to push for legalized sodomy at UN
  6. British Parliament YES to the creation of “horror” hybrid embryos
  7. “Fatherless” children approved in Britain
  8. Venezuela President gets more financial muscle
  9. UK announced it will promote homosexuality overseas
  10. Reaction grows against CA same-sex approval
  11. Smith College sees lesbian riot

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German demand for exorcisms sparks row

By Bojan Pancevski

Last updated: 10:48 AM BST 22/05/2008

A growing demand for exorcisms by Germans who believe they are suffering demonic possession has sparked controversy in a country where the practice has been outlawed by the Roman Catholic Church.

A new radio documentary revealed that hundreds of people from all over Germany have been subjected to exorcisms in the last year alone.

Thousands more have sought help in neighbouring countries such as Poland where exorcism rituals are more commonly practised by the Church.

For the full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/2006937/German-demand-for-exorcisms-sparks-row.html

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Remove Crucifixes and Ban Public Prayer to Solve Immigrant Tensions - Quebec Report
Every religion but Christianity should be welcome in public life in Quebec

By Hilary White
MONTREAL, May 22, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Every religion but Christianity should be welcome in public life in Quebec, according to a government report. Crucifixes must be removed from the National Assembly and classrooms and Christian prayers banned from city council meetings but students should be allowed to wear their Islamic hijabs, Jewish kippas, Sikh turbans and even the ceremonial dagger called a kirpan.

For the full story: LifeSiteNews.com

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UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Sending 220,000 Condoms to Myanmar Survivors
Also providing portable abortion devices

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
YANGON, May 22, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "The United Nations will send nearly a quarter of a million condoms into cyclone-hit Myanmar to help needy survivors with no access to contraceptives," a UN official says.
UNFPA aid advisor Chaiyos Kunanusont said 72,800 condoms had so far been delivered to "survivors struggling to maintain their family planning after the storm hit in early May."

For the full story: LifeSiteNews.com

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China Disqualifies the Virgin of Sheshan

By Sandro Magister
5/23/2008

Chiesa (chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it)

Pilgrimages banned to the most important Chinese Marian shrine – on the day of prayer established by the pope.

ROMA (Chiesa) – During this month of May, in two days, the first of the annual days of prayer for the Church in China will be held, established by Benedict XVI in his letter to Chinese Catholics one year ago.
Traditionally, each May 24, thousands of Catholics from all over China go on pilgrimage to the shrine of Sheshan, dedicated to Mary "help of Christians," located on a lush green hill 30 miles south of Shanghai.

Full story:

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28044

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Tuesday May 20, 2008

French Government Seeks "Universal Decriminalization" of Sodomy

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
May 20, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The French government plans to use its upcoming presidency of the European Union to push for the universal decriminalization of sodomy, according to news reports.
It has also announced its endorsement of the "International Day Against Homophobia" (IDAHO), a day that commemorates the World Health Organization's decision to declassify homosexual orientation as a mental disorder in 1990.  Controversy about the decision continues to exist among mental health professionals and others.

Full story: LifeSiteNews.com

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Bishop: British Parliament Approves "Horror"

Life Academy Leader Denounces Law OK'ing Hybrids

VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- British Parliament has now approved one of the horrors that has always been rejected by ethics, says the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Members of Parliament approved 336-176 on Monday evening the creation of hybrid embryos, made by introducing human DNA into animal ova. The measure aims to compensate for a "shortage" of human embryos used for embryonic stem cell research.

Full story:

http://www.zenit.org/article-22635?l=english

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Times Online Logo 222 x 25

From Times Online

May 20, 2008

Women win right to children without fathers

MPs decided to stick with the current 24-week abortion limit

Mark Henderson, Francis Elliott, Ruth Gledhill and Sam Coates

Single women and lesbian couples won landmark parental rights last night as MPs voted to remove the requirement that fertility clinics consider a child’s need for a father.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will replace the rule with a “need for supportive parenting” after opponents were defeated in two votes by unexpectedly wide margins.

Full story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3972376.ece

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The New York Times


May 18, 2008

Chávez Seizes Greater Economic Power

By SIMON ROMERO

CARACAS, Venezuela — Faced with shortages of foods, building materials and other staples, President Hugo Chávez is intensifying state control of the Venezuelan economy through a new wave of takeovers of private companies and the creation of government-controlled ventures with allies like Cuba and Iran.

The moves come just months after voters rejected a referendum to give the president sweeping constitutional power over the economy and public institutions, leading to new accusations that Mr. Chávez is more interested in consolidating power than in fixing Venezuela’s problems.

Full story:

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British Foreign Office to Promote Gay Agenda in Other Countries
Would be working to overturn the laws of sovereign states

By Hilary White
LONDON, May 22, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com ) - The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has announced that its embassies will now be collaborating with local homosexual activist organisations in other countries to promote acceptance of homosexuality overseas. The goal, officials said, is to join forces with these groups in attempting to force other countries to implement the full homosexualist political agenda of equating homosexuality with natural relations between men and women.
Meg Munn, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, admitted that the British government would be working to overturn the laws of sovereign states. She said, "Working with human rights activists, international institutions and non-governmental organisations and like minded governments the Foreign Office is targeting states where same sex relations are illegal, to raise our concerns and encourage them to change their laws."

Full story: LifeSiteNews.com

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chicagotribune.com

Many reject California ruling on same-sex nuptials

By Cathleen Decker

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

11:13 PM CDT, May 22, 2008

LOS ANGELES — By bare majorities, Californians reject the state Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriages and back a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at the November ballot that would outlaw such unions, a new Los Angeles Times/KTLA Poll has found.
But the survey also suggested that the state is moving closer to accepting non-traditional marriages, which could create openings for supporters of same-sex marriage as the campaign unfolds.

Full story here: http: //www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-gay_marriagemay23,0,5694087,print.story

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Lesbian activists at Smith College riot, shut down Ryan Sorba speech on “The Born Gay Hoax” as police watch. See exclusive videos.

“We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!”

Smith College, Northampton, MA - April 29, 2008

Dozens of lesbian activists at Smith College climbed in through windows and stormed the podium in a riot scene shortly after Ryan Sorba began a speech on his upcoming book, The Born Gay Hoax. The melee forced an end to the speech before a packed hall in the library on the Northampton campus.  Uniformed police officers and a plainclothes security guard were in the room but mostly just stood and watched. Rather than take action against the rioters, the officers and a university official walked to the podium and ordered Sorba to leave the room “for his own safety.”

Full story:

http://www.massresistance.com/docs/gen/08a/born_gay_hoax/smith_0329/index.html

Frequently Asked Questions about America Needs Fatima


1. What is America Needs Fatima?
America Needs Fatima (ANF) is the American TFP's special campaign to spread the Fatima message in the United States. The goal of America Needs Fatima is to win the heart and soul of America for Mary by spreading Our Lady's Fatima message and promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.
2. How does America Needs Fatima go about accomplishing its goal?
By means of faith-filled prayer, word, and action. Hundreds of thousands have already accepted ANF's encouragement to pray the Rosary and do the five First Saturday's devotion requested by Our Lady.
ANF reaches out to millions of Americans on the Fatima message using hand-distributed and publication-inserted fliers, direct mail campaigns, and major media advertisements.
Over 3,000 Catholics gathered to protest the launching of the blasphemous film Dogma
ANF's anti-blasphemy network organizes protests and public acts of reparation for attacks on the honor and purity of Our Lord, the Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church. In 2006, ANF organized 2,062 protests nationwide against the gnostic movie The Da Vinci Code.
ANF also organizes the public recitation of the Rosary on college campuses and city streets. To honor the 90th anniversary of Fatima's miracle of the sun, on October 13, 2007, ANF is holding some 2,000 Public Square Rosary rallies coast-to-coast.
ANF has over 3,000 Public Square Rosary Rallies planned for October 11, 2008.
Through its Mary in Every Home apostolate, ANF custodians take Pilgrim Virgin statues to individual homes where they give a two-hour Fatima presentation and pray the Rosary. Since 1995, the Mary in Every Home apostolate has reached over 400,000 people.
All of ANF's efforts would be in vain, but for the prayers of many priests and religious across the country who pray regularly for its efforts.
3. When did America Needs Fatima start?
TFP's America Needs Fatima apostolate started in February 1985.
4. Who directs America Needs Fatima?
Between 1985 and 1994, the America Needs Fatima campaign was headed by Mr. Charles Preston Noell III, a TFP director. From 1994 to 1996, the campaign was blessed with the leadership of Rev. Fr. Kevin J. Beaton. From 1996 to the present, the campaign has been directed by Mr. Robert E. Ritchie, a TFP director.
5. How many members does America Needs Fatima have?
Since 1985 more than 600,000 people have participated in the America Needs Fatima apostolate. Active membership is over 125,000.

Crowning the statue of Our Lady of Fatima at a home enthronement visit
6. What is the Mary in Every Home apostolate? America Needs Fatima's Mary in Every Home apostolate consists in a two-hour Fatima home visit and presentation. An America Needs Fatima custodian brings a 48" Pilgrim Virgin statue, which is then crowned by the host(ess) in his/her home. The Rosary is prayed, a 25 minute DVD on the Fatima story and message is shown, and the custodian gives two small presentations. Free devotional materials on the Rosary and the five First Saturdays devotion are also distributed. America Needs Fatima has twelve dedicated custodians who travel the country reaching thousands of homes every year.
7. How can I schedule a visit of a Fatima Pilgrim Virgin statue to my home? Just call the scheduling office in Kansas at 888-460-7371. The staff there will be happy to schedule a visit of a statue the next time a custodian is in your area.
8. Does the Church support America Needs Fatima?
Over the years, America Needs Fatima has received hundreds of letters of support from bishops praising the apostolate or specific efforts it has undertaken. You can read many of these letters, by clicking here. And, over the decades, thousands of priests and religious have provided their support and prayers as well.
9. Is America Needs Fatima linked to Fr. Nicholas Gruner and the Fatima Crusader? No. America Needs Fatima is not associated in any way with Fr. Nicholas Gruner or his quarterly publication The Fatima Crusader. TFP's bi-monthly magazine is called Crusade, but TFP's use of this name for its magazine is unrelated to Fr. Gruner and dates back to the early 1970's.
10. Does America Needs Fatima publish anything? Yes. Besides its millions of fliers, novenas, devotional items, and holy cards, ANF has printed several publications. These include

Click above to see available titles
Our Lady at Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope for America and the World? by Antonio A. Borelli
Jacinta's Story by Andrea F. Phillips
Meet the Witnesses by John Haffert
The Book of Confidence by Fr. Thomas de Saint-Laurent
The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort
The Way of the Cross by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Fatima Children's Drawing Book by Andrea F. Phillips
Annual Fatima calendar 11. Is there a relationship between America Needs Fatima and the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property-TFP?
Yes. America Needs Fatima is the American TFP's special campaign to spread the Fatima message in the United States. The American TFP strives to defend the Church and Christian civilization from the evils of the day and to further the basic principles of a Christian society, i.e. tradition, family, and private property. As part of its efforts, TFP promotes the Fatima message, and it does this through its America Needs Fatima campaign.
12. Does America Needs Fatima sell rosaries and statues?
Yes it does. Please visit our online store by clicking here. Not only do we have Fatima statues, but statues of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady, crucifixes, medals, rosaries and other religious items. You can also buy books published by TFP and America Needs Fatima.
13. Are donations to America Needs Fatima tax-deductible? Yes. Both TFP and America Needs Fatima are campaigns of The Foundation for a Christian Civilization, Inc., a New York nonprofit and publicly supported 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Consequently, donations to America Needs Fatima are deductible up to 50% of the donor's federal adjusted gross income. You can make a donation online, by clicking here. Please help pass the Fatima message on to future generations by prayerfully including America Needs Fatima in your will!
14. Where can I find more information on TFP and America Needs Fatima?
You can find more information and hundreds of useful articles on TFP's website at www.TFP.org. Or, you can contact the organization directly at:
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, Property-TFP
1358 Jefferson Road
Spring Grove, Penn. 17362
Toll-free: (888) 317-5571 Email: tfp@tfp.org

Body Worlds supporter objects to our protest... any answers?

Too bad you don't see the value of the study of human life. To know life is to understand it. Your fixation and extensive phony "outcry" of these educational expositions is suspect. It's people just like you that would have us all living on a flat planet :-)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Protest this attack on human dignity: Body Worlds 2

Body Worlds 2 will be on display from 05/23/08 to 09/01/08 at the Maryland Science Center.

Please protest in a polite yet firm manner by writing or calling:

Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel: 410-685-2370
Email: jbentzel@marylandsciencecenter.org

There was a time when skinning a person alive was considered the ultimate barbarity. Today, skinning a person dead is considered “educational.”

It is not without dismay that we have, for some time now, seen the news of exhibits of actual human bodies in varying degrees of decomposition put on display in cities nationwide. The victims are shown without skin and internal organs showing. They are subjected to a plastifying process, which preserves them in such a frozen mutilated state of exposure.

The first appearance of these traveling circuses of human bodies and body parts were the result of the work of German-born Gunther von Hagens, who invented a plastination technique in the late seventies. Since his first exhibition in Tokyo in 1995, nearly 25 million people have seen one of his Body Worlds exhibits.

His exhibits have led others to follow suit. Especially active in the United States are two highly profitable shows: BODIES... Body World 2. The latter is now showing in Baltimore at the Maryland Science Center.

Where is the Outrage?

Please protest in a polite yet firm manner by writing or calling:

Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel: 410-685-2370
Email: jbentzel@marylandsciencecenter.org

We would have hoped that such displays would cause widespread outcry from all Americans and especially religious leaders in our world where so many decry the lack of human dignity and the spread of violence.

Unfortunately, such an outcry has not happened. Instead, since the exhibits are put in an “educational” setting, they have become the objects of student field trips, lectures and “family” workshops.

While some Catholic bishops have condemned the displays in Kansas City, other religious leaders are also quick to jump on the educational bandwagon. It is hard to understand how one diocese even extolled the show as an extraordinary opportunity to provide teaching on “health issues, poverty and justice, and the dignity and sacredness of every human life.”

No Human DignityHowever, there is nothing about this exhibit that promotes the dignity and sacredness of human life.

Consider the very presentation of the victims’ bodies. The integrity of the human body is destroyed and mutilated. They are shown in varying stages of decay. At times the bodies are mere skeletons; others are all covered muscle tissues. Still others show both bones and muscle tissue mixtures. Some have tissues, bones and even skulls cutaway to leave body organs exposed.

However, that is not all that is exposed at the exhibit. There is no dignity in bodies that appear in all their skinless nakedness in what critics have rightly called a pornographic display of male and female organs. This is compounded by the suggestive poses assumed by the victims in some of these exhibits.

Please protest in a polite yet firm manner by writing or calling:

Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel: 410-685-2370
Email: jbentzel@marylandsciencecenter.org


Human Trafficking

If in life, humans were treated as “specimens” as in these exhibits, they would be prosecuted for human trafficking. Yet this trade in the dead is allowed to continue despite grave ethical concerns about the origin and use of the bodies. In fact many bodies come
from China whose human rights record is among the worst in the world.

Some say the “specimens” come from unclaimed bodies received by the Bureau of Police and “donated” to universities in China for education and research. The “Bodies Revealed” exhibit promoters present sworn affidavits showing how the bodies were obtained. Another exhibitor, von Hagens, claims his bodies-specimens were donated by people who want their bodies used for “science.”

Media investigators, especially from ABC’s 20/20 show, have raised disturbing questions about these trafficking practices in China. The Atlanta-based Premier Exhibitions behind “Bodies Revealed” is presently facing legislative questioning from several states and Congress centered around human rights concerns. Among other things, the 20/20 show found the company has circumvented laws about human remains by labeling them "plastic models" on shipping documents.

Regardless of how the bodies were obtained, the shows are big business -- generating tens of millions of dollars. The financial success of the original von Hagens exhibit led to the foundation of several for-profit copy-cat exhibitors, like Premier Exhibitions, all over the world who promote similar shows. Typical of such commercialization are the shows’ gifts shops which can feature a whole line of ghoulish items from t-shirts and coffee mugs to human ear-shaped key chains or nose-shaped pencil sharpeners.

A Macabre Specter

Perhaps the worst aspect of the exhibits is their very macabre nature. If seen in a movie theater, the human remains in these exhibits would cause spectators to recoil in horror. In the museum, mutilated humanity is called a source of awe.

These are not anatomy shows or science-class skeletons put on display. Rather, the specimen-victims are made to pose in bizarre and even comic poses that are more fitting for a horror movie than a science display.

Indeed, these human remains are made to be dancers, skateboarders, soccer players or violinists. One is a woman reclining on her side with her womb torn away to reveal an unborn child. Yet another begs the question: What is so scientific about a man on horseback holding his own brain in one hand, the horse's brain in the other?

Please protest in a polite yet firm manner by writing or calling:

Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel: 410-685-2370
Email: jbentzel@marylandsciencecenter.org

Here we enter the world of macabre which breaks down the threshold of horror that man naturally feels in the face of such scenes. Such shows are reflective of our society which pushes the envelope of the sensational to the bizarre, gruesome and macabre. And thus, we are desensitized so that nothing shocks human decency anymore. If our society is rent with cruel violence, it is because we promote a culture that takes away its horror.

Our Resurrection

There is a religious aspect of the shows that is rarely considered. The Catholic teaching on the care of the dead is that they must be buried with every dignity and honor. Proper burial is not only done out of respect for man in the image and likeness of God. To leave a corpse unburied is to profane the body that was once the vessel of the soul.

By properly burying the dead, we affirm our faith in the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ who triumphed over death. We also share in the hope of the resurrection of our own bodies at the time of the final judgment.

Indeed, the burial of the dead is considered a corporal work of mercy out of respect for the dignity of our bodies that will rise again. Likewise, praying for the souls of the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. When mutilated, flayed and cut-away bodies are turned into specimens to be gawked at in traveling shows, it is an implicit denial of the Resurrection and our own resurrection.

To freeze the body in a corruptible state is a cruel mockery of what will happen at the Final Judgment.

Indeed, Saint Paul says: The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body with immortality. (1 Cor 15, 52b-53)

Please protest in a polite yet firm manner by writing or calling:

Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Tel: 410-685-2370
Email: jbentzel@marylandsciencecenter.org