Touched By An Angel...Not Just a TV Show....

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels - a great day to begin the habit of asking for your guardian angel's intercession everyday and thanking him for the numerous occasions he has saved you from harm and bestowed God's graces upon you:

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God entrusts me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and to guide.  Amen."

Angels are legit.  Angels are pure spiritual beings (they don't have bodies) with intellect and will.   When people die, they do not 'become angels', they remain humans - angels are totally separate creatures who are pure spirit.  Humans are an integration of body and soul and though the body and soul are separated at death (but will be forever reunited again in the resurrection), our nature as human beings does not change into that of an angel upon death.

 Scripture is full of the assistance of angels.  Angels minister to the Lord during his agony in the Garden and temptation in the desert.  The angel Gabriel appears to Mary during the Annunciation, speaks to Joseph and Zechariah and a host of angels appear to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus.  Angels appeared after the Resurrection speaking to the women who came to the tomb.  They appeared to the apostles upon the Ascension and assisted them during their time of spreading the Gospel, even freeing Peter from jail.  In the book of Revelation there are many references to the angels.  My favorite Scriptural story of an angel is the book of Tobit when the archangel Raphael leads Tobias to marry Sarah and heals the blindess of Tobit.  There are also many stories of the angels throughout the Old Testament, often including times when God sends angels as guardians of the Israelites.

Guardian angels are an important part of our faith and life.  As the Catechism says, "From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.“Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God." (CCC336) 

Padre Pio's words to one of his spiritual daughters about the guardian angels:

O Raffaelina, how consoling it is to know that we are always under the protection of a heavenly spirit, who never abandons us, not even (most admirable fact!) in the very act by which we displease God! How sweet this great truth is for the believing soul! What can the devout soul fear that is diligent in loving Jesus, and that always has such a distinguished fighter present by its side? Oh, was he not perchance among those many who, together with St. Michael the Angel there in the empyreal heights defended the honor of God against Satan and all the other rebellious spirits, finally reducing them to perdition and casting them into hell (Cf. Dan. 10,13; 12, 1; Apoc. 12,7)?

Well then, know that he is still powerful against Satan and his satellites. His charity has not grown less, nor will it ever fail to protect us. Form the beautiful habit of thinking about him always. How close to us stands one of the celestial spirits, who from the cradle to the grave never leaves us for an instant. He guides us, he protects us like a friend, like a brother. This ought to be, moreover, a constant consolation for us, especially in our saddest hours.

Know, O Raffaelina, that this good angel prays for you: he offers to God all your good works that you accomplish, as well as your holy and pure desires. In the hours in which you seem to be alone and abandoned, do not complain about not having a soul-mate to whom you can open (your heart) and to whom you can confide your sorrows: - for the love of God, do not forget this invisible companion who is always present to listen to you and always ready to console you.

O delightful intimacy, O blessed companionship! Oh, if only all men knew how to understand and appreciate this very great gift that God, in the excess of His love for men, has assigned to us this celestial spirit! Recall frequently his presence: you ought to fix your mind's eye upon him. Thank him, pray to him. He is so finely mannered, so discreet: respect him. Have continual fear lest you offend the purity of his gaze.

Invoke frequently this (your) Guardian Angel, this benefactor angel. Repeat often the beautiful prayer:"Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom the heavenly Father's bounty entrusts me here; enlighten me, guard me, guide me now and forever." How great, my dear Raffaelina, will be the consolation, when, at the hour of death, your soul will see this angel, who is so good, who has accompanied you throughout your life, who was so ample in his maternal care! Oh that this sweet thought may make you, may render you continually more fond of the Cross of Jesus! This is namely what your good angel desires!  May the desire to see this inseparable companion of your entire life enkindle in you that charity which moves you to desire soon to leave the body.

Oh, what a holy and salutary thought it is to see this our good angel! It is this aspiration, namely, that should make us escape ahead of time from this dark prison in which we are detained. O Raffaelina, where are my thoughts flying to now? How many times, alas, have I made this good angel weep! How many times have I lived without the least fear of offending the purity of his regard! Oh, he is so finely mannered, so discreet. My God, how many times did I respond to the ample, more than maternal care of this good angel without any sign of respect, affection or acknowledgment! It is this thought that presently rather fills me with confusion: alas -- hear this and be horrified -- such is my blindness that I feel no remorse at this. And what is worse still, I treat this dear little angel, I do not say as a friend, but as a member of my family. And to tell the truth, this dear angel is not the least offended at being treated like this by me. How precious he is, how good!"

Read more about Padre Pio and his guardian angel here.

How to Pray

Random Acts of Kindness

"We should not serve the poor because they are like Jesus, we should serve the poor because they are Jesus." ~ Bl. Mother Teresa

From Canada comes this inspiring story from a rider on the Winnipeg transit system:

The ride was, as usual, long and uneventful, until we reached the corner of Portage and Main.  That’s when the driver pulled over. This of course surprised all of the passengers on the bus.  But, what happened next still brings tears to my eyes.

The bus driver jumped off the bus to chat with a man that looked to be down on his luck; by all accounts, a homeless man. I first thought the driver was going to offer the man a ride until...

I know you're now in suspense....goal achieved.  haha Read what happened here.

Women Speak for Themselves

Below is a video made by Women Speak for Themselves, started by Dr. Helen Alvare in response to the contraceptive mandate included in the new government healthcare plan.  Dr. Alvare has put together a letter in opposition to the mandate giving women an opportunity to express our belief and support of religious freedom.  Click here to sign the letter and to learn more about what Dr. Alvare has put together.

Child 31

New film coming from Grassroots Films, the makers of The Human Experience:

All By Grace

Please click here to read the Theology of the Body testimony of one of our graduates, Kelli.

Kelli studied TOB here at CCM for three years and completed an internship at the TOB Institute last year.  She's basically awesome.  It's a great read so click the link!!!

The Joy of Chastity

Chastity is not a restriction.  It is the freedom to be joyful.

Jason and Crystalina Evert shared this video of a girl who listened to one of their chastity talks when she was in middle school and promised to live a chaste life.  This is a glimpse into the joy such a decision brings:

The Rich Gift of Love is here!

It's here!  The video series "The Rich Gift of Love" with Sr. Jane Dominic has arrived on Newman Connection:  click here to watch the first video in which Sister talks about family and society.  These videos are great and it's an amazing opportunity to learn about Theology of the Body and the gift of self from an awesome teacher on the topic.

A Few Good Men

Five young men who recently began study for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome - all from different backgrounds, all different stories, one call:

Mother Teresa, Pray for Us

Today is the feast day of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Much could be said about this extraordinary woman, but to hear it in her own words is often much more powerful:

 

Hip Hop Priest

Fr. Pontifex, aka Fr. Claude Burns, pastor of a parish in Indiana has become known from his video "Why I Love Religion and Love Jesus", but did you know that he also does this?





Hear more of his music and other videos here.

Modesty & Bikinis

All Generations Will Call Me Blessed

Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Fra Angelico

Today is the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  I first want to recommend two books to you if you would like to get to know Our Lady and her role better.  The first is Scott Hahn's Hail, Holy Queen in which he beautifully looks at Mary's role in salvation history through Scripture.  Next, is my favorite book on Our Lady, not to mention one of my favorite books, period - Fulton Sheen's The World's First Love.  This book is simply great.  Read it!

Mary is the greatest of all creatures, being preserved from the stain of all sin by God's grace that she may be the Ark of the New Covenant in bearing the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  She alone has this unique role in salvation history to be the Mother of the King.  As Dr. Hahn mentions in his book about Our Lady, in ancient times, those who ruled kingdoms were the King and the Queen Mother.   The queen was not the wife of the king but rather was his mother.   Throughout Scripture there are many instances that foreshadow Mary's queenly role or point directly to it.  When we honor Our Lady Jesus is immensely pleased.  As St. Louis de Montfort said, "We never give more honor to Jesus than when we honor his Mother, and we honor her simply and solely to honor Him all the more perfectly."  Jesus loves his Mother who has also become our Mother by grace.  Because of her 'yes' to the Holy Spirit, the Lord came into the world to save us from our misery.  Mary always points us to her Son - her final words in Scripture even being "Do whatever He tells you."  Tota pulchra Maria - you are all beautiful Mary - how appropriate that the Lord would bestow such beauty upon her and crown her as the Queen Mother.  Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

"...at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir...I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations..." - Psalm 45

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.  For behold, henceforth, all generations will call me blessed..." - Luke 1:46-48

 

More reading on Mary's Queenship:
Knowing Mary Through the Bible: Mary's Queenship in Revelation 12

Be Catholic On Purpose

Below is a guest post from CCM student Gideon who was received into the Church this Easter.

Becoming Catholic

When I converted to Catholicism this past Easter I thought that the hardest part of conversion was over.  I thought that once I had accepted the doctrinal and moral teaching of the Church it would be smooth sailing.  Coming from a nominally Protestant background, I had no major obstacles to get around in order to accept the church’s teaching.  There were no dramatic changes; no wrestling with Sola Scriptura or anti-Catholic prejudices.  I would have the occasional feeling that didn’t sit right with what I had been taught as a child but after a few more pages I realized that I was wrong and that, you guessed it…the Church was right.  I was a college sophomore seeking objective truth and upon finding the Catholic faith it was easy to embrace. 

After a time in college when I was devouring apologetics, philosophy, and theology, RCIA was a breeze.  I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the faith and most of what was taught I had encountered in other places.  Easter was soon approaching and I came to a realization.  I had to start being Catholic.  I had been in a sort of suspended animation of conversion; paused on the edge of being Catholic waiting to accept the Church’s teaching.  Not long after saying, “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God;” I had another realization. 

Catholicism is hard.

Now I was Catholic and it wasn’t easy.  The hardest part of becoming Catholic was still ahead of me.  I now had to examine my conscience, go to confession, and go to Sunday mass.  Not only that but I had to be at Mass.  I had to conform my body as well as my mind to the Catholic faith.  This meant the Sign of the Cross, holy water, genuflecting, memorizing the Creed (haven’t quite mastered this yet), and praying the rosary.  I suddenly found myself in foreign Catholic situations that made me very uncomfortable.  I was being asked to usher and take the collection at Mass (I told them I would have to fall back on my Protestant ushering skills and pray I committed no faux pas). Another time, I had to find a priest to hear my confession before a 10^th anniversary Mass.  I remember walking into a room full of priests and announcing that I needed one of them to hear my confession.  At that moment I would have rather been debating papal infallibility.

I would file all of this under conversion.  Since Easter I have been learning to be Catholic every day.  I still get thrown off at Mass, fumble the Creed and forget to genuflect.  These are the things that are hard for me.  Just today I asked my priest how to properly receive communion on the tongue because I am anxious about messing it up. 

So what is the point of all of this?  The point is that I couldn’t learn all of this in a book.  If there is a book with this stuff in it, I haven’t read it.  So being from Missouri I have a favor to ask.  Show me.  Our humanity is bound up with one another’s and I need help learning to be Catholic.  My neighbors may not know this but I have been watching.  Other converts can probably confirm this.  We are always watching you, hoping to catch you living out the faith so that we can imitate it.  All Catholics are living catechists who are always teaching whether they know it or not.  You can either do it well or poorly but you can’t stop doing it.  I will learn to be Catholic by watching other Catholics.

So when you are at Mass make sure you are doing it right.  Take the time to genuflect properly, cross yourself, bow before the tabernacle, and be Catholic on purpose.  There are no other Catholics in my family so I need your example to teach me the faith.

Gideon 

Loving Peter

I recently came across the story of a friend of a friend who is preparing for the birth of their fourth child who will be born within a week according to their blog Loving Peter.  Peter has anencephaly which means his skull and brain have not formed properly so that his life expectancy outside the womb is short - a few hours or days - but a life in which he will be very much loved.  

Peter's story highlights the sacredness of every human life and his parents' love is an example of God's love for us.  Peter's life is needed - an unrepeatable gift - God knew that.   What matters is not how long a person lives but that they did live, that they came into existence at the moment of conception - that this person, this unique and unrepeatable person - has a purpose, a place in the story of humanity.  

Unfortunately, many people throughout our world today have tended to equate a life's value with what we can do, what we can produce, our utility.  The world is obsessed with avoiding the decline of ability and ultimately death, so we're constantly searching for the next beauty product that will keep us looking young, a pill or drink that will keep us from tiring, a program that will make us smarter.  Death and inability is not ultimately what should be avoided at all costs, however.  Sin is most certainly a greater danger.  

The value of a person does not lie in what he or she can or cannot do.  It does not lie in how perfectly or imperfectly one's body was formed.  It does not lie in how many breaths a person will take.  The value of a person's life lies in the fact that they are.  This person is.  This person has being, they exist - from the very moment when they were conceived, this person matters.  God loved this person into existence - a person who bears His own image and likeness - therefore the absolute only proper response to a person, in whatever stage of life and no matter their abilities, is love.  Love is the only proper response to the human person.  And love is what Peter is being given.  Thank you to this family who are providing a powerful witness to the sacredness and dignity of each human life.  Please take a moment to say a prayer for Peter and his family - a family who although I don't have the privilege of personally knowing, quite obviously knows the gift they have received.  

Fr. Barron Comments on The Dark Knight Rises

Just in case any of you haven't seen this movie yet, there is a little spoiler alert here in this commentary, so be forewarned :)  Dark Knight Rises has a crazy amount of things that we could talk about that are analogous to the spiritual life, but for the sake of those who haven't seen it yet, I won't go into it at the moment, although a detailed commentary may be supplied at some point in the near future...for now though, please enjoy another fabulous Fr. Barron video:

The Rich Gift of Love

Twenty-eight 20-minute presentations with Sr. Jane Dominic of the Nashville Dominicans on the Theology of the Body - can't wait for this!!!

Happy Solemnity of the Assumption!

You Can Do This for FREE

John Paul the Great Catholic University is offering a FREE online learning program on the teachings of the Church called "Pillars of Catholicism" beginning August 20th.  This is a great way for you to learn solid information from a great school at absolutely no cost, so be sure to mark down August 20th in your calendar and go to the website to access the videos.  This endeavor was embarked upon for the following reasons as stated on the website:

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict XVI has declared..."The Year of Faith" [beginning Oct. 11, 2012]. In particular, the Holy Father is calling upon all Catholics to confront what he identifies as one of the most difficult challenges the Church faces today: "religious illiteracy." That is, a lack of understanding about what Christians really believe.

To address this problem, Pope Benedict has called upon Catholics to spend the year studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official compendium of all Catholic teaching. Pillars of Catholicism is our response to the Holy Father's challenge.

Discernment: Sincerity or Avoidance?

Read this post at Conversion Diary about discernment - most people will easily relate.  In this quote she's talking about how St. Francis of Assisi responded to God's call to rebuild the Church :

Let’s contrast the way he responded to that message to the way someone like me would heed the same call:

Francis: [Gets up, walks out of the church, and gets to work  gathering stones.]

Jen: “‘Rebuild my church’? What church? This one? Or did you mean my home parish church? And what did you mean by ‘rebuild’ — are we talking a symbolic spiritual renewal or physical renovation? If the latter, exterior or interior? Or both? Or, wait…did you mean capital-C Church?!”

Basically, I would have analyzed it, thought about it, talked about it, and done whatever the 12th Century version of blogging about it was. And I would have taken no action until I felt like I had perfect clarity on it — which means I probably never would have done anything at all.

Contrasting my way of discernment with St. Francis', it becomes clear that mine is all about control: I feel like it rests entirely on me to get it right. The weight of the world is on my shoulders alone. I act like God is powerless to work things out without me interpreting his call with 100% accuracy. Yet again, my mentality is, “IT’S ALL UP TO ME!!!”

Read the rest here.