It is in the school of Jesus’ Heart that we can learn how to let go of all bitterness and accept peace into our soul. While Lent is supposed to a time of peace and spiritual regeneration, sometimes the sacrifices we offer make us bitter and even a little grumpy. We don’t especially enjoy… Continue reading Find peace in the Heart of Jesus during Lent
Author: Tonia Olika
Make room for Jesus’ love in your heart with this prayer
Sometimes we need to do a little “house cleaning” for God’s love to flood into our hearts. God loves us, but we aren’t always ready for his love. Many things fill our heart and vie for our attention. Unfortunately, we often let other things in our lives fill our heart and God only gets… Continue reading Make room for Jesus’ love in your heart with this prayer
A short and simple devotion for every Friday of Lent
The “Seven Fridays” devotion recalls Jesus passion on each Friday of Lent. Over the centuries the Church has developed numerous devotions that anyone can engage in during Lent. Besides the more popular Stations of the Cross, one short and simple devotion was promoted by various popes over the years. It is found in… Continue reading A short and simple devotion for every Friday of Lent
Prayer to maintain a silent spirit during Lent
Lent is the perfect time to practice silence, especially in our daily conversations on social media. During Lent, we look to Jesus’ Passion and death for inspiration on how to live our own lives. One thing we may not always remember is how he was silent in the face of persecution. While it… Continue reading Prayer to maintain a silent spirit during Lent
3 Saints who show us how Lent should look
With their feast days in March, they can help us go higher in this time of preparation for Easter. Our liturgical calendar is filled with saints who lived colorful lives of extraordinary grace. They serve as models of the Christian life for us. They are “raised to the altars” precisely to show us that… Continue reading 3 Saints who show us how Lent should look
What does it mean to be “Roman” Catholic?
The Latin Rite is just one of many liturgical expressions of Catholicism. In the United States we tend to equate being “Catholic” with being “Roman Catholic.” We may never meet any other type of Catholic in our entire lives.However, being “Catholic” can take several different forms and depends on the region and customs… Continue reading What does it mean to be “Roman” Catholic?
Daily prayer of Mother Teresa
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may… Continue reading Daily prayer of Mother Teresa
How Fr. McGivney, the new American blessed, fought anti-Catholic prejudice
The legacy of Fr. McGivney is the organization he founded – the Knights of Columbus. But beatification recognizes how he lived. This weekend, there will be six US citizen Blesseds, with the beatification of Fr. Michael McGivney. The priest founded the Knights of Columbus, the well known fraternal organization that has taken up… Continue reading How Fr. McGivney, the new American blessed, fought anti-Catholic prejudice
Novena for the protection of life
Saint Elizabeth Seton, you knew the beauty of all human life when you carried a child in your womb and when, as a young widow, a teacher, and founder of the Sisters of Charity, you sought to live the Gospel of Life. Inspire us, intercede for us, and be with us. We ask this through… Continue reading Novena for the protection of life
Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom of Lebanese priests killed under Ottoman Empire
Pope Francis Wednesday advanced the sainthood causes of nine men and women, including two Lebanese priests martyred under the Ottoman Empire. Fr. Leonard Melki and Fr. Thomas Saleh were Capuchin friars and missionaries in what is now Turkey who were arrested, tortured, and martyred by the forces of the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and 1917… Continue reading Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom of Lebanese priests killed under Ottoman Empire
Prayer for when you are lonely
Dearest Lord, make us remember, when the world is cold and dreary, and we know not where to turn for comfort, that there is always one spot bright and cheerful—the Sanctuary. When we are in desolation of spirit, when all who are dear to us have passed away, like summer flowers, and none are left… Continue reading Prayer for when you are lonely
To celebrate Fr. McGivney’s beatification, his old parish is pulling out all the stops
Renovation of historic church gives visitors a feel for what it was like when Knights of Columbus founder lived there. After a basketball-sized chunk of plaster came crashing down in the front of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, early in 2019, the parish called in engineers to take a closer look… Continue reading To celebrate Fr. McGivney’s beatification, his old parish is pulling out all the stops
Through Mary’s intercession, say this prayer for deliverance from evil
Queen of Heaven, sovereign Mistress of the Angels, who didst receive from the beginning the mission and the power to crush the serpent’s head, we beseech thee to send thy holy angels, that under thy command and by thy power, they may pursue the evil spirits, encounter them on every side, resist their bold attacks,… Continue reading Through Mary’s intercession, say this prayer for deliverance from evil
The martyrs buried at the Valley of the Fallen
The Valley of the Fallen is a monumental complex near Madrid which includes an abbey and basilica, and which honors the fallen of both sides during the Spanish civil war. The bodies of more than 30,000 victims of the war are buried in the complex. Among them lie 57 Blesseds and 15 Servants of… Continue reading The martyrs buried at the Valley of the Fallen
Prayer for help from St. Gabriel
O blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, do thou intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy in our present necessities, that as thou didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through thy prayers and patronage in heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of… Continue reading Prayer for help from St. Gabriel
Spiritual adoption: What it is, why we do it, and the joy it brings
Our Lord and I enter into a holy alliance each November 1, secretly taking up the needs and intentions of one chosen soul. There is a renewal of spirit that comes from giving gifts, and the joy is made all the more special – especially for the gift-giver – when there are no… Continue reading Spiritual adoption: What it is, why we do it, and the joy it brings