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Read OnlineThe shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:16–19 At the birth of Christ, the Blessed Mother's Immaculate Heart was full of love and grace, so full that it overflowed in superabundance. Her human heart could not contain all that consumed it. Seeing her Child, having Saint Joseph near, and being accompanied by God's creatures within that sacred cave near Bethlehem was all that she needed for her complete fulfillment. But God gave her even more.As that holy night unfolded, an angel of the Lord appeared to the poor shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. The angel announced “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The angel went on to declare, “Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11–12). Then, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared, glorifying God with their song of praise.Such an experience compelled these lowly shepherds to immediately seek out this newborn Messiah. When they found Him, they revealed to our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph what the angel had said to them, and “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). It is this Immaculate Heart and the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary that we celebrate today.Because Mary's Immaculate Heart was overflowing with love and grace, these humble shepherds gave her the opportunity to share that love and grace. While they blessed her and Saint Joseph by their presence and adoration, she blessed them even more by being an instrument and mediatrix of God's love through her newborn Son.Mary was not only the mother of the flesh of her Son, but the mother of the Person Who is the Son of God. For this reason, the Church, in Her wisdom, has ascribed to her the title, “Mother of God.” Jesus was her Son, and Jesus is God. Therefore, she is rightly honored as the Mother of God.As the Mother of God, Mary's Immaculate Heart continues to overflow with love and grace. Just as she did with the shepherds on that first Christmas night, her heart continues to pour forth all that it contains upon us, her spiritual sons and daughters. The extent to which we are members of Christ's Body, the Church, is the extent to which the Blessed Mother's motherhood is active in our lives, just as it was in the life of her Son and as it touched the lives of the shepherds. Reflect today on this glorious title given to Jesus' mother—the Mother of God. As you do, ponder the role she plays in your life and in the life of the entire Church. By giving birth to the Messiah, the Son of God, she gave birth to the Church, becoming mother and mediatrix to us all. Seek her intercession, mediation, and motherhood, knowing that doing so not only honors her Son, but also cooperates with His divine plan of salvation. Most glorious Mother of God, your Immaculate Heart is overflowing with love and the fullness of grace. Your love for all of God's children compels you to share that grace with all who come to you and your divine Son. Please count me among your children and lavish upon me all that is contained in your pondering heart of pure love and grace. Mother of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Read OnlineWhile they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6–7 (Gospel from Mass During the Night)A loving mother and father who experience the birth of their first child receive insight into the sacredness and beauty of this scene. Though great mystery surrounds Jesus' conception within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was truly His mother, and He was truly her Son. Saint Joseph, knowing he was not this Child's biological father, made a profound act of faith by accepting that fatherly responsibility, as instructed in a dream by an angel of the Lord. Because of his faith and God-given mission, Joseph's commitment to being the father of the Son of God was one that only a most loving and devoted father would make. As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are reminded of the humility with which our Lord chose to enter the world. Jesus was born in a place where animals dwelt because Mary and Joseph were away from their home to register for the Roman census. At first glance, one might conclude that the physical environment, most likely a cave, was unfortunate. However, we can be certain that this humble and poor setting was part of God's divine plan, adding to the glory of that night. Christ, in His humility, chose this setting to reveal to us the true greatness of love.The poverty and humility of the cave and the manger—a feeding trough for animals—helped point to the sacredness of Jesus' birth. No glamor, no fancy or comfortable setting, only love. Pure love. The love in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the devotion of Saint Joseph, and the Incarnate presence of the Son of God were everything needed to make that night glorious.One lesson we can learn from the Nativity of the Lord is that the beauty, peacefulness, and contentment of our lives are not dependent upon how much money or how many material possessions we have, but rather on the purity of our love. The Holy Family's hearts were perfectly fulfilled, not because of their surroundings, but because of their intimate union with God in the person of Jesus Christ.The presence of the Son of God in that place of poverty sheds light on the true riches we crave. The true treasures we seek are found not in wealth, comfort, or possessions, but in the love and grace of God. The Holy Family's witness reveals to us that when we place our hearts in God's hands, we will be filled with all we need. Reflect today on that most sacred, simple, and humble scene. As you do, try to imagine how humanly fulfilling that experience was for the Holy Family. Jesus was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothing, and He was adored with the greatest affection of His mother and foster father. Mary and Joseph's hearts contained all that was necessary for profound gratitude and fulfillment. If you struggle with being fulfilled, learn a lesson from the Holy Family and seek to imitate Mary and Joseph so that your love for our Incarnate Lord fills you with all you need. My Incarnate Lord, Your divine nature, united to Your human nature, transformed that humble cave near Bethlehem into a tabernacle filled with the most powerful bonds of pure love. Please draw me into that sacred scene and help me to share in the love in the Immaculate Heart of Your mother, as well as the human devotion of Your foster father, Joseph. May I find contentment and total fulfillment in life by seeing You and loving You in every way that You come to me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Gerard van Honthorst, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Rachel Mastrogiacomo sits down with John-Henry Westen to share her story of surviving Satanic ritual abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest—during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.Rachel reveals how total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her youth became the decisive grace that shattered the psychological and spiritual domination she endured. She details a journey of unspeakable horror transformed through redemptive suffering, the Eucharist, and the maternal protection of the Immaculate Heart.HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=CH25_videoU.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ ****Download the all-new LSNTV App now, available on iPhone and Android!LSNTV Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lsntv/id6469105564 LSNTV Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lifesitenews.app +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Send us a textMore than 70,000 people witnessed the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima — but Heaven was not putting on a spectacle.According to Sister Lucia, Fatima was a warning: a call to repentance, conversion, and prayer meant for the world today.On October 13, 1917, believers, skeptics, journalists, and government officials gathered at Cova da Iria in Portugal. In pouring rain, they witnessed the sun move, spin, and plunge toward the earth — an event now known as the Miracle of the Sun, one of the most documented supernatural events in modern history.But while the crowd watched the sky, the children of Fatima saw something more — visions that revealed why Our Lady came and what Heaven was urgently asking of the world.What Our Lady of Fatima Was Warning Us About? The Miracle of the Sun was not the message. It was meant to confirm the message.Our Lady of Fatima came with a maternal warning:A call to repentance and conversionA summons to pray the Rosary dailyAn invitation to penance and sacrificeA plea to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of MaryA sobering revelation of the reality of sin, judgment, and hellAs Sister Lucia later wrote,“The message of Fatima is in its entirety a call to conversion — and that call is for us today.”Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122225.cfmFather Daniel Klimek, MIC confronts a growing indifference toward the Blessed Virgin Mary—even among Catholics—and reminds us that authentic Christianity is always Marian. The words of the Magnificat are not poetic exaggeration; they are divinely inspired truth: “From now on will all ages call me blessed.” (Lk 1:48; NABRE). Reverence for Mary is not optional sentiment—it is a biblical directive.Mary's song echoes the praise of Miriam in the Old Testament, yet now the liberation announced is not political, but eternal. Through the womb of the Virgin, Christ enters the world. She becomes the Ark of the New Covenant, bearing not the law written on stone, but the Word made flesh. To diminish her role is to misunderstand the Incarnation itself.Father Daniel warns that indifference toward Mary is one of the most subtle spiritual dangers of our time. When Marian devotion is reduced to a “personal spirituality,” something essential is lost. From the Cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother to the beloved disciple—and in him, to every Christian: “Behold, your mother” (Jn 19:27; NABRE). This was not symbolic poetry; it was a sacred investiture.To honor Mary never detracts from Christ. As the saints affirm, devotion to the Mother always leads more deeply to the Son. The Immaculate Heart is inseparably united to the Sacred Heart. When we receive Mary into our spiritual life, as St. John did, our faith becomes more profound, more biblical, and more fully Catholic.Mary is not an accessory to the Gospel. She is at its heart. To receive her is to receive one of Christ's final gifts from the Cross—a Mother who intercedes, protects, and leads us unfailingly to Him. ★ Support this podcast ★
Read OnlineSuch was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” Matthew 1:20Joseph knew that the penalty for adultery was death by stoning. His heart must have been deeply conflicted. On one hand, the virtues of his betrothed wife, Mary, were abundantly clear. Mary radiated holiness. Impurity was foreign to her Immaculate Heart. Yet she was pregnant, and Joseph was not the father. What should he do?To protect Mary from public shame, Joseph decided to do what he believed was the most merciful thing—he “decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention…” Though little is known about Joseph, this Gospel passage identifies him as “a righteous man.” Many saints, popes, and Church documents highlight his unquestionable sanctity. He was not immaculate and free from sin as was his wife, but God the Father would have chosen a righteous and holy man to be the foster father of the Son of God.Joseph's actions reveal his deep faith. As he slept, “the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.'” The angel explained to him that Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin (see Isaiah 7:14) and that Joseph was to take Mary and her unborn Son into his home and care for them. When he awoke, he did as the angel commanded.Joseph's dream was no ordinary dream. The Holy Spirit accompanied the angel and instilled the certitude of faith in Joseph's mind, empowering his will to obey God's will. Joseph became the father and guardian of the Savior of the World. On December 8, 1847, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph to be the Universal Patron and Protector of the Catholic Church. Just as he protected the Son of God, so he intercedes for us who are members of Christ's body, the Church.As our Advent season enters its final week, we are reminded of the role that Jesus' foster father played not only in the life of the Holy Family, but also about the role Saint Joseph continues to play in the life of the Church and in each one of our lives. His intercessory power from Heaven is great, and we should not hesitate to call upon his prayers, especially when we need protection, struggle with fear, or face some grave challenge.Reflect today on your personal devotion to Saint Joseph. Ponder, especially, his deep faith and obedience to the will of God as was communicated to him in a dream. Strive to imitate that obedience in your own life, never hesitating to undertake the mission God has given you. Turn to Saint Joseph in prayer and know that his powerful intercession will help protect you and win God's grace in the areas you need it the most. Saint Joseph, you were a holy and righteous man, entrusted with the guardianship of the Mother of God and the Son of God. You fulfilled your role faithfully and continue that role from Heaven, protecting all of God's children through your intercession. Please pray for me, that I will imitate your obedience and will be protected from all sin so as to fulfill the unique role God has given me. Saint Joseph, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Gerard Seghers, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Read OnlineIn the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Luke 1:26–29The phrase “full of grace” is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It can be translated more literally as “having been graced” or “you who have been fully graced.” The tense of the word indicates that Mary has been graced by God in a unique and ongoing way, implying that this grace was not a one-time event but something encompassing her entire being and continuing to have effect.What was the Blessed Virgin Mary's response to this amazing greeting? She pondered the archangel's greeting with humility and initially responded with silence and in awe. Gabriel, aware of Mary's humility in her silence, says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God…” Gabriel then goes on to tell her she will conceive the Son of God within her womb.Given her immaculate nature and the fullness of grace within her soul, Mary immediately obeyed the archangel's command and did not give into fear. Yet her “greatly troubled” heart led her to ongoing pondering and contemplation of all that was said to her.As we draw closer to the Solemnity of Christmas, we are invited to share in the Blessed Mother's contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation. We can be certain that as Gabriel departed from her, her prayerful pondering did not cease. The ongoing fullness of grace within her soul led her to the deepest contemplation of this divine mystery that was humanly possible. Her mind would have penetrated the words spoken to her and perceived the mystery of the Incarnation taking place within her womb in ways that even she could not explain. With the fullness of grace came the fullness of infused knowledge, which is beyond human articulation.In our lives, we often fail to humbly ponder the profound reality of the Incarnation. We must have a “troubled heart” in the sense of remaining in awe of what God has done for us by taking on our human nature. We must allow Mary's pondering to become our own so that we enter more deeply into the great mystery we celebrate.As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, reflect upon Mary's pondering mind and heart. Though we will never engage in her depth of contemplative prayer, she is our model. We must accept every divine mystery revealed to us with faith and then grapple with each mystery on a deeper level that can only be accomplished by contemplative prayer. Those who attain this depth of prayer are drawn exceptionally close to God Who uses them to continue the effect of the Incarnation by spiritually giving birth to Christ in their lives. Immaculate Mother of God, you were called “full of grace” by the Archangel Gabriel. You humbly listened to all that was spoken to you and accepted it with faith, surrender, and humility. Please pray for me, that I will imitate your pondering Immaculate Heart so that I will be better prepared for the great Solemnity of Christmas Day. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Fra Angelico, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
In this concluding episode of the Five Blasphemies series, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran reflect on the fifth blasphemy against the Immaculate Heart of Mary—those who insult, mock, or desecrate Mary through her sacred images. They explore the history of iconoclasm, tracing it back to the 7th and 8th centuries, and explain how the Church affirmed the rightful place of sacred images at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. Barb and Katie also discuss the beauty and purpose of Catholic sacred art, and how images of Mary are meant to lift our hearts and minds to God, not replace worship. They address modern sources of hostility toward Marian images, including godless ideologies and movements that echo this ancient heresy. To close the series, listeners are encouraged to take part in the First Saturday Virtual Pilgrimage, using the First Saturday Passport and Treasures of the First Saturday Devotion as guides for prayer, reparation, and deeper devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
We check out appendix I from chapter 10 in the first volume of The Whole Truth About Fatima. We also inspect an article from The Fatima Center about the tremendous importance of the first Saturday devotion and consecrating Russia to the Immaculate Heart. The consequences for not doing so are dire to say the least.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comThank you!
Read OnlineThen the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30–31Of all the saints throughout the ages, none has proved to be as powerful an evangelist as the Mother of God. While on Earth, she lived a mostly hidden life, demonstrating the perfection of virtue to those closest to her. As a young mother, she cared daily for the needs of her divine Son, constantly pondering the mystery of His Incarnation as it unfolded before her eyes. Her love for her Son, lived out during Jesus' earthly life, overflowed from her Immaculate Heart and continues to do so today.After being assumed body and soul into Heaven, her work did not cease. As Queen of Heaven and Earth, she continues to intercede for her spiritual children, mediating the grace we need to grow in holiness. Throughout history, many Marian apparitions have been reported. While numerous reports have not been formally approved, some have, including the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to Saint Juan Diego.Following the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521 by Hernán Cortés, the capital was rebuilt into what became Mexico City. Despite the cruelty some Spanish settlers inflicted on the Indigenous people, the Catholic Church, through missionaries and leaders, including Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, sought to protect their rights and dignity while evangelizing them. Many of the Indigenous were understandably suspicious of the missionaries, yet some converted, including a man named Cuauhtlatoatzin, who took the Christian name Juan Diego after his baptism, and his wife, who took the name María Lucía.On December 9, 1531, while walking to Mass and catechism class, Juan Diego passed Tepeyac Hill, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him. She spoke to him in his native language, revealed herself as the Mother of God, and asked for a chapel to be built in her honor on that very spot. When Juan took the message to Bishop Zumárraga, the bishop asked for a sign.On December 12, Juan's uncle fell seriously ill. While hurrying to find a priest for the Last Rites, Juan took a different route to avoid delaying his journey, but the Mother of God appeared again. She assured him that his uncle was already healed and provided the promised sign for the bishop. She instructed Juan to pick roses blooming unseasonably on the hill; when he brought them to the bishop in his tilma, an image of the Virgin, just as Juan had seen her, appeared on his cloak. Juan Diego's tilma now hangs in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City, fulfilling the Blessed Mother's request.While the miraculous image was awe-inspiring, what followed was even more astounding. Over the next decade, millions of Indigenous people embraced the Christian faith, marking one of the most remarkable mass conversions in Church history—all due to the Blessed Mother's evangelization and intervention. Her love for the Indigenous people and her desire for their salvation brought her to them personally, confirming the truth of the Gospel preached by the Church.As we honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, reflect today on the tender love of the Mother of God. She deeply desired the salvation of the Indigenous people, just as she desires the salvation of all. Pray for her intercession so that millions more around the world may hear and accept God's saving message. Most loving Virgin of Guadalupe, as you looked down from Heaven upon the struggles and suffering of the conquered people of the Aztec Empire, your Immaculate Heart overflowed with compassion for them. As a result, you went to them personally to share the saving message of Your Son. Please pray for me, for the Americas, and for all your children, that we all will be guided to Your Son and come to know His gift of salvation. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Main Image- Image via WikimediaFeatured Image - First Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
In this fourth part of the Five Blasphemies series, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran talk about the serious offense of keeping children away from the Blessed Mother or teaching them to fear or reject her. They share Scripture, personal insights, and experiences that show how the enemy tries to influence children early—and why introducing them to Mary helps form hearts rooted in faith, purity, and protection. They also highlight helpful resources for families: • Fatima Friends Adventure Guide — a fun and meaningful way to teach children about Mary, Fatima, Marian Consecration, and the Fatima children. • Passport + Treasures of the First Saturday Devotion — an $8 set designed to support families and individuals joining the First Saturday Pilgrimage. Next week: The final episode of the series, covering the fifth blasphemy against the Immaculate Heart.
Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception! In this powerful teaching homily, Father Jonathan walks us through the mystery behind the words the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary: “Hail, full of grace.” (Luke 1:28) This phrase appears only once in the entire Bible — and it reveals who Mary is from the very moment of her conception: a dwelling worthy of Christ, overflowing with grace, and redeemed by the future sacrifice of Jesus Himself. Father explains: • Why Mary had to be free from sin • How Jesus' death on the cross was applied to Mary 47 years before it happened • Why the Mass is the same saving sacrifice of Calvary • How prevenient grace works • How the Immaculate Conception is completely connected to the Cross • Why there is no Jesus without Mary — and no Mary without the Cross This homily beautifully reveals the depth of our Catholic faith — a faith where God acts inside and outside of time, applying His saving grace across centuries for the salvation of all. Father also shares a touching reminder: Four years ago on this feast, the names of our parishioners were placed inside a locket around Our Lady's neck — consecrating our entire parish to her Immaculate Heart. May she continue to intercede for us, guide us, and lead us closer to her Son. #ImmaculateConception #CatholicTeaching #Mary #FullOfGrace #CatholicHomily #FrJonathan
FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageWhat if the closest brush with nuclear war didn't happen in 1962, but in the 1980s—and what if a prayerful act in Rome influenced events that rewired the calculus of the Cold War? We follow that thread from a field in Portugal to a tense global standoff, connecting the story of Fatima to a series of world-shaping decisions.We begin with a clear, accessible Fatima 101: the 1917 apparitions, the three shepherd children, the call to pray the rosary for peace, and the Miracle of the Sun that drew tens of thousands. From there, we introduce Sister Lucia's later testimony and the scholarship behind Fatima's Mysteries: Mary's Message to the Modern Age, highlighting the spiritual and historical stakes that kept drawing popes, pilgrims, and skeptics to the same question—can prayer and penance really influence history?The narrative pivots to 1984. Pope John Paul II consecrates the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25. Weeks later, on May 13, the Soviet Northern Fleet suffers the catastrophic Severmorsk explosion, crippling its missile stockpiles and degrading strike capacity. Around the same time, intelligence revelations—codenamed Albatross—signal to Soviet leadership that their command-and-control bunkers are compromised, tilting deterrence and making escalation look suicidal. Whether you see providence, prudence, or a powerful mix, the timing and implications are hard to ignore.Across the episode, we reflect on how Fatima's core message—conversion, prayer, and responsibility—intersects with realpolitik, shaping choices that defuse crises and open paths to peace. We share recommended readings, connect to past episodes on John Paul II and modern Catholic history, and ask a practical question for today's world: if moral strength helped bend the arc of the twentieth century, what would it look like to exercise that strength now?If this exploration challenged your assumptions or gave you new insight, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it. Your support helps keep thoughtful conversations like this alive.Key Points from the Episode:• Fatima 101: the children, messages, and miracle of the sun• Sister Lucia's later warnings and interpretation• John Paul II's 1984 consecration and timing• Severmorsk disaster and loss of Soviet strike capacity• Albatross intelligence and deterrence dynamics• Why Fatima's message matters for modern crises• Reading list and past Catholic Corner referencesCheck out our show page at teammojoacademy.com, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast as well as other great resourcesOther resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!
Read OnlineThe angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26–29The Blessed Virgin Mary was “full of grace!” To be “full” means just that—full, lacking in nothing. This fullness of grace signified that she embodied the perfection of every virtue, particularly humility. Humility is seeing oneself in the light of truth, neither exaggerated nor diminished. Mary's humility is strikingly revealed in her reaction to the angel Gabriel's greeting—she was “greatly troubled at what was said” and pondered it deeply.Why would the Mother of God be troubled? Why not simply respond with confidence, saying, “Thank you for noticing that I am full of grace?” Because Mary knew that her fullness of grace was not due to her own merits. It was entirely beyond her natural abilities and was the result of God's gracious initiative. Mary freely cooperated with grace throughout her life, and she knew that God alone was the source of every gift. Therefore, her initial reaction of being “troubled” was not due to doubt or fear but was the fruit of her wonder and awe at the incomprehensible blessings bestowed upon her. She saw clearly her own lowliness and unworthiness in relation to God, and this profound humility made her the most beautiful of all creatures.Her heart, filled with wonder and contemplation, not only made Mary the Immaculate Mother of God but also sets before us a model of perfect discipleship. Though we are not “full” of grace as she was, we receive countless graces daily. Like Mary, we must strive to respond to these gifts with humility, awe, and gratitude.Today, as we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, we remember that while Adam and Eve were created in a state of Original Innocence, they fell from grace through disobedience. As a result, humanity inherited a fallen nature. However, by a singular grace, Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin from the very moment of her conception. This prevenient grace—a grace that was given to her before any merit or action on her part—was given to her in light of the future merits of her Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, Mary was redeemed in an extraordinary way, and her soul was preserved from concupiscence and all of the effects of sin. Unlike Adam and Eve, who turned away from God, Mary remained faithful to Him throughout her life, earning her the title, “The New Eve.”As we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, reflect today on the mystery of Mary's life and soul. While we can understand her unique role in salvation history to a certain degree, the full beauty and depth of her Immaculate Heart will only be fully revealed in Heaven. For now, we are invited to meditate upon her profound humility, her life of grace, and her role as the model of Christian discipleship. Dearest Mother of God, you are the Immaculate Conception, filled with grace from the first moment of your existence. You never turned away from God's gift of grace, given to you through the merits of your Son. Pray for me, that I may come to understand the virtues you embody and strive to imitate your holiness. Help me to embrace the grace that draws me closer to your Son, our Savior. Immaculate Conception, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
In this episode, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran continue the series on the five sins that wound the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Today they reflect on the blasphemies spoken against Mary's Divine Motherhood, a truth defended by the early Church and proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus. Barb and Katie explain why Mary is rightly called Mother of God, how this dogma protects the truth about Christ's identity, and why denying her Divine Motherhood impacts our understanding of her mission and our faith. They also discuss the roots of this teaching, the Nestorian heresy, and the spiritual importance of honoring Mary as both the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual mother. As always, they connect these teachings to the First Saturday devotion and the call to offer reparation through prayer and love. Watch out for Episode 4, where Barb and Katie continue the series with the next sin against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
We are inspired by the courage and fortitude shown by the little shepherds in jail from The Whole Truth About Fatima. We also learn from the article “Personal Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” by Ms. Monique Krawecki from issue #135 of The Fatima Crusader.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comThank you!
We continue to enjoy The Whole Truth About Fatima. We also learn from “The Sacred and Immaculate Heart” by Mrs. Susan Vennari in issue #135 of The Fatima Crusader.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastThank you!
Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112625.cfmAs we reach the final days of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to lift our eyes toward the ultimate realities: Christ's return, the purification of the world, and God's unshakeable plan for His people. Fr. Chris reminds us that the Scriptures, the Catechism, and the Church-approved Marian apparitions all speak with one voice: we are already living in the “last hour” (CCC 670), and yet God's mercy remains our refuge and our hope.From Akita to La Salette, Fatima to Quito, Heaven has warned of chastisements—but always with a mother's plea: If you pray, if you repent, if you return to God, the course of history can change. The future is not fixed. Divine Mercy is God's final outreach before His justice, as Jesus told St. Faustina: “Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy” (Diary, 300). These messages are not meant to terrify but to awaken, calling each of us to deeper prayer, conversion, and fidelity to the sacraments.Fr. Chris breaks open what Heaven asks of us in these times: trust in Divine Mercy; a Eucharistic life; confession; consecration to Jesus through Mary; the Rosary and Chaplet; fasting; accepting our daily crosses; and leading others to Christ through Mary's maternal guidance. These are not extraordinary tasks—they are the ordinary path to holiness, given with extraordinary urgency. The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the Era of Peace will come, but God invites us to participate in their arrival through our own response.Now is the time to turn back to the Lord. Now is the time to pray. Now is the time to choose trust over fear. Heaven has spoken—and its message is mercy.#marian #marians #marianfathers #marianhelpers #divinemercy #thedivinemercy #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #romancatholicism#frchrisalar #endtimes #fatima #akita #lasaLette #divinemercyplus #catholictiktok #eucharist #rosary #chapletofdivinemercy #catechism #secondcoming ★ Support this podcast ★
In February 1917, Our Lady asked three children in Fatima to make reparation to her Immaculate Heart. Of those sins she requested reparation for was in response to those who fostered in the hearts of children indifference or contempt for our Blessed Mother. Distressingly, in our own time, we witness the Church fostering that very indifference, indeed blasphemy, toward Our Lady out of a distorted belief in "clarifying" the proper titles we should ascribe to her. That is why it is imperative that we daily renew our devotion to the Blessed Virgin, seeking always on behalf of ourselves and the entire Church forgiveness for this great offense.
Barb Ernster and Katie Moran continue the series on the five sins that wound the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In this episode, they focus on the blasphemies spoken against Mary's Perpetual Virginity—why the Church defends this truth, how it has been taught since the early Church, and why honoring her purity matters in our spiritual lives today. They also reflect on how the First Saturday devotion offers reparation through love, prayer, and deeper understanding of Mary's role in salvation history. Stay tuned for Episode 3, where Barb and Katie discuss the next sin against the Immaculate Heart and continue guiding us through this powerful First Saturday journey.
We continue with the beautiful story contained in The Whole Truth About Fatima. We also peruse “Mental Prayer - Lifeline of the Catholic Soul” by Mr. Matthew Plese from The Fatima Crusader issue #135. Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comThank you!
On July 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared for the second time to the three children of Fatima. She promised to work a miracle on October 13, so that everyone would believe. Then, she asked the children to sacrifice themselves for sinners and to pray the following prayer when doing so: “O Jesus, it is for love of you, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”These three young children were already familiar with the conception of praying and making sacrifices in order to make up for sin.God had sent an angel to them the year before, to prepare them for the apparitions of Our Lady. This guardian angel of Portugal taught the children about their mission: it was for them to do prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sin, to stop sin from being committed in the future and to repair for sin already committed in the past.Later, Our Lady came to ask for the practice of the five first Saturdays devotion. This is a devotion of reparation for the offenses committed against Our Lady's Immaculate Heart. There are five first Saturdays because there are five types of blasphemies that are committed against Our Lady.The fourth type is the “blasphemies of those who seek openly to foster in the hearts of children indifference or contempt for this Immaculate Mother.”These facts about the message of Fatima show us that Heaven takes very seriously the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady would not come down on earth, speak to the three children, and work incredible miracles for no reason.Another thing that we learn is that the work of reparation is very important. Every sin is a crime against God, an injustice. Every sin deserves a punishment to make up for the injustice.There are many sins being committed around the world all the time. God looks for souls who are willing to pay for the sins of mankind. Our Lord and Our Lady, of course, paid a great price for the sins of the world, enough to wipe them all away.However, God did not want to leave us with nothing to do in the supernatural order. Rather, God asks that we unite with the work of Our Lord and Our Lady to do something to pay for sin ourselves. He asks for the work of “reparation”, making up for sin by prayer and sacrifice.This is what the Sacred Heart asked of St. Margaret Mary and us. This is what the Immaculate Heart asked of the three children of Fatima and us.Doing this work is part of living a Catholic life.The most important sins for us to make reparation for are sins of blasphemy. St. Thomas says that blasphemy is “the disparagement of some surpassing goodness, especially that of God”.What Fr. Pagliarani and Fr. Fullerton are asking us to do is to make reparation for a sort of blasphemy against the Mother of God in the form of the document Mater Populi Fidelis of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith.This document disparages a surpassing goodness, namely, the roles of Our Lady as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces.
We discuss the apparition of the Blessed Mother on June 13, 1917. We also take a look at “The Importance of Spiritual Reading” by Mr. Andrew Cesanek from issue #135 of The Fatima Crusader.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast: http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comThank you!
Barb Ernster and Katie Moran talk about the five blasphemies that deeply wound the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In this episode, they explain what these offenses are, why Our Lady revealed them at Fatima, and how the devotion of the First Saturdays helps bring healing and reparation through love and prayer.
In this moving All Saints' Day homily, Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher invites us to see heaven through the eyes of Dante — as a radiant white rose where every saint shines as a petal in God's glory, with the Blessed Virgin Mary nearest to the divine light. He reminds us that even the smallest acts of love, the prayers for our ancestors, and our quiet sufferings have eternal meaning. We are all “pre-saints” on a journey of purification and grace, destined for that place God has already prepared for us. Drawing together the Feast of All Saints, the mystery of purgatory, and the First Saturday Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, this reflection reveals the victory already won in Christ — and the beauty of a soul fully alive in His light. Whether you're seeking encouragement in your struggles or inspiration to deepen your devotion to Our Lady, this homily reminds you that your story already has a place in the rose of heaven.
This special First Saturday Rosary meditation fulfills Our Lady's call for reparation to the Immaculate Heart, combining the full recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries with rich theological reflection on humility, sacrifice, and Marian intercession in a world that has largely forgotten devotion. Following the Rosary, the meditation unfolds into a sweeping narrative of salvation history, from Mary's Immaculate Conception and Fiat to the Passion, Resurrection, and her Heavenly Coronation. Portraying Our Lady as the New Ark and living tabernacle, the episode affirms the Rosary as a weapon of love and a path to purity in the modern spiritual battle.U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ ****Download the all-new LSNTV App now, available on iPhone and Android!LSNTV Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lsntv/id6469105564 LSNTV Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lifesitenews.app +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It is time to stop fighting like amateurs and start waging spiritual war like soldiers. In this powerful episode of The Manly Catholic, James sits down with Dr. Dan Schneider, a frequent flier (no pun intended) combat veteran, theologian, and co-author of Spiritual Warfare and Q&A for the Priest and Laity to expose the real strategies of the enemy and the ancient weapons every man must wield to defend his home, his wife, and his children.You'll learn:How prayer, fasting, and vigils are the “ancient weapons” that defeat an ancient enemy.The true difference between power and authorityHow to protect your homeWhy humility and obedience are the most dangerous weapons against the devil.How Mary, the Queen of Heaven and the Destroyer of All Heresies, terrifies demons by her very presence.Dr. Dan's message is clear: you are the spiritual head of your household, and the enemy knows it. Stop acting like a passive observer while your family is under attack. Take up your weapons. Impose order. Fast. Pray. Consecrate your home. Engage the battle.The Challenge: This week, every Catholic man must bless his home, pray a perimeter prayer before bed, and consecrate his family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Order begins when the man takes his rightful place as protector and provider.References:Spiritual Warfare & Q&A for the Priest and Laity by Dr. Dan Schneider and Jesse RomeroLiber Christo Method by Dr. Dan SchneiderTrue Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de MontfortTo Raise the Fallen by Fr. Willie DoyleThe Rule by St. Benedict (Referenced in context of authority)Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com
OPINION: ‘Mary's Immaculate Heart triumphs from here' | Oct. 26, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Fatima Today, Barb Ernster and Katie Moran reflect on the prophetic insights of Pope John Paul II and Sister Lucia as they relate to our times. Based on John Paul II's teachings and his consecrations of the world to the Immaculate Heart in 1991 and 2000, they discuss how the Fatima message shaped his view of the modern world's spiritual struggles. The conversation also looks into Sister Lucia's warning to Cardinal Carlo Caffarra about the final battle over marriage and family—one that continues to unfold in today's culture.
Friends of the Rosary,The Miracle of the Sun, performed by Our Lady on October 13, 1917, was understood by the people as confirmation that the three children were telling the truth about the Marian apparitions and the messages of the Secret of Fatima, which consisted of three parts.The first part was a frightening vision of hell, "where the souls of poor sinners go," and contained an urgent plea from Our Lady for acts of prayer and sacrifice to save souls, with particular emphasis on praying the rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.The second part of the “Secret” prophesied the outbreak of World War II and contained the prediction of the damage that Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing Communism's totalitarianism.The third part was revealed in 2000, coinciding with the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. It did not contain any striking or cataclysmic prediction, but, instead, affirmed the immense suffering endured by witnesses of the faith in the last century of the second millennium.Sister Lucia, the surviving member of the Fatima visionaries, confirmed that in the vision “the Bishop clothed in white,” who prays for all the faithful, was the Pope. As he was making his way with great difficulty towards the Cross amid the corpses of those who were martyred (bishops, priests, men and women religious, and many lay people), he too fell to the ground, apparently dead, under a hail of gunfire.That vision could have predicted the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II's life. The Pope had always credited the Virgin for his survival.Or it may be a portrayal of the Church's ongoing struggle against secularism and anti-Christian movements, as well as a continuing call to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• October 14, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Friends of the Rosary,On October 13, 1917, a crowd of 70,000 people — believers and skeptics alike — witnessed in Fatima, Portugal, the “Miracle of the Sun,” or “the day the sun danced.”Our Lady of Fatima had promised the children— Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, ages 10, 9, and 7 — that during the last of her six appearances, she would provide a sign so people would believe in the apparitions and in her message.On that day, the rainy sky cleared up, the clouds dispersed, and the ground, which had been wet and muddy from the rain, dried up. A transparent veil came over the sun and multicolored lights were strewn across the landscape. The sun then began to spin, twirling in the sky, and at one point appeared to plunge in a mighty zigzag course toward the earth.The crowd was terrified, fearing this was the end of the world. However, the sun reversed course and, retracing its zigzagging course, returned to its normal place in the heavens. All of this transpired in approximately ten minutes. After realizing they were not doomed, the crowd began ecstatically laughing, crying, shouting, and weeping. Many discovered their previously drenched clothing to be perfectly dry.The stunning event contradicted the atheistic regimes at the time, which is evidenced by the fact that the first newspaper to report on the miracle on a full front page was an anti-Catholic, Masonic newspaper in Lisbon, “O Seculo.”This last Marian apparition in Fatima showed that God is present in human history and doesn't abandon humanity.The miracle of the sun was understood by the people as confirmation that the three children were telling the truth about the Marian apparitions and the messages of the Secret of Fatima, which consists of three parts.The first part was a frightening vision of hell, “where the souls of poor sinners go,” and contained an urgent plea from Our Lady for acts of prayer and sacrifice to save souls, with particular emphasis on praying the rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.The second part of the “Secret” specifically prophesied the outbreak of World War II and contained the prediction of the immense damage that Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing Communism's totalitarianism.The third part was not revealed until 2000. Its revelation coincided with the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. It did not contain any striking or cataclysmic prediction, but, instead, the vision supported and affirmed the immense suffering endured by witnesses of the faith in the last century of the second millennium.Sister Lucia, the surviving member of the Fatima trio, confirmed that in the vision “the Bishop clothed in white,” who prays for all the faithful, is the Pope. As he makes his way with great difficulty towards the Cross amid the corpses of those who were martyred (bishops, priests, men and women religious, and many lay people), he too falls to the ground, apparently dead, under a hail of gunfire.That vision could have predicted the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II's life. The Pope has always credited the Virgin for his survival. Or it may be a portrayal of the Church's ongoing struggle against secularism and anti-Christian movements, as well as a continuing call to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• October 13, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) How to be the best mother. Let's follow a few therapy cases and see how we can best imitate the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/solemn-act-of-consecration-to-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary-12729 15 promises of the Rosary https://dominicanfriars.org/the-15-promises-of-the-rosary/ First Five Saturdays https://fssp.com/a-short-history-of-the-first-saturday-devotions/#:~:text=The%20Five%20First%20Saturdays%20have,of%20the%20devotion%20to%20Sr.
Read OnlineThe mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:19–21The term “brothers” in this passage is obviously not to be understood that Jesus had blood brothers. It is a dogma of our faith that Jesus was the only Child of Mary. At that time, it was common practice to refer to one's extended family as “brothers.” This would have especially applied to Jesus' cousins and perhaps even those who were unrelated by blood but were from the same village.As these relatives of Jesus stood outside and announced their presence, what did they expect Jesus to do? His “brothers” might have been there to try to talk some sense into Him. We know from other passages in the Gospels that some of Jesus' extended family thought He was out of His mind. Therefore, it is possible that these brothers were there to resolve an extended family conflict that was erupting as Jesus began His public ministry.Jesus' response was not a rude response. This is clear from the fact that Jesus lived the perfection of charity. But true charity is always grounded in the truth. Jesus spoke a truth that cut through the merely human ties and conflicts that were driving these brothers. By saying, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it,” Jesus was challenging His brothers to stop looking at Him only in an earthly way. Everyone, including His relatives, needed to learn to see Jesus as the Son of the Father in Heaven. It was the act of accepting Jesus' divine identity and submitting in obedience to the will of the Father that established a much deeper bond with Him. That is the relationship that Jesus desired with His earthly brothers.The mother of Jesus, on the other hand, was also perfect in every way. She was free from the disorder of sin and even her mind was clear, being filled with perfect wisdom and understanding. Therefore, when it was reported to her what Jesus said, she would have understood and believed.Saint Bede says that when we hear the word of God and obey it, we become Jesus' “mother” by bringing Him forth into the world through our words and actions. This also makes us Jesus' “brothers” because our obedience makes us all children of the Father in Heaven.By the gift of the fullness of grace, our Blessed Mother would have fully understood that her unity with her Son was primarily the result of their shared obedience to the Father's will. She not only experienced the Son of God being conceived within her womb, she also had the profound experience of conceiving Him in her heart through her obedience to the will of the Father. That “conception” of Jesus within her Immaculate Heart would have been unmistakably clear to her and the cause of her greatest joy. For that reason, she would have treasured this spiritual motherhood of her Son as the greatest gift of all, even more than the gift of natural motherhood. Reflect, today, upon the fact that you are also invited to be the “mother” and the “brother” of Jesus. You share in these holy callings through obedience to the will of the Father. The more clearly you hear God speak and the more fully you obey all that He says will determine the depth of spiritual union you have with Him. Our natural selves must give way to the supernatural life of grace. Make the choice, with our Blessed Mother, to pursue the glorious life of grace so that you will conceive the Son of God in your heart, become a true child of the Father in Heaven, and become a spiritual brother or sister of our Lord. My divine Lord, Your love for Your earthly mother was perfect in every way. That earthly bond was transformed and elevated by Your spiritual union with her on account of Your mutual obedience to the will of the Father. Please draw me into Your divine Family by helping me to listen to and to obey all that the Father speaks. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
Read OnlineStanding by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25Our Blessed Mother, the Mother of the Son of God, loved her Son with a perfect love. She enfleshed every virtue to perfection. Her love for her Son was a love that was beyond what we could ever imagine. She conceived Him miraculously, bore Him in her womb, gave birth to Him, nursed Him, raised Him and loved Him throughout His life. It's difficult to even imagine the depth and beauty of the love she had for Jesus. Generally speaking, a mother's love is powerful, unwavering, deep and filled with tenderness. Try to imagine the Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary and the amazing depth of love alive in her heart.Imagine also the scene depicted in the Gospel passage quoted above. This loving mother stood at the foot of the Cross, gazing upon her crucified Son, continuing to exude every motherly virtue. And because it's hard to fathom the depth of her love for her Son, it's also very hard to imagine the depth of sorrow and interior suffering she endured as she watched the cruelty toward Jesus unfold. All she could do in that moment was stand by Him and with Him in this moment of extreme agony. Her love was expressed, in that moment, by her fidelity to Him.What's beautiful to know is that love, sorrow, compassion and suffering were united as one within her Immaculate Heart. Within the beauty of her heart was every human emotion, fueled by God's grace, enabling her to give to her Son the greatest gift she had: her motherhood. She was a true mother throughout her life, and, in this moment, as her Son hung on the Cross, her motherhood culminated in a perfect human expression.We all long to be loved by another. To give and receive love is the greatest gift that we can give and receive. Love is what we were made for and is the source of our fulfillment in life. We can be certain that as Mother Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, her human heart experienced the greatest fulfillment ever known. Her heart was fulfilled because she exercised her motherly love to perfection.Gaze upon the image of the Mother of God this day. Ponder, especially, all that she would have experienced within her human heart. Though theologians could write volumes on this meditation, the best way to understand her heart of love is through prayerful meditation. Ask our Blessed Mother to reveal her heart to you today. Find some time to sit in silent adoration of this holy image of perfect motherly love. As you do, know two things. First, know that Mother Mary has this same depth of love for you. Do not doubt it. Her heart burns with compassion as she gazes upon you, even in your sin. Second, know that our Blessed Mother's love must also fill your heart and overflow into the lives of others. We all must allow her compassion, concern, fidelity and mercy to flow through our hearts. Who do you need to love with the heart of our Blessed Mother? Seek to receive the love in the heart of the Mother of God and seek to give that love. Receive it in and then allow it to flow forth. There is truly nothing in this world more beautiful and awe inspiring than the holy image of this love. My Immaculate and Sorrowful Mother, you stood at the foot of the Cross of your Son with the perfection of a mother's love. Your heart was filled with a sorrow that was mixed with every holy virtue. Pray for me that I may understand this love more fully, so that I may also open up my own heart to your love. As I do, I pray that I will become an instrument of the love in your heart toward those in my life who suffer and are in most need of tender compassion and mercy. Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.
September 6th, 2025: Hell vs Protection of Her Immaculate Heart; You Have Seen Hell; Queen of Prémontré
Today's witnesses are from an email my friend in the Prayer Group received. She gets a daily email from www.dailyrosarymeditations.com Every day, it gives five snippets, each to encourage reflection on praying one mystery of the rosary. She found this day's snippets particularly powerful and wanted to share it. They are all about how Mary will conquer, and they are written by Mike Scherschligt.One - The Bishop I have become friends with Bishop Oliver Doeme Dashe, the Bishop of Maiduguri in North East Nigeria. In 2009 the Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram, which means “Western Education is Evil” began to attack Christians in his diocese. In 2014 Boko Haram completely overran his diocese. The Nigerian military dropped their weapons and fled like children. Thousands of Catholics were killed, two hundred Church structures were burned, and one hundred thousand Catholics fled for their lives to neighboring countries. Fr. William, a priest from the diocese, told me as he drove from parish to parish to celebrate Mass, that the roads were littered with dead bodies. At any moment, he could be surrounded by Boko Haram, dragged from his car, and shot. In October of 2014 Bishop Oliver went before Our Lord Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, traumatized and trembling, and began to pray the Rosary. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to the Bishop in a vision, holding a very long sword in his hands. When he saw Jesus, the Bishop said, “Lord, what is this?” He didn't answer, but he stretched out his arms and put the sword into the hands of Bishop Oliver. When he received the sword, it turned into a Rosary. Then Jesus spoke these words three times: “Boko Haram is gone! Boko Haram is gone! Boko Haram is gone!” And the vision ended. The message was clear, with the Rosary we shall conquer!At that time Boko Haram had complete control of the diocese. If anyone was seen or caught in public as a Catholic, Boko Haram would instantly kill them. Yet, despite the danger, Bishop Oliver began to go village to village and organize public Rosary processions. From the moment the people began public Rosary processions, Boko Haram has been driven out of his diocese. The Churches are being rebuilt, all of his parishioners have come back, and 97% of his diocese go to Mass every Sunday. Most importantly, the Church in his diocese is growing from strength to strength. At one parish alone, Bishop Oliver brought five hundred new adults into the Church. Mary came down through the Rosary and sent Boko Haram packing!Two - Austria As we sat together and Bishop Oliver told me of these miraculous events, he said to me, “Michael, this is not the first time Our Mother has sent evil forces packing by the power of Rosary processions. Do you remember what took place in Austria after World War Two? Did you know that much of Austria was under the Iron Curtain after World War Two?” I did know, but I loved hearing it again from Bishop Oliver, so I didn't let on. After World War Two, Austria was divided up by the Allies. The Eastern half of the country and Vienna came under the control of the Soviets. Until 1991, the Soviets never lost a nation, but something different happened here. Fr. Petrus Pavlicek was inspired by the words of Our Lady at Fatima. She asked us to pray the Rosary every day because only she could help us.From 1947 to 1955, Fr. Pavlicek began gathering people in villages, towns, and cities across Soviet controlled Austria on the 13th of each month to pray the Rosary together in public. He called it the Rosary Crusade. Many people gathered at first, but they could not sustain their spiritual practices, so the Rosary Crusade ebbed and flowed. But Fr. Petrus persevered in his confidence in Our Lady. By 1955, eight years later, half a million Austrians had pledged to pray the Rosary, begging for the conversion of sinners, peace in the world and freedom in Austria. The Cold War intensified as the Soviets crushed the Hungarians. However, on March 24th, 1955, Eve of the Annunciation, to the world's surprise, the Soviets announced they would withdraw their troops from Austria in just three months. On May 15th, 1955, the Soviets signed a treaty guaranteeing the independence of Austria. In October of 1955, the month of the Rosary, the last Russian soldier left Austrian soil.Mary came down through the Rosary and sent the enemy packing!Three - BrazilIn 1964, the president of Brazil, João Goulart, wanted to make Brazil a Communist country. The archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Cardinal de Barros Camara, in an address on national radio, called the people to resist publicly by praying the Rosary. President Goulart was so enraged that he insulted the people of Brazil in a public speech. He ridiculed the rosary, saying that it was his Marxist ideas that would reform and save Brazil, not the rosaries of simple women. That was a big mistake!Twenty thousand women hit the streets with their rosaries. They marched right into the midst of the Communist rally and prayed the rosary so loudly that it shut the rally down. On March 19th, more than 600,000 people marched through the streets of São Paolo praying the rosary in the famous “March of the Family with God toward Freedom.” President Goulart was so intimidated by the Rosary that he fled the country! Once again, Our Mother came down through Rosary and sent the enemy packing!Four - Philippines Ferdinand Marcos was an evil dictator who oppressed the Filipino people for twenty years. In 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos rose up in a non-violent protest against the dictatorship. They filled the main highway and knelt before tanks and soldiers to pray the Rosary. President Marcos commanded the soldiers to run over the people with their tanks. Then Our Lady appeared to soldiers and to the entire crowd. She commanded the soldiers to stop their tanks and to do no harm to the people because she was the Queen of Heaven. That night, President Marcos fled the country.Once again, Mary came down through the Rosary and sent the enemy packing. Five - The Danger of Comfort and ComplacencyBishop Oliver said, “Michael, you must come to Nigeria!” But I said, “No way! It's too dangerous, you might be dead before I get there.” Then I said, “Bishop Oliver – we are facing a more dangerous enemy in the West. We are not facing an enemy that can kill the body, but an enemy that is killing the souls of our loved ones with Materialism, comfort, isolation, and loneliness. We have everything we need, so we think we don't need God or each other.”Then Bishop Oliver said to me, “Let your people know that being close to Mary is the solution to all their challenges in this world. They should consecrate and reconsecrate themselves and their families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Did not Mary say at Fatima, “God wants to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart – wanting to save it by this means.” Pray the Rosary every day and invite someone to pray with you, even if it means you have to change your routine. Finally, live the First Saturdays of Reparation as Mary requested, that on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Mass, pray the Rosary, and go to Confession.” Bishop Oliver ended by saying very passionately, “Mary will conquer! But she needs your cooperation.” If you would like to receive these daily emails, you can go to www.dailyrosarymeditations.com. I will place a link for this specific day in the show notes in case you want to go back and read it again. https://www.dailyrosarymeditations.com/p/mary-will-conquer-september-1-2025 www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Friends of the Rosary,We celebrate today the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, also known as the Black Madonna.The icon enshrined in Jasna Góra (Bright Hill) Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, was painted by Luke the Evangelist on a cypress wood panel from a table used by the Holy Family in Nazareth.This Byzantine icon was discovered by St. Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine and enshrined in the imperial city of Constantinople, where it remained for the next 500 years. The image was then brought to Poland in the 14th century.The image of Our Lady of Częstochowa is associated with several miraculous events.After the liberation of Poland from Nazi occupation, 1.5 million people gathered at Jasna Góra in 1945 to rededicate the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.Our Lady's intercession is credited with the liberation of Poland from Communist rule.Pope John Paul II visited the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa four times during his pontificate.The holy painting enshrined at Częstochowa has been a lighthouse of hope during centuries of hardship and defeat. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa attracts millions of people who love and honor Our Lady's intercession.It is known as the “Black Madonna” because of the soot residue that discolors the painting, a result of centuries of votive lights and candles burning in front of it.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• August 26, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Fr. Daniel Perry preaches the homily at the Mass honoring the 20th Anniversary of Priesthood of Canon Christopher Smith, on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sirach 24: 23-31; John 19: 25-27; The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Please consider donating to help keep this podcast going by going to buymeacoffee.com/catholicdailybrief Also, if you enjoy these episodes, please give a five star rating and share the podcast with your friends and family
August 22nd, 2025: Mary, Queen Mother of the King; The Coming Triumph of the Immaculate Heart; Mary, Our Mother & Queen; Make Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; Consecrate Your Family to the Immaculate Heart
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus, Maria Cleophae, et Maria Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.Cum vidisset ergo Jesus matrem, et discipulum stantem, quem diligebat, dicit matri suae : Mulier, ecce filius tuus. 27 After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.Deinde dicit discipulo : Ecce mater tua. Et ex illa hora accepit eam discipulus in sua.Mary began her journey along the road to perfection at a height to which other saints arrived only at the end of a long life of saintliness. In all other children of Adam original sin prevented the divine generosity from having a free course. But Mary was created immaculate, and therefore the grace of God streamed into her soul without check or hindrance. Her sinlessness, her heavenly purity, directed every action, every moment to God. Her Heart was the pattern and model of all virtues, of all purity! "Blessed are the pure in heart!"
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Portland is our "Parish of the Week". Francis McBride has been a parishioner for nearly 60 years. He joins Brenda to tell you about what makes this diverse parish and great place to grow in faith.Immaculate Heart Church.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.
Full Text of ReadingsTuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 420The Saint of the day is Saint John EudesSaint John Eudes’ Story How little we know where God's grace will lead. Born on a farm in northern France, John died at 78 in the next “county” or department. In that time, he was a religious, a parish missionary, founder of two religious communities, and a great promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. John joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at 24. During severe plagues in 1627 and 1631, he volunteered to care for the stricken in his own diocese. Lest he infect his fellow religious, during the plague he lived in a huge cask in the middle of a field. At age 32, John became a parish missionary. His gifts as a preacher and confessor won him great popularity. He preached over 100 parish missions, some lasting from several weeks to several months. In his concern with the spiritual improvement of the clergy, John realized that the greatest need was for seminaries. He had permission from his general superior, the bishop, and even Cardinal Richelieu to begin this work, but the succeeding general superior disapproved. After prayer and counsel, John decided it was best to leave the religious community. That same year John founded a new community, ultimately called the Eudists—the Congregation of Jesus and Mary–devoted to the formation of the clergy by conducting diocesan seminaries. The new venture, while approved by individual bishops, met with immediate opposition, especially from Jansenists and some of his former associates. John founded several seminaries in Normandy, but was unable to get approval from Rome—partly, it was said, because he did not use the most tactful approach. In his parish mission work, John was disturbed by the sad condition of prostitutes who sought to escape their miserable life. Temporary shelters were found, but arrangements were not satisfactory. A certain Madeleine Lamy, who had cared for several of the women, one day said to him, “Where are you off to now? To some church, I suppose, where you'll gaze at the images and think yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures.” The words, and the laughter of those present, struck deeply within him. The result was another new religious community, called the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. John Eudes is probably best known for the central theme of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life. His devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart led Pope Pius XI to declare him the father of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Reflection Holiness is the wholehearted openness to the love of God. It is visibly expressed in many ways, but the variety of expression has one common quality: concern for the needs of others. In John's case, those who were in need were plague-stricken people, ordinary parishioners, those preparing for the priesthood, prostitutes, and all Christians called to imitate the love of Jesus and his mother. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
What is Marian devotion? Do Catholics pray to Mary? This week we are re-airing an episode to celebrate the Assumption of Mary, and the month of August, traditionally dedicated to her Immaculate Heart.https://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-042RR-Devotion%20to%20Mary.mp3
Counterculture icon… artist… nun? A new art center has opened up in downtown LA dedicated to the work of Corita Kent, also known as Sister Mary Corita, a nun and art teacher whose bright, colorful, and political Pop Art prints made her famous in the 1960s…and also got her in big trouble with the church. Pay a visit to the Corita Art Center next time you're in LA! Or: driving through Boston? Keep your eyes peeled for Rainbow Swash. For more on Corita and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, check out the Rebel Hearts documentary. And if you need some inspiration, here's the art department rules Corita posted in her classroom at Immaculate Heart College.
Trending with Timmerie - Catholic Principals applied to today's experiences.
Brooke Taylor sits in for Timmere on Trending, and she is joined by Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan and retreat master here to help draw you closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart So, what’s the big deal about the Sacred Heart? According to Brother Richard: “The Sacred Heart is the icon of the entire Gospel.” That’s... a big deal. He explains that when Jesus says He is “meek and humble of heart,” He’s not talking about being passive or a pushover. In Greek, that word “meek” (praus) means a heart fully surrendered to the Father’s will. It’s not soft; it’s powerful. He invites you; yes, even with your messy, distracted, sometimes-scrolling-during-prayer self, to graft your heart into His. “To let His heart be the heart of our heart.” Ireland Just Got Re-Consecrated to the Sacred Heart Brooke also mentions some stunning recent news: Ireland was just reconsecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Marian shrine of Knock on the Feast of Corpus Christi! The last time this happened was 150 years ago! What the Saints Teach Us About the Sacred Heart St. Thérèse of Lisieux called the Sacred Heart her hiding place. She wrote that she didn’t need purgatory after death, because she was letting His love be her purgatory now. St. Padre Pio prayed a daily novena to the Sacred Heart for anyone who asked his prayers. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Sacred Heart visionary, gave us the image we all know: Jesus revealing His pierced, flaming heart, crowned with thorns and glowing with love. Brother reminds us that these saints weren’t just inspired by the Sacred Heart... they entered it. Enter In; Don't Just Look This is one of the most beautiful takeaways: we’re not just meant to look at or venerate the Sacred Heart; we’re meant to enter into it. Think of it like a divine invitation to spiritual open-heart surgery. Brother Richard quotes St. Anthony of Padua, who said we shouldn’t just stay by the “entrance” of Jesus’ pierced side; we need to go all the way in. That’s where we find: light, peace, and Heaven on Earth. Sacred Heart + Divine Mercy Ever notice the connection between the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy? Brother Richard ties it all together: The Sacred Heart is Jesus offering His heart. -Divine Mercy is drawing us in, through those rays of grace. -Both devotions are all about growing in trust. So, whether you pray “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee” or “Jesus, I trust in You”, you’re tapping into the same ocean of mercy. He reminds us: "You exist, so you are already loved." No performance needed. No filters. No spiritual résumé. Here’s the real deal, friend: The Sacred Heart is not a metaphor. It’s real. It’s alive. It’s beating for you. You’re invited in. Not tomorrow. Today. So, whether you’re feeling close to Jesus or like your heart’s been duct-taped together this week… He’s offering you His own heart in exchange. Light a candle. Put up an image of the Sacred Heart. Whisper, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.” And then just… be loved. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
In this new talk on the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Chris Alar gives updated information about this incredibly important devotion in the Church. But what does it mean and what do we have to do to receive the graces promised by Christ?
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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time by Mr. Clement Harrold. Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Genesis 18: 1-15 Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55 Alleluia: Luke 2: 19 Gospel: Luke 2: 41-51 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
In a season of Stillness—but I'm still here. ❤️