Category: Acts

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Our Lady of the Rosary

Our Lady of the Rosary is the title finally given to Our Lady of Victories.  The complete and decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire was attributed to the intercession of Mary and especially through the prayers of the Rosary.  The Rosary is a prayer that has been used by Christians since the time of St. Dominic who – legend has it – received the Rosary from Mary herself.

The appeal of the prayer of the Rosary could be attributed to many things:  miracles associated with the recitation of the Rosary, the scriptural and Christocentric nature of the Hail Mary and Our Father prayers, the repetition that calls to mind the recitation of the 150 Psalms.  This prayer is used to meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life, His Passion, death, and Resurrection.  It can also be used in a more contemplative way by allowing the mind and heart to cling to the mysteries of our faith with love and the help of the Blessed Virgin. read more

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Saints Peter and Paul

CHRYSOSTOM:

The stricter the watch, the more wonderful the demonstration. This was done on behalf of Peter, who became more esteemed as a result, and to demonstrate his innate virtue. “Prayer was earnestly made,” it says. It was the prayer of heartfelt love. They all sought a father, a gentle father. “Earnest prayer,” it says. Listen as to how they were disposed toward their teachers. They did not divide into factions or make an uproar but turned to prayer, that true alliance which is invincible. In this they sought refuge. They did not say, “Am I, a lowly good-for-nothing, to pray for him?” For since they acted out of love, they did not give these things any thought. read more

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Pentecost Sunday

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost draws a connection with the events of the Old Covenant.  Fifty days after the Passover lamb was sacrificed, Moses received the Law of God on Mt. Sinai.  Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the New Law is given: the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit Himself is able to direct the lives of the baptized – the eyes of our heart are trained to fix themselves upon Him by our own acts of faith, hope and love.

This Spirit is none other than the Spirit of Jesus.  He is Jesus’ lasting gift to us, enabling us to be with Him forever – and already in this age.   This lasting gift takes the form of deep peace: burning away all anxiety and fear.  The worst fear we have to face is of the judgment beyond death.  The Spirit of God, a Spirit of forgiveness and peace brings us safely through that judgment and sets us on a mission to bring the grace of forgiveness to the world.  Jesus is the Word of peace, of forgiveness – the Word of the Father.  This Word abides in us and inspires us in the person of the Spirit.  The Spirit is the Witness, the Spirit unites us to the joy of God, the peace of eternal glory and victory. read more