You can learn more about this series and how to obtain it
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Mystery, Theology, Catholic Moral Teaching
I found the series, written by Father Owen Francis Dudley, thoroughly entertaining, morally enriching and theologically informative. Teen through senior members of my family cheered for the "Masterful Monk" whenever his mysterious adventures unfolded in the series.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
"faith versus works"
The solution to the "faith versus works" argument is beautifully presented in Dr. Scott Hahn's Lighthouse Media CD, The Seven Last Sayings of Christ. Dr. Hahn facilitates a clear understanding of the work accomplished by the good thief in the miracle of his salvation.
The listener also learns of the necessity of Our Blessed Mother's example and intercession in our Almighty Father's plan for our eternal union with Him. Biblical references abound in this eye opening and convicting work. Thank you Dr. Hahn and Lighthouse Catholic Media!
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Praying as the Saints
The CD: Litany of the Saints and Traditional Catholic Prayers, is a delightful accompanyment to a joyous lifting of the heart and mind to God. This comprehensive collection of devotions and novenas equips the aspiring prayer warrior with an armory of well loved treasures. Listen and pray along with divinely, scripturally inspired holy words of praise, contrition, thanksgiving and petition with Litany of the Saints and Traditional Catholic Prayers.
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Missa Luba
Haunting and reverent is the vibrant, rythmic Missa Luba. I first heard this sacred music on a vinyl recording when I was in High School. I imagined that in spite of severe hardship, the hearts of the cantors and musicians were divinely elevated by their worship of God.
I was so happy to learn that this timeless work is available on CD. Impeccably performed by the Troubadours-Roi-Baudouin, the Congolese and Latin chants continue to inspire a sense of holiness and beauty in this musical dialoge with our Blessed Lord. Missa Luba can be purchased @ amazon.com.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Incorruptible!
Glorious are the Scriptural passages set to the music composed by George F. Handel! I have always delighted in listening to (and singing along with) Handel's Messiah at Christmas and Easter. My favorite recording is the breathtaking choral performance by the Cambridge Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Rutter. This clear and absolutely marvelous rendition of the Messiah comes with a lovely summary of the history of its composition. Joyful and perfectly balanced, this recording of Handel's Messiah is a tremendous achievement and the best that I have ever heard. I will never grow weary of listening to this incorruptible masterpiece. The two CD set - Handel Messiah the Complete Work can be purchased @ Amazon.com.
Sunday, November 1, 2020
La Santa Eucaristía
(Barcelona)
El Misterio Divino del don de la Santa Eucaristía se explica bellamente en esta presentación de Lighthouse Catholic Media. a través de este alimento espiritual, Jesucristo nos ha dado la manera de esforzanos mientras intentamos acercarnos más a Él durante nuestro caminar terrenal. Por medio de la traducción al español de "The Eucharist: Sacrifice and The Mass" originalmente presentado por el Arzobispo Fulton Sheen, Padre Rivas nos recuerda la multitud de gracias y bendiciones sobrenaturales que nos brinda el Santísimo Sacramento. Esta es una de las muchas maravillosas producciones español de Lighthouse Catholic Media.
Sunday, October 4, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~10
(Chapters 17 and 18 )
Attachment to the things of this world place our souls at a perilous distance from God. We surrender to God's will when we Detach from passions which threaten to monopolize our souls. In a brilliant metaphor, Father Donnelly illustrates the vast horizons of our God given souls. Our love relationship with Jesus encompasses every aspect of our hearts, minds and souls. A quote I will never forget is "The mother weeping in wild grief for her dead child is loving God with her whole heart."
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, September 6, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~9
(Chapters 15 and 16)
Father Donnelly teaches us that "sympathy is nurse for the illness of the soul." It is unselfish and "the flower of Christian Civilization." He reminds us that "the Heart of Christ was made for others," and that Our Lord "does not withhold the blood of His Heart from anyone." We learn in these chapters that, with full understanding of how we are hurt by others, Jesus places urgent importance upon the virtue of forgiveness.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, August 2, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~8
(Chapters 13 and 14)
The focus of Chapter 14 is that "Christ's love is the light that heals the blindness of the soul."
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, July 5, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~7
(Chapters 11 and 12)
Chapter 11 bears Father Donnelly's reminder that Jesus never abandons us. Chapter 12 describes Christ's rebuke of insincerity and hypocrisy of the heart.
"God is a person and has a personal love for us all." says the author. Jesus' love for us carries neither wavering nor duplicity. Jesus' vivid comparison of insincerity to bone filled tombs, dirty dishes and poisonous snakes highlights the importance He places on His followers truly loving one another, as He loves us.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~6
(Chapters 9 and 10 )
In Chapter 9 we learn what it means that we are the object of Our Savior's love. Chapter 10 reveals Christ's supernatural remedy for the heartbreak of earthly failure.
Jesus delights in and abides within the heart that seeks the treasures of Heaven. Further, as evidenced by the events on the road to Emmaus, Jesus enlivens the hearts of His followers even at their darkest moments. He continues to do the same for us today at any time that we faithfully welcome Him into our hearts. There is no hopelessness which cannot be gloriously transformed by an infusion of His love. We are His treasures and He loves us without measure.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~5
(Chapters 7 and 8)
Chapter 7 explores the supernatural power of Our Lord's heart felt words. Chapter 8 addresses Christ's potent quieting of emotional despair.
The words of Jesus came from His heart. The turbulent sea was calmed, the eyes of blind were opened, demons fled. Absolution of sins and the super substantial transformation of bread and wine continue today, as ordained Catholic priest's words are spoken in persona Cristi. Prayers are daily answered. Miraculous healings are daily attributed to the power of The Great Physicians' words.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~4
(Chapter 4)
Studying this brief chapter opens hearts in humble preparation for Lent. Holy contrition sets aside entitlement to any pride filled perception of spiritual vigor. A closer look at its deepest meaning facilitates a sublime contrition that unites our hearts with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The author states "Contrition must be supernatural." Rather than focusing upon "giving up" something of our limited human design, our soul becomes more available to understand what God wants this Lent. Only He knows the glories and beauty of the path He has selected for us!
Sunday, March 1, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~3
(Chapters 5 and 6 Healing and Holiness)
In chapter 5, the author contrasts the hearts reaction to two types of interpersonal loss: death and separation. Father Donnelly's depiction of the seemingly irreparably broken heart's response to these types of loss underscores the supernatural depth of healing afforded to us by Jesus. Christ's Sacred Heart remains lacerated to provide us with a healing outpouring of His love. The author explains: "There was, then, no wound of death which His heart did not feel and there was no wound of estrangement which He was not called upon to suffer."
Chapter 6 reminds us that Our Blessed Lord also teaches us that our hearts are the source of both holiness and sinfulness. Do our seemingly charitable actions come from hypocricy or Christian love? Our true motives are determined by the condition of our hearts. "What comes out of the heart reaches a wire which sends a man's soul over the wide chasm of the grave into the the unending depths of Heaven or Hell.", writes Father Donnelly.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, February 2, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~2
(Chapters 2 and 3 Meekness and Humiliy )
Anger, pride and vengeance are powerful motivations for many unfortunate actions. Resultant mortal tragedies are all too frequent. We learn in these chapters of How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J., about the overriding supernatural efficacy of meekness and humility in drawing us closer to Christ in all of life's circumstances. The author contrasts the stregth of meekness with anger's "unlovely daughters". Referring to the limitless meekness and humility we see in Our Lord's words and actions, as the "school of Christ", we, His "students", are again reminded of the need to be like children, to grow in holiness, virtue and love for one another. In a beautiful weekday Mass sermon our priest explained that we are unlikely to err when the motivation of our actions is truly the love of Jesus.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
How to Love As Jesus Loves~1
(Introduction and first chapter)
So, how do we accomplish this daunting feat?
Father Donnelly introduces this theologically rich work by clarifying the meaning of devotion. He explains the symbolism of the Sacred Heart of Our Savior. With a vivid metaphor, he illustrates the mystical significance of the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Jesus' intercession on our behaĺf is expressed in this beautiful quote at the end of the first chapter:
"The unbelief of Thomas was the occasion of showing us that Christ did not permit His wounds to be closed. They are still open, and the most eloquent intercession comes from the wound of the Heart."
Father Donnelly (1869-1959) was a uniquely gifted author, poet, teacher and priest, who also wrote the lyrics to hundreds of hymns.
Timeless Catholic writings are keys that help us to appreciate the vast treasures of our faith. I look forward to sharing more about How to Love As Jesus Loves, Unlocking the Treasures of Christ's Sacred Heart, by Francis P. Donnelly, S.J.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation~12 Self Denial and Love of the Cross
In December, we commemorate the Immaculate conception of Mary and the Divine Infancy. Mary's life was dedicated to Jesus from the moment of her conception. Jesus gave His life for our salvation.
Mary was the perfect example of self denial and love of the Cross.
Jesus' passion and death freed us from eternal separation from God.
Jesus' passion and death freed us from eternal separation from God.
Mary's early life was dedicated to God in humble prayer: her "yes" as the mother of Jesus, her fidelity to Jesus as she followed Him along the Via Crucis. She united her suffering to that of her Son. By her perfect example, we learn to follow Jesus as true Christians.
My favorite quote from this chapter is," The best prayer you can say is to resign yourself to the will of God in the midst of your sufferings, uniting your pains to the pains of Jesus Christ and offering them as a sacrifice to God." Beginning a new year intending the development of virtues described in The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation brings to my memory a dear elederly man who suffered many illness and pains at the end of his life. He smiled and spoke of offering these sufferings for his wife, children, relatives and loved ones as well as for the holy souls in purgatory and persons who had hurt him during his life How fortunate are all who are on his "prayer list"! God bless you and Happy New Year!
Sunday, November 3, 2019
The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation~11 Prayer
Always rejoice.
Pray without ceasing.
In all things give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible
As Catholic Christians, we believe in the eternity the soul. We are commanded by God to pray for one another "Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much." James 5:16 Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible
During the Month of November, the Catholic Church commemorates the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Our relationship with the Poor Souls in Purgatory is a loving example of God's mercy and the power of prayer in Christian life.
In The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation Saint Alphonsus Liguori writes about vocal and mental prayer and the importance of conformity to God's will. He writes "'Nothing', says Saint John Chrysostom, 'proves our love for Jesus Christ better than the zeal we have to oray for our Brethren.'"
Sunday, October 6, 2019
The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation~10 Recollection
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them;
he it is that loveth me.
And he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father:
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Judas saith to him, not the Iscariot:
Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us,
and not to the world?
Jesus answered, and said to him:
If any one love me, he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him.
John 14:21-23
Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible
The Holy Rosary and the Holy angels are commemorated during the month of October. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that when we pray the Rosary, we are loving Jesus with the heart of Mary. We remember His healing miracles and teachings and apply them to our current lives, making every moment a step towards heaven. We open our lives to the love and mercy of Jesus, the Holy Spirit's guidance, an outpouring of God's graces delivered to us by our Blessed Mother, the assistance of Angels (especially our Guardian Angel) and Signal Graces.
In The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation Saint Alphonsus Liguori writes, "To preserve recollection of spirit or the constant union of the soul with God, three things are necessary: solitude, silence, and the recollection of the presence of God." The Holy Rosary provides us with the opportunity for all three of these requirements."Love is always strengthened by the presence of the object loved."
Sunday, September 1, 2019
The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation~9 Mortification
"But, as it is written:
That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man,
what things God hath prepared for them that love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9 Douay Rheims
Roman Catholic Bible
That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man,
what things God hath prepared for them that love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9 Douay Rheims
Roman Catholic Bible
The winds of September, the month Catholic Christians commemorate the Seven Sorrows of Mary, prompt nature to bless us with reminders of the ephemeral nature of earthy existence. Whispering leaves of deciduous hardwoods begin their transformation from green to red, orange and gold while hardier flowers hold on to their bright array as long as they can. Our society has ingrained deep within our psyches the false perception that we can remain forever young, wealthy and "happy". The world falsely assures humans that stress free comfort is the reward for achieving these goals. The eternal cost of striving for this unreality is tragic. Emotional hopeless abounds in the atmosphere of clamoring for status, beauty, fame, recognition and prosperity. Society's perimeter continually changes in such a manner that no human being can "hold on to" the achievement of these transient qualities forever.
The truth is that because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we live in an imperfect world filled with the ravages of sin~disease, failure, poverty, death and loss. Involuntary suffering and mortification that come from illness, aging and trauma are inevitable.
The only true and enduring joy comes from God. The examples of holy men an women of God referred to in Saint Alphonsus Liguori's The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation are clear, timeless examples of the sublime importance of self denial and mortification during our earthly lives. We learn that in all our prayers and devotions we must humbly desire to be obedient and conformed to the will of God. Saint Mary Magdalene de P'Azzi said "Self love is like the worm that gnaws at the root and destroys not only the fruit but even the very life of the plant."
The only true and enduring joy comes from God. The examples of holy men an women of God referred to in Saint Alphonsus Liguori's The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation are clear, timeless examples of the sublime importance of self denial and mortification during our earthly lives. We learn that in all our prayers and devotions we must humbly desire to be obedient and conformed to the will of God. Saint Mary Magdalene de P'Azzi said "Self love is like the worm that gnaws at the root and destroys not only the fruit but even the very life of the plant."
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