Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Catholics, And Others: Ask These Questions . . .

Has Pope Leo XIV criticized the Democrat Party in America for running on abortion on demand -- even up till the time of birth?

Has he chastised the Democrat Party for legally harassing the Little Sisters of the Poor and forcing them to defend themselves up to the highest court in the land?  
Has he given credit to President Trump for putting Supreme Court Justices on the court who overturned Roe v. Wade? 

The answers are No, No, and NO!

Remember that!

Monday, April 20, 2026

14% Jump! Young Men Leading Spiritual Revival?

Saturday, April 4, 2026

And Now, Buona Pasqua E Tutti!

 

   


Buona Pasqua, the beautiful Italian Easter greeting proclaims "Happy Easter" to all.

May your day be filled with peace, joy, la famiglia and the blessings of this season of renewal and rejoicing.

This is a day to proclaim salvation and to give thanks for our faith; regaling in the hope of eternal life, the promise of the Trinity.

In Italy, Easter remains a day that celebrates life. And no group of people celebrates life as well as the Italians.

Although Italians do not decorate hard–boiled eggs nor have chocolate bunnies or pastel marshmallow chicks, the biggest Easter displays in bars, pastry shops, supermarkets, and especially at chocolatiers are brightly wrapped uova di Pasqua—chocolate Easter eggs—in sizes that range from 10 grams (1/3 ounce) to 8 kilos (nearly 18 pounds). 

Most of them are made of milk chocolate in a mid–range, 10–ounce size by industrial chocolate makers.

Some producers distinguish between their chocolate eggs for children (sales numbers are a closely guarded secret, but the market for these standard quality eggs is said to be shrinking with Italy's birthrate) and expensive "adult" versions. All except the tiniest eggs contain a surprise. Grown–ups often find their eggs contain little silver picture frames or gold–dipped costume jewelry.

The very best eggs are handmade by artisans of chocolate, who offer the service of inserting a surprise supplied by the purchaser. Car keys, engagement rings, and watches are some of the high–end gifts that have been tucked into Italian chocolate eggs in Italy.

Our favorite Easter treats: chocolate coconut cream eggs (sinfully sweet), chocolate covered marshmallows, jelly beans of every color and flavor, sweet Italian Easter bread, hot cross buns and Peeps. Well, they used to be out favorite Easter treats but since we went low carb they are consumed in moderation if at all. Oh, well . . . . 

Friday, April 3, 2026

For Catholics, The Way It Used To Be . . .

A Day Of Fast, Reverance, Prayer And Devotion


 

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Sheen To Be Beatified In Septrember!

Wonderful news about this blessed man's cause for sainthood!

The late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen of New York will be beatified on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

After his heroic virtue was recognized, Fulton Sheen was declared Venerable in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2019, Pope Francis then authorized a decree recognizing a miracle through his intercession, clearing the path for his beatification.
The future Blessed Fulton Sheen was known for his dynamic preaching, especially on television and radio. He made Catholic teachings clear and meaningful to millions of Americans in their everyday lives and his TV show was a runaway hit.

Fulton J. Sheen served as the Bishop of Rochester, New York, from 1951 to 1969, and was then appointed the Titular Archbishop of Newport.
Born into an Irish family in El Paso, Illinois, on May 8, 1895, Archbishop Sheen discovered his call to the priesthood at the age of 24 and was ordained a priest in 1919.
He pursued higher studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington (US), the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
In 1930, he began participating in the Sunday radio program entitled “The Catholic Hour," which reached an estimated four million listeners at the height of its popularity.
In 1951, he began hosting a weekly television series, “Life is Worth Living," on matters of faith that attracted some 30 million viewers. He was a scholar who made the theology of the Catholic Church come alive for ordinary Americans.
He died in New York at the age of 84, on December 9, 1979.

Thursday, March 19, 2026

President Trump's St. Joseph Day Message

So thoughtful and beautifully expressed, from the President of the United States . . . 

Today, I send my best wishes to Catholics and other Christians celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph—the earthly father of Jesus Christ and one of the most revered figures in the Bible.

Saint Joseph was a model father, husband, and worker, as well as a living embodiment of Christian virtue.  He spent his life working tirelessly, without accolades or recognition, to protect his family and raise the Son of God.  Through every trial and tribulation, Saint Joseph led his family with dignity, strength, and moral courage.  In the face of uncertainty and danger, time and again, he valiantly surrendered to God’s will with faith, fortitude, humility, and obedience—playing a central role in the life of Jesus Christ and the history of salvation.

Saint Joseph also holds a distinct place in American culture, especially for the Italian-American community.  Every March 19, Catholics in New Orleans, Louisiana, and throughout the Nation construct beautiful altars in his honor.  From the factories of St. Louis, Missouri, and the deserts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to churches, chapels, and homes all across our country, Catholics have credited him with extraordinary miracles.  He is recognized as the head of the Holy Family, the patron saint of workers, and the “Terror of Demons,” and he remains revered by countless citizens for his tremendous example of what it means to be a man, father, and husband.

In recent years, our Nation has witnessed the rise of an extremist cultural movement that has sought to weaken the values championed by Saint Joseph.  But my Administration is offering a much brighter vision for our rising generation.  Instead of indoctrinating our young men with radicalism and hate, we must encourage them to embrace faith, get married, start a family, and raise the next generation of proud, freedom-loving, God-fearing American citizens.  Guided by his example, we will never stop fighting for Saint Joseph’s legacy in our homes, churches, culture, and public square.

On his feast day, we honor Saint Joseph’s incredible life, we pay tribute to his countless silent sacrifices, and we vow to forge a radiant American future marked by the timeless values of faith in God, love of family, and devotion to human freedom.

The True Meaning Of March 19 - St. Joseph's Day

March 19 is a special day in Italy and throughout the world. It's St. Joseph's Day.

St. Joseph's Day is a big Feast Day for Italians because it also marks Father's Day. Beyond that, Italians believe that in the Middle Ages, God, through St. Joseph's intercessions, Sicilians were saved from a very serious drought. So in his honor, the custom is for all to wear red, in the same way that green is worn on St. Patrick's Day.

On St. Joseph's Day, after Mass (at least in parishes with large Italian populations), a big altar ("la tavola di San Giuse" or "St. Joseph's Table") is laden with food contributed by everyone (note that all these St. Joseph celebrations might take place on the nearest, most convenient weekend). Different Italian regions celebrate this day differently, but all involve special meatless foods: minestrone, pasta with breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have covered St. Joseph's floor), seafood, Sfinge di San Giuseppe, and, always, fava beans, which are considered "lucky" because during the drought, the fava thrived while other crops failed (recipes below).

The table -- which is always blessed by a priest -- will be in three tiers, symbolizing the Most Holy Trinity. The top tier will hold a statue of St. Joseph surrounded by flowers and greenery. The other tiers might hold, in addition to the food: flowers (especially lilies); candles; figurines and symbolic breads and pastries shaped like a monstrance, chalices, fishes, doves, baskets, St. Joseph's staff, lilies, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, carpentry tools, etc.; 12 fishes symbolizing the 12 Apostles; wine symbolizing the miracle at Cana; pineapple symbolizing hospitality; lemons for "luck"; bread and wine (symbolizing the Last Supper); and pictures of the dead. There will also be a basket in which the faithful place prayer petitions.

The cry "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" begins the feasting and is heard throughout the day. When the eating is done, the St. Joseph's altar is smashed, and then three children dressed as the Holy Family will knock on three doors, asking for shelter. They will be refused at the first two, and welcomed at the third, in memory of the Holy Family's seeking of hospitality just before Christ was born. This re-enactment is called "Tupa Tupa," meaning "Knock Knock."

The day ends with each participant taking home a bag that might be filled with bread, fruit, pastries, cookies, a medal of St. Joseph, a Holy Card and/or a blessed fava bean. Keep your "lucky bean," and let it remind you to pray to St. Joseph.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

When The US Catholic Church Had Real Gravitas

A Catholic Bishop gets put on prime-time national television in the 1950s

No script, no teleprompter, no celebrity guests, just him, a chalkboard, and the Gospel
  • Hollywood completely writes him off as boring religious programming
  • Proceeds to absolutely dominate the TV ratings, drawing 30 million viewers every single week
  • Crushes the biggest secular comedians in the country to win the Emmy Award
  • Accepts the Emmy on live TV by thanking his four writers: "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."
  • Converted countless communists, atheists, and Hollywood executives to the Catholic faith
  • About to be beatified in 2026
We need more men like this. Archbishop Fulton Sheen pray for us!

Indeed -- No Truer Words Have Been Spoken!


 

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

A Special Message From President Trump . . .

Today, the First Lady and I join the millions of Christians in the United States and around the world in observing Ash Wednesday—a solemn day of prayer and repentance and the beginning of the Lenten season.

Every Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads as a visible reminder of our belonging to Jesus Christ and our enduring need for penance. For the next 40 days, in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the desert, followers of Christ will pray, fast, and give alms to deepen their faith, reflect on His redeeming Passion and death, and prepare their hearts for the coming Easter miracle.

As the holy season of Lent begins, we are reminded that the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have been foundational to our strength from the earliest days of our national story. From the Colonists who turned to prayer and fasting in the heart of the Revolutionary War to the unmatched compassion and generosity of America’s churches, hospitals, and charitable institutions, these righteous acts of faith over the centuries have always stood at the center of our identity, our heritage, and our way of life.

This Ash Wednesday, as we remember the Passion and ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we send our best wishes for a meaningful Lenten season. Above all, as we prepare for the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday—the greatest miracle in the history of mankind—we pause to remember those sacred words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”, the First Lady and I join the millions of Christians in the United States and around the world in observing Ash Wednesday—a solemn day of prayer and repentance and the beginning of the Lenten season.

Every Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads as a visible reminder of our belonging to Jesus Christ and our enduring need for penance. For the next 40 days, in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the desert, followers of Christ will pray, fast, and give alms to deepen their faith, reflect on His redeeming Passion and death, and prepare their hearts for the coming Easter miracle.

As the holy season of Lent begins, we are reminded that the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have been foundational to our strength from the earliest days of our national story. From the Colonists who turned to prayer and fasting in the heart of the Revolutionary War to the unmatched compassion and generosity of America’s churches, hospitals, and charitable institutions, these righteous acts of faith over the centuries have always stood at the center of our identity, our heritage, and our way of life.

This Ash Wednesday, as we remember the Passion and ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we send our best wishes for a meaningful Lenten season. Above all, as we prepare for the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday—the greatest miracle in the history of mankind—we pause to remember those sacred words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Friday, January 23, 2026

Mendoza: All The Glory Goes Back To God!

Monday, January 19, 2026

His Authenticity Always Shines Through . . .

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza explained why he brought the Heisman Trophy to the priests at the St. Paul Center on his university campus.

Monday, December 8, 2025

An Unprecedented Message From President Trump!

From the President of the United States:

Today, I recognize every American celebrating December 8 as a Holy Day honoring the faith, humility, and love of Mary, mother of Jesus and one of the greatest figures in the Bible.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Catholics celebrate what they believe to be Mary’s freedom from original sin as the mother of God.  She first entered recorded history as a young woman when, according to Holy Scripture, the Angel Gabriel greeted her in the village of Nazareth with news of a miracle: “Hail, favored one!  The Lord is with you,” announcing that “you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”

In one of the most profound and consequential acts of history, Mary heroically accepted God’s will with trust and humility:  “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  Mary’s decision forever altered the course of humanity.  Nine months later, God became man when Mary gave birth to a son, Jesus, who would go on to offer his life on the Cross for the redemption of sins and the salvation of the world.

For nearly 250 years, Mary has played a distinct role in our great American story.  In 1792, less than a decade after the end of the Revolutionary War, Bishop John Carroll—the first Catholic bishop in the United States and cousin of signer of the Declaration of Independence Charles Carroll—consecrated our young Nation to the mother of Christ.  Less than a quarter-century later, Catholics attributed General Andrew Jackson’s stunning victory over the British in the climactic Battle of New Orleans to Mary.  Every year, Catholics celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in New Orleans on January 8 in memory of Mary’s assistance in saving the city.

Over the ages, American legends like Elizabeth Ann Seton, Frances Xavier Cabrini, and Fulton Sheen, who spent their lives glorifying God in service to others, have held a deep devotion to Mary.  The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, located in the heart of our Nation’s Capital, honors Mary as the largest church in North America.  The timeless hymn “Ave Maria” remains beloved by countless citizens.  She has inspired the establishment of countless churches, hospitals, and schools.  Nearly 50 American colleges and universities bear Mary’s name.  And, just days from now, on December 12, Catholics in the United States and Mexico will celebrate the steadfast devotion to Mary that originated in the heart of Mexico—a place now home to the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe—in 1531.  As we approach 250 years of glorious American Independence, we acknowledge and give thanks, with total gratitude, for Mary’s role in advancing peace, hope, and love in America and beyond our shores.

More than a century ago, in the midst of World War I, Pope Benedict XV, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, commissioned and dedicated a majestic statue of Mary, Queen of Peace, bearing the infant Christ with an olive branch so that the Christian faithful would be encouraged to look to her example of peace by praying for a stop to the horrific slaughter.  Just a few months later, World War I ended.  Today, we look to Mary once again for inspiration and encouragement as we pray for an end to war and for a new and lasting era of peace, prosperity, and harmony in Europe and throughout the world.

In her honor, and on a day so special to our Catholic citizens, we remember the sacred words that have brought aid, comfort, and support to generations of American believers in times of need:

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Should The Pope Stop Holding News Conferences?

Once upon a time Popes weren't so accessible. They held themselves apart. They didn't hold news conferences. And when they made a pronouncement or had something to say, in part because it wasn't nearly as often, people paid attention. It was Big, Meaningful, Clear and Definitive. Once upon a time . . . .

Thursday, December 4, 2025

This Man Foresaw Exactly What Was/Is Happening!