Christmas Music

Should We Have Married Priests?

This article is a very straight forward explication of the need for celibacy and the celibate priesthood.  A very good article to give to people who still struggle with the seriousness of our sexual scandal in the church. Reading this will bring some practical understanding.  
The ongoing purification process that lies ahead for all of us will require a certain trust in the Holy Priesthood.  Don't let misconception and misunderstanding blur your vision of Jesus in the priest who has given his life to serve you.   
Peace of heart and mind to all. ~Margaret of Souls for Jesus

When Catholics discover that I am a married priest the vast majority of them say, “That’s fantastic! I hope the Church changes to allow our priests to marry. That would solve this problem of pedophile priests!”

As one of the few married former Anglican priests who has been ordained as a Catholic priest I can address the matter from personal experience. Furthermore, I served as a celibate Anglican priest for seven years before marrying, so I also have experience of that way of life.

This hot topic should be cooled down with a bit of common sense. Firstly, it should be plain to everyone that marriage does not solve the problem of pedophile priests. Marriage doesn’t cure pedophilia. The fact is, most child abuse is committed by married men. 

Furthermore, most of the sex abuse by priests was against young men.  Do people seriously think that marriage would cure a man who is attracted to teenaged boys? Are they suggesting that homosexual pedophiles would be cured if they just found a good woman? I don’t think so.

Neither will marriage purge the priesthood of other sexual scandal. Plenty of married Protestant clergy still manage to tumble out of the pulpit onto the wrong pillow. Being married doesn’t mean a person is free from lust and temptation.

On the other hand, being celibate doesn’t mean a person is constantly panting for sex. There are plenty of people in all walks of life, of both genders and all ages who are sexually inactive for many different reasons. That doesn’t make them all insatiable sex hounds or sad and desperately lonely souls. Many single people successfully integrate their sexuality into their singleness.

Then there is the realistic question of financial support. When a Catholic enthuses to me about having married priests I usually ask, “Are you willing to put an extra twenty bucks in the collection plate every week to make this happen?” It’s amazing how quickly the subject changes!

Speaking of the married priest’s family, has no one else seen the most obvious problem? If a young priest is married and he and his young wife are fertile they would be expected to live within the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Yes, it is still Catholic policy that artificial means of contraception are forbidden. 

The Catholic priest and his wife would be expected to live within that teaching. Do the parishioners who are so gung-ho about married priests really want to support the priest’s children? Would they want to re-build the rectory to house them? Pay their health insurance, deductibles and orthodontics? Would they be willing to cough up to send the priest’s kids through Catholic school and college? What if the priest had six, seven, eight, ten or twelve kids? It’s not really cheaper by the dozen.

On the other hand, where a husband and wife both love and serve the Lord in his church the example of a totally committed couple and family can be a terrific blessing for the Church. Parishes where the priest is in a healthy and strong marriage can show the way for all the families in the Church. 

I’m the first to admit that there are benefits to be gained from having married priests, and I’m aware of real problems with celibacy for priests. My celibate colleagues are sometimes isolated and lonely, but then, I know married people who are isolated and lonely. Many celibate priests are workaholics and starved for real relationships and affection. Ditto many married men.

However marriage for priests is a pipe dream panacea. It will solve a few problems but it will create many more: What happens to clergy widows? Who picks up the pieces when a clergy marriage breaks down? Will a priest be able to date? If his marriage breaks down and is annulled will he be able to re-marry? 

The powers at the Vatican could change the rule. It’s unlikely they’ll allow priests to marry, but they might adopt the Eastern Orthodox discipline in which priests may not marry, but married men may be ordained, or they might decide to allow older married men to be ordained.

In the meantime, the discipline of celibacy for our priests reminds everyone that sexuality is something which we all need to control in order to be happy—married people and single people alike.

The celibate priest, brother or sister reminds us that sex and marriage are given to lead us on to something better than sex: true and lasting Love. That’s why we insist that marriage and the celibacy vow are for life: because lifetime love gives us a taste of the eternal. The celibate reminds all of us that whatever our state in life we are called to integrate and control our sexuality in a healthy way, and that this virtue is called chastity.

For this reason alone chastity should be a valued virtue—because it is a self-discipline that reminds us that while true love is tender, for it to last it also has to be tough.

by: Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Feast of the Holy Family

As today is the Feast of the Holy Family and I reflect on my thoughts about "What has happened to us." I see the drug culture as having played a major roll in the ability of the human person to flip there soul from God to evil. I fell asleep watching the CNN report on the sixties. My generation went from the story of Christmas as the bible tells it to no Christmas at all. Santa Clause and all the material goods you can devour. From "O Holy night to Jingle bell rock." In all honestly were did it get us? How is the family doing?? I think we are getting better, I think this year has been a rude awakening for many. 

We left the natural law which has guided us for thousands of years and spun around so far that our own children need drugs, alcohol and all the material possessions they can acquire in order to feel safe. We are now buying guns at a rate never expected. We are butchering babies and every member of this tax paying society is paying for this. We are not daring to have children for what seem to be legitimate reasons. We need a perfect life first, a life that is not meant for us to have here on earth. Our President is a dictator run a muck and our Congress is over paid and in need of complete house cleaning. 

These are just some of the reasons Jesus is asking for comfort, prayer and fellowship among women who really have the God given Faith to change the world along with Him and His Holy Family. God does not want to wipe out our nation or our world. He is not calling us part way back to His love and our created purpose, He is calling us all the way back. I believe in this year of mercy we can do great things through Him who strengthens us. Small things with great Love as Mother Teresa's life expressed to the world many times.

Jesus asks at the dawn of a new year, 'can you pray with Me and watch with Me for just one hour'??

Margaret of Souls for Jesus

The Infant Teaches Us The One Thing

In looking at the infant Jesus in the manger, we must stop and think deeply about the reality of an infant God. If the Divine and Omnipotent God could become so helpless and dependent, are we not obliged to accept ourselves as we are and let ourselves be loved by God? God loves us each of us to the point of human "madness" and we must let Him love us as we are, not as we hope to become. We must consent to be nothing and to do nothing, but love and be loved. We must let God have the joy of loving us.

Now, if we love God, we will keep His Commandments out of love, because we would never purposely offend someone we love, but most importantly we will give Him our life. We will live for Him, not for ourselves. We will speak to Him throughout the day as we would to our dearest friend. How do we know we have committed to let Him live His life in us? The answer is simple but not easy. It is in how we spend our time each day in seeking His Glory and the salvation of souls as our first and our ongoing purpose and desire. It is Grace, and we must constantly ask for this share in Divine Life! ~Adapted from Fr. Jacques Philippe in "Time for God"

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Our Lady of America Newsletter, December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve

Litigation Update: Because of your prayers and the grace of God, We Won!

As most of you who have followed this devotion in recent years know, there has been long and protracted litigation surrounding copyrights and trademarks of devotionals to Our Lady of America. A former nun, Patricia Fuller, claimed that she controlled the devotion through her ownership of copyrights and trademarks. We, the Plaintiffs, argued the visionary Sr. Mary Ephrem had placed these same devotional materials into the public domain for free use by anyone. While this was the central issue, the litigation grew exponentially when the Defendants counter sued the Plaintiffs accusing us of all sorts of illegal and immoral behavior.

In 2014 there was a trial in the United States District Court where the jury found that the devotionals were indeed in the public domain and that we had not engaged in any of the illegal and immoral behavior of which we were accused. The jury also found that the defendants had extensively defamed us by the civil publication of these accusations and thus awarded us substantial damages.

Shortly after the trial the Defendants entered an appeal in the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the entirety of the jury’s verdict.

This past Friday, December 18, 2015 that court entered its Final Judgement on the appeal.

THANK GOD! WE WON! ALL BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE WON!

The Appeals Court upheld the entirety of the jury’s findings. The only item the Appeals Court did not uphold was the District Judge’s injunction against future defamation by the Defendants . The Appeals court found it too broad, rendering it unconstitutional under the First Amendment and returned it to the District Judge with instructions for revision.

The devotional materials central to the devotion to Our Lady of America are in the public domain andfree for use by anyone! While there is some chance that the Defendants will appeal to the United States Supreme Court, there is little chance that court will accept it on appeal in light of the following quote from the Final Judgement.

“The conduct of the litigation in the district court by the lawyer representing Fuller and Hartman showed, as the district judge explained in granting the request for attorney’s fees, a serious and studied disregard for the orderly processes of justice. That disregard has persisted on appeal. Many of the grounds on which Fuller and Hartman seek reversal were waived, are frivolous, or are incomplete, with the important exception of the permanent injunction entered by the district judge, to which we devote the balance of this opinion.” (page 7)

Our Lady has given us the victory!

To all of the prayer warriors that have prayed for this victory – you are the WE in WE WON! This victory would not have been possible without your petitions to the Lord and our Blessed Virgin Mother! Your prayers, sacrifice, and intercessions made the difference. This was not a partial victory. This is a complete victory for Our Lady of America.

It really is a mystery how Our Lady through Her intercession can bring perfection out of our actions of good intent but imperfect human acts. Throughout this litigation we did our best, but it was Our Lady through the intercession of your prayers that delivered the perfect outcome.

It is just like Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin to bring us perfection in all that She does. Starting with Her Immaculate Conception and then Her Fiat, She brought to us He who is that Perfect Gift. Jesus Christ Our Savior has come!

Please offer a prayer of Thanksgiving over the next few days.

From my family to yours - accept our deep appreciation for your aid and support in this work. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year, I remain Yours in Christ,Al Langsenkamp

P.S. You are certainly asking: Where to from here with the devotion? Pray that Our Lady guide us.

*By Thy Holy & Immaculate Conception, Oh Mary, deliver us from evil!*

*Bloggers and webmasters please link to this story and site!*

Please spread the word by forwarding this email to family and friends and encourage them to sign-up for their own copy of this free newsletter by clicking here.

B.V.M. Our Lady of America
C/O Langsenkamp Family Apostolate
9100 Purdue Rd #400
Indianapolis, IN 46268-1180

B.V.M. Our Lady of America is a not-for-profit activity of the BVM
Foundation, Inc. Batesville, IN 47006
BVM Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation.

www.OurLadyofAmerica.org

Where Are the Children?

What has happened to our children???  

As I anticipate this Birthday of Christ I can't help but think of my own family. I have 5 sons, yes a quiver of sons, a gift from the Lord, Psalm 127.

Truth be told the most memorable emotion I have from giving birth to my first son and the ensuing years of mothering four more is love. Not how much I loved him and them but how much they loved me. The love of my first born son woke up a whole new piece of my heart. The relationship of mother and child is beyond the beyond. It was a continual shock for me to not only love this little being but to find that he returned much more love to me. Motherhood is such a privilege, if you take decent care of a child they adore you. Feed me, change my diapers now and then and you can do no wrong. Women who care for their own children have the best look at the love of God as this innocent being reflects that love all day and night. Yes they can be fussy and demanding but how simple the cure for their demands. Babies, like God, have a desire to be loved first and foremost from their mothers. 

The love that I felt from my first son, the way he loved me in return for so little is something I now equate with Gods love. I didn't know God then but I met him in Billy. That was 36 years ago. 

It was a difficult decision for me not to work after the birth of our son. The job was expecting me back and of course we needed the money. My husband said we will make it work and so we did. One of the best decisions we ever made. We learned to enjoy the simplest things in life. 

As the family grew and Billy grew up the world changed dramatically. Feminism and the equal rights movement took hold and women no matter how they acted could do no wrong. I was too busy caring for and raising my family to realize how different the world, I sent the boys into, was from the one my husband and I had grown up in. 

The world wants to tell you that it is normal to despise the morals and values you were raised with but it is not normal it is pitiable. For those members of our society who are under 40 years of age it is almost impossible to see through the deplorable moral mess we are in. As they entered college the Catholic moral influence flew out the window to be replaced with women laced in birth control and no boundaries. Drugs, alcohol and women can't compare with a mother who raised her sons not even drinking coffee.

I believe the greatest difficulty that comes between Mother and child is when their conscience echoes the voice and example of mother. Run run run as fast as you can but you can not run away from your God given conscience or the influence of God fearing parents. When you loose site of the love of your mother because our culture is drowning in lies it is a constant struggle between God and evil.  

Our Bishop, Peter Labashi has asked for the Christ child to be front and center of the Churches in his diocese so as to bring back the true meaning of Christmas. It is the birthday of Christ, he is already with us. I for one love the focus to be on a child, not only is the Christ child missing in our world but children, babies! Young families who go over the two child allotment are seen as being irresponsible.

My own mother who is ninety years old and has spent a better part of her later years watching Oprah Winfrey and other very progressive women on television made what was a shocking statement. We were having lunch, she looked right at me and said, "Margie, were are the children? Oprah Winfrey is a wonderful woman she does so much for the poor and gives away so much of her wealth. She is the roll model for the young women the generation who are now not marrying, not having children. Oprah never married, she never had children."  She also pointed out several of the other prominent women of our times. Women she idolized but had come to understand the powerful yet defeating influence they have had on our society.

Women have to work very hard to live against the natural God given desire to bring life into the world. Our bodies are set up both emotionally and physically to nurture and bring life into this world so starved for love.

God himself is purifying our world and will turn all of this around. We must stand strong and together behind our Pope and Clergy who are preaching and teaching the truth. We must admonish those who refer to the culture of relativism. Every family is struggling right along with you. Keep watch and pray, for the Savior of our world is with us.

Margaret of Souls for JESUS

THE BRIDEGROOM IS HERE - GO OUT TO WELCOME HIM

Dr, Anthony Lilles is a favorite of mine as well as one of our Lady's favorites. The Holy Mother actually directed me to his book "Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden." It is a wonderful modern day guide to Union with Jesus. Through the purification process. His writings are beautiful, romantic and very understandable. I could not resist posting this commentary of his from Spiritual direction.com.

I also find Fr. Bartunek very informative and a profitable read. I hope you
enjoy them as well.

Hearing the Call of the Bridegroom

Dec 21, 2015 02:35 am | Anthony Lilles

What does the call of the Divine Bridegroom sound like?
Dr. Anthony Lilles shares his insights with us on these last few days of Advent.

How Can I Grow in Virtue? (Part II of II)

Dec 21, 2015 02:30 am | Fr. Bartunek

How much should we pray?
Find out as Father John Bartunek concludes his two-part series on how to grow in virtue.

What was Mary Thinking the Week Before She Gave Birth to Jesus?

I was listening to a wonderful homily and asked Jesus why He is asking me to write since the Priests do such a good job, "I am looking for a woman's point of view."
A friend from years ago sent me this blog.  Perfect.  I will now put out a request for women's point of view or encouraging experience from women who got life wrong and then found forgiveness and a way to make things right. Below are experiences of expectation.

Historically, in the Latin calendar, December 18 was the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, however the feast is not in the current calendar. To learn more about the history of the feast, I encourage you to visit the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent here.

Trying to understand what the Blessed Virgin Mary was feeling one week before giving birth to Jesus is difficult since nothing about her thoughts has been revealed to us in the Sacred Scriptures. At this point, it’s purely speculative at best. We know what St. Luke tells us in Chapter 2 of his Gospel, however, we don’t know much more than this revelation.

Was it difficult on Mary to be away from her family and her mother during this time? Even though the birth of Jesus was miraculous, as was his conception, what was Mary feeling? Did she know what was to occur? Was she ready for it? Did she think she would be a good mother?

As tradition has shown us, the Blessed Virgin Mary completely put her trust in God, just as she had done nine months prior at the Annunciation. Mary is the great sign of perfect faith and joy for us, but especially during the Third Week of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), which we celebrated in the Latin Church this past Sunday.

We may not know exactly what Mary was feeling one week before the birth of Christ, but based on the 12 quotes below from mothers sharing what they were feeling one week prior to having their child, I would imagine Mary’s experience may not have differed much from some of these –

• My daughter was actually born 3 weeks early, so I finishing my last week at work.  I do remember nesting really bad. Everything needed to be ready. I was a cleaning fool. I remember feeling anxious, nervous, excited and scared. I wanted nothing more than to be the perfect mom. I think that is why she came early, God’s sense of humor, I was the mom she needed. – Kristi

• My first child was nine days post estimated due date, so with this in mind…I wasn’t anxious, nor fidgety, but very at peace, feeling good about being ready for the birth. We had a plan, we had things packed…I somehow knew, everything would be perfect, just because it was in God’s hands…prayer was my constant companion. There was a joy in waiting, knowing that it was just time, and this sense of treasuring every moment leading up to the big day. – Maggie

• My last week of pregnancy was Christmas week and I was overdue. I loved being pregnant but was now more than ready to meet this little person God was entrusting me with. I was anxious and excited, what a wonderment pregnancy is! We didn’t know the gender of our baby so there was that added anticipation. We went to Midnight Mass that year, 10 days past my due date. I remember feeling so connected to Mary that night.  – Kristin

• The week before my first child was born I was so anxious to see my baby’s face and hold the baby in my arms and learn if “Little K” was Kathleen or Kevin. At the same time, even though I had been reading and rereading a couple of books about babies, I felt as if I was not prepared for such an awesome responsibility. I placed my trust in The Lord and prayed to be a good mother and do His Will with His awesome blessing. – Helen

• As the birth of my first child was approaching I was filled with a potpourri of emotions.  The anticipation of finally seeing his little face and learning about his personality filled most of my thoughts.  Mixed in that joy was some apprehension about being responsible for another human being. I wondered if I would be a good mother. – Kay

• Just before having my son, I remember an overwhelming feeling of joy and entrustment. I couldn’t wait to hold my baby boy, but knew that once he was born, I would have to share him. Others would hold him, would smile at him, and yes, could hurt him. I couldn’t keep him in the safety of my arms forever. Today, he is four and this is still my heart’s desire: to simply hold, love, teach, and protect him. I know each day he grows he will be more independent. – Allie

• My due date was May 22 and as that day came closer I was nervous, scared, and excited but never had that “done” feeling other moms talk about. Well-meaning friends and relatives were becoming increasing frustrated as each day came and went without a baby. The truth is I was not at all upset. I cherished every hour that I was allowed to assist God in this most precious creation. – Kim

• One week before giving birth to my first born I was feeling anxiousness, excitement, and I was uncomfortable because it felt like his feet were lodged in my ribs, but the anticipation of pushing this gift from God, this little miracle out of my body was and still is the most overwhelming sense of happiness I’ve ever experienced. – Sydne

• The week leading up to giving birth to my first child was a roller coaster of emotion. Fear, excitement, anxiety, anticipation, all wrapped up in the blessing that would soon arrive. Physically I was exhausted and I worried if my body could handle the natural childbirth I had opted for. So many questions ran through my mind…would I be a good mother? Would my baby be healthy? When that day came, there are no words to describe the experience of giving birth and feeling your newborn laid on your chest for the first time. It is truly a miracle and gift from God! – Kasandra

• I was working full-time for an optometrist and on the go and on my feet most of days. Nothing really set in until my last workday, which happened to be 3 days before I had our son. I didn’t experience much honestly until I wasn’t working. I think once I finally relaxed from being on the go, my body decided it was time for a baby. – Christine

• The anticipation was overwhelming as I waited for the birth of my first son. He would be 5 1/2 weeks early and a 72-hour labor. As a new Mom, the timing initially was scary but God provided me with a sense of peace knowing we would both be healthy. It was an exciting time but also a sense of nervousness, hoping and praying I was ready to take on this new role of Mommy that God was entrusting me with…pure excitement and joy! – Karyn

• The final week leading up to the birth of my first child was filled with much anticipation, joy, excitement and exhaustion. It was also a time fear of the unknown. Fear about being ready to welcome a child into this world…It required so much trust in the Lord and placing it in His hands…The meaning of love had changed drastically after carrying a baby within my womb for 9 months. I was blessed to be given the gift of life. – Lindsey

Motherhood is so important. Thanks to the women above for hearing the call to be Mommies. If you are Mom and would like to share your experience of what you were feeling one week before giving birth, please do so in the comment box below. We would love to hear them.

Taken from: http://tomperna.org/

Mercy

 "Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained." ~ John 20:23

I can't think of anything more important in this life than our preparation for eternal life.Without the Holy Priesthood so dedicated to the continued work and presence of Jesus on this earth we would be lost. My suggestion is that at Christmas time and always we send encouraging words and grateful thanks to our priests. This is the year of Mercy as well as the year of consecrated life. Lets make it extra special by sending words and gifts of praise to our local clergy and religious. 

Margaret of Souls for Jesus

Christmas Novena begins December 16th

Christmas Novena Prayers

Opening Prayer

O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.
Your incarnation forever changed the world.
All Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and forever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Day 1 – Joy

O Lord, infant Jesus, fill us with Joy! The birth of any child is a cause for joy and so much more is the birth of You our Savior. We pray in union with Mary, Your mother, for a greater joy this Christmas.

Day 2 – Humility

O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life and death. We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas.

Day 3 – Faith

O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord, deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect faith in you this Christmas.

Day 4 – Hope

O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas.

Day 5 – Love

O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us to love as You love this Christmas.

Day 6 – Peace

O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas.

Day 7 – Forgiveness

O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas.

Day 8 – Holiness

O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.

Day 9 – Life Eternal

O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas.

Closing Prayers

We pray also for these intentions… (State your intentions here)
May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these intentions.
We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming began will reach fulfillment in each of us.
All Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and forever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/christmas-novena/#ixzz3u80ClFTn

Christmas Novena

The Christmas Novena is coming up on the 16th .. watch for it here and let's pray together. 

 

Year is a reminder to put mercy before judgment, Pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Dec. 8, 2015 -- On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis' voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica: "Open the gates of justice." With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God's justice, which he said will always be exercised "in the light of his mercy."

The rite of the opening of the Holy Door was preceded by a Mass with 70,000 pilgrims packed in St. Peter's Square Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the beginning of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

As the sun broke through the clouds, heralding the start of the jubilee year, the pope bowed his head and remained still for several minutes in silent prayer.

Amid a crowd of dignitaries and pilgrims, a familiar face was also present at the historic event: retired Pope Benedict XVI, who followed Pope Francis through the Holy Door into St. Peter's Basilica.

During his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the "simple, yet highly symbolic" act of opening the Holy Door, which "highlights the primacy of grace;" the same grace that made Mary "worthy of becoming the mother of Christ."

"The fullness of grace can transform the human heart and enable it to do something so great as to change the course of human history," he said.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception, he continued, serves as a reminder of the grandeur of God's love in allowing Mary to "avert the original sin present in every man and woman who comes into this world."

---

"This is the love of God which precedes, anticipates and saves," he said. "Were sin the only thing that mattered, we would be the most desperate of creatures. But the promised triumph of Christ's love enfolds everything in the Father's mercy."

The Year of Mercy, the pope stressed, is a gift of grace that allows Christians to experience the joy of encountering the transforming power of grace and rediscovering God's infinite mercy toward sinners.

"How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy," he said.

"We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God's judgment will always be in the light of his mercy. In passing through the Holy Door, then, may we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of love."

Fifty years ago, he said, the church celebrated the "opening of another door," with the Second Vatican Council urging the church to come out from self-enclosure and "set out once again with enthusiasm on her missionary journey." The council closed Dec. 8, 1965.

Pope Francis, the first pope to be ordained to the priesthood after the council, said the council documents "testify to a great advance in faith," but the council's importance lies particularly in calling the Catholic Church to return to the spirit of the early Christians by undertaking "a journey of encountering people where they live: in their cities and homes, in their workplaces. Wherever there are people, the church is called to reach out to them and to bring the joy of the Gospel. After these decades, we again take up this missionary drive with the same power and enthusiasm."

Shortly after the Mass, as thousands of people waited in St. Peter's Square for a chance to walk through the Holy Door, Pope Francis led the midday Angelus prayer.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception has a special connection to the start of the Year of Mercy, he said, because "it reminds us that everything in our lives is a gift, everything is mercy."

Like Mary, the pope continued, Christians are called to "become bearers of Christ" and to "let ourselves be embraced by the mercy of God who waits for us and forgives everything. Nothing is sweeter than his mercy. Let us allow ourselves to be caressed by God. The Lord is so good and he forgives everything."

A video to accompany this story can be found at https://youtu.be/H02Nhu_PHeE

Our Lady of Guadalupe

 

"Am I not her who am your Mother, is there anything
else that you should need?"

These words spoke to my heart many years ago when I first realized that in order to be a Catholic woman in this culture of feminism and death, I was too different to get along with those around me, most especially members of my family. In order to follow the path traced out for me by God, I had to join those who call Mary the Holy Mother of God their mother. I read the above words that were spoken to Juan Diego and took them to heart for myself. I am sure that was over 20 years ago. I have never felt the loneliness for a mother again. I also vividly remember hearing the words from the Hail Holy Queen, "Mother of Mercy."  Yes she is the loving, "Mother of Mercy," our life our sweetness and our hope."

When I muse on the Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe I think about Juan Diego the poor peasant chosen to carry such a Holy and world changing message. When you feel like you can't carry the message of Jesus to the people around you think of this little man who wanted to run in the other direction, even tried. His story is very heart warming and full of love.

It never ceases to amaze me what God puts up with from His children. Years later when I embarked on a deeper purification with a new spiritual director Jesus asked me to become more like His Mother. It takes years and vigilance as I tend not to be so nice. I feel very much the love of My spiritual Mother Mary in spite of my shortcomings. I would however be dead in the water if not for a priest of pure spirit to hear my confessions. Mother doesn't take any nonsense, I have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God and now I need absolution and to start all over.

Let us pray to our Mother and ask to be more like her, to be pure in heart.

My love and prayers to all who embark on this journey,
Margaret of Souls for Jesus

The Immaculate Conception and Mercy

As we approach the year of Mercy starting on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception it is important to keep the focus on the request of Jesus. He is asking for Lay women to be espoused to Purity.  He is asking for prayer, penance and loving truth to be given to all who are in need of it.  If you look around at the world this mission seems not only daunting but impossible.  "Nothing is impossible for God." 

My prayer today before I began the Liturgy of the hours, Morning Prayer was to ask the Mother of God to inspire me as to how to approach the subject of Purification and the year of Mercy.

Today's readings make many references to Zion our Mighty Citadel, our saving Lord its walls and its defense; throw open the gates, for our God is here among us, Psalm 118 Song of Joy for Salvation. 

Our Pope is reinforcing an age old truth. Our God is here among us, to save us from the fires of Hell. All through the readings we are reminded of our need for God and His never ending love for us. His Mercy endures forever. 

As a Catholic woman who has been drawn by Jesus to His truth. The need to bring back PURITY to our world so hurting and distorted by decades of lies and half truths is absolute. I urge all sisters in the name of Christ and God's plan to Purify the world, to pray and sacrifice for this most necessary cause. 

We must first ask for the gift of Purity. Purify our intentions, our will, "Make my heart, like unto thine." When you are willing to let go of all that is stored up inside, the guilt, shame and pain that is keeping you from Jesus you will be much more apt to find the confessional a place of peace, healing and holiness. If you really want to please the Son of God ask His Mother to help you with this purification. This is difficult to admit but I have gone to confession almost once a week for over four years now. 

The doors are open, Jesus is waiting behind the black suit and the white collar to hear you, and to heal you. Jesus is acting in that priest to draw your soul to His. There is no greater love, as He has laid down His life for you.  

The two women Jesus has asked to be our Patron Saints are St. Mary Magdalene and St. Joan of Arc. Mary who stayed with him through his death and resurrection. 

St. Joan of Arc who understands the battle being waged against all women and children of our times, in spite of those around us who are not really interested in pleasing our Savior we need to fight the battle anyway.  We must look at the bloodied face of Jesus and say, I do, and I will.

         I do, to the invitation to become a Daughter of Zion, Bride of His church. I will, do your will, not mine or that of the world around me.