Category Archives: Suffering

The Hidden Gift of Suffering

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Be Open to God

A unique characteristic of the Christian life is the call to carry our crosses – not only to carry them but embrace them.  In our convenience-driven culture, we are apt to feel that struggles are mistakes.  We work quickly to … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Discernment, Femininity, Freedom, Joy, Love, Masculinity, Mortal Sins, Prayer, Sainthood, Suffering, Temptation, Venial Sins | Comments Off

Saint Pio

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Be Open to God

Posted by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan + J.M.J.  Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), known as Padre Pio, was to the middle part of the twentieth century what Blessed Mary Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), known as Mother Teresa, was to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Blessed Virgin Mary, Eucharist, Evangelization, Freedom, Humility, Joy, Love, Mission, Mortal Sins, Prayer, Priesthood, Religious Life, Sainthood, Saints, Suffering, Temptation, Venial Sins | Comments Off

At the Cross Her Station Keeping

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Be Open to God

 Posted by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan + J.M.J.  “Near the cross stood His Mother . . . .”   Mary, the faithful Virgin, was close to her beloved Son Jesus Christ on Calvary. She accompanied Him to His painful death and participated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Femininity, Grief, Humility, Love, Prayer, Suffering | Comments Off

Prayer for Purification

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Be Open to God

From a talk by Fr. Jeff Norfolk: Three Hail Mary’s Protection of Mind, Heart and Body Purification of Thoughts, Words and Actions One of the first to practice this and to recommend it was St Anthony of Padua (1195–1231). His … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Blessed Virgin Mary, Chastity, Femininity, Freedom, Masculinity, Mortal Sins, Prayer, Sainthood, Saints, Suffering, Temptation, Venial Sins, Youth | Comments Off

Mary, We NEED Her

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Be Open to God

Based on a talk by Fr. Jeff Norfolk Jesus could have chosen any means to dwell among us, but He chose His Mother.  Mary acknowledged that favor in her Magnificat: “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Evangelization, Femininity, Freedom, Humility, Joy, Prayer, Suffering | Comments Off

Fortnight for Freedom

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Be Open to God

Last night began our “Fortnight for Freedom” where Catholic Americans around the country united together to defend the rights guaranteed by our Founding Fathers and endowed by our Creator: the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Believing … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Apologetics, Blessed Virgin Mary, Chastity, Discernment, Eucharist, Evangelization, Femininity, Forgiveness, Freedom, General, Grief, Humility, Joy, Love, Marriage, Masculinity, Mission, Mortal Sins, Prayer, Priesthood, Religious Life, Sainthood, Saints, Social Justice, Suffering, Temptation, Vanity, Venial Sins, Youth | Comments Off

Christianity – Taught the world that forgiveness is greater than revenge!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Be Open to God

Posted by Joe Rutten, Director of Faith Formation - Cathedral of St. Joseph Abuse takes many forms, but the path to healing must cross the bridge of forgiveness.  Where would civilization be without Jesus Christ and his message to turn the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Freedom, Love, Mortal Sins, Prayer, Social Justice, Suffering, Venial Sins | Comments Off

Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Be Open to God

“Be not afraid.” This is a phrase used consistently by Jesus in the Gospels and repeated frequently by the late Bl. John Paul II.  Fear seems so natural, and even inevitable, with the problems our world possesses and the individual trials … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom, Joy, Love, Suffering | Comments Off

The Conversion of Charles Colson

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Be Open to God

Posted by Dr. Martin Albl: Some thoughts on the death of Charles Colson, an evangelical Christian who was also a collaborator with Catholics such as Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, the founder of the journal First Things. “Pride is the complete anti-God … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Discernment, Humility, Mission, Prayer, Suffering | Comments Off

Our Blessed Lady’s “Living Faith”

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Be Open to God

Posted by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan + J.M.J. Our Blessed Mother possessed a “living faith”, meaning that she believed actively all the truths revealed by God on the basis of His authority. If He revealed them, then that was enough for Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Femininity, Love, Marriage, Prayer, Sainthood, Suffering | Comments Off