Time to put away the carnival beads and pick up the Rosary beads
Today is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras. Very little spirituality can be found today in Mardi Gras celebrations but it wasn't always like that. In earlier years Mardi Gras time meant coming together to feast ala the way we do at Thanksgiving. But in latter times Mardi Gras has turned into a decadent New Year's Eve-type celebration when anything goes. In today's editorial we feature the history of Mardi Gras and offer the best solution to avoiding the temptations of the Big Easy with the easiest way to success - the Rosary and the Holy Eucharist - the pillars to anchor our hearts and souls to. For today's commentary entitled, The real skinny on Fat Tuesday!, click onToday's CATHOLIC PewPOINT
Never underestimate the power of the devil!
We can imagine ol' satan is having a field day this last day before Lent enticing so many of God's children to abandon His laws and engage in devil-may-care debauchery because the devil doesn't care except those who turn their back on him. Those are his targets which should include all of us and therefore Father John Hampsch, C.M.F.'s column is pertinent today as he continues his thread on faith and "Measuring Maturity" with this week's installment warning us not to underestimate the devil. Click on KEYS TO LIVING GOD'S WILL
The urge to sin or stray from the Church was held in check with the institution of the Inquisition
To curb the heresies of the early twelfth century from Manicheaism to Albigensianism, Pope Honorius III officially approved the Holy Rules of the Dominicans, Franciscans and Carmelites and sent them out as his spiritual task-force to educate the masses on all that Holy Mother Church taught, enforcing it by establishing the Inquisition in 1226. For the full story in today's fifty-eighth installment of our on-going mega series on Church history, click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
Lent is the time to cloak oneself in humility!
Our Lord emphasizes the importance of the Corporal Works of Mercy and true humility to His children through His messenger the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in Lesson/Meditation 75. Click on THE HIDDEN WAY
Martha and Mary bid adieu to Jesus
Today we continue Lesson 2 on the Mysteries of the Rosary with the interior vision of Jesus visiting Lazarus' house, where He converses with Martha and Mary as a signal of what is to come - something only He knew exactly. For part two of FAREWELL TO THE HOLY WOMEN AND THE MOTHER, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"
Swansong for Ordinary Time
Say goodbye to Ordinary time until mid June as priests set aside their green vestments and stoles after Mass today in favor of the purpole and violet vestments of Lent. For today's liturgy, readings and preparation for tomorrow's important feast of Ash Wednesday, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY
PRAYERS & DEVOTION
For today's prayer let us all pray that this coming Lent will be fruitful and that we can atone for many of our own sins and those of countless other souls. In addition, let us take this time to say a Hail Mary for the poor victims of the terrifying tornado that took its devastating toll in Central Florida.
Medjugorje Monthly Message for January 25th
Dear children! Today again I call all of you to prayer. Only with prayer, dear children, will your heart change, become better, and be more sensitive to the Word of God. Little children, do not permit satan to pull you apart and to do with you what he wants. I call you to be responsible and determined and to consecrate each day to God in prayer. May Holy Mass, little children, not be a habit for you, but life. By living Holy Mass each day, you will feel the need for holiness and you will grow in holiness. I am close to you and intercede before God for each of you, so that He may give you strength to change your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE
Vatican applauds Peace Accord between United Nations and Iraq
The announcement Sunday of the Peace Accord between UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Iraq's Saddam Hussein was greeted with great joy, relief and prayerful gratitude by the Holy See who has worked tirelessly to spearhead the peace talks in an effort to avert potential war in the Gulf. For more, click on Vatican Response to read more.
Eighty Percent of the Cardinals have been hand-picked by John Paul II
That bodes well for the future of the Church in assuring that whoever eventually succeeds Pope John Paul II should be able to continue what our great pontiff has begun. He solidified this position at the consistory this past weekend when 20 new cardinals were added to the ranks, bringing the total to 165 with all but 43 being eligible to vote in the next conclave. For more, click on Consistory to read more.
It's about time! Crucifixes to be returned to their rightful place on Hoya campus
Bowing to righteous pressure from students and alumni, the Jesuits acceeded to putting crucifixes back on the walls at Georgetown University, a Catholic Jesuit College in a ritzier section of Washington, D.C. For years there have been debates and protests over this issue but a group of students banded together, designing T-shirts and bumper stickers to return the Crucifixes to their rightful place and now Christ will once again rule. For more, click on Crucifixes conquer to read more.
PROVERB OF THE DAY
"When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with the humble is wisdom."
Proverbs 11: 2
For all other standard
features, articles and
columns, click on Archives
February 24, 1998 volume 9, no. 39 DAILY CATHOLIC
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