Doubt

I went to see the movie "Doubt" today. Let me tell you the makers of the movie picked a good title. Obviously doubt was the theme of the movie.

You had lots of doubts in that movie. The ending left you in doubt. It's like you were waiting for an ending after the sister said, "I have so many doubts." But no. It was the end of the movie. I know we have all experienced movies that left us hanging, but "Doubt" topped it, and that is one thing that I am not doubting.

I really don't know what to think about the movie. It is not your typical movie. It made you think. It made you doubt. It made you realize that you cannot always be certain, that we are human.

Those are my short thoughts on "Doubt."

Another Rosary Post

I fully realize that I have devoted a part of this blog to the Rosary. I, however, cannot express how important that prayer has recently become to me.

When I was little, my family and I would pray it every day during Lent. About the only other time I prayed it was with my CCD class in October or when we were at the Adoration chapel.

Now the Rosary has become so important to me. I have prayed it every day for more than a month - probably two months - now. Strangely, even on a day I haven't prayed it yet - like at eleven-twenty at night - I will drop what I am doing and pray it.

You are probably wondering why the Rosary is so important to me. I found it is a good way to start out my day. When I don't do it on the bus on my way to school, my whole day feels off. I feel peaceful and forget about all my worries when I pray it.

Earlier this year, I joined the Rosary Confraternity at my church. It's open to anyone sixteen and up. It annoyed me last year because I was only fifteen at the time they inducted new members. I took a vow to say the three mysteries of the Rosary. I've taken it further. I have done the four mysteries of the Rosary. I have said it every day. Now it has become a part of my life.

You know what? My faith is becoming ever so stronger. I feel much happier now that I pray it every day. That is a lot coming from a seventeen-year-old girl. I realize that. At the same time, my Confirmation saint, St. Bernadette, prayed it everyday. She was fourteen. Maybe, without realizing it, I am imitating her. We should all imitate her and say the Rosary every single day.

Poem

Here is a poem I wrote this morning. I also edited it a little bit, so this is my second draft. Have a Merry Christmas! The people of Israel Wait for the coming of Their king, the coming of The Messiah Prophets of old told of His birth John was born to Prepare the people Born of the cousin of Mary Mary, the Mother of The Son of God She bore Jesus in Bethlehem far from her Home in Nazareth A Son born of a Virgin, Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit, So that she may Remain a Virgin Years pass by and Jesus is on the Cross The Savoir of the World Be joyful, then, for What He has done

Nun Blogs

The twenty-first century has definitely made an impact on everything we do. Religious sisters and brothers are no different. Some orders are posting blogs on the internet. My favorite is http://www.anunslife.org/, but there are others... some of them are even on Blogspot. Someday you might consider reading one of them. They are very interesting and might dispel some misconceptions.

St. Nicholas

Today, December 6, is the feast of St. Nicholas - the real St. Nicholas. Most people indirectly have heard of this saint. Why? St. Nicholas is the real Santa Claus.

The Dutch have a tradition. They put out their shoes and the next morning they find a present in their shoe. When I was little I did this. I woke up to find candy in my shoe.

Every time we hear a song or a story about Santa, let us think back to the real St. Nicholas.

Modern Day Martyrs

The Greatest Story Never Told: Modern Christian Martyrdom - Catholic Online

I found this article on http://www.catholic.org/. Many times, we think of martyrs as a people of the past. The truth is martyrdom is not of the past. It is still happening today. Missionaries risk their lives everyday. If you want to know what it means to be persecuted and tortured for your faith, read The Blindfold's Eyes: My Journey from Torture to Truth by Sister Dianna Ortiz.

The Rosary

Please pray the Rosary, every day if possible.

Do not forget the Luminous mysteries (a.k.a. the Mysteries of Light). They are as follows:

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Miracle at Cana
3. The Announcement of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Initiation of the Eucharist

The Luminous Mysteries are said on Thursdays.

Catholics Furious at YouTube Desecrations - Catholic Online

Catholics Furious at YouTube Desecrations - Catholic Online

Read this article!

My Diocese and World Youth Day

Some kids from my diocese (the Diocese of Harrisburg) is at World Youth Day. I'm so thrilled that there is a representation of my diocese in Sydney. It goes to show you that the youth in my diocese are really into their Catholic faith.

And yes, most of the links on my blog lately have been about WYD. But hey: it's our week!

Here is a link to the blog:

http://www.hbgwyd.blogspot.com/

World Youth Day 2008 - Catholic Online

World Youth Day 2008 - Catholic Online

Rescued Hostage Will Visit Lourdes and Pope - Catholic Online

In thanks to God for rescue, pilgrimages are happening!

Rescued Hostage Will Visit Lourdes and Pope - Catholic Online

Apologetics: Defending the Faith

It is been so long since I last did this. I've been busy on You Tube. I would just like to stress that You Tube can be a very good source for learning about your faith - just be careful becaus there are some anti-Catholic videos. Don't get caught up in them. We were the First Church. Our first pope was St. Peter, the Apostle who Jesus said, "On this Rock I will build my Church," and gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Or if you do get caught up in the anti-Catholic videos, defend your faith!

The Bible tells us that the path is not easy. It tells us that there will be disputes, arguments, even among the closest of family. However, we must take up this cross. We must protect and defend the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church! It is our duty as Catholic Christians to do so.

Blessed are the persecuted. Blessed are they that defend the faith, for one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is courage. Others are: wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Let the Holy Spirit guide us to defend our faith and not be ashamed to tell everyone we are Catholic.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mother of God & The New Eve

Because into a soul that pilots evil, wisdom enters not,nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin. - Wisdom 1:4

Mary, who bore the Son of God, could not have had sin. The Holy Trinity is wisdom - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, as the second person in the Holy Trinity, Jesus could not have been born of a sinful woman.

We call Mary the "New Eve" because she was sinless. She gave birth to the "New Adam" (1 Cor. 15:45), our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Trinity

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. St. Bernadette, my Confirmation saint, was completely ignorant of the Holy Trinity at 14 years old. I find this interesting because in the hymnal in church, there is a song - apparently written by her. Unfortunately, we never end up singing that one.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory be to the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

P.S. Today is also Karol Wojtyla - Pope John Paul the Great's birthday!

Charity: Locks of Love

God commanded us to be charitable. Not only that, but as Catholics, it is a corporal work of mercy. I was charitable yesterday when I donated my hair to Locks of Love. I'm glad I did it. It was the right thing to do, and if I didn't, I might have regretted it. Now some little kid will have hair that doesn't have any. Charity. Be charitable. No matter if you are Jewish, or Muslim, or Protestant. It is our duty as human beings and it is our duty to God. He wills us to be charitable, and we must not shy from His will.

YouTube - I'm A Survivor (LIVE) - Reba

YouTube - I'm A Survivor (LIVE) - Reba

A Mother Glorifies Her Son

I am tired of Protestant misconceptions. Mary is not our savior. We never declared her so. People say she detracts from God and Jesus. I ask you, what mother would do that? A mother wants to give honor to her son. As it is with Mary. Every apparition she has spoken, "My Son desires..." She speaks of penance, conversion; she speaks of God's love and the mercy of Jesus. Why would Satan want us to do penance for our sins, I ask you?

A mother does not detract from her son. She glorifies him.

John 2:5

"Do whatever He tells you."

Our Lady of Fatima and Pope John Paul the Great

Today, in 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepard children in Fatima, Portugal. She warned that a bishop in white would be assasinated. Flash forward to 1981. Pope John Paul the Great gets shot. He was not killed - we know that - but it is heaven telling us that time is not as set as you think it is.

Thus, on your feast day, Blessed Mother, I pray that you and your Son will be with me at the hour of my death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are 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.

Pentecost: Birth of the Church

I think I covered Pentecost pretty well yesterday, but I want to add something. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Pray to Him. He is the reason that the Pope is infaliable, because the Holy Spirit works through the Pope. Remember your Confirmation gifts and allow them to help you do God's will.

Come, Holy Spirit, set my heart on fire for love for God!

Vigil of Pentecost

Come, Holy Spirit, set my heart on fire! Every Catholic should say this prayer tomorrow. The miracle of Pentecost - the Holy Spirit coming down on the Apostles, speaking of different tongues - it all began. Pentecost is when the Church truly became universal. Everyone could understand them and then the listeners could tell their friends about it. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they delivered the Word of God to everyone in sight and everyone who would listen.

Praying for the Dead

I just want to take the time to remind you to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In the Bible, it says, in regards to heaven, "nothing unclean will enter it" (Revelations 21:27).

Catholic: The Universal and United Church

Catholics, unite with other Catholics from other countries. Only if we unite can we be a truly universal church. It makes us stronger. Why do you think the youth are so empowered when they go to World Youth Day? It makes us more faithful. They encourage us. A Polish Pope turned not only Rome - but whole world - to Christ Our Savior. He united us! And we must continue to do it. And on May 13, on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima and the anniversary of the attempted assasination of the Polish Pope - we must do it to serve the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, and Pope John Paul the Great!

The Meaning of One

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have recieved with all humility and gentleness with patience bearing with one another through love striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace, one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and the Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

When Jesus told Peter, "On this rock I will build my Church," he never intended all these denominations. It was to be One, Holy, Apostolic Church. Christianity was supposed to be united. United we stand, divided we fall. A house divided cannot stand. One Church was founded; One Church can claim its founding on the Apostles: The Catholic Church.

And you know what? The Bible and President Abraham Lincoln were right. A house divided cannot stand. The problem just keeps getting bigger, more problematic.

Our Lady of Medjugorje Message

“Dear children! By God’s will I am here with you in this place. I desire for you to open your hearts to me and to accept me as a mother. With my love I will teach you simplicity of life and richness of mercy and I will lead you to my Son. The way to Him can be difficult and painful but do not be afraid, I will be with you. My hands will hold you to the very end, to the eternal joy; therefore do not be afraid to open yourselves to me. Thank you.” Our Lady also said: “Pray for priests. My Son gave them to you as a gift.”

Let us hear the Blessed Virgin Mary's message so that we may be closer to God. Let us pray, with one voice, to become closer to Our Lord:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are 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.

The Ascension of Our Lord

Happy Feast Day of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Almost End of Easter Season

This is the last week of the Easter season. Thursday the 1st of May will be the Ascension. On the plus side: what a great way to start of the Month of Mary than to have her Son ascend to Heaven on the first day of His mother's month. Remember to pray!

Catholic Online - Mary, Mother of God

Catholic Online - Mary, Mother of God

Links to the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes

All 18 are listed

There are also links to St. Bernadette, the grotto, the commission, and the canonization.

St. Bernadette - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

St. Bernadette - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

Info about St. Bernadette.

St. Bernadette

Today is St. Bernadette's feast day. She died today on April 16 in 1879. She was canonized on December 8, 1933, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception.

President Bush 'sees God' in eyes of the Pope - Pope in America - Catholic Online

President Bush 'sees God' in eyes of the Pope - Pope in America - Catholic Online

Why Catholics and Protestants Don't See Eye to Eye - Catholic Online

Why Catholics and Protestants Don't See Eye to Eye - Catholic Online

A Note About Marian Prayers

Okay, seriously: Catholics pray to God. They say we pray to Mary, and we do. But half the time we say, "We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen." One of our prayers, the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina), "O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ." Every prayer to Mary is asking that we may be closer to her son.

A Prayer of St. Aloysuis to the Blessed Mother

O holy Mary my mistress into thy blessed trust and special keeping into the bosom of tender mercy this day every day of my life and at the hour of my death I commend my soul and body; I to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations all my trials and miseries my life and the end of my life that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits all my actions may be ordered and disposed accordingly to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.
-St. Aloysius

St. Gemima Galgani

She is a very awesome saint. I'm just going to put down the basics. She loved God. She suffered and was cured; oh, and she had a little thing (sarcasm) called stigmata on her hands.

Love To Be Catholic - Catholic Video

Love To Be Catholic - Catholic Video

Hey! This is a video explaning the Immaculate Conception.

Back Up for Immaculate Conception

Genesis 3:15
"I will put emnity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head while you strike at His heels."

Explaining The Immaculate Conception's Role

In the book of Genesis, God tells us that he would send the woman to bear a son, the Savior. Mary of Nazareth bore a son, named Jesus, the Savior. In the book of Revelations, a woman bears a male heir and the dragon tries to devour the baby boy, who is caught up to heaven. He (the dragon) tries to pursue the woman (as a serpeant spewing water to drown her), but he fails, so he goes off to make war against her offspring, those who kept God's commandments and bear witness to Christ.

Saint of the Day: April 9

St. Mary Cleophas

Mother of St. James the Less and Joseph, wife of Cleophas. She was one of the “Three Marys” who served Jesus and was present at the Crucifixion , and accompanied Mary Magdalen to the tomb of Christ. Tradition reports that she went to Spain as a missionary. Mary reportedly died at Ciudad Rodrigo. Another tradition states that she went to France with St. Lazarus and his sisters.

from http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4956

Lent: A Time for Sacrifice - Evening Sun

I know Lent is way over, and it's Easter Season, but this might be helpful for next year... or anything you sacrifice everyday.

Lent: A Time for Sacrifice - Evening Sun

You Tube: A New Way to Share Your Faith - Evening Sun

You Tube: A New Way to Share Your Faith - Evening Sun

This is an article I wrote for the Evening Sun. Check it out!

Why I Created This Blog

We all need to share and grow in our faith. This blog will be designed to do just that. I might only be 16, but those of you who know me as lourdesgirl101 on YouTube know how much a teenage girl really knows her stuff.