The Angelus is a Catholic prayer, usually said thrice daily, morning, noon and evening (traditionally 6AM , noon and 6PM. It is a prayer that focuses on the Annunciation to Mary and the Incarnation of Jesus. The English and Latin versions are here, courtesy of EWTN. ANGELUS (English)V. The angel of the Lord declared unto …
In the previous post I started out by discussing the Annunciation, and the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary that relates to it. Now, I’ll conclude with a bit on what actually was announced. An angel appeared to Mary and told her that she was to bear a child and that …
Continue reading ‘Solemnity of the Annunciation, Part 2 (On Humility)’ »
On March 25th the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation. (In the United States and perhaps other countries, it is moved to the 26th of March when the 25th falls on a Sunday as it does in 2007). The Annunciation is the event in which the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary, an innocent little …
In the previous post I briefly mentioned about the Catholic Church’s rules and regulations and how people may view them as obstacles that get in the way of a personal relationship with God. People forget that God Himself established rules. (“Ten Commandments”) Although He wants a personal relationship with each one of us, that doesn’t …
One may ask, “Why be Catholic?” Or, “Why the Church for help in one’s sobriety? It’s just a Church, full of rules and regulations that just get in the way. Why not just have a personal relationship with God?” Well, you can. And the best place for that to happen is within the Catholic Church. …
Nineteen years ago today a sister of mine died from breast cancer. She was a few months shy of her 42nd birthday. I am now older than she was which still seems strange even though I passed her by sometime in late 2004. I suppose that’s how it will be from now on. I now …
Every alcoholic eventually arrives at a bottom. It is different for each, for some it could be the loss of house, spouse, job, money, health and respect. For others it could merely be the threat of those losses. Something happens at which point the alcoholic decides, “This cannot go on.” It is that point at …
There is an inherent symbolic and spiritual aspect of cleaning. Think about it. Whether it’s dishes or laundry, you have a stack or pile of stuff that’s dirty. You submit them to a cleansing process and afterwards they are clean, free of anything and everything that soiled or dirtied them before. Sort of like our …
In the Gospel from today’s Mass, Peter poses a question: Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Jesus then goes on with the parable of …
As recovering (or recovered) alcoholics, we embark upon a new way of living. We are learning to live according to new principles, whether they be 12 Step or Christian. But we still have our old lives to contend with. From the Reponsorial Psalm of today’s Mass: Psalm 25:4-9 Make known to me your ways, LORD; …