There are many beautiful ways to celebrate the Holy Season of Christmas! If you are like me, I am always trying to find ways to make the season holier and less secular for my children. Some of the traditions below you may be familiar with and practice. Perhaps you will find some new traditions or twists to the traditions that your family will enjoy for years to come! Adoration of the Shepherds by Domenico Ghirlandaio The Christmas Crib or Crèche The crib used in the manger scene in it’s present form is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. The animals in the nativity scene, usually the ass and ..read more

A Lenten Reflection from Pope Saint Gregory the Great Pope Saint Gregory the Great – Painting by by Bartolo di Fredi The glory of these forty days we celebrate with songs of praise; For Christ, by whom all things were made, Himself has fasted and has prayed. Alone and fasting Moses saw the loving God who gave the law. And to Elijah, fasting, came the steeds and chariots of flame. So Daniel trained his mystic sight, delivered from the lion’s might. And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became the herald of Messiah’s name. Then grant us, Lord, like them to be full oft in fast and prayer with Thee ..read more

A Powerful Gift of Conversion Through the Blessed Virgin Mary We have been given a powerful gift through the Blessed Virgin Mary to save souls and bring our loved ones who have fallen away back to Jesus. Through The Flame of Love Prayers and Devotion, Mary teaches us how to “blind” Satan so that people can come back and receive God’s grace. The “blinding” of Satin causes him to lose power over persons and situation so that people can respond to God’s graces again. In today’s world, there is sin and evil everywhere, this is why this devotion is so much needed! It contains powerful prayers to br ..read more

When Christmas is over and the New Year begins, we have many resolutions and ideas to make the coming year better than ever. We resolve to get in shape and lose weight. Perhaps we think about cleaning up the clutter in our house and fixing things up. We might decide to work on being a better person and self improvement. But what about improving our spiritual life? How do we grow closer to God in the New Year? This is the most important thing we can do! How Do We Grow Closer to God? Prayer is probably the best way to grow closer to God (besides Holy Communion)! You’ve probably heard this b ..read more

PRAY THE 54-DAY MIRACLE NOVENA for God’s Blessing in the Coming Election The time is now to pray for the Presidential Election and our Country. With Covid-19, the shutdown of the economy, and turmoil and looting in cities, it is easy to see that we are living in turbulent times. We have been turned upside down with the wearing of masks, closing of schools and many cancellations. We don’t know when this will end or what is coming next. The up coming election is a point in time that may lead to further distress. We know that as Christians, we can trust in God to take care of us. We also know tha ..read more

Simplify Your Life This New Year! Why should you simplify your life this year? Have you though about it? Perhaps Saint Francis of Assisi can offer some insights. If we had any possessions we should be forced to have arms to protect them, since possessions are a cause of disputes and strife, and in many ways we should be hindered from loving God and our neighbor. Therefore, in this life, we wish to have no temporal possessions. – St. Francis of Assisi Simplify to Enrich Your Life! Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy by Jusepe de Ribera, (1639) Simplicity is a spiritual practice that can greatly ..read more

During the Four Weeks of Advent We Prepare for the Christ Child!   Advent is a time to get ready for the Christmas Feast Day. There are many ways to get ready including: prayer, daily devotions, novenas, and fasting. We as Catholics have many helpful tools such as: advent wreaths, nativity scenes, Christmas movies and movies about the Saints, cooking, and decorating our homes. Prayer Should Increase During this busy time, it is essential that we set aside a special time for prayer and mediation. Not only is this a very stressful time… but it is easy to lose the meaning of Christmas in all ..read more

THE BROWN SCAPULAR – A SIGN OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND COMMITMENT Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular Signs in Ordinary Human Life  Did you know, the Brown Scapular is a sign of Christian Faith and Commitment?  The world in which we live is full of all types of material things which have symbolic meanings, such as light, fire, and water. There are also, in every- day life, experiences of relationships between human beings, which express and symbolize deeper realities such as sharing a meal (as a sign of friendship), taking part in a protest march (as a sign of solidarit ..read more