Category: Catholic Faith

The Season of Renewal: Celebrating Baptism at Easter

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Baptism, Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Happy Easter, inspiration, Jesus, Spiritual Journey

As we head into Holy Week and the season of Easter, let us take the time to reflect on its meaning – a time for renewal and rebirth. Celebrate by all Christians worldwide, its’ significance is that it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is also associated with the sacrament of baptism.

Baptism, is a rite of initiation into the Christian faith, and symbolizes purification – the washing away of the old to welcome the new.

Baptism for adults also represents a milestone in one’s journey of faith by embracing the Catholic faith through the sacred rite of Baptism. It is also an overt celebration of one’s spiritual journey through the acceptance and symbolization of purification, rebirth, as well as the profound commitment to walk in the footsteps of faith.

This step is a formality and a profound expression of your commitment to a set of beliefs within a faith based community.

Baptism is a symbol of renewal, a fresh start where you are cleansed, reborn, and welcomed into a new family:

Galatians 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.

Just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead, those getting baptized this Easter are rising to a new life. This beautiful parallel can only enhance your spiritual journey.

In this ceremony, the baptized candidate is accompanied by family, friends, and members of the Catholic community. This is a testament to the supportive community that surrounds the newly baptized.

Let us pray for all baptismal candidates this Easter. May they have hope, joy, and love, as they embark on this sacred path. It is also a reminder that the cross offers us opportunities for transformation and blessings. May each person being baptized feel the warmth of divine grace and the strength of their convictions.

As we extend our best wishes to those being baptized, let’s also remember the spirit of Easter—a time to renew our own commitments, to cherish our loved ones, and to spread kindness and compassion in around us.

Happy Easter, and may God bless each and every soul stepping into the light of faith this year.

Embracing a New Journey: Inspirations for the Newly Baptized

For those who have recently embraced this sacred rite, the Bible offers a treasure trove of verses that inspire and guide.

One such verse is Acts 2:38, which encapsulates the essence of baptism, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This verse is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of baptism, not just as a physical act, but as a spiritual awakening that brings one closer to the divine.

Similarly, 1 Peter 3:21 speaks to the inner change that baptism heralds: “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” It’s a call to embrace a life of righteousness, with a clear conscience and a heart aligned with God’s will.

The act of baptism is beautifully depicted in Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” This passage invites the newly baptized to partake in the resurrection of Christ, to rise above the old self, and to celebrate the new life that awaits.

Let these verses be beacons of hope, and a light that shines on the path of spiritual growth and devotion.

God Bless 🩷🙏

Hourly Prayers of Saint John Chrysostom

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Hourly Prayers of Saint John Chrysostom, Praise, prayer

When words fail me…for many weeks I can’t seem to find the words when I pray. It’s been days of long sights and grunts. This morning my friend Katherine sent me this beautiful prayer that bespeaks the depth of my heart.

I feel the movement of the Holy Spirit as it guides me to get it right with God.

Praise be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit🙏💕

Hourly Prayers of Saint John Chrysostom

A set of 24 short prayers attributed to St John Chrysostom. The shortness is deliberate –– when it comes to personal devotion, many of the Fathers teach the efficacy of an “arrow prayer” that is easily remembered and easily meant whole-heartedly. 
They are, like the day’s hours, divided into two sections of twelve apiece.

O Lord, of Thy heavenly bounties, deprive me not.

O Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments.

O Lord, forgive me if I have sinned in my mind or my thought, whether in word or in deed.

O Lord, free me from all ignorance and forgetfulness, from despondency and stony insensibility.

O Lord, deliver me from every temptation.

O lord, enlighten my heart which evil desires have darkened.

O Lord, as a man have I sinned, have Thou mercy on me, as the God full of compassion, seeing the feebleness of my soul.

O Lord, send down Thy grace to help me, that I may glorify Thy name.

O Lord Jesus Christ, write me down in the book of life and grant unto me a good end.

O Lord my God, even if I had not done anything good before Thee, do Thou help me, in Thy grace, to make a good beginning.

O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace.

O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, full of shame and impurity, in Thy kingdom. Amen.

O Lord, receive me in penitence.

O Lord, forsake me not.

O Lord, lead me not into misfortune.

O Lord, quicken in me a good thought.

O Lord, give me tears and remembrance of death, and contrition.

O Lord, make me solicitous of confessing my sins.

O Lord, give me humility, chastity, and obedience.

O Lord, give me patience, magnanimity, and meekness.

O Lord, implant in my the root of all good–Thy fear in my heart.

O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love thee from all my soul and mind and in everything do Thy will.

O Lord, shelter me from certain men, from demons and passions, and from any other unbecoming thing.

O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou dost as Thou wilt, let then Thy will be done in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.

Spiritual Preparedness amidst all the din on Social Media (internet)

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholic Teaching, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Jesus

There has been a lot of internet waves about the coming solar eclipse (April 8th) that falls a day before the Jewish Nisan on April 9th.

All over TikTok, YouTube and other social media platforms- there are warnings of this eclipse, 3 days of darkness and end times. There are stories about the mapping of star charts and they give interesting spins on upcoming upheavals. They create anxiety and fear.

Spiritual Preparedness

Personally I have no idea if they are true or not. I do know that our focus should be on Jesus and spiritual preparedness.

I have been going through my own 40 days in the wilderness and combating my own demons. The noise in the internet only adds to my confusion. It is only when I focus on the word of God that my heart is calm.

Matthew 25:1-12 (NIV)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Thief in the Night

The return of Jesus Christ is likened to the coming of a thief in the night. This is an analogy that appears in three places the the New Testament:

Matthew 24:43

“Understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into,”

1 Thessalonians 5:2

“You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

2 Peter 3:10,

“the day of the Lord will come like a thief.“

In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of His second coming at the end of the tribulation. Paul calls it “the day of the Lord” in 1 Thessalonians 5. This is a day of divine retribution featuring astronomical upheaval and the visible “sign of the Son of Man” in the heavens (Matthew 24:29–30). Jesus says it will happen “after the tribulation of those days” (verse 29, ESV), a description that distinguishes this event from the rapture, which happens before the tribulation.

The second coming will be like a thief in the night. No one will know when He will return. Just as a thief catches a household by surprise, Jesus will catch the unbelieving world by surprise when He returns in judgment. People will be “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (verse 38), just as if they have all the time in the world. Unexpectedly Judgment Day will be upon them (verses 40–41). Paul puts it this way: “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The believer does not fear this swift and sudden judgment; the “thief in the night” will not catch us by surprise. Christians are in a separate category: “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4). It is only those in darkness who will be taken unawares, and we “are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (verse 5). Praise the Lord, “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 9).

The unsaved should heed Jesus’ warning: “Be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). How can you be ready? God has provided the way for you to escape the judgment. That way is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). By accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are granted forgiveness of sins, mercy, and salvation with the promise of everlasting life (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9). The “thief” is coming, but you can be a child of the day. Don’t put it off; this is “the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19). (From (https://www.gotquestions.org/thief-in-the-night.html)

Please mediate upon these verses and pray upon them🩷🙏

God Bless each of you as you go through your own 40 days in the desert 🏜️ trust in Jesus to help you out of it.

Journey with Jesus to the Cross

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Lent, prayer

The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, refer to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. These images are accompanied by prayers. Partaking in this visual and auditory combination is a powerful devotional practice for all Christians.

The concept of the Stations of the Cross grew out of imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa is a traditional processional route symbolizing the path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary. The objective of the Stations is to guide Christian faithful in a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ.

In summary, these powerful images and prayers allow Christians to spiritually journey alongside Jesus during his final hours, reflecting on his sacrifice and love for humanity.

Take the time this Lent to prayerfully meditate on the Stations of the Cross. PDF download below:

Click to access stations-of-the-cross.pdf

I invite each of you to pray the Stations of the Cross with me 🙏💖

“Fiducia supplicans”: A synodal Church listening to the world

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in “Fiducia supplicans”, Catholic Faith, Catholic Teaching, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity

Synopsis

Conference of Don Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, XVII Theological Congress of Courrier de Rome, Paris, January 13th, 2024.

“THIS SYNODAL CHURCH IS A CHURCH THAT CLAIMS TO BE LISTENING TO EVERYBODY – WITH ITS FEET FIRMLY PLANTED IN THE FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD. HOWEVER, IN REALITY IT IS SIMPLY UTOPIAN AND MILLENARIAN!”

It has come to me to offer a synthesis, and to explain the Society’s position in relation to the different realities promoted by the “synodal Church”.

Please read the rest here:

https://fsspx.news/en/news/fiducia-supplicans-synodal-church-listening-world-42155

Wake Up and Smell the Apostasy

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Teaching, Catholicism, Christianity

Catholic friends of mine have been upset and distressed by the ongoing noise within the Catholic Church. Before Christmas, we had Cardinal Fernandez’s Fiducia Supplicans, and most recently Pope Francis’ “empty hell.” If it is confusing from a theological standpoint, imagine how confusing it is for the faithful.

I also found myself scratching my head. I understand there is a need to let the light within us spread to all crevices in the world, but does it mean whitewashing fundamentals of our faith.

Movements (since Vatican 2) within Catholicism focuses on being inclusive and embracing. This follows much of the trend within our social media and internet fused world today. Inclusiveness is the new trend. What does this mean for the Catholic Faith? Oftentimes embracing populous culture also means whitewashing the true fundamentals of our faith to draw people in. This is what I worry about.

I am reposting this video, to help us understand fundamentals in our faith versus those looking to subvert it with apostasy:

As I told a friend earlier today, we must discern all – including learnt and religious. There is a fine line between what’s being taught by eloquent clergy versus those who speak from Biblical truths. Don’t be seduced.

Matthew 24:24

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

God Bless 🙏💕

The Temptation

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholic Teaching, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Fulton J. Sheen, Jesus, temptation

My friend Katherine sent this except from Fulton Sheen’s teaching.

Fr. Fulton Sheen was not only insightful, but his prophetic visions are thought provoking and spot on – especially as predicted 50 years later:

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Matthew 4, NSVCE

It is easy to be seduced by the world. I have faltered many times. I have been tested many times. Each time, the Holy Spirit lifts me back up. Yes, there are consequences, but there is also forgiveness – to sin no more.

Know that you as faithful believers in Jesus are protected:

13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God bless each of you as we go through our day trusting in Jesus 💕🙏

CATHOLIC HOUSE BLESSING PRAYERS

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Blessings, Catholic Faith, Christian Blogger, Christianity, prayer

(From: https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/catholic-house-blessing-prayers/)

I missed the feast of Epiphany 2024 and will do this house blessing instead. Now more than ever, faithful Catholics need to prepare our homes as a place of sanctuary. It becomes our sacred place amidst the challenges to come.

Have you just transferred to a new house, apartment, dorm or flat? If so, as a Catholic, you might want to have it blessed. Gather together as a family or group (roomates, friends, relatives) in any room you desire, preferably with a crucifix, and you can bless your own home, apartment, dorm or flat even with the absence of a priest.

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
All:     Amen

Leader:  “Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord. 
All:   Blessed be God forever.

Leader:  When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence.

May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.

Reader: + A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; He loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always  be thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you.

Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; And never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The word of the Lord.

All:     Thanks be to God.

After the scripture reading, all go from room to room, offering prayers of intercession and sprinkling holy water, if desired. Some of the following prayers may be used.

At the entrance:

Leader:   O God, protect our going out and our coming in; Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here may know your love and peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All:   Amen.

In the living room:

Leader:   O God, give your blessings to all who share this room, that we may be knit together in companionship. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All:   Amen.

In the kitchen:

Leader:   O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us, as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All:   Amen.

In the dining room:

Leader:  Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

In the bedrooms:

Leader:   Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All:   Amen.

In the bathroom:

Leader:   Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom and love. Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health that we might serve you. Grant this through Christ our Lord

All:     Amen.

All return to the starting place. A cross or icon is kissed by each person, and then put in a permanent place of honor. A candle may be lighted before it.

Leader:  Let us pray the prayer that our savior taught us.

All:   Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Leader:  Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return and at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your Father’s house, where you live forever and ever.

All:  Amen.

Leader:  May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (+), and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord.

All: Amen.