x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
catholic devotions | gardens | prayer
Samantha Stephenson shares what gardening has taught her about the spiritual life. What is summer to you? Does it taste like watermelon and smell like sunscreen? For gardeners, summer smells like warm earth and tastes of homegrown tomatoes bursting with tangy sweetness. It also means a sweaty, daily battle with vicious villains: squash bugs and weeds. When I first planted my backyard garden, I chose the “no dig” method of layering cardboard and compost right over our weeds. I hauled in wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow until our small patch of earth was no longer a snarled mess, but an unmistakable garden plot ready for planting. It was exhausting work, but each shovelful brimmed with the promise of homegrown vegetables, and that vision drove me on. I naively believed the no-dig promise that the cardboard and mulch would be enough to smother the weed seeds lurking below.
Share
Contemplative Prayer | Father figures | catholic family life
Helen Syski’s toddler shows her that true spiritual childhood is seeing all the terrors of the world from the safety of our heavenly Daddy’s arms. The peace-shattering BOOM resounded across the harbor. My toddler screamed in fright as the first celebratory sparkles snapped and crackled above us on the Fourth of July. He had been proudly a part of the cousin pack enjoying dessert until shock and fear sent him running for the arms of his father. The rest of the fireworks display was peaceful. My husband turned so that our toddler, peeping shyly out over his daddy’s bicep, could gaze in growing wonder at the sparkly dandelions exploding into the sky. Snuggled deep in Daddy’s arms he was able to process this new situation, knowing and trusting that Daddy could handle it. If Daddy wasn’t afraid, he didn’t need to be either.
Share
Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Assumption | Blessed Virgin Mary | Catholic Family Fun
Catholic Mom contributor Susan Ciancio offers concrete suggestions that families and individuals can use to celebrate the Blessed Mother on any day of the year.
Share
Strongest stories in our families are built from certain landmarks. And many occasions are about those moments we managed to come out something that we thought we could not make it. When people gather as family, they always recall these stories, And they will begin like… “Do you remember how far we have come from? Do you remember that moment I did not want to speak to you for a week, but I could not resist. Do you remember when you borrowed me money I lent you even when you had not paid previous debt. Do you remember when you I bought you that beautiful golden wedding ring….and the story continues with do you remember…
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Bishop Lumen Monterio, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Agartala (India), celebrated Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Following his inspiring homily on today's Readings, Bishop Lumen offered a moving tribute to the late Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. The parable Jesus tells in response to Peter’s question offers deeper insight into His meaning. It echoes the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” When the servant begs for patience, the king goes beyond all expectation: he forgives the entire debt out of compassion. But that same servant, having just received mercy, encounters a fellow servant who owes him only a small amount. Rather than extending the mercy he himself had received, he becomes violent, demanding repayment and imprisoning the man.
Share
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Some time ago I remember reading the extraordinary testimony of a Rwandan Jesuit, Fr. Marcel Uwineza, titled, Risen from the Ashes. Marcel was only fourteen when Rwanda descended into genocide in 1994. His family was devastated; his parents, two brothers and a sister were among those were killed, and more than forty members of his extended family were dead too. For a teenager who had grown up in a deeply Christian home, what disappeared was not simply his family. For a time, even God seemed to disappear Years later Marcel joined the Jesuits. In 2003, before being sent abroad for further studies, he returned to his village to pray at the graves of his family. There he suddenly encountered the man who had killed his family. The man had served time in prison and had been released. Marcel later said something striking: the man had been released by the government, but he had not yet been released by Marcel’s heart. Then the killer knelt before him and asked, “Marcel… do you have space in your heart to forgive me?”
Share
