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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Rigidity is something that can be problematic in many ways in every aspect of our lives. It creates social isolation and loneliness, not to mention physical and psychological problems. Rigidity thrives on “It is my way or the highways”, thus one becoming too controlling and judgmental. In the long run, it pushes others away because there is no space for flexibility or adaptability. I am not suggesting that there aren't certain boundaries and principles and values to hold. But excessive adherence to strict rules can stifle creativity and prevent personal growth that comes from experiencing new perspectives and venturing out of one’s comfort zones.
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catholic family life | family prayer | music for worship
Singer-songwriter Lorraine Hess shares her thoughts on the power of music in all aspects of our lives. Reflect on how you incorporate music into parenting and prayer. Qui cantat bis orat — Latin for, “who sings, prays twice” (Saint Augustine). How does music double our prayer? Why does music have the power to convey what words alone cannot? And what does that have to do with motherhood? When I visited Lourdes, France, in 2024, I participated in the nightly procession of the statue of Our Lady. Pilgrims from all over the world followed the statue and prayed the Rosary, holding candles. The parade wove in a serpentine up and down the square like a meandering river of light. The first night I was there, I participated in the procession. The second night, I watched from the top of the Basilica, and it was a spectacular display of devotion to Mary. (If you ever go to Lourdes, I highly recommend experiencing both!)
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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.
Catholic Family Fun | Glorious Mysteries | The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
Maria Riley recaps her family’s experience of using the new book, The Family That Prays Together Stays Together, to pray the Rosary. I have mixed emotions about praying the Rosary with my family. As children growing up in a Catholic home, we were “forced” to pray the Rosary, and I always dreaded it. The Rosary seemed to last forever, and there were a million other things I would have rather been doing. As a result, my prayer time was never fruitful. I recited words, but never actually prayed. Today, rarely does a day go by that I don’t pray at least one decade of the Rosary. If I happen to be having a particularly sleepless night, I can get through more than one Rosary easily. My love and devotion to Mary has grown into an integral part of my faith, and I love having her as my spiritual mother.
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Parenthood | power of prayer | prodigal children
Colleen Mallette shares Father Mike Schmitz’s answer for parents whose children have fallen away from the Catholic Church. Recently, I had the privilege of attending “The Hour that Will Change Your Life" with Father Mike Schmitz on his brief four-city tour through the Midwest. He spoke mainly about the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and how blessed Catholics are to receive God in a physically intimate way. He was a dynamic, funny, and passionate speaker, and our group received many valuable messages from his speech. However, what appealed to a lot of people in the audience was his answer to a question about what to do about adult children who have walked away from their Catholic faith. After pausing to think about the question, he gave a beautiful, detailed answer.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | how to pray the rosary | rosary novena
Here on the final day of our Family Rosary Novena celebrating the Anniversary of Venerable Patrick Peyton's Birth, we meditate once again on the Joyful Mysteries. Throughout these nine days, we’ve prayed with faith and hope for the intercession of Father Peyton and Our Blessed Mother, offering our many prayer petitions. We've learned, like Mary, to trust in God's perfect plan for our lives, even when that differs from what we may have imagined for ourselves and our families. Intercessory prayer fortifies our prayers when we pray with those whom the Church declares to be in heaven—Venerables, Blesseds, and Saints. This Family Rosary Novena has helped us see even more clearly how seeking heavenly guidance and assistance through intercessory prayer—especially when you feel most helpless—is a tremendous gift that our Catholic faith offers. Let us conclude our praying of this Family Rosary Novena through the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton and our Blessed Mother, continuing to pray for a family miracle. This is where miracles begin! Read on for today's reflection and Rosary prayers.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
In Africa we have a saying that “it takes a whole village to raise a child” everyone in the community has a responsibility to make sure that a child grows into a responsible, respectful, well integrated person. A neighbor can offer discipline to a neighbor's child. In our faith as Catholics or believers there is also what we refer to as “interdependence of faith” which implies that as believers we rely on each other as parts of a larger whole, the Body of Christ” to grow, find strength, and live out our beliefs. As Christians we can move beyond our individualism to mutual support, shared burdens and collective witness to Christ’s teaching of mercy and love.
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