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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Let me start with a question: Have you ever tried to walk into the ocean slowly? You start with your toes. It's cold. So, you wait. Then your ankles. Still bearable. Then to your knees, still ok. But then comes that dreaded moment, the wave crashes, and you’re suddenly soaked to your waist. Some laugh. Some run back to shore screaming. Some just dive in. Ezekiel had a vision a bit like that, we hear of water trickling out from the Temple—starting small, ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, and finally a river so vast no one could cross it. Wherever this water flowed, life bloomed. Trees bore fruit. Salt water turned fresh. Everything lived because of the water.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
The Gospel of John gives us a powerful encounter between Jesus and a royal official, an encounter that illustrates the transformative power of faith. It’s meant to lead us to reflect on the nature of our own faith and how we, like the official, can come to a deeper trust in the Lord's promise. In this passage, Jesus returns to Galilee and is found in Cana, where He had previously performed the miracle of turning water into wine. It’s here that a royal official from Capernaum seeks him out, his heart heavy with worry. His son is gravely ill, on the brink of death, and he’s heard of Jesus' power to heal. Driven by a father's love and desperation, he implores Jesus to come and heal his son. Initially, Jesus responds with what seems like a rebuke: "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
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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.
Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
Like many people, I first became aware of Saint Zélie Martin (1831-1877) when I learned about her famous daughter, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. At that point, the extent of my knowledge was that Saint Thérèse had holy parents who had somehow managed to raise five daughters to enter religious life and that Saint Zélie had died of breast cancer when Saint Thérèse was a young child. It was only after Saints Zélie and Louis were beatified in 2008 that I began to learn more about Saint Zélie as a saint in her own right. I discovered that she was a holy friend I could relate to. Here are a few lessons I have learned from her. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
Because we live near Philadelphia, we became familiar with Mother Cabrini through Cabrini University. We looked at the university as an option for our youngest daughter when she was looking at colleges. At that time, we did not know much about Frances Cabrini and her life story. Recently, there was a movie released called Cabrini. It was then that we became fans of this fascinating woman, saint, and missionary. Of course, her being born in Italy piqued our curiosity because of David’s ancestorial roots in both Italy and New York City. Her story takes her from Italy to New York City to run an orphanage for Italian-American children. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Holy Women's History Month | Lenten Reflections | catholic mom | women's history month
“No one had a bad word to say about her, for she feared God greatly” (Judith 8:8). The Bible is a library brimming with books to browse throughout life. It offers wisdom, poetry, parables, letters, prophetic messages, Gospels, and more. Depending on my circumstances, I gravitate toward specific sections. I’m no stranger to the Psalms in distressing times or Proverbs when I need moral advice. Lady Wisdom personified taught me to pursue understanding, while Judith of Bethulia inspired me to explore fearing the Lord. The Book of Judith tells the story of a virtuous widow who shows immense bravery in dangerous situations. The protagonist must save her people from destruction by foreign invaders — no easy feat. When the leaders of her village insist on surrendering if God doesn’t help, Judith refuses. Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!
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Holy lives of inspiration | Strengthening family unity
Picture this: A neglected backyard garden. Weeds choke the flowerbeds, tomato plants sag under their own neglect, and the once-vibrant roses are now a tangle of thorns. We’ve all been that gardener—distracted, busy, or just plain forgetful. But then, one day, we step outside, clippers in hand, and think: “What if I tried to revive this?” The prophet Hosea paints a similar scene for Israel. Their spiritual garden is overgrown with idolatry and pride, yet God whispers, “Return to me. Let me heal you. I will be like the dew, and you will bloom like the lily” (Hosea 14:2-5). Lent is that moment we pick up the clippers and say, “Let’s try again.”
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