World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Do you know what the worst thing in life is? The worst thing in life is not to be a saint. Leon Bloy said, “The only real sadness in life, the only real failure in life, the only real tragedy in life, is not to be a saint.”
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Today is my mother’s birthday, and I proudly used to say that she was born on St. Valentine’s Day. And I am sure you hoped to hear me say Happy Valentine’s Day! However, the Church in recent years has changed the liturgical focus of this day from St. Valentine to the great missionaries of the Slavs, Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
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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.
A bold birthday wish started a surprised young golfer on a path to the priesthood. As her birthday approached one year, his mother said, “Richard, my son. For my birthday this year, I don’t want you to get me anything. Instead, I want you to go do something. Please go to confession for my birthday.” He decided to honor his mother's birthday wish.
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Love thy Neighbor | Seasonal Reflections
A couple of years ago, when I was in Ireland, I had the opportunity to climb the Croagh Patrick. This 764-meter mountain is an important pilgrimage site in Mayo, Ireland. I found it a herculean task to climb steep rocks and slippery slopes, even though I was wearing good boots and had two walking sticks. It took me around three hours to reach the top. I was gasping for breath and tired. I thought of giving up when I was halfway to the top. But something kept me going.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Seasonal Reflections
Mary is alive! Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Today we are celebrating the memorial of St. Juan Diego, to whom our Lady appeared in 1531. Diego and his wife had been among the first to be baptized by the Franciscan missionaries in Mexico in 1524 when they were 50 years old. While on his way to morning mass one day, Juan Diego was visited by Mary.
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Return to the Church | Why pray?
Human life, in many cases, seems to be an undulating movement, a falling apart, a pulling together, a gloomy night, and then a sunny day. And in our own lives, going away from God and coming back to God.
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