World at Prayer blog

Reflections of Family and Faith

"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton

Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Passing On a Spiritual Legacy: Saint Louis – Family Reflection Video

The medieval world esteemed Saint Louis the ideal king. His parents’ influence was paramount in shaping him. His mother, Queen Blanche, took St. Louis to recite the services of the Divine Office and to attend two Masses each day. She took special care to instill in her young son the highest reverence for matters of virtue and religion.

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Jephthah's Vow And The Meaning Of Vows - Family Reflection Video

Friends, vows in scripture are serious business. Also in our own day. Seriously consider before making a vow to God. Three days ago, a visiting priest, Father Larry Jerge, shared that August 16th marked the 60th anniversary of his first vows to live the evangelical vows of voluntary poverty, perpetual chastity, and perfect obedience. Wow!

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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.

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Holy lives of inspiration  |  Strengthening family unity

What A Blessing! - Family Reflection Video

What a blessing! Imagine the blessing of living some thirty years in the same little village as Jesus. Maybe you and He escape the heat of summer as children by wading into the cool refreshing waters of the Sea of Galilee. Or He brings you into the workshop where you watch Joseph plaining a sturdy, sweet-scented, cedar board to be used for a family dining table.

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Celebrating family life  |  Holy lives of inspiration  |  Strengthening family unity

Celebrating Grandparents & Elders - Family Reflection Video

Pope Francis has established the fourth Sunday of July to be celebrated from now on as the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Yesterday was the first annual such celebration, and it came at the moment when so many elderly and grandparents have experienced neglect and isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions, nursing-home policies, and fear for their safety prevented loved ones from visiting and embracing grandparents.

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Strengthening family unity  |  Why pray?

How to Tame a Fox - Family Reflection Video

The fox gazes at the little prince a long time. "Please tame me!" He begs. In a way, husband and wife, 'tame' each other, if they are patient. If they are self-sacrificing, and if they give the gift of themselves to each other. With God’s help and grace, they bring joy to each other. Priests and people 'tame' each other as well, with the help of God’s grace.

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Saint John Paul II, Saint Peter, & Saint Paul the Apostle - Family Reflection Video

On Friday, April 1, 2005, Hal Fishman, television anchor for KTLA, Channel 5, in Los Angeles, and Stan Chambers, the distinguished elder stateman of television news since 1947 - decided to do a program on the legacy of Pope John Paul II, who was dying in Rome. I was invited to this live, on-air discussion.

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