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
Saint Lawrence was a deacon in the early Church in Rome. He was martyred for the faith four days after Pope Sixtus and six other deacons under the persecution of Emperor Valerian. St. Lawrence, when asked to turn over the Church’s money and valuables to the Emperor, gathered the poor and proclaimed that they were the Church’s real treasure.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Last night, Fr. Willy, Fr. Leo, and I went to St. Mary’s in Mansfield for a Knights of Columbus-sponsored BBQ and family movie night. The adults watched the film, “Pray,” the life story of Venerable Patrick Peyton. Although we’ve seen the film several times, we all came away with new insights about Father Peyton’s ministry to promote family prayer, especially the Rosary.
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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.
Here are some questions to ponder: What is the only real failure in life? What is the only real sadness in life? What is the only real tragedy in life? Think about that. So many things that we fret about, worry about, or fear, are temporary, fleeting, and not of eternal value. They are passing. The one real tragedy in life is not to be a saint.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Growing up, once in a while, I’d hear my Mom or Dad utter the words, “God help me, David.” After reflecting on today’s reading from the Book of Numbers, I’d have to imagine my parents, with countless mothers and fathers worldwide, have shared this kind of declaration-prayer along with Moses.
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Assumption | Blessed Virgin Mary | Celebrating Marian feasts
We kayaked across Yellowstone’s Lewis Lake, up the Lewis River and halfway across Shoshone Lake to the campsite. Stepping out, stepping back, a different perspective unfolded as we celebrated the Eucharist on the shore. This gaze opened into infinity, finding and awakening vision: the faculty to be able to see and to understand, where sometimes only nature can reawaken this sense. At the same time, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, in a similar and complementary way awakens our vision, yet with even greater clarity and depth.
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Assumption | Catholic Family Fun | Celebrating Marian feasts
Some days in the Liturgical season, by their cultural and religious nature, lend themselves more towards celebrating, such as Christmas and Easter, than others. However, it seems a missed opportunity not to find some way to acknowledge, and yes celebrate, every Solemnity, Memorial, or Feast in the Catholic Church. For families, feast days can offer beautiful teachable moments, special time set apart for living our faith, and even the creation of lifetime memories. This month, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, commemorating the entry of Mary into heaven—body and soul. The Assumption falls into the category of “Solemnity,” which means it is among the highest rank feast days celebrating a mystery of faith.
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