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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
If you’ve ever spent time on the water, whether in a rowboat or something bigger, you know there are moments when suddenly everything gets serious and maybe uncertain. That’s when either people turn to you, or you turn to someone else, to get you safely back to shore.
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When I was growing up, we had a pet cat and a few chickens at home. They always loved my mom the best and followed her everywhere. They would walk behind her, back and forth, whenever she went in and out of the house. We kids did the same. We mostly followed Mom wherever she was; whichever room she was in, we were there, too. Even when she left the house, the pets and us kids followed her, feeling we belonged to her. We knew that she loved us and that by being with her, we were safe. She was our protector and shelter, and we felt no harm would come to us if we were by her side.
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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.
Blessed Mother | Catholic Faith | prayer
I found the book by accident. I wonder if, in actuality, it found me instead. It’s a do-it-yourself retreat culminating in consecration to Jesus through Mary, also known as Marian consecration. I’d not heard of such a thing before, but it seemed to be a good next step in my spiritual life ... so I bought it. It claimed to be a quick, easy, and secure path to holiness — and heaven knows I need more holiness.
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Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting | family prayer
It is summer in this region, and the natural world calls us to recreation out of doors. Years ago, I tried running for exercise. When I began, I could barely jog around the block. Over time, I slowly added distance and found solitude and consolation amid my limitations and aspirations. I ran several 5k races to see if I could complete the course. I felt solidarity with other runners, most of whom ran faster than me. The only “running” I do now is hurrying at crosswalks. I enjoy walking.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
Last night, I had an interesting experience. First, I was interviewed via a Zoom call by a Dominican seminarian named Br. Finbar about Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Cause for Sainthood and Father Peyton’s important message to families—to pray together, especially the Rosary. And, the second part of the night involved watching the presidential debate between the two presumed nominees.
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Learn more about our faith | Why pray?
In 1174, Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on a 185-foot bell tower for the Cathedral in Pisa, Tuscany, in west-central Italy. There was just one little problem—even before it was completed, the builders discovered that the soil was much softer than anticipated and the whole structure began to tilt. The project lasted for 199 years and was plagued with interruptions, as engineers sought solutions to the leaning problem until they finally realized that nothing could be done to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa! The problem wasn't bad design, poor workmanship, or inferior materials. Instead, the issue was unstable sandy soil underneath the city of Pisa where the famous monument was built. Interestingly, the word "Pisa" means "Marshy Land," which explains the issue. This teaches us that a faulty foundation can cause problems not just in buildings but in our lives as well.
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