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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Catholic Art | Creating Sacred Beauty | Stained Glass
Sacred Beauty is a new Family Theater Productions series featuring artists creating in various mediums. Episode Three of the series features an interview with artist David Judson of Judson Studios. Episode 3: Judson Studios Have you ever wondered how glass sheets become ornate stained-glass windows? In Creating Sacred Beauty: Judson Studios, David Judson, president of the studio, guides us through the history of the family-owned facility and the art that his family has perfected in stained glass. With cutting-edge technology and innovation, David and the artists at Judson Studios bring centuries-old techniques into the modern era.
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Marian devotion | Mary Undoer of Knots | power of prayer
Three years ago, I went on a retreat with the women at our parish. In our retreat bag, I discovered a brochure detailing devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. I was unfamiliar with this title of Mary and discovered that the late Pope Francis promoted this devotion. Praying to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots A little while later, my husband and I were going through a difficult period in our marriage. Not sure where else to turn, I remembered the devotion and began to pray the prayer printed on the brochure: Virgin Mary, Mother who never refuses to come to the help of your children in need, Mother whose hands never stop working for the welfare of your children, moved as they are by the loving mercy and kindness that exists in your Immaculate heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. Oh Mother! You know the difficulties, sorrow, and pain that I’ve had because of them. O loving Mother, I place the ribbon of my life and this knot (mention request here) into your loving hands, hands which can undo even the most difficult knot. Most holy Mother, come to my aid and intercede for me before God with your prayers. I cast this knot into your hands (mention request again) and bed you to undo it, in the name of your son, Jesus, Christ, and for the glory of God, once and for all. Our Lady Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
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Learn more about our faith | Love thy Neighbor
Speaking about slavery is considered a hot-button issue given the complex global history that we all know about. Without implying in any way that slavery is morally right under any circumstances, the fact of the matter is that slavery has been practiced in many human societies around the world. It is a sad part of human history around the world and a reality of human brokenness.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
After receiving my First Holy Communion, I was absolutely certain about one thing: I wanted to be an altar server. Not just any altar server, this was the Syro-Malabar rite, where serving at the altar isn’t just about lighting candles, ringing bells and wearing a cassock. No. It’s a full-on liturgical performance. We chant responses, recite prayers loudly, and lead the congregation through a liturgy that’s as beautiful as it is long. The altar server is also a lector, a cantor, a leader of the people in prayer. They lead chants, offer liturgical exhortations, lead penitential rites and sometimes feel like junior deacons-in-training!
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes and his fellow martyr companions. St. Christopher was born in Mexico, and after ordination to the priesthood worked with the poor and indigenous people, most notably founding schools and forming agrarian cooperatives. He lived in a time when the Mexican government was strongly anti-Catholic and closed all seminaries. He repeatedly sought to have them reopened. For his good works, he was falsely charged with promoting armed rebellion and was arrested on his way to celebrate Mass on this date in 1927. Four days later, he was executed along with 21 other diocesan priests and three laymen. St. Christopher is a patron saint of Mexico and a symbol of resistance against religious oppression. He is an example of being willing to give courageous witness to Christ despite worldly challenges.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
At the Last Supper, Jesus says something astonishing: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” In the face of betrayal and death, Jesus offers peace—not as a farewell, but as a gift. This peace isn’t emotional calm or worldly comfort. It is, as the Navarre Commentary says, a divine assurance rooted in reconciliation with God and with one another—a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is serenity of mind, simplicity of heart, and union in charity.
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