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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Return to the Church
During a Roman Persecution, Pope Saint Sixtus II was martyred. Laurence was a deacon, the Pope’s right hand, and the treasurer - overseeing all the works of the Church to take care of the poor and suffering. Even knowing that the Emperor intended to decapitate the Church, and that they were after him too, he didn’t go into hiding. Rather he set himself to empty the church treasury and give all to the poor before he died! There’s a story that when he was being burned at the stake, he calmly said to his executioners: "Turn me over. I’m done on this side."
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
Can you imagine sitting in a small closet-like space for twelve to seventeen hours per day in all types of weather while listening to people’s struggles? That’s what today’s saint, Saint John Vianney, did day after day, helping scores of people reconcile with God - and each other - through the sacrament of Confession.
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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.
Those of you who have children, do you recall when you first tried to encourage them to take their first step? At the beginning, your child may have been content to drag him/herself along the floor reaching out for things, but it was time for him or her to take a stand and walk. All kinds of attempts were made to entice them to come into your arms and then it happened!
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Holy lives of inspiration | Strengthening family unity
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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Holy lives of inspiration | Love thy Neighbor | Strengthening family unity
As a child my siblings and I loved to have guests come to our home. We were happy because we knew that a rooster would be prepared, and we would have the best food with special dishes and sweets. A guest coming to our home was like God coming. It was the time we were on our best behavior, especially if the guest was a priest or a nun.
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Celebrating family life | Holy lives of inspiration | Strengthening family unity
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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