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White Double CLOUDS ARE GATHERING over Holy Church. We are minded on every side of the approach of those days when our Emmanuel will show Himself to us in the pitiable state to which our sins have brought Him. Bethlehem is so soon followed by Calvary. We shall find the Mother of divine grace at the foot of the Cross as we found her at Ephrata. She brought forth her firstborn in joy, but now in tears she is to bring forth those brothers of His whose birth cost her so much. We have shared her joy, and we...

The Seven Swords Rosary Of Our Lady Of Sorrows The Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as the Seven Sorrows (Swords) devotion, places our attention on the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary that pierced her to the Heart. This devotion refers to the words of Simeon spoken to Our Lady during the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts...

February 17, 2005Thursday of the First Week of Lent Psalm: Thursday 10 Reading IEst C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,had recourse to the LORD.She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said:"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,for I am taking my life in my hand.As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathersthat you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.Now help me, who am...

Catholic Forum Seven Founders of the Order of Servites Also known as:Servites; Servant Friars; Confraternity of Our Lady Profile:Seven wealthy councilors in Florence, members of the laymen Laudesi (Praisers). They individually and collectively felt a call to a deeper religious life, and on the Feast of the Assumption, 1233, they decided to form a new society devoted to prayer and solitude. This was not an easy move - two were married and two were widowers, so several of them had dependants for whom to provide. However, they each made provision for their families, and with the approval of their...

February 17, 2004Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time Psalm: Tuesday 10 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading IJas 1:12-18 Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation,for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.No one experiencing temptation should say,"I am being tempted by God";for God is not subject to temptation to evil,and he himself tempts no one.Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire.Then desire conceives and brings forth sin,and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be...