FAITH

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FAITH

He said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith? " Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm - Gospel of St. Matthew: 8:26

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; - Letter of Jude 1:20, RSV-CE)

The sections of this page are organized in two groupings, Prayers and Books on Faith, each with a Table of Contents (below). Each heading in each Table of Contents will link you to that section, or you can scroll down the page until you reach the section of interest.

Also provided here are lists of good shepherds, bishops and priests who are faithful to the Church's Deposit of Faith and who are sources of good guidance, inspirations and encouragement, so much needed in these dark times.

For a list of good resources provided by Lay Catholics, including weekly broadcasts, blogs, interviews and talk shows, link to CHURCH AND STATE in our WORKS page.

PRAYERS:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Use these links or scroll down:

BOOKS ON FAITH:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Presented here are highly recommended books read by and loved by the site's lead authors. Each book is exceptionally helpful for growing in our Christian Faith and growing in virtue.

For each book, helpful key excerpts are quoted, along with a link to purchase the book from the publisher.

To view any section listed below, use the link or scroll down through all sections until you reach the section of interest:

  • The Bible
  • Bible in a Year, by Augustine Institute, edited by Tim Gray
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church
  • Introduction to the Devout Life, by Saint Francis de Sales
  • Walking with God, a Journey Through the Bible, by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
  • Jesus of Nazareth, by Pope Benedict XVI
  • The Power of Silence, by Robert Cardinal Sarah (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Christus Vincit, Christ's Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, by Saint Claude De La Colombiere, S.J. and Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure, S.J. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • The Presence of God, by Father Anselm Moynihan, O.P. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • 33 Days to Morning Glory (Consecration to Mary), by Father Michael Gaitley, M.I.C. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Consecration to Saint Joseph, by Father Donald Calloway, M.I.C.
  • The Catholic Mass, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider
  • Father Jacques Philippe's Books: Thirsting for Prayer, Time for God, Interior Freedom, and more. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • The Book of Heaven - Living in the Divine Will
  • Road Map to Heaven, by Father Ed Broom (link and excerpts to follow)
  • MORE TO COME: Please come back in a week as we continue to build this site, incorporating your input. The missing links above and the content of this section below will be completed. Check the NEW CONTENT LOG on our Home page, to see what's been added and the date of each addition.

GOOD SHEPHERDS: PRIESTS

Faithful to the unerring Deposit of Faith passed on from Jesus Christ through His apostles, these priests can be depended upon as true shepherds of Christ, always giving good guidance and sharing insights to help us grow in our Faith. They are also magnets drawing others to the Catholic Church, as they are inspiring, enlightening, and encouraging.

Find their homilies and talks on YouTube and the sources listed below (with links to their talks and books to follow next week):

  • Father Chris Alar (Marians of the Immaculate Conception)
  • Father Donald Calloway (Marians of the Immaculate Conception)
  • Father James Blount
  • Father Leon Perreira
  • Father Dan Reehil, Exorcist of the Diocese of Nashville. Link to his blog, Battle Ready on Radio Maria Link to an interview on YouTube
  • Father Chad Ripperger, Exorcist https://sensustraditionis.org/
  • Father Thomas Celso, the leading teacher of Living in the Divine Will: Link to the videos of Father Robert Celso's talks on YouTube. Listen to this example of his 15-minutes' talks on YouTube Link to our section on The Book of Heaven to learn more through links to other invaluable sites.
  • Father Mitch Pakwa
  • Father Charles Murr
  • Father Ed Broom
  • Father Mark Beard, R.I.P.

  • MORE TO COME: Please come back in a week as we continue to build this site, incorporating your input. We will provide links to inspiring videos and books by the shepherds listed above. Check the NEW CONTENT LOG on our Home page, to see what's been added and the date of each addition.

GOOD SHEPHERDS: BISHOPS

Faithful to the unerring Deposit of Faith passed on from Jesus Christ through His apostle, these bishops can be depended upon as true shepherds of Christ, always giving good guidance and sharing insights to help us grow in our Faith. Listening to them and reading their writings will draw others to the Catholic Church because they know who she truly is, the bride of Christ. Their words are inspiring and encouraging.

Find their homilies and talks on YouTube and the sources listed below (with links to their talks and books to follow next week):

  • Cardinal Raymond Burke
  • Bishop Athanasius Schneider
  • Cardinal Robert Sarah
  • Bishop Joseph Strickland
  • Cardinal Gerhard Muller

  • MORE TO COME: Please come back in a week as we continue to build this site, incorporating your input. We will provide links to inspiring videos and books by the bishops listed above. Check the NEW CONTENT LOG on our Home page, to see what's been added and the date of each addition.

PRAYERS

The Lord’s Prayer, reading between the lines:

To increase the benefit of this essential prayer, internalizing each clause, pause for a second or two after each of the prayer’s seven clauses and bring to mind each of the italicized meditations appearing below. (You will soon memorize them.) This is the version of the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Chapter 6: Verses 9 through 13) - Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Your Name.

Out of Love, you created me. You love me steadfastly. I love you! I glorify you! I adore you! I worship you!

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Your will be done through me, in my actions and words. as you call me to act and speak. Also, your will be done in our nation and elsewhere outside our control, by Your Divine Providence, in which we fully trust.

Give us this day our daily bread;

We depend on you for everything. You give us everything we need – when we ask in Jesus’ name. For this, we thank you! We praise you! We trust in you!

And forgive us our debts,

As I think back on ways I have recently failed you or my neighbor, Lord, forgive me! Forgive us also for the many sins of our nation. For all these sins, I repent and offer reparation.

As we also have forgiven our debtors;

As I recall any grudges or resentment I am hanging on to, I now forgive those at fault and release them, turning them over to Jesus.* I pause and feel peace, because your Son told us “If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will forgive you”.

And lead us,

not into temptation,

Lead us, to always be doing your will, through the inspirations and direction constantly given to us by Jesus, the Holy Spirit, our guardian angels, Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and the saints.

We remind ourselves that You never tempt us.

But, deliver us from evil.

Defend each of us and our families against Satan and his demons - by the Precious Blood of your Son, Jesus.

AMEN

Immediately following these instructions, in the same breath, Jesus gave his disciples a reassuring promise and a stern warning: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14/15)

* Recommended words of forgiveness: "“Jesus, I release (Offender’s Name) from his debt to me and I give that debt to You. In place of this debt, I ask You to give (Offender’s Name) a blessing instead.” As a result, God will be at work within the offender in a new way." – by Father Carlos Martin, C.C. For a pdf of Father Martin's entire five-page life-changing spiritual direction (on forgiveness) from which these words are copied, link here.

Here's a great way to help you to stay focused both on your prayer and on your driving with both hands on the wheel: "Pray well while driving safely: Get a grip on your daily Rosary on the Road" (Download and print in color on both sides of one 8.5 by 11" page.)

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THE MASS

The Mass is prayer. The Mass is the highest form of Christian prayer, which enables us to express with exterior worship our interior belief.

Saints such as Padre Pio and John Vianney helped the faithful enter into a profound spiritual experience during Mass. The Mass serves as a means to lift our hearts to God so we can surrender to His will.

Our duty is to render perpetual thanksgiving to God at Mass. “The Mass is the greatest and most important work of the Church", states Bishop Schneider in his book, The Catholic Mass.

For the source of the above content, link to The Catholic Mass in our "Books on Faith" section below, and buy Bishop Schneider's book to transform your experience of the Mass.

Based on our personal experience over the last three years, the site authors highly recommend experiencing the mass in the sacred way that it has been celebrated for the last 2,000 years. This is found at the churches of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest. Link to this website to find one in your city.

To get a mouth-watering taste of the traditional Latin Mass and to see and hear how beautiful it is, link to Mass of the Ages, Episode 1 on www.Latinmass.com (or on YouTube).

 An introduction to the Traditional Latin Mass with stunning visuals and an original score.

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BREATHE IN US, O HOLY SPIRIT that our thoughts may all be holy. Act in us, O Holy Spirit, that our works, too, may be holy. Draw our hearts, O Holy Spirit, that we love but what is holy. Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard us, then, O Holy Spirit, that we may always be holy. Amen. (by St. Augustine)

O Holy Spirit, I adore You, grant us Your Wisdom that unlocks the path to God’s will for us in the large and small choices of our life so that our prayers, intentions, thoughts, words, and deeds, will be in accord with Your Divine Will and give joy and glory to God. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

O Holy Spirit, Soul of my soul, I adore you! Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders, I promise to submit myself to all that You desire and to accept all that You merit to happen to me. Just make me know Your Will. Amen (by Blessed Dom Columba Marmion)

The icon to the left depicts the Holy Trinity.

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Morning Offering:

Almighty Father, I adore You profoundly. In union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars in the world, joining with it my prayers, works, joys, sacrifices, and sufferings of this day in reparation for sins, for the salvation and sanctification of souls, and Your Divine purpose, pleasure, and Glory.

O my Jesus, not my will but Yours be done. I want to fuse all of me into All of You, into Your Divine Will, all the time. I choose what You choose for me, Lord Jesus: to pray, think, say, and do all things through You, in You, and with You in Your Divine Will, and gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them, together with myself, to Immaculate Mother Mary, that she may best apply them in the interests of Your Most Sacred Heart.

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Pray the rosary every day. It is a powerful weapon.

Learn how to pray the rosary on this page of the U.S.C.C.B website.

LInk to www.FatherCalloway.com to buy his great book, Champions of the Rosary, a compelling, comprehensive history of the Rosary from its scriptural roots through its birth in the 13th Century when the Virgin Mary entrusted this powerful spiritual weapon to Saint Dominic, through to the 21st Century. The painting to the left, "Queen of the Rosary and St. Dominic", is found in this wonderful book.

Hear from two of the dozens of Saints who constantly prayed the Rosary:

Pope Saint John Paul II: "The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth. In the prayer we repeat many times the words that the Virgin Mary heard from the Archangel, and from her kinswoman Elizabeth."

Saint Louis de Montfort: "I promise you that if you practice this devotion (the rosary) and help to spread it you will learn more from the rosary than from any spiritual book... For the holy rosary teaches people about the virtues of Jesus and Mary and leads them to mental prayer and to imitate Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

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The Unity Prayer, an instrument that blinds Satan

Source of this Prayer: From 1961 to 1981, Jesus and His mother Mary spoke to Elizabeth Kindelmann, a poor Hungarian widow and mother of six, instructing her to record their words in her diary. Her diary has been published as a book, “The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Spiritual Diary”, which was given the Imprimatur by Cardinal Peter Erdo in 2009. Jesus and Mary taught this prayer to Elizabeth. Jesus told her, “This prayer is an instrument in your hands… Satan will be blinded by it, and, because of his blindness, souls will not be led into sin”. This prayer is called the “Unity Prayer”, because it unites you with Jesus in Love, with all your heart, mind, soul, and body.

To learn more about the Flame of Love Church-approved apostolate, link to www.flameoflove.us. There may well be a Flame of Love Cenacle (prayer group) in your Diocese, as they are spreading around the world.

On this website, listen to a four-minute video of Father Chris Alar MIC, Father James Blount SOLT, and Bishop Ricken strongly recommending this apostolate.

Link here for a selection of excerpts from the Spiritual Diary.

Start a Prayer Cenacle in your church: Download a one-page overview of this apostolate, with Diary quotations. (Print in color on both sides of an 8.5 by 11" sheet.)

 

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Dear Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, most Holy Family, I love you, I consecrate and entrust to your most Holy Family the spiritual and temporal needs of myself and my spouse, our children, grandchildren, and all members of our extended family (insert everyone's names). I offer all of us to Your Most Precious Blood; seal us in Your Most Precious Blood against any and all incursions of the evil one, in particular against any clinging, familial, familiar and retaliating spirits.

Mary, our Mother, surround us with thy mantle of protection and crush Satan's power in our lives through the Flame of Love of Your Immaculate Heart.

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, surround us with your cloak of protection and annihilate the enemies of our souls.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us and help us repent of our sins and amend our lives according to God’s Holy Will. May our lives be a reflection of yours and may we enjoy God’s presence, protection, and blessings now and forever. Amen.

A Father's Daily Prayers To Protect His Family

The devil and his demons acknowledge and respect a father's authority over his household.

Link here for a sheet of fathers' prayers of protection that folds to form a 5.5" by 8.5" booklet to fit in your bible. Contact us for the original WORD file for you to customize with the names of your wife and children.

In Your Name and by the power of Your Cross and Blood, I ask You, Jesus, to bind any evil spirits, forces and powers of the earth, air, fire, or water, of the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature.

By the power of the Holy Spirit and by His authority, I ask You, Jesus Christ, to break any curses, hexes, or spells and send them back to where they came from, if it be Your Holy Will.

I beseech You Lord Jesus to protect my wife, my children and me by pouring on us Your Precious Blood which You shed for us. I ask You to command that any departing spirits leave quietly, without disturbance, and go straight to Your Cross to dispose of as You see fit.

I ask You to bind any demonic interaction, interplay or communications.

I place my wife, my children and me, our homes and our vehicles under the protection of the Blood of Jesus Christ which He shed for us. Amen.

Link to The Four Requirements for a Valid Confession - from the Fatima Institute www.fatima.org Author: Matthew Plese.

Link to the Examination of Conscience authored by Father Robert Altier, with the Imprimatur of Harry J. Flynn, D.D., Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

ACT OF CONTRITION:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. AMEN.

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Hell is real.

Despite what Jesus clearly tells us in the Gospels of Saint Matthew, Mark*, and Luke, many people sadly do not believe that Hell exists, to their peril. Link to the website of Divine Mercy Sunday for the source of the content of this section of our site. 

Scroll down or link to Fatima children saw Hell for further proof that Hell exists and we need to live our lives accordingly, as Jesus warns us.

In the preceding frame (to the left in your PC view), read from Saint Faustina's diary and learn the Seven Tortures of the damned, concluding with "but that is not the end of the sufferings".

Here is more from Saint Faustina's Diary, confirming what Jesus tells us in the Gospels:

"I, Sister Faustina Kowalska, by the order of God, have visited the Abysses of Hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence...the devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God, What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw. But I noticed one thing: That most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell." (Diary 741)

"Indescribable Sufferings: There are special Tortures destined for particular souls. These are the torments of the senses. Each soul undergoes terrible and indescribable sufferings related to the manner in which it has sinned.
I would have died
There are caverns and pits of torture where one form of agony differs from another. I would have died at the very sight of these tortures if the omnipotence of God had not supported me.
No One Can Say There is No Hell
Let the sinner know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he made use of to sin. I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like...how terribly souls suffer there! Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners. I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them. O My Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend you by the least sin." (Diary 741)

* And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:47-48, RSV-CE)

Scroll to the next frame for further proof that hell is real.

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The Fatima children saw Hell

Link to the website of The Fatima Center for the source of this section's content.

At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin Mary told the three child seers that many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray or make sacrifices for them. In her Memoirs, Sister Lucy describes the vision of hell that Our Lady showed the children at Fatima:

“She opened Her hands once more, as She had done the two previous months. The rays [of light] appeared to penetrate the earth, and we saw, as it were, a vast sea of fire. Plunged in this fire, we saw the demons and the souls [of the damned]. The latter were like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, having human forms. They were floating about in that conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames which issued from within themselves, together with great clouds of smoke. Now they fell back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fright (it must have been this sight which caused me to cry out, as people say they heard me). The demons were distinguished [from the souls of the damned] by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and transparent like burning coals. That vision only lasted for a moment, thanks to our good Heavenly Mother, Who at the first apparition had promised to take us to Heaven. Without that, I think that we would have died of terror and fear.”

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PRAYERS OF REPARATION:

Through baptism, we become members of the Mystical Body of Jesus. He is the head. We are the body. This enables us to participate in His once-and-for all sacrifice and to offer Jesus's body, blood and wounds to our Heavenly Father in union with Him.

Jesus taught Saint Faustina to pray, "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world". Link to TheDivineMercy.org to learn to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

REPARATION PRAYER TO THE ETERNAL FATHER: Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all the wounds of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; all the pains and agony of His Sacred Heart and His Most Precious Blood, which gushed out from all his wounds, for the reparation of my sins, the sins of my family, extended family, all the people I’m praying for and those of the whole world. Amen.

FATIMA PRAYER OF REPARATION: Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. Through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.

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Offering of The Face of Jesus: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Adorable Face of Thy Beloved Son for the honor and glory of Thy Name, for the conversion of sinners, for the salvation of the dying, and eternal rest of the souls in Purgatory. O Divine Jesus through Thy Face and Name, save us. Our hope is in the virtue of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

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LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF THE DIVINE WILL:

THE ULTIMATE WAY TO PRAY - AND LIVE

The two lead authors of this website (husband and wife) have recently discovered and embarked on this return to the blessed state of Adam before the Fall, when the Divine Will resided in him and he consented to let the Divinity do everything within him, making his acts perfect. thereby giving perfect glory and perfect correspondence of love to his Creator. The human will was not created to be isolated from the Divine Will. Sadly, Adam emptied himself of the Gift of the Divine Will when he ate the forbidden fruit.*

 

On September 8. 1889, Luisa Piccaretta received the Gift of the Divine Will, restoring her to Adam's state. Over the years, until her death in 1947, Jesus dictated the "Book of Heaven" to her, to be shared with all of us to enable us to pray and live our lives in the Divine Will.

 

On August 10, 2024, the Vatican issued the nihil obstat for the Resumption of the Cause of Beatification of Servant of God, Luisa Piccaretta.

 

* Link to download a brief (15 pages) introductory booklet, "Living in the Kingdom of the Divine Will", from which the content of our opening paragraph above is taken.

 

We strongly recommend Father Thomas Celso's 15-minute lectures on Living in the Divine Will on YouTube. Link here for an example: Father Celso 15 minutes' talk on YouTube.

Link to download the Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Divine Will, which we pray every morning.

Link to the Fiat Luisa Channel on YouTube to learn about this gift of the Holy Trinity to mankind.

 

For an 8-minute video of Father James Blount explaining the Kingdom of the Divine Will and for free on-line volumes of the Book of Heaven and lots of information about this ultimate way of making "Thy Kingdom come" on Earth, link to https://luisapiccarreta.me/

 

The Book of Heaven consists of 36 volumes, dictated to Luisa Piccaretta by Jesus (and approved by the Vatican). We recommend starting with The Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will and The Twenty-Four Hours of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. All books are available on-line, free, at https://luisapiccarreta.me/

 

To order printed books, go to: https://www.blancpublishing.com

 

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Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe (by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke): https://novena.cardinalburke.com/

“O Virgin Mother of God, we fly to your protection and beg your intercession against the darkness and sin which ever more envelop the world and menace the Church. Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, gave you to us as our mother as He died on the Cross for our salvation.* So too, in 1531, when darkness and sin beset us, He sent you, as Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Tepeyac to lead us to Him Who alone is our light and our salvation. Through your apparitions on Tepeyac and your abiding presence with us on the miraculous mantle of your messenger, Saint Juan Diego, millions of souls converted to faith in your Divine Son. Through this novena and our consecration to you, we humbly implore your intercession for our daily conversion of life to Him and the conversion of millions more who do not yet believe in Him. In our homes and in our nation, lead us to Him Who alone wins the victory over sin and darkness in us and in the world. Unite our hearts to your Immaculate Heart so that they may find their true and lasting home in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ever guide us along the pilgrimage of life to our eternal home with Him. So may our hearts, one with yours, always trust in God's promise of salvation, in His never-failing mercy toward all who turn to Him with a humble and contrite heart. Through this novena and our consecration to you, O Virgin of Guadalupe, lead all souls in America and throughout the world to your Divine Son in Whose name we pray. Amen.” Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Mother, show us your power, defeat the enemy; offer to the Eternal Father the Most Precious Blood of your Divine Son Jesus, to prevent at least one mortal sin from being committed in the world today. O Blessed Lady, spread the Effect of Grace of Your Flame of Love over all humanity. Amen.

* When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27, RSV-CE)

Prayer Before Reading Scripture: Almighty Father, whenever I read Your Eternal Word today, anoint me with your Holy Spirit, so that Your Word may penetrate my whole being, enlighten my mind and sanctify my heart, and transform me into the likeness of Your Son Jesus Christ. May Your Word be a lamp to guide me, that I may live in your Truth and grow in your Love. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. (Before reading Scripture, pray the Unity Prayer. After, pray for the Pope: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)

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added on September 4: Father Chad Ripperger just released a powerful new prayer consecrating the upcoming election in the United States to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ripperger announced the prayer while appearing on Doug Barry’s U.S. Grace Force show on Tuesday, September 3. The full prayer is below:

Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to Thee, our refuge and hope. Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of Thy Son, we humbly ask that Thou wouldst turn Thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion. We consecrate to Thee the integrity of the upcoming election and its outcome, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our country may be accomplished, and that all of those who are elected would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of Thy Son. Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they will choose leaders according to the Sacred Heart of Thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve. Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and Thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that Thou wilst take care of us and will not leave us forsaken. O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

Read more here on LifeSiteNews: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/father-ripperger-releases-prayer-consecrating-2024-election-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

BOOKS ON FAITH:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Presented here are highly recommended books read by and loved by the site's lead authors. Each book is exceptionally helpful for growing in our Christian Faith and growing in virtue.

For each book, helpful key excerpts are quoted, along with a link to purchase the book from the publisher.

To view any section listed below, use the link or scroll down through all sections until you reach the section of interest:

  • The Bible
  • Bible in a Year, by Augustine Institute, edited by Tim Gray
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church
  • Introduction to the Devout Life, by Saint Francis de Sales
  • Walking with God, a Journey Through the Bible, by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
  • Jesus of Nazareth, by Pope Benedict XVI
  • The Power of Silence, by Robert Cardinal Sarah (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Christus Vincit, Christ's Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, by Saint Claude De La Colombiere, S.J. and Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure, S.J. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • The Presence of God, by Father Anselm Moynihan, O.P. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • 33 Days to Morning Glory (Consecration to Mary), by Father Michael Gaitley, M.I.C. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • Consecration to Saint Joseph, by Father Donald Calloway, M.I.C.
  • The Catholic Mass, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider
  • Father Jacques Philippe's Books: Thirsting for Prayer, Time for God, Interior Freedom, and more. (link and excerpts to follow)
  • The Book of Heaven - Living in the Divine Will
  • Road Map to Heaven, by Father Ed Broom (link and excerpts to follow)
  • MORE TO COME: Please come back in a week as we continue to build this site, incorporating your input. The missing links above and the content of this section below will be completed. Check the NEW CONTENT LOG on our Home page, to see what's been added and the date of each addition.

The Bible

We recommend the REVISED STANDARD VERSION, CATHOLIC EDITION, published by Ignatius Press

Reading scripture daily is essential. To methodically read the entire bible, we highly recommend BIBLE IN A YEAR, addressed below.

Prayer Before Reading Scripture: Almighty Father, whenever I read Your Eternal Word today, anoint me with your Holy Spirit, so that Your Word may penetrate my whole being, enlighten my mind and sanctify my heart, and transform me into the likeness of Your Son Jesus Christ. May Your Word be a lamp to guide me, that I may live in your Truth and grow in your Love. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. (Before reading Scripture, pray the Unity Prayer. After, pray for the Pope: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)

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BIBLE IN A YEAR, Your Daily Encounter with God

Tim Gray, General Editor

Using the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Edition, this book presents the following daily reading:

  • excerpts from two books of the Old Testament (e,g., 2nd Samuel and a Psalm),
  • an excerpt from one New Testament book, and
  • an insightful and inspiring REFLECTION that relates to all three.

Over the course of a year, you will have read the entire Bible!

Refer to our site's home page for sample content from the entry for June 27.

To buy this excellent book, link to the publisher: Augustine Institute.)

You can also get this book as an app on your phone.

Catechism of the Catholic Church Link to the on-line version on the website of the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):

Here is a link to buy this indispensable book from Thrift Books, new or used, at prices ranging from $4.25 to $15.37. Using this link you can also view sample pages.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE - St. Francis de Sales

Publisher: Tan Books

Link here for a "Sneak Peak" on the TAN BOOKS website - and to buy this book.

“You aim at true devotion, my dear Philothea, because, as a Christian, you know how acceptable it is to the Divine Majesty. But inasmuch as trifling errors at the outset of any undertaking are wont to increase rapidly as we advance, frequently becoming almost irreparable, it is needful that, first of all, you should ascertain wherein lies the virtue of devotion.” —St. Francis de Sales Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but how many of us actually know how to get there? Learn from the writings of St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Charity, on this very matter in his work that specifically addresses this most important question. The knowledgeable and holy Doctor of the Church writes in a way that is at once easy to read and suited to all readers, yet thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind, and gentle. He guides us to the knowledge that we are all called to the devout life. True devotion to God, as St. Francis de Sales points out, adorns every vocation. Additionally, St. Francis will explain that the devout life is a choice worthy for its own sake: “And our blessed Lord Himself assure[s] us that a devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life.” Addressed as a personal letter to Philothea (which means “lover of God”) this book covers all the parts of a devout life:

  • Our desire to lead a devout life
  • Our full resolution to do so
  • How we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments
  • The practice of 16 important virtues
  • Remedies against ordinary temptations
  • And confirmation in our practice of devotion

With this beautiful copy of the Introduction to the Devout Life from TAN Books's Catholic Classics Series, you will be prepared for any struggle in your life. From minor everyday worries to the larger concerns of your vocation and your Christian duties, St. Francis de Sales’s perennial work will be your guide to sainthood.

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WALKING WITH GOD - A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE - Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins

Publisher: Ascension Press

Link here for an Overview on the Ascension Press website - and to buy this book.

Unlock the mysteries of Scripture by tying together the story of salvation!

Written by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins, Walking with God unpacks the central story woven throughout Scripture and presents it in an easy-to-read, concise manner.

Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins take readers on a journey through the “narrative” books of the Bible—the ones that tell the story—and present a panoramic view of God’s glorious plan of salvation. Their expert commentary dives deep into the mysteries of Scripture, unlocking its riches and showing how these inspired words are meant for Catholics today.

Selling over 100,000 copies, Walking with God is a beloved resource for Catholics longing to understand the story of salvation. Recommended on the top podcast Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)™, this book can be used both for individual study and as a guide to further explore the Bible Timeline learning system, which is the backbone of Bible in a Year, The Bible Timeline Study, and more!

Enter into the Scriptures with Walking with God. Witness the fascinating story of our Faith unfold, and see how you, at this moment in your life, fit into God’s plan for all of humanity.

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JESUS OF NAZARETH - Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger)

Publisher: Ignatius Press

Link here for an OVERVIEW on the Ignatius Press website - and to buy this book.

The first of three "Jesus of Nazareth" books by Pope Benedict is "From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration"

Quoting from the Ignatius Press website:

In this bold, momentous work, Joseph Ratzinger-in his first book written since he became Pope-seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent "popular" depictions and to restore Jesus' true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the Pope shares a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of Jesus and invites us to encounter, face-to-face, the central figure of the Christian faith.

From Jesus of Nazareth: "the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought?

The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who formerly unveiled his countenance gradually first to Abraham, then to Moses and the Prophets, and then in the Wisdom Literature-the God who revealed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth.

He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love."

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CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH - THE WONDERS OF OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER - Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC

Publisher: Marian Press

Link here to buy this book on the Marian Press website.

Link to consecrationtostjoseph.org and Father Donald Calloway's website where you will find other great books by Father Calloway as well as beautiful artwork you can purchase.

Quoting from the Marian Press website:

In the midst of crisis, confusion, and a world at war with the Church, it's time to come home again to our spiritual father, St. Joseph. In this richly researched and lovingly presented program of consecration to St. Joseph, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, brings to life the wonders, the power, and the ceaseless love of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and the Terror of Demons.

Drawing on the wealth of the Church's living tradition, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, calls on all of us to turn to St. Joseph, entrust ourselves, our Church, and our world to our spiritual father's loving care, and then watch for wonders when the Universal Patron of the Church opens the floodgates of Heaven to pour out graces into our lives today. Definitely a book for our time, Consecration to St. Joseph is dedicated to meeting the challenges of the present moment and restoring order to our Church and our world, all through the potent paternal intercession and care of St. Joseph. This book has everything you need to take your love and devotion to St. Joseph to a whole different level: a thorough program of consecration to St. Joseph; information on the 10 wonders of St. Joseph; and prayers and devotions to St. Joseph. Accessible, motivating, this book will kick off a great movement of consecration to our spiritual father and change the world.

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THE CATHOLIC MASS, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider

Link to the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, for a preview and to purchase this priceless book.

We are going through a period of liturgical exile, explains Bishop Athanasius Schneider in this enlightening book, and the vast proliferation of modern abuses are crying out for liturgical reform. The primary source of most modern abuses, he declares, is man’s narcissistic tendency to idolize himself instead of paying homage to God.

In what is sure to be seen as one of the most impressive and authoritative books ever written on the Catholic Mass, Bishop Schneider reestablishes what Catholics have known for centuries but have largely forgotten today: that the Mass is the highest form of Christian prayer, which enables us to express with exterior worship our interior belief.

He describes how saints such as Padre Pio and John Vianney helped the faithful enter into a profound spiritual experience during Mass, and he explains why the Mass should serve as a means to lift our hearts to God so we can surrender to His will. You’ll come to understand why the rubrics are vital to preserving the authenticity of the liturgy, and you’ll learn why architecture, music, sacred art, and even incense are vital symbols that direct our attention to Heaven. You’ll also learn:

  • How to recollect and listen to God’s Word properly
  • The keys to lifting your heart and surrendering to God’s will at Mass
  • Why it’s essential to celebrate the Mass ad orientem
  • How following the rituals assists you in contemplating the spiritual
  • Ways you can unite yourself to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross
  • The most profitable ways of spending time in thanksgiving following Holy Communion

Bishop Schneider and coauthor Aurelio Porfiri encourage the revival of public prayers, such as the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic adoration. He explains how genuflecting, kneeling, and prostrating oneself are all outward signs of reverence that demonstrate this inward action. Our duty, he declares, is to render “perpetual thanksgiving” to God at Mass. Indeed, as he solemnly asserts, “The Mass is the greatest and most important work of the Church.”

 

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