Catholic Church

By Mary Beth Bracy, Catholic Exchange - “The bountiful heart of God’s Mother could not resist the prayers and tears of the General of the Order called by Her name, and towards morning just as the dawn was breaking, She appeared to the Holy man. The sight was entrancing, for the Queen of Heaven was surrounded by a great company of angels of dazzling brightness. It was only with great difficulty, then, that Simon could gaze on the glorious vision. There, in answer to his prayer, She presented him with a garment, formed after the manner of a scapular, saying ‘This shall be a privilege for thee and all Carmelites; whosoever shall die wearing it shall not suffer everlasting fire.’” (Scapular Facts)

By Elizabeth A. Mitchell, The Catholic Thing - My younger sister recounts an incident from her college days a few years back.  At the start of a new term, she noticed a young man next to her in French class who soon stopped attending.  As the term progressed, he was habitually absent and only returned for the final exam.  “Nice of you to show up,” my sister quipped.  “Where have you been?”... “Saving your skin in Afghanistan.” This young man had been on the front lines.  He had been called up to active duty from his civilian life, and he had answered the call... And yet, now, it seems we are all on call.  At any time, in any place, for any reason, we are liable to take the incoming fire of those people who hate life, hate all we hold dear, and who want to hurt others.

By Brother Andre` Marie, Catholicism.org - In her apparition of July 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima told Sister Lucy that “Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be annihilated.”... People sometimes ask the question, “What are the errors of Russia?”... Dr. Maike Hickson gives the most exhaustive list I have ever seen in reply to this question.

By Emily Linz, Crisis Magazine - n the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, about the life of St. Thomas More, More arrives at his home after a late-night meeting with Cardinal Wolsey about King Henry VIII’s divorce from his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Upon his arrival, an eager young man, Richard Rich, asks Thomas More if he has a post in court for him. More says that he has found a post for him as a teacher. ...