Audio (MP3)Mary Imbues the Priest with Invincible Confidence
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Ave Maria Meditations
The priest’s mission seems hopelessly difficult. Has the world ever been as depraved as it is today? Have Satan’s cohorts ever been as numerous, as fierce, as cunning? Has the army of Christ ever been weaker compared to these powerful forces? A priest will lose confidence if he thinks about the enemy in comparison to himself. But it is Christ he should think about; Christ has given him his mission as the Father gave Christ His mission. (Jn. 20:21) He is an ambassador of Christ (2 Cor 5:20) and Christ has declared, and He cannot be wrong: “I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself (Jn 12:32). Now shall the ruler of this world be cast out (Jn 12:31). Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world ” (Jn 16:33). Acting in the name of the Son of God, the priest is all powerful with the power of God. Acting in his own name, he is as weak as the weakest of men. He is feeble when depending on himself alone; he is unbeatable when he acts with Jesus. When he acts in the Name of Jesus, his very weakness is an encouragement. (more…) |
For the Love of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009Ave Maria Meditations
Saint John Eudes, Priest (1601-1680) Born in France, he was a gifted preacher and encouraged devotions to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Specially concerned to council and defend endangered women, he founded an association of priest and the religious Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity
St. Pope Pius X called St. Eudes the Immaculate Heart’s Father, Doctor and Apostle. It was through him that this devotion was made public and received ecclesiastical approbation. At his canonization, Holy Mother Church emphasized his role in establishing the liturgical devotion to the Heart of Mary. St. John Eudes, as a theologian, was the first to explain this devotion. The feast was established first in his Congregation and later through out the French dioceses. He composed a mass and office. In 1680, shortly before his death, his book, The Admirable Heart of Mary, was completed and published. It consisted of 12 books, took him 20 years to write it, and was the first of its kind. |
St. John Vianney: Patron of ALL Priests
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009In this Year of the Priest it is a special pleasure to consider the Patron Saint of ALL Priests, St. John Vianney. He had been the Patron of Parish Priests but our Holy Father has extended that patronage to all Priests. Ave Maria Meditations
St. John Mary Vianney was born in France in 1786. His childhood coincided with the terrible French revolution. He was devout even as a boy and quietly taught other children their prayers. He would be ordained a priest in 1815 but struggled mightily through seminary and was a poor student. He had a very difficult time with Latin. There was even talk among his superiors if he should be ordained or, if ordained, be allowed to hear confessions. They decided to ordain him but gave him one of the least desirable of assignments: to the little town of Ars. The young priest was told that the faith was all but lost there and so he would have little to do. “Then I have everything to do!”, he exclaimed. Upon arriving in Ars the conditions were as foretold but this good priest knew that the holiness of the people would first need a holy priest and so he took upon himself not only his own seeking of personal holiness but also severe penances for his flock. He fasted continually and only slept a few hours a night, spending most of his time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. |
Mark Miravalle: St. Joseph & the Immaculate Heart, Part III – Mcast S33
Sunday, December 28th, 2008
Marycast Specials #33 ( To ask questions regarding Mary, email Dr Mark Miravalle: marycast@airmaria.com |
Mark Miravalle: St. Joseph & the Immaculate Heart, Part II – Mcast S32
Saturday, December 20th, 2008
Marycast Specials #32 ( To ask questions regarding Mary, email Dr Mark Miravalle: marycast@airmaria.com |
Mark Miravalle: St. Joseph & the Immaculate Heart, Part I – Mcast S31
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
Marycast Specials #31 ( |