Faith & Life

A questionnaire for Apostolic visits at the time of saint Pius X

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 adminFaith & Life

The questionnaire, marked as “confidential” is very detailed and full of questions of all kinds. For example, speaking of the Diocese in general, it asks if sanctuaries exist, how they are administered and how many people flock to them and what advantage they bring to piety and divine worship. Speaking of the people, it asks “whether there is a practice of Christian life in general, with a sentiment of faith and frequency of sacraments; or indifference or external worship and a religious practice of formality reign, without spirit, and without the exercise of the virtues essential to Christianity”.

“God gives you double”

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 adminFaith & Life, World

“My father always taught me that when you help other people, then God will give you double. And that’s what has really happened to me. When I have helped other people who are in need, God has helped me more,” he told ESPN in a 2020 interview.

SEPTEMBER 29: Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 adminFaith & Life

In our times, the custom of reciting the St Michael Prayer after Mass has fallen into disuse. But the custom was recalled by St John Paul II at the Regina Coeli on 24 April 1994: “Although today this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass,” he said, “I ask everyone not to forget it, and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world.”

“Without obedience there is no virtue”- St Padre Pio

September 27, 2021September 27, 2021 adminFaith & Life

Many remembered Padre Pio de Pietrelcina for receiving the stigmata and this is what he is often known for. However, this privilege of sharing the suffering of the Lord was certainly not the greatest legacy he left behind. It was obedience, grounded in patience and trust in Jesus Christ which led to his extraordinary legacy. As he was known for his obedience to God, he did not waver in being obedient to Church authorities as well.

BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (145) What makes a good confessor?

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 adminFaith & Life

“The confessor is not the master of God’s forgiveness, but its servant. The minister of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ (Presbyterorum Ordinis 13). He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior, experience of human affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has fallen; he must love the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and lead the penitent with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must pray and do penance for his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord’s mercy.”

September 20: Saint Pius X, Ernesto Nathan and Ernesto Buonaiuti

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021 adminFaith & Life, World

For most devout Catholics, the date of 20th September, especially at the beginning of the last century, was not a day to celebrate. It was a day that commemorated the end of the temporal power of the Popes, a historical event that took place, which was too overwhelming and heartbreaking at least for most Catholics. In fact, recent historiography has also highlighted the purely anti-Catholic aspect of the Risorgimento, the role of Freemasonry which was certainly not secondary.

Missionaries From Macau to the World: Saint Lazarus Islands (62)

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 adminFaith & Life, World

Investigators Jin Guo Ping and Wu Zhiliang refer us to the Guangdong Tongzhi (Guangdong General Chronicle) by Jin Guangzhu: “On the 5th day of the 8th moon of the 26th year (July 24, 1598) of the Wanli Reign (1573 – 1615), people from Lução suddenly came to anchor in Haojing’ao (Baía de Vieira, Macau), requesting the presentation of tributes. The governor of Guangdong, deeming their entry illegal, decided to expel them. The Portuguese of Macau also reinforced their defense, preventing the landing of the luções.

Christmas day

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 adminFaith & Life

Coming back from school, my son, who is in elementary school, told me: “Dad, today the teacher told us that Jesus was not born on December 25th. That the cold and frost that the Child suffered is all an invention, because the first Christians who celebrated Christmas, took it from an ancient pagan festival …” I have not been able to answer this question. Indeed, this news has shaken me too. Can you tell me something about it?

[Sep 23] ST PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA: From an early age he felt a mystery to himself

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 adminFaith & Life

Padre Pio felt a mystery to himself. When he was prevented from celebrating the Eucharist with the faithful and attending confessions, he confided to someone close: “To take away the ministry of the altar and confessions from a priest means to kill him!”

Usain Bolt, world’s fastest man – “With God all is possible” (2)

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 adminFaith & Life, World

There are the rare rags to riches examples of extraordinary successes to escape from poverty and limited access to good education. Usain Bolt came from a poor small town next to the “bush” in developing Jamaica. He neither had early educational, nor other, privileges, so how did he become a legendary sprinter?