BIG C CATHOLICS

St. Scholastica, like her brother, [St Benedict of Nursia] dedicated herself to God from early youth. Information on the virgin Scholastica is very scanty. In his Second Book of Dialogues (Ch. 33 and 34) Pope St. Gregory has described for us the last meeting between brother and sister: "His sister Scholastica, who had been consecrated to God in early childhood, used to visit with him once a year. On these occasions he would go to meet her in a house belonging to the monastery a short distance from the entrance. For this particular visit he joined her there with a few of his disciples and they spent the whole day singing God's praises and conversing about the spiritual life. "When darkness was setting in they took their meal together and continued their conversation at table until it was quite late. Then the holy nun said to him, 'Please do not leave me tonight, brother. Let us keep on talking about the joys of heaven till morning.' ‘What are you saying, sis

February 10, 2017 As we move closer to the season of Lent, let's pray that we may be healed of any lingering temptations and our attachment to sin, especially the ones we struggle with the most. Let us seek the chance to confess our sins, and to, "sin no more." Day 9 - The Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Immaculate Mother, give us what your motherly heart sees we need. Our Lady of Lourdes, we come to you like little Bernadette at the grotto. We pray with childlike trust in you. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, when you appeared in Lourdes, you made it a holy sanctuary where many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. We pray with confidence for your holy intercession. (State your intentions here) Holy Mother of the Rosary, we feel confident that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard by God. Immaculate Mother, show us your mercy, O Mother of God. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never

On February 10th, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Scholastica (c. 480 – 547), the sixth century nun and twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. In possession of numerous spiritual gifts, as a young girl, she dedicated her life and her virginity to God. What little we know about her comes from Saint Gregory the Great's Dialogues , (Chapters 33 and 34) in passages concerning Benedict. Once a year, she would visit her brother and together, they would spend the day praying, reading Sacred Scripture and discussing issues. She is the foundress of the women's Order of Benedictine Monasticism. The two siblings were born to a wealthy Roman noble family in Nursia, Italy, around the year 480. Their mother Claudia, died at their birth. When Benedict left to pursue his studies in Rome, Scholastica remained behind. It was customary for a young Roman woman of Scholastica's standing to reside with her family until marriage or her entrance into religious life. Accounts diff

February 9, 2017 When Our Lady appeared to Bernadette as a young girl, Bernadette did not have a good education or catechesis. But what she did have was more important: she was part of a faithful family. She was the product of a strong, "Domestic Church." Today, we pray for all families; that they may foster the faith in every family member, and lead one another closer to Christ.  Day 8 - The Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Immaculate Mother, fill our hearts with love for Jesus and for you. Our Lady of Lourdes, we come to you like little Bernadette at the grotto. We pray with childlike trust in you. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, when you appeared in Lourdes, you made it a holy sanctuary where many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. We pray with confidence for your holy intercession. (State your intentions here) Holy Mother of the Rosary, we feel confident that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously he

Saint Teresa of Calcutta once observed, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." One of the leading actresses of the mid-20th century understood this well. At the age of 18, Jane Russell became pregnant while dating her high school sweetheart. Russell's abortion left her infertile and for the remainder of her life she believed that abortion was wrong under any circumstances, even rape or incest. She described the experience: The only solution was to find a quack and get an abortion. I had a botched abortion and it was terrible. Afterwards my own doctor said, 'What butcher did this to you?'. I had to be taken to hospital. I was so ill I nearly died. I've never known pain like it. Note that Ms. Russell said "The only solution was to... get an abortion." Abortion is never a solution. In fact, abortion causes immense physical and emotional damage beginning with the taking of an innocent life. The actress

O Lord, if I could fly to my people and tell them of your Goodness at the top of my voice: oh, how many souls would be won!  *** I have given everything to my Master: He will take care of me… The best thing for us is not what we consider best, but what the Lord wants of us! *** Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself, ‘Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?’ I felt a great desire to see him, to know him and to pay him homage.   *** I received the Sacrament of Baptism with such joy that only angels could describe…  *** If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today… *** The Lord has loved me so much: we must love everyone… we must be compassionate! *** Mary protected me even before I knew her! *** When a person loves another dearly, he desires strongly to be close to the other: the

February 8, 2017 Today, we pray through Our Lady of Lourdes' intercession for those who have become lukewarm in their faith. We solemnly ask that their faith, hope and love of our Lord will be renewed through Our Lady's most benevolent intercession.  Day 7 - The Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Immaculate Mother, shower us with the love of your pure heart. Our Lady of Lourdes, we come to you like little Bernadette at the grotto. We pray with childlike trust in you. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, when you appeared in Lourdes, you made it a holy sanctuary where many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. We pray with confidence for your holy intercession. (State your intentions here) Holy Mother of the Rosary, we feel confident that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard by God. Immaculate Mother, show us your mercy, O Mother of God. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that