BIG C CATHOLICS

His significant contribution to catechesis is second only to the example for us of his disciplined Christ-centered spirituality, finding in the liturgy, daily prayer and devotion to the heart of Jesus the strength and inspiration to carry out well his countless tasks. — Pope Benedict XVI Prayer for the Intercession of St. Peter Canisius Lord, you gave Saint Peter Canisius wisdom and courage to defend the Catholic faith. By the help of his prayers may all who seek the truth rejoice in finding you, and may all who believe in you be loyal in professing their faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On October 3rd, 2000, a viewer called into EWTN's  Mother Angelica Live program asking whether Catholics were obligated to vote, and if so, "for whom?". In her answer, the late Mother Angelica urges us to vote judiciously in accordance with the teachings of Christ, and expresses her steadfast opposition to the culture of death, which she condemns as unbending and without love: (See video below.) Beginning at 0:50: "I'm not going to vote for candidates. I vote for life. ... I vote for life. Because it's an abomination to God, the culture of death. ... I cannot vote for death. I vote for life. I vote for the God who gave us life and has a right, the only one who has a right, to create life, and call it forth to Himself. The only one! You don't have a right, I don't have a right, nobody has a right to call death on someone God has called to life. If we don't stand for the principles of God, you will be next, because you're getting too old

Detail ,Virgin of the Angels , Adolphe-William Bouguereau, 1881. Blessedness is not a matter of external circumstances or emotion. It is possible to feel blessed even in the midst of great suffering, difficulty and uncertainty. Things also can be "blessed." Jesus once told his disciples, "Blessed are your eyes... Blessed are your ears." Elsewhere in Scripture, we see that patience is a blessed thing. So is trust. So is hope. The Beatitudes include more examples. Advent is a season of blessing. We reflect upon Christ’s Incarnation 2,000 years ago, and how our Savior defeated sin and death, opening up for us the gates of heaven. We are reminded of his Second Coming at the end of time, when He will return as King of the universe. Finally, we prepare during Advent to welcome Christ our "blessed hope" into our hearts. In the words of Fr. René J. Butler, M.S.: "The current translation of the Roman Missal has restored the phrase 'Blessed hope

Saint Peter Canisius entered the Jesuits in the year 1543, at age 22. He worked tirelessly for the renewal of the Church of his time. Part of that was to make sure that there were good Catechisms available to pass on and explain the Faith. The three Catechisms he wrote went through over 200 printings in his lifetime and were translated into 15 languages. Known as "the second Apostle of Germany", he did much to counter the religious errors of the Protestant Reformation. Here are ten quotations from this remarkable saint and Doctor of the Church: If you have too much to do, with God’s help you will find time to do it all. ***  Let my eyes take their sleep, but may my heart always keep watch for you. May your right hand bless your servants who love you. ***  Better that only a few Catholics should be left, staunch and sincere in their religion, than that they should, remaining many, desire as it were, to be in collusion with the Church's enemies and in conform

December 21, 2016 Today we meditate on peace and the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. We pray for greater peace in the world, and especially for an end to abortion -- which is the greatest destroyer of peace. May our leaders respect and protect the life of the unborn who are made in God's image. We pray especially for the leaders in countries where there are concerted efforts to expand abortion. May God touch the hearts of these leaders to stop forevermore the awful scourge of abortion. The Christmas Novena - Day 6  – Peace O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas. (There are two versions of the novena prayer) The Adoration of the Kings O most sweet infant Jesus, who was made known to the three kings, who worshiped you as you lie on Mary’s breast, and offered you the mystical pre

First, there’s a sense of something wholly new. “See, I’m doing something new. Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?” So Isaiah 43:19 declares. Isaiah trembles with excitement at the sense of something wholly new and unexpected. The end of Isaiah 52, which was read for Christmas day mass last year, speaks of nations startled, and kings standing speechless. “They shall see what has not been told them, shall behold what they never heard. A whole new world will come into being – one far removed from the trials, strife, and suffering of ours. It will be a world where swords will be beaten into plows, and the lion will lay down with the lamb.” Second, there is a sense that the whole world has been longing for this thing that is coming, for the Messiah. So, while Isaiah foresaw the coming salvation as something wholly new, it was also something for which the world had been longing. This is especially suggested by recurring images of fresh water being poured out upon or bubbling

December 21st, is the optional memorial of Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597) the 16th century Dutch Jesuit priest and Doctor of the Church, who played a major role in the Council of Trent and the Counter Reformation. His extensive writing in theology and powerful preaching in defense of orthodoxy won him great renown, and the Church innumerable souls. He wrote three definitive Catechisms in the span of four years explicating the Faith. These were tremendously influential, especially to those in Austria, Bavaria, and Bohemia where Catholicism was most under siege. Although claimed by both the Dutch and German Churches, Canisius is designated the second Apostle of Germany (after Saint Boniface of Mainz). He was born in Wijmegen, Holland, to Jacob Canisius and mother Egidia van Houweningen, who died soon after Peter's birth. His father was Burgomaster of the town. While a student at the University of Cologne studying the arts, civil law and theology, he regularly visited the Carth