BIG C CATHOLICS

When Saint Monica was praying for her son's conversion, she prayed, fasted, and asked clergy to talk with him. They assured her it was useless after so many years. It turns out that nothing Is impossible with God. St. Monica's prayers made a difference, and eventually, her son, St. Augustine, converted. Her husband and mother-in-law, who were both pagan, also converted because of her prayers and example. Today, let us pray for peace; peace between nations, peace between people, and within families. Day 1 - The St. Monica Novena Dear Saint Monica, you were once the mournful mother of a prodigal son. Your faithfulness to prayer brought you and your son so close to God that you are now with him in eternity. By your intercession and God’s grace, your son St. Augustine became a great and venerable Saint of the Church. Please take my request to God with the same fervor and persistence with which you prayed for your son. (Mention your intentions here) With your needs, worri

The Crucifixion of Saint Peter , Caravaggio, 1600-01.  [Christ said unto them] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you . — John 15:20 The word martyr derives from the Greek word meaning "witness." A martyr is one who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his Faith. The one thing all martyrs for Christ share is that they would rather die than lie. Despite being crucified, stabbed, stoned, dragged, skinned and burned, every Apostle of Jesus (save Judas) proclaimed the truth of Christ’s Resurrection until their last breath. In refusing to abandon their beliefs in the face of vicious persecution, today’s Christian martyrs give their lives to grow the Church. The Holy Father has said , "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church… It is true that during the times of Nero many Christians were persecuted, and today there are just as many." Francis explained the role martyrs play as witnesses: "We know that there is no growth without the

The Saint Monica novena for those who have fallen away from the Church starts August 18th. St. Monica is most known for her intercessory prayers on behalf of individuals that have abandoned the Faith, as she prayed for the conversion of her son, the great Doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine of Hippo, for 15 years. What we know of St. Monica comes almost entirely from the writings of St. Augustine. Their relationship was close, especially in Monica's final years. One episode from her childhood suggests the origin of her fortitude. She was occasionally sent to the cellar to draw wine for the family, and fell into the habit of taking secret drinks. Before long she was consuming large amounts. One day a family slave caught her. So great was her shame, she gave up the habit. A short time later, Monica was baptized. Afterward, she led a life of irreproachable virtue. St. Monica is also the patron saint of alcoholics, married women, mothers, wives, and difficult marriages. Clic

Father George Rutler, pastor of St. Michael's church in New York City, has written a commentary on the martyrdom of French priest, Father Jacques Hamel, at the hands of ISIS terrorists. In " Tolerating Terror ", Fr. Rutler examines the "paradox in the way the self-styled Age of Reason exploded in a Reign of Terror." He takes issue with Pope Francis' remarks equating the present day radical Islamists' Jihad with acts of domestic violence perpetrated by Catholics. From the article: "The slaying of Father Jacques Hamel at the altar of the church of Saint Etienne-de Rouvray in Normandy should be the envy of every priest: to die at Mass, the holiest hour of the world. The president of France was heartfelt in his mourning, but Monsieur Hollande was also historically remiss when he said: 'To attack a church, to kill a priest, is to profane the republic.' He spoke from the comfortable remove of the Fifth Republic, which would not exist were it

Warning: The following is truly stomach turning. In April, we told you that a Satanic group is set to verse a "black mass"  at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall this August. Now, the satanist behind it claims the event is meant to be educational . "Part of our religion is to have our God attack other gods." He explained that followers of Ahriman will destroy a blood drenched statue of the Virgin Mary, then consume a pig heart inside it. (Mortified? Then pray this !) In light of such ever increasing demonic activity let us never forget God's words found in Sacred Scripture. He tells us that: In the face of this… We should remember this… Christ triumphs over Satan. CCC §566 Instances of demonic manifestation in society are now commonplace as more and more people do Satan's bidding. You may recall this from last summer: Hundreds of people attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Detroit on Saturday to protest the debut

August 16th, is the Optional Memorial of Saint Stephen, (977-1038) the first King of Hungary. He was born the son of Duke Geza, a Magyar chieftain, and Duchess Sarolt. Two years before his birth, his mother received a vision in which the Church's first martyr, Saint Stephen, revealed to her that she would bear a son who would bring the Good News to Hungary and evangelize its people. Like his parents before him, Stephen was baptized by Saint Adalbert. He married the daughter of Duke Henry II in 996. A year later, he succeeded his father as leader. Stephen devoted much of his reign to the promotion of the Christian faith. He gave his patronage to Church leaders, constructed numerous churches, and was a proponent of the rights of the Holy See. He successfully repelled the pagan counter reaction to Christianity, converting the large pagan population. Greatly devoted to the Blessed Mother, Stephen had several churches built in her honor both in and outside of Hungary. In recognition

August 15, 2016 On November 1, 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution  Munificentissimus Deus , Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church. The doctrine of the Assumption solemnly states that at the end of her earthly life Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Contrary to popular perception, Our Lady did not "ascend" into heaven. Only Christ ascended into heaven under his own power. Mary was taken up into heaven by God. In celebrating her most glorious Assumption, we ask Mary to help us live with faith and hope, seeking God's will in all things. May she enlighten our minds on the destiny that awaits us, the dignity of every person, and God’s immense love for humanity. Giving birth to the Savior O Theotokos, you kept and preserved your virginity; and in falling-asleep you have not forsaken the world; for you were protected from sin, being the Mother of Life. Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, t