* * *** “Remembrance of the departed, and prayers for them, are tokens of true affection.” (St. Augustine)

— On All Souls’ Day, we remember and pray for beloved family members and friends, and the faithful departed who may yet be waiting for the joy of heaven.

* * ***

— Today’s great feast honors all the saints now in Heaven… those who have been recognized by the Church as well as those who have not been canonized.

* * *** The Order of Penance ~ New!

— This revised ritual edition of The Order of Penance is available for pre-order! (shipping begins January 25, 2023) * First use for priests: February 22 (Ash Wednesday); Mandatory use for priests: April 16 (Divine Mercy Sunday) — Please visit: www.theologicalforum.org/Category/118/Product/636/The_Order_of_Penance

* * *** “Open wide the doors for Christ.” (St. John Paul II)

— A strong defender of the family, St. John Paul II began the tradition of World Youth Day and the World Meeting of Families. He developed many themes during his papacy including, “The Culture of Life,” “The Universal Call to Holiness,” “Christian Marriage and Family Life as the domestic church,” and “Theology of the Body.”

* * ***

— “Letters to My Brother Priests” ~ 20% savings through October 23, 2022! — Includes the complete collection of St. John Paul II’s Holy Thursday letters to priests from 1979 to 2005. Please visit: www.theologicalforum.org/Category/127/

* * *** “… for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

— Inspired author of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke highlights the powerful actions of the Holy Spirit and the universality of the Redemption.

* * *** “Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.” (St. Ignatius to the Romans, Ch. 5)

— St. Ignatius (d. 107) was consecrated Bishop of Antioch and later martyred in Rome under Trajan. Considered one of the great Apostolic Fathers, he wrote a series of letters pertaining to Christology, ecclesiology, and the Sacraments. His name is mentioned in the Roman Canon.

* * ***

— Born in Avila, St. Teresa (1515-1582) was one of the great Spanish mystics and a major figure in the Counter-Reformation. She reformed the Carmelite Order with the help of her friend, St. John of the Cross. Her popular works include The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection.

* * *** (Screwtape to Wormwood, Letter no.4)

— Screwtape counsels Wormwood, that instead of simply tempting a mortal, it’s often more effective to keep the necessary things out… like praying.

* * *** “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42)

— “And indeed in the Rosary… the chief mysteries of our religion follow one another, as they are brought before our mind for contemplation: first of all the mysteries in which the Word was made flesh and Mary, the inviolate Virgin and Mother, performed her maternal duties for Him with a holy joy…” (Magnae Dei […]

catholicprayer