Corpus Christi Special: Possible 2013 Eucharistic Miracle in Poland?

Raphael [Public domain]

Papal Pages

Pope Francis celebrated his birthday last Wednesday, December 17, and I'm personally fulfilled since we reached 49,000 hits on that day.  In this season of giving, I'm giving thanks and I know to whom.  Alam mo yun.  Birthday niya sa 25.

And since the Pope is arriving on January 15, twenty years to the day Pope St. John Paul II went to Manila for World Youth Day, I'm jumping only once on this wagon and that's to lead you to the official website of Pope Francis' trip to the Philippines, papalvisit.ph.  The latest news and press briefings are there to keep you informed on His Holiness' visit.  

Archbishop Socrates Villegas also suggested as preparation for the papal visit to give ourselves this opportunity to go to the sacraments of confession and then the Eucharist.

Sources:
Schneible, A. Tea and Cake for Pope Francis as He Celebrates 78th Birthday. Catholic News Agency. web. December 19, 2014

One-on-One Time with Jesus

View image | gettyimages.com

Fr. C. John McCloskey invites us to the sacrament of confession in this article I'm sharing.  He actually broadens the goal for us that confession is just the wrapper for the gift that God has for us which is Himself in the Eucharist.  Fr. McCloskey says that most people whom he had spoken to who converted or reverted to the Faith really wanted their sins pardoned because they were looking for Christ afterwards in communion since they are in the state of grace already.  

For the Serious Catholic Guy, a Multi-Tools Concept

I've read this a while back and it still seems to be relevant when our lives are getting filled up with various things and moments.  A checklist is one.  If you're the organized type, a checklist is like tiramisu for those really into cake and coffee.  The checklist prioritizes the day or the week and at least it makes you finish what you started and return you to those things that need more attention, and in some cases sadly its prayer time.  

However, J. Q. Tomanek's article on Multi-tools made him unpack his pockets and, viola, he has the important Catholic sacramentals like the scapular and that ten-beaded rosary ring.  I have something like that too.  It's very handy during traffic and when you're waiting for friends who said they would arrive at a certain time only to arrive an hour later.  Yes, we all know that familiar friend, tardiness.  At the time, I could say at least I was training my virtue of patience with Mary's help.

He also has the Leatherman multi-tool: pliers, knife and screwdriver in one stainless steel thingamajig.  It's interesting though that he writes that it's "the most Catholic tool."

Tomanek elaborated it this way:

"It is the most Catholic because of its multi-functions.  The Church is universal and is the fulfillment of all places and times.  You need some forgiveness, open the confessional door.  How about some food for the journey?  We have Holy Communion.  Need to find a friend that has gone through similar trials to you?  The Lives of the Saints just about covers it all.  Can’t find your keys?  We gotcha covered.  If your spirituality is not Franciscan, we have Dominican, Trappist, Jesuit, Carmelite, Communion and Liberation, Carthusian, Opus Dei, or Missionaries of Charity, and many more."

Forgiveness is found at a sacrament.  Spiritual nourishment is found at a sacrament.  The Church has seven, yes, seven sacraments necessary in key moments of our lives to dispense much needed grace and its much to be grateful for.

What's in my pockets?  I'll only show them to my friend, tardiness.