Our Catholic Life

May 13, 2013

Pope meets with Colombia's President, Juan Manuel Santos

May 13, 2013. (Romereports.com) After celebrating his first canonization ceremony, Pope Francis met with Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos.

“We have to get ready for the photo...it official photo,” said the Pope Francis. They sat down and talked for a bit and the Pope briefly greeted each member of the presidential delegation.

“The mayor of Medellin”

POPE FRANCIS
“I met you the other day.”

“ Could you please bless me?”

As a gift, president Santos gave him two typical items from Colombia, including the book 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' by Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel García Márquez and also a handmade image of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.

“Our laureate, García Márquez. It is the only book with this unique artistic illustration.”

In exchange the Pope gave the president three engraved images of the Vatican.

After the meeting, the Colombian President met with the press in the nearby street of Via della Conciliazione, as many onlookers stopped to take a look. He said they talked about how both States are working to achieve peace in Colombia.

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS
Colombian President
“We spoke about peace. About the need to be victorious in the pursuit of peace. The Holy Father told me 'Only the brave insist that these type of goals be accomplished. They come at a cost, but they are worthwhile.”

The President also invited the Pope to visit Colombia. But the Pope told him that at least this year, he only expects to visit Brazil during World Youth Day.

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS
Colombian President
“He has to chose the countries he visits very carefully. Being from Latin American I think he's inclined to visit that part of the world, which I perfectly understand. He also told me he likes to travel a lot. So at least for now, his only scheduled trip to Latin America will be to Brazil.”

Given the fact that the Pope is a big soccer fan, both leaders also talked about Argentina's San Lorenzo team.

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS
Colombian President
“He reminded me that he is a San Lorenzo fan. I told him about the two Colombian stars, Córdoba and 'Cayman' Sanchez who were San Lorenzo players. The conversation was great. It was very exciting.”

Towards the end of their meeting, the Pope encouraged the President to promote a spirit of peace and unity in Colombia.

April 22, 2013

Ask Jesus what he wants and be brave, Pope tells youth

Just after ordaining 10 men to the priesthood, Pope Francis called on young Catholics to ask Jesus “what he wants from you and be brave!”

“There are many young people today, here in the square. Let me ask this: have you sometimes heard the voice of the Lord through a desire, restlessness, inviting you to follow him more closely? Have you had any desire to be apostles of Jesus?” Pope Francis asked the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

He urged the youth present in the square for the April 21 Regina Caeli prayers to strive for high ideals. “Ask Jesus what he wants from you and be brave!” he exclaimed.

Pope Francis also encouraged people to pray for those who are discerning their vocation and wondering what God’s will is for their lives.

“Behind and before every vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life,” he said, “there is always strong and intense prayer from someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a community ... .”

“Vocations are born in prayer and prayer, and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit,” he remarked.

Pope Francis made his remarks after having ordained 10 men as priests for the Diocese of Rome in St. Peter’s Basilica, a celebration that coincided with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which was created by Pope Paul VI.

In his remarks before reciting the Regina Caeli prayer, he emphasized the importance of the day and asked for prayers for the new priests.

He finished his words by invoking the intercession of Mary, that she would “help us to know better the voice of Jesus and to follow her to walk in the way of life.”

Source

April 16, 2013

1 Year Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my Confirmation.
+++
April 16, 2012 - April 16, 2013

Confirmation Prayer
By Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M

Thanks be unto Thee, O my God, for all Thy infinite goodness, and, especially, for the love Thou hast shown unto me at my Confirmation.
I Give Thee thanks that Thou didst then send down Thy Holy Spirit unto my soul with all His gifts and graces.
May He take full possession of me for ever.
May His Divine unction cause my face to shine.
May His heavenly wisdom reign in my heart.
May His understanding enlighten my darkness.
May His counsel guide me.
May His knowledge instruct me.
May His piety make me fervent.
May His Divine fear keep me from all evil.
Drive from my soul, O Lord, all that may defile it.
Give me grace to be Thy faithful soldier, that having fought the good fight of faith, I may be brought to the crown of everlasting life, through the merits of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Mother Mary Rose Thérèse, S.R. & St. Thomas Aquinas

Pray for us

April 12, 2013

Santa Teresa de los Andes

"The more we love, the more we need sacrifice and the more we ardently desire it" (Letter 121).

+++

Born: July 13, 1900 Santiago, Chile

Died: April 12, 1920 (aged 19) at the Carmelite monastery in the township of Los Andes, Chile

Beatified: April 3, 1987, Santiago, Chile by Pope John Paul II

Canonized: March 21, 1993, Rome by Pope John Paul II

Because Teresa died at nineteen, she is a particularly attractive model of holiness for young people. She shows them where true happiness lies: God is infinite joy!

Opening prayer of the proper mass of Saint Teresa de Los Andes:

God of mercy, joy of the saints, you set the youthful heart of Saint Teresa ablaze with the fire of virginal love for Christ and for his Church; and even in suffering you made her a cheerful witness to charity.
Through her intercession, fill us with the delights of your Spirit, so that we may proclaim by word and deed the joyful message of your love to the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and for ever.

Amen.

Juanita at the age of 18

Santa Teresa de los Andes :: Ruega Por Nosotros

April 4, 2013

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} :: Easter Edition

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life.

{pretty}

Taken before Easter Vigil Mass

{happy}

At church before Easter Vigil

{funny}

{real}

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more memories!

March 19, 2013

Pope descends Popemobile to bless disabled man before Inaugural Mass

A look at Pope Francis' schedule for next few months

March 17, 2013. (Romereports.com) For now, Pope Francis will inherit the schedule Benedict XVI had lined up before his resignation. That includes World Youth Day in Rio, Brazil. It will take place in July 2013 and about 2 million youths are expected.

The Pope is scheduled to arrive on Monday July 22nd and leave on Sunday 28th. He'll have to decide if he will visit other Latin American countries on this trip. Argentina is of course a favorite, although he could also consider Colombia, Mexico and Panama.

A canonization ceremony, where blesseds will be declared Saints, is scheduled for May 12th where hundreds will be “elevated to the altars.” They include 800 martyrs from Otranto (Italy) who were assassinated in the year 1480, because of their faith. In addition other two Canonizations will take place. These include Colombian Madre Laura and Mexican nun Madre Lupita.

Pope Francis will continue the theme of the Year of Faith, throughout 2013. There are many events arranged with this very theme. For example, on June 15th, the Vatican will have a World Congress for the Defense of Life, which defends life from conception until natural death.

On May 18th a meeting will be held in St. Peter's Square with the heads of different Catholic movements. These religious groups, offer a concrete way of living the faith, which attracts millions of people through out the world. Among some of the most popular are Focolari Movement, Communion and Liberation and the Charismatic Renewal.

On June 2nd, Pope Francis will participate in Eucharistic Adoration, which for the first time in history will be televised live throughout the world. Then on October 26th and 27th, thousands of families will go to Rome to reflect on how the faith can help them with common every day challenges.

In June the Pope will have the first meeting with all his “Nuncios.” The goal is to fully understand the unique task of representing the Pope who is both a political and religious leader.

The new Pope will surely update his schedule as time goes on, perhaps adding more audiences and meetings. During the last years of the Pontificate Benedict XVI, had to reduce the number of events and activities because of his age.