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40 Days of Prayer for Healing

40DaysOfPrayerforHealing

I, like many Catholics around the US and the world, have been shocked and horrified to learn details of abuse at the hands of clergy over the past seven decades in Pennsylvania. Stunned to silence was my first reaction. Numb. Then the reality of it all, the placing myself into the heads and hearts of the victims whose voice was silenced caused a visceral reaction. I found myself unable to eat as the stress of it all bubbled to the top. I was stirred to do something and decided to forgo our seven year anniversary giveaway on August 18, instead focusing on creating a prayer campaign on a wing and a prayer the day before it would start. I don’t have eloquent words that soothe the aching heart. I’m heartbroken for the victims. What I am going to do is share some poignant words by a bishop and former priest of one of my childhood parishes in Austin, Texas. Below, you will find his letter, followed by a prayer, then the list of petitions, graphics, and concluding prayers. Readers and fans alike have full permission to use and share the graphics and petitions on their social media. 

40 Days of Prayer for Healing

PRAYER

by Richard Cardinal Cushing

O Almighty Eternal God our Father, 

look upon the face of Your Son, 

and for love of Him Who is the Eternal High Priest,

have pity on Your priests.

Remember, O most compassionate God,

that they are but weak and frail human beings.

Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them,

so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy

of their sublime vocation. Amen.

THE PETITIONS

40 Days of Prayer for Healing – August 18 – September 26

Day 1: For all victims of abuse, especially those who have been hurt by the Church and her ministers.
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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #PrayForTheCatholicChurch #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 2: Lord, we give you great thanks that you have called many out of silence to name the hidden abuse.
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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 3: For victims who have been traumatized by sexual abuse – may God protect and free you from further abuse, and heal your wounds.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 4: For victims who have yet to come forward – that they will find that inner courage to reach out, call for help, and find a community of support where they can begin to heal.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 5: For those who have been sexually abused and who do not know how to find words to name their pain or a way into the future.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 6: For all who have been sexually assaulted, and for whom these scandals are opening up old wounds. May you find comfort in Jesus in the Eucharist – Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 7: For victims of abuse – that they know their suffering is not a punishment from God.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 8: For the laity – help us, too, to be instruments of your peace and to assist the victims of sexual abuse and their families and support them as they move toward a better future.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 9: Lord, we trust that your light will outshine any doubt, despair, or hurt experienced by these victims of sexual abuse. Bring them through these trials to the kindness and goodness they justly deserve.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 10: For a call to conversion, reparation, and purification from within the Church from all evils.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 11: We pray that the Spirit of Wisdom enlightens people to put an end to acts of violence and abuse.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 12: For our parish communities (especially those most deeply affected by these scandals and crimes) – that we become as compassionate and sensitive toward these victims as Jesus would be.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 13: We pray for people who have been abused whether physically, mentally, emotionally or sexually
that the Lord of all tenderness and compassion will restore them and give them peace.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 14: For our parish communities – that we might not judge these victims but offer them the support they need to be free from this abuse.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 15: For right and healthy relationships that can overcome abuse in all its forms.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 16: Let us pray for all in the Church, both laity and clergy, whose faith has been shaken by the abuse scandals.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 17: God of compassion and love we ask you to heal the families and friends of those who have been abused. May Mary, the mother of your son, protect and comfort them.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 18: Help us to hear their cries of pain and to take responsibility for so many broken lives.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 19: For healing professionals who minister to those who suffer from violence and abuse, that God would give them the necessary strength, wisdom, and compassion in their ministry, we pray to the Lord…

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 20: We pray that within their communities and families, victims may find understanding and support so that with the help of your grace their wounds may be healed, and they may again know peace.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 21: Let us pray for forgiveness for the crimes and sins of sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse perpetrated by clergy and servants of the Church against children and young people.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 22: For our priests be faithful to their vocation.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 23: God of compassion and love, we pray for healing and peace for all those who have been abused and whose suffering is ongoing.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 24: For priests who are weak; strengthen them, O Lord.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 25: For your faithful and fervent priests.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 26: “Suffer the little children to come unto me”, we pray that your Church may be a secure home where all children and vulnerable adults are brought closer to your Beloved Son.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 27: God of compassion and love help us to cherish, respect and protect the young and the vulnerable at all times.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 28: For your tempted priests.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 29: God of compassion and love we ask your forgiveness for the deaf ears, the blind eyes and the hard hearts of those in authority in your Church.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 30: May the hands of our priests know only how to bless.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 31: For priestly renewed commitment to rightly ordered sexuality through the virtue of chastity.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 32: For Your unfaithful and tepid priests.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 33: Let us pray for forgiveness for all those in authority in the Church who failed to respond as good shepherds to those abused by priests and religious.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 34: Let us pray that we may be a community that actively cares for and protects children and vulnerable members of our society.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 35: For the perpetrators of sexual abuse – that they would stop their abuse immediately, seek professional help, and call down God’s grace to overcome their sinful actions.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 36: God of compassion and love heal the hearts of all those in our Church who have been saddened and whose faith has been shaken by the abuse scandals.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 37: Let us pray for the survivors of abuse who have been psychologically harmed and spiritually damaged by people claiming to be followers of your Son.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 38: For the perpetrators of sexual abuse, may they know God’s love and seek help for conversion and healing.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 39: Lord, we are so sorry for what some of us did to Your children: treated them so cruelly, especially in their hour of need. We have left them with a lifelong suffering. This was not Your plan for them or us. Please help us to help them. Guide us, Lord. Amen.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

Day 40: God our rock and our strength on whom we lean, help us to create an atmosphere of trust which allows the unspeakable to be said. Help us to live with our painful memories. May we support each other and be safe places for each other. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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This petition is part of the prayer campaign 40 Days of Prayer for Healing by Catholic Sistas, and in response to the decades-long abuse of over 1000 victims by over 300 priests in the state of Pennsylvania.
#PrayForTheCatholicChurch #40DaysOfPrayerForHealing #Catholic //full permission given to repost//

LINKS TO PETITIONS AND GRAPHICS

I have saved the graphics and petitions to a dropbox folder. Please click here to download and use however you see fit.

THE GRAPHICS

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Dear God, we ask You to help all those who suffer from abuse. Help them find healing and peace in their life. May Maria Goretti who was strengthened by Your Grace join with us in prayer for healing of all victims of abuse, particularly those abused as children or young adults. Grant us Your Love that we might reach out to them in Your Name with hope in times of trial. As Maria prayed for her attacker, grant us the grace to pray for the true conversion of all involved with the abuse, that they might seek Your Mercy through prayer and penance. Loving God, pour into our hearts and lives Your healing Spirit, that the sacredness of every human person might be respected and protected as the precious image of God. Help us to live in the peace which Maria Goretti had found in Christ and in the love of his mother Mary.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Categories
7 Quick Takes Campaigns Current Events Faith Formation HHS mandate Ink Slingers Kerri Marriage Matrimony Our Favorite Things Pope Prayer Prayer Campaign Priesthood Sacraments Vocations

7 Quick Takes Friday, no. 16: Prayer Intentions

The most important thing we can do as Catholics is pray. I’m sure we have all seen examples of the amazing power of prayer in our lives or the lives of others. With this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to highlight the intentions we Catholic Sistas currently have high on our list. We invite you to pray with us on many of these matters and to add your own intentions in the comments or to our Prayer Requests page. Here are our seven high-priority prayer intentions, in no particular order.

–1–

40 Days of Prayer for Conscience

There are two very pressing, current event prayer requests that are on all the Sistas’ minds. The first of these is the HHS Mandate that will go into effect August 1, 2013, which will force institutions and businesses that morally object to contraceptives and abortion to provide these things to all employees. This includes Catholic dioceses, schools, and hospitals. We’re praying our bishops will stay strong against the mandate and not be bullied into providing goods and services that our faith teaches are wrong. We hope you’re joining us for this 40 Days for Conscience Prayer Campaign that began July 1. We need everyone to pray. Follow our Facebook fan page to get the daily prayers.

Today’s prayer:

 

–2–

The Abortion Bill in Texas

The second pressing, current event on all our minds is the abortion bill in Texas, that would outlaw abortions past 20 weeks gestation. We happen to have several Sistas in Texas and many are in the Austin area. We are praying for their safety as they attend sessions at their state capitol, as well as praying for passage of this bill. To learn more, please check out these links and please join your prayers with ours.

Protect Babies and Women — Stand with Pro-Life Texas by Birgit

For Pro-Choicers: What Does the Texas Bill REALLY Say by Kerri

Word-FILLED Wednesday: They Chanted Hail Satan by Martina

–3–

CS Prayer Requests: General Intentions, Homeward Bound, Teardrops, Heavenly Ambassadors

If you haven’t noticed, at the top of our page there is a link titled, “Prayer Requests.” Click on that link and it will bring you to a form where you can submit a prayer request for all of us to pray for. We keep four lists and post them in our private group for our members to pray over. These intentions include:

General Intentions: Anything on your heart

Homeward Bound: For Christian friends and family we’d like to see come home to the Catholic Church

Teardrops: For those who have lapsed from the Catholic faith

Heavenly Ambassadors: For children who have returned to our Heavenly Father through miscarriage, stillbirth, or death at any age.

 –4–

Marriage

Praying for our marriages and those of our friends is always high on the priority list for us. Even those who aren’t married are praying for their future husbands. Praying for marriages (plural) in a much broader sense has taken on much more meaning of late due to the recent Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. Marriage is under attack in our country and we need to pray. We even had a recent prayer campaign for sacred matrimony in anticipation of the attacks on marriage we were all feeling. We have a great resource list here and you can see our prayer intentions here. Please pray for our individual marriages, those of friends and family, and for the strengthening of all marriages between one man and one woman.

–5–

All Priests and Religious

Pray for our priests and religious. They need our prayers! They are always in our prayers. Our priests have difficult jobs and both priests and religious live a very counter-cultural lives. They need our prayers to stay strong in their vocations. We also need to continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Please add your prayers to ours and don’t neglect this important intention.

 –6–

Our Pope

The Pope always has the prayers of the Catholic Sistas. We hope he has your prayers too. Pray for our Pope to be a light to the world, to always be open to the Holy Spirit, and to keep the Church strong and united.

 –7–

Holy Mother Church

It goes without saying that praying for Holy Mother Church is on all our prayer lists. We hope it is on yours, too. As the Church experiences more attacks across the world, we must pray for strength for all Her people.

Thanks to Jen F. for hosting the weekly Quick Takes. Check out her blog, Conversion Diary, for more Quick Takes posts from across the blogosphere.

Categories
Abortion Campaigns Fasting Fatherhood Ink Slingers Martina Mary Motherhood Offering your suffering Parenting Prayer Prayer Campaign Respect Life Respect Life Month Saints Vocations

Word-FILLED Wednesday: They Chanted HAIL SATAN

Ah, the raging liberal stereotypes were alive and well at the Capitol in Austin, Texas yesterday {and the day before} in response to the second session called by Governor Rick Perry. Now currently named HB2, the new bill is identical to the bill SB5 that mob, Cecile Richards, and Mizunos killed last week. As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin myself, I understand the behavior I witnessed last night all too well. I would have simply called it a Tuesday on the south mall at UT. Mobs and rage and irrational anger are part and parcel to the UT scene. These are the people that Cecile wants representing her cause, the destruction of the unborn under the guise of “women’s health,” carried out by women who have bought the lie that in order to be equal to men, they need to shed their uteruses.

But, if you pay people, I guess you can’t complain who shows up.

Another Craigslist ad was removed, but the text read: Craigslist Ad
Posted: 2013-06-29, 1:13PM CDT
Stand with Pro-Choice Texas: Leadership Positions to Ensure Healthcare
Building Organizations. Winning Elections. Developing Leaders.
$1300-$2200/Month
Apply Online Now: or by Phone: 512-994-1010
Salaried positions available immediately. Run a campaign office
Click here to read more about Grassroots Campaigns and our work. If you clink on the link for “Salaried positions” you will read this:
“Grassroots Campaigns is a progressive organization that specializes in running face-to-face campaigns for political parties, candidates, and advocacy groups. By running campaigns on behalf of groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Democratic National Committee, the Nature Conservancy and Oxfam America we can focus on building up their membership and base of support.”
Keywords: campaign, student, politics, non profit, college, rights, equality, environment, women, gender
Compensation: $1300-$2200/Month
This is at a non-profit organization.

Hail Satan was heard behind those giving witness to life – you can hear them here. Hail Satan even trended on Twitter last night, too.

Here is a small snapshot into the past two days at the Capitol in Austin.

Pray, friends. It’s about to get more intense in Texas.

Pray for hearts to be pierced by the love that only comes from God.

And pray for State Representative Jonathan Strickland and his family who were

threatened by pro-choicers who told him “I hope you’re raped” and “I hope your daughter’s raped.”

Many feminists insist that abortion is necessary for women to participate freely and equally in society. Anyone who disagrees, they argue, has merely adopted patriarchal standards and accepted women’s ‘place’ in society. Yet this argument demonstrates how deeply the roots of sexism run in our culture. Its premise is a sexist one—that women are inferior to men and that in order to be equal, we have to change our biology to become like men—wombless and unpregnant at will. What other oppressed group in history has had to undergo surgery in order to be equal?

The opposition were so flustered that TEXAS BLUE showed up on Tuesday at the correct time, that they pouted and

whined in the Twittersphere and created an embarrassing tactic against anyone wearing blue.

Fetology is the study of, diagnosis and treatment of a human fetus as a separate patient.

Read those words again. Separate Patient. Fetology didn’t exist in 1973 when Roe vs. Wade decision was made.

What’s beneath the surface level mantras? Watch the video and see.

An airplane with the message “STANDWITHWENDY”

Eyewitness account: I want to share my story from the rally on 7/1. I went to the Capitol grounds, found a shaded place on the sidewalk, and knelt down and started praying the rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. As I was praying, a women in orange came up to me and started to hassle me and tried to give me a metal clothes hanger. I ignored her and a courageous man came to my defense and she backed off.
However, what I found most disturbing was a man telling a mother of 3 (in the presence of her children), “Why don’t you put pictures of dead women who died from botched abortions in back alleyways?!” His tone was full of anger and hate. All the mother was doing was putting together a sign for her and her children to carry around in support of life. I was so inspired by this mother and her 3 children.
Those who understand how the process goes, know that you have to be prepared to drop everything and head to the Capitol once information is known. Originally planned to show up at noon on July 2, news changed abruptly and folks needed to get down there at 9 a.m. – on short notice, TEXAS BLUE folks made the trek to register their presence and sign up to give testimony.

If the fetus you save is gay, would you still fight for it?
Yes.

 

Here is video of what it sounded last night just before we left.

To keep up to date with what’s going on, please visit Texas Alliance for Life’s Facebook fan page. #Stand4Life, y’all!

SOUND OFF: If you were there, what was your experience like? Share with us, TEXAS blue!

Categories
Abortion Alessandra Campaigns Fasting HHS mandate I have a say campaign Ink Slingers Martina NFP and contraceptives Novenas Offering your suffering Prayer Prayer Campaign Rosary Sacred Scripture

40 Days for Conscience: July 1st to August 9th

Click to download and use as your profile pic
Click to download and use as your profile pic

Consciences formed in accord with Holy Mother Church, the Church that Christ Himself established, do not support HHS! From July 1st to August 9th, join Catholic Sistas in the next prayer campaign, 40 Days for Conscience.

As you may know, the deadline for our bishops to violate their consciences or face undue tax burden, lose their tax-exempt status and possibly end up in jail is August 1. If ever there was a time to fervently pray for the continued united voices of our bishops in the United States, now is it. We need you to commit to join us in prayer. Please join us by participating with us on Instagram and Facebook, where we will be conducting the campaign. Each day a new petition will be unveiled, giving you a new petition to pray with us for the day. 

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on January 20 that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.In so ruling, the Administration has seemingly ignored the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. As a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics must be prepared either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens because of their religious beliefs. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. All that has been built up over so many years in our Catholic institutions should not be taken away by the stroke of an administrator’s pen. This order reduces the Church to a private club, destroying her public mission in society. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same.”  ~ Cardinal George

Encyclicals and Church Documents that support Freedom of Conscience:

What else can I do?

Join the USCCB in their Fortnight for Freedom starting June 21-July 4.

Review the USCCB’s fact sheet.

Send an e-mail to Congress.

Read comments by the USCCB in response to the latest mandate rule.

Text FREEDOM to 377377 to get the latest updates from the USCCB.

Ask St. Thomas More to intercede for us, as he is the patron saint of religious freedom.

Watch these videos on religious liberty.

Read 12 Things Everyone Should Know about The Contraceptive Mandate.

Read what the Church really teaches about Love and Sexuality.

Read up on HHS Mandate Legal Resources.

Add this to your daily prayers:

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

“I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history.” ~ Cardinal George

“We must promote religious liberty for all people. Every man and woman must be free to profess his or her faith, whatever it may be. Why? Because that man and that woman are children of God.” – Pope Francis 

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10 Facts About Sacred Matrimony

Matrimony is the Sacrament which makes a Christian man and a Christian woman husband and wife.  Holy Mother Church, in Her infinite wisdom teaches and guides us to a happy, healthy, and holy marriage.  These are not meant to be restrictive but, instead, to allow freedom and healthy lives for the faithful.  The Catholic Church also has requirements before Catholics can be considered validly married in the eyes of the Church.

A valid Catholic marriage results from four elements:
(1) the spouses are free to marry;
(2) they freely exchange their consent;
(3) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; and
(4) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister.

According to Canon Law code 1065, before marriage the couple should be involved with the Diocesan marriage prep procedure, and it is during or prior this time that the would-be spouses are Confirmed, if they have not previously received confirmation and it can be done without grave inconvenience.

1.  God instituted Matrimony for the special purpose of entrusting to the married couple the privilege of cooperating with Him in the generation of children and of caring for the souls and bodies of their children.  “May both she and her husband see their children’s children and live on to a happy old age, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.”  ~ The Nuptial Mass Blessing.  As stated in Mark 10:14, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.”  So it is a grievous sin for the married couple to prevent God’s special purpose of Matrimony.  The Sacrament of Matrimony gives husband and wife the gace to be faithful to each other and to bring up their children in the love and fear of God.

2.  The true marriage of Christians is always a Sacrament, for Jesus Christ raised marriage to the dignity of  a Sacrament.  “It is evident that among Christians every true marriage is a Sacrament, and nothing can be farther from the truth than to say that the Sacrament merely adds a certain decoration. ” Pope Leo XIII

3.  The Christian man and the Christian woman who make the marriage contract are the ministers of the Sacrament of Matrimony.  “I take you to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”  ~ The Marriage Promise.  The marriage couple freely and publicly bind themselves to live together faithfully until death, as husband and wife.  Therefore, the husband cannot during the life of his wife have another wife, nor can the wife during her husband’s life have another husband.

4.  Christian marriage is governed by the laws of God and His Church. The State may make laws which concern only the civil effects of Christian marriage; for example, property rights.  The State cannot grant an absolute divorce with permission to marry again, for the State has no right or authority to judge a valid marriage if one or both of the married couple is baptized.  “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” ~ Mark 10:9

5.  For a valid Catholic marriage, the couple must be free to marry, freely consent to the marriage, and marry before the parish priest, or a priest delegated by him, or a permanent deacon, and in the presence of two witnesses.  If the couple fail to fulfill the requirements of a valid marriage, there is no marriage.   For a lawful Catholic marriage, it is further required that each of the contracting couple must be in a state of grace, be sufficiently instructed in Christian Doctrine, and observe the laws which the Church has made to keep marriage sacred.  ” We are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.” ~ Tobias 8:5

6.  Catholics should marry at a Nuptial Mass and receive Holy Communion because the Church has appointed this Mass  to call down God’s blessings on the married couple.  “May the God of Abraham, be with you, and may He fulfill His blessing in you, that you may see your children’s children even to the third and fourth generation, and afterwards possess life everlasting, by the assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  ~ Nuptial Mass Blessing.

7.  To prepare for a holy and happy marriage, Catholics should pray fervently that God will direct their choice of a life partner, seek the advice of their parents and confessor, practice virtues especially purity, go to Confession and Holy Communion frequently, and consult their pastor with enough time before the intent to marry.  “And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there.  And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples to the marriage.  My son, do nothing without counsel, and you shall not repent when you have done.” ~ Ecclesiasticus 32:34

8.  Catholics should try not to marry non-Catholics because such marriages sometimes result in loss of Faith on the part of the Catholic and in neglect of the religious training of the children.  The Church does sometimes, but always reluctantly and only for very grave reasons, grant dispensations from her law regarding these mixed marriages.  When the Church does grant them, she always insists that the non-Catholic party promise (sometimes even in writing) not to interfere with the Catholic life of the other party.  Also that both parties have all the children of the marriage baptized and brought up in the Catholic Faith.   Most priests would probably advise caution and clearly state expectations.  Of course, there is the idea and understanding that some mixed marriages will later turn out a convert.  So trying to stick to dating Catholics only might be a better idea just for the sake of simplicity.  Doesn’t mean it can’t happen the other way, of course.  {side note: I happen to know a couple whose mixed marriage produced two sons who are practicing Catholics, one of whom is a seminarian, and the non-Catholic spouse ended up becoming Catholic but it did take 22 years for this to happen.}  So, while it is ideal for couples to be  both Catholic, it is not unknown for there to be successful mixed marriages as long as certain expectations are observed from the beginning.***

9.  Some marriages prove to be unhappy because husband and wife married hastily and with unworthy motives.  They probably did not ask God’s help in this marriage difficulties and they also neglected the duties of their married life.  “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church.”  ~ Ephesians 5:25.  “Wives, be subject to your husbands as it behooves in the Lord.” ~ Colossians 3:18  There are situations where the Church issues annulments.  It should be made clear that an

annulment does not equal divorce, but is a declaration that a marriage never happened. Also, worth mentioning is that children of a marriage declared null are not considered to be illegitimate (we hardly speak of illegitimate children these days anyway, and probably for the better). You can read more information on annulments their process and the canonical reasons for them by visiting the Diocese of Cleveland.

 

10.  The practice of family prayers will bring rich blessings on married life.  As Blessed John Paul II once said, “the family that prays together, stays together!”  “May the God of Abraham be with you and may He join you together, and fulfill His blessing in you.”  ~ Tobias 7:15.

 

*** Since we’ve had so many comments regarding this point, I am adding the section on Mixed Marriages from the  Catechism of the Catholic Church.:

Mixed marriages and disparity of cult

1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a non-baptized person) requires even greater circumspection.

1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.

1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.137 In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.138 This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.139

1636 Through ecumenical dialogue Christian communities in many regions have been able to put into effect a common pastoral practice for mixed marriages. Its task is to help such couples live out their particular situation in the light of faith, overcome the tensions between the couple’s obligations to each other and towards their ecclesial communities, and encourage the flowering of what is common to them in faith and respect for what separates them.

1637 In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband.”140 It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this “consecration” should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith.141 Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion.