This document contains excerpts from St. Josemaría Escrivá on the topics of Christian marriage and family life. It provides daily reflections on marriage as a divine vocation, a way to holiness, the importance of love, building family through small acts each day, and overcoming difficulties through faith. St. Josemaría emphasizes seeing marriage not just as human love but as a calling from God to sanctify oneself and others through fulfilling conjugal and family duties.
I. God created marriage to repopulate heaven before sin and to give man companionship. After sin, marriage was meant to teach about the atonement, build families and society, and be an evangelistic tool. Satan seeks to destroy marriage to undermine humanity's happiness.
II. While marriage can be a blessing, it is often a curse in these last days due to lack of spiritual preparation and selfish motives. Few consider their responsibilities to society and future children. Many Adventists lose interest in spiritual growth and service after marrying.
III. One must prayerfully consider if they are called to marriage and family, ensuring they meet qualifications of character, faith, education, finances, health and maturity before marrying. Court
Reformed & Reforming: Christian Vocation in the 21st CenturyGreg Klimovitz
Christian vocation can be framed as our individual and corporate call to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in our particular time and place. While true of disciples throughout the ages, the present realities of the twenty-first century dare us to embrace a renewed, adaptive, and intersectional understanding of our vocation rooted in a conversant theological traditioning of our faith that speaks into our cities, neighborhoods, and larger world. This work invites all to reimagine how our gifts, talents,passions, entrepreneurial ideas, artistic expressions, and public professions can be pursued in light of our central identity as the people of God called and sent into the world.
www.gregklimovitz.blogspot.com
@gklimovitz
greg.klimovitz@gmail.com
The Theology of Marriage - Adrienne YatesUcheJude1
The document discusses the theology of marriage from both a foundational and symbolic level. At the foundational level, marriage is a covenant between a man and woman that reveals God's love for one another. Symbolically, marriage represents the relationship between Christ and the Church. When a couple exchanges vows and rings at their wedding, they are committing to a lifelong partnership of faithful and fruitful love as ordained by God. This sacrament of marriage establishes the couple as a domestic church who are called to witness Christ's presence through their selfless love for each other and their community.
Jesus was why we thank god for everythingGLENN PEASE
This document provides commentary on Ephesians 5:20 from multiple sources. It discusses the duty of giving thanks always for all things to God. Some key points made:
1. Thanksgiving should be offered at all times, not just during worship or on special occasions. Christians have greater reasons for joy and gratitude than melancholy, even in difficult times.
2. We are to be thankful for all things, including everyday blessings, troubles which may be blessings in disguise, and blessings we have yet to receive. Thanking God recognizes that all good gifts come from Him.
3. Thanksgiving must be given sincerely from the heart, in recognition of God's fatherly love and our dependence on Him. It should be
Gaudete et exultate ch 2 - two suble enemies of holinessMartin M Flynn
This document discusses two subtle enemies of holiness - gnosticism and pelagianism. It describes how gnosticism relies too heavily on subjective experience and knowledge over charity. Pelagianism mistakenly believes that salvation is based on human willpower rather than God's grace. The document warns that we must approach doctrine with humility and avoid becoming rigid in our thinking. We are saved by God's freely given grace, not by our own works, and we should cooperate with grace through humble acceptance of God's gifts.
The document discusses how many people do not receive financial harvests despite giving for years. It explores 31 possible reasons for this, including that some do not truly believe God wants them to prosper, do not respect money, never ask for specific financial blessings, rely on their own abilities instead of God, are unwilling to learn from mentors, refuse to obey basic biblical principles, and more. The author aims to help people understand why financial prosperity is part of God's plan by sharing principles from their own journey and teachings from the Bible.
The document discusses crowning a statue of the Virgin Mary as Queen of the Family by placing a crown on her head. This action signifies the consecration of the family and home to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The family prays together daily and commits to living Christian virtues. Mary is asked to protect the home and lead the family closer to God. The document provides guidance on performing the crowning ceremony and renewing the family's consecration each year.
I. God created marriage to repopulate heaven before sin and to give man companionship. After sin, marriage was meant to teach about the atonement, build families and society, and be an evangelistic tool. Satan seeks to destroy marriage to undermine humanity's happiness.
II. While marriage can be a blessing, it is often a curse in these last days due to lack of spiritual preparation and selfish motives. Few consider their responsibilities to society and future children. Many Adventists lose interest in spiritual growth and service after marrying.
III. One must prayerfully consider if they are called to marriage and family, ensuring they meet qualifications of character, faith, education, finances, health and maturity before marrying. Court
Reformed & Reforming: Christian Vocation in the 21st CenturyGreg Klimovitz
Christian vocation can be framed as our individual and corporate call to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in our particular time and place. While true of disciples throughout the ages, the present realities of the twenty-first century dare us to embrace a renewed, adaptive, and intersectional understanding of our vocation rooted in a conversant theological traditioning of our faith that speaks into our cities, neighborhoods, and larger world. This work invites all to reimagine how our gifts, talents,passions, entrepreneurial ideas, artistic expressions, and public professions can be pursued in light of our central identity as the people of God called and sent into the world.
www.gregklimovitz.blogspot.com
@gklimovitz
greg.klimovitz@gmail.com
The Theology of Marriage - Adrienne YatesUcheJude1
The document discusses the theology of marriage from both a foundational and symbolic level. At the foundational level, marriage is a covenant between a man and woman that reveals God's love for one another. Symbolically, marriage represents the relationship between Christ and the Church. When a couple exchanges vows and rings at their wedding, they are committing to a lifelong partnership of faithful and fruitful love as ordained by God. This sacrament of marriage establishes the couple as a domestic church who are called to witness Christ's presence through their selfless love for each other and their community.
Jesus was why we thank god for everythingGLENN PEASE
This document provides commentary on Ephesians 5:20 from multiple sources. It discusses the duty of giving thanks always for all things to God. Some key points made:
1. Thanksgiving should be offered at all times, not just during worship or on special occasions. Christians have greater reasons for joy and gratitude than melancholy, even in difficult times.
2. We are to be thankful for all things, including everyday blessings, troubles which may be blessings in disguise, and blessings we have yet to receive. Thanking God recognizes that all good gifts come from Him.
3. Thanksgiving must be given sincerely from the heart, in recognition of God's fatherly love and our dependence on Him. It should be
Gaudete et exultate ch 2 - two suble enemies of holinessMartin M Flynn
This document discusses two subtle enemies of holiness - gnosticism and pelagianism. It describes how gnosticism relies too heavily on subjective experience and knowledge over charity. Pelagianism mistakenly believes that salvation is based on human willpower rather than God's grace. The document warns that we must approach doctrine with humility and avoid becoming rigid in our thinking. We are saved by God's freely given grace, not by our own works, and we should cooperate with grace through humble acceptance of God's gifts.
The document discusses how many people do not receive financial harvests despite giving for years. It explores 31 possible reasons for this, including that some do not truly believe God wants them to prosper, do not respect money, never ask for specific financial blessings, rely on their own abilities instead of God, are unwilling to learn from mentors, refuse to obey basic biblical principles, and more. The author aims to help people understand why financial prosperity is part of God's plan by sharing principles from their own journey and teachings from the Bible.
The document discusses crowning a statue of the Virgin Mary as Queen of the Family by placing a crown on her head. This action signifies the consecration of the family and home to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The family prays together daily and commits to living Christian virtues. Mary is asked to protect the home and lead the family closer to God. The document provides guidance on performing the crowning ceremony and renewing the family's consecration each year.
This is a study of Jesus being for the poor and handicapped. They should be the people we invite to share food for they have the greatest need and there is a reward for such generosity.
Jesus was all about his father's businessGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus being all about His Father's business. He was in the temple with the scholars interacting with them at age 12 and was impressive.
This is a study of Jesus as a marriage and sex counselor. He taught on divorce and sexual union, and adultery. This is the Biblical basis for Christian views.
Dr. Peter Hammond discusses how many churchgoers hold unbiblical beliefs and worldviews despite regular church attendance. He notes that church services are not the only mission field, as worldly influences have subverted many within the church. Due to neglecting biblical teaching and consuming secular media, some churchgoers believe in concepts like reincarnation and universalism. Dr. Hammond calls Christians to transform their thinking through renewing their minds with Scripture instead of being influenced by the world.
This is a study of Jesus as a Christian hedonist with a study of why He is not. It is a contemporary controversy. I share both views, but recognize the value of the concept of Christian hedonism.
Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Exhortation in 2018 titled Gaudete et Exsultate, or On the Call to Holiness in Today's World. The main message is how Christians can live godly lives of holiness in the modern secular world. While the teaching addressed abortion and social media, the focus is on compassion for the poor. Pope Francis warns against modern versions of heresies like being Christian only intellectually without faith, or thinking one can be holy through will alone without grace. He emphasizes the Beatitudes as the path to holiness and discusses each one in relation to serving the poor.
Marriage is the joining together of a man and a woman in a very special way, and if it is done in the way God designed and planned it, it opens the way for prosperity and blessings both in the natural and in the supernatural or spiritual realm.
This document provides biblical guidelines for good relationships between boys and girls. It encourages accepting God's attitudes and viewpoints, believing in God's plan and high ideals, and committing one's future to God. It discusses developing wise patterns of living and character by controlling thoughts, relating properly to others, and setting limits in dating. The overall message is that God's commands regarding sex, words, and thoughts are meant to protect relationships and bring fulfillment, not restrictiveness.
The document discusses how treating our parents with honor and caring for widows and the elderly reveals the genuineness of our faith. It argues that we should prioritize caring for our family's physical, mental and spiritual needs over other commitments. During end times, those who neglect their family responsibilities risk being terrified when God's wrath is poured out, while those who honor their family will travel through the birth canal to meet Christ. The example of caring for orphans in the past is given to illustrate how the church should actively meet needs of the disadvantaged.
This is a study of Jesus as God's unspeakable gift. It is a paradox that this unspeakable gift is spoken about by tongues all over the world on a daily basis.
This document discusses the theme of mercy according to Catholic teachings. It explores how Jesus revealed God's mercy through his life and ministry, showing compassion to the poor, outcasts, sick and suffering. Mercy involves feeling responsible for others' wellbeing. The Church is called to practice mercy by welcoming all and bearing the struggles of others with hope. It encourages readers to reflect on how they can become more merciful in their communities and ministries.
1) The document discusses strengthening Christian family life through Couples for Christ. It emphasizes making the home a center of family activities and quality time together.
2) Parents are encouraged to exercise control over media use and spend focused time with children, developing their faith.
3) Building community with other Christian families through shared activities and supporting each other is presented as important for strengthening families.
Benedict XVI identifies several challenges facing people today, including overcoming relativism, prioritizing materialism over faith, and presenting a real Jesus rather than an empty figure. Relativism makes it impossible for true education by leaving people with only their own desires as a measure. Materialism replaces spiritual growth with a thirst for wealth and power. An authentic faith requires presenting Jesus as he is in the Gospels rather than a romanticized version.
De vreugde van het evangelie, teksten ter overwegingCSR
De vreugde van het evangelie
teksten ter overweging
Paus Franciscus:
Apostolische Exhortatie Evangelii Gaudium van 24-XI-2013
EVANGELII GAUDIUM
AAN DE PRIESTERS EN DE DIAKENS
DE GODGEWIJDE PERSONEN
EN DE LEKENGELOVIGEN
OVER DE VERKONDIGING VAN HET EVANGELIE
IN DE WERELD VAN VANDAAG
nr. 1-49 en 259-288;
heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá:
De Smidse, nr. 1;
Kinderen van God. Dragers van de enige vlam die de weg van de mensen op aarde kan verlichten; van het enige licht waarvoor schaduw, schemer of duisternis wijkt.
De Heer gebruikt ons als fakkels om dat licht te laten schijnen… Het hangt van ons af of veel mensen niet langer in de duisternis blijven, maar de paden volgen die naar het eeuwig leven leiden.
Homilie: Opdat alle mensen gered worden,
in Vrienden van God, nr. 256-273.
Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
Keizersgracht 220
1016 DZ Amsterdam
http://olvkerk.nl/
november 2016
Brevard County School Board Rejects LGBT Policy
Feb 24, 2016
Late Tuesday the Brevard County School Board unanimously voted to reject a proposal to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the school’s nondiscrimination ordinance, after reading a letter from Liberty Counsel (see pages 2-6) and hearing from nearly 100 parents who spoke in opposition to the LGBT policy.
"Liberty Counsel salutes the many parents who stood up in opposition to this dangerous policy change. We win when we show up," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The vote to reject this proposal represents another victory for families and religious liberty." Liberty Counsel stands with parents to defend their children against such attacks on their rights of free speech, religion, and privacy. In a letter to the school board, Liberty Counsel said, "These are bad policies that chill free speech and threaten religious liberties.
By way of brief introduction, Liberty Counsel is a non-profit litigation, education, and policy organization with an emphasis on constitutional law, with offices in Orlando, Florida, as well as Lynchburg, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Liberty Counsel provides pro bono legal representation to individuals, groups, and government entities, such as school districts, with a particular focus on religious liberty and other First Amendment issues.
We write at the request of concerned community members and parents of students within the Brevard County Schools (“the District”), regarding the inappropriate proposed additions of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to District nondiscrimination policies, which would cover students, and the changes proposed to “Policy 3122 - Equal Employment Opportunity” which would cover District employees. The District should refuse to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to District nondiscrimination policies.
This is a study of Jesus being for the poor and handicapped. They should be the people we invite to share food for they have the greatest need and there is a reward for such generosity.
Jesus was all about his father's businessGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus being all about His Father's business. He was in the temple with the scholars interacting with them at age 12 and was impressive.
This is a study of Jesus as a marriage and sex counselor. He taught on divorce and sexual union, and adultery. This is the Biblical basis for Christian views.
Dr. Peter Hammond discusses how many churchgoers hold unbiblical beliefs and worldviews despite regular church attendance. He notes that church services are not the only mission field, as worldly influences have subverted many within the church. Due to neglecting biblical teaching and consuming secular media, some churchgoers believe in concepts like reincarnation and universalism. Dr. Hammond calls Christians to transform their thinking through renewing their minds with Scripture instead of being influenced by the world.
This is a study of Jesus as a Christian hedonist with a study of why He is not. It is a contemporary controversy. I share both views, but recognize the value of the concept of Christian hedonism.
Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Exhortation in 2018 titled Gaudete et Exsultate, or On the Call to Holiness in Today's World. The main message is how Christians can live godly lives of holiness in the modern secular world. While the teaching addressed abortion and social media, the focus is on compassion for the poor. Pope Francis warns against modern versions of heresies like being Christian only intellectually without faith, or thinking one can be holy through will alone without grace. He emphasizes the Beatitudes as the path to holiness and discusses each one in relation to serving the poor.
Marriage is the joining together of a man and a woman in a very special way, and if it is done in the way God designed and planned it, it opens the way for prosperity and blessings both in the natural and in the supernatural or spiritual realm.
This document provides biblical guidelines for good relationships between boys and girls. It encourages accepting God's attitudes and viewpoints, believing in God's plan and high ideals, and committing one's future to God. It discusses developing wise patterns of living and character by controlling thoughts, relating properly to others, and setting limits in dating. The overall message is that God's commands regarding sex, words, and thoughts are meant to protect relationships and bring fulfillment, not restrictiveness.
The document discusses how treating our parents with honor and caring for widows and the elderly reveals the genuineness of our faith. It argues that we should prioritize caring for our family's physical, mental and spiritual needs over other commitments. During end times, those who neglect their family responsibilities risk being terrified when God's wrath is poured out, while those who honor their family will travel through the birth canal to meet Christ. The example of caring for orphans in the past is given to illustrate how the church should actively meet needs of the disadvantaged.
This is a study of Jesus as God's unspeakable gift. It is a paradox that this unspeakable gift is spoken about by tongues all over the world on a daily basis.
This document discusses the theme of mercy according to Catholic teachings. It explores how Jesus revealed God's mercy through his life and ministry, showing compassion to the poor, outcasts, sick and suffering. Mercy involves feeling responsible for others' wellbeing. The Church is called to practice mercy by welcoming all and bearing the struggles of others with hope. It encourages readers to reflect on how they can become more merciful in their communities and ministries.
1) The document discusses strengthening Christian family life through Couples for Christ. It emphasizes making the home a center of family activities and quality time together.
2) Parents are encouraged to exercise control over media use and spend focused time with children, developing their faith.
3) Building community with other Christian families through shared activities and supporting each other is presented as important for strengthening families.
Benedict XVI identifies several challenges facing people today, including overcoming relativism, prioritizing materialism over faith, and presenting a real Jesus rather than an empty figure. Relativism makes it impossible for true education by leaving people with only their own desires as a measure. Materialism replaces spiritual growth with a thirst for wealth and power. An authentic faith requires presenting Jesus as he is in the Gospels rather than a romanticized version.
De vreugde van het evangelie, teksten ter overwegingCSR
De vreugde van het evangelie
teksten ter overweging
Paus Franciscus:
Apostolische Exhortatie Evangelii Gaudium van 24-XI-2013
EVANGELII GAUDIUM
AAN DE PRIESTERS EN DE DIAKENS
DE GODGEWIJDE PERSONEN
EN DE LEKENGELOVIGEN
OVER DE VERKONDIGING VAN HET EVANGELIE
IN DE WERELD VAN VANDAAG
nr. 1-49 en 259-288;
heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá:
De Smidse, nr. 1;
Kinderen van God. Dragers van de enige vlam die de weg van de mensen op aarde kan verlichten; van het enige licht waarvoor schaduw, schemer of duisternis wijkt.
De Heer gebruikt ons als fakkels om dat licht te laten schijnen… Het hangt van ons af of veel mensen niet langer in de duisternis blijven, maar de paden volgen die naar het eeuwig leven leiden.
Homilie: Opdat alle mensen gered worden,
in Vrienden van God, nr. 256-273.
Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
Keizersgracht 220
1016 DZ Amsterdam
http://olvkerk.nl/
november 2016
Brevard County School Board Rejects LGBT Policy
Feb 24, 2016
Late Tuesday the Brevard County School Board unanimously voted to reject a proposal to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the school’s nondiscrimination ordinance, after reading a letter from Liberty Counsel (see pages 2-6) and hearing from nearly 100 parents who spoke in opposition to the LGBT policy.
"Liberty Counsel salutes the many parents who stood up in opposition to this dangerous policy change. We win when we show up," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The vote to reject this proposal represents another victory for families and religious liberty." Liberty Counsel stands with parents to defend their children against such attacks on their rights of free speech, religion, and privacy. In a letter to the school board, Liberty Counsel said, "These are bad policies that chill free speech and threaten religious liberties.
By way of brief introduction, Liberty Counsel is a non-profit litigation, education, and policy organization with an emphasis on constitutional law, with offices in Orlando, Florida, as well as Lynchburg, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Liberty Counsel provides pro bono legal representation to individuals, groups, and government entities, such as school districts, with a particular focus on religious liberty and other First Amendment issues.
We write at the request of concerned community members and parents of students within the Brevard County Schools (“the District”), regarding the inappropriate proposed additions of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to District nondiscrimination policies, which would cover students, and the changes proposed to “Policy 3122 - Equal Employment Opportunity” which would cover District employees. The District should refuse to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to District nondiscrimination policies.
Computer, Consciousness, Creativity
By Susan Greenfield
Talk presented at the 19th International Interdisciplinary Seminar
What differentiates human persons from animals and machines? Netherhall House, London, 5-1-2017
Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, is a British scientist, writer, broadcaster and member of the House of Lords. Specialising in the physiology of the brain, Susan researches the impact of 21st century technologies on the mind, how the brain generates consciousness and novel approaches to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Susan has written a range of non-specialist books on issues relating to the mind and brain for the general reader. She appears regularly on radio and television and frequently gives talks to the public and private sector.
Pope Francis' recent document Amoris Laetitia on love in the family is rich with excellent teaching offered in an accessible style. While some headlines suggested it changes Catholic teachings, it reaffirms the Church's beliefs on marriage, family, and sexuality. The document should be understood in the context of previous Catholic thought. Chapter 8 discusses including divorced and civilly remarried Catholics in the life of the Church with compassion, but does not override the truth of marriage as a permanent covenant or Church discipline on sacraments. The Archbishop believes reading and reflecting on the document can only enrich Catholics.
Mgr. Angel Rodríguez Luño is hoogleraar theologie aan de Pauselijke Universiteit van het heilig Kruis. In dit essay geeft hij leerstellige richtsnoeren voor pastorale oordelen die bruikbaar kunnen zijn voor een evenwichtige lectuur van de recente Apostolische Exhortatie Amoris laetitia van paus Franciscus van 19-3-2016.
De Apostolische Exhortatie Amoris laetitia biedt de uitgangspunten voor een nieuwe en noodzakelijke impuls van het gezinspastoraat in al zijn facetten. Hoofdstuk VIII gaat over delicate situaties waarin de menselijke zwakheid in het bijzonder tot uiting komt. De aanpak die paus Franciscus voorstelt kan samengevat worden met de woorden die de titel vormen van het hoofdstuk: “Vergezellen, onderscheiden en integreren van de zwakheid”. We worden uitgenodigd om niet te snel te oordelen, houdingen van afstand nemen en buitensluiting te vermijden. We dienen de taak niet uit de weg te gaan om goed de verschillende situaties te onderscheiden en met de betrokkenen een dialoog aan te gaan die oprecht is en vol barmhartigheid. “Het gaat om een traject van begeleiding en onderscheiding die «deze gelovigen oriënteert om zich bewust te worden van hun situatie tegenover God. Het gesprek met de priester, in het inwendig rechtsbereik (forum internum), draagt bij aan de vorming van een juist oordeel over hetgeen een belemmering vormt voor een meer volledige deelname aan het leven van de Kerk en over de wijze waarop deze belemmering stapsgewijze kan worden overwonnen. Daar er geen geleidelijkheid van de wet bestaat (Vgl. Familiaris consortio, nr. 34), kan men bij de beoordeling nooit de eisen van de waarheid en van de liefde uit het oog verliezen, zoals we die aantreffen in het Evangelie en ons door de Kerk worden voorgehouden»”(paus Franciscus Amoris laetitia, nr. 300). Het kan praktisch zijn om enkele punten in herinnering te brengen waar men rekening mee moet houden opdat de oordeelsvorming geschiedt conform de leer van de Kerk, die de Paus veronderstelt en geenszins heeft willen veranderen.
Het jaar 2016 is door de paus uitgeroepen tot het heilig Jaar van Barmhartigheid (8 december 2015 - op 20 november 2016). Het werd aangekondigd in de be bul van de paus ‘Misericordiae vultus’, ‘Aangezicht van Barmhartigheid’
In de bul reikt paus Franciscus verschillende Bijbelteksten aan die spreken over de barmhartigheid van God en de barmhartige liefde van Christus. De paus verwijst naar de parabels die gaan over barmhartigheid: het verloren schaap, de verloren munt en de verloren zoon (Lucas 15, 1-32).
Paus Franciscus hoopt dat iedere christen zich bezint op de geestelijke en lichamelijke werken van barmhartigheid. Hij wijst er in zijn tekst op dat de Heer ons oordeelt naar de mate waarin wij hongerigen gevoed hebben, dorstigen te drinken hebben gegeven, de naakte gekleed hebben, de vreemdeling welkom geheten hebben, zieken genezen hebben, de gevangenen bezocht hebben en de doden begraven hebben.
Pope Francis met with various groups during his visit to Canada, delivering remarks that emphasized listening to others, acknowledging the harms of residential schools, promoting indigenous cultures, combating ideological colonization, and staying close to God. He participated in mass and vespers, calling clergy to tend their flocks with devotion and love. The Pope stressed finding new ways to share the Gospel and proclaimed Christian joy comes from knowing God's love. Meeting indigenous peoples, he said they are part of his family. In a meeting with youth, Francis encouraged them to soar towards justice and build relationships, igniting enthusiasm in others.
The summary of the document is:
1. The document provides information about an upcoming worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville including details about the service, welcome announcements, and order of worship.
2. The service will focus on the twelfth Sunday of Pentecost and include a sermon titled "Hello? Can You Hear Me Now?" by Shannon Jordan.
3. The order of worship includes hymns, scripture readings, prayers, and a children's blessing for the new school year.
This document provides an overview of a foundational Bible study course covering major biblical doctrines. The 20 lessons cover topics like salvation, atonement, faith, and spiritual gifts. The purpose is to teach Christians essential beliefs and how to walk by faith. It also includes a creed about the Great Commission and affirmations about the transforming power of the gospel. Fellowship and encouragement in the church are discussed as important for spiritual growth and preventing loneliness that could lead back to sinful behaviors.
The Purpose of The Church #2 FellowshipRick Peterson
The document discusses the purpose of fellowship in the church. It defines biblical fellowship as a communion and participation between believers based on their common belief in and relationship with Jesus Christ. True fellowship involves sharing life together, prioritizing other believers' needs, sharing possessions communally, and encouraging one another's spiritual growth. The benefits of fellowship include meeting basic human needs for community, receiving emotional support and encouragement, and participating together in the gospel through the Holy Spirit. The document urges readers to evaluate whether their local church exhibits biblical fellowship and challenges them to actively work on building fellowship within the congregation.
This newsletter from First Baptist Church of Franklinton provides information about upcoming events and programs for the month of September. It includes details about Sunday school and worship service times, a message from the pastor about renewed growth in the church, information from various church ministers about activities in their areas, and birthday announcements for children. The newsletter aims to keep church members informed and encourage participation in the life of the church community.
General chapter- part 2:Reflection of the chapter themeSister T.A.
The Salesian Sisters General Chapter is
“An exceptionally important time of reflection, assessment and guidance in a common search for God’s will”.
The aim: “ To study the problems relative to the various social and common cultural situations. Together they will make decisions designed to increase the vitality of the Institute, in fidelity to the spirit of its origins and to the Church at that particular moment in history”
This document is an apostolic exhortation from Pope John Paul II on the Christian family in the modern world. It discusses how the family has undergone profound changes in society but some continue to live according to the values of the institution of the family. It acknowledges families facing uncertainty or injustice that prevent them from living freely. The Church wishes to support families living faithfully, illuminate those uncertain, and assist those facing injustice so all may understand the truth about marriage and family.
This document discusses the importance of preparing for marriage through spiritual reading and developing character. It emphasizes that the purpose of marriage is to blend personalities to reflect the image of God. Successful marriages require unity built on principles like obedience to truth, purity of soul, and love for one another. With Christ's power, couples can experience victory over temptation and have an invincible marriage centered on abiding in Him.
This document provides the order of service for the First Presbyterian Church of Asheville on June 5th, 2022. It includes the call to worship, hymns, scripture readings, prayers, and a confirmation of youth. The sermon title is "The Room Where It Happens" and focuses on Pentecost Sunday and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The service celebrates the confirmation of several youth and their statements of faith.
Novena for the Sick
Ever since St Josemaria died on June 26, 1975, hundreds of people have written about favors they have received through his intercession: material help, conversions, firm decisions to return to the practice of the Faith, and also the healing of people who were sick.
The person who composed the three novenas, Fr Francisco Faus, explained: “What moved me to write the three novenas to St Josemaria was my love for the founder of Opus Dei. I lived near him for two years in Rome (from October 1953 to July 1955) and then in Brazil during May-June 1974). That was an inestimably great grace for me.”
Fr Francisco continued: “This filial love for someone I always saw as a father – the Father –, and the devotion which, like thousands of others, I feel for him, impelled me to prepare these novenas and circulate them. I thought they might be a popular, simple, accessible way of introducing many people to St Josemaria’s teachings and to his intercession and help.”
Fr Francisco Faus, born in Barcelona in 1931, is a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei. He graduated in law at the University of Barcelona and did a doctorate in canon law at the University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome. He was ordained in 1955 and has lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil since 1961, doing pastoral work with university students, workers, priests and seminarians. He has written several spiritual books.
2013 Book of Mormon: Chapter 14 (Institute Lesson by hgellor)Leah Gellor
This document provides doctrinal teachings from 2 Nephi 31-33 regarding the doctrine of Christ and faith in Jesus Christ. It discusses that the doctrine of Christ leads to eternal life, the words of Christ and the Holy Ghost teach us what to do, and those who believe in Jesus Christ will also believe the words of Nephi. It then expands on key aspects of the doctrine of Christ, including faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The document discusses apostolic doctrine and fellowship in the church. It makes several key points:
1. Apostolic doctrine refers to the teachings of the original apostles like Paul, Peter, and James as recorded in the New Testament. Staying true to this doctrine is important for the church's spiritual growth and progress.
2. Fellowship in the early church was based on sharing, prayer, and meeting each other's needs. It strengthened relationships and brought people of different statuses together through having things in common centered around Christ.
3. Deviation from apostolic doctrine and losing sight of prioritizing God can hinder the church. Maintaining fellowship, love for one another, and assembling together are emphasized
The church is the mother of believers--the God-ordained school of virtue in which Christian disciples learn how to desire the good and to reject what is false. Romans 12:9ff outlines covenant life in the congregation.
The document discusses the concept of vocations from multiple perspectives. It defines vocation as a call from God to a particular way of life, such as marriage, priesthood, religious life, or other consecrated life. It emphasizes that all vocations involve serving God through the development of one's talents and fulfilling the mission God intended. The deepest vocation is to be a child of God through faith in Christ.
Mary Jones (563-332-9314; maryjones@mchsi.com)
Purpose: To explore aspects of St. Benedict’s spirituality through
reading, discussion and prayer. St. Benedict lived from 480-547 AD
and established the Rule of St. Benedict which became the foundation
for Western monasticism. His spirituality focused on community,
prayer, work, hospitality and balance. The group will read selections
from the Rule and other Benedictine writings.
Time: 7:00 PM, second and fourth Mondays, January-May
Place: FPC Parlor
Materials: The Rule of St. Benedict (Penguin Classics edition)
available used on amaz
how to achieve the ideal of converting your work and family life into a form of prayer that is pleasing to God. For a daddy or a mommy, the act of changing baby diapers can be a form of "prayer" or activity that can be offered up to God, and is pleasing to God.
The document provides the order of service for the September 18, 2022 worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville. It includes an opening prayer, hymns, scripture readings from Exodus and Matthew, a sermon by Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, and closing prayer. Announcements are provided about upcoming events like Pride Festival and Children's Choir.
Journey of Discipleship: Simple and Sacrificial LifestyleJonathan Sullivan
The document discusses living a life of faith and holiness. It encourages reflecting on how to let God transform one's life through prayer, such as praying the rosary, and following God's call by living as a disciple through faith, hope and love. It discusses what it means to be a saint and calls the reader to take steps towards radical faith, such as making suitable offerings to God, keeping the Sabbath holy, and choosing life.
The document discusses the key beliefs of Reformed theology, which emerged from the Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther in 1517. The Reformation centered authority in the church on Scripture alone rather than church traditions or the papacy. The early reformers like Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin rediscovered justification as being declared righteous by God through faith alone, not a process. The five "solas" that summarize Reformed theology are: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). Today, Reformed theology is expressed through confessions
Similar to Novena for the family to St. Josemaria (20)
JESÚS GIL & ENRIQUE MUÑIZ
WANTING JESUS ALONE TO SHINE
ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY OF ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA,
THE FOUNDER OF OPUS DEI
Midwest Theological Forum
4340 Cross Street, Suite 1
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 USA
www.theologicalforum.org
St. Josemaria Escriva was born in Barbastro, Spain, on January 9, 1902. He was ordained a priest on March 28, 1925. On October 2, 1928, God showed him the mission he was calling him to carry out, and St. Josemaria founded Opus Dei. On February 14, 1930, he realized, again by God’s grace, that women should also belong to this work. This was the start of a new pathway within the Church, helping people of every race, walk of life and educational background to realize that we are all called to the fullness of charity and apostolate right there where we are, finding God in our everyday lives and especially in our ordinary work.
On February 14, 1943, Josemaria Escriva started the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross as an integral part of Opus Dei. One-on-one and through this associa¬tion, he carried out a far-reaching apostolate with priests, becoming a shining example of care for priests’ holiness and fraternity.
In 1946 he moved to Rome. Spurred on by his love for God and apostolic zeal, he dedicated himself to spreading Christ’s message throughout the world, in total union with the Pope and in service of the local Churches. He inspired a wide range of social projects that contributed to spreading the Gospel bring¬ing about much good on the human plane.
On different trips in Western Europe and Latin America, he carried out an un¬tiring catechesis. Large crowds of people came to listen to him, drawn by his reputation for holiness.
At noon on June 26, 1975, he had a heart attack and rendered his soul to God. Pope St. John Paul II beatified him in 1992 and canonized him ten years later in 2002. St. Josemaria’s body rests in Rome, in Opus Dei’s prelatic church ded¬icated to Our Lady of Peace. Faithful from around the world go there to pray.
In the Footprints of Our Faith
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOLY LAND
BY JESÚS GIL AND EDUARDO GIL
4TH EXTENDED EDITION
The 27 articles in “In the Footprints of Our Faith” offer religious, historical, and archaeological considerations about important sites in the Holy Land: Nazareth, Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Cana, Capernaum, the Lake of Gennesaret, Bethany, Emmaus, and more. They have been written in hopes of helping readers personally “immerse” themselves in the Gospel, as St. Josemaria recommended, so that the Word of God may have a deep and lasting effect on their life.
St. Josemaria had always wanted to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and dreamed of starting various apostolic initiatives there which would help the Church. He was never able to fulfill this dream, but his first successor, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, was able to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from March 14–22, 1994. On the morning of March 23rd, only a few hours after Blessed Alvaro’s return to Rome, God called him to Heaven. With the faithful of Opus Dei and those with a devotion to Blessed Alvaro in mind, there are references to his final days in the Holy Land scattered throughout the text of the extended edition of “In the Footprints of Our Faith”.
The publication has been edited for non-commercial and private use. The Saxum Foundation distributes it as a free e-book which can be downloaded in several electronic formats.
Saxum International Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in Italy. In collaboration with the Association for Cultural Interchange, it is responsible for the fundraising of Saxum’s construction and development.
The Saxum Visitor Center helps pilgrims to deepen their knowledge of the Holy Land through different multimedia resources in order to enrich each person’s Holy Land experience.
Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, longed to visit the Holy Land to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. He wished, too, that all of his spiritual children in Opus Dei and their friends and families could have the opportunity to “pray, kneel upon and kiss the ground that Jesus walked on.”
He always recommended to imagine oneself as one more character in the scenes when reading the Gospel. Saxum hopes to facilitate each pilgrim’s personal encounter with Christ in His land, offering a chance to take a part in the scenes of the Holy Scripture.
Medewerkers van het Opus Dei, folder uitgave 2018
Medewerkers van het Opus Dei zijn mannen en vrouwen die met hun gebed, hun aalmoezen en werk – elk volgens zijn of haar mogelijkheden – helpen bij de activiteiten die de Prelatuur van het Opus Dei ontwikkelt. De hier verzamelde verhalen getuigen van het hoe en waarom van hun medewerking.
Een hardcopy van de brochure kan worden verkregen door een e-mail te sturen aan: janluijken52@gmail.com
Het Opus Dei is een instelling van de Rooms Katholieke Kerk, op 2 oktober 1928 gesticht door de heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá. De volledige naam is: Prelatuur van het Heilig Kruis en Opus Dei. Het wordt ook eenvoudigweg Opus Dei, of ‘Werk van God’ genoemd.
Het Opus Dei heeft tot doel bij te dragen aan de evangelische zending van de Kerk door onder heel diverse mensen een leven overeenkomstig het geloof te bevorderen in de gewone omstandigheden van het menselijk bestaan, in het bijzonder door de heiliging van het werk.
De boodschap van het Opus Dei laat zien dat ieder waardig en oprecht werk veranderd kan worden in een goddelijk werk. Voor de heilige Jozefmaria betekent het werk heiligen werken in de geest van Jezus Christus: de eigen taak zo goed mogelijk vervullen om God glorie te geven en de anderen te dienen, en op deze manier bij te dragen aan de heiliging van de wereld.
Het Werk biedt zijn gelovigen en ieder die dat verlangt geestelijke vorming en pastorale steun, opdat iedereen – op zijn eigen plaats in de Kerk en in de wereld – God kan kennen en beminnen, getuigenis van het geloof kan afleggen en eraan kan meewerken de problemen van de maatschappij op een christelijke manier aan te pakken.
De Prelatuur van het Opus Dei bestaat net als de andere kerkelijke jurisdicties van de Kerk, uit een prelaat (Mgr. Fernando Ocáriz) met zijn presbyterium en uit lekengelovigen, zowel mannen als vrouwen. Veel mensen nemen deel aan haar apostolische activiteiten, hieronder bevinden zich talrijke medewerkers.
Nieuwsbrief nr. 11 van de Pauselijke Universiteit van het Heilig KruisOpus Dei Nederland
Dit is de nieuwsbrief nr. 11 ( december 2019) van het Hulpfonds van de Pauselijke Universiteit van het Heilig Kruis.
Ter sprake komen:
-Banele: van straatjongen tot seminarist
-Het was in een moslim-land dat de Heer mij heeft geroepen om priester te zijn
-De levenskracht van de kerk van SIRO-MALABAR
-Openingsceremonie van het nieuwe academische jaar op maandag 7 oktober 2019
-Met het voorbeeld van Moeder Teresa
-Voor een priester of een diaken is dienen als ademhalen
-Herkomst van de studenten in het cursusjaar 2018/19
-Een video impressie van het seminarie Sedes Sapientiae
-Een video over de Pauselijke Universiteit van het Heilig Kruis
Hulpfonds Pauselijke Universiteit
Het Hulpfonds van de Pauselijke Universiteit van het Heilig Kruis ondersteunt seminaristen en priesterstudenten die hun studie volgen aan de Pauselijke Universiteit van het Heilig Kruis te Rome.
Het Hulpfonds maakt deel uit van Stichting De Oude Gracht, een ANBI stichting.
De heilige Jozefmaria benadrukte dat het belangrijkste apostolaat in het Werk dat van vriendschap en vertrouwen is. In deze brief brengt de prelaat enkele aspecten van het onderricht van de stichter over dit onderwerp in herinnering.
Inhoud
Vriendschap van Jezus Christus
Menselijke en christelijke waarde van de vriendschap
Uitingen van vriendschap
Oprechtheid en vriendschap
Vriendschap en broederlijkheid
Apostolaat van vriendschap en vertrouwen
Noveen voor werk
tot de heilige Jozefmaria
Geschreven door: Francisco Faus
De heilige Jozefmaria schrijft:
We brengen Jezus’ voorbeeld in herinnering, die in Nazareth dertig jaar lang constant heeft gearbeid, een beroep heeft uitgeoefend. Daarom kunnen we werk, welke miljoenen arbeiders in een professioneel kader beoefenen, aan Jezus toevertrouwen, want hij vormt ons arbeid om tot een goddelijke opdracht; een verlossende daad, een weg naar het Heil.
Maar we mogen niet vergeten dat de waardigheid van de arbeid gebaseerd is op de Liefde. Het grote voorrecht van de mens is dat hij kan liefhebben en boven het kortstondige en voorbijgaande kan uitstijgen.
Doe alles uit liefde. – Dan zijn er geen kleine dingen: alles wordt groot. – De volharding in de kleine dingen, uit liefde, is heldhaftigheid.
Ik blijf er de nadruk op leggen: in de eenvoud van je gewone werk, in de eentonige kleine dingen van iedere dag moet je het geheim van het grootse en van het nieuwe ontdekken, dat voor zoveel mensen niet te zien is, het geheim van de Liefde.
Wie een gunst heeft ontvangen op voorspraak van de heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá, wordt verzocht dit door te geven aan de Prelatuur van het Opus Dei, Jan Luijkenstraat 52, 1071 CS Amsterdam.
E-mail: Amsterdam.nl@opusdei.org
Voor meer informatie over de heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá:
www.opusdei.org
www.escrivaworks.nl
9 dagen in gebed met Dora del Hoyo
Dora del Hoyo Alonso werd geboren op 11 januari 1914 in Boca de Huérgano (León, Spanje). Haar ouders waren voorbeeldige gelovigen die haar van jongs af aan leerden een goed kind van God te zijn. Op 14 maart 1946 vroeg zij in Bilbao toelating tot het Opus Dei. Zij beantwoordde vanaf het eerste moment trouw aan haar goddelijke roeping, door de heiligheid te zoeken door middel van haar beroep: het werk in de huishouding. Opvallend waren haar devotie tot de heilige Eucharistie – de heilige Mis stond centraal en was de wortel van haar geestelijk leven – haar tedere liefde voor de allerheiligste Maagd Maria en de heilige Jozef en haar vertrouwelijke omgang met haar engelbewaarder. Op 27 december 1946 verhuisde ze op verzoek van de heilige Jozefmaria naar Rome, waar ze tot aan het einde van haar leven heeft gewoond. Ze wist de heiligende en apostolische betekenis te ontdekken van de meest eenvoudige handeling en ze verstond de kunst dienstbaarheid te verbinden met vakbekwaamheid. Vanuit Rome werkte ze mee aan de vorming van vrouwen uit alle werelddelen en droeg ze bij aan het apostolaat van het Opus Dei in alle lagen van de samenleving. Zij overleed op 10 januari 2004 en werd begraven in de crypte van de prelaatskerk van Onze Lieve Vrouw van de Vrede, viale Bruno Buozzi 75, Rome. Het heiligverklaringsproces is geopend in Rome op 18 juni 2012.
Inhoud
- Biografie
- Waarom een noveen?
- Hoe wordt de noveen gebeden?
- Gebed voor privé gebruik
- Dag 1: Openstaan voor anderen
- Dag 2: De vreugde om te dienen
- Dag 3: Een goed humeur
- Dag 4: Duidelijke prioriteiten
- Dag 5: Wijsheid
- Dag 6: De kunst om onopvallend te helpen
- Dag 7: Eerst denken, dan doen
- Dag 8: Werken uit liefde
- Dag 9: Het belang van de kleine dingen
Liefde tot de kerk, Liefdevolle trouw aan de Kerk en de paus, door Jozefmaría...Opus Dei Nederland
De worden van de heilige Jozefmaría in dit document zijn een selectie uit een bundel van vier homilieën met de titel: De liefde tot de Kerk. Het gaat over de bovennatuurlijke zending van de Kerk, het priesterschap en de trouw van de christen aan de Bruid van Christus. Het gehele werk weerspiegelt het onwankelbare geloof van de auteur in het mysterie van de Kerk en zijn grote liefde voor haar en de opvolger van Petrus. De homilieën zijn geschreven rond 1970, maar zij nu even actueel als in de zware jaren van crisis toen.
De heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá werd geboren op 9 januari 1902, in Barbastro (Spanje). Op 28 maart 1925 ontving hij de priesterwijding. Hij werd op 2 oktober 1928 door God geïnspireerd om het Opus Dei te stichten en overleed in zijn werkkamer in Rome op 26 juni 1975. Op dat moment had het Opus Dei zich verbreid over alle werelddelen en telde het ruim 60.000 leden. Op 6 oktober 2002 is Jozefmaria Escrivá in Rome door paus Johannes Paulus II heilig verklaard. Zijn lichaam rust in de prelaatskerk van Onze Lieve Vrouw van de Vrede in Rome (Viale Bruno Buozzi 75). Meer informatie over de heilige Jozefmaria op www.opusdei.org en www.escrivaworks.org.
materiaal voor de vorming van medewerkers en andere geïnteresseerden
Dit materiaal bestaat uit essays (en video documentaires) over het geestelijke leven, de deugden, huwelijk en gezin, opvoeding andere actuele onderwerpen.
Deze essays zijn te vinden op de website van www.opusdei.org in verschillende talen.
Er worden tabellen gegeven waar de titels van het essay worden gegeven in het Spaans, het Engels en het Nederlands (zover vertalingen beschikbaar zijn). Er zijn 9 modules:
0: het christelijk geloof
1: persoon zijn
2: deugden
3: intiem met God
4: huwelijk
5: huwelijk en gezin
6: arbeid
7: nieuwe evangelisatie
8: actuele onderwerpen
De essays zijn geïnspireerd door de geschriften van de heilige Jozefmaria.
Eerbiedwaardige Isidoro Zorzano
Informatiebulletin juni 2018
Op 22 december 2016 verklaarde de Congregatie voor de Heiligverklaringen Isidoro eerbiedwaardig, waarmee erkend wordt dat hij de christelijke deugden op heldhaftige wijze heeft beleefd. Meer informatie vindt u op www.opusdei.org
Inhoud:
EEN VOORBEELD, pagina 2
DECREET OVER ZIJN DEUGDEN, pagina 4
HET PROCES, pagina 8
GUNSTEN, VERKREGEN OP VOORSPRAAK VAN ISIDORO, pagina 9
INTERVIEW MET DE POSTULATOR, pagina 10
GEBED TOT ISIDORO, pagina 12
Paus Franciscus heeft op 21 december 2016 ingestemd met het decreet van de congregatie voor heiligverklaringen, waarin de heldhaftige deugdbeoefening van Isidoro Zorzano (1902-1943) bevestigd wordt. Hij was ingenieur en sloot zich in 1930 bij het Opus Dei aan.
Mgr. Fernando Ocáriz, die een paar dagen later prelaat van het Opus Dei zou worden benoemd (Mgr. Javier Echevarría was 12 december overleden), zei na het horen van het nieuws van de Heilige Stoel: “Hoewel de aankondiging juist komt tijdens de periode van rouw over het verlies van onze geliefde prelaat, is dit een moment van bijzondere vreugde en dankbaarheid naar paus Franciscus.”
Dit Informatiebulletin wordt gratis verspreid. Wie aan de verspreiding ervan zou willen bijdragen, kan een gift overmaken op: NL35INGB0009602875, ten name van Opus Dei, Amsterdam.
Informatiebulletin Isidoro Zorzano. ISSN: 1383-3081
Jongeren, het geloof en de onderscheiding van de roepingOpus Dei Nederland
Jongeren, het geloof en de onderscheiding van de roeping
Voorbereidend Document
Synode van bisschoppen
15e Algemene Vergadering
Vaticaanstad, 2017
Uit de inleiding:
“Dit zeg ik u, opdat mijn vreugde in u moge zijn en uw vreugde volkomen moge worden” (Joh.15,11). Dat is het plan van God voor alle mannen en vrouwen van iedere leeftijd, met inbegrip van alle jonge mannen en vrouwen van het derde millennium, niemand uitgezonderd.
Het verkondigen van de vreugde van het Evangelie is de missie die de Heer aan zijn Kerk heeft toevertrouwd. Verdergaand op deze weg heeft de Kerk besloten om in een nieuw synodaal proces met het thema “Jongeren, het geloof en de onderscheiding van de roeping” zichzelf te bevragen over hoe zij jongeren kan leiden om de roeping naar de volheid van het leven en de liefde te herkennen en te aanvaarden, en de vraag aan jongeren te stellen Haar te helpen in het vaststellen van de meest effectieve manieren om het Goede Nieuws in deze tijd te verkondigen. Door de jongeren zal de Kerk de Heer horen die ook vandaag nog spreekt. Net als in de dagen van Samuël (vgl. 1 Sam. 3,1-21) en Jeremia (vgl. Jer. 1,4-10) weten jonge mensen hoe zij de tekenen van onze tijd, die de heilige Geest geeft, moeten onderscheiden. Door te luisteren naar hun aspiraties kan de Kerk een glimp opvangen van de wereld die voor ons ligt en van de paden die de Kerk geroepen is te volgen.
Dit is de 25ste informatie bulletin van de zalige Jozefmaria, stichter van het Opus Dei, dat in 2002, zijn honderdste geboortejaar, was verschenen.
Hierin behandeld wordt:
- Een goddelijk paradox: erkende medische wonderen op voorspraak van de zalige Jozefmaria.
- 6 oktober 2002; heiligverklaring van Jozefmaria Escrivá: woorden van dankbaarheid van Javier Echeverria en deelname hierin van verschillende personen, waaronder zuster Lucia van Fatima.
- Eeuwfeest van de zalige Jozefmaria: er werden verschillende initiatieven georganiseerd ter gelegenheid van dit feest en verschillende bisschoppen hebben zich uitgesproken over de zalige Jozefmaria.
- Vakopleiding voor ambachtsvrouwen: boerinnen in Guatemala worden opgeleid en persoonlijke aandacht staat daarin centraal. Het gaat om vooruitgang in menselijk en geestelijk opzicht.
- Een leven van geloof: een homilie van de zalige Jozefmaria vol met uitleg van bijbel passages die op ons leven betrekking hebben.
- De handen van een chirurg: het verhaal van de ziekte en genezing van de chirurg, een wonder op medisch gebied.
Dit informatiebulletin wordt gratis verspreid. Wie aan de verspreiding ervan zou willen bijdragen, kan een gift overmaken op: NL23INGB0003740023, ten name van Hulpfonds Bureau heiligverklaringen Opus Dei, Amsterdam. Wij zijn onze lezers erkentlijk wanneer zij ons namen en adressen opgeven van mensen die het ook op prijs stellen.
Prelatuur van het Opus Dei Bureau voor heiligverklaringen Jan Luijkenstraat 52, 1071 CS Amsterdam, ISSN: 1383-3081
Dit is de 22ste informatie bulletin van de zalige Jozefmaria, stichter van het Opus Dei, dat in 2000 was verschenen.
Hierin behandeld wordt:
- Wie is de zalige Jozefmaria?
- De zalige Jozefmaria en het Jubeljaar: over de beleving van vier jubeljaren in het leven van de zalige Jozefmaria en andere leden van het Opus Dei.
- Een kwestie van geloof: over een documentaire die mensen in beeld brengt die in contact kwamen met de zalige Jozefmaria. Getuigenissen komen onder andere uit Rusland, Frankrijk en Brazilië van onder meer een natuurkundige, een pianist, dichter en kardinaal.
- Een innige biografie: geschreven door Andrés Vázquez de Prada
- Bekering van de kinderen Gods: om het jubeljaar beter te beleven
- Traditie en ontwikkeling zijn niet in tegenspraak: een sociale actie in Kimbondo, om het menselijk en maatschappelijk welzijn te bevorderen.
- Terugkeer tot het geloof: gunsten die op voorspraak van de zalige Jozefmaria zijn verkregen. Waaronder iemand die niet langer naar een sekte ging. voorkomen van een echtscheiding, een biecht voor het sterven,
Dit informatiebulletin wordt gratis verspreid. Wie aan de verspreiding ervan zou willen bijdragen, kan een gift overmaken op: NL23INGB0003740023, ten name van Hulpfonds Bureau heiligverklaringen Opus Dei, Amsterdam. Wij zijn onze lezers erkentlijk wanneer zij ons namen en adressen opgeven van mensen die het ook op prijs stellen.
Prelatuur van het Opus Dei Bureau voor heiligverklaringen Jan Luijkenstraat 52, 1071 CS Amsterdam, ISSN: 1383-3081
Noveen Montse Grases
Auteur:
Francisco Faus
Met kerkelijke goedkeuring
-Onder het kopje Overweging worden getuigenissen over het voorbeeld van Montse aangehaald, uit het boek van J. M. Cejas (JMC): zie de 1e dag.
- Aan het eind van iedere dag worden overwegingen uit het boek De Weg opgenomen, van de heilige Jozefmaria Escrivá, stichter van het Opus Dei. Montse gebruikte dit boek meestal om gebed mee te doen. De Weg heeft een grote invloed op haar leven gehad.
Inhoud:
Biografie: Het leven van Montse Grases, 5
1e dag: Liefde tot God, 7
2e dag: Innerlijk leven, 9
3e dag: De zin van het leven,11
4e dag: De wil van God vervullen, 13
5e dag: Heiligheid in het dagelijks leven, 15
6e dag: Een christelijk gezin, 17
7e dag: Vriendschap en apostolaat, 19
8e dag: Met liefde lijden, 21
9e dag: Altijd vrede en vreugde, 23
Wie een gunst heeft ontvangen op haar voorspraak, wordt verzocht dit door te geven aan de Prelatuur van het Opus Dei in Nederland, Jan Luijkenstraat 52, 1071 CS Amsterdam. E-mail: info.nl@opusdei.org
Mary A Life Close to Jesus
JOSÉ ANTONIO LOARTE
An account of the life of the Virgin Mary in twenty scenes, based on the Gospels and the Tradition of the Church
Opus Dei Information Office, 2015
www.opusdei.org.uk
The Spanish publishers Palabra published a print version of this text from www.opusdei.org. The present digital version does not contain texts from the Fathers of the Church, saints and poets relating to each of the scenes in the life of Our Lady which are contained in the original paper edition.
CONTENTS
Foreword 4
The Immaculate Conception 7
Birth of Mary 9
Presentation of Our Lady 12
Betrothal to Joseph 15
The Annunciation 18
Visitation to Saint Elizabeth 21
Birth of Christ 24
Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple 27
Adoration of the Magi 30
Flight into Egypt 34
Return to Nazareth 38
Jesus with Doctors of the Law 41
The Nazareth Years 44
Wedding Feast at Cana 47
Beside the Cross of Jesus 51
Burial of Christ 54
Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension 57
The Coming of the Holy Spirit 60
Dormition and Assumption 63
Coronation and Queenship 66
Whoever wishes to read the appendices of each chapter, can consult the book ‘The Virgin Mary. Magisterium, Saints, Poets' published in 2012 by Palabra, Madrid. Each topic of this book is enriched by a corresponding chapter containing texts from the Magisterium, saints and poets from various eras.
Translator’s Note: ‘The Virgin Mary. Magisterium, Saints, Poets' is not yet available in English. However, each individual chapter can be found on the Opus Dei website, in the Section ‘Life of Mary’.
Mgr. Fernando Ocáriz, pastorale brief,
14 februari 2017
Deze pastorale brief van de prelaat van het Opus Dei bevat de conclusies van het Algemene Congres dat gehouden werd in de maand januari 2017.
Mgr. Ocáriz schrijft: Met deze brief wil ik jullie deelgenoot maken van de conclusies van het laatste algemeen Congres, dat de afgelopen maand januari in Rome heeft plaatsgevonden. Dat doe ik omdat ik, net als don Javier in het jaar 2010, graag wil dat jullie allemaal het gewicht van het Werk voelen, het gewicht van de zielen en de verantwoordelijkheid om deze kleine familie die wij zijn vooruit te brengen.
De Paus is voor de Kerk Petrus, die Christus aan de wereld bekend maakt door de vreugde van het evangelie te verkondigen. Het algemeen Congres heeft op de eerste plaats opnieuw onze trouw van kinderen aan de Paus willen bevestigen en heeft nog eens het gebed dat we van de heilige Jozefmaria hebben geleerd onderschreven: Allen met Petrus naar Jezus door Maria.
bron: www.opusdei.org
In the Footprints of our Faith
A journey through the Holy Land, by Jesús Gil and Eduardo Gil
This series of articles about the Holy Land, which began as a way to celebrate the Year of Faith opened by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2012, and closed by Pope Francis on November 23, 2013. The original texts appeared over those two years in Crónica, a monthly publication for the faithful of the Prelature of Opus Dei, under the title “In the Footprints of Our Faith.” Here we present a compilation of these articles, sponsored by the Saxum Foundation, with only minor changes.
We were inspired by St. Josemaria’s suggestion (repeated many times) to immerse ourselves in the Gospel, to take part personally in every scene in a way that our lives would never be the same after reading the Word of God. This is why, in addition to recent historical and archaeological investigations, we draw primarily from the writings of those who can best guide us: the Fathers of the Church, who have passed on our Tradition; the Magisterium and the Liturgy of the Church; and, of course, the founder of Opus Dei. Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, St. Josemaria’s first successor, was invaluable in helping us better understand his teachings, a task now carried out by the current Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría.
This publication may only be used for personal or educational purposes and not for public or commercial purposes.
Saxum International Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in Italy in accordance with legislation of the State of Italy. The Foundation is responsible for the global fundraising campaign for the construction and development of Saxum Retreat Center and the Saxum Visitor Center, and for the establishment of an endowment fund for the present and future needs of both. These initiatives aim to fulfill a dream of St. Josemaria, founder of Opus Dei: to help pilgrims from all over the world seek Christ, find Christ, and love Christ during their visit to the Holy Land.
The book can be downloaded at www.saxum.org
Dit is het vijftiende informatie bulletin van de heilige Jozefmaria, stichter van het Opus Dei, dat in 1995 was verschenen.
Hierin behandeld wordt:
- Korte biografie van het leven van de h. Jozefmaria.
- Theologisch symposium over de leer van de Zalige Jozefmaria Escrivá.
Een symposium met de focus op drie thema’s: roeping tot heiligheid, geestelijk leven van een christen en de heiliging van de wereld. Professoren vanuit de hele wereld onderstreepten hierbij het belang en de actualiteit van de boodschap van de zalige Jozefmaria voor het leven van de Kerk.
- Toespraak van de Paus.
Paus Johannes Paulus II spreekt op het bovengenoemde symposium. Hij haalt vooral de werking van de Heilige Geest aan met betrekking tot de ontwikkeling van de Kerk, het Tweede Vaticaanse Concilie en de universele roeping van ieder christen.
- Teksten van mgr. Escriva: over het priesterschap.
- De wijding van de drie eerste priesters van het Opus Dei.
Over de laatste dag van het leven van Don Alvaro, de noodzaak om priesters te hebben, de juridische weg die afgelegd moest worden hiervoor. Tot slot over de wijding van de eerste drie priesters, waar de zalige Jozefmaria niet bij was.
- Onder zijn geestelijke impuls: over Zonnewende, waar activiteiten worden georganiseerd op gebied van geloof, familie, studie, beroep, waarden en normen, ethiek, wetenschap en cultuur. En over de relatie van de naam Zonnewende tot haar functie.
http://www.soka.nl/
- Men schrijft ons: Mensen over de hele wereld melden gunsten (7 in totaal) die zij verkrijgen op voorspraak van de zalige Jozefmaria bij materiele en spirituele noden. O.a. een lekkende galblaas die genas, een alcoholverslaving die overwonnen was,
- Uitgegeven werken van de zalige Jozefmaria: boeken die door de zalige Jozefmaria geschreven waren.
Dit informatiebulletin wordt gratis verspreid. Wie aan de verspreiding ervan zou willen bijdragen, kan een gift overmaken op: NL23INGB0003740023, ten name van Hulpfonds Bureau heiligverklaringen Opus Dei, Amsterdam. Wij zijn onze lezers erkentlijk wanneer zij ons namen en adressen opgeven van mensen die het ook op prijs stellen.
Prelatuur van het Opus Dei Bureau voor heiligverklaringen Jan Luijkenstraat 52, 1071 CS Amsterdam, ISSN: 1383-3081
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
The Book of Ruth is included in the third division, or the Writings, of the Hebrew Bible. In most Christian canons it is treated as one of the historical books and placed between Judges and 1 Samuel.
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Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
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A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
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Protector & Destroyer: Agni Dev (The Hindu God of Fire)Exotic India
So let us turn the pages of ancient Indian literature and get to know more about Agni, the mighty purifier of all things, worshipped in Indian culture as a God since the Vedic time.
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
2. Prayer to Saint Josemaría
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Founder of Opus Dei
PRAYER
O God, through the mediation of Mar y our
Mother, you granted your priest St. Josemaría countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in
daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian's
ordinary duties. Grant that I too may learn to turn all
the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving You and serving the Church, the Pope
and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the
pathways of this earth with faith and love.
Deign to grant me, through the intercession of St.
Josemaría, the favor of ... (make your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
2
3. Day 1
Marriage, a divine vocation
4St Josemaría says:
For a Christian, marriage is … a real supernatural calling, a great
sacrament, in Christ and in the Church, as St Paul says. … It is a sacred
sign, an action of Jesus that invades the soul of those who get married
and invites them to follow him, by transforming their whole married life
into a divine journey on earth. (Christ is Passing By, 23)
It is important for married people to acquire a clear sense of the dignity
of their vocation. They must know that they have been called by God not
only to human love but also to a divine love, through their human love.
It is important for them to realise that they have been chosen from all
eternity to cooperate with the creative power of God by having and then
bringing up children. Our Lord asks them to make their home and their
entire family life a testimony of all the Christian virtues. (Conversations
with Monsignor Escrivá, 93).
Love which leads to marriage and family, can also be a marvellous divine way, a vocation … What I have told you about doing things perfectly, about putting love into the little duties of each day, about discovering
that “divine something” contained in these details, finds a special place
in that vital sphere in which human love is enclosed.
(Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 121)
4Intention A: for family life
May God Our Lord make us understand the greatness of Christian marriage; may we also understand it as a divine vocation – a personal, loving
call from God – with a mission which is entrusted to us in this world: to
build a Christian family that is holy and stable and, in the words of Pope
John Paul II, the “first and vital cell of society” and of the Church.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May God Our Lord make us have before our eyes the example of the
Holy Family of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who, filled with Faith
and Love and forgetful of themselves, lived entirely for God and for each
other in simple, joyful and generous self-giving and a spirit of service.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
3
4. Day 2
Marriage, a way to holiness
4St Josemaría says:
Marriage is to help married people sanctify themselves and others. For
this reason they receive a special grace in the sacrament which Jesus
Christ instituted. Those who are called to the married state will, with
the grace of God, find within their state everything they need to be holy.
(Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 91)
Husband and wife are called to sanctify their married life and to sanctify
themselves in that union. It would be a serious mistake if their spiritual
life were to develop with their backs turned to, or at the fringes of, their
home. Family life, conjugal relations, the care and education of children,
the effort to provide for the needs of the family as well as for its security
and development, the relationships with other persons who make up the
community, all these are among the ordinary human situations that Christian couples are called upon to sanctify. (Christ is Passing By, 23)
Sanctify the home one day after another, to create with love a true family atmosphere. Many Christian virtues are necessary in order to sanctify
each day of one’s life. First, the theological virtues [faith, hope and charity], and then all the others: prudence, loyalty, sincerity, humility, industriousness, cheerfulness... (Christ is Passing By, 23)
4Intention A: for family life
May we come to understand that we can sanctify ourselves by fulfilling
our conjugal and family duties (towards our spouse, parents, sons and
daughters) with love and our eyes set on God, knowing that, step by step,
we can reach the heights of the Christian ideal of holiness and that, day
after day, we can grow in identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ by imitating His love and practising the other Christian virtues.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May God Our Lord help us to create a true family environment, to strive
so as to live the virtues that can help us “to be a family”: self-denying tenderness, humility, self-forgetfulness, understanding, generosity in giving
and forgiving, and, in general, everything that helps overcome selfishness
and enables love to triumph.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
4
5. Day 3
Christian love
4St Josemaría says:
Sometimes we speak of love as if it were an impulse to self-satisfaction or
a mere means to selfish fulfilment of one’s own personality. But that’s not
love. True love means going out of oneself, giving oneself. Love brings
joy, but a joy whose roots are in the shape of a cross. As long as we are
on earth and have not yet arrived at the fullness of the future life, we can
never have true love without sacrifice and pain. (Christ is Passing By, 4)
Each of us has his own character, his personal taste, his moods… and his
defects. But we all have likeable aspects in our personality as well, and
for this reason, and many others, everyone can be loved. It is possible to
live happily together when everyone tries to correct his own defects and
makes an effort to overlook the faults of others… On the other hand, if
husband and wife dramatise their little differences and reproach each
other for their defects and mistakes, they put an end to peace and run the
risk of killing their love. (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 108)
You will only be good if you know how to see the good points and the
virtues of others. That is why when you have to correct, you should do so
with charity, at the opportune moment, without humiliating... And being
ready yourself to learn and to improve in the very faults you are correcting. (The Forge, 455)
4Intention A: for family life
May God Our Lord free us from egoism and from considering marriage
as a way to fulfil our selfish ambitions, such as “the right to be happy”.
May we see this as deceitful, turning marriage into a means of pursuing satisfaction, pleasure and personal dreams, instead of realising what
it really is: a vocation of love, of the sort of true love which – as Jesus
teaches – finds greater joy in giving than in receiving.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May we have the strength to check our temper, our moods, our defects
(however small), our love of comfort, and all shortcomings that hinder
social interaction. At the same time, we pray that we may be understanding and patient with the faults of others, and not give those faults
undue importance, or make a drama out of minor problems.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
5
6. Day 4
The love of each day
4St Josemaría says:
[Christian couples] mustn’t forget that the secret of married happiness lies in
everyday things, not in daydreams. It lies in finding the hidden joy of coming home in the evening, in affectionate relations with their children, in the
everyday work in which the whole family cooperates; in good humour in the
face of difficulties that should be met with a sporting spirit.
(Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 91)
If a marriage is to preserve its initial charm and beauty, both husband and
wife should try to renew their love day after day and that is done through sacrifice, with smiles and also with ingenuity. Is it surprising that a husband who
arrives home tired from work begins to lose patience when his wife keeps on
and on about everything she thinks has gone wrong during the day?
(Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 107)
[Wives,] your duty is, and will always be, to take as good care of your appearance as you did before you were married – and it is a duty of justice,
because you belong to your husband. And husbands should not forget
that they belong to their wives, and that as long as they live they have the
obligation to show the same affection as a young man who has just fallen in
love. (Christ is Passing By, 26)
4Intention A: for family life
May we receive the grace not to let ourselves be overtaken by tiredness and
routine in the way we act, consider and communicate with one other; in the
caring manner with which we greet others; in the joy we express when we get
home, in the politeness with which we ask for things (“please”) and say thank
you; in the considerateness with which we let our spouse know when we will
be away, or late, and for how long, and in the care with which we look after
material things.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May we, spouses, with the help of God Our Lord, make an effort always to
treat one another “as we did when we were engaged” (as St Josemaría used to
say). May we think about the everyday joys we can give to each other and to
the children in countless details. May we never fail to pay attention to personal
matters (physical appearance, personal care for one another, and the tendency
to isolate oneself when tired). May we flee, as if running from the devil himself,
from being rude, unsocial or verbally offensive.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
6
7. Day 5
Bright and cheerful homes
4St Josemaría says:
Every Christian home should be a haven of peace and serenity. In spite of
the small frustrations of daily life, an atmosphere of profound and sincere
affection should reign there together with a deep-rooted calm, which is the
result of authentic faith that is put into practice. (Christ is Passing By, 22)
Charity will fill all, and will lead to sharing joys and possible sorrows,
to learning how to smile and forget about themselves in order to pay
attention to others; to listen to each other and to their children; … to do
lovingly all the small acts of service that make up their daily life together. (Christ is Passing By, 23)
What really makes a person unhappy and even destroys a whole society
is the frenzied search for well-being and the attempt to eliminate, at all
costs, all difficulties and hardships … Each situation brings its own grace. Each one is a special call from God, a new opportunity to work and
to give the divine testimony of Charity. (Conversations with Monsignor
Escrivá, 97)
Sometimes one needs to have smiling faces around. (Furrow, 57)
A sincere resolution: to make the way lovable for others and easy, since
life brings enough bitterness with it already. (Furrow, 63)
4Intention A: for family life
May we learn to cover with a smile, for love of God and others, our tiredness or our impatience with their shortcomings or small annoying mistakes. May we never look victimised or sad, like people who feel misunderstood, ill-treated, ignored, or unappreciated.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May we succeed in giving an optimistic tone to our conversations; may
we avoid being pessimistic about events or people. Let us not make a
drama out of financial or other hardships, but may we pray together and
make the effort to overcome them, so that faith in the love of God and
the virtue of hope may be the serene environment for all our family life.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
7
8. Day 6
With God’s help, overcome the crises
and difficulties of married life
4St Josemaría says:
Anyone who thinks that love ends when the worries and difficulties that life
brings with it begin, has a poor idea of marriage, which is a sacrament and
an ideal and a vocation. It is precisely then that love grows strong. Torrents
of worries and difficulties are incapable of drowning true love because
people who sacrifice themselves generously together are brought closer by
their sacrifice. (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 91)
We should all learn to keep quiet, to wait and say things in a positive, optimistic way. When her husband loses his temper, the moment has arrived
for his wife to be especially patient until he calms down, and vice versa. If
there is true love and a real desire to deepen it, it will very rarely happen
that the two give in to bad temper at the same time. (Conversations with
Monsignor Escrivá, 108)
We are never a hundred per cent right. In fact one can say that in matters
like these, which are usually so debatable, the surer we are of being completely right, the more doubtful it is that we really are. Following this line
of reasoning makes it easier to correct oneself later on and if necessary to
beg pardon, which is the best way of ending a quarrel. In this way peace
and love are regained. (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 108)
4Intention A: for family life
May we be able to avoid with all our heart, negative criticism and offensive words concerning relatives (in-laws, cousins, etc) and, in general, may
we avoid all attitudes, omissions and words, that may harm the self-esteem
of others thereby leaving open wounds which are difficult to heal.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
[If a separation has unfortunately taken place, already]
May the spouse who has suffered injustice (betrayal, unforgiveness, or
misunderstanding), see clearly that he/she needs to come closer to God
than ever before, strengthened with divine grace and the spiritual guidance of a good confessor. May he/she understand that God is asking him/
her for two main things:
8
9. – first, to pray, so as to overcome resentment against the spouse who
caused the separation, and never to abandon hope in the miracle of reconciliation;
– second, to reject any bitterness, but dedicate himself/herself with renewed determination to the children, the apostolate and works of charity.
And may the spouse who caused the separation realise that God is asking
him/her for the humility to repent, to ask for forgiveness, and to put right,
as far as possible, the harm that has been done.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
9
10. Day 7
Co-operating with God
4St Josemaría says:
Our Lord sanctifies and blesses the mutual love of husband and wife. He
foresees, not only a union of souls, but a union of bodies as well … He
has wanted to use love to bring new human beings into the world and to
increase the body of the Church. (Christ is Passing By, 24)
You share in the creative power of God: that is why human love is holy,
good and noble. It is a gladness of heart which God – in His loving providence – wants others freely to give up. Each child that God grants you is a
wonderful blessing from Him: don’t be afraid of children! (The Forge, 691)
The fact of having few or many children does not on its own make a
family more or less Christian. What matters is the integrity and honesty
with which married life is lived. True mutual love transcends the union of
husband and wife and extends to its natural fruits — the children. Selfishness, on the contrary, sooner or later reduces love to a mere satisfaction
of instinct and destroys the bond which unites parents and children …
I see clearly that attacks on large families stem from a lack of faith. They
are the product of a social atmosphere which is incapable of understanding generosity. (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 94)
4Intention A: for family life
May we learn to thank God every day for the great gift of children – He
gave them to us – and may we see in them, in their education, in their
Christian formation, in their true spiritual and material good, a very important part of the mission that God entrusted to us as part of His call to
live the vocation to marriage and the family.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
[For those who have no children]
May we be convinced that if God did not grant us children it was not to
diminish the holy ideal of fatherhood and motherhood. We can fulfil this
ideal by diligently seeking to know what the will of God is, dedicating
ourselves to other members of the family, or to institutions that help abandoned children, or actively working in the formation of Christian youth
and, if appropriate, considering the possibility of adopting one or more
children, after proper counselling and with due prudence.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
10
11. Day 8
Educating the children
4St Josemaría says:
Parents are the first persons responsible for the education of their children, in human as well as in spiritual matters … They need prudence,
understanding, a capacity to love and a concern for giving good example.
Imposing things by force, in an authoritarian manner, is not the right way
to teach. The ideal attitude of parents lies more in becoming their children’s friends – friends who will be willing to share their anxieties, who
will listen to their problems, who will help them in an effective and agreeable way. (Christ is Passing By, 27)
Let your children see that you are trying to live in accordance with your
faith … Let them see that God is not only on your lips, but also in your
deeds; that you are trying to be loyal and sincere, and that you love each
other and you really love them too. (Christ is Passing By, 28)
Parents should find time to spend with their children, to talk with them.
They are the most important thing – more important than business or
work or rest. In their conversations, parents should make an effort to
listen, to pay attention, to understand, to recognise the fact that their
children are sometimes partly right – or even completely right – in some
of their rebellious attitudes. (Christ is Passing By, 27)
4Intention A: for family life
May we learn to dedicate ourselves truly to the mission of educating the
children whom God has entrusted to us. May we realise that, for them,
nothing can replace the daily example of their parents, or our persevering
effort to develop them into Christian men and women of good character.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
May God Our Lord help us to avoid irritating authoritarianism towards
our children, shown in outbursts of bad temper, harsh impositions and
loss of self-control. These are clear signs that we as parents are not offering the sacrifice of spending time and patience listening to our children.
May we realise our need to understand them, dialogue with them, and find
practical ways of teaching them basic virtues such as loyalty, sincerity,
respect, generosity, order, discipline and solidarity with those in need.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
11
12. Day 9
God in the home
4St Josemaría says:
Couples have the grace of the married state — the grace they receive in
the Sacrament of Marriage — which enables them to live all the human
and Christian virtues in their married life: understanding, good humour,
patience, forgiveness, refinement and consideration in their mutual
relations. The important thing is not to give up the effort, not to give in to
nerves, pride or personal fads or obsessions … The grace of God will not
be lacking. (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá, 108)
The piety which you mothers place in the hearts of your children is never
lost. (São Paulo, Brazil, 4 June 1974)
There is perhaps no better model for a Christian couple than that of the
Christian families of apostolic times … Families who lived in union with
Christ and who made Him known to others. Small Christian communities which were centres for the spreading of the Gospel and its message.
Families no different from other families of those times, but living with a
new spirit, which spread to all those who were in contact with them. This
is what the first Christians were, and this is what we have to be: sowers of
peace and joy, the peace and joy that Jesus has brought to us. (Christ is
Passing By, 30)
4Intention A: for family life
May children see that their parents’ participation at Mass, frequent Communion, the Rosary, morning and evening prayers, and at meals, are practised joyfully and perseveringly and not seen as an obligation performed
mechanically.
4Intention B: for family life in difficulties
With the help of God’s grace, may we never tire of praying for one another and for our children, especially when they encounter serious moral
or spiritual difficulties or have dangerous habits or companions. May
we always believe with firm faith that love, good example and patience,
together with persevering prayer through the intercession of Our Blessed
Lady, will plant a good seed in our children’s hearts that will never be
lost, but will bear fruit in the end, even after many years have passed.
4Prayer to St Josemaría: page 2
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13. This Novena, prepared for couples by Fr Francisco Faus,
aims to ask God through the intercession of St Josemaría,
for the grace to maintain or continually improve a truly
Christian family, on the bedrock of the love for Christ and
the example of the Holy Family, the foundations on which
— with the grace of the Holy Spirit — every Christian
family should be built.
Imprimatur:
+ Rt. Rev. Alan Hopes
Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster
19 April 2010
Those who obtain favours through the intercession of St
Josemaría Escrivá are asked to notify the Prelature of
Opus Dei, Office for the Causes of the Saints:
4 Orme Court
London W2 4RL, England
E-mail: ocs@opusdei.org.uk
Learn more about St Josemaría Escrivá at:
www.josemariaescriva.info
www.opusdei.org
www.escrivaworks.org
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