Three strikes and this blog is out

Try two

Let's stand up for religious freedom in Denver Friday March 23rd 2012

The once "fake-it-until-you-make-it" Catholic suggests you do the same

It is exactly 3 years ago today that I began writing a column as a way to serve Jesus and Mary, and share the truth of our Catholic faith. At that time I considered myself "spiritual, not religious." I was what you might call a "fake it until you make it" Catholic. All I can say is that it sure has worked for me. God's grace is truly amazing. His faithfulness, mercy, and forgiveness is very real. He heals us. You only have to ask the Lord to take the lead, and then take those unsure, wobbly baby steps forward. Our holy mother Mary helps us learn to walk. She's right there, if we want to take her for our own, as St. John did at the foot of the holy cross.

I am very grateful for this new creation that God is making of me. For the good and the bad in my life, too, I am appreciative. The days of my life are like the multiple threads of an elaborate tapestry that God has used to lead me to repentance of my sinful ways and to cooperate with the grace of God in striving for holiness.

Did you know that in these muddled opinions of all sorts, and in these confusing times, there is one thing you can always be sure of? We all have a calling for holiness. I do. You do. One way to get there is to "fake it until you make it." Just try. What better day than today, on Ash Wednesday. Tomorrow, dust yourself off and get up and try again. You may fall a whole lot at first. You may get hurt. Conversion is an on-going process. Like a spiritual toddler, don't give up, keep on. You will learn to walk eventually. You may even find you love to run.

March for Life 2012 facebook friend coverage

News coverage on the March for Life 2012 was minimal and late in the day, though hundreds of thousands of people came out to take a stand for the sanctity of human life, proclaiming that the right to life, has not been granted to people by the government, but by our God.

This photo was shared by a facebook friend who heard that there were speakers at the historic event "from every creed and race." You can imagine how many touching human interest stories could have been written from such a diverse presence.

The purpose of the March for Life is for American pro-life citizens to come together in unity to pray and speak up on behalf of the defenseless, innocent, preborn human beings who have no voice; and to send the message to our elected officials that abortion is not a health care option, but it is the inhumane destruction of human life, and that abortion also harms women and men who are left in its wake.

It is my pleasure to share some of this event, which is, from what I've heard, the largest assembly of U.S. citizens to ever march on Washington.

This is a photo posted on Susan B. Anthony List's wall. It was there that somebody commented that this year's March for Life in Germany was "wonderful," too.

As you can see by these few photos, showing the multitude of pro-life citizens who participated in the annual March for Life, posted by a handful of facebook friends, it is obvious that there are so many facets of this gem of an event that journalists purposely  neglected  to shine a camera light on. I appreciate everyone who posted information, photos, and videos to cover the event. Those of us who could only share the moment on a computer on facebook were there in spirit. And everyone there at EWTN, you did an awesome job!

It has been 39 years now since Roe vs. Wade, and in that time there have been nearly 55 million babies legally killed in our country alone. Let's continue to prayerfully work together to end this holocaust. Your prayers and your voice really do make a difference, for the unborn children, for families, and for society.

A group of my favorite Catholic facebook apologists were there at the March, and they shared photographs and videos. They also took the opportunity for doing some radio show live broadcasting. Margie Prox Sindlar is one of this crew, who posted pictures of the Vigil Mass for Life at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. She reported that it "took 40 minutes for all the Seminarians, Priests, and Bishops to process in."

Lastly, EWTN will be replaying their excellent exclusive coverage again this weekend. If your time is limited, check out the highlights in this video:

Adoration Hymn: The Resurrection of the Lord

Adoration Hymn: The Resurrection of the Lord 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Christ is risen from the dead,

so then by death He trampled death,

to ransom me.

You have paid the highest price,

laid down your life in sacrifice,

for love of me.

I have hope that day by day,

as You guide me on the way,

a saint I'll be.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Our Lord has risen from the dead,

threw open wide the prison doors,

set captives free.

Jesus, You've conquered sin and death,

crushed the wicked serpent's head,

by faith I see.

Lord, I'm held fast in my sins,

break the chains yet binding me,

Christ have mercy.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Jesus has risen from the dead,

and granted life to us instead,

eternally.

You've asked me to deny myself,

and take your mother as my own,

to care for me.

I cry out, “Holy! and wise Lord!”

rejoice with Mary, who adores

my God, and King.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Preparation for total consecration to Jesus through Mary

I'd like to encourage you to participate in the Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. This book is an excellent guide to use daily for about a month prior to making a consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary, concluding with the consecration on a Marian feast day.

On the day of this writing, according to the suggested schedule included in the book published by Montfort Publications, it is now day eleven into the devotional. Part I focuses the faithful, for twelve preliminary days, on the opposing ways of the spirit of the world, and that of the spirit of Jesus and our Blessed Mother.

Following this, the devotion is a terrific aid in gaining knowledge of self, of Holy Mary, and of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.These sections consist of seven days each. The book concludes with the Consecration of oneself to Jesus Christ, Wisdom incarnate, through the hands of Mary. The recommendation is to renew your consecration at least once a year, on the same day. Though, perhaps you'll find, as I did, that this booklet is valuable as a daily devotion that enriches your walk of faith with a glorious growth in virtue.

The contents include portions from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis de Montfort, and passages from the Holy Bible, along with Catholic prayers appropriately selected for the different topics in the book.

This book can be picked up at your neighborhood Catholic book store, or from the publisher: http://publications.montfortmissionaries.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=43 . You might also like to use icons and other artistic creations to enhance your contemplative experience, and I have designed a facebook page for that purpose. This page is located here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Preparation-for-Total-Consecration-according-to-Saint-Louis-de-Montfort/295101727206712?sk=wall

Pray with me my daily mini consecration prayer, taken from St. Louis de Montfort: "I am all Thine, and all that I have is Thine, O my sweet Jesus, through Mary, Thy holy mother. Amen." Totus Tuus!