Great Pilgrimage Destination in the United States: Our Lady of Lebanon National Shrine

In college my roommate was Maronite.

It was then that I learned how awesome they are.

If you have never been to a Maronite Liturgy, then start going. 

In their rites, you hear prayed the very spoken language of Christ, Syriac.  It will send chills down your spine.

Make a pilgrimage to this fine place of prayer, healing, and reconciliation:

 http://www.ourladyoflebanonshrine.com/Home.aspx.

The rector I met once in Italy, a very fine man.  Ciao, Abouna!

Great Pilgrimage Destination in Canada: Marie Reine du Canada

A very special place.

People often write and ask: "Where can we take a pilgrimage at home?  In North America?"

The answer is simple: lots of places.  You just have to know where to look.

This annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Cape, is my personal favorite.  Everyone should know about it.    

See here: http://www.marie-reine.ca/index_en.php.

Thanks, Chris!

Relic of Pius X

First class relic seen at his birthplace. 

What a Galero Looks Like

This was the galero rosso of Cardinal Sarto, who later gave it to his friend, Card. R. Merry del Val, his Secretary of State and the first person he created cardinal.  Now kept at the Pius X Museum at Riese, his birthplace.  The color of the felt has faded over time.  An interesting piece of history.     

Collar of Pius X

Powerful Witness of Catholic Memes on the Internet

Images from Facebook. 

A unique online teaching tool. 

Join Us for the 2015 March for Life in Rome

http://oc-travel.com/upcoming-tours/

#Romesick

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God and Suffering

Annual EF Mass in Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada.

Entering the Town Where Pius X Was Born

The village of Riese, now known as Riese Pio X. 

Located in the north of Italy, where the land is very flat and fertile.

Floor of the Birthplace of Pius X

A humble abode.  The most touching was to see the kitchen.  They lived as in the Middle Ages.  My how times have changed. 

Views from the Home of Pius X

He grew up just down the street from the local parish, on main street.  A lovely home.

Backyard of Pius X

This is his backyard, where he played as a boy.  The top image is their home, seen from the rear.  It was a happy home.  A house of prayer and sacrifice. 

Original Photo of Bishop Sarto

Such a handsome man.  You can see the Polish in his blood. 

What the Inside of Pius X's Home Looked Like

The dining room.

Just imagine the happy family means celebrated here. 

Pius XII Blessing to the Village of Riese

Pius X Monument at His Birthplace

In 1905, this monument by Giuseppe Giusti was placed on main street in the village of Riese, across from the birthplace of the sainted Pontiff. 

From MIT to Vatican Observatory: Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J.

World Youth Day Krakow 2016 PROMO ENG SUBTITLES [ OFFICIAL ]

Vestments of St. Peter's Basilica

In former years all the copes and chasubles of the Vatican Basilica had this emblem. 

The past exists, as an enduring fact, an ineliminable part of the extended present.

From Vitruvius through the Renaissance to the Gothic revival, responses to art in the liturgy have always been backward-looking.  We are still backward-looking and this is okay.

Such beauty, craftsmanship, and skill and devotion of yesterday that we can learn from and be inspired by. 

PRAYER FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE

PRAYER FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE

Lord,

the plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of the Christians
is heavy and frightening us,
therefore we ask You Lord
to assign our lives,
grant us patience and courage
to continue to witness our Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the base of any life;
give us peace and stability
to live with each other without fear, anxiety,
with dignity and joy, glory to You forever.  

Amen.

+Louis Raphael I Sako
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch

Papal Gate At Riese: Birthplace of Pope St. Pius X

Stiamo provando nuovi sfondi di computer!

Seen at monument to Pius X.

Needs a fresh coat of rust-oleum and paint and even sandblasting.

Spiritual Life of Pius X: Maria SS Bambina

Italians are a sentimental people.  They love babies.

A venerable devotion in Italy, not seen in other countries, is devotion to the baby Mary.

Once in Milan I saw the original statue of this baby, located in a convent chapel.  The statue looks exactly as it does in the above image. 

Pius X had great devotion to Our Lady under the title of Maria SS Bambina.

This image was kept by his family in his home.  In the north of Italy you see this image, and copies of the statue.       

Room Where Pius X Was Born

You can see the ex voto objects on the wall, in gratitude for prayers answered. 

Lots of prayer in this room. 

Very humble, compared to the room where Pius IX was born in Senigallia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. 

A joy to visit either place, you will find yourself alone, praying in the room. 

Room Where Cardinal Sarto Stayed While Visiting His Mother

 In the home of his birthplace, in Riese.

It is located in the upstairs of the home.  There is one hallway up there, and the rooms are off the hallway.  You walk down a staircase into the kitchen, which was the heart of the home.  They lived in great poverty, and were greatly happy.

Birthplace of Pius X

At Riese (Riese Pio X), located in the north of Italy.

He was born in this humble home.

Even today, this is a small, rural village.

Well worth a visit, no trains go here.  You must take the bus from Padova.

And there are no hotels.  Easiest if you have a rental car.

Just ring the bell.  A family lives here today, and they are the curators, living in the adjacent flat.  Very gracious hosts.

What the Tomb of Pius X Looked Like

Pius X has had more than one tomb.  When the floor of the grottoes of the Vatican Basilica was lowered in the 1940s, they created a new tomb for him, used until the canonization in 1954. 

Vatican II on Martyrdom

Image from Facebook: Things Vatican II Actually Said. 

“Since Jesus, the Son of God, manifested His charity by laying down His life for us, so too no one has greater love than he who lays down his life for Christ and His brothers. From the earliest times, then, some Christians have been called upon—and some will always be called upon—to give the supreme testimony of this love to all men, but especially to persecutors. The Church, then, considers martyrdom as an exceptional gift and as the fullest proof of love. By martyrdom a disciple is transformed into an image of his Master by freely accepting death for the salvation of the world—as well as his conformity to Christ in the shedding of his blood. Though few are presented such an opportunity, nevertheless all must be prepared to confess Christ before men. They must be prepared to make this profession of faith even in the midst of persecutions, which will never be lacking to the Church, in following the way of the cross.”
 
-Gaudium et Spes, 42

Catholic Martyrs

Pope Francis called the Foley family this afternoon to offer his condolences, according to CNS.

Our Lady of Ransom for the Redemption of Captives, pray for us.  

Centenary of the Passing of Pius X: 1914 - 2014

My Confirmation saint.

A legend.

Pius X passed away 100 years ago today.

May he continue to inspire new generations of Catholic warriors. 

Unconquerable defender of the Faith and the liberty of the Church, distinguished by his zeal for the spread of the Faith.  

Pius X Museum

At his birthplace.  A must see.

Constructed in 1935.  Planned by Fausto Scudo.

This was the backyard where Joe Sarto, future Pius X, played as a kid.  There has been an orchard here.  

Below are some pics.   Hope you enjoy.

In Riese, near Padua and Venice.