You’re standing in the middle of the Garden of Gethsemane. As you look to one side you see a small group of men sitting and laying around the ground making small talk or sleeping. To the other side, about a stone’s throw from the group of men, you see Christ in a crushed, huddled position on the ground, weeping and praying. His skin is coated in bloody sweat.

Which direction will you and I move?

Every day each of us has the opportunity to stand in the middle of the Garden of Gethsemane in some way, and make a decision. Do we turn towards the group of men and join them? It always feels more comfortable to fit in with others. Or do we turn towards Christ and move to embrace Him in His bloody sweat? This is always the more difficult decision. It is however the one that proves loyalty to the Divine King.

As our relationship with Christ deepens, true charity for others will deepen, and our understanding and desire to work for the salvation of souls and to defend the Catholic faith will be strengthened. These days are powerful, but they will pass quickly. Don’t waste them! It is far too easy for us to allow ourselves to be distracted by things in this world, even things that are not in and of themselves bad. This is the holiest week of the year. It is a time for each of us to focus on one thing above everything else, and that is the relationship each of us has with Christ.

“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” -Matthew 16:19

Habemus Papam Franciscum: “We have Pope Francis!”

Once again, the Holy Ghost has appointed a leader – through His cardinals – for the Church. As we celebrate the leadership of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, don’t forget to offer sincere prayers for him! As the Vicar of Christ, he will be under much attack both naturally and supernaturally. He is the first line of defense for the Church here on earth. We cannot leave him unsupported!

CLICK HERE to read Pope Francis’ first homily! 

God bless Pope Francis!

Please watch and share this message. We need strong, faithful, bold leadership. Souls are on the line and that is the most important thing to remember. We who are the laity must not sit on the sidelines. We must engage!

Click here: Message from Bishop Jenky, Peoria IL

There are many different reasons why more people don’t stand up and fight for the truth. Distraction, insecurity, selfishness or being tied down by some habitual sin are a few of those reasons. Another reason some don’t stand in the gap and fight is ignorance.

It can be difficult to hear about the different attacks and battles that are going on in our world.  It can feel like too much at times. That is why it is imperative that we study and remember the word of God.

Whether we ignore it or not, the fight is upon us! Take courage Christian Soldier!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  -Joshua 1:9

“The tragedy of our time is that those who still believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction.” -Fulton Sheen

The question is, what is your level of fire and conviction?

Your heart was created to burn with fire and conviction for God!

–

LINKS:

Bishops’ 5 point plan

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Lifenews

Lifesitenews

Radix

Year of Faith

Zenit

“Religious liberty is an empty shell if the spiritual core of a people is weak.”  -Archbishop Chaput

Fighting for Religious Freedom matters!  Several bishops spoke with LifeSiteNews on Jan. 24th in Washington, D.C. concerning the HHS mandate. Some indicated that it is their intention to do everything possible to oppose the mandate, even if it meant going to prison.

Read complete story HERE. 

Archbishop Samuel Aquila, the recently installed bishop of Denver, told LifeSiteNews that he and many other bishops will simply refuse to cooperate if the government tries to force their hand concerning the HHS mandate.

“Certainly we as bishops are still considering what the options will be if it does go through,” he explained. “Many of us have already stated that we will not and cannot cooperate with the mandate.”

He went on to say:

“I just really try to encourage Catholics: stay strong, stay firm, and continue to do what you’re doing…Continue to fight, because we as bishops can only do so much and it’s going to be important for the laity to follow and to respond.”

The urgency in this matter is real. The officers on the battlefield are talking about going to jail for the sake of religious liberty. We need to be awakened to the gravity of the situation. We need to join forces and not let petty personal things divide us. We need to see that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves.

How well trained are you in the weapons of spiritual self-defense, the Ten Commandments?  How trained are those that have been entrusted to your care?

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

These are seven basic and necessary teachings of our Catholic faith that we all should know and be striving to live everyday of our lives.  We don’t need to be scripture scholars or great apologists to enter into heaven, but the following seven are essential for salvation.  Learn them and teach them to others. It can only do good.

The Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord thy God. You shall not have strange gods before Me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day.
4. Honor thy Father and thy Mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. You shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods.

The Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be consoled.
3. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for holiness: for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven will be great.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. Wisdom
2. Knowledge
3. Counsel
4. Understanding
5. Fortitude
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. To admonish sinners
2. To instruct the ignorant
3. To counsel the doubtful
4. To comfort the afflicted
5. To bear wrongs patiently
6. To forgive offenses willingly
7. To pray for the living and the dead

The Corporal Works of Mercy

1. To feed the hungry
2. To give drink to the thirsty
3. To clothe the naked
4. To shelter the homeless
5. To care for the sick
6. To visit the imprisoned
7. To bury the dead

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, Love

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance

BATTLE READY is an effort of the Camp Gargano mission to encourage and strengthen the body, mind and soul for the day to day battle.

It’s simple. As a man you were created by God to be a fighter, a protector, a defender. You say you’re a lover not a fighter. I say that if you love, then you will fight for what you love. You will provide for what you love. You will defend what you love. If you are a priest or husband/father then God has placed under your care other lives, other souls. If you are a young man who has not yet found your position then these days should be understood as a time of training. Most young men do not take this seriously which is why so many guys end up with messed up lives. Divorce, addiction, abusive relationships and destructive behavior are the obvious trainwrecks, and they’re everywhere.

It is your duty to fight for those under your care and that fight invloves much more than than just protecting them and providing for them in this world. The real enemy we face is an enemy of intense darkness. The fight we are engaged in is against a saboteur who seeks to lay waste to everything good and noble.

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