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MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - August, 2017
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IN THIS ISSUE:
* Greetings
* MCS News & Notes
* The Month of August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
* 15 Reflections on Humility
* New: MyCatholicSource.com Media
* Liturgical Feasts in August
* 'Catholic Trivia'
* Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Do You Think the Catholic Church Was Invented After Constantine 'Legalized' Christianity?
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Dear Friend,
Greetings & blessings to you! We hope you are having a pleasant and holy summer.
We send our thanks to all subscribers who have signed up for Rosary Week and also for the nice comments we have received with signups. For those who haven't yet signed up, please accept our invitation to join fellow Catholics in praying the rosary for worthy intentions. It doesn't take very long to participate, it doesn't cost anything to sign up, and you can pray from anywhere. Please join us in this 'spiritually rewarding event'. Sign up today at www.MyCatholicSource.com/RosaryWeek
Also (as noted briefly in our last newsletter), we are happy to officially announce that we have recently released our first ebook & paperback and we have more titles in the works. For more information, please see below or try here: www.MyCatholicSource.com/Media
We thank all subscribers for their support of our newsletter and site. Please know that we always love to hear from you. You can use the subscriber feedback form at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/subscriber_feedback.htm to drop us a quick note.
We wish you God's blessings,
Your Friends at MyCatholicSource.com
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Marian Prayer for the Home: "O Mary, bless this house where thy Name is always blessed. Praise forever be to Mary Immaculate, the ever-Virgin Mother, blessed amongst women, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Queen of Paradise." (Raccolta)
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MCS News & Notes
* Rosary Week: Please sign up today for our Ninth Annual Rosary Week to be held from 10/23-10/29/17 at http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/RosaryWeek . Please also invite your friends!
* New: As noted briefly in our last newsletter, we have recently released our first ebook and paperback and we have more titles in the works. We are hopeful that revenue from these new offerings may help keep our site going. For additional details, please see below and try here: www.MyCatholicSource.com/Media
* Top Border Update: We have removed the new server message from the top border of MyCatholicSource.com. If you experience any unexpected issues with the site, please let us know. You can use the quick feedback form at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/quick_feedback.htm
* E-Mail Delivery Issues Update: As indicated previously, email delivery issues are affecting certain domains since our recent server switch. The IP numbers we were assigned have been blocked ever since we got the new server. However, since we have done nothing wrong, we should clearly not be blocked. As a result of these third party blocks, we are still unable to contact affected subscribers & other visitors via email. After 'exhausting all possible efforts' with our host, the affected email provider & the block list provider, we were forced to file two complaints with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) - one with the block list provider and one with the email provider. Unfortunately, there was no reply to one of the complaints so the BBB had to close the case without any resolution. We are still waiting to hear back on the other complaint. We are also trying another route to try to rectify the situation. Again, we hope to have the matter resolved in the near future, but we cannot make any promises as matters are largely out of our hands. We apologize to affected subscribers and other visitors for any inconvenience.
* Do you have children that will return to school soon? You might want to have a look at the user-submitted article entitled "Attention: Read This If You Love Your Children" at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/ua/user_article-attention_read_this_if_you_love_your_children.htm
* Are you a member of Una Voce or another Latin Mass promoting organization? Please share with your group the flier found at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/trad_links.htm (or .pdf version at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/trad_links.pdf )
* Looking for inspiration? Have you visited our Reflections pages? Please go to http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/reflections_categorized.htm for thousands of quotes from popes, saints, scripture, and more categorized by section. Or, if you prefer, you can view the links alphabetically at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/reflections.htm . These are definitely pages to bookmark!
* Service Delays: Due to medical reasons, please continue to expect some sporadic delays in all correspondence & services (including processing of posts) for the foreseeable future. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for any prayers.
* Help keep us online! Donate any amount (from $1+) at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/donate.htm [note that we do NOT sell donor information to third parties and we do NOT contact you about your donation unless it is necessary (e.g. processing problems)]. Thank you for your much needed support!
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* Please see our Notices page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm for dates of anticipated service delays through August 2017.
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The Month of August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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"But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." (Lk. 2:19)
"And [Jesus] went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart." (Lk. 2:51)
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Related Resources...
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-Blessed_Virgin_Mary.htm
* Popular Marian Devotions (Incl. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, First Five Saturdays Devotion & Prayers of Consecration) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/popular_marian_devotions.htm
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections.htm
* Popular Marian Prayers - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/marian_prayers.htm
* More Marian Prayers - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_Marian.htm
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Papal Writings) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pd/classic_encyclicals_by_category.htm
* Marian Facts - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/facts.htm
* Marian Scripture References - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/marian_scriptural_references.htm
* Reasons to Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/reasons_to_honor_mary.htm
* Thoughts on the Blessed Virgin Mary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/thoughts_on_mary.htm
* Mary Our Mother Section - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/mary_our_mother.htm
* Do Catholics Worship Mary? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/do_catholics_worship_mary.htm
* Marian Apologetics - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__Marian.htm
* The Holy Rosary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-holy_rosary.htm
* Scapulars (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-scapulars.htm
* Marian Apparitions at Fatima (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-fatima.htm
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Coloring Pages) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_coloring_activities.htm
* Marian Word Searches - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_word_searches.htm
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Crossword Puzzle) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/crossword_puzzle_Mary.html
Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm
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"Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee" (Cant. 4:7 / Song. 4:7)
"[Mary] is by nature so good and so merciful that inclined to aid spontaneously those who suffer, she is absolutely incapable of refusing her help to those who invoke her." (Pope Benedict XV)
"Tell everybody that God gives graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tell them to ask graces from her, and that the Heart of Jesus wishes to be venerated together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ask them to plead for peace from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the Lord has confided the peace of the world to her." (St. Jacinta of Fatima)
"Although she was never subject to the frailty and perversity of our nature, Mary well knows its condition and is the best and most solicitous of mothers. How willingly will she hasten to our aid when we need her; with what love will she refresh us, and with what strength sustain us." (Pope Leo XIII, "Magnae Dei Matris", 1892 A.D.)
"Who can ever comprehend the solicitude with which Mary constantly stands before God on our behalf? 'She is never weary of defending us,' says St. Germanus; and the remark is beautiful meaning that so great is the compassion excited in Mary by our misery, and such is the love that she bears us, that she prays constantly, and relaxes not her efforts in our behalf: that by her prayers she may effectually defend us from evil, and obtain for us sufficient graces." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
"But should there by chance be a sinner who, though not doubting her power, might doubt the compassion of Mary, fearing perhaps that she might be unwilling to help him on account of the greatness of his sins, let him take courage from the words of St. Bonaventure. 'The great, the special privilege of Mary is, that she is all-powerful with her son.' 'But,' adds the saint, 'to what purpose would Mary have so great power if she cared not for us?' 'No,' he concludes, 'let us not doubt, but be certain, and let us always thank Our Lord and His divine Mother for it, that in proportion as her power with God exceeds that of all the saints, so is she in the same proportion our most loving advocate, and the one who is the most solicitous for our welfare." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
Prayer for the Blessed Virgin Mary's Patronage: "Grant unto us, Thy servants, O Lord Jesus Christ, to be protected at all times and in all places by the patronage of Blessed Mary, Thy Virgin Mother." (Raccolta)
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15 Reflections on Humility
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1. "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 23:12)
2. "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." (St. James, Jms. 4:10)
3. "And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: 'God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.' So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (St. Peter, 1 Pt. 5:5-6)
4. "The safe and true way to heaven is made by humility" (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
5. "Let us not deceive ourselves. If we have not got humility, we have nothing." (St. Vincent de Paul)
6. "As a ship cannot be built without nails, so a person cannot be saved without humility" (St. Syncletice)
7. "If we possessed every virtue, but lacked humility, those virtues would be without root and would not last." (St. Vincent de Paul)
8. "A really humble man would rather let another say that he is contemptible and worth nothing, than to say so himself." (St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church)
9. "Humility is to the various virtues what the chain is in a rosary. Take away the chain and the beads are scattered; removed humility, and all virtues vanish." (St. John Vianney)
10. "With a humble person, whether he is laughed at or esteemed, praised or blamed, honored or despised, whether people pay attention to him or pass him by, it is all the same to him." (St. John Vianney)
11. "You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones. You desire to erect a very high building? Think first of the foundation of humility. The higher one intends it, the deeper must the foundations be laid." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
12. "Man arrives at humility in two ways. First and chiefly by a gift of grace, and in this way the inner man precedes the outward man. The other way is by human effort, whereby he first of all restrains the outward man, and afterwards succeeds in plucking out the inward root." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
13. "Since pride has hurled Lucifer into the abyss, and the self-abasement of the Son of God has led to His exaltation above the heavens, humility, whatever men may now say, has lost nothing of its inestimable value; it is still the indispensable foundation of every durable edifice wither spiritual or social; the basis, without which the other virtues, and even charity, the queen of them all, could not subsist a single day." (Liturgical Year)
14. "And, that he might bring us back to the way of life through humility, He deigned to exhibit in Himself what He teaches us, saying, Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (Matth. xi. 29). For to this end the only begotten Son of God took upon Himself the form of our weakness; to this end the Invisible appeared not only as visible but even as despised; to this end He endured the mocks of contumely, the reproaches of derision, the torments of suffering; that God in His humility might teach man not to be proud. How great, then, is the virtue of humility for the sake of teaching which alone He who is great beyond compare became little even unto the suffering of death! For, since the pride of the devil was the origin of our perdition, the humility of God has been found the means of our redemption. That is to say, our enemy, having been created among all things, desired to appear exalted above all things; but our Redeemer remaining great above all things, deigned to become little among all things." (Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church)
15. "In that way the first part is humility; the second, humility; the third, humility: and this I would continue to repeat as often as you might ask direction, not that there are no other instructions which may be given, but because, unless humility precede, accompany, and follow every good action which we perform, being at once the object which we keep before our eyes, the support to which we cling, and the monitor by which we are restrained, pride wrests wholly from our hand any good work on which we are congratulating ourselves. All other vices are to be apprehended when we are doing wrong; but pride is to be feared even when we do right actions, lest those things which are done in a praiseworthy manner be spoiled by the desire for praise itself. Wherefore, as that most illustrious orator, on being asked what seemed to him the first thing to be observed in the art of eloquence, is said to have replied, Delivery; and when he was asked what was the second thing, replied again, Delivery; and when asked what was the third thing, still gave no other reply than this, Delivery; so if you were to ask me, however often you might repeat the question, what are the instructions of the Christian religion, I would be disposed to answer always and only, 'Humility,' although, perchance, necessity might constrain me to speak also of other things." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
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For more reflections, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/reflections_categorized.htm
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New: MyCatholicSource.com Media
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We are happy to officially announce that we have recently released our first (Kindle) ebook and paperback and have more titles in the works. We are hopeful the revenue from these new offerings will help to keep the MyCatholicSource.com website going.
Our first release (see details below) is the 1st in a series ('Catholic Controversy Series'). At the time of this writing, the second title in the series has been submitted to Amazon.com, but is currently on hold. We do not have a release date at this time. Additional titles & series may be forthcoming. For details on currently available offerings, please see www.MyCatholicSource.com/Media
Regarding our first publication, please note that we currently have a Nook version of the same title (as well as other titles) planned, but things are presently 'iffy' for this format. Unfortunately, we have encountered some issues that may not be resolvable on the Nook platform at this time with the tools they presently offer. We haven't yet given up, but we are not sure when/if we will be able to go ahead on the Nook platform at this time.
Below is additional detail regarding our first release. The Kindle (ebook) version is priced at only $0.99 and the paperback version sells for $10.99. They can be downloaded/purchased at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DX8NX1/?tag=mycathcom-20 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1521701113/?tag=mycathcom-20 . Thank you for supporting our site!
Note: Any prices included herein are in U.S. dollars, excluding any applicable tax. Prices are subject to change at any time without notice.
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Title: What's Up With Faustina's Divine Mercy Devotion? Unanswered Questions & Things You May Not Know (A MyCatholicSource.com User-Submitted Article)
By M.M. Anthony
Series: Catholic Controversy Series
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WHAT NO ONE'S EVER TOLD YOU ABOUT FAUSTINA'S DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION!
Is truth important to you?
How was a once forbidden devotion later allowed?
How much do you REALLY know about St. Faustina's Divine Mercy devotion?
Did you know that Faustina admits her body smelled like a corpse? Did you know her diary contains factual errors, contradictions, unfulfilled prophecies, and theological issues?
Did you know Faustina claims a crucifix came alive on her chest? And that Jesus' face on the curtain supposedly cried "large tears" onto her bedspread? That she supposedly has visions, hears voices, holds Jesus' hand and receives embraces from Jesus & Mary?
Were you aware that Faustina's version of Jesus supposedly sits in the chalice and runs and plays on the altar? That He supposedly calls Faustina a "sweet grape", "beloved pearl of My Heart", "the honor and glory of My Passion", and supposedly says that "the entire Holy Trinity finds Its special delight in you"? And that her version of Mary - who wears transparent(!) clothing - supposedly leaves the infant Jesus alone with Faustina and disappears?
Did you know Faustina has grandiose thoughts (e.g. "It seems to me that the whole world serves me and depends on me", "I felt that everything that existed was exclusively mine", "I also feel that God, absolutely self-sufficient though He is, cannot be happy without me"), admits to "often" speaking untruthfully ("I often represented myself to my superiors other than I was in reality and spoke of miseries of which I had no notion"), reproaches a saint, orders Jesus around, calls God a "Mother" and a "divine Madman"? And that Jesus supposedly 'dotes' on her, places her above all other virgins, promises her a "permanent income" and a "new world" to live in? Jesus supposedly tells her to inform her superiors about how great she is ("the most faithful daughter in the Order") and even leaves the Blessed Virgin's arms to approach Faustina. He allegedly unites Himself with no other soul "as closely" as He does with Faustina and has more "intimacy" with her than even the angels. She claims "all that exists" is hers, that the Lord's gaze rests upon her "before any other creature". Although her writings have a number of theological concerns, she claims to have "interior knowledge of God" and even claims to know "the entire essence of God."
Did you know Faustina has doubts about her alleged visions, has difficulty knowing whether something happened in a dream or in reality, is quite emotional and dramatic, claims she won't undergo judgment, claims the Blessed Virgin is in a "special and exclusive way" her Mother, says that "Jesus allowed me to penetrate His interior", and claims that Jesus literally(!) took her heart (so that she has no heart). And despite all the alleged heavenly encounters, Faustina considers her life to be "drab"!
Although Faustina's Divine Mercy devotion is very popular, it's clearly not without controversy, including the fact that it was initially forbidden, that it contains elements pleasing to modernists and Protestants, and that there is arguably a stark contrast between it and Fatima, not to mention Holy Scripture. Many follow Faustina's devotion nowadays without really knowing what's in it or what problems may exist.
Get this 'must-read' article today for startling facts & eye opening information concerning Faustina's Divine Mercy devotion. Whether you're new to this devotion or a long time devotee, you may be surprised at what's hidden in Faustina's diary.
IF YOU THINK TRUTH IS IMPORTANT, YOU NEED THIS PUBLICATION - NO MATTER WHICH SIDE OF THE ISLE YOU ARE ON.
For more information, see links below...
Paperback (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1521701113/?tag=mycathcom-20
Kindle (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DX8NX1/?tag=mycathcom-20
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Liturgical Feasts in August
The following is a listing of all liturgical feast dates for August as they appear at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/saints/feasts.htm
Note: (T) = Traditional, (N) = New (Novus Ordo)
Reminder: Feasts may be superseded / transferred / etc.
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August 1 - St. Paul (T)
August 1 - St. Peter's Chains (T)
August 1 - The Holy Machabees (T)
August 1 - St. Alphonsus Liguori (N)
August 2 - St. Alphonsus Liguori (T)
August 2 - St. Stephen I, pope (T)
August 2 - St. Eusebius of Vercelli (N)
August 2 - St. Peter Julian Eymard (N)
August 3 - Finding of St. Stephen (T)
August 4 - St. Dominic (T)
August 4 - St. John Vianney (Cure of Ars) (N)
August 5 - Dedication of Our Lady of the Snow (T)
August 5 - Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome (N)
August 6 - Sts. Sixtus II (Xystus) (pope), Felicissimus & Agapitus (T)
August 6 - Transfiguration of Our Lord (T)
August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord (N)
August 7 - St. Cajetan (T)
August 7 - St. Donatus (T)
August 7 - St. Cajetan (N)
August 7 - St. Sixtus II (pope) & companions (N)
August 8 - Sts. Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus (T)
August 8 - The 14 Holy Helpers (T)
August 8 - St. Dominic (N)
August 9 - St. Emidius (T)
August 9 - St. John Vianney (Cure of Ars) (T)
August 9 - St. Romanus (T)
August 9 - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) (N)
August 10 - St. Laurence (Lawrence) (T)
August 10 - St. Lawrence (N)
August 11 - St. Philomena (T)
August 11 - Sts. Tiburtius & Susanna (T)
August 11 - St. Clare of Assisi (N)
August 12 - St. Clare of Assisi (T)
August 13 - Sts. Hippolytus & Cassian (T)
August 13 - Sts. Pontian (pope) & Hippolytus (N)
August 14 - St. Eusebius (T)
August 14 - Vigil of the Assumption (T)
August 14 - St. Maximilian Kolbe (N)
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (T) *
August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (N) *
August 16 - St. Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary (T)
August 16 - St. Stephen of Hungary (N)
August 17 - St. Hyacinth (T)
August 18 - St. Agapitus (T)
August 18 - St. Helena (T)
August 18 - St. Jane Frances de Chantal (N)
August 19 - St. John Eudes (T)
August 19 - St. John Eudes (N)
August 20 - St. Bernard of Clairvaux (T)
August 20 - St. Bernard of Clairvaux (N)
August 21 - St. Jane Frances de Chantal (T)
August 21 - St. Pius X, pope (N)
August 22 - Sts. Timothy, Hippolytus & Symphorianus (T)
August 22 - The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (T)
August 22 - The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (N)
August 23 - St. Philip Benizi (T)
August 23 - St. Rose of Lima (N)
August 24 - St. Bartholomew, apostle (T)
August 24 - St. Bartholomew, apostle (N)
August 25 - St. Louis IX, king of France (T)
August 25 - St. Joseph Calasanz (N)
August 25 - St. Louis IX of France (N)
August 26 - St. Zephyrinus, pope (T)
August 27 - St. Joseph Calasanctius (T)
August 27 - St. Monica (N)
August 28 - St. Augustine of Hippo (T)
August 28 - St. Hermes (T)
August 28 - St. Augustine of Hippo (N)
August 29 - Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (T)
August 29 - St. Sabina (T)
August 29 - Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (N)
August 30 - St. Rose of Lima (T)
August 30 - Sts. Felix & Adauctus (T)
August 31 - St. Raymund Nonnatus (T)
* Holy Day of Obligation
Please Note: Above may exclude moveable feasts. For moveable feasts, try here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/latin_mass_and_tradition/traditional_liturgical_calendar.htm . For other feasts, try the MCS Daily Digest each day at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp
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'Catholic Trivia'
1. Which pope converted the Pantheon (a pagan temple) into a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and the martyrs?
2. Where did the Alexian Brothers get their name from?
3. Where does Scripture tell us to shun those who don't act according to tradition?
4. Who has been called the "fifth evangelist"?
5. Where is Mt. Calvary located?
6. What is thought to be the oldest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin?
7. What does "In Principio" stand for?
8. What does U.I.O.G.D. stand for?
9. Who has been called the "Apostle of the Franks"?
10. What comparisons does St. Ambrose make between the Ark and the Blessed Virgin Mary?
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Answers:
1. Pope St. Boniface IV (d. 615) converted the Pantheon (a pagan temple) into a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and the martyrs.
2. The Alexian Brothers, founded in the fifteenth century, got their name from St. Alexius of Edessa.
3. Scripture tells us to shun those who don't act according to tradition in 2 Thes. 3:6.
4. "Again it is Isaias that instructs us, not indeed upon the triumph which our Emmanuel is to win over His enemies, but upon the sufferings of the Man of sorrows. So explicit is his description of our Lord's Passion, that the holy fathers have called him the fifth evangelist." (Gueranger)
5. Mt. Calvary is located in Jerusalem.
6. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), "The world's largest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary" and one of the four major basilicas in Rome is also thought to be the oldest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Its original founding is associated with a miraculous event in the fourth century.
7. "In Principio" means "In the beginning". It is taken from the opening words of St. John's Gospel. It is sometimes used to refer to the entire portion of the Gospel said at the end of the Traditional Latin Mass (the "last Gospel").
8. U.I.O.G.D. is an acronym for "Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus" (Latin for "That God may be glorified in all things").
9. St. Remigius has been called the "Apostle of the Franks".
10. "The Ark contained the Tablets of the Law; Mary contained in her womb the heir of the Testament. The Ark bore the Law; Mary bore the Gospel. The Ark make the voice of God heard; Mary gave us the very Word of God. The Ark shone forth with the purest of gold; Mary shone forth both inwardly and outwardly with the splendor of virginity. The gold which adorned the Ark came from the interior of the earth; the gold with which Mary shown forth came from the mines of heaven." (St. Ambrose, Doctor of the Church)
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For more information concerning the topics above, try our General A-Z Index at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm
Like trivia? You might enjoy our crossword puzzles located at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_crossword_puzzles.htm
You might also be interested in the Q & A and historical information which may be found each day on the MCS Daily Digest at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp
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Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Do You Think the Catholic Church Was Invented After Constantine 'Legalized' Christianity?
It is good for Catholics to be able to defend their faith against attacks (or even simple questions) from those outside the Church. We therefore hope you may find the following "apologetics brief" helpful.
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Note: Text below is taken from http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__church_history.htm
The following may be used as discussion points when discoursing with those outside the Church (or even among Catholics).
Topic: Do You Think the Catholic Church Was Invented After Constantine 'Legalized' Christianity? [Note: Topic is directed at certain Protestants]
Consider:
* If the Catholic Church was invented after Constantine 'legalized' Christianity, why are there historical records of the Church existing since it was established by Christ on St. Peter?
* If the Catholic Church was invented after Constantine 'legalized' Christianity, why can she show you an uninterrupted succession of popes beginning with St. Peter?
* If the Catholic Church was a fourth century invention, what happened to the Church founded by Christ in Mt. 16:18 - the Church that Christ promised would withstand the gates of hell?
* If the Catholic Church was a fourth century invention, why is the first known written use of the term "Catholic Church" traced to St. Ignatius of Antioch, around 110 A.D. [It should also be noted that St. Ignatius was a hearer of the Apostle St. John, and the third bishop of Antioch.] And, why has the term been in continuous use since that time?
* If the Catholic Church was invented after Constantine 'legalized' Christianity, why do even non-Catholic historians agree that the Catholic Church existed before Constantine was even born?
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"The Catholic Church herself is an historic fact. Like a great mountain-range she bestrides the history of the past two thousand years. Whatever may be the attitude adopted towards her, it is impossible to escape her." (Pope Pius XII)
Ad. An. Dom. 42: "Second year of the two hundred and fifth olympiad: the Apostle Peter, after he has established the Church in Antioch, is sent to Rome, where he remains as bishop of that city, preaching the gospel for twenty-five years." ("The Chronicle", Eusebius Pamphilus, c. 303 A.D.) [Note: Eusebius Pamphilus has been called the "Father of Ecclesiastical History". Unfortunately, however, he was ultimately excommunicated in connection with the Arian heresy.]
"You cannot deny that you know that upon Peter first in the city of Rome was conferred the episcopal chair, on which sat Peter, the head of all the apostles, whence he is called Cephas, that in this one chair unity should be preserved by all, lest the other apostles might uphold each for himself separate chairs, so that he who should set up a second chair against the unique chair would already be a schismatic and a sinner. Well, then, on the one chair, which is the first of the endowments, Peter sat first, to whom succeeded Linus...to Damasus Siricius, who today is our colleague, and he with the whole world agrees with us in one bond of communion through the intercourse of letters." (St. Optatus of Mileve, 4th century A.D.)
"As He hung on the Cross, Christ Jesus not only appeased the justice of the Eternal Father which had been violated, but He also won for us, His brethren, an ineffable flow of graces. It was possible for Him of Himself to impart these graces to mankind directly; but He willed to do so only through a visible Church made up of men, so that through her all might cooperate with Him in dispensing the graces of Redemption. As the Word of God willed to make use of our nature, when in excruciating agony He would redeem mankind, so in the same way throughout the centuries He makes use of the Church that the work begun might endure." (Pope Pius XII, "Mystici Corporis Christi", 1943 A.D.)
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For more apologetics resources, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/non-catholics.htm
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In Closing...
"Your honor and dignity surpass the whole of creation; your greatness places you above the angels." (St. Germanus)
"My soul doth magnify the Lord: And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." (From the Magnificat / Canticle of Our Lady, cf. Lk. 1:46-55)
"Thus the Faithful of every age, both in public misfortune and in private need, turn in supplication to Mary...so that she may come to their aid and grant help and remedy against sorrows of body and soul. And never was her most powerful aid hoped for in vain by those who besought it with pious and trustful prayer." (Pope Pius XI, "Ingravescentibus Malis", 1937 A.D.)
"When one loves anyone, it is a great happiness to have something of theirs as a souvenir. If we love our Mother, the Blessed Virgin, we should make it both our duty and privilege to have one of her pictures or statues in our home, which from time to time will remind us of her." (St. John Vianney)
"Hail thou star of the ocean God's own mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Oh! By Gabriel's Ave, Uttered long ago, Eva's name reversing 'Stablish peace below. Break the captive's fetters, Light on blindness pour; All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; may the Word divine, Born for us thine Infant, Hear our prayers through thine. Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild; Freed from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy for evermore. Through the highest Heaven to the almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit One same glory be. Amen." (Latin: Ave maris stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper Virgo, Felix caeli porta. Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, Funda nos in pace Mutans Hevae nomen. Solve vincla reis, Profer lumen caecis, Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce. Monstra te esse matrem, Sumat per te preces Qui pro nobis natus Tulit esse tuus. Virgo singularis, Inter omnes mitis, Nos culpis solutos, Mites fac et castos. Vitam praesta puram, Iter para tutum, Ut videntes Iesum Semper collaetemur. Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto Tribus honor unus. Amen.) [Ave Maris Stella]
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