Vatican City - On Thursday, 4 December 2025, the Holy See Press Office released a letter in which Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, President of the Study Commission on the Female Diaconate, submitted to the Pope a summary of the work carried out by the body. Throughout Francis’ pontificate, the dynamics of his governance always unfolded along two parallel tracks: an official one and an unofficial one. In this case, on the one hand, the Pope had wanted a commission tasked with examining a question debated for decades, placing it in direct relation with him and removing it from intermediate mediations. On the other hand, he fuelled the discussions within the C9, bringing into the Council figures capable of orienting the conversation and persuading that body – which he had strongly desired as a sort of “king’s council” – toward certain sensibilities. It was in this context that Francis brought Sister Linda Pocher to the Vatican who, much like Alessandra Smerilli, does not particularly …
It was in this context that Francis brought Sister Linda Pocher to the Vatican who, much like Alessandra Smerilli, does not particularly enjoy convent life, preferring to frequent salons, publishing houses, and influential circles, constantly seeking support or favour. Following “wise advice,” Bergoglio had her intervene, together with other women, before the cardinals during the Council meetings dedicated to the role of women in the Church. Yet she is a religious who offered no theological reflection, only vague and clickbait considerations.
[Father Dom Lorenzo Scupoli – XVI-XVII Century AD; Otranto, Kingdom of Naples/Naples, Kingdom of Naples; (aged 79-80); Priest; Spiritual Writer] VI. Further directions how to attain Self-Distrust and Trust in God Since our whole power to subdue our enemies arises principally from self-distrust and trust in God, I will give you some further directions to enable you, by the Divine Assistance, to acquire it. Know, then, for a certain truth, that neither all gifts, natural or acquired, nor all graces given gratis, nor the knowledge of all Scripture, nor long habitual exercise in the service of God, will enable us to do His will, unless in every good and acceptable work to be performed, in every temptation to be overcome, in every peril to be avoided, in every Cross to be borne in conformity to His will, our heart be sustained and up-borne by an especial aid from Him, and His hand be outstretched to help us. We must, then, bear this in mind all our life long, every day, every hour, every …More
"This light may be obtained in two ways. The first and most important is prayer, imploring the Holy Ghost to pour it into our hearts. This He will not fail to do, if we in truth seek God alone and the fulfillment of His holy will, and if in all things we submit our Judgment to that of our spiritual father. The other is, to exercise ourselves continually in a true and deep consideration of all things, to discover whether they be good or evil, according to the teaching of the Holy Ghost, and not according to their outward appearance, as they impress the senses or are judged of by the world."
Letter to the Ephesians 1,3-6.11-12. Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. shareyourcatholicfaith
Grainne - Today was the 50th men's rosary on the streets in Belfast Northern Ir... Today was the 50th men's rosary on the streets in Belfast Northern Ireland since the men's rosary started here in October in 2021. …
Magnificat - So Beautiful -- Had to share this Acappella Hymn Cappella Hymns in Catholic Tradition youtube.com/watch?v=YhcOli9a7rg A cappella hymns, meaning hymns sung without instrumental accompaniment, form a vital part of the Catholic Church's sacred music heritage. They emphasize the purity of the human voice in worship, aligning with the Church's longstanding preference for unaccompanied vocal music in liturgical settings to foster prayerful participation and doctrinal fidelity. This practice draws from ancient traditions, as seen in the use of polyphonic hymns and Gregorian chant, and continues to be encouraged for its role in spiritual formation and communal praise. Definition and Historical Context In Catholic liturgical music, hymns are generally defined as polyphonic church songs intended to be sung a cappella, without any musical accompaniment, to maintain the solemnity and focus on the sacred texts. This unaccompanied style underscores the vocal expression of faith, echoing …More
[Direct link to the MP3 file — Subscribe using a modern podcast app] In this sermon Father discusses the Immaculate Conception, explaining how Blessed Duns Scotus resolved theological difficulties by arguing that it was fitting for God to preserve His mother from original sin, a doctrine later defined as dogma by Pope Pius 9th. Mary is the “woman” of Genesis who crushes the serpent’s head, and as the “mold of God,” she serves as the perfect mediator to help the faithful be transformed into Christ. We need to practice total consecration to the Immaculate, imitating her virtues and relying on her intercession as it is the surest path to salvation and victory in spiritual warfare. Key quotes from this sermon: St. Augustine: “Mary was the only one who merited to be called the mother and spouse of God.” St. Augustine: “For sin never had any entry into the soul of the Blessed Virgin.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “Thou alone was found worthy to be chosen as the one in whose virginal womb …
Defenders Of Faith In Word And Deed, Maryknoll Martyrs: Ford & Walsh, Catholic Series. James E. Walsh joined the Catholic Foreign Missionaries of America, also known as the Maryknoll Missionaries. Walsh, along with Fr. Francis Ford were missionaries to China. When the communists took over, these Maryknoll Bishops refused to leave. They were both imprisoned as spies and tortured. They are known as the Martyr Bishops of Maryknoll. This series seeks to examine Catholics who have defended the faith in word and deed by their wet martyrdom, (the shedding of blood) and dry martyrdom, (exclusion or banishment, persecution, imprisonment.) It is hoped that Catholics who view these programs will be strengthened in the Faith they profess by looking more closely at the lives of these who have sacrificed all in it’s defense. Francis Xavier Ford, M.M., was an American bishop of the Catholic Church and a Maryknoll missionary in China. Because of his torture by the Communist Chinese and death in prison …More
Defenders Of Faith In Word And Deed, Maryknoll Martyrs: Ford & Walsh, Catholic Series. ClassicCatholicAudiobooks on Oct 31, 2017 In 1912 James E. Walsh joined the Catholic Foreign Missionaries of America, also known as the Maryknolls. Walsh, along with Fr. Francis Ford were missionaries to China. When the communists took over, these Maryknoll Bishops refused to leave. They were both imprisoned as spies and tortured. They are known as the Martyr Bishops of Maryknoll. This series seeks to examine Catholics who have defended the faith in word and deed by their wet martyrdom, (the shedding of blood) and dry martyrdom, (exclusion or banishment, persecution, imprisonment.) It is hoped that Catholics who view these programs will be strengthened in the Faith they profess by looking more closely at the lives of these who have sacrificed all in it’s defense. Francis Xavier Ford, M.M., was an American bishop of the Catholic Church and a Maryknoll missionary in China. Because of his torture by the …More
Group portrait of Maryknoll Fathers Walsh and Ford with Bishop Gauthier, China, ca. 1918-1938 Colorized lantern slide of Maryknoll Fathers James E. Walsh, second from left, and Francis X. Ford, third from left, with Bishop Auguste Gauthier (1868-1927). A large pile of woven baskets provides a backdrop. James Edward Walsh - Wikipedia
FIVE SATURDAY DEVOTION “Look, my daughter, my Heart is full of thorns which ungrateful men continually pierce into me with blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me and say that all those who, for five months, on the First Saturday, confess, receive Holy Communion, pray the Rosary and keep me company for fifteen minutes, meditating on the fifteen mysteries, with the desire of reparation, I promise to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls.” (Our Lady of Fatima) PERSONAL CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY - (Prayer written by Sister Lucia) Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to Your Immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total surrender to the Lord. Through You we will be led to Christ. Through Him and with Him we will be led to the Father. We will walk in the light of faith and do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the one sent by the Father. With Him …More
The best thing President Trump could do is withdraw the US from the UN (it would likely start a rush for the exits by many other nations, as well) and kick them out of the country. The UN is a tool for the NWO and globalism; it is no friend of the US, or any genuine democracy (if they exist), for that matter.