Most on-line debate produces more heat than light. It's nice to come on here and see it produce much more light than heat.
The first evening at Lough Derg was a big learning curve for Julia. We had to walk around the Church saying prescribed prayers, Rosaries if I remember correctly, which we did. However, everyone was done and gone over to the hosting area for a drink and a comfort break before the night long vigil with more prayers long before I got finished. Well as you can imagine, I was trying to say the prayers and mean it, so ended up the only one there and by the time I got to the rest area, everyone was rested and ready for action. So I realised this is a prayerathon, he who prays fastest gets the mostest of the rest, I didn't even have time for a smoke. Learned my lesson and got up to speed in reciting the prayers with the best of them, no more lagging behind for Julia. Wondering if you got caught in that one. I got to praying that fast it was dizzying, I kid you not. Don't remember Mac RIP posting a version of the Magnificat on the forum. He mentioned it in a thread relating to Consecration to Immaculate Heart of Mary. Found this lovely sung version of the Magnificat. In his memory, God rest Mac's (Luke) soul
Right on Julia! Look at the fruits . . .if they are good and holy they are from the Holy Spirit! Discernment and meditation are crucial. And humility, that is why messages come through so many children. Some people need these messages and others don't. Some of us are weak and some are strong, we could see that in the Apostles. The same with our Priests and Bishops, they are human beings, too. God loves you . . .
If "Catholic" sites promote abortion they are not Catholic or Christian. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Unfortunately, not everyone can tell the difference. Take the National Catholic Reporter, for example. Or Joe Biden, our current Catholic president. Which is why people need to look deeper before taking publications, presidents or 'prophets' at face value, just because part of what they say sounds good or plausible.
I think I jumped into this forum too late and didn't read it through before responding. Interesting posts on the government, Dolours. One thing I have noticed especially in the U.S. is government has become the new god. If the government approves, it becomes gospel. Our religious principals have become a mixture of governmental law and biblical law. Jesus clarified this when he said "Give to Caesar what is Ceasar's, and give to God what is God's." Even then people were confused on interpretation of the difference in philosophy and theology. Part of the problem is we are so poorly catechized. I did not attend a Catholic school growing up, and my Catholic friends are always shocked to learn that. We were very poor Catholics, only attending Mass on Christmas, Easter obligation and maybe a few other times. We were "ethnically" Catholic and not spiritually Catholic. But I was always hungry for the Truth. EWTN helped me tremendously in my formative years and I started reading and studying our Catholic Church on my own. I was around 29 when I found a book on Fatima and was blown away by it. I couldn't believe no one ever mentioned it in church! I immediately made first Friday's and Saturdays! Throughout my life I have discovered how much depth and beauty we have in our church, that Jesus left us. It is so deep and spiritual. I understand the Priests are very very busy! They have to run a church, sometimes a school, minister to the sick and dieing, go on their own retreats, give the Sacraments and much more. They can't do it all, Bless them. So as Catholics who are in good standing and with a strong education it is our responsibility to be deciples and teachers. If you can be a catechist, musician, bible study leader you must do it. Even if it's just a helper you can bring some good education to those who are hungry for the Faith. If nothing else have a movie night with great Christian movies. I wonder how many teens today have seen "The Ten Commandments"? A great movie in our day. Just tossing out some ideas. We need to do this . . . Ok, off my soap box for the day.
It was well into the afternoon when I arrived. Everyone else must have been half way through by the time I started. I can't remember whether I started in the wrong place or missed a few beds but the tea was nearly finished by the time I got there. I think some people managed to get a bit of a lie down before Mass but I didn't. Between the tiredness and being a magnet for the midges, that first day was a real purgatory for me. I must have fed half the midges in Donegal before someone told me about the hat/net things for protection against them. I doubt I'll ever do the pilgrimage again but if I did I would travel a day early, spend the night somewhere not far from the island and start the pilgrimage early in the morning. The prayer I hoped you remembered wasn't the Magnificat. It was a lovely prayer for saying after Holy Communion.
I have been to Lough Derg twice all in the past 7 years. I found it very difficult. I was in awe of so many people who I met there who do it every year. Last time I did it in thanksgiving for the healing of my grandson. He was born with a defective heart on his left side and really had a miraculous healing. He is now off all medication and is to start school this year. I felt I needed to do something special to thank God so I went to lough Derg for the weekend. I hope to go again some day.
Ok. It was definitely the Magnificat I recall which Mac recommended for those who have made the Consecration to Immaculate Heart of Mary. I remembered so distinctly because I found it hard to say after Holy Communion. It seemed so personal to Our Blessed Mother, and it was hard to say her words to Eucharistic Jesus. But I persevered when Mac recommended it. It is a very slow process coming to realise each time we receive Eucharistic Jesus, He is really coming to us as truly as He came to Blessed Mother. First in her Immaculate Heart and in Mary's unique case also in her womb. The Magnificat brings home the Fiat and the Faith we inherit from Mary. It is hard to explain this, welcoming Jesus reflecting how Blessed Mother welcomed Him. A work in progress.
The Magnificat is such a glorious portrayal of God working through Mary. She teaches how the Holy Spirit fills her with such great graces and perfect humility. I love meditating on this, a most perfect prayer. It is her conversation with God.
