Medjugorje Youthfest: Sanctus Hosanna

St Josemaria Escriva and Prayer: If I pray when I don't feel like it, is it really prayer?

A student asks if praying when you don't feel like it, is a bit hypocritical

Father, I'm a student, and people in my class often say that you should only go to Mass and pray, when you feel like it, because doing things when you don't really want to is just hypocritical. What can I tell them?

Answer-StJosemaria Escriva

Listen, my daughter, I very seldom really feel like it. We have to do things we don't feel like doing, and then, as they're based on sacrifice, and are difficult, they are much more fruitful and are worth much more, before God, they shine like stars in the night. When you go to do some prayer and you don't feel like praying and you can't think of anything to say, put yourself in God's presence and tell him: "Lord," -- as you've just told me -- "I really don't feel like talking to you, I don't want to spend a minute on you, I feel as if I'm doing you a favor." And you'll hear in the depths of your heart like a sudden shout, loving, but strong, a cry from God: "I'm the one doing you a favor when I call you to serve me, when I call you to have a conversation with me, when I tell you that I want to make friends with you, with your very soul.

And then, whether you feel like it or not, you'll go and spend time praying every day, at home, or in the street, or at the office, or in the University, or your studio, or on the motorway, traveling, or in church, in front of the Tabernacle, because Christ Jesus is there, our Lady's son, the son of the Blessed ever-virgin Mary; Jesus, who was born in a stable, who worked with St Joseph, and learned from him how to work, and then preached and suffered his Passion and was crucified for love, letting himself be nailed to the wood of the Cross. He is waiting for us there; because you and I know through faith that hidden in the sacramental species is Christ. Christ is there: his Body, his Blood, his Soul and his Divinity, a prisoner of love. We'll go there, not feeling like it, but knowing that he's listening to us, to tell him that we don't feel like it, -- and we are already praying. And you'll see how he speaks to you, how he moves you, how you end up learning how to converse, to chat with our Lord, and how the day you don't talk to God, whether you feel like it or not, that day you'll be hungry to pray, you'll feel the need to pray.

Ireland: Michael Collins Film Footage 1919

Short film made by John MacDonagh and Jim Sullivan to promote the Republican Loan, 1919 (pledges of money to the underground Irish government). Shot at St.Enda's. Details here: http://humphrysfamilytree.com/OMara/republican.loan.html http://humphrysfamilytree.com/OMara/jim.sullivan.films.html

Live Action Video:GENDERCIDE IN AMERICA: Undercover in Arizona

Live Action released undercover footage today showing two National Abortion Federation (NAF) clinics in Arizona agreeing to break state law and perform an illegal sex-selective abortion.

Australian Parish Priest Father Andrew Grace and the two car crashes which changed his life

This beautiful story shows how God can have other plans for us. Medjugorje comes to have a major influence on his life.
Two near fatal car crashes have played pivotal roles in Fr Grace's life. Although the first crash occurred several years before his birth, it would influence his life and his faith. The second had even more far reaching consequences and was instrumental in his decision to become a priest and devote his life to God. Fr Grace's story, however, begins with his parents and the country town of Gundagai where his mother, Lorraine grew up, the daughter of a devout Irish Catholic family who owned the local Family Hotel.
"My mother's faith was profound and she was praying a Novena for direction about her Vocation when she met my father at my grandparents' hotel. Dad was in banking and had been sent from Sydney to help out at the Gundagai bank for five weeks and was playing darts in the hotel when they met," Fr Grace says. "Dad wasn't a Catholic and was surprised when Mum told him a couple of days after they had fallen in love that she would never marry a non-Catholic." "Good heavens, who said anything about marriage?" Fr Grace's father had burst out in surprise. But his mother knew the two of them were meant for each other and to help him learn more about her faith, she gave him a Miraculous Medal and a book on Catholicism. Continue reading at News

Video of Apparition to Mirjana on June 2, 2012 at Medjugorje.

Our Lady's Message to Mirjana - June 2, 2012

"Dear children, I am continuously among you because, with my endless love, I desire to show you the door of Heaven. I desire to tell you how it is opened: through goodness, mercy, love and peace – through my Son. Therefore, my children, do not waste time on vanities. Only knowledge of the love of my Son can save you. Through that salvific love and the Holy Spirit He chose me and I, together with Him, am choosing you to be apostles of His love and will. My children, great is the responsibility upon you. I desire that by your example you help sinners regain their sight, enrich their poor souls and bring them back into my embrace. Therefore, pray, pray, fast and confess regularly. If receiving my Son in the Eucharist is the center of your life than do not be afraid, you can do everything. I am with you. Every day I pray for the shepherds and I expect the same of you. Because, my children, without their guidance and strengthening through their blessing, you can not do it. Thank you."

Italy -Verona: Marija Pavlovic visits Santuario della Madonna della Corona Spiazzi on June 2, 2012

At the Shrine of Santuario della Madonna della Corona Spiazzi (Our Lady of the Crown) frequented by Veronese, Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic was welcomed by eight priests and by a thousand faithful (including holiday makers), mostly in the church, some on the steps and the rest on the road that leads there. Between 18.40 and 18.43,Marija had once again an apparition. Many young people attended. Mass, which preceded the Eucharistic adoration and prayer to Mary was celebrated by eight priests. The rector Monsignor Pietro Maroldi, shortly before had said: " The Church has not officially ruled on apparitions however I am in favor of this devotion of so many faithful and so many conversions." He said that he did not organize the visit but rather the group Medjugorje - Villafontana had done so: "I was asked to accept the visionary at the shrine," he explained, "and I accepted. Marija secured the fifteenth century statue of the Pietà that dominates the apse of the church sanctuary. She led the prayers. Then a silence fell over the church as she had her apparition. This lasted for about four minutes. Marija said "In this beautiful sanctuary, where the presence of the Madonna is perceived and breathed, Our Lady told me that she loves us and wanted us all here today. In fact, if I see her, you see, all of you. Now She prayed and blessed all of you. And for you this is a great grace, received for free. Marija spoke about the importance of confession, prayer especially the rosary and the family. She also spoke about the priesthood.

(This photograph from L'Arena.it)

Part One

Part Two