Sunday Ramblings

And here I am sitting back on my parents sectional.  I am officially moved out of Steubenville and living at home until an undertermined time.  I do NOT plan on being here for any more than the summer.  I have to take my NCLEX and get a job but I have an apartment waiting for me in Pittsburgh. Until then my life is all studying and enjoying summer.

So on to the ramblings.

Yesterday I was incredibly blessed to attend the ordination for the Diocese of Cleveland where six new priests were ordained.  I can't just not mention six men joining the holy priesthood here on the blog.

Source: stmarysem.edu 

The third from the left came from my home parish and was actually a CORE member while I was in LIFETEEN in high school.  He is an incredible man and is going to do amazing things at any of the parishes he will be serving at over the coming years.  It was a blessing not only to witness the ordination but also Fr. Max's first Mass at my parish. There is just something incredible about a priest saying the words of consecration for the first time.  The priesthood is truly incredible.

As I was at the ordination Mass I realized I really hope one day, Lord willing, I can be at an ordination Mass and watch a son of mine become a priest.  Anyone else ever hope and dream that?

So now onto a prayer request.  My mom is having her knee replaced tomorrow (Monday).  Please keep her in your prayers tomorrow and the weeks ahead as she heals and rehabs.

More posts are to come.  Anything in particular you guys want updates about?

Marian Monday---Scapular

I promised a post about scapulars and I want to deliver.

I was possibly going to write all about the scapular, it's promise, history, etc. but then I came across this post and realized I couldn't write it any better.

A few things I want to add.

I started wearing a scapular off and on in high school and in college began to wear it regularly.  I sometimes tuck it into my unmentionable when it is getting tangled up in my miraculous medal chain.  I wear it into the shower and sleep with it on.  Very rarely do I take it off.

So you want to see my scapular?

I am reluctant to let go of this particular scapular even though though it has seen better days.  This was the scapular I wore all throughout my semester in Austria including a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, and Medjugorie.  It has touched the waters of Lourdes at Lourdes.  You just can't beat that.  The wood cross is from Assisi and is given to all the students from the Friars.  I know getting a new one will eventually be inevitable so I have started looking at homemade-ish ones like this or this.  If you have any scapular suggestions please let me know!!

Lastly, I want to say if you have never learned about scapular miracles you are missing out.  There are so many stories about the power of the scapular.  Ones about people trying to trick the power of the scapular, priest saying Mass, and soldiers at war.

Live joy.

I Love Catholicism

I love being Catholic. When I think about how beautiful the Church is with its 2000 year history of Truth, the saints, the stunning buildings, the call to vocations, the eternal touching the temporal with the sacraments, my heart starts to pitter patter. Like any other love, this love gets hard.  Christ asks much of us, Mass can be boring, and running against popular secular culture gets tiring.  However, we can't stop running the race.

People want Truth.  People want to receive the Lord's love.  People want real joy.  For their sake we must live and love our Faith.  As young people we must live what the world so desperately needs- the truth of Jesus.

Watch this video.  Be inspired to live your Catholic faith with passion and purpose.

"Be who you were meant to be and you will set the world on fire" -St. Catherine of Sienna 

Amen.

What a loaded word it is.

When we receive the Blessed Sacrament at Mass our Amen is more than just one simple word.

Amen. With faith, I believe that this is truly the Body and Blood of Christ.

Amen. I know I need the Eucharist more than breath itself.

Amen. I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and live everlasting.

Amen. It is with this Blessed Sacrament that I have the strength to do anything in life.

Amen. I allow myself to receive the love You pour down from love Himself.

Live joy.