Where a Roman Catholic deacon ponders the world
Just in time for the Independence Day holiday weekend, some disturbing allegations out of Texas. Details: Veterans in Houston say the Department of Veterans Affairs is consistently censoring their prayers by banning them from saying the words “God” and “Jesus” during funeral services at Houston National Cemetery. Three organizations — the Veterans of Foreign Wars, [...]
A popular ritual on the West Coast is moving east, with the blessing of surf boards for the summer season. Details, from CNN: Some New York surfboards and boogie boards got a splash of holy water before hitting the waves Sunday. St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk held its first ever blessing of [...]
Now seems an especially apt moment to recall this prayer below. I first discovered it this spring, in St. John the Evangelist Church, on the ground floor of the building where I work in Manhattan. They had several yellow cards on a table, with this prayer printed on it. I took one home, folded in [...]
A judge has ruled that even words like “Amen” and “benediction” cannot be a part of a public high school graduation ceremony, and now the class valedictorian is filing a motion to change that. Details: The valedictorian of Medina Valley High School wants to pray during her speech at Saturday’s graduation and has joined the [...]
The day after Easter, I stopped by a parishioner’s apartment to perform a favorite ritual, a house blessing. That simple blessing, and all that it means, is the subject of this week’s “All Things New”: Whatever compels people to ask for these blessings, there is in every case a strong desire to make something old [...]
I’m sure you’ve been asking yourself: “When will we get the official prayers for the Royal Wedding???” Relax. There’s a story about it right here. And the Catholic prayer is below. Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon his Royal Highness, Prince William and Catherine as they pledge their love for each other in marriage. [...]
Hunting for an Orthodox prayer for the next issue of the magazine, my Associate Editor stumbled upon these wise and especially timely words from the saint who was also a deacon: Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and [...]
A Florida newspaper has details, and a video: The so-called Freedom Rosary, developed by a Vero Beach couple, talks a devotee through the prayers with a tiny speaker in its cross. Like the Confession app, the device is meant to aid Catholic tradition rather than replace it. “People are confused about how to say [the [...]
A prayer for the quake victims, from the Catholic Medical Mission Board: God our Father, In faith we acknowledge your care over us, your sons, daughters and children. In hope we trust in your divine providence of giving us wisdom and courage as we face challenges in life. We invoke your help and guidance during [...]
Are too many of your work meetings like this? A friend sent me the prayer below. I like it Prayer to St. Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings O Raphael, lead us towards those we are waiting for, those who are waiting for us! Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings, lead us by the hand towards those [...]
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