CBB interview with Raymond Arroyo

Last updated on: April 8, 2016 at 9:23 pm By Pete Socks

Raymond Arroyo is an internationally known, award-winning journalist, producer, and New York Times Bestselling author. As news director and lead anchor for EWTN, he is seen in more than 200 million homes on six continents each week and heard on hundreds of AM/FM affiliates and on EWTN’s stand alone SiriusXM satellite channel. Mr. Arroyo created The World Over Live in 1996, which he hosts live each week from Washington DC. Known for his penetrating interviews, Mr. Arroyo has interrogated the... Read more

In the Assumption, Jesus honored his mother, Mary: Day 264

Last updated on: March 30, 2016 at 11:07 am By Pete Socks

In the Assumption, Jesus honored his mother St. John of Damascus suggests that Mary’s assumption was a sign that Jesus continued faithfully to obey the fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother” (Ex 20:12). Realize, beloved in the Lord, the grace of today, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Understand its marvelous solemnity. Its mysteries are not terrifying, nor do they inspire overwhelming awe. Blessed are those who have eyes to see. Blessed are those who... Read more

Death cannot claim Mary as its prey, Mary: Day 263

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:30 am By Pete Socks

Death cannot claim Mary as its prey St. John of Damascus explains why death could not hold Mary in the grave. Long ago the Lord God banished from the Garden of Eden our first parents after their disobedience. They had dulled the eyes of their heart through their sin, and weakened their mind’s discernment, and fallen into deathlike apa- thy. But now, won’t paradise receive her who broke the bondage of all passion, sowed the seed of obedience to God... Read more

Mary’s death was unlike any other, Mary: Day 262

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:25 am By Pete Socks

Mary’s death was unlike any other St. John of Damascus insists that Mary’s death was so different from ours that we can hardly call it a death at all. How does Mary, the source of the One who is Life, pass through death to life? How can she obey the law of nature who, in conceiving, surpassed the boundaries of nature? How is her spotless body made subject to death? In order to be clothed with immortality, she must first... Read more

CBB Giveaway: Praying with Mother Angelica

Last updated on: April 2, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Pete Socks

This week Sophia Institute Press sponsors the CBB giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Praying with Mother Angelica (you can read the review here) . I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST Friday 04/15 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more

The death of Mary was precious, Mary: Day 261

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:18 am By Pete Socks

The death of Mary was precious St. Alphonsus tells how Mary’s death was made sweet and precious in several ways. How precious was the death of Mary—both because of the special graces that accompanied it, and because of the way in which it took place. Death is the punishment of sin. So it would seem that the Mother of God— all holy, and exempt as she was from the slightest stain of sin—should also have been exempt from death. She... Read more

CBB Review: Praying with Mother Angelica

Last updated on: April 2, 2016 at 3:20 pm By Pete Socks

I had prepared this review prior to the passing of our beloved Mother Angelica. It seems even more fitting to share my review of this book now. There are a number of resources available for meditation and devotion to the rosary. Sophia Institute Press has teamed up with EWTN to bring us another option and it’s one that I have started using for our daily family rosary. Praying with Mother Angelica has at its central core the rosary but also includes... Read more

If other saints’ bodies were raised, so was Mary’s, Mary: Day 260

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:13 am By Pete Socks

If other saints’ bodies were raised, so was Mary’s Blessed John Henry Newman reasons that if other saints had their bodies raised, Jesus certainly would not have withheld that grace from his mother. As soon as we apprehend by faith the great fundamental truth that Mary is the Mother of God, other wonderful truths follow in its train. One of these is that she was exempt from the ordinary lot of mortals, which is not only to die, but to... Read more

The Immaculate Conception implies the Assumption, Mary: Day 259

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:09 am By Pete Socks

The Immaculate Conception implies the Assumption The bodies of Adam and Eve, Blessed John Henry Neman notes, were subject to decay after death because of their sin. So if Mary never sinned, he reasons, why should her body have been subject to that penalty? One consideration which has led devout minds to believe in the assump- tion of Our Lady into heaven, without waiting for the general resurrection at the last day, is furnished by the doctrine of her immaculate... Read more

Mary prepares for death, Mary: Day 258

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 at 11:03 am By Pete Socks

Mary prepares for death St. Alphonsus summarizes the account of some ancient writers of the events leading up to her death. Some ancient historians report that, some days before Mary’s death, our Lord sent to her the archangel Gabriel, the same angel who had announced to her that she was that blessed woman chosen to be the Mother of God: “My Lady and Queen,” said the angel, “God has already graciously heard your holy desires. He has sent me to... Read more