The Pentecostal / Charismatic Movement

Listen to EWTN's The Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement by Fr. Benedict Groeschel.

Benedict Joseph Groeschel, CFR is a Catholic priest, retreat master, author, psychologist, activist and host of the television talk program Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel, which is broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network. He has also hosted several serial religious specials in addition to Sunday Night Live. He is the director of the Office for Spiritual Development for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York as well as associate director of Trinity Retreat and the executive director of The St. Francis House. He is professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York and an adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. He is one of the founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

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Benny Hinn

Benny Hinn is a well-known Christian evangelist and prosperity gospel teacher who practices faith healing.

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The Charismatic Movement

This is a Catholic Answers podcast on The Charismatic Movement with Ralph Martin.

Ralph Martin has been a leader in renewal movements in the Catholic Church for many years. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, he did graduate work in philosophy at Princeton University and holds an MA in Theology, from Sacred Heart School of Theology in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

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Former priest: Clergy should have right to marry

Ed and Ching Gerlock married in 1981.

Ed Gerlock has been calling the Philippines his home since he moved there from the United States in 1962 - it was the same year he was ordained.

The 74-year-old joined the priesthood to initially get an education. It was also a vocation that allowed him to travel overseas.

He spent many years working with the country’s poor and farmers, learning about a life outside the seminary.

It was during this time he met a beautiful Filipino social researcher called Ching. There was an instant attraction, but it was also forbidden. Their friendship grew and so did their love. It took 13 years before Ed would break his vows to the Church and leave the priesthood.

“This lady and I became close friends”, remembers Gerlock. “When I was working in Parish I was thinking to myself… I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life. I genuinely love this lady… in a sense she saved my life”.

They married on May 31, 1981 at a home for leprosy patients in Hawaii. Ching says it was one of the happiest days of her life. Two years later she gave birth to a baby girl they named Alay – which means “a gift”.

Ching says her husband has never turned his back on the church. In fact he still works for those less fortunate and down trodden… caring for the elderly who have no assistance and providing them with services.

She says he may not be able to give mass or wear the cloth of the church, but everywhere they go people still call him Father because of the charitable work he still does.

Their daughter Alay is a guidance counselor. She’s very close to her father and defends his actions 28 years ago. “Most people would say your father took a vow and broke the the vow. But he’s a person, he made a choice and I can’t refute his choice or I wouldn’t be here”.

Gerlock is very progressive and liberal in his views when he talks about the Church and the scandals it’s currently facing. He believes that marriage would be beneficial for priests and that the clergy should at least be given the option of having a marital life.

“When I go to Church and listen to priests talk about reproductive health, marriage and children, I think… what does he know? There are some things in marriage that you would find difficult to talk about and here’s this guy, standing there blandly talking about something he knows nothing about”.

Gerlock doesn’t only believe priests should be married. He also supports gay and women priests; something he knows won’t be happening in the Catholic Church anytime soon. Regardless, he believes reform is essential, if the Church is to repair its battered image.

“It’s going to be a very painful transition I’m afraid”, he admits. “I mean because people are so hard line within the Church. You have to go backwards and say how did this happen – like all the cases of sex abuse that are now coming out. How can we prevent this from ever happening again and what’s our obligation to these children … all those questions are not being address.”

Source: CNN

Rosary Babtism

An amazing picture became a message of faith in Spain. This was taken at the
baptism of Valentino Mora, son of Erica, a single mother of 21 who asked a
photographer to take a picture of her son for free.

The photo of the baptism of Valentino Mora was taken at the time the priest
pours the Holy water over his head, and the water flows in the shape of a
rosary.

This story began at the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Cordova,
Spain. At the time that Valentino came to the baptismal font, Erica asked a
photographer (Maria Silvana Salles), who was hired by other parents
baptizing their babies, to take a photo of her son as a favor, since the
young mother had no way of paying for it. The photographer, moved by Erica's
request, agreed to take a photo of Valentino.

Maria Silvana works with a traditional camera and had to send the film to be
developed in a shop in Cordova. When she received the photos, she noticed
with surprise that the water poured from the head of Valentino was a perfect
rosary.

The photo of the baptism of Valentino has awakened faith in the people of
Cordova who now come to the humble home of Erica and Valentino Mora to touch
him.

Exorcism

This is a recording from EWTN's program: Life on the Rock, where Fr. Mark Mary and Fr. Doug Barry speaks with Fr. Tom Euteneuer, an exorcist priest, about what really goes on during an exorcism.

They also discuss the "secret" to avoiding demonic activity in our lives. Do what your mom always told you to do: say your prayers, stay close to Mass and Confession, avoid what's wrong (especially idolatorous/occult activity), do what's right and pray every day.

The Language Of God

The Language of God is a book by Francis Collins in which he advocates theistic evolution. Francis Collins is an American physician-geneticist, noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes, and his leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP). He currently serves as the Director of the US National Institutes of Health. In the book, Collins describes briefly the process by which he became a Christian. Collins raises arguments for the idea of God from biology, astrophysics, psychology and other disciplines. He cites many famous thinkers, most prevalently C. S. Lewis, as well as Saint Augustine, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, Theodosius Dobzhansky and others.

You can also read a related article, Reconciling God and Science, in Time Magazine.

Watch Dr Francis Collins' interview on CNN on why he believes in a personal God and how his faith is compatible with science:



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Cardinal Francis George Talks About The Catholic Charismatic

Cardinal George answers questions at Parish Leadership Day 2008 at Guerin College Preparatory High School

GK Chesterton

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was a noted English writer. His prolific and diverse output included philosophy, ontology, poetry, play writing, journalism, public lecturing and debating, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction.

Chesterton routinely referred to himself as an "orthodox" Christian, and came to identify such a position with Catholicism more and more, eventually converting to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism.

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The bishop and priest as spiritual father

In his apostolic exhortation “Pastores Dabo Vobis” (“I Will Give You Shepherds”), the late Pope John Paul II reminds us that “priests by means of the sacrament of holy orders are tied with a personal and indissoluble bond to Christ. ... The sacrament of holy orders is conferred upon each one of them as individuals, but they are inserted into the communion of the presbyterate united with the bishop.” A priest’s primary bond, the fundamental and indispensable relationship that creates and sustains his ministry, is with Christ.

Nothing can replace this intimate, indissoluble connection between Christ and his priests. At the same time, as the Holy Father reminds us, this bond of love between Christ and his priests has a communal dimension. When a priest receives the sacrament of holy orders, he is joined with his brother priests and his bishop in a presbyterate. The bishop shares his ministry with his priests. Together they carry out the Lord’s work: by their proclamation of the word of God, by their celebration of the sacraments and by their pastoral leadership. In John 21:15-17, Jesus questions St Peter’s love for him three times before putting St Peter at the head of his flock, the church, and then invites him to tend and feed his sheep.

The spirituality of the bishop and the priest is the same as that of the Galilean fisherman who became the first pope and the head of the church. We are called to love the Lord with our whole heart and soul. Bishops and priests are called to share the love they have received in the depth of their hearts from the Father as they take up their role as spiritual fathers. I find this sense of spiritual fatherhood, love for others in Christ, in St Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians (2:1-12). Here the disciple or spiritual father is called to be a positive influence, lead a transparent life, base his ministry only on spiritual authority, show affection toward those he is called to serve and be known for unselfish living.

The spiritual father gives himself completely in proclaiming the Gospel. Therefore, we understand that preaching the Gospel is not merely pronouncing words but the giving of oneself in love. It is the role of the spiritual father expressed through attentive listening and anchored in one’s prayer and discernment. St John Vianney, the Cure of Ars and patron saint of all parish priests, expressed this love when he prayed for the conversion of his parish and said he would undergo any suffering that God would send to him. On another occasion, when asked about the great sinners that came to him, he said that he would only give them a small penance and then make up the difference in his own life through prayer and mortification.

In Philippians 2:1-3, St Paul describes this behaviour as selfless friendship: “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.” Spiritual fatherhood is rooted in a theology that is Trinitarian and Incarnational. The late Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan suggests four characteristics found in a spiritual father: Intimacy: a relationship of love and tenderness with others.

Just as the Good Shepherd knows his sheep, so the bishop and priest are called to listen attentively to those entrusted to their care and always be welcoming and forgiving, bringing the healing hands of Christ. Dedication: a decision to give his life for his sheep, giving of himself generously without reserve. And it does not matter whether or not others respond. What counts is the total gift of the spiritual father. Evangelization: reaching out to every person and every aspect of human life. We are never stopped by rejection or indifference.

Rather, we are always trying to build relationships on love. Unity: “That they may be one” (Jn 17:11). Zacchaeus changed, Matthew changed, Mary Magdalene changed and the boy possessed changed. Everyone who finds Jesus changes! Recently I led a pilgrimage retreat with 22 priests from the Archdiocese of St Louis to Ars, France, to the church where St John Vianney ministered to his people and to the thousands who came to him for spiritual guidance. I believe it’s important for me as a bishop to pray for and with my priests. It is also important for priests to gather with each other and with their bishop as a presbyterate. When a bishop and his priests are growing in holiness together, they are in the best possible position to effectively preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments and serve the pastoral needs of the people entrusted to their care as spiritual guides and fathers.
By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Source: Herald Malaysia

Mary's Faith

This is a sermon by Greg Boyd of Woodland Hills Church. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of the Bible’s great examples of faith. God chose her as the human vessel through which God would enter the world! Mary responded with great faith even though it would certainly introduce many challenges and change her life’s path.

Jabez Prayer - The Original Version

The Prayer of Jabez or simply the Jabez prayer was made popular about 10 years ago by a book which became a bestseller.

Due to its overwhelming demand, there are many who are looking for the free pdf download of the ebook link online.

The Prayer of Jabez is based on the Old Testament passage 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 where an obscure character called Jabez prays for God blessings and God blesses him.

During an uneventful time in Israel's history, a faithful man named Jabez prayed a simple, straightforward prayer and gained the favor and blessings of God.

After three thousand years of obscurity, Jabez has found surprising favor with the world.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain. Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me! And God granted him what he requested.

Below is the song, "Song of Jabez":



This is what TIME Magazine says:

Pity poor Jabez. For some 2,500 years, he languished in one of those endless biblical genealogies, as the 35th "son of Judah" enumerated in the Book of Chronicles, just after the listings for his relatives Anub and Zobebah. Upon reaching him, the biblical author breaks stride, but only for a moment, to acknowledge that he was regarded as "more honorable than his brothers" and that he had a favorite prayer, which the Bible reprints. Then it was on to Chelub and Shuhah.

But as Jesus noted, the last shall be first. After only a year on the market, a slim inspirational text called The Prayer of Jabez, written by an evangelist based in Atlanta, Bruce Wilkinson, and published by a tiny firm in Sisters, Ore., has sold a Grisham-like 3.5 million copies and advanced this week to No. 1 on the New York Times Advice, How-to & Miscellaneous best-sellers list--even though the Times does not count books sold in religious bookstores. Says Lynn Garrett, religion editor at Publishers Weekly: "It's a raging success, and I think it's going to continue to build. It could easily become this year's hardcover best seller."

The question Jabez himself might well have posed is, "Why me?" After decades of willful ignorance, the publishing world has learned--via the triumph of the apocalyptic Left Behind series--that titles by and for evangelical Christians can sell angelically. But unlike Left Behind, which trades on the spectacular cast and characters of the Book of Revelation, Jabez is essentially a bulked-up sermon, pouring much of the evangelical mission into the prayer's five short clauses.

Wilkinson, 53, says he first heard about the prayer from a seminary chaplain 30 years ago and has been "praying Jabez" as a kind of evangelical mantra ever since. What he appears to have found most attractive is the prayer's expansiveness. Evangelical life abounds in thou shalt nots and stresses humility before God. By contrast, Jabez's demand that the deity "bless me indeed" seems buoyant and liberating. Reading the volume's back-cover blurb ("Do you want to be extravagantly blessed by God?"), one might even imagine that Wilkinson is selling Prosperity Theology, a widespread if superficial gospel that amounts to praying for dollars. This turns out not to be the case. The riches he has in mind are the wealth of God's spirit, and the more one has, the more one wants to spread it. He interprets Jabez's next request, "enlarge my territory," as a plea for the biggest possible evangelizing field. "Clearly," he writes, "it is His complete will for us to reach the world--right now!"

Wilkinson, who sweetens his thesis with anecdotes from his personal and preaching life, concludes by claiming that daily recitation of the prayer can turn you into...someone like him. Wilkinson, who has preached at Promise Keepers' rallies, asserts that his success in reaching millions via his Walk Thru the Bible Ministries is almost shocking evidence of what God's grace and Jabez praying can do.

Actually, even he didn't guess the book's potential. He says the reason for its surprise success is "the $20 million question" and testifies that the only one who thought it would hit more than 30,000 copies a year was his wife, who felt that "God would perhaps enjoy getting the message out." He suggests that although most Americans believe in prayer, they save it for emergencies, and Jabez's relatively low-key, daily program may be a welcome novelty. PW's Garrett agrees: "It's very evangelical and very American, this whole notion that if you know the right technique, the right form, that prayer will be efficient and effective. Kind of like golf."

There are other factors. The book is a bit of a genre-bender, packing a change-your-life message that evangelicals are used to seeing in 350-page tomes into an easy-to-read 93 pages. At $9.99, it can be bought in multiple copies for friends, like a literary W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do) bracelet. Wilkinson's editor David Kopp reports two influential boosters: James Dobson and his wife Shirley, who heard Wilkinson preach Jabez on a tape during a long drive. Dobson then featured the book on his immensely influential Focus on the Family radio show. Mark Tauber, a religion-book veteran now at the Beliefnet.com website, notes that Wilkinson's 30 years of preaching Jabez at rallies assures "a built-in audience of a million people who have been saying the prayer"--and wonders whether its sequel, based on a verse from the Gospel of John, will sell as well.

Wilkinson and Kopp claim that Jabez is attracting nonevangelical audiences, but that is hard to believe, given the book's use of loaded catchwords and concepts. And with some 20 million evangelicals in the country, it is also moot. Says Carolyn Henninger, a bookstore owner in Gainesville, Ga.: "Jabez has changed my life. I had never prayed for the Lord to bless me, to enlarge my territory. It's phenomenal that people I show the book to come back in and buy extra books they're sharing." Henninger has sold 2,300 copies, and says, "I hope I never run out."

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Does this prayer work ? there are testimonies of thousands that it surprisingly does.

Despite the popularity of the Jabez prayer, there are 2 even more powerful ancient prayers which has been said for centuries by kings, slaves, princes and paupers alike. These powerful prayers are known to have helped win wars and defeat enemies for some and have bestowed riches and countless other blessings for others.

These great devotional prayers are still faithfully said today by millions around the globe:

Novena to St Jude

Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague

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The Divine Mercy

The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Catholic devotion based on the visions of Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000. The chaplet is often said as a rosary-based prayer with the same set of rosary beads used for reciting the Holy Rosary or the Chaplet of Holy Wounds.

Nobody is sure which is the original divine mercy image, because it has been re-painted a few times. But Jesus told St. Faustina that the version of the image is not important - what is important is the image itself.
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Below is a video on the Divine Mercy Chaplet:



Related post: Cenacle Of Divine Mercy

Tony Blair

Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007.

Tony Blair, an Anglican, converted to Catholicism in 1997 after stepping down as British Prime Minister.

According to a news report, Tony Blair's spiritual awakening goes back at least 30 years, to his time as an undergraduate at Oxford, but due to political considerations [a Catholic cannot become prime minister of the United Kingdom] his conversion to Catholicism had to be postponed.

Prior to being a Catholic, he had apparently been attending Catholic mass, often with his family but also occasionally alone, since long before he became prime minister. His wife, Cherie, is a lifelong and practicing Catholic.

There are reports stating that Blair had been reprimanded by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1996 for receiving Holy Communion at Mass despite not being a Catholic, in contravention of canon law.

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Discerning Spirits

Fr Fio Mascarenhas SJ, chairman of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of India, shares his insights on how to discern whether it is the human spirit, the spirit of God or a diabolical spirit that is being manifested in a situation or person

Discernment of Spirits – the word “spirit” refers to two different types of motivating powers. The spirit of an individual refers to the internal inclination to good or evil, and it manifests itself with such regularity that it must be considered a personality trait. But it is also possible for an individual to come under the influence of a spirit that is extrinsic to the personality, whether from God or the devil. Hence it is the function of “discernment of spirits” to judge whether a given act or repetition of acts flows from the Holy Spirit, the diabolic spirit or the human spirit.

There are two types of discernment of spirits : acquired and infused. Acquired discernment of spirits is complementary to ordinary spiritual direction and can be cultivated by all who use the proper means. Infused discernment of spirits is a charismatic gift, which is granted by God to certain individuals.

ACQUIRED DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

Acquired discernment of spirits is absolutely necessary for a spiritual director or prayer group leader, since it helps him/her to determine the spirits that are leading a person away from God, and on the other hand, the action of the Holy Spirit leading one towards God. The various means by which one can acquire the art of discernment of spirits are:

1. Prayer – this is the most important means

2. Study – Leaders should also become familiar with the general principles of spiritual theology contained in the Bible, the masters of the spiritual life, and the lives of the saints. One should have a broad and sympathetic understanding of a variety of “schools” of spirituality.

3. Personal experience – While it is true that each person has unique traits and characteristics, there is also a common pattern possessed by all, and unless one understands oneself, it will be very difficult to understand the condition of those one seeks to guide.

Discerning Spirits can be summarised under three headings: the Holy Spirit, the diabolical spirit, and the human spirit. God’s Spirit always inclines us to the good, working either directly or through secondary causes; the devil always inclines us to evil, working by his own power or through the allurement of the things of the world; the human spirit may be inclined to evil or to good, depending upon whether the individual follows right reason or selfish desires.

Due to the basic indifference of many natural inclinations, it is evident that they may be used for good and for evil, and while grace does not destroy nature but perfects and super-naturalises it, the devil utilises human weakness and the effects of original sin to further his evil aims. Moreover, it may happen that, in one and the same action, various spirits are intermingled. Even when the Spirit predominates in a given action, it does not follow that the antecedent or consequent movements are supernatural. It can happen that purely natural movements introduce themselves, consciously or unconsciously, and cause the action to lose some of its purity. For example, God’s spirit may inspire me to fast regularly, but my spirit may subsequently tell me to fast only nominally (so I don’t get the spiritual benefit of fasting) or the devil may influence me to overdo or to extend my fast over several days ( and so ultimately ruin my health.)

DIVINE SPIRIT

– the following are some general signs

1. Truth. If a person maintains opinions that are manifestly against revealed truth, the infallible teaching of the Church, or proven theology, or philosophy, or science, it must be concluded that he/she is deluded by the devil or is the victim of excessive imagination or faulty reasoning.

2. Docility. Persons moved by the Holy Spirit accept with true peace the advice and counsel of those with authority over them. They manifest sentiments of humility and self-effacement.

3. Discretion. The Holy Spirit makes the person discreet, prudent, and thoughtful in all his/her actions. There is nothing of precipitation, frivolity, exaggeration or impetuosity; all is well balanced, edifying, and full of calmness and peace.

4. Peace. The person experiences a profound and stable serenity in the depths of his/her spirit.

5. Purity of intention. The person seeks only that God’s will be done and that God be glorified in all that he/she does, without human interest or motivation out of self love.

6. Patience in suffering. No matter what its source, or whether or not it is justly received, the soul bears it with equanimity.

7. Simplicity. Together with veracity and sincerity, this is never lacking in those who are truly motivated by the Spirit. Any duplicity, arrogance, hypocrisy, or vanity must be attributed rather to the devil.

8. Freedom of spirit. First of all there is no attachment to any created thing, even the gifts received from God. Second, all is accepted from the hands of God with gratitude and humility, whether it be a question or consolation or trial. The opposite would be done in the case of those with a rigid and unyielding will, who are controlled by self love.

HUMAN SPIRIT

There is a constant struggle between grace, and the human spirit wounded by sin and strongly inclined to self-love. The human spirit is always inclined to its own satisfactions; it is a friend of pleasure and an enemy of suffering of any kind. It readily inclines to anything that is compatible with its own temperament, its personal tastes and caprices, or the satisfaction of self-love. It will not hear of humiliations, penance and renunciation, but seeks success, honours, applause and pastimes.

DIABOLICAL SPIRIT

Normally, diabolical influence on the individual is restricted to simple temptations, though sometimes the devil may concentrate his power on an individual by means of diabolical obsession or even possession. (Detailed study of this is beyond our scope here). The various signs are:

1. Spirit of falsity. The devil is the father of lies, but he cleverly conceals his deceit by half-truths and pseudo-mystical phenomena, by hypocrisy, simulation and duplicity.

2. Morbid curiosity. This is characteristic of those who eagerly seek out the esoteric aspects of mystical phenomena or have a fascination for the occult or preternatural.

3. Confusion. Anxiety and deep depression. Also despair, lack of confidence and discouragement – a chronic characteristic that alternates with presumption, vain security and unfounded optimism.

4. Obstinacy. Disobedience and hardness of heart

5. Constant indiscretion and a restless spirit. Those who constantly go to extremes (in penitential exercises/apostolic activities) or neglect their primary obligations to do some personally chosen work

6. Spirit of pride and vanity. Very anxious to publicise their gifts of grace and mystical experiences.

7. Impatience in suffering and stubborn resentment

8. Uncontrolled passions and strong inclination to sensuality. Also excessive attachment to sensible consolations, particularly in prayer.

Source: Good News

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Charismatic Renewal: An Authentic Expression of Catholic Faith

"Charismatic Renewal: An Authentic Expression of Catholic Faith"
by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM, Cap., Preacher to the Papal Household
Talk given to a Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC) event, 2008.

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth is a 1977 Anglo-Italian television miniseries dramatizing the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus based on the accounts in the four New Testament Gospels.

The storyline of Jesus of Nazareth is a kind of cinematic Diatessaron, or “Gospel harmony”, blending the narratives of all four New Testament accounts. It takes a fairly naturalistic approach, de-emphasizing special effects when miracles are depicted and presenting Jesus as more or less fully human.

The familiar Christian episodes are presented chronologically: the betrothal, and later marriage, of Mary and Joseph; the Annunciation; the Visitation; the circumcision of John the Baptist; the Nativity of Jesus; the circumcision of Jesus; the Census of Quirinius; the Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Innocents; the Finding in the Temple; the Baptism of Jesus; the woman caught in adultery; Jesus helping Peter catch the fish; the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32); a dialogue between Jesus and Barabbas (non-biblical); Matthew's dinner party; the Sermon on the Mount; debating with Joseph of Arimathea; the curing of the blind man at the pool; the Raising of Lazarus (John 11:43); the Feeding of the Five Thousand; the Entry into Jerusalem; Jesus and the money changers; the Last Supper; the betrayal of Jesus by Judas; Peter denying Christ and repenting of it; the judgment of Jesus by Pilate (“Ecce Homo”); the Johannine Passion Narrative (John 18-19; including the Agony in the Garden); the Carrying of the Cross; the Crucifixion of Christ (Laurence Olivier's Nicodemus recites the “Suffering Servant” passage [Isaiah' 53:3-5] as he looks helplessly on the crucified Messiah); the discovery of the empty tomb; and an appearance of the Risen Christ to his Disciples. The film’s storyline concludes with the non-Biblical character Zerah and his colleagues gazing despairingly into the empty tomb. Zerah's laments: “Now it begins. It all begins”.

Watch the whole video series on You Tube in 28 Parts.

Angel In Hospital

This is apparently an Angel captured on video. To show that this is not a malfunction of the camera, notice the shadow of the angel on the floor.

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Catholic Charismatic History

42 years of dramatic worldwide growth of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (visions, tongues, prophecy, healing, etc.) excerpted from the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) DVD "A New Pentecost" featuring a brief history, papal promotion, endorsement and testimonies.

St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta was a pioneering Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre (Spain) and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (better known as "the Jesuits").

He was a student of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who dedicated themselves to the service of God at Montmartre in 1534.

Francis Xavier devoted much of his life to missions in foreign countries. He is said to have converted more people than anyone else has done since St. Paul.

He was a tremendously successful missionary, courageously dined with head hunters, washed scores of lepers in Venice and baptised 10.000 children in a single month.

He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time. He was influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India, but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had thus far not been visited by Christian missionaries. In these areas, being a pioneer and struggling to learn the local languages in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India.

His efforts left a significant impression upon the missionary history of India and, as one of the first Jesuit missionaries to the East Indies, his work is of fundamental significance to Christians in the propagation of Christianity in China and Japan. India still has numerous Jesuit missions, and many more schools.

According to legend and his biographers, St. Francis Xavier was reportedly able to levitate during the celebration of the Holy Mass occasionally when he was distributing Holy Communion upon his knees, his usual posture for giving the Bread of Life to his people or during his private prayer times. According to the testimony of a pious merchant, Diogo Pereira, and his brother who spied on the saint one night. According to their joint witness they watched the saint fall into an ecstasy after which his motionless body was lifted off the ground, while the light emanating from his countenance illuminated the entire room.

The incorrupt body of the saint is still enshrined at Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India. In 1614 by order of Claudius Acquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus, the right arm was severed at the elbow and conveyed to Rome, where the present altar was erected to receive it in the church of the Gesu.

The Novena of Grace is a popular devotion to Francis Xavier, typically prayed on the nine days before 3 December.

Beatification and canonization Francis Xavier is a Catholic saint. He was beatified by Paul V on 25 October 1619, and was canonized by Gregory XV on 12 March 1622, at the same time as Ignatius Loyola. He is considered to be a patron saint of Roman Catholic missionaries in foreign lands. His feast day is 3 December.

Read more here.





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Ronna Jean's Testimony

Visit Catholics Come Home.

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Tony Meléndez

José Antonio Meléndez Rodríguez (born on January 9, 1962, in Rivas, Nicaragua) is a Nicaraguan American guitar player, composer and singer and songwriter who was born without arms. His mother took Thalidomide while pregnant, which caused his disability. Meléndez has learned to play the guitar with his feet.

Visit Tony Melendez Ministries