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Lepanto, 1571: The Battle That Saved Europe The clash of civilizations is as old as history, and equally as old is the blindness of those who wish such clashes away; but they are the hinges, the turning points of history. In the latter half of the 16th century, Muslim war drums sounded and the mufti of the Ottoman sultan proclaimed jihad, but only the pope fully appreciated the threat... The Ottoman Empire, the seat of Islamic power, looked to control the Mediterranean. Corsairs raided from North Africa; the Sultan’s massive fleet anchored the eastern Mediterranean; and Islamic armies ranged along...

I just saw it again on CNN right now, but remember when Bush called all the press into the White House to see how confident they were of how things were going? As they're zooming into President Bush's face, on the end table with the lamp, I could have sworn I saw an icon of the Blessed Mother with the Infant Jesus sitting on the table. I've seen this clip several times on the news, but if anyone can direct me to a video file (or confirm from their own observation), I would greatly appreciate it!

CHURCH GREW IN UNDERSTANDING OF MARY’S ROLE Pope John Paul II Down the centuries, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has sought to understand more clearly the revealed truth about the Mother of God"The sparse information on Mary's earthly life is compensated by its quality and theological richness, which contemporary exegesis has carefully brought to light", the Holy Father said at the General Audience of Wednesday, 8 November, as he continued his reflections on the Virgin Mary. The Pope's catechesis on Mary in Sacred Scripture and theological reflection was the fourth in the series on the...

Protestants as well as Catholics believe that the Body of Jesus Christ is now in heaven. This doctrine is called the Ascension and is explicitly revealed in the Bible. All Christians believe, too, that the bodies of the just will be united to their souls at the end of the world and be glorified in heaven after the manner of the Risen Body of Christ. This is also revealed explicitly in the New Testament. It follows, therefore, that the bodies and souls of the departed saints are now separated, that their souls are in heaven and their bodies in the...

In the middle of World War II, a young factory worker named Karol Wojtyla picked up a copy of a book by St. Louis Marie de Montfort titled, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He couldn't put it down. In fact, he read the book so often he memorized entire pages. That book would have a profound impact on the rest of his life, and especially on his papacy as Pope John Paul II. The late, beloved pope was only one among millions to have been profoundly influenced by the 33-day consecration to Jesus through Mary, recommended by the...

Catholic DevotionsFirst Saturday Devotion to Our Lady This is a devotion of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, done to honour Our Lady's sorrows as suggested by Our Lord in an apparition to Sister Lucia a visionary from Fatima in 1925 and as requested by Our Lady. BackgroundThe First Saturday Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. After showing the three children a vision of hell she said, "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in...

Scott Hahn on Our Lady The following is the transcript of Scott Hahn's audio and video tape presentation, "Mary: Holy Mother" as it appears in the "Catholic Adult Education on Video Program" with Scott and Kimberly Hahn. This morning we want to focus on Mary and the Marian doctrines and devotions of the Catholic Church to see where in scripture do we see, not necessarily logical demonstrations that are brought forth from proof texts that kind of force the mind against the will to give in and to acquiesce in these beliefs, but where do we find in scripture the...

The following text is adapted from a lecture Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira gave on June 15, 1973.  It has been translated and edited for publication without his revision.  Note, in this text, he uses the words Revolution and Counter-Revolution as he defined them in his book Revolution and Counter-Revolution.  In this sense, the Revolution is a centuries-old process, motivated by pride and sensuality, and therefore egalitarianism and liberalism, that dominates the modern world and seeks to destroy Christian civilization.  Counter-Revolutionaries are those dedicated to defeating this process and defending the rights of God. –Ed.…One of the truly Counter-Revolutionary acts...

Mark Armstrong  Other Articles by Mark ArmstrongPrinter Friendly Version   The Story of Guadalupe: Hope for Our Violent World December 12, 2006 Just four days ago we celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, Mel Gibson released his epic movie, Apocalypto. Without giving away too much of the plot, I believe we can hope that many eyes are opened by this movie's portrayal of the evil of human sacrifices practiced by the Aztecs and other Indian cultures in what would become Mexico. The movie provides the historical backdrop of today's Marian celebration: the Memorial of Our...

Yes, I would like to commit to a rosary for Our Lady's Victory over the Culture of Death and renewal of a Culture of Life! (enter your name and e-mail address at the link above or below)

September 15, 2006 Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows Psalm: Friday 38 Reading 11 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27 Brothers and sisters:If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,for an obligation has been imposed on me,and woe to me if I do not preach it!If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.What then is my recompense?That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of chargeso as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel. Although I am free in regard to all,I...

Poles and Scots United to Celebrate 50 Years Since Poland's Re-Dedication to Mary Posted on August 21, 2006 By The Universe: Hundreds of Catholics from the Diocese of Aberdeen have gathered to celebrate fifty years since Poland was re-dedicated to Mary the Mother of God and re-declared Queen of Poland. Gathering at the Benedictine Abbey of Pluscarden, large numbers of native Scots and Poles working in the North East of Scotland participated in a Mass led by Bishop Peter Moran. At the beginning of the celebration, a group of 85 Poles, led by Fr Joe Kolasa, walked the six-mile road...

What a glorious trip! – Pilgrimage to Czestochowa Who? 5 thousand young people. What? Catholic pedestrian pilgrimage. When? August the 5th-14th, each year, tradition since AD. 1712. Where? Poland, 160 miles (300 km) between Warsaw and Czestochowa, Black Madonna Shrine. Why? Love of God and Blessed Mother Mary; prayer, community, expiation. Praise the Lord!! Amazing! Incredible! And unbelievable! What a glorious trip! This had to be one of the most awesome times I have ever experienced in carrying the cross around the world! In August 2005, with God's help, I had the great joy of traveling with two of my...

May 13, 2006 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter Psalm: Saturday 20 Reading 1Acts 13:44-52 On the following sabbathalmost the whole citygathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousyand with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,but since you reject itand condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us,I have made you a light to the Gentiles,that...

Catholics celebrate Day of Virgin Mary patron of Poland 03.05.2006 The Catholic Church is celebrating the Day of The Holy Virgin Mary The Queen of Poland. The holiday had been proclaimed by the Vatican at the request of Polish bishops after Poland regained statehood and independence after World War One. Pope Benedict XV had officially approved it in 1920. It is being celebrated in Poland since 1923. The main site of this religious event is the Jasna Gora shrine of the Holy Virgin Mary in Czestochowa where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have gathered for a ceremonious open air mass.

One of Our Lady's most ancient titles is Stella Maris - Star of the Sea. There does not seem to be a set feast day. Thus I propose that Columbus Day, 12 October, would be most appropriate especially for us here in the Western Hemisphere for that feast day! Several years ago our late Holy Father Pope John Paul the Great bestowed upon Our Lady's most chaste spouse the title of CUSTOS - Guardian. So I was thinking that as Our Lady is Stella Maris that Saint Joseph should be CUSTOS MARIS! Most fitting and proper! And as the feast...

The Story of Our Lady of Genazzano A view of the town of Genazzano, resting place of the miraculous painting of Our Lady. A few miles from the city of Rome, lies Genazzano—a city rich in history and blessed with the presence of a miraculous painting of the Blessed Virgin that has an amazing story.The origins of Genazzano date back to the times of the Roman emperors. Because of its proximity to Rome, the city was chosen by many patricians and imperial courtiers as a site for their country villas. The vast gardens surrounding these villas often served as the...

Thursday January 1, 2004 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Reading I (Numbers 6:22-27) Reading II (Galatians 4:4-7) Gospel (St. Luke 2:16-21) As we embark once again on a new year, the Church begins on this octave day of Christmas by celebrating the feast of Our Lady's divine maternity: Mary, the Mother of God. This feast is exceedingly important when we understand the context in which all of these things came to be. Christmas, for instance, was not celebrated in the Church until around the year 300.

From Great Historical Victories of the Rosary Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval This victory was important because it saved Catholicism in all of Asia. While elsewhere in the rest of the Asian continent the false religions violently opposed, in general, the implantation of Catholicism, and caused to flow in abundance the blood of the martyrs, the conversion of the Philippines was an event without parallel in history: in 40 years (from 15659 to 1605), without a single drop of blood being shed, the country became a model Christendom thanks to the Spanish. For the Church it became...

Image of Catholic icon in pop culture magazine causes fresh debate on media freedom in Poland 17.2.2006 - Gabriel Stille Polish pop culture magazine Machina has hit the stands again after a three year absence. And its return did not go unnoticed. The cover features the Black Madonna icon, Poland's revered religious painting, but it appears with the superimposed picture of pop star Madonna. The published image has led to protests by Polish Roman Catholics. And it has raised ethical questions concerning media freedom not unlike those involving the Danish Islamic caricatures. The much-revered Polish icon of the Black Madonna,...