Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Gift of Maternal Love

Today is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which recalls Mary's visit with her cousin Elizabeth. This event is also the second joyful mystery of the rosary -- the first being the Annunciation.Elizabeth had been barren all her life, but in the Annunciation, Mary learned that her cousin was miraculously expecting a child in her old age. Upon hearing this good news, Mary fervently desired to share in Elizabeth's joy and serve her...

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Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary begins today

Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of MaryO Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...(special intention).We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care...

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Outrageous: Oregon Woman Allegedly Raped After 911 Operator's Unbelievable Response

In a horrifying case in Oregon, a woman was allegedly raped after her call to 911 went unanswered.The situation is leading many to question how budget cuts are impacting public safety.In August of 2012, the woman called for help after her violent ex-boyfriend showed up at her door. She was transferred to state police because her local sheriff’s department isn't staffed full time, but she didn't receive any help from them either.In shocking audio,...

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Papal Quote of the Day: The Eucharist

“Jesus speaks in silence in the mystery of the Eucharist and each time reminds us that following him means to come out of ourselves and not make our life our possession, but a gift to him and to others.”~ Pope Francis from his homily on May 30 at Rome’s Basilica of Saint John Lateran.Image Sou...

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The spirit of the liturgy from Benedict to Francis

Benedictine Abbot Michael Zielinski, an official at the Vatican's worship congregation, discusses the differences and similarities between the liturgical approaches of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Franc...

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Pope's Prayer Intentions for June

Vatican City, 31 May 2013 (VIS) - The Pope's general prayer intention for June is: “That a culture of dialogue, listening, and mutual respect may prevail among peoples.”His mission intention is: “That where secularization is strongest, Christian communities may effectively promote a new evangelizatio...

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St. Joan of Arc

Related Post: St. Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'A...

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Pope will pray the rosary in St. Peter's Square to mark the end of May

May 30, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Friday, May 31st, at 8pm, Rome time, Pope Francis will pray the Rosary in St. Peter's Square, along with thousands of pilgrims. He will then give a reflection on why the Virgin Mary is important not only to the Church, but to him.  It's no secret that the Pope feels a strong devotion towards Our Lady. The day after he was elected, he went to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray before an image of the Virgin Mary. Then most recently, when he met with Catholic lay movements, he explained exactly why he likes...

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Teenage Girl Becomes Infertile after Gardasil Vaccination

By Steven Mosher and Elizabeth CrnkovichGardasil has been controversial from the beginning. While other vaccines protect against diseases spread by casual contact, Gardasil was developed to protect against a sexually transmitted disease called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. Merck & Co., the manufacturer, has been very effective at lobbying governments around the world to make the vaccine mandatory for school attendance. Despite the frequent objections...

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St. Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)

 The saint of the day for May 30th is the valiant warrior Saint Joan of Arc, French national heroine, who was born in Domremy, France, 1412 and died in Rouen, France, 1431.When she was 13 years old, Joan began to hear the voices of Saints Michael the Archangel, Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria, urging her to free her country from the English. Joan’s visions told her to find the true king of France and help him reclaim his throne....

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Newborn who came back to life in mother’s arms gives hope to “futile” cases

A premature newborn in Australia, born along with his twin sister at just 27 weeks’ gestation and weighing in at only two pounds, was pronounced dead by his physician after medical staff tried for twenty minutes to revive him. Jamie Ogg, now a little over three years old, is alive today only because of the undying love and affection of his mother.Read the sto...

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The unborn child, human touch, and music therapy

by Kathy OstrowskiIn 1979, before giving birth to the first of my five children, I was fascinated by “breaking” literature that encouraged talking and singing to your child in utero. I remember my husband’s puzzlement when I told him the “experts” said he should put his head close to my growing belly and talk to our baby!I was reminded of how new that concept had been when Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (who is my age) recounted his experience during...

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Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus starts today

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of JesusI. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father...

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Update: Mom Pleads for Help to Save Dying 10-Year-Old Daughter

Yesterday, I blogged about the parents of 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan, who are fighting immoral federal organ donor rules, which are preventing her from getting the lung transplant she needs to save her life. Sarah has cystic fibrosis, and doctors say she has only weeks to live. But because Sarah is 10 years old and not 12, she can only receive a donor lung after all of the adult candidates have received the chance.Today, Sarah's mother is pleading...

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Mary, Untier of Knots

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Pope Francis: Believing in Christ, but not in the Church is a contradiction

May 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his weekly catechesis Pope Francis talked about the role of the Church. But before that, the Pope made his way through St. Peter's Square where about 90,000 people were gathered. Despite the rainy weather, the Pope maid a point to greet the crowds. POPE FRANCIS“I congratulate all of you for having the courage to come out in the rain. You're strong!Even if the weather wasn't ideal, there was time for some endearing moments like this one, where a boy gave Pope Francis a puppet that resembled  the Pontiff...

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St. Bona of Pisa

The saint of the day for May 29 is St. Bona of Pisa (1156 - 1207), virgin.Bona was the daughter of a single mother who grew up believing that her father had vanished during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, when, in fact, her parents had never married. She discovered this through a vision, which led her to Jerusalem, where her she found her father alive.She was a mystic and visionary. Bona experienced visions from early childhood of Jesus, the Blessed...

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Flying Angels: Saving Lives One Flight at a Time

What if saving a life, was just a plane ticket away? What if the doctor who could cure you was half way across the world, but you had no money to buy a plane ticket? Massimo Pollio was involved in one of these cases. He says it's a tragedy, he will never forg...

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10-Year-Old Fights for Her Life Due to "Immoral" Federal Policy

Ten-year-old Sarah Murnaghan is waiting for a lung transplant in a Philadelphia children's hospital, where she's dying from cystic fibrosis. Sarah needs a lung transplant to survive, but a little-known federal policy known as OPTN is standing in her way.The young patient has been in the hospital since February, where doctors say she will die if she doesn't receive the organ transplant. However, the OPTN policy discriminates against children under...

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June 2nd: Vatican invites Catholics around the world, to join the Pope in prayer

May 28, 2013. (Romereports.com) On June 2nd, Catholics worldwide will pray simultaneously. It will be a truly historic event: Pope Francis will lead the Eucharistic adoration in St Peter's Basilica, joined by the faithful in cathedrals all over the world.ARCH. RINO FISICHELLLAPresident, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization “It will be a historic moment, because for an hour cathedrals throughout the world will be in communion with the Pope in Eucharistic adoration. We had a massive support to this initiative: it extends beyond the cathedrals...

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Incredible Video: Rescuers Free Baby From Sewage Pipe After He Was Flushed Down a Toliet

(WARNING! Video may upset some viewers.)by Hans JohnsonLast Saturday residents of an apartment building in Jinhua, China heard a baby’s cries from a toilet on the fourth floor, and saw a tiny foot sticking up from the bottom of the bowl.Firefighters removed the section of pipe holding the baby and took it to the hospital where doctors and rescue workers carefully dismantled it piece by piece.The newborn boy, found with the placenta still attached, is in stable condition.Via Jill Stan...

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Wide-Ranging Concert Experience Follows Bishops’ Strategic Plan for the New Evangelization

I would love to see this act come to our Catholic Family Conference in Wichita next year! Array of Hope delivers an opportunity for Catholic families to encounter Jesus Christ through faith, worship and witnessATLANTA, May 28, 2013 – In November of 2012, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released its strategic plan for 2013-2016 titled “The New Evangelization/Journey With Christ: Faith-Worship-Witness.”  In it, the Bishops are exhorting US Catholics to encounter Christ more fully through greater participation in a community that...

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Blessed Margaret Pole

On May 28, we commemorate Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury.Margaret was born on August 14, 1473 at Farleigh Castle, Bath, Wiltshire, England, to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence and Isabella Neville. Her father was a brother of both Kings Edward IV and Richard III of England. When she was about 20 years old, she married Sir Richard Pole and bore him five children.Margaret was widowed, named Countess of Salisbury, and appointed...

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Praying for a Miracle: Please Join Us

My family has started praying for a miracle for my sister-in-law, Betty, who has an aggressive cancer. Please join us in praying for a miracle through the intercession of Venerable Father Emil Kapaun.Prayer for IntercessionFather Emil Kapaun gaveglory to God by followinghis call to the priesthood andthus serving the people of Kansasand those in the military.Father Kapaun, I ask yourintercession not only for these needswhich I mention now. ....

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Memorial Day 2013

This post is dedicated to all our military heroes -- especially those in my own family -- my dad, my brother, Michael, my sister, Susan, and my brother-in-law, Heinz. Thank you for your service!A Prayer for Memorial DayRemember, Lord, the fallenWho died in fields of war,In flaming clouds,in screaming crowds,On streets that are no more,That we today might wakenAnd greet this day in peaceWith grateful prayer for those who bearThe storms that never...

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Memorial Day: A Catholic perspective

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St. Augustine of Canterbury

The saint of the day for May 27th is St. Augustine of Canterbury, an Italian Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 598. He is not be confused with the earlier St. Augustine of Hippo, the famous author of the “Confessions” and “City of God.”Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great chose him to lead a party of forty monks to travel to south-eastern England to spread the Gospel...

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Blogging Break

For the next several days, I will be taking a blogging break. See you so...

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St. Rita of Cascia

The saint of the day for May 22 is Saint Rita of Cascia, religious.St. Rita was born at Rocca Porena, Italy, in 1386 to Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were quite advanced in years. Rita’s birth was an answer to their prayers. The family was well-known for their charity, which merited them the surname of "Peacemakers of Jesus Christ."Rita brought much joy to her parents. She was a cheerful, amiable, pious and devout child who spent much of her time...

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Vatican Museum celebrates restoration of Michelangelo's Pieta

The Vatican Museums are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the completion of restoration work on Michelangelo’s Pieta.The Pieta, which stands in the nave of St. Peter’s basilica, was badly damaged on May 21, 1973, by a disturbed man, Laszlo Toth, who attacked the sculpture with a hammer. Painstaking restoration work was completed a year later.To mark the 40th anniversary, the Vatican Museums hosted a series of events on the Pieta and the work of...

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Cardinal Burke: Social justice and the protection of human life

You just have to love U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke! He tells it like it is. In this video, he discusses the relationship between social justice concerns and the pro-life moveme...

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How to Help Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado

Please continue to pray for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado disaster. Those who wish to help victims of Monday's tornado in Moore, Okla., may donate through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Make a donation here.St. Andrew the Apostle Church - the only Catholic parish in Moore - is without power and water, but according to initial reports, was not heavily damaged by Monday's tornado. A Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m.,...

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Pope Francis: True Power comes with service

May 21, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Tuesday's morning Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, the Pope talked about the concept of power. Echoing the words he said during his Inaugural Mass, the Pope said true power comes in serving others. He also said there is no room for power struggles within the Church.  POPE FRANCIS“Real power is found in service. Just like Jesus, who didn't come to be served, but to serve. His service was seen on the Cross. He humbled Himself unto death, He died on a Cross for us, to serve us, to save us. It's with...

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Oklahoma bishop supports those grieving in Moore

Oklahoma City, Okla., May 21, 2013 / 03:15 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City traveled to Moore today to give his support and concern to those devastated by the tornado that swept through the town yesterday, May 20.“I feel, as the archbishop, as a shepherd, I need to be there,” Archbishop Coakley told CNA while on his way to the suburb of Oklahoma City on May 21.“I'm not sure…there's anything very practical I can...

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Pope praying for children, others struck by Oklahoma tornado

Pope Francis sent special condolences to those parents who lost their children in a tornado that killed around 100 people in Oklahoma.“I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children,” the Pope said on his Twitter account on May 21.“Join me in praying for them,” he added. Pope Francis also tweeted the same message in Spanish.Earlier in the day during his morning Mass in the Vatican, the...

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St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions, martyrs

Today we honor St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs.Christopher and his twenty-four companion martyrs were members of the Cristero movement, a response to  anti-Catholic government in Mexico in the 1920s.  The government was determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Under the Cristero movement, members pledged their...

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Pope Francis to Catholic Lay Movements: Get out of your comfort zone

May 20, 2013. (Romereports.com) From Catholic Lay Movements, to associations and communities, about 200,000 people went to St. Peter's Square to celebrate the Pentecost Vigil with Pope Francis. The Pope called on them to never forget that Jesus should be at the center of everything they do.POPE FRANCIS“All of you out there on the Square have yelled out 'Francis, Francis, Pope Francis! But where is Jesus? I would have rather heard 'Jesus, Jesus is Lord and He is among us.' From now on, it shouldn't be 'Francis,' you scream out, it should be 'Jesus.'”When...

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St. Bernadine of Siena

The saint of the day for May 20th is St. Bernardine of Siena. A Franciscan friar and preacher, St. Bernardine is known as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country's Catholic faith during the 15th century.St. Bernardine was born in 1380 in Tuscany. His parents died when he was seven years old and he was taken in by relatives who raised him as if he were their own.As a youth, he possessed a strong love for the Blessed Virgin Mary...

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All Things Pentecost

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and personally, this year, the feast commemorates the 8th anniversary of my lifetime oblature to the Community of St. John. So, let's celebrate!Here are some great posts on this feast day:8 things to know and share about Pentecost by Jimmy AkinI have Come to Cast a Fire on the Earth – A Meditation on the Feast of Pentecost by Msgr. Charles PopeThe Holy Spirit – The Principle of Unity throughout Scripture by...

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St. John I, pope and martyr

The saint of the day for May 18th is St. John I (470-526), pope and martyr.By birth, Pope John was a Tuscan, the son of Constantius. He was an archdeacon for several years before being elected Pope on the death of Pope St. Hormisdas in 523. He was a friend and confidant of the philosopher Boethius.In 525 Pope John was sent to Constantinople by King Theodoric of the Ostrogoths to reverse the edict of the Emperor Justin against the Arians two years...

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Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci’s Sainthood Cause Moves to Vatican

Although it has taken more than 400 years, the sainthood cause of Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century missionary to China, is back on track.Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Macerata, Italy, where Fr. Ricci was born in 1552, formally closed the diocesan phase of the sainthood process May 10. The cause now moves to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes at the Vatican.Bishop Giuliodori had met Pope Francis,...

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St. Paschal Baylon

The saint of the day for May 17th is St. Paschal Baylon.Born in a small village in between Castille and Aragon in Spain, on Pentecost in 1540, he was christened Pascua (meaning "the pasch of the Holy Ghost") in honor of the feast. As a young man, until he was twenty-four years old, he worked as a shepherd for his poor, but pious family. During this time, he lived a life of penance and showed great devotion for the Holy Eucharist.One day Paschal heard...

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Why become a priest?

Second Video: Via Marcel at Aggie Cathol...

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Why not women priests?

Dominican Father Wojciech Giertych, theologian of the papal household, weighs in on the debate over women's ordination to the priestho...

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US Assisted suicide corrupts medicine, Vermont diocese warns

Burlington, Vt., May 16, 2013 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vermont legislature passed a bill allowing physicians to approve lethal drugs for terminally ill patients to kill themselves, a move the local Catholic diocese said will have major consequences.“Physician-assisted suicide will forever transform the role of physician from one who preserves life to one who takes life,” the Catholic Diocese of Burlington said ahead of the vote on its website.“Catholics...

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Pope Francis: Don't be Backseat Christians

May 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Thursday's morning Mass, Pope Francisreflected on the apostolic zeal of St. Paul. The Pope invited Christians to follow the apostle's example by living out the faith publicly and with courage. He also called on faithful to not be so called 'backseat Christians.'POPE FRANCIS“There are backseat Christians, right? Those who are well mannered and do everything well, but they don't know how to bring others to the Church through proclamation and Apostolic zeal. Today we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us all this...

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Fr. Barron: Modernity and Morality

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Pope Francis to “Unlock” Pontifical Mission Societies’ “Missio” App

Here is a fascinating development in the New Evangelization:From the Catholic geek files news desk comes the exciting update that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, will engage in a historic moment on Friday when he activates a brand new smartphone app called “Missio.” Lisa Hendey posts the story at Patheos and Catholic M...

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Pope to meet with Catholic Lay Movements. More than 120,000 expected

May 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Saturday May18th and Sunday 19th, Pope Francis will meet with leaders and members of different lay movements. The meeting is a way to recognize their contributions to the Church and to mark the Year of Faith. Those two days will be quite busy. Roughly 120,000 tickets have already been given out for the Pope's Pentecost Sunday Mass. ARCH. RINO FISICHELLAPresident, Pontifical Council for New Evangelization“We chose this weekend when we celebrate Pentecost to highlight the presence of all these movements, new communities,...

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Vatican to Host Global Pro-Life Conference and Papal Mass

By Austin RuseROME, May 16 (C-FAM) Pro-lifers held their breath the day the world received a new Pope. They did not question his pro-life credentials but wondered if he would speak forcefully.An old quote soon surfaced and concerns faded. “Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you. No child should be deprived of the right to be born, the right to be fed, the right...

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St. Simon Stock

The saint of the day for May 14th, St. Simon Stock, was born in Aylesford in County Kent, England in 1165. Although we know little about Simon Stock's early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning "tree trunk," is based on the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. He drank only water and ate herbs, roots, and wild apples. In 1212, he joined the Carmelites soon after they arrived in...

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Video Humor: The Mom Song

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Abby Johnson: I Am No Better Than Kermit Gosnell, Pray for Him

I am vehemently against the death penalty. Now stay with me…this is not a post about my opinion regarding that. You can disagree or agree with me on that some other time. I did want to share a little bit about why I take the words of prolifers so seriously. I have heard so much vitriol spewed from the mouths of “Christian prolifers” since the Gosnell trial has concluded. I feel like I must address it.When I was confirmed as a Catholic, I chose Mary...

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