(Originally published on May 13, 2000 in Honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, updated on February 2025)
Over time, many organizations have emerged in our country, spending large amounts of money on charitable works, including donations to hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly, scholarships, and relief efforts for those in distress. We often refer to these benefactors as philanthropists, as their mission is to share their wealth with the less fortunate.
During the time of our Lord here on Earth, many people saw, talked to, and touched Him, especially His Mother and His Apostles. While most of us today want to see Him personally, only a few of us are aware that we already have that experience when we receive Him during Holy Communion. Our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist during the first Mass, known as the Last Supper. When we are in front of the Eucharist, it's important to show reverence by kneeling and praying, as our Lord is in front of us.
The Permanent Instruction of the Alta Vendita is a secret document created by the Alta Vendita, the highest lodge of the Italian Carbonari, a Masonic organization operating in the 19th century. This document outlines a covert plan to infiltrate and corrupt the Catholic Church from within rather than attacking it directly. Unlike previous anti-Catholic movements that sought to destroy the Church through force, the Alta Vendita's strategy focused on gradual infiltration, ensuring that over time, the Church would adopt secular and modernist ideas. The document was leaked and published by the Vatican in the 19th century and was later endorsed by Popes Pius IX and Leo XIII, who saw it as a real threat to the Catholic faith.
During the Last Supper, our Lord commanded His Disciples “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.” (Luke 22:19). Following His commandment, the Apostles celebrated Holy Mass and gave communion to the faithful. It is very important because Christ promises that those who eat His flesh (Sacred Host) and drink His blood shall have everlasting life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is presented to us in the form of Bread, the Holy Eucharist, each time we attend Mass. But how often should we receive Holy Communion?
Couples who are in love and don't want to be separated decide to get married so they can live together for eternity until death. They receive the Sacrament of Matrimony while standing side by side in front of the Altar of the Lord. As Christ's enemies gradually gain power and politics get involve to create Laws against God and His church, one of them is divorce.
Holiday is a special day when a country or place celebrates by cancelling work or classes for the day. It is derived from the ancient English term hāligdæg, which translates to Holy Day. Originally, this was a religious dedication, specifically by the Catholic Church, which was known as Precepts or Holy Days of Obligation. The church observed a special feast where the faithful were obligated to refrain their work to honor God, the Blessed Virgin Mary or the saints through procession, prayer, and fasting.
The Holy Rosary is the most commonly used prayer of Catholics in the world. It comes in second to the Holy Mass. During prayer, one would use rosary beads with a Crucifix while kneeling in front of the altar in church, chapel, or at home. Prayer was often led by a priest, deacon, nun, lay people in church, or any family member at home.
Many teachings of the Catholic faith came from Sacred Tradition or Oral Tradition, it was passed down through words of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostles, to the church fathers and the next generations with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The other one came from Sacred Scriptures, which we all know as the Holy Bible.
As Catholics, we must know the basic knowledge of our faith. It is important to teach this to our brethren, children and to the next generations. In Basic Catechism, we first learn the Four Pillars of Catholic Faith and it is the main focus on the Catechism of the Church from the Council of Trent and by Pope St. Pius X.
If you pray or read the Nicene Creed, you will see the words ‘One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.’ These are the Marks of the Church or also known as the Attributes of the Church. Only the Catholic Church has it because it is the only one established by Christ. The truth is not flowing through the protestants who removed themselves from the Church. Let's look into the significance of each mark.
