Orandi Semper

The Beatitudes: Jesus' sermon on the mount

Reading from the gospel of Matthew chapters 5-9.

How to battle temptation - the power of confession and eucharistic adoration (fight or flight)

Battling temptation? Listen to this personal reflection on the choices we have when we’re faced with spiritual attacks and temptation.

Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist

Body, blood, soul and divinity!
We explore one of the most ancient teaching that the earlier Christians all understood and believed - that Jesus is really and truly present in the Eucharist.  Every single Christian in the first, second and third century knew and believed this - well before Christianity was accepted by the roman emperor.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of St. John the Apostle, who was alive when the gospels were written and states that the Eucharist it the real body and blood of Christ and all of the earlier church fathers were united on this essential teaching.

The Eucharist: Real Presence & Transubstantiation

References:
St. Paul Center: Where Do We Find Church Teaching on the Real Presence?
By Leon J. Suprenant Jr. and Philip C.L. Gray [social-share]
https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/where-do-we-find-church-teaching-on-the-real-presence
Catechism Part Two  In Brief:
https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_two/section_two/chapter_one/article_3/in_brief.html
Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/qa/do-any-other-faiths-believe-in-transubstantiation
Orthodox Church in America: Holy Eucharist
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-sacraments/holy-eucharist
Luther’s defense of the Real Presence in the Eucharist
https://www.detroitcatholic.com/voices/luther-s-defense-of-the-real-presence-in-the-eucharist
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: The Holy Eucharist
https://www.goarch.org/-/the-holy-eucharist
SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST (Coptic Orthodox)
https://www.copticchurch.net/introduction-to-the-coptic-church/sacraments/4_eucharist
 
 

Mary: the Ark of the New Covenant vs. Golden Chest: Ark of the Old Covenant

To call Mary the Ark is not to exalt her above Christ. It is to recognize that the Incarnation did not happen in abstraction. It happened in her. And in her flesh, the Word did not merely dwell. He tabernacled.
Why the Early Church Saw It
This is why the early Church Fathers–St. Ambrose, Gregory the Wonderworker, and John Damascene–saw Mary as the new Ark. It was not a title of sentiment. It was a declaration of theological fact. 
 
Sources:
https://www.catholic365.com/article/51313/why-mary-is-the-ark-of-the-new-covenant.html
 
 

Rosary Luminous Mysteries (Latin-English - Thursday)

With gospel readings and reflections from Matt Fradd's Pocket Guide to the Rosary

Luminous Mysteries (Latin-English) Rosary (Thursday)

With scripture readings and reflections - take from Pocket Guide to the Rosary by Matt Fradd

Joyful Mysteries Rosary (Latin-English)

With scripture readings and reflections

Glorious Mysteries Rosary (Latin-English)

With scripture readings and selections

Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary (Latin-English)

With scripture readings and reflections from the Pocket Guide to the Rosary by Matt Fradd