25th Medjugorje conference at Notre Dame this weekend

SOUTH BEND -- Dan Davis could very well be speaking for many of the thousands who have attended the annual National Medjugorje Conference at the University of Notre Dame. "The conference is like a yearly retreat for my family," says the seminarian from Fort Wayne. "We always come back from it feeling refreshed and on fire for Jesus and Mary." Entering its 25th year and sponsored by Queen of Peace Ministries in South Bend, the conference, which takes place this weekend, is the longest running Marian conference of its size, according to the ministry's director, Deacon Brian Miller.

"This conference was inspired by my experiences on a 1986 pilgrimage to Medjugorje," explains Miller, referring to the little village in Bosnia-Hercegovina where the Virgin Mary is reported to be appearing. The conference begins Friday at the Joyce. May 24 Doors open at 5 p.m., with the rosary and Eucharistic procession to the Grotto scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The conference concludes with Holy Mass at 1 p.m. Sunday.... Read full story HERE

Video:Apparition to Mirjana, 2 May 2013

Marian Prayer:To The Blessed Virgin Mary For May

O most august and blessed Virgin Mary!
Holy Mother of God! glorious Queen of heaven and earth!
powerful protectress of those who love thee,
and unfailing advocate of all who invoke thee!
look down, I beseech thee,
from thy throne of glory on thy devoted child;
accept the solemn offering I present thee of this month,
specially dedicated to thee,
and receive my ardent, humble desire,
that by my love and fervor I could worthily honor thee,
who, next to God, art deserving of all honor.
Receive me, 0 Mother of Mercy,
among thy best beloved children;
extend to me thy maternal tenderness and solicitude;
obtain for me a place in the Heart of Jesus,
and a special share in the gifts of His grace.
0 deign, I beseech thee,
to recognize my claims on thy protection,
to watch over my spiritual and temporal interests,
as well as those of all who are dear to me;
to infuse into my soul the spirit of Christ,
and to teach me thyself
to become meek, humble, charitable, patient,
and submissive to the will of God.

May my heart bum with the love of thy Divine Son,
and of thee, His blessed Mother, not for a month alone,
but for time and eternity;
may I thirst for the promotion of His honor and thine,
and contribute, as far as I can, to its extension.
Receive me, 0 Mary, the refuge of sinners!
Grant me a Mother's blessing and a Mother's care,
now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady in Time of Trouble

Holy Virgin Mary, you are reigning in glory, with Jesus, your Son.
Remember us in our sadness. Look kindly on all who are suffering
or fighting against any difficulty.
Have pity on those who are separated from someone they love.
Have pity on the loneliness of our hearts.
Have pity on the weakness of our faith and love.
Have pity on those who are weeping, on those who are praying, on those who are fearful.
Holy Mother, please obtain for all of us hope and peace with justice.
Amen.

Northern lights dance over Tromsø, Norway

Northern lights dance over Tromsø, Norway. twitter.com/Earth_Pics/sta…

— Earth Pics (@Earth_Pics) May 8, 2013

Polish and Borussia Dortmund Soccer Star Lewandowski: I am not ashamed of Jesus

Robert Lewandowski the Borussia Dortmund striker who scored four goals against Real Madrid is a staunch Catholic. He is also one of the mainstays of the Polish national soccer team. He is not afraid to speak publicly about his Catholic faith. Indeed, he has also joined the campaign of Polish Catholics called "I'm not ashamed of Jesus", saying, "The world today is going very fast and sometimes we forget our values and what is really important. Faith helps me not only on the field but also off it to try to be a good person and follow a right path for my life. I adhere to this campaign because I am a Catholic and I'm not ashamed of Jesus and have faith in Him. I know that God always looks after me." Another champion of football is certainly Lionel Messi who is not shy to express his Catholic beliefs.

Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan captain and also from Argentina, has just recently had the privilege of meeting the Pope: "It was a thrilling encounter because when he was elected, the first desire I had was to meet him," he said. "I found myself in front of a simple person with a huge heart. He added, as a practicing Catholic: "Faith is so important in the world and we are all neighbors."

Italian Athlete Daniele Greco who won a gold medal in the triple jump at the European Championships in Sweden is another practicing Catholic. "I do not try to improve myself for my glory,which is vain. When he got engaged to Francesca, the ring was a rosary. At that point the two spent a short few days in Medjugorje.

John Bruton is correct:suicide threat is not sufficient grounds for legislation

Ex Taoiseach John Bruton in an article in today's Irish Independent articulates the views of 90% of FG voters on this issue. Abortion is NOT a cure for suicidal ideation. Brian Walsh FG TD for Galway West has articulated similar views.

The former Fine Gael leader proposes an alternative way to handle the legislation, which does not involve catering for the suicide grounds. "The only way out of the present dilemma is either to address the medical decision-making process relating to physical threats to the life of the mother, but leave suicidal intent out as a ground for abortion, and let anyone, who wants to test the present constitutionality of this aspect of the X Case, apply directly to the courts; or an option I do not favour, have a constitutional amendment to remove the equal right to life of the unborn from the constitution," he says. "Some may argue against these options on the ground that the X Case is settled law, and thus is a reliable basis for proceeding with legislation to allow abortion where suicide is threatened. I believe this is wrong." Irish Independent

FG backbenchers can cripple this proposal by banding together as a group and standing up to the liberal clique of Reilly, Shatter, Fitzgerald and the Labour party. There is strength in numbers. 20/25 TDs can bury the suicide proposal. The FG Party could not deprive 20/25 TDs of the party whip. Any such attempt would put Kenny's job on the line. Reilly would be toast. FG is a Christian Democratic Party. It is not a secular humanist organisation. It is time for Enda Kenny to stand for Christian Democratic principles and stand by the promises made in Phil Hogan's letter in the course of the 2011 general election campaign. If Kenny cannot do this then he should do the honourable thing and resign. Kenny, Reilly, Fitzgerald and Shatter have created this mess by ignoring the wishes of most FG supporters. It is a monumental misjudgement to allow abortion as a "solution" for suicidal ideation. Kenny has failed miserably to stand up to Labour on this. He is thereby weakened as leader.