The Cure D'Ars - St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney

This is an amazing book.

It was written in 1927, so the language is dated. It was probably also also translated from French. But this saint was amazing, and the book is worth the read. St. Jean Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Jean Vianney could read souls. He was tormented by the devil. He was well known for his time spent in the confessional. He barely ate and he barely slept. He was a very holy man.

Below is the story of one women who went to Ars. Vianney had never her before. The woman was traveling with another priest who was making a pilgrimage to Ars (people did this all the time). 

The last word on the above page, that appears on the following page, is "saved".

Same kind of different as me - a movie worth watching

Yesterday Fred and I wanted to see a movie. I checked all the ratings of the movie that were playing and was intrigued by this movie: Same kind of different as me

I wondered why the critics obviously panned it (29%) but the audiences loved it (92%). Five of the only seven critics rated the movie "rotten". But 2,804 viewers obviously loved it.

Why?

After watching the movie and then reading what the critics said about it, it's pretty clear that their dislike of the film probably had little to do with what they used as their reason.

So what was the real reason they didn't like it? Well for starters there was no killing, no sex, no profanity and no special effects. And there was a faith component, and yes, even references to God in it. Of course in "progressive" Hollywood, God is persona non grata. But the critics couldn't say that could they? So instead they say because it was racist blah blah blah.

But here's the kicker. The story is based on real human beings Denver Moore, Ron and Debbie Hall, and based on a real story with references to spirituality and dare I say it, God. The book was also on the New York Times best-seller list for 12 weeks. The story happened and the people loved it.

I guess the elitist critics are just so much smarter than the plebs like you and me.

My advice? Go see the movie. It's pretty darn awesome. And yes. You may cry.

100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima

Today at St. Maurice's church and St. Gregory's school in Ottawa.

Entrance Procession

Bishop Riesbeck Homily

Consecration

Procession to the school

Father Shroff leads prayers before lunch

Father MacDonald's talk

Our Lady gives dire warnings for the world in Atica, Japan

Our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Agnes in Akita Japan

On October 13, 1973:

"My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior."

After a short silence:

"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

"The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them"

"With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation."

"It is Bishop Ito, who directs your community."

And She smiled and then said:

"You have still something to ask? Today is the last time that I will speak to you in living voice. From now on you will obey the one sent to you and your superior."

"Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved."

The gifts we receive when we are present with the dying

Today I was blessed. I visited one of my regular residents at the long term care facility where my sister Maureen and I visit every week.

This woman I'd been visiting for about two years, is now bed ridden and I'm pretty sure she is close to death. Working in a nursing home you begin to know the signs.

In fact, there have been quite a few people pass away here these past two years. Most of the time there is no obituary. This makes me sad.

She was alone in her room. I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet with her. Even though she barely seemed to comprehend my presence, we had prayed together before so I knew she was okay with me praying while I sat with her.

I placed my warm hand on her cool arms--translucent with the blue veins and thin skin so common in the old and frail--and prayed. She was in a seemingly semi-conscious state so I wasn't sure if she could hear me or not.

Then when I finished the Chaplet I prayed some additional prayers and asked God to bless her. She said thank you. Ah, she had heard me. This surprised me as I know that she is pretty deaf. But she had heard me ask God to bless her. Good I thought.

I told her I would keep praying for her and then I said goodbye. I asked her to remember me and she said she would. I told her I loved her and kissed her on the forehead. I left her room and felt the tears come.

I wasn't going to go to her floor today. So glad I did. Yes I am blessed.

Novena prayer for the healing of canada

Novena prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Fatima prayers

Happy Birthday Maureen

Maureen's 70th birthday party. 

The flowers were taken in Victoria. Along with the ducks. Nothing to do with Maureen's birthday. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom just before we left Victoria.

Paula and Barb gave Maureen a beautiful figurine of our Lady of Fatima in honour of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady appearing to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francesco in 1917. Paula made it out of clay.

And check out my video of the birthday girl:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_QDsYLWnwO6bERqMVB5MnB1cm8/view?usp=sharing

Vancouver Island in March

Victoria has had a cold and rainy March. When we came here two years ago it was much warmer and spring was in full bloom. Not this time.

However...

Ottawa has been having a horrible snowy, cold, freezing rain, disgusting March. We are so glad we aren't in Ottawa. Thank you God.

Pictures below are from Victoria, Sidney and Nanaimo.

Parliament buildings and harbour in Victoria

Sea lion in Sidney

Harbour in Nanaimo

Cute little tug boats in Nanaimo Harbour

...and cute little sea plane

 

Do you believe this guy?

Do you believe this guy?

Now this is obviously a Nanaimo bar, a must to eat if you're in Nanaimo. Now for the record Fred ate it and not me. Really. He said it was pretty good.

Nanaimo harbour again

There were three peacocks that day in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria

You looking at me?

Love that trunk

Pretty in red

...and blue

...and greenish yellow

Guess who found Smithwick's Beer? Yum

And I finally figured out where Victoria got its name