Posts by Lil
Chastity, Discussion, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser
By Lilian in Reflections & Meditations on 27 August 2010 at 2:44pm
During an insightful Seeker discussion, the notion of ‘chastity’ became quite an intense topic of debate. As Christians we have always believed that one must remain chaste, namely that of sexual abstinence from pre-marital sex. However, do we really understand what ‘chastity’ really means?
I recall coming across this article in the Singapore Catholic News talking about chastity and how Father Ronald Rolheiser says that ‘chastity needs to be properly understood.’ He refrains from the normal misconception that chastity means celibacy; in fact he says it is not even a sexual concept.
‘Someone can be chaste but not celibate, just as someone can be celibate but not chaste.’
Biography, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Italy, Redemptorists, St Alphonsus de Ligouri
By Lilian in Catholicism 101 on 3 August 2010 at 2:34pm
August 1st the feast day of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, proclaimed the ‘Doctor of the Church,’ the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or the ‘Redemptorists’ was also an Italian Bishop, theologian, spiritual writer, moralist, missionary and a great propagator for Mariology.
Born, Alphonsus Mary Antony John Cosmas Damian Michael Gaspard de' Liguori on September 27th, 1696 in Marianella near Naples, St Alphonsus was the first born of seven children belonging to a Neapolitan nobility (however, his family’s line of decent became impoverished.)
1303-1373, Biography, Brigittines, Order of St. Saviour, St. Bridget of Sweden
By Lilian in Catholicism 101 on 23 July 2010 at 9:50pm
Sometimes we only concentrate on ‘celebrity’ Saints, we often hear about their lives, their teachings, books and quotations, however what about the lesser known Saints? I mean they are Saints too, and have a dedicated feast day to their name?
July 23rd, the feast day of a woman called Birgitta Birgersdotter, now St Bridget of Sweden, the Patroness of Sweden. It was the first time I have ever heard of such a Saint, why was I interested? Well because she was married with children, but she still became a Saint!
Baptism, Homily, John 13:31-35, Love
By Lilian in Catholicism 101 on 19 May 2010 at 11:17pm
In the gospel of John, Jesus said 'I give you a new commandment; love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this love you have for one another, every one will know that you are my disciples.'
This simple message to 'LOVE,' can easily be felt through the eyes of parents holding their new born baby, you feel their unconditional love. In baptism, the parents sign of faith is passed on to the baby, as true disciples of Jesus.
Holy Week, Pilgrimage, Scottish Cross, Scottish Highlands
By Lilian in Catholicism 101 on 6 May 2010 at 12:19pm
Who in their right mind would carry a larger than life size wooden cross across the highlands of Scotland?
You will be surprised, there is always a group of 20 to 30 people who do this every year during holy week in Easter. It may sound daunting at first but once you have done it, you really want to keep doing it every year.
France, Monastic Communities of Jerusalem, Monasticism, Paris, Saint Gervais Church
By Lilian in Religious Communities & Congregations on 1 May 2010 at 2:46pm
The monastic way of life, seen often working within its cloistered walls, or in far flung exotic villages, away from the hustle and bustle of city life is where we often find monasteries. Quite the opposite is where we find the Monastic Communities of Jerusalem.
Boston, Church Scandal, Fr. Roger J Landry, Homily, USA
By Lilian in Faith 911 on 29 April 2010 at 3:56pm
In light of the current scandal within the Catholic Church, an issue which hurts most Catholics, it is encouraging to read homilies from Father's who live true to their vocations.
Forwarded by one of our Seeker members, Juan-Pablo, this homily written by Fr. Roger J. Landry, who kindly let us publish and share this with Seekers.
Carmelites, London, Michael Whyte, Monasticism, Most Holy Trinity, No Greater Love, Notting Hill
By Lilian in Films on 29 April 2010 at 3:22pm
Have you ever wondered what life is like in a closed order? Where silence is maintained at all hours of the day apart from during prayer, mass and recreation time. A life remaining within cloistered walls, where you only leave to see a doctor or a dentist?
After ten years of correspondences, Michael Whyte the director of "No Greater Love," was given unprecedented access. He films the routine of the Order of Carmelite Nuns, who reside at the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, in London’s Notting Hill.
Angus Buchan, Biography, Faith Like Potatoes, Shalom Ministries, South Africa
By Lilian in Books on 27 April 2010 at 8:20pm
With a title such as that, it made me think how potatoes have faith? Its quite an amusing title for a book, but it was highly recommended, so I took a chance.
It revealed the faith of a farmer, Angus Buchan, it is his personal testimony of his Christian faith and how by putting God first, he changed his entire life.
Christ's Passion, Church Scandal, Easter Vigil, Fr. Kieran Brady CSsR, Homily
By Lilian in Reflections & Meditations on 10 April 2010 at 3:26pm
I don't know abut you, but I sometimes struggle with concentrating on homilies or sermons. I especially find homilies that take an exegesis stance more difficult to understand and relate to my personal life. Maybe, this is because I don't have a theological background and have never studied Scripture.
However, this doesn't mean every homily or sermon is difficult to understand. I mean its not everyday a priest opens up his homily with "Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars," which immediately caught my attention.
God Representation, The Shack, Tragedy, William P Young
By Lilian in Books on 9 April 2010 at 7:24pm
What is your perception of God? Do you have a distinct picture of what He looks like? An old Zeus figure with a white beard? Do you imagine Jesus to be how He is always depicted? Tall, dark and handsome, with an immaculately groomed beard? What about the Holy Spirit, a white dove? Or a white flame? Interestingly, 'The Shack' gives a haunting account of a man, Mackenzie Philips's own encounter with the Trinity after a tragic loss in his life. It tells of his own perception of how he can relate to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
