Tree of Life

  Each month of the calendar year is dedicated to a Catholic Devotion. In  August it is  the  Immaculate Heart of Mary because this feast was traditionally celebrated on August 22nd but now that day is dedicated to Our Lady’s Coronation and the octave day of Her Assumption.   Make sure to check local sources for events for the month especially surrounding Our Lady’s Assumption. August 1st also begins the extraordinary annual Portiuncula Indulgence. Portiuncula comes from the word “little portion” due to the little plot of land the chapel is on. Our Lady of the Angels is named thus as the fresco in the chapel depicts Our Lady in Her glorious assumption surrounded by angels or the legend St. Francis was told that angels frequented the chapel.  August 1st also marks the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori he is the patron saint of the scrupulous and his feast is a good day to read up on resources  for those with anxiety and or scrupulosity.  "Know th...

  Between the celebration of Ascension and Pentecost is the Novena of the Holy Spirit. We now imitate intimately those days which after Jesus returned to the Father, Christ’s apostles with the Blessed Virgin pray and wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Further, some resources from the Pentecost page can help us worthily prepare to celebrate the birthday of Holy Mother Church. Pentecost Novena  (Begins the Friday following the traditional date of the Ascension, 40 days after Easter. Regardless of when the Ascension is celebrated locally. The date would be titled Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter.) 3 Day Miraculous Prayer to the Holy Spirit 10 Day Holy Spirit Devotion   A Meditation on Mary in the Upper Room  (Note this is a few years old so when it says “the past 8 days” it hasn’t been that long in 2023 and the novena has just started.) More on Mary in the Cenacle Preparing for the Spirit with St. Gertrude The preceding image is entitled “Mary, Queen of Apos...

  Easter is when Jesus has won our salvation and the Sacraments are those signs established by Him to give us grace. The Sacraments aren’t limited to Easter but it’s because of the Paschal Mystery being celebrated during this time of year that First Communions and Confirmations are commonly celebrated during the Easter season. This post exists to “house” the other posts throughout the year containing information retaining to these Sacraments for those who will be receiving them and for their sponsors and their family and friends supporting them.  First Communion (Corpus Christi and Holy Thursday, feast days of the Eucharist)  Patron Saints of First Communicants The Importance of First Communion Confirmation (Pentecost, feast day of the Holy Spirit)  See also the “Sacraments” section of this post.

May 4th each year is a celebration of all things Star Wars. This is because of the Star Wars quote “May the Force be with you” being reflected in “May the 4th.” Click here  for an article about Star Wars as a Christian Allegory and another about religious themes in Star Wars. 2024 marks the  25th anniversary  of the Phantom Menace installment of the franchise. Although released 4th, it is the first chronically in the series. Disney+ has all the Star Wars movies as well as Simpsons Star Wars episodes. Star Wars Day Star Wars Playlist Star Wars Events in Buffalo Star Wars Events in Disney World Disney Star Wars Merch Carrie Fisher Star of Fame Vegan Star Wars Recipes   UTINNI!