Ave Maria!

Our vision of reality is what makes the difference in our lives: we are either mediocre, somewhat average, or Catholic. On this episode, John talks with wonderful apologist and layman Raymond de Souza on the proper and powerful role of “the people in the pews??. Born in Brazil and now living in France, Raymond shares the story of his calling and gives many pearls of wisdom and encouragement to his listeners. One of the great graces he received was recognizing the power of the sacrament of Confirmation & it’s mission to move him (and us) from the rank of citizen to the rank of soldier in the kingdom of Christ. [Visit Rayomnd’s website: saintgabriel.com.au/ ]

Ave Maria!

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Homily #100525 ( 05min) Play – Continuing the subject of Pentecost from Sunday, Fr. Ignatius preaches on the coming of the new law of grace that Pentecost opens to us. He relates Pentecost the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Ave Maria! Pentecost Tuesday – Mass: EF, Accipite Iucunditatem – Readings: 1st: act 8:14-17 – Gsp: joh 10:1-10

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #140330b ( 17min) Play – Fr. Elias on the Gospel of today and how they relate to the Sacraments, starting with the anointing of David with oil by Samuel. And then to the giving of sight to the man born blind where Jesus uses mud to confer the miraculous cure. Thus the use of material things to give graces from God such as we get from the Sacraments like Baptism and Confirmation is very Biblical and these graces help us in the spiritual battle where we fight along side of Christ against the devil. Ave Maria!
Mass: Sunday 4th Week of Lent – Sunday – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: 1sa 16:1, 6-7, 10-13
Resp: psa 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
2nd: eph 5:8-14
Gsp: joh 9:1-41

Audio (MP3) +++

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Tour of the Catechism #42 ( 17min)

Paragraphs 1285 – 1321

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a2.htm

– Part Two. The Celebration Of The Christian Mystery
– – Section Two. The Seven Sacraments Of The Church
– – – Chapter One. The Sacraments Of Christian Initiation
– – – – Article 2. The Sacrament Of Confirmation
– – – – – I. Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation
– – – – – II. The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation
– – – – – III. The Effects of Confirmation
– – – – – IV. Who Can Receive This Sacrament?
– – – – – V. The Minister of Confirmation
– – – – – In Brief

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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“Tour of the Catechism of the Catholic Church” is given by Fr. Daniel J. Mahan, S.T.L., pastor of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer. He will cover the entire Catechism in about 80 videos, giving an outline of the content along with clear easy to follow explanations. It will be based on the 2nd Edition of the Catechism.

The post Video – Tour of the Catechism #42 – Sacrament of Confirmation first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #150322b ( 22min) Play – Fr. Elias while preaching the homily for a confirmation retreat explains how the Sacrament of Confirmation fits in with the covenant that Jesus established with us and is covered in the readings today and how it relates to the Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Holy Trinity and also to Our Lady, according to the teaching of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Sunday 5th Week of Lent – Sunday – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: jer 31:31-34
Resp: psa 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
2nd: heb 5:7-9
Gsp: joh 12:20-33

Audio (MP3)

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Fr Ignatius gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Mar 02, the first Saturday, explaining to candidates for Confirmation who are on retreat here at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center on how devotion to Mary is so important to effective reception of the sacraments including … Confirmation. He focuses on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit from the first reading and Fatima where Our Lady recommends devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

Ave Maria!

Mass: Saturday 7th Week of Ordinary Time – Wkdy
Readings: 
1st: sir 17:1-15
Resp: psa 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18 0
Gsp: mar 10:13-16

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1400

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Ave Maria Meditations

Almighty God my heavenly Father, You knew me before the creation of the cosmos and You wanted me to come into existence to bring You glory.  Of all the possible universes You could have created, You created this one and You called me into it at exactly the time and place You chose for me so that I could fulfill my part in Your unfathomable plan. 

You willed that I have the honor to be baptized into the Church You designed and You maintain for our well-being.  You willed that I receive the Body and Blood of Your Son and the indwelling of Your Spirit.   You willed that I should also be confirmed so that our relationship be even deeper and that I might be an even better instrument of Your will. 

I now call upon that mighty Sacrament of Confirmation.  Through it make me strong to bear whatever burdens I must endure in Your service.  Make me wise to recognize accurately and then strong to resist, resolute, whatever is out of harmony with Your will as manifested especially in the beautiful Tradition You have guided in the authoritative, infallible and indefectible Church. Even if that disharmony should come from those whom you have endowed with the grace of Orders and seated even in the highest places of teaching, governing and sanctifying, make me steadfast. 

With confidence in Your plan for me I ask this for myself and for the brethren through the Holy Spirit’s Gifts and in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

author unknown

The post Confirmation first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Joseph M. gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 28, 2025, where he emphasizes spiritual rebirth through baptism, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and Marian consecration, honoring St. Louis de Montfort.

Father speaks about how Jesus teaches us to be reborn through baptism, where water and the invocation of the Father , the Son, and the Holy Spirit bring God’s life into our souls and wash away original sin. He explains that we must protect this gift by praying, staying open to God’s help, and avoiding sin to grow closer to Jesus. The Holy Spirit, received in baptism and strengthened in confirmation, guides us to live holy lives and serve God. Father also honors St. Louis de Montfort, a priest who taught that giving ourselves to Mary helps us follow Jesus better, encouraging us to imitate Mary’s love for God.

John 3:8 – NAB – The Spirit’s Unpredictable Guidance – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?8
1 John 4:12 – NAB – God’s Love Perfected in Us – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?12
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213 – Baptism’s Role in Salvation – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1213
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1286 – Confirmation’s Seal of the Spirit – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a2.htm#1286
Catechism of the Catholic Church #967 – Mary’s Role in Salvation – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#967
Catholic Encyclopedia – St. Louis de Montfort – Biography and Legacy – https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09384a.htm
Vatican – Pope St John Paul II’s – Letter to the Montfort Religious Families – https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/2004/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_20040113_famiglie-monfortane.html
Franciscan Media – St. Louis de Montfort – Profile of Missionary Priest – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-louis-mary-grignion-de-montfort/

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Louis Marie de Montfort – Opt Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4306
Readings: Monday 2nd Week of Easter – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042825.cfm
1st: act 4:23-31
Resp: psa 2:1-9
Gsp: joh 3:1-8

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1062&r=1696

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The post St. Louis de Montfort, Building on Baptismal Grace – Apr 28 – Homily – Fr Joseph M. first appeared on AirMaria.com.