Category Archives: Spiritual Practices

Spiritual Practices

Veterans Day . Saturday

Veterans Day gives all Americans a special opportunity to pay tribute to all those men and women who, throughout our history, have left their homes and loved ones to serve their country.

Their willingness to give freely and unselfishly of themselves, even their lives, in defense of our democratic principles has given our great country the security we enjoy today. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, through war and peace, valiant, patriotic Americans have answered the call, serving with honor and fidelity.

On this special day, our hearts and thoughts turn to all the Nation’s veterans. Let us reflect on the great achievements of those whose sacrifices preserved our freedom and our way of life. With a spirit of pride and gratitude, let us recall their heroic accomplishments and thank them for their unselfish devotion to duty. They are indeed worthy of the solemn tribute of a grateful Nation.

I invite all Americans to join me in observing Veterans Day — through appropriate ceremonies, activities, and commemorations on November 11.

In order that we may pay fitting homage to those men and women who have proudly served in our Armed Forces, the Congress has provided that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America’s veterans.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, November 11, 1986, as Veterans Day. I urge all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I also call upon Federal, State, and local government officials to display the flag of the United States and to encourage and participate in patriotic activities throughout the country. I invite the business community, churches, schools, unions, civic and fraternal organizations, and the media to support this national observance with suitable commemorative expressions and programs.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.

Ronald Reagan

All Souls Day

A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me any more, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me. When I have been plunged into complete solitude … if I pray I am never totally alone.

This early Jewish idea of an intermediate state ( Purgatory ) includes the view that these souls are not simply in a sort of temporary custody but, as the parable of the rich man illustrates … are experiencing a provisional form of bliss. There is also the idea that this state can involve purification and healing which mature the soul for communion with God.

Pope Benedict XVI

At the Tombstone

On Saturday after being consecrated to St. Joseph, and after Mass celebration we drove down to Tombstone ( Arizona ) to evangelize. We set up in front of the Tombstone Visitor Center and had our Rosaries, Medals, Pamphlets ready. Many people took our Rosary and our Medals and we got to speak to many fallen-away Catholics.

One lady was so happy to see us, she wanted to take almost all of our pamphlets and a few Rosaries and all the Medals – Miraculous and St. Michael. A mother and daughter spoke to us and the mother was a practicing Catholic and her daughter wasn’t. Ed told the daughter St. Augustine’s quote: “We came from you O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Ed told her that everything in life – money, jobs, cars, homes, clothes, people – nothing will make you permanently happy until you get a relationship with God. They last a short time but they all go away.

Robert spoke with a young gentleman and got in a deep discussion with him and was giving him brochures and medals and telling him about the joy of Catholicism. We prayed over a young lady and asked the Lord to heal her daughter and we also spoke to two young ladies, whose husbands were deployed in the military. They were both from Sierra Vista so Ed gave him his card and asked them to listen to the MP3s on the back of the card to learn about our Faith. They were very excited about listening to it. And we spoke to a middle aged lady who loved what we gave her so much, she asked if she could hug each of us!

Praised be Jesus Christ! We handed out approximately 125 rosaries, about 100 pamphlets and about 150 Medals. Overall a very fruitful day.

Saint Paul Street Evangelization