Deeper Truth

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint John Vianney

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint John Vianney.  8/4/2024.  John Vianney, a humble parish priest, is regarded by the Church as one of its great figures simply because he was faithful. John Vianney was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925. He is the only diocesan priest ever to be canonized. He is the patron saint of clergy throughout the world.
A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs deeds that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with vision: He wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his meager formal schooling, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies.
At 13-years-old, John made his first communion and prepared for his confirmation in secrecy. He continued to believe in the bravery of priests and received his First Communion catechism instructions in private by two nuns who lost their convents to the Revolution.
His failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to discontinue. But his vision of being a priest urged him to seek private tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the books, John was ordained.
As his education had been disrupted by the French Revolution, he struggled in his studies, particularly with Latin, but worked hard to learn.
in 1809, John was drafted into Napoleon Bonaparte's armies. He had been studying as an ecclesiastical student, which was a protected title and would normally have excepted him from military services, but Napoleon had withdrawn the exemption in some dioceses as he required more soldiers.

Deepertruth: Jesus Never Tapped Out

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Jesus Never Tapped Out.  Courage is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. This can be manifested in many different ways.
Courage can be shown by telling the truth even though you could be in trouble. Taking responsibility or being responsible sometimes takes courage.
Courage can also take place when a tragic happening takes place. We sometimes see greatness thrust upon people who reacts heroically to terrible crisis.  Soldiers in a war zone are many times placed in conditions where quick decisions are made and heroic actions take place. In Iraq, we have had Medal of Honor recipients who gave their lives to save others.
Firefighters many times will place themselves where saving a life is most important. Many have risked their lives to save others and many gave the highest sacrifice to save others. Police Officers can identify with this on a daily work schedule.
One never knows what the day will bring in but they must have a readiness about them that as things can happen at any moment. So courage can come from taking a moral stand to do the hard right, and sometimes it can be dangerous.
St. Paul took courage when he arrived in Rome and people came from as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. He remained under house arrest along with a guard. Uncertainty can be a huge challenge, but if we place our trust in the Lord, we can find ourselves achieving more than we ever thought possible.

Deeepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Peter Julian Eymard “a little like Jacob, always on a journey,” 8/3/2024.  Born in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern France, Peter Julian’s faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble in 1834, to joining the Marists in 1839, to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856.
One day, young Peter Julian Eymard just five years of age, wandered off from the family home. His sister and half-sister searched frantically for the boy and finally located him in the parish church, standing on a stool close to the tabernacle of the high altar. In response to their anxious questioning, he answered simply, “I am here listening to Jesus.”
He once described himself as “a little like Jacob, always on a journey,” always seeking. But, in truth, it was there from the beginning ― the great love and the driving passion of his life: Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
In addition to those changes, Peter Julian coped with poverty, his father’s initial opposition to Peter’s vocation, serious illness, a Jansenistic overemphasis on sin, and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community.
He was an outstanding organizer of lay societies, a zealous educator, a well-prepared preacher, and something of a prophetic figure in his Marist community and even to his superiors. Father Eymard was especially effective at preaching Eucharistic devotions, very popular at the time.

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Eusebius of Vercelli 8/2/2024.  Eusebius was born in Sardinia, in 283. After his father's martyrdom, he was taken to Rome by his mother, where he later became a lector. He became the first bishop in Vercelli (in northern Italy),
Someone has said that if there had been no Arian heresy denying Christ’s divinity, it would be very difficult to write the lives of many early saints. Eusebius is another of the defenders of the Church during one of its most trying periods.
Born on the isle of Sardinia, he became a member of the Roman clergy, and is the first recorded bishop of Vercelli in Piedmont in northwest Italy. Eusebius was also the first to link the monastic life with that of the clergy, establishing a community of his diocesan clergy on the principle that the best way to sanctify his people was to have them see a clergy formed in solid virtue and living in community.
He was sent by Pope Liberius to persuade the emperor to call a council to settle Catholic-Arian troubles. When it was called at Milan, Eusebius went reluctantly, sensing that the Arian block would have its way, although the Catholics were more numerous. He refused to go along with the condemnation of Saint Athanasius; instead, he laid the Nicene Creed on the table and insisted that all sign it before taking up any other matter.

Deepertruth: Refugee, in an upside world men should love their wives, daughters

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Refugee, in an upside world men should love their wives, daughters, and protect their women folk.  
Despite all the knowledge and development we have obtained in the United States, it is a sad state of affairs that we have so much abuse of women taking place. Sadly, much is due to the influence and addictions to alcohol, drugs, and ography. Here is some information I think is alarming about women in the world:
1 IN 3 women will be raped, abused or beaten in her lifetime. EACH MINUTE a pregnant woman dies. That's one too many. 75% of all Sub-Saharan Africans ages 15-24 Infected with HIV are women. 49% of all sexual assaults worldwide are against girls 15 and younger.
3 out of 4 (74%) respondents personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. 83% percent of respondents strongly agreed that domestic violence affects people in all racial, ethnic, religious, educational, social and economic backgrounds. 2 out of 3 (66%) strongly agreed that domestic violence is a serious, widespread social problem in America. While 4 out of 10 (43%) ranked fear that the abuser will find the victim as the number one reason a victim would not leave his/her abuser, over a quarter (28%) thought that finding access to money/income to support the victim and/or children was the most important problem.

Deepertruth: Welcomes Eric Anthony Tafoya, The Traditional Urban Catholic

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Eric Tafoya  had to cancel due to prior commitments.   Eric Tafoya(Traditional Urban Catholic 7)
Eric tafoya Rise up Catholic men enter into poverty Eric’s past is gangs, drugs marking a life of rebellion with over 20 years spent in and out of prison. His actions caused harm and inflicted pain, something he openly acknowledges. However, his story also sheds light on the potential for personal transformation, even from the darkest of places.
We delve into how spirituality, specifically his devotion to the Catholic faith, served as a beacon of hope, guiding him towards a path of reconciliation, not just with society, but also with himself. Eric shares how he has channeled his experiences into serving others, dedicating his life to the betterment of those around him.
through Eric’s journey. We explore how he reclaimed his mental and spiritual health, found a wealth of purpose in service, and learned the power of self-love and forgiveness.
“God will give eternal life to those who convert sinners and bring them to the right path.” “Jesus loves hidden souls. A hidden flower is the most fragrant. I must strive to make the interior of my soul a resting place for the Heart of Jesus.”
As a Catholic life coach and motivational enthusiast, I meet with drug addicts, gang members, the homeless, and those struggling with sin. I help them see the beauty they can achieve in Christ, reminding them that all things are possible through Him.
Chains can be broken
 

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Alphonsus Liguori Founder Of The Redemptorists 8/1/2024.  Alphonsus Liguori was patron saint of moral theologians because of his brilliance; he is also patron saint of the work of lay people because of his productivity. He was born in 1696 in Naples, Italy, the oldest of seven children. He was soon known as a child prodigy—he earned a doctorate in law by the age of 16.
He founded the Redemptorist congregation in 1732. It was an association of priests and brothers living a common life, dedicated to the imitation of Christ, and working mainly in popular missions for peasants in rural areas.
Moral theology, Vatican II said, should be more thoroughly nourished by Scripture, and show the nobility of the Christian vocation of the faithful and their obligation to bring forth fruit in charity for the life of the world. Alphonsus, declared patron of moral theologians by Pius XII in 1950, would rejoice in that statement.
In his day, Alphonsus fought for the liberation of moral theology from the rigidity of Jansenism. His moral theology, which went through 60 editions in the century following him, concentrated on the practical and concrete problems of pastors and confessors. If a certain legalism and minimalism crept into moral theology, it should not be attributed to this model of moderation and gentleness.
At the University of Naples, Alphonsus received a doctorate in both canon and civil law by acclamation, at the age of 16, but he soon gave up the practice of law for apostolic activity. He was ordained a priest, and concentrated his pastoral efforts on popular parish missions, hearing confessions, and forming Christian groups.

Deepertruth: The Importance of Faithful Fathers in the Home

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
The Importance of Faithful Fathers in the Home.    
Today we see many different issues taking shape that is raising havoc in our country as well as individuals.
Pope Paul VI was quoted by the Catholic Magazine "Immaculata" from a book they produced called "The Devil and Exorcism" (April 1974) saying, "show the devil to Christian souls as he really is, and his ugliness will not attract them; hide the devil and in ignorance they will follow him. The devil has been hidden too long. Not by the Church but by those who have little faith or no faith in the supernatural. The power of the devil weakens as soon as his pretenses are exposed".
St. Peter tells us to "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour".
This is echoed in the St. Michael Prayer and that is an important prayer for today's spiritual warfare:
Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle.Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -by the Divine Power of God -cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits,who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St. Paul writes, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola Ad majorem Dei gloriam“for the greater glory of God" 7/31/2024.  Honor of God, Salvation of Souls, Our Utmost for His Highest  St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Jesuit order in 1534 and was one of the most influential figures in the Counter-Reformation. Known for its missionary, educational, and charitable works, the Jesuit order was a leading force in the modernizing of the Roman Catholic Church.
Values commonly found in Ignatian spirituality are core values of the Gospel, such as authenticity, integrity, courage, love, forgiveness, hope, healing, service and justice.
Ignatius gave his life totally to Christ, but this did not mean his vocation was clear. In the end, it was through prayer, sacrifice and study that Ignatius became the saintly founder of the Jesuit order. Without any expectation of greatness, Ignatius dedicated himself to doing for the Lord what he did best.
The spirituality he developed places great emphasis on the affective life: the use of imagination in prayer, discernment and interpretation of feelings, cultivation of great desires, and generous service.
Ignatius says that by bringing those things that weight on us to light, i.e., speaking about them honestly and openly, the enemy loses power since his manifest deceits have been revealed.
The five c's
Conscience
2).Competence
3).Commitment
4).Compassion and
5) Character.

Deepertruth: “We must be faithful to the present moment,God’s Will provides

Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.
We must be faithful to the present moment,God's Will provides:   In times of darkness and despair, when the weight of everything in your world becomes too much to bear, turning to the words of Scripture can provide solace, hope, and connection with God.
For those who have a loved one struggling with thoughts of suicide, it’s a heartbreaking and delicate journey. While offering support, love, and encouragement are vital, incorporating the power of prayer can provide an additional layer of comfort as well.
May these eight prayers serve as a source of inspiration as you navigate the challenging journey of supporting a suicidal loved one, offering them a glimmer of hope, and sharing the profound love that surrounds them.
"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"
Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up my loved one who is struggling with suicidal thoughts to You. You are a compassionate God who hears the cries of those in distress. I pray that in their brokenness, they may feel Your presence near them. Provide comfort and rescue them from their troubles. May they experience Your closeness, and may their spirit be lifted from the weight of despair. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.