Modesty, Self-Denial, and Living Authentically
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Bead After Bead
Dulce | Catholic Artist
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St. Gemma Galgani
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Newman Ministry
Helping students continue their faith journey in college
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St. Gemma was born Maria Gemma Umberta Pia Galgani on March 12, 1878. She was born in the hamlet of Borgo Nuovo, in the provincial town of Capannori. She was the fifth of eight children.
She wanted to become a Nun with the Passionists, but because of poor health and her heavenly visions, she was not accepted. At the age of 20, she developed spinal meningitis, but was miraculously healed through the intercession of Venerable Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows, who was later canonized, and St. Marguerite Marie Alacoque.
Shortly after she turned 18, she was orphaned. She was responsible for the upbringing of her younger siblings, with the help of her aunt Carolina. She declined two marriage proposals and became a housekeeper. Soon after, Gemma began to display the signs of the stigmata on June 8, 1899, at the age of twenty-two. She had spoken with her Guardian Angel, Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints, especially Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. She sometimes received special messages from them, about current and future events. With her health in decline, her spiritual director directed her to pray for the disappearance of her stigmata; she did so, and the marks ceased. She also was able to resist the constant attacks of the Devil. Many times she was found in a state of ecstasy. She also was reported to have the gift to levitate.
(6 Minute Read)
“They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, 'Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?' He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.'”
– Jn 12:2-8
Turning Graves into Gardens in a Rare Desert Oasis
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Christine Marie Lacayo
Multilingual Content Writer
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“He found him in a desert land, in a place of horror, and of vast wilderness. He led him about, and taught him, and he kept him as the apple of his eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10)
As we walk through our lenten journey, we might find ourselves in a dark barren desert that can feel unfamiliar and lonely.
Although I’m just coming out of a physical desert experience from my St. Joseph pilgrimage through the Chihuahuan desert of Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico, I feel myself still very much sitting in that unknown “desert” place in my heart. A familiar feeling I experienced in 2021 after finishing the Consecration to the Virgin Mary.
My friend calls this desert experience “being in the hallway.” She says we’re never actually alone in that hallway. It’s a space of pause and reflection with the One before that next door opens.
(8 Minute Read)
Let's Talk About Modesty
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Colloquium
We are a podcast started by former FOCUS missionaries that seeks to start transformative conversations
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Dylan Jedlovec
Ever struggle with modesty or don't know where to draw the line for yourself? Let's see what the Catechism has to say about modesty. What does St. John Paul II have to say about modesty?
(1 Hour Listen)
We love these Rosary bracelets, maybe you will too!
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bellamaredesigns
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Please join us in praying for these intentions!
Please pray for me, my boyfriend, and some other dear friends as we try to discern where God wants us to go next. Thank you!
- Colleen
For me to be completely Healed & Liberated by Christ, starting w/my soul which will lead to my bodily Healing. As I return to work today after having covid, I pray to be able to keep up w/all that Christ asks of me. Amen & Thank you :)
- Donna
For my cousin who has lost his right arm in an accident. I ask for your kind prayers as our family is devastated by this accident.
-Leander
Some wise words from Mother Angelica!
A.M.D.G.