|
|
|
|
 |
Vincent and Mary
May 21, 2013.
 Being a "cradle Catholic" I never questioned why we had 4 different statues of Mary in our kitchen or why every May we put a crown of flowers on our "Garden Mary" outside. It was common to hear the advice of praying to the rosary if you couldn't sleep and thus one would be able to find countless glow-in-the-dark rosary beads tucked into my bed. Almost every woman in my family had Marie as their middle name and like myself, if it wasn't a middle name it was taken as a confirmation name. It wasn't until college, living under the shadow of "Mary's House", the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, that I began to understand that it was through Mary that I would come to know her Son. St. Vincent Pallotti understood this and had a deep connection with Our Lady and entrusted himself to her. He wrote "I resolve, my God, from all eternity and for all eternity . . . to love, honor and glorify my beloved Mother Mary; and to behold her loved, honored and glorified to the same degree that You, O Eternal Father, have showered her as Your Daughter, that You, O Divine Lord, have esteemed her as Your Mother, and that You, O Holy Spirit, have accorded her as Your most pure spouse." (Soul of a Saint, p. 82)
His devotion went beyond the pious practice of the time and enlightened a burning love within him. He spoke of Our Lady as, "Mother of Divine Love" and it is said that he spoke, "I shall not rest until I, if this is possible, have achieved an infinitely tender love for my much beloved and much loving mother, Mary."
St. Vincent, in his deep love for Mary and a desire to be humble, wore a silver reliquary box around his wrist with the image of the Mother of Divine Love painted on ivory mounted on it. He did this so that when people came to kiss his hand, a practice of that time, instead of kissing his own hand they would instead kiss the image of Our Lady.
During this Month dedicated to Mary, let us look to St. Vincent as an example of how a love for our blessed mother can help us in reviving faith, enkindling charity and become an apostle of Christ.
Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles
Feast Day:
May 23, 2015
(Saturday before Pentecost)
Patroness of:
Catholic Apostolate Center
Quote:
"The perfect example of this type of spiritual and apostolic life is the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, who while leading the life common to all here on earth, one filled with family concerns and labors, was always intimately united with her Son and in an entirely unique way cooperated in the work of the Savior...All should devoutly venerate her and commend their life and apostolate to her maternal care." -Apostolicam Actuositatem Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 2
The Catholic Apostolate Center is pleased to present its newly released E-book, Ad Infinitum: Reflections from the Bloggers of the Catholic Apostolate Center. A project many years in the making, this E-book is a selection from the hundreds of posts that have appeared on the Catholic Apostolate Center's Ad Infinitum blog since its inception.
The E-book is divided into five sections, each group offering a different perspective on the faith. You will find suggestions on how to live a life akin to the Apostles, receive lessons from the saints, and much more! We encourage you to download this E-book and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catholic Apostolate Center co-sponsors
Catholic Leadership Conference
On Saturday, April 18th, the Catholic Leadership Conference occurred at The Catholic University of America. Young Adult Catholic leaders from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area attended this event on the topic of Gaudium et Spes: The Church in the Modern World at 50. Keynote speakers included Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of Louisville, and Jonathan Reyes, Executive Director of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the USCCB. We were pleased to have co-sponsored this event with
|
|
In Case You Missed It: Past Webinars
Why Go To Church:
Understanding the Importance of the Mass
By Steve Hemler, author of
The Reality of God: The Layman's Guide to Scientific Evidence for the Creator
Many people consider themselves to be "spiritual" but not "religious." Some people will say that they believe in God, yet see no reason to regularly attend Mass. This webinar helps us respond to this growing trend by exploring key reasons why active involvement in the life of the Church, especially the Mass, is Christ's will for his followers. This webinar unravels the importance and historical traditions of the celebration of the Mass and provide valuable information for sharing with family and friends who do not regularly attend Mass. Click the image below to view this webinar:
Family Life as Witness to the Gospel
Webinar Series
Families experience many different challenges and opportunities to be witnesses to the Gospel. In moments of Joy and hardship, some of the greatest opportunities to grow in faith are available. This periodic webinar series, in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in September, looks at aspects and events of family life and how they can be moments for pastoral leaders to evangelize and witness to the Gospel.
Part 1:
Marriage Ministry as a Moment for Evangelization
By Carmina Chapp, Associate Director,
Theology Programs at
Saint Joseph's College Online
Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Programs are unique moments ideally suited for evangelization. It is an intimate way to discuss and share faith as the couple begins the steps to making their lifelong commitment. Marriage ministry can serve as a way to grow and establish their faith, and those that serve in that capacity have a unique opportunity to evangelize. This webinar will offer recommendations for making marriage ministry an opportunity for bringing people to (or back to) faith. Click the image below to view this webinar:
|
Catholic Apostolate Center Director featured on EWTN News Nightly Catholic Apostolate Center Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. was recently featured on EWTN News Nightly discussing the impact Pope Francis has had on social media, particularly Twitter. Click the link below to view this segment: |
|
In Case You Missed It: Past Presentations
What Qualities Should I Look For in a Spouse?
presented by
&
David Konschnik
Executive Producer, National Geographic Studios
**This presentation was a part of the Spring Theology on Tap series presented by DC Catholic & the Archdiocese of Washington**
______________________________________________
Young Adult Ministry Summit
Last week, our Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., participated in the National Young Adult Leaders' Summit with forty diocesan and national leaders in this field of ministry. The Summit was hosted by the Secretariat for Laity, Family Life, Marriage and Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Knights of Columbus. It was held at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C.
The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable for the participants. Major topics for discussion included: "Reality of Young Adult Ministry in Parish Life", "Evangelization & Catechesis: Where Do You Start?", and "Young Adult Advocacy". The participants were very actively engaged in these discussions offering important insights from their experience. They developed a number of "next steps" which will move the conversation forward in a positive way that is meant to assist in the on-going growth and development of young adult ministry in the United States.
_______________________________________________
Speaking and Media Inquiries
The Catholic Apostolate Center is available to present, discuss, exhibit, and speak on many topics with relevance to the Church and the world today. We encourage you to contact the Center to learn more about how we can collaborate with you through the media, speaking engagements, or conference exhibitions.
(Pictured right: Catholic Apostolate Center Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. & Center Advisor, Barbara McCrabb present on Collaboration in Ministry at the 2015
Mid-Atlantic Congress.)
|
Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
