Day 77 – 90 Days to Peace
MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS, PRAY FOR US
SET THE WORLD ABLAZE
The word “courage” actually derives its meaning from a Latin root word “cor” which means “heart.” It means we are never more courageous than when we “have the courage of our convictions,” that is, when we live from the heart, remaining true to who we really are. Lombardi was courageous because he simply yielded to his raison d‘être, his reason for existence. St. Catherine of Siena put it this way: “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”
Who are we, then, and what is our reason for existence? Sometimes the message escapes us in its simplicity. Jesus said, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike” (Mt 11:25). The Baltimore Catechism states who we are quite plainly: “We were made to the image and likeness of God … to know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world, and to be happy with him forever in heaven.” The spiritual master, Fr. Thomas Merton, wrote: “To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.”
It was on the gridiron in the 1960s that Coach Vince Lombardi, fully grounded in this superior ideal, compelled his men to strive for greatness, never settling for second best. At the very same time, the Church Fathers of the Second Vatican Council were calling upon all of us to engage a spiritual heroism — the universal call to holiness — not settling for a second – or third-rate spiritual life. The challenge is to move “ALL IN” for God and his plan for our life. (Excerpt from Church Militant Field Manual).
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You can enlist in the United States Grace Force HERE (please recruit family and friends!)
Information on the United States Grace Force can be found HERE
We highly recommend ordering the book “Let Freedom Ring” authored by Fr. Bill Peckman, Fr. James Altman and Fr. Rick Heilman. This amazing book was used for our first 40 days of reflections during this 90 Days to Peace journey with tens of thousands of other special forces prayer warriors!
For the remaining 50 days of this 90 Days to Peace journey, we are drawing reflections from the 54 Day Basic Training in Holiness. This leather-bound pocket manual is inspired by the original World War II pocket prayer book, My Military Missal. The daily reflections in this handbook are this basic training. Drawing from the truths found in the Holy Scriptures, the saints, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the first 27 days focus upon the qualities of excellence toward which we are all called to strive. The second 27 days contain excerpts from Fr. Heilman’s book, Church Militant Field Manual: Special Forces Training for the Life in Christ. You can order these books at RomanCatholicGear.com.
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Peace Through Strength
Leather-Bound Prayer Journal
Back in Stock!!”
“Do you crave the ‘peace that surpasses all understanding,’ mentioned by St. Paul in Holy Scripture? This journal will assist you in unlocking the secret to peace. It’s about guiding you to that higher life in God’s loving presence; it’s about cultivating that ‘heart speaking to heart’ intimacy with God.” ~Fr Rick Heilman
Get your Peace Through Strength Prayer Journal at RomanCatholicGear.com
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The Shepherd Project
A Call to Prayer for Our Bishops – May 1 to the end of October
May 17 – Pray for Bishop David John Malloy
(From the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion, WI) Our Lady’s message to Adele was clear – to gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they need to know for their salvation, especially in how to make the sign of the cross, how to know the catechism, and how to approach the sacraments. Our church leaders, especially our Bishops, are entrusted with this mission in their own communities and we, as the Church, have a great responsibility in praying for them as they continue the good work.
As our world faces a shortage of peace and an increase in division and attacks within our families and the Church, our Bishops are facing extreme challenges. This is why they need our prayers, now more than ever, for the grace necessary to heroically lead people of faith in these uncertain times.
This is what inspired the Shrine’s Shepherd Project – a season of prayer for each Bishop across the United States, starting from the Shrine’s location in Wisconsin and emitting outward as the year goes on. Join us as we offer up our prayers for a Bishop a day to the Blessed Mother from May 1 to the end of October.
Click HERE for the Shrine’s prayer that will be offered for each Bishop on their day.
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Combat Rosaries for Heroes
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Madison, Wisconsin (Feb. 23, 2021) — A new nonprofit charity founded by a Catholic priest will provide free military-grade steel rosaries to U.S. military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders. Combat Rosaries for Heroes is being launched on February 23, 2021, which is the 76th anniversary of the iconic photo showing the flag being raised by the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima during the latter part of World War II. (You can read more about this HERE)
Since that February 23, 2021 announcemen, thanks to the generosity of so many, Combat Rosaries for Heroes has distributed nearly 10,000 Combat Rosaries to U.S. military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders. While this is amazing, the demand remains very high.
Every effort is being made to put all donations toward only the raw cost of materials and assembly in order to get the most Combat Rosaries™ to the most heroes. Fundraising for the project will be done online. PLEASE donate at CombatRosariesForHeroes.com. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 44036, Madison, WI 53744.
