Upcoming movie: Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine

Published on Jun 13, 2012 by ignatiuspress
430 AD. The Roman Empire is beginning to crumble. The Vandals and other marauding tribes spill through the gaps in Roman defenses. And one of the greatest saints of the Christian church stands between his flock and the barbarian invaders. As he attempts to negotiate between the proud Roman authorities and the implacable Vandal king, Bishop Augustine recalls his own life before Christianity...
In this stirring and epic new film on the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, follow the great saint as he rises from his reckless days as a youth to his accomplishments as a renowned but dissolute orator. Though worldly success and riches come his way, including a position in the imperial court of Milan, satisfaction and peace elude him. It takes a confrontation with the Christian bishop Ambrose and the countless prayers offered by his patient mother, Monica, to break through his intellectual pride.
Starring Alessandro Preziosi, Monica Guerritore, Johannes Bandrup, and Franco Nero.
Coming Fall 2012. Find out more at www.RestlessHeartFilm.com

First Sunday of Lent 2011

Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M gives us his take on The First week of Lent, the story of how Jesus was tempted by the devil, after 40 days in the desert.

Stand by our Pope!

I'd listened to the song Lead Me by Sanctus Real many times before and thought how beautiful and well-written it is. It dawned on me how the longing of a good father to care for his wife and children can be so tremendous that it can leave him feeling powerless. He looks to God for help. What a better place that is! - this place where he sees himself in need of God, the One who will see him through. Do listen to the song to capture the father's clamor - with a tinge of melancholy - to guide him, to lead him. Because God, after all, has the stronger hands.

But when my 8-year old sang it to me last night, with a bit of struggle on his part as he was reading the lyrics at the same time, I was immediately taken to a deeper level. I thought of our priests and how each one of them must struggle to make things right for his bride, the Church, and all who belong to her. Then our pope came to mind. Our father here on earth - with all the attacks hurled at him these days - must be struggling so hard to keep our Church standing tall and strong.

We are called to stand by our earthly father, Pope Benedict XVI. Here is how we can help with prayers.

I dedicate this song to our beloved Pope Benedict XVI and to all our priests...

Lead Me lyrics

Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To. be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Tribute to St. Damien de Vuester

Ordained saint on October 11, 2009.

USCCB Presents ‘Priesthood Ordination Class of 2008’

Who are they and how many more are there?

Come and check out USCCB Presents 'Priesthook Ordination Class of 2008'. Check out the new faces among God's beloved sheep whom he himself chose to become his representatives, and say and prayer for them...

PRAYER

Our most Holy Spirit,
pour out your most holy and powerful presence
upon these appointed priests who were
lovingly and carefully handpicked by the Father
to be representatives of his Son, Jesus.
Pour out your blessings,
your gifts wholeheartedly to them
that they may use them wisely
to bring the Gospel of love and peace
to all men.
We pray that those gifts will bear fruits
for their sake
that whatever trials they will encounter
those fruits, particulary,

love, joy and peace,
will help them to endure all
for the love of Christ,
our Most High Priest!
Holy Spirit, come pour out
your most holy and powerful presence
upon these appointed priests!
With Mary, we pray.

Amen!
-Easter A.



Pentecost Sunday - Year A

Posted by Fr. John Speekman at

Homilies and Reflections in Australia

Fishers of Men video