Images » All Images

Just as my children and husband and other relations are always in my heart and prayers because we are members of one family, so the whole Church - the Communion of Saints, on earth, in Heaven and in Purgatory - should be held in my heart. We are a great family, with special relationships binding us. All people deserve respect and love, but especially those in our 'household of faith'.

Where Christians meet together, and express doubts about the moral law, it's as if a cloud of black smoke is billowing throughout the gathering, causing confusion, and disorienting the participants. People like these are in need of prayer, and wise guides, to help them to open their eyes to truth.

As an ordinary, lowly human being, each baptised person has been made worthy to enter the 'holy of holies', once reserved for certain men. That 'holy of holies' today is the Presence of God. When we approach the Father, through and with Christ, it is as if we pass through a curtain; and we can be confident that our prayers are heard and granted by the Father, for we are His adopted children.

There is a whole world of people living in disbelief, ignorance of Christ, or sin; it's as if they live in a system of tunnels, in semi-darkness, underground. There is only one way out, through a narrow tunnel which leads up to the light, made by the One who emerged from death to new life. All who have been rescued by Him can show others the Way.

Whether on the podium at Lourdes, or in a parish church, Christ is Really Present at every Mass, in all His glory: as truly Present as when He was with His disciples in Galilee. He is as Present, and as glorious, as at His Transfiguration on the mountain of Tabor, with three Apostles - though His glory is hidden today, under the appearance of bread and wine.

When we surrender to the plans and wishes of our Heavenly Father, as made known to us through the Church, and through Providential meetings and conversations, it's as though we allow God to carry us along on a river of grace, wherever the current takes us; in this way we give joy to Christ, who also did His Father's Will.

The Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary, re-presented in a sacramental manner on the altar, whether in a great basilica or in a tiny convent chapel, a thatched hut, or an ordinary parish church. Christ is Present, interceding for sinners.

People on a pilgrimage are a mixed group: sick and able-bodied, luke-warm or fervent souls, people of every ability and background; yet by being on pilgrimage with sincere hearts, as on a journey, all are brought closer to Heaven.

Through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady, a person who walks in a dark tunnel of the spiritual life can be given a moment of new hope, or refreshment - as if he had suddenly come upon a window through which he can see the beautiful country ahead, and can revive his hope of achieving sanctity, and entering Heaven.

The Lord chooses all sorts of men, to serve as priests. They bring their own weaknesses with them. The sacraments they confer are valid, despite their sins; yet priests are sometimes mistaken in their personal opinions. The best priests are those who believe in all that the Church teaches, lead humble and chaste lives, fervent in love for the Saviour and His Church, and charitable towards everyone, though unafraid to speak the truth, in charity.

From the monstrance on our altar where Christ is Really Present, Christ's praise rises up to the Father in Heaven. Christ offers our praises too, as His own. All who praise the Father through Christ, and who remain faithful to the end, will continue that praise, in bliss, in Eternity.

Just as some people on earth encircle a special religious site which is precious to them, so the Saints in Heaven encircle Christ, adoring Him and the Father and the Holy Spirit: the Blessed Trinity, by whose grace we receive forgiveness of sins on Earth, and are helped to grow in holiness, ready for Heaven.

God is so great and good that He sometimes gives extraordinary gifts to people, in earthly life, so that they can do His Work in times of special difficulty, or undertake more swiftly a tremendous task. Just as an artist sees colours that others do not see, a person gifted by God can discern graces in souls, or evil forces, that others do not see.

Just as an orchestra member steps forward to make music at a concert without any further practice, after years of training, so those souls whose sins have all been forgiven, and who have done penance, or have gained a Plenary indulgence, have no need for 'training' in Purgatory, before they join the great chorus of praise of God in Heaven, with all the Saints.

Disobedient Catholics who refuse to obey the Church's teachings on contraceptive use, for example, act like a group of arrivals at a Cathedral who do not want to be too involved. They refuse to enter the main door, insisting on entering elsewhere, to descend to the Crypt by themselves. They have cut themselves off from full Communion with others.

God the Father is Law-Giver and Judge of all. With His Son and Spirit, He shines the light of Heaven upon earth. God will separate the good from the wicked at the end of time; wise people turn their hearts to God and ask Him to change and transform them now.

Just as laws made by God control the movements of the planets, so the laws of natural law - from God - can guide us in the activities of our lives. We bring disaster upon ourselves if we try to ignore the natural law, and the Commandments, and we contribute to the destruction and decay of a whole society.

Without strong moral foundations, and respect for human life from conception to natural death, society is gradually torn apart

A Priest who prides himself on being different from his brothers in the Presbyterate, more tolerant of sin, more fun to be with, and more imaginative, is usually a person who likes attention, and is not of one mind with the Church. If he does not rejoin his brothers in peace and humility he will risk straying far from the narrow road which leads to Heaven and might take some holy persons with him.

People who do God's Will are carried steadily Heavenward on a river of grace, despite opposition, darkness and personal failings, whereas people who insist on following their own route stumble in the darkness of the muddy fields they try to cross, hampered by weeds, rough ground and broken fences.