Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to signify effects, particularly spiritual effects, and to obtain them through the intercession of the Church. They are often seen as a way to connect with God's grace and blessings.

The Catholic Church provides specific guidelines for the use and administration of sacramentals:

• Authority: Only the Apostolic See has the authority to establish new sacramentals, interpret existing ones, or abolish or modify them.

• Rites and Formulas: Strict adherence to approved rites and formulas is essential when administering sacramentals.

• Ministers: While clerics are typically the ministers of sacramentals, in certain cases, lay people with appropriate qualifications may also administer them.

• Blessings: Blessings can be imparted to Catholics, catechumens, and even non-Catholics, unless there is a specific prohibition.

• Sacred Objects: Objects dedicated or blessed for divine worship must be treated with reverence and not used for profane purposes.

Sacramentals, such as medals, blessed palms, holy water, and ashes, can be powerful tools for spiritual growth and connection with God. However, it's important to understand that they do not inherently confer grace. Rather, they are signs that dispose us to receive grace, which is ultimately a gift from God.

One particular sacramental practice that often raises questions is the veneration of relics. Relics are the physical remains of saints, such as bones, ashes, clothing, or personal possessions. The Church venerates relics as tangible reminders of the saints' lives and their connection to God. While the veneration of relics is not a guarantee of miraculous healing or divine intervention, it can inspire faith and devotion.

The ultimate example of the veneration of relics is the veneration of the body of Christ himself. The Gospel accounts describe the reverence shown to Jesus' body, from its burial to the women's visit to the empty tomb. This reverence underscores the profound significance of Christ's physical body and its connection to his divine nature.

Sacramentals are a valuable part of the Catholic tradition, offering a tangible way to connect with God's grace and the lives of the saints. By understanding their nature and proper use, we can deepen our faith and spiritual lives.

Encouragement is a powerful force, a beacon of hope in times of darkness. It's a gift we can both receive and bestow, a virtuous act that often runs counter to our natural inclination towards caution. As the hymn reminds us, "Courage, brother, do not stumble," we all face challenges, but the knowledge that we're not alone can make all the difference.

Mark introduces us to Bartimaeus, a "blind beggar." While his physical blindness is evident, it's important to recognize that blindness can also be spiritual. It can represent an inability to see the truth, a lack of spiritual insight. Luke's Gospel highlights this dual nature of blindness, emphasizing that Jesus offers healing for both the physical and the spiritual.

Bartimaeus, a beggar, occupies the lowest rung of society. His blindness compounds his plight, rendering him utterly dependent. Yet, despite his circumstances, he possesses a remarkable faith. He recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David, and calls out to Him with unwavering belief.

It's through faith that Bartimaeus receives both spiritual and physical healing. His faith empowers him to stand up, to break free from the constraints of his condition. This act of standing up is symbolic, representing a refusal to succumb to despair and a willingness to embrace a new reality.

Standing up to adversity is never easy. It requires courage, resilience, and a steadfast belief in oneself. It's a challenge that many face, whether it's overcoming a physical illness, confronting a difficult situation, or simply pursuing one's dreams.

When we encourage others, we empower them to stand up. We offer them hope, support, and the belief that they can overcome any obstacle. By sharing our own experiences and offering words of encouragement, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us.

Let us all strive to be sources of encouragement, to lift others up, and to help them stand tall in the face of adversity. Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact.

 

In most of the United States, we celebrate Halloween on October 31. As you probably know, it is a time for children to dress as their favorite characters and walk their neighborhood going door to door for "treats." You may also know that this secular celebration springs from the roots of a very Catholic celebration known as All Saints Day and All Souls Day. 

So how did we get to something that was meant to help Christians remember those they have lost and understand that all of the saints in Heaven are praying for them to this very secular event? Catholic Answers' Joseph Shaw has provided a very rich explanation in his post. He also reminds us that as one of the major feasts of the Church’s year, All Saints is a holy day of obligation and falls on Friday, November 1 this year. 

All Saints’ Day celebrates the holy men and women in Heaven, those known and unknown by the Church, on November 1, whereas All Souls’ Day honors all of the faithful departed on November 2. In some countries, such as Mexico, people know All Souls’ Day as the second day of “Día de Los Muertos.” 

The Church recognizes white as the liturgical color for All Saints’ Day. The color white symbolizes the holiness and purity of the saints in Heaven. 

When did All Saints’ Day start? Pope Boniface IV instituted All Saints’ Day in the Church in 609 when the Roman temple of the Pantheon in Rome became a Church named the Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres (the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs). Initially instituted in May, Pope Gregory IV moved the holy day to November two centuries later, in 837. Since then, Christians have celebrated All Saints’ Day on the first day of November.

Because the Holy Spirit specializes in love and unity, Catholic couples should pray regularly for the Spirit to be present in their marriage, Pope Francis said. "Where the Holy Spirit enters, the capacity for self-giving is reborn," the pope said, continuing a series of talks about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and its members. 

While the pope explained the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to a couple through the sacrament of marriage, he repeatedly told visitors and pilgrims that the unity and love of parents are important for children's growth and happiness. "How beautiful it is to hear a mother say to her children, 'Your father and I...,' as Mary said to Jesus when they found him at the age of 12 in the temple, and to hear a father say, 'Your mother and I...,' as if they were one," Pope Francis said. "How much children need this unity -- dad and mom together -- this unity of parents, and how much they suffer when it is lacking! How much children suffer when their parents separate." 

But "to correspond to this vocation, marriage needs the support of the one who is the gift, indeed the quintessential giver," the Holy Spirit, the pope said. Pope Francis said marriage preparation courses should include "spiritual preparation," particularly a discussion about the Holy Spirit's role within the Trinity and how invoking the Spirit's assistance can help couples. 

St. Augustine, starting from "the revelation that 'God is love,'" taught that that implies there is "one who loves, one who is beloved and love itself that unites them," the pope said. "The Father is, in the Trinity, he who loves, the source and origin of everything; the Son is he who is beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the love that unites them." 

No one would say that "such unity is an easy task, least of all in today's world," the pope said, but it is the plan God has for a husband and wife, so "it is therefore in their nature."

Music has an incredible power to move our souls and connect us to something greater than ourselves. When it's inspired by God and created for His worship, its impact can be even more profound. Sarah Kroger's song "Belovedness" is a perfect example of this. You may have seen Sarah as she led praise and worship sessions during the recent National Eucharistic Congress celebration in Indianapolis. 
 
Kroger's lyrics resonate deeply, highlighting our human tendency to focus on our flaws and insecurities. We often dwell on our failures, shame, and self-doubt, forgetting the truth of our identity as beloved children of God. The song reminds us that God sees us differently. He finds us beautiful, worthy of love, and cherished.  
 
This message is particularly important in today's world, where we are constantly bombarded with negative messages and unrealistic beauty standards. "Belovedness" offers a counter-narrative, reminding us of our inherent worth and God's unconditional love.  
 
By focusing on our relationship with God, we can cultivate a sense of peace, joy, and gratitude. We can learn to love ourselves, not because of our accomplishments or appearance, but because we are loved by God. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we will naturally become more loving and compassionate towards others.  
 
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by self-doubt or insecurity, remember the words of Sarah Kroger's song: "You're mine, I smiled when I made you." Let these words fill your heart with hope and remind you of your true identity as a beloved child of God.  
 

Let's spend some time on the sacrament of Baptism, since it is foundational to the Catholic experience. Why is that you might ask. The Catholic Church has always held that the sacrament of baptism is the gateway to all of the other sacraments. We teach that it is necessary for salvation and is validly conferred only by a washing of true water with the proper form of words. It is through baptism that we are freed from sin, are reborn as children of God, and, configured to Christ by an indelible character.

Parents, sponsors (we typically call them Godparents but that is not the official name), and the priest or deacon are responsible for making sure the name chosen for the baby is not foreign to Christian sensibility.

The proper place for a baptism is a church or an oratory. An oratory is usually found at a seminary or private chapel for religious orders. For an adult to be baptized, the person must have demonstrated the intention to receive baptism, have been instructed sufficiently about the truths of the faith and Christian obligations, and have been tested in the Christian life through the catechumenate (a period of preparation for baptism and entry into the Catholic faith). The adult is also to be urged to have sorrow for personal sins.

It is important to remember that the first thing Jesus Christ did when beginning his public ministry was to be baptized by St. John the Baptist, his cousin. St. John was sent to prepare people for the coming of the Lord. Jesus certainly didn't need to be baptized, since He was born without sin, but He had to be sure to follow all that His prophets had proclaimed about the coming Messiah so that the people would recognize and understand who He was and what He had come to do.

Those baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial (church or denomination) community must not be baptized conditionally unless, after an examination of the matter and the form of the words used in the conferral of baptism and a consideration of the intention of the baptized adult and the minister of the baptism, a serious reason exists to doubt the validity of the baptism. If in the cases mentioned above, the conferral or validity of the baptism remains doubtful, baptism is not to be conferred until after the doctrine of the sacrament of baptism is explained to the person to be baptized, if an adult, and the reasons of the doubtful validity of the baptism are explained to the person or, in the case of an infant, to the parents.

Each person to be baptized is given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it. There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

• be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
• have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
• be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
• not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
• not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

The Church teaches that the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian Faith. But how much do you know about this mystery? The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: The Church expresses her Trinitarian faith by professing a belief in the oneness of God in whom there are three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three divine Persons are only one God because each of them equally possesses the fullness of the one and indivisible divine nature. They are really distinct from each other by reason of the relations which place them in correspondence to each other. The Father generates the Son; the Son is generated by the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. 

The Holy Family, and subsequently, our families are based on the Trinitarian model. The love generated between the Father and Son is expressed in the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was returning to His Father’s side in Heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and continues to come upon us through baptism, and confirmation. This mystery of the triune God models for us what the human community ought to be – a community of love. Just like the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity are united in love, we, who have been created in God’s image, ought to live in love for one another. This love goes deeper than mere fleeting emotions. It is the very life of God in us, for God is love and everyone who abides in love abides in God and God in them (1 John 4:16). Of the three cardinal virtues – faith, hope and love, it is love that makes us more like unto God. 

God the Father created the world out of love and continues to hold it in existence because of love. Jesus Christ came into the world for love of humanity and gave his life in obedience to the Father, and as a proof of his love for humanity (John 15:13). The Holy Spirit, who is the love between the Father and the Son, animates the world and pours out God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). When we love sincerely, we are manifesting the presence of God in our hearts.

Father Manuel Ruiz López and his seven companions, the brothers Francis, Mooti, and Raphael Massabki, Father Joseph Allamano, Sister Marie Leonie Paradis, and Sister Elena Guerra, canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, each exemplified heroic virtue and bore witness to holiness within their unique vocations. As the Pope noted in his homily at the Canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square on World Mission Sunday, “These new saints lived Jesus’ way: service.” “The faith and the apostolate they carried out did not feed their worldly desires and hunger for power but, on the contrary, they made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing the good, steadfast in difficulties and generous to the end,” he said. The Pope noted that their witness invites Christians to heed Jesus’ invitation to serve, not to seek glory.

‘Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?’ 

Taking his cue from the Gospel passage from Mark, he invited Christians to contemplate the profound questions Jesus asked His disciples, James and John: "What is it you want me to do for you?" and "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" These questions, noted Pope Francis, shine light on our hidden desires and cast away any illusions of self-interest. The Holy Father explained that through these questions, Jesus calls us to a deeper relationship with Him. He said that James and John, though faithful disciples, approached Jesus with expectations rooted in worldly glory, seeking honour and positions of power. They longed for a place at His right and left in His glory, imagining a victorious Messiah who would reign with might. But, the Pope continued, their understanding was flawed. “Jesus doesn’t stop at their request,” the Pope said, “He delves deeper, revealing the desires behind their words. He challenges them, as He challenges us, to see beyond human ambition.” 

 A King who came to serve 

The true Messiah, Pope Francis recalled, is not a king of power and dominance but a Servant-King who came not to be served, but to serve, even to the point of offering His life on the cross. He added that the image Jesus presents to His disciples is a radical departure from worldly notions of power. "On His right and left, there would be no thrones, but two thieves, crucified alongside Him, suffering and dying with Him in ignominy." This death, said the Pope, is the cup Jesus speaks of—a life of love, a baptism of suffering and service. Pope Francis pointed out that the true path of discipleship is not one of seeking to dominate but of learning to serve. “Those who follow Christ, if they wish to be great, must serve,” he said. 

The example of the saints 

Pope Francis concluded by upholding the examples of the 14 Saints canonized on Sunday, saying they were men and women who did not live for their own glory but for the glory of God, making themselves servants to their brothers and sisters. He invited Christians to pray through their intercession, “so that we too can follow Christ, follow him in service, and become witnesses of hope for the world.”

This World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis will canonize 14 new saints in St. Peter’s Square, and he wants people to get familiar with them. World Mission Sunday is a popular day for the pope to declare new saints and honor men and women who spent their lives in mission territories. In anticipation of the event, the Pope has invited all Catholic church members to "learn about these new saints and ask for their intercession." All 14 people had unique vocations and life stories as witnesses to holiness. Among the 14, two were married fathers, three were founders of generational religious orders, eight Franciscan friars and three marionettes who were martyred in Syria in 1860. “They are a clear testimony of the Holy Spirit’s action in the life of the Church,” the pope said. Pope Francis expressed his desire for the congregation to appreciate the heroics of the soon-to-be saints. The biographies of the Blessed break down their spiritual legacies worldwide. One of the Fathers, Giuseppe Allamano, will be recognized for a medical miracle: the healing of a man attacked by a jaguar in the Amazon rainforest. According to the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, six Consolata missionary sisters waited with the man’s wife and prayed over the man with a relic of Blessed Allamano. Only ten days after his operation, he woke up without any long-term health problems or neurological damage. While not household names yet, the martyrs killed in Syria are known as the "Martyrs of Damascus." The 11 martyrs were killed because they chose not to convert to Islam and were murdered "out of hatred for the faith." According to an account by ACI Mena, one of the martyrs, Francis Massabki, told his fellow brothers, "As Christians, we do not fear those who kill the body, as the Lord Jesus said.” The martyrs faced a brutal death. Many will commemorate these deaths and celebrate their new sainthood this weekend.

A national confraternity of Catholic priests and deacons has released an app that offers moral principles for Catholics to learn about and use before voting this November. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy explained in a press release about the new app: “Although there are several important issues voters need to consider when electing political leaders, the fundamental right to life is the foundational issue.” On the app’s website, there is a page on the right to life, which emphasizes that abortion, euthanasia, genocide, terrorism, human cloning, and research on human embryos are all intrinsic evils. The other webpages on the site focus on the topics of religious liberty, economy, and immigration. As CatholicVote previously reported, the Catholic bishops of Colorado recently issued a list on what values need to be prioritized when voting. The bishops put the sanctity of life as the primary value. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy’s new app can be downloaded onto smartphones, tablets, or other devices. The webpage offers a prompt about downloading it or adding it to the homescreen of the electronic device, to serve as an app. The app is non-partisan and is meant “to be a tool to help voters make an intelligent decision and to bring their well formed conscience into the voting booth on Election Day,” the Confraternity states on the app’s main webpage. The statement adds that citizens of democratic republics are morally obligated to vote and Catholics must strive “to affiliate with political parties that coincide with one’s moral conscience and ensure that their policies and platforms do not endorse anything evil.” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco currently serves as the group’s episcopal advisor, according to the Confraternity’s website. The criteria provided on each of the issues are based on a letter on receiving Holy Communion worthily by then-Cardinal Prefect Josef Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, and on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) 2011 document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”