John Paul II Center for Women

Expressing love in conformity with God's holy will Humanae Vitae, #21: "The right and lawful ordering of birth demands, first of all, that spouses fully recogni...ze and value the true blessings of family life and that they acquire complete mastery over themselves and their emotions." This is accomplished by using human reason and free will to practice self-denial in order to control their natural drives. "Only then will the expression of love, essential to married life, conform to right order." INSIGHT: St. John Paul II talks about self-denial (chastity): "In the Christian view, chastity by no means signifies rejection of human sexuality or lack of esteem for it: rather it signifies spiritual energy capable of defending love from the perils of selfishness and aggressiveness, and able to advance it towards its full realization."

Such a beautiful thing to remember when the going gets tough!

God's Loving Design (excerpt from Humanae Vitae...) 8. Married love particularly reveals its true nature and nobility when we realize that it takes its origin f...rom God, who "is love," (6) the Father "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named." (7) Marriage, then, is far from being the effect of chance or the result of the blind evolution of natural forces. It is in reality the wise and provident institution of God the Creator, whose purpose was to effect in man His loving design. As a consequence, husband and wife, through that mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone, develop that union of two persons in which they perfect one another, cooperating with God in the generation and rearing of new lives. The marriage of those who have been baptized is, in addition, invested with the dignity of a sacramental sign of grace, for it represents the union of Christ and His Church.

Check this out Moms! Spiritual Boot Camp Outreach Ministry offers short, power-packed videos that will provide encouragement and inspiration to equip Catholic mothers, both biological and spiritual, with the tools and information they need to "do battle" on behalf of their marriages, family and work lives. Armed with authentic Catholic Truth and the rich teachings on the dignity of the human person, women are called in a particular way to influence our world and culture for the good of all. Spiritual Boot Camp will prepare women to carry out this witness and mission of love "in the trenches" one blessed day at a time. www.facebook.com/JohnPaul2CenterForWomen/

Putting this out there again because it's a beautiful message!

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart a special Feast Day to honor the Heart of Jesus. Above all the Heart of God is a Father's Heart...full of unfathomable love and concern for each one of us, overflowing with mercy and with a longing that we would all turn our hearts toward His. Here are the Promises that Jesus delivers to those who are devoted to His Heart! 12 Promises... 1 I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. 2 I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided. 3 I will console them in all their troubles. 4 I will be their refuge during life and above all in death. 5 I will bestow the blessings of Heaven on all their enterprises. 6 Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. 7 Tepid souls shall become fervent. 8 Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection. 9 I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored and will imprint My love on the hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. I will also destroy them all disordered movements. 10 I will give to priests who are animated by a tender devotion to my Divine Heart the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. 11 Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced. 12 I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence: they will not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment. (The Nine Fridays must be made in honor of His Sacred Heart, meaning, practicing the devotion and having a great love of His Sacred Heart. They must be on the first Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and Communion must be received.)