How Pope Pius XII infallibly declared the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A brief excerpt:

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION OF
POPE PIUS XII 

MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS

DEFINING THE DOGMA OF THE ASSUMPTION

November 1, 1950

39. We must remember especially that, since the second century, the Virgin Mary has been designated by the holy Fathers as the new Eve, who, although subject to the new Adam, is most intimately associated with him in that struggle against the infernal foe which, as foretold in the protoevangelium,(44) would finally result in that most complete victory over the sin and death which are always mentioned together in the writings of the Apostle of the Gentiles.(45) Consequently, just as the glorious resurrection of Christ was an essential part and the final sign of this victory, so that struggle which was common to the Blessed Virgin and her divine Son should be brought to a close by the glorification of her virginal body, for the same Apostle says: “When this mortal thing hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.”(46)

40. Hence the revered Mother of God, from all eternity joined in a hidden way with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination,(47) immaculate in her conception, a most perfect virgin in her divine motherhood, the noble associate of the divine Redeemer who has won a complete triumph over sin and its consequences, finally obtained, as the supreme culmination of her privileges, that she should be preserved free from the corruption of the tomb and that, like her own Son, having overcome death, she might be taken up body and soul to the glory of heaven where, as Queen, she sits in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages.(48)

Read the entire Vatican document

More on this from Ann Barnhardt

More about The Assumption at
Bob Stanley’s “The Catholic Treasure Chest”

Classic Bible Commentary Offers Profound Insights Into Holy Scripture

Practical excerpt from the commentary:

[Luke 1:26–38. Mat. 1:18–25]

The angel of the Lord was sent to Mary in order to procure this (her) consent. The time had arrived, and the Son of God was ready to descend from heaven and become Man.

It only remained for her, whom God the Father had chosen to be the Mother of His Son, to give her consent to be so. The angel of God therefore explained this great mystery, and waited for her answer, on which depended the salvation of the world.

While meditating upon that decisive moment, St. Bernard uttered this prayer to Mary: “Now, O Virgin, thou hast heard what is to be, and how it is to be. Both mysteries are exceeding joyous and wonderful. But the angel awaits thine answer, for it is time for him to return to God who sent him.

We too, O Mary, our Queen, we who are weighed down by the divine sentence, we wait for thy speech, thy words of mercy. For behold, the price of our redemption is offered to thee; and as soon as thou dost accept it, we shall be saved.

We were all created by the eternal word of God, and yet, behold, we die! But if thou wilt speak one little word, we shall live!

Speak then, Oh, speak that decisive word. Adam and his unhappy children, banished from Paradise, beseech this of thee! David and all our holy fathers—thy fathers too—beseech thee! The whole world, prostrate before thee, looks to thee and beseeches!

On thy words depend the comfort of the afflicted, the deliverance of the condemned, the salvation of the children of Adam! Hesitate not, O Virgin! Speak, O Mary, that sweet word of consent, which we who are on the earth, and under the earth, now wait for!”

Mary, as you know, did utter that decisive word of compliance: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word!” By these glorious and precious words she pronounced the longed-for consent.

Read more at eCatholic2000.com

Download the Classic Text: A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture (PDF)

All About Sin, Death, Purgatory and Indulgences

These days, the subject of Purgatory and Indulgences is either totally ignored, or little understood.

It shouldn’t be that way.

This short (four page) presentation provides virtually all the practical information necessary to start getting Holy Souls released from Purgatory, or to totally avoid or shorten a possible stay in Purgatory, for yourself.

Here’s the link (PDF)

Link to the official Catholic (USSCB) Book of Indulgences (PDF)

Bob Stanley’s “The Catholic Treasure Chest” website is fully operational in English and Spanish; including the new, custom search feature. Try it!

Click Here For Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest” Website
E N G L I S H – I N G L E S

Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest”
provides practical, well written and clearly explained
Catholic answers to a host of faith questions.

The site is fully up and running here at AskMeAboutGod.org
in English and Spanish, in both HTML
and downloadable, PDF formats.

Your advice, suggestions and prayers are greatly appreciated.

May God richly bless you and yours.

Click Here For Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest” Website
S P A N I S H – E S P A N O L

Askmeaboutgod.org is the new “home” of The Catholic Treasure Chest website

I’ve lost touch with my old friend Bob Stanley,
of The Catholic Treasure Chest
and the original domain name is no longer available.

Bob’s site has been (for the last 20 years or so) one of the finest, most complete, truly Catholic websites on the planet.

According to the informal plan that Bob and I worked up together, many years ago: Should such an event occur, I was to restore the site from a comprehensive backup and get things up and running again, ASAP.

The Catholic Treasure Chest is once again, up and running
and may be accessed through available links
on this (www.AskMeAboutGod.org) site.

Click here to view

Please tell all your friends and let me know ASAP about any outages or malfunctions.

Illustrated Catholic Study aims to present the immutable truths of the Christian faith, unencumbered by denominational concerns or political differences

PART ONE:
The primeval events
that resulted in the Fall of Man

PART TWO:
The totally gratuitous
saving works of God

PART THREE:
Why we venerate
the Blessed Virgin Mary

PART FOUR:
The mystery
of our redemption
revealed

PART FIVE:
The spiritually vital mission
of the Holy Church

PART SIX:
Our personal identity
in Jesus Christ

Download the latest Adobe PDF Reader Software for free

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The complete, SIX PART PRESENTATION
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PART ONE:
The primeval events
that resulted in the Fall of Man

PART TWO:
The totally gratuitous
saving works of God

PART THREE:
Why we venerate
the Blessed Virgin Mary

PART FOUR:
The mystery
of our redemption
revealed

PART FIVE:
The spiritually vital mission
of the Holy Church

PART SIX:
Our personal identity
in Jesus Christ

Download the latest Adobe PDF Reader Software for free

Overcoming the World, the Flesh and the Devil,
In and Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
is recommended for anyone who wants to learn more
about the essential tenets of Christianity,
as well as the unique, temporal and spiritual efficacies
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authentic, universal Christian Church,
that was personally founded, authorized,
empowered and perpetually guaranteed
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for the purpose of our salvation.

“Overcoming” aims to respectfully present
the immutable truths of the Christian faith
to “The People of God”
unencumbered by denominational concerns
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according to the much brighter light
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in Jesus Christ.

Supplemental use of the Holy Bible
and the Catechism of the Catholic Church
is highly recommended.

For detailed information on a wide range of Catholic topics
(available in both English and Spanish language formats)
visit The Catholic Treasure Chest

Recommended for Further Study:
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Online Catechetical Faith Formation Courses, Booklets and PDFs

To Tell You the Whole Truth About the Church and the Holy Bible:
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Thought for the day: God Entrusted the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus, Who Is Our Salvation

I get frequent questions from Christians and others about why Catholics venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary to such a great degree, as if they think there is something wrong with doing so.

While there are numerous, simple and rational arguments for honoring the Mother of God (the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke, not the least of them) it all really comes down to understanding and appreciating the true measure of God’s prudential judgment, providence and grace:

God the Father chose to make the human body of his divine son from the sin-free flesh of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With the Virgin’s informed consent, the Holy Spirit proceeded to make it so.

The impeccable, divine human, who we know as Jesus Christ, went on to triumphantly wield his unique, holy, purpose-built, body, blood, soul and divinity as the ultimate weapon against perpetual slavery to Satan, sin and death.

God chose to trust the Blessed Virgin Mary
with Jesus,
who is our salvation.

Mary never failed.

Now that her divine son has assumed Mary – body and soul – into Heaven and enthroned her at his right hand, so she might powerfully rule and reign with him, according to his own promises (which also apply to us) how and/or why would we ever expect her to fail, in even the very least of things?

Would not such a negative attitude reveal a shocking, lack of faith, in God?

Since faith is typically, required for salvation, would not such a lack of faith tend to place our own eternal salvation in jeopardy?

Our trust in Divine Providence, in the power of God’s grace and in God’s tender mercies; the God who loves us and who always keeps his promises; is the reason that Catholics, throughout all the ages, have always respectfully, placed our hopes, prayers and petitions before the throne of God with the loving assistance and care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why?

Because God did the very same thing,
in regard to his own, divine son.

God did it first.

And it worked!

Today’s Question: Can you tell us of an experience in prayer?

Today’s Question: Can you tell us of an experience in prayer?

Answer: While on the way to an important Church meeting, the head gasket on my car engine failed, all the anti-freeze blew out, the engine overheated, the car stalled and I was stranded, about an hour (rush hour travel time) away.

I invoked God’s assistance, explaining that if he wanted me to get to the meeting, I would need a little help. Then, I said a quick, Hail Mary and turned the ignition key.

The car started. Steam was shooting out of the engine and all the trouble lights on the dash were shining brightly.

I pulled out into rush hour traffic, anyway.

The steam shortly quit coming out. Then, the trouble lights also went out.

I successfully made my way to the meeting (on time) and later, all the way back home, where I added a gallon or two of fresh anti-freeze.

I drove the same car for another two years.

I never knew that the Blessed Virgin Mary could fix a bad head gasket! Perhaps an angel was also involved.

I went on to experience a number of other miracles, both big and small, while working on that particular Church project.

True story!

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers.

What to do? For probably the first time in history, the phrase, “Is the Pope Catholic?” is no longer merely rhetorical.

Next stop: Antichrist revealed?

Question: …From his many statements, it is very clear that the pope has given a tacit approval to homosexuality.

In one of his interviews, he said “Who am I to judge?” The Pope is not able to assertively state that homosexuality is sinful. Instead, he indirectly says homosexual practice is acceptable, as long as the person lives a good life.

What to do?

Answer: That particular statement is merely “the tip of the iceberg”! Increasing numbers of Catholics are beginning to wonder if Francis is really the Pope, since it’s highly unlikely that any “real” Pope would even consider saying and doing such ridiculous and even, heretical things.

For probably the first time in history, the phrase,
“Is the Pope Catholic?” is no longer merely rhetorical.

The current infestation of the Holy Catholic Church by the worldwide network of homosexual clergy, including up to one third of all Catholic Priests and one half of all Catholic Bishops – not to mention a host of corrupt Catholic seminaries, Catholic religious orders and the Vatican itself – has also yet to be officially addressed, in any meaningful way.

Five things to do, until things in the Holy Catholic Church
finally improve:

1) Send a silent, but clear, message: Continue to attend Mass, but rather than offering the standard, verbal responses or participating in the usual hymns, respond “Sotto Voce” (quietly, to yourself) instead;

2) Starve the scoundrels: Reduce personal Church offerings to no more than $1 per week. Contribute freely to other, (verifiable) worthy ministries, instead;

3) Institute a year-long Eucharistic Fast: Refrain from receiving the Holy Eucharist. Make a silent, personal, “Spiritual Communion” instead. If Francis IS the Pope, you probably don’t want to be too closely “in communion” with the likes of him. If it turns out that he’s NOT actually the Pope, the same is even more true. But, remember to faithfully fulfill your Easter Duty;

Even the most “thick headed” Catholic Bishops will likely be able to figure that something is very, very wrong, when the congregation goes silent, the weekly collections “dry up” and all the people refuse to go up and receive Holy Communion!

4) Enlist the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her divine son, Jesus: Pray the Holy Rosary, AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.

5) Keep all your personal, spiritual affairs in good order: Because once end time events begin, they will likely proceed, at a very rapid pace.

I mention this last point because two things are always true: 1) The return of Jesus Christ is always liable to occur at any time; 2) If Jesus doesn’t choose to return during your lifetime, there’s no doubt that you will (shortly) find yourself appearing before him, in Judgment.

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers (edited for content and clarity)

Further study (link): An act of idolatry made at the Vatican with the participation of the Pope

(Photo by Giulio Origlia/Getty Images)

Notre Dame Conflagration – Unique, Totally Gratuitous Opportunity for SSPX To Step Up

By Doug Lawrence

Probably the only thing more destructive than the recent Notre Dame Cathedral conflagration will be the proposed effort at rebuilding it and likely, re-purposing it, as a modern, multi-faith worship/welcome center, pretty much destroying any true sense of the original and authentic, Roman Catholic faith Tradition.

This is not to say that there has been much of that original Tradition in evidence there, for the last fifty years, or so. The fact that only a handful of broadcasters, politicians, Catholic Church officials, and Catholics, in general, have even mentioned Jesus Christ or the Blessed Virgin Mary, when speaking about it, provides ample evidence that what was once a revered “House of God” is now viewed as little more than another “cultural asset” of the state.

It turns out that the Notre Dame Cathedral isn’t even owned by the Catholic Church anymore and hasn’t been, for quite some time.

Perhaps now is the time for all of that to change. That’s where the SSPX (The Society of Saint Pius X) comes in – the group of conservative bishops and priests that rejected the Vatican II reformation, were excommunicated – then re-communicated – and now – are negotiating with the Vatican to be fully repatriated.

The SSPX people are originally from France, so they ought to have at least a few influential, political backers, still holding out, somewhere, in France’s “deep state” liberal government. Maybe they could even forge an alliance with the “Yellow Vest” people? Stranger things have happened, in service of God.

The plan is so simple that even a child could understand it: Purchase the ruined Cathedral from the French government, for say, one € (Euro) or whatever it takes; direct and supervise the entire rebuilding effort, according to the authentic Catholic Tradition i.e. classically beautiful architecture, artwork and statuary, faithfully reproduced in all the doctrine, worship and other activities taking place there – including the Mass of the Ages; raise all the necessary restoration funds; operate the Cathedral, going forward, without the need for any state funding, and most importantly – PROVIDE THE INITIAL “SPARK” THAT WILL REVITALIZE not only the old Notre Dame Cathedral, but also PARIS, FRANCE, EUROPE, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH and eventually, the WHOLE WORLD!

There’s more than a billion (alleged) Catholics throughout the world. Three “bucks” a piece ought to cover the entire “tab” – plus an ongoing, regular offering, to cover necessary future expenses and maintenance. Even if, as many suspect, only about ten percent of those professing to be Catholic actually are, thirty “bucks” a piece would not be too much to ask. Every Catholic in the world could contribute, according to his/her means and capacity.

What role (official and/or unofficial) should the (thoroughly corrupt) Vatican play in all this? ABSOLUTELY NONE! “Grass roots” Catholics should pay for it all and the SSPX should rise to the occasion – by the grace and power of God – and “get ‘er done”!

This, ladies and gentlemen, was the sum total of my Good Friday meditations on the Passion of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior. What better day than Easter Sunday, for a “New Beginning”?

Please pass this around, if you think it has merit. 

Real, holy, just, powerful and perfect feminism. Nothing like what we all too often encounter today.

With the Blessed Mother, it isn’t, “Hold my beer…”, it’s, “Hold My Baby….” handing off the baby Jesus to a nearby angel, the Blessed Virgin Mary contends with and handily defeats the devil, according to God’s grace. Illumination taken from the Taymouth Hours, circa ARSH 1325.  Courtesy of Ann Barnhardt’s Catholic Website. Enjoy!

What if the Shroud of Turin image is genuine and what if Jesus resembled his mother?

A Canadian filmmaker has posted a retouched image of a Bouguereau painting of the Virgin Mary — using the face on the Shroud as a guide. The results are, I think, stunning.

His assumption that He would have born a resemblance to His only human parent. He said this about it:

“If you put the shroud on top of this drawing, you will almost match the face, like it could be” an accurate portrayal of His mother’s face.

Exquisitely beautiful – and it does rather make sense that Our Lord would physically resemble his mother!

Submitted by Bob Stanley/The Catholic Treasure Chest Website

More about the works of artist William Bouguereau

Cuba’s patron saint, the Virgin of Charity of Cobre

THE STATUE: It’s now 403 years old and stands just over a foot (35 centimeters) tall, but the petite wooden statue in a small-town church in eastern Cuba is among the most venerated Catholic icons in the world and an object of pride and reverence for hundreds of thousands on the island. Protected inside a glass case, she wears a full, golden dress and her feet rest on a shimmering crescent moon.

More

Precious insights into the family life of the Blessed Virgin Mary – and our families, as well

Saint Joachim, the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the Mediatrix of All Graces, knew the contempt that would be visited upon His Divine Grandson, Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, sent himself into voluntary exile after he was denounced by a priest of the Old Dispensation for not producing a child after twenty years of marriage to his wife, our good Saint Anne.

He was visited by an angel, who reminded him of the fact that Abraham’s wife, Sarah, did not conceive a child until she was ninety years old, telling him that his wife, Saint Anne, would conceive a daughter named Mary, who would be the Mother of God.

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne brought their daughter to the Temple when she was three years old, giving their long-awaited child back to the good God Who had given them to her so that she could be the Mother of their own Saviour, Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Read more

Annunciation: The day God waited patiently for Mary’s “yes!”

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. Because no word shall be impossible with God.

And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Text and video

March 25 is Abortionist Repentance Day (and the great feast of the Annunciation)

Download the PDF form for free

Submitted by Frank V.

Produced by Church Militant TV – http://www.churchmilitant.tv/

Scientific fact: The Blessed Virgin Mary carried Jesus inside her body for a lot longer than nine months.

The report examined the increasing evidence that “when a woman has a baby, she gets not just a son or daughter, [but] an army of protective cells–gifts from her children that will stay inside her and defend her for the rest of her life.”

Read more

Editor’s note:  And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)

Isn’t literal, biblical truth grand? Consider all the awesome ramifications!

Now, what about those Christians who hold that Mary is no different than the rest of us? Does that not constitute an explicit denial of scientific fact, as well as an implicit denial of the power, holiness and divinity of Jesus Christ? 

The closer you look and the more you come to know about the unique relationship between Jesus and his blessed mother, the easier it is to accept and appreciate Catholic dogma on the subject – including her total sinlessness, her absolutely holy life and her assumption into Heaven – body, as well as soul – all according to God’s grace and plan.

Related slide show

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines, Illinois is expecting up to 100,000 celebrants over the next two days

CHICAGO, IL (December 6, 2013) – This overnight celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, will begin with an opening Mass on Wednesday, December 11, at 4 p.m., at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1100 North River Road in Des Plaines.  The Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Marco A. Mercado, Archbishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and Rector of the Shrine.  The lighting of the traditional “Antorcha Guadalupana” or “Guadalupe Torch” will take place at 10 p.m.

Throughout the two-day celebration, Masses will be offered every two hours in the Shrine’s outdoor grotto and in the gymnasium. The outdoor mass celebrated at the grotto will be shown live in a tented area outside the gymnasium.  Music and Folkloric dances in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe will also be held indoors throughout both days. . A large food tent, located in between the outdoor grotto and the gymnasium, will be available as a warming center.  Another large heated tent will be available directly outside the gymnasium.

After the lighting of the Guadalupe Torch, pilgrims, representing dozens of parishes throughout Cook and Lake counties, will light their own torches and participate in the Guadalupe Torch Run.

Read more

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

1170 North River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: (847) 294-1806 Fax: (847) 294-1981
A Shrine of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago IL

photo: YouTube

Our Lady of Guadalupe Image: How has the 481-year-old Tilma survived so many years without decay?

“All the cloths similar to the Tilma that have been placed in the salty and humid environment around the Basilica,” Dr. Orozco explained,“have lasted no more than ten years.”  A painting of the image on cloth which had been protected behind glass was discarded after only eight years, because the colors had faded and the threads had broken so badly.

The Tilma, meanwhile, was displayed unprotected for 116 years, exposed to the heat of tens of thousands of candles and to the harsh, humid and salty air; yet it remains vibrant.

Read more

December 12 is the official commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.