Articles
The Pardon Crucifix
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The Pardon Crucifix (Crux Propitiationis) is a distinctive crucifix enriched with indulgences by Pope St. Pius X in the early 20th century, first granted in 1905 and confirmed in 1907.¹ It is regarded as a special sign of grace and mercy, offered not only for the faithful on earth but also for the souls in purgatory.²
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Stones that Remember the Light
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Memorable Stones That Recall the Illumination On the Secret Interpretation of Sacred Stones in Scripture There are things which keep silent and keep time. A stone may sit in the ground for a thousand years and not alter its shape, not grow older — as if it were waiting. Maybe that is why, of course, it's captivated people — not merely by its luminosity, but by its serenity. It's a world where everything decays, and it stays alive. A rock for the authors of the Bible, of course, meant far more than a piece of mineral matter. It meant permanence, memory, and divine presence. Whose radiance served self-idolization? Whose testified instead to the fact that light coming down from heaven finds a place even amidst unyielding matter?
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Sacramentals: the Church's Sacred Signs
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The Christian life is full of signs through which God acts visibly. This is mostly seen in the sacraments established by Christ. Yet, the Church from the very beginning has also been using other signs which, although not sacraments, they still lead to the human person's sanctification and the world's transformation. These signs are called sacramentals.
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How to prepare for Holy Mass
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The Holy Mass is something that is much earlier than the moment the priest walks to the altar. It is already in the human heart. Proper preparation may not necessarily be complicated at all. A moment of quietness would be sufficient: putting the phone down, getting calm, and silently saying to yourself, “Lord, I want to be attentive today.” It is also nice to bring something of your own — an intention, a gratitude, or a question that is coming up within you. The Mass is not a show to be watched, but a dialogue in which you can really give something and get something in return. It is also good to open yourself up to the Word by reading the Gospel in advance or at least considering what you really need to hear today. Because of this, you do not go into the church as if it were just an ordinary building, but as a place of meeting with Someone who is able to change your whole day.
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