In canonizing Mother Teresa as a saint (

Saint Olga of Alaska Η Matushka Όλγα, είναι γηγενής από την Αλάσκα προέλευσης της φυλής Yupik, γεννήθηκε στις 3 Φεβρουαρίου 1916. Ο σύζυγός της, ο Νικολάι Μιχαήλ, ήταν ο ταχυδρόμος στο χωριό και διευθυντής του γενικού καταστήματος, ο οποίος αργότερα χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας και στη συνέχεια σε Αρχιερέα. Έχει υπηρετήσει κοινότητα της ως σύζυγος ιερέας, αλλά και ως μαία. Η Matushka Όλγα γέννησε δικά της δεκατρία παιδιά τα οποία επέζησαν τα 8 και τέθηκαν κάτω απο το έργο της. Πολλά από τα παιδιά στα οποία γέννησε ήταν χωρίς τη βοήθεια μαίας η δικών της ανθρώπων. Η Matushka Όλγα ήταν γνωστό για την συμπάθεια και τη φροντίδα της, για όσους είχαν υποστεί κακοποίηση παντός είδους, ιδίως τη σεξουαλική κακοποίηση. Ενώ η οικογένειά της ήταν φτωχή, έδωσε απλόχερα σε αυτούς που ήταν χειρότερη από αυτήν, συχνά έδινε τα ρούχα των παιδιών της στους απόρους. Ήταν επίσης γνωστή η ικανότητά της να πει πότε μια γυναίκα ήταν έγκυος, ακόμη και πριν από την ίδια τη γυναίκα που είχε χάσει τη περίοδός της. Η Matushka Όλγα αναπαύτηκε στις 8 Νοεμβρίου του 1979. Πολλοί άνθρωποι από τις γύρω περιοχές ήθελαν να έρθουν στην κηδεία της, αλλά επειδή ήταν Νοέμβριος, λόγω χειμώνα κατέστη αδύνατον. Αλλά από την ημέρα της κηδείας της, ένας άνεμος από το νότο έφερε ζεστό καιρό, απόψυξε τον πάγο και το χιόνι και έκανε ταξίδι για το Kwethluk δυνατό. Όταν οι πενθούντες αποχώρησαν από την εκκλησία για να πάρουν το σώμα στο νεκροταφείο, ένα σμήνος πουλιών ακολούθησε. Εκείνοι που έσκαψαν τάφο της διαπίστωσαν ότι το έδαφος, επίσης, είχαν αποψυχθεί. Το βράδυ, μετά κηδεία της, ο κανονικός σκληρός χειμώνας επέστρεψε. ΠΗΓΗ.Απαντα Ορθοδοξιασ Saint Olga of Alaska. Sometimes I find after reading about the life of a particular saint, that their holiness seems so unattainable, because their lives are so different from mine that I walk away discouraged. This is not the case with Blessed Olga of Alaska. Little Olga, or Olinka, was born to the Michael family on February 2, 1916. Olga grew up in the northern Eskimo village of Kwethluk, Alaska, surrounded by traditional Yup’ik charity. From her heart, this same charity overflowed naturally to all others, regardless of race or religion. Olga knew a mother's sorrow first hand. She was a mother of 13, although 5 had died. Mother Olga was a midwife and healer and was known for her foreknowledge of who was pregnant even before they did. Often situations of abuse would be made known to her within the privacy of the steam bath or as the village midwife. In the heat of their sorrow, Matushka would heal, revive and console these souls, like a cool stream on a hot summer’s day. Blessed Olga still reaches out and heals those in suffering no matter their religion or nationality by her prayers. Recently there was an account of her appearing with Theotokos and healing an abused woman and there are others that she is quietly healing and consoling today. Although her life seems ordinary, her love for God and neighbor was extraordinary. Olinka was aware of Jesus in all the people she met. Her children remember her giving away their clothes before they had outgrown them. She used to say to them, "If you see your dress on someone else, please don't mention it or say anything about it." To neighbors, she was quick to lend a helping hand, no matter how difficult the task. People remember her stopping whatever she was doing in order to help with just about anything. Mother Olga would often finish a snow boot sole or haul wood and water to make a steam bath to share with her blind friend. She knew the needs of communities far away and would send them traditional fur boots and parkas as donations to be raffled. This knowledge of their need was given her directly through prayer. Mother Olga was steadfast and faithful. She had an arranged marriage and lived in a three room house with no running water, no sewer connection and no furnace. Olinka carried water every day for her family, but the real water was the overflowing stream of her deep prayer life. Through her prayers, her husband, Postmaster Nicolai Michael became Father Nicolai. He was the first Eskimo priest from her village of Kwethluk, where there was an amazing overflowing of seminarians. Kwethluk’s population in those days was about two hundred. In her life time, more than twenty men set out for seminary to become readers, deacons and priests. There is no other generation in Alaska yet that has had such an anointing to serve God. To put that in perspective, one man of every 10 families came to serve the Lord. To equal that kind of human tithe, we would have to turn out at least 35 seminarians here at our parish. Matushka Olga was literally the fountain of holiness in her community. Olga was a hidden treasure, who out of a life of deep and continuous prayer gathered into her soul the sweet dew of grace. She was very humble and unassuming; very quiet. Visitors to her house, while her husband was the priest in Kwethluk, say that she was almost invisible, so gentle and complete was her sense of hospitality and service. Bishop GREGORY told me once that although he knew her, and had been served his favorite dish, Salmon Pie, she was so quiet and reserved that he did not know of her blessedness. Her closest friends were not at all surprised. Mother Olga was gentle and kind in manner. She never criticized her children and gave them great freedom and respect. Similar to Maria Montessori, Blessed Olga's way was to understand what children were capable of doing and let them become responsible for themselves. She believed in not forcing them to conform to her set of rules whenever possible and never used shame to discipline them. She was merciful and loving not just to those outside of her family, but to her nearest and dearest. This too is a very Yup'ik way. After a year's reprieve from cancer, Blessed Olga fell asleep in the Lord on November 8, 1979 at the age of 63. The first known appearance of Blessed Olga occurred in 1995, in New York, to a suffering woman, a complete stranger, who was not Orthodox. This sufferer had been beseeching the Mother of God for help. In answer to her plea, Theotokos appeared with Blessed Olga, who then healed her. With that miracle, veneration naturally began, and 2 years later a visiting priest, Fr. Michael Oleksa spontaneously revealed Matushka Olga to us with a teaching on her life. Soon after that an unofficial version of her Moleben and Magnification were written in thanksgiving. Later His Beatitude Metropolitan JONAH visited Kwethluk the week of July 31, meeting with all her surviving children. While there he served a Panakahida at her gravesite and venerated the first icon of her as part of her ongoing canonization process. By her simple piety, honesty, humility, and her gift of Yup’ikness, Blessed Olga provides a contemporary example to all of us of holiness. Blessedness is not attained only by those who live in caves, dwell deep in the woods, or in a monastery. In the little village of Kwethluk, faithfully living out the Holy Mystery of Marriage, day by day participating in the Orthodox way of life, God manifested in Mother’s soul all the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Because of this grace, Matushka Olga is called the “Northern Light of Alaska” and the heavens agree. Once after Vespers on Nov 8th, the night was aflame with a color display of the Aurora Borealis in all its variety of reds, greens, and blues. As we came out of church that night all were amazed by this display in the sky and it filled our souls with awe and joy. God blessed us for faithfully attending Great Vespers and the heavens declared on her day of repose, “What a mother we have in Blessed Olga!” To learn more about St. Olga, please see Saint Olga of Alaska.

Afte the Blessed Virgin, St. Philomena, the Wonderworker was St. John Vianney's favorite saint. This is my favorite image of her.

Seven depiction of St. Lucy presenting her own eyes.

Mother Teresa was a moral monster, a sadistic religious fanatic guilty of medical malpractice.

Pictures for prayer and meditations on art inspired by Scripture or nature.

230923 아돌라 콘서트 - #ATEEZ #SEONGHWA #에이티즈 #성화

From Catholic Exchange, by Stephen Beale (excerpt) Let me rephrase these questions as one: Is it biblically plausible that there are beings in heaven other than God Himself who are aware of our nee…

Matushka Olga of Alaska is widely venerated among Orthodox Christians. She is known for her care for people who have suffered poverty and abuse.

The past was full of amazing and strange trends! In the first part, we take a look at some bizarre trends from last 3000 years of fashion

Autobiography of Saint Gemma Galgani >>> Autobiography St Gemma Galgani (PDF) <<< Biography of Saint Gemma Galgani >>> Biography St Gemma Galgani (PDF) <<< More …

I regard today as one of my namedays, after a fashion. You see, my middle name is Bernadette, so I figure I get to claim all the feastdays that are related to her. I love my patron, St. Bernadette, and have always especially loved Our Blessed Mother under the title of the Immaculate Conception. This dogma of our Faith is united to our belief and understanding of the Incarnation of her son, Jesus, God Made Man, and therefore, connected as well to the dogma of the Blessed Trinity. Images of the whole Heavenly Family fill those words spoken to St. Bernadette by the Mother of God: "I am the Immaculate Conception." It's been 151 years now since Our Lady first appeared to little Bernadette at the lowly grotto outside of Masabielle, France to confirm for the world the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception ~ the truth that she was, by divine exception, free from all sin, including original sin, at the moment of her first presence in the womb of her mother. Imagine the stir in Heaven when God placed this perfect human soul, Mary the daughter of Anne and Joachim, on the earth! Don't you imagine that the birds must have sung sweeter that day, that the air must have felt softer? And can't you just imagine that on this day, 151 years ago, the earth must have vibrated with a special hum because the Mother of God once again stood upon its soil? How the angels must have knelt about her, how the devil must have trembled! Back in 1964, my parents, who were stationed at a Naval base in Spain at the time, visited Lourdes a few months before I was born. They have told us many times how very special a place it was. The faith of the crowds was so thick, you breathed it in. The nightly candlelight processions were alive with the wingbeat of angels. My mom and dad were so touched by the experience that it was a matter of course that their new baby girl would be named after St. Bernadette. I was only named Lisa, in fact, because it went with Bernadette. And I'm so glad of it. Fiesty little Bernadette has long been my champion. Someday I'll get to go to Lourdes again, outside of the womb ~ I'm determined to. I want to see the candlelight processions and dip my hands into the waters of the miraculous springs. I'd like to listen for the sound of angel wings fluttering and put my hands on the rocks of the Grotto and feel if there is still the hum of our Heavenly Mother's presence there. But, since I'm exactly 5,020 miles from Lourdes today, I'll read my little book, Personal Notes of Bernadette Soubirous, and be content in the knowlege of Our Lord's true presence in the tabernacle and the fact that where Jesus is, Mary is. And where Mary is, so is Our Blessed Lord. And the children and I will go on a little "virtual" tour of Lourdes, using some of the following sources: St. Bernadette's entire story, which can be found here. And another lovely version here. Here is a coloring page of Our Lady of Lourdes, courtesy of wonderful, talented Charlotte. Movies to watch: The1943 classic, The Song of Bernadette, And a new version, the one that is shown at Lourdes, Bernadette, and its sequal, The Passion of Bernadette, Books: A Holy Life: St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Bernadette Speaks: A Life of Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Her Own Words, St. Bernadette Soubirous Websites to check out: the official Lourdes Sanctuary official Saint Bernadette-Nevers site Tons photos of St. Bernadette and just a few here: St. Bernadette at the age of 19, before becoming a religious: The only known picture of St. Bernadette at the Grotto (taken after the apparitions): The miraculously incorrupt body of St. Bernadette, as it looks today: From the Personal Notes of Bernadette Soubirous: "For the greater glory of God, the important thing is not to achieve many things, but to do them well." "O Mary, my dear Mother, here is your poor child, unable to carry on any longer; you know my needs and above all my spiritual distress; have pity on me. Grant that one day I may be with you in heaven." "Jesus gives all to those who have left all." "God is always present. Nothing can happen to us without His permission, without His will. All that we do to our neighbor is done to Him,. In Him is all kindness, and all good. A living faith concerning these truths. Drive away all sin. Console all suffering. Dispel all langour. Make fruitful the life of grace in the soul. God will finally say to us: Quoniam bene. The way: Union with Jesus and Mary. "

Of Christendom and Catholic France: Hilaire Belloc's beautiful and poetic Joan of Arc ...

Eroiche, tenaci, innamorate: sono le donne protagoniste delle Eroidi di Ovidio. Il sontuoso codice di Luisa di Savoia ci mostra i loro volti.

By: St. Augustine of Hippo Thou remainest unchangeable over all, and yet has vouchsafed to dwell in my memory since I learnt Thee. And why seek I now in what place thereof Thou dwellest, as if the…

Addiction • Prayers against addiction (Akathist - Theotokos, Inexhaustible Cup) • Prayer for healing (very short) • Prayer for mental health • Prayer to the Theotokos/Mother of God for healing Daily • Morning prayers • Midday prayers • Evening prayers - - - • The Angelic Salutation • Closing prayers: Prayers after praying • The Great Doxology • Morning prayer of Archimandrite Sophrony: Prayer at daybreak • Morning prayer of Metropolitan Filaret of Moscow • Psalm 50 - Septuagint • Prayer of the Hours • Prayers before bedtime • Prayers of St. John Chrysostom for every hour of the day Departed and Dying • Prayer for a mother after miscarriage or stillbirth • Prayer for someone dying, by St. Nephron • Prayer for victims of abortion • Prayers for the repose of Christian souls Depression, Distress, and Mental Health • The Great Paraklesis • Healing prayer of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan • Midnight hymn to the Mother of God • Prayer against depression (Prayer to the Mother of God in a time of distress) • Prayer for a building afflicted by evil spirits • Prayer for healing (very short) • Prayer for mental health • Prayer for salvation by faith • Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom • Prayer of someone in trouble • Prayer to accept God's will • Prayers against despair, torments and passions • Prayers against sorrow caused by enemies (Akathist - Theotokos, Softener of evil hearts) • Prayers to heal mental illness (Akathist - St. Ksenia (Xenia) of St. Petersburg) • Prayer to the Theotokos/Mother of God for healing Family, Marriage, and Loved Ones • Mother's prayer for her children • Prayer at the naming of a child • Prayer for a mother after miscarriage or stillbirth • Prayer for a woman after giving birth • Prayer for children by Saint Nikolaj • Prayer for one's brother or sister • Prayer to find a husband or wife • Prayers during pregnancy: Prayers for mother and unborn child • Prayers for husband and wife • Prayers of a child for his or her parents • Prayers of parents for their children • Prayers to find a spouse or to save a marriage (Akathist - St. Ksenia (Xenia) of St. Petersburg) Forgiveness • Prayer for forgiveness, from the Order of Confession • Prayer for salvation by faith General Prayers • Prayer for the blessing of any object • Prayer for oneself • Prayer of praise by Saint Symeon the New Theologian • Prayer of Saint Dimitri of Rostov • Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom • Prayer to accept God's will • Prayer to Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco • Prayer to the Holy Cross (Let God arise) • Prayers to the Mother of God Home • Prayer at the founding of a house • Prayer for the blessing of any object • Prayer for a building afflicted by evil spirits • Prayer upon moving into a new home • Prayers to find a home (Akathist - St. Ksenia (Xenia) of St. Petersburg) Lust and Unchastity • Prayer of an unmarried person • Prayer to find a husband or wife • Prayers for purity and chastity Protection, Safety, and Enemies • Prayer for a building afflicted by evil spirits • Prayer for children by Saint Nikolaj • Prayer for enemies • Prayer for enemies (Akathist - Mother of God, Softener of evil hearts) • Prayer for protection of soldiers during war • Prayer from Kosovo • Prayer of Saint Basil the Great • Prayers to your Guardian Angel Sickness and Healing • Healing prayer of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan • Prayer for doctors and nurses • Prayer for healing (very short) • Prayer for mental health • Prayer of thanksgiving after recovering from illness • Prayer to the Mother of God, Queen of All, for the healing of cancer and other illnesses • Prayer to the Theotokos/Mother of God for healing • Prayers for healing of illness - for self and others Spirituality • Prayer for the priesthood • Prayer of St. Isaac the Syrian: Prayer to know and love God • Prayer of St. Symeon the New Theologian: Prayer to find a spiritual mentor • Prayers of St. John Chrysostom: Prayers before and after reading spiritual texts Thanksgiving • Prayer of Saint Basil the Great • Prayer of thanksgiving • Prayer of thanksgiving after deliverance from trouble • Prayer of thanksgiving after recovering from illness Travel • Prayer before traveling • Prayer for drivers • Prayer for one who travels by land • Prayer for pilots, sailors, and those who travel by air or water Work and School • Prayer for a child when beginning school • Prayers before and after work • Prayers to find work (Akathist - St. Ksenia (Xenia) of St. Petersburg)

Through his paintings, Walter Rane has brought new life to religious art for Latter-day Saints and invited countless viewers to deepen their faith.

(For an introduction to this series, read Part 1.) So God caused the Cool Breeze to come upon a chosen young woman called Mo Yan, who had no husband, and she became pregnant. The whole world saw th…

GB124.DPA/2372/102

From a reader: If a person is confirmed in Mortal Sin, does it 'count', or must he/she be conditionally re-confirmed. What you are asking is "Was the sacrament validly conferred?" or "Is she confirmed?" Yes. The sacrament was validly confirmed and she is really confirmed. But so long as she

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, German Stigmatic and Victim Soul (1774-1824) Anna Katharina Em...

One of the most fascinating things about the saints is how different they are. Some were wealthy nobleman, others were poor peasants, others were doctors, lawyers, or soldiers. There is a saint from almost every state in life. The one thing they all have in common is holiness—an intense love for God that inspired great […]

St. Hildegard’s legacy to culture, medicine, and spirituality has multiple benefits to our everyday lives. Her soul was like a flourishing garden.

Perhaps the most beautiful of preserved saints, with a little help from Paris.

Meet 'Super Mary', a pop culture version of her former self, part of a series by French artist, Soasig Chamaillard, who restores and transforms damaged statues, either donated or discovered in garage sales. Even the most indifferent of us to religion can recognise we're looking at some pretty provoc