Saturday, May 13, 2023
Saturday
of the Fifth Week of Easter
FATIMA
ANNIVERSARY- Train Day
Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, Verse 20
The LORD, your God, shall you FEAR, and him shall you serve; to him hold fast and by his name shall you swear.
Have you fallen? Get up! Be resolute!
Have your dreams been crushed? Have your expectations been dulled? Have the five fears overtaken your mind? Has the fear of isolation, demons, darkness, suffering and death kept you from holding fast to our Lord?
Rejoice for today is your salvation!
Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so
must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may
have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have
eternal life.
Fatima[1]
All Saints’ Day
was originally on May 13 in Rome, but the feast day was transferred to November
1, right at the time of harvest to provide food for the pilgrims traveling to
Rome.
May 13 is the anniversary
of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village
of Fatima in Portugal in 1917. She appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and
her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13, 1917, and
October 13, 1917. The story of Fatima begins in 1916, when, against the
backdrop of the First World War which had introduced Europe to the most
horrific and powerful forms of warfare yet seen, and a year before the
Communist revolution would plunge Russia and later Eastern Europe into six
decades of oppression under militant atheistic governments, a resplendent
figure appeared to the three children who were in the field tending the family
sheep.
“I am the Angel of Peace,”
said the figure, who appeared to them two more times that year exhorting them
to accept the sufferings that the Lord allowed them to undergo as an act of reparation
for the sins which offend Him, and to pray constantly for the conversion of
sinners.
Then, on the 13th day of
the month of Our Lady, May 1917, an apparition of ‘a woman all in white, more
brilliant than the sun’ presented itself to the three children saying “Please
don’t be afraid of me, I’m not going to harm you.” Lucia asked her where she
came from and she responded, “I come from Heaven.” The woman wore a
white mantle edged with gold and held a rosary in her hand. The woman asked them
to pray and devote themselves to the Holy Trinity and to “say the Rosary every
day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war.”
She also revealed that the
children would suffer, especially from the unbelief of their friends and
families, and that the two younger children, Francisco and Jacinta would be
taken to Heaven very soon, but Lucia would live longer in order to spread her
message and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
In the last apparition the
woman revealed her name in response to Lucia’s question: “I am the Lady of the
Rosary.” That same day, 70,000 people had turned out to witness the apparition,
following a promise by the woman that she would show the people that the
apparitions were true. They saw the sun make three circles and move around the sky
in an incredible zigzag movement in a manner which left no doubt in their minds
about the veracity of the apparitions. By 1930 the Bishop had approved of
the apparitions and they have been approved by the Church as authentic. The
messages Our Lady imparted during the apparitions to the children concerned the
violent trials that would afflict the world by means of war, starvation, and
the persecution of the Church and the Holy Father in the twentieth century if
the world did not make reparation for sins. She exhorted the Church to pray and
offer sacrifices to God in order that peace may come upon the world, and that
the trials may be averted.
Our Lady of Fatima
revealed three prophetic “secrets,” the first two of which were revealed
earlier and refer to the vision of hell and the souls languishing there, the
request for an ardent devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the prediction
of the Second World War, and finally the prediction of the immense damage that
Russia would do to humanity by abandoning the Christian faith and embracing
Communist totalitarianism.
The third “secret” was not
revealed until the year 2000 and referred to the persecutions that humanity
would undergo in the last century: “The good will be martyred; the Holy Father
will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated'”. The
suffering of the popes of the 20th century has been interpreted to include the
assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, which took place on May 13,
the 64th anniversary of the apparitions. The Holy Father attributed his escape
from certain death to the intervention of Our Lady: “... it was a mother's hand
that guided the bullet's path and in his throes the Pope halted at the
threshold of death.” What is the central meaning of the message of Fatima?
Nothing different from
what the Church has always taught: it is, as Cardinal Ratzinger, the former
Pope Benedict the XVI, has put it, “the exhortation to prayer as the path of
“salvation for souls” and, likewise, the summons to penance and conversion.”
Perhaps the most well-known utterance of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima
was her confident declaration that “My Immaculate Heart will triumph”.
Cardinal Ratzinger has interpreted this utterance as follows: “The Heart open
to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of
every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of
the world, because it brought the Savior into the world—because, thanks to her
Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil
One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power
because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God
himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is
good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time
forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation,
but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites
us to trust in this promise.
Train Day[2]
They
cross thousands of miles across the countryside all over the world,
transporting goods and passengers to places far-flung, and bringing back the
same to their point of origin. Two gleaming lines of silver lay their path, as
they move through cities and forests, mountains and plains to bring everything
to those who need it, whether it’s
cargo or people. Of course, we’re
talking about trains, those powerful machines that inspired so much of history
and have done amazing things for economies and industry all over the world.
Train Day commemorates these wonderful machines and the role they play in our
lives.
History of Train Day
The history of Train Day
is the history of trains, and that history goes back farther than you might
suspect. Railroads were actually a progression from wagonways, which were
essentially railroads powered by horse, and have a history going back over 2000
years. The reason wagonways (and of course railways) came into existence was
one of simple practicality, you could transport larger loads over a greater
distance with prepared paths! The first ‘ways’ weren’t even created with metal rails,
they were instead created with wooden rails, and in the distance, path even
cut-stone tracks. By being carefully prepared you could increase the amount a
single horse could haul from one ton to nearly 13 tons! That’s a huge improvement in cargo
capacity and a huge boon to those who have to move a lot of it a goodly
distance. Of course, with wooden rails they had to be often replaced and so it
became common practice to cover them with a thin metal plate to help the wood
last. The industrial revolution changed all that, and metal rails are here to
stay! And then in 2008 Amtrak established Train Day to help celebrate the
history of the locomotive.
How to Celebrate Train Day
The best way to celebrate
train day is to go out and take a ride on a train! It doesn’t matter where it’s going, riding a train can be a
fantastic and relaxing experience. Some towns have steam trains that are part
of their history and still in operation, and dinner trains are always a nice
experience. Or, if you’re
planning on taking a trip, rather than taking a car or plane, take a train for
a relaxing ride across the country. Train Day is a great chance to go out and
see the world and experience these amazing vehicles.
Must Take Train Trips[3]top
ten count down
10. VIA Rail's Canadian
Country: Canada
The Canadian is considered
as one of the best trains in Canada, and it indeed is your window to
the vast nation of Canada. The train runs between Toronto and Vancouver and
covers the distance of 4,466 km in four nights and five days. The train takes
the travelers through the varied terrains of the vast Canadian country. Running
through waterfalls, golden prairie fields, and the Canadian Rockies, the train
gives the traveler a glimpse of the vastness and diversity of Canada. The train
has Prestige, sleeper plus, and economy class to suit every budget. It is
equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and elegant lounges and spacious
compartments.
9. Rocky Mountaineer
Country: Canada
This train follows the
historic Canadian Pacific route. The Rocky Mountaineer takes you through
the Canadian Rockies into Western Canada. The train journey is filled with
some of the most memorable views. From lava cliffs to canyons, the train takes
you through some of the best Canadian landscapes. More than likely you will
even spot some wildlife on the side as well including bighorn sheep and even an
occasional grizzly or a black bear! The best view is seen from the Gold-leaf
rail carriages, where the passengers are seated in a glass dome atop the train.
8. Durango and
Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Country: United States of
America
It is one of the best-preserved heritage railroads in the world. The narrow-gauge
rail track is just 3 feet wide and operates at a distance of 45.2 miles. The
train connects the towns of Durango and Silverton in the state of Colorado.
This is a historic route that was taken by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway
and was used for the transportation of gold and silver mined in the San Juan
Mountains. This train still uses a steam driven locomotive and has been in
operation without interruption since 1881.
7. California Zephyr
Country: United States of
America
One of the longest
railroad journeys in the Unites States, the Zephyr connects the cities of
Chicago and San Francisco. The train takes the passengers through arguably one
of the most scenic train routes in North America. It cruises along the Rockies and
the beautiful Sierra Nevada. The train crosses as many as seven states. Some of
the highlights that the train goes through include Moffat tunnel, the Rockies,
Sierra Nevada, Glenwood Canyon, Winter Park and San Pablo Bay.
6. Coast Starlight
Country: United States of
America
The Coast Starlight is one of the few train tracks that runs almost
entirely along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The train connects the cities of
Los Angeles and Seattle. It eases through many cities including Santa Barbara,
Sacramento, and San Francisco. The route is breathtaking. From the snow-clad
mountains to lush forests and serene coastline makes up a view that stays with
you for a long time. The train itself is not quite as luxurious as some other
trains on this list, but the sheer view makes for it and then some more!
5. The Grand Canyon
Railway
Country: Unites States of
America
The train offers the
iconic view of the Grand Canyon
like no other. The breathtaking cliffs of the south tip of the Grand Canyon and
the desert land of Arizona makes one of the best traveling experience. The
train itself is also quite exclusive. The passenger cars are vintage 1920s
Pullman cars while the café on board dates back to 1950s. The 130-mile route is
studded with numerous spots that make you gaze in wonder and awe.
5. Denali Star
Country: The United States
of America
The picturesque route
from Anchorage to Fairbanks in Alaska is best explored from
this beautiful train. The specially designed double-decker dome shapes cars
offer the best views of the majestic state of Alaska. The view of Mount
McKinley is one of the things that you will never forget from this train. The
route is also quite frequently visited by wildlife including the massive
Grizzly Bears and Moose.
4. Hiram Bingham Orient-Express
Country: Peru
The alluring Machu Pichu can be
reached aboard the Hiram Bingham. The train itself is a 1920s-style
locomotive that chugs along the high plains and cruises through the agricultural
terraces to reach the Inca Citadel. The train 3-and-a-half-hour-long journey
takes you through the best views of Peru's Urubamba River. The train takes the
travelers to an elevation of 7500 feet above the sea level. It can cause
altitude sickness, and oxygen is available just in case.
3. Rhine Valley Line
Country: Germany
The most beautiful train trip that you
can take in Germany, the Rhine Valley line offers postcard views of the
German land. The train tracks overlooking river takes you from Mainz to Koblenz
in less than three hours. The train takes you through the beautiful castles and
fortresses. This is truly one of the best train rides in Europe. Although the
distance is quite short (62-miles), there is no scarcity of some gorgeous
vistas.
2. The Ghan
Country: Australia
This is perhaps the longest train trip on this list. The Ghan takes you across the
continent of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. The two-day mammoth journey
through the natural landscapes and wilderness of central and northern Australia
offers some of the best views of the desert in the central part to the lush
tropical climates of the northern territory. The train offers both Platinum and
Gold class accommodations. Although the Platinum level is significantly more
expensive, it offers private cabins and bathrooms.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Country: Italy
This is perhaps the
most gorgeous train you will ever see. The interiors of the cars were
designed by famous artists such as Rene Lalique. It is arguably one of
the most celebrated trains in the entire world. The train carries the passengers
in the classic pre-modern era style. The glamorous cars and the delicious meals
add to the overall experience of cruising through Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PROLOGUE
II. Handing on the Faith: Catechesis
4 Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the
totality of the Church's efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that
Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and
to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.
5 "Catechesis is an education in the faith of children,
young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian
doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a
view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."
6 While not being formally identified with them, catechesis
is built on a certain number of elements of the Church's pastoral mission which
have a catechetical aspect, that prepare for catechesis, or spring from it.
They are: the initial proclamation of the Gospel or missionary preaching to
arouse faith; examination of the reasons for belief; experience of Christian
living; celebration of the sacraments; integration into the ecclesial
community; and apostolic and missionary witness.
7 "Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of
the Church's life. Not only her geographical extension and numerical increase,
but even more her inner growth and correspondence with God's plan depend
essentially on catechesis."
8 Periods of renewal in the Church are also intense moments
of catechesis. In the great era of the Fathers of the Church, saintly bishops
devoted an important part of their ministry to catechesis. St. Cyril of
Jerusalem and St. John Chrysostom, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, and many
other Fathers wrote catechetical works that remain models for us.
9 "The ministry of catechesis draws ever fresh energy
from the councils. the Council of Trent is a noteworthy example of this. It
gave catechesis priority in its constitutions and decrees. It lies at the
origin of the Roman Catechism, which is also known by the name of that council
and which is a work of the first rank as a summary of Christian teaching. .
" The Council of Trent initiated a remarkable organization of the
Church's catechesis. Thanks to the work of holy bishops and theologians such as
St. Peter Canisius, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Turibius of Mongrovejo or St.
Robert Bellarmine, it occasioned the publication of numerous catechisms.
10 It is therefore no surprise that catechesis in the Church
has again attracted attention in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, which
Pope Paul Vl considered the great catechism of modern times. the General
Catechetical Directory (1971) the sessions of the Synod of Bishops devoted to
evangelization (1974) and catechesis (1977), the apostolic exhortations
Evangelii nuntiandi (1975) and Catechesi tradendae (1979), attest to this. the
Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 1985 asked "that a catechism or
compendium of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals be
composed" The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, made the Synod's wish
his own, acknowledging that "this desire wholly corresponds to a real need
of the universal Church and of the particular Churches." He set in
motion everything needed to carry out the Synod Fathers' wish.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Victims
of clergy sexual abuse
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
· Make reparations to the Holy Face
[2] https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/train-day/
[3]https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/train-travel-resources/traveling-by-train/tips-and-advice/25-must-take-train-trips
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