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The Reign of Mary, Issue No. 120, Winter-Spring 2005

° Letter from the Editor
by the Very Rev. Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI

Rest in Peace, Sister Lucia
by the Very Rev. Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI
...The thirteenth day of the month arrived, and it was the end of an era. The last surviving witness of the Fatima revelations, Sister Lucia dos Santos, had passed away from this earthly life on February 13, 2005....

Ordinary or Extraordinary Means? The Sad Case of Terri Schiavo
...It is agreed that ordinary means must be used to preserve life, and that extraordinary means may be used... The dispute was whether Terri’s feeding tube was ordinary means or not....

Being a Godparent: A Great Honor, But Also a Grave Responsibility
by the Very Rev. Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI
...When the word “godfather” is mentioned in casual conversation, the image that sometimes comes to people’s minds is that of the Italian mobster serving as baptismal sponsor. This is most unfortunate, because, whether fictional or real, such a scenario disregards the Church’s serious requirements for valid and lawful (i.e. licit) sponsorship in Baptism. The Church lays down these conditions because of the vital importance of the sponsors: they are obliged to look after the Catholic upbringing of the child. They do not replace the parents in this regard, but are to supplement the parents’ efforts to raise the child in the Faith....

 
Veni Sponsa Christi
Photographs of the Reception of a New Novice
One of the most unforgettable events in the life of a Marian Sister is the moment she hears her religious name for the first time....

“My Kingdom is Not of This World...”
My dear parishioners, this feast of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven is one of the feasts of His Kingship. Our Lord was always a King. Even before He assumed our human nature, He was always the Lord and King of creation....

Our Mother of Perpetual Help
by Sister Mary Agatha, CMRI
The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is one of the most well-known and loved images of the Blessed Virgin known to Catholics....

The Sower and the Seed
by Rev. Dominic Savio Radecki, CMRI
...The importance of Our Lord’s parable of “The Sower and the Seed” is seen by the fact that Christ Himself took the time to explain it for us....

Spiritual Aids for Confraternity Members
We offer this new section of the Servus Mariae column as a practical aid to members of the Confraternity of Mary Immaculate Queen. It will consist of a list of simple suggestions of extra prayers, reading, and spiritual practices for each month, giving practical ways of living the Faith and the spirit of the liturgical year in one’s daily life.

The Interior of the Church
From Catholic Liturgics by Richard Stapper, S.T.D.
...Representations of Christ and the saints are not only adornments, but also give honor to God and the saints and instruct the faithful. Ecclesiastical art should in some measure be animated by the thought of educating....

Short Catechism of Church History
From the Book by Right Rev. Mgr. J. H. Oechtering, V.G.
...Q. Can the Church of God be reformed? R. No; a divine institution like the Church cannot be reformed by men. The work of man and the morals of man can be reformed, but not the work of God....

Moral Theology Questions
From The Casuist, A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology Vol. III, New York: Joseph F. Wagner, 1910.
...Fabian harbors hatred towards Sebastian and seeks an opportunity to revenge himself upon him. This opportunity offers itself when he discovers that the latter has undervalued dutiable goods, which he imports, and so defrauds the Customs. Fabian informs the authorities, and in consequence Sebastian is caught in the act and sentenced to the usual fine, which, of course, he must pay. Has Fabian sinned against Sebastian, against justice, and is he obliged to make restitution?

The Large Family (Part II)
An Address of Pope Pius XII to the Directors of the Associations for Large Families of Rome and of Italy, January 20, 1958
In the modern civil world a large family is usually, with good reason, looked upon as evidence that the Christian faith is being lived up to, for the selfishness that We just pointed out as the principal obstacle to an increase in the size of a family group cannot be successfully overcome without recourse to ethical and religious principles....

Excerpts from “The Golden Rule”
by a Member of a Religious Order (written in 1871)
In these difficult times for the Catholic Church, it is frequently lamented that there is not a greater unity among the various traditional Catholic groups. The following excerpt may be of some comfort for those who are sto troubled....

Supreme Court Sides with Pornographers Again
by Phyllis Schafly (eagleforum.org)
Do you ever wonder why the Internet is so polluted with pornography? The Supreme Court just reminded us why: it blocks every attempt by Congress to regulate the pornographers....

Other titles:
Newsnotes:
Attacks Against Pope Pius XII Proved to be Unfounded
“James Ossuary” — A Fraud
Hundreds of Invalid Baptisms in Australia
Tabernacle Stolen from Detroit Church
World’s Smallest Surviving Premature Baby
Catholic Schools Closing Nationwide
Planned Parenthood Supported by Many Charitable Organizations
Christian Names Prohibited
Alternatives to Abortion
Vatican Offers Course Warning Against Satanism
Abortions Kill Millions In India
Tomb of St. Paul Found
Clergy Decline in St. Cloud Mirrors Nationwide Drop
Our Lady of Good Health of Vailankanni