” This is the season of First Sacraments “

The season for celebrating Confirmation and First Holy Communion, two of the three sacraments of Christian initiation, is approaching. These, and all seven sacraments, are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification. While God can give man grace without external signs, without the use of ceremonies and symbols, it has pleased Him to do so. The necessity of the sacraments is the necessitas convenientiae, or the necessity of convenience. The Sacramental system does not exist because God is bound to it- He is not- but because it is the most appropriate when dealing with humans, who are both spiritual and material. The redemption of man was not invisible; the incarnation took place because God dealt with man in the way most suitable to his nature. And following, the Catholic Church was established by Christ to be a visible institution, therefore it should have external ceremonies and symbols of what is sacred. According to St. Thomas, it is the nature of man to be led by things physical and sense-perceivable to things spiritual and intelligible; that Divine Providence provides for everything in accordance with it's nature, and therefore it is fitting that Divine Wisdom should provide means of salvation for man in the form of certain corporeal and sensible signs which are called sacraments.
The holy season of Lent is here – are you spiritually prepared?

![]() Only $27.75
|
![]() Only $32.50
|
![]() Only $25.25
|
![]() Only $25.25
|
![]() Made in Italy
Only $22.95
|
![]() Made in Italy
Only $22.95
|
![]() Made in Italy
Only $10.00
|
![]() Made in Italy
Only $10.00
|
![]() Marian Children's Mass Book – Remembrance of My First Holy Communion
Black Pearlized Cover
Only $14.75
|
![]() Marian Children's Mass Book – Remembrance of My First Holy Communion
White Pearlized Cover
Only $14.75
|
Are you looking for a special gift for a First Holy Communion? Do you need some ideas to find the right, unique item?
We carry a wonderful selection of First Holy Communion missals, Bibles, rosaries, crucifixes, gift sets and First Holy Communion dresses.
To browse the complete selection in our First Holy Communion specialty store please click here.
We carry a large and wonderful selection of art, like the painting “After the First Holy Communion” which is shown at the beginning of our newsletter today.To browse our complete selection of beautiful Catholic paintings, prints, Florentine plaques and icons, please click here

– from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285-1287
Selected gift items for those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation or for those going through the RCIA program:
![]() Cherry cross with pewter overlay
Only $26.95
|
![]() Cherry cross with pewter overlay
Only $30.00
|
![]() A Young Catholic's
Sacrament Book
Only $12.95
|
![]() A Summary of Beliefs, Practices and Prayers
|
Are you looking for a special gift for a Confirmation or for someone going through RCIA? Do you need some ideas to find the right, unique item?
“I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Everyday for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to all the things of sense and your ears to all the noises of the world, in order to enter into yourself. Then in the sanctity of your baptized soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him:”
Oh Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul,…I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do…give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will.
“If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the gates of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.”
– words of Joseph Cardinal Mercier
Ouch.
Juan McLame has basically been a Democrat for quite some time. And being a pro-life candidate encompasses a lot more than promising to appoint judges like Roberts & Alito. (By the way, didn’t he vote to confirm Justice Ginsberg??) Consider this sign, too: he was endorsed by The New York Times. Enough said.