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The Reign of Mary, Issue No. 116, Winter 2004

The Miracle of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”
By the Very Rev. Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI
The word “miracle” should not be used lightly, but it could arguably be used to describe the movie of Christ’s Passion that was released this past Ash Wednesday....

Baptism of Desire and of Blood
From the teachings of the Popes, the Council of Trent, the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the Roman Martyrology, the Fathers, Doctors and Theologians of the Church
Of late, His Excellency has been clarifying Church teaching on the necessity of Baptism. As we can see from the following quotes, it is necessary for salvation to belong to the Catholic Church — at least by desire. It must also be remembered that without faith and supernatural charity, salvation is impossible, whether one has received the Sacrament of Baptism or not. To the adult who seeks to know and do the Will of God, sufficient grace is given to do what is necessary for salvation.

Musings on Fear
By Sr. Mary Dominica, CMRI
...what I wish to address is the disturbing fixation of of many good souls with the unmitigated evils of our day, and the vocation they feel to make sure that everyone with whom they are acquainted is well aware of all these frightening facts. I would like to help steer people away from “informed despair,” as a Catholic priest has recently put it. Many of these poor people do live in a state of obsession with the fears that they have aroused in themselves....

Thinking It Over (Do You Have a Vocation to be a Religious Sisters?)
From time to time it is good to consider the great need there is today for vocations to the religious life. The following article is directed particularly to young women who may be called to the Sisterhood....

What is the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers
Excerpts from a Talk Given by Sr. Maria Avila, CMRI, to the newly-formed chapter at St. Michael’s Parish
The result of a spontaneous movement in 19th century France among Catholic mothers seeking spiritual aid, the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers has much to offer Catholic women today, who likewise are struggling to raise their children in a society where family life is under constant attack. Through prayer and discussion, and adherence to sound Catholic principles, it helps mothers immensely in their task of raising children.

Short Catechism of Church History
From the Book by Right Rev. Mgr. J. H. Oechtering, V.G.
...The Crusades were sacred wars, undertaken by the chivalry of Christian nations for the deliverance of the Holy Land and the Sepulchre of Our Lord from Mohammedan oppression....

Mass for the Feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort (April 28)
Because St. Louis was not canonized until 1947, and because his feast was not extended to the universal Church, most do not have a copy of the Mass for his feast. C.M.R.I. observes this feast with solemnity, venerating this saint as a special patron for its members.

Magnificat
From the Lectures of Father Messias D. Coelho
Magnificat is the word that Our Lady spoke when she spread for the first time the Gospel of The Incarnation. As we are going to spread her message, this is the best word for us....

Christ, the Ultimate Sacrificial Victim
by Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
In today’s Epistle to the Hebrews, St. Paul refers to Jesus as the High Priest “of the good things to come” — meaning that although there were various priests and high preists in the Old Testament, Our Lord fulfilled all of the prophecies and all of the types that went before. He was THE High Priest, and He sacrificed His own life for the redemption of the world.

Meditation and Mental Prayer
For our Confraternity Members
Some souls may be intimidated at the thought of practicing mental prayer, and consider it too difficult, too lofty, or perhaps even too boring. After all, they say, not everyone is capable of deep reflection for long periods of time — and for some, ten minutes may seem quite a long time.

Moral Theology Questions: Can Mass Be Offered Without Wine?
From The Casuist: A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology
Would the Mass said with one species, i.e., with bread alone, or with wine along, be a true sacrifice or a real Mass? Might a priest retain the stipend, if he said Mass only with one species?

The Mass and the Passion
As Catholics we know that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the unbloody renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross. What we may not realize is that the various items, rituals and prayers used in offering the Mass are symbols of the Passion or correspond with various aspects of Christ’ suffering and death...

Other titles:
Newsnotes:
The New Mass is Being Changed (Again)
More Church Closings for Boston
The De-population of Europe
Ecumenism in Fatima
Rome Appoints First Female Theologians
and more...