tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post3061857242268841342..comments2023-12-16T16:17:43.886+00:00Comments on Fr Ray Blake's Blog: President of Columbia Attributes Avoidance of War to Intercession of Virgin MaryFr Ray Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-23323684922747729562008-03-30T02:41:00.000+01:002008-03-30T02:41:00.000+01:00Felices Pascuas from Medellín, Colombia! (but plea...Felices Pascuas from Medellín, Colombia! (but please note that it is Colombia not Columbia).<BR/><BR/>President Uribe is a Paisa, a person who comes from Antioquia, a part of the country where Catholicism in general, and Marian devotion in particular, is still fairly strong. One of the characteristics of Paisa speech is the use of "¡Eh, Ave María!" as an exclamation of surprise or admiration.<BR/><BR/>Our Lady's name is on Paisas' lips because she is in their hearts, and it is natural for them to seek her aid in all emergencies. Despite all the troubles that there are here, I find it a joy and a privilege to serve such people as their priest.<BR/><BR/>With reference to your post about so-called "ex-Catholics", perhaps other culprits who should be added to your list are those who promote an excessively cerebral or an excessively individualistic approach to the Faith, and who have belittled the importance of communal popular piety.<BR/><BR/>The Congregation for Divine Worship's 2001 Directory has some important things to say about this. Through popular piety the Faith can permeate every aspect of life, and sanctify every hour of the day.<BR/><BR/>In his 'Catholic Revival in the Age of the Baroque' Marc Forster says, "What eighteenth-century Catholics wanted was not so much a self-reflective religion as one that allowed them a personal relationship with God, Christ, and Mary. More than receiving preaching and catechism, the people needed to bear witness, something they did within the sacramental and ritual framework of the Church."<BR/><BR/>I think that this applies to many 21st century Catholics, too - and not only to those in countries like Colombia.Wanderwidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04926176231175948896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-46303938364142108822008-03-29T12:23:00.000+00:002008-03-29T12:23:00.000+00:00The Blessed Virgin shows herself to be a true moth...The Blessed Virgin shows herself to be a true mother to those that have confidence in her!Aduliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00534730218402742905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-58482430401302767682008-03-29T08:46:00.000+00:002008-03-29T08:46:00.000+00:00What a wonderful example for politicians. The pres...What a wonderful example for politicians. The president of Columbia was most 'Christ-like' in the manner he conducted himself at a recent Latin-American conference, where the threat of conflict was diffused.<BR/><BR/><BR/>A religious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com