Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Religious Congregations

Congregation of Holy Cross

The Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce (C.S.C.) is a Roman Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France.
Father Moreau also founded the Marianites of Holy Cross, now divided into three independent congregations of sisters. The Congregations of women who trace their origins to Father Moreau are the Marianites of Holy Cross (Le Mans, France), the Sisters of the Holy Cross, (Notre Dame, Indiana), and the Sisters of Holy Cross, (Montreal, Canada).

Congregation of Saint Basil

The Basilian Fathers, also known as The Congregation of Saint Basil, is an international order of Catholic priests and students studying for the priesthood, who focus on education and ministering through oratories.
The patron saint is Saint Basil the Great.
After the closing of Catholic seminaries in France in 1822, a clandestine school was established by two priests in the central part of the country. After the relevant French laws were relaxed the same year, the congregation was founded by a group of ten priests in order to ensure the continuation of the school, then operating in Annonay. The members of the new order devoted themselves to Christian education, preaching, evangelisation, and embraced the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Eventually, changes in French law led to the closing of the congregation's schools in France; however, it was by then well established in Canada and the United States.
Its history in Canada began in Toronto, which has become one of the congregation's largest centres. The city is home to the University of St. Michael's College (USMC) at the University of Toronto, and St. Michael's College School, as well as two Basilian parishes: St. Basil and Holy Rosary. The Cardinal Flahiff Centre, a Basilian retirement home, is on the USMC campus. The order also founded Assumption College, now Assumption University, federated with the University of Windsor, St. Thomas More College, federated with the University of Saskatchewan, and St. Joseph's College, affliliated with the University of Alberta.
It has also established parishes and schools in Colombia and Mexico, and is affiliated with a health care centre in Colombia.
In the United States, the Basilian Fathers founded and operate St. Thomas High School and the University of St. Thomas both of which are in Houston, Texas. The Basilians also opened and run the Michigan Catholic high school, Detroit Catholic Central High School, and Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana.

Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross

Daughters of the Cross is a religious congregation of the Catholic Church founded in Liège in 1833. The foundress, Mère Marie Therese (Jeanne Haze), sent her Sisters over to England in 1863. Its formal title is The Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross of Liège.
Daughters of the Cross is constituted as a registered charity in the United Kingdom. In 2006–7 it had a gross income of £56,197,000, making it one of the 100 largest charities in the UK.

Congregation of the Mission

Congregation of the Mission (Congregatio Missionis; abbreviated as "C.M.") in the Roman Catholic Church. They are a vowed order of priests and brothers associated with the Vincentian Family, a loose federation of organizations who claim St. Vincent de Paul as their founder or Patron.
The Congregation has its origin in the successful mission to the common people conducted by Saint Vincent de Paul and five other priests on the estates of the Gondi family.[1] More immediately it dates from 1624, when the little community acquired a permanent settlement in the Collège des Bons Enfants in Paris. Archiepiscopal recognition was obtained in 1626. By a papal bull — on January 12, 1633 — the society was constituted a congregation, with St Vincent de Paul as its head. About the same time the canons regular of St Victor handed over to the congregation the priory of St Lazarus (formerly a lazar-house) in Paris, whence the name of Lazarites or Lazarists.
Within a few years they had acquired another house in Paris and set up other establishments throughout France; missions were also sent to Italy (1638), Tunis (1643), Algiers and Ireland (1646), Madagascar (1648), Poland (1651) and Turkey (1783). A fresh bull of Alexander VII in April 1655 further confirmed the society; this was followed by a brief in September of the same year, regulating its constitution. The rules then adopted, which were framed on the model of those of the Jesuits, were published at Paris in 1668 under the title Regulae seu constitutiones communes congregationis missionis. The special objects contemplated were the religious instruction of the lower classes, the training of the clergy and foreign missions.
On the eve of the French Revolution St Lazare was plundered by the mob, the congregation later suppressed; it was restored by Napoleon in 1804 at the desire of Pius VII, abolished by him in 1809 in consequence of a quarrel with the pope, and again restored in 1816. The Lazarists were expelled from Italy in 1871 and from Germany in 1873.
The Lazarite province of Poland was singularly prosperous; at the date of its suppression in 1796 it possessed thirty-five establishments. The order was permitted to return in 1816, where it is very active. In Madagascar it had a mission from 1648 till 1674. In 1783 Lazaristes were appointed to take the place of the Jesuits in the Levantine and Chinese missions; they still have some footing in China, and in 1874 their establishments throughout the Ottoman Empire numbered sixteen. In addition, they established branches in Persia, Abyssinia, Mexico, the South American republics, Portugal, Spain and Russia, some of which have been suppressed. In the same year they had fourteen establishments in the United States of America.
In the early twenty-first century the Lazarites numbered some 4000 worldwide, with a presence in 86 different countries. Father G. Gregory Gay III, C.M., of Baltimore, is the incumbent worldwide superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, elected during the community's general assembly (June 5 - 29, 2004) in Rome.

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer


The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Latin: Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris – C.Ss.R or CSSR) is a Roman Catholic missionary Congregation founded in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori at Scala, near Amalfi, Italy for the purpose of labouring among the neglected country people in the neighbourhood of Naples.
Members of the order are known as Redemptorists. Priests and brothers work in more than 77 countries around the world.

The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri


The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri is a congregation of Catholic priests and lay-brothers who live together in a community bound together by no formal vows but only with the bond of charity. They are commonly referred to as Oratorians.
The Congregation was founded by St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) in the city of Rome. Today it has spread around the world, with over 70 Oratories and some 500 priests.[1]
The post-nominal initials commonly used to identify members of the order are "C.O.". The abbreviation "Cong. Orat." is also used.

The Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Congregation of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (C.R.) is an international Institute of Consecrated Life of men within the Roman Catholic Church, founded in 1836 by three men, Bogdan Janski, Peter Semenenko and Jerome Kajsiewicz in Paris on the heels of the Polish Great Emigration. Internationally they are divided into three Provinces and one Region, ministering in more than twelve countries worldwide. As consecrated religious they profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
“By our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves totally to the Risen Christ in the religious life. This dedication entails an act of faith whereby we respond to God’s call to give ourselves completely with all our talents, abilities, and powers to him, to the church, and to the Congregation” (Constitutions of the Congregation of the Resurrection, article 13).
Their life as consecrated religious within the Congregation of the Resurrection is fulfilled as a Priest, Brother or Permanent Deacon.The Congregation declared its intention to follow the advice of Pope Pius IX: "Organize yourselves in a way that will do the most good for the Church".The Community works and has its missions in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Bolivia, Australia, Bermuda, Mexico, Ukraine, White Russia, Slovakia, and Israel.One of the principal aims of the Congragation is providing and improving religious education


The Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence


The Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence (Latin: Congregatio Divinae Providentiae) is a Catholic religious order that was founded in 1851 in Germany by Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler, Bishop of Mainz, and Stephanie Amelia Starkenfels de la Roche, a French noblewoman.
The Congregation has three provinces: Germany, America-Caribbean, Korea and Peru, which is not a province, but a region. It is an international community of 750 vowed members and 300 associates.






Sunday, August 24, 2008

Pregnancy Tips


PREGNANCY

Pregnancy can be a stressful time. Your body is going through major changes you’re supporting a tiny growing baby inside you and you’re thwarted by all sorts of pregnancy side-effects, like morning sickness and aching legs. If you’re trying to cope with working, looking after the rest of your family and keeping up with your usual routine, it can all get too much at times.

But it’s important to take time out for yourself and relax and both you and your baby will benefit. Research shows that if you’re regularly stressed, anxious and tense during your pregnancy, you’ve got a greater chance of having a baby that also suffers from stress and anxiety. So if you need some inspiration as to how to relax, here are some helpful tips!

  1. Put your feet up. Aching legs and ankles are a common problem in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, so give yourself regular breaks and take the pressure of your feet. Sit in a comfy chair with your feet on a footstool or propped up on cushions, lie on the sofa or lie on your bed – whatever is comfortable for you. If your ankles are swelling, stack several cushions together to raise your feet up higher, as this helps reduce swelling.

  2. Listen to calming music. Take time out from the madness of life and whisk yourself away to a calmer place, with the help of some relaxing music. Choose one of your favourites or treat yourself to a special pregnancy relaxation CD. Sit back, close your eyes and let the music wash over and relax you.
  3. Have a massage. Massage is great for easing tension and relaxing the muscles. Rope your partner in to give you a massage or book a treatment with a specialist (many places offer special treatments for pregnant women).

  4. Try a reflexology treatment. Reflexology is a natural therapy that believes your feet are in a sense a ‘map of your body.’ A reflexologist will clear blockages and ease ailments by putting a small amount of pressure on your feet – it’s a bit like a foot massage. It can be very relaxing, can relieve tension and help any pregnancy ailments you’re suffering from.

  5. Have a go at antenatal yoga. Yoga designed for pregnancy can help tone up your body, but most classes also teach special relaxation tips too. These can help relieve any stress you’re experiencing during pregnancy, as well as ease worry about the birth itself. Ask you midwife for antenatal yoga class recommendations.

  6. Try meditation or visualisation. Relaxing your mind is just as important as relaxing your body, but it can be hard to do. Meditation or visualisation could help and there are lots of CDs and classes available that teach it especially with pregnancy in mind.

  7. Have a laugh. Laughter is a great form of natural – and free – therapy. Meet up with your friends, or watch your favourite comedy or film and have a good laugh. Your baby will pick up on the feel-good factor too.

  8. Get some fresh air and sunshine. It’s good to get fresh air and sunshine when you can and can be a good pick-me-up if you’ve been inside all day. Have a stroll around your neighbourhood, walk to the park or even walk around the shops, breathe in the fresh air and relax.

  9. Enjoy a night out with your partner. Spend some time unwinding and relaxing together – especially if it’s your first baby, as life will change when it arrives. Have a lovely meal, go to the theatre or indulge in your favourite pastime.

  10. Enjoy water. Water is another form of natural healer. Swimming is ideal during pregnancy, as the water is supportive, and it’s not too exhausting. If you fancy a class, most places offer antenatal swimming sessions, but if a swimming pool isn’t your cup of tea, enjoy a nice long soak in the bath instead.

And finally, enjoy the course of your pregnancy. The nine months will fly by and a new baby will soon be part of your life.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Morning Sickness And Natural Morning Sickness Cures FAQ


If you are reading this, most probably you are pregnant! Hey... congratulations! By now, you would have already known that your pregnancy is causing your body to go through a lot of changes.

I have listed here the most Frequently Asked Questions on morning sickness and its naturalcures and remedies. I recommend natural remedies and the answers to these questions should give you an idea of what you are going through and how best to deal with it.

Q: What is morning sickness?

A: Morning Sickness is the common term used to describe the nausea that comes during the first trimester (three months) of pregnancy. It is known medically as "Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy" (NVP), and it happens at any time of the day. Although it occurs most commonly in the morning, for many pregnant women it can happen all day.

Q: Why do some women get morning sickness while others don't?

A: Studies have shown that the sickness affects 50-80% of pregnant women. And, there is no fool-proof explanation for the minority of women to be seemingly immune to this malady. Rest assured, we can say that it is perfectly normal to suffer from morning sickness, and likewise, if you never to experience it at all.

Note that some people theorize that having morning sickness increase the likelihood of a healthy baby and childbirth, however, studies on the matter have been inconclusive. There is no proof that a woman's morning sickness (or the apparent lack of it) will have any bearing on her child's well-being.


Q: Is there any way to completely rid myself of morning sickness?

A: There is probably no way for you to eliminate it entirely. The doctor may prescribe drugs to stop the symptoms but not entirely. I fully recommend and suggest natural remedies which you can check out.

Q: Can prescribed drugs harm the baby? I don't feel comfortable on heavy medication. Are natural cures be an alternative and reliable relief?

A: Yes. In fact, statistics show that the majority of pregnant women use natural remedies to relieve symptoms.

Q: How do I use natural morning sickness cures?

A: Natural remedies can be used one at a time or as a mix which you can find which works best for you. Unlike medication, you cannot take different medications all at one time.

These may be just a few of the questions on your mind, but these answers should cover your most general queries. Now would be the best time to look for natural morning sickness cures before you once again fall victim to its symptoms.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Bad Morning Sickness?



Morning sickness symptoms tend to begin before the sixth week of pregnancy and typically disappears by the fourteenth week, morning sickness is a misunderstood nausea which can affect up to seventy per cent of pregnant women. The symptoms of morning sickness are not serious but can be unpleasant, typical symptoms are vomiting, nausea, light-headedness, tiredness, fatigue, dizziness and weakness. The symptoms of morning sickness may be triggered off in some women by certain foods and odours, especially odours from food.


Women suffering from morning sickness should drink plenty of fluids, sipping water or sugary drinks can help, ginger tea or ginger beer is excellent at reducing nausea. In fact ginger has good anti-emetic properties; some women find that taking ginger tablets or chewing crystallized ginger to be most beneficial. Eating small amounts of food often will help with morning sickness but try to drink fluids and eat food at separate times.


If you are planning on getting pregnant it may be wise to cut down on saturated fats in your diet, studies have shown that women who consumed high amounts of saturated fats from mainly meat and dairy products in the year before they got pregnant suffered more severely from morning sickness than those who had consume smaller amounts of saturated fats. The main vitamin that nutritional therapists recommend taking for morning sickness is vitamin B6. Some women suffering from morning sickness have also found that acupuncture to be most beneficial at relieving the symptoms.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Morning Sickness.

Ginger

Vitamin B6

Vitamin C

Vitamin K

If you Want Post Some Tips For this illness