[What are these? Moderator]

-- Edit (Edit@edit.edit), February 22, 2002

Answers They are not "twin hearts", as you call them. The heart circled with a crown of thorns represents the Sacred Heart...that of Christ. The heart pierced by a sword represents the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Are they equal? Yes and no.

We take somber reflection in recalling the sufferings of Christ, as His death redeems us, who choose to follow Him. And we remember that Mary was given the grace of God to bear His Son, and was without sin...therefore immaculate. When she saw her son crucified, her heart was pierced, and we suffer with her, in the loss of Immanuel...God with us.

We Catholics join the two hearts because of the sacrifice made by both. Do we elivate Mary before Jesus? Never. We simply worship God in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and praise Mary for making it all possible. Without her consent to God's plan, none of us would be here debating each other.

Now, Joel...are you here to learn or spark dissention?

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), February 23, 2002.

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Melissa It is my good furtune to be a Catholic as it is the faith of my parents Godparents and all the way through my family to the beginning. It is acceptance of my faith in the beginning and alowing GOD to grow within me that gives me thestrength to know him through prayer and the good people I surround myself with. Your description of the twin hearts is probably the best and most simplistic that I have read and exactly my feelings too. The sacred hearts of mary and Jesus are the sign of the closeness that they had and the pains that they both endured to bring our faith to what it is today. If only the rest of the world could understand the peace we as Catholics have shared for 2,000 years. THANKS BE TO GOD.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes .net), February 23, 2002.

-- Moderator (Catholic_moderator@hotmail.com), February 23, 2002

Answers

top.

-- Moderator ("Catholic_moderator@hotmail.com"), February 23, 2002.

Thank you, Fred, for your words of appreciation. I am truly thankful to express my faith in a coherent fashion. Often I feel I don't succeed, so for one (at least) to follow my stream of dialogue, I am thrilled.

-- Melissa Wilson (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), February 24, 2002.

Has anyone read the poem - Tne Blood Tear -? This speaks of the birth of Christ and Mary holding Him and from the corner of her eye is tear of blood depicting her awareness of His purpose here on earth.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), February 28, 2002.

Melissa

It is the rosary that helps me have the strength to Worship God through Mary's sacrifice of giving us her son to guide us toward our faith in him. Her personal sacrifice was indded for less than Jesus' own sacrifice indded. But her motherhood as Mother Of GOD has helped me in many trials to show me how to LOVE her son. It is not always easy to put into words what I am trying to say without offending anyone, but without Mary's strength to help me I would have been lost many times without help. A late friend of mine found that out while on a battlefield in Normandy. He needed more than just a Bible, he needed strength too. He later became a convert to Catholism and the Rosary was his strength for the remainder of his days and he never missed a Mass either. He showed me what Catholic pride was like in a very humble manner. I have often thought of him in my prayers and I know his humble soul is now at peace. THANKS BE TO GOD.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), February 28, 2002.