Our Lady of the Valley Roman and St Raphael Catholic Community

09/06/2026

Every year, millions of devout Catholics undertake a journey of faith to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, making it the largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
On December 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the crowds swell dramatically. In peak years, estimates reach over 10 million pilgrims in a single day — one of the largest annual religious gatherings on the planet.
From remote villages in Latin America to cities across the United States, Europe, Asia, and beyond, believers travel by foot, bus, bicycle, and even on their knees to honor the Virgin Mary.
In 1531, the Blessed Virgin appeared to the humble indigenous saint, St. Juan Diego, on Tepeyac Hill. She left her miraculous image imprinted on his tilma — a simple cactus-fiber cloak that scientists still cannot fully explain. The image has survived centuries, including a 1921 bomb attack that left it untouched. Today, this sacred relic continues to draw hearts from every nation, culture, and language.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas but a universal Mother who said, “Am I not here, who am your Mother?” Her message of compassion, dignity, and hope resonates powerfully in our modern world.
Whether you visit in person or through prayer, millions find strength, healing, and renewed faith at her shrine. 🙏
Have you ever made a pilgrimage to Guadalupe, or felt her maternal intercession in your life? Share your story or favorite devotion in the comments!

09/06/2026

God is present. Go to Him. ❤️

08/25/2026

Love it!

08/23/2026

What if a warning that sounded almost impossible 75 years ago suddenly started feeling much harder to ignore? ⤵️

In 1949, China did not look like the threat to the Philippines that it does today. The United States still had a major military presence in the country, so the idea that China could one day become a powerful rival in Philippine waters would have been hard for many people to imagine.

But on October 17, 1949, Teresita Castillo, the visionary connected to the reported Lipa apparitions, said she received a secret message from Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace:

“Pray hard for China’s dream to invade the whole world. The Philippines is one of its favorites. Money is the evil force that will lead the people of the world to destruction.”

Those words came only weeks after the People’s Republic of China was founded. But the message did not only warn about danger. It also called people to prayer, sacrifice, self-denial, and the daily Rosary.

For decades, the warning remained little known. But China grew into one of the most powerful nations in the world, and tensions with the Philippines eventually rose over disputed waters.

In 2012, the two countries faced a major standoff at Scarborough Shoal. As tensions grew, Cardinal Ricardo Vidal brought attention back to the reported Lipa message in 2014.

What he said was striking.

He warned that the Philippines could never match China’s military strength or economic power. But instead of telling Filipinos to panic, he pointed them back to prayer.

He wrote:
“The first and only line of defense the Philippines has is the mantle of protection provided by the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

So he called Catholics to pray, make sacrifices, and return to the Rosary.

And today, those words feel harder to dismiss. Chinese Coast Guard ships have continued confronting Philippine vessels in disputed waters, including the use of water cannons near Scarborough Shoal as recently as July 2026.

There is one important point Catholics should know. The Church does not require anyone to believe the reported Lipa apparitions. In 1951, the Holy Office judged that the reported events showed no sign of supernatural origin, and that decision was later reaffirmed by the Vatican.

So this reported warning is not Catholic doctrine. But the response it calls for is deeply Catholic.

👉 Pray. Make sacrifices. Turn away from sin. Pray the Rosary for peace.

Because when a nation faces something it cannot control on its own, Catholics do not put their hope only in power, money, or politics.

We turn to God.

And maybe the real question this old warning leaves us with is not simply what China may do next. It is whether we are praying before the next crisis comes.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for the Philippines and pray for peace. 🙏

💬 Be honest, when you see what is happening in the world right now, do you feel more drawn to pray or more tempted to worry?

08/22/2026

Today the Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In ancient Israel, the queen was not the king’s wife, but his mother. As the Mother of Jesus, the King of Kings, Mary is honored as Queen of Heaven, interceding for us and pointing us always toward her Son.

08/20/2026

Through HIM, and with HIM, and in HIM,
O GOD, almighty FATHER,
in the unity of the HOLY SPIRIT,
all glory and honor is YOURS,
for ever and ever. AMEN

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

The Diocese of Phoenix mourns the passing of Gerald “Jerry” Francis Dolan, father of Bishop John Dolan. We offer our prayers and deepest condolences to Bishop Dolan and his entire family. Jerry entered into eternal life peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 96 in Menifee, Calif.

Born December 2, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the youngest child of John Patrick Dolan and Ella Alberta Dolan, Jerry outlived all eight of his siblings. On June 12, 1950, Jerry married Catherine Irma Dolan at Saint Patrick’s Parish in Cedar Rapids, sharing over 76 years of Holy Matrimony.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, he spent his career in the electrical field and went on to work for General Atomics in Torrey Pines, Calif., where he served as a plant manager for much of his career. In retirement, he generously offered his knowledge and skills to help churches with their electrical needs. After living for a number of years in a senior residential community in San Diego, Jerry and Catherine recently moved to a senior community in Menifee to be close to their daughter, Christine.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Catherine; his children, Cecilia, Steven, Matthew, Bishop John, and Christine; his grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his children, Therese, Sean, Thomas, and Mary.

Throughout his life, Jerry was faithful to God, devoted to his wife, and dedicated to his family. He will be remembered with gratitude and love for the life he shared with them and for the quiet and generous ways he served others.

The family will celebrate his funeral privately, and he will be laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Gerald “Jerry” Francis Dolan
December 2, 1929 – August 9, 2026

08/10/2026

The Youth Group kicks off this coming year as of August 31st. Now is the time to register ⏰

07/27/2026

When the priest lifts the Sacred Host after the Consecration, you are witnessing one of the holiest moments of the Mass.

What appears to be bread is no longer bread.

Jesus Christ is truly present before you: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

This is not merely a symbol or reminder. It is the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and now gives Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist.

So do not let that sacred moment pass without speaking to Him.

Here are five short prayers you can say silently when the Sacred Host is elevated:

1. “JESUS, I ADORE YOU, I LOVE YOU, AND I THANK YOU.”

At the Elevation, pause and adore Him. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice, His mercy, and the gift of His true presence in the Eucharist. He has not left us alone. He remains with His Church in the Blessed Sacrament.

2. “MY LORD AND MY GOD.”

These are the words Saint Thomas the Apostle spoke when he encountered the risen Christ:

“My Lord and my God!”
— John 20:28

This simple prayer is a powerful act of faith in the Real Presence of Jesus.

3. “JESUS, I BELIEVE. HELP MY UNBELIEF.”

This prayer comes from the cry of a father who begged Jesus to strengthen his weak faith:

“I do believe, help my unbelief!”
— Mark 9:24

You may believe, yet still struggle with doubt, distraction, or spiritual dryness. Bring that weakness to Jesus. He can strengthen the faith you already have.

4. “LORD JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER.”

This humble prayer echoes the tax collector who prayed:

“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
— Luke 18:13

Before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, ask Him to cleanse your heart and give you true sorrow for your sins.

5. “JESUS, I GIVE YOU MY HEART, MY FAMILY, AND MY WHOLE LIFE.”

Place everything into His hands. Give Him your joys, fears, work, health, marriage, children, struggles, and future.

There is no better moment to surrender your life than when Jesus is lifted before you upon the altar.

The Elevation is not simply something to watch. It is an invitation to adore.

When the priest lifts the Sacred Host, do not just look. Pray.

Even a few sincere words spoken silently can become a beautiful act of faith, love, repentance, and worship before Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist.