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"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven."
--Saint Pope Pius X |
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OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7TH
HAIL MARY,
FULL OF GRACE,
THE LORD IS WITH THEE,
BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN,
AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS,
HOLY MARY,
MOTHER OF GOD,
PRAY FOR US SINNERS
NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
AMEN!
SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON THE ROSARY:
THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY
Our Lady of the Rosary
Nuestra Seρora del Santisimo Rosario by Damiαn Domingo
Our Lady of Victory, Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
Venerated in
Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine
Our Lady of Victory Basilica,
Basilica of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Paris
Feast
October 7
Attributes
Blessed Virgin Mary, Infant Jesus, crown, rosary
Patronage
Rosary, Roman Catholic Diocese of Malaga, Toledo, Rosario, Santa Fe,
Melilla, Trujillo, Cαceres, Colombia, Manizales, Puyo, Pastaza, North
Carolina, Bohol, Guatemala, Surigao del Norte, Manila, Quezon City, West
Virginia, Seseρa, Ontνgola, Olνas del Rey, Montearagσn, Toledo, Lagartera,
Huerta de Valdecarαbanos, Brenes
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is a
title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the Rosary. The Feast of Our
Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the decisive victory
of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating
an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes known as the
Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
According to Dominican tradition, in 1214, St. Dominic was in Prouille,
France attempting to convert the Albigensians back to the Catholic faith.
The young priest had little success until one day he received a vision of
the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics.[1]
The development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of
St. Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher, Alanus de Rupe.[2]
On December 3, 1836, Fr. Charles Elιonor des Genettes had an interior
locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3]
On October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima told the shepherd children, "I am
the Lady of the Rosary".[4]
In 1987, during the civil war with the anti-clerical Sandinista government
in Nicaragua, sacristan Bernardo Martinez reported seeing an apparition of
Our Lady who urged him to pray the rosary and work for peace. One of the
appearances was in the parish church of Our Lady of Victories near Cuapa.
HOW TO SAY THE
ROSARY
THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE
ROSARY!
SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST
15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD
WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY.
THE POWER AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM PRAYING THE ROSARY
THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE ROSARY
These promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed
Alan.
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall
receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who
shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice,
decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls
the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love
of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal
things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary,
shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the
consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by
misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by
an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and
become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without
the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life
and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the
moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in
paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory
in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their
necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary
shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and
at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus
Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
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"At the evening of life, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God
desires to be loved and abandon your own ways of acting." Saint John of the
Cross |
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MASS READINGS FOR TODAY
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I
Wis 7:7-11
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R. (14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your
kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Let your work be seen by your
servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Reading II
Heb 4:12-13
Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Mt 5:3
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
OR:
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
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How God views the abortions of mankind according to Saint Faustina
Poland was
killing thousands of unborn babies by abortion in the 1930's in Warsaw
"She wrote in her diary that Jesus Himself said that He was about to destroy one of the most beautiful cities of our country like Sodom was destroyed on account of the crimes perpetrated there. Having read about these things in the Diary I asked her what does the prophecy mean? She answered confirming what she wrote and replying to a further question of mine, on account of what kind of sins God was going to inflict these punishments. She answered: especially for the killing of infants not yet born, the most grievous crime of all." The Most Grievous Crime of AllThis crime against unborn children and women was already growing, seeping in from the Soviet Union, which in 1920 became the first country in the world to legalize abortion. Available upon request and often for no cost, by the mid-1920s, hospitals there were so severely congested by abortion procedures that special clinics had to be opened to free up beds, and many doctors began to become concerned. Abortion was banned in Poland without exceptions until 1932. In that year, restrictions were loosened, and the new Penal Code legalized abortion when there were medical reasons and, for the first time in Europe when the pregnancy resulted from a criminal act. Warsaw, the cosmopolitan capital of Poland, now comes to be known as the place to go if one needs an abortion. It is reported that as much as one out of every three pregnancies was terminated there between the two world wars. Toward the end of 1937, less than 12 months before her death, St. Faustina again mentions Gods anger with her country, recording in Diary entry 1533: I saw the anger of God hanging heavy over Poland. And now I see that if God were to visit our country with the greatest chastisements, that would still be great mercy because, for such grave transgressions, He could punish us with eternal annihilation. I was paralyzed with fear when the Lord lifted the veil a little for me. Now I see clearly that chosen souls keep the world in existence to fulfill the measure of justice.
SEE:
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SAINT FOR TODAY OR FEAST DAY
October 13
How the miracle of the sun in
Fαtima helped to end an atheist regime
Crowds looking at the Miracle of the Sun, occurring during the Our Lady of
Fatima apparitions in October 13 1917.
Catholic News Agency
Oct. 13, 1917, marked the last Marian apparition in Fαtima and the day on which
thousands of people bore witness to the miracle of the dancing sun a miracle
that shattered the prevalent belief at the time that God was no longer relevant.
Dr. Marco Daniel Duarte, a theologian and director of the Fαtima Shrine museums,
shared with CNA the impact that the miracle of the sun made during those days in
Portugal.
If one were to open philosophy books during that period, he or she would likely
read something akin to the concept conceived by German philosopher Friedrich
Nietzsche, who boldly asserted in the late 1800s that God is dead.
Also, in 1917 Portugal, the majority of the world was embroiled in war. As World
War I raged throughout Europe, Portugal found itself unable to maintain its
initial neutrality and joined forces with the Allies. More than 220,000
Portuguese civilians died during the war, thousands due to food shortages and
thousands more from the Spanish flu.
A few years before, a revolution had led to the establishment of the First
Portuguese Republic in 1910 and a new liberal constitution was drafted under the
influence of Freemasonry, which sought to suppress the faith from public life.
Catholic churches and schools were seized by the government, and the wearing of
clerics in public, the ringing of church bells, and the celebration of public
religious festivals were banned. Between 1911 and 1916, nearly 2,000 priests,
monks, and nuns were killed by anti-Christian groups.
This was the backdrop against which, in 1917, a lady believed to be the Virgin
Mary appeared to three shepherd children Lucia dos Santos, 10, and her cousins
Francisco and Jacinta Marto, 9 and 7 in a field in Fαtima, Portugal, bringing
with her requests for the recitation of the rosary, for sacrifices on behalf of
sinners, and a secret regarding the fate of the world.
To prove that the apparitions were true, the lady promised the children that
during the last of her six appearances, she would provide a sign so people would
believe in the apparitions and in her message. What happened on that day Oct.
13, 1917 has come to be known as the Miracle of the Sun, or the day the sun
danced.
According to various accounts, a crowd of some 70,000 people believers and
skeptics alike gathered to see the miracle that was promised: The rainy sky
cleared up, the clouds dispersed, and the ground, which had been wet and muddy
from the rain, dried up. A transparent veil came over the sun, making it easy to
look at, and multicolored lights were strewn across the landscape. The sun then
began to spin, twirling in the sky, and at one point appeared to veer toward the
earth before jumping back to its place in the sky.
The stunning event was a direct and very convincing contradiction to the
atheistic regimes at the time, which is evidenced by the fact that the first
newspaper to report on the miracle on a full front page was an anti-Catholic,
Masonic newspaper in Lisbon called O Seculo.
Even today, Fαtima makes people change their perception of God, since one of
the most important messages of the apparitions is that even if someone has
separated from God, God is present in human history and doesnt abandon
humanity.
This article was originally published on CNA on Oct. 12, 2017, and has been
updated.
Our Lady of Fatima, please ask God to give to the U.S. a Prolife President and
Vice President this year.
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The Miraculous Responsory of Saint Anthony Picture below is the Miracle of the Fish that came to listen to Saint Anthony preach. [Say your prayer request] V. If, then, thou seekest miracles, Death, error, all calamities, The leprosy and demons flee, The sick, by him made whole, arise. R. The sea withdraws and fetters break, And withered limbs he doth restore, While treasures lost are found again, When young or old his help implore. V. All dangers vanish from our path, Our direst needs do quickly flee: Let those who know repeat the theme: Let Paduans praise St. Anthony. R. The sea withdraws and fetters break, And withered limbs he doth restore, While treasures lost are found again, When young or old his help implore. V. To the Father and the Son let glory be, And Holy Ghost eternally. R. The sea withdraws and fetters break, And withered limbs he doth restore, While treasures lost are found again, When young or old his help implore. V. Pray for us, O blessed Anthony, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Let Thy Church, O God, be gladdened by the pious invocation of blessed Anthony Thy Confessor: that she may be evermore defended by Thy spiritual assistance and merit to possess everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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June 7th SACRED HEART OF JESUS Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus came into the Catholic faith through a Catholic sister known as Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690). At the age of 24, Margaret Mary entered the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in France. She began to have visions of Our Lord and on December 27, 1673, on the Feast of St. John, she began to have visions that lasted for eighteen months. Jesus told her that she was to become his instrument in spreading devotion to his Sacred Heart. While kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lord appeared to her and invited her to "rest a long time on His Divine Breast". Jesus revealed to her the marvels of the love that His Sacred Heart had for mankind. Jesus said to her: "MY DIVINE HEART IS SO FULL OF LOVE FOR MEN AND FOR YOU IN PARTICULAR THAT, NO LONGER ABLE TO CONTAIN WITHIN ITSELF THE FLAMES OF ITS BURNING CHARITY, IT MUST SPREAD THESE FLAMES BY MEANS OF YOU, AND IT MUST MANIFEST ITSELF TO MEN IN ORDER TO ENRICH THEM WITH ITS PRECIOUS TREASURES. I HAVE CHOSEN YOU TO ACHIEVE THIS GRAND CRUSADE OF LOVE." Saint Margaret Mary had frequent visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. According to Saint Margaret Mary, His Divine Heart was "more radiant than the sun and as transparent as crystal," with its adorable wound visible, and as a "furnace" of burning flames. In June, 1675: during the feast of Corpus Christi, while praying before Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Monstrance. Our Lord revealed His Heart to her and said: "HERE IS THE HEART THAT HAS SO LOVED MEN AS TO SPARE NOTHING FOR THEM, EXHAUSTING AND CONSUMING ITSELF IN ORDER TO PROVE ITS LOVE FOR THEM; AND IN RETURN I RECEIVE, FROM MOST OF THEM, ONLY INGRATITUDE." Jesus asked her to have a special feast established in honor of His Sacred Heart on the Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi. Jesus asked his followers to receive Holy Communion on that day and to make atonement for the sins of the world by an act of reparation. Jesus asked her to have an image made of His Sacred Heart and to have it promoted throughout the world with special promises to those souls who would display His image of His Sacred Heart. She consulted with her enlightened spiritual director whom God had given her. On the following Friday, June 21, Father de la Colombiere, her priest-director, and Saint Margaret Mary consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart. With great sufferings and humiliations, Father de la Colombiere and Saint Margaret Mary made every effort to spread the new devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Lord Jesus revealed to Saint Margaret Mary the following promises to those souls who would honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: "1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. "2. I will establish peace in their homes. "3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. "4. I will be their secure refuge during life and above all in death. "5. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. "6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy. "7. Tepid souls shall grow fervent. "8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. "9. I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored. "10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. "11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out. "12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment." |
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IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Feast Day: June 8th Veneration and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Veneration of the Heart of Mary is analogous to worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is, however, necessary to indicate a few differences in this analogy, the better to explain the character of Roman Catholic devotion to the Heart of Mary. Some of these differences are very marked, whereas others are barely perceptible. Devotion to the Heart of Jesus is especially directed to the "Divine Heart" as overflowing with love for humanity, presented as "despised and outraged". In the devotion to the Mary, on the other hand, the attraction is the love of this Heart for Jesus and for God. Its love for humans is not overlooked, but it is not so much in evidence nor so dominant.
A second difference is the nature of the devotion itself. In devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Roman Catholic venerates in a sense of love responding to love. In devotion to the Heart of Mary, study and imitation hold as important a place as love. Love is more the result than the object of the devotion, the object being rather to love God, and Jesus better by uniting themselves to Mary for this purpose and by imitating her virtues. It would also seem that, although in the devotion to the Heart of Mary the heart has an essential part as symbol and sensible object, it does not stand out as prominently as in the devotion to the Heart of Jesus; devotion focuses rather of the thing symbolized, of love, virtues, and sentiments, of Mary's interior life. History of devotion The history of the devotion to the Heart of Mary is connected on many points with that to the Heart of Jesus. The attention of Christians was early attracted by the love and virtues of the Heart of Mary. The Gospels recount the prophesy delivered to her at Jesus' presentation at the temple: that her heart would be pierced with a sword. This image (the pierced heart) is the most popular representation of the Immaculate Heart. The Gospels further invited attention to Mary's heart with its depictions of Mary at the foot of the cross at Jesus' crucifixion. St. Augustine said of this that Mary was not merely passive at the foot of the cross; "she cooperated through charity in the work of our redemption".
Another Scriptural passage to help in bringing out the devotion was the twice-repeated saying of Saint Luke, that Mary kept all the sayings and doings of Jesus in her heart, that there she might ponder over them and live by them. A few of Mary's sayings, also recorded in the Gospel, particularly the Magnificat (the words Mary is reported to have said to describe the experience of being pregnant with Jesus), disclose new features in Marian psychology. Some of the Church Fathers also throw light upon the psychology of Mary, for instance, Saint Ambrose, when in his commentary on The Gospel of Luke he holds Mary up as the ideal of virginity, and Saint Ephrem, when he poetically sings of the coming of the Magi and the welcome accorded them by the humble mother. Some passages from other books in the Bible are interpreted as referring to Mary, in whom they personify wisdom and her gentle charms. Such are the texts in which wisdom is presented as the mother of lofty love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope. In the New Testament Elizabeth proclaims Mary blessed because she has believed the words of the angel who announced that she would become pregnant with Jesus, although she was still a virgin; the Magnificat is an expression of her humility. In answering the woman of the people, who in order to exalt the son proclaimed the mother blessed, Jesus himself said: "Blessed rather are they that hear the word of God and keep it." The Church Fathers understood this as an invitation to seek in Mary that which had so endeared her to God and caused her to be selected as the mother of Jesus, and found in these words a new reason for praising Mary. St. Leo said that through faith and love she conceived her son spiritually, even before receiving him into her womb, and St. Augustine tells us that she was more blessed in having borne Christ in her heart than in having conceived him in the flesh. It is only in the twelfth, or towards the end of the eleventh century, that slight indications of a regular devotion are perceived in a sermon by St. Bernard (De duodecim stellis), from which an extract has been taken by the Church and used in the Offices of the Compassion and of the Seven Dolours. Stronger evidences are discernible in the pious meditations on the Ave Maria and the Salve Regina, usually attributed either to St. Anselm of Lucca (d. 1080) or St. Bernard; and also in the large book "De laudibus B. Mariae Virginis" (Douai, 1625) by Richard de Saint-Laurent. Penitentiary of Rouen in the thirteenth century. In St. Mechtilde (d. 1298) and St. Gertrude (d. 1301) the devotion had two earnest adherents. A little earlier it had been included by St. Thomas Becket in the devotion to the joys and sorrows of Mary, by Blessed Hermann (d.1245), one of the first spiritual children of Saint Dominic, in his other devotions to Mary, and somewhat later it appeared in St. Bridget's "Book of Revelations". Johannes Tauler (d. 1361) beholds in Mary the model of a mystical, just as St. Ambrose perceived in her the model of a virginal soul. St. Bernardine of Siena (d.1444) was more absorbed in the contemplation of the virginal heart, and it is from him that the Church has borrowed the lessons of the Second Nocturn for the feast of the Heart of Mary. St. Francis de Salthis heart, the model of love for God, and dedicated to it his "Theotimus". During this same period one finds occasional mention of devotional practices to the Heart of Mary, e.g. in the "Antidotarium" of Nicolas du Saussay (d.1488), in Julius II, and in the "Pharetra" of Lanspergius. In the second half of the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth, ascetic authors dwelt upon this devotion at greater length. It was, however, reserved to Saint Jean Eudes (d. 1681) to propagate the devotion, to make it public, and to have a feast celebrated in honor of the Heart of Mary, first at Autumn in 1648 and afterwards in a number of French dioceses. He established several religious societies interested in upholding and promoting the devotion, of which his large book on the Coeur Admirable (Admirable Heart), published in 1681, resembles a summary. Jean Eudes' efforts to secure the approval of an Office and feast failed at Rome, but, notwithstanding this disappointment, the devotion to the Heart of Mary progressed. In 1699 Father Pinamonti (d. 1703) published in Italian a beautiful little work on the Holy Heart of Mary, and in 1725 Pere de Gallifet combined the cause of the Heart of Mary with that of the Heart of Jesus in order to obtain Rome's approbation of the two devotions and the institution of the two feasts. In 1729 his project was defeated, and in 1765 the two causes were separated, to assure the success of the principal one. In 1799 Pius VI, then in captivity at Florence, granted the Bishop of Palermo the feast of the Most Pure Heart of Mary for some of the churches in his diocese. In 1805 Pius VII made a new concession, thanks to which the feast was soon widely observed. Such was the existing condition when a twofold movement, started in Paris, gave fresh impetus to the devotion. The two factors of this movement were first of all the revelation of the "miraculous medal" in 1830 and all the prodigies that followed, and then the establishment at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires of the Archconfraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, which spread rapidly throughout the world and was the source of numberless alleged graces. On July 21, 1855, the Congregation of Rites finally approved the Office and Mass of the Most Pure Heart of Mary without, however, imposing them upon the Universal Church. During the third apparition at Fatima, Portugal on July 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary said that "God wishes to establish in the world devotion to Her Immaculate Heart" in order to save souls from going into the fires of hell and to bring about world peace. She also asked for the consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart. On March 25, 1984, Pope John Paul ll fulfilled Our Lady's request when he made the solemn act of consecration of the world and implicitly, Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary before the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Fatima brought to Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican for the momentous occasion. Sister Lucia, (then) the only surviving visionary of Fatima confirmed that the request of Our Lady for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was accepted by Heaven and therefore, was fulfilled. Again on October 8, 2000, Pope John Paul made an act of entrustment of the world to Immaculate Heart of Mary for the new millenium. For more information see the Catholic Encylopedia for information on
the Immaculate Heart of Mary at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07168a.htm THE LITANY TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY # 1. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, after Gods own Heart, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, in union with the Heart of Jesus, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, the vessel of the Holy Spirit, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, shrine of the Trinity, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, home of the Word, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate in your creation, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, flooded with grace, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed of all hearts, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Throne of glory, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Abyss of humbleness, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Victim of love, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, nailed to the cross, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the sad, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of the sinner, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the dying, Pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of mercy, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously
hear us. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart. Conform our hearts to the heart of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Composed by Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman.]
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SEXUALLY IMMORAL WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM HEAVEN, UNLESS THEY REPENT, FROM THE BIBLE 9 Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 |
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| | SAINT JOSEPH, THE WORKER Spouse of the Blessed Virgin and Patron of the Universal Church. ST. JOSEPH was by birth of the royal family of David, but was living in humble obscurity as a carpenter when God raised him to the highest sanctity, and fitted him to be the spouse of His Virgin Mother, and foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word. Joseph, says the Holy Scripture, was a just man; he was innocent and pure, as became the husband of Mary; he was gentle and tender, as one worthy to be named the father of Jesus; he was prudent and a lover of silence, as became the master of the holy house; above all, he was faithful and obedient to divine calls. His conversation was with angels rather than with men. When he learned that Mary bore within her womb the Lord of heaven, he feared to take her as his wife; but an angel bade him fear not, and all doubts vanished. When Herod sought the life of the divine Infant, an angel told Joseph in a dream to fly with the Child and His Mother into Egypt. Joseph at once arose and obeyed. This sudden and unexpected flight must have exposed Joseph to many inconveniences and sufferings in so long a journey with a little babe and a tender virgin, the greater part of the way being through deserts and among strangers; yet he alleges no excuses; nor inquires at what time they were to return. St. Chrysostom observes that God treats thus all His servants, sending them frequent trials to clear their hearts from the rust of self-love, but intermixing seasons of consolation. "Joseph," says he, "is anxious on seeing the Virgin with child; an angel removes that fear. He rejoices at the Child's birth, but a great fear succeeds: the furious king seeks to destroy the Child, and the whole city is in an uproar to take away His life. This is followed by another joy, the adoration of the Magi; a new sorrow then arises: he is ordered to fly into a foreign unknown country, without help or acquaintance." It is the opinion of the Fathers that upon their entering Egypt, at the presence of the child Jesus, all the oracles of that superstitious country were struck dumb, and the statues of their gods trembled and in many places fell to the ground. The Fathers also attribute to this holy visit the spiritual benediction poured on that country, which made it for many ages most fruitful in Saints. After the death of King Herod, of which St. Joseph was informed in another vision, God ordered him to return with the Child and His Mother into the land of Israel, which our Saint readily obeyed. But when he arrived in Judea, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded Herod in that part of the country, and apprehensive that he might be infected with his father's vices, he feared on that account to settle there, as he would otherwise probably have done for the education of the Child; and therefore, being directed by God in another vision, he retired into the dominions of Herod Antipas, in Galilee, to his former habitation in Nazareth. St. Joseph, being a strict observer of the Mosaic law, in conformity to its direction annually repaired to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Our Saviour, now int the twelfth year of His age, accompanied His parents thither. Having performed the usual ceremonies of the feast,they were returning with many of their neighbors and acquaintance towards Galilee; and never doubting but that Jesus was with some of the company, they travelled on for a whole day's journey before they discovered that He was not with them. But when night came on and they could hear no tidings of Him among their kindred and acquaintance, they, in the deepest affliction, returned with the utmost speed to Jerusalem. After an anxious search of three days they found Him in the Temple, discoursing with the learned doctors of the law, and asking them such questions as raised the admiration of all that heard Him, and made them astonished at the ripeness of His understanding; nor were His parents less surprised on this occasion. When His Mother told Him with what grief and earnestness they had sought Him, and asked, "Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold Thy Father and I sought Thee in great affliction of mind," she received for answer, "How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But though thus staying in the Temple unknown to His parents, in all other things He was obedient to them, returning with them to Nazareth, and there living in all dutiful subjection to them. As no further mention is made of St. Joseph, he must have died before the marriage of Cana and the beginning of our divine Saviour's ministry. We cannot doubt that he had the happiness of Jesus and Mary attending at his death, praying by him, assisting and comforting him in his last moments; whence he is particularly invoked for the great grace of a happy death and the spiritual presence of Jesus in that hour. Reflection. -St. Joseph, the shadow of the Eternal Father upon earth, the protector of Jesus in His home at Nazareth, and a lover of all children for the sake of the Holy Child, should be the chosen guardian and pattern of every true Christian family. [MENTION YOUR PRAYER REQUEST][Ask Saint Joseph to end all abortions world-wide and for the end of war in Ukraine] [Mention your own prayer]
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, confirmed in grace, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, favorite of the King of Heaven, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, spouse of the ever-blessed Virgin, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, foster father to the Son of God, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, example of humility and obedience, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, patron of innocence and youth, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, exited with Christ into Egypt, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, advocate of the humble, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, model of every virtue, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, honored among men, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, in whom is the union of all Christian perfections, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Saint Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Assist us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what our unworthiness cannot obtain, may be given us by his intercession with Thee, Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O thou Saint Joseph, do assist me by thy powerful intercession, and obtain for me from thy divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee, and Jesus asleep in thy arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen! | | DIVINE MERCY "I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy." On Divine Mercy Sunday an Indulgence/Blessing of Mercy is promised by Our Lord Jesus: The Image On February 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun, bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Sister Faustina Kowalska tells us in her diary under this date: "In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening in the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red, and the other pale, In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me: 'paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.' " Some time later, Our Lord again spoke to her: "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross . . . Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him." Jesus said to Sister Faustina, "Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy." The Novena Jesus further asked that this Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave her an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
The Chaplet In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy. Sister tells us: "I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lords wounds. And I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus." Of another vision on September 13, 1935, she writes: I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike the earth ... I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment... The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on ordinary rosary beads: "First say one: 'Our Father', one 'Hail Mary' and 'I Believe (Apostles Creed)'. Then on the large beads say the following words: 'Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.' On the smaller beads you are to say the following words: 'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.' " In conclusion you are to say these words three times: 'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.' Jesus said later to Sister Faustina: "Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy."
Subsequent History One day in the same year, 1935, Sister Faustina wrote to her spiritual director: "The time will come when this work, which God so commends, [will be] as though in complete ruin, and suddenly the action of God will come upon the scene with great power which will bear witness to the truth. It will he as a new splendor for the church, though it has been dormant in it from long ago. This indeed came to pass. On the 6th of March, 1959, the Holy See, acting on information that was inaccurately presented, prohibited "the spreading of images and writings advocating devotion to the Divine Mercy in the form proposed by Sister Faustina." As a result, there followed almost twenty years of total silence. Then, on the 15th of April, 1978, the Holy See, after a thorough examination of original documents previously unavailable to it, completely reversed its decision and again permitted the devotion. The one man primarily responsible for this reversal of decision was Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, the Archbishop of Cracow. On October 16, 1978 he was elevated to the See of Peter as Pope John Paul II. On March 7, 1992, Sr. Faustina's virtues were declared heroic; on December 21, 1992, a healing through Sr. Faustina's intercession was declared a miracle; and on April 18, 1993, Pope John Paul II had the honor to declare the Venerable Servant of God Sister Faustina Blessed. Sister Faustina Kowalska was declared a Saint by Pope John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 30, 2000. (With Ecclesiastical Approval) The Humble Instrument On October 5, 1938, a young religious by the name of Sister Faustina (Helen Kowalska) died in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Poland. She came from a very poor family that had struggled hard on their little farm during the terrible years of World War I. Sister had had only three years of very simple education. Hers were the humble tasks in the convent, usually in the kitchen or the vegetable garden, or as porter. The Apostle of Divine Mercy---Saint Faustina Kowalska of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (1905 -- 1938). A novena to obtain graces through the intercession of Saint Faustina Kowalska 0 Jesus, who filled Your handmaid Saint Faustina with profound veneration for Your boundless Mercy, deign, if it be Your holy will, to grant me, through her intercession, the grace for which I fervently pray . . . My sins render me unworthy of Your Mercy, but be mindful of Saint Faustina's spirit of sacrifice and self-denial, and reward her virtue by granting the petition which, with childlike confidence, I present to You through her intercession. Saint Faustina, pray for us. "I want this image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, the depths of My Mercy will be open to all. Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment. Mankind will not enjoy peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy." ____________ Litany to the Divine Mercy from St. Faustina Kowalska's Diary Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, crown of all God?s handiwork, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Let us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. PRAY THE FOLLOWING PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF OUR PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO BE CHRISTIAN AND COMPLETELY PROLIFE: DIVINE MERCY PRAYER: You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
(Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Our Country and for the World. The fruit of abortion is nuclear war. -Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. | | PRAYING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THE UNBORN From the Book: DIARY: Divine Mercy in My Soul, the writings of Saint Maria Faustina Jesus on one occasion asked Saint Faustina to suffer for "the souls murdered in the wombs of wicked mothers." NOTEBOOK IV: Section 1276: September 16, 1937. I wanted very much to make a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament today, but God's will was otherwise. At eight o'clock I was seized with such violent pains that (31) I had to go to bed at once. I was convulsed with pain for three hours; that is, until eleven o'clock at night. No medicine had any effect on me, and whatever I swallowed I threw up. At times, the pains caused me to lose consciousness. Jesus had me realize that in this way I took part in His Agony in the Garden, and that He himself allowed these sufferings in order to offer reparation to God for the souls murdered in the wombs of wicked mothers. I have gone through these sufferings three times now. They always start at eight o'clock in the evening and last until eleven. No medicine can lessen these sufferings. When eleven o'clock comes, they cease by themselves, and I fall asleep at that moment. The following day, I feel very weak. This happened to me for the first time when I was at the sanatorium. The doctors couldn't get to the bottom of it, and no injection or medicine helped me at all (32) nor did I myself have any idea of what the sufferings were about. I told the doctor that never before in my life had I experienced such sufferings, and he declared he did not know what sort of pains they are. But now I understand the nature of these pains, because the Lord himself as made this known to me... Yet when I think that I may perhaps suffer in this way again, I tremble. But I don't know whether I'll ever again suffer in this way; I leave that to God. What it pleases God to send, I will accept with submission and love. If only I could save even one soul from murder by means of these sufferings! Section 1277: On the day after these sufferings, I can sense the condition of souls and their disposition towards God; I am pervaded with true knowledge. **************** LITANY OF DIVINE MERCY (SAY THIS PRAYER FOR UNBORN CHILDREN) Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of GOD, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of JESUS, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of JESUS for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in our justification through JESUS CHRIST, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of GOD, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, crown of all of god's handiwork, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Eternal GOD, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen. | | | | How God views the abortions of mankind according to Saint Faustina
"She wrote in her diary that Jesus Himself said that He was about to destroy one of the most beautiful cities of our country like Sodom was destroyed on account of the crimes perpetrated there. Having read about these things in the Diary I asked her what does the prophecy mean? She answered confirming what she wrote and replying to a further question of mine, on account of what kind of sins God was going to inflict these punishments. She answered: especially for the killing of infants not yet born, the most grievous crime of all." The Most Grievous Crime of AllThis crime against unborn children and women was already growing, seeping in from the Soviet Union, which in 1920 became the first country in the world to legalize abortion. Available upon request and often for no cost, by the mid-1920s, hospitals there were so severely congested by abortion procedures that special clinics had to be opened to free up beds, and many doctors began to become concerned. Abortion was banned in Poland without exceptions until 1932. In that year, restrictions were loosened, and the new Penal Code legalized abortion when there were medical reasons and, for the first time in Europe when the pregnancy resulted from a criminal act. Warsaw, the cosmopolitan capital of Poland, now comes to be known as the place to go if one needs an abortion. It is reported that as much as one out of every three pregnancies was terminated there between the two world wars. Toward the end of 1937, less than 12 months before her death, St. Faustina again mentions Gods anger with her country, recording in Diary entry 1533: I saw the anger of God hanging heavy over Poland. And now I see that if God were to visit our country with the greatest chastisements, that would still be great mercy because, for such grave transgressions, He could punish us with eternal annihilation. I was paralyzed with fear when the Lord lifted the veil a little for me. Now I see clearly that chosen souls keep the world in existence to fulfill the measure of justice.
SEE: | | FIFTH COMMANDMENT: "Thou shalt not kill." When people vote for a prochoice candidate because they want women to be to obtain abortions whenever they choose, they violate the fifth commandment and become accessories to the crime of murder. Part of obeying the Fifth Commandment means to protect innocent life. What is considered an accessory to murder? A person who aids a murder offender before or after the crime is referred to as an accessory to murder. They are never at the scene of the crime itself. How Our Lady Saved the World from a Nuclear WarArticle from National Catholic Register Joseph Pronechen Joseph Pronechen is staff writer with the National Catholic Register-October 13, 2019 Sr. Lucia of Fatima revealed that Our Lady told her if the consecration had not been made by John Paul II, there would have been a nuclear war. (photo: Alexander Antropov/Pixabay/CC0) Joseph Pronechen Blogs October 13, 2019 On Sept. 1, 1983, flying from Anchorage to Seoul, a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 with 269 people on board strayed off its planned route and flew over an island that violated Soviet air space. Quickly, a Russian fighter plane shot down. The outrageous action prompted five Western European countries including Great Britain and Germany to okay accepting United States medium-range missiles beginning in November of that year. With their military advantage rapidly shrinking, the Soviets were readying for war. Then 205 days later, On March 25, 1984, St. John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He invited all the bishops in the world to join him for this ceremony closing the Holy Year of Redemption. He did the consecration at St. Peters in Rome as he knelt before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima brought there from Fatima. Less than two months later in 1984, on May 13, the 67th anniversary of the first apparition of Fatima, catastrophe hit the Russia fleet at the Severomorsk naval base located near Finland on the Barents Sea. A fire, believed caused by a cigarette, turned catastrophic. Like a spark in a huge fireworks factory, it triggered the explosion of a huge stockpile of missiles. Of 900 anti-aircraft missiles, 580 were destroyed. Of 400 surface-to-surface missiles able to carry nuclear warheads, 320 were obliterated. Upwards of 300 military personnel died. It devastated the Soviet Unions Northern Fleet. Years later, Sr. Lucia wrote: Everyone knows perfectly well that we went through one of the most critical moments in human history, when the great, mutually hostile powers planned a nuclear war that would have destroyed the world, if not the whole world, then the greater part of it. And what would have remained? What chances of survival? And who could have dissuaded those arrogant people, surrounded by their war plans
? Who, if not God. Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon record this in Fatima Mysteries. The following year, 1985, during an apparition in her convent, Sr. Lucia would reveal that Our Lady told her if that consecration had not been made by John Paul II, there would have been a nuclear war. Because of the consecration this didnt happen. There was an undeniable link between it and the major destruction of weapons of the Soviets Northern Fleet. Sr. Lucia would later tell this to Cardinals Antony Padiyara of India and Ricardo Vidal of the Philippines when they visited her in her convent. A Preview in 1983? A year earlier, there was also a major near-miss of nuclear war between Russia and the United States. Surely Our Lady of Fatima must have had a hand in preventing this horrendous possibility in 1983 because the year before, on May 13, 1982, in Fatima, John Paul II also made that Act of Entrustment of the world but it didnt completely fulfill the requests of Our Lady because it wasnt done in union with all the bishops in the world. He intended to do it that way, but the letters informing the bishops were sent too late. They result? They were unable to join him that time. This event appeared to reflect what happened in 1942 during World War II. On Oct. 31 that year, Venerable Pius XII consecrated the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Our Lady of Fatima had requested. But the consecration wasnt done in union with all the bishops of the world either. It was a critical time in the war as the enemy was making major advances. Yet Sr. Lucia would say Our Lord showed his delight even though the consecration was incomplete and promised an end soon to the war. Shortly after, the tide turned as the Allies began to win key battles. Similarly, John Paul IIs 1982 entrustment, even without all the bishops of the world, must have had the same effect when we consider what could have happened during that 1983 event to follow. A year earlier, there was also a major near-miss of nuclear war between Russia and the United States. Surely Our Lady of Fatima must have had a hand in preventing this horrendous possibility in 1983 because the year before, on May 13, 1982, in Fatima, John Paul II also made that Act of Entrustment of the world but it didnt completely fulfill the requests of Our Lady because it wasnt done in union with all the bishops in the world. He intended to do it that way, but the letters informing the bishops were sent too late. They result? They were unable to join him that time. This event appeared to reflect what happened in 196 he was brought to New York for an award from the Association of World Citizens and in 2013 given the Dresden peace prize. But on May 19, 2017 when he died at age 77 from pneumonia in his small town, nobody knew until four months later when a foreign journalist started inquiring about him. There is one piece of the story that has rarely been mentioned. And it surely seems to reflect indirectly on what Sr. Lucia said she was told in 1985. We know the Soviets were atheists. Of course that included the military. But we have to wonder if that applied to Stanislav Petrov when we look at what he said in 2004 during an interview with Christian Science Monitor. He affirmed, I wish I could say there is no chance of [an accidental nuclear launch today]. But when we deal with space when we [play] God who knows what will be the next surprise? Our Lady of Fatima had the answer and directions. Its up to mankind to stop playing God and follow them. | | | | | NEED A PRAYER ANSWERED, NEED A MIRACLE, PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLETFrom the DIARY, DIVINE MERCY IN MY SOUL, BY Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. NOTEBOOK III, Section 1128: "May 22, 1937. The heat is so intense today that it is difficult to bear. We are all thirsting for rain, and still it does not come. For several days the sky has been overcast, but there is not rain. When I looked at (35) the plants, thirsting for the rain, I was moved with pity, and I decided to say the chaplet until the Lord would send us rain. Before supper, the sky covered over with clouds, and a heavy rain fell on the earth. I had been saying this prayer without interruption for three hours. And the Lord let me know that everything can be obtained by means of this prayer." | | | | PRAYER BEFORE THE NOVENA GREAT Saint Joseph, prostrate at thy feet with feelings of unlimited confidence we beg thee to bless the Novena that I began in thy honor. I will meditate upon thy virtues; grant that I may learn fully to appreciate them. The knowledge of them will be the source of great confusion for me because of the poverty and destitution of my soul. Great dispenser of the heavenly treasures, assist me in my poverty, help me to display thy virtues in my own soul. "Thou art never invoked in vain," says the seraphic Theresa of Jesus; be thou to me what thou hast been to that Spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; graciously hearken to me as thou didst hearken to her. Amen. (MAKE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST) PRAYERS TO BE SAID OVER THE NINE DAYS FIRST DAY SECOND DAY THIRD DAY FOURTH DAY FIFTH DAY SIXTH DAY SEVENTH DAY EIGHTH DAY NINTH DAY SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF THE LIFE OF FAITH THE words of the great Apostle: "The just man liveth by faith," may be applied particularly to Saint Joseph who was the most just of men and whose life was ever guided by faith. Joseph submitted his intelligence to the holy truths of religion. He applied his heart from his tenderest infancy to the observance of the divine precepts. p;In the trials and sorrows of life, Joseph was sustained by faith. He shaped his whole conduct by the desire to please God and he attained the great aim of man upon earth, which is to adore God, to serve Him, and hence to deserve the everlasting Truth. Let us glorify this great Servant of God who possessed faith so universal, so simple, so enlightened, so firm, so constant, and, above all, so fruitful in good works. Let us examine ourselves with regard to this great virtue and see how we resemble him. Is my faith firm, unshaken? Is my conduct animated by faith! Is the predominant thought that directs my acts to please God, and to obtain merit for everlasting life? Have I tried to derive consolation and strength from the thought of faith in time of trial? PRAYER GREAT Saint, model of the just living by faith, revive that virtue in our souls. May it be principle, the motive, the aim of all my actions; consolation and my strength in the trials of this life, the source of abundant merit for everlasting life. Amen ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF HOPE JOSEPH, abandoning himself entirely to the care of Divine Providence, glorified God by his life. Among all the virtues, hope is the most pleasing to God, because its infinite goodness. In the sufferings of this life it is the source of the greatest consolation and encouragement. Joseph hoped in the Lord. He hoped for His grace in the accomplishment of His adorable will; for His help in time of trial; for His light in the difficulties of life. By hope he detached his heart from the perishable goods and the deceitful affections of this world. In the hour of trial he sustained his courage by hope, and fortified his heart with a peace that nothing could alter. Let us imitate Saint Joseph. Let us elevate our hopes towards the only veritable and imperishable treasures. Let us trust in the wisdom and solicitude of Divine Providence. Let us rely upon the grace of the Lord; upon His goodness, and upon His power. Let us renew our confidence in the hour of trial. Let us avoid discouragement, which outrages the wisdom and goodness of God. PRAYER JOSEPH, do thou cause the gift of Christian hope to descend into my heart. May it enlighten me, console me, defend me. May it detach me from the earth so as to elevate my thoughts and my affections towards Heaven. May it henceforward inspire my whole conduct and give me the right to die like thee, saying: "Lord, I have hoped in Thee; I shall not be confounded." ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF CHARITY JOSEPH loved God from his earliest youth and loved Him during his whole life. Joseph loved God with his whole heart, with his whole soul, with his whole strength. Joseph loved God with a love of preference, giving Him his first affections, and cutting off his heart from all that could hinder or alter his love for his Lord and Sovereign Master. Joseph loved God with a love of union, keeping himself; constantly united to God by prayer, meditation, the thought of His holy presence, and the most perfect conformity to the will of God. Joseph loved God with a love of immolation which prompted him to perfect devotedness, enabling him to perform with joy the greatest and most numerous sacrifices. Joseph loved God with a love of perseverance that experienced neither decrease nor alteration. He always loved God with all his power to love, and constantly endeavored to love Him more and more. PRAYER BLESSED Saint, enkindle in my cold heart a spark of thy charity. May God be always the first and only object of my affections. Keep my soul always, in sanctifying peace, and, if I should be so unhappy as to lose it, give me the strength to recover it immediately by a sincere repentance. Grant me such a love of my God as will always keep me united to Him, and will be the principle and motive of all my actions. Grant me a generous love that will make me overcome all obstacles, and accept the greatest sacrifices rather than separate myself from the charity of my God. Amen. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PURITY "How beautiful is the chaste generation!" (Wisdom iv) "The whole weight of gold is as nothing in comparison with a pure soul." (Eccles. xxv) SAINT Joseph was preeminent in purity because he feared God and faithfully observed His holy law; because he safeguarded his virtue by fear of the Sovereign Good and by prudence; because he sheltered it under the virginity of Mary, and felt the influence of Jesus, the divine Son of all sanctity. How pure must he have been who was to become the worthy spouse of the Immaculate Virgin! How holy must he have been whose relations with the thrice holy God were so intimate. PRAYER JOSEPH, help me to understand the excellence of purity and how dear it is to the heart of God. Teach me to preserve carefully this delicate virtue and the shadow of the fear of God; to safeguard it by prayer, by vigilance, by shunning the world, by careful watch over my heart and my senses. Grant that I may hence forward close my heart to all disorderly affections; that I may deserve to enjoy like thee upon earth the friends and intimacy of Jesus, and that it may be given to me one day to sing in Heaven the canticle reserved for Virgins. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF HUMILITY JOSEPH excelled in humility because he realized that glory is due to God alone, and that, of himself, man is but misery and nothingness. By reason of his humility Joseph was accorded the most glorious privileges and entrusted with the most sublime mission. To accomplish His designs, God employs only the humble who do not claim for themselves the glory. As Foster Father of Jesus and Spouse of the Queen Heaven and earth, Joseph was more highly honored than any king in this world. What pretexts, furnished by zeal for the glory of God, might have prompted him to speak, to put himself forward, to attribute to himself the greatness of the precursor of the Messiah, and the glories of the apostles! He rather conceals the astonishing prodigies which have been revealed to him, and the sublimity of the functions he exercises. Under an impenetrable veil he hides all that can draw upon him the esteem of men. PRAYER O JOSEPH, what a lesson for me ever so eager to appear, so anxious to display before the eyes of men the graces that I owe entirely to the liberality of God. Obtain that I may attribute to God the glory of all things; that I may love the humble and hidden life; that I may not desire any other position than the one given by Providence; and that I may always be a docile instrument in the hands of God. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PATIENCE CONSIDER how Joseph suffered in his life time. He tasted, indeed, ineffable consolations, but he also endured much suffering. In contrast with the glories of his fallen family, his was a life of labor and self denial. What did he not have to suffer, especially after the Incarnation of the Son of God? It is verily Joseph who experienced that wherever Jesus enters, He comes with His Cross and His Crown of Thorns. He suffers in perfect conformity with the Divine Will. Joseph renews his courage in the hope of eternal joys and treasures, in the examples of patience which are given him by Jesus and Mary. Thus, whatever may be his trials they cannot trouble the peace of his soul. PRAYER JOSEPH, model of patience, teach me this virtue; which is so necessary in the midst of the sufferings and trials of this sorrowful life. Grant that your example and that of Mary, as well as the hope of celestial joys, may ever renew my courage. Amen. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF PRUDENCE LET US honor in Saint Joseph the faithful and prudent servant to whom Almighty God entrusted the care of His family. Prudence inspired Saint Joseph to adopt as the foundation and rule of his conduct, the great principles of faith; God, the end of man in this world; God, the reward of man in eternity. Remembering that life is short and uncertain, that upon a moment may depend our eternity, Saint Joseph wisely employs his time. He is careful to make a holy use of his senses and his other faculties in order to give to his Lord and Master a faithful account of the talents entrusted to him; he watches over the world around him, yielding to the world in the measure willed by God, but not giving himself up to it. He makes within himself a retreat accessible to God alone and impenetrable to creatures. PRAYER FAITHFUL and prudent servant, watch over my weakness and my inexperience; obtain for me that prudence which reminds me of my end, which directs my paths, and which protects me from every danger. Amen. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF OBEDIENCE JOSEPH regarded obedience as rendering man particularly pleasing to God. What esteem Joseph had particularly for obedience, when he heard Mary answering the Angel: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word!" When he saw Jesus submit to his orders, anticipate his wishes, execute them faithfully and promptly! When he considered that the Incarnate Word would be obedient until death, even the death of the Cross. PRAYER JOSEPH, so faithful to display in thy conduct the obedience of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me this important virtue. Obtain for me a perfect docility of heart to accomplish the will of God, and that of those who replace Him. Inspire me by your example, to obey with promptness and generosity; obtain for me above all, the grace to obey without murmuring, without reasoning upon the orders given me, in spite of every pretext, and with an entire immolation of my own will. ****** SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF DETACHMENT SAINT Joseph loved poverty because it detaches man from all passing and perishable goods, delivers the soul from dangerous obstacles, and from a thousand evils and cares, and permits him to keep his eyes raised toward Heaven, instead of stooping, like a slave, toward the earth. Saint Joseph loved poverty, because he saw it practised in the highest degree by Jesus Christ. Did he not regard it as a hidden and priceless treasure, when he contemplated Jesus in His abnegation, when he saw Him stretch out His divine hands to ask for the most necessary needs of life? Saint Joseph suffered the privations of life with patience, without murmur of complaint, using his poverty to detach himself more and more from worldly goods, and to seek the goods of Heaven. PRAYER () JOSEPH, make me understand the excellence of poverty. Grant that I may enter into the interior dispositions which animated thee in regard to that virtue. Disclose to me the snares of riches, the dangers which are attached to them, the solicitude which they engender. Make me understand how much God favors us, when he refuses us riches, since he furnishes us a precious occasion to detach us from ourselves and from creatures, and to increase our merit for Heaven. Amen. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Pray for us. Saint Joseph, Pray for us. Renowned offspring of David, Pray for us. Light of patriarchs, Pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us. Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for us. Diligent protector of Christ, Pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us. Joseph, most just, Pray for us. Joseph, most chaste, Pray for us. Joseph, most prudent, Pray for us. Joseph, most strong, Pray for us. Joseph, most obedient, Pray for us. Joseph, most faithful, Pray for us. Mirror of patience, Pray for us. Glory of home life, Pray for us. Guardian of virgins, Pray for us. Pillar of families, Pray for us. Saint Joseph, Lover of poverty, Pray for us. Model of laborers, Pray for us. Solace of the wretched, Pray for us. Hope of the sick, Pray for us. Patron of the dying, Pray for us. Terror of demons, Pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, Pray for us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, 0 Lord, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. He made him the lord of His household. R. And prince over all his possessions. Let Us Pray GOD, WHO in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse; of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have for our advocate in heaven him whom we venerate as our protector on earth: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. SAINT TERESA OF AVILA HIGHLY RECOMMENDS PRAYING TO SAINT JOSEPH TO OBTAIN FAVORS FROM GOD
"I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honour[91] and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favours which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion to him through having newly experienced this truth. I used to try to keep his feast with the greatest possible solemnity[92]; but, though my intentions were good, I would observe it with more vanity than spirituality, for I always wanted things to be done very meticulously and well. I had this unfortunate characteristic that, if the Lord gave me grace to do anything good, the way I did it was full of imperfections and extremely faulty. I was very assiduous and skilful in wrongdoing and in my meticulousness and vanity. May the Lord forgive me. I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good. If I were a person writing with authority, I would gladly describe, at greater length and in the minutest detail, the favours which this glorious saint has granted to me and to others. But in order not to do more than I have been commanded I shall have to write about many things briefly, much more so than I should wish, and at unnecessarily great length about others: in short, I must act like one who has little discretion in all that is good. I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practise prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray. May the Lord grant that I have not erred in venturing to speak of him; for though I make public acknowledgment of my devotion to him, in serving and imitating him I have always failed. He was true to his own nature when he cured my paralysis and gave me the power to rise and walk; and I am following my own nature in using this favour so ill." | | Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy JesusPray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with thousands of Catholics at Relevant Radio, the Drew Mariani Show, at 4pm Eastern Time, for Spiritual help and healing of sickness and the end of abortion: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a prayer of intercession prayed on ordinary rosary beads in as little as ten minutes, yet its prayerful recitation comes with a plethora of graces and promises. Jesus instructed Saint Faustina, My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. (Diary, 1541)
If the Lord is saying It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet, shouldnt we take every opportunity to recite this prayer with intentions for our country, our neighbors, our world? As are many of us today, St. Faustina was greatly concerned for all mankind. Her lamentations then sound remarkably familiar to what one might hear today. She records in Diary passage 929: When I had rested near His sweetest Heart, I told Him, Jesus, I have so much to tell You. And the Lord said to me with great love, Speak, My daughter. And I started to enumerate the pains of my heart; that is, how greatly concerned I am for all mankind, that they all do not know You, and those who do know You do not love You as You deserve to be loved. I also see how terribly sinners offend You; and then again, I see how severely the faithful, especially Your servants, are oppressed and persecuted. And then, too, I see many souls rushing headlong into the terrible abyss of hell. You see, Jesus, this is the pain that gnaws at my heart and bones. And, although You show me special love and inundate my heart with streams of Your joys, nevertheless, this does not appease the sufferings I have just mentioned, but rather they penetrate my poor heart all the more acutely. Oh, how ardently I desire that all mankind turn with trust to Your mercy. Then, seeing the glory of Your name, my heart will be comforted.
How kindly and tenderly Jesus deals with her outpourings. What a consolation for us who share St. Faustinas heart. St. Faustina continues: Jesus listened to these outpourings of my heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul.
The Lord asked St. Faustina to pray the chaplet for many causes as outlined below. Let us pray the Chaplet of Mercy as often as possible for all the things St. Faustina prayed for and more. Seek her intercession. Ask her to pray each chaplet with you thankful for the goodness and generosity of the Lord. Promises of the Chaplet for all ThingsI desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. (687) My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. (1541)
Promises of the Chaplet to Appease Gods AngerThis prayer will serve to appease My wrath. (476) When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, Gods anger is placated. (811) This chaplet mitigates Gods anger, as He Himself told me. (1036) It [the chaplet] appeases the anger of God. (1565)
Promises of the Chaplet for SinnersPriests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. (687) When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one. (1541)
Promises of the Chaplet for StormsToday I was awakened by a great storm. The wind was raging, and it was raining in torrents, thunderbolts striking again and again. I began to pray that the storm would do no harm, when I heard the words: Say the chaplet I have taught you, and the storm will cease. I began immediately to say the chaplet and hadnt even finished it when the storm suddenly ceased, and I heard the words: Through the chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (1731) When a great storm was approaching, I began to say the chaplet. Suddenly I heard the voice of an angel: I cannot approach in this storm, because the light which comes from her mouth drives back both me and the storm. Such was the angels complaint to God. I then recognized how much havoc he was to have made through this storm; but I also recognized that this prayer was pleasing to God, and that this chaplet was most powerful. (1791)
Promises of the Chaplet for the FaithfulThe souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death. (754) While I was saying the chaplet, I heard a voice which said, Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. O what a great multitude of souls I see! They worshiped the Divine Mercy and will be singing the hymn of praise for all eternity. (848)
Promises of the Chaplet for the DyingI realize more and more how much every soul needs Gods mercy throughout life and particularly at the hour of death. This chaplet mitigates Gods anger, as He Himself told me. (1036) At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the pardon is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, Gods anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son. (811) OUR LORDS PROMISES ATTACHED TO THE PRAYING OF THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY AS REVEALED TO ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA - I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary, 48)
- The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death. (Diary, 754)
- When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one. (Diary, 1541)
- When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior. (Diary, 1541)
- Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. (Diary, 687)
- Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy
I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. (Diary, 687)
- To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak. (Diary, 1521)
- The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered. (Diary, 1397)
- At three oclock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony
I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. (Diary, 1320; also, cf. Diary, 1572)
- Souls who spread the honor of My mercy
at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. (Diary, 1075)
- The two rays denote Blood and Water
These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father
I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy
whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy. (Diary, 299-300)
- I desire that the Feast of Mercy
be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter
The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (in a state of grace on this day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary, 699)
- Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (Diary, 1731)
- My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. (Diary, 1485)
Note: Excerpts taken from the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, titled Divine Mercy in My Soul, ©1987, Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263.
| | | SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES Feast Day: January 24th (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Switzerland and a Doctor of the Church FRANCIS was born of noble and pious parents, near Annecy, A.D. 1567, and studied with brilliant success at Paris and Padua. On his return from Italy he gave up the grand Career which his father had marked out for him in the service of the State, and became a priest. He studied at Annecy, Paris, France and Padua, Italy. He received a doctorate in law at the age of twenty-four. He was ordained a priest in 1593. When the Duke of Savoy had resolved to restore the Church in the Chablais, Francis offered himself for the work, and set out on foot with his Bible and breviary and one companion, his cousin Louis of Sales. It was a work of toil, privation, and danger. Every door and every heart were closed against him. He was rejected with insult and threatened with death. But nothing could daunt or resist him, and ere long the Church burst forth into a second spring. It is stated that he converted 72,000 Calvinists. He was then compelled by the Pope to become Coadjutor Bishop of Geneva, and succeeded the see A.D. 1602. At times the exceeding gentleness with which he received heretics and sinners almost scandalized his ends, and one of them said to him, " Francis of Sales will go to Paradise, of course; but I am not so sure of the Bishop of Geneva: I am almost afraid his gentleness will play him a shrewd turn." "Ah," said the saint, " I would rather account to God for too great gentleness than for too great severity. Is not God all love? God the Father is the Father of mercy; God the Son is a Lamb; God the Holy Ghost is a Dove, that is, gentleness itself. And are you wiser than God ?" He became an outstanding confessor and spiritual director and spiritually guided Blessed Marie Acarie and St. Jane Francis de Chantal. He founded several schools. He was gifted in spiritual writing and wrote the spiritual classics: Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God. In union with St: Jane Frances of Chantal he founded at Annecy the Order of the Visitation, which soon spread over Europe. Though poor, he refused provisions and dignities, and even the great see of Paris. He died at Avignon, A.D. 1622. He was canonized in 1653 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877. REFLECTION.-"You will catch more flies," St. Francis used to say, " with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar. Were there any thing better or fairer on earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it us ; and yet he has given us only two lessons to learn of himmeekness and humility of heart." Excerpt from Saint Francis de Sales' book, Introduction to the Devout Life: CHAPTER XVII. NINTH MEDITATION. On the Choice upon to you between Heaven and Hell. Preparation. 1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God. 2. Humble yourself before Him, and ask His inspiration. Considerations. 1. Imagine yourself alone with your good angel (46) in an open plain, as was Tobit on his way to Rages. Suppose the Angel to set before you Paradise, full of delights and joys; and on the other hand Hell, with all its torments. Contemplate both, kneeling in imagination before your guardian Angel. Consider that you are most truly standing between Hell and Paradise, and that both the one and the other are open to receive you, according to your own choice. 2. Consider that the choice you make in this life will last for ever in the next. 3. Consider too, that while both are open to receive you according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires unspeakably that you should select Paradise; and your good Angel is urging you with all his might to do so, offering you countless graces on God's part, countless helps to attain to it. 4. Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation: "O beloved one, come unto Me, and joy for ever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!" Behold His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness--" Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation." Behold the Saints, who have left you their example, the (47) millions of holy souls who long after you, desiring earnestly that you may one day be for ever joined to them in their song of praise, urging upon you that the road to Heaven is not so hard to find as the world would have you think. "Press on boldly, dear friend,"--they cry. "Whoso will ponder well the path by which we came hither, will discover that we attained to these present delights by sweeter joys than any this world can give." The Choice. 1. O Hell, I abhor thee now and for ever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God;--and turning to thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee for ever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles. O my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose--O Jesus, Saviour, I accept Thine Eternal Love, and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me of a place prepared for me in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless Thee for ever. 2. Dwell lovingly upon the example set before you by the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, and strive to follow where they point you. Give (48) yourself up to your guardian Angel, that he may be your guide, and gird up your courage anew to make this choice. ****** | | | |
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of Divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, spare us, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, 0 Lord
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, 0 Holy Mother of God, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Grant, we beg You, 0 Lord God, that we Your servants may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
| | "At the evening of life, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God desires to be loved and abandon your own ways of acting." --- Saint John of the Cross | RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION IN THE STATE OF GRACE "Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of Grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament penance." Sec. 1415. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Saint and Pope John Paul II. Catholic Government officials who endorse the legalization and the acceptance of abortion are involved with mortal sin and should not receive Holy Communion until they have repented and confessed their sins to a priest. They have violated the sixth commandment, "Thou Shall not Kill." Anyone who has voted intentionally for Pro Abortion candidates with the intent of allowing abortions to take place in a country should not receive Holy Communion until they have repented and confessed their sins to a priest. "If a person conscious of mortal sin receive this sacrament, he "eateth and drinketh judment to himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29). Such receiving adds to the sin already on the reciver's soul, the new mortal sin of sacrilege." Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, The Third Part, Question 80. Tour of the Summa, Msgr. Paul J. Glenn. I answer that, In this sacrament, as in the others, that which is a sacrament is a sign of the reality of the sacrament. Now there is a twofold reality of this sacrament, as stated above (III:73:6): one which is signified and contained, namely, Christ Himself; while the other is signified but not contained, namely, Christ's mystical body, which is the fellowship of the saints. Therefore, whoever receives this sacrament, expresses thereby that he is made one with Christ, and incorporated in His members; and this is done by living faith, which no one has who is in mortal sin. And therefore it is manifest that whoever receives this sacrament while in mortal sin, is guilty of lying to this sacrament, and consequently of sacrilege, because he profanes the sacrament: and therefore he sins mortally. | | | | | , | | OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7THHAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE, BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS, HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN! SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON THE ROSARY: THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE ROSARY! SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST 15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY.
Our Lady of the RosaryFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the Rosary. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
According to Dominican tradition, in 1214, St. Dominic was in Prouille, France attempting to convert the Albigensians back to the Catholic faith. The young priest had little success until one day he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics.[1] While Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is generally acknowledged as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher, Alanus de Rupe.[2] On December 3, 1836, Fr. Charles Elιonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3] In 1987, during the civil war with the anti-clerical Sandinista government in Nicaragua, sacristan Bernardo Martinez reported seeing an apparition of Our Lady who urged him to pray the rosary and work for peace. One of the appearances was in the parish church of Our Lady of Victories near Cuapa. CATHOLIC ENCYLOPEDIA: Apart from the signal defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213 which legend has attributed to the recitation of the Rosary by St. Dominic, it is believed that Heaven has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to this devotion in times of special danger. More particularly, the naval victory of Lepanto gained by Don John of Austria over the Turkish fleet on the first Sunday of October in 1571 responded wonderfully to the processions made at Rome on that same day by the members of the Rosary confraternity. St. Pius V thereupon ordered that a commemoration of the Rosary should be made upon that day, and at the request of the Dominican Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary. In 1671 the observance of this festival was extended by Clement X to the whole of Spain, and somewhat later Clement XI after the important victory over the Turks gained by Prince Eugene on 6 August, 1716 (the feast of our Lady of the Snows), at Peterwardein in Hungary, commanded the feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the universal Church. A set of "proper" lessons in the second nocturn were conceded by Benedict XIII. Leo XIII has since raised the feast to the rank of a double of the second class and has added to the Litany of Loreto the invocation "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary". On this feast, in every church in which the Rosary confraternity has been duly erected, a plenary indulgence toties quoties is granted upon certain conditions to all who visit therein the Rosary chapel or statue of Our Lady. This has been called the "Portiuncula" of the Rosary.
THE POWER AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM PRAYING THE ROSARY THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE ROSARY These promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan. 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination. THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE ROSARY! SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST 15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY. | | | | | | The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and dolors. The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget. The following are the seven sorrows of Mary with a suggested reading for each sorrow from the Bible and from the visions of Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich. These readings are only suggested, a person may make up their own mental meditations of the seven sorrows as they pray the seven Hail Marys. SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY: - THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON.
(St. Luke II, 34, 35) - THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
(St. Matthew II, 13-14) - THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.
(St. Luke II, 43-45) THE MEETING OF JESUS AND MARY ON THE WAY OF THE CROSS. THE CRUCIFIXION. THE TAKING DOWN OF THE BODY OF JESUS FROM THE CROSS. THE BURIAL OF JESUS. (John 19: 38-42)
- I will grant peace to their families.
- They will be englightened about the divine mysteries.
- I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
- I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
- I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
- I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
I have obtained(This Grace) from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from the earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY | | | | | WORLD-WIDE REPENTANCE IS REQUIRED:The Bible says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Abortion was the number one cause of human death worldwide in 2019 by far, with over 42 million killed. "There have been 42.4 million abortions in 2019 as of December 31st, according to Worldometers, an organization that keeps a running tally of major world statistics and was recognized as one of the best free reference websites by the American Library Association (ALA). Worldometers calculates abortion numbers based on the latest statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO)." The governments of the world need to outlaw abortion as soon as possible. God will not overlook the immensity of this sin of abortion. The world must repent. | | The Most Reverend Venerable Fulton J. Sheen From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Titular Archbishop of Newport Bishop Emeritus of Rochester
Archbishop Sheen on a set for one of his regular television programs Church Catholic Church
Appointed October 21, 1966 Term ended October 6, 1969 Predecessor James Edward Kearney Successor Joseph Lloyd Hogan Other posts
Titular Archbishop of Neoportus (Latin: Newport, Wales; personal title, 19691979) Auxiliary bishop of New York (19511966) Titular bishop of Caesariana (19511966)
Orders Ordination September 20, 1919 by Edmund M. Dunne Consecration June 11, 1951 by Adeodato Giovanni Piazza
Personal details Birth name Peter John Sheen Born May 8, 1895[1] El Paso, Illinois,[1] United States Died December 9, 1979 (aged 84) New York City, United States Buried St. Patricks Cathedral, New York City (19792019) St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois (since 2019) Nationality American Denomination Roman Catholic Residence El Paso, Illinois Peoria, Illinois Bourbonnais, Illinois Minnesota Washington, D.C. Louvain, Belgium Rome, Italy London, UK New York City Rochester, New York Occupation Catholic archbishop, and televangelist and radio host on philosophy and theology Profession Catholic archbishop and evangelist Alma mater
St. Viator College St. Paul Seminary Catholic University of America Catholic University of Leuven Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Motto Da per matrem me venire (English: Grant that I may come [to You] through the mother [Mary]) Signature Fulton J. Sheen's signature Coat of arms Fulton J. Sheen's coat of arms Sainthood Venerated in Roman Catholic Church (especially in the United States sees of Peoria, Rochester, and New York City) Title as Saint Venerable Attributes Archbishop's attire Shrines Tomb (presently in St. Mary's Cathedral, Peoria, Illinois; formerly in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City); birthplace museum in El Paso, Illinois; Fulton Sheen Museum in the Diocesan Museums, Spalding Pastoral Center, Peoria; papers held at a theology school near Rochester, New York) Ordination history of Fulton J. Sheen History Episcopal succession Styles of Fulton J. Sheen Reference style The Most Reverend Spoken style Your Excellency Religious style Your Excellency Posthumous style Venerable
Fulton John Sheen (born Peter John Sheen, May 8, 1895 December 9, 1979) was an American bishop (later archbishop) of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in 1919,[1] Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America as well as acting as a parish priest before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966, when he was made the Bishop of Rochester. He resigned in 1969[2] as his 75th birthday approached, and was made the Archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as Father Sheen, later Monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (19301950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (19521957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (19611968) with a format very similar to that of the earlier Life is Worth Living show. For this work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine.[3] Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks.[4] Due to his contribution to televised preaching, Sheen is often referred to as one of the first televangelists.[5]
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" a major step towards beatification and he is now referred to as "Venerable."[6][7] On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle that occurred through the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification.[8]
Contents Miracle of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen: Source: https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/07/01/fulton-sheen-and-the-miracle-of-baby-james/ Fulton Sheen and the miracle of baby James Madeleine Teahan 1 July, 2014 Bonnie Engstrom with her son, James Below:
Bonnie Engstroms third pregnancy was unlike any of her others. My husband Travis and I had a really beautiful experience during the pregnancy with God providing for us and taking care of us, she tells me. We really felt like we were on the brink on something really special and amazing, even more than with the other babies. We would joke about how I must be pregnant with the future Pope because God was really faithful and generous with us throughout.
I spoke to Bonnie days before the Vatican announced that its theologians had approved the miracle that occurred in her life, after she sought the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the charismatic American televangelist who died in 1979.
Fulton Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, close to where Bonnie Engstrom was raised. He was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, where Bonnie, her husband and five children now live. Ive always kind of known who he was because he was a local boy, she explains when I ask how her devotion to Fulton Sheen developed. But when I was pregnant with James, I started doing some research into his life and I started watching YouTube videos. So that was how I really started to appreciate who he was. Listening to him preach and seeing how powerful and dynamic he was that was when my devotion to him started to grow.
Bonnies beautiful pregnancy, coloured by a deepening devotion to Sheen, was followed by a beautiful labour covered in prayer. Jamess pregnancy had been a really healthy and normal pregnancy and we were planning my third home birth with him. The day I went into labour was a pretty normal day so I just kind of did what you do when youre going to give birth. I have to say it was a really beautiful September evening and it felt really special. I was in active labour at night. I was praying, which was really important, and I knew that I had a bunch of people praying for me. It was a beautiful labour. It really was.
It is especially cruel when tragedy strikes within seconds of euphoria. Moments after Jamess birth, the abundant joy of the previous nine months abruptly died: Bonnies baby was stillborn.
When James was born the midwife scooped him up and put him in my hands. But I noticed that his legs and arms dangled down. He wasnt moving. He wasnt breathing. He wasnt crying, he was kind of a blue colour. So I held him for a second and then my midwife took him and she began CPR.
It was at this point that Bonnie fell into a state shock. Her friend, who was present at the birth, called an ambulance and her husband calmly performed an emergency baptism. At the moment that Travis traced water on his sonΉs forehead and baptised him James Fulton, Bonnies friend began to pray for the intercession of the newbornΉs namesake.
At that moment, in my head I couldnt really think of anything, Bonnie says. But in my head I was saying Fulton Sheens name over and over again. And that was my way of praying by calling on his name.
By the time the paramedics arrived there was still no pulse. Bonnie spent the 20-minute journey to the hospital in a separate ambulance from her husband and baby, lying alone, unaware if her son was dead or alive. Fulton
When they arrived at the hospital it was Traviss turn to endure a solitary, harrowing wait. He lingered outside the hospital emergency room while doctors desperately tried to resuscitate his baby.
Five men eventually emerged with tears in their eyes. They said to him: Your son is alive and Travis understood in that moment that what they were really saying was: Hes alive now but just for right now. The fact that they were crying meant that he knew that things were really bad.
But when he came to see me, what he said to me was: James is alive and everythings going to be OK, because he just had faith. My husband had faith. It was amazing. And because I was still in a state of shock I naοvely accepted it. My husband just had the faith in that moment.
The miraculous breath had come after 61 excruciating minutes. James had breathed again at the moment doctors gave up their efforts and stopped to record his time of death.
They then took me to the neonatal intensive care unit and then I saw how bad he looked. He was covered in wires and he wasnΉt breathing on his own. They had knocked him out. They had intubated him. Yeah, it was really
Bonnies voice begins to crack and she summons up the composure to complete the sentence:
it was really sad.
A small pause follows before she quietly adds: Its such a little word but I hope it conveys
She trails off again. It was really sad.
Bonnie starts to explain to me the full extent of the miracle. The way my doctor explained it to me was: Its amazing that James came back to life and itΉs a miracle that he is doing as well as he is.Ή Because he should have had massive organ failure and then they expected him to be very severely disabled. Then they thought that he would have very severe cerebral palsy. They thought that he would have to be strapped to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, have a feeding tube and probably be blind. They thought that mentally he would not be aware of anything. It was supposed to be pretty grim and that was if he even lived.
Bonnie was able to bring her baby home after seven weeks in hospital. As he continued I think they gave us an increasingly better prognosis. So it went from very severely disabled to: OK, so hes going to have cerebral palsy. We just donΉt know what it will look like. But he continued to get better and seemed more and more like a normal baby
I mean, there was always some big question marks for about the first six to 12 months just because he was a baby, so we had to wait for him to hit his milestones to know how complete the miracle was.
But my husband, and I and family and friends, were all at home interacting with James when he was two and a half months old, when he was five months old, and were sitting there thinking: This kid is normal. Hes like any of our other babies weΉve seen at this age. This really is a miracle.'
Bonnie still prays to Fulton Sheen and he remains a central figure in her familys life. I asked her what she most admired about him.
The day he was ordained he made a promise to God that he would keep a holy hour every single day for the rest of his life and he kept that promise, she says. So for over 60 years he made a holy hour every single day and that devotion to the Eucharist is really a wonderful example for me. I think it would be a wonderful example to the world, which is why I hope he is a canonised saint.
He would have to be really creative sometimes and he would find a church in the middle of nowhere to make that holy hour to keep that promise. He was really loyal to Christ and that prayer time meant a lot to him. His example is really beautiful to me.
Bonnie also tells me that Sheen heroically carried many burdens, but only confided them to very few people who have refused to speak about them since. When St John Paul II visited St Patricks Cathedral in New York City in 1979 he was surprised to discover Sheen was not concelebrating Mass. When Sheen was invited to come forward, the pope embraced him, telling him: You are a loyal son of the Church. Sheen died a few months later.
He suffered a lot, Bonnie says. But he never really talked about his suffering. Only the people closest to him knew about the pain in his body and the pain in his heart, and even they will not talk about it. Fulton Sheen didnΉt want to talk about it, because he didnΉt want to create scandal and feed gossip. ThatΉs just beautiful.
Nowadays if we have a problem with someone we write it on Facebook. But he really bore that internally. So when John Paul II sought him out and embraced him that was a really powerful moment.
I think it was two months later that he died so it was a really beautiful ending to his life, to have the Holy Father tell him: You are a faithful son of the Church. I mean, gosh, I would probably die too if Pope Francis said that to me. PRAYER TO OBTAIN A FAVOR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request). I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ,our Lord. Amen. | | OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 7THHAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE, BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS, HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN! SEE SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT'S BOOK ON THE ROSARY: THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY THE VIRGIN MARY POURS OUT SPECIAL GRACES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY THE ROSARY! SAINT PADRE PIO PRAYED HIS ROSARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WOULD SAY AT LEAST 15 DECADES OF THE ROSARY EACH DAY. THE MESSAGE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD WITH BEFORE HE DIED WAS FOR PEOPLE TO PRAY THE ROSARY.
Our Lady of the RosaryFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the Rosary. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7, the anniversary of the decisive victory of the combined Christian fleet in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, defeating an Ottoman fleet off western Greece. It was formerly sometimes known as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.
According to Dominican tradition, in 1214, St. Dominic was in Prouille, France attempting to convert the Albigensians back to the Catholic faith. The young priest had little success until one day he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics.[1] While Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is generally acknowledged as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic, including the 15th century priest and teacher, Alanus de Rupe.[2] On December 3, 1836, Fr. Charles Elιonor des Genettes had an interior locution directing him to dedicate the parish of Our Lady of Victory to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[3] In 1987, during the civil war with the anti-clerical Sandinista government in Nicaragua, sacristan Bernardo Martinez reported seeing an apparition of Our Lady who urged him to pray the rosary and work for peace. One of the appearances was in the parish church of Our Lady of Victories near Cuapa. CATHOLIC ENCYLOPEDIA: Apart from the signal defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213 which legend has attributed to the recitation of the Rosary by St. Dominic, it is believed that Heaven has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to this devotion in times of special danger. More particularly, the naval victory of Lepanto gained by Don John of Austria over the Turkish fleet on the first Sunday of October in 1571 responded wonderfully to the processions made at Rome on that same day by the members of the Rosary confraternity. St. Pius V thereupon ordered that a commemoration of the Rosary should be made upon that day, and at the request of the Dominican Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary. In 1671 the observance of this festival was extended by Clement X to the whole of Spain, and somewhat later Clement XI after the important victory over the Turks gained by Prince Eugene on 6 August, 1716 (the feast of our Lady of the Snows), at Peterwardein in Hungary, commanded the feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the universal Church. A set of "proper" lessons in the second nocturn were conceded by Benedict XIII. Leo XIII has since raised the feast to the rank of a double of the second class and has added to the Litany of Loreto the invocation "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary". On this feast, in every church in which the Rosary confraternity has been duly erected, a plenary indulgence toties quoties is granted upon certain conditions to all who visit therein the Rosary chapel or statue of Our Lady. This has been called the "Portiuncula" of the Rosary.
THE POWER AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM PRAYING THE ROSARY THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE ROSARY These promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan. 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination. | | | | | | Prayer to Mary, Undoer of KnotsVirgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. [Mention your request here] I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.
| | | | | | SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR TODAY Introduction to the Devout Life Saint Francis of Sales Bishop and Prince of Geneva | Preface by the Author | COUNSELS AND PRACTICES SUITABLE FOR THE SOUL'S GUIDANCE FROM THE FIRST ASPIRATION AFTER A DEVOUT LIFE TO THE POINT WHEN IT ATTAINS A CONFIRMED RESOLUTION TO FOLLOW THE SAME. | I. | What True Devotion is . . . 1 | II. | The Nature and Excellence of Devotion . . . 5 | III. | Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession . . . 8 | IV. | The Need of a Guide for those Who Would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life ...11 | V. | The First Step must be Purifying the Soul . . . 15 | VI. | The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin . . . 18 | VII. | The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections . . . 20 | VIII. | How to effect this Second Purification . . . 22 | IX. | First Meditation--Of Creation . . . 24 | X. | Second Meditation--Of the End for which we were Created . . . 27 | XI. | Third Meditation--Of the Gifts of God . . . 30 | XII. | Fourth Meditation--On Sin . . . 32 | XIII. | Fifth Meditation--On Death . . . 35 | XIV. | Sixth Meditation--On Judgment . . . 38 | XV. | Seventh Meditation--Of Hell . . . 41 | XVI. | Eighth Meditation--On Paradise . . . 43 | XVII. | Ninth Meditation On the Choice open to you between Heaven and Hell . . . 45 | XVIII. | Tenth Meditation--How the Soul chooses the Devout Life . . . 48 | XIX. | How to make a General Confession . . . 51 | XX. | A hearty Protest made with the object of confirming the Soul's resolution to serve God, as a conclusion to its Acts of Penitence . . . 53 | XXI. | Conclusion of this First Purification . . . 56 | XXII. | The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins . . . 57 | XXIII. | It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things . . . 60 | XXIV. | All Evil Inclinations must be purged away . . . 62 | CONTAINING SUNDRY COUNSELS AS TO UPLIFTING THE SOUL TO GOD IN PRAYER AND THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS. | I. | The Necessity of Prayer . . . 64 | II. | A short Method of Meditation. And first, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation . . . 68 | III. | Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation . . . 72 | IV. | The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to your Imagination . . . 73 | V. | Considerations, the Second Part of Meditation . . . 74 | VI. | The Third Part of Meditation, Affections and Resolutions . . . 75 | VII. | The Conclusion and Spiritual Bouquet . . . 77 | VIII. | Some Useful Hints as to Meditation . . . 78 | IX. | Concerning Dryness in Meditation . . . 81 | X. | Morning Prayer . . . 83 | XI. | Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience . . . 85 | XII. | On Spiritual Retirement . . . 87 | XIII. | Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts . . . 90 | XIV. | Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it . . . 98 | XV. | Of the other Public Offices of the Church . . . 101 | XVI. | How the Saints are united to us . . . 103 | XVII. | How to Hear and Read God's Word . . . 105 | XVIII. | How to receive Inspirations . . . 107 | XIX. | On Confession . . . 111 | XX. | Of Frequent Communion . . . 116 | XXI. | How to Communicate . . . 120 | CONTAINING COUNSELS CONCERNING THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE. | I. | How to select that which we should chiefly Practise . . . 124 | II. | The same Subject continued . . . 131 | III. | On Patience . . . 136 | IV. | On Exterior Humility . . . 142 | V. | On Interior Humility . . . 147 | VI. | Humility makes us rejoice in our own Abjection . . . 153 | VII. | How to combine due care for a Good Reputation with Humility . . . 158 | VIII. | Gentleness towards others and Remedies against Anger . . . 163 | IX. | On Gentleness towards Ourselves . . . 169 | X. | We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety . . . 173 | XI. | On Obedience . . . 176 | XII. | On Purity . . . 180 | XIII. | How to maintain Purity . . . 182 | XIV. | On Poverty of Spirit amid Riches . . . 185 | XV. | How to exercise real Poverty, although actually Rich . . . 188 | XVI. | How to possess a rich Spirit amid real Poverty . . . 193 | XVII. | On Friendship: Evil and Frivolous Friendship . . . 196 | XVIII. | On Frivolous Attachments . . . 198 | XIX. | Of Real Friendship . . . 201 | XX. | Of the Difference between True and False Friendship . . . 205 | XXI. | Remedies against Evil Friendships . . . 208 | XXII. | Further Advice concerning Intimacies . . . 212 | XXIII. | On the Practice of Bodily Mortification . . . 215 | XXIV. | Of Society and Solitude . . . 223 | XXV. | On Modesty in Dress . . . 227 | XXVI. | Of Conversation; and, first, how to Speak of God . . . 229 | XXVII. | Of Unseemly Words, and the Respect due to Others . . . 231 | XXVIII. | Of Hasty Judgments . . . 234 | XXIX. | On Slander . . . 241 | XXX. | Further Counsels as to Conversation . . . 249 | XXXI. | Of Amusements and Recreations: what are allowable . . . 252 | XXXII. | Of Forbidden Amusements . . . 254 | XXXIII. | Of Balls, and other Lawful but Dangerous Amusements . . . 255 | XXXIV. | When to use such Amusements rightly . . . 259 | XXXV. | We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small . . . 260 | XXXVI. | Of a Well-balanced, Reasonable Mind . . . 264 | XXXVII. | Of Wishes . . . 267 | XXXVIII. | Counsels to Married People . . . 270 | XXXIX. | The Sanctity of the Marriage Bed . . . 280 | XL. | Counsels to Widows . . . 281 | XLI. | One Word to Maidens . . . 289 | CONTAINING NEEDFUL COUNSELS CONCERNING SOME ORDINARY TEMPTATIONS. | I. | We must not trifle with the Words of worldly Wisdom . . . 290 | II. | The need of a Good Courage . . . 294 | III. | Of Temptations, and the difference between experiencing them and consenting to them . . . 296 | IV. | Two striking illustrations of the same . . . 300 | V. | Encouragement for the Tempted Soul . . . 302 | VI. | When Temptation and Delectation are Sin . . . 304 | VII. | Remedies for Great Occasions . . . 307 | VIII. | How to resist Minor Temptations . . . 310 | IX. | How to remedy Minor Temptations . . . 311 | X. | How to strengthen the Heart against Temptation . . . 313 | XI. | Anxiety of Mind . . . 315 | XII. | Of Sadness and Sorrow . . . 319 | XIII. | Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and how to receive them . . . 323 | XIV. | Of Dryness and Spiritual Barrenness . . . 333 | XV. | In Illustration . . . 340 | CONTAINING COUNSELS AND PRACTICES FOR RENEWING AND CONFIRMING THE SOUL IN DEVOTION. | I. | It is well yearly to renew Good Resolutions by means of the following Exercises . . . 346 | II. | Meditation on the Benefit conferred on us by God in calling us to His Service . . . 348 | III. | Examination of the Soul as to its Progress in the Devout Life . . . 351 | IV. | Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards God . . . 354 | V. | Examination of your Condition as regards yourself . . . 357 | VI. | Examination of the Soul's Condition as regards our Neighbour . . . 358 | VII. | Examination as to the Affections of the Soul . . . 359 | VIII. | The Affections to be excited after such Examination . . . 361 | IX. | Reflections suitable to the renewal of Good Resolutions . . . 362 | X. | First Consideration--Of the Worth of Souls . . . 363 | XI. | Second Consideration--On the Excellence of Virtue . . . 364 | XII. | The Example of the Saints . . . 366 | XIII. | The Love which Jesus Christ bears to us . . . 367 | XIV. | The Eternal Love of God for us . . . 369 | XV. | General Affections which should result from these Considerations, and Conclusion of the Exercise . . . 370 | XVI. | The Impressions which should remain after this Exercise . . . 372 | XVII. | An Answer to Two Objections which may be made to this Book . . . 373 | XVIII. | Three Important and Final Counsels . . . 375 |
| | | | [MENTION YOUR PRAYER REQUEST]
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, confirmed in grace, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, favorite of the King of Heaven, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, spouse of the ever-blessed Virgin, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, foster father to the Son of God, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, example of humility and obedience, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, patron of innocence and youth, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, exited with Christ into Egypt, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, advocate of the humble, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, model of every virtue, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, honored among men, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, in whom is the union of all Christian perfections, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Saint Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Assist us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what our unworthiness cannot obtain, may be given us by his intercession with Thee, Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O thou Saint Joseph, do assist me by thy powerful intercession, and obtain for me from thy divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee, and Jesus asleep in thy arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen! ___________ BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH'S VISION: | | | "At the evening of life, you will be examined in love. Learn to love as God desires to be loved and abandon your own ways of acting." ---Saint John of the Cross | PRAYERS FOR TODAY THIRTY-THREE PETITIONS IN HONOUR OF THE SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD JESUSO good Jesus, Word of the Eternal Father, Convert me. O good Jesus, Son of Mary, Make me her child. O good Jesus, My Master, Teach me. O good Jesus, Prince of peace, Give me peace. O good Jesus, my Refuge, Receive me. O good Jesus, my Pastor, Feed my soul. O good Jesus, Model of patience, Comfort me. O good Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Make my heart like unto Thine. O good Jesus, my Redeemer, Save me. O good Jesus, my God and my All, Possess me. O good Jesus, the true Way, Direct me. O good Jesus, Eternal Truth, Instruct me. O good Jesus, Life of the blessed, Make me live in Thee. O good Jesus, my Support, Strengthen me. O good Jesus, my Justice, Justify me. O good Jesus, my Mediator, Reconcile me to Thy Father. O good Jesus, Physician of my soul, Heal me. O good Jesus, my Judge, Absolve me. O good Jesus, my King, Govern me. O good Jesus, my Sanctification, Sanctify me. O good Jesus, Abyss of goodness, Pardon me. O good Jesus, Living Bread from Heaven, Satiate me. O good Jesus, the Father of the prodigal, Receive me. O good Jesus, Joy of my soul, Refresh me. O good Jesus, my Helper, Assist me. O good Jesus, Magnet of love, Attract me. O good Jesus, my Protector, Defend me. O good Jesus, my Hope, Sustain me. O good Jesus, Object of my love, Make me love Thee. O good Jesus, Fountain of life, Cleanse me. O good Jesus, my Propitiation, Purify me. O good Jesus, my Last End, Let me obtain Thee. O good Jesus, my Glory, Glorify me. Amen. V. Jesus, hear my prayer. R. Jesus, graciously hear me. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you," mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of Thy Divine charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole hearts, and may never cease from praising Thee, Who livest and reignest world without end. R. LITANY TO SAINT JOSEPHLord, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us Christ, hear us Christ, graciously hear us God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us Holy Mary, pray for us St. Joseph, pray for us Blessed offspring of David, pray for us Light of patriarchs, pray for us Spouse of the mother of God, pray for us Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin, pray for us Guardian of the Son of God, pray for us Defender of Christ, pray for us Head of the Holy Family, pray for us O Joseph, most just, pray for us O Joseph, most chaste, pray for us O Joseph, most prudent, pray for us O Joseph, most forceful, pray for us O Joseph, most obedient, pray for us O Joseph, most faithful, pray for us Mirror of patience, pray for us Lover of poverty, pray for us Model of laborers, pray for us Patriarch of the home, pray for us Protector of virgins, pray for us Strength of the family, pray for us Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us Hope of the sick, pray for us Patron of the dying, pray for us Terror of demons, pray for us Protector of the church, pray for us Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, forgive us O Lord Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Let us pray Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse of your most holy Mother, help us, we beseech thee, that what of ourselves we cannot obtain, may be granted through the intercession of the Most Holy Patriarch, Saint Joseph. You who reign with God, the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. GAELIC LITANY TO OUR LADY O Great Mary, pray for us.
O Mary, greatest of Maries, pray for us.
O Greatest of women, pray for us.
O Queen of angels, pray for us.
O Mistress of the heavens, pray for us.
O Woman full and replete with the grace of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
O Blessed and most blessed, pray for us.
O Mother of Eternal Glory, pray for us.
O Mother of the heavenly and earthly Church, pray for us.
O Mother of Love and Indulgence, pray for us.
O Mother of the Golden Heights, pray for us.
O Honor of the sky, pray for us.
O Sign of tranquillity, pray for us..
O Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
O Golden Vessel, pray for us.
O Couch of Love and Mercy, pray for us.
O Temple of Divinity, pray for us.
O Beauty of virgins, pray for us.
O Mistress of the tribes, pray for us.
O Fountain of gardens, pray for us.
O Cleansing of sins, pray for us.
O Purifying of souls, pray for us.
O Mother of orphans, pray for us.
O Breast of infants, pray for us.
O Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
O Star of the sea, pray for us.
O Handmaid of the Lord, pray for us.
O Mother of Christ, pray for us.
O Resort of the Lord, pray for us.
O Graceful like the dove, pray for us.
O Serene like the moon, pray for us.
O Resplendent like the sun, pray for us.
O Cancelling Eve's disgrace, pray for us.
O Regeneration of life, pray for us.
O Beauty of women, pray for us.
O Leader of virgins, pray for us.
O Garden Enclosed, pray for us.
O Fountain sealed up, pray for us.
O Mother of God, pray for us.
O Perpetual Virgin, pray for us.
O Holy Virgin, pray for us.
O Prudent Virgin, pray for us.
O Serene Virgin, pray for us.
O Chaste Virgin, pray for us.
O Temple of the Living God, pray for us.
O Royal Throne of the Eternal King, pray for us.
O Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
O Virgin of the Root of Jesse, pray for us.
O Cedar of Mount Lebanon, pray for us.
O Cypress of Mount Sion, pray for us.
O Crimson Rose of the Land of Jacob, pray for us.
O Blooming like the palm tree, pray for us.
O Fruitful like the olive tree, pray for us.
O Glorious Son-bearer, pray for us.
O Light of Nazareth, pray for us.
O Glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
O Beauty of the world, pray for us.
O Noblest-Born of the Christian flock, pray for us.
O Queen of Life, pray for us.
O Ladder of Heaven, pray for us. | | PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY FOR ABORTION TO BE OUTLAWED WORLD-WIDE HISTORY Over 800 years ago Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the thousands, and nobody knew what to do about it. Then, in the year 1198, a man had an idea. St. John of Matha founded the Trinitarians to go to the slave markets, buy the Christian slaves and set them free. To carry out this plan, the Trinitarians needed large amounts of money. So, they placed their fund-raising efforts under the patronage of Mary. They were so successful at that, over the centuries, the Trinitarians were able to free thousands and thousands of people and to return them safely home. In gratitude for her miraculous assistance, St. John of Matha honored Mary with the title of "Our Lady of Good Remedy." Devotion to Mary under this ancient title is widely known in Europe and Latin America, and the Church celebrates her feast day on October 8. Our Lady of Good Remedy is often depicted as the Virgin Mary handing a bag of money to St. John of Matha. When in need - for whatever reason, but especially where you have had difficulty obtaining help - invoke the aid of Our Lady of Good Remedy, and you will surely experience the power of her intercession. (We ask the Virgin Mary to bring end to all abortion.) O QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, Most Holy Virgin, we venerate thee. Thou art the beloved Daughter of the Most High God, the chosen Mother of the Incarnate Word, the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Sacred Vessel of the Most Holy Trinity. O Mother of the Divine Redeemer, who under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy comes to the aid of all who call upon thee, extend thy maternal protection to us. We depend on thee, Dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring mother. Hail, Mary.... O LADY OF GOOD REMEDY, source of unfailing help, grant that we may draw from thy treasury of graces in our time of need. Touch the hearts of sinners, that they may seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Bring comfort to the afflicted and the lonely; help the poor and the hopeless; aid the sick and the suffering. May they be healed in body and strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patient resignation and Christian fortitude. Hail, Mary.... DEAR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY, source of unfailing help, thy compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me with thy prayers and intercession to find a remedy for my problems and needs, especially for... (Indicate your special intentions here). On my part, O loving Mother, I pledge myself to a more intensely Christian lifestyle, to a more careful observance of the laws of God, to be more conscientious in fulfilling the obligations of my state in life, and to strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours. Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me, and through thy intercession, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus. Hail, Mary..... V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of Good Remedy, R. That we may deepen our dedication to thy Son, and make the world alive with His Spirit. | | | FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 19TH PETER, while still a youth, left his home at Alcantara in Spain, and entered a convent of Discalced Franciscans. He rose quickly to high posts in the Order, but his thirst for penance was still unappeased, and in 1539, being then forty years old, he founded the first convent of the "Strict Observance." The cells of the friars resembled graves rather than dwelling-places. That of St. Peter himself was four feet and a half in length, so that he could never lie down ; he ate but once in three days; his sackcloth habit and a cloak were his only garments, and he never covered his head or feet. In the bitter winter he would open the door and window of his cell that, by closing them again, he might experience some sensation of warmth. Amongst those whom he trained to perfection was St. Teresa. He read her soul, approved of her spirit of prayer, and strengthened her to carry out her reforms. St. Peter died, with great joy, kneeling in prayer, October 18th, 1562, at the age of sixty-three. REFLECTION.-If men do not go about barefoot now, nor under-go sharp penances, as St. Peter did, there are many ways of trampling on the world; and our Lord teaches them when He finds the necessary courage. INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Saint Teresa of Avila said concerning Saint Peter of Alcantara that, "The Lord once told me that no one should ask Him for anything in his name and not be heard." Saint Peter of Alcantara, please pray for us today [state your prayer request.] | | |
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POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR 2024
JANUARY For The Gift Of Diversity In The Church Let us pray that the Holy Spirit helps us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.
FEBRUARY For The Terminally Ill Let us pray that the sick who are in the final stages of life, and their families, receive the necessary medical and human care and accompaniment.
MARCH For New Martyrs Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive.
APRIL For The Role Of Women Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.
MAY For The Formation Of Men And Women Religious And Seminarians Let us pray that men and women religious and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.
JUNE For Those Fleeing Their Own Countries Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries.
JULY For The Pastoral Care of The Sick Let us pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, bestows the Lords strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible sign of compassion and hope.
AUGUST For Political Leaders Let us pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and the common good, taking care of those who have lost their jobs and giving priority to the poor.
SEPTEMBER For The Cry Of The Earth Let us pray that each of us listens with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and the climate crisis, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit.
OCTOBER For A Shared Mission Let us pray that the Church continues to sustain a synodal lifestyle in every way, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, communion and mission shared by priests, religious and laity.
NOVEMBER For Those Who Have Lost A Child Let us pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community, and may receive peace of heart from the Spirit of Consolation.
DECEMBER For Pilgrims Of Hope Let us pray that the coming Church Jubilee Year 2025 strengthens us in our faith; helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope. |
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PRAYER
Queen of Heaven and earth, most Holy Virgin, we venerate thee. Thou art the beloved daughter of the Most High God, the chosen mother of the Incarnate Word, the immaculate spouse of the Holy Spirit, the sacred vessel of the Most Holy Trinity. O Mother of the Divine Redeemer, who under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy comes to the aid of all who call upon thee, extend thy maternal protection to us. We depend on thee, dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring mother.
Pray the Hail Mary...
O Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, grant that we may draw from thy treasury of graces in our time of need. Touch the hearts of sinners, that they may seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Bring comfort to the afflicted and the lonely; help the poor and the hopeless; aid the sick and the suffering. May they be healed in body and strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patient resignation and Christian fortitude.
Pray the Hail Mary...
Dear Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, thy compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me with thy prayers and intercession to find a remedy for my problems and needs, especially for...
(Mention your personal intention)
On my part, O loving Mother, I pledge myself to a more intensely Christian lifestyle, to a more careful observance of the laws of God, to be more conscientious in fulfilling the obligations of my state in life, and to strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours.
Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me, and through thy intercession, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus.
Pray the Hail Mary...
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of Good Remedy, R. That we may deepen our dedication to thy Son, and make the world alive with His Spirit. |
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Unfailing Novena To The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots Prayer to Mary, Undoer of KnotsVirgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. [Mention your request here] I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.
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AMERICAN WAR CASUALTIES
| Each standard size cross-mark represents 50,000 people killed. The smaller cross-marks represent less than 50,000 deaths. The war casualties represent all American combat-related deaths. Statistics from 1982 World Almanac. | REVOLUTIONARY WAR 25,324 | CIVIL WAR 496,332 | WORLD WAR I 116,708 | WORLD WAR II 407,316 | KOREAN WAR 54,246 | VIETNAM WAR 58,655 | WAR ON UNBORN CHILDREN OVER 59,440,015 ...since abortion was legalized in 1973 | |
PRAY THAT ABORTION WOULD BE OUTLAWED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD |
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THE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF MARY TO CHRISTIANS WHO RECITE THE ROSARY These promises were given by the Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan. 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination. ________________ |
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Graces Derived from Going to Mass (Note: Assisting at Mass simply means attending Mass. By attending a Mass Catholics are actually assisting in Mass.) THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE PIETA PRAYER BOOKLET, Published in U.S.A. by MLOR Corporation, 1186 Burlington Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060-9330: 1. The Mass is Calvary continued. 2. Every Mass is worth as much as the sacrifice of our Lord's life, sufferings and death. 3. Holy Mass is the most powerful atonement for your sins. 4. At the hour of death the Masses you have heard will be your greatest consolation. 5. Every Mass will go with you to judgment and plead for pardon. 6. At Mass you can diminish more or less temporal punishment due to your sins, according to your fervor. 7. Assisting devoutly at Holy Mass you render to the sacred humanity of Our Lord the greatest homage. 8. He supplies for many of your negligences and omissions. 9. He forgives the venial sins which you have not confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished. 10. You afford the souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief. 11. One Mass heard during life will be of more benefit to you than many heard for you after your death. 12. You are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory. 13. Every Mass wins for you a higher degree of glory in Heaven. 14. You receive the priest's blessing which Our Lord ratifies in Heaven. 15. You kneel amidst a multitude of holy angels, who are present at the adorable Sacrifice with reverential awe. 16. You are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs. In eternity, we shall fully realize that it was certainly worthwhile to have assisted at Holy Mass daily. PRAY FOR PRIESTS THAT THEY MAY OFFER THE MASS WITH HOLY LOVE AND REVERENCE. ********** "The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!" For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death. (revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the great). Padre Pio, the stigmatic priest, said, the world could exist more easily without the sun than without the Mass. The Cure'd' Ars, St. Jean Vianney said, if we knew the value of the Mass we would die of joy. A great doctor of the Church, St. Anselm, declares that a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death. St. Leonard of Port Maurice supports this statement by saying that one Mass before death may be more profitable than many after it. "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." (Pope Benedict XV). Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord, "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS". ************** |
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Saint Louis De Montfort stresses that people should give there hearts and wills to Jesus through Mary and that by doing this a soul will be able to soar toward God. See Saint Louis's book True Devotion To Mary. Saint Louis warns of the devil's great ability to deceive souls, including souls of saints: "Because the devils, who are skillful thieves, wish to surprise us unawares, and to strip us. They watch day and night for the favorable moment. For that end they go round about us incessantly to devour us and to snatch from us in one moment, all the graces and merits we have gained for many years. Their malice, their experience, their stratagems and their number ought to make us fear this misfortune immensely, especially when we see how many persons fuller of grace than we are, richer in virtues, better founded in experience and far higher exalted in sanctity, have been surprised, robbed and unhappily pillaged. Ah! How many cedars of Lebanon, how many stars of the firmament, have we not seen fall miserably, and in the twinkling of an eye lose all their height and their brightness! Whence comes that sad and curious change? It was not for want of grace, which is wanting to no man; but it was for want of humility. They thought themselves capable of guarding their own treasures. They trusted in themselves, relied upon themselves. They thought their house secure enough, and their coffers strong enough, to keep the precious treasure of grace. It is because of that scarcely perceptible reliance upon themselves, though all the while it seemed to them that they were relying only on the grace of God, that the most just Lord permitted them to be robbed by leaving them to themselves. Alas! If they had but known the admirable devotion which I will unfold presently, they would have confided their treasure to a Virgin powerful and faithful, who would have kept it for them as if it had been her own possession; nay, who would have even taken it as an obligation of justice on herself to preserve it for them". PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY Holy Mary, my Queen and sovereign Lady, I give you myself, trusting in your fidelity and your protection. I surrender myself entirely to your motherly tenderness, my body, my soul, all that I am, all that I possess, for the whole of this day, my life, and especially at the hour of my death. I entrust to you once more all my hopes, all my consolations, all my anxieties, all my troubles, my life, my dying breath, so that by your prayers and merits, I may have, in all I do, one only goal, your good pleasure and the holy will of your Son. Amen! |
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One day, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to Antonia d'Astonac, a most devout Servant of God and told her that he wished to be honoured by nine salutations corresponding to the nine Choirs of Angels, which should consist of one Our Father and three Hail Marys in honour of each of the Angelic Choirs. Promises of St. Michael "Whoever would practice this devotion in his honour would have, when approaching the Holy Table, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for the daily recital of these nine salutations, he promised his continual assistance and that all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and all their relations." The Chaplet of St. Michael O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc. [Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels] [STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST] 1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen. 2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen. 3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen. 4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen. 5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen. 6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen. 7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen. 8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen. 9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen. Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel. Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel. Concluding prayers: O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises. Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence.This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. |
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Welcome to this Catholic Spiritual Direction Web Site. It is the intention of this site to lead people to a closer relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit through the promotion of prayer and Christian teaching which will enable Christians to adhere to the straight and narrow path Jesus speaks of in the Gospels. Included in these web pages are the Douay-Rheims Bible and the works of Saint John of the Cross, Thomas a Kempis and Saint Louis de Montfort, Saint Teresa of Avila, and the works of other saints of the Catholic faith, all of whose teachings on spiritual direction have been followed by priests, ministers, clergymen, Popes and Saints. These teachings adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. This site is dedicated to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (Biography) (1774-1824) Mystic, Stigmatist, Prophet, and Great Visionary, a saintly Augustinian nun from Flamske, Germany. Her highly descriptive visions of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, The Sorrowful Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are presented here. In time more works from the Saints of the Catholic Church will be added to these pages. |
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OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES AT WORK OR AT HOME:
When difficulties come to us at work or at home it important to pray your way through these difficulties. At work, it could be trouble with a supervisor or a co-worker, with the result that misery is brought into our lives. Or at home a wife or a husband, or a child or a relative may be causing you trouble. It is important to pray your way through these difficulties. The different forms of prayers listed above, the Rosary, the Chaplet of Saint Michael, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Holy Mass, can move God to assist us with the things the bother us the most during our lives. Try these prayers, they work.
And sometimes, it takes the prayers of others to help change the current situations that are going on in our lives. On the following web page, there are several prayer groups that will pray for yours needs; this a great tool against our daily problems and against the assaults of demons. Sometimes it takes the prayers of many people to change things. http://www.jesus-passion.com/catholic_groups_that_will_pray_for_you.htm
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From the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila , Chapter 31. 1562 A.D. "From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again. They also flee from the Cross, but return; so holy water must have great virtue. For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular and most notable consolation. In fact, it is quite usual for me to be conscious of a refreshment which I cannot possibly describe, resembling an inward joy which comforts my whole soul. This is not fancy, or something which has happened to me only once it has happened again and again and I have observed it most attentively. It is let us say, as if someone very hot and thirsty were to drink from a jug of cold water: he would feel the refreshment throughout his body. I often reflect on the great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from water which has not been blessed." The Catholic Church around the world uses Holy Water in every church to make the church a fortress against the demons which assault men and women. The Holy Water is usually situated near every entrance to the church for people to use to anoint themselves with the Sign of the Cross. When an individual puts on Holy Water any demons present will flee. Catholics should put Holy Water in containers and place them in their homes and their offices; by doing so they make their homes and offices fortresses against the demons which are always lurking about. Catholics should also consider carrying the Holy Water in small containers in their pockets to ward off demonic attacks during each day. ____________ GRACE POURED OUT FROM HOLY WATER |
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PRAYER OF INTERCESSION TO SAINT JOHN XXIII. Saint John XXIII, you spent your life deeply immersed in the truths of the Catholic Faith. You led us by your great example of sacrifice and love as you successively led millions to love Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
We now ask for your intercession for those who are troubled and in need:
Saint John XXIII, please pray for the Holy Catholic Church and for the following prayer request: [state your prayer request.] | SAINT JOHN PAUL II PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the Church with Saint John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love to shine through him. Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. He has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, [MENTION PRAYER REQUEST]
and according to your will, the graces we implore, through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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PRECIOUS BLOOD, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen. Are you sick or do you know someone who is ill. Say the prayer above for them everyday. Also, there is greater power of prayer when many people are praying for the sick. Ask many fellow Catholics to join in prayer with you for the sick. You can send prayer requests to Catholic Groups that will join you in prayer at: http://www.jesus-passion.com/catholic_groups_that_will_pray_for_you.htm |
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