CATHOLIC SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." Words of Jesus-- John 14:1

MASS READINGS FOR TODAY

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr,

and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr

September 16th

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Saint Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Lectionary: 446

Reading I

1 Tm 4:12-16

Beloved: Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Responsorial Psalm

111:7-8, 9, 10

R.   (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
   sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
   wrought in truth and equity.
R.   How great are the works of the Lord!
He has sent deliverance to his people;
   he has ratified his covenant forever;
   holy and awesome is his name.
R.   How great are the works of the Lord!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
   prudent are all who live by it.
   His praise endures forever.
R.   How great are the works of the Lord!

Alleluia

Mt 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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SOURCE:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings

https://levangileauquotidien.org/main.php

https://dailygospel.org/AM/gospel

https://vangelodelgiorno.org/main.php

DEVOTION TO THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY

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:

SAINT FOR TODAY OR FEAST DAY

SAINT CORNELIUS, POPE

FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 16TH

There was in the Catholic Church during the reign of Emperor Trajanus Decius (r.249-251) a violent persecution against Christians. Cornelius, a Catholic priest, was named Pope to succeed Pope Fabian. There was a delay of fourteen months in electing this Pope at this time due to the Roman persecution. Pope Cornelius reigned as Pope from 251 to 253. During the persecution there were Catholics who denied their faith to avoid being put to death. Pope Cornelius agreed with St. Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, that these lapsed Catholics should be allowed to repent and be readmitted into the Catholic faith. Pope Cornelius faced strong opposition from Novatian, who was considered to be the first antipope in the Catholic Church. Pope Cornelius stood his ground and allowed the lapsed Catholics who repented to return to their faith. The next Roman emperor, Gallus (r.251-253), renewed the persecution against the Catholics and Pope Cornelius was exiled to Civita Vecchia. He suffered greatly at this place and eventually died in 253. Saint Cyprian considered him to be a martyr for the faith.

_____________

ST. CYPRIAN, BISHOP, MARTYR.

FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 16TH

CYPRIAN was an African of noble birth but of evil life, a pagan, and a teacher of rhetoric. In middle life he was converted to Christianity, and shortly after his baptism was ordained priest, and made Bishop of Carthage, notwithstanding his resistance. When the persecution of Decius broke out, he fled from his episcopal city, that he might be the better able to minister to the wants of his flock, but returned on occasion of a pestilence. Later on he was banished, and saw in a vision his future martyrdom. Being recalled from exile, sentence of death was pronounced against him, which he received with the words "Thanks be to God." His great desire was to die whilst in the act of preaching the faith of Christ, and he had the consolation of being surrounded at his martyrdom by crowds of his faithful children. He was beheaded on the 14th September, A.D, 258, and was buried with great solemnity. Even the pagans respected his memory.

REFLECTION.—The duty of alms-giving is declared both by nature and revelation : of nature, because it flows from the principle imprinted within us of doing to others as we would they should do to us; by revelation, in many special commands of Scripture, and in the precept of divine charity which binds us to love God for His own sake, and our neighbor for the sake of God.

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SAINTS CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN, PLEASE PRAY FOR [STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST.]

"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

LITANY OF THE

MOST

PRECIOUS

BLOOD OF

JESUS

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.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, of the new and Eternal Testament,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, river of mercy,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Victor over demons,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

heal 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. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy blood,

R. And made of us a kingdom for our God.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Feast Day: June 12th

Veneration and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

[Source: Wikipedia.org]

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 Sales speaks of the perfections of this 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

__________

PRAYER TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Heart of Mary ever Virgin, you are full of grace. You are the dearest daughter of the heavenly Father, the tabernacle of the Word made Flesh, and the beloved home of the Holy Spirit. You are the wonder and delight of angels, of saints, and of men. I offer you my deepest reverence. With great love and thanksgiving I consecrate myself, body and soul, to you this day, and will never take back my word. You are the marvel of God's creation; a Virgin's heart, yet a Mother's too, with a mother's love of Jesus and of men. Dear Mother, fashion in my heart a child's true love of you. Fill me with your own bright virtues: simplicity and innocence, meekness and courage, and unfailing devotedness to Jesus Christ. Since I belong to you then, holy Mother, save me from my enemies, from the world, from Satan, from myself. Keep me always in your sinless Heart to make my poor heart more and more like your Heart and the Heart of Jesus. Dear, merciful Mother, look with a mother's love and pity on the poor, sinful, suffering children of the whole human family. Our Holy Father Pius XII has consecrated them to your Immaculate Heart. Do not turn them away. Remember the cruel pain your heart suffered for their salvation with Jesus Christ on Calvary. Save them by His precious Blood. Draw them out of the darkness and despair of their sin and misery into the light, peace, and holiness of the Church. Then with the angels and saints, may they join us in singing the everlasting Magnificat of praise, gratitude, and love to your tender and Immaculate Heart, and to the adorable and merciful Heart of Jesus. Amen.

Novena to St. Anthony of Padua

First, recite this prayer.
O wonderful St. Anthony,
glorious on account of the fame of your miracles,
and through the condescension of Jesus
in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms,
obtain for me of His bounty the grace
which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart...
(State your intention here.)

You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners,
regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you,
but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified
by the granting of the particular request...

(Request your intention here.)

which I now ask for with persevering earnestness.

Amen

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Next, recite the prayer that relates to the day of your Novena.

DAY ONE, Friday, June 4th
O holy St. Anthony,
gentlest of saints,
your love for God and charity for his creatures
made you worthy while on earth to possess miraculous powers.
Miracles waited your word,
which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.
Encouraged by this thought,
I implore you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle;
even so, you are the saint of miracles.
O gentle and loving Saint Anthony,
whose heart was ever full of human sympathy,
whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus,
who loved to be folded in your arms,
and thee gratitude of my heart will always be yours.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY TWO, Saturday, June 5th
O miracle-working St. Anthony,
remember that it never has been heard
that you left without help or relief
anyone who in his need had recourse to you.
Animated now with the most lively confidence,
even with full conviction of not being refused,
I fly for refuge to thee,
O most favored friend of the Infant Jesus.
O eloquent preacher of the divine mercy,
despise not my supplications but,
bringing them before the throne of God,
strengthen them by your intercession
and obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY THREE, Sunday, June 6th
O purest St. Anthony,
who through your angelic virtue
was made worthy to be caressed by the Divine Child Jesus,
to hold him in your arms and press him to your heart.
I entreat you to cast a benevolent glance upon me.
O glorious St. Anthony,
born under the protection of Mary Immaculate,
on the Feast of her Assumption into Heaven,
and consecrated to her
and now so powerful an intercessor in Heaven,
I beseech you to obtain for me the favor I ask in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

O great wonder-worker,
intercede for me that God may grant my request.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY FOUR, Monday, June 7th
I salute and honor you,
O powerful helper, St. Anthony.
The Christian world confidently turns to you
and experiences your tender compassion
and powerful assistance in so many necessities
and sufferings that I am encouraged in my need
to seek you help in obtaining a favorable answer
to my request for the favor I seek in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

O holy St. Anthony,
I beseech you,
obtain for me the grace that I desire.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY FIVE, Tuesday, June 8th
I salute you, St. Anthony,
lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity.
I salute you, great Saint,
cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love.
I rejoice at the favors our Lord has so liberally bestowed upon you.
In humility and confidence I entreat you to help me,
for I know that God has given you charity and pity,
as well as power.
I ask you by the love you did feel toward the Infant Jesus
as you held him in your arms to tell Him now
of the favor I seek through your intercession in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY SIX, Wednesday, June 9th
O glorious St. Anthony,
chosen by God to preach his Word,
you received from Him the gift of tongues
and the power of working the most extraordinary miracles.
O good St. Anthony,
pray that I may fulfill the will of God in all things
so that I may love Him, with you, for all eternity.
O kind St. Anthony, I beseech you,
obtain for me the grace that I desire,
the favor I seek in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY SEVEN, Thursday, June 10th
O renowned champion of the faith of Christ,
most holy St. Anthony, glorious for your many miracles,
obtain for me from the bounty of my Lord
and God the grace which I ardently seek in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

O holy St. Anthony,
ever attentive to those who invoke you,
grant me that aid of your powerful intercession.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY EIGHT, Friday, June 11th
O holy St. Anthony,
you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession,
so tender and so compassionate towards those who honor you
and invoke you in suffering and distress.
I beseech you most humbly and earnestly
to take me under your protection in my present necessities
and to obtain for me the favor I desire...
(State your intention here.)

Recommend my request to the merciful Queen of Heaven,
that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of her Divine Son.

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony, pray for us!

DAY NINE, Saturday, June 12th
Saint Anthony, servant of Mary,
glory of the Church,
pray for our Holy Father,
our bishops, our priests,
our Religious Orders, that,
through their pious zeal
and apostolic labors,
all may be united in faith
and give greater glory to God.
St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke you,
pray for me and intercede for me
before the throne of Almighty God
that I be granted the favor
I so earnestly see in this novena...
(State your intention here.)

Next, recite in honour of St. Anthony...

Our Father,
Hail Mary,
Glory Be to the Father.

Saint Anthony,
pray for us!

May the divine assistance remain always with us.

Amen

May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

O God, may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony,
your confessor, be a source of joy to your Church,
that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance,
and deserve to enjoy eternal rewards.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Heavenly beauty and splendor of the Father,
You are the most valued Heavenly treasure.

New Eve, immaculate in soul, spirit and body,
Created of the godly seed by the Spirit of God,
You are the spiritual Mother of mankind.

Pure Virgin, full of grace then and now,
Your whole being was raised Heavenly in full glory,
To be elevated above all the hosts within the Kingdom of God.

O Heavenly Mother, Queen of Heaven and earth,
I recognize the glory of your highest title,
The Immaculate Heart of Mary!

Loving Mother, dispenser of endless blessings,
You who continuously intercedes on our behalf,
Please present my need before your loving Son Jesus.

(In your own words, make your special request here. Do not just mention a word. Speak to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as you would speak to another person, begging your Heavenly Mother to plea to Jesus on your behalf, that you be granted this special request.)

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I know that you are now presenting my need before Jesus,
For you have never turned away those in dire need.

Mother dearest, I await your favorable answer,
Submitting myself to the Divine will of the Lord,
For all glories are His forever and ever.

Amen.

Universal Treasurer of God’s Graces

10. God has entrusted Mary with the keeping, the administration and distribution of all His graces, so that all His graces and gifts pass through her hands; and , as St. Bernardine teaches, Mary gives to whom she wills, the way she wills, when she wills and as much as she wills, the graces of the Eternal Father, the virtues of Jesus Christ and the gifts of the Holy Ghost.---THE SECRET OF MARY, Saint Louis de Montfort

Prayer of Petition

O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of Grace who art the House of Gold within which dwells thy Son, our Mediator, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech thee to grant our requests for our salvation and the salvation of the entire world. (Here pause and make your requests) Keep us close to the Vicar of thy Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant the requests we make to thee.

St. Joseph, Intercede for us.
St. Jude Thaddeus, Pray for us.
St. Mary of Cleophas, Pray for us.
St. Philip Neri, Pray for us.
St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Pray for us.
St. Maximillian Kolbe, Pray for us.

VOTE PROLIFE--MOVE THE WORLD CLOSER TO GOD

AVOID THE CHASTISEMENTS OF HEAVEN

PRAY THAT ABORTION WOULD BE BANNED WORLD-WIDE

"There have been 42.4 million world-wide 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)."

In World War 2, which lasted from September, 1939 through September, 1945, 85 Million people were killed, soldiers and civilians.

In just one year, the year of 2019, 42.4 million babies were murdered by abortion throughout the world. And this killing occurs each year in similar amounts. In 1972, abortion was legalized in the United States, and the number of abortions has ranged from 500,000 to 1.4 million each year. The number of abortions in China each year is around 13 Million. See Abort73.com for world-wide abortion statistics.

Wikipedia: "Approximately 205 million pregnancies occur each year worldwide. Over a third are unintended and about a fifth end in induced abortion."--https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion

GUTTMACHER: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/induced-abortion-worldwide

Roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies occurred each year between 2015 and 2019.^*

Of these unintended pregnancies, 61% ended in abortion. This translates to 73 million abortions per year.

Every human being deserves to be protected by the law,

before their birth and after their birth.

October 8th

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

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 Rosary

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario by Damián 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, Cáceres, Colombia, Manizales, Puyo, Pastaza, North Carolina, Bohol, Guatemala, Surigao del Norte, Manila, Quezon City, West Virginia, Seseña, Ontígola, Olías del Rey, Montearagón, Toledo, Lagartera, Huerta de Valdecarábanos, 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] 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 Eléonor 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.

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ANGEL-GUARDIANS.

OCTOBER II.

AMONGST the adorable dispensations of the divine mercy in favour of men, it is not the least, that he has been pleased to establish a communion of spiritual commerce between us on earth and his holy angels, whose companions we hope one day to be in the kingdom of his glory. This communion is entertained on our side by the religious veneration with which we honour them as God's faithful, holy, and glorious ministering spirits, and beg their charitable succour and intercession with God ; on their side by their solicitude and prayers for us, and the many good offices they do us. The providence of God, always infinitely wise, infinitely holy, and infinitely gracious, vouchsafes to employ superior created beings in the execution of his will in various dispensations towards other inferior creatures. According to St. Thomas, when he created the angels, he enlightened the lowest amongst them by those that are supreme in those glorious orders of spirits, It is clear, in the holy scriptures, that those blessed spirits which we call angels (as much as to say God's messenger) receive this very name from their office, in being employed by him in frequently executing his commissions in our favour and defence. That he does this on many occasions, both general and particular, has been abundantly shown elsewhere from the testimony of the holy scriptures.¹ One of the most-merciful appointments of God relating to this economy established by him between the blessed angels and men, is, that he commissions chosen high spirits to be particular guardians to each of us. In this rovidence are displayed the infinite majesty, wisdom, and power of God, and the excess of his goodness towards his creatures; also a deep foundation is laid of the greatest charity and the highest mutual joy in each other between the angel sand the elect for all eternity in their happy society of heaven.

That particular angels are appointed and commanded by God to guard and watch over each particular person among his servants, that is, all the just, or such as are in the state of grace, is an article of the Catholic faith, of which no ecclesiastical writer within the pale of the church, in. any age, ever, entertained the least doubt. That every man, even among sinners and infidels, has a guardian angel, is the doctrine of the most eminent among the fathers, and so strongly supported by the most sacred authority, that it seems not to be called in question, especially as to all the faithful. The psalmist assures us,² "He hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." And in another place,³ " The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him, and he shall deliver them." The patriarch Jacob prayed his good angel to bless his two grandsons, Ephraim and Manasses;⁴ "The angel that delivereth

(1) See on the two Festivals of St. Michael, May 8, and Sept. 29. Also Instruction Pastorale de M. Jean Joseph de la Bastie, Evegne de St. Maio, Sur les Saints Anges, ann. 1758. (2) Ps. xc. 11. (3) Ps. xxxiii. 8. (4) Gen. xlviii.16.

me from all evils bless these boys "-Judith. said,¹- " His angel hath been my keeper, both going hence, and abiding there, and returning from thence." Christ deters us from scandalizing any of his little ones, because their angels always behold the face of God, who, with zeal, and indignation, will demand vengeance of God against any by whose malice precious souls, which were their wards, have perished.² Upon which passage St. Hilary writes ; ³ "It is dangerous to despise one whose cries and prayers are carried up to the eternal and invisible God by the gracious ministry of the angels." So certain and general was the belief of a guardian angel being assigned to every one by God, that when St. Peter was miraculously delivered out of prison, the disciples, who, upon his coming to them, could not at first believe it to be him, said, "It is his angel."⁴ That St. Michael was the protector of the, Jewish nation, or of the people of God, and that countries or collective bodies of men have, at least several, their tutelar angels, is clear from holy scripture.⁵ So unanimous and so express is the doctrine of the fathers, in asserting and illustrating this article of the Catholic faith concerning guardian angels, that it would require a volume to copy their testimonies. The devils, with implacable envy and malice, study to compass our eternal ruin, both by stratagems and open assaults. - God is pleased to oppose to their efforts his good angels, - by making them our defenders. If Almighty God permits the devils various ways to assail and tempt us, and, both by wiles and open violence, to endeavour to draw us into eternal ruin, will he not allow his good angels to exert their zeal for his honour, and their charity for us. No sooner had Lucifer and his adherents set up the standard of their revolt from God, but St Michael and all the good angels entered upon a war against them, and executing the sentence which God passed upon them, expelled them out of their blessed abodes.

(1) Judith xiii. 20. SeeExod. xxiii. 20. (2) Matt. xviii. 10. (3)- St. Hilar. in Matt. &vii. (4) Acts xi. 15. (5) Dan. xi. 1; ail. 1, &c.

Man being created to fill up the places of these apostates, Lucifer, with his associates, is permitted by God to spread his snares, andexert the efforts of his malice against us, that in these trials we may give proof of our fidelity, and may purchase, by victories and triumphs, that bliss for which we are created. Satan thus effects the ruin of innumerable souls, and the Holy Ghost gives us this warning : "The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath."¹ And such is his arrogance, that he trusteth that Jordan, that is, the whole race of mankind, may flow into his mouth, and be swallowed up by him.

The good angels, out of the same zeal with which they continue their war against these wicked spirits, come to our relief, according to the order established by divine providence. And God, out of his infinite tenderness and compassion for us, commands his highest spirits to watch over and to guard us. 0 my God! what is man that you should take such care of him, and give him for his governors the sublime princes of your heavenly court, the assistants of your throne ! What am I but a worm of the earth, a slave to it, and to this body of filth, sin, and corruption ? Must an angel, a creature so noble, so pure and holy, attend on me? " 0 wonderful condescension! 0 excess of goodness and love!" cries out St. Bernard.² " He hath given his angels charge over thee."³ Who is he that hath given this charge ? To whom and of whom hath he given this order? And what is its import? Let us seriously consider and weigh every part of this mystery ? Who is he that hath given this charge ? The Lord of angels, whom they obey. The supreme majesty of God hath laid a comand upon the angels, and his own angels, those sublime, those happy spirits, who approach so near his divine majesty, his own domestics; and it is the care of thee that by this sacred command he bath intrusted to them.

(1) Apoc. xii.12. - (2) Serra. 12, in Ps. xe. p. 862. (3) Ps. xc. 11.

What art thou? Is not man rottenness, corruption, and the pasture of worms? But what dost thou think hehath commanded them concerning thee? "That they guard thee; that they keep thee in all thy ways. Nor do they loiter; they even bear thee up in their bands, as it were, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Shall we not praise such a goodness? We are also to consider the watchful attention of these blessed spirits over us.

A second motive or inducement which exceedingly endears us to their protection is, their compassion and charity for us. They mushier that we are shortly to be their companions in eternal bliss; and are at present, by grace and the divine adoption their brethren, their dear fellow-members in God, dear to him who is their God and our God, and precious in his sight, being purchased by him at the infinite price of his incarnation, passion, and death. They, on the other side, see the miseries of sin into which we are fallen, the dangers which surround us, and the infinite evils under which we groan. Their compassion is the more tender as their charity is the more perfect and more pure, and as they are seated nearer to the infinite source or fountain of charity. They see the snares which the devils lay to entrap. us, and they remember the cause of God, and the sacred war in which they are engaged against those his enemies. They, there. fore, earnestly exert themselves in defeating their. projects, and in protecting us: " For they love their fellow-citizens, by whom they long to see their breaches and ruins repaired," as the devout author of the Soliloquies of the Soul, among the works of St. Austin,¹ and with him Hugh of St. Victor, write. " Therefore they watch over and guard us with great care and diligence, in all places and at all hours assisting us, providing for our necessities with solicitude they intervene between us and thee, 0 Lord, conveying to thee our sighs and groans, and bringing down to us the desired blessing of thy graces:"

(1) Cap. 27, Op. St. Aug. t. vi. Append. p. 86, ed. Ben.

St. Bernard¹ observes, that we owe to our guardian-angel "great reverence, devotion, and confidence : reverence," says he, "for his presence, devotion for his charity, and confidence in his watchfulness. Penetrated with awe, walk always with circumspection, remembering the presence of angels, to whom you are given in charge in all your ways. In every apartment, in every closet, in every corner, pay a respect to your angel. Dare you do before him what you durst not commit if I saw you?" In another place he thus urges the same motive :²—" Consider with how great respect, awe, and modesty, we ought to behave in the sight of the angels, lest we offend their holy eyes, and render ourselves unworthy of their company. Wo to us if they who could chase away our enemy be offended by our negligence, and deprive us of their visit. We must shun what grieves them, and practise that which gives them delight, as temperance, chastity, voluntary poverty, prayer with fervour, and tears. Above all things, the angels of peace expect in us unity and peace. Should not they be most delighted with that in us which represents the form of their own holy city, that they may admire a new Jerusalem, or heaven on earth? On the contrary, nothing so much provokes them as scandals and dissensions, if they discern any in us." St. Basil enlarges upon the same argument to recommend to virgins the strictest modesty in all places. " Let the virgin, when she is alone," says he,³ fear and respect, first, herself and her own conscience; then her guardian-angel, who is always with her:

(1) Serm. 12, in Ps. sc. (2) Serm 1, in feato St. Michael. n. 5 (3) Lip. de Vera Virginit. n. 740.

'Their angels always see the face of my Father.'¹ A man ought not to contemn the face of the angel to whose care his soul is intrusted, especially a virgin, whose paranymph he is appointed, and the guardian of her fidelity to her spouse. Above all, she must respect her spouse himself, who is always with her, and together with him the Father and the Holy Ghost ; not to mention the infinite multitudes of the angels, and the blessed souls of the holy fathers; for though they are not visible to our carnal eyes, they behold us with their incorporeal sight. If the virgin fears the eye of others, much more must she the sight of these who are so holy and excellent, anti se much greater than any men. She dreads particularly the eyes of the multitude; now, it being impossible she should escape the observation of this so great and holy a multitude, she will be careful never to do any thing unbecoming her state."

We must not only respect, but gratefully and devoutly love and honour our tutelar spirit. He is a faithful guardian, a true friend, a watchful shepherd, and a powerful protector. He is a high spirit of heaven, and a courtier of the immortal king of glory ; yet his tender charity, goodness, and compassion move him, through the divine appointment, to employ his whole power in guarding and defending us. He often protects our bodies, as the devils have sometimes power to hurt them. But what does not he do for our souls ! He instructs, encourages, secretly exhorts, and reproves us; he defends us against our enemy, often discovers his stratagems, averts many dangers, and comforts and supports us in our trials, and in the terrible hour of our death. He invisibly performs for us the offices which that angel who led the Jews into the promised land, did for them, and which Raphael performed to the younger Toby, in his journey to Rages : for he is our good and sure guide through the dangers of this life to eternal glory.

(1) Matt. xviii. 10.

What return shall we make by gratitude, confidence, respect, and obedience to this our faithful Raphael,.our good angel! what praise and thanks do not we owe to God for. so inestimable a benefit! Toby, reflecting on the great favours he had received from the angel Raphael, his faithful conductor, said to his father, What shall we give him? or what can be worthy of his benefits ? He conducted me, and brought me safe again; he received the money for me; he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit ; he gave joy to her parents; myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish; thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him. What can we give him sufficient for these things?"¹ That holy family, seeing the immense goodness and condescension of God in the benefits conferred upon them by his angel, "falling prostrate on their faces for three hours, blessed God:"² Ought not we to imitate their gratitude ? "In God," says St. Bernard,³ " let us affectionately love the angels, these; glorious spirits which are to be one day our companions in glory and co-heirs, and are at present appointed our tutors and guardians by our Father. Let us be devout; let us be grateful to such protectors ; let us love them, let us honour them as much as we are able," &c.

We likewise ought to place a confidence in the protection of our good angel. To deserve his protection, we must, above all things, fly sin. Even venial sin troubles him. "As smoke chases away bees, and stench doves, so the ordure of sin driveth away the angel, the keeper of life," says St. Basil.⁴ Impurity is a vice particularly abominable to holy spirits; and sins of scandal make the angels of the little ones whom we scandalize demand vengeance against us. God says, " Behold, I will

(1) Tobe iii. 21. (2) Tole 22. (3) . In Ps. ire. (4) Horn, in Ps. xxxiii.

send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Respectfully observe him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned : for he will not forgive when thou halt sinned, and my name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his *eke, and do all that I shall speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee : and my angel shall go before thee, and shall bring thee into the place which I have prepared. "¹

(1) Exod. xxiii. 20, &c.

_______________

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, TEACHING ON THE ANGELS

______________

THE LITANY OF
THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy .
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously 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, Queen of Angels
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my guardian
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my prince
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my monitor
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my counselor
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my defender
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my steward
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my friend
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my consoler
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my brother
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my teacher
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my shepherd
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my witness
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my helper
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my watcher
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my negotiator
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my intercessor
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my patron
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my ruler
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my protector
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my defender
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my leader
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my preserver
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my preacher
pray for us.

Holy Angel, my enlightener
pray for us.

Holy Angel, guard and keep us
pray for us.

From every sin
guard and preserve us!

From every danger
guard and preserve us!

From every snare of the devil
guard and preserve us!

From every enemy, visible and invisible
guard and preserve us!

From pestilence, hunger, and war
guard and preserve us!

From the works of darkness
guard and preserve us!

From sluggishness in the service of God
guard and preserve us!

From sadness and anxiety
guard and preserve us!

From hardness of heart
guard and preserve us!

From the unworthy reception
of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord
guard and preserve us!

From a sudden and unprovided death
guard and preserve us!

From the eternal death
guard and preserve us!

Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God,
who takes 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.

Christ,hear us,
Christ,hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen.

Hail, Mary! Full of grace,
The Lord is with thee;
Blessed are thou among 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.

V. He has commanded his Angels to watch over thee,
R. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.

V. Lord, hear my prayer,
R. Let my cry come before Thee.

Let us pray;

Almighty and eternal God,
who hast created me in Thy image,
though unworthy that I am,
and hast assigned Thy holy Angel as my guardian,
grant me, Thy servant,
that I may happily pass over the dangers of every evil,
both of body and soul,
and after the course of this life,
to come to eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 15TH

This feast day recognizes the great suffering Our Blessed Mother endured when her Son Jesus was abused, persecuted and put to death. Specifically the Catholic Church recognizes the Seven Sorrows that Our Blessed Mother had to endure. They are:

SEVEN SORROWS OF

THE BLESSED MOTHER

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)

THE SEVEN GRACES GIVEN TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MEDITATE ON THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE VIRGIN MARY
(As revealed to Saint Bridget by the Blessed Mother)

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

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14151b.htm

THE MOST

HOLY NAME OF THE
BLESSED

VIRGIN MARY

FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 12TH

The honored name of the Virgin Mary, which is said to mean "star of the sea," is most fitting for the Virgin Mother. She may well be compared to a star; for, as a star beams forth its rays without any diminution of its own luster, so too the Virgin gave birth to a Son with no loss to her virginity. The departing rays do not lessen the star's brightness, nor Mary's Son her inviolate maidenhood. She is, therefore, that noble star risen from Jacob and raised by nature above this great and wide sea. She shines with merits, she enlightens with her example. You, all you who are cast about upon the sea of temporalities in storms and tempests more than you walk on solid land, do not turn your eyes away from the brightness of this star. Think of Mary, call upon Mary, so that you may experience for yourself how fittingly it was said, "And the Virgin's name was Mary." -- Pope Innocent XI ordered the feast of this most holy name, which had already been honored with a special rite in some parts of the Christian world, to be celebrated each year by the universal Church as a perpetual memorial of the great blessing of that signal victory won at Vienna in Austria over the cruel Turkish tyrant who had been grinding down the Christian people in 1683.

(From Matins of the feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

The Most Holy Name of Mary

St. Bernard says and we say with him: "Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary... in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart... If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination."
(Pope Benedict XVI address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, September 9, 2007)

Ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to assist you with your special needs today.

DEAR BLESSED MOTHER, PLEASE PRAY FOR [STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST.]

Litany of the Holy Name of Mary
For private use only.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.

Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter,
Have mercy on us.
Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid,
Have mercy on us.

Mary , Mother of the Living God, pray for us.
Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal, pray for us.
Mary, our light, etc.
Mary, our sister,
Mary, flower of Jesse,
Mary , issue of kings,
Mary, chief work of God,
Mary, the beloved of God,
Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
Mary, all fair,
Mary, light in darkness,
Mary, our sure rest,
Mary, house of God,
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord,
Mary, altar of the Divinity,
Mary, Virgin Mother,
Mary, embracing thy Infant God,
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom,
Mary, ocean of bitterness,
Mary, Star of the Sea,
Mary, suffering with thine only Son,
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow,
Mary, torn with a cruel wound,
Mary, sorrowful even to death ,
Mary, bereft of all consolation,
Mary, submissive to the law of God,
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus,
Mary, Our Lady,
Mary, Our Queen,
Mary, Queen of glory ,
Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant,
Mary, Blessed Queen,
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant,
Mary, Queen of Mercy,
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering,
Mary, exalted above the Angels,
Mary, crowned with twelve stars,
Mary, fair as the moon,
Mary, bright as the sun,
Mary, distinguished above all,
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus,
Mary, our hope,
Mary, our sweetness,
Mary, glory of Jerusalem ,
Mary, joy of Israel,
Mary, honor of our people,
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption,
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto,
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes,
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima,
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa,
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal,
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels,
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors,
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy,
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary,
Mary, Our Lady of Victory ,
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe,
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary , hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
V. I will declare thy name unto my brethren.
R. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Us Pray.

O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous
of placing themselves under the shadow of the name and protection
of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee,
that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all
evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven,
through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.

ARTICLE ON THE HOLY NAME OF MARY

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."

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us

R. Have mercy on us.
God the Father of Heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost,
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, .
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities,
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, .
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, oh Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Christ graciously spare us.
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart. R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray - Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.

LITANY OF THE

MOST

PRECIOUS

BLOOD OF

JESUS

[PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK,
ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH THE
CORONA VIRUS]

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.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, of the new and Eternal Testament,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
heal us.

Blood of Christ, river of mercy,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Victor over demons,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory,

heal us.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

heal 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. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy blood,
R. And made of us a kingdom for our God.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Feast Day: June 20th

Veneration and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

[Source: Wikipedia.org]

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 Sales speaks of the perfections of this 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

__________

PRAYER TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Heart of Mary ever Virgin, you are full of grace. You are the dearest daughter of the heavenly Father, the tabernacle of the Word made Flesh, and the beloved home of the Holy Spirit. You are the wonder and delight of angels, of saints, and of men. I offer you my deepest reverence. With great love and thanksgiving I consecrate myself, body and soul, to you this day, and will never take back my word. You are the marvel of God's creation; a Virgin's heart, yet a Mother's too, with a mother's love of Jesus and of men. Dear Mother, fashion in my heart a child's true love of you. Fill me with your own bright virtues: simplicity and innocence, meekness and courage, and unfailing devotedness to Jesus Christ. Since I belong to you then, holy Mother, save me from my enemies, from the world, from Satan, from myself. Keep me always in your sinless Heart to make my poor heart more and more like your Heart and the Heart of Jesus. Dear, merciful Mother, look with a mother's love and pity on the poor, sinful, suffering children of the whole human family. Our Holy Father Pius XII has consecrated them to your Immaculate Heart. Do not turn them away. Remember the cruel pain your heart suffered for their salvation with Jesus Christ on Calvary. Save them by His precious Blood. Draw them out of the darkness and despair of their sin and misery into the light, peace, and holiness of the Church. Then with the angels and saints, may they join us in singing the everlasting Magnificat of praise, gratitude, and love to your tender and Immaculate Heart, and to the adorable and merciful Heart of Jesus. Amen.

June 13th

ST. ANTONY OF PADUA, C.

DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

FEAST DAY: JUNE XIII

[His genuine life has received several interpolations from popular reports of no authority. But Wadding's Annals of his Order furnish us with good memoirs relating to his life and actions. See the judicious notes of the Bollandists, Acta Sanctorum Junii, t. ii. p. 706 ; Ragnaud, t. viii. Mic. Ant. Bibl. Hisp. and Andreich.] [BUTLER'S LIVES OF THE SAINTS.]

DIED: A.D. 1231.

ST. ANTONY, though a native, of Lisbon, in Portugal, received his surname from his long residence at Padua, which city is possessed of the treasure of his relics. He was born in 1195, and christened by the name of Ferdinand, which he changed for that of Antony when he entered the Order of St. Francis, out of devotion to the great patriarch of monks, who was the titular saint of the little chapel of his Order in which he took the habit. His father was Martin de Bullones, an officer in the army of Alphonsus I., surnamed El Consultador, who having defeated five kings of the Moors in the battle of Orique, in 1139, was crowned King of Portugal, and died in 1185.

(1) Osce ii. 14.

This prince's father, Henry of Burgundy, grandson of Robert, King of France, had begun the conquest of that country, but never took the title of king. The mother of our saint was Mary of Tevera, one of the most accomplished of women. Both his parents were equally distinguished by their nobility and virtue. They placed their son very young in the community of the canons of the Cathedral of Lisbon, where his rising genius was carefully cultivated, and from his tender years he always advanced both in his knowledge and devotion. At fifteen years of age he entered among the regular canons of St. Austin, near Lisbon ; but not bearing the interruption and distraction which the visits of his friends there gave him, he desired, two years after, to be sent to the convent of the Holy Cross of the same Order at Coimbra, a hundred miles from the former city. The close retirement and the austerity in which he there lived astonished his brethren, whilst he pursued his studies, and read assiduously the holy scriptures and fathers. By his regular method and application, and by his sound and piercing judgment, he made a quick progress, and together with a profound knowledge of theology, acquired a perfect habit of.nervous and convincing eloquence. In the mean time he inflamed his devotion by assiduous prayer and holy meditation, and nourished daily in his soul the strongest sentiments and affections of piety, without which means the heart is left spiritually dry, the usual consequence of studies, whether sacred or profane, unless prayer imparts to them its unction. But the saint was called by God to serve him with greater fervour, and to be the ornament and support of another illustrious rising Order of religious men.

He had lived at Coimbra near eight years, when Don Pedro, Infant of Portugal, brought over from Morocco the relics of the five Franciscans who had been lately there crowned with martyrdom. Ferdinand was strongly affected at the sight, and conceived an ardent desire to lay down his life for Christ. Shortly after, certain Franciscan friars came to his monastery of the Holy Cross to beg an alms for their community. Ferdinand discovered to them his inclination to embrace their institute, and was by them encouraged to put it in execution. No sooner was this known among the canons, but they endeavoured to dissuade him from such a resolution, and he suffered much from their railleries and bitter reproaches. But he rejoiced in humiliations, and he began by them to learn to overcome himself, and to root out of his heart all lurking poison of pride. Whilst he examined his vocation, and begged the direction of the Holy Ghost, he found his resolution every day to gain new strength from the esteem he conceived for an Order which inspired an eminent spirit of martyrdom, and still enjoyed the direction and living example of its holy founder. Its poverty and austerities had also charms to him. Having therefore obtained the consent of his prior, he received this new habit in 1221, in the little Franciscan convent, dedicated to the great St. Antony, patriarch of the monks, near Coimbra. After some time spent in solitude, prayer, and penitential austerities, burning with, a desire of martyrdom, he obtained leave to go into Africa to preach the gospel to the Moors. He was scarce arrived there, when God; satisfied with the sacrifice of his heart, visited him with a severe fit of illness, which obliged him to return to Spain for the reestablishment of his health. But by contrary winds, the vessel on which he was embarked was driven to Sicily, and touched at Messina, where he was informed that, St. Francis was then holding a general chapter at Assisium. Sick and weak as he was, the desire of seeing the holy founder of his Order carried him to Assisium. When he had seen St. Francis he desired to cultivate the happiness which he enjoyed in the company of the saint ; and a order to stay nearer his person, offered himself to the provincials and guardians of Italy. St. Francis approved his inclination to renounce his friends and country; but not one of the superiors there assembled would be troubled with him, so compromising and sickly was his aspect; or he took care to conceal his learning end talents, and presented himself only to serve in the kitchen. At last a guardian in the province of Romagna, named Iratiani, took pity of him, and sent him to the hermitage of Mount-Paul, a little solitary convent near Bologna. Antony thought of nothing but of burying himself here in obscurity unknown to the world, joining the sweets of heavenly contemplation with the austerities of a penitential life, and the humiliations of such a state. He never let fall one word which might show his learning, much less any thing of the sublime communications of his soul with God; but listened to every body,and only spoke when obliged, till an accident made him known to the world. 1n assembly of the neighbouring Dominican and Franciscan friars was held at Forli, in which the Dominicans, as strangers, were desired to make an exhortation to the company. They all excused themselves, every one saying that he was not prepared. Then St. Antony's guardian ordered him to speak, and to say whatever the Holy Ghost should put in his mouth. The saint begged to be excused, alleging that he had been only used to wash the dishes in the kitchen, and to sweep the house; but the superior resisting upon his compliance, he spoke with such eloquence, erudition, and unction as astonished the whole company. He was at that time about twenty-six years old.

St. Francis was informed of the discovery of this hidden treasure in his order, and sent him to Vercelli, there to apply himself to the study of theology, and after a short time to teach the sacred sciences ; yet recommending him to make the assiduous exercise of contemplation and prayer his principal employment, lest his studies should otherwise extinguish in him the spirit of devotion and piety. St. Francis's letter was couched in the following terms : "To my most dear brother Antony, Friar Francis wishes health in Jesus Christ. It seemeth good to me, that you should read sacred theology to " the friars; yet so, that you do not prejudice yourself by too great earnestness in studies ; and be careful that you do not extinguish in yourself or in them the spirit of holy prayer." St. Antony taught divinity some years with great applause at Bologna, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Padua, and was appointed guardian at Limoges. In all these employments he never made use of the general dispensation allowed to professors, of an exemption from any of the regular duties of his community, and he found time to preach assiduously to the people. He at length forsook the schools to apply himself wholly to the functions of a missionary preacher; for he thought the conversion of souls from vice, and the reformation of manners called for his whole attention and zeal. He seemed formed, both by nature and grace, for this most important office. He had a polite address, an easy carriage, and a very pleasing countenance. His voice was strong, clear, and agreeable; he was endowed with a happy memory, and was a complete master of all the arts of persuasion. To his other advantages he added that of the most graceful action and accent, by which he knew how to get into the very souls of his hearers by seizing on their senses, having learned that man has as much of a sensible as of a rational creature. He was perfectly versed in the holy scriptures, had an excellent talent of applying them to the purpose on all occasions, and displayed in a clear light, and with inexpressible energy the genuine sense, and the spirit and marrow of the sacred text. But what made his eloquence most prevailing, and rendered it like a torrent of fire which bore down all before it, was the unction with which he spoke ; for his heart being filled with the warmest and most feeling sentiments of every virtue, he poured these forth with an energy and zeal that seemed irresistible. His words were so many darts, which pierced the hearts of his hearers ; for he had long treasured up by the exercises of humility, silence, mortification, contemplation, and prayer what he afterwards communicated to his hearers ; and his soul was itself all flame before he endeavoured to kindle the fire of divine love in others. Full of a sovereign contempt of the world and himself, and burning with a desire to die for Jesus Christ, and to see his pure love reign in all hearts, he was above the reach of all temptations which could warp his integrity, or make him weaken or disguise the maxims of the gospel, which he announced with equal dignity and zeal to the great ones and the small. The learned admired the loftiness of his thoughts, and the strong images with which he painted the most sublime mysteries, and added an unspeakable dignity to the most obvious and common truths of religion and morality ; yet a natural simplicity rendered all his discourses no less intelligible and easy to the most vulgar understandings. Charity and prudence took off the edge of harshness from his reprehensions, and his very reproofs were not bitter or austere, but amiable and insinuating. Whilst he beat down presumptuous sinners by the terrors of the divine judgments, he at the same time took care to raise and encourage their sinking souls by confidence in divine goodness and mercy. He opposed the fashionable vices and growing heresies of those times with equal vigour and success. The most obstinate heretics and the most hardened sinners threw themselves at his feet, declaring themselves conquered hearing him preach at Rome in 1227, in his surprise, figuratively called him, The Ark of the Covenant, or rich spiritual treasure. The sanctity and severity of his life gave also great weight to his words. Such was the gravity of his countenance and the edifying modesty of his deportment, that he seemed to preach by every action. Having once invited a brother to go out with him to preach, he returned to his convent without making any sermon to the people. His companion asked him why he had not preached. " We have done it," said the saint, " by our modest looks, and by the gravity of our behaviour." The frequent miracles which were performed by him much enhanced the reputation of his eminent sanctity wherever he came. The crowds were every where so great at his sermons that he was often obliged to preach in market-places or fields. He travelled through cities, towns, and villages with an unwearied zeal, and preached in France, Spain, and Italy. When he was one day going to begin his sermon to a most numerous assembly in the fields in France, the sky was on a sudden covered with thick clouds, and violent claps of thunder presaged a dreadful storm. The people began to disperse, and run to the neighbouring city. But the saint encouraged them to stay, and by his prayers obtained that the audience, as if they had been covered with an invisible canopy, felt nothing of the dreadful shower of rain and hail, whilst the neighbouring fields and highways were covered with a deluge.

The saint was no less admirable in the confessional and in the private direction of souls than in the pulpit. Wherever he came, dissensions and animosities were extinguished, usurers restored their unjust gains, sinners melted into tears at his discourses, and by their sobs often interrupted his sermons, and every one sought his particular advice for the direction of his own conscience and conduct. In Lombardy, for the protection of the oppressed people, he put his life in the hands of one the most furious of tyrants. Ezzelino, native of the marquisate of Treviso, but German extraction, having put himself the head of a party of the Gibellins, Imperialists, made himself master of Verona, Padua, and several other cities in Lombardy, and exercised in them the most horrible tyranny during forty years. He contemned the anathemas of Gregory IX., Innocent IV., and Alexander IV. Hearing that the citizens of Padua had volted from him, he put to death in one day twelve thousand persons of that country. The city of Verona, which was the place of his residence, had lost most its inhabitants, and was filled with his guards, whose terrible armour added fierceness to their savage countenances. The saint, who feared no danger in the cause of God and his neighbour, went boldly to Verona. He found the streets solitary and mournful, and advancing to the palace, desired an audience of the prince. Being introduced into his chamber, he saw him seated on a throne, surrounded, by his troop of murderers, who stood armed, ready to execute his bloody orders the instant they were issued. Antony, no way dismayed, told the tyrant, that his murders, sacrileges, and plunders called to heaven for vengeance upon his head, and that those whom he had slain oppressed were witnesses before God against him. The saint said many things the same purpose, and the guards kited every moment to hear the tyrant command him to be cut to pieces. But their great astonishment, he descended from his throne pale and trembling, and fitting his girdle round his neck for a halter, cast himself at the feet of the humble servant of God, and with many tears begged him to intercede with God for the pardon of his sins. The saint led him up, and gave him suitable advice to do penance. Some time afterwards he sent a great present to St. Antony, which the holy man refused to accept, saying, the only agreeable present the prince could make him would be to restore to the poor what he had unjustly taken from them. Ezzelino seemed for some time to change his conduct, but after the death of the saint, relapsed into his former disorders. At length being taken prisoner by the confederate princes of Lombardy, in 1259, he died distracted in close confinement.

St. Antony, when invested with several dignities in his Order, was watchful to maintain the primitive spirit and regularity in the houses under his inspection. He saw it almost in its birth exposed to imminent danger, and saved it by his zeal and prudence. St. Francis dying in 1226, brother Elias, a man of a worldly spirit, was chosen general; who abusing his authority, began to introduce several relaxations of the rule, which tended to the ruin of its fundamental constitutions and spirit. He built a church too magnificent for the poverty which the rule required and professed, applied money to his own private use, bought himself a horse, kept servants, ate in his own chamber, and had better fare than the community prepared for him. Most of the provincials and guardians, out of human respects, were gained to his way of thinking; and the rest; who saw that the tendency of such an innovation was to open a door to relaxations which must necessarily extinguish the spirit and glory of the Order, had not courage to speak against it. Only St. Antony and an Englishman, named Adam, boldly opposed and condemned these abuses; but were loaded with injuries and ill-treatment, and only by flight escaped perpetual imprisonment in their cells, which the general, with several provincials, decreed against them as turbulent and seditious men. They addressed themselves to Pope Gregory IX., by whom they were graciously received and heard. His holiness summoned Elias to appear before him at Rome, and having examined into the abuses by him introduced, deposed him from the generalship. Antony was at that time Provincial of Romagna; but took this occasion to extort by importunities license from the pope to resign that post, and also to leave the court, where his holiness earnestly desired to detain him. He retired first to Mount Alverno; thence returned to his convent at Padua, which he had pitched upon for his abode some time before he was Provincial of Romagna, and where he had formerly taught divinity and preached. After his return, he again preached the Lent there with such fruit, that the whole city seemed changed by his sermons. Then it was that he put the last hand to the Latin sermons, which we have, though not as he preached them ; for he diversified them according to circumstances, and spoke as the ardour of his soul directed him. They are no more than general heads or commonplaces, destitute of the ornaments and flowers which he added in speaking.

When Lent was over, St. Antony being much spent with labour, and his penitential life, finding also his health and strength declining very fast under an inward decay, he desired to give himself some interval between business and eternity. He therefore retired out of town, to a solitary place called Campietro, or Field of Peter, there to attend solely to himself and God, and by fervent prayer to dispose his soul for the enjoyment of God ; for he knew that his earthly pilgrimage was drawing to an end, and that he was then called to receive the reward of his labours. He took with him into his solitude two companions, men of great virtue. His distemper increasing very much upon him, he desired to be carried back to his convent in Padua ; but the crowds of people pressing to kiss the hem of his habit were so great and so trouble-some, that he stopped in the suburbs, and was laid in the chamber of the director of the nuns of Arcela, where, having received the rites of the church with many tears, he recited the seven penitential psalms, and a hymn in honour of the Blessed Virgin, till he gave up his happy soul to him who had created it for his own great glory, on the 13th of June, 1231, being only thirty-six years old, of which he had lived ten in the Order of St. Francis. At the first news of his departure, the children ran about the streets, crying out, " The saint is dead ! " Innumerable miracles testified his sanctity, and he was immediately canonized by Pope Gregory IX., in 1232, whose bull was dated at Spoletto. That pope had been personally acquainted with the saint, and was a great, admirer of his virtues. Thirty-two years after his death, a stately church was built in Padua for his Order, and his remains were translated into it. The flesh was all consumed except the tongue, which was found incorrupt, red, and as fresh as it was whilst he was living. St. Bonaventare, who was then general of the Order, and present at this ceremony, took it into his hands, and bathing it with his tears, and kissing it with great devotion, said, " 0 blessed tongue, that didst always praise God, and hast been the cause that an infinite number learned to praise Him : now it appears how precious thou art before Him who framed thee to be employed in so excellent and high a function." The tongue is kept in the same church in a most costly case. This is at present a great and famous house of conventual Franciscan friars, which often furnishes the university, which is certainly to be ranked among the best in Europe, with able professors. The sepulchral monument of the saint in the church is exceeding rich and magnificent; and the basso-relievo with which it is adorned a master-piece of art. The costly lamps which hang before it are the several presents of many cities. The Portuguese likewise honour him with singular veneration.

On his miracles Papebroke, the Bollandist, may be consulted.¹ Pope Gregory I.X. in the bull of his canonization says, " We therefore commanded the said bishop (of Padua), brother Jordan, Prior of St. Bennet's, and brother John, Prior of St. Austin's, a monastery of the Dominicans in Padua, to make diligent scrutiny into the miracles wrought at his sepulchre, and into the merits of his life. Having seen the authentic proofs of the miracles of the aforesaid venerable man, besides what we know ourselves of his holy life and conversation, of which we have had experience, we, by the advice of our brethren, together with all the prelates with us, have enrolled him in the number of the saints." He had said before in the same bull: "St. Antony, residing now in heaven, is honoured on earth by many miracles daily seen at his tomb, of which we are certified by authentic writings."

Whilst we admire the graces and extra-ordinary gifts with which God was pleased to glorify his servant, we must not forget that he was raised so high only because, by divine grace, through the paths of self-denial and humility, he had learned perfectly to die to himself, and to be nothing in his own eyes. Pride makes our hearts an abomination to God, and puts him at the greatest distance from us. This is the deep wound of our souls, the main-spring of all our passions, the deadly poison of virtue, the fortress of the devil, and the source of all disorders. If we perfectly root out this evil, then will divine grace begin to establish its reign, and display its treasures in our souls.

(1) T. ii. Junij, p.718.

_____________

INTERCESSORY PRAYER: SAINT ANTHONY, PLEASE PRAY FOR [STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST.]

THE LITANY OF
SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA

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,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony of Padua,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, ark of the Testament,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, sanctuary of heavenly wisdom,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, destroyer of worldly vanity,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, conqueror of impurity,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, example of humility,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, lover of the Cross,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, martyr of desire,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, generator of charity,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, zealous for justice,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, terror of infidels,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, model of perfection,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, consoler of the afflicted,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, restorer of lost things,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, defender of innocence,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, liberator of prisoners,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, guide of pilgrims,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, restorer of health,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, performer of miracles,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, restorer of speech to the mute,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, restorer of hearing to the deaf,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, restorer of sight to the blind,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, disperser of devils,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, reviver of the dead,
have mercy on us.

Saint Anthony, tamer of tyrants,
have mercy on us.

From the snares of the devil,
Saint Anthony deliver us.

From thunder, lightning and storms,
Saint Anthony deliver us.

From all evil of body and soul,
Saint Anthony deliver us.

Through your intercession,
Saint Anthony protect us.

Throughout the course of life,
Saint Anthony protect us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

V. Saint Anthony, pray for us.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O my God,
may the pious commemoration of Saint Anthony,
Your Confessor and Proctor,
give joy to Your Church,
that she may ever be strengthened
with Your spiritual assistance
and merit to attain everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord.

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."

The Image SisterFaustina2.jpg (8096 bytes)

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."

"Whoever will go to confession and Holy Communion on that day will receive complete forgiveness of sin and punishment."

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.

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)."

https://disrn.com/news/abortion-was-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide-in-2019-with-42-million-killed

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

NEED A MIRACLE

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, 1969–1979)
Auxiliary bishop of New York (1951–1966)
Titular bishop of Caesariana (1951–1966)

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. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City (1979–2019)
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 (1930–1950) before moving to television and presenting Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) 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]

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 Engstrom’s 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. “I’ve 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.”

Bonnie’s “beautiful” pregnancy, coloured by a deepening devotion to Sheen, was followed by a beautiful labour “covered in prayer”. “James’s 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 you’re 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 James’s birth, the abundant joy of the previous nine months abruptly died: Bonnie’s 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 wasn’t moving. He wasn’t breathing. He wasn’t 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 son¹s forehead and baptised him James Fulton, Bonnie’s friend began to pray for the intercession of the newborn¹s namesake.

“At that moment, in my head I couldn’t really think of anything,” Bonnie says. “But in my head I was saying Fulton Sheen’s 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 Travis’s 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: ‘He’s 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 everything’s 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 naïvely 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 wasn¹t breathing on his own. They had knocked him out. They had intubated him. Yeah, it was really…”

Bonnie’s 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: “It’s 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: ‘It’s amazing that James came back to life and it¹s a miracle that he is doing as well as he is.¹ 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 he’s going to have cerebral palsy. We just don¹t 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. He’s like any of our other babies we¹ve seen at this age. This really is a miracle.'”

Bonnie still prays to Fulton Sheen and he remains a central figure in her family’s 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 Patrick’s 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 didn¹t want to talk about it, because he didn¹t want to create scandal and feed gossip. That¹s 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.”

NEED A MIRACLE, TRY THIS PRAYER:

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 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

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 Rosary

From 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 Eléonor 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.

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.

HOW TO SAY 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.

Stations of the Cross, Promises

THE PROMISES MADE BY OUR LORD TO THOSE WHO HAVE DEVOTION TO THE WAY OF THE CROSS.~Jesus to Brother Estanislao

I promise eternal life to those who pray, from time to time, the Way of the Cross.
I promise them my greatest graces.
I will deliver the faithful from purgatory on the first Tuesday or Friday after their death.
I promise them a special glory in Heaven.
I will grant them everything they ask through praying the Way of the Cross with faith.
I will grant them the remission of all their sins, even if they be as scarlet; if they be more than the grains of sand on the seashore and the stars in the heavens, all of them will be erased by the Way of the Cross.
I will preserve them from sudden death.
I promise them my special protection; my hands will always be open to protect them.
I will bless them at each Way of the Cross and my blessing will follow them everywhere on earth, and after their death, in Heaven for all eternity.
They will be assured of being joined to the Supreme Choir Of Angels.
I will give them the grace never again to commit a mortal sin for I will give them the grace never again to separate themselves from me.
I will lift all power from the devil at the hour of death that they may repose tranquilly in my arms
I will make of each one of them a living ciborium in which it will please me to pour my graces
I will give them a special drought from the fountain of My Deity.
As I am nailed to the cross, so also will I always be with those who honour me in making the Way Of The Cross frequently.

BROTHER ESTANISLOA

Brother Estanisloa was born in 1903. At an early age, he entered the Christian schools of charity in Bugedo, Spain. Here he took vows of regularity, perfection and pure love. In October 1926 he offered himself to Jesus through Mary. Soon after this heroic donation he fell ill and was obliged to rest. He died in the odor of sanctity in March, 1927 of tuberculosis. According to the master of novices he was a privileged soul who received messages from heaven. Confessors and theologians recognize these supernatural facts. His spiritual director asked him to write down the promises made by Our Lord to those who have devotion to the Way of the Cross as written here.

Best Time to Pray the Stations is on Friday at 3pm if possible as Jesus told St. Faustina,

At three o'clock, 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. This is the hour of great mercy. ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion (Diary,1320).

As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world — mercy triumphed over justice. ...

My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant (1572).

STATIONS OF THE CROSS, written by Saint Francis of Assisi

THE MOST

HOLY NAME OF THE
BLESSED

VIRGIN MARY

FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 12TH

(From Matins of the feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to assist you with your special needs today.

DEAR BLESSED MOTHER, PLEASE PRAY FOR [STATE YOUR PRAYER REQUEST.]

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin 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.

Divine Mercy

On February 22, 1931, Our Lord 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 late

r, 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."

GO TO CONFESSION ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH OR SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH, DURING DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY WEEKEND. JESUS TOLD SISTER FAUSTINA:

SAINT MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA, "DIARY, DIVINE MERCY IN MY SOUL.

DIVINE MERCY LITANY

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

Prayer:
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 difor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR TODAY

Introduction to the

Devout Life

Saint Francis of Sales Bishop and Prince of Geneva


Preface by the Author
PART I. 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
PART II. 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
PART III. 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
PART IV. 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
PART V. 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

LITANY IN HONOUR OF
ST. JOSEPH
[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:

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

"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

MORNING PRAYER
AFTERNOON PRAYER
EVENING PRAYER

MORNING PRAYER:

THIRTY-THREE PETITIONS IN HONOUR OF THE SACRED HUMANITY
OF OUR LORD JESUS

O 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.

Let Us Pray

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.

Amen.

***********

AFTERNOON PRAYER:

LITANY TO SAINT JOSEPH

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 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.

EVENING PRAYER:

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.

MORE ON ABORTION: http://jesus-passion.com/ABORTION.htm

Jesus suffered as a baby so that unborn children would be protected from abortion.

Birth of Christ

From the Visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

9. ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS. DEVOUT VISITS TO THE CRIB

In the early dawn after the birth of Jesus, the three oldest of the shepherds came to the Crib Cave with the gifts they had gathered together. These consisted of little animals bearing some resemblance to deer. They were very lightly built and nimble, had long necks and clear, beautiful eyes. They followed or ran along beside the shepherds who led

them with fine, guiding cords. The shepherds carried also large, live birds under their arms, and dead ones slung over their shoulders.They told Joseph at the entrance of the cave what the angel had announced to them, and that they had come to do homage to the Child of Promise and to offer Him gifts. Joseph accepted their presents and allowed them to lead the animals into the space that formed a kind of cellar near the side entrance of the cave. Then he conducted them to the Blessed Virgin, who was sitting on the ground near the Crib, a rug under her, the Infant Jesus on her lap. The shepherds, their staves resting on their arms, fell on their knees and wept with joy. They knelt long, tasting great interior sweetness, and then entoned the angelic canticle of praise, and a Psalm that I have forgotten. When they were about to take leave, Mary placed the Child in their arms.Some of the other shepherds came in the evening, accompanied by women and children, and bringing gifts. They sang most sweetly before the Crib the Gloria, some Psalms, and short refrains of which I remember the words: "0 Child, blooming as a rose art Thou! As a herald Thou comest forth!" They brought gifts of birds, eggs, honey, woven stuffs of various colors, bundles of raw silk, and ears of corn, also several bundles of a corn with heavy grains growing on a stalk with large leaves like those of rushes.

CAVE OF THE NATIVITY, BETHLEHEM

(There should be a picture here)

The Site of the Nativity is attested to by an unbroken tradition dating back to the 2nd Century. This plan is asuggested reconstruction of the original arrangement based on the description in the "Life of Mary" and the present form of the caves (shaded areas). During the centuries there have been many additions and enlargements. She stated that new grottoes were Cut in the rock even during the lifetime of Our Lord. The basilica, erected by Constantine over the cave in the 4th Century, and still in use, is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. R.L.

The three oldest shepherds came back in turn and helped Joseph to make the Crib Cave and its surroundings more comfortable. I saw also several pious women with the Blessed Virgin, performing some services for her. They were Essenians, and lived in the valley, not far from the Crib Cave, in little rocky cells adjoining one another. They owned little gardens near their cells, and they taught the children of their community. St. Joseph had invited them to come, for he was acquainted with them even in early youth. When he was hiding in the Crib Cave, from his brethren, he visited these pious women who dwelt in the side of the rock. They now came in

turn to the Blessed Virgin, bringing little necessaries and bundles of wood. They cooked and washed for the Holy Family.Some days after the birth of Jesus, I saw a touching scene in the Crib Cave. Joseph and Mary were standing by the Crib and gazing with emotion upon the Infant Jesus, when suddenly the ass fell upon its knees and lowered its head to the ground. Mary and Joseph shed tears. I saw Mary at another time standing by the Crib. As she gazed upon the Child, the deep conviction stole upon her that It had come upon earth to suffer. That reminded me of a vision I had had at an earlier period in which I had been shown how Jesus, while still in His Mothers womb and from the movement of His birth, had suffered. I saw under the heart of Mary a glory and in it a bright shining Child. As I gazed upon It, it seemed as if Mary were hovering over It and surrounding It. I beheld the Child growing and all the torments of the Crucifixion inflicted upon It. It was a sad, a fearful sight! I wept and sobbed aloud. I saw other forms around It beating and pushing, scourging and crowning It. Then they laid the Cross upon It, next nailed It to the same, and pierced It in the side. I saw the whole Passion of Christ in the Child. It was a frightful sight! As the Child hung on the Cross, It said to me: "All this did I suffer from My conception until My thirty fourth year, when My Passion was outwardly consummated." (The Lord died when He was thirty three years and three months old.) "Go and announce it to men!" But how can I announce it to men? I saw Jesus also as the newborn Child, and I saw how many of the children that went to the Crib ill treated the Infant Jesus. The Mother of God was not there to protect the Child, and the children went with all kinds of switches and rods, and struck It in the face until the Blood flowed. The Child meekly extended Its little hands before Its face, in order to ward off the blows. The smallest children were they that struck the most maliciously. The parents of some even twisted and wrapped the rods for them. They brought thorns, nettles, whips, little rods of all kinds, each having its own signification. One came with a very slender rod, like a reed. But when it was about to strike the Child, the rod snapped, and fell back upon itself. I knew several of the children. Some went about boasting in their fine clothes, but I stripped them, and whipped some of them well. While Mary was still standing by the Crib in deep meditation, some shepherds drew near with their wives, in all about five persons. To give them room to approach the Crib, the Blessed Virgin withdrew a little to the spot upon which she had given birth to the Child. The people did not actually adore, but they gazed down upon the Child deeply moved, and before leaving they bowed low over It as if kissing It.It was day. Mary sat in her usual place with the Infant Jesus on her lap. He was swathed, the hands and face alone free. Mary had something like

a piece of linen in her hands with which she was busied. Joseph was at the fireplace near the entrance of the cave, and appeared to be making a shelf to hold some vessels. I was standing next the ass. And now came in three aged female Essenians, who were cordially welcomed, though Mary did not rise. They brought quite a number of presents: small fruits, birds with red, awl-shaped beaks as large as ducks, which they carried by the wings, oval rolls about an inch in thickness, some linen, and other stuff. All were received with rare humility and gratitude. The women were very silent and recollected. Deeply moved, they gazed down upon the Child, but they did not touch It. When they withdrew, it was without farewells or ceremony. Meanwhile, I was taking a good look at the ass. It had a very broad back, and I thought to myself:"You good beast! You have carried a great burden!" (The Creator) and I wanted to feel it, to see if it were real. I ran my hand over itshair, and it felt as smooth as silk.Now came two married women with three little girls about eight years old. They appeared to be strangers and people of distinction, who had come in obedience to a call more miraculous than that received by any previous visitor. Joseph welcomed them very humbly. They brought presents less in size than the others, but of greater value: grain in a bowl, small fruits, and a cluster of thick, triangular, gold leaves on which was a stamp like a seal. I thought: "Strange! That looks like the representation of the eye of God! But no! How can I compare the eye of God with red earth!" Mary arose and placed the Child in the ladies arms. Both held Him a little while, praying silently with uplifted heart, and then kissed Him. The three little girls were silent and deeply impressed. Joseph and Mary conversed with their visitors and when they left, Joseph accompanied them part of the way. Ah! Could we, like these women, behold the beauty, the purity, the innocent wisdom of Mary! She knewall things! But in her humility, she appears unconscious of her gifts. Like a child, she casts down her eyes; and when she raises them, her glance, like a flash of lightning, like the truth, like a ray of unsullied light, pierces one through and through. That is because she is perfectly pure, perfectly innocent, full of the Holy Ghost, and without any reflection on self. No one can resist her glance.These people appeared to have come at least some miles and that secretly, for they avoided being seen in the city. Joseph behaved with great humility during such visits, retiring and looking on from some distant corner.I saw also Annes maid and an old man servant coming from Nazareth to the Crib. The maid was a widow and related to the Holy Family. She broughtall sorts of necessaries from Anne to Mary, with whom she took up her abode. The old man shed tears of joy, and returned with news to Anne.

The day after, I saw the Blessed Virgin and the Infant Jesus leave the Crib Cave with the maid for some hours. Stepping from the door of the cave, Mary turned toward the shed on the right, went some steps forward, and concealed herself in that side cave in which, at the birth of Jesus, a spring had welled up. She remained there four hours, because some men, spies of Herod, had come from Bethlehem, in consequence of the rumor set afloat by the words of the shepherds, that a miracle had there taken place in connection with a child. These men met St. Joseph in front of the Crib Cave. After exchanging a few words with him, they left him with a contemptuous smile at his humility and simplicity.The Crib Cave was retired, and very pleasantly situated. No one from Bethlehem went there, only the shepherds whose duties called them thither. No one in Bethlehem took any interest inwhat was going on outside for, in consequence of the influx of strangers, the city was all alive, and much buying and selling going on. Cattle was being bought and slaughtered, for many people paid their taxes in cattle. There were numbers of pagans in the city in the capacity of servants.The wonderful apparition of the angels was soon noised among the dwellers of the mountain valleys far and near, and with it the birth of the Child in the cave. The innkeepers from whom the Holy Family on their journey had received hospitality now came, one after another, to do homage to Him whom unknown they had entertained. I saw that hospitable keeper of the last inn, first sending presents by a servant, and then coming himself to honor the Child. I saw also the good wife of that man who had been so cross to Joseph, and other shepherds and good people coming to the Crib. They were very much affected by what they saw. All were in holiday attire, and were going up to Bethlehem for the Sabbath. The good wife might have gone to Jerusalem which was nearer, but she preferred coming here to Bethlehem.A relative of Joseph, and father of that Jonadab who, at the Crucifixion of Jesus presented a strip of linen to Him, had also come to the Crib Cave on his way to Bethlehem for the Sabbath. Joseph was very kind to him. This relative had heard from pepple of his place of Josephs wonderful situation; he came therefore to bring him gifts and to visit the Infant Jesus and Mary. But Joseph would not accept anything, although he pawned thelittle she-ass to this relative with the understanding that she might be redeemed for the same amount of money received. After that, Mary, Joseph, the maid, and two of the shepherds who were standing in front of the entrance, celebrated the Sabbath in theCrib Cave. A lamp with seven wicks was lighted, and upon a small table covered with white and red, lay the prayer rolls.The numerous eatables presented by the shepherds were either given to the poor or handed around for the entertainment of others. The birds were hung on a spit before the fire, turned from time to time, and

sprinkled with the flour of a reed-like plant which was very plentiful around the area of Bethlehem and Hebron. From its grain a shining, white jelly was prepared and cakes baked. I saw under the fireplace very hot and clean holes in which birds could be roasted.After the Sabbath, the Essenian women got a meal ready under the arbors which Joseph, with the help of the shepherds, had put up at the entrance of the cave. Joseph went into the city to engage priests for the circumcision of the Child. The cave was cleared and put in order. The partition that Joseph had put up in the passage was removed, and the ground spread with carpets, for in this passage near the Crib Cave, the place for the ceremony was prepared.

_____________

MORE WRITINGS:

THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BLESSED MOTHER

ST. PETER OF ALCANTARA.

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.

MORE ON SAINT PETER FROM BUTLER'S LIVES OF THE SAINTS

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.]

POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR 2021

January

Human Fraternity
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all.

February

Violence Against Women
We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.

March

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.

April

Fundamental Rights
We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

May

The World of Finance
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.

June

The Beauty of Marriage
Let us pray for young people who are preparing for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.

July

Social Friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.

August

The Church
Let us pray for the Church, that she may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.

September

An Environmentally Sustainable Lifestyle
We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people who are resolutely committed to this.

October

Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.

November

People Who Suffer from Depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.

December

Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

OUR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY

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.

Unfailing Novena To The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots
Virgin 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.

AMERICA'S GREATEST SIN IS ABORTION

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

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PRAY THAT ABORTION WOULD BE OUTLAWED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

MARIAN PRAYERS

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".
TRUE DEVOTION TO THE VIRGIN MARY, SAINT LOUIS de MONTFORT

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!

The Chaplet of St. Michael

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.

PURPOSE OF THIS WEB SITE

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.

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

SAINT TERESA RECOMMENDS HOLY WATER

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

"because they include a movement of reverence for God and Divine things; and in this way a bishop's blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, a prayer said in a dedicated church, and anything else of the kind, conduce to the remission of venial sins." Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica

ORDER HOLY WATER BOTTLES: http://totallycatholic.com/subcat.php?cid=61&id=190

ALSO SEE: http://www.discountcatholicproducts.com/cath

SAINT JOHN XXIII

POPE JOHN XXIII SUMMARY ON WIKIPEDIA

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

SEE: EWTN Biography on Pope 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.

Prayer of Saint Catherine of Siena
for Physical and Spiritual Healing.

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